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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> Cheshire and The Wirral -> Cheshire River Mersey Sites (north of the river)
Post Info TOPIC: Cheshire River Mersey Sites (north of the river)
Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

2 Chiffchaff singing today, with Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Reed Bunting and Linnets also in song, but only a single Skylark heard.
The pair of Oystercatchers were still on the south side river mud and a pair of Grey Partridge were flew over the path in front of me.

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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

Very quiet here after the high tide this afternoon. Highlights were -
1 Kestrel - female
1 Buzzard
3 Oystercatchers
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
2 Long-tailed tit
2 Canada Goose
2 Coot
2 Mallard
plus Song Thrush,Blackbird,Dunnock and Robin singing.

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John O'Neill


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Fiddler's Ferry - Gatewarth

5.00-5.45 pm Great views of 3 Short Eared Owls hunting on both sides of the River. Ranged quite widely, including drifting high-ish over farm fields towards Moore, but mostly concentrated on reedbeds and ditches opposite the steep track up to Gatewarth. Perching up on fences, posts and dead tree over water. Often v close.

Kestrel and Buzzard here too.

2 Stock Doves over. Skylark and several Reed Bunting singing.



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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

2 Oystercatchers on south bank mud. Also 1 Kestrel hunting and 4 Linnets in the bushes with at least 2 Dunnock (singing ), were the highlights this afternoon.

-- Edited by Brian Baird on Wednesday 29th of February 2012 07:41:52 PM

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

Great Created Grebe flying upriver. At least one Curlew on Richmond Bank, several others over. Meadow Pipits. Redwings in ones and twos in hedges/bushes.

At least one Iceland Gull on Rich Bank. Thanks to the kindly soul who pointed out a Full Summer Med Gull close in, opposite steep slope past United Utilities Building.


-- Edited by John O'Neill on Sunday 26th of February 2012 09:20:24 PM

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth
2 Buzzards hunting together on far side of River, attracting protracted mobbing from various corvids.

Lt and Blue Tits in hedges.

Fox on muddy bank on River bend. Line of Magpies following the fox about.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

pair of Bullfinch in bushes on top of River bank.

1000s of gulls on River

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John O'Neill


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Farnwoth Rd Widnes, just before Penketh :

2.00am this morning, Barn Owl hunting right alongside road, diving into rough grasses.

Drifted off towards Fiddlers Ferry Power Station, which was immediately behind where the owl was hunting.

I've driven along this road thousands of times, occasionally seen Little Owls perched up on the poles but never seen a Barn Owl here before.



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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

3 Dunlin feeding on the mud before high tide today.

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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

A quick visit here late afternoon produced -
4 Redshank, 6 Grey Heron, 6 Teal, a pair of Mute Swans, 2 Cormorants (1 with white patch), 26 Canada Geese, 9 Shelduck, 10 Coot, 9 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, plus Buzzard hunting and a Song Thrush in full voice at dusk.

Brian



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Brian Baird


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Opposite Fiddler's Ferry
In the gloomy wet drizzle this morning from my watchpoint west of Norton Marsh I estimated 400+Lapwing with around 150 Golden Plover, 4 Redshank, 34 Canada Goose, 2 Buzzards plus 100+Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed etc.Gulls.


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John O'Neill


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28.12 8.45am

Gatewarth
5 Grey Partidge flushed from rough path up from Ferry pub, flew over River to land in ploughed field on far side.

At least 1 Redwing with Blackbirds in hawthorn hedges...thrush numbers right down, berries and haws almost all gone.

3 Kestels.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth
Short Eared Owl hunting far side of River, adjacent to Richmond Bank, diving into the high rough grass and occassionally perching on posts. 2.45pm

Kestrels also hunting.

Pair of Stock Doves.

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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

A Song Thrush was singing from his perch this morning and six Goldfinch were feeding in the hedges with Blackbirds and Blue Tits.
A Kestrel and Buzzard hunted and a pair of Gadwall were in the canal at Sankey Bridges.
A Little Grebe was diving in the river where two Cormorants and two Herons were fishing.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

Very wet this morning. Single Kestrel and Buzzard both present, looking rather wretched perched up on small trees. Blackbird flocks in hedges mixed with Reed Buntings Wrens and Tits.

Ferry

Jay. Two Kestrels hunting along canal.

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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth
A Kingfisher was fishing at the pool near the United Utilities building this morning (west end of reserve). Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard were seen hunting and at least two Redwings were still present feeding with Blackbirds.


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Ian Coote


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Widnes Warth NR: Male Hen Harrier being mobbed by a Magpie (12:00hrs)

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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

A Short-eared Owl was seen hunting at dusk today and earlier a male Kestrel was spotted. A Great Crested Grebe was in the river to the east of Richmond Bank.

