Dee Estuary Birding

A nice mixture of ducks at Burton Mere Wetlands, December 19th © Les Hall


Marsh Harrier off Parkgate, December 6th © Frank Burns


Knots at Meols, December 3rd © Richard Smith


Sanderlings at New Brighton including an unusually pale one, December 3rd © David Bradshaw


Jack Snipe at Neston Old Quay, November 27th © Steve Round


Kingfisher at Dove Point, Meols, November 19th © Richard Smith


A nice safe Turnstone roost at Thurstaston, November 15th © Charles Farnell


Just a Little Egret but still lovely to see, Meols, November 11th © Richard Smith


Green-winged Teal at Burton Mere Wetalnds, November 10th © Steve Lawson


Redwing at Deeside Industrial Park, Novmber 9th © Jeff Cohen


Fieldfares in garden on Grange Hill, West Kirby. November 8th © Alan Hitchmough


Barred Warbler, Hoylake, November 6th © Alan Hitchmough


Siberian Chiffchaff on Hilbre, November 4th © Steve Williams (Hilbre Bird Observatory)


Snow Bunting by Derby Pool, Wallasey, November 2nd © David Bradshaw


Hen Harrier being mobbed by Oystercatchers over Hilbre, November 2nd © Alan Hitchmough


Snow Bunting at New Brighton, November 1st © David Bradshaw


Drake Goosander on West Kirby Marine Lake, November 1st © Bruce Hogan


Little Stint with Dunlin Meols Shore, October 23rd © Sean O'Hara



Shelducks drinking on Meols shore, October 23rd © Richard Smith


Reed Bunting in Hoylake Langfields, October 21st © Jeremy Bradshaw


A 'Winter Blackbird' at Parkgate, October 21st © Mark Woodhead


Marsh Harrier at Parkgate, October 19th © Nigel Favager


Common Scoter at high tide, Hoylake, October 18th © Jeff Cohen


This Raven had found something to eat on the marsh, Hoylake shore, October 17th © Richard Smith


A nice undisturbed roost at high tide, Hoylake shore, October 17th © Richard Smith


Young male Hen Harrier past Hilbre, October 15th © Steve Williams (Hilbre Bird Observatory)


Stonechat off Heswall GC, October 14th © John Crook


Yellow-browed Warbler near Hoylake Muncipal Golf Course, October 12th © Richard Whitby


Black-tailed Godwits at Caldy, October 10th © Richard Smith


Marsh Harrier flying past Heswall Golf Club, October 9th © Jeff Hodgson


Yellow-browed Warbler with brand new ring, Hilbre, October 8th © Steve Williams (Hilbre Bird Observatory)


Dark- and pale-bellied Brent Geese, Hilbre, October 8th © Steve Williams (Hilbre Bird Observatory)


Eider eating crabs off New Brighton, October 6th © David Bradshaw


Yellow-browed Warbler along Lingham Lane, October 6th © Jeremy Bradshaw


Red Kite flying past at Hilbre, October 6th © Steve Williams


Ringtail Hen Harrier over Hoylake Langfields, October 5th © Richard Whitby


Redwings on Grange Hill, West Kirby, October 3rd © Alan Hitchmough


Green Sandpiper at Burton Mere Wetlands, September 27th © Steve Round


Sandwich Terns off New Brighton prom, September 25th © Richard Smith


Great Crested Grebe on the sea at West Kirby (just off the Marine Lake), September 20th © Elliot Montieth


Yellow-browed Warbler, Hilbre, September 20th © Steve Williams (Hilbre Bird Observatory)


Peregrine spooking Redshanks at Heswall on the rising tide, September 20th © John Crook


Guillemot on West Kirby Marine Lake, September 19th © Mark Woodhead


Pink-footed Geese over Moreton, September 19th © Graham Connolly


Pink-footed Geese over Heswall, September 17th © John Crook


First year Merlin on Hilbre, September 14th © Alan Hitchmough


Stonechat at Parkgate, September 12th © Nigel Favager


Leach's Petrel off Leasowe Lighthouse, September 11th © Jason Stannage


Leach's Petrel over Wallasey shore, September 11th © Elliot Montieth


Leach's Petrel over Hoylake shore, September 10th © Allan Conlin


Spoonbills at a wet Parkgate, September 8th © Sasha Quentin


Eider on Hilbre, September 7th © Chris Wilding


Wheatear on the rocks by the Lifeboat, Hoylake, September 3rd © Sean O'Hara


Mediterranean Gull at Hoylake, September 3rd © Mark Woodhead


Wheatear at Burton Marsh, August 31st © Carole Killikelly


Eider at Hilbre, August 31st © David Lang


A nice mix of waders on West Kirby Shore on the rising tide, August 31st © Richard Smith


Greenshank on Heswall Shore, August 28th © John Kane


Lesser Whitethroat at Burton Marsh, August 24th © Carole Killikelly


Knots on Wallasey shore with nice mix of plumages
juv in middle with adult s/pl behind, the rest are 2CY (last year's young), August 24th © Richard Smith


Adult Sabine's Gull flying past Flint Castle, August 21st © Colin Davies
Seen whilst unsuccesfully looking for the Hudsonian Godwit!


