15/10/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
09/10/2012 Leighton Moss RSPB
The one that got away, this must have been the best, sharpest image I took of the tit but unfortunately the bloody bird was looking the wrong way!
01/10/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands
Other highlights from the past few days at Burton Mere Wetlands are: Golden Plover, Greenshank, Hen and Marsh Harrier.
21/09/2012 Frodsham Marsh
Pretty quiet really, a huge flock of Greenfinch where flying around weaver bend and on tank.6 there was a few Ruff and Dunlin.
The highlight by far was this stunning male Marsh Harrier off the end of tank.6
02/09/2012 Burton Point
I was treated to a trip to Burton Point to try my luck again at seeing the Little Owls and at long last they were there, sun bathing on the rocks.
We saw two young Owls and a pair of Kestrels in the area and bumped in to a few local birders who were kind enough to lend us their scopes.
The Wheatears where showing well again at the sheep dip pens too.
29/08/2012 Burton Point
But I did see 4 Wheatear happily sitting on the fence around the cattle grid and sheep pens which brightened my day a little.
Another great week at the RSPBs Burton Mere Wetlands Reserve and the highlight for me was definitely the Common Lizard and the Merlin. The Marsh Harriers where out daily and a pectoral Sandpiper gave a good show on Friday and the same waders and wildfowl are growing in numbers.
25/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
Green Woodpecker: I was surprised to see this young woody feeding in a garden as I walked in to work this morning. It was on someones lawn in one of those million pound houses just off Paddington Lane.
We know there is a resident Green Woodpecker on the reserve itself and we often get reports of people hearing its call but very few people actual get to see it. I was chuffed. The Marsh Harriers once again didn’t disappoint as they showed really well through the day as did a Pectoral Sandpiper which was a fantastic tick.
22/08/2012 Chester Meadows
I have just come across this Friends of Chester Meadows news letter from Spring 2012.
They have taken two of my photographs of the Mediterranean Gull and have kindly put my Blog link on there too. This article was first realised on their public information board just outside of the meadows.
The Meadows are unique in being so close to the centre of the busy city of Chester, yet offer a peaceful place to enjoy surrounded by nature. They are regularly enjoyed by walkers, joggers, anglers, bird watchers. There is so much to see: ground nesting birds, river birds, small mammals, aquatic life or just take in the breathtaking beauty.20/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
Garden Orb Spider: Araneus diadematus
This brightly coloured beauty comes in a variety of shades of orange and brown, and is characterised by the pattern of white dots on its back which resembles a cross. The minutely spiny legs are banded light and dark.
Seen and photographed on through a window at the Marsh Covert Hide at Burton Mere Wetlands.
**NEWS** It has been confirmed that the Marsh Harrier with the green wing tags numbered 'B4' was tagged in Northfolk at Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve and was tagged by the Hawk and Owl Trust.
See the link below for more info on the Harriers at Sculthorpe Moor and the ongoing work the Hawk & Owl Trust are doing there.
19/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
The highlight was certainly the Marsh Harriers, five all in all with one having green wing tags attched to both wings.
14/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
Goldfinch: Back on the feeders at BMW and there has been lots of activity but nothing outstanding, the usual suspects, garden birds and squirrels.
But don’t despair with Greenshank, Spotted Redshanks common sightings on the reserve along with reports of Wood Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper the autumn migration and return of warders is well underway.
Watch this space for the more passing migrants and who know there might be the odd rare bird!
13/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
Over the past few days there has been a regular sighting of Marsh Harrier, one of which has green wing tags we presume it was tagged in Norfolk but this has yet to be confirmed.
Other raptors over the past week seen at Burton Mere Wetlands include Peregrine, Hobby, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Red Kite – which was only seen one briefly on Friday and not seen since.
Other raptors over the past week seen at Burton Mere Wetlands include Peregrine, Hobby, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Red Kite – which was only seen one briefly on Friday and not seen since.
04/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB
Not only is this a great opportunity for me, but to work at such a fantastic reserve, a reserve which has had successful fledglings this year of over 40 Little Egrets many Avocet Redshank and 4 Spotted Flycatcher is brilliant.
A reserve in the heart of the Dee Estuary which is a strong hold for the elegant and stunning Black Tailed Godwit as it is estimated to have over 5000 individuals. It’s a reserve which is for ever changing and a reserve with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Yesterday there was 1 Ruff, 4 Spotted Redshank, Marsh Harrier, Hobby and 7+ Snipe.....superb!
Today the Spotted Redshank and Snipe where still around (one hour early morning) then 1 Little Stint on the RSPB owned Parkgate Marsh, off the Donkey Stand Flash.
COME DOWN AND SEE THIS STUNNING RESERVE AND WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER
25/07/2012 Gronant
Gronant’s colony will have had bad results compared to previous years but im sure if you compare it to the other UK colonies if they have 60-40 successful fledglings then I would certainly view that as a positive result.
Sedge Warbler: The tide was out during my shift so didn’t see much in the way of sea birds but Ringed Plover can be found all over the site, many with young, one of which was sadly taken by the kestrel today.
Sedge and Reed Warblers where also seen on the salt marsh.
