Friday 24 November 2017

Weather , Cold Sunshine and showers, Wind, W 15mph

For the few Birders that braved the sharp cold showers and icy winds they were rewarded with views of a very confiding Snow Bunting at Leasowe Bay just 500 yards east of Leasowe Castle hotel, 
Snow Bunting GAC

Thursday 9 November 2017

Weather: Cold blustery showers AM , dry brighter conditions PM , Wind WSW 10mph.

A day of two halves weather wise at the Lighthouse today with this morning being very blustery Far from comfortable conditions for the hardy regulars, this mornings sightings were, 1 Redwing, 2 Black Tailed Godwit, in Kerr's field , and the resident Little Owl was at Lingham Lane bridge, with no sign of any crests ( Gold or Fire) or chiffchaff ( Collybita or Tristis ) on the Nature trail. 
Observers DH, KD,

This Afternoon was more pleasant with visiting Cheshire birder Phil Oddy faring better , this afternoons sightings included , 1 Adult Mediterranean Gull in Kerr's field , 1 Siberian Chiffchaff probably the same bird that has been seen on and off for the last six days on the nature trail,  2 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Water Rail on the duck pond, 

Many thanks for the sightings Phil, 

Any Lighthouse area sightings to
Grahamconnolly66@googlemail.com 

Wednesday 8 November 2017

Wednesday 8th November 2017

Stonechat.      Allan Conlin
Siberian Chiffchaff (tristis) along Scat alley.      Eddie Williams
Weather; Sunny spells. Wind W F2
Chiffchaff (rather pale collybita race bird. Compare with the tristis)   Eddie Williams

The increasingly flooded Kerr's field continues to attract good numbers of waders, especially over the high tide period. 110 Lapwings, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Curlew and 9 Snipe were logged here today. 2 Stonechats are also in this area with another in
Goldrest, one of 15 logged today.   Allan Conlin
Meols Common. These birds will likely remain for the winter.
Visible overhead migration was quieter today although the first Snow Bunting of the winter flew in from the north over the sea embankment and continued south without pause. A Raven, 10 Skylarks, a Redwing, 15 Chaffinches and 2 Siskins were also counted, mainly headed east.
There was an arrival of around 10 Chiffchaffs and 15 Goldcrests, mainly in the duck pond and nature trail areas. Considering the wind direction and how late we are in the autumn migration season these were good totals. A very probable Firecrest was also glimpsed near the duck pond, possibly Monday's bird. 
The Siberian Chiffchaff was present all day. It is usually to be found along the muddy path running to the south of the duckpond to the eastern kissing gate known as 'LEO Lane'.




Monday 6 November 2017

Siberian Chiffchaff

Weather: Light winds, sunny. some high cloud.

A crisp and cold but clear late autumn day had observers excited at the prospect of a good days birding. Overhead vis mig was unsurprisingly at this time of year made up principally of finches. 54 Goldfinch, 27 Greenfinch, 5 Bullfinch, 18 Siskin and 3 Brambling moved through during the course of the morning.
The Siberian (Tristis) Chiffchaff that has been elusive for a couple of days finally showed well today allowing for a couple of pictures. A particularly well marked individual sporting a faint wing bar and green edges to the primaries. Two 'normal' Colybita Chiffchaffs are also present in the same area
A Firecrest was found mid morning but could not be re located later in the day.
The usual Tit flocks could be found around the coastal sallows whilst a solitary Jay was in Lingham lane.
Kerr's field continues to play host to a range of gulls, ducks and waders including 110 Lapwing and 27 Black tailed Godwit.
Tristis Chiffchaff (Eddie Wiliams)

Tistis Chiffchaff (Allan Conlin(












Friday 3 November 2017

Weather: Cold cloudy Occasional showers, Wind: SSW 9mph 

A feeling of deja vu  when the news spread that a Siberian Chiffchaff ( phylloscopus tristis) had been seen on the nature trail, This time last week birders from near and far were trying to obtain fleeting glimpses of a Yellow Browed Warbler today was a chilly grey November afternoon  totally different from last Fridays Warm sunny weather, 

As predicted by one of the Lighthouse regulars and mentioned in Sundays blog a Siberian Chiffchaff was seen between 1-30pm and 3-30pm the fourth consecutive year that we've had one in the nature trail area
Like with the yellow Browed Warbler, Goldcrest's and tits Herald their arrival and patience is needed as well as a keen eye and ear with Tristis call a flat PEEP compared to the Collybita HWEET call 
hopefully the Sibe Chiff will remain in the area for a few days some over winter in the UK . 

Other Birds in the Area: 

Fly overs: 25 Black Tailed Godwit, 30 Chaffinch, 15 Meadow Pipit, 1 Snipe, 2 Siskin, 1 Redpoll,

Grounded: 8 Black Tailed Godwit in kerrs field , 1 Blackcap, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 20 Song Thrush, 

Observers: DH, SD, GAC, 

Any sightings for the lighthouse Area to 
Grahamconnolly66@googlemail.com