I'd guess your Petrels would be Stormies at this time of year.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 23 2:13 AM, 2012
Originally posted by Patrick Earith today:
Stunning, up close views of the Little Swift off the promendade by Pier House. No need for bins really! I'm sure everyone got better shots than me (and less House Martin ones too...)
Pure luck I was nearby, having decided to do a spot of seawatching at Leasowe gunsite early afternoon. Nothing identified with 100% certainty (apart from GC Grebe and usual gulls), but, saw 3 definite petrel sp. and 2 shearwater sp.
Cheers
Pat
Henry Cook said
Sat Jun 23 1:49 AM, 2012
22/06/2012 - A final hurrah for the spring in the form of a wonderful LITTLE SWIFT at New Brighton, round the corner from the floral pavillion this afternoon. At times it flew within a foot of those assembled as it scythed through the air with Common Swifts and House Martins; an incredible experience and lots of smiles all round.
paul brady said
Mon Jun 18 11:49 PM, 2012
National Insect Week next week so to celebrate we're having a few events at Burton Mere Wetlands.
www.rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands
Saturday 23rd June we'll have a few moths on display in the morning Sunday 24th June we'll be taking a guided walk around looking for winged inverts Sunday 1st July we'll be taking a walk around looking for bees and other pollinators
The last two events need booking so phone 0151 353 8478 to reserve a place
In bird news we have had a green sandpiper, med gull and hobby this morning (just seen it again)
paul brady said
Mon Jun 18 8:51 PM, 2012
Hi Rory. I've sent you a PM.
If anybody else wants further info please feel free to contact me directly at paul.brady@rspb.org.uk
Rory Newton said
Sat Jun 16 5:49 AM, 2012
Hi Paul,
I've sent you a PM, Because the Link doesn't work, Sorry.
Thanks, Rory
paul brady said
Thu Jun 14 9:18 PM, 2012
Anybody fancy doing an internship at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands?
Its a fantastic opportunity to get experience of working for the RSPB in amazing surroundings.
Please contact me at via the above link if you are interested.
Please feel free to circulate around other interested parties.
paul brady said
Thu Jun 7 10:22 PM, 2012
Fairly quiet over here at Burton Mere Wetlands but spotted flycatcher reported in same places as last year ....
One pair of common tern nesting on the new scrape with a few more black-headed gulls nesting now that the avocets have nearly finished.
Graham Smith said
Sun May 27 4:55 PM, 2012
New Brighton
Plenty of Common Terns Oystercatchers Swallows House martins
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 27th of May 2012 05:37:08 PM
David Wilson said
Sat May 12 9:05 PM, 2012
Burton marsh at dawn from Denhall lane to Burton point : 2 Grasshopper warbler. 9 Wheatear at Burton point. 1 Stonechat male. 2 Reed warbler. 2 Meadow pipit. 1 Kestrel. Also numerous Reed bunting, Sedge warbler, Whitethroat, Little egret + Swallow.
Doc Brewster said
Tue May 8 4:19 PM, 2012
Pete Welch wrote:
Temminick's Stint showed really well at Parkgate this evening and the size was striking when a Pied Wagtail went past - the Wagtail looked bigger!
Thanks also to Doc Brewster who helped put people onto the stint and let my daughter have a look through his scope - she was much more enthusiastic when she'd seen the stint at 40x magnification!
Thanks for the kind comments Pete, nice to meet so many enthusiastic birders (inc you & your daughter!!) to see a beautifully plumaged cracking little bird. LRP also present at Donkey Stand plus 2 Wheatears too. An all too short visit meaning that I didn't get to treat myself to fish n chips or an ice cream!!!
David Wilson said
Mon May 7 4:57 AM, 2012
Burton marsh -Denhall lane at dusk :
1 Short-eared owl near decca pools. flew briefly overhead, then over trees towards ness gardens.
2 Grasshopper warbler .
3 Sedge warbler.
1 Whitethroat. all very vocal at 9.pm. also 5 Little egret heading to roost at Burton mere.
Pete Welch said
Mon May 7 2:27 AM, 2012
Temminick's Stint showed really well at Parkgate this evening and the size was striking when a Pied Wagtail went past - the Wagtail looked bigger!
