Memories

I first visited Martin Mere about 35 or 36 years ago, around about this time of year, with a few school friends and a couple of teachers; the latter were both extremely influential and encouraged me in my formative birding years. My over-riding memory from that day was walking into the then named Millers Bridge hide to the sight of my first ever Marsh Harrier quartering the marsh less than 50 metres away. It is a memory that has stayed with me ever since - along with the faces of some adult birders who were less than impressed with half a dozen or so over excited schoolboys.

I didn't really visit again until I could drive seven or eight years later, and since then I have visited more or less every year. As with any reserve some visits are great, some are average and some are...forgettable. This time of year is when I would be expecting a good day, and thankfully, my visit today was on the good side of average even though the weather was distinctly not.

The view from the Ron Barker hide this morning: Grim.

As always, I headed straight for the old Millers Bridge Hide, now called the Ron Barker hide. I guess its a habit that links back to that very first visit and today, incredibly, was an almost exact replica of that day 35 years ago. As I walked in to the top level of the hide, there in front of me, less than 50 metres away was a cream capped Marsh Harrier! Sadly I wasn't quick enough with the camera. It wasn't the only one though, a total of four were seen, and I had three in view at the same time at one point. Sadly all bit distant for the camera though. I really must get some sort of digiscope attachment.

Masses of Pink-footed Geese were moving onto and around the reserve along with plenty of Whooper Swans which are here in bigger numbers than those seen by the Autumn watch crew at WWT Caerlaverock recently. As always Teal were here in their hundreds and I grilled every one checking for a Green-winged, ultimately without success. Another birder informed me that one had been present which just annoyed me as I couldn't find it!

Whooper Swan

After an hour or so I moved round to the other hides overlooking the main mere. I always find this a bit of a strange experience as its difficult to keep in mind that the birds here are wild. The feeding encourages birds to within feet of the hides and its not just the ubiquitous Mallard. Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, Pochard. All down to a few feet away. What was obvious today was the lack of the latter species, reflecting the recent news that Pochard populations seem to be crashing. I always remember the Mere being stuffed with this handsome diving duck. There was also good numbers of Ruff around the edges and quite a few Greylag Geese, a few of which were wearing neck collars.

The Mere, at Martin Mere

Thankfully my favourite and second favourite ducks were both present. Pintail, my second favourite, were around in small numbers but sadly too far away for a photo. My favourite duck did come close enough though!

Wigeon - males

Wigeon - male and female

Wigeon female -

The head shape of this species shown clearly here is something I find really useful in identifying distant birds.

I absolutely love Wigeon. It's my favourite duck. I love their plumage - both sexes are beautiful; the female is just so subtle and the combination of colours on the males is stunning - cream, chestnut, grey, black and white shouldn't really work though should it? I love their calls too. The whistle is evocative of coastal marshes and is a quintessential sound of winter on the coast, and the growl of the female always surprises me even though I know it well. I even love their shape. They just seem better proportioned than other ducks, and their head shape is so distinctive you can identify a wigeon miles away without any plumage detail being visible.

I finished the day with a visit to the Harrier Hide, which is always a disappointment for some reason, and today was no exception, and then onto the United Utilities Hide. This last hide provided no new day ticks, but I did get more excellent views of Marsh Harriers and Pink-feet before the rain came back and I decided to call it a day.

Martin Mere is a fantastic reserve. Well worth a visit, especially if you take in the wildfowl collection. For wild birds autumn and winter is best, in my opinion. I have yet to do one of the swans by floodlight events, but imagine that on its own would be worth the entry fee.

Great few days, but my timing is awful!

I spent Wednesday to Friday this week with a friend of mine at Spurn Bird Observatory, a place I visit regularly, but not often enough.

Last Sunday I was getting quite excited, there were good birds at Spurn, and the weather forecast was looking good for a fall of birds sometime around Tuesday or  Wednesday. By Tuesday evening the picture had changed and although the weather forecast was for a pleasant few days, it didn't look great for birds.

