Trip reports

WORLDS END

Monday, 23 March 2009

Many birders will go to the ends of the world to see a particular bird. Wigan RSPB group went to Worlds End, above Llangollen, in search of Black Grouse. The day was sunny and still but cool enough to warrant hats and gloves. Unfortunately we didn't manage to spot any Black Grouse but had good views of Buzzard and Sparrowhawk.

When we walked over the back moors, above the car park, we found a Stonechat giving a good view, plenty of Meadow Pipits, a Kestrel and Buzzard. We decided that we were probably there a little late in the day for Black Grouse so headed off to pastures new after a quick coffee and cake break.

As our convoy of cars drove North we spotted a Hen Harrier flying low, and were treated to a better, more spectacular, view further along the road, where we stood and watched it quartering the moors for some time. We then followed a tip-off of a Peregrine in the nearby Minera Quarry. The words needle and haystack came to mind as we wandered around the enormous site of the old quarry. But our patience was rewarded with sightings of a pair of Peregrines, a Jackdaw, Raven and a Red Kite. This made it a total of 6 different types of birds of prey for the day.

After a chat at the car it was decided to head north again and call in at Frodsham Marshes to spot a Little Stint that had been reported there. The Little Stint took some finding as it was on the far side of the pools. But, whilst there, we had a wonderful view of a Buzzard flying parallel to our cars as we arrived and perching obligingly on a post not far from where we parked. It was joined later by another and they flew off together. On the pools we also spotted Redshank, Avocet, an increasingly rare Ruddy Duck, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Curlew, Mute Swan, Ringed Plover, Gadwall, Teal, Black-headed Gull and Common Gull.

Some of the group then followed another lead to look for a Great White Egret which had been spotted on some farmland on the far side of Frodsham. Unfortunately we didn't spot that as it wasn't in view from the road, although we understand that the bird did stay around Frodsham for a number of days.

Overall, the day proved to be a fruitful and fascinating contrast of bird habitats from high moors, derelict quarries to semi-industrial slurry pools by the Mersey Canal.

By Fiona and Malcolm Alderton
Photo: Library picture of a sparrowhawk