Details of October sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
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Tom Graham 31st October 2021
Dipper spotted this morning at Borrow Pit Meadows flying under Tilley’s bridge
John 27th October 2021
It was quiet on Meremoor Moss earlier today. It was mild despite the strong winds, which the corvids and buzzards seemed to revel in – stooping and banking above the trees. A hunting Kestrel didn’t seem to mind either.
I noticed two lots of bird droppings: –
– one on a small piece of concrete: mainly of large berry seeds/stones
– the other on a fence post: mainly of seed
My copy of Helm’s “Tracks & Signs” suggest the first was of a thrush, the other of a pheasant. From the size of the droppings in comparison to the species, I thought the droppings were too large!
Colin 26th October 2021
My first day out for several weeks and I finish up counting 1320 coot on Doddington! Also small number (less than 10) of tufted, shoveler, wigeon and pochard. 56 mutes swans but no sign of the whooper
Nigel Henderson 25th October 2021
Congleton – River Dane
Kingfisher; Dipper; 3 x Goosander (either a female and two juvenile or three juvenile); Grey Wagtail
Mike&Andy 25th October 2021
On the edge of Wybunbury moss this morning a flock of around 25 Goldfinch held both Siskin and Redpoll.The best of the rest included Goldcrest,Raven and Meadow Pipits.Numerous small flocks of Redwings but not a single Fieldfare.
John 25th October 2021
18 – 24 Oct
EHF/PHF: Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Goosander, L Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Great W Egret, Cetti’s Warbler, Redwing, Stonechat
MGT/RF: Great W Egret
Arclid: Shoveler, Gadwall, Snipe, Y-l Gull,
Astbury Mere: L Grebe, Tawny Owl, Raven
Danebower: Ring Ouzel
Doddington: Whooper Swan, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, L Grebe, Kestrel, Skylark
Lea Forge: Snipe, Jay, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
Scholar Green: Yellowhammer
John 24th October 2021
Leucitic House Sparrow on the feeder yesterday
Mike&Andy 23rd October 2021
Quiet at Lea Forge this morning until the end of the circuit when we had Stonechat,Snipe and Meadow Pipits.A few Greenfinch were the first for while and several Jays were noted.
David Cookson 22nd October 2021
Doddington 21-10-21 Among the usual birds were Buzzard, Skylark, at least 6 Cormorants, Jay 57 Mute swans and a Whooper swan. There may have been one or two more as there were a few swans with their heads tucked under their wings.
Mike&Andy 21st October 2021
The male Gadwall still present at Doddington this morning and 6 Shovelers dropped down to join a single.Just a female Pochard and Little Grebes well into double figure of any other note on the main pool.A few Meadow Pipits and a Kestrel were on the wires.
John 21st October 2021
I spent some time this morning with Mark, the CEC Countryside Ranger at Brereton Heath LNR, finalising our plans for the next First Tuesday Field Trip, including an area out of bounds to the public and some spots that gets less footfall.
After lunch, I had a wander round on my own; -30+ species seen. On one occasion I heard the calls of a Raven overhead and, on looking up, I saw one harassing a Buzzard. It closely followed it for over a minute as they flew around banking and stooping. It reminded me of a dog fight in the film “Top Gun”.
John 20th October 2021
After the rain yesterday morning, I walked my local patch on Macon Meadows. The recent wet & windy weather has flattened the small reedbed and the willow trees have lost much of their leaves. Only bird of note was the Sparrowhawk: first a female flew into a clump of trees scattering the Woodpigeons. Later I saw a pair climbing/circling near Mannin House which spooked the Starling perched on the aerial behind the building.
