19.11.16
THE NEXT BUNTING TO GO?
Conservationists are worried, but not surprised, when species with limited population size and restricted geographic range spiral into a downward trend.CLICK ON LINK
17.11.16
SEABIRDS EAT PLASTIC BECAUSE IT SMELLS LIKE FOOD
Researchers have discovered seabirds are eating plastic waste because it smells like their food.CLICK ON LINK
16.11.16
BITTERN BREEDS IN OXFORDSHIRE FOR FIRST TIME IN 150 YEARS
Bittern is once again part of Oxfordshire's breeding avifauna with at least two pairs nesting at the RSPB's Otmoor reserve.CLICK ON LINK
A MORNINGS BIRDING AT BURTON R.S.P.B
I visited Burton R.S.P.B this morning hoping to get some photos of the Long eared owl which was found last week.On arrival at the visitors centre I saw Janet and Bob jones from Sandbach which was nice as I haven't seen them since the Whiskered terns on there local patch earlier in the year.A quick chat and I noticed that the Cattle egrets were showing so I said my goodbyes and I was off.There were six Cattle egrets showing and true to there name one of them was sat on top of the cow herd.
THERE ARE NOW SIX CATTLE EGRETS SHOWING DAILY ON THE RESERVE
Moving on towards Inner marsh farm hide I had good views of Sisken and Redpoll and a very showy Bullfinch.
BULLFINCH
Walking along Pink footed geese were constantly flying over me and a nice surprise was a Great white egret.The Long eared owl didn't take much finding as a small group were watching it.The Owl was skulking in the hedge but could be made out with a bit of guidance.
LONG EARED OWL
I gave it half an hour but the owl didn't move so I headed for the nearby hide.A Green Sandpiper was showing really well with two Shelduck and a few Teal.
GREEN SANDPIPER
Moving back towards the owl it still hadn't moved so I headed towards Burton point.The tide was nearly covering all the marsh and there were hundreds of birds flying around.
BURTON POINT
Two Short eared owls were seen along with a ring tailed Hen harrier and 3 Great white egrets.Geese numbers were in there hundreds with Pink footed geese and Canada geese being seen.There were a few Brent geese out on the marsh and then I got on a skein of Barnacle geese flying past the point and landing out on Denhall marsh.I have only ever seen the odd Barnacle goose in Cheshire and nowhere near the number that were flying so I headed back to the car for a closer look.
LOOKING OVER THE RESERVE FROM BURTON POINT
When I arrived at Denhall lane I soon picked up the Barnacle geese out on the marsh feeding,there were 21 birds.I tried to take some photos but they were so far away.These photos below were the best I could get,which aren't great!
BARNACLE GEESE
Other birds of note were over twenty Little egret and another Great white egret and a Stonechat.
STONECHAT
Another great mornings birding that sadly had to end due to other commitments.I'LL BE BACK!
DENHALL MARSH
AN EXCEPTIONAL INFLUX OF SIBERIAN ACCENTORS TO NORTHERN EUROPE
To say that this autumn will go down in history for one of the most phenomenal rarity events of all time is not hyperbole.CLICK ON LINK
THE LOSS OF A GREAT FRIEND PETE ANTROBUS(POD)
It has took me sometime to sit down and write this but I had some terrible news last week that my friend Pete (POD) had passed away in his sleep.Pete has been one of my mates for donkeys years and one of the first people I ever met at Marbury Country park when I moved to Northwich in 2002.Pete's life was birds and you could always find him birding at Marbury and over the years he has found loads of good birds including the Black winged stilts that bred at Neumann's Flash which everybody enjoyed seeing.Pete was also twitching mad and loved seeing new birds that showed up in Britain.Every bird he had seen he had a story for and if he hadn't seen it,it wasen't one!Pete was the finder of Britains first Little Whimbrel which he was very proud of.He loved listing and had a list for everything, it amazed me how many lists he had for birds he had seen.He was a regular on the Scillies for years and he had come to Shetland numerous times with me on a week's hoilday birding.Pete was great fun to be around, life and soul of a party and was a great birder who I will truly miss.I have so many memories of Pete I could sit here for hours writing and I am sure people who are reading this will have to.Pete is a such a massive loss both to the birding community as a whole and such a close friend to so many.My thoughts are with Debbie and his family at this sad time.Rest In peace my friend.
