Newchurch Common

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RE: Newchurch Common

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A very early pop onto patch and then a more prolonged afternoon walk. Sunny but a bit cooler.

A Common Teal egg was found on Shemmy Moss, broken but I couldn't tell if it had hatched or had been taken by a predator from the nest. On the mossland pools 2 drake Teal were again seen. A Water Rail was heard squealing on Abbot's Moss again.

A Hobby was over Shemmy Moss early afternoon and then moved to Gull Pool where it was later seen patrolling the canopy of Gull Pool Wood.

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Fired up by my cracking patch lifer I went onto patch all am and later in the afternoon too. Warm & sunny all day.

Another good day. First the usual bits, 2 drake Teal were again on Shemmy Moss as well as the 2 Greylag Geese. The weirdest record was a Kingfisher sat on a small tree in the centre of Shemmy Moss at 6.05pm, the first record for me here!

Today 2(m+f) Hobbies gave super views around midday, they flew around together as a pair, mirroring each other, superb. Also over Shemmy Moss were a Kestrel and at least 6 Buzzards. Two more magic moments were provided by the male Cuckoo which was seen and heard on Shemmy Moss both early morning and early evening. In the morning it was perched in dead trees cuckoo-ing and then by me imitating its call I called it over and it flew over a group of us just 10m or so above us. Later when back on with Carys we had it calling and flying across the track in front of us again showing really well.

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A cracking morning on patch even though the weather was dull, cool and had a real flat feel to it!

A Patch Lifer in the shape of an immature (prob 2nd calendar year) Marsh Harrier which flew at mid height through Abbot's Moss and headed off SE without pausing. This species is increasing as a breeder in Cheshire so it was only a matter of time before one was seen over patch and luckily for me today was that day! Another good bird was the first Cuckoo of the year, heard only, over the mosses but distant. I had had a report from a dog walker that they had heard one last Thursday 2nd May.

On Shemmy Moss 2 drake Teal were on one of the pools and 2 Greylag Geese were flying around as usual. A Water Rail was heard squealing on Abbot's Moss, a relief after finding one dead a while ago, since when I hadn't heard one. A Cormorant flew over the mosses, a scarce bird in May followed by the same or a second one around half an hour later. Given their scarcity in May I'll err on the side of caution and record it as one bird. A Herring Gull and then later 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over Abbot's Moss, the former being the rarer gull on patch.

A Raven was again over Abbot's Moss. A flock of 10 Goldfinches fed on dandelion heads and was joined by 2 Linnets. In a dead tree 2 male Reed Buntings perched together. A also watched 2 Whitethroats go into probable nest sites on Shemmy Moss. At least 5 Garden Warblers still sang on Shemmy Moss.

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Another sunny, and hot, morning walk, concentrating on the mossland part of my patch.

A count on Big Pool recorded 34 Tufted Ducks with more on Gull Pool, Small Pool and Shemmy Moss. There were 4 Greylag Geese today, 2 on Nunsmere ad 2 on Shemmy Moss.

Best bird of the day was my first Hobby of the year anywhere. It shot through Shemmy Moss and headed off rapidly east, but I had a message to say that it returned after I had gone and stayed to hunt for a while. It was a four species of raptor day with a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and 6 Buzzards, all over the mosslands.

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A very early morning walk (5.30-7am) and then an afternoon in the sun with Carys my wife.

A flight of 4(2drk) Teal was seen over Abbot's Moss, presumably two pairs. A total of at least 4(3drk) Gadwall included 3 drakes on Redesmre and 3(2drks) flying over Abbot's Moss, and I'm assuming some overlap in individuals! Also on Nunsmere I watched 2 Great Crested Grebes in the full 'weed dance', rearing right up out of the water to do it, fantastic.

The best passerine was heard by Carys only, as it is a hearing frequency that I lost years ago when I had meningitis, namely a Grasshopper Warbler on Abbot's Moss. This is a patch first and I can now only hope that it shows itself sometime. Also on Abbot's Moss 2(1m) Reed Bunting were seen together. The common warbler species were all present including a probable female Garden Warbler in the early morning visit as it was just a meter away from a singing male, was silent, and came out of the cover of a bramble when first seen.

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First a late note from yesterday 29th April: Very little bird-wise, but of note was the first brood of 3 Coots on Small Pool. Also seen were 30 Sand Martins over Big Pool.

