The Wirral

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

RE: The Wirral

Keith Williams · Status: Offline

Got the Water Pipit yesterday, great too meet Richard there and thanks for pointing it out, it was on the bed the furthest from the marsh at the back of the main building.

Flushed a Water Rail on the stream just at the side.

Then headed to New Brighton, got the Snow buntings on the sand in front of the Harvester Pub.
Also got the Laughing Gull, it was roosing out of site, on top of the coffee house near the pontoon and appeared as I fed chips to the gulls as I was about to leave!

-- Edited by Keith Williams on Thursday 12th of February 2015 10:25:14 AM

Paul Lee · Status: Offline

Went to sewerage works at Neston today (thanks Sid and Patrick for directions) Had great views of water pipit, grey wagtail and chiffchaff

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Simon Gough wrote:

Hi,

I was there with Rob Creek on Sunday and when we weren't watching the Water Pipit we saw 2 Chiffchaffs, one was a bit more yellow/brown than the other, so you might have seen them both and the contrast in tones would stand out. I'm only suggesting this as you've alluded to Willow Warbler for your 'other' bird, and obviously Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs are extremely similar.

My personal daydream for the site is a Yellow-browed Warbler, it looks ideal in the trees and bushes over the little stream that runs just away from the sewage works. So please don't confirm that your bird was one of those!

Hope this helps

...there was a 3rd Chiffchaff present on Sunday. I had 2 in view, the first one and the one with the yellow hue to it. Then one of the other birders present said "theres a 3rd Chiffchaff down here" and indeed there was. It kept disappearing down the grid covers, then reappearing. The 3rd one was a lot browner than the other 2 and you're right Simon the tonal differences stood out!

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

1st. Thanks simon. I wish it could be a yellow browed warbler but you can relax, it wasn't. I think you will be correct in that the odd looking one is a chiffchaff, i've never seen one looking tinted yellow/green to that extent before. Thanks for the Iinfo. 2nd. The chips are down!! Literally. I met another local birder at Neston (sorry, I forgot your name) who I met again at New Brighton and he had been there at the marine lake struggling to find the laughing gull, so he was feeding left over chips to the gulls and I spotted him as soon as I arrived and he even landed very close too. When he vanished, I walked along the coast path heading west, until I found a paddling pool next to the Bubbles swimming centre and there he was in close range with several black headed gulls. The laughing gull loves sweet things like Chorley cakes and its obvious to assume he is used to people feeding gulls, which may shed more light on his background. Many thanks to all..... now wheres the salt?

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Hi,

I was there with Rob Creek on Sunday and when we weren't watching the Water Pipit we saw 2 Chiffchaffs, one was a bit more yellow/brown than the other, so you might have seen them both and the contrast in tones would stand out. I'm only suggesting this as you've alluded to Willow Warbler for your 'other' bird, and obviously Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs are extremely similar.

My personal daydream for the site is a Yellow-browed Warbler, it looks ideal in the trees and bushes over the little stream that runs just away from the sewage works. So please don't confirm that your bird was one of those!

Hope this helps

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Started of at Neston and currently on my way to find the Laughing gull at new Brighton. So far I have bagged the water pipit, showing suprisingly close as he took a ride on the arms of the water spray at the sewage works at Neston on the section infront. Everything has been found ezactly as instructed on previous logs only I came by train. Also seen was the grey wagtail, common chiffchaff and an unusual looking warbler which I will have to check my photos of before I can say what it was for certain. (Looked like a short willow warbler type.) Also cettis warbler heard but not seen and a flock of 30 linnets. Back in a few hours......

