Had a couple of hours down this morning and it paid off.

I found a cracking drake Common Scoter on Sandiway Big Pool, out amongst the hundreds of Coots it could easily have been overlooked, but its bill shone bright yellow in the sunshine. I got a few record shots but nothing great, still it proved that it was there The female Smew and the first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard wetre on Big Pool too, as well as a pair of Pochards, five Teal, a female Goldeneye and at least 20 Goosanders (1 drake) mainly on Small Pool but with 2 redheads on Big Pool. So a real mix of wildfowl.

Siskins, Fieldfares, Redwings, a Goldcrest, a Green Woodpecker and a Stock Dove were all seen too. So a good mix of species in a quite short visit.

vern wrote:

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Friday morning at 0749 saw thousands of common starlings rising from big pool and flying south towards Abbots Moss. Has anybody seen an evening murmuration here?

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 Always tend to be there am Vern, so not seen that myself. I have been there early am though and never seen that. But before yesterday I had never seen 100 Lapwings over either, so very interesting & will check it out!

Friday morning at 0749 saw thousands of common starlings rising from big pool and flying south towards Abbots Moss. Has anybody seen an evening murmuration here?

Just a quick 2 hour walk this morning before work, a lot warmer with no ice on puddles or the water. Nice to bump into local Cheshire birder, Luke, and show him around a little, he's an avid reader of these forums too 

The female Smew and first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard were still on Sandiway Big Pool, but the Smew disappeared into deep cover as we watched. Also on the pool were four Pochards including two drakes (yes 1 extra when I found them, Luke, thanks for the info!). On Small Pool I had a record cound of 28 Goosanders including 1 adult drake. In the distance over the pool Luke spotted a flock of Lapwings, numbering 100 this too was a record count. The Grey Heron from yesterday was still fishing Small Pool's margins. Redwings and a Fieldfare were again seen. A Green Woodpecker was heard.

Another extended morning walk just to get the December sightings started!

The female Smew and the first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard were both still on sandiway Big Pool. Also on here was a female Goldeneye and over 150 Wigeon, 90 Gadwall and 100 Tufted Ducks. Over on Sandiway Small Pool the Goosander count was 25 including one drake. A Grey Heron fished the shallows, a site scarcity that posed really well for photos. Redwings were still numerous and Siskins showed at a few locations, it seems a good period for them at the moment. A single Goldcrest was predictably in the pines. A Raven flew over cronking and six Stock Doves wheeled around the arable fields in the winter sunshine.

Having a half day at work today meant that I could go and 'do' a morning on patch. All puddles were iced ap as well as part of Sandiway Small Pool, the first time for this, this winter.

The female Smew and the first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard were still present on Big Pool and the Goosander count on Small Pool was 22, including 2 drakes. A Grey Heron flew up from an icy flooded field, I still see very few here so a good record. A Green Woodpecker showed well on Abbots Moss. 10 Siskins were near Small Pool. Nothing else out of the ordinary was seen.

Down this morning and the usual female Smew and first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard both in the NW corner of Sandiway Big Pool. On Small Pool there were 27 Goosanders present including one drake, a new site high count. A noteworthy sighting was of 40 Skylarks flying over the W.side of Big Pool & on over the arable fields in this area. A single Herring Gull flew over. Redwings and Fieldfares were again present.

Nearby at Fowxist Green a Tawny Owl was heard mid afternoon and a Sparrowhawk was seen.

Another morning visit in cold, sunshiney conditions, with iced-up puddles & frost on the grass.

The obvious headline birds were the female Smew and the first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard, both still present on Big Pool. But the additional highlight was a fabulous flotilla of 26 Goosanders on Small Pool, including 2 adult drakes. Two drake Pochard were on Big Pool as well as 10 Cormorants (my high count here). A Kingfisher was also on Big Pool, but not scoped so I don't know whether it was a different bird to the one on Small Pool on Tuesday. Four Siskins, a Lesser Redpoll and two Reed Buntings were the passerine highlights.

