Dawn #patchbirding 415 Pinkies, 22 Avocet, Cattle Egret, 3 Rook, Gropper, Sedge, 2 Reed Warbler, 11 Willow, 16 Chiffchaff, 5 Cetti’s, 4 Whitethroat, Stonechat, 17 Wheatear, 2 Tree Sparrow, 32+ White Wag, Yellow Wag. Mixed weather 🌦️ and cold wind….eased off as leaving 🤦‍♂️

WINDY morning #patchbirding Sandwich Tern was only half decent bird. 315 Pinkies, 2 Tufted Duck, Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Marsh Harrier, 2 Rook, Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 4 Cetti’s, 4 Whitethroat, 10 Wheatear. Really need this wind to die down to find anything….

Cold pre-work dawn #patchbirding 216 Pinkies, 67 Avocet, 8 Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Cattle Egret, GWE, Marsh Harrier, 3 Reed Warbler, 12 Swallow, 5+ Cetti’s, 4 Whitethroat, Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wag, Tree Pipit, 2 Redpoll. Certainly picking up now 😁 #SpringBirding

Evening scoot round #patchbirding 1.5k Pinkies, 2 Barnacle Geese, 4 Avocet, 2 Whimbrel 🥳, 6 Med Gull, Reed Warbler 🥳, Willow Warbler, 3 Cetti’s, 2 Whitethroat 🥳, 6 Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail 🥳 Wish I’d been able to get out earlier….felt like there was more to be found!

Unexpectedly awesome afternoon #patchbirding 30 Avocet, 2 LRP, Black Necked Grebe 🥇, 2 Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Peregrine, Willow Tit 🥉, Swallow, House Martin, Willow Warbler, 4 Cetti’s, 3 Stonechat, 11 Wheatear, Siskin. Strong SE’ly made it hard looking for migrants tho 💨

A VERY long overdue #patchbirding lifer!!!! A breeding plumage Black Necked Grebe on the Mersey E of the Lighthouse!! 😎 Video will probably be trashed on here though….not that it’s that good 🙄

Well singing Willow Tit was certainly not on my #patchbirding bingo card for the day! My first for absolutely yonks! Boom 💥

Cold but calmer dawn #patchbirding 2.5k Pinkies, 3 Tufted Duck, 220 Golden Plover, Barwit, 2 Peregrine, RN Parakeet, Willow Warbler, 3 Nuthatch, Fieldfare, Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Siskin….surely only a matter of time before the floodgates open 😁

Cold blustery dawn #patchbirding White fronted Goose N over Within Way, 2k Pinkies, 58 Grey, 241 Golden Plover, LRP, 7 Sanderling, 2 Cattle Egret, 5 Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, 2 Nuthatch, 5 Cetti’s, Stonechat, Wheatear. Mersey was much quieter than hoped for….

Cold dawn #patchbirding 3.5k Pinkies, 12 Avocet, 70 Golden Plover, Com Sand, YLG, 2 L Grebe, Peregrine, Willow Warbler 🥳, 15 Chiffchaff, 6 Cetti’s, 2 Nuthatch, Stonechat, Wheatear, Redpoll, 4 Siskin. See what my namesake #StormDave brings…..

Migrantless dawn #patchbirding 2 White fronted Geese S over Halebank Park, 5.5k Pinkies, 64 Avocet, 300+ Golden Plover, Knot, 10 Chiffchaff, 6 Cetti’s, 2 Fieldfare, Stonechat, Siskin….all in a chilly breeze. it IS spring isn’t it?

Beautiful early Spring day…just not by the time I got out 🥶 5.5k Pinkies, 42 Avocet, 104 Golden Plover, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Cetti’s, Blackcap, 7 Fieldfare, Siskin….and not a single migrant. Wake me up when it starts properly…..🥱

The greatest April 1st prank of all….Belted Kingfisher in Staffs. Only got back from India that morning, saw the message and assumed it was a prank and went to sleep….wasnt impressed when I woke up to find it wasn’t a prank 🤦‍♂️ Only took me another 16 years…..

Up in the north end visiting the folks so rude not to pop into Marshside/Marine Lake. Snow Goose showing unbelievably well….2 Pintail, 30 Avocet, 1k Golden Plover, 8 Ruff, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Cetti’s, Water Pipit not a bad return 😁 #alwaysbirding

Evening #patchbirding 7.5k Pinkies, 46 Avocet, 19 Kittiwake W up the Mersey, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti’s, 14 Fieldfare, 3 Stonechat, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow….got to be one of my worst starts to a Spring in a long time! At least it wasn’t as windy…..😂

Afternoon #patchbirding once the rain had cleared through - 3.5k Pinkies, 30 Avocet, 87 Golden Plover, Com Sand, Peregrine, 2 Rook, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti’s, Nuthatch, 3 Wheatear, Yellowhammer. Looking forward to this wind dropping and some S’lies!!

