Details of October sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
29 Comments
Colin 30th October 2020
but today was a much better day! Green Sandpiper on the floodwater at the junction of A50 and Townsend Lane at Rode Heath.
Colin 29th October 2020
Is it my deteriorating capabilities or are woodland birds scarcer than usual at the moment — or are they just keeping their heads down in the rain? Just back from a wet 45 minute walk round the Borrow Pit and heard 3 robins and 1 blackbird and saw 1 woodpigeon!
John 28th October 2020
Macon Meadows this morning: I got caught in one of the showers & only birds of note was a calling Water Rail and one of the adult Grey Wagtails
Mike&Andy 26th October 2020
We watched a Short-e Owl for over 5 mins at Doddington this morning as it was seen off by Crows.Also female Goldeneye,5 Wigeon,Shoveler,11 L. Grebes,5 Meadow Pipits,Jay and G.S.Woodpecker.
John 26th October 2020
19 – 25 Oct
EHF/PHF: Green Sandpiper
MGT/RF: Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail, Goldeneye, , L Grebe, Jack Snipe, GW Egret, Green Woodpecker, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat
GF: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: GC Grebe
Alsager: Yellowhammer
Brereton/Heath LNR: L Egret, Crossbill
Congleton: Goosander, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Crewe: Dipper, Richard’s Pipit
Doddington: Shelduck, Shoveler, Snipe, L Owl, Kestrel
Lea Forge: Kestrel, Peregrine, Jay, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Linnet, Reed Bunting
Queens Park: Barnacle Goose, Jay
Rode Heath: L Egret
Rode Pool: Egyptian Goose, Shoveler, Snipe, Kingfisher
Nigel Henderson 24th October 2020
Congleton:
Riverside walk from the Rood Hill road bridge to West Street – Dipper bobbing in the river then flying.
Rood Hill road bridge – Grey Wagtail.
River Dane opposite the Steamboat: Immature goosander.
John 24th October 2020
Macon Meadows: red sky at 07:30 this morning
The recent reports of Yellow-browed Warblers in the north west prompted an early walk to see if I could hear any with the resident tit flocks. No luck but a calling Water Rail was a bonus
Colin 23rd October 2020
A dark, damp, dismal Doddington day only brightened by over a thousand geese. At least 600 Canadas and 400 Greylags feeding in a recently cut maize stubble field. Took off together and flew low overhead evoking happy memories of Barnacle Geese on the Solway!
2 Snipe on the island at Doddington this morning and singles of Shelduck,Shoveler and a very brief view of a Pinkfoot flying over with Greylags.
D Winnington 20th October 2020
Rodeheath Field across from poolside 4 Little egrets Poolside 2 Egyptian geese Kingfisher 1 Snipe 2 tuffties 2 cormorants 10 Teal 3 Shoveler
Mike&Andy 20th October 2020
Still poor on the pool at Doddington this morning but offset by Little Owl,Snipe and Kestrel.At Lea Forge,a distant Peregrine on the pylons,Kestrel,3 Goldcrests,single figure counts of Linnet and Meadow Pipits,Reed Bunting,Mistle Thrush,Jays,Lapwings expected winter Thrushes and a bonus 17 Shovelers over heading towards Doddington,wishful thinking!!Great find with the Dipper yesterday John.
Colin 19th October 2020
at Doddington this morning coot numbers were up to a high of 680, tufted duck totalled 78 but no winter visitors yet for me.
John 19th October 2020
Macon Meadows this morning: – the highlight was seeing a Dipper on the rocks by the culvert – in the same area as the Dipper I saw in April. I watched it for 15 minutes as it appeared that the resident Grey Wagtail took offence to the Dipper getting too close on a couple of occasions to where I believe it nested this year. After a while the Dipper flew up, calling constantly as it circled and gained height. Also noted Sparrowhawk & Chiffchaff. Kingfisher, GS Woodpecker & Chiffchaff noted yesterday.
Congleton:
Riverside Walk – Grey Wagtail, Dipper
Below the weir before the park entrance – Male kingfisher (perched up for a change).
Park: 2 immature Goosander (13/10/2020)
David Cookson 16th October 2020
This morning 16th at Wybunbury moss. I saw Snipe, Skylark and a flock of Pink Foot Geese flying over .
Mike&Andy 16th October 2020
Female Goldeneye and a single Pink-f Goose at Doddington this morning.Also Sparrowhawk,Kestrel,Grey Wagtail,M. Pipits,Greenfinches,small flocks of Fieldfares and Redwing over,Red-legged Partridge and just before we left a skein of 140 Pinkfeet headed east.
