Wednesday 23rd November 2016

Weather; Mild and cloudy with sunny spells. Wind NE F2

The Dee marshes take much of the birding attention once the migration season is over and today was no exception. 6 Short-eared Owls were noted in the Neston marsh and Denhall Quay area today, often showing very well. 2 Merlin were also here along with 2 Marsh Harrier and a ringtail Hen Harrier.

Good numbers of Water Pipits were again in evidence with 5 being noted at Neston Old Quay with further singles at Denhall Quay and off Denhall Lane. With an RSPB estimate of only 190 wintering individuals in the U.K. the Dee estuary must be a major site for them at present. Birds are now regularly seen from Heswall south to Burton Mere wetlands so the true number of birds present on the freshwater littoral of the marshes would probably greatly surprise us.

Skylark on Neston saltmarsh      EW

Water Pipit in field off Denhall Lane       EW

2 Great White Egrets, 5 Rock Pipits and 40 Skylarks were noted further out on Neston saltmarsh. 30 Meadow Pipits were also at Neston Old Quay with 25 off Denhall Lane.

Water Pipit.  Neston Old Quay.        EW

Tuesday 1st November 2016

Weather; Drizzle in morning, brightening later. Wind NNE F2



7 Eider flew west off Dove point over the high tide together with 2 Gannets. 132 Lapwing, a Greenshank and a Sanderling roosted on the western groyne with  Redshank, Dunlin and Turnstone.
A Jack Snipe was on Leasowe common together with 20 Meadow Pipits. 2 Stonechats were opposite on Kerr's field with another 2 in Meols common.
Water Rails and Kingfishers continue to show well along the Birkett from Lingham bridge.
There was an arrival of Thrushes along the coastal bushes at Leasowe this morning involving around 30 Blackbirds, 11 Song Thrushes and 15 Redwing. They soon dispersed inland.

2 newly arrived Song Thrushes and a Blackbird on coastal bushes at Leasowe.    EW

3 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs and 20 Goldcrests were also in the lighthouse area.
Overhead passage included 7 Skylarks west and 10 Siskins and 2 Grey Wagtails east.     Observers;  KAD, MGT, EW

Water Rail at Lingham bridge.       EW

Saturday 29th October 2016

Weather; Cloudy. Wind S F2

Around 2,500 Scoter were offshore at Leasowe on the high tide today.

Both Yesterday's Short-eared Owl and Siberian Chiffchaff remain in the lighthouse area. The Owl was showing well hunting along the paddocks and in the duck pond area. The Siberian Chiffchaff was vocal but flighty in the area of the nature trail.

3 Chiffchaffs and 10 Goldcrests were also noted in the lighthouse area. Observers AMC, MGT

Short-eared Owl.       MGT

 

Friday 28th October 2016

Weather; Drizzle through morning clearing in afternoon. Wind SW F0-1

There was a large arrival of Blackbirds with around 50 individuals being noted along Lingham Lane along the section between the kissing gate and the railway bridge. 5 Redwings and 7 Song Thrushes were also here this morning, together with 15 Chaffinches.

A vocal Siberian Chiffchaff was at Lingham bridge this morning, which later relocated to the Duck pond area this afternoon where it continued to show on and off. 7 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 2 Siskins and 10 Goldcrests were also in the area.

2 Water Rails gave excellent views along the Birkett from Lingham bridge through the day and several Kingfishers were also seen here together with 2 Bullfinches.

Short-eared Owl.  Leasowe.           EW

A Short-eared Owl arrived in the afternoon and was hunting along the embankment for around 5 minutes before heading westwards.

Record shot of Siberian Chiffchaff near the Duck pond. The very pale buff-washed underparts and pale grey-buff mantle can be seen.             MGT

Overhead passage was sparse today, probably due to the drizzle, although a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were heading east in the afternoon. Observers; AO, MGT, EW

Water Rail at Lingham bridge.        MGT

Tuesday 25th October 2016

Weather;  Fine early, becoming overcast later. Wind E F1-2

There was an overhead movement at Leasowe today of 55 Siskins east, including a flock of 33. 40 Chaffinches, a Jay, 20 Meadow Pipits, 5 Reed Buntings, 6 Skylarks and 3 Fieldfares also passed east. 2 Skylarks and a Redwing moved west and 19 Pink-footed Geese north-west with another 3 south.

