CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

 

4th May 

10 Spotted Redshank-Burton RSPB

Slavonian Grebe-Acre Nook Sand Quarry

Eurasian Spoonbill-Three flew south over Hale Head-Hale

Eurasian Spoonbill- Flew south overBurton RSPB]

Eurasian Spoonbill-Parkgate

Wood Sandpiper-Two on flood from footpath-Sweeney Wetlands

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still -West Kirby Marine Lake

3rd May

2 Wood Sandpiper - Burton RSPB

32 Swallow, 160 Sandwich Tern and 2 Eider - Hilbre

35 Black-necked Grebes and 3 Arctic terns briefly-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still -West Kirby Marine Lake

Sanderling-One flew around Pumphouse Flash, then continued North-west-Sandbach Flashes

2nd May 

6 Little Tern, 450 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Whimbrel, 3 Eider, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat - Hilbre.

9 Spotted Redshank and 3 Spoonbill - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still on the east side, and a Common Scoter-West Kirby Marine Lake

Ruddy Shelduck-Wigg Island

1st May 

107 Whimbrel - Heswall Shore.

4 Yellow Wagtail and a Whinchat - Leasowe Lighthouse.

3 Spoonbill, 3 Common Tern, 8 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 

3 Little Ringed Plover and a Willow Tit -  Burton Mere Wetlands.

Red Kite headed east over Liverpool Bay, seen from Hilbre.

Ruddy Shelduck-Drake still on River Mersey-Widnes

Common Crane-One flew east over the yellow barrier at the east end of Thelwall Lane-Woolston Eyes-PERMIT ONLY

Channel Wagtail-Hale

LESSER KESTREL-GOONHILLY DOWNS-CORNWALL

With news breaking of a Lesser Kestrel on the Lizard in Cornwall on Friday, Owen Parsons needed it for his life list and was heading down to stay with me for the weekend at my Airbnb, in the hope that something good would turn up.

We kept a close eye on updates and set off for the New Forest in Dorset, reasoning that at least we would be a few hours closer should the bird be relocated. Early reports at 7:15am and 9:00am suggested no sign of the bird, and things were not looking promising.

We were already in the New Forest at first light, enjoying Dartford Warblers, Woodlarks and a calling Cuckoo when news broke that the bird had been refound.

New Forest

Dartford Warbler

(c)Owen Parsons

Without hesitation, we made the long drive to Cornwall, arriving at around 1:30pm.

On arrival, we virtually saw the male bird straight away, perched on a fence post just a few metres from us. 

The views were exceptional, and we were also treated to a close fly-by.

Lesser Kestrel

(c) Owen Parsons

Owen was made up, having initially thought he had missed the bird entirely. For me, it was my second UK sighting of Lesser Kestrel, the first being a male at RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk, in April 2010, some 16 years ago. Read more>

Time certainly passes quickly.

News also filtered through of several Lesser Kestrels reported on a ferry crossing from Spain to England on the 30th April.

Following prolonged views of the bird, we continued on to Marazion. On the way, we passed the area near Marazion where a Booted Eagle had been seen last year, during the period when Storm Goretti struck Cornwall in early January 2026, bringing some of the most severe winter weather the region has experienced in recent years.

Between the 8th and 9th, the storm combined powerful Atlantic winds with heavy rain and occasional snow, creating dangerous conditions across the county. Its most notable feature was its intensity, with wind gusts reaching close to 100 mph in exposed coastal locations. A rare red weather warning was issued, underlining the serious risk to life and advising residents to remain indoors as conditions rapidly deteriorated.

In contrast, our present visit was far more settled. On arrival at Marazion, we eventually connected with a drake Garganey. It proved typically elusive and distant, but was nevertheless a welcome addition to the day’s sightings.

Garganey

(c)Owen Parsons

On the return journey, we stopped at Hayle Estuary, where a first-summer Bonaparte's Gull again showed very well, and my first Whimbrel of the year was also present, though distant. 