B. Baird

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth
8.00AM
Muddy and wet. One puddle in middle of path attractive to wide variety of birds (not sure why, plenty of others to choose from) and Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch, Linnet,Reed Bunting,Greenfinch and (4) Meadow Pipit all bathing there.

Redwings feeding on many of the bushes and hedges, outnumbered by both Blackbirds and Song Thrush.

7 Mute Swans on canal inc 4 juvs.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

Blackbird numbers up in the hedges and bushes, many young birds. Several Redwing also present, one giving v close views .

Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk all hunting.

Great Spotted Woodpecker and Jay heard.


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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

2 Gt. Spotted Woodpeckers were seen briefly on a fence post this afternoon whilst a Redwing with several Blackbirds fed on the hawthorn berries. A Common Buzzard perched on a small tree nearby overlooking the river.

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John O'Neill


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Invisible Migration

Redwings heard calling tonight over our house (Penketh) Couldn't be seen as totally dark, seemed to be small numbers at any one time but carried on for at least 30 minutes.

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Brian Baird


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On the mud west of Norton Marsh this morning
250 Golden plover
200 Lapwing
4 Grey Heron
4 Cormorant
1 Little Egret flew past heading down river

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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth

Very quiet this afternoon,however the following birds were noted :
Buzzard
Kestrel
Jay
Cormorant 2
Grey Heron 3
House Sparrow 3
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Long-tailed tit 6+
Great tit 2
Starling 2
Blackbird 5
Woodpigeon 20+

Also the usual mixed Gulls and Corvids on the Mersey mudbanks.
A Grey Wagtail was by the canal at Sankey Bridges and a family of eight Mute Swans including six well grown Juveniles was also seen here.


-- Edited by Brian Baird on Tuesday 4th of October 2011 08:19:05 PM

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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth
Birds seen today in the bright sunshine included :
2 Kestrel
2 Chiffchaff
Wren
Jay
2 Grey Heron and
150+ Lapwing on the river mud

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth :

Single Little Egret flying over River.
Two Grey Partridges . Two Buzzards and a Kestrel.

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Brian Baird


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Gatewarth
A Little Egret dropped in to feed in the river for few minutes this afternoon on south side of Richmond Bank before flying off west. Almost lost to view at times behind the mixed hordes of gulls.
A Kestrel was seen twice and a Sparrowhawk flew from the trees along the St. Helens Canal path towards Sankey Bridges.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth
Long flock of Long Tailed Tits in Hawthorn/Blackthorn/Dog Rose bushes and hedges mixed in with smaller nos of Blue and Great Tits and one or two Willow Warblers.

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Brian Baird


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55 Golden Plover with 500+ Lapwing, 4 Curlew, 5 Shelduck, 5 Cormorant and a Great Black-backed Gull on the mudflats west of Norton Marsh this morning.
Also noted were Mistle Thrushes, Jays and Chiffchaffs busily feeding in the bushes along the Manchester Ship Canal track en route to my watchpoint.

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Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted by Brian Baird today:

Gatewarth

2 Chiffchaff, 3 Grey Partridge, Buzzard, Kestrel, Jay, Long-Tailed Tit flock, Goldfinch and House Sparrow noted this afternoon.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth 8.30AM

2 Sparrowhawks engaging in an aerial jousting match with a Kestrel . One of the hawks spotted hunting low over river bank a bit later, virtually stationary, trying to fly into strong wind.



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Mike Mulholland


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Male and female Ruff on the mudflats west of Norton Marsh early afternoon on Friday last. A scarce bird on the patch and only my third record in twenty one years. Also present 86 Curlew, a.l. 2000 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and Marsh Harrier.
six Little Egrets feeding below Fiddlers Ferry on 27/8, other August birds- Black-tailed Godwit, Arctic Tern and female Pintail.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth 5.00pm

Just inside reserve, past wooden bridge:
A big, very brown juv female Sparrowhawk was getting the treatment from local corvids..3 crows, 2 magpies and a raven were all mobbing the raptor. One of the crows was been particularly aggressive, dive bombing the hawk , which responded by slashing at the crow with its talons. Rather unfairly, the crows all ignored two Kestrels hunting the same ground.
A Buzzard on far side of River was been mobbed by crows and a few gulls, though.



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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

Reed and Sedge Warblers still just about singing, only 1 of each and v brief efforts.

Whitethroat. Family group of Blackcaps apparently feeding on Blackberries.

Jay. Stock Doves. Plenty of young Herons feeding on River with adults.

Butterflies on wing inc Gatekeper, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

Single Little Egret flying upriver 7.30 pm was first I've seen here this year.

