DAILY ROUND-UP OF ALL THE LATEST BIRD SIGHTINGS FROM ACROSS CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL

Daily round-up of all the latest bird sightings from across Cheshire and Wirral

9th Sept

Leach's Storm Petrel-Hilbre Island-Six flew west by 09:00

8th Sept

18 (16 juveniles)-Curlew Sandpiper-Still on the River Mersey east of Hale Head Lighthouse; also 3 Little Stints-Hale

1200 Shelduck, 4250 Oystercatcher, 80 Ringed Plover, 65 Dunlin, 2 Juv Curlew, Sandpiper, 4 Turnstone, Ruff, 2 Whimbrel, 1100 Curlew, 3700 Redshank, and an Adult female Hen Harrier-Over high tide - Heswall Shore.

12 Leach's Petrels,14 Manx Shearwaters, Arctic Skua - Hilbre.

(c)Steve Williams

Little Stint at Dove Point-But distant - Meols Shore.

14 Spoonbills, Water Rail, 10 Greenshank & Ruff-Boathouse flash.  

Green Sandpiper-Donkey Stand flash-Parkgate.

7th Sept

11 Brent Geese-This evening - Hilbre.

14 Spoonbills, Little Grebe, Water Rail, 3 Ruff and 14 Greenshanks-On Boathouse Flash - Parkgate.

Osprey- Tatton Park- one over Tatton Mere

Spotted Redshank-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-Four briefly, then flew high west

Curlew Sandpiper- 15+- on River Mersey off Hale Head Lighthouse; also 4 Little Stints still-Hale

6th Sept

5 Stonechats- Along the fence by coastal paddocks - Leasowe Lighthouse.

9 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Whimbrels and a Little Stint-By Little Eye - Hilbre.

Ruddy Shelduck-Widnes-Drake still on River Mersey mudflats off Spike Island

 

Caspian Gull-Widnes-1st-winter on River Mersey sandbank west of old Runcorn Bridge

Little Stint-Hilbre Island-One by Little Eye then flew south this morning

Slavonian Grebe-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-Adult; also Common Scoter

 

Black Tern-Marbury CP-Three Juveniles still at Budworth Mere; use Marbury Country Park car park (CW9 6AT; parking fees apply)

Short-eared Owl-Hale-One from lighthouse

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-31+ still on River Mersey off Hale Head Lighthouse this morning; also 5 Little Stints

Black Tern-Marbury CP-Two juveniles still at Budworth Mere; use Marbury Country Park car park (CW9 6AT; parking fees apply)

5th Sept

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and 5 Whimbrels - Thurstaston Shore.

Leach's Petrel- At 08.30am - Hilbre.

Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 2 Water Rail and 13 Spoonbills-At Boathouse flash - Parkgate.

4 Curlew Sandpipers-Hoylake Shore.

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-21+ still on River Mersey off Hale Head Lighthouse this morning; also 3 Little Stints

Ruddy Shelduck-Widnes-Drake still on River Mersey mudflats off Spike Island

4th Sept

Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint; 2 skuas-Flew west (probably Arctic) - Meols Shore.

2 Leach's Petrels and an Osprey-Headed south-Leasowe Gunsite

2 Black Tern-Acre Nook Sand Quarry

2 Black-necked Grebe-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)(Adult and Juvenile)-Still on west cell of No. 4 Bed from viewing platform yesterday, but distant and elusive; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

3rd Sept 

Baird's Sandpiper (Adult) showing well, also 3 Curlew Sandpipers and a Juvenile Little Stint - Meols Shore.

Baird's Sandpiper 

(c) Sean O'Hara

12 Spoonbills, Ruff, Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshanks-At boathouse flash - Parkgate.

Juvenile Pomarine Skua-Flew west this afternoon; also Arctic Skua, 3 Little Stints- In wader flock this afternoon - Hoylake.