Whimbrel

Bonaparte's Gull 

This small North American gull remains a scarce but regular vagrant to the UK, although it has recently been removed from the BBRC rarity list. Read more>

It was another excellent day in the field, rounded off with a return home by 9:00pm.

WOOD SANDPIPER-SULHAMSTEAD ABBOTS - BERKSHIRE

Having finished work, news came out on Birdguides that a Wood Sandpiper had been found just half an hour down the road from where I was staying. It had been a couple of years since I’d last seen one, so with a fine spring evening on my side, I didn’t hesitate to head out.

On arrival, I quickly picked up the bird as it foraged along the edge of a shallow pool.

Wood Sandpiper

In the UK, the Wood Sandpiper is a classic passage wader, appearing primarily during spring and autumn migration as birds move between their northern breeding grounds and African wintering areas. Spring records typically peak from late April through May, often involving single birds or small groups dropping into shallow pools, flooded fields, or the edges of gravel pits. Autumn passage is usually more prolonged, stretching from July into September, with juveniles making up the bulk of sightings. Rarely lingering for long, Wood Sandpipers can appear overnight and be gone just as quickly, making any encounter feel particularly special for UK birders.

AN AFTERNOON'S BIRDING AT OTMOOR RSPB-OXFORDSHIRE

After visiting a couple of weeks ago to see a long-staying American Golden Plover, I returned to Otmoor RSPB this afternoon after work, hoping to catch up with a Black-winged Stilt that had been present over the last few days.

American Golden Plover

Otmoor RSPB

I’d missed two birds on my old patch at Ashton’s Flash in Northwich, Cheshire, last week, with working away, so I was keen to connect this time, especially with the recent influx of Black-winged Stilts across Britain, with birds reported in multiple counties, including a group of seven on St Agnes in the Isles of Scilly.

On arrival, the stilt hadn’t been seen for a few hours, but I managed to refind it at the back of a small pool, quietly feeding, well worth the wait.

Black-winged Stilt

The Black-winged Stilt remains a scarce but increasingly regular visitor to the UK, occurring mainly as a passage migrant in spring and early summer. Most records fall between April and June, when birds overshoot from their core breeding range in southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Smaller numbers can also appear later in the summer and early autumn, sometimes involving post-breeding dispersal.

In recent years, however, the species has begun to establish a tentative foothold as a breeding bird in Britain. Occasional nesting attempts have been recorded, most notably at wetland reserves in southern and eastern England, with a handful of successful broods raising hopes of future colonisation. These breeding events are often linked to favourable conditions such as suitable shallow wetland habitat and warm spring weather, which mirror the species’ traditional breeding environments further south.

While still far from guaranteed, the sight of Black-winged Stilts in the UK is becoming less exceptional, reflecting broader patterns of range expansion seen in several wetland species across Europe.

Moving on, I enjoyed great views of three Glossy Ibis, but the real surprise came when I found myself completely captivated by nine Hobbies hawking over the reedbed. An incredible sight and one I hadn’t expected to see at all.

Glossy Ibis

The Glossy Ibis has become an increasingly regular visitor to the UK, with most records occurring on spring passage from April to June, and smaller numbers appearing later in summer. Once a rarity, it is now seen annually, often linked to expanding populations in southern Europe. In recent years, there have also been a handful of breeding attempts in southern England, including some successful broods. While still scarce, the species appears to be on the cusp of becoming a regular breeding bird in Britain.

Hobby

The Eurasian Hobby is a summer visitor to the UK, arriving mainly in April and May after wintering in Africa. 

It is now a well-established breeding bird across much of England and parts of Wales, favouring a mix of open feeding areas and nearby woodland for nesting. Numbers have increased in recent decades, and it is now a regular feature of the UK summer.

A brilliant afternoon with some top-quality birds on show.

