8 Yellow Legged gulls-5 ads,a 3rd summer and 2 juvs Also an adult yellow legged Argenteus Herring Gull
pete berry said
Fri Apr 4 5:22 PM, 2014
A few hours today with Ian
3 Iceland Gulls(2 juvs and a 3rd w.) 4 Yellow Legged Gulls
Willow Warbler singing ,plenty of Chiffchaffs about and a couple of Pink Footed Geese over
pete berry said
Fri Mar 7 5:38 PM, 2014
Three hours or so with Ian today:-
A 2nd.w. Iceland Gull
7 Yellow Legged Gulls(5 ads,2 1st w.)
A ringed Comorant from Isle of Man,first seen in 2012
pete berry said
Wed Mar 5 7:11 PM, 2014
3 1/2 hours with Jeff today produced
4 Iceland Gulls (3 juvs and a 3rd.w.) 5 Yellow Legged Gulls (4 ads and a 4th.w.) An ad. yellow legged Argenteus Herring Gull
pete berry said
Tue Feb 25 3:11 PM, 2014
3 hours with Jeff and Rob on a very quiet day for The Bank with never more than a 1000 big gulls present was considerably brightened by an Adult Kumlien's Gull putting in an appearance Also 2 Yellow Legged Gulls(an adult and 1st w.)
pete berry said
Fri Feb 21 6:06 PM, 2014
4 hours for Ian and myself,with Mike Baron later on
1st winter Caspian Gull(same bird that's been around since Dec).,now almost into classic plumage
2 Iceland Gulls(a juv. and a 2nd winter
6 yellow Legged Gulls(5 ads. and a 3rd winter)
John Williams said
Sun Feb 2 2:47 PM, 2014
10.30-13.00
1m+2f Stonchats, 4 Kestrels, 1 Buzzard, 6 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 68 Lapwings, 20 Redshanks & a pair of Gadwall.
4 Grey Herons were on the sandbanks with the gulls before the incoming tide flooded the area.
No sign of anything uncommon amongst the gulls, although a huge "Argentatus" Herring Gull was mobbed by a smaller Great Black Back and a couple of "Argenteus",
in an aerial squabble that appeared to over a strip of sellotape. 12 Great Black Backs were in the roost.
A pair of Kestrels hunted the lower embankment as the tide came in and flooded it, the other pair were displaying over Gateworth.
Wrong day for the big gull roost, and the rising tide quickly covered the sandbanks anyway.
pete berry said
Thu Jan 30 8:44 PM, 2014
Another great day at Richmond for Ian and myself with a 10 species gull fest, 5 hours in cold conditions but well worth it.
1st w. Caspian Gull(looks like same bird from before xmas) Ad. Glaucous Gull 5 Iceland Gulls(3 juvs and 2 adults) 5 Yellow Legged Gulls ad. Med. Gull
John Doherty said
Wed Jan 29 7:59 PM, 2014
First visit to the 'Bank today. I can tell you know the cold we're experiencing in Manchester atm came from the Wwest because it was freezing out here by The Mersey!
Specific target of Iceland Gull was hit, with a juvenile and a second-winter bird- lifer Also, Kestrel, Buzzard 3 Gadwalls Bullfinch by the railway
pete berry said
Mon Jan 27 3:40 PM, 2014
Another good day at The Bank in spite of sunny conditions for most of time produced
1 Adult Glaucous Gull(first one reported from here this winter) 4 Icelands Gulls-2 adults(both on bank at same time)and 2 juvs 6 Yellow-Legged Gulls-5 ads/1 2nd winter
a noticeable big increase in L.B.Back Gulls from recent previous visits
4 Iceland Gulls(an adult and 3 juvs,one of the juvs showing some characteristics of Kumliens,but probably just a coarse Iceland Gull)
1 ad Yellow Legged Gull
160 Pinkfeet n.w. over
pete berry said
Thu Dec 19 2:40 PM, 2013
A couple of hours today with Ian and Tom before the high tide produced
2 juv Iceland Gulls(looking at photos neither looked like the one claimed at Moore yesterday) 4 Yellow Legged Gulls and a prob. Herring/LBB hybrid
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Dec 13 4:40 PM, 2013
Large numbers of gulls present over a three hour period today with Pete Berry:
4 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 first winter; 1 second winter; 1 adult) 187 Great Black-backed Gulls (in one count made mid-morning) 300 Lapwing 1 Great Crested Grebe
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Dec 5 9:22 AM, 2013
Late news for Tuesday 3rd December; four hours on site alongside Pete Berry:
First winter Caspian Gull (photos to follow on the website) 2 first winter Yellow-legged Gulls
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 16 2:45 AM, 2013
Four hours or so with Pete Berry today:
8 Yellow-legged Gulls (7 adults and a third winter, the latter of which was different from last week's) Rock Pipit heard again and seen at distance in flight across the river; could well even be a Water Pipit!!!
