A walk with the family this morning. Little Grebes, great crested grebes, Mandarin male, Kingfisher and a Barnacle Goose. I have never been so close to one before, a real treat to see. In large lake amongst the Canada geese (see pictures)
Hi Carl, judging from your images, this bird looks to have some evidence of Canada Goose in it, its got a brown back. Probably the reason it was so close with the Canadas. Only my opinion. Cheers.
A walk with the family this morning. Little Grebes, great crested grebes, Mandarin male, Kingfisher and a Barnacle Goose. I have never been so close to one before, a real treat to see. In large lake amongst the Canada geese (see pictures)
Went for a walk yesterday to see the ring-necked parakeets but this park has so much more to offer. Kingfisher, goldcrest, pochard, little grebe, Cormorant, Mandarin duck, tufted duck, nuthatch, siskin and a few bramblings in the chaffinch flock. Great few hours
1 pied flycatcher- male, fantastic bird to have in such a busy park. The bird is in the trees on the west side of the lake, more or less adjacent to the chains that run across the lake 4 tufted duck 7 ring necked parakeet 3 nuthatch, included a pair seen in a nesting hole 1 jay 2 great created grebes with a single chick 1 cormorant 1 blackcap 5 chiffchaffs 2 willow warbler 1 buzzard
Finally, i managed to see the almost certainly escaped monk parakeet that has been in the park the past few weeks. At first it was in a low tree with a single ring necked before flying down onto the railings behind the palm house. It didn't help it case of being wild; it was incredibly tame, and let me take pictures of it from only a few feet away
A half hour walk around the lake between 13:00-13:30 this afternoon
1 adult Mediterranean gull- brilliant to finally see one at the park. Other birders seem to report them here all the time, yet it has taken me 2 years of regularly birding the park to see one. As if finally seeing one wasn't good enough, the bird was in full summer plumage already 1 great crested grebe- first returning bird 11 little grebe 1-2 cormorant 1 grey heron 3 ring necked parakeet 1 great spotted woodpecker 1 nuthatch
-- Edited by M Gannon on Sunday 14th of February 2016 02:17:29 PM
-- Edited by M Gannon on Sunday 14th of February 2016 02:18:04 PM
A late post from Christmas morning, spent walking around the lake for an hour.
The highlight was a count of 7 cormorants, the previous highest count was 4 for me. 5 flew over the lakeside cafe when I first arrived and flew off, but 2 remained on the post near the island giving great views. The female mandarin was in the sheltered end near the island, and was very happy to come and take some seeds someone else was throwing for the ducks.
Other highlights included
3 ring necked parakeet 1 grey heron 11 little grebe 12 tufted duck 2 jay
The normal pair of great crested grebes have been joined by a third lone adult. Needless to say the male of the pair definitely didn't appreciate it's prescence, viciously attacking the new bird and chasing it to the far end of the lake. Also the usual little grebes were giving good views and 3 tufted ducks were interesting to see as I normally only see them here in the middle of winter
At least ten singing willow warblers in sefton and the surrounding area this evening, along with 3 chiffchaff, 1 nuthatch, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 2 ring necked parakeet, 1 great crested grebe, 6 little grebe and 11 mute swan
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 15th of April 2015 07:39:34 AM
Just got back from Sefton Park, managed to locate the feeders (thanks chaps). Had no luck with the phantom Spoonbill but did spot the female Mandarin (a first for me)
My comments were fairly tongue in cheek anyway Ian . I can't see it being true, unless it's an escapee of course. There isn't really anywhere for a wild one to be far enough away from the public for it to feel secure enough to hang around, as far as I can remember.
The Spoonbill was reported on Birdguides as having been present for c.7 days. No specific location other than Sefton Park. Will probably take a look myself tomorrow
This appears to be an unsubstantiated report, the origins of which are seemingly unknown.
The Spoonbill was reported on Birdguides as having been present for c.7 days. No specific location other than Sefton Park. Will probably take a look myself tomorrow
Any chance you could explain where the feeders are please? I've been to the park numerous times and can't seem to find them
Welcome to the forum Paul - there is a feeding station at the back of the palm house where the Parakeets are seen.
The feeders are actually along a path behind the Palm House, i.e. Not in the Palm House compound itself. While you're there, you can look for the Spoonbill that has reportedly been there for the last week too!
At least 8 ring necked parakeets showing well at the park feeders today. They are really bold birds; you can get about 5 foot away and they'll still stay put.
Also:
Female mandarin Male pochard Male shoveler 1 comorant 1 grey heron 9 mute swan 14 little grebe 1 buzzard 4 jay 2 nuthatch
Also at nearby greenbank park, 6 tufted duck, grey heron and 2 great spotted woodpecker
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 23rd of January 2015 07:15:49 AM
A very interesting variety of waterfowl on the lake this morning. The most notable was a female mandarin by the island. There has been one here every winter for a few years now, so it was pleasing to find it back today. More unexpected were a male pochard and a shoveler. Other birds on the lake included a female tufted duck, roughly 15 little grebes and the pair of mute swans with their seven juveniles (a great achievement for such a busy park)
