Details of May sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
40 Comments
John 31st May 2021
First day of the SECOS Swift Count and this evening I covered the area closest to home on my bike – I find it a lot better way to hear them screaming overhead than when I’m in the car driving between sites!
None above Vincent St/Surrey St but I had 6 together above the houses between Elm Drive/Middlewich St/Henry St.
Not a bad start!
Nigel Henderson 31st May 2021
Congleton – park – field
Mistle Thrush
Congleton – park – playground
Spotted Flycatcher
River Dane – between the weir and Steamboat
Grey Wagtail Flying
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Mandarin Duck ♂
Dipper Adult feeding juvenile
John 31st May 2021
24 – 30 May
EHF/PHF: Mandarin, Pochard, Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Dunlin, Glossy Ibis, GW Egret, Kingfisher
MGT/RF: GW Egret
WLF: Barn Owl
Alsager: Red Kite
Arclid SQ: Hobby
Astbury Mere: L & GC Grebe, Willow & Reed Warbler
Congleton: Mandarin, Goosander, Tawny Owl, Dipper, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail
Goyt Valley: S-e Owl, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart
Lamaload: Osprey
Mow Cop: Grasshopper Warbler, Tree Pipit
Redesmere: Mandarin
Scholar Green: Red Kite, Kestrel
Craig 28th May 2021
PHF. A Shovler was on there this afternoon.
Craig 28th May 2021
Sorry for those not familiar Steam boat is Congleton.
Craig Allman 28th May 2021
Visited the steam boat this morning. A dipper was seen near the boat. Also a yellow wagtail.
As im a regular down flashes is there a Watsaap group people use for stuff aswell?
John 28th May 2021
A walk from Mow Cop Castle car park to Roepark Farm & back this morning – singing Willow Warbler(s) along the route was the only bird of note.
Later, at the layby/viewpoint at Cheshire Close ( OS Grid ref: – SJ 86818 58706 ): Lapwing, at least 2 more Willow Warblers, plus Whitethroat, Song & Mistle Thrush and Linnet but the highlights for me were a pair of Tree Pipit – singing plus display flights, the occasional brief burst of a Grasshopper Warbler and just as I was about to leave a Crossbill flew over my head calling.
**** a Public Service notice: road works on Mow Lane between Astbury and the viewpoint means it’s closed today and Tues – Fri next week during working hours – occasionally it was noisy while I was there as the service vehicles were using the layby to turn in so they could go back down the road!
John 27th May 2021
Very wet on Wybunbury Moss this morning ding a SWaBBS, not just the result of the recent rain but also due to the tree felling to maintain a high water level. Not much of note here.
Later a Doddington: the only species with juvs on the main pool were a creche of Canada Geese, some juv Coot and the Island pair of Oystercatchers protecting two juvs from a Mute Swan who also wanted to get on the island. In the distance I could hear Skylark, Song & Mistle Thrush
A single gosling with a pair of Canada Geese on Lemon Pool! I would have expected to see some ducklings by now too. I counted 5 Reed Warblers singing, 2 of which had an non-singing adult close by – presumably females? Little Grebes heard
With a clear blue sky, only the odd Swallow noted.
Nigel Henderson 27th May 2021
Congleton – park
Treecreeper on a copper beech.
Mistle Thrush on the field
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Mandarin Duck 2 ♂♂ at the Dane Street end where the river bends to the right
Dipper Adult or adults flying and perched; Three juveniles on a low branch over the river.
River Dane – Steamboat car park
Goosander ♀ swimming then flying upstream.
John 26th May 2021
Fairly quiet on Meremoor Moss earlier today: Greylag + goslings, c50 Swift + hirundines feeding overhead – viewing them helped by the fairly low cloud forcing the flies lower. The juv. Oystercatcher is almost full size, but not quite got it’s parents colouring. A female Kestrel, at least 5 Skylark displaying, a pair of GS Woodpeckers. Birds in full song include Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Greenfinch & Reed Bunting. Other signs of breeding, etc. include a fledged Robin, a Dunnock carrying food and a pair of Bullfinch.
On Meremoor Fishing pools there were 4 ‘mallard-type’ ducks, but with unfamiliar colouring – I’ll have to research it
Yesterday in Quakers Coppice, while doing the nest box survey – a pair of GS Woodpecker at a nest hole & juvs heard in the cavity with one occasionally visible at the hole.
