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Post Info TOPIC: Newchurch Common


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RE: Newchurch Common


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.



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After a pleasant morning with a few stalwarts of Woolston Eyes I returned to my patch briefly this afternoon. The sun was clinging on but greyer clouds loomed overhead.

On Big Pool there was now just 1(1w drk) Goldeneye and duck numbers seemed reduced.

The best news was my first singing male Blackcap, seen well in pines on the NE corner of Big Pool. A count in a small area only gave 15 Chiffchaffs, so the whole patch total must be impressive.

In the field east of the Pine Belt there were 51 Stock Doves in the single flock.



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An afternoon visit to a mates house on the west side of Big Pool allowed me to do a quick check of farm fields and Big Pool without a proper patch walk!!

On Big Pool now 5(3drk) Goldeneye, with one of the drakes being a first-winter bird coming into adult plumage!



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A morning visit allowed me to check fields that sometimes have passage birds in them but nothing.  Fine, bright but breezy.

On Big Pool now 3(2drk) Goldeneye but little else of note.

In the fields east of the Pine Belt were 53 Stock Doves and 20 Linnets. Nearby in the Big Pool Meadows a Redwing came out of a low bramble clump again!



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 24th of March 2024 02:34:23 PM

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Three-figure numbers of Sand Martins on Budworth Mere had me nipping down to Newchurch to check the pools.

Only thing of note on Big Pool were 2(1drk) Goldeneye. No hirundines at all!

In the field east of the Pine Belt I counted 71 Stock Doves which I think now sneaks it as my highest ever flock!



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A pop down to patch am, sunny, warm-ish but windy.

On Big Pool now 3(2drk) Goldeneye and on Shemmy Moss there were 2(1drk) Gadwall. A Greylag Goose was on Big Pool.

A group of 3 Rooks flying over Big Pool was unusual. A flock of 18 Stock Doves was in a field east of the Pine Belt whilst a pair was on Shemmy Moss in Display Flight. A total of 45 Linnets included a flock of 30 in a field east of the Pine Belt and a flock of 15 on the Abbot's Moss Nursery Fields. Again more than 15 Chiffchaffs singing.



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In contrast to yesterdays all day walks today was a brief afternoon visit mainly for invertebrates due to the warm sunshine.

On Big Pool just 3(1drk) Goldeneye today. Also on the water were lots of Gulls but the only one of note was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.

At least 45 Stock Doves were in the field east of the Pine Belt in a single species flock still. Three Dunnocks were in courtship display. Double figures of Chiffchaffs singing now.



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Spent all day on patch today, morning then lunch then back! Sunny and warm mostly.

On Big Pool the 5(2drk) Goldeneye permutation was present! A total of 4(3drk) Gadwall were seen, a pair on Shemmy Moss and 2 drakes on Big Pool. Teal were heard on Big Pool and on Gull Pool. An unusual Gull Pool sighting was 2 Greylag Geese, but these then flew off. A brief look produced 7 Common Snipe on Shemmy Moss. Muck-spreading in a field west of the pools attracted a few gulls and these included 2ad Mediterranean Gulls bathing on Big Pool. A Grey Heron was in the wet scrub area to the south of the Whitegate Way Gull Pool bench.

One of the most intriguing sightings of the day was a Redwing that flew out from inside a low bramble and perched just 10m away but didn't flush. If this had been a Blackbird then I would have said I had disturbed it at a nest site, added to the fact that this followed on from active singing by Redwings in this area earlier this month. A bit of research revealed (as I had expected) that Redwings nest in low dense vegetation....... Maybe the bird is just following instinct due to warmer days than expected for this time of the year and acting as it would on breeding grounds, I am under no illusion that it will attempt to breed!!

Also seen was a flock of 53 Fieldfares flying south over the north side of Big Pool. In fields to the east 15 Stock Doves were still present and 3 Feral Rock Doves flew over nearby. A Skylark was singing in the Abbot's Moss/ Nurseries area. In the muck-spread fields 2 Pied Wagtails fed on flies.

A male Yellowhammer was on Shemmy Moss as was a male Linnet. A female Siskin was in the now regular location for this species, near Big Pool Island Cut. In Gull Pool Wood 2 Treecreepers were watched foraging together, surely a pair. A Goldcrest was on the main track between the pools. A Great Tit was seen carrying food, most likely to be offered to its mate as this would be a crazily early brood. At least 7 Chiffchaffs were heard, but more will be around.

A good day with 54 species of bird recorded and a great array of non-avian sightings too.



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On Newchurch am in the sun before the forecast rain. A wee bit nippier at first.

A bit more of interest on the pools. There were now 3(1drk) Goldeneye on Big Pool as well as 2(1drk) Gadwall and 2(1drk) Shoveler. A brief count gave 45 Tufted Ducks on here. The 4(3ad) Mute Swans were on the two main pools. A sighting of 3 Greylag Geese over Gull Pool Wood was the first of this species for a while.

There were 7 Buzzards loosely together soaring over the mosslands. In fields off Sandy Lane a nice flock containing 180 Fieldfares, 10 Redwings and 10 Starlings was down feeding. A Siskin was again near Big Pool Island Cut and again 3 Chiffchaffs were recorded.