When we arrived at around 08.30 the area was covered in a thick fog and visibility was down to a few hundred metres. Thankfully it soon lifted and the day turned out to be pleasant both weather and bird wise. A walk around the triangle produced a few Ring Ouzels and my first Fieldfares of the year. There were plenty Goldcrests and a few Chiffchaffs and Yellow-browed Warblers, although we didn't catch up with any of the latter. After lunch we headed out to the riding school to try to see the Red-backed Shrike that had been reported. Thankfully we were successful and managed to see this bird less than 200m or so from where I saw my first ever adult male Red-backed Shrike in the UK about 15 years ago. Later that evening after we had basically put our feet up for the day, a call came out on the radio that there was a Red-footed Falcon over Clubleys field at the back of the Warren Cottage. It took me about 40 seconds to grab my bins and slip my boots on and get outside, but it wasn't quick enough. Thankfully a minute later it was reported again just up the road in Church field, perched on wires. We jumped into the car and shot off up the road, along with other birders staying at the Obs. Just as we got to where the bird had been seen, news came out that it had moved on again. I decided to turn us back round and head back towards the Warren as most things at Spurn are moving South. Just past Southfield Farm we saw a regular Spurn Birder pulled over near 'Walker Butts' so stopped to see if he had seen anything. Sadly he hadn't but we stood chatting for a few minutes discussing likely options. A second Spurn regular was sat in his van just behind us. The first birder decided to call time and move on to look elsewhere, but we resolved to give it a bit longer. I was glad we did. Literally two minutes later, I turned around to see the Red-footed Falcon sweep over the other birders van, across the road and out over Walker Butts. I quickly put it out onto the radio which resulted in a scramble of birders back to where we were stood. It was reported again moments later quite a way north, but moving back south, but it then disappeared. Sadly, despite several sightings of 'small' falcons' there was no further confirmed sighting that day. However for me and my mate it was a great end to the day.

Day two started bright and chilly, and we decided to start with some 'vis - migging' at 'Numpties'. If you don't know what 'vis-migging' is, it is basically short for visible migration watching, where you stand and count the migrating birds passing over a particular point.

There were good numbers of common birds moving, and we also had Lapland Bunting and Richard's Pipit. The best bit though was when the Observatory Warden shouted that he had caught a Firecrest and would be releasing it after ringing it. These birds are stunning little creatures as you can see below.

Firecrest

The day did become somewhat less productive though, and we ended up spending about two hours in the afternoon looking for a Barred Warbler with 15 - 20 other birders. I saw its bill!

We started our final day by 'vis-migging' again at Numpties. We were out at first light and witnessed a beautiful sunrise.

 Sunrise at Numpties

Despite unsuccesfully chasing a Little Bunting the site was quiet for birds, but crawling with people, so we decided to call it a day and head home. A few of the regulars were kind enough to point out that the weather looked excellent for weekend and into next week. I thanked them for their information!!!! Spurn is a wonderful site, and the work that the Observatory do is brilliant. At the moment they are trying to secure funding to help them with the purchase of a new Observatory building, as the current one is at risk of disappearing into the sea, and is also a touch too small. Please visit the Spurn Bird Observatory Website to see how you can help them achieve this if you feel able and inclined.

The Wiggin Tree

The Wiggin Tree, aka the Rowan, Mountain Ash or Sorbus aucuparia is one of my favourite trees.

It may not have the stature of the Oak or the Ash. It doesn't support the great number of invertebrates that the Oak does, and its wood is not, as far as I'm aware used to create products such as the Willow (cricket bats) or the Yew (longbow). But, the change that it undergoes in autumn is, in my opinion subtle but stunning and one of the best of any tree. The greens, golds and browns contrast so beautifully with the vivid red of the berries.

The Wiggin Tree

Not only that of course, but it has links to my home town of Wigan. It appears on the town's crest as well as on the badge of my beloved Wigan Athletic. Reason enough to like it if there were no others.
At the moment young Wiggin Trees are obvious all around my usual dog walking route. I'm hoping that the good berry crop will attract plenty of winter thrushes to give me something else to enjoy once the autumn colours have faded.

Lancashire Coastline

I booked a day off last Friday with the intention of spending day over on the east coast, Flamborough Head specifically. Unfortunately the weather gods were against me, and the idea of sitting in the car for 2 1/2 hours to spend a day on the east coast in westerly winds was, well, not attractive.

