I started at Brook Furlong Lane this morning where a pair of Magpie were adding to their nest in the bushes next to the bridge.
A mixed flock of European Starling, Redwings and Song Thrush were feeding in the pony paddock until they were targeted by a Sparrowhawk. Both Great Tit and Chaffinch were calling on this spring like morning and several Common Buzzard were calling overhead.
On to the river where Canada Goose were the most numerous wildfowl noted with reduced numbers of Tufted Duck, Mallard Common Pochard, Eurasian Teal and 15 Common Goldeneye.
A small white domestic goose was amongst the Canada’s while 2 white Domestic Greylag types were also noted.
The partial leucistic Canada Goose has survived the shooting season and was alive and well on the Manchester Ship Canal. Looking over the Canal Pools more sTufted Duck, Mallard, Eurasian Teal and several Gadwall were noted alongside c40 more Canada Goose and a pair of Great Crested Grebe.
A small number of singing Eurasian Skylark were up on high over the pools and 4 pair of Eurasian Oystercatcher were active around the pools. A flock of c50 Eurasian Wigeon were on one of the scrapes but made their way out to the Metsey Estuary. Raven and Common Buzzard were searching for casualties during the lambing season in the area.
A look over Lordship Marsh and the Whooper Swan herd were still in situ with a flock of c30 Eurasian Curlew feeding with them. Lapwings were also on territory on the marsh chasing corvids that came to close.
The water on No.6 tank held decent number of Tufted Duck, Mallard, Eurasian Teal and smaller numbers of Common Pochard, Gadwall and Common Shelduck with at least 3 pairs of Little Grebe.
I stopped of at Ince on my way home and a Western Cattle Egret was following in the footsteps of a feeding pig and was snatching morsals of food that was disturbed by the anomals grubbing around in the field in front of the farm. On the flooded fields 5 Little Egret were busy in the shallows with a mixed flock of Black-tail Godwit and Eurasian Curlew.
Again Tufted Duck were numerous with Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Gadwall and Northern Shoveler. Also present Mute Swan and Little Grebe were establishing their territory.
A couple of broken duck eggs were on the path and a pair of Raven were searching the reed beds for nests.
Looking over the Frodsham Score saltmarsh from Kinsey Lane and large herd of Pink-footed Goose were grazing on the short grass before making the long journey north.
Observer and images: Paul Ralston.
I paid a visit to the marshes after work and made the muddy trek down Brook Furlong Lane to join the River Weaver. A look through the 112 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 11 Common Pochard, 31 Eurasian Coot, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Common Goldeneye, 54 Eurasian Teal revealed the female Long-tailed Duck.
A large flock of 350 European Golden Plover flew over spooked by a Common Buzzard flying over their roosting site. A Cetti’s Warbler sang out from the reed bed but otherwise it was fairly quiet for passerines.
A look over No.6 tank saw 81 Tufted Duck, 7 Common Goldeneye, 8 Northern Shoveler, 7 Common Pochard and 12 Eurasian Coot.
A female Western Marsh Harrier was joined by two other birds.
Looking out to Lordship Marsh I just about managed to 21 Whooper Swan with the Mute Swan herd in the fields by the motorway.
Observer: WSM.
