Eighteen short-eared owls off Denhall Lane this evening (I counted 17 in my highest count, the guy next to me 18). I arrived around 3.30pm and there were already plenty of owls up, as soon as the sun went behind the hills many of the owls dropped down again.
jason fisher said
Wed Nov 2 7:33 AM, 2011
paul brady wrote:
People,
For the time being IMF and Burton Mere Wetlands will remain as seperate sites.
Eventually the two sites will be joined and the IMF entrance will close.
Any more questions
The website is being developed as we speak
have you any ideas on the sort of timescales for this to happen, as it's a pain in the crevice having to leave one reserve, to go to another reserve which is a part of the same damned place, and it's just about as environmentally unfreindly as you could get all them cars being started and stopped to drive a couple of hundred yards walk.
and will there be a passport office to keep the noisy rif raf out of imf when it hapens
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Nov 1 4:36 PM, 2011
Got an hour in at lunchtime off boathouse quay at Parkgate.
3 Ringtail harriers - all giving the best views I've had of them from here. They were within 150 yards from the car park at times. 1 Merlin (m) - perched up on a distant post 1 Kestrel - also perched up on a post. Good numbers of Little Egret but no sign of the GW Egret. c25 Curlew
Phil Woollen said
Mon Oct 31 4:15 PM, 2011
Jonathan Platt wrote:
Phil Woollen wrote:
On another note has anyone who's seen the Hen Harriers noticed anything 'odd'. There had been a very rufous looking bird present which may or may not be something different.......
Sorry Phil, only just noticed your request!
Not sure how useful my information is as I generally only visit Burton Marsh once a week. As far as I know a female hen harrier has been around since early August, I first saw it on 7th August at Denhall Lane, at that time it was in heavy moult. As it seemed slightly early for harriers, I presumed it was a failed breeder. This bird looked like your average female hen harrier. On 10th September I saw two hen harriers from Denhall Lane, the old female and what I thought was a juvenile male by size (they were both distant). This was a rufous-looking bird, but perhaps no more so than some other juvs I've seen in the past? I haven't knowingly seen this bird again, though I have seen two hen harriers on Burton Marsh on several occasions since then. Last Saturday there were three - all ringtails.
Jonathon. There has been a very rufous looking bird which was thought to be a Northern Harrier. This has now been positively identified as a well markd Hen Harrier after photo's sent to raptor guru Dick Forsman
David Wilson said
Sun Oct 30 9:28 PM, 2011
A walk along Denhall Lane this morning with family as far as Decca pools. Ringtail hen harrier, a few stonechat about giving good views. Kestrel on post keeping an eye on the Decca pool area with a huge flock of starlings behind. Raven passed through with Great black backed gull close by. Small flocks of chaffinch and greenfinch along lane. Report of Merlin as we arrived but missed it.
Jonathan Platt said
Sat Oct 29 6:32 PM, 2011
Three ring-tailed hen harriers off Denhall Lane this afternoon. Earlier, over the high tide at Parkgate, a short-eared owl put in an appearance. Also present were three peregrines, two merlins and a rt hen harrier. Two groups of pinkfeet dropped in to the tide's edge - around 15 & 70.
Jonathan Platt said
Fri Oct 28 8:06 PM, 2011
Three short-eared owls off Denhall Lane late this evening - two straight out from the lane, one down towards Decca Pools. Peregrine, two merlins and two rt hen harriers too.
Jonathan Platt said
Tue Oct 25 10:59 AM, 2011
Phil Woollen wrote:
On another note has anyone who's seen the Hen Harriers noticed anything 'odd'. There had been a very rufous looking bird present which may or may not be something different.......
Sorry Phil, only just noticed your request!
Not sure how useful my information is as I generally only visit Burton Marsh once a week. As far as I know a female hen harrier has been around since early August, I first saw it on 7th August at Denhall Lane, at that time it was in heavy moult. As it seemed slightly early for harriers, I presumed it was a failed breeder. This bird looked like your average female hen harrier. On 10th September I saw two hen harriers from Denhall Lane, the old female and what I thought was a juvenile male by size (they were both distant). This was a rufous-looking bird, but perhaps no more so than some other juvs I've seen in the past? I haven't knowingly seen this bird again, though I have seen two hen harriers on Burton Marsh on several occasions since then. Last Saturday there were three - all ringtails.
David Wilson said
Sun Oct 23 8:54 PM, 2011
Yesterday afternoon at Leasowe lighthouse with family. Low tide but a nice sunny day. great black backed gulls, oystercatcher,curlew,pied wagtail, large flock of lapwings + approx 15 turnstone giving great close views on concrete slope. single redshank.
