Latest Sightings
There is no concerted effort to keep this page up to date now: the Ribble Estuary Birding Facebook Group is probably the best place for sightings that people are prepared to share – and see the other links on the home page for sightings further afield.
Feel free to submit latest sightings news as comments below. The first time you do this your comment will need to be approved before appearing; thereafter your posts will appear in real time. The date will appear automatically; please give the time of your sighting. If it doesn’t pertain to Marshside please also give the location!
Latest news posted here appears as the TOP comment.
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Welcome …
This blog originally had a grand purpose for birding around Marshside and beyond. The map and info Pages section is still useful for that, but for rolling news of sightings and general discussion that purpose has perhaps been overtaken by the ease of use of other web developments, and I’d particularly recommend taking a look at the Ribble Estuary Nature Facebook Group.
These pages are now a repository for me to share photos and videos of my birding in and around Merseyside and occasionally further afield, and to provide me with an outlet for the occasional rant. You’ll find digiscoped photos and videos with a bit of reportage as the main posts; some useful birding info and resources are in the static Pages section.
Short form url: http://ow.ly/3b5PK
For other, more regular, blogs I recommend that everyone keeps a daily eye on John Dempsey’s Birdblog – probably the best online birding journal in the world (Theakston’s Best please, John …) as well as other local blogs of which there are links below. Of these, Colin Bushell’s Ribble to Amazon is currently the most regularly and enthusiatically updated and carries most useful information.
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Comments & Sightings
jstannage on Discussion Frank Whitney on Latest Sightings Simon Glinn on Moore and Pennington Flas… Roger John LITTLE on Moore and Pennington Flas… phil boardman on Latest Sightings Simon Glinn on Latest Sightings Simon Glinn on Latest Sightings Simon Glinn on Latest Sightings Frank Whitney on Latest Sightings Frank Whitney on Latest Sightings
Blogroll
- Another Place ~ Pete Kinsella
- Bill Aspin ~ Brockholes
- Brockholes Sightings Facebook
- Colin Bushell’s Blog
- Dave Bickerton’s Blog
- Dee Estuary Sightings
- Hilbre Island Blog
- Manchester Sightings
- Martin Mere Sightings
- Menzie Birding
- Mike Watson ~ E. Lancs
- Moore N.R. Sightings
- North Wales Sightings
- Paul Shenton ~ Flintshire
- South Liverpool Birder
- St Helens Sightings
- Steve Tomlinson
- Tony Conway ~ Seaforth
- Wirral Birder
The Big Websites
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Flickr Photos
More Photos
It’s all a bit quiet … whilst Jason, Neill and Little Chris have been off looking for that African Royal Tern, Graham’s been busy becoming a father again, a number of Marshside’s finest have been gallivanting around Finland, and I’ve been working too hard. Coupled with the fact that spring is most definitely over, there’s a paucity of sightings news.
A Green Sandpiper was still at Martin Mere yesterday, with a Hobby, 2 Marsh Harriers and 4 or more Common Buzzards. Another Hobby at Pump Lane, Greasby on the Wirral this morning, and 2 Spotted Redshanks at Inner Marsh Farm. 220 Little Terns nesting at Gronant.
wirral: 8 Manx Shearwater past Red Rocks this evening before high tide.
Today at 18:33 National News Gwynedd AFRICAN ROYAL TERN ad still 6pm-6.15pm 5mls SW of Pwllheli on beach at Abersoch harbour with gulls +showing well. Earlier ad.AFRICAN ROYAL TERN 2.30-3.30pm c1ml west of Abersoch.
National News
Today at 18:30 Gwynedd AFRICAN ROYAL TERN ad still 6.15pm 5mls SW of Pwllheli on beach at Abersoch harbour with gulls +showing well. Earlier ad.AFRICAN ROYAL TERN 2.30-3.30pm 1ml west of Abersoch.
National News
Today at 18:23 Gwynedd presumed AFRICAN ROYAL TERN ad Abersoch harbour at 6.05pm tho mobile.
Today at 22:32pm National News Gwynedd AFRICAN ROYAL TERN ad still 10.32pm c2mls SW of Porthmadog at east end of Black Rock Sands on beach near Glaslyn rivermouth tho distant.
Lancs: Green Sandpiper still Martin Mere WWT.
