The RSPB Liverpool Local Group

         OTTERSPOOL.      Sun 16th Nov.             8-30am.    
                   
       Med Gulls et al.

          Had a day out today birdwatching with old friends I first birdwatched with over 40yrs ago, Chris Murphy and Geoff Bond. Chris now lives in Northerrn Ireland and leads birding trips to Lesbos, Morocco, and Extramadura Spain amongst other places. Chris was probably the first ever leader of the LIverpool Group YOC back in the early 70s. He also sits on the NI rarity committee, so really knows his birds.

             We stopped at Otterspool on way over to the Wirral,  just to check gulls.  Explaining to Chris that I occasionally saw Med gulls with the black headed gulls. Checked on the prom and no sign at all of any, and  then was amazed to find 7 Mediterranean gulls on the playing fields of Jericho lane...........yes 7 !!  6 adult winter and  1 second winter bird.
             We also heard bullfinches at the Garden festival site, saw snow buntings at Leasowe, heard Cettis warblers at Red rocks, saw hen harrier, marsh harrier, water rail, cattle egret at BMW, and merlin at Old baths Parkgate as the sun went down. Sadly no harriers came in to roost, but nevertheles a great day out with some old friends,

                                Sean.