The committee wish all members a Happy, Prosperous and Bird-filled Year.

This is our latest newsletter to keep everyone abreast of all that’s happening in the society, and we hope you enjoy it. Our season carried on in December with a morning’s birding at Marbury (bird news later in the newsletter) followed by a Christmas lunch, organised by Stephen, at the Cock O’Budworth.

You will all have received the email in mid-December letting you know about the new MCOS website (midcheshireos.uk) and hopefully you’ve all had a look at it. We are extremely grateful to Ged for volunteering to have a go at setting up a website and doing such a wonderful job and thank all those who have made contributions towards it.

I am also grateful to all those who made contributions to this newsletter – all the trip leaders and Judith.

Indoor Meetings

On December 12th, Wirral based professional photographer Brian Andersen entertained and educated us with his excellent illustrated talk ‘Feathers and Wings’. Describing himself as not a twitcher but a lover of nature and its wonders he delighted us with many beautiful and informative images of birds taken during his 30+ years of travelling worldwide. Throughout he held our interest and made us laugh.

He started though on a serious and thought-provoking note highlighting the fact that now in our current geological age, the Anthropocene, during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment, wild birds are only a very small percentage of global species compared to humans and livestock.

He then showed us superb images of Pelagic birds of the South Atlantic and Southern Oceans. There were different species of Albatross, including the huge Wandering Albatross (his favourite bird!), Petrels, including the magnificent (and bloody) Giant Petrel and stunningly beautiful Snow Petrel. This was followed by Near Pelagic birds including Antarctic Shag and Antarctic Tern, Kelp Gull in Tierra del Fuego, Swallow-tailed Gull, Frigate Birds and Boobies in Galapagos. He ended the first half telling us how he regretted buying an ‘I love Boobies’ T-shirt as a holiday present!

After the break (with Christmas mince pies courtesy of Paul) he entertained us with phenomenal photos of Penguins including King, Emperor, Chinstrap and Adelie, lots of adorable chicks and more amusing anecdotes. Leaving the snow of Antarctica, we moved on to colourful passerines including Green Bee-eaters, Kingfishers and Mynah birds in India, Vermillion Flycatcher in Galapagos and Chilean Blue Swallow.

Brian talked about how humans are polluting and negatively affecting the planet before finishing with a welcome good news story about the South Georgia Heritage Trust who have successfully removed alien species (reindeer, rats and mice) thereby protecting endemic species like South Georgia Pipit and Pintail. He had started the evening by saying it was ‘Good to be back’ and everyone present agreed! (JP)

----------------------

On January 9th ,one of our members, MikeWhiteside, gave a talk on ‘CostaRica/Borneo & Orang Utangs’. Mike & Jenny travelled to Costa Rica and visited various sites from the Pacific west coast to the Caribbean side and the highlands, including the cloud forest at Monteverde. Costa Rica has a wealth of birds and during the winter months this is supplemented by migrating birds from the north.

He showed us photographs of many families of birds including Trogons, Thrushes, Woodpeckers such as Acorn & Hoffman’s, Hummingbirds such as Volcano & Fiery Throated. There were many wetland birds on the Pacific side including White Ibis, Wattled Jacana, Double Striped Thick-knee and Green Heron. One of the commonest raptors is the Crested Caracara. The images that stood out for me were White Throated Magpie Jay, Long Tailed Silky Flycatcher and the enigmatic Resplendent Quetzal.

After the interval, Mike continued his talk with their trip to Malaysian Borneo (Sabah) in November 2023, travelling again to various sites from east to west including Kinabalu National Park and Sepilok Nature Reserve.

On their first morning, they left their hotel on a very early start to visit some reliable hides at a feeding station that have been set up for the endemic Bulwer’s Pheasant. They were visited by shy Crested Partridge, Flycatchers, a female Bulwer’s and he kept us all on tenterhooks (did they or did they not see a male) and after several hours there, eventually an image of the stunning male Bulwer’s Pheasant – well worth the wait. For those missing on the night, it really is worth googling. He showed us images of many birds from S E Asian families including Barbets, Bulbuls, Babblers, Flycatchers, Spiderhunters, Broadbills such as Black & Red and Black and Yellow, Hornbills including Rhinoceros & Wrinkled. My favourite images were, of course, the Pheasant and Black Crowned & Bornean Banded Pitta – a stunning bird.

