Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Spotted redshank,14 Avocet on main scrape, also Hen Harrier (ringtail) -Burton Mere Wetlands.
Greater Scaup-Female still on No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes
I was up early this morning and got picked up by Owen Parsons, who needed Kentish plover and Least sandpiper for his life list. I had already seen the Least sandpiper early in the month but really wanted to see the Kentish plover, as I'd only ever seen two in Britain.
We arrived at Burham-on-Sea in Somerset just before sunrise and when we arrived, some birders had already found the bird roosting with Ringed plover's.
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Bittern flew towards Neston Reedbed at 6pm - Parkgate.
2 White-fronted Geese (Russian race), with greylags in field just south of A5137, south west of Brimstage.
Greater Scaup-Female still on No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes
Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Purple Sandpiper by the embankment close to several Turnstones - Leasowe Bay.
6 Stonechat in coastal paddocks with several more along the embankment - Leasowe Lighthouse.
Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere and a Hawfinch-Marbury Country Park
Little Stint-Hoylake
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
2 White-fronted Geese (Russian race), with greylags in field just south of A5137, south west of Brimstage.
2 Little Gull (adults), 1 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver, 500 Common Scoter and 40 Great Crested Grebe over high tide - Leasowe Gunsite.
2 Russian White Fronted Goose-Still at Bradley Orchard Farm-Bradley
3 Siberian Chiffchaff-Ince Marshes
Little Stint-Hoylake
Greater Scaup-Female still on No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes
Eurasian Penduline Tit-1st-winter still by viewing platform on No 4 Bed; keep within fenced-off area of bund of eastern cell, do not walk beyond either point. Wellingtons essential
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Wallcreeper-One flew from rocky promontory to steep rock face below coastal footpath this afternoon but no further sign-Pentire Point-Cornwall
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
2 White-fronted Geese (Russian race), with greylags in field just south of A5137, south west of Brimstage
Merlin and 2 Hen Harrier (ringtail and grey male) late afternoon, also 4 Great White Egret and 4 Marsh Harrier - Parkgate.
Twite-One reported along Within Way this morning-Hale
Eurasian Penduline Tit-1st-winter still by viewing platform on No 4 Bed but mobile; keep within fenced-off area of bund of eastern cell, do not walk beyond either point. Wellingtons essential-Woolston Eyes
Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere and a Hawfinch-Marbury Country Park
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
2 White-fronted Geese (Russian race), with greylags in field just south of A5137, south west of Brimstage, this afternoon 3 Great White Egret flew over field
Eurasin Penduline Tit-1st-winter still by viewing platform on No 4 Bed; keep within fenced-off area of bund of eastern cell, do not walk beyond either point. Wellingtons essential
Russian White Fronted Goose-Two still showing well in field off Talbot Avenue-Thornton Hough
2 Russian White Fronted Goose-Still at Bradley Orchard Farm-Bradley
Hawfinch-Still-Marbury Country Park
Siberian Chiffchaff-One at sewage works on Marsh Lane-Ince Marshes
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
2 White-fronted Geese (Russian race), with greylags in field by Talbot Avenue (off A5137), south west of Brimstage.
Little Stint by Sandhey Slipway on ebbing tide, also 1 Peregrine sitting on East Hoyle Bank for about an hour - Meols.
Red Kite and 1 Hen Harrier (grey male) - Riverbank Road, Heswall.
500 Black-tailed Godwit busy feeding in big field next to Pump Lane - Greasby.
2 Hen Harrier (ringtail and grey male) - Parkgate.
2 Russian White Fronted Goose-Still at Bradley Orchard Farm-Bradley
Ruddy Shelduck-still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes
Hawfinch-One still at Westrees, Delamere Park-Cuddington
Eurasian Penduline Tit-1st-winter still by viewing platform on No 4 Bed; keep within fenced-off area of bund of eastern cell, do not walk beyond either point. Wellingtons essential
Russian White Fronted Goose-Two still showing well in field off Talbot Avenue-Thornton Hough
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Russian White Fronted Goose-Two still showing well in field off Talbot Avenue-Thornton Hough
Eurasian Bittern-One briefly in flight over reedbed off The Boathouse pub-Parkgate
Hen Harrier-Adult male again from Old Baths car park-Parkgate
Little Stint-One again on beach off tennis courts-Hoylake
Greater Scaup-Female still on No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes
Russian White Fronted Goose-Still at Bradley Orchard Farm-Bradley
Green Winged Teal-Drake still on River Wheelock viewed through hedge west of Clay Lane/Brook Farm Lane junction-Sandbach Flashes
Hawfinch-At least three still-Marbury Country Park
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Hawfinch-Marbury Country Park
Eurasian Penduline Tit-1st-winter still by viewing platform on No 4 Bed but mobile; keep within fenced-off area of bund of eastern cell, do not walk beyond either point. Wellingtons essential-Woolston Eyes
Hen Harrier-Adult male again flew past golf course-Parkgate
Russian White Fronted Goose-Two again at Bradley Orchard Farm-Bradley
Little Stint-Still on beach off tennis courts-Hoylake
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
2 Hawfinch-By play area-Marbury Country Park
Greenshank - Leasowe Lighthouse.
Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes
Russian White Fronted Goose-Two in roost-Ashton's Flash-Northwich
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
I visited North Wales this morning, where I connected with a stunning glossy ibis. The bird was found late afternoon yesterday and thankfully hung around so I could see it today.
