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ellesmere port, CHESHIRE, United Kingdom

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31 January 2018

AMERICAN HORNED LARK-STAINES RESERVOIR-22ND JANUARY 2018

On the 19th of November last year a Shore Lark was found at Staines reservoir but was only seen briefly before it disappeared until the 24th when it was refound on the causeway.The bird was photographed by visiting birders the next day and the discussions began that the bird could be Nearctic in origin.As discussions continued and more people saw the bird it was widely agreed the bird was a member of the Nearctic clade of Horned Lark subspecies.
I ummed and ahhed about going as not many of the lads were up for it  only being a subspecies saying it will never go on the list!I eventually cracked by the 28th as it was still showing well everyday and decided to go the next morning.I arrived at first light and spent the whole day looking for the bird but it had gone!GUTTED!
Thankfully though on Monday the bird amazingly reappeared and was refound on the causeway and showed well until sunset.I was working the next day but sorted a days leave out for wednesday.
I picked up Malc curtin from Northwich and headed south arriving at Staines reservoir for first light.The weather was dreadful when we arrived,gusts of forty mile an hour winds and it was absolutely throwing it down.We waited for the rain to settle down then we headed out onto the causeway.There was only us two around on arrival so we walked down the causeway and searched for the bird.After an hour of looking things weren't looking to good,but then the bird flew right in front of me and started to feed on the grassy verge. 
AMERICAN HORNED LARK
I managed to get a few photos of the bird in driving rain and a howling wind which we could hardly stand up in.Anyway thankfully the bird was seen!The bird had a striking appearance most noticeably the warm, rufous flanks,vinous wing coverts, dark upper parts and whitish supercilium.
This is perhaps the third American Horned lark for Britain, following birds on Scilly in October 2001 and South Uist in October 2014 (the latter particularly similar in appearance to the Staines bird), though no Nearctic taxon of this species has been formally admitted to the BOU's British list.
A DRENCHED MALC CURTIN
After good views of the bird we headed back to car for a brew and bit of heat.Being so close to Wraysbury we called in at Magna Carter lane and managed to see two Ring necked parakeets briefly before they flew.
Heading back north news came out that the 1st winter Spotted sandpiper was still showing well in Nottingham at Holme peirrepont so we called in to see it.
The Spotted sandpiper showed really well and added bonus was a Long Tailed duck.
A great days birding and hopefully a future armchair tick in the bag.I'll wait and see!







CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 31ST JANUARY 2018

CHESHIRE
Sandbach Flashes
Juvenile Iceland Gull and an Adult

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
ITALIAN SPARROW-Possible (or hybrid sparrow sp.) in gardens on Wynards Road and Cadbury Gardens (present several days); park in car park off Hayes Lane or on B3178 at Oak Hill (c.SY067847)-East Budleigh-Devon.

30 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 30TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Parkgate
Bittern-Flew towards Neston reedbed and 5 Great White egrets.

Burton RSPB
Great Egret x2 Burton Marsh From Point
Bullfinch x1 Railway Bridge
Golden Plover x1 IMF
Fieldfare x25+ Marsh Covert Wood
Goldcrest Marsh Covert Wood
Treecreeper By Woodland Mere
Little Grebe x2 Burton Mere
Siskin Alders By Garden
Nuthatch Feeder Far End Reception Pool
Peregrine On Wet Grassland
Marsh Harrier Wet Grassland With Prey
Whooper Swan x4 Field Behind D Barn


Heswall
Hen Harrier-Male.

CHESHIRE
Frodsham Marshes
Great White egret-Flew south of No6 Tank.

Newchurch Common
Female Smew of unknown origin-On large pool north of track.


Woolston Eyes
Cetti's Warbler and 45 Brambling.

Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-7 still around Old hall site.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestrisor hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

ITALIAN SPARROW-Possible (or hybrid sparrow sp.) in gardens on Wynards Road and Cadbury Gardens (present several days); park in car park off Hayes Lane or on B3178 at Oak Hill (c.SY067847)-East Budleigh-Devon.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK 24TH-30TH JANUARY 2018

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BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF RARE BIRDS THIS WEEK IN BRITAIN-24TH-30TH JANUARY 2018

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29 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 29TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Puddington
Cattle Egret-Still with on Puddington lane with 35 Little egrets


Burton RSPB

Whooper Swan x4 Field Behind D Barn
Pink-Footed Geese Wet Grassland
Peregrine Over Main Scrape
Mediterranean Gull Main Scrape
Curlew x30 Right Of Main Scrape
Little Grebe x2 Burton Mere
Nuthatch Marsh Covert Wood
Great Egret Over Border Pool
Marsh Harrier Over Wet Grassland



Parkgate
Hen Harrier (ringtail),4 Marsh Harrier,Peregrine and 2 Great White Egrets

CHESHIRE
Sandbach Flashes
Green Winged Teal-Drake,Juvenile Iceland Gull and Juvenile Glaucous gull.

