Report by Peter Hatfield, photos by Graham Cawdell.
Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve, our May visit this year, never disappoints. Positioned between the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey it provides secluded and naturalised habitat for a good range of unusual species which we viewed from 6 hides all overlooking the lagoon.
![Turnstone at Woolston Eyes by Graham Cawdell](https://i0.wp.com/aughton-ormskirk-u3a.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Turnstone-at-Woolston-Eyes-by-Graham-Cawdell-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225)
There were large numbers of breeding Pochard, a migrant duck whose numbers are decreasing in the UK, also large numbers of breeding Gadwall.
![Black-necked Grebe at Woolston Eyes by Graham Cawdell](https://i0.wp.com/aughton-ormskirk-u3a.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Black-necked-Grebe-at-Woolston-Eyes-by-Graham-Cawdell-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225)
A flock of Swifts overhead gave a splendid aerobatic display. We also saw and heard 5 species of warbler (Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat) assisted by Douglas who guided us throughout the visit and had an excellent ear for birdsong identification.
In total, 33 species were seen:
Species | Number Seen | Breeding |
---|---|---|
Blackcap | Two | |
Black-headed Gull | Many | |
Black-necked Grebe | A few | |
Bullfinch | One | |
Canada Goose | A few | With Young |
Carrion Crow | A few | |
Chiffchaff | Two | |
Coot | A few | |
Cormorant | A few | |
Gadwall | Several | |
Garden Warbler | Heard only | |
Great Crested Grebe | A few | |
Greenfinch | Three | |
Grey Heron | One | |
Greylag Goose | A few | With Young |
Lapwing | Two | |
Lesser Black-backed Gull | A few | |
Magpie | One | |
Mallard | Several | |
Moorhen | A few | With Young |
Mute Swan | One | |
Pheasant | Heard only | |
Pochard | Several | |
Reed Warbler | One | |
Shelduck | A few | |
Song Thrush | One | |
Swift | Several | |
Teal | One | |
Tufted Duck | Several | |
Turnstone | One | |
Whitethroat | Three | |
Woodpigeon | Two | |
Wren | Two |
Last Updated on May 19, 2016