Nigel Henderson 25th May 2021
Congleton – park – field
Mistle Thrush
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Goosander ♀ with one young – about a half of the size of the adult; also one lone ♀ – this is our first sighting of young this year.
River Dane – Steamboat car park
Grey Wagtail Perched
Dipper Flying and swimming
Nigel Henderson 24th May 2021
Congleton park – Tawny Owl Behind the bowling green. Adult and one downy young, roosting in a sycamore tree.
Congleton park – on the field Mistle Thrush
River Dane – between the weir and Steamboat Dipper
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk Blackcap
John 24th May 2021
17 – 23 May
EHF/PHF: Oystercatcher, Common Tern, Hobby, Reed Warbler
MGT/RF: Cetti’s & Sedge Warbler
Canal towpath: Whitethroat
RLP: Reed, Sedge Warbler
Astbury Mere: Hobby
Brereton: R-l Partridge, L Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer
Doddington: Common Sandpiper, L Owl, Yellow Wagtail
Mow Cop: Peregrine, Wheatear
Salt Line/BPM: Tawny Owl
Scholar Green: Hobby, L Whitethroat
John 19th May 2021
Last week I was told that a Kestrel had been found grounded on Meremoor Moss and it was thought that it couldn’t fly. It was taken to a nearby stable – with a way out if it wanted. It was fed with steak & mince and, after two days, it was gone. Kestrels are regularly seen hunting on the moss and perhaps this bird is one of the pair that are using the nest box erected?
Fairly quiet on Meremoor Moss earlier today: R-l Partridge, a young Heron, a pair of Kestrel, a nest of young Jackdaw, a Raven, Skylark, a party of Long-tailed Tit ( probably too far away from the nest I’d seen at the other end of the track last week to be the same family?). Of the warblers, only Chiffchaff, Blackcap & Whitethroat were heard.
Mike&Andy 17th May 2021
Male and female Yellow Wagtails poolside at Doddington this evening,also Common Sandpiper,Little Owl and 3 Oystercatcher chicks on the island being fed by adults.
A major surprise for us at Lea Forge this morning with a Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing at close range.Also,probably 3 Garden Warblers,Sedge Warbler,Whitethroats,Chiffchaff ,Goldcrest ,Kestrel,Linnets,Red-l Partridge ,Raven and Skylark.
Nigel Henderson 15th May 2021
Saturday 15-May-2021
Congleton – park – field
Mistle Thrush
Newsbank Pool
Mandarin Duck ♂
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Chiffchaff
Mandarin Duck ♂
River Dane – weir
Dipper 3 sightings flying, standing and swimming at Steamboat car
park and between the steamboat and the weir.
Grey Wagtail
Friday 14-May-2021
Congleton – park – field
Mistle Thrush
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Grey Wagtail many sightings of ♂ ♀ and immature
Dipper Flying upstream and then on the gravel bank below the road
bridge – then flying upstream.
Mandarin Duck ♂
Thursday 13-May-2021
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Dipper Many sightings
Goosander ♀
Grey Wagtail Many sightings
Mandarin Duck ♂
Wednesday 12-May-2021
River Dane – above the weir
Grey Wagtail a ♂ feeding a juvenile; 2 from the park bridge
Dipper several sightings- at least 2 individuals Flying Perched Swimming
Tuesday 11-May-2021
Astbury Mere
Chiffchaff
Congleton – park
Mistle Thrush
River Dane – above the weir
Grey Wagtail ♂ feeding immature
River Dane – Steamboat car park
Dipper Perched then flying under the Steamboat. Initialy one seen
flying downstream towards the roadbridge. Also seen on the
riverside walk swimming, standing and flying.
Dave Winnington 14th May 2021
Church Lawton Lesser Whitethroat along the canal lock 49 been hear two days in trees and hedges
John 14th May 2021
On Meremoor Moss ( & environs ) earlier today: Moorhen & Coot with broods; a pair of Oystercatchers with one juv, one adult chasing off a Carrion Crow – presumably too close; GS Woodpecker in flight carrying food; a Hobby being harassed by Swallows; displaying Skylarks, a Long-tailed Tit with food near a nest; singing Sedge Warblers; Whitethroats displaying everywhere; a pair of Linnet visiting a probable nest site; plus Song Thrush, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting singing
Craig 13th May 2021
Took the camera out last night to Borrow Pit Meadows. Spotted the Usual. Jay blackbird robins great tits.
