Hugh’s News – 31 March 2021
Migrants are starting to increase in numbers now. A handsome male Ring Ouzel was present at Leasowe at the end of last week and was photographed by Bill Wonderley. This thrush species is the upland equivalent of the Blackbird, and winters in Southern Europe, North Africa and Turkey and breeds in the hills of Scotland and northern England. So it will soon move on. While superficially similar in appearance to the Blackbird, they sport a dashing white gorget on the chest, the males especially. They also have subtle silvery edges to the wing feathers, and typical of longer distance migrants, they have longer wings. Females are browner and less contrasting but can be readily identified still given a reasonable view – but beware of female Blackbirds with pale throats! He also saw a male Wheatear there.
Sightings of Swallow, Sand Martin, White Wagtail and Red Kite have all been reported in the last week. The migration pace will quicken over the next month, so keep a good look out on your daily walks.
Jean Eymond had a pair of Blackcaps on the feeders in her garden on Friday. It is difficult to be sure if they are potential, local breeders, or just passing through. She hopes the former! She is still waiting to see if the Bullfinches she enjoyed last year return.
Margaret and Jim Anderson found several Common Toads on the boardwalk at Red Rocks. One individual had a red mark on it that according to the Wirral Amphibian and Reptile Group is a flesh wound – perhaps caused by a bird seeking a meal. They told me that eggs are visible under the wound, showing this is a female. The Toad clearly escaped, but its chances of surviving are small sadly. There is a healthy population there though, so one loss should not be significant.
Following on from Debra Williams’ videos last time, here is another one of a pair of Mute Swans mating. This was on 8 March in the docks in Liverpool where she lives. Debra also saw (but didn’t film) Peregrines mating even earlier on the 26 February. They nest on the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.
https://twitter.com/wordsanddeeds1/status/1368910484737523712?s=19
Paul Rowlands captured some beautiful images of Mandarin Duck at Arrowe Park. Whatever your thoughts on their status in the UK, there is no denying how photogenic they are.
Joyce has informed us of an Osprey nest at Foulshaw Moss, a Cumbria Wildlife Trust site, with 2 live-streaming webcams. These can be viewed at:
Hugh Stewart