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 11th of February 2015 03:53:01 PM

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by Dave Ousey:

A trip to see the wintering Ring Ouzel`s in North Wales along with the various scoters got us all rarin` to go. Then as often happens a lifer turns up for a couple of the team. So a change of plan, get to New Brighton in Cheshire to see a first winter Laughing Gull. The bird should be on the east coast of America about this time of year but was sadly of course. How it got here was discussed, but flying here seemed the most likely after some of the Atlantic gales that there have been. A grey, foggy morning greeted us as we set off from Rochdale and it did not get better en route. As we went under the Mersey Tunnel we hoped for clearer conditions on the Cheshire side, no such luck. We got to New Brighton and wandered around in cold miserable conditions and waited for the tide to turn. It's really changed has New Brighton and we met a jolly traffic warden,now there is a rarity! We met a few of our birding friends from the York area and had a good laugh about various things,(a bigger laugh was to follow) After a couple of hours vigil the bird was found on the beach near the lighthouse. To get there you had to cross a barrage of barnacle strewn rocks, some quite slippy. The bird was seen but it kept crossing over the rocks to feed on the sandy beach, cross the rocks again, but not so lucky. Fully laden with camera, tripod & telescope, binoculars and lots of insulating clothing, I slipped on the rocks. Going down in stages would have been good on You Tube (I have looked) but not for me, sustaining cut hand and slight damage to telescope eyepiece. Bowed but not beaten, we took up position above the pontoon on the marina and got some decent pictures of the Laughing Gull, which performed admirably for the crowds. A couple of Purple Sandpipers and 2 Snow Buntings were also seen in New Brighton. We called at a few birding spots on the Wirral before ending at Burton Marsh were Stonechat and Linnet were added to our lists. The hoped for Great White Egret had flown up the coast unseen by ourselves. Good day out with 2 of our team getting a lifer and we got back home to claim a few "browny" points.
Dave Ousey.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Having arrived at Liverpool Lime Street with about 3 hours to spare before high tide I decided to save myself some walking and got off at Wallasey Grove Road station to walk down to the Lifeguard viewpoint. The Snow Buntings were in the disturbed sand and detritus up near the walkway but fortunately someone else had already done the slog along the tide line so everyone else who turned up could home in on them straight away biggrin

. They showed well and had conveniently positioned themselves next to a flight of steps so people could sit down to watch them wink

Walked down the prom towards New Brighton, noting plenty of evidence that the local crows and gulls have perfected the art of cockle-dropping.

The Laughing Gull was napping on the pontoon, no doubt resting up after having earned his crust (literally) earlier in the day. A tip for any visiting photographers from one of today's crew: if you're going to bread-bait in the hope of getting good close-up shots do it somewhere on the prom where someone's screeching kid can't come charging through at the key moment! As the number of birds on the pontoon built up the Laughing Gull was shifted about (one immature Herring Gull seemed to have a particular dislike for it, apparently) but soon settled back into its' nap each time. Didn't get quite as close a view of it as the Lleyn bird, but it was a lot less bracing biggrin

Paul Lee · Status: Offline

Thanks very much Patrick. I'll try and head there this week

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

We saw the Water Pipit superbly well at the Sewage Works, it was putting on a great show. It was a different bird to the one I saw on the 24th of Jan, noticeable for having a minimal supercilium, although it was perfect in other respects. I thought it might be of interest for forum members that there are a couple of them about on this evidence.

The Snow Buntings were smashing too, my first good views of them, and the Laughing Gull was really cool. I think the whole business of fog and fearing we'd miss out helped us appreciate that this is a really rare bird and even a straightforward twitch shouldn't be taken for granted. Then when it did show the whole setting of mist and murk coupled to the sense of relief made it very enjoyable watching the bird flying round the beach and squabbling with the Turnstones and Herring Gulls.

I also enjoyed the brief views of the Mediterranean Gull amongst Black-headed Gulls, good to compare the size, posture and plumage.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

A great day around the Wirral today in the company of Simon Gough.

Bumped into some familiar faces on our travels including Steve Burke, plenty of recognisable none-forum members, and Manchester birder Alan. Hope everyone had a successful day like we did, a day that saw...
65 Species in total!
2 LIFERS!
a 7 species Gull fest
8 Waders
10 Waterfowl
7 Finches
6 Thrushes
5 Corvids...and a whole host of top quality Birds in poor weather and bad fog so no possibility of sea watching!

