CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

9th July

6 Spoonbill (incl 1 young juv) and a Barn Owl- Parkgate.

Garganey-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Eclipse drake still on No 4 Bed; also 7+ Black-necked Grebes still. Reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Common Quail-Rixton-Singing male still in setaside field north of Woodend Lane this morning; note Holly Bush Lane is a private road, do not drive along it. Instead park considerately either along Moat Lane (WA3 6EE) or Moss Side Lane (WA3 6HH) and walk to listen; do not block tractor access

Common Quail-Burton Marsh-At least two

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

Common Quail-Antrobus-Singing male at Potternell Farm (53.3175, -2.5321)

8th July

Ruddy Shelduck-Hale-Still on River Mersey this evening

 

84 Little Egret, 800 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sandpiper, 820 Black-tailed Godwit, 870 Curlew, Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 640 Redshank, 21 Mediterranean Gull, 1000 Black-headed Gull,  fem Yellow Wagtail on ebbing tide early morning - Heswall Shore.

Spoonbill, 5 Avocet (incl 1 juv), Mediterranean Gull (ad), Juv Marsh Harrier and 2 Great White Egret, c60 Swift over - Parkgate.

Short-eared Owl - Burton Marsh.

Quail heard, Hobby, Barn Owl and 3 Grasshopper Warbler (incl 2 juvs) - Decca Pools.

3 Black-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-Juvenile

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Poynton Pool-2 Males

Lesser Emperor-Newchurch Common-Male at private fishing lake

7th July

Black-necked Grebe-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-Juvenile

Slavonian Grebe-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-Adult reported again; also 3 Black-necked Grebes. View from gate

Black-necked Grebe-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-

15+ still; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Common Quail-Frodsham Marsh13:34

-Two in grass near No 5 Tank

Greater Scaup-West Kirby Marine Lake-

Adult drake still on rocks at south end late morning

Garganey-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)08:30

-Eclipse drake still on No 4 Bed. Reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Spotted Redshank-Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB-

One still at Centenary Pool from Border Hide; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane (CH64 5SF; open 09:00-19:00, £7 entrance fee for non-RSPB-members)

Eurasian Spoonbill-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-

Three still at Boathouse Flash

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Poynton-Female at west side of Poynton Pool

6th July

Common Scoter-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-One yesterday; view from gate

Curlew Sandpiper-Frodsham Marsh-One at No 6 Tank

Quail still calling in field north of Manners Lane - Lower Heswall.

Quail calling - Decca Pools.

2 Spotted Redshank - Burton Mere Wetlands.

600 Black-tailed Godwit - Caldy Wildfowl Collection.

Ruddy Shelduck-Hale-Still on River Mersey this evening

Greater Scaup-West Kirby Marine Lake-Adult drake still

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Poynton-Male still at west side of Poynton Pool

5th July

Garganey-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Eclipse drake still on No 4 Bed; park along canal track at c 53.3842, -2.5364; keep off bunds at all times. Reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

Spotted Redshank-Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB-Two still at Centenary Pool from Border Hide; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane (CH64 5SF)

Spotted Redshank-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-One still at Boathouse Flash; also 3 Eurasian Spoonbills still at Bevyl Road Flash

Hobby over potato field inland of coastal paddocks - Leasowe Lighthouse

Adult Mediterranean Gull, juv Stonechat, 2 Common Scoter, 60 Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and 100 Sandwich Tern - Hilbre

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Poynton-Male still at west side of Poynton Pool

Lesser Emperor-Cholmondeley-Still from bridge by pond at Castle Gardens and Deer Park

4th July

Quail calling in field north of Manners Lane - Lower Heswall

Garganey-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-Eclipse drake; also 17+ Black-necked Grebes still. Reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

 

Spotted Redshank-Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB-One still; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane (CH64 5SF)

Eurasian Spoonbill-Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB-Two still at Bevyl Road Flash

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Tatton Park-Male over Melchette Mere; also probable Red-veined Darter near south-west corner

Lesser Emperor-Marbury Big Mere-Two over Big Mere

3rd July

Calling Quail, 4 Common Sandpiper in gutter, 5 Stonechat (pair + 3 juvs) - Heswall Marsh

