11th October 2022
Mere Sands Wood NR and RSPB Marshside
Fourteen members met up at Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve near Rufford on a cloudy but dry day. The visitor centre had been much improved since our last visit and now has a good looking café. We walked a circular trip round the lakes visiting all the hides and found Red-legged Partridges in the nearby field which were very hard indeed to spot.
Pink-footed Geese were seen coming over in flocks. At the end of the walk, we surprised Roe Deer out in the open in the field but they soon disappeared. Our next location was to be WWT Martin Mere, but a case of Avian Flu had been discovered and the centre was closed.
So, plan B was Marshside RSPB where we had our sandwiches in the Sandgrounders hide looking out over the marsh. A few Black-tailed Godwit were on the margins, Lapwing and lots of Pink-footed Geese plus the usual waterfowl. Opposite the hide next to the sand washing plant we saw a Stonechat displaying on top of a bush. Later, Paul also bagged a Merlin and Marsh Harrier at the same location then Golden Plovers at Bank’s Marsh. Group total 45 species.
Stephen Williams
16th October 2022
RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands and Parkgate
Eight members of the Society met in the car park at Burton Mere Wetlands on a nice sunny morning. Even before entering the reserve proper we had a view of Cattle Egret in the distance courtesy of Richard Sturman. We were alerted by the call of three Whooper Swans on the Scrape. By the time we got on the reserve these two species had disappeared. Firstly, we headed to the feeding station via the Bunker hide where 6 Redwings flew over and the first Chiffchaff was recorded. Back to the centre and several waders were recorded. Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank seen here. All the time skeins of Pink-footed geese were flying over from their roost to the feeding grounds. A Marsh Harrier was seen quartering the Marsh on several occasions.
Off to Bridge pool and the screen there, where we saw Snipe and a solitary Avocet plus lots of duck not quite in winter plumage. Then the walk to the Border hide along the boardwalk looking for any migrating warblers plus ever present Cetti’s Warblers. Several Chiffchaffs were located by call not song but were quite visible. The Border hide produced several species of wader as per the scrape at the centre but around here several species of dragonfly and butterflies were also seen such was the temperature. Back to the centre and lunch.
On to Denhall lane where we walked down to Burton point looking for the Little Owl but with no luck. The Marsh produced a Peregrine and sightings of Marsh Harriers, Kestrels and many Great Egrets and Meadow Pipits. Finally, we went to Parkgate where we saw sightings of Merlin and Marsh Harriers some of the latter probably being those located around Burton point. A couple of large flocks of Linnets seen here.
In all 69 species were counted.
Paul Kenyon
13th November 2022
RSPB Leighton Moss
On a lovely warm, sunny day, 6 members made the trip to RSPB Leighton Moss nr Carnforth. We met in the carpark and after checking in made our way to the feeders at the back of the centre where we had Nuthatch and Bullfinch plus the usual birds. We walked down to the causeway and highlights included Fieldfare and Redwing feeding on the apples in the orchard, male & female Marsh Harrier and a couple of confiding Marsh Tit alongside the boardwalk.
On arrival at the Public Hide we had long distance views of the Long-tailed Duck plus Snipe, a further Marsh Harrier and Wigeon, Pintail and Teal amongst the wildfowl. We had multiple views of an Otter fishing in the pool. Most of the group carried on to the Lower Hide where they had better views of the Long-tailed Duck plus Treecreeper and Bearded Tit.
When we got back to the centre it was lunchtime and after eating, we moved down to the Morecambe pools overlooking the bay. With high tide in the afternoon, it is unfortunate that the sun shines directly towards the hides, but we did see numerous Redshank & Lapwing plus Greenshank, Little Egret and a couple of flight views of the Kingfisher. The only raptors were Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, and the day ended with two Raven feasting on something on the outer marsh.
The weather made it a lovely day all round and although we didn’t make it to the main bulk of the reserve we still ended up with a total of 55 species.
Ray Evans
13th December 2022
Marbury Country Park, Northwich
Just three members ventured out on this sub-zero snowy day with lots of ice making it a slippy walk. We immediately bagged flocks of Redwing in the holly trees by the ranger’s cabin and Simon brought his long lens out and some of his excellent photos are attached.
The cold had made the woodland birds come closer, and we got very close views of Nuthatch, Greenfinch as well as some very bold Robins. We moved on to the newly replaced hide and looked over the frozen lake. There were many Great Crested Grebes to be seen and also 2 male and 3 female Goosanders out on the water. A flock of Siskin were sharing a berry tree with Goldfinch beside the lakeside path. We heard a squealing sound and Simon got a fleeting glance of a Water Rail in the reeds. A Kingfisher did two flypasts for us over the frozen lake making it bird of the day!
