May 30th

I have not spent much time here over the bank holiday period as some of us had to go to work , and the day I did have off I went photographing Wood White butterflies in Warwickshire. Just spoke with Jack Swann on the phone and he told me there is a Common Whitethroat by the two new houses being built on the approach road to the sailing club , that takes this years bird species total to seventy one . Also we possibly have three Reed Warblers now and at least two Garden Warblers. The rangers are doing a good job leaving certain parts of the grass un cut giving chance for the wild flowers to grow. Tonight I went down and photographed some of the Southern Marsh Orchids which are just starting to appear along with a nice patch of Ragged Robin.

Ragged Robin.

Southern Marsh Orchid.

Southern Marsh Orchid.

Southern Marsh Orchid.

May 27th

While chatting to Mike Atkinson and his wife this morning Mike noticed a Common Tern appear from overhead it remained for about thirty seconds before heading off high south , also present are now two Reed Warblers both were singing well . Several Orchids have started to appear I think they are Southern Marsh but need to check .

Common Tern.

May22nd

A Lesser Whitethroat was seen well for a few minutes as it feed amongst the scrub behind the sailing club early this morning but alas it was to quick for me and my camera. The male Sparrowhawk was circling the mere while several Swifts were feeding quite low over the grass bank by the visitors centre.

Several Blackcap and Chiffchaff were in full song also a couple of Willow Warblers , and two male Bullfinch were feeding along the hedgerow . A single Raven called as it passed overhead as four Swallow and two House Martins circled high over the water. No sign or sound of the recent Reed Warbler .

Chiffchaff.

Chiffchaff.

Chiffchaff.

May 14th

We spent a pleasant hour around the small wildlife pond adjacent to the visitors centre this afternoon watching the Common Newts in the pond and just passing the time of day in the sunshine. A pair of Orange-tips kept us occupied along with two Large Red Damselflies the first noted this year. Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Goldfinch were also present in this small wildlife garden .

Orange-tip.

Large Red Damselfly.

May 13th

My first Orange-tip of the year at Astbury yesterday evening seen by the wildlife pond .

May 11th

Late news from yesterday John had a Hobby chasing House Martin's at 13-00 the first reported this year . Also a Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler both showing well .

May 8th

Common Sandpiper early this morning also Reed Warbler still in same place singing well . Sparrowhawk over also Bullfinch , Blackcap , Willow Warbler , Chiffchaff and male Reed Bunting

May 7th

Our first Reed Warbler back this morning frustratingly watched singing for 15 minutes but could not get a photo.

May 4th

With a few Swifts now back at Astbury eight present tonight I decided to try and capture some images with the camera . Not very successful but below are three out of a bad bunch.

May 3rd

Between 19-00 and 19-30 this evening fourteen Swifts were feeding over the trees along the eastern edge of the mere also a single Buzzard over . An Oystercatcher was heard calling as it flew over but could not be found and a single Raven called as it headed south east. Feeding again over the water were small numbers of Sand and House Martins and half a dozen Swallows. Also noted in the half hour we were present was Blackcap, Willow Warbler , Chiffchaff , Long Tailed Tit and Jay. The next migrant species to arrive should be Reed Warbler !!!

May 2nd

My first Swift was located this afternoon during a rain storm in amongst Martins and Swallows , after seeing several over Congleton town centre this morning I knew there was a good chance of one being at Astbury later in the day. The male Sparrowhawk was out hunting and a single Cormorant flew north . Nothing else to report really just the usual Blackcaps , Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs . With the weather being poor today I was hoping for a passing Tern as a few had been reported in Staffordshire just south of us but no such luck, another day perhaps!!!!!!. I have added an e mail address on the right of this page for anybody who wants to send sightings through. Astburywidlife@yahoo.co.uk

May 1st

Two Oystercatchers flew over at 8-00 this morning calling and heading towards the sand quarry. Twenty seven Tufted Duck are still present and good numbers of Swallow, Sand and House Martin's feeding over the water but no sign as yet of any Swift's. A few Willow Warblers were in song along with several Blackcap , but Chiffchaff seem to have gone a little quite now. A single Buzzard circled low over the car park before heading off high to the west.