Four Buzzards spotted all managing to get the better of my Photography skills which is a shame. Tried to find the Green woodpecker no luck.
11/05/2021. Yellow Wagtail seen from towpath near Ettiley Heath allotments. What3words location ///riverside.gushes.decorated
David O'Hara 12th May 2021
Joey the Swan Wistaston
Grasshopper Warbler recorded again this year in same area as last year
Nigel Henderson 10th May 2021
River Dane at Congleton – Dane Street riverside walk
Grey wagtail – many sightings of ♂♂ and ♀♀.
Goosander ♀ where the River Dane bends right.
Mandarin ♂ where the River Dane bends to the right.
River Dane at Congleton – from the Aldi roundabout to the park
Dipper – multiple sightings of what was probably the same individual, swimming, flying and standing.
Congleton Park
Mistle Thrush
Colin 10th May 2021
A pleasant walk round the Borrow Pit Meadows this morning doing a SWaBBS survey for John. 25 species recorded including 16 wrens, 16 robins and 14 blackbirds and, cheating slightly, yesterday’s hobby.
John 10th May 2021
3 – 9 May
EHF/PHF: Ruddy Shelduck, Goosander, R & LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Ruff, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Med Y-l Gull, Common & Arctic Tern, Hobby, Sedge & Garden Warbler, L Whitethroat, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail
MGT/RF: Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, GW Egret, Green Woodpecker, Raven, Skylark, Cetti’s & Grasshopper Warbler, L Whitethroat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Linnet
Canal towpath: L Whitethroat
Alsager: Sparrowhawk, Skylark, Whitethroat, Wheatear
Congleton: Mandarin, Goosander, Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Shelduck, Swift, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail
Lea Forge: Sedge Warbler
Middlewich: Yellow Wagtail
Rode Pool: Reed & Garden Warbler
Salt Line/BPM: Hobby, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat
GLYN JONES 9th May 2021
9th May 2021
Westbourne Avenue Crewe
A steady passage of 30 Swifts for the next 40 minutes.
GLYN JONES 9th May 2021
9th May 2021
Westbourne Avenue Crewe
Five Swifts over my property at 1930.
Colin 9th May 2021
A lucky view of a hobby at Borrow Pit Meadows this morning when one flew past me close and low but only in view for a few seconds, just as I was looking in that direction. Also several singing warblers – 1 garden warbler; 3 whitethroat, 3 blackcap and 2 chiffchaff and a moorhen still sitting on its tree nest.
Nigel Henderson 9th May 2021
River Dane at Congleton
Dane Street riverside walk;
Dipper flying under the Rood Hill road bridge; also flying upstream past the Steamboat; also at the weir just before the park. Probably the same individual.
Grey wagtail – many sightings including juveniles. Also in Congleton park.
Goosander ♀ on the River Dane in Congleton Park.
Goldcrest above the weir just before the park.
Congleton Park;
Four treecreepers, one adult and three juveniles. The adult fed two of the juveniles.
Mistle Thrush.
Great spotted woodpecker – seen; also drumming.
Colin & Sylvia 7th May 2021
At Doddington this morning we missed the yellow wagtail but had a pleasant morning with reed warbler, at least four singing males; oystercatcher, probably seven birds in total and three nests; shelduck, two flew in; mute swan 13; swift 30, sand martin 20, house martin 20, swallow 5 and up to six buzzards displaying. At Lea Forge the sedge warbler was still singing and showing well plus several whitethroats and chiffchaffs.
Mike&Andy 7th May 2021
Singles of Yellow Wagtail and Common Sandpiper at Doddington this morning and our first Sedge Warbler of the year at Lea Forge,thanks for the heads up Sylvia.
Pam Henderson 5th May 2021
Mandarin Drake on Dane, at Dane Street Bend Congleton and Treecreeper in the park
Nigel Henderson 4th May 2021
Congleton: River Dane – Riverside walk: Kingfisher flying upstream – After it has been raining for a day the Dane is very high and the spots that the dipper and grey wagtails like are all submerged.
Congleton Park: ♂ grey wagtail on the bowling green.
Newsbank Pool: 2 x stock doves – The farmer puts out feed for the swans and geese which attracts the stock doves, which in turn attracts me.