Mike Baron said
Tue Oct 18 8:20 PM, 2011
This evening at Denhall Lane (17:40 - 19:10)
126 Little Egrets passed plus 1 Great White Egret. I had also seen earlier min 22 Little Egrets nr the roost. The last egret was seen at 6:56 - after this too dark to see. 1 Stonechat 1 Barn Owl 1 Sparrowhawk 2 Kestrels
Joe Wynn said
Tue Oct 18 7:14 PM, 2011
Thanks for the lift Phil, saved me a bit of hassle at home for being late a really nice bird to see, and a great opportunity!
Phil Woollen said
Tue Oct 18 12:48 PM, 2011
Hi all. The Hilbre Red-flanked Bluetail was indeed a first for the N West although Bardsey had an adult spring male a few years ago. When the Obs staff arrived at first light a bird was seen briefly perched up on the garden fence before disappearing. The Obs secretary and one other person saw it and first impressions was of a robin sized bird without the red breast. In the excitement of catching a stunning male Firecrest it was forgotten about utnil a couple of hours later when John Elliot phoned us to say he'd seen a bird he didn't immediatley recognise briefly on a fence. He thought it may have been a Red-flanked Bluetail but as he'd never seen one before and the views were brief he couldn't be 100% certain. I had a photo of one I'd taken last year on Shetalnd on my phone and after viewing that he was convinced!
As you can imagine this caused consternation and not a little panic amongst the rest of us and we immediately split up looking for the bird. I walked along the beach on the east side looking up at the cliffs and spotted the bird flycatching at the base of the cliffs. My subesquent phone call to Steve went something along the lines of '*$$@? hell it is a @&*£$% Red-flanked Bluetail'. Chris Williams, Hilbre Obs Chairman, was already on his way to help with the search and the news was broadcast via Birdline North West. When the news was broadcast our phones were red hot with calls and messages from as far away as Staffordshire with people wanting to come and see the bird. As it happened, because of the timing of the high tide only 3 people got over before high tidee. Joe was lucky - as he said he'd only come over to photograph Dunlin and his face was a picture when I asked if he'd rather photograph a Red-flanked Bluetail!
We lost the bird for about an hour before it was caught in the heligoland on the east side of the the island. We released it where we'd caught it and kept an eye on it over the next couple of hours as the tide dropped. The rest, as they say, is history with probably the biggest twitch Hilbre's ever seen ensuing as soon as the tide was low enough for people to wade through.
The Red-flanked Bluetail was recaptured just as we were leaving so the majority of the birders present were able to see it in the hand beofre it was released back in its favourite area where it continued to perform for late arriving birders until dusk. Sadly it deaprted overnight.
Although Hilbre is the smallest UK observatory its run by a dedicaated team of volunteers many of whom are expert birders as well as ringers. It was nice for us to be able to show visitors such a bird on our 'patch' and along with the springs Blyth's Reed Warbler has certainly put us on the map.
Joe - I was the one that gave you a lift of in the Landrover.
On another note has anyone who's seen the Hen Harriers noticed anything 'odd'. There had been a very rufous looking bird present which may or may not be something different.......
Ian = I've only just seen your message so please change my user name to my full name 'Phil Woollen'
-- Edited by Phil W on Tuesday 18th of October 2011 12:49:42 PM
Rob Smallwood said
Sun Oct 16 10:02 PM, 2011
Red-flanked Bluetail on Hilbre today
Jonathan Platt said
Sun Oct 16 8:12 PM, 2011
Burton Marsh
Watched the marsh from Decca Pools this morning for a few hours. Two ring-tailed hen harriers, a juv. marsh harrier, four merlins and a peregrine. At one point we had four sparrowhawks thermalling over Ness behind us. A spotted redshank flew over, and several stonechats were spotted as we walked from Denhall Lane and back.
Denhall Lane was the venue for the evening stint: Several merlins, the two hen harriers, and not one, but two, juvenile marsh harriers. No sign of any short-eared owls, but the local barn owl obliged with a display of ghostly luminosity in the half-light.
Joe Wynn said
Sun Oct 16 7:11 PM, 2011
I was fortunate enough to happen to be on Hilbre as the bird was caught. I was just going over for the waders, and ended up with 2 lifers! A really amazing bird to see, especially when it was caught, got some nice pictures of it in the hand! A first for Hilbre, Cheshire and possibly the north west? Anyway, a really brilliant treat, and an unexpected privilege. Also present:
as I left people were literally wading through the water to see the bluetail. Anyone interested in seeing it, it was all along the east side, but shy and unobliging.
Phil Panton said
Sun Oct 16 4:48 PM, 2011
Was caught & ringed at 11am this morning, but no one could get out to the island until 3pm this afternoon.