Thanks also to Doc Brewster who helped put people onto the stint and let my daughter have a look through his scope - she was much more enthusiastic when she'd seen the stint at 40x magnification!
sid ashton said
Sun May 6 4:49 AM, 2012
Yes Mike, a similar thing happened to the Great white Egret at Burton Mere Wetlands yesterday only it was Swallows and Lapwings giving it grief there as it was just sitting minding its own business
Mike Baron said
Sat May 5 9:54 PM, 2012
Some interesting behaviour this morning at Parkgate. The Great White Egret (GWE) flew in to Boathouse Flash area, disappeared for a while and then reappeared near the Black-headed Gull (BHG) colony. Immediatle the gulls began mobbing the egret which responded by stretching its neck upwards and stabbing up at mobbing birds. It then went and stood next to the nearby Spoonbill which had up to now been completely ignored by the gulls despite being asleep in their midst. The Spoonbill started to get mobbed and looked a bit ruffled, however when it moved away from the GWE, the gulls ignored it again. The GWE eventually took the hint and moved away.
20 minutes later the GWE came back for seconds and the gulls responded accordingly. This time the egret moved next to an adult Grey Heron which had also been previously ignored and was now on the receiving end. The heron seemed to realise the egret was the source of the problem and drove it off - the mobbing stopped instantly.
I never at any time go an impression tha the egret was targetting the gull colony and am intrigued as to why the response to the egret and not the heron?
David Wilson said
Fri May 4 9:27 PM, 2012
Leasowe this morning to noon.:
5 Wheatear 2 Redpoll 1 Grasshopper warbler 1 Whimbrel (on groyne) 1 Ringed plover plenty Sandwich tern showing off diving for fish 3 Dunlin 1 Grey partridge (side of duck pond!) surprise find. good numbers of Skylark, Reed warbler, Sedge warbler and Whitethroat. Cracking little reserve and would have liked to have been here on Wednesday.!
-- Edited by David Wilson on Friday 4th of May 2012 10:39:35 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Apr 30 7:31 PM, 2012
Leasowe this morning:
69 Wheatear, mainly in the horse paddocks west of the lighthouse but also good numbers in the coastal field by the car park.
Lesser Whitethroat by the lighthouse.
3 male Whinchat in the horse paddocks, with a male Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail and a Short-eared Owl which flew through, alighting very briefly on the ground.
Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler in the reeds with a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.
Pete Welch said
Sat Apr 28 6:09 PM, 2012
Really good family visit to Burton Mere this afternoon - mainly as my better half wanted to see the Bluebells in the woods along the entrance road - which were well in flower! Quick visit to reserve proper saw lots of interesting birds highlights being:
Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows literally feet away as they hunted over the deck in front of reception Great Spotted Woodpeckers x2 on the feeders Yellow Wagtails x2 White Wagtail x1 Avocet x20 Black Tailed Godwit flock Spotted Redshank in nearly full summer plumage x7
and it was also good to listen to the herons and egrets in the heronry which were making fantastic noises - even if they were difficult to see!
-- Edited by Pete Welch on Saturday 28th of April 2012 06:14:46 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 28th of April 2012 06:35:32 PM
paul brady said
Tue Apr 24 9:48 PM, 2012
Great morning at Burton Mere Wetlands this morning as 2 whimbrel were present on the reserve (1 still is) also, tree sparrow, yellow wagtail, hen harrier, ruff (x15) and spotted redshank (x8)
chrisdorney said
Mon Apr 23 3:50 AM, 2012
Early start at parkgate and the spoonbill was showing really well at the 'New' flash opposite the picnic tables(not sure if this is donkey stand flash).there from 7.30 to 8.00 preening/roosting then worked its way down the marsh towards the old baths car park.also feeding close by were 8 white wagtail and a pair of pied wagtail.leasowe was a bit if a washout(for me at least)but skylark meadow pipit and linnet present.nipped Burton mere on the way back and there were 5 male ruff with one in particular in advanced breeding )plumage(though no 'ruff' on show).also 5 spotted redshank present with one bird looking to be in full breeding plumage.good numbers of avocet and black tailed godwit also.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 14 2:35 AM, 2012
Spoonbill still showing well and very conspicuously on the Donkey Stand Flash early afternoon today.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 13 11:52 PM, 2012
Leasowe this morning:
3 probably 4 Tree Pipits, showing really well in the first horse paddock with good numbers of Meadow Pipit. Single White Wagtail 8 Wheatear 3 Blackcap (one giving superb snatches of Sedge Warbler song!) Good flock of Linnets with apparently still 2 Twite amongst them but they were too flightly for us today.
