March 30th

Two Blackcap ten Chiffchaff and five Sand Martin this evening .Also noted a Tawny Mining Bee first one seen this year, along with two Tree Bumblebee's​ and a Buff-tailed Bumblebee , and Common Frog's seen along the eastern path. LATE NEWS.....Just spoke with Jack Swan he had twelve Sand Martin late evening on Tuesday 28th.

Chiffchaff.

March 29th

Our first singing Blackcap was in the north east corner around midday three days earlier than last year's record . I heard nine singing Chiffchaff on my walk around but still no Willow Warblers which should due by this weekend . Swallow's are now overdue as I had our first last year on 28th March . Coot and Tufted Duck numbers are starting to decrease which is usual at this time of the year.

Wren.

March 27th

I was surprised first thing this morning to find a pair of Wigeon and a pair of Shoveler present but they didn't stay long , believe it or not they were actually chased off by our resident psycho Mute Swan . We now have ten singing Chiffchaff but still no Willow Warblers. Still looking good for the pair of Little Grebe's that are still patrolling the mere , if they can stay out the way of psycho . A single Grey Heron and two Canada Geese flew over , and four Siskin are still present. A pair of Reed Buntings are frequently seen and heard along the fenced off area for the fisherman , and two pair Bullfinch noted. A female Sparrowhawk was causing havoc with the resident Wood Pigeons and two local Buzzard's were displaying in the distance.

March 26th

At last our first Sand Martin of the year a single bird arrived at 8-40 this morning one day earlier than last year. It stayed for around 20 minutes before departing high North West. Seven Chiffchaff were very vocal this morning possibly due to the nice sunny weather at last. A single Grey Heron flew from the shore and a pair of Reed Buntings were feeding along the path first thing before the dog walkers arrived. Tree Bumblebee's were noted this morning first ones i think this year.

March 23rd

Just a pair of Grey Wagtails this evening still no Sand Martins yet.

March 21st

Decided on a 6-30 start this morning as the sun was already up with nice clear skies. We have 48 Tufted Duck , 51 Coot , three pairs of Great Crested Grebe's and one pair of Little Grebe's which seemed to be displaying let's hope they stay. I walked around a couple of times but could only find six Chiffchaff , along with eight Siskin and a pair of Bullfinch . A single Raven flew west and a Canada Goose landed briefly before being chased of by the resident male Mute Swan. Also noted this morning were good numbers of Goldcrest obviously due to our mild winter .

Little Grebe (pair).

Siskin.

Late News

Some Late News from Jack Swan a drake Common Scoter on the mere Sunday afternoon (19th). The news really needs to get out earlier . Also two Butterflies he had on Wednesday 15th our first Comma and Small Tortoiseshell of the year.

March 15th

Still only two Chiffchaffs and still waiting the arrival of our first Martins , but plenty of birds in song this morning .

Chiffchaff (the first one back) .

March 13th

A warm sunny day today with a touch of spring in the air . Two Chiffchaff singing one just down the track from visitor's centre and the other still behind the sailing club . Five Graylag Geese flew over heading south and we are still holding onto two Redwing , the should move on any day now .

Old Records

Received some old records from Jack Swan who has been watching the mere on a regular basis since 1988 , when it was just a sand quarry. This man is just a mind of information . Here are some of his old records which have now been added to my data base. Wheatear 01/05/91 , Yellow Wagtail 01/09/91 , Green Sandpiper 20/04/92 , Black-throated Diver 02/04/94 and Snow Bunting 02/11/96 .

March 12th

Up early this morning to check out yesterday's late report of two female Bearded Tits in the small reedbed in front of main car park . Met up with P Oddy and J Swan who also had same idea but to no avail , didn't really hold much hope to start with but you have to try. Anyway small consolation was our first returning Chiffchaff with three singing one on track down from visitor's centre , one behind the sailing club and the third along eastern side in the wood. Also good news I confirmed with the night fisherman that two Tawny Owls were again calling last night so another addition to our site list. Also noted this morning were a single Cormorant and Grey Heron flying over , and the three Little Grebe's still present on the mere. Bullfinch , Goldfinch , Reed Bunting , Goldcrest and six Song Thrush best of the rest. Jack Swan also gave me the dates he had Yellow Wagtail so another addition again to the site list. I was back home when John Spottiswood texted me to say a drake Shelduck has just dropped in and a single Raven heading west. And the Chiffchaff records are eleven days earlier than last year's.

Info Required

The Bird lines are running news of two female Bearded Tits at the mere in the small reeded in front on main car park !!!!!!!! Has anybody got any further information.

Link Added

Hilbre Bird Observatory link added.

7th Feb

Only difference today was a pair of Mistle Thrush . Looking through some old Cheshire & Wirral Bird reports I came across a record for Greenshank on 26th September 2002 which states first record for the site.

March 6th

With Sand Martins now arriving in the country I thought there might be a chance of a early one on the Mere but alas it was not to be . I spent a good three hours wandering around and finished up with thirty one species of which just a few are listed here. Coot numbers are now dropping with just 74 counted today along with just 43 Tufted Duck . A female Sparrowhawk was hunting along the west side as a single Grey Heron was stalking prey along the marsh (fenced of fisherman's area). Overhead was a single Raven , Buzzard and Cormorant , while a small flock of nine Siskin feed by the steps on eastern side. Two pairs of Great Crested Grebe's were displaying giving me the run around with the camera trying to predict there next move . Bullfinch , Greenfinch , Chaffinch and Goldfinch were all noted along with a small party of around eleven Long-tailed Tits. Only a few Black-headed Gulls remain along with a single second winter L B B Gull.

G C Grebe's.

G C Grebe's.

March 1st

Just a quick walk around mid-day produced three Little Grebe's and a pair of displaying Buzzard's , also six adult and one juvenile L B B Gulls on the water . Along with all the other common birds around it produced a list total of 27 species . It should only be just over two weeks and the sounds of Chiffchaff should be ringing out and the first Sand Martin's should be hawking insects over the water.

February Duck Count

February Duck counts as follows. Coot 123 , Tufted Duck 59 , Pochard 19 , Mallard 15 , Shoveler 4 , Wigeon 2 , Goldeneye 3 , G C Grebe 6 , Little Grebe 4 .