Summary November 2015
Species this month = 72
New Species added to 2015 Year List in November= 2 (Red-breasted Merganser and Common Scoter)
Running Total for the 2015 UK So Far = 165
New UK Life List Birds In November= 0
Birding Group
The first birding group day of the month was to Frodsham Marsh but, due to bad weather, only Mike and I decided to risk the chance of fog and we were glad we did because we got fantastic views of a Short-eared OWl and the day in general was one of the better days for bird watching; not warm enough for a heat haze and overcast enough to prevent glare.
The second was to North Wales when we visited Llanfairfechan, RSPB Conwy and Llanddulas, the highlights of the day being the Red-throated Diver and Common Scoters at Llandulas.
The third was to Burton Mere Wetlands where the weather was a bit grim but we had a nice view of a mixed bunch of Fieldfare, Redwing and Mistle Thrush.
Solo Birding Days Out
We only really had one solo birding day out this month, partly because the weather had been pretty foul but also we had just been really busy. We did drive up to Hoylake, West Kirby and New Brighton where we had apretty good day. Hoylake wasn’t brilliant but it was pleasant and the day was made worthwile by the sighting of a Red-throated Diver that had been reported on West Kirby Marine Lake.
We also went on to New Brighton where we got our usual – literally – raft of birds including wintering Purple Sandpipers.
Garden Birding
The weather is very up and down this month with some days being really wet but mild, others being dry by really cold and lots of windy days mixed in. It has seen a return of the garden birds, though, with a pair of Blackbirds (the first for a while), a Robin, a Dunnock and a Wren all showing themselves. The Coal Tit and the Goldfinches are on the feeders and the Starlings are back to their usual noisy numners. THis has attracted a Sparrowhawk and I got the most amazing view of one as I was standing at our back window watching some starlings bickering on the feeders. They suddenly all shot off and without seeing anything coming there was suddenly a handsome Sparrowhawk perched atop the metalwork of the feeders facing right at me, eyes ablaze. It was fantastically coloured and looking straight at me about fifteenfeet away from me and at eye level. Because I was already standing there when it flew in it didn’t seem to recognise me as a human at first. I had time to call Anne into the room as I stood frozen, hoping not to frighten it away. A great garden sighting and one of my best ever.