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Marbury Big Mere-Six over Big Mere

Lesser Emperor-Poynton-Male still at Poynton Pool

2nd July

Black-necked Grebe-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-18 still; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

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

Common Quail-Burton Marsh-Singing male still off Nets Cafe

1st July

22 Mediterranean Gull (17 adults, 2 second summer, 3 first summer) before high tide - Thurstaston Shore.

3 Greenshank and a Water Rail - Donkey Stand Flash, Parkgate.

2 Green Sandpiper - Neston Reedbed.

Quail in field just east of the reserve, also 4 Spotted Redshank - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Black-necked Grebe- Tatton Park- two: adult and juvenile at Tatton Mere

Odonata-News

Norfolk Hawker-Cholmondeley 

(c) Andrew Goodwin

Lesser Emperor-Male at Poynton Pool this afternoon on the west side just south of the outflow

 

A CRAZY 48 HOURS – CHASING MOTHS AND BRITAIN’S SECOND LONG-TAILED SHRIKE

Jenna and I set off for Norfolk late this morning and arrived at Lakenheath in Suffolk during the afternoon. We had planned this trip for a few weeks, as I wanted to try and trap Dusky Clearwing before heading onto the Norfolk Broads for an overnight moth-trapping session targeting some of the more specialised reed moths.

Our main target was Dusky Clearwing, and my good friend Will Soar had trapped some here on Tuesday, so fingers were crossed that we could repeat his success. I put the pheromone lure up on a black poplar tree at the location Will had kindly sent me via What3Words, and before we knew it, we had three Dusky Clearwings flying around the lure.

Well, that wasn't too difficult!

The Dusky Clearwing has a fascinating history in Britain. It was thought to be extinct after going unrecorded since 1924, but the species was dramatically rediscovered in Warwickshire in 2021. Since that remarkable rediscovery, a small number of further records have come from other counties, but it remains one of Britain's rarest and most elusive moths.

Knowing the story behind this species made the encounter even more special. To see a moth that was once believed to have disappeared from Britain, but has managed to survive in a few isolated locations, was a real privilege and something I won't forget in a hurry.

After our success, we made our way into Norwich for a lovely curry before heading on to Martham Broad. We set up three moth traps and sat watching the sun go down over the Broads. It was a beautiful evening and felt like the perfect way to spend a summer night.

By sunrise, I had added a few more moths to my life list:

Reed Leopard

Round-winged Muslin

Small Wainscot

Silky Wainscot

Reed Dagger

After a few hours' sleep following our moth-trapping session, we woke up and headed to Sea Palling–Hempstead Marshes, where I was hoping to show Jenna the Black-winged Kite.

It didn't take long before we picked up the bird sitting on distant wires, before it later flew across the fields. I was made up, as I really wanted Jenna to see this bird.

Black-winged Kite

(c)Adrian Webb

We watched the kite for a while, enjoying some great views, before heading back to the café for a well-earned breakfast.

Our next stop was Titchwell RSPB in North Norfolk, as Jenna had never visited the reserve before. As we were just walking off the boardwalk and onto the beach, the news came through on the WhatsApp group that a probable Lesser Grey Shrike, or a Long-tailed Shrike, had been found at Crail, Fife, Scotland.

I was bloody miles away but could have made it. The problem was that I would have had to drop Jenna back off in Ellesmere Port on the way home, as she was due at work the following morning.

News then came through that the bird had not been seen for a few hours, although more people were turning up and searching the area. We continued with our afternoon and got great views of two Black-winged Stilts on the marshes, but I couldn't settle knowing there was potentially only the second Long-tailed Shrike ever recorded in Britain waiting up in Scotland.

We left Titchwell RSPB and started driving home when the news came through that the bird had been refound and confirmed as a Long-tailed Shrike.

That was all I needed.

I made a few phone calls and got a team sorted out to go: Phil Jones and Karl Stockton from Stoke-on-Trent. We eventually got home around 8:00 pm, and I had a shower and something to eat. Before I knew it, I was off to Warrington to pick the lads up.

