Just over two hours this morning from 9am in fine and pleasant weather. Of note :-
Egyptian Goose (2) Pochard (1) Tufted Duck (7) Great Crested Grebe (23) Stock Dove (2) Ringed Plover (1) Common Sandpiper (2) Lapwing (c.185) Little Egret (1) Buzzard (1) Kingfisher (2) Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) Swallow (4) Sand Martin (1) Nuthatch (4) Pied Wagtail (min 14)
Still plenty of Alba type wagtails around Kid Brook Fields. As most were juveniles and, as Doc alluded to yesterday, it was difficult to say that any were definitely Whites in view of the distance involved.
Six Egyptian Geese were on the general patch this morning, two of which were mixed in with the goose flock around Kid Brook Spit.
Species seen 41
Doc Brewster said
Wed Aug 28 2:24 PM, 2024
This morning I popped into Marbury CP briefly, en route to other places, to follow up on a message that Greg Baker transmitted, cheers Greg!
Scoping the far side of Budworth Mere from the mereside path we picked out 3(2juv) Yellow Wagtails feeding amongst at least 12 'alba' type wagtails that were probably a mix of Pied ant White and included juveniles too. There was also a Common Sandpiper on the shoreline amongst many Lapwings, Greylag and Canada Geese too.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Aug 12 11:35 AM, 2024
Two and a half hours from 8am in very warm and humid conditions with the odd shower before the skies cleared, 20-25*c. Of note :-
Greylag Goose (126) Canada Goose (c.225) Tufted Duck (7) Great Crested Grebe (14) Stock Dove (6) Little Ringed Plover (1) Lapwing (35) Black Tern (3) Kingfisher (1) Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) Raven (1) Reed Warbler (2) Chiffchaff (2) Long-tailed Tit (4) Goldcrest (3) Nuthatch (3)
After the heavy rain during the night, concentrated on viewing Kid Brook Spit from the slipway, to check on any waders having dropped in. Whilst a Little Ringed Plover did just that ahead of a shower, the bonus was 3 1CY Black Tern flying in from the west. They gave good views in the middle of the mere and were still present late morning. Nice to see as we didnt get any this year on spring passage.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Jul 17 5:23 PM, 2024
Three hours this morning from 7.10 am in sunny and warm weather, light winds, 14-19*c.
Wildfowl on Budworth Mere pretty much as expected at this time of year with sightings today as they have been recently. 2 Redshank were fresh in on Kid Brook Spit. 41 Curlew dropped in and Lapwing numbers have steadily increased to 213. The 2 Common Tern are still around, as are 2 Little Egret, part of the group that recently arrived at the Flashes. Other than half a dozen Swallow, no other hirundines present. Usual species seen in the woodland including 9 Blackcap, still in song.
Highlight of the morning was a juvenile female Peregrine that failed in its attack on one of the Oystercatchers. A Battle of Britain style dogfight ensued over and across the mere before the Peregrine gave up and was bravely escorted off the patch by one of the Common Terns.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jul 11 12:36 PM, 2024
A quick hour this morning to check Kid Brook Spit. Weather dull and overcast after earlier rain.
Yesterdays Great Egret was still about, as was a single Little Egret, two Common Tern and the Common Sandpiper. An Avocet was a nice addition. A Mandarin pair were east of the Spit.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Jul 10 1:15 PM, 2024
Two and three quarter hours this morning from 9.30. Sunny spells, light winds, 19*c. Of note :-
Shelduck (3) Tufted Duck (19) Great Crested Grebe (36) Stock Dove (2) Lapwing (45) Common Sandpiper (1) Greenshank (1) Common Tern (4) Little Egret (4) Great Egret (1) Kingfisher (1) Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) Reed Warbler (2) Sand Martin (25) Swallow (20) House Martin (5) Chiffchaff (5) Blackcap (7) Nuthatch (4) Reed Bunting (1)
Sadly, Greenshank are only recorded once or sometimes twice each year, on passage so it was nice to catch up with one on Kid Brook Spit. Similarly, Great Egret are infrequent visitors and Little Egret not overly common here. Both egret species have been present on the flashes for several days and todays birds will have flown over from there.
Species seen - 44
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jul 4 12:55 PM, 2024
Just under three hours this morning in pleasant weather, sunny spells, breezy, 15*c. Amongst others :-
Shelduck (3) Shoveler (2) Tufted Duck (18) Great Crested Grebe (31) Stock Dove (1) Swift (18) Oystercatcher (4) Little Ringed Plover (4) Lapwing (29) Curlew (14) Common Sandpiper (3) Redshank (1) Common Tern (3) Buzzard (1) Kingfisher (2) Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) Raven (1) Reed Warbler (1) Sand Martin (c.40( House Martin (c.35) Chiffchaff (2) Blackcap (3) Whitethroat (1) Nuthatch (3) Reed Bunting (1)
Nice to see return wader passage getting underway at Kid Brook Spit, currently the best area of mud on the whole patch with the flashes still containing too much water to be of any benefit.
