Woolston Eyes

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

RE: Woolston Eyes

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday 24th November 10:30 - 13:30 hrs

No 3 Bed and Woolston Weir. Sightings included:

Marsh Harrier (3)
Buzzard (1)
Little Grebe (2)
Tufted Duck (70)
Long Tailed Tit (10)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Greenfinch (7)
Bullfinch (3)
Grey Heron (1)
Gadwall (4)
Shelduck (2)
Shoveler (15)
Lapwing (3)
Reed Bunting (1)

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

13.10.23 AM

Pintail - 2

Chiffchaff- 2

plus the usuals

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday 29th September 2023. 10:30 - 14:00 hrs.

No 3 Bed and Weir. Sightings included:

Marsh Harrier (1) Female
Hobby (5 separate sightings) could well be same bird
Buzzard (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Great Crested Grebe (1 adult and 3 juveniles) on Weir
Little Grebe (7)
Shoveler (10)
Gadwall (50 plus)
Greenfinch (3)
Lapwing (20)
Tufted Duck (15)
Grey Heron (2)
Mute Swan (2 adults and three cygnets)
Coal Tit (1)
Long Tailed Tit (4)

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

From 10-2 today.

Spotted Redshank on number 4 was the first recorded for 9 years apparently. Also 7 Black Necked Grebe, Garden Warbler, 1+Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Cettis Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler. Gargany reported but not confident enough for eclipse plumage which needs to be addressed. Didn't see any in breeding plumage. Record shot of Spotted Redshank attached.

On number 3 bed were 2 Marsh Harrier, Black Necked Grebe, 7 Reed Warbler.

Plus many of the more usual species.

Daniel Owen · Status: Offline

Two new Black-necked Grebe broods today takes the total to 13 broods so far this season, with hopefully one or two late broods to come too. The total number of birds (including young) is currently in the high 40's.

It was also a productive day for monitoring breeding activity of other species too:
- three new Pochard broods, taking their total to nine broods so far this season.
- a Shoveler brood of six is the first brood to be found on the reserve for many years, though breeding is suspected every year.
- six new Little Grebe broods takes their total to a minimum of 12 broods.
- two broods of Water Rail were seen, although birds were calling from four other areas of the reedbed and the true total is always higher than seen.

A Redshank on No4 Bed early morning was the only passage wader today, and two adult Mediterranean Gulls flew through.
Belated news from Sunday of a summer plumage Little Stint also on No4 Bed, plus a decent passage of Ringed Plover and seven Black-tailed Godwit throughout the last week.

-- Edited by Daniel Owen on Tuesday 6th of June 2023 08:42:47 PM

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Friday 2nd

Garganey- 2m, 1f

Marsh Harrier - 1 M

Black Necked Grebe - 1 pair with 3 young

Water Rail -1

Daniel Owen · Status: Offline

Minimum of 14 Black-necked Grebes yesterday. 22+ was the peak April count, and based on behaviour several new pairs arriving in the last week the breeding season is looking at least average, but potentially above average, for the second year running...weather dependant of course. (10-12 pairs is the long-term average).
It's worth noting that it's always a quiet time of year for counting them, with half on nests and guarding birds skulking in the reedbed - a scope helps if visiting the reserve.

3 Common Tern also yesterday, plus a big arrival of Reed Warblers across the reserve within the last week, and the best singing Sedge Warbler count since 2010.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Of note Am number 3 bed

Black Necked Grebe -6 Adults ( not looking the greatest breeding season ever for these special birds)

Marsh Harrier - 1 Male

Cuckoo-1

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

AM Of note

Arctic Tern - 1 > N

Hobby - 1 > N

Pochard 25 Male dropped into number 3 bed

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

AM

1 Whimbrel flying NE

Swift- 100+

John Williams · Status: Offline

Midday visit

No 3 Bed: At least 7 Little Gulls (20+ had been reported before I arrived) patrolled the pool in front of John Morgan hide.

