14th October
Marbury Country Park
Glossy Ibis-Still in the field north of Budworth Mere.
Rostherne Mere
Caspian Gull-At least one adult roosted yesterday evening.
Cholmondeley
Black Tern-Juvenile still at Deer Park Mere.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
A relaxing morning and a Surf Scoter boat trip
After a few days of rushing around, I had a well-deserved lie-in, enjoyed a nice breakfast, and chilled out until mid-morning, when I headed out for a walk around the Garrison with my good friend Higgo. The birding was quiet, but the views across this beautiful archipelago were fantastic.
Looking down from the Garrison to Hugh Town
Higgo getting his steps in
A view from the Garrison looking over to St Agnes
As I headed back into town, news broke that a juvenile Surf Scoter had been found off Bryher at Church Quay. I had seen a Surf Scoter on the Isles of Scilly back in 2017, but I fancied a boat ride, so Higgo and I headed out to see if we could catch up with the bird. It didn't take long to find the Surf Scoter from the boat.
Surf Scoter
Me firing away a few shots
Higgo enjoying the views of the Surf Scoter
Latest Cheshire & Wirral Bird News
13th October
Marbury Country Park
Glossy Ibis-Still in field north of Budworth Mere; use Marbury Country Park car park (CW9 6AT; parking fees apply).
Hale
Little Gull-1st-winter flew downriver.
Lymm
Common Crane-Three reportedly flew east over junction 20 of M6 motorway yesterday.
Monday, October 12, 2026
Latest Cheshire & Wirral Bird News
12th October
Marbury Country Park
Glossy Ibis-Still in the field north of Budworth Mere.
Hilbre Island
Purple Sandpiper.
Parkgate
Short-eared Owl this evening - Old Baths.
Sunday, October 11, 2026
A Sora Rail at Porth Hellick-Isles Of Scilly
With so many birders on the Isles of Scilly, an early start was needed this morning as we wanted to get into the bird hide at Porth Hellick to look for a Sora Rail that had been present for the last few weeks.
We left the house at 7.00am, and my good friend Higgo kindly gave us a lift to Porth Hellick. As dawn arrived, a Glossy Ibis showed briefly before flying off, while three Greenshanks were present on the pool. We didn't have to wait long before the Sora Rail appeared, giving us some excellent views. This was my third Sora Rail on Scilly, following the birds in 2005 and 2013, so it was great to catch up with another one.
BirdGuides Review of the Week: 5th-11th October 2026
After a short spell of easterlies at the start of October, attention immediately swivelled back west this week at the prospect of transatlantic arrivals, appetites raised by the exciting appearance of a Yellow-throated Vireo in Iceland on the 6th. Read more>
Latest Cheshire & Wirral Bird News
11th October
Great Budworth
Glossy Ibis-Still north side of Budworth Mere by Kid Brook spit.
Pickerings Pasture
Short-eared Owl.
Hoylake
Great Skua and a Curlew Sandpiper-One by RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station (CH47 3AL).
Thurstaston
3 Whooper Swans (2 adults, 1 juv) on Dawpool Bank before flying W on rising tide
Parkgate
3 Short-eared Owls off Old Baths.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
The Scilly Isles–A Great Start to the Holiday
What a night! It never stopped raining, and the moth trap didn't catch a Common Forest Looper, suggesting they may have already finished flying for the year. However, I did trap my first Flounced Chestnut and a Merveille du Jour, and to my total disbelief, at around 5am, in the pouring rain, two- yes, two Slender Burnished Brass moths came to the pheromone lure! I was totally made up, having already tried for this species twice in Cornwall earlier in the year without success. To finally get two in one night was a brilliant result and a great start to the holiday.
Flounced Chestnut
Merveille du Jour, translating from French as the "Wonder of the Day".
After that excitement, I met up with Marc Hughes, Owen Parsons, and Neil Howes, and the holiday officially began as we gathered at the quay in Penzance to catch the boat to the Isles of Scilly.
Penzance Quay
The Scillionian ship
The Boys
The crossing was excellent, with some great views of tuna jumping out of the sea and dolphins alongside the boat. The seabirds also put on a good show, with two Sabine’s Gulls, a Sooty Shearwater and a Grey Phalarope among the highlights.
It was great to be back on the islands, and with the moths already providing a memorable start, I was looking forward to what the coming week might produce.
Here are the highlights from the day:
Rose-coloured Starling
(c) Colin Schofield
Yellow-browed Warbler
(c) Spider
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| Wilson's Snipe-My third for Scilly after seeing the 2007 and 2011 birds (c) Marc Hughes |
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