Today 30th April: Again very little on the bird front but a stunning drake Mandarin on Nunsmere, seen from the far western patch boundary on the mosses was a really nice sighting. A group of 20 Sand Martins was over Big Pool, at the moment these birds are dropping in and spending a very short time feeding before departing off high. On Shemmy Moss there are now 5 Garden Warblers singing, all being very elusive.

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Morning walk, dry and overcast.

A Great Crested Grebe was on a nest near Big Pool Island. An Oystercatcher showed well in the recently ploughed and plated field east of the Pine Belt. As I watched 5 Sand Martins dropped in to feed over Big Pool.

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A morning walk again, overcast, dry but cool.

A drake Gadwall was a surprise, seen from the extreme western patch boundary on Nunsmere and looking alert. A Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over the mosses. A total of 4 Swallows included 2 over Big Pool and 2 on territory at Dairy Farm, also 25 Sand Martins over Big Pool.

Now 3 Garden Warblers singing on Shemmy Moss, all very elusive but a long search gave reasonable views of one of the birds. All the ploughed fields were again checked but just 1 Pied Wagtail was the reward, although 2 Starlings were a scarcer find! at least 2m Reed Buntings were on Abbot's Moss. The first Nuthatch for a while was heard in woods by Gull Pool.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 27th of April 2024 03:36:25 PM

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A great morning walk in the sunshine, but nippy when the clouds obscured the sun at times!

A pair of Greylag Geese flew over Shemmy Moss and were then seen on Gull Pool. The fields east of the Pine Belt were being ploughed and 2 Oystercatchers fed there. At least 12 Lapwings mooched around in fields that have been ploughed, no doubt that nests and young have been destroyed and/or predated.

A distant displaying Sparrowhawk was seen. The star birds today were 2(1m) Stonechats, a pair, on Shemmy Moss, after an absence of 25 days! A breeding attempt may now be possible, everything crossed. Also here were 2m Yellowhammers, again after no sign for some while, and 2(1m) Reed Buntings together. A Garden Warbler was again singing on Shemmy Moss and a pair of Whitethroats was seen around a bramble clump, obviously on territory.

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A brief visit this morning in rain to only check the ploughed fields.

Not much seen and the tractors were still planting potatoes. Opposite in a flooded horse paddock a female Mallard had 11 newly hatched ducklings in tow.

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A morning walk with a brief visit back pm, sunny and warm.

At least 35 Tufted Ducks were on Big Pool, a good number in late April. On Shemmy Moss 4(3drk) Teal were seen. Also on Shemmy Moss a pair of Mallards with a well grown duckling and a Mallards nest with 11 eggs, well hidden so I hope she hatches them safely. In the fields off Sandy lane that were being ploughed I found 12 Lapwings and one small young that I hope can survive now that the cover has all been ploughed away

In the ploughed fields were 2 White Wagtails and 16 Pied Wagtails, the former being the first seen this year and overdue, but ploughing is late. Also over these fields were 2 Swallows whilst 20 Sand Martins were over Big Pool. Again 2 Ravens were over the mosses. A Chiffchaff was seen carrying nest material on Shemmy Moss where a Whitethroat was heard.

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A long morning walk, mainly on the mosslands. Sunny, cool at first but warm when sheltered.

A total of 4 drake Teal was noteworthy on Shemmy Moss. A small group of 2 House Martins and 5 Sand Martins was over Big Pool.

A pair of Ravens were over Shemmy Moss, at first being mobbed by 2 Carrion Crows and then one of the Ravens mobbed a Buzzard! A Green Woodpecker was heard across the mosses, just the second record this year. The best bird of the day was a singing Garden Warbler on Shemmy Moss, the first this year, with the four other warbler species all singing too. A total of 6 Linnets included a bird collecting nesting material and a male in full song at the edge of Shemmy Moss. A Pied Wagtail was in a ploughed field off Sandy Lane.

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A limited afternoon walk just in the Big Pool area, sunny and warm.

There were 17 Stock Doves and 10 Lapwings in the field east of the Pine Belt. A Goldcrest fed in trees near the main track.

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Afternoon visit and the only birds of note were 12 Sand Martins over Big Pool!! The current 4 warbler species were heard, Garden Warblers must arrive soon!

