CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

14th March 

3 Wheatear (1 in coastal paddocks and 2 in 'Hoopoe Hollow') - Leasowe Lighthouse.

35 Russian White-fronted  Geese and 2 Spotted Redshank - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Scaup (drake) - Hilbre.

5 Spoonbill (2 ad & 3 imm) on Boathouse Flash, Green-winged Teal (drake) off Old Baths - Parkgate.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose-thornton Hough

Caspian Gull-1st-winter on sandbanks on River Mersey-Widnes

Harbour Seal-One in River Mersey off Paddington Meadows this morning (present since 7 February; ranging between No 4 Bed, Woolston Eyes NR, and Warrington Rowing Club)-Woolston Eues=Permit ONLY

Eurasian Bittern-Two flew to roost this evening (one in rushes off Old Baths and one in rushes off Boathouse Flash); also 3 Short-eared Owls off the golf course

Slavonian Grebe-Sweeney Wetlands

Caspian Gull-Two 1st-winters still at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road-Widnes

Greater Scaup and 28 Black-necked Grebes-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

Common Scoter-Two (one drake) displaying on the pool off Moat Lane-Rixton

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

13th March

Slavonian Grebe-Sweeney Wetlands

Russian White-Fronted Goose-26 still in the field between North Pool and the road at Mere Farm Quarry-Chelford

Green-winged Teal-Drake still at the new flash off Old Baths car park-Parkgate

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

12th March

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still on 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

Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB

30 Black-necked Grebes -Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

11th March

2 Green-winged Teal (drakes) on new flash off Old Baths - Parkgate

250 Black-tailed Godwits - Caldy Wildfowl Collection

Ruddy Shelduck-One still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still on sea off lifeboat station-Hilbre Island

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

Eurasian Spoonbill-Two adults still opposite Coastguard Lane-Padgate

10th March

Green-winged Teal (flew to Boathouse Flash) and 2 Spoonbill - Parkgate.

Scaup (drake), 3 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander and 10 Brent Geese (one dark-bellied) - West Kirby Marine Lake.

Crossbill flew low over horse paddocks (going west) - Leasowe Lighthouse.

40 Russian White-fronted  Geese - Burton Mere Wetlands.

17 Purple Sandpiper - Hilbre.

Eurasian Bittern-Budworth Mere-Northwich

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

Caspian Gull-Adult-Sandbach Flashes

20 Black-necked Grebes and 1st winter female Greater Scaup-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

9th March

20 Black-necked Grebes-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

Eurasian Spoonbill-One flew from Decoy Marsh towards Pickerings Pastures-Hale

Black Redstart (fem) by coastguard station - Dove Point, Meols.

Good views of both Scaup (drake) and a Common Scoter - West Kirby Marine Lake.

2 Russian White-fronted Goose

-Burton RSPB

Slavonian Grebe-Sweeney Wetlands

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

8th March

Slavonian Grebe-Sweeney Wetlands

Black Redstart (fem) by the coastguard station and the Landmark Stables -Dove Point- Moels

Dark-bellied Brent Goose in field with Greylag Geese -Thornton Hough

Greater Scaup-Adult on sea-Hilbre Island

Eurasian Spoonbill-Burton RSPB

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

A MAGICAL DAY BIRDING IN THE MOROCCCAN DESERT-DAY 6

Just when we thought the trip couldn’t get any better, today exceeded all expectations. It was one of those unforgettable days filled with “pinch yourself” moments, incredible birds, and breathtaking desert scenery.

We started with an early morning walk around the hotel as the sun rose over the landscape. It was a wonderful beginning, with Woodchat Shrikes, Serins and a small wave of migrant warblers moving through the area.

Our first stop was the Dedes Valley. Hamid, our brilliant guide, promised we would see sandgrouse, and he delivered. Groups of bubbling Black-bellied Sandgrouse flew around us, some landing nearby once they became used to our presence. Then a different call caught our attention, and a group of beautiful  Crowned Sandgrouse flew in and settled close by, giving us excellent views.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse

(c)Dennis Morrison

Moments later came the highlight of the morning. A distant whistle had us all scanning the plain before Hamid calmly said the magical words: “Hoopoe Lark.” We quickly picked up a bird bounding across the arid landscape, its striking black-and-white wings flashing in flight. As it came closer, it finally landed just metres away, giving us unforgettable views.

 Hoopoe Lark

(c) Jack Pettit

After such a spectacular sighting, it seemed impossible to top, but the day continued with more desert specialists. A stop further south produced good views of the elusive Saharan Scrub Warbler darting between clumps of vegetation.

Saharan Scrub Warbler 

Desert Larks and Crested Larks were also present, along with a beautiful singing male Moussier’s Redstart.

Later, in some lush agricultural fields, we found several impressive larks with huge bills, Maghreb Larks, a distinctive southern Moroccan form that many of us were delighted to add to our lists.

