CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

31st March 2025

National Megas News

Forster's Tern-Adult again on 'boomerang' island at lagoon late morning-Brownsea Island-Dorset

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Water Pipit- One on Hale Marsh from Town Lane bridge-Hale

Short-eared Owl this morning over the golf course/dunes - Red Rocks.

12 Whooper Swan on main scrape this morning - Burton Mere Wetlands.

3 Greenshank, 2,000+ Pink-footed Geese, Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine over high tide - Parkgate.

Jack Snipe and a Wheatear - Riverbank Road, Heswall.

80 Sand Martin flying north this evening - Neston Marsh.

8+ Water Pipit-Lordship Lane-Frodsham Marshes

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

21+  Black Necked Grebes-N04 bed and Willow Warbler-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

30th March 2025

National Megas News

Forster's Tern-Adult roosting on sandbar on River Wyre-Skippool Creek-Lancashire

(C) O.Parsons

Booted Eagle-Sancreed-Cornwall

(C) M.Roper

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Spotted Redshank-Hale Marsh

10 Water Pipit-Lordship Lane-Frodsham Marshes

5 Spotted Redshank- Burton RSPB

Short Eared Owl- One at Gowy Woodland Park then flew off-Sweeney Wetlands

29th March 2025

National Megas News

Booted Eagle-Sancreed-Cornwall

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Russian White Fronted Goose-Two still at Bowden's Flash; follow path east along River Weaver from Frodsham Watersports-Frodsham

3 Spotted Redshank- Burton RSPB

Russian White Fronted Goose- Off Denhall Quay-Neston

12 Water Pipit-Lordship Lane-Frodsham Marshes

28th March 2025

National Megas News

Forster's Tern- One flew south close inshore past RNLI Morecambe Lifeboat Station-Lancashire

Booted Eagle-Sancreed-Cornwall

 

(C) M.Roper

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

White Stork-Released individula- over this morning, then landed this afternoon - viewable from visitor centre - Burton Mere Wetlands.

(C) A.Hitchmough

1600 Black-tailed Godwit - Caldy Wildfowl Collection.

Common Scoter-Two (one drake) on north pool at Mere Farm Quarry-Chelford

8 Spotted Redshank- Burton RSPB

Yellow Wagtail-Frodsham Marshes

27th March 2025

National Megas News

Booted Eagle-Sancreed-Cornwall

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Smew-Drake on Birchwood Pool-Woolston Eyes

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island

4 Water Pipit-In field south of Lordship Lane-Frodsham Marshes

33 Black Necked Grebes-N04 bed and Willow Warbler-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

2 Spotted Redshank-Border Hide-Burton RSPB

12 Little Gull and 25 Purple Sandpiper - Hilbre.

810 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Knot and a Bar-tailed Godwit - Caldy Wildfowl Collection.

26th March 2025

National Megas News

Booted Eagle-Bartinney Downs-Cornwall

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Velvet Scoter-Drake,8 Little Gull flying east and 4 Sandwich Tern - Hilbre.

White Wagtail (Kerr's field) and 2 Swallow over - Leasowe Lighthouse.

5 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Sandwich Tern, Little Gull, Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot off East Hoyle at low tide, 6 White Wagtail seen from the Lifeboat Station - Hoylake.

Short-eared Owl - Red Rocks Marsh/Sand Dunes.

HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME-CAITHNESS-SCOTLAND

While on holiday in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland, I joined a WhatsApp group for cetacean sightings via Facebook. Just a few miles from John o’ Groats, I was treated to an unforgettable experience: four Humpback whales moving gracefully through the waters off Duncansby Head. The views were absolutely mind-blowing, with these magnificent animals feeding and breaching against the backdrop of the rugged northern coastline.

