May 2020 Sightings

Details of May sightings  compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.

62 Comments

  1. Glyn Jones
    31st May 2020

    Sunday 31 May 2020 at 1900
    35+ Swifts over Frank Webb Avenue / Badger Avenue crossroads as seen from my garden. Glyn

  2. John
    29th May 2020

    Mow Cop from 8:30 – 14:30 ..
    3 hours looking north from large layby (1m east of town): – Cuckoo, Curlew & Peacock (heard), Lapwing, GS Woodpecker, Kestrel, Willow Warbler, L & C Whitethroat, brief song flight of Tree Pipit, Bullfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting. After listening to the Cuckoo getting ever closer, one flew slowly below me, landed in a tree at the other end of the layby and called!
    I went for a walk along the road to look over into the old quarry for an hour: another Cuckoo, this time a much paler bird. Back at the car for lunch and a Red Kite glided at eye-level towards us. It gained height as it approached us and flew over our heads and into Staffordshire. Andy Goodwin had reported seeing some ( 27th ) and described one had inner primary feathers missing. ‘Our’ bird matched this description – perhaps it has a territory nearby?
    For the last hour & a bit, I parked in the town and walked east past the Old Man of Mow and the aerials then back. I was only able to add Garden Warbler to the list plus ‘White’ Doves in the Mow Cop Inn car park.
    Other wildlife seen today: – Fox and Highland cattle

  3. Mike Tonks
    29th May 2020

    Today I walked along Smethwick Lane, Sandbach. A singing Yellowhammer was seen on a wire. Further along the lane, a Yellow Wagtail was seen briefy on another distant wire. Another 600 metres along the lane, a second Yellow Wagtail was perched in a small oak tree at the road side. I was about 50 metres away so got a nice view. My first Yellow Wags of the year!

  4. Colin
    29th May 2020

    A quiet morning again at Doddington except for observing some oystercatcher behaviour I wasn’t aware of. One of the pairs has two large fledged juvs.
    When I approached the four were feeding on the grass bank, the two adults took flight with alarm calls as usual but the two juvs disappeared. I found them shortly after, swimming on the open water amongst the ducks , looking quite happy – and safe.

  5. John
    28th May 2020

    My third afternoon walk recently on Macon Meadows has again been productive: Blackbird – nest with young seen, finally seen the first juv. Grey Wagtail. It was proficient as picking flies in mid-air, while the male was filling his beak with flies and repeatedly going into the culvert – presumably to tempt any remaining nestlings? While watching a family party of Great Tits, something different in the top of the same tree caught my eye, a Spotted Flycatcher!

  6. Mike&Andy
    28th May 2020

    Rather than playing hard to get,a Garden Warbler was singing from the top of a bush amidst the ruined farm buildings at Lea Forge.Also this morning,Willow Warbler,Blackcaps,Whitethroats,Chiffchaff ,Red- legged Partridge ,Linnets and Song Thrush.At Doddington just Little Owl in flight of note.The island Oystercatcher juvs were being fed but the two chicks that fledged from the sailing club pair must have been predated as a second pair of eggs have been laid.This happened last year but they never hatched.

  7. John
    27th May 2020

    SWaBBS on Meremoor Moss first thing: Muscovy Duck, Oystercatcher, Curlew (heard), 6 Lapwing in the distant long grass – nesting? Also, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Coal Tit, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Chiffchaff, Sedge & Reed Warbler, L & C Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Linnet & Reed Bunting plus fledgling Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tit.
    Lunch at the neighbouring Fisheries confirmed breeding of: Mallard, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch.
    A different habitat after lunch for another SWaBBS visit – a private wood in Barthomley: nothing to add to today’s list – unless I can include a deer? Looking in my copy of Collins “Wild Animals”, my encounter was probably with a Roe Deer.

