A long staying Great Northern Diver on the Marine Lake at West Kirby on the Wirral managed to lure me and Bob K into the great outdoors. With an 8-30am start and fair, breezy weather promised, what could go wrong? On the way to the Marine Lake news that the diver was still present reached us, upon arrival the bird was soon seen and a few distant pictures were taken. The diver was moving around the lake as the stiff breeze kept pushing it around. Lots of other birders were present and eventually enjoyed a few closer looks at the bird. As the tide came in, the brave walkers around the lakes perimeter path, were hit with some waves and got a good soaking for their efforts!
A move to the old baths at Parkgate managed to reveal Short Eared Owl, Marsh Harrier hunting out on the marsh. All of a sudden a dark weather front hit us and as we quickly retreated to the car, the heavens really opened, time to leave here then. We called in at Burton Point RSPB reserve and were told about a Russian White Fronted Goose that had been seen from the point. We hurried on up to the site of an ancient hill fort (Burton Point) and began scanning the Pink Footed Goose flocks out on the marsh. After about 20 minutes searching we found the distant White Fronted Goose. Now as the sky began to look a bit unsettled again, we returned to the old baths at Parkgate and enjoyed a good raptor watch along with about 40 other birders. We managed to see: - Merlin, 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Hen Harriers (all ringtails) 1 distant Short Eared Owl, 2 Barn Owls (one of which hunted in front of us all for about 40 minutes) as the light began to fail we headed home after a good days birding.
