April 2021 Sightings

Details of April sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.

40 Comments

  1. Dave Winnington
    1st May 2021

    Scholar green Grasshopper Warbler reeling close Bleeding wolf lane near stiles with gates 8pm couldn’t get bins on it .

  2. Dave Winnington
    29th April 2021

    Borrow pit Meadows 3 Whitethroat 2 Blackcaps 2 Canada Geese

  3. Jean Harrison
    28th April 2021

    Very early walk around Salt Line/Borrow Pit Meadows this morning, lots of bird activity including male and female Bullfinch, and a male and female Reed Bunting.

  4. Mike&Andy
    28th April 2021

    2 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Common Sandpipers at Doddington this afternoon.

  5. John
    28th April 2021

    SWaBBS at Wybunbury Moss this morning: – Oystercatcher in horse paddocks, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Jay, Jackdaws nesting in the tower and an owl box, Raven overhead ( probably from Doddington ), a Great Tit doing a Bearded Tit impression! A pair of Long-tailed Tit visiting a nest, singles of Willow Warbler & Whitethroat, also Song & Mistle Thrush.
    Skylark singing above the field opposite the junction of A51 & Back Lane.
    The gate to Lemon Pool, Doddington was closed so aborted a walk round there and viewed the main pool from the pull-in on the track to the units instead. Red-legged Partridge and Swifts noted, along with Sand, House Martins & Swallows.
    Not long after, I stopped at various spots along Checkley Lane hoping for Corn Bunting but no joy! All I noted were more Red-legged Partridge and Collared Dove as the weather deteriorated.

  6. David Cookson
    28th April 2021

    This morning 28-4-21 at Doddington. Saw the following. Common Sandpiper, Swift, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Shelduck among others.

  7. Mike&Andy
    27th April 2021

    Our first Swift of the year over Doddington this morning and 6 Shelduck were new.

  8. Nigel Henderson
    27th April 2021

    Congleton – River Dane: ♂ grey wagtail on the riverside walk; dipper near the Steamboat on the River Dane; ♀ goosander in the park on the River Dane; kingfisher on the riverside walk; mistle thrush in the park.

  9. John
    26th April 2021

    19 – 25 Apr
    EHF/PHF: Ruddy Shelduck, Oystercatcher, R & LR Plover, Whimbrel, Bl-t Godwit, Common & Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Common Tern, GW Egret, Sedge Warbler, Yellow Wagtail
    MGT/RF: Pochard, Common Sandpiper, GW Egret, Common Tern, Cetti’, Grasshopper, Willow, Sedge, Reed Warbler, L Whitethroat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow
    FFF: Shelduck, Gadwall, Grey Wagtail, Whitethroat
    Railway embankment: Whitethroat
    RLP: Cetti’s & Reed Warbler
    Rookery Br: Willow Warbler
    Church Lawton/Woods: Willow Warbler, Jay, Pied Flycatcher, Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Dipper,
    Cut-thorn Hill: S-e Owl
    Doddington: Egyptian Goose, Shoveler, L Grebe, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, L Owl, Kestrel, Mistle Thrush, Reed Warbler
    Holmes Chapel: Tree Sparrow
    Knotbury: S-e Owl, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear
    Lea Forge: Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Wheatear, Linnet
    Mow Cop: L Owl, Whitethroat, Tree Pipit,
    Newsbank: Egyptian Goose, Mandarin, Oystercatcher
    Queens Park: Green Woodpecker, L Owl, Grey Wagtail
    Salt Line/BPM: Green Woodpecker, Whitethroat
    Scholar Green: Whitethroat, Yellowhammer

  10. Dave Winnington
    25th April 2021

    Scholar green fm Wheatear Brickhouse on ploughed field 3 Whitethroat 2 Yellowhammers

  11. Mike Tonks
    25th April 2021

    A lovely spring morning at the Sandbach Flashes today and some great birds – Great Egret, Spotted Redshank, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, Common Tern, 3 Little Ringed Plover. It’s great to be birding!

  12. John
    25th April 2021

    Woken early by a Blackbird in full song outside my bedroom window, so got up & went out.
    On Meremoor Moss at 7 but a cold wind kept the temperature down when the clouds blocked the sun.
    Things are picking up, a ‘dawn chorus’ and some breeding behaviour: Moorhen with young, Jackdaw on nest, Skylark displaying, Robin with food also a Willow Warbler, Whitethroats everywhere and 2 pairs of Wheatear. The latter two both year ticks for me.

  13. Mike&Andy
    24th April 2021

    Egyptian Goose at Doddington this afternoon .

