Happy New Year 2023

Our area from Redesmere in the north to Knypersley in the south . And from Mow Cop in the west to Macclesfield Forest in the east , and all areas in between. We have a creditable total of 145 species recorded. Thank you to all who contributed to getting that total. And a big thank you and Happy New Year to all who read this blog. Let's all have a good and safe evening and a Bird filled 2023. 🍾🥂🍻

December 31st

Astbury Mere

Chiffchaff , 12 x Siskin , 12 x Redwing. 

Bent Lane 

Lapwing approx x 120.

December 30th

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 2 , Shoveler fem.

December 29th

Astbury Mere 

Wigeon drake , Gadwall drake , Shoveler fem , Siskin x 6 and Raven.

December 27th

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 7 , Goldeneye fem.

Scholar Green 

Lapwing x 74  along A34.

Lawton Lake

Goosander x 5 .

December 26th

Astbury Mere 

Pink-footed Geese x 100 over N/E @8-00 , Shoveler  x 3  Pochard x 2.

Redesmere 

Goosander x 6 , Goldeneye x 8 , Kingfisher  , Little Egret,  Fieldfare  x 300+ , Lapwing x 21 , Redwing x 80+ and adult Common Gull.

Bent Lane / Quarry

Shelduck x 28 , Redwing x 60 , Fieldfare x 20 , Shoveler x 2 and single Yellowhammer. 

Merry Christmas

To everybody that contributes to the blog and everyone who reads the blog a very Happy Christmas to you all. 🍻

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff x 3 still present , also single drake Wigeon , Pochard x 2 , and Raven x 2 .

Redesmere 

Goosander x 3 , Goldeneye and Common Gull. Also good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing. 

Astbury 

Goosander x 2 on golf course pond.

December 24th

Rudyard Lake 

Wigeon x 18 , Teal x 27 , Goosander  x 4 , Snipe x 5 , Raven , Kingfisher,  Grey Wagtail. 

Knypersley Reservoir 

Woodcock , Little Egret  and Mandarin x 5.

Biddulph CP

Goosander x 6

December 23rd

Congleton 

Grey Partridge x 2 in fodder beet crop at Bridestone Farm . That takes us to 145 species in our small area around Congleton for this year.

Brook St Congleton 

Little Egret over early morning. 

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 4 .

Annual Bird Report 2021

 

The Cheshire and Wirral Bird Report 2021 is now out , all members receive a free copy.  If you aren't already a member why not. 

Membership Secretary is Carolyn Baily .

E mail   memsec@cawos.org 

December 22nd

Rudyard Lake

Pink-footed Geese x 2 in with Canada flock , drake Pintail and Wigeon 20 +.

Biddulph 

Goosander x 3 over garden 10-55.

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff , Pochard x 8 and Goldfinch x 30.

December 21st

Astbury Mere 

Peregrine fem over this morning. Also Little Grebe  x 8 .

Rudyard Lake

Little Egret x 8 , Water Rail , Siskin x 11 and Snipe x 4 all south end of Dam along feeder stream.

December 20th

Biddulph Grange CP 

Little Egret over mid-morning  , also 30+ Redwing.

December 19th

Scholar Green 

Little Egret over A34 mid afternoon .

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 12 , Wigeon x 1 pair , Chiffchaff still and Lesser Redpoll. 

December 18th

Astbury Mere 

Goldeneye x 3 , Cormorant  x 17 , Shoveler  x 4 , Pochard x 7 , Little Grebe  x 8 , Gadwall  x 2 (drakes).

Congleton (River Dane)

Dipper by weir  , further along Goosander  x 5 and Kingfisher. 

December 17th

Redesmere 

Really sad news , the Great Northern Diver which gave so much pleasure to so many people has been found dead ontop of the ice at the Mere. It was feeding well so can only assume it was the lack of open water and cold conditions that finally took its toll.

Astbury Mere 

Shoveler x 7 , Gadwall  x 2 drakes.

December 16th

Astbury Mere 

Goldeneye fem , Common Snipe x 1 , Pochard x 11 , Shoveler  x 7 , Chiffchaff x 2 , Lapwing  x 6 f/o , single Fieldfare  and Redwing x 10.

Congleton Park

Woodcock .

Rudyard Lake 

Dipper on the Dam , Common Snipe x 12 , Kingfisher  x 2 , Grey Wagtail and Little Egret. 

December 15th

Astbury Mere 

Shoveler  x 4 , Pochard x 7.

Redesmere 

G N Diver still on small patch of unfrozen water , also Common Snipe x 3 , Little Grebe and Tawny Owl.

Lawton Lake

Mandarin  x 7 (6 × drakes).

December 14th

Redesmere 

Mere is 95% frozen over , G N Diver still , also G W Egret , Teal x 5 , Goosander  x 7 ,  Goldeneye x 6 , Shoveler  x 1pair , Water Rail and Cettis Warbler.

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 10 , Little Grebe x 7 . Shoveler x 3 and Wigeon x 2.

December 13th

Astbury Mere 

Whooper Swan very briefly late morning,  also Teal x 21 which is highest count for 27 yrs. Shoveler x 4 , Wigeon x 4 ,Pochard x 9 .

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan still present off Stone Childs Lane. 

Redesmere 

G N Diver still viewable from car park.

