Snow Patrol

After an early wrap at Arrowe Park this afternoon, I decided a trip to Parkgate was in order. I thought I had left it a little late, but the clear sky and light reflecting from the snow covered marsh meant visibility was excellent well past sunset.

Short-eared Owls were the first to put in an appearance – up to seven possibly. It looks like the recent cold weather may have prompted a mini influx of Shorties with a whisper of a good count of birds further down the marsh.

A Barn Owl was next to show, possibly revelling in the fact that for once it was perfectly camouflaged during daylight hours as oppose to sticking out like a sore thumb. It didn’t take too long to locate food either – after a mere two minutes it was freighting a vole over the trees and into the paddocks.

On the outer marsh a couple of Ravens feasted on a carcass in front of a backdrop of a large flock of flighty Pinkies, whilst closer in a Merlin whizzed past in pursuit of a small passerine.

As it began to get really dark good numbers of Fieldfare started to fly-in from the marsh and just before the light went completely, a ringtail Hen Harrier slunk into the roost.

As I was about to leave, I overheard a couple of teenagers chatting whilst walking a dog.

“That’s Wales over there, innit?
‘Fink-so.’

Who said standards are declining.

Parkgate 07.01.10

6/7 Short-eared Owls
1 Barn Owl
1 Hen Harrier (ringtail)
1 Merlin
3+ Kestrel
300+ Pink-footed Geese
2 Raven
2 Little Egret

Until later.

Under Siege

Having neglected Parkgate for long enough this autumn, it was time to head down for an evening watching the vole patrol.

You have got to feel sorry for the little super furry animals. If they are not being raided above from the legions of Kestrels, they are being pounced on by owls and harriers. Still, given the large number of raptors eeking out an existence on the marsh, they must be breeding like Catholics.

Short-eared Owls were the stars of the show with three hunting a stones throw from the old baths car park, soon joined by an insouciant Barn Owl flying so close I could have reached out and nearly touched it.

A scan across the farther reaches of the marsh revealed a perched Peregrine and a Merlin dashing after a small passerine. Out towards Neston two more SE Owls quartered near the reed bed taking the total up to five; it will be interesting to see how many are present this winter after last year’s insanely high numbers.

As the light began to fail the first Hen Harrier of the night put in an appearance, although like a naughty child sent straight to bed it sped into the roost and quickly dropped from view – apt behaviour considering it looked like a juvenile male!

Two hysterical Greenshanks completed the nights viewing, although they were no more than silhouettes in the encroaching darkness.

Until later.