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An early start on Newchurch with sun forecast, which came but a cool wind in exposed areas confuse

A drake Teal was on Shemmy Moss. A Common Snipe was on Shemmy Moss and must be a breeding candidate now.

A first for this year (anywhere) were 3 House Martins, consisting of my first one over Big Pool and then 2 more high over the mosslands. Also seen were 1 Swallow over Big Pool and 80 Sand Martins, 30 over Big Pool and 50 over the mosslands. There were 4 Mistle Thrushes on patch with two in the former Leek Field. A male Reed Bunting was on Shemmy Moss as was a Linnet carrying nesting material. There were 2 Whitethroats on Shemmy Moss and a profusion of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps spread across the whole patch. A pair of Long-tailed Tits were on the edge of Shemmy Moss.

Late News for 14th April 2024: A Treecreeper was in a thin-branched elder just inside the entrance barriers from the car parking area, this species really is abundant and widespread this year on patch.

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Popped onto Newchurch pm expecting sun but none, warm though.

A new brood was on Gull Pool, a female Mallard + 11 ducklings. A pair of Teal were still on Shemmy Moss.

Now there are 2 Whitethroats singing on Shemmy Moss.

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A morning on Newchurch proved very productive, sunny and hot!

On Shemmy Moss the female Mallard has 1 well-grown duckling left. Also here a pair of Teal was seen. A lone Greylag Goose was also on the mosses.

Possibly the best bird of the day was the first Green Woodpecker of the year here, heard yaffling on Abbot's Moss. A Raven was heard cronking here too. At least 10 Stock Doves were in fields off Sandy Lane. On Shemmy Moss the first Whitethroat for anywhere in the UK was seen and heard. At least 10 Willow Warblers are now singing with lots of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps still. A pair of Linnets were on Shemmy Moss as were 2(1m) Reed Buntings.

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A brief visit am hoping to miss the rain - I didn't, it chucked it down!

A Curlew was heard several times over Small Pool, my second of the year for patch and it follows my fellow patch watcher hearing one in the same place 3 days ago.

A benefit of the rain was a hirundine flock low over Big Pool containing 15 Sand Martins and 10 Swallows, the latter being my first of 2024 anywhere in the country.

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Not a lot to report today, other than 2 Sparrowhawks (one by Big Pool and one over Shemmy Moss) and at least 12 Blackcaps including a pair in courtship, and 1 Willow Warbler.

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A short morning walk around Big Pool. Mild but windy.

Today 5(4 fem, 1w.drk) Goldeneye on Big Pool. Overhead a 3w Herring Gull and a 3w Lesser Black-backed Gull drifted south together, the former much scarcer than the latter on my patch!

In the fields east of the Pine Belt a flock of 15 Stock Doves were present, up on yesterday.

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Morning walk, dull and not warm.

No Goldeneye today! I did have 4(2drk) Teal, a pair on Gull Pool and a pair on Shemmy Moss. On Shemmy Moss I saw the Water Rail kill for the first time and the feathers were plucked, so a bird kill, almost certainly Sparrowhawk as suspected.

A Willow Warbler was heard singing much more strongly from the main scrub at Shemmy Moss rather than on the fringes as last time.

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Dropped off this am on patch, cool at first and then sunshine and warm.

On Big Pool there were 4 Goldeneye consisting of 3 females with the first-winter drake. Also on there was a lone Greylag Goose. An Oystercatcher flew over just west of Big Pool. At least 14 Lapwings were seen on territory in the surrounding arable fields, many in display. Overhead 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were unusual whilst just one Common Gull remains on Big Pool.

Only 4 Stock Doves were seen in the field east of the Pine Belt. A count of 3 Blackcaps and 16 Chiffchaffs was made. A Treecreeper was watched probing for insects in the unusual location of a footpath sign post just next to Finch Hedge!

Bad news from yesterday when fellow patcher, Dave, sent me a picture of a predated Water Rail. This species has only just established itself on patch and now one of the few adults is dead. I have yet to check whether it's a bird or mammal kill but I suspect Sparrowhawk.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 4th of April 2024 08:04:16 PM

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Went down in heavy drizzle today as my best chance of a hirundine, and it worked wink

On Big Pool there were 4(1drk) Goldeneye today. Over on Shemmy Moss 4(2drk) Teal were seen, in two pairs. Success with my quest was 12 Sand Martins flying over Big Pool but at mid-height rather than low over the surface, my first here for 2024.

