16th September 2025
Conwy RSPB reserve / Llandudno Great Orme
Nine members took part in the first mid-week trip of the MCOS season. Meeting at the car park at 10am the weather was damp and grey with a strong breeze but improved through the day with a bright and sunny afternoon.Water levels on the reserve were very low and the shallow lagoon opposite the visitor centre was completely dried up with a consequent lack of birds. More successful was the view from the Tal-y- fan hide where we had an excellent close up of three curlew sandpipers plus a black tailed godwit, snipe, lapwings and about 100 redshank.Moving onto the Carneddau hide the highlight was about a dozen little grebes, otherwise species numbers were fairly disappointing.
The grey heron trail around the edge of the reserve was closed for reed burning so we took the Ganol Trail to the River Conwy which gave us a goldcrest and chiffchaff. The tide was out on the estuary and birds on the mudflats included curlew, oystercatcher, little and great white egrets and overflying swallows and house martins.
Returning along the river path to the car park we had lunch outside the cafe during which time we had a flypast by a great spotted woodpecker, a buzzard and two wheatears very obligingly landed on the roof of the visitors centre.
Following lunch five of us moved onto Great Orme near Llandudno and enjoyed a walk from the car park up to the limestone pavement now in glorious sunshine. Bird highlights were a total of 6 stonechats, a raven calling and a small flock of chough.
Overall an excellent day and a total of 49 species - a good start to the new birding season.
- Ged Petch
17th - 19th October 2025
East Yorkshire
Our first weekend trip of the new season was a 3-day trip on the 17th – 19th October, when 16 members travelled across to East Yorkshire. We stayed at The Revelstoke Hotel in Bridlington again, and as last year we were well looked after by all the friendly staff, with good food and excellent company.
We travelled over the M62 to Yorkshire on the Friday morning and met mid-morning at North Cave Wetlands, just off the end of the motorway. This is a fine reserve belonging to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and we stayed for the morning, visited a couple of hides and highlights included Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Whooper Swan, Redshank, Snipe and Cetti’s Warbler. We had our lunch there; in fact some indulged in bacon barms and coffee from their excellent butty van. After lunch we made our way up to Flamborough Head, to the South Landing area. We saw a daytime roosting Tawny Owl being mobbed by Long-tailed Tit and Yellow Browed Warbler.
Further highlights in the ravine were Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail and a walk down to the beach gave us Common Scoter, Purple Sandpiper, Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit. Some of us moved to Thornwick Bay on the north side of the headland and the best birds were plentiful Gannet, Stonechat and Linnet. Everyone convened at the hotel to enjoy and excellent evening meal and some stayed up for the entertainment.
After an excellent breakfast on the Saturday, the group travelled to RSPB Bempton where a
Red-legged Partridge greeted us in the carpark. On the walk down to the cliffs, we had a very late Swallow. At the cliffs we saw many Gannets again together with Stock Dove, Kestrel and Fieldfare coming in off the sea. We moved back up to the visitor centre and highlights in the Dell included Ring Ousel, Tree Sparrow, Goldcrest, Redwing Fieldfare and Brambling.
After having lunch, we returned to South Landing on Flamborough Head where we again saw the Tawny Owl in the same roosting area (now looking a little sickly), and down at the beach, highlights included both Rock and Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Red-throated Diver and Common Gull. The RNLI station have a cake sale on the Saturday and it would have been rude not partake, so some of us had a mid-afternoon brew and cake. Our final port of call on the Saturday was the headland. The majority of the group walked down to the fog station and were treated to a Merlin chasing Meadow Pipit. Some of us saw an Owl species coming in off the sea, later identified for us as a Long-eared Owl. Other highlights included Common Scoter, Shag, Guillemot and Red-throated Diver. Undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend for some of us was a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins (10+) who were travelling south past the headland and continuously breaching – a wonderful sight. One couple went back to Thornwick Bay and saw a hunting Barn Owl. Our evening meal was taken at the hotel again and a few of us stayed up again for the entertainment – one, no names, stayed up till the bitter end.
