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Red Rocks Marsh NNR, Merseyside (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jane Turner
- Start date
Jane Turner
Well-known member
Jane Turner
Well-known member
April hasn't exactly got off to a flying start. A couple of lost looking Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest and a trickle of Jackdaws, Siskins and Redpolls are all that I've managed so far.
The cold weather has brought waders in closer at low tide than is usual, including some very knackered looking Knot. I'm trying to to convince myself that I narrowly missed a Water Rail out in the open this morning, but it just could have easily be Moorhen Prints on the boardwalk The Water Rails are still in the marsh however.
The cold weather has brought waders in closer at low tide than is usual, including some very knackered looking Knot. I'm trying to to convince myself that I narrowly missed a Water Rail out in the open this morning, but it just could have easily be Moorhen Prints on the boardwalk The Water Rails are still in the marsh however.
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Jane Turner
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Spring still not exactly galloping along, but a few more signs today. A male Wheatear on the logs in the dunes 1st thing moved through quickly. A Great Spotted Woodpecker* appeared at the point and left to the east, 166 Meadow Pipits were logged, and I'll warrant as many missed as they moved East on a broad front, a Chiffchaff (2 y'day) was in the point garden. A Rook* and 9 Jackdaws went SW and there were 7 Siskins a single Redpoll and two addition Reed Buntings to the now established three pairs over.
Unusually 10 Teal* were on the open water at the south end.I missed my opportunity to photograph them well, since I was hoping to nail a Garganey with bins.... but later two made a reprise and I just caught them overt he poplars. A snipe came in off and more surprisingly, I was thinking, as I looked at footprints in the frost of the boardwalk that a Woodcock* had got away,when one flushed (at the end of the footprints) from cover beside the boardwalk
*New for the year - 100
Unusually 10 Teal* were on the open water at the south end.I missed my opportunity to photograph them well, since I was hoping to nail a Garganey with bins.... but later two made a reprise and I just caught them overt he poplars. A snipe came in off and more surprisingly, I was thinking, as I looked at footprints in the frost of the boardwalk that a Woodcock* had got away,when one flushed (at the end of the footprints) from cover beside the boardwalk
*New for the year - 100
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Jane Turner
Well-known member
57 Species today - but still not overly spring-like. Two cold looking Goldcrests and a CHiffchaff were the sum total of grounded migrants. Meadow Pipits virtually stopped moving again after yesterday's near start, with just 20 though 9 alba wagtails (all Pied) on the beach were a sign of something happening. Overhead passage was extremely overhead today. I failed to see two of the Jackdaw flocks (but they sounded small ones) and was able to see 37 plus two Rooks.
The sea was quite interesting, despite the distant tide edge.I was looking for Sandwich Tern, but instead picked up an adult Little Gull heading east, two flocks of Pintail heading back into the Dee, and more remarkably, two pairs of Gadwall* doing the same. (less than one record every 10 years). Also small numbers of Scoter, Goldeneye, RB Mergansers, a RT Diver and a few grebes.
I could see 28 Brent Geese on the east side of Hilbre and while counting them, I saw a Turnstone* lift up. Sadly I can't do Purps at that range!
*new for the year = 102
The sea was quite interesting, despite the distant tide edge.I was looking for Sandwich Tern, but instead picked up an adult Little Gull heading east, two flocks of Pintail heading back into the Dee, and more remarkably, two pairs of Gadwall* doing the same. (less than one record every 10 years). Also small numbers of Scoter, Goldeneye, RB Mergansers, a RT Diver and a few grebes.
I could see 28 Brent Geese on the east side of Hilbre and while counting them, I saw a Turnstone* lift up. Sadly I can't do Purps at that range!
*new for the year = 102
Jane Turner
Well-known member
65 species today including three new* for the year. (105)
A little more more by way of grounded migrants, with two Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaff and what would have been a Phyllosc spp in flight (that looked long-winged) until a snatch of Willow Warbler* song camee drifting down the garedens. Star bird of the day was a Ring Ouzel* which I accidentally flushed off the nursing home lawn. It appeared to be a male, but sent of directly into the sun and apparently ditched on the Golf Course, where I failed to find it. A Wheatear in the dunes completed the grounded migrants.
Overhead passage was dominated by Meadow Pipits (295) Pied Wagtails (15) and Siskin (47). One Alba wag went down as a Pied/White.
