Hugh’s News – September 2019

I am aware that we have a few new members that have joined the Club recently. Welcome to everyone to the new Programme for 2019 – 2020, and to this article. Hugh’s News is an occasional piece posted on the Club’s website with random thoughts on (mostly) bird related topics that I hope you will enjoy.  While my name is used on the header, we welcome any comments or ideas from Members. Similarly, contributions for the Newsletter that is published 3 times per year are gratefully received.

On a recent walk at Leasowe Common, I found two small rodents in the grass right by the side of the path.  After some research on-line back home, I decided that they were young Field Voles.  The small ears, roundish face and relatively short tail differentiated them from mice.  They were fairly exposed, and were not moving around much.  There was no sign of a parent, but maybe they were close by waiting for me to move away, so I decided to leave them be.  Hopefully they survived. Of course, they are potential food items for a number of birds, as well as stoats or weasels, so the outlook was not too good if they didn’t learn some field craft quickly.

I went to the Parkgate Old Baths car park today for the high tide.  In stark contrast to the inclement weather we experienced on Saturday’s field meeting at Meols, the morning was sunny and mild with very little wind. With these benign conditions, the tide did not come in that far, but there was still a good variety of birds on show.  At least 3 Marsh Harriers were almost constantly patrolling the marsh. Several Great Egrets were also evident, as was a single Cattle Egret – unusual this far down the river – along with the ubiquitous Little Egrets.  A Spoonbill made a brief appearance before disappearing into a creek never to be seen again!  Sight of the day was a Peregrine determinedly chasing a Merlin in front of us.  I don’t think the larger raptor was looking to catch the smaller one, probably just annoyed that it was on its “patch”.  A few Pink-footed Geese are already on the Dee for the winter, but the numbers will build over the next few weeks, as will wader flocks.  A few tardy Swallows passed through on their way to Southern Africa, perhaps one of the last images of the summer gone.  If you missed these high tides, there will be more at the end of October.  I will aim to provide more details nearer the time – remind me if I forget!

Hugh Stewart