The Wirral

Chris Chandler · Status: Offline

RE: The Wirral

Craig Higson · Status: Offline

Rather than New Brighton I chose to go to the gun site near leasowe after work. I had 8 Leach's between 4.40 and 5.40 and then a further 16 in the next 45 minutes before the movement seemed to die off completely. 24 in 2hrs felt quite good. Some birds very close in whilst others were very distant.

Other birds of note were few and far between - singles of Kittiwake, Fulmar and a Guillemot sat on the sea were just about it.

A kite surfer stopped on his way past to ask what the small black and white birds hovering on the sea were. He was amazed something so small could survive at sea. Frankly I always am too.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Paid a visit to New Brighton this afternoon in view of the continuing strong westerlies. Arrived at 1.15 pm and stayed at the same spot, Perch Rock, for approx three hours. Some decent birds had been seen earlier, two Grey Phalarope and one each of Sabine's Gull and Black Tern. Unfortunately none of them returned!

However, it was great to see good numbers of Leach's Petrel fighting their way out of the Mersey. I saw around twenty five birds during my three hour stay, whilst a Northwich birding friend of mine who was their 'early doors' saw an additional thirty five or so. So a good sixty or so until around 4.15 pm by which time most birders had drifted away.

Also around were Sanderling, Oystercatcher, a Little Gull, Fulmar and a Gannet which flew down the Mersey rather than out of it. Leach's Petrel photos attached.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Online

A fantastic show of 44 Leach's Storm Petrels at New Brighton today plus
Little Gull 2
Sandwich Tern

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Late post for Sunday with Simon Gough (not had chance due to work and yesterday's rush on!)

Thought we'd try our luck for the Leach's Storm Petrels but there was hardly any reported on Sunday.

Leasowe.
- Razorbill 1 young one stranded (comment on discussion later)
- Mediterranean Gull 1 (plus usuals)
- Bar-tailed Godwit 1
- Greenshank 2 (see below)
- Knot 3
- Lapwing 1
- Little Egret 40+
- Peregrine on beach eating a Redshank
- Wheatear on sea wall
- Linnets in a large flock
- Skykark over Gunsite car park
- Common Scoters out to sea
- few Gannets around

Waders in big numbers including...
Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin etc

Of note...
1 of the Greenshank we saw on the groyne was very different to the other and had very yellowish legs as opposed to the greenish grey legs of the other bird. I'm in no way doubting the Greater Yellowlegs sighting but it was just an observation that could've been overlooked, ours were definitely Greenshank though!

Hoylake.
- Curlew Sandpiper 2 (3 reported)
- Ruff 1
- Large numbers of commoner Waders everywhere constantly being put up by free running 'well trained - NOT' dogs! Bit annoying.

John Watson · Status: Offline

Yes, excellent time y'day early afternoon (Mon 11th) for 2+ hours from Wallasey Lifeguards; good company too

1 Sabine's Gull ~3 miles away (!) in shipping channel in front of Crosby, presumably the same as seen from New Brighton an hour earlier; classic 3-tone wing markings, more buoyant jizz & clearly different from the many Kittiwakes (and confirmed by others!)
~40 Leach's Petrels, some very close
1-2 Arctic Skuas
1-5 Gannet
~5 Manx Shearwater along shoreline
1 Sanderling
100 Oystercatcher
1 Fulmar along shoreline
~10 Tern sp

Interesting point (noted y'day & previously) that the rarer species sometimes prefer the deeper water, ie the shipping channel - though not exclusively of course; the Leachs are less fussy

Unfortunately, I didn't see the Wilson's Petrel (wow!), Storm Petrel, Grey Phalaropes, Black Terns observed by others along the peninsular

Well worth keeping an eye on the weather for the next few days, as there could be repeat performances; high tide will be late afternoon

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Absolutely cracking hour or so birding here on the Wirral last night as Simon says!!

Hoylake.
- Leach's Storm Petrel 5 (Lifer)
Made for quality viewing battling against the strong winds. Bit distant for good record shots but good scope/bins views.
- Sabine's Gull 1 Juv
How you missed this Simon I'll never know!
- Arctic Skua 1
Probable dark phase but it wasn't too close in so could've been affected by the light.
- Grey Plover 1
Summer plumaged individual which made for a good marker for locating some of the birds.

