ACROSS THE WATER: REDHEAD AND A WESTERN LONG SHOT!

On the afternoon of 23 February, Dan Pointon rang with a proposition: Ireland, for the long-staying female Redhead at Lough Yganavan. He’d just returned from a month in Australia and “needed” it for his British and Irish list.

I didn’t, I’d seen the Drake at Bleasby back in 1996. But late winter in Ireland has its own pull and perhaps most enticing, a long-staying Double-crested Cormorant unreported for weeks somewhere in the west, which I needed.

We landed in Dublin just after 08:00 and headed south. By 12:15, we were scanning Lough Yganavan, a quiet Kerry valley lake holding eight Ring-necked Duck, but no Redhead.

A full circuit produced nothing. Back at the south-west corner for one last scan. The Redhead had appeared. It had clearly been roosting in the reedbed. Relief was instant. It was on the list.

1st winter female Redhead

(Brian McCloskey)

If accepted, this will constitute only Ireland’s second record, the first an adult at Cape Clear in July 2003. There’s even some suggestion this bird may have been overlooked earlier in the winter, perhaps dismissed as a Common Pochard back in October. With prolonged views secured, the trip had momentum.

We pushed north towards Galway, pausing at Tralee Bay where an adult Ring-billed Gull loafed confidingly at close range.

Ring-billed Gull

As dusk approached, Blennerville Estuary provided a fitting close: Dunlin, Eurasian Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit were seen in good numbers.

Two targets on the first day. The evening ended with Manchester United grinding out a win and a couple of Guinnesses. Birding days rarely close better.

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Day Two – Corvids and a Long Shot

Dawn found us at Cregal Art on the outskirts of Galway, scanning for a long-staying Pied Crow present since early January.

At first, there were only Hooded Crows and Rooks and that familiar sense of doubt that comes when searching for a conspicuous rarity that simply refuses to appear.

Hooded Crow

Rook

A circuit of the city’s gull haunts Waterside and Nimmo’s Pier proved quiet, though a female Red-crested Pochard on the river provided modest consolation.

Red Crested Pochard

Back at Cregal, patience finally paid off.

The Pied Crow flew in, perching briefly on a lamppost before dropping onto the art shop roof. 

Pied Crow

Its provenance remains uncertain; ship assistance from its sub-Saharan range seems plausible, but it was a striking bird to study at leisure. One major target remained.

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The Last Look

The Double-crested Cormorant hadn’t been reported since 18 January, though it had frequented the region since November 2020. By late February, relocating it felt optimistic.

Blank stops at Lough Doon, and Lough Colgagh didn’t help. Lough Gill, when we reached it, felt almost absurdly vast, five miles of water and scattered islands. The odds of picking out a single Cormorant among wintering flocks seemed remote.

Lough Gill

A tern raft held five roosting Great Cormorants. Each looked entirely typical. We repositioned via St Angela’s College for a better angle. Still nothing. Eventually, with the light fading, we turned back towards the car.

“Have another look at that raft,” I suggested, more habit than conviction. Dan lifted the scope; there were now six birds. Against the odds, the Double-crested Cormorant had flown in and settled exactly where we’d already been scanning.

Double-crested Cormorant

Only Ireland’s second record. Britain’s sole record dates from Billingham in early 1989, with Western Palearctic occurrences otherwise largely confined to the Azores. 

To find it ourselves after weeks without reports made it even better. We left it roosting as evening drew in and began the drive back to Dublin. After two days, all our target birds had been secured. A gamble rewarded.

What a great few days!

Feb 25th

7 Stonechat - Hilbre.

Russian White-fronted Geese-64 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Caspian Gull-One 1st-winter at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road (WA8 0PA); also 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull-Widnes

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

Eurasian Spoonbill-Burton RSPB

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Lesser Scaup-No4 Bed-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

Feb 24th

27 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland - Burton Mere Wetlands

Russian White-fronted Geese-30 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Lesser Scaup-Female still on No 3 Bed-Woolston Eyes

(c) David Bowman

Siberian Chiffchaff-Still at sewage works; view from mound at north side-Glazebury

32 Russian White-fronted Geese- Flew south-west-Molloington

27 Russian White-fronted Geese - Burton Mere Wetlands.

White Wagtail (first of spring) in horse paddocks by Telegraph Lane, Leasowe Gunsite.

Bitttern flew north and dropped down off Boathouse at dusk - Parkgate.

