Heard first and then seen, 2 Oystercatchers flew over the Pine Belt east of Big Pool and carried on west over the pool. At least 10 Swifts and 15 Swallows fed over the main central track. A good number of c.35 Tufted Ducks are present at the moment. A Little Grebe chick was seen on Gull Pool.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jun 29 9:56 PM, 2021
Neil Blood wrote:
Re late Cuckoos, I regularly fish the River Severn below Shrewsbury and I had a male Cuckoo calling at Cressage, both last night and on Saturday. Ive had the same encounters in this area for the last several years too, generally calling until the end of the month.
Ta Neil, the adults have usually departed Newchurch by now in the last 7 years, but there have always been multiple birds inc females during the breeding season, unlike this year with only 1 male. Same with Marbury, unusual to hear them this late. In the last 2 Cheshire Bird Reports the latest calling males reported were on 4th June. Maybe we are that bit further north and adults depart earlier.
Neil Blood said
Tue Jun 29 9:36 PM, 2021
Re late Cuckoos, I regularly fish the River Severn below Shrewsbury and I had a male Cuckoo calling at Cressage, both last night and on Saturday. Ive had the same encounters in this area for the last several years too, generally calling until the end of the month.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jun 28 10:06 AM, 2021
Late news for 23rd June:
A bird 'heard only' that I wrote off as impossible now seems possible! I heard what I am sure was a male Cuckoo, calling from over towards the Gull Pool/Shemmy Moss area, heard from Big Pool. I thought that someone must be playing the call on the phone or mimicking it, it was definitely a Cuckoo rather than dove/pigeon/Song Thrush! Being the latter half of June I wrote this off as not a bird but a human in some way. BUT, since then a few facts have come to light and I think that I have to back track on this. The same day a male Cuckoo was heard in the Coward Reedbed area of Marbury CP, albeit distantly again. Even more compelling was the sighting and photograph of an adult male Cuckoo by Greg Baker on Ashton's Flash on Saturday 26th June. Greg thinks that just one male has been seen around the Marbury patch area and I'm sure that I've had just one at my Newchurch patch. We discussed this and given the late and unusual weather systems in Spring this year and the lack of a mate then we agree that late calling, in June, could be the result of these atypical circumstances in 2021. I have been on the Mosses several times since with no further records, but this one is now pencilled in as my late date!
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jun 27 10:30 PM, 2021
A couple of short visits over the weekend mainly for insects but a few snippets of bird news. Both days fine and sunny intervals.
Sat 26th June: A drake Mandarin was seen on Gull Pool, viewed from the Whitegate Way. At least 25 Tufted Ducks were on the three pools combined, an increase over recent counts. A Kestrel was seen over Abbot's Moss. A Linnet was seen with nesting material in its beak near Abbot's Moss. Several Whitethroats were singing, numbers seem up this year on last.
Sun 27th June: The outstanding news was a Linnets nest, found with the lining of the same hair (looked like horsehair) that the Linnet was carrying yesterday, and with an incomplete clutch of eggs. At least 6 Goldfinches were feeding on a grass crop at the edge of Abbotsmoss Nurseries.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jun 16 9:48 PM, 2021
Two visits today to make up for the fact that I'm in work for a week solid covering holidays from tomorrow!
Again hot and sunny and little to report on the bird front. A House Martin was over Big Pool and 4 very well grown Mallard ducklings were on there. Also seen was a Collared Dove on Dairy Farm roof on Novia Scotia Lane. A Green Woodpecker called near Big Pool too. A Wren's nest was found on the floor, I hope the chicks fledged before this happened.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jun 15 10:25 PM, 2021
A walk in hot sum pm for insects.
On Big Pool a high number of c.25 Tufted Ducks. Also 10 Sand Martins feeding low over the water. At least 2 Black-headed Gulls were seen, not many gulls are present daily at the moment. (*)
A Whitethroat was north of Big Pool, a new one since my last visit.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 15th of June 2021 10:25:20 PM
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jun 4 8:23 PM, 2021
I ventured onto my patch for a couple of hours am and pm today, mainly for insects but a few noteworthy bird sightings too. Hot and sunny.
On Big Pool an influx of 24 Tufted Ducks, despite a search nothing with them but I wouldn't be surprised if the Smew or Ring-necked Duck turned up with their carrier flocks! In the fields by the Pine Belt great news with a sighting of 2 well grown Lapwing chicks. This species struggles to fledge young here so fingers crossed for these two birds. Beetween Big Pool and the Pine Belt a small passage of 15 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow passed through high up.
Not much to report on the passerine front other than a Long-tailed Tit near Big Pool and a couple of singing Garden Warblers.
Doc Brewster said
Sun May 30 9:04 PM, 2021
My walk this morning was for inverst rather than birds but a couple of sightings of note. Hot and Sunny!
Little Grebes were on Gull Pool and Abbot's Moss still. A Cuckoo called on Abbot's Moss, again very intermittantly.
Two fledgling Chiffchaffs (with yellow gape) were seen on Shemmy Moss. Garden Warblers were extremely vocal especially on Abbot's Moss where a Whitethroat was heard too.
Doc Brewster said
Thu May 27 10:49 PM, 2021
A sunny day and a day off work so I headed to my patch, spending both morning and afternoon there. Very warm at times, even hot, not used to this in 2021!!
Quiet on the pools apart from quiet a few Tufted Ducks, an estimated 20 across the 3 main pools (*). A total of 3 Teal were seen, a drake of Gull Pool and 2 birds on Abbot's Moss. Little Grebes were on Gull Pool and Abbot's Moss too. A Grey Heron was on Gull Pool in the afternoon.
A Cuckoo called on Abbot's Moss as did a Green Woodpecker. A Raven flew over Abbot's Moss too and a Rook was near Small Pool. A Treecreeper was watched for over 15minutes feeding in Gull Pool wood, where a Nuthatch called. A Linnet, a Skylark and a Reed Bunting were all singing on Abbot's Moss. The five common warblers for here were all heard or seen, with Garden Warblers shoing especially well today including one carrying food to a nest. Other species feeding young included Chiffchaff, and Robin.
Doc Brewster said
Mon May 24 12:07 PM, 2021
A late post for Saturday 22nd May 2021:
Had my first Little Grebe chick, being fed by a parent on Gull Pool.
A long-term working party is underway by the fishing club to rebuild fishing pegs and make some innaccessible to non-members of Warrington Anglers, including birders. So both pools had folk sawing, drilling and hammering on the banks as well as machinery there moving hard core and gravel.
Doc Brewster said
Fri May 14 10:49 PM, 2021
Had an afternoon stroll in the sunshine at times and always quite warm even when the clouds rolled over. Made all the more enjoyable by bumping into Forum Member Huw Morgan and being able to show him around a bit
There were very few Tufted Ducks on Big Pool again and little else in the wildfowl line on the two fishing pools. A surprise was a Grey Heron lurking in the half submerged willows, the first of this species on the pools for some while. Hirundines were few in number over the water, just 6 Sand Martins and a House Martin with a Swallow over the Horse Paddocks on Sandy Lane to complete the three species.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were both recorded on the walk. The four more common warblers were too but with Garden Warblers only heard, sorry Huw! IIn the ploughed Leek Field a count of 6 Pied Wagtails was good but no Whites again.
Doc Brewster said
Thu May 13 11:57 AM, 2021
Since I was at work yesterday I needed to get down on my patch early tody so I was there by c.7am. Dull, overcast and occasional drizzle but not cold.
There had been an exodus of Tufted Ducks from the two fishing pools with only about 9(5drk) Tufted Ducks on there. Another 6(3drk) Tufted Ducks were on Gull Pool, but predictably no sign of the Ring-necked Duck nor the Smew. This doesn't mean that either won't come back, it all depends on their carrier flocks and their movements! The best bird, probably of the day, was a smart drake Mandarin on Gull Pool viewed from the bench on the Whitegate Way, there was also a drake Teal on here too. On Abbots Moss 2 Greylag Geese were flying around and together with a couple of Canada Geese were having a go at some Carrion Crows, this could mean that the Greylag goslings seen on 10th May have been predated. An Oystercatcher was heard distantly over the mosslands. Only 2 Black-headed Gulls were on the fishing pools, unusually low. A total of 5 Swifts were seen, 4 over Big Pool and 1 over the mosses. No flocks of hirundines were over the pools but Swallows and House Martins were recorded.
A Cuckoo called half-heartedly again over the mosses. In the ploughed Leek Field 6 Stock Doves was a good record and a Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane again. A Rook was noteworthy over Abbot's Moss.
At least 8 Garden Warblers were again heard, along with 4 Common Whitethroats, all of the latter species on the mosses. A Group of 4 Goldfinches and nearby 2(1m) Linnets were on Abbot's Moss. A Nuthatch was in Gull Pool wood as is normal at present.
Doc Brewster said
Tue May 11 3:40 PM, 2021
With nothing else planned I had to head down pretty early this morning to check for the Ring-necked Duck. Fine and dry but not warm, a few visiting birders too but not too many
The drake Ring-necked Duck was again on Sandiway Big Pool but after initially staying in East Bay he then became mobile being seen out in the middle of the pool before returning to East Bay. I helped visiting birders on site so never got too much time to search but nosign of the Smew in the short time I did have to look for her. A brood of 12 Canada Goose goslings was new and the biggest brood so far this year. At least 2 Swifts were still high over Big Pool and around 20 Sand Martins and 6 Swallows were low over the waters surface.
A Collared Dove was on Dalefords Lane. One Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed and 2 Green Woodpeckers yaffled today. Several Garden Warblers were heard too.
Doc Brewster said
Mon May 10 5:01 PM, 2021
Another morning walk that delivered a couple of good birds, both sort of expected!!
The first of these was the reappearance of the drake Ring-necked Duck on Sandiway Big Pool with his female Tufted Duck mate and a carrier flock of about 20 Tufted Ducks. Why this wan't a huge surprise is that I have discovered where this flock are possibly attempting to breed locally. It's a totally private pool and not viewable from any rights of way so I have to keep it withheld. The flock were right out in the middle of the pool visible from all sides. As before if you go please only view from footpaths or fishing pegs that are unnoccupied by fishermen. The flock is mobile and there is no guarantee that it will be on Newchurch tomorrow. Also on Big Pool was the female Smew with her Tufteds! Another interesting wildfowl record was the discovery, on Abbot's Moss, of 2 Greylag Geese with 4 goslings, my first ever breeding of this species on my patch. Over the north side of Big Pool was the second species that I was especially pleased with but expecting. I picked up high above the water my first 10 Swifts at Newchurch for 2021. Low over the pool were about 30 Sand Martins and 15 Swallows.
