Well, as hoped, the heavy overnight rain after south-easterly winds delivered the best day's spring passage so far this year. It started with 5 Little Gulls on No.3 bed (4 adults and a second winter plumage bird). These were then joined by 1 Arctic Tern and 2 Common Terns, plus a Common Sandpiper. Out over the lagoon were 250 Sand Martins plus a handful of Swallows and a single House Martin. Three Black-necked Grebes were also in front of the Morgan Hide. The best was saved for last, however, when John Langley found a male Ring Ouzel near the No.4 bed Sandpit Pond. Dave Spencer and I hurtled round there and were given excellent views as it fed contentedly.
With fresh south-easterly winds blowing there was always a chance of something decent turning up at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve today. By the time I got onto No.3 bed, David Spencer had already had 1 Little Gull passing through but 2 adults were still feeding over the lagoon. These were later joined by a third bird, which came in to perch on the scrape in front of the Morgan Hide. By 1.30 pm all three had departed. There was no sign of yesterday's 3 Garganey, though. Other sightings included: 7 Black-necked Grebes, 1 female Ruddy Duck and a few passing Sand Martins.
Cheers David Bowman (with Dave Spencer and Brian Martin)
Daniel Owen said
Mon Apr 11 2:10 PM, 2016
No.3 bed 10:00-13:05 :
1 cetti's warbler briefly sang from the tower hide, 3 adult little gulls spent the morning flying/feeding in front of the John Morgan Hide with 4 black-necked grebes and a few hirundines passed over and I was able to pick out 1 swallow and 1 house martin amongst some sand martins. 1 kingfisher also landed very briefly on a perch just in front of the hide before flying towards the canal.
I have also attached some pictures, I'm sure people will have better ones of the little gulls.
-- Edited by Daniel Owen on Monday 11th of April 2016 04:38:44 PM
Another special morning at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve, with a full team out completing the monthly Wildfowl Count before relaxing in the Morgan Hide to watch for passing migrants. It was another decent morning for hirundine passage, with 170 rising out of a roost at dawn and another 260 heading north later on. With them were just 7 Swallows and 1 House Martin. Other records included: a Little Egret which flew west (per Mike Lloyd), 3 Cetti's Warblers in song, 1 Pink-footed Goose on the fields across from Bollin Point, 1 singing Yellowhammer across the canal, 60 Bramblings under the Morgan Hide feeders, 8 Black-necked Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Blackcaps, 7 Little Grebes, 16 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Oystercatcher, 12 Willow Warblers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 14 Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks and 1 Kestrel.
Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird and Diane Shepherd)
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Apr 9 4:01 PM, 2016
Adult female Marsh Harrier drifted over NW at 14.50 :)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 9th of April 2016 04:01:33 PM
DavidBowman said
Fri Apr 8 3:59 PM, 2016
A pleasant sunny morning on No.3 bed. A nice male Blackcap, 4 Willow Warblers and at least a dozen Chiffchaffs were singing as I walked onto the bed. From the Morgan Hide, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, a Water Rail, Peregrine, Kestrel, 4 Sparrowhawks, 7 Buzzards, 3 Black-necked Grebes were good sightings. While northward movement over the bed was less dramatic than during the previous couple of days, 40 Sand Martins and a single Redshank were noted. From other parts of the bed sightings included: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 more Black-necked Grebes, 2 more Water Rails, 55 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 31 Pochard, 48 Gadwall and 5 Grey Herons. It was good to see more butterflies emerging, too, with: 1 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Speckled Wood and 6 Peacocks spread around the paths.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Fri Apr 8 3:58 PM, 2016
The Mediterranean Gulls are very unpredictable at the moment. They can be very active, flying in to land on the Morgan Hide scrape but rarely settling for long. Its almost impossible to give a best time but I'd say from dawn till maybe mid-morning is best. Cheers David
Daniel Owen said
Thu Apr 7 9:03 PM, 2016
DavidBowman wrote:
Later, an adult Mediterranean Gull was very active in front of the Morgan Hide
Hi, at what approximate time was this as I was at woolston eyes around 12:45 and didn't see the Mediterranean gull and have missed out a few times, am I arriving too late for the 'best' sightings? Thanks.
No.3 bed, 12:45-16:00: 26 bramblings, 00's sand martins, 1 swallow, 1 stock dove, 3 black-necked grebe, 4 lesser black-backed gull (one of which ate a perch), gadwall, pochard, shelduck, tufted duck, 2 little grebe, 4 great crested grebe, 2 water rails (heard), 1 great spotted woodpecker (on right-hand feeder at John Morgan Hide), 1 lesser redpoll, 1 willow warbler (heard), plenty of chiffchaffs heard. No.4 bed, 16:00-17:00: 1 lapwing, 2 lesser black-backed gulls, 2 little grebe, shoveler, gadwall, teal, 2 buzzards, chiffchaffs
I've attatched some pictures from the day
Also, belated news of a mink which walked up the path by the raised viewing platform/Sybil Hogg Hide, before disappearing into the vegetation to the left on the 28th March 2016.
-- Edited by Daniel Owen on Friday 8th of April 2016 12:16:44 PM
Another terrific morning on No.3 bed. I arrived at first light, in driving rain, to see an estimated 760 Sand Martins rising from an overnight roost to beat their way northwards into the prevailing wind. Another 400 came into feed and then also head north over the next four hours, bringing with them the odd House Martin and Swallow. Later, an adult Mediterranean Gull was very active in front of the Morgan Hide, 3 Black-necked Grebes were out on the lagoon and 3 Oystercatchers flew through. The best was saved for last, though, as, when I was walking off the bed, I got a call from Dave Spencer who was watching an Otter sail across the water in front of the Morgan Hide.
