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Post Info TOPIC: Rostherne Mere


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RE: Rostherne Mere


Female Hawfinch in tree to the rear of the Cricket Pavilion, observed from the Natural England Car Park



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Female Hawfinch in trees by cricket pitch this afternoon. Also 3 Yellow legged Gulls in the roost (2nd winter, 3rd winter and adult ). Also a Leucistic Black headed Gull.

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Monday, 8th January 2018 10:30 - 15:00 hrs.

Hawfinch x 1 (at 14:30 hrs) in tree on other side of wall to left of footpath from Natural England car park going towards Observatory/Mere.

Other birds seen included:
Redwing x 20
Fieldfare x 7
Mistle Thrush x 2
Coal Tit x 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 3
Nuthatch x 1
Treecreeper x 1
Goldeneye x 5
Wigeon x 10
Tufted Duck x 20
Buzzard x 3
Kestrel x 1
Pied Wagtail x 1
Blackbird x 7
Chaffinch x 5
Blue Tit x 7
Great Tit x 5
Robin x 3
Goldfinch x 10
Bullfinch x 2
Coot x 10
Jackdaw x 20
Carrion Crow x 4
Mute Swan x 2

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Tuesday, 19th December 2017 09:30 - 13:30 hrs.

Hawfinch x 4 (at least) in trees on other side of wall to left of footpath (at side of field) from Natural England car park going towards Observatory/Mere. Showed well as soon as I arrived on site. See long distance photos attached.

Other birds seen included:
Redwing x 8
Mistle Thrush x 2
Coal Tit x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 3
Nuthatch x 2
Treecreeper x 1
Pied Wagtail x 2
Buzzard x 1
Chaffinch x 4
Blue Tit x 7
Great Tit x 5
Robin x 3
Blackbird x 4
Dunnock x 1
Goldcrest x 1
Goldfinch x 4
Bullfinch x 1
Coot x 10
Jackdaw x 20
Carrion Crow x 4
Mute Swan cygnets x 2


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Monday, 11th December 2017

At 15:00 hrs 2 x Hawfinch at top of tree above public path near 'Viewpoint' across Mere.

Then flew off in direction of church and towards Tatton Park...






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Thursday, 7th December 2017

In same area as two days ago - in woodland off Rostherne Lane behind public footpath near 'Viewpoint' across Mere:

At 09:45 hrs - 1 x Hawfinch
At 12:45 hrs. 2 x Hawfinch
All were at the top of a tree next to Yew Trees.

Other birds seen: Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard x 2, Kestrel, Goldeneye, Teal x 15, Tufted Duck x 3, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker x 2, Long-Tailed Tits, Pied Wagtail, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Mallard, Pheasant, Mute Swan x 2, Black-Headed Gulls, Jay, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw.


-- Edited by Steve Judge on Thursday 7th of December 2017 03:46:36 PM

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At least one hawfinch in the same area at 11.30 this morning. Thanks to the birding couple who told me where to look. Nothing much else of note other than goldeneye on the mere and a few redwings flying about.

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Tuesday, 5th December 2017

With current 'Hawfinch fest' taking place locally (and across whole country) - I thought I would try my luck at Rostherne again. I was not disappointed.

In woodland off Rostherne Lane (between Hill Farm and Manor Lodge) behind public footpath near 'Viewpoint' across Mere:

At 10:55 hrs - 2 x Hawfinch
At 11:15 hrs. 1 x Hawfinch
All were at top of trees near Yew Trees.

Other birds seen included: Buzzard x 2, Goldcrest, Redwing x 6, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-Tailed Tits x 7, Pied Wagtail x 2, Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Cormorant, Mallard.




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1 Hawfinch in trees by the Hall near the Carpark early afternoon. Also 2 ad Yellow legged Gulls in the roost.

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The adult Yellow Legged Gull was again present in the roost, with an argentatus, and the palest adult LBBGull i've ever seen - it was midway in mantle colour between LBBGull & YLGull, but was otherwise spot on for a LBBGull, identical in size, shape, structure to the graellsii it was next to.
4 Goosander also.

Yesterday, the ad YLGull was again present, i arrived a bit late so only checked a small % of the roost, a flock of c. 3000 starlings was flying over the church on my approach. A pair of Tawny Owls roused and started calling in the trees to the left of the churchyard.



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 25th of November 2017 09:56:26 PM

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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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Friday 24th November 2017.

At 11:00 hrs - 2 Hawfinch seen in beech tree behind the brick wall as you walk along the field edge from the Natural England car park. Only there for a few seconds - not quick enough to take photo!

Nice to meet and chat with Brian and Margaret Hilton.

Other sightings in past two days included:
Peregrine (well spotted Brian), Buzzard, Kestrel, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Siskin, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Long-Tailed Tit, Goldfinch, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Robin, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Mallard, Grey Heron, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and Cormorant.

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Thursday, 23rd November 2017.

Two Hawfinch at top of tree in front of church lychgate in Rostherne (late morning).

Great to meet up with Steve Collins and John Hancock - thanks very much for tip off and tour around patch including Observatory.

See you soon.

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A least 2, and probably 3 Hawfinches this afternoon. They were behind the brick wall as you walk along the field edge from the Natural England car park to the Obs. One was disturbed by a Buzzard and flew far east into the distance towards Tatton. Another was seen flying between trees behind the wall, while another bird called nearby. I noticed that slightly further along the route to the Obs is a nice Hornbeam hedge which had many bunches of seeds - a favourite food of Hawfiches.

One Yellow Legged Gull was in the roost, at least 1 intermedius, probable argentatus and a possible hybrid HG x LBBG.  There were big numbers of starling putting on a show, unfortunately mostly obscured by trees as they were in the area of Shaw Green Willows. Views would have been better from the Obs.

About 10 Mandarin, 2 Goosanders and good numbers of Teal. Something kept disturbing the ducks - eventually someone appeared through the gate at the bottom of the field below the church and walked up to the houses on the left - i suspect, not one of the voluntary wardens but a random walker.



-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Monday 20th of November 2017 02:57:57 PM

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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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At least 3 Tawny Owls were calling as they became active just before dusk, one flying from left to right while i was sitting on the bench viewing from the churchyard.

At 7.25pm, when it was getting quite dark, a Hobby flew from left to right. 5 mins later it came back round, over the churchyard between the church and the trees, straight over the bench low and then low over the trees to the left - i think it was hunting some of the bats that were around - not many hirundines left now.

At ten to 8 i jumped as a Barn Owl flew overhead coming from behind and screeched as it went.

 



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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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Geoff Walton wrote:

Regards Sid, missed you by a few days againsmile


Regards to you as well Geoff - maybe we shall bump into each other over there sometime, we often walk around Rostherne (village and surrounds), not just to view the mere from the churchyard and church field but also along the various lanes and public footpaths in the area, very pleasant and usually something to see in the way of bird life.



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Green Woodpecker this morning on the dead tree near the gate on the left. Also a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a few Chiffchaff.

 

Regards Sid, missed you by a few days againsmile



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Roger Halsey wrote:

Juvenile Purple Heron this morning. Showing intermittently up to 14.20 at least at the far end of the mere from the observatory. I should make it clear that access is by permit only.


 As far as I am aware Roger, viewing the mere from the churchyard is not subject to holding a permit - please correct me if I'm wrong.



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Juvenile Purple Heron this morning. Showing intermittently up to 14.20 at least at the far end of the mere from the observatory. I should make it clear that access is by permit only.



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Roger Halsey wrote:

Juvenile Purple Heron this morning. Showing intermittently up to 14.20 at least at the far end of the mere from the observatory.


 During one of our regular walks to Rostherne this afternoon we noticed a couple of Herons in the reeds opposite the church yard. Despite my best efforts to make them Purple on close inspection through my scope they were seen to be Greys disbelief



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Juvenile Purple Heron this morning. Showing intermittently up to 14.20 at least at the far end of the mere from the observatory.



