Details of February sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
37 Comments
Dave Winnington 2nd March 2022
Lawton woods Dipper on Stream seen from Causeway Woodcock Flushed from Hedge row between Brickhouse and Ashbank farm Scholar green
Mike& Andy 1st March 2022
2 Shelduck and just 2 Lapwing in the flooded field by the units at Doddington this morning.Goldeney and Pochard in low double figures,2 Shovelers,4 Oystercatchers,singing Mistle Thrush and2 Meadow Pipits.A female Stonechat was the best bird at Lea Forge but decent back up with 44 Siskin,2 Bullfinches,Skylark,Song Thrush and Reed Bunting.
John 28th February 2022
21 – 28 Feb
EHF/PHF: Egyptian Goose, Oystercatcher, Bl-t Godwit
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Scoter, Goldeneye, Goosander, Common Gull
Betley Mere: Water Rail, Woodcock, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler
Borrow Pit Meadows: Bullfinch, Siskin
Brereton: Yellowhammer
Cat & Fiddle: Golden Plover
Checkley: Grey & R-l Partridge, Brambling, Reed Bunting
The Cloud: Stonechat
Congleton: Red Kite
Lawton Lake: Mandarin
Lea Forge: Skylark, Stonechat
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher, Great W Egret, Kestrel, Skylark, Stonechat
Middlewich: Barn Owl
Newsbank Pool: Oystercatcher, Curlew
Queens Park: Mandarin, L Owl
Redesmere: Goldeneye
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, Great W Egret , Raven, Yellowhammer
Sandbach: Red Kite
Wildboarclough: Curlew, Raven, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
David Cookson 27th February 2022
At Lea Forge this morning. Among the 23 birds logged there were – Skylark, Shoveler(flying), Greylags, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Heron and Stonechat.
Glyn Jones 24th February 2022
24th February
Queen’s Park Crewe – 1130
Mandarin Ducks showing well also Little Owl in new location in a bird box behind the bowling green pavilion.
Dave Winnington 24th February 2022
Borrow pit Meadows Pair Bullfinch Tillie’s Bridge 3 Siskin near pond Roughwood Hollow road closed tree down near mid point
John 23rd February 2022
Ooops! I forgot to include a pair of Stonechats noted this morning too
David Winnington 23rd February 2022
Lawton lake 6 Mandarin 4 Drake This Afternoon
John 23rd February 2022
Meremoor Moss and environs this morning: a distant Little Grebe ‘trilling’, an Oystercatcher, a Great W Egret flying low towards the A500, pairs of displaying Buzzards in all four corners of the patch and a hunting male Kestrel. Birds in song included Skylark, Song Thrush, Chaffinch & Greenfinch. Only one sighting of winter thrushes – a flight of c20 Fieldfare. A flock of c17 Siskin was noted but they appeared unsettled, probably due to the Sparrowhawk that flew over the trees shortly afterwards. Note to self – check out what might be attracting a flock of gulls to the north of Alsager Road when seen from the road bridge over the railway track ( possibly near to Butterton Lane Farm )
John 22nd February 2022
14 – 20 Feb
EHF/PHF: L & GC Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Scoter, Goldeneye, L Grebe
Brownlow/Wallhill: Shelduck, Oystercatcher
Church Lawton/Scholar Green: Goosander, L Egret
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, L Grebe, Oystercatcher, Raven, Meadow Pipit
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher
Queens Park: Mandarin
Colin 18th February 2022
Nothing special at Doddington this morning in a WeBS count. 105 tufted, 240 coot, 26 pochard, 15 goldeneye and a flock of 70 lapwing still on the floodwater
Colin 18th February 2022
At Mere Moor Fisheries yesterday, a pair of oystercatchers looking settled ready for breeding and in the muddy cow field at least 30 pied wagtails and 20 chaffinches feeding.
Glyn Jones 16th February 2022
16th February 2022 – 1130
Queen’s Park Crewe
M&F Mandarin Ducks showing well, single Mute Swan + 2 Nuthatches at nesting site.
