I started my daily walk at Brook Furlong Lane early this morning before most people were out and about. There were Willow Warbler serenading but a much bruskier continental Cetti’s Warbler, one of several heard during my walk made a louder sound. There were many Common Chiffchaff and Common Whitethroat being numerous as were both Reed and Sedge Warbler.
A perched Eurasian Skylark was bursting with song from a post while its more energetic brothers were aloft on high.
The River Weaver held good numbers of Tufted Duck and Common Shelduck with smaller numbers of Eurasian Teal, Mallard and Gadwall. A herd of seven Mute Swan flew over Red Wall reed bed and landed on the river joining another herd of 18 swans already on the water. Also on the river were 2 Common Sandpiper with 2 Common Ringed Plover and noted a further 9 Common Sandpiper were along the Manchester Ship Canal.
A flock of Sand Martin were busy excavating their nest burrows in the canal bank.
The Canal Pools were quiet with just a few Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mallard and a non breeding pair of Mute Swan. A Great Crested Grebe was sitting on its nest amongst the reeds and a patrolling Western Marsh Harrier flew over the pools but didn’t cause much concern to the resident wildfowl.
A flock of c150 Black-tailed Godwit passed overhead on their way to No.6 tank.
Looking over No.3 from the bank above the ‘Secluded Pool’, a Grey Heron was standing on a small island on the scrape where last week a group of Pied Avocet were feeding but there was no sign of any there this morning.
A couple of Brown Hare were noted during my walk.
Observer and images: Paul Ralston.
