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February 2009 Newsletter
We need your 2008 Records!!
Submission of 2008 Records.
Accessible Sites.
January Bird News.
Forthcoming Events.
Latest Newsletter.
The following two articles explain why sending in your records is so important. Both are extracts from longer articles in the CAWOS Bird News (Nov 2008 edition) and shown here with kind permission of both the authors and editor. Of course they apply not just to Cheshire and Wirral, but also to North-east Wales and anywhere else. At the end of the second article are details of how to send in your records.
Make Your Records Count
Ever wondered what use your records are put to, other than in producing the
annual Bird Report, or more recently the ground-breaking Birds in Cheshire
and Wirral: A breeding and wintering atlas?
Well, read on to find out how your bird records are helping guide
conservation action for birds...
The 100,000 or so bird records that CAWOS receives every year are also used
to fulfil various data requests from conservation organisations, commercial
companies and research bodies or individuals, including recently providing
Natural England with ornithological data for Cheshire and Wirral SSSls.
However, since 2005 we have also contributed records annually for a suite
of species of conservation concern to the Bird Conservation Targeting
Project (BCTP).
The BCTP, which is supported by a partnership between eleven organisations,
including Natural England (NE), the BTO and the RSPB, collates bird records
from a wide range of sources to produce target maps showing the breeding
distribution of a suite of scarce and declining birds.
These target maps are designed to guide conservation action for birds.
The project is already guiding the use of agri-environment schemes in
England, Wales and
Northern Ireland and is working towards helping to target resources and
management for birds in Scotland. Higher Level Stewardship (HLS),
administered by Natural England and aimed at the highest priority habitats
and species, is now targeted towards hotspots for the BCTP arable and wet
grassland species. Further targeting is also planned for woodland birds
including the targeting of the England Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS), as
well as providing management advice for landowners to help woodland birds
across the UK.
If you are in two minds whether or not 'to bother' sending in your records
- please take the trouble - they could make all the difference to the
future of some of these species of conservation concern within the county.
CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL'S BIRDS NEED YOU!
Sheila Blamire
Submission of County Rarity Records
When I come to do the 'Review of the Year' for the Bird Report, I am always
somewhat disheartened by the list of quality bird records that have
appeared on Bird Guides or Bird Track (or other websites) which have not
been submitted to the county organisation to be included in the database,
with or without a supporting description. The result is, of course, that
the record is lost, is never acknowledged, and never makes it into the
county avifauna records for subsequent use, examination or analysis. It is
lost to history.
One can guess at several reasons for this, maybe the finders are either
ignorant of the need or ability to do this, perhaps they just can't be
bothered, despite reporting it to a newswire, or maybe they didn't take any
notes, and/or perhaps feel that peer scrutiny would be insulting. There
are, however, a good proportion of county birders who do submit
descriptions of scarce and unusual sightings and I also think it’s worth
reiterating some guidance and (hopefully!) helpful points to facilitate
this process.
The first key myth to dispel is that a description needs to be
feather-by-feather analysis of the bird to get any record accepted, or
rather proven. The essential component of any description is to describe
why the bird was what you believed it to be. Now for some species, this
might need to be detailed, but the key point is that these features would
probably have to have been seen to identify it correctly anyway. (So why
not write them down!).
So how much is really needed?
- A feather-by-feather description is not necessary; describe the bird and
the sighting, focus on the key identification points seen, i.e. why was it
the species claimed and not something else.
- Include details of the behaviour, jizz, calls or song and what it was
doing, i.e. if it was feeding, what was it feeding on; if in a tree canopy,
which tree species.
- Submit your sighting as soon after the observation as practical; don't
wait till the end of the year!
The Rarity Team does welcome submissions where the observer is not 100% sure of the identification, as there may have been other sightings nearby that would support the record.
Hugh Pulsford, Cheshire and Wirral County Recorder
Editor - I should like to add that where you have managed to take a photograph of the bird, of whatever quality, please include it with the description. If the photo is of reasonable quality then that alone will often be enough to get it accepted. But please include any features of the bird which the photograph may have missed, together with details of behaviour etc. as per Hugh's summary above.
Submission of 2008 Records.