So, in the end I went for a trip onto the Lancashire coast instead.

I started the day at a new spot - Pilling on the north coast of the Fylde, overlooking Morecambe Bay.

Looking out onto the saltmarsh at Pilling. Heysham Nuclear power station is visible over my scope.

High tide was forecast at 08:15, but it would only reach 7.5 metres so I wasn't expecting masses of birds close in. But I did expect a few birds moving around, and maybe a few Pink-footed Geese as this is a regular haunt with over 10,000 present during winter. I arrived at around 07:45 at the Environment Agency car park on Backsands Lane (a great little spot as you can bird from the back of your car, and its free) and got set up. Although it was bright it was more than a little chilly, and the NW wind was biting. It was also quiet. Very quiet. A few Curlew were close in, and four Little Egrets were nice to see - it still amazes me that these birds are now relatively easy to see - when I did the annual bird race in Lancashire in 2003, a Little Egret was a real bonus. Anyway, there were a few pink-feet, 10 to be precise, plus another 22 over southbound, which were the first of the autumn for me. At one point I had 10 pinks in the 'scope, a Swallow over their heads and Chiffchaff singing in the tree behind me. Quite a strange mix. 580 Shelduck and 1000+ Teal gave me something to count, but most things were so distant, and the haze so bad I decided to call it a day after 1 1/2 hours.

So, I headed off back towards home, but with a detour off to Marshside RSPB. On arrival I went straight to the main hide/visitor centre to check the log. It was telling that there was nothing - I mean nothing - visible from this hide. So, I walked across the road onto the marsh and found a spot out of the wind at the back of the old sand winning plant. Again the place was almost birdless.  A few Snipe and Lapwings were the first birds I noticed, followed again by 3 Little Egrets. I really hoped for a Peregrine or a Merlin but it wasn't to be. Instead I spent a very quiet but strangely rewarding hour watching the antics of the Lapwings and the Snipe and practicing my sketching skills. At 2pm, with nothing at all on Twitter I decided to knock it on the head and headed home. On the  plus side, there was nothing on the east coast either and so I saved myself a fair old drive and a few quid in diesel.

Bonelli's Warbler in Greater Manchester

Around 15.00 this afternoon I received a text from a friend telling me a Bonelli's Warbler (no one had confirmed whether it was eastern or western) had been found on Billinge Hill, about 15mins from my house. The original report stated the bird was in St Helens, but I know the county boundary runs along the top of Billinge Hill, so I was hopeful the bird would actually be in GM.

On arriving at the site it was absolutely teeming down, so I sat in the car for 10mins or so. The copse it was reported to be in was only a five minute walk from the car, and there were several birders already there looking for the bird. I met up with a couple of birders I know from St Helens, and had a good chinwag in the absence of the Bonelli's. The copse was mainly pine with only a few deciduous trees, and the gen was that the bird had moved through the copse, and probably off along a hedgerow leading north or east.

I left after an hour or so when the rain started again. Sadly it had not been relocated last time I heard, but it was confirmed the bird was in GM and not St Helens, Merseyside. It would be fantastic if it were re-found but especially if its in GM.

Delayed Holiday Post!!

I have just (well, two weeks ago now) returned from a wonderful family holiday in the Algarve, Portugal. We stayed in the Albufeira Sol in the 'new' bit of the town, and if anybody is thinking of staying there I can recommend it as a family hotel. The food was also excellent. As this was our annual family holiday I didn't try to do too much birding. That's often the case on our family holidays - usually I just end ip finding some suitable habitat nearby and birding there as a 'local patch' for a couple of weeks. This time unfortunately there was nothing really suitable nearby which was disappointing.

The saving grace however was the fact that we didn't have a pool view. In fact some would have been a bit miffed with the view that we had but I was well chuffed. As you can see in the photo's we were looking out over a rough patch with a few lime trees and scrubby bushes, and it was from our balcony that I did all my birding. Considering the limited opportunity I was more than happy with what I saw in a half hour or so each morning.

