Cattle Egret still present at 2pm. Pics (below) taken through the fence.
Oystercatcher 1
Reed Warbler 1
Cetti's Warbler 1
Common Whitethroat 1

Late news from the weekend when there were 3 probable Cattle Egret in the horse paddock.

Cettis warbler and 2 Chiffchaff singing near big pool adjacent to path. 

Whooper Swan 11 over NW at 08.27
Shoveler 3
Gadwall 2
Oystercatcher 3
Sparrowhawk 1 (mobbed by 2 Oystercatcher over the filter beds)
Buzzard 1
Jay 10 (8 together)
Chiffchaff 14

Willow tit - 1 (possibly 2) on TransPennine trail near to gate to the solar farm

Chiffchaff - 1 singing near spinners

Hi Keith, I first saw it 03Dec22 then a few more times until 08 Dec22. I've been back about 8 times since and only 2 days ago but alas no further sign. I did notice that there were swarms of flies around the sewage spinners at that time when it was there and that it was quite bold. I will keep going back just in case. I did happen to see a few Black Redstart in Pollença (top of Calvario steps) and Puerto Pollença (La Gola) over Christmas.

One slow lap of the solar panels followed by an even slower one due to very icy paths produced 24 species. About 40 Redpoll at the top of two adjacent trees on the left side of the path near the Telephone mast (which is on the right hand side of the path). They have been there on my last few visits and always about 1.5 hours before dusk.

Black Redstart showing well this p.m.

1 x Black Redstart. Altrincham Sewage works this a.m. 53.412264, -2.375719. Most likely female. Also saw this bird yesterday a.m. 53.412648, -2.374736. (More or less). The second entrance gate just happened to be open but I think you may well need United Utilities permission to enter. Either way please don't park anywhere on Woodcote Road nor block any entrances to any businesses especially UU. Free parking is available as you drive past the entrance to the tip, where that massive puddle always is.

Not expecting anything I did a quick lap of the solar panels on this gloomy afternoon which surprisingly produced 20 species. Grey Wagtails, Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits by the sewage spinners with approx 150 Starlings. On the north side of the panels in a bush/tree feeding together were 6 x Bullfinch, 1 x Greenfinch and 1 x Willow Tit. They decamped and 6 x Long Tailed Tits replaced them. They moved on to be immediately replaced by a Goldcrest. How heart warming....or is that me sitting by the chiminea with a glass of wine.

I heard a Garden Warbler a few days ago at the NW corner of the solar panels, near the sign on the main footpath

-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Monday 13th of June 2022 11:19:42 AM

One lap of the solar panels after the rain ceased. Lots of species and birdsong. Several Greenfinch, a pheasant under the solar panels and one in the Water Treatment works, 1 Reed Warbler in the reeds on the north side of the solar panels. One male Linnet back and forth on the perimeter fence whilst the female fed a youngster. A few Chiffchaff.

One quick lap of the solar panels. No sight nor sound of the Grasshopper Warbler. But a good view of a Reed Warbler in the reeds at the North end of the solar panels singing away and a Reed Bunting. Several House Martins building their nests in the eaves at the stables, flying amongst the Swallows.

Many thanks to Pete Hines. Got several Great views of the Grasshopper Warbler reeling away, on and off, from 1.30 p.m to 2.30 p.m on my second visit. My first visit this morning was unfruitful and I think I saw you and you (or somebody) waved to me. I think there are 2 as one joined and flew away with the one I was watching.

This morning with Tony Darby

Grasshopper Warbler 1 reeling and showing in scrub between the solar panels and the phone mast. Also:
Whitethroat 8+
Blackcap 3
Willow Warbler 2
Chiffchaff 2
Sedge Warbler in the fenced-off area west of the concrete track
Swift 1 with 10+ Swallows and 6+ House Martins at the stables

Some morning highlights.

Cetti's Warbler 1 singing north side of first pool from Trans Pennine track.
Willow Warbler 1 singing.
Whitethroat 1 singing.
Chiffchaff 1 singing.
Reed Bunting 2 singing.
Kestrel 1 male.
Moorhen 1 adult.
Coot 2 adults, 1 juvenile.
Swift 50+
Sand Martin 30+
House Martin 30+
Swallow 10+
Pied Wagtail 2

Cetti's Warbler 1 singing, heard from NW corner of main pool on the Trans Pennine trail.
Lesser Whitethroat 1 singing, heard as above but somewhere closer in the main pool shrubbery.
Willow Tit 1 seen in bush at SJ757 907, NE corner of solar farm, not quite in the ETW area but near enough.
Willow Warbler 1 singing.
Sand Martin 50+
Swallow 5+
House Martin 2
Whitethroat 1 singing.
Blackcap 2 singing plus 1 female.
Chiffchaff 1 singing.
etc.

Disused horse paddocks too overgrown for Yellow Wagtails, I presume.

Im not going mad then. I thought I heard a brief burst of song near the main entrance gate to the solar farm on the 14th April on both occasions I passed during a moss walk. Habitat looks ideal round the disused sections of the sewage works and less disturbance now around the pools. Need a lot of luck to see it there though!

Friday pm, Teal, Shoveler,  Mallard and Gadwsll all present.

Several Lityke Grebe calling, one seen.

On the East side of the sewage farm and the solar Panel field, two Willow Tits on this mornings walk with the hound. One was seen top of a bush singing (how it was identified) and a second in the vicinity also singing but not seen.

Keith

A combination of high water levels but most of the standing water being frozen at 9 am meant that the ducks were mainly concentrated in an area I dont normally see them in and included for me, at this site, an unprecedented 9 mandarin (6m 3f)

Where do you park now for a mooch around the sewage works? My office is nearby and I briefly popped in for a quick look and there we no parking signs on the stables and no access signs on the sewage works entrance.

 

Cheers 

Sand Martin 80+
Black-headed Gull 80+
Pied Wagtail 4
Swallow 4
Oystercatcher 1
Mallard 1 male.
Shoveler 1 pair.
Gadwall 1 pair.
Coot 2
Moorhen 2
Reed Bunting 1
Little Grebe 1

Just about managed to see through the vegetation, 1adult Coot and 3 juvs.

Reed Bunting 3 singing.
Grey Wagtail 3
Pied Wagtail 2A 1J.
Buzzard 2
House Martin 12+
Swallow 6+
Starling 30+
Black-headed Gull 2