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A morning walk, dry and mild. A pretty flat day with the usual species only, local patching personified!

On Big Pool now 5(2drk) Goldeneye. A pair of Teal were seen on Shemmy Moss and another heard on Gull Pool. Just 3 adult Mute Swans. Did the monthly snipe count given the mild weather and recorded 25 Common Snipe in the usual area but no Jacks. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over Shemmy Moss.

A Raven was over Shemmy Moss as were 2 Buzzards in display. A group of 10 Feral Rock Doves over was unusual, this being my rarest pigeon! A male Siskin was by Big Pool Island Cut then flew back to the Pine Belt, potential breeding habitat.  On the mosslands 4 Linnets were seen together. A total of 3 Chiffchaffs was recorded.



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Bad forecast but yesterday was too and I missed going out because it was wrong! Was better than forecast, overcast but dry and even a bit of sun, warm too!

On Big Pool there were 6(2drk) Goldeneye, this time split into one drake with four females and a lone drake! A rough count made it 61 Tufted Ducks on Big Pool, just to monitor them as they leave. In total 4(3ad) Mute Swans included the resident pair on Small Pool and an adult and a juvenile on Big Pool new in. A Teal was heard on Gull Pool. A Grey Heron flew over Big Pool.

A small flock of 9 Fieldfares flew over the Whitegate Way. Only 10 Stock Doves were seen today. A total of 4 Bramblings included 3 showing well feeding on the newly ploughed former Leek field and 1 in flight over the field east of the Pine Belt. I saw 2 Siskins today, a male near Big Pool Island Cut and a female in Gull Pool Wood. Also in Gull Pool Wood were a Treecreeper and at least 3 Nuthatches showing well. A Goldcrest was again near Finch Hedge. There were 2 Chiffchaffs singing, one in Gull Pool Wood and one by the main track 50m past Finch Hedge. Probably the biggest surprise was a Grey Wagtail flying over Dairy Farm.



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Afternoon on Newchurch today, still overcast and dull.

On Big Pool just 3(1drk) Goldeneye of note. An Oystercatcher was heard over the Nursery Fields from the Whitegate Way.

A Kestrel was on wires on Sandy Lane. Just 2 Redwings were seen, in trees in the former Leek Field. At least 25 Stock Doves still fed in the fields east of the Pine Belt but spraying was happening and this was disturbing the birds. Also in these fields, getting disturbed, was a finch flock containing 25 Linnets. At least 2 Coal Tits were seen, one near Small Pool and one in Finch Hedge. Finch Hedge also contained a feeding Goldcrest.



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A brief visit this morning before the rain to check whether the tractors were out again - they weren't! Overcast and dull.

Only two noteworthy reports from the pools, firstly now 6(2drk) Goldeneye on Big Pool, consisting of two groups of three - each with a drake and two females. Also on Big Pool was a drake Gadwall.

The fields east of the Pine Belt held 35 Stock Doves feeding and 8 Lapwings displaying in their breeding field. A Redwing was singing again by Big Pool. One of the owl boxes had a pair of Jackdaws in/on it, previously the domain of Stock Doves it looks like Jackdaws will breed in it this year.



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Headed down on patch pretty early this morning and then again early afternoon, dull, overcast, cold!

On Big Pool the ever changing numbers mean that today there were 4(1drk) Goldeneye, the drake displaying to one female in particular. Also on Big Pool was a drake Shoveler. In the former Leek Field which was being worked by 4 tractors there were 360 Black-headed Gulls feeding, a spectacular sight, but despite several thorough searches no Med Gull!

A Raven flew over the paddocks near the entrance barrier calling. A small group of 9 Redwings including one singing its heart out at the top of an alder. I have noted Redwings singing on patch a lot recently and have been contacted by 2 mates who have had the same on their local area! Near Big Pool Island cut 2 Siskins still fed in the alders. A Lesser Redpoll was in a mixed finch flock visiting a small puddle of the main track by Finch Hedge. A Linnet also visited this puddle as did a Goldfinch. The finch flock was commuting between Finch Hedge and the adjacent field and also contained 3 Bramblings, one of which also visited the puddle. A female Reed Bunting was also in this flock too. In Finch Hedge above the puddle at least 4 Bullfinches were devouring blackthorn buds still.

 



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 9th of March 2024 04:54:48 PM

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Had a day out planned but with a few Little Gulls turning up I thought that I had better check my patch first! A brief whiz down from 9-10am-ish.

No Little Gulls, but yesterdays gull-fest continued with at least 80 Black-headed Gulls in the former Leek Field and commuting to Big Pool. A check of the field based gulls first revealed nothing special so I had a look on Big Pool. Here I was chuffed to find a smart adult summer-plumaged Mediterranean Gull. This was a patch yeartick and made up for there not being one yesterday.



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Out a bit longer this pm, overcast, lots cooler and dark clouds on the horizon!

