On a wet, chilly morning about two dozen of us met at the carpark near the Gronant Dunes LNR. It was time for our monthly bird walk led by Chris Tynan, the RSPB Liverpool group leader. Even in the wet and cloudy weather, we felt heartened by the welcome accorded by House sparrows, Cetti’s warbler, and Barn swallows. As soon as everyone arrived, Chris led us towards the sand dunes to see the Little terns – the star attraction of the day!
We trotted along, getting wetter by the minute, but our enthusiasm growing proportionally – spotting some birds like Ring necked pheasant on our way. Chris explained to us the importance of the site and what to expect. Soon, we reached the start of the trail and set off towards the viewing area from where we can observe the little tern colony.
We are a mixed group of people with different abilities and widely varying birding experiences – from experts to amateurs. However, one thing was common – a spirit of camaraderie and boundless love of birds. Although the rain picked up, the Sedge warblers treated us to some good views cheering us up. All around us the birds were getting more active – Reed buntings fluttering across the reedbeds and Skylarks showing up beautifully. We also had a glimpse of a couple of stonechat juveniles.
Gronant Dunes Little tern colony
And in no time, we reached the viewing point – to see the Little terns flying past noisily. No words can express our feeling – its such a happy yet humbling experience to see those tiny, winged beauties on their wings. We also saw the ruddy turnstones, who seem to be busy with combing the beach for feed and having an occasional go at each other.
The Little terns nest on the ribbles and the Denbighshire Countryside Service is keeping the area fenced to enable them to lay eggs and raise chicks successfully. As we peered over the nest site through our binos, we could see several birds flying in and out of the area. Chris also pointed out a couple of ringed plovers to us. Later he explained that ringed plovers like to nest near salt water and little ringed plovers prefer freshwater sites to nest. They are cute birds that beautifully camouflage into the setting that an untrained/inexperienced eye would miss them easily.
The group had some exciting moments watching gannets fly past far across the sea. Soon after a couple of Eiders flew past the windmills offering us the pleasure of watching them as they disappeared from the view into the sea. Cormorants flew above the waves, closer to the land than the Gannet and Eiders. Norman spotted over 25 of Cormorants sat along the beach far away.
Other sights at Gronant Dunes
A couple of common terns created a lot of excitement among the group, and we all took turns to look at them through Chris’s scope. A few sandwich terns flew past us, turning it into a day of terns! The Little terns were flying in and out continuously and they seem to derive great pleasure being noisy – probably they were gossiping about us!
The rains had stayed away for some time while we were on the beach, but the dark clouds were gathering along the horizon offering a dramatic view of the sky. We saw a few gulls, the Greater black backed among them and decided to go back up the dunes and try and chat with the team supervising the nesting site. We climbed the dune after enjoying great views of both the little terns and ringed plovers.
The rain started pouring in heavily by then. Although it soaked all of us thoroughly, it couldn’t dampen our spirits as we chatted with the team monitoring the site. It is always great to hear from people who are involved in such commendable endeavours. We spent a few minutes talking and then bid them bye.
Catching up with each other at Gronant Dunes
It is generally during the short walks between one point to the other that the group members exchange interesting news of their recent sightings or trips – often the birding plans for the next couple of weeks too. That’s when we share all the interesting stories and sometimes the disappointments with each other. As the group consists of experts from various fields it is also an opportunity to discuss, see and understand different beauties of nature – sometimes a plant, a moth, a butterfly or even a feather can spark interesting discussions.
We saw several Skylarks and a Meadow pipit on our walk back to the carpark. Also heard Reed buntings and Reed warblers. As we walked down the road a Song thrush scurried away from near the fence in one of the gardens while a Wagtail landed close by. It was pouring so much that the badly soaked binos couldn’t offer us a better look at the bird.
Back at the car park, we bid our byes to each other and wished everyone a good time until we meet again next month. A few of us were planning to go to see the Woodchat Shrike showing at Daresbury for the past few days – it would be a shame not to attempt seeing it as it is only a matter of a small detour to the site.
From Gronant Dunes to Daresbury In Search of Woodchat Shrike
After eating the packed lunch we carried with us, we headed to Daresbury to see the VIP that’s been creating a wave of excitement in the birding group. We reached the site shortly, thanks to the excellent directions from both Chris and Les, parked the car by the roadside. No sooner we got out we met a gentleman who kindly informed us the bird is still there and showing very well – its only a ten minute walk away along the canal.
We geared up and walked along the canal, which in itself was a beautiful site to behold. As we walked on enjoying the nature’s sounds, a feeling of calm engulfed our mind and body. We spotted a kestrel hovering along the canal and heard white throats singing. After what seemed like a few minutes we reached the spot – another gentleman we saw on the way mentioned we would see the bird either by the pylon or by the railway line. Two flowering elder trees is what we have to look for.
However, we shouldn’t have worried there were a few people at the spot peering through their scopes and binos, including a couple of familiar faces – Jamie and Elliot from our group. We waited along the canal for a few minutes. Jamie and Elliot proceeded towards the railway line and soon we got word that the bird was spotted.
A Memorable Sighting!
Excited, we joined them and Elliot kindly offered his spotting scope. It was a beautiful sight – what a lovely bird it was. We had seen a few Shrikes in India. But this was special and again we were left with no words to describe the feeling of having seen the bird after hearing about it for a week or so now. Nothing matches the actual feel of seeing the bird!
It showed well and we watched in admiration as it shifted from the overhead wires to the posts and then back to the wires. It seemed unfazed by the trains passing every few minutes – flying to the nearest tree or bush – as if playing hide and seek with us. One of our other birding friends, Marcus also reached the spot by then and enjoyed great views of the bird.
Then it sat on the elder tree for quite some time, allowing us to see it properly and click some pics before perching on the overhead wire. Another train passed and this time the bird had enough, and we saw it fly across the field and disappear among the trees on the other sider of the canal.
Treat to eyes and ears
We got back to the canal side and soon one of the gentlemen spotted it on the tree along the boundary wall of the house at the far end. After watching it for some time more we decided to get back to the car. Bidding byes to fellow twitchers, we walked back to our car enjoying lovely views of a Grey heron fishing, Kestrel hovering, Whitethroat singing, Swifts and House martins flying here and there.
As we neared our parking spot, we saw Lou, another dear friend from the group who was eager to see the bird. We passed on the tips to locate the spot (although the twitchers lined along the canal would mean there was no need of specific directions) and wished her a good sighting before heading for home.
Nature the healer
Thus ended a good day of birding. We were left wondering about the magical power of nature which leaves you feeling happy and satisfied even if you are tired in the body, soaking wet and windswept! We wish more people appreciated the beaty of nature and slowed down once in a while to smell the flowers and hear the birds! The joy it gives is unparalleled.
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