Wednesday 27th May 2015

Weather;  Overcast with rain in the afternoon. Winds light F2 W- NW.



Around 5,000 Dunlin were on the sands today between Dove point and the western groyne along with around 300 Ringed Plover and 50 Sanderling. The Dunlin passing through the Wirral to all points north through the spring comprise of several different races. The taxonomic position of these races is at present in a state of massive flux with recent studies indicating the racial composition is not what it was previously thought to be. It is far too complex an issue to be addressed here but to simplify matters birds from the north-west of the range starting from Greenland are smaller, duller, and with smaller bills than those to the east. The further east the larger, more rufous above, and longer billed they get, and the darker and better defined their belly patch becomes.

A very large billed and bulky Dunlin. Note the very rufous mantle and well defined belly shield. Birds of this build and colour are now thought to originate from north east Siberia. Their racial identity is under debate and such individuals are currently known as 'centralis types'   (photo JET)

Mark and Jane Turner have been studying the Wirral Dunlins extensively and have observed some interesting individuals amongst today's migrants.(photos attached)

A very small, grey and short billed Dunlin with ill defined belly patch probably from the Greenland population. Race currently known as arctica.  (photo MGT)

A large, long billed Dunlin probably from the East Siberian population. (bird furthest to the left) Note the broad Sanderling-type wing bar on this bird compared to the others, another feature of this population.  (photo MGT)

A massive-billed, bulky and rufous Dunlin probably of the east Siberian population. Note also the greater size difference as compared to the upper bird, which is from a population from much further west. The upper bird would once have been thought to be of the northern European schinzii race or possibly a poorly marked alpina.  The nature and extent of these races, however, is currently under debate.  (photo JET) 

Migrants today in the Leasowe area included a single late Tree Pipit flying west. 2 Sand Martins also flew west this morning and a single Wheatear was in the paddocks. There was also a movement of over 300 House Martins and 50 Swifts just ahead of this afternoon's rain front. A single Chiffchaff was seen to fly off  high to the east from coastal bushes this morning, obviously still on passage. It is a mystery where these regularly recorded late moving Chiffchaffs are en route to. (Many thanks to Mark and Jane Turner for their interesting input into today's blog)     

Observers MGT, JET, EW       

Friday 22nd May 2015

Weather; Warm but dull with low cloud. Wind F3 W to NW.


The low cloud, rather dull conditions and rather hazy visibility today may have encouraged a slightly larger and more varied arrival of late spring migrants than of late in the Leasowe area.

Around 10 Wheatears were present today in the paddocks and Meols Common areas. 3 Yellow Wagtails were also in the paddocks and a Whinchat flew in over the sea wall in the early afternoon and settled near the cinder track. On Park Lane a flock of around 50 House Martins hunted over the inland fields together with a few Swifts.

A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling from the fields just inland from the paddocks this afternoon. Hopefully at this rather late date this bird is not passing through and will stay to breed.

A single Spotted Flycatcher was new in on Lingham Lane near to Rose Cottage.

Waders were thin on the ground today, however, with only 8 Ringed Plover roosting over the tide in the paddocks and the western groyne apparently devoid of birds for once. Observers; AMC, CT, EW

Spotted Flycatcher,  Lingham Lane.   EW

   

Thursday 21st Mat 2015

Weather;  Mainly sunny with single shower at midday. Wind W F3.



With a brief respite in the constant and strong north-westerleys we have been having for the last few days migration resumed in the Leasowe area. 
3 Wheatears were new in on the horse paddocks. All large Greenland type birds, as is the norm this late in the spring. 
Many hirundines were in evidence this afternoon with a passage of around 50 Swallows following the embankment eastwards in small parties of between two and five birds. 7 Sand Martins also followed this route and around 60 House Martins moved eastwards mainly over the paddocks. A large mixed flock of around 60 Swallows, House and Sand Martins concentrated over the Birkett. 6 Swifts also moved east.
A party of 18 Ringed Plovers and 8 Dunlin roosted together in the flooded horse paddock over the high tide, with another 100 Dunlin and a few Sanderling on the groyne.
A pair of Willow Warblers are feeding young near the pond. Although a very common migrant here they only occasionally breed here.   Observers AMC EW