Whimbrels at Hoylake, August 20th © Mark Woodhead


Juvenile Little Ringed Plover at Hoylake, August 19th © Sean O'Hara


Sandwich Terns at Hilbre, August 14th © Richard Smith


Hudsonian Godwit (with wings up, left), notice the dark underwing compared to the Black-tailed Godwit
August 13th © Mark Woodhead


Hudsonian Godwit at Burton Mere Wetlands, August 13th © Alan Hitchmough


Juvenile Cuckoo at Leasowe Lighthouse, August 11th © Jeremy Bradshaw


Common Redstart at Burton Mere Wetlands, August 10th © Richard Whitby


Spoonbills at Parkgate, August 8th © Les Hall


Black-tailed Godwits feeding off West Kirby, August 8th © Richard Smith


Juvenile Cuckoo in paddocks by Leasowe Lighthouse, August 7th © Sean O'Hara


Little Gull close to the prom at Hoylake, August 6th © David Leeming


Sanderling at Hoylake, August 6th © Charles Farnell


Little Gull at Meols, August 3rd © Graham Connolly



Garganey at Burton Mere Wetkands, August 1st © Richard Whitby


Common Sandpiper at Hilbre, July 27th © Steve Williams (Hilbre Bird Observatory)


Pectoral Sandpiper, Burton Mere Wetlands, July 27th © John Hewitt


Knots at Hoylake, July 24th © Alan Hitchmough


Yellow-legged Gull at Hoylake, July 22nd © Allan Conlin


Reed Bunting, Neston Reed Bed, July 22nd © John Crook



Mediterranean Gull x Black-headed Gull hybrid, West Kirby Shore, July 18th © Richard Smith


Spoonbills on Boathouse Flash, July 18th © John Kane


Yellow Wagtail on Meols Shore, July 18th © Sean O'Hara


Mediterranean Gull on West Kirby shore, July 17th © Richard Smith


Sandwich Terns between Little Eye and Middle Eye this morning, July 15th © Richard Smith


Whimbrel on Meols Shore, July 11th © Sean O'Hara


Little Gull (centre), Meols Shore, July 10th © Alan Conlin


Little Gull at Meols, July 8th © Sean O'Hara


A single Black-tailed Godwit with the roosting knots, Leasowe Gunsite, July 8th © Richard Smith


The over-summering flock of knots roosting on the tide edge early morning off Leasowe Gunsite
July 8th © Richard Smith


Black-tailed Godwits at Caldy Wildfowl Collection, July 6th © Richard Smith


Manx Shearwater at New Brighton, July 4th © Sean O'Hara


Mediterranean Gull at hoylake, June 27th © Allan Conlin


Goosanders enjoying the sun this morning at Heswall, June 22nd © Steve Hinde


Sanderling at Gronant, June 16th © Ian Sheppard



Gannet and Fulmar at Hilbre, June 16th © Alan Hitchmough


Common Whitethroat on Heswall Marsh, June 13th © John Crook


Stonechat on marsh by Heswall GC, June 12th © Bruce Hogan


Knots and Oystercatchers off Leasowe Gunsite, June 12th © Richard Smith


Little Stint on Meols Shore, June 9th © Allan Conlin


Blackcap singing by the Wirral Way at Parkgate, June 5th © John Crook


Bar-tailed Godwits at Burton Mere Wetlands, May 30th © Steve Round


Cetti's Warbler fledgling, Burton Mere Wetlands, May 28th © Steve Rround


Curlew Sandpiper at Meols, May 28th © Sean O'Hara


Curlew Sandpiper with Ringed Plovers, Hilbre, May 26th © Steve Williams


House Martin collecting mud for nest-bulding, Heswall Shore, May 26th © David Thompson


Osprey at Hilbre, May 26th © Alan Hitchmough


Short-eared Owl inland of coastal paddocks, Leasowe Lighthouse. May 19th © Sean O'Hara


Swallow on Hilbre, May 19th © Alan Hitchmough


Spotted Flycatcher, Leasowe Lighthouse, May 15th © Eddie Williams


Whinchat along Park Lane, Leasowe Lighthouse, May 12th © Anthony Ramsden


Avocet mobbing an Osprey, Burton Mere Wetlands, May 9th © Steve Round


Spotted Flycatcher at Hilbre, May 8th © Alan Hitchmough


Short-eared Owl at Hilbre, May 8th © Alan Hitchmough


Black Guillemot at Hilbre, May 6th © Steve Williams


Blue-headed Wagtail at Leasowe Lighthouse, May 6th © Sean O'Hara


Garden Warbler at Leasowe Lighthouse, May 5th © Jeremy Bradshaw


Whimbrels at Hilbre, May 4th © Alan Hitchmough


Short-eared Owl in hedge on edge of marsh, Heswall, May 4th © Steve Hinde


Another Iberian Chiffchaff, by Park Lane at Leasowe Lighthouse, May 3rd © Sean O'Hara


