Eccleston Mere

Sand Martin 4
Willow Warbler 1 singing
Chiffchaff 5 singing
Blackcap 1 singing
Mute Swan 1 ad
Linnet 80 in field at the end of the stream

Eccleston Mere

Sand Martin 6 (at last!)
Blackcap 3 singing
Chiffchaff 2 singing
Teal 4
Mute Swan 1 ad
Buzzard 2
Kestrel 2

Billinge Hill

Willow Warbler 1 singing in bushes on the left of the road, just a bit up from the horse paddocks.
Chiffchaff 1 singing

Eccleston Mere

Tufted Duck 6

Still no Sand Martins. My earliest ever Sand Martins at the mere were on 15th March 1993, the average date for the first arrival at the mere is 27th March, and this is the only the second year in the past 20 that I have failed to see a Sand Martin in March. No sign of any other migrants today either.

Crank

Wheatear 2 males in horse paddocks

Billinge Hill

Grey Partridge 2
Chiffchaff 2 singing


I don't know of many sites in St Helens where you can find Wood Anenome. I think that there are a few at Carr Mill Dam / Goyt valley, but even so, it was nice to see this small patch at the side of a stream running down from the hill.

Carr Mill Dam

Willow Tit 1
Great Crested Grebe 32
Chiffchaff 3 singing
Buzzard 1
Kingfisher 1




Marsh Marigold