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-15-On River Mersey off Hale Head Lighthouse this evening; also Little Stint

Black Tern-Marbury CP-Two Juveniles still off Kid Brook spit at Budworth Mere; use Marbury Country Park car park (CW9 6AT; parking fees apply)

2nd Sept

Curlew Sandpiper-Meols-Two Juveniles off Dove Point

 

Black Tern-Marbury CP-Juvenile still at Budworth Mere; use Marbury Country Park car park (CW9 6AT; parking fees apply)

Eurasian Spoonbill-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-16 still at Boathouse Flash

 

Little Stint-Meols-Juvenile-Again showing well on beach below Roman Road

Curlew Sandpiper-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-Two Juveniles-At Boathouse Flash; also Juvenile Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank

1st Sept

Little Stint-Showing well off Roman Road again this morning, and at Hoylake at high tide - Meols Shore.

Common Redstart (Female) - Hoylake Langfields.

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-10 on River Mersey off Hale Head Lighthouse

 

Black Tern-Marbury CP-Still on post at Budworth Mere; use Marbury Country Park car park (CW9 6AT; parking fees apply)

Little Stint-Meols-One still off Roman Road

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:1ST-6TH SEPTEMBER 2026

An active jet stream and a series of low-pressure systems arriving off the Atlantic Ocean meant it was another excellent week for west-coast seawatchers and transatlantic wader arrivals, while there were still decent numbers of continental migrants kicking about after late August's big arrival. As it so often does during September, Shetland delivered a bombshell over the weekend. Strap in, autumn is here …Read more>

CORNWALL, DEVON & PORTLAND — A SEPTEMBER ADVENTURE

Thursday 3rd September

With work finishing this afternoon and the forecast showing north-westerly winds for the following day, I decided it was time to head south-west. The plan was to make the long journey down to Cornwall and hopefully get a good sea watch in at Pendeen the next morning.

I arrived in Cornwall just after 7:00 pm and, rather than wasting the evening, decided to put the moth traps out at Church Cove on The Lizard.

Church Cove

It was a fairly quiet trapping session, although over 100 Large Yellow Underwings were attracted to the lights, along with a few other species.

L-album Wainscot

Angle Shades

Square-spot Rustic

Friday 4th September

I arrived at Pendeen at first light, where I was joined by a good number of enthusiastic birders, all hoping that the north-westerly winds would produce a memorable seawatch.

Pendeen

Birders on site

The five-hour session didn't quite live up to expectations, but there were still some good birds to keep things interesting. The highlights for me were:

2 Great Shearwaters

4 Balearic Shearwaters

25 Sooty Shearwaters

28 European Storm Petrels

2 Whimbrels

400+ Manx Shearwaters

The sight of the shearwaters moving offshore was certainly worth the early start, and although the hoped-for mega didn't materialise, it was still an enjoyable morning of seawatching.

After lunch, I headed north into Devon for another target of the trip, although this one wasn't feathered! A few weeks earlier, Alan Lewis and I had visited Hartland Point, where we'd managed to trap Scarce Black-neck, but the Black-banded Moth wasn't on the wing at the time. I was hoping that a few more weeks would make all the difference.

I arrived a few hours before sunset and set up my three traps in the areas I'd chosen. 

Hartland Point with Lundy Island in the distance

As darkness fell, things were looking rather quiet moth-wise, probably due to the north-westerly wind.

Then, just before midnight, things changed. I checked one of the traps, and there it was: Black-banded Moth! I was absolutely made up. After the long journey and another evening spent standing around the traps, finally getting the target was a brilliant result.

Saturday 5th September

By morning, I'd only trapped the one Black-banded Moth, but that was enough. Target achieved!

In Britain, Black-banded Moth (Polymixis xanthomista) is a highly localised coastal species, found mainly along the rocky coasts of Devon and Cornwall, with populations also occurring in south-west Wales and the Isle of Man. It has also been recorded in North Anglesey.

The species is strongly associated with exposed coastal habitats, particularly rocky and stony cliffs and slopes where Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima) grows. These sites are often exposed to salt spray and high tides, and the moth is rarely encountered far inland. Adults are mainly on the wing in late summer and early autumn, with September and October producing the majority of records.