LAUGHING GULL - a Lifer for me, the bird was not present early morning but was picked up on the beach later. Walked down to the suggested area and soon got it. Somewhat larger than a Black-headed Gull, long bill, spindley dark legs, and it was a darker hue of grey, almost a slate colour.
Everyone got their pics and started moving on when the Gull landed out of sight over the rocks. I strolled over to try and get Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper pics then the Laughing Gull decided to put on a show. It did a series of loops over the rocks and flew literally 2 feet above my head. It then landed no more than 20ft away from me, I was shocked! I turned round to where the other birders were and the look of disbelief on Simon's face and the others was funny. I'll never forget the whole moment.

1 Mediterranean Gull in beach channel
Black-headed Gulls - lots
Common Gulls - lots
Herring Gulls - lots (1 trying to swallow a Starfish)
Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 5
Great Black-backed Gulls - 2
Plenty of Waders about including...
Sanderling
Oystercatcher
Redshank
Few Turnstones
2 Purple Sandpipers (possibly more among the rocks)
1 large flock of Waders and I heard one birder say they were Knot so I will go with that.
2 Cormorant
Wallasey Beach...
2 Snow Buntings - to within 7 or 8 feet at times
2 Pied Wagtails also on the beach

Neston Waterworks...
1 WATER PIPIT - another Lifer for me.
I heard a tip to find the Grey Wagtail and you'll find the Water Pipit. This proved successful as it appeared seconds after the Grey Wag appeared. The Pipit was following the irrigation arms round under the water jets, then it was hitching a ride and just going round in circles so it was a case of wait until it comes close to get some good views, and it didn't disappoint.

Also...
1 Grey Wagtail
3 Pied Wagtail
3 Chiffchaff
All together on the tanks feeding.
Little Egret - lots around
Teal - quite a few dropping down onto the marsh
Pink-footed Goose - various skeins over of a few 100 down to 10
A few Redwing about
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Song Thrush
A few Blackbird
Linnets and Goldfinch around
1 Greenfinch with them
1 Jay
1 Common Buzzard
2 Kestrel
Plenty of Starling around too

Finished off at Burton Mere (see thread) to cap a brilliant few hours with some memorable sightings

John Doherty · Status: Offline

Late post for yesterday:

Had to go for the Laughing Gull (he who laughs last and all that) and found it obliging on the pontoon at 11am - never really thought I'd have one that soon but not complaining!

After that popped over to Wallasey for the two Snow Buntings (lifer as well) and then walked it to Leasowe lighthouse, which failed to turn up any Eider or diver species but whetted the appetite for Spring :P

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Paul Lee wrote:

Hi Mark
Any chance you could give a postcode where Neston sewerage works is please? When I put the description into Google maps I am having no luck
Cheers

Paul whenever I have been to the sewage works I have gone via Old Quay Lane as Mark describes below - if it helps the OS co-ordinates are SJ 287 769, at least you avoid that presently boggy field wink

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Patrick Earith wrote:

Marshlands Road, Neston. Drive to the bottom of here and park up. Then take the coastal path up to your right (opposite direction to the pub). You will go over a step over a stone wall and the path will then turn to the right. Pass through a kissing gate and the sewerage works will be on your left. You can walk across the field up to the fencing next to the filter beds. Scan across the beds and, with a little patience, you should pick up Water Pipit and Grey Wagtail

The pub is the Harp Inn If hat helps any Paul. water Pipit and Grey Wagtail both showing well yesterday. Probably worth mention the field you cut across to get views is a bit boggy

-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Sunday 8th of February 2015 11:33:59 AM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Laughing Gull showing well on New Brighton beach.
Adult Mediterranean Gull nearby in beach channel.
Report later!

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

I afraid I don't have a postcode, But if your traveling from Manchester take the M56 then along the B540 at Hinderton take a left onto the B5134 heading To Neston/ Parkgate at the T junction in Neston turn right and then immediately left down the B5315 heading to Parkgate then take a left down Moorside Ln then a left down Old Quay Ln this leads to the Sewerage works, there is no public access into the Sewerage works hence viewing is via the field that borders the site looking through the perimeter fence, parking is limited on Old Quay Ln there is room for just one car at the metal kissing gate, Talking to local birders the Water Pipit or Indeed Pipits seem to favour the clinker bed closest to the perimeter fence No5
Hope this helps.

