Working on the Cheshire route today, and I realised last night that this bird is slap bang on one of the roads I use every week and if still there, it could be just a case of pull over and have a look. I saw the rain forecast and thought this will bring insects and grubs to the surface of the field so it might just stay.
Literally minutes from Congleton centre, I pulled up on the bypass in Somerford where the ploughed field was and I could see 4-5 people there already. The Dotterel was showing well but distant in the ploughed soil, moving around picking off titbits then standing still for a few seconds. A real corker of an individual!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 5th of May 2022 12:12:43 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 5th of May 2022 12:14:30 AM
The Dotterel remained overnight and was seen by many in the ploughed field by the side of the new bypass (A536). Record shot attached. But my timing was all wrong and I got soaked by sudden horizontal rain. Difficult to enjoy the bird in those conditions. Also seen in this field were Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail, although the latter eluded me.
- 2 Common Buzzards circling very low over the town centre late morning.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jan 13 3:54 PM, 2021
Mike Crawley wrote:
Great news if you live in Congleton, the Dusky Warbler has been seen again today
As you say Mike, if you live in Congleton, as the rule is not to leave your village/town at present. Hopefully it will linger for us all (I don't live in Congleton either!!).
The original finder, Congleton birder Mark Stubbs, was the one to re-find it, the first report since January 3rd, but the bird is still very elusive indeed and was lost to view and never relocated.
Mike Crawley said
Wed Jan 13 3:11 PM, 2021
Great news if you live in Congleton, the Dusky Warbler has been seen again today
Doc Brewster said
Tue Dec 22 12:15 PM, 2020
NO SIGN of Dusky Warbler up to 11.30am today from onsite info on our grapevine.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Dec 21 10:07 PM, 2020
Good to see lots and lots of familiar Cheshire birders at the Dusky Warbler, a local mega. I too searched the full circuit of the lake before the bird was relocated in the first area I spent a good 25mins looking for it!! The bird eventually showed well down low by the water in the twiggy bankside vegetation to the relief of us all. A big thanks to the original finder, Mark Stubbs, who got the news out on our grapevines yesterday afternoon but his find was a bit late for me, as I was already tied up with other bits. Hopefully the bird will winter and give a chance to those birders in Tier 3 areas, who are not advised to travel out of Tier 3, to see it.
For Cheshire birders the car park is 50p for 4 hours and has lots of space otherwise there is a bit of room on a few of the adjacent local roads. The bird does range widely round the mere but 2 favoured areas are the reeds and bankside bushes at the NE corner and around the Sailing Centre at the south end.
Of interest the finder, Mark, also recently found a Black Redstart locally. Due to a sensitive site and COVID restrictions it was decided to withold the details and the bird has now departed. So he is really on a roll at the mo (record pic attached of Black Redstart).
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 21st of December 2020 10:12:03 PM
Nice to have seen you there Mark and many others. It took two circuits of the mere for me too before the bird was found.
Frustratingly difficult to photograph in the poor light as it rapidly flitted about amid a plethora of branches and twigs but got one or two passable shots in the end.
Especially nice to see this second for Cheshire as I found the first in 1995!
It took some work but yesterday afternoons Astbury Mere Dusky Warbler was relocated this morning. Nice to meet a plethora of Northwich/Cheshire birders plus one or two off here.
As I arrived, the bird had been lost to view to the assembled dozen or so birders. It had also stopped calling and an ensuing full circuit of the mere brought no joy. As we were underway with our second circuit, news came out of the bird in the north east corner. A couple of hundred yards and two or three minutes later we were on it. Very active and calling frequently now, the bird was keeping in the margins, low down and always close to the water.
Very relieved to have finally seen it. Got good views through the bins, noting the id features. Heres hoping it winters at the site to give others the opportunity to see it.
Rob Creek said
Thu May 7 12:02 PM, 2020
Today whilst en-route between Alderley Edge and Congleton deliveries.
- male Honey Buzzard drifted low over the A34 Buglawton just outside Congleton. It was that close you could see its grey head, corker!
Doc Brewster said
Fri Dec 1 9:49 AM, 2017
An amazing find at Astbury Mere in the last few days by one of my birding mates - a SWALLOW!!!