Away from the pools the Cuckoo was heard again over in the direction of the mosslands. At least 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard, one in Gull Pool wood, one on the mosslands and one near Small Pool. It was a good walk for warblers today on contrast with Friday. I watched a nice Garden Warbler feeding and giving a few bursts of song which was then chased off by an irate male Blackcap. Common Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were all also heard and seen. A Nuthatch was in Gull Pool wood and a Reed Bunting on Abbot's Moss.
Doc Brewster said
Fri May 7 10:11 PM, 2021
I had another morning walk at Newchurch today. It started warm when the sun was out but ended in a very heavy rain shower!
There were good numbers of Tufted Ducks again, probably 50 or so on the 3 pools. Over on the mosses just 1 Greylag Goose was seen. Again lots of hirundines with 80 Sand Martins and 80 Swallows, so equal numbers of each, but only 1 House Martin.
The Cuckoo was heard again and again was intermittant, only calling a few times early on in my walk. At least 2 Green Woodpeckers were heard too. A Stock Dove was in the ex leek field.
The ploughed leek field also held 5 Pied Wagtails but nothing more noteworth in the motacilla line! It was a strange day for warblers with plenty of Blackcaps but only a few Willow Warblers, 1Chiffchaff and no Garden Warblers or Whitethroats, maybe something to do with the weather?!
Doc Brewster said
Mon May 3 2:15 PM, 2021
Even though it was raining this morning I decided a trip to Newchurch was needed since I'm at work for the next 2 days!
The star bird was a 'heard only' but it goes stright on to the list. This was a male Cuckoo calling over towards Nunsmere direction on Abbot's Moss. The bird called intermittantly and for very short bursts. This is probably indicative of just one male being here so far and the need for territorial calling is low.
Over the two fishing pools were huge numbers of hirundines which were checked over and over to sse if any Swifts had dropped in, but none were found despite there being at least 4 this morning at nearby Marbury CP. The estimated counts of hirundine species were 700 Sand Martins, 80 Swallows and 30 House Martins, the waters were covered by them!! Over on Abbot's Moss 7 Greylag Geese were seen.
At least 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard across the recording area. Garden Warblers were again singing. A pair of Long-tailed Tits were collecting nest material on Shemmy Moss. In the ex-leek field 3 Pied Wagtails were seen and again no 'White's'. A male Reed Bunting was near Gull Pool.
Doc Brewster said
Sun May 2 9:45 PM, 2021
My first May visit to my patch, a morning one, sunshine, cold at first but warmed up by early afternoon.
The female Smew was on Big Pool and there were still good numbers of Tufted Ducks, easily over 40 birds present. The first Canada Goose young were noted with broods of 10 and 6 on Big Poool. Hirundine numbers were a little lower with 110 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows and 1 House Martin. An Oystercatcher again flew over the pools calling.
Two Green Woodpeckers were heard. A Kestrel was hunting Abbot's Moss. A Rook was over the mosslands and 2 Stock Doves were in the nursery fields here. I noted 7 singing Garden Warblers and at least 3 singing Whitethroats, all of the latter over on the mosslands. At least 2 Linnets were on the mosses as well as a Skylark.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 30 4:15 PM, 2021
Had a small window of opportunity to get out on my last day before work on the next 3 working days (Sat, Tues, Weds), so on patch pm. Dry, some sun and starting to warm up a wee bit!
Highlight was a Hobby, new for patch and year. This was initially in a tree near the east side of Big Pool but sped off as I watched. I don't often get them near Big Pool, alothough it isn't the only time. I can only assume that the massive flocks of hirundines have attracted this bird to this location. It's only this week that I am seeing 500 hirundines over Big Pool. Other than this bird I recorded the normal species and didn't log everything as I normally do since it was a flying visit.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 29 7:42 PM, 2021
Went for a morning on patch and started pretty early and it paid dividends. Cold, squally at times but sunny intervals, a four seasons in a day morning!!
The headline bird was a new one for patch for 2021 and only the third year in which I've seen it on patch - a male Wheatear. This smart bird was over on the far side of the recently ploughed and planted (seed potatoes) field east of the Pine Belt. I headed back to the car, got my digiscoping kit, had it in the scope and then as I attached my camera it disappeared!! Ah well!!
The wildfowl highlight was a smart drake Mandarin on Gull Pool, watched for a while before he flew into a bay that couldn't be viewed. Not a lot else on the pools, plenty of Tufted Ducks still. A Mallard had a brood of 3 reasonable sized ducklings on Gull Pool so they must have hatched a bit ago. Lots of hirundines still over Big Pool but fewer than yesterday. Five Lapwings were in the breeding field, the same one holding the Wheatear.
A Goldcrest was in the Pine Belt, the first for a while. A Pied Wagtail was in the same field as the Wheatear too.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Apr 28 9:35 PM, 2021
Had a wee walk on patch pm. Dry but cold and breezy.
The female Smew was on Big Pool as were at least 50 Tufted Ducks. A good search through them revealed nothing unusual bar a couple of white-faced females which I still get reported to me as Scaup The 2 Mute Swans on Big Pool finally came close enough for me to see that they weren't the ones from the start of the year. These have no darvics and anly the male is ringed, but metal ring only. A pair of Coot were seen with 4 young, my first waterfowl brood of 2021. An Oystercatcher was unexpected as it flew over the main entrance track calling.
A massive flock of hirundines was over Big Pool, comprising estimated 450 Sand Martins, 40 Swallows and 10 House Martins. At least 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard yaffling in the Big Pool area. The leek field which is my main wagtail passage field had 6 Pied Wagtails in it, new since my last visit, but no Whites!
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 23 7:27 PM, 2021
Out this morning in the warm sunshine again, and a find am meant that I was back on patch pm too!!
The reason for a two-visit day was that as I was walking back along the Whitegate Way I checked the larger than normal flock of Tufted Ducks on Gull Pool and was amazed to see the drake Ring-necked Duck in there with 20 Tufted Ducks! I watched it through bins and then later returned with my digiscoping equipment (attached picture) but had to wait a long time before it reappeared, coming out of the sedge border to the pool. The pool has lots of edge vegetation and ducks go missing for long periods so patience may be required. The pool is strictly private with NO ENTRY at all, which had me wondering whether to supress this sighting given what has happened with a previous report on here. The pool can be viewed well from the bench on the Whitegate Way at SJ600687, in fact the edge bushes are so dense that viewing from elsewhere would be pointless.Also seen today were 4(2drk) Teal, 2 on Abbot's Moss and 2 on Gull Pool. There were also 2 Greylag Geese on Abbot's Moss still.
A Rook over Gull Pool was an unusual sighting. Two Green Woodpeckers were very showy, 1 on Shemmy Moss and 1 near Gull Pool. On Abbot's Moss sightings included a Common Whitethroat, a Linnet and 2 Reed Buntings.
A short walk this afternoon in hot sunshine, more for inverts than birds!
The female Smew was in East Bay, Big Pool, her usual haunt with plenty of Tufted Ducks still on the 3 pools. A pair of Teal were again on Abbot's Moss as well as a Greylag Goose.
At least 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard from widespread locations. A monthly high of 5 Goldfinches was noteworthy.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 20 8:28 PM, 2021
Had a morning walk in the sunshine, ended up pretty warm, very nice! An excellent day with two new birds on patch that were also new for my UK2021 list! More of that later!
The pools were busy with fishermen again and with 60 Tufted Ducks across 3 of the pools I visit. All were checked and no sign of a returning Ring-necked Duck, no sign of the Smew either! Over on Abbot's Moss 1+Teal were heard on the extensive pools there as well as a Greylag Goose being seen. An Oystercatcher was over near Lymm Vale even though the flooded field there has dried out and been filled in. A total of 8 Lapwings were noted from across the walk.
The first new bird for the year was in the shape of 2 Red-legged Partridges over near Lymm Vale in farm fields, not far from the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields where I have had them previously. On Abbot's Moss itself a Green Woodpecker showed well. A Collared Dove was on Daleford Lane.
The second new species was a Common Whitethroat heard first, and then seen on Abbot's Moss. My three other common warbler species are in such high numbers now too, including a Willow Warbler around a probable nest site already. A male Reed Bunting was singing out on Abbot's Moss and showing well. In horse paddocks off Novia Scotia Lane 3 Pied Wagtails were the only notable birds present, the horse paddocks here never seem to be the magnets for other species that they are in some areas!
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 16 10:22 PM, 2021
Another day on the patch in mainly warm sunshine.
Again no sign of the Ring-necked Duck. The female Smew was in Big Pool Island Cut away from the masses of fishermen arrived for the weekend now that overnight fishing is allowed again. There were 2 Teal, a pair, on Abbot's Moss. Four Greylag Geese were seen, 2 on Big Pool and 2 on the mosses.
On Abbot's Moss 2 Ravens were heard and one was seen in combat with a Buzzard. In total 3 Green Woodpeckers were recorded with one showing well on the mosses. 60 Fieldfares flew through evidence that these winter thrushes are still on passage.
A White Wagtail was again in the ploughed leek field, with 2 Pied Wagtails. A Skylark was singing over the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields and a male Linnet was on Abbot's Moss. A Coal Tit was in the Pine Belt an a Long-tailed Tit by Small Pool.
An interesting discovery was evidence of two Magpies having been predated, both in the same woodland and both plucked so taken by an avian predator. Resident in that wood is a large Buzzard so that is prime suspect #1.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 15 9:27 PM, 2021
After a trip to Wales yesterday, as this week is the first time we are allowed to go back over the border, I heard late on that the Ring-necked Duck was back. So I hot-fotted it down and sure enough the drake Ring-necked Duck was on Sandway Small Pool at 5.15pm, Wednesday 14th April.
I headed back down and spent all day on patch today, sunny and warm too so a pleasure.
