Feb 26th

Eurasian Spoonbill - Burton RSPB

Red Kite-Flew west over Park Lane and headed towards Meols Station at 0950am.

Willow Tit and -Burton RSPB

Willow Tit

(c)Joe Downing

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Kumlien's Gull-Adult still on River Mersey near Old Runcorn Bridge and 1st Winter Caspian Gull-Widnes

Kumlien's Gull

(c)Steve Tomlinson

Russian White-fronted Geese-74 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with 94 Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on the River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

12 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland and 6 Barnacle Geese- Burton Mere Wetlands

ACROSS THE WATER: REDHEAD AND A WESTERN LONG SHOT!

Some trips are plotted months ahead, pencilled carefully into diaries and built around tides, weather systems, and the slow drift of rare birds across maps. Others begin with a single phone call.

On the afternoon of 23 February, Dan Pointon rang with a proposition: Ireland, immediately, for the long-staying female Redhead at Lough Yganavan. He had just returned from a month in Australia and, by his own admission, “needed” it for his British list (Ireland included under his chosen parameters).

I didn’t, at least not strictly speaking. I had seen the drake at Bleasby Gravel Pits back in 1996. But late winter in Ireland carries its own pull: the possibility of additional Nearctic wildfowl, Atlantic light over western loughs, and, most compelling of all, a long-staying Double-crested Cormorant, unreported for weeks somewhere in the west.

Flights were booked within the hour. A hire car followed. The alarm was set.

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Day One – A Kerry Valley

We touched down in Dublin shortly after 08:00 and pointed the car south. By 12:15, we were scanning Lough Yganavan, a quiet Kerry valley lake holding eight Ring-necked Duck, but, initially, no Redhead.

A full circuit by car produced nothing new. Returning to the south-west corner for what felt like a token final scan, I parked up. Then Dan rang.

The Redhead had appeared; clearly, it had been roosting in the reedbed. The tension dissolved instantly. It was on the list.

1st winter female Redhead

(Brian McCloskey)

Relief was immediate and shared. After more than a month away, it was good to see Dan smiling again, the particular smile that comes only when a long-anticipated bird finally resolves itself in the scope.

If accepted, this individual will constitute only Ireland’s second record, the first involving an adult at Cape Clear in July 2003. There has been some suggestion that the current bird may have been overlooked earlier in the winter, perhaps dismissed as a Common Pochard back in October. Whatever its backstory, a transatlantic Aythya on a secluded Kerry lough is not something to treat casually.

With prolonged views secured, the trip had momentum.

Northward we drove towards Galway, pausing at Tralee Bay where an adult Ring-billed Gull loafed confidingly at close range. 

Ring-billed Gull

As dusk approached, Blennerville Estuary delivered a final flourish: Dunlin stitching the tideline, Eurasian Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit probing the mud beneath a darkening western sky.

Two Nearctic species on the first day, a respectable return for a hastily conceived Irish dash. The evening was rounded off by watching Manchester United grind out a win, accompanied by a couple of Guinnesses. Birding days rarely close more satisfactorily.

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Day Two – Corvids and a Long Shot

Dawn found us at Cregal Art on the outskirts of Galway, scanning for a long-staying Pied Crow present since early January.

At first, there were only Hooded Crow and Rook, and a growing sense of déjà vu familiar to anyone who has searched for a conspicuous rarity that simply refuses to materialise.

Hooded Crow

Rook

A circuit of the city’s gull haunts, including the pontoon at Waterside, formerly host to a first-winter American Herring Gull, and Nimmo’s Pier, where a Vega Gull had been recorded, proved unexpectedly quiet. A female Red-crested Pochard drifting along the river provided modest consolation.

Red Crested Pochard

Back at Cregal, patience finally paid off.

The Pied Crow flew in with purposeful wingbeats, perching briefly atop a lamppost before dropping onto the roof of the art shop. Boldly patterned and unmistakable, its gleaming white breast and collar cut sharply against otherwise jet-black plumage.

Pied Crow

Its provenance remains uncertain. Ship assistance from its sub-Saharan range seems plausible. Whatever its origin, it was a striking and instructive bird to study at leisure.

But the true test still lay ahead.

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The Last Look

The Double-crested Cormorant had not been reported since 18 January, though it had frequented the region since November 2020. By late February, relocating it felt optimistic at best.

Blank stops at Lough Doon and Lough Colgagh did little to lift confidence. Lough Gill, when we reached it, seemed almost absurdly vast, five miles of cold water and scattered islands. The odds of picking out a single Nearctic cormorant among wintering flocks felt remote.

Lough Gill

A tern raft held five roosting Great Cormorants. Through the scope, each appeared entirely typical. We repositioned via the grounds of St Angela’s College for a marginally better angle. Still nothing.

