Friday 19th August 2016

Weather; Heavy showers throughout the day. Wind SE F3-4

3 Black Terns were in the Tern roost at Meols over the high tide along with larger numbers of Sandwich, Common and Little Terns.

Late Swifts continue to trickle through with 3 logged over the lighthouse area by observers keen enough to brave the elements.

The bad early morning weather coupled with easterly winds did encourage other new migrant arrivals to

Whinchat at Leasowe.         Tim Kinch

the lighthouse area. These included 2 Whinchats, one opposite Kerr's field and another along the bund inland from the paddocks. 2 Spotted Flycatchers were also new birds near the eastern kissing gate leading to the paddocks. 2 Wheatears were also noted. Willow Warbler numbers were down, however, with only around 5 being recorded. Observers AMC, DH and TK

Wednesday 17th August 2016

Weather; Warm and sunny but breezy. Wind SE F3-4

There was a good arrival of Willow Warblers early this morning, mainly in the Park Lane area, with over 25 birds being logged, together with the first Spotted Flycatcher of the autumn. They seemed restricted to the area of small fields just to the west of the private Parkfield House access track.

By 10.30, however, most of these birds had moved away with very few migrants elsewhere.

Kestrel hunting near Lingham Lane.           EW

By lunchtime, however, either new birds had arrived or some of this mornings birds had returned to the same area of fields off Park Lane. 15 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Reed Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Redstart were all noted here during 30 minutes observation. Oddly there were very few

Spotted Flycatcher.        EW

other migrants elsewhere in the Leasowe area today.

3 Kestrels, possibly a family group, were hunting together over the old golf course at Lingham Lane. A family group of Whitethroats is still near the railway bridge with recently fledged young. Observers CT, EW

Tuesday 16th August 2016

Weather; Warm and sunny. Wind SE F3

Late Swifts continue to trickle in overhead at the lighthouse with a total of 5 being recorded today. A Peregrine and a Raven were also overhead here.

Migrants continue to arrive in the Leasowe area on the back of the South-East wind although we could do with some cloud or showers in the early morning to send us more. Around 10 each of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were on Park Lane this morning together with a Redstart. A single Wheatear was on the western groyne.

3 Tree Pipits landed briefly in trees along Lingham Lane this morning before continuing their journey south. Grounded Tree Pipits are not frequent here, most records being of wheezing specks passing high overhead. Also on Lingham Lane were 2 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Bullfinch and 5 Willow Warblers.

Young male Redstart, Park Lane. It appears to be moulting from juvenile to 1st winter plumage. There is still traces of it's gape wattle evident.       Tim Kinch

Observer TK 

Tree Pipit on Lingham Lane. One of a party of three.       Tim Kinch

Monday 15th August 2016

Weather; Warm and sunny. Wind SE F2

A pair of Ravens spent most of the morning in the Lingham Lane area today. A family of Bullfinches, an adult male and 3 juveniles, were also observed in Lingham Lane today, the juveniles appearing very young, indicating local breeding.

Overhead passage was a bit slower than yesterday with occasional small parties of swallows moving east along the embankment. 5 Sand Martins were also noted.

A Wheatear was on Meols common this morning and 2 further birds noted in Kerr's field this evening, along with an overhead Peregrine.

Other grounded migrants were thin on the ground this morning with only 4 Willow Warblers and 2 Blackcap in the area. There was a small arrival of around 10 Willow Warblers in the Park Lane area in the early afternoon but these moved quickly through. 5 Chiffchaffs and 2 Redstarts were also in Park Lane.

A Blackcap and a Garden Warbler were at Lingham bridge this evening. 

Sunday 14th August 2016

Weather; Sunny and warm. Winds light NW F2

Wader numbers are slowly building up on Leasowe shore with 40 Turnstone, 20 Ringed Plovers and 200 Redshanks here this morning. 3 Black-tailed Godwits flew north-east.

The more settled conditions has spurred an obvious increase in passage, both of overhead and grounded birds, in the lighthouse area.

Around 150 Swallows, 60 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins and 3 Swifts moved mainly east in small groups. The vast majority of Swifts have now left to the south.

The was a large increase in Chiffchaff numbers today, with 35 being logged, indicating an arrival of migrants to add to the many local birds still in the area. The 22 Willow Warblers counted today were certainly all migrants, most having moved on by the afternoon. Other migrant Warblers noted included 4 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat in the Lingham Lane area and a Grasshopper Warbler on the paddocks path.

1st winter male Redstart,  Park Lane.        Tim Kinch         

3 Redstarts were in the small fields just to the west of the private Parkfield House access road on Park Lane. All were showing well until at least mid afternoon, one being the long-staying individual. DH, TK, EW

Redstart (fem) Park Lane.        Tim Kinch

Friday 12th August 2016

Warm with sunny spells. Breezy. Wind W F4



6 Little Egrets, 150 Redshanks, a Greenshank, 30 Dunlins and 11 Turnstones were on the western groyne at low tide. A Stonechat was on nearby Meols Common.
The long-staying Redstart remains in Park Lane and is now losing it's spotty juvenile garb and acquiring 1st winter plumage. 2 Willow Warblers were also in Park Lane.

Willow Warbler; Lingham Lane      EW

Most migrants were to be found in the more sheltered Lingham Lane area. These included 3 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler and 4 Willow Warblers. Hopefully more settled conditions in the week ahead will increase migrant numbers. 2 Bullfinches were at Lingham bridge.

Garden Warbler at Lingham bridge.      EW

Sunday 7th August 2016

Weather; sunny but blustery. Wind W F4-5

3 Manx Shearwaters passed Leasowe in the windy conditions today. Also off Leasowe was a 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull, a Greenshank and 12 Turnstones. 300 Dunlin were off Hoylake.

Wheatear at Meols.      Tim Kinch

2 Swifts passed overhead and 2 Wheatears were in Meols common. Willow Warbler numbers were down today with only 3 birds recorded. The juvenile Redstart remains in the Park Lane area.

Willow Warbler (juv) at Leasowe          Tim Kinch