LATEST MOTHS TRAPPED IN OXFORDSHIRE

Despite the unsettled, fluctuating temperatures, I’ve continued trapping through the week and have been rewarded with a nice variety of species, as shown below.

Shuttle-shaped Dart

Chocolate Tip

Eyed-hawk Moth

Yellow-barred Brindle

Tufted Tortrix

Cinnabar

Angle Shades

Treble Lines

Pale Tussock

Common Grey

Brimstone

Waved Umber

Common Swift

Knot Grass

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

 

30th April 

3 Spoonbill and 4 Greenshank, still at least 20 Pink-footed Geese - Parkgate.

Tree Pipit over, 3 Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail and a Spotted Flycatcher - Leasowe Lighthouse.

2 Wood Sandpiper, 12 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 2 male Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover (briefly) and an Osprey heading NW -  Burton Mere Wetlands.

Wood Sandpiper-Still on flash north of Lache Lane-Chester

29th April 

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still on the east side-West Kirby Marine Lake

Wood Sandpiper-Still on flash north of Lache Lane-Chester

Wood Warbler-Singing male reported in the woods on the west side of Birchwood Forest Park, and then no further sign. Also, male Common Redstart-Birchwood

Black Tern (briefly), c12 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Red Kite,  Peregrine, 7 Greenshank, 10 Spotted Redshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3+ Ruff, Spoonbill and 5 Swift - Burton Mere Wetlands.

198 Whimbrel, 500 Oystercatcher, 450 Dunlin, 157 Curlew, Greenshank, 36 Redshank. 3 Swift over high tide - Heswall Shore.

Female Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Marsh harrier (female/imm male and 2 Grasshopper Warbler (heard only) - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Puffin briefly off the north end, also a Cuckoo caught and ringed - Hilbre.

28th April 

Osprey-Over fishery-Wychwood

Eurasian Spoonbill-Boathouse flash-Parkgate

650 Black-tailed Godwit - Caldy Wildfowl Collection.

30 Sandwich Tern roosting on groyne - Leasowe Castle.

3 Whimbrel on the main scrape at 8.35, also 12 Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and 2 Ruff - Burton Mere Wetlands.

117 Whimbrel over high tide this morning - Thurstaston/Heswall.

Osprey with fish heading NE at 1620hrs, last seen heading towards Formby - Meols.

Osprey

(c) Allan Conlin

2 Black Winged Stilts-Ashton's Flash-Northwich

Black Winged Stilt

(c)Mark Jarrett

31 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Arctic terns-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

27th April 

Grasshopper Warbler-Gowy Meadows

Eider,6 Whimbrel and Tree Pipit-Hilbre

2 Wood Sandpiper, Whinchat and 15 Whimbrel-Ashton's Flash-Northwich

Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroat - Leasowe

Spotted Flycatcher

(c) Allan Conlin

Little Ringed Plover (over), 4 Eider and 6 Whimbrel - Hilbre

Wood Sandpiper-One briefly-Sandbach Flashes

2 Whinchat and Grasshopper Warbler-Dutton Locks-Dutton

2 Eurasian Spoonbill-Boathose Flash-Parkgate

26th April

2 Spoonbill on Bevyl Road Flash - Parkgate.

8+ Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler and a Whinchat in the horse paddocks, also Black Redstart (fem) reported - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Whinchat

(c) Allan Conlin

Garganey (drake) and 7 Spotted Redshank - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still on the east side-West Kirby Marine Lake

25th April

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still on the east side-West Kirby Marine Lake

Greater Scaup

(c)Mark Jarrett

Eurasian Spoonbill-One still on flash off Bevyl Road-Parkgate

Dark-bellied Brent goose-One at the edge of the main pool viewed from the footpath-Sweeney Wetlands

4 Black Tern flew south, Long-tailed Duck, Puffin landed on the sea, Green Sandpiper flew over the rocks between the islands, Arctic skua and 2 Little Tern - Hilbre.

Puffin

(c) Steve Williams

Wood Sandpiper-Burton RSBP

Quail heard west of Heron Road - Hoylake Langfields.

