Details of December sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
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Glyn Jones 29th December 2021
29th December 2021 – 1100
7 Mute Swans still, pair of Mandarin Ducks showing well, 3 female Goosanders and 3 Mistle Thrushes.
John 27th December 2021
20 – 26 Dec
EHF/PHF: Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Great W & L Egret, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail
MGT/RF: Great W Egret, L Egret
FF: Woodcock (4), Grey Wagtail
Alsager: LS Woodpecker, Skylark, Linnet
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, L Grebe, Kingfisher, L Redpoll
Barthomley: Green Sandpiper
Congleton: Goosander, Mistle Thrush, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, L Grebe, Snipe, Common Gull, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail
Lawton Woods/Lake: Mandarin, Goosander, Great W Egret
Macon Meadows: Water Rail
Mow Cop: Woodcock, Jack & Common Snipe, Brambling
Queens Park: Barnacle Goose
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, Buzzard (20)
Rode Pool: Egyptian Goose, Great W & L Egret
Darron Boulton 24th December 2021
Barnacle Goose at Queens Park on 23rd.
Nigel Henderson 24th December 2021
Congleton
Park
Mistle Thrush x 3
River Dane – between the weir and Steamboat
Grey Wagtail (the first for a while)
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Goosander ♂ ♀; Swimming and diving
Dipper x 2; Perched and swimming
American Mink just below the road bridge. (I know it isn’t a bird, but it does eat birds).
Colin 21st December 2021
there is still a large gathering of buzzards feeding in the grass field just across Poolside at Rode Pool with a total of 20 seen there this morning. Similar numbers have been feeding there for a few weeks now – just how many worms were there in the grass?! On the pool 1 great white egret, 5 little egret and 2 egyptian geese
John 21st December 2021
Meremoor Moss & environs today. The most productive section was the damp, wooded area north of the railway line close to Englesea Brook: a Sparrowhawk flew in just above tree level and spooked feeding Siskin – c20 in the Alders and a similar number in leaf-litter on the railway banking. Also noted there: Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch & Linnet. On the moss, another sighting of a hunting Sparrowhawk, this time spooking a mixed flock of winter thrushes. A male Kestrel was also hunting.
In the fisheries, I connected with a Chiffchaff; my first for a while!
While scanning the fields to the east of Barthomley Rd ( from the railway bridge ) a mixed flock of winter thrushes were ‘put up’ and flew into the trees: 25/30 birds in 8/9 trees ( c250 – mainly Redwing ). Panning to where the birds had flown up from, I noted a large falcon swooping and darting back & to just above the hedge line. At one point, it “turned on a sixpence”. At first, I thought it was a Kestrel but it looked too big and too dark – certainly darker than the other kestrels I seen in this area!
During the walk, I noted 2 skeins of geese, both c13 birds: first Greylag and later Pink-footed
Mike&Andy 20th December 2021
Not much change at Doddington this morning with Goldeneye now on 13,Pochard 16,Wigeon 4,Shoveler 2,easy double figures for Little Grebe,Common Gull,Raven over and 22 Meadow Pipits dropped into a tree along the road to the units.
John 20th December 2021
13 – 19 Dec
EHF/PHF: Pink-footed Goose, Goldeneye, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Redshank, G B-b Gull, Great W & L Egret, Merlin, Peregrine, Skylark,
MGT/RF: Water Rail, Snipe, Kingfisher, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit,
FFF: L Egret, Cetti’s Warbler
GF: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: Great W Egret
Astbury Mere: Gadwall, Pochard, L Grebe
Salt Line/BPM: Goosander
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Dipper
Church Lawton: Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Snipe, Kestrel, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Brambling, L Redpoll
L Moreton Hall: Barn Owl
Queens Park: Mandarin, Goosander
Nigel Henderson 18th December 2021
Congleton
Park 2 x Mistle Thrush
River Dane – park Kingfisher Flying (the first confirmed sighting since 15/11/2021 on this stretch of the river); Goosander 2 x ♀ ♀
Colin & Sylvia 17th December 2021
An excellent morning at Doddington where the sunshine made recording a lot easier! A good count of waterbirds with 13 wigeon, 28 tufted, 9 goldeneye, 9 pochard, 6 shoveler, 11 little grebe, and 3 snipe showing on the island. Year ticks for me and Sylvia with 10 lesser redpoll and 1 brambling and also of note 13 long-tailed tit, 3 meadow pipit and a male kestrel. With lots of other stuff seen we finished with a morning total of 41 species.
