Seven Yellowhammer this evening, plus a couple of Skylark, in fields and hedgerows around the Claycroft Farm area, off Cogshall Lane, Anderton.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 7 9:19 AM, 2018
This morning whist attending to the horse near Whitegate, very early, we had two Woodcocks fly over the field in a big circle, a Green Woodpecker bounce low over the field and then call madly and a Sparrowhawk flap-flap glide high over in the sun. Not a bad little haul whilst giving vetinary care to an injured horse
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Jan 27 12:30 PM, 2018
Shakerley Mere east of Lach Dennis. Goosander (2 pr), Tufted Duck (4), Cormorant (1), Mute Swan (2), several Canada Goose, Mallard and Moorhen. Two sets of feeders lively with Blue & Great Tit and Nuthatch calling nearby. There is an area of heathland at one end that should be good for one or two Warbler species in Spring.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Dec 10 9:31 PM, 2017
Couple of nice sightings today:
In our postage stamp sized back garden a Redwing driven in by the snow, found a worm in a snow free area that we are keeping that way for our avian visitors. So our efforts paid off. This Redwing spent a bit of time later in the front garden.
By New Bridge over the R.Weaver just S.of Moulton a Kingfisher showing really well in bankside trees.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Nov 21 1:50 PM, 2017
A sighting passed on to me by a forum member who has lost his log in, so asked me to post. He was at Pick Mere yesterday (Mon 20th Nov) and the only noteworthy sighting was of 150+Wigeon.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Nov 13 12:04 PM, 2017
Doc Brewster wrote:
A crazy sighting on the way to work today.
Whilst driving north up Station Road in Lostock Gralam on the east side of Northwich a Woodcock flew across on front of my car, jinking at the last minute otherwise I would have hit it! Luckily I was in a 30mph zone, with a nursery school, in which I always go ultra-slow in, otherwise who knows? Woodcock for tea?
Not so crazy, I have had news that on the same day as my sighting above there was a Woodcock seen flying down a residential road in Winnington and then the very next day a Woodcock was seen behind the Odeon Cinema in Northwich Town Centre! Adding to this 2 at Woolston Eyes on the same day as mine and 1 at Delamere the day before it seems like a mini movement was occurring in this area.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Nov 9 10:40 AM, 2017
A crazy sighting on the way to work today.
Whilst driving north up Station Road in Lostock Gralam on the east side of Northwich a Woodcock flew across on front of my car, jinking at the last minute otherwise I would have hit it! Luckily I was in a 30mph zone, with a nursery school, in which I always go ultra-slow in, otherwise who knows? Woodcock for tea?
Doc Brewster said
Tue Sep 12 10:38 PM, 2017
Had a phonecall yesterday from a birding mate to say that there was a Gannet on Big Pond in Vale Royal Cut next to the River Weaver. It was hanging around at the back of the pool and looking pretty inactive. Shame that I am away on holiday, so close to my home! But a great record!
Neil Blood said
Mon Jul 31 11:25 PM, 2017
Hobby over Davenham early evening harassing the local swallows.
Also a rather large dog Otter on the nearby River Dane!
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Jul 19 2:48 PM, 2017
Yellowhammer singing midday, field immediately south west of lowermost of the fishermen's ponds, off Shipbrook Road, Rudheath.
Doc Brewster said
Wed May 24 10:49 AM, 2017
On the River Weaver, Vale Royal Cut today just SSE of Vale Royal Locks there was a female Mandarin with 6 ducklings. A bit more digging around & I found out that her original brood was 13 but she has lost 7 so far. With breeding on the old river almost annual it is nearly always the case that all the Mandarin ducklings produced are predated. There is quite a population of Mink in this area, sadly.
Cetti's Warbler very vocal again, plus Great Crested Grebe (2), Shoveler, Common Sandpiper, Curlew, Grey Wagtail, Willow Warbler (2), Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Swallow (10+) and Reed Bunting.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Apr 22 11:02 PM, 2017
A Wood Warbler was found today in Northwich by John Jones. The bird was in Rudheath on Cooke's Lane accessed via Penny's Lane. Favouring oak trees the bird was very elusive at times, showing but not singing or calling. I saw it at the second time of trying at around 4.10pm. This is a great record for the area, well done to the finder and credit to the grapevine systems we have set up in Cheshire for getting the news out so that so many could connect
Neil Blood said
Wed Apr 19 9:35 PM, 2017
Trent and Mersey Canal, Whatcroft:
No so much birding, as I was actually out fishing with my lure rod tonight; all quiet on the fishing front but some good birds.......2 Great Crested Grebes displaying on the Canal wides along with a single Little Grebe. Single Willow and Reed Warblers singing and an unexpected Cetti's Warbler singing opposite the sign, showing where HS2 will cross the Canal. Also 2 singing Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and 10 Swallows through.
-- Edited by Neil Blood on Wednesday 19th of April 2017 09:37:37 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Sun Mar 26 6:55 PM, 2017
Yellowhammer (2m, 1f) in hedgerows opposite Claycroft Farm, off Cogshall Lane, Anderton late afternoon.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Sunday 26th of March 2017 06:56:36 PM
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 8 9:19 PM, 2017
Again closer to Middlewich than Northwich, but still in the general area a Red Kite was seen overhead this morning at 9.50am (per Paul Hil thanks ).
Always a nice record for Cheshire
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Mar 6 10:18 PM, 2017
A Barn Owl flew over the A559 this evening in between Antrobus and Comberbatch.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jan 19 4:27 PM, 2017
Actually officially Middlewich, but just 5 miles from my house on the outskirts of Middlewich driving from Northwich I visited a quiet backstreet to follow up sightings info that I had seen yesterday. Nothing had come through today but after a short wait, and just as I was about to leave, 20 Waxwings dropped into the top of a bare tree and then into a couple of Sorbus vilorinii trees (rowans with pink berries!) to feed. The exact location is Meadow View in Middlewich, CW10 9QB for those with a Sat Nav wanting to go take a look. Beware though as these were the most skittish Waxwings that I have ever seen, being spooked by Blackbird alarm calls, distant car doors, doga barking and as usual being chased off by a pair of Mistle Thrushes that 'owned' the trees too!
With them being so nervous I resorted to digiscoping from the car and took ages to get anything like a shot of them. Eventually on the fourth time they returned (with about 40mins between visits!) I got a few acceptable pictures. Light was poor and they were always against the sky but I still enjoyed the morning watching them, who can ever not do so with Waxwings
Had a nice Hobby sighting at 2.30pm today as we were driving along the A556. The bird was flying over the works compound SE of Northwich, E.of the Davenham/Kingsmead roundabout, just S.of the A556 at SJ662715.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 13 9:45 PM, 2016
Two separate Starling gatherings were seen this evening. The first was over our local pub at Bostock Green and numbered probably around 600 birds. The second smaller flock of maybe 150 birds was over Moulton about an hour later. Both flocks headed in the general direction of Northwich, thus towards Neumann's Flash, presumably to join the main murmuration. This shows how far and wide Starlings must come from to join this mass roost
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 13th of March 2016 09:46:30 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Mar 8 11:32 AM, 2016
Had a slow mooch this morning down Cogshall Lane from Anderton, mainly to check on Yellowhammer numbers. There were a minimum of three birds adjacent to Claycroft Farm with another only a few hundred yards up from Anderton itself. The track to the farm is bordered by a superb hedgerow on each side and where I saw a brightly coloured male last Thursday. Last week I heard a male singing from in between Cogshall and Hough Lanes and in that general area had a total of six birds, although it is possible that there was some duplication.
Also around this morning were around six Skylark, three of which were up singing, three Stock Dove and one or two Curlew plus the usuals.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Feb 24 11:41 AM, 2016
Great to know that they're still around there Mark, I remember seeing them several years ago when the White Stork took up residence nearby & travelling up & down Cogshall Lane we saw Yellowhammers most times Thanks
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Feb 24 11:24 AM, 2016
Yellowhammer (2) off Cogshall Lane, Anderton this morning.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jan 21 1:33 PM, 2016
A murmuration of Starlings upward of 5000 birds over Griffiths Road (the 'steam road' near Rudheath yesterday evening around 4.45pm as I drove home from work. They were lading on the pylon wires intermittantly too, a fabulous sight. Adjacent to the road are Griffiths Road Lagoons so this could be another roost site in the general area, possibly where many Starlings are if the Neumann's and/or Marbury murmurations are missing. Or alternatively this could be a [re-roost murmuration that moves over to Neumann's Flash as often birds are seen arriving from the general direction of Griffiths Road.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jan 19 9:30 PM, 2016
Ta Chris, sometimes first instincts are the ones to go with, so ya never know. I am working lots over the next few days & have promised to take a pal for a full tour of my Newchurch Patch inc some of the 'secret' places!! So don't think I'll get a chance, I'll look on the maps though & check it when I can, thanks again (and well done!!)
Chris Greene said
Tue Jan 19 9:44 AM, 2016
Hi Paul, I've just read your last post, and it just jogged a distant memory, in the dark recesses of my mind,( last Friday to be precise!).
We were on our way to my mum's ,via Heswall, about 9-30 am, on the M56 just before junction 10, I saw a very large bird ,just standing in a field next to the motorway. I said to Jane, " that didn't half look like a Crane!",she just hmmmed back at me, and we carried on our merry way. I quickly wrote it off as being a Grey Heron, or just my dodgy eyesight.
I've just had a quick look at Google Earth, and I reckon the bird was in one of the fields off Mosshall Lane,you never know heh? May be worth a nosey if you get the chance,not too far from your patch.
See you soon, Chris.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jan 18 3:37 PM, 2016
Just a thought - does anyone know anything behind the report on the pagers yesterday of a Crane in field near the 'crossroads at Barnton' (I presumed that would be the A533/A49 crossroads) that later flew towards Acton Bridge? The news came out after dark thus not allowing anyone to check it out yesterday.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jan 18 3:03 PM, 2016
On the fields across Ollershaw Lane from Marston Church Hall (part of the Marbury Patch as it can be viewed from within the 'official' patch boundaries!) - 4 Fieldfares, 4 Skylarks, 20 Meadow Pipits, 16 Linnets, 64 Stock Doves and 51 Pied Wagtails!! (all per Greg Baker)
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jan 13 12:54 PM, 2016
On the way to work this morning at c.9am a Grey Wagtail flew over the A559 Marston Lane/Hall Lane near to the junction with B5391Church Street/Wincham Lane, not a million miles away from Neumann's and Ashton's Flashes as well as other water bodies and floods so worth keeping an eye open. Albeit the bird was flying east so potentially more towards Pick Mere.
This part of the road has also had several large murmurations of Starlings over it when I travel home from work. There was a mini murmuration over Evans Halshaw Ford Dealership that I was at yesterday evening, much to the dismay of the lads who valet the cars!!!
This morning whist attending to the horse near Whitegate, very early, we had two Woodcocks fly over the field in a big circle, a Green Woodpecker bounce low over the field and then call madly and a Sparrowhawk flap-flap glide high over in the sun. Not a bad little haul whilst giving vetinary care to an injured horse
Couple of nice sightings today:
In our postage stamp sized back garden a Redwing driven in by the snow, found a worm in a snow free area that we are keeping that way for our avian visitors. So our efforts paid off. This Redwing spent a bit of time later in the front garden.
By New Bridge over the R.Weaver just S.of Moulton a Kingfisher showing really well in bankside trees.
A sighting passed on to me by a forum member who has lost his log in, so asked me to post. He was at Pick Mere yesterday (Mon 20th Nov) and the only noteworthy sighting was of 150+Wigeon.
Not so crazy, I have had news that on the same day as my sighting above there was a Woodcock seen flying down a residential road in Winnington and then the very next day a Woodcock was seen behind the Odeon Cinema in Northwich Town Centre! Adding to this 2 at Woolston Eyes on the same day as mine and 1 at Delamere the day before it seems like a mini movement was occurring in this area.
A crazy sighting on the way to work today.
Whilst driving north up Station Road in Lostock Gralam on the east side of Northwich a Woodcock flew across on front of my car, jinking at the last minute otherwise I would have hit it! Luckily I was in a 30mph zone, with a nursery school, in which I always go ultra-slow in, otherwise who knows? Woodcock for tea?
Had a phonecall yesterday from a birding mate to say that there was a Gannet on Big Pond in Vale Royal Cut next to the River Weaver. It was hanging around at the back of the pool and looking pretty inactive. Shame that I am away on holiday, so close to my home! But a great record!
On the River Weaver, Vale Royal Cut today just SSE of Vale Royal Locks there was a female Mandarin with 6 ducklings. A bit more digging around & I found out that her original brood was 13 but she has lost 7 so far. With breeding on the old river almost annual it is nearly always the case that all the Mandarin ducklings produced are predated. There is quite a population of Mink in this area, sadly.
Trent and Mersey Canal, Whatcroft:
Cetti's Warbler very vocal again, plus Great Crested Grebe (2), Shoveler, Common Sandpiper, Curlew, Grey Wagtail, Willow Warbler (2), Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Swallow (10+) and Reed Bunting.
