MEGA NEWS-19th January-Black-winged Kite-Still at c 52.7502, 1.6062 viewed from track c 400m north of raptor viewpoint mid-afternoon; use NWT car park (NR12 0BW)-Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT-Norfolk-Zitting Cisticola-Three in scrub between beach and Dunwich River-Walberswick NNR-Suffolk
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Friday, March 24, 2017

DAYOUT BIRDING IN CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL

I started off this morning's birding at Hale, where I soon connected with the Drake Garganey on Town Lane; the bird had been found the previous day on Carr Lane pools.


Garganey

I spent a good hour looking for the Lapland bunting, which had also been seen the previous day, but couldn't relocate it. A single Water pipit put in a brief appearance on Carr Lane pools before being flushed. A Raven was calling overhead, and there were also 3 little grebes on the pool.

 Raven

Little Grebe

Moving on from here, I called in at Burton RSPB, where the Little Gull was showing well.





1st Winter Little Gull

I also saw my first Chiffchaff of the year as I was walking around the reserve.

 Chiffchaff

There were plenty of birds on the reserve today, with 71 Avocets returning along with good numbers of Black Tailed Godwits. A single Spotted Redshank was seen from the Marsh Covert hide, and a flyover Sparrowhawk.

 Spotted Redshank
Sparrowhawk

Moving on towards Burton point, I connected with 21 Whooper Swans, thousands of Pink-footed geese, Great White egret and my first 2 Wheatears of the year.

Wheatear

Walking back to the car, I spotted a Common Lizard sitting out in the sun on a fence.


Common Lizard

The evening was spent at Leasowe looking for Spring migrants, but it was very quiet. I did connect with a Greenshank on the groyne, though.

Greenshank