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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> Cheshire and The Wirral -> River Weaver
Post Info TOPIC: River Weaver
Mark Jarrett


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Same five mile walk, as last time out, two and three quarter hours from sunrise this morning.

Thirty seven species seen, nothing out of the ordinary. Highlights being c.1425 Pink-footed Goose over in around six or seven skeins, the majority moving south, with just c.75 over north west. Also, as well as the local Redwing, c500 moved through north west. Fieldfare about too, with around 75 noted.

Best of the rest were 2 Raven, 2 Buzzard, Cettis Warbler, 8 Bullfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

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Mark Jarrett


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Three and a half hours this morning from 9am in mostly dry but dull conditions, light winds, 9-11*c. Kept by the river all the way the the viaduct, then went in to the excellent Dutton Wood, as far as the railway, then returned by the same route.

45 species seen, very similar to sightings on 26 October but with additions of Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and Gadwall. Today there were 180 Pink-footed Geese, the bulk of which were heading north west. Whilst a few Fieldfare passed overhead, Redwing were very numerous with well over 200 seen, many feeding on the numerous berry laden bushes and trees, in and around Dutton Wood.

Ive never actually ventured up into Dutton Wood previously, unsure as to whether or not it was private land. It turns out it is part of the signed Dutton Park, which is a Woodland Trust reserve. Densely packed trees and bushes of many kinds with plenty of rides and interspersed with a few small pools. Looks nailed on for Woodcock at this time of year and it should prove excellent for warblers in spring.

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Mark Jarrett


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Three and a quarter hours this morning in damp weather to start with becoming fine, light winds, 8-12*c. Figure of eight between river and canal, down from Acton Bridge to Dutton Locks via Bluebell Cottage. Also went past the railway viaduct before returning alongside the river. Of note :-

Pink-footed Goose (410)
Mute Swan (6)
Little Grebe (1)
Sparrowhawk (2)
Buzzard (3)
Kingfisher (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Kestrel (1)
Raven (2)
Skylark (2)
Cettis Warbler (1)
Long-tailed Tit (8)
Nuthatch (1)
Redwing (47
Fieldfare (19)
Stonechat (2)
Reed Bunting (2)

380 Pink-footed Geese headed south east in 5 skeins, whilst 1 skein of 30 headed north north east.

48 species seen.



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Mark Jarrett


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I have a patch, very roughly bordered by the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal, from the Leigh Arms by the A49 to Aston Flash, a mile or so below Aston Village.

For info purposes, a Bittern has been present up on the canal, immediately left of bridge 210, west of the A49. There are some decent (but rather small) areas of reed and the bird has been foraging out in the open, oblivious to one or two members of the boating community who were watching it at extremely close quarters.


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Mark Jarrett


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Three hours from 6.45am in pleasant, sunny weather after the early mist cleared, 12-17*c. Acton Bridge - Dutton Locks - Canal via Long Hedge - Bluebell Cottage - Dutton Locks - Back via River. Of note :-

Great Crested Grebe (6)
Common Gull (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Kestrel (1)
Barn Swallow (25)
Willow Warbler (7)
Chiffchaff (8)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Long-tailed Tit (12)
Blackcap (5)
Whitethroat (1)
Nuthatch (3)
Spotted Flycatcher (1)
Stonechat (4)
Pied Wagtail (26)
Linnet (2)
Reed Bunting (2)

The Spotted Flycatcher was two or three hundred yards away from the River in the Woodland Trusts Dutton Park. Some of the overhanging trees by the river look good for this species but I suspect this was a migrating bird. The large number of Pied Wagtail were by the A49 bridge, so I would think that they had roosted in the steelwork underneath it.