Nigel Henderson 16th February 2022
Congleton:
Park: Redwing; Mistle Thrush
River Dane: Grey Wagtail; Kingfisher; Goosander ♀; also ♂ ♀; Dipper
Mike&Andy 15th February 2022
3 Male and 2 Female Pintail were the best birds at Doddington this morning with numbers of Goldeneye and Pochard holding up.5 Oystercatchers and 7 L.Grebes,Raven and Meadow Pipits also noted.
Dave Winnington 14th February 2022
Church Lawton 5 Goosander 2 drake on Canal lock 52 , 2 Male Bullfinch near Snapes Aquaduct.
John 14th February 2022
7 – 13 Feb
EHF/PHF: Barnacle Goose, Goosander, L Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, L Egret, Sparrowhawk & Reed Bunting
MGT/RF: Kestrel, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye
Brownlow/Wallhill: Oystercatcher
Church Lawton/Scholar Green: Kestrel, Brambling, Yellowhammer
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, L & GC Grebe, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Med & Common Gull, Kestrel
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher
Queens Park: Mandarin, Goosander, L Owl
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, L Egret (7), Buzzard (4), Brambling
Rode Pool: Goosander
Wybunbury Moss: Water Rail
Mike&Andy 12th February 2022
A Med Gull in the remnants from the overnight Gull roost was a rare treat for us at Doddington this morning.Also Common Gull,Kestrel,6 Oystercatchers,15 Goldeneye,33 Pochard,7 Shoveler.Best birds at Lea Forge,2 Woodcock,Snipe,Bullfinch,Stock Dove, Song Thrush and around 150 in a mixed flock of winter Thrushes.
Glyn Jones 11th February 2022
11th February 2022
Queen’s Park – 1400
A bit of a negative report today
After having 7 Mute Swans for some time, 5 Mute Swans have flown away over the last month leaving two of the regulars but one of them has now been taken away in the last few days, cause unknown. Bird Flu???
Also no sign of the Mandarin Ducks or the Little Owl.
Colin 11th February 2022
At Doddington this morning were 85 tufted, 18 goldeneye, 29 pochard, 7 shoveler, 3 teal, 2 gc grebe, 12 little grebe and 4 oystercatchers seemed to be 2 pairs resting/guarding nest sites
John 11th February 2022
Wybunbury Moss this morning: at least 2 Water Rail heard. Also noted Jay, Rook & Song Thrush.
A quick stop afterwards at Doddington where I noted most, but not all, of the waterfowl & waders reported by Andy, Mike & Colin. On one of the buoys, I spotted a gull with a black ring on its bill!
Later at home I worked out it was a 2nd winter Common Gull. Lots of corvids & winter thrushes in the field on the other side of the road plus Lapwing & Starling. All of which were ‘nervous’ – repeatedly taking flight and perching in the nearby trees. GS Woodpecker drumming from the woods behind the feeding corvids & thrushes. A couple of Raven overhead – one had a maize husk in its beak
John 10th February 2022
Just seen on N Staffs Twitter that they had a report a White-tailed Eagle over Belvide Reservoir. It appears from satellite data that at 11am it was flying 34 miles north of there, i.e. South Cheshire.
Anyone see it?
This bird is thought to be G466 – a 3CY female from the Isle of Wight and was in Arran as recently as 4th of February
John 10th February 2022
Meremoor Moss & environs today: while putting my boots on, a Sparrowhawk flew past me low over the muddy field with the cattle in spooking the Pied Wagtail. I saw it, or another, spiralling & gaining height over the Fisheries while I was looking for the 2 reported Oystercatchers there – I only spotted one. Only other bird of note was a Raven flying towards the Crewe Hall estate, én route it did a corkscrew manoeuvre at the same time it called – was it displaying? Occasionally, there were large numbers of corvids in the air, some harassing the Buzzards. On my way home there was a mixed flock of c100 corvids feeding in a stubble field next to the footpath leading on to the golf course
Nigel Henderson 10th February 2022
Congleton: River Dane: Grey Wagtail, Goosander, Dipper (everything is pairing up now – there were two of everything).
Mike&Andy 9th February 2022
A quick check at Doddington late this afternoon gave the best count of Goldeneye for the winter with 20 on show.Also 27 Pochard,10 Shoveler,Male and Female Goosander,2 Wigeon,9Little Grebes,single G.C, Grebe,2 Snipe,6 Oystercatcher and a single Common Gull.
