TWO BARRED WARBLER-ST ALDHELM'S HEAD-DORSET

News came out this afternoon that an Arctic warbler that had been present since Sunday in Dorset had been re-identified as a Two-barred warbler. This was a good grip back for me as I should have gone to see the one in 2006 at Filey in North Yorkshire, but the species was only a subspecies of Greenish warbler then, how I've regretted that decision over the years!. Anyway, after Christmas, the British Ornithologists' Union will adopt the International Ornithological Congress list, and the Two-barred warbler will be elevated to full specific status. CLICK ON THE LINK.

I was on nights when the news came out, so thankfully I got an early start the next morning at 7.00am and started the long journey south, getting news from my mate Dan Pointon that the bird was still present as I reached Stafford on the M6. The traffic wasn't too bad on the way down, and I arrived on site just before midday.

I was absolutely shattered on arrival, but walked down to the quarry where I got brief views of the bird. I got myself in position and just waited instead of joining the scrum as the bird was doing a circuit with two Chiffchaffs. It didn't take long before the bird showed really well in a sycamore tree.

The bird was constantly on the move, flitting around at the tops of the trees and was joined by a Firecrest at one point.

Two-barred Warbler

After I had gained good views of the bird, I left the melee of birders in deep mud tripping over scopes and shouting, Where is it!

Birders on site

There are four previous records of Two-barred Warbler

2006-Filey,North Yorkshire-16th to 18th October.

2003-Samson Hill,Bryher,Isles Of Scilly-27th to 28th September.

1996- Holkham Meals,Norfolk-15th to 16th October.

1987-Gugh,first-winter,Isles Of Scilly-22nd to 27th October.

YELLOW BREASTED BUNTING AT RISK OF EXTINCTION

Wide-scale, unchecked hunting has, in the space of just three decades, driven frightening declines in two widespread bunting species, on both sides of the Eurasian landmass. Armed with our scientific findings, the BirdLife Partnership is now working to help buntings recover.CLICK ON LINK

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 17TH OCTOBER 2017

WIRRAL
Hilbre
Leach's Petrel,5 Red-throated Diver,95 Golden Plover,119 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, and 10 Eider.

Thurstaston Hill
Hobby.

Hoylake Shore
Grey Phalarope very close and a Leach's Petrel.

Caldy Wildfowl Collection
2,900 Black-tailed Godwit and 300 Knot.

Burton RSBP Hobby x3 IMF
Golden Plover x61 IMF
Little Stint x2 IMF
Wood Sandpiper IMF
Ruff x11 IMF
Cetti`s Warbler Path To IMF
Hen Harrier (RT) Over Reedbed
Marsh Harrier Burton Marsh
Great Egret x4 Burton Marsh
Kingfisher Marsh Covert Hide On Left As You Walk In
Catlle Egret Main Scrape
Egyptian Geese x3 Border Pool
Grey Wagtail Car Park
Peregrine Over Main Scrape
Sparrowhawk Over Main Scrape

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER-1st Winter-Troy town-St Agnes-Isles Of Scilly. 

COMMON ROCK THRUSH-Adult male still at Pwll du Quarry at c.SO248125 but distant; park on road northwest of Lamb and Fox Pub at SO244119 then walk NNE along footpath for c.800m-Gilwern-Gwent.

TWO BARRED WARBLER-1st-winter still in small quarry at c.SY964762 late afternoon; park before Renscombe Farm in specially arranged grass field off lane opposite 'My Time' adventure sign where there is a £2 charge. Walk south from Renscombe Farm along main track for a km to view-St Aldhelm's head-Dorset.

WILSON'S SNIPE-Apparent still at Porth Hellick Pool-St Mary's-Isles Of Scilly.

                

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF RARE BIRDS THIS WEEK IN BRITAIN-11TH-17TH OCTOBER 2017

REVIEW OF THE WEEK CLICK ON LINK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK 11TH OCTOBER-17TH OCTOBER 2017

CLICK ON LINK

ALREADY VULNERABLE BRITISH BIRDS ARE LIKELY TO BE WORST AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

Latest research by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has found that, although several birds may benefit from a changing climate, particularly in the north, some species will be hit hard and among these are some of the most vulnerable British birds.CLICK ON LINK

BRITAINS SMALLEST BIRD FINDS SANCTUARY IN GARDENS

The British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Garden Bird Feeding Survey (GBFS) has revealed that a cold spell in late winter 2016-17 caused an influx of birds to feeders, including Goldcrests in particular.CLICK ON LINK  

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 16TH OCTOBER 2017

WIRRAL
Hilbre
Yellow-browed Warbler caught and ringed.

Neston Marsh
6 Great White Egret

Parkgate

4 Marsh Harrier and a Great White Egret.

Burton RSPB
Golden Plover x34 IMF
Little Stint x2 IMF
Wood Sandpiper IMF
Ruff x7 IMF
Marsh Harrier x2 Immature Over Reedbed
Cattle Egret Main Scrape
Egyptian Geese x3 Main Scrape
Sparrowhawk Over Marsh Covert Wood
Pink-Footed Geese Flew Over Reserve
Hen Harrier (RT) Over Reedbed

CHESHIRE
Poynton Pool
2 Hawfinch-flew over.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
COMMON ROCK THRUSH-1st-winter still at Pwll du Quarry at c.SO248125 but distant; park on road northwest of Lamb and Fox Pub at SO244119 then walk NNE along footpath for c.800m-Gilwern-Gwent.

STEPPE GREY SHRIKE-Between Vatshoull and Vevoe on hill to east of road-Challister-Whalsay-Shetland.

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR-On the airfield-St Marys-Isles Of Scilly.