Firstly, all the records which are NOT County rarities which are sent to myself (Richard Smith) for inclusion into this website are sent on and included in the Cheshire & Wirral and North-East Wales data bases, and these are then sent to the compilers when writing the Bird Reports. Obviously, as I cannot fill in a rarity form for birds I haven't seen, I don't send in rarity details - you will have to do that yourselves!
Please feel free to re-submit your records directly,
that way you will get your name mentioned rather than being lumped in with
the 'Dee Estuary Website', but more importantly it would be greatly
appreciated if you could submit any additional records, including rarities,
as follows:
For submitting Cheshire and Wirral records, including rarities, see
details in the CAWOS website - www.cawos.org
- click on 'recording' then 'submission of records'.
For submitting for the North-East Wales area (Flintshire and
Denbighshire) see the Clwyd Bird Recording Group website -
www.cbrg.org.uk - and click on 'will
you help by submitting records'.
Accessible Sites to Watch on Wirral
Martin Kelly
Following Bob Anderson's article on accessible sites in June's
Cheshire and Wirral Bird News (CAWOS), I
hope the following may be of interest to any readers or relatives and
friends of readers who have impaired mobility. Since being diagnosed with
MS in 2000 I am now having to do my birdwatching from my car and
wheelchair. Birdwatching from the car has some advantages as it is warm and
dry! With my scope clamped to the window, it makes an ideal 'hide'.
Fortunately, living near the Dee estuary I have a number of sites nearby
that I can get to, most of which I use for viewing from my car as there is
little in the way of wheelchair access. The one exception to this is the
Wirral Way which has recently been given a suitable hard surface. I
understand that the RSPB Inner Marsh Farm Reserve is being extended and a
new hide is being built with disabled access. I look forward to this with
anticipation.
Riverbank Road car park in Heswall is the site I use most, followed by Parkgate Parade for Boathouse Flash and the Old Baths car park for views over the marsh.
Other access points I have used (roughly south to north) are:
Burton Marsh: You can park at the bottom of Denhall Lane on Station Road, where there are good views over the marsh. Using the wheelchair and being pushed by Sue, my wife, I can go along the public right of way towards Denhall Farm and beyond. There are a few potholes in places but there are great views over the flashes. To the south of the same parking area, the road along the side of the marsh to Burton Point is open now for public access and has been tarmacked.
Little Neston: the old quayside by the Harp Pub.
The Riverbank Road at Heswall (access to the Wirral Way) from where there are good views over the golf course towards the Dee and Welsh hills.
Thurstaston Visitor Centre: going towards Heswall on the Wirral Way; the route has plenty of gaps through the overgrown hedges with views to Dungeon Wood and the Heswall NT land.
Thurstaston: from the sailing club car park, approached through the caravan park, you can get great elevated views across the Dee.
Caldy: from Croft Drive, Caldy, with access along the Wirral Way to Cubbins Green alongside the shore.
West Kirby Marine Lake: worth a visit in winter.
North Wirral coast: accessible along North Parade, Hoylake, also at the car parks in New Brighton.
Bob's idea of collecting information on the various
accessible sites suitable for all disabilities is an excellent one which I
hope other birdwatchers will contribute to.
Hopefully, one day a Best Birdwatching Sites book covering Cheshire and
Wirral could be published, including information on disabled access - just
as the excellent Best Birdwatching Sites in Norfolk by Neil Glen does.
Martin Kelly.
Editor:
The above article was published in the November 2008
edition of the Cheshire and Wirral Bird News (published by
CAWOS), reproduced here with kind
permission of the author.
I hope Martin won't mind me filling in a couple of gaps in his excellent article, plus a short description of accessible sites on the Welsh side of the estuary.
Caldy steps. As well as the car park which gives access to Cubbin's Green and the Wirral Way, there is a small car park next to Caldy steps giving great views over the estuary, best at low tide to see the many thousands of waders.
Hoylake, King's Gap. The King's Gap end of the promenade is a very good place to see the large high tide wader roost on Hoylake Shore - from late July, when there can also be large numbers of terns, right through the winter.
