Simon, re: linnet records this winter, Iâve had individual birds on three occasions since early Nov, primarily around the scrub surrounding the dipping pond by Patch Island. All three have been very vocal (calling) and were heard before they were seen on each occasion.
Two raven were hanging around the same general area for a day a couple of weeks ago.
I know where you mean, it's normally good for things like Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Blackcap in the summer, maybe I should check in more often over the winter...
Walk in from Craig Road, turn right at the community orchard ignore the meadow in front of you and look for the path that turns right again and goes up to what I think is called the upper meadow. There are some hawthorns and small trees up there and three Linnet were foragoing in the grassy footpath. Unsurprisingly they left quickly as soon as they spotted us.
I only know this area of the Park from scything the grass last summer as a volunteer with HMCG and Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Fairly quiet at the Mersey today:
Grey heron
Cormorant
3m 3f mallards
2f goosanders
Blue tit
Pied wagtail
4 moorhens
6 Canada geese
Song thrush in horse field
My wife and I usually walk along this stretch of the River Mersey 2 or 3 times a month mainly to look at the wildlife. Last night we watched The Plastic Tide on Sky tv, I recommend watching this program to anybody who has not seen it. With this in mind we did a 1.5 mile stretch from the green footbridge to just past Burnage Rugby club not quite up to the bridge at Cheadle. Today instead of just looking at the fauna and flora we decided to do our bit for the enviroment and pick up all the plastic bottles we saw at side of the footpath. You would not believe how many we collected. We also added plastic bags and cans but soon filled up our bags. There were other "plastic bags" that we did not pick up. These are the ones left by the dog walkers who have a lower IQ than their dogs. On the nature front it was a bit quiet but got some great views of the Buzzard over the horse field. I recommend more people do this whilst walking, then the message might get through.
2 Kingfisher upstream of M60 bridge. Also Common Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 7 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, Grey Wagtail. Many juvenile today of various species too.
As well as the Little Egrets this morning were Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Sand Martin, Bullfinch.
Male Reed Bunting between dipping pond and Patch Island. Common Buzzard still. Also Common Whitethroat, 8 Sand Martin, Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff Willow Warbler , 50 Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
Juvenile Common Buzzard on old railway bridge. Also 4 Common Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 4 Bullfinch, 2 Grey Wagtail, 9 Sand Martin.
5 Common Whitethroat this morning. Also 4 Blackcap, Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Swallow, 3 Goosander, Grey Wagtail, 80+ Lesser Black Backed Gulls on Parrs Wood playing fields of various ages.