Hoylake Bird Observatory (1 Viewer)

[Jane Turner]

I had my first Wheatear of the year IN the garden today. Predicatably on habits and date it was a Greenland bird. There were 4 or so more on the beach, with about 50 White Wagtails. Three Whimbrels went over as did my first Tree Pipit of the year.


There are good numbers of Wader moving through now. 300 Dunlin, 1000 Knot, 80 Ringed Plovers and 25 Grey Plovers fed around the wagtails.

A male Sparrowhawk went over, attracting the wrath of the Swallows which are building a nest already. I have a second pair of Wrens in residence, using a roosting-pocket I hung up in winter. The Peregrines are still getting frisky out on the beach!

That is 88 now

 

[Tanny]

Thanks for the info Jane. I was around the Leasow Lighthouse yesterday and photographed the Wheatear in the fields with the horses. A swallow was desperately seaking flies and actualy flew over my head as close as six inches to get at a couple of midgies that were pestering me. I still hav'nt sussed out where your house is, are you left of Kings Gap road or right. Just curious. :h?:
Tanny.

 

[Jane Turner]

I am right facing the sea - one house between me and the Lifeboat station! That field is excellent for Wheatears and there will be Whinchat in there tomorrow for certain.

Its been a day for dodgy wildfowl. A Greylag goose flew up the beach this morning and three Mallard went over the back garden tonight (both new for the year). There is a Willow Warbler in the front garden this morning. The weather looks great for a drop of migrants tomorrow.

That is 90 for the year. Hope to make 100 by May

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Jane,

Please be good enough to stand still whilst I am catching up!

Stephen.

 

[Jane Turner]

Sorry Stephen - has a sprint today.

I was woken by a Grasshopper Warbler (new) reeling away and as I was still half awake, a Greenshank (new) called As usual I can't see it though. 5 Tree pipits have flown over together with a few White Wagtails and my first Yellow Wagtail of the year. There are 10 or so Willow Warblers in the gardens, and singing male Blackcap and Whitethroat (new). Overhead passage has included Stock Dove (new), 12 Jackdaws and a Rook (2nd). The best bird was not new - a second Ring Ouzel, a female.

There are 6 Greenlandy Wheatears on the beach and after making their first appearance of the year yesterday, the Mallard appear to be prospecting my garden for nesting. Looks good for an Osprey later... its a wearing bins in the house day today

That's 95 for the year

 

[edenwatcher]

Goodness - that's me toasted. Someone please remind me what migrants are again.

Disgusted of Guardbridge

 

[Jane Turner]

They are coming... by Sunday you'll have gripped them all back.

 

[edenwatcher]

They are coming... by Sunday you'll have gripped them all back.

Hope you're right - we are hosting an SOC "Big Sit" on Sunday!

Rob

 

[Jane Turner]

Trust me!

Well here is one for the rule books. I just saw a Dartford Warbler from my Bedroom window. Trouble was it was in the hand and on Hilbre! The really annoying thing is that I have recorded Dartford or Marmoras Warbler here in the autumn of 2000. I just didn't get enough on it!

Still I maintain my 100% record on Cheshire Darties

I think I'll leave it as 95 (+1)

 

[Jane Turner]

96 = Redstart as ever on the stream in the back garden. I stunning male. Not sure there is abetter looking bird in the UK.

There are still lots of birds coming in off the sea - Willow Warblers up to 40 now

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Trust me!

Well here is one for the rule books. I just saw a Dartford Warbler from my Bedroom window. Trouble was it was in the hand and on Hilbre! The really annoying thing is that I have recorded Dartford or Marmoras Warbler here in the autumn of 2000. I just didn't get enough on it!

Still I maintain my 100% record on Cheshire Darties

I think I'll leave it as 95 (+1)

So how did this work then Jane? I have visions of you being phoned by the ringers who then hold up the bird for you to scope - is this what happened? How far away was it?

 

[edenwatcher]

So how did this work then Jane? I have visions of you being phoned by the ringers who then hold up the bird for you to scope - is this what happened? How far away was it?

That was what I imagined...
Maybe I need to employ a spotter at Outhead - should be good for a few new species ....

Rob

 

[Jane Turner]

Yes its a good 2 miles away... I was called by them to say they had it.. and were about to let it go.... I could easily see it was a bird... and that was the limit of what I could see!

I have Roseate Tern on the lhouse list that was confirmed by someone on the phone on the north end of Hilbre... this feels signifincantly less kosher!

 

[Anntan]

Well done Jane. I've been searching for that Dartford Warbler on the Dales at Heswall, it was recorded there a couple of years ago. I am heading up your way today so will be looking out for you.

 

[deeestuary]

photograph of the Dartford Warbler on the Birding North West website -
www.birdingnorthwest.org.uk , also the Cetti's warbler at Neston (Although they haven't been seen this month).
P.S. Photo *wasn't* taken by Jane from her bedroom window!

 

[Jane Turner]

More of the same today, though no Gropper singing. Tree Pipit (3) Yellow Wagtail (3) and a sprinkling of Willow warblers. (10) and a couple of whimbrel. There were over 100 White wags last evening, but only 20 or so today. There were a few Wheatears out towards Red Rocks and what was probably a Whinchat... just too far to be sure! I didn't have the benefit of seeing it in the hand.

Today's new birds were Spotted Redshank (calling at night) Little Tern 2, Common Tern 25 and Arctic Tern 4 to go with the Sandwich Terns out there.

That appears to be 99 for the year.... and still no Gannet - so that is my tip for 100

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

That appears to be 99 for the year.... and still no Gannet - so that is my tip for 100

Perhaps you could get them to try tape luring Gannets on Hilbre - if they caught one of those you would be able to ID it from your place.

 

[david2004]

Hi Jane

I've been following this post for a while so thought I might as well post now. You are so lucky seeing so many amazing birds at your house!
I look forward to seeing your next post, and the 100th tick!

 

[Jane Turner]

Gannet at that range is not problem Stephen...Dartie was though. David - my 100th species wasn't very exciting. Pheasant! - Though I do need to check I haven't heard one before. This was a sound record!


100!


Edit: just checked the species off in a spreadsheet and come up with 102 (excluding distant Sylvia warblers in the hand!)

 

[edenwatcher]

Himmel, arrgh!

Rob