We were soon on our way north. I had to keep making a few stops due to tiredness, but the England game on the radio kept spirits high. By the time the sun was rising, England had won, and we were all in good spirits. All we needed now was the bird.

On arrival, we made our way to the site and found the small crowd, which was quite a surprise for such a mega bird. Thankfully, just as we arrived, the Long-tailed Shrike was showing along the hedge line, and Adam Archer kindly let me look through his scope.

                    

    

It was on the list!

(c)Tom Tams

We gained some great views of the bird, although they were distant scope views. Eventually, my mate Dan Pointon turned up, and we made our way behind the hedge line. Dan used his thermal imager to locate the bird, and we had the shrike in open view on three occasions, just sitting there preening.

What a bird!

The site at Crail is one of the best places in Britain for Corn Bunting, and it was during a bird transect survey for this species that the Long-tailed Shrike was discovered.

This is only the second accepted record for Britain, with the first bird being located at Howmore, South Uist, Western Isles, where it was present on 3rd and 4th November 2000. What was probably the same bird had been seen nearby at Howbeg on 27th October 2000.

The Crail bird has been aged as a second-calendar-year male and is already moulting. There are several races of Long-tailed Shrike, but the race that breeds closest to the UK is Lanius schach erythronotus, which breeds in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

It was great to see my good friend Adrian Webb enjoying the bird as well and being all smiles as he finally connected with it. Adrian had travelled for the Uist bird back in 2000, but unfortunately, the engine on the charter boat he was travelling on stopped working and they had to be rescued while he was with other twitchers, and they all dipped the bird.

Adrian's image of the bird is below.

What an incredible 48 hours of birds, moths, friends and memories.

The Crew 

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:29TH JUNE-5TH JULY 2026

The attention of birders commonly switches to other pursuits during the height of summer. A post-breeding lull among much of our native avifauna sees many dabble in orchids, Odonata, butterflies or moths. Read more>

CHASING SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN SPECIALITIES – A MOUNTAIN MOTHS WORKSHOP IN BRAEMAR

Leaving work in Oxfordshire this afternoon, I headed north on the long drive up to Braemar in Aberdeenshire, where I had booked onto a two-day Mountain moths workshop run by Wild Discovery. The company is run by Dan Brown and his wife Rachel, and I had been really looking forward to this trip after booking it just after Christmas. The main aim was to search for some of the Scottish speciality moths that I had always wanted to see.

I had booked myself into the youth hostel in Braemar, somewhere I hadn’t stayed for years, and I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to find it was really quiet. There were only two other people in a massive dormitory, so I had plenty of room to spread out.

After the long drive, I was absolutely knackered, so it was an early night as I had to be up and ready to meet the group in the morning.

I met the group at 8:00am the following morning at Braemar Pond, and it was great to see Dan again, as I hadn’t seen him for a long time. Dan had put out several moth traps overnight, and once we started opening them, there was a good variety of moths on show.

It was a great start to the day, and I managed to add two new species to my life list.

After we had gone through all the traps, we headed up Morrone Mountain in search of one of Scotland’s most sought-after moths, the Scottish Burnet.

The Scottish Burnet is a montane species that is restricted to bare, rocky mountaintops in Scotland. As we made our way up the mountain, the views were absolutely stunning, with the Cairngorm Mountains stretching out to the north of us.

The walk up produced some excellent wildlife, with great views of Northern Brown Argus and Small Pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies along the way. 

Northern Brown Argus

Small Pearl-bordered fritillary

A stunning Golden-ringed Dragonfly was also spotted resting beside the path, adding another highlight to an already fantastic morning.

We were incredibly lucky, as one of the group found a Scottish Burnet before we had even reached the summit. After a bit more searching around the surrounding vegetation, we eventually found another three individuals around their food plant, Crowberry.

This montane species has a very restricted distribution in Scotland and is one of the true specialities of the Scottish mountains. Adults usually emerge from late June into early July, although this is very dependent on the season. They fly low over the ground in sunshine, often settling on short vegetation when not active.

