Details of April sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
19 Comments
Mike&Andy 28th April 2019
At Doddington late morning saw 1 Yellow Wagtail through with 4 more appearing to drop into the field to the right of the unit track. When we went for closer look just 2 bickering males were showing.At Lea forge Whitethroat,Raven,Skylark,Goldcrest,Linnets and Yellow Wagtail over were the best from our last few visits.
Colin 28th April 2019
the first reed warblers of the spring at Doddington this morning with 2 singing in the reed bed. Also rather strangely on the main pool 100 sand martins, 20 house martins and 0 swallows feeding very low over the water but on the lemon pool 40 swallows with a few sand martins feeding around 50 feet high over the water.
Mike&Andy 23rd April 2019
A brief view of one of last nights Godwits before it flew after being bombed by a squadron of Canada Geese! Earlier at Lea Forge a male Wheatear was showing.
Mike&Andy 22nd April 2019
A surprise at Doddington this evening with 2 Bar-tailed Godwits,1 a stunning male in full summer plumage.
Colin 19th April 2019
A green woodpecker and a red-legged partridge at Lea Forge this morning
Martin 18th April 2019
Common sandpiper in Rope/Shavington yesterday morning by small pool next to A500 at far end of the footpath which leads from Puseydale Farm.
Mike&Andy 18th April 2019
3 male and 1 female Wheatears in the ploughed field opposite the site entrance at Lea Forge this morning,also pairs of Bullfinch and Greenfinches.A Lapwing was seeing off a Crow on the opposite side of the main road and a single Swallow through.At Doddington a few birds of note this week were,Snipe,pair of Gadwall and 4 Shelduck but apart from Oystercatchers,precious little else.
David Cookson 16th April 2019
16-4-2019. This morning Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff all singing.
John 12th April 2019
My turn for a Barn Owl after a SECOS Meeting – one flew over Clay Lane ( Sandbach Flashes ) just after turning for Fields Farm Flash at 10:06 pm
Mike&Andy 11th April 2019
A Little Owl was on the ground in the grass field close to the gates to the units at Doddington this morning and our first 2 House Martins were at Lea Forge with another at Doddington with mostly Sand Martins and a few Swallows,also a Raven.Apart from resident wildfowl nothing of note. Yesterday 6 Shelduck dropped down briefly.
Colin 10th April 2019
At Doddington this afternoon were 1 yellow wagtail and 4 pied wagtails. The mandarin nest box has not been used.
David Cookson 10th April 2019
10-4-2019. Was at Doddington this morning. There was a single Wigeon and Swallows ans Sand Martins.
Martin 10th April 2019
Male wheatear in horse paddocks behind Wood Cottage in Wybunbury yesterday afternoon.
Mike&Andy 7th April 2019
2 male Mandarins on Doddington this morning and Shovelers up to 10,also 2Gadwall,1 female Goldeneye,1 male Ringed Teal,1 Yellow Wagtail,15 Meadow Pipits,2 Mistle Thrush and our first warblers on patch with Chiffchaff and Blackcap at Lea Forge.
Mike&Andy 6th April 2019
1 male Yellow Wagtail,1 White Wagtail and 13 Pied at Doddington this evening and Wheatear still.
Colin, Sylvia, Mike & Andy 5th April 2019
At Doddington this morning, apart from tufted with 136, the duck numbers were well down with just 3 shelduck, 1 shoveler, 1 gadwall and 1 goldeneye hanging on. Hirundines were still present in big numbers with a guesstimate of 400 sand martins and 10 swallows. Then after a spell counting ducks, other good birds appeared with 3 brambling perched in a tree overhead, 3 meadow pipits in the distance and finally a wheatear on the grass by the gate from the main road.
Mike 3rd April 2019
I got to around 420 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows at Doddington this afternoon but very difficult to count.I spooked a Green Woodpecker on the edge of the wood which flew away calling,but I didn’t get on it.Also close views of 2 Brambling,7 Meadow Pipits and 2 Mistle Thrush.2 Gadwall,2 Shelduck and 3Shoveler were highlights on the water and the Oystercatchers continue to entertain!