Been ill with a horrid cold (don't do man flu!) and working so first time back fro a proper walk for over a week!

A few highlights, the long-staying female Smew and first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard were still on Sandiway Big Pool, the latter still changing fast into adult plumage but still showing obvious signs of immaturity! On Sandiway Small Pool a fantastic flock of 18 Goosanders, with one adult drake amongst them, not my first this autumn/winter but a cracking sight nonetheless. A single drake Pochard was on Big Pool as well as one Shoveler. A male Kingfisher was seen and photographed on Small Pool, always a welcome sight.

Over 30 Redwings and 15 Fieldfares around site as well as a few Mistle Thrushes. A couple of Siskins were seen and 6 Meadow Pipits were noteworthy over on the mosslands.

Another wintery morning down on my patch, very wet after recent rain, if anyone is visiting then wellies make it much easier to not have to look where you are going!

The first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard was showing well on Sandiway Big Pool and the female Smew was still there but very elusive. Gadwall numbers were high with over 80 birds estimated.The drake Pochard found yesterday was still on Small Pool. Another sighting of a Grey Wagtail on Big Pool which I was very pleased about. This was on the 'Beach Peg', just a reminder, this is now fenced off and there is strictly no access onto it so please do not go past the gate/fence. There is a disused peg down the slope about 75m past this peg from which the pool can be viewed. please use this. After the problems at the Great Grey Shrike with landowners, which I doubt involved members of this forum, I hope that GM Forum members will also respect the landowners at Newchurch Common, namely Warrington Anglers Association.

It was a very 'finchy' day with both Siskins and Redpolls found feeding in alders, Linnets by the arable fields and the usual Bullfinches, Chaffinches and lots of Goldfinches around site. Lots of Redwings were around but only a single Fieldfare, and in addition a Mistle Thrush and a couple of Song Thrushes. A Goldcrest was again seen. The first Green Woodpecker for a number of visits was on garden lawns on the north side of patch.

Just a pop on to check the pools, what with so many Long-tailed Ducks about across the north of England and with Common Scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers at nearby Oakmere Sand Quarry this weekend.

The female Smew and 1w drake Red-crested Pochard were again present on Sandiway Big Pool and a drake Pochard was on Small Pool. This latter bird being my first of this species for this autumn. Shoveler, Wigeon, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks were all also present. A small flock of Siskins flew over and Fieldfares were seen.

A cracking sunny morning today on patch.

I met three folk down to see the Red-crested Pochard which didn't disappoint, being present still and showing well. The female Smew was also on Sandiway Big Pool but as usual was proving elusive, I saw it well but one of the other guys didn't see it at all. But for me the best bird on Big Pool was a patch lifer in the shape of a female Pintail. Also on was the first Goosander of the autumn, a female. Both these ducks headed off for cover near the island so that when I returned with my digiscoping kit they were nowhere to be seen - typical! Another major patch rarity was a Grey Wagtail that I found whilst scoping the far bank of Big Pool,a real surprise!

Two Common Snipe were showing well in the sun on Big Pool and a Kingfisher was on here too. Nine Stock Doves fed in an arable field to the north of the pool. Other usuals were around like Goldcrest, Bullfinch and Redwing. At least 150 Tufted Ducks were on the pools and over 120 Wigeon, wildfowl numbers are building up nicely.

On the morning walk today:

The female Smew was still present as was the Red-crested Pochard. The latter is changinf plumage fast & growing up into a young drake, his head going quite red and breast starting to turn black (see attached pic) Other ducks were in good numbers, the stars being 5-8 Goldeneye, including one stunning drake. Five were on Sandiway Big Pool but flighty and then later 3 female-types were on Small Pool but could have been part of the original 5 (hence 5-8!!). Over 100 Wigeon and over 100 Tufted Ducks were on too plus over 80 Gadwall, also 2 Teal and a Shoveler were seen. Two Snipe were in a secluded area on Big Pool and out feeding, the first time I have watched them do this, hopes now of more or even a Jack Snipe

Passerines included 6 Goldcrests in one loose winter feeding flock along with Great and Blue Tits. Fieldfare and Redwing were again seen.

Very wintery today, the coldest it's been this end of the year so far, but a bit nicer when watery sunshine broke through the clouds!

The female Smew and the first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard again graced Sandiway Big Pool. The former being extremely elusive under overhanging bankside vegetation. The latter was feeding voraciously, diving and surfacing with huge beakfuls of water weed! Other ducks included 6 Teal, one drake showing a white diagonal mark up the breast side when we first scoped the group, giving hopes of a Green-winged Teal or hybrid. But when we got closer it was a group of feathers out of place showing the plumage underneath and later after a good shake these lay flat again and it was a bog standard Common Teal!! All other ducks were as expected. One Common Snipe was on Big Pool too and was photographed just to show how its cryptic plumage almost made it invisible!

Around 20 Fieldfares showed really well once the sun came out and a Goldcrest and several Coal Tits were in the Pine Belt. The Finch Hedge lived up to its name being full of Goldfinches and a single Siskin. A Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Stock Dove flew over, both not recorded on every walk.

Back again this am in dreary weather again.

The female Smew was on the west side of Sandiway Big Pool and the first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard was on the east side of the same water. Four Teal, eight Shoveler and lots of Wigeon, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks were also on here. Two Common Snipe flew up from near the island and six Siskins flew over me by Big Pool. Over 40 Fieldfares were seen as well as 15+Redwings.

Felt like winter today, but still a good morning on patch.

The female Smew and first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard were both still on Sandiway Big Pool, the former in the top NW corner and the latter near the island on the east side of the lake, a different area from the usual haunt. Other notable sightings were a November Chiffchaff on the edge of the mosslands, my latest ever here, an over-winterer perhaps? Two Skylarks flew over calling north of Big Pool. Twelve Siskins fed in alders with a few Goldfinches near Small Pool. Two Common Snipe were on Abbots Moss. Eight Linnets were near Shemmy Moss on the nursery fields. A Sparrowhawk flew over, as did a Goldcrest! Otherwise pretty much as normal.

A cracking morning on patch, even though the misty, murky start didn't burn off for quite a while.

The most noteworthy bird was a first-winter Mediterranean Gull over Sandiway Big Pool, not a lifer here, but my first of the year. The female Smew was present and showed really well out on Big Pool, feeding in the Tufted Duck Flock. Also loosely associated with this flock were at least two Goldeneye, the first of this autumn/winter (could have been 3 according to birding pal Mark Jarrett who was also on today). The first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard was again on Big Pool in its usual NE corner. Another 'rare' bird here was seen in the farm fields to the north in the shape of a Greenfinch, on wires with 4 Mistle Thrushes. Fieldfares & Redwings were still present and a few Stock Doves were seen. Duck numbers were still high with over 15 Gadwall, over 20 Shoveler and over 30 Wigeon. Two Greylag Geese were still in the Canada Goose flock.

Late post - for yesterday (Sunday) morning:

The first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard was still on Sandiway Big Pool in the NE corner. Had a word with a fisherman who said that he'd seen a guy with optics enter one of the fenced off fishing pegs, probably to view this bird. Please do not enter areas that are labelled as Private, it will endanger my future access and if it continues I will have to stop reporting any scarcer finds on my patch. This includes the 'Beach Peg' which is now private but is where many birders will have viewed the Smew from in past years. Thanks.

Fieldfares still present and large numbers of Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler still on Big Pool. Interestingly a new juvenile Mute Swan on Big Pool in addition to the resident pair plus 2 young. As expected the resident Cob was not a happy bunny!!

A very autumnal morning with a few good sightings for the area.

A Kingfisher was seen on Sandiway Big Pool but no sign of the Red-crested Pochard. Lots of ducks with now over 20 Gadwall and 30 Wigeon as well as Shoveler and a couple of Teal including a nice drake. Cormorants had increased to 3 on Big Pool too. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers still too and a Goldcrest. At least 6 Bullfinches showed well in Finch Hedge, always a lovely sight

A very good morning for sheer numbers, both of birds and species

The main news was that the 1w drake Red-crested Pochard was back on Sandiway Big Pool, in the NE corner tucked away. Tufted Ducks numbered over 100, and there were also 26 Wigeon and 12 Shoveler on Big Pool, and unusually 4 Teal on Small Pool. Two Cormorants were flying around too.

Ten Siskins were on alders near Big Pool. Four Meadow Pipits fed on field near the mosslands and a Skylark flew over calling. Fieldfares and Redwings were also seen. A Lapwing flying over was my first since the breeding season. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were again seen with several of the former species calling in different locations around the patch.

A quiet morning, notable for many wandering tit flocks whcih included Great, Blue, Coal & Long-tailed Tits as well as several Goldcrests. Love these little crests, never tire of seeing them but just wish one could be a Firecrest or a Yellow-browed Warbler one day! No Red-crested Pochard today but still lots of Wigeon and Tufted Ducks. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was on Big Pool along with a couple of Common Gulls in the Black-headed Gull flock.

Back again this morning and much the same other than one small exception - the first winter drake Red-crested Pochard is back on Sandiway Big Pool. As usual it is on the north side. I have checked the pool really well in between the last sighting and this one so reckon it has been elsewhere and not just hiding! Otherwise very quiet, more leaves off the trees so even more autumnal!

A morning visit yesterady felt more autumnal than of late. Highlight were 30 Fieldfares showing well in the hazy sunshine on a rowan on the mosslands, only about 5 Redwings were seen. Also on the mosslands 3 Siskins feeding on an alder, a nice sight too. Close by a Goldcrest was in a small sapling, oh for it to have been a Yellow-browed Warbler!! Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler were still on Big Pool along with a lone Cormorant, another sign of winter coming as they are resident during the colder months. A sort of surprise was a Chiffchaff feeding in finch hedge, I know they over-winter and the summer visitors haven't al gone in the UK yet, but - this is my latest on this patch.

Popped down this morning between the early morning rain and this afternoons rain in my area. Got away with a mostly fine visit with a few brief showers.

Another pretty uneventful visit but wildfowl numbers were up again, without the return of the Smew though. Over 100 Tufted Ducks were on the two pools. On Big Pool there were 22 Wigeon, 6 Shovelers, two Gadwall and a Greylag Goose in with the Canadas. A Stock Dove was over the mosses and two Rooks were here too, both less common than other stuff on the patch! About 40 Redwings wheeled over this area too as well as a Mistle Thrush.

Made two visits either side of my Siberian Accentor twitch!

Neither was very noteworthy, but a couple of points of interest. On Thursday 13th October I recorded my first Fieldfare of this winter, with just one. Still lots of Redwings though. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was on Big Pool and Wigeon and Gadwall were seen.

Today (16th) Much of the same but with an increase in large gulls on big pool, at a distance with binoculars they seemed all to be Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Six Shovelers were present too. A Skylark was again in song near the mosslands and two Meadow Pipits flew over here.

Down again this morning but the sunny forecast never materialised, in fact it rained when I got back home!

The Red-crested Pochard was nowhere to be seen, I checked both pools, all shores, and scoped every bay, I even checked one of the private pools nearby, no sign. So a five day stay, unless it returns, no sign of the Smew either. 16 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler and two pairs of Gadwall were on Big Pool along with large numbers of Tufted Ducks and unusually six Mute Swans. This comprised the resident pair plus 2 cygnets and a visiting pair, which caused a bit of agro as it does with Mute Swans!

Over 100 Redwings were seen flying about the site, probably an under-estimate actually. A large female Sparrowhawk spooked a large flock of them on Abbots Moss. The usual Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were present too in what was a quieter than usual walk.

