Hughes News – 27 February 2025

Last Saturday felt like the first day of Spring, albeit the pleasant weather only lasted for one day before the rain returned! So before Spring really arrives, I thought we would take a last look at some of our winter birds.

Leasowe held two or three Turnstones feeding on the edge of the promenade, busy putting on fat before their imminent flights back up to the Arctic tundra. A Herring Gull loafed slowly along the water’s edge looking for a chip!

A single Oystercatcher was on Kerr’s Field, with many more out on the vast sand banks. These birds are not particularly long-distance migrants, but they are now starting to disperse in pairs to their nesting sites, sometimes quite a distance inland.

Common Snipe are more numerous in the UK in winter as many continental birds join our residents. They can become quite showy in cold weather.

A male Black Redstart spent a period around the New Year at Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton. It could disappear for long periods, but a few members caught up with it – and what a smart bird it was! Ellie caught this lovely portrait after a long and cold wait!

As some of you know, my wife and I enjoyed a great holiday in Sri Lanka last month. It is a wonderful country, with beautiful scenery and varied wildlife. I have already told Paul that I will do a talk in the future if required, but here is a photo as a taster! 

Credit for the photos to Ellie and Hugh.

Hugh