STEVE'S BIRDING

2011-07-04T21:45:00.000+01:00

The ghost of Arnfeild reservoir,

I was suprised how pale and grey the western bonellis warbler looked as it perched atop a birch tree for 20 seconds or so. It was very white below and pale grey on the mantle in the midday sun. It was heard to sing several times but proved very elusive this morning after our initial sighting. A nice tick for me after dipping on the W T robin.

A family party of siskins were bathing in the stream including this juv

2011-05-20T16:11:00.016+01:00

Spain, Donana
Day7 20th May 2011
My last day in Spain and today I was doing the big trip to the Jose Antonio Valverde centre. A 60 km distance from El Rocio that would take me about 2.5 hours on very bumpy, rough tracks. This journey would take me to the best area for bird watching in the whole of the Donana. Its birding all the way really but the centre with its massive flock of thousands of breeding glossy ibis,hundreds of flamingos,cattle egrets, little egrets, squacco herons, purple herons, night herons, spoonbills is a very impressive sight. Also the rare marbled duck was seen here,red knobbed coot, purple swamphen,gull billed tern, and whiskered tern.
The birds of prey included black and red kite, booted eagle, short toed eagle,osprey, griffon vulture, marsh and montagu's harrier and kestrel. A truly wonderful place.
A drive back to Portugal late afternoon and an overnight stay in Faro ready for my Saturday morning 8.45 flight back to Liverpool after an excellent birding adventure!
As the plane was ready for take off at the end of the runway I noticed several nesting little terns in the gravel beside the runway. Amazing!

Marbled duck

Short toed eagle

red knobbed coot

red kite

flamingo

purple heron

griffon vulture

little egret

cattle egret

spanish wagtail

2011-05-19T15:43:00.006+01:00

Spain

Day 6 19th May 2011

Today I visited an area called El Corredor Verde del guadiamar (the green corridor) that was created after a pollution diaster in 1998. Here I had Montagu's harrier booted eagle, osprey, kestrel, quail, turtle dove,Spanish wagtail, great crested grebe and nightingale.

A strange mammal about 18 inches long with a long thin tail with a bushy black end to it, and short legs, scurried across the road on the way home near Villamanrique. I did a quick sketch of it and later identified it with the help of the warden at the SEO hide in El Rocio as an egyptian mongoose.

Pale phase booted eagle

swallowtail

A remote-control black kite!

A black Kite picking food from the lake

night heron

osprey

Moorish gecko

2011-05-18T15:02:00.003+01:00

Spain
Day 5 18th May 2011

El Rocio is a strange place with no tarmac roads, just sand. Most buildings have a rail for tieing your horse to.The main street is dominated by a large white church dedicated to the virgin mary which overlooks a big lagoon. My first views of the lagoon produced 20 whiskered terns,3 flamingos, 10 black kites, singing great reed warblers everywhere and many spoonbills feeding in the shallow waters.
I then visited the nearby El arroya de la Rocina reserve which is one of only 2 permanent sources of fresh water in the nattional park.Some of the birds seen here were Marsh harrier,booted eagle, black shoulder kite, black kite, griffon vulture, common buzzard, tree sparrow, cuckoo, green woodpecker, nightingale, wren, blackcap,long tailed tit and spotted flycatcher. Night heron ,little egret grey heron and glossy ibis, red crested pochard.

griffon vultures

Booted eagle

Bath White

Large Psammodromus

Lots of nightingales but almost impossible to see never mind photograph.

A very big cricket/ grasshopper

spotless starling

2011-05-17T14:31:00.015+01:00

Portugal.

Day4 17th May 2011

Our last day in Portugal bird watching today. We left Tavira and headed towards Faro airport and then on to Quinto do Lago for some golf course birding. A hide that looks over a big reed fringed lake on the edge of an exculsive '150 euro a round' golf course gave good views of purple swamphen, little bittern, red crested pochard, pochard, gadwall and black headed weavers. The surrounding area had crested tit, nightingale, turtle dove, cettis warbler, hoopoe, marsh harrier and many azure winged magpie. A good variety of waders on the pools and salt pans also. A spectacled warbler in the scrub and an Iberian chiffchaff heard here but not seen .

We then headed into Faro for some lunch and a Macdonalds was my sons choice. We had a nice pair of melodious warblers in a flowering tree close to the harbour before I dropped my son off at the airport for his flight home and I then travelled on into Spain. I arrived at El Rocio in the Donana about 9pm after a 2.5 hour journey. During the journey I had 2 montagu's harriers beside the very quiet motorway, one of them flying down the hard shoulder towards me.This motorway must be the most 'beautiful' road in Spain as the central reservation is just mile after mile of pink flowering shrubs.

A real tangle of legs and toes as a couple of purple swamphens sort out a dispute

The introduced black headed weaver? was nesting in the reed beds.

A pair of Melodious warblers in Faro city centre

Spectacled warbler

2011-05-16T13:23:00.002+01:00

Portugal

Day 3 16th May 2011.

A trip along the empty motorway north was an easy drive to Castro Verde. We paid the exit toll and took the Beja road to visit the LPN reserve just north of Castro Verde. This place was recommended to us by an english guy we had met at Castro Marim who had said there was a visitor centre and the staff had made him very welcome and were very helpful only yesterday. We arrived but unfortunately the centre was closed so we parked in the car park and scanned the surrounding fields. Rollers were on the roof of the building, lesser kestrels floated around the purpose built tower, a little bustard was calling and showing, and 3 great bustards flew across a distant hillside. Caladra larks,skylarks and crested larks gave display flights while cattle egrets passed over. 2 montagu's harriers floated across the plains with red kite,several black kites,with many storks feeding in the fields.

We then took the N123 road to Mertola which is lined with stork nests with Spanish sparrows nesting in these nests. Also along this road we had red rumped swallow, southern grey and woodchat shrikes, crow and raven.

We had lunch here in a cafe near the Mertola castle. Here we had crag martin, lesser kestrels, many jackdaws, bee eaters, serins and nesting storks.

We then drove down the N122 and stopped at the many bridges that cross rivers which produced golden oriole, crag martins and more red rumped swallows. We called in at the village of Alcoutim which is on the river Guadiana and looks across to Spain. We then drove back to Tavira where we had dinner watching nesting Pallid swifts flying in and out of thier nest holes in the Palm trees here.

The plains of the southern Alentejo around Castro Verde are really beautiful with many wild flowers still in bloom in mid May and a real must visit place in Portugal.

A roller at the LPN reserve

A male lesser kestrel twisting and flicking its wings in display over the castle at Mertola

Hoopoes heard calling their names .

