Parkgate - Owls & Harriers

It was a 10m tide at Parkgate on the Wirral today, so we went to see all the birds being flushed off by the high tide. We got off to a great start with this Hen Harrier which was hunting along the edge of the water as the tide came in.

This Carrion Crow was not too impressed by the Hen Harrier and spent some time mobbing it.

I also got a new lifer today. Two Great Egrets were feeding at the edge of the water line, the first time I have ever seen a Great Egret. I also counted at least 12 Little Egrets in one group together and lots of Grey Heron.

A male Shoveler was showing well on one of the pools made by the high tide.

As the tide continued to push in, a Stonechat moved closer to where we were watching from. This one let me get quite close. There were also quite a few Skylark dipping and rising across the marsh.

My second and final lifer of the day was this Short Eared Owl which consistently flew back and too past where we were standing. It was amazing to watch. I am having to use mum's picture for the owl because I was so busy enjoying it, I forgot to get a picture of it.

Other birds seen today were Teal, Redshank, Curlew, Black Headed Gulls, Moor Hen, Mallards, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Meadow Pipit, a very friendly Robin, Pied Wag Tail, Oyster Catcher, Pink Footed Geese and a pair of Mute Swans.

There was a man trying to get closer to all the action in a small boat, but we got a bit worried when he started having to empty water out of it!

A brilliant day.