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)
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