CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

 

April 3rd

Shorelark-Still in muddy field near metal gate along Gritstone Trail between telephone mast and Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Common Scoter-Female still at the south end of Poynton Pool-Poynton

40 Black-necked Grebes-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

Water Pipit-Four, still at the north-west corner of No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes

Russian White-fronted goose-Two reportedly flew south over Hale Bank-Hale

Cuckoo-Singing male reported at Dutton Locks-Dutton

Adult Little Gull-Budworth Mere-Northwich

800 Pink-footed Geese flew north out of the estuary early morning - Thurstaston.

Swallow, Fieldfare and Green Woodpecker - Lower Heswall.

Scaup (drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake.

Apr 2nd

Ruddy Shelduck-Drake still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Adult Little Gull and Female Common Scoter-Budworth Mere-Northwich

Common Scoter-Female-Lapwing Hall Pool

Shorelark-Still in muddy field near metal gate along Gritstone Trail between telephone mast and Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

Osprey over high, heading NE, also 2 Wheatear - Burton Marsh.

41 Little Gull - Leasowe Gunsite.

Red kite, Little Gull, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 350+ Knot,  Peregrine, Kingfisher, Willow Warbler and 3 Mediterranean Gull - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Apr 1st

Greenshank, 8 Goosander and 2 Common Scoter in the channel, Swallow flew west and 3 Wheatear - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Little Gull, and 8 Whooper Swan, which flew off this afternoon - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Green-winged Teal (drake) in the channel this morning - Heswall Shore.

11 Whooper Swan flew north over Carr Farm - Meols.

Osprey-One flew towards Speke-Hale

Water Pipit-Four, still at the north-west corner of No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes

Ruddy Shelduck-One in the field by the junction of Poolside and Townsend Lane-Rode Heath

Slavonian Grebe-One reported at Mere Farm Quarry-Chelford

Shorelark-Still in muddy field near metal gate along Gritstone Trail between telephone mast and Old Man O'Mow-Mow Cop

4 Spotted Redshank - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Green-winged Teal-Heswall

SPRING MOTHING AT LOCKINGE ESTATE-OXFORDSHIRE

With work now taking me back to Oxfordshire, I took advantage of the mild overnight temperatures to get the trap out on the Lockinge Estate, not far from where I’m currently staying. After what has felt like a long wait through the colder months, it was great to finally spend a few hours back out in the field doing some proper mothing again.

Conditions looked promising from the outset. The temperature held up well into the night, and with relatively calm conditions, it felt like one of those evenings where something interesting might turn up. Even so early in the season, there’s always that sense of anticipation when you switch the trap on and let the night do its work.

The highlight of the session was trapping my first Frosted Green; five were eventually recorded by the end of the session.

The following moths were also recorded during the night:

4 Brindled beauty

3 Early Grey

2 Common Quaker

1 Small Quaker

2 Clouded Drab

3 Hebrew Character

It was encouraging to see a good range of early-season species on the wing, especially given that we are still relatively early in the year. The supporting cast made for a productive and enjoyable session overall. There’s something particularly satisfying about these early outings; each species feels like a sign that the season is beginning to gather momentum, as temperatures continue to improve.

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF THE WEEK:22ND-29TH MARCH 2026

The weather turned more unsettled this week for many of us, with brisk westerlies funnelling in off the Atlantic and putting the brakes on spring's advance. Read More>