Ian and I then called it a day to go for our society Christmas meal at the Spinner and Bergamot where we joined the rest of the crowd. Both Ian and I counted 25 bird species - a draw!
Stephen Williams
17th January 2023
Sandbach Flashes
Nine brave members met up at Elton Hall Flash Sandbach in sub-zero conditions with fog over the flashes. Nevertheless, the woodland birds were very active on the well-stocked feeders including Greenfinch, with Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper nearby. An Egyptian Goose was captured flying by on Simon’s long lens camera.
There were hundreds of Wigeon on the grass and flashes whistling away, and flocks of Lapwing. A Little Grebe was seen close to on the river Wheelock and a solitary Fieldfare on top of a bush.
The group recorded 34 species but called it a day at 1130 as hands were getting cold!
Stephen Williams
22nd January 2023
North Wales Coast
We left Hartford at 7.30 am with the temperature at -1°C and arrived at Llanfairfechan front where it had risen to 7°C just an hour and a quarter later with 6 members present. Beautiful sun rises in the rear-view mirror bode well for a clear day. Flat calm sea and pleasantly warmer than home.
It was fairly quiet over the high tide with good numbers of Red-throated Divers and views of Scoter, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Great-crested and Little Grebes. Waders were few and far between, mostly Redshank.
On to the Spinnies with more woodland birds especially from the hides with feeders. Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the distance. Goldfinches, Greenfinches and a Nuthatch. From the estuary hide we could see Wigeon, Goldeneye, Teal and Cormorants. It was from where we parked that we saw our one and only Slavonian Grebe. Here we had lunch.
We then headed to Rhos on Sea where we had good views of Purple Sandpipers (5), Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Shags were seen diving off here.
Our final two destinations were Llanddulas where we saw another Grey Wagtail and Scoters way offshore, and Pensarn where we caught up with a solitary Snow Bunting.
A good trip with 50 species seen.
Paul Kenyon
14th February 2023
Marbury Country Park
We had a fine turnout of 18 members on this rescheduled trip due to Lunt Meadows car park and access being closed. The weather was cool, but the sun soon appeared and gave us great visibility to watch the birds.
Long Tailed Tits and Greenfinch were soon spotted in the trees on the way to the hide, and a Reed Bunting by the new children’s playground with a dodgy model bird on top of the slide! Out on the mere were some smart Great Crested Grebes, Goosander and Cormorants.
We settled in the hide enjoying the woodland birds making full use of the newly filled feeders, and then the Kingfisher arrived showing very nicely in a tree close to the hide giving us all excellent extended views of it both fishing and eating a fish. Best view I have ever had. Out on the fence and spit going into the mere were a large flock of Curlew and Oystercatchers. Goldcrest were heard on the lakeside path, and a Common Gull was spotted flying by. Two members bagged Bullfinch in the car park.
A good days group haul of 39 species.
Stephen Williams
17th - 19th February 2023
Anglesey
Fifteen members enjoyed a weekend’s birding in Anglesey. We stayed at The Valley Hotel in Valley and were well looked after.
We met on the Friday morning at the seafront in Llanfairfechan, where highlights here included Gannet, Goosander, Eider and Rock Pipit with Grey Wagtail and Dipper on the river. We moved on to the Spinnies Nature reserve at Aberogwen where we had Little Egret, Greenshank, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Pintail, Goldeneye and a few woodland birds. We then moved on to Foryd Bay at the southern end of the Menai Straits where we saw Brent Goose, Shag, Grey Plover, Little Grebe and Mediterranean Gull but we couldn’t find the Baikal Teal that had been present during the previous two weeks.
We had our lunch stop here overlooking the bay, and after lunch moved on to Anglesey ‘proper’ and visited Cors Ddyga RSPB reserve but unfortunately couldn’t find any parking spaces and carried on to Malltraeth estuary. During a short walk, highlights included Stonechat, Common Buzzard, Raven, Wigeon, Teal and Pintail and then we travelled the short distance to Aberffraw Common and Llyn Coron where we had further Goosander, Tufted Duck, two Little Owls in a farm building and the undoubted highlight, a Short-eared Owl hunting on the common. It was then time to make our way to the hotel to check in, and later enjoy an excellent evening meal with a few beers.