  8. Glyn
    26th May 2020

    Tuesday 26th May 2020 – 1500
    Walk along Salt Line Way to Borrow Pit Meadows
    5 Chiffchaffs heard but not seen, 2 Blackcaps heard but not seen, 5 Mistle Thrushes on top field, 3 Song Thrushes all at BPM, 20 Swallows, 6 Swifts and 6 House Martins flying over BPM, Coot and four juveniles on the pool. 2 Pied Wagtails along SLW. Glyn

  9. John
    26th May 2020

    Cycled to Quakers Coppice this morning via Crewe Business Park for a SWaBBS visit.
    I re-found the Moorhen chicks on the pond by the roundabout – now well grown. There was adults with 3 very small chicks on the same pool and another pair with very small chicks on the dipping pool halfway towards Quakers Coppice.
    In Quakers Coppice, I could hear chicks begging from inside most of the small-hole nest boxes, I saw a Nuthatch feeding young in the open. In the distance, I could hear Great Spotted Woodpecker calling – it sounded like a youngster! Three-quarters of a way round, I finally pin-pointed where the begging was coming from and saw a large juvenile at the hole, looking out and calling continuously. At least one of the large-hole nest boxes had Stock Dove in, when, close to me, an adult came out and flew off. There’s a small group of Jackdaw nesting in the hollows of old trees, a Whitethroat still singing in the thinner scrub between the woods and University Way. Plenty of Blackcap but only the odd Chiffchaff was heard, also an alarm call from Mistle Thrush – perhaps they have young nearby? High in the canopy I saw a family party of Bullfinch – I don’t see them here as a rule. On the way out of the woods, I stopped at the pool near the entrance where the, now, dismantled dipping platform was to see if I could get views of the Mistle Thrush and a bird flew through my line of sight. Curious to see what it was, I found it on a branch of an Oak tree, picking insects from the underside of the leaves. Not doing its usual MO – it was a Spotted Flycatcher! BOOM

  10. John
    25th May 2020

    18 – 24 May
    EHF/PHF: Garganey, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Tern
    MGT: Tree Sparrow
    Alsager: Skylark, Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Linnet, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer
    Bent Ln: R-l Partridge, Skylark, Sand Martin, C Whitethroat, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Yellowhammer
    Borrow Pit Meadow/Salt Line: Swallow & House Martin
    The Cloud: Mandarin, Green Woodpecker, Raven, Willow & Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Meadow & Tree Pipit, Siskin, Linnet, L Redpoll
    Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Treecreeper, Dipper, Spotted Flycatcher, Grey Wagtail
    Crewe: Red Kite
    Doddington: Swift, Stock Dove, L Grebe, Oystercatcher, Red Kite, Skylark, Willow Warbler
    Middlewich: Mandarin, Hobby
    Mow Cop: Cuckoo, Tree Pipit
    Queens Park: GS Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush
    Wheelock/Malkins Bank: Stock Dove, House Martin, Swallow, Grey Wagtail

  11. John
    24th May 2020

    Macon Meadows first thing this morning. A lot calmer today but I noticed some damage: one big branch from a willow is down by the MMU, a multi-trunked tree ( of a species I don’t know ) is looking precarious. It is already damaged from a storm over the winter with one trunk down weakening the rest at the base.
    Another family of Great Tits seen, my first juv Blackbird here. I picked up some contact calls that I didn’t know but failed to spot the bird(s)! A brief view of a Grey Wagtail by the culvert and on the way back spent another 5 minutes trying to spot the source of the ‘new’ contact call! Eventually, I connected with a juv perched deep in a bush – a Blackcap. I then noticed behind it, there was another. Both were begging at an attentive, nearby male

  12. John
    23rd May 2020

    Macon Meadows this morning: still gusty and lots of small branches underfoot. Hopefully no major damage to the trees?
    Juvenile Goldfinch, Wood Pigeon and Great Tit seen, Song Thrush and Greenfinch still singing. No sightings of the Grey Wagtails today but while looking at the culvert, a Red Kite drifted over the Heritage Centre on the other side of the tracks and continued heading south

  13. Nigel Henderson
    23rd May 2020

    Congleton – River Dane: Female goosander but she is down to 2 young. She had seven on the 18th May so some disaster has stuck. Any goosander experts out there? Pam has seem a mink on the Dane in the park which would be an ideal candidate.

