Juvenile Whinchat, Rixton Moss
A couple of the Wheatears on Rixton Moss this evening
Ropey shots of a juvenile Black Tern on Houghton Green Flash - I don't care; it was a patch first for me!
Distant views of Leach's Petrels battling out of the Mersey at New Brighton
Pale morph Arctic Skua, New Brighton
Juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, Marshside
Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Marshside
Pink-footed Geese, Marshside. Autumn is definitely here!
Odd looking Red-crested Pochard - is it me or does it have a bill like an Albatross?
Female Peregrine, Marshside
Wigeon, Marshside
Teal, Marshside
Sanderlings, Frodsham Marsh
Woodpigeon that was rescued from a field in Waterworks Lanexxxxx
Some good birding in the last week with the highlights definitely being my first Black Tern at Houghton Green Flash and the plethora of Leach’s Petrels in the Mersey.
Xxxxx
The Black Tern was present when I rolled up early on Thursday morning – a juvenile. I watched it for a while and eventually sussed it was doing a figure of eight circuit around the pool – this allowed me to identify its closest approach to the bank and at least be able to get some record shots. Superb bird – so much better when it’s on your local patch.
Xxxxx
The same day 2 Ringed Plovers were also present on the pool; however due to the undergrowth on the banks now there is no feeding area for waders and they are very difficult to spot when present. A couple of interesting Kestrel sightings have also livened up the place. On Weds at dusk I watched a Kestrel fly at something in the trees by Myddleton Hall while calling agitatedly. It then circled above the tree before flying away – at the same time a Tawny Owl began calling from this tree! This morning a raptor bombed down the south hedge looking to snatch an unwary bird – I initially thought Sparrowhawk and then realised it was a female Kestrel. Given the Hobby-like behaviour witnesses a few weeks ago it looks like the Kestrel’s diet is focussing on small birds. I wonder if this is due to lack of rodents or a learned hunting ability?
Xxxxx
Aside from the above sightings, flocks of Collared Doves (30-40), House Sparrow (60-70) and Linnet (70+) have been made regularly plus a small flock of 10 Skylarks in the south field. Only around a dozen Tufted Ducks and a single Pochard remained this morning.
Xxxxx
Last Saturday afternoon I drifted over to Frodsham with Billy to have another look at the Red-backed Shrike. When I arrived it was pouring down and I had to wait for a while before I could start birding. The rest of the afternoon was spent dodging showers. The juvenile RBS was still present though distant – it eventually did one over the other side of the quarry and didn’t return while I was there. The waits were punctuated by raptor activity with the highlight being 2 Hobbies hunting over the field beside the farm. Two Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk were also seen.
Xxxxx
Later on I decamped to No. 6 tank to look for waders. It’s never a good idea in the afternoon as the sun is directly in your eyes and the glare off the wet mud was very strong. I did however manage to see 6 Curlew Sandpipers on the far side with 2 Grey Plovers, a Ruff and a Ringed Plover also present. Suddenly three small waders dropped in – juvenile Sanderlings. A Chiffchaff was singing nearby and a flock of around 240 Goldfinches flitted over the thistles – always good for these little beauties is Frodsham.
Xxxxx
Sunday afternoon after various jobs at home I wandered late on with Bill to Burton Marsh. Again I had the sun in the eyes and glare problem and had to work at getting an angle to view the various flashes. The first bird of interest was a juvenile Marsh Harrier – way off towards the firing range. On the flash opposite Denhall Lane was the largest flock of Canada Geese I have ever seen – around 2200 birds. They were later flushed by six blokes with guns and dogs who were no doubt trying to make their acquaintance – the birds made a spectacular sight no matter their origins.
Xxxxx
I walked up to the Decca pools – a handful of Dunlins and Knots were present on the pool plus a range of ducks – mostly Teal. Along the way I had spotted four Ravens at various points around the marsh. Suddenly a female Marsh Harrier seemed to appear from nowhere and showed very well hunting around the Decca pools. Further out from here a Peregrine was perched on a distant post – around 20 or so Little Egrets were flitting around.
