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
.
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.
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
05th November 2013
Weather: W/NW - 6-7, Squally showers
Following yesterdays Eiders at Hoylake, duck movement was very much the theme of the day . From Hoylake a single Teal flew west as did six fine drake Pintail and three Wigeon. At mid distance hundreds of Common Scoter were moving with the flood tide and a small flock of 15 birds also held a male VELVET SCOTER, a scarce Wirral bird.
Other birds offshore included Red throated Diver (5), Diver Spp (6), Great crested Grebe (3), Gannet (2), Bar tailed Godwit (12) and two Meadow Pipit came 'in off' over high tide.
Following yesterdays Eiders at Hoylake, duck movement was very much the theme of the day . From Hoylake a single Teal flew west as did six fine drake Pintail and three Wigeon. At mid distance hundreds of Common Scoter were moving with the flood tide and a small flock of 15 birds also held a male VELVET SCOTER, a scarce Wirral bird.
Other birds offshore included Red throated Diver (5), Diver Spp (6), Great crested Grebe (3), Gannet (2), Bar tailed Godwit (12) and two Meadow Pipit came 'in off' over high tide.
Monday, 4 November 2013
Monday 4th November 2013
Weather; Sunny spells and showers; wind N.W. force 5, cloud cover 4/8
An adult pale phase Pomarine Skua, complete with full spoons, flew west just offshore from Leasowe lighthouse at 9.30a.m. today. Also offshore here over the tide were 20 Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and about 10 Great-crested Grebes.
3 Eiders, a male and 2 females, flew north at Meols. 5 Gannets and 10 Scoter were also offshore.
A Merlin flew east near the Leasowe Castle Hotel, harassed by a Magpie, while a Ruff flew west offshore here. A Stonechat was also nearby.
At Lingham bridge a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtails were seen. 3 Goldcrests and a Common Snipe were near the lighthouse.
(DH,AMC,EW,KD)
An adult pale phase Pomarine Skua, complete with full spoons, flew west just offshore from Leasowe lighthouse at 9.30a.m. today. Also offshore here over the tide were 20 Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and about 10 Great-crested Grebes.
3 Eiders, a male and 2 females, flew north at Meols. 5 Gannets and 10 Scoter were also offshore.
A Merlin flew east near the Leasowe Castle Hotel, harassed by a Magpie, while a Ruff flew west offshore here. A Stonechat was also nearby.
At Lingham bridge a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtails were seen. 3 Goldcrests and a Common Snipe were near the lighthouse.
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| Stonechat (EW) |
(DH,AMC,EW,KD)
Sunday, 3 November 2013
3rd November 2013
Weather: West North West force 6-7 gusting force 10 overnight. Squally showers.
The low pressure system dominating the Irish Sea just now, produced some severe gales overnight resulting in some wind blown seabird movement. Auk numbers had increased with Auk spp (20), Guillemot (11) and Razorbill (2).. Also logged were Great crested Grebe (6), Red breasted Merganser, Red throated Diver (4) Great Northern Diver (1), Manx Shearwater(2), Gannet (22), Kittiwake(17), Skua spp (2) including a prob Pom which was fairly close but was always flying away at an oblique angle and a single Leach's Petrel spent at least 30 minutes pattering along the beach attracting the unwanted attention of some Herring Gulls.
The Holylake Gull roost, again held the 4th year Yellw legged Gull amongst hundreds of Herring, Common and Lesser and Great Black Backs.
Waders were well represented with Curlew (120), Grey Plover (180), Dunlin (2000), Sanderling (110), Bar tailed Godwit (19) Knot (19) Redshank (40). A single Turnstone on the beach was unusual away from the North Shore sea defence.
Two Golden Plover remain on the shore west of the Lifeboat station.
The low pressure system dominating the Irish Sea just now, produced some severe gales overnight resulting in some wind blown seabird movement. Auk numbers had increased with Auk spp (20), Guillemot (11) and Razorbill (2).. Also logged were Great crested Grebe (6), Red breasted Merganser, Red throated Diver (4) Great Northern Diver (1), Manx Shearwater(2), Gannet (22), Kittiwake(17), Skua spp (2) including a prob Pom which was fairly close but was always flying away at an oblique angle and a single Leach's Petrel spent at least 30 minutes pattering along the beach attracting the unwanted attention of some Herring Gulls.
The Holylake Gull roost, again held the 4th year Yellw legged Gull amongst hundreds of Herring, Common and Lesser and Great Black Backs.
Waders were well represented with Curlew (120), Grey Plover (180), Dunlin (2000), Sanderling (110), Bar tailed Godwit (19) Knot (19) Redshank (40). A single Turnstone on the beach was unusual away from the North Shore sea defence.
Two Golden Plover remain on the shore west of the Lifeboat station.
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