Pallid Harrier, Northdale, Unst 18th September 2015

Photo courtesy Dave Willis

A juvenile Pallid Harrier had been present in the Northdale area on Unst since 13th September. We had looked for this bird unsuccessfully whilst on the way to Norwick, but returned later in the day with better luck

As we approached Northdale the bird flew up from a small patch of roadside trees & perched on a fence post giving good views. It then flew a little further away & perched on a grassy ridge for a few minutes before continuing along the valley & out of site.

Western Bonelli's Warbler, Burrafirth, Unst 18th Sept. 2015

Photo courtesy Dave Willis

After making our way to Unst yesterday evening & arriving at Baltasound, which is our base for the next two weeks, this morning we made our way to Burrafirth to see another Western Bonelli's Warbler at Shore Station, which had been there since 15th September.

Once again excellent views were obtained & this bird was calling quite frequently, unlike the bird yesterday at Sumburgh. Whilst on site an Otter made its way across the road & up the bank. I've only seen Otters in water previously, so to see one on land was rather exciting.

Western Bonelli's Warbler, Sumburgh 17th September 2015

Photo courtesy Dave Willis

On the first day of my visit to Shetland, the first port of call was Sumburgh Head Lighthouse where a Western Bonelli's Warbler had been in residence in the compound since 14th September.

The bird was mostly inhabiting a small area of thistles, giving excellent views. Only the second time I've seen Western Bonelli's.

We also found two Yellow-browed Warblers in Sumburgh Hotel garden. A nice bonus.

Hoopoe, New Brighton 8th September 2015

Photo courtesy Joe Bellis

News broke just before 4pm of a Hoopoe at New Brighton. Only a few minutes away by car, I was the first birder on site following the news, hence the lack of cars, birders, tripods, etc. I had a wander along where I thought the instructions meant, "near gorse slope" which to me seemed to be west of Yellow Noses south of Coastal Drive, before spotting another birder. Upon meeting it turns out this was the finder, local birder Joe Bellis. Joe had seen the bird fly east towards Portland Court, so he went back up the bank & I sauntered along to the west as far as Sea Road, where Joe had originally seen it.

At Sea Road I bumped into John Jones & we both headed back east. A few paces later & the Hoopoe flew west past us along the ridge & alighted on the corner of Sea Road. We then had close views of the bird poking around sandy areas in the path coming down from the ridge. After about 15mins it flew off to the east. The bird returned about half an hour later giving brief views on one of the paths leading down from the ridge before again taking flight.

Speaking to the few birders who had now arrived, it turns out the Hoopoe had been seen a few hours previously by visiting birder John Evered, but he was unable to put the news out.

The second time I've seen a Hoopoe on the Wirral, the previous one being in Wallasey market gardens late October 1997.

Photo courtesy Joe Bellis

Red-backed Shrike, Meols 4th September 2015

A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was discovered late this afternoon off Park Lane in Meols by local birder Allan Conlin. A rare visitor to Wirral, this is the first record for the Leasowe Lighthouse area.

As I arrived on site, a small group of birders were watching the Red-backed Shrike perched on a Hawthorn bush in what used to be the fields adjacent to the road, but which is now a small lake after the recent flooding with the River Birkett breaching its banks.

Everyone present obtained good views before the shrike glided from its perch & disappeared amongst the reeds & grasses about half an hour later. A first for Cheshire & Wirral for me.

Video by Steve Williams

Caspian Gull, Ainsdale 17th August 2015

A first-summer Caspian Gull was found by local birder Pete Kinsella about five weeks ago on the beach between Formby & Ainsdale. The last week or so the bird has been seen regularly at Ainsdale. I tried for it last week at Formby Point, but with no joy, so I decided to give it another go this morning.

I arrived at Ainsdale beach car park late morning. As was the case last week, I'd chosen a beautiful sunny day & this was reflected in the holiday makers on the beach, although not as many as at Formby last week. A couple of birders were on the beach, so I made my way over to them. One was Pete Kinsella, who informed me they had seen the bird earlier & were waiting for it to return. Almost immediately Pete spotted the Caspian Gull flying towards us. We watched as the gull flew over the car park a few times before heading over us & landing on the beach.

For the next hour or so we watched the bird flying about, landing on the water as the tide came in & generally taking no notice at all of all the bathers frolicking about on the beach. Eventually, the gull moved further north about 200yds to roost with a small flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Sabine's Gull, Pennington Flash 4th August 2015

News of an adult Sabine's Gull at Pennington Flash, near Wigan, had me hot-footing it over there this morning.

I arrived on site late-morning, having covered the 25 miles in about an hour. Heading for Horrock's Hide, it soon became apparent the Sabine's Gull was being viewed from the path just before the hide. The bird was mostly quite close to the shore weaving its way back & forth across the water feeding constantly, oblivious to the gathered admirers. A second-summer, the bird was on view the whole time I was there, apart from a brief flight to the left providing good views of the characteristic wing pattern. It soon returned.

A fantastic opportunity to see this normally sea-faring gull on an inland body of water. Usually encounters with this species are on the coast following gales, or on pelagic trips from far-flung islands.

Video by Pete Hines