Rudyard

Snipe x 2 and Reed Bunting x 4 the best I could manage.

December 12th

Biddulph / Mow Cop

Approx 200 Pink-footed Geese going west towards Sandbach @10-55

Astbury Mere 

Pink-footed Geese over at 10-20 (heard only in foggy conditions). Also this afternoon Tufted Duck x 140 , Pochard x 11 , Little Grebe x 7 , Shoveler  x 4 , Lesser Redpoll x 4 and Siskin x 3 .

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan still in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane. 

December 11th

Astbury Mere 

Shoveler  x 4 and Chiffchaff. 

Redesmere 

G W Egret , G N Diver and Kingfisher. 

December 10th

Congleton 

Barn Owl early morning Wall Hill Lane.

Astbury Mere 

Goosander  x 5 , Teal x 5 , Shoveler  x 4 , Gadwall (drake) , Pochard x 11 , Little Grebe x 7 , Cormorant  x 15 and Siskin x 5 .

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan x 1 still present in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane. 

Biddulph Moor

Pink-footed Geese x 50 towards Congleton late afternoon. 

December 9th

Redesmere 

3/4 Frozen over , Wigeon x 1 pair , Goosander  x 8 , Goldeneye x 21 , G N Diver , Common Gull adult , Snipe , Cettis Warbler and Kingfisher. 

Kingfisher Redesmere. 

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 11 , Goosander x 3 and drake Gadwall. 

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan x 1 still in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane. 

December 8th

Astbury Mere 

Mandarin x 1 pair , Little Grebe x 7 , Pochard x 7 and Chiffchaff  calling.

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver  , Great White Egret , Goldeneye x 24 , Goosander x 5 and drake Mandarin.

December 7th

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 8 , Shoveler x 1pair , Siskin x 5.

December 6th

Biddulph 

Pink-footed Geese x 80 approx over east at 8-50.

New Lane off A34

Stock Dove x 70 in stubble field.

December 5th

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff  x 3 , Shoveler pair , and Gadwall drake.

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver still from car park,  also Teal x 22 , Goldeneye  x 23 , Kingfisher x 2 , Raven and drake Mandarin. 

December 3rd

Scholar Green 

Sad news this morning as one of the Whooper Swans has died during the night , possibly due to avian flu. The other remaining bird is asleep by the waters edge possibly waiting the same fate.

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver still visible from car park . Also drake Mandarin,  Teal x 12 and Goldeneye x 21.

December 2nd

Astbury Mere 

Teal x 4 , Wigeon  x 4 , Gadwall x 4 and Pochard x 6.

Redesmere 

G N Diver still viewed from car park also 21 x Goldeneye. 

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane , also Common Snipe.

December 1st

Astbury Mere 

Gadwall x 4, Teal (drake) , Pochard x 4 .

Also Hedgehog Congleton Town centre.

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan x 2 still present in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane (19 days).

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver still from car park also Goldeneye  x 21.

November 30th

Astbury Mere 

Gadwall  x 3 (2 × drakes) , Pochard x 3 and Chiffchaff. 

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan x 2 still in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane (18 days).

November 29th

Astbury Mere 

Single Wigeon and Grey Wagtail. 

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still chilling in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane.  (17 days).

November 28th

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane. 

Knypersley 

Mandarin  x 4 , Brambling and Raven x 2.

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff still belting out its song , also 8 x Pochard.

November 27th

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane. 

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver still present best viewed from car park at south end of Mere .

November 26th

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan x 2 in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane. 

Astbury Mere 

Common Gull adult , Chiffchaff singing and Pochard x 8.

Knypersley Reservoir 

Pink-footed Geese x 29 over heading west , also Woodcock and Mandarin x 4 .

November 25th

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver still present best viewed from car park at South end . Also approx 16 Goldeneye and Kingfisher. 

November 24th

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still present and enjoying life for there twelfth day in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane. 

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff singing , also Pochard x 8 .

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver best viewed from car park end of Mere.

November 23rd

Congleton 

Pink-footed Geese approx 400 heading east over town centre at 12-10.

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver still from car park , also Goldeneye  x 16.

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still present Stone Childs Lane in flooded field. 

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff still present. 

Goldeneye Redesmere. 

November 22nd

Redesmere 

Gt Northern Diver juvenile still present viewed from car park.

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still enjoying life in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane .

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 11 , fem Goldeneye and Chiffchaff still.

Dane in Shaw

Little Egret x 2 this morning. 

November 21st

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver still present viewed from car park at South end.

November 20th

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 11 , Teal x 2 , Pink-footed Geese x 12 f/o ,  Shoveler  x 7 f/o  , Siskin x 3, Kingfisher, Chiffchaff also still present. 

Bent Lane 

Shelduck x 7 in quarry.

Redesmere 

Gt Northern Diver still from car park also , Goldeneye  x 19 (6 x drakes).

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane.

November 16th

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 13 (8 drakes) , also fem Goldeneye. 

Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver still present but can be elusive at times , also Goldeneye fem x 3.

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swans x 2 still present in flooded field off Stone Childs Lane  mid-afternoon. 

November 15th

Scholar Green 

Two Whooper Swans still present in flooded field along Stone Childs Lane at 16-00.