Species seen - 55
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jul 2 11:12 AM, 2024
Just over 2 hours this morning in overcast and cool weather with some rain. Of note :-
Great Crested Grebe (22) Tufted Duck (21) Little Ringed Plover (2) Dunlin (1) Common Tern (4) Kingfisher (1) Reed Warbler (2) Sand Martin (25) Barn Swallow (35) House Martin (45) Chiffchaff (2) Blackcap (1) Nuthatch (2) Reed Bunting (1)
Species seen - 44
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jun 18 2:19 PM, 2024
Cant have Marbury relegated to Page 2, heaven forbid! First time down for a while, one and three quarter hours this morning in pleasant but cloudy weather. Budworth Mere was relatively quiet and didnt do a full walk but 45 species seen. Amongst others :-
Shelduck (4) Mandarin (1f) Great Crested Grebe (25) Stock Dove (4) Oystercatcher (3) Lapwing (5) Curlew (1) Common Sandpiper (1) Common Tern (1) Kingfisher (2) Reed Warbler (3) Sand Martin (25 Barn Swallow (25) House Martin (45) Chiffchaff (11) Blackcap (2) Goldcrest (5) Nuthatch (2) Grey Wagtail (4)
Good to see decent numbers of House Martin over the mere, plenty of these were recently fledged youngsters. Also nice to see our main Grey Wagtail pair have been successful, with a family party of 4 birds on Forge Brook. The female Mandarin was alternating between feeding on Kid Brook Spit and swimming in the margins below the heronry.
John Watson said
Mon Mar 11 9:09 AM, 2024
In addition to what Doc saw, a singing Chiffchaff, and a large (~150) flock of Redwings singing & whistling in Big Wood eventually flew E
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 10 3:23 PM, 2024
Post-patch I bobbed down to Marbury CP where on Budworth Mere were 2 summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebes. A great find by Dave Bedford they showed well but ranged over quite a large area at the Boatclub end of the mere. Also at this end were 3 adult winter Little Gulls and 2 Sand Martins. An excellent haul of species for a flying visit.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Feb 16 2:16 PM, 2024
Male Common Scoter still present on Budworth Mere this morning, its fourth day.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Feb 1 8:16 PM, 2024
Three hours this morning from 9.20, weather fine with sunny spells and light winds, 4-6*c. Usual walk from the Bittern Hide, along the Mereside Path, into Big Wood before returning to the Bittern Hide. Of note :-
Canada Goose (175) Shelduck (7) Teal (2) Tufted Duck (20) Goldeneye (2) Goosander (11) Little Grebe (1) Great Crested Grebe (28) Stock Dove (1) Water Rail (1) Oystercatcher (1) Lapwing (95) Curlew (16) Kingfisher (2) Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) Redwing (50)
Bittern was seen later in the day, usual spot in Coward Reedbed. The 1w male Scaup wasnt seen. Two Waxwing were noted, early afternoon, over on the bund between Neumanns and Ashtons Flashes.
Species seen - 47
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jan 18 2:59 PM, 2024
Three and a half hours this morning in sunny and crisp weather, light winds, -3 to 1*c. Bittern Hide, along the Mereside Path, along Forge Brook and up into Big Wood before working my way back to the Bittern Hide. Of note :-
The Bittern was in view for extended periods, sometimes stretching and wing flapping in the sunshine. The female Scaup was associating with the Tufted Duck and also showed well. Approximately 90% of the mere was frozen over and the increase in some waterfowl numbers would have been due to the nearby flashes also being frozen.
50 species seen.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jan 11 3:21 PM, 2024
Just over three and a half hours this morning from 7.30 in fine but cool weather, light winds, 1-3*c. Of note :-
The Starling left their overnight roost in Coward Reedbed at 8.18 hrs. No sign of the Bittern(s).
Species seen 46
Phil Oddy said
Mon Jan 1 5:55 PM, 2024
big beast of a Bittern roosted in coward reedbed late afternoon
steven burke said
Fri Dec 29 8:18 PM, 2023
Nice pleasant visit to here this afternoon.
Bittern showed well, eventually in the coward Reedbed, also a little flight from it. Just the one seen, two were reported yesterday. 1 great white egret, came to roost further along from the coward Reedbed. 1 little egret 2 kingfishers 5 goosander No sign of the scaup amongst the tufted ducks. 1 little grebe 1 siskin came down to the feeding table 60 + curlews 300+ lapwings 1 great spotted woodpecker 3 nuthatch 1 treecreeper 2 goldcrest Water rail & cettis warbler heard only Plus all usual stuff around Very small murmaration of starlings flew around & landed in the Reedbed, around upto 400, the bittern didn't go near them.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Nov 28 6:48 PM, 2023
Three and a half hours this morning from 8.55 in sunny and clear weather, minimal winds, 0-3*c. Usual walk from the Bittern Hide, along the Mereside Path, in to Big Wood, around the Open Fields and then back by the same route. Of note :-
Greylag Goose (65) Canada Goose (350) Wigeon (1) Tufted Duck (13) Goldeneye (6) Goosander (16) Little Grebe (3) Great Crested Grebe (28) Water Rail (1) Curlew (49) Great Egret (1) Grey Heron (17) Buzzard (1) Kingfisher (2) Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) Raven (1) Cettis Warbler (1) Nuthatch (8) Redwing (6)
Species seen 46
Steve Judge said
Wed Nov 22 10:43 PM, 2023
Wednesday 22nd November 10:20 - 14:20 hrs.
