26/04/2017 Hale Lighthouse & Carr Lane Pools

Whitethroat: Hoping to see one of the Channel Wagtails that have been reglarly seen at Carr Lane Pools Gary and I decided to spend the afternoon at this sunny part of Cheshire.

Wheatear: We could only manage to pick up a couple of the standard Yellow Wags but we enjoyed watching them along with Blacktailed Godwits and Dunlin dropping in from Town Lane.

Once we were satisfied that we had searched Carr Lane Pools adequately we moved on down to the Lighthouse, starting from Within Way.

It was here we heard a Lesser Whitethroat calling on Within Way but only managed to see another Common Whitethroat. There were also Yellow Wags flittering around the crops in the surrounding fields.

Towards the shore line we picked up large flocks of Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and some nice Wheatear.

Hale Lighthouse and Carr Lane Pools is a smashing place, particularly when the sun is out.

Common Swift: Before setting off back home I thought we would chance it again and give Carr Lane another go for Channel Wags, but again was only rewareded with the standard variety.

We were however treated to some low flybys from some Swift and bumped in to Dot, who as ever, is always a pleasure to chat with.

21/06/2014 Crosby Marina Lake

Common Swift: After Pete Kinsella's excellent work finding a 1st summer Caspian Gull at Crosby, Dawn and I decided to spend a sunny Saturday down by the marina lake.

When we arrived we were surrounded by huge numbers of passerines and was astonished how low and fast Swift would actually come.

Dawn and I scanned over the small flocks of gulls loafing around on the border pool next to the larger Marina Lake for the caspo. However I was getting very distracted photographing these awesome Swift zooming past our heads.

Herring Gull: After a long search and some time scratching our heads we came across this bird. Distinctively different from the resident juv Herring Gulls but yet not quite what I was hoping for.







We monitored the bird until it came closer and until it took to the sky and still I wasn't convinced.  I have recently showed it to Pete who assures me it is a Herring Gull.

As I suspected a Herring Gull! Or is it a  worn 2CY Lesser Black-backed?? Bloody gulls

01/07/2012 Frodsham Marsh

Common Swift: After yesterdays disappointing trip to New Brighton for a fruitless trip to see the Little Swift in the miserable rain, today has been a stark contrast. It has been bright and sunny and I was surrounded by Swifts, ok not Little Swift, Instead I had to settle for Common Swift, although still great to watch.



Blow Fly: I couldn’t resist getting the macro lens when I saw this spectacular little fly whizzing around.

Frodsham Marsh also threw up one Redshank, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat and a flock of 20+ Goldfinch many juvenile. I also saw a stunning male Marsh Harrier on tank no.6 and tank no.5