Wetland Bird Survey Count for Heswall Shore - (Kindly provided by the Wirral Ranger Service), 5th January.
38 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 15 Brent Goose (pale-bellied), 1,400 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 2,000 Teal, 101 Mallard, 100 Pintail, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 5,680 Oystercatcher, 270 Lapwing, 280 Knot, 850 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 1,780 Black-tailed Godwit, 1,140 Curlew, 1,550 Redshank, 951black-headed Gull, 41 Common Gull, 22 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 51 Herring Gull and 6 Great Black-backed Gull . 2 Merlin, 1 Hen Harrier (ring-tail), 1 Short-eared Owl and 2 Peregrine also present. 

Inner Marsh Farm  Count for 21st January.
5 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 25 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Smew (drake), 7 Goldeneye, 10 Pochard, 1 Green-winged Teal (drake), 50 Pintail, 500 Wigeon, 700 Teal, 3 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 22 Tufted Duck, 85 Coot, lots of Lapwings, 1 Common Buzzard. 
Please note that the count from Inner Marsh Farm is an informal estimate of species and numbers present, either carried out by myself or other birdwatchers visiting the hide. It is not meant to be a complete count and is not in anyway part of the Wetland Bird Survey or other count which might be carried out by the RSPB.

Surprisingly the cold weather didn't have any effect on Little Egret numbers. Up to 25 were reported, mainly at Burton, the gutters deep in the marsh remaining ice free throughout the month. There were some significant movements of Pink-footed Geese with one flock two-thousand strong making a wonderful sight over Heswall.

These 'pinkfeet' flocks were all heading north and may well have been part of a movement away from Norfolk to escape the harsh weather there. We also had 16 White-fronted Geese (European race) at Inner Marsh Farm for several days, a good number for this part of the world. Brent Geese on the estuary increased steadily over the month reaching 33, 32 pale-bellied and just 1 dark-bellied. Best place to see them was Hilbre at low tide, on most high tides they made their way to Heswall on the far side of the marsh. The single dark-bellied Brent often spent high tide by itself, and was seen happily feeding on the marsh at West Kirby a few feet away from the dog walkers on several occasions.

It was a good month for ducks, especially at Inner Marsh Farm. The Green-winged Teal and Smew, both drakes, stayed all month. The American Wigeon which had appeared at the end of December stayed until the 3rd, disappeared, then re-appeared on the 17th. Then a Long-tailed duck, initially on Shotwick Boating Lake, joined them. On days when all four were in view a total of 14 duck species were recorded. And just to add the icing to the cake we had a Long-billed Dowitcher for a few days at the end of the month.

The regular Twite flock was seen at Flint Castle, with 44 recorded. The 3 Snow Buntings still remained loyal to one patch of sand at Wallasey, although they weren't seen every day - usually when I went to look for them! The number of Water Pipits at Neston Old Quay was open to debate. The local expert reckons that the Scandinavian race of Rock Pipits are routinely misidentified as Water Pipits, and I'm sure he is right. So may be only 2 Water Pipits rather than the 6 reported one day. Off Neston Old Quay, and the rest of the marsh, Hen Harriers were seen most days patrolling up and down. The ringtail was joined by a male for a few days giving great views at Parkgate when they came in to roost. These are the first Hen Harriers to overwinter on the Dee since the winter of 98/99. But far more unusually a Marsh Harrier was seen at Parkgate. This may well be the first ever January sighting in Cheshire/ Wirral, although there was a probable sighting reported to Eric Hardy in 1966.

Nine Little Gulls off Hilbre were unusual for January. In the late 1970's and early 1980's they were often seen over winter but since then very rarely. 45 Great Crested Grebes, 26 Red-throated Divers and 31 Purple Sandpipers were other good records from Hilbre  - all seen on the same day as the Little Gulls.

What to expect in February.
On mild days in February birds will be singing, nest boxes will be inspected, frogs will be laying spawn and the first spring bulbs will be out - almost like spring!

However, on the estuary there is no doubt it is still winter with all the overwintering species still present in large numbers. But even here there are signs of movement with a noticeable reduction in Dunlin and Knot by the end of the month, and an increase in Curlew and Redshank - gathering before moving off to their breeding sites. We also often get a build up of Great-crested Grebes and Red-throated Divers at the mouth of the estuary, and may be a few of the more uncommon grebes and divers if we are lucky.

