13.30-15.00

Drake Ring-necked Duck still on No6 Tank, although asleep most of time.

2 Avocets, 1 Black Tailed Godwit resplendent in summer plumage but

skulking amongst the sedge. 2 Cuckoos

1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Redshank, 2 Little Grebes plus the usual.

A pair of Great Tits were seen feasting on the Ermine Moth caterpillars that

infest the bushes along the North side of No6 Tank.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 10th of June 2012 05:32:39 PM

Nick Isherwood wrote:

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Just out of interest. Frank didn't say whether he was in his car or not when he got within 5 feet. The birds would maybe much more tolerant of the cars proximity than an actual human being that close.

Just a thought really. You can't tell from his photos if they've been shot through glass or not.

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We were in the car at first but i got out of the car to take a few shots without the window interference , and eventually i had to walk past the bird on the road and it was still there when i got back in the car to leave

Frank

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/

Just out of interest. Frank didn't say whether he was in his car or not when he got within 5 feet. The birds would maybe much more tolerant of the cars proximity than an actual human being that close.

Just a thought really. You can't tell from his photos if they've been shot through glass or not.

Ring-necked Duck with a group of Tufted Ducks on number 6 tank this morning. The bill pattern wasn't outstanding and although faint was present.

Had nice views of a Cuckoo flying over the reeds.

Frank Whitney wrote:

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Had a look for the RB Duck in shocking weather on thursday evening with no luck , plenty of Hirundine activity Cuckoo flew across road by No 6 Tank , couple up to hi jinks in a white vann but star of the night a Pair of Hobbys fighting over a Swift on the road in front of me , down to 5 feet and just stared at me , got some pics here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/

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I think those Hobby Pics just show how hard it is at the moment to find food for hobbys and most other birds as well,they both look starved to me and to sit on the ground like that must be almost unknown,you wouldn't get near them normally,great pics that to me just show what sort of crisis we are going through at the moment,most small birds are struggling as well as there are so few moths,so that leads to so few caterpillars,and dragonflies do not live through this sort of weather,so the hobbys suffer,its much harder for them to chase swifts,than Dragonflies.

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 8th of June 2012 07:29:22 PM

2nd June No 6 and environs
2 Avocets - mating
1 Hobby
1 Cuckoo
3 Black Tailed Godwits
c 25 Dunlin
7 Ringed Plover
100's of swifts



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 2nd of June 2012 08:18:26 PM

Quick look at No.6 tank at first light this morning.: 5 Avocet. 1 Yellow wagtail. 3 Black tailed godwit. 2 Redshank . few Ringed plover. plenty Sedge warbler + Reed Warbler. the odd Whitethroat , Blackcap + Chiffchaff. 1 Black swan amongst the Mute swans.

No 6 Bed
3 Cuckoos present this morning (10.00am-ish) 2 seen flying together, over reedbeds and hawthorn bushes. One bird noticeably darker,presumably m and f birds. A third cuckoo was calling close by. Great close views. Eventually a Magpie started mobbing them and they moved off.

Single Avocet.

Pair Bullfinch.Numerous Whitethroat/Sedge/Reed Warblers

Loads of Wheatear, all over...at least 20 birds seen.

-- Edited by John O'Neill on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 07:37:39 PM

06.00 - 11.15, a tour of most of the area in pleasant sunshine.

Of interest:-

Marsh Farm and pond: Around the pond, Meadow Pipits, Wheatears, Swallows and Linnets and the one I went for, a cracking male Whinchat.

Down on the river there were 10's of Swifts feasting on the swarms of St Mark's flys. A second male Whinchat was fly-catching from the top of a Hawthorn bush. In the reeds Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler (two firsts for the year for me) as well as several Reed Buntings.

At the log book area there were at least two reeling Grasshopper Warblers.

On number 6 tank, a minimum of 12 Avocets, plus 6 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover and a good group of Black-tailed Godwits. There were also singles of Redshank and Raven. Apart from 6 or so each of Shelduck and Tufted Duck there didn't appear to be much else on the tank.

On Lordship Lane, a further reeling Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Reed Warblers near the model plane flying area.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 08:46:08 AM

Just got info from a mate that there were plenty of Wheatears in a ploughed field near Marsh Farm today. May check out the area tomorrow

Good sized flock of Golden Plover [40+] on main tank, Short Eared Owl, 8 Avocet and a possible Little Ringed Plover this afternoon - just too distant to be sure with bins.

Had a walk round No6 tank today 11am 2pm sightings of note great views of short-eared owl perched in small tree along track at side of no6 tank, on tank its self, 11 Avocet , 3o+Tufted Ducks, five Shell Ducks and 50+ Golden Plover, 20+ Lapwing and small flock Sand Martins flying over, could not pick out any other waders looking towards hazy sun light but did see Female Marsh Harrier and Female Hen Harrier both hunting over reed beds on no6 tank, loads of Reed Bunting, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on and around no6, and last but not least 2 pairs and loan male stonechat along lordship lane
MIKE

Nick Isherwood wrote:

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Patrick Earith wrote:

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Drake Red Crested Pochard still present on no.6 tank in amongst the Wigeon and usual fair. Also present large flock of Golden Plover, 4 Dunlin, Shelduck, Shoveler. No sign of Avocet.