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 9 5:31 AM, 2013
Nearly five hours down there today with Pete Berry and Tom McKinney:
At least 10 Yellow-legged Gulls (8 adults, one 1W and one 3W) Little Egret Rock Pipit (rather a good bird for the bank!)
Pete Kinsella said
Wed Sep 11 3:47 AM, 2013
Thanks for the info John. Maybe the joys of Gulling down there haven`t come to an end just yet.
Pete Kinsella said
Wed Sep 11 3:04 AM, 2013
A few hours here today were productive although a bit too sunny at times. The highlight was a 2CY Caspian Gull which showed quite well on the river at the western end of the site.This bird was still growing its new primaries and therefore was quite stubby looking.Nicely white headed and spotty shawled, with classic tertial pattern and a lovely tail pattern in flight. Also; 5 Yellow-legged Gulls , four adults and a juv/1stw( quite advanced with lots of new mantle and scap feathers) and a couple of adult YLG/LBB type hybrids. A Wheatear flew along the edge of the nearside bank at one stage. It will be interesting to see how quickly the Gull numbers diminish here when the tips shuts, which is in October I think?
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 29 10:47 PM, 2013
Four and a half hours along with Pete Berry today:
11 Yellow-legged Gulls (9 adults and single third and fourth calendar year birds)
Austin Morley said
Wed Aug 21 12:37 AM, 2013
Great first trip to Richmond bank with thousands of gulls i was only able to pick out three adult yellow legged gulls, it was well worth the visit and In the words on Mr Schwarzenegger 'I'll be back'
http://austinmorley.blogspot.co.uk/
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 16 12:49 AM, 2013
Four hours today with Pete Berry: -
Up to 7000 large gulls on the bank but stupid weathermen got it wrong again and rather than the expected cloud and rain (which we were perfectly prepared for) we got long periods of sun which meant a good proportion of the gulls went virtually unchecked.
7 Yellow-legged Gull (6 adult and 1 juvenile) Singles of Redshank and Curlew
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jul 11 5:50 AM, 2013
Four hours today with Pete Berry, speculative gulling: -
3 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults and a third calendar year bird)
c3000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (including a few nice fresh juveniles)
Much fewer numbers of Herring Gull and maybe only just over a dozen Great Black-backed Gulls
Single Common Sandpiper and a few Lapwings
Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers
Grasshopper Warbler reeling on the old tip
John Williams said
Mon Apr 22 8:39 PM, 2013
09.00-12.00
1 1stW-2ndS Iceland Gull in the main roost, plus 2 adult Yellow Legged.
Masses of adult Lesser Black Back and Herring Gulls, only around a dozen Great Black Backs, just 6 Black Headed and a single adult Common.
1 Common Sandpiper, 3 pairs of Oystercatcher, 3 Buzzards (including 1 that caught and ate a shrew sized rodent), 2 Cormorants and a male Kestrel.
Also 3 Linnets (including 1 with nesting material), 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler.
3 Peacock butterflies. No sign of Whitetroats yet, and strangely no Reed Buntings.
richard howells 2 said
Wed Apr 3 5:52 AM, 2013
Found the bank today. Just as I arrived and settled in several thousand gulls flushed and spiralled upwards. Looked like the Fiddlers Ferry cooling towers piled on top of one another! Very few came back to the mud, and those that did seemed to be of the standard varieties. My only consolation was a fly-catching Chiffchaff by the canal bridge.