Calandra larks were singing and displaying today

Spanish sparrows nesting in nests of storks

distant great bustards

2011-05-15T20:30:00.003+01:00

Portugal,

Day 2, 15th May 2011

A visit to the Castro Marim area today. An excellent area of marshland with salt pans, pools, scrub and crop fields just north of Vila Real De Santo Antonio on the Spanish/Portuguese border and the River Guadiana. There is a huge visitors centre here but it is closed on Sunday so we did not get a chance to see inside and look closely at the large lagoon it overlooks.The first montagu's harrier of the trip was seen as we arrived on site quickly follwed by red rumped swallow, woodchat and southern grey shrike, hoopoe, bee eaters,pallid swift, zitting cisticola,serin, red legged partridge, azure winged magpie and common magpie and lots of corn buntings,
A good selection of waders were feeding on the saltpans with 3 collared pratincoles, 5 little stints, dunlin, 18 curlew sands with some in full summer plumage, ringed, little ringed and kentish plovers, black winged stilts, avocets,grey plover, a knot,common sandpiper and best of all a nice temmincks stint.
A montagu's harrier floated over the salt pans and flushed all the waders while little terns plunged in the pools feeding. A short toed eagle appeared above being mobbed by a buzzard with black kites nearby.
Red crested pochard, gadwall, mallard, coot and moorhen
An Iberian hare was in the car park as we pulled in and crested larks, zitting cisticolas and stonechat sang in the bushes and a snake of some sort scurried across the road as we drove off.

2011-05-14T17:02:00.020+01:00

Portugal and Spain

Portugal

Day 1 Saturday 14th May 2011

We arrived at Faro airport at 3 pm, picked up the hire car and we were off. My son Andrew and I were on a birding holiday for 4 days in Portugal and 3 days in Spains Donana. We were staying in a hotel in Tavira for 3 nights as a base to our bird watching in Portugal. We had Gosney's 'where to find birds in southern Portugal' and 'where to watch birds in Donana' by Moreno and Gutierrez as reference guides plus plenty of interenet research before we arrived.

On the way to the hotel we visited the Natural Park of Ria Formosa reserve which is signposted just as you leave Olhao heading towards Tavira on the N125.The park features a visitors centre and varied habitat with woodland, salt pans, pools, salt marsh, dunes and shore. White storks, bee eaters, azure winged magpies, woodchat shrike, spanish wagtail, crested lark, cuckoo, melodious warbler, sardinian warbler, spotless starling. Waders including kentish plover with young, bar tailed godwit, greenshank, grey plover,ringed plover ,lrp, black winged stilt, dunlin,and whimbrel. Yellow-legged gull, little tern and cormorant also. We then headed to the hotel Porta Nova in Tavira and after a quick shower we were watching pallid swifts,common swifts and house martins from the roof top bar before strolling into town for something to eat.

2011-05-06T05:30:00.004+01:00

Seaforth NR

I managed to catch the tail end of a good fall of birds at the reserve today. Still 5 yellow wags this evening with one of them being a nice male flava. 12 wheatears with only one male amongst the female greenlands and plenty of white wags still.20 swallows went through

2011-05-03T22:32:00.002+01:00

Seaforth NR,

3 Black terns provided some evening entertainment as they hawked insects very close to the hide. A little owl showed close by.

2011-05-01T19:38:00.035+01:00

Seaforth NR and a peek at Plex Moss,
The first day of May was bright and sunny with a strong easterly blowing. A female whinchat, my first swift of the year, 4 arctic terns, 62 sandwich terns, 200+ common terns, 2 little gulls, and a black swan. A corn bunting made a brave attempt to sing on the topmost branch in the hooley blowing across plex moss. No sign of any dotterel yet.

Beautiful little gulls but only 2 present today. Just looking back on this blog, on 19th April 2006 there was a count of 530 little gulls over crosby marina. A stunning sight to behold. http://stevesbirding.blogspot.com/2006/04/crosby-marina-beautiful-sunshiney-day.html

A very showy female whinchat

Nice streamers on this Arctic tern

2011-04-23T19:54:00.004+01:00

Plex moss and Marshside,

Checked out the mosses to see if any dotterel had dropped in but no sign of any today. They seem to be very early this year. Nice to see the grey partridge, corn bunts and yellowhammers showing well. On to marshside and a drake garganey was a smart bird from nels hide. Still 280 pinkfeet on the marsh today but no sign of the whitefront. Lots of sedgey's and reedy's singing even though it was very chilly and overcast today.

2011-04-22T19:13:00.002+01:00

Seaforth NR,

A great selection of birds on this Good Friday. A stonking male whinchat was on the long bank with the 20 wheatears and 30 alba wags,and a couple of yellow wags also added to the show. Still a flock of 2000 oystercatchers, always an impressive sight as they take flight. House martins were collecting mud from the pool to make their des res in the nearby suburbs. Lesser whitethroat, whitethroat, blackcap and willow warbler were on site. 4 little gulls were over the marina and 50 arctic terns flew in and out again. Common terns were up to 28 and 15 sandwich terns also

3 lrp's , a spangley female ruff, 2 common sandpipers, 12 whimbrel flew over, 3 knot, 2 turnstone and a few dunlin. A red admiral and brimstone today.

2011-04-10T13:20:00.001+01:00

Seaforth NR

The needle like bill and pale super of the spot red at Seaforth today

2011-04-07T15:47:00.004+01:00

Dwyran Anglesey N Wales

The first views of this bird were in flight as it came in and landed near the small pond . We then had excellent views of this adult purple heron as it fed along the edge of the pond. It was feeding well and caught at least 5 fish whilst we watched it. Viewed from the footpath which is about 200 metres away was plenty close enough with a bird this big.

Called it at Llanfairfechan on the way home. At least 25 red throated divers still, 5 gannets feeding close in and a dozen sandwich terns. Plenty of auks and great crested grebes also.

2011-04-03T22:04:00.003+01:00

Seaforth NR

After yesterdays lapland bunting I thought I would give hide C an hour first. After a heavy rain shower a lapland bunting appeared near the fence at 12.45. A few distant record shots and I alerted others but only Chris Gregson who was nearby managed to see it before it flew off high to the north as the sun came out. We initially assumed it was yesterdays bird but after reviewing photos of each lapland bunting it was clear that they were 2 different lapland buntings.

Another good bird today was a purple sandpiper on the causeway. 30 white wags,4 wheatears, 20 meadow pipits, 3 chiffchaffs and a willow warbler and a swallows and a few sand martins.

Todays bird

This bottom picture is Chris Gregson's Saturday lapland bunting

2011-04-02T21:20:00.002+01:00

Seaforth NR,

Good numbers of common migrants today with18 white wags,10 wheatears, 12 sand martins,1 swallow, chiffchaff and willow warbler. An adult yellow legged gull and 2 little gulls also. Missed the lapland bunting found earlier today found by Chris Gregson near hide C.

