Went to Chelford Sand Quarries this afternoon,Grey Phalarope still at Lapwing hall pool in SE corner,and saw 1 Cattle Egret still at Whisterfield Lane end of Acre Nook Sand Quarry,at waters edge below Farm.
what time did you see it? did you get any photos?
I saw it about 2pm,got some not very good as distant Digiscoped photoswhich are video and do not seem to download on here?
I have put them on WA group I am in and private FB page.
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 8th of October 2023 08:21:01 PMhere is a screenshot (hope!)
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 8th of October 2023 09:00:59 PM
Went to Chelford Sand Quarries this afternoon,Grey Phalarope still at Lapwing hall pool in SE corner,and saw 1 Cattle Egret still at Whisterfield Lane end of Acre Nook Sand Quarry,at waters edge below Farm.
what time did you see it? did you get any photos?
I saw it about 2pm,got some not very good as distant Digiscoped photos
Phil Oddy said
Sun Oct 8 6:51 PM, 2023
Mark Dean wrote:
Went to Chelford Sand Quarries this afternoon,Grey Phalarope still at Lapwing hall pool in SE corner,and saw 1 Cattle Egret still at Whisterfield Lane end of Acre Nook Sand Quarry,at waters edge below Farm.
what time did you see it? did you get any photos?
Mark Dean said
Sun Oct 8 5:19 PM, 2023
Went to Chelford Sand Quarries this afternoon,Grey Phalarope still at Lapwing hall pool in SE corner,and saw 1 Cattle Egret still at Whisterfield Lane end of Acre Nook Sand Quarry,at waters edge below Farm.
Phil Oddy said
Sat Oct 7 4:22 PM, 2023
up to three cattle egrets SW of acre nook sq in cow fields at sharp bend on Congleton lane for last two days
Phil Oddy said
Tue Oct 3 2:17 PM, 2023
Grey Phalarope still present (per comms) - only second record for Chelford SQs
Phil Oddy said
Mon Oct 2 6:39 PM, 2023
Grey Phalarope on Lapwing hall pool also Cattle egret roosting on acre nook
Paul Flackett said
Thu Jun 1 11:50 PM, 2023
2 Black Terns on Acre Nook Sand Quarry at midday today. I also watched 2 Hobbies catching & feasting on damselflies over the water.
dstrath said
Fri Mar 17 3:47 PM, 2023
Black-necked grebe and the drake and two female smew on lapwing lane pool at 12.30pm. Also Chiffchaff singing.
Stephen Fuentes said
Sun Jan 15 5:53 PM, 2023
Male and female Smew this morning on Lapwing Hall pool. The female redhead was favouring the north end of the lake while the drake was at the opposite side (SW) near the channel.
Also Great White Egret on Acre Nook and numerous Tree Sparrows along Lapwing Lane.
Other species seen:-
Lapwing Hall pool:-
Goosander (m & f) Wigeon (lots) Tufted Duck Shoveler Grey Heron Mute Swan Coot Cormorant Goldeneye (present on Friday at my first attempt to see the Smew)
Lapwing Lane:- Bullfinch Siskin Blue Tit Great Tit Chaffinch Blackbird Robin Wren Dunnock
Cheers, Steve.
Tony Koziol said
Thu Jan 12 4:33 PM, 2023
We had a little spare time today so decided to try and catch up with the Smew. After twenty or so minutes with a local patcher we found a female but no sign of the drake. Our friend decided to walk around the lake whilst we stayed put deciding it was likely the drake was hidden from view by some trees close in on the east bank.
Eventually we moved a little along the west bank to a better view point after about forty five minutes he decided to appear in all his splender, preening away what an absolute dandy.
Other birds include Goosander, Wigeon and Goldeneye. We managed to spot the Tree Sparrows along the lane back to the car.
