Old Records

Some old records have come to light from Alan Lewis during the 1980,s (via A Goodwin) these include our only sighting of Corn Bunting in 1981 . Also Ruddy Duck , Yellowhammer , Iceland Gull and Sanderling records , all of which have now been added to our database. So please if you visited here during the early Sand Quarry days and just after dig those old sightings out every record is valuable........ Request for sightings , birds that you see regular at other lakes, pools and reservoirs around our area are not always seen at Astbury. Please if you see something of interest around the water on the water or around the feeding station please let us no. Tree Sparrows are recorded near by but are a rareity at the Mere , it's as simple as that.

November 30th

A record count of 167 Tufted Duck two days ago , along with sixteen Pochard and a couple of Little Grebe. And it looks like we have another overwintering Chiffchaff again this year seen in the same area as past two winters in gorsey corner. Very quiet this morning but after a cold night duck numbers looking good with still over 100 Tuffties , around 60 Mallard and just under one hundred Coot. These numbers could hold a suprise amongst them especially if the weather stays cold . The feeders were topped up today as through work Saturdays are the only time I can get down now. I would again like to say a big thank you to whoever left me the bags of seed it is a great help Thank You. The male Kestrel that has been with us now for the past couple of months showed well this morning in the sunshine. And the date for Mark's wildlife walk next Spring has been set for Sunday 26th April .

Kestrel (male).

November 26th

Ten Pochard and a single drake Wigeon this afternoon.

November 25th

Sixteen Pochard ,9 drakes & 7 female.

November 24th

Six pairs of Pochard now on the mere along with two Little Grebe , eight Great Crested Grebe and around 120 Tufted Duck. Three Tawny Owls calling earlier this morning , also noted male Siskin and two Collared Dove.

November 23rd

Two Tawny Owl calling first thing this morning . Four pairs of Pochard on the mere but no sign of the pair of Little Grebe. Good numbers of Redwings passing over , also noted Nuthatch , Grey Heron , Bullfinch , Greenfinch and Treecreeper. This afternoon 38 Lapwing flew over heading south and noted on the feeders were Bullfinch ,Chaffinch , Blue Great and Coal Tit.

Sunset this evening by Tracey Stubbs.

November 21st

We now have ten Pochard on the mere four drakes and six female. Fifty four Redwing flew over mid morning also two Raven. This afternoon twelve Pink Feet flew over heading south , also noted a female Goldeneye , Kestrel ,Grey Heron , Cormorant and five Greenfinch on the feeders.

November 20th

Two Dipper on the river Dane in Congleton yesterday and single Raven over town centre this morning. Astbury Mere very quiet no change from last few days.

November 19th

The last couple of days a pair of Shoveler two Little Grebes four Pochard four Greylag Geese five Cormorant , Nuthatch and two Great Spotted Woodpecker. Femal Goldeneye still present couple of Raven over , two Siskin , Jay , good numbers of Goldcrest and around 130 Tufted Duck. Good numbers of Long-tailed Tits been sighted with 42 on Sunday and 30 today. Also today three Bullfinch , eight Redwing , five Goldfinch 98 B H Gulls and two Raven .

November 16th

Yesterday three drake Pochard and one female , single Little Grebe , Jay , Nuthatch , five Goldcrest and two Treecreeper. Mark and Tracey recorded the highest ever Long-tailed Tit flock at the Mere with 48 birds. Today fifteen Grey Wagtails came out of the roost , also noted Kingfisher , four Pochard two Little Grebe , Kestrel , Grey Heron and twenty Redwing.

Thank you

I would like to say a really big THANK YOU to whoever left some seed with the Rangers and to whoever left some feeders in a bag for me very much appreciated. But please don't stop there feel free to put a little bit of seed on the table if you see it running low . I have moved it a little closer to the hedge to make it easier to reach. It will be during January and February when the cold weather really sets in that the birds will need more. At present there is still enough natural food around , and they need to get used to the feeding station being there and up and running again . It is there for all of us to enjoy , and if the birds need a top up they no where to come. Once again thank you .