I then packed up my traps and headed towards Portland Bird Observatory in Dorset, where I planned to spend some time birding and do another moth-trapping session at Freshwater Bay.

On arrival, I was met by my good friend Dave Morton, who had just found a Beautiful Gothic on the wall around the observatory. It was a new moth for me, so I was delighted to arrive and immediately add another species to my list.

Beautiful Gothic

The afternoon was spent in the quarry trying to connect with a Wryneck.

It was incredibly elusive, disappearing for long periods and testing everyone's patience, but eventually it showed really well. I later found myself sitting in the observatory garden with Dave and Martin Cabe, enjoying a brew and chatting about the day's birding. Then Dan Pointon sent me a text.

Egyptian nightjar, Pool of Virkie, Shetland!  “Holy sh..!” 

That was enough. Panic immediately set in. I went straight onto the Loganair website, booked a flight, said my goodbyes and was off, heading north!

DOTTEREL-GREAT ORME-LLANDUDNO-CAERNARFON

After a busy bank holiday weekend, Jenna and I decided to have a run out in the car to the Great Orme in Llandudno this afternoon. A juvenile Dotterel had been present over the last few days, so we headed over there in the hope of catching up with it.

On arrival, it took us a little while to locate the bird, but eventually we found the juvenile on the limestone pavement. The bird showed really well, and we were able to watch it from only a few metres away. It was a particularly confiding bird.

I haven't seen a Dotterel for years, so it was especially nice to get such good views of one again. It's always great when a bird you've been hoping to see performs so well. 

A really enjoyable afternoon out on the Great Orme and a fantastic bird to finish the bank holiday weekend with!

BLACK-NECKED GREBE SEES RECORD YEAR FOR BREEDING

Success for one of the UK’s rarest breeding birds follows restoration and extension of wetland habitat. Read more>

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:24TH-31ST AUGUST 2026

What a final flurry to August that was. Low pressure finally began to dominate, with back-to-back systems arriving from the west, delivering some fantastic sea-watching conditions out west but also excellent drift conditions on the east coast and spells of southerlies. It was truly a week with something for everyone. Read more>

DAILY ROUND-UP OF ALL THE LATEST BIRD SIGHTINGS FROM ACROSS CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL

 

Daily round-up of all the latest bird sightings from across Cheshire and Wirral

31st August 2026

Little Stint-Hale-Still on River Mersey off Hale Lighthouse

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-27 on River Mersey

Curlew Sandpiper-Pickerings Pasture-Three on shore below car park; also Little Stint

Eurasian Spoonbill-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-10 still at Boathouse Flash

Osprey-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-One over north end

Little Stint-Meols-One off Roman Road

Short-eared Owl-Sandbach Flashes-One flushed from footpath between Pumphouse Flash and Railway Flash by last kissing gate before bridge; park along Clay Lane (CW11 3QY)

30th August 2026

Curlew Sandpiper-Frodsham Marsh-Two at Weaver Bend

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-16 on River Mersey east of Hale Head Lighthouse

Eurasian Spoonbill-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-14 still at Boathouse Flash

Osprey-Neumann's Flash-One flew south; either use car park (CW9 5LS) or park in New Warrington Road layby (CW9 6DA)

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-Eight on River Mersey west of Hale Head Lighthouse; also Little Stint

Osprey-Marbury CP-One flew south over Budworth Mere; use Marbury Country Park car park (CW9 6AT; parking fees apply)

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-Three on River Mersey west of Hale Head Lighthouse

29th August 2026

Ruddy Shelduck-Widnes-One flew over Spike Island

28th August 2026

Wood Sandpiper-Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB-One at Main Scrape from Reception Hide; use RSPB car park off Puddington Lane (CH64 5SF; open 09:00-17:00, £7 entrance fee for non-RSPB-members)

Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-One at Boathouse Flash

16 Eurasian Spoonbills and a Curlew Sandpiper-Juvenile-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-Juvenile at Boathouse Flash