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Mark Jarrett


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Same walk as last time out, just over two and a half hours from 8.10am, sunny spells, light winds, 16-19*c. Of note :-

Great Crested Grebe (2)
Stock Dove (1)
Collared Dove (2)
Swift (3)
Buzzard (1)
Kestrel (2)
Green Woodpecker (1)
Reed Warbler (4)
Grasshopper Warbler (2)
Barn Swallow (38)
House Martin (2)
Chiffchaff (3)
Whitethroat (5)
Nuthatch (1)
Stonechat (1)
Linnet (7)
Reed Bunting (6)

Noticeably quieter in the bird song department with some Reed Warbler (especially) having already departed. Similarly Whitethroat, although young of the latter in evidence. Good numbers of juvenile Swallow around indicating a decent breeding season for them. Both Grasshopper Warbler reeling away, same spots as previously. A special mention for finally nailing down a Herring Gull, like hens teeth here and first eBird sighting since 2013. I actually uttered an expletive when I saw it!

44 species seen.

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Mark Jarrett


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Four hours from 6.10am, Acton Bridge figure of 8 along river and canal to Bluebell Cottage and back. Light drizzle to start, becoming sunny, 12-17*c, light winds. Amongst others :-

Stock Dove (2)
Collared Dove (3)
Buzzard (4)
Kingfisher (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Kestrel (2)
Skylark (4)
Sedge Warbler (4)
Reed Warbler (12)
Grasshopper Warbler (2)
Swallow (13)
House Martin (1)
Chiffchaff (12)
Cettis Warbler (4)
Blackcap (4)
Whitethroat (13)
Long-tailed Tit (8)
Nuthatch (1)
Stonechat (2)
Reed Bunting (7)

Pleased to find a second reeling Grasshopper Warbler reasonably close to the first. There is some decent habitat for them between the river and the canal when approaching the locks.

49 species seen.

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Mark Jarrett


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A couple of hours this morning from 6.45am, Acton Bridge down to the locks and back, also spending some time between the two large open fields (east of the river, approaching the locks). Weather fine with sunny spells, a fair bit of cloud and breezy. Of note :-

Great Crested Grebe (1)
Oystercatcher (1)
Common Sandpiper (4)
Marsh Harrier (1)
Kestrel (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Skylark (2)
Sedge Warbler (2)
Reed Warbler (10)
Grasshopper Warbler (1)
Chiffchaff (7)
Willow Warbler (1)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Whitethroat (11)
Stonechat (1)
Reed Bunting (5)

Very fleeting view of the f-type Marsh Harrier which quickly went out of sight over the dredging beds which are raised up and partly edged with trees and bushes. They do not breed on this patch and the bird will have probably followed the Weaver south from either Frodsham or the Dee Estuary, so just passing through.

I have had a couple of recent early starts in an attempt to get Grasshopper Warbler on the list, without success. Today, however and amidst singing Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat and Skylark, two distinct reels after a wait of around half an hour.

Plenty of young birds about, passerines and on the river, the Whitethroat figure includes a family group of five.

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Mark Jarrett


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Just over two hours around midday today, walking down the the river and Aston Flash, from Aston Village. Back by the same route. Weather sunny and fine, light winds, 18-19*c. Of note :-

Common Shelduck (2)
Northern Shoveler (4)
Gadwall (44)
Eurasian Teal (1)
Tufted Duck (14)
Little Grebe (1-2)
Northern Lapwing (7)
Common Buzzard (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Eurasian Skylark (3)
Barn Swallow (8)
Common Chiffchaff (2)
Whitethroat (2)
Western Yellow Wagtail (1)
Reed Bunting (2)

Impressive number of Gadwall for the size of the flash and nice to see a Yellow Wagtail in addition to the usuals. 38 species seen.



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 26th of May 2023 04:51:04 PM

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Mark Jarrett


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Similar walk this morning, albeit nearly a mile further taking in Longacre Wood. Similar birds seen, in similar numbers with the addition of a Stonechat, new for me on this mini patch.

