Details of March sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
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Mick 31st March 2021
Merelake Way, Alsager 31/3
Willow Warbler.
Jay 6 together
Fieldfare 40+
Graham 31st March 2021
Alerted by cronking at 3.33, and 2 Ravens appeared over Abbeyfields, following the same westerly drift as the earlier Buzzards.o
Graham 31st March 2021
4 Buzzards over Abbeyfields new-build and drifted west over Abbey Road.1.05pm.
John 29th March 2021
22 – 28 Mar
EHF/PHF: Gadwall, Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Common, Great B-b, Y-l Gull, GW & L Egret, Red Kite, Sand Martin
Red Ln Pool: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: Oystercatcher
Alsager: Goosander
Astbury/Mere: LR Plover, Red Kite, Sand Martin, Swallow
Borrow Pit Meadows: Brambling
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Danebower: Wheatear
Doddington: Pink-footed Goose, Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, R-l Partridge, Oystercatcher, L Owl, Kingfisher, Raven, Sand Martin, Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit
Lea Forge: Woodcock, Skylark, Raven, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Linnet
Martin’s Moss: Barn Owl
Middlewich Lime Beds: Jack & Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper
Mow Cop: Lapwing, Buzzard, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit
Queens Park: Goosander, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, L Owl,
Three Shires: Ring Ouzel
Wallhill/Brownlow: R-l Partridge, Linnet, Yellowhammer
John 28th March 2021
Macon Meadows this past week: flyovers of Greylag Goose & Grey Heron
New species: 3x Blackcap ( Sunday ) – time to dig out the Warbler songs CD! & Goldcrest singing ( first since Jan ). No further sightings of small hawks
Colin 27th March 2021
At Doddington this afternoon; a very nice bright male wheatear, close up on the mole hills and juncus in the sheep field. Also a big count of tufted with a total of 196; 24 red-legged partridge and 61 fieldfare of note.
Mick 27th March 2021
Alsager Mere 27/3
Swallow 2, Sand Martin 8
only common residents on water including pairs of Swans,GC Grebes Tufted Duck.
Mick
Graham 27th March 2021
Sand Martin moving NW across face of breeze. Seen from bridge over Rail Trail at Hind Heath Lane @ 10am. Two Chiffchaff on Trail.
Mike&Andy 26th March 2021
At Lea Forge this morning,Woodcock,Skylark,Bullfinch,Raven,Meadow Pipit,Linnet,Greenfinch,Chiffchaff and Song Thrush were the pick of the bunch and a Kingfisher at Doddington was a first of the year there.
Mike&Andy 24th March 2021
44 Meadow Pipits feeding in the grass field alongside the road to the units at Doddington this morning with more flitting about in the stubble field,so an easy 50.A pair of Shoveler were an addition on the main pool.
Colin 24th March 2021
After the super records of Pam and Nigel I am almost embarrassed to report my first sighting of a Brambling for this winter. I managed to see one with four chaffinches at Borrow Pit Meadows this morning, just in time before they shoot off back to Scandinavia.
Pam Henderson 24th March 2021
The Kingfisher was back on the river Dane in Congleton (near the steam boat) this morning. A pair of Goosanders (Male and Female) were resting on some rubble near the water wheel and lone females were spotted near Dane street and in the park. Grey wagtails were spotted between Rood Hill and Dane street and from the Park bridge. Dippers are working on a nest near the steam boat and Treecreepers are possibly nesting at the far end of the park. A Goldcrest was seen just past the wooden gates at the far end of the park. There was a Mistle Thrush was on the playing field and Nuthatches are everywhere.
Graham 23rd March 2021
This morning, in small copse in Tetton Lane, alerted by drumming, 3 Great-Spotted Woodpeckers together (briefly) and what I suspect was the interloper flew out south from where more drumming heard. Also a Chiffchaff.
Nigel Henderson 23rd March 2021
Congleton: Much breeding activity on the River Dane: Grey wagtail and ♂ ♀ goosanders on River Dane riverside walk, also ♂ ♀ goosanders in the park but we suspect these are the same two. Nevertheless we are hopeful that they will breed, but we don’t know where; There was a Grey Wagtail above the weir at the park entrance – with nesting material in its beak, so we hope we have found a nest, or at least the neighbourhood of a nest. 2 dippers near the Steamboat, one with nesting material in its beak. Again we are hopeful that we have found the nesting area.
The great spotted woodpecker is still drumming in the but we didn’t it today (although we did yesterday). Nuthatches can be seen regularly and there is currently a Mistle Thrush most days. There is also a at least one treecreeper and we are on the lookout for its nesting area.
