Its been a good 2017 so far but I've let the blog slip badly so here is a summary of the year to date.

229 species have been seen on trips in Cheshire, North Wales and the Wirral, with a few visits around the country to boost the total. Here is a small selection of my photographs of some of the birds seen this year.

Why not have a go at Birdwatching by having a guided walk with me around Marbury Country Park. Just give me a call on 07731 658 125 or e mail me at: jgilly53@gmail.com
With a start time to suit you. The cost is £10 p/p

If you would rather have a private day trip out around Cheshire, Wirral or North Wales, the price for a full day for one person is £60 Each additional guest is £15 p/p

Children under 16 go free. 

If you have a specific request for a trip please get in touch and I will accommodate you if at all possible.   

Christmas will soon be here,so if your looking for that special gift, why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher for a future day out. For further details please contact me.

John Gilbody

jgilly53@gmail.com

07731 658 125

Black Redstart

 

Cettis Warbler

Great Spotted Woodpecker with young

Brambling

Hobby with Swallow

Fulmar

Mandarin Duck

Long Eared Owl

Wheatear

Nightingale

Whinchat

Red Breasted Goose and Whitefronted Goose

Little Terns

Tree Pipit

Tawny Owl

On Monday there was just enough time for a quick visit to a local nature reserve near Manchester. Target bird was a Long Tailed Duck that had decided to spend the winter here instead of out at sea. This particular bird I had seen before in November 2016 but it was a lot harder to find this year. Diving constantly, It took a while before I finally caught up with it right in the middle of the lake. After a few more dives it made the trip worthwhile by preening and relaxing, giving very good views in the scope. Here are a few pictures of the bird taken in November. It was still interesting watching the bird dive for food as it spread its wings out before diving. A female Scaup was also present along with a very good number of Goldeneye.

Long Tailed Duck

LTD diving for food

I still had time to visit the feeding station and I was glad I did. A Water Rail fed amongst the Moorhens then slowly idled off into the undergrowth. Reed Buntings, Bullfinches, Blue and Great Tits, Coal Tits, Chaffinch and Greenfinch were all taking advantage of the food with the customary fat Squirrels which always frequent these places. 

Then a welcome surprise, two Willow Tits arrived to also enjoy the free feast. Very like the Marsh Tit, separation is best told by voice and also by the pale panel on the secondaries which can be seen in the two photographs below. 

Willow Tit

Willow Tit

It was a shame I had to leave early but on my way back to the car a small skein of Pink Footed Geese flew overhead.

If you would like an introduction to Birdwatching by having a guided walk around Marbury Country Park, just give me a call on 07731 658125 or send me an e mail me at: jgilly53@gmail.com Start time arranged to suit you. The cost is £10 p/p

If you would rather have a private day trip out around Cheshire, Wirral or North Wales, the price for a full day for one person is £60
Each additional guest  is £15 p/p
Children under 16 go free. 

If you have a specific request for a trip please get in touch and I will accommodate you if at all possible.   

Why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher for a future day out.

For further details and T/C's please contact me by e mail and I will send them to you.

Contact: John Gilbody
e mail jgilly53@gmail.com
Telephone: 07731 658 125

 

http://www.birdwatchingtoursnorthwest.com

Happy New Year and January has started well with some good birds on show. 

With new work commitments I've only managed a few trips so far, but I have seen 86 species of bird so far.

First trip out was on the 2nd with an evening walk round MCP but the morning was just as good. Whilst visiting my Mother, Waxwings were a lovely splash of colour in the village of Barnton. There has been an influx of these birds this winter so now is the time to try and track them down.

Waxwing

Marbury CP proved just as rewarding with Goldeneye and Goosander on the mere with lots of Great Crested Grebe. Little Egrets were seen roosting in the trees with the Grey Herons, hopefully we may get some nesting there this year. Finally as dusk settled in, the cryptic plumage of the Bittern was finally spotted in the reed bed whilst a small but impressive murmuration of Starlings flew overhead. As I stomped through the mud back to the car I though I would try imitating a Tawny Owl's call, and it paid off again. A distant call in response was followed by an Owl swooping overhead and landing in the tree in front of me. My repeated calls ensured a good neck bending display as the Owl tried to find out where the call was coming from. Finally it worked out it was me and flew back into the woods but it left me with a very satisfied smile on my face.

A late walk around a local mere on the 7th was rewarded with a beautiful female Smew and a Red Crested Pochard and an even better Starling roost. The sky was one big mass of swooping screaming birds.

Next trip was the 9th with a trip along the North Wales coast. High tide was early so the birds were close in feeding amongst the pebbles as we arrived at my first port of call. Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Turnstone and Curlew were on show in good numbers whilst a small flock of Scoters flew close in to the shore.

