30th April 2014

Weather: E/NE, variable-1. Warm with sea mist.

A flat calm sea gave the seawatchers an opportunity to search for some sea duck. On the flood tide 112 Great crested Grebe were counted along with 2 Red throated Diver, 5 Common Scoter, 1 Scaup and the unusual site on the sea, a pair of Shoveler.

As the mist descended so did the migrants and 3 Whinchat dropped in near sandy lane whilst the paddocks held 10 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 5 White wagtail.. 3 singing Willow Warbler were also new in. A female Merlin came in off the sea and headed east much to the consternation of the local Swallows. 

There was also a reasonable passage of Redpoll during the day totaling 20 by the end of the day.The only other finch of note was a solitary Siskin.

5 Whimbrel could be found feeding on the sandbank opposite the groyne.

A Painted Lady butterfly was an early record.


AMC, DH, KAD,EW - photo's AMC

Whinchat

Whimbrel

Painted Lady. Dr Paul Brewster

29th April 2014

Weather: SE-2, mist early morning clearing. Warm and sunny later

A much quieter day today with only 2 Wheatear  and a Whinchat in the paddocks whilst singles of both Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit overhead. A Lesser Whitethroat was in bushes next to the car park. 3 Grasshopper Warbler and several Reed warbler continue to hold territory,

Offshore over 100 Great crested Grebe  and 60 Gannets could be found floating on a flat calm sea. A summer plumage Red throated Diver could also be seen from the car park .

AMC, DH, KAD, EW

28th April 2014

Weather; NE/N-2, warm and sunny some haze.

The easterlies continue and so do the birds. In the paddocks early morning there were 3 Whinchat, 5 White Wagtail and 21 Wheatear, many of which were still present early evening. 2 Garden warbler could be found in the coastal bushes whilst 3 Grasshopper Warbler continue to hold territory.

A seawatch from the Lighthouse Car Park produced 56 Sanwhich Tern, 17 Gannet, 110 Great crested Grebe, 2 Scaup and 2 summer plumage Black throated Diver.

The Dunlin flock remained off Hoylake promanade.

Further west a male Little Bunting was trapped and ringed by (SRW and CJ) on Hilbre Island mid morning. A fantastic record for Hilbre and North Wirral. www.hilbrebirdobs.blogspot.co.uk 

AMC, DH and EW

Alan Hitchmough

AMC

27th April 2014

Weather: SE-3/4, sunny and blustery

Migrant Dunlin numbers are beginning to increase with 2000 feeding just off Hoylake promenade with 25 Ringed Plover. 17 Whimbrel and a single Bar tailed Godwit were in the high tide roost whilst several Gannet and Sandwich Tern could be seen feeding offshore.

Despite many migrants now in and breeding migration still continues with todays highlights including 1 Redpoll, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail , 5 White Wagtails, 16 Wheatear, 2 male Redstart, 6 Whinchat, and 3 singing Grasshopper Warbler.
Several singing male Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were also present.

A small movement of Hirrundines took place mid morning but no significant numbers were recorded.

At approximately 17.05 the Night Heron was flying west along the Birkett and lost to view and then as on previous evenings could be seen to drop in from Lingham bridge at 19.15.

Two miles west of the Lighthouse a Wryneck was discovered by (JET) in marsh side bushes at Red Rocks. 

AMC,JB KD, DH, JJ, EW

SRW

The good run continues.

Weather: SE-3-4, sunny spells and squally showers.

Migration continues to hot up at the Lighthouse with good numbers of Yellow Wagtail starting to build. Whilst birds move through here all day a flock of at least 12 birds were found mid afternoon. Within the flock a smart looking 'Channel' Wagtail Motacilla flava flava x flavissima was found catching insects amongst the daisies. Thought initially to be Blue headed, however the pale throat, pale cheeks and very pale powder blue head suggest this bird is a Channel Wagtail.

Other migrants today included 1 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, 3 Garden warbler and numerous Blackcap, Whitethroat, and Chiffchaff.

At 20.10 the Night Heron flew into the river Birkett from it's daytime roost appearing to drop onto the river somewhere west of Lingham Bridge..

AMC, JB DH, MGT-

Photos- AMC

25th April 2014

Cloudy early, heavy rain from 14.00. Wind E 2.

In the Leasowe lighthouse area the Night Heron appeared again today at 7.15 p.m. when it was seen flying along the Birkett towards the fisheries.  
 Offshore today  were 90 Sandwich Terns and 24 Gannets.
A good number of grounded migrants were also in the lighthouse area, many of them new in today. These included 2 Whinchats, a male Redstart, 22 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, 3 Grasshopper Warblers, and good numbers of Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs.
25 House Martins passed overhead.

Observers; JB,DH,JT

Taken on 24th  April (AMC)

Taken on 24th April (AMC)

NIGHT HERON #2

Weather: N/NW, variable-2-3, cool and overcast, sunny later.

Another walk of Lingham Lane pays off as the adult, or near adult, Night Heron flew from the trees near Lingham Bridge over my head and disappeared North, seemingly dropping down near the Lighthouse pond. Some record shots were rattled off as the bird gave far better views than the ones we had yesterday. A lovely evening and a fantastic bird.

A full update of the rest of today's birds later:

On the sea 65 Sandwich Terns, 83 Great crested Grebes and 17 Gannets were logged while a Peregrine was feeding on prey, a Gull, at low tide. A single Whimbrel was on the mud flats.
Overhead 50 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins flew mainly east.
A Lesser Whitethroat and a female Redstart were in the Lingham Lane area.
Other birds recorded included 21 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, a Stonechat, 5 White Wagtails and 5 Grasshopper Warblers.

AMC. Photo's AMC

Just showing the white breeding plume