Missed you Rob. As said Corncrake showing very well from 7.15-7.35 in paddock to right of Carr lane as you head out of Hale village. Just past first farm.
Also 7 Linnet, Corn Bunting, juvenile Grey Partridge, Buzzard
Nearer the pools themselves:
Yellow Wagtail
50+ Black Tailed Godwit
Sedge Warbler
Reed Bunting
Redshank
Linnet

Missed you Rob. As said Corncrake showing very well from 7.15-7.35 in paddock to right of Carr lane as you head out of Hale village. Just past first farm.
Also 7 Linnet, Corn Bunting, juvenile Grey Partridge, Buzzard
Nearer the pools themselves:
Yellow Wagtail
50+ Black Tailed Godwit
Sedge Warbler
Reed Bunting
Redshank
Linnet

Corncrake showed again at 7.25 on numerous occasions up to around 7.40pm, only head and neck though.

Still lots of Linnet
1 Corn Bunting very distant on the phone wires (another heard calling)
1 Common Buzzard up fairly close on the fence post.


-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 7th of June 2015 07:58:40 PM

Corncrake, showing and calling well at 1915hrs in the evening sunshine, about 20 mts from the road side, a lifer for me.

Quick visit to try for the Corncrake after going for the Honey Buzzards (successful trip) at Welbeck Raptor Watchpoint in Notts.

Arrived at 5.55pm - Corncrake showed at 6.02pm. (My 2nd Lifer of the day)
Good to see Phil Kelly who put me in the right area and after hearing it call quite a few times it emerged from the Buttercups in the paddock giving head and neck views.
2 Grey Partridge walked into the immediate area and the Corncrake suddenly stood up briefly and started calling again.
Then it disappeared but within minutes re-appeared in full view walking slowly behind the Partridge and a male Pheasant giving excellent extensive posture views.
It showed up to around 6.25pm, it is still calling on and off and is showing again now at 7.12pm

Other birds...
1 male Pheasant
2 Grey Partridge
1 male Whitethroat on Higher Rd corner of Carr La.
Lots of Linnet
Lots of Goldfinch
1 male Yellow Wagtail
2 Dunnock

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 7th of June 2015 07:54:09 PM

Fascinating to watch the Corncrake this evening as it tried to court a Grey Partridge - stunning views after this mornings 8 seconds at 60m distance... there were less people around and the wind had dropped so either may have made a difference - shame about the Mazda 3 driver who felt the need to burn rubber [literally] a foot behind the assembled birders - take care of your optics/tripods if you go for a look!

Spent two hours at the Corncrake field this morning - about half the people ignored the parking requests - wont help local birders! Anyway the bird called every few minutes from 6:30 until around 7:45 and was constantly on the move through the long grass to the west end of the field. Two good but brief views when it moved across the thistles at the far side into the high vegetation surrounding the wheat field and then as it crossed from that edge back to the electricity pole with the fencing round it. Probably 8 seconds of views in four hours total visit time now... but a lifer

Also Linnets, Corn Bunting, Skylarks, Wagtails, Grey Partridge and other farmland birds were a good supporting cast.

Thursday 4th June.

Cracking views of the Corncrake to the right of the middle telegraph pole from 7.15pm until 9.35pm.

After a previous visit on Sunday resulted in only hearing the bird, those present were treated to the bird showing really well on and off all evening between the bird occasionally going back in the vegetation, but out it soon came again walking on the shorter grass close to the edge of the field and calling as it went.

At one point it had a bit of a coming together with a Grey Partridge to everyone's amusement.

A great record for the North West and I doubt they'll ever be as showy a bird as this one when it does appear.

Also present:

4 Grey Partridge
1 Corn Bunting
30+ Linnets
9 Swifts (but no Pacific!)
4 Swallows
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Skylark

A great evening was rounded off nicely by a Barn Owl seen hunting alongside the Motorway on the way home.

Definitely best time to go is between 18:30 and 20:00. And, yes, it would be more considerate to park in the lay by on Higher Road and take the short walk up Carr Lane to the paddock.

John Watson wrote:

---

Most people park on the roadside by the paddock, though some use the layby 500 yards to the N as suggested. The roadside is fine if you keep tucked in & away from birders to allow farm vehicles to pass. I wouldn't park opposite the farm entrance (as some have), as I can imagine this would make things difficult for the farmer.

