16th October 2016
Marshside RSPB and Hesketh Out Bank
Only five members turned up for this outdoor meeting. It doesn't appear a popular choice with people at the moment.
On arrival we were met by skeins of Pink-footed Geese in formation coming to feed on the marsh. We managed to reach the first hide before it started to rain. Highlights included the Cattle Egrets amongst the cows and a Kingfisher plus a large flock of Black-tailed Godwit. Pink-feet, Canada and Greylag Geese were feeding on the RSPB reserve along with a dubious Ross's Goose.
Once the rain had stopped, we went to view the marsh between the road and the sea where we were treated to views of Marsh Harrier and many wader species the highlight being a huge murmuration of Knot. Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Golden Plover were seen in flight and a Great White Egret in the distance. Little Egrets were everywhere.
Back to the car for lunch then off down the road looking for Yellow-browed Warbler which didn't show. Because of the rain and the time we went to Hesketh Bank where we added Whooper Swan, Stonechat and Greenshank to the list.
Raptor wise, apart from Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk plus Kestrel were seen.
In all a total of 55 species were seen.
Paul Kenyon
18th October 2016
Point of Ayr RSPB
Ten Members met at the Lighthouse Inn car park. (parking is now Council Pay & Display).
Walking along to the hide was cold and windy but the hide was more sheltered. With a 10m. tide at 1.00 p.m. the water flooded the marsh, pushing hundreds of wader and ducks towards the hide.
We left the hide and headed home as the rain arrived.
Harold & Valerie Fielding
13th November 2016
Leighton Moss RSPB
Nine members met at the reserve and the group moved off to the Causeway Hide where large numbers of wildfowl were seen. A great White Egret was present feeding in the margins of the pool while two Marsh Harriers were hunting over the area, causing the duck flocks to be rather flighty.
Moving on to the Lower Hide there were good views of Redpoll, Siskins and Marsh Tit in the wooded area. From the hide a drake American Wigeon was showing well amongst the large numbers of ducks present. Two Otters were seen feeding in the pool giving the group excellent views.
On the way back along the causeway the group paused at the grit trays with perfect timing as a Bearded Tit appeared allowing the group excellent views.
After lunch the group visited the other three hides on the reserve where further excellent views of Great White Egret and Little Egret were seen along with a wide selection of wildfowl. While viewing the reserve from the tower a Water Rail was seen moving between clusters of reed.
The group moved on to the Morecambe and Allen hides where good numbers of waders were present including Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing. A Kingfisher was mobile around the pools and gave good views from its feeding posts.
A total of 65 species of birds were seen during the day, highlights were American Wigeon, Bearded Tit, Marsh Tit and Marsh Harrier.
Graham Haspey
15th November 2016
Mere Sands & Martin Mere WWT
Rain on the way but dry for our visit to Mere Sands, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust Reserve near Rufford. Thirteen members enjoyed the woodland birds and the walk round the lake. Top bird was the Kingfisher, with several sightings together with male and female Goosander and a good selection of duck. Another good sighting was the Red-legged Partridge and a Water Rail.
Moving on to Martin Mere for lunch we were joined by 4 more members. We had excellent close views of a Kingfisher and of Whooper Swans, Pink-footed Geese and Tree Sparrows. We saw Marsh Harrier but levels of waders was disappointing with only Ruff and Lapwing showing.
All in all a good days birding with a total 53 species.
Harold & Valerie Fielding
11th December 2016
Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
Seven members attended the trip to BMW and Burton Marsh. Overcast but otherwise rain free day. A scan of the reserve provided excellent views of three Marsh Harriers and a couple of buzzards. A Merlin alighted on a distant post but was moved on by a Kestrel. A visit to the feeding station provided views of the now less common Greenfinch. At the back of the reserve in the distance both whooper and Berwick swans fed on the grassy areas.
A walk towards Marsh Covert hide produced some woodland birds which included Greater Spotted Woodpecker, nuthatch and the usual tit flock. Fleeting glimpses of Cetti's warbler were seen as they flew from reedbed to reedbed. Once inside the hide we were treated to our first view of a Hen Harrier (ringtail). Many Black Tailed Godwits were here along with a Ruff.