On Big Pool there were 4(2drk) Goldeneye, split into two pairs and all displaying. A lone drake Gadwall was also on Big Pool but that was about it for ducks. On Small Pool 3 adult Mute Swans were present, the resident pair plus one! In the former Leek Field which has been ploughed today a flock of 290 Black-headed Gulls was exceptional, but despite a search no Med Gull as I'd hoped. But approximately 25 Common Gulls were present. A flock of 50 Lapwings flew over the pools heading south.

There were still 3 Bramblings in the finch flock east of the Pine Belt. Also here in a single flock were 90 Linnets. A flock of 20 Fieldfares were seen in fields to the NW of Big Pool. In the former Leek Field 2 Pied Wagtails fed amongst the gulls. A species that I see almost every walk, Treecreeper, was in trees on the north shore of Small Pool.



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A very short afternoon walk preempting it being sunny, but it was overcast lots of the time with brief sunny intervals, but no wind.

On Big Pool 5(3drk) Shoveler were displaying and the 2(1drk) Goldeneye were still present. A Cormorant was again on Big Pool willow spit.

A Chiffchaff was singing east of Big Pool.



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 7th of March 2024 09:24:07 AM

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Had a morning walk on patch which started early, fine and sunny again, lovely. 3hrs and 51mins walk, 5.57mls and 56 species, but amazingly nothing special!

On Big Pool 2(1drk) Goldeneye were now present, weird how it's toggling between 2 drakes and a pair!! The drake was displaying like mad at the female and they kept close company. Later there were also 3(1drk) Wigeon on Big Pool as well as 4(2drk) Gadwall. On Small Pool the highlight was a drake Goosander, new in, and to complete the 'winter' wildfowl Teal were calling on Gull Pool. As has happened a few times 2 Greylag Geese flew in and landed on Big Pool whilst I was scanning. For the first time in a while a Cormorant, resplendent in breeding plumage, was on the willow spit on Big Pool. There were 6 Lapwings in the breeding field by the Pine Belt, in display at times. A single Common Snipe was seen on Shemmy Moss. At least 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over.

A Raven was thermalling and calling with 2 Buzzards over the main track above Finch Hedge. In the fields by the Pine Belt a count of 68 Stock Doves was my highest ever single flock. Two sightings totalling 3 Feral Rock Doves included a single in display flight and a pair displaying, weird how this species is rare on patch! A small flock of 12 Fieldfares flew over near Totties Hall Farm whilst just 1 Redwing was seen, near Dairy Farm. A total of 2 male Yellowhammers was seen, one on Shemmy Moss and one at the Common Farm pheasant feeders. A male Reed Bunting was also on Shemmy Moss. On the nursery fields 4 Meadow Pipits were noteworthy whilst 2 Pied Wagtails were still near Common Farm. A Linnet was in trees off Novia Scotia Lane with Chaffinches while a Siskin flew over the main track south of Big Pool. A total of 17 Goldfinches included a flock of 15 over horse paddocks off Novia Scotia Lane. A Goldcrest was in trees by Dairy Farm, not an area I see this species usually. Close by one of 2 Treecreepers was seen, the other being in Gull Pool Wood.



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A morning on my patch for the first date in March. Very cold but bright and still.

On Big Pool 2 drake Goldeneye were still present as well as 4(2drk) Gadwall. A total of 69 Tufted Ducks were counted across Big Pool, Small Pool and Lymm Vale. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was again on Big Pool.

In the fields by Sandy Lane a flock of winter thrushes contained 30 Redwings and 30 Fieldfares as well as 8 Starlings. Across from here by the Pine Belt a mixed finch flock contained 1 Brambling and  4 Linnets. A Raven was heard and at least 4 Rooks flew over. A Reed Bunting and 2 Pied Wagtails were at Common Farm.



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Decided on a morning walk on the day that we only get once every four years!! Fine, mild, no wind, pretty nice to be honest.

The pools were a little more productive with 2(1drk) Goldeneye on Big Pool as well as 4(3drk) Shoveler and 9(7drk) Gadwall. All this was probably associated with females moving and strings of males following them! Teal were again heard calling on Big Pool. As I walked round 4 Greylag Geese dropped in onto Big Pool and brought a huge Canada x Greylag hybrid with them, bigger than both parent species - hybrid vigour and all that! A Cormorant flew over Big Pool, none have been down on the pool for a long time now. A walk over to Shemmy Moss added a new species for the patch yearlist in the shape of 2 Water Rails calling from one of their usual areas in the SE corner.

Another new bird was added, this time new for anywhere in the UK this year, Chiffchaff. A non-calling bird was catching small flies, of which there had been a huge hatch, in trees by the north side of Small Pool. In the fields by the Pine Belt a count of 55 Stock Doves in one flock almost equalled my maximum ever count made two weeks ago. In the former leek field good numbers of winter thrushes still fed on spilt maize, 120 Redwings and 4 Fieldfares were noted. In fields north and east of the Pine Belt Chaffinch flocks contained at least 1 Brambling and 1 Greenfinch, whilst nearby 18 Linnets were on telegraph wires. A Treecreeper was seen in a new area, by the main track just inside the entrance barriers with a Coal Tit at the end of Finch Hedge in the same vicinity.



