First summer Little Gull seen from the hide on the east side of the flash at about 15.00.
Oi Riley - what are you doing finding stuff on my patch while I'm on hols!
Good to see your out and about away from the Eyes for a change.
Patrick Earith said
Sat Apr 20 4:34 AM, 2013
Little Gull still present at 18:00 plus a Common Sandpiper. Several Chiffchaff and Blackcap along paths. Another Common Sandpiper at Haydns Pool
steven burke said
Sat Apr 20 1:19 AM, 2013
19th April
Little gull showing well early morning & late afternoon. Drake Garganey on small island in the morning, late afternoon on haydyns pool. 2-3 whitethroats Few reed warblers around Never got to hear the grasshopper warbler. 1 oystercatcher 3 common sandpipers 10 curlews flew onto ashtons around 5pm but flew off after 15 mins Water rail heard Peregrine falcon over 1 sparrowhawk Several buzzards overhead Lots of chiffchaffs & willow warblers Several blackcaps Black swan on haydyns pool, also 2 redshank And 1 dodgy looking blackbird with a white patch on the right side of its neck
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 20th of April 2013 01:29:05 AM
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 19 10:51 AM, 2013
Garganey on scrapyard end island this morning + Little Gull still. Common Whitethroat on Dairyhouse Meadows. Grasshopper Warbler reeling near scrapyard hide, presume same hide that you posted about, Chris.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 19th of April 2013 10:54:46 AM
chrisdorney said
Fri Apr 19 6:14 AM, 2013
Little gull still present at dusk.also reed warbler and grasshopper warbler singing near the hide and 6 common sandpiper showing signs of pairing.one male tried to mate but the female was having none of it!
Dave Riley said
Fri Apr 19 1:09 AM, 2013
First summer Little Gull seen from the hide on the east side of the flash at about 15.00.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Apr 17 3:28 AM, 2013
A customer in the shop today informed me that there was a Yellow Wagtail on the island at Neumann's Flash along with a Little Ringed Plover & a Common Sandpiper. She also saw the first Brimstone butterfly that I have heard about on patch this year
Dave Gallimore said
Tue Apr 16 10:56 PM, 2013
thanks!
sid ashton said
Tue Apr 16 10:00 PM, 2013
Dave Gallimore wrote:
Where is Neumann's Flash ? Thanks
Dave - Neumans is on the B5075 out of Northwich, check out the following web site:-
-- Edited by DJG on Tuesday 16th of April 2013 01:25:17 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Apr 14 4:48 PM, 2013
An afternoon walk on Neumann's Flash rewarded me with finding a Common Sandpiper on the scrap yard end island. A single Willow Warbler sang by Dairyhouse Meadows and numerous Sand Martins were investigating the artificial Sand Martin bank on Haydns Pool. Other than that the usual suspects which now includes myriads of singing Chiffchaffs!! Moved 2 pairs of toads that were in amplexus and in danger of getting trodden on in the middle of paths too
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 14th of April 2013 04:48:25 PM
James Walsh said
Fri Apr 12 3:07 AM, 2013
2 Avocets on Neumanns Flash at 6:30pm, also c10 Sand Martins & 2 Greylag Geese
10 Shoveler & 2 Greylag Geese on Ashtons
4 Swallows on Marston Flashes
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 11 11:24 PM, 2013
Then moved to Haydn Pool where they were inspecting the gravel island
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 11 7:11 PM, 2013
The two Avocets were still present this morning if anyone wants to tick them on their Marbury Patch List
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 11 4:36 AM, 2013
Interesting day on patch today with 2 Avocets dropping into Neumann's Flash this afternoon. The birds were pretty mobile & fed in water right up to their bellies as there is little useable shoreline available at the moment. Then a little later a Little Egret was discovered on Ashton's Flash. A Sand Martin was also over Neumann's and the first patch Swallow was seen nearbu at Anderton Nature Park. This follows on from the first House Martin yesterday.
John Williams said
Thu Apr 4 5:00 AM, 2013
No worries John,
Yes at first I get confussed with these two moth species, Large Yellow Underwings are probably the commonest large moth seen in my area.
Whereas, the open birch areas around Neumanns favour Orange Underwings, and they are also day flying making them much easier to record.
I've learned something thanks to Ben's response, I'm chuffed and grateful.
Cheers guys.