Grounded birds around the lighthouse included 25 Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Coal Tits, 6 Redwing and 4 Fieldfares. Over 30 Meadow Pipits were on Leasowe common.

A Water Rail, a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtails were at Lingham bridge. Another 2 Water Rails were at the Duck pond. Observers AMC, MGT, EW

Water Rail at Lingham bridge.        EW

Snow Flake

Weather: SE-2, sunny, overcast and cool later

As expected the SE wind saw a significant movement of migrants. Thrush numbers were up whilst over 100 Goldfinches moved through during two hours in the afternoon. Also present were up to 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap and 11 Goldcrests. A small movenent of corvids included 8 Carrrion Crow, 4 Jackdaw, 3 Jay and 22 magpie. 

Highlight of the day however no doubt goes to a super Snow Bunting found by Graham Connolly. Graham managed a record shot which he sent to us. Although slightly out of focus the pictue still highlights what super birds Snow Buntings are. The bird was found on the track at the south end of dunes between the Golf course and the beach. Snow Buntings are often site faithfull so those with cameras  are reminded as usual to give these birds plenty of space.

GC

Graham  Connolly

  

Friday 21st October 2016

Weather; High cloud early becoming clear, sunny and warm. Wind variable F1

The almost windless conditions resulted in a very calm sea and an opportunity to count around 20,000 Scoters far offshore. Unfortunately the distance was too great to pick out any rarer species among them, a walk out to the tide edge at low tide from Hoylake being the best tactic to achieve this, again in flat calm conditions.

Overhead passage was a bit down on yesterday due to clearer conditions but 10 Skylarks, 3 Reed Buntings, 8 Siskins, 18 Fieldfare, 15 Redwing, 4 Grey Wagtails, 10 Chaffinches and a Redpoll all passed east. 25 Meadow Pipits moved south.

50 Meadow Pipits and a Rock Pipit were grounded on Leasowe common with another 25 Meadow Pipits in the paddocks and 16 on Meols common, where there was also 2 Stonechats.

A Firecrest showed intermittently throughout the afternoon from trees bordering Greenacres cottage at the start of Lingham Lane. A Coal Tit was at Lingham bridge with another at the back of the fisheries. Other migrants grounded in the Leasowe area included 6 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 15 Goldcrests, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Fieldfares, 6 Song Thrushes and 12 Redwings. Robin numbers were much reduced from yesterday.  Observers GB, KAD, EW

Chiffchaff.          EW

Thursday 20th October 2016

Weather;  Overcast with good visibility. Wind mainly north F1-2

There was a big arrival of Robins in the Leasowe area today with around 40 individuals being recorded. An indication of a Robin influx are the constant chases in progress presumably between the local birds on territory and the migrants. Other arrivals in good numbers included 35 Goldcrests, 30 Blackbirds, 12 Song Thrushes, 16 Mistle Thrushes, 10 Redwings and 30 Chaffinches. 4 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and a late Lesser Whitethroat were also in the lighthouse area.

Robin;  One of a large arrival today.       EW

There was some decent overhead passage today which included 52 Pink-footed Geese north-east and 32 Skylarks, 5 Reed Buntings, 55 Chaffinches, 7 Siskins, 2 Redpolls, 60 Meadow Pipits, 8 Redwings and 22 Fieldfares east. A further 35 Meadow Pipits and 2 Teal passed south.

Fieldfares passing overhead.