Dave Winnington 9th February 2022
Church Lawton Ashbank farm Bratts wood area Brambling with Finch flock also good Numbers Fieldfare Redwing Lake 3 little grebe Scholar green Brickhouse pair Yellowhammers male Kestrel.
John 9th February 2022
A wander around Macon Meadows in the sunshine earlier this afternoon gave me a displaying Buzzard above the MMU/Crewe Green roundabout and a drumming GS Woodpecker ( both firsts for me in 2022 ). Also, nice to see a female Grey Wagtail on the flooded meadow.
Colin 8th February 2022
On Poolside field this morning were 7 little egrets walking around feeding, buzzards down to 4. On the pool 26 shoveler, 23 wigeon, 22 teal and 5 goosander.
John 7th February 2022
31 Jan – 6 Feb
EHF/PHF: Pintail, Golden Plover, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Med Gull, Sparrowhawk & Reed Bunting
MGT/RF: Great W & L Egret, Meadow Pipit
FF: Woodcock, Tawny Owl
Tetton Ln: Jack & Common Snipe, Skylark, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting
Astbury: Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Sparrow, Brambling
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, Siskin
Betley: Woodcock, Cetti’s Warbler
Brownlow/Wallhill: Egyptian Goose, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover
Checkley: Grey Partridge, Greenfinch, Brambling, L Redpoll
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Congleton bypass: L Egret
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Dunlin
Meremoor Moss: Water Rail, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine, Skylark, Stonechat
Middlewich: Jack & Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper
Queens Park: Barnacle Goose, Mandarin, Goosander
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, L Egret, Buzzard (10), Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Rode Pool: Mandarin, Goosander, Great W Egret, Peregrine, Siskin
Wheelock Rail Trail: Tawny Owl
Mike&Andy 3rd February 2022
Not much change at Doddington this week,Oystercatchers up to 5,a brief count this morning gave, Goldeneye 10,Shoveler 10,Pochard around 30.Better off Checkley Lane with 2 Grey Partridge,12 Brambling,Greenfinch,Reed Bunting,Song and Mistle Thrush and L Redpoll.
Nigel Henderson 3rd February 2022
Congleton
Congleton park
Stock Dove
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
River Dane
Grey Wagtail
Goldcrest
Dipper
Goosander ♂ ♀
Kingfisher (Pam)
Meremoor Moss & environs this morning: lots of corvids in the mud where the cattle are, 4 Pink-footed Geese overhead, a Water Rail heard. Singing birds include Coal Tit, Song Thrush and Bullfinch.
As I walked from under the railway bridge onto the moss, I had a brief view of a Peregrine flying off towards the A500 roundabout. Other raptors include a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel. The farmer was muck-spreading when I was there, and this was attracting the corvids and pigeons. In the nearby trees were c40 Redwing and I could make out just one Fieldfare. A pair of Muscovy Duck could be seen on the fishery on the other side of Englesea Brook.
Towards the end of my walk while scanning the fields from the road bridge over the railway track, a Peregrine flew low over the road ( it’s chest was light brown ), over the old quarry on to the moss. It put up c100 Wood Pigeon and c40 Lapwing. As I watched this through my bins, the Peregrine banked round and swooped into the flock of pigeons.
That’s a Peregrine on this patch every month since September.
Scanning the muddy field holding the cattle, c100 Pied Wagtail!
Glyn Jones 1st February 2022
1st February 2022 -1100
Queen’s Park – only 2 Mute Swans now, and only 1 F Goosander.
No sign of Mandarin Ducks.
John 1st February 2022
A male & female Sparrowhawk were seen in trees alongside the stream between Macon Meadows & the railway track this morning. They don’t seem bothered by the work that’s been going on at the culvert for the past few days. The pair were seen again later in my walk, this time what looked like an ariel display above the road.
A pair was seen regularly in the same area last year but I was unable to establish if they bred or not.
Colin 1st February 2022
At Rode Pool this morning in the field across Poolside the buzzard numbers are holding at around ten and the two egyptian geese are still favouring that field. On the water 1 great white egret, 8 goosander and 8 mandarin, 15 siskin in the woods and a peregrine flew over briefly but low giving good views.