John Rayner said
Thu Apr 4 1:58 AM, 2013
Sorry John,
I completely mis-read your post and missed the last sentence.
Cheers, John
John Williams said
Wed Apr 3 8:11 PM, 2013
Thanks Ben,
I've had Orange Underwings in my garden on occasions, they're usually hiding in ivy or other dense foliage. Their bodies seem thicker than most butterflies though.
However, the ones seen around Neumanns were flying 10-15ft above the ground, so there was no way to judge their structure, but they seemed quite delicate and similar in size to Small Copper.
Habitat, season and everything else is spot on for Orange Underwings, so that's a first for 2013 tick, we just need the moth eaters to fly in now and kick start spring.
John Rayner said
Wed Apr 3 6:52 PM, 2013
Hi John,
I think Ben is probably right. Are you confusing Orange Underwing (which is small-ish and emerges from hibernation March/April) with Large Yellow Underwing (Largish, flies later in the year and often hides in Ivy just as you decribe).
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Wednesday 3rd of April 2013 06:53:08 PM
Ben Smart said
Wed Apr 3 6:44 AM, 2013
Hi John The small brown butterflies will be Orange Underwing moths. Worth looking out for amongst birch trees - the caterpillar's foodplant. Cheers Ben
John Williams said
Wed Apr 3 4:57 AM, 2013
14.45-15.45
15 Lapwing (The first I've seen on here for quite a while), 1 female Pintail, a pair of Oystercatchers plus the usual waterfowl.
Another of those small brown butterflies, I reported two seen in my last report, was fluttering around the South bank.
None of these insects landed so I was unable to ID them.
According to online data no brown butterflies this small should be flying so early in the year, and with todays icy Easterly blowing definitely not.
It seems likely then that they're a kind of moth that in flight look very much akin to a butterfly, I'd love to know their exact species though?.
Haydn Pool
3 Buzzards, 8 Gadwall, 5 Shovelers plus the usual waterfowl.
With the Buzzard trio soaring over together the prospective Black Headed Gulls looked very agitated, one vented its anxiety out on a Canada Geese, and took several nasty pecks at the tail of the goose.
A large flock of Redwing were feeding in the plantation on the North side, until flushed by a Buzzard.
John Williams said
Sun Mar 31 11:44 PM, 2013
16.00-19.00 ( Also on Marbury thread) 30/03/2013
Sunny but chilly wind, it gave me the flu, hence the late post.
Ashtons Flash
3 Curlew, 4 Common Gulls in the Black Head flock.
Neumanns Flash
2 small brown butterflies around the hide on the south bank, unsure of the species as they did'nt settle, but same size as skipper or Small Copper.
Lots of Winter Gnats dancing near this hide too, so at least the insect eaters have a chance.
22 Mute Swans, 16 Teal and a pair each of Herring and Great Black Backed Gulls. The water level is still high, so no scrape.
Haydn Pool
6 pairs of Black Headed Gulls seem to be settling in, but no sign of hirundines anywhere.
A Buzzard was sat on the Stock Doves, no doubt causing anxiety to the residents, one of whom sat in a nearby tree.
1 Goldcrest near the old screen.
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on the dead tree near the carved bench and barrier on Marbury Lane, it flushed before I could sex it.
At dusk on the way back to the car a Buzzard was very active along the North bank, 2 Greylag Geese came into roost, and Redwings were gathering in the hawthornes.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 29 6:00 AM, 2013
The second bird at Neumann's has been IDed from pics as an immature, most likely an immature female to be consorting with the adult male
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 28 6:35 PM, 2013
At least 1 Marsh Harrier present again this morning over Neumann's Flash.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 28 5:16 AM, 2013
Two Marsh Harriers present over Neumann's Flash this evening, a male and a probable female, they flew off & the reedbeds are probably too small for this to constitute restricted info. Also the finder popped the news out on the pagers so I think local birders on here deserve the update too. Also 6 Barnacle Geese flew over Neumann's Flash at 5.40pm.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 27 4:26 PM, 2013
The male Marsh Harrier was seen this morning, firstly by Greg Baker who was on site before 5.30am!! Then by four other core patch watchers and myself, we watched the bird gain height and thought it may leave but it came down and then stayed tucked almost out of view on the ground until we all left. The flash is best viewed from halfway along the path between Ashton's & Neumann's Flashes as the bird ranges across the whole flash & this gives the best panoramic view,and incidentally was dead opposite where the bird went down.
