Thursday 11th September 23014

Weather;  Warm and sunny. Light easterly winds becoming variable later.


In the Leasowe lighthouse area a party of 4 Greenshank and a Common Snipe were together in the area of the groyne on the flood tide. Good numbers of Redshank, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Sanderling roosted on the groyne over the high tide period together with a single Little Stint.
As regards passerine migration the day started very quietly with just 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Grey Wagtails overhead. In the early afternoon there was a small change in from fairly clear, sunny weather to slightly more cloudy and hazy conditions. The wind also became variable, swinging briefly to the west. This subtle change may have prompted a small fall of migrants consisting mainly of Chiffchaffs, with 7 birds appearing together in willows near the western kissing gate and at least another 15 along the nature trail. Other arrivals included 6 more Grey Wagtails, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler and a Tree Sparrow. The last species is barely annual here.

 stevenround-birdphotography.blogspot.com

A Kingfisher was seen at Lingham bridge. Observers AnC, SR, MGT, EW. 

Dunlin and Sanderling    EW  

8th September 2014

Weather: NW-3, mild and overcast.

The high tides this week are conducive to wader watching at Hoylake and today's highlights included 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint and 11 Bar tailed Godwit with some in summer plumage. 

Migrants at the Lighthouse were fairly numerous given the North Westerlies. At Lingham bridge there were at least 4 Blackcaps feeding in the Riverside Elder bush. Seven Goldcrest  fed in Sycamores was an increase compared to previous days numbers along with several Chiffchaff.

Seven Wheatear and 1 Whinchat were in the paddocks mid afternoon when there was a light Hirrundine passage south.

KD and SRW

Photo KD

Wheatear (KD)

6th September 2014

Weather: NW-3 early rain with sun later.

Yesterdays Wryneck had departed overnight having last been seen at approximately 19.30 in the same place it was first discovered at 14.15. Despite the Northwesterly winds, migrants continued to push through. A Whinchat and 12 Wheatear in the inland fields were new in whilst Lingham Lane held a Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff (3), Blackcap (1) and Garden Warbler (2). A single Whitethroat was discovered near the eastern kissing gate.

Other birds seen today included two Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Curlew Sandpipers on Hoylake shore.

AMC, KD, DH and SRW

WRYNECK !

Weather: NE/NW variable, warm and sunny

A Lighthouse and Wirral MEGA was found near the western kissing gate mid afternoon by Lighthouse stalwarts Kenny D and Eddie W. This time a stunning Wryneck was discovered feeding on the inland path that runs between the eastern and western kissing gates. This is our second Wryneck at the Lighthouse, the last one being recorded on 14th September 2010. Today's bird was found within 500m of the last one which coincidentally was also found by Kenny D.

The arrival of this great Wirral bird was part of a larger arrival of migrants at the Lighthouse  including Yellow Wagtail (2), Tree Pipit (1), Whinchat (1) Redstart (1) Spotted Flycatcher (1), Blackcap (5). Other passage birds overhead were Snipe (11) Grey Wagtail (7) Meadow Pipit (34) and Sparrowhawk (3).

Other birds seen today included Great spotted Woodpecker, Grey Plover 174,  Sanderling (97) Ringed Plover (157),  Knot (212) and 31 Sandwich Tern.

With the High pressure system remaining over Scandinavia and the near continent until next week , we look forward to the next 'biggy'

AMC, KD, AEH, DH, JJ AT,CT, MGT,  EW and SRW

Photo AMC and KD

Wryneck (AMC)

Wryneck (KD)

Redstart (KD)

4th September 2014

Weather: E/NE-2, warm and sunny

A much quieter day today than of late with  few grounded migrants. Singles of Blackcap and Wheatear were in Lingham Lane whilst  a Swift flew over the fisheries.Three Chiffchaff were also present.

Singles of Curlew Sandpiper and Greenshank were present at low water next to the groyne.

6 Med Gulls were recorded this evening with three chasing emerging antsi n the paddocks and a further three on the flood tide.

AMC, DH, CT and EW

Migrant Hawker at the Lighthouse pond (Les Hall)

South Easterlies !

Weather: SE-2. overcast and warm.

Many of yesterdays warblers had moved out overnight as numbers were clearly lower ; that said diversity remained high and again Lingham Lane was the place to be holding Blackcap (9), Garden Warbler (2), Lesser Whitethroat (2) Chiffchaff (5), Willow Warbler (1) and a  Goldcrest.  Numbers of Spotted Flycatchers remained with 2 at Lingham bridge and 2 between the kissing gates.

A Reed warbler gave a short burst of sub-song near the nature trail whilst a Water Rail was seen swimming along the River Birkett.

Overhead migration was steady with most birds heading South. By mid morning we had a number of species over including Snipe (2), Grey Wagtail (6) Siskin (1) Jay (1) Jackdaw (2) and a single Skylark.

As the heat of the day increased so the hatching of ants began and this saw a flock of approximately 500 Black headed Gulls all eagerly snapping them up. Amongst the flock two Mediterranean Gulls were picked out wheeling higher and higher with the ever increasing flock. Something smaller and darker was picked out amongst the flock getting ever higher. A Hobby ! Incredibly an adult hobby had joined the gull flock and was also catching ants. Only our second of the year the hobby eventually drifted off south but not before getting a couple of record shots.

Other birds today included large numbers of finches a Great spotted woodpecker and the regular Greenshank had been joined by an additional two juvenile birds at the groyne. 

AMC, KD,LH. DH, and EW

Hobby. This bird was very very high up so a record shot was the best that  could be achieved (AMC)

Getting higher ! (AMC)

Juvenile Willow Warbler  (AMC)

Spotted Flycatcher (KD)

Autumn Migration

Weather: NE/NE variable - 2, warm and sunny

The morning started quietly with just a few birds on the move and few grounded migrants. 2 Wheatears a Snipe overhead and the usual adult Mediterranean Gull on the foreshore was the best on offer. By late morning however, as the day warmed up so did the birding and it seemed every bush had something in it. 

With Blackcaps seemingly everywhere numbers were significantly higher than in recent days with most birds being recorded along Lingham Lane. Totals for the day were Blackcap (19), Garden Warbler (1) ,Whitethroat (2), Lesser Whitethroat(6), Willow Warbler (2), Chiffchaff (9) Goldcrest (4) Spotted Flycatcher (4) and Redstart(1).

Also on the move were 60 House Martins heading  south and a single Teal. In the horse paddocks the Wheatears had increased to seven by the end of the day.

Other birds present today included Great spotted Woodpecker , Buzzard (4), Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.

A fantastic day of migration enjoyed by all present and with the winds continuing from the east we remain hopeful for the coming days!!

AMC, KAD, DH and EW

All photo's AMC

Lesser Whitethroat

Male Redstart

The pale tips to the greater coverts show this is a 1st year bird

A stunning Hoylake sunset to end a fantastic day.