Green Lane car park, Leasowe. Cars park here right on top of the sea defence with good views of the sea. This can be good for sea watching during a westerly gale, there are also waders through the winter at low tide.
Wales:
Connah's Quay Reserve - members only. A great little reserve, all the hides have wheelchair access, additionally birds feeding on the mud at low tide can be watched from a car. There is a suitable toilet in the Field Studies Centre.
Greenfield Dock. The car park here has recently been tarmacked (or about to be?) with good views of the main channel which goes along the Welsh shore.
Wepre Park and Greenfield Valley. Both these excellent country parks has some disabled access but many of the paths may not be accessible. Best to contact Flintshire Countryside Services for details - Tel. 01244 814931, or visit the visitor centre at Wepre Park.
January Bird News
It has been a disappointing month for me, not because I've dipped out on a rarity or whatever - no, I've been disappointed by the behaviour of a small number of photographers and birders. So I thought, rather than have a bird summary this month I would suggest some guidelines in what is probably a vain hope they will make some difference:
NEVER deliberately disturb birds.
NEVER walk through an area in order to deliberately flush birds which may be hidden.
ALWAYS keep your distance from birds so they can feed/roost without being stressed or disturbed.
REMEMBER - If during watching or photographing birds they are disturbed by your presence then YOU ARE TOO CLOSE. No photograph is more important than the birds.
I believe that the large majority of birders and photographers are already fully aware of the above and I have to say that has been my experience; but there seems to be a minority spoiling it for others, and the birds!!
You will probably gather from the above that there have been a few incidents over the past few weeks, I will describe three as examples:
-
A certain award winning photographer (not one who contributes to this website, I hasten to add) was observed out on Parkgate Marsh within the Hen Harrier roost area. He was escorted away by the RSPB before he could do any harm. There was the possibility that the Harriers would have been so disturbed that they would have moved their roost elsewhere, not only causing stress to the birds but destroying the great spectacle which birders have of this roost site from the Old Baths car park. Incidentally, in the past few days there has been an interesting thread on BirdForum where it is alleged that 'a certain award winning photographer (not one who contributes to this website, I hasten to add)' has been putting photographs on his website and onto Birdguides claiming they were wild birds when in fact they were captive.
-
Some birders were wading through the middle of West Kirby Marsh during the recent cold spell in order to flush Jack Snipe. These birds will already have been under stress due to the cold weather so no way is there any justification in making them fly just so you can put them on your year list (or whatever). Additionally, all other birds in the marsh will have been disturbed. A certain local RSPB warden strongly implied that I was encouraging such activity by putting Jack Snipe records on this website; so I hope this article redresses the balance.*
-
It was good to have the small flock of Waxwings at Wepre park, Connah's Quay, for several days. As they were the only local flock to stick around for a while they attracted a good number of both photographers and birders. It was a pity, therefore, that some chose to stand far too close to the small Rowan tree where the Waxwings were feeding, undoubtedly making them nervous and flighty. I'll give you a couple of quotes from one of the bird forums: "The person ....... was also there on Friday, wearing a bright yellow coat and strolling around right underneath the tree", "There was one particularly obnoxious 'cameraman' who seemed to want to stir up his mates against anyone who suggested that they may be a little close. Why do they need such big lenses if they have to stand so close?". Need I say more.
* This requires a bit of explanation. Firstly, I was unaware that some birders were deliberately wading through the marsh in order to flush them when I published the Jack Snipe records - naive of me, perhaps, but I wasn't being hypocritical and certainly not knowingly encouraging the practice. Secondly, I don't want to imply that all birders who send me Jack Snipe records are doing this, Snipe can be flushed for a number of reasons including a high tide covering the marsh.
Richard Smith.
What to expect in February
The February spring tides are often the best of the year, there are three tides of 10m or more just before the middle of the month (see below for details). If we get a decent west wind it should cover the marsh at Parkgate, maybe even as far as Burton. Expect to see Water Rails, Short-eared Owls, Jack Snipe, Hen Harriers and the usual thousands of waders and wildfowl, plus various rodents and maybe a fox or two. In the event of no or little wind I would head down to Riverbank Road, Heswall, where the tide always comes in a lot further than Parkgate in those conditions.