15 Marsh Harrier flew into roost - Neston Reedbed.

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Feb 23rd

9,000 Knot, 148 Curlew, c200 Redshank, and c200 Brent Geese on the shore, a Stonechat in the sand dunes - West Kirby Shore.

Short-eared Owl-Off Heswall Golf Course-Heswall

2 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Lesser Scaup-Female still, Greater Scaup from the end of Sow Brook-Manchester Ship Canal -Woolston Eyes

Russian White-fronted Geese-2 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Feb 22nd

Willow Tit-Moore Nature Reserve

2 Russian White-fronted geese-Acre Nook-Chelford

3 Purple Sandpiper-On Pontoon-New Brighton

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

46 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland - Burton Mere Wetlands

Scaup (drake) and 2 Goldeneye - West Kirby Marine Lake

46 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields towards Puddington and 20+ Whooper Swans, seen from-Burton RSPB

Water Pipit-One still at Carr Lane Pools viewed from Town Lane-Hale

Lesser Scaup-Female still on Manchester Ship Canal with Tufted Ducks from public right of way off Statham Lane (WA13 9BN); also 1st-winter female Greater Scaup still-Lymm

26 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area and 16 Barnacle Geese-Frodsham marshes

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

Tundra Bean Goose-One flew south yesterday; also 2 adult Russian White Fronted Geese. Reserve open from 08:00-16:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com-Woolston Eyes-Permit Only

18 Russian White-fronted geese-Off Denhall Lane-Burton Marsh

2 Greater Scaup-Unconfirmed report of two on Friday-Wigg Island

Iceland Gull-One on River Mersey- Frodsham Marshes

Siberian Chiffchaff-Still at sewage works; view from mound at north side-Glazebury

Feb 21st

2 Purple Sandpiper-On the Pontoon-New Brighton

Willow Tit and Brambling-Female-Moore Nature Reserve

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

30 White-fronted Geese by Shotwick Boating Lake.

290 Brent Geese and at least 2 Jack Snipe - West Kirby Shore.

400 Sanderling, 15,000 Dunlin and 4,000 Knot at high tide - Hoylake Shore.

37 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields towards Puddington -Burton RSPB

Russian White-fronted Geese-10 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with 200 + Pink-footed geese and 6 Barnacle Geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane then walk north for c 400m to view

Caspian Gull-One 1st-winter at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road (WA8 0PA); also 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull-Widnes

Lesser Scaup-Female still on Manchester Ship Canal with Tufted Ducks from public right of way off Statham Lane (WA13 9BN); also 1st-winter female Greater Scaup still-Lymm

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

Feb 20th

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

40+ Russian White-fronted Geese in fields towards Puddington, seen from-Burton RSPB

Water Pipit-One still at Carr Lane Pools viewed from Town Lane and Short-eared owl-nearby-Hale

Lesser Scaup-Female still on Manchester Ship Canal with Tufted Ducks from public right of way off Statham Lane (WA13 9BN); also 1st-winter female Greater Scaup still-Lymm

Caspian Gull-Two 1st-winters at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road (WA8 0PA); also 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull-Widnes

Caspain Gull-Adult-Sandbach Flashes

Russian White-fronted Geese-59 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Feb 19th

18+ Russian White-fronted Geese and 5 Barnacle Geese - Burton RSPB

27 Common Snipe and a Water Rail flushed by tide - Target Road-Heswall

32 Russian White-fronted Geese- in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in the dip on Tetton Lane, then walk north for c 400m to view

14 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

Short-eared Owl-Three again over saltmarsh off The Harp Inn-Little Neston

Caspian Gull-1st-winter still at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road-Widnes

Wed 18th

Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer-On wires at the junction of Holly Bush Lane and Woodend Lane- Rixton

4 Barnacle Geese and c200 White-fronted Geese in fields next to Lower Road-Holt

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Russian White-fronted geese-c 20 in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese and 14 Barnacle Geese; park in a dip on Tetton Lane then walk north for c 400m to view- Sandbach Flashes

Tundra Bean Goose-One in fields on the east side of Tetton Lane Flash; park in dip on Tetton Lane then walk north for c 400m to view-Sandbach Flashes

Russian White-fronted goose-Individual on Mersey foreshore-Hale

Lesser Scaup-Female on No 3 Bed with Tufted Ducks from John Morgan Hide; use small car park at end of canal track at c 53.3870, -2.5234 Reserve open from 08:00-16:00, permit and key obtainable at www.woolstoneyes.com-Woolston Eyes

5 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Caspian Gull-1st-winter at WSR Recycling Centre, Ditton Road-Widnes

