Rostherne Mere

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

RE: Rostherne Mere

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Shame it hadn't stayed. Must have moved on overnight. A few bits and pieces showed themselves:

2 Greylag Geese
2 Kestrels
2 Buzzards
1 Green Woodpecker
2 Stock Doves
2+ Meadow Pipits
2 Sand Martins
2 Chiffchaffs

sid ashton · Status: Offline

A good turn out of forum members at Rostherne - one since first light

Unfortunately no sign of the Osprey by 09.30.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

31/03/2012 - 6.30-8pm with Mike Duckham:

1 Osprey - female perched up in tree on east side, may have roosted
1 Goldeneye
2 Gadwalls
c20 Teal
4 Tufted Ducks
2 Kestrels
3 Buzzards
1 Green Sandpiper
6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - several flew straight through
2 Herring Gulls - flew North
3+ Sand Martins
2 alba Wagtails
1 Green Woodpecker
2 Stock Doves
1 Treecreeper

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 31st of March 2012 09:40:08 PM

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

28/03/2012 - 6-7pm, eventually some hirundines flew through this evening:

1 Green Sandpiper
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
4 Stock Doves
2 Swallows
10+ Sand Martins
2 Chiffchaffs
1 Treecreeper
2 Nuthatches
3 Bullfinches

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Wednesday 28th of March 2012 09:05:12 PM

Graham Smith · Status: Offline

Called in at the church and saw the following towards the mere

1 Kestrel m hunting
5 Buzzard
1 Nuthatch
2 Great crested grebes
1 Cormorant
mixed flocks of tits
Woodpeckers heard drumming

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

23/01/2012 - Just two Great Black-backed Gulls and the leucistic Black-headed Gull amongst the roost tonight. Plenty of Jackdaws, Starlings and Black-headed Gulls as per usual. Also a Green Woodpecker calling.

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Monday 23rd of January 2012 06:08:29 PM

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

14/01/2012 - Fairly quiet gull roost again this evening but with such brilliant weather I didn't care, just good to be out enjoying it all. Plenty of signs of spring about even whilst it's freezing, with Stock Doves in song, ducks displaying and some spring bulbs in flower already. Stuff seen this evening:

c4500 Black-headed Gulls
c100 Common Gulls
56 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
6 Herring Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
8 Goldeneyes
46 Shovelers
c40000 Starlings - again, hard to estimate when the sky is just full of them but slightly less than on the 5th.
c900 Jackdaws - two seperate roosts of c400 and c500, but under-recorded, as I was driving home along the A556 in the last embers of daylight (5pm) there were still large groups flying towards the mere.
1 Peregrine - female
2 Green Woodpeckers
2 Stock Doves
1 Goldcrest

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

adult Yellow-legged Gull in the roost tonight, also a very black backed long winged Intermedius type Lesser Black-backed Gull, otherwise a poor roost with 1 Great Black-backed, 35 Lesser Black-backs, No Herrrings, c10 Common Gulls and far fewer BHGs than normal.

Also 2 Egyptian Geese and 2 male Pintail.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

05/01/2012 - 3.45-4.45pm with Mike Duckham - some spectacular sights tonight:

8 Goldeneyes
7 Herring Gulls - including 2 argentatus adults
c30 Common Gulls
c140 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - influx, returning spring birds?
c6000 Black-headed Gulls - sheltering really close to the obs for a change with the strong NW wind
1 Stock Dove
50000+ Starlings - a vague estimate but a great number showing for ages until dark in a swirling mass over the water and amongst the gulls at times.
1 Goldcrest

not a single Jackdaw flew in to roost

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

We froze this morning, but had a good 3 hours.
Pochard
Goldeneye
Tuffties
Widgeon
Teal
Shoveller
GC Grebe
GS Woodpecker
Pheasant
Lapwing
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Robin
Bullfinch
Chaffinch
Nuthatch
Siskin

p.s. Thanks for my copy of the 2010 Report guys

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

20/11/2011 - Roost visit with Mike Duckham just before dusk:

1 Med Gull - same adult winter bird still in the roost
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
c40 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
14 Common Gulls
c5000 Black-headed Gulls
c180 Cormorants
3 Mandarins
5 Wigeons
4-5000 Jackdaws - incredible numbers and noise from this species in the woods adjacent to the mere
c8000 Starlings - not so many this evening but the roost area is out of sight from the obs, thus birds may be arriving unseen from other directions.

