April mix of weather! Afternoon #patchbirding 4k Pinkies, 2 Avocet, 2 LRP, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Sanderling, 2 Arctic Tern, 12 Sandwich Tern, GWE, 3 Marsh Harrier, SEO, Peregrine, 2 RN Parakeet, Rook, 4 Sedge, 5 Reed, Gropper, 10 Swallow, 2 H Martin, 4 Cetti’s, Stonechat, Yellowhammer 💪

Dawn #birding at Oglet 17 Whimbrel, 20+ Arctic Tern E over, 14 Sandwich Tern, Marsh Harrier, 2 Sedge, 3 Reed, 2 Gropper, 2 Cetti’s, Redstart, 2 Stonechat, Wheatear, Yellow Wag, 4 Bullfinch and heaving with Whitethroat and Chiffs 😍

Another day, another #poochmooch at Oglet….and more #terns 2 Black, Little and 9 Sandwich Tern 🤯 If only they had been on #patchbirding

Cold wet and windy dawn #patchbirding 50 Pinkies, 2 Avocet, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 29 Sanderling, Marsh Harrier, 2 Sedge, 8 Reed, Gropper, 5 Swallow, 5 Cetti’s, 4 Whitethroat, Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wag but best of all a singing Corn Bunting 😁

1 of the 4 Sandwich Tern on the Mersey of Oglet this afternoon. A suprisingly scarce bird this far up the Mersey 😁

Enjoyable #poochmooch (aka #birding) despite the 🌧️ at Oglet/Garston included 4 Sandwich Tern, Reed Warbler, Gropper, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, Cetti’s, 8 Whitethroat, Redstart, Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 9 Yellow Wag and 3 Bullfinch….may have to take up #patchtheft a little more 😁

Mizzley cold dawn #patchbirding 60+ Pinkies, 2 Avocet, 80 Golden Plover, 2 LRP, Whimbrel, Knot, YLG, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 3 RN Parakeet, 2 Sedge, 7+ Reed, Gropper, 5+ Cetti’s, Garden Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, Channel Wag, 5 Yellow Wag..time to warm up 🥶

Dawn #patchbirding 100 Pinkies, 2 Avocet, 5 Whimbrel, Cattle Egret, 7 Reed Warbler, 3 Gropper, 2 Swallow, 5 Cetti’s, 9 Whitethroat, Redstart, Whinchat, 24 Wheatear, 9 Yellow Wag. Clearly the rain yesterday and calmer conditions today have helped 💪 #morelikeit

Fairly dire evening #patchbirding 100 Pinkies, 4 Avocet, Marsh Harrier, 3 Swallow, 2 Cetti’s, Whitethroat, 8 Wheatear, 9+ Yellow Wagtail, 35+ White Wag….and that was about it. On the plus side it at least stayed dry this time 🤪

Damp evening #patchbirding 27 Pinkies, 2 Avocet, LRP, SEO, Merlin, Gropper, Swallow, 4 Wheatear, Yellow Wag before I gave up due to the rain. Desperately need the rain…but would have been nice if it had stayed off until it was dark 🤪

Easy to forget how small Short Eared Owls are and how big Canada Geese are….. Always a nice sight on #patchbirding

Chilly mizzley dawn #patchbirding Mute Swan, Pintail, 2 Avocet, 14 Grey, 90 Golden Plover, 2 LRP, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Barwit, 3 Sanderling, 2 RN Parakeet, 4 Reed Warbler, 7 Cetti’s, 2 Whitethroat, 14 Wheatear, 5 Yellow Wag, Rock Pipit. Learning letter pair ‘wh’ in pics 😂 #back2skool

Dawn #patchbirding 32 Pinkies, Water Rail, 2 Avocet, 100 Golden Plover, 3 LRP, Green Sand, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Swallow, 13 Willow Warbler, 5 Cetti’s, 17 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wag, Tree Pipit….felt like there should have been more about 🤪

It’s been a LONG time since I’ve heard singing #Dipper Brilliant little chunks to watch at close quarters 😁

Typical species of Welsh streams and rivers: Grey Wagtail, #Dipper and errrrr….#Mandarin 😂 Been a lovely few days away and good to recharge the #patchbirding batteries ready for Spring proper 💪

Evening #patchbirding 60 Pinkies, 10 Whooper Swan, Water Rail, 4 LRP, 17 Barwit, Green Sand, 8 Knot, 15 Sanderling, 2 Med Gull, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 RN Parakeet, Reed Warbler(!), 60 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, Willow Warbler, 11 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wag….all in beautiful sunshine 😍

Toasty afternoon #patchbirding 50 Golden Plover, 8 LRP, Green Sand, 4 Sanderling, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Rook, 5 Swallow, 2 Cetti’s, 9 Wheatear, Channel, 3 Yellow and White Wag and a late (for here) Rock Pipit. Heat haze was horrendous (not something I’ve had to say much 😂)

