Not too long after that I was down there as was patcher Pod Antrobus and there was no sign of the Little Gull, so quite a brief drop-in.
Greg Baker said
Sun Apr 3 11:27 AM, 2016
As Doc has already mentioned, a 2nd calendar year Little Gull still in first winter plumage was a nice find on the mere this morning. It arrived around 8.15 and seemed to pass through heading north but was later re-found with a few Black-headed Gulls just off the boathouse.
Again so folk can get down there, not stealing Gregs thunder, there's a Little Gull on Budworth Mere off the boathouse am (per G.Baker, thanks).
Greg Baker said
Fri Apr 1 12:59 PM, 2016
The first Willow Warbler of the year was singing and showing at the boat yard end of the mereside path this morning. Also Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaffs in the same area, with c250 Sand Martins, 4 Swallows and 2 House Martins over the mere. By the hide were 6 Siskins and 4 Lesser Redpolls.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 30 11:01 PM, 2016
As I am working every day since coming back after Easter just had to get a fix of birding by popping into Marbury CP an the way home past tonight
Over 150 Sand Martins hawking the mere, they were everywhere but an extensive search revealed no other hirundines. 2 Oystercatchers were in the fields by the pools by Fishermans Path. 4 drake Pochard seen on the mere too, 2 pairs of Shelduck displaying, but little else of note.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Mar 30 3:33 PM, 2016
One each of Mediterranean Gull and Little Ringed Plover at/off Kid Brook Spit early afternoon. Also one each of Swallow and House Martin over Budworth Mere together with the Sand Martin. Several Chiffchaff heard singing and a small flock of around ten Siskin seen nearby.
Greg Baker said
Wed Mar 30 1:13 PM, 2016
At least 2 Blackcaps along Forge stream in Big Wood this morning and a total of 6 Chiffchaffs in the area. 2 pairs of Grey Wagtails present, with one pair in Hopyards Wood and another feeding along the shore near Kid Brook spit. Just 50 Sand Martins over the mere today and a couple of Swallows but no sign of any House Martins.
Greg Baker said
Tue Mar 29 6:07 PM, 2016
3 House Martins, 1 Swallow and 100+ Sand Martins feeding over Budworth Mere late afternoon. Also around were 2 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler and 5 Pochard plus 3 Oystercatchers on Kid Brook spit.
Steven Nelson said
Mon Mar 28 8:25 PM, 2016
14.15-16.00 Sand Martins - lots 1-2 Swallows 1 Chiifchaff heard briefly 3 Pochard (1m,2f) 40+ Tufted Duck Mallard - numerous 2 Mute Swans- pair seemed to be nest building in the reedbed 2 Nuthatch - more heard 4 Buzzard together over carpark 4 Great Crested Grebe - 2 pairs 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull on lake c.30 Black-headed Gulls 5 Cormorant c.15 Canada Geese The usual woodland species but no Woodpeckers heard or seen.
Greg Baker said
Mon Mar 28 11:46 AM, 2016
A House Martin, 2 Swallows and around 200 Sand Martins over the mere this morning. Also present 2 Shelduck, 47 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Grey Wagtail and an overhead Raven.
steven burke said
Sun Mar 27 11:07 AM, 2016
yesterday afternoon just before the rain started & then in the rain.
lots of sand martins were whizzing around budworth mere, a couple of hundred at least & at least 5 swallow. 2 shelduck 2 oystercatcher 2 buzzard tufted duck, pochard, goldeneye & great crested grebe. plenty of activity at the feeder in front of the screen, blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, coal tit, reed bunting, chaffinch & siskin.
Mark Burgess said
Sat Mar 26 10:26 AM, 2016
7.30 - 9.15am Highlights
Big wood Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Male bird watched for 20 minutes Feeding, Drumming and occasionally calling, No sign of a female bird Great Spotted Woodpecker 4 Nuthatch many Siskin 4
Budworth Mere Swallow 10+ Sand Martin 5
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Mar 24 5:46 PM, 2016
Brief visit to reed bed screen late afternoon. Around 20 Sand Martin flying over and around Budworth Mere and a Kingfisher was seen near Kid Brook Spit.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Mar 22 5:43 PM, 2016
News texted to me:
Little Ringed Plover Kid Brook shore and Sand Martin over Budworth Mere, mid afternoon (per D.Hughston).
