Yellow legged gull

Wishing (I had a photograph of a Little grebe)

Flocking on the fat balls.

Greater Spotted on Thurgarton Bird Station

Wirral Odyssey (Mission 1) - Sunday 23 Jan 2011

For the first major outing of the year we visited two locations on the Wirral for the first time on Sunday. Weather was extremely grey but the rain kept away.

First stop was Red Rocks near Hoylake. There was a good crowd of serious birders staring out to sea from the North Parade, but no signs of any rarities. Large flocks of Oystercatchers dominated the scene, punctuated by the odd Curlew and Dunlin.A group of about 10 Shellducks made a good addition to the list.

Other large groups of birds could be seen further out to sea but the Opticrons were sadly not up to the job!

Some other habitats to explore in this area but fading commitment from one member of the party suggested it was time to move on.

Next stop Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston. Clocked a Bullfinch near the visitors centre and that proved to be the only new addition here. Only explored the beach below the visitor centre and decided to save the other parts of the park for another day.

Crumpets and coffee were taken at the nearby cafe.

Sharpe(e) with two birds

Nuthatch in Greenbank Park, Liverpool (12/1/2011)

Swans at Sefton Park, Liverpool (12/1/2011)

Power Birding at Attenborough 8th Jan 11

A debut at this Nature Reserve for birding purposes having visited about 8 years ago for a walk before much recent development. Greeted by geese, ducks and swans desperate for a feed, with the Egyptian geese being the only rareties (more later).

Within 5 mins I saw a gaggle of pro-Twitchers and b-lined over to them to watch a Bittern showing perfectly in the middle of a small stream 60 yards away (gentle sand wedge distance for Mitch).

4 mins later I was in a hide and seeing a water rail at close quarters- 2 new lifelisters in quick time.

Others added over 3 hours but nothing amazing. Best bit was jogging alongside the trent to keep up with 3 sawbills to try and positively ID. I stopped a bloke looking like Santa coming the other way - 77 year old Lou - he confirmed Goosanders and then took me to his private hide complete with padlock.

Lou confirmed Egyptian geese are resident breeders and I saw one in a field the other side of the Trent outside the reserve - I'm having it.

2 Bitterns from an elevated hide later were much more rewarding than earlier - tough to identify in reeds but also a bit of flying action - superb stuff. I pity any man who has not seen one on many trips to these sort of places................I received some spam texts later in the day, one referring to a ''Bitten W****r'' - not sure if this is a north African variety. Also got spooked by an owl at close quarters in the dark on way back from the local boozer last night - think it was a Barn but can't claim it as just too dark. Woo Hoo.

S J Evans

Name the Bird

Misleading signage

Name the Bird

North Berwick, June 2009. Dignity zero.

Nowt Doin'

I haven't seen anything new today, but I did manage to persuade a friend from the office to walk to the banks of the Irwell with me to look for birds. The river was empty. Busy weekend of junior football ahead as well, so minimal birding opportunities for the foreseeable future. However, as in crick, it's better to have the runs on the board already. Good luck.

Grey Heron at Greenbank Park, Liverpool (6/1/2011)

List guidelines from Lee G R Evans (British Birding Association)

Hi Lee

I’ll keep this brief as I’m sure you get hundreds of emails about birding. Myself and some of my friends are debating if birds seen in London parks (and other similar locations around the UK) could be counted on our lists. I’m talking specifically about birds such as the Red crested pochard and Egyptian goose which were no doubt introduced into the park but are now, I believe, self-sustaining. Can you point us in the direction of any guidelines on such matters?

Many thanks for any advice you’re able to offer.

Best wishes

Roger

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Hi Roger

Certainly, by UK400 Club/BBA guidelines, these 'feral/introduced' birds are NOT COUNTABLE - but if their offspring leave and set up territories elsewhere and prosper, then these 'non-naturalised' populations do come under a caveat where they DO become countable (Ring-necked Parakeet, Mandarin, Red-crested Pochard, Egyptian Goose, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, all under this Category)

Best wishes

Lee G R Evans
British Birding Association
UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist


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Hi Lee

Many thanks for your quick response. Your advice is much appreciated.

So to clarify…would you say that birds such as the Red-crested Pochard and Egyptian Goose could not be counted if they’re seen in (for example) Bushy park (London), as even though they may be part of a self-sustaining population, they have most likely, as a species, been originally introduced into that environment? It sounds like you're pointing to the population having moved from its original location as a key factor in defining if they’re 'countable'. Is that about right?

Best wishes

Roger

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Yes Roger, your synopsis is correct; the Bushy Park birds are considered doubtful

Best wishes

Lee