We’ll be reducing the inclusion of the Frodsham Marsh Wind Farm posts in due course so in the meantime here’s a few from today from Helsby
Looking north to the River Mersey.
Looking north-east to No.6 tank.
The M56 runs through the marshes.
The two top images are of the Wind turbines on No.1 tank (left) and on No.5 tank (right) with the Weaver Bend sandwiched between.
The 9th wind turbine is erected on No.5 tank today.
All images by Tony Broome except for 8.
I watched the installation of the first rotor blade to the latest (8th) wind turbine on the south-east corner of No.5 tank. It towers high above the horse paddock and the junction of Moorditch Lane and Marsh Lane. It will be the closest turbine to Frodsham village and its work even brought people out from their homes on Moreton Terrace off Marsh Lane.
The first bade is readied into position by the cranes whilst inside the top section an engineer is ready to insert the industrial pins into their slots.
An image from the west along No.5 tank.
All images: WSM.
An evening walk again along the north banks of No.5 looking across No.6 tank. There were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Common Pochard, 23 Tufted Duck, 46 Gadwall, (an uncounted number of) Common Shelduck, 44, Coot and 43 Common Teal (excluding the Green-winged which had bounced back across the river to Carr Lane pools).
The Black-tailed Godwit flock were well scattered but a record increase of Avocet numbered 33 birds with 2 adults and 2 chicks nearby. There were 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Redshank present.
The influx of Painted Lady Butterflies continues with them again present along the dusty tracks but in much reduced numbers. A couple of fine Brimstone’s were flying by.
The 7th wind turbine is set to be erected on No.5 tank from the newly positioned crane there.
Observer and images: WSM.
Locally a Red Kite was over the M56, Daresbury at 5.00 pm per Shaun Hickey.
After work and a walk along the Painted Lady Butterfly littered track above No.6 tank and away from the pettiness of the day.
A parent Avocet shielding its chicks from a marauding gull.
The summering Black-tailed Godwit flock exceeded 500 birds in the recently rain supplemented water level on No.6 tank. Also present was a scattered flock of 15 Avocet with another 4 elsewhere (excluding two mobile chicks). The parent Ringed Plover pair still had 3 chicks which fed within the godwit flocks on the edge of the muddy areas. Two Dunlin were a little late moving north.
Ducks were back to good numbers with an increase of Common Pochard numbering 13 drakes and two ducks. The arrival of a flock of 39 Common Teal were possibly part of a group displaced by a big tide out on the river and brought a Green-winged across the river to Carr Lane pools? Also present were 34 Gadwall, 23 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler and a pair of Great Crested Grebe.
The 6th wind turbine is set in place on No.4 tank and awaiting its third rotor blade.
Observer: WSM (images 1-5).
Earlier Colin paid a visit and sent his sightings here:
I paid a visit this afternoon to the marsh. Although it was quiet it was nevertheless enjoyable. Whitethroat giving alarm calls obviously with young nearby. Reed and Sedge Warbler where much in evidence. One Common Buzzard was the only raptor noted with Raven seen. Six Avocet were a pleasant sight especially with two young feeding happily after their parents saw off a Gadwall.
Observer: Colin Butler (images 6-8).
Locally a Red Kite was over Malpas Crescent, Runcorn at 8.00 am per Don Weedon.
A few additional images. The above from 21st where a segment of the fourth tower turbine is lifted into position…
…and viewed from the north banks of No.6 tank.
The rotor hub is lifted into position.
A flock of Black-tailed Godwits wheeled around after being disturbed by a passing raptor with the turbines situated on Lordship Marsh and the Growhow Works beyond.
The third turbine erected with the rotor hub being fastened into position.
The hub being hoisted.
A closer view…
…and an even closer view.
The finished product, one of two presently on No.1 (Cell 1) tank.
The Weaver Estuary and one of the turbines towering over it.
Some images added on and taken 29.05.16.
The above (three) images are of the turbines situated on Lordship Marsh.
All images by WSM.
A few views of the wind turbines from a different perspective across the river at Hale Head.
The third turbine tower is erected over on Helsby marshes.
The same turbine but from across the river at Hale Head.
The first rotor blade inserted.
Then the third rotor blade finishes it off.
A view of the Helsby Marshes from No.6 tank at dusk.
A view from Townfield Lane, Frodsham of the turbines.
All images WSM except image 9 which was taken by David Stewart.
A series of more recent images of the first and second wind turbines and artistically captured by Tony Broome (images 1-4).
The above images show the installation of the second turbine situated close to Marsh Farm, No.1 tank (Cell 1).
These images by Paul Crawley (images 5-6) show pylons marching across the marsh and then a more modern power source at dawn with the illuminating lights at Weston Point.