Back from a few days away “non-birding”…parking was a nightmare, plenty of beer….thankfully still saw a few bits; you can’t stop a birder from birding after all 😁

Sucker for punishment with return #patchbirding Quiet visit until a Ringtail Hen Harrier drifted high NW over Carr Lane just before I headed home. 74 Golden Plover, Com Sand, 4 Rook, 2 Stonechat the best of not a lot else….at least I could see further than the end of my nose 😂

A sensory deprived couple of hours #patchbirding at dawn before I gave up due to the think pea soup….Water Rail, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Cetti’s, Brambling the best of what I could hear 🤪

Dawn #patchbirding 350 Golden Plover, LRP 🥳, Green Sand, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Rook, 14 Chiffchaff, 6+ Cetti’s, Nuthatch, 2 Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow, Bullfinch, 7+ Redpoll, 6+ Siskin. Stunning Spring morning once the mist burnt off 😎

Afternoon #patchbirding 10 Whooper Swan, 2 Pintail, 83 Avocet, 100 Golden Plover, 49 Knot, Med Gull, GWE, 2 Rook, 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Cetti’s, 5 Blackcap, Nuthatch, 5 Redwing, Wheatear 🥳, 3 Siskin…and in beautifully mild conditions too 😁

NOW it’s Spring 🥳 Always exciting seeing my first Wheatear of the year on #patchbirding

Some of the #patchbirding Golden Plovers already starting to look quite smart. Hopefully they’ll stick long enough to see them in their full finery 😁

First post work #patchbirding of the year 🥳 7k Pinkies, 142 Avocet, 270 Golden Plover, Com Sand, Green Sand, 2 Med Gull, Cattle Egret, Ringtail Hen at BMF, 9 Rook, 2 Sand Martin (1st migrant!), 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Cetti’s, Stonechat. Looking forward to Spring to properly kick in 😁

Late afternoon #patchbirding 3k Pinkies, Pintail, Water Rail, 30 Avocet, Com Sand, 4 vocal ad Med Gull, GWE, 3 Rook, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Cetti’s, Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Siskin…still awaiting my first Summer migrant, surely can’t be long now 🤞

Quick scoot around #patchbirding before the 🌧️ 300+ Pinkies, Golden Plover, Com Sand, 2 Chiffchaff, Cetti’s, 3 Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 20+ Siskin….felt pretty chilly in the strong wind too. Spring not too far away now though 😁

Murky #patchbirding 200+ Avocet, 10 Grey Plover, 90 Golden Plover, Ringo’s back on nest sites, Jack Snipe, 70+ Snipe (my highest count in ages!), Com Sand, 3 GWE, 5 Chiffchaff, 8+ Cetti’s, 2 Stonechat, Tree Sparrow, 2 Rock Pipit, 4 Siskin.

Dawn #patchbirding White fronted Goose, Water Rail, 150+ Avocet, 220 Golden Plover, Green Sand, 2 GWE, 4 Chiffchaff, 6+ Cetti’s, 6 Stonechat, 4 Tree Sparrow and finally caught up with a/the Water Pipit. Slightly disappointed not to find any early migrants yet….soon 🤞

Afternoon #patchbirding 2.5k Pinkies, 2 Pintail, 4 Avocet, Golden Plover stood out in the Lapwing Line-Up, Turnstone, 9 GWE, Marsh Harrier, 4 Cetti’s, Nuthatch, 3 Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 3 Rock Pipit (a few starting to get a bit more colour), 2 Siskin.

Dawn #patchbirding 20 Avocet, Com Sand, 2w Med Gull, 2 GWE, 2 Cetti’s, 3 Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Redpoll….distinct lack of gulls around the Mersey and WSR early on 🤔

Afternoon #patchbirding 2.5k Pinkies, Water Rail, 30+ Avocet, Com Sand, Green Sand, 4 Turnstone, 1w Caspian Gull, a dainty very streaky LBBG, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Cetti’s, 14 Stonechat, 2 Rock Pipit, 4 Siskin…but sad to find the WFGoose didn’t survive ☹️

Dawn #patchbirding 50 Grey Plover, Green Sand, 10 Knot, Med Gull, GWE, Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s, 5 Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 6 Rock Pipit….and surprisingly mild and sunny 😁

