A Norwegian in Widnes

Bridge building over the Mersey

On a misty, grey September morning the group found themselves at a popular area on the Mersey estuary.
Spike island is a great spot  for birdwatching  and watching for signs of migration, just around the bend of the river as it flows under Runcorn Bridge.
From here you can  walk along the river (part of the trans-pennine trail (currently restricted due to the construction of the new Mersey Bridge) or follow the St Helens Canal or both!

St Helens canal end, Spike island

The canal is popular with mute swans, canadian geese and ducks. 27 swans  were waiting to be fed when we arrived!

Whilst admiring the swans, Chris with his ever sharp eagle eyes noticed a black headed gull with a white ring  on it's leg.  The gull was then followed by a dozen or so pairs of binoculars intent on reading the letters and numbers. Fortunately our feathered friend obliged us and landed on the marina. Shame we lopped off his head in the photie!

Black headed gull - W Sumner

Chris sent the details off and here's our birds history.

We going to call him 'Vandre' . Norwegian - to wander!


CR-Code White ring with black code: J2LC LBM;RBWN(J2LC) Ringing Centre Stavanger Museum (Norway) Ring number K01834 Species Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Sex Male Age 3 cy+

Date	Place	Coordinates	Observers	Days/km/°
14.05 12	Vaterland, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'49"N 010°45'30"E	Lome, Carsten	-
31.05 12	Kuba, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°55'27"N 010°45'11"E	Lome, Carsten	17/1/345
30.06 12	Aker Brygge, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'35"N 010°43'38"E	Sandøy, John	47/2/256
13.04 13	Vaterland, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'49"N 010°45'30"E	Molværsmyr, Sindre	334/0/0
06.07 13	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Mjelde, John Martin	418/6/131
21.07 13	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Sandøy, John	433/6/131
14.03 14	Oslo Sentralstasjon, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'37"N 010°45'02"E	Helberg, Morten	669/1/229
20.03 14	Bjørvika, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'20"N 010°45'11"E	Lome, Carsten	675/1/198
01.04 14	Vaterland, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'49"N 010°45'30"E	Isaksen, Kjell	687/0/0
02.04 14	Kuba, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°55'27"N 010°45'11"E	Lome, Carsten	688/1/345
09.04 14	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Helberg, Morten Sandøy, John	695/6/131
11.04 14	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Norland, Anne Kari Sandøy, John	697/6/131
22.04 14	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Sandøy, John	708/6/131
29.04 14	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Sandøy, John	715/6/131
10.05 14	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Lome, Carsten Molværsmyr, Sindre Sandøy, John	726/6/131
14.05 14	St. Hanshaugen, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°55'30"N 010°44'25"E	Lome, Carsten	730/2/321
27.05 14	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Norland, Anne Kari	743/6/131
03.06 14	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Sandøy, John	750/6/131
12.06 14	Tollbukaia, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'24"N 010°44'49"E	Sandøy, John	759/1/219
10.07 14	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Norland, Anne Kari	787/6/131
11.07 14	Hovindammen, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°55'13"N 010°48'01"E	Sandøy, John	788/2/72
15.07 14	Bjørvika, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'20"N 010°45'11"E	Lome, Carsten	792/1/198
24.03015	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Norland, Anne Kari	1044/6/131

28.03.15	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Sandøy, John	1048/6/131
08.04.15	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Helberg, Morten	1059/6/131
18.0415	Middelalderparken, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°54'14"N 010°45'42"E	Sandøy, John	1069/1/170
19.04.15	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Molværsmyr, Sindre	1070/6/131
21.04.15	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Helberg, Morten	1072/6/131
02.05 15	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Betlejewicz Marek, KULING	1083/6/131
01.06.15	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Molværsmyr, Sindre	1113/6/131
07.06.15	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Betlejewicz Marek, KULING	1119/6/131
22.06.15	Østensjøvannet, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°52'51"N 010°49'57"E	Sandøy, John	1134/6/131
13.07.15	Hovindammen, Oslo, Akershus & Oslo, Norway	59°55'13"N 010°48'01"E	Sandøy, John	1155/2/72
20.09.15	Spike Island, Widnes, Cheshire, Great Britain	53°21'16"N 002°43'49"W	Tynan, Chris	1224/1098/234

Laura

Biffa Award brings reeds back to life at RSPB nature reserve

Otter at Leighton Moss - David Mower

The RSPB has been carrying out important nature conservation work at Silverdale Moss, a reedbed in North Lancashire, to make the site an even better place for wildlife.

Reedbed is a rare habitat in the UK, as much of it has been drained for farming and development.

14 years ago, the RSPB began creating Silverdale Moss, an extension to its well-known Leighton Moss nature reserve, to provide homes for special wetland wildlife. By transforming what was once a muddy field into a reedbed, the site is now popular with a range of birds and other animals. 

