Rostherne Mere

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

RE: Rostherne Mere

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)

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Just a quick visit to the mere before it got dark. A fair few shovelers around, a few teal, lots of mallard, about 5 pochard and a few tufties along side the pochard as well as 2 herons squabbling near the boathouse. On the table there were the usual tits and finches, with 2 nuthatch present and at least 3 bullfinch.Everything looks very picturesque out there!

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

01/12/2010 - A couple of hours here with Mike D for the evening roost. Highlights were:

1 Peregrine (imm female caught a Black-headed Gull and ate it in front of the obs just after dusk!)
1 Sparrowhawk
16 Pink-footed Geese (on the mere)
1 Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
5000+ Black-headed Gulls (plus the leucistic bird again)
c170 Cormorants
10000's Starling
100's Jackdaws
1 Skylark (over)
2 Coal Tits
1 Bullfinch

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

18/11/2010 - Back with Mike D this afternoon for the roost. Of note were:

2 Med Gulls (ad.w's)
1 leucistic Black-headed Gull
1 Herring Gull
5 Mandarins
5 Goldeneyes
104 Cormorants
1 Treecreeper
1 Goldcrest

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

05/11/2010 - Scan of the gull roost with Mike Duckham this afternoon from the Churchyard and west side, but most gulls were spooked by researchers on boats

. Stuff seen:

1 Pintail (fem)
14 Mandarins (6 drakes)
4 Gadwalls
c20 Shovelers
12 Teals
13 Wigeons
5 Tufted Ducks
6 Great Crested Grebes
c3000 Black-headed Gulls (nothing of note amongst them)
1 Siskin

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

Adult Yellow Legged Gull this evening, the same (i think) ad Med Gull as on Mon, and a leucistic BHG. Nearby a dead Polecat on the Tatton straight.

-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Saturday 30th of October 2010 06:47:49 PM

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

Ad Med Gull in the roost this evening, viewed from the church.
7+ Mandarins on Thurs.
Cheers.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Tues 19th. "We" arrived after a long trip -forgot Innermarsh was shut on a Tues. 'till we got there!!!
Anyway,
Kestrel,
GS Woodpecker on the top of the left dead tree
Jay near the top of the right head tree
Shovelers
Mandarin
Tufties
GC Grebes
Mallard

Loads of small stuff on the feeder

A good 3 hours, but sorry we did not see any Goldeneye.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

16/10/2010 - Quick scan with Mike Duckam. Amongst the usual stuff were:

2 Mandarins
14 Shovelers
2 Tufted Ducks
1 Pochard
2 Siskins

(Nearby at Ashley were 10 Golden Plovers amongst c120 Lapwings)

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

"We" like Rostherne, all the small stuff on the table and in the bushes, and the Mere as well.
Spent 2.5hours there today. Light was ebbing and flowing. Loads of GCG, then Pochard,Tufties,Gadwall,
House Martins,
All the tits, plus greenfinch and a chiffchaff in the bushes and on the table

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Sorry to miss you Rick. I concede it might have been nearer 11.45 when we got to the hide from the car park. Ours was the only car there.

Rick Donkin · Status: Offline

I left at 11.38 (according to time of photo I took of the Church on my mobile phone) so must have just missed Geoff + 3.

From a restriced viewpoint, brief view of both Ruddy Shelduck as they swam from right to left and dissappeared under the overhanging branch on far left.

Also glimpse of smallish wader dashing left to right across the water - white rump, dark wings (no wing bar) - only thing I can think of would be possible Green Sandpiper?

Group of 6 chattering Jackdaws overhead as I walked through the Church grounds and call of GSW.
Rick.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

We three + one arrived at 11.30am and stayed 'till 3pm. One had not been before, and enjoyed it. Good value for £1.

Male & Female Ruddy Shelduck were at the far end of the mere on an overhanging branch and then swimming around. The white head of the female was easily visible when they were in the water. Heck of a long way though, even with scopes.