27th August 2026

Curlew Sandpiper-Meols-One-off Holylake tennis courts

Black Tern-Hurleston Reservoir

Garganey-Sandbach Flashes-Female-type again on small pool by Pumphouse Flash

26th August 2026

Little Stint-Hale-One on River Mersey east of Hale Head Lighthouse; also Curlew Sandpiper still

Curlew Sandpiper-Hale-One on River Mersey east of Hale Head Lighthouse

Spotted Redshank-Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

one; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane (CH64 5SF; open 09:00-19:00, £7 entrance fee for non-RSPB-members)

Little Gull-Astbury Mere CP-One flew north

Wood Sandpiper-Gowy Meadows CWT

Spotted Redshank-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-Still at Boathouse Flash; also 14 Eurasian Spoonbills

25th August 2026

Arctic Skua, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Gannets and 500 Sandwich Terns - Hilbre.

14 Spoonbills, 4 Avocets, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and a Ruff on Boathouse Flash, Green Sandpiper on Donkeystand Flash - Parkgate.

Ruddy Turnstone-Neumann's Flash-Two; either use car park (CW9 5LS) or park in New Warrington Road layby (CW9 6DA)

24th August 2026

12 Spoonbills and a Spotted Redshank - Boathouse Flash, Parkgate.

23rd August 2026

Black Tern-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-Still though distant

Garganey-Sandbach Flashes-Female-type again at Elton Hall Flash

 

Wood Sandpiper-Gowy Meadows CWT-One on pool

12 Spoonbills and a Spotted Redshank - Boathouse Flash, Parkgate.

Spotted Redshank-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Juvenile still; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Eurasian Spoonbill-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Juvenile circled No 4 Bed, then flew towards No 3 Bed; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

22nd August 2026

Curlew Sandpiper- Pickering's Pasture

Black-necked Grebe-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Six still on No 4 Bed; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

 

6+ Yellow Wagtails and 2 Wheatears- On shore by tennis courts - Meols Shore.

12 Spoonbills,  19 Grey Herons,  2 Water Rails and a Spotted Redshank - Boathouse Flash, Parkgate.

Short-eared Owl-Flew over golf course - Leasowe Bay.

3 Green Sandpipers, Yellow Wagtail, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Wheatears and a Barn Owl- This morning - between Station Road and Burton Point.

Spotted Redshank-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Juvenile still; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

21st August 2026

10+ Wheatears-In area this morning - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Black-necked Grebe-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-At least two still on No 4 Bed; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Spotted Redshank-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Unconfirmed report of one on No 4 Bed; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Spotted Redshank-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-Still at Boathouse Flash; also 12 Eurasian Spoonbills still

20th August 2026

Little Stint and 4 Yellow Wagtails-Meols Shore.

Osprey-Going North - Burton Point.

Black-necked Grebe-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Three (adult and two juveniles) still on No 4 Bed; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Wood Sandpiper-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-One still at Bevyl Road Flash; also 8 Eurasian Spoonbill still at Boathouse Flash

19th August 2026

Slavonian Grebe-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-Adult still from Whisterfield end

Garganey-Sandbach Flashes-Female-type still at Elton Hall Flash

Spotted Redshank-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-Still at Boathouse Flash; also 9 Eurasian Spoonbills still

Wood Sandpiper-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-Three at Boathouse Flash

18th August 2026

Curlew Sandpiper-Meols-Adult still on beach off Sandhey slipway

Eurasian Spoonbill-Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB-10 still at Centenary Pool from Border Hide this afternoon; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane (CH64 5SF; open 09:00-19:00, £7 entrance fee for non-RSPB-members)

Red Knot-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Injured adult still on east cell of No 4 Bed from viewing platform; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Garganey-Sandbach Flashes-Female type at Elton Hall Flash

A STORMY NIGHT AT FORMBY POINT PRODUCES THE PORTLAND MOTH

Tonight Jenna and I headed over to Formby Point in Lancashire with one particular moth in mind, the Portland Moth. Having checked the forecast before setting off, conditions looked reasonably promising, so we arrived at dusk, just after 8.30pm, and set about getting the moth traps up.