  14. Glyn
    22nd May 2020

    22nd May 2020 at 1400
    Walk along Salt Line Way to Borrow Pit Meadows, extremely windy.
    Male Blackcap and two singing Chiffchaffs on SLW, pair of Canada Geese with two young and a pair of Coots with four young on the pool.
    20 Swallows and 12 House Martins over footpath nearest to recycling plant.

  15. Graham
    22nd May 2020

    Garganey still at EHF at what is apparently called Hancocks Flood. Also 2 Swift.

  16. Colin
    22nd May 2020

    A quiet time at Doddington this morning until at 11-15 a Red Kite appeared low down and passed slowly overhead going east

  17. John
    21st May 2020

    Macon Meadows after lunch: a change of strategy! Got chatting to a neighbour whose house backs on the area. She has a nest box in her garden and she tells me she been watching Blue Tits. The busy parents are making frequent visits to the nest box.
    Only bird of note on Macon Meadows was a female Sparrowhawk which I first saw above the houses on Ludlow Avenue. It stooped into the stream-side vegetation opposite me – two flaps of its wings ‘put the brakes on’ and brought it to a graceful landing. The grass is tall there & I couldn’t see if it had a kill.
    Later, on the other side of Macon Way, I got a brief view of it or another female as it banked round & swooped into the trees between the stream and the office blocks on Herald Drive

  18. Glyn Jones
    20th May 2020

    20th May2020 -1945
    12+ Swifts again over Frank Webb Avenue/Badger Avenue crossroads as seen from my garden.
    Also 6 Swifts over Selworthy Drive/Underwood Lane junction, also seen from my garden, seems the common denominator(?) are council houses.

  19. Nigel Henderson
    20th May 2020

    Congleton – River Dane: Grey Wagtail juveniles fledged, Dipper = adult feeding juvenile.
    Congleton Park: Treecreeper – juveniles fledged.

  20. Mike Tonks
    19th May 2020

    Today I did my first SWaBBS of the year around Wheelock and Malkins Bank. It was great to do a ‘normal’ birding activity. I encountered very few people and social distancing was easy.
    Two Grey Wagtails were seen on the brook to the west of Hassall Road. Further along the brook, five House Martins and two Swallows were collecting mud for nest building. Large number of Starling families on the field to the north of Malkins Bank Golf Course, plus a pair of Stock Doves. 25 species in all.

  21. John
    19th May 2020

    SWaBBS on Wybunbury Moss this morning: Swift, GS Woodpecker, Jay, Coal Tit, Swallow, Willow & Sedge Warbler, Mistle Thrush & Reed Bunting

    I called in at Doddington after: Red-legged Partridge, Swift, Stock Dove, L Grebe, Oystercatcher, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Willow Warbler, Mistle Thrush

    On the way home, I had Skylark & Reed Bunting on Jack Mills Way

  22. John
    19th May 2020

    SECOS Winter and Breeding Bird Survey ( SWaBBS ) – our very own bird survey
    The recent UK Government’s announcement about the relaxation of the Lockdown has prompted the national birding organisations to update their advice to volunteers. In line with their review, SECOS is happy if any SWaBBS fieldworkers want to undertake a count for the remaining months of this Summer season ( April to July ).
    As Co-ordinator, I will process any data you send me.
    New fieldworkers are welcomed. If you are interested in taking part, including any non-members, please contact me.

  23. Glyn Jones
    19th May 2020

    18th May 2020 – 2000
    Song Thrush singing behind my garden in Crewe.
    12+ Swift over Frank Webb Avenue/Badger Avenues crossroads as seen from my garden!!!

