13/04/2014 Platt Fields Park, Manchester

Common Scoter: These squat sea ducks are more commonly spotted as a line of dark ducks flying low over the water, or as large rafts of black ducks bobbing on the sea. but despite their seagoing habits, they do occur inland on lakes.

A nocturnal migrating bird, they are known to  move cross the land between the northern Irish Sea and North Sea coast of northern England and on occasion they can get disoriented and land on inland lakes.

This bird has been preset for around four days and papers to be in good shape, happily living side by side with the local mallards and Canada geese. 

Platt Fields Park is one of the largest parks in Manchester. Occupying a vast 16 acres, the park has two children’s playgrounds and a beautiful central lake, great for observing local wildlife. 

I had to wait around 45 minutes before the bird decided to stop taking its afternoon nap, wake up and do something. The bird paddled out into the open and started feeding, performing really well. 

07/03/2016 Ainsdale Beach

Sanderling: Toady I was hoping to follow in the footsteps of Neil Gordon who struck bird-gold yesterday at Birkdale Golf Course finding a flock of 50 Common Crossbill and managed to get some cracking pics too.





I know these birds regularly frequent the pines of the dunes in this area and I have tried twice in the past to find these elusive birds without any luck.

I met up with Patrick Earith and we set off in to the dunes finding Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Coal Tit and Goldcrest but no Crossbill, no sign or sound of them.

From Birkdale I decided to go check out Ainsdale Beach for 'stumpy' the one legged Caspian Gull, but it was looking like one of those days; the kind when you don't see the birds you are hoping for, the kind I regularly have!

The tide was quickly retreating when I arrived and after a long fruitless search for the Caspo I happily got distracted by this feeding Sanderling that put on a good show.

Common Scoter: It was also brilliant to watch several hundred Common Scoter flying and bobbing up and down off shore.

They were very flighty, I only wish I had my scope with me so I could scan the flock and look for some of the more rarer Scoter.

Grey Plover & Knot: Despite not seeing either of my target birds it was a stunning day with some good company and good supporting cast of birds.

09/08/2015 Pennington Flash

Sabine's Gull: Today I witnessed that bizarre event whereby a Pike grabbed on to the Sabs and literally dragged it under the water.

It was beneath the waves for about 5 seconds before reappearing and flying to the very far side of the flash. I grabbed this shot as the bird came back up but I was unable to capture any images that included the Pike, it almost sounds like bull plop, but is true and awesome to witness.

Common Scoter: There has even been eye witness reports of the gull having blood on its chest, I certainly hope the bird OK and recovers.

The other bird to note from todays outing to penny was this superb drake Common Scoter. I've never had views like this from penny before.

20/03/2015 Carr Mill Dam, St Helens

Common Scoter: I've seen thousands of Scoter off shore and half a dozen in some local lakes like Pennington Flash and Elton Reservoir, but I have never seen a Scoter showing this well before.

The bird was found yesterday at Carr Mill Dam, however it wasn't spotted loafing around on the main lake like I've seen them before but on an outflow stream on the south east side of the lake.

It looked like the bird, that usually migrates and flys through the night was brought down by the recent fog.

The bird then settled on the lake and drifted towards the outflow and down on to the stream.

When I arrived the RSPCA were there doing what they do best. It was feared that the bird might be unable to take off from the stream as they need a good running start, unlike a Mallard that can take off almost vertically like a helicopter!

It was Derek Hampson from the RSPCA who was chest deep in the murky waters trying his hardest to capture the bird and take it to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre.

But the Scoter had other ideas and gave Derek the run around as it constantly dove under the water only to emerge behind him or at the other side of the outflow.

Another empty net!

It seemed like the Scoter was playing around with Derek and at times laughing!

But Derek kept his cool and patience getting closer and closer to the bird each time.

 SUCCESS!

The chase was finally over.

With lightning reflexes the Scoter dove under water again but this time swam right in to the RSPCA's well placed net.

With a splash and a cheer the bird was safe and sound and on its was to Stapeley Grange.

01/08/2014 Liverpool Bay

Gannet: As a Liverpool native, who has lived away from the city since my childhood years, it seemed like a long time since I last set sail on the Mersey.

Common Tern: This time it was under the guidance of Liverpool Bay Marine Trust - a great local charity working across the Mersey, Wirral, Dee and across to Morecambe and are dedicated to the study of its biodiversity and educating the public.

Our route took us up the Mersey and out of the estuary towards the nearby wind farm and down to Hilbre and back.

The first interesting birds we came across were tons of Common Tern fishing in the Mersey.



Gannet: As we approached the wind turbines we spotted several adult Gannet loafing around on the water. Probably too full of fish to soar off in to the distance. We also saw plenty of Common and Sandwich Tern around this area.

Grey Seal: The signature mammal of the Dee and Hilbre; the Grey Seal, bobbing up and down around the boat while we stopped for a breather off Hilbre.

Here we spotted this female Common Scoter and a male on the other side, both really close to the island. We also got super views of Ringed Plover and Dunlin flocking past the boat.

Sandwich Tern: After a quick cup of tea and some awesome views of the seals the we took the boat all the way around Hilbre where we saw hundreds of Turnstone, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Knot roosting on the red cliffs and ledges of Hilbre.





Dunlin: Unfortunately we didn't see any cetaceans and at times it was wet, very wet! But that didn't dampen the spirits of the boat's enthusiastic passengers.  

Overall the trip was a fantastic reminder of what a wonderful part of the world I live in and how proud we should be of it. I would recommend anyone to check out the fantastic work of Liverpool Bay Marine Trust.

They are involved in some really exciting projects from shark tagging and cetacean monitoring, so get in touch and get involved people!! 

www.liverpoolbaymlt.org

www.facebook.com/LiverpoolBayMarineLifeTrust