The bird calls for a period every few hours, so you may have to be patient. Don't expect to see it. Seems quieter in the afternoon. Scan the paddock edge, esp nearer the farm.

Oh, and avoid chatty birders if you want to hear it. Fieldcraft is very lacking with some.

When I was there, I think someone was trying to tape it out - rather naughty considering it's a Schedule 1 species in potential breeding habitat, in the breeding season.

And, keep your eyes open for a swift with a white rump ...

---

t

Thanks the layby looks the better area

Most people park on the roadside by the paddock, though some use the layby 500 yards to the N as suggested. The roadside is fine if you keep tucked in & away from birders to allow farm vehicles to pass. I wouldn't park opposite the farm entrance (as some have), as I can imagine this would make things difficult for the farmer.

The bird calls for a period every few hours, so you may have to be patient. Don't expect to see it. Seems quieter in the afternoon. Scan the paddock edge, esp nearer the farm.

Oh, and avoid chatty birders if you want to hear it. Fieldcraft is very lacking with some.

When I was there, I think someone was trying to tape it out - rather naughty considering it's a Schedule 1 species in potential breeding habitat, in the breeding season.

And, keep your eyes open for a swift with a white rump ...

Where is everyone parking for the Corncrake as on the map it just looks like a narrow lane and not safe to park by the farm?.
cheers John

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 5th of June 2015 09:20:50 AM

For me, yesterday was a magical moment that I had waited for 36 years to see. Back in the late 70's when my amazing 'passion for birds' all started I never imagined it would be so long before I would see my last breeding British Bird (also my 4986th species in the World) - and what amazing views. It was great to be the first to get onto this bizarre specimen as it crept out into the open not just for a brief moment but over 20 minutes. Then if that was not strange enough behaviour, it decided to show affection to a Grey Partridge, failing to realise it was from a different genus and through lack of it's own species was immature enough to rally to it's testosterone and go for anything slightly resembling itself - Brilliant.
Chris Fogg.

The Corncrake had been showing really well from 6.00-6.30. But we arrived at 7.00

After a short wait it started singing again but this time from deep cover where it continued to frustrate the small group of assembled birders. Eventually though it moved fully out in the open whilst singing, then moved to half cover and began preening. Then we were treated to further bouts of song before it disappeared into deeper grass. On continuous view for 15 mins or so. Just like being on the Hebs

Cheers John

Thurs 4th June.

First chance I have had for another attempt since Saturday.

Arrived at 14.30 hrs to be told that the Corncrake had not called for at least an hour.
Three hours later it began to call and then after another 30 minutes emerged from the long grass at the bottom of one of the telegraph poles.

Treated everyone present to great views as it both postured and raced around on the short grass right in the middle of the paddock for at least 15 mins.

Only took me over 7 hour waiting ..... not like two lucky lads who arrived only 10 mins before show-time.
That's Birding !

Also Corn Bunting & Linnet.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Friday 5th of June 2015 12:09:36 AM

Corncrake calling from time to time up until 2pm at least but unfortunately not seen by me (or anyone else for that matter) during my two hour visit.

Corncrake still present this evening 7.45 - 8.30pm favouring the right hand corner of the Horse paddock, calling ever few minutes and venturing out into the open several times.

Also
Grey Partridge 4
Linnet 15+

whilst still possession of a hire car from my holidays last week & someone to look after my mother due to her falling over on Friday I took the chance this morning to go see the corncrake, it payed off nicely after it was calling on several occasions & almost an hour wait (just after 11am) when it showed well in the same area as sid mentions for several minutes but also going behind some vegetation, but you could still see its head as it began calling again
had a quick look on carr lane pools...
dunlin
shelduck
gadwall
lapwing
Canada goose

Just back from seeing the Corncrake in the horse paddocks to the north of the farm on Carr Lane - good views after a 2 hour wait in very wet conditions. Arrived just before 06.00 and for a while had the place to myself. The bird called frequently during that time. No problems on the roads for a change, not even a small hold up on the Widnes - Runcorn bridge

Saturday 30th May. 19.00 - 22.00 hrs.

Field on Carr Lane.

Male Corncrake calling at irregular intervals but no sighting for me.

Roger.

Little Stint showing well with 30+ Dunlin this morning.

2 Grey Partridge.

Adult Little Stint and breeding plumage Curlew Sandpiper still present tonight along with 200+ Black-tailed Godwit and 100+ Dunlin and a male Yellow Wagtail.

On nearby Church Road, a Ring-necked Parakeet was found in the garden of the last house on the right hand side, leading down to the Lighthouse. Sadly it had gone when I got there at 18:30.

Just a quick addition, not seen by myself but birders had a Marsh Harrier fly through the pools this morning, great record and a shame to have missed it

Dropped in late morning and found a few birders there looking for yesterdays Curlew Sand but no sign. The Whinchats, Knot & Garganey didn't show either and then most folk left. I had a good search through the 200 or so Black-tailed Godwits spurred on by the experience a while ago in Somerset, seeing a Hudsonian Godwit. On my first quick sweep through - Bingo, an unusual godwit was present!! But more of a 'all four corners' Bingo moment rather than a Full House, as it was no Hudsonian but a Bar-tailed Godwit instead! The last remaining birder from earlier said that no-one else had spotted it so it was a nice find. I managed a few digiscoped shots, just in case evidence was needed (probably not though!!). Over 40 Dunlin were still present. Another interesting sighting was a swallow with a large white patch on its back just above the rump. A few others had smaller ammounts of white in this area but this one showed a large square patch. Having trawled through Google images white back patches are not unusual in 'Barn Swallows' but one as large as this is uncommon.

18:45-19:15

Single Knot, amongst 203 Black-tailed Godwit
Single breeding plumage Curlew Sandpiper amongst 59 Dunlin
Garganey m + f
Whinchat 2m
Yellow Wagtail 1m
Ruff in partial breeding plumage
Buzzard
Redshank
Linnet
Shelduck
Lapwing

7.45 AM
Wood Sandpiper showing very well in sunny conditions
Also >>
1 Common Sandpiper
6 Dunlin
12+ Ruff
2 Snipe
20+ Redshank
numerous Black Tailed Godwit

no wagtails.

There are now 2 channel wagtails at the pool as well as the blue headed wagtail, and I managed to see one of them with 11 yellow wagtail. 1 wood sandpiper 11 ruff 70 black tailed godwit Common sandpiper 13 white wagtail 1 buzzard 2 pintail

8.00pm
Still 8 Yellow Wagtail inc 1 Blue Headed bird
1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 10+ Spotted Redshank inc 2 in very impressive black individuals in near full summer plumage, at least 2 Ruff,numerous Black Tailed Godwit
2 Pintail
I couldn't locate the Wood Sandpiper.

Fantastic evening at the pools around 6:00-7:15pm. The blue headed wagtail was right at the near end of the pools with at least 8 yellow wagtail, 7 white wagtail and 3 pied wagtail. I also managed to find the wood sandpiper, and other birds included a common sandpiper, 2 pintail, 2 grey partridge, 3 meadow pipit, 2 buzzard, 9 ruff (most of which are coming into summer plumage) 140 black tailed godwit and a flyover flock of about 40 comorants

Carr Lane Pools, Hale this evening: cracking Blue-headed Wagtail amongst at least 8 flavissimas. Also, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and 8 Ruff, some coming into breeding plumage. This place just gets better and better

12 Yellow Wagtails this evening. Also, a Blue-headed type, seen 10 minutes before I arrived. For its second day apparently. Also a Greenland Wheatear

2 yellow wagtail, common sandpiper and 3 ruff on the pools around 2:30pm

1 m Yellow Wagtail with Pieds

This evening

2 Yellow Wagtail m/f
25 White Wagtail
c30 Dunlin

amongst the usual suspects

2 each of common and little ringed plover were on the pools today. At several points they stood right next to each other, a good opportunity to compare them and take take note of the differences between the two species

Also around at about 1pm:

Common sandpiper
Yellow wagtail
3 buzzard
4 ruff
20 Dunlin
70 black tailed godwit (including some in summer plumage)

No Little ringed plover or Garganey, but 5 Ruff, 8 Snipe, 1 Raven, 48 Black tailed godwit, 2 Grey partridge and 3 Buzzard made for an enjoyable 30 minutes at the pools between 12:45-1:15 today

A Ruff (non breeding plumage) was actively feeding this afernoon along with 6 Redshank,26 Black-tailed Godwits and 44 Lapwing.

1.30-2
5 Little Egret
Kingfisher
8 Black Tailed Godwit
3 Shoveler
30 Teal
10 distant Partridge sp.