Maghreb Larks

(c) Jack Pettit

By late afternoon, we continued south to Merzouga and our hotel for the next two nights.

I don't think any of us was prepared for the beauty of the place. Towering red Saharan dunes glowed in the evening light, and within minutes, we were out walking across the warm sand.

I'm taking it all in. I've always wanted to visit the Sahara Desert

Not far from a Bedouin camp, a chipping call revealed a stunning male Desert Sparrow perched on a wooden hut, singing and allowing fantastic views.

Desert Sparrow

 (c)Dennis Morrison

Amazingly, another Hoopoe Lark appeared behind the hotel, while three Bar-tailed Larks were also located. 

Bar-tailed Lark

(c) Jack Pettit

Two impressive Great Grey Shrikes of the Saharan race were watched closely, one even catching and eating a scorpion.

Great Grey Shrike

(c) Jack Pettit

As the sun set behind the dunes, seven Cream-coloured Coursers flew in to roost.

It was pure magic, incredible birds, unforgettable scenery, and one of those days that remind you exactly why birding is so special.

Now we’re heading off for dinner, though I doubt many of us will sleep much tonight. The desert sky is crystal clear, and with the excitement of what tomorrow might bring, sleep may have to wait.

A FANTASTIC DAY IN ANTI ATLAS-DAY 5

We started the day with an early walk from our hotel, Riad Dades Lodge. As the sun rose, several Hoopoes were feeding nearby, and one nearly fell victim to a hunting Eurasian Sparrowhawk.

Hoopoe

(c)Dennis Morrison

Migrants seemed to be everywhere. We spotted Western Subalpine Warbler, Serin, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Laughing Dove, Tree Pipit, along with several Common Chiffchaff and Eurasian Blackcap. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the trees, while a Levaillant’s Woodpecker called in the distance.

Laughing Dove

(c)Dennis Morrison

Serin

(c)Dennis Morrison

After breakfast, we headed to our first birding stop. Sadly, what we found was a huge rubbish dump stretching for miles across the desert. Plastic bags, bottles, and other waste covered the ground. It was a depressing sight and a harsh reminder of the damage people can do to such a beautiful place.

Shameful scenes of what we are doing to our planet

Despite the mess and the strong smell, birds were everywhere. Several stray dogs were scavenging through the rubbish while birds fed around them. 

The highlights were several impressive Thick-billed Larks.

Thick-billed Lark

(c)Dennis Morrison

Their huge bills make them very distinctive, and they were a lifer for everyone in the group. We also saw Temminck’s Lark, White Crowned Black Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, White Stork and a beautiful pair of Red-rumped Wheatear.

Temminck’s Lark

(c)Dennis Morrison

Red-rumped Wheatear

(c)Dennis Morrison

White Crowned Black Wheatear

(c)Dennis Morrison

Desert Wheatear

(c)Dennis Morrison

 

White Stork

(c)Dennis Morrison

A group of Little Ringed Plovers and several wagtails were also feeding among the rubbish.

Our next stop was much more enjoyable. The desert landscape opened up into red sandstone and sandy plains. Here we found four Cream-coloured Courser calmly walking across the ground. 

Cream-coloured Courser

(c)Dennis Morrison

There were also many larks, including a large flock of Greater Short-toed Lark.

Later, we visited Vallée des Oiseaux. Before starting our walk, we discovered an amazing reptile under a rock, a Saharan Horned Viper.

Saharan Horned Viper

(c) Jack Pettit

Birding in the valley was excellent. 

Vallée des Oiseaux

We saw Trumpeter Finch, Desert Lark, Desert Wheatear and Thekla’s Lark.

Desert Lark

(c) Jack Pettit

Trumpeter Finch

(c) Jack Pettit

One of the biggest highlights came when our guide spotted a magnificent Pharaoh Eagle-Owl perched on a cliff, staring straight at us with its bright orange eyes.

Pharaoh Eagle-Owl

 (c)Dennis Morrison

Soon after, a Lanner Falcon appeared overhead. Later, it returned with another bird and briefly chased a pair of Common Kestrels in an exciting aerial display.

 Lanner Falcon

(c)Dennis Morrison

We also found a pair of Maghreb Wheatear. The striking black-and-white male looked fantastic beside the more subtle female.

Maghreb Wheatear

(c)Dennis Morrison

In the afternoon, we drove through a spectacular gorge.

 

From a viewpoint, we enjoyed Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Moussier’s Redstart and great views of Tristram’s Warbler. We even saw a wild Rock Dove clinging to the cliffs.

Tristram’s Warbler

(c)Dennis Morrison

Blue Rock Thrush

(c)Dennis Morrison

The only bird we missed today was Bonelli’s Eagle, but after such a fantastic day of birding, nobody really minded.

We finished the day with a relaxed walk around the hotel grounds. Tomorrow we head deeper into the desert, and after today’s warmth, shorts and sunscreen will definitely be needed!