2011-03-30T20:23:00.005+01:00

Oriental Turtle dove, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

I had no intention of going for the oriental turtle dove. Didn't fancy queueing in a houseing estate and then having to go into somebodies home to maybe or maybe not catch a glimpse of this siberian dove. News yesterday that it had been seen again and the homeowner Steve was open for viewing I finally thought it was time to pay it a visit. We arrived at The Leys at 7.05am and a couple of minutes later the door opened and we were invited in with just 1 other birder by the the very hospitable Steve. At 7.10 I spotted the dove in the next door garden and it was soon on the bird table giving stonking views.We stayed until about 9.30am with the dove showing on and off during this time. Only 5 other birders arrived while we were there and when we departed the dove was still showing but nobody left to watch it. A nice cup of tea generously given by Steve made this a very pleasant and successful twitch. Our £5 donations were duly given with the total now over £3000, going to birdlife Malta.

It was overcast this morning so pics not as sharp as they could have been. In between the times the dove was not showing we had bramblings, bullfinches, reed buntings, goldfinches,greenfinches and jackdaws to entertain us. Great Stuff !

Looks like the bird has almost completed a full moult . A rather stocky dove, it looked bigger than the nearby collared doves but was much smaller than the local wood pigeons. The rather dark/dull breast, belly and undertail of orientalis is one of the features that seperate it from meena A very smart looking bird and I was glad I made the belated effort to see it.

Tail feather still growing

The grey tail tips of orientalis can be seen in this blurry flight shot

2011-03-29T19:11:00.001+01:00

Prescot Reservoirs

My first swallows of the year today with 6 going through and a couple of sand martins also. 3 lrp's, 2 ringed plovers,30 lapwing and 16 oystercatchers on the drained no4 res. 5 chiffchaffs, 4 reed buntings and just 1 meadow pipit left from yesterdays fall of 33 in the meadow. 2 shellduck, 36 tufties, 20 goldeneye and 2 great crested grebes on no3 with 4 buzzards displaying above. The Little ringed plovers would certainly breed here but unfortunately the reservoir is to be filled with water again next week.

2011-03-27T21:30:00.002+01:00

Seaforth NR

4 chiffchaffs,2 white wags and a pair of Scaup this pm

2011-03-26T19:56:00.044Z

Marshside and Banks marsh

The lesser scaup was still present on Junction pool with the tufties. A female Merlin shot across the salt marsh hunting meadow pipits. At Nels hide a flock of 300 golden plover, 200 black tailed godwits, 10 ruff, 12 avocets and several redshank and curlew. Pintail,wigeon,teal,gadwall and shellduck were displaying and looked fine in their breeding plumage.

A walk along the embankment to the pools by Banks produced 70 avocets, 2000 pinkfeet, a pale bellied brent goose and 2 barnacle geese. The bulk of the geese being very distant. A peregrine and a merlin were hunting the marsh sending swirling clouds of dunlin/knot into the sky.2 little egrets.

2011-03-25T16:51:00.003Z

Seaforth NR

An adult winter little gull was over the freshwater pool today and a little ringed plover was on the causeway. 2 white wags, a wheatear and a sand martin added to the migrants. A pair of scaup and the ring necked duck were still present and the rock pipit flew over the hide. A small flock of 12 turnstones also.

2011-03-24T08:02:00.002Z

Seaforth NR

A very nice drake ring necked duck was showing well today. It was found by Steve Young. A purple sheen to the head, a yellow eye and a banded bill make this an attractive duck. A long awaited first for Seaforth NR. A couple of wheatears, a white wag, a rock pipit, 20 goldeneye and a pair of scaup today also.

A Stunner

Is that a ring on its neck? A most inappropriate name for this duck.

Nice wing bar

A goldeneye displaying today

2011-03-20T22:20:00.000Z

A lesser, some greaters and a super

A lesser scaup at Marshside rspb today. Found by Pete K yesterday.

Lesser scaup showing small black nail on bill.

Looks good. Aged as a 2nd year/ 1st winter

6 greater scaup at Seaforth NR yesterday

A super moon on show last night.

2011-03-12T10:35:00.003Z

Richmond bank,

An excellent days gulling with 3 iceland gulls (2 juvs and a 2nd winter), 2 caspain gulls (1st winter and 2nd winter) and 4 yellow legged gulls (3 adults and a 1stw). The star of the show undoubtedly the 1st winter caspian gull that showed extremely well.

2011-03-10T21:58:00.001Z

Seaforth NR

This1st winter gull was certainly eye catching. Either just a very pale herring gull or maybe a glaucous x herring gull hybrid.

2011-03-10T21:32:00.003Z

Seaforth NR

A rock pipit was near hide A, 3 drake mergansers were displaying to a single female and this 2nd summer yellow legged gull was a smart bird.

2011-03-07T08:05:00.000Z

Prescot Reservoirs,

A beautiful pair of mediterranean gulls were displaying and calling on no4 res this morning. The male was rung with a red darvic ring P97. It was rung in Poland in 2003 but I have not recieved the full details from the ring co-ordinater yet. The Polish black headed gull that was seen in January was present today also. 5 dunlin, 14 shellduck and 5 pintail also today.

2011-03-03T22:29:00.003Z

North Wales

An early start at Worlds End to see the black grouse this morning. A bonus dartford warbler that had been found yesterday was seen briefly and was heard singing its scratchy song. A great grey shrike was on the other side of the valley and showed well but was a long way away. Several crossbills and siskins, a peregrine and a couple of ravens made this an excellent mornings birding.

We then gave Clocaenog a try for the goshawks and after a long wait a huge buzzard sized female drifted along the valley near the mast. No sign of the shrike here but good numbers of crossbill with a juv in amongst them plus a couple of ravens

2011-02-28T08:04:00.001Z

Prescot reservoirs,

February seems to be a good month for inland pintail. Pennington flash having 10 pintail on Saturday 26th and last year prescot res had a couple in February. Today the 28th Feb we have 5 on a partially drain reservoir, 3 drakes. A flock of 10 dunlin and adult yellow legged gull also today.

2011-02-24T22:05:00.000Z

A good day

Bonaparte's gull, Adult winter on the beach with a small flock of black headed gulls at Lligwy bay, Anglesey.

A juv glaucous gull seen well flying over the B5025 just north of the menai bridge.

3 Hawfinch seen around the church in Llanbedr y cennin

Waxwings in Prescot town centre near the Fusilier pub

2011-02-23T22:18:00.004Z

Ringing observations at Prescot

This waxwing was rung in Aberdeen on 19/11/10 and was then seen in Bootle on 20/1/11 and seen in Prescot the next day on the 21/1/11 Green/orange/green right leg and white on left leg

This Great black backed gull was rung 17/6/2006 in Norway, then recorded at Seaforth on 15/10/2008 and then recorded at Prescot res on 4/1/11

This black headed gull recorded at Prescot reservoirs on 11th Janurary 2011 and was originally rung at Przykona reservoir, Turek, Poland on 15 May 2010 as a 2nd cy female.

