28/10/17

An excellent day birding wise with 2 Winsford Flash ticks! The day started off with a bang when 3 HAWFINCH flew east over Dairy House Farm, these birds were most likely part of the recent Hawfinch invasion with birds arriving from the continent. A further 4 were seen over Rilshaw Lane the following the day by another observer.

An adult Med Gull dropped in with 450 Black-headed and Common Gull. The morning ended perfectly with a Jack Snipe on Main Scrape (first of the season).

The 2nd Flash tick of the day though came at Rilshaw Lane. The resident flock of 250 Canada Geese had occupied the spit at Rilshaw and whilst scanning I was delighted to pick out 2 BARNACLE GEESE! They stayed the evening and I was glad other observers got the chance to connect with them before dusk. 8 Teal were present in the inlet.

Observers: Findlay Wilde, Graham Bayliss and John Gilbody

Catch Up

From the beginning of August to the start of September I had been in Portugal, and from then on to this point now I have been busy with exam preparation therefore I apologise for the lack of sightings. This blog will ideally catch you up to date with the birds that have turned up at Winsford Flash.

03/09/17

A CASPIAN GULL (first record) was present viewed from the footpath down from Rilshaw Lane carpark as was a Redshank and 3 Swift. 5 Teal were on the spit, and a Water Rail was calling in the reedbed adjacent to the mudflats. A Cettis Warbler was singing by the sailing club.

07/09/17

Another first record came in the form of a YELLOW-LEGGED GULL viewed from the spit at Rilshaw Lane. The bird lingered late into the evening until it eventually headed off with 3 Lesser Black Backed Gull. Other species on the 7th included 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Mandarin and 2 Tawny Owl.

21/09/17

2 Sandwich Tern headed east over the flash, the first sighting for a couple of years at the site. Also present was an adult Mediterranean Gull and a juv Common Tern.

30/09/17

A fantastic day for passerines with an exceptional record of a YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER mixed in with a large tit flock along Rilshaw Lane. This bird was a first for Winsford but also a very scarce inland Cheshire one too, with them them barely being annual in the inland Cheshire region of the county. Good numbers of Goldcrest and Chiffchaff also seemed to be about the area. A Marsh Tit rounded the day off nicely.

04/09/17

A Mediterranean Gull was the only bird of note.

Observers: Findlay Wilde (images), Graham Bayliss and John Gilbody

Roundup from last few weeks

18/07/17: A Little Egret was present feeding on the shoreline at the eastern end staying put just the evening before departing elsewhere. 1 Green Sandpiper and 4 Common Sandpiper were also present here. The spit at Rilshaw Lane through up a surprise in the from of a DUNLIN. 5 Little Ringed Plover and a single Common Sandpiper was also present here.

Observers: Findlay Wilde, John Gilbody and Graham Bayliss

16/07/17: 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and 4 Teal were present on the water and spit at Rilshaw Lane, while the scarce record of a REDSTART (juv) were in the Willows alongside the water. The eastern end held 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, a Redshank and 1 Black-Tailed Godwit.

Observer: Findlay Wilde

The above are stand out days in the time period since I last posted sightings. The only other highlights have included 1 Mediterranean Gull on the 12th at Rilshaw, 15 Lapwing at Rilshaw on the 7th, and a Water Rail at Dairy House on the same day.

Observer: Findlay Wilde

Images from the last few weeks:

02/07/17 - Birdlog

Starting at Rilshaw Lane, I was surprised to observe a Kestrel hunting over one of the nearby fields. Perhaps a new pair have moved into this area as I don't recall seeing one on that side before. The scrapes were unusually quiet, only a handful of Black-headed Gull and 3 Pied Wagtail were taking advantage of the exposed mud.

With not much else about I moved on to view the East End viewing from the Sailing Club. I was delighted to pick up the first record of *COMMON SCOTER* for Winsford Flash (a handsome drake). At least 20 sailors were out on the water, therefore I couldn't quite believe the bird hadn't been flushed.

The only other birds of note today included the first Green Sandpiper of the year on the scrapes at Dairy House Farm and also a solitary Common Sandpiper.  

Observer: Findlay Wilde (all images)

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)

07/05/17 - Birdlog

*2 RINGED PLOVER* were present on main scrape at Weaver Dairy House Farm!! A patch first. Also present was a Little Ringed Plover.

Little Ringed Plover

Observer: Findlay Wilde

01/05/17 - Birdlog

A *GREENSHANK* was the undoubted highlight of the afternoon session at Weaver Dairy House Farm, the bird was present throughout the time I was there and was still feeding when I left. The scrapes also held a single Little Ringed Plover, 3 Lapwing and 2 Shelduck.

The mere was relatively quiet, however it was nice to see 4 Common Tern present over the water, hopefully the species will attempt to breed again this year.

Greenshank

Observer: Findlay Wilde (image)

Sedge Warbler on left hand side of the car-park' several Reed Warbler in the reedbeds. A Common Sandpiper on the logs in the mud. Noticed a Tern flying on the yacht club side so drove round. In total there were 5 birds but all looked like Common Tern with black tips to the bill, but could be wrong. Also a single Greenshank on the pool by the farm.

Finally got the Lesser Whitethroat off Grange Lane.

Observer: Graham Bayliss

A WHINCHAT was present this evening.

Observer: John Gilbody

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)