  24. Nigel Henderson
    18th May 2020

    Congleton – River Dane: Grey Wagtail (female, males and juveniles being fed), Dipper, Kingfisher, Goosander female – she still has 7 young – go Goosander.
    Congleton Park: Treecreeper nest.

  25. John
    18th May 2020

    Macon Meadows before lunch: a pair of Mallard on the roof of Mannin House on Macon Way. Are they nesting there?
    A gull with nest material above the gym behind Mannin House. I couldn’t see any nests on northern side of the roof. I’ll have to find another vantage point to see if the nesting gull colony has extended to this building.
    A good candidate for a Garden Warbler watched for a couple of minutes, possibly a second nearby – neither bird sang or called. Male Grey Wagtail still very active near the culvert.

  26. John
    18th May 2020

    11 – 17 May
    EHF/PHF: Cuckoo, R Plover, Whimbrel
    Moston: Cuckoo
    RLP: Reed Warbler
    Astbury Mere CP: Shelduck, Willow & Garden Warbler
    Bent Ln: Stock Dove, Skylark, Sand & House Martin, L & C Whitethroat, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
    The Cloud: Kestrel, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Meadow & Tree Pipit, L Redpoll
    Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Golden Oriole, Treecreeper, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
    Crewe: Peregrine
    Doddington: Swift, Stock Dove, L & GC Grebe, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Raven, Willow & Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail
    Lea Forge: Red Kite, Wheatear
    Middlewich LB: Hobby
    Rode Heath: Green Woodpecker
    Sandbach: Red Kite

  27. Mike&Andy
    17th May 2020

    2 Common Sandpipers at Doddington this morning and the island pair of Oystercatchers have 2 mobile chicks.Also 2 Raven,Reed Warbler.Reed Bunting,Coal Tit,4 juv Pied Wagtails with adults and Little Grebe.

  28. John
    17th May 2020

    Bike ride to Quakers Coppice via Crewe Business Park 8 till 9 am: very quiet, only bumped into one dog walker.
    On the pond at the roundabout, a well grown juv. Moorhen.
    In Quakers Coppice: new birds here for me recently, a distant Whitethroat, probably in the scrub between the woods and University Way. Also, a contact call from a GS Woodpecker got my attention as I haven’t been able to connect with any here all Spring! As I walked in the direction of the call, I could hear nestlings as well. I failed to find the nest but I got views of two adults – one was definitely a female. The other was too quick for me to get a good look at.

  29. Mike&Jenny
    16th May 2020

    A male Wheatear at Lea Forge this afternoon.I would have missed it had my wife not been present!

  30. Dave Winnington
    16th May 2020

    Rodeheath , Green Woodpecker in woodland over canal bridge near nurseries

  31. John
    16th May 2020

    A Site Guide to the SECOS Recording Area

    Now that the ‘Lockdown’ restrictions are being relaxed and many may be wanting to spread your wings and go birdwatching, an update to the main birdwatching locations in the SECOS Recording Area is available in the Publications section of this website

    Ed: the booklet can be downloaded here http://www.secos.org.uk/a-site-guide-to-the-secos-recording-area/

  32. Colin
    15th May 2020

    This is the first time for eight weeks that I have been able to start a note like this; so HURRAY and……this morning at Doddington to do a WeBS count for the BTO. Few waterbirds but a brilliant display from at least 150 swifts, 50 sand martins, 50 house martins and 4 swallows. Insects must have been very low in the cloudy conditions and as I stood still the birds were passing by within touching distance!! Just 32 tufted, 15 mute swans and 9 great crested grebes on the water, plus around 70 canada geese with 12 small juvs but at least 10 pairs still on nests on the island. 3 oystercatchers but no nest found and 3 reed warblers singing. The only down side was no yellow wagtails although Sylvia had 4 yesterday.