Thanks David. It simply hadn't occurred to me that they would be passing through the NW, but it makes sense once you think it through.
Cheers
DavidBowman said
Wed Apr 6 6:05 PM, 2016
Hi Simon, not a daft question at all but a tricky one to answer with any certainty. March/early April are the main passage times for Bramblings heading back to breed in Scandinavia, so we usually get our peak numbers at Woolston just about now. They could come from anywhere south and west of us, though as we've had good numbers wintering with us, it may be that this current flock is a mix of long-stayers and new arrivals at Woolston. Cheers David
Simon Gough said
Wed Apr 6 4:47 PM, 2016
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but the Bramblings, are they passing through heading East or North East then? So they might have wintered in Wales or the Midlands? Or further away?
DavidBowman said
Wed Apr 6 3:39 PM, 2016
With early squalls followed by blue skies and blustery westerlies, it was the best morning yet for hirundine passage. They were difficult to count, with birds constantly arriving and departing. David Spencer estimated 250 through by 11.00 am and I counted another 200 by 1.30 pm. In reality there were probably more like double that number. Among them were just 3 House Martins and 4 Swallows. Brambling passage has also gone up a gear, with a peak of 48 under the Morgan Hide feeders. Other good sightings were of 5 Black-necked Grebes, 4 Willow Warblers, 4 Snipe, 2 Water Rails and the local pair of Buzzards mating.
Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer)
DavidBowman said
Tue Apr 5 2:25 PM, 2016
A nice, lazy morning on No.3 bed, scanning for migrants and photographing some of the common birds. Highlights; 5 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Willow Warblers, 12 Bramblings, 3 Swallows, 55 Sand Martins, 13 Shelduck, 45 Teal, 7 Little Grebes, 2 Sparrowhawks and 7 Buzzards.
Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer and Paul Hazlehurst)
DavidBowman said
Mon Apr 4 2:30 PM, 2016
An interesting morning, completing a Common Bird Survey of No.3 bed and enjoying the sight of winter visitors alongside summer migrants. With the sun shining, there were plenty of males in song and totals included: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 14 Chiffchaffs, 7 Dunnocks, 3 Blackbirds, 6 Great Tits, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Blackbirds,10 Wrens and 12 Robins. Other birds of note included the male Merlin which has been present for a while(seen by David Spencer), 4 Black-necked Grebes, 20 Bramblings, 1 Swallow, 3 Water Rails, 2 Willow Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk and 4 Buzzards. We've now recorded 99 species so far this year - just another 51 to go to equal last year's total!
Cheers David Bowman
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Apr 3 5:54 PM, 2016
Woolston Eyes Brambling- 12 (8 Males) including one absolutly stunning Male -shame the feeders are too far away to photograph these stunners Black Necked Grebe- 6 -very mobile Little Grebe- 8 Shelduck- plenty Cormorant -8 > south Blackcap-1 Mediterranean Gull - 1 pair flew over going east ,calling ,never landed.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Apr 3 1:04 PM, 2016
Apparently adult little gulls not present today a imm went through early am
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Apr 2 5:21 PM, 2016
2 adult little gulls still present at 6pm
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 2nd of April 2016 07:33:09 PM
DavidBowman said
Sat Apr 2 2:56 PM, 2016
Another excellent morning, despite the persistent drizzle. Highlight was a stunning Litttle Gull, moulting into breeding plumage and showing a nice rosy flush on the underparts. A single Wheatear, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 22 Chiffchaffs, 2 Swallows, 84 Sand Martins, 1 Water Rail and a Peregrine made up the other star birds for the day.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, Alan Warford, Sue Haddock, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd, George Dunbar et al)
DavidBowman said
Sat Mar 26 2:57 PM, 2016
An excellent day on No.3 bed started with 5 Black-necked Grebes and 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls in front of the Morgan Hide. Between 6.15 am and 1.30 pm, 66 Sand Martins and 5 Swallows moved through, pausing to feed before heading north. An unusual sighting for the bed was of a pristine male Merlin, which rattled across the bed, skimming over the water before again heading north. Other raptors were also evident, with 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 9 Buzzards and a Peregrine which narrowly failed to take a Black-headed Gull within feet of the Morgan Hide. Other counts of interest included:1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Water Rails, 2 Bramblings, 12 Redwings, 3 Siskins, 2 Linnets, 12 Shelduck, 11 Shoveler, 10 Pochard, 21 Herring Gulls, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Common Gulls, 20 Teal and 5 Stock Doves.