Budworth Mere and Neumann's Flash
Kingfisher, Bullfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Goosander, Tufted Duck, Coal Tit, Cormorant, Gadwall, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redwing, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, Greenfinch, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Wren
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jul 25 10:36 PM, 2023
Sandwich Tern at Budworth Mere this morning found by GB. The bird wasnt present late afternoon when I visited although a single Common Tern was both flying around and resting on the Kid Brook Spit fence line.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jul 6 2:00 PM, 2023
5 Common Tern and an adult Little Ringed Plover at the Mere (Kid Brook Spit) yesterday, early afternoon, amongst the usuals.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Jun 29 11:42 AM, 2023
Just under 3 hours from 7.55am, usual walk, mereside path, Big Wood, open fields and back by same route. Weather sunny, breezy, 15-16*c. Of note :-
Pochard (1) Tufted Duck (23) Little Grebe (2) Great Crested Grebe (22) Stock Dove (2) Oystercatcher (3) Lapwing (91) Green Sandpiper (1) Common Tern (3) Buzzard (1) Hobby (1) Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) Reed Warbler (1) Blackcap (4) Garden Warbler (1) Mistle Thrush (2) Goldcrest (8)
45 Species Seen
John Williams said
Fri May 19 3:56 PM, 2023
Lunchtime visit
5 Kingfishers (Below the Coward hide an adult was seen feeding a newly fledged youngster) and 1 Buzzard.
Kid Brook area :2 Common Terns, 2 Avocets, 2 Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers and 1 Shelduck.
Just a single pair of Grey Herons could been seen in the heronry.
John Williams said
Thu May 4 7:17 PM, 2023
Morning Visit
Kid Brook area : 2 Oystercatchers and 6 Lapwings.
Budworth Mere : 10 Great Crested Grebes, and 6 Gadwall.
Just a single Grey Heron could be seen in the heronry by sailing club.
A single Common Whitethroat posed on brambles near the Marbury Road entrance.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Apr 21 1:57 PM, 2023
We finally have Little Gulls at Budworth Mere with 15 dropping in mid morning and noting comments on our WhatsApp Group, numbers increased later on to 32.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Apr 19 6:00 PM, 2023
Yellow Wagtail in first field, viewed from the Fishermans Path.
No Little Gull for us today, unfortunately.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Apr 18 5:40 PM, 2023
Cattle Egret on the shoreline, east of Kid Brook Spit this morning. Only the second record for the mere and third record for the overall patch.
MC later found two Black-necked Grebe on the mere, also close to Kid Brook Spit.
Mike Mulholland said
Tue Mar 21 7:58 PM, 2023
Good numbers of Chiffchaff around the park and environs, 100 + Sand Martins over the mere and at least 3 Wheatear in Higher Marston farm fields.
John Williams said
Mon Mar 20 4:33 PM, 2023
Midday visit (Highlights)
1 Red Kite flew over Coward Reedbed heading SW.
Also seen were 1f Sparrowhawk, 1 adult Great Black Backed Gull, 1f Goosander and 1 Buzzard.
Singles of Lapwing and Curlew were by Kid Brook scrape.
Noted around the parkland were 1 Goldcrest, 4 Song Thrushes and 2 Mistle Thrushes.
There was a huge gathering of Black Headed Gulls on the mere at the yacht club end, but a good scan through
them produced nothing uncommon.
Oddly no herons at all were to be seen around the trees of the heronry on the opposite side of the mere from the park.
John Williams said
Mon Mar 13 10:31 PM, 2023
Midday visit (Highlights)
Kid Brook area :
42 Curlews, 18 Lapwings, 2 adult Great Black Backed Gulls and 5 Oystercatchers (Including a mating pair).
Elsewhere on Budworth Mere :3 Kingfishers and 2 male Pochards.
Nice to have a brief catch-up chat to Mark before he left.
Just to add to Mark's report:
The pike angler was again wading into the mere by Kid Brook as I arrived but left soon afterwards, thus
birds gradually began to return to the area around the spit. 10 Curlew settled on the adjoining meadow,
but the Lapwings remained very nervous and mostly just circled over the area.
A scan through the mere side heronry found 11 Grey Herons resting amongst the trees there.
A huge raft of gulls was building up on the mere as I was leaving, the vast majority obviously being Black Headed,
but the gathering also contained at least 8 Common Gulls plus a single adult Great Black-Back.
A single Buzzard soared high over the mere, and attracted the unwanted attention of some of the gulls from the huge gathering below.
-- Edited by John Williams on Thursday 23rd of February 2023 09:06:53 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Feb 23 2:18 PM, 2023
Three and a quarter hours from 9am, in sunny and fine weather, light winds, 7*c but feeling colder. Usual walk up into Big Wood and around the open fields, before returning to the Bittern Hide. Fifty species seen, of note :-
Thanks John. 10 have been present recently and 15 would be exceptional but as you say no way of telling definitively whether they were same flocks. Cheers
John Williams said
Fri Feb 17 5:40 PM, 2023
Hi Greg,
Regarding the 15 Oystercatchers seen around Kid Brook last Wednesday.
A group of 5 Oystercatchers were settled on the mud by Kid Brook, whilst an angler waded in the
mere quite nearby. At the time all the other birds that were around Kid Brook flushed, except for the
Oystercatchers, although they did eventually move on. The angler was approached by a couple of guys in an
inflatable dinghy, and he then appeared to move off. Soon afterwards numerous birds started to settle around
Kid Brook again, although the 5 Oystercatchers did not. After around 30 minutes or so a flock of 10 Oystercatchers
flew in from the Budworth direction, and they settled on the spit. I cannot be sure that the original 5 were not mixed
in with the flock of 10, although it certainly appeared that they were both separate flocks.
