WHISKERED TERNS-SANDBACH FLASHES

I woke up this morning to messages on my phone to say that two Whiskered Terns were at Sandbach flashes.These were a first for the flashes and were still present so I got on my way.On arrival I met up with Port vales finest Phil Locker who put me straight on the birds.They were happily preening on fence posts at the end of the spit on Elton hall flash.

 THE TWO WHISKERED TERNS 

 COMMON TERN AND WHISKERED TERN

 WHISKERED TERNS IN FLIGHT

Great birds that had spent the previous day in Nottinghamshire before landing in Cheshire.The birds only stayed a day and are now present in Cleveland.Other good birds of note were Greenshank,Little ringed plover and Common tern.Anyway a nice mornings birding and great to catch up with some many familar faces.

BIRDERS ON SITE

KENTISH PLOVER RETURNS FOR A DAY AND AN EVENING IN THE EASTERN HILLS

Having missed a very showy adult male Kentish Plover at Audenshaw reservoir in Greater Manchester last week due to work commitments and being annoyed I had missed it the little beauty turned up again. I was off work so I rang Malc Curtin who said he was up for coming with me.I picked Malc up on route and we soon made are way to the site.Walking around the reservoir we were constantly getting bitten by midges but eventually we found the bird.

KENTISH PLOVER

The bird showed really well and wasen't bothered by our presence.This represents the first record for Greater Manchester since 1980 and with records of Kentish Plover becoming ever scarcer this was a fantastic inland record that thankfully reappeared a week later.
Dropping Malc off back in Northwich I moved on to Teggs nose country park where I spent at least an hour looking for Pied Flycatchers but no luck and not even a Redstart.

 TEGGS NOSE COUNTRY PARK IN THE EASTERN HILLS OF CHESHIRE

BULLFINCH

Teggs nose was very quiet this afternoon Chiffchaffs and Willow warblers were in good numbers and a pair of Bullfinches were near the stream.
I then moved on towards Trentabank reservoir where I connected with the resident Mandarin's and then heard a Pied Flycatcher calling.I soon got on the bird up in the trees around the picnic area which showed really well.

 Mandarin Duck

 Pied Flycatcher

 Trentabank Reservoir

At last success and what a showy male constantly singing.Moving on towards Widboarclough and walking down the river I had no luck again with Redstart but did connect with Dipper,Stock Dove and Grey Wagtail.

 DIPPER

 STOCK DOVE

 GREY WAGTAIL

WILDBOARCLOUGH

Another great days birding that looks getting even better with easterlies forecast for the weekend!BRING ON THE MEGA!

ACRE NOOK AND LAPWING POOL BIRD SIGHTINGS

Acre Nook Sightings:

On the 26th a Reed warbler was calling from the reeds along with a Cuckoo calling from the other side of the quarry.Shelduck numbers have now dwindled down to 6 along with only 2 Teal.Goldfinches,Blackcaps,Chiffchaffs and Willow warblers are now in good numbers.The Sandwich tern is still present on the 3rd May it has now been in the area for the last 15 days also 4 Dunlin were present along with another Little ringed plover.26 Lapwing and 4 Oystercatcher,9 Shelduck were also present.A male and female Goosander were seen on the 5th.A Green woodpecker was present on the 6th in its usual tree and is still calling for a mate.2 Grey lag geese and 4 Canada's remain on each visit. 

 GOLDFINCH

 GREEN WOODPECKER

 GREY LAG GEESE

 THE SANDWICH TERN HAS NOW BEEN IN THE AREA FOR 15 DAYS

 SWALLOWS ARE BACK IN GOOD NUMBERS

 OYSTERCATCHERS

TWO GOOSANDERS PUT IN A BRIEF APPEARANCE ON THE 5th MAY

FOUR DUNLIN AND A LITTLE RINGED FLEW IN ON THE 3rd MAY

Lapwing Pool sightings:

Well over 300 Sand martins were present in the 26th along with good numbers of  Swallows and House Martins.Numbers have now dwindled over the pool and the Swallows have taken up residence at the local farm.Tufted duck remain in good numbers on each visit along with 3 Little Grebe and 17 Coot.2 Jays were seen flying across to acre on the 5th.A Mistle Thrush and Grey Wagtail were seen on the 9th May.

MISTLE THRUSH

 GREY WAGTAIL

Another good couple of week's on my patch and thankfully due to longer days i'm trying to visit after work as well.

 SUNSET OVER LAPWING POOL