Woolston Eyes

John Williams · Status: Offline

RE: Woolston Eyes

John Williams · Status: Offline

Late Morning visit to No 3 Bed.

A flock of 100+ Lapwings were over the reserve, they appeared to be trying to find somewhere to settle, but could not.

4 Lapwings rested on one of the rafts, where they were soon joined by some Black-Headed Gulls, around 70 of

which gathered on water in front of the J.Morgan hide. They appeared to be pairing off, but surely it's too early?.

A Marsh Harrier flew along the edge of the woodland near the Tower hide, and flushed numerous Wood Pigeons

and Redwings. I was surprised just how many Redwings there were amongst the Alders near the Tower hide.

The thrushes had perhaps been rooting through the leaf litter in search of invertebrates?.

40 Teal rested on the shoreline in front of the J.Morgan hide.

A Robin became aggressive and kept a pair of Dunnocks from going anywhere near the feeders, only when a pair

of Jays turned up did the Robin back down. A male and female Bullfinch visited the feeders, as did a Great Spotted

Woodpecker. Also seen near and from the J.Morgan hide were:- 4 Stock Doves, 1 imm. Lesser Black Backed Gull, 4 Shelducks,

8 Shovelers and 14 Gadwall. A Grey Heron claimed one the rafts, who would dare challenge it?.

The bushes around the F.Linley hide held numerous Chaffinches, but alas no Bramblings.

A Buzzard scattered the Chaffinches and Redwings off the meadow.

No 3 bed contained no diving ducks or grebes, fish eaters were only represented by 2 herons and 4 passing Cormorants.

6 Little Grebes and another pair of herons were on the old river though.

The Mersey around the weir pool held 2 more Little Grebes, 1 Shelduck and 88 Tufted Ducks, but sadly no Pochards or Goldeneyes.

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Thursday 10th October 2024 10:00 - 13:30 hrs. Sunny and cold (fresh northerly wind)

Bed No 3 and Woolston Weir: Sightings included:

Great White Egret (2)
Grey Heron (4)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Buzzard (4)
Greenfinch (5)
Gadwall (2)
Shoveler (15)
Lapwing (50)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Tufted Duck (5)
Shelduck (1)
Linnet (20)
Mute Swan (4) including 1 juvenile
Long Tailed Tits (5)
Cormorant (12)
Jay (1)
Wren (1)

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Pm number 3 hoping for Kittiwake which never appeared lol

Of note

Marsh Harrier-1 unrung Juvenile

Hobby - 1 Adult

Great White Egret - 2 (1 on flypast below)

Still Swallow , House Martin and Sand Martin in small numbers

Plenty Teal, Shoveler and a wigeon

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 12th of September 2024 07:57:21 AM

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

From the River Mersey today (Kingsway Bridge past #4, #3 to the weir).

Kingfishers at Paddington Meadows (Ad+2juv). Three Buzzards in alarm at a Marsh Harrier, initially over Westy drifted over #4.

Redshank flew downriver north of the Loop.

30+ Swifts above the river north of #3 bed by the concrete plant.

Water rail near 'white house' at Westy.

Peregrine flew in from #4 and landed on the Westy Pipe-bridge.

At least six Cetti's warblers now in song along the river (5 km stretch past the North the reserve we row on) - yesterday there were only two in song and two in sub-song.

Gadwall, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Mallard, Mallard x Muscovy, Mute Swan (2 pr + 3 juv) all present. About 20 Canada Geese, two with broken wings.

Gulls were just Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed.

There was a blue ringed Black-headed Gull at Kingsway but I only got 2E.. off its ring other two digits were lost to view.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Midday visit to No3 Bed

2f Marsh Harriers (Seen simultaneously), 11 Lapwings, 2 Black-Necked Grebes, 8 Little Grebes,

1 Grey Heron, a fishing team of 5 Cormorants and a Kingfisher seen catching a "Pilchard" size fish.

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

On the river past #4 and #3 beds.

Two pairs Mute Swans, one with three cygnets. Four Canada Geese (+17 at the rowing club at Kingsway), two Greylag Geese.