             

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 15TH OCTOBER 2017

WIRRAL
Neston Marsh
Hen Harrier,4 Marsh Harrier,Merlin,Short-eared Owl and a Great White Egret.


Parkgate
3 Marsh Harrier. 

Burton RSPB
Cattle Egret Main Scrape
Egyptian Geese x3 Main Scrape
Avocet x2 Main Scrape
Marsh Harrier x2 Over Reedbed
Great Egret x5 Burton Marsh
Hen Harrier (RT) Burton Marsh
Ruff x10 IMF
Golden Plover x30 IMF
Little Stint x2 IMF
Wood Sandpiper IMF
Jack Snipe Marsh Covert Hide Left Side As You Walk In
Kingfisher As Above
Grey Wagtail x2 Burton Mere
Pink-Footed Geese x200+ Flew Over Reserve

CHESHIRE
Poynton Pool
Hawfinch-flew over south.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
COMMON ROCK THRUSH-1st-winter still at Pwll du Quarry at c.SO248125 but distant; park on road northwest of Lamb and Fox Pub at SO244119 then walk NNE along footpath for c.800m-Gilwern-Gwent.

STEPPE GREY SHRIKE-Between Vatshoull and Vevoe on hill to east of road-Challister-Whalsay-Shetland.

WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER-Still between lighthouse and the church in hedge below Seagull Cottage-St Agnes-Isles Of Scilly. 

SHORT TOED TREECREEPER-Trapped and ringed-Samphire CP-Kent.


ISABELLINE WHEATEAR-On the airfield-St Marys-Isles Of Scilly.

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CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 14TH OCTOBER 2017

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Pink-Footed Geese x500+ Back Field
Greenshank x2 Main Scrape
Cattle Egret Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull (Immature) Main Scrape
Green Sandpiper Reception Pool
Marsh Harrier x2 Over Reedbed
Kingfisher Marsh Covert Hide
Ruff x10 IMF
Green Woodpecker Burton Point
Great Egret x4 Burton Marsh
Wood Sandpiper Bridge Screen
Little Stint x2 Main Scrape

Neston Marsh
Great white egret.

Bidston
Hawfinch-Flew west over Bidston Moss NR. 

Parkgate
3 Marsh Harrier,2 Hen Harrier and a Great White Egret.

CHESHIRE
Winsford Flash
2 Hawfinch over east.

Frodsham Marshes
Great white egret-Frodsham score.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
COMMON ROCK THRUSH-1st-winter still at Pwll du Quarry at c.SO248125 but distant; park on road northwest of Lamb and Fox Pub at SO244119 then walk NNE along footpath for c.800m-Gilwern-Gwent.

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR-On the airfield-St Marys-Isles Of Scilly.

STEPPE GREY SHRIKE-Between Vatshoull and Vevoe on hill to east of road-Challister-Whalsay-Shetland.

NORTHERN HARRIER-Adult male roosted at Rendall yesterday evening;park at HY369196-Cottascarth,Mainland-Orkney.

WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER-Probable still between lighthouse and the church in hedge below Seagull Cottage-St Agnes-Isles Of Scilly. 

WILSON'S SNIPE-Probable still showing well at Porth Hellick Pool from Seaward Hide-St Mary's-Isles Of Scilly. 

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 13TH OCTOBER 2017

WIRRAL

Heswall Shore
Great White Egret,36 Little Egret,2 Marsh Harrier,53 Golden Plover,4000 Redshank,2 Greenshank and 650 Black-tailed Godwit.

Burton Rspb

Little Stint x2 IMF

Ruff x6 IMF

Cattle Egret Main Scrape

Pink-Footed Geese x28 Main Scrape

Avocet x6 Main Scrape

Egyptian Geese x3 Main Scrape

Great Egret x3 Burton Marsh

Kingfisher Burton Mere

Merlin Fence Post Behind Reedbed

Sparrowhawk Over Reception Pool

Swallow x3 Over Willow Mere

Wood Sandpiper IMF

Whooper Swan x8 Burton Marsh

MEGAS IN BRITAIN

COMMON ROCK THRUSH-1st-winter still at Pwll du Quarry at c.SO248125 but distant; park on road northwest of Lamb and Fox Pub at SO244119 then walk NNE along footpath for c.800m-Gilwern-Gwent.

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR-On the airfield-St Marys-Isles Of Scilly.

WWT PROPOSES NEW LAW FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) has put forward a new law to the Government to make it commit making Britain greener and healthier each year, or to face Parliament and the public if they don’t.CLICK ON LINK

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 12TH OCTOBER 2017

WIRRAL
Parkgate
Pallid Harrier and 3 Marsh Harrier.

Hilbre
10 Eider,481 Cormorant,90 Ring Plover,30 Linnet and 2 Rock Pipit.

Burton RSPB
Pink-Footed Geese x500+ Back Field
Greenshank x2 Main Scrape
Cattle Egret Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull (Immature) Main Scrape
Green Sandpiper Reception Pool
Marsh Harrier x2 Over Reedbed
Kingfisher Marsh Covert Hide
Ruff x10 IMF
Green Woodpecker Burton Point
Great Egret x4 Burton Marsh
Wood Sandpiper Bridge Screen
Little Stint x2 Main Scrape


CHESHIRE
Warrington-AppletonRing Necked Parakeet

MEGAS IN BRITAIN

COMMON ROCK THRUSH-1st-winter still at Pwll du Quarry at c.SO248125 but distant; park on road northwest of Lamb and Fox Pub at SO244119 then walk NNE along footpath for c.800m-Gilwern-Gwent.

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR-On the airport-St Marys-Isles Of Scilly.