Wheatear.   EW

   

18 May 2015

Wind SW-6-8, overcast with squally showers. Sunny later

Blustery conditions today meant attention turned to a spring seawatch from Hoylake. With a late morning high tide and winds gusting to gale force 8 birds were on the move. The main highlights were over 200 Gannets most of which passed straight through but many could be watched plunge diving just yards off Hoylake Promonade. 23 Common Scoter were also recorded as were 12 Sandwich Terns, 3 Commic Tern,  3 Fulmar, 45 Manx Shearwater and a Bonxie. 

The video clip filmed with an iphone and scope gives an indication of just how close the Gannets were today.

Waders today included 4000 Dunlin, 100 Sanderling, 34 Ringed Plover, 200 Knot, 56 Grey Plover and unusually a fly over Black tailed Godwit.

With the winds strengthening  and moving round to the Northwest over night tomorrow may be an even better day for a North Wirral Sea Watch?!

AMC 

Friday 15th May 2015

Weather;  Clear day with much sunshine. Winds light SE-SW F2



Today's highlight was the discovery of a Turtle Dove this morning in the horse paddock off Lingham Lane to the rear of Greenacre's Cottage. It showed well for most of the day at this location and is still present there at the time of writing. The bird was found independently  by  Lighthouse regulars Allan C and Don M.
Once a regular migrant and breeding bird on the Wirral, as in many areas, it has declined to the point at which it is now a County rarity of less than annual occurrence. The last Turtle Dove at Leasowe was also on Lingham Lane, in October 2013.

Other migrants at Leasowe included two Spotted Flycatchers, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat in the Lingham Lane area and 4 Wheatears in the Meols Common area.

Offshore were small numbers of Great Crested Grebes, Common and Sandwich Terns and 4 Common Scoter. A group of 5 Whimbrel were offshore at the Leasowe Castle Hotel.

Adult Turtle Dove, Lingham Lane  (Tim Kinch)

Turtle Dove at Lingham Lane.   (Stephen Williams)

 


     

12th May 2015

Weather: W/SW-7, sunny.

Another extremely windy day across North Wirral with gusts of 7-8 recorded late afternoon. Although suprisingly no Skuas Skuas were recorded there was a reasonable amount of offshore activity. A single Kittiwake battled its way into Liverpool bay were 12 Common Tern were fishing. Also offshore 22 Gannet were also recorded whilst several sub adult Gulls were in the 'dips' at New Brighton.

Passerine activity around the Lighthouse was hampered by the blustery conditions however 20 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat and 4 Spotted Flycatcher werestill found taking shelter along the nature trail and in the horse paddocks.

With unfavourable tides this week for wader watching the gutter below the sea defence is always worth checking at this time of year for waders taking a break from their northward migration.  Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper and an 'Icelandic' Redshank were observed among the rock pools late afternoon.

AMC, KD

Common Sandpiper (AMC)

Dunlin (AMC)

Monday 11th May 2015

Weather; Clear and sunny. Wind brisk W-SW F4 


Offshore at Leasowe today were 50 Gannets and 2 Sandwich Terns while 2 Whimbrel, 1,000 Dunlin and 50 Ringed Plover were on the sandflats.

In spite of the clear conditions and brisk westerly wind there was a decent arrival of migrants in the Leasowe lighthouse area. 26 Wheatears were logged, mainly around the paddocks and on the embankment. There was also a good count of 9 Spotted Flycatchers, the highest count by far this year. Most birds were in the duck pond, nature trail and Park Lane areas. The strong wind kept them very low and allowed for great viewing conditions.

Other migrants seen today included a single Whinchat, 6 Willow Warblers and a smart Yellow Wagtail which gave great views off Lingham Lane.

Yellow Wagtail.    AMC

Spotted Flycatcher.    EW

There was some overhead movement which included 2 Swifts, 12 Sand Martins, 15 House Martins and 30 Swallows. The majority of these birds flew westward. 5 Siskins also flew west. They have been in short supply this spring. Observers AMC, DH, MGT, EW.

Wheatear.   AMC