CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

 

1st June

2 Little Stint-Hale-Still on the River Mersey east of Hale Lighthouse

Common Quail-Singing male still in field south of Woodend Lane; note Holly Bush Lane is a private road, park elsewhere and walk-Rixton

Garganey-Sandbach Flashes-Drake still at Hancock's Flood

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

 

31st May

Spoonbill and 9 Great White Egret - Parkgate.

Common Quail-Hale-Male still singing intermittently along track c 200m north of Hale Head Lighthouse this evening

 

Little Stint-Hale-Still on the River Mersey east of Hale Lighthouse

Grey Plover-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)28/05

One sound-recorded over reserve on Thursday afternoon (also two sound-recorded on 23rd); reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Garganey-Sandbach Flashes-Drake still on " Small Pool " by Pumphouse Flash

Greater Scaup-West Kirby Marine Lake-Adult drake still

 

30th May

Osprey-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-One flew over this morning

Garganey-Sandbach Flashes-Drake still on the small pool by the Pumphouse Flash

Greater Scaup-West Kirby Marine Lake-

Adult drake still

29th May

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

Greater Scaup-Drake-West Kirby Marine Lake

Osprey flew inland past Carr Farm - Meols.

2 Garganey-Drake and a Female-Pumphouse Flash-Sandbach Flashes

Red-backed Shrike-Female photographed along Blossoms Lane yesterday evening; park on Church Lane and walk, strictly no driving access to Blossoms Lane

Red-backed Shrike

(c) D.McBurney

https://www.instagram.com/dmcburneyphotography?igsh=MWMxaHdnbDR3ZmY3

Curlew Sandpiper-Still on River Mersey near Hale Head Lighthouse-Hale

28th May

Common Quail-Singing male in nearby field this evening-Raby

Greater Scaup-Drake-West Kirby Marine Lake

Curlew Sandpiper-Still on River Mersey near Hale Head Lighthouse-Hale

2 Common Quail-Singing male still in field south of Woodend Lane; note Holly Bush Lane is a private road, park elsewhere and walk-Rixton

Garganey-Two (drake and female) again at Pumphouse Flash-Sandbach Flashes

Eurasian Spoonbill-Parkgate

27th May

Garganey-Drake again at Pumphouse Flash-Sandbach Flashes

Curlew Sandpiper-One again near Hale Head Lighthouse-Hale

Common Quail-Singing male in field west of bridge '211' just south of canal towpath-Dutton

Eurasian Spoonbill-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB

26th May

Garganey-Drake again on No 3 Bed-Woolston Eyes-PERMIT ONLY-To join click here >

2 Common Quail-Singing male still in field south of Woodend Lane; note Holly Bush Lane is a private road, park elsewhere and walk-Rixton

25th May

Osprey-One on sandbank-Pickerings Pasture

Garganey-Drake again on No 3 Bed-Woolston Eyes-PERMIT ONLY-To join click here >

2 Common Quail-Singing male still in field south of Woodend Lane; note Holly Bush Lane is a private road, park elsewhere and walk-Rixton

24th May

Common Quail-Singing male still in field south of Woodend Lane; note Holly Bush Lane is a private road, park elsewhere and walk-Rixton

Osprey-One from Hale Head Lighthouse-Hale

23rd May

Garganey (drake) - Burton Mere Wetlands.

2 Curlew sandpiper, Little stint and Osprey-Hale

22nd May

Whinchat, at least 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Whinchat - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Spotted Flycatcher briefly in bushes by car park - Riverbank Road, Heswall.

Common Quail-Singing male still in field south of Woodend Lane; note Holly Bush Lane is a private road, park elsewhere and walk-Rixton

Curlew Sandpiper-One near Hale Head Lighthouse-Hale

21st May

Wood sandpiper-Sweeney Wetlands

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still-West Kirby Marine Lake

Garganey-Drake again on No 4 Bed then flew towards No 3 Bed-Woolston Eyes-PERMIT ONLY-To join click here >

20th May

Black-throated Diver-Two on sea off the north end and 2 Manx Shearwater, 8 Arctic Tern, 3 Razorbill, 10 Guillemot and 210 Common Scoter-Hilbre Island

19th May

Ruddy Shelduck-Still at the south end of Rode Pool-Rodeheath

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still-West Kirby Marine Lake

20 Black-necked grebe-Woolston Eyes-PERMIT ONLY-To join click here >

18th May

Cuckoo flew east over Stanley Road - Hoylake.

17th May 

Little Stint-East of lighthouse-Hale

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still-West Kirby Marine Lake

Ruddy Shelduck-Again, flew west-Runcorn

16th May 

Scaup (drake) still - West Kirby Marine Lake.

c250 Dunlin (including some alpina), 200 Ringed Plover and 30 Sanderling at high tide - Hoylake.

c30 Swift low over Park Lane - Meols.