Kenny Dummigan. 25th December1950--5th October 2016

We would like to say a few words about our great friend Kenny Dummigan, who sadly passed away on 5th October following a brave fight against cancer.
Kenny was very well known on the local and national birding scene and his infectious good humour always made him a delight to go birding with. He was a fantastic raconteur and a day's birding with him would involve a non stop deluge of the most hilarious stories. This never seemed to distract him however and he would often stop mid sentence to point out an interesting bird or identify a calling Pipit at stratospheric height above.
Kenny had birded extensively worldwide and was a member of pioneering birding trips to Morocco and other locations as long ago as the early seventies. He had recently birded extensively in Israel, Thailand, China and Ethiopia.
Kenny was an integral member of the 'Lighthouse crew' and was a very skilled rare bird-finder. His more recent finds in the Leasowe area include Surf Scoter, Golden Oriole, Red-throated Pipit, Bluethroat and 2 Wrynecks. On a national level he has found major rarities such as American Nighthawk and Cliff Swallow, among many others.
Outside birding Kenny had served for 30 years in the Merseyside Police, mostly as a Detective, and became an expert in the investigation and detection of complex international fraud. This led a great deal of foreign travel, although he would somehow never forget to pack his binoculars!

Kenny is a massive loss both to the birding community as a whole and as a close friend to many. Our thoughts are with his partner Lex and his family at this sad time.
There will be Service to celebrate Kenny's life at 1.30p.m. on Monday 24th October at the Hill Bark Hotel, Royden Park, Frankby, Wirral CH48 1NP.

Kenny.

Thursday 13th October 2016

Weather;  Fine early, then cloudy. Wind SE F2-3

18 Little Egrets was a high count at the western groyne today. The numbers of this species is constantly growing at this location.

There was a small overhead, mainly easterly, passage of  8 Grey Wagtails today with 2 others feeding along the Birkett. 4 Skylarks, 3 Song Thrushes and 4 Siskins also passed west and around 30 Meadow Pipits south, with around 10 in the paddocks. 2 Ravens moved west. They now seem to be a resident pair and are seen most days.

Garden Warbler at Lingham bridge.          EW

Grounded migrants around the lighthouse included a late juvenile Reed Warbler in the reedbed, a Garden Warbler at Lingham bridge, a Redwing, 2 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs and a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Grey Wagtail along the Birkett           EW

Wednesday 12th October 2016

Weather; Sunny periods with showers in afternoon. Wind NE  F2

There was a small movement of Thrushes in the lighthouse area today with an arrival of around 25 Blackbirds and 4 Song Thrushes in the area of the pond and nature trail. 6 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Song Thrushes and 5 Redwings passed south. A further 4 Redwings were grounded in the Lingham Lane area. Other overhead movers included 16 Skylarks, 2 Siskins and 2 Grey Wagtails east and 30 Meadow Pipits and a Snipe south.

2 Wheatears and 2 Stonechats were on Meols common near to the small inland horse paddocks (Hoopoe hollow) 2 Stonechats were in Kerr's field.

Bullfinch, Lingham Lane.      Steve Williams

2 Yellow-browed Warblers were in the duckpond area showing well intermittently. 3 Chiffchaffs and 20 Goldcrests and a Blackcap were also in the area. A further 12 Goldcrests were along Park Lane.

Stonechat and Wheatear, Meols common.

A single Bullfinch and 4 Blackcaps were near the kissing gate on Lingham Lane and a late Garden Warbler was feeding on berries in the hedge bordering the Lingham fisheries. Observers; KAD, TK, EW, SRW.

Yellow-browed Warbler.            Steve Williams

BBRC DECISION; WESTERN SANDPIPER, MEOLS AND HOYLAKE 19TH-24TH SEPTEMBER 2012.

The Western Sandpiper present at Meols and Hoylake from 19th to 24th September 2012 has now been accepted by the BBRC. It is only the 9th record of Western Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper.  Meols.  September 2012.    Photo by Phil Woollen

for the U.K. and only the 1st for Cheshire and Wirral.

This extremely tricky individual caused a great deal of controversy at the time with experienced birders nationwide divided as to it's identification, many mistakenly believing it the be a Semi-palmated Sandpiper, hence the length of time taken to assess the submission.

The bird was found just off Hoylake shore by lighthouse stalwart, Allan Conlin on 19th September. Durung it's stay it was estimated the bird was seen by many thousand's of birders.