Several brambling over the winter at prescot this winter

A leucistic common gull in Janurary

2011-02-19T08:36:00.001Z

A neck rung Bewick swan on the outer dee marshes, North Wales

961A ( Neckband Yellow ) 16-12-2007 00:00 Klieverweg, Slootdorp NL 52.52.59 N 04.58.00 E F

Metal Ring NLA 9509412
Observations ! Date Sitename Region Country code Latitude Longitude Reported by

! 16-12-2007 00:00 Klieverweg, Slootdorp NHL NL 52.52.59 N 04.58.00 E Bethany Hoye

! 18-12-2007 00:00 Wieringerwerf, Robbenoordweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.52.42 N 05.02.15 E Otto de Vries

! 19-12-2007 00:00 Wieringerwerf, Robbenoordweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.52.42 N 05.02.15 E Wim Tijsen

! 20-12-2007 00:00 Wieringerwerf, Zeugweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.51.14 N 05.03.27 E Otto de Vries

! 22-12-2007 00:00 Wieringerwerf, Waterkaaptocht, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.51.50 N 05.02.53 E Otto de Vries

! 23-12-2007 00:00 Wieringerwerf, Noorderkwelweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.52.05 N 05.03.15 E Wim Tijsen

! 02-04-2008 00:00 Haeska, Matsalu Bay EST EST 58.46.40 N 23.42.59 E Trinus Haitjema & Rob Rieder

! 09-11-2008 00:00 Lauwersmeer, Achter de Zwarten GRN NL 53.23.23 N 06.11.34 E Wim Tijsen

! 13-11-2008 00:00 Wieringerwerf, Schervenweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.49.46 N 05.01.53 E Wim Tijsen

! 14-11-2008 00:00 Kreileroord, Zeugweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.51.11 N 05.04.55 E Wim Tijsen

! 16-11-2008 00:00 Kreileroord, Zeugweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.51.03 N 05.05.03 E Wim Tijsen

! 17-11-2008 00:00 Schellinkhout, NHL NL 52.37.19 N 05.07.17 E Leon Kelder

! 19-11-2008 00:00 Nij Altoenae FRS NL 53.10.28 N 05.23.34 E Willem van der Waal

! 19-11-2008 00:00 Nij Altoenae FRS NL 53.17.34 N 05.40.22 E Peter Matthijssen

! 24-11-2008 00:00 Wieringerwerf, Klieverweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.52.37 N 05.00.19 E Wim Tijsen

! 03-12-2008 00:00 Tzummarum FRS NL 53.14.00 N 05.33.07 E Bram de Smidt

! 10-12-2008 00:00 Stiens,Friesland FRS NL 53.15.26 N 05.47.56 E Anneke Zeinstra

! 12-02-2009 00:00 IJsselmeer near Workum FRS NL 52.58.00 N 05.24.29 E Jan Kramer

! 17-11-2009 00:00 Slootdorp, Klieverweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.52.48 N 05.00.09 E Wim Tijsen

! 20-11-2009 00:00 Wieringerwerf, Robbenoordweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.52.49 N 05.01.59 E Wim Tijsen

! 22-11-2009 00:00 Kreileroord, Oostermiddenmeerweg, Wieringermeer NHL NL 52.48.52 N 05.05.12 E Wim Tijsen

! 23-11-2009 00:00 Wieringerwerf/Kreileroord NHL NL 52.50.49 N 05.03.39 E Klaas de Jong

! 28-11-2009 00:00 Wieringermeer, Middenmeerweg NHL NL 52.48.30 N 05.03.09 E Peter de Vries

! 13-12-2009 00:00 Oosterterpweg, Wieringermeer, NH NHL NL 52.50.30 N 05.04.26 E Bob Woets

! 14-12-2009 00:00 Oosterringweg (NOP) FLV NL 52.46.10 N 05.46.42 E Peter de Vries

! 16-12-2009 00:00 Kuinderweg FLV NL 52.43.38 N 05.47.39 E Peter de Vries

! 19-12-2009 00:00 Abberton Reservoir MED GB 51.29.38 N 00.30.57 E Willem van der Waal

! 09-01-2010 00:00 Cock Fen Road, Upwell Fen-South, Lakes End NOR GB 52.33.01 N 00.15.18 E Wim Tijsen

! 10-01-2010 00:00 Welney, Cock Fen Road, Upwell Fen NOR GB 52.33.00 N 00.15.14 E Wim Tijsen

! 13-01-2010 00:00 Binnimoor Fen, March CAM GB 52.33.32 N 00.08.52 E Peter de Vries

! 11-02-2010 00:00 March Farmers, Nene Washes, Cambs WMI GB 52.35.15 N 01.58.55 W Peter de Vries

! 06-11-2010 00:00 Leinaküla, Pärnu County EST EST 58.13.45 N 24.31.58 E Aivo Klein, Leho Luigujõe, Ringing Center ESTONIA

! 20-11-2010 10:00 Dronten, Ellerweg FLV NL 52.29.10 N 05.47.52 E Hans Docter

! 24-11-2010 09:00 Dronten, ellerweg FLV NL 52.29.10 N 05.47.50 E Thijs de Boer

! 24-11-2010 10:00 Dronten, Ellerweg FLV NL 52.29.11 N 05.47.47 E Dico Tijsen

! 24-11-2010 10:30 Dronten - Ellerweg. FLV NL 52.29.10 N 05.47.51 E Martin Jansen

! 19-02-2011 00:00 Connah's Quay CLY GB 53.14.34 N 03.04.19 W Richard Smith

! 19-02-2011 15:00 Connahs quay CLY GB 53.14.10 N 03.04.05 W Steve Tomlinson

! 22-02-2011 00:00 Connah's Quay CLY GB 53.14.34 N 03.04.19 W Richard Smith

2010-12-31T20:01:00.000Z

Prescot reservoirs,

A dozen wigeon, 1 dunlin, adult yellow legged gull, a couple of woodcock and 2 bramblings today

2010-11-12T15:42:00.001Z

A couple of yankie vagrants today .

A pied billed grebe at Hollingworth lake in greater Manchester and the Ring billed gull at Prescot reservoirs.

2010-11-05T07:30:00.003Z

Prescot reservoirs, The ring billed gull and an adult yellow legged gull today.

2010-09-22T17:37:00.001+01:00

Prescot reservoirs

An adult ring billed gull briefly this morning. Still growing outer primaries.

2010-09-15T17:06:00.015+01:00

Lots of leach's petrels today.

