As we look forward to the Autumn and what we hope will be a full and uninterrupted programme of visits, a brief report on the June and July visits which were still affected by some Covid restrictions:
June 8th 2021 – visit to Speke Hall (National Trust)
The site was only partially open because of the pandemic with one way systems in place and no access to the Mersey Estuary shore so sightings were limited to what we could see from the grounds. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable visit attended by eight members of the group and a total of 23 bird species were recorded.
July 13th 2021 – visit to Marshside (RSPB)
A good day for our final visit before the Summer break. Eight members of the group attended and a total of 34 bird species were recorded.
In addition to the birds it was lovely to see this Six-spot Burnet Moth newly emerged from the chrysalis on the stalk below:
Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full lists of species seen on these 2 visits:
Species seen at Speke Hall on 8th June:
| Species | Number Seen | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Blackbird | Several | |
| Blackcap | Heard only | |
| Black-headed Gull | A few | |
| Buzzard | 2 | |
| Carrion Crow | Many | |
| Chaffinch | Heard only | |
| Chiffchaff | Heard only | |
| Cormorant | 2 | Flying over Mersey |
| Dunnock | Several | |
| Goldfinch | Several | |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker | Heard only | |
| Herring Gull | Many | |
| Jackdaw | Several | |
| Jay | 1 | Peter H |
| Lapwing | A few | |
| Magpie | Many | |
| Nuthatch | Heard only | |
| Oystercatcher | 1 | On the way in |
| Pheasant | Heard only | |
| Robin | Several | |
| Skylark | Heard only | |
| Swallow | Several | |
| Woodpigeon | Many |
Species seen at Marshside on 13th July
| Species | Number Seen | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Black-headed Gull | Many | 2 juveniles |
| Black-tailed Godwit | Many | |
| Canada Goose | Many | some juveniles |
| Carrion Crow | A few | |
| Coot | Several | 1 juvenile |
| Goldfinch | Many | |
| Great Black-backed Gull | 1 | |
| Great White Egret | 1 | |
| Greenfinch | A few | |
| Grey Heron | 3 | |
| Greylag Goose | Several | |
| Herring Gull | A few | |
| Jackdaw | 3 | |
| Lapwing | Many | 1 juvenile |
| Little Egret | c.8 | |
| Little Grebe | A few | |
| Little Ringed Plover | 1 | |
| Magpie | A few | |
| Mallard | Several | |
| Moorhen | A few | |
| Mute Swan | 8 | 4 cygnets |
| Oystercatcher | 2 | |
| Redshank | A few | |
| Reed Bunting | 2 | |
| Ruff | Many | |
| Shelduck | c.10 | 2 juveniles |
| Shoveler | 2 | |
| Skylark | Many | |
| Song Thrush | 1 | |
| Starling | Hundreds | |
| Swift | A few | |
| Unidentified Raptor | 1 | |
| Wheatear | A few | |
| Woodpigeon | A few |
Last Updated on September 13, 2021