Greg Baker said
Fri Feb 17 10:30 AM, 2023
Hi John, can i just check you saw 15 Oystercatchers at the mere on 15th? Thanks
John Williams said
Wed Feb 15 7:40 PM, 2023
12.30-15.30
On the mere were 2m Goldeneyes, 10 Cormorants, 19 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Kingfishers (Seen simultaneously),
14 Tufted Ducks and 2 Shelducks. All the Goosanders now appear to have moved on.
An angler in waders was fishing just offshore from Kid Brook, but after he left 2 groups of Oystercatchers (5+10)
arrived plus 16 Lapwings. 29 Curlews were on the adjoining meadow. A solitary Grey Heron perched in the heronry.
At least 16 Siskins plus a single Goldfinch were on mere side alders, no sign of any Redpolls though.
2 Song Thrushes were in song in the park.
A pair of Nuthatches were in Big Wood, and 2 Treecreepers were amongst a flock of mixed Long-Tailed, Blue and Great Tits.
4f Bullfinches were seen near the car park. No raptors were seen throughout.
22 Tufted Ducks, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Buzzards, 1 adult Great Black Backed Gull and 2 Shelducks.
Kingfisher showing well below the Coward hide.
Just after 16.00 an impressive Starling murmuration developed with all the birds eventually settling
in the Coward reedbed, no sign of Bittern though. Neither did the swirling mass of Starlings attract
any raptors.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Jan 2 3:49 PM, 2023
An initial three and a half hours from 8.05 in sunny and clear weather, 3-6*c before returning later after a walk to the Flashes. Species seen 48, highlights :-
Pink-footed Gose (35 over heading north west) Mute Swan (14 Teal (1) Tufted Duck (23) Goldeneye (1) Goosander (13) Great Crested Grebe (26) Stock Dove (8) Water Rail (2) Lapwing (59) Curlew (4) Woodcock (1) Sparrowhawk (1) Kingfisher (2) Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) Long-tailed Tit (8) Nuthatch (6) Redwing (46) Bullfinch (2)
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Dec 29 6:45 PM, 2022
Three and a half hours from 1pm today in cool weather, although fine and sunny. Bittern Hide - Mereside Path - Woodland Hide - Return to Bittern Hide, where the bulk of my time was spent. The Bittern, seen yesterday, didnt show, although around 5k Starling dropped into Coward Reedbed to roost. Species seen 39, highlights being :-
Three and a half hours from 8.45am in milder weather, light winds, sunny spells and 5-7*c. Mereside Path - Slipway - Big Wood - Open Fields - Mereside Path - Bittern Hide. Species seen 46, of note :-
The Bittern, back for a couple of weeks now, put in a couple of flight views within Coward Reedbed, around midday. I note from BirdGuides that a further sighting was reported early afternoon.
John Williams said
Mon Dec 19 6:57 PM, 2022
12.30-15.00
The mere was still largely frozen over, only an area around Kid Brook remained ice free.
The Bittern stayed hidden, and no Curlews were seen on the meadow by Kid Brook either.
John Williams said
Thu Dec 15 5:52 PM, 2022
Midday visit
No sign of the Bittern today, although it had showed really well yesterday apparently.
Only a tennis court sized area around Kid Brook remained unfrozen, and the waterfowl were concentrated there,
including 2m+2f Goosanders, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe plus 1m Goldeneye.
21 Curlews, 10 Lapwings and 1 Little Egret were on the meadow alongside Kid Brook, where 4 Egyptian Geese
grazed amongst a huge flock of feral Canadas and Greylags.
2 Buzzards were seen in parkland near the new hide, as was a single Grey Wagtail.
Beechmast below a large beech tree near the new hide attracted a flock least 10 Great Tits.
John Williams said
Sat Dec 3 6:41 PM, 2022
Afternoon visit
No sign of any Hawfinches in the trees around the open area where they had been reported, also checked the
nearby Yew trees which attracted these birds a few winters ago, no luck there either. A single Sparrowhawk
carried out an aerial patrol across the area while I was there though.
Also no sign of a Bittern in the nearby reedbed. A nice selection of birds on the mere though, plus 45 Curlews
and 10 Lapwings on the meadow by Kid Brook.
A single female Goosander was on the mere, plus 37 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kingfisher and 6 Wigeon,
whilst 8 Grey Herons rested near the sailing club. A single adult winter Mediterranean Gull rested amongst a huge gathering
of Black-headed, together with 10 Common Gulls and a solitary adult Great-black Back.
Lez Fairclough said
Sat Dec 3 1:18 AM, 2022
Mark Jarrett wrote:
Reported on Twitter, that a birder had 2 Hawfinch yesterday, in the trees surrounding the open area.
Well keep an eye open for the Bittern, Lez, as your possible sighting will be the first of the autumn/winter period.
Hi Mark, it was a very nice local lady from the 'Friends of Marbury Park Group' that pointed out the possible Bittern sighting & myself plus the other Cheshire birder spent a good half hour scanning from different angles the area in question without being totally convinced. A lot of reed movements were observed but could have been from the many roosting starlings.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Saturday 3rd of December 2022 01:19:10 AM
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Dec 2 9:10 AM, 2022
Reported on Twitter, that a birder had 2 Hawfinch yesterday, in the trees surrounding the open area.
