A passionate and amazing write up by Dan Trotman on last weeks devastating events on the Dee marshes,a must read!
21.3.22
#LOCAL BIG YEAR DIARY
February 2022
Feb 6th
I visited Burton RSPB this afternoon and saw 2 avocets on the main scape.
Avocet
Feb 18thAfter storm Dudley and storm Eunice, another storm was on its way, storm Franklin. Eunice had already claimed the lives of 3 people and left 1.4 million people without power, and this storm was meant to be even worse. I visited New Brighton and witnessed the storm for myself even though it wasn't as bad as forecasted.A kittiwake was the only bird I managed throughout the storm.
Calm before the storm
On the 21st, I connected with a Little gull in the mouth of the Mersey and then the next day, the 22nd, I had four Ruddy Shelduck on Burton Marsh and a Western Cattle Egret at Puddington
Western Cattle Egret
Ruddy Shelduck
On the 27th, I drove over to Crosby marina and managed to scope though the fence at Seaforth and connected with a female Scaup that was with some Pochard
5th March
I visited Queens dock this morning in Liverpool and connected with the Shags that have been hanging around on the quay sides, great birds and well found by Pete Brash
20th March
An early morning trip into North Wales with Mark Payne, and just on the edge of my radius, we arrived at Moel Famau and parked up in a layby overlooking the mountain and surrounding area. It didn't take long before we were rewarded with cracking views of a male and a female Goshawk, a Chiffchaff put in a brief performance close to the car, and then Mark picked up a stonking male Hen Harrier over the fields in front of us.
Long-tailed duck
Garganey
21st MarchAfter several attempts for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, I eventually scored this morning with another dawn raid and connected with a female bird. I picked the bird up on call, and it showed briefly perched up before flying off. This bird has been seen a few times over the last few weeks, but there is still no sign of a male yet.
PARKGATE MARSH FIRE
This evening around 18.30pm a devastating fire has broken out on Parkgate marsh.The fire has totally destroyed Neston reedbed which his home to so much wildlife.Police officers from Cheshire constabulary have been speaking to residents in the area and reviewing CCTV footage to find those responsible and now they have confirmed they are hoping to speak to a number of teenagers who were in the area at around 6.20pm.
The morning after these photographs showed the devastation caused by a mindless few!
Thankfully breeding season is not in full swing as this could have been even more catastrophic to the local birdlife and other wildlife that lives on these beautiful marshes.
CHESHIRE BIRD NEWS AND MEGAS
SUMMARY OF BIRD NEWS
Mar 21st
2 Redhead Smew-Lapwing Hall Pool
2 Wheatear and 3 Brent Geese by groyne - Meols.
Bar Tailed Godwit,3 Garganey (2f and 2m) and a Long-tailed Duck - Burton Mere Wetlands.
10 singing Chiffchaff along Wirral Way between Heswall and Parkgate.
Hen Harrier (ringtail) and Male - Parkgate.
5 Western Cattle Egret-Marsh Lane-Ince
Ring Necked Parakeet-Over Garden-Little Sutton
Black Necked Grebe-12 still (three on No 3 Bed and nine on No 4 Bed-Woolston Eyes
Hen Harrier-Male-Burton Marsh
MEGA NEWS
BELTED KINGFISHER-Samlesbury-Lancashire
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
Mar 20th
2 Spotted Redshank,Long-tailed Duck and 2 Garganey(M+F) - Burton Mere Wetlands.
Long Tailed Duck
(C)John Hewitt
Garganey
(C)A Orton
White Wagtail-Kerr's Field-Leasowe
4 Ruddy Shelduck-Burton Point
3rd Year Yellow Legged Gull-Hale
Caspian Gull-2nd-winter again on sandbank just west of old Runcorn Bridge-Widnes
Black Necked Grebe-Nine still on No 4 Bed wetland-Woolston Eyes
Whimbrel-One sound recorded overnight-Hoylake
2 Western Cattle Egret-Two adults at Frodsham Score viewed from Hale-Frodsham Marshes
Western Cattle Egret
(C)Paul Ralston
Red Kite-Past Hale Lighthouse
Red Kite
(C)Dave Craven
MEGA NEWS
BELTED KINGFISHER-Samlesbury-Lancashire
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
Mar 19th
4 Ruddy Shelduck-Burton Point
Hen Harrier-Male-Parkgate
Smew-One reported this morning and Female Long Tailed Duck-Burton RSPB
Black necked Grebe-12 (three on No 3 Bed and nine on No 4 Bed)-Woolston Eyes
Garganey-Two (one drake) and 2 Little Ringed Plover at Elton Hall Flash-Sandbach Flashes
Garganey
(C)Phil Jones
Siskin and a Redwing along Park Lane - Leasowe Lighthouse.
