The male Stonechat was still on Shemmy Moss where a Common Snipe and a Grey Heron were also seen, both out in the open feeding on the now re-wetted mossland. A Water Rail was seen and heard on Shemmy Moss. A Chiffchaff was calling on Abbot's Moss.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 22nd of August 2022 10:28:55 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Aug 21 10:07 PM, 2022
A week since I was last on and the drake Gadwall was still on Big Pool. A count of 68 Tufted Ducks was made. The Mute Swan pair has 1 remaining cygnet.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Aug 15 3:32 PM, 2022
Due to a pc crash and then recovery procedure here's news for the past 2 days.
Sunday 14th Aug: A drake Gadwall on Big Pool was the first returning bird. Again there were 60+Tufted Ducks here. A Grey Heron was on the east side of Big Pool.
Monday 15th Aug: Continuing the return of 'winter' species 2 Common Gulls wers seen, one on each of Big and Small Pools. A Great Crested Grebe still has a youngster in tow on Big Pool.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Aug 8 10:27 PM, 2022
On patch am mainly, hot & sunny.
Still 60+Tufted Ducks on Big Pool, also 2 Sand Martins over. 3 Swallows fed over the mosses. The maleStonechat was on Shemmy Moss. Also here were 2 Linnets and a female Sparrowhawk circled overhead. A maleand female Blackcap were on Shemmy Moss as were young Willow Warblers.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Aug 6 10:39 PM, 2022
Spent a morning and afternoon on my patch. Sunny and warm.
The star bird was a stunning Lesser Whitethroat E.of Big Pool feeding on insects and watched by myself and Carys before it flew into deep cover.
On Big Pool a huge increase saw 63 Tufted Ducks on, plus the first Cormorant on the water for ages. On Small Pool the first returning Common Gull was seen.
A Raven was over Abbot's Moss as well as a Swallow. Two Green Woodpeckers were heard, one of each near Big Pool and Abbot's Moss. A large group of corvids feeding in the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields included at least 20 Rooks. A Collared Dove was at Dairy Farm. The male Stonechat remained on Shemmy Moss.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Aug 3 10:59 PM, 2022
An afternoon walk produced a couple of sightings of note.
A Green Woodpecker yaffled near Big Pool where a Grey Heron was seen in flight.
Nearby one adult and two young Green Woodpeckers were near our horse paddocks at Foxwist Green.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jul 27 10:10 PM, 2022
An afternoon walk.
A Tufted Duck with 5 young was on Big Pool whislt another with 2 young was on Gull Pool. This is a rare breeder here so this is excellent news. A Water Rail was again on Abbot's Moss, heard only.
A Green Woodpecker called near Small Pool. A count of 15 Magpies in the former Leek Field was one of the highest single groups I've ever had on my patch. A male Stonechat was on Shemmy Moss as well as 4+Linnets. A Long-tailed Tit family party was on Abbot's Moss.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Jul 23 10:47 PM, 2022
A morning walk and again very little bird news.
23 Mallard was a good count on Gull Pool where a Little Grebe was seen.
A count of 12 Magpies near the entrance barriers was noteworthy. A Green Woodpecker and 6 Linnets were again on Shemmy Moss.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jul 22 1:22 PM, 2022
Late Report Weds 20th July 2022:
On Big Pool a mini-influx of 40 Tufted Ducks was seen. A Green Woodpecker showed well on Shemmy Moss where Linnets were still seen well, both adults and young.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jul 22 12:27 PM, 2022
Late Report for SUNDAY 17th JULY, starting at 5.30am before the heat :
A Water Rail was heard squealing in the same area in which I had my first ever on Abbot's Moss. Just 2 Sand Martins were over Big Pool. The 2 Mute Swan cygnets Swan cygnets still survive on Big Pool.
The male and female Stonechats were still on Shemmy Moss but no sign of any young for several days now. 2(ad+j) Green Woodpecker was on Abbots Moss where a male Yellowhammer was also seen. A Raven flew over Shemmy Moss cronking and a Kestrel was nearby. At least 6 Linnets flew over Shemmy Moss. A Goldcrest was seen in the pines west of Small Pool. A female Reed Bunting was on Shemmy Moss. Great Tit young were seen.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jul 11 10:49 PM, 2022
The main news was that the male and 1y Stonechat were seen on Shemmy Moss. 2 Bullfinches and a Yellowhammer were seen here too.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 11th of July 2022 11:01:38 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jul 10 10:29 PM, 2022
A morning walk, very hot sunshine.
A patch yeartick in the shape of a Meadow Pipit on Shemmy Moss was the highlight. No sign of any Stonechats, yesterday just the 2 young were seen. Lots of Black-headed Gulls were insect catching over Shemmy Moss where 4 Lapwings flew over. A very high Cormorant over Big Pool was unseasonal.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jul 7 9:54 PM, 2022
An afternoon walk pm for inverts but a few notable bird sightings. Warm, sunny and still.
On Shemmy Moss There were 3(m,f,j) Stonechats showing well. At least 6 Linnets were on Shemmy Moss, adults and young definitely. Young Long-tailed Tits were seen by the Whitegate Way near Gull Pool and 2 young Mistle Thrushes were near the main track of Newchurch Common. The Mute Swans on Big Pool still have 2 cygnets.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jun 26 10:14 PM, 2022
A short morning walk, a few sunny intervals but very windy.
17 Swifts passed over Abbot's Moss where the 4(m,f,2y) Stonechats still remained. Also seen here a very young Carrion Crow being defended by its parents against two overflying Buzzards.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Jun 25 11:18 PM, 2022
A morning walk with sun and wind! Highlight was a Green Sandpiper on Shemmy Moss, a patch first this year. Just 2(m+y) Stonechats were seen.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 26th of June 2022 10:15:26 PM
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jun 24 9:53 PM, 2022
An early start, out onto patch at 6.30am today, warm and mainly sunny.
The biggest highlight was a Red Kite heading south over Abbot's Moss at 7.45am, the fourth sighting in the last few weeks (two by me and two by a mate). On Shemmy Moss a prolonged bout of viewing at a distance confirmed that the Stonechat pair have 2 fully fledged youngsters and it was fantastic to watch the parents feed them not bothered by me being there but a long way from them! A male and female Reed Bunting, a male Bullfinch and a Linnet were all on Shemmy Moss. An Oystercatcher flew over calling too and a Snipe was seen, in July surely a hint at breeding. Nearby 2 Red-legged Partridges called from Abbot's Moss Nursery fields and a Green Woodpecker was heard yaffling. A Grey Heron flew over the mosses too. A Little Grebe was on Gull Pool as was a young Moorhen. Final bird was a Collared Dove on Sandy Lane, the species stronghold on patch.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jun 22 9:51 PM, 2022
A morning visit in hot sunshine.
Very little of Avian interest again. Still 2 Mute Swan cygnets. A male Yellowhammer sang from wires on the north side of Big Pool. 2 Long-tailed Tit fledged young and 2 fledged Robins.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jun 21 10:55 PM, 2022
A couple of walks recently for inverts produced very few bird sightings, but a few are summarised here:
15/6/22: The Mute Swan cygnets are down to just 2 now. Long-tailed Tits with 5y.
Today (21/6/22): On the mosslands at least 4(m, f + 2y) Stonechats were seen. This is fantastic news, after I found the first Stonechats ever on patch this year they have now succesfully fledged young. Also on the mosslands a male Reed Bunting carrying food and Linnet and juvenile Goldfinch.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jun 10 10:25 PM, 2022
Afternoon walk, sunny.
At least 25 Sand Martins over Big Pool. The Mute Swans still have 3 cygnets, all looking OK today.
The male and female Stonechats were again collecting and carrying food.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jun 9 9:59 PM, 2022
A short morning walk mainly spent sheltering from rain.
The Mute Swan pair on Sandiway Big Pool have just 3 cygnets left of the original 4 and one of these is showing signs of a possible attack with a neck injury. At least 12 Sand Martins fed low over the surface of Big Pool.
