CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

3rd Feb

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

4 European White-fronted Geese - Burton RSPB

Short-eared Owl and 12+ Little Grebe - Parkgate

2 Short-eared Owl - Denhall Quay

2nd Feb

Velvet Scoter-Drake flew east past RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station-Hoylake

Siberian Chiffchaff - Leasowe Lighthouse

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Willow Tit-Budworth mere-Marbury Country Park

1st Feb

Green-winged Teal-drake on the River Mersey off Stanlow Point this morning (no public access); also Spotted Redshank-Ince Marshes

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

Russian White-fronted geese-Two from Tetton Lane park opposite Tetton Cottages-Middlewich

Scaup (drake), Goldeneye and 7 Goosander - West Kirby Marine Lake

Red Kite- over East - Dawpool Nateure Reserve-Thurstaston

Firecrest - Saughall

Siberian Chiffchaff - Leasowe Lighthouse

3 Red-throated Diver, 200+ Common Scoter and 50+ Great Crested Grebe at high tide - Hoylake

Willow Tit- Burton Mere RSPB

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

MOTH TRAPPING IN THE ARCTIC AIR:WINTER NIGHTS IN CAITHNESS

Working up in Caithness for the next few weeks, I’ve been putting out the moth trap whenever the weather looks even vaguely cooperative. That hasn’t been often.

The recent run of poor weather here, particularly over the first few weeks, has been driven by a stubbornly “stuck” winter pattern. Deep depressions over Scandinavia combined with high pressure near Greenland have created a relentless northerly airflow, dragging freezing Arctic air straight down over northern Scotland. And by god, when you’re not used to an Arctic air stream, it’s cold.

This persistent, direct flow from the North Pole has brought repeated snow showers to the far north, with temperatures low enough to generate windchill values of minus 6°C to minus 7°C. Put it this way: working in ecology up here at this time of year is challenging—and absolutely bloody freezing.

Despite that, I’ve managed to get the moth trap out on two occasions this week. Both nights followed a slight lull in the wind, with temperatures hovering around 3°C. Hardly ideal conditions, but sometimes you take what you’re given.

To my surprise, those brief windows of calm paid off. I recorded five Pale Brindled Beauty moths and a single Chestnut moth. The Pale Brindled Beauties were observed coming to the light initially, but were later found settled on nearby trees rather than in the trap itself. This was a new species for me—one I’d never trapped before—so it was a genuinely exciting find, especially given the conditions.

The Pale Brindled Beauty is a particularly interesting species. The females are completely wingless—apterous—a trait often seen in moths that emerge in the winter months. Unlike the males, females are not attracted to light at all. Instead, they climb tree trunks and wait, making them elusive and rarely encountered despite the species itself being fairly common. Males fly from January through to March, searching for these flightless females by scent rather than sight. This explains why, although the Pale Brindled Beauty is not uncommon, the females are very rarely seen and easily overlooked.

Chestnut Moth

It’s hard to see much moth trapping happening for the foreseeable future, though. The forecast is already hinting at more snow by the weekend, and Caithness doesn’t exactly forgive optimism when it comes to winter weather.

Standing in the cold, checking traps with numb fingers while Arctic air cuts straight through you, it’s easy to question your life choices. But moments like this—new species, unexpected records, and small signs of life pushing through winter—make it worthwhile. Even in conditions that feel more polar than Scottish, nature is still quietly getting on with things.

And sometimes, that’s enough to keep you setting the trap out one more time.

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:26TH JANUARY-2ND FEBRUARY 2026

It was a frustratingly unsettled week again on the weather front for those who enjoy getting out into the field as much as possible, though there were a few stand out highlights to keep us entertained until the sun shines again. Read More>

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

 

31st Jan

2 Avocet and 2 Woodcock-Burton RSPB

Short-eared Owl- again off The Harp Inn-Neston Marsh

4 Russian White-fronted geese-In field west of the fishing lake; park on Dragon Lane-Kinderton

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

30th Jan

Caspian Gull-Two: 1st-winter again on River Mersey sandbank west of old Runcorn Bridge yesterday morning and 1st-winter on roof at WSR Recycling Centre-Widnes

Greater Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

29th Jan

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

4 Russian White-fronted geese-In field west of the fishing lake; park on Dragon Lane-Kinderton

Siberian Chiffchaff-One in control meadow-Pickerings Pasture

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

28th Jan

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

2 Water Pipit-Neston Marsh

2 Short-eared Owl-Off Old Baths car park-Parkgate

Greater Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

27th Jan

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Greater Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Western Cattle egret-Bradley Orchard Farm-Frodsham

10 Western Cattle egret-Yesterday-Ince

26th Jan

Eurasian Bittern-In flight over Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich 

Short-eared Owl, One of station road-Burton marsh

Caspian Gull-1st-winter on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Siberian Chiffchaff-Still in bushes immediately north of filter beds at sewage works; view from mound at north side-Glazebury

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

25th Jan

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Greater Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Russian White-fronted goose-Two at 53.1633,-2.4202-Kinderton

Tundra Bean Goose-One still at Withington Hall pool; also 2 Russian White-fronted geese. Park on Catchpenny Lane and walk north along the footpath to view from the south side of the lake-Chelford, this morning than no sign

Siberian Chiffchaff-Still at sewage works; view from mound at north side-Glazebury

