| archive 2004 | archive 2005 | archive 2007 | archive 2008 | archive 2009
Willaston & Burton Woods - Sunday 17th December 2006
The sun was shining and there was plenty of bird activity as we strolled along the Wirral Way from Hadlow Road. Great tit, blue tit, coal tit, chaffinch, redwing, starling, etc etc., we were doing so well. Then Muriel put on her sunglasses and it was all change. The heavens clouded over, there was a great flurry as we reached for waterproofs, and down came lashings of rain. We're a hardy lot though, undeterred we trudged on until the weather settled, and back came the birds!
After lunch we changed venue, and a walk through Burton Woods revealed interesting fungi but not many birds - nice view of a kestrel and a couple of very colourful pheasants away in the fields - so the decision was made to head for Denhall.
There were lots of waders and wildfowl out on the Decca pools, flocks of lapwing, plenty of teal and wigeon. There were several little egrets, apparently there are something like 169 around the estuary, and as the light faded they flew in in little groups of 3 or 4. We'd had the best of the day but we stuck it out hoping for a view of a barn owl, short eared owl or maybe even a harrier, it was not to be but it didn't spoil our enjoyment of the last meeting of the year..
Greenfield Park and Dock - 25th November 2006
The forecast was for gale force winds, lashing rain and icy temperatures - but the weather didn't live up to expectations! It was a very still dry day, brightened by the occasional glimpses of sun.
Greenfield dock has seen better and more prosperous days but there was a good selection of birds out on the water and in the surrounding greenery. Great crested grebe, red breasted merganser, redshank, knot, oystercatcher, grey wagtail, greater spotted woodpecker and buzzard were just part of the list.
Stopping only for a 'swift' cup of coffee, the walk in Greenfield Country Park led us past the ruins of Basingwerk Abbey and meandered alongside a fast running stream which fed a number of pools.A dipper busied itself in the water, while further along tufted duck and little grebe took life at a more leisurely pace. Bullfinch, goldcrest, sparrowhawk and jay enhanced the lovely late autumn colours of the trees.
The final tally was in excess of 40 species, so we were well satisfied.
Follow this link for more information about Greenfield Park
Hawarden - 29th October 2006
Our trip to Hawarden was
remarkable in many respects: the number of members who attended, the amount
of fungi seen and the beautiful weather. Unfortunately the bird list was somewhat
sparse!
The woodlands were very picturesque in the dappled sunlight with some wonderful
old oak and beech trees, the ground was carpeted with acorns, sweet chestnuts
and conkers.
We had lovely close up
views of a magnificent buzzard and at the other end of the scale, a friendly
dragonfly who came to land on several of us.
Permission to walk around the normally private areas of the estate was granted by Sir William Gladstone, who wished us 'a nice day'. It was more than that - it was a great day.
Blacktoft Sands RSPB Reserve - 30th September 2006
Situated on the Humber Estuary, Blacktoft Sands is England's largest tidal reedbed. It is ideally located on the east coast flyway to host a wonderful mix of birds as they move through the country at this time of year - some arriving at their winter quarters, other leaving for the warmer climes of southern Europe and the African continent.
10% of the British population of bearded tits breed here annually, and club members had superb views of a most obliging male posing in the reedbed at close quarters. Marsh harriers were showing well, numerous snipe, several water rail and hundreds of golden plover were among the total of 47 species recorded.
It was disappointing that the coach had many empty seats! Blacktoft Sands is quite a way away and it is a treat to be taken there in comfort with a professional driver at the wheel. The committee arranges several coach outings during the year, particularly to cater for those who are unable or don't wish to drive long distances. Without your support we will be unable to offer this service. Please help the Club to remain dynamic by participating in these events.
Whixall
Moss NNR - 29th July 2006
Whixall Moss is a rare bog that is now being restored by English Nature after
years of industrial peat extraction had almost destroyed it totally. With
the rare habitat comes a range of rare and interesting plant species. Amongst
these, all kinds of insects live, scooped up into the collecting net for close
inspection. Various butterflies and dragonflies were much in evidence, especially
in the more sheltered areas.
The birding highlight were the Hobbies that were hunting for dragonflies over
the Mosses. These are small dashing falcons with slim wings, showing a Swift-like
shape. We saw waders and duck such as Snipe, Curlew, Lapwing and Teal which
have started to return to the wetter areas.
The day brought home to me the delicate balance between habitat and species, and the need to maintain a healthy food chain. Without these, the birds will suffer and our hobby will be much the poorer.
A special thanks is due to Dr Joan Daniels for her fascinating and knowledgeable guidance.
Click here for link to English Nature Whixall Moss information
Avocets
Exciting local news for Wirral Bird Club has been the successful breeding
by a pair of Avocets. This species is the emblem of the RSPB and has recently
been expanding its range in the UK into the North West. It is also a beautiful
bird to look at, with its smart black and white plumage and characteristic
up-curved bill that it sweeps back and forward in the water when feeding.
So the fledging of three chicks near Burton brought a steady stream of visitors
to the site to see the new family. The parents were very vocal and aggressive
in moving on any birds that strayed a little too close to the youngsters.
Hopefully, this will be just the start of a new colony, to complement the
increasing Little Egret population on the Dee.