Well keep an eye open for the Bittern, Lez, as your possible sighting will be the first of the autumn/winter period.
Lez Fairclough said
Wed Nov 30 9:28 PM, 2022
13:30 to 16:30
Dipped on the Hawfinch which was briefly seen around 3pm by a Cheshire birder after we decided to go different directions to broaden the search & was unable to re-locate together later.
We did however experience an amazing sight of over 2,000 Starling coming in to roost in Coward Reed bed, where we thought we caught a brief glimpse of a Bittern moving its neck slowly in the reeds but the failing light, distance & camouflage meant we couldn't be certain.
Also seen :- Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Siskin; Coal Tit; Nuthatch; Treecreeper; Mistle Thrush and plenty Redwing in the treetops.
On Budworth Mere :- Little Egret; Grey Heron skulking around Coward Reed bed; Kingfisher; Buzzard (heard only); & around 100 Greylag Geese with at least 1 Egyptian Goose in tow coming in to roost.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Wednesday 30th of November 2022 09:30:02 PM
Egyptian Goose (2)
Pochard (1)
Tufted Duck (7)
Great Crested Grebe (23)
Stock Dove (2)
Ringed Plover (1)
Common Sandpiper (2)
Lapwing (c.185)
Little Egret (1)
Buzzard (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Swallow (4)
Sand Martin (1)
Nuthatch (4)
Pied Wagtail (min 14)
Still plenty of Alba type wagtails around Kid Brook Fields. As most were juveniles and, as Doc alluded to yesterday, it was difficult to say that any were definitely Whites in view of the distance involved.
Six Egyptian Geese were on the general patch this morning, two of which were mixed in with the goose flock around Kid Brook Spit.
Species seen 41
This morning I popped into Marbury CP briefly, en route to other places, to follow up on a message that Greg Baker transmitted, cheers Greg!
Scoping the far side of Budworth Mere from the mereside path we picked out 3(2juv) Yellow Wagtails feeding amongst at least 12 'alba' type wagtails that were probably a mix of Pied ant White and included juveniles too. There was also a Common Sandpiper on the shoreline amongst many Lapwings, Greylag and Canada Geese too.
Greylag Goose (126)
Canada Goose (c.225)
Tufted Duck (7)
Great Crested Grebe (14)
Stock Dove (6)
Little Ringed Plover (1)
Lapwing (35)
Black Tern (3)
Kingfisher (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Raven (1)
Reed Warbler (2)
Chiffchaff (2)
Long-tailed Tit (4)
Goldcrest (3)
Nuthatch (3)
After the heavy rain during the night, concentrated on viewing Kid Brook Spit from the slipway, to check on any waders having dropped in. Whilst a Little Ringed Plover did just that ahead of a shower, the bonus was 3 1CY Black Tern flying in from the west. They gave good views in the middle of the mere and were still present late morning. Nice to see as we didnt get any this year on spring passage.
Wildfowl on Budworth Mere pretty much as expected at this time of year with sightings today as they have been recently. 2 Redshank were fresh in on Kid Brook Spit. 41 Curlew dropped in and Lapwing numbers have steadily increased to 213. The 2 Common Tern are still around, as are 2 Little Egret, part of the group that recently arrived at the Flashes. Other than half a dozen Swallow, no other hirundines present. Usual species seen in the woodland including 9 Blackcap, still in song.
Highlight of the morning was a juvenile female Peregrine that failed in its attack on one of the Oystercatchers. A Battle of Britain style dogfight ensued over and across the mere before the Peregrine gave up and was bravely escorted off the patch by one of the Common Terns.
Yesterdays Great Egret was still about, as was a single Little Egret, two Common Tern and the Common Sandpiper. An Avocet was a nice addition. A Mandarin pair were east of the Spit.
Shelduck (3)
Tufted Duck (19)
Great Crested Grebe (36)
Stock Dove (2)
Lapwing (45)
Common Sandpiper (1)
Greenshank (1)
Common Tern (4)
Little Egret (4)
Great Egret (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Reed Warbler (2)
Sand Martin (25)
Swallow (20)
House Martin (5)
Chiffchaff (5)
Blackcap (7)
Nuthatch (4)
Reed Bunting (1)
Sadly, Greenshank are only recorded once or sometimes twice each year, on passage so it was nice to catch up with one on Kid Brook Spit. Similarly, Great Egret are infrequent visitors and Little Egret not overly common here. Both egret species have been present on the flashes for several days and todays birds will have flown over from there.
Species seen - 44
Shelduck (3)
Shoveler (2)
Tufted Duck (18)
Great Crested Grebe (31)
Stock Dove (1)
Swift (18)
Oystercatcher (4)
Little Ringed Plover (4)
Lapwing (29)
Curlew (14)
Common Sandpiper (3)
Redshank (1)
Common Tern (3)
Buzzard (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Raven (1)
Reed Warbler (1)
Sand Martin (c.40(
House Martin (c.35)
Chiffchaff (2)
Blackcap (3)
Whitethroat (1)
Nuthatch (3)
Reed Bunting (1)
Nice to see return wader passage getting underway at Kid Brook Spit, currently the best area of mud on the whole patch with the flashes still containing too much water to be of any benefit.