On to Denhall lane where we saw Little Egret then to Neston where we had lunch. Here we had good views of a Short eared owl hunting, another ring tailed Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier. Also distant views of Peregrine and Merlin. A Kestrel alighted close by giving us yet another bird of prey. Great white egrets are a familiar sight here and we weren't disappointed.
Finally, onto Parkgate where we had a Male Hen Harrier and another Peregrine.
Not a bad day out with a total of 57 species seen.
Paul Kenyon
15th January 2017
North Wales Coast & Foryd Bay
Ten members enjoyed the first trip of 2017 to North Wales. We all met at Llanfairfechan promenade and highlights here included Dipper, Grey Wagtail, both Black- and Red-throated Divers, Common Scoter, Slavonian Grebe and Eider.
We then proceeded to Foryd Bay, a tidal bay southwest of Caernarfon. Skirting the minor road to the west of the castle at Caernarfon brought us to the Menai Straits and eventually the northern end of Foryd Bay. We made a few stops along the bay and highlights included a flock of Brent Geese (both Pale- and Dark-bellied) that over-winter in the bay, Rock Pipit, Wigeon, Pintail, a wintering Greenshank and a Long-tailed Duck
After a couple of hours we travelled back to the Spinnies nature reserve at Aberogwen where we had our lunch. Highlights here included sizeable numbers of Goldeneye, Peregrine, Raven and a big mixed flock of Curlew, Redshank with a few Black-tailed Godwit in the fields.
We then proceeded to the Westshore at Llandudno where a walk along the beach gave us another Peregrine, Rock Pipit and two Snow Bunting.
We moved on to Rhos Point and saw Purple Sandpiper but there was no sign of the reported Black Redstart.
Our last port of call was the Kinmel area where we looked for the reported Waxwings but to no avail and a quick visit down to the beach gave us Sanderling as a new bird for the day. With the light fast diminishing we called it a day.
We managed a respectable 70 species on a cold January day.
Ray Evans
17th - 19th February 2017
South West Scotland
Eleven members enjoyed a weekend’s birding in S.W. Scotland. We stayed at The Bruce Hotel in Newton Stewart and were well looked after.
We met on Friday lunchtime at RSPB Mersehead on the Solway in drizzle and mist and highlights here included hundreds of Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Goose, Whooper Swan, Golden Plover mixed in with a flock of Lapwing, and a large mixed flock of Linnet and Reed Bunting. The weather picked up a little bit and we then travelled the short distance back east along the coast to Southerness where the highlights among the waders were a single Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone and Common Scoter. We then proceeded to Newton Stewart to check in to our hotel and enjoyed an excellent evening meal.
After a sumptuous Scottish breakfast on the Saturday we drove to Wigtown for a short walk along the marshes and highlights included Pink-footed Geese, Little Egret, Bullfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. We then moved towards Stranraer and birded a few different points around Loch Ryan. The weather was sunny but with the odd shower. Highlights included Red-throated Diver, Black Guillemot, Guillemot, Razorbill, Eider, Scaup, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Brent Geese, Slavonian Grebe, Common Scoter, Gannet and a group of four confiding Twite on the Esplanade at Stranraer. Travelling north of Stranraer towards the Wig we caught up with the Cattle Egret in a roadside field.
We moved on to Sandhead and Luce Bay where we saw some more distant Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser. The final destination for the day was West Freugh where the weather was sunny but with a keen wind. The highlights here included three ringtail Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard and Whooper Swan. We made our way back to the hotel and had another excellent meal.
After another filling breakfast and checking out on the Sunday morning, we set off east towards RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes. On the minor road down to Ken-Dee we saw a few Red Kite and a flock of White-fronted Geese on the shores of the loch from the car-park. A walk at the reserve yielded a few woodland birds including Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Bullfinch together with Raven, Sparrowhawk and Red Squirrel. A short lunch stop at Calingwark Loch in Castle Douglas gave us close views of the drake Ring-necked Duck from the car-park together with Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Goosander and Little Grebe.
A little light drizzle again moved us on west along the A75 towards Dumfries and during a short stop at Auchunreoch we saw another Goosander together with a female Smew. We then proceeded to Caerlaverock WWT reserve on the Solway. Highlights here included Whooper Swan, two drake Green-winged Teal, Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, hundreds of Barnacle Goose including a leucistic bird and Pink-footed Goose.