Also on Ashton's Flash this morning was a pristine adult Yellow-legged Gull which showed well on the water before flying off east showing its gleaming yellow legs in the sun shining weakly through the snow falling all around us
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 27 5:17 AM, 2013
Another good bird on our patch today, one that will be a patch tick for most, in the shape of a male Marsh Harrier. The bird was first seen by ranger Dave Jmes but then went missing. Later Sandbach Patcher Andy Goodwin picked the bird up again quartering over Ashton's Flash. All the core patchers turned out late afternoon and stayed until late but no sign of the bird again. It was seen to go down on Ashton's so a dawn raid is planned for tomorrow. A male Marsh Harrier was seen nearby at Frodsham Marsh this evening and could have been the Ashton's bird if that managed to sneak off without anyone seeing it do so!! Tomorrow may tell
John Williams said
Sat Mar 2 12:08 AM, 2013
10.00-12.00
9 Shelduck, 7 Teal (300+ in January), 12 Shoveler plus Tufted Duck, Coot etc.
Haydn Pool
11 Shoveler plus a few Teal, Gadwall, Tufted Duck etc.
A single pair of Lapwings, whilst a pair of Stock Doves seem to be setting up home in an owl box.
A pool on Dairyhouse Meadows held a single Black Swan together with a pair of Mutes.
THe water level on Neumanns is still too high for waders, with no mud exposed, but the Haydn Pool looks good again.
Hazel Rothwell said
Wed Feb 13 6:43 AM, 2013
Very quiet on Neumann's Flash today with only 3 Mute Swans spotted; generally very quiet apart from 1 Buzzard at the Northern End of the flash heading towards forge pool and a Kestrel close to Witton Mill car park. Several Goldfinch were eating from the Teasels close to Carden's Ferry Bridge on the Carey Park side of the bridge and across the bridge heading right along the lower path towards Haydn's Pool was a large flock of Siskins; Redpolls had also been spotted by another walker. 1 solitary Shelduck on Haydn's Pool along with Teal and Mallard and 3 Mute Swans who had just flown in. Half a dozen long Tailed Tits were by the side of Neumann's flash close to the East Hide and 5 Redwing were seen in the trees right of the path between the Flash and Ollershaw Lane 300 metres from the entrance (lay-by area) at New Warrington Rd.
Greg Baker said
Mon Feb 4 3:23 AM, 2013
For info, an adult Med Gull just beginning to moult into breeding plumage was showing well near the north island this morning.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jan 29 1:26 PM, 2013
Had a short pop onto patch this morning, mainly in the Neumann's Flash area (hence posting here!!). Highlight was a fantastic Woodcock which gave stunning views. Also a flock of 12 Lesser Redpolls fed low in alders by Marbury Lane not far from Witton Mill carpark, showing really close. The seeded triangle produced Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch & more Lesser Redpolls as well as a tit flock passing through. On Neumann's a huge number of ducks were present with Teal numbering over 150, over 40 Shoveler and plenty of Tufted Ducks, Pochards, Gadwall, and Mallards. Over 200 Lapwings flew over but the flock didn't contain a single Golden Plover, just a single Starling joined in!! The usual Stock Doves, Buzzards etc were all seen too
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 29th of January 2013 01:27:38 PM
John Williams said
Tue Jan 29 1:41 AM, 2013
11.30-13.30
Most of Neumanns is still frozen. Gathered at the Northern end were 266 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 4 Shovelers, 2 Shelducks and a single Mute Swan, plus masses of Coot and Black Headed Gulls.
6 Common Gulls with Black Heads on the ice. 1 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk hunting the South bank, whilst a single male Kestrel hunted the edge of Dairyhouse Meadow.
The area recently seeded for finches did'nt produce a single bird, unlike my last visit.
Haydn Pool was largely devoid of life, except for 3 Stock Doves, 1 of which was displaying.
The big flock of Feral Pigeons on the former ICI tower looked very nervous, but I could'nt see a raptor.
Hazel Rothwell said
Mon Jan 28 3:11 PM, 2013
Another visit to Neumann's Flash area on Sunday 27th January; very quiet for the first hour with strong wind blowing and grey sky to begin with but later the sun and blue sky came into play. Didn't see any Canada Geese on the Flash and birds were down in numbers generally. The one highlight were 2 Kestrels and a Buzzard adjacent to the Hide (N/NE) One Kestrel (a Male) swooped down, collected a Short Tailed Vole and landed on a post just 50ft. in front of me so I managed to get some photos of it which you may like to see ........... prey still alive in his claws ! After a disappointing start, the Kestrels made up for the lack of other birds around.
(I don't mind you downloading the photos for personal use but would appreciate it if you wouldn't publish any) thank you.
-- Edited by Hazel Rothwell on Monday 28th of January 2013 03:13:34 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jan 24 5:31 AM, 2013
Hazel Rothwell wrote:
22nd January (11.00am - 2.30pm) Forgive me if I do not give a professional update but I am a newbie to birding and will do my best to relate what I saw yesterday at Neumann's Flash; One female Kestrel, half dozen Long Tailed Tits, flock of 13 Greenfinch, 1 male Reed Bunting, 1 female Reed Bunting in front of Hide (Ollershaw Rd side), 1 male Bullfinch, 1 female Bullfinch, 1 Song Thrush, usual Blackbirds, Blue Tits. Didn't count the various Canada Geese, Teal, B.H.Gull on the Flash but another birder spotted a Barnacle Goose in flight along with the Canada Geese ( 3 x Grey Heron by Forge Pond, 1 white Goose and a 4 Mallard).
Nothing wrong with it Hazel
Hazel Rothwell said
Thu Jan 24 5:12 AM, 2013
22nd January (11.00am - 2.30pm) Forgive me if I do not give a professional update but I am a newbie to birding and will do my best to relate what I saw yesterday at Neumann's Flash; One female Kestrel, half dozen Long Tailed Tits, flock of 13 Greenfinch, 1 male Reed Bunting, 1 female Reed Bunting in front of Hide (Ollershaw Rd side), 1 male Bullfinch, 1 female Bullfinch, 1 Song Thrush, usual Blackbirds, Blue Tits. Didn't count the various Canada Geese, Teal, B.H.Gull on the Flash but another birder spotted a Barnacle Goose in flight along with the Canada Geese ( 3 x Grey Heron by Forge Pond, 1 white Goose and a 4 Mallard).
John Williams said
Tue Jan 22 3:33 AM, 2013
12.30-14.00
All birds were concentrated on the 30% of the mere that was'nt frozen, the North West corner.
Apart from the usual Coot and Black Headed Gulls, 332 Teal, 3 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall and 25 Common Gulls.
Oddly no Shoveler.
2 Kestrels and 1 Buzzard roosting in the North East corner, where 3 Bullfinches were in the Hawthornes.
Alas all the berries have now gone, and with them the thrushes, except for a couple of Redwing.
The newly created winter finch meadow held a mixed flock of around 30 birds, mainly Chaffinches, Reed Buntings and Goldfinches, but a single Greenfinch was with them.
Then a Grey Squirrel ran into the middle of them and scattered the lot.
The Haydn Pool was frozen and lifeless, except for a solitary Woodpigeon.
One look at the former ICI tower revealed it to be teeming with Feral Pigeons, so little point in looking for a roosting Peregrine.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jan 17 6:40 AM, 2013
Checked out the wildbird seed -plant meadow between Neumann's Flash & Haydn Pool today. Despite a Brambling having been there on & off since the turn of the year it didn't show today. There were lots & lots of birds using this resource though. A few Bullfinches showed well and Lesser Redpolls came down on seedheads pretty close, otherwise the main finches feeding were Chaffinches, Greenfinches & Goldfinches. A lot of Reed Buntings were present and several Robins tolerated each other. One of the nicest sightings was 3 Goldcrests together at ground level in a spreading bramble bush. All this passerine activity drew attention from a Buzzard which made a couple of low level passes and a Kestrel which perched behind me & watched over my shoulder - but he left too when he couldn't find the Brambling
John Williams said
Mon Dec 24 1:01 AM, 2012
10.00-12.00
Ashtons Flash
210 Lapwing
Neumanns Flash
130 Teal, 5 Pochard, 9 Mute Swans, 11 Shoveler, 2 Ravens, 1 Song Thrush plus the usual waterfowl and gulls.
Several flocks of Lapwing flying over heading South-West totalling 330 birds.
Haydn Pool
1 Buzzard and 2 Snipe.
Waterlevel high on all pools, Ashtons 70% flooded.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Dec 2 11:00 PM, 2012
This morning 15 Waxwings just behind the Household Waste area on Carey Park, adjacent to the entry road to the car park for Neumann's Flash
Doc Brewster said
Wed Nov 21 10:16 PM, 2012
Highlights today - 2 Waxwings in flight viewed from Ashton's Flash (sighting as forecast 2 posts ago!!!), 2 Tree Sparrows with House Sparrows at Marston Hall Fam & 8 drake Pochard on Neumann's Flash.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 21st of November 2012 10:16:54 PM
Doc Brewster said
Thu Nov 15 2:40 PM, 2012
Still 20 Waxwings at 8.45am in the Tesco, Northwich carpark but a Sparrowhawk flew through & spooked them all about 10mins later and there was no sign again by 10.15am at least. There are fewer berries now on the favoured trees but plenty closer to the store entrance, although disturbance would be high there!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 15th of November 2012 02:40:17 PM
Doc Brewster said
Wed Nov 14 7:53 PM, 2012
Still 18 Waxwings this am in Tesco car park and occasionally flying off to the patch boundary, so any patient patch watcher could tick them from Ashton's Flash!!!
Doc Brewster said
Tue Nov 13 10:49 PM, 2012
Not too far from the flash, but still frustratingly just off patch for us listers - 30 Waxwings yesterday in the Tesco's carpark. Checked this morning & still 13 birds (on the 13th - some sort of omen?!!) in the berry trees by the main entrance road to the store car park. Using my car as a hide I was literally 2m from them Had a report early afternoon that over 20 Waxwings were still present. Very little news from patch other than a Brambling with the Chaffinch flock on 11th Nov around Ashton's Flash
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 13th of November 2012 10:50:36 PM
John Williams said
Sun Nov 11 1:09 PM, 2012
08.45-12.00
Neumanns Flash
130 Teal, 8 Shovelers, 18 Mute Swans, 6 Common Gulls plus lots of Coot, Black Headed Guls etc.
40 Fieldfares with large numbers of Redwings and Blackbirds feeding in the Hawthorne thicket along the North East corner of Neumanns.
Also here 2 Song Thrushes, a single flock of 14 Greenfinches feeding on Sorrel with 2 male Bullfinches and 3 Goldfinches.
A huge Buzzard (female) sat in nearby tree watching the passerines, until a crow decided to chase it away.
1 Common Wasp sat on a fence eating lichen.
Dairyhouse Meadows
1 female Merlin sat on a small tree ( The first time I've seen a Merlin here in the 20yrs I've been visiting), 1 female Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Buzzards.
2 Reed Buntings.
Haydn Pool
6 Stock Doves, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Buzzard
-- Edited by John Williams on Sunday 11th of November 2012 01:11:25 PM
Doc Brewster said
Thu Oct 11 5:01 PM, 2012
Still quiet - yesterdays sightings of note include 12 Wigeon & a Barn Owl in the area.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Oct 3 3:13 AM, 2012
The juvenile Common Tern that fledged on the nearby Marston Fishing Flashes was still over Neumann's Flash today
Doc Brewster said
Tue Oct 2 4:43 AM, 2012
After a really quiet spell a couple of new birds this morning in the shape of a male & female Pintail on the flash. They stayed early morning only but the usual pattern is for these birds to tour local waters & stay in the area. So worth keeping an eye out for them if you're visiting Neumann's, Ashton's or Budworth Mere.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Sep 27 6:01 AM, 2012
2 Garganey found by 'patcher' Greg Baker this morning & still present midday at least. At noon they were at the 'scrapyard hide' end.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Sep 23 3:51 AM, 2012
A quick update on a very quiet spell on 'Patch' at the mo:
Friday 21st - Greenshank on Neumann's Flash.
Saturday 22nd - 15 Buzzards & a Peregrine thermalling over Neumann's Flash at midday.
John Williams said
Sun Sep 2 1:38 AM, 2012
14.00-16.30
Neumanns Flash
407 Lapwing, 85 Curlew, 2 Cormorants plus the usual waterfowl.
Hayden Pool
32 Lapwing and 2 Goldcrests, no sign of Green Sandpipers.
Budworth Mere
76 adult Great Crested Grebes plus 2 half grown youngsters.
Oi Riley - what are you doing finding stuff on my patch while I'm on hols!
Good to see your out and about away from the Eyes for a change.
Little gull showing well early morning & late afternoon.
Drake Garganey on small island in the morning, late afternoon on haydyns pool.
2-3 whitethroats
Few reed warblers around
Never got to hear the grasshopper warbler.
1 oystercatcher
3 common sandpipers
10 curlews flew onto ashtons around 5pm but flew off after 15 mins
Water rail heard
Peregrine falcon over
1 sparrowhawk
Several buzzards overhead
Lots of chiffchaffs & willow warblers
Several blackcaps
Black swan on haydyns pool, also 2 redshank
And 1 dodgy looking blackbird with a white patch on the right side of its neck
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 20th of April 2013 01:29:05 AM
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 19th of April 2013 10:54:46 AM
http://www.northwichwoodlands.org.uk/visitus/explorermainmap.pdf
Thanks
-- Edited by DJG on Tuesday 16th of April 2013 01:25:17 PM
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 14th of April 2013 04:48:25 PM
10 Shoveler & 2 Greylag Geese on Ashtons
4 Swallows on Marston Flashes
Yes at first I get confussed with these two moth species, Large Yellow Underwings are probably the commonest large moth seen in my area.
Whereas, the open birch areas around Neumanns favour Orange Underwings, and they are also day flying making them much easier to record.
I've learned something thanks to Ben's response, I'm chuffed and grateful.
Cheers guys.
I completely mis-read your post and missed the last sentence.
Cheers, John
I've had Orange Underwings in my garden on occasions, they're usually hiding in ivy or other dense foliage. Their bodies seem thicker than most butterflies though.
However, the ones seen around Neumanns were flying 10-15ft above the ground, so there was no way to judge their structure, but they seemed quite delicate and similar in size to Small Copper.
Habitat, season and everything else is spot on for Orange Underwings, so that's a first for 2013 tick, we just need the moth eaters to fly in now and kick start spring.
I think Ben is probably right. Are you confusing Orange Underwing (which is small-ish and emerges from hibernation March/April) with Large Yellow Underwing (Largish, flies later in the year and often hides in Ivy just as you decribe).
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Wednesday 3rd of April 2013 06:53:08 PM
The small brown butterflies will be Orange Underwing moths. Worth looking out for amongst birch trees - the caterpillar's foodplant.
Cheers
Ben
15 Lapwing (The first I've seen on here for quite a while), 1 female Pintail, a pair of Oystercatchers plus the usual waterfowl.
Another of those small brown butterflies, I reported two seen in my last report, was fluttering around the South bank.
None of these insects landed so I was unable to ID them.
According to online data no brown butterflies this small should be flying so early in the year, and with todays icy Easterly blowing definitely not.
It seems likely then that they're a kind of moth that in flight look very much akin to a butterfly, I'd love to know their exact species though?.
Haydn Pool
3 Buzzards, 8 Gadwall, 5 Shovelers plus the usual waterfowl.
With the Buzzard trio soaring over together the prospective Black Headed Gulls looked very agitated, one vented its anxiety out on a Canada Geese, and took several nasty pecks at the tail of the goose.
A large flock of Redwing were feeding in the plantation on the North side, until flushed by a Buzzard.
Sunny but chilly wind, it gave me the flu, hence the late post.
Ashtons Flash
3 Curlew, 4 Common Gulls in the Black Head flock.
Neumanns Flash
2 small brown butterflies around the hide on the south bank, unsure of the species as they did'nt settle, but same size as skipper or Small Copper.
Lots of Winter Gnats dancing near this hide too, so at least the insect eaters have a chance.
22 Mute Swans, 16 Teal and a pair each of Herring and Great Black Backed Gulls. The water level is still high, so no scrape.
Haydn Pool
6 pairs of Black Headed Gulls seem to be settling in, but no sign of hirundines anywhere.
A Buzzard was sat on the Stock Doves, no doubt causing anxiety to the residents, one of whom sat in a nearby tree.
1 Goldcrest near the old screen.
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on the dead tree near the carved bench and barrier on Marbury Lane, it flushed before I could sex it.
At dusk on the way back to the car a Buzzard was very active along the North bank, 2 Greylag Geese came into roost, and Redwings were gathering in the hawthornes.