Greg Baker said
Wed Mar 20 10:42 PM, 2013
4 hour stint today between 10.30 - 14.30 produced 2 Iceland Gulls (a 1st winter downriver of the main bank when I arrived and a 2nd winter on the bank for most of the morning) and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, though overall numbers much lower than of late.
pete berry said
Fri Mar 15 2:21 AM, 2013
Just an update on the winged tagged Herring Gull thats been seen by several birders over the winter,now got the details back-the bird was winged tagged as an adult in 1999 at Datteln,Nordrhein-Westfalen,Germany and these were the first sightings of the bird since then.It makes the bird at least 18 years old,not a bad age for bird with a diet consisting mainly of rotting food !! Also a couple of L.B.Back gulls both ringed as chicks on Walney Isle one in2002 and one in 2005.
Greg Baker said
Fri Mar 15 1:00 AM, 2013
Pete Berry and I went to Moore instead today Greg as we didn't fancy the look of the sunlight for the bank! We saw the 'bore' there last year though and we thought the same would occur today and almost went to the bank just for that. The initially amazing thing about the one we saw last year (post on this thread somewhere) was the noise of it though; a truly incredible spectacle
The light was actually OK once the cloud arrived around 11ish. Agree about the amazing sound of the bore and could hear it coming seconds before it appeared from around the bend of the river.
From your report at Moore, seems like the same 3 Yellow-legs are moving between the bank and Pumphouse, though the Iceland stayed all morning even when the bank was flooded by the tide.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Mar 15 12:19 AM, 2013
Greg Baker wrote:
Morning session at the Bank today produced a first winter Iceland Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults and 1 3rd year). No sign of the monster juv Glauc but there was a first winter hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull.
Tide was incredible today. Around 12.15 I noticed gulls flowing upriver and then suddenly it was as if floodgates had been opened downstream. The Mersey equivalent of the Severn Bore tore upriver with a sizeable wave at its head and within 15 minutes the bank was completely submerged. Never seen anything like it before.
Pete Berry and I went to Moore instead today Greg as we didn't fancy the look of the sunlight for the bank! We saw the 'bore' there last year though and we thought the same would occur today and almost went to the bank just for that. The initially amazing thing about the one we saw last year (post on this thread somewhere) was the noise of it though; a truly incredible spectacle
Greg Baker said
Thu Mar 14 11:35 PM, 2013
Morning session at the Bank today produced a first winter Iceland Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults and 1 3rd year). No sign of the monster juv Glauc but there was a first winter hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull.
Tide was incredible today. Around 12.15 I noticed gulls flowing upriver and then suddenly it was as if floodgates had been opened downstream. The Mersey equivalent of the Severn Bore tore upriver with a sizeable wave at its head and within 15 minutes the bank was completely submerged. Never seen anything like it before.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Mar 7 6:33 AM, 2013
Pete and I left at just after 1pm (from being there just before 9am) Dave so must have just missed you!
4 Yellow-legged Gulls (3 adults and 1 3rd winter) plus a single juvenile Iceland Gull were of note.
I didn't count the Crows but Tom will be made up that you did
dave broome said
Thu Mar 7 5:59 AM, 2013
Just under three hours this afternoon, 2 Yellow-Legged Gull (3rd W/adult) 95 Carrion Crow, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Redpoll, 2 Grey Partridge
pete berry said
Sun Mar 3 5:39 PM, 2013
Bit of late news from Friday,with Jeff and Mike B. we had a 10 gull day up to the high tide at lunchtime
1 ad. Caspian Gull usual juv. Glaucous Gull 3 Iceland Gulls(2 juvs and a 2nd w.) at least 5 Yellow Legged Gulls and a Med Gull
its the most birds we've had on the Bank for a long while,the vast number of birds made viewing hard as many birds were out of sight behind other birds.