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 5 , Little Grebe x 7 .

Redesmere 

Gt N Diver still but can be elusive in the right hand corner from the car park.

November 14th

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan x 2 still present at Stone Childs Lane.

Astbury Mere

Goldeneye x 2 fem , Pochard x 5  and Teal x 2.

Just up the road at Redesmere 

Great Northern Diver juvenile for second day.

November 13th

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff still also , Shoveler  x 3 , and approx 60 x Fieldfare over.

Scholar Green 

Whooper Swan x 2  in flooded field Stone Chair Lane.

Photo by Tracey Stubbs. 

November 10th

Congleton 

Pink-footed Geese x 50 south @11-15.

Astbury Mere 

Tufted Duck x 151.

Bent Lane / Childs Lane

Fieldfare x 52.

November 5th

Astbury Mere 

Peregrine male , Chiffchaff singing , Tawny Owl , Kingfisher  , Pochard pair , Tufted Duck x 124 , Coot x 116 , Little Grebe x 6 , B H Gull x 800+ , Raven , L B B Gull x 2 and Grey Wagtail. 

October 27th

Astbury Mere 

Pochard x 7 (4 x drakes) , Goosander  x 2 , Little Grebe x 2 and approx 100 x Tufted Duck.

October 21st

Astbury Mere 

Six Pochard on the Mere first of the autumn .

October 19th

Astbury Mere

Chiffchaff still on the east side also Fieldfare x 11 , Redwing x 50 and Little Egret  x 2 over at dusk.

October 3rd

Congleton 

Hobby over West Rd.

Sept 30th

Astbury Mere

Pintail x 2 this morning , also Swallow  x 21.

September 21st

Astbury Mere 

Cetti's Warbler called briefly this morning only second record for the site.

September 18th

Astbury Mere 

Pink-footed Geese x 40 heading east.

September 15th

Congleton 

Pink-footed Geese x 200 s/e at 8-15.

September 14th

Congleton River Dane

Dipper x 2 , Grey Wagtail x 1 , Kingfisher all between weir and boat.

September 9th

Astbury Mere 

Scaup x 2 this morning. 

Scaup photo by Tracey Stubbs.

September 6th

Astbury Mere 

Little Egret x 1 f/o.

August 31st

Astbury

Red Kite over Moss Lane.

August 22nd

Astbury Mere 

Spotted Flycatcher North side along waters edge.

Scholar Green

Redstart private garden.

August 21st

Astbury Mere 

Green Sandpiper flew over calling.

August 13th

Congleton Park

Otter by the weir River Dane @7-45.

Rudyard Lake

Yellow Wagtail x 2

Species Total

132 species recorded within a 10 mile radius of Congleton last year 2021.

So far this year we have recorded 130 species. But there are some missing this year that were seen last year. If you know of any of these in our area get in touch with Mark or myself.

Greenshank

Cuckoo

Sedge Warbler 

Lesser Whitethroat 

All the above were recorded last year.

May 25th

Sandbach Flashes 

Knot partial summer plumage (RF).

May 24th

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

L R Plover x 2

Sandbach Flashes 

Ringed Plover x 4 (PHF)

May 23rd

Sandbach Flashes 

Black-tailed Godwit x 16 (EHF)

Ringed Plover x 2 (EHF)

Gt W Egret (EHF)

May 22nd

The Cloud

Pied Flycatcher x 1 male

Redstart x 1 male

Spotted Flycatcher x 2

Sandbach Flashes 

Ringed Plover  (PHF)

Little Ringed Plover x 2

Oystercatcher x 2

Lawton Woods

Spotted Flycatcher 

Mow Cop (Ackers Wood)

Spotted Flycatcher x 2

Garden Warbler 

May 21st

Macclesfield Forest 

Spotted Flycatcher x 2

Cuckoo.

Astbury Mere

Swift x 6

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Dunlin x 2

Ringed Plover 

Egyptian Goose

Med Gull over .

May 20th

Sandbach Flashes 

Egyptian Geese x 2 (EHF)

May 16th

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Black Tern x 1

Asbury Mere

Swift x 8

May 14th

Mow Cop 

Spotted Flycatcher x 1

Redstart x 2

Crossbill x 2

Tree Pipit x 1

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Egyptian Geese x 2

Ringed Plover x 4

Dunlin x 1

Brereton

Yellow Wagtail x 3

Yellowhammer x 1

May 13th

Astbury Mere 

Reed Warbler  (first 2022).

Congleton (Childs Lane)

Yellow Wagtail x 1 

Sandbach Flashes 

Common Tern x 2 (EHF)

Common Sandpiper x 1 (EHF)

L R Plover x 2 (PHF)

May 12th

Congleton

Spotted Flycatcher x 1 on Macclesfield Canal by Queens Head Pub

Acre Nook SQ Chelford

Whimbrel x 1

3 x Ringed Plover

9 x Dunlin

Sandbach Flashes

4 x Wheatear (MGT)

May 11th

Sandbach Flashes 

Mandarin drake  (EHF)

Brereton

9 x Yellow Wagtail

May 10th

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Ruff x 1

Dunlin x 5

Astbury Mere 

Swift x 8

House Martin x 1

May 9th

Teggs Nose CP

Pied Flycatcher 

Redstart 

Green Woodpecker 

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Red Kite over N/E @10-10

Astbury Mere 

Swift x 2 this afternoon 

Mow Cop

Grasshopper Warbler reeling 

Garden Warbler x 2

May 8th

Congleton River Dane 

Goosander x 4 juveniles 

Dipper

Grey Wagtail 

Kingfisher 

Mandarin drake.

