Nevr mind the birds; plenty of people down at Burton Marsh, at the end of Station Road. As otheres have said, the Buff-bellied Pipit showing very well. It's constantly on the go, feeding with a group of 20 or so Meadow Pipit's among the plant debris. I saw it find a decent size caterpillar. Also one Stonechat on the barbed wire fence of the marsh, plus a couple of Siberian Chiffchaff, showing incredibly well - to 4-5 foot - amongst the hedges just past the pipit location (as John says, just past the cafe). I then moved on to Inner Marsh Farm. Delighted to see female Hen Harrier, plus 6 Curlew, many Shoveler and 3 Little Egret. Plus large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover.
Adam Jones said
Sun Jan 19 6:19 PM, 2014
Denhall Lane 8.30-10.00 Buff Bellied Pipit showed very well as John said below. 1 Stonechat 20 Linnets
Burton Mere RSPB Little Stint in with the Dunlin Good numbers of Golden Plover
Parkgate 2 Hen Harriers
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Jan 19 4:37 PM, 2014
Denhall Lane 11.30-15.30 Buff Bellied pipit-showed well all day down to 10 feet at times , still present at 3.30pm café end of lane. Siberian Chiffchaff-2 up by the café Hen Harrier- 2 fem/imm , 1 seen to catch a small bird,nmost likely a starling Dunlin-c200 on the pools just off the lane with a few Knot Peregrine-2 Merlin-1 Linnet-25 Stonechat-4
Tanmay Dixit said
Sun Jan 19 1:20 PM, 2014
Buff-Bellied pipit showed well at bottom of station rd this am down to about 15 feet. Brief views only as the pipits were very flighty. Had disappeared by 11am but will surely be back.
Also on the tide wrack: meadow pipits, chaffinch, greenfinch, lots of linnets, starling, robin, dunnock, wren etc. Sparrowhawk and merlin reported. Difficult to count anything due to the number of ditches and mounds to hide in/behind and also because there was a lot of movement.
Grey heron and mistle thrush in the fields. Mute swan over.
Probable siberian chiffchaff showed well; it was very dull, and didn't have any yellow in the supercilium, but quite brownish and not much yellow visible on the elbows of the wings. So I'm not too sure!
Craig Higson said
Sat Jan 18 4:07 PM, 2014
Managed to see the bird. Great views down to 30 or so feet. Still present when I left mid afternoon.
Craig Higson said
Fri Jan 17 9:33 PM, 2014
Ta John.
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Jan 17 8:27 PM, 2014
Craig Higson wrote:
Anyone know if the Buff bellied pipit is still around. I saw it was still there yesterday but nothing today. Don't really want to waste time if its not around.
Its been reported a few times today, and most people I have spoken to there recon it will be there all winter, and if its about its pretty easy to see. :)
Craig Higson said
Fri Jan 17 8:10 PM, 2014
Anyone know if the Buff bellied pipit is still around. I saw it was still there yesterday but nothing today. Don't really want to waste time if its not around.
Austin Morley said
Mon Jan 13 3:14 PM, 2014
Two FREE Cheshire Wildlife Trust Guided Walk Events
1)Parkgate High Tide Birdwatch-A guided walk with ecologist Jeff Clarke to observe the local bird life and winter migrants. Sun 2nd Feb 10.30 Parkgate
We will concentrate on raptors, waders and wildfowl; with it being a 10.2m tide we may see a Water Rail or two and possibly some small mammals swimming for shore. In the nearby vicinity there will be many other birds to see including Skylarks, Rock Pipits, finches and possibly a few Scandinavian Thrushes. Once it reaches high tide we will walk down to the Donkey stand Flash and look for roosting waders.
2)Waders on the Dee - With Jeff Clarke. Wed 5th March 11am
Banks Road is where the marsh meets the mud and as consequence it has a great variety of waders to enjoy. Lapwings and Golden Plovers roost on the edge of the marsh, Common Redshanks fill the gutters and muddy banks, and Dunlins and Knots stitch the muddy areas along deep probing specialists like the Black Tailed Godwit. In addition the area is good for wildfowl and we may see Common Snipe flushed from cover.
BOTH EVENTS ARE TOTALLY FEE please just contact
Tel: 01948 820728
Email: tgibson@cheshirewt.org.uk
-- Edited by Austin Morley on Monday 13th of January 2014 03:22:25 PM
Mark Burgess said
Sat Jan 11 6:31 PM, 2014
Denhall Lane 9.30 - 10.15am bitterly cold biting wind. Highlights.
Stonechat 2 Wheatear Linnet Golden Plover c80
No sign of the Buff bellied Pipit, although allegedly seen earlier
Jonathan Platt said
Mon Jan 6 2:44 PM, 2014
Simon Gough wrote:
Great day at Parkgate today
Jonathan, I saw 2 Twite today with a flock of 7 Linnet, by Heswall Golf Club, which was where I spent the whole day. Feeding with Pied Wagtails, Reed Bunting Chaffinch and Skylarks. No other bugger was even looking at the small birds! Must have been 150 Skylarks too.