Dry but a cold biting wind for #patchbirding Green Sand, 3 GWE, Marsh Harrier, Rook, Cetti’s, 7 Stonechat, 3 Tree Sparrow, 3 Rock Pipit, Brambling, 4 Siskin but bittersweet to find a Russian White-Front, not in good way but couldn’t get close to help ☹️

…..and stunning views of the ‘wild’ Snow Goose on the Marine Lake at Southport. Really let itself down after its early credentials 😂

Quick whistle stop tour of Marshside whilst visiting the folks was pretty good! 2 Russian White Fronts, Smew, Scaup, Ringtail Hen, Merlin, Peregrine, 5 Ruff and stacks of Pinkies, Ducks and waders….bit of #patchbirding envy!!

Afternoon #patchbirding Water Rail, 20 Avocet, 60 Grey, 50 Golden Plover, 2 Turnstone, Knot, 10k Dunlin, 9 Cattle Egret, 6 GWE, Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Rock Pipit. Amazingly saw some blue sky AND dodged some stormy bursts 💪

Lots of Pinkies moving about this morning on #patchbirding and finally found a few more Russian White Fronts. 2 N over Carr Lane, single S over Within Way and finally a single looking a little lost drifting in on the tide of the Lighthouse 😁 #goosing

Afternoon #patchbirding 4 Barnacle Geese, Tufted Duck, Water Rail, 200 Golden Plover, 19 Knot, GWE, Marsh Harrier, Rook, 3 Cetti’s, 7 Stonechat, 3 Tree Sparrow, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Siskin and something bright in the sky which I could do with some ID help 😁

Decent views of the Great tailed Grackle as it came into roost at Speke again. Wet feet and locked in wasn’t as much fun….thanks @birderjack.bsky.social for the escape route 😂😂

ANOTHER cold & grey dawn #patchbirding 2 Water Rail, 30 Grey Plover, Green Sand, 5 GWE, 2 RN Parakeet, 3 Cetti’s, Firecrest, 4 Stonechat, 5 Tree Sparrow, 7 Rock Pipit, Redpoll, 12 Siskin…..when does it get warmer again? 🥶

Grey (but dryer and calmer) afternoon #patchbirding Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, Water Rail, 40 Grey Plover, 2 Turnstone, 8 Knot, 8 GWE, Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s, Blackcap, 2 Stonechat, 4+ Tree Sparrow, 3 Rock Pipit.

Cold blustery dawn #patchbirding Water Rail, 4 GWE, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Cetti’s, 4 Rock Pipit the best of not a lot….been a slow January all round.

A day off work for #patchbirding Water Rail, Com Sand, 1+ Green Sand, 2 Turnstone, 30+ Knot, 1+ Caspian Gull, YLG, 6 GWE, Merlin, Peregrine, Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat, 5 Rock Pipit, 2 Bullfinch, Yellowhammer….and a wannabe Iceland Gull.

Sadly this nest hole was being used by a pair of Great spotted Woodpecker only 3 days ago ☹️ Kicked out by the ever increasing population of Ring necked Parakeets in South Liverpool……not good news for our native breeding #bird species.

Late afternoon/dusk mooch around a mizzley and breezy Lunt. Pochard, 3 Goosander, Water Rail, 3 Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, 2 RN Parakeet, 2 Cetti’s, 2 Stonechat the best. Nice change of scenery from #patchbirding - though the FOMO was kicking in 😂😂

Eventually after a bit of a wait the Great tailed Grackle showed quite well just pre roost. Cracking #patchbirding find by @birderjack.bsky.social 😁 Cheers

Finally getting in on the goose influx with a Russian White Front at BMF on #patchbirding Not an easy bird to see here 😁

Dawn #patchbirding 3 Water Rail, 6 Golden Plover, Woodcock, Green Sand, 4 Turnstone, 2 GWE, 2 Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owl, 6 Cetti’s, 2 Stonechat, 4 Rock Pipit before the “guardians” started to shoot anything that moved 🥺

Dire afternoon #patchbirding in the wind and murk. 2 Water Rail, 2 Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Com Sand, Green Sand, 5 Turnstone, Marsh Harrier, Rook, 2 Cetti’s, 5 Stonechat, 5 Rock Pipit…At least it stayed dry!!

Dawn footy and afternoon #patchbirding 3 Pintail, 3 Water Rail, 70 Grey, 50 Golden Plover, Jack Snipe, Com Sand, Turnstone, 10k Dunlin, GWE, Marsh Harrier, 4 RN Parakeet, Rook, 3 Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat, 7 Rock Pipit, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Redpoll. Busy everywhere in the winter sunshine!