Leasowe.
- Leach's Storm Petrel 2 (Not a Lifer anymore

)
- Arctic Skua1 (possibly 2)

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 12th of September 2017 10:25:29 PM

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 12th of September 2017 10:26:39 PM

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Rob Creek and I raced over to Hoylake after work and over 30 mins or so were thrilled to see 5 Leach's Petrels battling the wind to cross the sands on the falling tide. This was a spanking lifer for both of us and a really big sighting for me, a regional speciality that I was wondering when I would ever see, after a series of barren autumns for the right combination of weather and bird passage.

The overall environment was stunning, a setting sun shining brightly on the shallow pools on the beach, with a thrashing line of breakers in the background and gulls wheeling around all over the place, while waders and Shelducks were dotted about. Rob also saw a Sabine's Gull and Arctic Skua in the background while I was jammed on one of the petrels, refusing to be distracted. The birds were moving so slowly across the beach, it was amazing to think they were probably in the middle of the Atlantic a few days ago. I had a really beautiful view of one, showing its plumage features and pattering flight clearly.

We relocated to Leasowe to see if the viewing was better there, and noted another 2 Leach's, again doggedly battling westwards. They were fractionally closer but the light was going. We saw a couple of distant Skuas here, probably Arctics.

All in all 7 birds in an hour was a pretty decent return, we were like little kids at a birthday party! I can't wait to see some more now!

John Rayner · Status: Offline

I was tempted out only after seeing a rain-less weather forecast for the Wirral for the afternoon. Hence I arrived rather late, after high tide, and also after the highest numbers of Leach's Petrels had already passed through.

Leasowe Gun Site (15.30 a 17.00):
Leach's Petrel 9 (Including a few close individuals with 1 landing exhausted on the sea in front of me)
Kittiwake 2
Little Gull 1
Sandwich Tern 1

New Brighton, Mersey estuary (17.15 - 18.00):
Leach's Petrel 5

+ usuals

Cheers John

Eugene Dillon-Hooper · Status: Offline

About 3 hours at New Brighton with Chris Sutton

Good numbers of Leach's Petrel including 2 very good close in views!
1 Sabine's gull (bird of the day)
1 Sandwich Tern
10-15 redshank
2 Sanderling
1 Mediterranean Gull
A few Oystercatchers and Turnstones

Plus the usuals

steven burke · Status: Offline

leasowe lighthouse.

an hour stuck in traffic on the m56 had me getting here just after high tide but after just 10 mins picked up a leach's petrel close in being chased by a black headed gull biggrin

1 kittiwake
1 guillemot
on the groyne,
2 greenshank
32+ little egret
redshank
dunlin
ringed plover
wheatear in the paddocks
plus usuals

-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 9th of September 2017 11:57:58 PM

-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 10th of September 2017 08:21:36 AM

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by Kevin Forde

Denhall Quay:

Goldfinch Marsh harrier Short eared owl Kestrel Raven Carrion crow Little egret Buzzard Meadow pipit

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Burton Marsh, Denhall Lane 8.00 - 9.30am Highlights

Great White Egret 2
Merlin 1m
Wheatear 1m

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

9 Waxwing in the Boathouse pub car park at Parkgate at 3pm; feeding in a berry tree in the car park.

Info thanks to Dave Steel

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

A few highlights of the High Peak RSPB group trip to the Wirral today:

West Kirkby marine lake: 2 Red Breasted Merganser, 15 Grey Plover, 1000s of Dunlin

Kings Gap: 17 Pale Bellied Brent Geese, 2 Red Throated Diver, 10 Common Scoter, 30 Grey Plover, 25 Knot, Redwing, 100's of Ringed Plover,Dunlin, Sanderling and Oystercatcher.

Wirral CP at Thurstaston: 50 Black Tailed Godwit, 5 Bullfinch, 5 Knot, Little Egret

Parkgate: 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Marsh Harrier, Merlin,Peregrine, 5 Little Egret

Harp Inn little Neston: 2 Short Eared Owl, 2 Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Stonechat

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

West Kirby Marine Lake, at high tide, Highlights

Red Breasted Merganser
Goldeneye
Pale Bellied Brent Goose 23
Cormorant c60 on middle eye
Large movement of Dunlin and Redshank

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Heswall gutter on the flooding tide, Highlights

Bar tailed Godwit 21
Redshank c200
Dunlin c600
Lapwing c150
Golden Plover
Pintail c25
Peregrine 2
Marsh Harrier
Many Teal and Shellduck

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Neston Sewerage Works 8.15 - 9.45am

Water Pipit 1, On the closest filter bed to the perimeter fence, in a 90 min search I was rewarded with a measley 3 sec view
Chiffchaff 3/4
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Goldcrest 2
Linnet 4

John O'Neill · Status: Offline

Neston
Marsh opposite Harp Inn
Short Eared Owl 1 (poss 2) showing well, hunting. Flying high and low, putting up waders, ducks, egrets and apparently every other bird in the reeds, even a cock pheasant. Protracted views.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

After a visit to Burton Mere Wetlands I made my way up and then back down the Wirral, the highlights were as follows.