Didn't get a Water Rail where we were, but I saw a Snipe go up. We got 4 Short-eared Owl there, but I think there was a fifth. First time for me today seeing them, you were the guy who told me to go to the Dee to see them, so thanks mate. Very very pleased with that. I got a good look at the Great White Egret too.
Brilliant Simon! So glad you got to see them, not many have been showing in recent months.
Tanmay Dixit said
Sun Jan 5 12:15 PM, 2014
Volunteering at Parkgate yesterday over high tide. Not as high as expected but:
2+ ringtail hen harriers (probably more) 1+ peregrine 1 kestrel merlin reported short-eared owl reported Large numbers of wildfowl inclu 500+ teal 20+ skylark 20+ pied wagtail 1 grey wagtail water rail flew from marsh across the road and landed on the windowsill of a house just across the road from us, perched there for 5 min staring at its reflection in the window, and then dropped into a garden out of sight!!! Large numbers of PF geese in the distance
2 great white egret
etc.
-- Edited by Tanmay Dixit on Sunday 5th of January 2014 12:47:09 PM
Simon Gough said
Sat Jan 4 10:42 PM, 2014
Great day at Parkgate today
Jonathan, I saw 2 Twite today with a flock of 7 Linnet, by Heswall Golf Club, which was where I spent the whole day. Feeding with Pied Wagtails, Reed Bunting Chaffinch and Skylarks. No other bugger was even looking at the small birds! Must have been 150 Skylarks too.
Didn't get a Water Rail where we were, but I saw a Snipe go up. We got 4 Short-eared Owl there, but I think there was a fifth. First time for me today seeing them, you were the guy who told me to go to the Dee to see them, so thanks mate. Very very pleased with that. I got a good look at the Great White Egret too.
Jonathan Platt said
Sat Jan 4 8:01 PM, 2014
Parkgate:
We had at least three Short-eared Owls at high tide, along with five Peregrines, a Merlin, Sparrowhawk, ring-tailed Hen Harrier and Kestrel. A Great White Egret was off the car park for most of the morning, a Water Rail flew in off the marsh, and I picked up two distant drake Common Scoter on the edge of the flooded marsh, first ones I've seen from Parkgate. Six dark-bellied Brent Geese flew up the estuary towards Hilbre, presumably the birds that have been present at Oakenholt Marsh recently.
Denhall Lane:
Usual Wheatear, Stonechats and Chiffchaffs present. Apparently a Twite has been seen with the Linnet flock. Four Short-eared Owls were perched up on posts after the high tide, along with two Merlins, a ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew by. A Bar-headed Goose was with a mixed Canada/Greylag Goose flock, I was told half a dozen Barnacle Geese had been present over the high tide too.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Fri Jan 3 7:18 PM, 2014
Burton Marsh(Denhall Lane) after high tide.
Stonechat 1m 1f
Siberian Chiffchaff 1
Wheatear 1
Water Rail 1
Snipe 1
Meadow/Rock Pipits
Skylarks
Linnets
Pink-footed Geese
Kestrel 1
etc.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 3rd of January 2014 07:35:04 PM
Mike Mulholland said
Wed Jan 1 9:23 PM, 2014
Had really good views of the buff-bellied pipit on Burton Marsh early afternoon yesterday; the debate continued as to its race but I think the consensus is that it is rubescens.
David Wilson said
Tue Dec 31 8:15 PM, 2013
Parkgate and Burton marsh on a stunning, sunny last evening of 2013. Ringtail Hen harrier from old baths. Female Stonechat with Meadow pipits in tidal wrack. Flock of Linnet and Goldfinch moving around and stunning close up view of Reed Bunting. Then onto the mayhem that is Denhall lane. Cars bumper to bumper down there. No luck with Buff bellied pipit but nice view of very late Wheatear. Also a stoat scuttling over the tidal wrack with a frog in its mouth.
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Dec 29 2:51 PM, 2013
Surprising number of birds around Denhall Lane despite the hoards of people 10:00 - 12:00
Siberian Chiffchaff at very close range Wheatear Linnet Several Stonechat Hundreds of Meadow Pipits ranging from very pale to almost dark green but no Buff-bellied Pipit :(
steven burke said
Sat Dec 28 8:53 PM, 2013
9.30-4.30pm a pleasant walk from quayside to denhall lane, & almost inner marsh farm. 61 species.
buff-bellied pipit showing very well, just like john & nick says down to 20ft. 2 Siberian chiffchaffs, 1 of them actually got that close to me I could of touched it 1 wheatear 6-8 stonechats plenty of meadow pipits & linnets around 1 ring tailed hen harrier 1 merlin 1 buzzard 2 sparrowhawks 1 green woodpecker in field towards inner marsh farm also 1 raven over & 55 whooper swans, distant. hundreds of pink footed geese out on the marsh I counted 14 little egrets going to roost, so probably missed loads, but not the great white egret 1 black tailed godwit near the harp inn plus all usuals around.
nice to bump into john, nick, tony & tim
2 foxes at decca pools running & jumping around & doing a lot of barking on my way back, no signs of any owls.