Wildlife Walk

Mark Stubbs is taking us on a wildlife walk around the Mere in April 2020. The last two walks went down very well so why not come and see what we can find at the Mere and join in the banter with Mark and myself next April. It will be advertised on the Astbury Mere Facebook page and on this blog when the date is confirmed. Again it will be by ticket only from the Rangers office.

Annual Bird Report

The 2017 Cheshire and Wirral Bird report is now at the printers.

November 14th

Five Pochard (2 drakes / 3 fem) , two Little Grebe also Sparrowhawk , Kestrel and Buzzard ...... Request for seed or feeders , any of those two items would be appreciated either pass to Mark , Jack or one of the Rangers who will pass them on. It cost quite a lot to keep our feathered friends happy during the winter months. Thank you.

Feeding Station

The feeding station is now being set up again in the conservation area. So it would be nice if I could get any help with old feeders or bird seed now and then as it cost myself between £80 to £100 each winter to keep the feeding station going. Either see myself , Mark or Jack or one of the Rangers will pass your contribution on. The birds need our help through the colder months. And with a bit of luck and cold weather we could get our Bramblings back , the last two winters we have had over one hundred birds. The feeding station will be built up with more feeders over the coming weeks so if you can contribute it would be very much appreciated. Thanks Steve.

November 10th

Female Common Scoter present this morning but no sign of any Scaup. Also present was a Common Gull rare at this site , two Little Grebe and two drake Pochard. The feeding station is now up and running in the conservation area same place as last two years. Any help with a little bit of seed or any old feeders you have would be appreciated. Images below of female Common Scoter was the best I could get as the bird was always distant.

Common Scoter (female).

Common Scoter (female).

Common Gull.

November 9th

No change this morning still two female Scaup , two Little Grebe and two drake Pochard.

November 8th

Around 150 Pink Feet flew over heading south east at 15-35 . The two female Scaup are still present along with eight Wigeon , two Little Grebe and two drake Pochard.

November 6th

MEGA.....
A site first this morning when Jack found a drake Mandarin it  was present at 8-00 but couldn't be found later during the day. Also present two drake Pochard and two female Scaup still and two Little Grebe .

Congleton
Raven x 2 over at 10-15.

November 5th

Scaup x 2
Pochard (drake)
Kestrel
L B B Gull x 490
Grey Wagtail x 6
Sparrowhawk
Tawny Owl
Pip Bat x 1

November 3rd

The two female/immature Scaup are still with us surprisingly after last night's fireworks which usually displace ducks from one water to another. Twenty four Grey Wagtails came out of their reedbed roost at first light this morning by fishing peg 38 for anyone that's interested. Also this morning Nuthatch , Treecreeper , Goldcrest , G S Woodpecker , Fieldfare and Redwings. A drake Shoveler appeared from out the mist which covered part of the lake. A female Goosander flew in mid-day giving excellent close views......LATE AFTERNOON......151 x Tufted Duck , 135 x Coot , 48 x Mallard , 3 x Little Grebe , 2 x Scaup , 6 x G C Grebe and 7 x Grey Wagtails going to roost. The Scaup have been with us on and off now for a week , often disappearing with a flock of Tuffties only to return later in the day . Only 34 Tufted Duck on the Mere at mid-day and we finished the day with 151.

Goosander (fem).

Goosander (fem).

November 2nd

Two Scaup still present this morning but not together , they were with different flocks of Tufted Duck at different part of the mere. Also two Little Grebe , Kingfisher , two Grey Wagtail and two Tawny Owl calling at first light. Flyovers included Skylark , Meadow Pipit , Redwing , Goosander fem, Rook and twelve Fieldfares. Others of note Sparrowhawk , G S Woodpecker , Goldcrest , Bullfinch and Treecreeper.

November 1st

Still two female Scaup present this morning also good numbers of Tufted Duck. Also Kestrel , two Little Grebe , two Buzzard , Grey Wagtail and plenty of Redwings and Fieldfares passing overhead.