Glyn Jones 17th December 2021
17th December 2021
Borrow Pit Meadows this morning.
100+ mixed flock of Redwings and Fieldfares, mostly Redwing, dozen Blackbirds but all very flighty probably because a Common Buzzard in the area, also small flock of 9 Long-tailed Tits, and 5 Goldfinches.
On the pool, M and F Goosanders, 18 M 4 F Mallards and a Coot.
John 17th December 2021
SWaBBS in Queens Park, Crewe this morning: a pair of Mandarin, a f Goosander, a couple of Jays, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail of note. For the third day on the trot when I’ve ben out & about, Song Thrush in good voice – previously heard in Quakers Coppice and on Meremoor Moss.
While scanning the waterfowl on the lake, a gent with a bag of seed on his shoulder and a couple of loaves of bread walked to the shore and emptied half the seed on the bank. I later saw him empty more seed at the other end of the lake. The bag looked about half the size of the 15k bags I buy – I wonder how often he feeds them?
John 15th December 2021
Meremoor Moss & environs this morning: Water Rail calling from a ditch/drain, c150 Lapwing + gulls and Pied Wagtail in a muddy field with cattle. They were ‘nervous’ and on a couple of occasions took off. My first thought was the microlite overhead was disturbing them but soon after I spotted a female Sparrowhawk in the next field spooking a flock of Fieldfare ( c20 ), Redwing ( c50 ) & Mistle Thrush. This was more likely to be the culprit? A Kingfisher, a hunting male Kestrel, 2 Jays, 3 Rooks overhead, a Grey Wagtail, a Greenfinch and a pair of Bullfinch were also of note
Nigel Henderson 15th December 2021
Congleton
River Dane – beyond the park Goosander 1♂ 2♀
River Dane – Steamboat car park Dipper
Park Siskin; Mistle Thrush x 3
Mike&Andy 14th December 2021
Late morning at Doddington and a male Goosander was the first for the winter and Pochard up to 21,Goldeneye being elusive with 9 showing also 5 Wigeon and 4Teal.Around the pool,Kestrel,Skylark,Meadow Pipits and Coal Tit on the feeders.
John 14th December 2021
A slow, late morning, walk round the inner path on Wybunbury Moss today: I only noted a handful of the species recorded by Mike & Andy at the weekend. 2x Sparrowhawk, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin. Lots of gulls flying over from the direction of Doddington plus the occasional Lapwing & 2 Rooks.
I was pleased to hear Water Rail again; this time from the north side – below Shone’s. I heard four calling! First one, then a ‘reply’ slightly further west. Less than a minute later, two more – one after the other further west still. Were there four birds or two ( quick/mobile ) birds?
John 13th December 2021
6 – 12 Dec
EHF/PHF: Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose L Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, G B-b & Y-l Gull
MGT/RF: G B-b Gull, Cetti’s Warbler
FF: Woodcock, Tawny Owl
Astbury Mere: Gadwall, Pochard, Goosander, L Grebe, Woodcock, Common Gull, Tawny Owl, Grey Wagtail
Salt Line/BPM: Blackbird (50+)
Congleton: Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Pintail, Pochard, Goldeneye, Raven, Skylark,
Queens Park: Goosander, Mandarin
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, L Egret, Buzzard (c19)
Rode Pool: Great W Egret
Sandbach: Greenfinch (35)
Wybunbury Moss: Raven, Mistle Thrush, Brambling, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, L Redpoll, Siskin
Mike&Andy 12th December 2021
Plenty of action around Wybunbury moss this morning with multiple sightings of 2 Sparrowhawks,Brambling,Siskin,L.Redpoll,Bullfinch,Nuthatch,Greenfinch,Raven,Coal Tit,G.S.Woodpecker,Goldcrest,55 Lapwing over,Reed Buntings,Mistle Thrush,Fieldfare and Redwings were highlights on our list.