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A morning walk on patch, sunny intervals, bright dry and not too cold. Another good day with a yeartick for the UK and Patch achieved!

The bird in question was a drake Mandarin found on Gull Pool, it caught my attention as it was quacking and was a call that I'd never heard but guessed immediately what it was. For anyone visiting the whole(-ish) of Gull Pool can be viewed from the bench on the Whitegate Way as the wood itself is one of the many private areas on my patch! Mandarins are seen annually on Gull Pool but are very shy and can't be guaranteed on any visit. On Big Pool the 2 drake Goldeneye were still present with the extra drake and female having left. Also on here and amazing event when 55 Wigeon dropped down from high in the sky to circle Big Pool and eventually all land. A thorough check confirmed them all as Eurasian Wigeon (well you never know!!). This was amazing since not a single Wigeon had been recorded on patch since the pair on Feb 12th. Also seen on Big Pool were 4(1drk) Gadwall, so a small number are hanging on. Teal were on Gull Pool, but only heard so no count was possible. Just 2 Greylag Geese were again present. The only Little Grebe today was on Lymm Vale viewed from the Whitegate Way, again a strictly private area. One noteworthy sighting was that 2 new Coot nests were already fully constructed, one on each of the main pools and both attended by a Coot!

A small count of 8 Fieldfares fed in the harvested carrot field NE of Big Pool with 3 Mistle Thrushes, whilst 40 Redwings were seen in total, 20 still near the entrance barriers in hedges, 10 in wet carr woodland near Big Pool Island Cut and 10 near Common Farm.  A Raven showed well in fields by the Whitegate Way SE of Small Pool. In a large flock of Chaffinches E.of the Pine Belt 4 Bramblings were seen, but more were probably present. At least 9 Bullfinches were seen, mostly centered around Finch Hedge and Small Pool 'Car Park' Peg. A single male Yellowhammer was by the Common Farm feeders again, but really difficult to see as it roosted deep in a hedge. A rough estimate of 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers included 3 drumming in Gull Pool Wood and one 'chacking' E.of Small Pool.



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Sunny and warm again this morning on my patch. I returned to the area that I saw the Mealy Redpoll in but maintenance work was being carried out so no chance! But still another excellent walk.

The 4(3drk) Goldeneye and 2(1drk) Goosander were still on Big Pool and I found 3(1drk) Gadwall today. A total of 106 Lapwings were seen including 2 displaying in their breeding field and 104 flying over Abbot's Moss in two groups. A Common Snipe was seen sunning itself out in the middle of Shemmy Moss.

With the fine weather it was a bit of a raptor-fest today. This included a new bird for the 2024 Patch List, Peregrine, a scarcity on my patch. It was seen over the fields on the north side of Big Pool being pursued by a Carrion Crow! The Peregrine just outpaced the crow for a bit for fun, and then turned on the afterburners and powered away from the corvid which gave up the chase! Also seen was a nice male Sparrowhawk, which landed in a tree east of the Pine Belt, giving great views to myself and fellow patcher Dave. Finally a tremendous count of 11 Buzzards was made, all viewed from the mossland tracks, perfect thermalling weather so not a great surprise really! Around 14 Stock Doves were seen today. A Raven and a Rook were over the mosslands. Again at least 20 Redwings were near the entrance barriers. A cracking wee Goldcrest was by Big Pool as were 3 Long-tailed Tits.



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Was thinking of a trip away but decided on patch this am and so glad that I did! Sunny and very mild again.

On Big Pool one maximum count this winter was achieved with 4(3drk) Goldeneye seen as well as 2(1drk) Goosander too. It was noticeable that other species had shipped out with only 2(1drk) Gadwall seen and Teal heard being the only other reports of note. On Gull Pool 4(2drk) Teal were in two pairs. A Lapwing was again in the breeding fields.

The highlight of the whole walk was when, in a private area that has no access without permission, a flock of 9 Lesser Redpolls flew into a conifer above me and started to feed accompanied by a stunning male Mealy Redpoll. Watchinh mainly from below this bird was larger than the accompanying Lessers, was colder plumaged with white wing bars and a snow white vent and undertail coverts with hardly any discernible markings on. The poll area was bright red and the pink breast flush was on a background of pure white with the only streaking on the flanks. I only got a glimpse of its back once but could see two white (not buff) 'tramlines' running along it. It was as they say "a classic". Also seen were 12 Siskins in alders by Big Pool Island Cut. In Big Pool Wood 3 Treecreepers again showed well and a total of 4 Nuthatches included two here too. Over at Common Farm now 4 male Yellowhammers visited the pheasant feeders, meaning at least 7 birds are using this resource this winter. A Skylark was seen in song flight over the Nursery Fields. Near the entrance barriers 25 Redwings were in the hedges and trees with Blackbirds. In the arable fields 25 Stock Doves were still in a single flock.



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Had a morning stroll round my Patch, dull with sunny intervals and still mild.

The pools were incredibly quiet with whinneying Little Grebes on Gull Pool the best record! A Lapwing was on the deck in the arable fields east of the Pine Belt.

