December 2019
The December count was eventful with a new bird species found. Ian and Dermot met early and went along Rake Lane to the Holpool Gutter to see if any pink-footed geese were leaving the marshes and flying in land. We counted 600, so not as many as last month’s count of 2,300 or the 4,400 that Andy counted from his house in November. 2,700 Canada geese was a similar count to November. There were eighteen whooper swans; three on Ince Marshes and the rest on the fields by the M56.
1,100 shelduck was an increase on last month’s 800. Shoveler seem to have reached their autumn peak with 65 being down on the 155 in November. Wigeons were very disappointing with just 500, half last month’s count and well below our recent average maximum of 1,600. However, teal were up on last month at 2,700, reaching the nationally important threshold again. However, birds in the Mersey Estuary SPA were only 2,000 which is below the nationally important threshold. 326 tufted duck were well up of last month’s 30 and just above our 5-year average maximum.
43 little egrets were just two below the nationally important threshold. Three great egrets is expected these days. Four water rails was a good count this month and they were all in Manisty Bay.
Amongst the waders one avocet was a little bit unseasonal but nearly 4,000 lapwing was good but only half our recent average of 9,000. 372 grey plovers was our highest of the winter but still below our average maximum. Of the 1,110 curlew only 60% were within the SPA. Last month it was just 48% and the month before 60% which demonstrates the importance of the surrounding fields to curlew who readily fly between the estuary and the fields. Black-tailed godwits have dropped from their August and October peaks of over 1,000 to just 132. Most will be sunning themselves in Portugal!
41,000 dunlins was an amazing sight. It is below average but that is because we had two exceptional counts of 60,000 in recent years and 40,000 is nearer what I expect. Two little stints at Hale was great news, but I wonder how many little stints hide with the 40,000 dunlin at Stanlow Point? 4,800 redshanks was internationally important and the fourth month in a row when we have exceeded 4,000 birds.
We recorded a new species of raptor with both Ian and Shaun separately seeing a goshawk hunting at Stanlow Point and Manisty Marshes.
1,100 shelduck was an increase on last month’s 800. Shoveler seem to have reached their autumn peak with 65 being down on the 155 in November. Wigeons were very disappointing with just 500, half last month’s count and well below our recent average maximum of 1,600. However, teal were up on last month at 2,700, reaching the nationally important threshold again. However, birds in the Mersey Estuary SPA were only 2,000 which is below the nationally important threshold. 326 tufted duck were well up of last month’s 30 and just above our 5-year average maximum.
43 little egrets were just two below the nationally important threshold. Three great egrets is expected these days. Four water rails was a good count this month and they were all in Manisty Bay.
Amongst the waders one avocet was a little bit unseasonal but nearly 4,000 lapwing was good but only half our recent average of 9,000. 372 grey plovers was our highest of the winter but still below our average maximum. Of the 1,110 curlew only 60% were within the SPA. Last month it was just 48% and the month before 60% which demonstrates the importance of the surrounding fields to curlew who readily fly between the estuary and the fields. Black-tailed godwits have dropped from their August and October peaks of over 1,000 to just 132. Most will be sunning themselves in Portugal!
41,000 dunlins was an amazing sight. It is below average but that is because we had two exceptional counts of 60,000 in recent years and 40,000 is nearer what I expect. Two little stints at Hale was great news, but I wonder how many little stints hide with the 40,000 dunlin at Stanlow Point? 4,800 redshanks was internationally important and the fourth month in a row when we have exceeded 4,000 birds.
We recorded a new species of raptor with both Ian and Shaun separately seeing a goshawk hunting at Stanlow Point and Manisty Marshes.
November 2019
On Sunday 17th November, The Mersey Estuary WeBS count was a bit dull and damp weather-wise but had some interesting birds.
Last month’s Egyptian Geese had dropped from 14 to 8. Canada geese were down from 3,300 to 2,500. However, Pink-footed Geese were up from 6 to 2,300. This was quite a sight for Shaun as skeins of geese came in, wave after wave, calling and whiffling down onto Ince Marshes. There were 12 Whooper Swans out on Lordship Lane fields, by the flooded area.
Over 800 shelduck was pretty similar to last month and nationally important. There were nearly a thousand wigeon and 700 mallards. 2,400 teals was a nationally important count. However, only 1,500 or 64%, were actually in the Mersey Estuary SPA, with over 700 on the Frodsham lagoons and other areas outside the SPA. This means the SPA count was not nationally important! Eight goldeneyes were the first of the winter on the Weaver Estuary.