John 18th October 2021
11 – 17 Oct
EHF/PHF: Barnacle & Pink-footed Goose, Gadwall, Pintail, Goosander, L Grebe, Golden Plover, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, G B-b & Y-l Gull, Stonechat
WLF: Water Rail
Cat & Fiddle: Black Redstart
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Gadwall, L Grebe, Stock Dove, Kestrel, Peregrine
Holmes Chapel: Purple Sandpiper
Lea Forge: R-l Partridge, Stock Dove, Jay, Fieldfare, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit
Middlewich LB: Green Sandpiper
Radway: Common Crane
Redesmere: Goldeneye
Rode Pool: Raven
Scholar Green: Tawny Owl
Shavington: L Egret
Wybunbury: Redwing
Nigel Henderson 16th October 2021
Congleton – River Dane
Thu 14-10-21 Two juvenile Goosanders
Fri 15-10-21 Kingfisher seen flying twice; Two Dippers
Sat 16-10-21 Grey Wagtail (Pam)
Mike&Andy 15th October 2021
Our first on patch Fieldfares of the season at Lea Forge this morning,not a big list but we did manage,Grey Wagtail,Meadow Pipits,Mistle Thrushes,Red-legged Partridge,Jays,Stock Doves and a single Lapwing.
John 15th October 2021
Ooo! forgot to mention – there were some fungi, the size of dinner plates, in the field behind the dipping pool/platform at Wybunbury Moss
John 15th October 2021
A lazy, late morning, walk round the inner path on Wybunbury Moss: nothing much of note but while leaning on the locked gate overlooking the southern side of the cleared moss a small brown bird flew from a dead tree in the middle of the clearing and perched high up in another tree, this time on the edge of the area. Through my bins I could make out it was a pipit. I’ve seen them occasionally in the horse paddocks, but not on the moss itself. Also of note, Goldcrest: one with paler eye markings which got my heart racing for a while! Plus a handful of Redwing ( my first of the season ) eating the holly berries
Mike&Andy 13th October 2021
An improving Doddington this afternoon with Gadwall,8 Wigeon,4 Teal,Shoveler,15 L.Grebes,Peregrine,G.S.Woodpecker,Stock Dove,Lapwings and the resident Kestrel dropped and took a small rodent.
John 11th October 2021
4 – 10 Oct
EHF/PHF: Barnacle Goose, Goosander, L Grebe, Curlew, Y-l Gull, Spoonbill, L Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Stonechat
MGT/RF: Snipe, GW Egret, Stonechat
Cat & Fiddle: Black Redstart
Lea Forge: Stock Dove, Jay, Redwing, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, L Redpoll
Meremoor Moss: Kestrel, Stonechat
Middlewich: Red Kite
Scholar Green: Skylark, Meadow Pipit
Wybunbury: Redwing
Mike&Andy 9th October 2021
Our first L Redpoll (18)and Redwing (8) of the season around Lea Forge this morning.A few other birds we noted were Bullfinch,Meadow Pipits,Jays,Lapwing and Stock Dove.
John 7th October 2021
Today on Meremoor Moss: c100 Woodpigeon feeding in the stubble, a couple of sightings of a female Sparrowhawk. First, one being harassed by a couple of Jackdaws, later ( while at the fishery ), one ( the same or another female ) flew in low from the former sand quarry and spooked a mixed flock of tits in the conifers. A male Kestrel was seen hunting on the moss. Also noted: Jay, Raven, singing Skylark, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, 4 Stonechat together ( adult & first winter male plus two others – family party? ), Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Greenfinch & Reed Bunting.
With a forecast of rain from 11am, I made a quick visit to Meremoor Moss first thing this morning. At the far end of the boardwalk as you approach the railway arch, I heard a Cetti’s Warbler singing. On the Moss a hunting Kestrel, a Jay, singing Skylark, Mistle Thrush, 2 female/juv. Stonechat.
On my way back to my car, a Sparrowhawk failed to catch a Mistle Thrush. This caught the attention of a nearby Carrion Crow and it chased/harassed the Sparrowhawk away.
On route, at the bottom of Slaughter Hill, 2 Swallows flew low over the car plus a couple of Rooks further up the road were also noted.
Colin 1st October 2021
Highlights of an hour at Doddington this morning were 1 stonechat, my first here for several years, and 624 greylag geese, from memory my highest count here.