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

Marshlands Road, Neston. Drive to the bottom of here and park up. Then take the coastal path up to your right (opposite direction to the pub). You will go over a step over a stone wall and the path will then turn to the right. Pass through a kissing gate and the sewerage works will be on your left. You can walk across the field up to the fencing next to the filter beds. Scan across the beds and, with a little patience, you should pick up Water Pipit and Grey Wagtail

Paul Lee · Status: Offline

Hi Mark
Any chance you could give a postcode where Neston sewerage works is please? When I put the description into Google maps I am having no luck
Cheers

Adam Jones · Status: Offline

New Brighton an hour on before high tide. The Laughing Gull was on the pontoon.
Also there were 11 Purple Sandpipers,
1 Sanderling
Plenty of Redshank and Turnstone.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Spent the best part of the day on the Wirral, Great weather Sunny all day, Early start for the Laughing Gull at New Brighton where the bird showed well amongst the Groynes to the left of the Lighthouse and on the beach, Then up the road past Wallasey coastguard station where the 2 Snow Buntings gave very close views foraging in the tide wrack.

Neston Sewerage Works,
As per Jon below, Water Pipit on No5 bed along with a Grey Wagtail and 2 Common Chiffchaff

Then onto Hoylake for the high tide roost, Highlights
Adult Mediterranean Gull sporting a green ring
Knot c 2/3000
Dunlin similar number
Good numbers of Grey Plover, Sanderling & Oystercatcher
Single Bar Tailed Godwit
Goldeneye 12
Red Throated Diver 3
Common Scoter several Hundred
Possible small group of Eider just too far out to be certain

Andrew Mitchell · Status: Offline

A couple of sites today:

Hoylake for 'high tide' - the tide wasn't nearly as high as predicted with some of the lifeboat workers saying it was a metre lower. As such, the usual close range views weren't forthcoming, but decent views of Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Sanderling and Knot from by the RNLI building. Plenty Common Scoter out on the sea and a Mediterranean Gull on the beach probably took 'best bird'.

Then on to New Brighton for the Laughing Gull just after high tide, on the pontoons giving great views. 8 Purple Sandpiper also there, 1 Sanderling and loads of Redshank and Turnstone.

M Gannon · Status: Offline

Busy this morning so I was only able to get to the New Brighton after high tide, meaning no waders where left (however a few Turnstones where on the beach and breakwater). This abscence didn't matter though; the main event, the 1st winter Laughing gull, was showing all by itself on the pontoon! When I saw tons of Black headed gull flying all over the place, I was expecting the worst and worried it would be it hard to find, but it was the only bird on the pontoon other than a pied wagtail. Fantastic!

Headed up to Wallasey by the Harvester pub next and was delighted to find the Snow buntings showing down to a few feet on the beach. This was a particularly welcome find after I missed the pair at Leasowe (almost certainly the same birds) a few weeks ago. Brilliant birds on the wirral today.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Arrived at the Marine Lake half an hour before high tide to find the Laughing Gull on the pontoon giving superb views to the throng. Several Purple Sandpiper amongst mainly Turnstone and Redshank also there. Moved to the other end of the promenade to find the very obliging Snow Buntings on the beach. Then through the tunnel to Liverpool and on to Lunt Meadows where I've posted sightings on that thread.

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Day long jaunt attracted by some great birds reported along The Wirral. Started at New Brighton for the Laughing Gull and Snow Buntings. The former spent 40 minutes playing hide and seek around the lighthouse before moving across to the Pontoon where it gave great views standing in splendid isolation. Clear flight views really showed off the birds markings.
The snow buntings were ridiculously obliging and at times were almost too close for scope views, great opportunity to study these birds close up especially in such good light.
Stopped at Parkgate for lunch but nothing much showing before moving on to Neston and had great views of Water Pipit and Grey Wagtail.
Final stop Burton Marsh farm for a very obliging Long Eared Owl and the usual suspects

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

Laughing Gull back on the pontoon now apparently

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

New Brighton
Laughing gull was seen to fly inland over the town near the tall flats about 1.30 it didnt return up to 3.00. Thats not to say it won't be back tomorrow, or later today :)

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 6th of February 2015 04:56:28 PM

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by Jon Taverner:

My wife and I decided to take advantage of the Merseyrail Day Rover ticket from Newton-Le-Willows - superb value for under £5 each - and ended up in New Brighton. The Laughing Gull was flying around the Marine Lake and taking bread. It was often just a few feet away and, at times, passed right over the heads of the 30 odd birders and photographers who were there. When we were leaving an hour or so later, it was on one of the pontoons.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Doc Brewster wrote:

The 1w Laughing Gull is again on the pontoon on New Brighton Marine Lake this morning til 10.10am ..........