It has been present for a few days late November and now is present on 1st December. The bird is hawking for insects over the surface of the mere in freezing conditions, so how it is finding anything to eat is amazing. Several folk have twitched it and I'm not surprised as it may be the only December Swallow we see in Cheshire in our lifetimes...... although with climate change, who knows?
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Sat Jul 8 9:16 AM, 2017
1 Cuckoo this morning in Swettenham. (On the grounds of Clonter Opera Theatre) So on private land. Not quite Congleton i know... but as near as I could find for this.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jan 18 4:02 PM, 2017
Had a text update today:
Female Common Scoter on Astbury Mere. Also female Long-tailed Duck still. (per John Spottiswood, thanks)
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jan 11 11:45 AM, 2017
Just had texted to me that there is a Long-tailed Duck on Astbury Mere this morning (per John Spottiswood, thanks).
Doc Brewster said
Wed Oct 19 3:55 PM, 2016
Texted to me today:
Astbury Mere - 1st winter Scaup at 3.40pm (per John Spottiswood, thanks)
Graham Smith said
Mon Feb 18 12:39 AM, 2013
1st visit to Astbury Mere no sign of the Slavonian Grebe but that's birding for you
15 Pochard 18 Mute swan 32 Tufted ducks 7 Great crested grebes 2 Buzzard Coots Mallards Cormorants Blue tits Great tits Wrens
Tanmay Dixit said
Sun Feb 17 12:10 AM, 2013
Sorry for late post, slavonian grebe showed really well yesterday, nice trip out with Joe Wynn (hope you enjoyed it too)
also numerous pochard, cormorant etc. and a Great Spotted Woodpecker
sid ashton said
Fri Feb 15 6:07 AM, 2013
A family walk round Astbury Mere this afternoon gave us excellent views of the long staying Slavonian Grebe. Haven't been there for a while and nice to be able to go for a walk in dry sunny conditions
KEV BROWN said
Wed Feb 13 4:26 AM, 2013
Hi Ben, Thanks for the info - much appreciated. Went to Astbury Mere today amid snow flurries and the Slavonian Grebe is still present, stunning bird. Plenty of Black Headed Gulls also but nothing unusual amongst them.
Regards, KevB
Giselle Hayers said
Mon Feb 11 11:17 PM, 2013
Slavonian Grebe still present, fabulous views down to 5 metres but sadly left my camera at home.
Ben Smart said
Mon Feb 11 10:35 PM, 2013
Hi Kev Saturday was my first trip to Astbury Mere. It's very easy to find, and well signposted off the A34 close to Congleton Town Centre. if travelling from the north, its a left turn on to Sandy Lane which takes you to a free car park at the mere (donations requested). You can walk all round the mere, although the actual shoreline on the northen side seems to be owned by Stoke Anglers (or similar). The Grebe seems to be keeping to a patch at the western aspect of the mere, and doesn't seem fazed at all by human attention. There's a link to a map here (although to be honest you're better off with google maps) [here
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 12th of February 2013 08:29:57 PM
KEV BROWN said
Mon Feb 11 4:35 PM, 2013
Hi Everyone, Does anyone have directions and advice please for parking/ access etc for the Congleton 'Patch'? Haven't been before and want to add it to my growing list of spots to go to at the weekends.
Cheers, KevB
Austin Morley said
Sun Feb 10 7:27 PM, 2013
Hi guys I finally have a day off and I have decided to make a trip to Astbury Mere to try my luck for the Slav Grebe, I hear there has been a Scoter and a Scaup there recently too! Can someone tell me how far behind the time I am or are these birds still there?
Ben Smart said
Sat Feb 9 10:43 PM, 2013
Same sightings as Nev. Fantastic views of the Slavonian Grebe close to the shore. The Common Scoter preferred the water in the centre of the Mere, every so often taking off to fly around the Mere before landing in a similar spot. photos
Nev Wright said
Sat Feb 9 9:34 PM, 2013
First visit to Astbury Mere Lovely morning stroll... Slavonian Grebe west side, close in giving very good views again no Scaup, but a flighty Common Scoter present moving about the mere.