John Williams said
Sat Mar 19 8:35 PM, 2016
Big Wood area
Searched for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the area just south of the woodland hide, from paths on both sides of the wood, checking every dead tree, but no sightings.
The birds could be heard, but so too could there bigger cousins. A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was tidying up a nest hole on a dead tree stump, whilst her mate chased another
male through the canopy. I'm sure I seen a Great Spotted Woodpecker visiting a hole in this same stump last spring. 3 noisy Nuthatches were in the same area,whilst a Goldcrest flitted
through the brambles. Several Jays, a pair of Stock Doves and a Mistle Thrush were also in the area.
A pair of Great Crested Grebes displayed on the mere, whilst another pair chased of an interloper, I counted 10 grebes in total.
Also on the mere were 3 Shovelers, 3 Pochard, 2 Shelducks and 40+ Tufted Ducks. Kid Brook was dominated by an adult Great Black Backed Gull that was seen chasing Cormorants and
forcing them to give up their catch, a couple of Common Gulls joined in the fun too. 25 Common Gulls were on the mere amongst the mass of Black Headed, but no sign of anything rarer.
At the Coward reedbed end a Kingfisher was giving great views below the screen, whilst a resplendent male Siskin visited the bird table.
A pair of Buzzards patrolled Hopyards Wood and a Goldcrest did "flycatcher" like aerial gnat catching sorties from a bush by the canal bridge.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Mar 16 9:51 AM, 2016
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming this morning at 7.15am. As I inched forward towards the spot, fifty metres south of the wooden bridge near the woodland hide, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in to investigate and that was that. Neither sight nor sound of its little cousin thereafter. After a 6.15 start, I continued circuiting the general area in Big Wood until 9.15 but, as stated, nothing else.
Greg Baker said
Tue Mar 15 10:27 AM, 2016
Just before 7am this morning the female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was calling and showing well by the path that runs alongside Big Wood about 100m south of the slipway at Budworth Mere. The male was heard drumming nearby but not seen. Also a Chiffchaff this morning fly-catching from a hedgerow along the Fisherman's Path on the east side of the mere.
John Wright said
Mon Mar 14 6:31 PM, 2016
Hi - there were 3 adult summer plumages Mediterranean gulls amongst the black headed flock on Pickmere sat morning 8.00am. Delay in posting as only just signed on for first time.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 14th of March 2016 06:37:02 PM
Chris Sutton said
Fri Mar 11 7:41 PM, 2016
Spent the morning at Marbury - great to meet Doc, Mark and Malc.
Sightings very similar to Doc's post but did pick up the Bittern showing well at around mid-day in the reed bed (not showing earlier), and a female sparrowhawk over the Big Wood. Mediterranean Gulls were great to see and seemed to be sticking together within the group of black headed gulls - thanks to Mark for pointing them out.
Chris
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 11 5:16 PM, 2016
Down to Marbury CP early doors today, started at 7.15am on a crisp sunny morning, later to become quite warm, layers were shed!!
Good to bump into Chris Sutton and put a face to a name as well as 'old' pals Malc Curtin & Mark Jarrett. Despite lots & lots of searching we drew a blank on the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Plenty of Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, calling and displaying though. Also seen were lots of Nuthatches, a Treecreeper, two Goldcrests, two Siskins, a Redwing and Stock Doves in display flight too.
On Budworth Mere the highlight was two adult summer plumaged Mediterranean Gulls on the water out from Kid Brook Spit. Off Fishermans path earlier I had 2 female Goldeneye and a flock of 8 Teal which lifted from the field pools.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 11th of March 2016 05:32:17 PM
Mike Crawley said
Thu Mar 10 2:36 PM, 2016
Great views of the Bittern at about midday today, in the reeds to the left of the screen/hide.
No sign of the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers though, despite hearing calling and drumming in "Big Wood" listening from the area near Haydn's Pool.
Guess I'll have to go again......
Doc Brewster said
Tue Mar 8 10:34 PM, 2016
Pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers today, I had it reported to me that they were near the slipway at 7.46am and that there were 2 Mediterranean Gulls on Budworth Mere (per Twitter).
Roger Baker 3 said
Tue Mar 8 3:48 PM, 2016
8th March.