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Mark Jarrett


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Four and a quarter mile walk from 6.15 this morning in sunny conditions, once the early mist had cleared, 7-13*c. Acton Bridge - Dutton Locks - Bluebell Cottage - Back via Trent & Mersey Canal. Of note :-

Common Shelduck (2)
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Skylark (6)
Sedge Warbler (7)
Common Reed Warbler (12)
Barn Swallow (11)
Chiffchaff (14)
Cettis Warbler (7)
Eurasian Blackcap (5)
Common Whitethroat (12)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Eurasian Bullfinch (3)
Reed Bunting (3)

Influx of Whitethroat over the last week or so, possibly the highest number Ive had on this route. Good numbers of other warblers, including Cettis on both the canal and river. There is a Grasshopper Warbler spot near the dredging beds but there is some dredging work going on at present and it/they are difficult to pin down. Also, loads of suitable habitat for Lesser Whitethroat, theres got to be a pair somewhere. That would make it a ten warbler patch.

46 species seen.



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 20th of May 2023 04:08:36 PM

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Mark Jarrett


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Four mile walk this morning centred on Aston Flash, by the river and surrounding farmland. Other than an initial heavy shower, the weather was fine, sunny spells, cool breeze, 11-13*c. Of note :-

Mute Swan (3)
Common Shelduck (2)
Northern Shoveler (4)
Gadwall (28)
Tufted Duck (21)
Little Grebe (2)
Swift (8)
Northern Lapwing (9)
Black-tailed Godwit (94)
Little Egret (1)
Buzzard (4)
Skylark (4)
Common Whitethroat (1)
Reed Bunting (1)

Species seen 41 Reed Warbler (2) Sedge Warbler (2)

-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Monday 15th of May 2023 12:36:50 PM



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Mark Jarrett


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Walked the next section of the Weaver yesterday morning from the static caravans, just past the railway viaduct, to where the river splits on the approaches to Frodsham. Weather fine and clear, cloudy to start with, developing into sunny spells and around 14*c.

An interesting area Ive never fully explored is the flash/flooded fields below Aston Village. I was viewing from the wrong side of the river but noted that it held around 75 Black-tailed Godwit and a Curlew together with several species of duck. A Cuckoo was calling south of Aston and a Mandarin pair, on the river, with a brood of around 9 were the other main highlights. Amongst others :-

Mandarin (Pr plus 9)
Gadwall (8)
Pochard (2)
Tufted Duck (4)
Little Grebe (1)
Cuckoo (1)
Oystercatcher (3)
Lapwing (8)
Curlew (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.75)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Kestrel (1)
Skylark (2)
Reed Warbler (13)
Sand Martin (8)
Swallow (4)
House Martin (6)
Chiffchaff (9)
Blackcap (5)
Common Whitethroat (4)
Reed Bunting (3)

50 species seen



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Mark Jarrett


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Acton Bridge - Dutton Locks - Viaduct - Bluebell Cottage - Trent & Mersey Canal - Big Field - Back by Weaver. Sunny spells, light winds, 9-12*c. Out for just over three hours from 7.20am, 53 species seen, highlights :-

Oystercatcher (1)
Lapwing (1)
Whimbrel (1 over)
Common Sandpiper (2)
Buzzard (4)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Skylark (2)
Sedge Warbler (2)
Reed Warbler (11)
Sand Martin (4)
Barn Swallow (12)
Willow Warbler (8)
Chiffchaff (15)
Cettis Warbler (6)
Blackcap (3)
Garden Warbler (1)
Whitethroat (2)
Grey Wagtail (2)
Linnet (3)
Reed Bunting (3)

Nice to get eight species of Warbler. Grasshopper Warbler had been heard reeling early yesterday morning from the dredging beds but, unfortunately, this morning there were already working diggers there at 7.30 and despite spending a while listening, I was out of luck. Consolation came with the flyover Whimbrel, heading south following the course of the Weaver.