Always nice to get a bit of history when reporting #ringed birds. This #Coot was originally ringed in Sefton Park in 2021. After a quick trip to Princes Park it has sold up and bought a nice gaff in Mossley Hill 😂 @waterbirdcm.bsky.social

Dawn #patchbirding 250 Pinkies, 8 Avocet, 29 Grey Plover, 150 Golden Plover, 5 LRP, 54 Barwit, Com Sand, 6 Knot, 47 Sanderling, Med Gull, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 13 Sand, House Martin, 10 Swallow, Willow Warbler, 7 Cetti’s, Redstart, 8 Wheatear, 2 Bullfinch #muchmorelikeit 💪 #CheshireBirding

Still a bitterly cold wind on #patchbirding but at least there are finally some #springmigrants including this stonking male Redstart 😍 Spring may finally be here….

Chilly dawn #patchbirding 230 Pinkies, 12 Avocet, 40 Grey Plover, 160 Golden Plover, 2 Turnstone, 7 Knot, 39 Sanderling, Marsh Harrier, 2 Rook, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 6 Cetti’s, 2 Fieldfare, Redwing, 8 Brambling, 2 Redpoll….felt more winter than spring! #CheshireBirding

Evening #patchbirding Greylag, 200 Pinkies, 2 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, Water Rail, 97 Avocet, 250 Golden Plover, 4 LRP, Turnstone, 7 Knot, Marsh Harrier, 2 Rook, Swallow, 2 Cetti’s. Pretty cold wind, despite the sun….and still very quiet on the migrant front.

Glorious Spring post work #patchbirding Water Rail, 104 Avocet, 2 LRP, 24 Knot, 13 Sanderling, Marsh Harrier, 2 RN Parakeet, Rook, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Cetti’s, 2 Wheatear. Still not many migrants in, just waiting for the floodgates to open…..

Almost migrantless dawn #patchbirding 1k Pinkies, 2 Water Rail, 32 Avocet, GWE, 2 RN Parakeet, 6 Cetti’s, Wheatear the only birds of note. Hopefully the impending warmer weather will change things up next week 🤞

Slow afternoon #patchbirding in a gusty cold NW’ly - 4 Grey Plover, 200 Golden Plover, LRP, Turnstone, Cetti’s the only notables. Any migration appears to be on hold at the moment….😔

Afternoon #patchbirding 1k Pinkies, Water Rail, 200 Golden Plover, Green Sand, Ruff (NFY), 2 Med Gull, YLG, 18 Cattle Egret, 2 GWE, 2 RN Parakeet, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Cetti’s, Wheatear, Brambling…typical the lovely early morning weather had deteriorated 🤪 Slow going in the 💨

Quieter #patchbirding Water Rail, 4 Avocet, 9 Grey, 350 Golden Plover, Green Sand, 7 Turnstone, 91 Sanderling, Med Gull, 8 Cattle Egret, 4 RN Parakeet, 5 Cetti’s, Wheatear (my 1st ♂︎ of the year!), 5 Brambling. Not even the end of March so not too surprising 😁

Dawn #patchbirding Water Rail, 59 Avocet, 28 Grey, 450 Golden Plover, Green Sand, 14 Knot, 46 Sanderling, Med Gull, 2 GWE, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Peregrine, 2 Rook, 4 Sand Martin, Swallow, 4 Cetti’s, 4 Wheatear (all ♀︎’s?!), 11 Brambling, Redpoll. Nice early Spring mix 😁

Dawn #patchbirding 150 Avocet, 200 Golden Plover, 2 GWE, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Rook, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Cetti’s, 2 Stonechat, 3 Brambling. Pretty chilly start, and a reminder that Spring-proper hasn’t quite started…..

Afternoon #patchbirding 2 Ruddy Shelduck, 200+ Avocet, 600+ Golden Plover, 4 LRP, Barwit, Green Sand, 3 Cattle Egret, GWE, Peregrine, Sand Martin, 200 Fieldfare, 2 Stonechat, 8 Brambling…and proper Spring-like warmth 😁 #UKBirding

Think my #patchbirding has already peaked for the Spring….2 Ruddy Shelduck on Hale Marsh from Within Way. Living the absolute dream 💪

Boss afternoon #patchbirding Water Rail, 200 Avocet, 350 Golden Plover, 2 LRP, 2 Barwit, Green Sand, Med Gull, YLG, Spoonbill, 2 GWE, Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s, Stonechat, Wheatear, 4 Brambling. Proper winter/spring mix of species 😁 Spring has well and truly sprung 🥳 #UKBirding

I thought I would leave #patchbirding empty hearted having failed to find my main target for the afternoon….but one last look at BMF in the setting sun and….. 💥 Nothing beats that first #Wheatear of the Spring feeling 🍾

Not particularly scarce on #patchbirding anymore but always exciting finding the first #Spoonbill of the year 😁 Stunning adult sat out on the decoy.