-- Edited by Tony Koziol on Thursday 12th of January 2023 04:33:31 PM
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Fri Jan 6 9:39 PM, 2023
Forgot quite a number of Wigeon.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Fri Jan 6 9:33 PM, 2023
Smew 1 male, 1 female. Goldeneye 1 male. Goosander 7 Tree Sparrows along the lane. Great White Egret 1 across the lane, Acre Nook I think. etc.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jan 5 3:03 PM, 2023
The Lapwing Hall Pool Redhead Smew was present again, late morning today, along with the Smew pair that arrived yesterday. So, a drake and two redhead. Flighty, at times, but generally along the east/northeast shore, during my time there.
Mark Dean said
Sat Dec 31 7:08 PM, 2022
Redhead Smew seen today in North East area of Lapwing Hall Pool.
Samglennie said
Thu Dec 22 1:16 PM, 2022
No sign of the Smew by midday today, however Woodcock and Great egret at Acre Nook Sand Quarry
dstrath said
Tue Dec 20 2:19 PM, 2022
10.20 am a quick visit to lapwing hall pool
Redhead Smew best seen from North East or East side
-- Edited by dstrath on Tuesday 20th of December 2022 02:24:25 PM
John Williams said
Mon Nov 28 6:51 PM, 2022
11.15-14.30
Lapwing Hall Pool and surrounding woodland :143 Wigeon, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Nuthatches,
1 Tree Sparrow, 4 Little Grebes, 11 Cormorants, 1m Bullfinch and 1 Treecreeper.
In the centre of the pool was a large raft of diving ducks, which amazingly contained 52 Pochards (44 were males),
alongside 55 Tufted Ducks. Alarmingly geese were represented by just 3 Canadas.
Parkland Sand Quarry: 11 Pochard, 2 Grey Herons, 20 Tufted Ducks, 1 Shelduck, 5 Little Grebes and 9 Wigeon.
Acre Nook Quarry: The vast size of this site makes it almost impossible to view much of the abundant birdlife,
however a scan from Lapwing Lane showed 18 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Buzzard and 16 Cormorants.
At one point around 300 Lapwings were flushed from the former quarry, but what upset them remained a mystery
as the Buzzard stayed in a tree throughout.
John Williams said
Fri Nov 4 5:38 PM, 2022
Afternoon visit
Lapwing Hall Pool: 32 Wigeon, 1m Pochard, 12 Cormorants, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Gadwall
and just 1 Tufted Duck.
Parkland Sand Quarry ::12 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Tufted Ducks and 5 Cormorants.
Acre Nook Sand Quarry (Viewed from Lapwing Lane end): 15 Great Crested Grebes and 14 Cormorants.
Lapwing Lane and area around the quarries: 6 Tree Sparrows (Sharing a large oak with a group of Goldfinches),
2 Kestrels, 3 Buzzards, 1 Raven and several small flocks of Redwings.
John Williams said
Mon Oct 17 5:43 PM, 2022
Early afternoon visit
Lapwing Hall Pool area : 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Buzzards, 3 Little Grebes, 35 Wigeon and 10 Cormorants.
Parkland Sand Quarry : 12 Pochards, 5 Grey Herons, 10 Cormorants, 3 Little Grebes and 4 Wigeon.
John Williams said
Mon Aug 22 6:49 PM, 2022
Early afternoon visit
Lapwing Hall Pool : 7 adult+ 2 young Great Crested Grebes, 2 Buzzards, 2 Little Grebes and 4 Cormorants.
Around 10 House Martins were over the pool throughout my stay and seemed to be local breeders rather than passage birds.
Lapwing Lane Quarries: 1f Kestrel, 5 Pochards, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Great Crested Grebes and a single Little Grebe.
A group of around 30 Tufted Ducks were on the quarry pool that runs parallel with the A535, but just as I started to scan
through them a heavy shower started, the visibility dropped and I chose to exit quickly.
Paul Flackett said
Sat Apr 16 12:01 AM, 2022
The female Ring-necked Duck has now been joined by a cracking male. Seems to have provoked a new wave of interest in the local birders. A much-cropped, phonescoped proof shot attached. Managed my first Swallow of the season whilst watching it. Added interest was provided by a Great Egret.