Acre Nook 

Swift x 6

Yellow Wagtail 

Dunlin

Redshank

Egyptian Goose x 2

Sandbach Flashes 

Wheatear x 3 (MGT)

Bickerton Hill

Cuckoo x 2 by car park

May 6th

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Avocet x 2

Redshank x 1

Yellow Wagtail x 1

Pink-footed Geese x 2

Sandbach Flashes 

Common Tern x 2 (EHF)

Oystercatcher  x 1 (EHF)

Kingfisher x 1 (EHF)

Congleton River Dane

Dipper

Grey Wagtail 

Mandarin drake.

Newsbank Pool 

Stock Dove  x 3

Shoveler x 2

Mandarin x 2 drakes

Oystercatcher  x 7

Dipper River Dane East Hills.

May 5th

Astbury Mere 

Hobby over early morning. 

Mow Cop

Wheatear  x 5

White Wagtail x 1

Common Whitethroat x 1

East Hills Cheshire 

Danebower,  Danebridge, Wildboarclough etc.

Merlin

Wheatear x 7

Pied Flycatcher x 2

Redstart x 3

Curlew x several

Red Grouse x 6

Stonechat x 7

Red Kite

Ring Ouzel x 2

Macclesfield 

Hobby over golf course.

Pied Flycatcher East Hills.

May 4th

Congleton 

Dotterel still present @ 6-30 in ploughed field. Apparently now flown off with Lapwings at 7-30.

Dotterel now back in the field 8-40.

Dotterel still present @19-00 opposite side of dual carriage way.

Mow Cop

No sign of yesterday's  Ring Ouzel

Wheatear  x 5

Garden Warbler x 1

Sandbach Flashes 

L R Plover x 2 ( EHF)

Ringed Plover x 1 (EHF)

Photo courtesy of Fred Fearn. 

Two Photo's courtesy of Paul Brewster. 

Dotterel (Mega)

 Congleton 

Dotterel found late this evening by Phil Oddy , a real Mega for our area. In ploughed field on Congleton bypass from Holmes Chapel Rd. At least 20 birders managed to see it before fading light , thanks to Phil for quickly putting the news out.

Photo by Patrick Earith in fading light this evening. 

May 3rd

Congleton 

Whinchat female in ploughed field, left of bypass after roundabout on Sandbach Rd. Also Wheatear and two Red-legged Partridge. 

Mow Cop

Ring Ouzel x 1 male

Wheatear  x 5

Astbury Mere 

Swift x 1 (first 2022)

Sand Martin x 70

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Wood Sandpiper x 1

Common Tern x 2

Sandbach Flashes 

Hobby over (EHF) @ 8-10

Biddulph CP 

Cuckoo x 1 calling.

May 2nd

Mow Cop

Wheatear x 2

Sandbach Flashes 

Bar-tailed Godwit x 1 (EHF)

Whimbrel x 1 (EHF)

Rudyard Lake 

Common Tern x 3

April 30th

Congleton (River Dane)

Dipper x 1

Goosander fem with 6 youngsters

Grey Wagtail

Apri 28th

Sandbach Flashes 

Bar-tailedGodwit x 1 (EHF)

Greenshank x 1 (EHF)

April 27th

Sandbach Flashes 

Common Tern (EHF)

Macclesfield Forest 

Cuckoo clear fell area behind Leather Smithy pub.

April 26th

Congleton 

Hobby over town centre @6-40

Red Kite over Buglawton towards Macclesfield @7-50

Sandbach Flashes 

Wheatear x 1 (MGT)

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Ring-necked Duck x pair still 

April 25th

Sandbach Flashes 

Ringed Plover x 3 (EHF)

April 24th

The Cloud

Redstart

Tree Pipit 

Sandbach Flashes 

Arctic Tern x 3 @6-50 (EHF)

Greenshank x 1 (PHF)

Astbury Mere 

Common Sandpiper 

Mow Cop

Tree Pipit x 2

Wheatear x 1 in ploughed field.

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Arctic Tern x 2

Marsh Harrier through this evening 

Scholar Green 

Yellowhammer x 11 by brick house Farm. 

Wildboarclough 

Red Kite over @ 9-45

April 23rd

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Arctic Tern x 1

Little Gull x 4

R N Duck x 1pair 

Sandbach Flashes 

Whimbrel x 1 (EHF)

Greenshank x 1 (PHF)

April 22nd

Sandbach Flashes 

Greenshank x 1 (PHF)

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck x 2 still present. 

Rudyard Lake 

Redstart x 1 male

Oystercatcher x 2

Church Lawton

Hobby over church

Lesser Whitethroat 

April 21st

Astbury Mere 

Common Sandpiper  (first for 2022)

Sandbach Flashes 

Black Kite over N/W @17-10

Greenshank  (EHF)

April 20th

Acres Nook SQ Chelford

R N Duck x 2 still present. 

Rudyard Lake 

Common Sandpiper x 1 late evening. 
 

