02/02/2014 Parkgate

Kestrel: These hungry eyes were like hundreds of others fixed on the flooding marsh of Parkgate hoping to see something good!

Short Eared Owl: After a very successful FREE guided walk ran by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the regions largest local conservation charity it was great to get some closer views of SE Owls.

However, lady luck was not on my side as the bird just kept itself faced in to the wind which was blowing straight in my face.


Other highlights included a female Merlin, Ring Tail Hen Harrier, 3 Short Eared Owl, Fox and a very greedy Grey Heron stuffing its face with a Water Rail.

03/01/2014 Parkgate Marsh

Short Ear Owl: With the weather forecast predicting 70mph winds and knowing there was going to be a 10.1 meter high tide I thought I would spend my day watching the Parkgate  high tide extravaganza!

Field Mouse: All the predators had their eyes peeled for small mammals like this Field Mouse. I witnessed Black Headed Gulls feasting on mice and rats and local Herons stuffing their crops!

I also counted three SE Owls, two Kestrels and one ring tail Hen Harrier all on the hunt for an easy meal.

Short Ear Owl: The highlight of the day was this SE Owl which came in close before soaring right over my head before disappearing past the houses.

Although the forecast got it a bit wrong as the winds were not that strong, it was still a very windy, very damp and very grim day, I was kind of gutted as when the SE Owl came close the clouds closed in and light was lost! However the day was brightened up my watching thousands of birds flying around Parkgate Marsh.

Water Rail: It wasn't just Field Mice and other small mammals getting pushed off the marsh by the tide. I counted eight Water Rail scampering for their lives off the flooded marsh.







Great White Egret: It was also great to see this GW Egret making the most of the 'fast' food!

12/04/2013 Denhall Quay

Chiffchaff: I took a trip down to Neston with the hope of seeing the Water Pipit which has been seen regularly around Neston Sewage Works. I stayed a good while but alas the bird didn't show, but I did see a ton of Chiffchaff.

Short Eared Owl: The morning was not a total waste though as I caught a brief glimpse of this shortie off Denhall Quay, unfortunately I didn't have my camera out so by the time I did the bird was at some distance and flying away from me.

Lesson one - always have your camera ready!

11/03/2012 Burton Marsh

Short Ear Owl: A very nice little ramble down to Burton Marsh revealed very nice close views of 2 Short Ear Owls one of which I nearly missed and thanks to Dawn, my better half who spotted the second.

And viewed from the car parking place we saw the Great White Egret and a Hen Harrier (ring tail).

04/01/2012 Frodsham Marsh

Short Ear Owl: Simply stunning!















Frodsham Marsh tank no.6