Green-winged Teal-Drake relocated to Bevyl Road Flash-Parkgate

Feb 17th

Hooded Crow- One reported in the field at the west end of Lapwing Lane before the final two houses-Moore Nature Reserve

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Short-eared Owl this afternoon - Parkgate

Lesser Scaup-Female still, Greater Scaup from the end of Sow Brook- Manchester Ship Canal -Woolston Eyes

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

11 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

Russian White-fronted geese-Four flew east along the Manchester Ship Canal-Woolston Eyes

Feb 16th

14 Russian White-fronted Geese-Puddington lane-Burton RSPB

11 Russian White-fronted geese- Still at No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham marshes

41 Russian White-fronted Geese-41 flew west over the north end of Rixton Moss yesterday evening-Rixton

Greater Scaup on the estuary-Off West Kirby Marine Lake

Lesser Scaup-Female still, Greater Scaup from the end of Sow Brook, Female Brambling in set aside field with 100+ Chaffinch,250+Linnet and 110+ Stock Dove- Manchester Ship Canal -Woolston Eyes

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Feb 15th

17 Russian White-fronted geese-Black Firs SWT

Water Rail, 20 Avocet, 60 Grey Partridge, 50 Golden Plover, 2 Turnstone, Knot, 10k Dunlin, 9 Cattle Egret, 6 Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow and 2 Rock Pipit- Hale

14 Purple Sandpiper, 40 Turnstone, Red Throated Diver, 2 Goosander,225 Brent Geese, 1800 Oystercatcher, 400 Dunlin and an Eider-Hilbre Island

2 Russian White-fronted geese, 3 Barnacle geese, Burton Marsh, opp Nets cafe. Greenshank, Decca compound.

4 Cattle Egrets off Mudhouse Lane- Neston 

9 Cattle Egrets-Hale head 

13 Russian White-fronted Geese-Puddington lane

Greater Scaup on the estuary-Off West Kirby Marine Lake 

4 Russian White-fronted Geese with Pinkfeet behind flash at Old Baths, Drake Green-winged Teal and 1,100 Teal on Boathouse Flash at 08.15hrs but disturbed by Marsh Harrier-Parkgate

Lesser Scaup-Female still on Manchester Ship Canal below Lymm Golf Club and 1st-winter female Greater Scaup-Woolston Eyes

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Shore Lark

(c)Phil Jones

Feb 14th

1,300 Black-tailed Godwit, 220 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2,000+ Knot roosted off Shore Cottage over high tide-Thurstaston

Green Sandpiper on R Birkett by water treatment plant, Mediterranean Gull on flooded fields-Leasowe Lighthouse

Purple Sandpiper on groyne- Wallasey Beach

Firecrest-One in holly at the west end, just before the nursery-Marbury Country Park

Scaup (drake) 3 Goldeneye and 7 Goosander - West Kirby Marine Lake

Russian White-fronted Geese-Four: one on the River Mersey off the lighthouse, two flew north over Carr Lane, and one flew south over Within Way

Siberian Chiffchaff-still in the hedgerow north of the filter beds at sewage works; view from footpath-Glazebury

Russian White-fronted Geese- Still; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane-Burton RSPB

Short-eared Owl-Three again this afternoon-Denhall Quay-Neston

Barnacle goose with Pink-footed geese-Heswall Marsh

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:9th-15th FEBRUARY 2026

Time flies! The midpoint of February has already passed, and the first spring migrants may be only a matter of days away. Read more >

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

Sat 14th

Firecrest-One in holly at the west end, just before the nursery-Marbury Country Park

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Russian White-fronted Geese-Four: one on the River Mersey off the lighthouse, two flew north over Carr Lane, and one flew south over Within Way

Siberian Chiffchaff-still in the hedgerow north of the filter beds at sewage works; view from footpath-Glazebury

Russian White-fronted Geese- Still; use reserve car park off Puddington Lane-Burton RSPB

Short-eared Owl-Three again this afternoon-Beston

Fri 13th

2 Short-eared Owl showing really well, 8 Marsh Harrier, 2 Great White Egret, Merlin, Kestrel and 2 (pair) Stonechat-Parkgate

Lesser Scaup-Female on Manchester Ship Canal with Tufted Ducks possibly viewable from public footpath; use small car park at end of Lymmhay Lane then walk north along Sow Brook footpath to view through trees looking west from 54.3935,-2.4876

