17.12.15. Birdlog Part 2

17.12.15. Birdlog Part 2

Since today I had a half day at school I popped down afterwards for my 2nd ever visit to Frodsham Marsh to go and have a look at the Green-winged Teal.

Driving down to No.6 tank via Marsh Lane we came across a flock of 30c Fieldfare and 7 Moorhen in the channel. As we (Me, Mum) arrived in search of the teal the last observer present was just leaving who kindly informed us that the GW Teal had just gone into the Michaelmas Daisy bed. After a good 2 hours of scanning the area were it was last seen and checking the hundreds of Eurasian Teal present we had no sign to the Green-winged Teal, then again the lighting was rubbish so anything in the daisy bed was just a silhouette. Birds present at No.6 were 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Grebe, 20+ Snipe, 8 Shelduck, 1 Mute Swan a few Shoveler, Mallard and Wigeon along with 1 Great Black-backed Gull.

As mum was keeping watch over No.6 I walked down to No.3 were as just as I reached the north corner of six a Cetti’s Warbler called on 2 occasions, whilst 23 Shelduck, 3 Cormorant, 37 Snipe and 44 Curlew passed over heading towards either heading to No.6 or the estuary. Meanwhile on No.3 200c Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, 6 Raven, 1 Great Black-backed Gull were present and 1 Peregrine (adult) came round and put all the Lapwings up, who were closely joined by 100c Golden Plover and 300c Starlings.

After failing to catch a dinner the Peregrine headed over to No.6 and was replaced by a hunting Kestrel. And to finish the day off as we were driving back over the bridge to Marsh Lane 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult) flew in front of car along with a mixed gull flock onto some nearby fields.
Another brilliant visit to the marsh, also picked up a few nice examples of Quartz and Potassium Feldspar rich Granite to add to my rock collection (Geologist). Might not have seen the Green-winged Teal but who cares, it’s not about how rare a bird is, it’s about how a bird makes you feel.

Observer and images: Elliot Monteith http://www.birdboy101.co.uk/

17.12.15. Birdlog Part 1

17.12.15. Birdlog

A quick look over Frodsham Score from Ince Berth. A Great White Egret and 4 Little Egret were out on the salt mash and 14 Whooper Swan had a few Mute Swan for company. A  raft of 30 Coot held a single female Tufted Duck  on the Manchester Ship Canal. On to No.4 tank and a Woodcock took me by surprise as it rose up and flew over the bank.

Leaving the marsh along the lane to Ince 2 more Little Egret passed overhead and dropped in to a nearby field. A further look over the hedge revealed 13 Little Egret were grouped together.

Observer and images: Paul Ralston.

The Green-winged Teal was again reported per Birdguides.