The single Hawfinch, found by Kev Bruen on Sunday, is still around today. Very elusive but generally frequenting the tall trees surrounding the open area, above the steps which lead up from the Bittern Hide. Same area as the twenty odd birds frequented five years ago.
Mike Mulholland said
Mon May 9 12:57 PM, 2022
Cuckoo singing this morning (08.40) between Uplands and Lesley's Leap.
Also Garden Warbler singing and showing really well Dairy House Meadow
Mark Jarrett said
Tue May 3 9:56 AM, 2022
Four male Mandarin in far field by Fishermans Path, this morning.
50+ hirundines above Budworth Mere, mainly Swallow with 10-15 Sand Martin and the odd House Martin.
Mike Mulholland said
Tue Apr 26 8:47 PM, 2022
Male and female Whinchat seen briefly Dairy House Meadows mid morning, also Grasshopper Warbler and Garden Warbler en route to Uplands.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Apr 26 8:29 PM, 2022
A walk along the Fishermans Path, late morning, yielded a pair of Mandarin in the middle field with both Whitethroat and Yellowhammer in the general area of the Magic Hedge.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Apr 22 9:21 PM, 2022
Two Mediterranean Gull in the ploughed field yesterday morning, a Little Ringed Plover by one of the pools in the next field and a pair of Mandarin in the final field. Two Little Ringed Plover also around Kid Brook Spit. A male Sparrowhawk had earlier flown low over the ploughed field with a squealing House Sparrow in its talons.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Apr 20 9:52 PM, 2022
The ploughed field by the Fishermans Path has finally seen some wagtail action with both a male and female Yellow Wagtail today at different times. Also a minimum of five Whites over the last couple of days.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Apr 12 7:08 PM, 2022
Quick visit this afternoon after the rain. Mereside Path to the Woodland Hide, then back the same way. Forty seven species seen, highlights being :-
- Shelduck (2) - Shoveler (1) - Gadwall (3) - Tufted Duck (22) - Great Crested Grebe (10) - Stock Dove (2) - Oystercatcher (2) - Common Sandpiper (1) - Green Sandpiper (1) - Sand Martin (c.20) - House Martin (1) - Willow Warbler (2) - Chiffchaff (15) - Blackcap (2) - Brambling (min 2)
Great to see the Brambling on the Mereside Path. A very scarce Winter visitor on patch here, usually only seen in singles or ones and twos. A female and a handsome male in breeding plumage. Flitting quickly and very high up, I have a feeling there could have been four birds.
Paul Flackett said
Thu Apr 7 9:00 PM, 2022
Just been talking to a birding friend who tells me he watched an Osprey over Neumann's Flash last Thursday (Mar 31st). I've asked him to let Greg Baker know for the Marbury annual report.
Mark Jarrett said
Sun Apr 3 11:15 AM, 2022
Fifty two species from the Fishermans Path this morning from 7.45 in sunny and cold weather. Highlights being :-
- Mandarin Duck, two pairs circuiting the mere and Big Wood, before departing south. - Mediterranean Gull, two birds off Kid Brook Spit, in with the Black-headed Gulls. - Little Ringed Plover, two on Kid Brook Spit. - Kingfisher - Water Rail, one in eastern reedbed. - Swallow, two over the mere. - Sand Martin, two over the mere. - Skylark, one in the middle field by the Fishermans Path.
I met a birder on the Fishermans Path, who had earlier had a mixed finch flock in the willows, within which were two Brambling, a very scarce bird on patch with usually only the odd single sighting each Winter. Unable to relocate them but they were later reported on our WhatsApp group, from the Slipway/mereside path area.
Natalie Clarke said
Sat Apr 2 6:34 PM, 2022
Couple of hours this morning turned up some really nice spots!
1 nuthatch
3 song thrush
2 male blackcap
1 Jay
1 grey heron
1 treecreeper
Lots of tufted duck and great crested grebe
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Apr 1 1:57 PM, 2022
Mediterranean Gull and drake Pintail on Budworth Mere, late morning today.
Mike Mulholland said
Thu Mar 31 12:43 PM, 2022
Male Wheatear mid morning in ploughed field east of Big Wood.
Also Raven and Stock Dove.
John Williams said
Wed Mar 30 8:49 PM, 2022
Afternoon visit
Kid Brook : 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Redshank and 3 Oystercatchers.