Ringing update of ring numbers read this autumn
2 birds from Walney Island at least a dozen birds from Aberdeen including a couple of multiple sightings 1 bird from Isle of Man(plus Mike has had one from there as well) 1 bird from Rainham Tip,London 4 birds from landfill site in Gloucestershire 1 bird from Nottingham 2 birds from Scarborough a wing tagged bird from Germany(still waiting on the exact location in Germany) and finally a bird seen by Mike B. ringed in Belgium,seen on two succesive years in Spain before visiting Arpley
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 3 5:40 AM, 2013
Great to meet you Jon, enjoyed all the banter this morning. Bit of a late start for me but very pleasurable siting in the warm sunshine. A pleasant change from the usual biting icy winds up there, don't take todays tropical climate as the usual on your first visit, Jon!! Two Iceland Gulls (3 sightings at different times probably related to 2 individuals) and the monster Glaucous Gull were seen but the bright sunshine hampered viewing with half the flock unscannable due to reflections etc. I know we could have moved along the bank, but to be honest it was just nice lazing around in the sun scanning the gulls that we could see properly!! Also 1st butterfly for most of us there for 2013, a Small Tortoishell flew through the viewpoint, spring has sprung
Jon Bowen said
Sun Mar 3 2:03 AM, 2013
First visit to Richmond Bank this morning. Whilst the weather was great for sitting out it didn't make the light great for checking out the gulls. Thanks to the fellow birders Doc Brewster, Dave and others present for adding to the enjoyment and helping with the identification. Managed Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull which made the trip worthwhile. Will have to try again for the Yellow Legged etc
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Feb 28 12:38 AM, 2013
Had the morning off work today so me and John Barber decided to try our luck for the juvenile Glaucous Gull that's been present here for a while now. This was my first visit to Richmond Bank and the sheer quantity of gulls is mind blowing. You really have to be methodical in working your way through them with the scope. Anyway, after around 40 minutes of scoping I finally happened upon the target bird happily preening in good view. A few record shots and big smiles all round.
We then attempted to try and find an Iceland gull or Yellow Legged but a combination of the light being against us and being gull novices we failed. Still it was a lovely morning out in a nice setting with some good birding.
pete berry said
Wed Feb 27 3:18 AM, 2013
3 hours today with Mike Baron until high tide produced:-
An adult Caspian Gull(a bird with green/greyish legs) 4 Icelands Gulls The (resident) juv. Glaucous Gull 4 ad. Yellow Legged Gulls
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Feb 24 6:16 AM, 2013
JasonAtkinson wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Never follow me to Richmond bank-you will see nowt 2pm onwards I arrived as all the others were leaving as usual About 100 herring gull and 7 redshank for me,Just shows arrive at low tide its wrong ,the other week high tide its wrong,somewere in between it must be right,as everyone else seems to see all sorts,and I see nowt of note,and im always the only one there,so im obviously doing something wrong
Hi John
On a Saturday the gulls only tend to last till early afternoon as the tip ceases operations just before lunch. So, if you visit the bank on a Saturday make it a morning visit and I'm sure you will be rewarded.
Cheers Jason
Unless the tides in
JasonAtkinson said
Sun Feb 24 6:10 AM, 2013
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Never follow me to Richmond bank-you will see nowt 2pm onwards I arrived as all the others were leaving as usual About 100 herring gull and 7 redshank for me,Just shows arrive at low tide its wrong ,the other week high tide its wrong,somewere in between it must be right,as everyone else seems to see all sorts,and I see nowt of note,and im always the only one there,so im obviously doing something wrong
Hi John
On a Saturday the gulls only tend to last till early afternoon as the tip ceases operations just before lunch. So, if you visit the bank on a Saturday make it a morning visit and I'm sure you will be rewarded.
Cheers Jason
Jon Bowen said
Sun Feb 24 2:12 AM, 2013
Thinking of my first venture to Richmond Bank over the next week or so. If one of the regulars would kindly PM me with directions I'd be extremely grateful. I know how to get to Morre etc, just have no idea how to get to the 'bank'. Thanks in advance
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Feb 24 12:26 AM, 2013
Never follow me to Richmond bank-you will see nowt 2pm onwards I arrived as all the others were leaving as usual About 100 herring gull and 7 redshank for me,Just shows arrive at low tide its wrong ,the other week high tide its wrong,somewere in between it must be right,as everyone else seems to see all sorts,and I see nowt of note,and im always the only one there,so im obviously doing something wrong
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Feb 23 8:26 PM, 2013
Pete Kinsella wrote:
Hi, view from the northern side of the river looking towards the tip.Access from the A562 in Penketh onto Tannery Lane which leads onto Station Rd.At the end of the road there is a small car park.Walk across the railway line and canal and follow the track left alongside the canal, after c300m bear right towards the river and follow the track, heading east until the view of the river opens up to your right and hopefully a few thousand Gulls standing on the mud!
