CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 31ST MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Mistle Thrush Field Burton Point
Chiffchaff Copse To IMF
Whitethroat By Wooden Bridge To IMF
Wigeon (M) Border Pool
Sedge Warbler Far End Boardwalk
Swallow x2 Marsh Covert Hide
Little Ringed Plover Marsh Covert Hide
Common Tern Marsh Covert Hide
Reed Warbler x3 Reedbed Screen
Blackcap (M) By Willow Pool
Swift Over Marsh Covert Wood
Cetti`s Warbler Marsh Covert Wood
Jay Tree Near Reception
Mediterranean Gull (Pair) Main Scrape
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull`s (Pair) Wet Grassland Behind Scrape

Wallasey
Red Kite over at 1030am.


Burton Point
Short-eared Owl (flew from the marsh to Burton Point before flying back to marsh),Marsh Harrier,3 Raven on fence posts and 2 Green Woodpecker.

CHESHIRE
Frodsham Marsh
2 Garganey

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 30TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Egyptian Goose x1 Main Scrape
Cetti`s Warbler Will-Pool & Along Path IMF
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Swift Over Marsh Covert Wood
Sedge Warbler Near Bridge Screen
Chiffchaff By Railway Bridge
Blackcap By Hide IMF
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape

CHESHIRE
Hale
Great White egret-On estuary near lighthouse

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 29TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Red Rocks
Probable Blyth's Reed Warbler-Recorded by trail camera last night at 2230hrs nort end of reed bed.

Burton RSPB
Pintail (M) IMF
Willow Warbler Along Path IMF
Cetti`s Warbler Along Path IMF
Chiffchaff By Railway Bridge
Mistle Thrush Field Burton Point
Sedge Warbler By Bridge Screen
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Little Ringed Plover Marsh Covert Hide
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Swift x2 Over Marsh Covert Wood
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Whitethroat By Bunker
Common Tern Marsh Covert Hide
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape
Black Tern From reception

CHESHIRE
Hale
Quail-Still in short crop field by footpath by cricket pitch and showing well. 

Marbury Country Park
Cuckoo,Ringed Plover and 2 Little ringed plover-Neumanns Flash.

BIRDGUIDES PHOTO OF THE WEEK 23RD-29TH MAY-2018

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BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF RARE BIRDS THIS WEEK IN BRITAIN-23RD-29TH MAY 2018

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CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 28TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Red Rocks
Garden Warbler and 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Tree Pipit over.

Leasowe
Spotted Flycatcher and a Whinchat.

Thurstaston Hill
Iberian Chiffchaff.

Burton RSPB
Avocet Chicks x30 Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Dunlin x1 Main Scrape
Cattle Egret Field Left Of Path To Bunker
Whitethroat By Reception
Blackcap By Ramp
Reed Warbler x4 Reedbed Screen
Ruff Marsh Covert Hide
Swift x2 Over Marsh Covert Pool
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Sedge Warbler By Bridge Screen
Lesser Whitethroat By Railway Bridge
Mistle Thrush Field Burton Point
Cetti`s Warbler Along Path To IMF
Willow Warbler (Family) Near Wooden Bridge To IMF
Pintail (M) IMF
Hobby Flew High Over Reserve
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind ScrapeGreen Woodpecker Field Burton Point

Parkgate
Great White Egret.

CHESHIRE
Hale
Common Quail and Great White egret.

Frodsham Marshes
Garganey-2 On No3 Tank.

Marbury Country Park
Red Kite-From Moorings pull in,Spotted Flycatcher-Big Wood,2 Avocets,Ringed Plover and 2 little Ringed plover-Neumanns Flash

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 27TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Leasowe Lighthouse
10 Spotted Flycatcher,4 Whinchat and a female Redstart.


Hilbre
Garden Warbler.

Moels-Dove Point
45+ Arctic Tern and 6 Raven.

Red Rocks
2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Whinchat.