They're all like that Curt! Every one I've ever seen in the UK that is!

The first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard was still on the north side of Sandiway Big Pool this afternoon. There had been a large arrival of Wigeon, with 29 birds on Big Pool, 4 Shovelers were on here too. Two Common Gulls were also on the same pool with many Black-headed Gulls. A Green Woodpecker was near the horse paddocks on Novia Scotia Lane.

Fabulous day out on patch with 3 other birders/wildlifers, unusual to have company but made for a brilliant day for us all

The first-winter drake Red-crested Pochard was still on Sandiway Big Pool, still favouring the north shore. A quick scan revealed 3 female Shovelers, 2 Cormorants and the original Mute Swan pair with 2 cygnets, back as the only swans on the pool! A Common Gull was still on too. Flocks of Redwings, albeit fewer than yesterday, were seen around the site. Passerine sightings were good with Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Coal Tit all seen in woodland areas. A Skylark was in song, unusual, and a Chiffchaff was calling. A Siskin was heard only, the first for this year-end, and a Goldcrest was found again in pines. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were both on patch and again a Stock Dove was seen.

Again over 40 species and a great walk, ending at the Whitegate Station Cafe for beans on toast followed by homemade cake & hot chocolate

Back again today at the request of a mate who wanted an update on the Red-crested Pochard! As well as him I met two other birders who I knew, as they parked, and they too had come to see my new duck!

We headed over to the north side of Sandiway Big Pool and I relocated the Red-crested Pochard close to the shore, diving and feeding well as it was yesterday. My friends took some video and their first target was achieved. We scanned the pool but no Smew, but there were still several Wigeon, Shoveler, at least 3 Gadwall and a couple of Little Grebes. One surprise was a Mute Swan that flew in with four well grown cygnets. This was a new swan that I hadn't seen on the pool previously, and my pair were nowhere to be seen, strange. I also picked up a few Redwings at a distance, later on I found around 50 birds feeding on berries near Small Pool. Even more were flying over in groups on the mosses, so at last they have arrived back with me! Also on Shemmy Moss I had a Kestrel and whilst watching that a lone Swallow moved through. Another touch of summer was a Chiffchaff calling on Shemmy Moss. A Common Snipe was again on the mosses and four Stock Doves were in fields nearby.

Other noteworthy sightings were a Collared Dove on Dairy Farm, a rarity on patch. Also two Goldcrests in the Pine Belt and a Reed Bunting that tried to 'land' on Big Pool, maybe the reflection fooled it? Birds are once again dominating my walks and over 50 species were seen on my two mornings this week, it's also nice that birders are twitching the patch again, and for another duck, this time the Red-crested Pochard

Spent the morning down at Newchurch rather than go to the East Coast, well there's a chance I'd find something of my own!

The feel was very Autumnal and the overall number of bird species was up. The stars were two ducks, firstly, the female Smew again on Sandiway Big Pool, right in the middle and not easy to find without a scope. Then a new species for the Patch, Red-crested Pochard!! This bird was feeding along the north shore of Big Pool, on its own, diving frequently for weed and feeding well. The colouration was pretty washed out, probably a leucistic individual (common in this species) and from the bare part colouration it was probably a first-winter drake. The bill was bright red as in drakes but had a dark nail and dark mid upper-surface to the upper mandible. A first-winter bird, given the huge influx from the east into the UK gives it the best credentials BUT I have no doubt that its origins are from closer to home, even if it is a wild bred UK bird, which it could be, from a feral population. In addition my highest counts this year-end of 12 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler and 5 Little Grebes made it an interesting visit. A single drake Gadwall was present too. A Cormorant was back, my first for ages and 2 Common Gulls were on the pool too. Also, Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over, all very autumn/winter like!

A Green Woodpecker was heard only. A Sparrowhawk and a few Buzzards were seen. Several Bullfinches were in Finch Hedge and Goldfinches were all over the site in good numbers.

Low res piccy of the Red-crested Pochard attached:

No sign of the Smew on todays visit but a rarer vistor to the patch in the shape of a Common Snipe which flushed from the mossland on the S.of my recording area. Otherwise nothing of note. Lots of Buzzards up in the sunshine. Reduced numbers of Canada Geese but just as many Tufted Ducks.

Down to Newchurch today for a prolonged visit. This was rewarded immediately by refinding the female Smew again (record shot attached just to show that she really is there!! low file size as per usual to allow rapid opening of attachment!). Before seeing her I was checking out Sandiway Big Pool and noticed 4(1 drake) Teal and 5(4 drake) Gadwall as well as the 3(1 drake) Shoveler. Definitely some wildfowl movement so I was encouraged and carried on searching. This time the female Smew was out on the water rather than tucked away in cover as she was when I found her on 13th of this month. She was in West Bay with Tufted Ducks and spent most of the time with her head tucked on her back. But when a fisherman arrived at the closest peg to the flock they headed pretty swiftly up to the NW corner of the pool and all started feeding. A Common Gull was still on the pool and Lesser-black Backed and Herring Gull were both recorded flying over on my walk round. Two Little Grebes were on Big Pool too, all of these sightings making the patch feel more like winter again! A Sparrowhawk and a few Buzzards were also seen.

A morning visit was made, first in the rain which then cleared.

A Kingfisher was at Sandiway Big Lake as well as three Wigeon and a bathing immature Herring Gull, not usually a species I get 'down' on the water here. A Common Gull was also with the gulls. A Little Grebe was back on Big Pool where they winter in reasonable numbers. A large number of Goldfinches twittered away in Finch Hedge with at least 12 seen flying about, a few Chaffinches were in there with them too.

Not been on the pc much of late so sorry that this is a late posting for Friday 23rd September.

A very autumnal feel to the day with early morning temperatures well down and watery sunshine struggling to heat up the air. Winter wildfowl arrivals continued with three Shovelers on Sandiway Big Pool, 1 male and 2 females. A pair of Wigeon was present with the drake 'whistling', great to hear this again after such a long time. Two Swallows a few Sand Martins and a couple of Chiffchaffs still hung on from my summer visitors though. Jay numbers were up with many now raiding the oaks for acorns. In fact all my six corvid species were seen with a Raven over Abbots Moss being the most unusual. A Skylark was in fields by Shemmy Moss and five Reed Buntings were in arable fields north of Big Pool. Three Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over as did a Stock Dove. A couple of Green Woodpeckers were noted. Amongst the 300 Canada Geese was a huge white farmyard Goose, I hope that they can attract soemthing more interesting in, in future!!

Again no Smew today but a nice little visit in todays sunshine.

Site scarcities included a flyover Grey Heron and a Kestrel which was mobbed constantly by 2 Carrion Crows. A Green Woodpecker showed really well on the fence of the empty paddock near the entrance. Canada Goose numbers were still over 250 and Tufted Ducks over 80.

A short visit again yesterday (16th) but no sign of the Smew, she is usually very mobile when she first arrives and so could be on any of the numerous private pools in the area. The Tufted Duck flock was up over 80 birds and the Canada Geese still numbered over 250. Two immature Common Gulls were with large numbers of Black-headed gulls in the horse paddocks as were family parties of Pied Wagtails, the youngsters not to be confused with White Wagtails!! 50 Rooks flew over Shemmy Moss, easily my highest patch count ever.

Spent the morning at Newchurch and despite it being warm & sunny it was 'winter' birds that were the highlights!