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Dec 28 6:27 PM, 2013
Other birds present were several Stonechats, Linnets, Chaffinches, Meadow Pipits and a very unseasonal Northern Wheatear. Also nice to bump into Steve Burke and John Tymon down there.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 28th of December 2013 05:21:19 PM
John Tymon says Nice meeting you as well nick along with many other Mancy birders, and for anyone going to photograph the pipit, I must say its the most frustrating bird I have tried to get pictures of in a while as the Grass it is feeding in tends to be across its head or body at all times and very rarely even when 20 feet away is it possible to get clear shots, was nice trying though, but the birds of the day were definitely the Siberian Chiffchaffs that at one point flew between someone's legs to get across to the trees at the back, then back through the legs again to get back to the fence, cracking birds, as was the very showy wheatear.
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Dec 28 4:53 PM, 2013
11.00am until 1.00pm at Denhall Quay today for the American Buff-bellied Pipit. When I arrived the bird hadn't been seen for a couple of hours but with so many birders present it was only going to be a matter of time before it was re-found and sure enough an hour later someone located it. As John says, it showed itself brilliantly in good light down to 20 feet or so feeding in the tidal wrack from the surge a few weeks ago.
As a bonus, there were also two Siberian Chiffchaffs present and they gave unbelieveable views down to a metre at times. They looked to be completely unaffected by the presence of so many birders watching them and they even flew between us at odd times as they flitted to and fro across the lane.
Other birds present were several Stonechats, Linnets, Chaffinches, Meadow Pipits and a very unseasonal Northern Wheatear. Also nice to bump into Steve Burke and John Tymon down there.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 28th of December 2013 05:21:19 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Dec 28 3:41 PM, 2013
AM/PM Denhall Lane Buff Bellied Pipit showing really well down to 20 feet at times-still present at 2.30pm Siberian Chiffchaff- 2 showing down to a few feet at times Wheatear-1 very unseasonal Stonechat-5 Merlin -1 Hen Harrier -1 out on the marsh
Jonathan Platt said
Thu Dec 26 7:52 PM, 2013
The Buff-bellied Pipit put in an appearance again at Denhall Lane this afternoon, though sadly many birders had already left by the time it turned up. A Short-eared owl was perched on a fence post at the rifle range, the first one I've seen for some time on the marsh though I did have one on farmland by Shotwick village a few weeks ago. A Great White Egret could also be seen out on the marsh from the rifle range then, later (around 3.00pm), from Denhall Lane, though it was very distant. Three Chiffchaffs at Denhall Lane - two Siberian and a single collybita - and at least two pairs of Stonechats between the lane and Burton Point. Distant views of ring-tailed Hen Harrier, Peregrine and two Merlins. c40 Whooper Swans at Burton Mere, apparently the Little Stint is still around too, though I didn't see it. Two Water Rails today, one at Burton Mere, the other at Hampston's Well (between BMW and IMF on Station Road).
sid ashton said
Wed Dec 25 8:14 PM, 2013
Tanmay Dixit wrote:
According to birdguides the buff-bellied pipit is showing today. Does anyone know if that is legitimate? And if it is still showing as I'm considering going to Burton Marsh, probably tomorrow? Thanks and Merry Xmas to all
Tanmay it was seen today, I have sent you a PM.
Tanmay Dixit said
Wed Dec 25 1:12 PM, 2013
According to birdguides the buff-bellied pipit is showing today. Does anyone know if that is legitimate? And if it is still showing as I'm considering going to Burton Marsh, probably tomorrow? Thanks and Merry Xmas to all
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Dec 22 4:35 PM, 2013
No signs of the Buff Bellied Pipit from 11.30-3.30,and plenty were looking 3 Stonechat were along the fence on the lane A large group of Pink footed geese flew west, and plenty winter thrushes about.
Mark Burgess said
Sun Dec 22 3:50 PM, 2013
As Sid below close views of the Buff bellied Pipit feeding in the storm debris early morning, No sign of it after a Sparrowhawk attempted to take a Meadow Pipit around 9.30ish which resulted in all the Meadow pipits relocating around the marsh, No sign of it up till 12.00ish when I left. Also of note a Siberian Chiffchaff associating with a Common Chiffchaff in the bramble patch close to the road near the metal gates.
sid ashton said
Sun Dec 22 12:29 PM, 2013
Arrived at Burton Marsh, Station Road/Denhall Lane at 08.00 this morning, with the moon still shining. After about 45 minutes had excellent close up views of the Buff-bellied Pipit on the flattened area of the marsh adjacent to the road.
