Bird Watching Tours North West: March 2016

Black Grouse

A request from a friend's brother to see Black Grouse and Hawfinch, proved to be a great day on Wednesday 23rd. March.

Requesting an early pick up from his hotel in Northwich, Ian was full of expectation as we set off for the Welsh hills. Arriving to cloudy and windy weather at 7am we were greeted to our first summer migrant, a splendid male Ring Ouzel. This was a real bonus and I had a feeling this was going to be a good day. Continuing on, a beautiful female Black Grouse was sitting not 20 metres from the road side. Switching the car engine off, we could not believe our luck as ten male Black Grouse flew in and started lekking right in front of us. Their bubbling calls and hisses were so loud it made the car shake. We were in awe as they strutted around and squabbled, vying for the female's attention. Then, as quickly as they came, they were gone, with a bluster of wing noise and calls. A cyclist had arrived behind the car oblivious to one of nature's greatest spectacles in front of him.

Female Black Grouse

We moved on and came to the normal lekking ground of the Grouse and through telescopes we watched as the birds continued with their annual ritual. One other species Ian wanted to see was a Dipper. This black and white, stream living bird, was picked out underneath the hanging branches and flying fast, belly skimming the fast flowing water. Next stop was going to be the coast so a drive back over the moors with abundant Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and a few Stonechats was interrupted by a silhouette catching my eye. It turned out to be a beautiful Peregrine Falcon facing into the howling wind.

Peregrine Falcon.

After an hour's drive and a fantastic full English in a cafe, a Purple Sandpiper was found fast asleep amongst the Turnstones. Red Throated Divers, Great Crested Grebes and hundreds of Scoters were out to sea. A darker Diver caught our eyes amongst the Shags and Cormorants and it turned out to be a Black Throated Diver. The weather forecast had been for rain most of the day but we were still dry as we headed off to find more birds along the coast. We were not disappointed as Black Redstart, Rock Pipit and more Stonechat flitted about. Two stunning male Wheatears flashed their white rump as they flew around. The name comes from the old English words "hwit" and "aers" meaning white and rump. Guillemots and Shags were out to sea and Fulmars and Ravens glided overhead. Next it was off to try and find Hawfinch and we were not disappointed. As a Red Kite and lots of Buzzards performed aerial tricks high above, the characteristic shape of a Hawfinch was easily visible high up in the trees. A further 5 birds were seen feeding, their massive beaks making easy work of the early buds on the branches.


Hawfinch

Time was slowly catching up with us but we were still dry as we headed back to the coast to scan through the Scoter flocks for Surf or Velvet Scoters. More Red Throated Divers were seen, some clearly going into summer plumage as the rain finally caught up with us.

As I drove Ian back to the railway station for his train home, we counted up our bird list and a grand total of 73 species were seen. A truly great day.

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

Its been a quite few weeks since my last trip out but I've been busy finding new places to visit and checking out old favourites.

Out in the wilds of North Wales I was lucky enough to see a pair of Goshawks swooping in and out of the woods during their courtship display and it was great to the hear the "go back, go back" call of the Red Grouse whispering across the heather on the moors. If the sun is shining and the wind non existent the wild moors are the most beautiful place on earth to spend time.


(Poor shot of) Goshawks

Closer to the walled city of Chester, a walk along the Dee gave fleeting and tantalizing views of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Along this stretch of water Mandarin Duck can be seen. These birds are very nervous so the view is normally of the birds flying away, but a brief glimpse of the male is always worth it.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker photographed last year.

Kingfishers are a welcome sight with their piping call alerting you before a stunning flash of blue and red shoots along the river. Siskin, Nuthatch, Treecreeper are always nice to see as well as an abundance of Long Tailed Tits feeding on the alders along the river bank. Big flocks of Chaffinch were feeding in the stubble fields and a few Brambling were amongst them


Siskin

Another walk I did was along the south west Wirral coast and its always a joy to do (admittedly very cold and wet on the day I visited), but here Water Pipit was seen amongst the Meadow Pipits and Grey wagtails, whilst Little Egrets were peppering the brown dull view of the marsh. In the distance hundreds of Pink Footed Geese blackened the sky. This is also a good place for raptors and a Merlin flying low over the marsh was great to see.

Its mothers day this weekend so if your stuck for an idea for present, send me an e mail or a call and I can arrange a voucher for her to be used later in the year.

Spring is in the air now and soon the summer migrants will be returning as well as (hopefully) the warmer weather. The sky and trees will be full of Swallows and Warblers so why not take the plunge a book a day out. There is no better way to enjoy spring than watching birds.