POD ON THE FERRY TO TWITCH THE BLACK BILLED CUCKOO WITH ME THIS YEAR
15.11.16
ARJAN BREAKS WORLD YEAR LIST RECORD
Dutch birder Arjan Dwarshuis has broken birding's world year list record, with over a month of the year still to go.CLICK ON LINK
14.11.16
REVIEW OF THE WEEK OF BIRDS RECORDED IN CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL 7TH NOV -13TH NOV 2016
WIRRAL BIRD SIGHTINGS
West Kirby-A Richard's Pipit was a in the rough field between Gilroy and West Kirby Tip late morning before flying towards Hoylake on the 7th.
Hoylake Langfields-A Great White Egret flew over east on the 7th.
Burton R.S.P.B-25 Whooper Swan and 1,200 Pink-footed Geese were on the wet field's on the 7th.The Water Pipit was still present from Marsh Covert Hide on the 7th along with the 5 Cattle Egrets on the main scape,on the10th the 6th bird had joined the others.7 Great White egrets were on Burton marsh on the 8th.On the 11th a Long eared owl was found by the wooden bridge roosting near Inner marsh farm hide and was still present on the 13th.
12 GREAT WHITE EGRETS HAVE BEEN PRESENT ON BURTON MARSH (C)DAVE KING
WATER PIPIT (C)DAVE KING
Neston Marsh-4 Great White Egrets flew from the marsh with 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 1 Merlin (male), 4 Rock Pipit and 19 Twite on the 8th.Neston old quay also held 2 Water Pipit's,3 Marsh Harrier's and a Short-eared Owl.Hilbre-A Snow Bunting was present on the 7th and again on the 11th.
Bidston-One or Possibly 2 Siberian Chiffchaff were calling around Moss on the 13th.
Birkenhead-The juvenile Common Scoter was still on the East Float of Birkenhead Docks on the 9th.
Gilroy Nature Park-1 Woodcock was flushed on the 11th.
Meols-6,500+ Common Scoter were on the sea, 450 Shelduck on the shore,two hours after high tide on the 11th.
Thurcaston-2,450 Black-tailed Godwit on the 9th.
Decca Pools-3 Great White Egrets were present on the 9th.
Parkgate-The Male Hen Harrier was seen on the 10th.
Denhall Quay and Marsh-2 Short-eared Owl and 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail) were present on the 9th.
Heswall Marsh-330 Pink-footed Geese, 470 Teal, 1 grey male Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 4 Water Rail were calling in the reed beds on the 13th.
CHESHIRE BIRD SIGHTINGS
Oakmere-2 Red Breasted Mergansers were present at Fourways Sand Quarry on the 12th.The 2 Common Scoters reappeared on the 13th.
Marbury Country Park-A Little Egret was on Kid Brook Spit on Budworth Mere and a Dunlin on the 7th.The Female Scaup reappeared on Neumman's Flash on the 7th and was still present on the 10th.
Poynton-A Waxwing was seen flying over on the 8th.
Newchurch Common-The Redhead Smew and the 1st Winter Red Crested Pochard were still present throughout the week
REDHEAD SMEW (C) A.ORTON
1ST WINTER RED CRESTED POCHARD (C) A.ORTON
Richmond Bank- A First winter Yellow-legged Gull was seen on on the 9th.
Hale-At least three Waxwings were fly catching on Arran Close towards Pond House garden on the 9th along with 2 Water pipits which were present on Carr Lane pools,a 3rd bird was present on the 11th,2 were still present on the 13th.
Adlington-A Waxwing flew west over Macclesfield Canal near Brookledge Lane on the 13th.
Woolston Eyes- A Yellow Browed warbler was present in the shelter belt by No.3 bed on the 12th and a female Firecrest was trapped and ringed at No.3 bed and also Siberian Chiffchaff on the 13th,but there was no sign of Yellow Browed Warbler.
Pickerings Pasture-A Temminck's Stint was present on the 9th mid afternoon.
Frodsham Marsh-The Little Stint was still present on the 12th.
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