Species seen - 55
Great Crested Grebe (22)
Tufted Duck (21)
Little Ringed Plover (2)
Dunlin (1)
Common Tern (4)
Kingfisher (1)
Reed Warbler (2)
Sand Martin (25)
Barn Swallow (35)
House Martin (45)
Chiffchaff (2)
Blackcap (1)
Nuthatch (2)
Reed Bunting (1)
Species seen - 44
Shelduck (4)
Mandarin (1f)
Great Crested Grebe (25)
Stock Dove (4)
Oystercatcher (3)
Lapwing (5)
Curlew (1)
Common Sandpiper (1)
Common Tern (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Reed Warbler (3)
Sand Martin (25
Barn Swallow (25)
House Martin (45)
Chiffchaff (11)
Blackcap (2)
Goldcrest (5)
Nuthatch (2)
Grey Wagtail (4)
Good to see decent numbers of House Martin over the mere, plenty of these were recently fledged youngsters. Also nice to see our main Grey Wagtail pair have been successful, with a family party of 4 birds on Forge Brook. The female Mandarin was alternating between feeding on Kid Brook Spit and swimming in the margins below the heronry.
In addition to what Doc saw, a singing Chiffchaff, and a large (~150) flock of Redwings singing & whistling in Big Wood eventually flew E
Post-patch I bobbed down to Marbury CP where on Budworth Mere were 2 summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebes. A great find by Dave Bedford they showed well but ranged over quite a large area at the Boatclub end of the mere. Also at this end were 3 adult winter Little Gulls and 2 Sand Martins. An excellent haul of species for a flying visit.
Canada Goose (175)
Shelduck (7)
Teal (2)
Tufted Duck (20)
Goldeneye (2)
Goosander (11)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (28)
Stock Dove (1)
Water Rail (1)
Oystercatcher (1)
Lapwing (95)
Curlew (16)
Kingfisher (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Redwing (50)
Bittern was seen later in the day, usual spot in Coward Reedbed. The 1w male Scaup wasnt seen. Two Waxwing were noted, early afternoon, over on the bund between Neumanns and Ashtons Flashes.
Species seen - 47
Greylag Goose (172)
Canada Goose (620)
Pink-footed Goose (1)
Shelduck (11)
Teal (28)
Tufted Duck (56)
Greater Scaup (1)
Goldeneye (6)
Goosander (20)
Little Grebe (3)
Great Crested Grebe (40)
Stock Dove (1)
Water Rail (1)
Lapwing (34)
Curlew (13)
Snipe (6)
Bittern (1)
Buzzard (1)
Kingfisher (3)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Raven (1)
Nuthatch (7)
Redwing (11)
The Bittern was in view for extended periods, sometimes stretching and wing flapping in the sunshine. The female Scaup was associating with the Tufted Duck and also showed well. Approximately 90% of the mere was frozen over and the increase in some waterfowl numbers would have been due to the nearby flashes also being frozen.
50 species seen.
Greylag Goose (107)
Canada Goose (c.350)
Mute Swan (5)
Wigeon (5)
Tufted Duck (31)
Goldeneye (3)
Goosander (3)
Great Crested Grebe (23)
Stock Dove (2)
Water Rail (2)
Lapwing (225)
Curlew (25)
Kingfisher (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Raven (2)
Nuthatch (9)
Treecreeper (2)
Starling (2,500)
Redwing (12)
Bullfinch (3)
The Starling left their overnight roost in Coward Reedbed at 8.18 hrs. No sign of the Bittern(s).
Species seen 46
big beast of a Bittern roosted in coward reedbed late afternoon
Bittern showed well, eventually in the coward Reedbed, also a little flight from it. Just the one seen, two were reported yesterday.
1 great white egret, came to roost further along from the coward Reedbed.
1 little egret
2 kingfishers
5 goosander
No sign of the scaup amongst the tufted ducks.
1 little grebe
1 siskin came down to the feeding table
60 + curlews
300+ lapwings
1 great spotted woodpecker
3 nuthatch
1 treecreeper
2 goldcrest
Water rail & cettis warbler heard only
Plus all usual stuff around
Very small murmaration of starlings flew around & landed in the Reedbed, around upto 400, the bittern didn't go near them.
Greylag Goose (65)
Canada Goose (350)
Wigeon (1)
Tufted Duck (13)
Goldeneye (6)
Goosander (16)
Little Grebe (3)
Great Crested Grebe (28)
Water Rail (1)
Curlew (49)
Great Egret (1)
Grey Heron (17)
Buzzard (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Raven (1)
Cettis Warbler (1)
Nuthatch (8)
Redwing (6)
Species seen 46
Budworth Mere and Neumann's Flash
Kingfisher, Bullfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Goosander, Tufted Duck, Coal Tit, Cormorant, Gadwall, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redwing, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, Greenfinch, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Wren
Pochard (1)
Tufted Duck (23)
Little Grebe (2)
Great Crested Grebe (22)
Stock Dove (2)
Oystercatcher (3)
Lapwing (91)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Common Tern (3)
Buzzard (1)
Hobby (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Reed Warbler (1)
Blackcap (4)
Garden Warbler (1)
Mistle Thrush (2)
Goldcrest (8)
45 Species Seen
5 Kingfishers (Below the Coward hide an adult was seen feeding a newly fledged youngster) and 1 Buzzard.
Kid Brook area :2 Common Terns, 2 Avocets, 2 Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers and 1 Shelduck.
Just a single pair of Grey Herons could been seen in the heronry.
