Day six for the female Ruff on Ashtons Flash, a few Lapwing, a lone Curlew still and a 3rd summer Lesser Black-backed Gull amongst a few Black-headed Gull.
Two Green Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit had departed Neumanns between the heavy showers. When I arrived, there were two Common Sandpiper and little else of note.
Not much happening across both flashes, early afternoon. Snipe on Stilt Island and over on Ashtons, the female Ruff is still present for its fifth day along with several Lapwing, a few Starling, the odd gull and a lone Curlew.
Female Ruff still present this morning on Ashtons Flash, fourth day. Three Curlew, two Oystercatcher, several Lapwing and a single juvenile Shelduck. The Green and Wood Sandpipers appear to have departed.
Found a couple of Red Knot, this morning, on Stilt Island. They returned to the island after being seen off by an Oystercatcher pair. Just long enough for a few photos and a bit of video footage before they took off, high to the south.
Also around were a Common Sandpiper, Common Snipe and three Little Ringed Plover.
Quick visit to the flashes, early afternoon, for possible returning waders.
Five Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Snipe on or around Stilt Island. On the water, a few Teal here and there, the odd Gadwall and Shoveller, the Shelduck family are still intact, a few Mute Swan and a couple of Little Grebe families with a few youngsters each. Also a few Great Crested Grebe.
A couple of Green Sandpiper have been present for a few days - but not today - and on Saturday last, a nice breeding plumaged male Ruff turned up on Stilt Island.
The water levels had dropped following the long spell of dry weather and areas of mud were starting to appear around the edges but the recent wet spell has, unfortunately, topped it up again.
A ride out with the kids on the bike but spotted a single avocet doing a lap of the flash on the wing before deciding not to land and departing at high altitude in the direction of Northwich towncenter.
This is a post script to Mark's entry from last night. I was waiting to get permission from Mike Pritchard, so that I could mention him as a fellow observer of the osprey. It was first seen at 15:45 and flying fairly low. It was mobbed by an avocet at one point. It gradually gained height and soared in loose circles towards the west - River Weaver/ Anderton Nature Park area. At one point it was flying back towards the flash but then drifted away west/south-west.
Mid morning visit. Adult Spoonbill now into its third day, Avocet and Little Egret still around plus two each of Oystercatcher and Redshank. The Shelduck parents still have eight young and a Little Grebe was close to Pods Hide with its three youngsters.
For anyone interested the Spoonbill is still on Neumann's Flash this morning along with a Little Egret and an Avocet, I could only dream of this at Newchurch
After yesterday's three Spoonbill, found very early on by Greg Baker (and undoubtedly the birds that continued on to Audenshaw), the evidence that lightning really does strike twice, was proved correct with another adult Spoonbill dropping in at Neumann's. Found early on today by John Gregory. Alerted and noting it was raining, decided to get down there pronto. Thankfully, the bird was feeding away behind Stilt Island. A few, distant bridge camera shots.
Edit - Replaced the poor photos with two better ones.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Wednesday 10th of June 2020 08:04:18 PM
Currently now, as I post, 2 Black Terns Neumann's Flash, they were flying around the middle to far end of the flash from Pod's Hide earlier. Also here 2 Avocets and a Cuckoo calling.
Late afternoon visit to the Flash, birds similar to yesterday, 3 Avocet, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher pair, usual waterfowl together with 30-40 Swift and a calling Cuckoo. Redshank, a few Lapwing and a calling Cettis Warbler on nearby Ashtons.
Mid morning visit to the Flashes today in very warm and sunny weather. Found a very nicely turned out Sanderling in summer plumage on Stilt Island. Also around were 4 Black-tailed Godwit and a few Redshank. An earlier Dunlin had departed. Up to 3 Avocet had been present for a few days, up until Monday of this week.
A bit of wader movement this morning with 2 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover on Stilt Island at Neumanns. Over on Ashtons were 3 Redshank. An earlier Greenshank had already departed by the time I arrived at 7am. A Cuckoo was still making its presence felt around the west side of Neumanns, calling regularly. The best news came later when I saw on our WhatsApp group that there were 2 Cuckoo together in a tree with possibly a third bird calling nearby.
The Cuckoo that has been present for a few days now, flew over Haydns Pool from the Carey Park area and finished up somewhere approaching Neumanns. The Grasshopper Warbler was in its usual spot, out from the Tata Hide at Haydns.
I missed a Lesser Whitethroat at Lesleys Leap, which would have made 10 warbler species, and also a Hobby which was briefly seen over Neumanns.
A walk around neumanns with the folks. Saw the following - lots of blackcap, male reed bunting, green woodpecker, 3 or 4 buzzard, lots of swallows and sand Martin and a much lesser number of swifts. Nesting greylag geese and g.c.grebe. On or over the flash lots of tufted duck, few shoveller, lapwing. The young uns had a great close up with a bold jay and commented on what beautiful colours it had. Best sighting was probably a black tailed godwit wading off the larger island.
A loop around Neumanns Flash this morning taking in Haydns Pool and Dairy House Meadow. Quite cool and breezy, fairly quiet. Peregrine seen out from Haydns, Little Ringed Plover on Stilt Island, several Reed Warbler and Whitethroat, especially. At least four Cettis Warbler blasting away. From our WhatsApp Group, there were Grasshopper Warbler, Hobby and Cuckoo around yesterday.
Marsh Harrier - 2nd summer/sub-adult male - seen three times between 16:20 and 17:10 Little Ringed Plover 1 (Common) Snipe 1 White Wagtail 1 (+ 1 Pied Wagtail)
Calling - Water Rail (1) and Green Woodpecker (1) Singing - Cetti's Warbler (2). NB 3 around the flash on 23/4/20
Continued todays early morning walk on to Dairy House Meadow, then to the flashes. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling away to the west of the scrapyard paddocks. A new spot for me and hot on the heels of another a few days ago, on the edge of the patch by the canal at Marston. The pipe bridge Cettis Warbler was blasting away, as were two more on the northern fringes of Neumanns, as was another in the south west corner. The female Pintail was also still present on Neumanns. Ashtons held a pair of displaying Redshank together with yet another Cettis Warbler and a Sedge Warbler, amongst others.
A fairly uneventful walk around part of the patch this morning. Cettis Warbler are increasing with 16 mapped territories and 5 heard (3-5 birds) on the northern side of Neumanns alone today. Nice find by Greg Baker, were 7 Whimbrel on Ashtons Flash. They were spooked, took flight and circled round Neumanns before settling down on Ashtons again.
Morning walk around part of Ashtons Flash, Neumanns Flash, Dairy House Meadows, Haydns Pool and back to Witton Mill car park. Weather warm and sunny.
2CY Siberian Stonechat still in the north west corner of Ashtons, also two Cettis Warbler. There were three Avocet on Neumanns first thing but had departed by the time I arrived. A Common Sandpiper was seen on Stilt Island although I couldnt hear an early arrived Sedge Warbler that had also been seen early on.
Chiffchaff everywhere plus several each of Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Another Cettis Warbler was at the pipe bridge on the north side of Neumanns. A 2CY Buzzard was seen at Haydns Pool with a further two Buzzard and a male Sparrowhawk. Green Woodpecker was heard on three occasions.
Forgot to mention, a 3CY male Marsh Harrier was seen at Ashtons late last week, with a female Marsh Harrier also being seen yesterday.
Morning walk around part of Ashtons Flash, Neumanns Flash, Dairy House Meadows, Haydns Pool and back to Witton Mill car park. Weather warm and sunny.
2CY Siberian Stonechat still in the north west corner of Ashtons, also two Cettis Warbler. There were three Avocet on Neumanns first thing but had departed by the time I arrived. A Common Sandpiper was seen on Stilt Island although I couldnt hear an early arrived Sedge Warbler that had also been seen early on.
Chiffchaff everywhere plus several each of Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Another Cettis Warbler was at the pipe bridge on the north side of Neumanns. A 2CY Buzzard was seen at Haydns Pool with a further two Buzzard and a male Sparrowhawk. Green Woodpecker was heard on three occasions.
