Burton point this morning, Male Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine, Merlin and Kestrel providing the interest.
Then onto New Brighton Marina for 30ish Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone.
Cheers Ian

Spent the morning at Parkgate with John Ireland and had plenty of good birds. These included: 1 Short-eared Owl (perched not for out from the Boathouse Car Park), I female Merlin (again perched), 3 Hen Harriers (1 male and 2 ring-tails), 4 Peregrines, 2 Great White Egrets, 4 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk, along with thousands of Pink-footed Geese.

Cheers David

Did the Big Garden Bird Watch this morning then nipped over to the Wirral in the afternoon - first to Burton point where we had good views of a single Short-eared Owl, 2 very close up Buzzards, 3 Ravens and approximately 20 Golden Plover with a big group of Lapwing.

Next to Parkgate Old baths where we had a magic few minutes almost as soon as we arrived with one of the male Hen Harriers flying up the marsh and at the same time, a Merlin chasing a small bird, which it didn't catch, going the other way. Then almost immediately a Barn Owl gave us a terrific display no more than 20 - 25m out on the marsh at times

There was a second male Hen Harrier but they didn't appear to go into the normal roost spot. We left at about 17.45 and the barrier was still open.

Hi Tanmay

From the B5136 between Burton & Neston take Marshlands Road down towards Neston Marsh. At the end (through a narrow gap between the houses) park immediately ahead of where the road ends, there is space for several cars here. Then walk right, through a metal gate, along past the horse paddocks on your right & Neston Marsh & reedbeds on your left. Wellies are really needed as it gets very muddy. Keep going until you reach a stone stile. Head over this and you then have 2 options. Walk right up a rack and through a kissing gale and over a bridge over the small stream. The head across a marshy field to the sewage works fence to view the filter beds. Pipits and Wagtails (& Chiffchaffs) can be seen on here, a scope is best. Alternatively you could scan the marsh & gutter from the field that you have entered over the stone stile. A raised bank after you cross the steam bridge gives the best views.

I will send this to your email too as per your PM

Apologies Henry, a rushed post sent from the back of a fire engine! It should have said tristis instead of collybita of course (and I was referring to my own pre-conceived perception of tristis as brown and buff birds)! Recently I researched an individual seen some years ago in GM (for the forthcoming county bird report) which met the vocal characteristics of tristis but not quite the plumage characteristics. At the time of the sighting tristis were reasonably poorly understood by today's standards, less was really known about fulvescens and never mind the current Dutch Birding findings; so the records was found not proven. Though I never actually saw the bird myself I did hear it and having decent experience of tristis it left me somewhat perplexed and I was never truly happy with it. Recent studies spurred me on though (pre-Dutch Birding article) and I have been fortunate enough to correspond with one of those involved with the ongoing study. I have my own concerns over what the Dutch Birding findings may promote at this point though and these seem to be mirrored by those I have corresponded with. The Dutch Birding study came as a real blow to many birders, certainly did for me, but a knee jerk reaction in attempting to assign anything outside our perceptions of collybita as tristis may be a little premature at this point? Further study is ongoing of course and maybe will reveal more twist and turns but for me, getting my head around the recent findings has been hard; hard to adjust my own engrained ideas of tristis and especially hard when I consider the future for assessing claims of them

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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The Dutch Birding study came as a real blow to many birders, certainly did for me, but a knee jerk reaction in attempting to assign anything outside our perceptions of collybita as tristis may be a little premature at this point? Further study is ongoing of course and maybe will reveal more twist and turns but for me, getting my head around the recent findings has been hard; hard to adjust my own engrained ideas of tristis and especially hard when I consider the future for assessing claims of them

---

Yes, this paper appears to me to have simplified the situation field birders used to be presented with, but it is so radical that it requires a paradigmatic shift in thinking. Already this winter there has been a noticeable upsurge of tristis reports presumably as a direct result of this paper. I think it may be a premature distinction to make as there is still a lot to learn, particularly about ssp vocalisations and their role combined with DNA evidence which the Dutch Birding paper was weak on.

Taking this paper as gospel, hypothetically, with abietinus type birds being pretty much subsumed by tristis, then the idea of 'fulvescens' as a taxon is surely redundant. I may be completely wrong in assuming this though. More research needed!

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Wednesday 23rd of January 2013 07:43:49 PM

On Sunday the Water Pipit showed well on the sewage beds through the fence and three Chiffchaffs also fed on the beds, all standard collybita Chiffies rather than abietinus or tristis forms. On Neston Marsh we had two Green Sandpipers, flying along together, two Short-eared Owls and a single Jack Snipe. I will drop Colin a text, Paul

p.s. nice to bump into Mike Baron again after a long time, no see

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 22nd of January 2013 09:31:00 PM

Water Pipit at the Old Quay at Neston, two Brambling in a finch flock just through the style on the footpath where Marshlands Road meets Quayside and a Green Sandpiper in the same area - in the ditch just out from the tiny parking area here (one heard at the Old Quay may have been same bird). Earlier four Hen Harriers (2m, 2 ring-tailed) from Burton Point plus Peregrine and Merlin.