Newchurch Common
Female Smew of unknown origin-On large pool north of track and good numbers of Brambling still around the area.


Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-7 still around Old hall site.


MEGAS IN BRITAIN
RED THROATED THRUSH-Report of one "recently" in gardens at north end but no sign in search today-Sanday-Orkney.


NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestrisor hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

ITALIAN SPARROW-Possible (or hybrid sparrow sp.) in gardens on Wynards Road and Cadbury Gardens (present several days); park in car park off Hayes Lane or on B3178 at Oak Hill (c.SY067847)-East Budleigh-Devon.



28 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 28TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Neston Sewage Works
Firecrest and a Water Pipit


Neston Marsh
Great White Egret,Hen Harrier and a Short-eared Owl.


Hilbre
6 Eider and 6 Purple Sandpiper.

Burton RSPB
Great Egret Burton Marsh From Point
Bullfinch 3 By Railway Bridge
Redpoll x1 Over Birdcrop Field
Fieldfare x100+ Far End Boardwalk Field On Right
Marsh Harrier Over Wet Grassland
Ruff Main Scrape
Whooper Swan x6 Field Behind D Barn
Grey Wagtail Ditch Left Of Barn
Redwing Field Right Of House
Mistle Thrush x2 As Above
Little Owl By Farm
Reed Bunting Feeder By Barn
Peregrine Over Main Scrape
Goosander  IMF
Green Woodpecker Field Behind Burton Mere


CHESHIRE
Hale
Juvenile Iceland gull,Probable Glaucous gull and Short eared owl.

Frodsham Marshes
Great white egret on saltmarsh.

Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-5 still around Old hall site.


Cuddington
Hawfinch-1 still at Delamere Park at corner of Westrees.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestrisor hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

THAYERS GULL-Juvenile-On Isbley water-Blashford Lakes-Hampshire.

ITALIAN SPARROW-Possible (or hybrid sparrow sp.) in gardens on Wynards Road and Cadbury Gardens (present several days); park in car park off Hayes Lane or on B3178 at Oak Hill (c.SY067847)-East Budleigh-Devon.

27 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 27TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
West Kirby Marine Lake
Goosander (red head).


Parkgate
Bittern,Hen Harrier (grey male),5 Great White Egret and 12 Marsh Harrier.


Denhall Quay
Great White Egret.


Puddington
Cattle Egret.

Neston Sewage Works.
Water Pipit.


Thurstaston Shore
Scaup in channel.

Burton RSPB
Whooper Swan x6 Field Behind D Barn
Redwing Field Left Bunker Entrance
Mistle Thrush As Above
Marsh Harrier Over Wet Grassand
Peregrine Wet Grassland
Siskin x20+ Alders By Garden
Kingfisher In Tree Willow Mere
Jay Marsh Covert Wood
Pintail x2 Bridge Screen Pool
Curlew x17Bridge Screen
Bullfinch 2 By Railway Bridge
Raven Over Burton Point
Great Egret x2 Burton Marsh From Point
Merlin As Above
Fieldfare Field Left Bunker Entrance


CHESHIRE
Frodsham Marshes
Great White egret still on salt marsh.

Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-4 still around Old hall site.


Newchurch Common
Female Smew of unknown origin-On large pool north of track and good numbers of Brambling still around the area.


Winsford Flash
2 Kittiwakes and a Mediterranean Gull.

Sandbach Flashes
2 Great White egrets

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
PACIFIC DIVER-Adult offshore from The Station House pub-Marazion-Cornwall.

NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestris,praticola,hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

26 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 26TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Puddington
Cattle Egret with 21 Little Egret in field by Manor House Farm.

Hilbre
856 Cormorant flew out of estuary and 450 Pink-footed Geese flew south at first light,6 Eider and 1 Dark-bellied with the Brent Geese.


Neston Sewage Works
Firecrest.

Burton RSPB
Great Egret Burton Marsh From Point
Water Rail Copse To IMF
Goldcrest Marsh Covert Wood
Siskin x14+ Alders By Woodland Mere
Nuthatch x2 By Old Toilet Block
Treecreeper Near Reception Feeder (Photo)
Marsh Harrier Over Wet Grassland
Whooper Swan x6 Field Behind D Barn
Grey Wagtail On Barn
Bewick`s Swan 4 Adult + 1 Juvenile IMF
Peregrine Left Of Main Scrape



CHESHIRE
Brereton Heath Park
Kittiwake

Newchurch Common
Female Smew of unknown origin-On large pool north of track and good numbers of Brambling still around the area.