Its a rare day when there are 3 Goose spp, but 4 Brents on Bird Rock, 12 Pink-feet N and audible Canadas made it onto the day list.
The sea was calm, allowing location of 7 Scaup,4 Goldeneye, 7 Eider as well as the usual grebes, a Red-throated Diver and a Razorbill*
Mid pm an apparent Hooded Crow came from inland and went over the house. It came down on the beach, and showed hints of Carrion Crow genes...bah!
A little more more by way of grounded migrants, with two Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaff and what would have been a Phyllosc spp in flight (that looked long-winged) until a snatch of Willow Warbler* song camee drifting down the garedens. Star bird of the day was a Ring Ouzel* which I accidentally flushed off the nursing home lawn. It appeared to be a male, but sent of directly into the sun and apparently ditched on the Golf Course, where I failed to find it. A Wheatear in the dunes completed the grounded migrants.
Overhead passage was dominated by Meadow Pipits (295) Pied Wagtails (15) and Siskin (47). One Alba wag went down as a Pied/White.
Its a rare day when there are 3 Goose spp, but 4 Brents on Bird Rock, 12 Pink-feet N and audible Canadas made it onto the day list.
The sea was calm, allowing location of 7 Scaup,4 Goldeneye, 7 Eider as well as the usual grebes, a Red-throated Diver and a Razorbill*
Mid pm an apparent Hooded Crow came from inland and went over the house. It came down on the beach, and showed hints of Carrion Crow genes...bah!
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Jane Turner
Well-known member
It finally felt like an early spring morning today (though there was a heavy ground frost).
Yesterday's Ring Ouzel is still present - but like y'day the view was less than a second of it vanishing. At least today it wasn't directly into the sun, so I'm pretty sure its a male now. No Willow Warbler today, but a minimum of 6 Chiffchaffs, which were still arriving off the sea mid-morning. 8 Goldcrests behaved similarly.
Overhead passage was marked. Fewer Meadow Pipits (85) but it was Woodpigeons that were really shifting with 561 logged leaving W or SW. Finches were also moving. 2 Brambling* a female Bullfinch* 2 Redpolls 2 Tree Sparrows and 13 Siskin.
Two Jack Snipe (and then another which may have been one of the same) were flushed by a couple of mad Spaniels from the spartina. At sea there were good numbers of Brent Geese (75ish) 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Gannets and a Sandwich Tern*. A single Teal then flew up and down the marsh a few times, before ditching in the saltmarsh. Shortly afterwards it was in with what is left of the Knot (1200) dodging the attentions of a Peregrine.
Woodies and a Peregrine showing how not to surprise waders
108 for the Year (*=new)
Yesterday's Ring Ouzel is still present - but like y'day the view was less than a second of it vanishing. At least today it wasn't directly into the sun, so I'm pretty sure its a male now. No Willow Warbler today, but a minimum of 6 Chiffchaffs, which were still arriving off the sea mid-morning. 8 Goldcrests behaved similarly.
Overhead passage was marked. Fewer Meadow Pipits (85) but it was Woodpigeons that were really shifting with 561 logged leaving W or SW. Finches were also moving. 2 Brambling* a female Bullfinch* 2 Redpolls 2 Tree Sparrows and 13 Siskin.
Two Jack Snipe (and then another which may have been one of the same) were flushed by a couple of mad Spaniels from the spartina. At sea there were good numbers of Brent Geese (75ish) 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Gannets and a Sandwich Tern*. A single Teal then flew up and down the marsh a few times, before ditching in the saltmarsh. Shortly afterwards it was in with what is left of the Knot (1200) dodging the attentions of a Peregrine.
Woodies and a Peregrine showing how not to surprise waders
108 for the Year (*=new)
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Jane Turner
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Windy and cold this morning, making it hard to locate birds - however at least 6 Goldcrests were present and the Ouzel is still about - seen twice in flight today - commuting between the Superbowl and the Gorse at the south end pool
Jane Turner
Well-known member
Less wind today, in a great direction and even a hint of dodgy visibility. There was a brief but heavy passage of Woodpigeons in Lancaster Bomber formation. 560 were logged and at the peak (0715-0745) the rate was close to 1000/hour. All arrived from East and left either W or SW. Finches were also moving, with 6 Siskin and 14 Redpolls. No sign of the Ouzel,but a Song Thrush 3 Wheatears, a Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaffs were migrants whilst a Swallow prompted a small whoop of joy.