Colin 3rd April 2019
a report received of around 500 sand martins feeding over the water at Doddington this morning
Mike&Andy 1st April 2019
Red Kite high over Doddington drifting to the N.W. this afternoon.
28th April 2019
At Doddington late morning saw 1 Yellow Wagtail through with 4 more appearing to drop into the field to the right of the unit track. When we went for closer look just 2 bickering males were showing.At Lea forge Whitethroat,Raven,Skylark,Goldcrest,Linnets and Yellow Wagtail over were the best from our last few visits.
28th April 2019
the first reed warblers of the spring at Doddington this morning with 2 singing in the reed bed. Also rather strangely on the main pool 100 sand martins, 20 house martins and 0 swallows feeding very low over the water but on the lemon pool 40 swallows with a few sand martins feeding around 50 feet high over the water.
23rd April 2019
A brief view of one of last nights Godwits before it flew after being bombed by a squadron of Canada Geese! Earlier at Lea Forge a male Wheatear was showing.
22nd April 2019
A surprise at Doddington this evening with 2 Bar-tailed Godwits,1 a stunning male in full summer plumage.
19th April 2019
A green woodpecker and a red-legged partridge at Lea Forge this morning
18th April 2019
Common sandpiper in Rope/Shavington yesterday morning by small pool next to A500 at far end of the footpath which leads from Puseydale Farm.
18th April 2019
3 male and 1 female Wheatears in the ploughed field opposite the site entrance at Lea Forge this morning,also pairs of Bullfinch and Greenfinches.A Lapwing was seeing off a Crow on the opposite side of the main road and a single Swallow through.At Doddington a few birds of note this week were,Snipe,pair of Gadwall and 4 Shelduck but apart from Oystercatchers,precious little else.
16th April 2019
16-4-2019. This morning Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff all singing.
12th April 2019
My turn for a Barn Owl after a SECOS Meeting – one flew over Clay Lane ( Sandbach Flashes ) just after turning for Fields Farm Flash at 10:06 pm
11th April 2019
A Little Owl was on the ground in the grass field close to the gates to the units at Doddington this morning and our first 2 House Martins were at Lea Forge with another at Doddington with mostly Sand Martins and a few Swallows,also a Raven.Apart from resident wildfowl nothing of note. Yesterday 6 Shelduck dropped down briefly.
10th April 2019
At Doddington this afternoon were 1 yellow wagtail and 4 pied wagtails. The mandarin nest box has not been used.
10th April 2019
10-4-2019. Was at Doddington this morning. There was a single Wigeon and Swallows ans Sand Martins.
10th April 2019
Male wheatear in horse paddocks behind Wood Cottage in Wybunbury yesterday afternoon.
7th April 2019
2 male Mandarins on Doddington this morning and Shovelers up to 10,also 2Gadwall,1 female Goldeneye,1 male Ringed Teal,1 Yellow Wagtail,15 Meadow Pipits,2 Mistle Thrush and our first warblers on patch with Chiffchaff and Blackcap at Lea Forge.
6th April 2019
1 male Yellow Wagtail,1 White Wagtail and 13 Pied at Doddington this evening and Wheatear still.
5th April 2019
At Doddington this morning, apart from tufted with 136, the duck numbers were well down with just 3 shelduck, 1 shoveler, 1 gadwall and 1 goldeneye hanging on. Hirundines were still present in big numbers with a guesstimate of 400 sand martins and 10 swallows. Then after a spell counting ducks, other good birds appeared with 3 brambling perched in a tree overhead, 3 meadow pipits in the distance and finally a wheatear on the grass by the gate from the main road.
3rd April 2019
I got to around 420 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows at Doddington this afternoon but very difficult to count.I spooked a Green Woodpecker on the edge of the wood which flew away calling,but I didn’t get on it.Also close views of 2 Brambling,7 Meadow Pipits and 2 Mistle Thrush.2 Gadwall,2 Shelduck and 3Shoveler were highlights on the water and the Oystercatchers continue to entertain!
3rd April 2019
a report received of around 500 sand martins feeding over the water at Doddington this morning
1st April 2019
Red Kite high over Doddington drifting to the N.W. this afternoon.