Mike& Andy 22nd March 2021
A Pink-footed Goose with 2 Greylags at Doddington this morning but only Goldeneye and Pochard of note on the water.Off it,Little Owl,Raven,Oystercatchers,2 Grey Wagtails,singing Mistle Thrush and 12 Meadow Pipits.
John 22nd March 2021
15 – 21 Mar
EHF/PHF: Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Avocet, LR Plover, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Redshank, L Egret
MGT/RF: Snipe, L Egret, Raven, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Meadow Pipit, L Redpoll
FFF: Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker
Rookery Br/Canal: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: Goosander, Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Peregrine, Raven, Sand Martin, Cetti’s Warbler
Alsager: Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Peregrine, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Arclid: Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Raven, Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting
Astbury: Yellowhammer, Siskin, Reed Bunting
Astbury Mere: Raven, Sand Martin
Balterley: Oystercatcher
Betley: Water Rail, Willow Tit, Cetti’s Warbler
Brereton: Swallow
The Cloud: Meadow Pipit, Crossbill, Siskin
Congleton: Dipper
Doddington: Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, White Wagtail
L Moreton Hall: L Egret, Red Kite
Quakers Coppice: Firecrest
Queens Park: L Owl
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: Egyptian Goose, Goosander, Peregrine, Black Redstart
Salt Line/BPM: Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher,
Swettenham: Goosander, Raven, Siskin
Wallhill: Shelduck, R-l Partridge, Peregrine, Raven, Skylark
Wybunbury Moss: Sparrowhawk, Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting
Peter 22nd March 2021
Lone Swallow on Woore this morning.
John 21st March 2021
Macon Meadows this past week: species and behaviours of note include: Woodpigeon ( carpel-slapping ); m & f Sparrowhawk; m Kingfisher; Coal Tit ( my first for a while ); Chiffchaff ( I’m late to the party! ); Nuthatch ( with mud at nest hole ); Grey Wagtail ( pair ); Greenfinch & Bullfinch ( singing ).
On Fri & Sat morning, I spotted two small hawks perched in the trees in MMU campus. Frustratingly this morning, when I took my scope with me, I couldn’t find them!
Mike&Andy 20th March 2021
A single White Wagtail with 21 Pied were fresh in at Doddington this afternoon .
Craig Allman 20th March 2021
Craig.
A visit to Borrow Pit Meadows and Salt line various times this week.
Male and Female Goosander spotted.
Today Sparowhawk and Buzzard Spotted.
Colin 19th March 2021
At Doddington this morning, duck numbers are all much reduced but still at least 11 goldeneye. Also 1 dunlin and the four oystercatchers now definitely paired and holding sites. The probable male of the sailing club pair has a metal ring on the left leg. the same in 2020 and 2019 – the same bird? A quick count in the heronry gave a total of 18 nests.
Nigel Henderson 18th March 2021
Congleton: Grey wagtails and dipper on River Dane riverside walk; ♂ ♀ goosanders near the Steamboat
A decent mix at Doddington this morning included,Egyptian Goose,Gadwall,14 Goldeneye,12 Shoveler,10 Pochard,Little Owl,Snipe,6 Oystercatcher,Kestrel,Jay,Raven and Common Gull.
Pam Henderson 9th March 2021
Today and yesterday male and female goosanders, grey wagtails and kingfisher on riverside walk, dipper near steamboat (I think they are nesting there) and below weir. Still plenty great spot in the park (I know three trees where they drum) and nuthatches are common as well.
John 9th March 2021
Quakers Coppice – Firecrest
The two birds, first reported by Noel Stubbs on Sunday morning, were favouring the area between the fence running parallel with University Way and the remnants of the screen / feeding station. I was there yesterday morning and, along with about half a dozen others, connected with one of the birds in the same area.
It was very mobile and often high in the tops of the trees or deep in the evergreen vegetation but occasionally showed itself long enough for good, clear views and to be snapped by the photographers.
GLYN JONES 8th March 2021
8th March 2021
Lapwing Hall Pool near Chelford
Smew female and Black-necked Grebe also Tree Sparrow along lane.
Apparently all quarrying of sand has finished, and they trying turn some quarries into nature reserves, think the Mere Farm Quarry is now a nature reserve..
Derek 8th March 2021
A flock of 60+ Pied Wagtails in the flooded fields next to the cycle way, Middlewich Road, by Alvaston Hall.
