Weather; Sunny spells, wind W 2
The first major arrival of Sandwich Terns occurred offshore at Leasowe lighthouse with a total of 63 being counted. Also offshore were 35 Gannets and 3 Little Gulls. 7 Swallows and 5 Sand Martins passed through the area and 8 Wheatear were grounded in nearby fields.
Observers KAD, DH.
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Wednesday 9th April 2014
Weather; Sunny spells, wind W 3
A warmer day and lighter winds encouraged larger numbers of migrants through the Leasowe lighthouse area. Hirundines in particular were more in evidence with a total of 11 Swallows and 10 Sand Martins moving mainly north east. Grounded birds in the area included 7 Wheatears, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers and 8 Chiffchaffs.
A single Tree Sparrow was recorded flying west over Lingham Lane. This has become a very rare species in North Wirral in recent years. Yesterdays large numbers of Linnets appear to have moved on with only small numbers recorded.
A warmer day and lighter winds encouraged larger numbers of migrants through the Leasowe lighthouse area. Hirundines in particular were more in evidence with a total of 11 Swallows and 10 Sand Martins moving mainly north east. Grounded birds in the area included 7 Wheatears, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers and 8 Chiffchaffs.
A single Tree Sparrow was recorded flying west over Lingham Lane. This has become a very rare species in North Wirral in recent years. Yesterdays large numbers of Linnets appear to have moved on with only small numbers recorded.
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Tuesday 8th April 1014
Weather; Sunny spells, Breezy, wind W, 5.
Not ideal conditions for migration today but summer visitors continue to push through the Leasowe lighthouse area nonetheless. A male Redstart, the site's first for the spring, was along Lingham Lane in the morning. Later a female Ring Ouzel was in the nearby fields. 3 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were also present. The Linnet flock in the paddocks has built up to over 100 at a time when one would expect them to be pairing off. The occasional large numbers at this time of year could be migrants moving north rather than local birds.
Observers; KD, DH.
Not ideal conditions for migration today but summer visitors continue to push through the Leasowe lighthouse area nonetheless. A male Redstart, the site's first for the spring, was along Lingham Lane in the morning. Later a female Ring Ouzel was in the nearby fields. 3 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were also present. The Linnet flock in the paddocks has built up to over 100 at a time when one would expect them to be pairing off. The occasional large numbers at this time of year could be migrants moving north rather than local birds.
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| Ring Ouzel KD |
Friday, 4 April 2014
4th April 2014
Weather, NW 2, overcast and cool
A fantastic day at the Lighthouse started with a Ring Ouzel down Lingham Lane followed by our second Osprey in two days circling over the Lighthouse before drifting North.
Our first Whitethroat of the year was heard singing at the entrance to the LEO copse mid morning, whilst small numbers of other migrants included 2 Willow Warber, 9 Chiffchaff, 6 Wheatear on the circuit.
No sign today of the Great Northern Divers from the car park but there were 1500 Common Scoter, 220 Great crested Grebes, 5 Red throated Diver and a Sandwich tern present offshore over the tide.
White winged Gulls on Wirral are an increasingly rare site over the winter and early spring has now become the best time to pick these Arctic wanderers up on their Northward migration. Following Wednesday's sighting of an Iceland at Hilbre, a brutish looking Glaucous Gull was found, loafing on the sea just east of Greenshank groyne, drifting slowly west with the flood tide.
To end a great day a drake Green winged Teal was found on the sea off Red Rocks with a flock of about 400 teal. BMW/IMF has the exclusive monopoly for this species so for one to be found on North Wirral and on the sea, is truly amazing !
A fantastic day at the Lighthouse started with a Ring Ouzel down Lingham Lane followed by our second Osprey in two days circling over the Lighthouse before drifting North.
Our first Whitethroat of the year was heard singing at the entrance to the LEO copse mid morning, whilst small numbers of other migrants included 2 Willow Warber, 9 Chiffchaff, 6 Wheatear on the circuit.
No sign today of the Great Northern Divers from the car park but there were 1500 Common Scoter, 220 Great crested Grebes, 5 Red throated Diver and a Sandwich tern present offshore over the tide.
White winged Gulls on Wirral are an increasingly rare site over the winter and early spring has now become the best time to pick these Arctic wanderers up on their Northward migration. Following Wednesday's sighting of an Iceland at Hilbre, a brutish looking Glaucous Gull was found, loafing on the sea just east of Greenshank groyne, drifting slowly west with the flood tide.