Thurstaston
Iberian Chiffchaff-1st-summer male still by School Lane c.100m south of Benty Farm

Burton RSPB
Mistle Thrush x3 Field Burton Point
Lesser Whitethroat By Railway Bridge
Chiffchaff Copse To IMF
Pintail IMF
Whitethroat On Gorse Birdcrop Field (Photo)
Sedge Warbler By Bridge Screen
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Swift Over Bridge Pool
Little Ringed Plover x2 Marsh Covert Hide
Redshank Chick x1 Marsh Covert Hide
Cetti`s Warbler By Marsh Covert Wood
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Dunlin x1 Main Scrape
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Common Gull Main Scrape
Ruff (F) Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull x2 Wet Grassland Behind Scrape (Nesting)

CHESHIRE
Hale
4 Black terns flew past lighthouse and a Great white egret.

Winsford Flash
Wester Osprey over and a Black tern.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 26TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Little Ringed Plover X1 Marsh Covert Hide
Ringed Plover x1 Marsh Covert Hide
Dunlin x1 Marsh Covert Hide
Swift x2 Over Marsh Covert Hide
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Chiffchaff Marsh Covert Wood
Whitethroat Along Boardwalk
Sedge Warbler Near Railway Bridge
Mistle Thrush x1 Field Burton Point
Cetti`s Warbler Near Wooden Bridge To IMF
Swallow x1 Over IMF
Whinchat Birdcrop Field
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape

Parkgate
Great White Egret-Boat House flash.

Bidston Moss NR
Northern Gannet-Over.

CHESHIRE
Hale
Curlew Sandpiper,Western Osprey,Wood Sandpiper and Great White egret.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 25TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Drake Garganey
Whitethroat Far End Boardwalk
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Swifts Over Bridge Pool
Sedge Warbler By Bridge Screen
Ringed Plover Marsh Covert Hide
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Cetti`s Warbler By Willow Pool
Swallows & House Martins Over Reception Pool
Little Ringed Plover x2 Main Scrape
Avocets 30 Chicks,13 Broods Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Hobby On Fence Behind Wet Grassland
Ruff (F) Main Scrape
Cattle Egret Main Scrape
Mediterranean x3 Wet Grassland Behind Scrape

CHESHIRE
Woolston Eyes
Black Tern-N03 Bed

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 24TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Red Rocks
Iberian Chiffchaff early morning,Spotted Flycatcher,Whinchat and a Cuckoo.


Burton RSPB
Gull-billed Tern again from Inner Marsh Farm hide briefly at 7pm then again after 8pm over damp fields Shotwick Lake direction.
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Nuthatch With Yound By Reception
Green Woodpecker In Garden
Blackcap (M) By Ramp
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Cetti`s Warbler By Marsh Covert Wood & Path To IMF
Little Ringed Plover Marsh Covert Hide
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Sedge Warbler By Bridge Screen
Whitethroat By Railway Bridge
Linnet Near Railway Bridge
Mistle Thrush x3 Field Burton Point
Chiffchaff Copse To IMF
Garganey (M) IMF
Badger Field Burton Point
Mediterranean Gull x2 Wet Grassland Behind Scrape
Willow Warbler Near Birdcrop Field

CHESHIRE
Marbury Country Park
Ruddy Turnstone-Neumann's Flash.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 23RD MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Mistle Thrush x2 Field Burton Point
Linnet Wall Burton Point
Whitethroat By Railway Bridge
Willow Warbler Near Birdcrop Field
Sedge Warbler By Bridge Screen
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Common Tern Marsh Covert Hide
Peregrine Over Marsh Covert Hide
Cetti`s Warbler By Marsh covert Wood
Chiffchaff Marsh Covert Wood
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Blackcap By Willow Pool
Avocet Chicks x48 Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gulls x2 Main Scrape1 
Gull Billed Tern Inner marsh farm hide

Red Rocks
Iberian Chiffchaff and 2 Spotted Flycatcher.

West Kirby Salt Marsh
Grey-headed Wagtail-Just south of Pinfold steps.

Thurstaston Hill

Iberian Chiffchaff.

Leasowe Lighthouse
Spotted Flycatcher-By kissing gate.