Colin 1st February 2022
At the north end of Old Knutsford Road, Rode Heath a small neglected field of old wheat and weeds has attracted quite a few finches including up to 20 yellowhammers and 6 reed buntings. Thanks to Dave Winnington for the info.
2nd March 2022
Lawton woods Dipper on Stream seen from Causeway Woodcock Flushed from Hedge row between Brickhouse and Ashbank farm Scholar green
1st March 2022
2 Shelduck and just 2 Lapwing in the flooded field by the units at Doddington this morning.Goldeney and Pochard in low double figures,2 Shovelers,4 Oystercatchers,singing Mistle Thrush and2 Meadow Pipits.A female Stonechat was the best bird at Lea Forge but decent back up with 44 Siskin,2 Bullfinches,Skylark,Song Thrush and Reed Bunting.
28th February 2022
21 – 28 Feb
EHF/PHF: Egyptian Goose, Oystercatcher, Bl-t Godwit
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Scoter, Goldeneye, Goosander, Common Gull
Betley Mere: Water Rail, Woodcock, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler
Borrow Pit Meadows: Bullfinch, Siskin
Brereton: Yellowhammer
Cat & Fiddle: Golden Plover
Checkley: Grey & R-l Partridge, Brambling, Reed Bunting
The Cloud: Stonechat
Congleton: Red Kite
Lawton Lake: Mandarin
Lea Forge: Skylark, Stonechat
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher, Great W Egret, Kestrel, Skylark, Stonechat
Middlewich: Barn Owl
Newsbank Pool: Oystercatcher, Curlew
Queens Park: Mandarin, L Owl
Redesmere: Goldeneye
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, Great W Egret , Raven, Yellowhammer
Sandbach: Red Kite
Wildboarclough: Curlew, Raven, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
27th February 2022
At Lea Forge this morning. Among the 23 birds logged there were – Skylark, Shoveler(flying), Greylags, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Heron and Stonechat.
24th February 2022
24th February
Queen’s Park Crewe – 1130
Mandarin Ducks showing well also Little Owl in new location in a bird box behind the bowling green pavilion.
24th February 2022
Borrow pit Meadows Pair Bullfinch Tillie’s Bridge 3 Siskin near pond Roughwood Hollow road closed tree down near mid point
23rd February 2022
Ooops! I forgot to include a pair of Stonechats noted this morning too
23rd February 2022
Lawton lake 6 Mandarin 4 Drake This Afternoon
23rd February 2022
Meremoor Moss and environs this morning: a distant Little Grebe ‘trilling’, an Oystercatcher, a Great W Egret flying low towards the A500, pairs of displaying Buzzards in all four corners of the patch and a hunting male Kestrel. Birds in song included Skylark, Song Thrush, Chaffinch & Greenfinch. Only one sighting of winter thrushes – a flight of c20 Fieldfare. A flock of c17 Siskin was noted but they appeared unsettled, probably due to the Sparrowhawk that flew over the trees shortly afterwards. Note to self – check out what might be attracting a flock of gulls to the north of Alsager Road when seen from the road bridge over the railway track ( possibly near to Butterton Lane Farm )
22nd February 2022
14 – 20 Feb
EHF/PHF: L & GC Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Scoter, Goldeneye, L Grebe
Brownlow/Wallhill: Shelduck, Oystercatcher
Church Lawton/Scholar Green: Goosander, L Egret
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, L Grebe, Oystercatcher, Raven, Meadow Pipit
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher
Queens Park: Mandarin
18th February 2022
Nothing special at Doddington this morning in a WeBS count. 105 tufted, 240 coot, 26 pochard, 15 goldeneye and a flock of 70 lapwing still on the floodwater
18th February 2022
At Mere Moor Fisheries yesterday, a pair of oystercatchers looking settled ready for breeding and in the muddy cow field at least 30 pied wagtails and 20 chaffinches feeding.
16th February 2022
16th February 2022 – 1130
Queen’s Park Crewe
M&F Mandarin Ducks showing well, single Mute Swan + 2 Nuthatches at nesting site.
16th February 2022
Congleton:
Park: Redwing; Mistle Thrush
River Dane: Grey Wagtail; Kingfisher; Goosander ♀; also ♂ ♀; Dipper
15th February 2022
3 Male and 2 Female Pintail were the best birds at Doddington this morning with numbers of Goldeneye and Pochard holding up.5 Oystercatchers and 7 L.Grebes,Raven and Meadow Pipits also noted.