To end a great day a drake Green winged Teal was found on the sea off Red Rocks with a flock of about 400 teal. BMW/IMF has the exclusive monopoly for this species so for one to be found on North Wirral and on the sea, is truly amazing !
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| AMC |
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| AMC |
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| AMC |
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Osprey !
Weather: SE-2, cool, overcast and misty
A call from both Hilbre and the Lifeboat station alerted me to an Osprey on the beach in front of my house. Sure enough through the mist an adult Osprey was picked up on the sand eating a flat fish. A few phone calls later and a mini twitch ensued with a number of Lighthouse regulars managing to see the bird before it flew off east accompanied by a couple of crows. A great garden tick !
Migrant highlights at the Lighthouse included Redpoll, Siskin, 150 Meadow Pipit, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Wheatear, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 4 Pied Wagtail, 6 Swallow and 20 Sand Martin moved North East throughout the day. A Willow Warbler was singing from a Hoylake garden.
Other migrants included Collared Dove, 6 Woodpigeon and a single Canada Goose also moved through mid morning.
Seawatching highlights from the Lighthouse car park were several Common Scoter, 50+ Great crested Grebe, Red breasted Merganser, 2 Red throated Diver, 4 Great Northern Diver and a small grebe spp thought most likely a Slavonian .
AMC, KAD, DH, EW
A call from both Hilbre and the Lifeboat station alerted me to an Osprey on the beach in front of my house. Sure enough through the mist an adult Osprey was picked up on the sand eating a flat fish. A few phone calls later and a mini twitch ensued with a number of Lighthouse regulars managing to see the bird before it flew off east accompanied by a couple of crows. A great garden tick !
Migrant highlights at the Lighthouse included Redpoll, Siskin, 150 Meadow Pipit, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Wheatear, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 4 Pied Wagtail, 6 Swallow and 20 Sand Martin moved North East throughout the day. A Willow Warbler was singing from a Hoylake garden.
Other migrants included Collared Dove, 6 Woodpigeon and a single Canada Goose also moved through mid morning.
Seawatching highlights from the Lighthouse car park were several Common Scoter, 50+ Great crested Grebe, Red breasted Merganser, 2 Red throated Diver, 4 Great Northern Diver and a small grebe spp thought most likely a Slavonian .
AMC, KAD, DH, EW
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| Goldcrest (AMC) |
Wednesday, 2 April 2014
2nd April 2014
Weather: SE-4, cool and overcast.
Migration picked up today with the South easterlies. At least 100 Meadow Pipit moved East as did 2 Greenfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Sand Martin and 9 Swallows. A singing Chiffchaff was in the LEO copse and 2 Wheater where in 'Hoopoe hollow' and 1 in the horse paddocks.
Offshore several Common Scoter and 48 Great crested Grebe could be seen from the Lighthouse Carpark. In addition 2 Red breasted Merganser, 8 Pintail and an incredible 4 Great Northern Diver could be seen from the car park. A drake Eider flew west at the top of the tide.
Several skiens of Pink footed Geese were seen flying North during the course of the day returning to their Arctic breeding grounds.
AMC, KAD, DH
Migration picked up today with the South easterlies. At least 100 Meadow Pipit moved East as did 2 Greenfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Sand Martin and 9 Swallows. A singing Chiffchaff was in the LEO copse and 2 Wheater where in 'Hoopoe hollow' and 1 in the horse paddocks.
Offshore several Common Scoter and 48 Great crested Grebe could be seen from the Lighthouse Carpark. In addition 2 Red breasted Merganser, 8 Pintail and an incredible 4 Great Northern Diver could be seen from the car park. A drake Eider flew west at the top of the tide.
Several skiens of Pink footed Geese were seen flying North during the course of the day returning to their Arctic breeding grounds.
AMC, KAD, DH
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
1st April 2014
Weather: SE-3, mild and sunny
A mid afternoon visit to the lighthouse produced 2 white Wagtails and 5 Wheatear in the paddocks. Offshore proved a little more productive with 14 Brent Goose flying North as did a single adult Gannet. The Great Northern Diver continues to linger offshore
DH
A mid afternoon visit to the lighthouse produced 2 white Wagtails and 5 Wheatear in the paddocks. Offshore proved a little more productive with 14 Brent Goose flying North as did a single adult Gannet. The Great Northern Diver continues to linger offshore
DH
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