A short walk through the fields to the south of the Ship Canal opposite Butchersfield Tip produced a minimum of ten singing Skylarks whilst a flock of 200 Lapwing contained two Golden Plover. Back on No.3 bed the Black-headed Gull colony has increased to about 450.

In spite of a cold start it was a beautiful late winter’s day. The water level on the canal and river was very low, possibly as a result of work being carried out at Latchford Locks. Many common birds were in song including Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Dunnock with the latter plentiful although I did not do a count. An early Bumblebee was active on Butchersfield Tip. Pochard totalled 80, my highest count of the winter; nearly 300 Tufted Duck were present and 21 Greylag Geese at Bollin Point. On No.3 bed were about 260 Black-headed Gulls. Photo; Willow catkins on Butchersfield Tip looking towards Lymm Golf Course.

Photo of Mallards from No.3 bed today.

Cheers David

Photo of a Lapwing from No.3 bed today.

Cheers David

View over No.3 bed today

Cheers David

Photo of a Black-headed Gull from No.3 bed today.

Cheers David

Photo of mating Greylag Geese from No.3 bed today.

Cheers David

WeBS Count

Little Grebe 2, Great crested Grebe 10, Cormorant 17, Mute Swan 16, Grey Heron 3, Greylag Goose 22, Canada Goose 75, Shelduck 5, Gadwall 51, Teal 148, Mallard 85, Shoveler 15, Pochard 19, Tufted Duck 353, Goldeneye 5, Moorhen 19, Coot 55, Water Rail 3,Lapwing 90, Snipe 1, Black headed Gull 208, Common Gull 1, Lesser Black backed Gull 2 .

It was Wildfowl Count morning today, so we started in No.3 bed before covering Nos.1 and 2 beds and as far as Bollin Point. A small Starling roost of 2,500 birds started the morning well (there is currently another larger roost of 25,000 on No.1 bed). Among the total of 61 species recorded were highlights of: 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tits, 35 Bramblings, 2 Snipe,2 Goldeneye, 4 Water Rails, 2 Siskins, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Peregrines, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Buzzards, 110 Tufted Duck, 25 Pochard, 7 Shelduck, 2 Goldcrests, 8 Reed Buntings and 10 Bullfinches.

Photo of a Pochard

Cheers David

Two snaps

A beautiful few hours at woolston first time in ages we have been very busy so good to be back.Nothing spectacular to report but the weather was kind.Hopefully we can get there more often now Gill had a walk around with her binocs she saw approx 15 brambling a small flock of redpoll as well as the usual whilst I stayed in the hide saw a herring gull ,pochard and a snipe popped in and the usual.Will be back soon Gill and Roger Riley

A really pleasant day on No.3 bed, counting birds, photographing the comings and goings and generally enjoying the sunshine and blue skies. Most unexpected bird was a female Merlin, which stooped over the Morgan Hide before skimming across the iced-over lagoon, panicking the gulls and wildfowl and then motoring away to the north-east. Other good sightings, among the 52 species recorded, included: 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 16 Bramblings, 1 Snipe, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 2 Water Rails, 10 Reed Buntings, 80 Chaffinches, 60 Greenfinches, 21 Shovelers, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 3 Goldcrests, 58 Pochard, 80 Tufted Ducks and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Photo of No.3 bed from the south-east corner

Cheers David (with George Dunbar)

It was fairly quiet today but a bright if cold morning. Tufted Duck numbers were up and I counted 397 of which about 200 were at Bollin Point. A pair of Pied Wagtails were at the Locks and 5 Snipe were flushed from No.1 bed. On the fields to the south were at least 30 Lapwings and on No.3 bed were 6 lesser Black-backed Gulls including 4 immatures. A single male Brambling was at the feeders whilst on the Loop were 2 Redpolls. Chaffinch were in song and 2 pairs of Great crested Grebes were on the river and canal.

The water was almost completely frozen on No.3 bed leading to a fairly quiet morning on No.3 bed. However, this Cetti’s Warbler seen from the Rotary Hide showed well briefly.

Photo of Bramling from the John Morgan hide. Not the best due to the distance but very nice to see!

Todays Marsh Harrier photo is a little better than the Kittiwake photo! Steve Collins

My first visit since retirement and lucky enough to see the Marsh Harrier for the first time. Even luckier to be with Dave when he spotted the Kittiwake! Sat briefly with the black-headed Gulls but darker mantle and yellowish bill looking a bit like a Common Gull, but not as big. It took off and passed by and able to confirm the dipped ink black wing tips and black legs and yellow bill. Too busy looking at it as it left, I forgot I had my camera and by the time I got it out of the bag the setting was wrong! Only photo I got is awful but does just show the wing tips in the gloom. The pale collar area makes the head look dark but it’s actually the same colour as the wings! Steve Collins

Brief visit this morning to a sunny (!) reserve - excellent views of Brambling under the feeders at John Morgan hide, and the female Marsh Harrier was showing well, hunting across the reserve. The snowdrops looking superb under the trees as the path swings round towards the hides.

I had a brief, but enjoyable, visit to No3 bed this morning and was rewarded by good views of the Marsh Harrier, Marsh Tit and up to 50 Pochard, the big surprise though was the first Kittiwake to be reported since 2001, an adult, seen from the Rotary Hide, it briefly landed amongst some Black-headed Gulls before leaving at about 11.55 to the south, I assume it was a victim of Storm Imogen.

Dave

A late afternoon visit to No.1 bed to see the Starling murmuration. About 25000 birds were present and put on a fine display before going to roost at 5.15p.m. At least one Sparrowhawk was in attendance; a Cetti’s warbler was heard calling and a Little Grebe was trilling on the west pool. Although No.1 bed is not accessible to permit holders the Starlings can probably be viewed from the A57 to the east of the viaduct.