This morning, I visited a private site in Cheshire with Owen Parsons, where we enjoyed cracking views of Marsh Tit. Four individuals were located as we walked the area, including a male in full song.
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.
News then arrived that a juvenile Great Northern Diver was showing well a few miles away, prompting a quick detour to Pine Lake. Upon arrival, the diver was located immediately and gave superb views, a fitting finale to a varied and rewarding day of birding.
