31.10.21. Birdlog.

Whooper & Mute Swans.

The weather on the marsh this afternoon was foul for the fowl on No.6 tank. A 1st cy Peregrine sent everything up or from the water and hiding in the vegetation. The most notable being c1000 Eurasian Teal, c250 Northern Shoveler, 31 Northern Pintail, 12 Common Pochard, a few Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Mallard. The Black-tailed Godwit flock contained 1200 Black-tailed Godwit with 21 Common Snipe.

Common Buzzard.

A walk upto the ‘phalarope pool, saw drake Eurasian Teal in their nuputal display and both Northern Shoveler and Northern Pintail sharing the flood. A few Black-tailed Godwit were also present. A Little Egret flew over to the south and a Common Chiffchaff was calling from the banks of No.6 tank in the steady rain..

Observers: JS & WSM (video).

Foul weather for the fowl out on #FrodshamMarsh this afternoon and the Cattle Egrets acting like pigs in 💩 at #Ince. More from these sites can be found here: https://t.co/jsinrPW2Vz. Thanks again to @PaulRalston17 for his contribution. pic.twitter.com/IkdxNnTcDx

— Frodsham Birder (@FrodshamBirder) October 31, 2021

Rain, rain and more rain.

A wet afternoon visit to No.6 tank where flocks of Black-tailed Godwit were resting in the shallows. A juvenile and adult Mute Swan were on the tank but left after a short while. The Carrion Crow were in a mischievous mood and tormenting any raptor trying to hunt in the area which included Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel and Western Marsh Harrier.

Black-tailed Godwits.

A mixed flock of c2000 Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, feral pigeons and corvids were feeding on the stubble fields and a pair of European Stonechat sat on the fence near the model flying field. The 6 Whooper Swan and 3 Mute Swan were grazing on Lordship Marsh.

Stonechat.

I stopped at Ince on my way home where c70 Eurasian Curlew were joined by a large flock of Northern Lapwing and Pied Wagtail feeding in the fields alongside Kinseys Lane. A flock of c20 Little Egret and at least 3 Western Cattle Egret were in the field at the entrance to the pig farm.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images).

30.10.21. Birdlog.

Four Cattle Egrets at Ince.

I am working this weekend so limited time on the marshes. A Quick visit to Ince sa an almost repetition of previous my visits with c50 Eurasian Curlew Long Kinseys lane at Ince. The Western Cattle Egret present from Marsh Lane have increased again to four birds and c12 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron with the pigs.

Little Egret.

There were reduced numbers of ducks on Goldfinch Meadow LNR with a few redwings about.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images 1-2).

Bar-tailed Godwit.

After a week of variable weather today was much better with bright sunshine illuminating the birds. A flock of c2000 Black-tailed Godwit close to the north banks of No.6 tank had within their numbers a smart winter plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit. A solitary Ruff joined the godwits and numerous Common Snipe were littered about the area. Ducks feature strongly at this time of year with c300 Northern Shoveler, 45 Northern Pintail, 16 Common Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, c400 Eurasian Teal, several Gadwall and Mallard.

A walk up to the ‘phalarope pool’ where a flock of 104 (mostly juvenile) Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Common Snipe, 21 Northern Shoveler, c76 Eurasian Teal and 45 Northern Lapwing.

Further up the lane and 6 Whooper Swan were joined by 3 Mute Swan on Lordship Marsh.

The Bar-tailed Godwit finally woke up for a quick preen before dropping off for another prolonged nap. #FrodshamMarsh. pic.twitter.com/5efLzUftPw

— Frodsham Birder (@FrodshamBirder) October 30, 2021

Bar-tailed Godwit.

Observer: WSM (image 3 & video).

30.10.21. Birdlog.

Common Buzzard.

The last few hours of dayligh and a watch over No.6 tank where c700 Black-tailed Godwit and a metal ringed Bar-tailed Godwit saw out the high tide on the Mersey Estuary. Surpisenly the numbers of duck have fallen just when they are attaining their fine winter dress. The Eurasian Wigeon are still grass munching along the margins of the shallow waters with the ubicutuous Norther Shoveler and the chocolate necked Northern Pintail.

Bar-tailed with Black-tailed Godwits.

We walked up to the ‘phalarope pool’ and a cluster of c100 (mostly juvenile) were resting with the teal and shoveler and four Ruff. Three Western Marsh Harrier dropped into their roost and a small murmuration of 4000 Common Starling were making shapes over the reed beds.

Observer: WSM & JS (images).

Met Duncan Cowley who had seen the two Barn Owl over the reed beds on No.6 tank.

27.10.21. Birdlog.

Cattle Egret.

An after work visit to Ince before the clocks go back this coming weekend. There were 18 Little Egret, 2 Western Cattle Egret, 5 Grey Heron and c50 Eurasian Curlew all in the pig fields along Kinsey Lane at Ince.

Little Egret.

Another 12 Little Egret were down the road at Goldfinch Meadows LNR with Mallard and than Gadwall on ponds with Eurasian Teal, Northern Shoveler, 2 Mute Swan, numerous Eurasian Coot and Common Moorhen, but no geese seen on salt marshes for a change.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images).

25.10.21. Birdlog.

Cattle Egret and pig.

The last hour after work was at Ince where 17 Little and 3 Western Cattle Egret, 5 Grey Heron in with the pigs at the farm there.