Taken from page 5 of this thread.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 23rd of February 2013 08:27:26 PM
Pete Kinsella said
Sat Feb 23 3:13 AM, 2013
In addition to Pete Berry`s post below, an additional two hours added a 1stw Caspian Gull( first one I`ve seen here this month), a total of five Iceland Gulls( 2 x juv, 2 x2ndw and 3rdw).Also a German wing-tagged argentatus Herring Gull( this bird was first seen two weeks ago).
pete berry said
Fri Feb 22 10:34 PM, 2013
3 hours today with Jeff in brass monkey weather:-
Juv Glaucous Gull(the bird bird thats been around for a few weeks) Juv and 2nd w. Iceland 7+Ad. Yellow Legged Gulls
and some more Crows
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Feb 22 1:31 AM, 2013
Late news for yesterday:
Juvenile Glaucous Gull Second winter Iceland Gull 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls some Crows...
A report of a first winter Caspian Gull 'in the morning' (news not released until late afternoon/early evening though) certainly wasn't seen by any if the 5 birders present from just after 9am) and nor was its observer. Must have been really early morning!
Tom McKinney said
Sat Feb 16 7:41 AM, 2013
pete berry wrote:
3 Oystercatchers
Mega! Gripped off. Anyone count the Crows?
pete berry said
Sat Feb 16 3:30 AM, 2013
A few hours today with Jeff and later Mike Baron:--
4 Iceland Gulls 1 Glaucous Gull 6 Yellow Legged Gulls 3 Oystercatchers and a Comorant which spent at least 15 mins trying to swallow a Flounder before finally throwing in the towel
Mike Baron said
Thu Feb 14 11:13 PM, 2013
Five hours today with Greg Baker
Juvenile Glaucous Gull
Juvenile and second winter Iceland Gulls
Adult Yellow-legged Gull
Adult Mediterranean Gull
Large reduction in Lesser Black-backed Gull numbers compared to last week and large influx of first winter Herring Gulls
Tom McKinney said
Thu Feb 14 3:12 AM, 2013
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Nearly four hours today with Pete Berry in deceptively cold weather!
How many Crows?
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 13 12:29 AM, 2013
Nearly four hours today with Pete Berry in deceptively cold weather!
2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls; both on the bank together with one the recent regular large bird and the other a noticeably smaller individual. 5 Iceland Gulls; 2 juvenile (one with fairly prominent dark 'diamonds' internally on the primary tips which I think is probably a well marked Iceland), 2 second winter and 1 third winter. 5 Yellow-legged Gulls; 4 adults and 1 fourth winter.
8 Yellow Legged gulls-5 ads,a 3rd summer and 2 juvs
Also an adult yellow legged Argenteus Herring Gull
3 Iceland Gulls(2 juvs and a 3rd w.)
4 Yellow Legged Gulls
Willow Warbler singing ,plenty of Chiffchaffs about and a couple of Pink Footed Geese over
A 2nd.w. Iceland Gull
7 Yellow Legged Gulls(5 ads,2 1st w.)
A ringed Comorant from Isle of Man,first seen in 2012
4 Iceland Gulls (3 juvs and a 3rd.w.)
5 Yellow Legged Gulls (4 ads and a 4th.w.)
An ad. yellow legged Argenteus Herring Gull
Adult Kumlien's Gull putting in an appearance
Also 2 Yellow Legged Gulls(an adult and 1st w.)
1st winter Caspian Gull(same bird that's been around since Dec).,now almost into classic plumage
2 Iceland Gulls(a juv. and a 2nd winter
6 yellow Legged Gulls(5 ads. and a 3rd winter)
1m+2f Stonchats, 4 Kestrels, 1 Buzzard, 6 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 68 Lapwings, 20 Redshanks & a pair of Gadwall.
4 Grey Herons were on the sandbanks with the gulls before the incoming tide flooded the area.
No sign of anything uncommon amongst the gulls, although a huge "Argentatus" Herring Gull was mobbed by a smaller Great Black Back and a couple of "Argenteus",
in an aerial squabble that appeared to over a strip of sellotape. 12 Great Black Backs were in the roost.
