SECOS Sightings

Details of July sightings will appear here early next month.

If you spot anything of interest in the SECOS area please note it here by adding a comment.

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Details of June sightings will appear here shortly.

 

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT		WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Mallard	regular 212 on 25th		Black tailed Godwit	a single on 11th
Teal	a single on 18th		Common Sandpiper	a single on 6th
Shoveler	singles regular		Dunlin	regular max 4 on 15th
Gadwall	2 on 25th		Little Ringed Plover	regular max 3 on 9th
Goosander	singles on 6th,16th & 20th		Oystercatcher	regular max 2 on 18th
Barnacle Goose	Singles on 6th & 9th & 5 to 16th		Ringed Plover	regular max 2 on 14th
Shelduck	total of 25 juvs		Greenshank	a single on 11th
Tufted Duck	6 on 25th & 2 on 27th		Sanderling	a single on 13th
Greylag Goose	3 on 9th & 3 on 11th		Whimbrel	a single on 20th
Garganey	a single on 13th
RAPTORS AND OWLS		COUNT
Buzzard		a bird with a broken wing found at Basford was taken to Stapeley RSPCA
Hobby		records from MGT and EHF where two were seen hunting over the salt pan
Red Kite		one over Sandbach on the 23rd, one over PHF on the 30th and over Stowford on the 31st
Peregrine		just a single record of an immature bird at EHF on the 6th
GULLS	COUNT
Common Tern	a single at PHF on the 6th
Black Tern	a single at EHF on the 13th
Glaucous Gulll	the 1st Summer bird almost daily at EHF/PHF until the 26th
Caspian Gull	a single at EHF on the 9th
Iceland Gull	a single at PHF on the 12th on 14th
Y L Gull	a single at EHF on the 9th
OTHER SIGHTINGS
20 Swifts were over WLF on the 3rd ~ Yellow Wagtails were at EHF on the 4th and 27th ~ Wheatears were at EHF on the 4th and MGT on the 13th and 20th ~ Whinchats were at PHF on the 9th and MGT on the 13th ~ Garden Warbler regular at MGT ~ Willow Tit still regular at FF ~ a White Wagtail was at EHF on the 7th and a Kingfisher on the 24th ~ 9 Sedge Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers, 12 Reed Buntings, 5 Skylarks, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and a Chiff Chaff were at MGT on the 24th and a Common Crane was over Stowford on the 31st

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	regular no count	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	regular max 70 on 11th
TEAL	regular max 109 on 2nd	LAPWING	regular max 44 on 1st
SHOVELER	regular max 7 on 3rd	COMMON SANDPIPER	singles regular
WIGEON	regular max 117 on 1st	DUNLIN	2 on 3rd, 1 on 15th, 3 on 16th
GADWALL	2 on 21st, 22nd, 28th to 30th	GREEN SANDPIPER	regular max 2 on 1st
GOOSANDER	singles regular	CURLEW	singles on 2nd & 30th
LITTLE GREBE	a single on 21st	SNIPE	4 on 1st & a single on 11th
SHELDUCK	regular max 42 on 9th	REDSHANK	regular max 4 on 1st
		LITTLE RINGED PLOVER	regular max 7 on 11th
		RUFF	regular
		OYSTERCATCHER	regular max 6 on 5th
		RINGED PLOVER	singles on 2nd, 16th & 26th
		WHIMBREL	singles on 12th, 26th & 29th
		GREY PLOVER	a single on 16th

Elsewhere

a Barnacle Goose was at WLF on the 2nd ~ a Garganey was at RF on the 9th ~ 5 Mandarin and a Wood Duck were on MGT on the 15th ~ a Mandarin was at Rode Pool on the 21st and a Black-necked Grebe was at Doddington from the 9th ~a Jack Snipe was at MGT on the 11th ~ 2 Common Sandpipers were at CF on the 13th and one was at Rode Pool on the 21st

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	regular in the Flashes area. A pair displaying over Crewe on 22nd
KESTREL	regular in the Flashes area
BUZZARD	10 over EHF on 5th
HOBBY	one over Doddington Pool on 30th
PEREGRINE	3 sightings, all at EHF
OSPREY	one for 15 mins at EHF on 27th
LITTLE OWL	2 in Clay Lane on 5th

GULLS	COUNT
B H GULL	regular at EHF/PHF 47 on 2nd
MEDITERRANEAN GULL	a second Summer was at EHF on 4th
Y L GULL	2 at EHF on 2nd
LITTLE GULL	2 at EHF on 17th
ICELAND GULL	regular at EHF/PHF, 2 on 15th
GLAUCOUS GULL	a first winter regular at EHF/PHF
CASPIAN GULL	a 1st W/S at EHF on the 5th & 28th & a 3rd year bird on the 15th

OTHER SIGHTINGS

 

Migrants continued to come in with a House Martin on the 3rd and a Redstart at MGT on the 11th ~ a Reed Warbler at WLF on the 11th is possibly the earliest ever for the Flashes ~ the first Yellow Wagtail was at MGT on the 11th followed by a Whinchat on the 15th ~a Lesser Whitethroat was at EHF on the 15th and a Willow Warbler at WLF on the 17th ~ the first Whitethroat was at FFF on the 17th and a Sedge Warbler was at GF on the 19th ~ Grasshopper Warblers were at Basford on the 15th, Weston on the 23rd and MGT on the 29th ~ the first Swifts were over Sandbach on the 26th ~ 2 Ravens were over Sandbach on the 13th and 2 over EHF on the 21st