A Wood Warbler was found today in Northwich by John Jones. The bird was in Rudheath on Cooke's Lane accessed via Penny's Lane. Favouring oak trees the bird was very elusive at times, showing but not singing or calling. I saw it at the second time of trying at around 4.10pm. This is a great record for the area, well done to the finder and credit to the grapevine systems we have set up in Cheshire for getting the news out so that so many could connect
Trent and Mersey Canal, Whatcroft:
No so much birding, as I was actually out fishing with my lure rod tonight; all quiet on the fishing front but some good birds.......2 Great Crested Grebes displaying on the Canal wides along with a single Little Grebe. Single Willow and Reed Warblers singing and an unexpected Cetti's Warbler singing opposite the sign, showing where HS2 will cross the Canal. Also 2 singing Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and 10 Swallows through.
-- Edited by Neil Blood on Wednesday 19th of April 2017 09:37:37 PM
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Sunday 26th of March 2017 06:56:36 PM
Again closer to Middlewich than Northwich, but still in the general area a Red Kite was seen overhead this morning at 9.50am (per Paul Hil thanks ).
Always a nice record for Cheshire
Actually officially Middlewich, but just 5 miles from my house on the outskirts of Middlewich driving from Northwich I visited a quiet backstreet to follow up sightings info that I had seen yesterday. Nothing had come through today but after a short wait, and just as I was about to leave, 20 Waxwings dropped into the top of a bare tree and then into a couple of Sorbus vilorinii trees (rowans with pink berries!) to feed. The exact location is Meadow View in Middlewich, CW10 9QB for those with a Sat Nav wanting to go take a look. Beware though as these were the most skittish Waxwings that I have ever seen, being spooked by Blackbird alarm calls, distant car doors, doga barking and as usual being chased off by a pair of Mistle Thrushes that 'owned' the trees too!
With them being so nervous I resorted to digiscoping from the car and took ages to get anything like a shot of them. Eventually on the fourth time they returned (with about 40mins between visits!) I got a few acceptable pictures. Light was poor and they were always against the sky but I still enjoyed the morning watching them, who can ever not do so with Waxwings
Had a nice Hobby sighting at 2.30pm today as we were driving along the A556. The bird was flying over the works compound SE of Northwich, E.of the Davenham/Kingsmead roundabout, just S.of the A556 at SJ662715.
Two separate Starling gatherings were seen this evening. The first was over our local pub at Bostock Green and numbered probably around 600 birds. The second smaller flock of maybe 150 birds was over Moulton about an hour later. Both flocks headed in the general direction of Northwich, thus towards Neumann's Flash, presumably to join the main murmuration. This shows how far and wide Starlings must come from to join this mass roost
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 13th of March 2016 09:46:30 PM
Also around this morning were around six Skylark, three of which were up singing, three Stock Dove and one or two Curlew plus the usuals.
Great to know that they're still around there Mark, I remember seeing them several years ago when the White Stork took up residence nearby & travelling up & down Cogshall Lane we saw Yellowhammers most times
Thanks 
A murmuration of Starlings upward of 5000 birds over Griffiths Road (the 'steam road' near Rudheath yesterday evening around 4.45pm as I drove home from work. They were lading on the pylon wires intermittantly too, a fabulous sight. Adjacent to the road are Griffiths Road Lagoons so this could be another roost site in the general area, possibly where many Starlings are if the Neumann's and/or Marbury murmurations are missing. Or alternatively this could be a [re-roost murmuration that moves over to Neumann's Flash as often birds are seen arriving from the general direction of Griffiths Road.
Ta Chris, sometimes first instincts are the ones to go with, so ya never know. I am working lots over the next few days & have promised to take a pal for a full tour of my Newchurch Patch inc some of the 'secret' places!! So don't think I'll get a chance, I'll look on the maps though & check it when I can, thanks again (and well done!!)
Just a thought - does anyone know anything behind the report on the pagers yesterday of a Crane in field near the 'crossroads at Barnton' (I presumed that would be the A533/A49 crossroads) that later flew towards Acton Bridge? The news came out after dark thus not allowing anyone to check it out yesterday.
On the fields across Ollershaw Lane from Marston Church Hall (part of the Marbury Patch as it can be viewed from within the 'official' patch boundaries!) - 4 Fieldfares, 4 Skylarks, 20 Meadow Pipits, 16 Linnets, 64 Stock Doves and 51 Pied Wagtails!! (all per Greg Baker)
On the way to work this morning at c.9am a Grey Wagtail flew over the A559 Marston Lane/Hall Lane near to the junction with B5391Church Street/Wincham Lane, not a million miles away from Neumann's and Ashton's Flashes as well as other water bodies and floods so worth keeping an eye open. Albeit the bird was flying east so potentially more towards Pick Mere.
This part of the road has also had several large murmurations of Starlings over it when I travel home from work. There was a mini murmuration over Evans Halshaw Ford Dealership that I was at yesterday evening, much to the dismay of the lads who valet the cars!!!