Hale
Water Pipit.

Rostherne Mere
Hawfinch-Still by cricket pavilion. 

Marbury Country Park
10 Hawfinches around the main carpark

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
PACIFIC DIVER-Adult again off harbour-Penzance-Cornwall.

NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestris,praticola,hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

25 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 25TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Puddington 
Cattle Egret-In fields along Puddington Lane.

Decca Pools
Barn Owl

Burton RSPB
Whooper Swan x6 Main Scrape
Peregrine Over Main Scrapes 
Kingfisher Willow Mere
Nuthatch Burton Mere
Treecreeper x2 Burton Mere
Siskin x12+ Burton Mere
Snipe x3 Marsh Covert Hide
Stonechat x3 IMF
Golden Plover x30+ Burton Marsh From Point
Bewick`s Swan x4 As Above
Great Egret x2 As Above


CHESHIRE
Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-10 by rangers cabin.

Sandbach Flashes
1st Winter Little gull and Kumlien's Gull.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestrisor hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

AUDOUIN'S GULL-Wholly unconfirmed report of adult between Pendeen Watch and Boat Cove-Cornwall.

24 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 24TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Pink-Footed Geese x9 Wet Grassland
Marsh Harrier Wet Grassland
Peregrine Over Main Scrape
Curlew x47 Main Scrape
Whooper Swan x7 Field Behind D Barn
Siskin x15+ By Burton Mere
Stonechat x2 Marsh Covert Hide
Snipe Marsh Covert Hide
Pintail Bridge Screen Pool


Puddington 
Cattle Egret with 40 Little Egret in fields along Puddington Lane.


Parkgate
3 Marsh Harrier,2 Hen Harrier (male and ringtail),3 Great White Egret,2 Merlin and 1,500 Lapwing.

CHESHIRE
Sandbach Flashes
Juvenile Iceland Gull and an Adult-Elton Hall Flash,Juvenile Glaucous gull and a Great White egret.


Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-3 still around Old hall site.


Newchurch Common
Female Smew of unknown origin-On large pool north of track and good numbers of Brambling still around the area.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestrisor hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

23 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 23RD JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Burton RSPB
Whooper Swan x6 Field Behind D Barn
Fieldfare x30 Field Left Bunker Entrance
Redwing x21 As Above
Marsh Harrier Over Wet Grassland
Spotted Redshank Main Scrape
Curlew x13 Right Of Main Scrape
Snipe x3 Marsh Covert Hide
Great Egret x2 Burton Marsh From Point
Little Owl Still In Tree
Goldcrest In Copse To IMF

Treecreeper As Above
Peregrine Over Main Scrape


Thurstaston Shore
8,000 Knot roosting off Tinker's Dell.

Hilbre
6 Eider and 200 Brent Geese.

Parkgate
Bittern,3 Marsh Harrier,Hen Harrier (male),4 Great White Egret and a Merlin.


Neston
8 Marsh Harrier,3 Great White Egret and a Peregrine.


Meols-Dove point
Greenshank on groyne.

CHESHIRE
Cuddington
Hawfinch-1 still at Delamere Park at corner of Westrees.


Sandbach Flashes
Adult Iceland gull and 1st Winter Kumliens Gull.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestrisor hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

PIED BILLED GREBE-Setter Marsh-Loch Of Spiggie-Mainland-Shetland.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK 17TH-23RD JANUARY 2018

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BIRDGUIDES REVIEW OF RARE BIRDS THIS WEEK IN BRITAIN-17TH-23RD JANUARY 2018

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22 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 22ND JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Greasby-Pump Lane
Mediterranean in large field next to Pump Lane.

Denhall Quay
Short-eared Owl.

Hilbre
5 Eider and 287 Brent Geese (incl 1 dark-bellied)

Burton RSPB
Great Egret Burton Marsh From Point
Bullfinch x4 Railway Bridge
Siskin x30+ In Alders Copse To IMF
Sparrowhawk Over Boardwalk
Chiffchaff Marsh Covert Wood From Boardwalk
Redwing x30+ Burton Mere
Fieldfare x20+ Burton Mere
Pintail Main Scrape
Peregrine x2 Over Main Scrape
Pink-Footed Geese x25+ Wet Grassland
Whooper Swan x6 Field Behind D Barn
Little Owl Still In Tree Seen From Puddington Lane

Ruff x2 Main ScrapeLittle Stint Main Scrape

CHESHIRE
Sandbach Flashes
Juvenile Iceland Gull,2 Juvenile Glaucous gulls and 2 Great White egrets-Railway Flash.