Good views of a Bittern at 10.45 hrs for about 45 mins until it hunkered down ... in the reed-bed to the left of the screen.
Roger.
Nev Wright said
Sun Feb 28 7:50 PM, 2016
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker crossed Marbury Lane, just as walking up towards the park from Haydn's Pool, about 11.25
Dipped on Bittern
Doc Brewster said
Sat Feb 27 10:58 PM, 2016
Had an email that the Bittern showed well again late afternoon in Coward Reedbed, two Kingfishers were pretty showy too
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Feb 27 12:39 PM, 2016
I missed the Bittern by 5 minutes having been distracted by some Redpolls
At least 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Nuthatch, Treecreepers, and Siskins but no Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers :(
A few Redwing still hanging about, but Oystercatcher and Curlew prove that Spring is on its way.
Mark Burgess said
Sat Feb 27 12:27 PM, 2016
Bittern showing this morning in Coward reedbed Flew 50m from the left hand side into the reedbed at the back then took up a classic upright you can't see me stance for a minute or so then hunkers down out of view, well worth the 1.5 hr wait. Also of note Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Siskin 5 Nuthatch 3 Treecreeper
Greg Baker said
Fri Feb 26 1:54 PM, 2016
The Bittern was showing well again in the Coward Reedbed at Budworth Mere all morning and early afternoon an adult Mediterranean Gull appeared amongst a mass of Black-headed Gulls which arrived onto the mere. Also 3 Oystercatchers and c50 Curlew today. No sign however of the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers seen in Big Wood yesterday.
The Bittern was showing well in the reedbed this evening before being bombarded by a roost of around 200,000 Starlings . The murmuration built up from around 5.15pm and was as usual a spectacular sight. Once the main flock had flown into the reedbed birds were still pouring in from the west for at least another 15 minutes. By the time they had all roosted, the entire reedbed was black, covered by what looked like an oil slick. There were so many that they were even covering the bushes in front of the hide. I've never seen so many roosting at the mere before.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Feb 24 10:16 PM, 2016
At Budworth Mere the Bittern was showing well this morning in Coward Reedbed from the screen. The first Dunlin of the year was feeding on the shoreline near Kid Brook along with 2 Oystercatchers, and 5 Wigeon. The Pink-footed Goose is still with the Canadas and a female Goldeneye was off the sailing club (all per Greg Baker).
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Feb 22 5:15 PM, 2016
Bittern showed well, albeit for only five minutes or so, at 12.55 today, over to left of Coward Reedbed. Was visible with naked eye before bunkering down and then proving to be elusive thereafter.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Feb 19 6:52 PM, 2016
Doc Brewster wrote:
On the way to town shopping, with a slight diversion, spent the morning at Marbury CP. Had the company of lots of great folk, including Forum regular Mark Jarrett, good to meet at last mate
Arriving at 9am it took a good two hours plus, standing in the cold with my toes getting more & more numb before the Bittern put in an appearance. As it just clambered up into view I called out to all assembled & great views were had by all. All that is except Mark, who sadly left the site only 10 minutes earlier with those immortal words - "now I'm leaving, the bird will show". This must be the first time ever for me that this has come true, but it did, luckily Mark was one of the initial finders of the bird on the day it arrived before New Year, but it was still a real shame he missed it. Also present were a good count of 25 Pochard (20 drakes), 1-2 Ravens overhead and a Kingfisher.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 19th of February 2016 02:13:54 PM
As they used to say on the Fast Show...."bugger!"
Nice to meet you at long last, Doc!
Doc Brewster said
Fri Feb 19 2:01 PM, 2016
On the way to town shopping, with a slight diversion, spent the morning at Marbury CP. Had the company of lots of great folk, including Forum regular Mark Jarrett, good to meet at last mate
Arriving at 9am it took a good two hours plus, standing in the cold with my toes getting more & more numb before the Bittern put in an appearance. As it just clambered up into view I called out to all assembled & great views were had by all. All that is except Mark, who sadly left the site only 10 minutes earlier with those immortal words - "now I'm leaving, the bird will show". This must be the first time ever for me that this has come true, but it did, luckily Mark was one of the initial finders of the bird on the day it arrived before New Year, but it was still a real shame he missed it. Also present were a good count of 25 Pochard (20 drakes), 1-2 Ravens overhead and a Kingfisher.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 19th of February 2016 02:13:54 PM
Northwich Birder said
Wed Feb 17 9:52 PM, 2016
Doc Brewster wrote:
Northwich Birder wrote:
There were two drake Goldeneye on Pickmere last Sunday about 1400 showing very well just by the Boardwalk on the Southern side of the mere. The one you spotted at Budworth could have been one of these.