4 Wheatear, 4 White Wagtail and 2 Yellow Wagtail - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Black Tern flying west, also 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 10 Red-throated Divers, and 5,000 Common Scoters - Hoylake Shore.

Mute Swan, imm f Hen Harrier (flew N at 06:10), 320 Grey Plover, 500 Dunlin, 20 spl Knot, 15 Sanderling, 103 Whimbrel (Banks Rd to Dee SC), Greenshank at high tide this morning - Heswall/Thurstaston.

4 Lesser Whitethroat singing - Wirral Way/Heswall Fields.

Grasshopper Warbler-Burton Point

Grasshopper Warbler

(c)Dave Bedford

24th April

2 Black Tern-Budworth Mere-Northwich

Common Crane-One flew over Heswall Golf Club towards the Dee Estuary, also a Cuckoo over Pine Way, a Yellow Wagtail past Riverbank Road, and an Osprey over-Heswall

1000 Oystercatcher, 80 Grey Plover, Turnstone, 250 Dunlin, 300 Black-tailed Godwit, 95 Bar-tailed Godwit, 48 Whimbrel, 120 Redshank on ebbing tide,  2 Lesser Whitethroat in Tinker's Dell - Thurstaston Shore.

Whimbrel

(c) Paul Ralston

Common Redstart-One at Hale Park-Hale

Whinchat-One at Woodford Aerodrome-Woodford

10 Willow Warblers, Grasshopper Warblers, and 3 Wheatears - Red Rocks.

Long-tailed Duck-50+ Willow Warbler, Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, Whinchat, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 18 Redpoll (over) and 5 Eider - Hilbre.

Redstart

Grasshopper Warbler

(c) Steve Williams

3 Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Wheatear, Garden Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and a Lesser Whitethroat - Leasowe Lighthouse.

23rd April

Ruddy Shelduck-One on the estuary and 2 Whinchat-Norton Marsh

Quail calling and 10+ Wheatear, west of Heron Road - Hoylake Langfields.

Major fall of Willow Warblers in seafront gardens early morning - c100 present, also 3 Tree Pipit and a Yellow Wagtail - Hoylake.

9 Willow Warblers, 3 Common Whitethroats, a Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Reed Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, and 9 Wheatears - Red Rocks.

Whinchat - Burton Point.

3 Whinchat and 7 Wheatear in a paddock; 6 Redpoll and a Grasshopper Warbler by the pond; also, an arrival of Sedge Warblers this morning - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Whinchat-Storeton

Ring Ouzel-Female still along Gritstone Trail between telephone mast and Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

200+ Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Redstart-Male, 2 male Whinchat, 2 Whitethroat, Blackcap, 3 Tree Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Grasshopper Warbler (heard only), Merlin, 5 Eider, 27 Whimbrel-Hilbre Island

Whinchat-Mobberley

22nd April

Common Crane on the marsh off Cottage Lane then flew and landed on the marsh off Parkgate at 0920hrs.

Spotted Redshank- Burton Mere Wetlands

Whinchat-Two (male and female) in sheep pens at Burton Farm-Burton Marsh

Common Redstart-Hilbre

Common Redstart

(c)Steve Williams

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still on the east side-West Kirby Marine Lake

Ring Ouzel-Female still along Gritstone Trail between telephone mast and Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

21st April 

Greater Scaup-West Kirby Marine Lake

Bar Tailed Godwit-Elton Hall Flash-Sandbach Flashes

Ruddy Shelduck-Drake again on the River Mersey off Spike Island on Sunday

Swift *first of spring* over Kerr's Field, 2 Whinchat in coastal paddocks and a Lesser Whitethroat by Lingham Lane - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Whinchat

(c)Graham Connolly

Whinchat - Hoylake Langfields

6 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat and a Grasshopper Warbler (reeling) - Red Rocks.