Brian Baird said
Thu Feb 7 1:32 AM, 2013
Slavonian Grebe still at Astbury Mere today, viewed from west side of mere, but no sign of the Scaup
Jon Bowen said
Sun Feb 3 11:35 PM, 2013
Both Scaup and Slavonian Grebe giving stunning views first thing this morning. Didn't need the scope and got both in same photo. Even the poor light didn't spoil the views of two such great birds
Phil Hampson said
Sat Feb 2 10:25 PM, 2013
The scaup and slavonian grebe still present at Astbury Mere today, the grebe showing incredibly well.
Phil
John Rayner said
Sat Feb 2 1:42 AM, 2013
The long-staying drake Scaup and Slavonian Grebe were both showing incredibly well this morning.
Cheers, John
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jan 24 1:01 AM, 2013
The first winter drake Scaup was still present on Astbury Mere this afternoon, showing well pretty close in after walking right from the car park on the mereside path. The bird never raised its head whilst I was there but is showing a nice amount of grey vermicualtion on its back, more than when it was first found so I am told by local birders
richard howells 2 said
Sun Aug 14 8:28 PM, 2011
You'd be surprised!
Nick Isherwood said
Sun Aug 14 8:52 AM, 2011
richard howells 2 Had to wade through the coots on the far side, but it stood out when found.
Wading through Coots?? The lengths you'll go to see a bird eh!
richard howells 2 said
Sat Aug 13 10:17 PM, 2011
Drake Common Scoter on Astbury Mere. Reported on BirdNews at 1645, still there when I got there at 1905. Had to wade through the coots on the far side, but it stood out when found.
sid ashton said
Wed Nov 17 6:12 PM, 2010
In between visits to Brereton CP called in at Astbury Mere, Congleton to see the Great Northern Diver. Excellent views of the bird in front of the sailing club but that mere is an exremely cold place to be in mid November with the strong wind
PS - it was doing its submarine impressions again as reported by Nick yesterday. I have seen GNDs previously but never noted this behaviour before.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 17th of November 2010 06:42:31 PM
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Nov 16 5:07 PM, 2010
Managed a couple of hours in between jobs this afternoon so I dropped in on the Woodlark that had been showing near to Brereton Country Park. With the help of the other birders present I soon managed to get my lens on the bird but it was really difficult to focus on as it was 150 yards away in a stubble field and keeping its head down. Anyway, I managed a few ropey looking shots for record purposes of what was a cracking little bird.
After that I popped over to Astbury Mere to see the Great Northern Diver. This bird too was quite camera shy keeping itself right out in the middle of the mere. I was actually amazed by how they dive. I'd expected the usual sort of Cormorant type dive but the GND just sank itself lower and lower in the water and submerged just like a submarine. A brilliant sight to see!!
- Eurasian Dotterel
Working on the Cheshire route today, and I realised last night that this bird is slap bang on one of the roads I use every week and if still there, it could be just a case of pull over and have a look.
I saw the rain forecast and thought this will bring insects and grubs to the surface of the field so it might just stay.
Literally minutes from Congleton centre, I pulled up on the bypass in Somerford where the ploughed field was and I could see 4-5 people there already. The Dotterel was showing well but distant in the ploughed soil, moving around picking off titbits then standing still for a few seconds. A real corker of an individual!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 5th of May 2022 12:12:43 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 5th of May 2022 12:14:30 AM
The Dotterel remained overnight and was seen by many in the ploughed field by the side of the new bypass (A536). Record shot attached. But my timing was all wrong and I got soaked by sudden horizontal rain. Difficult to enjoy the bird in those conditions. Also seen in this field were Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail, although the latter eluded me.
- 2 Common Buzzards circling very low over the town centre late morning.
As you say Mike, if you live in Congleton, as the rule is not to leave your village/town at present. Hopefully it will linger for us all (I don't live in Congleton either!!).
The original finder, Congleton birder Mark Stubbs, was the one to re-find it, the first report since January 3rd, but the bird is still very elusive indeed and was lost to view and never relocated.
NO SIGN of Dusky Warbler up to 11.30am today from onsite info on our grapevine.
Good to see lots and lots of familiar Cheshire birders at the Dusky Warbler, a local mega. I too searched the full circuit of the lake before the bird was relocated in the first area I spent a good 25mins looking for it!! The bird eventually showed well down low by the water in the twiggy bankside vegetation to the relief of us all. A big thanks to the original finder, Mark Stubbs, who got the news out on our grapevines yesterday afternoon but his find was a bit late for me, as I was already tied up with other bits. Hopefully the bird will winter and give a chance to those birders in Tier 3 areas, who are not advised to travel out of Tier 3, to see it.