April 19th

Sandbach Flashes 

Black-tailed Godwit x 7 (EHF)

Common Sandpiper x 3 (EHF)

L R Plover x 4 (EHF)

April 17th

Mow Cop

Grasshopper Warbler reeling early morning from layby on Mow Lane.

Sandbach Flashes 

G W Egret x 2 (PHF)

Blackwit x 4 (PHF)

Red Kite over (PHF)

Reed Warbler (WLF)

Common Sandpiper  (EHF)

L R Plover x 4 (EHF)

Blackwit x 2 (EHF)

Black-necked Grebe  (RF)

April 16th

Scholar Green 

Red Kite over @9-00

Sandbach Flashes 

Whitethroat x 2 (MGT)

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Ring-necked Duck  x pair still

White Wagtail x 3

Astbury Mere 

Shelduck 

Mow Cop

Pied Flycatcher  male (Ackers Wood)

Grasshopper Warbler reeling this evening  from layby along Mow Lane. 

April 15th

Mow Cop

Tree Pipit x 2

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck x 1pair 

Whimbrel x 1

Great White Egret x 1

Oystercatcher  x 17

Danebower 

Pied Flycatcher x 1

April 13th

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R  N  Duck fem still present 

White Wagtail x 7

Yellow Wagtail x 2

April 12th

Congleton 

Great White Egret  balancing pool end of Barn Road then flew in direction of Redesmere 7-45.

Shelduck x 1 on balancing pool Holmes Chapel Rd  (by pass).

Dipper by the weir 

Scholar Green 

Wheatear nr Brickhouse Farm

Little Egret flooded field Stone Chair Lane.

Danebower 

Ring Ouzel x 3

Wheatear x 8

Dane in Shaw

Dipper by bridge. (River Dane)

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Little Gull x 4

L R Plover x 4

Yellow Wagtail x 3

Wheatear x 1 

Astbury Mere 

Willow Warbler x 8

Mow Cop

Wheatear x 5

Redstart x 1

April 11th

Sandbach Flashes 

Common Sandpiper x 2 (EHF)

Wheatear  x 2 (HF)

Yellow Wagtail  (EHF)

Black-tailed Godwit x 12 (EHF)

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Common Sandpiper x 1

Yellow Wagtail x 1

R N Duck fem still present 

L R Plover x 4

Ringed Plover  x 1

Willow Warbler x 1

White Wagtail x 1

Biddulph Moor

Wheatear x 3

Church Lawton 

Red Kite @11-50 south east.

Congleton Park 

Dipper  (by old boat)

Grey Wagtail 

Mandarin 

Knypersley Res 

Swallow  x 3

Sand Martin  x 5

Mandarin x 2

East Hills Cheshire

Ring Ouzels x 3

April 10th

Danebower Chimney / Quarry

Ring Ouzel x 5

Osprey north @10-05

Sandbach Flashes 

Green Sandpiper  x 2 (HF)

Great White Egret  (PF)

Black-tailed Godwit x 14 (PF)

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck fem still present 

Yellow Wagtail 

April 6th

Astbury Mere 

No sign of Common Scoter 

Sandwich Tern ( patch MEGA) 

Shelduck x 4 briefly early morning 

Willow Warbler x 2

Swallow x 2

Sand Martin x 30

Sandwich Tern photo by Tracey Stubbs. 

April 5th

Congleton

Dipper (Bath Vale River Dane)

Congleton (New By Pass)

Shelduck pair (Balancing pool end Barn Rd)

Goosander drake over new by pass

Astbury Mere 

Common Scoter drake 

Sand Martin x 13

House Martin (first back 2022)

Willow Warbler 

Swallow x 2 (first back 2022)

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck still present 

G W Egret

White Wagtail 

April 4th

Astbury Mere 

Willow Warbler x 1 (first back 2022)

Brambling 

Sand Martin x 19

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck fem 

Congleton Park / River Dane

Dipper

Goosander 

Grey Wagtail x 2

Mandarin 

Mistle Thrush

Sparrowhawk 

April 2nd

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck fem 

March 31st

Astbury Mere 

Sand Martin x 19

Goldeneye fem 

Bent Lane / Childs Lane 

R L Partridge x 1

Yellowhammer x 2

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck fem 

March 30th

Congleton Park 

Little Egret x 2 River Dane by Rood Hill bridge.

Sandbach Flashes 

Sand Martin x 2 (WLF)

Swallow x 1 (WLF)

G W Egret x 1 (PHF)

Ruff  x 2 (PHF)

Redshank x 1 (EHF)

March 29th

Sandbach Flashes 

Green Sandpiper x 2 (PHF)

Black-tailed Godwit x 15 (EHF)

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck fem still present.

Wildboarclough 

Red Kite over 11-25.

Hen Harrier male

Congleton Park 

Willow Warbler x 1 singing by the weir (First back ).

Astbury Mere 

Common Gull adult x 2

Sand Martin x 2

March 28th

Sandbach Flashes

Black-tailed Godwit x 16 (EHF)

L R Plover x 2 (PHF)

Dunlin x 1 (Hancock's)

G W Egret (PHF)

Danebower

Ring Ouzel x 2 reported yesterday but no sign this morning.

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

R N Duck fem late afternoon. 

