Walking down Wood lane East, towards the canal bridge near to the Lyme Breeze restaurant, Adlington. A Red Kite flew across the near by fields being dive bombed by a crow. It was an amazing sight, this huge bird being chased off, by a small crow.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 15 10:10 AM, 2017
Just because of sheer numbers I had to pass this info on from the Rare Bird Alert Pager Service:
150 Waxwings 1ml NNE of Kelsall at Eddisbury Fruit Farm in orchard west of Yeld Lane at 9.45am, view only from road SJ533699.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Dec 17 2:03 PM, 2016
No topic for this area so posted here
At Park Lane, Little Bollington at the 'Swan with Two Nicks' pub this morning there were 3 Waxwings feeding on berries there (postcode WA14 4TJ) (info per Paul Hill, thanks).
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 17th of December 2016 02:19:23 PM
Adam Jones said
Tue May 24 1:02 PM, 2016
Monday 23rd May 6.45pm-8.30pm
I took a walk around the fields either side of Adlington Water treatment works last night, not expecting much, but saw quite a lot.
1 Oystercatcher 2 Curlew 2 Lapwing 3 Ravens 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 4 Stock Doves 1 Blackcap 2 Chiffchaffs 2 Jays 1 Common Buzzard 1 Kestrel Good numbers of Swifts and a few Swallows
Plus all the usuals
Adam Jones said
Fri Feb 12 8:16 AM, 2016
The feeders in my rear garden on Pinewood Road, Wilmslow has recently been attracting up to 10 Bullfinch. Also seen almost daily are Siskins, a couple of Lesser Redpolls, Goldecrests, Coal Tits and lots of Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Nearby on Cross Lane I recently had a Tawny Owl fly overhead into the path of my head torch, and also heard one calling by the Deanwater hotel.
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Thu Jan 28 5:24 PM, 2016
1 Dipper today in Prestbury, just on the fast flowing bit of the river that passes through the village off the high street. A lifer for me, and I wasn't even out birdwatching! Extra bonus for the day.
Adam Jones said
Sun Sep 13 9:03 PM, 2015
Sunday 13th September
A singing Chiffchaff on Pinewood Road, Wilmslow this morning. Couldn't help but thinking it had missed the boat. Still, I'm sure it will get the hint soon enough. This was where I saw my first Chiffchaff of the year and possibly the last place too.
Adam Jones said
Sat Jan 7 1:34 PM, 2012
1 Merlin along Sugar Lane Pott Shrigley. 3 Goldcrest 4 Bullfinch 2 Treecreepers 30 Goosander on Styperson Pool.
paul brady said
Wed May 11 3:42 PM, 2011
Hi People is there a better place to post this(?),
We have organised a free guided walk around Rowlands Red Poll Beef Farm at Mickle Trafford.
The farm is in the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme and has taken up several options for that are improving the farm for wildlife. Find out all about these and see some wildlife along the way.
Saturday 28th May, 11am-1pm (Post code CH2 4EB)
Birds we hope to see include yellowhammer, tree sparrow, lapwing, swallow and sedge warbler.
And whilst you are there why not peruse the local produce stalls as a produce fair runs from 10am-2pm
The farm grazes Red Poll cattle along the lush Gowy meadows.
Paul Brady RSPB Dee Estuary 0151 336 7681 paul.brady@rspb.org.uk
PS for any more details please feel free to contact me on the above number/email
Rob Smallwood said
Tue Apr 26 3:45 PM, 2011
Sweet!
Pete Welch said
Mon Apr 25 5:18 PM, 2011
Just west of Frodsham marshes Rob so probably not the same pair but interesting none the less. Also a red Kite near the BAE site earlier in the journey.
Rob Smallwood said
Mon Apr 25 5:09 PM, 2011
Whereabouts on M56?
Pete Welch said
Mon Apr 25 4:06 PM, 2011
Driving along the M56 today I saw two BOP and thought they looked a bit lean and long for Kestrels - as I passed underneath the first bird I saw the markings of a male hobby on the head and a bit of colour to the underneath - but then I thought "its too early for Hobby so must have been a very small Peregrine..." I wonder after Rob's post whether my first instinctive call was right...I'll never know
Rob Smallwood said
Mon Apr 25 1:27 PM, 2011
2 Hobby have returned to a Cheshire/Gtr Mcr border site today.
Chris Chandler said
Wed Apr 20 11:38 AM, 2011
Forgot to put this up the other day-
Playing my usual 5-a-side game on Monday on the pitches at Wilmslow College, I was taking my turn between the sticks, when I heard an unfamiliar call.