Also on Ashton's Flash this morning was a pristine adult Yellow-legged Gull which showed well on the water before flying off east showing its gleaming yellow legs in the sun shining weakly through the snow falling all around us
9 Shelduck, 7 Teal (300+ in January), 12 Shoveler plus Tufted Duck, Coot etc.
Haydn Pool
11 Shoveler plus a few Teal, Gadwall, Tufted Duck etc.
A single pair of Lapwings, whilst a pair of Stock Doves seem to be setting up home in an owl box.
A pool on Dairyhouse Meadows held a single Black Swan together with a pair of Mutes.
THe water level on Neumanns is still too high for waders, with no mud exposed, but the Haydn Pool looks good again.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 29th of January 2013 01:27:38 PM
Most of Neumanns is still frozen. Gathered at the Northern end were 266 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 4 Shovelers, 2 Shelducks and a single Mute Swan, plus masses of Coot and Black Headed Gulls.
6 Common Gulls with Black Heads on the ice. 1 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk hunting the South bank, whilst a single male Kestrel hunted the edge of Dairyhouse Meadow.
The area recently seeded for finches did'nt produce a single bird, unlike my last visit.
Haydn Pool was largely devoid of life, except for 3 Stock Doves, 1 of which was displaying.
The big flock of Feral Pigeons on the former ICI tower looked very nervous, but I could'nt see a raptor.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoot2thrillpolicy/sets/72157632286721412/
(I don't mind you downloading the photos for personal use but would appreciate it if you wouldn't publish any) thank you.
-- Edited by Hazel Rothwell on Monday 28th of January 2013 03:13:34 PM
Nothing wrong with it Hazel
All birds were concentrated on the 30% of the mere that was'nt frozen, the North West corner.
Apart from the usual Coot and Black Headed Gulls, 332 Teal, 3 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall and 25 Common Gulls.
Oddly no Shoveler.
2 Kestrels and 1 Buzzard roosting in the North East corner, where 3 Bullfinches were in the Hawthornes.
Alas all the berries have now gone, and with them the thrushes, except for a couple of Redwing.
The newly created winter finch meadow held a mixed flock of around 30 birds, mainly Chaffinches, Reed Buntings and Goldfinches, but a single Greenfinch was with them.
Then a Grey Squirrel ran into the middle of them and scattered the lot.
The Haydn Pool was frozen and lifeless, except for a solitary Woodpigeon.
One look at the former ICI tower revealed it to be teeming with Feral Pigeons, so little point in looking for a roosting Peregrine.
Ashtons Flash
210 Lapwing
Neumanns Flash
130 Teal, 5 Pochard, 9 Mute Swans, 11 Shoveler, 2 Ravens, 1 Song Thrush plus the usual waterfowl and gulls.
Several flocks of Lapwing flying over heading South-West totalling 330 birds.
Haydn Pool
1 Buzzard and 2 Snipe.
Waterlevel high on all pools, Ashtons 70% flooded.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 21st of November 2012 10:16:54 PM
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 15th of November 2012 02:40:17 PM
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 13th of November 2012 10:50:36 PM
Neumanns Flash
130 Teal, 8 Shovelers, 18 Mute Swans, 6 Common Gulls plus lots of Coot, Black Headed Guls etc.
40 Fieldfares with large numbers of Redwings and Blackbirds feeding in the Hawthorne thicket along the North East corner of Neumanns.
Also here 2 Song Thrushes, a single flock of 14 Greenfinches feeding on Sorrel with 2 male Bullfinches and 3 Goldfinches.
A huge Buzzard (female) sat in nearby tree watching the passerines, until a crow decided to chase it away.
1 Common Wasp sat on a fence eating lichen.
Dairyhouse Meadows
1 female Merlin sat on a small tree ( The first time I've seen a Merlin here in the 20yrs I've been visiting), 1 female Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Buzzards.
2 Reed Buntings.
Haydn Pool
6 Stock Doves, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Buzzard
-- Edited by John Williams on Sunday 11th of November 2012 01:11:25 PM
Friday 21st - Greenshank on Neumann's Flash.
Saturday 22nd - 15 Buzzards & a Peregrine thermalling over Neumann's Flash at midday.
Neumanns Flash
407 Lapwing, 85 Curlew, 2 Cormorants plus the usual waterfowl.
Hayden Pool
32 Lapwing and 2 Goldcrests, no sign of Green Sandpipers.
Budworth Mere
76 adult Great Crested Grebes plus 2 half grown youngsters.