Llanymynech
Rocks - 25th June 2006
This nature reserve is based on impressive 100 foot limestone cliffs that
were once a limestone quarry and which tower above the village of Pant. Before
scaling the cliffs however, we made a more leisurely walk along the Montgomery
Canal, where we picked up some of the more common species including Blackcap,
Chiffchaff, Song Thrush. Finding the birds at this time of the season proved
difficult, as most species have stopped their displaying and singing, and
tend to be busy feeding their young in the lush leaf growth. Perseverance
added Bullfinch, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. An adult fox with two cubs watched
us nonchalantly from across a field, before slowly disappearing into the hedge.
After lunch we explored the Rocks themselves. The site has an interesting
range of both flora and fauna. At the base of the cliffs we found 3 species
of Orchid - Bee, Pyramidal and Spotted - as well as other interesting plants.
Also of note was a small herd of Hebridian Sheep that were being used specially
to graze a protected area to encourage re-generation of the ground. Jackdaws
were breeding on ledges around the quarry. A young Green Woodpecker was a
nice find. At the end of the day, a few stragglers from the Club found three
young peregrines seemingly playing as they practised their arial skills in
preparation for adult independence.
Coach
Trip to Leighton Moss - 21st May 2006
Leighton Moss must surely be one of the brightest jewels in the RSPB crown.
Even on a day of unrelenting downpour the total bird species seen on Sunday
was an amazing 64, and this included marsh harrier, bearded tit and avocet.
There was a good turnout by club members, the coach was nearly full, and despite the appalling weather, a good day was had by all.
Denhall at Dusk, Looking Across to Wales
Alongside Burton Woods
mute swan looking serene
Winter's Day at Willaston
Basingwerk Abbey
Which way did it go - and what was it?
checking out the mill pond
Bracket fungus
Meeting at Hawarden
Remains of Hawarden Castle
Walking through Hawarden woods
Looking for elusive birds
Common Darter
Searching the Blacktoft reedbed for bearded tits
Waders at Blacktoft Sands
In the hide - Blacktoft Sands
Examing a Dragonfly at Whixall Moss
Learning about Whixall Moss
Little Egret
Llanymynech Rocks
Pyramidal Orchid
Llanymynech Rocks
Evening Meeting to Leasowe Common - Thursday 11th May 2006
A pleasant spring evening brought out plenty of birds and bird club members alike. The common was alive with sedge warblers and we saw, and heard, a wonderful display from a grasshopper warbler. Overhead swifts and swallows chased while on the shore grey plover and dunlin in breeding plumage fed along the tide line.
Canal Boat Trip - 4th May 2006
Kingfisher, Sandpiper, Puffin and a Superb Owl! Birds? No 'fraid not - canal boats! Our day out on the Shropshire Union Canal was birdwatching at its easiest. Good birding (44 species seen), with tea and coffee provided. The only strenuous activity was ordering a glass of beer at Beeston's Shady Oak. The sun beamed down on us all day and the birds were equally kind. Wonderful!
Bontuchel
- 29th April 2006
The hedgerows
of the lane leading to the Afon Clywedog were filled with primroses, violets
and lesser celandines, and the woods along the river were a sea of bluebells
and wood anemones. Wild flowers were in abundance, but not so the birds! Only
29 species were recorded on our field trip to Bontuchel, but a friendly group
of people and wonderful
scenery almost made up for the scarcity.
Shropshire Meres - Saturday March 25th
The sun was shining, birds were singing, and signs of Spring all around us as our coach arrived at Ellesmere. The heronry was in full swing, and we spent quite a time watching these huge birds flying to and fro, and perching (most precariously it seemed) on topmost branches. The usual suspects were on the mere itself, tufted duck, goldeneye, wigeon, little and great crested grebe, cormorant etc but Stan found a scaup in with the tufted duck, which was a very good spot indeed.
The walk round the mere turned up a nice mixture of woodland birds including the tit family, nut hatch, treecreeper, goldcrest, mistle thrush, and a buzzard wheeling above the trees which made the small birds look very small.
After lunch everyone set out to walk along the canal towpath to Colemere, and although we didn't see the mink we were perhaps hoping for, kingfishers were top of the bill (excuse the pun). On Blakemere (the far bank as always) at least four of these brightly coloured jobs were whizzing about, doing what kingfishers do in the Spring, and giving us glorious views.
Among the snowdrops were just a few lesser celandine, and Mike correctly identified (wow!) and photographed a small cluster of coltsfoot. Stopping only to watch a marsh (or willow) tit, we made our way through the woods surrounding Colemere. Sorry to say, there were no lesser spotted woodpeckers about, but 3 greater spotted - attracted by Hugh's tapping on a tree trunk with pound coins - made up for it.
Excellent birding - 49
species - good company, comfortable travel, and the rain held off until we
were on our way home. What more could you ask?
back
to top
| archive 2005 | archive 2004|
Avocet
Leasowe Lighthouse and common
View across Leasowe Shore
Our canal boat moored at the Shady Oak Beeston
River Clwydeg at Bontuchel
Bluebells under the trees along the Afon Clwydeg
Lunch stop at Bontuchel
Coltsfoot
Ellesmere
Walking along the canal towpath to Colemere