At Neston Sewage Treatment Works a single Water Pipit showed well on the filter beds and a Chiffchaff was in trees just outside the works with a couple of Goldcrests. Plenty of Little Egrets were on the marsh and Pink-footed Geese flew out along the water line.

At New Brighton at least 6 Purple Sandpipers were easily seen roosting on the Marine Lake Pontoon at high tide along with lots of Dunlin, Turnstone and Redshank. A thorough search of the gulls in the area failed to turn up the hoped for Mediterranean Gull.

Next stop Heswall shore where I joined a few birding mates to scan the wader flocks. Huge Flocks of Knot were seen with large numbers of both Dunlin and Sanderling amongst them. A few Bar-tailed Godwits were picked out on the tideline too. It was amazing just how distant the flocks were so soon after high tide. It goes to show how quickly thetide drops on these flat mudflats/sands. Looking over towards West Kirby a small group of Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen on 'bird rock', which saved me a trip to the marine lake to look for this species.

With the visibility deteriorating and the drizzle getting heavier I called it a day, but even given the poor weather a fabulous days birding was had, The Wirral never dissappoints smile

Craig Higson · Status: Offline

The old baths at Parkgate after I'd been to Llanfairfechan. 2 Marsh Harriers - both cream capped, a ring tailed Hen Harrier and a very distant Peregrine were the highlights of a couple of hours.

steven burke · Status: Offline

west Kirby marine lake & shore after high tide.

a nice mixture of thousands of waders just up from the marine lake included...

bar tailed godwits
knot
dunlin
sanderling
redshank
curlew
oystercatcher
only 10 ringed plover & 4 grey plover
1 little egret
54 shelduck

4 red breasted mergansers just flown from the marine lake as I arrived & 89 brent geese flew past heading to hilbre island.

I made a short visit to new brighton but didn't arrive until about 1.30 so there were no waders on the pontoon, I had a look on the rocks just behind perch rock but could only find redshank, oystercatcher, dunlin & turnstone no purple sandpipers.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

New Brighton Marine Lake , Just after height tide 12.00ish

Purple Sandpiper 5
Turnstone 21
Dunlin 36
Redshank 122

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Hoylake Kings Gap, Height tide Highlights

Bar tailed Godwit 32
Knot c200
Grey Plover c40
Dunlin c400
Sanderling c30
Oystercatcher c300
Curlew c30

Oddly no Ringed Plover present

-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Saturday 28th of January 2017 02:31:27 PM

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Burton Marsh 8.00 - 10.30am Highlights

Whooper Swan c20
Bewick's Swan 4
Mute Swan c40
Hen Harrier adult grey male
Marsh Harrier 2
Cettis Warbler 2 heard only
Waterail heard only
Stonechat 5
Raven 7
Pink footed Goose 500+
Barnacle Goose 1 in amongst Canada Geese
Great White Egret 2
Black Swan 2
Snow Goose 1st winter

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

New Brighton pontoon over high tide:

Purple Sandpiper 10
Redshank 80+
Turnstone 200+
Knot 1
Dunlin 6

Nick Hilton · Status: Offline

14/01/17 Stockport Birdwatching Society trip to Parkgate and Burton Wetlands RSPB

Another good trip with highlights at Parkgate (0830 - 1030) being 4 Great White Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 1 Merlin and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier.

Andy Voisey · Status: Offline

My wife and I popped up to the Wirral today for the high tide.

RSPB Burton Marsh
Had an hour on site picking up a few year ticks, nothing of note for me although one gentleman did disturb a woodcock

Denhall Quay - footpath north to Moorside Lane and return via Old Quay Lane.

We had intended to watch the tide in from the car outside the Harp pub, but the marshes at Little Neston were full of dog walkers clearing the area of wildlife.

We decided to walk up to Neston on the foreshore and return by Old Quay Lane to get 2 shots at the water pipits at the sewage works.

On the foreshore leg we saw a great white egret and a merlin, but no water pipits. At the water treatment end of Old Quay Lane we walked across the horse field to the sewage works where another bird watcher put us on a water pipit in a filtration tank.