2010-09-01T21:14:00.001+01:00

Prescot res,
Adult black necked grebe,fem redstart, 2 chiffchaff, green sandpiper, common sandpiper,snipe, greenland wheatear, peregrine,58 barnacles, red breasted goose and 2 pochard

2010-08-31T22:05:00.001+01:00

A red kite at Seaforth today, Nicely picked up by Pete about a mile away over Crosby it drifted south over the eastern edge of the reserve.

2010-08-19T07:07:00.000+01:00

A sparrowhawk causing havoc at seaforth today

2010-08-02T14:51:00.002+01:00

Inner Marsh Farm RSPB
Another yellow legged wading beauty in the shape of a lesser yellowlegs Tringa flavipes was the main attraction today. A very fine bill and long yellow legs made this a rather delicate looking American wader. A greenshank and 3 ruff kept it company on the pool in front of the hide. It was initially on no1 pool showing about half a mile away. A hobby gave good views over the pools also.

2010-07-28T22:13:00.004+01:00

The Gower
A short family holiday on 'The Gower' South Wales produced some interesting species. On the birding front 3 chough and a goshawk were nice birds and 3 red kites were seen from the car on the way home.

A small blue butterfly

A brown argus on evening primrose

A 3ft long grass snake was a nice suprise. My wife screaming SNAKE alerted me to its presence.

A tortoise shield bug Eurygaster testudinaria final instar

2010-06-16T17:52:00.001+01:00

Prescot reservoirs

2010-06-02T08:36:00.002+01:00

Prescot reservoirs,
Some newly hatched ducklings today. The gadwalls had eight and the shellducks seven.The shellducks always struggle to get any ducklings through to adults so hopefully this year will be better. A lapwing was still on eggs in the meadow and a couple of pair of swallows are still nest building. The buzzards now have chicks and the 5 pied wag fledglings are doing well. The Lrp's are still hanging around but no sign of breeding yet.
2 male broad bodied chasers on the pond today.

A big bird in the sky today

The A300-600ST Super Transporter was designed to replace Airbus Industrie's Super Guppy transports, used by the consortium to ferry oversize components such as wings and fuselage sections between Airbus' partners' plants throughout western Europe.

2010-05-31T18:47:00.008+01:00

Seaforth NR,

2 Artic terns, 2 sandwich terns and 500 common terns today.

A flyover by a Spitfire in honour of TC's birthday was great to see!! Tally ho

2010-05-29T18:18:00.007+01:00

Port police leaving after checking permits today.

A dark billed common tern

Seaforth NR

With a clear sky last night and with the white-tailed lapwing feeding eagerly yesterday it was no surprise that it had departed after a 2 day stay . TC had already put the negative news out but there was still a couple of hardy souls viewing from the fence in the pouring rain.

A little owl was on the mound and a whitethroat sang in the pouring rain as I came down to the hide. 22 dunlin,43 bar tailed godwits, 5 knot and 2 turnstone were present and 2 sandwich terns were among the common terns. An dark billed common tern was interesting. A peregrine over also.

A visit from the port police to check out all the birders present had permits was a sign that they were determined not to allow birders without permits on to the dock complex. Permission was sought but flatly denied by the authorities.

2010-05-27T20:42:00.009+01:00

Seaforth NR,
Another absolutely stunning bird in the shape of a WHITE-TAILED LAPWING today. Only the 6th UK record of this Asian wader. Eye popping views of it, as it showed down to 10 metres on the scrape next to hide A. It had flown off over the fence before I arrived but luckily it returned. What an excellent purple patch Seaforth is having at the moment. Long may it continue.
I managed to see the Leighton Moss bird a couple of years ago but only very distantly so this bird was a real treat.

2010-05-27T16:27:00.000+01:00

White-tailed lapwing 'The movie'

2010-05-25T07:53:00.001+01:00

Leasowe, Wirral, Merseyside,
A female bluethroat was playing hard to get this evening and I only managed a couple of brief views of it. It was in a ditch under a small wooden bridge near the pond. My 2nd Merseyside bluethroat after seeing the beautiful male on hilbre a few years ago.

2010-05-23T17:59:00.010+01:00

Seaforth n.r.

A stunning female wilsons phalarope showed very well today in the morning sunshine. A black tern hunted insects over the pool and landed briefly in front of the hide. An adult little gull and 1st summer med gull also.

2010-05-04T19:56:00.007+01:00

Richmond bank,
The 3rd cal year iceland gull was on the bank this morning. 3 Reed warblers were singing in various reed beds and a lesser whitethroat was singing nearby.

A reed warbler

2010-05-03T19:08:00.003+01:00

House hunting blue tit,

2010-05-03T18:18:00.007+01:00

Prescot reservoirs,
A greenshank was an excellent bird for the reservoirs today. This less than annual migrant at the res was on the causeway this morning which was in itself unusual as they are usually flyovers. 2 little ringed plovers, 2 common sandpipers, 3 oystercatcher and a few lapwings also. 100 swifts,1 sand martin,20 house martins and 20 swallows were in the air with at least 7 buzzards.
The good numbers of swifts today proved to be an enjoyable challenge to photograph.

2010-05-02T18:24:00.010+01:00

Marshside RSPB and Plex moss,

No sign of the summer plumaged long billed dowitcher from yesterday but a little compensation when I found a wood sandpiper on pollys pool. I started at Nels hide but hardly any waders here with just a dunlin and a few redshank. The usual avocets were around sandgrouders hide and redshanks were displaying overhead quivering their wings and calling excitedly. Big flocks of waders out on the edge of the salt marsh put on a show of swirling clouds of birds. At pollys pool a small flock of dunlin held 2 curlew sandpipers. About 40 black tailed godwits were feeding here but no sign of the dowitcher. I then spotted a small dark wader in one of the channels leading off from the pool. The yellowish legs,long white supercillium and spangled mantle confirmed this as a wood sandpiper.

On the way home I checked out plex moss for dotterel but no sign of any today. 4 whimbrel, 5 wheatears and 1 whinchat showed as I made my way across the moss.

2010-05-01T17:56:00.006+01:00

Carr mill dam

A couple of common tern were over the dam today with 20 great crested grebes . A walk in the surrounding woodland produced plenty of blackcaps,chiffchaffs and willow warblers. A yellow hammer and a couple of tree sparrows also.

2010-04-27T18:29:00.007+01:00

Seaforth nr,

5 Little gulls , 4 adults and a 1st summer showed well with a 1st summer med gull today. 200+ common terns with a couple of artics and 20 sandwich terns.

A 1st summer curlew sandpiper was on the causeway with 20 dunlin, 2 knot, 1 lrp and 4 turnstones.

A reed warbler in the reed bed, 2 wheatears and 15 white wags also.

2010-04-26T18:11:00.003+01:00

Richmond bank,

A greenshank, 4 whimbrel and 4 common sandpipers today on the Mersey.
The warblers were very abundant in the area with 4 grasshopper warblers, 9 whitethroats, 1 lesser whitethroat heard singing, 3 sedge warblers, 2 blackcap, 1 chiffchaff and 5 willow warblers.

