Photos:
White-fronted Geese (Russian) at Burton Mere Wetlands
Snow Bunting at Hoylake
16th November
HGF produced a nice surprise this morning with a pair of Bullfinches in the south hedge – a very rare visitor here. 18 Pied Wagtails were feeding in the south field and a flock of 77 Jackdaws flew over. One Goldeneye remains – the immature drake.
In Culcheth a single Corn Bunting was on the usual wires. In Rixton 4 Gadwall were new onto Moat Lane pools, along with 10 Tufted Ducks. Around the mosses, the 7500 Starlings were still around but split into three groups. One (500+) flew over towards Moss Side Lane. A flock of around 4000 was on the tip and around 3000 birds were lined up on telegraph wires at the top of Holly Bush Lane.
I checked the feeding station today and there was nothing around – not even a Collared Dove.
Late morning I headed back over to Burton Mere. I’ve been twice and didn’t much like either visit – why am I here? I know – it’s cold, grey and misty and windy and the centre is warm and has heating! Maybe my opinion will change.
There was sod all from the hide today, however the centre provided better fare. From here were 6 Whooper Swans, 13 Russian White-fronted Geese, 46 Snipe, 25 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff, 15 Dunlin and 7 Pintail plus a Nuthatch on the feeders. It was a pleasant way to hide from the cold.
I then headed up to Hoylake. Lots of waders on the shore, however they were distant and the wind was blowing my scope all over the place again. The Snow Bunting at Red Rocks provided welcome cheer though.
I then headed back homewards and popped in to Frodsham Marsh on the way. Walking up the path around No. 6 tank I glanced over to No. 5 tank as soon as it came into view and immediately spotted two Short-eared Owls. They tangled briefly before going their separate ways – in both cases off easterly over in the direction of the R Weaver. Two Buzzards were perched on the fence line at the northern end of this tank.
When I got to the northern end of No.6 tank and started scanning over towards No.3 tank I found another three Shorties – all doing circuits around this tank. A Peregrine also came over and I could see a large flock of Lapwings with some Golden Plover missed in though most of the flock was out of view.
There were lots of ducks and waders on No. 6 tank including a flock of 2000+ Dunlin, around 800 Teal, 4 Goldeneye, 4 Ruddy Ducks and a pair of Scaup. Three more Buzzards also appeared here. It was grey and bitterly cold and windy but very entertaining nonetheless!
17th November
The usual morning visit to HGF yielded little other than a covey of 30+ Grey Partridges and also the immature drake Goldeneye which looks like it is going to stay for a while.
Late afternoon I headed over to Risley Moss. Singles of Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen. The Tawny Owl nr the viewpoint started calling early and eventually 11 Woodcock and 6 Snipe came past. No owls tonight though.
18th November
At dusk I managed to get over to Waterworks Lane to see if anything was around the feeding station. Nothing there so next I checked the usual roost site. Seven Tree Sparrows were there – I wonder where the rest of the flock has gone? As I stood pondering this question a Great Crested Grebe flew low over my head – heading towards HGF. I suspect this would be a patch tick if I kept a list for Winwick (can’t be bothered).
HGF produced a nice surprise this morning with a pair of Bullfinches in the south hedge – a very rare visitor here. 18 Pied Wagtails were feeding in the south field and a flock of 77 Jackdaws flew over. One Goldeneye remains – the immature drake.
In Culcheth a single Corn Bunting was on the usual wires. In Rixton 4 Gadwall were new onto Moat Lane pools, along with 10 Tufted Ducks. Around the mosses, the 7500 Starlings were still around but split into three groups. One (500+) flew over towards Moss Side Lane. A flock of around 4000 was on the tip and around 3000 birds were lined up on telegraph wires at the top of Holly Bush Lane.
I checked the feeding station today and there was nothing around – not even a Collared Dove.
Late morning I headed back over to Burton Mere. I’ve been twice and didn’t much like either visit – why am I here? I know – it’s cold, grey and misty and windy and the centre is warm and has heating! Maybe my opinion will change.
There was sod all from the hide today, however the centre provided better fare. From here were 6 Whooper Swans, 13 Russian White-fronted Geese, 46 Snipe, 25 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff, 15 Dunlin and 7 Pintail plus a Nuthatch on the feeders. It was a pleasant way to hide from the cold.
I then headed up to Hoylake. Lots of waders on the shore, however they were distant and the wind was blowing my scope all over the place again. The Snow Bunting at Red Rocks provided welcome cheer though.
I then headed back homewards and popped in to Frodsham Marsh on the way. Walking up the path around No. 6 tank I glanced over to No. 5 tank as soon as it came into view and immediately spotted two Short-eared Owls. They tangled briefly before going their separate ways – in both cases off easterly over in the direction of the R Weaver. Two Buzzards were perched on the fence line at the northern end of this tank.
When I got to the northern end of No.6 tank and started scanning over towards No.3 tank I found another three Shorties – all doing circuits around this tank. A Peregrine also came over and I could see a large flock of Lapwings with some Golden Plover missed in though most of the flock was out of view.
There were lots of ducks and waders on No. 6 tank including a flock of 2000+ Dunlin, around 800 Teal, 4 Goldeneye, 4 Ruddy Ducks and a pair of Scaup. Three more Buzzards also appeared here. It was grey and bitterly cold and windy but very entertaining nonetheless!
17th November
The usual morning visit to HGF yielded little other than a covey of 30+ Grey Partridges and also the immature drake Goldeneye which looks like it is going to stay for a while.
Late afternoon I headed over to Risley Moss. Singles of Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen. The Tawny Owl nr the viewpoint started calling early and eventually 11 Woodcock and 6 Snipe came past. No owls tonight though.
18th November
At dusk I managed to get over to Waterworks Lane to see if anything was around the feeding station. Nothing there so next I checked the usual roost site. Seven Tree Sparrows were there – I wonder where the rest of the flock has gone? As I stood pondering this question a Great Crested Grebe flew low over my head – heading towards HGF. I suspect this would be a patch tick if I kept a list for Winwick (can’t be bothered).
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