John 14th October 2020
Wybunbury Moss & Doddington today:
I got chatting to Wybunbury Moss’s Site Manager ( NE ) and a contractor this morning. Lots of groups of thrushes passing through just above the tree line, but in the strong light I couldn’t ID them other than hearing the ‘rattle’ of Mistle Thrush. Other birds of note were Siskin with Goldfinch on the alders, Meadow Pipit in the horse paddocks, a couple of Jays, a Bullfinch and the odd Lapwing overhead.
At Doddington, there was more groups of thrushes. This time I could make out Mistle Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare and on one occasion about 25 were flushed from some nearby trees. I then watched this flock ‘escort’ a female Sparrowhawk away and over the Hall. Sorry I missed you, Mike & Andy
D Winnington 14th October 2020
Rodeheath 1st field off old knutsford rd 2 Stonechats 8 Redwing Scholar Green Brickhouse area 7 yellowhammers 2 more Stonechats
Mike&Andy 14th October 2020
Small numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings feeding on berries at Lea Forge this morning and good views of a male Sparrowhawk as it flew past below us.Also, Goldcrest,Linnets,G.S.Woodpecker and to complete the set of common Thrushes,Song and Mistle.As Colin pointed out last week the main pool at Doddington was full of birds but only 8 Widgeon,11 Little Grebes and Great Crested Grebes of any note.
John 12th October 2020
5 – 11 Oct
EHF/PHF: Pink-footed Goose, Curlew, Swallow, House Martin, Redwing
MGT/RF: Shoveler, Snipe, GW Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
FF: Jay, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest
WLF: GC Grebe, Cormorant, Swallow
Congleton: Y-b Warbler
Doddington: Mute Swan, L & GC Grebe
Elworth: Yellow Wagtail
Lea Forge: Stock Dove
Rode Heath: L Egret
John 11th October 2020
Spent the morning on Meremoor Moss: I hadn’t long walked from under the railway bridge when I heard an unfamiliar call. Walking towards it, there was a Little Owl at the base of an Oak tree. A first for me here! Other birds of note: Stock Dove, Kingfisher, female Kestrel, 5 Jays, 2/3 Rooks, a group of Goldcrest, c15 Mistle Thrush & 2 male Stonechat
Colin 9th October 2020
At Doddington on the main pool this morning, discounting well over a thousand geese and coots plus over 300 mallard recently released I was left with 3 tufted and 14 mute swans! Also 15 great crested grebes and 12 little grebes. Ah well, it was a pleasant sunny morning for a change.
Mike&Andy 7th October 2020
At least 125 Pink-footed Geese high over Lea Forge this morning,the only other birds of note were 10 Meadow Pipits,7 Linnets and 2 Reed Buntings.
Winterley Pool & Farm: some of the fields with stubble had been turned over/ploughed attracting large numbers of Stock Dove, corvids and a couple of Mistle Thrush. Where those fields still have stubble in lots of small stuff feeding: 40+ flighty Linnet, Meadow Pipit also seen but couldn’t count as none took off! Above the fields with grass beside the animal hotel, I heard Skylark. At the Pool: 2 sightings of a Kingfisher.
I called at the business units at Hassall to see if any hirundine still about: a Kestrel, no House Martin at the hospice but Swallows hawking the neighbouring fields.
A walk around Borrow Pit Meadow and a short stretch of the Salt Line: only birds of note were Sparrowhawk, Jay & Mistle Thrush
David Cookson 1st October 2020
Ist Doddington = Peregrine Falcon + 10 Mutes and other usual birds
Mike&Andy 1st October 2020
A few decent birds around this morning,at Doddington,Kingfisher,Snipe,Grey Wagtail,Kestrel,2 Wigeon and 9 Little Grebes around the main pool.Lea Forge,11 Siskins,Grey Wagtail,3 Snipe dropped down,Goldcrest,Linnets,Meadow Pipits,a few Redwings,Stock Doves,G.S.Woodpecker and Mistle Thrush.
30th October 2020
but today was a much better day! Green Sandpiper on the floodwater at the junction of A50 and Townsend Lane at Rode Heath.
29th October 2020
Is it my deteriorating capabilities or are woodland birds scarcer than usual at the moment — or are they just keeping their heads down in the rain? Just back from a wet 45 minute walk round the Borrow Pit and heard 3 robins and 1 blackbird and saw 1 woodpigeon!
28th October 2020
Macon Meadows this morning: I got caught in one of the showers & only birds of note was a calling Water Rail and one of the adult Grey Wagtails
26th October 2020
We watched a Short-e Owl for over 5 mins at Doddington this morning as it was seen off by Crows.Also female Goldeneye,5 Wigeon,Shoveler,11 L. Grebes,5 Meadow Pipits,Jay and G.S.Woodpecker.
