CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS & UK(MEGAS)

May 12th

National Mega News

Savannah Sparrow-Skaw,Unst-Shetland

Savannah Sparrow

(c)A.Conlin

Oriental Turtle Dove-Hillwell-Mainland-Shetland

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Wood Sandpiper,Drake-Garganey and Eurasian Spoonbill

Black Necked Grebe-Budworth Mere-Cheshire

Black Necked Grebe

(c)Greg Baker

Hoopoe-Singing male still in pine belt at Sandy Lane-Newchurch Common

Common Quail-Singing male still in field east of Bent Lane at  53.4476, -24998 audible from public footpath

May 11th

National Mega News

Booted Eagle-Pale-morph 1st-summer again flew south; use reserve car park along Burnt Hill Lane (NR33 8HU)-Carlton Marshes-Suffolk

? Calandra Lark-Large lark sp (possibly Calandra Lark or Bimaculated Lark at north end of North Dunes, then flew south over Bramble Gap-Winterton Dunes-Norfolk

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Hoopoe-Singing male still in pine belt at Sandy Lane-Newchurch Common

Little Gull-1st-summer flew east-Pickerings Pasture

Garganey-Drake still-Ashton's Flash-Northwich

Short-eared Owl flying east - Hilbre.

Red Kite at 7.30am over Prenton flying towards the Dee Estuary.

Osprey over heading north-east - Moreton.

2 Garganey (pair) on scrape - Burton Point.

Wood Sandpiper - Burton Mere Wetlands.

May 10th

National Mega News

? Grey Headed Lapwing-Possible flew over but no further sign-Adabroc-Lewis -Outer Hebrides

Booted Eagle-Pale-morph-Flew over-Somerton Mill-West Somerton and Horsey Mill-Horsey-Norfolk

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Common Quail-Singing male in rough field south of Town Lane-Hale 

Hoopoe-Singing male still in pine belt at Sandy Lane-Newchurch Common

Garganey-Drake still-Ashton's Flash-Northwich

Garganey-Drake on No 6 Tank-Frodsham Marshes

100 Gannet in several flocks flew into the estuary on the rising tide, also White Wagtail on the island - Hilbre.

Red Kite over Ness flying towards Burton at mid-day, presumably same one later seen over Burton Marsh.

May 9th

National Mega News

Booted Eagle-Pale-morph juvenile flew west over Repps Road-Martham-Norfolk

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Temminck's Stint-Still at Carr Lane Pools viewed from Town Lane-Hale

Golden Oriole-Probable singing at Ness Botanic Gardens this afternoon-Ness

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey off Spike Island-Widnes

Hoopoe-Singing male still in pine belt at Sandy Lane-Newchurch Common

Hoopoe  

(c)@gninwoDeoJ

3 Yellow Wagtail (1 'channel' type), Whinchat (fem) and 2 Spotted Flycatcher by horse paddocks, Whinchat (male) behind Kerr's field -Leasowe Lighthouse.

May 8th

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Temminck's Stint-Still at Carr Lane Pools viewed from Town Lane-Hale

Temminck's Stint

(C) Dave Craven

May 7th

National Mega News

Booted Eagle-Pale-morph 1st-summer flew north into Norfolk-Suffolk

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Black Kite that was present this morning at Lindow Moss (known as 'Scatty') escaped from Gauntlet Birds of Prey flight show on Monday-Wilmslow

Temminck's Stint-One at Carr Lane Pools viewed from Town Lane-Hale

Common Crane-One over-Alsager

May 6th 

Megas

Solitary Sandpiper-Still in ditch just south of lighthouse compound-Butt Of Lewis- Lewis- Outer Hebrides

Solitary Sandpiper

(C) Dan Pointon

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Purple Heron-One reported in trees then flew down lake before departing high east-Moore Nature Reserve

Euasian Spoonbill,2 Wood Sandpipers,Spotted Redshank,Curlew Sandpiper-Burton RSPB

Wood Sandpiper-Three still on flash north of Lache Lane-Chester

Wood Sandpiper-Still at south-east end of western cell of No 4 Bed-Woolston Eyes

May 5th 

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Wood Warbler-Singing male-Thurstaton Common/Royden Park

Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Wood Sandpiper- Burton RSPB

Wood Sandpiper- Three on flash north of Lache Lane-Chester

Wood Sandpiper-Golden Oriole- One singing briefly this morning and then possibly heard again, Male singing again this evening and eventually showed- Woolston Eyes 

Golden Oriole-(C)Dan Owen

May 4th 

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Wood Sandpiper-Two still on flash north of Lache Lane, Chester

Wood Sandpiper- Still on No 4 Bed; keep to footpaths at all times, no access to bunds- Woolston Eyes

Lesser Scaup-Two (one drake) still from Hale Head on River Mersey mouth just east of lighthouse though increasingly distant on dropping tide-Hale

2 Arctic Tern, 12 Common Tern, 65 Little Tern, 220 Sandwich Tern, 5 Eider and 19 Whimbrel - Hilbre.

White Stork- Over-2 Wood Sandpiper - Burton Mere Wetlands.