* This fantastic area is now under serious threat from development due to the windfarm project and plans are underway to fill in many of the ponds and remove much of the valuable trees and scrub from the area which will then be built on. More information will be posted here as and when we have it but until then please be aware that you assistance may be called upon
sid ashton said
Wed Apr 11 4:44 AM, 2012
Once the showers stopped quite a pleasant afternoon on the Wirral. At Parkgate the long staying Spoonbill was present as well as a ring-tail Hen Harrier but none of yesterday's reported Short-eared Owls were to be seen. A similar story at Burton Marsh with the lack of Owls. Then to Burton Mere Wetlands reserve - by which time the sun was setting making viewing tricky looking west (as might be expected ) but was able to pick up 6 Avocets, a mixed flock of Swallows, Sand Martins and my first House Martins of the year.
David Wilson said
Sat Apr 7 4:03 AM, 2012
A quick tour of Rivacre country park this afternon.: pair of Grey wagtail on brook. 2 Great spotted woodpecker drumming very loudly at the very top of dead trees. Nuthatch. Treecreeper. Chiffchaff. Jay. Carrion crow acting very agitated low in a tree, not moving even when i got quite close. Couldnt find any reason for this. Plus all the usuals. Lastly, and most surprisingly was a weasel running along the brook bank. A first sighting for me, and certainly didnt expect to see one here.!
Henry Cook said
Fri Mar 30 3:41 AM, 2012
29/03/2012 - A quick scan this evening at Parkgate produced good views of the long-staying Spoonbill and a close-in ringtail Hen Harrier.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Mar 26 4:31 AM, 2012
Hi Alan Good to meet you - I was in the hide at IMF looking for the Spot Reds
Had an excellent day myself up T'Wirral. Met up with Goostrey birder, Sheila, and at Leasowe we managed to get excellent views (eventually) of at least 3 Twite in the horse paddocks with the Linnet flock. We also had 2 Common Lizards on the bank at the seaward side of the paddocks - shows how warm it was today!!
Together we then had stunning views of the male Ring Ouzel at Red Rocks, got some nice photos too as it fed in the sun on ivy berries. Then a nip down to IMF where we had 4 Spotted Redshanks & 3 Ruff along with 30+Black-tailed Godwits and a couple of Pintail. From the top path a flock of 10+Avocets could be scoped over on the Burton Mere Wetlands side of the reserve.
Alan Turner said
Mon Mar 26 3:00 AM, 2012
Good day birding, 2 Ring Ouzel - 1 as reported at Red Rocks and we found another Denall/ Burton Lane.
David Wilson said
Sun Mar 25 11:45 PM, 2012
Leasowe lighthouse at lunchtime:
Turnstone,
Oystercatcher,
Curlew,
Kestrel,
Sparrowhawk,
Meadow pipit,
Skylark,
pair Stonechat on scrub near golf course.
David Wilson said
Mon Mar 19 12:10 AM, 2012
Burton Marsh from Denhall lane to decca pools. : 3 Wheatear...pair in trees near decca pools...1 male on barbed wire near fishery entrance...several Little egret plus the usual suspects.
sid ashton said
Mon Mar 12 12:12 AM, 2012
Bit of a Wirral Wander today starting at Burton Marsh - short stop while waiting for Inner Marsh Farm gates to open, going on to Red Rocks and finishing at New Brighton. Deliberately missing out on a visit to Parkgate - seems that about 1000 people were at the Old Baths yesterday for the RSPB high tide event despite the forecast unfavourable weather conditions
Burton Marsh of note:- Stonecahat (pr), Pink-footed Geese (lots but distant), several Little Egrets.
Inner Marsh:- Knot (15), Spotted Redshank (4), Greenshank (1), Common Gull (8) plus several Teal, Gadwall, Pintail and Black-tailed Godwit (one or two coming into summer plummage).