Eurasian Bittern-One roosted in the reedbed viewed from New Viewpoint-Neston Marsh

Eurasian Bittern-In flight over Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich 

24th Jan

7 Great White Egret and 5+ Marsh Harrier-Burton Marsh

Mediterranean Gull-River Mersey-Wallasey

Mediterranean Gull

(c)Pete Sutton

Eurasian Bittern-One in Coward Reedbed at dusk-Marbury Park-Northwich

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Shore Lark

(c) Steve Seal

Tundra Bean Goose-Two still at Withington Hall pool; also 3 Russian White-fronted geese. Park on Catchpenny Lane and walk north along the footpath to view from the south side of the lake-Chelford

Tundra Bean Goose

(c) Chris Harris

Russian White-fronted goose-Redes Mere

Greater Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Greater Scaup 

(c)Pete Sutton

A NORTH AMERICAN VISITOR AT DORNOCH

Last Sunday, while travelling north towards Wick, Caithness, I had planned to stop at Dornoch to look for a Black Scoter, an uncommon North American vagrant and a species still required for my Scottish list. The bird had been present for approximately a month, associating with a flock of Common Scoters offshore. Black Scoter breeds across Alaska and northern Canada and winters along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America; only small numbers reach Britain each year, most frequently along northern and western coasts and usually in the company of Common Scoters.

However, reports that the Bonaparte’s Gull was still present at Gairloch prompted a change of plans and a diversion west. This afternoon, after work, I returned to Dornoch to pursue the original plan. Scanning the scoter flock from the beach, the Black Scoter was eventually located after careful searching, allowing prolonged views and providing an excellent opportunity to study this scarce Scottish visitor.

Black Scoter

(c)Graeme Risdon

BIRDING THE LONG WAY TO WICK

After the previous day’s birding and a solid night’s sleep, I was up at 5am, packed and ready for a full day in the field. The plan was simple enough: head north towards Wick in Caithness and see what the Highlands had to offer along the way. As so often in Scotland, that plan would be happily derailed.

View from the A939 towards Nethy Bridge

My first stop was Nethy Bridge, deep in the heart of the Cairngorms, in search of one of Scotland’s true avian specialities: the Crested Tit. In Britain, this small but characterful species is almost entirely confined to the ancient Caledonian pinewoods of Strathspey and the surrounding Cairngorm massif. Here, mature Scots pines, rich in insects and deadwood, provide precisely the conditions the species requires, explaining both its stronghold in the area and its absence elsewhere following centuries of forest loss.

Parking up, I made my way quietly towards the feeders, and it wasn’t long before success came in the form of two Crested Tits. Their spiky crests and restless movements made for a brief but satisfying encounter, a fitting start to the day.

Heading north once more, my next destination was Cawdor Churchyard in Moray & Nairn, a well-known but perpetually atmospheric site for Hawfinch. 

On arrival, patience was barely required; two birds soon appeared, perching high and flying between the treetops. Stocky and powerful, Hawfinches have an unmistakable presence. Always an elusive species in Scotland, encounters like this are never taken for granted.

From woodland to coast, I then made my way to Chanonry Point on the Moray Firth. 

News of a developing Little Auk “wreck” along the east coast had drawn birders out in numbers. These tiny Arctic seabirds, scarcely larger than a starling, are particularly vulnerable to prolonged winter gales. Strong easterly winds can force them into the North Sea, where exhaustion and starvation often result in mass strandings and heavy mortality.

When I arrived, several birders were already scanning the choppy waters. Eventually, two Little Auks were picked up sitting on the sea, their compact black-and-white bodies bobbing between the waves. Another bird flew east past the point, offering excellent views of its rapid wingbeats and short, rounded wings. Despite their delicate appearance, seeing these birds so far from their high-Arctic breeding grounds is always a powerful reminder of the forces at play in winter seas.

The supporting cast at Chanonry was impressive: a Green-winged Teal among the dabbling ducks, a sleek Black-throated Diver, three Red-throated Divers, a smart Slavonian Grebe, and good numbers of Eider and Long-tailed Ducks, all contributing to the sense of a coast alive with winter movement.

Green-winged Teal

Just as I was preparing to continue north towards Wick, news broke that a Bonaparte’s Gull was still present at Gairloch on the west coast, around an hour and a half away. An adult bird feeding around a fish farm, and one I still needed for my Scottish list. The decision was instant.

Driving towards Loch Maree

The drive west delivered classic Highland scenery, and I arrived at the fish farm shortly after 2.30pm. A noisy flock of Black-headed Gulls was feeding eagerly at the outflow, and after a careful scan, the target bird appeared, flying in and settling on the rocks. Smaller and more elegant than its European cousin, the adult Bonaparte’s Gull breeds in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. The species normally winters along North America’s coasts, making any Scottish record a notable event.

Another birder arrived and quickly connected with the gull, and as we watched, a third-winter Iceland Gull joined the feeding frenzy, an excellent bonus to an already memorable stop.

Only later did reality intrude. Entering my accommodation into the sat nav revealed a three-hour drive back to Wick. A long haul, certainly, but after a day that had delivered pinewood specialities, elusive finches, storm-driven seabirds and a transatlantic gull, there was little room for complaint.

It had been a remarkable day’s birding, and a perfect reminder of why Scotland, at its wild and unpredictable best, remains so hard to beat.