For Cheshire birders the car park is 50p for 4 hours and has lots of space otherwise there is a bit of room on a few of the adjacent local roads. The bird does range widely round the mere but 2 favoured areas are the reeds and bankside bushes at the NE corner and around the Sailing Centre at the south end.
Of interest the finder, Mark, also recently found a Black Redstart locally. Due to a sensitive site and COVID restrictions it was decided to withold the details and the bird has now departed. So he is really on a roll at the mo (record pic attached of Black Redstart).
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 21st of December 2020 10:12:03 PM
Nice to have seen you there Mark and many others. It took two circuits of the mere for me too before the bird was found.
Frustratingly difficult to photograph in the poor light as it rapidly flitted about amid a plethora of branches and twigs but got one or two passable shots in the end.
Especially nice to see this second for Cheshire as I found the first in 1995!
As I arrived, the bird had been lost to view to the assembled dozen or so birders. It had also stopped calling and an ensuing full circuit of the mere brought no joy. As we were underway with our second circuit, news came out of the bird in the north east corner. A couple of hundred yards and two or three minutes later we were on it. Very active and calling frequently now, the bird was keeping in the margins, low down and always close to the water.
Very relieved to have finally seen it. Got good views through the bins, noting the id features. Heres hoping it winters at the site to give others the opportunity to see it.
- male Honey Buzzard drifted low over the A34 Buglawton just outside Congleton.
It was that close you could see its grey head, corker!
An amazing find at Astbury Mere in the last few days by one of my birding mates - a SWALLOW!!!
It has been present for a few days late November and now is present on 1st December. The bird is hawking for insects over the surface of the mere in freezing conditions, so how it is finding anything to eat is amazing. Several folk have twitched it and I'm not surprised as it may be the only December Swallow we see in Cheshire in our lifetimes...... although with climate change, who knows?
Not quite Congleton i know... but as near as I could find for this.
Had a text update today:
Female Common Scoter on Astbury Mere. Also female Long-tailed Duck still. (per John Spottiswood, thanks)
Just had texted to me that there is a Long-tailed Duck on Astbury Mere this morning (per John Spottiswood, thanks).
Texted to me today:
Astbury Mere - 1st winter Scaup at 3.40pm (per John Spottiswood, thanks)
15 Pochard
18 Mute swan
32 Tufted ducks
7 Great crested grebes
2 Buzzard
Coots
Mallards
Cormorants
Blue tits
Great tits
Wrens
also numerous pochard, cormorant etc. and a Great Spotted Woodpecker
Thanks for the info - much appreciated. Went to Astbury Mere today amid snow flurries and the Slavonian Grebe is still present, stunning bird. Plenty of Black Headed Gulls also but nothing unusual amongst them.
Regards, KevB
Saturday was my first trip to Astbury Mere. It's very easy to find, and well signposted off the A34 close to Congleton Town Centre.
if travelling from the north, its a left turn on to Sandy Lane which takes you to a free car park at the mere (donations requested).
You can walk all round the mere, although the actual shoreline on the northen side seems to be owned by Stoke Anglers (or similar).
The Grebe seems to be keeping to a patch at the western aspect of the mere, and doesn't seem fazed at all by human attention.
There's a link to a map here (although to be honest you're better off with google maps)
[here
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 12th of February 2013 08:29:57 PM
Does anyone have directions and advice please for parking/ access etc for the Congleton 'Patch'? Haven't been before and want to add it to my growing list of spots to go to at the weekends.
Cheers, KevB
Hi guys I finally have a day off and I have decided to make a trip to Astbury Mere to try my luck for the Slav Grebe, I hear there has been a Scoter and a Scaup there recently too! Can someone tell me how far behind the time I am or are these birds still there?
photos
Lovely morning stroll...
Slavonian Grebe west side, close in giving very good views
again no Scaup, but a flighty Common Scoter present moving about the mere.
Phil
Cheers, John
PS - it was doing its submarine impressions again as reported by Nick yesterday. I have seen GNDs previously but never noted this behaviour before.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 17th of November 2010 06:42:31 PM