John 3rd May 2021
On Meremoor Moss yesterday: a pair of Oystercatchers in flight, at least 18 Buzzards kettling above Weston, a Kestrel hunting, displaying Skylark, a Jay, a Raven overhead, Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat displaying, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting
John 3rd May 2021
26 Apr- 2 May
EHF/PHF: Ruddy Shelduck, LR Plover, Whimbrel, Bl-t Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Med Gull, Common Tern, GW & L Egret, Hobby, Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail
MGT/RF: Pochard, GW Egret, Common Tern, Willow, Sedge, Reed Warbler, L Whitethroat, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Bunting
Railway embankment: Whitethroat
WLF: Cetti’s & Reed Warbler
Alsager: Skylark, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer
Arclid SQ: LR Plover
Astbury Mere: Swift, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler
Axe Edge: S-e Owl
Checkley: Wheatear
Congleton: Goosander, Black Stork, Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Dipper Grey Wagtail
Crewe: Swift
Doddington: Shelduck, Swift, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Reed & Garden Warbler
Haslington: Hobby
Salt Line/BPM: Whitethroat, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting
Scholar Green: Osprey, Hobby, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer
also a few Osprey sightings throughout the Recording Area
Nigel Henderson 3rd May 2021
Congleton:
River Dane walkway – ♂ mandarin; several sightings of grey wagtails;
By the Steamboat – dipper;
Congleton Park St. Stephen’s entrance bridge – ♀ goosander – no sign of any young yet;
Congleton Park – treecreeper, mistle thrush.
Newsbank Pool – oystercatchers; sand martins.
Mike&Andy 2nd May 2021
Our third sighting of Wheatear from different areas with 2 in a ploughed field off Checkley Lane.At Doddington,8 Shelduck,Common Sandpiper,Reed Warbler,Oystercatchers and Swifts were the pick of the bunch this morning.
Peter 1st May 2021
Who is setting their alarm clock for dawn chorus day tomorrow?
Graham 1st May 2021
House Martins nest building Whitehall Row, Warmingham. Swallows also around.
31st May 2021
First day of the SECOS Swift Count and this evening I covered the area closest to home on my bike – I find it a lot better way to hear them screaming overhead than when I’m in the car driving between sites!
None above Vincent St/Surrey St but I had 6 together above the houses between Elm Drive/Middlewich St/Henry St.
Not a bad start!
31st May 2021
Congleton – park – field
Mistle Thrush
Congleton – park – playground
Spotted Flycatcher
River Dane – between the weir and Steamboat
Grey Wagtail Flying
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Mandarin Duck ♂
Dipper Adult feeding juvenile
31st May 2021
24 – 30 May
EHF/PHF: Mandarin, Pochard, Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Dunlin, Glossy Ibis, GW Egret, Kingfisher
MGT/RF: GW Egret
WLF: Barn Owl
Alsager: Red Kite
Arclid SQ: Hobby
Astbury Mere: L & GC Grebe, Willow & Reed Warbler
Congleton: Mandarin, Goosander, Tawny Owl, Dipper, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail
Goyt Valley: S-e Owl, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart
Lamaload: Osprey
Mow Cop: Grasshopper Warbler, Tree Pipit
Redesmere: Mandarin
Scholar Green: Red Kite, Kestrel
28th May 2021
PHF. A Shovler was on there this afternoon.
28th May 2021
Sorry for those not familiar Steam boat is Congleton.
28th May 2021
Visited the steam boat this morning. A dipper was seen near the boat. Also a yellow wagtail.
As im a regular down flashes is there a Watsaap group people use for stuff aswell?
28th May 2021
A walk from Mow Cop Castle car park to Roepark Farm & back this morning – singing Willow Warbler(s) along the route was the only bird of note.
Later, at the layby/viewpoint at Cheshire Close ( OS Grid ref: – SJ 86818 58706 ): Lapwing, at least 2 more Willow Warblers, plus Whitethroat, Song & Mistle Thrush and Linnet but the highlights for me were a pair of Tree Pipit – singing plus display flights, the occasional brief burst of a Grasshopper Warbler and just as I was about to leave a Crossbill flew over my head calling.
**** a Public Service notice: road works on Mow Lane between Astbury and the viewpoint means it’s closed today and Tues – Fri next week during working hours – occasionally it was noisy while I was there as the service vehicles were using the layby to turn in so they could go back down the road!
27th May 2021
Very wet on Wybunbury Moss this morning ding a SWaBBS, not just the result of the recent rain but also due to the tree felling to maintain a high water level. Not much of note here.