PLenty of "oddities" today. The 1st Kestrel* of the year came in from the sea, A Grey Heron and 2 Canada Geese were posing on the beach, A Great spotted Woodpecker tried out the nursing home roof and a couple of Coal tits circled very high.
110 for the year
PLenty of "oddities" today. The 1st Kestrel* of the year came in from the sea, A Grey Heron and 2 Canada Geese were posing on the beach, A Great spotted Woodpecker tried out the nursing home roof and a couple of Coal tits circled very high.
110 for the year
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Jane Turner
Well-known member
Cold with persistent drizzle and filthy light this morning. Some stuff grounded but much less overhead passage (though conditions meant that what there was was at least visible - and suggests that 1000s of Pipits have gone unseen recently)
6 Goldcrests in the point bushes, 4 Chiffchaffs and A Willow Warbler spread out through the dunes and a couple of Wheatears.
One Swallow and 390 Meadow Pipits (including 170 grounded on the golf course).
The Heron was in the south end pool this morning and the Water Rails are still present.
6 Goldcrests in the point bushes, 4 Chiffchaffs and A Willow Warbler spread out through the dunes and a couple of Wheatears.
One Swallow and 390 Meadow Pipits (including 170 grounded on the golf course).
The Heron was in the south end pool this morning and the Water Rails are still present.
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Jane Turner
Well-known member
Spring has most definately sprung with a very respectable 70 species this morning.
There wasn't much sign of an overnight drop, but birds started appearing on the rocks and out of the sky for a couple of hours after dawn. 15 Goldcrest, 1 Willow warbler many Chiffchaff (42) and a minimum of two Ring Ouzels. Firstly a Female or dull male arrived with 7 Fieldfares and was lost over the GC. The Fieldfares were not seen again. 20 minutes later, another spiralled out of the sky, landed in the big Hawthorn then took off like a rocket and was last seen over the Caldy War memorial (still climbing) then 40 mins later another, this time a bright male again dropped out of the sky and ditched into the Stanley Rd gardens. Wheatears arrived in small parties off the sea and quickly moved inland. In all 65 were logged, including a party of 20 on the beach W of King's Gap.
Overhead passage was well marked with Sand Martin* (9) Swallow (34) House martin* (5) at lest 750 meadow Pipits and a Tree Pipit* later in the morning. Finches were well represented too - Brambling, 6 Redpoll including one that was probably not a Lesser and 8 Siskin.
There was a respectable Wader roost which included Golden Plover* (2) and a lot of Sanderling (750)
115 for the year and a photo of an early Chiffchaff in the mirk
There wasn't much sign of an overnight drop, but birds started appearing on the rocks and out of the sky for a couple of hours after dawn. 15 Goldcrest, 1 Willow warbler many Chiffchaff (42) and a minimum of two Ring Ouzels. Firstly a Female or dull male arrived with 7 Fieldfares and was lost over the GC. The Fieldfares were not seen again. 20 minutes later, another spiralled out of the sky, landed in the big Hawthorn then took off like a rocket and was last seen over the Caldy War memorial (still climbing) then 40 mins later another, this time a bright male again dropped out of the sky and ditched into the Stanley Rd gardens. Wheatears arrived in small parties off the sea and quickly moved inland. In all 65 were logged, including a party of 20 on the beach W of King's Gap.
Overhead passage was well marked with Sand Martin* (9) Swallow (34) House martin* (5) at lest 750 meadow Pipits and a Tree Pipit* later in the morning. Finches were well represented too - Brambling, 6 Redpoll including one that was probably not a Lesser and 8 Siskin.
There was a respectable Wader roost which included Golden Plover* (2) and a lot of Sanderling (750)
115 for the year and a photo of an early Chiffchaff in the mirk
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Jane Turner
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Cheshire Birder
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Whats the verdict for tomorrows likely showing of birds? Worth a visit?
CB
CB
Jane Turner
Well-known member
Depends on when it rains and whether it gets windy. Probably is my guess
Jane Turner
Well-known member
On a clear bright day, visible migration dominated, with a stunning 1515 Pink-footed Geese NE in 15 skeins 10 redwings NE, 325 Woodpigeons SW, 3 Great-spotted Woodpeckers south also 26 Swallow, 11 Sand martins and 3 House Martins East up to 10am. Meadow Pipits were sneaking through in large numbers with 350 on the Golf Course mid Morning. The first undoubted White Wagtails of the year were briefly on the beach, sporting their grey rumps.