Red Rocks:- no sign of the reported Black Redstart but on the water around Little Eye 25 -30 Brent Geese.
New Brighton:- on the marine lake pontoon a full deck comprising Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling (2) and Purple Sandpiper (10 counted, there may have been more in the mass of birds).
JasonAtkinson said
Sun Mar 11 9:52 PM, 2012
After a lovely Sunday roast in The Boathouse had a stroll down the parade. Lots of birders but not much reported. Spoonbill showed throughout and plenty of Little Egrets, which pleased mother!
Cheers Jason
-- Edited by JasonAtkinson on Sunday 11th of March 2012 09:53:06 PM
David Wilson said
Sun Mar 11 5:27 PM, 2012
Burton marsh 4pm. : Hen harrier (ringtail). Short eared owl . 6 Little egret .
-- Edited by David Wilson on Sunday 11th of March 2012 09:36:08 PM
Rory Newton said
Sun Mar 11 5:35 AM, 2012
went for 10m tide at Parkgate with joey today, there was one Merlin lingering around the waters edge and a peregrine went over which was later seen further down by the wind turbines. lots of skylarks and meadow pipits, also two hen harriers (ringtail) one of which was probably the same one we saw at Burton mere earlier. the spoonbill was showing well from the roadside and the usual stuff.
steven burke said
Sun Mar 11 4:45 AM, 2012
i also went for the high tide today,was there with phil kelly from 8-2.30pm.
raptors throughout the day seen on several occasions...
hen harrier (ring tailed) peregrine falcon merlin kestrel no short eared owls.
good views off the spoonbill first at the donkey stand flash,then again later near the car park. as joeys post, 2 ravens being mobbed by 2 crows. 1 red breasted merganser at the donkey stand flash. plus oystercatchers, lapwings, snipe, black tailed godwits, redshanks. lots off little egrets around lots off skylarks & meadow pipits plus all the usual stuff around.
good day
joey, we probably seen each other at some point
Joey Eccles said
Sat Mar 10 4:19 PM, 2012
Went for the 10m+ high tide today which peaked around 12.30
It seems like it was much the same as yesterday with the high tide preventing the full advancement of the tide. The sightings included:
2, though possibly 4 hen harriers (all ringtail) At least 1 merlin that was favouring a branch fairly far out onto the marsh that stuck out at a 45 degree angle A peregrine flew over and then another was seen harassing waders in front of the wind turbines, though this could have been the same bird. A short eared owl was briefly seen by another birder The spoonbill showed well from the one of the roadside pools And 2 Raven were being mobbed by 2 Carrion Crow
Although it was disappointing that the tide didn't overwhelm the marsh, it was still a good day
-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Saturday 10th of March 2012 07:55:59 PM
Martyn Jones said
Sat Mar 10 3:46 AM, 2012
Yeah, I was a bit disappointed with the 9.9m high tide at Parkgate today - I didn't see any more than what I usually see here (as listed in the last but one post without the Merlin) and I thought the water would come a lot closer. Apparently high pressure suppresses the tide and it looks set to be the same for the weekend. However, tomorrow's high tide is 10m and so the 'show' may be a little better.
The highlight for me was the Spoonbill which flew very close for a few seconds before disappearing into the marsh again.
sid ashton said
Sat Mar 10 2:25 AM, 2012
Tony Coatsworth wrote:
Sunny but a cold wind at Parkgate today.
The expected high tide wasn't as spectacular as previous years ....
Likely to be the same tomorrow and Sunday with the forecast high atmospheric pressure and low wind speeds.
Tony Coatsworth said
Fri Mar 9 11:45 PM, 2012
Sunny but a cold wind at Parkgate today.
The expected high tide wasn't as spectacular as previous years and bird numbers seemed to be down.
A quick circuit of Rivacre woods this afternoon produced: Pair Grey wagtails 3 Buzzards Great spotted woodpecker Nuthatch Treecreeper 4 Goldcrest Song thrush 17 species
Brian Baird said
Sun Mar 4 4:42 AM, 2012
A couple of hours spent in glorious sunshine on Hilbre this morning, before the crowds arrived, to see the Brent Geese. Also present were Purple Sandpiper,Turnstone,Oystercatcher,Knot,Curlew and Redshank.