Another hearty cooked breakfast was the order of the day on the Sunday, and we said goodbye to all the staff at the hotel. We first went to North Landing (a Red Backed Shrike had been reported here the previous evening) but in a couple of hours it couldn’t be relocated and the highlights here included Skylark and the only House Sparrows of the trip. We moved up to the headland where in a couple of hours sea-watching we saw Gannet, Shag, Guillemot, Razorbill, Red-throated Diver and a drake Eider. We moved south then to Hornsea Mere. Our first bird on arriving was a Marsh Harrier quartering the reedbed and some of the earlier arrivals on the carpark saw a Glossy Ibis on the edge of the mere. Wildfowl was plentifulon the water and a scan gave us Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Goldeneye, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pintail, Pochard and Tufted Duck. Some of us saw the re[ported Scaup but not the drake Ring-necked Duck. The wind had picked up on Sunday morning and the surface of the water was quite choppy, plus the diving ducks were busy feeding. Where there is wildfowl in plenty, there is always raptors - no different this time with a juvenile Peregrine sat in a tree on one of the small islands.
We ended up with 96 species (more than last year) over the weekend. The weather was pretty good generally, some sunny intervals but no rain until we were leaving Hornsea on the Sunday afternoon – everybody travelling back in horrendous weather over the Pennines. Our accommodation was excellent with good food, both breakfasts and evening meals, good beer and entertainment. We didn’t see the rarities of last year’s trip but we were able to see migration in progress with hundreds of Blackbirds (some continental race), Redwings, Fieldfares and Ring Ousel dropping in especially at Bempton plus owls coming in off the sea. The highlight of the weekend was the pod of dolphins off Flamborough headland. Everyone enjoyed their weekend, birding together with lovely company. I’m sure the autumn weekend on the East coast is now firmly back on our calendar.
Ray Evans
28th October 2025
Pennington Flash
Thirteen hardy birding potterers met at the Pennington Flash car park around 10:00. The wind was blowing a hooly over the lake but the rain held off for a while. Around the shore was the usual gaggle of Canada Geese, Mallard, Black-headed Gulls, Mute Swans & a single isolated Oystercatcher.
Across the lake were lots of Tufted Duck, Coot, and someone saw a Goldeneye. We then wandered off to the nearest Lakeside Hide where a lot of Cormorant were showing , together with a few Teal and Great Crested Grebes, and in the distance roosting Little Egret & a single Great White Egret. Further round the lake it inevitably started to rain, but looking back over the lake we had a great “discussion” about a little thin-necked bird in the distance. In the end, there were 3 of them and everyone decided they were Little Grebe! Further on again Simon spotted a Great Spotted Woodpecker & a Jay, and there were lots of Robin, Blue Tit, a Kestrel and a couple of crows
At the last hide, where there were feeding stations, we saw the usual array of Blue, Great & Coal Tits, Dunnock and a couple of lovely Nuthatches. By this time the rain had started again so we all strolled back to our cars and headed off for lunch. Many thanks to everyone for a very enjoyable day birding in our local area.
Andrew Aldridge
Photos by Simon Smith – many thanks.
9th November 2025
Leighton Moss RSPB reserve
Nine members met at the reserve car park for a 9.30 am start. Given the amount of rain and conditions members were advised to wear wellingtons. Greenfinches, Redwings, Robins and Goldfinches were all seen whilst waiting for people to be ready. Over to reception and then out to the feeders where the usual species were on the nuts along with a brief glance of a Marsh Tit. Cetti’s Warbler was heard from here and a pheasant paid us a visit. We then made our way to the causeway for possible Bearded Reedlings. The walk to the grit trays provided us with a calling Water Rail, Greylag geese overhead and Carrion Crows.
Bearded Reedlings were neither seen nor heard by us although some were seen early morning. Cetti’s were calling as was the occasional Water Rail. From the hide there was a distinct lack of ducks, mainly Gadwall, Coot, Teal and flying Shovellers present but we were treated to a couple of flypasts by a Kingfisher and Snipe and a female Marsh Harrier. High above the trees we saw Buzzard and Sparrowhawk.