Recent sightings in the log-book include Bittern, Raven and Green Woodpecker.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

13/11/2011 - A quick check of the roost this evening with Mike Duckham produced:

1 Med Gull - adult winter
c30 Common Gulls
c40 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c5000 Black-headed Gulls
2000+ Jackdaws
10,000+ Starlings - roost has recently been somewhere wildly in the region of 50,000 birds but numbers dropped off significantly today

A Bittern and Barn Owl have been recently reported.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

An ad winter Med Gull in the roost this evening.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

One Yellow Legged Gull this evening, ad or near-ad.
A Bittern has been reported several times recently.
Cheers.

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

A single Whooper Swan this morning.

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

4 Pintail and a Shelduck late morning.

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

Single ad Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost this evening,also 160 LBB Gulls.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

Wed 20th Jul:

Ruddy Shelduck 2 still present far left corner of the mere.
Mandarin - 2 juvs at the sandbar.
Grasshopper Warbler encountered by a couple of the regulars.
Recent sightings include Hobby, Black Tern and an interesting description of an aythya hybrid: large white patch at base of bill, head shape wrong for Scaup - bump on rear crown. Same size as Tufted.
It's on the small side for most aythya hybrids, and that bump on the rear crown is interesting, so worth looking out for. No sign yesterday though.
Cheers.

Tony Coatsworth · Status: Offline

As Tim says, the wood itself is a protected nature reserve - especially with the Cormorant colony. I surveyed the area as part of the CAWOS Bird Atlas and I got a special permit from English Nature to enter the wood itself.

Even then I had to co-ordinate with Peter Day and the Rostherne wardens and keep to the boardwalk.

Occassionally they do escorted walks, but the idea is to keep the area as undisturbed as possible - otherwise it would turn into a dog-walkers / children playground area like Dunham Massey, Tatton Park or Marbury CP.

It might sound elitist but there are very few areas left in North Cheshire dedicated for wildlife. Rostherne Mere can be viewed from the churchyard, a public path or the Observatory.

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

WED 13/7/11..

2 Ruddy Shelduck (perhaps the Pennington birds?), and Common Sandpiper this evening.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Tim Coleshaw (Team Leader, National Nature Reserves West Team) has very kindly provided me with the definitive access arrangements for this site:

Access Arrangements, Rostherne Mere

Rostherne Mere National Nature Reserve is managed by Natural England, with the A.W Boyd observatory being run by CAWOS. Access to the observatory is via an annual permit (£10 single, £15 family, £5 senior citizens / children 11-16 years) available from Mrs S Canovan, 7 Pownall Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire,SK8 5AZ. Day permits are also available for £1.

Away from the Observatory, part of the NNR can be visited via a concessionary path which gives views of the Mere and woodland.

Visits to other parts of the reserve are also possible with the wardens (generally Sunday & Wednesday mornings – contact Peter Day, 41 Dorrington Road, Sale, M33 5DX, tel: 0161 973 0067 for details), or on Natural England guided walks (see www.naturalengland.org.uk for details). The reserve car park is on the main village street, opposite Egerton Hall.

Regards

Tim

Stuart Smith · Status: Offline

Today, I was with my wife and didn't take the path from the churchyard to Boyd as it said permit holders, instead we walked round and then down through the woods to the lake alone the footpaths. We went right up to hide on the lakeside and obviously din't (couldn't) get in. We had a really nice walk along the decked bridges by the reed beds.

Are you saying that even just to be down there, on foot, is a serious offence even with a permit? There were signs asking us to keep to the footbridges and be wary of mink trapping. To our mind we followed footpaths only. Anyway, I'm sending £16 for the permit. £15 for the family and £1 for today, if I infringed without knowing.

We had a lovely walk in the wood, and along the lake and stood next to the hide for a good while and watched birds in the reeds and lake.

I just can't imagine how you could see much on the water from the Boyd, even with very good binos.