Cattle Egret.

Also c50 Eurasian Curlew along Kinseys lane and Gadwall, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Coot, Common Moorhen and 2 Mute Swans at Goldfinch Meadows LNR. Also over 1000 Pink-footed Goose were on Ince Marsh.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images 1-4).

A Barn Owl put in a performance.

Also Duncan Cowley recently had 3 Western Marsh Harrier and a Barn Owl (image 5) at duck by No.6 tank.

Stonechat in flight.

Common Buzzard.

A splendid image of a European Stonechat (image 6) by David Eisner from the marsh and a Common Buzzard (image 7) by Phil Barker.

24.10.21. Birdlog.

Whooper Swans.

I started at No.6 tank this morning where c700 Black-tailed Godwit were in the shallow water and more flying in as I moved on. Northern Shoveler were the most numerous duck on the tank with Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Gadwall, Northern Pintail and Eurasian Wigeon were also present and 3 Mute Swan dropped in to rest on the water. Two Cetti’s Warbler were having a dispute and were seen chasing each other around the under growth, another 3 were heard during my walk.

Onward to the ‘phalarope pool’ where c150 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff and c100 Northern Lapwing were foraging amongst the ducks.

Looking over Frodsham Score saw several thousand Canada Goose which were keeping an eye on the wildfowlers making their way across the marsh. Several Little Egret were feeding in the tidal gullys. A Great Spotted Woodpecker made its way along the canal path and a Peregrine was seen speeding across the marsh.

A Ruff with Lapwings.

The stubble field alongside the Holpool Gutter held another flock of c300 Black-tailed Godwit with at least 4 Ruff amongst them. A flock of c150 Northern Lapwing with hundreds of Common Starling were flushed by a large female Eurasian Sparrowhawk, a Common Buzzard hung in the air ‘kestrel style’. On the gutter were c50 Gadwall and Eurasian Teal with several Eurasian Coot and Common Moorhen were noted. The Mute Swan pair and 4 cygnets with them and were preening on the bank.

A couple of Whooper Swan and 2 more Mute Swan were grazing on Lordship Marsh.

Summer plumaged Cattle Egret.

I stopped off at Ince on my way home and 2 Western Cattle Egret were present with one holding on to its summer plumage and 20 Little Egret were in with the pigs again.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images).     

23.10.21. Birdlog.

Cattle and Little Egrets.

My morning walk along the River Weaver where c200 Common Redshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Mute Swan, 12 Great Crested Grebe and reduced numbers of ducks on river as a small boat made its way along. A flock of c150 Tufted Duck, several Common Pochard with and Eurasian Teal, Mallard and Gadwall being noted.

Avocets.

There were 13 Pied Avocet were on tidal channels.

Cattle Egret.

A couple of Western Cattle and several Little Egret at Ince.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images).

21.10.21. Birdlog.

Cattle Egret and Grey Heron.

My last hour after I finished work and I made a visit to Kinsey Lane, Ince and Goldfinch Meadows LNR where 10 Little Egret, 2 Western Cattle Egret, 4 Grey Heron, c35 Eurasian Curlew, numerous Pied Wagtail were seen from the lane. Reduced numbers of ducks on the meadows with c25 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, several Eurasian Teal, 1 Mute Swan and c30 Eurasian Coot.

Observer: Paul Ralston (images).

19.10.21. Birdlog.

Little Egret and Cattle Egret.

After work visit to Ince and a look at 7 Little Egret, 1 Western Cattle Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, plenty of Gadwall and Eurasian Coot. There were smaller numbers of Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Northern Shoveler, 2 Mute Swan, hundreds of Pink-footed Goose heading south and a skein of c60 flying in from the south.

Pink-footed Geese.

Observer: Images (1-2).

A couple of Whooper Swan.

I also made an after work visit to the marshes with a look across No.6 tank where 317 Northern Shoveler were present with 67 Northern Pintail, a slight increase in the total of Gadwall, c250 Eurasian Teal, 17 Mallard and 14 Tufted Duck. A couple of Whooper Swan dropped in at dusk to spend the evening on the secure water.

Also 2 Peregrine sat on the blue topped chimney.

Earlier in the day 5 Ring-necked Parakeet flying over Phoenis Park, Runcorn.

Observer: WSM (image 3).

18.10.21. Birdlog.

Summer plumaged Cattle Egret.

A really soggy morning biking through Frodsham Marsh to Ince,but at least I kept my camera dry. A few Redwing passing overhead with flocks of Linnet and European Goldfinch all over. The summer plumaged Western Cattle Egret was again present at the pig farm entrance by Marsh Lane, Ince with a Little Egret.

Observer: Keith Gallie (images).

Little Egret.

A flock of 5 & 9 Ring-necked Parakeet flew south east over Phoenix Park and were presumably wandering birds from Runcorn Town Hall and the Whooper Swan is still present at Spike Island, Widnes.- per WSM.

After work and with the rain ceasing for the hour or so I managed to pay a visit to No.6 tank. A south easterly was blowing and the dull conditions were not ideal. However, I counted 378 Northern Shoveler, 67 Northern Pintail, 219 Eurasian Teal, 95 Eurasian Wigeon and c300 Black-headed Gull.

Observer: WSM.