In the morning I joined several birders who had come 'duck-hunting'!! But again the Ring-necked Duck had gone AWOL, the numbers of Tufted Ducks having declined again. I was tied up helping folk so never got a chance to search for myself but I heard that the female Smew was seen again. In the afternoon I got more birding done and found 5 Greylag Geese on Big Pool along with 2 displaying Mute Swans. Little Grebes were on Gull Pool and Abbot's Moss, with a Grey Heron flying over the latter site too. Abbot's Moss also held calling Teal. A 2w Mediterranean Gull was following the plough in the fields east of the Pine Belt and showing well. A small count of Sand Martins and Swallows was made over Big Pool.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard as were Ravens over the mosses. Two Stock Doves were in fields near the entrance barrier.
The mum of the farmer who owns the former setaside/leek field took my request for it being ploughed back to her son and in the last couple of days he ploughed it!! Today it paid dividends with my first White Wagtail of 2021 on patch, this field being the regular one for this species on passage. A PiedWagtail was also seen. My first birds of the day were 2 Yellowhammers, seen in a new location right in the NW corner of my patch by Daleford Lane. A male Siskin was by Shemmy Moss and a Nuthatch was north of Big Pool, both unusual locations for these species.
The question now is "has the Ring-necked Duck moved on? Or is it still local and will return?" Watch this spece!!
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 13 9:22 PM, 2021
Down early am to check for the Ring-necked Duck. Cool at first but fine and later very warm & sunny!
The female Smew was on Big Pool over in East Bay as usual and I managed to show a couple of visitors her before she disappeared as usual. As per my last post the drake Ring-necked Duck and his flock of Tufted Ducks seem to have departed. This will ease tensions with the fishermen so isn't all bad news, although I feel really sorry for the half dozen or so visitors this morning who all behaved very courteously but didn't connect. Fewer Tufted Ducks were around too, so the Smew will leave when her flock departs, as usual. The 2 Mute Swans were still present but the escaped Black Swan had also moved on, it was of interest but will never be on my Patch List proper!! A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was with lots of Black-headed Gulls following a plough in the northern fields and commuting to Big Pool. The hirundine count was lower with c.30 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows and 2 House Martins.
The most surprising passerine sighting was a flock of 20 Fieldfares flying through north of Big Pool. Also north of Big Pool 2 Yellowhammers showed well. A Goldcrest was in the Pine Belt and several Bullfinches were seen and heard. Green Woodpeckers again called.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 13 3:34 PM, 2021
Quick update (full report later) : No Sign of drk Ring-necked Duck by midday at least when I left. Extensive search by up to half a dozen birders from 8.30am.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Apr 12 9:46 PM, 2021
I was on site from early morning to help with access for the Ring-necked Duck but this sadly turned into a policing job (see post below) and anglers were stringing plastic tape across entrances to deter birders.
The drake Ring-necked Duck initially favoured West Bay as yesterday but later thankfully moved up to the NW corner of Big Pool where it caused less disturbance by birders to fishermen. The female Smew was over in East Bay as usual but more elusive today. A surprise first thing this morning was a Black Swan on Big Pool, probably brought in by 2 Mute Swans which were also new in. Lots of hirundines were over Big Pool and with the c.50 Sand Martins and 5 Swallows were my first 7 House Martins here.
I didn't get much time to do any birding but a Reed Bunting was by Big Pool.
I was talked to by several fishermen and had contact from a Baliff friend of mine on behalf of Warrington Anglers today. There have been numerous complaints about birders using pegs or standing above pegs with fishermen on them. I did tell them that I had requested on here and on my grapevine that birders should not do this and I have every confidence most of the members here have kindly followed this request. I know from a previous exoerience on here that not all do, so I ask again for visitors to please stay off all occupied pegs and view only from paths and up on banks well above the fishing pegs. The club have said that all access will be stopped if this continues and that Baliffs will be on site to enforce it. All fishing pegs are private land and there is no right of way on them.
Many thanks in advance.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 12th of April 2021 09:46:25 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Apr 11 11:04 PM, 2021
I stayed on site all day to help visitors see the Ring-necked Duck and Smew. Other news: the female Smew was seen across Big Pool, mainly favouring East Bay but she even ventured over to check the new in small flock of Tufteds that contained the Ring-necked Duck! Both rare ducks were in the same scope view for a while! Over 200 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows were over Big Pool too. The drake Ring-necked Duck was still in West Bay, where it had been all day, when I left at 6pm. I will head down tomorrow am to put news out ASAP.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 12th of April 2021 09:47:32 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Apr 11 12:18 PM, 2021
Very quick hot off the press news- a Drake Ring-necked Duck on Sandiway Big Pool this morning. DO NOT use fishing pegs with fisherman at them, can be viewed from beyond last car park on RHS (Big Pool) from path or down bracken bank.
A very early morning walk, pretty short, on Patch to avoid the weekend 'hordes'. Overcast and still. cold too.
Another uneventful walk, noteworthy only for the female Smew being present on Big Pool, not a surprise given the high numbers of Tufted Ducks still present. Over Big Pool were 35 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows.
A Green Woodpecker still called. A male Reed Bunting pottered around on the floor near Gull Pool and a Goldcrest was by the main track between Big and Small Pools.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 8 8:10 PM, 2021
My first Patch walk since the 3rd, overcast and dry this afternoon.
Pretty uneventful to be honest! Upwards of 50 Tufted Ducks were still on the three main pools (Big Pool, Small Pool and Gull Pool) but lots of fishermen and no Smew or Goldeneye. Over Big Pool a huge flock of hirundines contained 250 Sand Martins and 10 Swallows but an extensive search revealed no House Martins. A flyover of 2 Greylag Geese was the only other waterbird news.
A Raven was over the mosslands mobbing a Buzzard, a pretty even contest with the sizes being almost identical! A stop at a ploughed field on Daleford Lane produced 2 Stock Doves, whilst 2 Collared Doves were on Sandy Lane again. At least 2 Green Woodpeckers called. On Abbot's Moss 2 Linnets flew over. All 3 common warblers were noted (Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap). A Bullfinch and a Goldfinch were in Finch Hedge, which is starting to get leaves and blossom on it so the birds will be hidden soon.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 8th of April 2021 08:14:14 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sat Apr 3 10:53 PM, 2021
Cold and overcast am then warm & sunny pm, a game of two halves!!
A memorable day with my earliest ever Garden Warbler, following on from the earliest ever Blackcaps and Willow Warblers on my patch this year (but still not the earliest Cheshire record!). A single male Garden Warbler was singing over near the Lymm Vale field flood mid morning in a birch copse and seen well along with a Blackcap and Chiffchaff in the same copse! The other new species of two today was 2 Swallows in with a good flock of 80 Sand Martins over Big Pool.
On Big Pool the female Smew was in east bay in the afternoon and 3(1drake) Goldeneye were still present. Over on Lymm Vale field flood 9(5drake) Teal were seen but no Little Ringed Plovers today. Large numbers of Tufted Ducks were still present across the two Sandiway Pools.
A couple of Green Woodpeckers still called near the pools. In the arable fields east of Big Pool 6 Stock Doves were with the Woodpigeons. At least 3 Collared Doves were still at Common Farm near Lymm Vale. A flyover of 4 Rooks were birds returning to a rookery to the north of the patch. A surprise was a flock of 30 Fieldfares in maize stubble NE of Big Pool. Two Starlings were on a roof on Sandy Lane.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 2 1:33 PM, 2021
Had a very short visit just to check the field flood this morning. Scraped ice off my car windscreen and temperature gauge below zero!! Warmed up a bit when the sun came out, but I was heading home then!!
The 2 Little Ringed Plovers were still on the field flood as well as 6(3drake) Teal and 2 Pied Wagtails. A huge influx of fishermen today as overnight fishing is allowed again and so lack of wildfowl on the lakes. No Goldeneye seen, nor the Smew. Green Woodpeckers still called and the three warbler species, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap, were all still singing.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 1 9:54 PM, 2021
A really nice visit to Newchurch as it involved my wife, Carys, and good friend, Paul Hill, so 3 pairs of eyes and ears which all helped us whiz past 50 species for the morning list! Dull, still and mild weather.
Highlights were two wader species, both new for the 2021 Patch List. First, 2 Little Ringed Plovers on the Lymm Vale field flood. This flood has receded massively and the edges look good, but for how long?! The birds were even displaying, but won't stay. Second was a flyover Curlew on Abbot's Moss, a surprise but very welcome. On the wader front 15 Snipe were in a wet area that is private. On Big Pool 3(1drake) Goldeneye were still present and a Shoveler flew from Gull Pool too. A total of 10 Teal were on Lymm Vale flood and Gull Pool combined. On Abbot's Moss 3 Greylag Geese were a surprise. At least 20 Sand Martins were over Big Pool, the first here this year.
The fourth new species were 4 Willow Warblers, with singing birds heard or seen across the area, but mainly over towrads the mosslands. At least 8 Blackcaps and over 15 Chiffchaffs were recorded. A nice flock of 15 Siskins showed really well on Shemmy Moss whils a Lesser Redpoll flew over Abbot's Moss. A pair of Linnets were alos on Abbot's Moss. At least 5 Pied Wagtails were recorded overal, passage look like it is happening, but no White Wagtails yet. Two Meadow Pipits were on the Abbot's Moss Nursery Fields.
A Tawny Owl called from in Gull Pool Wood. Up to 4 Green Woodpeckers were again heard across the recording area. A Raven flew low over Abbot's Moss whilst at least 2 others were heard. A Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Mar 30 9:21 PM, 2021
An all-dayer at Newchurch today, mainly birds in a morning which started a bit nippy but warmed up when the sun came out and inverts in the afternoon sun.
Headline birds were a pair of Mandarin Ducks, a new 2021 Patch Bird species. Big Pool still hosted 6(3drake) Goldeneye and 3 Teal were seen in total, a pair on Gull Pool and a female on Lymm Vale flood. A Grey Heron flew into Big Pool pm but I couldn't relocate it. A single Jack Snipe flushed from an area I was exploring looking for inverts, as it it with this species it just looped away and landed quite close by so I retreated out of the area.
At least 8 Stock Doves were seen in total in three seperate arable fields. at least 4 Green Woodpeckers were seen and or heard. A Kestrel hovered over Shemmy Moss.
Both male and female Blackcaps were seen and Chiffchaffs were well into double figures. To the north-east of Big Pool 2 Goldcrests were in the Pine Belt as well as a Coal Tit. This late in the month 2 Long-tailed Tits near Small Pool were undoubtably a pair, early-month winter flocks now having broken up into breeding pairs. A Starling was on Sandy Lane.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 25 10:37 PM, 2021
Popped down pm today in the sunshine looking for invertebrates!
Bird headline was a new record count of 10(3drake) Goldeneye on Big Pool as well as a female Goosander. Also on Big Pool was a flighty flock of 7(4drake) Shoveler. There was a drake Wigeon on here too and 2(1drake) Teal still on Lymm Vale flood.
A huge female Sparrowhawk flew over the main track near the east end. A Green Woodpecker still called. A Stock Dove was near Lymm Vale flood and a Collared Dove was on Dairy Farm roof. Again Chiffchaffs were very numerous and widespread across the whole site.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 24 4:55 PM, 2021
A morning walk in calm mild weather that ended up sunny and warm for the time of year.
The spring-like weather was added to by the sound of my first singing male Blackcap, heard near Big Pool and pointed out to two other naturalists who were passing (they were more looking for inverts but recognised it too!). This is my earliest ever Blackcap here by 3 days, only twice before in my seven years recording here have I had a March Blackcap, in 2020 and 2017.
On Big Pool the female Smew was refound, in her Tufted Duck carrier flock as usual. The 6(3drake) Goldeneye were showing well on Big Pool too. Over on Lymm Vale flood there were 7(4drake) Wigeon and 4(2drake) Teal. A single Greylag Goose was with the Canada Geese. An Oystercatcher flew over near Big Pool too.
A Green Woodpecker was again heard. A flock of 30 Feral Rock Doves was a sighting of a rare species here! The Leek Field has now been sprayed in preparation for ploughing and no birds at all were in it, but I found a single-species flock of 30 Bramblings in Gull Pool Wood. A Treecreeper was seen in Gull Pool Wood. A Starling was on Sandy Lane. Chiffchaffs are now in in numbers and were calling from all across the site.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Mar 22 10:32 PM, 2021
Had a nice morning walk with a recently added patch regular!! Dry, still and mild but overcast.
Just 5(2drake) Goldeneye on Big Pool today and again no Smew. Over on Lymm Vale flood were 4(2drake) Teal, 3(2drake) Shoveler and 8(4drake) Wigeon, the last species all flew over onto Big Pool later. A total of 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls was quite high for late March, 3 flew over and 1 was on Big Pool. The 2 Oystercatchers were still on Lymm Vale flood.
In the Leek Field 4 Stock Doves showed well. I had 22 Fieldfares north of Big Pool, my highest count this winter/spring, and they were with 10 Redwings. Around 3 Green Woodpeckers were noted, one showing well east of Small Pool. Another high count was 6 Collared Doves in the yard at Common Farm on the extreme south of my patch, not far from Lymm Vale. In the Leek Field there were 50 Bramblings, a good count, but ploughing is imminent so they will be leaving soon. A nice group of 5 Reed Buntings were foraging around 'Gorse Peg' on the north side of Big Pool. In the Pine Belt 2 Coal Tits and a Goldcrest were in the pines but not together now. At least 6 Chiffchaffs now sang from all across the recording area.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 21 4:02 PM, 2021
With the possibility of migrants I couldn't resist an early visit, but more dog walkers than usual were already out! Dull, some fine driizle but ended in sunshine.
On Big Pool 6(3drake) Goldeneye were still present. A total of 20(10drake) Wigeon were seen, 14 on the Lymm Vale Flood and 6 on Big Pool. On Lymm Vale flood there were also 4(2drake) Teal. A Mute Swan was new in on Big Pool but flew off whilst I was on site.
At last a spring migrant, as soon as the sun shone a Chiffchaff started singing. This was my first of the year and was in Big Pool meadow. A GreenWoodpecker called near the Pine Belt. At least 20 Redwings were seen, near Big Pool and in the Leek Field. The Leek Field finch flock still held 10+Bramblings and at least 1 Linnet.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 19 3:30 PM, 2021
A morning walk before my weekend pause! Dry, overcast and mild again.
On Big Pool there were 7(3drake) Goldeneye, my new record count! There were also 4 drake Shoveler on here but no Smew. Over on the Lymm Vale flood were 2(1drake) Teal and 16(9drake) Wigeon. Also over on the flood were the 2 Oystercatchers (the pair) whilst another or the same 1-2 Oystercatchers were heard over Big Pool. The 3 Lapwings were still in the breeding field. At least 3 Little Grebes were heard, 2 on Gull Pool and 1 on Big Pool.
A Green Woodpecker called on the mosslands. A Collared Dove was on Dairy Farm roof. Near Gull Pool 20 Redwings were feeding on a grass field. 20+ Bramblings were still in the finch flock using the Leek Field. In total 2 Goldcrests were seen in this excellent winter for this species and a Treecreeper was watched at close quarters near Small Pool. A Nuthatch was in Gull Pool wood. A male Reed Bunting was by Gorse Peg on Big Pool again, I suspect breeding nearby. Final bird was a Pied Wagtail on a house roof on Sandy Lane.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 18 8:32 PM, 2021
With no prospect of sun in the forecast it was an early start, overcast but mild and still.
The female Smew was again on Big Pool on the east side as usual. A surprise was an increase to 6(3drake) Goldeneye on Big Pool, probably my record count for one day. It was a good duck day all round with 2(1drake) Teal on the Lymm Vale field flood with 4(3drake) Shoveler and a total of 8(4drk) Wigeon, 3 pairs on the flood and a pair on Big Pool. A Greylag Goose was seen in flight with Canada Geese near Small Pool. There were 4 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt. A Herring Gull flew over.
Two Green Woodpeckers called. The Leek field held 3 Stock Doves as well as 10+Bramblings and 3+Linnets. In the trees in the middle of the field a passage flock of winter thrushes contained 90 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares and a Mistle Thrush. Other birds of note were a Collared Dove on Daleford Lane, a Pied Wagtail east of the Pine Belt and 2 Coal Tits near Small Pool.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 17 9:44 PM, 2021
A more substantial walk this afternoon, overcast at first and then sunny, mild too.
The female Smew was again on Big Pool and up to 100 Tufted Ducks were still on the three Pools combined (Big Pool, Small Pool and Gull Pool). Today 2(1drake) Goldeneye were also on Big Pool. A surprise was a count of 14 Wigeon on Big Pool and 2(1drake) Teal were on the Lymm Vale field flood. A Cormorant was again on the Willow Spit on Big Pool. Three Lapwings were in the field east of the Pine Belt.
A cracking Stock Dove fed close to me on dung piles north of Big Pool and 2 Feral Pigeons flew over again. Two Rooks flew over Lymm Vale. Just 1 Redwing was seen, in Gull Pool Wood. In the adjacent Leek Field the Chaffinch flock held 20+Bramblings still. A Skylark flew over calling north of Big Pool.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Mar 15 9:59 PM, 2021
An afternoon walk here in the sun was mainly for inverts and new migrants. Some nice of the former (see other post) but none of the latter!!
No formal bird list but the 3(1drk) Goldeneye were still on Big Pool as was a single Cormorant on the Willow Spit.
Away from on the water 2 Lesser Redpolls looked stunning in the sunshine feeding in Finch Hedge with 6 Bullfinches. Also a male Reed Bunting sat up very close to me for ages at the edge of Big Pool, oh for a camera!!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 16th of March 2021 08:42:35 AM
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 12 10:00 PM, 2021
Another afternoon walk in the overcast, cool weather, but dry so that's at least something!
The 3(1drk) Goldeneye were still on Big Pool as were 2(1drk) Goosander, which was a surprise. Today 4(2drk) Wigeon were seen on Big Pool too, but despite relatively good numbers of Tufted Ducks an extensive search didn't dig out the Smew. There were 4 Teal in total, a pair on Gull Pool and a pair on the flood near Lymm Vale. A Cormorant flew over Gull Pool wood and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over the same area being very vocal. There were still 2 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt. A Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe and 4 Common Snipe were also seen.
A new species was added to the patch-list, amazingly this was Feral Pigeon, 2 birds flying over the Pine Belt area. 12 Redwings were seen near Big Pool Island Cut.
A huge flock of passerines was in the Leek Field, which was being picked again yesterday and so wasn't as accessible so the flock was making up for lost time! The highlight of the flock was 40 Bramblings, many males being in superb 'black-headed' plumage. The bulk of the 300-strong flock was Chaffinches but it also contained several Goldfinches, a few Linnets and a male Reed Bunting. A Goldcrest was seen again, this time in the hedge of the field NE of Big Pool and the Pine Belt, another new location.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Mar 11 4:25 PM, 2021
Had a walk pm in a small window of OK weather, overcast and windy with an occasional rainy squall!
The female Smew was on Big Pool and plenty of Tufted Ducks still. New in were 3(1 drake) Goldeneye on Big Pool, it's been a good 2021 so far for this species on patch! No Wigeon or Teal at all. A Cormorant circled and landed on Big Pool as did a Lesser Black-backed Gull. There were still 2 Oystercatchers on the flooded field by Lymm Vale. The fields east of the Pine Belt held 2 Lapwings.
A count of 50 Redwings included 40 flying through over fields NE of Big Pool and 10 around the Finch Hedge area. A Goldcrest was near Finch Hedge and a female Bullfinch was here too. A lone Pied Wagtail was in the field east of the Pine Belt.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Mar 8 9:17 PM, 2021
Another start before 8.30am. Again overcast, a bit of rain too but no wind yet - that's to come!
The female Smew was on Big Pool, whther she has been away I'll not know but I counted 102 Tufted Ducks today which is a big increase so they may have brought her back! Also present after several days absence was a female Goosander. Again 4(2drk) Teal were on the diminishing entrance track flood and 18 Wigeon were still on the Lymm Vale flood. This latter flood also held 2 Greylag Geese and still 2 Oystercatchers. Just 1 Lapwing was in the field east of the Pine Belt. A Cormorant flew over again. A 2w Lesser Black-backed Gull was on Big Pool.
A Green Woodpecker was again heard. A Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane. Redwings were again near the entrance barrier. The 2 Pied Wagtails were again in the field east of Pine Belt.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 7 10:32 PM, 2021
Again an early start to avoid the weekend crowds! It was busy, even early but hey!! Dull mostly but dry and still, warming up from a start with a zero Temp on my car temperature gauge.
Again no Smew or Goosander. Just 1 drake Shoveler on Big Pool but lots of Tufted Ducks. A total of 6(3drk) Teal were counted, 2 pairs on the entrance track flood and a pair on the Lymm Vale field flood. At least 30 Wigeon were on patch, with 18 on the Lymm Vale field flood and at least 12 on Big Pool. Greylag Geese were heard flying over but I couldn't see how many. A new family of Mute Swans arrived today, comprising adult male and female with 2 well grown juveniles. A flyover Cormorant was seen. Over on the Lymm Vale field flood 3 Oystercatchers were making a right racket! It looked like a pair having a go at a third bird. Last year this flood hosted Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover in Spring so I'm now checking it daily. Three Lapwings were in the field east of the Pine Belt.
A single Green Woodpecker called near Gull Pool. Best passerines were 3 Skylarks which flew over me and dropped into the leek field, a new patch bird for 2021. The Chaffinch flock is still in this same vicinity and held 2 Bramblings that I could see. A Pied Wagtail was on the entrance track flood. Single figures of Redwings were noted, mainly by the entrance track. Again a Goldcrest and 2 Coal Tits were in Gull Pool Wood.
My first noteworthy birds for July today.
Heard first and then seen, 2 Oystercatchers flew over the Pine Belt east of Big Pool and carried on west over the pool. At least 10 Swifts and 15 Swallows fed over the main central track. A good number of c.35 Tufted Ducks are present at the moment. A Little Grebe chick was seen on Gull Pool.
Ta Neil, the adults have usually departed Newchurch by now in the last 7 years, but there have always been multiple birds inc females during the breeding season, unlike this year with only 1 male. Same with Marbury, unusual to hear them this late. In the last 2 Cheshire Bird Reports the latest calling males reported were on 4th June. Maybe we are that bit further north and adults depart earlier.
Re late Cuckoos, I regularly fish the River Severn below Shrewsbury and I had a male Cuckoo calling at Cressage, both last night and on Saturday. Ive had the same encounters in this area for the last several years too, generally calling until the end of the month.
Late news for 23rd June:
A bird 'heard only' that I wrote off as impossible now seems possible! I heard what I am sure was a male Cuckoo, calling from over towards the Gull Pool/Shemmy Moss area, heard from Big Pool. I thought that someone must be playing the call on the phone or mimicking it, it was definitely a Cuckoo rather than dove/pigeon/Song Thrush! Being the latter half of June I wrote this off as not a bird but a human in some way. BUT, since then a few facts have come to light and I think that I have to back track on this. The same day a male Cuckoo was heard in the Coward Reedbed area of Marbury CP, albeit distantly again. Even more compelling was the sighting and photograph of an adult male Cuckoo by Greg Baker on Ashton's Flash on Saturday 26th June. Greg thinks that just one male has been seen around the Marbury patch area and I'm sure that I've had just one at my Newchurch patch. We discussed this and given the late and unusual weather systems in Spring this year and the lack of a mate then we agree that late calling, in June, could be the result of these atypical circumstances in 2021. I have been on the Mosses several times since with no further records, but this one is now pencilled in as my late date!
A couple of short visits over the weekend mainly for insects but a few snippets of bird news. Both days fine and sunny intervals.
Sat 26th June: A drake Mandarin was seen on Gull Pool, viewed from the Whitegate Way. At least 25 Tufted Ducks were on the three pools combined, an increase over recent counts. A Kestrel was seen over Abbot's Moss. A Linnet was seen with nesting material in its beak near Abbot's Moss. Several Whitethroats were singing, numbers seem up this year on last.
Sun 27th June: The outstanding news was a Linnets nest, found with the lining of the same hair (looked like horsehair) that the Linnet was carrying yesterday, and with an incomplete clutch of eggs. At least 6 Goldfinches were feeding on a grass crop at the edge of Abbotsmoss Nurseries.
Two visits today to make up for the fact that I'm in work for a week solid covering holidays from tomorrow!
Again hot and sunny and little to report on the bird front. A House Martin was over Big Pool and 4 very well grown Mallard ducklings were on there. Also seen was a Collared Dove on Dairy Farm roof on Novia Scotia Lane. A Green Woodpecker called near Big Pool too. A Wren's nest was found on the floor, I hope the chicks fledged before this happened.
A walk in hot sum pm for insects.
On Big Pool a high number of c.25 Tufted Ducks. Also 10 Sand Martins feeding low over the water. At least 2 Black-headed Gulls were seen, not many gulls are present daily at the moment. (*)
A Whitethroat was north of Big Pool, a new one since my last visit.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 15th of June 2021 10:25:20 PM
I ventured onto my patch for a couple of hours am and pm today, mainly for insects but a few noteworthy bird sightings too. Hot and sunny.
On Big Pool an influx of 24 Tufted Ducks, despite a search nothing with them but I wouldn't be surprised if the Smew or Ring-necked Duck turned up with their carrier flocks! In the fields by the Pine Belt great news with a sighting of 2 well grown Lapwing chicks. This species struggles to fledge young here so fingers crossed for these two birds. Beetween Big Pool and the Pine Belt a small passage of 15 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow passed through high up.
Not much to report on the passerine front other than a Long-tailed Tit near Big Pool and a couple of singing Garden Warblers.
My walk this morning was for inverst rather than birds but a couple of sightings of note. Hot and Sunny!
Little Grebes were on Gull Pool and Abbot's Moss still. A Cuckoo called on Abbot's Moss, again very intermittantly.
Two fledgling Chiffchaffs (with yellow gape) were seen on Shemmy Moss. Garden Warblers were extremely vocal especially on Abbot's Moss where a Whitethroat was heard too.
A sunny day and a day off work so I headed to my patch, spending both morning and afternoon there. Very warm at times, even hot, not used to this in 2021!!
Quiet on the pools apart from quiet a few Tufted Ducks, an estimated 20 across the 3 main pools (*). A total of 3 Teal were seen, a drake of Gull Pool and 2 birds on Abbot's Moss. Little Grebes were on Gull Pool and Abbot's Moss too. A Grey Heron was on Gull Pool in the afternoon.
A Cuckoo called on Abbot's Moss as did a Green Woodpecker. A Raven flew over Abbot's Moss too and a Rook was near Small Pool. A Treecreeper was watched for over 15minutes feeding in Gull Pool wood, where a Nuthatch called. A Linnet, a Skylark and a Reed Bunting were all singing on Abbot's Moss. The five common warblers for here were all heard or seen, with Garden Warblers shoing especially well today including one carrying food to a nest. Other species feeding young included Chiffchaff, and Robin.
A late post for Saturday 22nd May 2021:
Had my first Little Grebe chick, being fed by a parent on Gull Pool.
A long-term working party is underway by the fishing club to rebuild fishing pegs and make some innaccessible to non-members of Warrington Anglers, including birders. So both pools had folk sawing, drilling and hammering on the banks as well as machinery there moving hard core and gravel.
Had an afternoon stroll in the sunshine at times and always quite warm even when the clouds rolled over. Made all the more enjoyable by bumping into Forum Member Huw Morgan and being able to show him around a bit
There were very few Tufted Ducks on Big Pool again and little else in the wildfowl line on the two fishing pools. A surprise was a Grey Heron lurking in the half submerged willows, the first of this species on the pools for some while. Hirundines were few in number over the water, just 6 Sand Martins and a House Martin with a Swallow over the Horse Paddocks on Sandy Lane to complete the three species.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were both recorded on the walk. The four more common warblers were too but with Garden Warblers only heard, sorry Huw! IIn the ploughed Leek Field a count of 6 Pied Wagtails was good but no Whites again.
Since I was at work yesterday I needed to get down on my patch early tody so I was there by c.7am. Dull, overcast and occasional drizzle but not cold.
There had been an exodus of Tufted Ducks from the two fishing pools with only about 9(5drk) Tufted Ducks on there. Another 6(3drk) Tufted Ducks were on Gull Pool, but predictably no sign of the Ring-necked Duck nor the Smew. This doesn't mean that either won't come back, it all depends on their carrier flocks and their movements! The best bird, probably of the day, was a smart drake Mandarin on Gull Pool viewed from the bench on the Whitegate Way, there was also a drake Teal on here too. On Abbots Moss 2 Greylag Geese were flying around and together with a couple of Canada Geese were having a go at some Carrion Crows, this could mean that the Greylag goslings seen on 10th May have been predated. An Oystercatcher was heard distantly over the mosslands. Only 2 Black-headed Gulls were on the fishing pools, unusually low. A total of 5 Swifts were seen, 4 over Big Pool and 1 over the mosses. No flocks of hirundines were over the pools but Swallows and House Martins were recorded.
A Cuckoo called half-heartedly again over the mosses. In the ploughed Leek Field 6 Stock Doves was a good record and a Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane again. A Rook was noteworthy over Abbot's Moss.
At least 8 Garden Warblers were again heard, along with 4 Common Whitethroats, all of the latter species on the mosses. A Group of 4 Goldfinches and nearby 2(1m) Linnets were on Abbot's Moss. A Nuthatch was in Gull Pool wood as is normal at present.
With nothing else planned I had to head down pretty early this morning to check for the Ring-necked Duck. Fine and dry but not warm, a few visiting birders too but not too many
The drake Ring-necked Duck was again on Sandiway Big Pool but after initially staying in East Bay he then became mobile being seen out in the middle of the pool before returning to East Bay. I helped visiting birders on site so never got too much time to search but nosign of the Smew in the short time I did have to look for her. A brood of 12 Canada Goose goslings was new and the biggest brood so far this year. At least 2 Swifts were still high over Big Pool and around 20 Sand Martins and 6 Swallows were low over the waters surface.
A Collared Dove was on Dalefords Lane. One Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed and 2 Green Woodpeckers yaffled today. Several Garden Warblers were heard too.
Another morning walk that delivered a couple of good birds, both sort of expected!!