Wasn't me, was Greg Baker, I acknowledged him in the post, just don't wanna take credit!!
Apologies Doc (and Greg!). I'm fairly new to the forum and hadn't followed the trail of posts.
Best view of Goldeneye we've had without a scope. They were so close in.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Feb 14 10:11 PM, 2016
Had a text to say that the Bittern was showing in Coward Reedbed at Marbury CP this afternoon (per R.Richards)
Doc Brewster said
Thu Feb 11 5:07 PM, 2016
Northwich Birder wrote:
There were two drake Goldeneye on Pickmere last Sunday about 1400 showing very well just by the Boardwalk on the Southern side of the mere. The one you spotted at Budworth could have been one of these.
Wasn't me, was Greg Baker, I acknowledged him in the post, just don't wanna take credit!!
Northwich Birder said
Thu Feb 11 3:38 PM, 2016
There were two drake Goldeneye on Pickmere last Sunday about 1400 showing very well just by the Boardwalk on the Southern side of the mere. The one you spotted at Budworth could have been one of these.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Feb 6 1:05 PM, 2016
The Bittern was seen in the Coward Reedbed from the reedbed screen this morning early on (per Dave Hughston)
Doc Brewster said
Wed Feb 3 10:11 AM, 2016
Hope Greg won't mind me relaying a noteworthy sighting from yesterday
A drake Goldeneye was on Budworth Mere, once common in the past this is now an uncommon sight here of recent times (per Greg Baker).
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jan 10 3:21 PM, 2016
After a couple of days of not being seen or reported the drake Green-winged Teal has been showing all day today on Neumann's Flash again
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jan 8 1:13 PM, 2016
News this morning of a female Mandarin at Marbury CP on Budworth Mere near the boathouse and a Black-tailed Godwit in with the Curlews on the fields on the far side of the mere near Kid Brook (all per Greg Baker).
John Williams said
Sat Dec 12 6:28 PM, 2015
1.30-2.30pm
Spent an hour at the screen to see if the Bittern emerged, but not a glimpse.
From the screen 12 Great Crested Grebes were visible and a single Kingfisher flew across the mere.
steven burke said
Sun Dec 6 7:39 PM, 2015
was here yesterday 5th dec 2-4.10pm...
no sign of the bittern even when the many of thousands of starlings came down into the reeds, a rough estimate of at least 8000+ however 2 sparrowhawks paid a lot of interest in the starlings with one of them catching one & landing on the path about 40 yds from the screen. 1 raven, over 1 jay 1 kingfisher 27 tufted duck 1 pochard 14 gadwall 8 great crested grebe 2 nuthatch 1 treecreeper 1 siskin 4 lapwing 40+ curlew water rail heard
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Nov 23 1:59 PM, 2015
Diverting from a frozen Neumann's Flash to Marbury CP paid dividends as the first wintering Bittern put in an appearance in Coward reedbed. The Bittern flew in at 11.50 and after being out of view for ten or fifteen minutes, then showed briefly before disappearing again. Overall, quite a productive morning with plenty of species seen and much activity. Amongst others :-
No sign of the Whooper Swan that has recently been frequenting both Neumann's and Budworth Mere.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Nov 16 9:53 PM, 2015
Report from Marbury CP this morning:
4 Ruff were feeding on the shoreline by Kid Brook spit at the mere this morning along with 63 Curlew (per Greg Baker).
Lawrence Hindley said
Mon Nov 16 5:34 PM, 2015
Large flock of 20+ Goldcrests moving through woods next to the mere this morning at 8.30am 1 Treecreeper 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
John Williams said
Wed Nov 4 8:12 PM, 2015
12.00-14.30
Small flocks of Redwings were resting in highest treetops along Marbury Lane.
Budworth Mere
9 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes, 18 Tufted Ducks, 5 Wigeon and 1f Goldeneye.
With the exception of the mass of Canada Geese on the meadows opposite, I was surprised at the low numbers of waterfowl.