After getting held up on the M56 this morning I was lucky enough to arrive in time to get excellent views of the Laughing Gull before it flew off. It had been in with the wader roost which held 12 Purple Sandpipers (minimum), a single Sanderling as well as the Redshanks and Turnstones. I waited round until high tide but the gull did not reappear so I went off to have a look at the Snow Buntings.

Heard later that the gull reappeared late afternoon so it may have returned to roost and may well stick around a while longer.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

The 1w Laughing Gull is again on the pontoon on New Brighton Marine Lake this morning til 10.10am then not again by 2pm so far. The small wader roost on there nearly always contains Purple Sandpipers (not always as two days last week they were along the sea defences rather than on the pontoon). Also the 2 Snow Buntings were still on the beach near the Wallasey coastguard station at the other end of the prom, some kind soul is putting down seed so they should be easier to pick up amongst the tide wrack. Mediterranean Gulls seem less frequent this winter but a couple have been seen ranging from near Fort Perch Rock to all along the grassy areas inland of the prom road.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 4th of February 2015 02:32:05 PM

Phil Woollen · Status: Offline

A 1st winter Laughing Gull was found roosting on the pontoon at N B marine lake by visiting birder Mike Brown (?) today! I managed to get there after it had flown to the Mersey but luckily it was refound on the breakwater leading to the lighthouse. Many thanks to John & Dave for the use of their scopes!

Anyone going should try arounfpd high tide. Once the tide recedes the gulls fly out to feed on the exposed mudflats and can be distant.

Also worth checking the grassy areas before you reach New Brighton.

Frank Whitney · Status: Offline

Spent the day around the area , Purple sandpipers on the Marine lake at New Brighton, 14 counted along with good numbers of Turnstone and Redshanks , then failed to connect with the Snow Buntings before a visit to West Kirby which was windswept and interesting , Curlews everywhere and small flocks of waders hither and thither but no sign of the sheltering Brents , finished out of the area with Ringtail Hen Harrier and Peregrine at Parkgate and a last gasp view of a single Water Pipit near neston , Grey and Pied wagtails and an overwintering Chiffchaff

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 1st of February 2015 10:57:33 PM

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

Pair of Snow Buntings still showing well on the strand line just in front of the Harvester pub at New Brighton, despite the high number of dog walkers passing by.

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Saturday was actually my best views of Hen Harrier at Parkgate in terms of both the time they were visible and the fact I definitely saw 2 distinct birds for the first time, rather than lots of disparate views of single birds that could be all one bird or more than one. I absolutely don't want to appear blase about how lucky we are to have this dependable site near us. I really want to see a grey male on there now, just to up the ante a bit.

Ollie Wright · Status: Offline

I went to Parkgate yesterday to visit the RSPB tent. Was great to meet young Findlay Wilde, one of the stars of Hen Harrier Day 2014, who was there with his mum, dad and brother to volunteer. Wonderful to see the next generation showing real passion for birds.

Amazing place, beautiful afternoon, ringtail Hen Harrier was what it was all about for me, fantastic - but also a nice bonus to see a Great White Egret. Little Egrets seemed to be more common than Grey Herons! A Red-throated Diver was present, but unfortunately seemed to be either sick or injured.

Late on, big skeins of Pink-footed Geese were streaming in, great to see. I was told that 6,000 had recently been counted on the estuary.

John Doherty · Status: Offline

Not much to add per the others' raptor clutch - tried for Short Eared Owls at Cottage Lane, but we, like the entire Wirral, left empty-handed.

Cracking views of F Merlin, ringtailed Hen Harrier, Peregrine (perched for hours on end) and we also had a Buzzard.