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Mark Jarrett


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Acton Bridge - Dutton Locks - Cliff Lane - Manor Farm - Dutton Locks - Acton Bridge. Dull, cloudy, intermittent drizzle - minimal winds - 12*c. Lovely route, crossing over the river at the locks and winding through the countryside on that side. 5.12 miles covered and 52 species seen, highlights being :-

Greylag Goose (4)
Gadwall (4)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Stock Dove (1)
Oystercatcher (1)
Lapwing (4)
Curlew (1)
Common Snipe (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Raven (1)
Skylark (4)
Reed Warbler (5)
Barn Swallow (9)
House Martin (3)
Willow Warbler (2)
Chiffchaff (15)
Cettis Warbler (9)
Blackcap (2)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Reed Bunting (3)

Record count, for this mini patch, of Cettis Warbler that have been steadily increasing over the last five or so years. So much so that it was flagged up on eBird as a high count.



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Mark Jarrett


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Same 4.5 mile walk as last time out in fairly pleasant weather although a ten minute deluge towards the end soaked me through. A few migrants trickling in now. Unfortunately, the male Wheatear seen earlier in the large open field appeared to have moved through. Highlights :-

Lapwing (8)
Buzzard (1)
Skylark (5)
Raven (1)
Reed Warbler (1)
Chiffchaff (11)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Blackcap (2)
Swallow (2)
Treecreeper (1)

38 species seen.


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Steve Costa


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12:20 - 14:50 Walked from A49/Leigh Arms to arched bridge (just East of Dutton Locks) and back.

Mute swan - pair
Great Crested Grebe - 2
Water Rail - 1 - seen on reed edge
Lapwing - 2
Buzzard - 1
Skylark - 2 (probably 3) singing birds
Stonechat - pair
Cetti's Warbler - 1 (heard singing only)
Chiffchaff - c5 seen and/or heard singing
Bullfinch - pair

-- Edited by Steve Costa on Sunday 19th of March 2023 10:31:05 PM

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Mark Jarrett


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Same walk as last time out, now become the staple walk here and approx 4.5 miles. Weather cloudy, drizzle at times, light winds and 7*c. Thirty seven species seen, highlights being :-

Pink-footed Goose (45 over heading north)
Eurasian Teal (2)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Skylark (2)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Long-tailed Tit (2)
Goldcrest (3)
Nuthatch (1)
Redwing (1)
Fieldfare (19)
Reed Bunting (1)





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Mark Jarrett


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Acton Bridge - Dutton Locks - Dutton Park - Bluebell Cottagec - Trent & Mersey Canal. Weather sunny and fine, light winds, 7*c. Species seen 36, highlights :-

Goldeneye (1f)
Little Grebe (1)
Water Rail (1)
Cettis Warbler (1)
Skylark (5)
Kestrel (1)
Redwing (c.50)
Fieldfare (c.35)
Long-tailed Tit (8)
Linnet (15)

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Curt Whitby


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Pair of terns flying over the river whilst at Acton Bridge fishing.

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Mark Jarrett


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Acton Bridge - Dutton Locks - Dutton Park - Bluebell Cottage - Back via Trent & Mersey Canal. Mainly checking on warbler numbers plus a few other sightings :-

Reed Warbler (9)
Willow Warbler (1)
Chiffchaff (19)
Cettis Warbler (5)
Blackcap (9)
Whitethroat (8)
Swallow (2)
Skylark (2)
Reed Bunting (2)
Buzzard (1)
Kestrel (1)

Three broods of Mallard on the canal, 13, 10 & 6. A brood of 3 Coot also on the canal.

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Doc Brewster


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I had a message this morning to say the a Great White Egret flew downriver at Vale Royal Cut near Vale Royal Locks at c.9.15am. A cracking bird for what used to be my old patch before I was a car driver!!



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John Williams


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Afternoon walk from the A556 through Vale Royal Woods, passed Vale Royal Locks, and along the Weaver to the point where the old river

and new cut merge.

Birds seen : 2 Buzzards (1 Light Phase), 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants and 2 Ravens.





