February 27th

Past few days have been really quiet on 24th eight Teal present , others of note include first butterfly of the year with a Peacock on 26th , and Mistle Thrush , Skylark and couple of Buzzards.

February 21st

Still a pair of Brambling and a pair of Reed Buntings on the feeders. Also Raven and Buzzard over and two Little Grebe on the mere.

Reed Bunting (female).

Brambling (female).

February 19th

Very quiet on the mere just two Little Grebe's , eight G C Grebe , Coot numbers down on previous week's count. The feeders are drawing in the species with Siskin new on there this morning along with male Brambling , female Chaffinch , six Greenfinch , pair Bullfinch , four Goldfinch , single Coal Tit , two Song Thrush and now three Reed Buntings (two males). Also noted Sparrowhawk , Raven , Buzzard and Goldcrest .

Reed Bunting (female).

February 18th

Two pairs of Shoveler this morning , also Reed Buntings again on feeders.

February 17th

A good selection of birds on the feeders early morning with seven Greenfinch , four Bullfinch , six Goldfinch and a male Reed Bunting amongst the highlights . On the mere was six G C Grebe's , two Little Grebe's, 91x Coot and 57x Tufted Ducks. Also noted two Raven over , Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Male Blackcap on and around feeders this afternoon , also two male Brambling.

Blackcap (male) photo taken at distance by Tracey Stubbs.

Bumblebee

The first Bumblebee was noted yesterday identification was not confirmed but it was almost certain to be Buff-tailed as a few records of this species have been seen locally due to the spell of warmer weather.

February 16th

Two Reed Buntings on feeders this morning , also the wintering Chiffchaff seen again . Redhead Goosander still present with two Little Grebe , also noted Kestrel , Goldcrest , two Treecreeper , four Grey Wagtail and local fisherman said the Tawny Owl was calling well throughout the night.

February 15th

Male Blackcap seen twice on feeders also male Reed Bunting both birds new for this year .(SS ,TS). Also redhead Goosander on the mere again along with three Little Grebe . (MS).

Reed Bunting (Tracey Stubbs).

Image by (Tracey Stubbs).

Scaup Prodiction

Depending on weather systems out at sea and around our coast past records at Astbury show that February and early March is possibly the best time to find a Scaup on the Mere. Early March last year saw us with five birds (3 x drakes / 2 x fem) which got displaced from nearby Tittisworth Reservoir due to bad weather , and spent eight days with us giving good views to visiting birders.

Scaup. (1st winter drake).

February 13th

Female Goosander on the mere unusual because they are usually just fly overs. Only one Little Grebe seems to be present now the other three must have departed . Two drake Pochard a single Cormorant , Kestrel , Treecreeper , but no sign of any Brambling today. On the feeders this afternoon Song Thrush , Blackbird , Blue Tit , Great Tit, House Sparrow , Bullfinch and Greenfinch.MS.

February 12th

Five Brambling this morning along with three Teal and Nuthatch again in the car park / conservation area. Plenty of Bullfinch and Greenfinch present and a count of 91 x Coot.

February 11th

Two female Brambling on feeders this morning , only other birds of note were Nuthatch in conservation area , Sparrowhawk over and two Little Grebe. Nearby .........the female Redhead Smew and drake Goldeneye still present at Redesmere

February 10th

At least eight Brambling ranging from conservation area along the headgerow to woodland. MS

Sparrowhawk by Tracey Stubbs.

Robin by Tracey Stubbs.

Annual Report

Cheshire and Wirral Bird Report 2016 is out now. If your not already a member why not ! . Membership secretary Phil Hampson email memsec@cawos.org

Species Total

Sixty three species recorded on site so far this year , compared to sixty four this time last year.

Febuary 9th

Female Goldeneye this morning along with two drake Pochard , female Brambling , Kestrel , Grey Wagtail , two Siskin , Lesser Redpoll and drake Goosander over. MS. Eight Teal 24/01/19 , Two Tawny Owl also two Brambling 26/01/19 , four Brambling , four Goosander over 01/01/19 , Fifteen Pochard and three Little Grebe , nineteen Cormorant 02/02/19 , MS / JS.