Colin 10th December 2021
A quiet morning at Doddington this morning, mainly because last month’s count of 1,300 coot is now down to 300! Also mute swans down to 1. I missed the pintail but got most of the other ducks.
wrt Glynn’s record yesterday of 50+ blackbirds with other thrushes at BPM it is interesting because blackbirds are in the same thrush family as redwing and fieldfare and large numbers come to the UK from Northern Europe but they are not usually noted since we have a large resident population of our own already here.
Glyn Jones 10th December 2021
10th December
Borrow Pit Meadows – 1130
50+ Blackbirds and 40+ Redwings feeding in newly sown field, but flighty due to dog walkers in adjacent footpaths.
Unusual amount of Blackbirds together???
Mike&Andy 9th December 2021
Good to see 2 drake Pintails at Doddington this morning as well as,12 Goldeneye,13 Pochard,5 Wigeon,2 Shoveler,16 L.Grebes,pr Bullfinches.Meadow Pipits,Raven and Skylarks.
Nigel Henderson 9th December 2021
Congleton – River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk; Grey Wagtail below the road bridge (this is our first sighting of a grey wagtail since 15/11/2021). The river is still way up.
Nigel Henderson 7th December 2021
Congleton
Dipper
Wednesday 01-Dec-2021
River Dane – Steamboat car park
3 sightings, 2 individuals (probably)
Goosander
Friday 03-Dec-2021
River Dane – Congleton park – Boating Platform
♀; also from the St. Stephen’s entrance bridge.
Saturday 04-Dec-2021
River Dane – park – boating platform
2 ♀
John 7th December 2021
6th December 2021
29 Nov – 5 Dec part 2
EHF/PHF: Whooper Swan, Water Rail, L & GC Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit
MGT/RF: Whooper Swan, Woodcock, Jack & Common Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch
GF: Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler, Hawfinch
Green Ln: Siskin
Astbury Mere: Gadwall, Pochard, Common Scoter, L Grebe
Brereton Heath LNR: Redpoll & Siskin
Lawton Woods/Lake: Mandarin, L Grebe, Great W Egret
Lea Forge: Snipe, Jay, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Brambling
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose
Glyn Jones 7th December 2021
6th December 2021 – 1330
Queens Park
16 F 8 M Goosanders, two Mistle Thrushes, Jay and Common Buzzard over.
29th December 2021
29th December 2021 – 1100
7 Mute Swans still, pair of Mandarin Ducks showing well, 3 female Goosanders and 3 Mistle Thrushes.
27th December 2021
20 – 26 Dec
EHF/PHF: Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Great W & L Egret, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail
MGT/RF: Great W Egret, L Egret
FF: Woodcock (4), Grey Wagtail
Alsager: LS Woodpecker, Skylark, Linnet
Astbury Mere: Shoveler, Pochard, Goldeneye, L Grebe, Kingfisher, L Redpoll
Barthomley: Green Sandpiper
Congleton: Goosander, Mistle Thrush, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, L Grebe, Snipe, Common Gull, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail
Lawton Woods/Lake: Mandarin, Goosander, Great W Egret
Macon Meadows: Water Rail
Mow Cop: Woodcock, Jack & Common Snipe, Brambling
Queens Park: Barnacle Goose
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, Buzzard (20)
Rode Pool: Egyptian Goose, Great W & L Egret
24th December 2021
Barnacle Goose at Queens Park on 23rd.
24th December 2021
Congleton
Park
Mistle Thrush x 3
River Dane – between the weir and Steamboat
Grey Wagtail (the first for a while)
River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk
Goosander ♂ ♀; Swimming and diving
Dipper x 2; Perched and swimming
American Mink just below the road bridge. (I know it isn’t a bird, but it does eat birds).
21st December 2021
there is still a large gathering of buzzards feeding in the grass field just across Poolside at Rode Pool with a total of 20 seen there this morning. Similar numbers have been feeding there for a few weeks now – just how many worms were there in the grass?! On the pool 1 great white egret, 5 little egret and 2 egyptian geese
21st December 2021
Meremoor Moss & environs today. The most productive section was the damp, wooded area north of the railway line close to Englesea Brook: a Sparrowhawk flew in just above tree level and spooked feeding Siskin – c20 in the Alders and a similar number in leaf-litter on the railway banking. Also noted there: Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch & Linnet. On the moss, another sighting of a hunting Sparrowhawk, this time spooking a mixed flock of winter thrushes. A male Kestrel was also hunting.