March 27th

Sandbach Flashes

Black-tailed Godwit x 17 (EHF)

Redshank (EHF)

Great White Egret over

Little Ringed Plover x 6 (PHF)

Yellow-legged Gull adult (EHF)

The Cloud

Stonechat x 2

Rudyard Lake

Oystercatcher x 5

Little Ringed Plover x 1

Raven x 2

Goosander x 1 fem

Red Deer x 2 young stags

Astbury Mere

Sand Martin x 5

Blackcap 

March 26th

Rudyard Lake

L R Plover x 1

Oystercatcher x 3

Shelduck x 2

Teal x 2

Kingfisher

Willow Tit x 2

Astbury Mere

Blackcap x 3 (first back 2022)

Mediterranean Gull adult briefly this afternoon. 

Common Gull x 1  adult 

Knypersley Res 

Blackcap

Chiffchaff  x 22

Mandarin x 4

Tawny Owl x 4

March 25th

Astbury Mere 

No sign of Black-necked Grebe this morning. 

Egyptian Goose flew through.

Egyptian Goose Astbury.

Sandbach Flashes 

L R Plover on PHF

Rudyard Lake 

L R Plover x 1 

Oystercatcher  x 3

Danebower 

Wheatear x 1

Red Kite over 

Congleton Park (River Dane)

Mandarin x 1

Kingfisher x 1

Grey Wagtail x 2

Dipper x 1

Goosander x 1

March 24th

Astbury Mere 

Black-necked Grebe still present 

Brambling male

Goldeneye fem 

Sandbach Flashes 

Avocet x 2 still on EHF.

Rudyard Lake 

Little Ringed Plover  (first back)

Oystercatcher x 3

Chiffchaff x 24 singing.

March 23rd

Sandbach Flashes

Avocet x 2 (EHF)

Astbury Mere

Black-necked Grebe still present 

Teal x 4 

Common Gull x 6

Scholar Green

Blackcap x 1 pair ( nr Lawton Lake )

Acre Nook SQ Chelford

Little Ringed Plover x 7

Dunlin x 1

Curlew x 2 (flyover)

Wigeon

Gadwall

Biddulph Moor

Ring Ouzel east of Marshes Hill in horse paddocks.

Rudyard Lake  (evening)

Egyptian Geese x 3

Chiffchaff  x 7 (north end)

March 22nd

photo by Dave Kelsall. 

Astbury Mere

Black-Necked Grebe ( first since 2015 )

Sand Martin x 6

Goldeneye fem

Shoveler x 3

Little Grebe x 4

Acre Nook SQ Chelford

Black-tailed Godwit x 1

March 16th

Acre Nook SQ 

L R Plover x 2

Redshank 

March 15th

Astbury Mere

Sand Martin x 3

Goldeneye fem

Rudyard Lake 

Sand Martin x 1

Goldeneye fem 

Chiffchaff x several different locations singing.

March 14th

Acre Nook SQ

Little Ringed Plover x 1

Dunlin x 3 

March 13th

Astbury Mere 

Sand Martin x 2 (first back 2022)

Oystercatcher 

Goldeneye fem 

Shoveler drake

Siskin x 15

Chiffchaff x 4

Knypersley Res 

Chiffchaff  x 2

Goosander x 3

Red Kite over N/W @ 11-15

Rudyard Lake 

Chiffchaff  x 7

Curlew

Oystercatcher  x 5

Water Rail (Heron Marsh)

Bent Lane

Little Egret 

Linnet x 70+

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Black-neckedGrebe 

March 12th

Astbury Mere 

Goldeneye fem

Chiffchaff  x 4

Congleton / Sommerford A54

Red Kite x 2

Rudyard Lake 

Chiffchaff  x 4

Oystercatcher x 4

Common Gull x 3

Rode Heath

Little Egret x 4 ( Townsend Lane )

Brambling  x 2

Oystercatcher  x 2

Yellowhammer  x 100+ ( Knutsford Old Rd)

March 11th

Rode Heath 

Egyptian Geese x 2 near Townsend Lane.

Oystercatcher x 2

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff x 4

Rudyard Lake 

Oystercatcher  x 8

Teal x 7

Cormorant x 21

March 7th

Congleton By Pass

Shelduck x  2 on balancing pond Barn Rd.

March 6th

Dane in Shaw

Dipper (river dane)

Raven

Astbury Mere 

Curlew over calling.

Common Gull adult 

Goldeneye fem 

Lesser Redpoll x 3

Common Gull adult photo by Tracey Stubbs. 

March 4th

Bent Lane 

Shelduck x 27

Chiffchaff  singing

Astbury Mere 

Goldeneye fem 

March 3rd

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff 

Goldeneye fem 

March 2nd

Astbury Mere 

Chiffchaff (1st back)

Lesser Redpoll x 3

Siskin x 20

March 1st

Scholar Green 

Red Kite x 2 over A34 @ 13.20

Astbury Mere

Goldeneye fem

Tufted Duck x 59

Shoveler x 4

Little Grebe x 4

Buzzard

Bent Lane SQ

Shelduck x 7

Oystercatcher x 2

February 28th

Congleton

Little Egret over towards new by pass.

Astbury Mere 

Goldeneye fem 

February 27th

Red Kite over Macclesfield Forest. 

