Tuesday, November 08, 2016
Monday, November 07, 2016
THE JOY OF COUNTING BIRDS ON THE DEE ESTUARY
This is a cracking write up by Colin Wells Dee Estuary reserve site manager of his bird counting exploits in October.CLICK LINK
REVIEW OF THE WEEK OF BIRDS RECORDED IN CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL 1st NOV -6th NOV 2016
WIRRAL BIRD SIGHTINGS
Hilbre Island-2 Black-throated Diver and 13 Whooper Swan's were recorded on the 1st.The returning Brent Geese were counted at 145 which increased the next day on the 2nd to 187.
Burton R.S.P.B-The 5 Cattle Egret were still present on the 1st and then a 6th bird appeared on the 3rd.A Water pipit was found near Covert hide on the 2nd and was seen again on the 5th and on Burton marsh 10 Great White Egrets were present along with 20 Whooper Swans on the 3rd.By the 6th 11 Great White egrets were showing on the marsh.On the 4th a Firecrest was caught and ringed in a Burton garden.
Meols-6,000+ Comon Scoter were still present before hide tide on the 1st along with 7 Eider which flew west.2 Gannet's and 2 Red-throated Diver were also recorded.
Red Rocks-2 Lapland Bunting flew from the beach towards the golf course on the 1st.A Cetti's Warbler was in the reed bed and 2 Whooper Swan's flew over.
Parkgate-A Richard's Pipit flew east over late morning on the 4th and on the 6th 3 Hen Harrier (1 male and 2 ringtails) and 1 Marsh Harrier were seen late afternoon.A Lapland Bunting was heard calling over the marsh on the 6th.
Denhall Quay and Decca Pools-2 Short-eared Owl's were seen on the 1st and by the 4th 4 individual birds were present.2 Hen Harrier's, a male and ringtail and a Marsh Harrier (fem) and 2 Great White Egret were present on the 1st.On the 5th a Peregrine was seen along with a Merlin and 3 Marsh Harriers.
Neston Marsh-1 Water Pipit and 2 Hen Harrier (male and ringtail) were present on the 2nd along with 4 Marsh Harriers.On the 6th Both Male Hen Harriers were seen.
Bidston-A Richards Pipit flew west over Bidston moss on the 2nd
Thurcaston Shore-c2,000 Black-tailed Godwit, 225 Teal,240 Pintail and 105 Golden Plover were present on the 2nd.
Hoylake-3 Pomarine Skua (2 juvs and 1 pale adult) headed west on the 6th.
New Brighton Marine Lake-7 Purple Sandpiper were present on the 6th.
Birkenhead-A female Common Scoter was on the East Float dock on the 6th.
CHESHIRE BIRD SIGHTINGS
Newchurch Common-The Redhead Smew and the 1st Winter Red Crested Pochard were still present throughout the week.
Sandbach Flashes-The Great White Egret still around on the 4th.A 1st winter Scaup was on Railway flash on the 1st and a Yellow Legged gull was also found on the flash on the 2nd.2 Brambling were round the feeders on the 4th.
Hale-A Hawfinch flew southwest over Hale Head on the morning of the 2nd.A Long eared Owl was sat on a post on Higher road on the 5th before flying off.
Northwich-Neumann's Flash-The female Scaup was still present until the 3rd.A Cetti's Warbler was refound on the 3rd just down the river near Carden's Ferry Bridge.On the 5th a Female Goosander was present on Budworth mere
Richmond Bank-5 Yellow Legged Gulls(4 Adults and a 2nd Winter) were present on the 3rd.
Fourways Sand Quarry-2 Common Scoter were present on the 6th.
Frodsham Marshes-On No6 Tank 4 Curlew Sandpiper were present on the 5th along with a Little Stint.A Great White egret was also on Frodsham Score.
Chelford-Lapwing Hall Pool-1 Black Necked Grebe still present on the 6th.
PLEASE SEND ALL YOUR CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD SIGHTINGS TO alastairorton72@gmail.com or you can TWEET @CHESHIREBIRDING
Hilbre Island-2 Black-throated Diver and 13 Whooper Swan's were recorded on the 1st.The returning Brent Geese were counted at 145 which increased the next day on the 2nd to 187.
Burton R.S.P.B-The 5 Cattle Egret were still present on the 1st and then a 6th bird appeared on the 3rd.A Water pipit was found near Covert hide on the 2nd and was seen again on the 5th and on Burton marsh 10 Great White Egrets were present along with 20 Whooper Swans on the 3rd.By the 6th 11 Great White egrets were showing on the marsh.On the 4th a Firecrest was caught and ringed in a Burton garden.