Two Kingfisher seen by the loop of #4.

35 Swifts over in front of the rainfront at 5pm.

Family groups of Long-tailed Tits in three places along the river and a Kestrel by the cement works North of #3 bed.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Decent Morning at Woolston of note

Black Tailed Godwit - 2 groups moved through , First group was 75-80 which landed coming in from the NW joining 4 that were already down , but they only stayed on the mud for 10 seconds or so then departed E/SE, then 10 mins later another group of 37 arrived from the NW direction but this time Continued South , so well over 100 through , which is the highest number ive seen at Woolston for a good while .

Hobby - 1 ( 1st Summer Female )

plenty of fledged Reed Warbler, Black Headed Gulls

A few lone Black Necked Grebe adults

lots of Swift, Sand Martin and House Martin

John Williams · Status: Offline

14.30-17.30ish

No 3 Bed

2f Pintail, 3 families of Black-Necked Grebes, 1 Buzzard, 3m Bullfinches on a feeder, 1m Reed Bunting still singing,

and chasing off a rival. 3 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap still singing, whilst a Whitethroat was seen carrying nesting material.

A pair of Moorhens brought 2 tiny (Probably newly hatched chicks as they only appeared Wren sized) into the open

briefly before disappearing back into reeds again, just in front of the tower hide. Just a few metres away from a large fox,

which I accidently disturbed (Honestly!!).

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

Rowing past #4 bed, loop and #3 to weir this afternoon.

Couple of Swifts, six House Martin (Woolston Tip), Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker flyovers the river, plenty of Lesser Black-back and Black-headed Gulls about. Juv Kingfisher flew up river just north of the loop. Two broods of Mallard on the stretch, 5+7. Eleven separate Cetti's Warblers calling from start of #4 bed on the Mersey to Weir, five on North Bank. Quite a few juv Magpie about and two Stock Dove flew over.

Slightly off patch, juv Cormorant (Westy bank opposite west end Paddington meadows, same spot as last week), eight more House Martin Kingsway Bridge, another Mallard + brood of eight.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 16th of June 2024 07:51:35 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

18.00-19.15ish

Old River Mersey by footbridge:-

A pair of Mute Swans with just 1 cygnet. (High level of predation, were the 4 dinner plate sized terrapins basking nearby suspects?.)

No 3 Bed

1f Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Lapwings and 1m Garganey.

20+ Swifts high over the bed throughout. Up to 4 Lesser Black Backed Gulls patrolled over the bed throughout, they tried to intimidate

the female Marsh Harrier, but she just ignored them.

Reed Warblers showed well from Tower Hide, 1 posed on a clump of Flag Iris for a minute or so.

2 pairs of Great Crested Grebes, 1 caught a plump minnow sized silver fish (Too big to be a Stickleback, perhaps a young Roach or Rudd?).

The grebe presented the fish to it's mate who dashed out of the reeds to accept it.

John Williams · Status: Offline

17.00-19.00ish.

No 3 Bed

1m Garganey showed well in front of the John Morgan hide.

Also 1 Buzzard seen soaring amongst large numbers of Swifts.

5 Woodpigeons flushed from a bush by the meadow, I looked to see what had upset them and spotted a chunky female

Sparrowhawk clearly on the hunt has she circled above.

The Garganey clearly appeared nervous when a small group of Gadwall approached, until a Coot spotted the larger ducks and

attacked them whilst ignoring the small drake. The Garganey appeared to have found a friend?.

Entertainment though was provided by a group of 10 drake Tufted Ducks, who had all taken a fancy to a single female, despite the fact that

she clearly already had a partner. Even when the female took to the air they still pursued her, and they were still at it when I left.

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

Again travelling on the River past the north side of the #3 and #4 beds (and to Kingsway bridge and back).

Twice had a Common Sandpiper fly past following the river. Kingfisher to north #4 bed and my first Swifts of the year (groups of 6, 7 and 3).

Three pairs Canada Geese had Goslings (5, 3, 2) and a pair of Greylags had two Goslings.

Herring, Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed Gulls all overheads.