4 Little Gulls on the eastern section of the quarry this lunchtime, viewed from the Whisterfield Lane approach. And there were lots of Sand Martins every where I looked, some even appeared to be visiting nest holes in the old sand quarry faces. No sign of the Ring-necked Duck today though.
John Williams said
Fri Mar 25 8:35 PM, 2022
Afternoon visit
Lapwing Lane Quarries : 1 Great White Egret and 1f Goldeneye.
Lapwing Hall Pool : 1m Goldeneye, 3f Goosanders, 1 Buzzard, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Shovelers, 56 Wigeon,
4 Little Grebes and 3 squabbling male Reed Buntings.
No sign of the female Smew that has been seen here over the winter.
Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Wigeon and Shelducks were also noted on the former sand quarry pools but numbers
were difficult to assess, a group of 21 Cormorants was seen though.
Steve Costa said
Wed Jan 12 9:39 PM, 2022
Acre Nook Quarry 15:15
Great Egret - 1
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jan 9 9:37 PM, 2022
After 2 days in work I needed a run out so popped the 14 miles over to near Chelford to the sand quarries and pools here. It was bright and dry but with glowering skies arriving as I left.
My first port of call was Lapwing Hall Pool. As I walked along Lapwing Lane to access the footpath into the reserve I had at least 4 Tree Sparrows in the laneside hedgerows, always a nice bird to see in Cheshire and a yeartick to boot! I then entered the reserve and headed to the pool and scoped it, at the far lefthand corner I picked up my quarry - a redhead Smew. This felt pretty ironic, twitching a Smew after having had my local patch bird in previous winters. But with my suspicions that my bird has perished I was only too glad to add the species to my list this early in the year. The bird that myself and a birding pal were watching disappeared so I walked the pool and found a redhead Smew in the first arm on the left of the pool tucked up under the bank. Two birds had been seen here so whether this was my original bird relocating or a second individual I couldn't say for sure. Also on the pool were plenty of Wigeon and Teal. After taking a few digiscoped shots I headed back down Lapwing Lane.
I then headed to the end and looked over Acre Nook Sand Quarry from the viewpoint. As I scanned I watched a female Goldeneye and then a Black-necked Grebe, both yearticks for me. Further round 4(2drk) Mandarins were in very active display, the two drakes flaring out their gaudy 'sail' feathers and looking magnificent. Also on here was a Pochard and a Little Grebe.
As the weather threatened to turn worse I headed off home for lunch. Ony a short trip but a very enjoyable one with plenty of new birds for 2022.
170 Wigeon, 1m Goldeneye, 2 Great crested Grebes, 1 Raven (Vocal), 6 Cormorants and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Redwings erupted from every patch of hawthorns that still held berries.
Flooded quarries West of Lapwing Lane : 9 Wigeon, 4 Great crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Buzzards and 14 Cormorants.
John Williams said
Fri Oct 15 10:27 PM, 2021
Afternoon visit (Highlights)
Lapwing Hall Pool area : 223 Wigeon, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Buzzard.
Flooded quarries West of Lapwing Lane : 6 Little Grebes, 8 Cormorants, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Grey Herons.
At least 6 Tree Sparrows amongst a large mixed flock of passerines, which included numerous Blue and Great Tits, in
hedges along Lapwing Lane.
John Williams said
Fri Aug 13 10:06 PM, 2021
Afternoon visit
Lapwing Hall Pool area: 4 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 1 mewing Buzzard and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Flooded quarries and woodland West of Lapwing Lane : 2 Buzzards, 3 Ravens, 6 Grey Herons, 12 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes
and 3 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes.
12+ Sand Martins and 3 House Martins over the quarries.
Paul Flackett said
Mon Apr 26 7:33 PM, 2021
Slavonian Grebe still on Acre Nook Quarry, viewed from footpath from Whisterfield Lane. Used to watch this area regularly in my born-again birder days in the 90's when it was less flooded than currently but definitely an area to keep a (distant) eye on.
John Williams said
Wed Apr 21 5:22 PM, 2021
11.00-14.00
Flooded quarries and woodland West of Lapwing Lane : 1 Kestrel, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Buzzards, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes.