A 2nd winter Great Black Back Gull was on the mere.
No Mediterranean or even Common Gulls were to be found though, despite the large numbers of Black Headed.
A flock of around 30 Sand Martins were above the mere close to the yacht club, a couple of Swallows were
reported to be amongst them too.
A search through Big Wood for woodpeckers only produced the sighting of a Jackdaw furnishing a cavity, a
male Blackcap was seen nearby though.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Mar 28 6:38 PM, 2022
Over four hours this morning from 7.10, same route as on 15th March but also taking in the fields to the north west of the mere. A mix of sun and cloud, 7-13*c, light winds. 55 species again, more or less the same as previously, adding Little Egret and Redshank on Kid Brook Spit and three Blackcap around the woodlands. Also a minimum of 24 Chiffchaff. Green Sandpiper noted on the Fishermans Path pool (taken from our WhatsApp group).
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Mar 22 8:54 PM, 2022
Forty species seen yesterday morning in the Higher Marston farmland, which is the area immediately to the south east of the eastern end of Budworth Mere. The highlight on the floods and pools was a pair of Shoveler (Willow Pool) and a Snipe from the same location. Three Skylark were up and singing from the potato field and the crop field adjacent to it. Approx eighteen Linnet were noted on the top field nearest to the housing estate. Otherwise, just the usual suspects.
A short walk down to Budworth Mere revealed two pairs of Mediterranean Gull, in full breeding plumage together with two Little Ringed Plover on Kid Brook Spit. A Green Sandpiper was feeding nearby on the North Shore.
John Williams said
Mon Mar 21 6:38 PM, 2022
Lunchtime visit
2 Little Ringed Plovers and 1 Oystercatcher on Kid Brook Spit, alongside 8 resplendent adult Common Gulls.
A group of 4 Song Thrushes on the lawn by the visitor centre, 1 Mistle Thrush in Hopyards Wood.
A flock of 12 Redwings in Big Wood, also seen there were 2 Treecreepers, 3 Nuthatches (Having a territorial fight),
1f Bullfinch and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Mike Mulholland said
Thu Mar 17 7:29 PM, 2022
Redshank and Little Ringed Plover on the spit mid afternoon and approx 20 Pied Wagtail on and around the spit.
20 + Sand Martin feeding above the mere and a male Pochard on the mere.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Mar 15 1:34 PM, 2022
Just over five hours this morning from 7.10, sunny spells, light winds, 2-13*c. Same route as last time and which has now more or less become the norm. Amongst others :-
55 Species seen. The Wood Duck is the assumed escapee/feral bird that bred last year, raising four young that soon perished or were predated.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Tuesday 15th of March 2022 01:36:36 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Mar 8 2:09 PM, 2022
Four and a quarter hours this morning from 8.40 in sunny and cold weather, 2-9*c. Mereside Path - Slipway - Forge Brook - Big Wood - Black Wood Open Fields - Slipway - Mereside Path. 51 species, amongst others :-
Three hours this morning from 9am in sunny and cold weather, 4-8*c. Mereside path - slipway - Forge Brook - Big Wood - open fields and return. Amongst others :-
I have been round a couple of times since my last report here but not posted as its been pretty much the same stuff being seen. Expecting the first Sand Martin within the next couple of weeks and the first incoming warblers thereafter. A Firecrest was seen late last week (Schedule 1) but as these have been reported from MCP in winter previously, I am assuming this is ok to broadcast. Subsequent searches have drawn a blank. Recent sightings have also included Mediterranean Gull, female Wood Duck and Bittern, the latter in Coward Reedbed as usual.
Tony Coatsworth said
Thu Feb 10 6:51 PM, 2022
Big flock of around 80 Curlew on Kid Brook before a dog walker flushed them. Also 3 Oystercatcher and a few Shelduck
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Friday 11th of February 2022 12:19:51 PM
Charles Farrell said
Sat Feb 5 12:36 AM, 2022
First visit here and completed a circular walk in the morning and a shorter walk in the afternoon.
