WeBs Count

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14/5/17

A nice day for WeBs (Wetland Bird Survey) as it was sunny with little wind in this inland area. Straight away Picked up 2  Eurasian Reed Warbler calling and a further 6 around the B&Q reed bed and backpools as well as main lake. The morning was rushed so i quickly headed off the the backpools were i seen a Stoat walking on the edge of the train track which is quite a rare sight but a exciting one. The count for the Backpools and B&Q reed bed came up with 8 Greater Canada geese as well as a few Eurasian Coot adding up to about 14 over all. Nothing to interesting at the backpools and Reed Bed with over all counts of 8 Mallard, 4 Moorhen and 2 Grey heron. A nice suprize though was the 3 Tufted Duck as well as 3 Little Grebe with one being a chick which means they have bred for the first time in years.
As you can see there is an Adult Little Grebe with chick (Image by Luke Anderson)
After the nice finds at the backpools area it was a walk to the mainlake. Walking over it was a dissapointing count of Chiffchaffs with only 10 which seemed to be present. Counts around the Mainlake came up with the 2 resident Mute Swans, 3 Great Crested Grebe (one more than usuall). Warblers near and around the Mainlake included 6 Blackcap and 4 Whitetroat. Near by there was also a calling Song Thrush but couldnt find its position as well as 3 Common Reed Bunting which included the first female of the year. Not long after I was joined by Elliot Montieth who patches Birkenhead Docks across the road. He had quickly picked up a Common Sandpiper at the far end of the lake as well as a Great Cormarent on the lake.
Amazing Flight capture of the Common Sandpiper (Image by Elliot Montieth)
A few other things picked up by Elliot, were a Lesser Whitetroat, Great Spotted Woodpecker, a lovely male Bullfinch and a Kestral in total adding up to 2. 3 Swifts were also picked up and a further 2 later on in the day with a few other Hirundines most likely House Martins.
Great Capture of a Male Kestral with what it looks like
 a beheaded Bank Vole (Image by Elliot Montieth)












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