We should have good numbers of Brent Geese throughout the month, although it is unlikely that we will beat last month's total of 208! Snow and frost in Norfolk may well see a mass movement of Pink-footed Geese across to Lancashire when many may pass through the Dee Estuary, a wonderful sight. Other wildfowl of note could be large flocks of Common Scoter off Point of Ayr, Hilbre and North Wirral. The last few winters have seen increasing numbers observable from our shores, and the Liverpool Bay birds usually reach their winter peak in February. Also out to sea off North Wirral look out for large numbers of Great Crested Grebe, over 400 can be seen on a calm day with a big tide. Both the scoter and grebe flocks may well have rarer species within them, of course.
February often has the odd warmer day when spring seems not to be too far way with plenty of bird song in the woods. Another sign of spring may be the early return of an Avocet or two. If the weather remains cold on the continent wader numbers should remain high here, rarer waders will include Spotted Redshank at Inner Marsh Farm and Connah's Quay, on Hilbre Purple Sandpipers usually reach a winter peak this month.
Forthcoming Events
February Highest Spring Tides (Liverpool)
Also see
Tides page.
10th February, 11.38hrs (GMT), 10.0m.
11th February, 12.23hrs (GMT), 10.1m.
12th February, 13.04hrs (GMT),10.0m.
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 7th February 2009, 10am to 4pm.
Wonderful Winter Wildfowl and Waders.
RSPB staff and volunteers will be in the car park at the north end of the Wirral
Peninsula overlooking West Kirby Marine Lake with telescopes and binoculars to
provide visitors with crystal clear views of the birds and other
wildlife. There will be a wealth of information to offer visitors, plus the chance to
send for a free ‘homes for wildlife’ pack that explains what people can do
in their own gardens, however small, to help birds and wildlife. This is a
joint event with the RSPB, Wirral Ranger Service and Dee Estuary Voluntary
Wardens. For more information ring 0151 336 7681.
Tuesday 10th February 2009 9am start
Mud’n’Marsh
Join the Rangers down at Banks Rd, Lower Heswall where the mudflats of the
Dee meet the marsh for a high tide birdwatch (HW 1138hrs, 10.0m). From our elevated vantage
point on the shore we will watch 1000’s of waders being forced off the
mudflats by the rising tide and into the safety of the marsh. No need to
book, meet at Banks Rd car park, Lower Heswall.
For more info: (0151) 648 4371/3884.
Tuesday 10th
February 10:15am
Parkgate Birdwatch
High tide at
Parkgate is the best time to discover the hidden treasures of
the Dee Estuary RSPB reserve. As the sea covers the marsh many hundreds of
waders and wildfowl will be brought closer to the shore, there should be good
views of Short-eared Owls and various raptors, including Hen Harriers and
Peregrines. If the tide reaches the wall, small mammals
such as voles, shrews and possibly water rails are flushed out. Meet at
the Old Baths car park overlooking the reserve at Parkgate, close to The
Boat House pub (HW 11:38, 10.0m). No need to book.
Wednesday 11th
February 11:00am
Parkgate Birdwatch
High tide at
Parkgate is the best time to discover the hidden treasures of
the Dee Estuary RSPB reserve. As the sea covers the marsh many hundreds of
waders and wildfowl will be brought closer to the shore, there should be
good views of Short-eared Owls and various raptors, including Hen Harriers
and Peregrines. If the tide reaches the wall, small mammals
such as voles, shrews and possibly water rails are flushed out. Meet at
the Old Baths car park overlooking the reserve at Parkgate, close to The
Boat House pub (HW 12:23, 10.1m). No need to book.
Thursday 12th
February 11:45am
Parkgate Birdwatch
High tide at
Parkgate is the best time to discover the hidden treasures of
the Dee Estuary RSPB reserve. As the sea covers the marsh many hundreds of
waders and wildfowl will be brought closer to the shore, there should be
good views of Short-eared Owls and various raptors, including Hen Harriers
and Peregrines. If the tide reaches the wall, small mammals
such as voles, shrews and possibly water rails are flushed out. Meet at
the Old Baths car park overlooking the reserve at Parkgate, close to The
Boat House pub (HW 13.04, 10.0m). No need to book.
