30th November

Weather: SW-3, sunny and warm

29th Nov- Over 2000 Common Scoter were rafting offshore from the Lighthouse car park. Other birds on the sea over the tide included a count of 346 Great crested Grebes, 34 Teal and a single Greylag Goose sitting on the sea was an unusual sight.

30th- A quiet day today. Several wintering Stonechats gave a number of photographic opportunities whilst two Whooper Swans over Leasowe Bay were not so obliging.

AMC

Stonechat atop a Giant Hogweed (AMC)

Whooper Swans (AMC)

25th November 2014

Weather: SE-2, sunny and mild


A fairly quiet day today at the Ligthouse with few passerines bar the resident Linnet flock in the paddocks. Even the Twite hasn't been seen for a couple of weeks now. A pair of winter territory Stonechat were in Kerrs field just east of the Lighthouse and  another pair were in the dunes at Leaswowe Bay.

Over high water a number of waders roosted on the Western Groyne including, Dunlin (200), Knot(8), Redshank (35), Turnstone(9), Lapwing (12) and a Grey Heron.

The most notable bird of the day however was a Short eared Owl. Whilst Short eared Owl is recorded annually at the lighthouse what was unusual was this bird spent 45 minutes 'quatering' the waves far out to sea over the East Hoyle Bank. After some attention from 3 gulls the Owl eventually drifted off very high west.

No bird photos today but a stunning sunset over Hilbre Island and North Wales. Taken from the house at 4pm; Its certainly getting dark earlier these days!!  

AMC

AMC

Friday 14th November 2014

Les Hall

As usual for this time of year migration has now tailed off and winter is settling in the Leasowe area. Coverage has been somewhat reduced as a result. The main highlight has been the continued presence of the single Twite with the Linnet flock in the paddocks and also the two Snow Buntings which seem very settled just behind the Leasowe Castle Hotel.

Roger Wilkinson

 

Monday 10th November 2014

Weather; Very clear with sunny spells. Wind light SE to SW F3.


Large numbers of waders moved west off the embankment at Leasowe today on the flood tide. These included around 250 Bar-tailed Godwits and 20 Grey Plovers among many thousands of Knot and Dunlin. A Purple Sandpiper roosted with Dunlins over the tide on the eastern groyne (opposite Leasowe Castle Hotel) They are surprisingly rare here despite being regular at New Brighton to the east and Hilbre to the west. 283 Great-crested Grebes and 350 Common Scoter were offshore.

Overhead movement was sparse today with just 14 Chaffinches west and a single Rock Pipit east. A single Snow Bunting flew in high from the north and, joined by a second bird, remained on a small putting green on the golf course immediately to the rear of the Leasowe Castle Hotel where they showed well all day.

Over 30 Blackbirds, a Redwing, 8 Fieldfares and a Blackcap were in the Lingham Lane area and 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests were in the immediate area of the lighthouse.

There has been no sign today of yesterday's Barred Warbler in Tony Bell's West Kirkby garden. 

Many thanks to SRW for the following video link http://youtu.be/0ztYnd0xnaA

Observers; AMC, KD, DH, EW, SRW.

Snow Bunting. EW

AMC

Snow Buntings near Leasowe Castle Hotel.  EW.

BARRED WARBLER !!

Weather: SE-2, cold and sunny

Little of interest was on the sea today bar a few Common Scoter,Gannet and Red throated Diver.5 Goldeneye yesterday were our first of the winter.

At about 15.00 this afternoon I received a call from good pal Tony Bell about a Garden Warbler in his West Kirby garden. I suggested this was particularly late for this species and that I might pop around to see it. Lying on the sofa and struck down with man flu I couldn't decide if I wanted to or indeed was capable of dragging myself away from the fire. I am glad I did as after a  20 minute wait a Barred Warbler flew from cover and up into Tony's apple tree. I quickly put the news out and the first locals arrived within minutes. This 1st winter bird showed the relevant features including, some slight flank barring  a pale (ish) eye with dark iris and the clincher, dark tipped under tail coverts. In fairness to Tony the light was pretty poor by this point and the bird was nearly always obscured by foliage and apples so Barred Warbler wouldn't necessarily be your first thought. Many many thanks to Tony for the phone call and allowing the locals into his house to see this great bird and congratulations on his great find. .

AAB, AMC,  KD, AEH,  DH, MT, CJW , SRW 

AMC

AMC

5th November 2014

Weather: N-2, cold but clear and sunny all day.

No fireworks today at the Lighthouse but a steady arrival of winter thrushes in the coastal hawthorns kept observers interested. There was a steady overhead movement of Fieldfare. with the day count totalling 186. Some birds dropped onto the Hawthorns to feed on the remaining berries. Fresh arrivals such as these are usually quite nervous and these birds were no different so the photo opportunity that presented itself was a touch of luck! Other thrushes in the Lingham area included 22 Blackbird, 4 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush and 11 Mistle Thrush. 

A flock of 22 Golden Plover moved west at the Lighthouse whilst two Swan sp were spotted distantly from Hoylake shore.

A small number of Goldcrest made the day list  as did 4 Stonechat and a couple of overhead Skylark.

The Twite remained elusive for most of the day but was seen and heard late afternoon; as usual in the company of a few Linnets.  

AMC, MS-C, KAD,DH EW

AMC

Monday 3rd November 2014

Weather; Sunny spells, clouding later. Wind SE f 3.


A small amount of overhead passage at the lighthouse today included 10 Chaffinches, 6 Skylarks and 3 Reed Buntings south and 2 Siskins east.

A single Twite was located in the paddocks with the Linnet flock, probably the same individual seen a few days ago just inland from here. Hopefully it will remain for the winter.

The Siberian Chiffchaff was showing well at times this morning in 'Scat alley', the footpath just south of the duckpond. It can go missing for long periods, however, as it probably has a large feeding circuit. A collybita race Chiffchaff was also in this area, with another being seen in Park Lane, Meols.

Siberian Chiffchaff.   AMC

Other birds in the lighthouse area included a Greenshank, a Stonechat, a Blackcap and two Bullfinches.  Observers; KD, AMC, DH, WSM, EW.

Twite (right bird) with Linnet in the paddocks.  AMC

 

Sunday 2nd November 2014

Weather; Warm, sunny spells early then cloud.  Wind S F 3.


The Siberian Chiffchaff, (see blog entry of 31/10), was well seen again today near Leasowe lighthouse and was also heard to call several times, the call exactly matching that of the Tristis race, a piping 'peep'. This, together with all the plumage features observed, firms up it's identity completely. The bird frequented the inland path immediately to the south of the duck pond known as 'Scat alley'. It has previously also been seen around the pond itself.

Other birds seen today in the lighthouse area included 2 Teal, a Greenshank, 35 Blackbirds, 7 Song Thrushes, 5 Redwings, a Bullfinch and a Siskin.  Observer AMC.