Brockholes Wetland LWT ~ 2 Common Tern on No1 Pit at 9.30am.
Merseyside: Roseate Tern still Seaforth LWT and showing well. Permit only: non permit holders view through Crosby Marina fence SJ319973.
Lancs: NO sign of Red-necked Phal Martin Mere WWT.
Lancs: Quail male singing 2.25mls ESE of Pilling just SW of Winmarleigh Moss +north of Garstang Road at 2.55pm. From Crawley’s Cross Farm walk north along footpath for 100yds to field on left opposite gate to barley field SD.435.472
Banks Marsh this afternoon, from Crossens Pumping Station to Old Hollows Farm ~ 3 Avocet, 2 Little Egret, 41 Redshank inc fledglings plus some chicks, 67 Lapwing, 7 Grey Herons, 29 Black-headed Gull, 17 Skylarks, 29 Meadow Pipits, 37 adult Mallards plus vast numbers of chicks, 31 Shelduck, 58 Starlings, 11 Oystercatchers, 9 Magpies, 5 Pied Wagtails, 7 House Sparrows, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Carrion Crows, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Feral Pigeons, 12 Woodpigeons, 7 Reed Buntings, 11 Blackbirds, 1 Mistle Thrush
Lancs: Red-necked Phal still 4.40pm Martin Mere WWT on The Mere.
Lancs: Red-necked Phal still 6.00pm Martin Mere WWT on The Mere from Raines Observatory.
Early morning tedrading around Low Meadows/River Douglas (south of Rufford), highlights; an unexpected territorial Willow Tit, 25 Skylarks, 16 Whitethroats, 11 Sedge Warblers, 9 Reed Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Corn Buntings, two pairs of Curlew, two broods of Gadwall, 1 Little Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Kestrel, 2 Grey Partridge.
Seaforth: Roseate Tern still this morning through to mid-afternoon at least, plus 1s Little Gull. Neumann’s Flash, Cheshire: Osprey at 8.30am. Marsh Harrier and Fulmar both seen at Brockholes Quarry this afternoon. Wigan Flashes ~ 7 Willow Tits; Cuckoo, Ringed Plover at Horrock’s Flash at mid-day and 2 Water Rails on Turner’s Flash.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Martin Mere, on the Mere, 15.53, still showing at 6pm.
Early morning tetrading north of Rufford, highlights; 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 8 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 12 Skylark, 20 Linnet, 6 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 5 Tree Sparrow, 4 Nuthatch, 4 Grey Partridge, 4 Oystercatcher, 35 Lapwing, 18 Mistle Thrush, female Mandarin, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk.
Merseyside: 2 Roseate Terns at Seaforth LWT. Permit only: non permit holders view through Crosby Marina fence SJ319973.
Lancs: Pennington Flash ~ 1st summer Little Gull present this morning.
Wirral: NO SIGN of the Paddyfield Warbler Hilbre Island.
Gillars Green, St Helens, Friday: Spotted Flycatcher
Cheshire: 2 Spoonbills still Inner Marsh farm RSPB.
Hobby Knutsford flew over Parkgate ind Estate at 1.10pm.
Lancs: 2 Ospreys Leighton Moss RSPB from lower hide at midday only.
Lancs: GREAT WHITE EGRET still Leighton Moss RSPB.
Merseyside: Roseate Tern Still Seaforth LWT,Permit only, non permit holders view thru Crosby Marina fence SJ319973.
Lancs: Red Kite west of Lancaster flew East over salt Ayre tip at 10.30am.
Lancs: GREAT WHITE EGRET still Leighton Moss RSPB from Grisedale Hide at 10.45am.
AMERICAN WIGEON on Polly’s Pool this afternoon until at least 17.20 … 2 Little Stint from Nel’s. Roseate Tern at Seaforth. No sign of the Paddyfield Warbler on Hilbre.
Mike Stocker managed to nip down and bag the American Wigeon.
NO further sign of the drake American Wigeon last reported heading into channels north of Polly’s Pool at 7.45pm; Barn Owl Crossens Outer Marsh at 8.50pm.
Wirral: 12.21pm probable Paddyfield Warbler again Hilbre Island briefly. 13.30: PADDYFIELD WARBLER trapped. No access before 2.45pm due to high tide
2 Temminck’s Stints reported on Polly’s Pool at Marshside at 8.46am; no sign lunchtime but 2 Little Stints from Nel’s …
Seaforth: Roseate Tern seen at lunchtime.
