Recently I went to a Raptorwatch event on the Wirral, when birds of prey of various kinds were expected to gather because it was high tide on the River Dee.

The weather wasn't the best, as it was cold and damp, but the mist did make the scene very atmospheric. I felt as though I was standing at the edge of the world, as there was nothing in front of me except a featureless grey cloud – the usual view across to Wales no longer existed.

At first there was nothing, just silence, but then as the tide water crept over the marshes, some birds started to flock. Not raptors as expected, but still fascinating to watch as they swooped through the air.

I watched their dance for five minutes, and then spotted a lone bird soaring overhead. A raptor had appeared! The Marsh Harrier hovered over the boggy ground for a couple of minutes, looking out for prey, then it dropped down and disappeared from view.

I took a break for lunch then, so I could warm up before seeing what I could see when the tide started to ebb. The break paid off, as when I went back to my marshside vantage point, many more birds had appeared, including numerous gulls and crows. I saw a Little Egret, a Cattle Egret and a Grey Heron. I even a Short-Eared Owl, another raptor.

Thus my first Raptorwatch was very successful – I enjoyed seeing such a variety of birds, and in particular I was most impressed that I saw two birds of prey that I had never seen before!

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