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January 2019
We met at Stanlow Oil Refinery at 6.30am and were out on the marshes in total darkness. This is just what I wanted as Andy had reported seeing up to 4,000 pink-footed geese leaving the estuary in the early mornings. Although the sun had risen you would hardly have guessed: at around 8am the estuary was still very murky and misty with quite poor visibility. I could hear a few pink-feet calling and then about 8.20am we began to see large flocks coming off the water and landing on the marshes. Then just before 9am they took off and I counted 1,800, Ian had a further 1.500 at the same time at Stanlow Point, so together with a few other birds we had our first internationally important count of over 3,500 pink-footed geese actually on a WeBS count! Previously we had had 3,500 on a low tide count last winter. However, the record of 4,000 will go down as a roost count. It was quite surreal to be out on the marshes and the dominant goose sound to be that of pinkies rather than Canada geese.
Pink-footed geese. © Mersey WeBS
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Pink-footed geese. © Mersey WeBS
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Other highlights included 26 whooper swans, 700 shelducks and 1,300 wigeon our highest count of the winter. 48 gadwall is the fourth month in a row with over 30, whereas until 10 years ago we had only had one count in double figures. 2,800 teals was nationally important but 600 down on last month. Over 1,300 were on the Frodsham No 6 tank. This area has been really good for them this winter with a counts of 3,000 recorded in January. 92 pintails was just above average. However, on New Year’s day I had 140 pintails on No 6 tank and few days later Paul saw 280 flying out on the Mersey marshes from Frodsham: that is the highest count since 2001. Ten goldeneyes was a marked improvement on one on the December count. Two great egrets was quite low, but I have seen six in recent days, so they are still about in record numbers.
Wigeon in the Gowy Estuary after the high tide. © Mersey WeBS
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Teals at Hale Duck Decoy. © Rob Cockbain
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Golden plover is a species making a welcome return to form with over 3,000 being nationally important and up from 2,600 last month. We have only one count higher than that this century. 12,500 lapwing is double the nationally important threshold and the highest count this century. However, that includes 2,500 at Runcorn Sands and a few other places that were not counted last century. Grey plover on the other hand is disappointing, after a run of 7 years with nationally important numbers (threshold 430) this winter we have managed just 117.
Dunlin numbers were just over 30,000, 9,000 down on last month. 1,800 redshank was nationally important, but 1,000 down on last month’s internationally important count.
Dunlin numbers were just over 30,000, 9,000 down on last month. 1,800 redshank was nationally important, but 1,000 down on last month’s internationally important count.
Lapwings in the murk over Ince Marshes. © Mersey WeBS
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Lapwings. © Mersey WeBS
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Dunlins etc. on Hale Marsh. © Rob Cockbain
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High tide roost on Hale Marsh. © Rob Cockbain
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Two buzzards. © Mersey WeBS
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High tide from Marsh hide at HDD. © Rob Cockbain
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We set a new record for herring gull with over 2,000 seen to leave the estuary at first light. Again we had 7 birds of prey species including both hen and marsh harrier. Stock dove numbers on Ince Marshes are impressive with 340 counted, our highest since we started recording numbers of these birds, which is just a few years ago.
Next count is 24th February. That isn’t the official WeBS date but we have agreed it with the Dee, Alt and Ribble as the tide on the official date was not suitable.
Next count is 24th February. That isn’t the official WeBS date but we have agreed it with the Dee, Alt and Ribble as the tide on the official date was not suitable.
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