April 28th

One hundred and sixty Sand Martin's were counted there was possibly more and twenty Swallows this evening after a rain storm passed through.No sign of any Swift's yet not unless Jack as had one earlier in the week! Late News. John had three Tree Bumblebee,s in the willows by the sailing club on 22nd April.

April 27th

This dinner time instead of having my lunch in the car at work I decided on a change of senary and headed for the Mere.On arrival their seemed very little in the way of birds on the water. Until the heavens opened and a hail and snow storm passed over bringing down around one hundred Swallows and Sand Martin's , with a few House Martin's amongst them . As quick as the storm came it passed over and quite a few of the birds had moved on before I had finished my sandwichs.

April 20th

Late News. Talking with Jack Swan today he had a Lesser Whitethroat last Friday (15th). Also our first Garden Warbler last night Tuesday (19th). Earlier today with the warm sunny weather a few butterflies were on the wing . Peacock x 4, Comma x 1, Small White x 1, Large White x 1, Green-veined White x 3.

Large White.

April 17th

First brood of the year as I know to at Astbury , this Mallard is a proud mother to nine toddlers. Also six Willow Warblers were heard singing this morning .

April 15th

We now have five Willow Warbler singing on site along with several Blackcap and to many Chiffchaff to make a accurate count. Also fifteen Sand Martin and twelve Swallows hawking insects from the waters surface. Two Jay's, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and a pair Bullfinch were the best of the rest .I was hoping for our first Garden Warbler Swift or Reed Warbler with the weather being dull with light drizzle , but alas another day.

Apri 13th

Astbury mega from yesterday confirmed . Yesterday around 10-00 ish I saw a large  Raptor from a distance a buzzard sized  bird with barring underneath which I thought at the time was GOSHAWK . I dismissed it as I was at Astbury and we do not get Goshawk over here , it drifted away in the direction of the Cloud , Macclesfield way. Walking around this morning I meet up with Astbury legend Jack Swan who instantly told me yesterday afternoon he had a Goshawk circling the mere giving excellent views before it drifted off . Our first record of GOSHAWK was confirmed nice one Jack. Pleasant few hours this morning in glorious sunshine , Willow Warblers are increasing with now four singing individuals . Blackcap numbers have gone up as well with at least seven males and two females today also plenty of Chiffchaff now.The female Sparrowhawk was seen hunting this morning but no sign of yesterday Goshawk typicai as I now had my camera ready .Four male Bullfinch were noted along with four Siskin and a couple of Jay's. The first Butterflies of the year for me at Astbury with a male Brimstone and a Comma along with Jacks small Tortoiseshell the other day we are now of the mark with three.

Willow Warbler.

Sparrowhawk.

Blackcap.

Wren.

Comma.

Mega Goshawk

I was hoping to find a Little Gull from yesterdays passage as many birds pushed north through the country. Nearby Staffordshire , Warwickshire and even north Cheshire had there share but the five hours I put in yesterday did not produce.....that's birding for you. At around 10-00 ish a Goshawk appeared from over eastern side watched for around two minutes before disappearing back were it came towards the Cloud.

April 11th

Spent a pleasant couple of hours wandering around this morning.

Three Willow Warblers were in song this morning along with at least ten singing Chiffchaff and six Blackcap of which one was a female the first one I have seen this year. Six Swallow and nine House Martin skimming the water for insects and a pair of Bullfinch collecting nesting material The female Sparrowhawk was again patrolling the hedgerows where two Jay,s were noticed displaying to each other.

Apr 10th

The only change really today was two singing Willow Warblers along with 26 Sand Martin and six Swallow early morning. Still eight singing Chiffchaff and three Blackcap , also a pair of Bullfinch and a male Sparrowhawk.

Chiffchaff.

Chiffchaff.

Wren.

April 9th

A single Willow Warbler was in full song early this morning with unbroken sunshine it really did feel like summer was only just around the corner . Also holding territory were eight Chiffchaff , three Blackcap and a male Reed Bunting. A single Raven passed overhead but no sign of any Buzzards or Sparrowhawk this morning .

April 5th

Our first Willow Warbler of the year was heard singing late afternoon , also seven Chiffchaff still and three Blackcap. Three House Martin were circling overhead along with three Buzzard and a female Sparrowhawk.

Great Crested Grebe.

Sparrowhawk (female).

April 4th

Another late evening visit with very little difference from the past few days . Several singing Chiffchaff a pair of Bullfinch , a single male Reed Bunting and two Blackcap. Also Great Blue and Long-tailed Tits , Chaffinch , Greenfinch , Goldcrest , Song Thrush , Jay , Wood Pigeon , Collared Dove , to pair of Great Crested Grebe and around twenty Tufted Duck .

Wood Pigeon.

Greenfinch.

Chiffchaff.

April 3rd

Another early morning visit produced two Blackcap , several Chiffchaff , five Jay and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Blackcap.

Blackcap.

April 2nd

After seeing all the reports of Ospreys and Sandwich Terns passing through the country heading north,and quite a few reservoirs and lakes in nearby Staffordshire seeing at least one of the above birds it was with antisipation that I visited Astbury Mere late afternoon . And bingo nothing well I say nothing , we have several singing Chiffchaff , three Blackcap a pair of Bulfinch and a pair of Reed Bunting , seven Swallow and a couple of House Martin . Not my day really as I visited nearby Westport Lake for a adult Little Gull only to be told it had flown off five minutes earlier.

April 1st

First Blackcap of the year this morning singing behind the sailing club , managed a half decent record shot always nice to see the first one back. Also a single House Martin with three Sand Martin's hawking insects over the water . A female Sparrowhawk made a couple of passes over also three Stock Dove and two Graylag Geese and several Chiffchaff were singing . I was talking with Jack Swan this morning he told me he had the first Small Tortoiseshell butterfly the other day .Nine Swallows @18-30 this evening.

Blackcap (male).