A male stonechat and 10 swallows also.

Still about 2000 gulls in the area but nothing in them today

2010-04-25T17:32:00.002+01:00

Leasowe, Wirral

There was no sign of the reported red rumped swallow in the horse paddocks west of the lighthouse. We gave the area a good search but only a peregrine, 10 swallows, 4 wheatears and 5 white wags.There had been no sign since the initial sighting. A male redstart, male ring ousel and female yellow wagtail were in the horse paddock at the start of Lingham Lane and a lesser whitethroat sang further up the lane.

2010-04-24T17:28:00.006+01:00

Seaforth Nr,

It was nice to see 14 little gulls today. My first of the year. A yellow wag went over , 1 whimbrel, 5 wheatears, 3 common sand, 4 sandwich terns with 50 common terns and a willow warbler whilst I was there.

I tried Plex moss to see if any dotterel had dropped in but 2 wheatears were the best of it.

2010-04-22T17:55:00.003+01:00

An adult common crane. Acrylic on paper14" x 11"

2010-04-21T17:29:00.015+01:00

Hesketh Out Marsh, Lancashire,

The common crane that was found yesterday afternoon was out of view when I arrived. In a ditch about half a mile away I was told from the handful of birders present but no problem because about 2 minutes later 2 loud bangs sounded and the crane took up with the shellduck. It slowly gained height and flew off high to the north.So that was that , only just made it by a few minutes and Tony C cutting it even finer who arrived about 30 seconds before it flew off. The loud bangs are apparently a bird scarer emanating from the Warton air base were they test the euro fighter . So not the best views of this 1st summer common crane but I was really pleased to have connected with this Lancashire rarity.

I then moved on to Seaforth but none of the hoped for little gulls on show today in a cold northwesterly.A very interesting adult herring gull with bright yellow legs was on the long bank probably of the type 'omissus' which breed in the Baltic region.

7 whimbrel flew in, a few white wags and a little owl showed well in the short time I was there.

2010-04-20T21:39:00.007+01:00

Pres res

White wagtail male

white wagtail 1st summer female

50 sand martins today with 2 swifts 1 house martin and a handfull of swallows

2 little ring plovers today

2 common sands today

2010-04-19T18:57:00.003+01:00

Richmond bank,
The large 3rd cal year iceland gull was on the bank this morning with about a 1000 gulls in the roost, which were mainly lesser black backs. A female marsh harrier was seen distantly over the Mersey and the local crows gave it a good mobbing before it then drifted off south towards Moore. Lots of swallows today hawking insects over the canal and pond. A grasshopper warbler was seen briefly and a blackcap was singing with willow warbler, chiffchaff and a single whitethroat.
A whimbrel flew over calling.

2010-04-18T19:31:00.005+01:00

The bullfinch is a real beauty and always a pleasure to see. A shy species but they usually give themselves away with their distinctive calls.
Acrylic on paper

2010-04-18T19:10:00.008+01:00

Burrows Lane, Prescot.

A very nice male ring ousel was in a field near the cricket club today. A great find by chris D this afternoon and just rewards for the effort he puts in locally. The resident blackbirds didn't seem too impressed but this big male wasn't going to be intimidated. It was only just over the fence from Prescot reservoirs and there seems to have been a good fall of ousels across the country today.

2010-04-15T16:37:00.003+01:00

Seaforth NR,
A pair of bearded tits were in the small reed bed on the reserve today. Found by Tony C these were the first record of this species at seaforth. They were extremely elusive but occasionally gave themselves up as they moved between reed beds.

Common gulls copied from a painting by Lars Jonsson

2010-04-09T08:07:00.000+01:00

Prescot res,

5 singing willow warblers in the warm sunshine gave today a real summery feel .The 13 goldeneye were displaying and getting excited. The tufted duck are now down to just 9 and 3 great crested grebes were looking spendid in their plumes.

Richmond bank,

A reeling gropper was in a tangle of brambles and was accompanied by singing chiffchaff and willow warbler. A pair of great crested grebes were displaying on the Mersey and 3 gadwalls were nearby. 4 buzzards kept the gulls on their toes and the juv glaucous gull was present again.

Lots of peacock butterflies out today and a lovely yellow brimstone fluttered past.

2010-04-07T08:36:00.016+01:00

A few pics from recent weeks

4th cal year herring gull

3rd cal year herring gull

2nd cal year herring gull

2010-04-06T20:18:00.011+01:00

Richmond bank,

3000 gulls present on the bank today with about 90% of them being lesser black backs. A juv glaucous gull was present this morning and an adult yellow legged gull was in amongst the lbb gulls.

A couple of swallows and 5 sand martins shot through.

At hale marsh 5 white wagtails with 30 meadow pipits. A swallow and 3 sand martins also.

2010-03-25T08:11:00.031Z

Richmond bank

A 2nd summer

2010-03-25T07:19:00.010Z

Richmond bank,

Not your average iceland gull. Its bill is actually longer than the 2 young herring gulls behind it although the bill is slightly slimmer. It does not seem to have the gentle face of an iceland gull either but its probably just a big iceland gull with a long bill looking a bit grumpy.

2010-03-23T07:43:00.001Z

Richmond Bank,
My first chiffchaff of the spring was in the alders on the path to the bank today.A sunny start but it soon became overcast which is ideal. No big numbers of gulls today and they were very flighty with the local buzzards harassing them. A beautiful 2nd winter glaucous gull was seen briefly on the sandbank. A frosty looking bird with some grey feathers on the mantle and coverts. There has previously been a couple of reports this winter of a 2nd winter glaucous gull so it was nice to finally see it.
A 1st w 'caspian like' gull was sat on the sand most of the time I watched it and when it did get up it had an injury to its leg and was limping badly.I initially thought this was a caspian gull but now I think this is a herring gull. Lots of pale 1stw herring gulls about at the moment doing a good job imitating caspian gulls.
A 1stw,2ndw, 3rdw and 2 adult yellow legged gulls today.

adult yellow legged gull

A very strange bill on this young gull.

2010-03-20T15:29:00.001Z

Richmond bank,

A very wet morning but there was still plenty to see at the bank today. A male wheatear was still on the path and a stonechat was in the scrub. A juv glaucous gull today was a different bird from the glaucous gull I had last Wednesday and on several previous occasions. Todays bird was larger, bigger billed , and a darker colour than the recent glaucous gull. After I had left the 2 Glaucs were seen on the bank at the same time. An adult and 2 1sts yellow legged gulls today also.

Todays glaucous gull

Todays Glaucous gull

Wednesdays Glaucous gull

1sts yl gull

1sts ylgull
2nd summer Argentatus herring gull

2010-03-20T15:22:00.006Z

Cronton,Knowsley.

