A brief visit to Gatewarth this morning, as we arrived a curlew flew over and an Iceland Gull was on the opposite bank from the Ferry Tavern (thanks to Anthony Brandreth and partner for telling us), many Lapwing on Richmond Bank as well as at least one Redshank. As we returned to our car a Grey Wagtail flew over and when we met Anthony again we found an adult Mediterranean Gull where the Iceland had been previously.
Attached, distant photo of the Med. alongside a Black-headed Gull.
2 Ravens horse fields
3 Snipe
2 Buzzards
1 juv m Kestrel being mercilessly bullied by a much larger Carrion Crow, the falcon spiraled higher and higher to escape
1 Stock Dove
High Tide. Cold.
John O'Neill said
Wed Feb 10 9:31 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
1 F Sparrowhawk lowish over Old Tip area putting up small flocks of Linnets
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming briefly
A Coot was building a nest in canal side reeds ignoring icy water conditions
John O'Neill said
Fri Feb 5 8:15 PM, 2021
Sankey Bridges- Gatewarth
AM
2 Ravens over together
1 Cettis Warbler singing in canal reeds
John O'Neill said
Tue Feb 2 11:28 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
PM
1 Cettis Warbler heard singing in canal side reeds
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
John O'Neill said
Mon Feb 1 3:11 PM, 2021
Sankey Bridges-Gatewarth
AM
Magpie watched for a while as it constructed (or repaired?) an impressively sized nest up in a tall canalside tree. Very diligent as it wound long thin twigs in place.
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrels, one being run out of town by a persistent Pied Wagtail
John O'Neill said
Sun Jan 31 7:18 PM, 2021
Gatewarth
AM
1 Bullfinch
1 Kestrel
Good nos of Gulls and Lapwing and Redshank on River
John Williams said
Mon Jan 25 9:14 PM, 2021
Walked from Sankey Bridges to Moore NR (Via Trans Pennine Trail)
4 Meadow Pipits and 1 Reed Bunting seen near Gatewarth Treatment Works.
River Mersey : 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants and 1 Little Grebe.
John O'Neill said
Mon Jan 25 12:06 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry-Gatewarth AM Clear and bright but cold 2 Stonechat (pair) old tip area 2 Stonechat (both ms) in flooded copse at River House. Standing water frozen and the chats joined other birds...Reed Buntings, Pied Wagtails, Blue Tits... feeding on and around icy surface. 1 each of Buzzard and Kestrel
-- Edited by John O'Neill on Monday 25th of January 2021 12:07:47 PM
John O'Neill said
Sun Jan 24 1:08 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
900 - 1000am
1 m Stonechat in scrub by River
John O'Neill said
Sat Jan 23 7:39 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
3pm
F Grey Wagtail bringing a splash of colour in flooded copse around the River House Pumping Station
John O'Neill said
Mon Jan 18 8:00 PM, 2021
Fiidlers Ferry - Gatewarth
late AM
c 50 Curlew flying up from fields on opposite side of River down onto the River itself
2 Kestrels
1 Buzzard
John O'Neill said
Sun Jan 17 7:06 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
4 Curlew on River
4 Gadwall on River
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Mixed flocks of Finches and Tits in alders
A few Pink Footed Geese over
John O'Neill said
Fri Jan 8 9:05 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry
Single Little Grebe diving in the canal by the level crossing.
John O'Neill said
Wed Jan 6 11:41 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
9-10am
Slight fall of snow but warmer than has been, River not iced and Shelduck and Grey Herons , Lapwings and more Gulls were present
4 Bullfinch in hedge along main path
John O'Neill said
Mon Jan 4 12:49 PM, 2021
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
9.15 - 10.15 AM
Cold. Canal frozen. Even a bit of ice floating on the River itself.
4 Lesser Redpoll feeding low on alders in copse arounf the River House pumping station.
1 Kestrel
John O'Neill said
Fri Jan 1 11:50 PM, 2021
Gatewarth
1:00 - 2:30pm
Cold, slight drizzle. Very high tide.
Pink Footed Geese - 100s over in skeins of various sizes, some quite low, by far the highest number of this species I have ever seen here.
1 Little Grebe on River, at outflow near Windpump.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying to perch right on top of a tall electricity pylon. Another heard calling.
Several Jays.
