Moore NR

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

RE: Moore NR

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

Early doors one day late WEBS trip to Norton Marsh and the adjacent banks as the tide dropped.

Waders: Common Sandpiper (1), Oystercatcher flyby (2), Dunlin (2) beauties in summer plumage stopped on the Bar for a few minutes as tide dropped then flew off high north over Fiddlers, Ringed Plover (2) under Norton Marsh Bank, Snipe (1 on Marsh itself), Lapwing (3), Redshank one flyby.

Six Shelduck , three Cormorant, 4 male Mallard, one male Gadwall, pair Mute Swan, oners of Tufted Duck and Little Egret, two Grey Heron, 3 juv Black-headed Gull, one ad Common Gull, 22 Lesser Black-backed Gull (20 imms).

Buzzard, Kestrel, Reed Bunting, Skylark and Raven all present over the Marsh.

Year list at 123 which is fairly typical for this time of year now spring migration is dropping off; bumped up slightly by new sightings for the patch of Januarys Long-tailed Duck and Waxwing and recent Sandpiper and Avocets but lacking usual ticks like Common Swift and hirundines in general have been poor, warblers [Reed, Common Whitethroat, Willow and Sedge] all lower at the Marsh (though Garden Warbler seem to be having a good year) and as for Nuthatch away from the original and alternate feeders - none existent since April.

-- Edited by Andy Slee on Tuesday 14th of May 2024 07:29:31 PM

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 14th of May 2024 07:51:31 PM

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

6-8am after Oxmoor down to the river at Moore from Bens Bridge. Greenfinch + Juv at Etheylene Station with family parties of Titmouse including juvenille - Long-tail, Blue and Geart. In addition four Cetti's Warblers on the way down, one Reed Warbler between Halfway House and Round Cherval and towards Randles tip an observable Chiffchaff going 'Chaff-chiff'. Even when close Cornell did not identify the audio! In total three Tufted Duck, five Gadwall and two Great- Crested Grebe on the Ship canal with two Cormorant. Lots of Magpie inc juv (40+) in Stobrats Horse Paddocks.

River on the falling tide held two Whimbrel, four Shelduck, three Canada Geese, 44 Lesser Black Backed Gulls (all sub Ad), and two Mallard. Curlew calling to the North of the river but not visible. An Osprey came from Fiddlers Ferry direction, made a couple of half hearted swoops / dives towards the river but then rose high and carried on South - surely wrong direction! But birds of the day (and I suspect will be bird of the year for me here) was a patch lifer I've long awaited - three Avocet flew East up the Mersey.

Four separate Swallow on the way back via the back path to Norton Marsh, Mistle and Song thrush singing, Lesser Whitethroat in the usual spot near the Tree Sparrow feeders and a House Martin over Lawing Lane.