Thermal imaging, wow that's high tech. birding!

One of the two current Bittern was showing in Coward Reedbed late afternoon today just prior to dusk. Also around were one or more Little Grebe trilling, two Water Rail and a Cettis Warbler. Two Oystercatcher, several Curlew and Lapwing plus a couple of Goosander were just about visible over on Kid Brook Spit.

Marston area, south east of Budworth Mere, one and a half hours from 9.30am, farmland, floods and the two Marston Pools. Of note :-

Cormorant (1)
Grey Heron (2)
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Little Grebe (1)
Mute Swan (6)
Teal (7)
Tufted Duck (6)
Gadwall (6)
Curlew (22)
Lapwing (150)
Skylark (3)
Linnet (15)
Jackdaw (100)
Stock Dove (2)
Collared Dove (21)
Kestrel (1)
Buzzard (2)
House Sparrow (35)

Wood Duck pair on the mere today after an absence of a few weeks.

Two and a half hours from 9.20am in very cold weather. Bitterly cold south easterlies made it feel much colder than the 3*c that it was. Bittern Hide - Slipway - Forge Brook - Big Wood and return by same route. Amongst others :-

Canada Goose (122)
Grey Heron (1)
Cormorant (3)
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Little Grebe (1)
Tufted Duck (29)
Shelduck (2)
Goldeneye (2)
Goosander (3)
Snipe (2)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Pied Wagtail (1)
Stock Dove (5)
Buzzard (1)
Redwing (12)

The two Dunlin were seen on the spit a few minutes before I arrived. I suspect they had wandered up Kid Brook as they werent seen on my return over two hours later. The usual dog walking ignoramus was, though, in the course of flushing everything onto the mere. Good numbers of Long-tailed Tit in the woods, three separate flocks, and also decent numbers of Goldfinch. The two Common Snipe flew out of Coward Reedbed. No Bittern were seen this morning although two were present yesterday afternoon.

12:00 - 14:00

Mediterranean Gull - 1 (adult, partially hooded)

Amongst 400+ gulls stood on ice near the centre of the mere. Mainly black-headed gulls (90-95%) with a few each of common, herring and lesser black-backed gull.

-- Edited by Steve Costa on Thursday 11th of February 2021 10:51:08 PM

Hi Sam - Kid Brook Spit is on private land and there is no public footpath, or access to it. It is best viewed from the slipway (500 yards east of the Bittern Hide) but you will really need a telescope as it is distant. The waders turn up either on the spit itself or in the bays, west and east of it. Cheers, Mark.

Three hours from 9.20 in cold and sunny weather with a bitterly cold north east wind, 0*c real feel -3*c, a light dusting of snow overnight. Walked the mereside path to the Slipway, along Forge Brook, into Big Wood, around the flooded fields and back by the same route.

A bit of wader movement with an extra Oystercatcher to supplement the pair that returned a few days ago plus Dunlin and Green Sandpiper being year ticks on, or around Kid Brook Spit. A healthy 52 species, amongst others :-

Canada Goose (c.75)
Greylag Goose (7)
Grey Heron (11)
Little Egret (1)
Cormorant (4)
Great Crested Grebe (3)
Little Grebe (5)
Tufted Duck (32)
Gadwall (6)
Shelduck (5)
Wigeon (1)
Pochard (2)
Teal (7)
Green Sandpiper (2)
Dunlin (2)
Oystercatcher (3)
Lapwing (c.140)
Curlew (82)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Water Rail (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Stock Dove (2)
Mistle Thrush (1)
Redwing (6)

Plenty of common birds around the feeders such as Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Chaffinch etc.

Three hours from 7.45 in cool and mainly fine weather, some drizzle, 5*c, light winds. Quick look on the mere, walked down Forge Brook, around Big Wood then back via the mereside path. Nothing out of the ordinary, amongst others :-

Canada Goose (54)
Greylag Goose (22)
Grey Heron (2)
Cormorant (5)
Great Crested Grebe (5)
Little Grebe (1)
Tufted Duck (16)
Gadwall (3)
Pintail (1)
Goosander (2)
Shelduck (3)
Curlew (1)
Water Rail (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Goldcrest (2)
Redwing (17)
Reed Bunting (1)

Good numbers of Blackbird (21), Song Thrush (7) and Robin (19) around plus other common woodland birds such as Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit etc.

Spent almost an hour and a half in the Marston area this morning from 8am. Just south east of Budworth Mere and part of our Marbury Patch recording area. It incorporates Marston Pools, Marston Floods and the fields inbetween. Amongst others :-

Grey Heron (1)
Cormorant (7)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Tufted Duck (6)
Teal (6)
Gadwall (3)
Mute Swan (4)
Curlew (2)
Lapwing (550)
Stock Dove (1)
Raven (1)
Skylark (35)

Continuing on to Budworth Mere, there was a quiet feel with good numbers of Tufted Duck (41) but not too much else. Gadwall (3), female Goosander (1), a few Mallard and our first returning Oystercatcher (1) down near the Sailing Club. Kid Brook spit was devoid of birds, possibly due to further disturbance. There is a certain dog owner who walks down to the spit a few times each week, flushing everything either on to the mere or simply away. There were just a few Canada Geese on the mere which is unusual.

Good news, however, is that a flock of Greylag dropped in after I had left and which included a Eurasian/Russian White-fronted Goose. Nice find by Malc Curtin. Also seen were Pintail (1m) and Goldeneye (2m).

This evening 1 Bittern in the Coward Reedbed showing from 4.45pm-5.05pm at least, I initially picked it up down to the far left of the Bittern Screen in the reeds looking through the tree branches. After a while there it flew over the reeds further out to the small clump of bushes in the reedbed looking straight ahead from the screen. Also present a Sparrowhawk and about 10 Starlings maximum, so no murmuration!! Several Water Rails calling too.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 16th of January 2021 10:04:20 PM

Two and a half hours from 10.15 this morning. Bittern Hide - Slipway - Forge Brook - Slipway - Bittern Hide. Weather cold and fine, other than snow for ten minutes, 0*c, light winds. Amongst others :-

Bittern (1)
Grey Heron (1)
Cormorant (10)
Canada Goose (c.125)
Greylag Goose (2)
Mute Swan (2)
Little Grebe (2)
Great Crested Grebe (11)
Tufted Duck (c.45)
Teal (1)
Goldeneye (2f)
Wigeon (4)
Gadwall (8)
Pochard (1m)
Shelduck (7)
Lapwing (15)
Water Rail (1)
Kingfisher (2)
Buzzard (2)
Raven (1)
Tawny Owl (1)
Redwing (5)
Fieldfare (1)

The Bittern was perched about two feet above the reeds in a small tree and was present there for around two hours. The mere was approx 80% frozen, so the bulk of the ducks were concentrated around the spit and at the eastern end of Coward Reedbed. The sole Teal was way down Forge Brook near the Cattle Drink, possibly unwell.
Edit - Thanks Paul, forgot to include the male Pintail that was asleep on the ice when I saw it.

-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Thursday 7th of January 2021 04:15:02 PM

Just short of 4 hours at Budworth Mere in cold and sunnyish weather. Minus 2 to start with and a heavy frost. A sizeable chunk of the western end of the mere was frozen. Spent a bit longer than normal in Big Wood after I had walked along Forge Brook. Also spent a short while near the Woodland Hide looking for the Firecrest, without luck. It hasnt been seen this year. Of note :-

Bittern (2)
Grey Heron (2)
Cormorant (5)
Canada Goose (c.125)
Greylag Goose (1)
Mute Swan (2)
Little Grebe (2)
Great Crested Grebe (10)
Tufted Duck (31)
Shoveler (3)
Teal (4)
Goldeneye (1m)
Goosander (1)
Shelduck (6)
Curlew (17
Lapwing (5)
Water Rail (2)
Redwing (7)
Cettis Warbler (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Buzzard (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Bullfinch (1)

Both Bittern were on view as I returned to the Bittern Hide. One at the back of the reedbed had been in the same spot without moving for over three hours, whilst the other was lower down and more mobile.

A couple of hours at Budworth Mere, late morning, once it had stopped snowing. Of note :-

Little Grebe (2)
Goosander (2)
Pochard (2m)
Gadwall (5)
Shelduck (2)
Pink-footed Goose (1)
Kingfisher (2)

Plus all the usuals, Tufted Duck, Canada & Greylag Goose, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe etc.

Budworth Mere, two and a half hours from 9am in fine and cold weather. Amongst others :-

Grey Heron (6)
Cormorant (10)
Canada Goose (c.125)
Greylag Goose (c.100)
Mute Swan(2)
Great Crested Grebe (10)
Little Grebe (2)
Pintail (1m)
Tufted Duck (36)
Wigeon (1f)
Goosander (4)
Curlew (6)
Lapwing (55)
Water Rail (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Cettis Warbler (1)

No sign of the Firecrest near the Woodland Hide although the bird was reported just before midday.

