I first encountered Marbury Country Park in 1980 during a family drive with my parents. A leisurely walk around the park revealed a surprisingly rich variety of birdlife, an impression that lingered long after that initial visit. In the years that followed, opportunities to return were limited by my reliance on my mother for transport, though I was fortunate to make occasional visits with my father whenever circumstances allowed.
Map Of the Area
A major turning point came in 1994 when I moved to the area and was able to visit the park regularly. I soon became part of a small but dedicated community of local birders, and over the years, we have shared the pleasure of discovering an ever-expanding list of species within the park. These regular visits deepened both my familiarity with the site and my appreciation of its importance as a local birding patch.
Although I moved away in 2007, Marbury continues to draw me back, particularly when new species are recorded. The site is still covered daily by committed local observers, ensuring that its ornithological interest remains as strong as ever. My current Marbury patch life list now stands at 201 species (see below).
Latest Birds seen on the Patch:
Cattle Egret-Neumann's Flash-5th October 2020
Siberian Stonechat-Ashton's Flash-27th December 2019
Great White Egret-Neumann's Flash-12th July 2018
Glossy Ibis-Neumann's Flash-26th July 2016
Ring-Necked Duck-Neumann's Flash-15th May 2014
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Tundra Bean Goose-Budworth Mere-23rd February 2012
Waxwing-Ashtons Flash-12 seen from here, looking towards National tyres, over Wade Brook-16th December 2010
Long-billed Dowitcher-Neumann's Flash-25th August 2010
Black Redstart-Marbury Park-28th March 2010
Black Winged Stilt-Neumann's Flash-25th April 2008
Pectoral Sandpiper-Neumann's Flash-31st May 2005
Whiskered Tern-Ashton's Flash-19th May 2005
Spotted Crake-Witton Brook-No1 Tank-6th August 2002
Patch Bird Yearlist 2006
During the Christmas period, I set myself a challenge: to surpass the long-standing Marbury patch record of 150 species recorded in a single calendar year. I was competing alongside John Gregory and Pete Antrobus, and although I knew the record would be difficult to break, I felt ready for the task. What I hadn’t anticipated was just how competitive—and all-consuming—the year would become. Patch birding soon took over my life.
What follows are the month-by-month highlights from an unforgettable year.
January
I began the year with an early visit on New Year’s Day, recording an impressive 52 species. A strong mix of wildfowl and woodland birds was complemented by outstanding views of a Water Rail feeding directly in front of the Bittern Hide.
The momentum continued throughout the month. All three British woodpeckers were recorded, and on 24 January, Pete Antrobus (‘Pod’) located a Long-eared Owl on Neumann’s Flash. Despite an exhaustive search, I initially missed it, but returned the following evening to enjoy excellent views as it flew across Marbury Lane before perching obligingly in a nearby bush. Ruddy Duck was added on Budworth Mere on the 27th, and persistent evening searches for Woodcock in Carey Park finally paid off on the 28th.
91 species
February
The month began positively when, while walking through the park with the children, Dave Bedford alerted me to a Mediterranean Gull he had just found. The remainder of February was relatively quiet until the 15th, when a Pintail appeared on Ashton’s Flash.
93 species
March
March opened well with a Willow Tit near the canal opposite the Forge Bed, followed by a Peregrine Falcon showing superbly from one of the ICI chimneys. Late in the month, the first real signs of spring arrived with Sand Martin and Chiffchaff.
98 species
April
April proved pivotal. Swallow and House Martin appeared early, and on the 10th, Pod discovered a Red-legged Partridge near Higher Marston, just outside the patch boundary.
Early mornings became essential. Daily 5am starts paid dividends on the 17th, when Wheatear, Common Sandpiper, Cuckoo and Reed Warbler were all recorded. Crossing the bund, I watched a Little Egret fly directly overhead from Ashton’s Flash to Neumann’s Flash. A hurried phone call to John Gregory (‘Gregsey’) sent him sprinting to the hide to catch up with the bird.
The egret lingered until the 19th, which also brought a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Pod somehow managed to miss both in torrential rain—a moment that still raises a smile. On the 21st, an early-morning rendezvous with Fred Fearn and Gregsey produced Black Tern and Wood Sandpiper in quick succession, followed later by the year’s first Yellow Wagtail.
Further highlights included Garden Warbler at its traditional site, Lesser Whitethroat trapped and then seen well on the Forge Bed, Common Scoter on Budworth Mere, and Wood Warbler near the Bittern Hide.
125 species
May
The 3rd of May stands out as one of the finest days I’ve ever experienced on the patch. At first light, a Little Ringed Plover appeared on Neumann’s Flash, followed shortly by an extraordinary Grey Plover flushed from Fisherman’s Path and watched landing on Kidbrook spit. Thankfully, it remained all day and was enjoyed by many.
The month continued at pace: Spotted Flycatcher, Hobby, Ringed Plover, an unforgettable flyover Goshawk, Temminck’s Stint (snatched en route to Roy Keane’s testimonial), Sanderling, Knot and Curlew Sandpiper all followed. The highlight came with a dramatic escape from work to connect with a Red-necked Phalarope—an outstanding patch lifer.
137 species
June
Activity slowed markedly, with Greenshank on Ashton’s Flash on the 26th the sole addition.
138 species
July
On the 14th, Gregsey found a Black-necked Grebe on Neumann’s Flash, which showed superbly. The following evening produced Little Owl on Budworth Lane.
140 species
August
August will forever be remembered for the White-winged Black Tern. Evening gull watches with Pod—complete with beers and the newly christened Al’s Bar—finally paid off on the 9th when the tern appeared in torrential rain. Absolute scenes followed.
Further additions included Ruff, Mandarin Duck and Barnacle Goose.
144 species
September
Mid-month produced Tree Pipit and Little Stint, followed on the 17th by a Whinchat on Ashton’s Flash. That bird proved significant—it was Gregsey’s 150th species, leaving me trailing in the race.
147 species
October
A long wait ended on the 31st with a well-showing Short-eared Owl.
148 species
November
The final addition came on 17 November with a Goosander on Budworth Mere.
149 species
Summary
After a gruelling but hugely rewarding year, I finished third with 149 species, just behind Pod on 150 and Gregsey on 151. It remains one of the most enjoyable and fiercely competitive birding challenges I’ve ever undertaken—strengthening friendships, producing unforgettable birds and generating stories that will last a lifetime.
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