Bewick's Swans, Teal and Wigeon numbers often peak in February, and hopefully we will get over 30 Brent Geese on Hilbre for at least the first half of the month. There is much interchange of Pink-footed Geese between Norfolk and South Lancashire and February sees the start of a general movement northwards. We often see flocks of between 100 and 400 strong passing north through the estuary during February, and these may well be part of this northward movement.

The first high tide birdwatches at Parkgate take place on the 19th and 20th (see below for details). This time last year produced some fabulous birdwatching at Parkgate - 12 Short-eared Owls and 16 Water Rail for starters, it was only a 9.8m tide but with a strong SW wind it almost came over the wall!

Forthcoming Events (organised by the Wirral Ranger Service, Flintshire Countryside Service and/or the RSPB):
All these events and walks have bird interest, even those not advertised specifically for birdwatching. No need to book for these events unless specified - please check below.

 Saturday 1st  February 9:30am. High Tide at Flint Foreshore. 
A feast of fantastic coastal birdwatching with large flocks of Black-tailed Godwit and Twite on the menu. Warm, waterproof clothing is recommended and Wellingtons are essential. 
(HW 11:17, 9.3m) No need to book. Meet at Flint Lifeboat Station car park. For further information, contact RSPB on 0151 336 7681. 

Sunday 2nd February 10:30am - 12:00noon. Wader Watch at King's Gap, Hoylake.
Join the Ranger and the Dee Estuary Voluntary Wardens to see large numbers of waders at close quarters, as they gather to roost with the rising tide. Beginners welcome. Please bring warm waterproof clothing and binoculars if you have them. No need to book, meet at King's Gap, Hoylake. For further information phone 0151 678 5488.

Saturday 15th February 9:00am - 2:00pm.
Open Day at Deeside Naturalists Society Reserve, Connah's Quay
This members only reserve will be open to everyone for the day and visitors will be able to make use of the four hides and chat to the members about the reserve. Tea and coffee available (HW 10:17). Other open days are planned throughout the year. For more information contact DNS on 01352 716 273.

Sunday 16th February 10:00am - 12:00noon.
Feed the Birds at Wirral Country Park.
Help our feathered friends survive the winter by making a bird feeder to take home. The feeders only take a couple of minutes to make, but you can stock up on other bird food or buy a bird table or nest box from the Green Shop whilst you are here, or enjoy seeing birds feeding from the Wirral Country Park Bird Hide, Thurstaston. No need to book. For further information, phone 0151 648 4371/3884.

Wednesday 19th February 11:15am. Parkgate High Tide Birdwatch.
The saltmarsh off Parkgate comes alive with birds as massive flocks of waders and waterfowl are pushed in towards us by the incoming tide. If the tide hits the wall, small mammals such as voles and shrews and skulking Water Rails are flushed out. Meet at the Old Baths car park, Parkgate, close to the Boathouse Inn. (HW 12:58, 9.9m) For further details call 0151 336 7681.

Thursday 20th February 12:00am. Parkgate High Tide Birdwatch.
The saltmarsh off Parkgate comes alive with birds as massive flocks of waders and waterfowl are pushed in towards us by the incoming tide. There is a constant stream of Skylarks, Pipits and Snipe overhead and even the chance of seeing the very elusive Jack Snipe as, wet-footed, they are forced out of the marsh to find dry land. Meet at the Old Baths car park, Parkgate, close to the Boathouse Inn. (HW 13:39, 9.8m) For further details call 0151 336 7681.

Sunday 2nd March 08:30am. Banks Road Birdwatch, Heswall.
Witness the fantastic array of waders and wildfowl as they gather along the banks of the Heswall Gutter. Highlights include Black-tailed Godwits and Peregrines. (HW11:03, 9.2m) Meet at Banks Road car park, Lower Heswall, near Sheldrake's Restaurant. For further information tel. 0151 648 4371/3884

Note: Many of these forthcoming events are extracted from the 'Birdwatchers Diary 2003', which covers both the Dee and Mersey regions. Hard copies available from the visitor centre at Thurstaston, Wirral Country Park 0151 648 4371.