A Cuckoo was calling again from the Big Pool Island area.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Jun 4 10:10 PM, 2022
Another morning patch visit in warm sunshine.
Again c.14 Tufted Ducks distributed as yesterday. Two broods of 6 and 4 Mallard ducklings were on Gull Pool. A single Greylag Goose was on Big Pool.
A Hobby was over Abbot's Moss close to 3 soaring Buzzards. Stonechat was heard only on Shemmy Moss. A Stock Dove was over Abbot's Moss too whilst a Collared Dove flew across Daleford Lane. A Chiffchaff was carrying food by the Whitegate Way. A small movement of 6 House Martins passed over Abbot's Moss.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jun 2 10:22 PM, 2022
Took the chance of a full days good weather with a morning and an afternoon visit to my patch! Sunnyam then fine pm with sunny spells.
The single massive highlight was a Red Kite, only my second on patch, over Abbot's Moss heading east at 4.25pm. This bird was first dive-bombed by a Buzzard and then mobbed by a Jackdaw.
On the pools a few more ducks with about 14 Tufted Ducks with 10 on Gull Pool alone. There were 8 Mute Swans in total, a pair on Big Pool with 4 new cygnets and a pair on Small Pool. A Grey Heron flew over the pools. Four Lapwings were over Shemmy Moss. A small passage of hirundines through Big Pool probably numbered 12 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls passed through.
A female Sparrowhawk passed through high. A male Cuckoo called from the Big/Small Pool area, a new location so was it a second male? A male Yellowhammer was on breeding territory north of Big Pool. The 2(m+f) Stonechats were still on Shemmy Moss. A female Blackcap was seen carrying food, proof of breeding. A young Pheasant on Sandy Lane proved breeding too.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jun 1 10:32 PM, 2022
Finally some free time in the week so I went to my patch. Forecast was good but had a few heavy showers with sun in between, changeable is a good description.
Just a handful of c.8 Tufted Ducks now remain across the three main pools. A small baby Moorhen was on Gull Pool, proof of breeding of a species that I rarely see the young of here. Also on Gull Pool were 6 Mallard ducklings. A Grey Heron Flew over Abbot's Moss.
Away from the pools I recorded a new bird for me on patch this year - 1Swift over the pines on Abbot's Moss. Also here 2 Skylarks were in display over breeding fields and all 5 common warblers were heard. A Garden Warbler was seen carrying food, as were the male and female Stonechat, both evidence of breeding. A Long-tailed Tit was seen with 6 young, Finally a Nuthatch was calling near Small Pool.
Doc Brewster said
Mon May 23 10:04 PM, 2022
Yesterday SUNDAY 22nd May 2020:
On my one day offin 13 consecutive days I just had to get down to my patch yesterday morning. It was fine and warm with quite a bit of sunshine.
I concentrated on the mosslands where the highlight was a superb Hobby feeding on dragonflies giving a superb aerial show. This was new for the year but an expected species here now. Also seen (and heard) was a male Cuckoo. An Oystercatcher was heard over the Whitegate Way on the way back to the car. A couple of male Reed Buntings were seen on the mosses where they are breeding and the 5 usual warblers were again all heard. A Linnet again flew over.
Doc Brewster said
Wed May 18 10:19 AM, 2022
A bit stuck at the moment as I'm in work for 2 weeks solid including the Saturdays!! So really hard to get on patch so when I woke at 5.30am I took advantage and headed down to the mosslands part of patch. A sunny warm morning.
Wildfowl highlights were 3(1drk) Teal and 2 Greylag Geese, all flighty on Shemmy Moss. A nice flyover saw 2 Oystercatchers in display flight calling, they breed elsewhere but often display over the mosslands. A Grey Heron was another flyover, not quite the Great White Egret reported to me the other day, but close!
I recorded 2 Cuckoos, a male calling and a probable female dropping into the heather, probably looking for host species' nests. A male Sparrowhawk flew through and a Green Woodpecker was heard distantly. The female Stonechat was on Shemmy Moss as were at least 6 Reed Buntings and 2 Linnets. A lone Sand Martin flying through was unexpected. All 5 common warbler species were seen and/or heard, namely Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat.
Doc Brewster said
Wed May 11 8:02 PM, 2022
Had a call this afternoon with mega news so raced down to my patch with little hope but had to do it!!
The news was of a Great White Egret heading north over Abbot's Moss and circling up, but then lost to view. I received the call an hour later and so as expected there was no sign on any of the 3 main pools and fishermen I spoke too hadn't seen it at all. I headed over to the mosses in case but nothing there either. An Oystercatcher was heard over Shemmy Moss and at least 6 Garden Warblers were heard with a couple seen.
Doc Brewster said
Fri May 6 10:11 PM, 2022
An excellent morning walk on patch, dry and warm.
A good count of 46 Tufted Ducks included 38 on Big Pool. Greylag Geese were again on the mosslands. Two broods of Coot were seen on Small Pool, one with 5 young and one with 3 young. An Oystercatcher was heard distantly on the mosses too.
On the nursery fields 2 Red-legged Partridges were in the area that I have seen them before, near the tall hedge bisecting the fields. The male Cuckoo showed really well again on Abbot's Moss. Just the male Stonechat was seen today on Shemmy Moss. A Collared Dove was on Daleford Lane.
Doc Brewster said
Thu May 5 8:48 PM, 2022
Another morning walk in calm fine conditions, getting very warm and sunny by the end of the walk!
A total of 3drk Teal were seen, 2 on Shemmy Moss and 1 on Gull Pool. A Grey Heron was on Gull Pool closely watched by a pair of Little Grebes.
A male Cuckoo was heard and seen very well on Abbot's Moss. The pair of Stonechats similarly showed well on Shemmy Moss. A male and female Bullfinch were still on Shemmy Moss as was a male Reed Bunting.
Doc Brewster said
Tue May 3 5:15 PM, 2022
Out am on patch, overcast and dull but not too cold.
The best wildfowl record was 2 female Shoveler which came up from Abbot's Moss. Also on here was a drake Teal and 4 Greylag Geese. At least 26 Tufted Ducks were still on the main three pools with 18 on Small Pool alone. A few Swallows, a few Sand Martins and a House Martin were all feeding over Big Pool.
The best bird was a Cuckoo heard NW of Shemmy Moss, a first for the year for me. A female Stonechat was still on Shemmy Moss along with 3m Reed Buntings.All 5 common warbler species were still well represented with Whitethroats and Garden Warblers both showing well. A Coal Tit was calling in Gull Pool Wood. A pair of Bullfinches was seen on Shemmy Moss again, a new breeding area for this species.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 28 10:36 PM, 2022
A visit to my patch today with a guest who has visited with me several times before and a GM Birder to boot! Overcast but dry today.
Checking Big Pool we found a nice flock of hirundines comprising 2 House Martins and about 5 Swallows and 10 Sand Martins. The highlight however was a species that I 'twitched' after work yesterday, 2 Little Ringed Plovers. There were 2 birds on Shemmy Moss last night and one remained today, a great addition to my 2022 Patch List. Again 2 Greylag Geese were on Abbot's Moss. there were 2 drake Teal, one each on Shemmy Moss and Gull Pool.
The female Stonechat was seen again, this time on Shemmy Moss way away from where I have seen them before. Also on the mosses were at least 3 Reed Buntings and a male Bullfinch as well as 6 Linnets at least. An increase in Common Whitethroats was evident with at least 5 birds seen, all on the mosses.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 26 9:10 PM, 2022
A very early walk, dry and mild.
A drake Teal was on Gull Pool and more were heard on Abbot's Moss. At least 2 Greylag Geese were on Abbot's Moss. A single Oystercatcher flew over Small Pool. A Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over the mosslands calling.
A male Stonechat was again on Abbot's Moss. At least 6 Garden Warblers were noted, 2 of which showed extremely well. On Abbot's Moss 2 Common Whitethroats also showed well. A Skylark and 2 Linnets were on the mosslands. Finally a female Reed Bunting and a male Bullfinch were by the main mosslands track.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Apr 25 9:37 PM, 2022
Had a walk on patch this morning, sunny at first and overcast later but mild.
The female Goosander was still on Small Pool with a few Tufted Ducks, she really is hanging on, my latest ever Goosander record here I think. A drake Teal was on Gull Pool. A pair of Canada Geese had 6 young, my first brood of any waterbirds here this year. The Canada Goose that had been sitting on a nest on Abbot's Moss looks like she's had her clutch predated.
I had two new species for my year patch list today. The patchlist bird was a male Greenfinch on Sandy Lane as I stopped here for a walk on my way in. This has always been a patch scarcity and so was nice to add for the year. Later I added 3 Garden Warblers, a yeartick for the UK in 2022. I heard 2 singing on Shemmy Moss and then one was singing and showing very well on Abbot's Moss. This is one of my patch specialities and it is nice to see them back. A surprise was 2 Redwings still in Gull Pool Wood. A Coal Tit was also in the same wood, a favoured haunt for this species on my patch. A Reed Bunting and Linnets were still on Abbot's Moss where a Raven flew over. A Bullfinch was in Finch Hedge.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 21 2:26 PM, 2022
A short visit am produced nothing out of the ordinary.
A count of 36TuftedDucks was made on Big Pool.
A Skylark and Linnets were north of Big Pool.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 21st of April 2022 09:00:44 PM
Doc Brewster said
Wed Apr 20 10:07 PM, 2022
Popped onto patch at 7.15am this morning and spent the morning there. Sunny and warming up but never got as hot as yesterday.
The biggest surprise was a female Shoveler on Abbot's Moss along with another unseasonal sighting of the female Goosander still on Small Pool. Also on Small Pool 3 Mute Swans were new in. A group of 7 Greylag Geese were in the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields and flew to the mossland pools. In the fields east of the Pine Belt 7 Lapwings were on the newly ploughed field where previously some had been sitting, a very sad state of affairs and very poor farming practise. A first-winter Common Gull was another surprise, on Big Pool, with a few Black-headed Gulls.
A new species was added with Common Whitethroat on Abbot's Moss where 2 Yellowhammers showed well. Also on here Linnets were seen mating. A total of 4 Stock Doves included 2 on Sandy Lane and 2 in the former leek field.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Apr 17 10:06 PM, 2022
Popped onto patch this am in the sun, just getting warm. But it was so busy I left the crowds to it!!
For the brief period that I was on I had a few noteworthy reports. Just 7 Tufted Ducks on Big Pool. This was eclipsed by a single group of 8 Magpies in the entrance paddocks. North of Big Pool were 2 Linnets and a Green Woodpecker was heard.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 15 8:44 PM, 2022
Headed out in the afternoon mainly for inverts but recorded the birds as usual, bright sun then clouded over but warm throughout.
The headline on the pools was a drake Gadwall, a species not seen before this April anywhere on patch. There was a really big count of 52 Tufted Ducks split between the 3 usual pools with Gull Pool holding 32 birds which was a maximum for this pool at any time of the year. A Coot was sitting on Small Pool/ On Big Pool 2 Greylag Geese were seen. There were 6 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt.
A Green Woodpecker was heard near Big Pool. In the ploughed leek field 4 Stock Doves were with Woodpigeons. A Coal Tit was seen carrying nesting material in Gull Pool Wood.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Apr 13 4:57 PM, 2022
Out very early, pre-7am to see if I could find the Yellow Wagtail if it had possibly remained in the area, but alas no sign. Nevertheless another fabulous day on patch, drizzle all morning, brightening up pm when I returned briefly.
On Small Pool a single female Goosander remained, favouring the SE corner. 2(1drk) Teal were on Abbot's Moss. A group of 4 Greylag Geese flew from the Abbot's Moss Nurseries again. An Oystercatcher flew over Shemmy Moss and a Common Snipe was seen. Although they were very skulking 2 Red-legged Partridges were nice to see, in the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields.
The highlight was a patch yeartick, courtesy of Mark Payne, who rang me with news. This was 2 male Wheatears in the muck-spread field beloning to The Swallows Farm viewed from the top of the track up the west side of Big Pool. Also in the same field was a nice male White Wagtail with at least 6 Pied Wagtails. A Green Woodpecker showed well on Abbot's Moss, this seems to be a declining species now on my patch. A Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane and 4 Stock Doves were in the ploughed leek field. At least 6 Linnets were on Abbot's Moss and a Yellowhammer, 3(2m) Reed Buntings and a Skylark were all seen here too. The leek field held just 2 Bramblings today after yesterdays large flock. A Coal Tit was noteworthy in the pines west of Small Pool. A rough count was made to estimate the ratio of different warblers today and came up with 16 Willow Warblers, 14 Blackcaps and 12 Chiffchaffs.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 12 9:39 PM, 2022
After the morning rain I ventured onto my patch this afternoon. Warm and stayed dry.
Amazingly I added another Patch Lifer today, the reason I headed down was justified as a fall had happened due to the weather. In the ploughed leek field I immediately spotted wagtails, these consisted of 10 Pied Wagtails (with 2 elsewhere making a day count of 12 Pied Wagtails) and unusually no Whites! But the massive bonus was a stunning male Yellow Wagtail, my first ever on my patch. Having no camera equipment with me I yomped back to the car but by the time I returned with digiscoping gear just 4 Pied Wagtails remained and no sign of the Yellow! I searched adjacent fields but no luck, it had moved through. Also in the same field 36 Bramblings were feeding on the ground, some of the male sporting full jet-black heads and looking fabulous.
The pools were again quiet with just 6 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins of note. These dropped in, skimmed the surface of Big pool, and then left withing 1 minute of arrival. A small group of 3 Greylag Geese were on Big Pool.
In the fields by the Pine Belt hordes of Woodpigeons fed on the newly tilled soil and amongst them were 16 Stock Doves. Nearby a male Yellowhammer was in the hedge of the fields north of Big Pool and a Goldcrest was in the pines. A couple of pairs of Long-tailed Tits were seen.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Apr 9 5:47 PM, 2022
Another morning visit, bright and with sunny intervals but cold.
Very little going on on the main pools. A Little Grebe called from Big Pool and another from Gull Pool.A group of 4 Greylag Geese came up from Abbot's Moss Nursery grounds. A nesting Canada Goose was still sitting nearby.
The highlights were all passerines, with 3 patch yearticks, one of which was my first anywhere. First patch yeartick was a calling Cetti's Warbler near the SW corner of Small Pool. Then I had a cracking Yellowhammer by the track on Abbot's Moss. Finally I heard my first Willow Warbler for the UK this summer, again on Abbot's Moss. I also watched at least 2 pairs of Linnets gathering nesting material on the mosslands. After my first just 5 days ago I had a Raven fly low over me on Abbot's Moss.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 8 9:15 PM, 2022
A morning visit, sunny and getting warmer as the day moved on.
A female Goosander was on Small Pool, a mate reported 2 there earlier. Two Little Grebes were showing well on Gull Pool. At first there were 5 Sand Martins over Big Pool but these departed later in the morning. A Common Snipe was still in a marshy area on patch.
A group of 4 Buzzards were up over Sandy Lane and a Kestrel flew over Abbot's Moss. The female Stonechat was seen again but disappeared almost as soon as I'd found her. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were numerous across the whole area. A Linnet was noted on Abbot's Moss and a Skylark was in song over the adjacent Nursery fields.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Apr 4 9:00 PM, 2022
Funny when you go through a purple patch on patch! It's happening at Newchurch for me at present. Down this pm in overcast and occasionally drizzly weather.
Not much on the pools at all, at least 45TuftedDucks so the increase continues.