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF RARE BIRDS THIS WEEK IN BRITAIN-16TH-22ND MAY 2018

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BIRDGUIDES PHOTO OF THE WEEK 16TH-22ND MAY-2018

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CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 22ND MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Thurstaston Hill
Iberian Chiffchaff by Benty Farm,Cuckoo by Thors Stone and a Hobby by Kitty's Flash.


Meols-Park Lane
Spotted Flycatcher.

Hilbre
Guillemot off north end.

Burton RSPB

Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape

Avocet Chicks x24 Main Scrape
Nuthatch By Reception
Cetti`s Warbler By Willow Pool
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Chiffchaff Marsh Covert Wood
Little Ringed Plover Marsh Covert Hide
Ringed Plover Marsh Covert Hide
Redshank Chick x1 Marsh Covert Hide
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Willow Warbler Near Birdcrop Field (Photo)
Sedge Warbler By Railway Bridge
Whitethroat By Railway Bridge
Mistle Thrush x3 Field Burton Point
Great Egret x1 Burton Marsh From Point
Pintail (M) Border Pool
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 21ST MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Green Woodpecker Field Burton Point
Mistle Thrush Field Burton Point
Mediterranean Gulls Wet Grassland From Burton Point
Willow Warbler By Birdcrop Field
Blackcap Railway Bridge
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Sedge Warbler By Bridge Screen
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Swift Over Marsh Covert Wood
Chiffchaff Marsh Covert Wood
Cetti`s Warbler By Willow Pool
Whitethroat By Reception
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Little Ringed Plover Marsh Covert Hide

Thurstaston Hill
Iberian Chiffchaff.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 20TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Red Rocks
Cuckoo and 2 Wheatear.


Thurstaston Hill
Iberian Chiffchaff and a Cuckoo.

Burton RSPB
Garganey (M) Main Scrape
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Sandwich Tern x2 Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Cetti`s Warbler By Willow Pool
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Common Tern x2 Marsh Covert Hide
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Whitethroat Along Boardwalk
Sedge Warbler Far End Boardwalk
Willow Warbler Viewpoint Birdcrop Field
Linnet By Railway Bridge
Mistle Thrush x2 Field Burton Point
Mediterranean Gull x2 Wet Grassland Seen From Field B/Point
Hobby Over Bridge Screen
Pintail (M) Main Scrape
Yellow Wagtail Wet Grassland By Barn

CHESHIRE
Hale
Great White egret-Still on Duck Decoy and Channel Wagtail at Burnt Mill Farm.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 19TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Thurstaston
1st Summer male Iberian Chiffchaff-100 yards south of Benty Farm.

Burton RSPB
Great Egret Burton Marsh From Point
Mistle Thrush Burton Point
Dunlin IMF
Ringed Plover IMF
Hobby Over Birdcrop Field
Great Crested Grebe Bridge Pool
Little Gull Bridge Pool
Chiffchaff Marsh Covert Wood
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Cetti`s Warbler By Marsh Covert Wood
Blackcap By Woodland Mere
Whitethroat By Reception
Mediterranean Gull x2 Main Scrape
Garganey (M) Main Scrape
Pintail (M) Main Scrape
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape
Common Tern Bridge Pool
Garden Warbler (Heard) Near To Ramp

CHESHIRE
Woolston Eyes
Drake Garganey.

Winsford Flash
Red Kite-Flew over south west.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 18TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Hilbre
Firecrest.

Red Rocks
Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Yellow Wagtail.


Moreton,Lingham Lane
Spotted Flycatcher by fishery down.

Decca Pools
Hobby and a Marsh Harrier.

Leasowe Lighthouse
Swallow/House Martin hybrid (seen well!!!) over Park Lane,2 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail in horse paddocks.

Burton RSPB
Little Gull (1st summer),Drake Garganey and 3 Mediterranean Gull (ads).

Thurstaston
1st Summer male Iberian Chiffchaff-100 yards south of Benty Farm.

CHESHIRE
Marbury County Park
Adult-White Winged Black Tern-Budworth Mere-Still present this evening.

SONG SPARROW-FAIR ISLE-SHETLAND-SCOTLAND-17TH MAY 2018

After mondays megas turning up on the Shetland Isles-Marmora's warbler-Black Faced Bunting and a Crag Martin news broke on tuesday morning that a Song Sparrow had been trapped and ringed in the observatory garden on Fair Isle.I was unable to go on the wednesday due to work but arranged to travel with Fred Fearne on thursday if the bird was still present.The bird was becoming more elusive visiting a feeder outside the observatory but we got news that it was still present so we set off.

 FLYING OVER THE ORKNEYS

                                   

 WITH THE AIRSTRIP ON FAIR ISLE IN VIEW WE WERE READY TO LAND

Four hours later we touched down and were driven down to to observatory where we waited for the bird to show.The Song sparrow hadn't been seen since 12.10pm so we were in for a wait.The bird eventually came out of the observatory garden and showed really well under a feeder.

                              

     

SONG SPARROW

The bird was constantly being harassed by House sparrows and disappeared after a good five minutes on show.This was the ninth record for Britain the last one was at Seaforth Docks in Lancashire in 1994 which stayed from the 15th-17th October.

The bird didn't show again whilst we were there so we headed back to plane and did some birding on the way.

 REDPOLL

 TWITE

 PUFFIN

 FULMAR

 BLACK GUILLEMOT

  GREAT SKUA

A great days birding and another lifer under the belt,only three more to get to the magic 500!

ME OUTSIDE THE OBSERVATORY

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 17TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Mistle Thrush x4 Burton Point
Linnet x9 By Railway Bridge
Blackcap (M) By Railway Bridge
Grey Partridge x2 (M&F) Birdcrop Field
Sedge Warbler Far End Boardwalk
Whitethroat Along Boardwalk
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Chiffchaff Marsh Covert Wood
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Cetti`s Warbler By Willow Pool
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Ringed Plover Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape
Little Gull Bridge Pool

Denhall Quay
Hen Harrier.

Thurstaston
Iberian Chiffchaff-100 yards south of Benty Farm.

CHESHIRE
Congleton
Wood Warbler-The Cloud.

Woolston Eyes
2 Drake Garganey.

Newchurch Common
Adult female Smew of unknown origin-Still present.

Marbury Country Park
Great White egret and Greenshank-Ashtons Flash-Avocet-Haydn's Pool.

(C)MALC CURTIN

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 16TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Hoylake
2 Arctic Skua-Before high tide

Leasowe Lighthouse
Female Whinchat in Kerr's field,Female Yellow Wagtail near the groyne and 7 Wheatear. 

Burton RSPB
Avocet`s Main Scrape (Photo Avocet Chicks)
Common Tern Over Burton Mere
Cetti`s Warbler By Marsh Covert Wood
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Great Crested Grebe x2 Bridge Pool
Sedge Warbler By Bridge Screen
Whitethroat Far End Boardwalk
Grey Partridge x2 (M&F) Birdcrop Field
Marsh Harrier x2 (F) Burton Marsh From Point
Great Egret Burton Marsh From Point
Spoonbill IMF
Garganey (F) IMF
Sandwich Tern x6 Flew Over Reserve
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape
Cattle Egret
Great White egret

CHESHIRE
Marbury Country Park
Drake Garganey-Neumanns Flash.

IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF-THURSTASTON HILL-WIRRAL

Another Iberian Chiffchaff was found on the North Wirral coast at the beginning of May and has been present all month.This record is the third for Cheshire and Wirral,the last one was found in Delamere forest last year.I visited the site today and could hear the bird in full song as soon as I arrived.The bird was favouring an oak tree in a clearing and eventually showed really well.

 

This was my third Iberian Chiffchaff for Cheshire and Wirral and another great bird for the Wirral peninsular.

ASTLE SANDPITS-CHELFORD

Just down the road from where I work in Chelford a sand quarry has just been turned into a nature reserve.This has took many months to do and is now a good place for me to spend my dinner hour birding as Lapwing hall pool further down the road is still under maintenance and will be closed until the end of the year.The new area has been named Astle sandpits which was previously known as Mere farm quarry. 