2CY male Siberian Stonechat still present in the north west corner of Ashtons Flash this morning. Giving fairly good views in and around the wet area near the metal gate, often fly catching. Also around were two Cettis Warbler, a Kestrel and a very vocal Green Woodpecker. A Blackcap was in the north east corner of Neumanns, otherwise quiet on the migrant front.
2019 Bird Report covering Neumann's Flash and adjacent sites plus Marbury Country Park and Budworth Mere is now avialable in pdf format. If anyone would like a copy who hasn't received one aleady please PM me with your email address.
Well, spent 2.5hours in freezing wind and sleet this lunchtime but no joy with the Siberian Stonechat
Nige
Sorry you missed it Nige. It was seen at 10am today in the north west corner. Not sure how far you travelled but if you fancy trying again, put something on this thread or pm me on here and, if Im around, I will try and meet you at the flash.
Hi Mark,
Many thank for the offer. I live in Swindon and am working in Manchester today, so my mission was to stop off on the way up. Unfortunately not leaving Manchester until 4pm earliest so will probably be too late to stop off tonight.
I did walk up and down 4 times from the bench to NW corner and scanned many hundreds of times, but no joy! But the weather was quite bad so I'm not surprised.
Well, spent 2.5hours in freezing wind and sleet this lunchtime but no joy with the Siberian Stonechat
Nige
Sorry you missed it Nige. It was seen at 10am today in the north west corner. Not sure how far you travelled but if you fancy trying again, put something on this thread or pm me on here and, if Im around, I will try and meet you at the flash.
Well, spent 2.5hours in freezing wind and sleet this lunchtime but no joy with the Siberian Stonechat
Thought Id have better luck trying fit something at the gull roost at Pennington Flash but found even stronger winds and hailstones! Not my day today!
Nige
Took a trip to see The Siberian Stonechat today and was not disappointed. Used the directions as set out below but I parked in the layby on New Warrington Road and a short walk to the gate and the bird was on the left behind the trees showing really well (see pic)
I'm driving up to Manchester next Monday afternoon and hoping to catch up with the Siberian Stonechat. Have never been to the area before, so was wondering if someone would be kind enough to provide directions of where to park and where the bird typically hangs out please? I keep reading about 'Bund Bench' but not sure where this is.
Many thanks,
Nige
Hi Nigel - Go on Google Satellite and make your way to Old Warrington Road. This runs into Marbury Lane and runs up the north western side of Ashtons Flash. There is a free car park here. Fifty yards north of the car park bear right on the path between the two flashes. Neumanns Flash on your left, Ashtons Flash on your right. In 250 yards, on your right hand side, there is a small gap in the trees where you will see the bund bench. The bird has been frequenting the area to the left/east of here, sometimes coming quite close to the fence. Mark.
Really appreciate that Mark, thank you. Hopefully it'll stick around for another week!
@PHIL GREENWOOD, it's next Monday I'll be up there :)
I'm driving up to Manchester next Monday afternoon and hoping to catch up with the Siberian Stonechat. Have never been to the area before, so was wondering if someone would be kind enough to provide directions of where to park and where the bird typically hangs out please? I keep reading about 'Bund Bench' but not sure where this is.
Many thanks,
Nige
Hi Nigel - Go on Google Satellite and make your way to Old Warrington Road. This runs into Marbury Lane and runs up the north western side of Ashtons Flash. There is a free car park here. Fifty yards north of the car park bear right on the path between the two flashes. Neumanns Flash on your left, Ashtons Flash on your right. In 250 yards, on your right hand side, there is a small gap in the trees where you will see the bund bench. The bird has been frequenting the area to the left/east of here, sometimes coming quite close to the fence. Mark.
I'm driving up to Manchester next Monday afternoon and hoping to catch up with the Siberian Stonechat. Have never been to the area before, so was wondering if someone would be kind enough to provide directions of where to park and where the bird typically hangs out please? I keep reading about 'Bund Bench' but not sure where this is.