Waders seemed to include Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin etc

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Hi Tim

I bet you saw the same Merlin as us; we were on the wall at the golf club. It flew down the estuary towards Heswall low to the ground then landed on a post and stayed put for a couple of minutes. It would have been bang in front of the Riverbank Road car park or possibly further on up to where you guys were.

The tide just didn't do enough did it? I wasn't too bothered, bird of the day for me was the Water Pipit at Neston. There's two 10.3 tides next month, there'll be 8 or 9 Short-eared Owl on show if we're lucky.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Weird stuff going on here! My 'quoting' the message ended up embeding it in the post then it wouldn't delete. Anyway Tony Darby and myself found Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine and Greenshank but no owls from Marine Drive

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Simon Gough wrote:

A really decent day out on the Wirral today with Phil Kelly and Steve Burke.

Started at Shotwick Lake to try and see the good recent numbers of Bewick's Swans and also Black-necked Grebes on the water. We saw 30 plus swans feeding happily with a similar number of Whoopers, also 20 or so Mutes and a single Black Swan. The Bewick's were lifers for me and Phil, it was great to see a decent number, Steve had only seen odd singles before himself.

We thought we'd bagged one of the Black-necked Grebes easily initially, but lost track of it, never to see again, so it needs to go down as a probable really, except Phil got one view to confirm it for him. Also Gadwall, Wigeon, Tufted Ducks and Goldeneye on there with lots of Coots. Nice views of Linnets on the ploughed field next to the boat club.

Next we moved to Denhall Lane on Burton Marsh, little here other than some nice close Redwings, Fieldfares and other thrushes on the land side, a few Pink-footed Geese amongst a massive flock of Canada Geese and a female Stonechat.

Next stop was Neston Sewage Works, looking for passerines. A flock of 25 or so Linnet and a few Chaffinch and Redwings were a nice appetizer for a Water Pipit we managed to quickly scope as it perched on the fence of the plant. This was a really pleasing find, another lifer for Phil and I. The contrast to a Meadow Pipit was strong, we saw features like the dark legs, bold supercilium and white outer tail feathers really clearly. A close up Meadow Pipit seen perched later on just confirmed this bird even more for us. Also really well spotted by Steve was a wintering Chiffchaff on the filter beds inside the plant, with a few Pied Wagtails and one Grey Wagtail.

Tony Darby and myself were on Heswell shore at Marine Drive for high tide with nobody else for some time. We found our own Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine and Greenshank

We got up to Parkgate in time for high tide. This was stated as 9.9m and with a brisk westerly wind we had hopes of a decent flood of the marsh and some Short-eared Owls. This didn't transpire though, the water stopped well short of the seawall. 2 Shorties were reported as seen from the ground from near us, well done to whoever managed that bit of work. It was generally underwhelming over the mid-afternoon, best bird probably a Merlin streaking low over the marsh. We apparently overlooked a Red-throated Diver at this point, probably because anything that didn't remotely resemble an owl was being ignored...there were mainly just the regular birds, Shelduck, Redshank, Teal, Little Egrets and so on. But there can't be many better places in Britain for a big sky and a feeling of being a tiny speck in the natural world.

But as we started shuffling back towards the car park things perked up. First Steve found one of the more or less resident Great White Egrets, and as we zoned in on it another was seen, they were both in the same scope view briefly. As we looked for the first Egret at one point, a Ringtail flew up and spent an obliging minute or two gliding around. Another appeared soon after and later just before dark both were visible simultaneously. Great birds. Also interesting was a male Pheasant on the marsh, not sure you'd expect that?

The day finished for me with 63 species and sore feet! I'll be back in Feb for the next big tides and with luck some owls

-- Edited by Simon Gough on Sunday 25th of January 2015 12:31:21 AM

-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 25th of January 2015 09:12:34 PM

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

A really decent day out on the Wirral today with Phil Kelly and Steve Burke.

Started at Shotwick Lake to try and see the good recent numbers of Bewick's Swans and also Black-necked Grebes on the water. We saw 30 plus swans feeding happily with a similar number of Whoopers, also 20 or so Mutes and a single Black Swan. The Bewick's were lifers for me and Phil, it was great to see a decent number, Steve had only seen odd singles before himself.