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Mark Jarrett


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Walked from the Blue Bridge, Hartford, down through Vale Royal Woods to the Vale Royal Locks. Back via the east bank of the Weaver. Weather cool and fine, becoming overcast. River levels still high with several areas of the patch covered in water. Amongst others :-

Cormorant (1)
Mute Swan (2)
Mallard (4)
Moorhen (8)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (6)
Nuthatch (5)
Grey Wagtail (2)
Pied Wagtail (2)
Raven (1)
Bullfinch (2)
Siskin (2)
Song Thrush (9)
Long-tailed Tit (3)
Buzzard (1)

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Steve Costa


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Walked alongside the river from Acton Bridge to Dutton Locks and back. (13:40 - 15:45)

Whooper Swan - 4 flying NW, apparently following the course of the river
Water Rail - 2 heard calling from riverside reedbeds
Cetti's Warbler - 1 singing from a reedbed

Winter thrushes - widely dispersed, mobile flock of 100+ fieldfares and redwings, with roughly equal numbers of each species. Many joined blackbirds to feed on hawthorns.


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Mark Jarrett


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Walked down the Weaver from Acton Bridge this morning, then back via the Trent & Mersey Canal. Weather warm and pleasant, all the usuals including :-

Cuckoo (1)
Reed Warbler (c.10)
Sedge Warbler (4)
Whitethroat (3)
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Linnet
Skylark (2)
Reed Bunting (2)
Swallow
House Martin (c.15)

Decent numbers of House Martin around the bridge itself. Also nice to hear another Cuckoo. Certainly doing well around these parts this year with up to three around Marbury Patch (two lingering and displaying) and two along Whitegate Way/Shemmy Moss. Thats without venturing to Primrosehill Wood and Delamere where there are usually birds present.






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Mark Jarrett


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Walked this morning from Hartford Bridge to Eaton Bank Pool and back in fine, cold and sunny weather. Amongst others :-

Tufted Duck (1f)
Goosander (2f)
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Canada Goose (5)
Cormorant (17)
Nuthatch (4)
Jay
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Fieldfare (6)
Pheasant (1)

Very little on the pool other than a female Goosander, a few Coot and Mallard.

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Mark Jarrett


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Walked this morning, downstream of Acton Bridge to Dutton Park and pools, then retraced our steps by the river. Of note :-

Great crested Grebe (2)
Cormorant (6)
Grey Heron (1)
Canada Goose (2)
Gadwall (6)
Buzzard (1)
Oystercatcher (1)
Swallow (c.6)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Sedge Warbler (2)
Reed Warbler (10)
Whitethroat (2)
Blackcap (c.6)
Chiffchaff (c.12)
Raven (2)
Skylark (2)
Reed Bunting (c.6)

Lovely walk in pleasant weather. Nice to see good numbers of Reed Warbler back.

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Mark Jarrett


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Walked this morning from the bridge at Acton Bridge (roughly half way between Northwich and Frodsham) to a quarter of a mile beyond Dutton Locks and back.

Good numbers of Swallow and House Martin around with plenty of young Swallow. Also pleased with the number of both Reed Bunting and Reed Warbler, approx a dozen of each. Also seen were Sedge Warbler, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Mute Swan, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Greenfinch amongst others.

-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Wednesday 27th of June 2018 03:13:22 PM

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Mark Jarrett


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Walk this morning from Hartford Bridge to Eaton Bank Pool and back. Fine weather, coldish, around three degrees.

A couple of Kingfishers seen, one on the old river by Vale Royal Locks, the other flew across the river down by EBP. Fourteen Gadwall on the Pool, together with several Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, two Little Grebe and a single Great crested Grebe. A dozen or so Cormorant in their usual roost, plenty of common woodland species seen including Bullfinch and Jay.

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Mark Jarrett


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Walk this morning from Hartford Bridge, south to New Bridge and back. Cool, windy and intermittent rain. Amongst others :

Wigeon (c.12)
Gadwall (c.10)
Coot (c.75)
Moorhen (c.10)
Little Grebe (10)
Cormorant (9)
Buzzard (1)

Nothing of any real note in the woodland sections of the walk. The first five entries above were at Eaton Bank Pool adjacent to the river.

