06.04.13. Birdlog
An oily Starling in a hawthorn hedge along the track to Ince showing its nictitating membrane. Image by WSM.
Two Marsh Harrier over the area and in excess of 20 Common Buzzard were observed on and over the marsh today and most in spiraling & looping display flights.
70 Stock Dove feeding in stubble fields west of No 4 tank.
Lordship Lane: 2 Brambling, 14 Chaffinch and 30 Reed Bunting.
Frank Duff, Guido D’Isidoro, WSM
No 6 tank: 180 Common Teal, 21 Tufted Duck, 7 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler and 34 Mute Swan, 4 Ringed Plover and 24 Black-tailed Godwit flying over.
20 Tufted Duck on the Weaver estuary were probably the birds from the Pumping Station/Splashing pool.
300 Common Shelduck on the Mersey estuary this afternoon.
MSC: 2 Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Gadwall.
Marsh Farm-No 1 tank: 88 Golden Plover flying around the tank for ages until they eventually settled in the long grass. It was interesting to note that most of the flock hunkered down in the grass and became almost invisible to view.
Observers: Guido D’Isidoro, WSM
10 Raven feasting on a spring of plenty. 34 Fieldfare and 2 male Wheatear along the pipes on No 1 tank was a case of out with the old and in with the new.
Images: (above) Paul Crawley (opposite) WSM.
Observers: Paul Crawley, Guido D’Isidoro, WSM
Presumably the Red-legged Partridge between No 6 – No 4 tanks was released by the shooters?
Observer: Paul Crawley
Hooded Crow over No 6 tank. Image by Heather Wilde
Today’s highlight was Frodsham’s second ever Hooded Crow (WSM) watched flying in from the north-east at the Score over No 3 tank and then over No 6 tank becoming lost to view over Helsby.
WSM, Guido D’Isidoro, Heather, Nigel and Findlay Wilde
The female Marsh Harrier was over No 5 & 6 tanks in the evening sunshine and was spotted by young Findlay Wilde with a supporting cast of Mum, Dad & Mr Crawley.