House sparrows and collared doves were ubiquitous. However the first good bird was a crested lark that perched up on the old farm buildings. This was swiftly followed by a good number of red-rumped swallows feeding around the villa opposite. Sardinian warblers seemed like they were in every bush. The two big highlights though were the appearance of 8 or so azure-winged magpies and a juvenile woodchat shrike in the lime trees. I had fantastic views of both, if a little distant. The red-rumped swallows came so close and were so numerous that I spent quite a bit of time studying the variable colouration of the rumps. Some 'rumps' do indeed look white (as per the field guide comments) whilst others are very definitely red. They are also quite different in their 'jizz' compared to barn swallows; I just hope I manage to remember that next time I'm at Spurn watching the swallows whizz past.

Rubbish shots of Red-rumped Swallow

When we were sat in the airport waiting to board the plane on the outbound journey, I received a text from a friend telling me he had found a sabine's gull at Pennington Flash - a local patch of mine. This bird would have been a patch tick as well as a borough and county tick for me so I was really gutted to have missed it, but made up for the finder. All the time I was in Portugal I was checking the news feeds and manchester birding website whenever I had WIFI access, and amazingly, the bird was hanging around. I was  hoping beyond hope it might just hang on until I returned. Remarkably it was still present the day I got home, so as soon as we dropped the cases off at home I grabbed my 'bins and shot off to Pennington Flash. I'm not generally a lover of gulls, but this little larid is a stunner, especially in flight. I only had a few minutes to watch it - a twitch and run visit. I had hoped to get back to grab some shots, but it left before I could return.

Red-footed Falcon in Staffs

I haven't done very much serious birding at all in the last few weeks. Typically its a quiet time of year for birds anyway (apart from the various national 'Mega's that have turned up this June and July!) and I've had loads on with the family. I have to admit I haven't even been keeping an eye one the twitter feeds so have been quite unaware of some of the better local birds. So, when a friend text me yesterday to see if I wanted to go for the Red-footed Falcon in Staffs I was a bit taken aback as I didn't even know there was one around. I was also slightly miffed as I had a day out planned with the family which I couldn't get out of.

Red-footed Falcons are stunning little birds, perhaps my favourite Falcon so I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to see one that was literally an hour away, I just had to go for it on Sunday (today) instead. Twitter confirmed the bird was still present at around 09.00 and I was on the road just after 10.00am. My Sat Nav was playing stupid games and after initially struggling to get it to work, it then sent me off at the wrong exit on at least three roundabouts. Thankfully nothing that caused any problems, but enough 'diversions' to get my temperature up! Anyway I arrived just after 11.00am and the number of cars confirmed the bird was probably still present, and sure enough after a 2 minute walk there it was. Hardly the most salubrious of locations, but an absolute cracking bird.

The bird showed really well all the time I was there, even coming to within a few feet at one point. The photo's above are phonescoped as the camera shots were just a bit distant. These were hand held and the light wasn't great either. Even so I'm quite pleased with the results.

A great bird for the year. Would love to find one on my own patch.

The Doldrums

Well, sort of.

I spent three days at Spurn Bird Observatory last week. It was a little later than I would normally visit, but given the spring has been so slow, and because a trip to Scotland had to be cancelled, I thought I'd give it a go.

The Warren Cottage

I arrived early Wednesday morning only to find the wind in the west and very few birds moving and no rarities hanging around. This pattern continued for the remainder of the week and about the best thing I saw was the inside of the Crown and Anchor, where I partook in a couple of pints of Timothy Taylor - the Crown really does serve a cracking pint.

In all seriousness I still loved every minute. It was great to catch up with friends who I only get to see two or three times a year, and actually, its still pleasure to spend time in the area. Just because it isn't producing spectacular visible migration or churning rarities out doesn't mean this place is any less worth a visit. There are plenty local birds here that aren't common on my local patch - there were some stunning looking waders on the Humber shore and the Black Brant put in an appearance. Little Terns and a few different sea birds were a change to my usual fayre and Cuckoos and Barn Owls, whilst not uncommon are always nice to see. A few butterflies such as Wall Brown put in an appearance as well to keep interest up. Typically though, the best bird waited until I'd left to put in an appearance. A juvenile/female type Golden Oriole turned up late on Friday afternoon. Providing I can get the brownie points in, I think I might try for a sneaky trip over in late June to catch the Swift passage before I make the usual trip in autumn. 

