Hugh’s News – 1 March 2026

The birds were very cooperative on our recent visit to Marbury Country Park, and there were too many good photos to fit in the trip report. So, here are a few more from Ellie, Colin and Hugh.

Martyn, one of our Honorary Members living on Uist, Outer Hebrides, sent in this interesting report to us.

“I was out near the house the other day looking for our flock of Greenland White-fronted Geese. They are in serious decline, and many of the traditional wintering grounds have lost their birds. We did have three flocks on Uist, but there is now just the one around Loch Bee on South Uist – and even that flock is declining. 

Concern is so great that we now carry out International Counts through winter, and that’s what I was doing. The total population is now thought to be as low as 9000.

I found the flock, and was just starting to count, when my attention was caught by movement out on a rocky islet in the loch. Two White-tailed Eagles had just landed, and when I looked through my binoculars I thought one of them had something large. However, looking down the scope, I saw that one of the eagles, an adult, was standing right behind a small otter that was busily eating a fish. The other eagle is just off shot to the left.

Despite the intimidation, that otter was not giving up that fish. Either very brave or very stupid, perhaps both! White-tails regularly steal fish from otters but will also grab the otter if they get a chance. This little otter survived and kept the fish.

And the White-fronts? I counted 107, so I was looking at about 1% of the world population. The trouble is, just four of them were juveniles (hardly any white around bill and no black bands on belly). There’s the problem, very low breeding success, another impact of climate change.Not the best photo I’ve ever taken, just the mobile held up to the scope, but I thought it might be of interest”.It certainly is, thank you Martyn!

Short-eared Owls have been showing very well on the marshes at Neston and Parkgate this winter. Never guaranteed, but Peter took this beautiful image of one in flight.

On a visit to Martin Mere, Ellie found a Glossy Ibis. There was a large influx into the UK last Autumn, and the species is hotly tipped to colonise England soon. 

She also photographed an unusual looking bird. I have included it as a little identification quiz for you, just for fun. Sorry, no prizes! Answer in the next issue. 

Hugh