Later a Doddington: the only species with juvs on the main pool were a creche of Canada Geese, some juv Coot and the Island pair of Oystercatchers protecting two juvs from a Mute Swan who also wanted to get on the island. In the distance I could hear Skylark, Song & Mistle Thrush
A single gosling with a pair of Canada Geese on Lemon Pool! I would have expected to see some ducklings by now too. I counted 5 Reed Warblers singing, 2 of which had an non-singing adult close by – presumably females? Little Grebes heard
With a clear blue sky, only the odd Swallow noted.
27th May 2021
Congleton – park
Treecreeper on a copper beech.
Mistle Thrush on the field
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Mandarin Duck 2 ♂♂ at the Dane Street end where the river bends to the right
Dipper Adult or adults flying and perched; Three juveniles on a low branch over the river.
River Dane – Steamboat car park
Goosander ♀ swimming then flying upstream.
26th May 2021
Fairly quiet on Meremoor Moss earlier today: Greylag + goslings, c50 Swift + hirundines feeding overhead – viewing them helped by the fairly low cloud forcing the flies lower. The juv. Oystercatcher is almost full size, but not quite got it’s parents colouring. A female Kestrel, at least 5 Skylark displaying, a pair of GS Woodpeckers. Birds in full song include Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Greenfinch & Reed Bunting. Other signs of breeding, etc. include a fledged Robin, a Dunnock carrying food and a pair of Bullfinch.
On Meremoor Fishing pools there were 4 ‘mallard-type’ ducks, but with unfamiliar colouring – I’ll have to research it
Yesterday in Quakers Coppice, while doing the nest box survey – a pair of GS Woodpecker at a nest hole & juvs heard in the cavity with one occasionally visible at the hole.
25th May 2021
Congleton – park – field
Mistle Thrush
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Goosander ♀ with one young – about a half of the size of the adult; also one lone ♀ – this is our first sighting of young this year.
River Dane – Steamboat car park
Grey Wagtail Perched
Dipper Flying and swimming
24th May 2021
Congleton park – Tawny Owl Behind the bowling green. Adult and one downy young, roosting in a sycamore tree.
Congleton park – on the field Mistle Thrush
River Dane – between the weir and Steamboat Dipper
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk Blackcap
24th May 2021
17 – 23 May
EHF/PHF: Oystercatcher, Common Tern, Hobby, Reed Warbler
MGT/RF: Cetti’s & Sedge Warbler
Canal towpath: Whitethroat
RLP: Reed, Sedge Warbler
Astbury Mere: Hobby
Brereton: R-l Partridge, L Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer
Doddington: Common Sandpiper, L Owl, Yellow Wagtail
Mow Cop: Peregrine, Wheatear
Salt Line/BPM: Tawny Owl
Scholar Green: Hobby, L Whitethroat
19th May 2021
Last week I was told that a Kestrel had been found grounded on Meremoor Moss and it was thought that it couldn’t fly. It was taken to a nearby stable – with a way out if it wanted. It was fed with steak & mince and, after two days, it was gone. Kestrels are regularly seen hunting on the moss and perhaps this bird is one of the pair that are using the nest box erected?
Fairly quiet on Meremoor Moss earlier today: R-l Partridge, a young Heron, a pair of Kestrel, a nest of young Jackdaw, a Raven, Skylark, a party of Long-tailed Tit ( probably too far away from the nest I’d seen at the other end of the track last week to be the same family?). Of the warblers, only Chiffchaff, Blackcap & Whitethroat were heard.
17th May 2021
Male and female Yellow Wagtails poolside at Doddington this evening,also Common Sandpiper,Little Owl and 3 Oystercatcher chicks on the island being fed by adults.
17th May 2021
10 – 16 May
EHF/PHF: Goosander, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Common Tern, Sedge, Reed Warbler, Wheatear
MGT/RF: Oystercatcher
Canal towpath: Yellow Wagtail
Green Ln: GW Egret, Tawny Owl
RLP: Reed, Sedge Warbler & Reed Bunting
Allgreave: Spotted & Pied Flycatcher, Dipper
Alsager: Yellow Wagtail
Astbury Mere: L Grebe
Bearda: Mandarin, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Dipper
Church Lawton/Woods/Lake: Mandarin, L Whitethroat
Cloud: Redstart
Congleton: Mandarin, Goosander, Mistle Thrush, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Cut-thorn Hill: Redstart, Stonechat
Danebower area: S-e Owl,
Joey the Swan: Grasshopper Warbler
Lea Forge: R-l Partridge, Kestrel, Raven, Skylark, Sedge, Grasshopper & Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Linnet
Queens Park: L Owl
Salt Line/BPM: Kestrel, Jay
Scholar Green: Hobby
Wildboarclough: Spotted & Pied Flycatcher, Dipper
16th May 2021
A major surprise for us at Lea Forge this morning with a Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing at close range.Also,probably 3 Garden Warblers,Sedge Warbler,Whitethroats,Chiffchaff ,Goldcrest ,Kestrel,Linnets,Red-l Partridge ,Raven and Skylark.