The Cloud

Stonechat x 2

Macclesfield Forest

Crossbill (several)

Red Kite

Siskin x 14

Astbury Mere

It looks like finally our long staying drake Common Scoter has departed, with clear skies last night and its 12 day stay it was no great surprise.

Goldeneye fem

Shoveler x 8

February 26th

Macclesfield Forest 

Hen Harrier male (9-00) 

Crossbill x 5

Raven x 3

Stonechat 

Astbury Mere 

Common Scoter drake 

Goldeneye fem 

Shoveler x 10

Wildboarclough 

Dipper x 3

Grey Wagtail 

Raven 

Curlew x 2

Congleton Town Centre

Red Kite over @15-55 south east .

Common Scoter

The drake Common Scoter has now been present for 12 days,and as far as I am aware it is the longest staying individual at the Mere. It is spending most of its time diving and feeding smack central in the Mere. Which is roughly some 200mts from whichever side you view from. In turn frustrating the hell out of me because I use a DSLR camera and I can't get anywhere near it for a decent photo. Images below are the best I could manage out of some 11 hours trying.

February 25th

Redesmere Lake

Goldeneye x 21 (7 x drakes).

Part of the flock of 21 Goldeneye. 

Congleton By Pass

Holmes Chapel Rd Island

Shelduck on small island pool.

Astbury Mere 

Common Scoter drake still 

Wigeon x 1 pair

Shoveler  x 10

Common Gull adult 

Goldeneye fem 

February 24th

Macclesfield Forest

Red Kite over @11-30

Lapwing Hall Pool Chelford

Smew x 2 (redhead)

Astbury Mere

Common Scoter  drake still

Goosander fem

Goldeneye fem

Shoveler x 8

Common Gull adult

February 23rd

Acre Nook SQ Chelford 

Black-neckedGrebe 

Great White Egret 

Lawton Lake

Mandarin x 6 (4 × drakes).

Astbury Mere 

Common Scoter drake still 

Shoveler  x 8

Common Gull adult.

Goldeneye fem 

Februarey 22nd

Astbury Mere

Common Scoter drake still present but quiet content to sit in the middle some 150mts out.

Also present 5 x Shoveler and a single adult Common Gull. Estimated around 500 B H Gulls had come into roost by 16-30 .

February 21st

Astbury Mere 

Our resident drake Common Scoter still present. (If he stays much longer he could qualify for a parking pass).

February 20th

Astbury Mere 

Scaup x 2 circled Mere then flew off .

Common Scoter drake still 

Goldeneye fem 

Shoveler x 16

Teal x 5

Little Grebe x 6

Siskin x 20

Rudyard Lake 

Goosander  x 4

Raven

Tawny Owl 

February 19th

Astbury Mere 

Common Scoter drake still present  (6th day)

Goldeneye fem

Shoveler x 8

Little Grebe x 6

Bent Lane 

Shelduck x 41 (sand quarry)

Oystercatcher x 2

February 18th

Congleton River Dane 

Goosander x 3 by weir.

Redesmere 

Goldeneye x 5

Goosander x 3

Astbury Mere 

Common Scoter drake  (5th day)

Shoveler x 4

Gadwall x 2

Goldeneye fem 

Little Grebe  x 5

February 17th

 Astbury Mere

Common Scoter drake for (4th day)

Goldeneye 1 x pair

Macclesfield Forest

Crossbill x 5 

Red Deer x 3

Lapwing Hall Pool Chelford

Smew x 2

Acre Nook Chelford

Black-necked Grebe

Great White Egret x 2

Pintail x 5

Dunlin

February 16th

Congleton River Dane 

Dipper x 2 by old boat.

Grey Wagtail 

Goosander female. 

Astbury Mere

Common Scoter drake still present (3rd day)

Goldeneye fem 

Gadwall pair 

Shoveler x 8

Little Grebe x 4

NEARBY

Lapwing Hall Pool Chelford

Smew in south west corner.

Acre Nook

Black-necked Grebe still

Oystercatcher x 3

Great White Egret.

February 15th

 Astbury Mere

Common Scoter drake still present

Goldeneye fem.

Gadwall x 1pair

Shoveler x 4

February 14th

Astbury Mere 

Common Scoter drake @16.15

Shoveler 

Goldeneye fem 

Raven x 2

Church Lawton

Goosander  x 5 on canal by lock 52.

Knypersley Res

Dipper along stream mid-afternoon. 

Feb 13th

Bent Lane Sand Quarry 

Shelduck x 25

Oystercatcher x 2

Greylag x 3 

Astbury Mere 

Goldeneye fem 

Pochard x 2

Shoveler x 8

February 12th

Congleton Park (River Dane)

Dipper x 2 

Grey Wagtail 

Goosander x 3

Kingfisher 

Rode Heath

Egyptian Geese x 2 Townsend Lane.

Macclesfield Forest 

Crossbill x 3 standing stone car park.

Astbury Mere 

Gadwall x 2

Shoveler x 5

Goldeneye fem

Photo by Tracey Stubbs. 

Photo by Tracey Stubbs. 

MEGA

AMERICAN ROBIN EASTBOURNE EAST SUSSEX STILL.

Feb 8th

Astbury Golf Course

Kingfisher by road bridge over Canal.

