I picked up Malc Curtin this morning for a morning's birding on my old patch, Marbury Country Park. I parked my car up at Witton Mill car park and headed towards Ashton's flash. We soon got onto a Sedge warbler and 4 Redpoll flying over towards Carey Park, but couldn't find the Whitethroat that had been reported around the car park.
Ashton's Flash
Moving on to Witton Brook, my first Reed warbler of the year was seen along with 2 flyover Great spotted woodpeckers.
Reaching Haydn's pool, there was no sign of the Garganey that were reported last night, but a Green Woodpecker was seen at the back of the pool. With no sign of the Garganey, we moved back onto the brook and had brief views of the elusive Cetti's warbler, but we couldn't relocate it.
A text of one of the patch regulars had us walking back to Haydn's pool, where we connected with the male and female Garganey.
Garganey
Haydn's Pool
After good views of the birds, we moved onto Budworth Mere, where I found the first Common sandpiper of the year for the patch regulars and a Yellow wagtail was commuting in the back fields behind the mere with 6 Pied wagtails and a White wagtail.
A great morning birding, and I was glad to be back on my old patch. I just wish it weren't so far away from where I live.