Neumanns Flash : 1 Great White Egret, 1 Cettis Warbler (Calling and showing by Pods Hide), 7 Wigeon, 4 Snipe, 2 Buzzards,
6 Little Grebes, 3 Common Gulls, a charm of 30 Goldfinches and 140 Lapwings.
Ashtons Flash : 2 Snipe and 180 Lapwings.
Noticeable build-up of waterfowl on Neumanns, including Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks.
John Williams said
Thu Sep 10 4:19 PM, 2020
09.30-1200
Neumanns Flash :
1 Swift amongst a large gathering of House Martins and Swallows.
10 Snipe, 120 Lapwings, 1 Wigeon and 1 juv Shelduck.
Water Rail calling near Pods Hide.
John Williams said
Sat Aug 29 2:03 PM, 2020
10.00-12.00
A single Swift flying high over Ashtons Flash.
56 Curlew and 280+ Lapwings on Neumanns plus 3 Buzzards over Dairyhouse Meadows.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Aug 14 2:37 PM, 2020
Yesterdays sole Black-tailed Godwit, at Ashtons, had departed by this morning at 8.30. A Little Ringed Plover was present together with twenty two Snipe and over four hundred Lapwing.
Nothing happening on the wader front at Neumanns. Two adult Little Grebe noted with three juveniles plus small numbers of usual waterfowl.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Aug 10 12:17 PM, 2020
Three Black-tailed Godwit and one each of Curlew and Redshank on Ashtons Flash, mid to late morning. News from Malc Curtin that a Greenshank has just dropped in.
John Williams said
Thu Aug 6 10:38 PM, 2020
10.00-12.00
Neumanns Flash : 2 Buzzards, 1 juv Little Grebe, 1 full grown Great Crested Grebe youngster and a pair (M+F) of Bullfinches.
Ashtons Flash : Oddly no Lapwings or even Black Headed Gulls were to be seen anywhere on the bed, just a pair of Coots feeding 2 tiny chicks.
Perhaps a passing raptor had spooked everything else?.
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Aug 1 2:48 PM, 2020
Two Black-tailed Godwit adjacent to Stilt Island, this morning. Didnt stay long at all.
John Williams said
Fri Jul 31 11:44 PM, 2020
17.00-18.30
Neumanns Flash : 1f Marsh Harrier (SW corner, then flew towards Witton Brook), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 3 Wigeon.
A full grown Great Crested Grebe youngster alongside a parent.
Returning to my car at 20.30, 2 Linnets were seen perched on wires at the Marston side of the bed, the first I've seen there for years,
in recent times the only passerines seen here were usually Goldfinches.
Ashtons Flash : 12 Curlews and 1 Buzzard.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jul 28 2:09 PM, 2020
Day six for the female Ruff on Ashtons Flash, a few Lapwing, a lone Curlew still and a 3rd summer Lesser Black-backed Gull amongst a few Black-headed Gull.
Two Green Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit had departed Neumanns between the heavy showers. When I arrived, there were two Common Sandpiper and little else of note.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Jul 27 3:42 PM, 2020
Not much happening across both flashes, early afternoon. Snipe on Stilt Island and over on Ashtons, the female Ruff is still present for its fifth day along with several Lapwing, a few Starling, the odd gull and a lone Curlew.
Mark Jarrett said
Sun Jul 26 1:43 PM, 2020
Female Ruff still present this morning on Ashtons Flash, fourth day. Three Curlew, two Oystercatcher, several Lapwing and a single juvenile Shelduck. The Green and Wood Sandpipers appear to have departed.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Jul 8 1:42 PM, 2020
Found a couple of Red Knot, this morning, on Stilt Island. They returned to the island after being seen off by an Oystercatcher pair. Just long enough for a few photos and a bit of video footage before they took off, high to the south.
Also around were a Common Sandpiper, Common Snipe and three Little Ringed Plover.