I found the female Smew again on her return after being away all summer, her return fitting in with a big increase in wildfowl numbers. She was lurking in cover on Sandiway Big Pool, and was incredibly elusive, anyone wanting to see her sould probably wait until she is showing better later in her stay. My first Wigeon of this year end was a female on Big Pool where at least one drake Gadwall was still present. There were at least 50 Tufted Ducks now on this pool with a couple on Small Pool too. Bog Pool still hosted the huge flock of over 250 Canada Geese which now contains 2 Greylag Geese. The Mute Swan pair plus one of their young seen happy to feed amongst this flock too, the other cygnet still being on its own on Small Pool. An adult Common Gull was again amongst the Black-headed Gulls on Big Pool.

Bullfinches were in Finch Hedge and Green Woodpeckers called from two widely spaced locations.

If anyone is visiting please be aware that Warrington Anglers who own the site are now stating that public footpaths only must be used by non-members. This does mean that Big Pool is near impossible to view, but by being sensible & courteous I think that the anglers will be OK again for us to view from near their pegs. If asked to leave though then please do as it is their right to do so. Chatting to them it seems like it is an effort to stop dog owners from using the pools as a swimming area for their pets rather than other lessintrusive visitors to the pools

An even shorter visit today, but hope to do some longer walks in the week. Plenty of Green Woodpecker activity with at least 3 yaffling birds. Lots of Buzzards up in the sunny weather & again lots of calling Nuthatches.

Headed down for a short morning walk today and there were a few noteworthy sightings.

A Greenfinch, a site rarity, was seen at 'Finch Hedge' appropriately! On Sandiway Big Pool the highest ever count of Canada Geese was made with an amazing 250+ birds down on the water. Unfortunately they hadn't brought anything more interesting in with them. Two pairs of Gadwall were now on the pool and at least 30 Tufted Ducks. Many roving tit flocks were seen around the patch with at least 2 Treecreepers, 3 Goldcrests, a Nuthatch and 3 Chiffchaffs in with them. The 2 Tufted Duck young were still with their mother, the young looking very well grown now and a young Little Grebe was on the same pool as them. Ornithological interest is increasing as invertebrate sightings decrease

Another walk this morning, very warm but overcast, and a shorter circuit than normal.

The main thing of note was the presence of a pair of Gadwall on Sandiway Big Pool, this along with over 40 Tufted Ducks could mean that the autumn/winter wildfowl are returning. Time to keep an eye out for the Smew methinks Numbers of Canada Geese were up too and two cygnets were seen, being big enough to probably survive now. Three young Great Crested Grebes were seen with two pairs of adults, so at least a few have survived, more than I thought would given the terrapin problem. A Little Grebe was back on Big Pool too, this species having over-summered on a private pool rather than Big Pool.

After a lengthy absence due to my Cornish Holiday, at the first opportunity I headed back down to Newchurch Common today!

A short walk produced a patch lifer, so can't complain! I first noticed around 80 Corvids and 100 Wood Pigeons take to the air in panic north of Sandiway Big Pool, and then on scanning above them I picked up a Peregrine moving at breakneck speed above them. It dived down behind the trees picking up speed all the time and headed out of sight, so I never knew the outcome of its final dive. A great bird to add on my return

Otherwise, the Tufted Duck numbers were up around 40, at least one cygnet still survived, as did a well grown Great Crested Grebe young. Chiffchaffs were heard, a Jay was seen and Buzzards mewed and flew overhead. Otherwise relatively quiet, but that Peregrine made my day

Had another walk in the sun today, can't miss out on this glorious weather!

The Tufted Duck female still had her brood of three downy ducklings with her, I have fingers crossed for them now. A Green Woodpecker was on a dead tree on the mosses and another yaffled near the pools. For the first time in ages several Robins were back in song!

Two more days off in succession so because it's so quiet I have combined them.

The most noteworthy bird sighting was of a brood of Tufted Ducks on one of the pools on patch. A female bird was seen with three downy ducklings in attendance, an expected breeding record but nice to have confirmation of it now. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were again very much in evidence. A couple of Blackcaps were seen, my first in a while, although they were silent. The only calling warblers now seem to be Chiffchaffs. Parties of Long-tailed Tits are being seen quite often now as are the juvenile Buzzards.