Lapwing Hall Pool : 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 30 Tufted Ducks. Green Woodpecker heard calling.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Apr 18 9:34 PM, 2021
Local patcher Steve Barber today found a summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe on Acre Nook Sand Quarry. The location of the bird meant that it was only possible to view from the footpath north off Whisterfield Lane. The bird was very distant and only seen clearly through a scope at 40-60x zoom!! Also present was an Egyptian Goose that I was told has been here a while.
Steve has requested that any visitors do not park on the mown verges of the houses close to the footpath but park further away adjacent to farm fields and walk a short distance to the start of the path.
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Mar 13 12:35 PM, 2021
Black-necked Grebe still in NE corner and at least one Smew. Small flocks of Redwing.
Mark Shaw said
Tue Mar 9 1:42 PM, 2021
06/03/21
Black Necked Grebe still present and showing nicely close to the pool edge
On Lapwing Lane I also saw a White Pheasant
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 9th of March 2021 01:43:24 PM
11:00 8/3/21 2 Redhead Smew and a Black-necked Grebe in breeding plumage.
Samglennie said
Sun Mar 7 7:22 PM, 2021
Yes it was mark! Thanks for the info
-- Edited by Samglennie on Sunday 7th of March 2021 07:24:22 PM
Mark Shaw said
Sun Mar 7 6:38 PM, 2021
Hi
Was it yourself that myself and my wife were chatting to
?
Samglennie said
Sun Mar 7 6:06 PM, 2021
Black-necked grebe and 2 female smew still present on lake this pm. Also drake Goldeneye and Pintail on Acre nook quarry, along with the usual Tree sparrows along the lane.
Quick visit to Acre Nook late p.m. No sign of the avocet.
At least 4 shoveler(2m) and at least 16 goosander (50/50 m/f) as well as the shelduck.
Paul Flackett said
Tue Mar 2 10:50 PM, 2021
Black-necked Grebe still present this morning but tricky to find. Just one Smew visible amongst all the Wigeon. A Snipe also seen.
Looked hard for the Avocet in Acre Nook quarry but no joy. It may still be there though because there's so much of this water not visible from the permitted viewpoint. Had to settle for several Shelduck, Oystercatcher and a few Tree Sparrows along the lane.
Mark Shaw said
Tue Mar 2 8:03 AM, 2021
Stopped off here yesterday afternoon, on my way home from a business engagement (so nice to be out for once )
The Female Smew was still present, and I was told the Blacked Necked Grebe was also still present...but I didnt see this
The star of the show yesterday seemed to be the Avocet that was on a sand spit on the quarry lake
Otherwise loads of noisy Widgeon, some Tufted ducks and Tree Sparrows along the lane
Very enjoyable stroll in the sun
Paul Flackett said
Tue Feb 23 11:12 PM, 2021
Tony,
If you look at the map there is a bridleway just south of the pool. There is room for a few cars to park at the east end of that track on the road near where you squeezed through the hedge. Walk along the bridleway and you'll see a gate on your right leading to the pool and the permissive path. Alternatively you can park on Lapwing Lane (off the A535 Chelford Road) near the west end of that bridleway and walk back along the road to find a gate/stile on your right that brings you onto the permissive path at the other end. You can also view the Acre Nook settling beds on the other side of Lapwing Lane. Good numbers of Lapwing & Shelduck sometimes found here. Also look out for Tree Sparrows along the lane near the farm.
Sometimes I make a day of it and do the walk from Redesmere, through Capesthorne Hall estate, along a quiet country road to the above bridleway and then Lapwing Pool & Acre Nook and back again.
cheers,
Paul.
Tony Coatsworth said
Tue Feb 23 3:29 PM, 2021
Redhead Smew still showing well in SE corner. Lots of Wigeon, Tufted Ducks, and Teal as well.
There is a 'permissive path' running along the east edge of the pool, but I didn't see how to access it apart from squeezing through the hedge on Congleton Lane - looked like I wasn't the only one doing that!