Neumanns Flash : 8 near full grown young Shelducks with 2 adults, 3 adult Great Crested Grebes + 1 juvenile, 2 Kestrels,
1 Goldcrest, 1 Buzzard and 2 Song Thrushes (Both carrying nesting material).
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jul 2 8:15 PM, 2020
Quick visit to the flashes, early afternoon, for possible returning waders.
Five Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Snipe on or around Stilt Island. On the water, a few Teal here and there, the odd Gadwall and Shoveller, the Shelduck family are still intact, a few Mute Swan and a couple of Little Grebe families with a few youngsters each. Also a few Great Crested Grebe.
A couple of Green Sandpiper have been present for a few days - but not today - and on Saturday last, a nice breeding plumaged male Ruff turned up on Stilt Island.
The water levels had dropped following the long spell of dry weather and areas of mud were starting to appear around the edges but the recent wet spell has, unfortunately, topped it up again.
Curt Whitby said
Sun Jun 21 4:29 PM, 2020
A ride out with the kids on the bike but spotted a single avocet doing a lap of the flash on the wing before deciding not to land and departing at high altitude in the direction of Northwich towncenter.
Steve Costa said
Tue Jun 16 12:09 PM, 2020
15/6/20
This is a post script to Mark's entry from last night. I was waiting to get permission from Mike Pritchard, so that I could mention him as a fellow observer of the osprey. It was first seen at 15:45 and flying fairly low. It was mobbed by an avocet at one point. It gradually gained height and soared in loose circles towards the west - River Weaver/ Anderton Nature Park area. At one point it was flying back towards the flash but then drifted away west/south-west.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 16th of June 2020 03:29:38 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Jun 15 7:20 PM, 2020
Osprey over the flash mid afternoon, circled up and drifted off west. Info passed on to me by Steve Costa.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Jun 12 8:17 PM, 2020
Mid morning visit. Adult Spoonbill now into its third day, Avocet and Little Egret still around plus two each of Oystercatcher and Redshank. The Shelduck parents still have eight young and a Little Grebe was close to Pods Hide with its three youngsters.
For anyone interested the Spoonbill is still on Neumann's Flash this morning along with a Little Egret and an Avocet, I could only dream of this at Newchurch
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jun 10 5:21 PM, 2020
Todays adult Spoonbill was still present late afternoon :)
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 10th of June 2020 05:22:43 PM
After yesterday's three Spoonbill, found very early on by Greg Baker (and undoubtedly the birds that continued on to Audenshaw), the evidence that lightning really does strike twice, was proved correct with another adult Spoonbill dropping in at Neumann's. Found early on today by John Gregory. Alerted and noting it was raining, decided to get down there pronto. Thankfully, the bird was feeding away behind Stilt Island. A few, distant bridge camera shots.
Edit - Replaced the poor photos with two better ones.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Wednesday 10th of June 2020 08:04:18 PM
Currently now, as I post, 2 Black Terns Neumann's Flash, they were flying around the middle to far end of the flash from Pod's Hide earlier. Also here 2 Avocets and a Cuckoo calling.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jun 4 5:58 PM, 2020
Late afternoon visit to the Flash, birds similar to yesterday, 3 Avocet, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher pair, usual waterfowl together with 30-40 Swift and a calling Cuckoo. Redshank, a few Lapwing and a calling Cettis Warbler on nearby Ashtons.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Jun 3 5:57 PM, 2020
Three Avocet late afternoon plus a Ringed Plover. Redshank pair on Ashtons.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed May 27 7:20 PM, 2020
Mid morning visit to the Flashes today in very warm and sunny weather. Found a very nicely turned out Sanderling in summer plumage on Stilt Island. Also around were 4 Black-tailed Godwit and a few Redshank. An earlier Dunlin had departed. Up to 3 Avocet had been present for a few days, up until Monday of this week.
John Williams said
Sat May 23 11:09 PM, 2020
Brief visit from 9.00am.
4 Black tailed Godwits and 2 Avocets on Neumanns.
Also a huge number of House Martins and Swifts skimming the surface of the flash.
A noticeable build up of drake Mallards too, some in the early stages of their summer moult.