63 herons were the highest this WeBS year. 30 little egrets and 3 great egrets was similar to last month as was the 150 cormorants.
Waders were in good numbers. Lapwings were up to 2,800. 400 Golden Plovers was double last month and 237 Grey Plovers was up on last month’s 50. 322 Ringed Plovers was the highest this WeBS year and most of those were at Eastham Locks. 1,171 curlews was the highest this season, but short of our nationally important average of 1,900. However, less than half of these were within the SPA, the rest were feeding in the adjacent fields. 447 Black-tailed Godwits was half last month’s count suggesting they have moved on to their wintering grounds down in Portugal or perhaps just feeding on the flooded fields on the River Weaver where John had some good flocks. There were 229 turnstones but what was more unusual was that over 50 of these were at Eastham Locks. Six purple sandpipers at New Brighton were the first of the winter.
Dunlin had increased, as predicted, from last month’s 7,000 to over 37,000. Although below the average of 52,000 this figure is nearer what I expect in the winter as the average includes two record breaking counts of over 60,000 in the last 5 years. Needless to say these are internationally important counts. They were doing some great murmurations but the light was too poor to get an decent video.
There were four jack snipes, though that was nearly only three as I was an inch away from treading on one and then nearly kicked it with my other foot as it took off. I know people say you can almost tread on them before they flush but in the 25 years I have been flushing these birds on Manisty I have never got that close to treading on one before!
5,100 redshanks was the highest count since 2003-04 and was the 9th highest count since we began counting in 1970. The majority of these (3,200) were at Eastham Locks. Eastham alone was internationally important. This is proving to be an amazing place with twelve species of waders. I walked eight miles across the marshes and saw less than that and Toni and Ray can drive to the site! I did find the only Spotted Redshank, so I got some reward.
The notable absence amongst the usual raptors was Peregrine, but there were 2 Merlins and 2 Marsh Harriers. Amongst the passerines were 10 Rock Pipits flushed from Manisty Marshes.
I also saw two foxes at Manisty. They don’t see many people as not even the farmer or the wildfowlers visit that part of the estuary. So when they spotted me they both stopped and looked at me as I approached and then ran away a short distance and then stopped again to look back at me. They did this several times before disappearing. One of them was seen later along through the brambles, on the bank I was sitting on and must have got a shock when it popped its head out about four foot from me.
The next count is on the 15th December and I am still looking for fit volunteers to help count the amazing marshes at Stanlow and Ince. Let me know if you are interested.
Last month’s Egyptian Geese had dropped from 14 to 8. Canada geese were down from 3,300 to 2,500. However, Pink-footed Geese were up from 6 to 2,300. This was quite a sight for Shaun as skeins of geese came in, wave after wave, calling and whiffling down onto Ince Marshes. There were 12 Whooper Swans out on Lordship Lane fields, by the flooded area.
Over 800 shelduck was pretty similar to last month and nationally important. There were nearly a thousand wigeon and 700 mallards. 2,400 teals was a nationally important count. However, only 1,500 or 64%, were actually in the Mersey Estuary SPA, with over 700 on the Frodsham lagoons and other areas outside the SPA. This means the SPA count was not nationally important! Eight goldeneyes were the first of the winter on the Weaver Estuary.
63 herons were the highest this WeBS year. 30 little egrets and 3 great egrets was similar to last month as was the 150 cormorants.
Waders were in good numbers. Lapwings were up to 2,800. 400 Golden Plovers was double last month and 237 Grey Plovers was up on last month’s 50. 322 Ringed Plovers was the highest this WeBS year and most of those were at Eastham Locks. 1,171 curlews was the highest this season, but short of our nationally important average of 1,900. However, less than half of these were within the SPA, the rest were feeding in the adjacent fields. 447 Black-tailed Godwits was half last month’s count suggesting they have moved on to their wintering grounds down in Portugal or perhaps just feeding on the flooded fields on the River Weaver where John had some good flocks. There were 229 turnstones but what was more unusual was that over 50 of these were at Eastham Locks. Six purple sandpipers at New Brighton were the first of the winter.
Dunlin had increased, as predicted, from last month’s 7,000 to over 37,000. Although below the average of 52,000 this figure is nearer what I expect in the winter as the average includes two record breaking counts of over 60,000 in the last 5 years. Needless to say these are internationally important counts. They were doing some great murmurations but the light was too poor to get an decent video.
