Hugh’s News – 14 February 2021
The Snow Buntings continue to provide a great display on the beach along Hoylake Prom. Margaret and Jim Anderson caught up with them this week. I must get down there before they disappear!
Brian Bishop took this photo of a raptor perched in a tree in West Kirby. At first glance, he thought it might be a Peregrine. However, a closer look indicated that it wasn’t that species, but rather a Red-tailed Hawk, a North American species! The remnants of jesses can be made out on one leg, indicating this is an escaped falconer’s bird. In fact this particular bird has been present in West Kirby since March 2013, an incredible 8 years. It is obviously feeling at home, often terrorising the local feral pigeons and covids. The next time you visit the town, look carefully at the roofs and trees around Morrison’s!
Bill came across the small flock of Brent Geese between Hoylake Lifeboat Station and Leasowe groyne. They are becoming a regular feature off-shore here, although the majority of the flock tend to remain loyal to Hilbre and around.
How did you get on with the Big Garden Birdwatch? My results were nothing spectacular, with no species of note – “just the usual”! I still enjoyed the hour, and the data is all useful. Sods Law, the cold weather this week has increased the activity on my feeders significantly. If I did a count today, I know I would get much bigger numbers!
Following on from the Big Garden Birdwatch, I bet none of you could beat member Martyn Jamieson’s star bird. OK, so he does live by Loch Bee in South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, but seeing White-tailed Eagles from your house must be amazing. The first photo of a single Eagle is Martyn’s image. The second photo was taken by his friend John Love when 12 eagles were seen together on the frozen Loch feeding on a dead swan. What an incredible experience that must have been! John was instrumental in running the original White-tailed Eagle introduction scheme on Rum many years ago. A new White-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme is well underway on the Isle of Wight, and there are new proposals for a similar project in Norfolk. But if you really want to see these magnificent birds, you’d best go North! When we are allowed, of course!!
A final reminder that Bill will send out the meeting details for Keith Offord’s Zoom talk (on Thursday 25th February) in the next week or so. Keep a look out if you wish to join in.
Hugh Stewart
