Fields in square SJ6894 west of Little Woolden Moss L.W.T.N.R.
30 Goldfinch
20 Swallow
2 juvenile Wheatear
11 Buzzard
6 Yellow Wagtail
4 Grey Wagtail
2 Pied Wagtail
1 Kestrel
Corn Bunting....None seen today, but a pair were here 31st July (1 with food) also Friday 20th August a pair (again1 with food) in the barley. Since then the farmer has cut the barley over a two day period 24th-25th August. Hopefully the chicks have fledged.
Six Corn Buntings on telegraph wires on Holcroft Lane, just north of the turning to Hanging Birch Farm this afternoon, presumably they're feeding on the stubble fields there. 300+ Starlings, Fieldfare and Redwing feeding on sheep pasture around the turn-off for Little Woolden Hall. A Raven flew over the same area.
The mossland NR was largely birdless apart from the odd Woodpigeon, a few passing gulls, single Buzzard and a lonesome Blue Tit.
A stunning display of Scarlet Elf Cup fungi though.
Just North of the M62 though a field alongside the River Glaze (Cheshire Side) held a tremendous flock of mixed thrushes, 165 Fieldfares, 26 Redwings, 220 Starling and a single Mistle Thrush.
The Mistle Thrush looked a little odd, with very lemon coloured flanks, it was moving around with the Fieldfares and was noticeably bigger than them.
The same small field held 2 Oystercatchers, 6 Lapwings and a single Pied Wagtail whilst on on the Glaze were 6 Teal.
The Fieldfares looked very bedraggled, the strong icy Easterly wind battering them and on occasions it got under their tails and almost tossed them over.
On the other hand many of the Redwings were in their finery, ready for the breeding scene when they return home.
Many more thrushes, most Fieldfares were feeding on pastures nearer to Culceth, a big flock of mixed gulls here too.
These fields of short cropped turf look ideal for Dotterel and Wheatears when migration really gets going in a few weeks.