11 Curlews flew in and settled on Richmond Bank.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

A kestrel hunting on far side of River rather late this evening. 9.30 ish.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth
Good display of Bee Orchids out now.

Dozens of plants.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

Bee orchid now with 3 flowers out.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth

11 Ringed Plovers on the River in a tight flock was a good number here.

A single Bee Orchid was a nice find just outside reserve, close to the Southern Marsh Orchids, 20 plus of these flowering. Not seen Bee Orchid here before, Wigg Island's the closest site I know, so a pleasant surprise.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth 8.30pm
Only one Grasshopper Warbler reeling around Gatewarth this evening. Just outside the reserve, in rough field along canal.
Two m Kestrels hunting together.
Single Marsh Orchid flowering in sloping field down to the Ferry. Probably Southern Marsh tho' very dark.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth:
Nice family flock of Long Tailed Tits in willows past the Wind Pump.

Other juv birds about included Linnets.



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Mike Mulholland


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Two whimbrel on the river west of Norton Marsh this morning.

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Mike Mulholland


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Cheers Ian, assigning a dunlin to the race sakhalina in the field probably isn't really feasible but it is interesting to speculate on the origins of a bird. On the one hand they could well turn up in the UK or elsewhere in Europe but as you say the problem is that there is regularly variation in the size of dunlin and bill length etc making a conviction based on field observation somewhat unsafe. (I recall once reading a Swedish paper about dunlin identification in which there was a section entitled the sakhalina problem and my understanding was that it may not be possible to nail one in the hand?). I have looked at dunlin throughout Europe as well as in Africa and India and they do vary quite a bit!! The RB bird was obviously different than its companions, I watched it for a while (mainly because the patch was quiet) and it really intrigued me. Its state of plumage although different wasn't as you note necessarily significant but the relative size of the bird and its bill length just got me wondering.




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Ian McKerchar


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Mike Mulholland wrote:

The fifth bird, still in winter plumage was obviously diifferent, noticably bigger than the others and had a longer more curved bill, possibly of the race sakhalina?





A tough call Mike, if actually possible at all? There is much overlap within bill lengths of the races of Dunlin and though as a rule the eastern races (plus of course the North American race) are longer billed, this overlap especially between the sexes and in a vagrant context, makes it's use in the field practically impossible perhaps. No doubt in hand measurements are the only way forward there (bill and wing length). As for it being in non-breeding plumage, it's not uncommon for our regularly occuring races to be in such plumage at this time of year and atleast 3 of 7 birds I saw at a county site last week were in such plumage.

There are no currently accepted races of sakhalina in the UK although one was under official consideration some years ago and I'm not sure of it's outcome. Frankly, sakhalina is poorly understood, not helped by birders like me that have seen hundreds (thousands?) of the race but not payed enough attention to them!

I like your thinking out of the box though.

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Mike Mulholland


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A knot on the river west of Norton Marsh this morning-only my third for the patch.
On sunday 5 dunlin on Richmond Bank, 4 of which were typical birds in summer plumage. The fifth bird, still in winter plumage was obviously diifferent, noticably bigger than the others and had a longer more curved bill, possibly of the race sakhalina? In april I had a couple of small, short billed dunlin, presumably of the race arctica.
Common Scoter still on the ship canal.

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John O'Neill


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Nice selection of warblers heard and/or seen between Fiddlers Ferry and Gatewarth tonight 8.30pm ish.

Blackcap, Willow W, Chiff Chaff, Reed and Sedge W. Whitethroat and Grasshopper W.(including one reeling from reedbeds on far side of River right opposite Ferry Pub.)

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Mike Mulholland


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2 Bar-tailed Godwits on the river west of Norton Marsh on 1/5 (only my fifth patch record in 20 years) Other waders passing through recently - Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper, also 1 Common Tern.
Wood Sandpiper showed very well yesterday morning on Moore n.r. on Pumphouse Pool.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth
2.30 pm full sunlight, 2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling from scrub on top of bank opposite Richmond Bank and from the old tip area.
Reed and Sedge warblers singing on site too. Whitethroats v numerous.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth 6.00pmish

Excellent view of a female Marsh Harrier, hunting low on near side of river. More or less opposite Richmond Bank. Mobbed by a crow and put up all the gulls. A welcome site "first" for me.

Whitethroats present in numbers.

Toad tadpoles very numerous in small pond near entrance. Butterflies included Speckled Wood and Orange Tip and Peacock.

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John O'Neill


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Gatewarth :

At least 4 Grasshopper Warblers reeling 8.15ish this evening. In between Gatewarth and Fiddlers Ferry/top of track leading to River. One seen briefly.

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