DavidBowman said
Sun Oct 16 4:05 PM, 2011
A mate has just texted me to let me know about a Red-flanked Bluetail on Hilbre!!
Cheers
David
sid ashton said
Sat Oct 15 9:28 PM, 2011
Dennis atherton wrote:
Went to red rocks today for 3 target birds all seen this morning, yellow browed warbler, richards pipit and lapland bunting, 3 Dips
John Barber and I also went over to the Wirral this morning particularly looking for the Yellow-browed Warbler reported late yesterday at Leasowe which we didn't find. We were also at Red Rocks early on and were speaking to a well known local birder who had been there since before daybreak. She told us that the Yellow-browed Warbler and the Richards Pipit were both very early flyovers that only got on to the messages services much later than they were actually seen so we didn't feel too bad about those two Dennis
We did find two very close up Water Rails on the pond west of Leasowe lighthouse as well as the Bewick's Swan that has now joined 7 Whoopers at Burton Mere Wetlands.
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Oct 15 8:52 PM, 2011
Dennis atherton wrote:
Went to red rocks today for 3 target birds all seen this morning, yellow browed warbler, richards pipit and lapland bunting,
3 Dips
did get short eared owl over the sea, large flocks of linnets, and high counts of knot and oystercatchers at high tide, also 2 ring ouzels were seen this morning and i also missed those, one of those days, need to get there earlier next time
serves thee reet fer twitchin
Dennis atherton said
Sat Oct 15 8:32 PM, 2011
Went to red rocks today for 3 target birds all seen this morning, yellow browed warbler, richards pipit and lapland bunting,
3 Dips
did get short eared owl over the sea, large flocks of linnets, and high counts of knot and oystercatchers at high tide, also 2 ring ouzels were seen this morning and i also missed those, one of those days, need to get there earlier next time
Mike Mulholland said
Sat Oct 15 7:28 PM, 2011
Me and a mate spent a few hours on the Wirral yesterday, initially checked out Burton wetlands and then moved on to Leasowe. At Leasowe we made our way to the lighthouse, 'that track looks good for a Yellow-browed' I remarked, a couple of seconds later as we looked down the track a local patcher called 'Yellow-browed warbler' pointing at some willow branches above his head. Sure enough there flitting around the willows was a ybw giving pretty good views for a minute or so. One at Fleetwood today, just wonder how many pass through our region, going to give the patch a good bash tomorrow.
Jonathan Platt said
Fri Oct 14 8:31 PM, 2011
A merlin was hunting alongside a ring-tailed hen harrier at Parkgate today, taking advantage of the small birds the harrier was flushing. A juvenile peregrine was perched up on distant driftwood.
At Burton Marsh we saw a couple of merlins, rt hen harrier, buzzard, sparrowhawks and kestrels. Later, at least one short-eared owl was hunting way out on the marsh, and two great white egrets came in to the roost at Burton Mere.
Joe Wynn said
Sun Oct 9 5:13 PM, 2011
Nice day at leasowe. Forgot my tripod, and so couldn't use the scope. Therefore clearly didn't get any proper seawatching done, although someone mentioned leach's petrel were seen well out towards the windfarms. Present on the shoreline near the groyne were:
c.1000 Knot c.40 Bar tailed Godwit 1 Med Gull (at long last- a much needed lifer!)
Still no huge wader numbers, but more birds than when I visited 2 weeks ago
Geoff Walton said
Sun Oct 9 7:32 AM, 2011
sid ashton wrote:
Geoff Walton wrote:
We were at Burton Wetlands Yesterday(Fri). It looks great, and we look forward to many visits. One big minus though, you have to look through glass, and it needs cleaning. The whole site is really good.
Geoff if you are referring to the reception area you don't have to look through glass, just walk out to the viewing deck to the left-hand side to get excellent views of the main scrape
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 8th of October 2011 10:00:46 PM
Thanks for that Sid. I did not know. We of course went out at the right to get to the other Hide.
Mark Rigby said
Sat Oct 8 9:26 PM, 2011
Only managed a couple of hours at New Brighton before "lack of altitude" sickness took hold.
9 Leach's Petrel seen between 0745-0945.(6 from Perch Rock in the Mersey and 3 from the west end of the promenade)
A brief search for the Great White Egret at Parkgate/Burton marsh proved fruitless. 2-3 Curlew Sandpiper at the "wetlands" reserve and a Whooper Swan were the other highlights.
Then back to Castleshaw and altitude.....................
sid ashton said
Sat Oct 8 9:17 PM, 2011
Geoff Walton wrote:
We were at Burton Wetlands Yesterday(Fri). It looks great, and we look forward to many visits. One big minus though, you have to look through glass, and it needs cleaning. The whole site is really good.
