Riverbank Road, Neston Old Quay and Burton : 15th November 2016

Riverbank Road, Neston Old Quay and Burton : 15th November 2016

A high tide of 10.1 metres at 11:10am took us to the Wirral again on a birding group morning out. We started out at Riverbank Road which was moderately busy but we managed to get a parking place facing on to the marsh. As it happened we did not need it as the weather managed to stay fairly dry for most of the time. The tide, however, was a bit of a disappointment. It did come in but not all the way. We still got some good birds though.

Flocks of Brent and Pink-footed Geese flew around over the estuary and a small flock of the former settled on the water along with a nice small flock of Red-necked Mergansers. There were lots of Shelduck on the water and the marsh was full of Teal and Redshank and Skylarks flew up from the marsh to give a nice show from time to time.

On the usual recumbent tree and then in a post to the right of it, we had long views of a Peregrine Falcon which confused us as its back looked very dark. Eventually it turned round and it was clear; we also got a Hen Harrier (ringtail). The marsh is now dotted with Little Egrets and we must have seen a dozen just where we were. There must easily be over a hundred, though, over the whole marsh.

The tide was a little disappointing but really I think that the difference was that there were simply not the high numbers of birds that one sometimes get. I imagine that Parkgate was poor though I believe that they did get a male Hen Harrier and a Merlin.

A bit disappointed on the Owl front, we drove off for Neston Old Quay where we were not disappointed, getting really good views of two Short eared Owls going talon to talon for a while. This was followed by one quartering the marsh for a good period of time before the other one showed again. A single “ringtail” Hen Harrier showed a couple of times and also a Kestrel showed briefly. Again, lots of Skylarks were present and a few Curlew were calling.

We followed this up with a visit to Burton Mere Wetland where we had heard that the Long-eared Owl was back again. It was quite late so, when we heard that no one had seen it that day, we decided not to go all the way down to Inner Marsh Farm hide. Perhaps we should have because subsequent reports suggested that it had been seen there after all !
Anyway, we decided just to hang around the main are, though outside the reception hide. With a bit of help from another birder I managed to see one of the, apparently three, Bewick Swans mixed in with a small flock of mixed Mute and Whooper Swans. This was a good year tick for me taking my annual list to 196.

There were also half a dozen Cattle Egrets under the legs of the cattle but I only managed to see four of them. A couple of Marsh Harriers put on a splendid show for everyone and there was the odd Buzzard (or two) as well. A Stonechat and a Wren called from the reeds. There were a few Snipe and the usual Black-tailed Godwits, Teal and Wigeon. Lapwing, of course, and a few Pink-footed Geese. So, not too bad, though I would have liked to see the Long-eared Owl which would have been another year tick. Perhaps later in the week.

Bird Sightings : Riverbank Road

Bird Sightings : Neston Old Quay (The Harp Inn)

Bird Sightings : Burton Mere Wetlands : Reception Hide