Lots to do today, but managed a quick call in at Marshside (Merlin, 60+ Avocets...ringtail Hen Harrier seen earlier in the day) and Martin Mere (300+ Pinkies still about), before pitching down at Mere Sands Wood for an hour.
The wicked westerly was ripping through the trees, but it was pleasant enough in the sunshine with a few Swallows zooming about above the woodland canopy.
The usual stuff coming down to the feeding stations (Reed Bunts, Tree Sparrows, Chaffinch etc), but you can only shoot ducks in a barrel for so long before it's time to move on.
Greater Pecker, hordes of Coal Tit and at least seven singing Chiffchaff, with Siskins and Redpolls calling in the treetops.
The odd snatch of Blackcap song from denser areas of woodland.
Two Crossbills were sitting unobtrusively in the swaying birch boughs behind the old Tower Hide, but moved off into the pines after a few minutes.
Devilish hard to get a digishot of them through the branches.
I gave it 30 minutes or so in case they came back into the birches, but the treetops were being pushed about in the westerly like a kelp forest in a Californian rip tide, so I cut my losses.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Singing Blackcap in Formby, but no Willy Warblers yet!
3 Ruddy Duck (m+2f) still at Longton Brickcroft, plus pair of Great Crested Grebe, 4+ Blackcap, Willow Warbler in song and Swallow.
Hi John lots of singing Willow Warblers at Sefton Meadows and one or two Chiffchaff. t t f n .
There are at least two Red Kites near the Daresbury jt of M56 - looks like they are on the move north. Great news if you ask me .
PS Going to the Mere at weekend to get you new book, bye for now .
6 Gannets off Ainsdale yesterday.
Hi Guys, I'm off to Mere Sands and Martin Mere on Friday and would just like to enquire about Crossbills at MSW. The birds that are seen regularly at this time of year; are they seen around a regular place and if so what is the best method to search for them?
thanks very much
Zac
Just to answer Zac's question about Crossbills at MSW, if he has no luck he should try Ainsdale NNR, especially opposite Woodvale Airfield - I've seen 20 to 25 birds there regularly .
Hi thanks for that tip. just coming back to the Mere Sands birds, is there a specific area of the wood where the birds are regularly seen?
if this is a sensitive species, then feel free to contact me by email - ziggy_smalls@hotmail.co.uk
cheers
Zac