The biggest find was a waterbird, and a Patch Lifer again, but over on Abbot's Moss, in the shape of a calling WaterRail. This was in deep cover in a marshy section containing silver birch. When I mentioned this to another regular he said he thought he'd heard one there the other day too! Also in the same area 2Oystercatchers flew over calling, heading over Abbot's Moss Nursery fields towards Gull Pool, this being a yeartick for patch. The third new bird fpr my patch yearlist was a Raven, flying over the pines south of Abbot's Moss.
Also today there were 3(2drk) Teal on Abbot's Moss where a Canada Goose is already sitting. Four Greylag Geese flew over Abbot's Moss with one dropping into the nursery fields to feed. A Linnet was in a tree overlooking Abbot's Moss too and a Skylark sang over the Nursery fields. A high flyover group of waders were surprisingly 6 Common Snipe.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Apr 2 5:10 PM, 2022
It gets even better on my patch with a patch lifer today! An afternoon walk in the sun for inverts but didn't get as warm as I expected.
On Big Pool there were still 3(1drk) Goldeneye and an increase to 36 Tufted Ducks, what odds for the Ring-necked Duck to return! There were a total of 4 Teal, a pair on each of Gull Pool and Abbot's Moss. A Redshank was a patch yeartick, flying over Abbot's Moss calling whilst there was still at least 1 Snipe here.
The patch lifer was a pair of Stonechats (undisclosed exact location as it is breeding season). This is a species that I have been expecting for a long time given the plethora of horse paddocks on my patch which attract chats elsewhere but actually finding this species today was a massive thrill. Just 5 Pied Wagtails were in the ploughed leek field with no White Wagtails today. In the same field a flock of 5 Stock Doves and separately 2 Mistle Thrushes were feeding.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 2nd of April 2022 05:11:04 PM
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 31 9:52 PM, 2022
Back on patch this morning, weird day weatherwise with a frozen car windscreen, then sunny with blue skies, then glowering dark clouds and finally light hail/snow showers!! Talk abour 4 seasons in a day! A brilliant walk with 6 patch ticks for the year and that included 3 new birds for me anywhere for 2022.
This all started on Big Pool where one of the first birds I saw was a Sand Martin skimming low over the water, this was one of 6 Sand Martins in total. In amongst them was a lone House Martin and then another hirundine dropped in from high, a Swallow!! My first hirundines anywhere in 2022, and all in one day! Also on the pool were 3(1drk) Goldeneye still. Elsewhere 3(2drk) Teal were on Gull Pool. A Cormorant was on the willow spit on Big Pool, the first here in a while. In the field east of the Pine Belt 6 Lapwings mobbed a Carrion Crow, whilst 10 Magpies here was a large count and bad news for the nesting Lapwings.
My first patch Green Woodpecker of the year was heard to the NE of Big Pool. In the leek field which was ploughed yesterday I picked up a White Wagtail with 10 Pied Wagtails. This pristine Motacilla alba alba was in the field that I always get wagtail passage in, and it is weirdly never ever any other field on patch! This of course was new for my patch list too. A male Blackcap belted out its song NE of Big Pool and at least 6 Chiffchaffs were singing. In contrast 10 Redwings were still present and seen in Big Pool Island Cut. In the same area a really nice flock of small passerines contained 3 Treecreepers, a Goldcrest and several tits (**). A Nuthatch was singing and showing well in Finch Hedge and was the last bird of a great walk.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Mar 29 8:35 PM, 2022
Last day of warm weather according to the forecast so went down on patch pm today, warm and sunny turning to overcast.
The highlight was 2 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls on Big Pool in with a massive flock of 250 Black-headed Gulls and 5 Common Gulls. The Med Gulls were a yeartick for patch and the UK for me. Also on Big Pool there were still 5(2drk) Goldeneye, these ducks really are lingering late this year. Other than that 6 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes were noted on Big Pool.
In Big Pool Island Cut there were still 20 Redwings feeding in the scrubby meadow area. At least 2 Stock Doves were in the fields north of Big Pool and 3 Lapwings were feeding in a newly ploughed field to the NE of the pool. A Rook over Big Pool was noteworthy, as was a Nuthatch watched by the main track.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 23 8:35 PM, 2022
Popped down for a shorter walk this morning, warm and sunny again.
Big Pool still held 6(2drk) Goldeneye. At least 1 Common Gull was still on here too. There were 6 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt.
On the wires of the field north of Big Pool it was nice to add a new patch bird for the year, a male Reed Bunting in song. Nearby a small mixed tit flock contained Long-tailed Tits and again new for the year on patch was a Coal Tit. There were 2 pairs of Stock Doves in display flight today. Again lots of Chiffchaffs.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 23 3:18 PM, 2022
22nd March 2022:
A late post for my morning walk in the warm sunshine yesterday morning.
There were still 7(3drk) Goldeneye still on Big Pool. A Teal was heard calling in the reeds at Gull Pool. Pairs of Little Grebes (so 4 birds in total) were on both Big Pool and Gull Pool. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was loafing on Big Pool and Common Gulls were still present. In the field east of Pine Belt 7 Lapwings were seen.
A pair of Stock Doves were in display flight over on the mosses. My first Blackcap anywhere this year was a male singing in the wood by Big Pool Island Cut, A stunning flock of 10 Lesser Redpolls were watched feeding on the woodland floor at Gull Pool Wood, where 15 Redwings were still present as well as a Nuthatch. In a year, on patch, when I have seen more of this species than any year before another Treecreeper was seen, this time in the wood by Big Pool Island Cut. A flock of 20 Siskins was in the same wood by Big Pool Island Cut.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 23rd of March 2022 04:34:34 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sat Mar 19 9:06 PM, 2022
Another sunny day so back on patch, pm to let it warm up more, sunny, warm but breezy.
At least 3(2drk) Goldeneye were still on Big Pool, but there could have been more.
On Sandy Lane 3 Feral Rock Doves were new for the patch yearlist. Later a lone Collared Dove was seen here too. A Starling on roofs on Sandy Lane was a scarcity this year! A Lesser Redpoll was singing in the hedge opposite Finch Hedge and was another patch yeartick.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 17 9:22 PM, 2022
First March visit to my patch, long overdue, but work and weather have dictated what I have done recently. Today was glorious, bright sunshine and pretty warm. An early start for a morning visit.
First port of call was Big Pool where a surprise was the largest single count of Goldeneye ever on patch - 8(5drk) Goldeneye were out in the middle an diving constantly making a count harder, but there were eight in the end! Over on Small Pool a female Goosander was present. On Abbot's Moss 3(2drk) Teal flew out of cover and later a group of Teal on Gull Pool could well have been these three birds. A total of 4 Little Grebes was seen, pairs on each of Big Pool and Gull Pool, all whinnying and chasing in courtship. A formal count revealed 25 Common Snipe still on one of the boggy areas of the patch.
A nice addition to the patch yearlist was a Red-legged Partridge seen feeding on Abbot's Moss Nursery fields. Nearby a Kestrel hovered over the mosses. A Collared Dove flew over Sandy Lane and 2 Stock Doves were over the fields here too. Up to 5 Lapwings were in the field east of the Pine Bely. A Skylark was a new bird on patch for 2022, again over Abbot's Moss Nursery. At least 15 Redwings were still in Gull Pool Wood. Nuthatches were heard in 3 locations today, and were another 2022 patch tick. The next new addition to the yearlist was an expected one - Chiffchaff, with at least 6 singing birds across the whole patch recording area. The final new bird added for 2022 was Long-tailed Tit with a pair seen collectin lichen for nest building near Big Pool. A Goldcrest was in Gull Pool Wood, where this species breeds.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Feb 24 8:38 PM, 2022
Managed a short morning visit today, quite cold and a brief hail/sleet flurry. Sun at times, dark clouds at times!
Big Pool held 3(2drk) Goldeneye and 2(1drk) Goosander, but again duck numbers were very low. Still 1 Cormorant and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Best of all was 2 Kingfishers chasing each other across Big Pool.