John 8th March 2021
1 – 7 Mar
EHF/PHF: Whooper Swan, Shelduck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Oystercatcher, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Med Gull, L Egret
MGT/RF: G B-b & Y-l Gull, Great W & L Egret
FF: Kestrel
FFF: Goosander
Green Ln: Tree Sparrow
WLF: GC Grebe, Oystercatcher, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Meadow Pipit
Arclid: LR Plover
Astbury Mere: Wigeon
Brereton: Barn Owl
Congleton: Goosander, Dipper, Grey Wagtail,
Doddington: Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, L Owl, Kestrel, Raven
Middlewich/Canal: Whooper Swan
Mow Cop: Kestrel, Raven, Skylark
Quakers Coppice: Firecrest
Queens Park: L Owl
Sandbach: Sparrowhawk
Scholar Green/Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose
Wallhill: Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Yellowhammer,
Wybunbury Moss: Song & Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit, L Redpoll, Siskin, Reed Bunting
Nigel Henderson 7th March 2021
Congleton : Male and female goosander on the riverside walk to Dane Street and grey wagtails (3). Congleton Park: Grey wagtails (multiple sightings), great spotted woodpecker, nuthatches. Dipper below the weir on the path from the Aldi roundabout. Jay at the Steamboat. The kingfishers currently have disappeared.
John 7th March 2021
Macon Meadows this past week: species and behaviours of note include: Stock Dove ( carpel-slapping ); Kingfisher x2 ( m seen close up, presume other nearby was f ); GS Woodpecker ( drumming ); Magpie & Carrion Crow ( nest-building ); Raven ( flyover ); Redwing ( foraging ); Grey Wagtail ( pair, m singing ); Song Thrush & Greenfinch ( singing ) Bullfinch ( pair )
Colin 5th March 2021
A quiet morning at Doddington today. Most duck numbers were down but still 122 tufted and 18 shoveler. No view of the snipe.
Nigel Henderson 5th March 2021
Astbury: Bent Lane to Brownlow Farm: 5 sightings of Yellowhammers, males and females; flock for about 50 Linnets; Reed Bunting; 2 x Grey Wagtail
Graham 5th March 2021
Singing Chiffchaff reliably reported to me 0900 – east end of Haslington.
Nigel Henderson 4th March 2021
Congleton : Male and female goosander on the riverside walk to Dane Street. Congleton Park: Grey wagtail; Sparrowhawk yesterday. There are great spotted woodpeckers drumming in Town Wood (I wonder how long they took deciding on that name) and a very nice man pointed out the branch that one of them uses, so that’s an easy tick. Also a dipper on 01/03/21 below the weir on the path from the Aldi roundabout.
Mike&Andy 3rd March 2021
Our first Little Owl of the year at Doddington this morning .Other birds of note included,Raven,Kestrel,2 Oystercatchers,Song and Mistle Thrush,Red-l Partridge,around160 Fieldfares,Redwing,13 Goldeneye,a dozen each of Pochard and Shoveler and 3 G.C. Grebes.
Dave Winnington 3rd March 2021
Borrow pit meadow Chiffchaff singing near Tilly’s Bridge
Graham 2nd March 2021
Male Sparrowhawk above Abbeyfields development, Sandbach – being harassed by a very noisy Black-headed Gull
John 1st March 2021
a bike ride to Quakers Coppice via Crewe Business Park after lunch: much of the path alongside the stream has been widened – lots of vegetation & trees have been cut back, doing the last stretch this afternoon by the hotel.
Buzzard displaying above MMU grounds, Stock Dove on box used by Tawny Owls last year
Mike&Andy 1st March 2021
A decent list around Wybunbury Moss this morning topped by Siskin and Redpoll also,Goldcrest,Tree Creeper,G.S.Woodpeckers,Greenfinch,Reed Bunting,Meadow Pipits,Stock Doves,Jays,Song and Mistle Thrush.
David Cookson 1st March 2021
A visit to Lea Forge this morning found 24 Species including a singing Chiffchaff.
31st March 2021
Merelake Way, Alsager 31/3
Willow Warbler.
