NORTH WEST
Highlights
Lancashire had a good sprinkling of very decent birds including a Black Kite over Chorley, Glossy Ibis at Marshside RSPB, American Golden Plover at Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB, Purple Heron at Leighton Moss RSPB and Rose-coloured Starling at Seaforth LWT.
CHESHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Red-backed Shrike was at Leasowe (1st). Burton Mere Wetlands had up to seven Spoonbills, Garganeys (1st and 11th), two Curlew Sandpipers (2nd-3rd), a Cattle Egret (18th), up to eight spotted Redshanks (from 21st) and a Wood Sandpiper (22nd). Hale had up to three Spoonbills, a Channel Wagtail and Wood Sandpiper (5th), a Little Gull (10th) and Spotted Redshank (28th). Two Spoonbills and a Redstart were at Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands (6th).
Three Sandwich Terns were at Norton Marsh (4th). An Osprey flew over Middlewich (11th). A Rose-coloured Starling was at Sutton Reservoir (13th). Whooper Swans were at Redes Mere (18th-26th) and Widnes (24th-25th). A Wood Sandpiper was on Ashton’s Flash (21st-23rd).
Frodsham Marsh had a Ruddy Shelduck, Common Scoter, Spotted Redshank and Short-eared Owl (26th). A Quail sang at Arclid (27th).
WOOLSTON EYES: There were 22 adult and 14 young Black-necked Grebes. Ringing activities on No1 bed included a Garden Warbler, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Robin, Chiffchaff, Treecreeper and Sparrowhawk. Sightings included a Peregrine, Grey Wagtail, Green Woodpecker and Oystercatcher. No 4 bed records included a Common Sandpiper, 40 Swifts, 25 Sand Martins, two Lesser Whitethroats and a Cetti’s Warbler.
No3 bed ringing team had Great Tit, Robin, Greenfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, three young Tawny Owls, a Reed Warbler, Kingfisher, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap, Wren and Blackbird. Sightings included a Marsh Harrier, Snipe, Cuckoo, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Little Egret, four Mediterranean Gulls, four Common Terns, three Curlews, 250 Gadwall, five Tufted Duck broods and a Shelduck brood.
Dave Steel
CUMBRIA
HIGHLIGHTS: South Walney had a Glossy Ibis (1st), Long-tailed Duck (1st-12th), two Scaup (6th), four Pomarine Skuas (6th), a Spotted Redshank (19th) and a Velvet Scoter with the Common Scoter flock (30th). The Garganey remained at Longtown (to 12th). Hodbarrow had up to three Spoonbills, with three over Carlisle (6th), singles at Siddick Ponds (10th) and Rockcliffe Marsh (28th), and two were at Haverigg (21st). An Osprey was at Siddick Ponds (5th).
Rose-coloured Starlings were at Ravenglass (8th), Baycliff (10th) and Whitehaven (18th-19th). A Short-eared Owl was at Ravenglass (12th). A Quail was at Langwathby (13th and 29th). A Bee-eater was at St Bees Head (16th). Two Hawfinches were at Row (18th) and one at Kendal (29th).
GREATER MANCHESTER
HIGHLIGHTS: A Rose-coloured Starling lingered in Horwich (10th-12th). A Crane was seen flying over M62 Birch Services (7th). Two Red Kites were reported over Little Woolden Moss (8th).
ELTON RESERVOIR: There were seven Common Scoters (24th), Cuckoo (16th), a Hobby, Grasshopper Warbler, four Mediterranean Gulls and two Stonechats.
MERSEY VALLEY: Three Mediterranean Gulls were on Broad Ees Dole (28th). Mandarins bred at Banky Meadow. A Grasshopper Warbler was on Carrington Moss. PENNINGTON FLASH: There were 10 Common Scoters (25th), a Grasshopper Warbler and a Hobby.
OTHER SITES: The Wood Warbler remained at Binn Green (to 13th). A Common Scoter was on Hollingworth Lake (6th). Two Avocets were on Little Woolden Moss (16th-17th). Other Manchester Mosslands records included two Marsh Harriers, three Hobbies, a Cuckoo, 20 Yellow Wagtails, three Stonechats, a Little Egret, Whimbrel and four Mediterranean Gulls. Audenshaw Reservoirs had 77 Common Scoters (24th), with two more on High Rid Reservoir (24th-27th). Dr Paul Brewster (01606 590 491)