Now 8 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt. Redwings and a Starling, the latter a patch yeartick amazingly, were by the entrance track. A Song Thrush was in song by the Pine Belt.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Feb 22 9:42 PM, 2022
First visit for a while this afternoon, dull but not cold, very blustery.
A pretty bleak visit with a real chop on the water of Big Pool. The best sightings on here were 6(3drk) Goldeneye, which was a patch yeartick, and a female Goosander. Otherwise it was very quiet with no Wigeon or Gadwall. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was on Big Pool along with several Common Gulls and lots of Black-headed Gulls.
A large female Sparrowhawk was very active, seen hunting three times, once almost flying between my legs! This was another patch yeartick today. A Buzzard was sweeping around in the wind and hunting the fields by Sandy Lane. A Collared Dove was also on Sandy Lane and 2 Stock Doves were in the field by the Pine Belt with 3 Lapwings. A flock of winter thrushes was flushed by the Sparrowhawk and consisted of at least 35 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares, the latter species was my final patch tick for the year today. A small flock of 6 Siskins were feeding and drinking at Small Pool. Finch Hedge has been decimated by the farmers thrashing machine but still held 3(1m) Bullfinches and a Goldfinch.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 22nd of February 2022 09:42:36 PM
A morning walk in the sun.
The male Stonechat was still on Shemmy Moss where a Common Snipe and a Grey Heron were also seen, both out in the open feeding on the now re-wetted mossland. A Water Rail was seen and heard on Shemmy Moss. A Chiffchaff was calling on Abbot's Moss.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 22nd of August 2022 10:28:55 PM
A week since I was last on and the drake Gadwall was still on Big Pool. A count of 68 Tufted Ducks was made. The Mute Swan pair has 1 remaining cygnet.
Due to a pc crash and then recovery procedure here's news for the past 2 days.
Sunday 14th Aug: A drake Gadwall on Big Pool was the first returning bird. Again there were 60+Tufted Ducks here. A Grey Heron was on the east side of Big Pool.
Monday 15th Aug: Continuing the return of 'winter' species 2 Common Gulls wers seen, one on each of Big and Small Pools. A Great Crested Grebe still has a youngster in tow on Big Pool.
On patch am mainly, hot & sunny.
Still 60+Tufted Ducks on Big Pool, also 2 Sand Martins over. 3 Swallows fed over the mosses. The male Stonechat was on Shemmy Moss. Also here were 2 Linnets and a female Sparrowhawk circled overhead. A male and female Blackcap were on Shemmy Moss as were young Willow Warblers.
Spent a morning and afternoon on my patch. Sunny and warm.
The star bird was a stunning Lesser Whitethroat E.of Big Pool feeding on insects and watched by myself and Carys before it flew into deep cover.
On Big Pool a huge increase saw 63 Tufted Ducks on, plus the first Cormorant on the water for ages. On Small Pool the first returning Common Gull was seen.
A Raven was over Abbot's Moss as well as a Swallow. Two Green Woodpeckers were heard, one of each near Big Pool and Abbot's Moss. A large group of corvids feeding in the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields included at least 20 Rooks. A Collared Dove was at Dairy Farm. The male Stonechat remained on Shemmy Moss.
An afternoon walk produced a couple of sightings of note.
A Green Woodpecker yaffled near Big Pool where a Grey Heron was seen in flight.
Nearby one adult and two young Green Woodpeckers were near our horse paddocks at Foxwist Green.
An afternoon walk.
A Tufted Duck with 5 young was on Big Pool whislt another with 2 young was on Gull Pool. This is a rare breeder here so this is excellent news. A Water Rail was again on Abbot's Moss, heard only.
A Green Woodpecker called near Small Pool. A count of 15 Magpies in the former Leek Field was one of the highest single groups I've ever had on my patch. A male Stonechat was on Shemmy Moss as well as 4+Linnets. A Long-tailed Tit family party was on Abbot's Moss.
A morning walk and again very little bird news.
23 Mallard was a good count on Gull Pool where a Little Grebe was seen.
A count of 12 Magpies near the entrance barriers was noteworthy. A Green Woodpecker and 6 Linnets were again on Shemmy Moss.
Late Report Weds 20th July 2022:
On Big Pool a mini-influx of 40 Tufted Ducks was seen. A Green Woodpecker showed well on Shemmy Moss where Linnets were still seen well, both adults and young.
Late Report for SUNDAY 17th JULY, starting at 5.30am before the heat :
A Water Rail was heard squealing in the same area in which I had my first ever on Abbot's Moss. Just 2 Sand Martins were over Big Pool. The 2 Mute Swan cygnets Swan cygnets still survive on Big Pool.
The male and female Stonechats were still on Shemmy Moss but no sign of any young for several days now. 2(ad+j) Green Woodpecker was on Abbots Moss where a male Yellowhammer was also seen. A Raven flew over Shemmy Moss cronking and a Kestrel was nearby. At least 6 Linnets flew over Shemmy Moss. A Goldcrest was seen in the pines west of Small Pool. A female Reed Bunting was on Shemmy Moss. Great Tit young were seen.
The main news was that the male and 1y Stonechat were seen on Shemmy Moss. 2 Bullfinches and a Yellowhammer were seen here too.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 11th of July 2022 11:01:38 PM
An afternoon walk pm for inverts but a few notable bird sightings. Warm, sunny and still.
On Shemmy Moss There were 3(m,f,j) Stonechats showing well. At least 6 Linnets were on Shemmy Moss, adults and young definitely. Young Long-tailed Tits were seen by the Whitegate Way near Gull Pool and 2 young Mistle Thrushes were near the main track of Newchurch Common. The Mute Swans on Big Pool still have 2 cygnets.
A short morning walk, a few sunny intervals but very windy.
17 Swifts passed over Abbot's Moss where the 4(m,f,2y) Stonechats still remained. Also seen here a very young Carrion Crow being defended by its parents against two overflying Buzzards.
A morning walk with sun and wind! Highlight was a Green Sandpiper on Shemmy Moss, a patch first this year. Just 2(m+y) Stonechats were seen.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 26th of June 2022 10:15:26 PM
An early start, out onto patch at 6.30am today, warm and mainly sunny.
The biggest highlight was a Red Kite heading south over Abbot's Moss at 7.45am, the fourth sighting in the last few weeks (two by me and two by a mate). On Shemmy Moss a prolonged bout of viewing at a distance confirmed that the Stonechat pair have 2 fully fledged youngsters and it was fantastic to watch the parents feed them not bothered by me being there but a long way from them! A male and female Reed Bunting, a male Bullfinch and a Linnet were all on Shemmy Moss. An Oystercatcher flew over calling too and a Snipe was seen, in July surely a hint at breeding. Nearby 2 Red-legged Partridges called from Abbot's Moss Nursery fields and a Green Woodpecker was heard yaffling. A Grey Heron flew over the mosses too. A Little Grebe was on Gull Pool as was a young Moorhen. Final bird was a Collared Dove on Sandy Lane, the species stronghold on patch.
A morning visit in hot sunshine.
Very little of Avian interest again. Still 2 Mute Swan cygnets. A male Yellowhammer sang from wires on the north side of Big Pool. 2 Long-tailed Tit fledged young and 2 fledged Robins.
A couple of walks recently for inverts produced very few bird sightings, but a few are summarised here:
15/6/22: The Mute Swan cygnets are down to just 2 now. Long-tailed Tits with 5y.
Today (21/6/22): On the mosslands at least 4(m, f + 2y) Stonechats were seen. This is fantastic news, after I found the first Stonechats ever on patch this year they have now succesfully fledged young. Also on the mosslands a male Reed Bunting carrying food and Linnet and juvenile Goldfinch.
Afternoon walk, sunny.
At least 25 Sand Martins over Big Pool. The Mute Swans still have 3 cygnets, all looking OK today.
The male and female Stonechats were again collecting and carrying food.
A short morning walk mainly spent sheltering from rain.