Xxxx
I walked back down to the lane and a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew very close past heading in the same direction as the female – towards Parkgate. As I stood and watched it a Green Sandpiper began calling from the small flash in front of me. A second bird began calling – still couldn’t see them when I heard a Greenshank – this one I saw drop in and just as quickly disappear. I eventually saw the Green Sandpipers when they flew off. I carried on walking and a third Marsh Harrier (second juvenile) flew past. I can only assume one of these two juveniles was also the same bird I saw near the firing range earlier. The last bird of note was a Ruff on the main flash. All in all a very pleasant Sunday afternoon mooch.
Xxxxx
I had a few away day visit during the week. While working down in Somerset I managed a quick hour at Bridgwater Bay. This is an interesting place – resembles Heswall and Birkdale a bit to me and was very grey and windy when I arrived. It was low tide and the sea was well out so I had a quick scan to the right (towards Steart) and then set off west towards Wall Common with Hinckley Point power station beyond. A very tatty looking Peregrine was perched on the edge of the beach – it was interesting to see several Little Egrets walk right past it. There were around 15 of these herons dotted around the beach.
Xxxxx
Along the shingle bank I picked up 4 or 5 Wheatears – unknown to me a Lapland Bunting had been present an hour earlier though I didn’t see it. I eventually found a mixed wader flock which constituted 240+ Black-tailed Godwits, 60+ Dunlins and my target bird – 2 Little Stints. A sprinkling of Grey Plovers were also on the beach – many still striking in their breeding plumage. It was just getting greyer, windier and threatening rain so I headed off home then.
Xxxxxx
Later in the week a chance to watch the Mersey from underneath Fort Perch Rock was grabbed. Interestingly there were no birders present – some did turn up afterwards but none stayed for very long. I again had to dodge heavy showers and I had to keep edging around the fort as the wind shifted. Overall at least 94 Leach’s Petrels were observed coming out of the river – I didn’t see any turning back into the river. This was a conservative count – I kept wandering off or gull watching or something else so the probable numbers were far higher. This is an amazing spectacle and well worth braving the weather.
Xxxx
Also seen were 2 Fulmars, at least 8 Kittiwakes, 2 Guillemots, a Manx Shearwater, a Black Tern and a few Arctic and Common Terns. A pale morph Arctic Skua bombed out of the river pretty close. Eventually the wind dropped and the petrels began to thin out – time to go home.
Xxxx
I also managed a brief trip to Marshside while in the area. I walked into Nells to see the marsh in front bathed in sunshine and for once not in my direct line of sight. The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper and its new friends – 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. The three were feeding together on a grassy island in front of the hide – superb views. I watched them for around 20 minutes or so then while watching through the scope the Pec started looking up at the sky (I knew what was coming next). The Curlew Sandpipers followed suit – then all three scattered and a split second later a female Peregrine flew through the airspace they had just vacated! The Peregrine circled and then flew through a second time before moving off. I eventually found the Pec Sand and one of the Curlew Sandpipers over on the far side of the flood, peeping from behind a mound of mud. And there they stayed. Also present were three Spotted Redshanks, a weird looking Red-crested Pochard and various Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall and a single Pintail. Around 100 or so Pink-footed Geese flew over – my first of the autumn.
Xxxxx
Winwick and the garden have been relatively quiet. Last Saturday while watching a covey of 7 Grey Partridges in a field at the far end of Waterworks Lane I also spotted a Woodpigeon that couldn’t fly. I couldn’t figure out why it couldn’t fly so I took it home and put it in one of the old ferret runs for a while. It gobbled up the world’s supply of peanuts and seemed to gradually recover – it was successfully released later in the evening. The only other sightings of note were a flock of 48 Greenfinches in the trees by Highfield Farm and 2 Buzzards in the field behind our house – one of which had something tasty and was surrounded by a ring of Magpies!
