Wednesday 23rd November 2016

Weather; Mild and cloudy with sunny spells. Wind NE F2

The Dee marshes take much of the birding attention once the migration season is over and today was no exception. 6 Short-eared Owls were noted in the Neston marsh and Denhall Quay area today, often showing very well. 2 Merlin were also here along with 2 Marsh Harrier and a ringtail Hen Harrier.

Good numbers of Water Pipits were again in evidence with 5 being noted at Neston Old Quay with further singles at Denhall Quay and off Denhall Lane. With an RSPB estimate of only 190 wintering individuals in the U.K. the Dee estuary must be a major site for them at present. Birds are now regularly seen from Heswall south to Burton Mere wetlands so the true number of birds present on the freshwater littoral of the marshes would probably greatly surprise us.

Skylark on Neston saltmarsh      EW

Water Pipit in field off Denhall Lane       EW

2 Great White Egrets, 5 Rock Pipits and 40 Skylarks were noted further out on Neston saltmarsh. 30 Meadow Pipits were also at Neston Old Quay with 25 off Denhall Lane.

Water Pipit.  Neston Old Quay.        EW