A quiet day today however good light gave some great photographic opportunities including the resident Greenshank at 'Greenshank Groyne' and the adult Mediterranean Gull on the embankment at Leasowe
Photo's Andy Thomas
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Saturday, 30 November 2013
30th November 2013
Weather: W-2, Warm and sunny
A quiet day today however good light gave some great photographic opportunities including the resident Greenshank at 'Greenshank Groyne' and the adult Mediterranean Gull on the embankment at Leasowe
Photo's Andy Thomas
.
A quiet day today however good light gave some great photographic opportunities including the resident Greenshank at 'Greenshank Groyne' and the adult Mediterranean Gull on the embankment at Leasowe
Photo's Andy Thomas
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Thursday, 28 November 2013
28th November 2013
Weather: W - 2, mild and overcast
An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the shore opposite the cafe car park whilst the elusive Kingfisher could be found on the River Birkett, viewed from Lingham Bridge, Lingham Lane.
A small influx of Stonechat included a pair west of Leasowe golf club and another pair on the sea defence at Leasowe Bay.
An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the shore opposite the cafe car park whilst the elusive Kingfisher could be found on the River Birkett, viewed from Lingham Bridge, Lingham Lane.
A small influx of Stonechat included a pair west of Leasowe golf club and another pair on the sea defence at Leasowe Bay.
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| (AMC) |
Sunday, 24 November 2013
22-24th November 2013
Weather: NE 2 ; Mild and sunny
As expected at this time of year, it has been relatively quiet at the Lighthouse of late and there seems to be little doubt all summer migrants have long gone. The resident Kestrel hunts the coastal fields and paddocks which are also used as a high tide roost for up to 50 Curlew.
With a light North easterly prevailing a few finches moved through including, Chaffinch (12), Goldfinch (8), Bullfinch (1) whilst the Linnet flock has somewhat reduced to approximately 30 birds, perhaps moving south for the winter themselves. A number of Reed Bunting are still present including the one below that posed for the camera in the late Autumn sunshine.
As expected at this time of year, it has been relatively quiet at the Lighthouse of late and there seems to be little doubt all summer migrants have long gone. The resident Kestrel hunts the coastal fields and paddocks which are also used as a high tide roost for up to 50 Curlew.
With a light North easterly prevailing a few finches moved through including, Chaffinch (12), Goldfinch (8), Bullfinch (1) whilst the Linnet flock has somewhat reduced to approximately 30 birds, perhaps moving south for the winter themselves. A number of Reed Bunting are still present including the one below that posed for the camera in the late Autumn sunshine.
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| Black headed Gull well on its way into summer plumage |
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
20th November 2013
Weather: NW; 7-8, squally showers. cold
The cold Arctic front arrived with vengeance today and it was cold ! Large numbers of waders were roosting on Hoylake Shore and the Gull roost held at least one Yellow legged Gull amongst the 1000 or so Herring Gulls.
There was little movement offshore with a single Gannet and a couple of Diver Spp maintaining interest. Wildfowl were on the move however with Common Scoter (40), Pintail (4), Wigeon (2) and Teal (1) , all logged on the flood tide.
The cold Arctic front arrived with vengeance today and it was cold ! Large numbers of waders were roosting on Hoylake Shore and the Gull roost held at least one Yellow legged Gull amongst the 1000 or so Herring Gulls.
There was little movement offshore with a single Gannet and a couple of Diver Spp maintaining interest. Wildfowl were on the move however with Common Scoter (40), Pintail (4), Wigeon (2) and Teal (1) , all logged on the flood tide.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
12th November 2013
Weather: W/NW - 5, clear and sunny
Several Goldcrest and Blackbirds remained in the coastal bushes today. With a biting wind the L:innet flock remained low in the horse paddocks whilst several Little Egrets fed in the tidal gutters. A cold 10 minutes was spent counting the individual Lapwings in the wintering flock. 324 were recorded, the highest count of the winter so far.
Away from Hilbre, Brent Goose is fairly scarce on the Wirrral , so it was nice to find two Dark bellied Brents ( Branta bernicla bernicla) loafing in the tidal gutter below the sea defence just east of the Lighthouse car park.
Several Goldcrest and Blackbirds remained in the coastal bushes today. With a biting wind the L:innet flock remained low in the horse paddocks whilst several Little Egrets fed in the tidal gutters. A cold 10 minutes was spent counting the individual Lapwings in the wintering flock. 324 were recorded, the highest count of the winter so far.
Away from Hilbre, Brent Goose is fairly scarce on the Wirrral , so it was nice to find two Dark bellied Brents ( Branta bernicla bernicla) loafing in the tidal gutter below the sea defence just east of the Lighthouse car park.
Monday, 11 November 2013
10th November 2013
Weather: NW-2, warm, clear and sunny
Fewer birds today at the Lighthouse with small flocks of Skylarks moving south. 2 Blackcap and a couple of Goldcrest were new in at Lingham Lane. The wintering Lapwing flock is now at 200 and they can be found roosting on the beach during low water.
Bird of the day however goes to a stunning FIRECREST. Picked up on call it was eventually caught and ringed in a West Kirby garden. These little gems often slip through unnoticed at this time of year. A great find by Alan Hitchmough and one that certainly brightened up a quiet November morning.
Fewer birds today at the Lighthouse with small flocks of Skylarks moving south. 2 Blackcap and a couple of Goldcrest were new in at Lingham Lane. The wintering Lapwing flock is now at 200 and they can be found roosting on the beach during low water.
Bird of the day however goes to a stunning FIRECREST. Picked up on call it was eventually caught and ringed in a West Kirby garden. These little gems often slip through unnoticed at this time of year. A great find by Alan Hitchmough and one that certainly brightened up a quiet November morning.
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| Female Firecrest. Photo AEH |
Thursday, 7 November 2013
07th November 2013
Weather: SW-2, Sunny and clear
Passerines on the move included 15 Goldcrest and 2 Fieldfare at the Lighthouse where a roving 'tit flock' could be found in the coastal sallows. Gannet (62), Great crested Grebe (31) and Razorbill (1) were also recorded offshore from the Lighthouse. Further west at Hoylake at leastr 10 Red throated Diver , 2 Red breasted Merganser and 29 Common Scoter were offshore over the High Tide.
Wader interest included 11 Little Egret feeding in the tidal gutters west of the Lighouse and the wintering Greenshank remained at 'Greenshank Groyne' this evening. One little Egret ha colour rings. The origin of this bird is being researched and will hopefully be reported soon.
A late summer plumaged Grey Plover was a striking bird amongst the drabber winter plumaged birds.
Passerines on the move included 15 Goldcrest and 2 Fieldfare at the Lighthouse where a roving 'tit flock' could be found in the coastal sallows. Gannet (62), Great crested Grebe (31) and Razorbill (1) were also recorded offshore from the Lighthouse. Further west at Hoylake at leastr 10 Red throated Diver , 2 Red breasted Merganser and 29 Common Scoter were offshore over the High Tide.
Wader interest included 11 Little Egret feeding in the tidal gutters west of the Lighouse and the wintering Greenshank remained at 'Greenshank Groyne' this evening. One little Egret ha colour rings. The origin of this bird is being researched and will hopefully be reported soon.
A late summer plumaged Grey Plover was a striking bird amongst the drabber winter plumaged birds.
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