  14. Colin
    24th April 2021

    a good morning at Lawton Woods with a male pied flycatcher singing and flycatching; my first willow warbler of the year and a pair of grey wagtails below the dam

  15. Mick
    23rd April 2021

    1 Wheatear in field by lock46 canal Church Lawton.

  16. Colin
    23rd April 2021

    At Doddington this morning; 2 reed warblers singing in the reed bed, 1 common sandpiper still present, 5 oystercatchers with 3 nests, mute swan the first pair for several weeks, 1 lapwing on the island, little owl watching me!

  17. Mike&Andy
    22nd April 2021

    3 Common Sandpipers and at least 5 Oystercatchers around the pool at Doddington this morning and the Little Owl showed briefly.

  18. Nigel Henderson
    20th April 2021

    Newsbank Pool: 1x ♂ Mandarin Duck, 1x Stock Dove, 2 x Oystercatcher

  19. Mike&Andy
    19th April 2021

    A male Wheatear on the rough ground opposite the old site entrance at Lea Forge this morning and patch year ticks for Willow Warbler and Whitethroat,also Chiffchaff,Blackcap,Song Thrush and Linnets.Good to chat with Sylvia who we haven’t seen for ages.At Doddington 2 Barnacles were low over,3 Shoveler,3 Little Grebes,Reed Bunting,Oystercatchers,Mistle Thrush and Kestrel were the highlights.

  20. John
    19th April 2021

    12 – 18 Apr
    EHF/PHF: Gadwall, Oystercatcher, R & LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Common & Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Osprey, Yellow & White Wagtail
    MGT/RF: Kestrel, Cetti’s, Willow & Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Tree Sparrow
    WLF: Oystercatcher, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Tawny Owl, Cetti’s Warbler, Reed Bunting
    Albion Lock: LR Plover, Grey Wagtail
    Alsager: Skylark, Willow Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
    Axe Edge: S-e Owl
    Basford: Tawny Owl
    Cat & Fiddle: S-e Owl, Wheatear
    The Cloud: Tawny Owl, Raven, Willow Warbler, Redstart, Brambling, Crossbill, Linnet, L Redpoll, Siskin
    Danebower area: Golden Plover, Curlew, Red Kite, Barn & S-e Owl, Kestrel, Raven, Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Stonechat, Wheatear, Dipper, Tree Pipit,
    Doddington: Oystercatcher, Bl-t Godwit, L Owl, Kestrel
    Gawsworth: Stock Dove, Redstart, Reed Bunting
    Middlewich/Canal: Wheatear
    Mow Cop: Curlew, Kestrel, Raven, Skylark, Willow Warbler
    Newsbank: Egyptian Goose
    Queens Park: L Owl, Willow Warbler, Grey Wagtail
    Rode Heath/Scholar Green: Oystercatcher, Redstart
    Salt Line/BPM: Green Woodpecker
    Smethwick: Yellowhammer
    Wallhill: R-l Partridge, Stock Dove, Sand Martin, Yellowhammer

  21. Nigel Henderson
    19th April 2021

    Brownlow and Bent Lane: Yellowhammers, Sand Martins, 2 x Red-legged Partridge, 2 x Stock Dove
    Newsbank Pool: 2 x Egyptian Goose

  22. J Jones
    18th April 2021

    Black Tailed Godwit on small flood left of road to units Doddington.

  23. Colin
    16th April 2021

    At Doddington this morning a count of nests in the heronry by the hall gave a total of 22, an increase on the 18 last year. Quiet on the water but the four oystercatchers seem to have finally decided who is paired with who and which of the two sites each is having! Also a male kestrel and the little owl poked its head out and watched me as I walked past.

  24. John
    15th April 2021

    It’s been relatively quiet recently!
    This morning – Quakers Coppice: Jay, Willow Warbler, Grey Wagtail

    Yesterday – Meremoor Moss: Mandarin Duck, Great W Egret, Raven, Rook, Willow Warbler

  25. Mick
    14th April 2021

    RodeHeath.
    pair of Oystercatchers.

  26. Mick
    13th April 2021

    Alsager, Fanny’s Croft track. 13/4
    Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Skylark, Willow Warbler.