  33. John
    15th May 2020

    Macon Meadows: weird feeling this morning. I’m not used to taking my time, I’m usually rushing to get back home within the hour!
    Very nice to see a pair of Coal Tit feeding their young – one adult repeatedly flying back across the stream, presumably to young in cover, while another adult was feeding a juvenile oblivious to me being less than 2 feet below watching them. Fascinating!
    Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed that Chiffchaff are in the vegetation between Macon Way and the railway tracks. The vegetation is denser that side of the road.
    The male Grey Wagtail very active along the edges of the stream, while both Song Thrush and Greenfinch were belting out

  34. Mike
    14th May 2020

    A Red Kite was soaring over Lea Forge this afternoon, still around when I left 40 minutes later.

  35. John
    13th May 2020

    With the easing of The Lockdown restrictions, I thought I’d give the car a blow out and headed over to Meremoor Moss for a couple of hours this morning. Notable sightings include: Muscovy Duck, Swift (50+), Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin ( a first for the year !), Reed Warbler, Lesser & Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Greenfinch, Linnet & Reed Bunting

  36. Colin
    13th May 2020

    No bird to report but I just wanted to say that I really like Nigel’s photo of the female Goosander with ducklings on the River Dane at Congleton.

  37. Mike&Andy
    13th May 2020

    A pair of Yellow Wagtails on the island at Doddington this morning were a real treat.Also a superb low level display from around 100 Swifts with all the Hirundines totalling around 200 over the water.Not much else apart from Oystercatchers G.S.Woodpecker and Stock Doves.

  38. Nigel Henderson
    13th May 2020

    I forgot: Tuesday 12/05/2020: A kingfisher flying upstream and downstream seen from the Dane Street riverside walk. (Or possibly two kingfishers.)

  39. Nigel Henderson
    13th May 2020

    Treecreepers breeding in Congleton Park. They are now feeding young. Grey Wagtails and Dippers are feeding young on the River Dane between the Steamboat and the weir. Tuesday 12/05/2020 – Female Goosander, but she is down to seven young, from 10.
    Ed: see Nigel’s photos in our member’s http://www.secos.org.uk/our-gallery-our-members-pictures/ gallery

  40. John
    12th May 2020

    Macon Meadows: over the past couple of days notable sightings are few.
    Swift seen occasionally when cloudy; a Moorhen pair with 2 chicks seen on the 8th but juvs not seen since; a flyby Sparrowhawk this morning. Yesterday I heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker – my first here for ages!
    A Jay has been seen occasionally and today I watched it land on a garden feeder and later fly off in the direction it came from with something in its bill. Is someone putting down suitable feed?
    My first Swallow this morning flying low over the recently mowed grass. A Treecreeper collecting seed heads / vegetation off reedmace / bulrush heads and flying off to a probable nest site in a gap behind the bark of a nearby tree. Occasional sightings of a Grey Wagtail, but no activity by the culvert!

  41. Glyn
    11th May 2020

    11th May 2020
    A walk round Queen’s Park, Crewe, 8 Canada Geese young with 5 adults! also a pair of Coots with 6 young.
    Apparently there were 18 young Mallards but now there are only two left, probably predated by the Gulls.

  42. John
    11th May 2020

    3 – 10 May
    EHF/PHF: Oystercatcher, R & LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler
    MGT: Shoveler, L Grebe, Swift, Common Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Hobby, Skylark, Cetti’s, Willow, Sedge, Reed & Garden Warbler, L & C Whitethroat, Wheatear,
    FFF: Goosander,
    Rookery Bridge: Yellowhammer
    WLF: Common Tern
    Alsager: Stock Dove, Kestrel, Hobby, Willow Tit, Garden Warbler, L Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear
    Arclid: LRP, Raven, Sand Martin, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer
    Astbury Mere CP: Sand Martin, Sedge, Reed & Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher,
    Basford: Swift
    Brereton Heath LNR: Cuckoo, Mistle Thrush
    Church Lawton: LR Plover, Whitethroat, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Linnet, Reed Bunting
    The Cloud: Tree Pipit
    Congleton: Goosander, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
    Coppenhall Moss: Hobby
    Crewe: Swift
    Crewe GC: Raven
    Elworth: Swift
    Goostrey: Cuckoo, Red Kite
    Lawton Woods/lake: Mandarin, Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher,
    Martin’s Moss: House Martin
    Middlewich: Hobby
    Mow Cop: Swift, Garden Warbler
    Rode Heath: Oystercatcher
    Sandbach: Swift
    Scholar Green: Swift
    Wheelock: Kingfisher, Whitethroat, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail
    Wrinehill: R-l Partridge, Cetti’s, Sedge & Reed Warblers, Whitethroat