5 Buzzard
Female GSW
Stock Dove
Tuffties
Swift
Robin
Bullfinch
Great/Blue Tits
Flock of Lapwing going by.

richard howells 2 · Status: Offline

Female seen 1730 this evening at the far end of the mere.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

We were looking for somewhere to go tomorrow, might end up here. I have not been for ages mainly due to work on the house.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Similarly, thanks Henry for the reminder - got over to Rostherne early evening after being stuck in the office all day - great scope views of the pair just down from the "view point" on the church field. Have seen male Ruddy Shelduck before but the female with her white face was really nice to see. The male was doing some sort of raised-wing courtship display; from the back he looked like a Chinese junk with its sails up.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Tuesday 6th of July 2010 09:20:37 PM

Phil Owen · Status: Offline

Thanks for the text Henry, like you said, distant but decent enough views of the 2 Ruddy Shelducks in with the Canada Geese and also on their own in front of the reeds.

Nice to see the Gatekeeper and Comma butterflies amongst others!!

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

06/07/2010 - 8am+1pm

2 Ruddy Shelducks (pair still present, always distant from the churchyard)
c100 Cormorants
1 Hobby
2 Common Terns
1 Pochard
1 Redshank (on western shore)
2 Oystercatcher
2 Sand Martins
3 Stock Doves
3 Red-legged Partridges (near Cicely Mill)

Phil Rowley · Status: Offline

pair of ruddy shelduck on mere yesterday 4th july.

John Barber · Status: Offline

Male and female Mandarin's on the lake today.

John Barber · Status: Offline

Single Ring Ouzel showing in front of the observatory over the last few days.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

We three were here today. Freezing again in the hide, but a good place to go when it's wet, as not far from the car park. Looking forward to warmer days, and better seeing, although it bucked up about noon.

Anyway def. worth it, as a bittern appeared in full view just to the right of the boat house, and then it was visible in the reeds for about 30 mins. - also it was my first bittern ever.

A buzzard landed in the field in front of the hide for a while, and then settled on the tree and post in front of it at the back of the field for ages.

Hundreds of widgeon, 7 cc grebe, 1 male and two female goldeneye, with the male cavorting, tuffties, cormorants and the usual small stuff on the feeder.

-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Friday 26th of February 2010 06:18:50 PM

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Had my first session in the obs. this pm. Absolutely freezing, and the seeing/light was awful.

That apart, the two of us enjoyed it. Did not record anything, but there was a nice bullfinch among the great tits,nuthatch and squirrel on the feeder, and goldeneye,
gg grebe, teal,widgeon,coote,and ruddy duck on the mere.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Anyone know if the road from the A556 is now open to save going via Knutsford? It was closed last Friday.

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

Not a recent sighting, but a very old and sad one

I've been sifting through an old notebook from 1977 only to be reminded that I MISSED THE LITTLE SHEARWATER ALIVE BY JUST ONE HOUR on 3rd July 1977

. I'm on 500 now and I still need it

. Its true identification was only revealed when it was picked up. It had been present sine 29th June.

-- Edited by Pete Hines on Tuesday 16th of February 2010 05:42:22 PM

-- Edited by Pete Hines on Tuesday 16th of February 2010 05:42:49 PM

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Thanks Sid

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Geoff I have sent you a PM

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Hi all,
Has anyone got a tel.no. so I can see when the obs is open and book a day permit for our group please?

Steve Barber · Status: Offline

Two red-headed Smew were on the mere today. Mostly they kept well apart but they were watched together at the far end of the mere from the Observatory at lunch time. At least one Bittern is still present but the word 'elusive' was probably invented with this species in mind. Recently though, one has been seen dropping into the reeds below the Obs. Otherwise c650 Tufted Duck were the main feature today.

Twitcheruth · Status: Offline

sid ashton wrote:

Finally caught up with the Smew this afternoon with the help of Ruth and Howard from Northwich - if you read this post - thanks for the help folks.

Thanks Sid,good to meet you and share the view!

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Doh - had a brief look this afternoon from the churchyard but couldn't pick it out!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Finally caught up with the Smew this afternoon with the help of Ruth and Howard from Northwich - if you read this post - thanks for the help folks.

Twitcheruth · Status: Offline

Steve Barber wrote:

I'd like to remind birders that there is access to the Rostherne Observatory for permit holders. The Observatory provides shelter from the weather and its log book gives up to date info on birds seen. Annual permits are available from Dave Clarke, 1 Hart Ave, Sale, Cheshire M33 2JY. Prices are £10 single, £15 family and £5 senior citizens and children 11-16 years. Cheques are payable to the A W Boyd Observatory Fund, please enclose an SAE. If you're in the churchyard it's worth checking to see if the Observatory is open, in which case payment of £1 obtains a day permit.