Congratulations are due to Allan for such a fantastic find and full credit must also be given to him for pursuing the correct identification throughout , despite the considerable controversy the bird caused.

Tuesday 11th October 2016

Weather; Fine and clear early morning, clouding over with short showers later. Wind E F1

A very late Wood Warbler was a surprise visitor to the duckpond area near the lighthouse at noon today. Unfortunately it couldn't be re-located later in the day. The late date together with the current weather system indicates it could well be a migrant from Scandinavia subject to an easterly drift, along with the many other unusual migrants in the country at the moment.

There was a good count of over 40 Goldcrests in the Leasowe area through the course of the day. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in the area of the eastern kissing gate briefly this morning and again this afternoon. 7 Blackcaps and 6 Chiffchaffs were also in the lighthouse area. 2 Wheatears were on Meol's common.

Wheatear. Meols Common.            EW

Overhead movement consisted of a Peregrine flying north, 9 Skylarks east and over 40 Meadow Pipits south. 14 Pied Wagtails and a Raven were in the paddocks and singles of Greenshank and Grey Plover were on the shore, together with over 150 Lapwings which were later seen to head off south. Observers; KAD, TK, MGT, EW. 

Yellow-browed Warbler.         EW

Friday 7th October 2016

Weather;  Drizzle in the morning, clearing later but remaining mainly cloudy. Wind E F2

There was very little overhead passage at Leasowe today with just singles of Golden Plover and Snipe passing. A handful of Meadow Pipits moved south and 2 Jays east.

A Kingfisher was on the western groyne for much of the afternoon together with a single Wheatear.

109 Lapwings, 2 Greenshanks, 14 Grey Plovers and a Bar-tailed Godwit were on the shore after the tide, together with larger numbers of the commoner waders.

Grounded migrants included 6 Chiffchaffs

Weasel at Leasowe.        Tim Kinch

, 4 Goldcrests and a Yellow-browed Warbler in the duckpond and nature trail areas. 4 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests and 2 Chiffchaffs were along Lingham Lane. A very inquisitive Weasel also showed well near the duckpond. Obervers; KAD, DH, TK, MGT, EW

Thursday 6th October 2016

Weather; Sunny spells; Clear. Wind E F2

12 Wigeon and 150 Scoter were offshore on the tide today at Leasowe.

Some interesting overhead passage at the lighthouse today included 70 Lapwings flying south and another 9 flying north-east. 3 Buzzards, 1 Teal, 2 Grey Wagtails, 4 Song Thrushes, 20 Chaffinches and 4 Siskins moved east. 8 Skylarks and a Raven flew south. The first 12 Redwings of the year flew south, having come straight in off the sea along with 42 Meadow Pipits. Another 30 Meadow Pipits flew east.

Grounded migrants at Leasowe included a Siberian Chiffchaff among 6 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests and 3 Blackcaps at Lingham Lane bridge this morning. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in Willow trees at Lingham fisheries further up the Lane. Most of these migrants had moved on by noon.

At least one Yellow-browed Warbler continued to show on and off throughout the day near the duckpond, best viewed from the path immediately to the east of the pond opposite the prominent Sycamore tree. Another 5 Goldcrests and 10 Chiffchaffs were in the duckpond and nature trail areas together with a single Blackcap. 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrest and a Siskin were on Park Lane.

Stonechat.          EW

2 Stonechats were showing well at Kerr's field and a Kingfisher

Yellow-browed Warbler near the duckpond, Leasowe. Tricky even when in full view!     EW

was performing well at Lingham bridge in the afternoon.  Observers; DH, MGT, EW and others

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Weather;  Sunny and clear. Blustery. Wind E F4-5

The windy conditions did not help birding today in the Leasowe area. There were still migrants around, however, although tricky to locate. 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were in the duckpond area, along with 8 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests and two Blackcaps. 5 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were in Lingham Lane. A single Stonechat was in Kerr's field.

Overhead passage was much reduced today. 30 Meadow Pipits moved east along with 4 Skylarks and 25 Chaffinches. 2 Pink-footed Geese headed north-east.