Thurs 12th

Burton RSPB

22 Avocet on main scrape this morning, 28 Russian White-fronted Geese in field NE of barn late afternoon-Burton RSPB

Russian White-fronted Geese- On No 3 Mitigation Area-Frodsham Marshes

Wed 11th

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Water Pipit-One at Carr Lane Pools viewed from Town Lane-Hale

12 Russian White-fronted Geese - Burton RSPB

5 Short-eared Owl over salt marsh off Heswall Golf Club.

Eider (fem) on sea at low tide - Hoylake

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

(c) Steve Williams

Tues 10th

2 Short-eared owl-Parkgate

Siberian Chiffchaff-Still on woodpile at Dutton Locks-Dutton

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

12+ Russian White Fronted Geese on the reserve- Burton RSPB

Mon 9th

Mediterranean Gull-Adult winter-Budworth Mere-Northwich

(c)Greg Baker

3 Brambling-Off Lapwing lane with 200+ Chaffinch's-Acre Nook-Chelford 

8 Cattle egrets with 51 Little egrets-Marsh lane-Ince

Siberian Chiffchaff-Still along muddy path between Lingham Lane and pond-Leasowe

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

3 Water Pipit-Neston Marsh

Russian White Fronted Geese-25 flew over Bottom Flash this morning-Winsford

Russian White Fronted Geese-3 off Denhall Quay-neston Marsh

Sun 8th

20+ Corn Bunting-Holly Bush lane-Rixton

2 Short-eared Owl-Parkagate

Siberian Chiffchaff-Still along muddy path between Lingham Lane and pond-Leasowe

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

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

6 Russian White Fronted Geese on the main scrape and Dark-bellied Brent Goose -Burton RSPB

5 Russian White Fronted Geese-Neston Marsh-Neston

4 Russian White-fronted Geese-Pumphouse Flash-Sandbach Flashes

Yellow-legged Gull-Pumphouse Flash-Sandbach Flashes

17 Whooper Swan-In fields off Puddington lane-Between Puddington and Burton RSPB

Sat 7th

5 Corn Bunting,8 Tree Sparrow,2 Grey Partridge and Yellowhammer-Holly Bush Lane-Rixton

Adult Yellow-legged Gull-River Mersey-West of Runcorn bridge-Widnes

4 Cattle Egret in the field by Mudhouse Lane - Burton

At least 8 Russian White Fronted Geese on the main scrape and Dark-bellied Brent Goose -Burton RSPB

90 Brent Geese (incl 1 Dark-bellied) on shore over high tide -Hoylake

Scaup (drake), 3 Goldeneye and 10 Brent Geese-West Kirby Marine Lake

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

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Russian White Fronted Geese-c20 nearby-Winsford

Fri 6th

Cattle Egret-2 flew into the roost this evening-Burton RSPB

5th Feb

20 Whooper Swan-Puddington Lane-Puddington

Avocet-Burton RSPB

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

4th Feb

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker-Marbury Country Park-Northwich

Caspian Gull and Ruddy Shelduck-Off Spike Island-Widnes

3 Short-eared Owl-Denhall Quay

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

Russian White-fronted Goose with Pinkfeet, Short-eared Owl and 1,500 Skylark - Old Baths-Parkgate

72 Brent Geese on shore at high tide - Hoylake

Siberian Chiffchaff - Leasowe Lighthouse

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

3rd Feb

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker-Marbury Country Park-Northwich

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

4 Russian White-fronted Geese-Burton RSPB

(c)Jake Goswell

Short-eared Owl and 12+ Little Grebe - Parkgate

2 Short-eared Owl - Denhall Quay

2nd Feb

Velvet Scoter-Drake flew east past RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station-Hoylake

Siberian Chiffchaff - Leasowe Lighthouse

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Willow Tit-Budworth mere-Marbury Country Park

1st Feb

Green-winged Teal-drake on the River Mersey off Stanlow Point this morning (no public access); also Spotted Redshank-Ince Marshes

Eurasian Bittern-Still in Coward Reedbed-Marbury Park-Northwich

Russian White-fronted geese-Two from Tetton Lane park opposite Tetton Cottages-Middlewich

Scaup (drake), Goldeneye and 7 Goosander - West Kirby Marine Lake

Red Kite- over East - Dawpool Nateure Reserve-Thurstaston

Firecrest - Saughall

Siberian Chiffchaff - Leasowe Lighthouse

3 Red-throated Diver, 200+ Common Scoter and 50+ Great Crested Grebe at high tide - Hoylake

Willow Tit- Burton Mere RSPB

Shore Lark-In field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop