Back in 2018 I went to a Raptorwatch event on the Wirral, when birds of prey of various kinds gathered because it was high tide on the River Dee. In February 2024 I received notification that the conditions were good for another Raptorwatch event to take place.

Unlike in 2018, when the weather was cold, damp and misty, this time the weather turned out bright and breezy. As a result, the high tide water came in further than it had at the previous event. The birds were also much more active as it was a warmer day - the sky was filled with the sound of thousands of pink-footed geese swooping around, plus lapwings, mallards and gulls. Numerous egrets were moving gracefully through the wet marsh terrain, and the enlarged ponds were filled with shoveler ducks, redshanks and moorhens.

Raptors were also well represented - more than one marsh harrier soared over the marsh, and a kestrel even flew directly over my head. Thus my second Raptorwatch was also successful - impressive to see so much water and so many active birds in the marsh! Here are a few of my favourite photos - a flock of pink footed geese coming into land, a flock of lapwings in the sky, a little egret in reeds surrounded by water, and a kestrel with wings and tail outstretched.

Join the Q Archive

SashaQ

26.02.24 Front Page

Back Issue Page