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Welcome to the St Helens Birds and Wildlife blog. We welcome your reports from across the borough regarding all forms of wildlife. Please click on the "Report a sighting" tab if you would like to contribute to this blog.

We ask that you refrain from posting exact breeding locations of any species which may be considered scarce or vulnerable, and in particular schedule 1 species. In the context of St Helens, schedule 1 species usually means kingfisher and little ringed plover. Little ringed plover should not be reported at all on this blog between 1st May and 1st August.

Scarce or vulnerable species include but are not restricted to any species of wader, ducks other than mallard, all owls, any birds of prey, grey or yellow wagtails, grey heron, all grebes, Cetti’s warbler, water rail, willow tit, corn bunting etc. If in doubt, please ask.

We reserve the right to edit or delete posts which contravene this rule.


Swallows

Six swallows' spotted tonight flying South over Haydock 19-45.
SteB.

Rainford area

Mossborough Circle/Roundabout: 150 Lapwing on plough; Dairy Farm Road: 4 Snipe in flight; Moss Nook Lane: 2 Wheatear.
Derek Evans

Moss Lane, Windle

118 Barnacle Goose, 30 Pied Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Rook.
Derek Evans

Moss Lane Windle

Tuesday 23rd August 124 Barnacle Goose best viewed from the East Lancs Road as they feed in stubble south of the rugby club and south of the East Lancs Road. Along Moss Lane itself 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Meadow Pipit.
3 Swift moving west over cornfileds at Moss Bank.
Derk Evans

Moss Lane, Windle

Thursday 18th August 0610-0810:  2 Yellow Wagtail; 2 Wheatear; 1 Whinchat; 1 Stonechat.
Derek Evans

Eccleston Mere key

I don't suppose anyone has a spare key for Eccleston Mere? I have tried to get one for years but always just hit a brick wall. I know it's a long shot but I'd be happy to pay someone for one.
Many thanks Damian

Moss Lane, Windle

Saturday 13th August 110 Canada Goose fed in stubble; covey of 4 Grey Partridge; flock of 50 Goldfinch.
Derek Evans

Basin

Kingfisher spotted at the Basin , Blackbrook canal late last night 12/8/16.
SteB.

Carr Mill Dam area

Wednesday 10th August At Carr Mill Dam 10 Common Tern and 2 Common Sandpiper. Along Arch Lane between the Dam and Garswood: 2 Raven over at 0715; loafing gulls comprised 1 Herring, 80 Lesser Black-backed, 61 Black-headed and 6 Common; flock 60 House Sparrow; 12 Tree Sparrow.
Derek Evans

Carr Mill Dam

Monday 8th August 40 Great Crested Grebe comprised 21 adult and 19 juvenile (in approximately 6 broods).
Derek Evans

Mink

Spotted three Mink at the Basin on Blackbrook canal this Morning, one adult,two young.
SteB.

Moss Lane, Windle

Friday 5th August 1 Whinchat (the same bird as on 2nd) at 0700.
Derek Evans

Fungi

Found growing at the bottom of mature Beech trees, anyone got ideas to what it is ?
SteB.

Moss Lane, Windle

Tuesday 2nd August: 1 juvenile Whinchat at 0735. Also 30 Canada Goose, 44 Jackdaw, 150 Starling, 1 Linnet, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Stoat.
Derek Evans

Tufted duck

Tufted duck with young near Blackbrook, as always nice to see, three Mallard also in photo.
Two Mute swans and one Cygnet also on Canal.
SteB.