Thanks to James Smith from Meols on Wirral who kindly sent me his BBRC rarity report for an adult Black Stork he saw - flying over Liverpool city centre on June 15th - a week after the one drifted over Marshside!
It was a bright sunny morning, with no wind, but I'll let James take up the story......
"At 8.05am on 15th June 2006, I was walking Northwards on Renshaw Street towards Lime Street station in Liverpool. I noticed, what I initially thought to be a Grey Heron (Ardea Coneria) flying due South along Lime Street. As the bird flew closer to me, at a height of approx. 50metres, it was quite clearly a Black Stork (Ciconia Nigra). The bird flew slowly, but directly, flying over my head and continuing over Lewis' Department store, in the direction of South Liverpool. The wingbeats were slow but regular.
Jet black underwings, neck, head and top of chest contrasted sharply with a white underbelly and lower chest. Small white triangle was noticeable at the base of the wing. Pinkish red legs and bill where very noticeable in the excellent light conditions, the legs being especially noticeable. No rings where noticeable on the legs.
Legs extended out from behind the body, whilst the long neck extended clear from the body, although was quite drooped, not being held erect. The wings were huge, the wingspan approx. 2 metre across, though with the extended neck and legs looked in proportion to the rest of the body. No 'fingers' where noticeable on the wings as it flew over.
No call was heard in the time that I was able to view the bird. The stork looked to be in pristine condition, with no obvious damage to any feathers in the wing.
The only birds able to compare the size of the Black Stork too were a pair of Herring Gulls (Larus Argentatus), which it completely dwarfed, although direct size comparison was difficult.
After watching the bird for approx. 1minute, it was lost too sight as it flew over Lewis' Department store. "
I bet you'll never look at Limes Street in quite the same way again James.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies.....
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