4th May 2014

Weather: W/SW-2, overcast and cool, warm later.

A party of 6 Wheatear dropped in near the pumping station in Meols dunes whilst a further 10 were either in or around the Lighthouse Paddocks. Also, in the paddocks were 5 White Wagtails and 6 Yellow Wagtails. In addition to the usual breeding warblers a Garden Warbler was heard singing in Lingham Lane. A single Swift passed through mid morning with a small passage of Hirrundines. Tree Pipits are regular at the Lighthouse but rarely do we see them on the ground so when one was flushed from sandy lane the photographic opportunity wasn't to be missed. Calling Tree Pipit are of course straight forward and although the short hind claw is not visible in the photograph below, the pink legs, ochre breast and pale ear covert patch are the key identification features for any non calling Tree Pipit.

Bird of the day however goes to a Great White Egret seen by Rob Bithell & Colin Schofield; the bird flew in low, past the Lighthouse and headed off  Southwest. This is still a rare bird in this part of Wirral and represents the first record for the Lighthouse. 

AMC, JB, RB, CS and MGT

 Note the Ear Covert patch (AMC)