At Sepilok they saw their first Orangs, took a trip on a river where they saw Proboscis Monkey, another ‘much wanted’ on Mike’s list. Other mammals included Giant Red Flying Squirrel and Borneo Pygmy Elephant – a sub-species of Asian Elephant.

We are grateful to Mike for giving us a very informative, entertaining and colourful talk on a cold January night with commendable photographs - no mean feat when you are jungle birding in rainforests, battling with low cloud and rain and the birds staying high up in the trees. (RE)

------------------

Our February talk (13th) is ‘Wild Photography around the UK’ by David Winnard a new speaker to the society, and this is the story of his travels to many places around the UK, including The Lizard and Shetland and the different species he encountered. Covering species information as well as funny anecdotes, we will join David on a tour of the UK and see some wonderful images.

The March talk (13th) is ‘Finland – Wildlife in the Snow’ by David Tolliday. David is another returning speaker. A local wildlife photographer, his talk provides a unique opportunity to learn about Finland’s wildlife during the snowy season.

----------------------

Mid-week Group

The trip in December (16th) was to Marbury Country Park and led by Ged. Twelve members met on a bright sunny morning for a walk prior to the Society Christmas lunch. While still on the car park both Treecreeper and Nuthatch were spotted and we then headed for the area behind the ranger’s hut where we had distant views of Redwing, Fieldfare and Greenfinch. Moving on to the area beside the walled garden there were a good number of woodland birds, including a further Treecreeper and an elusive Goldcrest which was easier to hear than see.

We then headed for the mere hide from where there were numerous Goosanders, Tufted Ducks and Great Crested Grebes plus more distantly a Pochard and a pair of Gadwall. There was some debate whether one duck was a Greater Scaup, but Simon’s photo proved it to be a female Tufted. However, the Kingfisher made up for this by posing for several minutes in front of the hide.

Moving along the lake we spotted both Great White and Little Egrets on the far shore with a large flock of Lapwings and enjoyed a flyover by a flock of Pink Footed Geese. The heronry near the sailing club had at least 10 Grey Herons in residence.

No great rarities today but a very pleasant winter walk with a final tally of 42 species. A good end to the 2025 Tuesday birding year. (GP)

The January (20th) trip was to RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, again led by Ged, when eleven members made it for the first Tuesday trip of the year. Weather was overcast but dry with a chilly wind blowing which got stronger as the morning progressed. Starting at the visitor centre there were good numbers of ducks and waders on the Scrape including Redshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Wigeon and Knot, plus a handful of Ruff and a single Common Gull. Up to 5 Marsh Harriers were seen over the reed beds.

Moving on to the Bunker Hide and bird feeders there was little of note although a Kestrel was spotted sitting on top of a telegraph pole. Moving back through the visitors centre we took the track to the Mere where a flock of around 50 Siskins were feeding. Moving onto the Marsh Covert Hide there was very little to be seen so we headed to the Bridge Screen where several Pintail were identified. The group now walked onto the Border Hide where a mixed flock of Black Tailed Godwit, Lapwing and Knot also contained two Dunlin. A Great White Egret dropped in close to the hide and was watched for several minutes catching fish in the pool.

By 1pm the weather was growing increasingly chilly, so we headed back to the visitor centre, highlight of the return walk was an overflying group of Curlew. Paul and Denise headed off to Denhall Lane but sadly were unable to locate a Short-Eared Owl. A Sparrowhawk enlivened the lunch break back at the visitor centre bringing our group species total to 51 for the day - an excellent start to 2026. (GP)

The February (17th) trip is to Brereton Heath (CW12 4SU) which is led by Ged. Brereton Heath Local Nature reserve features a 15-acre lake surrounded by deciduous woodland. There will hopefully be a wealth of wildfowl and woodland birds.

