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!

Freezing afternoon #patchbirding Pintail, 2 Water Rail, 4 Avocet, 30 Grey, 550+ Golden Plover, Jack Snipe, 7 Turnstone, 20 Knot, Med Gull, Cattle Egret, 3 GWE, Peregrine, Rook, 7 Stonechat, 3 Tree Sparrow, 7 Rock Pipit…and some brutal snow/ice showers 🥶❄️

Cold dawn #patchbirding that started clear before the 1st snow of the year ❄️ 7 Whooper, 2 Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Com Sand, 6 GWE, Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, 2 Rook, Chiffchaff, 9 Cetti’s, 3 Stonechat, 5 Rock Pipit, Redpoll and a few easy NFY 🥶

First #patchbirding of 2026💪 - 7 Whooper Swan, 3 Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Com Sand, Green Sand, GWE, 5 Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, Rook, 6 Cetti’s, 1+ Firecrest, 3 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 2 Stonechat, 6 Rock Pipit, 2 Siskin. Up to 76 and plenty of stuff still to see 😁

Well that’s 2025 done for #patchbirding 170 species in total, but depressingly low numbers of migrants in both Spring and Autumn ☹️ 2 Lesser Scaup, Manx Shearwater were new additions, Temminck’s Stint, Kumlien’s, 3 Quail, Twite were decent. All starts again tomorrow 😁💪🍾

Dusk dog walk at Lunt with the crowds. Brief view of the SEO, but nicer to see Barn Owl, Goosander, Goldeneye, 2 Stonechat, Water Rail and plenty of Cetti’s.

Met up with friends for a ‘non-birding’ walk on the darkside (aka the Wirral) 😁 10 Goosander at Royden Park were nice. Ended up with fish n chips at Parkgate with SEO, Barn Owl, Merlin, 8+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail…not bad for ‘not’ birding 😂

Another murky dawn #patchbirding 7 Whooper Swan, 3 Water Rail, 60 Grey Plover, Jack Snipe, Com Sand, Green Sand, 2 Turnstone, YLG, 6 GWE, 4 Marsh Harrier, SEO, Rook, Chiffchaff, 8 Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat, 4 Rock Pipit, 2 Siskin.

Murky afternoon #patchbirding 3 Water Rail, 7 Grey Plover, Common Sand, Green Sand, 5 Turnstone, 5 GWE, 2 Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, 2 Rook, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Cetti’s, 6 Stonechat, 3 Rock Pipit, Yellowhammer…hopefully see the sun again soon!!

Very quiet around #patchbirding today Water Rail, Com Sand, 2 Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat, Redpoll, 8 Siskin and 2 Ring necked Parakeet over BMF. 🔈up to appreciate their beautiful melodic song as they flew over…..

Dawn #patchbirding 8 Whooper Swan, 36 Gadwall (notable for time of year), 2 Water Rail, 40 Grey Plover, Com Sand, GWE, Marsh Harrier, SEO, Kingfisher, Rook, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Cetti’s, 3 Stonechat, 5 Rock Pipit. Need some colder weather to shake things up I think 🤔

Another day, another Short eared Owl 😁 A bit lighter when I found this one on #patchbirding this morning.

Was up in the north towards dusk so popped into Lunt Meadows to take the dog for a walk (or that’s my excuse). SEO showed well (not that you can tell from the 💩 video), also Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Water Rail, 4+ Cetti’s.

Rather quiet spot of #patchbirding over high tide- Water Rail, Common Sand, Kingfisher, Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat. Next to no roost on Hale Marsh again. The incessant shooting and human disturbance on the (SSSI Mersey) Marsh having noticeable impacts ☹️

Murky dawn #patchbirding but decent enough! 7 Whooper Swan, Goldeneye, 3 Water Rail, 3 Turnstone, 5 GWE, Marsh Harrier, 2 SEO, Rook, 6 Cetti’s, 2 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Firecrest, 4 Stonechat, 3 Rock Pipit…and 2 Fox getting frisky!!

Afternoon #patchbirding 7 Whooper Swan, 3 Water Rail, 80 Grey, 50 Golden Plover, Com Sand, 2 Turnstone, 10 Knot, 12 Cattle Egret, 3 GWE, 3 Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, 2 Peregrine, Rook, 6 Cetti’s, Nuthatch, 2 Stonechat, 4 Rock Pipit, 2 Bullfinch. Nice selection box 😁

The #patchbirding Kingfishers have been exceedingly difficult to catch up with this winter, so nice to get some decent views of one this afternoon 😁

Dawn #patchbirding 7 Whooper Swan, 3 Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Common Sand, 3 Turnstone, 3 GWE, Peregrine, 7 Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat, 4 Rock Pipit….and the best sighting of the day the ☀️!!!

Dawn #patchbirding 3 Whooper Swan, 2 Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Common Sand, Green Sand, 7 Turnstone, YLG, 6 GWE, Marsh Harrier, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat, 5 Rock Pipit. Backdrop of constant shotguns spoilt what would have been quite a nice morning ☹️

Murky dawn #patchbirding 3k Pinkies, 6 Whooper, 2 Water Rail, Com Sand, Green Sand, 2 Turnstone, 6 GWE, 2 Marsh Harrier, Little Owl (depressingly my first on patch this year), Barn Owl, SEO, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Cetti’s, 4 Stonechat, 6 Rock Pipit, 2 Bullfinch.

A visual representation of #patchbirding this afternoon…too much disturbance everywhere. Roll on some miserable weather again….😂

At least 11 (presumably littoralis) Rock Pipits on #patchbirding this morning. The murk made it pretty difficult for phonescoping…but nice to see all the same 😁

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