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Tuesday 23rd of February 2021 03:30:31 PM
Lapwing Hall Pool : 1 Peregrine (Flew over), 90 Wigeon, 1m Goldeneye, 24 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes,
6 Shovelers and 8 Pochards.
Flooded quarry areas around Lapwing Lane : 100 Lapwings (Flew over heading West), 4 Shelducks, 8 Cormorants, 11 Wigeon,
3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Little Grebes, 12 Shovelers, 3 Grey Herons and 2 Mistle Thrushes.
Also had a look at Mere Farm Pools :
On the pool earmarked for the water sport complex no sign of any development yet and on the site were 110 Lapwings (On small island),
14 Pochards, 125 Greylag Geese and 3 Little Grebes. Whilst on the pool South of the footpath were 10 Pochards, 1 Great Crested Grebe
and a further 3 Little Grebes.
The main pool at Mere Farm, which is only partially viewable from the path held 4f + 2m Goosanders, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Pochards.
A big gull roost was building up here as I left.
Paul Flackett said
Fri Nov 13 12:13 AM, 2020
Does anyone know who owns this site now? I haven't visited for a while but access is suddenly very restricted due to new fencing that stops you even walking along much of the bank top. There is much signage about it being a 'nature reserve' but no indication who is managing it. Obviously this will be good for the birds during the breeding season where unrestrained dogs are concerned.
Paul Flackett said
Sun Mar 22 11:27 PM, 2020
2 female Smew still present this afternoon but the recently reported Whoopers had moved on. Whilst I was there the restless Redesmere Greylag flock flew in noisily and settled on the pool. The long-staying White-Fronted Goose was amongst them along with another possible immature individual and 3 Pink-Footed Geese.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Sunday 22nd of March 2020 11:29:37 PM
John Rayner said
Wed Mar 11 4:57 PM, 2020
The Black-necked Grebe was in the northern area of the pool whereas the 2 Smew were in a small inlet in the SE corner.
The Black-necked Grebe was still present this morning, as were the Smew. It's worth noting that the grebe is in an intermediate plumage and is easily overlooked at distance, especially when in the company of Little Grebes.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Monday 9th of March 2020 06:19:44 PM
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 8th of October 2023 08:21:01 PMhere is a screenshot (hope!)
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 8th of October 2023 09:00:59 PM
I saw it about 2pm,got some not very good as distant Digiscoped photos
what time did you see it? did you get any photos?
up to three cattle egrets SW of acre nook sq in cow fields at sharp bend on Congleton lane for last two days
Grey Phalarope still present (per comms) - only second record for Chelford SQs
Grey Phalarope on Lapwing hall pool also Cattle egret roosting on acre nook
2 Black Terns on Acre Nook Sand Quarry at midday today. I also watched 2 Hobbies catching & feasting on damselflies over the water.
Male and female Smew this morning on Lapwing Hall pool. The female redhead was favouring the north end of the lake while the drake was at the opposite side (SW) near the channel.
Also Great White Egret on Acre Nook and numerous Tree Sparrows along Lapwing Lane.
Other species seen:-
Lapwing Hall pool:-
Goosander (m & f)
Wigeon (lots)
Tufted Duck
Shoveler
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Coot
Cormorant
Goldeneye (present on Friday at my first attempt to see the Smew)
Lapwing Lane:-
Bullfinch
Siskin
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch
Blackbird
Robin
Wren
Dunnock
Cheers,
Steve.
We had a little spare time today so decided to try and catch up with the Smew. After twenty or so minutes with a local patcher we found a female but no sign of the drake. Our friend decided to walk around the lake whilst we stayed put deciding it was likely the drake was hidden from view by some trees close in on the east bank.
Eventually we moved a little along the west bank to a better view point after about forty five minutes he decided to appear in all his splender, preening away what an absolute dandy.
Other birds include Goosander, Wigeon and Goldeneye. We managed to spot the Tree Sparrows along the lane back to the car.
-- Edited by Tony Koziol on Thursday 12th of January 2023 04:33:31 PM
Goldeneye 1 male.