John O'Neill said
Thu Dec 19 1:16 AM, 2013
New Brighton Marine Lake
Pontoon had 2 Purple Sandpipers this AM with Redshank, Turnstones and Dunlin.
Tanmay Dixit said
Mon Dec 16 4:01 PM, 2013
Late post for yday afternoon
American Wigeon (m) showed briefly in strong winds at south of the Harp Inn/Denhall Quay. Directions on dee estuary birding. Lifer :) No sign of the siberian chiffchaff, reported earlier in the day.
Large flocks of pink-footed geese over 60+ curlew 1 greenshank
David Wilson said
Mon Dec 16 3:38 PM, 2013
Burton marsh : Denhall lane to Burton point this p.m.:
1 Northern Wheatear near rifle range. 3 pairs of Stonechat. Pied wagtails, Linnet and Meadow pipits feeding on tidal debris. Kestrel. Goldcrest next to Rspb gate. The odd Fieldfare feeding in hawthorn bushes along Denhall lane. Good sized mixed flock of Lapwing and Starling ' murmuring' over the marsh.
Lawrence Hindley said
Wed Dec 4 9:56 PM, 2013
Parkgate 14.00 - 15.00
1 Ringtail Hen Harrier Many Pink Footed Geese 20+ Little Egrets 1 Kestrel hovering within 10 feet
Nick Isherwood said
Fri Nov 29 6:33 PM, 2013
Check the pontoon on the marine lake at high tide too. They often shelter on there with loads of Redshank.
John Doherty said
Fri Nov 29 6:23 PM, 2013
Phil, thanks for reading my blog, many thanks. That walk to Pennington that day was rewarded as there was Spotted Redshank on The Spit
Regarding Purple Sandpiper, I had them in with Turnstones below that place called Bubbles, along the sea wall - it's where the two ramps are leading down to the beach. There's also a few Redshank there I forgot to post that.
Phil Barnett said
Fri Nov 29 10:17 AM, 2013
John whereabouts in New Brighton were the Purple Sandpipers?
p.s just read your blog - your 20 mile trip on foot to Pennington Flash, with equipment, sounds pretty heroic. It reminds me of that yomp the British Soliders did in the Falklands War.
John Doherty wrote:
First trip out as a birder to Wirral, came back three species richer. A hard trip entirely by train, but worth the pain!
1 Sub-adult Hen Harrier hunting lengthy periods, close at one point (lifer) 1 probable Merlin (distant falcon on a branch way out, looked like a male Merlin) 1 Kestrel, 15 Little Egrets, Curlews etc etc etc
-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 27th of November 2013 09:07:27 PM
John Doherty said
Wed Nov 27 9:05 PM, 2013
First trip out as a birder to Wirral, came back three species richer. A hard trip entirely by train, but worth the pain!
1 Sub-adult Hen Harrier hunting lengthy periods, close at one point (lifer) 1 probable Merlin (distant falcon on a branch way out, looked like a male Merlin) 1 Kestrel, 15 Little Egrets, Curlews etc etc etc
-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 27th of November 2013 09:07:27 PM
Mike Baron said
Wed Nov 27 4:48 PM, 2013
Dropped by Burton Marsh this afternoon for the last hour of daylight. Poor showing on the raptor front with just two Kestrels seen. Around 400 Lapwings were spooked by something unseen and around 60 Fieldfares flew through. Counted the egrets flying to roost over Denhall Lane, 62 were joined by a Spoonbill which kindly flew low right over me and provided some consolation.
steven burke said
Sun Nov 24 3:28 AM, 2013
a trip out with phil Kelly, first stop new brighton...
at least 8 purple sandpipers 1 Mediterranean gull a few rafts of common scoters on the sea turnstones, redshanks, curlews, oystercatchers.
parkgate...
2-3 hen harriers 2 peregrine falcons 1 merlin 1 kestrel plenty of little egrets hundreds of pink footed geese plus usuals around.
thanks again phil
Jonathan Platt said
Mon Nov 11 5:09 AM, 2013
Burton Marsh
Today - Three ring-tailed Hen Harriers (different birds), two Short-eared Owls in the evening.
Yesterday - Three Peregrines, two Merlins, rt Hen Harrier, Cetti's Warbler singing briefly by Neston Sewage Works.
David Wilson said
Mon Nov 11 1:45 AM, 2013
Spent a few hours down at New Brighton, not particularly birding, however always have bins and camera with me. Just as well. Not far from the Derby pool pub on the embankment was a single Purple sandpiper giving super close views in the sun. A first for me. :)
steven burke said
Sun Nov 10 5:44 AM, 2013
spent the day at parkgate mainly for the great white egret, but no joy, it was seen by another observer. 50 species seen. plenty of little egrets moving around. 2-3 ringtail hen harriers 1 merlin 1 peregrine falcon 4 kestrels 2 sparrowhawks on the donkey stand flash... 1 greenshank amongst the redshanks, black tailed godwits & lapwings. 9 snipe 1 pintail several teal lots of pink footed geese, curlews, meadow pipits & skylarks flying around. plus all usuals around.
