The marsh was disappointing at first, I nearly gave up but after the first Small Tortoiseshell were on the wing at 8 am then things livened up a bit.
The pipes on No.1 tank had 3 female Wheatear, there were Linnet all over with male Blackcap, Chiffchaff too along Brook Furlong Lane.
Cetti’s Warbler were singing from several locations, also there were Whitethroat and Reed Warbler.
Raven were also all over the marsh and Curlew called from the Frodsham Score. 10 Avocet flew in and landed on the Weaver Bend and a pair of Gadwall flew the River Weaver too.
The best part were the Butterflies which included Small Tortoiseshell, Orange-tip (5 males chasing a female), Peacock’s, Whites, Speckled Wood and the best for last a Brimstone! I didn’t want to leave in the end.
Observer: Paul Crawley, (images 1-11 & 19).
An afternoon walk along the River Weaver with a start from Brook Furlong Lane where Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap were all very vocal.
Butterflies were out in force in the warm sunshine with Orange-tip, Peacock, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell and a single Brimstone Butterfly all noted.
On the River Weaver were Tufted Duck, Mallard, Common Shelduck, Gadwall, Eurasian Teal, Canada Goose and Mute Swan were all enjoying the day. There were three groups of Avocet which made their way along the river and I counted 18 birds.
Two Common Sandpiper, 8 Ringed Plover at least 1 Little Ring Plover were all feeding at the edge of the river.
A Barnacle Goose has paired up with a Canada Goose and the odd pair swam along the Manchester Ship Canal and it’ll be interesting to see what type of babies they produce? A flock of c40 Sand Martin were hawking above the cut making a welcome return to the area.
Raven were numerous and still clearing up the dead stock lying about the marsh and high above like something out of a cowboy and indian film were several buzzard riding the thermals.
Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew and Common Shelduck were feeding from the sand banks while the tide ebbed on the Mersey estuary.
Numerous Linnet and Goldfinch were feeding on the seed heads near Marsh Farm.
Observer: Paul Ralston (images 12-18).