I am ashamed to say it flew off when we arrived but it was soon spotted nearby in a puddle. We waited for it to return to the tank for about 30 mins and saw a couple of chiffchaff while we waited. We then decided to try Parkgate and get some fish and chips.

Parkgate

We got our fish and chips and drove up to the baths to eat them. A marsh harrier flew by while we ate and we saw 2 more later.

Finally a female hen harrier appeared and we decided to leave as the cold wind had frozen us to the core.

All in all it ended up not a bad day out, with 13 more year ticks and one lifer for us.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Given a 9.8m tide today and high winds blowing down the River Dee it looked like a good day to go check out the high tide, and seeing as how I'm working tomorrow it was a no brainer really. I also bumped into Wirral Guru, Richard Smith, who runs the Dee Estuary Birds website, who had the same thoughts and reasoning as myself. However we were both surprised when the tide never really came in to the extent that we had expected. Later on I met several folk who ahd been down and the feeling was universal, it just ahdn't delivered

But you have always got to make the best of it, and from a point along the coastal path N.of Parkgate I had a reasonable watch albeit in winds that it was hard enough standing up in, never mind trying to use optics!! First good bird was a Merlin, maybe not surprising as I had noticed many pipits and Skylarks flying up out of the gutters as the water rose slightly. Also seen were 2 Peregrines, one huge female showing exceptionally well, both perched and buzzing the Oystercatcher flocks, although she didn't make ahit whilst I was watching. Three Marsh Harriers made light of the wind conditions, floating about over the marsh and dropping down, seemingly on prey, and at times giving great views when they were down on the ground. The best sighting was a Short-eared Owl, which was only up for about 30 seconds before dropping into a reedbed. Luckily I got the 2 birders who had joined me onto it, and this was the species they especially wanted to see. Reward was a quality street chocolate for me, gratefully received biggrin Chatting later to birders who had been either at Parkgate Old Baths or Riverbank Road confirmed what I thought, no-one had seen the owl from those vantage points. It was directly out from us - a case of right place, right time! A Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were also seen to complete the raptor list. Huge flocks of waders and wildfowl were far out along the waters edge but nothing else of not came in close enough for us to see, and no mammals were seen at all which is one thing I had gone hoping to see again.

I was told of atheory later that the very strong winds blowing directly along the river had actually blown water more 'inland' rather than allow it to spread out onto the saltmarsh and had in fact lessened the effect of the tide by half a metre. I can see how that may be true and the result certainly was what happened. So tomorrow with a 9.8m tide again, but lighter winds may be much better.

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

It might not be completely common knowledge, but a healthy roost of Marsh Harriers seems to have sprung up at Neston Reedbed this autumn. I saw 10 come in on the 5th but I wasn't sure it was OK to post it. Having spoken to RSPB people from Burton Mere in the meantime, they aren't concerned about it being posted, in fact they published an article on their website describing the roost and its location. So the birds we saw today were mostly heading in there to roost, with 1 out hunting the tideline. I wasn't really counting today and also the birds that have already dropped in can fly up again when another bird flies over, but there have evidently been 12 counted in to there in recent weeks, so it might have been 10+, but I'd have said 7-8 myself. But that is plenty by anyone's standards! Also interesting to see if the Hen Harriers will begin roosting with the Marshies. The male Hen headed that way before it got dark, and the ringtails I saw the other week were nowhere to be seen at the Old Baths.

The setting sun created some spectacularly attractive views across the marsh. What a great place to see out the afternoon.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Afternoon visit to Parkgate with Simon Gough.

Birds included...
- 1 cracking male Hen Harrier (seen twice)
- 10+ Marsh Harrier
- 1 Short-eared Owl
- 1 Merlin
- 2 Peregrine

- Water Rail and Tawny Owl heard from the Old Baths car park then a Tawny Owl seen in flight not far from Neston.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Just over three and a half hours on the estuary today from 11am, split between Denhall Lane and Quayside by the Harp Inn. Weather cool and windy but we managed to avoid any rain. High tide was a few minutes before midday.

