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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.

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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.

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Eccleston Mere

Water rail 1 in ditch on west side
Siskin 80 in wet wood
Snipe 10
Goldeneye 3 (2 males, 1 female)
Tufted duck 4
Kingfisher 1
Grey wagtail 1
Nuthatch 1
Goldcrest 1

The Water rail was in the ditch between the outlet and the south west corner. It didn't seem too bothered by my presence, and I just walked alongside it for a couple of minutes. Unfortunately it was too dark in the ditch for a decent photo, and it didn't stay still for long enough. It was very vocal, squealing away most of the time I was watching it.

The siskins were an impressive sight in the woods, one of the largest flocks I've seen at the mere.
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3 comments :

  1. Unknown15 December 2013 at 16:51

    Hi colin do you need a permit to go on eccleston mere never been on there and by your sightings looks a very good place thanks

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  2. Colin16 December 2013 at 12:46

    Hi Marcus, yes it is a good place, sometimes very good, other times quiet, it depends on the time of the year and the weather. You don't need a permit, but it is private and if you want to go in via the yacht club entrance on Burrows lane (which is the easiest), you need a key to get through the gate. Your best bet would be to contact the yacht club (I don't have any contact details but you can probably google them).

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  3. Email16 December 2013 at 19:24

    Hi Marcus, the property management group that own the Mere are called Alps International and their number is 01332 34 64 24. The person who dealt with me was called Joanne Hannaford. Just tell them you want a permit and they'll send you one and instructions on how to get a key. It costs about £3.50 when I did it a few years ago. I've never bothered renewing my permit because no-one has ever asked to see it.

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