Xxxxx
The Black Tern was present when I rolled up early on Thursday morning – a juvenile. I watched it for a while and eventually sussed it was doing a figure of eight circuit around the pool – this allowed me to identify its closest approach to the bank and at least be able to get some record shots. Superb bird – so much better when it’s on your local patch.
Xxxxx
The same day 2 Ringed Plovers were also present on the pool; however due to the undergrowth on the banks now there is no feeding area for waders and they are very difficult to spot when present. A couple of interesting Kestrel sightings have also livened up the place. On Weds at dusk I watched a Kestrel fly at something in the trees by Myddleton Hall while calling agitatedly. It then circled above the tree before flying away – at the same time a Tawny Owl began calling from this tree! This morning a raptor bombed down the south hedge looking to snatch an unwary bird – I initially thought Sparrowhawk and then realised it was a female Kestrel. Given the Hobby-like behaviour witnesses a few weeks ago it looks like the Kestrel’s diet is focussing on small birds. I wonder if this is due to lack of rodents or a learned hunting ability?
Xxxxx
Aside from the above sightings, flocks of Collared Doves (30-40), House Sparrow (60-70) and Linnet (70+) have been made regularly plus a small flock of 10 Skylarks in the south field. Only around a dozen Tufted Ducks and a single Pochard remained this morning.
Xxxxx
Last Saturday afternoon I drifted over to Frodsham with Billy to have another look at the Red-backed Shrike. When I arrived it was pouring down and I had to wait for a while before I could start birding. The rest of the afternoon was spent dodging showers. The juvenile RBS was still present though distant – it eventually did one over the other side of the quarry and didn’t return while I was there. The waits were punctuated by raptor activity with the highlight being 2 Hobbies hunting over the field beside the farm. Two Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk were also seen.
Xxxxx
Later on I decamped to No. 6 tank to look for waders. It’s never a good idea in the afternoon as the sun is directly in your eyes and the glare off the wet mud was very strong. I did however manage to see 6 Curlew Sandpipers on the far side with 2 Grey Plovers, a Ruff and a Ringed Plover also present. Suddenly three small waders dropped in – juvenile Sanderlings. A Chiffchaff was singing nearby and a flock of around 240 Goldfinches flitted over the thistles – always good for these little beauties is Frodsham.
Xxxxx
Sunday afternoon after various jobs at home I wandered late on with Bill to Burton Marsh. Again I had the sun in the eyes and glare problem and had to work at getting an angle to view the various flashes. The first bird of interest was a juvenile Marsh Harrier – way off towards the firing range. On the flash opposite Denhall Lane was the largest flock of Canada Geese I have ever seen – around 2200 birds. They were later flushed by six blokes with guns and dogs who were no doubt trying to make their acquaintance – the birds made a spectacular sight no matter their origins.
Xxxxx
I walked up to the Decca pools – a handful of Dunlins and Knots were present on the pool plus a range of ducks – mostly Teal. Along the way I had spotted four Ravens at various points around the marsh. Suddenly a female Marsh Harrier seemed to appear from nowhere and showed very well hunting around the Decca pools. Further out from here a Peregrine was perched on a distant post – around 20 or so Little Egrets were flitting around.
Xxxx
I walked back down to the lane and a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew very close past heading in the same direction as the female – towards Parkgate. As I stood and watched it a Green Sandpiper began calling from the small flash in front of me. A second bird began calling – still couldn’t see them when I heard a Greenshank – this one I saw drop in and just as quickly disappear. I eventually saw the Green Sandpipers when they flew off. I carried on walking and a third Marsh Harrier (second juvenile) flew past. I can only assume one of these two juveniles was also the same bird I saw near the firing range earlier. The last bird of note was a Ruff on the main flash. All in all a very pleasant Sunday afternoon mooch.