A large female Sparrowhawk flashed across in front of me on the edge of Shemmy Moss and the small passerines went into alarm call overdrive as it landed in the middle of an elder! One of said passerines was a cracking little Goldcrest, brave soul! The male and female Stonechats were still on Abbot's Moss. A Couple of Linnets were also seen. Generally the rain kept most stuff hidden and I don't blame them!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 1st of April 2024 03:44:35 PM

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A brief morning visit, just to the mosslands taking two visitors for photography, sunny and warm.

A view distantly over Nunsmere Lake revealed 42 Tufted Ducks, there are still good numbers of these on patch. A Common Snipe was seen flying off into the distance before we even got to the mosses.

Some good birds to follow but today's highlight was a singing Willow Warbler from the Nurseries entrance road, heard on both sides including Shemmy Moss. Again good double-figure numbers of Chiffchaffs singing. This was the first of the year here (or anywhere for me). The male Stonechat was again on Abbot's Moss. The Cetti's Warbler was again heard in same area giving a brief snatch of sub-song by my mate Paul Hill. Again 2 Yellowhammers were seen as well as 3 Linnets and a Skylark was in song. Two Long-tailed Tits were on Shemmy Moss.

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Fab walks am and pm :) Sunny warm and a tad breezy!

On Big Pool 5(1drk) Goldeneye, the permutations continue! The pair of Gadwall were still on Shemmy Moss and a pair of Teal were on Gull Pool. Also on Gull Pool 24 Tufted Ducks was a good count. A Cormorant flew over Shemmy Moss. An Oystercatcher fed on the nursery fields. Three Common Snipe flew up from Shemmy Moss. A Water Rail called continuously on Shemmy Moss and was seen too.

The best birds of the day were 2(1m) Stonechats on Abbot's Moss. The pair were mobile and elusive though. This was closely followed by a brief snatch of Cetti's Warbler song from the margins of Gull Pool, no chance of seeing the bird from where I was even if it had showed! A nice group of 3 Ravens was over Abbot's Moss, 2 in display and 1 chasing them off! Also over the mosses were 3 Buzzards including one in skydancing display. A Kestrel was also over Shemmy Moss. A Treecreeper and a Nuthatch were in Gull Pool Wood. Linnets were singing on Shemmy Moss as were Reed Buntings. Just one Blackcap was heard along with 20+Chiffchaffs.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 31st of March 2024 01:27:19 PM

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Had a mooch on patch this afternoon, warm, bit of sun, bit of cloud, bit of drizzle!

On Big Pool 6(2drk) Goldeneye today. On Shemmy Moss a Gadwall pair again. Today 4(2drk) Teal, made up of a pair on Gull Pool and a pair on Shemmy Moss. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over Abbot's Moss.

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A excellent morning walk, dry, even a bit of sun and warm out of the wind.

The biggest surprise was on Shemmy Moss were there was a female Mallard + 2 ducklings. These must have hatched today looking at size and are probably my first March ducklings on patch! Also on Shemmy Moss were 2(1drk) Gadwall, a pair, still on the mossland pools. On Big Pool 3(2drk) Goldeneye were out in the middle. Teal called on Gull Pool. On Shemmy Moss 2 Common Snipe were seen. From the track to the Nursery across Abbot's Moss a Water Rail was heard squealing from dense cover. A Grey Heron flew over Big Pool and a Cormorant flew over Gull Pool Wood.

A Raven flew over Abbot's Moss. On the now scrub-filled meadow on the left just after Finch Hedge 2 Redwings were singing, I watched one which was in sublime plumage with a beak that glowed bright yellow! On the pre-breeding theme a pair of Yellowhammers exhibited distraction behaviour on Shemmy Moss, the male flying up and perching within 2m of me, which they never usually do, before leading me away. A pair of Linnets were here too and a male Reed Bunting was singing. A Goldcrest was in wing-flicking display in the hedge opposite the car parking area on Novia Scotia Lane, with a probable second bird deeper in the hedge. Now 2 Blackcaps are present and singing with over 25 Chiffchaffs here too.