On the Saturday morning after a hearty breakfast, the group travelled just down the road to Penrhos nature reserve. Paul, our chairman, had to withdraw at the last minute from the trip for personal reasons but was able to join us for the Saturday and met us there. Highlights here included Red-breasted Merganser, Shag, Great Crested and two Slavonian Grebe. We moved round the corner to the next bay which overlooks part of the harbour at Holyhead and here we saw both Black-throated and Great Northern Diver together with Rock Pipit and a flyover Sparrowhawk. Our next destination was the harbour itself, where we had further Little Egret, two/three Black Guillemot which nest in the harbour walls, and a possible/probable Caspian Gull. This prompted extensive discussions there and then and again over a few drinks in the evening. It seemed to have some of the attributes (small, unmarked head, small dark eye, yellow legs) of a Caspian and lacked others (bill was quite short and mantle not quite dark enough). No photograph was taken and so it will remain a mystery.
We moved on again to South Stack where the highlights included Chough, Razorbill, Fulmar and another Raven. After having our lunch here we moved on to Valley Lakes RSPB reserve and after a short walk to the mound, the highlights included Great Crested Grebe, a flypast Kingfisher, Goldeneye, Pochard, more Chough and a heard only Cetti’s Warbler. We returned to Aberffraw common for our final destination of the day and the Little Owls were still in attendance and one field near the farm buildings had several Starling together with winter thrushes, Fieldfare and Redwing. Another scan of the common saw us fail to find the Short-eared Owl from the previous day. We returned to our hotel and had another excellent meal - Steak Saturday with 25% off.
After yet another excellent breakfast, we travelled north to Cemlyn Bay, a North Wales Wildlife Trust reserve and highlights here included more Gannet (there is now a small gannetry on the north side of the island), Turnstone, Grey Plover, Purple Sandpiper, Guillemot, further Black Guillemot and a flighty flock of about 200 Golden Plover in fields alongside the lagoon. Our final destination on Anglesey was Benllech Bay where the seafront there had been a bit of a mecca for sea-duck over the winter. We could only find Common Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver and Brent Goose.
We had our lunch and a few in the group took their leave. The remainder of the group called at Llanddulas on the way home where the last few birds we saw were thousands of Common Scoter plus Guillemot, Red-throated Diver and Great Crested Grebe but we were unable to find the star birds, Surf and Velvet Scoter. We were though joined by an alternative star, TV naturalist Iolo Williams leading another group.
The weather was dry with sunny intervals but with a fresh wind at times and we ended up with 88 species over the weekend. The hotel was excellent, comfy rooms, good food and especially good company and everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend’s birding.
Ray Evans
14th March 2023
Pennington Flash Country Park
A good turnout of fourteen members met at the newly refurbished car park at 10 am under sunny blue skies. Beginning with a look at the lake we had Goldeneye Great-crested Grebe and a Lesser Black-backed Gull and Oystercatchers flying overhead. A circular route was then followed round the park which took in all the hides and several stretches of woodland.
The Bunting Hide provided excellent closeup views of a variety of woodland birds including Coal, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits, Dunnock, numerous Reed Buntings and superb views of both male and female Bullfinches. (plus a Brown Rat!). Moving onto the next pool we had Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and a group of 12 male and female Goosanders. As the weather deteriorated we made our way round to The Point where in addition to Lapwings, Cormorant and a Little Grebe, Paul Bebbington located the Bird Of The Day, a Common Scoter.
Heading back towards the car park we dodged a heavy shower by visiting the Edmonton Hide where we saw a group of three Snipe plus Grey Herons and a Little Egret and heard a Cetti’s Warbler calling. Then it was back to the car park for lunch.
A few hardy souls returned to the Bunting Hide after lunch following a tip off from a fellow birder and were rewarded with closeups of a Water Rail and Willow Tit. The hail was now falling heavily so we decided to call it a day. In total we recorded 49 species so overall a most enjoyable and successful visit.
Ged Petch
16th April 2023
Cannock Chase
On Sunday 16th April, seven members made the trip to Cannock Chase. We visited a couple of sites on the Chase, moved on to Blithfield reservoir and ended the day with 43 species. The weather was not according to the forecast with light drizzle for the best part.
Meeting at the Penkridge Bank Road car park we took a walk on the heathland there and highlights included numerous Willow Warbler in song, a few Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer, Jay, Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk but best of all two Woodlarks and a couple of singing Tree Pipits. We took our lunch here and then moved to Seven Springs where we had good views of Siskin, Treecreeper and Nuthatch plus a calling Chiffchaff.
Our final stop was at Blithfield Reservoir just east of Rugeley, where we saw dozens of Great Crested Grebe on the water, a large flock of Sand Martins together with a few Swallows hawking over the water but the undoubted highlights were a pair of Little Ringed Plover and three Yellow Wagtails associating with two Pied Wagtails.
The migrants were very few and far between but we again visited a little earlier in the month than previous trips.
Ray Evans
16th May 2023
Frodsham Marsh
Eleven members met at the motorway bridge at the end of Marsh Lane. Weather was bright with sunny intervals and high cloud with quite a strong blustery wind.