Over at Common Farm I recorded 6(3m) Yellowhammers now at the pheasant feeders. Nearby, closer to Totties Hall Farm were 4 Meadow Pipits, a patch scarcity but with more records this year than any other that I have recorded. In the same area a Feral Rock Dove flew over, another patch scarcity! In Gull Pool Wood and the former leek field the large flock of winter thrushes is still present, with an estimated 60 Fieldfares and 60 Redwings. In Gull Pool Wood Great Spotted Woodpecker was still drumming but even better 3 Treecreepers were seen including two which seemed like a pair. In the alders by Big Pool Island Cut 5 Siskins and a Coal Tit fed with a few Blue Tits.



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A shorter walk today, dull but mild, getting the walks in whilst it's dry, very very muddy underfoot though.

A massive highlight was 2 Curlew low over Big Pool calling, these went over SSE at 11.10am and then one flew back W at 11.17am. Curlew is a patch mega and a patch yeartick for 2024. The 2 drake Goldeneye were still present, and again one was on each of the main pools! A Kingfisher was on Small Pool. A total of 145 Lapwings flew over, 35 early on and then a loose flock of 110 later.

In the former Leek Field a Brambling was seen with Chaffinches and in the same area 120 Redwings and 40 Fieldfares were seen, 18 Fieldfares also flew over west earlier. In the field near the parking area a flock of 30 Stock Doves was around. A total of 5 Bullfinches were seen.



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Sunny at times and mild. Decided to walk my southern and western Patch boundaries as on a sunny Saturday it would be less busy, and it was!!

On the pools as I passed there were 2 drake Goldeneye, one on each main pool. My western boundary passes by Nunsmere so I cast a glance over the water there and saw 6(2drk) Goosander on this big water. On Shemmy Moss 2 Greylag Geese flew over.

Birds of the day were 4 Yellowhammers attracted in by pheasant feeders at Common Farm, a new patch bird for 2024 no less! A total of 36 Fieldfare included 31 over near Common Farm and 5 in hawthorns on the western patch boundary. A Pied Wagtail was on a Common Farm barn roof.



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An excellent morning on Patch. same weather, overcast & warm, but with a little drizzle this time.

On Big Pool 4(2drk) Shovelers were seen and 2(1drk) Teal were paired up on Gull Pool. Best bird of the day was an Oystercatcher over the S.side of Big Pool, calling, a new patch bird for 2024. A 1w Lesser Black-backed Gull was again present. On Small Pool 2 Kingfishers were seen chasing.

Another new patch yeartick was 2 Pied Wagtails over by Common Farm. A stunning female Sparrowhawk flew close past at Big Pool Island Cut and a Buzzard was seen over Gull Pool Wood. Two Rooks flew over near Lymm Vale. In the former Leek Field the thrush flock remains, comprising 60 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares. A Greenfinch, patch rarity, was at the top of a tree in the horse paddocks at the end of Sandy Lane. A Treecreeper was seen in Gull Pool Wood.



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A morning visit today, dull but very mild.

A drake Goosander was on Big Pool as were 4(2drk) Shoveler. Teal called from Big Pool and Gull Pool. Two Greylag Geese flew off from Big Pool. Over the two pools 3 Mute Swans were seen with the pair on Small Pool in full on display. On Gull Pool 3(2m) Little Grebes were in a frisky mood, the two males fighting hammer and tongs whilst the female looked on. A total of 5 Cormorants were on Big Pool. A Grey Heron flew over Shemmy Moss. A 1w Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over Big Pool. A Kingfisher was on Small Pool still. A small flock of 22 Lapwings drifted over.

A Buzzard was in Gull Pool Wood. A female Great Spotted Woodpecker came up off the ground by Small Pool, unexpectedly out of a small clump of brambles! Nearby a Treecreeper was seen and a Nuthatch called. A total of 50 Redwings were in two areas, the former Leek Field and the field by the parking area. A Goldcrest flitted around the oaks just inside the entrance barrier.



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Went on in the afternoon as it was forecast dry, which it was. Overcast & dull but warm.

A winter-plumaged female Pochard was a new Patch bird for 2024, on Big Pool. Also on Big Pool 2(1drk) Shoveler were noted. A drake Goldeneye was on Small Pool. A Little Grebe was whinneying on Big Pool as a prelude to breeding. As I walked in 57 Lapwings flew over in a strung out loose flock.

My highest count ever of 60 Stock Doves were seen in a single flock in the fields by the parking area. In a day of high counts I had a total of 360 Redwings which is probably my highest number in a single day. Just 6 Fieldfares were seen. In the fields by Sandy Lane a large flock of Chaffinches and Redwings contained 6 Bramblings. On the east side of Big Pool it was nice to see 2 female Reed Buntings and close by 7 Siskins whilst a Lesser Redpoll was heard here too. A total of 6 Bullfinches was recorded. A Coal Tit was in a pine to the north of Big Pool.



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An afternoon walk in unseasonally warm February sunshine.

There was no sign of the Smew in a good search of both pools by 3 observers today. On Big Pool 2 drake Goldeneye and a drake Goosander were present. Also on here were 2(1drk) Wigeon and 3 Teal, but a noticeable reduction in wildfowl. There were 2 Cormorants, one in stunning full breeding plumage.