31st October 2021
Dipper spotted this morning at Borrow Pit Meadows flying under Tilley’s bridge
27th October 2021
It was quiet on Meremoor Moss earlier today. It was mild despite the strong winds, which the corvids and buzzards seemed to revel in – stooping and banking above the trees. A hunting Kestrel didn’t seem to mind either.
I noticed two lots of bird droppings: –
– one on a small piece of concrete: mainly of large berry seeds/stones
– the other on a fence post: mainly of seed
My copy of Helm’s “Tracks & Signs” suggest the first was of a thrush, the other of a pheasant. From the size of the droppings in comparison to the species, I thought the droppings were too large!
26th October 2021
My first day out for several weeks and I finish up counting 1320 coot on Doddington! Also small number (less than 10) of tufted, shoveler, wigeon and pochard. 56 mutes swans but no sign of the whooper
25th October 2021
Congleton – River Dane
Kingfisher; Dipper; 3 x Goosander (either a female and two juvenile or three juvenile); Grey Wagtail
25th October 2021
On the edge of Wybunbury moss this morning a flock of around 25 Goldfinch held both Siskin and Redpoll.The best of the rest included Goldcrest,Raven and Meadow Pipits.Numerous small flocks of Redwings but not a single Fieldfare.
25th October 2021
18 – 24 Oct
EHF/PHF: Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Goosander, L Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Great W Egret, Cetti’s Warbler, Redwing, Stonechat
MGT/RF: Great W Egret
Arclid: Shoveler, Gadwall, Snipe, Y-l Gull,
Astbury Mere: L Grebe, Tawny Owl, Raven
Danebower: Ring Ouzel
Doddington: Whooper Swan, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, L Grebe, Kestrel, Skylark
Lea Forge: Snipe, Jay, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit
Scholar Green: Yellowhammer
24th October 2021
Leucitic House Sparrow on the feeder yesterday
23rd October 2021
Quiet at Lea Forge this morning until the end of the circuit when we had Stonechat,Snipe and Meadow Pipits.A few Greenfinch were the first for while and several Jays were noted.
22nd October 2021
Doddington 21-10-21 Among the usual birds were Buzzard, Skylark, at least 6 Cormorants, Jay 57 Mute swans and a Whooper swan. There may have been one or two more as there were a few swans with their heads tucked under their wings.
21st October 2021
The male Gadwall still present at Doddington this morning and 6 Shovelers dropped down to join a single.Just a female Pochard and Little Grebes well into double figure of any other note on the main pool.A few Meadow Pipits and a Kestrel were on the wires.
21st October 2021
I spent some time this morning with Mark, the CEC Countryside Ranger at Brereton Heath LNR, finalising our plans for the next First Tuesday Field Trip, including an area out of bounds to the public and some spots that gets less footfall.
After lunch, I had a wander round on my own; -30+ species seen. On one occasion I heard the calls of a Raven overhead and, on looking up, I saw one harassing a Buzzard. It closely followed it for over a minute as they flew around banking and stooping. It reminded me of a dog fight in the film “Top Gun”.
20th October 2021
After the rain yesterday morning, I walked my local patch on Macon Meadows. The recent wet & windy weather has flattened the small reedbed and the willow trees have lost much of their leaves. Only bird of note was the Sparrowhawk: first a female flew into a clump of trees scattering the Woodpigeons. Later I saw a pair climbing/circling near Mannin House which spooked the Starling perched on the aerial behind the building.
18th October 2021
11 – 17 Oct
EHF/PHF: Barnacle & Pink-footed Goose, Gadwall, Pintail, Goosander, L Grebe, Golden Plover, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, G B-b & Y-l Gull, Stonechat
WLF: Water Rail
Cat & Fiddle: Black Redstart
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Gadwall, L Grebe, Stock Dove, Kestrel, Peregrine
Holmes Chapel: Purple Sandpiper
Lea Forge: R-l Partridge, Stock Dove, Jay, Fieldfare, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit
Middlewich LB: Green Sandpiper
Radway: Common Crane
Redesmere: Goldeneye
Rode Pool: Raven
Scholar Green: Tawny Owl
Shavington: L Egret
Wybunbury: Redwing
16th October 2021
Congleton – River Dane
Thu 14-10-21 Two juvenile Goosanders
Fri 15-10-21 Kingfisher seen flying twice; Two Dippers
Sat 16-10-21 Grey Wagtail (Pam)
15th October 2021
Our first on patch Fieldfares of the season at Lea Forge this morning,not a big list but we did manage,Grey Wagtail,Meadow Pipits,Mistle Thrushes,Red-legged Partridge,Jays,Stock Doves and a single Lapwing.
