11.00-14.30

Redesmere : 2f Goosanders, 3 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Buzzards, 1f Pochard, 6 Nuthatches, 2 Goldcrests and 3 Grey Herons.

2 of the numerous Black Headed Gulls perched on the railings by the car park had blue rings on their left legs, and silver BTO rings on their right leg.

One bird's blue ring was 2F69 and the other was 2F88.

Capesthorne Hall Pools : 1 Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebes and a group of 6 Gadwall (No Gadwall were on Redesmere).

1 Pink Footed Goose was with 18 Greylags on cattle pasture at Capesthorne.

I was sent the following yesterday:

Redesmere - redhead Smew still. at far end beyond Sailing Club 14.15. (per John Spottiswood, thanks)

This is the 2nd day for the bird to be present here, I haven't seen any reports for today so far. Interestingly the female Smew at Newchurch wasn't seen yesterday or today!

I called at Redesmere Lake this afternoon.
At least 3 Great Crested Grebe,2 off which seemed to of paired up,with occasional head shaking,lots of Coots,Canada Geese,BH Gulls,Tufted Ducks,Greylags,2 male 3 female Golden Eye,a male Pochard,Moorhens,a Greyheron,a pair of Mute Swans. In adjoining fields and woodland,Heard Great Spotted Woodpecker Drumming,100 or so Redwings flying and landing in fields,Goldfinches,a Buzzard,usual corvids,Chaffinches,great tits,and a pair of Oystercatchers flew from the direction of the lake across the carpark and on to the field.
As usual lots of people throwing huge amounts of bread from full loafs they have brought at the ducks and Geese,a lot of which must sink to the bottom of the Lake and rot down? Sometimes wonder if it is worth the icecream van selling better food for people to give the ducks?
Not that many years ago I could virtually guarantee seeing Little Owl near here but don't see them now here,or for that matter anywhere as much as I used too,which is a real shame.
ALL THE BEST AND GOOD BIRDING TO YOU ALL.

15.00-17.00

Redesmere

1 drake Mandarin, 12 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzards plus Coots, Mallard etc.

3 Canada Goslings with parents.

Masses of hirundines mainly House Martins.

In the woodland were 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper plus Blue Tit, Chaffinch etc.

Across the A34 on the Capesthorne Estate

One field contained 12 small Lapwing chicks with 10 parent birds and 3 Oystercatchers.

The adult Lapwings largely ignored me as passed by on the footpath, but when a Carrion Crow appeared they attacked with vigour and chased it off, clever peewits.

A brood of 5 Canada Goslings, whilst the Greylags had a single brood of 3.

Lots of feral geese and "park" Mallards throughout. Lots of Rabbits too.

3rd April early morning

Redesmere
1 Red Kite
1 Sand Martin
8 Goldeneye
2 Common Buzzard
4 Oystercatcher
2 Reed Bunting
2 Great Crested Grebe
17 Fieldfare
20 Tufted Duck
12 Greylag Geese
4 Meadow Pipit
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Capesthorne (public footpath just north of Mill Lane & just south of official Hall entrance)
1 Red-breasted Goose
3 Greylag Geese
1 Chiffchaff
5 Lapwing
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Goldcrest

Thanks for the update Ian

Ah well, it did look rather too unphased by its surroundings.....now if it had been at Caerlaverock

Wasn't sure where to put this;

We went for a walk around the Redesmere area and wandered over to Capesthorne Lakes to find, surprise, surprise, a Red-breasted Goose on the lake.
I assumed this was a resident. It didn't get out of the water so couldn't check for rings, but I see from the Macclesfield RSPB site that is seems ring-less and I think presumed wild?

Can anyone confirm what the considered status is for this bird?
I've submitted it as a casual sighting on Birdtrack, with usual consequences...never quite sure if these birds should be submitted or not!

-- Edited by Nev Wright on Saturday 30th of March 2013 08:16:09 PM

Little egret to the right of the carpark in trees today and three Goosanders

1 swift

Saturday 17th December 8.30-9.00am

Not a great deal of note among the usual Tufteds, Coots and Mallards on a very cold and icy morning. Around a third of the water was frozen.

Plenty of Canada Geese and Greylags.
Pheasants were very conspicuous in the snow on the surrounding fields.
2 Shoveler were the only highlight really.

Adam

The French ones should have 2-4 colour rings plus a numbered metal ring with a Paris address.

Hi Steve, I didn't, as I was watching it through the bins. I couldn't see if there was a ring on it's leg or not. I have seen that members of the Macclesfield RSPB branch have also seen it and there is also a picture on their website, although you can't make out anything on the ring, but they may be able to help you or point you to somebody with some pictures.
Hope that helps.
Adam