The trip in March (18th) is to RSPB Marshside (PR9 9NT) and the leader is Andrew meeting at the Sandwashing Plant car park. There will be a wealth of waders, ducks, geese, egrets and raptors on show.

------------------

Weekend Group

The December (7th) trip was to RSPB Marshside and led by Graham when 6 members met at the sand-washing plant carpark on a mild but overcast morning. Rain was forecast for late morning, so our first port of call was the marine lake at Southport. On arrival large groups of Coot and Mute Swan were present around the margins and further out, a group of about 10 Little Grebe were busy feeding. After a short walk along the edge of the lake, we were rewarded with excellent views of our quarry, a first winter male Smew together with single female Merganser and Goosander. We then moved around to the other side of the lake near the pier to look for Twite. A group of small birds were seen, at distance, which more likely than not were Twite but it wasn't possible to make a definite identification. A huge flock of Pink- footed Geese, Oystercatcher and Common Scoter were distant on the shoreline and sea with Great White Egret and Little Egret on the saltmarsh.

Moving back to the RSPB reserve we walked to the raptor viewpoint. By this time the rain had started, and the only raptors seen were Kestrel and Peregrine. It was time to head for shelter, so the group moved to the comfort of the hide. There were very large numbers of ducks and waders present including Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Goldeneye, Tufted and Pintail plus Greylag and Canada geese. Waders included Golden Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe and Black Tailed Godwit.

As the light began to fade it was time to head for home but even though the best part of the day was very wet, we ended up with 44 species. (GH)

-------------------------

The January 18th trip was to the North Wales coast and led by Ray, when 8 members attended the first outing of 2026, meeting as usual at Llanfairfechan promenade where there was hardly any wind, the sea was calm and the tide was well in. It was a little overcast, and the light was a little strange making viewing a bit difficult. We moved under the shelter and soon picked up Red Throated Diver, Common Scoter, Goosander and Eider. We had a quick look at the river but no joy, so we drove up into the village to view from a different location. We were soon rewarded with Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest and best of all stunning views of two Dipper.

After a couple of hours, we drove west along the coast to the Spinnies Nature Reserve at Aberogwen. We parked down at the estuary car park where highlights included Wigeon, Red Breasted Merganser, Goldeneye, Rock Pipit together with flight views of Greenshank. We walked down to the two road hides and were rewarded with some woodland birds at the feeders including Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Siskin and Coal Tit. At the roadside hide, a Little Egret sat on one leg in a tree and one of the Greenshanks landed on the small pool. Returning to the cars for our lunch, highlights included Redshank, Greenshank, Curlew, Turnstone and a few Pintail.

After lunch we started our journey back home but called first at the Great Orme. There had been a Shorelark present here for a couple of months but after searching for an hour or two, we failed to find it but as a small consolation we saw Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Common Buzzard, Raven and Chough.

We moved along the coast to the east end of Colwyn Bay promenade where in amongst the thousands of Common Scoter, Paul B managed to find one of the overwintering drake Surf Scoters. A few in the group managed to find it but sadly I must report the leader didn’t. Other highlights included Great Crested Grebe and Razorbill.

This was our final destination of the day as the light faded. The weather stayed fine all day without any rain with even sunshine while we were on the Great Orme, unlike the weather back home in Cheshire where it rained all day. We all had an enjoyable day and managed a respectable 56 species. (RE)

The February trip is a weekend in South-West Scotland and will be led by Ray and is fully booked. We will be staying in a hotel in Newton Stewart and visiting various sites. The area in winter has a great number of wildfowl, geese & sea duck plus hopefully many raptors

The March trip (22nd) is to World’s End (LL11 3DE) / Clocaenog (LL21 9PR, led by Graham means an early start to look for Black & Red Grouse up on the moors at World’s End (7.30am) and the option of meeting us later to look for Crossbills & Goshawk around the forest (9.30am) and hopefully Redpoll, Brambling and Willow Tit at the feeders at Brenig Reservoir

Ray Evans