Some great raptor activity and plenty of geese around too. Lots of toing and froing way out by the river, some of it too distant to identify. We were to have gone on to Parkgate to finish the afternoon but decided to pay a quick visit to Burton Mere Wetlands instead, after hearing the Long eared Owl had been showing. There was also the probability of adding Cattle Egret to the day list. Amongst others :-

Marsh Harrier (4-5)
Hen Harrier r/t (2)
Merlin (1)
Peregrine (1)
Kestrel (1)
Buzzard (1)
Short eared Owl (2)
Long eared Owl (1) (BMW)
Cattle Egret (6) (BMW)
Little Egret (c.35)
Great White Egret (1)
Green Woodpecker (1)
Ruff (3)
Black tailed Godwit (c.25)
Dunlin
Brent Goose (150 min)
Pink footed Goose (c.450)

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

1130-1530 at the Harp Inn

Hen Harrier 3 - including the sublime adult male bird, what a beauty!
Marsh Harrier 3 at least
Merlin 2
Short-eared Owl 2
Stonechat 2
Kingfisher 1
Hundreds of Pink-footed Geese

I've never seen a Kingfisher anywhere near the marsh before, but this bird was zipping along one of the saltmarsh channels. The male Hen Harrier showed 4 times in all, once when a Shortie provoked it into the air. I saw it catch a bird in flight at one point and then drop down to eat it; it came close enough that you could see its yellow eyes. This was a classic Dee Estuary day.

steven burke · Status: Offline

last hour of light at the harp inn...

4 short eared owls
3 hen harriers, 2 ringtails & stonking male constantly being harassed by a crow driving it further out towards the dee.
4 marsh harriers, again in one scope view
1 merlin
2 kestrel
1 stonechat
3 great white egret, distant
lots of little egrets going to roost
plus all the usuals

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

A good three hours on the estuary this afternoon, mainly Denhall Lane with a final hour at Parkgate, Old Baths car park. Weather sunny and quite pleasant.

Several hundred Canada Goose were seen out from Denhall Lane on the flooded marsh but the main players were two Peregrine, a minimum two Marsh Harrier and a ring tail Hen Harrier. A Great White Egret was noted and there was a Ringed Plover and two Ruff on Decca Pools.

At Parkgate, the star bird was a male Hen Harrier. Initially hidden, straight out from the car park, the bird emerged after a half hour wait to give superb views in the lovely light conditions. It quartered the marsh, first off to the right then moving far left, opposite the bottom end of the village, not before having a brief spat with a female Marsh Harrier. A Peregrine was also present, opposite the car park, preening on a branch sticking up out of the marsh.

steven burke · Status: Offline

after burton mere i spent around 45 mins at the harp inn...

1 hen harrier, ringtail.
4 marsh harriers, all in one scope view.
1 merlin
1 peregrine falcon
3 kestrel
lots of little egrets going to roost.

Craig Higson · Status: Offline

Old gun site at Leasowe. 08:20 till 13:30ish. Lots of waders batting around at high tide including the usual suspects of Dunlin, Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Redshank and Oystercatchers. A cracking adult Arctic Skua was a great sight as was a Juvenile Red-throated Diver just off the beach. Loads and loads of Common Scoter, i.e. thousands in the distance. Also hundreds of Meadow Pipits streaming in across the sea. Several thousand in the time i was there. It was also nice to see the Sandwich Terns and a few Common Terns still knocking around.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Friday 30th September
Leasowe Lighthouse sea front for high tide at approx 11am.

Firstly...
3 Sanderling and 1 Dunlin - all 4 very confiding birds to within feet of me on the sea defence blocks near the car park. The splashing waves eventually got too much for them.

Of note on / around the rocks to the west of the lighthouse.
- Redshank c200
- Dunlin c25
- Oystercatcher 2
- Turnstone 7
- Ringed Plover 5
- Little Egret 8
- Grey Heron 1
- Common Gull 2

Out to sea.
- Common Scoter, masses on the sea and flying around, I couldn't put a number on it.
- Meadow Pipit, constantly flying in off the sea, couple 100 at least
- Sandwich Tern 11 fishing
- Curlew 1 over the sea

When the tide receded, 100's of Oystercatchers started appearing out on the salt flats, they must've roosted elsewhere at high tide.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 30th of September 2016 09:21:32 PM

steven burke · Status: Offline

Saturday 20th. 7.30pm donkey stand flash, parkgate.

1 little stint, showing well
7 dunlin
1 black tailed godwit
200+ redshank
4 marsh harriers, up in the air at once
3 kestrels
lots of little egrets passing over going to roost.

Andy Voisey · Status: Offline

Hoylake over high tide

Wet and windy conditions made worse by dog walkers and two Lifeboat tractors on the beach.
Highlights were:-
Sandwich Terns
Common Terns
Little Terns
Knot
Dunlin
Sanderling
Grey Plover
Ringed Plover
A few Bar-tailed Godwit
and a scattering of Curlew Sandpiper in the Dunlin flocks

Nick Hilton · Status: Offline

27/07/16
Merlin through Parkgate at circa 1600.

