A quick summary of my Tuesday walks around Newchurch Common!
As already mentioned there was no sign of the female Common Scoter anywhere on site, good news I hope, in that she managed to continue her journey on & ultimately make it back out to sea or to her breeding grounds, maybe to the Flow Country which I visited a few years ago and saw Common Scoters breeding, but now I'm being fanciful
Four Redpolls were in Finch Hedge and 6 Siskins fed together in alders on the west side of Big Pool. Still plenty of Willow Warblers with possibly a few more arrivals. A first for me for the site was a single House Martin in the flock of about 60 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows, all over Big Pool bar one Swallow over Small Pool. A proper count of Tufted Ducks rather than an estimate revealed 31 birds still present. One adult Common Gull was seen over Big Pool too as well as one Rook! Otherwise the usual mix of species on site.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 5 5:48 PM, 2016
No sign of the Common Scoter in two visits today, checking both pools both times. Just posting for info first. Full report to follow
Doc Brewster said
Mon Apr 4 2:26 PM, 2016
A fine morning after the rain overnight cleared and a rare Monday off work, so off down to Newchurch Common again.
My usual route doesn't take in Sandiway Big Pool until later, but when I got there the female Common Scoter was still on the pool, happily fishing and showing really well in the warm sunshine. The Tufted Duck numbers were definitely down on yesteday with maybe ony 20 birds now. Along the west side of Big Pool there was a small fall of Willow Warblers with at least 5 birds seen or heard and probably many more present, joining the now large numbers of Chiffchaffs across the site.
A Green Woodpecker flying over the empty paddocks was one of the first birds seen with others heard, suggesting at least 3 territories here. A Pair of Coal Tits was by the main track and Bullfinches were in several places on site. A male Reed Bunting was seen and heard singing on the west side of Big Pool.
It felt very springlike today but with recent rain & muck-spreading the main track is very muddy, so a tip is wellies still, just for now
Doc Brewster said
Sun Apr 3 3:05 PM, 2016
Down again all morning and the female Common Scoter was there all the time that we were, still favouring the very middle of Sandiway Big Pool, no matter which shore we went to we never got any closer!
Another first for the year, both at Newchurch and for my 2016 UK List amazingly in the shape of a male Blackcap, up near the Fishermen's car park for the spit pegs. A Skylark sang over the arable fields to the north and five Linnets were still there as well as a male Reed Bunting again. One or two Lesser Redpolls were still in Finch Hedge and a Treecreeper showed well in the Pine Belt. Just a single Swallow was seen in the way of hirundines but again double figure numbers of Buzzards were up.
On the pools, as well as the scoter, there were 40 Tufted Ducks and then the usual array of species, with many birds already nesting. Nothing in the paddocks or ploughed fields in the way of migrants unfortunately, still time though. As a new patch I really don't know what moves through here, if anything! Time will tell, I have everything crossed
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 3rd of April 2016 03:06:36 PM
As pre-posted below, a red letter day on my patch today with the discovery of a female Common Scoter on Sandiway Big Pool. Looking across the pool from the spit with bins I noticed a nondescript duck but the shape gave it away and I directed Carys onto it saying "I've got a Common Scoter"!! She nipped back to the car whilst I stayed on it & reported it out on the pager and when she returned with my scope I was able to digiscope it and get record pictures. The bird was active most of the time, diving for long periods and always staying distant. At times Sand Martins and Swallows whizzed over its head, up to 80 of the former and 3 of the latter. All three species mentioned were new for 2016 for me at Newchurch Common and the scoter was a patch lifer
Chiffchaffs are now into double figures, seemingly singing at every turn we took. Other good sightings included three male Reed Buntings on the north side, a Rook over the pool, up to 12 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk thermalling. Three Lesser Redpolls and at least six Bullfinches were still in Finch Hedge. 12 Linnets were seen in the arable fields, the males now in breeding plumage. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were still around but no Gadwall, Wigeon, Goosander or Cormorants. The site is beginning to have a very different feel now. Spring is here, the Smew is gone but a Common Scoter as a temporary replacement will do very nicely
A distant record digiscoped shot is attached!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 2nd of April 2016 11:06:17 PM
Just in case anyone hasn't seen and in case you want to nip down to see it, on my first visit back after being away over Easter I found a female Common Scoter this afternoon. She was in the middle of Sandiway Big Lake feeding actively. A full report on todays visit will follow but wanted the news out on here so that there was daylight left today
Doc Brewster said
Tue Mar 22 5:29 PM, 2016
Another visit, which this time was noteworthy for what wasn't seen, rather than what was
Starting at Sandiway Small Pool and then moving over to Big Pool the over-riding feeling was a lack of ducks. True there were over 40 Tufted Ducks still present, mostly on Big Pool but no female Smew, no Gadwall, no Wigeon and no Cormorants (I know it's not a duck but..... !!!), all a massive change from only a week ago. Still harking back to winter though were 100+Fieldfares and 30+Redwings, mainly on the north and west sides of my recording area, a few Linnets were still with the Fieldfares too. Even the Green Woodpeckers were a bit quieter today. Lots of Buzzards across site and a Sparrowhawk flying low over Big Pool, hopefully not looking for Kingfishers Most unusual sighting was a pair of Coal Tits which I see infrequently here, which helped me struggle up to the 40 species mark again
Doc Brewster said
Mon Mar 21 10:26 AM, 2016
Just an addendum to the previous post. I hadn't seen the Kingfisher on Sandiway Small Pool on my last two visits but that's not unusual. Yesterday though I discovered the sad location of a bird kill, on a mossy fallen tree trunk. The feathers were a tell tale blue, sometimes electric blue, and orange breast feathers, a Kingfisher
I photographed them in situ and then collected some but so far haven't examined them closely to determine as to whether this was a mammal or avian kill. No part of the bird was left, only a few feathers, and the location (quite high) looked like a plucking post so I suspect Sparrowhawk. Given the speed of Kingfishers this is 'some' kill for the hawk, and shows just what exceptional hunters they are. I know it is the natural order of things but sometimes the prey species makes you a wee bit sad, very much so in this case.
Down a wee bit later yesterday for a mooch in the sunshine, a nip in the air but getting drier underfoot with every sunny day that goes by. As an old Sand Quarry site the drainage is good and the paths dry out very quickly given the chance
Again a Smew-less day but the over-riding feature was the number of fishermen present, the place was jammed!! But they do own the lakes & the land so it is due to their tolerance that we are allowed on at all Possibly as a result of all the activity no Gadwall were seen either, almost certainly skulking out of the way, both species will probably reappear this week in the week. Pretty much as per the norm on patch with stunning views of Treecreeper in the sun and Goldcrest showing well too. The Fieldfare flock is still around, at least 80 birds were in stubble fields near the pine belt with about 30 Redwings also. As everyone keeps saying the Green Woodpeckers were yet again easy to catch up with, just follow the yaffle! A big female Sparrowhawk was up thermalling with a Buzzard too.
I have now written the first two months of the Annual Wildlife Report for the site, this will be ready early in 2017 and available at Focalpoint Optics shop unit I hope
Geoff Walton said
Sat Mar 19 5:25 PM, 2016
sid ashton wrote:
Doc Brewster wrote:
Good to meet up with many familiar faces on patch, good to chat again Sid, but so so sorry that the Smew did one of its no show days today for all concerned. Despite that it was a 50 species day for me with several good birds.
Not to worry Paul it wouldn't have been the first Smew I had seen. Enjoyed your patch and the lunch at Whitegate Station Cafe was excellent, thanks for the tip
Sorry to miss you Sid. You must have been asleep in the Cafe after your lunch , as "we four" were there as well for the first time. No Smew either for us.
It's the first time I have been"evicted" by a fisherman who was setting up for THREE days!. We had just finished eating so, not so bad.
It is a nice patch, I am sure we will go again. I saw the Green Woodpecker fly off, and if I had been taller, would have seen it over the fence on the garden path like the others!! I will have to wait for tomorrow to get the report on how may species we(or rather our lead birder saw).- but we had fine views of Redwing, and a Goldcrest as well.
Regards
Geoff
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 18 9:55 PM, 2016
I know you'll have seen lots, Sid, and even this one before but when I see her so often it's frustrating when she doesn't show to visitors! She is definitely getting more flighty and less reliable of recent days. I even popped back late afternoon just in case she returned to either pool but again no sign. I did see Collared Doves mating on a farm barn roof though! As a scarcer bird on this patch that does mean an increase in population soon
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 18th of March 2016 09:55:48 PM
sid ashton said
Fri Mar 18 8:39 PM, 2016
Doc Brewster wrote:
Good to meet up with many familiar faces on patch, good to chat again Sid, but so so sorry that the Smew did one of its no show days today for all concerned. Despite that it was a 50 species day for me with several good birds.