Wren, Goldfinch, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail and Grey Wagtail made up the other birds to fly past the boat.

Ringed Mute Swan at the Kingsway Landing stage (metal ring, left leg) wouldn't let me get near enough to read the letters which were quite faint/muddied.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-12.00

No 3 Bed

1 Common Tern, 1f Marsh Harrier, 2 Black Necked Grebes, 1 Water Rail and 1 Buzzard.

2 highly vocal Cetti's Warblers were showing quite well as they chased each other around the area below the tower hide.

The devastating impact Bird Flu had on the Black Headed Gull colony is sadly very apparent across most of the bed, although

quite a number of the birds seem to have settled together on the pool in front of the Rotary Hide. Clearly being packed in a

tight group offers some protection from predators. A Carrion Crow was seen carrying a large dirty white egg with a dark patterning

on, before settling high up in a tree to eat its prize.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 12th of May 2024 05:31:33 PM

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

Alternate view of Woolston (and Paddington Meadows) by going on the Mersey from Kingsway Bridge on the Mersey to the Weir and back today.

Four Mallard chicks and three Coot chicks.

One Mute Swan and four Greylag flyovers. Around 34 Canada Geese along the stretch of the river but no Goslings.

Two Cetti's Warblers, one Garden Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat heard on the stretch between Paddington Meadows and the tip to north of #4 bed.

Hobby and Kestrel and Raven seen over. Great Spotted Woodpecker over from same area North.

Water Rail near the pipebridge on east of #4, plenty Coot and Moorhen in the reeds all along the river. Pair Gadwall at the allotment at Kingsway.

Great views of Cormorant, Grey Heron and Kingfisher in the scrub beside the river watching us as we passed by.

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

Pair of Ferruginous Ducks showing really well on the ox-bow from the footbridge early afternoon.

-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Saturday 6th of April 2024 10:16:16 PM

Phil Oddy · Status: Offline

cracking pair of Ferruginous Duck on No4 bed plus drake Ruddy Duck & several Black-necked Grebe

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

The First Winter Female Lesser Scaup was present again today from the Rotary Hide, 2nd sighting this week for me of it , luckily I was in the next hide already today when it dropped in . record shot below .It seems at the present time to be paired up with a Male Tufted Duck also it was interesting seeing the Male Tufted panic, thinking it had lost its mate ,when they both dived at the same time but the Lesser Scaup remained under water about double the time.

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 22nd of March 2024 09:59:53 PM

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Monday 19th February 2024. Nice to have chat with Steve Heywood and Dave Benson. No Lesser Scaup for me but sightings (40 in total) were :

Black Necked Grebe (1) early one on No 3 bed from John Morgan hide in the distance down inlet (at 'one o'clock')
Great Crested Grebe (3)
Little Grebe (3)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Buzzard (3)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Willow Tit (1)
Shelduck (5)
Pochard (10)
Teal (8)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (3)
Oystercatcher (1)
Greenfinch (10)
Coal Tit (1)
Reed Bunting (1)
Bullfinch (5)
Chaffinch (15)
Goldfinch (4)
Long Tailed Tit (5)
Dunnock (1)
Grey Heron (1)
Gadwall (20)
Shoveler (2)
Greylag Geese (50)
Canada Geese (25)
Tufted Duck (70)
Mute Swan (4)
Cormorant (3)
Blue Tit (10)
Great Tit (5)
House Sparrow (10)
Blackbird (1)
Mallard (30)
Magpie (3)
Pheasant (1)
Robin (3)
Coot (15)
Moorhen (3)
Lesser Black Backed Gull (3)
Black-Headed Gull (10)

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

1st winter female Lesser Scaup still showing at Woolston Weir mid afternoon with Tufted Duck flock.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

News on the Cheshire Whatsapp this morning that the Lesser Scaup had returned to Woolston Eyes, but then had flown off before access could be arranged. At 12.45pm news came through on the group that it had been relocated on Woolston Weir, outside the reserve. So I finished lunch and then headed down to Weir Lane to access the Weir area. A small group of assembled birders squinted into the sun dappled water and we joined them to quickly find the 1w female Lesser Scaup, sleeping most of the time, head on back, but easy to pick out nonetheless. The bird did life its head a couple of times, but I struggled with pictures anyway, shooting into the sun, and never managed a head up shot! Still, it was nice to catch up with and continues a good run of Cheshire ducks, what with the BMW American (Storm) Wigeon and my drake Smew biggrin

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Mega quiet at woolston this morning only things of real note this morning were 2 Female Brambling

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

13:30 - 15:30 up the River Mersey from the Boatclub at Kingsway to the Weir past #3 and #4 and back (on the River).