26th October 2020
19 – 25 Oct
EHF/PHF: Green Sandpiper
MGT/RF: Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail, Goldeneye, , L Grebe, Jack Snipe, GW Egret, Green Woodpecker, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat
GF: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: GC Grebe
Alsager: Yellowhammer
Brereton/Heath LNR: L Egret, Crossbill
Congleton: Goosander, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Crewe: Dipper, Richard’s Pipit
Doddington: Shelduck, Shoveler, Snipe, L Owl, Kestrel
Lea Forge: Kestrel, Peregrine, Jay, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Linnet, Reed Bunting
Queens Park: Barnacle Goose, Jay
Rode Heath: L Egret
Rode Pool: Egyptian Goose, Shoveler, Snipe, Kingfisher
24th October 2020
Congleton:
Riverside walk from the Rood Hill road bridge to West Street – Dipper bobbing in the river then flying.
Rood Hill road bridge – Grey Wagtail.
River Dane opposite the Steamboat: Immature goosander.
24th October 2020
Macon Meadows: red sky at 07:30 this morning
The recent reports of Yellow-browed Warblers in the north west prompted an early walk to see if I could hear any with the resident tit flocks. No luck but a calling Water Rail was a bonus
23rd October 2020
A dark, damp, dismal Doddington day only brightened by over a thousand geese. At least 600 Canadas and 400 Greylags feeding in a recently cut maize stubble field. Took off together and flew low overhead evoking happy memories of Barnacle Geese on the Solway!
22nd October 2020
Meremoor Moss this morning:
Kingfisher, Kestrel x 3, Peregrine eating prey, Jay, Fieldfare, Redwing, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting
22nd October 2020
2 Snipe on the island at Doddington this morning and singles of Shelduck,Shoveler and a very brief view of a Pinkfoot flying over with Greylags.
20th October 2020
Rodeheath Field across from poolside 4 Little egrets Poolside 2 Egyptian geese Kingfisher 1 Snipe 2 tuffties 2 cormorants 10 Teal 3 Shoveler
20th October 2020
Still poor on the pool at Doddington this morning but offset by Little Owl,Snipe and Kestrel.At Lea Forge,a distant Peregrine on the pylons,Kestrel,3 Goldcrests,single figure counts of Linnet and Meadow Pipits,Reed Bunting,Mistle Thrush,Jays,Lapwings expected winter Thrushes and a bonus 17 Shovelers over heading towards Doddington,wishful thinking!!Great find with the Dipper yesterday John.
19th October 2020
at Doddington this morning coot numbers were up to a high of 680, tufted duck totalled 78 but no winter visitors yet for me.
19th October 2020
Macon Meadows this morning: – the highlight was seeing a Dipper on the rocks by the culvert – in the same area as the Dipper I saw in April. I watched it for 15 minutes as it appeared that the resident Grey Wagtail took offence to the Dipper getting too close on a couple of occasions to where I believe it nested this year. After a while the Dipper flew up, calling constantly as it circled and gained height. Also noted Sparrowhawk & Chiffchaff. Kingfisher, GS Woodpecker & Chiffchaff noted yesterday.
19th October 2020
12 – 18 Oct
EHF/PHF: Goosander, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, GW Egret, Swallow, Redwing
MGT/RF: Shoveler, Pintail, Goldeneye, Goosander, L Grebe, Jack & Common Snipe, GW Egret, Merlin, Peregrine, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
GF: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: GC Grebe, Cetti’s Warbler
Astbury Mere: Chiffchaff
Brereton Heath LNR/Bagmere: Little Gull, Tree Sparrow
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper & Grey Wagtail
Doddington: R-l Partridge, Pink-footed Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Goldeneye, L & GC Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Greenfinch
Lea Forge: Sparrowhawk, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song & Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Linnet
Rode Heath: Redwing, Stonechat
Scholar Green: Stonechat, Yellowhammer
Wistaston: Hoopoe
Wybunbury Moss: Snipe, Skylark
17th October 2020
Congleton:
Riverside Walk – Grey Wagtail, Dipper
Below the weir before the park entrance – Male kingfisher (perched up for a change).
Park: 2 immature Goosander (13/10/2020)
16th October 2020
This morning 16th at Wybunbury moss. I saw Snipe, Skylark and a flock of Pink Foot Geese flying over .
16th October 2020
Female Goldeneye and a single Pink-f Goose at Doddington this morning.Also Sparrowhawk,Kestrel,Grey Wagtail,M. Pipits,Greenfinches,small flocks of Fieldfares and Redwing over,Red-legged Partridge and just before we left a skein of 140 Pinkfeet headed east.