PADDYFIELD WARBLER still at 8pm Tuesday on Hilbre, where f Eider, 2 Whimbrel, Fulmar ande Peregrine were seen in the afternoon too; Turnstone on Horrock’s Flash, Wigan; and Garganey at Pennington Flash. Wheatear nr the Sandplant at Marshside.
Also at Marshside today (7am-8am); two adult Peregrines sat on the beach, two Kestrels, 34 Linnets in scrub around the sandworks, 32 Redshanks mobbing a dog Fox on the saltmarsh.
Female Marsh Harrier on Crossens outer marsh.
Wirral: possible Paddyfield Wblr again Hilbre Island in lower trapping area paddock briefly this a’noon tho elusive +no sign between 4pm -8.30pm.
Martin Mere: American Wigeon again at 3.30pm today, from Harrier “Hide”; Roseate Tern at Seaforth. 5 Spoonbill at Inner Marsh Farm; Garganey and Osprey at Pennington Flash, with Osprey also seen over Wigan.
Merseyside: PALLID SWIFT again Crosby Marine Park.
hello all . two fem marsh harrier on altcar north and south of broad la . today 07 .06 .09.
No sign of American Wigeon on Sunday at Martin Mere, but a Green Sandpiper on the Mere was nice. 2 Curlew Sandpipers at Marshside still, from Nel’s.
RSPB Marshside; Drake Garganey, 1 Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 24 Dunlin all on Rimmer’s marsh from Nels hide.
Gtr.Man: 3.Black Terns still 5pm Pennington Flash Ctry Park from Horrocks’ Hide
Gtr.Man: Med Gull ad still 7.15pm Rumworth Lodge Resr in field.
Merseyside: PALLID SWIFT again Seaforth LWT at 8.pm over freshwater pool Permit only, non permit holders view thru Crosby Marina fence SJ319973.
Roseate Tern still 7.pm Seaforth LWT on causeway.
Gtr.Man: 7 Black Terns till 8.30pm only, Pennington Flash Ctry Park from Horrock’s Hide.
Gtr.Man: Hobby over Rindle Road (by fishing pond) heading east at 4.30pm.
Gtr.Man: Wigan Flashes ~ Osprey still present in the area and seen at approx. 2:35pm possibly heading towards Pearsons Flash.
Gtr Manchester: Pennington Flash~ 5-6 Black Terns from Horrock’s Hide at 9.45am, Drake Garganey still on Teal Scrape.
Merseyside: Roseate Tern still Seaforth LWT, Permit only, non permit holders view thru Crosby Marina fence SJ319973.
Lancs: White-fronted Goose Stocks Resr at 10.15am.
Martin Mere 5th June: Drake Garganey again in Langley’s brook. Green Sandpiper on the Mere, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 50 Black-tailed Godwits and at least 40 Avocets.
National News: Norfolk : BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE still 10.45am 1/2ml SW of Thornham, in fld SW of resr, off A149 1/2ml W.of Ringstead Rd jctn on minor rd S.for 2/3ml + view E.
Lancs: Martin Mere ~ American Wigeon drake on Langley’s Brook 11.30am from Ron Barker Hide tho elusive,+ Female Marsh Harrier.
Gtr Manchester: Pennington Flash~ 3 Black Terns still 2.55pm from Horrock’s Hide.
Record shots of Seaforth Roseate tern on my flickr page
Merseyside: PALLID SWIFT again Crosby Marine Park at 8.30am.
Merseyside: Roseate Tern Still Seaforth LWT,+ little tern.
wirral: Hilbe Island~ PADDYFIELD WARBLER trapped and ringed at 11.40am.
wirral: Hilbe Island~ NO further sign of the PADDYFIELD WARBLER by 3pm.
Cheshire: Red Kite over Burton Marsh at 10.45pm viewed distantly across Dee Estuary from Connah’s Quay NR.
Gtr Manchester: Pennington Flash~ Drake Garganey on Teal Scrape.+
Lesser Whitethroat,23 Black-tailed Godwits,Osprey flew west at 06:35am towards Lightshaw Hall Flash.