John Williams said
Mon May 18 11:42 PM, 2020
Brief visit from 9.00am.
Neumanns Flash : 6 Black tailed Godwits and 3 Redshanks.
Highly vocal Green Woodpecker calling from NW corner of the flash.
Stock Doves appear to have taken up residence in the owl boxes at the Haydn Pool and on Dairyhouse Meadows.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu May 7 10:13 AM, 2020
A bit of wader movement this morning with 2 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover on Stilt Island at Neumanns. Over on Ashtons were 3 Redshank. An earlier Greenshank had already departed by the time I arrived at 7am. A Cuckoo was still making its presence felt around the west side of Neumanns, calling regularly. The best news came later when I saw on our WhatsApp group that there were 2 Cuckoo together in a tree with possibly a third bird calling nearby.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue May 5 11:10 AM, 2020
Mooch around the patch early morning from 5.45 am, also taking in Dairy House Meadows and Haydns Pool. Amongst others :-
The Cuckoo that has been present for a few days now, flew over Haydns Pool from the Carey Park area and finished up somewhere approaching Neumanns. The Grasshopper Warbler was in its usual spot, out from the Tata Hide at Haydns.
I missed a Lesser Whitethroat at Lesleys Leap, which would have made 10 warbler species, and also a Hobby which was briefly seen over Neumanns.
Steve Costa said
Fri May 1 11:30 PM, 2020
Good, if brief, view of singing Garden Warbler at Forge Brook bridge, Dairy House Meadows.
Curt Whitby said
Fri May 1 3:43 PM, 2020
A walk around neumanns with the folks. Saw the following - lots of blackcap, male reed bunting, green woodpecker, 3 or 4 buzzard, lots of swallows and sand Martin and a much lesser number of swifts. Nesting greylag geese and g.c.grebe. On or over the flash lots of tufted duck, few shoveller, lapwing. The young uns had a great close up with a bold jay and commented on what beautiful colours it had. Best sighting was probably a black tailed godwit wading off the larger island.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Apr 29 4:11 PM, 2020
A loop around Neumanns Flash this morning taking in Haydns Pool and Dairy House Meadow. Quite cool and breezy, fairly quiet. Peregrine seen out from Haydns, Little Ringed Plover on Stilt Island, several Reed Warbler and Whitethroat, especially. At least four Cettis Warbler blasting away. From our WhatsApp Group, there were Grasshopper Warbler, Hobby and Cuckoo around yesterday.
Steve Costa said
Sat Apr 25 9:57 PM, 2020
Ashton's Flash
Marsh Harrier - 2nd summer/sub-adult male - seen three times between 16:20 and 17:10 Little Ringed Plover 1 (Common) Snipe 1 White Wagtail 1 (+ 1 Pied Wagtail)
Calling - Water Rail (1) and Green Woodpecker (1) Singing - Cetti's Warbler (2). NB 3 around the flash on 23/4/20
Continued todays early morning walk on to Dairy House Meadow, then to the flashes. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling away to the west of the scrapyard paddocks. A new spot for me and hot on the heels of another a few days ago, on the edge of the patch by the canal at Marston. The pipe bridge Cettis Warbler was blasting away, as were two more on the northern fringes of Neumanns, as was another in the south west corner. The female Pintail was also still present on Neumanns. Ashtons held a pair of displaying Redshank together with yet another Cettis Warbler and a Sedge Warbler, amongst others.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Apr 17 11:56 AM, 2020
A fairly uneventful walk around part of the patch this morning. Cettis Warbler are increasing with 16 mapped territories and 5 heard (3-5 birds) on the northern side of Neumanns alone today. Nice find by Greg Baker, were 7 Whimbrel on Ashtons Flash. They were spooked, took flight and circled round Neumanns before settling down on Ashtons again.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Apr 14 11:35 AM, 2020
Morning exercise walk around Neumann's Flash, taking in Dairy House Meadows and Haydn's Pool. Weather sunny but very cold. Amongst others :-
Little Grebe (2) Great crested Grebe Gadwall (c.12) Teal (c.8) Pintail (1f) Shoveler (c.20) Tufted Duck Water Rail (1) Oystercatcher Lapwing Stock Dove Green Woodpecker (2) Sand Martin (c.200) House Martin (2) Swallow (4) Cetti's Warbler (7) Sedge Warbler (2) Reed Warbler (9) Whitethroat (3) Blackcap (c.20) Chiffchaff (c.35) Willow Warbler (c.12) Jay Bullfinch (2) Reed Bunting
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Apr 7 4:24 PM, 2020
Morning walk around part of Ashtons Flash, Neumanns Flash, Dairy House Meadows, Haydns Pool and back to Witton Mill car park. Weather warm and sunny.
2CY Siberian Stonechat still in the north west corner of Ashtons, also two Cettis Warbler. There were three Avocet on Neumanns first thing but had departed by the time I arrived. A Common Sandpiper was seen on Stilt Island although I couldnt hear an early arrived Sedge Warbler that had also been seen early on.
Chiffchaff everywhere plus several each of Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Another Cettis Warbler was at the pipe bridge on the north side of Neumanns. A 2CY Buzzard was seen at Haydns Pool with a further two Buzzard and a male Sparrowhawk. Green Woodpecker was heard on three occasions.
Forgot to mention, a 3CY male Marsh Harrier was seen at Ashtons late last week, with a female Marsh Harrier also being seen yesterday.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Apr 7 4:18 PM, 2020
Morning walk around part of Ashtons Flash, Neumanns Flash, Dairy House Meadows, Haydns Pool and back to Witton Mill car park. Weather warm and sunny.
2CY Siberian Stonechat still in the north west corner of Ashtons, also two Cettis Warbler. There were three Avocet on Neumanns first thing but had departed by the time I arrived. A Common Sandpiper was seen on Stilt Island although I couldnt hear an early arrived Sedge Warbler that had also been seen early on.
Chiffchaff everywhere plus several each of Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Another Cettis Warbler was at the pipe bridge on the north side of Neumanns. A 2CY Buzzard was seen at Haydns Pool with a further two Buzzard and a male Sparrowhawk. Green Woodpecker was heard on three occasions.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Apr 1 7:09 PM, 2020
2CY male Siberian Stonechat still present in the north west corner of Ashtons Flash this morning. Giving fairly good views in and around the wet area near the metal gate, often fly catching. Also around were two Cettis Warbler, a Kestrel and a very vocal Green Woodpecker. A Blackcap was in the north east corner of Neumanns, otherwise quiet on the migrant front.
Greg Baker said
Tue Mar 3 11:51 AM, 2020
2019 Bird Report covering Neumann's Flash and adjacent sites plus Marbury Country Park and Budworth Mere is now avialable in pdf format. If anyone would like a copy who hasn't received one aleady please PM me with your email address.
and 76 Lapwings (A large mobile flock that searched for a spot with water shallow enough to wade in,
only around 12 of them managed to find somewhere suitable, the rest gave up and flew off towards Northwich).
2 adult Herring and 14 Common Gulls were amongst a huge gathering of Black Headed.
I had a quick look along the North bank of Ashtons Flash for the Siberian Stonechat but without success, the only
birds to be seen there were a single Kestrel and around 10 Magpies.
Nigel Sluman said
Tue Feb 11 2:21 PM, 2020
Ive got it! The Siberian Stonechat feeding into the waters edge 100yards east of Bund Bench
Nigel Sluman said
Tue Feb 11 1:20 PM, 2020
Actually just finished in Manchester so going to try again en route home!
Nigel Sluman said
Tue Feb 11 8:41 AM, 2020
Mark Jarrett wrote:
Nigel Sluman wrote:
Well, spent 2.5hours in freezing wind and sleet this lunchtime but no joy with the Siberian Stonechat
Nige
Sorry you missed it Nige. It was seen at 10am today in the north west corner. Not sure how far you travelled but if you fancy trying again, put something on this thread or pm me on here and, if Im around, I will try and meet you at the flash.
Hi Mark,
Many thank for the offer. I live in Swindon and am working in Manchester today, so my mission was to stop off on the way up. Unfortunately not leaving Manchester until 4pm earliest so will probably be too late to stop off tonight.
I did walk up and down 4 times from the bench to NW corner and scanned many hundreds of times, but no joy! But the weather was quite bad so I'm not surprised.
Nige
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Feb 10 7:07 PM, 2020
Nigel Sluman wrote:
Well, spent 2.5hours in freezing wind and sleet this lunchtime but no joy with the Siberian Stonechat
Nige
Sorry you missed it Nige. It was seen at 10am today in the north west corner. Not sure how far you travelled but if you fancy trying again, put something on this thread or pm me on here and, if Im around, I will try and meet you at the flash.
Nigel Sluman said
Mon Feb 10 6:32 PM, 2020
Well, spent 2.5hours in freezing wind and sleet this lunchtime but no joy with the Siberian Stonechat
Thought Id have better luck trying fit something at the gull roost at Pennington Flash but found even stronger winds and hailstones! Not my day today!
Nige
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Feb 8 1:13 PM, 2020
Siberian Stonechat still present on Ashtons Flash this morning. In the north west corner, close to the metal gate, when I left around 11.45.
Male Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid at the north end of Neumanns.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Saturday 8th of February 2020 07:42:02 PM
Carl Fletcher-Poole said
Wed Feb 5 2:30 PM, 2020
Took a trip to see The Siberian Stonechat today and was not disappointed. Used the directions as set out below but I parked in the layby on New Warrington Road and a short walk to the gate and the bird was on the left behind the trees showing really well (see pic)
I'm driving up to Manchester next Monday afternoon and hoping to catch up with the Siberian Stonechat. Have never been to the area before, so was wondering if someone would be kind enough to provide directions of where to park and where the bird typically hangs out please? I keep reading about 'Bund Bench' but not sure where this is.
Many thanks,
Nige
Hi Nigel - Go on Google Satellite and make your way to Old Warrington Road. This runs into Marbury Lane and runs up the north western side of Ashtons Flash. There is a free car park here. Fifty yards north of the car park bear right on the path between the two flashes. Neumanns Flash on your left, Ashtons Flash on your right. In 250 yards, on your right hand side, there is a small gap in the trees where you will see the bund bench. The bird has been frequenting the area to the left/east of here, sometimes coming quite close to the fence. Mark.
Really appreciate that Mark, thank you. Hopefully it'll stick around for another week!
@PHIL GREENWOOD, it's next Monday I'll be up there :)
Neumanns Flash : 1 Great White Egret, 1 Cettis Warbler (Calling and showing by Pods Hide), 7 Wigeon, 4 Snipe, 2 Buzzards,
6 Little Grebes, 3 Common Gulls, a charm of 30 Goldfinches and 140 Lapwings.
Ashtons Flash : 2 Snipe and 180 Lapwings.
Noticeable build-up of waterfowl on Neumanns, including Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks.
Neumanns Flash :
1 Swift amongst a large gathering of House Martins and Swallows.
10 Snipe, 120 Lapwings, 1 Wigeon and 1 juv Shelduck.
Water Rail calling near Pods Hide.
A single Swift flying high over Ashtons Flash.
56 Curlew and 280+ Lapwings on Neumanns plus 3 Buzzards over Dairyhouse Meadows.
Nothing happening on the wader front at Neumanns. Two adult Little Grebe noted with three juveniles plus small numbers of usual waterfowl.
Neumanns Flash : 2 Buzzards, 1 juv Little Grebe, 1 full grown Great Crested Grebe youngster and a pair (M+F) of Bullfinches.
Ashtons Flash : Oddly no Lapwings or even Black Headed Gulls were to be seen anywhere on the bed, just a pair of Coots feeding 2 tiny chicks.
Perhaps a passing raptor had spooked everything else?.
Neumanns Flash : 1f Marsh Harrier (SW corner, then flew towards Witton Brook), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 3 Wigeon.
A full grown Great Crested Grebe youngster alongside a parent.
Returning to my car at 20.30, 2 Linnets were seen perched on wires at the Marston side of the bed, the first I've seen there for years,
in recent times the only passerines seen here were usually Goldfinches.
Ashtons Flash : 12 Curlews and 1 Buzzard.
Two Green Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit had departed Neumanns between the heavy showers. When I arrived, there were two Common Sandpiper and little else of note.
Also around were a Common Sandpiper, Common Snipe and three Little Ringed Plover.
10.00-12.00
Neumanns Flash : 8 near full grown young Shelducks with 2 adults, 3 adult Great Crested Grebes + 1 juvenile, 2 Kestrels,
1 Goldcrest, 1 Buzzard and 2 Song Thrushes (Both carrying nesting material).
Five Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Snipe on or around Stilt Island. On the water, a few Teal here and there, the odd Gadwall and Shoveller, the Shelduck family are still intact, a few Mute Swan and a couple of Little Grebe families with a few youngsters each. Also a few Great Crested Grebe.
A couple of Green Sandpiper have been present for a few days - but not today - and on Saturday last, a nice breeding plumaged male Ruff turned up on Stilt Island.
The water levels had dropped following the long spell of dry weather and areas of mud were starting to appear around the edges but the recent wet spell has, unfortunately, topped it up again.
15/6/20
This is a post script to Mark's entry from last night. I was waiting to get permission from Mike Pritchard, so that I could mention him as a fellow observer of the osprey. It was first seen at 15:45 and flying fairly low. It was mobbed by an avocet at one point. It gradually gained height and soared in loose circles towards the west - River Weaver/ Anderton Nature Park area. At one point it was flying back towards the flash but then drifted away west/south-west.
Also, on Ashton's Flash:
Goosander - 1 'redhead'
Black-tailed Godwit - 8
Redshank - 2
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 16th of June 2020 03:29:38 PM
For anyone interested the Spoonbill is still on Neumann's Flash this morning along with a Little Egret and an Avocet, I could only dream of this at Newchurch
Todays adult Spoonbill was still present late afternoon :)
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 10th of June 2020 05:22:43 PM
After yesterday's three Spoonbill, found very early on by Greg Baker (and undoubtedly the birds that continued on to Audenshaw), the evidence that lightning really does strike twice, was proved correct with another adult Spoonbill dropping in at Neumann's. Found early on today by John Gregory. Alerted and noting it was raining, decided to get down there pronto. Thankfully, the bird was feeding away behind Stilt Island. A few, distant bridge camera shots.
Edit - Replaced the poor photos with two better ones.-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Wednesday 10th of June 2020 08:04:18 PM
Currently now, as I post, 2 Black Terns Neumann's Flash, they were flying around the middle to far end of the flash from Pod's Hide earlier. Also here 2 Avocets and a Cuckoo calling.
4 Black tailed Godwits and 2 Avocets on Neumanns.
Also a huge number of House Martins and Swifts skimming the surface of the flash.
A noticeable build up of drake Mallards too, some in the early stages of their summer moult.
Neumanns Flash : 6 Black tailed Godwits and 3 Redshanks.
Highly vocal Green Woodpecker calling from NW corner of the flash.
Stock Doves appear to have taken up residence in the owl boxes at the Haydn Pool and on Dairyhouse Meadows.
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Reed Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Whitethroat
Cettis Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler (1)
Cuckoo (1)
Redshank
Water Rail
Shoveler
Gadwall
Teal
Shelduck
Tufted Duck
Great Crested Grebe
Green Woodpecker
Reed Bunting
The Cuckoo that has been present for a few days now, flew over Haydns Pool from the Carey Park area and finished up somewhere approaching Neumanns. The Grasshopper Warbler was in its usual spot, out from the Tata Hide at Haydns.