Dawn #patchbirding 2 Water Rail, 150+ Avocet, 150 Golden Plover, Green Sand, 36 Sanderling, 4 Cattle Egret, 4 GWE, Tawny Owl, 4 Rook, 5 Cetti’s, 2 Stonechat, Tree Sparrow, 2 Brambling, 2 Bullfinch. Freezing start but nice to finally feel some warmth in the sun 😁

Afternoon #patchbirding 2 Water Rail, 284 Avocet, 400 Golden Plover, LRP 🥳, Green Sand, Greenshank, 6 ad Med Gull, YLG, GWE, Marsh Harrier, 2 RN Parakeet, 2 Rook, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti’s, Stonechat, 12 Brambling. Spring starting to kick in 😁

Dawn #patchbirding and 1st Spring migrant 🥳 2 Water Rail, 204 Avocet, 150 Golden Plover, Jack Snipe, 4 Turnstone, 2 Cattle Egret, 3 GWE, 6 RN Parakeet, 2 Rook, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Cetti’s, Ring Ouzel, 3 Stonechat, 9 Brambling, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Siskin….but dipped the lunar eclipse 😞

Afternoon #patchbirding Water Rail, 37 Avocet, 79 Golden Plover, GWE, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, 3 Rook, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti’s, Blackcap, 5+ Stonechat, 8 Brambling, Yellowhammer. Stunning weather, just missing a Spring migrant!

Dawn #patchbirding 5 Greylag, 1300 Pinkies, 2 Pintail, 2 Water Rail, 120 Avocet, 50 Grey Plover, 300 Golden Plover, GWE, Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, Peregrine, 2 RN Parakeet, 2 Rook, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Cetti’s, 10 Stonechat, Rock Pipit, 13 Brambling, 2 Redpoll…no migrants though 😢 #UKBirding

Fair to say the Ringtail Hen Harrier was showing a bit well at #patchbirding CLP this afternoon 😍 The local Carrion Crows weren’t quite so impressed though…..

Dawn #patchbirding Goosander, 2 Water Rail, 80+ Avocet, 250 Golden Plover, 2 Turnstone, 11 Cattle Egret, 5 GWE, 3 Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, 6 RN Parakeet, 4 Rook, 5 Cetti’s, 10 Stonechat, Rock Pipit, 29+ Brambling, Redpoll, 4 Siskin. Brambling were on 🔥 in the sunrise 😍 #CheshireBirding

Cold dawn #patchbirding 2 Water Rail, 21 Grey Plover, 210 Golden Plover, 2 Turnstone, 7 Knot, 2 Med Gull, 3 GWE, 2 Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, 4 RN Parakeet, 6 Rook, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Cetti’s, 7 Stonechat, Water Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 12 Brambling, Redpoll…time to warm up 🥶 #CheshireBirding

Afternoon #patchbirding 2 Water Rail, 168 Avocet, 18 Grey Plover, 4 Turnstone, 13 Knot, Med Gull, 2 GWE, Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s, 15 Stonechat, 2 Rock Pipit, 5 Brambling. Spring like day but without the migrants yet…won’t be long though 😁

Never seen a Stonechat with narcolepsy before. This one fell asleep mid flight. More commonly observed by tired parent birds during the breeding season #madeupbirdingfacts

Miserable afternoon #patchbirding Water Rail, 2 Turnstone, 4 Knot, Little Gull, GWE, 8 Rook, Cetti’s, 5 Stonechat, Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, 2 Bullfinch. What a difference in the weather in the space of 24 hours 💨💦

5 hours stomping round #patchbirding Water Rail, Com Sand, 2 GWE, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 6 Rook, Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti’s, 9 Stonechat, Rock Pipit, 5 Brambling, 3 Bullfinch, 6 Siskin….at least it was a mild Spring-like day 😁

Only ever had ringtails on #patchbirding so really nice to catch up with this 2cy male Hen Harrier just by the Sandplant at Marshside today. Shame it was SOOOOO windy 🌬️

A “non-birding” trip up to see the folks in Southport….still managed Ruff, Spoonbill, Hen Harrier, Merlin, 2 Stonechat, 19 Twite and Snow Bunting, 11 Corn Bunting so not all bad 😂 #alwaysbirding

Afternoon #patchbirding Water Rail, 30+ Avocet, 100 Grey Plover, 300 Golden Plover, Jack Snipe, 3 GWE, 2 Marsh Harrier, Rook, 2 Cetti’s, 6 Stonechat, Tree Sparrow, 2 Rock Pipit, 23 Brambling….thought I had a brief view of the ☀️ but inconclusive views 😁 #UKBirding

Dawn #patchbirding Water Rail, Woodcock, Green Sand, GWE, Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, 2 Cetti’s, 3 Stonechat, 21 Brambling, 3 Bullfinch, 6 Siskin. Surprisingly poor #gulling at WSR/Runcorn Bridge, no sign of Kumlien’s or any YLG/Casps 😕 #UKBirding