MERSEY MUD MATTERS

QUESTION: How many calories are there in one cubic metre of lovely Mersey mud?

ANSWER: 4160, the same number of calories as 16 Mars bars. Yum! No wonder thousands of birds are willing to fly all the way from the Arctic to feed here.

The Mersey Estuary is an amazing place. It’s been vital for the economic prosperity for the area, an iconic part of our history and always stunning for wildlife. It’s a European Special Protection Area ( SPA ), a designated Ramsar site, and one of the four nationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s)

 http://www.ukmpas.org/mapper.php

Each autumn, birds arrive on the Mersey Estuary all the way from the Arctic . The estuary is a vital link in the chain of migration that sustains many birds through the winter. They choose the estuary as their winter quarters because it’s a sheltered site with an abundance of food. And it’s not just wintering species who love it on the Mersey . The estuary is also a popular and important breeding ground for skylarks and redshanks, as well as colonies of gulls.

Together with Morecambe Bay , and the Rivesr Ribble and Dee estuaries, the Mersey forms part of Europe ’s most important wetlands network for wintering and passage birds, hosting almost a million every year

Who feeds here?

49,000 Dunlin, 1,600 Curlew, 3,000 Teal, 10,000 Widgeon, 10,000 Shelduck, 11,000 Black Tailed Godwit, 5,5000 Redshank, 10,000 Lapwings, 2,500 Golden Plover and 1,300 Grey Plover.(approx figures,Wetland Bird Survey 2000-01)

A site is considered to be of international importance for any species of bird if it supports more than 1 per cent of the European population. The Mersey Estuary is internationally important for three species of duck and four species of wading bird and so qualifies as a Special Protection Area, a status reserved for only the most important bird sites in Europe. It also qualifies as a Ramsar site; a wetland of international importance. This recognises wetlands as vital links in a chain where migratory birds can stop and refuel en route between their breeding and wintering grounds. To be considered nationally important, a site must regularly support more than 1 per cent of the UK population of any species.

Turnstone

Shelduck

Curlew

Dunlin

RSPB's Tim Melling tells us more about Important Bird Populations on the Mersey Estuary

http://www.merseybasin.org.uk/archive/assets/173/original/Flocking_To_The_Mersey.pdf

*****For up to date sightings and bird counts go to

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Mersey-Estuary-WeBS-216178248450013/about/

"April 2017 Mersey WeBS Count

Two things stand out this month: a new record for black-tailed godwit with 3,852 beating the previous record of 3,304 and our third record of green-winged teal found at Manisty by Paul."

Get involved:

https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/webs

The River Mersey supports a typical estuarine fauna. Invertebrates include such species as pink and green ragworm, white catworm,  lugworm in sandy foreshores, shore crabs, small Hydrobia snails and shrimps  (as well as sand gobies) in small pools, mussels, prawns, sea anemone in rock pools along Egremont shore, Korean sea squirts and common jellyfish in some of the docks whilst damselfly, dragonfly and caddisflies are found further up river.

Plant Species occurring on the salt marsh  include, for example, sea couch, common salt marsh grass, halberd-leaved orache, sea aster, scurvy grass, annual sea-blite, sea plantain, sea milkwort and sea clubrush.

Barnacle

Caddis fly

Shore crab

Sand Goby

Clam

Hydrobia snail

Lugworm

Ragworm

Mussels

Water quality improvements now means the Mersey supports a wide range of fish species including Salmon, Trout, Lamprey and Dace. The increase in numbers of fish in the river has encouraged a number of other animals to return to the estuary. These include porpoises, grey seas and even octopus!

Cheshire fire and rescue with porpoise

http://www.thefriendsofpickeringspasture.org.uk/stranded-porpoise.html

Point of Ayr - a Sunday outing

Eventually got out today with my camera with Rhodie to the Point of Ayr .. nice and mild winds, good variety of birds managed to get some clear shots of them - Neil

The RSPB’s Point of Ayr reserve at Talacre is on the north-west corner of the Dee Estuary, a relatively small area comprising sand flats, mud banks, saltmarsh, scrub, sand dunes and fresh water pools. It therefore attracts a very good range of estuary birds. Being next to the Irish Sea it is also favoured by seawatchers, often being the first landfall for migrating birds crossing over from the North West coast of England. 

The scrub ,wildflower meadows and sand dunes are

good for skylarks, meadowpipits, wheatear, stonechats and warblers.

In winter thousands of waders and wildfowl  gather on the mudflats including  greylag, dunlin, redshank, godwit, curlew, knot, and sanderling.  When the tide rises, the birds are forced onto the nearby marshes. The carefully positioned open backed  hide gives close views of the feeding birds.

There is a 75 mile (1 km) seawall path. Wide, level and surfaced - the seawall is accessible to wheelchairs/pushchairs. The hide is 0.75 mile (1 km) from reserve entrance.  One fixed bench without back.

Previous blog on area:

http://liverpoolrspb.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/little-terns-at-gronant.html

A Captive Audience

Plover & Dunlin on Hilbre

Saturday saw Rhodie, Indira and I taking a stroll over to Hilbre Island for a high tide Birdwatch with the Wirral Coastal Rangers and the RSPB.  It was not long on the walk over before we began to see groups of Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, Turnstones and Oystercatchers on the mudflats.