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Mereside (whitely?) hide is out of bounds to anyone but the wardens and whoever is with them. I think your allowed to go down to it with the warden, but if you go anyway by yourself and are caught then I think they take away your permit (needs verifying), which is a bit harsh. I've only ever been to the boyd observatory, but thats good enough for birding. If you want a day permit I think you knock on the door and hope someone opens it and put your quid in the box on the table.
Hope this helps,
Joe

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Henry have the rules at Rostherne changed? - when I was a member the permit only allowed access to the observatory not to any other part of the nature reserve or to the mere. The only way to get to the hide to which you refer was by invitation and in the company of a committee member at fixed times as I recall

There were always signs up stating the entry restrictions. General viewing of the mere from the church field is also now a possibilty without a permit I understand.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

If you just want to view from the church or side roads there's no need for a permit Stuart. If you would like access to the observatory then yep a permit is needed. I posted the details further down in this thread if you have a look. Don't know about the mereside hide though. Locked when I first tried and haven't really tried since, plus it all looks too overgrown for a good view from it.
Hope that helps.
Henry.

Stuart Smith · Status: Offline

Hi.

I'm new here. I went today for the first time. What a great place. I'm just really getting in birdwatching.

I was delighted to see today,

Reed Warbler
Spotted Flycatcher
Great Crested Crebe
Reed Bunting

and lots of other species too.

I need to send off for a permit do I? I shall do that tomorrow. Is there a person I can pay a £1 to for a day permit, or is there an honesty box? Obviously, I don't have the code to the hide, but it looks a bit far away from the lake. There's one down on the lake that was locked. Is that ever open?

Hope to see some of you experienced folks down there who can educate me in this fine hobby.

Thanks, Stuart.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Not much on the Mere this Morning.
Coote
Cormorant
GC Grebe
Mallard

Saw
2 Buzzard.
1 Stockdove
1 Mistle Thrush
male and female Bullfinch
Blue Tit
Great Tit

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

01/05/2011 - Quick visit at lunch, very quiet in the fierce easterly wind. Just a Mandarin and 2 Goosanders of note.

Recently reported stuff has included Arctic Tern, Common Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier and possible male Montagu's Harrier but not confirmed before moving on.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

16/04/2011 - 2-3.30pm in the obs. and quick scan of the sandbar on the west side.

1 Marsh Harrier
2 Shelducks
2 Mandarins
8 Goldeneyes
4 Greylag Geese
2 Oystercatchers
1 Lapwing
4 Stock Doves
3 Swallows
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs

also reported recently: Black-necked Grebe, c2000 Sand Martins, Redstart and Wheatear.

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 16th of April 2011 05:06:53 PM

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

Common Tern picking midges off the surface in flight today (Sun) - had me going to begin with, viewed distantly from above the sandbar to the opposite corner. Nice to bump into Paul again who had already had the bird from the Obs. One Green Sand still on the sandbar.
Cheers.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

One Green Sand still present yesterday in a brief visit.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

08/04/2011 - 8-10am, mist first thing which slowly cleared to reveal a lovely spring scene across the mere:

4 Green Sandpipers
4 Goldeneyes
1 Willow Warbler
c100 Sand Martins
2 House Martins
20+ Swallows

Also reported Recently: Marsh Harrier, Little Gull, Golden Plover, Yellowhammer, Brambling and Peregrine.

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

Tues 29/3/11 - early evening 2 Green Sandpipers 3 Oystercatchers 2 Swallows with c10 Sand Martins 2 singing Chiffchaffs

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

17/03/2011 - 3.00-4.45pm with Mike Duckham:

1 Peregrine - female type hunting Black-headed Gulls again and harrying Buzzards
1 Sparrowhawk
c180 Cormorants - upto 270 seen recently!
6 Greylag Geese
1 Oystercatcher
1 Siskin - on birdtable
8 Stock Doves

Also reported recently: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Harrier, Pintail, Common Scoter, Pink-footed Goose, Sand Martin and Chiffchaff.

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 17th of March 2011 05:42:49 PM

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

23/02/2011 - Hoped to try the gull roost this evening but attacks from a Peregrine and disturbance from a chainsawer made the gulls hide out of sight from the obs. The Peregrine was once again successful and disappeared into the mereside woods with it's black-headed gull dinner. Generally quiet but some stuff spotted:

194 Cormorants
9 Goosanders
4 Goldeneyes
1 Treecreeper
4 Lesser Redpolls
1 Siskin

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Cheers Henry. Went today on a day permit. Not a lot about, but did get:
4 Siskin (4f 1m showing really well right outside the observatory)
4 Goldfinch
loads of tits (great, blue, coal)
5 Bullfinch
18 Goosander
2 Gadwall
c.10 pochards/tufties (knew i should've brought the scope!)