A Greenshank was on the shoreline.

Tuesday 4th October 2016

Weather; Sunny spells, Wind E F3-4

Yellow-browed Warbler near the duckpond, Leasowe. 2 were here today with a third at the end of the nature trail under the sea embankment.       EW

Pink-footed Geese. Part of a skein of 64      EW

Some interesting overhead movement in the lighthouse area today with two Tree Sparrows flying east being particularly notable. Tree Sparrow is barely annual here and has become very rare on the Wirral. Other overhead travellers included 40 Chaffinch, 2 Reed Buntings, 5 Skylarks, 3 Grey Wagtails, a Siskin (first of autumn) and 2 Song Thrushes east. 50 Meadow Pipits and 64 Pink-footed Geese (again the first of the autumn here),

1 of 2 Yellow browed Warblers in a Meols  garden. -AMC

flew south.

Grounded migrants in the lighthouse area included 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests, 3 Blackcaps and 2 Grey Wagtails. 2 further Yellow-browed Warblers are in a nearby Meols seafront garden. How many others are lurking locally?

An adult Mediterranean Gull and over 5,000 Scoters were offshore.  Observers AMC, KAD, DH, JJ, TK, EW.

Monday 3rd October 2016

Weather; Mainly sunny. Breezy, wind SE F3-4

In common with much of the north-west the Leasowe area was visited by Yellow-browed Warblers today, part of a sizeable local influx and not before time considering the numbers which have been arriving along the east coast to date. The first was found this morning along the path just east of the duckpond (DH) and showed intermittently through the morning. What was thought to be a second individual was in willows under the sea embankment at the end of the nature trail this afternoon. The breezy conditions did not make for good viewing conditions in the dense vegetation, however, and who knows how many others could be lurking? A third local bird showed up this afternoon in a Meols garden (AMC).

Yellow-browed Warbler in bushes at the base of the sea embankment, Leasowe.       EW

Other grounded migrants in the Leasowe area included 2 Wheatears, a Whinchat, 3 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs and 6 Goldcrests.

Chiffchaff at Leasowe. A pale and grey toned individual. Too yellow on underparts and super for a Siberian tristis but possibly with an eastern origin nonetheless.       EW 

There was some overhead passage today which included over 90 Meadow Pipits and 10 Skylarks south, 60 Greenfinch west and 25 Chaffinch, 4 Grey Wagtails, a Jay and a Raven east. Observers; AMC, KAD, DH, JJ, MGT, EW.

Yellow-browed Warbler in a Meols garden.      AMC

Thursday 22nd September 2016

Weather; Sunny and clear. Wind SW F2

Sometimes the recording of an otherwise mundane species on a local patch can generate a completely over-the-top level of excitement. A Tree Creeper seen this morning along Park Lane, Meols was a case in point. Although common a mile or so inland this species is extremely rare in the Leasowe recording area usually covered by this blog and is a species highly sought after here. It was seen in company with 4 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs and a mixed Tit party.

A Greenshank was present all morning at the western groyne with around 100 Redshanks and an adult Mediterranean Gull flew inland from the sea embankment.

Migrants were a bit thin on the ground today although a lone Twite which alighted near the western kissing gate before flying off high to the south-west was noteable. Otherwise 2 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler and 4 Goldcrests were in the area. Swallows are becoming thin on the ground now with only around 10 present today and House Martins appear to have departed.

Greenshank with Redshanks at the groyne.    EW

Overhead 3 Grey Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits and 5 Skylarks flew mainly east. 4 Teal and a Kingfisher were on the Birkett at Lingham bridge.  Observers DH, TK, EW.

Record shot of Tree Creeper, Park Lane.  EW

  

Thursday 15th September 2016

Weather; hazy early. Sunny, becoming very hot. Wind N F1

The hazy conditions this morning resulted in more migrants arriving in the Leasowe area. 18 Wheatears were logged, most arriving along the groyne and embankment and moving inland. 2 Whinchats were on the common opposite Kerr's field. 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, a Reed Warbler and 5 Goldcrests were also present, most being noted along the nature trail and around the pond. Willow Warblers are now well past their peak with Chiffchaffs now the commonest autumn migrant phyloscopus.

