Details of December sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
24 Comments
Terry Hughes 1st January 2020
31/12/2019. Goosanders. 3 Male and 1 Female feeding in the canal at Wheelock, under the old railway bridge. First time I’ve seen them in the canal.
Peter 1st January 2020
Glad you have managed to see one along there at long last, Sylvia. We went through about 8.10 and no sign and returned 12.45am again no sign.
Sylvia Jarvis 31st December 2019
Barn owl on post along David Whitby way at 8.pm.
John 30th December 2019
23 -29 Dec
EHF/PHF: Gadwall, Pintail, Pochard, Goosander, L & GC Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine, Jay, Raven, Mistle Thrush,
MGT/RF: Gadwall, Water Rail, Woodcock, Jack Snipe, Skylark, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting
CF: Green Sandpiper
FFF: Mistle Thrush
WLF: GC Grebe, Water Rail
Astbury Mere CP: Pochard, Goosander, L Grebe, Chiffchaff
Brereton Heath LNR: Goosander
Checkley Ln: Brambling
Doddington: Mandarin, Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, Kingfisher, Peregrine, Meadow Pipit
Wall Hill: Green Woodpecker, Peregrine
Mike&Andy 28th December 2019
A male Mandarin at Doddington this morning and 11 Meadow Pipits on the wires.Also this week 5 Shelduck on the 22nd with just 1 on the 25th,10 Pochard,8 Goldeneye,Shovelers and Wigeon.A Peregrine was the third on the bounce and a Kingfisher also noted.Off Checkley lane this morning highlight birds were Brambling and Goldcrest .
John 26th December 2019
Not much to report on my walk yesterday – a Peregrine perched on a warehouse roof off University Way. It later took off and headed in the direction of Crewe Hall. A female Kestrel perched on a telegraph pole behind the allotments off Mill Lane, Weston. As I came out from under the railway bridge on Gresty Road, a Peregrine flew over the road heading past the Mornflake Oats building. Plenty of Buzzard sightings along the route.
Song and Mistle Thrush in singing and small flocks of winter thrushes and corvids in the fields on either side of Basford sidings
John 23rd December 2019
16 – 22 Dec
EHF/PHF: Mandarin, Goosander, Water Rail, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Y-l Gull, Sparrowhawk
Astbury Mere CP: Pochard, Goosander,
Bagmere: Starling murmuration
Crewe: Kestrel
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, L Grebe, an impressive Gull roost, Peregrine
Lawton Lake: L Grebe, Dipper
Lea Forge: Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Raven, Bullfinch & Linnet
Sandbach: Meadow Pipit
Wybunbury Moss: Raven, Meadow Pipit, L Redpoll
John 22nd December 2019
Bagmere Starling murmuration starting to build.
About 20,000 this evening plus about 500 Jackdaw
( per Rob Black )
Graham 21st December 2019
Meadow Pipit over, 4 Pied Wagtails almost a garden tick – this at our new build Abbeyfields house in Sandbach.
Mike&Andy 21st December 2019
A Green Woodpecker at Lea Forge this morning and other recent sightings included,Bullfinches ,Sparrowhawk,Raven,Goldcrest,Linnets,Jays and Stock Dove.
Mike&Andy 19th December 2019
Two Peregrines over the wood at Doddington this morning,judging by their size,a male and female.
Colin 17th December 2019
I counted the gull roost at Doddington this afternoon from 15-30 to 16-30. Totals were 9,500 blackheaded, 1,300 lesser blackbacked, 50 herring and 50 common. The water was partly frozen along the main drive bank and it was surprising to note that 90% of the black headed gulls chose to roost standing on the ice and 90% of the others roosted on the water.
Mike&Andy 17th December 2019
2 Shelduck were new at Doddington this morning,also Goldeneyes,Pochard,single Teal, L. grebes and around 100 Lapwing were around the pool.
Andy Warner 17th December 2019
Male and female Blackcap on the garden feeders
John 16th December 2019
Macon Meadows this afternoon – Water Rail heard. Also a Peregrine on lighting tower on railway track.
Incidentally a juvenile Peregrine has been reported on several occasions recently in The Flashes area, with 2 or 3 wing feathers missing!
Mike&Andy 16th December 2019
Best birds around Wybunbury moss this morning were,Lesser Redpolls,Siskins,Goldcrests,Raven,Meadow Pipits,Greenfinch,Jay and G.S.Woodpecker.
