Mersey Valley

Heron, Sale Water Park

The day's heavy rains kept most of the birds undercover. The blackbird, blackcap, dunnock and robin were seen but not heard and the spadgers were struggling to glean much from the sycamore trees on the embankment.

The rain abated mid-afternoon so I had a brisk nip down through Stretford Ees to Broad Ees Dole to see if the kittiwake that had just been reported was available to be added to the year list.

Stretford Ees by the tram line

Stretford Ees was busy with small birds emerging after the rain. Chiffchaffs, song thrushes and coal tits sang, wrens and robins scuttled round in the undergrowth by the path and judging by all the noise a pair of ring-necked parakeets were visiting their nest.

Goosanders, Broad Ees Dole

It should surprise the reader not one bit that a pair of carrion crows had chased off the kittiwake ten minutes before I arrived at Broad Ees Dole. A pair of goosander and a coot loafed on the nearly submerged island, a few dabchicks hunted in the ditches, mallards and mute swans shepherded their youngsters round the pool margins.

Mute swan and cygnets, Broad Ees Dole

Back on Sale Water Park the usual herd of mute swans were soliciting donations from the families watching a swimming race in the lake (see, it's not just birdwatchers). A small flock of half a dozen swifts hawked over the treetops and two swallows hawked low over the water.

It started raining again. I took the hint and went home. Just after teatime the rain died down again and the garden was suddenly heaving with spadgers and goldfinches, obviously catching up on collecting for hungry young mouths while the going was good.

• Blackbird 2
• Blackcap 1
• Collared Dove 1
• Dunnock 1
• Goldfinch 3
• House Sparrow 18
• Jackdaw 2
• Robin 1
• Rook 1
• Starling 1
• Woodpigeon 4