Formby Point

Everything was going according to plan until we heard the first crack of thunder. It wasn't long before the heavens opened. Within minutes, we were absolutely soaked to the bone. The rain was coming down so heavily that there was little option but to retreat back to the car and leave the traps running for the evening. Even the Common Toads seemed to be enjoying the weather. On the walk back, we had to dodge numerous toads making the most of the wet conditions, while above us the thunder continued and lightning repeatedly lit up the sky.

Common Toad

The rain simply didn't stop. At that point, our chances of catching anything worthwhile looked pretty poor, and we were already wondering what sort of state the traps would be in when we eventually returned to collect them. With the weather continuing to deteriorate, another soaking was almost guaranteed.

Then, at around 11.30pm, the rain finally stopped. 

We headed back out to the traps, not really knowing what to expect. What greeted us was completely unexpected. The traps were full of moths! The egg trays were covered with moths, with Archers' Darts and Large Yellow Underwings particularly numerous. There must have been well over 100 Large Yellow Underwings between the traps, an impressive sight when we began turning over the egg boxes.

But then came the moment we had been hoping for. Tucked away quietly in the corner of one of the egg boxes was our target species, a beautiful Portland Moth. What a result! After the torrential rain, thunder and lightning, and our initial doubts about whether we would catch anything at all, finding the Portland Moth made the whole evening worthwhile. Jenna and I were both absolutely made up.

Portland Moth

One of only a few greenish-coloured moths among the Noctuidae, the Portland Moth is a species closely associated with sandy coastal habitats. It occurs in sand dunes, sandy heaths and shingle banks, with its British distribution being mainly coastal.

Despite its name, interestingly, the Portland Moth does not occur on Portland. Although it can be found in parts of Dorset and Devon, it is rather scarce there and is much more frequently encountered in the north-west of England and Scotland. Elsewhere in Britain it occurs in a scattering of localised sites.

The adults are on the wing during August and September and, if disturbed, will often drop to the ground and feign death. The larvae feed on Creeping Willow (Salix repens) and other plants associated with sand-dune habitats. Its close association with these specialised habitats makes the Portland Moth a particularly interesting species to encounter, and finding one at Formby Point was a fantastic result.

Among the other moths in the traps was another species of note, Blackneck.

Blackneck

For many years Blackneck was an extremely scarce moth in Lancashire, with records consisting of little more than occasional and widely scattered sightings. Its fortunes changed dramatically around 2009, when a major population build-up occurred in south Lancashire.

The increase was significant enough for the species to spread eastwards across the county boundary into Yorkshire, where it subsequently became more widely established. Despite this expansion, Blackneck remains a fairly local and specialised species, associated with particular habitats where its foodplant occurs.

Another particularly exciting discovery was a Feathered Gothic, another lifer for both Jenna and me.

Feathered Gothic

This was a fantastic moth to find, particularly given its conservation concerns. Long-term monitoring data from the UK's moth recording schemes have shown a dramatic decline in the species, with Feathered Gothic suffering an estimated 90% population decrease in Britain between 1970 and the mid-2000s. Despite that huge national decline, the species has managed to maintain a relatively resilient presence in some of its preferred Lancashire strongholds. Finding one tonight was therefore a very welcome surprise.

What had started out as a promising evening quickly turned into one of the wettest moth-trapping sessions we have experienced. With thunder, lightning and torrential rain continuing for much of the evening, we had almost written the night off before we had even collected the traps. Yet somehow, when we finally returned, the traps were full. Hundreds of moths, a superb selection of species and, most importantly, the moth we had travelled to Formby Point to find.

It was another reminder that moth trapping can be completely unpredictable. You can look at the forecast, think the conditions are going to be ideal, and then find yourself standing in a thunderstorm, getting soaked to the skin. But that's the great thing about it. You simply never know what is going to be waiting inside the trap.

What a night!