The paths were submerged after this point so only a small number of the party continued to the revamped Lower Hide where wellies were required. Ray went to Lillian’s hide .The path from the causeway to Lower hide provided good views of Marsh tit (3), Treecreeper, Song thrush, Redwings, Bullfinch, Siskins Goldcrests and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The return down the path provided good views of a Red Deer. Off to Lillian’s hide to meet up with Ray who had Little Grebe, Tufted duck , Pochard and Curlew plus a huge raft of Coot.
All had lunch in the car park and then off to Allen’s hide on the coastal side . We had Great and Little Egrets plus Oystercatcher , Wigeon, Curlew, Greenshank (4) and a large flock of Redshanks and Black Tailed Godwits. A single Dunlin here too. By now it was raining hard so off to Morecambe hide where we had distant views of Eider on the sea. Excellent views of a Male Merlin on a log plus Heron, Pintails (2m 2F) and several Red Breasted Mergansers.
A good day considering the conditions and a total of 58 species seen.
Paul Kenyon
Photo Paul Bebbington - thanks
7th December 2025
Southport & Marshside RSPB reserve
Six MCOS member met at RSPB Marshside car park. Weather was mild and overcast.
The group moved off to the Southport marine lake. On arrival large groups of Coot and Mute Swan were present in the margins. Further out a group of approximately ten Little Grebes with busy diving for food. After a short walk along the edge of the lake we were rewarded with excellent views of a first winter male Smew, a single Merganser and a single Goosander.
On the way back to the car park we made a brief stop near the pier to look for Twite. A group of small birds was seen, at distance, which more likely than not were Twite but it wasn't possible to make a definite identification. Pinkfoot geese, Oystercatcher and Common Scoter were distant on the shoreline and sea. Great White Egret and Little Egret were present on the marsh.
Moving back to RSPB Marshside we moved to the Raptor viewpoint. By this time the rain had moved in 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. Greylag and Canada Geese. Waders included, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwits.
As the light began to fall it was time to head for home.
Total species for the day was 44.
Graham Haspey.
16th December 2025
Marbury Country Park
12 MCOS members met on a bright sunny morning for a walk around Marbury Country Park prior to the Society Christmas lunch.
Before we had even left the car park a Treecreeper and Nuthatch had been spotted 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 particular bird was a Greater Scaup but Simon’s photo proved it to be a female tufty. However the Kingfisher mad 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 Tuesday birding year.
Thanks to Simon Smith for his excellent photos.
Ged Petch
18th January 2026
North Wales Coast
On Sunday 18th January, 8 members attended the first outing of 2026 to North Wales 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 about a couple of hours we drove west along the coast 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 has 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.
Our final port of call was meant to be Horton’s Nose in Rhyl to look for the overwintering Black Redstart but sadly by the time we left Colwyn Bay the light had gone, and we had to call it a day.
The weather stayed fine all day without any rain and 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.
Thanks to Paul Bebbington for his photoscoped photos
Ray Evans
20th January 2026
RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands
Eleven members made it to Burton Mere 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.
Thanks to Paul Bebbington for his excellent photos.
Ged Petch
17th February 2026
Neumann's Flash and Dairy House Meadows
A good turnout of 11 members took advantage of a rare sunny (but chilly) morning round the Northwich flashes. Meeting at Witton Mill carpark at 10.00am we had problems getting underway initially as the car park quickly filled up with multiple dog walkers and a walking group. Ian and Anne had to find alternative parking but once that was sorted we began by visiting the viewpoint overlooking Ashton’s Flash. Unfortunately this proved to be completely devoid of birds so we headed to the hide beside Neumann’s which was much more productive with large numbers of Wigeon, Shoveler and Tufted Duck, Lesser Black-Backed Gulls and a pair of displaying Great Crested Grebes.