Really good high tide at Hoylake today - perhaps ten thousand Knot plus a good few hundred Sanderling, Dunlin, up to ten Grey Plover, Oystercatchers and a Godwit. Also of note were Brent Geese on bird rock and at least three colour ringed waders which I'll be reporting [two Knot, one Sanderling]. I spoke to a local ringer who was telling me they'd rung around 60 Knot one night using mist nets - but they are just BTO rings and not coloured so distant ID would be difficult.

Also good to see Brian, Helen and Mike amongst other familiar faces! Brian and Helen saw a Peregrine take a Knot in the water but I only got to see the photos afterwards...

Had a bit of a late ride down from Mcr to RSPB BMW arrived about 2.45 Nothing much to report as we only stopped in on our way down to Burton Point,

Burton Point
One Short eared Owl made a really brief appearance but was really far away, over to the big chimneys
1 Kestrel
2 Waxwing :0) Nice surprise
Little Egret (several dotted around)

Had a quick drive down to Parkgate and a Kestrel was putting on a fabulous display though the light was fading fast I didnt manage any good photos but enjoyed the display all the same. :0) Would have had great shots had the it been lighter but hey ho.!!

Good afternoon for me, well worth the drive down:0)

CC

All day on the Wirral yesterday (traitor me!). Very little at IMF and when I left the hide I was the only one - battening down the hatches. Best there Stonechat pair and Hen Harrier 2 ringtail. Too windy for Short-eared Owls on the marsh walking to Burton Point and passerines in very short supply.

Headed for New Brighton high tide wader roost. Excellent showing:
Redshank 300
Turnstone 200
Dunlin 150
Purple Sandpiper 18
Greenshank 1

West Kirby light fading added Oystercatcher and Cormorant from the very busy path around the marine lake (it looks like people are walking on water there!) Couldn't tell if there were any Brent Geese - tideline already a long way off and the wind shaking the scope madly

41 species (9 waders) for a very strange New Year's Day list



-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 2nd of January 2013 08:11:53 AM

Thanks Paul, your photos are amazing.

I've added you as a contact so I can have a nosy at your pics from time to time. Hope you don't mind.

My Flickr user name is Dopeycc :0)

I just would like to find a closer location than an hours drive. But will be returning to Burton mere and have seen the short eared owls on the estuary close to the harp inn, not sure of the name of the road. Came back on 21st and saw them again but wasnt close enough for photos :0(

Thanx mark and Steve, will check these out. :0)

Collette

There are numerous kestrels at Dunham Massey but I have found that one of the best places is around Smithy Pool and the adjacent fenced area. Sorry but I can't help you with anywhere much closer than Frodsham marshes for the SEO's. I don't know how many there as I usually go to Denhall Lane. If you walk along the Lane adjacent to the marsh you will normally see them hunting mid afternoon. I have also seen them there at first light. if you walk the opposite direction to Burton Point you will get to a gate where you cannot go any further, they can be seen around there plus the hen harriers visit this area. IMF is just around the corner as well. On the way home moore nature reserve is only 10mins from the motorway.

Hope your next visit is successful.

Mark

Visited around 2.30 as weather in Manchester looked good, was pretty grim on the way down but was clear when I arrived at the harp inn.

Walked to the left where the big rocks are and spooked a kestrel out of a tree. It landed on the fence to the left and perched for approx a minute. By the time I'd got my camera out it flew off allowing just a quick blurred shot :0( returned later hovering where the red flag (RSPB reserve is there I think?)

Short eared owl showed around 3.10 left and didn't return for a good 20 mins, light started to fade although he returned several times but didnt get very close. Great afternoon

Saw a buzzard in a farmers field to my left driving down the motorway and a fairly large raptor (could have been another buzzard) perched on a fence just as I took the exit off the motorway.

Lots of goldfinch
2 pied wagtails
I think field fare (do these resemble wood pigeons when in flight) wow it's really tough this identifying while in flight?? also a huge flock of birds to the right where you can see the big ferries. Sorry not a clue what they are.?

Great afternoon and a great way to spend my last day annual leave off work. :0)

Great report, Pete - got to admit that idiot dog-walkers are beginning to drive me around the bend - common sense just seems completely lost on those one or two individuals, it's unbelievable - just can forget one incident, but when it starts becoming, like, every time it starts to grate, you know? they do it at Southport, too, (out towards Crossen's Marsh) walk their dogs inches from where the waterfowl are - it doesn't matter if they're on the lead, does it? That's not the point, there is a zone where the birds' space is being invaded and that's that - I suppose that this feeds in nicely with the issues about photographers getting too close etc etc

It wouldn't go amiss just for the local authorities to put up notices 'politely reminding' these people to keep their animals a safe distance away - that wouldn't be militant, just common sense. We seem to have notices for everything else :)

I enjoy the interaction with the public just as much as the next birder, and I really love dogs and will often stop and chat with walkers about theirs (if it's behaving :P) but I feel that this is becoming too much of a problem myself - I haven't seen the situation on The Wirral, but at other sites it's just getting ridiculous



-- Edited by John Doherty on Sunday 16th of December 2012 10:15:47 AM

An absolutely bitter day today down at Burton marshes. But worth it. Reed bunting , pair Stonechat then a Merlin zoomed past chasing a meadow pipit around Burton point area. Then walked towards the Harp inn. Fabulous views of 2 Short eared owl hunting around midday. 2 Water rail near the yellow outflow pipe. Fieldfare eating the last of the berries then a stunning male Hen harrier flew towards us before reeling away back out onto the marsh. One of those days.