Louise Aspden said
Tue Feb 28 7:59 PM, 2012
Great day out on the Wirral today, went to visit and friend over there and ended up spending the at Burton Wetlands, Parkgate and Hoylake.
Saw the Great White Egret at Burton, quite a number of little egrets too, loads of mostly unidentified waders at Hoylake, I need to go there when the tide is a lot further in, even though I went at high tide. Certainly a great area to go birding.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 28th of February 2012 09:28:54 PM
David Wilson said
Sun Feb 26 5:58 AM, 2012
A nice afternoon walk around Rivacre country park this afternoon in spring like conditions. Pair of Grey wagtails on brook Nuthatch Treecreeper Long tailed, Great and Blue tits G.S. woodpecker Goldfinch and Greenfinch Jay Grey heron over pond which contained masses of frog spawn and about a dozen frogs making more while i watched.!
John Doherty said
Wed Feb 22 8:38 AM, 2012
Chris Greene wrote:
All followed by the best fish and chips on the wirral,and an Irn Bru flavoured
Cheers Chris
Ah, gotta love the Wirral! It's so quaint in a good way and great birds!
-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 08:40:36 AM
Rob Thorpe said
Wed Feb 22 2:39 AM, 2012
Chris Greene wrote:
...and an Irn Bru flavoured ice cream
That sounds like the best icecream EVER!
Chris Greene said
Wed Feb 22 2:06 AM, 2012
A few hours well spent at Parkgate this afternoon,highlights..... Great white egret showing well, 2 spoonbills feeding in pools, several hundred pinkfoot geese, dozen + little egrets, Curlews,oystercatchers and redshank, Flock of about 10 birds,which I am about 95% certain were twite, 1 ring-tail hen harrier, All followed by the best fish and chips on the wirral,and an Irn Bru flavoured ice cream
Cheers Chris
David Wilson said
Mon Feb 20 12:17 AM, 2012
Parkgate:
Had a quick look at old baths this afternoon. Spoonbill giving great views feeding in the pool, and the Great white egret further out on the marsh. Both a first me.! Also redwings, song thrush, linnets and green finch in horse paddock.
Neil McCall said
Sun Feb 19 10:52 PM, 2012
West Kirby Marine Lake
Sat 17 Feb, 07.15.
Oystercatcher, Redshank, Turnstone and Ringed Plover on the outer edge of the lake.
Horrible horizontal hailstones, no other birders and two windsurfers who were clearly in their element.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Feb 19 8:39 PM, 2012
Also this a.m.wiyh Messers Rigby,Rayner & Ausberger:
Ring-tailed Hen Harrier close in at Donkey Stand Flash and Red-breasted Merganser on one of the other pools
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 19th of February 2012 08:40:25 PM
Mike Baron said
Sat Feb 18 4:36 AM, 2012
GWE and Spoonbill showing well from Parkgate car park late afternoon - latter flying around a bit. A Short-eared Owl showed spectacularly well, periodically hunting in front of the car park and then perching up. Also Peregrine, Merlin, 12+ Little Egrets, 110+ Pink-footed Geese and one, possibly two Ring-tail Hen Harriers
Fill your boots!
Cheers
Jason
I'd guess your Petrels would be Stormies at this time of year.
Stunning, up close views of the Little Swift off the promendade by Pier House. No need for bins really! I'm sure everyone got better shots than me (and less House Martin ones too...)
Pure luck I was nearby, having decided to do a spot of seawatching at Leasowe gunsite early afternoon. Nothing identified with 100% certainty (apart from GC Grebe and usual gulls), but, saw 3 definite petrel sp. and 2 shearwater sp.
Cheers
Pat
www.rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands
Saturday 23rd June we'll have a few moths on display in the morning
Sunday 24th June we'll be taking a guided walk around looking for winged inverts
Sunday 1st July we'll be taking a walk around looking for bees and other pollinators
The last two events need booking so phone 0151 353 8478 to reserve a place
In bird news we have had a green sandpiper, med gull and hobby this morning (just seen it again)
If anybody else wants further info please feel free to contact me directly at paul.brady@rspb.org.uk
I've sent you a PM, Because the Link doesn't work, Sorry.
