2019, a new dawn.

January

So on a personal note the latter part of 2018 was traumatic and I'm glad it's over. There's a long way to go to heal and some unpleasant times ahead still, but at least I could be glad that year is over and start to look forward.

With my new life means new pressures on time and, at the minute at least, little enthusiasm for birding alone.  I did manage to call in to the patch on 1st and saw the Bittern, plus Goosander and a flock of 150 Pink-footed Geese over.

With Andy and Jono over in early Jan it was good to get out for a jaunt around Cheshire on the 3rd in what turned out to be my only proper birding of the month.

Highlights were the four European White-fronted Geese at Frodsham, along with a Great Egret and a couple of Pink-footed Geese out on the Score. We then moved to BMW, which as ever was awash with common birds including a Cheshire tick for me - Bearded Tit. Other birds of note included Marsh Harrier and Cetti's Warbler, along with distant Whooper Swans. Out on the Dee saltmarsh we managed a nice Short-eared Owl, Peregrine and numerous Little Egrets before heading back to the patch for more Bittern action. Not a bad day by local standards.

European White-Fronted Geese, Frodsham. Only the third time I've seen this species in Cheshire.

 

On 14th January I was working in Lancashire so had a quick look for Bewick's Swans amongst the 150 Whooper swans - no joy but lovely to watch the latter at close range.

Whooper Swans.

On 21st I popped out of work to see two Waxwings at the (incredibly) regular spot in Warrington. the birds were easy enough to find and see, which was a good job as I'd forgotten my bins!

And that was about it for the month!