Carr Lane Pools

17th September

1 Pintail
4 Ruff
4 Black-tailed Godwit
1 Greylag Goose
c50 Wigeon

(2 Little Stint & 1 Curlew Sandpiper reported early morning)

Hale lighthouse

1 Curlew Sandpiper
2 Sanderling
c300 Dunlin
1 Black-tailed Godwit


Carr Lane Pools

11 Ruff
1 Pintail
1 Little Egret
2 Black-tailed Godwits


Pickerings Pasture

2 Little Egrets
1 Common Sandpiper

-- Edited by James Walsh on Thursday 4th of September 2014 08:35:23 PM

Around 1500 Canada Geese present here early evening. Also present 60+ Lapwing, 20 or so Black-tailed Godwit and a single Common Gull.

Then down to Hale Head, and, in fields adjacent to the path down to the Lighthouse were 25 Curlew and a pair of Grey Partridge.

On the mudflats to the left of the Lighthouse were a large mixed flock of waders that included approx 500 Dunlin, 150 Ringed Plover, at least 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and 5 juvenile Sanderling

At 6pm here, 6 Ruff and around 30 Black-tailed Godwit. The water here is very high currently so not ideal for passing waders

Thanks Patrick

The bird looked wild with no jesses and it was hunting. It tried to catch some ducks by flying very low at them but missed. Looking at its technique I would say it was juvenile, which tallied with its plumage. It certainly presented as a young Rough legged Buzzard, but I could not totally rule out a light phase Common Buzzard. Lets hope it turns up again as I would love to solve the puzzle.

Sorry Lawrence, only just seen this. Not aware of any particularly unusual looking Buzzards in the area, but, as you know, they can be extremely variable. What I would say is that I have seen someone flying a large bird of prey (unidentified) in the fields behind the pools on a couple of occasions, but, I'm assuming the bird you saw didn't have any jesses?

A quick visit at lunchtime and the local Canada flock was in residence numbering at least 200 birds. In amongst them were 8 Greylags and what could have been a Greylag/White-Front hybrid. It certainly had the white patch at the base of the bill and a hint of black barring on the belly. Also present, 5 Black-tailed Godwit

I was at the pools today at 2.00 - 3.30pm and noticed a large raptor land on a fence near the pools. My friend and I got it in our scopes but were struggling to identify it. It was obviously a Buzzard of some sort, but was very light especially on the head and upper chest with a darker lower chest and seemed to have what appeared to be a lighter and rather prominent supercilium. The tail was difficult to see when it flew, but when perched it was dark at the end with a very small light band at the tip. The feet were yellow with some feathering, but with some leg yellow showing.

The overall look suggested a Rough Legged Buzzard (possibly juvenile) and I was very tempted to offer a positive ID, but it was not conclusive.

Are there any records of light phase Common Buzzard in the area of the pools as this was the only other option.

Any advice, help or suggestions would be appreciated as it was a very different Buzzard than I have ever seen.

Lawrence

Additionally when first seen it seemed rather long winged, but this was only an initial view.

-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Tuesday 19th of August 2014 10:32:40 PM

A single Barnacle Goose was amongst the large Canada contingent present. Also, a juvenile Yellow Wagtail, a single Curlew, around 50 Black-tailed Godwit, a single Dunlin and increasing numbers of Lapwing.

It's great what the farmer has done here now with the new gate off Town Lane. I no longer have to 'breath in' every time a bus goes past!

One possible great white egret on the pools tonight, but didn't have the scope and there were no other birds for a size comparison so can't confirm

However, a wood sandpiper, 60 black tailed godwit and 10 Dunlin were also present

1 Peregrine
50 Black-tailed Godwit
3 Little Egret
3 Barnacle Geese
c200 Swift

-- Edited by James Walsh on Thursday 14th of August 2014 07:27:58 PM

Originally posted by M Gannon today:


Another visit this morning:

Wood sandpiper-1 (possibly 2)
Little stint
Snipe-4
Black tailed godwit-50
Redshank-5
Dunlin-10
Lapwing-30
Teal-8

A late morning visit today produced:

Wood sandpiper-1 (I only found one of the two wood sandpipers that have been at the pools recently, but it was a lifer for me so I'm not complaining!)
Little stint-1
Ringed plover-5
Dunlin-10
Lapwing-30
Black tailed godwit-50
Canada goose- 300
Barnacle goose-1
Shoveler-1 eclipse male
Teal-10