Cheers David Bowman (with Dave Steel, Alan Warford,Paul Hazlehurst Brian Baird, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Sat Mar 5 5:02 PM, 2016
Another of those special mornings at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve, with gorgeous skies and plenty of good birds. We started with sunrise from the Morgan Hide and, after a quick breakfast, went to stake out the No.1 bed reed-bed for Bittern. No luck with this but plenty to compensate, with 1 Cetti's Warbler,1 Peregrine Falcon actively hunting nearby, 2 Water Rails, 7 Snipe, 8 Reed Buntings, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Buzzards, 1 Redwing, 1 Kestrel and 1 Little Grebe the highlights. Then, after a quick puncture (ahem!), back onto No.3 bed for 27 Bramblings, 1 Willow Tit, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 30 Pochard, another Water Rail, 310 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull and 2 Mistle Thrushes the pick of the bunch.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Tue Mar 1 2:37 PM, 2016
A very chilled morning at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve, spent sitting in the Morgan Hide on No.3 bed, watching the comings and goings as most birds start to engage in pre-breeding activity. Highlights were the first Black-tailed Godwit of the year, 5 Bramblings, 1 Snipe, 10 Lesser Redpolls, 8 Reed Buntings, 75 Pochard, 56 Tufted Ducks, 5 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 311 Black-headed Gulls, 9 Shelducks, 12 Lapwings, 10 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall and 60 Teal.
Cheers David (with Alan Warford, Dave Steel and David Spencer)
DavidBowman said
Sat Feb 20 2:10 PM, 2016
It was Wildfowl Count morning today, so we started in No.3 bed before covering Nos.1 and 2 beds and as far as Bollin Point. A small Starling roost of 2,500 birds started the morning well (there is currently another larger roost of 25,000 on No.1 bed). Among the total of 61 species recorded were highlights of: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tits, 35 Bramblings, 2 Snipe,2 Goldeneye, 4 Water Rails, 2 Siskins, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Peregrines, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Buzzards, 110 Tufted Duck, 25 Pochard, 7 Shelduck, 2 Goldcrests, 8 Reed Buntings and 10 Bullfinches.
Cheers David
Jon Bowen said
Sat Feb 6 9:18 PM, 2016
A good hour this morning in poor weather.
38 Brambling
7 Bullfinch
40+Greenfinch
5 Goldfinch
30 Chaffinch
Marsh Tit
Reed Bunting
4 Pochard
Song Thrush
Lesser Redpoll showing close in at Morgan
Male Sparrowhawk flushed the birds off the feeder then spent 10 minutes sitting in the rain
Woodcock across the path as I had walked back to the car
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 6th of February 2016 09:42:16 PM
An interesting day on No.3 bed , where we'd hired a Truxor for two days. It's basically a reciprocal cutting machine, which can be used on water or in wet reed-beds to cut channels or create pools. The first day went really well and we managed to see some good birds too, with highlights of: 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tits, 12 Bramblings, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskins, 1 Goldeneye, 120 Greenfinches, 5 Bullfinches and 110 Chaffinches.
Cheers David (with Brian Ankers, David Spencer and John Langley)
DavidBowman said
Sat Jan 23 8:07 PM, 2016
Another really enjoyable morning, with a spring-like feel to the day. We covered No.3 bed and then walked from No.1 bed down to Bollin Point and back. In total we recorded 64 bird species, with highlights of: 1 Jack Snipe, 3 Common Snipe, 2 Willow Tits, 1 Peregrine, 4 Goldeneye, 9 Bramblings, 5 Siskins, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 3 Buzzards, 238 Tufted Ducks, 1 Water Rail, 405 Lapwings, 3 Reed Buntings, 21 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck, 7 Song Thrushes, 2 Fieldfares, 49 Redwings, 8 Bullfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 60 Greenfinches, 110 Chaffinches, 2 Linnets, 3 Skylarks, 2 Meadow Pipits, 28 Goldfinches, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Little Grebes, 42 Pochard and 8 Cormorants (including a nice one of the continental race sinensis in breeding plumage).
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Les Jones and George Dunbar)
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Jan 18 12:43 PM, 2016
17.01.2015 11.30-14.30 Lesser Redpoll- 2 Great spotted Woodpecker-2 Siskin - 1 Male Brambling -20 Marsh Tit - 1 Sparrowhawk- 1 Juvenile Common Snipe-15 Common Buzzard -2 most of the pools were frozen ,so no water birds apart from 2 Mute Swans and a few Moorhen
DavidBowman said
Sat Jan 16 2:53 PM, 2016
With the first hard frost of the year we arrived to find No.3 bed mostly frozen over. As it was Wildfowl Count day we wandered, in crisp, bright sunshine, down to Bollin Point and back. With the wildfowl largely compressed into small areas of open water or on the river and canal, we still managed some decent totals. These included: 700 Teal, 8 Goldeneyes, 37 Shovelers and 280 Tufted Ducks. On the way back from Bollin Point we watched the female Peregrine flying around the Viaduct nest-site and then had a Fox trotting ahead of the car. Finch variety and volume were another feature of the day, with totals of : 30 Bramblings, 20 Siskins, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 21 Bullfinches, 100 Greenfinches and 150 Chaffinches. Finally, finishing back on No.3 bed, we added Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, 2 Ravens and a marauding male Peregrine to the day list. Very enjoyable The video clip tries to give a flavour of the morning.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst. Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Les Jones and later on, Kelly Ainsworth and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Tue Jan 12 5:29 PM, 2016
Spent the afternoon on No.1 bed at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve and though not much was moving, what there was was of high quality. Near the viaduct the resident pair of Peregrines were very active. They chased a flock of Woodpigeons, with the male making the initial stoop to break up the flock while the female came down like a rocket to turn one of them into a cloud of feathers. Near the feeding station,2 Willow Tits and 2 Lesser Redpolls were with 30 Greenfinches and 40 Chaffinches, while 8 Pheasants were also in attendance. Near the eastern reed-bed a Cetti's Warbler called several times, as did a Water Rail, while Grey Wagtail and Snipe were also noted. Cheers David
By the nearby motorway interchange a Buzzard was scattering a large flock of Woodpigeons.