In the fisheries, I connected with a Chiffchaff; my first for a while!
While scanning the fields to the east of Barthomley Rd ( from the railway bridge ) a mixed flock of winter thrushes were ‘put up’ and flew into the trees: 25/30 birds in 8/9 trees ( c250 – mainly Redwing ). Panning to where the birds had flown up from, I noted a large falcon swooping and darting back & to just above the hedge line. At one point, it “turned on a sixpence”. At first, I thought it was a Kestrel but it looked too big and too dark – certainly darker than the other kestrels I seen in this area!
During the walk, I noted 2 skeins of geese, both c13 birds: first Greylag and later Pink-footed
20th December 2021
Not much change at Doddington this morning with Goldeneye now on 13,Pochard 16,Wigeon 4,Shoveler 2,easy double figures for Little Grebe,Common Gull,Raven over and 22 Meadow Pipits dropped into a tree along the road to the units.
20th December 2021
13 – 19 Dec
EHF/PHF: Pink-footed Goose, Goldeneye, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Redshank, G B-b Gull, Great W & L Egret, Merlin, Peregrine, Skylark,
MGT/RF: Water Rail, Snipe, Kingfisher, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit,
FFF: L Egret, Cetti’s Warbler
GF: Cetti’s Warbler
WLF: Great W Egret
Astbury Mere: Gadwall, Pochard, L Grebe
Salt Line/BPM: Goosander
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Dipper
Church Lawton: Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Snipe, Kestrel, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Brambling, L Redpoll
L Moreton Hall: Barn Owl
Queens Park: Mandarin, Goosander
18th December 2021
Congleton
Park 2 x Mistle Thrush
River Dane – park Kingfisher Flying (the first confirmed sighting since 15/11/2021 on this stretch of the river); Goosander 2 x ♀ ♀
17th December 2021
An excellent morning at Doddington where the sunshine made recording a lot easier! A good count of waterbirds with 13 wigeon, 28 tufted, 9 goldeneye, 9 pochard, 6 shoveler, 11 little grebe, and 3 snipe showing on the island. Year ticks for me and Sylvia with 10 lesser redpoll and 1 brambling and also of note 13 long-tailed tit, 3 meadow pipit and a male kestrel. With lots of other stuff seen we finished with a morning total of 41 species.
17th December 2021
17th December 2021
Borrow Pit Meadows this morning.
100+ mixed flock of Redwings and Fieldfares, mostly Redwing, dozen Blackbirds but all very flighty probably because a Common Buzzard in the area, also small flock of 9 Long-tailed Tits, and 5 Goldfinches.
On the pool, M and F Goosanders, 18 M 4 F Mallards and a Coot.
17th December 2021
SWaBBS in Queens Park, Crewe this morning: a pair of Mandarin, a f Goosander, a couple of Jays, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail of note. For the third day on the trot when I’ve ben out & about, Song Thrush in good voice – previously heard in Quakers Coppice and on Meremoor Moss.
While scanning the waterfowl on the lake, a gent with a bag of seed on his shoulder and a couple of loaves of bread walked to the shore and emptied half the seed on the bank. I later saw him empty more seed at the other end of the lake. The bag looked about half the size of the 15k bags I buy – I wonder how often he feeds them?
15th December 2021
Meremoor Moss & environs this morning: Water Rail calling from a ditch/drain, c150 Lapwing + gulls and Pied Wagtail in a muddy field with cattle. They were ‘nervous’ and on a couple of occasions took off. My first thought was the microlite overhead was disturbing them but soon after I spotted a female Sparrowhawk in the next field spooking a flock of Fieldfare ( c20 ), Redwing ( c50 ) & Mistle Thrush. This was more likely to be the culprit? A Kingfisher, a hunting male Kestrel, 2 Jays, 3 Rooks overhead, a Grey Wagtail, a Greenfinch and a pair of Bullfinch were also of note
15th December 2021
Congleton
River Dane – beyond the park Goosander 1♂ 2♀
River Dane – Steamboat car park Dipper
Park Siskin; Mistle Thrush x 3
14th December 2021
Late morning at Doddington and a male Goosander was the first for the winter and Pochard up to 21,Goldeneye being elusive with 9 showing also 5 Wigeon and 4Teal.Around the pool,Kestrel,Skylark,Meadow Pipits and Coal Tit on the feeders.