Jay 6 together
Fieldfare 40+
31st March 2021
Alerted by cronking at 3.33, and 2 Ravens appeared over Abbeyfields, following the same westerly drift as the earlier Buzzards.o
31st March 2021
4 Buzzards over Abbeyfields new-build and drifted west over Abbey Road.1.05pm.
29th March 2021
22 – 28 Mar
EHF/PHF: Gadwall, Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Common, Great B-b, Y-l Gull, GW & L Egret, Red Kite, Sand Martin
Red Ln Pool: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: Oystercatcher
Alsager: Goosander
Astbury/Mere: LR Plover, Red Kite, Sand Martin, Swallow
Borrow Pit Meadows: Brambling
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Danebower: Wheatear
Doddington: Pink-footed Goose, Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, R-l Partridge, Oystercatcher, L Owl, Kingfisher, Raven, Sand Martin, Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit
Lea Forge: Woodcock, Skylark, Raven, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Linnet
Martin’s Moss: Barn Owl
Middlewich Lime Beds: Jack & Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper
Mow Cop: Lapwing, Buzzard, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit
Queens Park: Goosander, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, L Owl,
Three Shires: Ring Ouzel
Wallhill/Brownlow: R-l Partridge, Linnet, Yellowhammer
28th March 2021
Macon Meadows this past week: flyovers of Greylag Goose & Grey Heron
New species: 3x Blackcap ( Sunday ) – time to dig out the Warbler songs CD! & Goldcrest singing ( first since Jan ). No further sightings of small hawks
27th March 2021
At Doddington this afternoon; a very nice bright male wheatear, close up on the mole hills and juncus in the sheep field. Also a big count of tufted with a total of 196; 24 red-legged partridge and 61 fieldfare of note.
27th March 2021
Alsager Mere 27/3
Swallow 2, Sand Martin 8
only common residents on water including pairs of Swans,GC Grebes Tufted Duck.
Mick
27th March 2021
Sand Martin moving NW across face of breeze. Seen from bridge over Rail Trail at Hind Heath Lane @ 10am. Two Chiffchaff on Trail.
26th March 2021
At Lea Forge this morning,Woodcock,Skylark,Bullfinch,Raven,Meadow Pipit,Linnet,Greenfinch,Chiffchaff and Song Thrush were the pick of the bunch and a Kingfisher at Doddington was a first of the year there.
24th March 2021
44 Meadow Pipits feeding in the grass field alongside the road to the units at Doddington this morning with more flitting about in the stubble field,so an easy 50.A pair of Shoveler were an addition on the main pool.
24th March 2021
After the super records of Pam and Nigel I am almost embarrassed to report my first sighting of a Brambling for this winter. I managed to see one with four chaffinches at Borrow Pit Meadows this morning, just in time before they shoot off back to Scandinavia.
24th March 2021
The Kingfisher was back on the river Dane in Congleton (near the steam boat) this morning. A pair of Goosanders (Male and Female) were resting on some rubble near the water wheel and lone females were spotted near Dane street and in the park. Grey wagtails were spotted between Rood Hill and Dane street and from the Park bridge. Dippers are working on a nest near the steam boat and Treecreepers are possibly nesting at the far end of the park. A Goldcrest was seen just past the wooden gates at the far end of the park. There was a Mistle Thrush was on the playing field and Nuthatches are everywhere.
23rd March 2021
This morning, in small copse in Tetton Lane, alerted by drumming, 3 Great-Spotted Woodpeckers together (briefly) and what I suspect was the interloper flew out south from where more drumming heard. Also a Chiffchaff.
23rd March 2021
Congleton: Much breeding activity on the River Dane: Grey wagtail and ♂ ♀ goosanders on River Dane riverside walk, also ♂ ♀ goosanders in the park but we suspect these are the same two. Nevertheless we are hopeful that they will breed, but we don’t know where; There was a Grey Wagtail above the weir at the park entrance – with nesting material in its beak, so we hope we have found a nest, or at least the neighbourhood of a nest. 2 dippers near the Steamboat, one with nesting material in its beak. Again we are hopeful that we have found the nesting area.
The great spotted woodpecker is still drumming in the but we didn’t it today (although we did yesterday). Nuthatches can be seen regularly and there is currently a Mistle Thrush most days. There is also a at least one treecreeper and we are on the lookout for its nesting area.
22nd March 2021
A Pink-footed Goose with 2 Greylags at Doddington this morning but only Goldeneye and Pochard of note on the water.Off it,Little Owl,Raven,Oystercatchers,2 Grey Wagtails,singing Mistle Thrush and 12 Meadow Pipits.