14th February 2022
Church Lawton 5 Goosander 2 drake on Canal lock 52 , 2 Male Bullfinch near Snapes Aquaduct.
14th February 2022
7 – 13 Feb
EHF/PHF: Barnacle Goose, Goosander, L Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, L Egret, Sparrowhawk & Reed Bunting
MGT/RF: Kestrel, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye
Brownlow/Wallhill: Oystercatcher
Church Lawton/Scholar Green: Kestrel, Brambling, Yellowhammer
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, L & GC Grebe, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Med & Common Gull, Kestrel
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher
Queens Park: Mandarin, Goosander, L Owl
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, L Egret (7), Buzzard (4), Brambling
Rode Pool: Goosander
Wybunbury Moss: Water Rail
12th February 2022
A Med Gull in the remnants from the overnight Gull roost was a rare treat for us at Doddington this morning.Also Common Gull,Kestrel,6 Oystercatchers,15 Goldeneye,33 Pochard,7 Shoveler.Best birds at Lea Forge,2 Woodcock,Snipe,Bullfinch,Stock Dove, Song Thrush and around 150 in a mixed flock of winter Thrushes.
11th February 2022
11th February 2022
Queen’s Park – 1400
A bit of a negative report today
After having 7 Mute Swans for some time, 5 Mute Swans have flown away over the last month leaving two of the regulars but one of them has now been taken away in the last few days, cause unknown. Bird Flu???
Also no sign of the Mandarin Ducks or the Little Owl.
11th February 2022
At Doddington this morning were 85 tufted, 18 goldeneye, 29 pochard, 7 shoveler, 3 teal, 2 gc grebe, 12 little grebe and 4 oystercatchers seemed to be 2 pairs resting/guarding nest sites
11th February 2022
Wybunbury Moss this morning: at least 2 Water Rail heard. Also noted Jay, Rook & Song Thrush.
A quick stop afterwards at Doddington where I noted most, but not all, of the waterfowl & waders reported by Andy, Mike & Colin. On one of the buoys, I spotted a gull with a black ring on its bill!
Later at home I worked out it was a 2nd winter Common Gull. Lots of corvids & winter thrushes in the field on the other side of the road plus Lapwing & Starling. All of which were ‘nervous’ – repeatedly taking flight and perching in the nearby trees. GS Woodpecker drumming from the woods behind the feeding corvids & thrushes. A couple of Raven overhead – one had a maize husk in its beak
10th February 2022
Just seen on N Staffs Twitter that they had a report a White-tailed Eagle over Belvide Reservoir. It appears from satellite data that at 11am it was flying 34 miles north of there, i.e. South Cheshire.
Anyone see it?
This bird is thought to be G466 – a 3CY female from the Isle of Wight and was in Arran as recently as 4th of February
10th February 2022
Meremoor Moss & environs today: while putting my boots on, a Sparrowhawk flew past me low over the muddy field with the cattle in spooking the Pied Wagtail. I saw it, or another, spiralling & gaining height over the Fisheries while I was looking for the 2 reported Oystercatchers there – I only spotted one. Only other bird of note was a Raven flying towards the Crewe Hall estate, én route it did a corkscrew manoeuvre at the same time it called – was it displaying? Occasionally, there were large numbers of corvids in the air, some harassing the Buzzards. On my way home there was a mixed flock of c100 corvids feeding in a stubble field next to the footpath leading on to the golf course
10th February 2022
Congleton: River Dane: Grey Wagtail, Goosander, Dipper (everything is pairing up now – there were two of everything).
9th February 2022
A quick check at Doddington late this afternoon gave the best count of Goldeneye for the winter with 20 on show.Also 27 Pochard,10 Shoveler,Male and Female Goosander,2 Wigeon,9Little Grebes,single G.C, Grebe,2 Snipe,6 Oystercatcher and a single Common Gull.
9th February 2022
Church Lawton Ashbank farm Bratts wood area Brambling with Finch flock also good Numbers Fieldfare Redwing Lake 3 little grebe Scholar green Brickhouse pair Yellowhammers male Kestrel.
