An early start this morning for one of my favourite ‘Upland Lite’ walks around the foothills of the Scouse Alps at Cilcain – a good spot if you are not man enough for the open moors.
Whilst it is unlikely that you will be treading on Golden Plover nests or getting dive bombed by a Merlin, it is still a good area for a variety of birds.
The areas of gorse and heather around Cilcain are excellent for Yellowhammer, with a trio present today, whilst are always plenty of Whitethroats is the same habitat too, a handful of Stonechats, plus today there was the added bonus of a pair of Whinchats feeding young.
It must also be one of the top spots for Cuckoo, and early doors there were no fewer than three calling males – one with an incredibly hoarse call! Yet more evidence that Cuckoo numbers are up this year.
Staying on the subject of Cuckoos, I was quite surprised to learn that despite well over fifty thousands of these birds being ringed in the UK, there has only ever been one recovery from sub Saharan Africa - yet more evidence on the pointlessness of a great deal of bird clamping.
Cilcain 18.06.2011
3 Cuckoo
3 Stonechat
2 Whinchat
3 Yellowhammer
2 Kestrel
2 Raven
1 Lesser Redpoll
Until later.
Had Redstarts with young Tree Creeper Nuthatch Spotted Flycatcher there last week. A good place - well worth a visit.
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