Pallas's Warbler, Heswall 3rd January 2016

Local birder Steve Hinde discovered Cheshire & Wirral's seventh Pallas's Warbler Saturday afternoon at Target Lane next to the Sewage Works in Heswall.

This morning found me standing around in the cold & rain waiting for brief glimpses of the Pallas's Warbler at a distance of about 70yds through a wire mesh fence, looking around other birders. It did come closer to about half that as the mixed flock of Blackcap, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests & Long-tailed Tits moved along the hedge towards the gate, but they were all very mobile. Hopefully, it'll stick around long enough for better views on a repeat visit when the weather's nicer!

Pallas's Warbler twitch in Heswall

There were about the same number of birders to the left looking over a smaller gate down the lane. Although views from this position were better, they were more infrequent. One of those little portable steps would have been very handy!

My first Pallas's Warbler in Cheshire & Wirral. A very long way from its normal wintering area in Southeast Asia.

The previous six records are:

1980 Bidston Hill, 25th to 26th November, trapped 25th (A. Ormond).

1988 Lingham Lane, Moreton, 28th October (M. R. Gough).

1997 Hilbre, 31st October (H. I. B. O.). Hoylake, 9th to 12th November (M. G. Turner, J. E. Turner).

2005 Congleton, 29th January to 9th February (R. M. Blindell, A. Booth, C. Lythgoe, C. Palmer, M. R. Miles).
2010 Bidston, first-winter, trapped, 7th November (Merseyside Ringing Group).