Also 1 Swift seen with a group of mixed hirundines that were feeding over the pool, my apologies to WECG as I did not record this

in the site log, I only spotted the bird as I was leaving the reserve.

At least 16 Pochards were seen, but as they were clearly very mobile a true count was near impossible.

Also seen were 1f Kestrel, 1f Marsh Harrier, at least 2 Black Necked Grebes, 1 Little Grebe

4+ Great Crested Grebes (Including a displaying pair) and a single feral Barnacle Goose.

Gadwall appeared noticeably abundant.

A Lesser Whitethroat was calling from a bush near the 1st barrier on Thelwall Lane.

A drake Mallard is also worth mentioning because as other waterfowl panicked and fled whilst the harrier quartered the pool,

this brave or silly duck showed no concern at all, even as the big raptor flew right over him.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

60+ Little Gulls through Woolston today up to today 9 was the highest count ever at one time .

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

AM number 3 bed

Common Tern - 1 feeding all morning

Curlew- 1 tried to land headed off North

Marsh Harrier - 1 Adult Female

Sand Martin- 200+

House Martin - 10+

Swallow - 20 +

Black Necked Grebe - 8

Reed Warbler- 4

Sedge Warbler- 1

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-13.30

No 3 Bed:

1 Osprey passed over No 3 Bed at 10.45 heading North.

Also seen around the bed were 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 1st winter Great Black Backed Gull, 2 Lapwings,

14 Black Necked Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1m+1f Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Seen together on feeders)

and 2 Lapwings. Sand Martins were seen flying above the site for most of my visit.

The Kestrel was seen hovering above the meadow area and was attacked twice by the passing young GBB Gull, being almost

forced to crash into the ground at one point.

A female Marsh Harrier was seen over No 2 Bed close to the Weir Lane Footbridge, followed moments later by another of the same

species (Unsure of gender) which flew across from No 3 Bed.

Weir Pool Area:

11 Pochard (3 females), 22 Tufted Ducks, 1 Shelduck and a pair of Great Crested Grebes.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

This morning on number 3 bed Black Necked Grebe - 8 Sand Martin -300+ Chiffchaff - 2 singing Plus the usual

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

This morning of note Black Necked Grebe - 2 Chiffchaff-1 Singing Marsh Harrier- 1 Male

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

This morning of note Sand Martin - 3 Black Necked Grebe -1

John Williams · Status: Offline

Midday visit

No 3 Bed:

1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1f Marsh Harrier, 6 Buzzards, 1 Great Crested Grebe,

2 Little Grebes and 10 Pochards. Noticeably abundant Shoveler and Gadwall plus a pair (M+F) of Wigeon.

4 of the Buzzards (Judging by size all males) were seen to have an aerial fight.

Mersey Weir Pool area:

3 Great Crested Grebes (Including a displaying pair), 80 Tufted Ducks, 2 Oystercatchers (On weir),

9 Pochards, 16 Teal, 5 Cormorants and 1 Kingfisher.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

This Morning of note

2 Marsh Harrier

1 Black Necked Grebe

55 Pochard

45 Shoveler

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday 3rd March 2023 11:00 - 14:00 hrs.

Weir and No 3 Bed. Sightings included:

Marsh Harrier (2) 1M and 1F
Black-Necked Grebe (1) showing well from "Frank Linley Hide".
Little Grebe (4)
Great Crested Grebe (4)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (3)
Greenfinch (10)
Bullfinch (2)
Shoveler (8)
Shelduck (6)
Teal (50)
Pochard (40)
Gadwall (35)
Oystercatcher (2)
Greylag Geese (8)
Canada Geese (145
Tufted Duck (c200)
Lesser Black-Backed Gull (4)
Black-Headed Gull (c60)
Reed Bunting (1)
Mute Swan (4)
Grey Heron (1)
Long Tailed Tit (10)
Chaffinch (15)
Cormorant (4)
Lapwing (2) in field by side of A57 just past Thelwall roundabout on drive back.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-13.30

In addition to Steve and John's reports.