MEGAS IN BRITAIN
NORTH AMERICAN HORNED LARK-
Probable nominate form alpestrisor hoyti on North Basin causeway bank; view from causeway between A3044 and Town Lane (TQ051731TW19 7PU)-Staines reservoir-Surrey.

PACIFIC DIVER-Adult offshore-Pendower beach-Cornwall.

21 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 21ST JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL

Hilbre
Peregrine,5 Eider and 320 Brent Geese.

Burton RSPB
Redwing x80+ Field Left Bunker Entrance
Fieldfare x55+ As Above
Whooper Swan x6 Flew Past Reception
Golden Plover x40+ Wet Grassand
Green Woodpecker Gorse Covert Woodland
Kingfisher Tree Willow Mere
Little Grebe x2 Burton Mere
Pink-Footed Geese x2000+ Flew High Over Reserve
Siskin X15 Path Between Burton & Woodland Mere`s
Ruff x2 Main Scrape
Marsh Harrier Over Wet Grassland


CHESHIRE
Rosetherne Mere
Hawfinch-1in tree in NE car park then flew towards church.

Cuddington
Hawfinch-1 still at Delamere Park at corner of Westrees.

Frodsham Marshes
Great White Egret and Ringtail Hen Harrier.


20 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 20TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
Leasowe
2 Mediterranean Gull,1 opposite Cafe end of Pasture Road and the other in field by Links View Garage.

Hilbre

9 Purple Sandpiper,250+ Brent Geese,6  Eider and 4 Red Throated divers.

Burton RSPB

Fieldfare Field Left Bunker Entrance
Redwing As Above
Golden Plover x17 Main Scrape
Dunlin x12 Main Scrape
Ruff x4 Main Scrape
Marsh Harrier Over Reedbed
Water Pipit On Right As You Go In Marsh Covert Hide
Goldcrest By Birdcrop Field
Green Woodpecker Burton Point
Little Stint Main Scrape
Woodcock Flew Over Reedbed Screen From Wood
Siskin x25+ Over Boardwalk

Merlin Fence Behind Wet Grassland

Parkgate
Short Eared Owl and Great White Egret

CHESHIRE
Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-7 still around Old hall site.


Cuddington
Hawfinch-1 still at Delamere Park at corner of Westrees.


Sandbach Flashes

2 Long Eared owls-Groby flash and Great White egret-Elton Hall flash.

19 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 19TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
New Brighton
12 Purple Sandpiper on pontoon and also a Little Gull on river Mersey.


West Kirby Marine Lake
Goosander (fem) and a Goldeneye.

Birkenhead-Beaufort Road

4 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Yellow legged gulls-Ad and 2nd Winter.

Parkgate

4 Great White Egrets and a Male Hen Harrier


Burton RSPB
Hen Harrier Burton Marsh From Point
Green Woodpecker Burton Point
Raven Burton Point
Fieldfare x60+ Far End Boardwalk Field On Right
Kingfisher Tree By Willow Mere
Marsh Harrier On Wet Grassland
Redwing x80+ Field Left Bunker Entrance
Little Owl Still In Tree But You Can`t See From Reserve
Pintail Bridge Screen Pool
Grey Wagtail Seen Near Bunker
Goldcrest By Wooden Bridge To IMF

CHESHIRE
Sandbach Flashes
Glaucous Gull-1 on Elton Hall Flash and 11 Woodcock along canal by Fodens Flash.


MEGAS IN BRITAIN
PIED BILLED GREBE-Setter Marsh-Loch Of Spiggie-Mainland-Shetland.

18 January 2018

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGAS 18TH JANUARY 2018

WIRRAL
New Brighton Marine Lake
9 Purple Sandpiper,150 Turnstone,850 Redshank and 120 Dunlin.

Burton RSPB
Great Egret Burton Marsh From Point
Green Woodpecker Burton Point
Fieldfare x100+ Far End Boardwalk Field On Right
Pintail 7 Bridge Screen Pool
Kingfisher Ditch Left Of Reedbed Screen
Siskin x20 Alders By Burton Mere
Nuthatch Trees By Garden
Redwing x80+ Field Right Of House
Marsh Harrier Over Wet Grassland
Peregrine Wet Grassland
Ruff x5 Main Scrape

CHESHIRE
Newchurch Common
Female Smew of unknown origin-On large pool north of track and good numbers of Brambling still around the area.


Marbury Country Park
Hawfinch-5 still around Old hall site.


Sandbach Flashes

Glaucous Gull-2 on Elton Hall Flash