Thursday 25th September 2014

Weather; Dull but clear with light south-westerly winds


A seawatch off Leasowe produced 107 Great-crested Grebes, 300 Common Scoters and 2 Arctic Skuas.
A Water Rail was feeding in the open on the Birkett underneath Lingham bridge and the Kingfisher was also again here. It is being seen very regularly at the moment.
There was a noticeable mid-morning arrival of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in the lighthouse area. Very few were noted early on but numbers rose to over 35 Chiffchaffs and 20 Goldcrests by midday. One or two of the Chiffchaffs were rather grey-brown individuals which suggested a more eastern origin although they could not be racially assigned. 

Chiffchaff. A 'normal' Collybita race individual.   EW.

Also grounded in the lighthouse were 6 Blackcaps and a single Lesser Whitethroat.

Chiffchaff.  Note the grey-brown appearance and faint wing bar suggesting the Siberian race 'Tristis'. The yellow vent and yellow on the super in front of the eye, however, rule this race out.    EW

There was a strong passage of Grey Wagtails today with over 20 being noted.  Observers; KD, DH, EW.

Grey Wagtail .  DH.