Rare birds spotted on Paddington Meadows

BY DAVID SKENTELBERY ON  22ND JANUARY 2019 7:00 AM NEWS

ORNITHOLOGIST members of Warrington’s New Cut Heritage group have spotted some rare birds on Paddington Meadows.

Some have been species not spotted before and others have been old favourites returning.

Top of the list was a Red Kite, a species almost extinct in Britain a few years ago but after successful reintroductions in Wales and Southern England they are now spreading out across the country.

While surveying the average number of different species seen on this special habitat the group found 32 with a peak of 40 in June and other new arrivals included Black Necked Grebe, Hobby, Common Sand Piper, Curlew plus Goldeneye and Shoveller Ducks.

The very distinctive call of the Cuckoo was heard in dense foliage, a sound not heard for many years, and a Skylark again not seen in recent years was also been sighted. The ornithologists are hopeful that the Skylark species once a permanent resident of the meadows and which gave its name to nearby Larkfield Avenue will return in numbers.

The New Cut Heritage and Ecology Group liaise with local authorities and statutory bodies to help maintain the unique environment of Paddington meadows and New Cut Canal. In addition they carry out regular litter picks, lobby for better seating / benches along the canal and have begun hedge laying work parties.

Source

RARE BIRD SIGHTINGS: Local fishermen attract rare bird to Winsford waters

7:00am Monday 17th February 2014 in News

CAREFUL environmental planning by local fishermen has succeeded in attracting a rare species to the River Weaver.

The Guardian investigated after seeing reports on Winsford Anglers’ website that an elusive bittern had been spotted on a stretch of the waterway.

Club secretary and treasurer, Steve Beech, thought he’d spotted the tell-tale plumage of the mysterious, heron-like bird while fishing.

He immediately text club fisheries and conservation manager, Graham Bayliss.

“Receiving the text message was very exciting because these birds are extremely rare in Cheshire. I hoped the sighting was genuine,” said Graham, a keen wildlife enthusiast and nature photographer who confirmed the sighting and managed to capture some stunning photographs of the bird.

Read on

Parkgate marsh fire destroys birds' habitat

A fire that broke out on marshland in Cheshire has destroyed the the habitat of many nesting birds and local wildlife, the RSPB has said.

The blaze began near The Anchorage in Parkgate, near Neston, on Sunday afternoon and spread across a large area towards The Parade.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews used beaters and hosereel jets to put the fire out by about 17:50 BST.

Police said the fire was believed to have been started deliberately.

A spokeswoman said: "Cheshire Police are keen to speak to anyone in the local area who may have witnessed anything that may assist the investigation, to contact Ellesmere Port and Neston Neighbourhood Policing Team."

Colin Wells, RSPB site manager on the Dee Estuary Reserve, said conditions on the marsh were very brittle and dry, meaning the fire spread quickly.

"Part of the reed bed had been burnt and there were substantial areas of rushbeds and saltmarsh vegetation," he said.

"It's always a problem at this time of year if we have a dry spell, and the cold easterly winds had dried the vegetation out."

He added: "The area is important for nesting birds like reed warblers, reed buntings and water rail. They have lost their nesting areas.

"We have also got harvest mice, so they have lost their habitat and probably a lot of them have been burnt or killed."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-22062958

Rare birds seen in Orford

A FLOCK of rare birds have been spotted in Orford.

Around 50 or 60 Bohemian Waxwing birds were seen nesting in trees at the junction of Battersby Lane and Forshaw Street.

Warrington Borough Council has said they are attracting crowds, affecting businesses in the area.

A spokesman said: “The exotically quiffed birds are drawing a lot of attention from bird enthusiasts and understandably so.

“Unfortunately some local businesses and residents have contacted us with concerns about the crowds and their behaviour so we would urge people be respectful of private property when trying to capture a photo of the birds.”

Other residents have reported seeing the Waxwings on Milner Street in the town centre.

They does not breed in the UK and most winters the total population in the country is usually under 100.

Continued:  http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/news/10065220.Rare_birds_seen_in_Orford/

100 years ago: Rare night heron returns to the Cheshire dust

Originally published in the Manchester Guardian on 9 November 1912

At the end of July a friend of mine was lucky enough to see a night heron, an exceedingly rare bird, standing on a tree which overhung one of the Cheshire meres. So far as I know there is only one previous occurrence of the bird in the county, although it has been shot about half-a-dozen times in Lancashire.

My friend's description of its appearance and plumage was convincing, and I hunted vainly for it, hoping that it was still about. It was, but I did not happen on the right spot. Now, three months later, it has turned up and I have seen it; to be precise, I have seen all that is left of it. The remains were discovered this week by a gamekeeper.

The bird may have been shot at and wounded or it may have died a natural death - rare birds do occasionally, - and its corpse has been lying amongst the reeds, gradually returning to the dust. Fortunately it was found before all the feathers had gone and whilst most of the bones, including the skull, remained. It is not much of a specimen, but there is enough left to prove its identity.

More here:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/04/night-heron-rare-cheshire

RSPB: Upcoming events 22/23 September 2012

Wild times at Wallasea this weekend

http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Wild-times-Wallasea-weekend/story-16944256-detail/story.html



Burton Mere Wetlands Celebrates 1st Birthday

http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Cheshire/Neston/CH64/News/Local-News/230981-Burton-Mere-Wetlands-Celebrates-1st-Birthday