Kid Brook area : 2 Oystercatchers and 6 Lapwings.
Budworth Mere : 10 Great Crested Grebes, and 6 Gadwall.
Just a single Grey Heron could be seen in the heronry by sailing club.
A single Common Whitethroat posed on brambles near the Marbury Road entrance.
No Little Gull for us today, unfortunately.
MC later found two Black-necked Grebe on the mere, also close to Kid Brook Spit.
Good numbers of Chiffchaff around the park and environs, 100 + Sand Martins over the mere and at least 3 Wheatear in Higher Marston farm fields.
1 Red Kite flew over Coward Reedbed heading SW.
Also seen were 1f Sparrowhawk, 1 adult Great Black Backed Gull, 1f Goosander and 1 Buzzard.
Singles of Lapwing and Curlew were by Kid Brook scrape.
Noted around the parkland were 1 Goldcrest, 4 Song Thrushes and 2 Mistle Thrushes.
There was a huge gathering of Black Headed Gulls on the mere at the yacht club end, but a good scan through
them produced nothing uncommon.
Oddly no herons at all were to be seen around the trees of the heronry on the opposite side of the mere from the park.
Kid Brook area :
42 Curlews, 18 Lapwings, 2 adult Great Black Backed Gulls and 5 Oystercatchers (Including a mating pair).
Elsewhere on Budworth Mere :3 Kingfishers and 2 male Pochards.
18 Great Crested Grebes (2prs displaying), 2m Pochards, 46 Lapwings, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Buzzards,
28 Tufted Ducks, 14 Common Gulls, 1 adult Great Black Backed Gull, 1m+1f Bullfinches, 1m Goosander,
41 Curlews, 2 Kingfishers, 8 Redwings (Single group),3 Song Thrushes and 27 Wigeon.
-- Edited by John Williams on Monday 6th of March 2023 03:42:21 PM
Greylag Goose (15)
Canada Goose (50)
Shelduck (2)
Teal (2)
Tufted Duck (17)
Goosander (2)
Great Crested Grebe (15)
Stock Dove (1)
Water Rail (2)
Oystercatcher (8)
Lapwing (31)
Curlew (43)
Mediterranean Gull (2)
Common Gull (23)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Raven (2)
Goldcrest (6)
Nuthatch (3)
Treecreeper (2)
Redwing (24)
Fieldfare (4)
Nice to have a brief catch-up chat to Mark before he left.
Just to add to Mark's report:
The pike angler was again wading into the mere by Kid Brook as I arrived but left soon afterwards, thus
birds gradually began to return to the area around the spit. 10 Curlew settled on the adjoining meadow,
but the Lapwings remained very nervous and mostly just circled over the area.
A scan through the mere side heronry found 11 Grey Herons resting amongst the trees there.
A huge raft of gulls was building up on the mere as I was leaving, the vast majority obviously being Black Headed,
but the gathering also contained at least 8 Common Gulls plus a single adult Great Black-Back.
A single Buzzard soared high over the mere, and attracted the unwanted attention of some of the gulls from the huge gathering below.
-- Edited by John Williams on Thursday 23rd of February 2023 09:06:53 PM
Pink-footed Goose (1)
Canada Goose (67)
Greylag Goose (31)
Grey Heron (5)
Pochard (1m)
Tufted Duck (26)
Goldeneye (2)
Goosander (2)
Shelduck (2)
Curlew (2)
Lapwing (c.150)
Oystercatcher (7)
Water Rail (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Redwing (8)
Mistle Thrush (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (3)
Nuthatch (5)
Goldcrest (4)
Cheers
Regarding the 15 Oystercatchers seen around Kid Brook last Wednesday.
A group of 5 Oystercatchers were settled on the mud by Kid Brook, whilst an angler waded in the
mere quite nearby. At the time all the other birds that were around Kid Brook flushed, except for the
Oystercatchers, although they did eventually move on. The angler was approached by a couple of guys in an
inflatable dinghy, and he then appeared to move off. Soon afterwards numerous birds started to settle around
Kid Brook again, although the 5 Oystercatchers did not. After around 30 minutes or so a flock of 10 Oystercatchers
flew in from the Budworth direction, and they settled on the spit. I cannot be sure that the original 5 were not mixed
in with the flock of 10, although it certainly appeared that they were both separate flocks.
Thanks
On the mere were 2m Goldeneyes, 10 Cormorants, 19 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Kingfishers (Seen simultaneously),
14 Tufted Ducks and 2 Shelducks. All the Goosanders now appear to have moved on.
An angler in waders was fishing just offshore from Kid Brook, but after he left 2 groups of Oystercatchers (5+10)
arrived plus 16 Lapwings. 29 Curlews were on the adjoining meadow. A solitary Grey Heron perched in the heronry.
At least 16 Siskins plus a single Goldfinch were on mere side alders, no sign of any Redpolls though.
2 Song Thrushes were in song in the park.
A pair of Nuthatches were in Big Wood, and 2 Treecreepers were amongst a flock of mixed Long-Tailed, Blue and Great Tits.
4f Bullfinches were seen near the car park. No raptors were seen throughout.
Budworth Mere
15 Great Crested Grebes, 18 Tufted Ducks, 1m+1f Pochards, 13 Cormorants, 1m+1f Goldeneyes,
5m+7f Goosanders, 1Kingfisher and a pair of overflying Ravens.
