Weather: SW-5-6, cold, cloudy and rain.
The inclement weather prevented much migration and observers took the opportunity to rest after a few days of long walks across the sands scoter hunting.
Those who did venture out were rewarded with a third summer Caspian Gull on the beach opposite Roman Road, Meols, whilst Wirrals first Sandwich Tern of the year was seen from the Mersey Ferry around lunch time today.
KD, MG
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Friday, 27 March 2015
Surf Scoter Seconds
Weather: SW-1-2 decreasing. warm and overcast with sunny spells.
The drake Surf Scoter was again off Hoylake prom today among a smallish group of around 700 Common Scoter. The Surf Scoter stuck out like a beacon with its oversized bill and gleaming nape patch. The bird was much closer today and clearly showed an all black forehead aging it as a 1st summer male.
A poor but passable? record shot was managed using the i phone and scope combination. I think it is clear even from this poor photo just how obvious the white nape patch is, even at distance.
Also present were 5 Velvet Scoters, 1 Red breasted Merganser and 2 Long tailed Duck.
Some observers counted over 20,000 Common Scoter flushed by a passing boat mid afternoon. Also present mid afternoon were 20 Red throated Divers
With the weather looking poor it is unlikely the Surf Scoter will be seen over the weekend. Although we are on neap tides anyone considering venturing out onto the East Hoyle Bank should do with extreme caution and be aware of any incoming tidal channels that may be behind them.
Few passerines moved through today at the lighthouse bar a steady movement of Meadow Pipit and a single Rock pipit.
AMC, FD, DK, MGT, EW , SRW &PSW
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| !st summer male Surf Scoter (AMC) |
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| (AMC) |
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
Surf Scoter; 1st record for Cheshire and Wirral.
Weather; Fine, sunny day with almost no wind.
Cheshire and Wirral's long awaited first Surf Scoter, an adult drake, was discovered early this morning among the many thousands of Common Scoter off Hoylake by lighthouse regulars Allan Conlin and Kenny Dummigan, a well deserved reward for many weeks of searching for this species here.
This is one of the very few occasions when a county first has been found more by design than by luck. Local birders had long believed that 'Surfies' were present among the vast flocks of Common Scoters barely visible far out off Hoylake but the main problem was that these flocks were just too far out to see clearly enough. Allan, however, had recently figured out how to get close enough to these flocks to enable them to be sifted through. This involved a long hike across the sand at the lowest time of the tide to the distant tide line. It is essential for there to be no or extremely little wind to enable the birds to be visible on the still sea. Early visits are best to avoid the heat haze which builds up later in the day. A sunny day also helps as it reflects the all important white bits of both drake Surf Scoters and flying Velvet Scoters.
Over recent weeks Allan's pioneering tactics have paid off with record breaking counts of Common Scoters, far in excess of previous counts, and regular sightings of rarer sea duck such as Long-tailed Duck, Eider and Velvet Scoter.
Perfect wind, tide, light and sun conditions were in place early this morning which greatly assisted the discovery of the Surf Scoter. Other species seen here at the time included at least 5 Velvet Scoters, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Great-crested Grebes and over 10,000 Common Scoters.
A fantastic find and many congratulations to Allan and Ken.
Cheshire and Wirral's long awaited first Surf Scoter, an adult drake, was discovered early this morning among the many thousands of Common Scoter off Hoylake by lighthouse regulars Allan Conlin and Kenny Dummigan, a well deserved reward for many weeks of searching for this species here.
This is one of the very few occasions when a county first has been found more by design than by luck. Local birders had long believed that 'Surfies' were present among the vast flocks of Common Scoters barely visible far out off Hoylake but the main problem was that these flocks were just too far out to see clearly enough. Allan, however, had recently figured out how to get close enough to these flocks to enable them to be sifted through. This involved a long hike across the sand at the lowest time of the tide to the distant tide line. It is essential for there to be no or extremely little wind to enable the birds to be visible on the still sea. Early visits are best to avoid the heat haze which builds up later in the day. A sunny day also helps as it reflects the all important white bits of both drake Surf Scoters and flying Velvet Scoters.
Over recent weeks Allan's pioneering tactics have paid off with record breaking counts of Common Scoters, far in excess of previous counts, and regular sightings of rarer sea duck such as Long-tailed Duck, Eider and Velvet Scoter.
Perfect wind, tide, light and sun conditions were in place early this morning which greatly assisted the discovery of the Surf Scoter. Other species seen here at the time included at least 5 Velvet Scoters, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Great-crested Grebes and over 10,000 Common Scoters.
A fantastic find and many congratulations to Allan and Ken.
Sunday, 22 March 2015
22nd March 2015
Weather: SE-0-1, sunny , some haze.
Another long slog out to the East Hoyle Bank for low water, was again productive. In addition to the 17,000 Common Scoter there were Red breasted Merganser (9), Great crested Grebe (5), Velvet Scoter (1) and 2 Long tailed Duck .
As the sun set on this evenings late low tide it was a wonderful sight to see so many sea duck displaying, feeding and generally flying around with all the vigour of spring.
The photo below does not do justice to the sheer numbers of Common Scoter present. The flock stretched from the Life boat shed in Hoylake to the west all the way to Dove Point, Meols in the East. It has to be one of the Ornithological spectacles to witness on the Wirral if not the UK at moment.
AMC
Another long slog out to the East Hoyle Bank for low water, was again productive. In addition to the 17,000 Common Scoter there were Red breasted Merganser (9), Great crested Grebe (5), Velvet Scoter (1) and 2 Long tailed Duck .