2 Whimbrel flew over low, giving great views before disappearing beyong the railway embankment. They were heading NE I'd say.
Saw a large flock of waxwings in the same place a few weeks back.
Never thought two of my favourite pass-times could go hand in hand, but I'll certainly be keeping my eyes peeled in future.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Apr 9 8:59 PM, 2011
Red Kite over Neumann's Flash Northwich at 5pm, seen by reliable observer & photographed, same bird amost ceratinly.
simon ghilks wrote:
9/4/2011 17:30
1 Red Kite seen from car, drifting low over junction of A49 and A556 near fuel station. There is a Falconry center near by but could see no sign of any jesses.
steven burke said
Sat Apr 9 7:00 PM, 2011
simon ghilks wrote:
9/4/2011 17:30
1 Red Kite seen from car, drifting low over junction of A49 and A556 near fuel station. There is a Falconry center near by but could see no sign of any jesses.
i was actually at the falconry centre betwwen 9.30am-2.00pm having my encounter with the birds (amazing by the way) from looking around and meeting the birds there was no red kites in there,so probably not an escaped bird.
simon ghilks said
Sat Apr 9 6:27 PM, 2011
9/4/2011 17:30
1 Red Kite seen from car, drifting low over junction of A49 and A556 near fuel station. There is a Falconry center near by but could see no sign of any jesses.
Dave Thacker said
Sun Jun 20 8:19 PM, 2010
Driving from Swinton this morning down the M62 and M6 To Stapeley Water Gardens near Nantwich I counted a total of17 Buzzards flying close to the motorways.
In the Italian garden at Stapeley a Spotted flycatcher was using one of the non working fountains as its perch while catching insects.
Unfortunately on the way back home I got stuck on the M6 for 4 hours as the motorway was shut down due to an accident so I sat on top of my car in the fast lane with my binos and saw 6 more Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Stock doves, Heron, GS Woodpecker and lots of Swallows and Martins.
John Barber said
Fri Mar 26 7:26 PM, 2010
Anne Wilkinson wrote:
This is interesting because there has been one wandering round the Ribble Valley/Forest of Bowland area recently too.
It's surely only a matter of time Anne before they are as common nationally as buzzads ?
-- Edited by John Barber on Friday 26th of March 2010 07:26:43 PM
John Barber said
Fri Mar 26 7:22 PM, 2010
A quick look this morning with a couple of other birders proved negative as well. Maybe he's fed up with rabbit !!
sid ashton said
Thu Mar 25 6:15 PM, 2010
John Barber wrote:
Red Kite just South of Lymm close to the M56, three days running.
No sign of the bird this afternoon between 15.00 and 17.45
Anne Wilkinson said
Thu Mar 25 5:00 PM, 2010
This is interesting because there has been one wandering round the Ribble Valley/Forest of Bowland area recently too.
John Barber said
Thu Mar 25 4:43 PM, 2010
It's possible it could be the same bird I guess, it's impossible to tell.
We've heard that farmers in this vicinity are putting out dead rabbits on raised trays. The idea is to keep the buzzards well fed in the hope they will leave the pheasants alone. Maybe that's why the Kite is hanging around, especially if it's a bird that's come from a feeding station and is used to having it's meals served up on a plate !
Pete Astles said
Thu Mar 25 9:45 AM, 2010
John Barber wrote:
Red Kite just South of Lymm close to the M56, three days running.
I saw one at Mere corner last year. I wonder if its the same one.
Or even better they are starting to colonise the area.
John Barber said
Wed Mar 24 8:02 PM, 2010
Red Kite just South of Lymm close to the M56, three days running.
Ian Coote said
Sun Mar 21 1:12 PM, 2010
8+ Sand Martins at Appleton Reservior this morning
John Rayner said
Wed Mar 17 3:56 PM, 2010
17 March.
A Chiffchaff at Adlington today, outside GM by a couple of miles.
Info thanks to Richard Gabb.
Geoff Hargreaves said
Wed Jan 20 10:28 PM, 2010
Knutsford buzzard update,I wangled a full dinner break watching them today,6 or 7 moving about giving great views in the trees and hedgerows also
also 2 hares and 1 fox,in the distance the sound of a fox hunt in progress,which might explain why the fox in broad daylight ran across the main road cheating death by an inch under a truck.
cheers geoff
Geoff Hargreaves said
Mon Jan 18 10:38 PM, 2010
A quick update on the Knutsford buzzard gathering,now the snow has cleared the birds are back 12 today
cheers geoff
John Barber said
Mon Jan 4 7:43 PM, 2010
Bittern seen today at the hide end Budworth Mere.
