Dusk walk through
25 whooper swan flew over south
300 pink footed geese SE
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 8 11:54 AM, 2019
200 Pink-footed Geese south and 160 SE this morning.
Also, 2 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye 1 female Wigeon
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 5 5:00 PM, 2019
2 adult Whooper Swan present this morning.
Also, 7 Pochard yesterday.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Steve Judge said
Fri Nov 1 11:05 AM, 2019
Thursday, 31st October 2019 13:30 - 15:30 hrs.
Full circuit of Pennington Flash.
Willow Tit x 1 Goosander x 3 (all Red Head females) Bullfinch (Male) x 1 Lapwing x 2 Snipe x 3 Teal x 15 Shoveler x 25 Gadwall x 40 Great Crested Grebe x 2 Little Grebe x 3 Tufted Duck x 50 Herring Gull x 1 Lesser Black-Backed Gull x 2 Black-Headed Gull x 40 Grey Heron x 3 Mute Swan x 6 Reed Bunting x 1 Dunnock x 3 Long Tailed Tits x 3 Coal Tit x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Chaffinch x 7 Robin x 3 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 4 Great Tit x 1 Cormorant x 15 Mallard x 30 Canada Geese x 40 Jackdaw x 1 Crow x 5 Jay x 3 Magpie x 10 Coot x 60 Moorhen x 20 Starling x 15 Woodpigeon x 30
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Friday 1st of November 2019 11:11:57 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 30 9:03 PM, 2019
An adult Mediterranean Gull roosted this evening.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 30 9:01 PM, 2019
90 Redwing and 22 Siskin on Ramsdales Ruck this early afternoon.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 27 7:39 PM, 2019
22 Whooper Swan departed SE at 5:05pm this afternoon, plus another 6 flew straight through at 5:13pm.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
John Rayner said
Sun Oct 27 12:21 AM, 2019
John Williams wrote:
John Rayner wrote:
John Williams wrote:
It also gave me the chance for my first glimpse of a Willow Tit this year, at least 2 of which were seen around the feeders.
Hi John,
Interesting to note that your Willow Tit photo shows a Marsh Tit-like pale spot on the bill. There was some discussion on the Ludworth Moor thread about a bird I photographed earlier this year (25th June) that had a similar spot but gave a Willow Tit's call.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of October 2019 12:09:14 AM
An interesting feature indeed John, the bird clearly shows classic Willow Tit features such as
light patches on the secondaries, very evident buff colouration on the flanks and an extensive
dull cap. I took several photos of 2 Willow Tits around the feeders, the other bird though did not show
a light spot at the base of the bill. I have previously submitted a record of a Marsh Tit seen
on the birdtable at Moore NR, the white spot on the upper mandible was clearly visible on that bird.
However that bird was much more male Blackcap like, and overall far more smarter looking than
a typical Willow Tit. The Marsh Tit caught by ringers at Woolston a year or so ago clearly proves the
species does venture into the Mersey Valley occasionally, so perhaps there is a chance of some hybridisation.
John, I mentioned on the Ludworth thread that an old British Birds article (BB Nov 2009) says that around 4% of Willow Tits can show some sort of pale bill mark. But as you suggest, a suite of plumage and jizz characteristics, and of course call, will separate them.
Cheers John
John Williams said
Sat Oct 26 11:56 PM, 2019
John Rayner wrote:
John Williams wrote:
It also gave me the chance for my first glimpse of a Willow Tit this year, at least 2 of which were seen around the feeders.
Hi John,
Interesting to note that your Willow Tit photo shows a Marsh Tit-like pale spot on the bill. There was some discussion on the Ludworth Moor thread about a bird I photographed earlier this year (25th June) that had a similar spot but gave a Willow Tit's call.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of October 2019 12:09:14 AM
An interesting feature indeed John, the bird clearly shows classic Willow Tit features such as
light patches on the secondaries, very evident buff colouration on the flanks and an extensive
dull cap. I took several photos of 2 Willow Tits around the feeders, the other bird though did not show
a light spot at the base of the bill. I have previously submitted a record of a Marsh Tit seen
on the birdtable at Moore NR, the white spot on the upper mandible was clearly visible on that bird.
However that bird was much more male Blackcap like, and overall far more smarter looking than
a typical Willow Tit. The Marsh Tit caught by ringers at Woolston a year or so ago clearly proves the
species does venture into the Mersey Valley occasionally, so perhaps there is a chance of some hybridisation.
John Rayner said
Sat Oct 26 12:05 AM, 2019
John Williams wrote:
It also gave me the chance for my first glimpse of a Willow Tit this year, at least 2 of which were seen around the feeders.
