Our first outing of the 2011/12 season was to the Wirral coast on 21st Sept 2011, hoping to catch some waders, some late summer leavers and some early winter arrivals. We made our first stop Thurstaston Country Park, starting at the visitor centre there. A Buzzard kicked the list off, soaring high above the car park. A couple of tardy Swallows were seen around the buildings before the croaking of 3 Ravens drew our attention on the walk down to the beach, followed quickly by a Sparrowhawk.
As we walked along the beach, waders proved reluctant to show, with only Oystercatcher, Curlew, Lapwing and 4 early-arriving Knot. We climbed up off the beach towards the Wirral Way, to be greeted by 60 Goldfinch prospecting the field margins. Birds were again scarce as we made our way back to the car park and visitor centre.
After lunch we drove to Parkgate village, and sat on the prom in the sunshine in front of Donkey Stand Flash. Here we saw more migrating Swallows and added Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Linnet to our list. Despite a reluctance to move from our warm seats, we relocated to Parkgate Baths. The wind began to pick up, but we quickly spotted one, and then two ringtail Hen Harriers battling the strong breeze. With the threat of rain looming over the Welsh mountains, we drew our watching to a close, with 39 species on the list.
Wirral List 21 Sep 2011
| Common Shelduck | Thurstaston |
| Mallard | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand |
| Green-winged Teal | Thurstaston |
| Great Cormorant | Thurstaston |
| Grey Heron | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand, Parkgate Marsh |
| Little Egret | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand |
| Northern Harrier | Parkgate Marsh |
| Eurasian Sparrowhawk | Thurstaston |
| Eurasian Buzzard | Thurstaston |
| Eurasian Kestrel | Thurstaston |
| Common Moorhen | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand |
| Eurasian Coot | Thurstaston |
| Eurasian Oystercatcher | Thurstaston |
| Common Redshank | Thurstaston |
| Eurasian Curlew | Thurstaston |
| Red Knot | Thurstaston |
| Black-headed Gull | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand |
| Common Gull | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand |
| Stock Dove | Thurstaston |
| Common Wood-Pigeon | Thurstaston |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove | Thurstaston |
| Eurasian Magpie | Thurstaston |
| Rook | Thurstaston |
| Carrion Crow | Thurstaston |
| Common Raven | Thurstaston |
| Barn Swallow | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand |
| Coal Tit | Thurstaston |
| Great Tit | Thurstaston |
| Eurasian Blue Tit | Thurstaston |
| European Robin | Thurstaston |
| European Starling | Thurstaston, Donkey Stand |
| Dunnock | Thurstaston |
| White Wagtail yarrellii | Donkey Stand |
| Meadow Pipit | Donkey Stand |
| Chaffinch | Thurstaston |
| European Greenfinch | Thurstaston |
| European Goldfinch | Thurstaston |
| Eurasian Linnet | Donkey Stand |