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

580 Shelduck, 190 Pintail,ringtail Hen Harrier,Peregrine,8 Common Snipe,2 Jack Snipe,2 Water Rail,170 Skylark off Target Road on incoming tide - Heswall Shore.

Little Stint by Lifeboat Station - Hoylake.

2 Hen Harrier (grey male and ribgtail) - Parkgate.

Hawfinch-Still showing well in trees near lido-Marbury Country Park

Green Winged Teal-Drake still on Rosemary's Flood-Sandbach Flashes

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey-Widnes

Russian White Fronted Goose-At Bradley Orchard Farm in field above Bowdens Lock

Penduline Tit-1st-winter still on No 4 Bed-Woolston Eyes-Permit Only

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 just west of Lifeboat Station at high tide and spotted on the ebbing tide off Sandhey slipway (off tennis courts) - Meols.

Hen Harrier (grey male) - Parkgate.

Hawfinch-Still near bin at Carriage Drive-Marbury Country Park

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 off Sandhey slipway- Meols.

Hen Harrier-Ringtail-Burton RSPB

Black Redstart (male) at Fort Perch this afternoon - New Brighton.

Russian White Fronted Goose-At Bradley Orchard Farm in field above Bowdens Lock

Green-Winged Teal-Drake still on the river near Rosemary's Flood-Sandbach Flashes

Short Eared Owl-Burton Marsh

Hawfinch-Again in yews at Carriage Drive-Marbury Country Park

Kumlien's Gull-3rd-winter still at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road-Widnes

 

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 off Sandhey slipway this morning before flushed by dog walker - Meols.

2 Hen Harrier (grey male and ringtail),3 Marsh Harrier and a Merlin - Parkgate.

Black Redstart (male) at Fort Perch this afternoon - New Brighton.

2 Russian White Fronted Goose-At Bradley Orchard Farm in field above Bowdens Lock

Green-Winged Teal-Drake still on the river near Rosemary's Flood-Sandbach Flashes

A FEW DAYS AWAY BIRDING

Arrangements were made to accompany Malc Curtin to Cornwall, as he had just returned from holiday and still needed Booted Eagle. I picked Malc up at 3.30am, and we arrived on site in Cornwall at around 8.30am. Unfortunately, the eagle had already departed its roost, flying low over fields behind a nearby farm while we were positioned in the wrong place. It was a frustrating miss, and hard to believe given how close we had been.

With no immediate second chance, we decided to make the most of the journey and continued on to Mousehole in search of a Pacific Diver. The bird was soon located, and we enjoyed cracking views as it fed offshore, instantly lifting spirits after the earlier disappointment.

Pacific Diver

After watching the diver, we headed straight back to the Booted Eagle site—and this time we were rewarded. The eagle was seen soaring above its roost, giving prolonged and increasingly impressive views. Having seen a dark-morph bird in Berkshire last year, this represented my second Booted Eagle. As we were leaving, the bird began hunting over nearby fields, allowing even closer and more satisfying views.

Booted Eagle

With daylight fading, we decided it was too late to make the full journey back to Cheshire and booked a hotel in Exeter. En route along the A30, news broke that two Ring-necked Ducks had been discovered at Dozmary Pool on Bodmin Moor. Timing worked perfectly, and just before sunset, we were able to locate both drakes, rounding off an already memorable day.

Malc scoping the Ring-Necked Ducks

After a comfortable night’s sleep, we drove south to the RSPB Labrador Nature Reserve, a mosaic of farmland, copses, gorse scrub, and hedgerows whose conservation importance is underlined by the presence of one of Britain’s most localised birds—the Cirl Bunting. On arrival, discreet food hoppers in the hedgerows and distinctive carpets of seed within set-aside brassica fields hinted at the ongoing supplemental feeding programme.

It did not take long to find two Cirl Buntings actively feeding, and before departing, we had seen a total of six birds, allowing excellent views of this charismatic species in its carefully managed stronghold.

Labrador Nature Reserve

Cirl Bunting

On the journey north, we made one final stop at Steart WWT in Somerset, where a first-winter Least Sandpiper had been present for several weeks. A notoriously tricky bird to connect with, it was not immediately visible on arrival. However, patience paid off when it eventually dropped in with a flock of Dunlin and showed well. Having last seen the species in 2011 on Tresco, Isles of Scilly, it was particularly satisfying to catch up with one again.