  43. Colin
    9th May 2020

    On a nearby building site when work resumed after a four week stoppage they found a blackbird’s nest with four young built in the hydraulics of a large excavator.
    Ed: see Colin’s picture in our Gallery http://www.secos.org.uk/our-gallery-our-members-pictures/

  44. Mick
    9th May 2020

    Some recent Alsager patch sightings
    MAY 2nd
    Green Woodpecker 2, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl
    MAY 3rd
    L R Plover 2, Wheatear
    MAY 4th
    Egyptian Goose, Kestrel
    MAY 5th
    Willow Tit
    MAY 6th
    Yellow Wagtail 3, Wheatear 3
    MAY 7th
    Oystercatcher 2, Hobby
    MAY 8th
    Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler pair

    that is number 100 for my patch this year.

  45. Pam Henderson
    8th May 2020

    River Dane Congleton, grey wagtail feeding 1 young.

  46. Glyn
    8th May 2020

    Friday 8 May 2020 1400
    Walk from Westbourne Avenue to New Cemetery, Crewe Blackcap singing at footpath access off Frank Webb Avenue, two Swifts over, three Chiffchaff heard but not seen, Blackcap heard but not seen right side of entrance to cemetery and three Swifts over Underwood Lane.

  47. Jan Fox
    7th May 2020

    House Martins flying over Martin’s Moss(!!), Smallwood, on May 4th.
    Swifts over Sandbach town centre May 7th.
    Ed: were they flying over Swift Services in Hightown?

  48. John
    7th May 2020

    Macon Meadows this morning 8 – 9ish: not that much to report over the past couple of days. Just the usual species noted with the previous recorded evidence of breeding activity.
    The only record of note was a Hobby flying low over my head from east to west along the ‘valley’

  49. Glyn
    6th May 2020

    Wednesday 6 May 2020 1400
    Walked to Frank Webb Avenue/Badger Avenue crossroads to see the Swifts, saw about 12, not always easy to see due the tree lined avenues, but you can hear them also as viewed from back garden at 1930 15 Swifts flying over same area.

  50. David Cookson
    6th May 2020

    This morning 6th May. The highlights were 50 plus Swifts, Reed Bunting and Warbler. And all the usual birds singing. A distant Fox was spotted.

  51. SECOS
    5th May 2020

    Glyn Jones has reported, “Had my first sighting of a Swift today at 15.10 over Frank Webb Avenue/Badger Avenue crossroads as seen from my house, and at 19.20 tonight I saw a further 12 Swifts over the same area.”

  52. John
    4th May 2020

    27 Apr – 3 May
    EHF/PHF: Swift, Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern
    MGT: Shoveler, L & GC Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Kestrel, Skylark, Cetti’s, Willow, Sedge & Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Bullfinch
    CF: Kingfisher, L Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler
    RLP: Sedge & Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting
    Rookery Bridge: Wheatear
    WLF: Swift, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Reed Warbler
    Albion Lock: Yellowhammer
    Alsager: Swift, Red Kite, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer
    Arclid: Shelduck, Oystercatcher, LRP, Sand Martin, Yellow Wagtail
    Astbury: L & C Whitethroat
    Astbury Mere CP: Swift, Green Woodpecker
    Borrow Pit M/Salt Line: Whitethroat
    The Cloud: Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit
    Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Treecreeper, Mistle Thrush
    Crewe GC: Garden Warbler, Jay
    Doddington: Swift
    Elworth: Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Hobby
    Lawton Woods/lake: Mandarin, Dipper, Pied Flycatcher,
    Lea Forge: R-l Partridge, Oystercatcher, Raven, Swallow, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Bullfinch
    Rode Heath: Oystercatcher
    Rope: Hobby
    Scholar Green: Goosander, Barn Owl, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, Hobby, L & C Whitethroat, Wheatear, Yellowhammer
    Weston: Song Thrush

