Despite the bad weather this week we still managed a couple of days out and about birding. A day on the Welsh Coast rewarded us with Snow Bunting and Hawfinch (see pictures below). A friend who came out with us for the day was happy to brave the grey weather to add the Hawfinch to his list.
Midday high tide at Leasowe Lighthouse was also on this weeks agenda to try for the small flock of Scaup which have been sighted there recently. We were lucky enough to see 12 birds (another for Al's list !). As there was not much else doing at this site we headed to Red Rocks for the Gull Roost (see picture below). The short journey over there provided us with views of Black-throated Diver, Scaup and Brent Geese. Bitterly cold day but not wet so we persevered to Parkgate Marsh RSPB. Shortly after we had arrived we had seen both the Great White Egret, Ring tailed Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl. A successful day and a good excuse to warm up with pie and chips on the way home.
Yesterday, despite the fact that I wanted to spend the day with my Valentine LOL ! my love of birds won out, and I walked the Cholmondely Estate. There is a lot of work going on there and the paths are almost all still under some level of water. The Smew that has been on the lake for most of the week was not showing today but the birds played nicely for us on the bird tables from the Deer Park hide.
Snow Bunting
Glaucous Gull - Doddington Lake nr. Nantwich
Gull Roost - Red Rocks Cheshire
Hawfinch - Llanbedr y Cenin
Nuthatch - Cholmondeley
Willow Tit - Cholmondeley
Rook - Cholmondeley