This is not the bird I dipped in late January at Traeth Glaslyn Nature Reserve, Porthmadog, as this bird had worn coverts. A great bird and in such amazing condition, well worth the drive.
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Long-tailed Duck off East Hoyle Bank - Hoylake.
2 White-fronted Geese (Russian) with large number of Pink-footed Geese - Burton Marsh.
2 Cattle Egret in field off Lees Lane - Little Neston.
3 Hen Harrier (grey male and ringtail) flew into roost at dusk,Merlin and a Barn Owl - Parkgate.
Hawfinch-4 still behind play area-Marbury Country Park
Eurasian Penduline Tit-1st-winter still on No 4 Bed but mobile; keep to paths at all times, wellingtons essential-Woolston Eyes
Twite-One near Hale Lighthouse with Linnet flock-Hale
Kumlien's Gull-Adult-On roof of WSR Recycling Centre on Ditton Road-Widnes
Marsh tits are scarce residents in Cheshire and Wirral, and they are now on the Red List of species of conservation concern, following a sustained fall in their national population.
A brilliant morning was spent watching this scarce species, and it is a site I will definitely be visiting again in the spring.
After dropping Owen off back at home, I picked Jenna up, and we headed north to try and see two Bewick's swans that had been seen with a herd of Whooper swans at Cockersand Abbey in Lancashire.
After scanning through the herd, I eventually found a Bewick's swan feeding.
I couldn't find the second bird that had been reported, so we started to walk back to the car. News then broke that a juvenile great northern diver was showing well a few miles up the road, so we headed there.
On arrival at Pine Lake, the juvenile great northern diver was found straight away and showed really well.
A great day's birding! Roll on next weekend.
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere and a Hawfinch-Marbury Country Park
Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes
Caspian Gull-Adult-Kumlien's Gull-Adult-On roof of WSR Recycling Centre on Ditton Road-Widnes
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere and a Hawfinch-Marbury Country Park
Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes
Kumlien's Gull-3rd-winter-On roof of WSR Recycling Centre on Ditton Road-Widnes
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Hen Harrier-Ringtail over No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes
Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere and 2 Hawfinch-Still in trees near lake hide-Marbury Country Park
Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes
Kumlien's Gull-3rd-winter-On roof of WSR Recycling Centre on Ditton Road
Black Redstart (male) at Fort Perch - New Brighton.
A total of 14 birds were seen, with the above bird being found on the feeders. A nice morning's birding; it's good to get out!
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Little Stint at high tide - Hoylake.
Black Redstart (male) at Fort Perch - New Brighton.
Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB
Kumlien's Gull-3rd-winter-Iceland Gull-Adult and 1st Winter Caspian Gull-On roof of WSR Recycling Centre on Ditton Road
Water Pipit-Frodsham Marshes
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
6 Marsh Harrier (in air together), 550+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1,600 Lapwing and 2,000+ Pink-footed Geese - Neston/Burton Marsh.
3 Marsh Harrier and 2,300 Lapwing - Parkgate.
385 Brent Geese - Hilbre.
Kumlien's Gull-3rd-winter and Juvenile Glaucous Gull-At WSR Recycling-Widnes
Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere and Hawfinch-Marbury Country Park
Little Stint-Still south of lifeboat station-Hoylake
Green Winged Teal-Sandbach Flashes
Moving on from here, we called in at Ross Bank Sands, where an American pipit had been present for the last month. The bird was good 2.5 km from where we parked the car, so we took our time enjoying the sea views on our way.
Skeins of Brent geese flew past us as we walking down the beach and a Great northern diver was out in the bay.
On arrival, the bird was showing straight away, feeding on the seaweed bed.
We had great views of the bird, and we just sat down on the beach as it approached us down to a few meters. A great day birding, and we were back in Cheshire for 7.00pm.
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Little Stint (also off Meols before high tide),20,000 Knot and 3,000+ Dunlin at high tide - Hoylake.
2 Merlin, 5 Marsh Harrier and 8 Great White Egret - Neston Marsh.
Hen Harrier (grey male) - Parkgate.
Little Stint-One in high tide roost-Pickerings Pasture
Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere-Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-Marbury Country Park
Greater Scaup-Female still on No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes
This morning, I spent time in the ploughed fields beside the Mersey River in Oglet, Lancashire, where a Shorelark had been spotted for the past few weeks alongside a group of Skylark.
Birders on the scene assured me that the Shorelark had been spotted a few times prior to my arrival, despite the fact that the birds were extremely flighty when I arrived. It wasn't long before the birds settled again in the field, and the Shorelark was seen moving between ridges.
After good views of the Shorelark, I started to make my way back to the car when two short-eared owls flew in and started to hunt over the marsh on the incoming tide, always great to see; sadly, no photographs had I left my camera in the car.
I stopped off on the way back home to pick Jenna up at the WSR Recycling plant near Widnes, where I saw my good friend Rob, who had a 1st winter Caspian gull sitting on the roof of the recycling plant—perfect timing.
Having picked Jenna up in the car, we then headed to Sandbach Flashes, where we connected with the green-winged teal that had been present since before Christmas.
Also present on Rosemary's flood was a green sandpiper. Leaving here, we then headed to Parkgate on the Wirral to try and see some raptors before dusk.
On arrival, it didn't take long before we saw a Merlin fly past us, and a male Peregrine was sitting out on a post on the marsh. As the sun was setting, a male Hen harrier put in a fine display. What a bird!