Upriver, at least three concentrated patches of 30+ House Sparrows around the Westey bed before #4 bed, 57 Canada Geese in total, 147 Black-headed Gulls, plus what looks like a small roost on Cardinal Newman Buildings.

26 Redwing over during the trip heading to #3 bed and one Fieldfare.

3 Grey Heron on the river, 3 Little Grebe and ad+juv Great Crested Grebe near the start of the Oxbox, disturbed at least 2 Goldeneye m which flew up towards the Weir.

On the return 2 linnet over, patch of Siskins on Paddington meadows (15 or so), couple Bullfinch, four Greenfinch and two Goldfinch. Moorhen and Coot in the banks with around 17 Mallards.

Magpie, Carrions crow, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit and Starling made up the rest, about 50 Starling looking like they were settling down to roost near the end of the old Latchford Canal at Kingsway Bridge.

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday 24th November 10:30 - 13:30 hrs

No 3 Bed and Woolston Weir. Sightings included:

Marsh Harrier (3)
Buzzard (1)
Little Grebe (2)
Tufted Duck (70)
Long Tailed Tit (10)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Greenfinch (7)
Bullfinch (3)
Grey Heron (1)
Gadwall (4)
Shelduck (2)
Shoveler (15)
Lapwing (3)
Reed Bunting (1)

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

13.10.23 AM

Pintail - 2

Chiffchaff- 2

plus the usuals

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday 29th September 2023. 10:30 - 14:00 hrs.

No 3 Bed and Weir. Sightings included:

Marsh Harrier (1) Female
Hobby (5 separate sightings) could well be same bird
Buzzard (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Great Crested Grebe (1 adult and 3 juveniles) on Weir
Little Grebe (7)
Shoveler (10)
Gadwall (50 plus)
Greenfinch (3)
Lapwing (20)
Tufted Duck (15)
Grey Heron (2)
Mute Swan (2 adults and three cygnets)
Coal Tit (1)
Long Tailed Tit (4)

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

From 10-2 today.

Spotted Redshank on number 4 was the first recorded for 9 years apparently. Also 7 Black Necked Grebe, Garden Warbler, 1+Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Cettis Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler. Gargany reported but not confident enough for eclipse plumage which needs to be addressed. Didn't see any in breeding plumage. Record shot of Spotted Redshank attached.

On number 3 bed were 2 Marsh Harrier, Black Necked Grebe, 7 Reed Warbler.

Plus many of the more usual species.

Daniel Owen · Status: Offline

Two new Black-necked Grebe broods today takes the total to 13 broods so far this season, with hopefully one or two late broods to come too. The total number of birds (including young) is currently in the high 40's.

It was also a productive day for monitoring breeding activity of other species too:
- three new Pochard broods, taking their total to nine broods so far this season.
- a Shoveler brood of six is the first brood to be found on the reserve for many years, though breeding is suspected every year.
- six new Little Grebe broods takes their total to a minimum of 12 broods.
- two broods of Water Rail were seen, although birds were calling from four other areas of the reedbed and the true total is always higher than seen.

A Redshank on No4 Bed early morning was the only passage wader today, and two adult Mediterranean Gulls flew through.
Belated news from Sunday of a summer plumage Little Stint also on No4 Bed, plus a decent passage of Ringed Plover and seven Black-tailed Godwit throughout the last week.