15th May 2021
Saturday 15-May-2021
Congleton – park – field
Mistle Thrush
Newsbank Pool
Mandarin Duck ♂
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Chiffchaff
Mandarin Duck ♂
River Dane – weir
Dipper 3 sightings flying, standing and swimming at Steamboat car
park and between the steamboat and the weir.
Grey Wagtail
Friday 14-May-2021
Congleton – park – field
Mistle Thrush
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Grey Wagtail many sightings of ♂ ♀ and immature
Dipper Flying upstream and then on the gravel bank below the road
bridge – then flying upstream.
Mandarin Duck ♂
Thursday 13-May-2021
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Dipper Many sightings
Goosander ♀
Grey Wagtail Many sightings
Mandarin Duck ♂
Wednesday 12-May-2021
River Dane – above the weir
Grey Wagtail a ♂ feeding a juvenile; 2 from the park bridge
Dipper several sightings- at least 2 individuals Flying Perched Swimming
Tuesday 11-May-2021
Astbury Mere
Chiffchaff
Congleton – park
Mistle Thrush
River Dane – above the weir
Grey Wagtail ♂ feeding immature
River Dane – Steamboat car park
Dipper Perched then flying under the Steamboat. Initialy one seen
flying downstream towards the roadbridge. Also seen on the
riverside walk swimming, standing and flying.
14th May 2021
Church Lawton Lesser Whitethroat along the canal lock 49 been hear two days in trees and hedges
14th May 2021
On Meremoor Moss ( & environs ) earlier today: Moorhen & Coot with broods; a pair of Oystercatchers with one juv, one adult chasing off a Carrion Crow – presumably too close; GS Woodpecker in flight carrying food; a Hobby being harassed by Swallows; displaying Skylarks, a Long-tailed Tit with food near a nest; singing Sedge Warblers; Whitethroats displaying everywhere; a pair of Linnet visiting a probable nest site; plus Song Thrush, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting singing
13th May 2021
Took the camera out last night to Borrow Pit Meadows. Spotted the Usual. Jay blackbird robins great tits.
Four Buzzards spotted all managing to get the better of my Photography skills which is a shame. Tried to find the Green woodpecker no luck.
Wouldn’t mind seeing this Hobby aswell.
12th May 2021
11/05/2021. Yellow Wagtail seen from towpath near Ettiley Heath allotments. What3words location ///riverside.gushes.decorated
12th May 2021
Joey the Swan Wistaston
Grasshopper Warbler recorded again this year in same area as last year
10th May 2021
River Dane at Congleton – Dane Street riverside walk
Grey wagtail – many sightings of ♂♂ and ♀♀.
Goosander ♀ where the River Dane bends right.
Mandarin ♂ where the River Dane bends to the right.
River Dane at Congleton – from the Aldi roundabout to the park
Dipper – multiple sightings of what was probably the same individual, swimming, flying and standing.
Congleton Park
Mistle Thrush
10th May 2021
A pleasant walk round the Borrow Pit Meadows this morning doing a SWaBBS survey for John. 25 species recorded including 16 wrens, 16 robins and 14 blackbirds and, cheating slightly, yesterday’s hobby.
10th May 2021
3 – 9 May
EHF/PHF: Ruddy Shelduck, Goosander, R & LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Ruff, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Med Y-l Gull, Common & Arctic Tern, Hobby, Sedge & Garden Warbler, L Whitethroat, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail
MGT/RF: Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, GW Egret, Green Woodpecker, Raven, Skylark, Cetti’s & Grasshopper Warbler, L Whitethroat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Linnet
Canal towpath: L Whitethroat
Alsager: Sparrowhawk, Skylark, Whitethroat, Wheatear
Congleton: Mandarin, Goosander, Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Shelduck, Swift, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail
Lea Forge: Sedge Warbler
Middlewich: Yellow Wagtail
Rode Pool: Reed & Garden Warbler
Salt Line/BPM: Hobby, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat
9th May 2021
9th May 2021
Westbourne Avenue Crewe
A steady passage of 30 Swifts for the next 40 minutes.