Saturday 14 February 2009
Guided Wildlife Walk around the Hoylake Langfields/Carr Fields
(Meols end).
A walk will be led by Susan Craggs following the public footpaths between Meols
and Saughall Massie Road. This area is rich in birdlife and
includes roosting and feeding waders, wildfowl and numerous species of
passerines which use the overgrown hedges and wet fields to feed on.
This wildlife rich farmland, part of the Green Belt, is currently under threat
from development by Wirral Borough Council with plans to build a large 'Golf
Resort', we believe this would include a sports complex and large Hotel - this is a chance
to see what would be lost to what many locals think is an inappropriate
development.
Parking is available near to Meols Station, meet 1.30pm at Fornall's Green Lane,
Meols Station end (next to Meols end of Heron Road. Return for about 4pm.
Wellington boots are recommended, dogs must be kept on leads.
Richard Smith for further details.
Sunday 15th February 3pm
Parkgate Raptor Watch
Come along and watch birds of prey with the experts. See the graceful hen
harriers coming in to roost on the RSPB reserve. Other birds of prey we
hope to see are merlin, peregrine, sparrowhawk, short-eared owl and
barn owl. Meet at the Old Baths car park, which overlooks the Dee Estuary
RSPB Reserve at Parkgate, close to The Boat House pub. No need to book.
Saturday 28th February 11:00 am start (HW 1pm, 9.4m).
Birdwatch at King’s Gap, Hoylake
Come along to Hoylake Foreshore and join members of the Coastal Rangers, the Dee
Estuary Voluntary Wardens and the RSPB and see what birds can be seen on the
beach roosting during the high tide. This event is suitable for all the family
to enjoy. All children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Dress warmly and
bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at King’s Gap on Hoylake Promenade. For
further enquiries Tel: 0151 678 5488.
Sunday 1st March 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs
Birds in the Bush - Royden Park
Join the Ranger and discover the bird-life that frequents our trees,
bushes and heathland on a walk at Royden Park and Thurstaston Common.
Suitable for all the family to enjoy. All children under 8yrs must be
accompanied by an adult. Sorry no dogs.
Meet at Rangers' Office, Royden Park, CH48 1NP
For further enquiries call: 0151 677 7594
Thursday 12th March 2009 9am start
Marsh Matters
Join the Rangers at Riverbank Rd (Lower
Heswall) car park to watch over the Dee Marshes as
the tide sweeps in.
Watch for waders, ducks, raptors and maybe an elusive Water Rail or two!
No need to book, meet at Riverbank Rd car park, Lower Heswall (HW 1200hrs,
10.0m).
For more info: (0151) 648 4371/3884
Thursday 12th March 10.30am
Parkgate Birdwatch
High tide at Parkgate is the best time to discover the hidden treasures of
the Dee Estuary RSPB reserve. If the tide reaches the wall, small mammals
such as voles, shrews and possibly water rails are flushed out. Meet at
the Old Baths car park overlooking the reserve at Parkgate, close to The
Boat House pub (HW 1200hrs, 10.0m). No need to book.
Saturday 14th March 2009, 10am to 4pm.
Wonderful Winter Wildfowl and Waders.
RSPB staff and volunteers will be in the car park at the north end of the Wirral
Peninsula overlooking West Kirby Marine Lake with telescopes and binoculars to
provide visitors with crystal clear views of the birds and other
wildlife. There will be a wealth of information to offer visitors, plus the chance to
send for a free ‘homes for wildlife’ pack that explains what people can do
in their own gardens, however small, to help birds and wildlife. This is a
joint event with the RSPB, Wirral Ranger Service and Dee Estuary Voluntary
Wardens. For more information ring 0151 336 7681.
Saturday 14th March, 10am – 3pm, Connah’s
Quay Reserve Open Day.
Join the Deeside Naturalists Society for some spectacular, hightide
birdwatching (HW: 9.6m, 13.14pm). Location: From A548 take the Connah’s
Quay turn, and follow the Power Station
signs. A member of the society will greet you at the reserve entrance.
Further information: D.N.S. - 01244 537440. Also see
www.deesidenaturalists.org.uk.
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