There were four jack snipes, though that was nearly only three as I was an inch away from treading on one and then nearly kicked it with my other foot as it took off. I know people say you can almost tread on them before they flush but in the 25 years I have been flushing these birds on Manisty I have never got that close to treading on one before!
5,100 redshanks was the highest count since 2003-04 and was the 9th highest count since we began counting in 1970. The majority of these (3,200) were at Eastham Locks. Eastham alone was internationally important. This is proving to be an amazing place with twelve species of waders. I walked eight miles across the marshes and saw less than that and Toni and Ray can drive to the site! I did find the only Spotted Redshank, so I got some reward.
The notable absence amongst the usual raptors was Peregrine, but there were 2 Merlins and 2 Marsh Harriers. Amongst the passerines were 10 Rock Pipits flushed from Manisty Marshes.
I also saw two foxes at Manisty. They don’t see many people as not even the farmer or the wildfowlers visit that part of the estuary. So when they spotted me they both stopped and looked at me as I approached and then ran away a short distance and then stopped again to look back at me. They did this several times before disappearing. One of them was seen later along through the brambles, on the bank I was sitting on and must have got a shock when it popped its head out about four foot from me.
The next count is on the 15th December and I am still looking for fit volunteers to help count the amazing marshes at Stanlow and Ince. Let me know if you are interested.
Fox on Manisty Marsh.© Mersey WeBS
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Pink-footed geese. © Mersey WeBS
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More pink-footed geese coming in. © Mersey WeBS
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One of the gutters that drains Manisty Marshes with Stanlow Oil refinery in the background. © Mersey WeBS
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This is probably one of the least visited parts of England, yet is within one of the most urban areas in Britian.
October 2019
Despite a dire forecast for heavy rain the rain held off for most of the count and visibility was ok. This is the first month we have used the new boundaries so we actually have over 30 sectors. The sectors boundaries follow the SSSI and SPA boundaries and most of the sectors are outside of these designated areas.. This will allow us to see how important the surrounding undesignated area is for species that use the estuary.
We set one new record this month with 14 Egyptian Geese on Ince Marshes beating the previous record of 2. Will they become a more familiar sight as they continue to expand? There were 3,300 Canada Geese, 1,000 down on last month. On the count we only had 6 pink-footed geese on the ground though several hundred birds were seen flying over the estuary and I know many more roost on the river at night.
928 shelducks was up on last month but this year is a poor year for shelduck with a maximum of just 3,590 when I would hope for three times that amount. However, that low count is due to not having enough counters to cover the whole of Ince Marshes and Manisty Bay.
Shovelers seem to be returning to Frodsham with over 100 there and other wildfowl are building up slowly too. Three garganeys were again at Frodsham and a goosander at Oglet is a scarce bird for the Mersey Estuary.
We set one new record this month with 14 Egyptian Geese on Ince Marshes beating the previous record of 2. Will they become a more familiar sight as they continue to expand? There were 3,300 Canada Geese, 1,000 down on last month. On the count we only had 6 pink-footed geese on the ground though several hundred birds were seen flying over the estuary and I know many more roost on the river at night.
928 shelducks was up on last month but this year is a poor year for shelduck with a maximum of just 3,590 when I would hope for three times that amount. However, that low count is due to not having enough counters to cover the whole of Ince Marshes and Manisty Bay.
Shovelers seem to be returning to Frodsham with over 100 there and other wildfowl are building up slowly too. Three garganeys were again at Frodsham and a goosander at Oglet is a scarce bird for the Mersey Estuary.
Little egret at Pickerings Scrape.
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A young grey heron at Pickerings Scrape.
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There were four great egrets and 29 little egrets, with nearly 50 herons. |
Last month’s 37 avocets had dropped to 20 birds, but it is still nice to have them this late in the year. Lapwing numbers are building up with nearly 2,000 and almost 300 golden plovers. Six whimbrels is unusual so late in the year. 979 curlews was low, meaning this year’s autumn peak was just 1,071, half our average. 1,000 black-tailed godwits is internationally important and double last month’s figure. Most of the 264 turnstones were at New Brighton Marine Lake. 7,000 dunlins is to be expected and there should be loads more next month. 4,000 redshanks is internationally important, with again the majority of them being at Eastham locks.
I am concerned that while the estuary is more comprehensively counted than ever before we still don’t have enough counters to cover the most important areas of the estuary and so I will be doing publicity to encourage new volunteers.
Let me know if you know of anyone who would be interested.