The first of these was the reappearance of the drake Ring-necked Duck on Sandiway Big Pool with his female Tufted Duck mate and a carrier flock of about 20 Tufted Ducks. Why this wan't a huge surprise is that I have discovered where this flock are possibly attempting to breed locally. It's a totally private pool and not viewable from any rights of way so I have to keep it withheld. The flock were right out in the middle of the pool visible from all sides. As before if you go please only view from footpaths or fishing pegs that are unnoccupied by fishermen. The flock is mobile and there is no guarantee that it will be on Newchurch tomorrow. Also on Big Pool was the female Smew with her Tufteds! Another interesting wildfowl record was the discovery, on Abbot's Moss, of 2 Greylag Geese with 4 goslings, my first ever breeding of this species on my patch. Over the north side of Big Pool was the second species that I was especially pleased with but expecting. I picked up high above the water my first 10 Swifts at Newchurch for 2021. Low over the pool were about 30 Sand Martins and 15 Swallows.
Away from the pools the Cuckoo was heard again over in the direction of the mosslands. At least 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard, one in Gull Pool wood, one on the mosslands and one near Small Pool. It was a good walk for warblers today on contrast with Friday. I watched a nice Garden Warbler feeding and giving a few bursts of song which was then chased off by an irate male Blackcap. Common Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were all also heard and seen. A Nuthatch was in Gull Pool wood and a Reed Bunting on Abbot's Moss.
I had another morning walk at Newchurch today. It started warm when the sun was out but ended in a very heavy rain shower!
There were good numbers of Tufted Ducks again, probably 50 or so on the 3 pools. Over on the mosses just 1 Greylag Goose was seen. Again lots of hirundines with 80 Sand Martins and 80 Swallows, so equal numbers of each, but only 1 House Martin.
The Cuckoo was heard again and again was intermittant, only calling a few times early on in my walk. At least 2 Green Woodpeckers were heard too. A Stock Dove was in the ex leek field.
The ploughed leek field also held 5 Pied Wagtails but nothing more noteworth in the motacilla line! It was a strange day for warblers with plenty of Blackcaps but only a few Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff and no Garden Warblers or Whitethroats, maybe something to do with the weather?!
Even though it was raining this morning I decided a trip to Newchurch was needed since I'm at work for the next 2 days!
The star bird was a 'heard only' but it goes stright on to the list. This was a male Cuckoo calling over towards Nunsmere direction on Abbot's Moss. The bird called intermittantly and for very short bursts. This is probably indicative of just one male being here so far and the need for territorial calling is low.
Over the two fishing pools were huge numbers of hirundines which were checked over and over to sse if any Swifts had dropped in, but none were found despite there being at least 4 this morning at nearby Marbury CP. The estimated counts of hirundine species were 700 Sand Martins, 80 Swallows and 30 House Martins, the waters were covered by them!! Over on Abbot's Moss 7 Greylag Geese were seen.
At least 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard across the recording area. Garden Warblers were again singing. A pair of Long-tailed Tits were collecting nest material on Shemmy Moss. In the ex-leek field 3 Pied Wagtails were seen and again no 'White's'. A male Reed Bunting was near Gull Pool.
My first May visit to my patch, a morning one, sunshine, cold at first but warmed up by early afternoon.
The female Smew was on Big Pool and there were still good numbers of Tufted Ducks, easily over 40 birds present. The first Canada Goose young were noted with broods of 10 and 6 on Big Poool. Hirundine numbers were a little lower with 110 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows and 1 House Martin. An Oystercatcher again flew over the pools calling.
Two Green Woodpeckers were heard. A Kestrel was hunting Abbot's Moss. A Rook was over the mosslands and 2 Stock Doves were in the nursery fields here. I noted 7 singing Garden Warblers and at least 3 singing Whitethroats, all of the latter over on the mosslands. At least 2 Linnets were on the mosses as well as a Skylark.
Had a small window of opportunity to get out on my last day before work on the next 3 working days (Sat, Tues, Weds), so on patch pm. Dry, some sun and starting to warm up a wee bit!
Highlight was a Hobby, new for patch and year. This was initially in a tree near the east side of Big Pool but sped off as I watched. I don't often get them near Big Pool, alothough it isn't the only time. I can only assume that the massive flocks of hirundines have attracted this bird to this location. It's only this week that I am seeing 500 hirundines over Big Pool. Other than this bird I recorded the normal species and didn't log everything as I normally do since it was a flying visit.
Went for a morning on patch and started pretty early and it paid dividends. Cold, squally at times but sunny intervals, a four seasons in a day morning!!
The headline bird was a new one for patch for 2021 and only the third year in which I've seen it on patch - a male Wheatear. This smart bird was over on the far side of the recently ploughed and planted (seed potatoes) field east of the Pine Belt. I headed back to the car, got my digiscoping kit, had it in the scope and then as I attached my camera it disappeared!! Ah well!!
The wildfowl highlight was a smart drake Mandarin on Gull Pool, watched for a while before he flew into a bay that couldn't be viewed. Not a lot else on the pools, plenty of Tufted Ducks still. A Mallard had a brood of 3 reasonable sized ducklings on Gull Pool so they must have hatched a bit ago. Lots of hirundines still over Big Pool but fewer than yesterday. Five Lapwings were in the breeding field, the same one holding the Wheatear.
A Goldcrest was in the Pine Belt, the first for a while. A Pied Wagtail was in the same field as the Wheatear too.
Had a wee walk on patch pm. Dry but cold and breezy.
The female Smew was on Big Pool as were at least 50 Tufted Ducks. A good search through them revealed nothing unusual bar a couple of white-faced females which I still get reported to me as Scaup The 2 Mute Swans on Big Pool finally came close enough for me to see that they weren't the ones from the start of the year. These have no darvics and anly the male is ringed, but metal ring only. A pair of Coot were seen with 4 young, my first waterfowl brood of 2021. An Oystercatcher was unexpected as it flew over the main entrance track calling.
A massive flock of hirundines was over Big Pool, comprising estimated 450 Sand Martins, 40 Swallows and 10 House Martins. At least 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard yaffling in the Big Pool area. The leek field which is my main wagtail passage field had 6 Pied Wagtails in it, new since my last visit, but no Whites!
Out this morning in the warm sunshine again, and a find am meant that I was back on patch pm too!!
The reason for a two-visit day was that as I was walking back along the Whitegate Way I checked the larger than normal flock of Tufted Ducks on Gull Pool and was amazed to see the drake Ring-necked Duck in there with 20 Tufted Ducks! I watched it through bins and then later returned with my digiscoping equipment (attached picture) but had to wait a long time before it reappeared, coming out of the sedge border to the pool. The pool has lots of edge vegetation and ducks go missing for long periods so patience may be required. The pool is strictly private with NO ENTRY at all, which had me wondering whether to supress this sighting given what has happened with a previous report on here. The pool can be viewed well from the bench on the Whitegate Way at SJ600687, in fact the edge bushes are so dense that viewing from elsewhere would be pointless.Also seen today were 4(2drk) Teal, 2 on Abbot's Moss and 2 on Gull Pool. There were also 2 Greylag Geese on Abbot's Moss still.
A Rook over Gull Pool was an unusual sighting. Two Green Woodpeckers were very showy, 1 on Shemmy Moss and 1 near Gull Pool. On Abbot's Moss sightings included a Common Whitethroat, a Linnet and 2 Reed Buntings.
A short walk this afternoon in hot sunshine, more for inverts than birds!
The female Smew was in East Bay, Big Pool, her usual haunt with plenty of Tufted Ducks still on the 3 pools. A pair of Teal were again on Abbot's Moss as well as a Greylag Goose.
At least 3 Green Woodpeckers were heard from widespread locations. A monthly high of 5 Goldfinches was noteworthy.
Had a morning walk in the sunshine, ended up pretty warm, very nice! An excellent day with two new birds on patch that were also new for my UK2021 list! More of that later!
The pools were busy with fishermen again and with 60 Tufted Ducks across 3 of the pools I visit. All were checked and no sign of a returning Ring-necked Duck, no sign of the Smew either! Over on Abbot's Moss 1+Teal were heard on the extensive pools there as well as a Greylag Goose being seen. An Oystercatcher was over near Lymm Vale even though the flooded field there has dried out and been filled in. A total of 8 Lapwings were noted from across the walk.
The first new bird for the year was in the shape of 2 Red-legged Partridges over near Lymm Vale in farm fields, not far from the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields where I have had them previously. On Abbot's Moss itself a Green Woodpecker showed well. A Collared Dove was on Daleford Lane.
The second new species was a Common Whitethroat heard first, and then seen on Abbot's Moss. My three other common warbler species are in such high numbers now too, including a Willow Warbler around a probable nest site already. A male Reed Bunting was singing out on Abbot's Moss and showing well. In horse paddocks off Novia Scotia Lane 3 Pied Wagtails were the only notable birds present, the horse paddocks here never seem to be the magnets for other species that they are in some areas!
Another day on the patch in mainly warm sunshine.
Again no sign of the Ring-necked Duck. The female Smew was in Big Pool Island Cut away from the masses of fishermen arrived for the weekend now that overnight fishing is allowed again. There were 2 Teal, a pair, on Abbot's Moss. Four Greylag Geese were seen, 2 on Big Pool and 2 on the mosses.
On Abbot's Moss 2 Ravens were heard and one was seen in combat with a Buzzard. In total 3 Green Woodpeckers were recorded with one showing well on the mosses. 60 Fieldfares flew through evidence that these winter thrushes are still on passage.
A White Wagtail was again in the ploughed leek field, with 2 Pied Wagtails. A Skylark was singing over the Abbot's Moss Nursery fields and a male Linnet was on Abbot's Moss. A Coal Tit was in the Pine Belt an a Long-tailed Tit by Small Pool.
An interesting discovery was evidence of two Magpies having been predated, both in the same woodland and both plucked so taken by an avian predator. Resident in that wood is a large Buzzard so that is prime suspect #1.
After a trip to Wales yesterday, as this week is the first time we are allowed to go back over the border, I heard late on that the Ring-necked Duck was back. So I hot-fotted it down and sure enough the drake Ring-necked Duck was on Sandway Small Pool at 5.15pm, Wednesday 14th April.
I headed back down and spent all day on patch today, sunny and warm too so a pleasure.
In the morning I joined several birders who had come 'duck-hunting'!! But again the Ring-necked Duck had gone AWOL, the numbers of Tufted Ducks having declined again. I was tied up helping folk so never got a chance to search for myself but I heard that the female Smew was seen again. In the afternoon I got more birding done and found 5 Greylag Geese on Big Pool along with 2 displaying Mute Swans. Little Grebes were on Gull Pool and Abbot's Moss, with a Grey Heron flying over the latter site too. Abbot's Moss also held calling Teal. A 2w Mediterranean Gull was following the plough in the fields east of the Pine Belt and showing well. A small count of Sand Martins and Swallows was made over Big Pool.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard as were Ravens over the mosses. Two Stock Doves were in fields near the entrance barrier.