Large numbers of gulls gathered around Kid Brook though, mainly Black Headed, but with a few Common and Lesser Black Backs too.
I counted 18 Siskins feeding in one of the big mereside Alders, but when they flushed many more small finches erupted from adjoining trees too.
2 Mistle Thrushes were on the cattle pasture nearest the canal, I rarely fail to find this species here.
-- Edited by John Williams on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 11:11:09 PM
John Williams said
Thu Sep 17 3:12 PM, 2015
09.00-10.20
A large aerial gathering of Swallows and House Martins were over the Western end of the Budworth Mere, they slowly moved off, heading SW.
11 Great Crested Grebes were on the mere, whilst around Kid Brook were 80 Greylag Geese, with 1000+ Canada Geese spread along the North bank.
8 Mistle Thrushes feasted on Rowan berries, and chased off a Woodpigeon that tried to join them. 1 Song Thrush feeding lower down the same tree though was tolerated.
1 highly vocal Buzzard was flying just above the trees, and chasing off a small flock of Jackdaws.
As at Neumanns, the only butterflies were Speckled Woods, which were plentiful around the brambles.
Graham Smith said
Sun Aug 2 5:55 PM, 2015
4 Artic tern plenty of Great crested grebe young
steven burke said
Mon Jun 8 11:07 PM, 2015
post for yesterday 7th june, highlights...
1 garden warbler, 2 more heard 4 treecreeper 7 nuthatch 3 great spotted woodpecker 2 goldcrest 2 shelduck 2 stock dove blackcap, whitethroat, chiffchaff, willow warbler buzzard, grey heron, tufted duck, great crested grebe swift, swallow, house martin. plus all the usuals around.
Not too long after that I was down there as was patcher Pod Antrobus and there was no sign of the Little Gull, so quite a brief drop-in.
Again so folk can get down there, not stealing Gregs thunder, there's a Little Gull on Budworth Mere off the boathouse am (per G.Baker, thanks).
As I am working every day since coming back after Easter just had to get a fix of birding by popping into Marbury CP an the way home past tonight
Over 150 Sand Martins hawking the mere, they were everywhere but an extensive search revealed no other hirundines. 2 Oystercatchers were in the fields by the pools by Fishermans Path. 4 drake Pochard seen on the mere too, 2 pairs of Shelduck displaying, but little else of note.
At least 2 Blackcaps along Forge stream in Big Wood this morning and a total of 6 Chiffchaffs in the area. 2 pairs of Grey Wagtails present, with one pair in Hopyards Wood and another feeding along the shore near Kid Brook spit. Just 50 Sand Martins over the mere today and a couple of Swallows but no sign of any House Martins.
Sand Martins - lots
1-2 Swallows
1 Chiifchaff heard briefly
3 Pochard (1m,2f)
40+ Tufted Duck
Mallard - numerous
2 Mute Swans- pair seemed to be nest building in the reedbed
2 Nuthatch - more heard
4 Buzzard together over carpark
4 Great Crested Grebe - 2 pairs
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull on lake
c.30 Black-headed Gulls
5 Cormorant
c.15 Canada Geese
The usual woodland species but no Woodpeckers heard or seen.
lots of sand martins were whizzing around budworth mere, a couple of hundred at least & at least 5 swallow.
2 shelduck
2 oystercatcher
2 buzzard
tufted duck, pochard, goldeneye & great crested grebe.
plenty of activity at the feeder in front of the screen, blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, coal tit, reed bunting, chaffinch & siskin.
Big wood
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Male bird watched for 20 minutes Feeding, Drumming and occasionally calling, No sign of a female bird
Great Spotted Woodpecker 4
Nuthatch many
Siskin 4
Budworth Mere
Swallow 10+
Sand Martin 5
News texted to me:
Little Ringed Plover Kid Brook shore and Sand Martin over Budworth Mere, mid afternoon (per D.Hughston).
Big Wood area
Searched for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the area just south of the woodland hide, from paths on both sides of the wood, checking every dead tree, but no sightings.
The birds could be heard, but so too could there bigger cousins. A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was tidying up a nest hole on a dead tree stump, whilst her mate chased another
male through the canopy. I'm sure I seen a Great Spotted Woodpecker visiting a hole in this same stump last spring. 3 noisy Nuthatches were in the same area,whilst a Goldcrest flitted
through the brambles. Several Jays, a pair of Stock Doves and a Mistle Thrush were also in the area.