A pair of Kestrels hunted the lower embankment as the tide came in and flooded it, the other pair were displaying over Gateworth.
Wrong day for the big gull roost, and the rising tide quickly covered the sandbanks anyway.
1st w. Caspian Gull(looks like same bird from before xmas)
Ad. Glaucous Gull
5 Iceland Gulls(3 juvs and 2 adults)
5 Yellow Legged Gulls
ad. Med. Gull
Specific target of Iceland Gull was hit, with a juvenile and a second-winter bird- lifer
Also, Kestrel, Buzzard
3 Gadwalls
Bullfinch by the railway
1 Adult Glaucous Gull(first one reported from here this winter)
4 Icelands Gulls-2 adults(both on bank at same time)and 2 juvs
6 Yellow-Legged Gulls-5 ads/1 2nd winter
a noticeable big increase in L.B.Back Gulls from recent previous visits
8 Yellow-legged Gull
1 juvenile Iceland Gull
1 Caspian Gull
6 Gadwall
2 Goldcrest
4 hours with Jeff produced the following:-
4 Iceland Gulls(an adult and 3 juvs,one of the juvs showing some characteristics of Kumliens,but probably just a coarse Iceland Gull)
1 ad Yellow Legged Gull
160 Pinkfeet n.w. over
2 juv Iceland Gulls(looking at photos neither looked like the one claimed at Moore yesterday)
4 Yellow Legged Gulls
and a prob. Herring/LBB hybrid
4 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 first winter; 1 second winter; 1 adult)
187 Great Black-backed Gulls (in one count made mid-morning)
300 Lapwing
1 Great Crested Grebe
First winter Caspian Gull (photos to follow on the website)
2 first winter Yellow-legged Gulls
8 Yellow-legged Gulls (7 adults and a third winter, the latter of which was different from last week's)
Rock Pipit heard again and seen at distance in flight across the river; could well even be a Water Pipit!!!
At least 10 Yellow-legged Gulls (8 adults, one 1W and one 3W)
Little Egret
Rock Pipit (rather a good bird for the bank!)
The highlight was a 2CY Caspian Gull which showed quite well on the river at the western end of the site.This bird was still growing its new primaries and therefore was quite stubby looking.Nicely white headed and spotty shawled, with classic tertial pattern and a lovely tail pattern in flight.
Also; 5 Yellow-legged Gulls , four adults and a juv/1stw( quite advanced with lots of new mantle and scap feathers) and a couple of adult YLG/LBB type hybrids.
A Wheatear flew along the edge of the nearside bank at one stage.
It will be interesting to see how quickly the Gull numbers diminish here when the tips shuts, which is in October I think?
11 Yellow-legged Gulls (9 adults and single third and fourth calendar year birds)
http://austinmorley.blogspot.co.uk/
Up to 7000 large gulls on the bank but stupid weathermen got it wrong again and rather than the expected cloud and rain (which we were perfectly prepared for) we got long periods of sun which meant a good proportion of the gulls went virtually unchecked.
7 Yellow-legged Gull (6 adult and 1 juvenile)
Singles of Redshank and Curlew
3 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults and a third calendar year bird)
c3000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (including a few nice fresh juveniles)
Much fewer numbers of Herring Gull and maybe only just over a dozen Great Black-backed Gulls
Single Common Sandpiper and a few Lapwings
Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers
Grasshopper Warbler reeling on the old tip
1 1stW-2ndS Iceland Gull in the main roost, plus 2 adult Yellow Legged.
Masses of adult Lesser Black Back and Herring Gulls, only around a dozen Great Black Backs, just 6 Black Headed and a single adult Common.
1 Common Sandpiper, 3 pairs of Oystercatcher, 3 Buzzards (including 1 that caught and ate a shrew sized rodent), 2 Cormorants and a male Kestrel.
Also 3 Linnets (including 1 with nesting material), 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler.
3 Peacock butterflies. No sign of Whitetroats yet, and strangely no Reed Buntings.
Also a couple of L.B.Back gulls both ringed as chicks on Walney Isle one in2002 and one in 2005.