In the morning (11:00 - 12:15) there were
- 8 Goosander (5m,3f) - 20+ Curlew on the spit on the northern side of the Mere - c20 lapwing in the same area - 1 Treecreeper near the carpark - Mistle Thrush heard - 1 Kingfisher seen by my sister - Flock of c12 Redwing - Several singing Goldcrest
In the afternoon - Several noisy Jays - Female Reed Bunting near feeding station - no sign of the Goosanders that were present in the morning - no sign of the Bittern
John Williams said
Fri Feb 4 7:49 PM, 2022
Afternoon visit, but opted to leave well before the Bittern's normal emergence time of 17.00.
Budworth Mere : 14 Great Crested Grebes and 1m Goosander (There have been up to a dozen showing here recently,
but only the single male out in the centre of the mere could be found today). 4 Oystercatchers were by the yachting club.
20 Grey Herons and a single Little Egret were resting in bushes below the heronry.
Maintenance work was being carried out near Kid Brook, so the spit was devoid of birdlife, a pair of Stock Doves and a couple
of Mistle Thrushes were seen on the nearby meadow though.
Mark Jarrett said
Sun Jan 30 1:21 PM, 2022
Three and a quarter hours this morning from 8.40, usual walk, mereside path, Forge Brook, Big Wood and the open fields. Weather sunny and clear, minimal winds, 4-7*c. Fifty two species, amongst others :-
Greylag Goose (c.25) Canada Goose (c.50) Mute Swan (2) Shelduck (1) Wigeon (4) Teal (6) Tufted Duck (17) Goldeneye (3) Goosander (12) Little Grebe (1) Great Crested Grebe (23) Stock Dove (7) Water Rail (1) Oystercatcher (1) Lapwing (18) Curlew (31) Grey Heron (14) Little Egret (1) Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) Nuthatch (9) Redwing (38) Siskin (c.20)
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jan 24 9:47 PM, 2022
The Bittern was seen in flight this evening over Coward Reedbed, reported in by the observer at 4.55pm, so probably flew just before that time.
John Williams said
Mon Jan 24 8:29 PM, 2022
Afternoon visit
A Tawny Owl was heard calling by the canal bridge along Marbury Lane, whilst a Goldcrest flitted through ivy nearby.
Budworth Mere : 15 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Wigeon, 10 Goosanders (3m+7f) and 1 Kingfisher.
Kid Brook : 102 Lapwings and 1 Curlew.
2 Sparrowhawks were seen, 1 over the reedbed, the other, a male, passed close to the bird table at breath taking speed.
Jays appeared unusually plentiful, both at Marbury CP and at nearby Neumanns Flash.
Again, as on the 19th, the Bittern failed to make an appearance during my vigil, I gave up at 3.30pm due to the visibility becoming
very murky, and the fear of frostbite. I'm sure somebody is going to tell me that I just missed it!!.
John Williams said
Wed Jan 19 11:55 PM, 2022
15.00-17.00
A flock of 30 Redwings roosted in trees along Marbury Lane.
20 Grey Herons were gathered around the trees close to the heronry.
7f+4m Goosanders were on the mere together with 25 Great Crested Grebes and 2f Goldeneyes.
32 Lapwings and 10 Curlews were around Kid Brook. A single Siskin was on a mere side Alder.
No sign of the Bittern though during a 1.5 hour vigil with several other birders.
A Sparrowhawk emerged from the reedbed several times but was not seen to catch anything.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jan 18 1:54 PM, 2022
Three and a half hours this morning from 8.55 in sunny and clear weather, minimal winds, -2 to 2*c. Mereside path - Slipway - Big Wood - open fields & return via same route. Budworth Mere 90% frozen. 53 Species seen, amongst others :-
While waiting for the Bittern, which showed on cue at 16:35, scanned around and found a small grebe that could only be Black-Necked Grebe by Kid Brook (neck much too long for Little Grebe, which was also present). Unfortunately, only 1 other birder got onto it before some non-birder walked out onto the spit and the grebe disappeared into the reeds for the night
This coincides with the disappearance of the Black-Necked Grebe at Acre Nook
Also around were Kingfisher & 2 Goosander (m,f)
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Dec 24 1:52 PM, 2021
Just over two and a half hours, this morning, from 7.50am, dull but fine. Mainly to view the Starlings leaving Coward Reedbed. The roost has steadily built up over the Autumn/Winter period and a count last night estimated 120k. It was a superb sight (and noise) when they left around 8am. A bit of a quiet feel on the mere and in the woodland. Amongst others :-
Good numbers of Rook today, this is the only reliable spot to see them on patch. The mixed finch flock on the farmland near Marston Hall Farm didnt hold any Brambling, unfortunately. The two Teal were on the floods/pool near the main road, otherwise the wildfowl were down on Marston Pools.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Nov 9 8:23 PM, 2021
Without having the Bittern Hide, lost earlier this year due to vandalism, it has been harder to witness the Starling roost and possible Bittern activity in Coward Reedbed. There have been no reports of Bittern this back end so, this afternoon, I decided to take one of those fold up £5 green chairs and just sit and wait.
After I had been there for an hour and three quarters, the first Starling started to drop in at around 15.45 hrs. Several groups had circled around and moved on before a flock of around 2k dropped in at 16.00 hrs. Thereafter, many other groups decided to join the party and when I left at 16.30 hrs (still a fair bit of daylight left) I reckon a good 7.5k had roosted and others were still arriving.
The highlight of the afternoon was a Bittern in brief flight at around 16.15 hrs at the left hand corner of the reedbed, just a few yards but great to see. Earlier, a 1w Sparrowhawk had been present, waiting for the Starling to arrive. Three Water Rail were heard, squealing away, from within the reedbed.
For information purposes, funding is now in place for a replacement hide, which will be situated more or less where it was, but just a few yards to the left. Should be in situ by April but no doubt consideration will have to be given to not disturbing the Bittern(s) now that one has arrived. Last Winter, there was generally one bird present but sometimes two. Until then, it will be a case of viewing whilst stood up at, or near, the viewing area.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Nov 8 11:27 AM, 2021
Three and a quarter hours this morning from 6.50am. Walked the mereside path, into Big Wood and along Forge Brook, around the open fields then into Hopyards Wood. Weather clear and fine, light winds, 6-9*c. Waited for 20 mins at Coward Reedbed. Could hear the Starlings in the reeds and they finally departed, en masse, at 7.18am. A total of 53 species seen, amongst others :-
There have been two single sightings of Brambling over the last couple of days. An extremely scarce visitor to patch but no luck for me this morning despite a bit of a search.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Nov 5 8:23 AM, 2021
Two hours yesterday morning from 8.50, down the mereside path to the slipway, then on through Big Wood and back to the car park via the open fields. Weather sunny, cold and clear, 4-6*c, light winds. Amongst others :-
Greylag Goose (49) Canada Goose (133) Mute Swan (2) Shelduck (1) Gadwall (2) Mallard (c.150) Tufted Duck (53) Little Grebe (1) Great Crested Grebe (62) Northern Lapwing (18) Eurasian Curlew (41) Great Cormorant (10) Grey Heron (1) Little Egret (1) Common Raven (2) Eurasian Skylark (1) Long-tailed Tit (6) Goldcrest (2) Nuthatch (4) European Starling (35) Redwing (50+)
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Oct 12 6:41 PM, 2021
Two adult male Wood Duck present on Budworth Mere for the second day, next to the Boathouse in the south west corner.
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Sep 11 4:30 PM, 2021
Highlights of over two and a half hours around the park this morning were a juvenile Hobby over Kid Brook Marsh and two Egyptian Geese in with the goose flock. Otherwise, standard fayre.
A similar walk on Thursday, taking in the mereside path and Big Wood yielded 47 species including Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Swallow and House Martin.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jul 6 4:21 PM, 2021
Three Common Tern over the mere late morning.
Steve Costa said
Sun Jun 27 1:27 PM, 2021
There is an upside to this story. The hide was 25 years old and not in perfect condition. Plans for a replacement are already in process.
Steve Costa said
Fri Jun 25 11:37 PM, 2021
This is awful news. These morons are intent on destruction in the Northwich Woodlands complex. It's only 5/6 weeks since the large storage barn at Carey Park was burnt down. I fear for the other hides, sheds, cabins, etc. Wanton vandalism is always depressing. The fact that it's in such a well-loved and diverse area only increases the anger and frustration.
Tom Jones said
Fri Jun 25 3:34 PM, 2021
to day 25 June 21, the Bittern Hide has be destroyed by yobs, so it is no longer usable. (*******)
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jun 24 3:06 PM, 2021
A movement of Common Scoter overnight with good numbers appearing on local reservoirs and lakes. Sixteen on Budworth Mere, found by Greg Baker, early doors. I went down at around 12.30 and despite twice flying off, they circled round a few times and settled again on the water.
Spotted Flycatcher showing well, late afternoon, by the Bittern Hide. Been present here since Thursday.
Lesser Whitethroat singing from long hedge, west of the main footpath through the adjacent Dairy House Meadows. The meadows are sandwiched between Marbury Country Park and Neumanns Flash.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri May 7 4:25 PM, 2021
An hour or so on the Fishermans Path this morning produced a single female Wheatear, a minimum of two White Wagtail, over one hundred House Martin (including the mere), thirty to fifty Swallow, a minimum of thirty Sand Martin and around twenty Swift. Three Whimbrel did a circuit over the path before departing and, half an hour later, a further Whimbrel was heard over the mere.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Apr 30 6:49 PM, 2021
Decided to try my luck on the Fishermans Path by Budworth Mere, late afternoon, the showery weather always decent at dropping stuff in. We have only had singles of Yellow Wagtail on passage, so it was nice to find four in the middle field along with two Wheatear. This field has been given the muck spreading treatment a couple of weeks ago and the next field has recently been ploughed, making the general area attractive for migrants feeding. The second hedge along is a thick, mature one and feeders have recently been added which have attracted Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer, patch rarities. As I was scanning through feeding Reed Buntings by the hedge, hoping for a Yellowhammer, I found a female Redstart, again only a passage migrant on patch, some years we only get one, some none at all. A productive hour or so. GB had, this morning, found a Lesser Whitethroat in the first hedge by the Fishermans Path.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Apr 26 4:43 PM, 2021
Just over three hours from 8.20 this morning in sunny and fine weather, albeit cool to start with. Mereside path, Big Wood to Haydns Pool and return by same route. As I was three quarters way to Haydns, news came in of a Little Gull that had dropped in at the mere, found by GB, so I cut short my time at Haydns and returned to the mere. Luckily it was still around. Fifty two species here and sixty six on our overall patch, highlights :-
Little Gull (1) Great Crested Grebe (9) Gadwall (4) Common Sandpiper (2) House Martin (1) Swift (4) Reed Warbler (2) Willow Warbler (3) Chiffchaff (11) Blackcap (5) Raven (1)
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Apr 12 3:11 PM, 2021
Spent an hour at the slipway from 7.30 am viewing Kid Brook Spit. Two Common Sandpiper, two Green Sandpiper and a White Wagtail. I had had a White Wagtail, late afternoon yesterday, in the ploughed field by the Fishermans Path but nothing today. There were, however, a dozen or so Fieldfare that have been present for a few days.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Apr 8 4:34 PM, 2021
Quick visit to the mere, mid afternoon. Little Ringed Plover and four Oystercatcher on Kid Brook Spit. Around one thousand Sand Martin over the mere. White Wagtail in the freshly ploughed field by the Fishermans Path, along with fifteen or so Pieds. A Wheatear had been seen in the field this morning.
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Apr 3 3:38 PM, 2021
Around 1000 Sand Martin at Budworth Mere, 7.30am today with half a dozen Swallow in the mix. Nothing on Kid Brook Spit other than a pair of Oystercatcher. Two Blackcap by the mereside path.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Apr 2 12:13 PM, 2021
Doc Brewster wrote:
Mark Jarrett wrote:
Another Osprey was reported on BirdGuides as passing over nearby Cuddington, heading north east, early evening. This would have taken it close to Budworth Mere but, with no further reports, it may well have veered off northwards.
On RBA the Cuddington Osprey is reported as heading NE over Kennel Lane at 10.14am, but the news wasn't transmitted until after 6.50am.
Yes, Paul, I realise that now. I took the info off our WhatsApp Group, rather than checking the details myself.
Cuckoo singing this morning (08.40) between Uplands and Lesley's Leap.
Also Garden Warbler singing and showing really well Dairy House Meadow
50+ hirundines above Budworth Mere, mainly Swallow with 10-15 Sand Martin and the odd House Martin.
Male and female Whinchat seen briefly Dairy House Meadows mid morning, also Grasshopper Warbler and Garden Warbler en route to Uplands.