Managed to see the Firecrest today when I headedto the woodland hide and when there I was told it was seen about 9.10am,I got there at 11.30.After just over an hour of waiting,it showed for me 3 times the, first time I did not get on it quick enough and only got a very brief view of it flying from the Yew behind the hide,across the pond and lost it.Then it was in the same yew tree at around 12.40 to 12.45 when it showed really well though very active at only about 20 Meters away,a lifer for me ,so great to see it so well.it again showed at 1pm for around 10 mins.I had also seen the Wood Ducks b4 this on the Mere,and to top it all of ,thanks to another birder spotting the Bittern in the reeds and help from John Raynor (nice to meet up with you again John) I got on it and a few minutes later saw what we all agreed was probably the second one,this happened shortly after the start of the Starling Murmuration at 3.30, which although the birds went down in individual flocks must of consisted of 1000+ birds.So a good days birding! Ps The wood ducks I saw were a female and Male together just along the path from the Boat House,not sure if anyone has reported the Male?

-- Edited by Mark Dean on Saturday 19th of December 2020 07:28:55 PM

After several attempts, finally caught up with our elusive Firecrest this morning, close to the Woodland Hide. Showed quite well on a few occasions and each time for good periods. Favoured a yew tree, fifteen yards or so to the left of the hide.

Budworth Mere from 1pm until dusk in cold and fairly clear weather. Amongst others :-

Grey Heron (9)
Bittern (1)
Cormorant (13)
Canada Goose (c.85)
Greylag Goose (c.45)
Pink-footed Goose (1)
Mute Swan (2 plus 5 over)
Great Crested Grebe (14)
Little Grebe (2)
Tufted Duck (c.50)
Shoveler (1)
Wigeon (8)
Goosander (5)
Goldeneye (pr)
Curlew (4)
Water Rail (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Peregrine (1)
Starling (25k)

One of the two current Bittern was found before the Starling started to drop in. Eventually, the Starling started arriving and a few hundred went down into the reedbed before larger numbers built up to an impressive murmuration. The Bittern stayed put for at least half an hour before flying 30 yards into a different part of the reedbed. Also present were one each of Peregrine and Sparrowhawk.

So easy to just flick past stuff on a grapevine like the patch one so I'm pleased I brought everyone's attention to it and allowed you and the others to get down to see it. I see lots of Wood Duck and Mandarins on the R.Weaver below Moulton, in a variety of plumages, plus Mandarins have bred for 3 years on my Newchurch Patch so it jumped out immediately as 'not a Mandarin' !! Paul Hill confirms he hasn't seen Wood Duck on patch so must be a first!!

 

 

 

Hadn't realised this was a Patch first Mark! I know it will only make it onto the escapes list but really glad now that I questioned the original ID. Originally put out as a Mandarin I questioned the picture and posted on the patch grapevine that I thought it was a Wood Duck. Think I caused a few patchers to head down to check it out & see it

I cut my teeth on wildfowl ID at Chorlton WP when that was my patch, so  I still pay special attention to that group of birds. Now if it had been a gull, that's a whole different story .............

Budworth Mere, 9.00 until 11.45 in fine and dry weather. Amongst others :-

Little Egret (1)
Grey Heron (5)
Cormorant (23)
Canada Goose (min 100)
Greylag Goose (min 100)
Mute Swan (2)
Great Crested Grebe (16)
Little Grebe (2)
Tufted Duck (52)
Shoveler (5)
Wigeon (9)
Goosander (2m, 11f-type)
Curlew (59)
Lapwing (11)
Water Rail (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Raven (1)

All much of a muchness (we need a cold snap to drop something of more interest in) so it was good news to learn of a Firecrest, seen and photographed by a Cheshire birder on Wednesday. It was seen in the big yew tree facing the woodland hide. Spent some time there late morning, without luck but Ill give it another go in the morning.

Budworth Mere, 9.00 until 12.00 in mainly dry and cool weather. Amongst others :-

Little Egret (3)
Grey Heron (4)
Cormorant (26)
Canada Goose (c.50)
Greylag Goose (86)
Mute Swan (2)
Great Crested Grebe (13)
Little Grebe (1)
Tufted Duck (61)
Shoveler (7)
Goldeneye (2)
Wigeon (12)
Goosander 12 (2m, 10f-type)
Great Black-backed Gull (1)
Curlew (2)
Cettis Warbler (1)
Water Rail (1)

No sign of the two Bittern, although no doubt they will start to become active mid afternoon onwards. A few Redwing and a couple of Mistle Thrush around, also a flock of around fifteen Long-tailed Tit.

Bittern on show for well over an hour late afternoon, Coward Reedbed at the west end of Budworth Mere. A probable second Bittern was seen briefly as it was going fairly dark but both birds werent seen together. The Starling roost was impressive with several small murmurations before they all dropped in. Probably around 10k in number.

Around 5k Starling in the roost late afternoon. One of the two Bittern awoke from its slumber, half an hour after the first Starling started to drop in, attempting to catch one or two. It flapped and flitted here and there whilst on view for twenty minutes or so. One, possibly two, Sparrowhawk also around. Nice to meet and enjoy the company of John Rayner.