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, seen from-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 the 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 east side of Tetton Lane Flash with Pink-footed geese; park in 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 1 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

A MILD NIGHT, TWO TRAPS AND A NEW MOTH

After what feels like a long, reluctant start to the year, the evening temperature in Caithness finally crept up to a positively balmy 7 °C, enough to tempt me into putting two moth traps out overnight. It’s amazing how even a small temperature rise can change everything at this time of year.

Activity was still modest, but very welcome all the same. Both traps produced a handful of early-season species, including Pale Brindled Beauty, Chestnut, and Winter Moth, all classic heralds of the moth year getting underway in the far north.

Pale Brindled Beauty

Chestnut

Winter Moth

The highlight of the night, though, was a Satellite, which was a new species for me. Always a pleasure to add something new to the personal list, especially so early in the season, and a nice reminder that even familiar setups can still deliver surprises.

Satellite

It may not have been a big catch, but it felt like an important step forward. With temperatures finally lifting, this is the first sign that the season is starting to stir properly here in Caithness.

Early signs that spring is on its way

ARCTIC ECHOES ON A WINTER SHORE

Heading south this morning for a few hours of birding proved richly rewarding. I began at Embo Pier, where over 60 Purple Sandpipers were present, many feeding at close range and offering superb views.

Embo Pier 

These tough little waders, breeders of the High Arctic where they nest among rocky tundra from Greenland across to northern Scandinavia, spend the winter almost exclusively on wave-lashed shores. Watching them here, perfectly at home on the exposed beach, felt like a direct connection to those far-northern landscapes.

News soon filtered through of Little Gulls at the river mouth at Brora, prompting a quick relocation. On arrival, the weather finally relented, blue skies and sunshine breaking through for the first time since working up in Caithness over the past fortnight.

Initial scans produced nothing, but further along the beach, a distant, buoyant flight caught the eye. Walking down, I was rewarded with excellent views of nine Little Gulls weaving gracefully over the surf.

Breeding far inland on freshwater marshes and bogs across northern Scandinavia and western Siberia, these birds migrate south after the breeding season, with small numbers reaching our coasts during winter, always bringing a touch of rarity and elegance.

Other birds of note included a few Kittiwakes, along with Redshank and Oystercatcher.

Kittiwake

Oystercatcher

Redshank

The day ended as strongly as it began, with a further 40+ Purple Sandpipers encountered along the shoreline, again showing beautifully.

Together, the gulls and sandpipers made for a memorable reminder that even in the depths of winter, our coasts can host birds whose journeys begin deep within the Arctic Circle.

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:2nd-8th FEBRUARY 2026

The latest Russian White-fronted Goose influx of the winter produced some staggering counts, while Fife boasted a brief Walrus and some rare scoter. Read more>

HARBOUR REFUGE AND HIGHLAND LOCHS:A DAY'S BIRDING IN CAITHNESS

A day off work took me north of Wick, allowing time to spend around the docks at Scrabster and Thurso Harbour. 

View looking over Scrabster

Thurso Harbour

With strong winds sweeping along the coast, both harbours had become important refuges for birds displaced from more exposed waters. Seabirds congregated in sheltered basins and along quay walls, using harbour structures to escape the worst of the conditions and providing unusually close views. The day served as a timely reminder of the role these working harbours play in offering shelter to coastal birds when weather conditions deteriorate.

Despite the challenging conditions, I was able to photograph the following species:

Turnstone

Ringed Plover

Razorbill

Long-tailed Duck

Rock Pipit

Great Northern Diver

Black Guillimot

Shag

Guillimot

Guillimot

Grey Seal

Moving on from the coast, I stopped at several lochs on the journey home, where good numbers of Whooper Swans were present. A Great White Egret was also noted, while a male flyover and female Hen Harrier provided a fitting highlight, bringing a cracking day’s birding to a close. 

Female Hen Harrier

Record shot of the male in fading light

Roe Deer

Great White Egret

Hooded Crow

A good number of Whooper Swans were on many of the Lochs I passed on the way home.

Goldeneye