- Shelduck (2)
- Shoveler (1)
- Gadwall (3)
- Tufted Duck (22)
- Great Crested Grebe (10)
- Stock Dove (2)
- Oystercatcher (2)
- Common Sandpiper (1)
- Green Sandpiper (1)
- Sand Martin (c.20)
- House Martin (1)
- Willow Warbler (2)
- Chiffchaff (15)
- Blackcap (2)
- Brambling (min 2)
Great to see the Brambling on the Mereside Path. A very scarce Winter visitor on patch here, usually only seen in singles or ones and twos. A female and a handsome male in breeding plumage. Flitting quickly and very high up, I have a feeling there could have been four birds.
Just been talking to a birding friend who tells me he watched an Osprey over Neumann's Flash last Thursday (Mar 31st). I've asked him to let Greg Baker know for the Marbury annual report.
- Mandarin Duck, two pairs circuiting the mere and Big Wood, before departing south.
- Mediterranean Gull, two birds off Kid Brook Spit, in with the Black-headed Gulls.
- Little Ringed Plover, two on Kid Brook Spit.
- Kingfisher
- Water Rail, one in eastern reedbed.
- Swallow, two over the mere.
- Sand Martin, two over the mere.
- Skylark, one in the middle field by the Fishermans Path.
I met a birder on the Fishermans Path, who had earlier had a mixed finch flock in the willows, within which were two Brambling, a very scarce bird on patch with usually only the odd single sighting each Winter. Unable to relocate them but they were later reported on our WhatsApp group, from the Slipway/mereside path area.
Male Wheatear mid morning in ploughed field east of Big Wood.
Also Raven and Stock Dove.
Kid Brook : 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Redshank and 3 Oystercatchers.
A 2nd winter Great Black Back Gull was on the mere.
No Mediterranean or even Common Gulls were to be found though, despite the large numbers of Black Headed.
A flock of around 30 Sand Martins were above the mere close to the yacht club, a couple of Swallows were
reported to be amongst them too.
A search through Big Wood for woodpeckers only produced the sighting of a Jackdaw furnishing a cavity, a
male Blackcap was seen nearby though.
A short walk down to Budworth Mere revealed two pairs of Mediterranean Gull, in full breeding plumage together with two Little Ringed Plover on Kid Brook Spit. A Green Sandpiper was feeding nearby on the North Shore.
2 Little Ringed Plovers and 1 Oystercatcher on Kid Brook Spit, alongside 8 resplendent adult Common Gulls.
A group of 4 Song Thrushes on the lawn by the visitor centre, 1 Mistle Thrush in Hopyards Wood.
A flock of 12 Redwings in Big Wood, also seen there were 2 Treecreepers, 3 Nuthatches (Having a territorial fight),
1f Bullfinch and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Redshank and Little Ringed Plover on the spit mid afternoon and approx 20 Pied Wagtail on and around the spit.
20 + Sand Martin feeding above the mere and a male Pochard on the mere.
Greylag Goose (2)
Canada Goose (2)
Mute Swan (4)
Shelduck (8)
Wood Duck (1f)
Shoveler (8)
Wigeon (7)
Teal (3)
Tufted Duck (49)
Great Crested Grebe (15)
Stock Dove (10)
Water Rail (1)
Oystercatcher (3)
Lapwing (3)
Curlew (2)
Grey Heron (23)
Buzzard (3)
Kingfisher (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (5)
Sand Martin (12)
Chiffchaff (5)
Long-tailed Tit (6)
Goldcrest (4)
Nuthatch (8)
Treecreeper (1)
Redwing (24)
Siskin (2)