Mark Burgess said
Fri Oct 25 9:26 PM, 2013
Wallasey Coastal path 9.45 - 10.45am
Trip over to Wallasey to see if I could locate the Snow Bunting which has been reported recently. It didn't disappoint, 600m west of the Derby Pool Harvester Pub on the coastal path, Extremely tame confiding 1st winter bird with views down to 1 metre Also Large mixed flock of Linnet and Goldfinch
steven burke said
Mon Oct 21 4:20 AM, 2013
11-4pm walk from leasowe lighthouse to Wallasey golf course.
the snow bunting was showing fantastically well at close range just before the harvester pub, despite all the walkers & dogs passing by, just like david, down to just a few feet posing nicely for pics also a variety off waders on the rocks at high tide... oystercatchers lapwings redshanks dunlins ringed plovers turnstones curlews 1 knot 1 grey plover several meadow pipits & skylarks around 100+ linnets in horse paddocks past lighthouse 1 kestrel 1 buzzard 1 goldcrest with tit flock. 2 great crested grebes
David Wilson said
Sun Oct 20 2:59 AM, 2013
Super close views of Wheatear and Snow Bunting at Wallasey shore around the Harvester pub. Snow bunting down to just a few feet.!
Mark Burgess said
Sat Oct 19 9:43 PM, 2013
Trip over to kings Gap Hoylake for a good sized high tide. 11.00 till 1.00pm
Curlew Sandpiper 2 Grey Plover c50, some still in stunning summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit c50 Knot c80 Dunlin c800 Sanderling c300 Oystercatcher c350 Ringed plover 200
Lesser numbers of Curlew Shelduck
Phil Panton said
Mon Sep 23 6:33 AM, 2013
Agree with regards to the dog walker, & had to laugh when a gentleman walked up to me (pre the SP Sandpiper being spotted) & asked why we were all there watching. When i explained that it was a high tide, he said that he'd been wondering whether we were all waiting for a special bird to arrive !
Half an hour later, the SPS was picked up.
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Sep 23 4:10 AM, 2013
Simon Gough wrote:
Hi
This is my first post on the forum, be gentle!
I was at Hoylake yesterday and saw the semipalmated sandpiper through some very kind gents' scopes, John T below and Jonathan Platt. The dog-walking woman knew what she was doing in my view...
My first taste of a big pack of birders and it was great to meet some guys with loads of experience, people really helped me out as I am new to the pastime. So I saw in addition to the below posts: Peregrine Juvenile hunting: swooped in and took a Dunlin in front of everyone. Spectacular! 60-70 Ringed Plover 2 Common Tern
Also a Caspian Gull was identified, another visitor to UK I believe?
Normally I am around the Mersey through Heaton Mersey and Didsbury so that will be mostly where I post for I guess
Nice to meet you Simon, Glad you found us as we were getting the best views from that side of the prom while the others were looking into the light, Glad to be of help -Keep posting :)
Simon Gough said
Mon Sep 23 3:08 AM, 2013
Hi
This is my first post on the forum, be gentle!
I was at Hoylake yesterday and saw the semipalmated sandpiper through some very kind gents' scopes, John T below and Jonathan Platt. The dog-walking woman knew what she was doing in my view...
My first taste of a big pack of birders and it was great to meet some guys with loads of experience, people really helped me out as I am new to the pastime. So I saw in addition to the below posts: Peregrine Juvenile hunting: swooped in and took a Dunlin in front of everyone. Spectacular! 60-70 Ringed Plover 2 Common Tern
Also a Caspian Gull was identified, another visitor to UK I believe?
Normally I am around the Mersey through Heaton Mersey and Didsbury so that will be mostly where I post for I guess
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Sep 21 6:38 PM, 2013
Red Rocks and Kings Gap Hoylake As Marks post below plus Curlew Sandpiper -at least 4 flew past me at red rocks and 2 on the shore at Hoylake, could have been the same birds. plenty common scoter off shore by the wind turbines. was lucky to be present just as the Semipalmated Sandpiper was found, and watched it for over an hour, lucky I bothered to take my little Nikon Scope :) Although I would have to Admit, it was too far for my scope for me to get the ID correct if I had been on my own. It was obviously larger than a little sting but much smaller than a Dunlin I did my best to get a few shots, but they are pretty useless at the distance it was at, but some with big scopes were dig scoping, so someone should have a good shot as at times it was walking about in the Dunlin flock feeding. It was a shame when it was closest a dog walker walked passed the flock with 2 big dogs and put them all up,which ended up with them landing 200 yards further out, she was totally oblivious to the gathering throng of birders, and just smiled as she walked past.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 21st of September 2013 06:59:32 PM
Mark Burgess said
Sat Sep 21 3:31 PM, 2013
Trip over to Hoylake for a good sized high tide.
