I spent a couple of hours along the River Weaver this morning where c300 Canada Goose were on the water and a further c80 were grazing on the lambing field of No.1 tank.
A large flock of Common Redshank with a few Black-tailed Godwit and 8 Eurasian Oystercatcher with them were flushed by a ship making its way out of the Manchester Ship Canal and a single Common Ringed Plover was noted. Raven were plentiful feeding on the casualties and bickering with the Great Black-backed Gull. Northern Lapwing and European Golden Plover were in reduced numbers near to Marsh Farm and were kept on red alert by a hunting Common Buzzard.
Walking back along Brook Furlong Lane a Western Marsh Harrier could be seen hunting Redwall reed bed.
On my way back I stopped off at the pig farm by Ince where the track is still to deep to walk along but I watched a couple of Little Egret and Black-headed Gull foraging amongst the pigs and several Pied Wagtail joined in with them.
Observer: Paul Ralston.
After I finished my weekend shift I made my way down to the marshes but an dult Peregrine flying low over my car en route was a big surprise.
After parking up on the marsh I swiftly legged it to the river and quickly assembled my telescope to view the ducks down stream. A flock of c80 Tufted Duck included 9 Gadwall, 17 Mallard, 11 Common Goldeneye, 31 Common Pochard, 247 Eurasian Teal and the female winter Long-tailed Duck which kept to the jetty and was difficult to see at times. The Grat Crested Grebe look handsome in their summer finery and a couple of Common Ringed Plover gave a feel of Springtime.
A few Fieldfare and Redwing were about while a small murmuration of European Starling were circling about.
Also seen today was the Nordic Jackdaw at the Heath Playing fields, Park Road, Runcorn and a Ring-necked Parakeet at Runcorn Town Hall.
Observer: WSM.
