Tuesday, 12 December 2017

12th December 2017

Weather: SSW force 1, cold (heavy frost) and mostly sunny


The Brent were scattered around the islands this morning but at least 290 were present, out of which a search of those easily seen only produced two young birds, supporting the claim that they had a poor breeding season this year.


A look around the paddocks and gardens found the usual few Wrens and Robins in addition to 4 Meadow Pipits and 2 Rock Pipits, also a Blackbird and no fewer than 6 Song Thrushes.


Surprise bird of the day was a very late Lesser Redpoll that flew over calling, which was in fact the only finch of any kind seen.

A group of 58 Grey Plover had been near Little Eye first thing and later 32 Sanderling near the north shore.


Five Eider are still present with 1 of them keeping apart from the others, and later in the morning a party of 9 Teal floated down the west side of the island. 


On arrival back on the shore 2 Goosanders were found on the West Kirby marine lake together with 4 Red-breasted Mergansers and 3 Great Crested Grebes, but surprisingly still no Goldeneye.



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