I missed a Lesser Whitethroat at Lesleys Leap, which would have made 10 warbler species, and also a Hobby which was briefly seen over Neumanns.
Marsh Harrier - 2nd summer/sub-adult male - seen three times between 16:20 and 17:10
Little Ringed Plover 1
(Common) Snipe 1
White Wagtail 1 (+ 1 Pied Wagtail)
Calling - Water Rail (1) and Green Woodpecker (1)
Singing - Cetti's Warbler (2). NB 3 around the flash on 23/4/20
Neumann's Flash
From Pod's Hide area only:
(Common) Snipe 1
Black-tailed Godwit 1
Calling - Water Rail (1)
Little Grebe (2)
Great crested Grebe
Gadwall (c.12)
Teal (c.8)
Pintail (1f)
Shoveler (c.20)
Tufted Duck
Water Rail (1)
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Stock Dove
Green Woodpecker (2)
Sand Martin (c.200)
House Martin (2)
Swallow (4)
Cetti's Warbler (7)
Sedge Warbler (2)
Reed Warbler (9)
Whitethroat (3)
Blackcap (c.20)
Chiffchaff (c.35)
Willow Warbler (c.12)
Jay
Bullfinch (2)
Reed Bunting
2CY Siberian Stonechat still in the north west corner of Ashtons, also two Cettis Warbler. There were three Avocet on Neumanns first thing but had departed by the time I arrived. A Common Sandpiper was seen on Stilt Island although I couldnt hear an early arrived Sedge Warbler that had also been seen early on.
Chiffchaff everywhere plus several each of Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Another Cettis Warbler was at the pipe bridge on the north side of Neumanns. A 2CY Buzzard was seen at Haydns Pool with a further two Buzzard and a male Sparrowhawk. Green Woodpecker was heard on three occasions.
Forgot to mention, a 3CY male Marsh Harrier was seen at Ashtons late last week, with a female Marsh Harrier also being seen yesterday.
2CY Siberian Stonechat still in the north west corner of Ashtons, also two Cettis Warbler. There were three Avocet on Neumanns first thing but had departed by the time I arrived. A Common Sandpiper was seen on Stilt Island although I couldnt hear an early arrived Sedge Warbler that had also been seen early on.
Chiffchaff everywhere plus several each of Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Another Cettis Warbler was at the pipe bridge on the north side of Neumanns. A 2CY Buzzard was seen at Haydns Pool with a further two Buzzard and a male Sparrowhawk. Green Woodpecker was heard on three occasions.
Greg
Neumanns Flash : 110 Wigeon, 11 Shovelers, 2 Buzzards, 4 Shelducks, 6 Great Crested Grebes,
and 76 Lapwings (A large mobile flock that searched for a spot with water shallow enough to wade in,
only around 12 of them managed to find somewhere suitable, the rest gave up and flew off towards Northwich).
2 adult Herring and 14 Common Gulls were amongst a huge gathering of Black Headed.
I had a quick look along the North bank of Ashtons Flash for the Siberian Stonechat but without success, the only
birds to be seen there were a single Kestrel and around 10 Magpies.
Hi Mark,
Many thank for the offer. I live in Swindon and am working in Manchester today, so my mission was to stop off on the way up. Unfortunately not leaving Manchester until 4pm earliest so will probably be too late to stop off tonight.
I did walk up and down 4 times from the bench to NW corner and scanned many hundreds of times, but no joy! But the weather was quite bad so I'm not surprised.
Nige
Sorry you missed it Nige. It was seen at 10am today in the north west corner. Not sure how far you travelled but if you fancy trying again, put something on this thread or pm me on here and, if Im around, I will try and meet you at the flash.
Male Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid at the north end of Neumanns.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Saturday 8th of February 2020 07:42:02 PM
Western Siberian Stonechat 50yds left of Bund Bench on grassy slope in between fence & flash at 14.15 today
Really appreciate that Mark, thank you. Hopefully it'll stick around for another week!
@PHIL GREENWOOD, it's next Monday I'll be up there :)
Thanks,
Nige