1 Marsh Harrier seen having a brief aerial tussle with a Buzzard along the Northern edge of No 3 Bed, whilst

another Buzzard soared high over Weir Lane.

The pair of Great Crested Grebes on the weir pool were seen briefly displaying, and a male Kestrel hovered

by the footpath on No 2 Bed.

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday 17th February 2023 10:45 - 13:00 hrs.

Weir and No 3 Bed

Black-Necked Grebe (1) as John says below showing well from "Warrington Rotary Hide".
Nice to chat with Brian Martin who said these are earliest sightings at Woolston Eyes.
Little Grebe (2)
Great Crested Grebe (4)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Greenfinch (15)
Bullfinch (8)
Shoveler (10)
Shelduck (7)
Teal (45)
Pochard (20)
Gadwall (15)
Greylag Geese (6)
Canada Geese (14)
Tufted Duck (70)
Great Black-Backed Gull (4)
Lesser Black-Backed Gull (1)
Black-Headed Gull (20)
Magpie (7)
Coot (8)
Moorhen (1)
Great Tit (3)
Blue Tit (2)
Chaffinch (15)
Cormorant (4)
Mallard (8)

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Black necked Grebe-1 from Rotary Hide earliest I've had one here,and was also present yesterday.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Midday visit (Highlights)

No 3 Bed:

1 Marsh Harrier, 1m+1f Pintail, 2 Shelduck, 2 Stock Doves, 15 Pochards, 10 Shovelers and 15 Lapwings.

Numerous Teal, Tufted Ducks and Gadwall.

A Brambling had been reported on the feeders just before I arrived.

Woolston Weir Pool area : 4 Little Grebes, 2 Shelducks and 30 Tufted Ducks.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Of note yesterday 3 pintail dropped in at 11 am looked like a Male,Female and a 1st winter bird

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

100 -120 Tufted Duck,1 shelduck,2 little grebe pair Goldeneye,60 Mallard 30 teal Woolston wier

Above wier west 140 teal 2 little grebe 10 shoveler, below wier East 28 Tufted Duck, 2 little grebe ,5 shoveler,40 teal,1 kingfisher,2 shelduck

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 15th of December 2022 02:05:48 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

No 3 Bed Midday (Highlights)

5 Little Grebes, 20 Shovelers, 96 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelducks, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and 2 Grey Herons.

A Nuthatch and a male Bullfinch were seen on the feeders.

River Mersey weir pool area

2 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe and around 40 Black-headed Gulls.

Where have all the diving ducks gone?. I was not surprised by their absence on No 3 Bed as it's quite shallow and

suits dabbling ducks better, Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and Mallard were all present there today, but the Mersey weir pool

is different. I'm used to finding around 100 Tufted Ducks plus a few Pochard and the odd Goldeneye on the river above the

weir at this time of year, but could not find a single Tufted today. I scanned the Mersey below the weir, and also in direction

of the motorway, but none were to be seen, I could not find any on the ship canal either. This is alarming.

Dave Steel · Status: Offline

270922 With one of my old WEA Teams

No3 bed Highlights

6 Black-Tailed Godwit

1 Wigeon...male

3 Sparrowhawk

1 Kingfisher

70 Teal

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Monday, 26th September 2022. 10:30 - 14:00 hrs.

No 3 Bed and Weir. Sightings included:

Black-Necked Grebe (1) - one very late departure!
Black-Tailed Godwit (6)
Marsh Harrier (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Buzzard (2)
Kestrel (1)
Grey Herons (3)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Little Grebe (2)
Goldcrest (1)
Greenfinch (12)
Bullfinch (4)
Long Tailed Tits (4)
Gadwall (8)
Tufted Duck (50)
Shoveler (25)
Teal (15)
Lapwing (9)
Jay (2)

John Williams · Status: Offline

11.00-14.30

No 3 Bed : 29 Black tailed Godwits, 1 Garganey, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Little Grebes,

2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Water Rails, a nervous flock of 15 Lapwings, 8 Snipe, 4 Grey Herons and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

5 Chiffchaffs were amongst a flock of Long Tailed and Blue Tits, plus 2 others were seen elsewhere on the bed.

A flock of around 12 Swallows passed through heading South.