2 Whinchat inland of groyne - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Serin both seen and heard, near junction of Park Lane and Carr Lane -Meols.

May 3rd

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Hooded Crow- One flew across the marsh towards Parkgate-Ness

Spotted Redshank-N06 Tank-Frodsham Marshes

3 Sanderling-Three at Elton Hall Flash-Sandbach Flashes

Wood Sandpiper-One at Budworth Mere at 06:10 but no further sign by 06:36-Marbury Country Park

Wood Sandpiper- Still on No 4 Bed; keep to footpaths at all times, no access to bunds- Woolston Eyes

Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper - Burton Mere Wetlands.

153 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper - Heswall Shore.

c20 Whimbrel - Hilbre.

May 2nd

National Mega News

Booted Eagle-Possible pale morph flew east-Norwich-Norfolk

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Wood Warbler-Singing male at top of slope opposite Fox Howl School sign-Delamere Forest

Wood Sandpiper-One at Budworth Mere-Marbury Country Park

Wood Sandpiper-One at Ashton's Flash-Marbury Country Park

White Stork-one flew low north over Burton Wood and appeared to be dropping-Burton Village

Wood Sandpiper-two on No 4 Bed then flew east; keep to footpaths at all times, no access to bunds-Woolston Eyes

Spotted Redshank and 2 Wood Sandpiper - Burton Mere Wetlands.

May 1st

National Mega News

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Osprey-One flew over River Weaver towards Barnton this evening-Northwich

Hoopoe-One in garden yesterday, but no sign since-Northwich

Wood Sandpiper - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Ring Ouzel (fem) in coastal paddocks this morning - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Stone Curlew-Still in northern ploughed field on east side of Common Lane-Kelsall

Stone Curlew-(C) M Jarratt

Apr 30th

National Mega News

Booted Eagle-One at Manby Flashes, then drifted east-Manby-Lincolnshire

Booted Eagle-Dark morph-Lundy Island-Devon

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Hoopoe-One flew west near Mudhurst Lane-Disley

Little Stint-One at Carr Lane Pools-Hale

Ring Ouzel briefly flew NE - Hoylake Langfields.

8 Ruff - Parkgate.

2 Wheatear on groyne - Meols Common.

Ring Ouzel (fem) behind Lighthouse, and 2 Yellow Wagtail - Leasowe Lighthouse.

Cuckoo briefly flew south  - Hilbre.

Wood Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover - Burton Mere Wetlands.

2 Eider (pair) on the sea off Harrison Drive - Wallasey.

April 29th

National Mega News

Booted Eagle-Dark morph-Lundy Island-Devon

Alpine Accentor- One on clifftop south of Foghorn Station- Flamborough Head- East Yorkshire

Alpine Accentor-(C)Brett Richards

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Wood Sandpiper-One on No 4 Bed this evening; keep to footpaths at all times, no access to bunds-Woolston Eyes

Wood Sandpiper - Burton Mere Wetlands.

3 Whinchat-Around the Lighthouse-Leasowe

April 28th

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Ruddy Shelduck-Still on River Mersey-Wigg Island

White Stork-One circling over reserve-Burton RSPB

Osprey-Flew over Ashton's Flash-Northwich

April 27th

National Mega News

Cape Gull-Adult again on tarn for one minute, then flew north- Redcar Tarn-West Yorkshire

Cape Gull-(C)Stephen Clifton

Cheshire and Wirral Bird News

Whinchat-Leasowe

Garganey-Two (one drake) from Border Hide-Burton RSPB

Blue Headed Wagtail-Meols

Whinchat-One in field between Wirral Way and River Dee c 0.8km south of Thurstaton-Thurstaton

WHITE FACED DARTER-PRIVATE SITE-CHESHIRE

This morning, I met up with Andrew Goodwin to visit a private site in Cheshire in search of the White-faced Darter dragonfly. Upon our arrival, we were fortunate to spot a male White-faced Darter that landed in some bracken right in front of us, providing excellent views. In another area, we successfully located five more males and one female. 

We were lucky enough to witness two of the White-faced darters forming a copulatory wheel, which perched nearby, allowing us to observe them closely.

A fantastic morning and nice to see this small population doing so well in are County.