Please use the log book to record your sightings as these will help in preparation of the Reserve's Annual Report. I've not visited Rostherne since Tuesday when both Bittern and Smew were present. The Smew has been favouring the west side of the mere, the Bittern is pot luck!

-- Edited by Steve Barber on Friday 15th of January 2010 02:18:31 PM

We purchased a permit just before the bad weather arrived so haven't been able to visit yet.....hopefully will pop over in the next week or two...and hope for some pot luck ourselves!

Steve Barber · Status: Offline

I was interested to read the recent posts about birds seen at Rostherne in the icy weather.

I'd like to remind birders that there is access to the Rostherne Observatory for permit holders. The Observatory provides shelter from the weather and its log book gives up to date info on birds seen. Annual permits are available from Dave Clarke, 1 Hart Ave, Sale, Cheshire M33 2JY. Prices are £10 single, £15 family and £5 senior citizens and children 11-16 years. Cheques are payable to the A W Boyd Observatory Fund, please enclose an SAE. If you're in the churchyard it's worth checking to see if the Observatory is open, in which case payment of £1 obtains a day permit.

Please use the log book to record your sightings as these will help in preparation of the Reserve's Annual Report. I've not visited Rostherne since Tuesday when both Bittern and Smew were present. The Smew has been favouring the west side of the mere, the Bittern is pot luck!

-- Edited by Steve Barber on Friday 15th of January 2010 02:18:31 PM

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

11/01/2010 - I made it for the gull roost this evening and birds were arriving from all compass points. By dusk there were approx 15000 gulls on the ice and on the decent area of open water still. After an hour of scanning one albino Black-headed Gull was seen in amongst the masses, but no scarcer gulls. Also around were 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 180+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Goldeneyes, c30 Shovelers but generally very few ducks with only 26 Tufted Ducks, 2 Wigeon and 1 Pochard even though there was plenty of open water and no sign of the Smew.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Had an extremely chilly hour at Rostherne earlier this afternoon- still quite tricky getting there. No sign of the Smew - has it gone to Irlam? There were lots of birds on the water, about a third of the area still unfrozen. Didn't try to count numbers but present included Tufties, Wigeon, Pochard, Teal, Shoveler, Coot, Mallard, Great Crested and Little Grebe and on the ice big numbers of Gulls including Great black-backed and Black Headed and the usual Cormorants in the trees.

P.S. Forgot the large group of Canada Geese there as well.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 9th of January 2010 09:30:11 PM

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Henry Cook wrote:

06/01/2010 - After pushing the car out of the verge several times thanks to icy back roads near the village of Rostherne, a Smew (fem) was a nice reward. It may be the same bird as a reported a month ago but I can't be sure. It kept close to the west shore, seen from the snow-covered churchyard.

A brave effort Henry, I got half way to Rostherne this morning and decided that Smew or no Smew I wasn't going any further. I was told about the bird yesterday and apparently it is almost certainly the same one reported in December.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

06/01/2010 - After pushing the car out of the verge several times thanks to icy back roads near the village of Rostherne, a Smew (fem) was a nice reward. It may be the same bird as a reported a month ago but I can't be sure. It kept close to the west shore, seen from the snow-covered churchyard.

Also about were c1200 Tufted Ducks, c300 Teals, c300 Pochards, 18 Coots, 23 Mallards, 1 Goldeneye (fem), 1 Goosander (fem), 2 Wigeons, 24 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Cormorants, 30+ Common Gulls, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Greylag Geese.

Thanks. Henry.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Late morning in the sunshine - no sign of yesterday's reported Smew but lots of Wigeon, Mallard, 8 Great Crested Grebe and 6 Golden Eye (4 fem, 2 Male) all very distant and a Buzzard in a tree about 20 yards away from me. Also one of the local people was telling me that yesterday there was an escaped Golden Eagle in one of the fields that look onto the mere - could have got quite excited if I'd seen that

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Henry Cook wrote:

A Slav and Smew (fem) reported here today, viewed from the churchyard, not bad!

If the last couple of year's patterns are followed it is likely that the Smew will move on to Tatton Park - where viewing is a lot easier.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

A Slav and Smew (fem) reported here today, viewed from the churchyard, not bad!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Quite a sizeable Starling roost is starting to build up at Rostherne (viewed from behind the church) - not as big as previous years but worth looking at. The early arrivals were met by a Sparrowhawk waiting for dinner