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	regular no count	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	regular max 29 on 28th
TEAL	regular max 174 on 17th	LAPWING	regular max 126 on 5th
PINTAIL	regular max 17 on 4th	DUNLIN	a single on 5th
SHOVELER	regular max 8 on 9th	GREEN SANDPIPER	a single on 19th
WIGEON	regular max 390 on 9th	CURLEW	Regular
GOOSANDER	regular max 14 on 13th	SNIPE	regular max 22 on 18th
SHELDUCK	regular max 56 on 23rd	REDSHANK	regular max 5 on 13th
GREYLAG GOOSE	3 on 7th	LITTLE RINGED PLOVER	regular max 12 on 21st
		RUFF	regular max 6 on 17th
		OYSTERCATCHER	regular max 4 on13th
		GOLDEN PLOVER	6 on 13th
		RINGED PLOVER	singles from 13th - 17th

Elsewhere

the male Scaup was at Doddington throughout the month ~ a Barnacle Goose and a Pinkfoot were on RF on the 15th ~ 2 pair of Mandarin were at MGT on the 31st ~ 3 GC Grebe were on WLF on the 16th ~ Jack Snipe was at MGT on the 15th

 

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	regular in the EHF/PHF area, 2 at FF on the 16th
KESTREL	regular in the EHF/PHF area, elsewhere, records from Macon Meadows and University Way
BUZZARD	very common in the SECOS area, 6 over FF on the 31st
PEREGRINE	regular in the Flashes area, 2 at EHF on the 25th elsewhere, one at Weston Road on the 1st
LITTLE OWL	2 in Clay Lane on the 28th

GULLS	COUNT
YL GULL	up to 2 regular at EHF/PHF
COMMON GULL	65 were at EHF on the 27th
MEDITERRANEAN GULL	singles at EHF/PHF on the 2nd and 14th
HERRING GULL	regular in the Flashes area
GBB GULL	38 were at PHF on the 10th
GLAUCOUS GULL	a single almost regular at EHF/PHF
ICELAND GULL	a 1st winter regular at EHF/PHF
CASPIAN GULL	a first winter was at PHF on the 1st

Other Sightings   ~~The first migrants started to trickle in with a Little Ringed Plover on the 13th ~ followed by Sandmartins 14th ~ Chiff Chaff 14th ~ Wheatear 18th ~ Swallow 25th and Blackcap 30th ~ 4 Stonechats were at University Way, Crewe on the 1st ~ 20 Siskin were at FF on the 1st ~ 2 Raven were over PHF on the 7th ~ Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were at University Way, Crewe on the 8th and Rode Pool on the 17th ~ 52 Tree Sparrows were at EHF on the 27th ~ 20 Lesser Redpoll were at CBP on the 14th ~ 2 White Wagtails were at EHF on the 27th ~ the Willow Tit is still regular at the FF feeders and a Kingfisher was at University Way, Crewe on the 8th

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Mallard	regular no count	Black-tailed Godwit	regular max 11
Teal	regular max 510 on 8th	Lapwing	regular max 970 on 22nd
Pintail	regular max 22 on 24th	Curlew	regular max 57 on 7th
Shoveler	regular max 14 on 7th	Snipe	regular max 58 on 3rd
Wigeon	regular max 780 on 8th	Redshank	regular max 4 on 19th
Goosander	regular max 19 on 4th	Ruff	regular max 8
Barnacle Goose	singles on 7th and 18th	Oystercatcher	2 on 18th and 3 on 24th and 25th
G C Grebe	a single on 18th	Golden Plover	regular max 20 on13th
Little Grebe	regular max 3 on 13th
Shelduck	regular max 55 on 18th
Tufted Duck	2 on 5th
Pink Footed Goose	300 over on 13th
Pochard	regular max 2 on 13th
Garganey	singles on 7th and 8th
Mute Swan	10 on 16th

elsewhere a Scaup was at Doddington on the 6th ~ up to 4 Mandarin regular at MGT ~ 3 Gadwall were at RF on the 22nd ~ a Goldeneye was at CF on the 18th ~ a Pinkfoot was at WLF on the 21st ~ a Ruddy Duck was regular on RF

   

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
Sparrowhawk	regular in Flashes area
Buzzard	regular in SECOS area, 5 over EHF/PHF on the 25th
Peregrine	2 records both in the Flashes area
Tawny Owl	one at FF on the 23rd
Little Owl	one in Clay Lane on the 18th

 

GULLS	COUNT
BH Gull	regular at PHF/EHF 1,900 on the 7th
Mediterranean Gull	an adult regular at EHF/PHF/MGT
YL Gull	a single at PHF on the 10th and 2 on the 16th
Caspian Gull	an adult and 2 1st w regular at EHF/PHF
Iceland Gull	a single at PHF on the 10th and 14th
Ringed Bill Gull	a single at EHF on the 7th and at PHF on the 21st

Other Sightings ~~ a single Raven was over EHF/PHF on the 1st and 2 on the 13th ~ Willow Tit were regular at the FF feeders ~ a single Blackcap was in a Crewe garden and 3 males in a Haslington garden ~ 31 Stock Dove were at EHF on the 8th ~ 5 Brambling were at Chorlton Church on the 9th ~ Waxwings were at Elton on the 9th and Warmingham Road on the 13th ~ up to 3 Stonechats were regular on MGT ~ a Mealy/Common Redpoll was with a flock of Lessers at FF on the 17th ~ 2 Yellowhammers were at FFF on the 19th ~ a RL Partridge was at CF on the 21st ~ 25 Tree Sparrows were at EHF on the 23rd ~ a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was at Macon Meadows on the 28th ~ a Kingfisher was on the River Dane, Byley on the 28th

 

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Mallard	regular max 117 on 26th	Black-tailed Godwit	regular max 2
Teal	regular max 360 on 26th	Lapwing	regular max 1021 on 26th
Pintail	regular max 9 on 27th	Curlew	regular max 55 on 26th
Shoveler	regular max 16 on 8th	Snipe	a single on 18th
Wigeon	regular max 657 on 26th	Redshank	regular max 6 on 22nd
Goosander	regular max 28 on 31st	Ruff	regular max 7 on 22nd
Barnacle Goose	a single on 3rd	Golden Plover	a single on 27th
Little Grebe	regular max 2 on 3rd
Shelduck	regular max 37 on 24th
Greylag Goose	a single on 3rd, 4 on 23rd
Goldeneye	singles on 3rd & 7th

Elsewhere ~ a Ruddy Duck was at RF on the 11th and 2 Whooper Swans were over ~ a Scaup was at AWP on the 12th and one at Doddington on the 23rd ~ a Red Crested Pochard was at Doddington on the 2nd ~ 3 Woodcock were at FF on the 1st and 4 Snipe were on MGT on the 31st ~ a Woodcock was at Doddington on the 2nd

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
Sparrowhawk	regular at EHF, FF and PHF
Kestrel	2 at EHF on the 24th
Buzzard	regular throughout the SECOS area
Peregrine	regular at EHF/PHF, one at Hassall on the 10th
Barn Owl	1 on MGT on the 1st

GULLS	COUNT
Caspian Gull	an adult was at EHF/PHF on the 29th and 31st
Herring Gull	1,000 were at PHF on the 7th
GBB Gull	245 were at PHF on the 2nd
Y L Gull	a single on the 7th and 2 on the 27th
Iceland Gull	2 1st winter birds regular at EHF/PHF/MGT
Glaucous Gull	a second winter bird was at PHF on the 2nd-3rd

Other Sightings ~~ 2 Willowtit regular at the FF feeding station ~ 2 RL Partridge were at CF on the 2nd and 3 Greys were at Doddington on the 9th ~ Kingfishers were recorded at FF and Hassall ~ a Mealy Redpoll was amongst a flock of Lesser Redpolls at FF on the 16th and one has been coming to feeders in a Crewe garden ~ Ravens were recorded at Weston and Doddington ~ Marsh Tits were seen at Sandbach and Rode Pool ~ a Water Rail was at FF on the 16th and PHF on the 29th ~ 80 Skylark were on stubble at Wheelock Heath on the 10th ~ and 70 Linnet, 5 Yellowhammer, 20 Tree Sparrow, 3 Reed Bunting and a Brambling were on a wild bird crop on the 10th

 

 

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Mallard	regular no count
Teal	regular no count
Pintail	regular max 8 on 14th
Shoveler	regular max 7 on 17th
Wigeon	regular max 310 on 20th
Goosander	regular max 20 on 19th
Barnacle Goose	regular 2 on 7th
Little Grebe	regular max 3 on 14th
Shelduck	regular max 41on 8th
Pink Footed Goose	90 on 6th
Greylag Goose	singles on 21st & 23rd
Canada Goose	regular 408 on 7th
Pochard	2 on 7th & a single on 24th
Goldeneye	a single on 24th

WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Black-tailed Godwit	singles on 10th & 14th
Lapwing	regular no count
Dunlin	a single on 7th
Curlew	regular max 58 on 23rd
Snipe	regular max 40 on 14th
Redshank	regular max 5 on 17th
Ruff	regular max 7 on 14th

elsewhere, a Whooper Swan was at Doddington Pool on the 5th ~ 6 Mandarin were at RF on the 14th and one was on Queens Park Lake, Crewe on the 13th ~ 2 Great Crested Grebe were on CF on the 19th ^{and 2 Ringed Teal were regular on MGT.}

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
Sparrowhawk	regular at EHF, 2 at FF on the 19th
Kestrel	1 at PHF on the 14th and 1 at FF on the 19th
Buzzard	1 at PHF on the 14th, 2 at FF on 19th and 1 at QC on the 6th
Peregrine	records from RF, EHF and MGT
SE Owl	1 over EHF at dusk on the 7th
Barn Owl	2 reported from Alsager

GULLS	COUNT
BH Gull	regular at EHF over 1,000 in the roost
Mediterranean Gull	an adult was at EHF on the 10th
Herring Gull	550 were at PHF on the 17th
GBB Gull	numbers continue to increase with a remarkable 248 at PHF on the 29th
Common Gull	12 at PHF on the 17th
Iceland Gull	a 1st winter bird was at EHF/PHF on the 22nd
Glaucous Gull	A second winter bird was at EHF/PHF on the 23rd

OTHER SIGHTINGS

a RL Patridge was at Pyms Lane, Crewe on the 1st ~ Kingfishers were recorded at Macon Meadows, Crewe and MGT ~ 80 Pied Wagtails were counted in a roost at the Crewe Arms Hotel ~ 3 Raven were over PHF on the 6th ~ 6 Waxwings were at Hungerford Road, Crewe on the 3rd ~ 2 Willow Tits still regular at the FF feeders ~ up to 4 Stonechats are regular on MGT ~ a Water Rail was at FF on the 11th and 2 were at MGT on the 14th ~ 72 Siskin were at FF on the 14th ~ wintering Blackcaps were recorded in Sandbach, Haslington and Crewe ~ Marsh Tits were recorded at Sandbach and Rode Pool and 8 Brambling were at Doddington on the 8th

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Mallard	regular no count
Teal	regular max 200 on 21st
Pintail	regular max 7 on 24th
Shoveler	regular max 6 on 21st
Wigeon	regular max 500 on 21st
Goosander	regular max 17 on 24th
Barnacle Goose	regular max 2 on 15th
Little Grebe	regular max 5 on 24th
Shelduck	regular max 37 on 21st
Tufted Duck	4 on 19th
Canada Goose	regular max 750 on 20th
Pochard	7 on 6th

WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Lapwing	regular max 800 on 21st
Dunlin	2 on 5th
Curlew	regular max 54 on 23rd
Snipe	regular max 12 on 30th
Redshank	regular max 5 on 21st
Ruff	regular max 5 on 12th

Elsewhere ~~ 9 Greylags were at WLF on the 17th and 12 Great Crested Grebe on the 2nd ~ 2 Jacksnipe were at MGT on the 2nd

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
Sparrowhawk	regular sightings at EHF and FF
Kestrel	just a single record of one at EHF on the 12th
Buzzard	records from EHF, QC and Winterley
Peregrine	3 records all from EHF/PHF
Merlin	one at PHF on the 21st is a good record
Little Owl	one in Barn Owl box at MGT on the 2nd

GULLS	COUNT
BH Gull	regular in the EHF roost, max 1,400 on the 23rd
Mediterranean Gull	just a single record of a juv/ 1st w at EHF on the 3rd
Y L Gull	singles regular at EHF/PHF, 4 on MGT on the 2nd
GBB Gull	17 in the EHF/PHF roost on the 23rd is an excellent Flashes record
Common Gull	up to 3 regular at EHF/PHF
Caspian Gull	2 possible birds were at PHF on the 15th

OTHER SIGHTINGS ~~ Bird of the month must be the Hawfinch seen by a single observer at Barthomley Fishing Pools on the 2nd ~ a late Swallow was at EHF on the 12th ~ Ravens were recorded at MGT and EHF, 2 Willow Tits are regular at the FF feeding station ~ a Water Rail was at WLF on the 15th ~ 30 Redpoll, 6 Siskin and a Chiff Chaff were at FF on the 14th ~ 5 Waxwings were seen along the Wheelock Rail Trail on the 18th and 4 were in Haslington on the 23rd ~ a Kingfisher is regular at FF ~ 30 Tree Sparrows were counted at the EHF feeding station on the 24th and a Marsh Tit has been coming to feeders in a Sandbach garden

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Mallard	regular no count	Black-tailed Godwit	a single on 25th
Teal	regular max 240 on 23rd	Lapwing	regular max 600 on 20th
Pintail	singles 23rd and 24th	Dunlin	one on 1st and 4 on 4th
Shoveler	regular max 17 on 25th	Green Sandpiper	regular max 2 on 24th
Wigeon	regular max 153 on 23rd	Curlew	3 on 23rd and 4 on 25th
Goosander	regular max 2 on 21st	Snipe	8 on 24th and 4 on 26th
Whooper Swan	3 on 8th	Redshank	regular max 2 on 24th
Little Grebe	regular max 2 on 5th	Ruff	regular max 5 on 24th
Shelduck	regular max 2 on 5th	Golden Plover	8 on 22nd and 1 on 23rd
Pochard	a single on 20th
Ruddy Shelduck	2 on 7th
White-fronted Goose	2 on 30th

elsewhere 2 Goldeneye were at Doddington on the 31st

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
Sparrowhawk	regular at EHF/PHF, 2 on 23rd
Kestrel	two records both from EHF
Buzzard	regular at EHF/PHF, 6 on 21st
Peregrine	one at EHF on 22nd
Tawny Owl	one in Crabmill Lane on 21st
Little Owl	one in Barn Owl box at MGT on 30th
Hen Harrier	a male seen at FF on 21st is an excellent record for the Flashes

GULLS	COUNT
BH Gull	regular roost at EHF
YL Gull	regular at EHF/PHF/MGT, 5 on 13th
Caspian Gull	one at PHF on 8th
LBB Gull	500 in the roost at EHF on13th

Other sightings ~~ a Wheatear was at Basford on the 2nd ~ 50 Goldfinches were counted at EHF on the 2nd ~ 2 Willow Tits were regular at the FF feeding station ~ Kingfishers were recorded at EHF and FF ~ 17 House Martins were over Sandbach on the 7th ~ and 2 Swallows at Wistaston on the 15th ~ 500 Redwing and 500 Fieldfare were over EHF on the 18th ~ Ravens were recorded from FF, EHF and Haslington ~ a Little Egret was at EHF on the 15th and a Chiff Chaff on the 24th ~ 2 Stonechats were on MGT on the 30th and 4 Redpoll were over Crewe Cemetery on the 30th

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Mallard	regular no count	Black-tailed Godwit	regular max 3 on 4th
Teal	regular max 400 on 22nd	Lapwing	regular max 820 on 1st
Pintail	2 on 8th and 1 on 25th	Common Sandpiper	singles 1st & 16th
Shoveler	regular max 18 on 22nd	Dunlin	regular max 4 on 23rd
Wigeon	regular max 93 on 25th	Green Sandpiper	regular max 5 on 1st
Gadwall	singles 16th & 19th	Curlew	regular max 56 on 2nd
Goosander	regular max 4 on 20th	Snipe	regular max 30 on 17th
Barnacle Goose	A single on 14th	Redshank	regular max 6 on 8th
Little Grebe	2 on 8th	Ruff	regular max 4 on19th
Shelduck	4 on 8th & singles 22nd & 25th	Ringed Plover	regular max 2 on 8th
		Spotted Redshank	a single 12th

elsewhere a female Mandarin, 18 Wigeon and 4 Little Grebe were at Rode Pool on the 30th ~ 2 pair of Ruddy Shelduck were on Winterley Pool throughout the month ~ 2 male Common Scoter were on AWP on the 6th and a pair of Great Crested Grebe plus 2 juvs were on WF on the 8th

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
Sparrowhawk	regular in SECOS area
Kestrel	only a single record of one at PHF on 1st
Buzzard	regular in SECOS area, 13 over EHF on 18th
Hobby	regular sightings at EHF the last on the 17th, one at Snape Lane, Weston on 2nd.
Peregrine	3 records all from EHF
Honey Buzzard	one over Elworth, Sandbach on 28th

GULLS	COUNT
Mediterranean Gull	a juv was at EHF on 15th
LBB Gull	800 were at PHF on 24th
YL Gull	regular at EHF/PHF, 6 on 24th
Common Gull	2 at EHF on 24th
Black Tern	a single at EHF on 15th

Other sightings

12 Crossbills were at FF on the 3rd ~ Wheatears were at Pyms Lane, Crewe on the 3rd, PHF on the 3rd and 3 on MGT on the 13th ~ 8 Chiff Chaff were at WLF on the 8th and 6 at PHF on the 20th ~ 2 Whinchat were on MGT on the 21st ~ the last Swift was over EHF on the 17th ~ 20 Tree Sparrows were counted at EHF on the 17th ~ Kingfishers were recorded at Rode Pool, Wistaston Brook and RF ~ 30 Linnets, 3 Yellowhammers and 10 Goldfinches were seen along the FFF track on the 18th ~ 9 Siskin were at Macon Meadows, Crewe on the 21st and a Green Woodpecker was at Doddington on the 24th

 

 

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
Mallard	regular no count	Black-tailed Godwit	regular max 15 on 9th
Teal	regular max 191 on 29th	Lapwing	regular max 1000 on 22nd
Pintail	12 on 4th and 1 on 20th	Common Sandpiper	regular max 3 on 1st
Shoveler	regular max 12 on 29th	Dunlin	singles regular
Wigeon	singles 1st & 4th 2 on 25th	Green Sandpiper	regular max 6 on 21st
Gadwall	a single on 17th	Curlew	regular max 70 on 13th
Goosander	regular max 8 on 5th	Snipe	regular max 30 on 26th
Barnacle Goose	singles 14th & 31st	Redshank	regular max 3 on 20th
GC Grebe	a single on 25th	Little Ringed Plover	a single on 31st
Mandarin	a single on 17th	Greenshank	3 on 17th
Red Crested Pochard	a single on 17th	Ruff	regular max 3 on 31st
		Golden Plover	a single on 1st
		Ringed Plover	singles regular
		Whimbrel	a single on 2nd

 elsewhere up to 2 pair of Ruddy Sheldduck were on Winterley Pool 21st - 31st ~ 4 Mandarin were at MGT on the 31st and both Tufted Duck and Little Grebe bred successfully at RF

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
Sparrowhawk	regular at EHF/MGT
Kestrel	records from EHF/ MGT
Buzzard	records from Rode Pool, Doddington and EHF with 8 there on the 13th
Hobby	5 records from EHF, Pyms Lane Crewe and Doddington.
Peregrine	2 records both from EHF
Little Owl	one at Basford on the 28th

GULLS	COUNT
YL Gull	2 at EHF/PHF 23th-26th
Black Tern	a single at EHF on the 17th, 7 at Doddington on the 31st

OTHER SIGHTINGS ~ Kingfishers

were recorded at Rode Pool and EHF ~ Spotted Flycatcher was at EHF on the 24th and at least 2 pairs bred at Doddington ~ Little Egrets were at EHF on the 2nd and 23rd ~ a Green Woodpecker was at PHF on the 4th and again on the 7th and one at Wistaston on the 12th ~ Wheatears were at EHF on the 6th and Basford on the 28th ~ a Reed Warbler was seen feeding juvs at EHF on the 4th ~ 50 Tree Sparrows were counted at PHF on the 7th ~ up to 6 Chiff Chaffs along with Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats were regular around EHF/PHF~ 6 Yellowhammers, 40 Goldfinches and 2 Yellow Wagtails were counted along the FFF track on the 31st

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	regular max 210 on 22nd	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	regular max 38 on 5th
TEAL	regular max 20 on 30th	LAPWING	regular max 658 on 30th
SHOVELER	singles 15th and 19th	COMMON SANDPIPER	regular throughout the month
WIGEON	singles regular	DUNLIN	regular max 3 on 16th
GOOSANDER	6 on15th & 30th	GREEN SANDPIPER	regular max 7 on 30th
SHELDUCK	regular max 23 on 4th	CURLEW	regular max, 56 – 20th
MANDARIN	2 on 22nd	SNIPE	regular max 10 on 26th
		REDSHANK	regular max 3 on 16th
		LITTLE RINGED PLOVER	regular max 17 on 3rd
		WOOD SANDPIPER	a single on 29th
		RUFF	regular max 2 on 27th
		OYSTERCATCHER	regular max 6 on2nd
		GREENSHANK	a single on 8th & 2 on 22nd

elsewhere 7 Goosander were at Byley on the 5th ~ 2 Great Crested Grebe were at WLF
on the 10th and a single on GF on the 19th ~ 2 Cape Shelduck were at Winterley Pool on the 22nd

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	a pair fledged 2 young from a site in Crewe Town Centre
KESTREL	a pair were feeding young in a box sited on MGT
BUZZARD	regular sightings at EHF, Rode Pool and Doddington
HOBBY	regular sightings at EHF
PEREGRINE	one at EHF on the 4th
LITTLE OWL	one regular in Clay Lane
BARN OWL	one in Groby Road, Maw Green, Crewe on the 4th

GULLS	COUNT
B H GULL	140 at EHF on the 4th
MEDITERRANEAN GULL	an adult at PHF on the 18th and a juv at EHF on the 29th
Y L GULL	regular at EHF/PHF, 6 on the 11th
LITTLE GULL	one at EHF on the 4th
LBB GULL	125 at EHF on the 18th
COMMON TERN	a single at EHF on the 14th, 2 on the 15th

OTHER SIGHTINGS

 

Kingfishers were recorded at Rode Pool, Byley, CF and EHF ~ Spotted Flycatchers bred at Wistaston (Joey the Swan) and Warmingham ~ a Wheatear was at EHF on the 4th and a Grey Wagtail on the 9th ~ 2 Willow Tits were regular at the FF feeding station ~ a pair of Blackcap were feeding 2 juvs at EHF on the 19th ~ Common and Lesser Whitethroats were regular at EHF ~ Reed and Sedge Warblers were singing at PHF throughout the month ~ at EHF/PHF Chiff Chaffs and Willow Warblers were moving around with the Long-tailed Tit flock and 60 Tree Sparrows were counted on the 31st

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	Regular max, 181 – 14th	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	Regular max , 9 – 16th
TEAL	Regular max, 14 – 29th	LAPWING	Regular max, 258 – 29th
SHOVELER	Regular max , 4 – 16th	COMMON SANDPIPER	Singles, 23rd – 27th
WIGEON	Regular max, 3 – 23rd	DUNLIN	Regular, singles 5th–20th
GADWALL	A single on the 22nd	GREEN SANDPIPER	Regular max, 3 – 19th
SHELDUCK	Regular, singles, a pair + 13 Juvs – 26th	CURLEW	Regular max, 12 – 25th
GARGANEY	Singles 1st-13th	REDSHANK	Singles, 16th,17th & 20th
		LITTLE RINGED PLOVER	Regular max 4 – 25th
		OYSTERCATCHER	Regular max, 6-26th
		RINGED PLOVER	3 – 13th
		AVOCET	2 – 3rd

Elsewhere 11 Greylag were over RF on the 29th A Mandarin Duck plus 3 young were on the new pool, MGT on the 8th. A pair of Shelduck plus 13 young were on FFF on the 5th. Oystercatchers bred at Stowford and Doddington. Little Ringed Plover were on flood water in Green Lane throughout the spring.

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	Records from EHF, Oakhanger, WLF and Crewe Town Cemtre, where a pair are nesting.
KESTREL	Records from EHF, MGT, Weston and Stowford.
BUZZARD	Regular in the Flashes/MGT area. Elsewhere, record from Oakhanger and Weston.
HOBBY	Records from EHF, WLF and Oakhanger.
RED KITE	One over Red Lane, Elton on the 11th.
TAWNY OWL	One at Wistaston on the 26th.

GULLS	COUNT
Y L GULL	One at EHF on the 27th.
COMIC TERN	A single at EHF on the 1st.

Other sightings:
Bird of the month was a Spoonbill arriving at EHF on the 16th. It stayed until the 20th mainly in the PHF/EHF area, allowing local birders excellent views. Goldcrests bred at Haslington, Valley Park Crewe and Crewe Green Churchyard. Spotted Flycatchers were recorded at Barthomley, Plant Lane, Elton and Wistaston. A pair of Willow Tits were regular at the FF feeding station. Ravens were recorded over Willaston on the 6th and EHF on the 21st. At Stowford, Mistlethrush and Nuthatch bred, 6 male Yellowhammers and a pair of Yellow Wagtails were also recorded. Lesser Whitethroats were recorded at FFF and PHF and 30 Long-tailed Tit were at EHF on the 26th.

A slight technical hitch and sorry the May sightings may have been lost

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	Regular max, 50 – 8th	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	Regular max , 117 – 18th
TEAL	Regular max, 93 – 3rd	LAPWING	Regular max, 23 – 2nd
SHOVELER	Regular max , 3 – 21st	COMMON SANDPIPER	Regular max, 2 – 19th
WIGEON	Regular max, 33 – 2nd	DUNLIN	Regular max, 5 – 27th
GADWALL	2- 15th & 30th	CURLEW	3 – 3rd & 1 – 5th
GOOSANDER	Regular, singles	SNIPE	Regular max, 14 – 2nd
SHELDUCK	Regular max, 26 – 14th	REDSHANK	Regular max, 4 – 15th
GREYLAG GOOSE	A single – 30th	LITTLE RINGED PLOVER	Regular max 3 – 26th
		RUFF	Regular
		OYSTERCATCHER	Regular max, 6 – 13th
		RINGED PLOVER	A single – 24th
		WHIMBREL	1 – 12th & 4 – 21st

Elsewhere 2 pair of Mandarin regular on MGT. A Pinkfoot was with the Canadas’ at WLF on the 12th. 3 pairs of Ruddy Duck were on RF on the 12th and a Garganey was present on the 21st.

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	Records from EHF and Stowford.
KESTREL	Records from EHF, MGT, Weston and Stowford.
BUZZARD	Regular in the SECOS area. 12 at Stowford on the 22nd.
HOBBY	A single at FF on the 27th.
PEREGRINE	3 sightings all from the EHF/PHF area.
OSPREY	One over PHF on the 3rd and one at Birch Pool, Watch Lane on the 5th where it attempted to take a fish.
LITTLE OWL	A pair regularly in Clay Lane.
BLACK KITE	One was seen over Stowford on the 21st.
BARN OWL	One at Wistaston Green Lane on the 4th and 9th and one at WarminghamRoad on the 16th

GULLS	COUNT
B H GULL	Regular at EHF/PHF, 119 on the 14th
CASPIAN GULL	A first and second summer birds regular at EHF/PHF/MGT throughout the month
ICELAND GULL	The usual bird regular at MGT/PHF/EHF throughout the month
Y L GULL	2 at EHF on the 25th. Singles on the 2nd and 24th.
LITTLE GULL	3 adults were at EHF on the 22nd

OTHER SIGHTINGS

The first Willow Warbler was at FF on the 3rd, 2 White Wagtails were at WLF on the 5th followed by 6 plus a Yellow Wagtail on the 8th. 3 House Martins were over EHF on the 9th and a Reed Warbler was at Red Lane Pool on the 18th. A Redstart was at MGT on the 19th and a Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler on the 22nd.  A Common Tern was at RF on the 21st and a Lesser Whitethroat was at FFF on the 24th. A mixed flock of 200 Redwing and Fieldfare were at Stowford on the 22nd and a Garden Warbler was at EHF on the 26th. The Willow Tits were still at the FF feeding Station throughout the month and the first Swifts were over PHF on the 26th. A Kingfisher was at Red lane Pool on the 14th.

2 Yellow Wagtails were at Doddington on the 18th. 2 Lesser Redpoll were in garden feeders on the 11th. 6 Yellow Hammers and 10 Tree Sparrows were at Stowford on the 22nd and 4 Skylark were at MGT on the 14th.

 A Green Sandpiper was regular on floodwater in Green Lane, Warmingham.  5 Common Sandpipers were at WLF on the 13th and a single was at Winterley Pool on the 24th

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	Regular no count	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	Regular max , 42 – 31st
TEAL	Regular max, 301 – 4th	DUNLIN	Regular max, 3 – 7th
PINTAIL	Regular max , 13 – 2nd	CURLEW	Regular max, 10 – 13th
SHOVELER	Regular max, 14 – 3rd	SNIPE	Regular max, 35 – 21st
WIGEON	Regular max, 629 – 3rd	REDSHANK	Regular max, 5 – 1st
GOOSANDER	Regular max, 15 – 24th	LITTLE RINGED PLOVER	Regular max, 2 – 19th
SHELDUCK	Regular max, 70 – 7th	RUFF	Regular max, 13 – 1st
GREYLAG GOOSE	3 – 31st	OYSTERCATCHER	Regular
GW TEAL	Singles regular	RINGED PLOVER	2 – 1st, 1 – 12th
		AVOCET	2 – 16th

Elsewhere up to 3 Ruddy Duck regular on RF. A Pochard was at WLF on the 8th, 50 Whooper Swans
were over Crewe on the 16th, A Barnacle Goose was at FFF on the 22nd and 2 pairs of Mandarin were at MGT on the 31st.  A Jack Snipe was at RF on the 29th

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	Regular at EHF. Elsewhere records from FF, Rode Pool and Crewe
KESTREL	Records from EHF, MGT, Crewe and Haslington By pass.
BUZZARD	Common throughout the SECOS area, 12 together over EHF on the 31st.
PEREGRINE	Only a single record of one at EHF on the 29th.
BARN OWL	A single record from Coppenhall Moss

GULLS	COUNT
MEDITTARANEAN GULL	Records of singles on several dates throughout the month
COMMON GULL	Regular at EHF/PHF building up to a remarkable 420 on the 23rd
ICELAND GULL	The regular 1st winter bird at EHF/PHF/MGT throughout the month
CASPIAN GULL	A single at EHF/PHF regular
YL GULL	Singles regular at EHF/PHF, 2 on the 25th.

Other Sightings

The first Sandmartin at AWP-11th, & one at EHF – 18th. A Chiff Chaff at EHF – 18th & a Wheatear – 21st. A Swallow at RF – 22nd & a Blackcap – 29th. 5 Wheatear at MGT – 31st Kingfishers recorded at EHF, Wychwood Park and FFF. A pair of Stonechat at MGT – 2nd & 2 Willow Tits were regular at FF feeding station. Ravens were recorded over EHF – 5th & 13th. A Little Egret was at Rode Pool 8 -11th. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were recorded at Haslington and Green Lane Wistaston. Water Rails were regular at FF. 25 Field Fare were at EHF – 25th and Yellowhammers were recorded at MGT – 24th and FFF – 31st

 

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	Regular, no count	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	Regular max , 10 - 26th
TEAL	Regular max, 265 – 3rd	LAPWING	Regular max, 1000 –12th
PINTAIL	Regular max , 34 – 14th	CURLEW	Regular max, 43 – 12th
SHOVELER	Regular max, 17 –26th	SNIPE	Regular max 31 – 25th
WIGEON	Regular max,380 – 12th	REDSHANK	Regular max – 5 – 11th
GADWALL	2 – 11th & 4 – 14th	RUFF	Regular max, 11 – 8th
GOOSANDER	Regular max, 16 – 8th
LITTLE GREBE	Regular - 2
SHELDUCK	Regular max, 78 – 18th
TUFTED DUCK	Regular, 4 – 8th  & 3 – 11th
POCHARD	2 – 3rd and singles 11th & 13th
GREEN-WINGED TEAL	Singles 27th -29th

  Elsewhere 2 Goosander were on the River Dane at Byley on the 9^th, 2 Ruddy Duck and a female Mandarin were at RF on the 10^th and 3 Gadwall were at FF on the 23^rd. A Green Sandpiper was at Stowford on the 6^th and an Oystercatcher was at WLF on the 20^th.

  

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	Regular at EHF. Records from Crewe where 2 were hunting the Starling roost & Rode Pool.
KESTREL	Records from Rode Pool, Swettenham, Leighton &  Weston.
BUZZARD	Regular in the SECOS area and 4 at EHF on the 27th
PEREGRINE	One on the tower at Leighton Hospital and the usual one on the pylons at PHF
MERLIN	A male was at EHF on the 29th
TAWNY OWL	One calling at Wistaston on the 21st.
LITTLE OWL	One in Clay Lane on the 8th and one in Groby Road on the 12th
BARN OWL	One seen at Pyms Lane/Middlewich Rd Junction on the 2nd and 1 found dead on the Haslington by pass – 9th

  

GULLS	COUNT
B H GULL	Regular at EHF, 1800 on the 9th
MEDITERRANEAN GULL	Probably up to 4 different birds on several dates throughout the month at EHF/PHF
Y L GULL	One at PHF on 21st and at EHF on the 29th
ICELAND GULL	A 1st Winter  regular at EHF/PHF
GLAUCOUS GULL	One 1st winter at EHF on the 17th
RINGED BILL GULL	An adult at PHF on the 23rd and at RF on the 27th
CASPIAN GULL	One at EHF/PHF 22nd-24th.

OTHER SIGHTINGS

Over wintering Water Rail were recorded at FF – regular- and WLF.  2 Willow Tits regular at the FF feeders.  Kingfishers were recorded at WLF and Congleton.  50 Linnets and 15 Tree Sparrows were at EHF on the 6^th.  The Starling roost in Crewe now holds around 50,000 birds and 38 Magpies were in a roost at FF.  Ravens were recorded at Byley, Doddington and MGT.  Overwintering Blackcaps were in Crewe and Sandbach gardens.  Yellowhammers were recorded at MGT and Stowford.  A Stonechat was at Stowford, a Dipper at Congleton, a Woodcock at Wheelock and a Green Woodpecker at Sweteenham.