Matt Potter said
Tue Dec 22 9:43 AM, 2009
a huge flock of around 300 Woodpigeon sat in trees to the rear of my office at Daresbury Park this morning with approx another 200 still flying out of the woods at the top of the hill.
I have been seeing large numbers here for sometime now, but this is the first time I have seen this number!
paul brady said
Mon Dec 21 4:21 PM, 2009
Just got in from a cold Denhall Old Quay where we had splendid veiws of the Richard's Pipit feeding around the frozen pools with a lone redshank!
New bird for me
It was there all the time I was from 2.30 till about 3.30
Pete Welch said
Thu Dec 17 7:28 PM, 2009
Three buzzards in field alongside M62 just north of Widnes today - presumably doing the worm thing! Its fantastic how buzzards have recovered in the last twenty years...
Matt Potter said
Thu Dec 17 9:14 AM, 2009
Different county, and indeed different country, but when we were in Aberystwyth, we would often see large numbers of Buzards and Red Kites feeding together in fields, especially after the grass had been cut! Presumably eatng worms and anything else that got chopped up!
Amazing sight!
Geoff Hargreaves said
Wed Dec 16 10:30 PM, 2009
You can,t miss them to be fair,but I,ve only watched from the cab i,m not sure if an on foot approach will spook them,but there were 11 feeding today ,i,ll p m you with the exact location,and I don,t think it,s worms it takes just a second to eat whatever it is.
cheers geoff(quite a few plumage variations for the i.d. buffs)
Phil_Oldham said
Wed Dec 16 2:22 PM, 2009
Are these Buzzards easily spotted? I might have a wander over tomorrow and see what I can snap!
Henry Cook said
Wed Dec 16 12:47 AM, 2009
a thread on the North Wales Birding Forum the other day reported a similarly large gathering Geoff. It was reckoned that they were eating worms in that case. Could it be the same thing going on there?
Geoff Hargreaves said
Tue Dec 15 10:19 PM, 2009
Just south of Knutsford next to the busy A50 toft road there is a gathering of buzzards all feeding in one particular field,the best count was todays (18) it,s quite a sight (and one that I can only enjoy briefly during my daily toil)but they,ve been there most days for the last two weeks.I,m not sure what there catching but it seems to entail a few minutes standing still then running a couple of feet to pick up the insect,quite amusing.
cheers geoff(just a shame their just that bit duller than G M buzzards)
Judith Smith said
Tue Dec 15 9:30 PM, 2009
The overwintering Cetti's at the Wigan Flashes 2007-8 disappeared after a "fun day" held adjacent to its preferred territory. The overwintering Cetti's at the Wigan Flashes 2008-9 was not seen after it was ringed in March, 2009.
Steve Christmas said
Tue Dec 15 2:54 PM, 2009
Apparently Cetti's Warbler was confirmed breeding in Cheshire this year so come on GM, it's our turn next.
sid ashton said
Thu Sep 11 9:12 PM, 2008
What a day - starting at Shotwick 0800 - immediately onto the terns - 2 Black and one White-winged Black followed later by an Arctic and in between Wheatear, Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier. Then on to Flint Castle and Innermarsh farm nothing of major note at either place except the birder on Denhall Lane who reminded us of the Cuckoo at Parkgate which we duly found (North of the Old Baths car park) - flitting on and off the wall tucking into juicy catterpillars from vegetation on the marsh. As we watched the antics of the Cuckoo we also had 2 Short Earred Owls, 2 Ringed Tailled Hen Harriers, a Barn Owl and another Marsh Harrier all in the space of about 15 minutes around 6pm. There were also hundreds of Swallows gathering and stuffing themselves on the insects which were also in plentiful supply.
A good day's birding.
-- Edited by sid ashton at 21:15, 2008-09-11
-- Edited by sid ashton at 08:43, 2008-09-12
Rob Smallwood said
Thu Sep 11 1:52 PM, 2008
Idon't know - but it must be catching - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in N Wales now re-id'd as a.........Ruff.
I always put any wader I can't id down as a Ruff - they seem to account for a huge percentage of "I've got this funny wader" reports!
Ian Woosey said
Wed Sep 10 10:36 PM, 2008
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Moral of the story, don't plump for a rarer species before you've considered the commoner options first
Do you mean like the Brown-headed Cowbird that turned out to be a Blackbird ?????
What do they put in their pies in Cheshire ?
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 10 9:00 PM, 2008
The reported adult Whiskered Tern is indeed an Arctic Tern
Moral of the story, don't plump for a rarer species before you've considered the commoner options first
Henry Cook said
Wed Sep 10 8:01 PM, 2008
Happy to help on this one Sid. I wasn't totally sure before going whether it would be easy or not to differentiate between the two black type tern species. In juvenile plumage both have a lot of white/grey in the feathering on the wings, rump, belly and some on the head. After a while scanning with the large distances involved, colouring in flight was the easiest way to tell. The WWBT had a black saddle (mantle and scapulars) which contrasted strongly with a pure white rump+collar and whitish wings. The Black Tern in comparison had a greyer tone on the saddle and a light grey rump. Perched on the bouys I found them harder to tell apart but the WWBT had slightly longer legs, darker saddle and no black shoulder streak coming down to the breast. Proportionally it was smaller on all counts in flight than the black terns. The Arctic might complicate things a bit Sid but i'm sure it will be fun getting the scope on them and working out which is actually which. Good luck tomozza. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 21:55, 2008-09-10
sid ashton said
Wed Sep 10 5:48 PM, 2008
According to Dee Estuary Birding the reported Whiskered Tern is likely to be an Arctic Tern in winter plummage - but nevertheless still three possible species of Tern together should merit a visit "over the border in Wales" tomorrow.
Given that both the White-winged Black Tern and the Black Tern reported today are both juvs any tips on differentiating the two would be appreciated - probably another daft question but at this point I'm not sure that I would be able to spot the difference.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 10 4:55 PM, 2008
Juv White-winged Black Tern and adult Whiskered Tern still present at Shotwick Boating Lake 4pm atleast.
Info thanks to Birdnet pagers
Rob Smallwood said
Wed Sep 10 3:43 PM, 2008
W-w B still present today, also it looks to have had a brief wander over to IMF (unless there are 2 in the area).
Also reported today were 1 juv Black tern and also an adult Whiskered Tern - although the latter not present later.
If all 3 present at same time that would be quite a "set" to see on one site in UK, and probably highlights the effect of one long staying "rarity" drawing in more observers and thus better coverage of a site leading to other short staying rarities being seen.
Rob Smallwood said
Tue Sep 9 1:06 PM, 2008
I'm reluctant to give up all my secrets - but this one was easy - BG's reported the Black Terns as "gone" (or at least not present) in their report timed 13:38 on their Bird news Exrtra pages.
This requires subscription of £35 per year but then is free to use - so cheaper than a pager - better suited to us desk-bound birders!
Originally posted today by Paul Kinrade:
Walking down Wood lane East, towards the canal bridge near to the Lyme Breeze restaurant, Adlington. A Red Kite flew across the near by fields being dive bombed by a crow. It was an amazing sight, this huge bird being chased off, by a small crow.
Just because of sheer numbers I had to pass this info on from the Rare Bird Alert Pager Service:
150 Waxwings 1ml NNE of Kelsall at Eddisbury Fruit Farm in orchard west of Yeld Lane at 9.45am, view only from road SJ533699.
No topic for this area so posted here
At Park Lane, Little Bollington at the 'Swan with Two Nicks' pub this morning there were 3 Waxwings feeding on berries there (postcode WA14 4TJ) (info per Paul Hill, thanks).
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 17th of December 2016 02:19:23 PM
I took a walk around the fields either side of Adlington Water treatment works last night, not expecting much, but saw quite a lot.
1 Oystercatcher
2 Curlew
2 Lapwing
3 Ravens
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
4 Stock Doves
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
2 Jays
1 Common Buzzard
1 Kestrel
Good numbers of Swifts and a few Swallows
Plus all the usuals
Nearby on Cross Lane I recently had a Tawny Owl fly overhead into the path of my head torch, and also heard one calling by the Deanwater hotel.
A singing Chiffchaff on Pinewood Road, Wilmslow this morning. Couldn't help but thinking it had missed the boat. Still, I'm sure it will get the hint soon enough.
This was where I saw my first Chiffchaff of the year and possibly the last place too.
3 Goldcrest
4 Bullfinch
2 Treecreepers
30 Goosander on Styperson Pool.
We have organised a free guided walk around Rowlands Red Poll Beef Farm at Mickle Trafford.
The farm is in the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme and has taken up several options for that are improving the farm for wildlife. Find out all about these and see some wildlife along the way.