5 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler and a Redstart were along Lingham Lane.

Overhead passage included a flock of 7 Skylarks, 8 Meadow Pipits and 3 Grey Wagtails headed mainly east.

Wednesday 14th September 2016

Weather; Hazy sunshine early, becoming extremely hot later. Wind SE-E F2

Small groups of hunched and motionless Wheatears on the groynes and sea defences at Leasowe usually indicate newly arrived birds. Having got their breath back they usually disperse inland to feed in the coastal commons and paddocks before continuing their journey. 22 birds were thus logged today, a good count here for autumn when they are much less numerous than spring. 

There was some overhead passage this morning with 8 Grey Wagtails, 15 Meadow Pipits, 4 Reed Buntings and 2 Skylarks all heading east.

6 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs and a Garden Warbler were at Lingham lane bridge this morning.

Other birds in the Leasowe area today included 2 Stonechats in Kerr's field, an adult winter Mediterranean Gull over the lighthouse and a Kingfisher flying along the sea embankment. These maritime haunting Kingfishers are being seen more regularly here now and it is not known if they are connected to the small resident population on the River Birkett or birds dispersing here from elsewhere.

By early afternoon there was almost no bird activity, probably due to the extreme heat, although by this evening things had picked up a little with 2 new Whinchats being discovered off Park Lane and the Little Owl appearing again at Lingham bridge.  Observers JJ, TK, MGT, EW.

Wheatear below the sea embankment, Leasowe.         EW

 

Tuesday 13th September 2016

Weather;  Sunny start with light W to NW winds F2. Heavy rain set in by mid-afternoon easing off by evening.


Yesterday's breezy conditions sent 2 Manx Shearwaters and 57 Gannets off Leasowe. Waders recorded yesterday included 175 Bar-tailed Godwits (a good count of this declining wader), 60 Grey Plover, 35 Ringed Plover and 200 Knot in addition to larger numbers of Redshanks, Dunlin and Turnstone. A Peregrine was hunting the shoreline.
Migrants in the Leasowe area yesterday were a bit thin on the ground due to the breezy conditions but included 10 Meadow Pipits, 4 Wheatears and a Whitethroat. A juvenile Hobby was hunting flying insects over Lingham Lane.   Observers DH, JJ, TK

There were more migrants around today. 70 House Martins and 50 Swallows were swarming around the summit of the lighthouse. Overhead 2 Ravens moved west and 3 Grey Wagtails east. A total of 14 Wheatears were logged in the area. 2 Stonechats were in Kerr's field and a Whinchat was on Meols common. 16 Chiffchaffs were concentrated mainly around the Duck pond area while 7 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler and a Willow Warbler were in Lingham Lane. A Little Owl, a Kingfisher and a Bullfinch were at Lingham bridge.

Juvenile Hobby hunting over Lingham Lane.       Tim Kinch

12 Little Egrets were on the groyne along with another Kingfisher. The Peregrine was again hunting the foreshore. 22 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Greenshanks were offshore. Observers TK, EW

Whinchat on Meols Common.        EW

Little Owl on the large corrugated shed near Lingham bridge, a favourite perch.   EW

Thursday 8th September 2016

Weather; Showers early, the becoming dry, clear and sunny. Breezy, wind SW F3-4.

A Little Stint and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were with many hundreds of Dunlin on Meols shore yesterday.

The continual clear weather and winds in the westerly sector have not been great for migration in the Leasowe area over the past week and today was no exception.

Little Stint at Meols.            JET

The morning shower may have contributed to the appearance of 20 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps and a Reed Warbler mainly in the Lingham Lane area although these quickly dispersed. 4 Wheatears were present on Meols common together with a Stonechat and a few Meadow Pipits are starting to pass through the paddocks on their return migration.