Brambling,3 Redpoll and 3 Raven over - Royden Park/Thurstaston Hill.
Red Kite over and a Long-tailed Duck - Burton Mere Wetlands.
MEGA NEWS
BELTED KINGFISHER-Samlesbury-Lancashire
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Joppa-Lothian
Mar 18th
Short Eared Owl-The Lum-Frodsham Marshes
8 singing Chiffchaff along Wirral Way between Heswall and Parkgate.
8 Brambling and a Yellowhammer in Thornton Hough area.
Long-tailed Duck - Burton Mere Wetlands.
Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechat - Parkgate.
10 Siskin and 2 Redpoll caught and ringed in sea-front garden - Hoylake.
MEGA NEWS
BELTED KINGFISHER-Samlesbury-Lancashire
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Joppa-Lothian
Mar 17th
2 Redhead Smew-Lapwing hall Pool
3 House Martin and a Swallow-Sandbach Flashes
House Martin-Tatton Mere
6 Crossbill landed in pine trees on golf course then flew across towards Hilbre, also 2 Stonechat - West Kirby Shore.
Hen Harrier (ringtail) - Parkgate.
2 White Wagtail and 7 singing Chiffchaff in fields by Dungeon Wood - Thurstaston.
Snow Bunting flew south at 1105hrs, also 12 Purple Sandpiper - Hilbre.
2 Little Owl at Burton Point, 4 Ruddy Shelduck - Burton Marsh.
MEGA NEWS
BELTED KINGFISHER-Samlesbury-Lancashire
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
Mar 16th
3 Sand Martin over Heswall Dales.
Long-tailed Duck and 70 Avocet -Burton Mere Wetlands.
Short-eared Owl on the marsh then perched in tree on golf course,Hen Harrier (ringtail),Marsh Harrier, 2 Mistle Thrush and a Stonechat - Parkgate.
2 Kingfisher and 6 Goldcrest - Leasowe Lighthouse.
MEGA NEWS
BELTED KINGFISHER-Samlesbury-Lancashire
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
Mar 15th
Short-eared Owl early morning - Parkgate.
Swallow over border pool *first of spring*,Long-tailed Duck -Burton Mere Wetlands.
10 Chiffchaff between the Lighthouse and duck pond this morning, also a Goosander by the groyne and a Sand Martin - Leasowe Lighthouse.
3 Rock Pipit and 1 Jack Snipe on the marsh, 4 Wheatear on golf course - West Kirby.
350+ Brent Geese - Hilbre.
MEGA NEWS
BELTED KINGFISHER-Samlesbury-Lancashire
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
Mar 14th
4 Ruddy Shelduck-Burton Marsh
Short-eared Owl which dropped on a Kestrel which escaped after a brief fight,Hen Harrier (ringtail) - Parkgate.
Long-tailed Duck - Burton Mere Wetlands.
Long Tailed Duck
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
BELTED KINGFISHER-Samlesbury-Lancashire
Mar 13th
Western Cattle Egret-Four still in cattle field south of Marsh Lane-Ince Marshes
Black Necked Grebe Acre Nook Sand Quarry
Long-tailed Duck with 100+ Tufted Duck and a Woodcock - Burton Mere Wetlands.
320 Shelduck, 31 Pintail, 95 Teal, 960 Oystercatcher, 143 Grey Plover, 109 Golden Plover, 1100 Knot, 2300 Dunlin, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 605 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 1700 Redshank this morning - Heswall Shore.
Greenshank near the groyne - Leasowe Lighthouse
Short-eared Owl and 2 Wheatear - Old Baths, Parkgate.
3 Wheatear on tide wrack, 2 Short-eared Owl,Barn Owl,5+ Stonechat (one singing) and 3 Marsh Harrier - Heswall Golf Course/Marsh.