  53. John
    4th May 2020

    Macon Meadows this morning 9 – 10ish: I didn’t hear Whitethroat or Garden Warbler today. The only things of note were a male Blackcap with nest material and a Nuthatch repeatedly returning to a nest hole with food

  54. Colin
    4th May 2020

    a raven, calling and flying low, went over the golf course heading east this morning

  55. Pam Henderson
    3rd May 2020

    Strange looking Goosander on the Dane (Rood Hill, Congleton), red head like a female but too much white, I suspect it’s a male going into eclipse. Female now down to nine ducklings but they’re doing well. I watched them climbing the weir this morning and later they all climbed onto a log for a bit of preening.

  56. John
    3rd May 2020

    Macon Meadows this morning 8:30 to 9:30ish: the gulls above the railway track & Dunelm were noisy this morning, flying round in a low anti-clockwise circle making a commotion, then they suddenly stopped. My view has partly obscured and I didn’t see want the fuss was about.
    A Buzzard, Jay, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Song Thrush and the Grey Wagtail pair were all showing well, but were topped at the end of my walk when I heard a Garden Warbler in the small willows by the allotments. Despite trying to triangulate where the song was coming from, I failed to connect with the bird.

  57. Pam
    2nd May 2020

    Congleton Park – Treecreepers still active, Mistle Thrushes and Kingfisher

  58. John
    2nd May 2020

    Went for a bike ride 8:30 – 9:30 around Crewe Town Centre & Sydney: There were small pockets of Swift that I noted last year in the survey, so I went for a look around – it was cold and windy, so no joy!

    Garden birding 10:20 – 10:40 this morning: There was a couple of Buzzard displaying in the direction of Crewe Green roundabout, one was harassed by a large gull. I heard a call behind me and there was another pair of Buzzard kettling in the direction of the railway tracks / Mill St.
    In the garden, one of the pair of Magpies nesting in the neighbour’s garden began harassing the ever-present House Sparrows sending them in all directions and making a commotion!

  59. Jean Harrison
    2nd May 2020

    On our exercise walk on 1st May around Alsager Sprink saw good views of several Yellowhammers, and also saw and heard a Whitethroat singing from the top of a tree -I think my ID skills are improving 🙂

  60. Mike
    1st May 2020

    A Hobby showed really well on my walk along Gresty Lane this afternoon .It landed briefly then swooped on and missed a Starling before flying overhead.

  61. Nigel Henderson
    1st May 2020

    River Dane from the Aldi roundabout to Congleton Park: Dipper, Grey Wagtail
    Congleton Park: Treecreeper
    Ed: Some of Nigel’s River Dane pictures are showing in our Members Gallery http://www.secos.org.uk/our-gallery-our-members-pictures/

  62. John
    1st May 2020

    Macon Meadows
    Yesterday morning ( 9 till 10 ish ): Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Jay, Rook, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail

    This morning ( 8 till 9 ish ): Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over heading for Weston Road with nest material in its bill, Rook still foraging along the verge on Macon Way. My first Coal Tit for a couple of weeks and FINALLY I heard a Whitethroat in the rough patch where I’d had them in previous years. It perched at the top of the brambles and sang just as the sun came out although briefly. A Song Thrush singing, 3 Robin juvs in a clump of bushes and the pair of Grey Wagtails

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