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Steven Nelson


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River Weaver near Frodsham
10.00-13.00

1 Common Sandpiper
1 Raven over
4 Buzzard
3 Grey Heron
2 Cormorant

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John Williams


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Bradford Mill Bridge to Vale Royal Locks, plus part of the old river. 13.00-16.00

2 Buzzards,1 Sparrowhawk and 4 Grey Herons. Also a Wren was seen carrying a large green caterpillar.

Coots and Moorhens still seen with tiny youngsters at various points. There were several broods of Mallard, with a female on the old river having 5 half grown ducklings.

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Mark Jarrett


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Walk this morning from Anderton Boat Lift via the Trent & Mersey Canal to the River Weaver at Saltersford Locks, then followed the river as far as the end of Bradleymeadow Wood. Returned to the Boat Lift via the river. Weather warmish and pleasant, out for three hours from 10.30. Amongst others :-

Cormorant (c.25)
Grey Heron
Mute Swan (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Buzzard (2)
Lapwing (1)
Great spotted Woodpecker (1)
Pied Wagtail
Cetti's Warbler (1)
Chiffchaff (33)
Long tailed Tit
Nuthatch
Jay (pr)
Linnet

Didn't see the Cetti's Warbler but heard a burst of song from sedge by the other side of the river at Saltersford Locks.

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Mark Jarrett


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Cetti's Warbler heard 400 yards downstream of Cardens Ferry Bridge this morning, far side of river in last reedbed.

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Mark Jarrett


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Pleasant walk this morning, south from Hartford Bridge down the east side of the river as far as Big Pool. Back up to Vale Royal Locks and from there, crossed over to the west side and back to Hartford Bridge via Vale Royal Woods. Amongst others :-

Cormorant (15 min)
Canada Goose (c.25)
Mute Swan (2)
Little Grebe (2)
Great crested Grebe (2)
Kingfisher (2)
Siskin (c.6)
Long tailed Tit
Nuthatch
Reed Bunting
Buzzard (6)
Sparrowhawk (1)


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Doc Brewster


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Had a text today to say that there is a Little Egret at Eaton Bank Pool, which is the pool by the R.Weaver between New Bridge & Vale Royal Locks, also known as Big Pond/Pool in the past (per Peter Shaw, thanks).



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Doc Brewster


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As I was crossing New Bridge just down from Moulton Village today one of the drake Wood Ducks was showing well all day. Also in the same flock of Mallards was a pristine drake Pintail, I suspect this too had swum down the stream onto the river from the nearby garden collection.



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Mark Jarrett


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Followed the canal this morning from the Boat Lift to Saltersford Locks and back by the River Weaver. Lovely, warm and pleasant weather. Green Woodpecker and Kingfisher noted along with eight species of butterfly.

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Doc Brewster


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As I passed over New Bridge today the two drake Wood Ducks were basking in the sun, it may be a 'plastic' species not on the British List, but very smart looking all the same smile



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 19th of April 2016 10:39:15 PM

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Doc Brewster


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A Kingfisher showed well near the stream mouth near New Bridge, Moulton (location as mentioned in Wood Duck posts below) this afternoon, with a pair of Great Crested Grebes in the same area. Over 20 Herons were flying about near our local heronry.

Just an addendum to the Wood Ducks. I decided to have a scout around and by following the stream up away from the R.Weaver I found a wildfowl collection that contains Wood Ducks, Ruddy Shelduck and Red-breasted Geese amongst others. Not more than 300m from the R.Weaver I guess we know where the Wood Ducks came from now biggrin



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Mark Jarrett


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Walked down to New Bridge from Hartford Bridge and then back. The 2 drake Wood Duck were seen where the small stream flows into the river as mentioned by Doc on 1st November. Very confiding and gave some great views.

