Was there from 10am until 1.15.Was very pleased to see 4 Avocets on what I think is known as Stilt island from when the Black -winged Stilts where there quite a few yrs ago.Then 16 BlackTailed Godwits where on the island nr them.They eventually flew off at around 12.30.I was pleased to meet up with a birder called Richard who I had met a week or so b4 at Woodford who told me that a Cetti'sWarbler was showing at the next hide,and that he was hoping to see the Whimbrel on Ashtons but had looked and not seen them.He said that he may have another go.I left him and I had a look over Ashtons just as it rained and was lucky to see 9 Whimbrel! The white Median crown stripes showing well on a few when they faced me and the prominent eyestripes also showing.I went back to tell Richard but he had gone.I went to the next hide and saw the Cetti‘s Warbler so thanks Richard (hope that you did see them).A great day birding!
A few of the usuals were present, ie. Shelduck, Greylag & Canada Goose, Lapwing and corvids. A very quick detour to the path leading to Pods Hide on Neumanns found that the two pairs of Avocet had returned after their brief departure. Back on Ashtons, Cettis seemed to be everywhere. I heard calling from ten different areas and, allowing for some duplication, I reckon 6 is a reasonable figure to record.
Stunning male Whinchat found by MC on Ashtons Flash this morning. Also on the flash were two Whimbrel, possibly part of yesterdays group or could just be two more on the move.
Spent a couple of hours, early afternoon, viewing Neumanns from Pods Hide and Ashtons from both the mound and the bund bench. Forty five species in total, highlights :-
Taken from our patch WhatsApp Group, two Mediterranean Gull on Ashtons, two Black-tailed Godwit on Neumanns and a Reed Warbler in the reedbed at Witton Mill which is just to the west of the flashes. Probably our earliest ever Reed Warbler.
Found 2 Avocet this morning, asleep on Stilt Island. Also there were 2 Oystercatcher, a Redshank and a remaining Black-tailed Godwit that has been around for a few days now. Still half a dozen or so Lesser Redpoll on the bund.
Working nearby today so had a flying visit early this morning. Only walked from the lay-by to Pod's Hide and back.
1 Willow Warbler 2 Blackcap 4 Chiffchaff 1 Cetti's Warbler 6 Lesser Redpoll Flock of c.20 Sand Martins and c.5 Swallows at the northern end of Neumann's. 8 Shelduck
Two Black-tailed Godwit remain at Neumanns on Stilt Island along with two Snipe. Small numbers of the usual wildfowl were centred around the south west downer of the flash. Four Great Crested Grebe out in the centre.
Across on Ashtons, Cettis Warblers were heard calling from nine different areas. In trying to establish how many birds/territories there actually are, I would say a minimum of four birds, possibly as many as six or seven. Nine Reed Bunting were present, although at least four of these were feeding in trees on the bund with around a dozen Lesser Redpoll. Fourteen Chiffchaff were heard/seen plus a singing male Blackcap. Blackbird, Robin and Wren were out in decent numbers, thirteen, sixteen and fifteen respectively.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 30th of March 2021 01:59:49 PM
Circumference of Ashtons Flash, then viewed Neumanns from Pods Hide only. Three and a half hours from 7.40am, weather sunnyish and fine, 7-9*c, light winds. Amongst others :-
The highlight was when the Black-tailed Godwit dropped on to Stilt Island on Neumanns. They stayed for around thirty minutes before being spooked by four herons circling overhead and moving off northwards.
Circumference of Ashtons Flash plus viewing Neumanns from Pods Hide only. Two and a half hours from 7.40am. Weather dull but fine, 7-9*c with a cold wind. Amongst others :-
3CY Yellow-legged Gull found on Ashtons Flash yesterday, late afternoon, by Malc Curtin. I was down there in record time but, true to form, it had departed despite my endeavours. First on patch since 2019 and one per year seems about average, so it was a shame to miss it.
Slow circumference of Ashtons Flash this morning revealed four Cettis Warbler territories and seven of Reed Bunting. A Chiffchaff was heard in the south west corner and over on Neumanns were fifty six Wigeon and three pairs of great Crested Grebe amongst the usuals.
At least 7 Chiffchaff heard early afternoon, three seen around the bridge on the north side of Neumanns flash and near DHM. Two Water rail heard. Also 2 bullfinch and one very vocal song thrush.
Whooper Swan (1) seen at 15:30 with 5 mute swans. At the Ashton's Flash look-out point, 20 minutes later, it was heard and seen leaving Neumann's as it flew over Ashton's with an adult and an immature mute swan. They flew South - perhaps heading for Middlewich? (Possibly, the same bird that has been seen there during the winter)
Three hours around the flashes this morning, also taking in Witton Brook as far as Haydns and then back via Dairy House Meadows. Weather cool and overcast, 5-7*c, light winds, marginal rain. 52 species, amongst others :-
Mute Swan (3) Great Crested Grebe (2) Little Grebe (3) Tufted Duck (10) Wigeon (21) Gadwall (2) Teal (8) Shoveler (8) Shelduck (9) Oystercatcher (2) Lapwing (9) Water Rail (3) Sparrowhawk (1) Buzzard (5) Green Woodpecker (1) Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) Cettis Warbler (4) Stock Dove (3) Lesser Redpoll (15)
Did a circumference of Ashtons Flash this morning plus 20 minutes or so in Pods Hide to have a gander on Neumanns. Both flashes were frozen in part, Ashtons more so. Weather cold, 2*c with real feel around -2*c. Light easterlies. Amongst others :-
There was a mixed flock of Greenfinch and Bullfinch on the bund between the two flashes. Several of the Teal were displaying and three Reed Bunting were back on territory, Ashtons, and in song. A bit of a quiet feel around the place, probably due to the very cold conditions.
First proper visit to the flashes for a while, out for a long exercise walk from half an hour before dawn for three hours. Did a figure of eight around firstly Ashtons, then Neumanns before carrying on to Dairy House Meadows and Haydns Pool. Weather cool and fine, 3*c, light south westerly winds. Amongst others :-
Checked out an area where Snipe, Jack Snipe and Woodcock have been seen since the turn of the year but no luck. The Wood Pigeon were leaving their overnight roost in woodland to the west of Witton Brook and, similarly, the Curlew left their roost on Ashtons. Not much happening at Haydns Pool where both willow and the existing reedbed are encroaching on what was the pool. Just a damp reedbed now which is a shame as it used to host a selection of waders on migration.
Both Neumanns and Ashton's Flashes were completely frozen.
40-50 gulls were stood in the middle - the number fluctuated as birds came and went. Mainly black-headed gulls with 3-5 each of common, lesser black-backed and herring gull. One of the herring gulls was significantly larger than the other herring gulls present and may have been of the argentatus race - certainly approaching great black-backed gull in size. Much brown streaking on head and neck and a long bill. Noticeable white 'spots' on wing tips when it flew. However, the pale grey mantle didn't appear quite dark enough.
Two nice finds yesterday by Sheelagh Halsey, firstly a female Marsh Harrier at nearby Haydns Pool, then a Ring-tailed Hen Harrier at Neumanns, heading towards Budworth Mere.
No further sightings yesterday but the Hen Harrier was reported again, this morning at dawn, hunting Starlings at Neumanns. At midday, there was another sighting of the same bird from the Bittern Hide at the Mere, heading east.
I ventured down for the Starling murmuration at Neumanns, late afternoon today, thinking the Hen Harrier may well be present but twas not to be. Whilst a few thousand Starling went into the reedbed at the north western end, most carried on, no doubt to Coward Reedbed at the Mere.
Just a quick walk around the flash and its surrounds. Didn't do any prolonged viewing any where but saw the following - lesser black backed gull X 2, around a dozen shelduck, about 50 Canada geese, a handful of common gull. Some black headed gulls appeared to fishing in the flash a la tern style, couldn't see if they were successful but I always thought that the flash wouldn't/couldn't support fish life due to the ici lime spoil. A few tufted duck were on forge pool along with a heron. Numerous mistle thrushes were foraging. Highlight was a water rail darting out of the rushes flanking forge brook near the bridge where a Cetti's warbler was also heard.
Around 15k Starling left the reedbed at Neumanns, this morning just before eight oclock. As I walked past, the birds could still be heard in the roost but then flew out whilst I was at Ashtons. A second group departed a few minutes later, as I was just inside Carey Park. All heading south.
It should be stressed that Ashton's Flash can only be viewed from the perimeter fence and the look-out points. There is no public access within the perimeter fence.
