Mark Dean wrote:

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Went to Chelford Sand Quarries this afternoon,Grey Phalarope still at Lapwing hall pool in SE corner,and saw 1 Cattle Egret still at Whisterfield Lane end of Acre Nook Sand Quarry,at waters edge below Farm.

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 what time did you see it? did you get any photos?

up to three cattle egrets SW of acre nook sq in cow fields at sharp bend on Congleton lane for last two days

Grey Phalarope on Lapwing hall pool also Cattle egret roosting on acre nook

We had a little spare time today so decided to try and catch up with the Smew. After twenty or so minutes with a local patcher we found a female but no sign of the drake. Our friend decided to walk around the lake whilst we stayed put deciding it was likely the drake was hidden from view by some trees  close in on the east bank.

Eventually we moved a little along the west bank to a better view point after about forty five minutes he decided to appear in all his splender, preening away what an absolute dandy.

Other birds include  Goosander, Wigeon and Goldeneye. We managed to spot the Tree Sparrows along the lane back to the car.

10.20 am a quick visit to lapwing hall pool

Redhead Smew best seen from North East or East side

Ring-necked Duck feeding below south-west bank of Acre Nook - viewed from Whisterfield Lane.

Pretty terrible digi-scoped image attached.

No sign of Little Gulls or Yellow Wagtails reported from 12th April

After 2 days in work I needed a run out so popped the 14 miles over to near Chelford to the sand quarries and pools here. It was bright and dry but with glowering skies arriving as I left.

My first port of call was Lapwing Hall Pool. As I walked along Lapwing Lane to access the footpath into the reserve I had at least 4 Tree Sparrows in the laneside hedgerows, always a nice bird to see in Cheshire and a yeartick to boot! I then entered the reserve and headed to the pool and scoped it, at the far lefthand corner I picked up my quarry - a redhead Smew. This felt pretty ironic, twitching a Smew after having had my local patch bird in previous winters. But with my suspicions that my bird has perished I was only too glad to add the species to my list this early in the year. The bird that myself and a birding pal were watching disappeared so I walked the pool and found a redhead Smew in the first arm on the left of the pool tucked up under the bank. Two birds had been seen here so whether this was my original bird relocating or a second individual I couldn't say for sure. Also on the pool were plenty of Wigeon and Teal. After taking a few digiscoped shots I headed back down Lapwing Lane.

I then headed to the end and looked over Acre Nook Sand Quarry from the viewpoint. As I scanned I watched a female Goldeneye and then a Black-necked Grebe, both yearticks for me. Further round 4(2drk) Mandarins were in very active display, the two drakes flaring out their gaudy 'sail' feathers and looking magnificent. Also on here was a Pochard and a Little Grebe.

As the weather threatened to turn worse I headed off home for lunch. Ony a short trip but a very enjoyable one with plenty of new birds for 2022.

Slavonian Grebe still on Acre Nook Quarry, viewed from footpath from Whisterfield Lane. Used to watch this area regularly in my born-again birder days in the 90's when it was less flooded than currently but definitely an area to keep a (distant) eye on.

Local patcher Steve Barber today found a summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe on Acre Nook Sand Quarry. The location of the bird meant that it was only possible to view from the footpath north off Whisterfield Lane. The bird was very distant and only seen clearly through a scope at 40-60x zoom!! Also present was an Egyptian Goose that I was told has been here a while.

Steve has requested that any visitors do not park on the mown verges of the houses close to the footpath but park further away adjacent to farm fields and walk a short distance to the start of the path.

06/03/21

Black Necked Grebe still present and showing nicely close to the pool edge

On Lapwing Lane I also saw a White Pheasant

Yes it was mark! Thanks for the info 

Black-necked grebe and 2 female smew still present on lake this pm. Also drake Goldeneye and Pintail on Acre nook quarry, along with the usual Tree sparrows along the lane.

No sign of avocet

Quick visit to Acre Nook late p.m. No sign of the avocet.

At least 4 shoveler(2m) and at least 16 goosander (50/50 m/f) as well as the shelduck.

Stopped off here yesterday afternoon, on my way home from a business engagement (so nice to be out for once    )

The Female Smew was still present, and I was told the Blacked Necked Grebe was also still present...but I didnt see this

The star of the show yesterday seemed to be the Avocet that was on a sand spit on the quarry lake

Otherwise loads of noisy Widgeon, some Tufted ducks and Tree Sparrows along the lane

Very enjoyable stroll in the sun 

Redhead Smew still showing well in SE corner. Lots of Wigeon, Tufted Ducks, and Teal as well.

There is a 'permissive path' running along the east edge of the pool, but I didn't see how to access it apart from squeezing through the hedge on Congleton Lane - looked like I wasn't the only one doing that!

Does anyone know who owns this site now? I haven't visited for a while but access is suddenly very restricted due to new fencing that stops you even walking along much of the bank top. There is much signage about it being a 'nature reserve' but no indication who is managing it. Obviously this will be good for the birds during the breeding season where unrestrained dogs are concerned.