I was driving along Cronton Rd when I noticed a very pale raptor perched in a dead tree. So with a handbrake turn ,I turned the van around with thoughts of osprey or rough legged buzzard flying around my head. I managed to get some photos of a very pale buzzard sp. but no feathers on the tarsi and no dark terminal tail band confirmed it as a common buzzard. A strikingly white underwing, white streaks on the coverts and mantle, and a partial white head make this a very beautiful bird.

2010-03-19T19:55:00.011Z

1stw common gull

Richmond bank,

3 very smart male wheatears greeted me on the path to the bank this warm overcast afternoon. I watched these chats as they fed actively, hungry no doubt from the epic journey they had just undertaken. Just lovely bold birds and great to see them back. 2 male stonechats were in the scrub nearby and 3 sand martins flew through also. The regular juv glaucous gull was seen in flight today. A crow with white primaries and some white coverts was with the local corvid flock.

adult lesser black backs

2010-03-18T19:15:00.003Z

Prescot reservoirs

The first true migrants in the shape of 3 sand martins were over no 4 res today. 6 snipe were still about and a pair of stonechats in the ranch were new in. An adult yellow legged gull was amongst the lesser black backed gulls. 17 oystercatchers and a handful of lappies were on the causeway. 12 goldeneye, a pair of gadwalls, a pair of shellduck,10 tufties and 4 great crested grebes also.

2010-03-17T17:02:00.022Z

Richmond bank,

A mistle thrush was in full song as I arrived at the bank today and a smart male stonechat perched on a small hawthorn was a new arrival. My luck was in this morning and after only 10 minutes scanning through the gulls I had bagged a juv glaucous gull and a beautiful 1stw winter caspian gull. The low sun made viewing difficult early on but the clouds soon crept in to take away the glare.

The 1st winter caspian gull was seen throughout the morning on 3 different occasions, right up to when the tide covered the bank at 12. 30pm . It was an aggressive individual and was seen attacking nearby gulls with its wings raised in the classic albatross posture. It was also seen long calling but I could not hear it as it was distant and very breezy. A white underwing was seen as it raised its wings. This is obviously a different bird from the one Gavin had on Saturday as it has no ring on its leg.

The juv Glaucous gull was only seen briefly before it flew across the river towards the tip. 2 1stw yellow legged gulls also today.

1st winter caspian gull into the sun

1st winter caspian gull

A rather small elegant 1st winter lesser black backed gull was interesting. A huge 1st winter herring gull eyes it up.

juv glaucous gull

Caspian gull the movie

2010-03-16T07:33:00.000Z

Richmond bank,

The history of an adult lesser black backed gull seen on 27 feb at richmond bank with a red darvic ring 6hf

Recapture History
Ring Age/ Capture
number Type Date Init Details
Lesser Black-backed Gull
FP63556 N 1 27/06/02 FLAT HOLM ISLAND, Cardiff
S 2 Sighted (R) 30/09/04 JDS GLOUCESTER LAND FILL SITE, Gloucestershire (79 km, NE, 2 yrs
95days)
S 2 Sighted (R) 28/04/05 JDS GLOUCESTER LAND FILL SITE, Gloucestershire (79 km, NE, 2 yrs
305days)
S 2 Sighted (R) 30/08/05 JDS GLOUCESTER LAND FILL SITE, Gloucestershire (79 km, NE, 3 yrs
64days)
S 2 Sighted (R) 05/09/05 JDS GLOUCESTER LAND FILL SITE, Gloucestershire (79 km, NE, 3 yrs
70days)
S 2 Sighted (R) 16/10/05 RC CANNOCK, Staffordshire (163 km, NNE, 3 yrs 111days)
S 2 Sighted (NR) 07/11/05 AD FRANKLEY RES WEST MID, Worcestershire (140 km, NNE, 3 yrs
133days)
S 2 Sighted (NR) 09/11/05 AD FRANKLEY RES WEST MID, Worcestershire (140 km, NNE, 3 yrs
135days)
S 2 Sighted (R) 15/11/05 JDS STOKE ORCHARD LANDFILL, Gloucestershire (94 km, NE, 3 yrs
141days)
S 2 Sighted (R) 17/11/05 PR STOKE ORCHARD LANDFILL, Gloucestershire (94 km, NE, 3 yrs
143days)
S 2 Sighted (NR) 01/03/10 TV WARRINGTON, Cheshire (229 km, N, 7 yrs 247days)
Page

2010-03-13T11:52:00.000Z

Richmond bank,

A beautiful 1stw caspian gull was found by GT today and amazingly it was a colour ringed bird with a yellow darvic ring. What wasn't amazing was that he found it an hour after I had left for home....OUCH! Well done Gavin on this excellent find.
Earlier in the day 3 adult and a 1stw yellow legged gull plus an adult med.
A pair of grey partridge were flushed and long tailed tits were nest building in the brambles.

A 1stw yellow legged gull

An adult yellow legged gull

A dark eyed argentatus herring gull

2010-03-10T21:29:00.017Z

Richmond bank,
A beautiful pair of Med gulls in full summer plumage, displaying and calling on richmond bank was a sure sign of spring on this mild afternoon. No white wingers today. An interesting 1st winter/2nd cal year gull showed well.
3 adult yellow legged gulls also.

Some inner coverts have been replaced on this 1st winter gull.

Dark tail band just visible as it took flight

An unusual stance from this great black backed gull.

2010-03-06T18:45:00.005Z

Richmond bank,

A nice juv glaucous gull this morning. They have been extremely scarce this winter but there was one at Sandbach flashes earlier in the week so possibly this bird moving north. 3 adult and a 1stw yellow legged gull also.

2010-03-04T20:46:00.005Z

Seaforth NR,
A nice couple of med gulls today. An adult flew in just as I was leaving and a beautiful 2nd winter (below) was on the causeway. A pair of scaup were close to the hide and good numbers of goldeneye on the reserve also.

2010-03-02T19:36:00.002Z

Birchwood pool, Moore nr,
The most numerous gulls today were lesser black backs although there were not that many gulls using the pool today. An adult med and 2 adult yellow legged gulls today.

2nd winter lesser black backed gull

lesser black backed gull

lesser black backed

3rd winter greater black backed gull.

yellow legged gull with herring and lesser

juv greater black backed gull

3rd winter/4th cal year herring gull

adult med gull

2nd winter herring gulls .

2010-02-27T20:44:00.016Z

Richmond Bank,

Gull numbers seem to have dropped in the area. No white wingers today . 4 adult and and 2 1stw yellow legged gulls also.

Edit: If this caspian like gull is a 2nd winter gull then it may well be a caspian gull but if it is a 3rd winter then it probably is not. The small white spot on the primaries may suggest this bird is a 3rd winter bird. It would have been nice to have managed better images and views of this interesting bird.

