From the River Mersey today (Kingsway Bridge past #4, #3 to the weir).

Kingfishers at Paddington Meadows (Ad+2juv). Three Buzzards in alarm at a Marsh Harrier, initially over Westy drifted over #4.

Redshank flew downriver north of the Loop.

30+ Swifts above the river north of #3 bed by the concrete plant.

Water rail near 'white house' at Westy.

Peregrine flew in from #4 and landed on the Westy Pipe-bridge.

At least six Cetti's warblers now in song along the river (5 km stretch past the North the reserve we row on) - yesterday there were only two in song and two in sub-song.

Gadwall, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Mallard, Mallard x Muscovy, Mute Swan (2 pr + 3 juv) all present. About 20 Canada Geese, two with broken wings.

Gulls were just Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed.

There was a blue ringed Black-headed Gull at Kingsway but I only got 2E.. off its ring other two digits were lost to view.

On the river past #4 and #3 beds.

Two pairs Mute Swans, one with three cygnets. Four Canada Geese (+17 at the rowing club at Kingsway), two Greylag Geese.

Two Kingfisher seen by the loop of #4.

35 Swifts over in front of the rainfront at 5pm.

Family groups of Long-tailed Tits in three places along the river and a Kestrel by the cement works North of #3 bed. 

Again travelling on the River past the north side of the #3 and #4 beds (and to Kingsway bridge and back).

Twice had a Common Sandpiper fly past following the river. Kingfisher to north #4 bed and my first Swifts of the year (groups of 6, 7 and 3).

Three pairs Canada Geese had Goslings (5, 3, 2) and a pair of Greylags had two Goslings.

Herring, Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed Gulls all overheads.

Wren, Goldfinch, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail and Grey Wagtail made up the other birds to fly past the boat.

Ringed Mute Swan at the Kingsway Landing stage (metal ring, left leg) wouldn't let me get near enough to read the letters which were quite faint/muddied.

Alternate view of Woolston (and Paddington Meadows) by going on the Mersey from Kingsway Bridge on the Mersey to the Weir and back today.

Four Mallard chicks and three Coot chicks.

One Mute Swan and four Greylag flyovers. Around 34 Canada Geese along the stretch of the river but no Goslings.

Two Cetti's Warblers, one Garden Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat heard on the stretch between Paddington Meadows and the tip to north of #4 bed.

Hobby and Kestrel and Raven seen over. Great Spotted Woodpecker over from same area North. 

Water Rail near the pipebridge on east of #4, plenty Coot and Moorhen in the reeds all along the river. Pair Gadwall at the allotment at Kingsway.

Great views of Cormorant, Grey Heron and Kingfisher in the scrub beside the river watching us as we passed by.

News on the Cheshire Whatsapp this morning that the Lesser Scaup had returned to Woolston Eyes, but then had flown off before access could be arranged. At 12.45pm news came through on the group that it had been relocated on Woolston Weir, outside the reserve. So I finished lunch and then headed down to Weir Lane to access the Weir area. A small group of assembled birders squinted into the sun dappled water and we joined them to quickly find the 1w female Lesser Scaup, sleeping most of the time, head on back, but easy to pick out nonetheless. The bird did life its head a couple of times, but I struggled with pictures anyway, shooting into the sun, and never managed a head up shot! Still, it was nice to catch up with and continues a good run of Cheshire ducks, what with the BMW American (Storm) Wigeon and my drake Smew

13:30 - 15:30 up the River Mersey from the Boatclub at Kingsway to the Weir past #3 and #4 and back (on the River).

Upriver, at least three concentrated patches of 30+ House Sparrows around the Westey bed before #4 bed, 57 Canada Geese in total, 147 Black-headed Gulls, plus what looks like a small roost on Cardinal Newman Buildings.

26 Redwing over during the trip heading to #3 bed and one Fieldfare.

3 Grey Heron on the river, 3 Little Grebe and ad+juv Great Crested Grebe near the start of the Oxbox, disturbed at least 2 Goldeneye m which flew up towards the Weir.

On the return 2 linnet over, patch of Siskins on Paddington meadows (15 or so), couple Bullfinch, four Greenfinch and two Goldfinch. Moorhen and Coot in the banks with around 17 Mallards.

Magpie, Carrions crow, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit and Starling made up the rest, about 50 Starling looking like they were settling down to roost near the end of the old Latchford Canal at Kingsway Bridge.

13.10.23 AM

Pintail - 2 

Chiffchaff- 2 

plus the usuals 

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.

Friday 2nd

Garganey- 2m, 1f

Marsh Harrier - 1 M

Black Necked Grebe - 1 pair with 3 young 

Water Rail -1

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

AM

1 Whimbrel flying NE

Swift- 100+ 

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

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

270922 With one of my old WEA Teams

No3 bed Highlights

6 Black-Tailed Godwit

1 Wigeon...male

3 Sparrowhawk

1 Kingfisher

70 Teal