Weather: NW-4, cold and sunny
A quiet day at the Lighthouse produced few migrants. Another stiff north westerly kept migration at bay in the main however at least 13 Wheatear were between the paddocks and Leasowe Common.
Two male Whinchat were near the Western kissing gate mid morning and another was present late afternoon in the fields inland from Park Lane.
AMC, AE & MGT
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Monday, 27 April 2015
27th April 2015
Weather: W-2, increasing 4 later, cool & overcast
Yesterdays Pied Flycatcher had moved on overnight. The day was quiet on the whole with few new migrants in today. Two Whinchat were in Kerr's field mid morning but moved through quickly. Two Whitethroat were new in at Lingham Lane whilst Reed and Sedge warblers are now well established on territory.
16 Sand Martin moved North during the day as did several Swallow.
Surprise of the day was the reappearance of the male Green Woodpecker seen flying over the paddocks and lost to view over over Parkfield House. A Welcome 'pullback' for those who missed this Lighthouse MEGA when it was first discovered on 5th April.
BB, AMC, SD, JJ EW
Yesterdays Pied Flycatcher had moved on overnight. The day was quiet on the whole with few new migrants in today. Two Whinchat were in Kerr's field mid morning but moved through quickly. Two Whitethroat were new in at Lingham Lane whilst Reed and Sedge warblers are now well established on territory.
16 Sand Martin moved North during the day as did several Swallow.
Surprise of the day was the reappearance of the male Green Woodpecker seen flying over the paddocks and lost to view over over Parkfield House. A Welcome 'pullback' for those who missed this Lighthouse MEGA when it was first discovered on 5th April.
BB, AMC, SD, JJ EW
Sunday, 26 April 2015
26th April 2015
Weather: W/NW-3, cool and sunny.
A cool stiff westerly slowed migration temporarily today with just two new Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat recorded along the 'nature trail' today whilst only two Wheatears were found in the paddocks.
Highlight of the day was a stunning male Pied Flycatcher in track side bushes along Park Lane. A scarce bird on the Wirral this is our second of the spring . Present for most of the day the bird was obliging and allowed many to catch up with this stunning summer migrant!
JB, AMC, AE, KD & MGT et al
A cool stiff westerly slowed migration temporarily today with just two new Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat recorded along the 'nature trail' today whilst only two Wheatears were found in the paddocks.
Highlight of the day was a stunning male Pied Flycatcher in track side bushes along Park Lane. A scarce bird on the Wirral this is our second of the spring . Present for most of the day the bird was obliging and allowed many to catch up with this stunning summer migrant!
JB, AMC, AE, KD & MGT et al
.JPG) |
| Pied Flycatcher (Jeremy Bradshaw) |
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| Pied Flycatcher (AMC) |
Friday, 24 April 2015
Friday 24th April 2015
Weather; Sunny early on then cloudy and hazy. Winds NW-NE F2.
Our fourth Osprey of the spring so far passed through at 9.30 a.m. flying over the lighthouse in a north-easterly direction, the usual line of travel for them here at this time of year. Other overhead travellers included over 20 House Martins, 30 Swallows and 24 Sand Martins headed east. 2 Tree Pipits and a single flava Wagtail headed north.
Other migrants new in around the lighthouse included 5 more Reed Warblers, most of which were in song and, it is hoped, will stay to breed. Most Sedge Warblers also seem to be on their territories now although there were several obvious migrants in areas far from reeds. 3 Grasshopper Warblers were in song and at least 6 Whitethroats are now apparently on territory.
Over 20 Blackcaps were in the area today, concentrated mainly in the Lingham Lane area, especially around Lingham bridge. 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a female Redstart were new arrivals on Lingham Lane this morning.
11 Wheatears were on Meols common this morning, some of which re-located to the paddocks. Around 20 Willow Warblers were also scattered around the area, including another grey individual, probably of the Scandinavian race acredula, seen at Lingham Lane.
A further small arrival of migrants arrived mid afternoon, as is often the case here. These included an additional 6 Wheatears and two Redstarts, a female and a first summer male, in the area of the nature trail and the embankment. A male Yellow Wagtail appeared at the same time on the nearby Lingham Lane paddocks and an mixed assemblage of over 50 Swallows and Sand Martins gathered on wires in Park Lane. Observers AMC, DH, MGT, EW.