The mum of the farmer who owns the former setaside/leek field took my request for it being ploughed back to her son and in the last couple of days he ploughed it!! Today it paid dividends with my first White Wagtail of 2021 on patch, this field being the regular one for this species on passage. A Pied Wagtail was also seen. My first birds of the day were 2 Yellowhammers, seen in a new location right in the NW corner of my patch by Daleford Lane. A male Siskin was by Shemmy Moss and a Nuthatch was north of Big Pool, both unusual locations for these species.
The question now is "has the Ring-necked Duck moved on? Or is it still local and will return?" Watch this spece!!
Down early am to check for the Ring-necked Duck. Cool at first but fine and later very warm & sunny!
The female Smew was on Big Pool over in East Bay as usual and I managed to show a couple of visitors her before she disappeared as usual. As per my last post the drake Ring-necked Duck and his flock of Tufted Ducks seem to have departed. This will ease tensions with the fishermen so isn't all bad news, although I feel really sorry for the half dozen or so visitors this morning who all behaved very courteously but didn't connect. Fewer Tufted Ducks were around too, so the Smew will leave when her flock departs, as usual. The 2 Mute Swans were still present but the escaped Black Swan had also moved on, it was of interest but will never be on my Patch List proper!! A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was with lots of Black-headed Gulls following a plough in the northern fields and commuting to Big Pool. The hirundine count was lower with c.30 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows and 2 House Martins.
The most surprising passerine sighting was a flock of 20 Fieldfares flying through north of Big Pool. Also north of Big Pool 2 Yellowhammers showed well. A Goldcrest was in the Pine Belt and several Bullfinches were seen and heard. Green Woodpeckers again called.
I was on site from early morning to help with access for the Ring-necked Duck but this sadly turned into a policing job (see post below) and anglers were stringing plastic tape across entrances to deter birders.
The drake Ring-necked Duck initially favoured West Bay as yesterday but later thankfully moved up to the NW corner of Big Pool where it caused less disturbance by birders to fishermen. The female Smew was over in East Bay as usual but more elusive today. A surprise first thing this morning was a Black Swan on Big Pool, probably brought in by 2 Mute Swans which were also new in. Lots of hirundines were over Big Pool and with the c.50 Sand Martins and 5 Swallows were my first 7 House Martins here.
I didn't get much time to do any birding but a Reed Bunting was by Big Pool.
For Info:
I was talked to by several fishermen and had contact from a Baliff friend of mine on behalf of Warrington Anglers today. There have been numerous complaints about birders using pegs or standing above pegs with fishermen on them. I did tell them that I had requested on here and on my grapevine that birders should not do this and I have every confidence most of the members here have kindly followed this request. I know from a previous exoerience on here that not all do, so I ask again for visitors to please stay off all occupied pegs and view only from paths and up on banks well above the fishing pegs. The club have said that all access will be stopped if this continues and that Baliffs will be on site to enforce it. All fishing pegs are private land and there is no right of way on them.
Many thanks in advance.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 12th of April 2021 09:46:25 PM
I stayed on site all day to help visitors see the Ring-necked Duck and Smew. Other news: the female Smew was seen across Big Pool, mainly favouring East Bay but she even ventured over to check the new in small flock of Tufteds that contained the Ring-necked Duck! Both rare ducks were in the same scope view for a while! Over 200 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows were over Big Pool too. The drake Ring-necked Duck was still in West Bay, where it had been all day, when I left at 6pm. I will head down tomorrow am to put news out ASAP.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 12th of April 2021 09:47:32 PM
Very quick hot off the press news- a Drake Ring-necked Duck on Sandiway Big Pool this morning. DO NOT use fishing pegs with fisherman at them, can be viewed from beyond last car park on RHS (Big Pool) from path or down bracken bank.
A very early morning walk, pretty short, on Patch to avoid the weekend 'hordes'. Overcast and still. cold too.
Another uneventful walk, noteworthy only for the female Smew being present on Big Pool, not a surprise given the high numbers of Tufted Ducks still present. Over Big Pool were 35 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows.
A Green Woodpecker still called. A male Reed Bunting pottered around on the floor near Gull Pool and a Goldcrest was by the main track between Big and Small Pools.
My first Patch walk since the 3rd, overcast and dry this afternoon.
Pretty uneventful to be honest! Upwards of 50 Tufted Ducks were still on the three main pools (Big Pool, Small Pool and Gull Pool) but lots of fishermen and no Smew or Goldeneye. Over Big Pool a huge flock of hirundines contained 250 Sand Martins and 10 Swallows but an extensive search revealed no House Martins. A flyover of 2 Greylag Geese was the only other waterbird news.
A Raven was over the mosslands mobbing a Buzzard, a pretty even contest with the sizes being almost identical! A stop at a ploughed field on Daleford Lane produced 2 Stock Doves, whilst 2 Collared Doves were on Sandy Lane again. At least 2 Green Woodpeckers called. On Abbot's Moss 2 Linnets flew over. All 3 common warblers were noted (Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap). A Bullfinch and a Goldfinch were in Finch Hedge, which is starting to get leaves and blossom on it so the birds will be hidden soon.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 8th of April 2021 08:14:14 PM
Cold and overcast am then warm & sunny pm, a game of two halves!!
A memorable day with my earliest ever Garden Warbler, following on from the earliest ever Blackcaps and Willow Warblers on my patch this year (but still not the earliest Cheshire record!). A single male Garden Warbler was singing over near the Lymm Vale field flood mid morning in a birch copse and seen well along with a Blackcap and Chiffchaff in the same copse! The other new species of two today was 2 Swallows in with a good flock of 80 Sand Martins over Big Pool.
On Big Pool the female Smew was in east bay in the afternoon and 3(1drake) Goldeneye were still present. Over on Lymm Vale field flood 9(5drake) Teal were seen but no Little Ringed Plovers today. Large numbers of Tufted Ducks were still present across the two Sandiway Pools.
A couple of Green Woodpeckers still called near the pools. In the arable fields east of Big Pool 6 Stock Doves were with the Woodpigeons. At least 3 Collared Doves were still at Common Farm near Lymm Vale. A flyover of 4 Rooks were birds returning to a rookery to the north of the patch. A surprise was a flock of 30 Fieldfares in maize stubble NE of Big Pool. Two Starlings were on a roof on Sandy Lane.
Had a very short visit just to check the field flood this morning. Scraped ice off my car windscreen and temperature gauge below zero!! Warmed up a bit when the sun came out, but I was heading home then!!
The 2 Little Ringed Plovers were still on the field flood as well as 6(3drake) Teal and 2 Pied Wagtails. A huge influx of fishermen today as overnight fishing is allowed again and so lack of wildfowl on the lakes. No Goldeneye seen, nor the Smew. Green Woodpeckers still called and the three warbler species, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap, were all still singing.
A really nice visit to Newchurch as it involved my wife, Carys, and good friend, Paul Hill, so 3 pairs of eyes and ears which all helped us whiz past 50 species for the morning list! Dull, still and mild weather.
Highlights were two wader species, both new for the 2021 Patch List. First, 2 Little Ringed Plovers on the Lymm Vale field flood. This flood has receded massively and the edges look good, but for how long?! The birds were even displaying, but won't stay. Second was a flyover Curlew on Abbot's Moss, a surprise but very welcome. On the wader front 15 Snipe were in a wet area that is private. On Big Pool 3(1drake) Goldeneye were still present and a Shoveler flew from Gull Pool too. A total of 10 Teal were on Lymm Vale flood and Gull Pool combined. On Abbot's Moss 3 Greylag Geese were a surprise. At least 20 Sand Martins were over Big Pool, the first here this year.
The fourth new species were 4 Willow Warblers, with singing birds heard or seen across the area, but mainly over towrads the mosslands. At least 8 Blackcaps and over 15 Chiffchaffs were recorded. A nice flock of 15 Siskins showed really well on Shemmy Moss whils a Lesser Redpoll flew over Abbot's Moss. A pair of Linnets were alos on Abbot's Moss. At least 5 Pied Wagtails were recorded overal, passage look like it is happening, but no White Wagtails yet. Two Meadow Pipits were on the Abbot's Moss Nursery Fields.
A Tawny Owl called from in Gull Pool Wood. Up to 4 Green Woodpeckers were again heard across the recording area. A Raven flew low over Abbot's Moss whilst at least 2 others were heard. A Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane.
An all-dayer at Newchurch today, mainly birds in a morning which started a bit nippy but warmed up when the sun came out and inverts in the afternoon sun.
Headline birds were a pair of Mandarin Ducks, a new 2021 Patch Bird species. Big Pool still hosted 6(3drake) Goldeneye and 3 Teal were seen in total, a pair on Gull Pool and a female on Lymm Vale flood. A Grey Heron flew into Big Pool pm but I couldn't relocate it. A single Jack Snipe flushed from an area I was exploring looking for inverts, as it it with this species it just looped away and landed quite close by so I retreated out of the area.
At least 8 Stock Doves were seen in total in three seperate arable fields. at least 4 Green Woodpeckers were seen and or heard. A Kestrel hovered over Shemmy Moss.
Both male and female Blackcaps were seen and Chiffchaffs were well into double figures. To the north-east of Big Pool 2 Goldcrests were in the Pine Belt as well as a Coal Tit. This late in the month 2 Long-tailed Tits near Small Pool were undoubtably a pair, early-month winter flocks now having broken up into breeding pairs. A Starling was on Sandy Lane.
Popped down pm today in the sunshine looking for invertebrates!
Bird headline was a new record count of 10(3drake) Goldeneye on Big Pool as well as a female Goosander. Also on Big Pool was a flighty flock of 7(4drake) Shoveler. There was a drake Wigeon on here too and 2(1drake) Teal still on Lymm Vale flood.
A huge female Sparrowhawk flew over the main track near the east end. A Green Woodpecker still called. A Stock Dove was near Lymm Vale flood and a Collared Dove was on Dairy Farm roof. Again Chiffchaffs were very numerous and widespread across the whole site.
