White Nun. 27th Jan 2024

The first local drake Smew for a good few years spent a couple of weeks at Newchurch, just down the road. 

6th January 2024

A jaunt around Crosby Marina and Parkgate. The highlights were the long-staying Black-throated Diver, and a drake Common Scoter. The latter was sat on the edge of the smaller pool - possibly the first time I've ever seen one out of the water and at close range. At Parkgate in the late afternoon, there were the usual throngs of Pink-footed Geese and commoner wildfowl. Two or three Great Egrets were seen on the marsh, along with multiple Little Egrets. Marsh Harriers were harder to count, but probably around half a dozen were hunting. Two separate ringtail Hen Harriers put in performances, with one  giving prolonged views as it harried anything and everything. 

Common Scoter drake, looking very dapper in the sun.

Black-throated Diver

2024 - New Years Day in North Wales

After weeks and weeks of wind and rain, 2024 started off with a rare calm day. Malc, Mark and I had a casual day out which initially consisted of dipping on Waxwings in multiple locations before a look on the sea at Llandulas. The usual large numbers of Common Scoter were mostly distant, again as usual, but decent in good light. A single male Velvet Scoter flew through, as did 3 Red-throated Divers. There were several rafts of Great-crested Grebes, a handful of Red-breasted Mergansers and a single drake Eider, and a couple of Fulmars were seen too. Nothing rare, but pleasant enough.

We decided to head off towards Llyn Brenig, but shortly after setting off a flock of roadside Waxwings brought us to an abrupt stop and we enjoyed spectacular views of at least 32 birds, often at eye-level. It's a shame the day was dull, but the views were splendid. It's been a good winter for these gorgeous northern visitors, so I was very pleased to finally see these birds.

We dragged ourselves away and onwards to Llyn Brenig, but the annual Great-grey Shrike had vanished as it so often does. A few Crossbills flew over, but that aside birds were thin on the ground.