02.02.13. Birdlog

02.02.13. Birdlog

A Great White Egret and 5 Little Egret shared Frodsham Score with 7 Bewick’s and 16 Whooper Swan,

A Sparrowhawk (female) was bold enough to test her skills in the open spaces of the score and the ‘big’ female Peregrine surveyed her larder from the blue-topped chimney at Weston Point.

Observers: Frank Duff, WSM.

A male Hen Harrier was observed over Frodsham Score and No 4 tank.

Observer: Paul Ralston.

No 6 tank: 122 Tufted Duck, 22 Pochard, 10 Pintail, 8 Wigeon and 6 Shoveler. 30 Curlew, 12 Ringed Plover, 24 Redshank and 16 mobile Common Snipe. 16 Tufted Duck were on the Pumping Station pool (Splashing pool).

Observers: Frank Duff, WSM.

Not so sure if mutton is the preferred food choice of plovers?

No 5 tank held a feeding flock of 850 Golden Plover and 1,000 Lapwing.

Observers: Lee Lappin, WSM.

Little Egret in gully Lordship Marsh by over pass of motorway
20 plus Reed Bunting, No6 Tank by Lordship Marsh.

Observer: Lee Lappin

Images by WSM.

The Next Mersey WeBS February 2013 Count

The next WeBS counts for the Mersey Estuary is on Sunday 10th February 2013.

The Mersey Estuary is one of the best wetlands in Britain for birds. We desperately need birdwatchers to help with the monthly Wetland Bird Survey (duck count). It does involve a long walk. Contact dermot.smith71@googlemail.com if you are interested.

Last month saw another really good count. 6000 Teal, 530 Black-tailed Godwits, c600 Curlew, 2 Great White Egrets, Bewick’s and Whooper Swans, Merlin and Peregrine. Dunlin performed well and there was at least 16,000 of them. Rather fewer counters in the end especially compared to December 2012.

Wild Winter Swans on Frodsham Score/Ince Marshes.

Wild? Winter Barnacle Geese at the WeBS Count in December 2012.

Images from the Mersey Estuary WeBS on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mersey-Estuary-WeBS/216178248450013.

02.02.13. Waxwings in Runcorn

31 Waxwing at sunrise along Picow Farm Road, Runcorn birds still present  at 9.00 am and coming to Cotoneaster scrub opposite  Norbert Dentressangle site. Observer: WSM.

The Waxwing flock relocated to the Co-op car park by High Street, Runcorn until at least 2.30 pm and increased to c40 birds. Observer: Colin Butler.

On the way back from Frodmarsh I had two Waxwing along the Weston Point expressway and Colin Butler saw four birds by Westfield Road, Runcorn.

Observer and images: WSM.