Grounded migrants were thinner on the ground yesterday. The highlight was two early Ring Ouzels (earlier then me and I arrived at 6.35)) 12 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warlbers and 6 Goldcrests whilst a male Blackcap was a late arrival. 12 Wheatears moved through - though birds were still arriving at 10.30.
Finches were moving again, with the star being a male Brambling which dropped briefly in the poplars, though 8 Siskin and 5 Redpolls also went through. Two of the latter landed and were certain Lessers.
The first wtf was that bird of the year was what appeared to be a large pipit which went West without stopping - its first call sounded almost like chur-chur-chur Redpoll then it gave a loud rolling chirrup.
I'll be back for a seawatch later.
Grounded migrants were thinner on the ground yesterday. The highlight was two early Ring Ouzels (earlier then me and I arrived at 6.35)) 12 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warlbers and 6 Goldcrests whilst a male Blackcap was a late arrival. 12 Wheatears moved through - though birds were still arriving at 10.30.
Finches were moving again, with the star being a male Brambling which dropped briefly in the poplars, though 8 Siskin and 5 Redpolls also went through. Two of the latter landed and were certain Lessers.
The first wtf was that bird of the year was what appeared to be a large pipit which went West without stopping - its first call sounded almost like chur-chur-chur Redpoll then it gave a loud rolling chirrup.
I'll be back for a seawatch later.
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Jane Turner
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One or two Black-throated Divers (seen twice and it was easier to see it was in summer plumage on the 1st more distant view) 9 Red-throated Divers (all moving N) a few Sandwich Terns 3 Goldeneye, 3 Pintail 3 Red-breasted mergansers and 73 species for the day.
One of the early Pink-feet flocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaZ3y4HTpVo
some more angles on the Brambling, a very early GSW and what appears to be a canonball!
One of the early Pink-feet flocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaZ3y4HTpVo
some more angles on the Brambling, a very early GSW and what appears to be a canonball!
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Jane Turner
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A warm but strong SSW wind and leaden skies (with overnight rain) more or less stopped overhead passage. Just a Swallow and 5 Siskins to show. Two Chiffchaffs 4 Goldcrests a Blackcap and a Wheatear presumably left over from yesterday, as were 7 White Wagtails on the beach.
The big news for today was a sudden appearance of Common Toads absolutely everywhere.
Photos of toads, the sign they are willfully ignoring, and the disgusted Crow Council of hoylake meeting to decide what to do about it.
The big news for today was a sudden appearance of Common Toads absolutely everywhere.
Photos of toads, the sign they are willfully ignoring, and the disgusted Crow Council of hoylake meeting to decide what to do about it.
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Jane Turner
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Warm! But too windy to make observing easy. Swallows(29) were moving along with smaller numbers of House (2) and Sand martin (4), plus a lowish Tree pipit
A Jay* moved through early, Jackdaws 14, Rook 1 and 14 Crows all suggested a bit of movement. 4 Siskins and A Redpoll too.
6 Chiffchaff a Goldcrest a Blackcap were dotted about, and I was leaving, a Warbler came off the sea, ditched in the Marram grass, then took cover in the clematis near the poplars. A Grasshopper warbler, but it was too quick for the camera.
There were 7 Wheaters and 14 Alba Wags in the spartina, 12 of which were White.
Oh and the Toads are still at it!
A Jay* moved through early, Jackdaws 14, Rook 1 and 14 Crows all suggested a bit of movement. 4 Siskins and A Redpoll too.
6 Chiffchaff a Goldcrest a Blackcap were dotted about, and I was leaving, a Warbler came off the sea, ditched in the Marram grass, then took cover in the clematis near the poplars. A Grasshopper warbler, but it was too quick for the camera.
There were 7 Wheaters and 14 Alba Wags in the spartina, 12 of which were White.
Oh and the Toads are still at it!
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Jane Turner
Well-known member
2012 (Mickey mouse) bird report attached...... if you like graphs and carp photos, you'll love it
v3 now - gradually weeding out typos!
v3 now - gradually weeding out typos!
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Cheshire Birder
Well-known member
Very comprehensive Jane. Will have a look to see if I have any records to add. What were the dates for the Corncrake and AGP?
CB
CB