-- Edited by Daniel Owen on Tuesday 6th of June 2023 08:42:47 PM

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Friday 2nd

Garganey- 2m, 1f

Marsh Harrier - 1 M

Black Necked Grebe - 1 pair with 3 young

Water Rail -1

Daniel Owen · Status: Offline

Minimum of 14 Black-necked Grebes yesterday. 22+ was the peak April count, and based on behaviour several new pairs arriving in the last week the breeding season is looking at least average, but potentially above average, for the second year running...weather dependant of course. (10-12 pairs is the long-term average).
It's worth noting that it's always a quiet time of year for counting them, with half on nests and guarding birds skulking in the reedbed - a scope helps if visiting the reserve.

3 Common Tern also yesterday, plus a big arrival of Reed Warblers across the reserve within the last week, and the best singing Sedge Warbler count since 2010.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Of note Am number 3 bed

Black Necked Grebe -6 Adults ( not looking the greatest breeding season ever for these special birds)

Marsh Harrier - 1 Male

Cuckoo-1

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

AM Of note

Arctic Tern - 1 > N

Hobby - 1 > N

Pochard 25 Male dropped into number 3 bed

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

AM

1 Whimbrel flying NE

Swift- 100+

John Williams · Status: Offline

Midday visit

No 3 Bed: At least 7 Little Gulls (20+ had been reported before I arrived) patrolled the pool in front of John Morgan hide.

Also 1 Swift seen with a group of mixed hirundines that were feeding over the pool, my apologies to WECG as I did not record this

in the site log, I only spotted the bird as I was leaving the reserve.

At least 16 Pochards were seen, but as they were clearly very mobile a true count was near impossible.

Also seen were 1f Kestrel, 1f Marsh Harrier, at least 2 Black Necked Grebes, 1 Little Grebe

4+ Great Crested Grebes (Including a displaying pair) and a single feral Barnacle Goose.

Gadwall appeared noticeably abundant.

A Lesser Whitethroat was calling from a bush near the 1st barrier on Thelwall Lane.

A drake Mallard is also worth mentioning because as other waterfowl panicked and fled whilst the harrier quartered the pool,

this brave or silly duck showed no concern at all, even as the big raptor flew right over him.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

60+ Little Gulls through Woolston today up to today 9 was the highest count ever at one time .

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

AM number 3 bed

Common Tern - 1 feeding all morning

Curlew- 1 tried to land headed off North

Marsh Harrier - 1 Adult Female

Sand Martin- 200+

House Martin - 10+

Swallow - 20 +

Black Necked Grebe - 8

Reed Warbler- 4

Sedge Warbler- 1

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-13.30

No 3 Bed:

1 Osprey passed over No 3 Bed at 10.45 heading North.

Also seen around the bed were 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 1st winter Great Black Backed Gull, 2 Lapwings,

14 Black Necked Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1m+1f Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Seen together on feeders)

and 2 Lapwings. Sand Martins were seen flying above the site for most of my visit.

The Kestrel was seen hovering above the meadow area and was attacked twice by the passing young GBB Gull, being almost

forced to crash into the ground at one point.

A female Marsh Harrier was seen over No 2 Bed close to the Weir Lane Footbridge, followed moments later by another of the same

species (Unsure of gender) which flew across from No 3 Bed.

Weir Pool Area:

11 Pochard (3 females), 22 Tufted Ducks, 1 Shelduck and a pair of Great Crested Grebes.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

This morning on number 3 bed Black Necked Grebe - 8 Sand Martin -300+ Chiffchaff - 2 singing Plus the usual

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

This morning of note Black Necked Grebe - 2 Chiffchaff-1 Singing Marsh Harrier- 1 Male

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

This morning of note Sand Martin - 3 Black Necked Grebe -1

John Williams · Status: Offline

Midday visit

No 3 Bed:

1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1f Marsh Harrier, 6 Buzzards, 1 Great Crested Grebe,

2 Little Grebes and 10 Pochards. Noticeably abundant Shoveler and Gadwall plus a pair (M+F) of Wigeon.

4 of the Buzzards (Judging by size all males) were seen to have an aerial fight.