A swirling flock of 40 Jackdaws was north of Big Pool. Close by were 35 Fieldfares with 2 Mistle Thrushes. Near the entrance barriers a small flock of 8 Redwings were seen. Two Stock Doves flew over.  In total 6 Bullfinches were recorded.



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Just popped in am to see a patch lifer fungus. Checked Small Pool and drake Smew still present.



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An afternoon walk in drizzle which was heavy at times.

The drake Smew was on Small Pool with 2 drake Goldeneye. A total of 14 (7drk) Goosanders were present, 4(2drk) on Small Pool and 10(7drk) on Big Pool.

There were several Song Thrushes in full song and a lone Mistle Thrush singing.

In the horrid weather everything seemed pretty flat so that's about it!



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An afternoon walk in mild and sunny conditions right up until the sun started to sink behind the horizon!

The drake Smew was on Small Pool, initially with 2 drake Goldeneye. Later it was seen to be following a female Goosander, one of 4(3drk) Goosanders, a pair on Small Pool and the usual 2 stunning drakes on Big Pool. Today saw the return of 2(1drk) Wigeon onto Big Pool. On Gull Pool there were 6(3drk) Teal, all already paired up. A total of 4 Cormorants included 1 on Big Pool and 3 flying over. Also flying over were streams of gulls as the sun set, these included at least 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. On Small Pool the Kingfisher showed extremely well perched up on the east side. As I walked in 43 Lapwings flew over heading generally northwards in loose flocks.

In the former Leek field the winter thrush flock was seen again and I counted 40 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares today. A Song Thrush roosted in Finch Hedge. A Goldcrest and a Siskin flicked around in a small confer on the edge of Shemmy Moss. Also on Shemmy Moss a roaming tit flock contained 5 Long-tailed Tits. In the same field 2 Stock Doves were seen.



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Had a brief morning walk in light drizzle just to check the situation with the star sawbill.

As expected the drake Smew remained on Sandiway Small Pool, but later it was nowhere to be seen, for a bright white bird it can hide away very well!! On Big Pool the 2 drake Goosanders were still present, yesterdays additional pair had flown off. Also on Big Pool were 3(1drk) Shoveler and 3(1drk) Teal. Again no Wigeon on either pool. An addition from yesterday were 6 Greylag Geese on Big Pool but midway through the morning these all flew off together. A Cormorant was an addition to yesterdays tally too. A first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull was again present. A Kingfisher was seen on Small Pool.

Another addition to yesterdays list was 2m Pheasants which flew across Sandy Lane. Finch Hedge delivered again with 6 Goldfinches, a Bullfinch and a few Chaffinches. Around 5 Redwings were also in Finch Hedge as we walked in.



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 6th of February 2024 03:24:31 PM

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An early start so a longer walk, dry and mild again.

What a surprise on Small Pool, the drake Smew was back! Again it was elusive, disappearing for long periods during the morning. On Big Pool 4(3drk) Goosanders were present, an increase on recent days. Teal were noted calling on Big Pool and Gull Pool but no numbers due to being heard only. One weird thing was a count of zero Wigeon today! In a restricted area an official snipe-count was undertaken. The resulting numbers were incredible with 121 Common Snipe and 3 Jack Snipe seen, by far my biggest ever tallies of these species in a single count. Nearby 2 Woodcock were also noted.

A Kestrel hovered over the horse paddocks by Novia Scotia Lane. On the Totties Farm loop 2 Collared Doves were noted. On the nursery fields a flock of 6 Skylarks was nice to see, my first on patch in 2024. Also here were 2 Stock Doves. In the former Leek Field an amazing count of 180 Redwings was made but with only 1 Fieldfare amongst them. Also on the nursery field was a flock of 27 Linnets. A Treecreeper was seen near Small Pool and a Nuthatch called in Gull Pool Wood.



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 5th of February 2024 08:10:01 PM

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A rarity for me - a Saturday morning on patch, but it's my first Saturday since retirement and as I worked every Saturday I thought that it would be nice to do a patch day at this first opportunity. Dull, drizzly at times but mild still.

On Small Pool the drake Goldeneye was back, but unlike last time I saw him there was no Smew! A single drake Goosander was on Big Pool as well as a drake Shoveler and a female Teal. A 1st-winter Herring Gull and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull were both down on Big Pool.

A Collared Dove was on Sandy Lane. Two Song Thrushes chased each other by Big Pool, another sign that breeding season approaches. A pair of Bullfinches were picking of buds in Finch Hedge, named due to this finch species in particular. In the field N.of Big Pool 2 Linnets were seen not too far from breeding territory. A single Siskin was in alders by Big Pool Island Cut.



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My first February Patch walk, sunny and mild.

On Big Pool 2 drake Goosander kept close company but no sign anywhere of the previous star sawbill, looks like he's well and truly gone now! Also present 3 Teal and still reasonable numbers of Gadwall, Wigeon and Tufted Ducks. A skein of c.50 Pink-footed Geese flew over. A Little Grebe was on Small Pool and 2 Cormorants were on Big Pool. A 1st-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull was on Big Pool.