Undouted star bird Semipalmated Sandpiper just after high tide in with a mixed flock of Dunlin and Sanderling.
Also good numbers of Dunlin Sanderling Oystercatcher Bar-tailed Godwit Swallow
Lesser numbers of Curlew Knot
Vernon, you missed it by 15 mins
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 21st of September 2013 04:02:41 PM
As otheres have said, the Buff-bellied Pipit showing very well. It's constantly on the go, feeding with a group of 20 or so Meadow Pipit's among the plant debris. I saw it find a decent size caterpillar.
Also one Stonechat on the barbed wire fence of the marsh, plus a couple of Siberian Chiffchaff, showing incredibly well - to 4-5 foot - amongst the hedges just past the pipit location (as John says, just past the cafe).
I then moved on to Inner Marsh Farm. Delighted to see female Hen Harrier, plus 6 Curlew, many Shoveler and 3 Little Egret. Plus large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover.
Buff Bellied Pipit showed very well as John said below.
1 Stonechat
20 Linnets
Burton Mere RSPB
Little Stint in with the Dunlin
Good numbers of Golden Plover
Parkgate
2 Hen Harriers
Buff Bellied pipit-showed well all day down to 10 feet at times , still present at 3.30pm café end of lane.
Siberian Chiffchaff-2 up by the café
Hen Harrier- 2 fem/imm , 1 seen to catch a small bird,nmost likely a starling
Dunlin-c200 on the pools just off the lane with a few Knot
Peregrine-2
Merlin-1
Linnet-25
Stonechat-4
Also on the tide wrack: meadow pipits, chaffinch, greenfinch, lots of linnets, starling, robin, dunnock, wren etc. Sparrowhawk and merlin reported. Difficult to count anything due to the number of ditches and mounds to hide in/behind and also because there was a lot of movement.
Grey heron and mistle thrush in the fields. Mute swan over.
Probable siberian chiffchaff showed well; it was very dull, and didn't have any yellow in the supercilium, but quite brownish and not much yellow visible on the elbows of the wings. So I'm not too sure!
Its been reported a few times today, and most people I have spoken to there recon it will be there all winter, and if its about its pretty easy to see. :)
1)Parkgate High Tide Birdwatch-A guided walk with ecologist Jeff Clarke to observe the local bird life and winter migrants. Sun 2nd Feb 10.30 Parkgate
We will concentrate on raptors, waders and wildfowl; with it being a 10.2m tide we may see a Water Rail or two and possibly some small mammals swimming for shore. In the nearby vicinity there will be many other birds to see including Skylarks, Rock Pipits, finches and possibly a few Scandinavian Thrushes. Once it reaches high tide we will walk down to the Donkey stand Flash and look for roosting waders.
2)Waders on the Dee - With Jeff Clarke. Wed 5th March 11am
Banks Road is where the marsh meets the mud and as consequence it has a great variety of waders to enjoy.
Lapwings and Golden Plovers roost on the edge of the marsh, Common Redshanks fill the gutters and muddy
banks, and Dunlins and Knots stitch the muddy areas along deep probing specialists like the Black Tailed Godwit.
In addition the area is good for wildfowl and we may see Common Snipe flushed from cover.
BOTH EVENTS ARE TOTALLY FEE please just contact
Tel: 01948 820728
Email: tgibson@cheshirewt.org.uk
-- Edited by Austin Morley on Monday 13th of January 2014 03:22:25 PM
Stonechat 2
Wheatear
Linnet
Golden Plover c80
No sign of the Buff bellied Pipit, although allegedly seen earlier
Brilliant Simon! So glad you got to see them, not many have been showing in recent months.
2+ ringtail hen harriers (probably more)
1+ peregrine
1 kestrel
merlin reported
short-eared owl reported
Large numbers of wildfowl inclu 500+ teal
20+ skylark
20+ pied wagtail
1 grey wagtail
water rail flew from marsh across the road and landed on the windowsill of a house just across the road from us, perched there for 5 min staring at its reflection in the window, and then dropped into a garden out of sight!!!
Large numbers of PF geese in the distance
2 great white egret etc.
-- Edited by Tanmay Dixit on Sunday 5th of January 2014 12:47:09 PM
Jonathan, I saw 2 Twite today with a flock of 7 Linnet, by Heswall Golf Club, which was where I spent the whole day. Feeding with Pied Wagtails, Reed Bunting Chaffinch and Skylarks. No other bugger was even looking at the small birds! Must have been 150 Skylarks too.
Didn't get a Water Rail where we were, but I saw a Snipe go up. We got 4 Short-eared Owl there, but I think there was a fifth. First time for me today seeing them, you were the guy who told me to go to the Dee to see them, so thanks mate. Very very pleased with that. I got a good look at the Great White Egret too.