If you've never been to Spurn I can't recommend it enough. You can stay at the Warren Cottage for £14 per night (£10 if you are a friend of Spurn Bird Observatory). Its not the ritz but I love it and your money will go to supporting a great cause. Time it right and you will experience some of the best birding in the UK.

Moorland Stunner

Yesterday, I got a message saying a Red-throated Pipit had been found by a fellow Greater Manchester birder on the Greater Manchester/Derbyshire border at Ludworth Moor. This is a bird that I have long wanted to see, and the news that it was a full summer plumaged individual really had me straining at the leash to go. Unfortunately there were family duties that needed doing and by the time I was anywhere near able to go it was looking too late, as reports were saying it had flown off at 17.15.

I was gutted, especially as it had also been seen on the GM side of the border, and would have been another GM 'tick'. So, when news came that it had been re-found I was determined to get up to the moors to see it. Hence at 05.15 this morning I left home in a less than confident mood. It had been quite clear overnight and I honestly expected it to disappear. My fears were only made worse when I arrived at the site an hour later. A few birders were also just arriving, but one had been on site since first light and he had seen no sign. I passed an hour or so just watching the other birds that were around: plenty Wheatears, a Grasshopper Warbler and five Golden Plover flew over. But, the reported Meadow Pipit flock from the previous day was non existent. At around half past seven I decided to walk back to the road and walk along its border with the field as I could see a few more 'Mipits' knocking about, but 20 minutes or so proved fruitless. I walked back to the track and briefly spoke to two birders stood at the junction. I had just left them and walked through the gate back onto the track when they whistled to get my attention - they had found it! I whistled to the other birders up the track - I have no idea if they had heard me - before trying to get on the bird.

Eventually, after moving 50 -75 metres along the road I caught sight of it. It was creeping around in the Juncus Rush tussocks. Although I say creeping, it was moving surprisingly quickly and was really difficult to get onto. As soon as someone said it was in the open and gave directions it would move. But when I did get on it, it was an absolute stunner. Appropriately following my last post, I had forgotten my camera, so I was left to try and get a phonescoped shot. That was easier said than done because it was so active. I did manage it though and the best cropped images are below.

Yes they're rubbish, but they're a record of what I think is now one of my favourite birds. The illustrations in the field guides just do not do it justice. You can see some good photos of this species here though.

I have to say this 'twitch' was very different from some other twitches I've been to recently. Mainly because the number of birders with 'scopes outnumbered the number of photographers. Because of that there was very little 'competition' to get to the front of the crowd and people were just enjoying the bird. Yes, some were digiscoping, but most had already taken the time to look at the bird first.

Even better, I was back home for 09.00 and still in good books with the Mrs.

Things I learned today!

1. Birding in the 'uplands' can be boring

2. Birding in the 'uplands' is cold

3. I have neither the time or the patience to be a photographer

4. I may be turning into 'Victor Meldrew'

For uplands read the Pennines. That's where I decided to head this morning for a bit of birding. Specifically the area around Blackstone Edge and Light Hazzles reservoirs. My reasoning well, I know Twite frequent the area around Light Hazzles and I know that Dotterel have been recorded just south of this area on Axletree Edge in previous years. Its also not a million miles (as the Dotterel flies) from Pendle Hill. So, a little bit of an attempt at finding my own good birds.

I parked up at The Whitehouse at around 08.00 and was instantly glad I'd nipped back in for my hat and gloves before leaving home. The temperature on the car was showing 6 degrees, but there was a very stiff breeze blowing which made if feel much, much colder.