Geoff if you are referring to the reception area you don't have to look through glass, just walk out to the viewing deck to the left-hand side to get excellent views of the main scrape
I was on the Wirral again today with Mrs O the Manx birder - looked in at New Brighton and the gunsite but unlike yesterday wasn't able to pick up anything of note probably because of a later start today, didn't like the look of the weather early on . Found the Great white Egret still at Parkgate, a pair of Stonechat and a Curlew Sandpiper at Burton Mere Wetlands and later on Burton Marsh a Merlin and a ring tailed Hen Harrier.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 8th of October 2011 10:00:46 PM
DavidBowman said
Sat Oct 8 3:58 PM, 2011
Went to Leasowe today, where it was quiter for seabids, though we still had 4 Leaches Petrels, close in. Other birders reported a Storm Petrel and a Grey Phalarope.
Cheers David
Geoff Walton said
Sat Oct 8 7:49 AM, 2011
We were at Burton Wetlands Yesterday(Fri). It looks great, and we look forward to many visits. One big minus though, you have to look through glass, and it needs cleaning. The whole site is really good.
Vivien Finn said
Fri Oct 7 11:29 PM, 2011
Sid, I was at Parkgate 5pm-6pm for GWE. I saw 5 calling Whoopers flying over the marsh and they were heading in the direction of Burton Wetlands area. Lovely to hear them calling!
sid ashton said
Fri Oct 7 9:58 PM, 2011
Similar list to Mike's at New Brighton this morning - of interest John Barber and I found:-
Managed to somehow miss all the skuas though I think I turned up too late for the LTS
Nick Isherwood said
Wed Oct 5 6:01 PM, 2011
Managed to get a quick hour in this morning at Leasowe lighthouse before I had a meeting.
Loads of waders on the shore. c300 Grey Plover - two cracking looking birds still in summer plumage. c150 Redshank c100 Oystercatcher 12 Dunlin 7 Curlew c30 Turnstone 1 Greenshank 1 Little Egret c25 Ringed Plover 1 Curlew Sandpiper 4 Sanderling Plus loads of various gulls.
sid ashton said
Sat Oct 1 5:07 PM, 2011
steven burke wrote:
sid,could not find the pectoral sandpiper yesterday. nice one & well done on the barn owl
Thanks Steve, I have sent you a PM.
steven burke said
Fri Sep 30 10:27 PM, 2011
sid ashton wrote:
On the Wirral late afternoon with the intention of looking for the Denhall Lane Barn Owls - called in at Burton Mere Wetlands to see the Great White Egret departing in the direction of the marshes and had really good views of a Pectoral Sandpiper from the viewing deck at the side of the reception area. As the sun was setting, again saw the Great White Egret returning to roost at Burton Mere - I was on Denhall Lane where one of the Barn Owls duly put in an appearance
sid,could not find the pectoral sandpiper yesterday. nice one & well done on the barn owl
sid ashton said
Fri Sep 30 9:15 PM, 2011
On the Wirral late afternoon with the intention of looking for the Denhall Lane Barn Owls - called in at Burton Mere Wetlands to see the Great White Egret departing in the direction of the marshes and had really good views of a Pectoral Sandpiper from the viewing deck at the side of the reception area. As the sun was setting, again saw the Great White Egret returning to roost at Burton Mere - I was on Denhall Lane where one of the Barn Owls duly put in an appearance
steven burke said
Thu Sep 29 10:56 PM, 2011
on the wirral today with phil kelly,started the morning at burton mere wetlands. this produced from both visitor centre/marsh covert hide... 1 great white egret 8 curlew sandpipers 4 ruff 7 snipe 3 spotted redshank 12 black tailed godwit 6 little egret plenty off teal, pintail, wigeon, gadwall, shoveler also 1 ross's goose & 1 pink footed goose in with the hundreds off canadas & greylags. from inner marsh farm hide... 2 little stint 18 curlew sandpipers 1 little egret 4 dunlin 5 black tailed godwit
then on to parkgate for the high tide,not a great deal... at least 30 little egrets 2 kestrels 2 sparrowhawks 4 buzzards + all usuals on the marsh.
after parkgate went to hoylake and had a look at the small amount off waders on the beach... hundreds off dunlin 50+ ringed plovers 16 sanderling 1 little stint 2 curlew sandpipers 2 oystercatchers + usual gulls and lots off them.
then back to parkgate to try again for more birds off prey but only managed.. 3 kestrels 1 peregrine falcon we did see a harrier but could not identify it due to fading light
still a fantastic day in the lovely sunshine, once again phil thanks for a great day out
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Sep 26 1:00 PM, 2011
paul brady wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
paul brady wrote:
People,
For the time being IMF and Burton Mere Wetlands will remain as seperate sites.
The Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at both sites and is showing today from the Burton Mere Wetlands side in the "Marsh Covert" hide.
Eventually the two sites will be joined and the IMF entrance will close.
Any more questions
The website is being developed as we speak
Is there a site map anywhere ont tinternet?
It is being worked on ...
Thanks Paul Look forward to visiting soon
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 26th of September 2011 01:00:53 PM
paul brady said
Mon Sep 26 11:16 AM, 2011
JOHN TYMON wrote:
paul brady wrote:
People,
For the time being IMF and Burton Mere Wetlands will remain as seperate sites.
The Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at both sites and is showing today from the Burton Mere Wetlands side in the "Marsh Covert" hide.
Eventually the two sites will be joined and the IMF entrance will close.
Any more questions
The website is being developed as we speak
Is there a site map anywhere ont tinternet?
It is being worked on ...
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Sep 26 11:16 AM, 2011
sid ashton wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Is there a site map anywhere ont tinternet?
John have a look at
http://www.rspbliverpool.org.uk/RSPBIMF.htm
Thanks Sid I have seen that one ,it was one showing the whole including the new Burton mere site as well that I was after ,It looks like it will be updated when the new website gets up and running
sid ashton said
Mon Sep 26 11:09 AM, 2011
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Is there a site map anywhere ont tinternet?
John have a look at
http://www.rspbliverpool.org.uk/RSPBIMF.htm
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Sep 26 10:19 AM, 2011
paul brady wrote:
People,
For the time being IMF and Burton Mere Wetlands will remain as seperate sites.
The Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at both sites and is showing today from the Burton Mere Wetlands side in the "Marsh Covert" hide.
Eventually the two sites will be joined and the IMF entrance will close.
Any more questions
The website is being developed as we speak
Is there a site map anywhere ont tinternet?
paul brady said
Mon Sep 26 10:11 AM, 2011
People,
For the time being IMF and Burton Mere Wetlands will remain as seperate sites.
The Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at both sites and is showing today from the Burton Mere Wetlands side in the "Marsh Covert" hide.
Eventually the two sites will be joined and the IMF entrance will close.
Parkgate Great White Egret - inc seen in flight single Curlew Sandpiper Yellow Wagtail Wheatear
Inner Marsh Farm 18 Curlew sandpiper 2 Little Stint Pectoral Sandpiper - seen until 2.20 Water Rail 2 Golden Plover
64 species in total
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Sunday 25th of September 2011 11:29:27 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Sep 25 8:33 PM, 2011
Burton mere/Inner marsh/darkside or whatever you call it.
Anyone know where theres a site map showing the pools etc at the new burton mere site and inner marsh farm,as im beggared if I can find owt ont tinternet,I've more chance of finding lord Lucan riding shergar on southport beach than finding a proper site map of any those rspb sites ont Wirral
Tim Wilcox said
Sun Sep 25 3:56 PM, 2011
Just leaving IMF now 3.50 with Tony Darby. Was there when a Pec Sand was called but when everything went up and came back down again it was not relocated. Tony and I did not see it
Curlew Sand 23 Little Stint 2 Dunlin 5 Ruff 6 BT Godwit 10 GP 2 Water Rail
Also first visit to the 'other side' which they ARE calling Burton Mere BUT Inner Marsh Farm is still IMF. Yes confusing. Nice to bump into Dennis checking it out too.
Curlew Sand 5 from new hides possibly additional to the above.
New hides are AWFUL. I will rant about them and other terrible hides on Gen birding discussion later. Hard posting on an iPhone from a car passenger seat!
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 25th of September 2011 03:59:30 PM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 25th of September 2011 05:05:41 PM
Ian Woosey said
Sun Sep 25 2:48 PM, 2011
I am confused . A message has just come on the pager for Inner Marsh Farm; a Pectoral Sandpiper seen from the "old hide".. Is Inner Marsh Farm now officially called Burton Mere Wetlands or are they still being billed as seperate sites ? Paul, you use both names in the same post, and I know it is the same place, but what the heck is it now to be known as ?
David Wilson said
Sun Sep 25 2:29 PM, 2011
Had a quick look around the new Burton mere wetlands this morning with father in law. Very impressive hides with lots of room to view. Nice to meet Paul Brady and just to add to his sightings 3 little egret , 2 ruff , 2 Raven and snipe. well done to everybody who was involved in working on the new reserve. you have done a great job.!
paul brady said
Sun Sep 25 10:13 AM, 2011
Where to start...
Parkgate's Great White Egret came in to the little egret roost at IMF last night and this morning there were 21 curlew sandpipers there.