The larvae live on bare rocky mountaintops in areas with short, sparse heather and crowberry cover. They feed mainly on Crowberry and are very sunshine-dependent, basking and feeding when the sun is out before quickly disappearing back into the vegetation when conditions change.

We all managed some fantastic views and photographs of the moth, and it was a real privilege to see such a special species in its natural habitat.

The walk back down Morrone brought an end to an excellent day in the field. The combination of stunning mountain scenery, good company and some brilliant Scottish wildlife made it a day to remember.

A fantastic start to the Mountain Moths Workshop, and one that had already delivered one of the species I had travelled north for.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

 

30th June

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Poynton-Two still over the north-eastern channel at Poynton Pool

Common Sandpiper on Donkey Stand Flash, 3 Spoonbill and a Greenshank on Boathouse Flashes - Parkgate.

2 Quail calling - Burton Marsh.

3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover and a male Ruff, 2 juv Marsh Harrier over marsh - Decca Pools.

Note: Late news - Jun 25th  : Roseate Tern - West Kirby Shore.

Green-winged Teal-Sandbach Flashes-Drake still at Elton Hall Flash

Common Quail-Winwick-Singing male in barley field just west of Old Alder Lane railway bridge

Black-necked Grebe-Woolston Eyes NR (permit only)-12 (seven juveniles) still; reserve open from 08:00-20:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com

29th June

'Channel' Yellow Wagtail, Willow Tit, 2 juv Little Ringed Plover, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff, 400 Knot, Adult Spoonbill and 28 Bar-tailed Godwit - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Spotted Redshank and 2 Spoonbill, Barn Owl hunting over marsh early morning - Parkgate.

28th June

Common Quail-Hale-One flushed from track at north end of Burnt Mill Farm this evening

Spotted Redshank-Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB-Four at Centenary Pool; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane (CH64 5SF)

Spotted Redshank Bevyl Road Flash and a Quail calling off golf course - Parkgate.

3 Little Ringed Plover (ad with 2 juv) and a Green Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail in adjacent field - Decca Pools.

10 Mediterranean Gull with c15 Common Gull and 200 Black-headed Gull - Thurstaston Shore.

Hobby hunting hirundines over Fox and Hound - Barnston.

27th June

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Poynton- Two still over the north end of Poynton Pool

Common Quail-Hale-Singing male c 200m west of Hale Head Lighthouse this morning

Red Kite over at noon, also a Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank and 4 Spoonbill early morning - Parkgate.

4 Little Ringed Plover - Decca Pools.

6 Mediterranean Gull and 400 Black-headed Gull over high tide - Heswall Shore.

3 Spotted Redshank - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Grasshopper Warbler by horse field next to marsh - Neston Marsh.

26th June

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor-Poynton-At least one still over the north end of Poynton Pool

Lesser Emperor-Marbury Big Mere-At least two males

Whimbrel, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adult), Little Tern, 40 Sandwich Tern, c. 400 Black-headed Gull and 2,000 Oystercatcher over high tide - West Kirby Shore.

8 Avocet on Bevyl Road Flash - Parkgate.

25th June

Odonata-News

Norfolk Hawker-Cholmondeley

Lesser Emperor-Poynton-Male at Poynton Pool

Lesser Emperor-Cholmondeley-One still

Green-winged Teal-Sandbach Flashes-Still at Elton Hall Flash

30 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern and c300 Black=headed Gull over high tide - West Kirby Shore.

Red Kite over Leahurst Vet Campus - Neston.

Common Quail-Neston Marsh-Singing male

5 Spoonbill,  11 Great White Egret on the Boathouse flash. Common Sandpiper and 40 Redshank on Bevyl Road flash and a Barn Owl hunting marsh - Parkgate.

30 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern and c300 Black-headed Gull over high tide - West Kirby Shore.

24th June

Odonata-News

Norfolk Hawker-Cholmondeley-Two; also Lesser Emperor

Common Quail- Little Neston- singing male off Marshlands Road

8 - 10 Glossy Ibis flew north at 7pm - Parkgate.

Barn Owl, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover - Decca Pools.

4 Spoonbill - Boathouse Flash, Parkgate.

Grasshopper Warbler, bottom of Station Road - Burton Marsh.

