ACRE NOOK AND LAPWING HALL POOL BIRD SIGHTINGS- AUGUST 2016

After a good end to July patch birding for the whole of August was very disappointing and hard birding.Whilst other sites were getting Greenshank, Whimbrel, Wood Sandpipers, and other bits, I failed to find anything of note, only a long-staying Black-necked Grebe, which is still present on the 1st of September on Lapwing Hall Pool. There were two present from the 14th to 16th

BLACK NECKED GREBE

Gull numbers continued to rise, with over 500 visiting Acrenook along with 72 Curlew on the 21st. There were over 150 Canada geese on the 11th, along with Teal and Shoveller in good numbers. Lapwing numbers have been over 100 throughout the month, and at least 10 Mandarin were present. Hobby's were seen on the 2nd and the 14th, and Jay was also present around the pool on the 24th.

CANADA GEESE

CURLEW

JAY

Lapwing Hall Pool continues to hold 60+ Tufted Ducks; 2 Wigeon and 34 Coot were counted on the 16th. There were 9 little grebes on the 19th, along with 7 great crested grebes and 14 mute swans. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen on the 6th, which was unbelievable and a first for the year.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER

As you can see, a very poor month for birds, but hey, that's patch birding!

AN EVENING'S BIRDING AT CARR LANE POOLS-HALE

Leaving Birkenhead I called in at Carr lane pools in Hale to try and photo the two Wood sandpipers that have been around for a while.On arrival the birds were still present but were over the other side of the pool in the sun.

WOOD SANDPIPERS

9 Ruff were present along with 6 Snipe and 4 Little Ringed plovers.

RUFF

An Egyptian goose appeared from the reeds as I was leaving. 

EGYPTIAN GOOSE

HOODED CROW-BIRKENHEAD PARK

A Hooded crow was reported on the North wirral coast near Birkenhead north station on the 15th August but after a quick dash up the M53 the bird had flown.I visited Birkenhead this afternoon after it had been relocated on the cricket pitch.On arrival it didn't take long to connect with the bird as it sat under the cricket porch.

The bird then flew onto the field and showed really well.