Gull frighteners

Gull frighteners

A nice Argentatus herring gull. Very few of these in the area at the moment

2010-02-21T19:46:00.008Z

Prescot Reservoir,
Managed to catch up with the adult ring billed gull today. Bill C found this bird on Thursday. It was only present for 5 mins today but luckily it flew off in my direction so was able to get some decent pics. It maybe the same bird that was present at the reservoirs during Sept,Oct,Nov and last seen on the 26th Nov in 2009. The ring billed gull that has been present at Seaforth NR the last couple of months has not been seen recently so again possibly the same bird having moved back to the Prescot reservoirs area.

2010-02-20T19:19:00.002Z

Arpley landfill site.

An organised visit today onto the tip was a frosty start but the morning sun soon warmed things up. It was nice to see some friends I have not seen for a while and it was nice to see a juv iceland gull that showed well on the tip pool.This bird was present on Richmond bank on last Wednesday. A 2nd winter iceland gull visited the Birchwood pool also seen by Pete. During the morning 6 adult yellow legged gulls and 3 adult med gulls was an excellent showing. One of the adult meds had an almost complete black hood.

A frosty juv iceland gull on a frosty morning

An argentatus herring gull

An argie

Adult yellow legged gull

something gone down the wrong way......

2010-02-17T10:00:00.012Z

Richmond bank,
A very noticeable increase in lesser black backed gulls today with their distinctive calls filling the 'Mersey valley'. It sounds lovely but your actually standing on a landfill site looking at another landfill site. Nice. 3 adult and a 1stw yellow legged gull were amongst the lessers. A 1stw caspian gull was on the bank late afternoon but best bird was a beautifull 1stw iceland gull. The first 1stw iceland gull for me this winter was very nice. Quite a large, stocky, nicely marked individual with a mostly dark bill.
2 buzzards,1 raven, 15 shellduck ,30 redshank 2 bullfinch and 1 reed bunting also

An adult yellow legged gull with a open wing shot of an adult argenteus herring gull showing a dark band to p5

2010-02-15T19:25:00.008Z

Just some various images from the last couple of months.

Shoveller in the afternoon sun

A very boldly marked 2ndw herring gull

A dark 1stw 'argie'

A big pale headed dark 'argie'

Very limited black on this argentatus herring gull wing tip.

'The gull frightener'

2010-02-09T19:16:00.008Z

Richmond bank.
A 2nd winter iceland gull today. Probably the same bird I saw at birchwood pool on the 2nd Jan.

2010-01-29T11:14:00.027Z

Richmond bank,

A day of not quite getting the images you want.

1stw

1stw

Adult/4thw Possibly some dark marks showing on the primary coverts

blurry pic showing full dark sub terminal band on p5

This gull was a long way off and bathing . The coverts show 2 pale horizontal lines formed by the pale tips of the greater and median coverts and white tips to the dark brown tertials

2010-01-24T10:55:00.015Z

Prescot reservoirs,

The gull numbers have really dropped down with weather becoming a little warmer of late. Probably a couple of hundred herring gulls on this grey rainy day. A huge argentatus herring gull was interesting . The mantle colour was obviously darker than the nearby argenteus and had a complete sub terminal band on p5 which possibly makes this an argentatus from northern baltic/southern finland area. According to 'Gulls' Olsen and Larsson state this population has more black on p5 covering both webs in 30% of population. This bird has pale eyes although they do look dark in the photos.

Sub terminal band on both webs of p5

A huge bird compared to nearby herrings. Look at the size of the head.

2010-01-17T19:43:00.001Z

Prescot reservoirs,
A 1stw and an adult yellow legged gull today. 35 Great black backed gulls was an excellent count for the res.
A huge flock of pinkfeet lifted off the distant mooslands and filled the horizon and several skeins flew over the res . A dunlin was on no4 reservoir and 3 skylark over..

2010-01-16T19:20:00.004Z

Prescot Reservoirs,
The run of rare gulls continued with this 1st winter caspian gull at the reservoirs today . It showed briefly around midday and after some checking of the photos at home I was able to confirm it as a 1st w caspian gull. Several yellow legged gulls also today with 2 adults , a 2nd winter and a 1st winter was a good total among the couple of thousand herrings throughout the morning.
A female goosander, 3 goldeneye, 3 pochard, 5 teal and 10 tufted duck on the still partially frozen reservoir.

1stw casp

1stw casp

2010-01-14T19:51:00.006Z

Prescot reservoirs,

A real rarity at the reservoirs is Glaucous gull and a juvenile today was the first for over 13 years. Glaucous gulls have been pretty scarce in the NW this winter and this bird was my first this winter. A nice addition to the ring billed and caspian gulls this winter at the res.

An adult med also today and BH reports a crossbill over this morning.

2010-01-13T08:47:00.003Z

Ringing update,
I have just received a reply about the ringed common gull at prescot reservoirs seen on 5th Jan 2010.
It was rung on 10th july 2006 on the island of Amrum just off the north sea coast of Germany. It was then recorded each summer in 2007, 2008 and 2009 at Amrum and then finally by me at Prescot reservoirs in Jan 2010

Rung 10.7.06 at Amrum Germany
recorded 2.6.07 at Amrum Germany
recorded 6.6.08 at Amrum Germany
recorded 19. 5. 09 at Amrum Germany
recorded 5 .1.10 at Prescot reservoirs, UK

2010-01-09T08:27:00.002Z

Seaforth NR
Nipped down to have a look at the adult ring billed gull this afternoon. Showed well with 3 adult meds. A few fieldfare and redwings on the reserve also.

2010-01-05T20:08:00.009Z

Prescot reservoirs,
8 inches of snow and the reservoir 80% frozen
A couple of common gulls of interest today.
A red darvic ring with white letter and numbers A325 was on an adult common gull. It was ringed in Germany between 2005 and 2007. I have sent the details to the ringer so hopefully he will get back with more info.
A leucistic 1st winter common gull looked very wintery in the blizzard conditions .
Also adult med gull, 2 adult yellow legged gull, 3 goldeneye, 20 tufted duck,2 pochard , 10 little grebe and 2 snipe . BH reports 7 golden plover earlier.

Two very different 1stw common gulls

2010-01-02T16:00:00.008Z

Moore NR,

A 2nd w iceland gull, 3 adult and 2 1stw yellow legged gulls, and an adult med gull today on Birchwood pool which was 90% frozen.

2nd w iceland gull

adult yellow legged gull

1st w yellow legged gull

1stw yellow legged gull

1st w yellow legged gull

A very caspian-like herring gull.

2009-12-31T15:49:00.000Z

Barrow Lodge, Lancashire.

A 1st winter velvet scoter was showing well. It enjoyed munching freshwater muscles. A kingfisher also today.