We ended up with a list of 103 species, and everyone enjoyed an excellent weekend’s birding.
Ray Evans
21st February 2017
Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
Sixteen members met at the Visitor Centre were there was lots of activity including Avocets, Marsh and Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Black Tailed Godwits Whooper Swans, several Barnacle Geese with the Pink-footed Geese.
Walked to Burton Point, with several Great White Egrets and Little Egrets in view. A move to Parkgate added no new species as the rain set in!
Fifty species recorded.
Harold & Valerie Fielding
12th March 2017
Worlds End & Clocaenog Forest
Seven members made an early start, meeting at 07:00am at World’s End.
The first stop was a Black Grouse Lek where circa twenty males were displaying at no more than 20 metres distance. Moving on a short distance we came across a male Red Grouse which gave stunning views as it stood at the side of the road. Travelling across the moor further lekking male Black Grouse were seen. In total, we saw sixty plus males. While walking over the moor a Sparrowhawk gave a very acrobatic display. A Stonechat and good numbers of Meadow Pipits were also present.
The group then moved on to Clocaenog Forest. Parking at the picnic area good numbers of Crossbills were seen, some of which were recently fledged young birds. The next stop was Craig Bran Banog. From the parking area there is a fairly lengthy and sometimes steep walk to the summit. The rewards were worth the effort, a hunting male Hen Harrier was first to be seen then a Great Grey Shrike gave really good views while seated out in the open.
At this point the weather closed in and the rain forced an early end to a very enjoyable day, which was capped off by a Red Kite being seen as we drove home.
A total of 37 species were seen including our Raptor 'five a day' consisting of Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hen Harrier and Red Kite.
Graham Haspey
14th March 2017
Pennington Flash
Twelve members gathered in the slight drizzle and visited each of the hides in turn. As expected, the range of habitats gave us a wide variety of birds with a good start at the Bunting Hide, a well-stocked feeding station. Highlights included up to 10 Bullfinches, Reed Buntings and a pair of Willow Tits, Greenfinch and several Stock Doves. On the way to the next hide we had our first Chiffchaff.
A range of duck including several Goosander and Shoveler were on the Flash and a Long-tailed Duck had been reported and was seen briefly. The only waders were a Snipe and 2 Redshank. We also heard a Cetti’s Warbler.
38 species recorded
Harold & Valerie Fielding
23rd April 2017
Cannock Chase
Ten members made the trip to Cannock Chase. We visited various sites on the Chase and saw 40 species during the day. The weather stayed kind to us all day and it was quite warm when there was no cloud cover.
Meeting at the Penkridge Bank car park we took a walk on the heathland there and highlights included numerous Tree Pipits with their song display, loads of Willow Warbler, a pair of Redstart, Yellowhammer, Jay, Goldcrest and Kestrel.
Moving to Seven Springs for lunch, we had good views of Chiffchaff and Blackcap near the car park together with Raven and Nuthatch.
We had a comfort stop at the Wolseley Centre, a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust reserve on the River Trent and a short walk gave us a very inland pair of Oystercatcher and a Grey Wagtail.
We then moved to White House car park where we had Green Woodpecker calling and saw Common Buzzard and Green Hairstreak butterflies. We were unable to find any Woodlark at any of the sites.
Our final destination was Freda’s Grave where the highlights were Stonechat, Linnet, a Green Woodpecker who made three flypasts, Cuckoo and Stock Dove.
The migrants were very few and far between, with the cold weather in April obviously putting a brake on many travelling north up the country.
Ray Evans
25th April 2017
Loggerheads CP & Cilcain
Ten members met at the car park. Our walk along the Leet gave good views of Grey Wagtail and Dipper. However, the general cold weather delayed most migrants with only a few Chiffchaff calling. Looking down on the river valley gave us poor views of both Spotted and Pied Flycatcher.
Moving on to Cilcain we failed to find the usual Cuckoo with just a few Willow Warblers up by the reservoir.
Although the count was low (24 species) we enjoyed the Welsh countryside and the company and we were back home before the weather broke with a brief thunder storm.
