Hugh’s News – January 2019

A happy New Year to you all, I hope you enjoyed the festive season and are already well into your 2019 Bird List!

January High Tides

As you know, we were forced to cancel December’s field trip to the Dee due to the inclement weather.  However, there are some good opportunities coming up to make a visit to see the spectacular birds currently on the marshes.  There are a number of predicted high tides over the next week which, with the right weather conditions (low pressure in the Irish Sea and westerly winds), may bring the water up to the wall at Parkgate.  Even if the water does not totally flood the marshes, there should still be some good views of Marsh and Hen harriers, Peregrine, Merlin, Short-eared Owls, and possibly Bittern.  Noisy skeins of Pink-footed Geese should also be seen flying overhead.

The best dates, tide heights and times should be [but check the weather forecasts too]:

Tuesday 22nd January, 9.9m at 11:48.

Wednesday 23rd January, 10.0m at 12:36.

Thursday 24th January, 9.9m at 13:23.

It is recommended that you are there an hour or so before the high tide time, to get a good spot and experience the developing drama.  The RSPB will be at Parkgate Old Baths on Wednesday 23rd January to help point out the wildlife as it shows itself. I hope to be there too!

But don’t worry if you don’t make it, there will be more spring tides in February and March, including a possible 10.2m tide on 21st February at 12:20!

Not coinciding with a high tide specifically, but there will also be a Raptorwatch at Parkgate Old Baths organised by the RSPB, between 1pm and dusk on Sunday 10th February, where many of the same species may be seen.

You can just turn up to any of these events.

Bearded Tits

Well, after 3 visits and over 3 hours in total staring into the reed bed from the screen, I finally saw the famed Bearded Tits at Burton Mere Wetlands!  Hurrah! There were 4 birds in total, a little way off at the far end of a channel in the reeds that they seem to favour, but eventually they perched in good view as they fed on the seed heads. They were too distant to get a photograph unfortunately, but I have finally “ticked them”!  I know some other members have seen them already too, and not all had to spend quite so long looking!  But my patience was rewarded in the end, they are such exquisite and charming birds.

If you haven’t managed to see them yet, there is another chance of getting views on our forthcoming coach trip to Blacktoft Sands on 14th April!

Hugh Stewart