Magic at the Marsh!

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 Magic at the Marsh!


A bad record shot of a Peregrine

We arrived at RSPB Marshside at around 2:30pm, and immediately set off to the sandplant in hopes of seeing some interesting raptors. Once we had arrived at the sandplant, we met two friendly local birders. After a few minutes of searching, I spotted a small, dark raptor with a distinctive white rump. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew distantly above the marsh, spooking a flock of Lapwing before it dropped down near the estuary. A few minutes later, it was up again. This time, it continued further and further away from us, until it was out of sight. Then, one birder spotted a Peregrine distantly on a log. It was in the exact same place I saw my first Peregrine on my first visit here back in 2021! I managed to get a horrible record shot of it, before it flew off.


I then noticed a small raptor close in on a post. A stunning male Sparrowhawk was perched on a fence, allowing for some nice digiscoped record shots. 


Another birder then arrived, and he immediately spotted a Merlin sat on a fence post very distantly. I managed to get some record shots of it, before it flew away. He then spotted the Merlin again closer in on a log. There was also a hunting Kestrel out on the marsh too, as well as a large flock of Pink-footed Geese and some Little Egrets. With it turning dark, we decided to have a look at the screen by Sandgrounder's Hide. There were large flocks of Wigeon, but not much else. In the fading light, we went to wildfowler's pull-in in hopes of seeing some Water Pipit. After waiting around for a while, we were unsuccessful, however, we managed to see a Barn Owl to end the day. 

Overall, a great day with many interesting raptors seen!


Location: RSPB Marshside, Marine Dr, Southport PR9 9NT, UK

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