Goosander 7
Tree Sparrows along the lane.
Great White Egret 1 across the lane, Acre Nook I think.
etc.
No sign of the Smew by midday today, however Woodcock and Great egret at Acre Nook Sand Quarry
10.20 am a quick visit to lapwing hall pool
Redhead Smew best seen from North East or East side
-- Edited by dstrath on Tuesday 20th of December 2022 02:24:25 PM
Lapwing Hall Pool and surrounding woodland :143 Wigeon, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Nuthatches,
1 Tree Sparrow, 4 Little Grebes, 11 Cormorants, 1m Bullfinch and 1 Treecreeper.
In the centre of the pool was a large raft of diving ducks, which amazingly contained 52 Pochards (44 were males),
alongside 55 Tufted Ducks. Alarmingly geese were represented by just 3 Canadas.
Parkland Sand Quarry: 11 Pochard, 2 Grey Herons, 20 Tufted Ducks, 1 Shelduck, 5 Little Grebes and 9 Wigeon.
Acre Nook Quarry: The vast size of this site makes it almost impossible to view much of the abundant birdlife,
however a scan from Lapwing Lane showed 18 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Buzzard and 16 Cormorants.
At one point around 300 Lapwings were flushed from the former quarry, but what upset them remained a mystery
as the Buzzard stayed in a tree throughout.
Lapwing Hall Pool: 32 Wigeon, 1m Pochard, 12 Cormorants, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Gadwall
and just 1 Tufted Duck.
Parkland Sand Quarry ::12 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Tufted Ducks and 5 Cormorants.
Acre Nook Sand Quarry (Viewed from Lapwing Lane end): 15 Great Crested Grebes and 14 Cormorants.
Lapwing Lane and area around the quarries: 6 Tree Sparrows (Sharing a large oak with a group of Goldfinches),
2 Kestrels, 3 Buzzards, 1 Raven and several small flocks of Redwings.
Lapwing Hall Pool area : 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Buzzards, 3 Little Grebes, 35 Wigeon and 10 Cormorants.
Parkland Sand Quarry : 12 Pochards, 5 Grey Herons, 10 Cormorants, 3 Little Grebes and 4 Wigeon.
Lapwing Hall Pool : 7 adult+ 2 young Great Crested Grebes, 2 Buzzards, 2 Little Grebes and 4 Cormorants.
Around 10 House Martins were over the pool throughout my stay and seemed to be local breeders rather than passage birds.
Lapwing Lane Quarries: 1f Kestrel, 5 Pochards, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Great Crested Grebes and a single Little Grebe.
A group of around 30 Tufted Ducks were on the quarry pool that runs parallel with the A535, but just as I started to scan
through them a heavy shower started, the visibility dropped and I chose to exit quickly.
The female Ring-necked Duck has now been joined by a cracking male. Seems to have provoked a new wave of interest in the local birders. A much-cropped, phonescoped proof shot attached. Managed my first Swallow of the season whilst watching it. Added interest was provided by a Great Egret.
Ring-necked Duck feeding below south-west bank of Acre Nook - viewed from Whisterfield Lane.
Pretty terrible digi-scoped image attached.
No sign of Little Gulls or Yellow Wagtails reported from 12th April
4 Little Gulls on the eastern section of the quarry this lunchtime, viewed from the Whisterfield Lane approach. And there were lots of Sand Martins every where I looked, some even appeared to be visiting nest holes in the old sand quarry faces. No sign of the Ring-necked Duck today though.
Lapwing Lane Quarries : 1 Great White Egret and 1f Goldeneye.
Lapwing Hall Pool : 1m Goldeneye, 3f Goosanders, 1 Buzzard, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Shovelers, 56 Wigeon,
4 Little Grebes and 3 squabbling male Reed Buntings.
No sign of the female Smew that has been seen here over the winter.
Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Wigeon and Shelducks were also noted on the former sand quarry pools but numbers
were difficult to assess, a group of 21 Cormorants was seen though.