Incoming Oystercatchers

In fact a small group of Dunlin flew straight across our path, magical!  Three Little Egrets were in one of the channels and we soon became aware of a common tern flying over our heads.  On to the islands and the sun appeared from behind the clouds turning it into a lovely day, not too hot but warm enough to bring the butterflies out,

Peacock

lots of Peacocks looking stunning on the thistles and a couple of Graylings ( a seaside speciality) mating.  Moving on to the lifeboat station at the far end of the island for the sea watch we saw lots of Little and Sandwich Terns dive bombing into the water for fish and sand eels.  A distant Great Crested Grebe was spotted whilst groups of small waders flew by closely and too quickly for Rhodie to get her camera on them.  After lunch at the rangers base where tea and coffee were provided, we went down the steps on the far side of the island where we managed to get close to a group of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers resting on the rocks. 

The ever observant common seals - throw us a fish!

A small flock of Linnets were seen too and a couple of Meadow Pipits. Back to the lifeboat station we arrived just in time to see a couple of Harbour Porpoises frolicking about in the sea.  Next on to the observatory where an informative talk was given on the importance of the island and the ringing work that is done there. Time to head back and one more treat in store in the form of a Whimbrel feeding amongst the rocks.

 A wonderful if tiring day but well worth the time and effort.

Ann (Tomo)

All pics - Rhodie Blythe

RSPB Liverpool Rocking at the Red Rocks

On the Red Rocks, looking towards Hilbre Island - L Bimson

Another sunny Saturday saw an expanded Leasowe light brigade (16 of us today) rocking at the Red Rocks, well maybe a slow fox trot, as the weather  was a just a bit too chilly with the wind blowing in off the Irish sea, it sucked away any warmth provided by the bright sunshine.  Alas it would also be detrimental to our bird watching, as the mudflats were devoid of bird life; a few distant birds could be seen flying about Hilbre Island. 

Hilbre Island - N Prendergast

We didn’t tarry, just long enough for Chris to point out the buildings and the ringers heligan traps on Hilbre, and  the importance of  this dropping off point for migrants and feeding birds waiting for the tide to  turn. We took the path along the coast towards West Kirby, checking the scrub, marsh and reed beds, backed by the Royal golf course.

Despite the recent weather being poor and spring slow to burst the buds. Our migrants were back, chiff chaff and whitethroat sang. Swallows skimmed the marsh, swooping over the head of a single Wheatear braving the blow. An elusive sedge warbler was in fine voice in the reed bed but despite straining every eyeball, he evaded our gaze. More familiar birds were about, always a joy to behold  a skylark high in the sky, fluttering then parachuting down, all the time singing his territorial warbling song. Another melodious attractive finch is the linnet, another opportunity for Chris to point out identifying marking on its chest and tail. (Skylarks and Linnets are both on the conservation red list along with our House Sparrows)

Reed bed & Dunes - L Bimson

Other more common a garden birds, wrens, house sparrows, goldfinches and blackbirds, flitted between the neighbouring gardens and the gorse/ shrubs.

Our only birds of prey for the day were a buzzard and later a sparrowhawk smoothly gliding through from the gardens and out over the golf course.

The reed beds only other obvious occupants were reed buntings, a few snoozing Mallards and a hidden Moorhen prrp!

Exploring the nearby natterjack slacks, we came across some tadpoles but these would be the offspring of frogs, the natterjack breeding a little later in the year.

Looking out over the shore from the sand dunes, 2 shelduck were accompanied by a party of 4 white wagtails,   a little further out a mixed flock of dunlin and ringed plover busily probed the mud. Gregarious, skittish, and fast of foot, a pleasure to watch,  suddenly taking flight on mass spooked by an unseen foe,  twisting and turning  in unison until landing  on the sandstone safety of  little eye.

Busy...Ringed Plover & Dunlin - L Bimson

Returning to the rocks, waiting for the tide to race in, we took timeout to admire various early flowers, garden escapees or deliberately scattered?  Narcissi and grape hyacinths, free seeding Honesty and cranesbills. Nettles flourished along the path, Chris determined to show us white/red dead nettles don’t sting!

Sea scurvy - L Bimson

Pretty clumps of White Sea scurvy shone out, one of the first plants to flower on the marsh. The only butterflies to brave the blow were small tortoiseshells, seen sunning themselves in sheltered areas. 

Tortoiseshell - N Prendergast

We hoped the distant waders on the shoreline near Hoylake life boat station would be flushed our way by the incoming tide, however once again the wind was against us and the only birds to come our way was a solitary cormorant, a  group of 4 curlews and a large party of mixed gulls. The only bird of note, a distant Gannet further out on the horizon, past the wind turbines, travelling out to sea.

Time for home.  Not a great haul for the day, only 28 species seen, but another informative amble in the fresh sea air and a home baked lemon curd cake from Tomo to finish the day - Yummy.

Bimo   

Our Red Rocks Day list: 28 species

Shelduck, mallard, buzzard, ringed plover, dunlin, cormorant, curlew, gannet, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull , herring gull, wood pigeon, skylark,  swallow, meadow pipit, white wagtail, wren, wheatear, blackbird, house sparrow, whitethroat, chiff chaff, magpie,  carrion crow, chaffinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting.