All much of a muchness (we need a cold snap to drop something of more interest in) so it was good news to learn of a Firecrest, seen and photographed by a Cheshire birder on Wednesday. It was seen in the big yew tree facing the woodland hide. Spent some time there late morning, without luck but Ill give it another go in the morning.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Nov 11 1:51 PM, 2020
Budworth Mere, 9.30 until 12.30 in dry and cool weather. Amongst others :-
One of the two Bittern was on show, late afternoon yesterday with a Starling roost of 20k.
Edit - Both Bittern flew within the reedbed at 5pm.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Wednesday 11th of November 2020 01:53:11 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Nov 9 12:27 PM, 2020
Budworth Mere, 9.00 until 12.00 in mainly dry and cool weather. Amongst others :-
Little Egret (3) Grey Heron (4) Cormorant (26) Canada Goose (c.50) Greylag Goose (86) Mute Swan (2) Great Crested Grebe (13) Little Grebe (1) Tufted Duck (61) Shoveler (7) Goldeneye (2) Wigeon (12) Goosander 12 (2m, 10f-type) Great Black-backed Gull (1) Curlew (2) Cettis Warbler (1) Water Rail (1)
No sign of the two Bittern, although no doubt they will start to become active mid afternoon onwards. A few Redwing and a couple of Mistle Thrush around, also a flock of around fifteen Long-tailed Tit.
Steven Nelson said
Sat Nov 7 9:06 PM, 2020
A super couple of hours late afternoon today till dark.
Fantastic Starling murmuration c.10-12k (maybe more) kept all observers mesmerised. 2 Bitterns seen in flight after the Starlings landed in the reeds. They landed in amongst the Starlings causing lots of unrest but couldnt be seen once landed. 1-2 Sparrowhawk. One caught a Starling. 1 Goosander female Cettis Warbler heard singing 2 Little Egret 4 Curlew 1 Pochard male c.100 Lapwing 1 Redwing
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Saturday 7th of November 2020 10:06:13 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Nov 6 5:57 PM, 2020
Bittern on show for well over an hour late afternoon, Coward Reedbed at the west end of Budworth Mere. A probable second Bittern was seen briefly as it was going fairly dark but both birds werent seen together. The Starling roost was impressive with several small murmurations before they all dropped in. Probably around 10k in number.
Around 5k Starling in the roost late afternoon. One of the two Bittern awoke from its slumber, half an hour after the first Starling started to drop in, attempting to catch one or two. It flapped and flitted here and there whilst on view for twenty minutes or so. One, possibly two, Sparrowhawk also around. Nice to meet and enjoy the company of John Rayner.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Oct 16 11:22 AM, 2020
Around 85 Pink-footed Goose over Big Wood, heading north west, whilst I was trying to locate our Cattle Egret which has now vacated Dairy House Meadows, as have the cattle.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Oct 15 2:37 PM, 2020
Budworth Mere, just over an hour from 9.15 in cool and dry weather :-
Goldeneye (2f) Wigeon (5) Shoveler (12) Tufted Duck (c.50) Little Grebe (4) Great Crested Grebe (c.45)
Plus all the usuals. There were a minimum of 6 Bullfinch in a flock of mixed birds by the mereside path. Redwing and Fieldfare were around but in lower numbers than yesterday. The arboretum was quiet other than a few winter thrushes. A Cettis Warbler was present in Coward Reedback. Had news later, via a couple of photographers, that a Bittern flew into Coward Reedbed, opposite the hide.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Oct 14 4:59 PM, 2020
Budworth Mere, an hour and a half from around 9.15 in dry and cool conditions, slight breeze. Amongst others :-
There was a thrush flock feeding in the arboretum, mainly redwing plus Blackbird, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush. Around 15 Fieldfare flew over Big Wood on my way back from Dairy House Meadows.
The Meadows are situated in between Marbury CP and the Flashes. I went to have another look at the Cattle Egret, now into its eighteenth day. It was there, feeding happily amongst the half a dozen cattle. Long may it stay.
A flock of 17 Long-tailed Tit were seen in front of the Bittern Hide.
John Williams said
Thu Aug 6 10:30 PM, 2020
Brief visit at lunchtime today.
Highlights : 2 full grown Great Crested Grebe youngsters in front of the Coward reedbed screen.
Too tricky to try and count the adult GCGs as the path by the mere was a little crowded.
Also noted were a pair of Mistle Thrushes relaxing on a big dead tree in Big Wood and a Sparrowhawk in Hopyards Wood.
The only life on the spit at Kid Brook was a herd of Friesians, and no Curlews were on the adjoining meadow, although one was heard
calling above Big Wood.
Mark Jarrett said
Sun Aug 2 11:26 AM, 2020
I was on my way to the mere after a quiet hour at the flashes when news from our WhatsApp group reported a probable Bittern at Coward Reedbed. After scanning the reeds for ten minutes, I was just thinking this is a right needle in a hay stack job when up popped the bird (yes, a Bittern) and fluttered/flew five yards before dropping back down into the reeds. Well done to long time patcher, Vern Lundy. This, we think, is the first summer record on patch.
Also around were two Common Sandpiper at Kid Brook Spit, three Little Grebe, one male Pochard, forty odd Tufted Duck, around thirty adult Great Crested Grebe, a Kingisher, two Stock Dove and other usuals.
John Williams said
Fri Jul 31 11:28 PM, 2020
19.00-20.00
Still 2 Common Terns hanging around Kid Brook.
13 adult + 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes.
10 Long Tailed Tits with 2 Willow Warblers and a Robin engaged in short fly catching sorties from the big dead alder alongside the mere.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jul 30 8:31 PM, 2020
Two Common Tern on fence posts at Kid Brook Spit this morning. Two Little Grebe on the Mere with several Great Crested Grebe, forty odd Tufted Duck and three Pochard (2f, 1ecl m). A few Curlew around and the goose flock is starting to grow in numbers, Canada and Greylag.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jul 28 1:20 PM, 2020
Still two Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, min 15 Curlew, Little Egret, several Lapwing and one Common Tern on or around Kid Brook Spit this morning. Now nine Pochard on the Mere and three Little Grebe plus other usuals.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Jul 27 3:48 PM, 2020
Two Common Sandpiper around Kid Brook Spit, two Common Tern on the fence posts there, five Pochard were new in, four Oystercatcher also KBS and around forty Sand & House Martin over the Mere. Otherwise fairly quiet with the usual waterfowl.
Mark Jarrett said
Sun Jul 26 1:45 PM, 2020
Three Common Tern on Kid Brook Spit fence posts this morning.
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Jul 25 1:39 PM, 2020
Ashtons Flash still held the Ruff and Green Sandpiper this morning. The Wood Sandpiper appears to have departed.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Jul 24 9:27 PM, 2020
Nice find by Greg Baker this morning in the form of a Wood Sandpiper on Ashtons Flash. A Ruff has been present for a couple of days and also a Green Sandpiper reported today. Ashtons quite often plays second fiddle to Neumanns (Siberian Stonechat aside) but is currently coming up trumps.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Jul 17 12:16 PM, 2020
Adult Black-necked Grebe present on the mere for its fourth day, best viewed from boathouse. Favoured spot is over in front of Coward Reedbed, quite distant and can just about be picked up with bins but a scope would be preferable.
John Williams said
Mon Jul 6 6:23 PM, 2020
Brief viit at lunchtime :
Kid Brook area : 1 Black Tailed Godwit (In reslendant brick red summer plumage, possible "islandica"), 6 Curlew and 30 Lapwings.
Budworth Mere : 2m Wigeon, 30 Great Crested Grebes plus large numbers of Sand Martins with lesser numbers of House Martins.
Also 1 Buzzard over the meadow.
A possible Hobby was also noted in flight high above Marbury Lane, although I could'nt be 100% sure. The long narrow wings, Swift like
silhouette and flight pattern certainly indicated Hobby, but I only glimpsed the bird for a couple of seconds.
John Williams said
Mon May 18 11:50 PM, 2020
Around mid-morning.
2 Cettis Warblers showing well and calling in front of Coward Reedbed screen.
2 Buzzards and 2 Treecreepers were seen in Big Wood, where close to the canal a Green Woodpecker was calling loudly.
I had a short vigil waiting for the Spotted Flycatcher to show, but sadly no luck, although the bird had been seen during the morning.
Mark Jarrett said
Sat May 9 2:03 PM, 2020
Two Dunlin on Kid Brook Spit 6.30 am. Had a wander in to Big Wood to try and find our sole pair of Spotted Flycatcher, without luck.
Curt Whitby said
Thu May 7 4:00 PM, 2020
A bit late posting this as been on nights. Monday 4th there was a common tern on the mere towards the sailing club sitting on an orange buoy.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue May 5 11:17 AM, 2020
As part of my early morning walk. Dunlin and two Common Sandpiper on or around Kid Brook Spit, Sparrowhawk by the Fishermens Path. Also a Reed Warbler in a small patch of reeds on the south shore, not sure if Ive ever had them here before.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Apr 28 3:05 PM, 2020
Early morning walk, 5.55 am, along the south shore of Budworth Mere didnt throw up much. Just a Common Sandpiper on Kid Brook Spit and two male Wheatear in the recently ploughed field adjacent to the Fishermans Path.
Mark Jarrett said
Sun Apr 26 10:54 AM, 2020
Early morning walk along the south shore of Budworth Mere produced three Common Sandpiper in the bay, west of Kid Brook Spit and a Yellow Wagtail on the fence posts at the spit. John Gregory had seen a number of Whimbrel earlier.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Apr 21 11:41 AM, 2020
Early morning walk along the south shore of Budworth Mere. The Ternfest continues with 54 Arctic dropping in at around 9.30. At first, the one or two became five and within a couple of minutes, it was twenty. A few minutes later the numbers swelled even more. A superb spectacle.
Also around was an elusive male Mandarin with two Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper on Kid Brook Spit.
Taken from our WhatsApp group today at Budworth Mere.
Black Tern (2) Common Tern (2) Arctic Tern (1) Little Gull (2) Swift (1)
Looks like I chose the wrong day to take a walk down the River Weaver!
Mark Jarrett said
Sun Apr 19 10:27 AM, 2020
An early morning walk along the mere side path to the slipway. Four Common Sandpiper on Kid Brook Spit with a sole Little Ringed Plover. Lapwing and Oystercatcher also. Yesterdays Common Tern appear to have moved through.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Sunday 19th of April 2020 10:39:04 AM
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Apr 18 7:10 PM, 2020
Todays walk was late afternoon along the mere side path as far as the slipway. An initial Common Tern was subsequently joined by a second on buoy F, whilst a third was on one of the buoys at the far eastern end. A pair of Oystercatcher and a Common Sandpiper were present on Kid Brook Spit. A male Whinchat was a welcome patch year tick, nearby on the grassy shoreline.
Apparently, there were two Common Tern here this morning early on, before one departed. This afternoons birds were possibly the Winsford birds plus this mornings lingering one.
Clive Part said
Sat Mar 21 5:32 PM, 2020
10:00am - 12:15pm.
A walk from Whitton Mill car park to Marbury and back produced the following,
Great spotted woodpecker, Nuthatch, 2 Mistle thrush, Buzzard, Goldcrest, around 10 Chiffchaff's were heard in various locations with 3 actually observed.
Budworth Mere,
2 Great crested grebes displaying, Canada geese, Tufted duck, 8 Curlew, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Swallows down by the boat club.
Plenty of people still about, surprised that the dog training school was still operating.
Greg Baker said
Tue Mar 3 11:52 AM, 2020
2019 Bird Report covering Marbury Country Park and Budworth Mere plus Neumann's Flash etc 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.
2 Mistle Thrushes were on the cattle pasture, and 3 Song Thrushes seen in Big Wood (1 in full song).
56 Curlews, 170 Lapwings and 2 Oystercatchers were around Kid Brook.
The Curlews were later seen flying over Dairyhouse Meadows towards their roost on Ashtons Flash.
Just 3 Great Crested Grebes were on the mere, and 1 of them flew off whilst I was there.
No sign of the elusive Bittern, or of any Pochard on the mere.
3 Grey Herons were near the heronry, but none seen in the trees.
15 Common Gulls were amongst a large raft of Black Headed.
Also there was the very odd sighting of a "Pipistrelle" sized bat with a light grey chest flying along the edge of the trees near
footbridge over the canal at 2.15pm, I checked the area again at 4.30pm and it was nowhere to be seen.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Feb 10 2:33 PM, 2020
Three hours from 9.30 starting at the slipway, then along Forge Brook in Big Wood, back to the slipway and finally at the Screen Hide overlooking Coward Reedbed. Weather fine, dull and cold. Of note :-
Great Crested Grebe (4) Little Grebe (4) Canada Goose (220) Canada x Greylag (1) Mute Swan (2) Tufted Duck (51) Goldeneye (pr) Goosander (2m, 2f) Lapwing (204) Curlew (33) Oystercatcher (2) Mediterranean Gull (1) Water Rail (1) Redwing (130)
One of the patchers had what he was fairly sure was a Dipper on Forge Brook a few days ago. Would be an excellent record for Marbury. Had a look today but no luck. The Mediterranean Gull was a different bird to the one I saw on 3 February, this one very advanced with an almost perfect hood and blood red bill. Ringed on both legs but way too far to see any details. One hundred and twenty Redwing feeding on the grass by Garden Warbler Corner with a few others here and there.
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Feb 4 9:46 PM, 2020
Quick 45 mins late afternoon on way back from seeing Siberian Stonechat at Ashton's Flash.
3 Jay.
1 Treecreeper.
Approx. 50 Redwing in trees around feeding station near toilets.
No sign of Bittern up to 16:30 but did hear 2 low but deep mooing noises coming from Coward Reedbed - surely not the infamous Booming ???
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Feb 3 4:21 PM, 2020
Adult Mediterranean Gull present mid day on Budworth Mere, around one hundred yards out from the slipway.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jan 30 1:07 PM, 2020
Two hours from around 10.15am first from the slipway, then the screen hide. Weather fine and cool. Amongst others :-
Two hours from 10.10 this morning in fine and cold weather. First from the slipway, then spent three quarters of an hour in the screen hide, amongst others :-
Decided to put in a couple of hours vigil to see if the Bittern showed, sadly it did'nt for me, but it was seen during the morning.
Also around the mere were 1 Kingfisher, 2m+1f Goosanders and 1 Buzzard.
350 Lapwings, 20 Curlews and an Oystercatcher were by Kid Brook.
John Williams said
Mon Jan 20 7:23 PM, 2020
14.30-16.00
No sign of the Bittern, but at least a fine looking adult winter Mediterranean Gull turned up
amongst the huge gathering of Black Headed Gulls that were massed around Kid Brook.
Also of note on the mere were 12 Common Gulls, 3m+2f Pochards and 1f Goosander.
45 Curlews roamed around the pasture on the North Bank, and a single Treecreeper turned up
in Big Wood. 12+ Redwings were feeding on Holly berries near the visitor centre.
2 Buzzards were seen around the park whilst a male Sparrowhawk made a breathtaking dash across the mere side feeders.
-- Edited by John Williams on Monday 20th of January 2020 07:42:37 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Jan 17 8:35 PM, 2020
Nice find by Greg Baker, late afternoon, was a Great Northern Diver on Budworth Mere. It had been calling but unfortunately only hung around for a quarter of an hour before flying off west. I got down there in record time, which wasnt good enough as I missed it by a few minutes! The Bittern was, however, showing well in the left hand side of Coward Reedbed.
Phil Oddy said
Wed Jan 15 5:58 PM, 2020
Steve Costa wrote:
PInk-footed Goose - 50+ flying NNW at 15:20
I saw the same flock and estimated c50 over Neumann's. Luckily I managed to photograph them. There were 55 when I counted the photos.
Also Bittern showed well at the mere roosting at 4.45pm
Steve Costa said
Wed Jan 15 4:24 PM, 2020
PInk-footed Goose - 50+ flying NNW at 15:20
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Dec 28 3:07 PM, 2019
Budworth Mere viewed from the slipway, then the screen hide, two and a half hours from 10.20. Weather fine, sunnyish and cool. Of note :-
Goldeneye (1st w male) Tufted Duck (42) Wigeon (9) Goosander (2m) Great Crested Grebe (22) Little Grebe (1) Curlew (1) Lapwing (11) Green Sandpiper (1) Little Egret (1) Cormorant (15) Grey Heron (10) Canada Goose (157) Greylag Goose (41) Canada/Greylag Goose Hybrid (2) Mute Swan (4) Water Rail (2) Raven (1)
Bullfinch (1)
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Dec 24 1:27 PM, 2019
Budworth Mere viewed from the slipway, then the screen hide, two and a half hours from 10am. Weather fine, dull and cool. Of note :-
Goldeneye (1st w male) Tufted Duck (76) Goosander (2m) Great Crested Grebe (62) Little Grebe (3) Curlew (1) Little Egret (1) Canada Goose (290) Greylag Goose (13) Water Rail (2) Raven (3) Kingfisher (2) Cettis Warbler (1)
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Dec 24 11:49 AM, 2019
First visit to this beautiful park yesterday 23rd December 14.00 to 16.30 highlights :-
In the park :- C.50 Redwings enjoying a plentiful supply of red berries & 6 Siskins in tops of conifers feeding.
Also 4 Nuthatches, 3 Treecreepers, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Fieldfares & a Buzzard.
On the mere :- 1 Male Goosander, 3 Cormorants & a Little Egret.
But undoubtedly the stand out was a first ever view for me of a Bittern in very poor light at 16.20 on left side of Coward Reedbed from viewing screen (very poor shot attached)
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Tuesday 24th of December 2019 12:00:04 PM
68 Great Crested Grebes, 1m Pochard and 4 Grey Herons.
Kid Brook
36 Lapwings and 1 Great Black Backed Gull.
No sign of the Bittern whilst I was there.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Dec 17 2:56 PM, 2019
Budworth Mere viewed from the slipway, then the screen hide, two hours from 9.50am in fine but dull and cold weather. Of note :-
Goldeneye (1f) Tufted Duck (124) Gadwall (2) Goosander (3m) Shelduck (3) Curlew (9) Lapwing (91) Green Sandpiper (1) Great Crested Grebe (66) Little Grebe (4) Cormorant (12) Greylag Goose (55) Canada Goose (145) Kingfisher (1) Water Rail (1)
Good to see the Bittern on show, preening in the partly flattened reeds across from the screen hide. Was in full view for at least 45 minutes. A nice surprise was the Green Sandpiper that did a quick fly round in front of the hide before departing.
Little Egret (1)
Grey Heron (5)
Cormorant (23)
Canada Goose (min 100)
Greylag Goose (min 100)
Mute Swan (2)
Great Crested Grebe (16)
Little Grebe (2)
Tufted Duck (52)
Shoveler (5)
Wigeon (9)
Goosander (2m, 11f-type)
Curlew (59)
Lapwing (11)
Water Rail (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Raven (1)
All much of a muchness (we need a cold snap to drop something of more interest in) so it was good news to learn of a Firecrest, seen and photographed by a Cheshire birder on Wednesday. It was seen in the big yew tree facing the woodland hide. Spent some time there late morning, without luck but Ill give it another go in the morning.
Little Egret (2)
Grey Heron (8)
Cormorant (23)
Canada Goose (141)
Greylag Goose (107)
Mute Swan (2)
Great Crested Grebe (15)
Tufted Duck (37)
Shoveler (6)
Goldeneye (1m)
Goosander (3m, 9f-type)
Curlew (12)
Lapwing (7)
Water Rail (2)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Raven (4)
Chiffchaff (1)
One of the two Bittern was on show, late afternoon yesterday with a Starling roost of 20k. Edit - Both Bittern flew within the reedbed at 5pm.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Wednesday 11th of November 2020 01:53:11 PM
Little Egret (3)
Grey Heron (4)
Cormorant (26)
Canada Goose (c.50)
Greylag Goose (86)
Mute Swan (2)
Great Crested Grebe (13)
Little Grebe (1)
Tufted Duck (61)
Shoveler (7)
Goldeneye (2)
Wigeon (12)
Goosander 12 (2m, 10f-type)
Great Black-backed Gull (1)
Curlew (2)
Cettis Warbler (1)
Water Rail (1)
No sign of the two Bittern, although no doubt they will start to become active mid afternoon onwards. A few Redwing and a couple of Mistle Thrush around, also a flock of around fifteen Long-tailed Tit.
A super couple of hours late afternoon today till dark.
Fantastic Starling murmuration c.10-12k (maybe more) kept all observers mesmerised.
2 Bitterns seen in flight after the Starlings landed in the reeds. They landed in amongst the Starlings causing lots of unrest but couldnt be seen once landed.
1-2 Sparrowhawk. One caught a Starling.
1 Goosander female
Cettis Warbler heard singing
2 Little Egret
4 Curlew
1 Pochard male
c.100 Lapwing
1 Redwing
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Saturday 7th of November 2020 10:06:13 PM
Little Egret (1)
Grey Heron (9)
Cormorant (28)
Canada Goose (117)
Greylag Goose (102)
Mute Swan (2)
Great Crested Grebe (20)
Tufted Duck (70)
Shoveler (7)
Teal (1)
Pochard (2)
Goldeneye (2)
Pintail (1)
Goosander (6)
Lapwing (c.100)
Goldeneye (2f)
Wigeon (5)
Shoveler (12)
Tufted Duck (c.50)
Little Grebe (4)
Great Crested Grebe (c.45)
Plus all the usuals. There were a minimum of 6 Bullfinch in a flock of mixed birds by the mereside path. Redwing and Fieldfare were around but in lower numbers than yesterday. The arboretum was quiet other than a few winter thrushes. A Cettis Warbler was present in Coward Reedback. Had news later, via a couple of photographers, that a Bittern flew into Coward Reedbed, opposite the hide.
Goldeneye (1f)
Tufted Duck (49)
Shoveler (14)
Wigeon (1)
Lapwing (7)
Grey Heron (2)
Cormorant (5)
Great Crested Grebe (41)
Canada Goose (177)
Greylag Goose (17)
Fieldfare (15)
Redwing (50)
There was a thrush flock feeding in the arboretum, mainly redwing plus Blackbird, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush. Around 15 Fieldfare flew over Big Wood on my way back from Dairy House Meadows.
The Meadows are situated in between Marbury CP and the Flashes. I went to have another look at the Cattle Egret, now into its eighteenth day. It was there, feeding happily amongst the half a dozen cattle. Long may it stay.
Great Crested Grebe (39)
Little Grebe (1)
Canada Goose (211)
Greylag Goose (20)
Cormorant (9)
Grey Heron (1)
Tufted Duck (27)
Shoveler (3)
Mute Swan (3)
Curlew (1)
Lapwing (29)
A flock of 17 Long-tailed Tit were seen in front of the Bittern Hide.
Highlights : 2 full grown Great Crested Grebe youngsters in front of the Coward reedbed screen.
Too tricky to try and count the adult GCGs as the path by the mere was a little crowded.
Also noted were a pair of Mistle Thrushes relaxing on a big dead tree in Big Wood and a Sparrowhawk in Hopyards Wood.
The only life on the spit at Kid Brook was a herd of Friesians, and no Curlews were on the adjoining meadow, although one was heard
calling above Big Wood.
Also around were two Common Sandpiper at Kid Brook Spit, three Little Grebe, one male Pochard, forty odd Tufted Duck, around thirty adult Great Crested Grebe, a Kingisher, two Stock Dove and other usuals.
Still 2 Common Terns hanging around Kid Brook.
13 adult + 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes.
10 Long Tailed Tits with 2 Willow Warblers and a Robin engaged in short fly catching sorties from the big dead alder alongside the mere.
Kid Brook area : 1 Black Tailed Godwit (In reslendant brick red summer plumage, possible "islandica"), 6 Curlew and 30 Lapwings.
Budworth Mere : 2m Wigeon, 30 Great Crested Grebes plus large numbers of Sand Martins with lesser numbers of House Martins.
Also 1 Buzzard over the meadow.
A possible Hobby was also noted in flight high above Marbury Lane, although I could'nt be 100% sure. The long narrow wings, Swift like
silhouette and flight pattern certainly indicated Hobby, but I only glimpsed the bird for a couple of seconds.
2 Cettis Warblers showing well and calling in front of Coward Reedbed screen.
2 Buzzards and 2 Treecreepers were seen in Big Wood, where close to the canal a Green Woodpecker was calling loudly.
I had a short vigil waiting for the Spotted Flycatcher to show, but sadly no luck, although the bird had been seen during the morning.
Also around was an elusive male Mandarin with two Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper on Kid Brook Spit.
Black Tern (2)
Common Tern (2)
Arctic Tern (1)
Little Gull (2)
Swift (1)
Looks like I chose the wrong day to take a walk down the River Weaver!
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Sunday 19th of April 2020 10:39:04 AM
Apparently, there were two Common Tern here this morning early on, before one departed. This afternoons birds were possibly the Winsford birds plus this mornings lingering one.
Greg
2 Mistle Thrushes were on the cattle pasture, and 3 Song Thrushes seen in Big Wood (1 in full song).
56 Curlews, 170 Lapwings and 2 Oystercatchers were around Kid Brook.
The Curlews were later seen flying over Dairyhouse Meadows towards their roost on Ashtons Flash.
Just 3 Great Crested Grebes were on the mere, and 1 of them flew off whilst I was there.
No sign of the elusive Bittern, or of any Pochard on the mere.
3 Grey Herons were near the heronry, but none seen in the trees.
15 Common Gulls were amongst a large raft of Black Headed.
Also there was the very odd sighting of a "Pipistrelle" sized bat with a light grey chest flying along the edge of the trees near
footbridge over the canal at 2.15pm, I checked the area again at 4.30pm and it was nowhere to be seen.
Great Crested Grebe (4)
Little Grebe (4)
Canada Goose (220)
Canada x Greylag (1)
Mute Swan (2)
Tufted Duck (51)
Goldeneye (pr)
Goosander (2m, 2f)
Lapwing (204)
Curlew (33)
Oystercatcher (2)
Mediterranean Gull (1)
Water Rail (1)
Redwing (130)
One of the patchers had what he was fairly sure was a Dipper on Forge Brook a few days ago. Would be an excellent record for Marbury. Had a look today but no luck. The Mediterranean Gull was a different bird to the one I saw on 3 February, this one very advanced with an almost perfect hood and blood red bill. Ringed on both legs but way too far to see any details. One hundred and twenty Redwing feeding on the grass by Garden Warbler Corner with a few others here and there.
Quick 45 mins late afternoon on way back from seeing Siberian Stonechat at Ashton's Flash.
3 Jay.
1 Treecreeper.
Approx. 50 Redwing in trees around feeding station near toilets.
No sign of Bittern up to 16:30 but did hear 2 low but deep mooing noises coming from Coward Reedbed - surely not the infamous Booming ???
Adult Mediterranean Gull present mid day on Budworth Mere, around one hundred yards out from the slipway.
