Wednesday 16 March 2016

Wednesday 16th March 2016

Weather;  Sunny and warm. Wind SE F2



A Little Owl was calling this afternoon along Lingham Lane, Leasowe, although it has not been pinned down yet. Hopefully, as with last year others will be located.
2 'Ringtail' Hen Harriers, a Merlin and a Great White Egret were out on the saltmarsh off Neston. No wintering Rock Pipits were located here, however, indicating that they may have moved north which they tend to do early.
No apologies for posting yet another bad picture of a Water Pipit but it is unusual to see them so well here and in this plumage. This bird is moulting into breeding plumage and the beautiful pink flush is appearing on the underparts. It has mostly lost it's flank streaking and has remnant breast streaking which will disappear soon. Digi-scopers should have more success with pictures here.     EW  
Water Pipits, however, continue to put on a show in the boggy field south of Neston sewage works. They can be viewed well from the field boundary and there is no need to squelch into the field to get nearer as they will flush, as one photographer who had not read his codebook found out today. There were three separate birds present here, two moulting and a third still in winter plumage. Another winter-plumaged Water Pipit was at the Old Quay freshwater stream. Large numbers of Meadow Pipits are passing through the area at the moment with over 70 logged.
Firecrest  EW
The Firecrest remains in the bushes at the south-east corner of the sewage works and was showing well here occasionally this afternoon. It's best not to approach these bushes too closely, however, as Cetti's Warblers are thought to breed here and can be heard calling and occasionally singing. 4 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest were also in the area. 3 Stonechats are between the Old Quay and the Harp. Observers MGT EW

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