As the sun set on this evenings late low tide it was a wonderful sight to see so many sea duck displaying, feeding and generally flying around with all the vigour of spring.
The photo below does not do justice to the sheer numbers of Common Scoter present. The flock stretched from the Life boat shed in Hoylake to the west all the way to Dove Point, Meols in the East. It has to be one of the Ornithological spectacles to witness on the Wirral if not the UK at moment.
AMC
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| AMC |
Saturday, 21 March 2015
21 March 2015
Weather: NE-4 decreasing, sunny.
A glorious morning produced few grounded migrants. 4 Wheatear were in 'Hoopoe Hollow' whilst another 2 birds were near Wallasey coastguards.
Two Snipe passed over high whilst several Teal were to be found on the River Birkett.
Our spring passage of 'White winged Gulls' continued today. A 1st year Iceland Gull which was picked inland of the Lighthouse. The bird flew west in a mixed flock and disappeared to view.
Offshore 2 Velvet Scoter were seen from dove point during high water. A female Long tailed Duck was a surprise find amongst the 15,000 Common Scoter which continue to frequent the waters off the East Hoyle Bank.
A fantastic day was rounded off by an Osprey seen by one lucky observer over West Kirby, being mobbed by Gulls as it headed North.
JB, AMC, KD, MGT
A glorious morning produced few grounded migrants. 4 Wheatear were in 'Hoopoe Hollow' whilst another 2 birds were near Wallasey coastguards.
Two Snipe passed over high whilst several Teal were to be found on the River Birkett.
Our spring passage of 'White winged Gulls' continued today. A 1st year Iceland Gull which was picked inland of the Lighthouse. The bird flew west in a mixed flock and disappeared to view.
Offshore 2 Velvet Scoter were seen from dove point during high water. A female Long tailed Duck was a surprise find amongst the 15,000 Common Scoter which continue to frequent the waters off the East Hoyle Bank.
A fantastic day was rounded off by an Osprey seen by one lucky observer over West Kirby, being mobbed by Gulls as it headed North.
JB, AMC, KD, MGT
Friday, 20 March 2015
Friday 20th March 2015
Weather; Cloudy with some mist and drizzle. Wind west F3
Early spring migration continues through the Leasowe area with around 100 Meadow Pipits moving mainly east and south through the paddocks mid-morning. This movement appeared to peter out after midday. A significant arrival of Wheatears also occured at the same time with 9 birds appearing in the Meols Common area during a period of mist and drizzle. This is a large arrival considering the early date. All birds involved were males and most had dispersed inland by mid afternoon.
A group of 11 Fieldfares and 4 Redwings arrived from the south, landing in poplars near Lingham Lane before continuing north-west. 3 Fieldfares lingered in the paddocks here.
A probable Water Pipit, perhaps yesterday's bird, flew east over the car park, calling as it went. Rock Pipit, however, could not be ruled out completely.
The Little Owl remains near Lingham bridge where it continues to sing regularly and is occasionally visible along the treeline along the north bank of the Birkett west of the bridge. A telescope greatly assists in finding this bird here.
4 Goldcrests, 3 Stonechats and a single Chiffchaff were also in the lighthouse area. Observers; KD, MGT, EW.
Early spring migration continues through the Leasowe area with around 100 Meadow Pipits moving mainly east and south through the paddocks mid-morning. This movement appeared to peter out after midday. A significant arrival of Wheatears also occured at the same time with 9 birds appearing in the Meols Common area during a period of mist and drizzle. This is a large arrival considering the early date. All birds involved were males and most had dispersed inland by mid afternoon.
A group of 11 Fieldfares and 4 Redwings arrived from the south, landing in poplars near Lingham Lane before continuing north-west. 3 Fieldfares lingered in the paddocks here.
A probable Water Pipit, perhaps yesterday's bird, flew east over the car park, calling as it went. Rock Pipit, however, could not be ruled out completely.
The Little Owl remains near Lingham bridge where it continues to sing regularly and is occasionally visible along the treeline along the north bank of the Birkett west of the bridge. A telescope greatly assists in finding this bird here.
4 Goldcrests, 3 Stonechats and a single Chiffchaff were also in the lighthouse area. Observers; KD, MGT, EW.
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| The solar eclipse from Hoylake. AMC |
Thursday, 19 March 2015
19th March 2015
Weather: West 1-2, sunny with some heavy fog
Not quite the excitement today following yesterday's Red Kite, however there was a report of a Water Pipit in the paddocks mid morning. This is an exceptionally rare bird at the Lighthouse and coincides with the continued northward movement of Meadow Pipit.
Other birds moving North today included Jackdaw(4) and Woodpigeon (17). At Lingham bridge the Little Owl continues to call and a Kingfisher was observed perched up just to the west of the bridge.
A single Wheatear was at the West Groyne whilst a further 5 birds dropped in mid afternoon on Meols Common.
AMC, DC, MS-C, KAD & MGT
Not quite the excitement today following yesterday's Red Kite, however there was a report of a Water Pipit in the paddocks mid morning. This is an exceptionally rare bird at the Lighthouse and coincides with the continued northward movement of Meadow Pipit.
Other birds moving North today included Jackdaw(4) and Woodpigeon (17). At Lingham bridge the Little Owl continues to call and a Kingfisher was observed perched up just to the west of the bridge.
A single Wheatear was at the West Groyne whilst a further 5 birds dropped in mid afternoon on Meols Common.
AMC, DC, MS-C, KAD & MGT
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