Burton Mere Wetlands this morning - 2 sparrowhawk, 9 curlew sandpiper, 1 little stint, 60 shoveler
And a Raptor Watch tonight at the Old Baths Car Park and we'll have a good look at this hen harrier ...
sid ashton said
Sat Sep 24 10:18 PM, 2011
Bit of a Wirral wander today with Mrs O, the Manx birder took us first to Leasowe Castle for high water. On and around the groyne we had Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sandwich Terns and a Yellow-legged Gull.
Over to Parkgate; on the Bevyl Road flash, Little Egret and Greenshank and at the Donkey Stand flash, Pied, White, Grey and Yellow Wagtails as well as a mixed flock of Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches and a Cormorant taking a rather large eel down in one swallow !!!
Then to Burton Mere Wetlands - this new facility is well worth a visit - the hides are really pleasant and well sited for the different habitats and of course there to answer questions the ever helpful and friendly RSPB folk We can look forward to many good days at this location particularly when the path joins up to the old IMF hide. Numbers of bird species were a bit low today, there were however hundreds of Canada Geese. We did see Little Grebe, Stonechat, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Kestrel and Peregrine and there was a report of Bearded Tit having been seen earlier.
Later on in the morning after the Burton Mere visit we returned to Parkgate to get really good views of the Great White Egret, both on the ground and flying.
We finished the day at Inner Marsh Farm where many of the recent sightings were present including Chiffchaff, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Golden Plover, Ruff, Teal, a single Barnacle Goose and the Ross's Goose. A really pleasant day's birding
paul brady said
Fri Sep 23 4:12 PM, 2011
For all the details visit www.rspb.org.uk/deeestuary and visit the blog
have you any ideas on the sort of timescales for this to happen, as it's a pain in the crevice having to leave one reserve, to go to another reserve which is a part of the same damned place, and it's just about as environmentally unfreindly as you could get all them cars being started and stopped to drive a couple of hundred yards walk.
and will there be a passport office to keep the noisy rif raf out of imf when it hapens
3 Ringtail harriers - all giving the best views I've had of them from here. They were within 150 yards from the car park at times.
1 Merlin (m) - perched up on a distant post
1 Kestrel - also perched up on a post.
Good numbers of Little Egret but no sign of the GW Egret.
c25 Curlew
Jonathon.
There has been a very rufous looking bird which was thought to be a Northern Harrier. This has now been positively identified as a well markd Hen Harrier after photo's sent to raptor guru Dick Forsman
Ringtail hen harrier, a few stonechat about giving good views. Kestrel on post keeping an eye on the Decca pool area with a huge flock of starlings behind. Raven passed through with Great black backed gull close by. Small flocks of chaffinch and greenfinch along lane. Report of Merlin as we arrived but missed it.
Sorry Phil, only just noticed your request!
Not sure how useful my information is as I generally only visit Burton Marsh once a week. As far as I know a female hen harrier has been around since early August, I first saw it on 7th August at Denhall Lane, at that time it was in heavy moult. As it seemed slightly early for harriers, I presumed it was a failed breeder. This bird looked like your average female hen harrier. On 10th September I saw two hen harriers from Denhall Lane, the old female and what I thought was a juvenile male by size (they were both distant). This was a rufous-looking bird, but perhaps no more so than some other juvs I've seen in the past? I haven't knowingly seen this bird again, though I have seen two hen harriers on Burton Marsh on several occasions since then. Last Saturday there were three - all ringtails.
126 Little Egrets passed plus 1 Great White Egret. I had also seen earlier min 22 Little Egrets nr the roost. The last egret was seen at 6:56 - after this too dark to see.
1 Stonechat
1 Barn Owl
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Kestrels
The Hilbre Red-flanked Bluetail was indeed a first for the N West although Bardsey had an adult spring male a few years ago. When the Obs staff arrived at first light a bird was seen briefly perched up on the garden fence before disappearing. The Obs secretary and one other person saw it and first impressions was of a robin sized bird without the red breast. In the excitement of catching a stunning male Firecrest it was forgotten about utnil a couple of hours later when John Elliot phoned us to say he'd seen a bird he didn't immediatley recognise briefly on a fence. He thought it may have been a Red-flanked Bluetail but as he'd never seen one before and the views were brief he couldn't be 100% certain. I had a photo of one I'd taken last year on Shetalnd on my phone and after viewing that he was convinced!
As you can imagine this caused consternation and not a little panic amongst the rest of us and we immediately split up looking for the bird. I walked along the beach on the east side looking up at the cliffs and spotted the bird flycatching at the base of the cliffs. My subesquent phone call to Steve went something along the lines of '*$$@? hell it is a @&*£$% Red-flanked Bluetail'. Chris Williams, Hilbre Obs Chairman, was already on his way to help with the search and the news was broadcast via Birdline North West. When the news was broadcast our phones were red hot with calls and messages from as far away as Staffordshire with people wanting to come and see the bird. As it happened, because of the timing of the high tide only 3 people got over before high tidee. Joe was lucky - as he said he'd only come over to photograph Dunlin and his face was a picture when I asked if he'd rather photograph a Red-flanked Bluetail!
