Myself and the two Steve`s decided on visiting a couple of new places of birding interest last Sunday. These sites often get mentioned on RBA, but, we have never visited them, they are Carr Lane Pools in Hale and Pickering`s Pasture in Hale Bank, near Widnes. The weather all day was showery with sunny periods and as we got to Carr Lane Pools a weather front passed through and we had to head back to my car for shelter. A Peregrine put most of the birds up and as they settled a Wood Sandpiper was found by Steve K, along with a few Yellow Wagtails and some Black Tailed Godwits. Well worth a visit! At Pickerings Pasture, it at first looked like a dog walking area, but as we did the tour a good birding spot right on the River Mersey was revealed, some woods, a small pool and the tidal flats were decent birding area`s. My search for the elusive Treecreeper carried on in the woods, but again, no joy for this hard species to catch up with this year!! At Frodsham we did the full trip around, testing my car`s suspension and after Steve B had taken on a small gardening job, which he did admirably with the help of a lady photographer, we birded the area and a Marsh Harrier was seen hunting. The lack of waders was apparent, but the tide was all wrong to be honest. We visited Leasowe and New Brighton, the wind was quite strong and the tide was coming in, but still to far out to wait for any seabirds. Another search for Treecreepers at Risley Moss was made but, they do not feed the birds in summer so the Woodland hide was almost deserted. A Hobby hunting from the Tower hide was great to watch, but not much else. Pennington Flash was good, apart from the shower / cloudburst that hit us after leaving the car. We managed 2 Kingfishers, 5 Common Terns,Green Sandpiper and a Garganey in eclipse moult, with lots of other species to watch and enjoy. Our last port of call was Astley Moss (for the third time this year) to search for, you guessed it Treecreeper! People say," third time lucky", but not for me, it`s a nice walk anyway! We reached home by 5-15pm and all enjoyed the day.
As you know as well as anyone there is no wildlife sightings that are certain unless you go to the zoo !
I am not rubbing salt in your seasons wound but there was two Treecreepers in my garden today and another down in Stubbins Vale this afternoon, having said that I have not seen a Wood Sandpiper for some time.