Walking along beside No 6 tank we heard a good range of warblers - Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler but most were heard rather than seen in the windy conditions. There were good numbers of Swifts and occasional Swallows over the fields but sadly no sign of the reported Grasshopper Warbler.
No 6 tank was flooded and held a large flock of Black-tailed Godwits together with a few Tufted Ducks, Gadwall, Shelduck, Shoveler and a pair of Little Grebe. Progress was held up while we tried to identify a mystery wader by the mitigation pools, after much debate this was identified as a Ruff. Reaching the splashing pool we found a nice pair of Stonechats.
By this time lunch was calling so we headed back to the cars, a pleasant morning birding with 42 species seen in total.
Ged Petch
18th - 21st May 2023
Kent
Over the weekend of 18th- 21st May, 14 members enjoyed a weekend’s birding in Kent. We stayed at The Evenhill in Littlebourne, some 3 miles outside Canterbury, where we were well looked after by Hannah and all the friendly staff.
We met late morning on the Thursday at RSPB Fen Drayton between Huntingdon and Cambridge. This is an extensive reserve and highlights here included Garden, Reed, Sedge, Cetti’s and Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, Grey Plover (summer plumaged), Greenshank and notably 2/3 Glossy Ibis and we also heard Green Woodpecker and Cuckoo. After lunch we made our way down the A14 to Cambridge and joined the M11 to the M25 motorway to travel south to Kent.
After checking in at the hotel we then drove the short distance to Margate where we had excellent views of Ring-Necked Parakeet at Northdown Park and we spent a short while on the cool seafront at Foreness Point where the highlights were Fulmar, Cormorant and Oystercatcher. After getting back to our accommodation we had a lovely meal at the pub.
After an excellent breakfast the group travelled to Stodmarsh NNR close by. The highlights included Hobby from the carpark, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit and Common Tern. We then drove down to Pegwell Bay Country Park, had our lunch and birding highlights here included Whitethroat, Linnet, Kestrel and the undoubted bird of the whole trip, an adult Caspian Tern. Joe found this large tern on a sand bar in amongst a large group of gulls and then it did a short flypast and headed out to sea. We returned to Grove Ferry NNR, which is the north-east end of the reserve in the Stour Valley next to Stodmarsh. Highlights included Marsh Harrier, Stock Dove, Kingfisher, Bittern and Turtle Dove (in flight). We all had another lovely evening meal again at the pub restaurant.
Another hearty cooked breakfast was the order of the day on the Saturday and we then set off down to the south coast to Dungeness. Highlights here were Stonechat, Gannet, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Wheatear and two pairs of Black Redstart at either end of the power station compound. Moving to Dungeness RSPB reserve, we ate our lunch in the sunshine and birding highlights included Common Gull, Egyptian Goose, Pochard, Turnstone, Hobby and Ringed Plover.
Our final destination for the day was a few miles over the border into East Sussex and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve where there were many highlights including Avocet, Sandwich, Common and Little Tern, Shag, Little Egret, Redshank, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel. We had yet another lovely evening meal and a couple of beers at the hotel restaurant to cap the day.
After our last excellent breakfast and saying our goodbyes to our host and the staff, a depleted number of us travelled north to Oare Marshes, near Faversham, a Kent Wildlife Trust reserve on the Swale. We walked back down the approach road from the carpark, birding both sides of the road. Birding highlights included, Black-tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, Little Egret, Stock Dove, Little Grebe, Gadwall and heard Green Woodpecker and Cuckoo.
After a leisurely morning the group disbanded and left for our journey home. We ended up with 102 species over the weekend (same as the previous visit in 2018). The weather was pretty good, sunny but with a cool wind especially at the coast. Our accommodation was excellent with good food, breakfasts and evening meals. Everyone enjoyed their weekend’s birding together with lovely company.
Ray Evans
11th June 2023
RSPB Blacktoft Sands
Ten MCOS members met at Blacktoft Sands on a very warm and sunny morning. Owing to higher-than-normal water levels there were very few waders on show. Spotted Redshank, in summer plumage, and a Little Ringed Plover being the standout birds.
Ducks were present from every hide with Gadwall and Shoveler present. There were very brief views of Bearded Tit in the reed beds and in a distant nest box a Barn Owl could be seen. Throughout the day Marsh Harriers were seen hunting with one bird taking a young Coot viewed from the hide. This year the reserve has ten breeding pairs of Marsh Harriers. Tree sparrows were seen around the reserve in good numbers which was good to see as their numbers in the UK are on the decline.
A late bonus bird appeared in the afternoon in the form of a Spoonbill which gave closeup views. In total 47 species were recorded.
Graham Haspey.