Eventually, with the light beginning to soften, we turned back toward the car.

“Have another look at that raft,” I suggested, more habit than conviction.

Dan lifted the scope once more.

There were now six birds.

The newcomer stood out not by flamboyance but by nuance: a smaller head, finer bill, subtly different structure and posture. The distinctions accumulated until doubt fell away. Against considerable odds, the Double-crested Cormorant had flown in and settled precisely where we had already been scanning.

Double-crested Cormorant

The disbelief was immediate and quietly electric. After hours of searching open water, it had taken one final, almost casual glance to secure the bird.

This represents only Ireland’s second record, the first occurring at Nimmo’s Pier in the winter of 1995–96. Britain’s sole record dates from Billingham in early 1989, with Western Palearctic occurrences otherwise largely confined to the Azores. To encounter one on the Irish mainland is exceptional. To find it ourselves, after weeks without reports, made the moment sharper still.

We left it roosting calmly among its congeners as evening drew in and began the long drive back to Dublin.

Two days. Every target secured. A gamble rewarded.

And a reminder, timely and emphatic, that in birding, as in much else, it is so often that last look which makes all the difference.

Feb 25th

7 Stonechat - Hilbre.

Russian White-fronted Geese-64 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Caspian Gull-One 1st-winter at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road (WA8 0PA); also 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull-Widnes

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on the River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Eurasian Spoonbill-Burton RSPB

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

Lesser Scaup-No4 Bed-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

Feb 24th

27 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland - Burton Mere Wetlands

Russian White-fronted Geese-30 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Lesser Scaup-Female still on No 3 Bed-Woolston Eyes

(c) David Bowman

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

32 Russian White-fronted Geese- Flew south-west-Molloington

27 Russian White-fronted Geese - Burton Mere Wetlands.

White Wagtail (first of spring) in horse paddocks by Telegraph Lane, Leasowe Gunsite.

Bitttern flew north and dropped down off Boathouse at dusk - Parkgate.

15 Marsh Harrier flew into roost - Neston Reedbed.

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Feb 23rd

9,000 Knot, 148 Curlew, c200 Redshank, and c200 Brent Geese on the shore, a Stonechat in the sand dunes - West Kirby Shore.

Short-eared Owl-Off Heswall Golf Course-Heswall

2 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

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

Lesser Scaup-Female still, Greater Scaup from the end of Sow Brook-Manchester Ship Canal -Woolston Eyes

Russian White-fronted Geese-2 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Feb 22nd

Willow Tit-Moore Nature Reserve

2 Russian White-fronted geese-Acre Nook-Chelford

3 Purple Sandpiper-On Pontoon-New Brighton

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

46 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland - Burton Mere Wetlands

Scaup (drake) and 2 Goldeneye - West Kirby Marine Lake

46 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields towards Puddington and 20+ Whooper Swans, seen from-Burton RSPB

Water Pipit-One still at Carr Lane Pools viewed from Town Lane-Hale

Lesser Scaup-Female still on Manchester Ship Canal with Tufted Ducks from public right of way off Statham Lane (WA13 9BN); also 1st-winter female Greater Scaup still-Lymm

26 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area and 16 Barnacle Geese-Frodsham marshes

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on the River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Tundra Bean Goose-One flew south yesterday; also 2 adult Russian White Fronted Geese. Reserve open from 08:00-16:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com-Woolston Eyes-Permit Only

18 Russian White-fronted geese-Off Denhall Lane-Burton Marsh

2 Greater Scaup-Unconfirmed report of two on Friday-Wigg Island

Iceland Gull-One on River Mersey- Frodsham Marshes

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

Feb 21st

2 Purple Sandpiper-On the Pontoon-New Brighton

Willow Tit and Brambling-Female-Moore Nature Reserve

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

30 White-fronted Geese by Shotwick Boating Lake.

290 Brent Geese and at least 2 Jack Snipe - West Kirby Shore.

400 Sanderling, 15,000 Dunlin and 4,000 Knot at high tide - Hoylake Shore.

37 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields towards Puddington -Burton RSPB

Russian White-fronted Geese-10 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with 200 + Pink-footed geese and 6 Barnacle Geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane then walk north for c 400m to view

Caspian Gull-One 1st-winter at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road (WA8 0PA); also 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull-Widnes

Lesser Scaup-Female still on Manchester Ship Canal with Tufted Ducks from public right of way off Statham Lane (WA13 9BN); also 1st-winter female Greater Scaup still-Lymm

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on the River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Feb 20th

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

40+ Russian White-fronted Geese in fields towards Puddington, seen from-Burton RSPB

Water Pipit-One still at Carr Lane Pools viewed from Town Lane and Short-eared owl-nearby-Hale