There was a huge mass of Oystercatcher on the tide line, I could hear Sandwich Tern but didn’t see any although I was pleased to see a fleeting glimpse of a Grey Wagtail heading towards Talacre.
And a single curlew was briefly seen along the tide line.
I would like to thank Wendy, Andy, Tom and everyone else I have spoken to while there for being very friendly and wish them and the Little Terns all the best.
22/07/2012 Thurstaston
Green Finch: (male) This little gem was pretty standard a few bird feeders and perching branches but very close to the hide, much closer then Moore’s and Martin Mere Nature reserves feeding stations. The first birds to arrive were Green Finch there was a flock of about 9 many of which were juveniles and females, Great Tit was the next to arrive and then the House Sparrows turned up for a quick feed. 
Bullfinch: A group of Bullfinch came flying in there was 2 males and 3 females, theses came very close to the hide to feed before flying off over the hedges.
Robin: (juvenile) Other birds included a single Blue Tit a juvenile Robin, Wood Pidgins and Collard Doves, this place is fab and they had some pictures up in the hide of what birds had been seen, from brambling, Fieldfare and a stunning male Sparrowhawk so I would definitely recommend a visit if anyone is ever down on the beach sunning themselves. 21/07/2012 Lancashire
Common Darter Dragonfly: The one thing that was very interesting was the abundance and variety of Damselflies and Dragonflies, it was great just sitting and watching them dart and skim across the water and over the reeds.
Common Tern: The surprise bird of the day was a single Common Tern sitting far out on a pontoon on the main lake at Mere Sands Wood Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve, It hung about in the sun for about 15 minutes before flying off over the tree line. Other birds included one female Tree Sparrow at the feeding station and a very distant and fast Kingfisher.
19/07/2012 Grosvenor Park
The Moorhen chicks are doing really well I counted six as they where feeding out of the grass and along the side of the pond.
18/07/2012 Gronant
We estimated around 200, I also spotted 6 Arctic Terns flying through the colony and Common Scoter flying low over the sea.
There were also 2 Grey Seals bobbing around in the surf just opposite where I was keeping look out for any birds of prey. Luckily this week I didn’t spot any and while I was there we had no attempted attacks on the Tern chicks.
Although worryingly I did spot a stoat in the sand dunes scurrying away from the fenced area, could this be a threat? Possibly, add it to the list, Foxes, Cats, Peregrines and the dreaded Kestrels.
The guys there are always looking for new voluntary wardens please get involved and make a difference.
11/07/2012 Gronant
It was my first day at the Little Tern colony at Gronant as Voluntary warden and the sun was out I was accompanied by some really nice people. I was given an introduction and was trained to learn how to listen out for the birds alarm calls and act when a predator came.
Myself and the other volunteer warden primary role o to deter the Kestrels which have been devastating the colony of late, if we dont help stop them this could be the worst year they have had since Denbighshire Council took over from the RSPB.
Within minutes of my arrival there was an attempted attack from tow Peregrines, how came in low and fast the Little Terns did most of the fending off but Wendy the senior warden went running and shouting toward the killer bird and it soon flew off out of sight.
An hour or so went by then suddenly there was more commotion as we spotted a female kestrel flying in towards the colony, Wendy did here usual thing of running off after the bird and me and another voluntary warden kept out eye on it as it came away from Wendy and flew around the back of us. I then ran off was frantically blowing my whistle, which had very little effect as the bird flew in low and fast and grabbed a Little Tern chick, feeling very disappointed the bird then flew with speed out of sight.
Stone Chat: (male) The people on the site are doing some amazing work and they think there is about 40 chicks still active but if the kestrel attacks continue they may end up with ZERO! Therefore there is an URGENT APEAL FOR MORE VOUONTARY WARDEND, anyone who has some free time please get in touch with Richard (Email below) 
Sedge Warbler: Gronant is a stunning place it’s full of birds and orchids. As I was walking towards the colony I saw two Stone Chat a male and female, Skylark where everywhere and the odd Reed Bunting was spotted over the Reed Beds.
Although we didn’t want to see the Peregrines as they were attempting to take a Little Tern chick it was still nice to see two but the star bird has to be the 50-60 Little Terns.
Soldier Beetle: Marsh Orchids where everywhere looking stunning in the sunshine, with a quick change of lens I was able to get low and close and take this shot. The place was full of active Butterflies, Dragonflies and other insects bit many I was unable to Id.
********URGENT APEAL FOR MORE VOUONTARY WARDEND*******
for details of who to contact
For more info on the Little Tern Colony see
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18179806
For more info on the Little Tern Colony see
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18179806
09/07/2012 The Cheshire and Wirral Badger Group
This is an experience I would recommend to anyone, to get so close to wild badgers and see how they feed and interact with each other was simply awesome.
Now, I have been on a Badger watch before without any success where I was just sitting in the cold and the dark staring at a hole in the ground, but with The Cheshire and Wirral Badger Group we where treated to sightings within seconds of the food going down and they where around for at least 15 minutes.
I WOULD SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND ANYONE WHO MAY BE IN TO WILDLIFE OR NOT GET IN TOUCH WITH GROUP AND BOOK A VISIT. SEE THE LINK BELOW MORE MORE INFOMATION.
Thanks guys for a great night out.
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