There have been two Quail for a few days in a crop field roughly three quarters of a mile south east of Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve. I didnt see either bird today in a stay of over two hours, early afternoon, but four despatches of song were heard. Two different local couples had seen them. Best viewed from the metal gate on Moss Lane, just beyond the junction with Smethwick Lane. Both these lanes are just south of the A54 at Somerford. Parking limited but there is room for two or three cars near aforementioned junction.
Brereton Heath Park situated between Holmes Chapel and Congleton.
Lake and grassed area in front of car park: A single Fulvous Whistling Duck (no sign of a ring) Numerous Mallards plus a hybrid white mix duck, Canada Geese, Coots, Black Headed Gulls, 4 Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pied Wagtails Woodland area (Brimstone Trail): Wild Rabbit, Song Thrush, Buzzard heard but not seen. Usual woodland/garden birds Wrens, Robins, Long Tailed Tits.
Nipped over to Brereton again this morning in the hope of getting better views of the Woodlarks before the farmer ploughs the field which apparently he will do this coming week - well Jupiter's Moons were easier to find
Plenty of other activity including Pied Wags, Rooks, Jackdaws, Starlings and Tree Sparrows all feeding well in the stubble but not a Woodlark to be seen. Also at least 20 other birders present over the time I was there.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Sunday 21st of November 2010 02:02:07 PM
Found two distant Woodlarks in the stubble field almost opposite to the entrance to Brereton Country Park late morning. The rain had started again just as I arrived so the views through my bins were not the best and by the time I had walked back to the car for my scope all of the birds in the field, Corvids included had been spooked probably by a Buzzard that was flying around.
Returned later in the afternoon, after visiting Astbury Mere in Congleton - the Buzzard was still present but no further sign of the Woodlarks.
