Another report today that the Hoopoe was still in the area north of Little Budworth Common, heard but not see from 5.45-7.30am. The bird was heard calling very frequently. The observer is one who I've spoken too before and is 100% reliable.
Todays report makes it now exactly 3 weeks that the bird has been in the area from Newchurch to Little Budworth.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 28th of May 2025 01:55:12 PM
The Hoopoe was reported as heard from this general area again on our Cheshire WhatsApp group, by an angler on Lymm Vale. This pool is less than 1km from Shay's Lane. Given that the bird is in a different parish of Cheshire now it is amazing that the info services continue to put it out as Newchurch Common I am sure that in Norfolk or Scilly they would be more accurate!! I certainly can't record it as present on my daily patch list now!!!
An update on the relocated Hoopoe that I first posted about on the Newchurch thread! Having spoken to the finder they inform me that the bird is just inside the Parish of Little Budworth.
They showed me a picture and said that the bird had been present most of each day from last Thursday to yesterday (22nd-25th May), singing and showing as it did when it was on my patch. This morning I headed to Shay's Lane after I had been to Newchurch and intially one, then at least 6, other birders were there too. Parking along Shay's Lane is OK with a few areas with wide scruffy verges where a car causes no problems. If you walk to the Chaise Farm / Shay's Farm area this is the place to search. There is a lot of cattle-grazed pasture and cowpats which must contain grubs and maggots as food for the bird, so it is actually a better area than where it was at Newchurch. Unfortunately no one has heard it or seen it yet today and wetter weather has arrived so we may have to wait until tomorrow for any further updates.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 26th of May 2025 01:38:48 PM
Had a brief "recky" of an area probably known more for its reptiles than its birds, according to the internet anyway.
The information board in the car park advises that Common Lizards are often seen, the internet lists "Natrix Natrix" too.
The county council have threatened to close this CP due to their current financial situation, but there is apparently lots of local opposition, not least from the parish council.
Bird wise there was very little about, in the area North of Coach Road the slightly more mature woodland held a large flock of mixed tits. With them were 3 Goldcrests, 2 Nuthatches and a Treecreeper.
South of Coach Road is some nice heathland, with extensive areas of heather, damp mossy pools with young pines and gorse dotted about.
The whole site as extensive areas of birch woodland with large areas of young oaks too. Apart from a few "garden" birds, the only avarian fauna were singles of Jay and Buzzard.
This heathland offers great promise and I'll return again when our cold blooded friends emerge in a few weeks.
There are a few mature pines on the heath, and the site looks good for dragonflies, Hobbies and chats.