Lesser Scaup-Female still on Manchester Ship Canal with Tufted Ducks from public right of way off Statham Lane (WA13 9BN); also 1st-winter female Greater Scaup still-Lymm

Caspian Gull-Two 1st-winters at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road (WA8 0PA); also 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull-Widnes

Caspain Gull-Adult-Sandbach Flashes

Russian White-fronted Geese-59 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view

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

Feb 19th

18+ Russian White-fronted Geese and 5 Barnacle Geese - Burton RSPB

27 Common Snipe and a Water Rail flushed by tide - Target Road-Heswall

32 Russian White-fronted Geese- in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view

14 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

Short-eared Owl-Three again over saltmarsh off The Harp Inn-Little Neston

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

Wed 18th

Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer-On wires at the junction of Holly Bush Lane and Woodend Lane- Rixton

4 Barnacle Geese and c200 White-fronted Geese in fields next to Lower Road-Holt

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-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

Russian White-fronted geese-c 20 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese and 14 Barnacle Geese; park in a dip on Tetton Lane then walk north for c 400m to view- Sandbach Flashes

Tundra Bean Goose-One in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash; park in dip on Tetton Lane then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Russian White-fronted goose-Individual on Mersey foreshore-Hale

Lesser Scaup-Female on No 3 Bed with Tufted Ducks from John Morgan Hide; use small car park at end of canal track at c 53.3870, -2.5234 Reserve open from 08:00-16:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com-Woolston Eyes

5 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Caspian Gull-1st-winter at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road-Widnes

Green-winged Teal-Drake relocated to Bevyl Road Flash-Parkgate

Feb 17th

Hooded Crow- One reported in the field at the west end of Lapwing Lane before the final two houses-Moore Nature Reserve

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Short-eared Owl this afternoon - Parkgate

Lesser Scaup-Female still, Greater Scaup from the end of Sow Brook- Manchester Ship Canal -Woolston Eyes

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

11 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

Russian White-fronted geese-Four flew east along the Manchester Ship Canal-Woolston Eyes

Feb 16th

14 Russian White-fronted Geese-Puddington lane-Burton RSPB

11 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

41 Russian White-fronted Geese-41 flew west over the north end of Rixton Moss yesterday evening-Rixton

Greater Scaup on the estuary-Off West Kirby Marine Lake

Lesser Scaup-Female still, Greater Scaup from the end of Sow Brook, Female Brambling in set aside field with 100+ Chaffinch,250+Linnet and 110+ Stock Dove- Manchester Ship Canal -Woolston Eyes

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

Feb 15th

17 Russian White-fronted geese-Black Firs SWT

Water Rail, 20 Avocet, 60 Grey Partridge, 50 Golden Plover, 2 Turnstone, Knot, 10k Dunlin, 9 Cattle Egret, 6 Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow and 2 Rock Pipit- Hale

14 Purple Sandpiper, 40 Turnstone, Red Throated Diver, 2 Goosander,225 Brent Geese, 1800 Oystercatcher, 400 Dunlin and an Eider-Hilbre Island

2 Russian White-fronted geese, 3 Barnacle geese, Burton Marsh, opp Nets cafe. Greenshank, Decca compound.

4 Cattle Egrets off Mudhouse Lane- Neston 

9 Cattle Egrets-Hale head 

13 Russian White-fronted Geese-Puddington lane

Greater Scaup on the estuary-Off West Kirby Marine Lake 

4 Russian White-fronted Geese with Pinkfeet behind flash at Old Baths, Drake Green-winged Teal and 1,100 Teal on Boathouse Flash at 08.15hrs but disturbed by Marsh Harrier-Parkgate

Lesser Scaup-Female still on Manchester Ship Canal below Lymm Golf Club and 1st-winter female Greater Scaup-Woolston Eyes

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)Phil Jones

Feb 14th

1,300 Black-tailed Godwit, 220 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2,000+ Knot roosted off Shore Cottage over high tide-Thurstaston

Green Sandpiper on R Birkett by water treatment plant, Mediterranean Gull on flooded fields-Leasowe Lighthouse

Purple Sandpiper on groyne- Wallasey Beach

Firecrest-One in holly at the west end, just before the nursery-Marbury Country Park

Scaup (drake) 3 Goldeneye and 7 Goosander - West Kirby Marine Lake

Russian White-fronted Geese-Four: one on the River Mersey off the lighthouse, two flew north over Carr Lane, and one flew south over Within Way

Siberian Chiffchaff-still in the hedgerow north of the filter beds at sewage works; view from footpath-Glazebury

Russian White-fronted Geese- Still; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane-Burton RSPB

Short-eared Owl-Three again this afternoon-Denhall Quay-Neston

Barnacle goose with Pink-footed geese-Heswall Marsh