John O'Neill said
Sun Dec 6 1:52 PM, 2020
Sankey Bridges - Gatewarth
9AM
Flocks of 300 plus Lapwing with few Redshank on sandbanks in River
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker calling in copse near Windpump
Mixed flocks of tits and finches in hedges
John Williams said
Wed Nov 25 4:54 PM, 2020
Walked from Penketh Station Road to Sankey Brook via the former Gatewarth tip site. 10.30 - 14.00.
Raptors :- 1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.
Richmond Bank (Mersey sand banks) : 1100 Lapwings (Actual count), 6 Shelducks, 10 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron and 6 Snipe.
Penketh Reach : 2 Stonechats, 10 Bullfinches, 13 Reed Buntings, 6 Redwings, 6 Song Thrushes and 1 Meadow Pipit.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was a surprise find on a sapling by Sankey Brook.
A Cettis Warbler gave a burst of song at one point, and a Raven was heard once too.
The main feature was the abundance of Greenfinches, they were seen all the embankment and appear to be attracted by rose hips.
Goldfinches also numerous here, feeding on the seeds of Common Reed and other plants. Reed Buntings seemed to focus on the
seed heads of Common Reed too. Blackbirds also numerous, with a least one migrant flock around the embankment hawthorns.
John O'Neill said
Sat Nov 21 11:54 AM, 2020
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
AM
A sole Raven accompanied me pretty much all the way round, vocal, continually muttering to itself. First seen flying over old tip area, then perched up on pylon by wind pump, then over horse fields. When over the fields it started to indulge in acrobatic tumblings, climbing high then somersaulting down , wheeling over and over, changing vocalisation to a high shrill cry.
5 Meadow Pipits in small flock in flooded fields.
At least 4 Cettis Warblers singing round site.
50 plus Pink Footed Geese in skein high over.
John O'Neill said
Tue Nov 10 6:41 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
Nice murmuration of Starlings restlessly formation flying over River. 4pm ish. 300 to 400 birds.
John O'Neill said
Sun Nov 8 10:46 PM, 2020
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
900-1000 AM
Single Redwing gorging on Haws on a Hawthorn Tree was first I 've seen on site this season
1m Bullfinch
Reed Buntings flitting along main pathside hedge like a flock of winter finches
John O'Neill said
Sat Nov 7 11:52 AM, 2020
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
900-1000 AM
Beautiful sunny morning
4 Stonechats inc a nice adult m with Robins and Reed Buntings mobile in hawthorn and reedy scrub on top of River Bank.
1 Buzzard
John O'Neill said
Sun Oct 18 7:55 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
Typical Autumnal scene this morning with purple flush of naturalised Michelmass Daisies on the old tip and Berries, Hawes and Hips red in the hedges.
Lapwing numbers up on the river
Skylarks passing over in 2s and 3s , vocal.
John O'Neill said
Sat Oct 10 11:41 AM, 2020
Fiddlers Ferry -Gatewarth AM
Perfect procession of 2 adult and 8 rapidly whitening piebald young Mute Swans on canal. One of the adults headed the line, the other brought up the rear.
1 Cettis Warbler singing in reeds...weird kind of canaryish twitter rather than full on song.
1 Jay
John O'Neill said
Sun Sep 13 4:10 PM, 2020
Gatewarth AM
2 seperate family groups of Mute Swans on canal this morning, one with 2 adukts and 7 yiubg the other 2 adukts and 6 young. 3 other adult birds on River.
Cettis Warbler and, less expectedly, 2 Chiffchaff singing in and around hedge on top of Riverbank
Still 2 Swallows in and oit of barns at the Penketh Old Hall Stables.
John O'Neill said
Mon Sep 7 1:50 AM, 2020
08/09 AM GATEWARTH
7 young (this year's birds) and 4 adult Mute Swans made an ironically vocal group on the canal.
1 Cetti's Warbler singing
Long loose flock of Long Tailed Tits had a few Blue Tits and Willow Warblers mixed in.
John O'Neill said
Sat Aug 8 10:53 PM, 2020
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth 5-630 pm
Large, mobile,vocal flock of adult and juvenile passerines feeding on hawthorn hedge along main path, drinking from muddy puddle as well included a Garden Warbler, a site tick and the tenth warbler species I have seen here, though I have seen them pretty close before.
Other species, in rough order of numbers : Goldfinch, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Robin.
7 near full grown cygnets feeding with both adult Mute Swans on canal.
Reed Warblers still just about singing.