Hi John,
Interesting to note that your Willow Tit photo shows a Marsh Tit-like pale spot on the bill. There was some discussion on the Ludworth Moor thread about a bird I photographed earlier this year (25th June) that had a similar spot but gave a Willow Tit's call.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of October 2019 12:09:14 AM
John Williams said
Fri Oct 25 5:10 PM, 2019
10.30-14.00
In addition to Ian's report below:
6f Goosanders opposite the car park, with a single Grey Wagtail on the shoreline here too.
Also of interest were an adult Lesser Black Backed Gull with white blotches on the upper wings,
and an adult Herring Gull that showed barely any black at all on the wing tips.
I thought for a second that I'd found an early Glaucous, but on reflection I now suspect it was a
large "Argentatus" although the grey upper plumage did'nt seem dark enough for one of those.
Among the many Great Crested Grebes were a pair displaying, whilst a fishing "team" of 16
Cormorants were sure to upset a few anglers.
I had'nt been to PF for years, but with cosy hides to sit in during near constant heavy rain it proved ideal.
It also gave me the chance for my first glimpse of a Willow Tit this year, at least 2 of which were seen around
Almost 900 large gulls in the roost tonight, three quarters of which were Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the rest Herrings (all properly counted of course!)
A first winter Yellow-legged Gull showed well; odd how this species here really does have a fondness for dominating the buoys!
2 Kingfishers were chasing each other around Sorrowcow Pond and the shore of the flash there, plus 2 Chiffchaff were also around the area.
4 Goosander present, 3 at the western end and one sat on one of the jetties of the sailing club.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 10 12:15 PM, 2019
This morning:
322 Woodpigeons S/SE in 10 flocks
28 Greenfinch west in 3 flocks
1 Raven west
1 adult Common Tern
1 Goldeneye
1 1W drake Goosander
The 'new' Cetti's warbler was showing extremely well and still vocal from shoreline trees on Ramsdales Ruck (both Ramadales Reedbed and western end birds both present and correct)
Single Reed Warbler elusive in shoreline sallows on Ramsdale Ruck
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Oct 8 12:11 PM, 2019
Of note this morning
2 fem/immature Goldeneye
1 common tern
4 cettis warbler
6 redwing
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 7 12:57 PM, 2019
Further sightings from this morning/early afternoon:
186 Tufted Duck
44 Long-tailed Tit in one flock around the edge of Ramsdales Ruck
9 Chiffchaff around Ramsdales Ruck (including 6 in the Long-tailed Tit flock)
2 singing Cetti's Warblers
16 House Martin
4 Swallow
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 7 10:32 AM, 2019
Great White Egret appeared to fly off east at 10:12
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 7 10:06 AM, 2019
Great White Egret landed on the spit at 10:03 this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 7 9:57 AM, 2019
So far this morning:
1 female Common Scoter
1 Common Tern
3 redhead Goosander
10 Redwing on the south side
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 5 1:52 PM, 2019
First winter Goldeneye on this morning, Common Tern still on and 8 Swallow.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 4 10:29 AM, 2019
Adult Common Tern present again this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 3 8:33 AM, 2019
2nd winter Little Gull still present this morning.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme and Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 2 9:38 PM, 2019
Additional sightings from today included 10 Buzzard and a single Dunlin.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 2 9:37 PM, 2019
Adult Mediterranean Gull and adult Common Tern roosted tonight.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 2 11:09 AM, 2019
Lovely autumnal morning with some clear evidence of arrivals; covering Ramsdales Ruck to Rammies Reedbed only:
1 2nd winter Little Gull
1 adult Common Tern
3 singing Cetti's warblers, one of which was a new bird in the lagoon behind the paint off Ramsdales Ruck and probably a first winter male judging from the quality of its song and sonograms taken
660 Pink-footed Geese over, with 280 east in one skien and 380 west in 3 skiens
32 Song Thrushes (a noticeable arrival!)
17 Chiffchaff
6 Water Rail (4 of which were in Rammies Reedbed)
12 House Martin
1 Blackcap
30 Meadow Pipit on Ramsdales Ruck
14 Reed Bunting (including a flock of 9 feeding in the grass on Ramsdales Ruck)
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 1 1:02 PM, 2019
Also still present this morning, this single Common Tern.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Oct 1 11:51 AM, 2019
This morning of note
Dunlin - 12 flew through west
Swallow-50+
House martin - 50+
Sand martin - 1
Common Tern- 1
,Buzzard -2
Kingfisher -2 .
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 1st of October 2019 01:17:21 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 30 12:40 PM, 2019
This morning:
1 Common Tern
40 Pink-footed Geese east
5 Raven over west
8 Swallow
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 27 8:58 PM, 2019
A Little Egret was roosting in trees at the western end at 7pm this evening.
16 Snipe in front of Ramsdales Hide.
1 Oystercatcher and 2 Little Grebes in front of Horrocks Hide.
2 Goldcrests near the Tom Edmundson hide.
A nervous flock of 60 Lapwings circled the site several times but seemed too wary to land.