As always during my holidays, I also kept an eye out for birds, and Caithness did not disappoint. Highlights included:

Adult Kumlien's Gull

Common Eider

Great Northern Diver

Black Guillimot

It was a cracking week, combining spectacular cetacean encounters with memorable birding—a holiday I’ll never forget.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

Todays Bird News

National Megas News

Forster's Tern-Arne RSPB-Dorset

(C) M Wright

Booted Eagle-St Buryan-Cornwall

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Common Scoter-Drake on River Mersey below Forrest Way bridge-Graet Sankey

31 Black Necked Grebes-N04 bed and Osprey-Over-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

Eurasian Bittern- One flew north-east early morning- Moulton

Russian White Fronted Goose-Two still in field west of Manor Road-Thornton Hough

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

Todays Bird News

National Megas News

Forster's Tern-Arne RSPB-Dorset

(C) M Wright

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Little Ringed Plover - Burton Mere Wetlands.

14 Chiffchaff singing along Wirral Way this morning - Heswall/Thurstaston.

5 Long-tailed Duck off East Hoyle Bank - Hoylake.

Water Pipit-one still in flooded field north of No 4 Tank-Frodsham Marshes

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

Todays Bird News

National Megas News

Forster's Tern-Arne RSPB-Dorset

(C) M Wright

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

(C) T. Hines

Booted Eagle-Northwick Wark-Avon

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Ring Ouzel-three (two males)-Dane Bower Quarry

Water Pipit-at least five in fields at Rake Lane-Little Stanney

Western Osprey-One flew over Marbury Big Mere

2 Little Gull-Acre Nook Sand Quarry

Osprey heading N at 0950hrs over Heswall fields and the Dungeon wood.

14 Sand Martin over reedbed - Gronant.

Garganey (male) - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Sandwich Tern, Little Gull and 5 Long-tailed Duck off East Hoyle Bank -Hoylake.

Willow Warbler singing - Ness.

Little Ringed Plover on Kerr's Field - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Water Pipit (moulting into s/pl). 4 Avocet and 3 Ruff - Denhall Quay.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

Todays Bird News

National Megas News

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Booted Eagle-Pale morph circled high over Pilning Wetland for five minutes then flew south-east-Northwick Wark-Avon

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

5 Little Gull-Acre Nook Sand Quarry

Hawfinch and 1st Winter Little Gull-Budworth Mere-Marbury Country Park-Northwich

Little Gull

(C)Dave Bedford

28 Black Necked Grebes-NO3 and N04 bed and Osprey-Over-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

Willow Warbler *first of spring* - Thornton Hough.

Little Ringed Plover on Kerr's Field still, 7+ Wheatear in coastal paddocks and a Swallow over - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Little Ringed Plover

(C)Allan Conlin

18 Little Gull and 35 Gannet - Hilbre.

 

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

Todays Bird News

National Megas News

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB

3 Black Necked Grebes-Number 3 bed-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

Black Redstart-Hilbre Island

Black Redstart

(C) S.Williams

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

Todays Bird News

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

2 Russian White Fronted Goose-Burton Marsh

Ruddy Shelduck-Two on Hale Marsh from Within Way-Hale

25 Black Necked Grebes-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

Puffin- One off Hilbre, looking towards East Hoyle Bank, then flew west, and Drake Long Tailed duck- Still off East Hoyle Bank - Hoylake.

BIRDING IN SCOTLAND DAY 2

An early start saw me leave at 5:00 a.m. for the Cairngorm mountain car park, with one particular target firmly in mind. On my previous visit in January, I had missed Ptarmigan, and having gone several years without seeing one, I was determined to put that right.

Despite lingering snow on the ground, conditions were calm as I made my way steadily towards Coire an t-Sneachda. It wasn’t long before my patience was rewarded. A Ptarmigan came into view, perfectly at home in its alpine surroundings — a superb bird and a memorable encounter that more than justified the walk.

What a beautiful sight! It was definitely worth the walk.

The descent back towards the car park produced further highlights, with four Snow Buntings and two Red Grouse adding to an already satisfying morning.

Snow Bunting

Heading back towards Aviemore, I stopped at Loch Morlich. A Crested Tit showed well at the feeding station, offering close views of this charismatic species. The loch itself was looking particularly fine, framed by the snow-dusted Cairngorms rising behind it.

Loch Morlich, with the Cairngorms in the background.

Leaving the mountains behind, I continued north to Alturlie Point on the Moray Firth, near Inverness. Birding here was excellent. A flock of 64 Greater Scaup dominated the scene and showed beautifully at close range. They were joined by 11 Slavonian Grebes, four Red-throated Divers, 11 Long-tailed Ducks, and a single Kittiwake. A Swallow flashing past the point provided a timely reminder of the changing season — my first of the year.

Greater Scaup

Kittiwake

Moray Firth

With a full day’s birding behind me and a fine selection of species recorded, I turned north once more for the two-hour drive to Thurso, bringing another rewarding day in the Scottish Highlands to a close.

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

Todays Bird News

National Megas News

American Coot-Loch Of Spiggie-Shetland

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Black Scoter and Drake Long Tailed duck-Still off East Hoyle Bank - Hoylake.

Russian White Fronted Goose-Two still in flooded field south of Westwood Hall Nursing Home off Brimstage Road-Brimstage

26 Black Necked Grebes-Woolston Eyes(Permit Only)

Eurasian Spoonbill-Adult-Hale

BIRDING IN SCOTLAND DAY 1

Day 1

With a long drive north ahead of me, I began my Scottish trip with three clear targets in mind. Two — Avocet and Willow Tit — lay in Dumfries and Galloway, while the third, Ross’s Goose, was wintering in Ayrshire. It was an ambitious opening day, but one that promised a rewarding start.

My first stop was Brownhouses, where I quickly located seven Avocets feeding distantly. Although heat haze made photography challenging, the elegant silhouettes of these birds were unmistakable. Securing my first target of the trip so early on immediately set a positive tone for the day.

Browhouses

The Avocets were far away, and the heat haze made it difficult to take clear photographs.

From Brownhouses I continued to Loch Ken, my first visit to this extensive RSPB reserve. The site is widely regarded as one of the strongest remaining locations for Willow Tit in Scotland, and I devoted over two hours to carefully working the area.

Loch Ken

Persistence eventually paid off when I heard a Willow Tit calling near the picnic area. Brief but clear views followed — a particularly satisfying encounter given both the species’ scarcity and the fact that I was only passing through. Seeing one here felt especially significant.

The Willow Tit is the fastest-declining resident bird species in the UK and the second-fastest declining species overall, after Turtle Dove. Between 1995 and 2020, the population fell by an estimated 86%.

The first national Willow Tit survey, conducted between 2019 and 2021, was organised by the RSPB with support from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, Natural England (through the Action for Birds in England partnership), Natural Resources Wales and the Welsh Ornithological Society. County-level surveys were carried out by local study groups, bird clubs, conservation organisations and volunteers.

Results from the survey estimate the Great Britain population at approximately 5,700 breeding pairs, with 76% in England, 21% in Wales and just 3% in Scotland. North Yorkshire, County Durham and Derbyshire were identified as the top three ceremonial counties, while in Wales the strongest populations occurred in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Breconshire and Montgomeryshire. In Scotland, almost the entire remaining population is now confined to Dumfries & Galloway.

Ongoing research aims to better understand the causes of this decline and to inform targeted conservation action. A key resource supporting this work is the Willow Tit Conservation Handbook, produced as part of the Back From the Brink project, which provides practical guidance on habitat management, monitoring and survey techniques.

After observing the Willow Tit, I headed north to Galston in Ayrshire and arrived just before dusk. 

Bruntwood Flood

Leaving Loch Ken, I headed north towards Ayrshire, arriving at Bruntwood Flood near Galston shortly before dusk. Here, among a flock of Pink-footed Geese, I located my final target of the day: a Ross’s Goose. The bird is reported as an adult of unknown origin, and while the acceptance of Ross’s Goose can sometimes be uncertain, I was keen to see it as a precautionary tick.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I reflected on a highly successful opening day — all three target species achieved. With daylight fading, I began the long drive north to Aviemore, eventually reaching my hotel just after 10:00 pm. Exhausted, but deeply satisfied, I was already looking forward to what the following days might bring.