The Mute Swan pair on Sandiway Big Pool have just 3 cygnets left of the original 4 and one of these is showing signs of a possible attack with a neck injury. At least 12 Sand Martins fed low over the surface of Big Pool.
A Cuckoo was calling again from the Big Pool Island area.
Another morning patch visit in warm sunshine.
Again c.14 Tufted Ducks distributed as yesterday. Two broods of 6 and 4 Mallard ducklings were on Gull Pool. A single Greylag Goose was on Big Pool.
A Hobby was over Abbot's Moss close to 3 soaring Buzzards. Stonechat was heard only on Shemmy Moss. A Stock Dove was over Abbot's Moss too whilst a Collared Dove flew across Daleford Lane. A Chiffchaff was carrying food by the Whitegate Way. A small movement of 6 House Martins passed over Abbot's Moss.
Took the chance of a full days good weather with a morning and an afternoon visit to my patch! Sunnyam then fine pm with sunny spells.
The single massive highlight was a Red Kite, only my second on patch, over Abbot's Moss heading east at 4.25pm. This bird was first dive-bombed by a Buzzard and then mobbed by a Jackdaw.
On the pools a few more ducks with about 14 Tufted Ducks with 10 on Gull Pool alone. There were 8 Mute Swans in total, a pair on Big Pool with 4 new cygnets and a pair on Small Pool. A Grey Heron flew over the pools. Four Lapwings were over Shemmy Moss. A small passage of hirundines through Big Pool probably numbered 12 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls passed through.
A female Sparrowhawk passed through high. A male Cuckoo called from the Big/Small Pool area, a new location so was it a second male? A male Yellowhammer was on breeding territory north of Big Pool. The 2(m+f) Stonechats were still on Shemmy Moss. A female Blackcap was seen carrying food, proof of breeding. A young Pheasant on Sandy Lane proved breeding too.
Finally some free time in the week so I went to my patch. Forecast was good but had a few heavy showers with sun in between, changeable is a good description.
Just a handful of c.8 Tufted Ducks now remain across the three main pools. A small baby Moorhen was on Gull Pool, proof of breeding of a species that I rarely see the young of here. Also on Gull Pool were 6 Mallard ducklings. A Grey Heron Flew over Abbot's Moss.
Away from the pools I recorded a new bird for me on patch this year - 1 Swift over the pines on Abbot's Moss. Also here 2 Skylarks were in display over breeding fields and all 5 common warblers were heard. A Garden Warbler was seen carrying food, as were the male and female Stonechat, both evidence of breeding. A Long-tailed Tit was seen with 6 young, Finally a Nuthatch was calling near Small Pool.
Yesterday SUNDAY 22nd May 2020:
On my one day offin 13 consecutive days I just had to get down to my patch yesterday morning. It was fine and warm with quite a bit of sunshine.
I concentrated on the mosslands where the highlight was a superb Hobby feeding on dragonflies giving a superb aerial show. This was new for the year but an expected species here now. Also seen (and heard) was a male Cuckoo. An Oystercatcher was heard over the Whitegate Way on the way back to the car. A couple of male Reed Buntings were seen on the mosses where they are breeding and the 5 usual warblers were again all heard. A Linnet again flew over.
A bit stuck at the moment as I'm in work for 2 weeks solid including the Saturdays!! So really hard to get on patch so when I woke at 5.30am I took advantage and headed down to the mosslands part of patch. A sunny warm morning.
Wildfowl highlights were 3(1drk) Teal and 2 Greylag Geese, all flighty on Shemmy Moss. A nice flyover saw 2 Oystercatchers in display flight calling, they breed elsewhere but often display over the mosslands. A Grey Heron was another flyover, not quite the Great White Egret reported to me the other day, but close!
I recorded 2 Cuckoos, a male calling and a probable female dropping into the heather, probably looking for host species' nests. A male Sparrowhawk flew through and a Green Woodpecker was heard distantly. The female Stonechat was on Shemmy Moss as were at least 6 Reed Buntings and 2 Linnets. A lone Sand Martin flying through was unexpected. All 5 common warbler species were seen and/or heard, namely Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat.
Had a call this afternoon with mega news so raced down to my patch with little hope but had to do it!!
The news was of a Great White Egret heading north over Abbot's Moss and circling up, but then lost to view. I received the call an hour later and so as expected there was no sign on any of the 3 main pools and fishermen I spoke too hadn't seen it at all. I headed over to the mosses in case but nothing there either. An Oystercatcher was heard over Shemmy Moss and at least 6 Garden Warblers were heard with a couple seen.
An excellent morning walk on patch, dry and warm.
A good count of 46 Tufted Ducks included 38 on Big Pool. Greylag Geese were again on the mosslands. Two broods of Coot were seen on Small Pool, one with 5 young and one with 3 young. An Oystercatcher was heard distantly on the mosses too.
On the nursery fields 2 Red-legged Partridges were in the area that I have seen them before, near the tall hedge bisecting the fields. The male Cuckoo showed really well again on Abbot's Moss. Just the male Stonechat was seen today on Shemmy Moss. A Collared Dove was on Daleford Lane.
Another morning walk in calm fine conditions, getting very warm and sunny by the end of the walk!
A total of 3drk Teal were seen, 2 on Shemmy Moss and 1 on Gull Pool. A Grey Heron was on Gull Pool closely watched by a pair of Little Grebes.
A male Cuckoo was heard and seen very well on Abbot's Moss. The pair of Stonechats similarly showed well on Shemmy Moss. A male and female Bullfinch were still on Shemmy Moss as was a male Reed Bunting.
Out am on patch, overcast and dull but not too cold.
The best wildfowl record was 2 female Shoveler which came up from Abbot's Moss. Also on here was a drake Teal and 4 Greylag Geese. At least 26 Tufted Ducks were still on the main three pools with 18 on Small Pool alone. A few Swallows, a few Sand Martins and a House Martin were all feeding over Big Pool.
The best bird was a Cuckoo heard NW of Shemmy Moss, a first for the year for me. A female Stonechat was still on Shemmy Moss along with 3m Reed Buntings.All 5 common warbler species were still well represented with Whitethroats and Garden Warblers both showing well. A Coal Tit was calling in Gull Pool Wood. A pair of Bullfinches was seen on Shemmy Moss again, a new breeding area for this species.
A visit to my patch today with a guest who has visited with me several times before and a GM Birder to boot! Overcast but dry today.
Checking Big Pool we found a nice flock of hirundines comprising 2 House Martins and about 5 Swallows and 10 Sand Martins. The highlight however was a species that I 'twitched' after work yesterday, 2 Little Ringed Plovers. There were 2 birds on Shemmy Moss last night and one remained today, a great addition to my 2022 Patch List. Again 2 Greylag Geese were on Abbot's Moss. there were 2 drake Teal, one each on Shemmy Moss and Gull Pool.
The female Stonechat was seen again, this time on Shemmy Moss way away from where I have seen them before. Also on the mosses were at least 3 Reed Buntings and a male Bullfinch as well as 6 Linnets at least. An increase in Common Whitethroats was evident with at least 5 birds seen, all on the mosses.
A very early walk, dry and mild.
A drake Teal was on Gull Pool and more were heard on Abbot's Moss. At least 2 Greylag Geese were on Abbot's Moss. A single Oystercatcher flew over Small Pool. A Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over the mosslands calling.
A male Stonechat was again on Abbot's Moss. At least 6 Garden Warblers were noted, 2 of which showed extremely well. On Abbot's Moss 2 Common Whitethroats also showed well. A Skylark and 2 Linnets were on the mosslands. Finally a female Reed Bunting and a male Bullfinch were by the main mosslands track.
Had a walk on patch this morning, sunny at first and overcast later but mild.
The female Goosander was still on Small Pool with a few Tufted Ducks, she really is hanging on, my latest ever Goosander record here I think. A drake Teal was on Gull Pool. A pair of Canada Geese had 6 young, my first brood of any waterbirds here this year. The Canada Goose that had been sitting on a nest on Abbot's Moss looks like she's had her clutch predated.