A pair of Great Crested Grebes displayed on the mere, whilst another pair chased of an interloper, I counted 10 grebes in total.
Also on the mere were 3 Shovelers, 3 Pochard, 2 Shelducks and 40+ Tufted Ducks. Kid Brook was dominated by an adult Great Black Backed Gull that was seen chasing Cormorants and
forcing them to give up their catch, a couple of Common Gulls joined in the fun too. 25 Common Gulls were on the mere amongst the mass of Black Headed, but no sign of anything rarer.
At the Coward reedbed end a Kingfisher was giving great views below the screen, whilst a resplendent male Siskin visited the bird table.
A pair of Buzzards patrolled Hopyards Wood and a Goldcrest did "flycatcher" like aerial gnat catching sorties from a bush by the canal bridge.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 14th of March 2016 06:37:02 PM
Sightings very similar to Doc's post but did pick up the Bittern showing well at around mid-day in the reed bed (not showing earlier), and a female sparrowhawk over the Big Wood. Mediterranean Gulls were great to see and seemed to be sticking together within the group of black headed gulls - thanks to Mark for pointing them out.
Chris
Down to Marbury CP early doors today, started at 7.15am on a crisp sunny morning, later to become quite warm, layers were shed!!
Good to bump into Chris Sutton and put a face to a name as well as 'old' pals Malc Curtin & Mark Jarrett. Despite lots & lots of searching we drew a blank on the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Plenty of Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, calling and displaying though. Also seen were lots of Nuthatches, a Treecreeper, two Goldcrests, two Siskins, a Redwing and Stock Doves in display flight too.
On Budworth Mere the highlight was two adult summer plumaged Mediterranean Gulls on the water out from Kid Brook Spit. Off Fishermans path earlier I had 2 female Goldeneye and a flock of 8 Teal which lifted from the field pools.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 11th of March 2016 05:32:17 PM
No sign of the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers though, despite hearing calling and drumming in "Big Wood" listening from the area near Haydn's Pool.
Guess I'll have to go again......
Pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers today, I had it reported to me that they were near the slipway at 7.46am and that there were 2 Mediterranean Gulls on Budworth Mere (per Twitter).
Good views of a Bittern at 10.45 hrs for about 45 mins until it hunkered down ... in the reed-bed to the left of the screen.
Roger.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker crossed Marbury Lane, just as walking up towards the park from Haydn's Pool, about 11.25
Dipped on Bittern
Had an email that the Bittern showed well again late afternoon in Coward Reedbed, two Kingfishers were pretty showy too
I missed the Bittern by 5 minutes having been distracted by some Redpolls
At least 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Nuthatch, Treecreepers, and Siskins but no Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers :(
A few Redwing still hanging about, but Oystercatcher and Curlew prove that Spring is on its way.
Flew 50m from the left hand side into the reedbed at the back then took up a classic upright you can't see me stance for a minute or so then hunkers down out of view, well worth the 1.5 hr wait.
Also of note
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2
Siskin 5
Nuthatch 3
Treecreeper
At Budworth Mere the Bittern was showing well this morning in Coward Reedbed from the screen. The first Dunlin of the year was feeding on the shoreline near Kid Brook along with 2 Oystercatchers, and 5 Wigeon. The Pink-footed Goose is still with the Canadas and a female Goldeneye was off the sailing club (all per Greg Baker).
As they used to say on the Fast Show...."bugger!"
Nice to meet you at long last, Doc!
On the way to town shopping, with a slight diversion, spent the morning at Marbury CP. Had the company of lots of great folk, including Forum regular Mark Jarrett, good to meet at last mate
Arriving at 9am it took a good two hours plus, standing in the cold with my toes getting more & more numb before the Bittern put in an appearance. As it just clambered up into view I called out to all assembled & great views were had by all. All that is except Mark, who sadly left the site only 10 minutes earlier with those immortal words - "now I'm leaving, the bird will show". This must be the first time ever for me that this has come true, but it did, luckily Mark was one of the initial finders of the bird on the day it arrived before New Year, but it was still a real shame he missed it. Also present were a good count of 25 Pochard (20 drakes), 1-2 Ravens overhead and a Kingfisher.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 19th of February 2016 02:13:54 PM
Apologies Doc (and Greg!). I'm fairly new to the forum and hadn't followed the trail of posts.