Saturday 28th May, 11am-1pm (Post code CH2 4EB)
Birds we hope to see include yellowhammer, tree sparrow, lapwing, swallow and sedge warbler.
And whilst you are there why not peruse the local produce stalls as a produce fair runs from 10am-2pm
The farm grazes Red Poll cattle along the lush Gowy meadows.
Paul Brady
RSPB Dee Estuary
0151 336 7681
paul.brady@rspb.org.uk
PS for any more details please feel free to contact me on the above number/email
Playing my usual 5-a-side game on Monday on the pitches at Wilmslow College, I was taking my turn between the sticks, when I heard an unfamiliar call.
2 Whimbrel flew over low, giving great views before disappearing beyong the railway embankment.
Saw a large flock of waxwings in the same place a few weeks back.
Never thought two of my favourite pass-times could go hand in hand, but I'll certainly be keeping my eyes peeled in future.
i was actually at the falconry centre betwwen 9.30am-2.00pm having my encounter with the birds (amazing by the way) from looking around and meeting the birds there was no red kites in there,so probably not an escaped bird.
1 Red Kite seen from car, drifting low over junction of A49 and A556 near fuel station. There is a Falconry center near by but could see no sign of any jesses.
In the Italian garden at Stapeley a Spotted flycatcher was using one of the non working fountains as its perch while catching insects.
Unfortunately on the way back home I got stuck on the M6 for 4 hours as the motorway was shut down due to an accident so I sat on top of my car in the fast lane with my binos and saw 6 more Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Stock doves, Heron, GS Woodpecker and lots of Swallows and Martins.
It's surely only a matter of time Anne before they are as common nationally as buzzads ?
-- Edited by John Barber on Friday 26th of March 2010 07:26:43 PM
We've heard that farmers in this vicinity are putting out dead rabbits on raised trays. The idea is to keep the buzzards well fed in the hope they will leave the pheasants alone. Maybe that's why the Kite is hanging around, especially if it's a bird that's come from a feeding station and is used to having it's meals served up on a plate !
I saw one at Mere corner last year. I wonder if its the same one.
Or even better they are starting to colonise the area.
A Chiffchaff at Adlington today, outside GM by a couple of miles.
Info thanks to Richard Gabb.
220 lapwing
6 bh gull
20 starlings
1 pheasant
4 crows
1 blackbird
also 2 hares and 1 fox,in the distance the sound of a fox hunt in progress,which might explain why the fox in broad daylight ran across the main road cheating death by an inch under a truck.
cheers geoff
cheers geoff
I have been seeing large numbers here for sometime now, but this is the first time I have seen this number!
New bird for me
It was there all the time I was from 2.30 till about 3.30
Amazing sight!
cheers geoff(quite a few plumage variations for the i.d. buffs)
cheers geoff
The overwintering Cetti's at the Wigan Flashes 2008-9 was not seen after it was ringed in March, 2009.
A good day's birding.
-- Edited by sid ashton at 21:15, 2008-09-11
-- Edited by sid ashton at 08:43, 2008-09-12
I always put any wader I can't id down as a Ruff
Do you mean like the Brown-headed Cowbird that turned out to be a Blackbird ?????
What do they put in their pies in Cheshire ?
Moral of the story, don't plump for a rarer species before you've considered the commoner options first
After a while scanning with the large distances involved, colouring in flight was the easiest way to tell. The WWBT had a black saddle (mantle and scapulars) which contrasted strongly with a pure white rump+collar and whitish wings. The Black Tern in comparison had a greyer tone on the saddle and a light grey rump.
Perched on the bouys I found them harder to tell apart but the WWBT had slightly longer legs, darker saddle and no black shoulder streak coming down to the breast.
Proportionally it was smaller on all counts in flight than the black terns.
The Arctic might complicate things a bit Sid but i'm sure it will be fun getting the scope on them and working out which is actually which.
Good luck tomozza. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 21:55, 2008-09-10
Given that both the White-winged Black Tern and the Black Tern reported today are both juvs any tips on differentiating the two would be appreciated - probably another daft question but at this point I'm not sure that I would be able to spot the difference.
Info thanks to Birdnet pagers
Also reported today were 1 juv Black tern and also an adult Whiskered Tern - although the latter not present later.
If all 3 present at same time that would be quite a "set" to see on one site in UK, and probably highlights the effect of one long staying "rarity" drawing in more observers and thus better coverage of a site leading to other short staying rarities being seen.
This requires subscription of £35 per year but then is free to use - so cheaper than a pager - better suited to us desk-bound birders!