9th May 2021
9th May 2021
Westbourne Avenue Crewe
Five Swifts over my property at 1930.
9th May 2021
A lucky view of a hobby at Borrow Pit Meadows this morning when one flew past me close and low but only in view for a few seconds, just as I was looking in that direction. Also several singing warblers – 1 garden warbler; 3 whitethroat, 3 blackcap and 2 chiffchaff and a moorhen still sitting on its tree nest.
9th May 2021
River Dane at Congleton
Dane Street riverside walk;
Dipper flying under the Rood Hill road bridge; also flying upstream past the Steamboat; also at the weir just before the park. Probably the same individual.
Grey wagtail – many sightings including juveniles. Also in Congleton park.
Goosander ♀ on the River Dane in Congleton Park.
Goldcrest above the weir just before the park.
Congleton Park;
Four treecreepers, one adult and three juveniles. The adult fed two of the juveniles.
Mistle Thrush.
Great spotted woodpecker – seen; also drumming.
7th May 2021
At Doddington this morning we missed the yellow wagtail but had a pleasant morning with reed warbler, at least four singing males; oystercatcher, probably seven birds in total and three nests; shelduck, two flew in; mute swan 13; swift 30, sand martin 20, house martin 20, swallow 5 and up to six buzzards displaying. At Lea Forge the sedge warbler was still singing and showing well plus several whitethroats and chiffchaffs.
7th May 2021
Singles of Yellow Wagtail and Common Sandpiper at Doddington this morning and our first Sedge Warbler of the year at Lea Forge,thanks for the heads up Sylvia.
5th May 2021
Mandarin Drake on Dane, at Dane Street Bend Congleton and Treecreeper in the park
4th May 2021
Congleton: River Dane – Riverside walk: Kingfisher flying upstream – After it has been raining for a day the Dane is very high and the spots that the dipper and grey wagtails like are all submerged.
Congleton Park: ♂ grey wagtail on the bowling green.
Newsbank Pool: 2 x stock doves – The farmer puts out feed for the swans and geese which attracts the stock doves, which in turn attracts me.
3rd May 2021
On Meremoor Moss yesterday: a pair of Oystercatchers in flight, at least 18 Buzzards kettling above Weston, a Kestrel hunting, displaying Skylark, a Jay, a Raven overhead, Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat displaying, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting
3rd May 2021
26 Apr- 2 May
EHF/PHF: Ruddy Shelduck, LR Plover, Whimbrel, Bl-t Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Med Gull, Common Tern, GW & L Egret, Hobby, Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail
MGT/RF: Pochard, GW Egret, Common Tern, Willow, Sedge, Reed Warbler, L Whitethroat, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Bunting
Railway embankment: Whitethroat
WLF: Cetti’s & Reed Warbler
Alsager: Skylark, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer
Arclid SQ: LR Plover
Astbury Mere: Swift, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler
Axe Edge: S-e Owl
Checkley: Wheatear
Congleton: Goosander, Black Stork, Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Dipper Grey Wagtail
Crewe: Swift
Doddington: Shelduck, Swift, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Reed & Garden Warbler
Haslington: Hobby
Salt Line/BPM: Whitethroat, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting
Scholar Green: Osprey, Hobby, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer
also a few Osprey sightings throughout the Recording Area
3rd May 2021
Congleton:
River Dane walkway – ♂ mandarin; several sightings of grey wagtails;
By the Steamboat – dipper;
Congleton Park St. Stephen’s entrance bridge – ♀ goosander – no sign of any young yet;
Congleton Park – treecreeper, mistle thrush.
Newsbank Pool – oystercatchers; sand martins.
2nd May 2021
Our third sighting of Wheatear from different areas with 2 in a ploughed field off Checkley Lane.At Doddington,8 Shelduck,Common Sandpiper,Reed Warbler,Oystercatchers and Swifts were the pick of the bunch this morning.
1st May 2021
Who is setting their alarm clock for dawn chorus day tomorrow?
1st May 2021
House Martins nest building Whitehall Row, Warmingham. Swallows also around.