Thanks,
Rory
Its a fantastic opportunity to get experience of working for the RSPB in amazing surroundings.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/pla...ob-ladder.aspx
Please contact me at via the above link if you are interested.
Please feel free to circulate around other interested parties.
One pair of common tern nesting on the new scrape with a few more black-headed gulls nesting now that the avocets have nearly finished.
Plenty of Common Terns
Oystercatchers
Swallows
House martins
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 27th of May 2012 05:37:08 PM
Thanks for the kind comments Pete, nice to meet so many enthusiastic birders (inc you & your daughter!!) to see a beautifully plumaged cracking little bird. LRP also present at Donkey Stand plus 2 Wheatears too. An all too short visit meaning that I didn't get to treat myself to fish n chips or an ice cream!!!
Thanks also to Doc Brewster who helped put people onto the stint and let my daughter have a look through his scope - she was much more enthusiastic when she'd seen the stint at 40x magnification!
20 minutes later the GWE came back for seconds and the gulls responded accordingly. This time the egret moved next to an adult Grey Heron which had also been previously ignored and was now on the receiving end. The heron seemed to realise the egret was the source of the problem and drove it off - the mobbing stopped instantly.
I never at any time go an impression tha the egret was targetting the gull colony and am intrigued as to why the response to the egret and not the heron?
5 Wheatear
2 Redpoll
1 Grasshopper warbler
1 Whimbrel (on groyne)
1 Ringed plover
plenty Sandwich tern showing off diving for fish
3 Dunlin
1 Grey partridge (side of duck pond!) surprise find.
good numbers of Skylark, Reed warbler, Sedge warbler and Whitethroat.
Cracking little reserve and would have liked to have been here on Wednesday.!
PMhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/davyboy69/
-- Edited by David Wilson on Friday 4th of May 2012 10:39:35 PM
69 Wheatear, mainly in the horse paddocks west of the lighthouse but also good numbers in the coastal field by the car park.
Lesser Whitethroat by the lighthouse.
3 male Whinchat in the horse paddocks, with a male Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail and a Short-eared Owl which flew through, alighting very briefly on the ground.
Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler in the reeds with a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.
Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows literally feet away as they hunted over the deck in front of reception
Great Spotted Woodpeckers x2 on the feeders
Yellow Wagtails x2
White Wagtail x1
Avocet x20
Black Tailed Godwit flock
Spotted Redshank in nearly full summer plumage x7
and it was also good to listen to the herons and egrets in the heronry which were making fantastic noises - even if they were difficult to see!
-- Edited by Pete Welch on Saturday 28th of April 2012 06:14:46 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 28th of April 2012 06:35:32 PM
also, tree sparrow, yellow wagtail, hen harrier, ruff (x15) and spotted redshank (x8)
3 probably 4 Tree Pipits, showing really well in the first horse paddock with good numbers of Meadow Pipit.
Single White Wagtail
8 Wheatear
3 Blackcap (one giving superb snatches of Sedge Warbler song!)
Good flock of Linnets with apparently still 2 Twite amongst them but they were too flightly for us today.
* This fantastic area is now under serious threat from development due to the windfarm project and plans are underway to fill in many of the ponds and remove much of the valuable trees and scrub from the area which will then be built on. More information will be posted here as and when we have it but until then please be aware that you assistance may be called upon
Good to meet you - I was in the hide at IMF looking for the Spot Reds
Had an excellent day myself up T'Wirral. Met up with Goostrey birder, Sheila, and at Leasowe we managed to get excellent views (eventually) of at least 3 Twite in the horse paddocks with the Linnet flock. We also had 2 Common Lizards on the bank at the seaward side of the paddocks - shows how warm it was today!!
Together we then had stunning views of the male Ring Ouzel at Red Rocks, got some nice photos too as it fed in the sun on ivy berries. Then a nip down to IMF where we had 4 Spotted Redshanks & 3 Ruff along with 30+Black-tailed Godwits and a couple of Pintail. From the top path a flock of 10+Avocets could be scoped over on the Burton Mere Wetlands side of the reserve.
Burton Marsh of note:- Stonecahat (pr), Pink-footed Geese (lots but distant), several Little Egrets.
Inner Marsh:- Knot (15), Spotted Redshank (4), Greenshank (1), Common Gull (8) plus several Teal, Gadwall, Pintail and Black-tailed Godwit (one or two coming into summer plummage).
