21.04.14. Birdlog

21.04.14. Birdlog

An early morning walk from the Holpool Gutter around No. 4 and 6 tanks gave the following 2 Green Sandpiper with a clutch other Mallard ducklings at the end of the gutter.

I continued along the edge of the Manchester Ship Canal to the east with 4 Wheatear and a male Whinchat holding my stride. Additionally 3 more Wheatear near the dredger birth at the Pumping Station. Overhead Swallow, Sand and House Martin were gathered. A nesting Oystercatcher pair on a wooden jetty by the canal pools

On the path along No 6 where several Common Whitethroat and 1 Blackcap singing.

On to Lordship Lane at least 2 Grasshopper Warbler and more Whitethroat and a single female Wheatear sitting on fence.

Not many raptors to be seen with only Buzzard and Kestrel showing.

Observer: Paul Ralston.

Later the following birds were to be found: 2 male Whinchat along the pipes with at least 4 Wheatear on No.1 tank and 4 Grasshopper Warbler at their spot along Lordship Lane.

Observer: Frank Duff.

An early start again and I had the female Marsh Harrier at 06:30 equally up with the lark. A reeling Grasshopper Warbler and many Sedge Warbler singing (it’s really loud that early in the morning). 20 Black-tailed Godwit flew off No.6 tank towards the Frodsham Score.

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Later in the afternoon the male Marsh Harrier was hunting at length on No.6 and being mobbed by the Lapwings. I stopped for a late lunch on the track between No.5 and No.1 (14:30ish) and had 4 Wheatear (3 males, 1 female) and two male Whinchat. I then joined Frank (mega rarity he was walking!) and Mark Payne afterwards.

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The Whinchat were still there along with the Wheatear at 19:00hrs which ended a long time out and about in the field.

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Observer and Whinchat image: Paul Crawley

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Image of Ringed Plovers: WSM