Hoylake Bird Observatory (1 Viewer)

[Jane Turner]

I got the impression loads more were going to come in - alas I needed to be inside working.

 

[deeestuary]

Still plenty of Gannets about off Hoylake, had eight in about 10 minutes at noon today. Getting quite late for Gannets, last one off Hilbre last year was Oct 5th! Also a Peregrine sitting on a sand bank.

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Jane,

Any news on the report of an Ibis (presumably the Glossy) on Hilbre today?

Rob

 

[Iain]

Jane,

Any news on the report of an Ibis (presumably the Glossy) on Hilbre today?

Rob

No mention on Birdguides or Deeestuary Rob.

 

[Jane Turner]

Jane,

Any news on the report of an Ibis (presumably the Glossy) on Hilbre today?

Rob

I know naaaar-theeng.

Sorry


Black Redstart about though

 

[Rob Smallwood]

But there is on here!

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=44831&highlight=wirral

 

[deeestuary]

Jane,

Any news on the report of an Ibis (presumably the Glossy) on Hilbre today?

Rob

Where did you see the report about the Ibis?
Had an email from someone who had been on Hilbre all morning and he didn't mention anything. Also spoken to Steve Williams (Hilbre Bird Recorder) both during the day and in the evening and he certainly knew nothing about it.

Anybody seen the Black Redstart at Red rocks today?

 

[Jane Turner]

Not looked for the Redstart I'm afraid. A few Gannets still offshore though

 

[deeestuary]

Not looked for the Redstart I'm afraid. A few Gannets still offshore though

Yes, I had at least 6 off Red rocks at high tide - probably quite a lot more but so far out they were just white dots!

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Where did you see the report about the Ibis?
Had an email from someone who had been on Hilbre all morning and he didn't mention anything. Also spoken to Steve Williams (Hilbre Bird Recorder) both during the day and in the evening and he certainly knew nothing about it.

Anybody seen the Black Redstart at Red rocks today?

Richard,

Our postings crossed.

See link below.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=44831&highlight=wirral

Rob

 

[deeestuary]

Peter is having awful trouble getting on to this forum so he has asked me to correct his original posting. He miss-read the email from his friends.
He should have said - some friends of his who regularly go to Hilbre saw a glossy Ibis at Abersoch.

 

[deeestuary]

Peter is having awful trouble getting on to this forum so he has asked me to correct his original posting. He miss-read the email from his friends.
He should have said - some friends of his who regularly go to Hilbre saw a glossy Ibis at Abersoch.

Oops, this should have gone on to another thread - but Peter is the one who originally posted news of a Hilbre Glossy Ibis

 

[Jane Turner]

Been a good day so far today. 2 Whooper Swans close and low over the beach first thing this morning. These are only about my 4th record on north Wirral in 30 years birding. Also new for the year, but rather less surprising was a male Wigeon. The hatrick was again a bit of a surprise. A Great Skua - a very late bird though I have seen some winter birds before. Perhaps its hanging around to take advantage of the dozen or so Gannets which are still out there.

Also at sea were about 300 Scoter, 25 Great-crested Grebes and a Red-throated Diver. Passage included about 150 Chaffinches, 50 Greeninches and three Grey Wagtails. There were good numbers of waders on the tide, 10,000+ Knot, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 25 Sanderling, 4000 Dunlin, 250 Curlew, 400 Grey Plover, 25 Redshank, 25 Ringed Plover and 350 Oystercather. Less expected was a Snipe.

An adult pair of Peregrines were "playing" with each other and the resident Crows before the tide. Later on the female managed to catch an Oystercatcher which was trying to avoid it my ducking down into the sand. The ploy worked since although it was picked up, the Oystercatcher was able to struggle free.

Finally the Black Redstart is still at Red Rocks. It appears to be a 1st w male. I was able to see it from the bedroom window knowing it was there and its habits. Proving the ID at that range would have been tricky.

125 for the year

 

[deeestuary]

Jane - have you got Snow Buntings yet? 2 at Red Rocks this morning, may still be there.

 

[Jane Turner]

ONe flew over about 5 mins ago Richard.

126 for the house for the year

 

[Jane Turner]

Plenty of common shorebirds about at the moment. The hightligh was watching a flock of 10,000+ Knot part in mid air and a Peregrine coming right through the middle.

Still not located a Laughing Gull!

 

[deeestuary]

Plenty of common shorebirds about at the moment. The hightligh was watching a flock of 10,000+ Knot part in mid air and a Peregrine coming right through the middle.

Still not located a Laughing Gull!

Yes, a good winter so far for waders. I had 17,500 Knot and 9,300 Dunlin at Hoylake on Sunday. There have also been good numbers round the corner at West Kirby.

 

[Jane Turner]

Still mostly quiet, though I do have two Song Thrushes in the garden just now. A species which is now only a scarce winter visitor.

 

[Jane Turner]

Still got two Song Thrushes and this morning there were 4 Fieldfares 'chackling' over - presumably the start of a weather movement

 

[Jane Turner]

New year and still not good at updating. When I do sudeenly get serious about the year list I had better record that today I saw the first Coal Tits and had a Blackcap. There is a big tide due, so perhaps I can pick up a few more unusual species later.