Also around were c.25 Siskin, 15 Cormorant roosting in the large trees south of Vale Royal Locks, c.4 Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch plus the usuals.

Nice perched and flying views of a Kingfisher on the canal just up from the river by Winnington Bridge on Sunday.

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Doc Brewster


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Had a report today that as well as the 2 drake Wood Duck there was a female Mandarin now on this stretch of the R.Weaver and its adjacent ponds smile



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Doc Brewster


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A search of the small stream near New Bridge from the road between Meadowbank & Whitegate located the two drake Wood Ducks at last. They were lurking up the stream but as the fog cleared they emerged onto the R.Weaver and had a brief mooch before heading purposefully off downriver (towards Vale Royal Locks). We followed them down and they stopped near the Vale Royal Cut/old R.Weaver split where they fed in the river margins. A flock of 60 Siskins was a nice distraction as they flew noisily from the far side of the river to our side & landed to feed in the riverside alders - I never knew Siskins could make so much noise, but 60 of them sure did! We left the Wood Ducks feeding in the margins and headed off home to Moulton, just 10mins away smile



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Doc Brewster


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Again no sign of any Wood Ducks in a short visit to the New Bridge area today. A single Grey Wagtail near the stream outlet and 2 Kingfishers chasing along the R.Weaver near Big Pond with one landing in a bush on Big Pond. Other than that the usual stuff and my first autumn/winter Siskin on this walk in the Alders loosely associating with a large flock of Long-tailed Tits.



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Doc Brewster


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Two drake Wood Ducks were seen in the New Bridge area of the river just down the track from Moulton, near the salt works, so I headed down there today to check it out. No sign of the Wood Ducks but fantastic views of a male Kingfisher having a wash by repeatedly plunging into the shallows, wings out and then up onto a branch to shake its wings and body scattering water droplets. I watched it for ages, even filming through my scope, although since dusk was drawing in the light levels hampered the filming and unfortunately the quality suffered. On Big Pond, further down the river halfway towards Vale Royal Locks big numbers of Moorhens & Coots have built up, with upwards of 30 of each, thae largest numbers that I have ever seen here.



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Mark Jarrett


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Hartford Bridge - Vale Royal Locks - Woods by old River Weaver - Vale Royal Cut - Hartford Bridge. Out 2.5 hours from 9.15 in pleasant, sunny weather. Amongst others :-

Grey Heron (3)
Cormorant (3)
Great Crested Grebe (2ad, 1juv)
Sparrowhawk (1m)
Buzzard (1)
Grey Wagtail (2)
Kingfisher (2-3)
Long tailed Tit
Great spotted Woodpecker (3)
Nuthatch
Bullfinch
Chiffchaff (1)

-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Tuesday 29th of September 2015 12:11:01 PM

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John Williams


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11.00-16.00

Bradford Mill area

1 Grey Wagtail, 1 juv Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cormorants and a drake Wood Duck.

Walk along the towpath to Vale Royal Locks and back, enoute:

2 Kingfishers, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Buzzards,3 Cormorants and a Chiffchaff.

Vale Royal Locks Area

2 adult+ 1 juv Great Crested Grebes in the bay where the old river branches off.

1m+2f Mandarins and 3 Kingfishers on the old river. 2 Treecreepers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the adjoining woods.

A Grass Snake was glimpsed swimming across the old river at one point. 1 Comma butterfly and numerous Speckled Woods along the woodland edge.

4 Brown Hawker and several Migrant Hawker dragonflies seen during walk.


-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 26th of September 2015 11:04:26 PM

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Spotted Flycatcher showing well late morning, half a mile downstream of Winnington Bridge, right hand bank just before the weir.

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Two hours on the river this morning, downstream from Winnington Bridge and back. Weather warm and sunny. Amongst others :-

Buzzard (min 8)
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Common Sandpiper (1)
Kingfisher (1)
Great spotted Woodpecker
Nuthatch
Long tailed Tit (c.20)

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