30/04/17 - Birdlog

After a large scale Tern movement throughout the country today, I wasn't surprised this afternoon to find the first 3 Common Tern of the year hawking the flash. Amongst these 3, another bird came into view, and I soon came to realise it was in fact the flashes second record of ARCTIC TERN. I was slightly surprised there were no Black Terns present during my visit due to the vast amount of birds present in Cheshire today, however after only an hours visit, I could easily of missed one.

Other birds of note included 2 summer plumaged Black Tailed Godwit, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher and the first Swift of the year.

Observer: Findlay Wilde

27/04/17 - Birdlog

6 Black Tailed Godwit (highest count on record), 2 Little Ringed Plover and the first Common Sandpiper of the year present during the course of the day (all on the scrapes at top side).

Observer: John Gilbody

2 Little Ringed Plover were still present this evening, plus a solitary Yellow Wagtail. All birds photographed were distant explaining the awful record shots.

 LRP

Yellow Wagtail

Observer: Findlay Wilde (all images)

21/04/17 - Birdlog

An after school visit to the flash certainly proved worthwhile. I started my travels at the top side where it was good to see a nice number of Great Crested Grebes numbering 27 spread out across a small area of the main water. Gulls have been thin on the ground lately, and this afternoon was no different with only 50 Black Headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull and a Common Gull present.

Sadly there was no sign of yesterday's Little Ringed Plover on the scrapes, however 7 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatcher and 3 Teal were a nice return. With not much else happening I moved on to have a look at the ploughed field that has been rather productive in the last couple of weeks. After a good 20 minute scan I managed to gather a patch record of 15 Wheatear!!! A fantastic count and it will be interesting to compare this count to others today throughout inland Cheshire.

The highlight of this visit came at the end though when a small brown bird flitted up from within a ditch opposite the ploughed field. I managed to get the scope on the bird and came to realise it was in fact a cracking male *WHINCHAT*!! My first record for Winsford Flash and a quality way to end a hard week at school.

Whinchat 

Whinchat

Other birds of note included a flyover WHIMBREL on the walk back heading towards Northwich, presumably going to roost at Neumann's Flash.

Observer: Findlay Wilde (all images)

20/04/17 - Birdlog

The first Little Ringed Plover of the year was present on one of the scrapes, as well as 3+ flyover WHIMBREL.

Observer: John Gilbody 

16/04/17 - Birdlog

Despite the cold and rain I set out for the flash early on, curious of what the overnight rain storms had brought down. I started my travels at Rilshaw Lane where it wasn't surprising to find the spit pretty much waterlogged with high levels of water in the river.  However there was still a small gathering of 30 Black Headed Gull, 1 Common Gull and 7 Lesser Black Backed Gull present. A scan of the deeper water was slightly unproductive, with only a smattering of 12 Great Crested Grebe present, however it was good to see lots of Sand Martin and Swallow darting over the water (plus my first House Martin of the year for the flash).

With not to much happening I moved over to Top Side. I steadily began a stroll arriving at a good area to view the rest of the flash. A 20 minute scan conjured my first White Wagtail of the year, 14  Cormorant and a further 14 Great Crested Grebe, many of which involved in courtship displays. More Swallows and Sand Martins were present taking an estimated total of 200 plus of the latter and 50 plus of the former for the morning altogether.

The multiple scrapes didn't have much happening, bar 2 Oystercatcher that were present. 5 Shelduck, 1 Greylag Goose and 4 Teal also made appearances on these pools during the course of the morning. 

A walk to High Meadow Pool produced a flyover CURLEW (not a common species here), a YELLOWHAMMER and GREY PARTRIDGE all in a matter of minutes. All 3 of these species are rarities for the flash and in fact the last species mentioned was indeed a new flash bird for the list!

Reaching High Meadow Pool it was good to see a pair of Little Grebe present. These birds will hopefully successfully breed following on from their success last year. I continued my walk to the ploughed field where it was good to get my first Whitethroat of the year for the flash and Garden Warbler (a relatively early record).

I was hoping the ploughed field would of drawn in some migrants, luckily my hope certainly paid off. Present were 5 Wheatear (4M, 1F) and 5 Pied Wagtails. One of the male Wheatear was indeed quite a  performer, therefore I managed what I think are half decent shots.

Wheatear

Wheatear

Observers: Findlay Wilde (Images 1&2)