Marshside in Autumn
This week I undertook a wee jaunt to the "other side" of the estuary. The sky was blue, the wind was warm and the reddy/orange tones of autumn littered the marshes. As I arrived a Buzzard was perched on a fence post casually surveying its domain. The raptor on high alert, must have heard me coming, flapping off across the marsh. It flushed a few Pink-footed Geese up and also a Kestrel. The two raptors proceeded to bicker, tumultuously sniping at one another. Eventually, a movement in the marsh caught the Buzzard's eye. It was then the Buzzard I watched hovering as the Kestrel soared on. Whilst we do not frequently see Buzzards hovering, it is something they are known to do and it was doing a pretty good job of it too. Unfortunately for the Buzzard, the hover was not fruitful and the bird flapped on further away across the marsh.
I turned my attention towards the rest of the marshland, taking in just how much it had changed since the heady days of summer. Within moments a soft sound crept into the air, which rapidly gained volume. Low flying geese overhead, skein after skein, calling to one another with their gentle "wink wink". Immersed in the spectacle of Pink-footed Geese I reflected on the change of season, how subtly yet swiftly we morph into the next one. Gone were the Reed Warblers, with their rattling and squawking, replaced by torrents of geese, their constant calls filling the airwaves.
The arrival of pink footed geese from their Arctic breeding grounds is a highly anticipated event within the birding calendar. From the first early bird arrivals to the sudden and dramatic explosion in numbers. I stood engrossed and at peace, revelling in the landscape and it's wildlife. After the government announcements and the #AttackOnNature at the weekend , it served to steady my thoughts whilst yearning for a nature positive political climate. This attack has served to to unite many environmental organisations and rallied a united front. If you haven't already done so I implore you to write to your MP, use our handy online form here and don't let this happen in your name.
It's not all that long ago that the land at Marshside was earmarked for a residential building development and look at it now. These marshes along with land all around the Ribble Estuary are some of the most important sites for over-wintering waders and wildfowl in the UK. Our wardens and ecologists work tirelessly managing the land in order to best support the birds and wildlife that call it home. The birds seen on site by many a "birder" are testament to the work that they do. As I write a Buff-breasted Sandpiper has recently been seen and an American Wigeon this morning. The land is clearly prime real estate for birds, it leads me to wonder just what else will choose this land for a stopover or a long term let this Autumn and Winter.
Epic birds also attract humans who want to observe them or "tick" them on their list. We see some wonderful photographs of birds taken at Marshside and Hesketh out Marsh on Twitter and Facebook. If you do take some pics please remember to tag us too, it makes a huge difference to us to know the enjoyment people get from seeing the birds and highlights the fruit of our labour.
Twitter @RSPB_Ribble
Facebook @RibbleEstuary
Back at Fairhaven Lake, our October Wader Wander will introduce you to some of the frequently seen wading birds and sea ducks. There's often a surprise in store too. Harriers and Peregrines are often observed at this time of year patrolling the marshes and you never quite know just what might be lurking out on the estuary. Stuart will offer some easy identification tips and his beady eye always finds something unseen by anyone else.
Hope to see you there
Jo
Cover photo, hovering Buzzard and Pink-footed Geese at Marshside by Jo, American Wigeon at Marshside by Stuart Darbyshire