2 Buzzards, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Willow Tits and 1m Bullfinch near the Bunting Hide.
Amongst the numerous Goldeneyes(mainly female) was a resplendent male that was showing well
near the car park. 10 Grey Herons were seen, mainly around Ramsdales.
Teal appeared abundant throughout, Shoveler were numerous too, with 25 of the later on the pool
in front of the Teal hide alone. Near the Tom Edmundson hide what appeared to be just another falling
leaf tumbled down almost vertically from the top of an alder, only when it landed on the path did it become
apparent that it was a Goldcrest, which before being trodden on fled to the safety of a hawthorn bush.
I have never witnessed this behaviour before from Goldcrests, I wonder if it fools Sparrowhawks?.
2 large charms of Goldfinches moved around the alders near the canal, with 6 Redwings were feeding on haws
nearby.
2 Whooper Swan present this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Highlights from this morning:
15 Snipe
2 Woodcock
8 Goosander
22 Redwing
20 Fieldfare
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
3 Woodcock on the south side this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Today
Also this evening an adult Whooper Swan flew in at 4:55pm, plus another 10 flew west at 5pm.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
200 Pink-footed Geese south and 160 SE this morning.
Also, 2 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye 1 female Wigeon
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
2 adult Whooper Swan present this morning.
Also, 7 Pochard yesterday.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Full circuit of Pennington Flash.
Willow Tit x 1
Goosander x 3 (all Red Head females)
Bullfinch (Male) x 1
Lapwing x 2
Snipe x 3
Teal x 15
Shoveler x 25
Gadwall x 40
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Little Grebe x 3
Tufted Duck x 50
Herring Gull x 1
Lesser Black-Backed Gull x 2
Black-Headed Gull x 40
Grey Heron x 3
Mute Swan x 6
Reed Bunting x 1
Dunnock x 3
Long Tailed Tits x 3
Coal Tit x 1
Goldfinch x 4
Chaffinch x 7
Robin x 3
Blackbird x 4
Blue Tit x 4
Great Tit x 1
Cormorant x 15
Mallard x 30
Canada Geese x 40
Jackdaw x 1
Crow x 5
Jay x 3
Magpie x 10
Coot x 60
Moorhen x 20
Starling x 15
Woodpigeon x 30
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Friday 1st of November 2019 11:11:57 AM
An adult Mediterranean Gull roosted this evening.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
90 Redwing and 22 Siskin on Ramsdales Ruck this early afternoon.
22 Whooper Swan departed SE at 5:05pm this afternoon, plus another 6 flew straight through at 5:13pm.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
John,
I mentioned on the Ludworth thread that an old British Birds article (BB Nov 2009) says that around 4% of Willow Tits can show some sort of pale bill mark. But as you suggest, a suite of plumage and jizz characteristics, and of course call, will separate them.
Cheers John
An interesting feature indeed John, the bird clearly shows classic Willow Tit features such as
light patches on the secondaries, very evident buff colouration on the flanks and an extensive
dull cap. I took several photos of 2 Willow Tits around the feeders, the other bird though did not show
a light spot at the base of the bill. I have previously submitted a record of a Marsh Tit seen
on the birdtable at Moore NR, the white spot on the upper mandible was clearly visible on that bird.
However that bird was much more male Blackcap like, and overall far more smarter looking than
a typical Willow Tit. The Marsh Tit caught by ringers at Woolston a year or so ago clearly proves the
species does venture into the Mersey Valley occasionally, so perhaps there is a chance of some hybridisation.
Hi John,
Interesting to note that your Willow Tit photo shows a Marsh Tit-like pale spot on the bill. There was some discussion on the Ludworth Moor thread about a bird I photographed earlier this year (25th June) that had a similar spot but gave a Willow Tit's call.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of October 2019 12:09:14 AM
In addition to Ian's report below:
6f Goosanders opposite the car park, with a single Grey Wagtail on the shoreline here too.
Also of interest were an adult Lesser Black Backed Gull with white blotches on the upper wings,
and an adult Herring Gull that showed barely any black at all on the wing tips.
I thought for a second that I'd found an early Glaucous, but on reflection I now suspect it was a
large "Argentatus" although the grey upper plumage did'nt seem dark enough for one of those.
Among the many Great Crested Grebes were a pair displaying, whilst a fishing "team" of 16
Cormorants were sure to upset a few anglers.
I had'nt been to PF for years, but with cosy hides to sit in during near constant heavy rain it proved ideal.
It also gave me the chance for my first glimpse of a Willow Tit this year, at least 2 of which were seen around
the feeders.