55 Species seen.
The Wood Duck is the assumed escapee/feral bird that bred last year, raising four young that soon perished or were predated.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Tuesday 15th of March 2022 01:36:36 PM
Greylag Goose (12)
Canada Goose (84)
Mute Swan (2)
Shelduck (2)
Gadwall (1)
Tufted Duck (44)
Little Grebe (2)
Great Crested Grebe (9)
Stock Dove (8)
Oystercatcher (4)
Curlew (29)
Great Black-backed Gull (3CY)
Cormorant (7)
Heron (10)
Buzzard (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Long-tailed Tit (1)
Goldcrest (8)
Nuthatch (8)
Redwing (30)
Fieldfare (1)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Meadow Pipit (2)
Siskin (2)
Reed Bunting (1)
Greylag Goose (13)
Canada Goose (30)
Mute Swan (4)
Shelduck (4)
Shoveler (4)
Tufted Duck (34)
Great Crested Grebe (23)
Stock Dove (2)
Oystercatcher (1)
Lapwing (8)
Curlew (14)
Common Gull (13)
Heron (10)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (3)
Green Woodpecker (1)
Long-tailed Tit (4)
Goldcrest (2)
Nuthatch (6)
Treecreeper (1)
Mistle Thrush (1)
Song Thrush (4)
Redwing (2)
Pied Wagtail (7)
I have been round a couple of times since my last report here but not posted as its been pretty much the same stuff being seen. Expecting the first Sand Martin within the next couple of weeks and the first incoming warblers thereafter. A Firecrest was seen late last week (Schedule 1) but as these have been reported from MCP in winter previously, I am assuming this is ok to broadcast. Subsequent searches have drawn a blank. Recent sightings have also included Mediterranean Gull, female Wood Duck and Bittern, the latter in Coward Reedbed as usual.
Big flock of around 80 Curlew on Kid Brook before a dog walker flushed them. Also 3 Oystercatcher and a few Shelduck
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Friday 11th of February 2022 12:19:51 PM
In the morning (11:00 - 12:15) there were
- 8 Goosander (5m,3f)
- 20+ Curlew on the spit on the northern side of the Mere
- c20 lapwing in the same area
- 1 Treecreeper near the carpark
- Mistle Thrush heard
- 1 Kingfisher seen by my sister
- Flock of c12 Redwing
- Several singing Goldcrest
In the afternoon
- Several noisy Jays
- Female Reed Bunting near feeding station
- no sign of the Goosanders that were present in the morning
- no sign of the Bittern
Budworth Mere : 14 Great Crested Grebes and 1m Goosander (There have been up to a dozen showing here recently,
but only the single male out in the centre of the mere could be found today). 4 Oystercatchers were by the yachting club.
20 Grey Herons and a single Little Egret were resting in bushes below the heronry.
Maintenance work was being carried out near Kid Brook, so the spit was devoid of birdlife, a pair of Stock Doves and a couple
of Mistle Thrushes were seen on the nearby meadow though.
Greylag Goose (c.25)
Canada Goose (c.50)
Mute Swan (2)
Shelduck (1)
Wigeon (4)
Teal (6)
Tufted Duck (17)
Goldeneye (3)
Goosander (12)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (23)
Stock Dove (7)
Water Rail (1)
Oystercatcher (1)
Lapwing (18)
Curlew (31)
Grey Heron (14)
Little Egret (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Nuthatch (9)
Redwing (38)
Siskin (c.20)
The Bittern was seen in flight this evening over Coward Reedbed, reported in by the observer at 4.55pm, so probably flew just before that time.
A Tawny Owl was heard calling by the canal bridge along Marbury Lane, whilst a Goldcrest flitted through ivy nearby.
Budworth Mere : 15 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Wigeon, 10 Goosanders (3m+7f) and 1 Kingfisher.
Kid Brook : 102 Lapwings and 1 Curlew.
2 Sparrowhawks were seen, 1 over the reedbed, the other, a male, passed close to the bird table at breath taking speed.
Jays appeared unusually plentiful, both at Marbury CP and at nearby Neumanns Flash.
Again, as on the 19th, the Bittern failed to make an appearance during my vigil, I gave up at 3.30pm due to the visibility becoming
very murky, and the fear of frostbite. I'm sure somebody is going to tell me that I just missed it!!.
A flock of 30 Redwings roosted in trees along Marbury Lane.
20 Grey Herons were gathered around the trees close to the heronry.
7f+4m Goosanders were on the mere together with 25 Great Crested Grebes and 2f Goldeneyes.
32 Lapwings and 10 Curlews were around Kid Brook. A single Siskin was on a mere side Alder.
No sign of the Bittern though during a 1.5 hour vigil with several other birders.
A Sparrowhawk emerged from the reedbed several times but was not seen to catch anything.
