Parkgate revisited

My Richard's Pipit was seen (and photographed) again on the golf course Wednesday by a couple of local birders. It was seen well for about 10 minutes before flying off with Meadow Pipits onto the saltmarsh. It may have also been heard on the golf course Sunday. Armed with this late information I set off to meet Frank armed with the big lens to try and get some better pics.

No sign of the Richard's Pipit despite hanging around until dusk in blustery and squally conditions. Other birds did show well with at least 4 Hen Harriers present along with Short-eared Owl, Merlin & the resident Kestrels. Little Egrets seem to be everywhere these days - including the golf course.

Interestingly the bird above shows a hint of dark wing tips. Shades of Kidwelly anyone?

The female Kestrel posed obligingly whilst hunting invertebrates on the marsh and bringing them back to a favoured perch to munch.

Cheshire birders may have seen the large artificial Christmas tree lit up at night on the Cheshire Oaks retail park just off the M53. It's apparantely the largest of its kind in Europe but looks strangely bare with out the traditional tree topping. News from the S W is that our old mucker Paddy O'Poynton is supplementing his grant and raising funds for his twitching habit by being that topping. The photograph sent to me below by one of his so called friends shows his joyful and triumphant reaction on hearing the news!