We thought we'd bagged one of the Black-necked Grebes easily initially, but lost track of it, never to see again, so it needs to go down as a probable really, except Phil got one view to confirm it for him. Also Gadwall, Wigeon, Tufted Ducks and Goldeneye on there with lots of Coots. Nice views of Linnets on the ploughed field next to the boat club.

Next we moved to Denhall Lane on Burton Marsh, little here other than some nice close Redwings, Fieldfares and other thrushes on the land side, a few Pink-footed Geese amongst a massive flock of Canada Geese and a female Stonechat.

Next stop was Neston Sewage Works, looking for passerines. A flock of 25 or so Linnet and a few Chaffinch and Redwings were a nice appetizer for a Water Pipit we managed to quickly scope as it perched on the fence of the plant. This was a really pleasing find, another lifer for Phil and I. The contrast to a Meadow Pipit was strong, we saw features like the dark legs, bold supercilium and white outer tail feathers really clearly. A close up Meadow Pipit seen perched later on just confirmed this bird even more for us. Also really well spotted by Steve was a wintering Chiffchaff on the filter beds inside the plant, with a few Pied Wagtails and one Grey Wagtail.

We got up to Parkgate in time for high tide. This was stated as 9.9m and with a brisk westerly wind we had hopes of a decent flood of the marsh and some Short-eared Owls. This didn't transpire though, the water stopped well short of the seawall. 2 Shorties were reported as seen from the ground from near us, well done to whoever managed that bit of work. It was generally underwhelming over the mid-afternoon, best bird probably a Merlin streaking low over the marsh. We apparently overlooked a Red-throated Diver at this point, probably because anything that didn't remotely resemble an owl was being ignored...there were mainly just the regular birds, Shelduck, Redshank, Teal, Little Egrets and so on. But there can't be many better places in Britain for a big sky and a feeling of being a tiny speck in the natural world.

But as we started shuffling back towards the car park things perked up. First Steve found one of the more or less resident Great White Egrets, and as we zoned in on it another was seen, they were both in the same scope view briefly. As we looked for the first Egret at one point, a Ringtail flew up and spent an obliging minute or two gliding around. Another appeared soon after and later just before dark both were visible simultaneously. Great birds. Also interesting was a male Pheasant on the marsh, not sure you'd expect that?

The day finished for me with 63 species and sore feet! I'll be back in Feb for the next big tides and with luck some owls

-- Edited by Simon Gough on Sunday 25th of January 2015 12:31:21 AM

M Gannon · Status: Offline

Hoylake high tide

7000 Knot
3000 Dunlin
300 Sanderling
200 Grey plover
150 Bar tailed godwit
4000 Oystercatcher
20 Redshank

Parkgate, 4pm

2 Great white egret (possible 3rd bird very far out)
1 Hen harrier (ringtail)
100 Pink footed goose
15 Little egret
Flocks of Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Knot, Redshank and Lapwing

Karl Bishop · Status: Offline

High tide at parkgate

10.1 m tide but was still about 1/2 a mile out ?
Hence distant views of

Short eared owl
Peregrine
2 ringtail hen harrier
Marsh harrier
Merlin
Plus the usual waders

Karl

Holly Page · Status: Offline

Stockport Birdwatching Society trip to The Wirral today in relatively pleasant weather (plenty of sunshine and not quite as cold as we were expecting). Highlights as follows:

New Brighton:
8 purple sandpiper mixed in with redshank, dunlin, turnstone and a single knot on the pontoons. Also a kingfisher flew in off the sea and landed on a post in the marine lake.

