Details of June sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
13 Comments
Colin 28th June 2019
At Doddington this morning the the black swan was not present and the mutes were down to 76. Coot numbers were up to 370 and tufted up to 42 but still no young. Best bird was a spotted flycatcher carrying food so presumably feeding young in a nearby nest.
David Cookson 26th June 2019
At Doddington this morning = 26-6-19. There were 2 Curlews flying over and several Skylak singing. The Mute swan count has now reached 83. This is the largest moulting flock here for many years. This added to the two other flocks in south Cheshire brings the total to 110 plus. Thats a great improvement on the last few years.
Colin 24th June 2019
At Doddington this morning the black swan still present, along with 81 mute swans and 346 coot. Also 2 pairs of little grebes with young but no young great crested grebes – yet
Nigel Henderson 23rd June 2019
Congleton: River Dane between the Aldi roundabout and the park:
Goosander – female and 5 3/4 size immatures; Dipper; Kingfisher; Grey Wagtail
Nigel Henderson 22nd June 2019
Congleton: River Dane between the Aldi roundabout and the park:
Alien spotted on the Dane.
12:50am an American Mink.
John 21st June 2019
SWaBBS on Wybunbury Moss this morning; new for me here was a Spotted Flycatcher – by the tower + lizards along the boardwalk on the Moss
Called at EHF/PHF after lunch; Little Egret on PHF & Common Tern over
Peter 20th June 2019
STOP PRESS
The evening visit to Cannock Chase has now been arranged for Wednesday 26th June.
The meeting place is the White House car park on Penkridge Road at SJ 994 161.
Nearest postcode is WS12 4PR.
The meeting time here is 8pm when we will have a walk round for general birding.
For those members who only want to view (or hear) nightjars a later start is possible. The nightjars and woodcock are usually active from 10pm.
To get to the later meeting point, follow the track from the back of the car park, at the junction of two paths go left through the gate, follow this path to the next gate and you will be on the main track and the group will be there.
We will be going irrespective of the weather forecast so don’t forget the midge repellent. Hopefully there will be plenty of flying insects for the hunting nightjars.
Mike&Andy 19th June 2019
Andrew got a good view of a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at Lea Forge this morning and it took a good 30 mins for me to get on it also, and to complete the set we had Green and G.S. Woodpeckers.Others noted were Kingfisher,Kestrel,Skylark,Blackcap,Whitethroat,Chiffchaff,Linnets,Reed Bunting,Stock Dove,Mistle and Song Thrush,Greenfinches and Red-legged Partridge.
Peter 17th June 2019
STOP PRESS
In view of the current bad weather with the wet and cold affecting the behaviour of the Nightjars we have reluctantly decided to postpone the field meeting to Cannock Chase planned for this Wednesday 19th June. We are hopeful that it will be possible to re-arrange it before the end of June, provided that the weather improves!! I will send out a further e-mail when a new date has been agreed.
Mike&Andy 12th June 2019
Quiet at Doddington this afternoon with Yellow Wagtail,Willow Warbler.Sparrowhawk and Black Swan of note. Recent sightings include,Little Owl,Reed Warbler,Reed Bunting,Red-legged Partridge,G.S. Woodpecker,Mistle Thrush family and a Shoveler.The two Oystercatcher chicks from the sailing club pair must have been predated.On the first of this month a L.R.Plover was present.
John 6th June 2019
SECOS Swift Count recce yesterday 21:00 – 21:30 – Surrey St / Vincent St.
Not ideal conditions – a calm evening with a clear sky, but too cold!
Three birds seen ( from a distance as I approached the area ) screaming low over the buildings. They weren’t seen again while I was there to confirm which buildings were nest sites. The church and old Sunday School Hall are likely places as the factory at the bottom of Vincent St has been converted and has a new roof!
If you want to take part, contact me for the information sheet, sites requiring monitoring and the Count Form
Nigel Henderson 5th June 2019
Congleton: River Dane between the Aldi roundabout and the park:
Nigel – Goosander female and nine young; Kingfisher flying downstream from the road bridge (aka Town Bridge); Grey Wagtail.
Pam – Dipper (from the road bridge); Goosander female and four young (larger than the nine).
John 3rd June 2019
Quail – Meremoor Moss.