Oh wow so glad you got the waxwings, brilliant. Hope you managed some good shots.? Will be keeping an eye out on Flickr :0)

David Wilson wrote:

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Went back to the Harp inn area this morning Collette. Got 26 Waxwings on the housing estate. Few pics as well. Pleased you got Short eared owls.

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-- Edited by Collette Collier on Sunday 2nd of December 2012 08:34:51 PM

Hi Sid

Thanks so much for the tip and the postcode, always helpful to have a postcode to put in sat nav.

Will check ths out hopefully soon.

Regards
CC

sid ashton wrote:

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Collette Collier wrote:

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Hi guys

I don't no this area but was by default that way on Monday, went to burton mere rspb reserve and the staff there told us to head to park gate.. We went as far as the road would allow and ended up on a car park with a barrier that said is locked at 5. Is this a good spot for short eared owl spotting ? As i I dont no the area reading posts about sightings doesn't mean much in the way of finding them.

I'd love to photograph the short eared so thinking this may be a good place to start. I live in manchester so a long way to drive if it's not the right place.

Advice much appreciated :0)

---

Hi Collette probably the best place to see Short-eared Owls at the moment, on the Wirral is on the marsh off Denhall Lane. At this time of year they are frequently seen mid afternoon close to the Harp Inn, Little Neston (CH64 0TB) - that's down Marshlands Road off Burton Road. Rather than me trying to explain exactly how to get there take a look at DEE ESTUARY BIRDS in the Links section on the home page of our forum. Hope that helps.

PS you will have passed the top end of Marshlands Road on your way from RSPB Burton Mere to Parkgate

-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 09:11:55 PM

---

Collette Collier wrote:

---

Hi guys

I don't no this area but was by default that way on Monday, went to burton mere rspb reserve and the staff there told us to head to park gate.. We went as far as the road would allow and ended up on a car park with a barrier that said is locked at 5. Is this a good spot for short eared owl spotting ? As i I dont no the area reading posts about sightings doesn't mean much in the way of finding them.

I'd love to photograph the short eared so thinking this may be a good place to start. I live in manchester so a long way to drive if it's not the right place.

Advice much appreciated :0)

---

Hi Collette probably the best place to see Short-eared Owls at the moment, on the Wirral is on the marsh off Denhall Lane. At this time of year they are frequently seen mid afternoon close to the Harp Inn, Little Neston (CH64 0TB) - that's down Marshlands Road off Burton Road. Rather than me trying to explain exactly how to get there take a look at DEE ESTUARY BIRDS in the Links section on the home page of our forum. Hope that helps.

PS you will have passed the top end of Marshlands Road on your way from RSPB Burton Mere to Parkgate

-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 09:11:55 PM

This evening at Parkgate - at least three Short Eared Owls plus one ring tail Hen Harrier, lots of Egrets and a juvenile Great Crested Grebe. Large number of Pink Feet going out towards the estuary mouth at dusk. Also spotted two forum lurkers :)

Before that went to have a look at the amazing spectacle of the waders at Hoylake - speaking to the wardens they indicated that there had been quite a bit of disturbance today which is a real shame - we watched from the slipway and you could see and hear the massing birds without needing to venture onto the sands. Species included Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Bar Tailed Godwit, Knot, Sanderling and Dunlin [probably some rarer stuff mixed in but not picked out with bins!]. One Grey Plover was in near complete summer plumage - which got my interest for a few minutes!

A pleasant, raptor watching visit to the Wirral today with the Manx birder starting at Parkgate Donkey Stand where we found Kestrel, Buzzard and Merlin. We also found what was apparently the first male Hen Harrier of the winter that my sharp-eyed friend picked up as we were watching one of the Great-white Egrets. At the Old Baths, 2 ring tail Hen Harriers and a juv Marsh Harrier. At Denhall Lane a second Marsh Harrrier and 2 Short-eared Owls just before we left at 16.00.

Also good to see Jonathan Platt and Geoff Walton again.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 3rd of November 2012 09:46:24 AM

The fog cleared this afternoon revealing a perfect evening for owl activity. So it was down to Parkgate again. This evening it was the Short eared owl turn to put on a show. One spent half an hour hunting just out from the old baths, giving views down to about 100 metres . So plenty of video to look through. Just before it got dark, the Barn owl gave a brief view out from The Boathouse pub before dissapearing into the gloom.

Parkgate at dusk this evening. Looked ideal conditions for owl hunting so had a quick look down at the old baths in the hope of Barn owl. Not 10 mins after arriving i was rewarded with a great view of one hunting out on the marsh. Just before leaving i saw a Short eared owl drop down30 yards out before flying towards me and skimming over my head by just a few feet.! Much to dark for video even , but got a brilliant view eye to eye.