Barn Owl along Mudhouse Lane - Burton.
Short-eared Owl,2 Wheatear,White Wagtail,2 Stonechat,Great Egret and 1 Ruddy Shelduck - Burton Marsh.
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Joppa-Lothian
Mar 12th
2 Red Kites-Over A54-Between Congleton and Summerford
Wheatear and a White Wagtail- Hilbre.
White Wagtail,2 Rock Pipit,40 Meadow Pipit and 4 Chiffchaff - Leasowe Lighthouse.
Short-eared Owl,8 Twite and 2 Wheatear feeding on tide wrack - Old Baths, Parkgate.
Northern Wheatear-Near Marsh Farm-Frodsham Marshes
3 Ruddy Shelduck-Burton RSPB
2 Redhead Smew-Lapwing Hall Pool
Northern Wheatear-Male on Decoy Marsh-Hale
Black Necked Grebe-Nine (four on No 3 Bed and five on No 4 Bed); view No 4 Bed from west bank only-Woolston Eyes
Black Necked Grebe,Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin-Acre Nook Sand Quarry
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Joppa-Lothian
Mar 11th
Sand Martin-Carr Lane pools-Hale
Eurasian Bittern and 2 Sand Martin-Coward reedbed-Marbury Country Park
Ringtail Hen Harrier-Over saltmarsh-Heswall
38 Avocet and Male Hen Harrier-Burton RSPB
Little Ringed Plover-2 on N01 Bed-Woolston Eyes
2 Sand Martin-Silver Lane Pools-Then flew North
Northern Wheatear-One in cattle field opposite Arrowe Brook Farm-Birdkenhead
Sand Martin over end of Station Road, also 2 Stonechat and 20+ Linnet - Burton Marsh.
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Joppa-Lothian
Mar 10th
2 Short Eared Owl-The Lum-Frodsham Marshes
Northern Wheatear and 3 Ruddy Shelduck-Burton RSPB
6 Black Necked Grebe and a Sand Martin-Woolston Eyes
Black necked Grebe-Acre Nook Sand Quarry
Smew-Redhead-Lapwing Hall Pool
5+ Marsh Harrier,2 Great Egret,2 Goosander,3 Cetti's Warbler,4 Stonechat,Wheatear,2+ Ruddy Shelduck (the other two probably hidden in channel) and 30+ Fieldfare - Burton Point/Burton Marsh.
Great Egret over - Thurstaston Shore.
Greenshank - Heswall Shore.
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Frampton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Joppa-Lothian
Mar 9th
Short Eared Owl-Parkgate
Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB
2 Sand Martin-Over-Tatton Park-Knutsford
Caspain Gull-2nd-winter just west of old Runcorn Bridge on sandbanks-Widnes
Red Kite-Along the River Gowy and then flew towards Huxley
Red Kite
4 Ruddy Shelduck - Burton Marsh.2 Little Gull and a Chiffchaff - Hilbre.
Eurasian Bittern-Coward reedbed-Northwich
MEGA NEWS
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Mussleburgh-Lothian
Mar 8th
Sand Martin-Tatton Park-Knutsford
Bittern - Burton Mere Wetlands.
3 Stonechat on barbed wire fence by horse paddocks,Great Egret flew in from sea and inland - Leasowe Lighthouse.
Short Eared Owl-The Lum-Frodsham Marshes
Siberian Chiffchaff-Silver Lane Pools
Western Cattle Egret-Five again: four at screen pond and one still in cattle field south of Marsh Lane-Ince Marshes
Western Cattle Egret
(C)Paul Ralston
5 Black Necked Grebe and Mediterranean Gull-Woolston Eyes
Mediterranean Gull
(C)David Bowman
Black Necked Grebe
(C)David Bowman
MEGA NEWS
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
Mar 7th
2 Hen Harrier and Short Eared Owl-Parkgate
3 Black Necked Grebe-Woolston Eyes
Short Eared Owl-The Lum-Frodsham Marshes
MEGA NEWS
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Mussleburgh-Lothian
Mar 6th
Corn Bunting-Rodeheath
Corn Bunting
(C)Tracey Stubbs
Siberian Chiffchaff-On perimeter fence at sewage works-Heswall
Siberian Chiffchaf
(C)Dan Foy
Little Ringed Plover-Carr Lane Pools-Hale
3 Marsh Harrier and over 30 Avocet - Burton Mere Wetlands.
Short-eared Owl,2 Hen Harrier (grey male and ringtail),Marsh Harrier and 4 Stonechat (2 pairs) - Parkgate.
