Little and Sandwich Terns on the Wirral (1 Viewer)

[noble-lite]

Can anyone tell me if these terns are at the Wirral please. Passing that way later in the week.

 

[owl flight]

check dee estuary birding for current info

 

[Jane Turner]

Sandwich is certain offshore anywhere along the coast, but its a bit early for Little Terns - they, like the Sandwich Terns breed on the Welsh side of the estuary, but they stay closer to the colony until the young are fledged.


If you can walk out to Hilbre Island, that is your best chance of Little. If you can't, then try off the sea wall close to leasowe lighthouse for Sandwich.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Sandwich is certain offshore anywhere along the coast, but its a bit early for Little Terns - they, like the Sandwich Terns breed on the Welsh side of the estuary, but they stay closer to the colony until the young are fledged.

I assumed the Little Terns off Blackpool yesterday were from down there, maybe they weren't...

 

[Jane Turner]

They might be... but its about 2 weeks early - failed breeders may be moving.

These are my records by half month and week

 

[Cheshire Birder]

As Jane has said post breeding is main is the period for Little Terns, whereas Sandwich Terns are present throughout the summer into Sept. Anywhere along the North Wirral shore should be fine for seeing Sandwich Terns. Best time is at high tide when they are flying past or as the tide drops, they sit on the sandbanks.

CB

 

[Jane Turner]

There were a good 200 Sandwich Terns in the Red Rocks area yesterday and today

 

[chris butterworth]

Next month is the prime time for Sandwich and Little Terns in the Gull roosts off Hoylake and West Kirby. A rising tide is best at WK, as the birds get pushed together off the saltmarsh when the water reaches the north end of Marine Lake.

 

[noble-lite]

Thanks for all those inputs.