Cheshire And Wirral Birding: Hills, Lowland and Coast (7 Viewers)

[Himalaya]

Good views of the Smew on Tatton Mere at lunchtime. Parallel to the Smews location, over in the Beech stands by the golf course, there were several dozen Brambling and a brief glimpse of a Woodcock.

I would love to see a Woodcock.....how easy is it to see?

 

[Cheshire Birder]

any reason you aint recognising the casp mate ? its 100 %

If someone posts records just before my post I tend not to include them in my summary. It keeps people reading the whole thread. Don't forget to send your record with the description to the county recorder.

CB

 

[tigertom]

Had good day today 1st up smew at tatton mere a life tick for me was not easy to find so thanks to the 2 other birders that located it in the channal between the mere and smaller pool this morning NW corner I think.
Then two hours on trains vir chester to get to west kirby to meet with 2 visting birders from down south, loads of waders on the the high tide hoylake side of red rocks, dunlin, knot, sanderling, a few ring plovers and gray plover godwits, red shank, and others good views of 14 brent flying by close in.
Then walk along salt marsh back to west kirby loads more dunlin, knot red shank and the best one a jack snipe flushed by dog walkers few very close by dropping down few feet from use giveing some good views befor running into cover.
|=)|MIKE:cat:

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Good views of the Smew on Tatton Mere at lunchtime. Parallel to the Smews location, over in the Beech stands by the golf course, there were several dozen Brambling and a brief glimpse of a Woodcock.

Smew was much more elusive this afternoon. Will go back tomorrow morning first thing and see if I can get some pictures. Gates are open 8am till 5pm.

CB

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Other news for today - Caspian Gull, 2 Iceland Gulls, Mediterranean Gull and 7 Yellow-legged Gulls at Richmond Bank; Great White Egret at Parkgate; Water Pipit at Neston Sewage Works; Bittern and Iceland Gull at Moore NR; Mediterranean Gull at Rostherne Mere; 21 Purple Sandpipers at New Brighton;

Yesterday - 2-3 Bitterns at Moore NR;

CB

 

[John Barber]

Woodcock

I would love to see a Woodcock.....how easy is it to see?

Woodcock are a difficult bird to see Himalaya. Most often seen when flushed by walkers or dogs from their hiding places amongst vegetation on rough land, woods or bogs etc. Local patch birders will probably know of the best places to look for them in your area.

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Today - Great White Egret and Spoonbill at Parkgate; Iceland Gull at Richmond Bank; Smew and c50 Bramblings at Tatton Mere; Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Moore NR; 6 Crossbills at Burton Mere Wetlands;

CB

 

[cheshirebirder]

At Neston swge works; water pipit ( +grey wagtail, chiffchaff and goldcrest.)
Well lane,Ness; Egyptian goose .
Yesterday, 10+ crossbill near top carpark in Macc Forest.

 

[Jane Turner]

I had an apparent 2nd W Iceland Gull over the house today... just a nagging doubt that it could have been small leucistic Herring Gull.

 

[gregbaker]

For anyone wishing to see Lesser 'pecker, a female has become very regular at Marbury CP from the path alongside Budworth Mere. It favours the old alders and particularly the one at the water's edge halfway along the path with two obvious main trunks at its base. It can be typically elusive but is often there hidden behind the trunks so be patient.

 

[John Barber]

Thanks for the info Greg.

Believe it or not, in over 40 years of fishing Budworth Mere I've never managed to see a Lesser Spot anywhere around the lake yet. Even during the last three years, after I seriously took up bird watching and made numerous visits specifically to find this bird it's remained stubbornly elusive. I've never had a problem finding the Bittern when it's around, or anything else - just those pesky peckers ! In fact, I've had more luck finding the Loch Ness monster ( possible sighting on expeditions back in the 70's ) than this bird. So I'll take your advice on my next visit - probably this week - and see if I can finally nail this most elusive creature.

 

[bradinho]

Latest from BMW in terms of sightings:
Incredible flocks of lapwings (c4000) being flushed by peregrine, merlin, sparrowhawk, hen harrier, crow ... you name it!
A good flock of 100+ golden plover roosted last night 4.30pm onwards including a grogeous summer plumage bird
The wild grey geese are to-ing and fro-ing between here, fields and Parkgate marshes, these are maily pink-feet but at least half a dozen white-fronted geese
The resident kingfisher has been seen plus a few sightings of green woodpeckers
Woodcock have been seen some evenings flighting from the wood into the fields but getting more difficult as the nights draw out (we lock up at 5pm)

 

[gregbaker]

Thanks for the info Greg.

Believe it or not, in over 40 years of fishing Budworth Mere I've never managed to see a Lesser Spot anywhere around the lake yet. Even during the last three years, after I seriously took up bird watching and made numerous visits specifically to find this bird it's remained stubbornly elusive. I've never had a problem finding the Bittern when it's around, or anything else - just those pesky peckers ! In fact, I've had more luck finding the Loch Ness monster ( possible sighting on expeditions back in the 70's ) than this bird. So I'll take your advice on my next visit - probably this week - and see if I can finally nail this most elusive creature.

From now to the middle of March will be your best bet John

 

[John Barber]

I'll be on my way tomorrow morning !

 

[Wimpy]

Can anyone tell me if IMF is still closed on Tuesdays.

Thanks

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Yesterday - 2 Whooper Swans at Sandbach Flashes; 200 Brent Geese at Hilbre; 6 Woodcocks at Risley Moss; 21,000 Knot at West Kirby;

Also of note - Grey Seal at Richmond Bank apparently present in the area for a couple of weeks.

CB

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Today - Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Hen Harrier and 1,000+ Pink-footed Geese at Parkgate Marsh; 56 White-fronted Geese and Hen Harrier at Burton Mere Wetlands; 2 Bitterns at Moore NR; Egyptian Goose at Ness; 22 Purple Sandpipers at New Brighton; Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Budworth Mere;

CB

 

[owl flight]

Can anyone tell me if IMF is still closed on Tuesdays.

Thanks

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/d/dee-burtonmerewetlands/about.aspx

"Our reception building is open between 9.30 am and 5 pm. The reserve is open between 9 am and 9 pm, or dusk if sooner."

 

[Wimpy]

Thanks OF but is that for BMF? I want to go to the old hide at Inner Marsh.

 

[deeestuary]

Can anyone tell me if IMF is still closed on Tuesdays.

Thanks

Yes. But you may want to double check by ringing 0151 353 8478 or 0151 336 7681.
BMW is open on Tuesday.