John Williams · Status: Offline

11.00-15.00

No 3 Bed: 1 juvenile Black Necked Grebe, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe with a striped youngster in tow,

1 Buzzard, a group of 8 juvenile Pochards, 3 Sand Martins, a flock of 28 Lapwings heading NW, 1 adult Great Blacked Backed Gull,

1 Water Rail, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler and 1m Blackcap (Seen and also heard singing).

Around a dozen Swifts were flying above the pool throughout my stay.

Huge numbers of moulting Gadwall, and a few eclipse Shovelers. A raft of 36 Coots some showing real aggression to their own

kind and the passive eclipse ducks.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Afternoon visit to No3 Bed.

A noticeable abundance of eclipse Mallard and Gadwall across the pool, plus a few Shovelers and a single Wigeon.

7 Cormorants were seen flying SE, soon followed by a group of 15 Lapwings going in the opposite direction.

4 Lapwings were the only waders on the scrapes. 2 Black Necked and 2 Little Grebes were on the pool.

A male Great Spotted Woodpecker and a pair (M+F) of Bullfinches were on the feeders.

A single Buzzard was the only raptor seen. All the Black Headed Gulls families have now left.

Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed Bunting and Common Whitethroat were still heard singing.

John Williams · Status: Offline

No3 Bed 10.30-14.00

2f Marsh Harriers, 1f Garganey, 2 Buzzards, 2 Wigeon (M+F) and 6 Little Grebes.

At least 4 families of Black Necked Grebes seen staying close to the reeds along the Northern edge of the bed,

1 pair had a couple of youngsters, another pair were also feeding 2 young but also appeared to have a tiny chick

riding on the back of one of the adults. The 2 other families just had 1 chick each.

At one point an adult Lesser Black Backed Gull managed to catch what was either a tiny Moorhen or Coot chick. There was

then a scuffle with 3 other LBB Gulls, before the bird that caught the little prize managed to swallow it in a single gulp.

The commotion attracted an adult Shelduck which attempted the drive the big gulls away, but to no avail.

The Shelduck and it's mate were trying to protect their brood of 8 "Blackbird" sized ducklings. Thankfully the big gulls

showed little interest in the Shelduck brood though. At least 3 Pochard broods were seen too, with 1 of the anxious mothers

having a family of 9 tiny ducklings to watch over.

John Williams · Status: Offline

13.30-16.00 No3 Bed

1m+1f Garganey, 2 Black Necked Grebes, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 20m+3f Pochards, 1m+1f Wigeon, 60+ Gadwall,

3 Buzzards, 1 Shelduck, 1m Bullfinch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 4 adult Lesser Black Backed Gulls.

A Coot and a Moorhen family each had a brood of 4 tiny youngsters which they both kept around the scrape. The Coots

dropped their guard for a while though and let a tiny chick swim out alone towards the centre of the pool. One of the

Lesser Black Backs clearly saw an unexpected opportunity, but instead of taking the prize it just indulged in a territorial

squabble with it's 3 chums. The tiny youngster was very fortunate and was soon ushered back to the family by a very

anxious parent.

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

Having been favouring Moore this year as my local patch I was starting to get a bit guilty about not having been around Woolston for a few weeks and was planning to go soon. Well an afternoon WhatsApp was all that was needed to make me change plans for my afternoon stroll [to Halfway House at lower tide at Moore] and at 3:25 pm wandered in from West via the Manchester Ship Canal (MSC) track at Donaldson Engineering to go to the new #4 bed and within 20 minutes searching the target bird was found. Temmnick's Stint meandering about on a spit off the new Islets viewed from the western path around the bed. Cheshire lifer!

