1 Wheatear (first of the year here) Nice male perched on a fence and a log pile. 1 Curlew 2 Ringed Plovers 2 Little Ringed Plovers 3 Stonechat 2 Shelduck 1 Chiffchaff 20 Lapwing
In recent days there have been a couple of pairs of Oystercatchers, Reed Buntings, Fieldfares, Siskin and Meadow Pipit.
No Spotted Flycatcher or Whinchat for me but the highlight was a Short-eared Owl found by Adam Jones. It was hunting over the airfield on and off from at least 19.35 to 21.05.
Pair of stonechats on airfield scrubby bushes along with a whinchat, 2 reed buntings and 3 whitethroats. A spotted flycatcher flitting between the trees and bushes around the back garden of the old barn conversion. Thats a first for me on this patch. Good numbers of sand martins this year, I counted about 30. Only 4 lapwing though. Their habitat has been reduced so much by the building works.
A bumper few days recently around Old Hall Lane. Of note;
2 male Whinchats opposite the Avro golf club house passed through. Male and female Redstarts on Old Hall farm. Yellow Wagtail around the golf course. 2 Stonechats on the airfield. 2 Whitethroats. Willow Warbler. At least 4 Wheatear. Common and Green Sandpipers on the airfield. Good numbers of Linnets, Sand Martins, Reed Buntings and Skylark.
Finally caught up with the Great White Egret today viewed from the Green Bridge looking downstream. I don't think it has been reported since last Thursday and I was beginning to think it had moved on but it can easily hide away in the many bends of the River Dean. Just caught a glimpse of the top of it's head but soon came up into the field. 2 Stonechats present on the old airfield. The Water Rail was still seen yesterday.
A Water Rail on the River Dean to the left of the Green Bridge under the overhanging branches in the water on the first bend. No sign of the Great White Egret for me. Lynne, was the Great White Egret near the Green Bridge on Thursday when you saw it and at what time? Cheers Steve
Great White Egret still flapping around over the Dean. Also 100+ Fieldfare still in the fields, and a pair of Stonechat on the reeds on whats left of the airfield.
A site first for me in the form of a Great White Egret. Initially landed on the GM side of the river Dean, before dropping down into the river. Just a few minutes later took off again across into Cheshire. Not a great deal else around.
A Whinchat was along the hedgerow and in the wheat field before the green bridge yesterday evening. Lots of Swallows passing through. 2 Reed Bunting 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Kestrel 2 Lapwings 2 Buzzards 2 Grey Herons
1 male Common Redstart was in the hedgerow from the farm house to the river, spending a lot of its time on a willow. 6 Sand Martin 1 Cormorant 5 Lapwing 1 Chiffchaff
Yellow Wagtail at the back of the flood this evening. (Dreadful long distance record shots attached) 4 Little Ringed Plovers 1 Wheatear 3 Oystercatchers
A little egret was fishing in the stream by the green bridge, down the footpath alongside Old Hall Farm. 4 skylarks singing up high over Afro golf course.
Oystercatcher 7 Teal 24 (dropped in but soon got flushed by a dog walker) Lesser Black-backed Gull 20 Herring Gull 3 Common Gull 1 Black-headed Gull - many, but uncounted Canada Goose - uncounted
Blossoms Lane:
Ring-necked Parakeet 1 over Redwing c50 Song Thrush singing
Church Lane Flood 1 adult Mediterranean Gull flew over the flood at 3pm east to west approx, I am not sure if it was on the flood as I had just started walking down the road, not yesterdays Poynton bird, this one was not showing a summer head. Highlights: 180 Black-headed Gulls 81 Canada Geese 3 Oystercatcher, 1 flew in late on to join a pair. 2 Sparrowhawk 1 Buzzard
Church Lane Flood Stop off on way home from work 1 Oystercatcher, 90 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser BB Gull, 27 Canada Geese.