Parkgate:
We had at least three Short-eared Owls at high tide, along with five Peregrines, a Merlin, Sparrowhawk, ring-tailed Hen Harrier and Kestrel. A Great White Egret was off the car park for most of the morning, a Water Rail flew in off the marsh, and I picked up two distant drake Common Scoter on the edge of the flooded marsh, first ones I've seen from Parkgate. Six dark-bellied Brent Geese flew up the estuary towards Hilbre, presumably the birds that have been present at Oakenholt Marsh recently.
Denhall Lane:
Usual Wheatear, Stonechats and Chiffchaffs present. Apparently a Twite has been seen with the Linnet flock. Four Short-eared Owls were perched up on posts after the high tide, along with two Merlins, a ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew by. A Bar-headed Goose was with a mixed Canada/Greylag Goose flock, I was told half a dozen Barnacle Geese had been present over the high tide too.
Burton Marsh(Denhall Lane) after high tide.
Stonechat 1m 1f
Siberian Chiffchaff 1
Wheatear 1
Water Rail 1
Snipe 1
Meadow/Rock Pipits
Skylarks
Linnets
Pink-footed Geese
Kestrel 1
etc.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 3rd of January 2014 07:35:04 PM
Had really good views of the buff-bellied pipit on Burton Marsh early afternoon yesterday; the debate continued as to its race but I think the consensus is that it is rubescens.
Siberian Chiffchaff at very close range
Wheatear
Linnet
Several Stonechat
Hundreds of Meadow Pipits ranging from very pale to almost dark green but no Buff-bellied Pipit :(
buff-bellied pipit showing very well, just like john & nick says down to 20ft.
2 Siberian chiffchaffs, 1 of them actually got that close to me I could of touched it
1 wheatear
6-8 stonechats
plenty of meadow pipits & linnets around
1 ring tailed hen harrier
1 merlin
1 buzzard
2 sparrowhawks
1 green woodpecker in field towards inner marsh farm also 1 raven over & 55 whooper swans, distant.
hundreds of pink footed geese out on the marsh
I counted 14 little egrets going to roost, so probably missed loads, but not the great white egret
1 black tailed godwit near the harp inn
plus all usuals around.
nice to bump into john, nick, tony & tim
2 foxes at decca pools running & jumping around & doing a lot of barking on my way back, no signs of any owls.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 28th of December 2013 05:21:19 PM
John Tymon says
Nice meeting you as well nick along with many other Mancy birders, and for anyone going to photograph the pipit, I must say its the most frustrating bird I have tried to get pictures of in a while as the Grass it is feeding in tends to be across its head or body at all times and very rarely even when 20 feet away is it possible to get clear shots, was nice trying though, but the birds of the day were definitely the Siberian Chiffchaffs that at one point flew between someone's legs to get across to the trees at the back, then back through the legs again to get back to the fence, cracking birds, as was the very showy wheatear.
As a bonus, there were also two Siberian Chiffchaffs present and they gave unbelieveable views down to a metre at times. They looked to be completely unaffected by the presence of so many birders watching them and they even flew between us at odd times as they flitted to and fro across the lane.
Other birds present were several Stonechats, Linnets, Chaffinches, Meadow Pipits and a very unseasonal Northern Wheatear. Also nice to bump into Steve Burke and John Tymon down there.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 28th of December 2013 05:21:19 PM
Denhall Lane
Buff Bellied Pipit showing really well down to 20 feet at times-still present at 2.30pm
Siberian Chiffchaff- 2 showing down to a few feet at times
Wheatear-1 very unseasonal
Stonechat-5
Merlin -1
Hen Harrier -1 out on the marsh
Thanks and Merry Xmas to all
3 Stonechat were along the fence on the lane
A large group of Pink footed geese flew west, and plenty winter thrushes about.
No sign of it after a Sparrowhawk attempted to take a Meadow Pipit around 9.30ish which resulted in all the Meadow pipits relocating around the marsh, No sign of it up till 12.00ish when I left.
Also of note a Siberian Chiffchaff associating with a Common Chiffchaff in the bramble patch close to the road near the metal gates.
Pontoon had 2 Purple Sandpipers this AM with Redshank, Turnstones and Dunlin.
American Wigeon (m) showed briefly in strong winds at south of the Harp Inn/Denhall Quay. Directions on dee estuary birding. Lifer :)
No sign of the siberian chiffchaff, reported earlier in the day.
Large flocks of pink-footed geese over
60+ curlew
1 greenshank
1 Ringtail Hen Harrier
Many Pink Footed Geese
20+ Little Egrets
1 Kestrel hovering within 10 feet
Regarding Purple Sandpiper, I had them in with Turnstones below that place called Bubbles, along the sea wall - it's where the two ramps are leading down to the beach. There's also a few Redshank there I forgot to post that.
p.s just read your blog - your 20 mile trip on foot to Pennington Flash, with equipment, sounds pretty heroic.