Harold and Val Fielding
9th May 2017
Aber Falls
Nine members gathered in the Forestry Commission car park. Despite the recent low rainfall, the Waterfall was quite full.
We saw 2 Ring Ouzel below the scree and other sightings included Cuckoo, Redstart, Raven and Green Woodpecker.
We finished the day at Conwy RSPB Reserve for a quick cup of tea. It was an excellent day out with beautiful weather and scenery.
The day total sightings were 24 species at Abba Falls and 5 more at Conwy.
Harold and Val Fielding
18th - 21st May 2017
Somerset
Eighteen members enjoyed a weekend’s birding in Somerset. This was only our second visit as a group to this area and as last time we stayed at The Winston Manor in Churchill, south of Bristol, and were well looked after by Andrew and Jane.
We met late Thursday morning at New Fancy Viewpoint in the Forest of Dean and highlights here included Raven, Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Blackcap and Siskin. We made our way down the road a few miles to RSPB Nagshead, where we had our lunch and then spent a couple of hours at the reserve where the highlights were Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Jay and a couple of male Pied Flycatchers carrying food to nest boxes.
We then made our way back to the motorway to travel south to Somerset and a late afternoon visit to Chew Valley Lake. There were hundreds of Swifts over the south end of the reservoir at Herriott’s Bridge and other highlights included House and Sand Martin, an unseasonal pair of Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk, Barnacle Goose and Great Spotted Woodpecker. After checking in early evening at the hotel, we ate at a local hostelry.
After a hearty breakfast the group travelled down to the Levels to RSPB Ham Wall. This morning was probably the highlight of the whole weekend with stunning views of Hobby, Kingfisher, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, numerous flight views of Great White Egret, Bittern and Marsh Harrier, a drake Garganey and a flight view of Glossy Ibis. We returned to the carpark for a late lunch and after eating made our way across the road to Shapwick Heath NNR.
On Meare Heath scrape we saw the Glossy Ibis again together with a group of Black-tailed Godwits, some in summer colour, together with further views of Hobby, Bittern, Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk plus Gadwall and Wigeon. On the way back to the hotel we stopped off at Cheddar Reservoir. This reservoir is very open and the wind was howling and the birds were few and far between but we saw a few Swallows and House Martins and picked up the third Sparrowhawk of our trip. We all had our evening meal again at some local pubs.
After another excellent breakfast on the Saturday we all made our way south to the new Wildfowl and Wetlands Reserve on the River Parrett at Steart. Highlights here included Wheatear, Short-eared Owl, Stock Dove, breeding Avocet and Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Kestrel and Peregrine. After lunch we moved on to RSPB Greylake where we had further views of Great White Egret, Hobby, Marsh Harrier plus Reed Warbler, Redshank and Common Buzzard.
Our final port of call for Saturday was the Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve at Catcott Lows where the highlights were drake Garganey and Wigeon, Whitethroat and Marsh Harrier.
After yet another excellent breakfast on Sunday and saying our goodbyes to our hosts we returned to RSPB Ham Wall. Highlights of the morning included Marsh Harrier, Jay, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Cetti’s Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Hobby, Garden Warbler and Garganey and a new bird for the trip, a day-hunting Barn Owl. There were loads of Damselflies and Chasers on the wing when we took a walk around one of the pools. After a late lunch we returned to Shapwick Heath where we saw yet another Sparrowhawk, Great White Egret, Hobby and 2 Cuckoos.
We ended up with 94 species over the weekend. The weather was pretty good most of the time, our accommodation was excellent, and everyone enjoyed their weekend’s birding together with good company.
Ray Evans
11th June 2017
Old Moor RSPB & Potteric Carr YWT
The final trip of the season saw 11 members make the trip to RSPB Old Moor. We spent a long morning walking around most of the reserve and highlights included Bullfinch, Bittern, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sand and House Martin, Swift, Little Grebe, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Avocet, Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler plus a flyover Hobby
After lunch we drove the short distance to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Potteric Carr near Doncaster. Highlights here included Little Egret, Blackcap, summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebe, Reed Warbler, Marsh Harrier and another Hobby.
The weather stayed fine and we ended the day on the veranda at the reserve, some with coffee and cake and others with ice creams. The tally for the day was 55 species.
Ray Evans