I heard my first drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker today as well as the first Song Thrush singing on patch. In the former Leek Field the best birds of the day were 3 Bramblings in with a 250-strong Chaffinch Flock. Also in this bird-packed field were 120 Redwings, 5 Fieldfares and a Mistle Thrush. In Gull Pool Wood some nice views were had of Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Coal Tit whilst a roaming flock of Long-tailed Tits was also seen. Bullfinches were seen in a number of places, all destroying buds on trees and bushes as they do!



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Had an afternoon visit today, overcast but dry and mild.

On Small Pool the drake Smew showed well again albeit keeping well away from people as usual. A drake Goldeneye was on Big Pool. Other pool sightings included 8(6ad) Mute Swans, all on Big Pool, my highest ever count of adults on site. A female Teal was seen but more Teal called from cover. Only around 6 Wigeon were seen, a big drop in numbers compared to recent counts. There were 2 Cormorants on Big Pool too. The Kingfisher again showed well on Small Pool. A small flock of 13 Lapwings flew over the top car park for Small Pool heading south.

The best bird of the day was away from the pools. My attention was attracted to 2 Jays sounding really agitated and calling continuously in one particular spot. When I got to where they were calling, up the main track opposite Gull Pool Wood, a Tawny Owl flew out and shot silently past me and the Jays happy with their work headed off the other way, now not calling any more! This was my first Tawny anywhere in 2024! In the former Leek Field 8 Stock Doves fed in the maize stubble. On the main track a Lesser Redpoll bathed in a puddle, and 2 Goldcrests were seen, one in the same puddle as the Redpoll. A small group of just 4 Siskins fed in alders by Small Pool.



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A short morning walk, dry, overcast and mild.

A drake Goldeneye was on Big Pool but no sign of the Smew on either pool (definitely missing 4 days now). Fishing work parties on both pools meant birds were out from the edges and disturbance was at maximum!



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 21st of January 2024 12:22:15 PM

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A morning walk on an even colder and even more frozen patch! Still dry, bright and sunny though! The ice on the pools is now thick enough to walk on in places

Again an extensive search revealed no sign of the Smew, despite an erroneous report coming out on national info systems yesterday disbelief In fact all the wildfowl numbers were down with only 25 Shoveler and 8 Teal seen out on the ice. There were however 4(3ad) Mute Swans on Big Pool and a total of 3 Little Grebes across the two pools.  A Grey Heron flew through Big Pool. What I presume was my lone resident Lesser Black-backed Gull was the only one of that species left today, with only 1 Common Gull now too in a reduced number of gulls also. My fishing mates who started yesterday and over-nighted had seen one Kingfisher well regularly and were thrilled, good to hear smile

Up off Sandy Lane 12 Fieldfares were seen in trees to the east whilst 20 Redwings fed by Small Pool. Two Stock Doves were seen at last years nest site, a Barn Owl Box off Sandy Lane. All the usual tit species were seen with Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit seen Small Pool with 2 Siskins.



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Andy Slee wrote:

Re: Doc's comment below (got the quoting wrong) on Goldcrests..

..At Moore last week it took me ages to get onto the Goldcrest I could hear. Once I found it like you say it was in low scrub (about 10m north of the defunct feeding station). Almost Wren like scuttering about in the low brush........then once I found the one I could hear, I spotted two more in a ten metre radius by watching ivy shaking at the bottom of trees. First time ever seen low down Goldcrests.



-- Edited by Andy Slee on Thursday 18th of January 2024 09:23:20 PM


They are such fab birds Andy, I'm still waiting to find a Firecrest on my patch, think you've had one on yours haven't you? By the way it was only 1m away from me, but also you are right it was only 1-2m off the ground too wink

Just another bit of evidence for saying 'no Smew', the only bits of open water on each pool finally attracted the only 3 fishermen present and all the birds present were flushed. So even if the Smew had been under bankside vegetation then he would have come out!!



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 18th of January 2024 09:38:25 PM

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Re: Doc's comment below (got the quoting wrong) on Goldcrests..

..At Moore last week it took me ages to get onto the Goldcrest I could hear. Once I found it like you say it was in low scrub (about 10m north of the defunct feeding station). Almost Wren like scuttering about in the low brush........then once I found the one I could hear, I spotted two more in a ten metre radius by watching ivy shaking at the bottom of trees. First time ever seen low down Goldcrests.



-- Edited by Andy Slee on Thursday 18th of January 2024 09:23:20 PM

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A latish afternoon visit. very very cold, but bright sunny and dry, really nice weather to be out and about!

The two main pools were frozen solid after overnight temperatures plummeted below -7 C locally. I wasn't surprised to see no sign of the drake Smew, I had messaged fellow patcher Dave earlier and in an extensive search he had failed to find it too. With drakes now at 2 coastal locations the Newchurch star bird may well have moved on. The frozen lakes resulted in usually skulking species being forced out onto the ice, with the result that 40 Teal and 30 Shoveler were counted, really high counts for me at Newchurch. There were also lots of Tufted Ducks, Gadwall and Wigeon too, but nothing more unusual had joined them. At least 4 Little Grebes were noted on the two pools too. Lots of gulls loafed on the ice including 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A total of 2 Kingfishers were seen including a stunning male watched just 10m away on Small Pool and a more distant individual on Big Pool. A Grey Heron was heard on Big Pool.