Xxxxx
I had a few away day visit during the week. While working down in Somerset I managed a quick hour at Bridgwater Bay. This is an interesting place – resembles Heswall and Birkdale a bit to me and was very grey and windy when I arrived. It was low tide and the sea was well out so I had a quick scan to the right (towards Steart) and then set off west towards Wall Common with Hinckley Point power station beyond. A very tatty looking Peregrine was perched on the edge of the beach – it was interesting to see several Little Egrets walk right past it. There were around 15 of these herons dotted around the beach.
Xxxxx
Along the shingle bank I picked up 4 or 5 Wheatears – unknown to me a Lapland Bunting had been present an hour earlier though I didn’t see it. I eventually found a mixed wader flock which constituted 240+ Black-tailed Godwits, 60+ Dunlins and my target bird – 2 Little Stints. A sprinkling of Grey Plovers were also on the beach – many still striking in their breeding plumage. It was just getting greyer, windier and threatening rain so I headed off home then.
Xxxxxx
Later in the week a chance to watch the Mersey from underneath Fort Perch Rock was grabbed. Interestingly there were no birders present – some did turn up afterwards but none stayed for very long. I again had to dodge heavy showers and I had to keep edging around the fort as the wind shifted. Overall at least 94 Leach’s Petrels were observed coming out of the river – I didn’t see any turning back into the river. This was a conservative count – I kept wandering off or gull watching or something else so the probable numbers were far higher. This is an amazing spectacle and well worth braving the weather.
Xxxx
Also seen were 2 Fulmars, at least 8 Kittiwakes, 2 Guillemots, a Manx Shearwater, a Black Tern and a few Arctic and Common Terns. A pale morph Arctic Skua bombed out of the river pretty close. Eventually the wind dropped and the petrels began to thin out – time to go home.
Xxxx
I also managed a brief trip to Marshside while in the area. I walked into Nells to see the marsh in front bathed in sunshine and for once not in my direct line of sight. The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper and its new friends – 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. The three were feeding together on a grassy island in front of the hide – superb views. I watched them for around 20 minutes or so then while watching through the scope the Pec started looking up at the sky (I knew what was coming next). The Curlew Sandpipers followed suit – then all three scattered and a split second later a female Peregrine flew through the airspace they had just vacated! The Peregrine circled and then flew through a second time before moving off. I eventually found the Pec Sand and one of the Curlew Sandpipers over on the far side of the flood, peeping from behind a mound of mud. And there they stayed. Also present were three Spotted Redshanks, a weird looking Red-crested Pochard and various Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall and a single Pintail. Around 100 or so Pink-footed Geese flew over – my first of the autumn.
Xxxxx
Winwick and the garden have been relatively quiet. Last Saturday while watching a covey of 7 Grey Partridges in a field at the far end of Waterworks Lane I also spotted a Woodpigeon that couldn’t fly. I couldn’t figure out why it couldn’t fly so I took it home and put it in one of the old ferret runs for a while. It gobbled up the world’s supply of peanuts and seemed to gradually recover – it was successfully released later in the evening. The only other sightings of note were a flock of 48 Greenfinches in the trees by Highfield Farm and 2 Buzzards in the field behind our house – one of which had something tasty and was surrounded by a ring of Magpies!
xxxxx
After work this evening I made my usual trek around Rixton on the way home. On Moat Lane pool 1 were a couple of Green Sandpipers plus a Teal, a Jay and a Grey Wagtail. On pool 2 was another Grey Wagtail and nothing else. The Mute Swan JP4 was on the tip pool - around 120 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were loafing around on the tip and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was hanging around Propect Lane. When I got to the bottom of Holly Bush Lane I found this years rape field was now ploughed and I could see a few pale blobs out in the middle. I knew they would probably be Wheatears and I decided to scan them just on the off chance there was something interesting. It proved to be a good decision when I found a juvenile Whinchat with them.
xxxxx
Newton Lake this evening at dusk - no Green Sandpipers but 10 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochards, 28 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Mute Swans and 2 Canada Geese!
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