Spirits
for last year’s October outing to Frodsham were
marred by rain the night before but you should always
know that the weather in the northwest is a fickle
thing; Sunday was dry and warm under all the
waterproofs. We heard Kingfisher on the river Weaver
but failed to see it.
As we walked down the river I quickly noticed a
flock of Redshanks and a smaller bird with a white
rump. Once the flock had settled, we found 2 Curlew
Sandpipers in winter plumage. A variety of farmland
birds and other waders were seen during our walk
around the marsh. Later on we came across an aerial
with a Kestrel on the top, a Buzzard on the bottom and
a Sparrowhawk flying past.
Dave
Hardy led the trip around Rufford that started well
with close up views of Long-tailed Tits followed by
Stonechat and Yellowhammers.
The most notable sight was of 3,000 Pink-footed
Geese and 250 Whooper Swans.
We finished the day with excellent views of a
Roe Deer.
The
group’s last walk of the year is always to RSPB
Marshside. A
look across the outer salt marsh was greeted with a
Merlin then a Kestrel.
We picked out a long-distance Peregrine
followed by a superb grey male Hen Harrier:
4 birds of prey in 25 minutes!
There had been reports of two Short-eared Owls
on the marsh but talking to other birders they hadn't
seen them; we were told that
3pm
onwards was their favourite time of day.
It had been a very cold, frosty night though
and this meant the owls were out earlier today,
allowing us to add the species to our day list.
I used to joke that December on the coast could
be almost Mediterranean but this time it really was
with Little Egrets on the marsh and then the long
staying wandering Glossy Ibis flying by. This bird has
been around the northwest for close to 2 years now and
is reminiscent of a Cormorant with a long stick in its
beak! It
was another good day out on this excellent local
reserve!
We
started 2009 at Red Rocks, walking along the frozen
sands at the tidal edge. We were able to get within
touching distance of 4 Dunlin that were more concerned
with feeding than with our presence. Superb flocks of
waders were noted and during lunch we were able to
observe a flock of 400+ Cormorant resting on a
sandbank. This was the first time that any of those
present had witnessed such a large gathering of these
birds. Good flocks of Goldfinch and Curlew brought the
outing to a satisfactory close.
The
midweek walk to
Calderstones
Park
was fairly quiet but nevertheless rewarding. We
started and finished with gold, namely Goldcrest and
Goldfinch. In
between, good sighting of Jay, Nuthatch and Great
Spotted Woodpecker helped show that a visit to one of
our parks can be worthwhile.
The
February trip to Sefton Meadows started with an
abundance of raptors in the form of Buzzard, Kestrel
and Sparrowhawk. After
lunch, the star sighting was a pair of Little Egrets,
proving yet again the many good birding areas we have
right on our doorstep.
Dave
Hardy was back in his favourite place,
Croxteth
Park
,
in March. The
outing started with my favourite bird, the Long-tailed
Tit and concluded with another favourite, the
Nuthatch. The
day was otherwise generally quiet.
Nevertheless, Jays and Grey Herons were
abundant, as well as various finches.
Up to 5 Buzzards have recently been seen
soaring over the parkland.