However, the RSPB’s dream to attract otters and bitterns – a rare type of heron – to the site has not yet been realised.  Both otters and bitterns live on a diet of fish. But the low water table a Silverdale Moss meant that the site wasn’t providing enough fish to entice them in.

Thanks to £48,000 of funding from Biffa Award, though, the RSPB has been able to take steps to rectify the situation.

Jarrod Sneyd, Site Manager at RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay nature reserve explained “This generous funding has allowed us to make improvements on Silverdale Moss so we can better raise and control the water levels there. This will increase the fish available and hopefully encourage bitterns and otters to breed and thrive on the reserve. This work has enhanced the site for other special wildlife, helping to make the nature reserve bigger, better and more connected for nature.”

Gillian French, Biffa Award Programme Manager said “We are pleased to support such an exciting project to rebuild biodiversity in Leighton Moss. We will be following this project with great interest, in the hope of seeing otters and bitterns in this beautiful corner of Lancashire.”

Peter Bagnall

Big Tide Walk - RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh nature reserve

Hesketh out Marsh

Join the RSPB on a guided walk across the marsh before the tide comes in to marvel at an amazing wildlife spectacle in nature’s home.

Watch as wading birds and other wildlife move across the marsh looking for roosting sites as the water rises, while keeping a look out for small mammals trying to escape the water as the marsh floods and also the hungry raptors above.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear as this is an exposed site and the walk will be off the main access paths.

Unfortunately these walks are not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. No dogs please.

               Price:     £4.00 RSPB members / £5.00 non-RSPB members.

Venue:            RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh nature reserve.  Meet in the reserve car park

                         at the end of Dib  Road, Hesketh Bank.

Contact:          Booking is essential – please call the Ribble Discovery Centre on 01253                796292 to book  your place.

Wednesday 30 September 2015 – 11:00 am to 2:00pm                        Thursday 29 October 2015 – 10:00 am to 1:00pm Saturday 28 November 2015 – 10:30 am to 1:00pm Monday 14 December 2015 – 11:00 am to 1:30pm

Notes:
The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again.

We play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

For more information on RSPB Hesketh Out Marsh nature reserve, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/heskethoutmarsh

Because we like to share and give you lots of opportunity to go birding

Viv Mountford  has sent us Chester groups  2015 - 2016 Programme

Indoor Meetings – Changing Venue

Our monthly meetings are usually held on Wednesdays starting 7.30pm. Please note: This season we start at St Mary’s Centre, St Mary’s Hill, CH1 2DW (park by the Law Courts), but from December onwards, we transfer to Christleton Parish Hall, Village Rd, Christleton, CH3 7AS (road parking)

·      16 September 2015               St Marys

Hockenhull Platts 1972-2015 - David Cummings

David was involved from the start, in shaping this little gem of a local nature reserve.

·      21 October 2015                   St Marys

The Swiss Alps - Gordon Small

A scenic tour including all the wildlife from his trip.

·      18 November 2015                St Marys

Out of Africa - South of the Sahara - Gerry Griffiths

Gerry Griffiths shares his love of birds with us.

·      16 December 2015                 NB at Christleton

Christmas party - Join us for pre-Christmas fun, with light refreshments, and of course mince pies.

·      20 January 2016                   Christleton

St Kilda: The Lonely Isles - Steve Halliwell

A talk to whet the appetite of those still capable of going to the islands, and to satisfy the curiosity of those who can't!

·      17 February 2016                  Christleton

In the Blink of an Eye - Mike Leach

High-speed action photos revealing nature’s secrets.

·      16 March 2016                      Christleton

Silent Spring Revisited & Looking for the Goshawk - Conor Jameson

Author Conor gives us two talks for the price of one.

·      20 April 2016                        Christleton

Group AGM (7.00 to 7.30 p.m.)

7.30 Inspired by Birds - Peter Holden, MBE, FRSA

A popular talk on the art, music and science inspired by birds & nature generally. Includes natural sound, historic recordings and original photos. 

Field Trips

Vital to call the trip leader a few days beforehand, to book and to check arrangements have not changed. Beginners welcome. Car-sharing.

·     Sat 26 September 2015  8.30am Caldy Valley

New Brighton & Wirral Coast - waders & seabirds

Leader: John Chapman 01244 316590

·     Sun 18 October 2015  9.00am Caldy Valley

Frodsham & Weaver Bend - wildfowl & migrants

Leader: Norman Sadler 01244 335670

·     Sat 21 November 2015  9.00am Caldy Valley

Greenfield Valley & Point of Ayr – Great variety

Leader: Will Sleddon  07531 781 196

·     Sun 6 December 2015  3.00pm Caldy Valley

Runcorn Bridge - Huge swirls of starlings at dusk.

Leader: Norman Sadler 01244 335670

·     Sat 30 January 2016  9.00am Caldy Valley

Mere Sands and Marshside – Winter variety.