 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE RESTORATION OF ASTLE ESTATE SAND PITS

 THE SANDPITS BEFORE THEY WERE FILLED

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE AREA  BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FENCES AND TREE PLANTING

THE FOLLOWING PHOTOGRAPHS BELOW ARE OF THE AREA NOW IT HAS BEEN RESTORED

As you can see from aerial photographs there is a vast area to cover which leads onto another pool with plenty of woodland and open scrub.I started to visit the area last week and have already seen over 60 species of birds during my lunch break and visiting on my way home after work.The following species of birds have been seen:

1.Mute Swan                                                              

2.Grey Lag Goose

3.Canada Goose

4.Pheasant

5.Cormorant

6.Mallard

7.Tufted Duck

8.Grey Heron

9.Great Crested grebe

10 Little Grebe

11.Buzzard

12.Kestrel

13.Moorhen

14.Coot

15.Oystercatcher

16.Little Ringed Plover

17.Lapwing

18.Dunlin

19.Black Headed Gull

20.Feral Pigeon

21.Wood Pigeon

22.Collared Dove

23.Stock Dove

24.Swift

25.Green Woodpecker

26.Magpie

27.Jay

28.Jackdaw 

29.Rook

30.Carrion Crow

31.Blue Tit

32.Great Tit

33.Long Tailed Tit

34.Skylark

35.Sand Martin

36.Swallow

37.House Martin

38.Chiffchaff

39.Willow Warbler

40.Garden Warbler

41.Whitethroat

42.Lesser Whitethroat

44.Blackcap

45.Sedge Warbler

46.Reed Warbler

47.Nuthatch

48.Treecreeper

49.Starling

50.Wren

51.Mistle Thrush

52.Song Thrush

53.Blackbird

54.Robin

55.Dunnock

56.House Sparrow

57.Yellow Wagatail

58.Pied Wagtail

59.Grey Wagtail

60.Chaffinch

61.Greenfinch

62.Goldfinch

63.Linnet

64.Reed Bunting

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 15TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Garganey (M) IMF
Grey Partridge (M) Birdcrop Field
Chiffchaff Copse To IMF
Sedge Warbler Far End Boardwalk
Whitethroat Along Boardwalk
Linnet x4 Near Railway Bridge
Common Tern x2 Marsh Covert Hide
Spoonbill Marsh Covert Wood
Blackcap x2 (M&F) Marsh Covert Wood
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Cetti`s Warbler By Willow Pool
Ringed Plover Main Scrape
Avocet`s Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape
Sandwich Tern x2 Main Scrape

Red Rocks
Kite species (possibly Black Kite) seen distantly flying over mid Wirral from Red Rocks at 0830am and 2 Garden Warbler and a Whinchat.

Hoylake
65 Gannet most sitting on flat calm sea,30+ Great Crested Grebe and 50+ Common Scoter.


West Kirby-Lang Lane
Spotted Flycatcher.

Leasowe Lighthouse
Marsh Harrier circling over Lighthouse

Thurstaston Hill
Iberian Chiffchaff-100 yards south of Benty Farm.

CHESHIRE
Marbury Country Park
Drake Garganey-Neumanns Flash

Woolston Eyes
Drake Garganey.

Hale
Great White egret-On Mersey Estuary from Lighthouse.

BIRDGUIDES PHOTO OF THE WEEK 9TH-15TH MAY-2018

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BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF RARE BIRDS THIS WEEK IN BRITAIN-9TH-15TH MAY 2018

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CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS 14TH MAY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Avocet Main Scrape
Reed Warbler Reedbed Screen
Spoonbill Marsh Covert Wood
Chiffchaff Marsh Covert Wood
Common Tern x2 Marsh Covert Hide (Photo Over Burton Mere)
Sedge Warbler Far End Boardwalk
Whitethroat By Railway Bridge
Cetti`s Warbler Along Path To IMF
Great Egret x1 Burton Marsh From Point
Mediterranean Gull`s Wet Grassland Behind Scrape
Cattle Egret x1 Marsh Covert Wood

Thurstaston Hill
Iberian Chiffchaff-100 yards south of Benty Farm,also a Spotted Flycatcher.

CHESHIRE
Marbury Country Park
2 Wood Sandpipers and a Drake Garganey-Neumanns Flash

Woolston Eyes
Drake Garganey.