A morning walk in calm mild weather that ended up sunny and warm for the time of year.
The spring-like weather was added to by the sound of my first singing male Blackcap, heard near Big Pool and pointed out to two other naturalists who were passing (they were more looking for inverts but recognised it too!). This is my earliest ever Blackcap here by 3 days, only twice before in my seven years recording here have I had a March Blackcap, in 2020 and 2017.
On Big Pool the female Smew was refound, in her Tufted Duck carrier flock as usual. The 6(3drake) Goldeneye were showing well on Big Pool too. Over on Lymm Vale flood there were 7(4drake) Wigeon and 4(2drake) Teal. A single Greylag Goose was with the Canada Geese. An Oystercatcher flew over near Big Pool too.
A Green Woodpecker was again heard. A flock of 30 Feral Rock Doves was a sighting of a rare species here! The Leek Field has now been sprayed in preparation for ploughing and no birds at all were in it, but I found a single-species flock of 30 Bramblings in Gull Pool Wood. A Treecreeper was seen in Gull Pool Wood. A Starling was on Sandy Lane. Chiffchaffs are now in in numbers and were calling from all across the site.
Had a nice morning walk with a recently added patch regular!! Dry, still and mild but overcast.
Just 5(2drake) Goldeneye on Big Pool today and again no Smew. Over on Lymm Vale flood were 4(2drake) Teal, 3(2drake) Shoveler and 8(4drake) Wigeon, the last species all flew over onto Big Pool later. A total of 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls was quite high for late March, 3 flew over and 1 was on Big Pool. The 2 Oystercatchers were still on Lymm Vale flood.
In the Leek Field 4 Stock Doves showed well. I had 22 Fieldfares north of Big Pool, my highest count this winter/spring, and they were with 10 Redwings. Around 3 Green Woodpeckers were noted, one showing well east of Small Pool. Another high count was 6 Collared Doves in the yard at Common Farm on the extreme south of my patch, not far from Lymm Vale. In the Leek Field there were 50 Bramblings, a good count, but ploughing is imminent so they will be leaving soon. A nice group of 5 Reed Buntings were foraging around 'Gorse Peg' on the north side of Big Pool. In the Pine Belt 2 Coal Tits and a Goldcrest were in the pines but not together now. At least 6 Chiffchaffs now sang from all across the recording area.
With the possibility of migrants I couldn't resist an early visit, but more dog walkers than usual were already out! Dull, some fine driizle but ended in sunshine.
On Big Pool 6(3drake) Goldeneye were still present. A total of 20(10drake) Wigeon were seen, 14 on the Lymm Vale Flood and 6 on Big Pool. On Lymm Vale flood there were also 4(2drake) Teal. A Mute Swan was new in on Big Pool but flew off whilst I was on site.
At last a spring migrant, as soon as the sun shone a Chiffchaff started singing. This was my first of the year and was in Big Pool meadow. A Green Woodpecker called near the Pine Belt. At least 20 Redwings were seen, near Big Pool and in the Leek Field. The Leek Field finch flock still held 10+Bramblings and at least 1 Linnet.
A morning walk before my weekend pause! Dry, overcast and mild again.
On Big Pool there were 7(3drake) Goldeneye, my new record count! There were also 4 drake Shoveler on here but no Smew. Over on the Lymm Vale flood were 2(1drake) Teal and 16(9drake) Wigeon. Also over on the flood were the 2 Oystercatchers (the pair) whilst another or the same 1-2 Oystercatchers were heard over Big Pool. The 3 Lapwings were still in the breeding field. At least 3 Little Grebes were heard, 2 on Gull Pool and 1 on Big Pool.
A Green Woodpecker called on the mosslands. A Collared Dove was on Dairy Farm roof. Near Gull Pool 20 Redwings were feeding on a grass field. 20+ Bramblings were still in the finch flock using the Leek Field. In total 2 Goldcrests were seen in this excellent winter for this species and a Treecreeper was watched at close quarters near Small Pool. A Nuthatch was in Gull Pool wood. A male Reed Bunting was by Gorse Peg on Big Pool again, I suspect breeding nearby. Final bird was a Pied Wagtail on a house roof on Sandy Lane.
With no prospect of sun in the forecast it was an early start, overcast but mild and still.
The female Smew was again on Big Pool on the east side as usual. A surprise was an increase to 6(3drake) Goldeneye on Big Pool, probably my record count for one day. It was a good duck day all round with 2(1drake) Teal on the Lymm Vale field flood with 4(3drake) Shoveler and a total of 8(4drk) Wigeon, 3 pairs on the flood and a pair on Big Pool. A Greylag Goose was seen in flight with Canada Geese near Small Pool. There were 4 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt. A Herring Gull flew over.
Two Green Woodpeckers called. The Leek field held 3 Stock Doves as well as 10+Bramblings and 3+Linnets. In the trees in the middle of the field a passage flock of winter thrushes contained 90 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares and a Mistle Thrush. Other birds of note were a Collared Dove on Daleford Lane, a Pied Wagtail east of the Pine Belt and 2 Coal Tits near Small Pool.
A more substantial walk this afternoon, overcast at first and then sunny, mild too.
The female Smew was again on Big Pool and up to 100 Tufted Ducks were still on the three Pools combined (Big Pool, Small Pool and Gull Pool). Today 2(1drake) Goldeneye were also on Big Pool. A surprise was a count of 14 Wigeon on Big Pool and 2(1drake) Teal were on the Lymm Vale field flood. A Cormorant was again on the Willow Spit on Big Pool. Three Lapwings were in the field east of the Pine Belt.
A cracking Stock Dove fed close to me on dung piles north of Big Pool and 2 Feral Pigeons flew over again. Two Rooks flew over Lymm Vale. Just 1 Redwing was seen, in Gull Pool Wood. In the adjacent Leek Field the Chaffinch flock held 20+Bramblings still. A Skylark flew over calling north of Big Pool.
An afternoon walk here in the sun was mainly for inverts and new migrants. Some nice of the former (see other post) but none of the latter!!
No formal bird list but the 3(1drk) Goldeneye were still on Big Pool as was a single Cormorant on the Willow Spit.
Away from on the water 2 Lesser Redpolls looked stunning in the sunshine feeding in Finch Hedge with 6 Bullfinches. Also a male Reed Bunting sat up very close to me for ages at the edge of Big Pool, oh for a camera!!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 16th of March 2021 08:42:35 AM
Another afternoon walk in the overcast, cool weather, but dry so that's at least something!
The 3(1drk) Goldeneye were still on Big Pool as were 2(1drk) Goosander, which was a surprise. Today 4(2drk) Wigeon were seen on Big Pool too, but despite relatively good numbers of Tufted Ducks an extensive search didn't dig out the Smew. There were 4 Teal in total, a pair on Gull Pool and a pair on the flood near Lymm Vale. A Cormorant flew over Gull Pool wood and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over the same area being very vocal. There were still 2 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt. A Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe and 4 Common Snipe were also seen.
A new species was added to the patch-list, amazingly this was Feral Pigeon, 2 birds flying over the Pine Belt area. 12 Redwings were seen near Big Pool Island Cut.
A huge flock of passerines was in the Leek Field, which was being picked again yesterday and so wasn't as accessible so the flock was making up for lost time! The highlight of the flock was 40 Bramblings, many males being in superb 'black-headed' plumage. The bulk of the 300-strong flock was Chaffinches but it also contained several Goldfinches, a few Linnets and a male Reed Bunting. A Goldcrest was seen again, this time in the hedge of the field NE of Big Pool and the Pine Belt, another new location.
Had a walk pm in a small window of OK weather, overcast and windy with an occasional rainy squall!
The female Smew was on Big Pool and plenty of Tufted Ducks still. New in were 3(1 drake) Goldeneye on Big Pool, it's been a good 2021 so far for this species on patch! No Wigeon or Teal at all. A Cormorant circled and landed on Big Pool as did a Lesser Black-backed Gull. There were still 2 Oystercatchers on the flooded field by Lymm Vale. The fields east of the Pine Belt held 2 Lapwings.
A count of 50 Redwings included 40 flying through over fields NE of Big Pool and 10 around the Finch Hedge area. A Goldcrest was near Finch Hedge and a female Bullfinch was here too. A lone Pied Wagtail was in the field east of the Pine Belt.
Another start before 8.30am. Again overcast, a bit of rain too but no wind yet - that's to come!
The female Smew was on Big Pool, whther she has been away I'll not know but I counted 102 Tufted Ducks today which is a big increase so they may have brought her back! Also present after several days absence was a female Goosander. Again 4(2drk) Teal were on the diminishing entrance track flood and 18 Wigeon were still on the Lymm Vale flood. This latter flood also held 2 Greylag Geese and still 2 Oystercatchers. Just 1 Lapwing was in the field east of the Pine Belt. A Cormorant flew over again. A 2w Lesser Black-backed Gull was on Big Pool.
A Green Woodpecker was again heard. A Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane. Redwings were again near the entrance barrier. The 2 Pied Wagtails were again in the field east of Pine Belt.
Again an early start to avoid the weekend crowds! It was busy, even early but hey!! Dull mostly but dry and still, warming up from a start with a zero Temp on my car temperature gauge.
Again no Smew or Goosander. Just 1 drake Shoveler on Big Pool but lots of Tufted Ducks. A total of 6(3drk) Teal were counted, 2 pairs on the entrance track flood and a pair on the Lymm Vale field flood. At least 30 Wigeon were on patch, with 18 on the Lymm Vale field flood and at least 12 on Big Pool. Greylag Geese were heard flying over but I couldn't see how many. A new family of Mute Swans arrived today, comprising adult male and female with 2 well grown juveniles. A flyover Cormorant was seen. Over on the Lymm Vale field flood 3 Oystercatchers were making a right racket! It looked like a pair having a go at a third bird. Last year this flood hosted Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover in Spring so I'm now checking it daily. Three Lapwings were in the field east of the Pine Belt.
A single Green Woodpecker called near Gull Pool. Best passerines were 3 Skylarks which flew over me and dropped into the leek field, a new patch bird for 2021. The Chaffinch flock is still in this same vicinity and held 2 Bramblings that I could see. A Pied Wagtail was on the entrance track flood. Single figures of Redwings were noted, mainly by the entrance track. Again a Goldcrest and 2 Coal Tits were in Gull Pool Wood.