Also, the footpath from Weir Lane that runs along the edge of No 2 Bed is partially flooded, wellies are recommended.
DavidBowman said
Sat Jan 2 3:57 PM, 2016
An excellent morning's birding, with some good counts and nice variety. Aside from the usual common residents, the pick of the bunch were: 1 Marsh Tit, 25 Bramblings, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Buzzards, 2 Wigeon, 1 Siskin, 18 Redwings, 450 Teal, 5 Pochard, 116 Tufted Ducks, 27 Gadwall, 10 Shovelers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 200 Greenfinches, 100 Chaffinches, 1 Common Gull, 6 Bullfinches, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Song Thrushes, 221 Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail,1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Stock Doves, 8 Jackdaws, 6 Jays, 1 Treecreeper , 2 Shelducks, 16 Herring Gulls, 21 lesser Black-backed Gulls and 625 over-flying Black-headed Gulls.
Cheers David
Bob Dickinson said
Wed Dec 23 11:24 AM, 2015
Visited at 8.15 this morning (23/12/15). Large numbers of Greenfinches on feeders on No.3 bed. Six Bramblings. Two drake Goldeneye on Weir. Four Whooper Swans flew West down the river from the Weir at 10.00am and were seen later at 11.00am from my home in Paddington (Warrington).
DavidBowman said
Tue Dec 15 1:54 PM, 2015
Down on Nos.3 and 4 beds this morning for a meeting and managed a bit of birding on the way round. There was a substantial movement of thrushes, filtering east across No.4 bed. with 60 Fieldfares mixed in with 350 Redwings. Ten Lesser Redpolls and 40 Goldfinches were also feeding around the Loop of the bed. On No.3 bed, I spent some time trying to get a count of the Brambling flock, settling on a maximum of 60, split evenly between the Morgan Hide feeders and the winter feed crop. They're very mobile, sometimes joining into a single flock with c.100 Chaffinches when disturbed. Greenfinch numbers remain at c,150.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Sat Dec 12 4:26 PM, 2015
Another good morning, despite the constant drizzle. After a quick breakfast in the Morgan Hide, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Les Jones and I completed the monthly wildfowl count, wandering as far east as Bollin Point, while the rest of the crew stayed snug and warm in the hide wink emoticon Highlights were a Woodcock flushed from No.2 bed, 6 Little Grebes at Bollin Point and on No.3 bed: 1 Marsh Tit, 20 Bramblings, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 150 Greenfinches, 2 Snipe and 40 Goldfinches.
Cheers David
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 12th of December 2015 04:31:04 PM
John Williams said
Wed Dec 9 2:08 PM, 2015
10.00-12.00
No3 Bed
1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cormorant, 1m Shoveler, 1m+1f Wigeon, 1 Snipe, 55 Lapwings flying SW, and on the feeders
1 Siskin, 2m Bullfinches and 2 Willow Tits. At one point 6 Bramblings were feeding below the feeders, with more mixed in with the big roving finch flock.
One of the feeders had 20 Greenfinches clinging to it at one point. Oddly, the only Reed Bunting seen was a single male, mixed with Chaffinches by specially seeded meadow.
10 Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Cormorants and 7 Tufted Ducks were on the old river, whilst 102 Tufted Ducks and a single Shelduck were on the weir pool.
Another 11 Tufted Ducks were on the ship canal.
DavidBowman said
Tue Dec 8 3:00 PM, 2015
A few hours on Nos.3 and 4 beds today, with pleasant sunshine and the odd shower. On No.3 bed, the Marsh Tit was still around the Morgan Hide feeders, with up to 20 Bramblings, a Willow Tit and the odd Lesser Redpoll. On No.4 bed, 2 Woodcocks were flushed, 2 Willow Tits were calling and a few Fieldfares feeding.
Cheers David
John Williams said
Mon Dec 7 9:17 PM, 2015
Quick visit this afternoon, 14.00-15.15
No 3 Bed
5 Lesser Redpolls, 5 Bramblings, 3 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe (+ 1 more on the ship canal) and 1 Buzzard.
Also of note, a very pale female Chaffinch which really stood out amongst the numerous others around the feeders.