Kid Brook area
16 Curlews and 130 Lapwings.
In addition, 1 Buzzard was seen near the car park, with another recorded on Dairy House Meadow.
A pair of Stock Doves were seen resting on an owl box, and a single Treecreeper was amongst a flock of Long Tailed Tits.
Budworth Mere: 1m+1f Wigeon, 18 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 19 Tufted Ducks, 2m Goldeneyes,
5f+3m Goosanders, 8 Cormorants and 5 Grey Herons.
81 Curlews and 5 Lapwings were on the meadow around Kid Brook.
A single Treecreeper and a couple of Song Thrushes were noted on Dairyhouse Meadow.
2 owl boxes, 1 on Dairyhouse Meadow the other on the overgrown Haydn Pool appear to have been claimed by Stock Doves.
29 Great Crested Grebes, 21 Goosanders, 52 Curlew, 44 Lapwings, 1m+1f Goldeneyes,
22 Tufted Ducks, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Buzzards, 1 adult Great Black Backed Gull and 2 Shelducks.
Kingfisher showing well below the Coward hide.
Just after 16.00 an impressive Starling murmuration developed with all the birds eventually settling
in the Coward reedbed, no sign of Bittern though. Neither did the swirling mass of Starlings attract
any raptors.
Pink-footed Gose (35 over heading north west)
Mute Swan (14
Teal (1)
Tufted Duck (23)
Goldeneye (1)
Goosander (13)
Great Crested Grebe (26)
Stock Dove (8)
Water Rail (2)
Lapwing (59)
Curlew (4)
Woodcock (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Long-tailed Tit (8)
Nuthatch (6)
Redwing (46)
Bullfinch (2)
Shoveler (2)
Pintail (1m)
Teal (6)
Tufted Duck (27)
Goldeneye (2)
Goosander (10)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (13)
Stock Dove (1)
Lapwing (11)
Curlew (60)
Tawny Owl (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Raven (2)
Nuthatch (1)
Starling (5k)
Eurasian Teal (2)
Tufted Duck (30)
Goosander (11)
Great Crested Grebe (8)
Stock Dove (2)
Water Rail (2)
Lapwing (46)
Curlew (4)
Snipe (1)
Bittern (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Long-tailed Tit (15)
Nuthatch (7)
Redwing (31)
Grey Wagtail (2)
Meadow Pipit (18)
Bullfinch (2)
Siskin (4)
The Bittern, back for a couple of weeks now, put in a couple of flight views within Coward Reedbed, around midday. I note from BirdGuides that a further sighting was reported early afternoon.
The mere was still largely frozen over, only an area around Kid Brook remained ice free.
3m+2f Goosanders, 1m Wigeon, 26 Lapwings, 2 Buzzards and 1 Cormorant.
The Bittern stayed hidden, and no Curlews were seen on the meadow by Kid Brook either.
No sign of the Bittern today, although it had showed really well yesterday apparently.
Only a tennis court sized area around Kid Brook remained unfrozen, and the waterfowl were concentrated there,
including 2m+2f Goosanders, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe plus 1m Goldeneye.
21 Curlews, 10 Lapwings and 1 Little Egret were on the meadow alongside Kid Brook, where 4 Egyptian Geese
grazed amongst a huge flock of feral Canadas and Greylags.
2 Buzzards were seen in parkland near the new hide, as was a single Grey Wagtail.
Beechmast below a large beech tree near the new hide attracted a flock least 10 Great Tits.
No sign of any Hawfinches in the trees around the open area where they had been reported, also checked the
nearby Yew trees which attracted these birds a few winters ago, no luck there either. A single Sparrowhawk
carried out an aerial patrol across the area while I was there though.
Also no sign of a Bittern in the nearby reedbed. A nice selection of birds on the mere though, plus 45 Curlews
and 10 Lapwings on the meadow by Kid Brook.
A single female Goosander was on the mere, plus 37 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kingfisher and 6 Wigeon,
whilst 8 Grey Herons rested near the sailing club. A single adult winter Mediterranean Gull rested amongst a huge gathering
of Black-headed, together with 10 Common Gulls and a solitary adult Great-black Back.
Hi Mark, it was a very nice local lady from the 'Friends of Marbury Park Group' that pointed out the possible Bittern sighting & myself plus the other Cheshire birder spent a good half hour scanning from different angles the area in question without being totally convinced. A lot of reed movements were observed but could have been from the many roosting starlings.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Saturday 3rd of December 2022 01:19:10 AM
Well keep an eye open for the Bittern, Lez, as your possible sighting will be the first of the autumn/winter period.
13:30 to 16:30
Dipped on the Hawfinch which was briefly seen around 3pm by a Cheshire birder after we decided to go different directions to broaden the search & was unable to re-locate together later.
We did however experience an amazing sight of over 2,000 Starling coming in to roost in Coward Reed bed, where we thought we caught a brief glimpse of a Bittern moving its neck slowly in the reeds but the failing light, distance & camouflage meant we couldn't be certain.
Also seen :- Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Siskin; Coal Tit; Nuthatch; Treecreeper; Mistle Thrush and plenty Redwing in the treetops.
On Budworth Mere :- Little Egret; Grey Heron skulking around Coward Reed bed; Kingfisher; Buzzard (heard only); & around 100 Greylag Geese with at least 1 Egyptian Goose in tow coming in to roost.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Wednesday 30th of November 2022 09:30:02 PM