Heard calling/singing between 11:50 & 12:10 while doing my SWaBBS survey today
28th June 2019
At Doddington this morning the the black swan was not present and the mutes were down to 76. Coot numbers were up to 370 and tufted up to 42 but still no young. Best bird was a spotted flycatcher carrying food so presumably feeding young in a nearby nest.
26th June 2019
At Doddington this morning = 26-6-19. There were 2 Curlews flying over and several Skylak singing. The Mute swan count has now reached 83. This is the largest moulting flock here for many years. This added to the two other flocks in south Cheshire brings the total to 110 plus. Thats a great improvement on the last few years.
24th June 2019
At Doddington this morning the black swan still present, along with 81 mute swans and 346 coot. Also 2 pairs of little grebes with young but no young great crested grebes – yet
23rd June 2019
Congleton: River Dane between the Aldi roundabout and the park:
Goosander – female and 5 3/4 size immatures; Dipper; Kingfisher; Grey Wagtail
22nd June 2019
Congleton: River Dane between the Aldi roundabout and the park:
Alien spotted on the Dane.
12:50am an American Mink.
21st June 2019
SWaBBS on Wybunbury Moss this morning; new for me here was a Spotted Flycatcher – by the tower + lizards along the boardwalk on the Moss
Called at EHF/PHF after lunch; Little Egret on PHF & Common Tern over
20th June 2019
STOP PRESS
The evening visit to Cannock Chase has now been arranged for Wednesday 26th June.
The meeting place is the White House car park on Penkridge Road at SJ 994 161.
Nearest postcode is WS12 4PR.
The meeting time here is 8pm when we will have a walk round for general birding.
For those members who only want to view (or hear) nightjars a later start is possible. The nightjars and woodcock are usually active from 10pm.
To get to the later meeting point, follow the track from the back of the car park, at the junction of two paths go left through the gate, follow this path to the next gate and you will be on the main track and the group will be there.
We will be going irrespective of the weather forecast so don’t forget the midge repellent. Hopefully there will be plenty of flying insects for the hunting nightjars.
19th June 2019
Andrew got a good view of a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at Lea Forge this morning and it took a good 30 mins for me to get on it also, and to complete the set we had Green and G.S. Woodpeckers.Others noted were Kingfisher,Kestrel,Skylark,Blackcap,Whitethroat,Chiffchaff,Linnets,Reed Bunting,Stock Dove,Mistle and Song Thrush,Greenfinches and Red-legged Partridge.
17th June 2019
STOP PRESS
In view of the current bad weather with the wet and cold affecting the behaviour of the Nightjars we have reluctantly decided to postpone the field meeting to Cannock Chase planned for this Wednesday 19th June. We are hopeful that it will be possible to re-arrange it before the end of June, provided that the weather improves!! I will send out a further e-mail when a new date has been agreed.
12th June 2019
Quiet at Doddington this afternoon with Yellow Wagtail,Willow Warbler.Sparrowhawk and Black Swan of note. Recent sightings include,Little Owl,Reed Warbler,Reed Bunting,Red-legged Partridge,G.S. Woodpecker,Mistle Thrush family and a Shoveler.The two Oystercatcher chicks from the sailing club pair must have been predated.On the first of this month a L.R.Plover was present.
6th June 2019
SECOS Swift Count recce yesterday 21:00 – 21:30 – Surrey St / Vincent St.
Not ideal conditions – a calm evening with a clear sky, but too cold!
Three birds seen ( from a distance as I approached the area ) screaming low over the buildings. They weren’t seen again while I was there to confirm which buildings were nest sites. The church and old Sunday School Hall are likely places as the factory at the bottom of Vincent St has been converted and has a new roof!
If you want to take part, contact me for the information sheet, sites requiring monitoring and the Count Form
5th June 2019
Congleton: River Dane between the Aldi roundabout and the park:
Nigel – Goosander female and nine young; Kingfisher flying downstream from the road bridge (aka Town Bridge); Grey Wagtail.
Pam – Dipper (from the road bridge); Goosander female and four young (larger than the nine).
3rd June 2019
Quail – Meremoor Moss.
Heard calling/singing between 11:50 & 12:10 while doing my SWaBBS survey today