September marked the return to some kind of non back garden birding for us as the Covid 19 restrictions on travel were eased. A lot of the reserves we go to still have their hides closed as at Burton but some have opened them as at Martin Mere. Either way there are still restrictions in place as to proximity to others, wearing face masks etc. The strange year has meant that our bird numbers are way down and at 103 for the year so far, we are seventy-seven species down and that is just in the UK. Be that as it may we probably appreciate being out in the natural worls more than we did before lock-down. This is probably one of the strangest monthly summaries I have written and things may return to more restrictions yet. There is no light at the end of tunnel yet – at least for this year.
UK Species Year List to September 2020 : 103
Total UK Species in September 2020 : 70
New “Year Ticks” in September 2020 : 12
New “Life Ticks” in September 2020 : 0
Curlew Sandpiper at Burton Mere Wetlands on 8th September 2020
Greenfinch at Burton Mere Wetlands on 8th September 2020
Spoonbill at Burton Mere Wetlands on 8th September 2020
Bar-tailed Godwit at Hoylake on 18th September 2020
Ruff at Burton Mere Wetlands on 18th September 2020
Cattle Egret at Burton Mere Wetlands on 18th September 2020
Barnacle Goose at WWT Martin Mere on 22nd September 2020
Tree Sparrow at WWT Martin Mere on 22nd September 2020
Cetti’s Warbler at Burton Mere Wetlands on 29th September 2020
Egyptian Goose at Burton Mere Wetlands on 29th September 2020
Whooper Swan at Burton Mere Wetlands on 29th September 2020
Green Woodpecker at Burton Mere Wetlands on 29th September 2020
We did manage to get ut and about this month with visits to Burton Mere Wetlands and Parkgate on the 18th when we got Curlew Sandpiper and Spoonbills , Hoylake, West Kirby, Neston Old Quay and Burton Mere Wetlands on the 18th where we got Bar-tailed Godwit and Ruff, WWT Martin Mere on the 22nd where we got Barnacle Goose and Tree SParrow and a final trip to Burton Mere Wetlands and Parkgate on the 29th where we got Cetti’s Warbler, Egyptian Goose, Whooper Swan and Green Woodpecker.
Additionally we got a flying visit to Brockholes to pick up my AX Ocular which had been repaired by Swarovski and which was processed for me by Andy and Bernie at “In Focus” now at Brockholes Nature Reserve.
We are very glad to be able to get back out and intend to take every chance we can before the lock-down returns as seems very possible. What a year!