  

Blackstone Edge Reservoir

I was fairly sure as soon as I left the car that this was not going to be particularly productive. The wind was strengthening all the time and there was the odd spot of rain around, but I decided to crack on anyway. Unfortunately on a day like this, the moors are not as I like to think of them - full of purple heather and alive with the song of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. It was dead. And it was cold. Really cold. I didn't see a bird for at least 20 minutes and then it was only a Carrion Crow. I eventually spotted a single male Wheatear and then 15 minutes later a Reed Bunting! About three quarters of an hour in I came across a pair of Wheatears amongst a pile of boulders and decided to try and get a couple of photographs. After 5 minutes I was bored. Before 10 minutes were up I had packed it in and moved on. I would love to be able to post pictures of birds on this blog, but unless they decide to hop up in front of me, wait for me to get the camera out and then pose I'm afraid it wont happen. I'd suggest  you visit this blog if you want to see good pictures of birds on a regular basis.

A little further along the path are these large, exposed boulders. I was wondering whether these were anything to do with the name 'Blackstone Edge' as well as wondering if the black colouration was anything to do with the air pollution that affected the area during and after the industrial revolution.  Maybe, maybe not. However, I did notice that the large boulder had a poem engraved on it (below). Now, call me a whinger, call me daft, or indeed, call me Victor Meldrew, but this just feels wrong. If someone had done this in spray paint people would have been up in arms. Ironically I'd have been less bothered if it had been graffiti as it could be cleaned off  and I cant see spray paint lasting very long in the exposed environment up here anyway. The engraving is permanent - well 'ish'.

Later I took the dog out for a couple of hours round my local patch. It was still windy and properly wet, but I finally managed to give my Paramo Pajaro jacket a decent try out and it performed magnificently. If you are after a waterproof, comfortable jacket for birding I cant recommend this one enough. It might be a bit warm for summer use but it took a proper soaking today and still kept me warm and dry. Very happy with my purchase!!









We're Down!

Well, thats it. Two years after winning the FA cup my beloved Wigan Athletic FC are relegated to League 1 football. Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I surprised? No. The run of games under the last manager was dreadful. I don't understand why the chairman didn't sack him sooner but he must have had his reasons. Giving the new manager just six games to turn it around was never going to work, and it didn't. Still, lots of games in the immediate locality next year! Fleetwood away should be a blast!

Mixed Weekend

So, a bit of a mixed bag this weekend. Spent Saturday morning up on the moors above Horwich. The more time I spend up on these moors the more I enjoy them. Although this visit was not exactly fruitful from a bird perspective.

View from Georges Lane looking south

I was parked up by 06.30 and out of the car and walking along Georges Lane within 5 minutes. There was plenty of activity from the common birds, Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinches, Willow Warblers etc. Corvids were very noticeable as well. But, the passage I had hoped for was non existent . I didn't see a single bird flying over for the best part of an hour, and there was no sign of any Wheatears, Whinchats or the other passage migrants I was hoping for, so I decided to call it a day and move to a different part of the area. Just as I was walking back to the car I did have a single Redshank fly over north which was probably a tick for this site, and two Curlew back near the car was a nice sight. They're common enough birds but I love seeing them in their breeding habitat.

Burnt Edge and Holdens Farm with the mast in the distance

Burnt Edge, Walker Fold and Holdens Farm and Plantation together form one of my favourite areas of the moors. There is some great habitat, its relatively quiet and best of all there is a convenient bench above the valley that allows you to sit in comfort and scope the entire area, whilst still being well placed to spot any passage happening. Unfortunately not this time, and a single Wheatear at the back of Slack Hall farm was the only one in the area. After half an hour I decided to move on again and managed to find another Wheatear along the road back to the car park. Just after seeing this bird, the rain started and I decided to call it a day.

Sunday morning and just as I was getting ready to take No1 son to his football I got a text telling me about a Hoopoe in Royton near Oldham. Now, Ive seen Hoopoes before in this country and abroad. Last October I had one down to six feet. But this one was in Greater Manchester and would take me to 200 species in the county. I couldn't not do the football, but at 1pm I was Royton bound. On arrival there were maybe 15 birders in what can only be described at the most un-birdy place Ive ever been birding. Basically a street on a housing estate, albeit with very nice houses. The bird was feeding on a back lawn and was out of sight, but after about 2 hours on site it eventually showed and species 200 for GM was in the bag. I have to say the residents were extremely understanding and even came out with regular updates on what the bird was doing in the gardens. One guy let people in, but as soon as they looked over the fence the bird flushed. But, I don't care I saw it. Bad news - I forgot my camera.