Thanks to Dan for the original message and both Dave's I saw on the way into the bed for more refined directions.

Wader species for the day included Green Sandpiper, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Snipe. No Dunlin though whilst watching the Stint at ca. 4 - 4:15 pm (or at all).

Pied Wagtail, Greylag and Canada Geese, Black-headed and Lesser-black Backed Gulls. Teal, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe and Shovler on the pool.

Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Robin, Blackbird, Reed Warbler all provided a musical backdrop whilst scanning the bed. Single Linnets and Greenfinch (?) seen on the dryer parts of the bed.

Looks a lovely developing site, great testimony to the hard work put in by the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group and others.

Edit - Expanded MSc acronym to Manchester Ship Canal (attempt at penance for a bad habit developed after spending over 30 years in an industry excelling in TLA - Three Letter Acronyms).

-- Edited by Andy Slee on Thursday 28th of April 2022 09:00:47 PM

malcolm roach · Status: Offline

Feeding station 19 bramblings probably more greenfinch chaffinch Reed buntings nuthatch 1pr great spotted woodpeckers 1pr bullfinch sparrowhawk 2 jays 9 greylag geese and all the usual wildfowl other birds seen wren goldfinch grey heron pheasant redwing song thrush robin dunnock great/blue/long tailed tits

John Williams · Status: Offline

11.30-14.30

No.3 Bed

Tower Hide area : 4 Bramblings on the ground below alders. 4 Siskins and 3 Lesser Redpolls feeding amongst the alder cones.

J. Morgan Hide area : Bramblings feeding around both sets of feeders, at one point 12 were seen feeding together below a feeder.

1m Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Buzzard, 4f Bullfinches and 1 Grey Heron. Numerous Reed Buntings visiting the feeders too.

Teal and Shovelers appeared reasonably abundant, but all seemed to be tucked up close to the reedbed, perhaps the Marsh Harrier

which I sadly just missed made the ducks nervous. A single Shelduck and 3 Tufted Ducks were on the water too.

River Mersey (Above the weir/Bottom of Weir Lane) : 122 Tufted Ducks, 1m Pochard, 1 Shelduck, 4 Cormorants and 6 Gadwall.

Sadly no Goldeneyes were seen on the river there today.

Stephen Wende · Status: Offline

3 hour visit today 05/01/22

32 species seen including:-

1 Marsh Harrier - red wing tag.

10+ Brambling

2 Bullfinch

2 Jay

1 GS Woodpecker

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

16/12 two hr visit.

#4 bed. 1 Cettis Warbler singing. Teal, Shovler, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Gadwall Present with Canada Geese, Black-backed Gulls, one Great Black-backed Gull and three Herring Gulls. Male and female Goosander flew in. Grey Heron skulking at the North side of the bed.

#3bed. Treecreeper (reserve first for me) at the Sybil Hogg hide. Surprisingly small Sparrowhawk flew out a bush in front of me across the fields where seed is grown for finches. Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch abundant all over the shrub around the bed. two more Cettis calling.

Lots of gulls flocks (5 - 60 birds) were flying west down the Ship Canal. I counted 52 flocks in an hour. Predominantly Black-Headed; of the three groups of Herring, one Group had two very large silver winged gulls in, wingspan 1/3rd greater than the rest of the Herring Gulls - Argentatus spp?

-- Edited by Andy Slee on Thursday 16th of December 2021 11:33:09 PM

-- Edited by Andy Slee on Thursday 16th of December 2021 11:33:42 PM

Stephen Wende · Status: Offline

13:15 - 15:10

1 Nuthatch, 1 Goldcrest, 3-4 Siskin, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Buzzard, 1 GS Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Snipe, 2 Jay

Teal 70+ Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Shoveler and Mallard in much smaller numbers

John Williams · Status: Offline

12.00-14.30

No 3 Bed :

1 Chiffchaff, 1f Brambling, 1m Pintail, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Buzzards, 6 Jays, 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Gadwall,

1m Pochard and a flock of 6 Linnets.