Great Egret - 1
After 2 days in work I needed a run out so popped the 14 miles over to near Chelford to the sand quarries and pools here. It was bright and dry but with glowering skies arriving as I left.
My first port of call was Lapwing Hall Pool. As I walked along Lapwing Lane to access the footpath into the reserve I had at least 4 Tree Sparrows in the laneside hedgerows, always a nice bird to see in Cheshire and a yeartick to boot! I then entered the reserve and headed to the pool and scoped it, at the far lefthand corner I picked up my quarry - a redhead Smew. This felt pretty ironic, twitching a Smew after having had my local patch bird in previous winters. But with my suspicions that my bird has perished I was only too glad to add the species to my list this early in the year. The bird that myself and a birding pal were watching disappeared so I walked the pool and found a redhead Smew in the first arm on the left of the pool tucked up under the bank. Two birds had been seen here so whether this was my original bird relocating or a second individual I couldn't say for sure. Also on the pool were plenty of Wigeon and Teal. After taking a few digiscoped shots I headed back down Lapwing Lane.
I then headed to the end and looked over Acre Nook Sand Quarry from the viewpoint. As I scanned I watched a female Goldeneye and then a Black-necked Grebe, both yearticks for me. Further round 4(2drk) Mandarins were in very active display, the two drakes flaring out their gaudy 'sail' feathers and looking magnificent. Also on here was a Pochard and a Little Grebe.
As the weather threatened to turn worse I headed off home for lunch. Ony a short trip but a very enjoyable one with plenty of new birds for 2022.
170 Wigeon, 1m Goldeneye, 2 Great crested Grebes, 1 Raven (Vocal), 6 Cormorants and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Redwings erupted from every patch of hawthorns that still held berries.
Flooded quarries West of Lapwing Lane : 9 Wigeon, 4 Great crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Buzzards and 14 Cormorants.
Lapwing Hall Pool area : 223 Wigeon, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Buzzard.
Flooded quarries West of Lapwing Lane : 6 Little Grebes, 8 Cormorants, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Grey Herons.
At least 6 Tree Sparrows amongst a large mixed flock of passerines, which included numerous Blue and Great Tits, in
hedges along Lapwing Lane.
Lapwing Hall Pool area: 4 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 1 mewing Buzzard and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Flooded quarries and woodland West of Lapwing Lane : 2 Buzzards, 3 Ravens, 6 Grey Herons, 12 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes
and 3 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes.
12+ Sand Martins and 3 House Martins over the quarries.
Slavonian Grebe still on Acre Nook Quarry, viewed from footpath from Whisterfield Lane. Used to watch this area regularly in my born-again birder days in the 90's when it was less flooded than currently but definitely an area to keep a (distant) eye on.
Flooded quarries and woodland West of Lapwing Lane : 1 Kestrel, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Buzzards, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes.
Lapwing Hall Pool : 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 30 Tufted Ducks. Green Woodpecker heard calling.
Local patcher Steve Barber today found a summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe on Acre Nook Sand Quarry. The location of the bird meant that it was only possible to view from the footpath north off Whisterfield Lane. The bird was very distant and only seen clearly through a scope at 40-60x zoom!! Also present was an Egyptian Goose that I was told has been here a while.
Steve has requested that any visitors do not park on the mown verges of the houses close to the footpath but park further away adjacent to farm fields and walk a short distance to the start of the path.
Black-necked Grebe still in NE corner and at least one Smew. Small flocks of Redwing.
06/03/21
Black Necked Grebe still present and showing nicely close to the pool edge
On Lapwing Lane I also saw a White Pheasant
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 9th of March 2021 01:43:24 PM
11:00 8/3/21 2 Redhead Smew and a Black-necked Grebe in breeding plumage.
Yes it was mark! Thanks for the info
-- Edited by Samglennie on Sunday 7th of March 2021 07:24:22 PM
Hi
Was it yourself that myself and my wife were chatting to
?
Black-necked grebe and 2 female smew still present on lake this pm. Also drake Goldeneye and Pintail on Acre nook quarry, along with the usual Tree sparrows along the lane.
