We met a friend on the way up who told us about a massive flock of Starlings he had seen along Cold Edge Road/Withens Road. We soon located them (thinking we were on our way to Leighton Moss) !!From the photos I tried a count - which is fairly impossible so a guestimate below !!!
There were probably around 3,800 birds altogether - with 1,400 birds in part of the flock which streamed down towards Wainstalls (lower picture). Then another flock of nearer 2,400 birds below the Hazelhurst Farms.
(click photos to enlarge)
I think this is most unusual to get such a large flock in our area at this time of year though we sometimes get flocks of post fledging birds at the end of summer which usually disperse fairly quickly.
Also nearby..
2 Stonechats near Withens Head Farm
2 Barnacle Geese
1 Greylag Goose
3 Wigeon (lower pond)
1 Snipe
1 Kestrel
Good to meet Nick and Phil up there doing the rounds as well.
2 comments:
Seems to be big flock year with Woodpigs, Fieldfare and Starlings.
Good to get some Wigeon up there.
Could these large bird numbers be a precursor to a hard winter to come Dave?
John
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