Congleton Park 

Goosander  x 3 by waterfall

Grey Wagtail. 

MEGA

AMERICAN ROBIN EASTBOURNE 

EAST SUSSEX. 

Feb 7th

Astbury Mere 

Goldeneye fem still present 

Shoveler x 6

Little Grebe x 6

Pochard x 2 drakes.

Congleton Park 

Dipper  x 1 by the old boat (river dane).

Congleton by pass

Holmes Chapel Rd

Little Egret on balancing lake again.

NEARBY

Lapwing Hall Pool Chelford 

Smew x 2 redhead

Acre Nook 

Black-Necked Grebe 

G W Egret

Feb 6th

 Astbury Mere Feb 6th

Shelduck f/o

Pochard drake

Raven x 2

Siskin x 23

Sandbach Rd A534

Golden Plover x 11 (Wall Hill Corner)

Sandy Lane

Skylark x 50 approx

Meadow Pipit x 15

Astbury Mere Feb 5th

Goldeneye fem

Shoveler x 10

Bent Lane Farm / Sand Quarry area

Tree Sparrow x 1

Egyptian Goose

Oystercatcher x 2

Shelduck x 25

Astbury A34 Watery Lane

Brambling in mixed finch flock

Congleton Bypass

Little Egret on balancing lake

Congleton Park

Dipper by waterfall

Goosander x 3

Thursday 3rd February

Congleton Park

Stock Dove

Redwing

Mistle Thrush

Grey Wagtail

Dipper

Goosander x 2

Kingfisher

Monday 31st January

River Dane Congleton Park

Dipper x 2

Goosander

Grey Wagtail

Congleton Bypass 

Little Egret on balancing lake.

January 20th

 Astbury Mere 

Shoveler  x 8

Pochard x 3

Little Grebe x 5

Goosander x 1

Gadwall x 1

Congleton Park  (River Dane)

Dipper 

Mow Cop

Jack Snipe x 10

Common Snipe x 9

Woodcock  x 1

Siskin x 6

January 19th

Congleton Park (River Dane) 

Little Egret

Dipper

Mistle Thrush

Goldcrest

Redwing.

Astbury Mere

Goldeneye (drake)

Bent Lane / Childs Lane area

Yellowhammer x 10

Sandy Lane

Skylark 50+

NEARBY

Lapwing Hall Pool 

Smew x 2

Acre Nook Pool 

G W Egret

Black Necked Grebe. 

January 18th

Astbury Mere 

Pintail drake

Goldeneye fem

Shoveler x 7

Pochard x 5

Little Grebe x 7

Gadwall x 1pair 

Congleton Park (River Dane)

Dipper x 1

Goosander fem

Kingfisher

Mistle Thrush x 2

Redwing.

NEARBY JAN 18TH

Lapwing Hall Pool Chelford

Smew x 2

Acre Nook Pool Chelford

G W Egret x 1

Black Necked Grebe x 1

January 17th

Raven x 2 over new bypass

January 16th

Astbury Mere

Goldeneye fem still

Shoveler x 7

Tawny Owl x 2

Siskin x 12

Moreton / Scholar Green A34

Lapwing x 400 approx .

January 15th

Great Moreton Hall Lake

Great White Egret

Astbury Mere 

Pintail  x 3 (1×drake)

Goldeneye fem

Shoveler  x 9

Pochard  x 11

Tufted Duck x 63

Little Grebe x 9

Bent Lane / Green Lane

Yellowhammer x 5

Skylark x 5

Rudyard Lake 

Goldeneye fem

Goosander  x 4

January 12th

Astbury Mere

Greylag over first thing

Lapwing by Sandbach Rd

Child's Lane

Buzzard

Congleton Park (River Dane)

Goosander fem

Dipper

Grey Wagtail

NEARBY

Redesmere

G W Egret x 2 but flew off south at 12.30

Acre Nook

G W Egret x 1

Black-Necked Grebe x 1

Oystercatcher x 2

Lapwing Hall Pool

Smew redhead x 2

 

January 10th

Astbury Mere

Goldeneye fem

Shoveler x 6

Little Grebe x 5

January 6th

Congleton Park / River Dane

Dipper x 2

Goosander fem

Mistle Thrush x 2

Sparrowhawk

Astbury Mere

Goldeneye fem

Pochard x 3

Shoveler x 5

Little Grebe x 6

Raven

January 4th

Astbury Mere

Shoveler x 6

Pochard x 2

Congleton Park (River Dane)

Dipper

Goosander

Grey Wagtail.

Biddulph CP 

Goosander x 5

Chatterley Whitfield 

Barn Owl @16-30

OUT OF AREA

Lapwing Hall Pool Chelford 

Redhead Smew x 2

Acre Nook

Mandarin  x 4

Redesmere 

G W Egret

Goldeneye x 5

January 3rd

Biddulph CP 

Goosander  x 3

Astbury Mere 

Goldeneye fem 

Common Gull adult

Little Grebe x 9

Shoveler x 6

Raven x 3

Siskin

G S Woodpecker 

Grey Wagtail 

Lesser Redpoll 

January 1st

Astbury Mere

Shoveler x 14

G B B Gull x 3

Tawny Owl

Goldeneye fem

Pochard x 5

Little Grebe x 9

52 species recorded at Astbury today.

Congleton Park 

Dipper