Leader: Alan Millard 01244 675042

·     Sun 21 February 2016  9.00am Caldy Valley

Pennington Flash - Diving ducks & winter visitors.

Leader: Tim Carley 01244 680460

·     Sat 12 March 2016  9.00am Caldy Valley

North Wales Coast – Waders and sea ducks.

Leader: John Dawson 01244 675929

·     Sun 10 April 2016  8.00am Caldy Valley

Lake Vyrnwy – Forest/moorland birds & migrants.

Leader: Roger Nutter 01829 782237

·     Sat 7 May 2016  8.30am Caldy Valley

Conwy Valley - Spring migrants & breeding birds.

Leader: Peter Stevenson 01352 716886

·     Wed 18 May 2016  6.30pm Little Owl pub

Countess of Chester Country Park.  A local gem.

Leader: Norman Sadler 01244 335670

·     Sun 12 June 2016 8.30am Sainsbury’s

RSPB Old Moor and YWT Potteric Carr - Two sites, great variety of habitats, birds, scenery.

(COACH trip) - Leader: Viv 01244 400433  

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chester

Laura

Alternative Air Show - RSPB Marshside nature reserve

In flight waders

Experience the amazing sights and sounds of huge flocks of birds, twisting and turning in the sky like aerial display teams and the dramatic show of predators doing what they do best, at our Alternative Air Show at RSPB Marshside.

Join this guided walk to enjoy an amazing wildlife spectacle in nature’s home, as wading birds and other wildlife move across the marsh looking for roosting sites as the water rises. As the marsh floods, don’t forget to keep a look out for small mammals trying to escape the water and hungry raptors above.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear (walking boots or wellingtons recommended) as this is an exposed site and the walk will be on the old haul road across the saltmarsh, which can be very muddy. 

Unfortunately, these walks are not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. No dogs please.

Dates:     Sunday 13 September 2015–10:00 am to 12:30 pm  

                
Tuesday 29 September 2015–10:30 am to 1:00 pm

Price:        £4.00 RSPB members / £5.00 non-RSPB members

Venue:      RSPB Marshside nature reserve.  Meet in the RSPB car park on Marine Drive, Southport.

Contact:    Booking is essential – please call the Ribble Discovery Centre on 01253 96292 to book your place.

For more information on RSPB Marshside nature reserve, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/marshside

Hangry* birds – don’t forget to fill up those feeders

Maghull Starling - Emma Hartley

*Adjective - (Humorous) irritable as a result of feeling hungry - Collins English Dictionary

An RSPB member was served up a treat of her own after snapping a flock of hungry juvenile starlings on her bird table demanding more food after being treated to a mid-morning snack. 

Emma Hartley, who managed to rustle up some extra treats for her adoring crowd in her garden in Maghull, Merseyside, said: “I’d only just got back to the kitchen after topping up the bird table and feeders when the flock of juvenile starlings swooped down to tuck into their mid-morning treat. The food couldn’t have lasted more than a couple of minutes before they’d finished and were squabbling amongst themselves demanding more!

“Luckily I quickly managed to find a bit of dried fruit and some leftover cheese, which needless to say went down a treat.”

Despite remaining the second most spotted bird in the 2015 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, sightings of starlings in  gardens has declined by 80 per cent since 1979 and are UK ‘red listed’; meaning that they are of highest conservation concern.

Ben Andrew, RSPB Wildlife Advisor, said: “Starlings are very bold and boisterous birds, one that most people will have spotted in their gardens or in an outdoor space. It may therefore come as a surprise to know that starlings have declined quite significantly over the past 30 years.

Hangry Starling

“Leaving out a suitable supply of food and water will not only help starlings and their young prepare for the cold months, but will also help many of our other favourite garden birds.”

Despite it being mid-August, birds in and around our gardens, including favourite like robins and blackbirds, are still incubating eggs, feeding chicks in the nest or have vulnerable just-fledged chicks that can’t yet fly properly. With some birds nesting up until the end of August, it’s important that garden clearance is delayed until September at the earliest.

Birds will appreciate a variety of food all year round, but fatty food will be especially helpful. For example, fat balls, or homemade bird cakes made with lard and packed with seeds, fruit or dried mealworms are great treats to put out in your garden. Kitchen scraps will work well, and a good recipe for feeding birds might include chopped fat from unsalted meat, cheese, dried fruit, and pastry.  

The RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign is aimed at tackling the housing crisis facing the UK’s threatened wildlife. The charity is asking people to provide a place for wildlife in their own gardens and outside spaces – whether it’s putting up a nest box for birds, creating a pond to support a number of different species or building a home for a hedgehog.

To find out how you can give nature a home where you live visit: rspb.org.uk/homes  

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/liverpool

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/Liverpool/join/