WEEKEND CHASING ODONATA AND BUTTERFLIES-PART 2

Jen and I met Paul Brewster this morning at his local patch near Northwich in Cheshire, hoping to see a Downy Emerald.

Upon arrival, Paul found a Downy Emerald near the car park. We couldn't believe it; we all had brilliant views as it perched in the sun on a hedge.

After observing the Downy Emerald and not anticipating finding this species so soon, we said are goodbyes to Paul and headed to our next location in search of Hairy Dragonflies at a farmer's pond near Chester. Upon our arrival, we spotted four Hairy Dragonflies flying around us, and then one perched right near us.

We have had a fantastic two days in the field, with excellent views of every species we encountered. Next weekend promises to be another exciting adventure, with more butterflies and dragonflies to add to our lifelist.

WEEKEND CHASING BUTTERFLIES AND ODONATA-PART 1

After the recent high temperatures, butterflies and dragonflies (Odonata) have emerged earlier this year. I need several species to complete my British list. This morning, I visited Eyarth Rocks in North Wales with Jenna and her children to try to see the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly.

The Eyarth Rocks reserve is part of Craig-adwy-wynt, one of the richest butterfly sites in North Wales;  32 of the 34 species known to occur in the region have been recorded on this limestone hill-top Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and most breed there. The population of Pearl-bordered Fritillary has grown strongly since 2002, when Butterfly Conservation bought and started managing the site. The limestone pavement flora is exceptional, and the site provides magnificent views of the area. Sheep are grazed on the reserve to help control the scrub growth and break up the bracken cover so that more violets can flourish for the Pearl-bordered Fritillary caterpillars to eat.

The limestone pavement of this fine hilltop reserve is some of the best to be found in Wales. It is being carefully managed to sustain North Wales' strongest populations of the threatened Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly.

Upon our arrival, we fortuitously met a gentleman and his wife who had already spotted one resting on the heath.

As you can see, we all got great views of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary

While walking around the site, we spotted three more Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies before we left.

After leaving, we stopped for lunch before heading to the next site near Wrexham, located in an industrial area. Jenna had never seen a Grizzled or Dingy Skipper, so we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side when we arrived; the wind had picked up. However, one of Jenna's sons spotted a Grizzled Skipper flying low over the vegetation. It landed briefly before the wind caught it and sent it flying away.

Jenna's first Grizzled skipper

We continued to look for the Dingy Skipper but had no luck. However, Jenna's son found this little beauty, a Mother Shipton moth. I had never seen this day-flying moth before.

Our next stop was near Chester, by the River Dee. I had never seen a Common Clubtail before, and this is a site where they are seen annually at this time of year. We had barely stepped out of the car when I couldn't believe my eyes: a Common Clubtail flew right past me and landed on a hawthorn bush.

This was my first ever sighting of a Common Clubtail

While walking along, I noticed other sightings, which included:

Azure Damselfly

Large Red Damselfly 

After leaving the River Dee, we headed to a nearby site in Holt to check if the Beautiful Demoiselle dragonflies had emerged yet. Upon arrival, we walked along the river, and eventually I spotted two Beautiful Demoiselles resting on some overhanging vegetation.

Another good Odonata for the list, Beautiful Demoiselle

This rounded off a great day; we had only missed the Dingy Skipper out of all our targets, and we had really good views of everything we saw.

CANNOCK CHASE-STAFFORDSHIRE

This morning, I stopped by Cannock Chase on my way to work in Birmingham and enjoyed an excellent few hours there.

Cannock Chase

Cuckoos were singing as soon as I arrived on site, and the one below was one of two easily visible.

Cuckoo

A good number of tree pipits were observed, and seven individual birds were seen.

Tree Pipit

In addition to other sightings, notable birds observed included a Stonechat and a Reed Bunting.

Stonechat

Reed Bunting

Green hairstreak butterflies were abundant, flying in the morning sun alongside a Brimstone butterfly.

Green Hairstreak Butterfly

Brimstone

Overall, it was a great few hours of walking around and enjoying some quality sightings.

MIDDLETON RSPB-WARWICKSHIRE

I went for an evening walk after work tonight around Middleton RSPB and saw some cracking birds.

Middleton RSPB

Upon entering the reserve, I saw two Hobby's flying over the pools, and a Bittern was booming away.

What a bird! Summer is upon us. 

While continuing to walk around the reserve, I observed two Wood Sandpipers and a Great White Egret. Then, a male Garganey emerged from the reed bed.

Wood Sandpiper

Great White Egret

Garganey

Odanata were also out in the evening sunshine.

Banded Demoiselle

Large Red-eyed Damselfly

As I walked back to the car, I saw two Peacock butterflies finishing off a lovely evening stroll.