Pevensey - 21st December

The recent reports of a Shore Lark at Pevensey in East Sussex were too good to resist given the proximity to Bexhill. The guidance given on various websites meant that it was fairly easy to find the location and the addition of half a dozen additional local birders made it easier to track down the bird which was seen within a ca. 1Km stretch of the beach. Eventually it settled near the Martello Tower and whilst feeding allowed very close views down to 10 metres. Close inspection showed that the 'horns' were just about visible. Another great day and another first.

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Sovereign Harbour - 20th December

Sovereign Harbour near Eastbourne has a reputation for attracting unusual sea ducks and auks during the winter months. Last winter a Velvet Scoter stayed for several months feeding off the crabs which seem to be plentiful in both the inner and outer harbours. This year a Great Northern Diver had been present for several weeks in the outer harbour and when I arrived it swam close to the edge and fished for crabs. In the inner harbour there were also a pair of Guillemots who have an amazing ability to swim large distances underwater. I returned a couple of days later and also found a Razorbill in the inner harbour.

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Guillemot

Pair of Guillemots

Guillemot

Razorbill

Neston Marsh - 12th December

I decided to have another go at photographing the Short-eared Owls at Neston Marsh by walking out onto the marsh itself. Having arrived at ca. 1.00 p.m. the first SEO appeared within 30 minutes, initially at some distance but slowly coming closer. Later a second and then a third bird appeared and eventually they came within distance allowing some reasonable photos. By 3.00 p.m. the light was beginning to fade a little although the owls continued to hunt for prey despite being mobbed by Carrion Crows.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Earlier in the day I stopped off at Puddington Lane where there was a mixed flock of mainly Little Egret together with 2 Cattle Egret and 1 Great Egret.

Little Egrets with 2 Cattle Egrets

Great, Cattle and Little Egret in Flight

Great Egret

Burton Mere & Neston Marsh - 5th December

A first visit of the winter to Burton Mere RSPB where a Great Egret was feeding close to the visitor centre offering excelling views. Also present were some Little Egrets, Black-tailed Godwits, Teal and Shoveler together with flocks of Pink-Footed Geese in the distance. Later I moved on to Neston Marsh where a Short-eared Owl appeared at around 2.00 p.m. but did not really come close enough for photography.

Great Egret

Little Egret

Long-tailed Tit

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Southport & RSPB Marshside - 25 November

I had always wanted to visit RSPB Marshside which is a few miles up the Sefton Coast from Ainsdale near Birkdale. It also provided a good opportunity to try to see some of the winter birds of the saltmarsh at Southport which is where I started the day having arrived just after 9.00 a.m. The temperature was just above zero with clear blue skies so perfect for birdwatching. Within about 30 minutes I located the flock of 5 Snow Buntings which had been reported recently, including 1 male. They were very approachable and could be observed down to 10m. I then walked up the coast to RSPB Marshside, flocks of Pink-footed Geese constantly flying overhead with some settling close by the road on the saltmarsh. At Marshside there were excellent close views of Wigeon, Pintail and Shoveler together with Curlew. Finally I walked back to where I started the day, near Southport Pier, and found the flock of 50-60 Twite. They mostly spent the time ca. 100m out on the saltmarsh but on one occasion came closer on to the shingle, albeit briefly, to allow some photos.

male Snow Bunting

female Snow Bunting

male Snow Bunting

male Snow Bunting

male Snow Bunting

Pink-footed Geese

Pink-footed Geese

Pink-footed Geese

male Pintail

male Shoveler

male & female Wigeon

flock of Twite

flock of Twite

Frodsham & Ince Marshes - 21st November

After last week's successful first trip to Frodsham Marsh I thought I would revisit to see what else I could find. Again the weather was good with clear skies. This time I started by walking around No.6 tank where there were large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit feeding in amongst the Teal and Wigeon. Overhead Pink-footed Geese and Lapwings constantly moved around in flocks. Back down to Lordship Lane I found the flock of 17 Whooper Swans standing in the field and at one point they took off and did a fly around. Other birds of interest were a male Stonechat and some Redwings and Fieldfares in the bushes. Moving on to Ince Marshes proved successful this time with 2 Cattle Egrets in amongst the Little Egrets feeding with the impressively sized pigs.

Whooper Swans

Whooper Swan

Whooper Swans

Whooper Swans

Black-tailed Godwits

Pink-footed Geese

Cattle Egret & Little Egret

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret

Frodsham Marsh - 14th November

I found an excellent website for Frodsham Marsh (www.frodshammarshbirdblog.wordpress.com) which is a large area of mixed marsh and farmland in Cheshire ca. 40 minutes drive from Manchester. On the northern coastal side it represents the point where the Manchester Ship Canal begins its journey towards Manchester. The list of birds seen throughout the year is very impressive and so I thought I would try it out on a bright but cold sunny day. 

I arrived just after 9.00 a.m. and walked along Lordship Lane where I soon found a mixed flock of Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting with a very nice surprise of 2 Tree Sparrows - the first I have seen for several years. Further along there were plenty of Redwing zipping around and a few Raven flying overhead and landing in the trees. I also heard a Cetti's Warbler singing. At the end of Lordship Lane I found a few Curlew and a flock of Black-tailed Godwit which were quite mobile. By now the temperature had warmed up to 12oC and a fresh looking Red Admiral appeared in the sunshine. To end the day I drove on to Ince Marshes but unfortunately failed to find the Cattle Egrets, only Little Egrets being present among the pigs at the farm.

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrows & Pied Wagtail

Goldfinch

male Reed Bunting

Black-tailed Godwits

Black-tailed Godwits

Red Admiral