We lost the bird for about an hour before it was caught in the heligoland on the east side of the the island. We released it where we'd caught it and kept an eye on it over the next couple of hours as the tide dropped. The rest, as they say, is history with probably the biggest twitch Hilbre's ever seen ensuing as soon as the tide was low enough for people to wade through.
The Red-flanked Bluetail was recaptured just as we were leaving so the majority of the birders present were able to see it in the hand beofre it was released back in its favourite area where it continued to perform for late arriving birders until dusk. Sadly it deaprted overnight.
Although Hilbre is the smallest UK observatory its run by a dedicaated team of volunteers many of whom are expert birders as well as ringers. It was nice for us to be able to show visitors such a bird on our 'patch' and along with the springs Blyth's Reed Warbler has certainly put us on the map.
Joe - I was the one that gave you a lift of in the Landrover.
On another note has anyone who's seen the Hen Harriers noticed anything 'odd'. There had been a very rufous looking bird present which may or may not be something different.......
Ian = I've only just seen your message so please change my user name to my full name 'Phil Woollen'
-- Edited by Phil W on Tuesday 18th of October 2011 12:49:42 PM
Watched the marsh from Decca Pools this morning for a few hours. Two ring-tailed hen harriers, a juv. marsh harrier, four merlins and a peregrine. At one point we had four sparrowhawks thermalling over Ness behind us. A spotted redshank flew over, and several stonechats were spotted as we walked from Denhall Lane and back.
Denhall Lane was the venue for the evening stint: Several merlins, the two hen harriers, and not one, but two, juvenile marsh harriers. No sign of any short-eared owls, but the local barn owl obliged with a display of ghostly luminosity in the half-light.
6 Meadow Pipit
1 Peregrine
1 Purple Sand
c.150 Turnstone
1 Firecrest (second lifer!)
as I left people were literally wading through the water to see the bluetail. Anyone interested in seeing it, it was all along the east side, but shy and unobliging.
Cheers
David
We did find two very close up Water Rails on the pond west of Leasowe lighthouse as well as the Bewick's Swan that has now joined 7 Whoopers at Burton Mere Wetlands.
serves thee reet fer twitchin
3 Dips
did get short eared owl over the sea, large flocks of linnets, and high counts of knot and oystercatchers at high tide, also 2 ring ouzels were seen this morning and i also missed those, one of those days, need to get there earlier next time
At Burton Marsh we saw a couple of merlins, rt hen harrier, buzzard, sparrowhawks and kestrels. Later, at least one short-eared owl was hunting way out on the marsh, and two great white egrets came in to the roost at Burton Mere.
20 Dunlin
c.50 Turnstone
1 Knot (juvenile plumage visible)
c.500 Redshank
2 Sanderling
Also on the sandbank as the tide receded:
c.1000 Knot
c.40 Bar tailed Godwit
1 Med Gull (at long last- a much needed lifer!)
Still no huge wader numbers, but more birds than when I visited 2 weeks ago
Thanks for that Sid. I did not know. We of course went out at the right to get to the other Hide.
9 Leach's Petrel seen between 0745-0945.(6 from Perch Rock in the Mersey and 3 from the west end of the promenade)
Also in the Mersey were
Manx Shearwater
3 Guillemot
2-3 Medditeranean Gull.
A brief search for the Great White Egret at Parkgate/Burton marsh proved fruitless.
2-3 Curlew Sandpiper at the "wetlands" reserve and a Whooper Swan were the other highlights.
Then back to Castleshaw and altitude.....................
I was on the Wirral again today with Mrs O the Manx birder - looked in at New Brighton and the gunsite but unlike yesterday wasn't able to pick up anything of note probably because of a later start today, didn't like the look of the weather early on
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 8th of October 2011 10:00:46 PM
Cheers
David
I was at Parkgate 5pm-6pm for GWE. I saw 5 calling Whoopers flying over the marsh and they were heading in the direction of Burton Wetlands area. Lovely to hear them calling!
14 Leach's Petrels
3 Arctic Skuas
3 Red throated Divers
1 Fulmar
1 Manx Shearwater
......and later at Burton Mere Wetlands the first Whooper Swan of the autumn has arrived.