Gtr Manchester: Abram flashes~ Osprey circling low over Dover Basin at 11.15am. then drifted off in the direction of the Wigan Flashes, returned at 11.30am to Dover Basin and caught a fish.
meanwhile in Norfolk : BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE still 1/2ml SW of Thornham, in fld SW of resr, off A149 1/2ml W.of Ringstead Rd jctn on minor rd S.for 2/3ml + view E.
Cheshire: 2 Spoonbills still Inner Marsh farm RSPB.
Merseyside: Roseate Tern Still Seaforth LWT,
+2 Avocets. Little Tern on tuesday. Permit only, non permit holders view thru Crosby Marina fence SJ319973
Pennington Flash:Drake Garganey on Teal Scrape.
Grasshopper Warbler by the Plank Lane swing bridge.
Cheshire: Marsh Harrier fem inner marsh farm RSPB.
Merseyside: Roseate Tern Seaforth LWT, Permit only, non permit holders view thru Crosby Marina fence SJ319973 .
Scilly ~ EASTERN BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR 1s male still 6.15am St. Agnes at Little Porth Askin.
Lancs: Red Kite (winged-tagged) over wray at 11.56am.
Lancs: Martin Mere ~ American Wigeon drske briefly around midday on Langley’s Brook between Sunley’s and Vinson’s Marsh.
Lancs: Osprey yesterday North of Dunsop Bridge flew North over Dunsop valley at 10.10am.
Meanwhile in kent: ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE still 5.13pm Dungeness RSPB, at Hookers Pit from viewing platform but distant.
Norfolk: BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE still 1/2ml SW of Thornham, in fld SW of resr, off A149 1/2ml W.of Ringstead Rd jctn on minor rd S.for 2/3ml + view E.
Wirral: 3 Little Terns Red Rocks at high tide.
Marshside, Nel’s hide, 7am: Curlew Sandpiper & drake Garganey
Merseyside: PALLID SWIFT again Seaforth LWT over freshwater pool.
Meanwhile, on Scilly ~ EASTERN BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR male still 2.40pm St. Agnes at Little Porth Askin.
Merseyside: Black Redstart male singing Liverpool on top of Law Court Building.
Marshside RSPB: female Marsh Harrier hunting over Crossens Outer.
Lancs: male Quail, SE of Wray, singing at Goodber Common & audible distantly from foot path East from Stauvin Farm.
Merseyside: PALLID SWIFT still Seaforth LWT, over freshwater pool Permit only, non permit holders view thru Crosby Marina fence SJ319973.
Cheshire: Spotted Fly Marbury CP in Big Wood.
Brockholes Wetland LWT: Hobby + Garden Warbler Boilton Wood.
Nel’s hide, RSPB Marshside, 7a.m.
Two drake Garganey, one drake Pintail, one drake Teal. Five Dunlin, three Ringed Plover, 224 Black-tailed Godwits.
Merseyside: Drake Garganey at Seaforth LWT on freshwater pool at 7.30am. Cheshire: 2 Spoonbills at Inner Marsh Farm.
Lancs: Martin Mere Spoonbill ad still on Woodend Marsh from United Utilities Hide.
Lancs: 14 Crossbills yesterday flew NW over Tarnbrook Fell.
Cheshire: possible White-Tailed Eagle on thursday south of Ellesmere Port + just SE of Stanney by M56 Between J14+15 in morning.
Lancs: Martin Mere ~ Adult Spoonbill still from the United Utilities Hide. NO sign of yesterdays Drake American Wigeon. Marsh Harrier again this morning and a hunting Barn Owl at 9.30am.
Wirral: Estimated Total 6,500+ Painted Lady butterflies at Hilbre Island on Saturday 30/may + 1 Red-veined Darter – a first record for the island.+ 2 Four-Spotted Chasers on the 31/may.
Cheshire: Hobby lower Withington flew over Jodrell Bank at 1pm.
Merseyside, Just heard Si Jackson’s just had a Honey Buzzard going north over Formby, early afternoon.
Dorset: probable Eleonora’s Falcon pale morph Christchurch flew NE over garden in Avon Beach at 5pm.
lancs: Martin Mere ~ Drake American Wigeon still present (2.45pm) and a drake Garganey both viewable from the Ron Barker Hide at Millers Bridge. Late afternoon a Spoonbill dropped in (first of the year) viewable from the United Utilities Hide. Immature Marsh Harrier mid-afternoon appeared to be a new bird. Ringed Plover have hatched out chicks on the mere with 4 present late morning. Avocet pairs have been mating again, a precursor to nesting again.