Turnstone

Red Throated Divers and Shags were a welcome sight as the rain pelted down around me. Once the rain subsided (although it was still very cold and windy), a short drive to try and see Hawfinchs was not a hardship. Up to 10 birds were seen feeding high in the trees with sometimes upto three birds in the telescope at one time.

Finally to end the day a visit to an RSPB reserve to try and finally catch up with a Firecrest which usually winters there. Numerous visits in the past have resulted in no views and I was finally giving up hope when right in front of me, not one, but two birds appeared. My camera was in my bag by this time but one of the birds was teasing me by feeding right out in the open. After watching these stunning birds I tried to get a few snaps but apart from a few bad record shots, as quickly as they came into view they were gone.

Firecrest (out of focus record shot)

The next day I was lucky enough to have a few hours on the Wirral overlooking the vast salt marsh. Three Great White Egrets towered above the smaller Little Egrets spread out on the marsh. Two Marsh Harriers gracefully hung in the air looking for a last meal before roosting. A Merlin perched on various posts, moving from one to another as the crows would not let it settle. A Short Eared Owl later joined in the post hopping whilst far out on the marsh, Wigeon flew high in the sky, disturbed by the shooters tucked in low in the grassy tussocks, Spaniels going berserk by their side.

Not a bad few days birding.

If you would like an introduction to Birdwatching by having a guided walk around Marbury Country Park, just give me a call on 07731 658 125 or send me an e-mail at jgilly53@gmail.com
Start time arranged to suit you. The cost is £10 P/P

If you would rather have a private day trip out around Cheshire, Wirral or North Wales, the price for a full day for one person is £60.
Each additional guest is £15 P/P.
Children under 16 go free.

If you have a specific request for a trip please get in touch and I will accommodate you if at all possible.

Why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher for a future day out.

For further details and T/C's please visit the website.

Contact John Gilbody 
e-mail jgilly53@gmail.com
Telephone 07731 658 125  

 birdwatchingtoursnorthwest.com

http://www.birdwatchingtoursnorthwest.com

Tuesday 25th October - Bearded Tits a plenty.

With the early morning mist making a damp start to the day, Joanne and Alan joined me for a day birdwatching and photography up north. Bearded Tits were the target birds for them, and soon we were marching to our target species in beautiful autumnal sunshine. With the weather so good I was confident of success and fairly quickly we could hear the "twanging"  call like an elastic band being plucked. A pair appeared not 20 meters away and the sound of  clicking cameras joined in the cacophony of sound. Cettis Warbler, Great Tit, robins and the pig like scream of the Water Rail were all taking part.

Over the next hour, 3 pairs of Bearded Tit gave us fantastic views and once we had 2 pairs jostling for the best space in the morning sunshine.

Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit

Moving onto the hides for a sit down, we scanned the large lake surrounded by swaying reeds, scanning the ducks. Pintail, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Shoveler and Wigeon dominated the scene with Coot and Moorhen amongst them. Snipe were abundant, crouched down low in the mud, and an occasional bird was seen flying high above the reeds, their long pointed bills making identification easy.

Snipe

Moving onto the next hide, a Cettis Warbler screamed at us by the path with its explosive call, but no views were had. We felt we could put our hands into the reeds to grab it, it was that close.

Goldcrests kept us entertained before we got to the hide and soon we were looking at a Great White Egret and an American Wigeon.

American Wigeon

Great White Egret

Although both distant, through the telescope the smart plumage of this rare visiting duck was easy to pick out amongst its European relatives, whilst the yellow beak and its huge size separated the Great White from the Little Egrets near by.

After a lovely lunch we headed back out to the hides seeing the Great White again and over 20 Little Egrets. Waders present were Redshank, Ruff  and Lapwing whilst in the woods Nuthatch and Treecreeper gave excellent photo opportunities. A female Marsh Harrier glided over causing panic everywhere and in the dying sunshine, a Grey Heron finished the day with an efficient and successful lesson in fishing for its supper.

If you would like an introduction to Birdwatching by having a guided walk around Marbury Country Park, just give me a call on 07731 658 125 or send me an e-mail at jgilly53@gmail.com
Start time arranged to suit you. The cost is £10 P/P

If you would rather have a private day trip out around Cheshire, Wirral or North Wales, the price for a full day for one person is £60.
Each additional guest is £15 P/P.
Children under 16 go free.

If you have a specific request for a trip please get in touch and I will accommodate you if at all possible.

Why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher for a future day out.

For further details and T/C's please visit the website.

Contact John Gilbody 
e-mail jgilly53@gmail.com
Telephone 07731 658 125   

 birdwatchingtoursnorthwest.com

birdwatchingtoursnorthwest.com

Sunday 9th October  Friends of Anderton & Marbury guided walk.