John O'Neill said
Wed Jul 29 8:03 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
Great Spotted Woodpecker om 99% dead Rowan Tree near wind pump
Loose flocks of post breeding passerines in brambles included Blackcap
John O'Neill said
Sun Jul 19 12:12 AM, 2020
Fiddlers Ferry - Gatewarth
8.00-9.00pm
1 Grasshopper Wabler reeling
2 Little Egrets on River
1 Stock Dove
John O'Neill said
Sun Jul 5 11:21 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
1 m Bullfinch
Signs of the turning of the year, as Spring becomes Summer...plenty of fledged Whitethroats seen. Tiny Toadlets recently emerged. Field Mushrooms out.
John O'Neill said
Sat Jul 4 10:21 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
830pm
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling rather half heartedly from grassy scrub and hawthorns on Old Tip area
3 Oystercatchers on River
John O'Neill said
Mon Jun 29 10:57 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
early evening
Mute Swan pair at nest. Female sheltering 6 cygnets under wing.
Post breeding flocks of Starlings (40 plus) and Lapwing (30ish) formed
John O'Neill said
Mon Jun 22 1:07 AM, 2020
Sankey Bridges
Mute Swan pair on canal have 5 cygnets
John O'Neill said
Fri May 29 1:55 AM, 2020
Sankey Bridges
nr Sloop Inn
Mute Swan pair here still appear to be on eggs. A Canada Goose getting too close was seen off with extreme prejudice.
Plenty of recently fledged young birds about including a mixed flock of Tits and Finches in trees round Water Compound, where 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were flying to and fro close to last year's nest site. Family party of 4 Whitethroat.3 or 4 young Pied Wagtails were skimming the water at the canal like swallows, catching flies with gusto.
1 Marsh Orchid (not fully flowering, appeared to be Northern Marsh)
John O'Neill said
Fri May 15 1:42 AM, 2020
Fiddlers Ferry
30 plus House Martins zooming round pub garden and canal , 1 or 2 Swallows also here.
John O'Neill said
Sun May 3 5:54 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
Lesser Whitethroat still present
Mute Swans nesting in canal side reeds
Numerous broods of Coot swimming around
John O'Neill said
Mon Apr 27 10:41 PM, 2020
Sun26/04/20
Gatewarth
No sign of Cuckoo during afternoon walk
Lesser Whitethroat singing from thick scrub above River bank
John O'Neill said
Sat Apr 25 10:48 AM, 2020
Gatewarth
Earlier start for my hour long allowed walk
9-10 AM ish
Grasshopper Warblers much in evidence, at least 6 birds heard/seen
Whitethroats also obvious at least 4 mainly in song flight
1st Sedge warblers of year here 2 in song flight
Reed Warblers in big nos sining from canal side reeds
At least 4 Cettis Warblers
Best of all A Cuckoo calling repeatedly from far side of River and seen briefly in flight distantly.. First recorded here for at least 4 years
Only 1 Swallow.
John O'Neill said
Sun Apr 19 9:12 PM, 2020
Gatewarth 2.30-3.30 pm
Lesser Whitethroat , very vocal and mobile bird calling and singing seen and heard.
At one point, as it moved along the main hedge along the track close to the River, Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler and Cettis Warbler all audible together.
John O'Neill said
Mon Apr 13 8:38 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
Identical walk to yesterday but fewer warblers heard, no Grasshopper Warblers nor Blackcaps nor Whitethroats heard or seen this morning.
Close views of Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Cettis Warbler some consolation.
John O'Neill said
Sun Apr 12 1:08 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
Not managed to get down here for a few days and very noticeable increase in warblers present
2 Whitethroat seen
Heard :
at least 2 Grasshopper Warbler
at least 2 Cettis Warbler
2 Blackcap
3 plus Reed Warbler
numerous Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler
fisrt Swallow of Spring for me at Old Hall Stables
John O'Neill said
Wed Apr 8 12:40 AM, 2020
Gatewarth 7 April pm
at least 6 Willow Warblers singing
2 Blackcaps
Numerous Chiffchaff
John O'Neill said
Mon Apr 6 11:17 PM, 2020
Gatewarth
Close enough for me to walk to as permitted exercise
Little Grebes still present, hopefully breeding
Single Raven low over mobbed by Crows
First Willow Warbler of Spring
10plus Chiffchaff
2 Cettis Warbler
John Williams said
Wed Apr 1 5:21 PM, 2020
Exercise walk along Sankey Valley Trail, Callands to Gatewarth & return. From 10.00am.