But, the highlight was the hunting Short-eared Owl which gave fantastic views down to a couple of feet. I guess the guy with the very big lens got some cracking photos in the afternoon sun

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A couple of feet?

It wasn't perched on your shoulder was it?

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No exaggeration (although, I guess I should have said "at one point..."). It flew across the track at head height over my shoulder. Obviously, it spent most of the time quartering the usual field, but, came very close on several occasions. Clearly unfazed by us.

-- Edited by Patrick Earith on Wednesday 7th of March 2012 07:57:31 AM

-- Edited by Patrick Earith on Wednesday 7th of March 2012 07:51:19 PM

Drake Red Crested Pochard still present on no.6 tank in amongst the Wigeon and usual fair. Also present large flock of Golden Plover, 4 Dunlin, Shelduck, Shoveler. No sign of Avocet.

But, the highlight was the hunting Short-eared Owl which gave fantastic views down to a couple of feet. I guess the guy with the very big lens got some cracking photos in the afternoon sun

Hi, at the start of winter I said i'd get short eared owl. For whatever reason (christmas, exam revision, bla bla bla) I haven't been to get them and so am trying a last ditch effort for them at frodsham. Could anyone PM me which tank's best for viewing?

Many thanks,

A very desperate Joe

great views of 4 shorties last weekend here.
Close up views. Plenty out on no. 6 tank as well.
Rob

Stuart, if you look further down the thread you'll find directions to the site from Frodsham town centre.

Patrick Earith wrote:

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Incredible views of 4 Short eared Owls again here in the lovely late afternoon sunshine. Coming in as close as 10 feet from me and calling to each other too. Owl on owl, owl on crow and owl on buzzard action observed!

Feel very privileged to have witnessed this spectacle. Just wish I'd got some better pictures

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Hi Patrick
"The Short Eared Owl show" at Frodsham at the moment,is quite simply the best Birding that I've ever done in a lifetime.
I'm delighted that you enjoyed the same standard of entertainment from the owls that we have had there also,and I bet that you'll be back for more,because I certainly will be myself.

Cheers Denzil

No sign of the possible Lesser Scaup this morning after lengthy search. Even though there appeared to be a similar number of Tufted ducks on the water as there were yesterday, our candidate appeared to have vanished. A further search later in the day by Mark Taylor and David Hughston also proved fruitless, but they did have the consolation of four short-eared owls and an Avocet.

Large numbers of birds on the number six tank today around lunchtime at Frodsham Marshes.

Probably in excess of 2,000 dunlin ( the largest number I've seen on there this year ) and a similar number of Teal.

Also amongst the many Lapwing, Widgeon and Shelduck were several Golden Plover and a few Redshank.

Best sighting of the day came from two Northwich birders, Mark Taylor and his friend Dave of a possible Lesser Scaup. We shall be returning tomorrow to try and confirm the birds identity.

Managed a quick hour on No.6 tank this morning from 8.30 to 9.30 with John Barber and Richard Hargreaves.

Hundreds of Teal present along with a good supporting cast of Pintail, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pochard and Tufted. The highlight duck though was a female Red Crested Pochard which tucked itself into the the big flocks of duck which were harrassed a few times by passing Peregrines.

Besides the Peregrines the only other raptor to show itself was a female/juvenile Marsh Harrier which gave excellent views as it glided low over the tank. The best moment though was when it perched up on a log for a few minutes in full view. A truly stunning bird!!

Waders were a little thin on the ground though with 7 Golden Plover mixed in with around a hundred Lapwing. There was also one Little Stint hanging around with 7 Dunlin and also a couple of Redshank.

A good hours worth of birding!!

-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Monday 10th of October 2011 08:15:13 PM

A quick hour this afternoon produced the following:

c100 Dunlin
11 Curlew Sandpiper
3 Ruff
2 Little Stint
3 Ringed Plover
1 Snipe
1 Black tailed Godwit
1 Redshank

Plus all the usuals.

A couple of hours here on tank No. 6 this morning produced the following:

64 Black tailed Godwit
4 Curlew Sandpiper
1 Ruff (f)
1 Marsh Harrier - great views as it hunted over tank 6
3 Buzzard
2 Kestrel
c20 Pied Wagtail
c100 Teal
c250 mixed hirundines - mainly House Martins and Sand Martins
3 Swift - passing through
c100 Black Headed Gull
c100 Canada Geese

I must have arrived shortly after Mike as the juvenile Peregrine was busy chasing and harrassing the waders as I got there. Consequently, all the birds then rested up right at the very edges of the tank - mostly on the opposite side so scope views were very distant. Similar birds to Mike but only around 15 Curlew Sandpiper on view.

Other birds of note were:

2 Pintail
2 Buzzard
1 Juv Chiffchaff
c40 Dunlin
1 Greylag

After here we decided to have a little look at the Weaver Bend. Quite a few of the usual ducks around but other birds of note were:

2 Common Sandpiper
1 Turnstone
6 Little Grebe
1 Wheatear - on the road out.