John 16th December 2019
9 -15 Dec
EHF/PHF: Mandarin, Goosander, Stock Dove, L & GC Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Sparrowhawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine x2
Hall Ln: Barn Owl
Astbury Mere CP: Pochard, Goosander, L & GC Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, Siskin
Borrow Pit Meadow: Goosander, GS Woodpecker
Church Lawton: 38 Collared Dove
Crewe: Barn Owl
Doddington: R-l Partridge, Shoveler, Wigeon, Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Water Rail, L Grebe, Common Gull, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine
Lawton Lake: Goldeneye
Sandbach: Buzzard, Blackcap
Janet 13th December 2019
BARN OWL along David Whitby Way 10.50pm this evening (returning home from a very entertaining December SECOS meeting)
Colin 13th December 2019
The only good bird to add at Doddington this morning was a male goosander. Also Pochard numbers were up to 13 and there were 200 Starlings on wires by the units.
Graham 11th December 2019
2 Buzzards soaring over B & M in Sandbach
Mike&Andy 11th December 2019
A Water Rail was a year tick for us at Doddington this afternoon and other birds included,Common Gull,Red-legged Partridge,12x Wigeon,11 x Shoveler,2 x Pochard,L Grebes,displaying Goldeneye and a good raptor session with Sparrowhawk and Kestrel perched up and our last bird,a Peregrine gave great views as it soared overhead.
John 9th December 2019
2 – 8 Dec
EHF/PHF: Shoveler, Pintail, Goosander, Water Rail, L & GC Grebe, Golden Plover, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Caspian Gull, L Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel Peregrine, Rook,
Hall Ln: Barn Owl
MGT/RF: Snipe, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
WF set-aside: Greenfinch, Linnet
Astbury: Goosander, Barn Owl, Kingfisher,
Astbury Mere CP: Wigeon, Pochard, Goosander, L Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Chiffchaff, Siskin
Brereton/Swettenham: Sparrowhawk, Peregrine
Buglawton: Goosander
Doddington: Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Goldeneye
Haslington: Barn Owl
Mow Cop/Cheshire Close: Snipe, Woodcock, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting
Rode Heath: L Egret
Wybunbury Moss: L Redpoll & Siskin
Colin 5th December 2019
At Doddington this morning the tufted duck numbers were up to 119 but other ducks numbers continue to be low. Wigeon 1 was new.
SECOSeditor 5th December 2019
Sorry for the late post. Some December sightings are actually under the November post
1st January 2020
31/12/2019. Goosanders. 3 Male and 1 Female feeding in the canal at Wheelock, under the old railway bridge. First time I’ve seen them in the canal.
1st January 2020
Glad you have managed to see one along there at long last, Sylvia. We went through about 8.10 and no sign and returned 12.45am again no sign.
31st December 2019
Barn owl on post along David Whitby way at 8.pm.
30th December 2019
23 -29 Dec
EHF/PHF: Gadwall, Pintail, Pochard, Goosander, L & GC Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine, Jay, Raven, Mistle Thrush,
MGT/RF: Gadwall, Water Rail, Woodcock, Jack Snipe, Skylark, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting
CF: Green Sandpiper
FFF: Mistle Thrush
WLF: GC Grebe, Water Rail
Astbury Mere CP: Pochard, Goosander, L Grebe, Chiffchaff
Brereton Heath LNR: Goosander
Checkley Ln: Brambling
Doddington: Mandarin, Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, Kingfisher, Peregrine, Meadow Pipit
Wall Hill: Green Woodpecker, Peregrine
28th December 2019
A male Mandarin at Doddington this morning and 11 Meadow Pipits on the wires.Also this week 5 Shelduck on the 22nd with just 1 on the 25th,10 Pochard,8 Goldeneye,Shovelers and Wigeon.A Peregrine was the third on the bounce and a Kingfisher also noted.Off Checkley lane this morning highlight birds were Brambling and Goldcrest .
26th December 2019
Not much to report on my walk yesterday – a Peregrine perched on a warehouse roof off University Way. It later took off and headed in the direction of Crewe Hall. A female Kestrel perched on a telegraph pole behind the allotments off Mill Lane, Weston. As I came out from under the railway bridge on Gresty Road, a Peregrine flew over the road heading past the Mornflake Oats building. Plenty of Buzzard sightings along the route.