Sankey Valley Park : 2 Grey Herons (1 seen carrying sticks towards Gullivers World Theme Park)
A pair of Gadwall with Mallards on the St Helens Canal. 1pr of Mistle Thrushes.
Gatewarth former landfill and adjacent River Mersey : 2 Redwings, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Buzzards, 2 Ravens,
1 Great Crested Grebe and 14 Teal. In total of 8 singing Chiffchaffs were recorded throughout the walk.
John O'Neill said
Tue Mar 24 1:32 AM, 2020
Gatewarth 23/03 5.00pmish
2 Chiffchaff and also 2 Cetti's Warblers heard 1 Buzzard a very active and vocal pair of Little Grebes in the reeds on the canal was an unusual sighting here Great Spotted Woodpeckers round last year's nest site
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 24th of March 2020 06:41:26 AM
John Williams said
Sun Mar 22 8:19 PM, 2020
09.00-11.30
Gatewarth Former Tip Site :
2 Linnets, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Sparrrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, 2 singing male Greenfinches and 2 singing Chiffchaffs.
River Mersey (Richmond Bank) :
6 Cormorants, a large gathering of Lesser Black Back, Herring and Black Headed Gulls and 1 adult Great Black Back.
John O'Neill said
Sat Mar 21 12:46 PM, 2020
Gatewarth at least 4 Chiffchaffs heard and/or seen 1 Cettis Warbler singing, full porolonged song
John Williams said
Tue Mar 17 10:40 PM, 2020
Walk through Sankey Valley Park to Gatewarth/Richmond Bank (PM)
Sankey Valley Park : 2 Grey Herons, 1 singing Chiffchaff and a pair of Mistle Thrushes.
Gatewarth/Richmond Bank : 34 Black Tailed Godwits, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Buzzard and 2 Common Gulls.
Cettis Warbler heard only.
Former landfill : 3 Reed Buntings and 1 Meadow Pipit.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 17th of March 2020 11:06:48 PM
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 17th of March 2020 11:10:30 PM
Attached, distant photo of the Med. alongside a Black-headed Gull.
cheers
Dave
11am -12noon
2 Ravens horse fields
3 Snipe
2 Buzzards
1 juv m Kestrel being mercilessly bullied by a much larger Carrion Crow, the falcon spiraled higher and higher to escape
1 Stock Dove
High Tide. Cold.
1 F Sparrowhawk lowish over Old Tip area putting up small flocks of Linnets
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming briefly
A Coot was building a nest in canal side reeds ignoring icy water conditions
AM
2 Ravens over together
1 Cettis Warbler singing in canal reeds
PM
1 Cettis Warbler heard singing in canal side reeds
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
AM
Magpie watched for a while as it constructed (or repaired?) an impressively sized nest up in a tall canalside tree. Very diligent as it wound long thin twigs in place.
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrels, one being run out of town by a persistent Pied Wagtail
AM
1 Bullfinch
1 Kestrel
Good nos of Gulls and Lapwing and Redshank on River
4 Meadow Pipits and 1 Reed Bunting seen near Gatewarth Treatment Works.
River Mersey : 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants and 1 Little Grebe.
Fiddlers Ferry-Gatewarth
AM
Clear and bright but cold
2 Stonechat (pair) old tip area
2 Stonechat (both ms) in flooded copse at River House. Standing water frozen and the chats joined other birds...Reed Buntings, Pied Wagtails, Blue Tits... feeding on and around icy surface.
1 each of Buzzard and Kestrel
-- Edited by John O'Neill on Monday 25th of January 2021 12:07:47 PM
900 - 1000am
1 m Stonechat in scrub by River
3pm
F Grey Wagtail bringing a splash of colour in flooded copse around the River House Pumping Station
late AM
c 50 Curlew flying up from fields on opposite side of River down onto the River itself
2 Kestrels
1 Buzzard
4 Curlew on River
4 Gadwall on River
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Mixed flocks of Finches and Tits in alders
A few Pink Footed Geese over
Single Little Grebe diving in the canal by the level crossing.
9-10am
Slight fall of snow but warmer than has been, River not iced and Shelduck and Grey Herons , Lapwings and more Gulls were present
4 Bullfinch in hedge along main path
9.15 - 10.15 AM
Cold. Canal frozen. Even a bit of ice floating on the River itself.
4 Lesser Redpoll feeding low on alders in copse arounf the River House pumping station.
1 Kestrel
1:00 - 2:30pm
Cold, slight drizzle. Very high tide.