Steart WWT

A fantastic few days away, packed with memorable moments and an exceptional supporting cast of birds.

Todays Bird News

National Megas News

Canvasback-Drake still east of Layer Breton causeway-Abberton Reservoir-Essex 

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Green-Winged Teal-Drake still on the river near Rosemary's Flood-Sandbach Flashes

Hen Harrier-Ringtail-Burton RSPB

Hen Harrier-Male again from Old Baths car park and Merlin-Parkgate

Little Stint-Still off slipway east of tennis courts-Hoylake

Black Redstart-Adult male still showing well at Fort Perch Rock-New Brighton

2 Russian White Fronted Goose-At Bradley Orchard Farm in field above Bowdens Lock

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

237 Golden Plover and 660 Bar-tailed Godwit this morning - Heswall Shore.

Eurasian Bittern-still in Coward Reedbed at the west end of Budworth Mere-Marbury Country Park

Green-Winged Teal-Drake still on the river near Rosemary's Flood-Sandbach Flashes

Hen Harrier-Ringtail-Burton RSPB

Hen Harrier-Male again from Old Baths car park-Parkgate

Caspian Gull-1st-winter on River Mersey west of Old Runcorn Bridge yesterday-Widnes

Hawfinch-Tatton Park

RED NECKED GREBE-BALA LAKE/LLYN TEGID

Jenna and I headed into mid-Wales today in pursuit of a Red-necked Grebe that had been reported at Bala Lake, Meirionnydd.

Arriving at the sailing club, it didn’t take long to pick out the bird, though it remained distant and was constantly foraging. Photographing it through the scope proved tricky at first, but eventually it moved closer, allowing better views. Having not seen a Red-necked Grebe for several years, it was a real pleasure to reconnect with this striking species.

From Bala, we continued to Traeth Glaslyn Nature Reserve at Porthmadog, where local birder Mark Hughes had reported a Glossy Ibis earlier in the day. By the time we arrived, the bird had moved onto the marsh, and despite a couple of hours’ searching, we were unable to relocate it.

Traeth Glaslyn Nature Reserve, Porthmadog

The drive itself was a delight, with stunning scenery unfolding along the way—another reminder that sometimes the journey is as rewarding as the birds.

LATEST CHESHIRE & WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & BRITISH MEGAS!

Todays Bird News

Megas 

Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex

Cheshire and Wirral

Greenshank by groyne and 25 Brent Geese on the shore off Leasowe Lighthouse.

2 Goldeneye (m&f),2 Goosander,Red-breasted Merganser and a Little Grebe - West Kirby Marine Lake.

Black Redstart (male) seen briefly at Fort Perch before flying into the town - New Brighton.

Hen Harrier (ringtail), 2 Marsh Harrier and a Barn Owl - Parkgate.

Kumlien's Gull-3rd-winter still at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road (WA8 0PA) this afternoon; also 1st-winter Caspian Gull-Widnes

Russian White Fronted Goose-14 still on water from southern viewpoint-Acre Nook Sand Quarry

Penduline Tit-1st-winter still on No 4 Bed-Woolston Eyes-Permit Only

LATEST CHESHIRE & WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & BRITISH MEGAS!

Todays Bird News

Megas                                                    

Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall

Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex

Cheshire and Wirral

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere-Marburry County Park

2 Russian White Fronted Goose-At Bradley Orchard Farm in field above Bowdens Lock

Black Redstart (male) by Fort Perch - New Brighton.

LATEST CHESHIRE & WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & BRITISH MEGAS!

Todays Bird News

Megas                                                    

Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex

Cheshire and Wirral

2 Russian White Fronted Goose-At Bradley Orchard Farm in field above Bowdens Lock

Short-eared Owl, 2 Hen Harrier (ringtail and grey male) and 60+ Golden Plover - Parkgate.

2 Goldeneye (m&f) but flew inland, and a Little Grebe (present for several days) - West Kirby Marine Lake.

LATEST CHESHIRE & WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & BRITISH MEGAS!

Todays Bird News

Megas                                                    

Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex

Cheshire and Wirral

Hen Harrier-Burton

Black Redstart (male) by Fort Perch-New Brighton

Hawfinch-still at Carriage Drive-Marbury Country Park

Short Eared owl-2-Burton Marsh

Black Redstart (male) by Fort Perch - New Brighton.