Our fourth Osprey of the spring so far passed through at 9.30 a.m. flying over the lighthouse in a north-easterly direction, the usual line of travel for them here at this time of year. Other overhead travellers included over 20 House Martins, 30 Swallows and 24 Sand Martins headed east. 2 Tree Pipits and a single flava Wagtail headed north.
Other migrants new in around the lighthouse included 5 more Reed Warblers, most of which were in song and, it is hoped, will stay to breed. Most Sedge Warblers also seem to be on their territories now although there were several obvious migrants in areas far from reeds. 3 Grasshopper Warblers were in song and at least 6 Whitethroats are now apparently on territory.
Over 20 Blackcaps were in the area today, concentrated mainly in the Lingham Lane area, especially around Lingham bridge. 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a female Redstart were new arrivals on Lingham Lane this morning.
11 Wheatears were on Meols common this morning, some of which re-located to the paddocks. Around 20 Willow Warblers were also scattered around the area, including another grey individual, probably of the Scandinavian race acredula, seen at Lingham Lane.
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| Migrating Osprey. AMC |
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| Female Redstart, Lingham Lane EW |
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Thursday 23rd April 2015
Weather; Fine and sunny, rather hazy. Wind very light NE to NW F1-2.
Summer migrants continued to arrive in the Leasowe lighthouse area today with good numbers of Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers now singing from regularly occupied territories. One or two Reed Warblers are in full song in the area of the pond. 5 Grasshopper Warblers were also reeling from various locations although most of these will probably move on.
The first Lesser Whitethroats arrived this morning with 2 in Carr Lane and another 2 along the nature trail.
Around 30 Wheatears moved through in the course of the day, most being in the paddocks. 3 White Wagtails were also here and a Whinchat and a male Redstart were in the inland fields opposite. Another male Redstart was in Park Lane while a male Ring Ouzel spent much of the day in the Lingham Lane paddocks. A single Tree Pipit was in Kerr's field.
Good numbers of Blackcaps continue to pass through with a total of 29 birds logged today. Around 15 Willow Warblers and 10 Chiffchaffs were also in the area.
Hirundine passage was again rather sparse today with a small movement of 20 Swallows and 9 Sand Martins moving east along the embankment in the mid afternoon. Observers; AMC, DH, JJ, MS, EW.
Summer migrants continued to arrive in the Leasowe lighthouse area today with good numbers of Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers now singing from regularly occupied territories. One or two Reed Warblers are in full song in the area of the pond. 5 Grasshopper Warblers were also reeling from various locations although most of these will probably move on.
The first Lesser Whitethroats arrived this morning with 2 in Carr Lane and another 2 along the nature trail.
Around 30 Wheatears moved through in the course of the day, most being in the paddocks. 3 White Wagtails were also here and a Whinchat and a male Redstart were in the inland fields opposite. Another male Redstart was in Park Lane while a male Ring Ouzel spent much of the day in the Lingham Lane paddocks. A single Tree Pipit was in Kerr's field.
Good numbers of Blackcaps continue to pass through with a total of 29 birds logged today. Around 15 Willow Warblers and 10 Chiffchaffs were also in the area.
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| Female Wheatear. Many of the Wheatears now passing through appear to be of the large Greenland race. EW |
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| Chiffchaff EW |
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
ALPINE SWIFT
Weather: SE-2, sunny & warm all day.
Despite the clear conditions it was apparent from the start there had been a small 'fall' of Phylloscopus Warblers including 57 Willow Warbler and 12 Chiffchaff between Lingham Lane and Park Lane. An arrival of Blackcap had also occurred with at least 20 birds being logged , principally feeding among the Hawthorn flowers in Lingham Lane.
A single male Yellow Wagtail was in the eastern most Horse paddock mid morning.
Several Sedge Warbler and a single Reed Warbler were singing at the Lighthouse pond. At least 3 male Grasshopper Warbler were 'reeling' from various locations between 'sandy lane' and the East Bank.
As the morning progressed so it became more about quality than quantity and at approximately 09.30 a stunning Male Pied Flycatcher was found by Lighthouse regular David Haig (DH) in track side bushes at Park Lane. This is only our second since 2013. A great bird which sadly didn't stick around for the masses. Equally brief and equally exciting was an ALPINE SWIFT also found by (DH) which flew past a quintet of locals who happened to be on site watching the Pied Fly. An incredible 10 minute spell for those lucky but well deserving few.