Little Stint-East of lighthouse-Hale

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:26TH-31ST MAY 2026

High pressure and record May temperatures continued to dominate throughout much of the working week, including sweltering conditions on Tuesday. Read more >

CLEARWING SUCCESS IN SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE

Jenna and I had arranged a day’s mothing with my good friend Phil Jones, hoping to catch up with some of the early-season Clearwings that are now beginning to emerge. Two species were on the target list, and Phil knew both sites in South Staffordshire where we would stand a good chance of finding them.

We arrived during the early afternoon and soon set up the pheromone lures amongst the sunny woodland edge habitat. It didn’t take long before there was a sudden burst of activity, and my first White-barred Clearwing came buzzing into view. These remarkable moths are always a thrill to see, with their transparent wings and wasp-like appearance making them unlike most other British moths.

Private site-South Staffordshire

White-barred Clearwing

The habitat here was ideal for Clearwings, with a mixture of heathland, raised mosses, alder groves, streams and woodland rides cutting through damp woodland. These warm, sheltered edges and glades are perfect places to search for these elusive moths during their short flight season.

The species itself is a distinctive one, showing creamy-white patches near the tips of the antennae along with similarly coloured bands on the tegulae and the second abdominal segment. There is also a small yellowish-white dash towards the rear of the thorax, a feature that helps separate it from some of the other Clearwing species.

Like many members of the family, the moth spends far longer as a larva than as an adult. The caterpillars feed concealed within the wood or around the roots of birch (Betula) and alder (Alnus), often remaining in this stage for two or even three years before emerging. The larvae usually overwinter hidden deep within the tree, safe from predators and the worst of the weather.

Although locally distributed across south-east and north-west England, as well as parts of Wales, it can be very difficult to encounter without the use of pheromone lures. After getting good views, we headed further south to Cannock Chase

Arriving at Cannock Chase, we made the twenty-minute walk to the site, a small clearing surrounded by birch trees with several piles of cut birch logs nearby. It looked perfect for our second target species, and once again, luck was on our side.

It took only five minutes before Phil spotted one already in view, although it quickly disappeared before Jenna and I could get onto it. We continued moving the pheromone lures around the area, hoping for another chance, and after a few more minutes, our patience paid off when two moths came buzzing in towards the lure, giving us fantastic views.

Large Red-belted Clearwing

Although generally larger than the similar Red-belted Clearwing, the sizes can overlap, and the best feature to look for is the orange-red suffusion at the base of the forewings. In the right light, this gives the moth a particularly striking appearance.

This species flies earlier in the year than many of the other Clearwings, usually appearing during May and June. It is strongly associated with heathland and woodland habitats where birch (Betula) is plentiful, and is known from much of mainland Britain, although it remains a highly sought-after species for many moth recorders.

What a day it turned out to be, with excellent views of both target species. A huge thank you goes to my good friend Phil Jones for all the local knowledge and guidance on where to see these remarkable moths. Two more species were added to the list, and memories that will stay with us for a long time.

Another great afternoon!

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:18TH-25TH MAY 2026

This latest review period had oddly variable weather. It started with cool, grey and, in places, very wet conditions which had dominated much of mid-May. Read more> 

A RARE MORNING SONG IN OXFORDSHIRE,

This morning’s dawn walk around a private site near where I’m currently working produced a memorable spring encounter,  and, as it turns out, a rather notable bird for Oxfordshire.

Walking along the edge of the fields, I became aware of the song of a Woodlark from the trees ahead. At first, the bird remained hidden high in the canopy, but after a few moments of searching, it finally appeared out in the open, perched and singing in the early morning light before eventually flying away across the fields. At the time, I simply appreciated it as another lovely spring observation, though once home, I discovered that the Woodlark is considered a relatively scarce bird in Oxfordshire, making the encounter feel even more special in hindsight.

Woodlark

The surrounding farmland was alive with birdsong. Yellowhammers were particularly vocal throughout the morning, their familiar calls carrying across the hedgerows. Encouragingly, the species seems to be thriving in this area, and with luck, the local population will enjoy a productive breeding season this year.

Yellowhammer

Having now spent the past year and a half working down in Oxfordshire, one aspect of the county’s wildlife that continues to impress me is the sheer abundance of Brown Hares. In truth, I have never seen so many anywhere else. Almost every early morning walk seems to produce several sightings, often with animals sitting quietly in the margins of fields or racing across open ground.

One individual this morning was particularly engaging, unusually inquisitive and seemingly content to shadow my slow walk back towards the car, stopping frequently to watch me before moving on again. Encounters like these are a reminder of just how rewarding even a simple morning wander can be at this time of year.

Brown Hare