Raptor Heaven

I spent a fantastic day on Friday at a place that I have visited a couple of times now. Unfortunately I don't want to say where it is because of the potential risk of people persecuting the birds I went to see.

Anyway, it was quite an early start to try to beat the traffic, and I was picking up a friend en-route to another friends house so we could car share and save a bit on the costs. As it happened we managed really good time and were on site a little after 08.00. Too early in some respects, particularly for raptors, but perfect timing for the eclipse! The cloud cover was mixed, but actually made it better for photography - when there was no cloud it was simply too bright to get a decent shot. However, as you can see below, once the right amount of cloud covered the sun we got some great shots (for me anyway). The pictures below are in time order, top to bottom, for the height of the eclipse.

It was quite eerie at the height of the eclipse, and birds definitely went quiet for a brief time. But it was great to be out in the countryside to experience it.

As for the birds, well, once again I had a great day here. Siskin were plentiful as were Chaffinches. The odd Goldcrest and Redpoll were heard and I did pick up on one or maybe two Crossbills. However the main target for the day were the raptors and we weren't disappointed. Buzzards were seen regularly all across the area. We also had a couple of Kestrels and Sparrowhawks. There was one small falcon that left us slightly confused. Its behaviour suggested Kestrel, but it didn't hover in the exact same way and it looked much smaller and shorter tailed. The distance that we were viewing at didn't help, but I'm counting it as a Merlin. However the star of the show was the Goshawk. We had two birds. Again one very distant but one that gave brilliant views as it flew from one side of the lake to the other. This bird is a great example of that well known saying that birders often use - 'you'll know one when you see one'. It is completely different from any Sparrowhawk. Deep chested, broad hipped, different feel altogether from its close relative.

Its a pity that I don't feel able to say, in public, where this location is. Its a great place to visit and I've seen Goshawk here every time I've been, along with a number of other raptor species. As I mentioned above, there are unfortunately too many people out there that would use the information for the wrong purpose.

Wirral High Tide

I've been spending a bit of time on the Wirral recently. Last Saturday I went to see the Laughing Gull at New Brighton Marine Lake. A new species for me and quite a distinctive one for a 'gull'. I even managed to pick it out with just the Bins from the other end of the lake which is pretty good for me given my dislike of Larids! I would even go as far as to say its actually quite an attractive gull, and it was a lifer so a double bonus. Unfortunately my camera batteries ran out and the photo from the phone wasn't even worth posting.

I also went to Burton Mere Wetlands, which is the 'new' RSPB reserve on the south western shore of the Wirral. Its quite an attractive place, but I can't think of anything you wouldn't see out on the estuary itself without the annoyance of large groups taking over the hides and generally being disruptive. I think I am just becoming less tolerant in my middle age. The thing is I wouldn't mind if these were kids or even families, but they're not. They tend to be the 'older' age groups and they really should know better as they seem to be quite experienced. At least you'd assume so given the amount they must spend on their optics and clothing.

Anyway. I was back again today at Meols for the high tide. It was much quieter - for birds and people!

The expected species were on show and the only 'unusual' thing was a Glaucous Gull that I noticed immediately on getting out of the car. Unfortunately it moved off pretty quickly and when another birder came along it had long gone.

Most birds were quite distant, and the haze wasn't great but it was possible to see quite a number of Common Scoter whizzing around. Waders were in short supply though, with just a few Knot, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatchers. As you can see below, these were quite distant - these shots were on full 20x zoom.

So, I headed off to West Kirby to see if that was any better. Unfortunately it was really busy with walkers, windsurfers etc so birds were in even shorter supply. So what was supposed to be a full day ended up just a few hours instead, but still enjoyable.

Try Again

Well my attempts at a blog have once again been poor to say the least. In my defence shortly after my last post I went through some fairly significant changes at home. Life changing stuff, and everything is only just about now getting back to normal. 

I'm looking forward to doing plenty birding this year, and hopefully posting quite a few entries with some good birds.