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

I made arrangements to accompany Malc Curtin to Cornwall tomorrow, as he had just returned from his holiday and still required the booted eagle. I picked Malc up at 3.30am, and we arrived at Cornwall on site at around 8.30am. The booted eagle flew low over fields behind a farm, but we were waiting in the wrong place and didn't see it departing the roost. We couldn't believe it, so we continued on to Mousehole in hopes of seeing a Pacific diver, which we located and got cracking views.

Pacific Diver

After watching the diver, we quickly made our way back to the Booted Eagle site and saw the bird soaring above its roost. After seeing the dark morph bird in Berkshire last year, this was my second booted eagle. We saw the bird hunting over some fields as we were leaving the location and got even better views.

Booted Eagle

After leaving Cornwall, we made reservations at a hotel in Exeter because we felt it was too late to travel all the way back to Cheshire. News broke that two ring-necked ducks had been discovered at Dozmary Bodmin Moor as we were heading towards Exeter on the A30. Just before sunset, we were able to spot the drake birds.

Malc scoping the Ring-Necked Ducks

Following a restful night's sleep, we drove south to the RSPB Labrador Nature Reserve, a farmland, copse, gorse scrub, and hedgerow region that is partially managed by the RSPB and whose existence is explained by the presence of a very unusual bird, the Cirl Bunting. A few food containers concealed in the hedgerows and some distinctive carpets of seed in set-aside brassica fields indicated that there was some supplemental feeding going on when we arrived.

Labrador Nature Reserve

We quickly discovered two birds consuming the carpets of seed. Before we departed and began our journey north, we saw a total of six birds.

Cirl Bunting

We made a stop at Steart WWT in Somerset on our way north home, where a first-winter least sandpiper had remained for the past few weeks. Although it would be difficult to spot this bird, we nevertheless wanted to try. 

Steart WWT

When we arrived, the bird wasn't showing, but we were fortunate when it arrived with a flock of Dunlins and performed admirably. Since I hadn't seen one since 2011 on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, this was a good bird to see again. 

A fantastic few days away with some amazing 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 out into mid-Wales today to try and see a red-necked grebe that had been found at Bala Lake, Meirionnydd.

Upon arriving at the sailing club, it didn't take long to find the bird, even though it was distant and constantly foraging for food. Photographs were hard to capture using the scope until it eventually came in closer.

I hadn't seen a red-necked grebe for years, so it was lovely to reconnect with this one. 

Moving on from here, we called in at Traeth Glaslyn Nature Reserve, Porthmadog. Local birder Mark Hughes had found a Glossy Ibis here this morning, but the bird had flown onto the marsh by the time we had arrived. We spent a couple of hours on site but couldn't relocate the bird.

Traeth Glaslyn Nature Reserve, Porthmadog

A nice run out in the car, and as you can see, amazing scenery on our travels.

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 found on the island of Texel in the Netherlands. Until the 1990s, no one even knew where Spectacled Eiders went to moult or where they spent the winter. Scientists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service attached satellite transmitters to them and tracked the birds by aircraft; they found them congregating in ice-free areas of the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.

This individual presented a golden opportunity to see one, especially a dragon. It sparked perhaps the largest twitch ever seen in Europe; multiple carloads of British birders were making the short trip across the North Sea. Newspaper article by the finder Read More>

I was eager to see this bird, so I reached out to Dan Pointon, who was on a family holiday in Saint Lucia at the time. We made plans to team up with Chris Batty and Owen Parsons once he returned. We decided to fly out from Manchester on Sunday evening and come back on Monday evening, provided the bird was still around. Fortunately, the bird stayed in the area until Dan returned to the UK, so we went ahead and booked our flights. Let the twitching begin!

We landed in Amsterdam on Sunday evening, picked up our rental car, and soon arrived at our Airbnb just before midnight. We settled in for the night, preparing for an early start in the morning to catch the ferry to Texel at 7:30 AM.

We all woke up at 6:00 AM, and shortly after, we were on the road, boarding the car ferry to Texel. The drive to Wagegot didn't take long, and after a brief walk to the seawall, we quickly spotted the Spectacled Eider through the scope. Although it was initially quite distant, it eventually flew closer to us and displayed beautifully.

What a bird!

Chris, demonstrating the art of no tripod.

There have been five recorded sightings of the Spectacled Eider in the Western Palearctic, with the most recent occurring in 2012. All of these sightings were from the Arctic Circle, specifically in the area between northern Norway and Svalbard.

In addition to the Eider we observed, we also saw Black-necked Grebes and Greater Scaups. Overhead, we watched numerous skeins of Greater White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese, and Brent Geese flying by.

Black-necked Grebe

After watching the Eider, we made our way around the island. Birds filled the fields and waterways; it was a brilliant place for birding.

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

 

Along with other target birds we wanted to see during the day, we headed back to the ferry. After returning to the mainland, we drove to Rosarium Vondelpark in the centre of Amsterdam, where we spotted eight Alexandrine parakeets and two Ring-necked parakeets.

Alexandrine parakeet

While travelling southeast out of Amsterdam, we spotted a Black swan.

Black Swan

As we arrived in Hilversum, we drove north towards the Goois Natuurreservaat, our next destination for birdwatching, where we aimed to find the Black woodpecker. We spent about an hour at the site and spotted two Short-toed treecreepers, a Firecrest, two Crested tits, and at least 60 Bramblings.

Continuing our walk along the forest footpaths, Dan spotted a Black Woodpecker flying toward us. It landed in a tree right in front of us. The bird was visible for quite some time, and after a little while, it took off again, flying over us while calling out. We all enjoyed stunning views of the bird.

Absolute stunner!

Watching the Black woodpecker

While we were watching the Black Woodpecker, news came in that a Pygmy Cormorant was being seen well at Natuurpark Lelystad in Flevoland, which was about a half-hour away. So, we headed back to the car.

After a short drive north, we arrived at the location. Following a brief walk, we soon spotted the Pygmy Cormorant perched in the trees on an island in the middle of the lake.

Another lifer on the list

NNatuurpark Lelystad

Owen is a lazy birder!

This species is surely due to visit our shores soon. With light fading and time running out, we made our way back to the airport.

What a 24 hours, such a great trip, top-notch birding, and great company!