DavidBowman said
Sat Dec 5 3:25 PM, 2015
Mission accomplished on No.3 bed today, where we set out, with Kieran Foster and his ringing team, to try and catch and ring the Marsh Tit which has been around for the past couple of weeks. It obligingly went into a net at the Morgan Hide feeding station, along with a Willow Tit for comparison. It turned out to be a bird of the year and it would be fascinating to know where it fledged from. We also kept a weather eye out for other birds with highlights being: Marsh Tit 1, Willow Tit 1, Brambling 22, Siskin 1, Black-tailed Godwit 2, Snipe 13, Fieldfare 3, Lapwing 191, Teal 375, Greenfinch 130, Grey Wagtail 1 and Shoveler 16.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Kieran Foster, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Fri Dec 4 2:22 PM, 2015
Marsh Tit confirmed at Woolston Eyes. After a week of speculation we've finally managed to confirm that a bird which has been frequenting the Morgan Hide feeders is a Marsh Tit. While we have a healthy population of Willow Tits, Marsh Tits don't occur, with the nearest breeding site being at Aston in the lower Weaver valley. Although it looked like a Marsh Tit we could never get good enough views to see the diagnostic white cutting edge to the mandible. Frustratingly, despite it being watched for hours, it refused to give the diagnostic call of either species, preferring to give constant "chee" calls. David Spencer managed to record the call and create a sonogram, which he sent off to Richard Broughton, the national expert on Poecile tits, who admitted that he didn't know what it was. Finally, today, David managed to get it to respond to the playing of a Marsh Tit tape with the classic Marsh Tit "pitchoo" call. Not often I get a Woolston lifer smile emoticon
Paul Richardson said
Tue Dec 1 8:31 PM, 2015
Dry but overcast morning today - at last ended my 2015 drought of Brambling with just 2 under the feeders at Morgan hide. Mixed flocks of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch over with Siskin heard, Greenfinch quite numerous on the feeders. 1 Willow Tit 2 Black Tailed Godwit 1 Kingfisher (Rotary Club hide) 1 Sparrowhawk over (m) 1 Jay 2 Redwing
A really enjoyable day on No.3 bed, where the rain held off till we were leaving after lunchtime. We didn't manage to re-find the Firecrest reported yesterday afternoon by Kieran Foster but found plenty of other stuff. Most spectacular were the 30+ Bramblings, with 25 feeding under the Morgan Hide feeders, along with 9 Lesser Redpolls feeding on Mugwort right in front of the hide. There has been a significant influx of finches recently with totals today of 140 Linnets, 200 Chaffinches, 20 Goldfinches and 100 Greenfinches alongside the Bramblings, Redpolls and the odd Siskin. Other sightings included: 1 Water Rail, 3 Pintails, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Coal Tits (ringed by K. Foster), 4 Fieldfare, 7 Redwings, 200 Teal, 10 Shovelers, 16 Gadwall, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Buzzards and 350 Starlings from the roost at dawn.
Cheers David
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 28th of November 2015 05:45:40 PM
DavidBowman said
Sat Nov 21 1:22 PM, 2015
In bright sunshine but a biting northerly wind, we spent the morning on No.3 bed, largely making counts of the local birds and looking out for any hard weather movements. 24 Golden Plover, flying west, were a very unusual sighting for the bed and the 2 female Goldeneye in front of the Morgan Hide were also unexpected. The latter are more usually found at Woolston Weir or at Bollin Point. Other records of interest were: 6 Bramblings, 300 Pink-footed Geese, 390 Lapwings, 2 Kingfishers, 55 Fieldfares, 750 Starlings from a roost at dawn, 9 Redwings, 200 Teal, 5 Sparrowhawks, 5 Buzzards and finally, a Peregrine hunting low over the bed.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Thu Nov 19 7:15 PM, 2015
Spent a squally afternoon dodging the rainstorms on No.3 bed this afternoon. Despite the conditions I managed to catch up with a good variety of birds, starting with a Woodcock, flushed from underfoot, then a nice male Brambling in with 100 Chaffinches and 48 Linnets on the north meadow. From the Morgan hide, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Snipe, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Wigeon, 225 Teal, 2 Water Rails, 1 Kingfisher, 65 Greenfinches, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Little Grebes, 65 Tufted Ducks and 1 Sparrowhawk were the highlights. With the light almost gone, 750 Starlings came in to roost, hopefully harbingers of another massive winter roost smile emoticon
DavidBowman said
Sat Nov 14 5:00 PM, 2015
Despite an adverse forecast the rain held off while we did the monthly wildfowl count at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve today. Covering from No.3 bed to Bollin Point at the eastern end of the reserve, we picked up a decent variety of birds including: 2 Green Sandpipers,1 Snipe, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Peregrine, 5 Wigeon, 155 Teal, 40 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebes, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 34 Fieldfares, 21 Redwings, 35 Blackbirds, 3 Shelducks, 5 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and 3 Grey Wagtails. Then, with things quietening down by mid-morning, most of us treated ourselves to a quick dash to see the Smew at Marton, where several Green Woodpeckers also gave close views.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Brian Baird, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Sat Nov 7 2:34 PM, 2015
Another good morning, starting in torrential rain on No.3 bed and ending up in sunshine. As usual, there was a good variety of birds, with singles of Brambling (ringed by Kieran Foster), Siskin, Pintail, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Grey Wagtail and Willow Tit, along with 2 Wigeon, 250 Pink-footed Geese, 90 Fieldfares, 40 Redwings, 60 Chaffinches, 80 Teal, 55 Greenfinches, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Lapwings and 3 Song Thrushes. The highlight, though, was wandering down to Woolston Weir to watch three Salmon leaping, no doubt triggered by the Mersey being in spate due to the recent heavy rain.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd, Les Jones and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Wed Nov 4 11:11 AM, 2015
Another of those really special autumn days spent vis migging from Butchersfield Tip last Saturday. Right from the off it had the feel of birds moving, with Brambling, Lesser Redpolls and Siskins calling as we wended our way up the steep track to the top of the tip (well, some of us anyway) loaded down like sherpas. An early highlight was a Short-eared Owl, picked up coming in high from the north-west before drifting eastwards. There was also an excellent movement of Fieldfares, with lesser numbers of Redwings. Selected totals were: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Crossbill, 1 Raven, 2 Yellowhammers, 200 Pink-footed Geese, 9 Siskins, 1 Brambling, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 1,890 Fieldfares, 214 Redwings, 16 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 1,178 Starlings, 1,956 Woodpigeons, 143 Skylarks, 34 Meadow Pipits, 23 Bullfinches and 330 Teal.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Brian Baird, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd and Les Jones)
-- Edited by DavidBowman on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 11:11:36 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 12:30:19 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Sep 27 7:39 PM, 2015
Woolston Eyes NR - 27.09.2015 11.30-14.30 Black tailed Godwit - 39 Common Snipe-18 Jay-4 Sparrowhawk -1 female chasing the wader flocks on a couple of occasions Chiffchaff-2 Cettis Warbler - Singing near to tower hide and possibly 1 near rotary hide Little Grebe-5 Swallow -6 > South Lapwing -c 350 common Buzzard-1 plus the usuals :)
Chris Harper said
Sun Sep 20 4:25 PM, 2015
Highlights of a lovely couple of hours this morning: 3 Ruff Green Sandpiper 30+ Black Tailed Godwit 30+ Snipe Willow Tit Many Chiffchaff, some singing 6 Shoveler Pintail Little Grebe
Plus lots of the 'usuals'.