Not to worry Paul it wouldn't have been the first Smew I had seen. Enjoyed your patch and the lunch at Whitegate Station Cafe was excellent, thanks for the tip
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 18 8:25 PM, 2016
Another dry day, albeit a lot colder & cloudier, but still nice weather for birding, and as they say, "beats working"
Good to meet up with many familiar faces on patch, good to chat again Sid, but so so sorry that the Smew did one of its no show days today for all concerned. Despite that it was a 50 species day for me with several good birds.
Star bird had to be the first Spring Chiffchaff, a non-calling bird up near the path bisecting Gull Pool and Sandiway Small Pool, other birders had told me of one in another area so maybe two on patch at least. Other highlights included a massive flock of 200 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings and 60 Linnets, all feeding on stubble fields on the north side of my recording area. At least two Green Woodpeckers showed well with possibly two more calling. Four Skylarks flew over and another two were heard singing. My biggest ever single day count of Shovelers was achieved with 8(5 drakes), 6 of which were on Big Pool. The Tawny Owl was heard again in Gull Pool wood. Stock Doves were paired up and seen at a couple of locations.
Other birds were as per usual, duck numbers seemed down again, Great Crested & Little Grebes were paired up, and Goldfinches were seen in their pretty display flight. Hopefully the Smew is still around, I suspect she is, but she is definitely harder to pin down these days. Hopefully these bulletins will also now be filled with migrant arrival news, watch this space
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 17 1:57 PM, 2016
Another early start on a lovely day, the site is really drying up, no wellies needed.......... for now!!
A check of Sandiway Small Pool revealed lots of fishermen, and chatting to them many were overnighters. Consequently there were fewer ducks on this pool, 12 Wigeon and a couple of Gadwall being the main birds present. Heading over to Big Pool I relocated the female Smew, again displaying to her favourite Canada Goose around the spit area. A rough total of 50 Tufted Ducks were on the two pools and whilst there a big flock of Canada Geese dropped in, c.48 being on site afterwards.
One real surprise was that the Common Snipe was back in its old area on submerged twigs, again swimming to relocate when disturbed by Coot. About 20 Fieldfares and a few Redwings were still around. At least 2 Green Woodpeckers were yaffling like mad and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming. As the sun warmed up the air, Buzzards took advantage with 6 birds seen, no doubt there were more. One Rook flew over, one of the rarer corvids at Newchurch Common.
Well over 40 species recorded again and a long chat with a landowner on the Common (he & his brother own much of the land). Fascinating hearing the history of the site and great that he offered me access to private areas that he & his brother own
Doc Brewster said
Tue Mar 15 4:44 PM, 2016
Again a relatively early morning visit and the first thing that struck me was the increase in fishermen! Increasing water temperatures make for better fishing at this time of the year so I'm not surprised. Also a noteworthy day in that I used walking boots rather than wellies for the first time this 'winter', a mistake as it happened as I ended up in 6 inch deep mud/slurry at one point
At first no sign of the Smew on either pool, or on two 'private' pools that I checked out ( ) but on returning to Sandiway Small Pool she was again with the Tufted Ducks. A male Reed Bunting (scarce here) was seen and Fieldfares & Redwings continued their stay on site. Both Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers were again present. A male Siskin was seen this time in a totally different area from Sunday's females. Otherwise the usual array of birds but again over 40 species recorded
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 13 9:42 PM, 2016
A morning visit was again very productive for Carys and I in the warm March sunshine.
Again the female Smew was on Sandiway Small Pool, this time in the company of Tufted Ducks rather than chasing the poor Canada Goose! On Big Pool a pair of Shovelers was a surprise and a Kingfisher was also seen. Three female Siskins were in alders near Small Pool and a Tawny Owl briefly hooted from nearby. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were both still present. A Sparrowhawk thermalled in the company of a Buzzard over the site. A Herring Gull flew through spooking the Black-headed Gull flock. On the fields at least 60 Fieldfares, 20 Redwings and 15 Linnets were still present.
This is exactly what she was doing to the Canada Goose in her 'jerky display' as described in my previous post
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 11 5:28 PM, 2016
Popped down after the early morning visit to Marbury CP and did a shorter route round than usual but this still produced the benchmark 40 species that I try for each time
The main news was that the female Smew was on Sandiway Small Pool which she later left and path hopped over to Big Pool mid afternoon. I watched & photographed her over a long period and saw some very weird behaviour. She was following one particular Canada Goose (which itself was already paired up) and displaying to it with forward head jerking as she raised her front end out of the water, a bit like Goldeneye display in jerkyness & speed but with different moves! The she would 'lay' low in the water, head stretched out flat and tailed raised, almost as if she wanted to be mounted & mated. She was also vocalising but too far away for me to hear. Of course the Canada Goose ignored all this totally and eventually she gave up for a while but returned to the Canada Goose flack later until she was flushed by a dog walker throwing a ball into the goose flock for 'fun'
Otherwise a Kingfisher was on Small Pool with the majority of the ducks, albeit in reduced numbers, but no Goosanders today. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were present. Redwing lingered still but I didn't go to where I had seen Fieldfares recently. Four Meadow Pipits were in the empy paddocks with at least 6 Pied Wagtails. My hopes are for Wheatears, White Wagtails and Yellow Wagtails when passage begins.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Mar 8 5:26 PM, 2016
Spent a couple of hours down here this morning and again productive, both for birds and for info.
The bird(s) of the day was a flock of 8 Skylarks, a new patch bird since I have started listing here, a couple were singing too over farm fields to the N.of Sandiway Big Pool. In a nearby field a huge mixed flock feeding on old stubble areas which have recently been 'muck-spread' included 120 Fieldfares (looking spectacular), up to 35 Redwings, 20+Linnets, Goldfinches and Starlings. I backed off my usual route so as not to disturb them. Other noteworthy passerines included a single Siskin again, a Lesser Redpoll calling in finch hedge where Bullfinches still fed and two Goldcrests picking there way through adjacent trees. A Green Woodpecker called near the empty paddocks.
On the pools a pair of Goosander remained on Sandiway Small Pool as well as a Kingfisher here, but no Smew. Two Greylag Geese dropped in briefly on Sandiway Big Pool, a patch yeartick for 2016. At Small Pool I chanced upon the angler who first found the Smew two years ago and informed me of it & sent me photos in winter 2014-15, allowing me to broadcast the news He has been doing management on his 'secret' peg on small pool every day for over a week and feeding the swim, so he has monitored the Smew's presence. He passed on really useful info and will also be checking the other waters he has seen it on previously & let me know if it is still around. If any have public access I will of course post here
Doc Brewster said
Mon Mar 7 10:07 AM, 2016
Thanks Dave. Not surprised about the Smew, she will be there on & off for a bit yet. I have had reports on Small Pool that have related to redhead Goosander on there, seen from a distance with and without bins, so visitors do beware of third hand reports (I had 2 fishermen separately point the 'Smew' out & it was a Goosander!!). Pairs of Kingfisher breed on both lakes and at the moment are showing well, carrying fish male to female, get ya cameras out!! Agree the Green Woodpeckers are much more noticeable again and at least two pairs of those too :)
Dave Benson said
Sun Mar 6 10:09 PM, 2016
Just an update on the Smew. She was present on small Sandiway fishing pool on Saturday 5th March. Also seen was a male Kingfisher at this pool and both male and female Green Woodpecker in the horse paddocks.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 6 8:51 PM, 2016
Popped down mid afternoon for a short visit, really to check on the Smew rather than have a full walk round.
No sign again of the female Smew, the last sighting now being last Tuesday March 1st, but as before I would not write off further sightings of her yet!! Two Goosanders (1 drake) were on Sandiway Small Pool as well as good numbers of Tufted Ducks, a few Wigeon and hardly any Gadwall, numbers of the latter two species being significantly down on recent counts.
Nine Fieldfares and a single Redwing were seen, as well as a couple of Bullfinches and two Buzzards.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 4 10:36 AM, 2016
Just an addendum to the previous post:
Albeit meteorologically Spring at the moment there was much evidence of Winter flocks and species at Newchurch yesterday. I forgot in the last post to mention two flocks of Fieldfares, one of 8 but the other of 40+, making a year high count of 50+ birds. The large flock were feeding on a ploughed field near Daleford Farm. Several Redwings were again seen and heard keeping the Winter theme. The flock of 50 Linnets as mentioned in the last post is another Winter sign. Goosanders still on Small Pool and the Wigeon & Tufted Ducks again reflect Winter habits.
Still, Great Crested Grebes were in courtship, Little Grebes whinnied, Great Spotted Woodpeckers drummed and the Green Woodpecker yaffled endlessly! All portents of Spring. And what happens today............ blizzards, ah the wondrous variety that the British climate throws at us
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 3 4:23 PM, 2016
Had over 3 hours on Newchurch Common this afternoon and it was a Smew missing day, despite checking both pools several times and walking the perimeter (well what you can on Big Pool) of both.
Despite that I recorded over 45 species and added a new one for my list on here, Linnet, a flock of 50 was in the arable fields next to the pine belt. A finch-ey day all round with 2+Lesser Redpolls in finch hedge and on site Bullfinches, Goldfinches and Chaffinches. Only my second sighting on patch of Reed Bunting came with two near Sandiway Big Pool. Stock Doves have been scarce of late so three near the parking area was a nice sighting.
5 Goosanders including one adult drake were on Sandiway Small Pool, otherwise all the usual waterbirds were present. A nice return after many visits without it was a Green Woodpecker being incredibly vocal near Small Pool and as usual Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming. A Raven flew over again, could be that its partner is on the nest with this early breeding corvid. A Kingfisher flew across Small Pool with a fish in its beak.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Mar 1 10:05 PM, 2016
Just a quick post that I hope Ian will allow as it is definitely bird related. Carys & I found a few feathers the other day here and our guess was Moorhen. Then Carys found the face shield and upper mandible that confirmed the kill was a Moorhen. Right next to the kill site was a fair sized dropping that from pictures ID it as being from a Mink. Unfortunately I now know that I have these on site
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 2nd of March 2016 02:19:08 PM
After no Smew sightings for a few days, but not being able to go down until late today I was keen to give the patch an hour late afternoon. A quick duck search reavealed the female Smew in a new area on Sandiway Big Pool, on her own & not in with any Tufted Ducks. No time for much else but a Raven over low cronking and Bullfinches in the finch hedge near the entrance
Doc Brewster said
Mon Feb 29 10:22 AM, 2016
Had a short trip down in the afternoon yesterday with Carys. Despite a thorough search the Smew was AWOL again, as I said before she is doing what she did last year around this time & almost certainly commuting between a few local waters before she leaves. Noteworthy was a lone Siskin near the pine belt, the first of this species for ages and given the location hopes of breeding are possible, slender I know but!! At least a dozen Redwings fed nearby with both paler, normal looking individuals and darker, more heavily streaked 'Icelandic Race' type birds. Several Great Spotted Woodpeckers are now drumming and Nuthatches are paired up. A Raven flew high overhead too
Doc Brewster said
Sat Feb 27 12:18 PM, 2016
Very quick pop down & as I suspected the female Smew hadn't departed totally. She was on Big Pool in East Bay viewed from 'The Beach' showing well. I do suspect that she will commute between at three local pools now up until she goes if last year was anything to go by. On Sandiway Small Poll there were 9 Goosanders including 3 drakes. A few Redwings were still around, calling & generally skitting around. A pair of Buzzards were displaying over Big Pool almost skydancing
Doc Brewster said
Fri Feb 26 8:21 PM, 2016
A warmer day with no frost at all and a shorter walk.
For the first time since I found the female Smew in mid October last year I couldn't find her. With tyhe limited time I had, and with binocualrs only, despite repeat visits to both Sandiway Big Pool & Sandiway Small Pool there was no sign. Even fishermen present who knew of the Smew hadn't seen her either. Towards the end of her stay last year she did however visit two other pools nearby, both private so I can't publicise them on here. If this is the case again then she may turn up again at Newchurch Common, I'll keep everyone posted on here!!
Three (1 drake) Goosanders were on Small Pool with the majority of the ducks. At least six Bullfinches showed well along the main track and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, one drumming. Otherwise the visit was noteworthy for what wasn't seen rather than what was
Doc Brewster said
Thu Feb 25 6:28 PM, 2016
A productive little walk this morning. The ground was frozen and the sun was out but both fishing pools remained ice-free.
At the parking area a Grey Heron flew over, not common here but my second in a couple of weeks. Down on Sandiway Small Pool the female Smew was with Tufted Ducks, Wigeon and Gadwall as well as a pair of Goosander. The ducks are now definitely favouring the small pool with very few on Sandiway Big Pool. Over on Big Pool the best sighting was a Kingfisher in West Bay and Little Grebes whinnied as usual near the island.
On the rest of site a few Redwings were still lingering with one or two particularly dark, well streaked & well marked birds looking good for the icelandic race. Great Spotted Woodpeckers drummed still and a Nuthatch was inspecting tree holes. The final bird species of the day was a good one, four Meadow Pipits fed in the empty paddocks by the parking area, bringing the total species count to 43.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Feb 21 4:03 PM, 2016
Popped in for a binoculars only hour or so this afternoon. Busier with fishermen, especially small pool, hence no Goosanders at all. The female Smew was present on Sandiway Big Pool in West Bay feeding actively. A Kingfisher showed well on Small Pool and on here Wigeon, Tufted Ducks and Gadwall were still in decent numbers. A couple of Little Grebes were seen on Big Pool. In the 'finch hedge' just inside the entrance barrier two Redpolls showed well as well as Bullfinches and Goldfinches being here.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Feb 18 6:12 PM, 2016
A full week away from my patch made me even more eager to get back there today, the crisp sunny morning making it a very pleasant return too.
First good birds were two Meadow Pipits from the car which flew up from paddocks on the approach road, my second site record and first for 2016. As usual the Nuthatch was around the parking area and Bullfinches were in the hawthorns just inside the barrier. A Green Woodpecker called near Sandiway Small Pool and later a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling & drumming. On Small Pool itself no fishermen were present so it was full of wildfowl, including the female Smew, 8(2 drake) Goosanders and lots of Wigeon, Gadwall & Tufted Ducks. The Smew was elusive at first skulking under overhanging vegetation but later showed well fishing & preening in the sun. A Sparrowhawk also flashed through, my first on site in 2016 and always great to see.
A Rook over Big Pool was a rarer corvid on site and a Raven called from the Pine Belt again. Also in the Pine Belt was a Goldcrest and a pair of Coal Tits with two Redwings foraging in the leaf litter nearby. A scan of Big Pool revealed two female Goldeneye, again a first sighting in 2016 and not a common duck species here by any means. The Snipe was still in its usual area near the island and 16 Lapwings overhead made it a two wader day!
All in all a very pleasant morning with 51 species seen and 3 new birds for my 2016 Newchurch Common List
Doc Brewster said
Fri Feb 12 2:43 PM, 2016
Just had a very enjoyable long morning stroll around patch with GM Forums regular Keith Williams
Funnily enough my bird of the day was a garden visitor for Keith, but different places, different birds. It was my first ever Newchurch Reed Bunting, perched up in a tree at the west car park of Sandiway Small Pool, a species I knew I would get sometime but thanks to lucky charm Keith I got it today! Another scarce bird for patch came out to see Keith too, at least 3 Coal Tits were active & even singing in the February sunshine.
The female Smew was very elusive & took a lot of searching for. A friendly group of fishermen, who I have chatted too before & know their birds, confirmed that they had seen it. I then spotted it all the way over in East Bay of Sandiway Big Pool, but as Keith came down from a short distance away it dived & we couldn't relocate it. Despite going over to East Bay it wasn't seen again, elusive describes it well today (how I described it in to RBA!!). A drake Goosander was very mobile on Big Pool and 7 more birds including another drake were on Small Pool. Duck numbers were definitely down on the norm so the Smew may be departing with its favoured Tufted Ducks very soon if today is anything to go by.
The Kingfisher was seen on Big Pool as well as a Common Snipe. Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker called near the parking area and Bullfinches & Long-tailed Tits were numerous. A few Redwings, lots of Song Thrushes and odd Mistle Thrushes were seen too.
Keith was definitely a lucky charm & a pleasure to show the patch too, just a shame after lugging that camera around that the Smew didn't play ball
Doc Brewster said
Thu Feb 11 10:41 PM, 2016
As I used to work for a bird info service you are correct Mike, we all monitored each other!!
Going to Newchurch tomorrow to show one of our forum members here around, so anything we find will be duly put out
Mike Crawley said
Thu Feb 11 10:19 PM, 2016
Valid point, Ian.
I think that we all suspect that all the bird information services read each others news feed
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Feb 11 9:40 PM, 2016
As RBA don't sponsor this forum, there are other excellent birds news services available too of course (Bird Information Ltd, Birdguides etc)! . Apologies for being off topic.
Mike Crawley said
Thu Feb 11 8:06 PM, 2016
I always call stuff into RBA as I'm a subscriber, I'm more concerned that plenty of people (quite rightly) enjoy the bird but don't complete the circl by phoning in their sighting.
I'm not suggesting that it's compulsory but quite a few of us rely on other birders phoning news in when on a general birding day out or on a "year list" trip.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Feb 11 9:34 AM, 2016
Ask Chris Batty at RBA - I report it every single time I go, which is usually every day I am off work If you subscribe to RBA you will see just how often this is, they are really quick at getting my news out too, so then it is up to other services to copy the info from them
Now that most folk have yearticked it on a visit the days I am off are not as well covered any more.
Mike Crawley said
Thu Feb 11 9:05 AM, 2016
The female Smew showed extremely well in the bright spring sunshine after about 30 minutes searching at about 9am yesterday.
Doesn't often get reported in to the information services, for some reason.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Feb 7 6:26 PM, 2016
Needed a walk to recover from a party which ended at 3.30am early Sunday morning & involved copious amounts of alcohol But didn't start out until early afternoon after a bit of a lay in
The female Smew was still on Sandiway Big Lake, ranging far & wide but I saw it in East Bay off The Beach. A foreshortened walk also had a few notable other birds, namely Goldcrest, Herring & Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the usual (but always nice to see) Bullfinches.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Feb 5 1:21 PM, 2016
With the luxury of two days in a row off work I was down again this morning.
Female Smew still on Sandiway Big Pool this time in East Bay off The Beach, single female Goosander on the same pool. A large passage of big gulls over, plenty of Lesser Black-backed Gulls & Herring Gulls but a few Great Black-backed Gulls too. Had my first Raven of the year at Newchurch Common today too. Three Lesser Redpolls were again shoing well in the hedges by the main track just inside the barrier off Novia Scotia Lane (info specially for David Wells who I am keeping up to date re Redpolls!!)
Otherwise much the same as usual, more and more display & pairing up/mating behaviour going on by the day!
Doc Brewster said
Thu Feb 4 11:58 AM, 2016
Popped down again this morning and of the forty-odd species seen it was a strange one that gave me the most pleasure in seeing - a Grey Heron!! This was a site yeartick, not common here and was soon mobbed by Black-headed Gulls and flew high & distant off site!
Otherwise the female Smew remained in West Bay , Sandiway Big Pool, where a female Pochard was new in. On Small Pool five Goosanders included two drakes and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls circled over. After two visits not seeing it, the Common Snipe was back on emergent twigs of sunken trees.
Near the entrance A Lesser Redpoll called whilst five Bullfinches showed well. Near the pine bely 40 Goldfinches in trees was a good count. Two Redwings were near the Beach and Mistle Thrushes were in full song. A Stock Dove was in the fields, first sighting for a while and a count of three Pied Wagtails in the paddocks was my site high!!! Wigeon, Gadwall & Tufted Duck numbers remain pretty high
Just for info, a visiting birders car today was parked up close to the concrete blocks at the site entrance. I know this wasn't probably a forum member as I have posted parking directions earlier, but it is best not to park here. These concrete blocks are regularly moved for tractors to go in and out since all the tractor drivers don't have a gate key, and even if they left the gate open a fisherman would prob lock it again as per Warrington AA rules. I know the police have been called once before as parking here is causing an obstruction (that time wasn't a birder ) and I wouldn't leave my car there if tractors were trying to squeeze past either!! There is lots of room on the right as you approach the gate, pull on here, all the locals, birders, dogwalkers etc do this & it causes no problems. Thanks again
Doc Brewster said
Tue Feb 2 9:21 PM, 2016
An early start for other reasons and a blue sky & fluffy clouds meant I just had to go down to Newchurch Common again!!
A single Redpoll was in the same bushes at four Bullfinches near the entrance, getting very regular here now. A check of small pool revealed a pair of Goosanders again, over by the south shore. On Sandiway Big Pool the female Smew was in West Bay but spending lots of time under the overhanging branches feeding. I was pleased to be able to show some first time visitors from Nantwich where she was hiding so they could get their target bird. A Kingfisher was seen on Big Pool again near the spit area.
Several Fieldfares and Redwings were still around on the extreme eastern end of my patch boundaries. Other than this it was probably quieter than normal, the strong wind keeping many passerines down I suppose.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jan 31 2:48 PM, 2016
Down in the drizzle for a morning nip round before the forecast heavier rain hit Cheshire!
A long search finally located the female Smew on Sandiway Big Pool in west bay, although earlier she wasn't showing here but may have been lurking under the overhanging branches by the bank, as is her wont!! A pair of Shovelers were on this pool too but no other unusual sightings. A Kingfisher was seen around the spit area.
On Small Pool another Kingfisher put in an appearance, and large numbers of Wigeon and Tufted Ducks favoured this pool.
Again good numbers off Bullfinches were seen and a small flock of Redwings were on the furthest horse paddocks from where you park. A quiet morning but still 40 species recorded
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jan 29 10:00 AM, 2016
Despite being a little worse for wear the morning after my birthday celebrations down the pub the night before (with a recurrance of the back spasm!!) I didn't want to let a mate down so yesterday sill popped down to Newchurch Common. I took long-time birding pal & forum 'watcher', and soon to be poster I hope, David Wells along with a target list of a few species, the Smew being on top of that list!
We parked up and walked on checking for the Green Woodpecker in all the paddocks but I think our late start decreased our chances and it was a no show. A short way up the track the four Lesser Redpolls alighted in a twiggy tree, a bit far for David to get on them properly but we hoped for better views later. Bullfinches were everywhere and showing well in this location too. Next to small pool where I spotted the Kingfisher (a target species) over the far side in an area I often see him. A single female Goosander was also on this pool. Then up to Sandiway Big Pool which was busier than ever with fishermen and lots around West Bay meant that it was no surprise that the Smew wasn't there. We then headed to an area in which I have seen Common Snipe on my last few visits and sure enough it was in its usual place. A birder of many, many years David was amazed to see it swim from one submerged branch to another, the first time he'd seen a Snipe do this, I must admit I don't recollect seeing it many times if ever, either. Another of the targets had been achieved!
Next down to East Bay and The Beach where I picked up the female Smew asleep out towards the spit. She obligingly woke later but then swam down a cut and out of sight, we had got her just in time!
A shorter visit than my usual walks, we did about 1.5hrs instead of my average 3hrs, but saw 30 species in total, heading off just as the rain started Pleasant company and enjoyable birding, even with a bad back it was just what the Doc ordered
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 29th of January 2016 10:01:07 AM
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Jan 26 7:00 PM, 2016
Doc Brewster wrote:
John, just back from being out all afternoon so sorry for late reply, below is a copy of a post I posted last year with directions:
Park on Novia Scotia Lane and the small cluster of houses is called Novia Scotia, as per the Cheshire A to Z Street Atlas or look at 7 o'clock from the arrow on this Streetmap link
The Big Pool on the N.side of the track that continues W.from Novia Scotia Lane is the pit that the Smew is on usually but she does roost very often on Small Pool to the S.of the track. depends on how early you get there & how many dog walkers or fishermen have been around.
The paddocks that one of the Green Woodpeckers favours are the ones in front of the houses and haven't been used for horses for several months now, the actual horse paddocks which run back towards the Sandy Lane turn from where you park are the best for winter thrushes at the mo. At least 2 other Green Woodpeckers are regularly seen or heard.
The access is public on the main track and at the fishermens goodwill around the pools. They own the pools and as such could restrict access but they mainly have a beef with dogwalkers not birders. As long as we act sensibly they seem to welcome us on & I have a great relationship with all that I have met. I have even persuaded a couple to take optics when they're fishing & lots know about the Smew now!! I just don't use any of the pegs they are fishing from at the time or stand behind pegs in use too closely as shuffling feet or chatter can disturb their fishing. Otherwise it's pretty much anywhere you like, although there is no complete circluar route around Big Pool, which is a real shame, wish that there was.
Hope this helps you, John, and any others that need access details updating
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 04:59:35 PM
Thanks for that :)
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jan 26 4:55 PM, 2016
John, just back from being out all afternoon so sorry for late reply, below is a copy of a post I posted last year with directions:
Park on Novia Scotia Lane and the small cluster of houses is called Novia Scotia, as per the Cheshire A to Z Street Atlas or look at 7 o'clock from the arrow on this Streetmap link
The Big Pool on the N.side of the track that continues W.from Novia Scotia Lane is the pit that the Smew is on usually but she does roost very often on Small Pool to the S.of the track. depends on how early you get there & how many dog walkers or fishermen have been around.
The paddocks that one of the Green Woodpeckers favours are the ones in front of the houses and haven't been used for horses for several months now, the actual horse paddocks which run back towards the Sandy Lane turn from where you park are the best for winter thrushes at the mo. At least 2 other Green Woodpeckers are regularly seen or heard.
The access is public on the main track and at the fishermens goodwill around the pools. They own the pools and as such could restrict access but they mainly have a beef with dogwalkers not birders. As long as we act sensibly they seem to welcome us on & I have a great relationship with all that I have met. I have even persuaded a couple to take optics when they're fishing & lots know about the Smew now!! I just don't use any of the pegs they are fishing from at the time or stand behind pegs in use too closely as shuffling feet or chatter can disturb their fishing. Otherwise it's pretty much anywhere you like, although there is no complete circluar route around Big Pool, which is a real shame, wish that there was.
Hope this helps you, John, and any others that need access details updating
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 04:59:35 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Jan 26 2:33 PM, 2016
Rob Creek wrote:
Alright John, you want Novascotia Lane, Northwich, . Plenty of parking space at the sides of the lane, walk to where the lane ends and becomes a track you can't drive down, walk a 100yds or so then turn right over the old gate and it leads you to the main pool where the Smew is. The Green Woodpecker is usually knocking around the stable paddocks visible from where you park the car. Cheers Rob
Cheers :) Is it public access? All the tracks when I look on the map say Members only ( Warrington
anglers?)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 02:41:02 PM
Rob Creek said
Tue Jan 26 2:30 PM, 2016
Alright John, you want Novascotia Lane, Northwich, CW8 2BY. Plenty of parking space at the sides of the lane, walk to where the lane ends and becomes a track you can't drive down, walk a 100yds or so then turn right over the old gate and it leads you to the main pool where the Smew is. The Green Woodpecker is usually knocking around the stable paddocks visible from where you park the car. Cheers Rob
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Jan 26 11:54 AM, 2016
Doc Brewster wrote:
Decided on a quick half hour before the storm hit today, just in case anything was pushed in on the front edge of it
Just time to have a walk down the main track where Redpoll, Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Chaffinch were all seen. Then a couple of visits to Big Pool from the 'Beach' and the 'Spit' as well as a look at Small Pool too. The female Smew was sheltering in West Bay off the spit as is usual in rougher weather, bit of a softie!! Hardier ducks included a drake Goosander and three (2 drake) Pochards out in the middle of Sandiway Big Lake. Rest of the supporting cast as usual. I left as the winds were getting a lot stronger and the rain was getting heavier, wonder what they will bring in?
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 11:00:47 AM
I may have asked this before but where is the best place to park and are the pools public access? cheers John
A quick summary of my Tuesday walks around Newchurch Common!
As already mentioned there was no sign of the female Common Scoter anywhere on site, good news I hope, in that she managed to continue her journey on & ultimately make it back out to sea or to her breeding grounds, maybe to the Flow Country which I visited a few years ago and saw Common Scoters breeding, but now I'm being fanciful
Four Redpolls were in Finch Hedge and 6 Siskins fed together in alders on the west side of Big Pool. Still plenty of Willow Warblers with possibly a few more arrivals. A first for me for the site was a single House Martin in the flock of about 60 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows, all over Big Pool bar one Swallow over Small Pool. A proper count of Tufted Ducks rather than an estimate revealed 31 birds still present. One adult Common Gull was seen over Big Pool too as well as one Rook! Otherwise the usual mix of species on site.
No sign of the Common Scoter in two visits today, checking both pools both times. Just posting for info first. Full report to follow
A fine morning after the rain overnight cleared and a rare Monday off work, so off down to Newchurch Common again.
My usual route doesn't take in Sandiway Big Pool until later, but when I got there the female Common Scoter was still on the pool, happily fishing and showing really well in the warm sunshine. The Tufted Duck numbers were definitely down on yesteday with maybe ony 20 birds now. Along the west side of Big Pool there was a small fall of Willow Warblers with at least 5 birds seen or heard and probably many more present, joining the now large numbers of Chiffchaffs across the site.
A Green Woodpecker flying over the empty paddocks was one of the first birds seen with others heard, suggesting at least 3 territories here. A Pair of Coal Tits was by the main track and Bullfinches were in several places on site. A male Reed Bunting was seen and heard singing on the west side of Big Pool.
It felt very springlike today but with recent rain & muck-spreading the main track is very muddy, so a tip is wellies still, just for now
Down again all morning and the female Common Scoter was there all the time that we were, still favouring the very middle of Sandiway Big Pool, no matter which shore we went to we never got any closer!
Another first for the year, both at Newchurch and for my 2016 UK List amazingly in the shape of a male Blackcap, up near the Fishermen's car park for the spit pegs. A Skylark sang over the arable fields to the north and five Linnets were still there as well as a male Reed Bunting again. One or two Lesser Redpolls were still in Finch Hedge and a Treecreeper showed well in the Pine Belt. Just a single Swallow was seen in the way of hirundines but again double figure numbers of Buzzards were up.
On the pools, as well as the scoter, there were 40 Tufted Ducks and then the usual array of species, with many birds already nesting. Nothing in the paddocks or ploughed fields in the way of migrants unfortunately, still time though. As a new patch I really don't know what moves through here, if anything! Time will tell, I have everything crossed
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 3rd of April 2016 03:06:36 PM
As pre-posted below, a red letter day on my patch today with the discovery of a female Common Scoter on Sandiway Big Pool. Looking across the pool from the spit with bins I noticed a nondescript duck but the shape gave it away and I directed Carys onto it saying "I've got a Common Scoter"!! She nipped back to the car whilst I stayed on it & reported it out on the pager and when she returned with my scope I was able to digiscope it and get record pictures. The bird was active most of the time, diving for long periods and always staying distant. At times Sand Martins and Swallows whizzed over its head, up to 80 of the former and 3 of the latter. All three species mentioned were new for 2016 for me at Newchurch Common and the scoter was a patch lifer
Chiffchaffs are now into double figures, seemingly singing at every turn we took. Other good sightings included three male Reed Buntings on the north side, a Rook over the pool, up to 12 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk thermalling. Three Lesser Redpolls and at least six Bullfinches were still in Finch Hedge. 12 Linnets were seen in the arable fields, the males now in breeding plumage. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were still around but no Gadwall, Wigeon, Goosander or Cormorants. The site is beginning to have a very different feel now. Spring is here, the Smew is gone but a Common Scoter as a temporary replacement will do very nicely
A distant record digiscoped shot is attached!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 2nd of April 2016 11:06:17 PM
Just in case anyone hasn't seen and in case you want to nip down to see it, on my first visit back after being away over Easter I found a female Common Scoter this afternoon. She was in the middle of Sandiway Big Lake feeding actively. A full report on todays visit will follow but wanted the news out on here so that there was daylight left today
Another visit, which this time was noteworthy for what wasn't seen, rather than what was
Starting at Sandiway Small Pool and then moving over to Big Pool the over-riding feeling was a lack of ducks. True there were over 40 Tufted Ducks still present, mostly on Big Pool but no female Smew, no Gadwall, no Wigeon and no Cormorants (I know it's not a duck but..... !!!), all a massive change from only a week ago. Still harking back to winter though were 100+Fieldfares and 30+Redwings, mainly on the north and west sides of my recording area, a few Linnets were still with the Fieldfares too. Even the Green Woodpeckers were a bit quieter today. Lots of Buzzards across site and a Sparrowhawk flying low over Big Pool, hopefully not looking for Kingfishers Most unusual sighting was a pair of Coal Tits which I see infrequently here, which helped me struggle up to the 40 species mark again
Just an addendum to the previous post. I hadn't seen the Kingfisher on Sandiway Small Pool on my last two visits but that's not unusual. Yesterday though I discovered the sad location of a bird kill, on a mossy fallen tree trunk. The feathers were a tell tale blue, sometimes electric blue, and orange breast feathers, a Kingfisher
I photographed them in situ and then collected some but so far haven't examined them closely to determine as to whether this was a mammal or avian kill. No part of the bird was left, only a few feathers, and the location (quite high) looked like a plucking post so I suspect Sparrowhawk. Given the speed of Kingfishers this is 'some' kill for the hawk, and shows just what exceptional hunters they are. I know it is the natural order of things but sometimes the prey species makes you a wee bit sad, very much so in this case.
Down a wee bit later yesterday for a mooch in the sunshine, a nip in the air but getting drier underfoot with every sunny day that goes by. As an old Sand Quarry site the drainage is good and the paths dry out very quickly given the chance
Again a Smew-less day but the over-riding feature was the number of fishermen present, the place was jammed!! But they do own the lakes & the land so it is due to their tolerance that we are allowed on at all Possibly as a result of all the activity no Gadwall were seen either, almost certainly skulking out of the way, both species will probably reappear this week in the week. Pretty much as per the norm on patch with stunning views of Treecreeper in the sun and Goldcrest showing well too. The Fieldfare flock is still around, at least 80 birds were in stubble fields near the pine belt with about 30 Redwings also. As everyone keeps saying the Green Woodpeckers were yet again easy to catch up with, just follow the yaffle! A big female Sparrowhawk was up thermalling with a Buzzard too.
I have now written the first two months of the Annual Wildlife Report for the site, this will be ready early in 2017 and available at Focalpoint Optics shop unit I hope
Sorry to miss you Sid. You must have been asleep in the Cafe after your lunch , as "we four" were there as well for the first time. No Smew either for us.
It's the first time I have been"evicted" by a fisherman who was setting up for THREE days!. We had just finished eating so, not so bad.
It is a nice patch, I am sure we will go again. I saw the Green Woodpecker fly off, and if I had been taller, would have seen it over the fence on the garden path like the others!! I will have to wait for tomorrow to get the report on how may species we(or rather our lead birder saw).- but we had fine views of Redwing, and a Goldcrest as well.
Regards
Geoff
I know you'll have seen lots, Sid, and even this one before but when I see her so often it's frustrating when she doesn't show to visitors! She is definitely getting more flighty and less reliable of recent days. I even popped back late afternoon just in case she returned to either pool but again no sign. I did see Collared Doves mating on a farm barn roof though! As a scarcer bird on this patch that does mean an increase in population soon
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 18th of March 2016 09:55:48 PM
Not to worry Paul it wouldn't have been the first Smew I had seen. Enjoyed your patch and the lunch at Whitegate Station Cafe was excellent, thanks for the tip
Another dry day, albeit a lot colder & cloudier, but still nice weather for birding, and as they say, "beats working"
Good to meet up with many familiar faces on patch, good to chat again Sid, but so so sorry that the Smew did one of its no show days today for all concerned. Despite that it was a 50 species day for me with several good birds.
Star bird had to be the first Spring Chiffchaff, a non-calling bird up near the path bisecting Gull Pool and Sandiway Small Pool, other birders had told me of one in another area so maybe two on patch at least. Other highlights included a massive flock of 200 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings and 60 Linnets, all feeding on stubble fields on the north side of my recording area. At least two Green Woodpeckers showed well with possibly two more calling. Four Skylarks flew over and another two were heard singing. My biggest ever single day count of Shovelers was achieved with 8(5 drakes), 6 of which were on Big Pool. The Tawny Owl was heard again in Gull Pool wood. Stock Doves were paired up and seen at a couple of locations.
Other birds were as per usual, duck numbers seemed down again, Great Crested & Little Grebes were paired up, and Goldfinches were seen in their pretty display flight. Hopefully the Smew is still around, I suspect she is, but she is definitely harder to pin down these days. Hopefully these bulletins will also now be filled with migrant arrival news, watch this space
Another early start on a lovely day, the site is really drying up, no wellies needed.......... for now!!
A check of Sandiway Small Pool revealed lots of fishermen, and chatting to them many were overnighters. Consequently there were fewer ducks on this pool, 12 Wigeon and a couple of Gadwall being the main birds present. Heading over to Big Pool I relocated the female Smew, again displaying to her favourite Canada Goose around the spit area. A rough total of 50 Tufted Ducks were on the two pools and whilst there a big flock of Canada Geese dropped in, c.48 being on site afterwards.
One real surprise was that the Common Snipe was back in its old area on submerged twigs, again swimming to relocate when disturbed by Coot. About 20 Fieldfares and a few Redwings were still around. At least 2 Green Woodpeckers were yaffling like mad and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming. As the sun warmed up the air, Buzzards took advantage with 6 birds seen, no doubt there were more. One Rook flew over, one of the rarer corvids at Newchurch Common.
Well over 40 species recorded again and a long chat with a landowner on the Common (he & his brother own much of the land). Fascinating hearing the history of the site and great that he offered me access to private areas that he & his brother own
Again a relatively early morning visit and the first thing that struck me was the increase in fishermen! Increasing water temperatures make for better fishing at this time of the year so I'm not surprised. Also a noteworthy day in that I used walking boots rather than wellies for the first time this 'winter', a mistake as it happened as I ended up in 6 inch deep mud/slurry at one point
At first no sign of the Smew on either pool, or on two 'private' pools that I checked out ( ) but on returning to Sandiway Small Pool she was again with the Tufted Ducks. A male Reed Bunting (scarce here) was seen and Fieldfares & Redwings continued their stay on site. Both Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers were again present. A male Siskin was seen this time in a totally different area from Sunday's females. Otherwise the usual array of birds but again over 40 species recorded
A morning visit was again very productive for Carys and I in the warm March sunshine.
Again the female Smew was on Sandiway Small Pool, this time in the company of Tufted Ducks rather than chasing the poor Canada Goose! On Big Pool a pair of Shovelers was a surprise and a Kingfisher was also seen. Three female Siskins were in alders near Small Pool and a Tawny Owl briefly hooted from nearby. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were both still present. A Sparrowhawk thermalled in the company of a Buzzard over the site. A Herring Gull flew through spooking the Black-headed Gull flock. On the fields at least 60 Fieldfares, 20 Redwings and 15 Linnets were still present.
I have found the female display behaviour here:
http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/smew-mergus-albellus/female-displays-male-then-chased-another-male
This is exactly what she was doing to the Canada Goose in her 'jerky display' as described in my previous post
Popped down after the early morning visit to Marbury CP and did a shorter route round than usual but this still produced the benchmark 40 species that I try for each time
The main news was that the female Smew was on Sandiway Small Pool which she later left and path hopped over to Big Pool mid afternoon. I watched & photographed her over a long period and saw some very weird behaviour. She was following one particular Canada Goose (which itself was already paired up) and displaying to it with forward head jerking as she raised her front end out of the water, a bit like Goldeneye display in jerkyness & speed but with different moves! The she would 'lay' low in the water, head stretched out flat and tailed raised, almost as if she wanted to be mounted & mated. She was also vocalising but too far away for me to hear. Of course the Canada Goose ignored all this totally and eventually she gave up for a while but returned to the Canada Goose flack later until she was flushed by a dog walker throwing a ball into the goose flock for 'fun'
Otherwise a Kingfisher was on Small Pool with the majority of the ducks, albeit in reduced numbers, but no Goosanders today. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were present. Redwing lingered still but I didn't go to where I had seen Fieldfares recently. Four Meadow Pipits were in the empy paddocks with at least 6 Pied Wagtails. My hopes are for Wheatears, White Wagtails and Yellow Wagtails when passage begins.
Spent a couple of hours down here this morning and again productive, both for birds and for info.
The bird(s) of the day was a flock of 8 Skylarks, a new patch bird since I have started listing here, a couple were singing too over farm fields to the N.of Sandiway Big Pool. In a nearby field a huge mixed flock feeding on old stubble areas which have recently been 'muck-spread' included 120 Fieldfares (looking spectacular), up to 35 Redwings, 20+Linnets, Goldfinches and Starlings. I backed off my usual route so as not to disturb them. Other noteworthy passerines included a single Siskin again, a Lesser Redpoll calling in finch hedge where Bullfinches still fed and two Goldcrests picking there way through adjacent trees. A Green Woodpecker called near the empty paddocks.
On the pools a pair of Goosander remained on Sandiway Small Pool as well as a Kingfisher here, but no Smew. Two Greylag Geese dropped in briefly on Sandiway Big Pool, a patch yeartick for 2016. At Small Pool I chanced upon the angler who first found the Smew two years ago and informed me of it & sent me photos in winter 2014-15, allowing me to broadcast the news He has been doing management on his 'secret' peg on small pool every day for over a week and feeding the swim, so he has monitored the Smew's presence. He passed on really useful info and will also be checking the other waters he has seen it on previously & let me know if it is still around. If any have public access I will of course post here
Thanks Dave. Not surprised about the Smew, she will be there on & off for a bit yet. I have had reports on Small Pool that have related to redhead Goosander on there, seen from a distance with and without bins, so visitors do beware of third hand reports (I had 2 fishermen separately point the 'Smew' out & it was a Goosander!!). Pairs of Kingfisher breed on both lakes and at the moment are showing well, carrying fish male to female, get ya cameras out!! Agree the Green Woodpeckers are much more noticeable again and at least two pairs of those too :)
Popped down mid afternoon for a short visit, really to check on the Smew rather than have a full walk round.
No sign again of the female Smew, the last sighting now being last Tuesday March 1st, but as before I would not write off further sightings of her yet!! Two Goosanders (1 drake) were on Sandiway Small Pool as well as good numbers of Tufted Ducks, a few Wigeon and hardly any Gadwall, numbers of the latter two species being significantly down on recent counts.
Nine Fieldfares and a single Redwing were seen, as well as a couple of Bullfinches and two Buzzards.
Just an addendum to the previous post:
Albeit meteorologically Spring at the moment there was much evidence of Winter flocks and species at Newchurch yesterday. I forgot in the last post to mention two flocks of Fieldfares, one of 8 but the other of 40+, making a year high count of 50+ birds. The large flock were feeding on a ploughed field near Daleford Farm. Several Redwings were again seen and heard keeping the Winter theme. The flock of 50 Linnets as mentioned in the last post is another Winter sign. Goosanders still on Small Pool and the Wigeon & Tufted Ducks again reflect Winter habits.
Still, Great Crested Grebes were in courtship, Little Grebes whinnied, Great Spotted Woodpeckers drummed and the Green Woodpecker yaffled endlessly! All portents of Spring. And what happens today............ blizzards, ah the wondrous variety that the British climate throws at us
Had over 3 hours on Newchurch Common this afternoon and it was a Smew missing day, despite checking both pools several times and walking the perimeter (well what you can on Big Pool) of both.
Despite that I recorded over 45 species and added a new one for my list on here, Linnet, a flock of 50 was in the arable fields next to the pine belt. A finch-ey day all round with 2+Lesser Redpolls in finch hedge and on site Bullfinches, Goldfinches and Chaffinches. Only my second sighting on patch of Reed Bunting came with two near Sandiway Big Pool. Stock Doves have been scarce of late so three near the parking area was a nice sighting.
5 Goosanders including one adult drake were on Sandiway Small Pool, otherwise all the usual waterbirds were present. A nice return after many visits without it was a Green Woodpecker being incredibly vocal near Small Pool and as usual Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming. A Raven flew over again, could be that its partner is on the nest with this early breeding corvid. A Kingfisher flew across Small Pool with a fish in its beak.
Just a quick post that I hope Ian will allow as it is definitely bird related. Carys & I found a few feathers the other day here and our guess was Moorhen. Then Carys found the face shield and upper mandible that confirmed the kill was a Moorhen. Right next to the kill site was a fair sized dropping that from pictures ID it as being from a Mink. Unfortunately I now know that I have these on site
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 2nd of March 2016 02:19:08 PM
After no Smew sightings for a few days, but not being able to go down until late today I was keen to give the patch an hour late afternoon. A quick duck search reavealed the female Smew in a new area on Sandiway Big Pool, on her own & not in with any Tufted Ducks. No time for much else but a Raven over low cronking and Bullfinches in the finch hedge near the entrance
Had a short trip down in the afternoon yesterday with Carys. Despite a thorough search the Smew was AWOL again, as I said before she is doing what she did last year around this time & almost certainly commuting between a few local waters before she leaves. Noteworthy was a lone Siskin near the pine belt, the first of this species for ages and given the location hopes of breeding are possible, slender I know but!! At least a dozen Redwings fed nearby with both paler, normal looking individuals and darker, more heavily streaked 'Icelandic Race' type birds. Several Great Spotted Woodpeckers are now drumming and Nuthatches are paired up. A Raven flew high overhead too
Very quick pop down & as I suspected the female Smew hadn't departed totally. She was on Big Pool in East Bay viewed from 'The Beach' showing well. I do suspect that she will commute between at three local pools now up until she goes if last year was anything to go by. On Sandiway Small Poll there were 9 Goosanders including 3 drakes. A few Redwings were still around, calling & generally skitting around. A pair of Buzzards were displaying over Big Pool almost skydancing
A warmer day with no frost at all and a shorter walk.
For the first time since I found the female Smew in mid October last year I couldn't find her. With tyhe limited time I had, and with binocualrs only, despite repeat visits to both Sandiway Big Pool & Sandiway Small Pool there was no sign. Even fishermen present who knew of the Smew hadn't seen her either. Towards the end of her stay last year she did however visit two other pools nearby, both private so I can't publicise them on here. If this is the case again then she may turn up again at Newchurch Common, I'll keep everyone posted on here!!
Three (1 drake) Goosanders were on Small Pool with the majority of the ducks. At least six Bullfinches showed well along the main track and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, one drumming. Otherwise the visit was noteworthy for what wasn't seen rather than what was
A productive little walk this morning. The ground was frozen and the sun was out but both fishing pools remained ice-free.
At the parking area a Grey Heron flew over, not common here but my second in a couple of weeks. Down on Sandiway Small Pool the female Smew was with Tufted Ducks, Wigeon and Gadwall as well as a pair of Goosander. The ducks are now definitely favouring the small pool with very few on Sandiway Big Pool. Over on Big Pool the best sighting was a Kingfisher in West Bay and Little Grebes whinnied as usual near the island.
On the rest of site a few Redwings were still lingering with one or two particularly dark, well streaked & well marked birds looking good for the icelandic race. Great Spotted Woodpeckers drummed still and a Nuthatch was inspecting tree holes. The final bird species of the day was a good one, four Meadow Pipits fed in the empty paddocks by the parking area, bringing the total species count to 43.
Popped in for a binoculars only hour or so this afternoon. Busier with fishermen, especially small pool, hence no Goosanders at all. The female Smew was present on Sandiway Big Pool in West Bay feeding actively. A Kingfisher showed well on Small Pool and on here Wigeon, Tufted Ducks and Gadwall were still in decent numbers. A couple of Little Grebes were seen on Big Pool. In the 'finch hedge' just inside the entrance barrier two Redpolls showed well as well as Bullfinches and Goldfinches being here.
A full week away from my patch made me even more eager to get back there today, the crisp sunny morning making it a very pleasant return too.
First good birds were two Meadow Pipits from the car which flew up from paddocks on the approach road, my second site record and first for 2016. As usual the Nuthatch was around the parking area and Bullfinches were in the hawthorns just inside the barrier. A Green Woodpecker called near Sandiway Small Pool and later a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling & drumming. On Small Pool itself no fishermen were present so it was full of wildfowl, including the female Smew, 8(2 drake) Goosanders and lots of Wigeon, Gadwall & Tufted Ducks. The Smew was elusive at first skulking under overhanging vegetation but later showed well fishing & preening in the sun. A Sparrowhawk also flashed through, my first on site in 2016 and always great to see.
A Rook over Big Pool was a rarer corvid on site and a Raven called from the Pine Belt again. Also in the Pine Belt was a Goldcrest and a pair of Coal Tits with two Redwings foraging in the leaf litter nearby. A scan of Big Pool revealed two female Goldeneye, again a first sighting in 2016 and not a common duck species here by any means. The Snipe was still in its usual area near the island and 16 Lapwings overhead made it a two wader day!
All in all a very pleasant morning with 51 species seen and 3 new birds for my 2016 Newchurch Common List
Just had a very enjoyable long morning stroll around patch with GM Forums regular Keith Williams
Funnily enough my bird of the day was a garden visitor for Keith, but different places, different birds. It was my first ever Newchurch Reed Bunting, perched up in a tree at the west car park of Sandiway Small Pool, a species I knew I would get sometime but thanks to lucky charm Keith I got it today! Another scarce bird for patch came out to see Keith too, at least 3 Coal Tits were active & even singing in the February sunshine.
The female Smew was very elusive & took a lot of searching for. A friendly group of fishermen, who I have chatted too before & know their birds, confirmed that they had seen it. I then spotted it all the way over in East Bay of Sandiway Big Pool, but as Keith came down from a short distance away it dived & we couldn't relocate it. Despite going over to East Bay it wasn't seen again, elusive describes it well today (how I described it in to RBA!!). A drake Goosander was very mobile on Big Pool and 7 more birds including another drake were on Small Pool. Duck numbers were definitely down on the norm so the Smew may be departing with its favoured Tufted Ducks very soon if today is anything to go by.
The Kingfisher was seen on Big Pool as well as a Common Snipe. Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker called near the parking area and Bullfinches & Long-tailed Tits were numerous. A few Redwings, lots of Song Thrushes and odd Mistle Thrushes were seen too.
Keith was definitely a lucky charm & a pleasure to show the patch too, just a shame after lugging that camera around that the Smew didn't play ball
As I used to work for a bird info service you are correct Mike, we all monitored each other!!
Going to Newchurch tomorrow to show one of our forum members here around, so anything we find will be duly put out
I think that we all suspect that all the bird information services read each others news feed
I'm not suggesting that it's compulsory but quite a few of us rely on other birders phoning news in when on a general birding day out or on a "year list" trip.
Ask Chris Batty at RBA - I report it every single time I go, which is usually every day I am off work If you subscribe to RBA you will see just how often this is, they are really quick at getting my news out too, so then it is up to other services to copy the info from them
Now that most folk have yearticked it on a visit the days I am off are not as well covered any more.
Doesn't often get reported in to the information services, for some reason.
Needed a walk to recover from a party which ended at 3.30am early Sunday morning & involved copious amounts of alcohol But didn't start out until early afternoon after a bit of a lay in
The female Smew was still on Sandiway Big Lake, ranging far & wide but I saw it in East Bay off The Beach. A foreshortened walk also had a few notable other birds, namely Goldcrest, Herring & Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the usual (but always nice to see) Bullfinches.
With the luxury of two days in a row off work I was down again this morning.
Female Smew still on Sandiway Big Pool this time in East Bay off The Beach, single female Goosander on the same pool. A large passage of big gulls over, plenty of Lesser Black-backed Gulls & Herring Gulls but a few Great Black-backed Gulls too. Had my first Raven of the year at Newchurch Common today too. Three Lesser Redpolls were again shoing well in the hedges by the main track just inside the barrier off Novia Scotia Lane (info specially for David Wells who I am keeping up to date re Redpolls!!)
Otherwise much the same as usual, more and more display & pairing up/mating behaviour going on by the day!
Popped down again this morning and of the forty-odd species seen it was a strange one that gave me the most pleasure in seeing - a Grey Heron!! This was a site yeartick, not common here and was soon mobbed by Black-headed Gulls and flew high & distant off site!
Otherwise the female Smew remained in West Bay , Sandiway Big Pool, where a female Pochard was new in. On Small Pool five Goosanders included two drakes and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls circled over. After two visits not seeing it, the Common Snipe was back on emergent twigs of sunken trees.
Near the entrance A Lesser Redpoll called whilst five Bullfinches showed well. Near the pine bely 40 Goldfinches in trees was a good count. Two Redwings were near the Beach and Mistle Thrushes were in full song. A Stock Dove was in the fields, first sighting for a while and a count of three Pied Wagtails in the paddocks was my site high!!! Wigeon, Gadwall & Tufted Duck numbers remain pretty high
Just for info, a visiting birders car today was parked up close to the concrete blocks at the site entrance. I know this wasn't probably a forum member as I have posted parking directions earlier, but it is best not to park here. These concrete blocks are regularly moved for tractors to go in and out since all the tractor drivers don't have a gate key, and even if they left the gate open a fisherman would prob lock it again as per Warrington AA rules. I know the police have been called once before as parking here is causing an obstruction (that time wasn't a birder ) and I wouldn't leave my car there if tractors were trying to squeeze past either!! There is lots of room on the right as you approach the gate, pull on here, all the locals, birders, dogwalkers etc do this & it causes no problems. Thanks again
An early start for other reasons and a blue sky & fluffy clouds meant I just had to go down to Newchurch Common again!!
A single Redpoll was in the same bushes at four Bullfinches near the entrance, getting very regular here now. A check of small pool revealed a pair of Goosanders again, over by the south shore. On Sandiway Big Pool the female Smew was in West Bay but spending lots of time under the overhanging branches feeding. I was pleased to be able to show some first time visitors from Nantwich where she was hiding so they could get their target bird. A Kingfisher was seen on Big Pool again near the spit area.
Several Fieldfares and Redwings were still around on the extreme eastern end of my patch boundaries. Other than this it was probably quieter than normal, the strong wind keeping many passerines down I suppose.
Down in the drizzle for a morning nip round before the forecast heavier rain hit Cheshire!
A long search finally located the female Smew on Sandiway Big Pool in west bay, although earlier she wasn't showing here but may have been lurking under the overhanging branches by the bank, as is her wont!! A pair of Shovelers were on this pool too but no other unusual sightings. A Kingfisher was seen around the spit area.
On Small Pool another Kingfisher put in an appearance, and large numbers of Wigeon and Tufted Ducks favoured this pool.
Again good numbers off Bullfinches were seen and a small flock of Redwings were on the furthest horse paddocks from where you park. A quiet morning but still 40 species recorded
Despite being a little worse for wear the morning after my birthday celebrations down the pub the night before (with a recurrance of the back spasm!!) I didn't want to let a mate down so yesterday sill popped down to Newchurch Common. I took long-time birding pal & forum 'watcher', and soon to be poster I hope, David Wells along with a target list of a few species, the Smew being on top of that list!
We parked up and walked on checking for the Green Woodpecker in all the paddocks but I think our late start decreased our chances and it was a no show. A short way up the track the four Lesser Redpolls alighted in a twiggy tree, a bit far for David to get on them properly but we hoped for better views later. Bullfinches were everywhere and showing well in this location too. Next to small pool where I spotted the Kingfisher (a target species) over the far side in an area I often see him. A single female Goosander was also on this pool. Then up to Sandiway Big Pool which was busier than ever with fishermen and lots around West Bay meant that it was no surprise that the Smew wasn't there. We then headed to an area in which I have seen Common Snipe on my last few visits and sure enough it was in its usual place. A birder of many, many years David was amazed to see it swim from one submerged branch to another, the first time he'd seen a Snipe do this, I must admit I don't recollect seeing it many times if ever, either. Another of the targets had been achieved!
Next down to East Bay and The Beach where I picked up the female Smew asleep out towards the spit. She obligingly woke later but then swam down a cut and out of sight, we had got her just in time!
A shorter visit than my usual walks, we did about 1.5hrs instead of my average 3hrs, but saw 30 species in total, heading off just as the rain started Pleasant company and enjoyable birding, even with a bad back it was just what the Doc ordered
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 29th of January 2016 10:01:07 AM
Thanks for that :)
John, just back from being out all afternoon so sorry for late reply, below is a copy of a post I posted last year with directions:
Park on Novia Scotia Lane and the small cluster of houses is called Novia Scotia, as per the Cheshire A to Z Street Atlas or look at 7 o'clock from the arrow on this Streetmap link
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=362500&y=369500&z=120&sv=whitegate&st=3&tl=Map+of+Whitegate,+Cheshire+[City/Town/Village]&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map.srf
The Big Pool on the N.side of the track that continues W.from Novia Scotia Lane is the pit that the Smew is on usually but she does roost very often on Small Pool to the S.of the track. depends on how early you get there & how many dog walkers or fishermen have been around.
The paddocks that one of the Green Woodpeckers favours are the ones in front of the houses and haven't been used for horses for several months now, the actual horse paddocks which run back towards the Sandy Lane turn from where you park are the best for winter thrushes at the mo. At least 2 other Green Woodpeckers are regularly seen or heard.
The access is public on the main track and at the fishermens goodwill around the pools. They own the pools and as such could restrict access but they mainly have a beef with dogwalkers not birders. As long as we act sensibly they seem to welcome us on & I have a great relationship with all that I have met. I have even persuaded a couple to take optics when they're fishing & lots know about the Smew now!! I just don't use any of the pegs they are fishing from at the time or stand behind pegs in use too closely as shuffling feet or chatter can disturb their fishing. Otherwise it's pretty much anywhere you like, although there is no complete circluar route around Big Pool, which is a real shame, wish that there was.
Hope this helps you, John, and any others that need access details updating
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 04:59:35 PM
Cheers :)
Is it public access?
All the tracks when I look on the map say Members only ( Warrington anglers?)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 02:41:02 PM
The Green Woodpecker is usually knocking around the stable paddocks visible from where you park the car.
Cheers
Rob
I may have asked this before but where is the best place to park and are the pools public access?
cheers John