Mersey on and around the weir pool : 94 Tufted Ducks, 2m Goldeneyes and 1 Little Grebe.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Midday visit to No.3 Bed.

1 House Martin, 2 Little Grebes, 1f Goldeneye and a flock of 68 Greylag Geese.

Coal Tits were making frequent visits to the feeders, together with a pair of male Reed Buntings.

Really impressive numbers of Teal and Shoveler, but only 7 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Ducks were seen.

Despite the low water level no waders were noted, neither were any raptors, or herons.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Afternoon visit to No 3 Bed :

1 Hobby, 1 Water Rail, 4 Green Sandpipers, 1 Snipe, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Little Grebes, 6 Grey Herons, 4 Lapwings,

and 2 Wigeon(M+F).

John Williams · Status: Offline

15.00-18.00

No3 Bed :

1f Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzards, 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 3 Common Whitethroats (2 catching insects on hogweed umbellifers),

1 juvenile Black necked Grebe, 4 adult and 2 juvenile Little Grebes, 2 broods of Pochards, 3 broods of Tufted Ducks,

a pair of Shelducks with 11 ducklings in their care and 1 Grey Heron.

A Reed Warbler showed very well in front of the South Bank screen. The harrier was mobbed by a pair of crows, however she turned on

her attackers and very nearly caught one of the corvids, who then opted to have fun elsewhere.

Only 1 pair of Black headed Gulls remain in the colony, and they are still brooding a couple of tiny youngsters.

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

13:00-15:00

13 Black Necked Grebe (21 reported), 3 Cettis Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler, 12 Pochard, 4 Blackcap, 3 Shoveler, Raven, 6 Teal, 3 Little Grebe, 4+ Common Buzzard, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 5 Reed Bunting, 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Swallow, 30 Sand Martin, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Kestrel

Hides and toilet open on number 3 bed.

Tony Koziol · Status: Offline

08.00/10.30 cold with NNW wind blowing through.

Lovely to see the Black-necked Grebes again with twelve being observed. One female Brambling the feeders. Lots of Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

Black- headed Gull in big numbers.

A few Sand Martin around and one Swallow through.

Our first visit in over two years a fabulous reserve.

Dave Steel · Status: Offline

Am Visit

2 Black-Necked Grebe...pair

1 Woodcock

1 Redshank

...and the Black-Headed Gull Breeding colony in full swing!

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

David Spencer wrote:

One Red Kite was seen this morning. Initially it was seen flying south, low over No.2 bed and was thought to have flown south. However it reappeared circling high with two Buzzards over the SE corner of No.3 bed. Also present was one female/imm. Marsh Harrier (a different individual to the one seen on Saturday). Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were again seen in the Black-headed Gull colony. Of interest last weeks colour ringed 1^st summer Mediterranean Gull (red PRY6) )was ringed in Poland as a nestling on 20^th June 2015. Also last week, the adult summer Mediterranean Gull with a white darvic ring, E718, is a Dutch bird ringed as a nestling in June 2012. Since then it has been seen in Germany and Ireland; the last report was on 21^st January2016 at Bray Harbour, Wicklow.
Cheers David (with D Bowman, B Lloyd and J Verdon)

-- Edited by David Spencer on Monday 25th of April 2016 02:41:00 PM

I've just been doing some digging around on the internet and it turns out this Mediterranean gull that has turned up at Elton Reservoir this week was first seen here in 2016 .

Managed to get the ring number today PRY6 ..

Stephen Wende · Status: Offline

Saturday 13th Feb

1 Marsh Harrier

1 Sparrowhawk

1 Kestrel

2 GS Woodpecker

2 Bullfinch

15 Redwing

1 Goldcrest

32 Species seen, most lagoons at least 90% frozen