Great Crested Grebe (9)
Little Grebe (1)
Canada Goose (143)
Greylag Goose (1)
Mute Swan (2)
Tufted Duck (42)
Wigeon (4m)
Pochard (1m)
Teal (3m)
Goosander (3m)
Lapwing (c.250)
Curlew (25)
Oystercatcher (1)
Raven (1)
Great Crested Grebe (9)
Little Grebe (2)
Canada Goose (306)
Pink-footed Goose (1)
Canada x Greylag Hybrid (1)
Mute Swan (2)
Tufted Duck (59)
Wigeon (4)
Gadwall (1)
Goosander (4)
Lapwing (153)
Curlew (51)
Oystercatcher (2)
Water Rail (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Raven (4)
Decided to put in a couple of hours vigil to see if the Bittern showed, sadly it did'nt for me, but it was seen during the morning.
Also around the mere were 1 Kingfisher, 2m+1f Goosanders and 1 Buzzard.
350 Lapwings, 20 Curlews and an Oystercatcher were by Kid Brook.
No sign of the Bittern, but at least a fine looking adult winter Mediterranean Gull turned up
amongst the huge gathering of Black Headed Gulls that were massed around Kid Brook.
Also of note on the mere were 12 Common Gulls, 3m+2f Pochards and 1f Goosander.
45 Curlews roamed around the pasture on the North Bank, and a single Treecreeper turned up
in Big Wood. 12+ Redwings were feeding on Holly berries near the visitor centre. 2 Buzzards were seen around the park whilst a male Sparrowhawk made a breathtaking dash across the mere side feeders.
-- Edited by John Williams on Monday 20th of January 2020 07:42:37 PM
I saw the same flock and estimated c50 over Neumann's. Luckily I managed to photograph them. There were 55 when I counted the photos.
Also Bittern showed well at the mere roosting at 4.45pm
Goldeneye (1st w male)
Tufted Duck (42)
Wigeon (9)
Goosander (2m)
Great Crested Grebe (22)
Little Grebe (1)
Curlew (1)
Lapwing (11)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Little Egret (1)
Cormorant (15)
Grey Heron (10)
Canada Goose (157)
Greylag Goose (41)
Canada/Greylag Goose Hybrid (2)
Mute Swan (4)
Water Rail (2)
Raven (1)
Bullfinch (1)
Goldeneye (1st w male)
Tufted Duck (76)
Goosander (2m)
Great Crested Grebe (62)
Little Grebe (3)
Curlew (1)
Little Egret (1)
Canada Goose (290)
Greylag Goose (13)
Water Rail (2)
Raven (3)
Kingfisher (2)
Cettis Warbler (1)
First visit to this beautiful park yesterday 23rd December 14.00 to 16.30 highlights :-
In the park :- C.50 Redwings enjoying a plentiful supply of red berries & 6 Siskins in tops of conifers feeding.
Also 4 Nuthatches, 3 Treecreepers, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Fieldfares & a Buzzard.
On the mere :- 1 Male Goosander, 3 Cormorants & a Little Egret.
But undoubtedly the stand out was a first ever view for me of a Bittern in very poor light at 16.20 on left side of Coward Reedbed from viewing screen (very poor shot attached)
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Tuesday 24th of December 2019 12:00:04 PM
Budworth Mere
68 Great Crested Grebes, 1m Pochard and 4 Grey Herons.
Kid Brook
36 Lapwings and 1 Great Black Backed Gull.
No sign of the Bittern whilst I was there.
Goldeneye (1f)
Tufted Duck (124)
Gadwall (2)
Goosander (3m)
Shelduck (3)
Curlew (9)
Lapwing (91)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Great Crested Grebe (66)
Little Grebe (4)
Cormorant (12)
Greylag Goose (55)
Canada Goose (145)
Kingfisher (1)
Water Rail (1)
Good to see the Bittern on show, preening in the partly flattened reeds across from the screen hide. Was in full view for at least 45 minutes. A nice surprise was the Green Sandpiper that did a quick fly round in front of the hide before departing.