I am concerned that while the estuary is more comprehensively counted than ever before we still don’t have enough counters to cover the most important areas of the estuary and so I will be doing publicity to encourage new volunteers.
Let me know if you know of anyone who would be interested.
July to Sept 2019
In July and August two of our key species, for which we are the number one UK location, peak. They are Canada goose and shelduck, as they assemble for a post breeding moult. In the last four years Canada geese numbers have been in the region of 7,700 to a record high of 9,200. This year’s count was 4,400 in July. However, in June 2019 it was 8,157, so I think that the Canada Geese are still in big numbers, but not increasing at the rate they were.
Canada Geese on Hale Marsh at high tide. September. © Rob Cockbain
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Floating up on the tide. From the hide at Hale Duck Decoy. © Rob Cockbain
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Shelducks.© Shaun Hickey
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Shelduck usually peak in July or August with a five-year average of 9,600. However, this year, counters were rather thin on the ground in July and August and we only managed a count of 3,590. The lack of counters in the larger sectors of Ince and Manisty is a concern for me and I would urge any of you who have friends who would like to make their birdwatching count, and contribute to the conservation of the birds they are counting, to contact me.
Returning migrants begin to appear in July and build into August, with September being a key month for waders. Wildfowl are much slower to build up and usually peak in the winter months, so duck numbers are only slowly increasing. However, three garganey is a new record. Seven domestic geese is also a new record. 102 shovelers is better than last year when we didn’t hit three figures and perhaps hints at a return to the form of the previous three years when we had 280, 317 and 426. Those are nationally and internationally important counts. The birds mostly occur on Frodsham Lagoons which is outside any designated site. Frodsham is also where the majority of the estuary’s teal are at present.
Returning migrants begin to appear in July and build into August, with September being a key month for waders. Wildfowl are much slower to build up and usually peak in the winter months, so duck numbers are only slowly increasing. However, three garganey is a new record. Seven domestic geese is also a new record. 102 shovelers is better than last year when we didn’t hit three figures and perhaps hints at a return to the form of the previous three years when we had 280, 317 and 426. Those are nationally and internationally important counts. The birds mostly occur on Frodsham Lagoons which is outside any designated site. Frodsham is also where the majority of the estuary’s teal are at present.
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July and August are peak months for cormorant with the increasing colony at Hale Duck Decoy being very significant. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get a co-ordinated and comprehensive count of all their usual haunts in July, August or September and so the 272 counted in September is well down on the nationally important 450 counted last July.
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Two cormorants.© Rob Cockbain
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Cormorant roosting on Hale Duck Decoy.© Rob Cockbain
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The ringed plover would not have been seen in the stubble but were flushed by a sparrowhawk.© Rob Cockbain
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Ringed plover in the stubble.© Rob Cockbain
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Although the highest WeBS count for ringed plover was only 110 an internationally important casual count of 950 was made by Rob at Hale in mid-August.
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For redshank, black-tailed godwit and curlew September is a key month. 4,700 redshanks was internationally important and our highest count for 15 years. This was largely due to a roosting flock of 3,900 at Eastham Docks. Black-tailed godwits were also in internationally important numbers but 1,182 on a WeBS count and 1,250 recorded at Frodsham as a casual count are well down on the 3,000+ we have had for the last 4 years, but black-tailed godwits also peak in March. The count of 1,100 curlews was similar to the last two years and means we will only just cling on to our nationally important five-year average for curlew and will lose it if we just look at the Mersey Estuary SPA.
Six years ago 809 oystercatchers would have been a new record, now it is about what we expect. Avocets are a welcome addition to the Mersey’s avifauna and for the 5th year in a row we have a double figure count with 37 recorded on the September WeBS count. Twelve ruffs is higher than last year’s maximum of ten and is above the nationally important threshold. Eight greenshanks was the highest for six years.
October is another important month for waders like redshank and curlew and the wildfowl numbers should be increasing.
Six years ago 809 oystercatchers would have been a new record, now it is about what we expect. Avocets are a welcome addition to the Mersey’s avifauna and for the 5th year in a row we have a double figure count with 37 recorded on the September WeBS count. Twelve ruffs is higher than last year’s maximum of ten and is above the nationally important threshold. Eight greenshanks was the highest for six years.
October is another important month for waders like redshank and curlew and the wildfowl numbers should be increasing.
Avocets on Frodsham Score.© Mersey WeBS
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Redshanks at Manisty.© Shaun Hickey
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Dermot Smith
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