22nd March 2021
15 – 21 Mar
EHF/PHF: Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Avocet, LR Plover, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Redshank, L Egret
MGT/RF: Snipe, L Egret, Raven, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Meadow Pipit, L Redpoll
FFF: Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker
Rookery Br/Canal: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: Goosander, Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Peregrine, Raven, Sand Martin, Cetti’s Warbler
Alsager: Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Peregrine, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Arclid: Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Raven, Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting
Astbury: Yellowhammer, Siskin, Reed Bunting
Astbury Mere: Raven, Sand Martin
Balterley: Oystercatcher
Betley: Water Rail, Willow Tit, Cetti’s Warbler
Brereton: Swallow
The Cloud: Meadow Pipit, Crossbill, Siskin
Congleton: Dipper
Doddington: Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, White Wagtail
L Moreton Hall: L Egret, Red Kite
Quakers Coppice: Firecrest
Queens Park: L Owl
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: Egyptian Goose, Goosander, Peregrine, Black Redstart
Salt Line/BPM: Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher,
Swettenham: Goosander, Raven, Siskin
Wallhill: Shelduck, R-l Partridge, Peregrine, Raven, Skylark
Wybunbury Moss: Sparrowhawk, Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting
22nd March 2021
Lone Swallow on Woore this morning.
21st March 2021
Macon Meadows this past week: species and behaviours of note include: Woodpigeon ( carpel-slapping ); m & f Sparrowhawk; m Kingfisher; Coal Tit ( my first for a while ); Chiffchaff ( I’m late to the party! ); Nuthatch ( with mud at nest hole ); Grey Wagtail ( pair ); Greenfinch & Bullfinch ( singing ).
On Fri & Sat morning, I spotted two small hawks perched in the trees in MMU campus. Frustratingly this morning, when I took my scope with me, I couldn’t find them!
20th March 2021
A single White Wagtail with 21 Pied were fresh in at Doddington this afternoon .
20th March 2021
Craig.
A visit to Borrow Pit Meadows and Salt line various times this week.
Male and Female Goosander spotted.
Today Sparowhawk and Buzzard Spotted.
19th March 2021
At Doddington this morning, duck numbers are all much reduced but still at least 11 goldeneye. Also 1 dunlin and the four oystercatchers now definitely paired and holding sites. The probable male of the sailing club pair has a metal ring on the left leg. the same in 2020 and 2019 – the same bird? A quick count in the heronry gave a total of 18 nests.
18th March 2021
Congleton: Grey wagtails and dipper on River Dane riverside walk; ♂ ♀ goosanders near the Steamboat
17th March 2021
Astbury: Bent Lane: Yellowhammer ♂ ♀; Linnet; Reed Bunting ♂ ♀
Ed. see Nigel’s photo of the Yellowhammer in our gallery http://www.secos.org.uk/our-gallery-our-members-pictures/
16th March 2021
About 2.30 – 6 Redwing. Watch Lane, near canal.
15th March 2021
8 – 14 Mar
EHF/PHF: Shelduck, Mandarin, Gadwall, Wigeon, Goosander, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Med Gull, Sparrowhawk
Albion Lock: Yellowhammer
Astbury Mere: L Grebe, Common Gull
Brereton: Barn Owl
Church Lawton: Dipper
Congleton: Goosander, Barn Owl, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Common Gull, Kestrel, Raven
Marton: Brambling
Middlewich/Canal: Whooper Swan
Quakers Coppice: Tawny Owl, Firecrest
Queens Park: Barnacle, Mandarin, Goosander, L Owl
Wallhill/Brownlow: R-l Partridge, Oystercatcher, Green Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, L Redpoll, Yellowhammer
12th March 2021
“Essential” shopping trip to B&Q with a detour to Quakers Coppice added Firecrest to our lockdown year list
Ed. you can see Glyn Jones’s photo in our gallery at http://www.secos.org.uk/our-gallery-our-members-pictures/
12th March 2021
12th March 2021
Mediterranean Gull, Nantwich Lake taken about 1320 today, but later flew towards the railway line.
Ed. see Glyn’s photo in our gallery at http://www.secos.org.uk/our-gallery-our-members-pictures/
11th March 2021
A decent mix at Doddington this morning included,Egyptian Goose,Gadwall,14 Goldeneye,12 Shoveler,10 Pochard,Little Owl,Snipe,6 Oystercatcher,Kestrel,Jay,Raven and Common Gull.
9th March 2021
Today and yesterday male and female goosanders, grey wagtails and kingfisher on riverside walk, dipper near steamboat (I think they are nesting there) and below weir. Still plenty great spot in the park (I know three trees where they drum) and nuthatches are common as well.
9th March 2021
Quakers Coppice – Firecrest
The two birds, first reported by Noel Stubbs on Sunday morning, were favouring the area between the fence running parallel with University Way and the remnants of the screen / feeding station. I was there yesterday morning and, along with about half a dozen others, connected with one of the birds in the same area.