45 Pink-footed Geese and a Barnacle Goose on the marsh, also 8 Wheatear on tide wrack off the golf course - Parkgate.

62 Whimbrel - Heswall Shore.

Green-winged Teal, 6 Grasshopper Warblers (reeling), 2 Spoonbills in herenry, and 6 Spotted Redshanks, Channel Wagtail, and 4+ Yellow Wagtails in the field next to the Grain Store - Burton Mere Wetlands.

20th April 

Tree pipit-Leasowe Lighthouse

Tree pipit

(c)Sean O'Hara

Green-winged Teal - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Brent Goose (dark-bellied) - Caldy Wildfowl Collection.

Spotted Redsahnk-Burton RSPB

Common Scoter-Female on North Pool at Mere Farm Quarry-Chelford

Common Crane-Flew south over and a count of 51 Black-necked Grebe on saturday-Woolston Eyes-Permit Only

3 Black-necked Grebe-Budworth Mere-Northwich

19th April 

Long-tailed Duck-Hilbre Island

Long-tailed Duck

(c) Chris Williams

Whinchat on fence by Nets Cafe - Burton Marsh.

Wryneck near the bottom of Station Road - Burton.

Osprey flew east at 1230 - Hoylake.

28 Whimbrel - Heswall Shore.

Pied Flycatcher(male) - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Pied Flycatcher

(c)Sean O'Hara

Wood warbler-Still in willows along the path to Bunker Hide-Burton RSPB

Slavonian Grebe- Again on East Pool at Mere Farm Quarry-Chelford

Redstart-Male at Arrowe Brook Farm-Greasby

Greater Scaup-Adult drake still-West Kirby Marine Lake

18th April 

29 Whimbrel on shore on rising tide this morning - Heswall.

2 Yellow Wagtail in the field west of Heron Road - Meols.

2 Whinchat, 3+ Wheatear and a Garden Warbler - Leasowe Lighthouse.

25+ Manx Shearwater and 40 Gannet, 87 s/pl Dunlin on the beach - Hoylake Shore.

2 Grasshopper Warbler, 20+ White Wagtail and 3 Wheatear - Riverbank Road, Heswall.

Long-tailed Duck flew NE at high tide; 75 Manx Shearwaters, 9 Kittiwakes, and 26 Razorbills; c3,500 Black-tailed Godwits on Salisbury Bank before high tide - Hilbre.

3,300 Black-tailed Godwit - Caldy Wildfowl Collection.

8 Spotted Redshank, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Grasshopper Warbler- Burton Mere Wetlands.

Lesser Whitethroat by Thurstaston Visitor Centre.

2 Grasshopper Warbler - Heswall Fields/Wirral Way.

Ring Ouzel-Female still along Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Slavonian Grebe-Acre Nook Sand Quarry-Chelford

32 Black-necked Grebes-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

April 17th

Yellow Wagtail flew towards coastal paddocks - Leasowe Lighthouse.

c40 White Wagtail and 18+ Wheatear on tide wrack between the golf course - Heswall.

Raft of 100+ Manx Shearwater, also 30+ Gannet, 40+ Sandwich Tern and 10+ Razorbill - a feeding frenzy! - Hoylake Shore.

April 16th

3 Redstarts and Red Kite-Bickerton Hill

Slavonian Grebe-Mere Farm Quarry-Chelford

Ring Ouzel-Two along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Eurasian Spoonbill-One flew east past Within Way-Hale

Whinchat-Male at Arrowe Brook Farm-Greasby Farm

Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit-c 3,500 at Caldy Wildfowl Collection-Caldy

Long-tailed duck, Redstart and Common scoter-Hilbre Island

Bar-tailed Godwit-Elton Hall Flash-Sandbach Flashes

Cuckoo heard early morning - Stapeldon Wood/Caldy Woods

Common Redstart briefly in a horse paddock - Lower Heswall.

Grasshopper Warbler in dunes and 6+ Wheatear - Leasowe Lighthouse.