Also present on Park Lane was a single Male Redstart whilst 6 Greenland Wheatear and a female Whinchat were found in 'Hoopoe Hollow' mid afternoon.
Numbers of Dunlin are beginning to build with most in smart breeding plumage. At least 700 are currently roosting on the foreshore at Dove Point, along with several Turnstone, Redshank and 3 Whimbrel.
AMC, AE, DH, KAD, JJ, AO, MS, CT
Despite the clear conditions it was apparent from the start there had been a small 'fall' of Phylloscopus Warblers including 57 Willow Warbler and 12 Chiffchaff between Lingham Lane and Park Lane. An arrival of Blackcap had also occurred with at least 20 birds being logged , principally feeding among the Hawthorn flowers in Lingham Lane.
A single male Yellow Wagtail was in the eastern most Horse paddock mid morning.
Several Sedge Warbler and a single Reed Warbler were singing at the Lighthouse pond. At least 3 male Grasshopper Warbler were 'reeling' from various locations between 'sandy lane' and the East Bank.
As the morning progressed so it became more about quality than quantity and at approximately 09.30 a stunning Male Pied Flycatcher was found by Lighthouse regular David Haig (DH) in track side bushes at Park Lane. This is only our second since 2013. A great bird which sadly didn't stick around for the masses. Equally brief and equally exciting was an ALPINE SWIFT also found by (DH) which flew past a quintet of locals who happened to be on site watching the Pied Fly. An incredible 10 minute spell for those lucky but well deserving few.
Also present on Park Lane was a single Male Redstart whilst 6 Greenland Wheatear and a female Whinchat were found in 'Hoopoe Hollow' mid afternoon.
Numbers of Dunlin are beginning to build with most in smart breeding plumage. At least 700 are currently roosting on the foreshore at Dove Point, along with several Turnstone, Redshank and 3 Whimbrel.
AMC, AE, DH, KAD, JJ, AO, MS, CT
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| Pied Flycatcher (DH) |
Monday, 20 April 2015
Monday 20th April 2015
Weather; Warm and sunny all day. Wind SE F2.
Offshore at the lighthouse today were 106 Great Crested Grebes and a single summer plumaged Red-throated Diver.
Most passerine migration took place in the morning today with a passage of 60 Swallows and 35 House Martins passing east. Hirundine numbers trailed off in the afternoon with just a handful of Swallows passing through, these on a more northerly course offshore into Liverpool bay. A single Flava Wagtail flew over this morning.
Grounded birds in the Leasowe area included over 30 Wheatears, 4 White Wagtails, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Grasshopper Warbler , 3 Whitethroats, 16 Willow Warblers and 8 Chiffchaffs. Most of the Wheatears had moved through by the afternoon. 3 Redstarts were also in the area, probably new birds, with a male and a female in the Park Lane area and a further male near Lingham bridge.
There was also a decent arrival of Blackcaps today with a total of 13 birds seen. 5 females appeared together this morning at Lingham bridge with a further 5 mainly male birds appearing mid-afternoon by the duck pond. 3 others were seen at other locations.
AMC, DH & EW
Offshore at the lighthouse today were 106 Great Crested Grebes and a single summer plumaged Red-throated Diver.
Most passerine migration took place in the morning today with a passage of 60 Swallows and 35 House Martins passing east. Hirundine numbers trailed off in the afternoon with just a handful of Swallows passing through, these on a more northerly course offshore into Liverpool bay. A single Flava Wagtail flew over this morning.
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| Male Redstart near Lingham bridge AMC |
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| Male Redstart near Lingham bridge AMC |
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| Willow Warbler. Note the almost white underparts on this individual with almost no trace of yellow. The mantle is a pale grey-brown colour lacking in any of the usual olive tones. Greyish birds such as this predominate in northern regions of Europe such as Scandinavia which is where this bird could possibly be headed. Some authorities consider them a separate race, acredula. The apparently different colour legs is probably caused by light and shadow. Both Willow Warbler shots are of the same bird. EW. |
AMC, DH & EW
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| Willow Warbler EW |
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