14th December 2021
A slow, late morning, walk round the inner path on Wybunbury Moss today: I only noted a handful of the species recorded by Mike & Andy at the weekend. 2x Sparrowhawk, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin. Lots of gulls flying over from the direction of Doddington plus the occasional Lapwing & 2 Rooks.
I was pleased to hear Water Rail again; this time from the north side – below Shone’s. I heard four calling! First one, then a ‘reply’ slightly further west. Less than a minute later, two more – one after the other further west still. Were there four birds or two ( quick/mobile ) birds?
13th December 2021
6 – 12 Dec
EHF/PHF: Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose L Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, G B-b & Y-l Gull
MGT/RF: G B-b Gull, Cetti’s Warbler
FF: Woodcock, Tawny Owl
Astbury Mere: Gadwall, Pochard, Goosander, L Grebe, Woodcock, Common Gull, Tawny Owl, Grey Wagtail
Salt Line/BPM: Blackbird (50+)
Congleton: Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Doddington: Pintail, Pochard, Goldeneye, Raven, Skylark,
Queens Park: Goosander, Mandarin
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose, L Egret, Buzzard (c19)
Rode Pool: Great W Egret
Sandbach: Greenfinch (35)
Wybunbury Moss: Raven, Mistle Thrush, Brambling, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, L Redpoll, Siskin
12th December 2021
Plenty of action around Wybunbury moss this morning with multiple sightings of 2 Sparrowhawks,Brambling,Siskin,L.Redpoll,Bullfinch,Nuthatch,Greenfinch,Raven,Coal Tit,G.S.Woodpecker,Goldcrest,55 Lapwing over,Reed Buntings,Mistle Thrush,Fieldfare and Redwings were highlights on our list.
10th December 2021
A quiet morning at Doddington this morning, mainly because last month’s count of 1,300 coot is now down to 300! Also mute swans down to 1. I missed the pintail but got most of the other ducks.
wrt Glynn’s record yesterday of 50+ blackbirds with other thrushes at BPM it is interesting because blackbirds are in the same thrush family as redwing and fieldfare and large numbers come to the UK from Northern Europe but they are not usually noted since we have a large resident population of our own already here.
10th December 2021
10th December
Borrow Pit Meadows – 1130
50+ Blackbirds and 40+ Redwings feeding in newly sown field, but flighty due to dog walkers in adjacent footpaths.
Unusual amount of Blackbirds together???
9th December 2021
Good to see 2 drake Pintails at Doddington this morning as well as,12 Goldeneye,13 Pochard,5 Wigeon,2 Shoveler,16 L.Grebes,pr Bullfinches.Meadow Pipits,Raven and Skylarks.
9th December 2021
Congleton – River Dane – Dane Street riverside walk; Grey Wagtail below the road bridge (this is our first sighting of a grey wagtail since 15/11/2021). The river is still way up.
7th December 2021
Congleton
Dipper
Wednesday 01-Dec-2021
River Dane – Steamboat car park
3 sightings, 2 individuals (probably)
Goosander
Friday 03-Dec-2021
River Dane – Congleton park – Boating Platform
♀; also from the St. Stephen’s entrance bridge.
Saturday 04-Dec-2021
River Dane – park – boating platform
2 ♀
7th December 2021
6th December 2021
29 Nov – 5 Dec part 2
EHF/PHF: Whooper Swan, Water Rail, L & GC Grebe, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit
MGT/RF: Whooper Swan, Woodcock, Jack & Common Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch
GF: Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler, Hawfinch
Green Ln: Siskin
Astbury Mere: Gadwall, Pochard, Common Scoter, L Grebe
Brereton Heath LNR: Redpoll & Siskin
Lawton Woods/Lake: Mandarin, L Grebe, Great W Egret
Lea Forge: Snipe, Jay, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Brambling
Rode Heath: Egyptian Goose
7th December 2021
6th December 2021 – 1330
Queens Park
16 F 8 M Goosanders, two Mistle Thrushes, Jay and Common Buzzard over.