Lancs: osprey still 5.10pm Leighton Moss from Grisedale hide.
Brockholes Wetland LWT ~ Ad Med Gull, Hobby mid afternoon + 18 Black-tailed Godwit on Main Pool, at 9:25am.
Phil Boardman had a Red Kite over Mere Sands Wood today at 5pm
Merseyside possible Temminck’s stint Marshside RSPB from Nels hide + 2 Garganey, female Marsh Harrier
Cheshire Red Kite SE of Crewe just NE of Weston over Meremoor Farm + showing well.
Lancs Garganey still Mythop on flood north of Mythop road 3mls East of Blackpool.
Cheshire report of 1s Laughing Gull yesterday on Pump House Pool, Moore, nr Warrington, was ERRONEOUS.
Merseyside the reported Temminck’s stint Marshside is a dunlin.
The Temminck’s Stint at Marshside proved to be A Dunlin – apologies to all.
Plenty of other stuff at Marshside this morning; male Garganey, male Pintail, 16 Gadwall, 85 Black-tailed Godwit, 34 Avocet, 1 Snipe, female Marsh Harrier over the saltmarsh, c.1500 Dunlin on the beach. Plenty of Painted ladies around.
Male Yellow Wagtail on corner of Tarlscough Lane and Curlew Lane at 7.30a.m.
Interesting update from Bob Foster re local Eiders; 24 adults on the shore of the Ribble from the NNR, also a brood of nine chicks there.
Many thanks Graham for giving us the heads up on the poss. T. Stint that was skulking at Marshside at 8.30am today: John Aitchison – a rally driver champ in birders’ clothing if ever there was one – & I whizzed over from Birkdale Dunes. It was clear that the bird had a such a prodigious proboscis that Barry suggested a degree of caution, although everything else initially visible suggested it was safe for Jason put it on here as “possible.” It was a good hour until it emerged from the obfuscatory tussocks so that the extent of the injury to its wing, and its true identity as a Dunlin in tatty non-breeding plumage, became apparent to all present – a sizeable number by this time. Still plenty to see at Marshside though as mentioned elsewhere, and great to see a council environment team doing a whole-hearted clean-up of the verges along Marine Drive today, too. Indeed, the place was fairly sparkling, and with the car-park full to overflowing this was an effective and determined show of concern for the well-being of the site!
Earlier at Birkdale dunes with John A, no sign of the Cuckoo he had there last night but a Sedge Warbler right by the coast road, a fine female Sparrowhawk over the dunes (maybe the same bird seen later in the sandplant at Marshside?), lots of Sandwich Tern on the beach. Later on with Bones, not a lot to report from the Crematorium woods other than Nuthatch; Red Partridge, and Corn Bunting on wires, at Wyke Rd / Pool Hey Lane junction.
Elsewhere, SPOONBILL at Martin Mere late pm to go with the American Wigeon (see Jason’s more detailed post); 18 Black-tailed Godwits at Brockholes, plus adult Mediterranean Gull & Hobby;
Merseyside: The escaped European Eagle Owl featured in the local press was located on Thursday, photographed in Kirkby town centre on roof tops near Somerfields at 7.30pm.
Drake American Wigeon still 11.45am Martin Mere WWT on the Mere on Langley’s Brook from Ron Barker Hide + drake Garganey.
Cheshire Common Crane SE of Crewe just NE of Weston over Meremoor Farm flew over A5020 towards A500 at 11.55am.
6 Spoonbills at Parkgate this morning; Hobby over Hilbre early morning; Hobby at Brockholes. No sign of the Woodchat Shrike at Abbeystead.
Martin Mere 2.20pm ~ drake American Wigeon still from Raines Hide, plus 2 Marsh Harriers.
Pennington Flash this evening: report of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was ERRONEOUS; but several Little Ringed Plover. 1s LAUGHING GULL reported as showing well at on Pump House Pool, Moore, nr Warrington, late on.
Hesketh out marsh 29/05/09, highlights – 80+ singing skylarks, 40+ avocets, 8 common terns, 3 ringed plover, 1 little ringed plover, 1 greenshank.
Crossens outer marsh 28/05/09 – male marsh harrier and raven