(I'm not part of the WhatsApp group, so I don't know what was reported. I can only assume that Greg, if indeed he was within the fence (?), had permission from the ranger).
A Water Rail was heard on the south side of the Flash, as was a Cettis Warbler. There are up to three European Stonechat currently on the adjacent Ashtons Flash, which also held a sole Mute Swan and nothing else.
The 1st w Black-necked Grebe, present on and off for a couple of weeks or so, is usually seen at the north end of the Flash, often close to the reeds. For the first time today, I saw it around 30 yards out from Pods Hide, under the water more than it was above. It then swam towards the hide, past it, before swimming back in front and posing, instead of constantly diving. Great views.
Had a good look for the Cattle Egret this morning, finding it at the back of North Island, Neumanns Flash. I believe it has also been back on Dairy House Meadows.
As Mark says it was still on Dairyhouse Meadow when I arrived after chatting to Mark! I watched the Cattle Egret distantly with the cattle but when a farmer arrived the cattle stampeded towards him looking to be fed presumably. This put the Cattle Egret up and it circled high over the field to head off towards Neumann's Flash at 2.35pm. I headed straight down and scanned the flash but no sign of the egret. I even headed back to Dairyhouse Meadows in case and by just before 3pm the field was devoid of Cattle Egret and Cattle, I don't know if the Cattle were still in the back field where they ran or whether the farmer had removed them. Subsequently a report came through on our grapevine that the Cattle Egret was seen flying over Dairyhouse Meadow at 3pm and looking like it was losing height, but couldn't be found on the ground subsequently.
I have PM-ed you about staying in touch Steven, as you were the person to put the news of your great find out
Just back from a few days in Cornwall, so nipped down to patch tick the Cattle Egret, present since Sunday. This is only the second ever for Marbury Patch (Neumanns & Ashtons Flashes, Anderton NP, Marbury CP, Budworth Mere, Haydns Pool and Dairy House Meadows). Last years bird did the decent thing and stayed just long enough for a record photo, by patcher Trevor Davies, then promptly departed! No one else saw it, so the current bird is a patch tick for all but one of the regulars. It was actually found by patcher Kev Bruen on Sunday morning on Dairy House Meadows.
Today, the bird was once again on the Meadows but, I have since learned from Doc (Brewster) that, at 2.30pm, it flew towards nearby Neumanns Flash, although it has not yet been relocated, either there or elsewhere.
No problems doc, I was trying to see if your number was anywhere on this forum but then decided to just put a post on so I'm glad you seen it straight away. It was nice to see many of the local chaps getting there to see the cattle egret. I left pods hide around 4.30pm & also did not see the egret go. Other birds around.... 3 vocal cettis warblers in different locations, one did show well for me at pods hide. Water rails heard A single swallow went straight through heading east. Numerous chiffchaffs around & singing. Treecreeper Nuthatch 4 ravens Several buzzards And lots of jays.
Cheers for that Steven, I was on here as you posted so was able to put news out on other groups. Many folk got down in time to see the Cattle Egret, including me, but it looks like it left around 4.10pm. No-one saw it leave or saw it fly off high so it's a mystery which direction it left!! Whilst I was there Greg Baker found the juv.Garganey that is here too. A not very well marked bird it hugs the reed edges frequently so can be difficult to find. As we were leaving at least 40 Curlew came in to their pre-roost on the flashes.
There is currently a cattle egret on the north island of neumanns flash. No signs of the black necked grebe.
Garganey is still there but not seen by me.
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 27th of September 2020 04:48:55 PM
Black-necked Grebe 1 Greylag Goose 36 Canada Goose - min.500 ( NB Has there been a population 'explosion' of this species in 2020?) Pintail 1 (female) Wigeon 15 Greenshank 1 - flew over
-- Edited by Steve Costa on Sunday 20th of September 2020 09:49:49 AM
Yesterdays sole Black-tailed Godwit, at Ashtons, had departed by this morning at 8.30. A Little Ringed Plover was present together with twenty two Snipe and over four hundred Lapwing.
Nothing happening on the wader front at Neumanns. Two adult Little Grebe noted with three juveniles plus small numbers of usual waterfowl.
Three Black-tailed Godwit and one each of Curlew and Redshank on Ashtons Flash, mid to late morning. News from Malc Curtin that a Greenshank has just dropped in.