Chris Harper said
Sun Sep 20 3:05 PM, 2015
Highlights of a lovely couple of hours this morning: 3 Ruff Green Sandpiper 30+ Black Tailed Godwit 30+ Snipe Willow Tit Many Chiffchaff, some singing 6 Shoveler Pintail Little Grebe
Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer)
Photos of one of the adult Little Gulls.
Cheers David
Cheers David Bowman (with Dave Spencer and Brian Martin)
1 cetti's warbler briefly sang from the tower hide, 3 adult little gulls spent the morning flying/feeding in front of the John Morgan Hide with 4 black-necked grebes and a few hirundines passed over and I was able to pick out 1 swallow and 1 house martin amongst some sand martins. 1 kingfisher also landed very briefly on a perch just in front of the hide before flying towards the canal. I have also attached some pictures, I'm sure people will have better ones of the little gulls.
-- Edited by Daniel Owen on Monday 11th of April 2016 04:38:44 PM
Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird and Diane Shepherd)
Adult female Marsh Harrier drifted over NW at 14.50 :)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 9th of April 2016 04:01:33 PM
Cheers David
Cheers David
Hi, at what approximate time was this as I was at woolston eyes around 12:45 and didn't see the Mediterranean gull and have missed out a few times, am I arriving too late for the 'best' sightings?
Thanks.
No.3 bed, 12:45-16:00:
26 bramblings, 00's sand martins, 1 swallow, 1 stock dove, 3 black-necked grebe, 4 lesser black-backed gull (one of which ate a perch), gadwall, pochard, shelduck, tufted duck, 2 little grebe, 4 great crested grebe, 2 water rails (heard), 1 great spotted woodpecker (on right-hand feeder at John Morgan Hide), 1 lesser redpoll, 1 willow warbler (heard), plenty of chiffchaffs heard.
No.4 bed, 16:00-17:00:
1 lapwing, 2 lesser black-backed gulls, 2 little grebe, shoveler, gadwall, teal, 2 buzzards, chiffchaffs
I've attatched some pictures from the day
Also, belated news of a mink which walked up the path by the raised viewing platform/Sybil Hogg Hide, before disappearing into the vegetation to the left on the 28th March 2016.
-- Edited by Daniel Owen on Friday 8th of April 2016 12:16:44 PM
Here's a photo of the Mediterranean Gull.
Cheers David Bowman (with Dave Spencer)
Cheers
Cheers David
Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer)
Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer and Paul Hazlehurst)
Cheers David Bowman
Woolston Eyes
Brambling- 12 (8 Males) including one absolutly stunning Male -shame the feeders are too far away to photograph these stunners
Black Necked Grebe- 6 -very mobile
Little Grebe- 8
Shelduck- plenty
Cormorant -8 > south
Blackcap-1
Mediterranean Gull - 1 pair flew over going east ,calling ,never landed.
2 adult little gulls still present at 6pm
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 2nd of April 2016 07:33:09 PM
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, Alan Warford, Sue Haddock, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd, George Dunbar et al)
Cheers David Bowman (with Dave Steel, Alan Warford,Paul Hazlehurst Brian Baird, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
Cheers David (with Alan Warford, Dave Steel and David Spencer)
Cheers David
A good hour this morning in poor weather.
38 Brambling
7 Bullfinch
40+Greenfinch
5 Goldfinch
30 Chaffinch
Marsh Tit
Reed Bunting
4 Pochard
Song Thrush
Lesser Redpoll showing close in at Morgan
Male Sparrowhawk flushed the birds off the feeder then spent 10 minutes sitting in the rain
Woodcock across the path as I had walked back to the car
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 6th of February 2016 09:42:16 PM
Cheers David (with Brian Ankers, David Spencer and John Langley)
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Les Jones and George Dunbar)
Lesser Redpoll- 2
Great spotted Woodpecker-2
Siskin - 1 Male
Brambling -20
Marsh Tit - 1
Sparrowhawk- 1 Juvenile
Common Snipe-15
Common Buzzard -2
most of the pools were frozen ,so no water birds apart from 2 Mute Swans and a few Moorhen
The video clip tries to give a flavour of the morning.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst. Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Les Jones and later on, Kelly Ainsworth and George Dunbar)
Cheers David
13.00-15.30
Woolston Weir
2m Goldeneyes, 56 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelducks and 1 Grey Wagtail.
No 3 Bed
3 Grey Herons, 3 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Shovelers, 12 Gadwall, 48 Tufted Ducks, 1 Lapwing and 5 Shelducks.