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Was in St Mary's church above the mere this afternoon when two Swallows flew in through the open door.  They seemed disorientated for a time but luckily they found their way out again.



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A Little Egret and Green Sandpiper this evening.

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Tue 7.3.17
Mandarin Duck - 9 frisky birds in the area of the sandbar (6m, 3f).
Stock Dove singing and it/another seen in flight.



-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Thursday 9th of March 2017 09:36:05 PM

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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Thursday 9th of March 2017 01:17:05 AM



-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Thursday 9th of March 2017 01:20:17 AM

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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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The leucistic Black Headed Gull has returned to the roost for another winter.

Bumped into a fellow birder who told me that a Barn Owl had been seen from the obs this a.m.



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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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Best bird for this visit was my best-ever view of a presumed heinei Common Gull, in good light, next to a normal canus for a handy comparison (though it's not possible to be 100% certain). I wonder if this recent easterly airflow brought it in.

5 Goosander also present, with the church organ parping out Christingle hymns as an accompaniment.



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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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Wasn't expecting much so a Black Necked Grebe was a nice surprise this afternoon.



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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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Adult Yellow -legged Gull in tonight's roost.

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A 2nd winterYellow-legged Gull and a Black-headed Gull with pure white primaries in this evening's roost. Also 1 Green Sandpiper.

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One 2nd calendar Mediterranean Gull in the roost from the churchyard yesterday evening (Fri) was an enjoyable and educational find - i don't think i've seen one looking exactly like this before, the primaries were fully regrown but it still had a fantastic black mask behind the eye making it a striking bird with a head pattern resembling a winter Forsters Tern or Grey Phalarope!  There's a very similar bird photographed on Birding Frontiers:  http://birdingfrontiers.com/2012/01/12/interesting-opportunity-to-identify-a-4th-winter-mediterranean-gull-on-plumage/  with a similar head pattern and bill, though that birds' primaries are still growing.



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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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Sightings from the Observatory.

Today 17th July 2016 @10.30am. Hobby catching dragonflies. We saw it catch three in as many minutes as it quartered.

Also on the mere this morning. 150 Mallard, 112 Tufted, 6 Pochard. Gadwall, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Geese, Greylag.

Annual permits to use the AW Boyd Memorial Observatory are available from Dave Clarke,1 Hart Avenue, Sale, M33 2JY.

Observatory Annual Permit
£10 single, £15 family, £5 concession (senior citizens / children 11-16 years). Application on the CAWOS Membership Form or to Dave Clarke, at the address above.

Access to the mere or onto the nature reserve is by arrangement with CAWOS/Natural England or tel/text me Phil on 07505 004484



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Recent sightings from the Observatory.

Common sandpiper, Tufted duck, Mandarin duck, Kingfisher, Gadwall, Little grebe, Raft of Great crested grebe.

We may not have an Ospreys nest but we do have a Buzzards nest viewable from the observatory. Two young can be seen preening and exercising in the nest.

We also have a feeding station immediately in front of the Observatory and this morning Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and a Goldcrest were attracted offering close-up views.

The observatory is generally open to visitors on Sunday and Wednesday mornings between 10am and noon.

Phil

 



-- Edited by Phil Dell on Sunday 3rd of July 2016 10:29:55 PM

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Recent sightings from the Observatory.

Common scoter, Common tern, Pochard, Tufted duck.

Also reported by local people, Red squirrel seen in the church yard of St Mary's. If you too are lucky enough to see one please submit your record at the AW Boyd Memorial Observatory.

Next WeBS count day is Sunday 24th July when we circumnavigate the mere. If you would like to join the volunteers on their walk round and help with the count please tel/text me on 07505 004484.

Booking essential as numbers do need to be limited to reduce disturbance on the SSSI. Suggested donation to observatory fund £1 per adult.

Phil



-- Edited by Phil Dell on Monday 27th of June 2016 06:25:26 PM

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Used to go and watch the murmations of starlings at Rostherne Church (at the top of the Mere) about 15 years ago. A peregrine used to harass them. Not been since, so I can only imagine they still go but alas in smaller numbers.



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Not really a sighting but didn't know where else to put this as no exisiting topics seemed suitable. However, is anyone aware if there is a starling roost at Rostherne, if so how large? I ask because yesterday morning, in poor light, I saw what I thought could be the best part of a thousand birds over field close to there ( I had turned onto A556 from M56 towards M6). The numbers could be way out as I was driving but did have the effect of 'smoke'. I assume they were starlings as had two smaller parties of about 30 birds soon after.



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One drake Common Scoter at far end viewed from churchyard, also one Swallow. A Brimstone flew through the village.
Nearby, a House Martin at Cicely Mill.

-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Monday 6th of April 2015 06:30:16 PM

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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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Finding Tatton Park closed (Monday in winter,doh ) had a short look around Rostherne. Not so many species to be seen on the water except Great Crested Grebe, Wigeon, Pochard, Cormorant, a pair of Goldeneye and a few distant Gulls. hmm

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A decent-sized gull roost this evening, unluckily it was well to the left so that about a third of it was partially obscured by trees. In the birds that i could see were 131 LBBG and v approx 2-3000 BHG, prob nearer the latter. Also 73 Shoveler having a good scoff in their usual area over towards the reedbed. Recently a Marsh Harrier was present for a few days and was a bird which had been wing-tagged as a nestling in Tayside last year; one of its siblings was seen in the Outer Hebrides.

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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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1 Marsh harrier
2 Raven
1 Kestrel
Goosander
70plus Lapwing
Goldeneye
Shoveler
Grey wagtail on church roof
Wrens



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A walk around Rostherne church this afternoon

The Mere
Great crested grebes
Cormorants
Kestrel
Buzzard
Coot
Swallows
Sandmartins

Church grave yard
1 male Blackcap
Pair Chaffinch
Blackbirds
Jackdaws
2 Jays
Blue tits
Mistle thrush
Rooks


-- Edited by Graham Smith on Sunday 28th of April 2013 06:01:41 PM

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Yesterday - 26/3/13

adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost and a leucistic Black-headed Gull.

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23/01/2013 - 4-5pm, with Mike Duckham, more snow started falling whilst there:

5 Goosanders - 1 drake
6 Goldeneyes - 4 drakes
3 Great Black-backed Gulls
10 Herring Gulls - including an argentatus
c90 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
100+ Common Gulls
c8000 Black-headed Gulls
1 Green Woodpecker
4000+ Starlings
9 Redwings
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Treecreeper

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02/12/2012 - 12.30pm - The Barnacle Goose seen at Dunham last week has relocated to the west side of the mere.

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2 Redwings this evening.

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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler  15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10



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Fri 28th

7 Mistle Thrush on dead branches infront of the hde
3 Jay
Nothing else of note.

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06/09/2012 - 12pm:

1 Ruddy Shelduck - female

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20/05/2012 - 2 drake Mandarins the only birds of note this evening

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Hi Henry,
Yes,there was a big woosh, then it saw us and went to look. Ian saw it all - I saw it as it was taking off and flying away - Jim was in the loo, and therefore a bit upset.

Geoff

p.s. does anyone know if the "spring walk" today is a walk around the mere, as I might go?

-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Saturday 28th of April 2012 08:16:12 AM

-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Saturday 28th of April 2012 08:16:33 AM

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Geoff Walton wrote:

10.30am - 12.45pm

1 Peregrine landing on the bird table for a second





That must have been a superb sight, only a couple of meters away!!!

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10.30am - 12.45pm

70 Swift
40 Swallows
handfull of House and Sandmartins
1 Buzzard
1 Peregrine landing on the bird table for a second
1 Pheasant on the bird table
male and female Kestel mating in dead tree opposite the hide
2 pairs Gadwall
4 pairs GC Grebe
2 pairs Tufted Duck
Bullfinches,Great and Blue Tit on the table.

3 cold birders in hide



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