Meols:
Knot
Redshank
Dunlin
Curlew
Knot
Grey plover
Bar-tailed godwit
Common scoter

Parkgate:
Hen harrier (ringtail)
Merlin
Skylark

Decca pools:
2 great white egret
Whimbrel

Denhall Lane/Burton Marsh:
Redwing
Fieldfare
Mistle thrush
Merlin
Golden plover
Stonechat

-- Edited by Holly Page on Saturday 17th of January 2015 08:29:40 PM

-- Edited by Holly Page on Saturday 17th of January 2015 08:31:06 PM

-- Edited by Holly Page on Saturday 17th of January 2015 09:27:07 PM

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Heswall Shore, Highlights

Hen Harrier (Ring Tailed) quartering low over the marsh before high tide
Curlew 100's
Redshank 100's
Oystercatcher 100's
Shelduck 100's
Little Egret 2

Several large flocks of waders moving around too far out to ID but suspect Knot and Dunlin

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 11th of January 2015 06:01:28 PM

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Farm land around Shotwick Boating Lake

Whooper Swan 42
Bewicks Swan 5
Mute Swan 27
Black Swan 1, Probably the escapee usually seen at Burton Mere Wetlands,

Chris Greene · Status: Offline

Round and about the New Brighton area today, 10:30 till 14:30,highlights including:
Two Snow Buntings showing extremely well, down to about six feet! on the strand line near the Harvester Pub, Leasowe.
We then stopped at the raised seating area near the clown roundabout- in the hope of finding the Purple Sandpipers that favour the
area at high tide.Alas no Sandpipers, but we were rewarded with the surreal sight of a Kingfisher, perched up on one of the rocks near the groyne.When it saw us peering over the sea wall, it initially flew upriver,then doubled back over the Mersey, back down towards Leasowe,it's iridescent flanks showing beautifully in the Winter sunshine.
Next onto New Brighton itself ,by now approaching high water. On the pontoon at the marine lake ,we caught up with the Purple Sandpipers, there were TEN of them,roosting with approximately 90 Redshanks,140 Turn stones and 3 Dunlins.
Along the prom towards Egremont, we saw plenty of roosting Turnstones, Redshanks, Oystercatchers,Ringed Plovers, Sanderling's and a few Dunlin, all roosting on the groynes. Also an adult Mediterranean Gull was lurking about with the Black Headed Gulls in the area.
Finally a quick look at Seacombe ferry ,but no sign of the recent Grey Phalarope.
Not a bad day ,cheers Chris.

Sean Sweeney · Status: Offline

Had a stroll from Deeside to Parkgate yesterday (Sunday 4th) with a few birding mates. On the Wirral (English side) we had the following highlights:

Hen Harrier 3 birds, all ringtails (first on Burton Wetlands seen from outside reserve, second in Marsh near Neston and the third on the front very close at Parkgate)
Peregrine 1 adult at Neston
Merlin 2 birds (first between Little Neston and Neston attacking woodpigeons and magpies, second near Parkgate
Kestrel, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk in various locations

Single Jack Snipe with over 20+ Common in marshes between Little Neston and Neston
3 Great White Egrets (2 near Welsh Border and one towards Neston)
Rock Pipit at Little Neston (no sign of any Water Pipits, but lots of dog walkers about to be fair)
100s of Pink-footed Geese on edge of Dee
Small Canada type goose on water at Burton Wetlands

3 female Stonechats and a single male along the route.

We noted that there was a lack of small passerines along the whole stretch, with very few meadow pipits etc - perhaps the reason for Merlins seeming to be attacking larger birds)

Adam Jones · Status: Offline

Sunday 4th January

A bit of a roving day taking in Parkgate, Hoylake and New Brighton.
Parkgate held nothing out of the ordinary. No sign of any Harriers. Lots of Redwings in one particular field with a smattering of Fieldfares. A Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming and lots of activity from Finches and Tits, on a cold morning.
Hoylake was timed badly in the end as the tide was well out. Just the usual suspects in attendance.
New Brighton was super busy. A few Turnstone, Redshanks and Oystercatchers were the best I could do.

David Wilson · Status: Offline

Cracking views of one of the two Snow Bunting showing on one of the tees on the golf course behind Leasowe castle this afternoon. So difficult to get a sharp image as it was gloomy and the bird was constantly moving. Managed half a dozen out of a 100 or so. Also male Stonechat on scrub area near car park.

Andrew Mitchell · Status: Offline

Like Mark, 2 enjoyable hours at Hoylake this morning - only thing I can add of note is 4 Common Scoter on the sea. I missed the Twite unfortunately - would have been a lifer.

Agreed on the two summer plumage Grey Plover - absolute crackers.