Pink Footed Geese - 100s over in skeins of various sizes, some quite low, by far the highest number of this species I have ever seen here.
1 Little Grebe on River, at outflow near Windpump.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying to perch right on top of a tall electricity pylon. Another heard calling.
Several Jays.
9AM
Flocks of 300 plus Lapwing with few Redshank on sandbanks in River
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker calling in copse near Windpump
Mixed flocks of tits and finches in hedges
Raptors :- 1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.
Richmond Bank (Mersey sand banks) : 1100 Lapwings (Actual count), 6 Shelducks, 10 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron and 6 Snipe.
Penketh Reach : 2 Stonechats, 10 Bullfinches, 13 Reed Buntings, 6 Redwings, 6 Song Thrushes and 1 Meadow Pipit.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was a surprise find on a sapling by Sankey Brook.
A Cettis Warbler gave a burst of song at one point, and a Raven was heard once too.
The main feature was the abundance of Greenfinches, they were seen all the embankment and appear to be attracted by rose hips.
Goldfinches also numerous here, feeding on the seeds of Common Reed and other plants. Reed Buntings seemed to focus on the
seed heads of Common Reed too. Blackbirds also numerous, with a least one migrant flock around the embankment hawthorns.
AM
A sole Raven accompanied me pretty much all the way round, vocal, continually muttering to itself. First seen flying over old tip area, then perched up on pylon by wind pump, then over horse fields. When over the fields it started to indulge in acrobatic tumblings, climbing high then somersaulting down , wheeling over and over, changing vocalisation to a high shrill cry.
5 Meadow Pipits in small flock in flooded fields.
At least 4 Cettis Warblers singing round site.
50 plus Pink Footed Geese in skein high over.
Nice murmuration of Starlings restlessly formation flying over River. 4pm ish. 300 to 400 birds.
900-1000 AM
Single Redwing gorging on Haws on a Hawthorn Tree was first I 've seen on site this season
1m Bullfinch
Reed Buntings flitting along main pathside hedge like a flock of winter finches
900-1000 AM
Beautiful sunny morning
4 Stonechats inc a nice adult m with Robins and Reed Buntings mobile in hawthorn and reedy scrub on top of River Bank.
1 Buzzard
Typical Autumnal scene this morning with purple flush of naturalised Michelmass Daisies on the old tip and Berries, Hawes and Hips red in the hedges.
Lapwing numbers up on the river
Skylarks passing over in 2s and 3s , vocal.
Perfect procession of 2 adult and 8 rapidly whitening piebald young Mute Swans on canal. One of the adults headed the line, the other brought up the rear.
1 Cettis Warbler singing in reeds...weird kind of canaryish twitter rather than full on song.
1 Jay
2 seperate family groups of Mute Swans on canal this morning, one with 2 adukts and 7 yiubg the other 2 adukts and 6 young. 3 other adult birds on River.
Cettis Warbler and, less expectedly, 2 Chiffchaff singing in and around hedge on top of Riverbank
Still 2 Swallows in and oit of barns at the Penketh Old Hall Stables.
7 young (this year's birds) and 4 adult Mute Swans made an ironically vocal group on the canal.
1 Cetti's Warbler singing
Long loose flock of Long Tailed Tits had a few Blue Tits and Willow Warblers mixed in.
Large, mobile,vocal flock of adult and juvenile passerines feeding on hawthorn hedge along main path, drinking from muddy puddle as well included a Garden Warbler, a site tick and the tenth warbler species I have seen here, though I have seen them pretty close before.
Other species, in rough order of numbers : Goldfinch, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Robin.
7 near full grown cygnets feeding with both adult Mute Swans on canal.
Reed Warblers still just about singing.
Great Spotted Woodpecker om 99% dead Rowan Tree near wind pump
Loose flocks of post breeding passerines in brambles included Blackcap
8.00-9.00pm
1 Grasshopper Wabler reeling
2 Little Egrets on River
1 Stock Dove
1 m Bullfinch
Signs of the turning of the year, as Spring becomes Summer...plenty of fledged Whitethroats seen. Tiny Toadlets recently emerged. Field Mushrooms out.
830pm
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling rather half heartedly from grassy scrub and hawthorns on Old Tip area
3 Oystercatchers on River
early evening
Mute Swan pair at nest. Female sheltering 6 cygnets under wing.