It was very mobile and often high in the tops of the trees or deep in the evergreen vegetation but occasionally showed itself long enough for good, clear views and to be snapped by the photographers.
8th March 2021
8th March 2021
Lapwing Hall Pool near Chelford
Smew female and Black-necked Grebe also Tree Sparrow along lane.
Apparently all quarrying of sand has finished, and they trying turn some quarries into nature reserves, think the Mere Farm Quarry is now a nature reserve..
8th March 2021
A flock of 60+ Pied Wagtails in the flooded fields next to the cycle way, Middlewich Road, by Alvaston Hall.
8th March 2021
1 – 7 Mar
EHF/PHF: Whooper Swan, Shelduck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Oystercatcher, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Med Gull, L Egret
MGT/RF: G B-b & Y-l Gull, Great W & L Egret
FF: Kestrel
FFF: Goosander
Green Ln: Tree Sparrow
WLF: GC Grebe, Oystercatcher, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Meadow Pipit
Arclid: LR Plover
Astbury Mere: Wigeon
Brereton: Barn Owl
Congleton: Goosander, Dipper, Grey Wagtail,
Doddington: Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, L Owl, Kestrel, Raven
Middlewich/Canal: Whooper Swan
Mow Cop: Kestrel, Raven, Skylark
Quakers Coppice: Firecrest
Queens Park: L Owl
Sandbach: Sparrowhawk
Scholar Green/Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose
Wallhill: Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Yellowhammer,
Wybunbury Moss: Song & Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit, L Redpoll, Siskin, Reed Bunting
7th March 2021
Congleton : Male and female goosander on the riverside walk to Dane Street and grey wagtails (3). Congleton Park: Grey wagtails (multiple sightings), great spotted woodpecker, nuthatches. Dipper below the weir on the path from the Aldi roundabout. Jay at the Steamboat. The kingfishers currently have disappeared.
7th March 2021
Macon Meadows this past week: species and behaviours of note include: Stock Dove ( carpel-slapping ); Kingfisher x2 ( m seen close up, presume other nearby was f ); GS Woodpecker ( drumming ); Magpie & Carrion Crow ( nest-building ); Raven ( flyover ); Redwing ( foraging ); Grey Wagtail ( pair, m singing ); Song Thrush & Greenfinch ( singing ) Bullfinch ( pair )
5th March 2021
A quiet morning at Doddington today. Most duck numbers were down but still 122 tufted and 18 shoveler. No view of the snipe.
5th March 2021
Astbury: Bent Lane to Brownlow Farm: 5 sightings of Yellowhammers, males and females; flock for about 50 Linnets; Reed Bunting; 2 x Grey Wagtail
5th March 2021
Singing Chiffchaff reliably reported to me 0900 – east end of Haslington.
4th March 2021
Congleton : Male and female goosander on the riverside walk to Dane Street. Congleton Park: Grey wagtail; Sparrowhawk yesterday. There are great spotted woodpeckers drumming in Town Wood (I wonder how long they took deciding on that name) and a very nice man pointed out the branch that one of them uses, so that’s an easy tick. Also a dipper on 01/03/21 below the weir on the path from the Aldi roundabout.
3rd March 2021
Our first Little Owl of the year at Doddington this morning .Other birds of note included,Raven,Kestrel,2 Oystercatchers,Song and Mistle Thrush,Red-l Partridge,around160 Fieldfares,Redwing,13 Goldeneye,a dozen each of Pochard and Shoveler and 3 G.C. Grebes.
3rd March 2021
Borrow pit meadow Chiffchaff singing near Tilly’s Bridge
2nd March 2021
Male Sparrowhawk above Abbeyfields development, Sandbach – being harassed by a very noisy Black-headed Gull
1st March 2021
a bike ride to Quakers Coppice via Crewe Business Park after lunch: much of the path alongside the stream has been widened – lots of vegetation & trees have been cut back, doing the last stretch this afternoon by the hotel.
Buzzard displaying above MMU grounds, Stock Dove on box used by Tawny Owls last year
1st March 2021
A decent list around Wybunbury Moss this morning topped by Siskin and Redpoll also,Goldcrest,Tree Creeper,G.S.Woodpeckers,Greenfinch,Reed Bunting,Meadow Pipits,Stock Doves,Jays,Song and Mistle Thrush.
1st March 2021
A visit to Lea Forge this morning found 24 Species including a singing Chiffchaff.