5+ Leach's Petrels
1 Sabine's Gull (juv)
1 Manx Shearwater
1 Fulmar
1 Little Gull (ad)
1 Med Gull (2nd winter)
2 Red-throated Divers
Managed to somehow miss all the skuas though I think I turned up too late for the LTS
Loads of waders on the shore.
c300 Grey Plover - two cracking looking birds still in summer plumage.
c150 Redshank
c100 Oystercatcher
12 Dunlin
7 Curlew
c30 Turnstone
1 Greenshank
1 Little Egret
c25 Ringed Plover
1 Curlew Sandpiper
4 Sanderling
Plus loads of various gulls.
sid,could not find the pectoral sandpiper yesterday. nice one & well done on the barn owl
this produced from both visitor centre/marsh covert hide...
1 great white egret
8 curlew sandpipers
4 ruff
7 snipe
3 spotted redshank
12 black tailed godwit
6 little egret
plenty off teal, pintail, wigeon, gadwall, shoveler
also 1 ross's goose & 1 pink footed goose in with the hundreds off canadas & greylags.
from inner marsh farm hide...
2 little stint
18 curlew sandpipers
1 little egret
4 dunlin
5 black tailed godwit
then on to parkgate for the high tide,not a great deal...
at least 30 little egrets
2 kestrels
2 sparrowhawks
4 buzzards
+ all usuals on the marsh.
after parkgate went to hoylake and had a look at the small amount off waders on the beach...
hundreds off dunlin
50+ ringed plovers
16 sanderling
1 little stint
2 curlew sandpipers
2 oystercatchers
+ usual gulls and lots off them.
then back to parkgate to try again for more birds off prey but only managed..
3 kestrels
1 peregrine falcon
we did see a harrier but could not identify it due to fading light
still a fantastic day in the lovely sunshine, once again phil thanks for a great day out
Thanks Paul
Look forward to visiting soon
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 26th of September 2011 01:00:53 PM
It is being worked on ...
Thanks Sid
I have seen that one ,it was one showing the whole including the new Burton mere site as well that I was after ,It looks like it will be updated when the new website gets up and running
Is there a site map anywhere ont tinternet?
For the time being IMF and Burton Mere Wetlands will remain as seperate sites.
The Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at both sites and is showing today from the Burton Mere Wetlands side in the "Marsh Covert" hide.
Eventually the two sites will be joined and the IMF entrance will close.
Any more questions
The website is being developed as we speak
Highlights were
Leasowe Lighthouse
Bar-Tailed Godwit
Grey Plover
Knot
Sandwich Tern
Turnstone
Parkgate
Great White Egret - inc seen in flight
single Curlew Sandpiper
Yellow Wagtail
Wheatear
Inner Marsh Farm
18 Curlew sandpiper
2 Little Stint
Pectoral Sandpiper - seen until 2.20
Water Rail
2 Golden Plover
64 species in total
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Sunday 25th of September 2011 11:29:27 PM
Anyone know where theres a site map showing the pools etc at the new burton mere site and inner marsh farm,as im beggared if I can find owt ont tinternet,I've more chance of finding lord Lucan riding shergar on southport beach than finding a proper site map of any those rspb sites ont Wirral
Curlew Sand 23
Little Stint 2
Dunlin 5
Ruff 6
BT Godwit 10
GP 2
Water Rail
Also first visit to the 'other side' which they ARE calling Burton Mere BUT Inner Marsh Farm is still IMF. Yes confusing. Nice to bump into Dennis checking it out too.
Curlew Sand 5 from new hides possibly additional to the above.
New hides are AWFUL. I will rant about them and other terrible hides on
Gen birding discussion later. Hard posting on an iPhone from a car passenger seat!
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 25th of September 2011 03:59:30 PM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 25th of September 2011 05:05:41 PM
Parkgate's Great White Egret came in to the little egret roost at IMF last night and this morning there were 21 curlew sandpipers there.
Burton Mere Wetlands this morning - 2 sparrowhawk, 9 curlew sandpiper, 1 little stint, 60 shoveler
And a Raptor Watch tonight at the Old Baths Car Park and we'll have a good look at this hen harrier ...
Over to Parkgate; on the Bevyl Road flash, Little Egret and Greenshank and at the Donkey Stand flash, Pied, White, Grey and Yellow Wagtails as well as a mixed flock of Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches and a Cormorant taking a rather large eel down in one swallow !!!
Then to Burton Mere Wetlands - this new facility is well worth a visit - the hides are really pleasant and well sited for the different habitats and of course there to answer questions the ever helpful and friendly RSPB folk
Later on in the morning after the Burton Mere visit we returned to Parkgate to get really good views of the Great White Egret, both on the ground and flying.
We finished the day at Inner Marsh Farm where many of the recent sightings were present including Chiffchaff, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Golden Plover, Ruff, Teal, a single Barnacle Goose and the Ross's Goose. A really pleasant day's birding