Post breeding flocks of Starlings (40 plus) and Lapwing (30ish) formed
Mute Swan pair on canal have 5 cygnets
nr Sloop Inn
Mute Swan pair here still appear to be on eggs. A Canada Goose getting too close was seen off with extreme prejudice.
Hobby over.
8pm ish
Warblers heard/seen :
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling
2 Cettis Warblers
Numerous Reed Warblers and Whitethroat
1 Sedge Warbler
2-3 Chiff Chaff
1plus Willow Warbler
Plenty of recently fledged young birds about including a mixed flock of Tits and Finches in trees round Water Compound, where 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were flying to and fro close to last year's nest site. Family party of 4 Whitethroat.3 or 4 young Pied Wagtails were skimming the water at the canal like swallows, catching flies with gusto.
1 Marsh Orchid (not fully flowering, appeared to be Northern Marsh)
30 plus House Martins zooming round pub garden and canal , 1 or 2 Swallows also here.
Lesser Whitethroat still present
Mute Swans nesting in canal side reeds
Numerous broods of Coot swimming around
Gatewarth
No sign of Cuckoo during afternoon walk
Lesser Whitethroat singing from thick scrub above River bank
Earlier start for my hour long allowed walk
9-10 AM ish
Grasshopper Warblers much in evidence, at least 6 birds heard/seen
Whitethroats also obvious at least 4 mainly in song flight
1st Sedge warblers of year here 2 in song flight
Reed Warblers in big nos sining from canal side reeds
At least 4 Cettis Warblers
Best of all A Cuckoo calling repeatedly from far side of River and seen briefly in flight distantly.. First recorded here for at least 4 years
Only 1 Swallow.
Lesser Whitethroat , very vocal and mobile bird calling and singing seen and heard.
At one point, as it moved along the main hedge along the track close to the River, Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler and Cettis Warbler all audible together.
Identical walk to yesterday but fewer warblers heard, no Grasshopper Warblers nor Blackcaps nor Whitethroats heard or seen this morning.
Close views of Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Cettis Warbler some consolation.
Not managed to get down here for a few days and very noticeable increase in warblers present
2 Whitethroat seen
Heard :
at least 2 Grasshopper Warbler
at least 2 Cettis Warbler
2 Blackcap
3 plus Reed Warbler
numerous Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler
fisrt Swallow of Spring for me at Old Hall Stables
at least 6 Willow Warblers singing
2 Blackcaps
Numerous Chiffchaff
Close enough for me to walk to as permitted exercise
Little Grebes still present, hopefully breeding
Single Raven low over mobbed by Crows
First Willow Warbler of Spring
10plus Chiffchaff
2 Cettis Warbler
Exercise walk along Sankey Valley Trail, Callands to Gatewarth & return. From 10.00am.
Sankey Valley Park : 2 Grey Herons (1 seen carrying sticks towards Gullivers World Theme Park)
A pair of Gadwall with Mallards on the St Helens Canal. 1pr of Mistle Thrushes.
Gatewarth former landfill and adjacent River Mersey : 2 Redwings, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Buzzards, 2 Ravens,
1 Great Crested Grebe and 14 Teal. In total of 8 singing Chiffchaffs were recorded throughout the walk.
Gatewarth
23/03 5.00pmish
2 Chiffchaff and also 2 Cetti's Warblers heard
1 Buzzard
a very active and vocal pair of Little Grebes in the reeds on the canal was an unusual sighting here
Great Spotted Woodpeckers round last year's nest site
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 24th of March 2020 06:41:26 AM
09.00-11.30
Gatewarth Former Tip Site :
2 Linnets, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Sparrrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, 2 singing male Greenfinches and 2 singing Chiffchaffs.
River Mersey (Richmond Bank) :
6 Cormorants, a large gathering of Lesser Black Back, Herring and Black Headed Gulls and 1 adult Great Black Back.
Gatewarth
at least 4 Chiffchaffs heard and/or seen
1 Cettis Warbler singing, full porolonged song
Sankey Valley Park : 2 Grey Herons, 1 singing Chiffchaff and a pair of Mistle Thrushes.
Gatewarth/Richmond Bank : 34 Black Tailed Godwits, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Buzzard and 2 Common Gulls.
Cettis Warbler heard only.
Former landfill : 3 Reed Buntings and 1 Meadow Pipit.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 17th of March 2020 11:06:48 PM
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 17th of March 2020 11:10:30 PM