I had two new species for my year patch list today. The patchlist bird was a male Greenfinch on Sandy Lane as I stopped here for a walk on my way in. This has always been a patch scarcity and so was nice to add for the year. Later I added 3 Garden Warblers, a yeartick for the UK in 2022. I heard 2 singing on Shemmy Moss and then one was singing and showing very well on Abbot's Moss. This is one of my patch specialities and it is nice to see them back. A surprise was 2 Redwings still in Gull Pool Wood. A Coal Tit was also in the same wood, a favoured haunt for this species on my patch. A Reed Bunting and Linnets were still on Abbot's Moss where a Raven flew over. A Bullfinch was in Finch Hedge.
A short visit am produced nothing out of the ordinary.
A count of 36 Tufted Ducks was made on Big Pool.
A Skylark and Linnets were north of Big Pool.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 21st of April 2022 09:00:44 PM
Popped onto patch at 7.15am this morning and spent the morning there. Sunny and warming up but never got as hot as yesterday.
The biggest surprise was a female Shoveler on Abbot's Moss along with another unseasonal sighting of the female Goosander still on Small Pool. Also on Small Pool 3 Mute Swans were new in. A group of 7 Greylag Geese were in the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields and flew to the mossland pools. In the fields east of the Pine Belt 7 Lapwings were on the newly ploughed field where previously some had been sitting, a very sad state of affairs and very poor farming practise. A first-winter Common Gull was another surprise, on Big Pool, with a few Black-headed Gulls.
A new species was added with Common Whitethroat on Abbot's Moss where 2 Yellowhammers showed well. Also on here Linnets were seen mating. A total of 4 Stock Doves included 2 on Sandy Lane and 2 in the former leek field.
Popped onto patch this am in the sun, just getting warm. But it was so busy I left the crowds to it!!
For the brief period that I was on I had a few noteworthy reports. Just 7 Tufted Ducks on Big Pool. This was eclipsed by a single group of 8 Magpies in the entrance paddocks. North of Big Pool were 2 Linnets and a Green Woodpecker was heard.
Headed out in the afternoon mainly for inverts but recorded the birds as usual, bright sun then clouded over but warm throughout.
The headline on the pools was a drake Gadwall, a species not seen before this April anywhere on patch. There was a really big count of 52 Tufted Ducks split between the 3 usual pools with Gull Pool holding 32 birds which was a maximum for this pool at any time of the year. A Coot was sitting on Small Pool/ On Big Pool 2 Greylag Geese were seen. There were 6 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt.
A Green Woodpecker was heard near Big Pool. In the ploughed leek field 4 Stock Doves were with Woodpigeons. A Coal Tit was seen carrying nesting material in Gull Pool Wood.
Out very early, pre-7am to see if I could find the Yellow Wagtail if it had possibly remained in the area, but alas no sign. Nevertheless another fabulous day on patch, drizzle all morning, brightening up pm when I returned briefly.
On Small Pool a single female Goosander remained, favouring the SE corner. 2(1drk) Teal were on Abbot's Moss. A group of 4 Greylag Geese flew from the Abbot's Moss Nurseries again. An Oystercatcher flew over Shemmy Moss and a Common Snipe was seen. Although they were very skulking 2 Red-legged Partridges were nice to see, in the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields.
The highlight was a patch yeartick, courtesy of Mark Payne, who rang me with news. This was 2 male Wheatears in the muck-spread field beloning to The Swallows Farm viewed from the top of the track up the west side of Big Pool. Also in the same field was a nice male White Wagtail with at least 6 Pied Wagtails. A Green Woodpecker showed well on Abbot's Moss, this seems to be a declining species now on my patch. A Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane and 4 Stock Doves were in the ploughed leek field. At least 6 Linnets were on Abbot's Moss and a Yellowhammer, 3(2m) Reed Buntings and a Skylark were all seen here too. The leek field held just 2 Bramblings today after yesterdays large flock. A Coal Tit was noteworthy in the pines west of Small Pool. A rough count was made to estimate the ratio of different warblers today and came up with 16 Willow Warblers, 14 Blackcaps and 12 Chiffchaffs.
After the morning rain I ventured onto my patch this afternoon. Warm and stayed dry.
Amazingly I added another Patch Lifer today, the reason I headed down was justified as a fall had happened due to the weather. In the ploughed leek field I immediately spotted wagtails, these consisted of 10 Pied Wagtails (with 2 elsewhere making a day count of 12 Pied Wagtails) and unusually no Whites! But the massive bonus was a stunning male Yellow Wagtail, my first ever on my patch. Having no camera equipment with me I yomped back to the car but by the time I returned with digiscoping gear just 4 Pied Wagtails remained and no sign of the Yellow! I searched adjacent fields but no luck, it had moved through. Also in the same field 36 Bramblings were feeding on the ground, some of the male sporting full jet-black heads and looking fabulous.
The pools were again quiet with just 6 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins of note. These dropped in, skimmed the surface of Big pool, and then left withing 1 minute of arrival. A small group of 3 Greylag Geese were on Big Pool.
In the fields by the Pine Belt hordes of Woodpigeons fed on the newly tilled soil and amongst them were 16 Stock Doves. Nearby a male Yellowhammer was in the hedge of the fields north of Big Pool and a Goldcrest was in the pines. A couple of pairs of Long-tailed Tits were seen.
Another morning visit, bright and with sunny intervals but cold.
Very little going on on the main pools. A Little Grebe called from Big Pool and another from Gull Pool.A group of 4 Greylag Geese came up from Abbot's Moss Nursery grounds. A nesting Canada Goose was still sitting nearby.
The highlights were all passerines, with 3 patch yearticks, one of which was my first anywhere. First patch yeartick was a calling Cetti's Warbler near the SW corner of Small Pool. Then I had a cracking Yellowhammer by the track on Abbot's Moss. Finally I heard my first Willow Warbler for the UK this summer, again on Abbot's Moss. I also watched at least 2 pairs of Linnets gathering nesting material on the mosslands. After my first just 5 days ago I had a Raven fly low over me on Abbot's Moss.
A morning visit, sunny and getting warmer as the day moved on.
A female Goosander was on Small Pool, a mate reported 2 there earlier. Two Little Grebes were showing well on Gull Pool. At first there were 5 Sand Martins over Big Pool but these departed later in the morning. A Common Snipe was still in a marshy area on patch.
A group of 4 Buzzards were up over Sandy Lane and a Kestrel flew over Abbot's Moss. The female Stonechat was seen again but disappeared almost as soon as I'd found her. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were numerous across the whole area. A Linnet was noted on Abbot's Moss and a Skylark was in song over the adjacent Nursery fields.
Funny when you go through a purple patch on patch! It's happening at Newchurch for me at present. Down this pm in overcast and occasionally drizzly weather.
Not much on the pools at all, at least 45 Tufted Ducks so the increase continues.
The biggest find was a waterbird, and a Patch Lifer again, but over on Abbot's Moss, in the shape of a calling Water Rail. This was in deep cover in a marshy section containing silver birch. When I mentioned this to another regular he said he thought he'd heard one there the other day too! Also in the same area 2 Oystercatchers flew over calling, heading over Abbot's Moss Nursery fields towards Gull Pool, this being a yeartick for patch. The third new bird fpr my patch yearlist was a Raven, flying over the pines south of Abbot's Moss.
Also today there were 3(2drk) Teal on Abbot's Moss where a Canada Goose is already sitting. Four Greylag Geese flew over Abbot's Moss with one dropping into the nursery fields to feed. A Linnet was in a tree overlooking Abbot's Moss too and a Skylark sang over the Nursery fields. A high flyover group of waders were surprisingly 6 Common Snipe.
It gets even better on my patch with a patch lifer today! An afternoon walk in the sun for inverts but didn't get as warm as I expected.