This miserable early afternoon:
106 Teal
22 Snipe (from Ramsdales hide)
18 Goldcrest (around the nature reserve area)
30 Redwing
1 Chiffchaff
The usual Oystercatcher still moving between spit and car park
Of note this morning
Great Crested Grebe- 57
Cormorant- 52
Goldeneye- 6 (1 Male /5 fem-imm)
Kingfisher-3
Redwing - 70
Snipe- 3
Today of note
270 Pink Footed Geese > SE
5 Goldeneye
6 Goosander
150 Fieldfare > NW
Plus the ususals :)
Today of note
Tufted Duck- 410
Goldeneye- 4
Redwing -25
Goldcrest - 9
Goosander -5
Gadwall-76
Great Crested Grebe -46
Little Grebe-9
Shoveler-31
Teal - 21
Kestrel- 2
Goldfinch -30
Ringed Necked Parakeet - 1 calling from the top of the trees parallel to the canal between the teal hide and common lane bridge
Full circle today of note
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 fine adult ,looked like the regular returning bird from the last 5 years or so.
Redwing- 75
Goosander 4 female / imm 1 Male
Goldcrest-6
Chiffchaff-1
Goldeney3- 4
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 18th of October 2019 06:25:04 PM
Highlights this evening with Pete Berry and John Tymon:
Adult Mediterranean Gull
2 Pink-footed Geese west at 17:45 and 36 high east at 18:25
40 Redwing east
4 Goldeneye
5 Goosander
This morning of note
1 Dunlin >west
1 Adult common tern
5 Pochard- 3 m 2f
2 fem/immature Goldeneye
Kingfisher-3
Long Tailed Tit - 30
Cetti's Warbler- 3
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 15th of October 2019 01:04:45 PM
5 Kingfishers around the site today, plus the adult Common Tern still present.
The adult Common Tern roosted tonight.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
So far this morning:
2 Goldeneye
2 Goosander
2200 Pink-footed Geese over east in total
2 Swallow through
7 Redwing over
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Almost 900 large gulls in the roost tonight, three quarters of which were Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the rest Herrings (all properly counted of course!)
A first winter Yellow-legged Gull showed well; odd how this species here really does have a fondness for dominating the buoys!
2 Kingfishers were chasing each other around Sorrowcow Pond and the shore of the flash there, plus 2 Chiffchaff were also around the area.
4 Goosander present, 3 at the western end and one sat on one of the jetties of the sailing club.
This morning:
322 Woodpigeons S/SE in 10 flocks
28 Greenfinch west in 3 flocks
1 Raven west
1 adult Common Tern
1 Goldeneye
1 1W drake Goosander
The 'new' Cetti's warbler was showing extremely well and still vocal from shoreline trees on Ramsdales Ruck (both Ramadales Reedbed and western end birds both present and correct)
Single Reed Warbler elusive in shoreline sallows on Ramsdale Ruck
Further sightings from this morning/early afternoon:
186 Tufted Duck
44 Long-tailed Tit in one flock around the edge of Ramsdales Ruck
9 Chiffchaff around Ramsdales Ruck (including 6 in the Long-tailed Tit flock)
2 singing Cetti's Warblers
16 House Martin
4 Swallow
Great White Egret appeared to fly off east at 10:12
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Great White Egret landed on the spit at 10:03 this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
So far this morning:
1 female Common Scoter
1 Common Tern
3 redhead Goosander
10 Redwing on the south side
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
First winter Goldeneye on this morning, Common Tern still on and 8 Swallow.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Adult Common Tern present again this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
2nd winter Little Gull still present this morning.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme and Bill Harrison
Additional sightings from today included 10 Buzzard and a single Dunlin.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Adult Mediterranean Gull and adult Common Tern roosted tonight.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Lovely autumnal morning with some clear evidence of arrivals; covering Ramsdales Ruck to Rammies Reedbed only:
1 2nd winter Little Gull
1 adult Common Tern
3 singing Cetti's warblers, one of which was a new bird in the lagoon behind the paint off Ramsdales Ruck and probably a first winter male judging from the quality of its song and sonograms taken
660 Pink-footed Geese over, with 280 east in one skien and 380 west in 3 skiens
32 Song Thrushes (a noticeable arrival!)
17 Chiffchaff
6 Water Rail (4 of which were in Rammies Reedbed)
12 House Martin
1 Blackcap
30 Meadow Pipit on Ramsdales Ruck
14 Reed Bunting (including a flock of 9 feeding in the grass on Ramsdales Ruck)
Also still present this morning, this single Common Tern.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
This morning of note
Dunlin - 12 flew through west
Swallow-50+
House martin - 50+
Sand martin - 1
Common Tern- 1
,Buzzard -2
Kingfisher -2 .
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 1st of October 2019 01:17:21 PM
This morning:
1 Common Tern
40 Pink-footed Geese east
5 Raven over west
8 Swallow
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
A Little Egret was roosting in trees at the western end at 7pm this evening.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes