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