21/06/17 - Birdlog

A brief visit to the flash today in the early evening certainly produced. A large number of Black-headed Gulls were hawking for insects over the water (5 newly fledged juvs were worthy of note). As I was scanning the flock from the Sailing Club I was delighted to come across a stunning first summer LITTLE GULL.

Apart from that obvious highlight, the main waterbody was relatively quiet despite the usual numerous Great Crested Grebes (now 7 nests). The next highlight came at the scrapes at Dairy House Farm, where I came across a drake GARGANEY (less than annual), this bird was well into eclipse plumage.

The scrape at Rilshaw Lane held 3 Little Ringed Plover.

Observer: Findlay Wilde

02/06/17 - Birdlog

The highlight of an afternoon stroll around Winsford Flash appeared at Rilshaw Lane where I picked up the first record of a *CETTIS WARBLER* present in the large reedbed alongside the mere. The bird was being bossed about by the resident breeding Reed Warblers. After a relatively long spell of dry weather, the spit is now looking fantastic for waders, so it was no surprise to find 4 Little Ringed Plover present. One pair seemed rather settled as there appeared to be a lot of displaying going on and at one point they were indeed mating. A flyover Redshank (first of the year)was an extra added bonus to an already fairly good species tally.

The scrape at Dairy House Farm held another Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing and 3 Greylag Geese.

Observer: Findlay Wilde

27/05/17 - Birdlog

The scrape at Rilshaw Lane is currently looking fantastic for waders however the water level has dropped at sadly the wrong time for the spring migration. None the less 2 very obliging Little Ringed Plover were present as well as a small gathering of 20 Black-headed Gull and 14 Lesser Black Backed Gull.

Only birds of note from the main water included 3 Common Tern and 19 Great Crested Grebe.

Observer: Findlay Wilde

21/05/17 - Birdlog

The highlight of what was meant to be a 'brief' visit to the flash was indeed the discovery of what looks like a Common Tern breeding attempt. Last year a pair attempted to breed on the sailing club pontoons however a particularly sudden, heavy downpour seemed to have washed the egg into the water. These birds seem rather settled and hopefully this year they might be more successful.

Other sightings of note included a Little Ringed Plover on the scrapes and a partially leucistic Black-headed Gull.

Partially leucistic Black-headed Gull

Observer: Findlay Wilde

19/05/17 - Birdlog

An afterschool visit to the flash produced a solitary Little Ringed Plover on the scrapes at Dairy House Farm, 9 Shelduck (including a pair with 8 young) and a female Yellow Wagtail. A Tufted Duck was on the main water which is an unseasonal record.

Rilshaw Lane produced 5 Black Tailed Godwit and the first 2 Mandarin of the year taking the year species list up to 110.

 Black Tailed Godwilt

Black Tailed Godwit

Observer: Findlay Wilde (all images)

The Black Tailed Godwits had relocated to the scrapes at Dairy House by late evening.

Observer: Graham Bayliss

16/05/17 - Birdlog

A SPOTTED FLYCATCHER was the highlight of an evening session present in the trees by the entrance to Rilshaw Lane carpark. Also present included a solitary Yellow Wagtail and Little Ringed Plover.

Observer: Findlay Wilde

14/05/17 - Birdlog

The highlight of a brief visit to Winsford Flash came at Dairy House Farm, where I discovered a grounded PINK FOOTED GOOSE. Normally flyovers and this particular record is very unseasonal.

A Little Ringed Plover was also present on Main Scrape.

Observer: Findlay Wilde

The Pink Footed Goose was still present with the Canadas early evening.

 PFG

PFG

Observer: Graham Bayliss (all images)