No sign of avocet
A lunchtime visit and was delighted to get a "half-decent" picture of the Black-Necked Grebe
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 5th of March 2021 06:32:27 PM
Quick visit to Acre Nook late p.m. No sign of the avocet.
At least 4 shoveler(2m) and at least 16 goosander (50/50 m/f) as well as the shelduck.
Black-necked Grebe still present this morning but tricky to find. Just one Smew visible amongst all the Wigeon. A Snipe also seen.
Looked hard for the Avocet in Acre Nook quarry but no joy. It may still be there though because there's so much of this water not visible from the permitted viewpoint. Had to settle for several Shelduck, Oystercatcher and a few Tree Sparrows along the lane.
Stopped off here yesterday afternoon, on my way home from a business engagement (so nice to be out for once
)
The Female Smew was still present, and I was told the Blacked Necked Grebe was also still present...but I didnt see this
The star of the show yesterday seemed to be the Avocet that was on a sand spit on the quarry lake
Otherwise loads of noisy Widgeon, some Tufted ducks and Tree Sparrows along the lane
Very enjoyable stroll in the sun
Tony,
If you look at the map there is a bridleway just south of the pool. There is room for a few cars to park at the east end of that track on the road near where you squeezed through the hedge. Walk along the bridleway and you'll see a gate on your right leading to the pool and the permissive path. Alternatively you can park on Lapwing Lane (off the A535 Chelford Road) near the west end of that bridleway and walk back along the road to find a gate/stile on your right that brings you onto the permissive path at the other end. You can also view the Acre Nook settling beds on the other side of Lapwing Lane. Good numbers of Lapwing & Shelduck sometimes found here. Also look out for Tree Sparrows along the lane near the farm.
Sometimes I make a day of it and do the walk from Redesmere, through Capesthorne Hall estate, along a quiet country road to the above bridleway and then Lapwing Pool & Acre Nook and back again.
cheers,
Paul.
Redhead Smew still showing well in SE corner. Lots of Wigeon, Tufted Ducks, and Teal as well.
There is a 'permissive path' running along the east edge of the pool, but I didn't see how to access it apart from squeezing through the hedge on Congleton Lane - looked like I wasn't the only one doing that!
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Tuesday 23rd of February 2021 03:30:31 PM
Lapwing Hall Pool : 1 Peregrine (Flew over), 90 Wigeon, 1m Goldeneye, 24 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes,
6 Shovelers and 8 Pochards.
Flooded quarry areas around Lapwing Lane : 100 Lapwings (Flew over heading West), 4 Shelducks, 8 Cormorants, 11 Wigeon,
3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Little Grebes, 12 Shovelers, 3 Grey Herons and 2 Mistle Thrushes.
Also had a look at Mere Farm Pools :
On the pool earmarked for the water sport complex no sign of any development yet and on the site were 110 Lapwings (On small island),
14 Pochards, 125 Greylag Geese and 3 Little Grebes. Whilst on the pool South of the footpath were 10 Pochards, 1 Great Crested Grebe
and a further 3 Little Grebes.
The main pool at Mere Farm, which is only partially viewable from the path held 4f + 2m Goosanders, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Pochards.
A big gull roost was building up here as I left.
Does anyone know who owns this site now? I haven't visited for a while but access is suddenly very restricted due to new fencing that stops you even walking along much of the bank top. There is much signage about it being a 'nature reserve' but no indication who is managing it. Obviously this will be good for the birds during the breeding season where unrestrained dogs are concerned.
2 female Smew still present this afternoon but the recently reported Whoopers had moved on. Whilst I was there the restless Redesmere Greylag flock flew in noisily and settled on the pool. The long-staying White-Fronted Goose was amongst them along with another possible immature individual and 3 Pink-Footed Geese.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Sunday 22nd of March 2020 11:29:37 PM
Cheers John
The Black-necked Grebe was still present this morning, as were the Smew. It's worth noting that the grebe is in an intermediate plumage and is easily overlooked at distance, especially when in the company of Little Grebes.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Monday 9th of March 2020 06:19:44 PM