On Big Pool there were still 3(1drk) Goldeneye and an increase to 36 Tufted Ducks, what odds for the Ring-necked Duck to return! There were a total of 4 Teal, a pair on each of Gull Pool and Abbot's Moss. A Redshank was a patch yeartick, flying over Abbot's Moss calling whilst there was still at least 1 Snipe here.
The patch lifer was a pair of Stonechats (undisclosed exact location as it is breeding season). This is a species that I have been expecting for a long time given the plethora of horse paddocks on my patch which attract chats elsewhere but actually finding this species today was a massive thrill. Just 5 Pied Wagtails were in the ploughed leek field with no White Wagtails today. In the same field a flock of 5 Stock Doves and separately 2 Mistle Thrushes were feeding.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 2nd of April 2022 05:11:04 PM
Back on patch this morning, weird day weatherwise with a frozen car windscreen, then sunny with blue skies, then glowering dark clouds and finally light hail/snow showers!! Talk abour 4 seasons in a day! A brilliant walk with 6 patch ticks for the year and that included 3 new birds for me anywhere for 2022.
This all started on Big Pool where one of the first birds I saw was a Sand Martin skimming low over the water, this was one of 6 Sand Martins in total. In amongst them was a lone House Martin and then another hirundine dropped in from high, a Swallow!! My first hirundines anywhere in 2022, and all in one day! Also on the pool were 3(1drk) Goldeneye still. Elsewhere 3(2drk) Teal were on Gull Pool. A Cormorant was on the willow spit on Big Pool, the first here in a while. In the field east of the Pine Belt 6 Lapwings mobbed a Carrion Crow, whilst 10 Magpies here was a large count and bad news for the nesting Lapwings.
My first patch Green Woodpecker of the year was heard to the NE of Big Pool. In the leek field which was ploughed yesterday I picked up a White Wagtail with 10 Pied Wagtails. This pristine Motacilla alba alba was in the field that I always get wagtail passage in, and it is weirdly never ever any other field on patch! This of course was new for my patch list too. A male Blackcap belted out its song NE of Big Pool and at least 6 Chiffchaffs were singing. In contrast 10 Redwings were still present and seen in Big Pool Island Cut. In the same area a really nice flock of small passerines contained 3 Treecreepers, a Goldcrest and several tits (**). A Nuthatch was singing and showing well in Finch Hedge and was the last bird of a great walk.
Last day of warm weather according to the forecast so went down on patch pm today, warm and sunny turning to overcast.
The highlight was 2 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls on Big Pool in with a massive flock of 250 Black-headed Gulls and 5 Common Gulls. The Med Gulls were a yeartick for patch and the UK for me. Also on Big Pool there were still 5(2drk) Goldeneye, these ducks really are lingering late this year. Other than that 6 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes were noted on Big Pool.
In Big Pool Island Cut there were still 20 Redwings feeding in the scrubby meadow area. At least 2 Stock Doves were in the fields north of Big Pool and 3 Lapwings were feeding in a newly ploughed field to the NE of the pool. A Rook over Big Pool was noteworthy, as was a Nuthatch watched by the main track.
Popped down for a shorter walk this morning, warm and sunny again.
Big Pool still held 6(2drk) Goldeneye. At least 1 Common Gull was still on here too. There were 6 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt.
On the wires of the field north of Big Pool it was nice to add a new patch bird for the year, a male Reed Bunting in song. Nearby a small mixed tit flock contained Long-tailed Tits and again new for the year on patch was a Coal Tit. There were 2 pairs of Stock Doves in display flight today. Again lots of Chiffchaffs.
22nd March 2022:
A late post for my morning walk in the warm sunshine yesterday morning.
There were still 7(3drk) Goldeneye still on Big Pool. A Teal was heard calling in the reeds at Gull Pool. Pairs of Little Grebes (so 4 birds in total) were on both Big Pool and Gull Pool. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was loafing on Big Pool and Common Gulls were still present. In the field east of Pine Belt 7 Lapwings were seen.
A pair of Stock Doves were in display flight over on the mosses. My first Blackcap anywhere this year was a male singing in the wood by Big Pool Island Cut, A stunning flock of 10 Lesser Redpolls were watched feeding on the woodland floor at Gull Pool Wood, where 15 Redwings were still present as well as a Nuthatch. In a year, on patch, when I have seen more of this species than any year before another Treecreeper was seen, this time in the wood by Big Pool Island Cut. A flock of 20 Siskins was in the same wood by Big Pool Island Cut.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 23rd of March 2022 04:34:34 PM
Another sunny day so back on patch, pm to let it warm up more, sunny, warm but breezy.
At least 3(2drk) Goldeneye were still on Big Pool, but there could have been more.
On Sandy Lane 3 Feral Rock Doves were new for the patch yearlist. Later a lone Collared Dove was seen here too. A Starling on roofs on Sandy Lane was a scarcity this year! A Lesser Redpoll was singing in the hedge opposite Finch Hedge and was another patch yeartick.
First March visit to my patch, long overdue, but work and weather have dictated what I have done recently. Today was glorious, bright sunshine and pretty warm. An early start for a morning visit.
First port of call was Big Pool where a surprise was the largest single count of Goldeneye ever on patch - 8(5drk) Goldeneye were out in the middle an diving constantly making a count harder, but there were eight in the end! Over on Small Pool a female Goosander was present. On Abbot's Moss 3(2drk) Teal flew out of cover and later a group of Teal on Gull Pool could well have been these three birds. A total of 4 Little Grebes was seen, pairs on each of Big Pool and Gull Pool, all whinnying and chasing in courtship. A formal count revealed 25 Common Snipe still on one of the boggy areas of the patch.
A nice addition to the patch yearlist was a Red-legged Partridge seen feeding on Abbot's Moss Nursery fields. Nearby a Kestrel hovered over the mosses. A Collared Dove flew over Sandy Lane and 2 Stock Doves were over the fields here too. Up to 5 Lapwings were in the field east of the Pine Bely. A Skylark was a new bird on patch for 2022, again over Abbot's Moss Nursery. At least 15 Redwings were still in Gull Pool Wood. Nuthatches were heard in 3 locations today, and were another 2022 patch tick. The next new addition to the yearlist was an expected one - Chiffchaff, with at least 6 singing birds across the whole patch recording area. The final new bird added for 2022 was Long-tailed Tit with a pair seen collectin lichen for nest building near Big Pool. A Goldcrest was in Gull Pool Wood, where this species breeds.
Managed a short morning visit today, quite cold and a brief hail/sleet flurry. Sun at times, dark clouds at times!
Big Pool held 3(2drk) Goldeneye and 2(1drk) Goosander, but again duck numbers were very low. Still 1 Cormorant and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Best of all was 2 Kingfishers chasing each other across Big Pool.
Now 8 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt. Redwings and a Starling, the latter a patch yeartick amazingly, were by the entrance track. A Song Thrush was in song by the Pine Belt.
First visit for a while this afternoon, dull but not cold, very blustery.
A pretty bleak visit with a real chop on the water of Big Pool. The best sightings on here were 6(3drk) Goldeneye, which was a patch yeartick, and a female Goosander. Otherwise it was very quiet with no Wigeon or Gadwall. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was on Big Pool along with several Common Gulls and lots of Black-headed Gulls.
A large female Sparrowhawk was very active, seen hunting three times, once almost flying between my legs! This was another patch yeartick today. A Buzzard was sweeping around in the wind and hunting the fields by Sandy Lane. A Collared Dove was also on Sandy Lane and 2 Stock Doves were in the field by the Pine Belt with 3 Lapwings. A flock of winter thrushes was flushed by the Sparrowhawk and consisted of at least 35 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares, the latter species was my final patch tick for the year today. A small flock of 6 Siskins were feeding and drinking at Small Pool. Finch Hedge has been decimated by the farmers thrashing machine but still held 3(1m) Bullfinches and a Goldfinch.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 22nd of February 2022 09:42:36 PM