Iberian Chiffchaff near Kerr's Field, Leasowe Lighthouse, May 1st © Sean O'Hara


Oystercatcher and Red Knots off Leasowe Lighthouse, May 1st © Richard Smith


Whinchat on the tidewrack at Burton Marsh, April 29th © Andrew Ingham


'Channel' Yellow Wagtail at Kerr's Field, Leasowe, April 28th © Colin Schofield


Cuckoo at Leasowe Lighthouse, April 27th © Sean O'Hara


Ring Ouzel near Lingham Lane, Moreton, April 26th © Sean O'Hara


Yellow Wagtail in the horse paddocks, Leasowe Lighthouse, April 25th © Jeremy Bradshaw


Whimbrels at Thurstaston, April 24th © Richard Smith


Grasshopper Warbler, Burton Marsh, April 23rd © Frank Burns


Green Sandpiper in horse paddock, Leasowe Lighthouse, April 21st © Sean O'Hara


Pink-footed Geese leaving the estuary past Hilbre, April 20th © Alan Hitchmough


Cuckoos in Hoylake Langfields, April 20th © Richard Whitby


Grasshopper Warbler at Meols, April 20th © David Bradshaw


Sandwich Tern, Hilbre, April 20th © Alan Hitchmough


Dunlins, many in breeding plumage, at West Kirby, April 20th © Richard Smith


Common Cranes over Moreton, April 19th © Graham Connolly


Grasshopper Warbler at Burton Point. April 18th © Mark Woodhead


Black-tailed Godwits at Caldy Wildfowl Collection, April 18th © Richard Smith


Male and female Redstarts at the back of the beach at Heswall, April 17th © Steve Hinde


Whimbrel at Heswall, April 16th © Steve Hinde


Ring Ouzel on Hoylake Langfields, April 14th © Tony Ramsden


Spotted Redshanks with Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits, Burton Mere Wetlands, April 14th
© Mark Woodhead


Whinchat on Hoylake Langfields, April 13th © Richard Whitby


Common Redstart at Leasowe, April 11th © Ian McKenna


Cattle Egrets on Burton Marsh, April 11th © Mark Woodhead


Water Rail at Parkgate, April 9th © John Crook


Ring Ouzel at Riverbank Road, Heswall, April 7th © Steve Hinde


Ring Ouzel on Hoylake Langfields, April 7th © Richard Whitby
 
Sandwich Tern, Hilbre, April 6th © Alan Hitchmough


Ring Ouzel on Hilbre, April 6th © Alan Hitchmough


White Wagtail at Leasowe, April 5th © Steve Round


Ring Ouzel at Leasowe Lighthouse, April 3rd © Elliot Montieth


White Wagtail on Hilbre, March 29th © Alan Hitchmough


Wheatear on Hilbre, March 28th © Matt Thomas


Iceland Gull in the roost on Hoylake Shore, March 26th © Allan Conlin


Waxwing at Neston, March 24th © Steve Williams


Wheatear by Middle Eye, March 21st © Alan Hitchmough


Stonechat at Leasowe Lighthouse, March 20th © Graham Connolly


Avocets on Parkgate Marsh, March 19th © John Crook


Waxwings at Neston, March 17th © Nigel 'Wirral Guy'


Wheatear on the cliffs at Thurstaston, March 17th © Steve Hinde


Greenshank in the channel by the groyne, Meols, March 16th © Sean O'Hara


Short-eared Owl over Burton Marsh, March 13th © Nigel Maitland


Grey Partridge in field by the Old Baths, Parkgate, March 13th © John Hewitt


Water Rail at Parkgate, March 12th © Dave Edwards


Dunlins at Meols on the flooding tide, March 12th © Graham Connolly


Green-winged Teal on tide off Riverbank Road, Heswall, March 12th © Alan Hitchmough


Green-winged Teal on Heswall Shore, March 9th © Steve Hinde


Short-eared Owl at Denhall Quay, March 3rd © Stuart Phillips


Short-eared Owl near Hilbre, March 3rd © Alan Hitchmough


This is a wholly independent web site and unless where specifically stated has been written and maintained by myself, Richard Smith. I do receive articles for the newsletter from time to time for which I am very grateful, and also various people kindly donate photographs and sketches. l rely to a large extent on people keeping me informed about the birds they have seen - this, more than anything, is what keeps the website going. Note that everything on this website is subject to © copyright although some material may be available for non-commercial use - but please ask first! Lastly, 'Dee Estuary Birding' is just the name of this web site - it is not the name of an organisation or society.
Copyright © 2020 Richard Smith | Header Photograph of Black-tailed Godwits © Steve Round.