Glossy on the Gowy

A short after work walk along the Gowy Meadows this evening was rewarding with a Wheatear, Whinchat and Stonechat being a pleasant reminder that Spring was here. A family of Stonechat I came across had a brood with a recently fledged youngster sitting on a fence. Despite the cold weather birds were getting on with rising broods.

I also watched a Fox was digging as fast as it could in the ground and soon after left in a hurry with a Rabbit clutched in its jaws. On the way back to my car a Glossy Ibis was seen in the company of 2 Little Egret and all three birds landed in a wet part of the meadows and then soon after they flew together heading over Stanlow to Ince Marsh.

Park in the lay-by next to the church in Thornton-le-moors, opposite is a gate leading to the meadows. Another access point is along the A5117 where it crosses over the River Gowy.

Observer and images: Paul Ralston.

Different Views

A collection of images looking south from Rocksavage overlooking the works. This one is of the Weaver Bend.

Partially obscured by the pipes, scaffolding and towers Rocksavage Plant dominates the foreground but beyond is one of the best birding spots in Cheshire.

Weston Marsh lagoon is out-of-bounds to birders except for paid ecologists but is clearly an area ideally suited for shorebirds and Common Shelduck.

 The same area with the works in the foreground and No.1 tank beyond.

The raised banks of the lagoon host nesting Common Shelduck.

The River Weaver bottom right, Weston Marsh, No.1 tank and the Welsh Hills in the distance.

The edge of the works with the River Weaver running alongside the wooded former I.C.I tank which many older birders will have ticked off such birds as Buff-breasted, Baird’s, Pectoral Sandpiper, Wilson’s Phalarope, Shorelarks etc etc.

It’s still hard to believe the woodland shown above was once the I.C.I sludge tank and beyond are the Frodsham Hills.

A track around the I.C.I tank.

The M56 motorway crosses the Weaver Navigation.

All images by WSM.

Frodsham Marsh Wind Farm in Photos #4

The scale of the wind farm on Frodsham Marsh is hinted at by this crane hoisting components for the installation of just one of the turbines. This one is in the north-east corner of No.1 tank (Cell 1) overlooking the Weaver Estuary.

27th April saw the hoisting of the first tower (stanchion) base presumably it will come in 2-3 parts?

All images by WSM.