Hugh’s News – 7 April 2020

Thank you for the comments and photos that I have received over the last few days. As well as being interesting to learn of your experiences, it also means I don’t have to think so much on what to write about!

I saw a pair of Buzzards high over – almost certainly a pair close to their nest site. Later in the year after breeding, you can often see family groups of at least 4 or 5 Buzzards circling in the thermals.  This is a more and more common sight on Wirral – when I came here only 30 odd years ago, one had to go to Wales to see a Buzzard.

Bill Wonderley was sent a photo from a member of the public who saw a Wheatear on their daily walk and wondered if it was a Greenland Wheatear.  This is a sub-species of the Northern Wheatear that breeds in the UK, but which goes as far as Greenland and Canada to breed.  I could not tell the subtle differences between the races from the photo but the Greenland Wheatear normally migrate later in the spring than just now so I doubt it was one.

I had a call from a non-member who told me that she has had a pair of mandarins turn up on her Spital pond! They will be looking for a tree hole to nest in, or a nest box with a large hole! This is not a joke – I know that they do use purpose-made nest-boxes.

On my own walks, I have been cheered by the songs of many species now on territory.  This includes not only the regular garden Robin and Blackbird, but also several Song Thrushes that remain so elusive for much of the year. Chiffchaffs are seemingly everywhere there are some trees, and I have seen and heard one Blackcap.

I am pleased to see far more Greenfinches than for a long time, further evidence to me that they are making a recovery after their numbers fell due for several years to a fungal disease.  They are quite noticeable in their fluttering song-flight.  As a reminder that some of our winter visitors are also on the move, I saw a small mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare.  It is impossible to know if they had spent the winter locally or were returning from further south or west, even from Ireland.  Either way, they will soon depart our shores for Iceland and Scandinavia.

For this article’s photos shown below, the first is of a Wren that Bill saw in a local brook.  This is an unusual sight – maybe it thought it was a Dipper!  Also attached are pictures of Greenfinch and Song Thrush, two of the songsters I have mentioned.

Lastly, Brian Bishop has kindly sent a “Find the Bird” competition.  No prizes, just a bit of fun! I will share the answer next time.

On a final note, best wishes to you all for Easter.  I have decided to relocate for a change of scenery over the holiday weekend – I am going to try the view from the other end of the sofa! Happy, safe birding.

Hugh Stewart