 

 

 

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	Regular max, 125 – 28th	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	Regular max , 51 - 27th
TEAL	Regular max, 211 – 27th	LAPWING	Regular max, 1200 –27th
PINTAIL	Regular max , 18 – 29th	CURLEW	Regular max, 57 – 6th
SHOVELER	Regular max, 21 –29th	SNIPE	Regular max 16 – 15th
WIGEON	Regular max,702 – 22nd	REDSHANK	Regular max – 7 – 19th
GADWALL	1 – 4th & 4 – 18th	RUFF	Regular max, 12 – 15th
GOOSANDER	Regular max, 12 –21st	GOLDEN PLOVER	Regular max, 24 – 23rd
BARNACLE GOOSE	A single – 1st
LITTLE GREBE	Singles regular
SHELDUCK	Regular, 42 –27th
POCHARD	2 –30th & 31st

Elsewhere 35 Pinkfeet were over MGT on the 23^rd, 20 Goldeneye were at Doddington Pool on the 9^th and 13 Goosander were on Rode Pool on the 22^nd. A Woodcock was at FF on the 1^st, A Jack Snipe was at MGT on the 1^st and a Green Sandpiper was at FFF on the 22^nd.

   

GULLS	COUNT
B H GULL	Regular at EHF/PHF.
COMMON GULL	Regular at EHF/PHF 4 on the 23rd
GBB GULL	An unusually large number have been recorded at EHF/PHF during the month with a max of 74 on the 6th.

    OTHER SIGHTINGS
Over wintering Blackcaps were recorded at Sandbach and Shavington. Stonechat – one at Doddington on the 21st and a pair at MGT on the 1st. Water Rail – records from FF, WLF and GF. Willow Tit regular at the FF feeding station. Brambling – up to 30 still in the large finch flock at Doddington and a single in a Haslington garden. 30 RL Partridge and 6 Grey’s were recorded at Doddington. Up to 20 Tree Sparrows regular at the EHF feeding station. 100 Skylark, 30 Yellowhammer, 30 Chaffinch and 6 Reed Bunting were on stubble at Weston. A Kingfisher was at WLF on the 1^st and 16 Meadow Pipit were at WLF on the 20th.

 

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	Regular at EHF. Elsewhere records from FF and Rode Pool.
KESTREL	Records from Warmingham, EHF, Weston and CF.
BUZZARD	Regular in the SECOS area
PEREGRINE	Records from EHF and CF where two were seen displaying.
MERLIN	One at EHF on the 1st and again on the 31st when it was seen to take a Starling
TAWNY OWL	One at Warmingham on the 22nd, two at FF on the 1st.
LITTLE OWL	Records from Haslington, CF and Clay Lane
BARN OWL	Regular at MGT and Groby Road
S E OWL	One at MGT on the 6th was an excellent record for this site.

 

  

WILDFOWL AT EHF/PHF	COUNT	WADERS AT EHF/PHF	COUNT
MALLARD	Regular max, 50 – 9th	BLACK TAILED GODWIT	Regular max , 9 - 6th
TEAL	Regular max, 415- 14th	LAPWING	Regular max, 2000 – 5th
PINTAIL	Regular max , 16 – 23rd	CURLEW	Regular max, 58 – 25th
SHOVELER	Regular max , 30 – 23rd	SNIPE	Regular max, 38 – 9th
WIGEON	Regular max, 850 – 16th	REDSHANK	Regular max, 4 – 30th
GOOSANDER	Regular max, 11 – 27th	RUFF	Regular max, 12– 26th
BARNACLE GOOSE	Single – 9th	GOLDEN PLOVER	10 – 26th
G C GREBE	Single – 11th
LITTLE GREBE	Regular max, 2 – 11th
SHELDUCK	Regular max, 34 – 23rd

Elsewhere 200 Pinkfeet were over Crewe on the 17^th and 14 Great Crested Grebe were at WF on the 15^th.  A Jacksnipe was at MGT on the 1^st.

   

RAPTORS AND OWLS	COUNT
SPARROWHAWK	Regular in the Flashes area.
KESTREL	Records from CBP, MGT, EHF, Wybunbury, Weston and Woolstanwood.
BUZZARD	Regular throughout the SECOS area
PEREGRINE	Regular in the Flashes area.  Elsewhere, records from Doddington and Basford.
TAWNY OWL	Records from CF, FF and CBP
LITTLE OWL	Recorded at both ends of Clay Lane.

GULLS	COUNT	GULLS	COUNT
GBB GULL	Regular max, 60 – 5th	COMMON GULL	Regular max, 15– 23rd
ICELAND GULL	1 1st winter – 4th, 12th, 13th & 23rd	RINGED BILL GULL	1 Adult winter 19th & 20th
BH GULL	Regular max, 1,900 – 23rd	HERRING GULL	Regular, 335 – 16th
MEDITERRANEAN GULL	1 Adult winter 14th & 17th and 1 3rd winter – 25th

 

The good run of interesting Gulls continued at EHF/PHF with a first winter Iceland Gull, 2 Med Gulls, a Ringed – Billed Gull and a YL   Gull.  

OTHER SIGHTINGS

Willow Tit – 2 regular at the FFF feeding station,  Tree Sparrow – up to 35 at the EHF feeding station.  Kingfishers were recorded at CBP, MGT, FF and FFF.  A Blackcap was in a Sandbach Garden.  A pair of Stonechat were on MGT.  Water Rails were recorded at EHF and FF.  92 Skylark, 32 Yellowhammers and 7 Reed Buntings were on stubble at Basford.  Up to 25 Brambling were amongst a mixed finch flock of around 600 at Doddington.  27 Siskin were at CBP, 30 Stockdove were at EHF and a possible Desert Wheatear was on private premises at Gresty.  The Starling roost near Crewe Railway Station continues to expand with an estimated 30,000 birds now using the roost.