Pete Berry and I went to Moore instead today Greg as we didn't fancy the look of the sunlight for the bank! We saw the 'bore' there last year though and we thought the same would occur today and almost went to the bank just for that. The initially amazing thing about the one we saw last year (post on this thread somewhere) was the noise of it though; a truly incredible spectacle
The light was actually OK once the cloud arrived around 11ish. Agree about the amazing sound of the bore and could hear it coming seconds before it appeared from around the bend of the river.
From your report at Moore, seems like the same 3 Yellow-legs are moving between the bank and Pumphouse, though the Iceland stayed all morning even when the bank was flooded by the tide.
Pete Berry and I went to Moore instead today Greg as we didn't fancy the look of the sunlight for the bank! We saw the 'bore' there last year though and we thought the same would occur today and almost went to the bank just for that. The initially amazing thing about the one we saw last year (post on this thread somewhere) was the noise of it though; a truly incredible spectacle
Tide was incredible today. Around 12.15 I noticed gulls flowing upriver and then suddenly it was as if floodgates had been opened downstream. The Mersey equivalent of the Severn Bore tore upriver with a sizeable wave at its head and within 15 minutes the bank was completely submerged. Never seen anything like it before.
4 Yellow-legged Gulls (3 adults and 1 3rd winter) plus a single juvenile Iceland Gull were of note.
I didn't count the Crows but Tom will be made up that you did
1 ad. Caspian Gull
usual juv. Glaucous Gull
3 Iceland Gulls(2 juvs and a 2nd w.)
at least 5 Yellow Legged Gulls
and a Med Gull
its the most birds we've had on the Bank for a long while,the vast number of birds made viewing hard as many birds were out of sight behind other birds.
Ringing update of ring numbers read this autumn
2 birds from Walney Island
at least a dozen birds from Aberdeen including a couple of multiple sightings
1 bird from Isle of Man(plus Mike has had one from there as well)
1 bird from Rainham Tip,London
4 birds from landfill site in Gloucestershire
1 bird from Nottingham
2 birds from Scarborough
a wing tagged bird from Germany(still waiting on the exact location in Germany)
and finally a bird seen by Mike B. ringed in Belgium,seen on two succesive years in Spain before visiting Arpley
We then attempted to try and find an Iceland gull or Yellow Legged but a combination of the light being against us and being gull novices we failed. Still it was a lovely morning out in a nice setting with some good birding.
An adult Caspian Gull(a bird with green/greyish legs)
4 Icelands Gulls
The (resident) juv. Glaucous Gull
4 ad. Yellow Legged Gulls
Unless the tides in
Hi John
On a Saturday the gulls only tend to last till early afternoon as the tip ceases operations just before lunch. So, if you visit the bank on a Saturday make it a morning visit and I'm sure you will be rewarded.
Cheers
Jason
2pm onwards
I arrived as all the others were leaving as usual
About 100 herring gull and 7 redshank for me,Just shows arrive at low tide its wrong ,the other week high tide its wrong,somewere in between it must be right,as everyone else seems to see all sorts,and I see nowt of note,and im always the only one there,so im obviously doing something wrong
Taken from page 5 of this thread.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 23rd of February 2013 08:27:26 PM
Juv Glaucous Gull(the bird bird thats been around for a few weeks)
Juv and 2nd w. Iceland
7+Ad. Yellow Legged Gulls
and some more Crows
Juvenile Glaucous Gull
Second winter Iceland Gull
3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls
some Crows...
A report of a first winter Caspian Gull 'in the morning' (news not released until late afternoon/early evening though) certainly wasn't seen by any if the 5 birders present from just after 9am) and nor was its observer. Must have been really early morning!
Mega! Gripped off. Anyone count the Crows?
4 Iceland Gulls
1 Glaucous Gull
6 Yellow Legged Gulls
3 Oystercatchers
and a Comorant which spent at least 15 mins trying to swallow a Flounder before finally throwing in the towel
How many Crows?
2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls; both on the bank together with one the recent regular large bird and the other a noticeably smaller individual.
5 Iceland Gulls; 2 juvenile (one with fairly prominent dark 'diamonds' internally on the primary tips which I think is probably a well marked Iceland), 2 second winter and 1 third winter.
5 Yellow-legged Gulls; 4 adults and 1 fourth winter.