15th October 2021
Ooo! forgot to mention – there were some fungi, the size of dinner plates, in the field behind the dipping pool/platform at Wybunbury Moss
15th October 2021
A lazy, late morning, walk round the inner path on Wybunbury Moss: nothing much of note but while leaning on the locked gate overlooking the southern side of the cleared moss a small brown bird flew from a dead tree in the middle of the clearing and perched high up in another tree, this time on the edge of the area. Through my bins I could make out it was a pipit. I’ve seen them occasionally in the horse paddocks, but not on the moss itself. Also of note, Goldcrest: one with paler eye markings which got my heart racing for a while! Plus a handful of Redwing ( my first of the season ) eating the holly berries
13th October 2021
An improving Doddington this afternoon with Gadwall,8 Wigeon,4 Teal,Shoveler,15 L.Grebes,Peregrine,G.S.Woodpecker,Stock Dove,Lapwings and the resident Kestrel dropped and took a small rodent.
11th October 2021
4 – 10 Oct
EHF/PHF: Barnacle Goose, Goosander, L Grebe, Curlew, Y-l Gull, Spoonbill, L Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Stonechat
MGT/RF: Snipe, GW Egret, Stonechat
Cat & Fiddle: Black Redstart
Lea Forge: Stock Dove, Jay, Redwing, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, L Redpoll
Meremoor Moss: Kestrel, Stonechat
Middlewich: Red Kite
Scholar Green: Skylark, Meadow Pipit
Wybunbury: Redwing
9th October 2021
Our first L Redpoll (18)and Redwing (8) of the season around Lea Forge this morning.A few other birds we noted were Bullfinch,Meadow Pipits,Jays,Lapwing and Stock Dove.
7th October 2021
Today on Meremoor Moss: c100 Woodpigeon feeding in the stubble, a couple of sightings of a female Sparrowhawk. First, one being harassed by a couple of Jackdaws, later ( while at the fishery ), one ( the same or another female ) flew in low from the former sand quarry and spooked a mixed flock of tits in the conifers. A male Kestrel was seen hunting on the moss. Also noted: Jay, Raven, singing Skylark, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, 4 Stonechat together ( adult & first winter male plus two others – family party? ), Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Greenfinch & Reed Bunting.
4th October 2021
27 Sept – 3 Oct
EHF/PHF: Barnacle Goose, Mandarin, Goosander, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Med Gull, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Spotted Flycatcher, Stonechat
MGT/RF: L Grebe, Y-l Gull, GW Egret, Jay, Raven, Skylark, Swallow, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting
Astbury Mere: Sandwich Tern
Doddington: Stonechat
Meremoor Moss: Kestrel, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat
Scholar Green: Mandarin, Kestrel, Raven, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
3rd October 2021
With a forecast of rain from 11am, I made a quick visit to Meremoor Moss first thing this morning. At the far end of the boardwalk as you approach the railway arch, I heard a Cetti’s Warbler singing. On the Moss a hunting Kestrel, a Jay, singing Skylark, Mistle Thrush, 2 female/juv. Stonechat.
On my way back to my car, a Sparrowhawk failed to catch a Mistle Thrush. This caught the attention of a nearby Carrion Crow and it chased/harassed the Sparrowhawk away.
On route, at the bottom of Slaughter Hill, 2 Swallows flew low over the car plus a couple of Rooks further up the road were also noted.
1st October 2021
Highlights of an hour at Doddington this morning were 1 stonechat, my first here for several years, and 624 greylag geese, from memory my highest count here.