Greylag Goose (43)
Canada Goose (c.200)
Mute Swan (3)
Shelduck (3)
Shoveler (5)
Wigeon (21)
Mallard (45)
Teal (8)
Pochard (3)
Tufted Duck (22)
Goosander (8)
Great Crested Grebe (27)
Stock Dove (7)
Water Rail (1)
Lapwing (108)
Curlew (22)
Little Egret (1)
Buzzard (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (3)
Green Woodpecker (1)
Long-tailed Tit (10)
Goldcrest (1)
Nuthatch (9)
Mistle Thrush (1)
Bullfinch (3)
This coincides with the disappearance of the Black-Necked Grebe at Acre Nook
Also around were Kingfisher & 2 Goosander (m,f)
Canada Goose (65)
Mute Swan (2)
Pochard (3)
Goldeneye (2)
Great Crested Grebe (37)
Water Rail (1)
Lapwing (c.200)
Curlew (2)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Tawny Owl (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Raven (2)
Nuthatch (3)
Long-tailed Tit (4)
Starling (120k)
Redwing (23)
Greylag Goose (6)
Teal (2)
Tufted Duck (2)
Goosander (1f)
Little Grebe (3)
Grey Heron (2)
Cormorant (2)
Stock Dove (1)
Buzzard (2)
Rook (c.50)
Pied Wagtail (3)
Chaffinch (55)
Goldfinch (20)
Reed Bunting (1)
Good numbers of Rook today, this is the only reliable spot to see them on patch. The mixed finch flock on the farmland near Marston Hall Farm didnt hold any Brambling, unfortunately. The two Teal were on the floods/pool near the main road, otherwise the wildfowl were down on Marston Pools.
After I had been there for an hour and three quarters, the first Starling started to drop in at around 15.45 hrs. Several groups had circled around and moved on before a flock of around 2k dropped in at 16.00 hrs. Thereafter, many other groups decided to join the party and when I left at 16.30 hrs (still a fair bit of daylight left) I reckon a good 7.5k had roosted and others were still arriving.
The highlight of the afternoon was a Bittern in brief flight at around 16.15 hrs at the left hand corner of the reedbed, just a few yards but great to see. Earlier, a 1w Sparrowhawk had been present, waiting for the Starling to arrive. Three Water Rail were heard, squealing away, from within the reedbed.
For information purposes, funding is now in place for a replacement hide, which will be situated more or less where it was, but just a few yards to the left. Should be in situ by April but no doubt consideration will have to be given to not disturbing the Bittern(s) now that one has arrived. Last Winter, there was generally one bird present but sometimes two. Until then, it will be a case of viewing whilst stood up at, or near, the viewing area.
Greylag Goose (7)
Canada Goose (26)
Mute Swan (2)
Northern Shoveler (1)
Pochard (1)
Tufted Duck (18)
Goldeneye (1)
Goosander (2)
Great Crested Grebe (63)
Little Grebe (2)
Stock Dove (3)
Water Rail (2)
Lapwing (21)
Curlew (26)
Little Egret (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Buzzard (2)
Kestrel (1)
Tawny Owl (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Raven (4)
Long-tailed Tit (6)
Nuthatch (6)
Starling (3500)
Redwing (35)
Siskin (12)
There have been two single sightings of Brambling over the last couple of days. An extremely scarce visitor to patch but no luck for me this morning despite a bit of a search.
Greylag Goose (49)
Canada Goose (133)
Mute Swan (2)
Shelduck (1)
Gadwall (2)
Mallard (c.150)
Tufted Duck (53)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (62)
Northern Lapwing (18)
Eurasian Curlew (41)
Great Cormorant (10)
Grey Heron (1)
Little Egret (1)
Common Raven (2)
Eurasian Skylark (1)
Long-tailed Tit (6)
Goldcrest (2)
Nuthatch (4)
European Starling (35)
Redwing (50+)
A similar walk on Thursday, taking in the mereside path and Big Wood yielded 47 species including Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Swallow and House Martin.
Lesser Whitethroat singing from long hedge, west of the main footpath through the adjacent Dairy House Meadows. The meadows are sandwiched between Marbury Country Park and Neumanns Flash.
Little Gull (1)
Great Crested Grebe (9)
Gadwall (4)
Common Sandpiper (2)
House Martin (1)
Swift (4)
Reed Warbler (2)
Willow Warbler (3)
Chiffchaff (11)
Blackcap (5)
Raven (1)
Yes, Paul, I realise that now. I took the info off our WhatsApp Group, rather than checking the details myself.