4 Fieldfares were with a flock of 12 Redwings.
By the nearby motorway interchange a Buzzard was scattering a large flock of Woodpigeons.
Also, the footpath from Weir Lane that runs along the edge of No 2 Bed is partially flooded, wellies are recommended.
An excellent morning's birding, with some good counts and nice variety. Aside from the usual common residents, the pick of the bunch were: 1 Marsh Tit, 25 Bramblings, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Buzzards, 2 Wigeon, 1 Siskin, 18 Redwings, 450 Teal, 5 Pochard, 116 Tufted Ducks, 27 Gadwall, 10 Shovelers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 200 Greenfinches, 100 Chaffinches, 1 Common Gull, 6 Bullfinches, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Song Thrushes, 221 Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail,1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Stock Doves, 8 Jackdaws, 6 Jays, 1 Treecreeper , 2 Shelducks, 16 Herring Gulls, 21 lesser Black-backed Gulls and 625 over-flying Black-headed Gulls.
Cheers David
Two drake Goldeneye on Weir. Four Whooper Swans flew West down the river from the Weir at 10.00am and were
seen later at 11.00am from my home in Paddington (Warrington).
Down on Nos.3 and 4 beds this morning for a meeting and managed a bit of birding on the way round. There was a substantial movement of thrushes, filtering east across No.4 bed. with 60 Fieldfares mixed in with 350 Redwings. Ten Lesser Redpolls and 40 Goldfinches were also feeding around the Loop of the bed. On No.3 bed, I spent some time trying to get a count of the Brambling flock, settling on a maximum of 60, split evenly between the Morgan Hide feeders and the winter feed crop. They're very mobile, sometimes joining into a single flock with c.100 Chaffinches when disturbed. Greenfinch numbers remain at c,150.
Cheers David
Another good morning, despite the constant drizzle. After a quick breakfast in the Morgan Hide, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Les Jones and I completed the monthly wildfowl count, wandering as far east as Bollin Point, while the rest of the crew stayed snug and warm in the hide wink emoticon Highlights were a Woodcock flushed from No.2 bed, 6 Little Grebes at Bollin Point and on No.3 bed: 1 Marsh Tit, 20 Bramblings, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 150 Greenfinches, 2 Snipe and 40 Goldfinches.
Cheers David
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 12th of December 2015 04:31:04 PM
10.00-12.00
No3 Bed
1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cormorant, 1m Shoveler, 1m+1f Wigeon, 1 Snipe, 55 Lapwings flying SW, and on the feeders
1 Siskin, 2m Bullfinches and 2 Willow Tits. At one point 6 Bramblings were feeding below the feeders, with more mixed in with the big roving finch flock.
One of the feeders had 20 Greenfinches clinging to it at one point. Oddly, the only Reed Bunting seen was a single male, mixed with Chaffinches by specially seeded meadow.
10 Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Cormorants and 7 Tufted Ducks were on the old river, whilst 102 Tufted Ducks and a single Shelduck were on the weir pool.
Another 11 Tufted Ducks were on the ship canal.
A few hours on Nos.3 and 4 beds today, with pleasant sunshine and the odd shower. On No.3 bed, the Marsh Tit was still around the Morgan Hide feeders, with up to 20 Bramblings, a Willow Tit and the odd Lesser Redpoll. On No.4 bed, 2 Woodcocks were flushed, 2 Willow Tits were calling and a few Fieldfares feeding.
Cheers David
Quick visit this afternoon, 14.00-15.15
No 3 Bed
5 Lesser Redpolls, 5 Bramblings, 3 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe (+ 1 more on the ship canal) and 1 Buzzard.
Also of note, a very pale female Chaffinch which really stood out amongst the numerous others around the feeders.
Mission accomplished on No.3 bed today, where we set out, with Kieran Foster and his ringing team, to try and catch and ring the Marsh Tit which has been around for the past couple of weeks. It obligingly went into a net at the Morgan Hide feeding station, along with a Willow Tit for comparison. It turned out to be a bird of the year and it would be fascinating to know where it fledged from. We also kept a weather eye out for other birds with highlights being: Marsh Tit 1, Willow Tit 1, Brambling 22, Siskin 1, Black-tailed Godwit 2, Snipe 13, Fieldfare 3, Lapwing 191, Teal 375, Greenfinch 130, Grey Wagtail 1 and Shoveler 16.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Kieran Foster, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)
Marsh Tit confirmed at Woolston Eyes. After a week of speculation we've finally managed to confirm that a bird which has been frequenting the Morgan Hide feeders is a Marsh Tit. While we have a healthy population of Willow Tits, Marsh Tits don't occur, with the nearest breeding site being at Aston in the lower Weaver valley. Although it looked like a Marsh Tit we could never get good enough views to see the diagnostic white cutting edge to the mandible. Frustratingly, despite it being watched for hours, it refused to give the diagnostic call of either species, preferring to give constant "chee" calls. David Spencer managed to record the call and create a sonogram, which he sent off to Richard Broughton, the national expert on Poecile tits, who admitted that he didn't know what it was. Finally, today, David managed to get it to respond to the playing of a Marsh Tit tape with the classic Marsh Tit "pitchoo" call. Not often I get a Woolston lifer smile emoticon
Mixed flocks of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch over with Siskin heard, Greenfinch quite numerous on the feeders.