Mersey Weir Pool area:

3 Great Crested Grebes (Including a displaying pair), 80 Tufted Ducks, 2 Oystercatchers (On weir),

9 Pochards, 16 Teal, 5 Cormorants and 1 Kingfisher.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

This Morning of note

2 Marsh Harrier

1 Black Necked Grebe

55 Pochard

45 Shoveler

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday 3rd March 2023 11:00 - 14:00 hrs.

Weir and No 3 Bed. Sightings included:

Marsh Harrier (2) 1M and 1F
Black-Necked Grebe (1) showing well from "Frank Linley Hide".
Little Grebe (4)
Great Crested Grebe (4)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (3)
Greenfinch (10)
Bullfinch (2)
Shoveler (8)
Shelduck (6)
Teal (50)
Pochard (40)
Gadwall (35)
Oystercatcher (2)
Greylag Geese (8)
Canada Geese (145
Tufted Duck (c200)
Lesser Black-Backed Gull (4)
Black-Headed Gull (c60)
Reed Bunting (1)
Mute Swan (4)
Grey Heron (1)
Long Tailed Tit (10)
Chaffinch (15)
Cormorant (4)
Lapwing (2) in field by side of A57 just past Thelwall roundabout on drive back.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-13.30

In addition to Steve and John's reports.

1 Marsh Harrier seen having a brief aerial tussle with a Buzzard along the Northern edge of No 3 Bed, whilst

another Buzzard soared high over Weir Lane.

The pair of Great Crested Grebes on the weir pool were seen briefly displaying, and a male Kestrel hovered

by the footpath on No 2 Bed.

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday 17th February 2023 10:45 - 13:00 hrs.

Weir and No 3 Bed

Black-Necked Grebe (1) as John says below showing well from "Warrington Rotary Hide".
Nice to chat with Brian Martin who said these are earliest sightings at Woolston Eyes.
Little Grebe (2)
Great Crested Grebe (4)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Greenfinch (15)
Bullfinch (8)
Shoveler (10)
Shelduck (7)
Teal (45)
Pochard (20)
Gadwall (15)
Greylag Geese (6)
Canada Geese (14)
Tufted Duck (70)
Great Black-Backed Gull (4)
Lesser Black-Backed Gull (1)
Black-Headed Gull (20)
Magpie (7)
Coot (8)
Moorhen (1)
Great Tit (3)
Blue Tit (2)
Chaffinch (15)
Cormorant (4)
Mallard (8)

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Black necked Grebe-1 from Rotary Hide earliest I've had one here,and was also present yesterday.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Midday visit (Highlights)

No 3 Bed:

1 Marsh Harrier, 1m+1f Pintail, 2 Shelduck, 2 Stock Doves, 15 Pochards, 10 Shovelers and 15 Lapwings.

Numerous Teal, Tufted Ducks and Gadwall.

A Brambling had been reported on the feeders just before I arrived.

Woolston Weir Pool area : 4 Little Grebes, 2 Shelducks and 30 Tufted Ducks.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Of note yesterday 3 pintail dropped in at 11 am looked like a Male,Female and a 1st winter bird

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

100 -120 Tufted Duck,1 shelduck,2 little grebe pair Goldeneye,60 Mallard 30 teal Woolston wier

Above wier west 140 teal 2 little grebe 10 shoveler, below wier East 28 Tufted Duck, 2 little grebe ,5 shoveler,40 teal,1 kingfisher,2 shelduck

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 15th of December 2022 02:05:48 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

No 3 Bed Midday (Highlights)

5 Little Grebes, 20 Shovelers, 96 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelducks, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and 2 Grey Herons.

A Nuthatch and a male Bullfinch were seen on the feeders.

River Mersey weir pool area

2 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe and around 40 Black-headed Gulls.

Where have all the diving ducks gone?. I was not surprised by their absence on No 3 Bed as it's quite shallow and

suits dabbling ducks better, Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and Mallard were all present there today, but the Mersey weir pool

is different. I'm used to finding around 100 Tufted Ducks plus a few Pochard and the odd Goldeneye on the river above the

weir at this time of year, but could not find a single Tufted today. I scanned the Mersey below the weir, and also in direction

of the motorway, but none were to be seen, I could not find any on the ship canal either. This is alarming.