  27. John
    12th April 2021

    5 – 11 Apr
    EHF/PHF: Gadwall, LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Common & Green Sandpiper, L Egret, Osprey, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Wheatear, Yellow, Grey & White Wagtail, Reed Bunting
    MGT/RF: Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, L Egret, Kestrel, Willow Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail
    RLP: Cetti’s Warbler
    Alsager: Pintail, Kestrel, Skylark, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Yellowhammer
    Astbury Mere: Pintail, L Grebe, Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Siskin
    Axe Edge: Golden Plover
    Barthomley: Hobby
    Church Lawton/Lake: Mandarin, Merganser, Kingfisher
    The Cloud: Willow Warbler, Siskin, Reed Bunting
    Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
    Crewe: Osprey
    Danebower area: Golden Plover, Curlew, Peregrine, Ring Ousel, Wheatear, Dipper, Meadow Pipit,
    Doddington: Shoveler, Pochard, Teal, GC & L Grebe, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk, L Owl, Sand Martin, Wheatear,
    Knotbury: Ring Ouzel
    Middlewich/Canal: LR Plover, Whitethroat
    Mow Cop: Osprey, L Owl, Wheatear
    Queens Park: Merlin, Willow Warbler
    Rode Heath/Scholar Green: Egyptian Goose, Green Woodpecker, Redstart
    Siddington: Red Kite
    Wildboarclough: Dipper
    Wybunbury: Kestrel, Song Thrush

  28. Mick
    11th April 2021

    The male Redstart described by Dave Winnington yesterday was still present today.

  29. Mike&Andy
    11th April 2021

    3 Wheatear and 2 Common Sandpiper at Doddington this morning,also 2 Sparrowhawk and Little Owl.Just 2 Shoveler of any note on the main pool.

  30. Mick
    10th April 2021

    A walk along the 1 mile long disused railway line found 5 singing Blackcaps and 7 singing Chiffchaffs.
    The walk was along Merelake Way, Alsager.

  31. Dave Winnington
    10th April 2021

    Scholar green , Male Redstart . public path leading from Brickhouse hedge to left before ploughed field
    Lawton Lake waterfall kingfisher ,pair of Mandarin 6 Swallows on lake

  32. Mick
    9th April 2021

    A walk along the 1 mile long disused railway line found 5 singing Blackcaps and 7 singing Chiffchaffs.

  33. Colin
    9th April 2021

    At Doddington this morning a common sandpiper on the island and 30 sand martins feeding over the water but duck numbers were much reduced. Just 61 tufted, 3 shoveler and 1 pochard with 4 oystercatcher, 7 great crested grebe and 3 little grebe.

  34. Nigel Henderson
    8th April 2021

    Congleton: ♀ grey wagtail near the Steamboat on the River Dane; 3 x dippers – 2 near the Steamboat on the River Dane and 1 on the riverside walk; ♀ goosander in the park on the River Dane ♂ goosander on the riverside walk; kingfisher on the riverside walk seen briefly; treecreeper in the park (I have seen 4 treecreepers on one trip recently – 2 pairs – so we are hopeful they will breed).

  35. Mick
    7th April 2021

    Pintail pair on Alsager Mere

  36. John
    5th April 2021

    29 Mar – 4 Apr
    EHF/PHF: LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Great W & L Egret, Osprey, Willow Warbler, White Wagtail,
    MGT/RF: Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe,Raven, Skylark, Willow Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler
    FF: Tawny Owl, Brambling, L Redpoll,
    Albion Lock: LR Plover
    Alsager: Willow Warbler
    Astbury Mere: L Grebe, Raven, Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Siskin
    Brownlow/Wallhill: Peregrine, Skylark, Sand Martin, Yellowhammer
    Congleton: Goosander, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
    Danebower area: Golden Plover, Curlew, Snipe, Peregrine, Stonechat, Wheatear
    Doddington: Oystercatcher, L Owl, Raven
    Holmes Chapel: Hobby
    Lea Forge: R-l Partridge, Skylark, Bullfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting
    Middlewich/Canal: Med Gull
    Mow Cop: Wheatear
    Queens Park: L Owl
    Scholar Green: Green Woodpecker
    Weston: Yellowhammer
    Wildboarclough: Willow Warbler
    Wrinehill: Cetti’s Warbler
    Wychwood Park: L Grebe

  37. Nigel Henderson
    2nd April 2021

    Congleton: 2 x grey wagtails on the River Dane riverside walk; dipper near the Steamboat on the River Dane and just below the weir as you enter the park; ♀ goosander in the park on the River Dane. No sign of the ♂.

    Astbury: Brownlow: 2 x ♂ yellowhammers, 12 x skylarks, 5 x sand martins.

  38. Colin
    2nd April 2021

    At Doddington this morning 70 sand martins were of note; also the Little Owl seen in flight. At Lea Forge my first singing blackcap as well as three chiffchaff

  39. Mike&Andy
    1st April 2021

    Plus 2 Siskins!!

  40. Mike&Andy
    1st April 2021

    5 Sand Martins and a single Swallow were the first this year at Lea Forge this morning,also 3 Chiffchaff,Bullfinch,Skylark,Goldcrest,Reed Bunting,35 Fieldfares,3 singing Song Thrush and 2 Linnets.

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