It reminds me of that yomp the British Soliders did in the Falklands War.
First stop New Brighton:
6 Purple Sandpipers (lifer) 6 Turnstone (lifer) + 40 Oystercatchers, odd Dunlin etc
Then to Parkgate
1 Sub-adult Hen Harrier hunting lengthy periods, close at one point (lifer) 1 probable Merlin (distant falcon on a branch way out, looked like a male Merlin) 1 Kestrel, 15 Little Egrets, Curlews etc etc etc
-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 27th of November 2013 09:07:27 PM
at least 8 purple sandpipers
1 Mediterranean gull
a few rafts of common scoters on the sea
turnstones, redshanks, curlews, oystercatchers.
parkgate...
2-3 hen harriers
2 peregrine falcons
1 merlin
1 kestrel
plenty of little egrets
hundreds of pink footed geese
plus usuals around.
thanks again phil
Today - Three ring-tailed Hen Harriers (different birds), two Short-eared Owls in the evening.
Yesterday - Three Peregrines, two Merlins, rt Hen Harrier, Cetti's Warbler singing briefly by Neston Sewage Works.
plenty of little egrets moving around.
2-3 ringtail hen harriers
1 merlin
1 peregrine falcon
4 kestrels
2 sparrowhawks
on the donkey stand flash...
1 greenshank amongst the redshanks, black tailed godwits & lapwings.
9 snipe
1 pintail
several teal
lots of pink footed geese, curlews, meadow pipits & skylarks flying around.
plus all usuals around.
Trip over to Wallasey to see if I could locate the Snow Bunting which has been reported recently. It didn't disappoint, 600m west of the Derby Pool Harvester Pub on the coastal path, Extremely tame confiding 1st winter bird with views down to 1 metre
Also
Large mixed flock of Linnet and Goldfinch
the snow bunting was showing fantastically well at close range just before the harvester pub, despite all the walkers & dogs passing by, just like david, down to just a few feet posing nicely for pics
also a variety off waders on the rocks at high tide...
oystercatchers
lapwings
redshanks
dunlins
ringed plovers
turnstones
curlews
1 knot
1 grey plover
several meadow pipits & skylarks around
100+ linnets in horse paddocks past lighthouse
1 kestrel
1 buzzard
1 goldcrest with tit flock.
2 great crested grebes
Curlew Sandpiper 2
Grey Plover c50, some still in stunning summer plumage
Bar-tailed Godwit c50
Knot c80
Dunlin c800
Sanderling c300
Oystercatcher c350
Ringed plover 200
Lesser numbers of
Curlew
Shelduck
When i explained that it was a high tide, he said that he'd been wondering whether we were all waiting for a special bird to arrive !
Half an hour later, the SPS was picked up.
Nice to meet you Simon, Glad you found us as we were getting the best views from that side of the prom while the others were looking into the light, Glad to be of help -Keep posting :)
This is my first post on the forum, be gentle!
I was at Hoylake yesterday and saw the semipalmated sandpiper through some very kind gents' scopes, John T below and Jonathan Platt. The dog-walking woman knew what she was doing in my view...
My first taste of a big pack of birders and it was great to meet some guys with loads of experience, people really helped me out as I am new to the pastime. So I saw in addition to the below posts:
Peregrine Juvenile hunting: swooped in and took a Dunlin in front of everyone. Spectacular!
60-70 Ringed Plover
2 Common Tern
Also a Caspian Gull was identified, another visitor to UK I believe?
Normally I am around the Mersey through Heaton Mersey and Didsbury so that will be mostly where I post for I guess
As Marks post below plus
Curlew Sandpiper -at least 4 flew past me at red rocks and 2 on the shore at Hoylake, could have been the same birds.
plenty common scoter off shore by the wind turbines.
was lucky to be present just as the Semipalmated Sandpiper was found, and watched it for over an hour, lucky I bothered to take my little Nikon Scope :) Although I would have to Admit, it was too far for my scope for me to get the ID correct if I had been on my own. It was obviously larger than a little sting but much smaller than a Dunlin I did my best to get a few shots, but they are pretty useless at the distance it was at, but some with big scopes were dig scoping, so someone should have a good shot as at times it was walking about in the Dunlin flock feeding. It was a shame when it was closest a dog walker walked passed the flock with 2 big dogs and put them all up,which ended up with them landing 200 yards further out, she was totally oblivious to the gathering throng of birders, and just smiled as she walked past.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 21st of September 2013 06:59:32 PM
Undouted star bird Semipalmated Sandpiper just after high tide in with a mixed flock of Dunlin and Sanderling.
Also good numbers of
Dunlin
Sanderling
Oystercatcher
Bar-tailed Godwit
Swallow
Lesser numbers of
Curlew
Knot
Vernon, you missed it by 15 mins
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 21st of September 2013 04:02:41 PM