A small group of people turned up on a lovely autumn morning for a guided walk around Ashton's and Neumann's Flashes to try and see some migrating and wintering birds. FoAM have been running these events for quite a few years now and I have had the pleasure to lead these walks.

We started the walk in Cumberland Car Park making our way to Ashton's Flash. Robins, Blackbirds and Great and Blue Tits followed us along the path whilst a Jay flew by overhead. On viewing Ashton's flash the lack of rain over the past weeks has left the area dry and no birds were to be seen. Neumann's on the other hand was full of birds. On arrival, a fox walked though the reeds looking for breakfast, but most of the birds looked relaxed and did not fly off. They knew they could and the Fox did not give chase as he knew they would !!

Fox (Library pic)

Lapwings, Coot, and numerous duck including Wigeon, Shovelor and Tufted Duck graced the calm flash. A few Snipe fed on the water's edge and then to everybody's joy, a Kingfisher landed on the post right in front of the hide.Well done to the budding young ornithologist who found the bird and showed it to everyone.

Kingfisher  (Library pic)

We walked round to where the Spotted Crake and Water Rail have been seen recently but alas no views of these stunning birds materialised. To view these birds patience and luck are needed and hopefully a return visit either at dawn or dusk will prove more successful.  

Continuing round to another hide overlooking Neumann's, Snipe and two Ruff were viewed in the Scope. Mute Swans and one Greylag Goose, Moorhens and more Lapwings as well as a few Curlew kept everybody happy. Just on the edge of the hide a Treecreeper was seen and a few Goldcrest buzzed around energetically. The sun was now high in the sky as we all headed back to the car park.

With the unusual weather we have had over the past few weeks (although very welcome) the wintering birds had not arrived in numbers. A few Redwing and Meadow Pipits flew over our heads, and a Buzzard gracefully glided by.  

Another very enjoyable guided walk with FoAM.

If you would like an introduction to Birdwatching by having a guided walk around Marbury Country Park, just give me a call on 07731 658 125 or send me an e-mail at jgilly53@gmail.com
Start time arranged to suit you. The cost is £10 P/P

If you would rather have a private day trip out around Cheshire, Wirral or North Wales, the price for a full day for one person is £60.
Each additional guest is £15 P/P.
Children under 16 go free.

If you have a specific request for a trip please get in touch and I will accommodate you if at all possible.

Why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher for a future day out.

For further details and T/C's please visit the website.

Contact John Gilbody 
e-mail jgilly53@gmail.com
Telephone 07731 658 125   

 birdwatchingtoursnorthwest.com

 

 birdwatchingtoursnorthwest.com

4th October Leighton Moss and Heysham Power Station.

An early morning start to get to Leighton Moss for 9am was achieved with no hassle on the road.
The sun was shining and I was excited with the prospect of seeing Bearded Tit for the first time for a few years. A small crowd was already gathered at the "gritting tables" viewing point and soon we were provided with a show we were all hoping for.

Male and female Bearded Tit

I pointed out to the crowd that both male and female were coming in and soon they were feeding at the tables. They feed on the grit to help with digesting the seeds they will eat over winter instead of the high insect diet during the summer.

Bearded Tit

They really are delightful birds and with their "pinging" call like an elastic band being plucked, you normally only hear them but don't see them, very frustrating !

I was on a mission today so there was no hanging around and after a short drive to Heysham power station, I was rewarded with great views of a Juvenile Sabines Gull.  Breeding in the high Arctic and North America these are regular but rare visitors to our shores. In blinding sunshine 7 Brent Geese were new arrivals and a Little Gull was found amongst the small party of Black Headed Gulls. 

Sabine's Gull (Juvenile)

Brent Geese

Little Gull (top)

After unsuccessfully looking through the bushes for migrants I went back to Leighton Moss where I chatted to a nice couple from Wrexham, Denise and Steve (hope I've got your names right if you read this). Marsh Harrier's glided peacefully over the reeds looking for supper.  Lastly, I called in at the Eric Morecambe hide for sunset which was lovely end to a long day.

Redshank

If you would like an introduction to Birdwatching by having a guided walk around Marbury Country Park, just give me on a call on 07731 658 125 or send me an e mail at jgilly53@gmail.com

Start time arranged to suit you. The cost is £10 P/P.

 

If you would rather have a private day trip out around Cheshire, Wirral or North Wales,  Price for a full day for one person is £60.

Each additional guest is  £15 / person.  Max 3 guests.

Children under 16 go free.

Why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher for a future day out.

Contact: John Gilbody

e-mail: jgilly53@gmail.com 

Telephone  07731 658 125

 birdwatchingtoursnorthwest.com