There were 6 Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Teal, Mallard and a single Eurasian Coot sitting tight on its nest on the ‘shooters’ pool’. I spotted a Ruff which flushed and flew over the River Weaver.
Hirundines were a very much back this evevning with Sand Martin and Barn Swallow hawking over the river and the banks of No.1 tank. on the Weaver Estuary were c10 Common Sandpiper along the river and Manchester Ship Canal with 4 Common and 2 Little Ringed Plover being noted, a solitary Black-tailed Godwit, small numbers of Pied Avocet and several Common Redshank were seen.
Ducks were much reduced with 84 Tufted Duck, a few Gadwall, Many Common Pochard and Mallard.
A small mixed group of both Pied and White wagtail were feeding on the edge of the river while high above House Martin could be seen.
Looking over the estuary a flock of Black-tailed Godwit and Pied Avocet were feeding at the junction of the Weaver Sluices.
A pair of European Stonechat were on the fence along Alder Lane as were several Linnet, European Goldfinch and 2 Northern Wheatear.
A couple of Brown Hare were at an undisclosed location.
The mixed songster Willow Warbler was again at the old bird log on No.1 tank and several Cetti’s Warbler singing are rapidly becoming the most vocal warbler present.
No.6 tank enticed back the female Long-tailed Duck where she was wing stretching and flying around a bit.Tufted Duck reached 143 birds with 3 Common Pochard, c100 Northern Shoveler and c100 Eurasian Teal to name but three species. A Common Sandpiper and a single Black-tailed Godwit were the sole waders here.
The evening ended with 3 Western Marsh Harrier high over the marshes.
Observers: Paul Ralston (images 3-8) and WSM (images 1 & 2).