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Hi Joe.
The details on CAWOS website for obtaining a permit for the obs at Rostherne are wrong. The permit application should be sent to:

MRS. S CANOVAN, 7 POWNALL ROAD, CHEADLE HULME, CHESHIRE,
SK8 5AZ

It's still £5 for OAP/Children, £10 for a single or £15 for family membership. If I remember rightly cheques are payable to the Boyd Observatory.
Thanks. Henry.

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 17th of February 2011 06:11:35 PM

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

I just realised my Rostherne permit has expired, and was wondering does anyone know where I send off for a new one? I remember last time sending it to the wrong guy, and having it sent back

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

17/02/2011 - An hour over noon:

1 Curlew - flew over NE
1 Kestrel - hunting in front of the obs
11 Greylag Geese - dropped in at 12.30pm
2 Wigeon - very quiet on the duck front
4 Great Crested Grebes
15 Goosanders
72 Cormorants
1 Siskin - bird table
6 Bullfinches - bird table

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Not mush doing, but had a good 3.5hours.
Goosanders
GC Grebe
Goldeneye
Buzzards
all the small stuff on the bird table.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

02/01/2011 - Pretty quiet with very few ducks about now in particular. A juvenile Peregrine bothered the gulls gathering for roost and 8 Goosanders were present.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

No Slaty Backed in the gull roost from the church, (7 LBB, 1 GBB & 1 HG) so walked down the road to view the sand bar in the gathering darkness. A Pink Footed Goose was calling and eventually 3 showed amongst the waterfowl here.
Mere about 75% frozen.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

1 Green Sand perching on a submerged log, surrounded by water - the level has risen considerably.
7 Goosander.
Poss my last visit for a while, it's been really nice to revisit the old patch.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

1 Green Sand calling repeatedly for a while in the area of the sand bar. Eventually a Sprawk passed along the shore so that was what the commotion was about.
Kingfisher also calling somewhere along the stream, and lots of tits (inc Long Tailed) and crests on the road up to the church... you wouldn't know there's been a cold snap!

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

11/01/2011 - 1 Peregrine this afternoon, sat above the 145 Cormorants in the roost. Quiet amongst the gulls before dark, with just 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 7 Herring Gulls, a leucistic Black-headed Gull and a very dark headed Common Gull of interest. Good numbers of Tufted Ducks still present after the thaw; c700.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Strangely enough Sid, I was there until dark this evening and not a single Starling flew past me even though visibility was fine. They may have just approached from a different direction and straight into the reeds...

02/01/2011 - 2-4pm, some of the stuff seen:

1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult)
9 Herring Gulls (including a brute of an argentatus race bird)
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
48 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c2000 Common Gulls
c10000 Black-headed Gulls
126 Cormorants
2 Goosanders
10 Goldeneyes
c250 Teals
c450 Tufted Ducks
c70 Pochards
17 Gadwalls
1 Water Rail
2 Buzzards
4 Stock Doves
2 Siskins
1 Bullfinch

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Called in at Rostherne late afternoon in the hope of seeing the Starling roost - as it turned out couldn't see the water/ice because of the fog lying over the area. It was quite eerie looking down on that "soup" bowl from the church field. There were lots of Gulls comimg in but as far as I could tell they didn't venture through the fog to roost. As for the Starlings, not a one to be seen anywhere never mind going toward the reed beds

So my question - where do birds like these roost when they can't see where they are going because of the fog? Anyone any thoughts on this one?

That's it for 2010 - so Happy New Year and a good birding 2011 to all.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Friday 31st of December 2010 07:02:24 PM

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

Huge increase in duck, what took them so long?!
Mainly Tufties, c. 1000 of them.
Also 6 Mandarins, c. 10 Ruddies and 3 Goosander.
The leucistic BHG again present.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

07/12/2010 - Certainly did look particularly scenic this afternoon Joe, a layer of fog added to the atmosphere but sadly not the visibility. Additional sightings up to dusk with Mike D, Steve and Jill Barber included:

1 Peregrine (imm female again in front of the obs, caught a Black-headed Gull again!)
1 Mandarin (drake)
4 Goosanders (3 drakes)
1 Kingfisher (using the boathouse as a perch)
1 leucistic Black-headed Gull (again in the gull roost)
c20000 Starlings (roosting)