5 Spotted Redshank-Burton Mere Wetlands.

23rd June

2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Spoonbill and a Water Rail - Decca Pools.

Greenshank - Leasowe Shore.

22nd June

Odonata-News

Lesser Emperor- Tatton Park- 2 males still on the south west end of Melchette Mere

Common Quail-Rixton-Singing male at Rixton Moss yesterday; note Holly Bush Lane is a private road, do not drive along it. Instead, park considerately either along Moat Lane (WA3 6EE) or Moss Side Lane (WA3 6HH) and walk to listen; do not block tractor access

2 Red-breasted Merganser, 65 Little Egret, 480 Oystercatcher, 23 Lapwing, 2 Whimbrel, 472 Curlew, 75 Redshank, 4 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 250 Black-headed Gull, a noticeable increase in birds on the ebbing tide early morning - Heswall Shore.

Ruddy Shelduck-Tatton Park-One on Melchette Mere

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

Common Quail-Singing male below North Parade late yesterday evening-Hoylake

21st June

4 Spoonbill, 12 Great White Egret and a Barn Owl - Parkgate.

Quail heard this evening on the marsh - Hoylake Shore.

Hobby over - Lower Heswall.

Spotted Redshank-Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB-Three on Centenary Pool; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane (CH64 5SF)

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:22ND-28TH JUNE 2026

Extreme temperatures and extreme vagrants characterised the penultimate week of June. Read more>  

HORNET CLEARWINGS AND BRECKLAND SPECIALITIES

After a good night's sleep on Saturday and a day of doing very little, I got a call to say I wasn't needed in Oxford until 5pm on Monday for an evening breeding bird survey. With the forecast looking good, it seemed the perfect opportunity to squeeze in an overnight trip to Norfolk.

I was up at 7am on Sunday, with my first stop being Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire.

My target here was the spectacular Hornet Clearwing, and it's one of the better sites to look for this impressive moth. I arrived around 10:30am, found the Black Poplar trees and put up the pheromone lure. It wasn't long before my first Hornet Clearwing came flying in, quickly followed by a second. Thankfully, both ended up in the trap, allowing some great views before being released.

`

At first glance, the Hornet Clearwing looks much more like a hornet than a moth. Its transparent wings, bold yellow-and-black markings, and loud buzzing flight make the disguise incredibly convincing. In reality, it's a completely harmless day-flying moth that relies on this remarkable mimicry to avoid predators.

The larvae spend several years developing holes beneath the bark of mature poplar trees before emerging as adults for a very short flying season in late spring and early summer.

Although they're fairly widespread, they're surprisingly difficult to find without using pheromone lures, making them a real treat to see. It's one of those species that reminds you just how fascinating our insects can be.

With my target safely seen, I carried on to Cranwich Heath in Norfolk, arriving early in the afternoon. I was hoping to catch up with a few of the Breckland speciality day-flying moths that I still needed. The weather couldn't have been much better, warm and sunny with hardly any wind. After a couple of enjoyable hours wandering the heath, I managed to net four new species: Tawny Wave, Oblique-striped, Marbled Clover and Powdered Grass-veneer.

Tawny Wave

Oblique-striped

Marbled Clover

Powdered Grass-veneer

As the afternoon turned into evening, I spent some time searching for Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. There was plenty of its foodplant, Viper's Bugloss, growing across the site, but despite checking several good-looking patches I couldn't find one.

Forest border of Viper's Bugloss

That's mothing for you; sometimes everything looks perfect, but the species you want simply refuses to show itself.

After a bite to eat, I returned to the heath and set the moth traps ready for the night. Unfortunately, the temperature dropped away quite quickly after dark, and the cold conditions kept moth numbers well down. Even so, there were still a few species to sort through the following morning.

Bird's Wing

Overall, it had been a fantastic 24 hours. Seeing the Hornet Clearwing at close quarters was undoubtedly the highlight, and adding four Breckland specialities made the trip even more worthwhile. With the traps packed away, it was time to head off to Oxford for a week's work, already thinking about the next opportunity to get back out into the field.