1 Willow Tit
2 Black Tailed Godwit
1 Kingfisher (Rotary Club hide)
1 Sparrowhawk over (m)
1 Jay
2 Redwing
Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Cormorant.
A really enjoyable day on No.3 bed, where the rain held off till we were leaving after lunchtime. We didn't manage to re-find the Firecrest reported yesterday afternoon by Kieran Foster but found plenty of other stuff. Most spectacular were the 30+ Bramblings, with 25 feeding under the Morgan Hide feeders, along with 9 Lesser Redpolls feeding on Mugwort right in front of the hide. There has been a significant influx of finches recently with totals today of 140 Linnets, 200 Chaffinches, 20 Goldfinches and 100 Greenfinches alongside the Bramblings, Redpolls and the odd Siskin. Other sightings included: 1 Water Rail, 3 Pintails, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Coal Tits (ringed by K. Foster), 4 Fieldfare, 7 Redwings, 200 Teal, 10 Shovelers, 16 Gadwall, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Buzzards and 350 Starlings from the roost at dawn.
Cheers David
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 28th of November 2015 05:45:40 PM
In bright sunshine but a biting northerly wind, we spent the morning on No.3 bed, largely making counts of the local birds and looking out for any hard weather movements. 24 Golden Plover, flying west, were a very unusual sighting for the bed and the 2 female Goldeneye in front of the Morgan Hide were also unexpected. The latter are more usually found at Woolston Weir or at Bollin Point. Other records of interest were: 6 Bramblings, 300 Pink-footed Geese, 390 Lapwings, 2 Kingfishers, 55 Fieldfares, 750 Starlings from a roost at dawn, 9 Redwings, 200 Teal, 5 Sparrowhawks, 5 Buzzards and finally, a Peregrine hunting low over the bed.
Cheers David
Spent a squally afternoon dodging the rainstorms on No.3 bed this afternoon. Despite the conditions I managed to catch up with a good variety of birds, starting with a Woodcock, flushed from underfoot, then a nice male Brambling in with 100 Chaffinches and 48 Linnets on the north meadow. From the Morgan hide, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Snipe, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Wigeon, 225 Teal, 2 Water Rails, 1 Kingfisher, 65 Greenfinches, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Little Grebes, 65 Tufted Ducks and 1 Sparrowhawk were the highlights. With the light almost gone, 750 Starlings came in to roost, hopefully harbingers of another massive winter roost smile emoticon
Despite an adverse forecast the rain held off while we did the monthly wildfowl count at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve today. Covering from No.3 bed to Bollin Point at the eastern end of the reserve, we picked up a decent variety of birds including: 2 Green Sandpipers,1 Snipe, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Peregrine, 5 Wigeon, 155 Teal, 40 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebes, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 34 Fieldfares, 21 Redwings, 35 Blackbirds, 3 Shelducks, 5 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and 3 Grey Wagtails. Then, with things quietening down by mid-morning, most of us treated ourselves to a quick dash to see the Smew at Marton, where several Green Woodpeckers also gave close views.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Brian Baird, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth and George Dunbar)
Another good morning, starting in torrential rain on No.3 bed and ending up in sunshine. As usual, there was a good variety of birds, with singles of Brambling (ringed by Kieran Foster), Siskin, Pintail, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Grey Wagtail and Willow Tit, along with 2 Wigeon, 250 Pink-footed Geese, 90 Fieldfares, 40 Redwings, 60 Chaffinches, 80 Teal, 55 Greenfinches, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Lapwings and 3 Song Thrushes. The highlight, though, was wandering down to Woolston Weir to watch three Salmon leaping, no doubt triggered by the Mersey being in spate due to the recent heavy rain.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd, Les Jones and George Dunbar)
Another of those really special autumn days spent vis migging from Butchersfield Tip last Saturday. Right from the off it had the feel of birds moving, with Brambling, Lesser Redpolls and Siskins calling as we wended our way up the steep track to the top of the tip (well, some of us anyway) loaded down like sherpas. An early highlight was a Short-eared Owl, picked up coming in high from the north-west before drifting eastwards. There was also an excellent movement of Fieldfares, with lesser numbers of Redwings. Selected totals were: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Crossbill, 1 Raven, 2 Yellowhammers, 200 Pink-footed Geese, 9 Siskins, 1 Brambling, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 1,890 Fieldfares, 214 Redwings, 16 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 1,178 Starlings, 1,956 Woodpigeons, 143 Skylarks, 34 Meadow Pipits, 23 Bullfinches and 330 Teal.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Brian Baird, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd and Les Jones)
-- Edited by DavidBowman on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 11:11:36 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 12:30:19 PM
11.30-14.30
Black tailed Godwit - 39
Common Snipe-18
Jay-4
Sparrowhawk -1 female chasing the wader flocks on a couple of occasions
Chiffchaff-2
Cettis Warbler - Singing near to tower hide and possibly 1 near rotary hide
Little Grebe-5
Swallow -6 > South
Lapwing -c 350
common Buzzard-1
plus the usuals :)
3 Ruff
Green Sandpiper
30+ Black Tailed Godwit
30+ Snipe
Willow Tit
Many Chiffchaff, some singing
6 Shoveler
Pintail
Little Grebe
Plus lots of the 'usuals'.
3 Ruff
Green Sandpiper
30+ Black Tailed Godwit
30+ Snipe
Willow Tit
Many Chiffchaff, some singing
6 Shoveler
Pintail
Little Grebe
Plus lots of the 'usuals'.
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