Best view of Goldeneye we've had without a scope. They were so close in.
Had a text to say that the Bittern was showing in Coward Reedbed at Marbury CP this afternoon (per R.Richards)
Wasn't me, was Greg Baker, I acknowledged him in the post, just don't wanna take credit!!
There were two drake Goldeneye on Pickmere last Sunday about 1400 showing very well just by the Boardwalk on the Southern side of the mere. The one you spotted at Budworth could have been one of these.
The Bittern was seen in the Coward Reedbed from the reedbed screen this morning early on (per Dave Hughston)
Hope Greg won't mind me relaying a noteworthy sighting from yesterday
A drake Goldeneye was on Budworth Mere, once common in the past this is now an uncommon sight here of recent times (per Greg Baker).
After a couple of days of not being seen or reported the drake Green-winged Teal has been showing all day today on Neumann's Flash again
News this morning of a female Mandarin at Marbury CP on Budworth Mere near the boathouse and a Black-tailed Godwit in with the Curlews on the fields on the far side of the mere near Kid Brook (all per Greg Baker).
1.30-2.30pm
Spent an hour at the screen to see if the Bittern emerged, but not a glimpse.
From the screen 12 Great Crested Grebes were visible and a single Kingfisher flew across the mere.
no sign of the bittern even when the many of thousands of starlings came down into the reeds, a rough estimate of at least 8000+ however 2 sparrowhawks paid a lot of interest in the starlings with one of them catching one & landing on the path about 40 yds from the screen.
1 raven, over
1 jay
1 kingfisher
27 tufted duck
1 pochard
14 gadwall
8 great crested grebe
2 nuthatch
1 treecreeper
1 siskin
4 lapwing
40+ curlew
water rail heard
Bittern (1)
Little Grebe (1)
Great crested Grebe
Cormorant
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Mute Swan (3)
Wigeon
Gadwall (4)
Teal
Shoveler (3)
Pochard (1)
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye (2)
Buzzard (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Green Woodpecker (1)
Great spotted Woodpecker (2)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Redwing (c.50)
Nuthatch
Treecreeper (1)
Siskin
Lesser Redpoll
Good rest
No sign of the Whooper Swan that has recently been frequenting both Neumann's and Budworth Mere.
Report from Marbury CP this morning:
4 Ruff were feeding on the shoreline by Kid Brook spit at the mere this morning along with 63 Curlew (per Greg Baker).
1 Treecreeper
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
12.00-14.30
Small flocks of Redwings were resting in highest treetops along Marbury Lane.
Budworth Mere
9 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes, 18 Tufted Ducks, 5 Wigeon and 1f Goldeneye.
With the exception of the mass of Canada Geese on the meadows opposite, I was surprised at the low numbers of waterfowl.
Large numbers of gulls gathered around Kid Brook though, mainly Black Headed, but with a few Common and Lesser Black Backs too.
I counted 18 Siskins feeding in one of the big mereside Alders, but when they flushed many more small finches erupted from adjoining trees too.
2 Mistle Thrushes were on the cattle pasture nearest the canal, I rarely fail to find this species here.
-- Edited by John Williams on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 11:11:09 PM
A large aerial gathering of Swallows and House Martins were over the Western end of the Budworth Mere, they slowly moved off, heading SW.
11 Great Crested Grebes were on the mere, whilst around Kid Brook were 80 Greylag Geese, with 1000+ Canada Geese spread along the North bank.
8 Mistle Thrushes feasted on Rowan berries, and chased off a Woodpigeon that tried to join them. 1 Song Thrush feeding lower down the same tree though was tolerated.
1 highly vocal Buzzard was flying just above the trees, and chasing off a small flock of Jackdaws.
As at Neumanns, the only butterflies were Speckled Woods, which were plentiful around the brambles.
plenty of Great crested grebe young
1 garden warbler, 2 more heard
4 treecreeper
7 nuthatch
3 great spotted woodpecker
2 goldcrest
2 shelduck
2 stock dove
blackcap, whitethroat, chiffchaff, willow warbler
buzzard, grey heron, tufted duck, great crested grebe
swift, swallow, house martin.
plus all the usuals around.