9th February 2022
A wander around Macon Meadows in the sunshine earlier this afternoon gave me a displaying Buzzard above the MMU/Crewe Green roundabout and a drumming GS Woodpecker ( both firsts for me in 2022 ). Also, nice to see a female Grey Wagtail on the flooded meadow.
8th February 2022
On Poolside field this morning were 7 little egrets walking around feeding, buzzards down to 4. On the pool 26 shoveler, 23 wigeon, 22 teal and 5 goosander.
7th February 2022
31 Jan – 6 Feb
EHF/PHF: Pintail, Golden Plover, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Med Gull, Sparrowhawk & Reed Bunting
MGT/RF: Great W & L Egret, Meadow Pipit
FF: Woodcock, Tawny Owl
Tetton Ln: Jack & Common Snipe, Skylark, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting
Astbury: Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Sparrow, Brambling
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, Siskin
Betley: Woodcock, Cetti’s Warbler
Brownlow/Wallhill: Egyptian Goose, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover
Checkley: Grey Partridge, Greenfinch, Brambling, L Redpoll
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Congleton bypass: L Egret
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Dunlin
Meremoor Moss: Water Rail, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine, Skylark, Stonechat
Middlewich: Jack & Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper
Queens Park: Barnacle Goose, Mandarin, Goosander
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, L Egret, Buzzard (10), Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Rode Pool: Mandarin, Goosander, Great W Egret, Peregrine, Siskin
Wheelock Rail Trail: Tawny Owl
3rd February 2022
Not much change at Doddington this week,Oystercatchers up to 5,a brief count this morning gave, Goldeneye 10,Shoveler 10,Pochard around 30.Better off Checkley Lane with 2 Grey Partridge,12 Brambling,Greenfinch,Reed Bunting,Song and Mistle Thrush and L Redpoll.
3rd February 2022
Congleton
Congleton park
Stock Dove
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
River Dane
Grey Wagtail
Goldcrest
Dipper
Goosander ♂ ♀
Kingfisher (Pam)
2nd February 2022
1st Feb.
Queens Park. Mandarin pair, Barnacle Goose, Siskin and lesser Redpoll
2nd February 2022
Meremoor Moss & environs this morning: lots of corvids in the mud where the cattle are, 4 Pink-footed Geese overhead, a Water Rail heard. Singing birds include Coal Tit, Song Thrush and Bullfinch.
As I walked from under the railway bridge onto the moss, I had a brief view of a Peregrine flying off towards the A500 roundabout. Other raptors include a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel. The farmer was muck-spreading when I was there, and this was attracting the corvids and pigeons. In the nearby trees were c40 Redwing and I could make out just one Fieldfare. A pair of Muscovy Duck could be seen on the fishery on the other side of Englesea Brook.
Towards the end of my walk while scanning the fields from the road bridge over the railway track, a Peregrine flew low over the road ( it’s chest was light brown ), over the old quarry on to the moss. It put up c100 Wood Pigeon and c40 Lapwing. As I watched this through my bins, the Peregrine banked round and swooped into the flock of pigeons.
That’s a Peregrine on this patch every month since September.
Scanning the muddy field holding the cattle, c100 Pied Wagtail!
1st February 2022
1st February 2022 -1100
Queen’s Park – only 2 Mute Swans now, and only 1 F Goosander.
No sign of Mandarin Ducks.
1st February 2022
A male & female Sparrowhawk were seen in trees alongside the stream between Macon Meadows & the railway track this morning. They don’t seem bothered by the work that’s been going on at the culvert for the past few days. The pair were seen again later in my walk, this time what looked like an ariel display above the road.
A pair was seen regularly in the same area last year but I was unable to establish if they bred or not.
1st February 2022
At Rode Pool this morning in the field across Poolside the buzzard numbers are holding at around ten and the two egyptian geese are still favouring that field. On the water 1 great white egret, 8 goosander and 8 mandarin, 15 siskin in the woods and a peregrine flew over briefly but low giving good views.
1st February 2022
At the north end of Old Knutsford Road, Rode Heath a small neglected field of old wheat and weeds has attracted quite a few finches including up to 20 yellowhammers and 6 reed buntings. Thanks to Dave Winnington for the info.