Summary August 2024
New “Year Ticks” in August 2024: 3
New “Life Ticks” in August 2024: 0
Total Species for 2024 so far: 137
A bit of a return to birding – only a few days out but some good birds. We actually had a few good birds locally including a Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Swifts near the tram station on the 9th August and another in our garden on 15th August. On the 28th we had a pair of Ravens over the front of the house; they were being mobbed my Crows which looked very small in comparison.
On the 16th we went to Burton Mere Wetlands where we got some good birds including a pair of Water Rails – the first time I have ever seen more than one at a time. We got Spoonbills at Parkgate the same day.
On the 17th August we followed a tip by one of our neighbours that there were Barn Owls with young to be seen quartering across a field near Brookburn School. Another first for the year but also a first time ever seeing three Barn Owls at the same time.
On the 22nd August we went to Hoylake for a high tide where we got year tick grey Plovers that were still mostly in their breeding plumage and also some year tick Ringed Plovers. At PArkgate we got a couple of Marsh Harriers.
In the garden there isn’t a lot of activity. The Parakeets are the most frequent visitors to the feeders so I have been letting them empty out – they are far too dominant and scare all the other birds away. We continue to have a this-year’s Dunnock bobbing around the garden. Other than that, it is largely Wood Pigeons and Feran Pigeons and a few Goldfinch and House SParrows occasionally. The temperature is dropping and the sun is setting lower in the sky – autumn is already on its way after an unremarkable summer. We continue to have a Hedgehog in the garden every night and sometimes two.
New Species for the Year
Barn Owl, Chorlton on 17th August 2024
Grey Plover, Hoylake 22nd August 2024
Ringed Plover, Hoylake 22nd August 2024