Red Rocks:- no sign of the reported Black Redstart but on the water around Little Eye 25 -30 Brent Geese.
New Brighton:- on the marine lake pontoon a full deck comprising Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling (2) and Purple Sandpiper (10 counted, there may have been more in the mass of birds).
Cheers
Jason
-- Edited by JasonAtkinson on Sunday 11th of March 2012 09:53:06 PM
Hen harrier (ringtail).
Short eared owl .
6 Little egret .
-- Edited by David Wilson on Sunday 11th of March 2012 09:36:08 PM
there was one Merlin lingering around the waters edge and a peregrine went over which was later seen further down by the wind turbines. lots of skylarks and meadow pipits, also two hen harriers (ringtail) one of which was probably the same one we saw at Burton mere earlier. the spoonbill was showing well from the roadside and the usual stuff.
raptors throughout the day seen on several occasions...
hen harrier (ring tailed)
peregrine falcon
merlin
kestrel
no short eared owls.
good views off the spoonbill first at the donkey stand flash,then again later near the car park.
as joeys post, 2 ravens being mobbed by 2 crows.
1 red breasted merganser at the donkey stand flash.
plus oystercatchers, lapwings, snipe, black tailed godwits, redshanks.
lots off little egrets around
lots off skylarks & meadow pipits
plus all the usual stuff around.
good day
joey, we probably seen each other at some point
It seems like it was much the same as yesterday with the high tide preventing the full advancement of the tide.
The sightings included:
2, though possibly 4 hen harriers (all ringtail)
At least 1 merlin that was favouring a branch fairly far out onto the marsh that stuck out at a 45 degree angle
A peregrine flew over and then another was seen harassing waders in front of the wind turbines, though this could have been the same bird.
A short eared owl was briefly seen by another birder
The spoonbill showed well from the one of the roadside pools
And 2 Raven were being mobbed by 2 Carrion Crow
Although it was disappointing that the tide didn't overwhelm the marsh, it was still a good day
-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Saturday 10th of March 2012 07:55:59 PM
The highlight for me was the Spoonbill which flew very close for a few seconds before disappearing into the marsh again.
The expected high tide wasn't as spectacular as previous years and bird numbers seemed to be down.
Only 1 Short-eared Owl
2 maybe 3 Ringtail Harriers
2 Merlin
1 Peregrine
Spoonbill showed well
100+ Pink-footed Geese
Pair Grey wagtails
3 Buzzards
Great spotted woodpecker
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
4 Goldcrest
Song thrush
17 species
A couple of hours spent in glorious sunshine on Hilbre this morning, before the crowds arrived, to see the Brent Geese.
Also present were Purple Sandpiper,Turnstone,Oystercatcher,Knot,Curlew and Redshank.
Saw the Great White Egret at Burton, quite a number of little egrets too, loads of mostly unidentified waders at Hoylake, I need to go there when the tide is a lot further in, even though I went at high tide.
Certainly a great area to go birding.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 28th of February 2012 09:28:54 PM
Pair of Grey wagtails on brook
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Long tailed, Great and Blue tits
G.S. woodpecker
Goldfinch and Greenfinch
Jay
Grey heron over pond which contained masses of frog spawn and about a dozen frogs making more while i watched.!
Ah, gotta love the Wirral! It's so quaint in a good way and great birds!
-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 08:40:36 AM
That sounds like the best icecream EVER!
Great white egret showing well,
2 spoonbills feeding in pools,
several hundred pinkfoot geese,
dozen + little egrets,
Curlews,oystercatchers and redshank,
Flock of about 10 birds,which I am about 95% certain were twite,
1 ring-tail hen harrier,
All followed by the best fish and chips on the wirral,and an Irn Bru flavoured ice cream
Cheers Chris
Sat 17 Feb, 07.15.
Oystercatcher, Redshank, Turnstone and Ringed Plover on the outer edge of the lake.
Horrible horizontal hailstones, no other birders and two windsurfers who were clearly in their element.
Ring-tailed Hen Harrier close in at Donkey Stand Flash and Red-breasted Merganser on one of the other pools
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 19th of February 2012 08:40:25 PM