14th October 2020
Wybunbury Moss & Doddington today:
I got chatting to Wybunbury Moss’s Site Manager ( NE ) and a contractor this morning. Lots of groups of thrushes passing through just above the tree line, but in the strong light I couldn’t ID them other than hearing the ‘rattle’ of Mistle Thrush. Other birds of note were Siskin with Goldfinch on the alders, Meadow Pipit in the horse paddocks, a couple of Jays, a Bullfinch and the odd Lapwing overhead.
At Doddington, there was more groups of thrushes. This time I could make out Mistle Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare and on one occasion about 25 were flushed from some nearby trees. I then watched this flock ‘escort’ a female Sparrowhawk away and over the Hall. Sorry I missed you, Mike & Andy
14th October 2020
Rodeheath 1st field off old knutsford rd 2 Stonechats 8 Redwing Scholar Green Brickhouse area 7 yellowhammers 2 more Stonechats
14th October 2020
Small numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings feeding on berries at Lea Forge this morning and good views of a male Sparrowhawk as it flew past below us.Also, Goldcrest,Linnets,G.S.Woodpecker and to complete the set of common Thrushes,Song and Mistle.As Colin pointed out last week the main pool at Doddington was full of birds but only 8 Widgeon,11 Little Grebes and Great Crested Grebes of any note.
12th October 2020
5 – 11 Oct
EHF/PHF: Pink-footed Goose, Curlew, Swallow, House Martin, Redwing
MGT/RF: Shoveler, Snipe, GW Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
FF: Jay, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest
WLF: GC Grebe, Cormorant, Swallow
Congleton: Y-b Warbler
Doddington: Mute Swan, L & GC Grebe
Elworth: Yellow Wagtail
Lea Forge: Stock Dove
Rode Heath: L Egret
11th October 2020
Spent the morning on Meremoor Moss: I hadn’t long walked from under the railway bridge when I heard an unfamiliar call. Walking towards it, there was a Little Owl at the base of an Oak tree. A first for me here! Other birds of note: Stock Dove, Kingfisher, female Kestrel, 5 Jays, 2/3 Rooks, a group of Goldcrest, c15 Mistle Thrush & 2 male Stonechat
9th October 2020
At Doddington on the main pool this morning, discounting well over a thousand geese and coots plus over 300 mallard recently released I was left with 3 tufted and 14 mute swans! Also 15 great crested grebes and 12 little grebes. Ah well, it was a pleasant sunny morning for a change.
7th October 2020
At least 125 Pink-footed Geese high over Lea Forge this morning,the only other birds of note were 10 Meadow Pipits,7 Linnets and 2 Reed Buntings.
5th October 2020
28 Sept – 4 Oct
EHF/PHF: Pintail, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, L Egret, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Swallow, House Martin, Wheatear
MGT/RF: Pintail, Pochard, Golden Plover, Snipe, GW & L Egret, S-e Owl, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Wheatear, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
Alsager: Skylark, Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Yellowhammer
Arclid: Pink-footed Geese (skein), Swallow
Astbury: Peregrine
Astbury Mere: Barnacle Goose, L Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail
Congleton: Kingfisher, Redwing, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: L Grebe, Snipe, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Peregrine, Grey Wagtail
Lea Forge: Stock Dove, Snipe, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Siskin, Linnet
Mow Cop: Kestrel, Skylark, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
Wrinehill: R-l Partridge & Meadow Pipit
1st October 2020
Winterley Pool & Farm: some of the fields with stubble had been turned over/ploughed attracting large numbers of Stock Dove, corvids and a couple of Mistle Thrush. Where those fields still have stubble in lots of small stuff feeding: 40+ flighty Linnet, Meadow Pipit also seen but couldn’t count as none took off! Above the fields with grass beside the animal hotel, I heard Skylark. At the Pool: 2 sightings of a Kingfisher.
I called at the business units at Hassall to see if any hirundine still about: a Kestrel, no House Martin at the hospice but Swallows hawking the neighbouring fields.
A walk around Borrow Pit Meadow and a short stretch of the Salt Line: only birds of note were Sparrowhawk, Jay & Mistle Thrush
1st October 2020
Ist Doddington = Peregrine Falcon + 10 Mutes and other usual birds
1st October 2020
A few decent birds around this morning,at Doddington,Kingfisher,Snipe,Grey Wagtail,Kestrel,2 Wigeon and 9 Little Grebes around the main pool.Lea Forge,11 Siskins,Grey Wagtail,3 Snipe dropped down,Goldcrest,Linnets,Meadow Pipits,a few Redwings,Stock Doves,G.S.Woodpecker and Mistle Thrush.