Short eared Owl
(C)Frank Burns
4 Ruddy Shellduck,2 Great White Egret,Raven,Marsh Harrier and a Little Owl - Burton Marsh to Burton Point.
2 Short-eared Owl - Denhall Quay.
Little Gull,Eider (fem),2 s/pl Red Throated Diver and 300+ Common Scoter - Hoylake Shore
3 Snow Bunting at Derby Pool - Wallasey Shore.
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Halton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Mussleburgh-Lothian
Mar 5th
Corn Bunting-Heading towards Groby road-Maw Green Tip-Sandbach Flashes
2 Redhead Smew-Lapwing Hall Pool
Western Cattle Egret-Four again in cattle field south of Marsh Lane-Ince Marshes
Short Eared Owl-One still at The Lum-Frodsham Marshes
5 Black Necked Grebes and Willow Tit-Woolston Eyes
Black Necked Grebe
(C)David Bowman
Willow Tit
(C)Dave Bedford
Eurasian Bittern-Coward Reddbed-Marbury Country Park
4 Snow Bunting at Derby Pool (lots of disturbance) and an Eider (drake) on sea - Wallasey Shore.
Eider (fem) and 19 Red-breasted Merganser - Riverbank Road, Heswall.
Short-eared Owl - Parkgate.
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Halton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Mussleburgh-Lothian
Mar 4th
Mediterranean Gull-Neumann's Flash-Northwich
2 Short Eared Owl-Two still at The Lum-Frodsham Marshes
4 Snow Bunting 400m west of Derby Pool and an Eider (drake) on sea - Wallasey Shore.
Eider (fem) and 15 Common Scoter - Riverbank Road, Heswall.
Short-eared Owl this afternoon,Red Kite over towards Flint,and 3 Hen Harrier and 8 Marsh Harrier came in to roost this evening - Parkgate.
Short-eared Owl over rifle range - Burton Marsh
MEGA NEWS
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
Mar 3rd
Adult Mediterranean Gull-Woolston Eyes
30+ Linnet and 3 Twite in tidewrack,40+ Siskin in alders,5 Raven and 2 Cetti's Warbler - Burton Point.
1,200 Knot,900 Dunlin and 450 Sanderling at high tide - Hoylake Shore.
Eurasian Bittern-Coward Reedbed-Northwich
Eurasian Bittern
(C)Greg Baker
Short Eared Owl-Burton RSPB
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Halton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
Mar 2nd
5 Snow Bunting near Derby Pool - Wallasey Shore.
Short Eared Owl-Burton RSPB
MEGA NEWS
BROWN BOOBY-Perranporth-Cornwall
One found exhausted in a car park recently following Storm Eunice and taken into care,but then died
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
Mar 1st
34 Avocet,3 Ruff,4 Ruddy Shelduck,2 Marsh Harrier (pair),3+ Cetti's Warbler and 2 Stonechat - Burton Mere Wetlands.
5 Marsh Harrier in air together,Hen Harrier (male),Short-eared Owl,2 Little Owl,100+ Linnet feeding in tidal wrack,30+ Pied Wagtail,50+ Fieldfare and 20+ Redwing, also a Barn Owl by Station Road - Burton Point.
Mediterranean Gull (adult) - New Brighton.
Drake Eider on sea - Wallasey Shore.
Goldeneye and 2 Goosander - West Kirby Marine Lake.
2 Short Eared Owl-Still at The Lum-Frodsham Marshes
Western Cattle Egret-Four again in cattle field south of Marsh Lane-Ince Marshes
2 Red Kite-Over A34-Scholar Green
Adult Yellow Legged Gull-Elton Hall Flash-Sandbach Flashes
MEGA NEWS
WHITE TAILED LAPWING-Halton Marshes-Lincolnshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Swine Moor-East Yorkshire
BAIKAL TEAL-Greylake RSPB-Somerset
WHITE WINGED SCOTER-Mussleburgh-Lothian
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