Raven over the paddocks.             EW

A Greenshank and 150 Redshanks were on the western groyne. A Raven flew over the paddocks. Sightings of Ravens at Leasowe have increased greatly recently with almost daily records in the past few weeks.

Wheatear on Meols common.         EW

 

Omissions;  Thursday 25.8.16;   3 Stonechats noted in Kerr's field this afternoon, 2 Whitethroats in Sandy Lane and a Spotted Flycatcher at Lingham bridge. TK, EW

Thursday 25th August 2016

Weather;  Warm with cloud and some haze early, brightening in the afternoon. W variable F2

There was a small arrival of Reed Warblers in the Leasowe area today with birds seen well away from their usual reed bed habitat at the pond. 2 birds were seen in hawthorne hedges on Park Lane while another was in sub-song from the privet hedge along Lingham Lane. A fourth was in the car park bushes while 3 more, possibly local birds, remained in the reed bed near the pond.

There was some Wagtail passage with 4 Grey and 1 Yellow Wagtail passing overhead east. A flock of 36 Pied Wagtails, mostly juvenile birds, were in the paddocks.

Other grounded migrants in the area included 6 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, 3 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers.

Kestrel mantling it's prey, a vole, on Meols common.       EW

Wednesday 24th August 2016

Weather;  Warm and sunny. Wind W F3

Only a single Willow Warbler could be found in the Leasowe area today following yesterday's large arrival, the clear overnight skies presumably prompting a large departure. Other migrants had also declined in numbers today with only singles of Wheatear, Whinchat and Whitethroat and only 2 Reed Warblers in the pond area.

There was an slight increase in Chiffchaff numbers, however, with around 20 being noted today. 5 Blackcaps and 2 Garden Warblers appeared to be new-in in the Lingham Lane area, feeding non stop in the elderberry bushes here which always attract them.

Blackcap;  Lingham Lane.       EW

Garden Warbler;  Lingham Lane.          EW

Other birds noted include a family of Stonechats off Park Lane, a Raven over the paddocks and an adult winter Mediterranean Gull offshore. Observers TK, EW

Garden Warbler;   Lingham Lane.        EW

Tuesday 23rd August 2016

Weather; Sunny and warm. Wind SW F3

The days highlight in the Leasowe area was a large arrival of returning Willow Warblers with a minimum of 45 logged through the day. None were noticed before around 10 a.m. after which time the main arrival took place with many birds dispersing inland as yet more arrived. This arrival appeared to take place on a broad front across the North Wirral shore, and further afield, with 70 being logged at Hilbre, again arriving mainly mid-morning onwards. 600 arrived today on Bardsey island.

Other migrant species were not present in obviously larger than usual numbers though. 8 Reed Warblers was a good count in the Duck pond area, however, although some of these may have been lingering local birds. 

Spotted Flycatcher in Lingham Lane.     Tim Kinch

Other migrants present today in the Leasowe area included 12 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 2 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaffs and a Sedge Warbler. 2 Spotted Flycatchers arrived in Lingham Lane this afternoon.

Willow Warbler. Part of a large local arrival of this species today.

200 Redshank, 40 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 15 Ringed Plover and a  Curlew Sandpiper were noted along the shoreline. 40 Curlew were present in fields inland from the paddocks. Observers; DH, TK, CT, EW

Reed Warbler       EW

Waders galore!!

Weather: W-3/5, overcast and squally.

Perfect tide times saw a busy North Wirral shore particularly as the Hoylake roost was holding some impressive numbers of birds. 

As the tide flooded around 12.30 so the roost increased. By high tide, Hoylake foreshore held an impressive number of birds including, 1000 Dunlin, 22 Knot, 28 Sanderling, 45 Ringed Plover and 5 Curlew Sandpiper. Gulls included 2000 Herring and 1000 Common Gulls, 200 Sandwich Terns, 4 Common  Tern. Offshore & Manx Shearwater moved West whilst 7 Snipe came in off the sea. 

The only passerine highlight came in the form of a Whinchat in one of the Lighthouse paddocks.

Whincht (Tim Kinch)

Curlew Sandpiper (AMC)