Author Archives: Debra
Phew! I Saw the Smew!
Having unexplainably passed up the chance to be driven in comfort to see the handsome male smew (Mergus albellus) that had just been spotted at Lapwing Hall Lake in Chelford, Cheshire, the opportunity to make my own way there after … Continue reading
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Tagged birding, birds, Cheshire, confidence, Lapwing Hall Lake, nature, smew, wildlife
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New Year, New List – Part 2
Back on the footpath that links Calderstones Park with the golf course and Allerton Towers, I continue past the golf club and on towards the course itself, wondering what other species will be found along this part of the walk.
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Tagged Allerton Towers, birding, birdwatching, Calderstones Park, Liverpool history, nature
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New Year, New List – Part 1
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023 It’s New Year’s Day and I’ve decided to keep a list of birds seen this year – I don’t always, because it can take the fun out of birding – but not push myself and try … Continue reading
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Tagged Allerton Towers, birding, birdwatching, Calderstones Park, nature
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‘Wintering’
Although 2022 is drawing to a close and a new year is looming, we will still, in the Northern Hemisphere, be in the season of winter. In that respect, the 31st December 2022 and the 1st January 2023 are not … Continue reading
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Tagged hibernating, hygge, migration, SAD, snowbirds, Stonehenge, winter solstice, wintering
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Winter Solstice Birding along Within Way and Hale Shore
Wednesday, 21st December 2022 – the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year; soon, the evenings and mornings will be lighter and the birds will be singing and courting again. For now, though, I am making the most of … Continue reading
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Tagged birding, birds, brambling, golden plover, Hale, merlin, nature, winter solstice
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The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
As the year comes to an end, I have been thinking about ‘the ones that got away’ in 2022 – birds I haven’t managed to see this year. A notable omission is the Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). So I thought … Continue reading
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Tagged birds, birdwatching, common crossbill, Lake Vyrnwy, northern goshawk, RSPB, Wales
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November on the Allotment
November was a mild month – too mild. Flies and other insects were still on the wing, the weeds were still growing, and the grass even had to be strimmed. But there were also some wonderful wildlife encounters, and that’s … Continue reading
The Christmas Wreath
At this time of year, thoughts turn to decorating the home for the festive season, and may alight upon the Christmas wreath. This evergreen wreath has been a symbol of eternal life since the earliest days of Christianity, and incorporates … Continue reading
Hunting for Harriers at Parkgate
Spurred on by memories of a previous visit, and consulting both weather forecast and tide times, I choose the perfect day for a late autumn birdwatch – target species marsh harrier, hen harrier and short-eared owl – at Parkgate. The … Continue reading
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Tagged bees, birds, birdwatching, high tide, marsh harrier, nature, Parkgate, twite, Wirral
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“I Look at Harriers and They Bring Me Joy”
Listening to a recent BBC Radio 4 programme about one man’s search for hen harriers reminded me of my own encounters with these wonderful birds, so I revisited a piece I wrote for Hen Harrier Action’s February 2021 newsletter (https://henharrierday.uk/news) about … Continue reading
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Tagged birds, birdwatching, estuary, harvest mouse, high tide, nature, Parkgate, raptors, Wirral
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