A male Sparrowhawk flashed across Big Pool near the west shore. A Goldcrest was watched foraging near Big Pool down to just 1m! In alders 6 Lesser Redpolls showed well. At least 4 Redwings were still in the trees. A pair of Bullfinches were west of Big Pool.



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Down late am when the sun came out, dry, freezing and sunny! Still a dribble of visitors for the Smew and Bramblings! Five minutes of fame and all that confuse

The drake Smew remains on Small Pool and is very mobile and can be elusive. He is skittish as anything and gets spooked regularly, moving well away from humans at speed! Watched at length today with 5(3drk) Goosanders and seen displaying vigorously to a female Goosander, he has ideas above his station! Also 2 drake Shoveler on Small Pool. The usual group of 3 Little Grebes toured the pool together in a tight knit group as they usually do. The Kingfisher showed well several times. I never got over to Big Pool today.

A small group of 4 Redwings were in woodland to the east of Small Pool and 2 Siskins were on the west side.

Not really a proper walk as I was tryinmg to get a piccy or two of the Smew in the sunshine as all previous ones were in overcast weather.

 



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Down this morning in freezing temperatures and 2 inches of snow!! But bright and great light.

First call was Small Pool where the drake Smew was seen immediately, now loosely hanging around with the 'sawbill bunch'. A total of 12(6drk) Goosanders consisted of 9 on Small Pool and 3 on Big Pool. Possibly the best wildfowl species was in the shape of 3(1drk) Pintail, a new bird anywhere this year, that dropped in onto Big Pool just as I was leaving. Also on Big Pool were 14 Shovelers, 6 Teal and big numbers of Wigeon and Gadwall. On Small Pool it was good to see 2 Little Grebes.

A Jay was near Big Pool and a Bullfinch was by the main track.



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Again got to my patch at first light, dull all day but dry again.

I stayed at Small Pool for the first 90mins and nothing, then I searched Big Pool for the Smew and still no sign. I returned to Small Pool and when I drew a blank after 2.5hrs I headed off around my patch.

Today did have its compensations though. A drake Goldeneye dropped into Small Pool in the afternoon, the first of the winter and so a patch yeartick. In total 6 Goosanders were seen, a female on Big Pool am, then 2 drakes there pm, also 3(2drk) Goosanders seen heading west over Abbot's Moss. At least 6 Teal were present, 6 being seen on Gull Pool and then more heard on Big Pool. There were 4(2drk) Shoveler across the two main pools. My highest ever day count of 14 Cormorants was notable today, a cold weather movement perhaps? Another patch yeartick was a brute of a Great Black-backed Gull flying over the Whitegate Way, its beak looked massive even in flight!

A Raven was heard towards Lymm Vale, a patch and UK yeartick. A couple of flocks around Small Pool added up to 50 Siskins, whilst 2 Lesser Redpolls were on Shemmy Moss, first heard calling and then seen as they dropped in. A female Reed Bunting was also on Shemmy Moss.



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Got down on my patch at first light to get news out for visiting birders!

The drake Smew spent most of the day on Sandiway Small Pool, best viewed from 'Car Park Peg' as no fishermen were there. This is the first barrier on the left as you walk west on the main track between the two pools. It does show well due to the pool being quite small but will flush very easily as it is very skittish. It did flush once his morning due to a fisherman arriving and birders on the far shore stopping it landing nearby. It then circled and head over to Big Pool where it was flushed again by birders accidentally and returned to Small Pool. Please keep your distance and then everyone can enjoy. I stayed on the bird from first light until noon, 8am-12pm, to help folk get on it and had about 40 birders visit, I know another 20 at least connected this afternoon, nice to see my little patch being so popular again!

Also present were 2 drake Goosanders, one on each pool and 2(1drk) Teal at first light out on Small Pool. Also at first light a Grey Heron was on Small Pool. A Kingfisher was seen briefly again on Small Pool mid morning. The adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was again on Big Pool.

A new patch bird for the year was 2 Feral Rock Doves which flew through Small Pool! A small flock of 5 Lapwings also flew over. A male Bullfinch fed on the ground near Small Pool early am.



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 11th of January 2024 09:00:01 PM

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Smew showing again today



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yesterday despite an intensive search by myself, mark, malc and a couple of others birders we could not relocate it. The smew was out in the middle when it disappeared somay have flown. 

glad to see it's present today. I will have to make another trip after work. 



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That was my report Mark!! Birdguides & RBA monitor my WhatsApp biggrin Are you not on it? The Smew is incredibly shy, it moves away from any movement on the bank and so is very hard to get shots of. I'll be there first thing tomorrow and will put news out which will then be relayed by the info services no doubt wink! It was missing for 2 days despite intensive searches Monday & Tuesday so must also visit another area.



-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 10th of January 2024 10:04:25 PM

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