November 2013 archive

Nov 30 2013

Summary November 2013

Summary November 2013

Garden

November started off quietly in the garden and it seems like, although we do occasionally see Tits, Blackbirds and Goldfinches, the birds are not yet ready to return from their normal habitats to gardens for the autumn. Autumn is afoot, however, and the leaves are falling enough to leave some trees bare. By the 20th the weather had got much colder and wetter and by the end of the month we started to see several Blackbirds, largely living off berries from the Mountain Ash trees, a pair of Robins, lots of Blue Tits, House Sparrows occasionally and there must also be Dunnocks because you can hear them singing.

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Nov 26 2013

Birding Group Visit to Frodsham Marsh : 26th November 2013

Birding Group Visit to Frodsham Marsh : 26th November 2013

We were driving up the lane leading to the parking place at Frodsham and as we drove along a Kestrel flew parallel to the car for a while giving us really close views. As it peeled off and flew into the distance we started to see a mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare feeding on the berries on the bushes and trees that line the lane. As we parked up we could see a classic “Buzzard on a post” and we heard the unmistakable call of a Curlew. We looked up and there we saw the bird fly towards the river. We followed it down to the river along the low path at the edge of a marshy strip which was mercifully drier than usual. At the river there were a wide variety of birds to be seen. As well as Tufted Ducks there was a small flock of Goldeneye and at the end of the pier in the distance was a small number of Pochard and some Mallards. Nearer to the shore there were a few Little Grebes and on the shore a few Cormorants; a Grey Heron flew over

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Nov 19 2013

Birding Group Visit to WWT Martin Mere 19th November 2013

Birding Group Visit to WWT Martin Mere 19th November 2013

With the weather forecast indicating rain and possible snow, we were lucky that our birding group day landed just before the start of a spell of cold and wet weather. In fact, after a little bit of defrosting of the car, we had a fine day with no rain at all and often clear blue skies. When we got to WWT Martin Mere reserve it was obvious that they had had a slight fall of snow there overnight but it was clear for us – if cold. At this time of year we were hoping to have good views of Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese and perhaps Marsh Harriers and any other raptors attracted to the site as the numbers of birds increases.

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Nov 12 2013

Birding Group Visit to Sandbach Flashes 12th November 2013

Birding Group Visit to Sandbach Flashes 12th November 2013

We had a lovely morning for the birding group visit to Sandbach Flashes. As usual we had a quick look at Pump House Flash which was pretty full of water. There were large numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls and Black-headed Gulls as well as Coots. There were Wigeon grazing on the grass. We walked down the lane towards the farm but the fields to the right were pretty empty. On Elton Hall Flash there were large numbers of Mallard and some Shelduck, Shovelers and Teal and as the water got deeper there were Tufted Ducks and a couple of Goosander. As we walked back up the lane a small flock of Long-tailed Tits tumbled from tree to tree. Continue reading

Nov 05 2013

Birding Group Visit to Parkgate and Hoylake 5th November 2013

Birding Group Visit to Parkgate and Hoylake 5th November 2013

We have been to Parkgate a few times now, usually for the high tides, and this was our reason again today. Often we go for the Spring high tides but this was rather different. It was  a 9.8 metre tide, which we have had before but the wind had added to the effect to give us one of the most splendid wildlife displayswe have had there. The only disappointment was the lack of raptors but at least a couple of the group did see a single Short-Eared Owl. That apart, however, the whole event was a a spectacular affair. Continue reading

Nov 05 2013

Birding Group Visit to Burton Mere Wetlands 5th November 2013

Birding Group Visit to Burton Mere Wetlands 5th November 2013

The first Birding group visit of the month was to Burton Mere Wetlands on a very windy – but largely dry – day. It as due to be a high tide so we thought we would either linger at Burton Mere Wetlands or go on to Parkgate and/or Hoylake after a bit. We started off at the main reception hide where there were quite a few birds around. There were the usual numbers of Canada Geese and a single Greylag amongst them. Black-headed Gulls were also aplenty with a single Common Gull roosting among them but the dominant bird was the Teal, now arrived in good numbers. Continue reading