Tuesday 12th April 2016

Weather; Drizzle early becoming clearer and brighter later. Wind W F2

The main feature of the day was the first big hirundine passage of the spring in the lighthouse area. As usual most passage was west to east along the embankment and the paddocks inland from it. Swallows totalled over 160 birds although passage tailed off after lunchtime. Sand Martins, however, continued passing through in small parties right through the day with the total number logged at 126 birds. Good numbers of Meadow Pipits, around 130, were also passing throughout the day. A flock of 650 Knot flew high to the east and 2 Redpolls headed east over Meols common. 3 Jays flew west.

Grounded migrants included 33 Wheatears, 14 Chiffchaffs, 9 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcaps and 2 Goldcrests. There was also a small arrival of around 20 Reed Buntings in addition to the resident birds. A Kingfisher was seen along the nature trail and also at the duckpond.

Blackcap on Lingham Lane.      EW

A Short-eared Owl showed up late afternoon in the area around the lighthouse itself, whist a White Wagtail dropped into paddocks. Of non birding interest was some interesting bracket fungi identified by Graham Connolly as Turkey Tail Fungi.  Observers GC, DH, TK, CT, EW

White Wagtail (Tim Kinch)

SEO (Tim Kinch)

Turkey Tail Fungi (Graham Connolly)