After various trips to the east coast area it was time to check out one of our best birding areas on the west coast, RSPB Burton Mere, on the Wirral. A leisurely 8am start with myself, Steve B and Kevin C driving had us heading along the M56 on a grey but dry morning. An adult Spotted Crake had been seen on the reserve during the week, it was later revealed that 2 juvenile Spotted Crakes had been seen, so possible breeding had taken place. We arrived just as the reserve opened at 9am and headed for the Bunker hide and new eastern viewing area. The crake was not seen after a good search, then we went up to the reed bed area and Bridge Pool to search for a Garganey. We know how difficult Garganey can be to find and after about an hour no sign of the bird, was it going to be one of those days? Then as always seems to happen the bird swam out from behind an island and showed itself and promptly disappeared again! Now a birding friend of ours lives on the Wirral, Mark G or Whipper as he is known in these parts had agreed to join us. As we waited Kevin Hughes from Macclesfield could be seen walking along the path towards us, after our customary greeting he told us that the Spotted Crake was showing at Bunker hide. Mark G joined us and we all enjoyed good views of a sometimes difficult bird to observe as it walked around the edges of the reed bed. Also bumped into Ian Evans from North Wales, other birds included: - Peregrine taking a Lapwing for breakfast, Snipe, Black tailed Godwits, Gadwall, Teal, Marsh Harrier, and Water Rail. All in all a successful walk around the reserve.
We headed for Denhall Lane and watched Yellow Wagtail, Stonechat, Linnet, Little Egret, Raven, Meadow Pipit and a very obliging Barn Owl that came out of its box sat out, then after two minutes went back in to resume its sleep! At Decca Pools we managed to see: - Green Sandpiper, Little Egret and a few Black headed Gulls. Mark then took us to a café and bought us tea and a cake each, unusually civilised behaviour for ourselves, thanks Mark. We also saw a single Swift but lots of Martins and Swallows gathering on the telephone wires prior to departure for their winter/summer homes. With this lockdown it seems they have not been here very long for us all to enjoy. We headed for home a little earlier after saying goodbye to Mark and reached Rochdale by 5-15pm.
After reaching home and with food in the oven and a pint pot of tea at hand, I picked up a message that Simon H that he had found a Pectoral Sandpiper at Hollingworth Lake in Rochdale. After a call to confirm, oven turned off, pot of tea down the sink and dash up to the lake in the grey gloom that had descended. Upon reaching the lake bank I could see Simon H walking towards me, was it still there? He assured me it was and within minutes I was watching Rochdale`s first Pectoral Sandpiper. A fellow Greater Manchester birder David B let me watch the bird through his scope for a couple of minutes. Great find by Hollingworth Lakes ace bird finder Simon H, thanks for getting the news out promptly. Well that finished the day of nicely!
