NORTH WEST

CHESHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: A white- morph Snow Goose was at Burton Marsh (2nd), with presumably the same bird at Frodsham Marsh (3rd). Frodsham also had three Short- eared Owls (2nd). Ince Marshes had four Cattle Egrets.

Hoylake had a Snow Bunting (1st-19th), with two (13th), and two Little Gulls (20th). Pickering’s Pasture had two Little Stints (1st-7th). Burton Mere Wetlands had four Ruddy Shelducks (1st) and three Spotted Redshanks (2nd).

Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands had Hen Harriers, a Short- eared Owl, a flyover Snow Bunting (2nd) and a Twite (26th). Three Short- eared Owls were at Little Neston (2nd), with six, plus a Hen Harrier (15th). A Smew was at Lapwing Hall Pool (2nd-28th). Acre Nook Sand Quarry had a Black- necked Grebe (2nd-28th), two Russian White-fronted Geese (2nd-19th) and a Great White Egret. Bitterns were at Marbury CP (3rd-19th) and Neston Marsh (11th-15th).

A Firecrest was at Marbury CP (25th). Five Snow Buntings were at Wallasey. Two Whimbrels were at Hilbre Island (26th). A Kittiwake was at Disley (23rd-26th). A Black Redstart was in a Hartford garden (9th). A Little Gull was at Leasowe (18th), with four at New Brighton (21st). Two Purple Sandpipers were at New Brighton (22nd).

Hale had a Short- eared Owl and five Great White Egrets (11th).

WOOLSTON EYES: Ringing on No1 bed gave Brambling, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Kingfisher and Long-tailed Tit. Sightings included a Grey Wagtail, Woodcock, Oystercatcher, Chiffchaff, Peregrine, two Snipe, 18 Pinkfeet, 22 Siskins and four Ravens. Ringing on No3 bed included Brambling, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tit and Chiffchaff. Records included two Glossy Ibises, a Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier, 200 Fieldfares, 135 Shovelers, 440 Bramblings, two Oystercatcher and a Curlew.

No 4 bed records included three Jack Snipe, 350 Black- headed Gulls, two Willow Tits, 30 Linnets and two Oystercatchers. Reserve-wide counts included 130 Mallards, 116 Coots, 23 Shelducks, 550 Lapwings, 54 Robins, 53 Pochards, four Pintails, two Cetti’s Warblers, 84 Gadwall, 432 Tufted Ducks, 276 Teal, 104 Greylags, 33 Mute Swans and a Water Rail. Dave Steel

CUMBRIA

HIGHLIGHTS: Hen Harriers were at Foulshaw Moss (1st), Brigsteer (2nd-3rd) and Newton Marsh (11th). Great White Egrets were at Bassenthwaite Lake and Little Salkeld (1st), Brigsteer (16th-18th), Arnside (19th) and Lazonby (26th). A Cetti’s Warbler was at Brigsteer (27th). South Walney had a Hooded Crow (1st-28th), 50 Twite and a Scaup. Up to four Water Pipits were at Biggar (4th-18th). A Red- necked Grebe was at Barrow- in- Furness (4th-24th), where there was an Iceland Gull (7th).

A Spoonbill was at Askham- in- Furness (5th-19th). Three Russian White-fronted Geese were at Shap (6th), with another at Anthorn (26th). The Great Grey Shrike remained around Killington Reservoir (to 7th). Scaup were at Siddick Ponds (14th) and Sunbiggin Tarn (21st). A Short- eared Owl was at Flookburgh (14th). Two Ring- necked Ducks were at Longtown (19th). Four Snow Buntings were at Dollywaggon Pike (25th). Hodbarrow had a Great Northern Diver (26th). Three Hawfinches were at Slack Head, Beetham (26th).

GREATER MANCHESTER

HIGHLIGHTS: The Red-throated Diver remained

at Watergrove Reservoir (to 20th).

A Red Kite flew over Astley Moss (27th). ELTON RESERVOIR: There was an Iceland Gull (17th) and Kittiwake (26th). MERSEY VALLEY: Little Egrets on Carrington Moss peaked at five.

PENNINGTON FLASH: A Kittiwake roosted (25th) as did a Caspian Gull (27th). There was a Yellow- legged Gull and two Mediterranean Gulls.

OTHER SITES: The Water Pipit remained at Daisy Hill ETW, Westhoughton (to 3rd). A Siberian Chiffchaff was in Atherton (15th-27th). Seven Twite flew over Horwich Moors (26th). A Kittiwake was at Watergrove Reservoir (24th). There were up to three Caspian Gulls in Gorton. A reintroduction-scheme White-tailed Eagle flew over Oldham (9th). A Yellow- legged Gull was on High Rid Reservoir. A Mediterranean Gull roosted at Hollingworth Lake. Audenshaw Reservoir had a Caspian Gull (23rd) and two Mediterranean Gulls. Manchester Mosslands logged a Merlin, Marsh Harrier, 19 Corn Buntings and 23 Bramblings. Dr Paul Brewster (01606 590 491)

NORTH LANCASHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: The Ring- necked Duck remained on Birchwood Lake, Borwick (to 16th). The Long- billed Dowitcher reappeared at Fluke Hall flood (8th and 13th), before becoming more reliable at the end of the month. A record seven Water Pipits were on Glasson Marsh (4th).

HEYSHAM AND MORECAMBE: Up to 50 pale- bellied Brent Geese were in the Heysham area. Eiders peaked at 540. A Common Scoter was by the outfalls (17th). A Shag remained around Heysham Harbour, with a gale producing three additional birds (5th). Two Purple Sandpipers were at North Morecambe. Seven Jack Snipe were at Ocean Edge. There were two Little Gulls (5th), with three (22nd-24th), one remaining (to 28th). The Mediterranean Gull remained in Heysham. Black Redstarts were at Sandylands (to 24th) and at Heysham Power Station (12th and 24th).

LEIGHTON MOSS: A Scaup from Pine Lake visited (2nd). The first Avocet returned (12th). Six Marsh Harriers and two Merlins hunted. Six Bitterns were heard. Ten Hawfinches were at Gaitbarrows/Coldwell. Little Gulls were at Keer Estuary (21st) and Lilians Pool (26th).

NORTH FYLDE AND THE LUNE: Ten Bewick’s Swans were with 400 Whooper Swans in the Cockersands area. On the Lune floodplain, the Melling Whooper Swan flock peaked at 65. A Barnacle Goose was at Jeremy Lane (23rd). A Yellow- legged Gull was at Knott End (1st-3rd). A Great Skua was along the Cockersands- Pilling Lane Ends coast (20th-21st). A Long- eared Owl unfortunately hit a window near Arkholme (20th). Stonechats included seven at Cocker’s Dyke (27th). The Snow Bunting remained at Cockersands Abbey (to 25th). Twite included 51 at Knott End and 46 in the Cockersands area. Pete Marsh and Jon Carter