Moving on round the Flash we had a brief view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and then several Goosander at the far end of the lake. Heading on to Dairy House Meadows we had buzzard and sparrowhawk and then a few members were lucky enough to see a Woodcock fly across the path. Following several false alarms we finally saw a flock of Redwing in trees close to the car park and along the same section saw Grey Wagtail and Teal and heard Cetti’s Warbler and a squealing Water Rail.
With lunch calling we arrived back at the cars at 1pm. No great rarities today but some interesting birds and all agreed an enjoyable and worthwhile trip.
Ged Petch
27th February to 1st March 2026
South-West Scotland
Over the weekend of 27th February – 1st March 15 members enjoyed a weekend’s birding in S.W. Scotland. We stayed at The Crown Hotel in Newton Stewart, a new venue for us where we were very well looked after with excellent breakfasts and evening meals.
We met late morning on the Friday at RSPB Mersehead on the Solway in quite benign weather with some warm sunshine and highlights here included hundreds of Barnacle Geese (including a leucistic bird), Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail and a few raptor species including Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk. We had our lunch at the visitor centre where the feeders had Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer and Greenfinch.
We then travelled the short distance back east along the coast to Southerness, again bathed in some sunshine but getting chilly and the tide was a long way out. Highlights included Little Egret, Red Throated Diver and Red-breasted Merganser. Waders included Knot, Dunlin, Turnstone, Redshank, Sanderling and Grey Plover. We left late afternoon for Newton Stewart to check in to our hotel and all
enjoyed an excellent evening meal and a few drinks.
After a great Scottish breakfast (including haggis) on the Saturday we drove west down to Stranraer and Loch Ryan and birdwatched a few points around the loch. We started at Cairnryan, the loch was calm and the sun was out and highlights were Red-Throated Diver, Black Guillemot, Guillemot, Razorbill, Eider, Shag & Grey Wagtail. Moving nearer to Stranraer to the south end of the loch the birding was excellent with beautiful blue sky, good light and the loch like a millpond. We had stunning scope views of Wigeon, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck and Slavonian Grebe, an excellent couple of hours. We then moved to a picnic site overlooking the harbour where we had our lunch stop and saw more of the same birds. Our final stop at Loch Ryan was the Wig on the north-west side and with the sun still shining highlights included a small flock of Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Stonechat, Bar-tailed Godwit and Hooded Crow.
We then travelled south of Stranraer to Sandhead and Luce Bay (where you could see the north-eastern end of the Isle of Man) and the best birds were Common Scoter and Red Throated Diver. The final destination for the day was West Freugh where the weather was still sunny, but it had turned chilly towards the end of the day. This is a well-known Hen Harrier roost but sadly we didn’t see any, but we did have Little Egret and Pink-footed Goose. We came across a herd of swans in the area, mostly Mute but with a few Whooper Swans. 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 south towards Wigtown Marshes. The weather on the Sunday was as different again with persistent rain. We parked at the Martyr’s Stake carpark and walked a path along the marsh with woodland on the other side. Highlights included Pink-feet and Barnacle Goose on the marsh plus Treecreeper, Bullfinch and Coal Tit in the woodland.
We moved to Carlingwark Loch at Castle Douglas and highlights were Goldeneye, Goosander, Siskin feeding in the vegetation at the side of the plus our only Coot of the trip. By this time the weather was atrocious very wet and windy and after lunch our trip was curtailed. Some hardy souls (Paul & Denise) went on to Caerlaverock NNR. We have Paul below modelling a piece of kit that any discerning birder should have for wet weather conditions (but not windy).
It was unfortunate that the RSPB reserve at Ken - Dee Marshes has closed and the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust decided to close Caerlaverock for the winter – these were two of our prime destinations on previous weekend trips up there. We ended up with a list of 88 species, and everyone enjoyed an excellent weekend with good company, good beer, good food and some good birds.
No one will forget the Saturday afternoon at Loch Ryan in perfect sea-watching conditions and my highlight was the 5/6 Long Tailed Duck at the south end including some resplendent drakes.
Ray Evans (March 2026)
(Photos courtesy of Paul & Denise Bebbington, Anthea Gater, Richard Sturman and Judith Petch)