Meols-6,000+ Comon Scoter were still present before hide tide on the 1st along with 7 Eider which flew west.2 Gannet's and 2 Red-throated Diver were also recorded.
Red Rocks-2 Lapland Bunting flew from the beach towards the golf course on the 1st.A Cetti's Warbler was in the reed bed and 2 Whooper Swan's flew over.
Parkgate-A Richard's Pipit flew east over late morning on the 4th and on the 6th 3 Hen Harrier (1 male and 2 ringtails) and 1 Marsh Harrier were seen late afternoon.A Lapland Bunting was heard calling over the marsh on the 6th.
Denhall Quay and Decca Pools-2 Short-eared Owl's were seen on the 1st and by the 4th 4 individual birds were present.2 Hen Harrier's, a male and ringtail and a Marsh Harrier (fem) and 2 Great White Egret were present on the 1st.On the 5th a Peregrine was seen along with a Merlin and 3 Marsh Harriers.
Neston Marsh-1 Water Pipit and 2 Hen Harrier (male and ringtail) were present on the 2nd along with 4 Marsh Harriers.On the 6th Both Male Hen Harriers were seen.
Bidston-A Richards Pipit flew west over Bidston moss on the 2nd
Thurcaston Shore-c2,000 Black-tailed Godwit, 225 Teal,240 Pintail and 105 Golden Plover were present on the 2nd.
Hoylake-3 Pomarine Skua (2 juvs and 1 pale adult) headed west on the 6th.
New Brighton Marine Lake-7 Purple Sandpiper were present on the 6th.
Birkenhead-A female Common Scoter was on the East Float dock on the 6th.
CHESHIRE BIRD SIGHTINGS
Newchurch Common-The Redhead Smew and the 1st Winter Red Crested Pochard were still present throughout the week.
Sandbach Flashes-The Great White Egret still around on the 4th.A 1st winter Scaup was on Railway flash on the 1st and a Yellow Legged gull was also found on the flash on the 2nd.2 Brambling were round the feeders on the 4th.
Hale-A Hawfinch flew southwest over Hale Head on the morning of the 2nd.A Long eared Owl was sat on a post on Higher road on the 5th before flying off.
Northwich-Neumann's Flash-The female Scaup was still present until the 3rd.A Cetti's Warbler was refound on the 3rd just down the river near Carden's Ferry Bridge.On the 5th a Female Goosander was present on Budworth mere
Richmond Bank-5 Yellow Legged Gulls(4 Adults and a 2nd Winter) were present on the 3rd.
Fourways Sand Quarry-2 Common Scoter were present on the 6th.
Frodsham Marshes-On No6 Tank 4 Curlew Sandpiper were present on the 5th along with a Little Stint.A Great White egret was also on Frodsham Score.
Chelford-Lapwing Hall Pool-1 Black Necked Grebe still present on the 6th.
PLEASE SEND ALL YOUR CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD SIGHTINGS TO alastairorton72@gmail.com or you can TWEET @CHESHIREBIRDING
ACRE NOOK SAND QUARRY AND LAPWING HALL POOL
After a long break from these two sites due to night shifts at work, I finally managed to spend a few hours birding today. The weather deteriorated significantly while I was walking around, but despite the drizzle, a good number of birds were seen.
At Acre Nook, the waterfowl were well represented. Shoveler and Teal were present in good numbers, while Greylag Geese numbered at least 100. On Acre Island, 14 Goosanders were sitting out alongside a Green Sandpiper, providing excellent photographic opportunities.
Shoveler
Greylag Goose
Goosander
Moving on to Lapwing Hall Pool, the highlight was the strong presence of Wigeon, with well over 120 birds on the pool, along with four Gadwall. Raptors were also on display, with six Buzzards circling above, and another Green Sandpiper was found nearby.
Wigeon
Gadwall
Only a single Black-necked Grebe could be located, suggesting that the other bird has now departed. This year has been a particularly good one for the species at Lapwing Hall Pool, with at least eight individuals recorded. A lone Pochard was also seen flying into the centre of the pool, adding to the variety of waterfowl present.
Black-necked Grebe
Pochard
Despite the rain and limited daylight, it was a thoroughly enjoyable few hours birding, and it was good to be back at these two classic sites. With night shifts continuing until January, birding opportunities will be limited, but today was a reminder of the rewards these local hotspots can offer.
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