LATEST CHESHIRE & WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & BRITISH MEGAS!

Todays Bird News

Megas                                                    

Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex

Cheshire and Wirral

2 Hen Harrier (ringtail and male) flew into roost this evening - Parkgate

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed at west end of Budworth Mere-Marbury Country Park

Black Redstart (male) by Fort Perch-New Brighton

Hawfinch-Three still at Carriage Drive-Marbury Country Park

Eurasian Bittern-One on No 3 Bed-Woolston Eyes

LATEST CHESHIRE & WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & BRITISH MEGAS!

Todays Bird News

Megas                                                    

Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall

Cheshire and Wirral

Black Redstart (male) by Fort Perch, showing well - New Brighton.

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey from Spike Island-Widnes

Hawfincc-One again behind rangers' cabin-Marbury Country Park

SPECTACLED EIDER-TEXEL-NETHERLANDS

Some exciting news broke on Monday, the 13th, when a drake Spectacled Eider was discovered on the island of Texel in the Netherlands. Until the 1990s, little was known about where Spectacled Eiders moulted or spent the winter. Researchers with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service attached satellite transmitters to track the birds, revealing that they congregate in ice-free areas of the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.

This particular bird presented a golden opportunity, sparking perhaps the largest twitch ever seen in Europe. Multiple carloads of British birders crossed the North Sea to witness it. Eager to see the eider, I coordinated with Dan Pointon, who was on holiday in Saint Lucia, and we planned to team up with Chris Batty and Owen Parsons once he returned. We decided to fly from Manchester on Sunday evening and return Monday evening, provided the bird remained in the area. Fortunately, it did, so our plans were set.

We landed in Amsterdam late on Sunday, collected our rental car, and arrived at our Airbnb just before midnight. With an early start in mind, we settled in for a short night. At 6:00 AM, we were on the road, boarding the 7:30 AM car ferry to Texel.

A brief drive to Wagegot and a short walk to the seawall soon rewarded us with the Spectacled Eider through the scope. Initially distant, the bird eventually flew closer, giving superb views. A true showpiece of the Arctic seas!

What a bird!

Chris, demonstrating the art of no tripod.

The Spectacled Eider is an exceptionally rare visitor to the Western Palearctic, with only five recorded sightings to date. The most recent of these occurred in 2012, and all previous records originated from the high Arctic, between northern Norway and Svalbard.

In addition to the eider, the island offered an abundance of other species. Black-necked Grebes and Greater Scaups were present, while overhead, skeins of Greater White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese, and Brent Geese flew by. Fields and waterways across Texel were alive with birds, including 46 Tundra Bean Geese, Great White Egret, Bewick’s Swan, and Smew—a brilliant day of birding.

Black-necked Grebe

Below is a list of some of the birds we observed on the island.

46 Tundra Bean Geese

White-fronted geese

Great White Egret

Bewick Swan

   Smew

 

After returning to the mainland, we drove to Rosarium Vondelpark in central Amsterdam, where we found eight Alexandrine Parakeets and two Ring-necked Parakeets. While travelling southeast out of the city, a Black Swan was also spotted.

Alexandrine parakeet

Black Swan

Our next destination was the Goois Natuurreservaat near Hilversum, where we aimed to find the elusive Black Woodpecker. The woodland did not disappoint: Short-toed Treecreepers, a Firecrest, two Crested Tits, and at least 60 Bramblings kept us occupied. Then, Dan spotted a Black Woodpecker flying toward us. It landed in full view and, after a while, flew overhead, calling, giving stunning close-up views.

Absolute stunner!

Watching the Black woodpecker

Just as we were admiring the woodpecker, news came in of a Pygmy Cormorant at Natuurpark Lelystad in Flevoland, only half an hour away. We drove north and, following a short walk, soon located the cormorant perched on an island in the lake—another lifer secured.

Another lifer on the list

NNatuurpark Lelystad

Owen is a lazy birder!

With light fading, we made our way to the airport. In just 24 hours, we had seen a drake Spectacled Eider, Black Woodpecker, Pygmy Cormorant, and numerous other highlights, all while enjoying incredible scenery and excellent company. A whirlwind trip and a reminder that European birding can deliver truly extraordinary experiences.