30.03.13. Birdlog
A male Hen Harrier hunting the meadow fields at Redwall reedbed.
Observer: Frank Duff.
At 9:10am a male Marsh Harrier dropped down in the reeds next to the small pool by Marsh Farm and flushed out 2 Common Snipe. But still no sign of any migrants here.
Observer: Guido D’Isidoro
A fine image of a (sub-adult male) Kestrel over the marsh by Stuart Maddocks and one of 6-7 raptors on the marsh today.
A Stoat watched along Brook Furlong Lane and 9 Fieldfare plus a Chiffchaff in trees there and another singing Chiffchaff along Rake Lane.
The track at the back of the model aircraft flying field had 100 + Chaffinch with 9 Brambling, 20+ Reed Bunting, 6 Meadow Pipit and 6 Skylark were also about the fields.
Later in the afternoon and back on No 6 tank were 2 Redshank on the small pool, a single Avocet and 3 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank and c 20 Pied Wagtail plus a Goldcrest in elder bushes on the western banks of the tank.
20 Tufted Duck and a single Little Grebe on the Pumping Station pool.
Ciao from Guido D’Isidoro
No 6 tank: The Avocet was still present, 40 Common Shelduck, 300 Common Teal, 40 Shoveler and smaller numbers of Mallard.
No 3 tank: 18 Pink-footed Goose were south of the Canal Pools feeding close to the Canada Goose flock. Later an additional 10 birds flew in from the west then circled out to the estuary before returning to join the original birds. Also present was a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls exerting their superiority over 4 Raven at the carcass of a sheep. Not a pretty sight watching the Ravens getting a good kicking by the brutish gulls! There were also an additional 10 birds loitering about No 5 tank – Marsh Farm – Frodsham Score area.
Observer and images: Paul Crawley.
Finally, at least 8 Common Buzzard in the area were taking advantage of the sunshine with birds riding the evening thermals.
