Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Whitecross-Cornwall
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Hawfinch-One again near play area-Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-Two near two wooden arches in Queen's Park-Crewe
Little Stint-Still on beach just west of RNLI Lifeboat Station at high tide-Hoylake
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
White Tern-One of unknown origin picked up outside The Royal Victoria Hotel and taken into care-Llanberis-Caernarfon
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Spotted Redshank-Burton Marsh
Little Stint by Sandhey slipway - Meols.
Russian White Fronted Goose-14 again at west side of south bank-Acre Nook Sand Quarry
Black Necked Grebe-Astbury Mere Country Park
Siberian Chiffchaff-probable again at sewage works on fence north of filter beds-Glazebury
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Whitecross-Cornwall
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Hen Harrier-Ringtail again from Old Baths car park-Parjgate
Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB
Russian White Fronted Goose-One on marsh off sewage works-Neston
Black Necked Grebe-Astbury Mere Country Park
Hawfinch-3 again near swimming pool-Marbury Country Park
Siberian Chiffchaff-probable again at sewage works on fence north of filter beds-Glazebury
9 Stonechat - Parkgate Marsh.
9 Stonechat off Riverbank Road - Heswall Marsh.
c10,000 Knot feeding on East Hoyle Bank about an hour after high tide - Meols.
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Black Necked Grebe-Astbury Mere Country Park
Siberian Chiffchaff-Still at sewage works on Marsh Lane-Ince
Russian White Fronted Goose-Two again in field behind Bowdens Lock; follow path east along River Weaver from Frodsham Watersports-Frodsham
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
Canvasback-Abberton Reservoir-Essex
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Little Gull-One flew west past Within Way-Hale
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 again in field behind Bowdens Lock; follow path east along River Weaver from Frodsham Watersports-Frodsham
Hawfinch-One near two wooden arches in Queen's Park-Crewe
Sand Martin-One at No 3 Bed-Woolston Eyes
Russian White Fronted Goose-14 again at Whisterfield Lane end-Acre Nook Sand Quarry
Eurasian Bittern-One again flew to roost viewed from The Old Quay pub-Neston Marsh
Spotted Redshank-Neston Marsh
Hen Harrier (ringtail) - Burton Mere Wetlands.
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
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
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
I’ve just returned from a few days away birding with my good friend Owen Parsons, and we were fortunate to encounter some truly cracking species.
Our adventure began at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, where we were after a Richard’s Pipit. The bird proved elusive at times, weaving through the undergrowth before eventually offering excellent views as it foraged and then flew past us, calling. It was a treat to see this scarce species, as I hadn’t recorded one in several years.
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
Ruddy Shelduck-still showing well on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes
Hawfinch-Still in private garden at The Coppice-Cuddington
Todays Bird News
National Megas News
Booted Eagle-Marazion-Cornwall
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News
Greater Scaup-Female still on No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes
Hawfinch-Marbury Country Park
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
This individual was distinct from the one I missed back in late January at Traeth Glaslyn Nature Reserve, Porthmadog, as it showed worn coverts. In pristine condition and striking in appearance, it was a truly rewarding sighting — 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 the Wirral, and are now on the Red List of species of conservation concern following a sustained national decline. It was a brilliant morning observing this elusive species, and the site is one I will definitely return to in spring.
After dropping Owen back home, I picked up Jenna, and we headed north to Lancashire in pursuit of two Bewick’s Swans, reportedly with a herd of Whooper Swans at Cockersand Abbey. On arrival, we found the swan flock and, after scanning carefully, I eventually located one Bewick’s Swan feeding. The second bird remained elusive, so we began walking back to the car.
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 few hours spent birding the Liverpool docklands today produced an outstanding reward, with excellent views of Jack Snipe in the dock area just south of Seaforth. It took little time to locate the first bird using thermal imaging, after which it performed impeccably, allowing prolonged and detailed observation. In total, three Jack Snipe were found during the session, all inhabiting muddy dockside margins.
They were accompanied by four Common Snipe, offering the opportunity to compare the two species side by side. All birds were actively feeding and exhibited their trademark skulking behaviour, relying on camouflage and immobility rather than flight. The Jack Snipe in particular demonstrated their characteristic reluctance to flush, remaining crouched and motionless until almost underfoot.
An excellent example of how careful coverage of overlooked urban wetlands can yield high-quality winter birding, especially when modern techniques such as thermal imaging are brought into play.
The species now feels thoroughly established here, its noisy presence and confiding behaviour adding a distinctive urban flavour to the afternoon’s birding and neatly rounding off a highly productive day in Liverpool.