Song and Mistle Thrush in singing and small flocks of winter thrushes and corvids in the fields on either side of Basford sidings
23rd December 2019
16 – 22 Dec
EHF/PHF: Mandarin, Goosander, Water Rail, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Y-l Gull, Sparrowhawk
Astbury Mere CP: Pochard, Goosander,
Bagmere: Starling murmuration
Crewe: Kestrel
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, L Grebe, an impressive Gull roost, Peregrine
Lawton Lake: L Grebe, Dipper
Lea Forge: Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Raven, Bullfinch & Linnet
Sandbach: Meadow Pipit
Wybunbury Moss: Raven, Meadow Pipit, L Redpoll
22nd December 2019
Bagmere Starling murmuration starting to build.
About 20,000 this evening plus about 500 Jackdaw
( per Rob Black )
21st December 2019
Meadow Pipit over, 4 Pied Wagtails almost a garden tick – this at our new build Abbeyfields house in Sandbach.
21st December 2019
A Green Woodpecker at Lea Forge this morning and other recent sightings included,Bullfinches ,Sparrowhawk,Raven,Goldcrest,Linnets,Jays and Stock Dove.
19th December 2019
Two Peregrines over the wood at Doddington this morning,judging by their size,a male and female.
17th December 2019
I counted the gull roost at Doddington this afternoon from 15-30 to 16-30. Totals were 9,500 blackheaded, 1,300 lesser blackbacked, 50 herring and 50 common. The water was partly frozen along the main drive bank and it was surprising to note that 90% of the black headed gulls chose to roost standing on the ice and 90% of the others roosted on the water.
17th December 2019
2 Shelduck were new at Doddington this morning,also Goldeneyes,Pochard,single Teal, L. grebes and around 100 Lapwing were around the pool.
17th December 2019
Male and female Blackcap on the garden feeders
16th December 2019
Macon Meadows this afternoon – Water Rail heard. Also a Peregrine on lighting tower on railway track.
Incidentally a juvenile Peregrine has been reported on several occasions recently in The Flashes area, with 2 or 3 wing feathers missing!
16th December 2019
Best birds around Wybunbury moss this morning were,Lesser Redpolls,Siskins,Goldcrests,Raven,Meadow Pipits,Greenfinch,Jay and G.S.Woodpecker.
16th December 2019
9 -15 Dec
EHF/PHF: Mandarin, Goosander, Stock Dove, L & GC Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Sparrowhawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine x2
Hall Ln: Barn Owl
Astbury Mere CP: Pochard, Goosander, L & GC Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, Siskin
Borrow Pit Meadow: Goosander, GS Woodpecker
Church Lawton: 38 Collared Dove
Crewe: Barn Owl
Doddington: R-l Partridge, Shoveler, Wigeon, Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Water Rail, L Grebe, Common Gull, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine
Lawton Lake: Goldeneye
Sandbach: Buzzard, Blackcap
13th December 2019
BARN OWL along David Whitby Way 10.50pm this evening (returning home from a very entertaining December SECOS meeting)
13th December 2019
The only good bird to add at Doddington this morning was a male goosander. Also Pochard numbers were up to 13 and there were 200 Starlings on wires by the units.
11th December 2019
2 Buzzards soaring over B & M in Sandbach
11th December 2019
A Water Rail was a year tick for us at Doddington this afternoon and other birds included,Common Gull,Red-legged Partridge,12x Wigeon,11 x Shoveler,2 x Pochard,L Grebes,displaying Goldeneye and a good raptor session with Sparrowhawk and Kestrel perched up and our last bird,a Peregrine gave great views as it soared overhead.
9th December 2019
2 – 8 Dec
EHF/PHF: Shoveler, Pintail, Goosander, Water Rail, L & GC Grebe, Golden Plover, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Caspian Gull, L Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel Peregrine, Rook,
Hall Ln: Barn Owl
MGT/RF: Snipe, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
WF set-aside: Greenfinch, Linnet
Astbury: Goosander, Barn Owl, Kingfisher,
Astbury Mere CP: Wigeon, Pochard, Goosander, L Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Chiffchaff, Siskin
Brereton/Swettenham: Sparrowhawk, Peregrine
Buglawton: Goosander
Doddington: Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Goldeneye
Haslington: Barn Owl
Mow Cop/Cheshire Close: Snipe, Woodcock, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting
Rode Heath: L Egret
Wybunbury Moss: L Redpoll & Siskin
5th December 2019
At Doddington this morning the tufted duck numbers were up to 119 but other ducks numbers continue to be low. Wigeon 1 was new.
5th December 2019
Sorry for the late post. Some December sightings are actually under the November post