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Burton Marsh:

Short songs heard from a Sedge Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler as we walked to Net's Café.
Also a singing Reed Bunting, 10+ Swallows and 80+ House Martins near the café, with many juveniles.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Burton Marsh - Decca Pools 8.15 - 10.00am Highlights

Spoonbill 1 juvinile on Decca Pools towards Harp Inn end
Avocet 4
Great White Egret
Little Egret c20
Peregrine
Sedge Warbler many singing

Ian Coote · Status: Offline

Single House Martin over New Brighton seafront yesterday afternoon

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Over to Parkgate today for a 10m tide, which ended up hitting the seawall and doing a top job of flushing everything. Nothing too surprising, although I did pick up a pair of Eiders on the water as the tide was almost at it's peak. Watching from the Old Baths, first good bird for me was a Great White Egret. Then a Hen Harrier showed very well in front of us, I figured a female as it was very pale underneath and looked like all the pictures I've seen. Awesome to watch, not a bird you can get tired of.

When the tide was really up the Short-eared Owls started appearing, with 5 showing brilliantly in the end. At one point 4 landed about 100m out on a slightly raised bit of ground. They all lingered nicely until the water won the battle. Finally a couple of Water Rails appeared with assorted rodents, as the water kept on coming. I saw voles and shrews, as far as I could tell being no expert.

There was a smart adult Peregrine out there too, but I didn't manage any Merlin. Of note was the hundreds of Curlews, more than I have seen before, and many hundreds of Pink-footed Geese. I only saw a few Snipe and no Lapwings, which must be related to the time of year. It was also lovely to hear the constant soundtrack of Meadow Pipits singing, outvoicing Skylarks for once.

Great to see Alan and Beryl Turner, whom I had last seen at Ashton Moss in February. When we heard about the Green-winged Teal at Burton Mere they very kindly offered me a lift down there. I've posted on that thread for the birds seen down there

Chris Sutton · Status: Offline

Leasowe Lighthouse area - Monday 12-2:40.
Ring Ouzel (1) - but another bird reported off Park lane
Wheatear - (c 20) 10 in field behind the lighthouse, and 2 in the Horse paddocks, other along the sea wall - I overheard a local birder saying he had done a sweep of the area for wheatear and counted c. 75.
White Wagtail - in field behind the light house with 2 pied. Another in paddock fields
2 sand martins over.

Dropped into Burton Reserve 3:15-4
Little Owl (1) - on the second oak tree to the right the farm which is on the left hand side of the path which runs left from the main hide
Sparrowhawk (1)
Marsh Harrier (1)
Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martins

John Watson · Status: Offline

Leasowe Lighthouse area, Sun 3 April mid pm

1 Ring Ouzel (m) Langham Lane 1st field on left
1 obvious White Wagtail in paddocks with Pied Wagtails (m+f)
1 Wheatear (m) in paddocks
sev Chiffchaff
~40 Linnet
3 Meadow Pipits
1 prob Blackcap (heard only)

-- Edited by John Watson on Monday 4th of April 2016 08:49:50 AM

Chris Sutton · Status: Offline

Neston Sewage Works - spent a couple of hours early afternoon to see if I could see the Water Pipit and/or the recently reported Firecrest. No Luck as very quiet - but ..
Chiffchaff 1-2
Cetti's Warbler calling
Meadow Pipit (c 30) - scanned many times !
Redwing (c 25)
Goldcrest (very few)

Burton Mere - Highlights;
Morning not fruitful but returned in the afternoon;
Wheatear (1)
Sand Martin (2)
Apparently the Little Owl has been showing the last couple of days. Only a possible brief view for me but couldn't get it in the scope before it bobbed off. Apparently its not showing by the barns but is in the row of oaks at the top end of the field on the left hand side of the path as you walk out towards the barns (i.e. up towards the farm).

Chris

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

just had an email that there is a Wheatear in the horse paddocks at Leasowe Lighthouse, so the season has started, a nice place for a day out over Easter if you can dodge the forecast showers on some days!!

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Denhall lane
Merlin
Peregrine
Great White Egret 2
Little Egret 10+

Neston Sewarage Works
Water Pipit - moulting into summer plumage with a grey head, thick white supercilium and a light pink flush visable on the flanks
Meadow Pipit 5
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest 2
Greenfinch
Pied Wagtail 4
Sparrowhawk