Lapwing Lane - Chelford

John Rayner · Status: Offline

RE: Lapwing Lane - Chelford

Paul Flackett · Status: Offline

The Black-necked Grebe was still present this morning, as were the Smew. It's worth noting that the grebe is in an intermediate plumage and is easily overlooked at distance, especially when in the company of Little Grebes.

-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Monday 9th of March 2020 06:19:44 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Today, just 15mls from home, I caught up with Black-necked Grebe at Lapwing Hall Pool. The bird was mobile and elusive and headed out of sight at the southern end the last time I saw it. The 2 redhead Smew were together out in the middle. Big numbers of Little Grebes were seen and heard on the pool.

Judy Denison · Status: Offline

Lapwing Hall pool : Watched one of the smew very busily diving this morning 10 til 11 am, north/west end.

Lots of wigeon, pochard, coots and two male goldeneye, pair of little grebe.

Large flock of field fares in the trees along the track back towards Congleton lane.

-- Edited by Judy Denison on Friday 7th of February 2020 06:51:54 PM

-- Edited by Judy Denison on Friday 7th of February 2020 06:55:44 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

11.00-13.30

Followed the path adjoining the sand quarries at the bottom of Lapwing Lane.

On and around the quarries were, 4 Buzzards, 14 Cormorants, 16 Teal, 6 Shelducks and 1 Grey Heron.

Lapwing Lake : 1 "Red Head" Smew (Possibly 2), 1m+1f Goldeneyes, 75 Wigeon, 1m+1f Pochards, 1 Great Crested Grebe,

and 6 Little Grebes.

Paul Flackett · Status: Offline

There were two this morning but not together. One was resting in plain view whilst the other one was very active diving in the middle of the nearby vegetation & was only visible when I moved to a different position. It appeared to be having some success with the fish.

Phil Oddy · Status: Offline

Just one redhead Smew present this afternoon

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

2 redhead Smew both still present this afternoon.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Phil Oddy wrote:

A planning application for a watersports centre has gone in for Mere Farm, Chelford. To comment please use the following link:- http://planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk/applicationdetails.aspx?pr=19/2513M. The closing date is 8th Jan.

Hi Phil,

I have submitted several reports for this site recently in the "Chelford area" thread as it is quite a way from

Lapwing Lane. The application centres on using the pool on the North side of footpath that bisects the site

as a watersports centre, which I think is wholly unacceptable. I had expected a development of this kind to

be proposed for the larger lake to the East, which appears more suitable, and where viewing is difficult.

There was a similar application made some years ago which involved all 3 lakes and would have turned the whole

area into a water sport theme park. This was thrown out, and since then Hanson appear to have done a quite a lot

of conservation work around the 2 smaller lakes, leading to the view that they were exempt from unsuitable development.

At the time the North pool suffered from there being public access to it's whole perimeter, leading to dog walkers

encouraging dog walkers to let their pets enter the water throughout, which was very detrimental to the lakes wildlife.

Even the pool on South side of the path suffered from a similar problem as people simply jumped over the fence and ignored

the no access signs.

On my last visit a couple of months ago the site was flooded and the path between the 2 smaller pools was completely under water.

So an unofficial path around the top of the North pool is now used. Despite this the lake seems much less disturbed, and I noted

a group of around 60 Pochard on this one pool alone. This count alone should be sufficient to protect the site from unsuitable development.

On previous visits I have also recorded several Little Ringed Plovers showing an interest in the pool, and considered there to be potential

for them to try and breed there.

On reading the responses on the councils website regarding this planning application I see CAWOS and CWT have submitted their objections,

you may rest assured I will issue mine too.

Phil Oddy · Status: Offline

A planning application for a watersports centre has gone in for Mere Farm, Chelford. To comment please use the following link:- http://planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk/applicationdetails.aspx?pr=19/2513M. The closing date is 8th Jan.

Mark Dean · Status: Offline

At first I just saw one Phil, but then I lost it and when I relocated it there was 2 swimming together which was quite a surprise,but from then on they kept together and both myself and Paul saw them.All the best.

Phil Oddy · Status: Offline

Mark Dean wrote:
Glad that I managed to put you on the Smew Paul,they could be illusive at times as quite active.Forgot to put that there were at least 4 Goldeneye also.All the best to you and everyone and have a great birding 2020!

Did you see one or two Smew?

Mark Dean · Status: Offline

Glad that I managed to put you on the Smew Paul,they could be illusive at times as quite active.Forgot to put that there were at least 4 Goldeneye also.All the best to you and everyone and have a great birding 2020!

Paul Flackett · Status: Offline

Good to meet you today Mark. Thanks for pointing out the Smew that had been hiding from me! Looked at my notes from earlier in the year and yes there was one there in February, so you were right. I'm guessing this earlier bird was probably the one that had been seen at Redesmere during the same period.

Mark Dean · Status: Offline

2xRedhead Smew together on water today,showing well at times ,though sometimes seem to vanish as dived and came up amongst the Wigeon.Also some Little Grebes,Pochard and usual Gulls.

Adam Jones · Status: Offline

Saturday 30th November 2pm

Red-head Smew was keeping it's distance on the far bank of Lapwing Hall Pool. Sticking to the vegetation and only briefly showing out of it.
Good numbers of Wigeon too.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Mere Farm Quarry Pools (NE of A537 roundabout):

1f Stonchat, 12 Shelducks, 14 Wigeon, 11 Tufted Ducks, 2 Cormorants and a flock of 60+ Linnets.

Acre Nook Quarry Pool : 6 Shelducks.

Lapwing Hall Pool : 210 Wigeon and 2 Buzzards.

The dell from Mill Lane towards Astle : Several large flocks of Siskins and Lesser Redpolls feeding on Alder seeds.

On a very muddy field alongside Mill Lane were 8 Fieldfares, 7 Redwings and a couple of Mistle Thrushes.

John Rayner · Status: Offline

Black-necked Grebe 1
Little Grebe 4
Wigeon 279
Tufted Duck 22
Pochard 4
Goldeneye 6
Coot 64
Mute Swan 3

The Chelford end of Congleton Lane is coned off as it is closed for resurfacing work. I was allowed access providing I drove with hazard warning lights and parked without causing obstruction to the many road work vehicles. The circular walk round the pool seemed to be open as usual and was still being used by many dog walkers.

Cheers John

-- Edited by John Rayner on Thursday 9th of February 2017 03:31:10 PM

Peter Dawson · Status: Offline

Black necked grebe showing well again today. Also of note in the general area were goosander, goldeneye, tree sparrow and sizeable flocks of meadow pipits and redwings.

Whilst walking round I bumped into the estate owner who told me that the circular path round Lapwing Hall Pool will be closed at the end of this week for about a year whilst they carry out some major works. So I think that means that viewing of LHP will be difficult.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Had a text today:

Black-necked Grebe Lapwing Hall Pool, Chelford plus a Bewick's Swan with 35 Whooper Swans. (per John Spottiswood, thanks)

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

It's not been posted on here, but there is a wintering Black-necked Grebe at Lapwing Hall Pool. I nipped over late afternoon and the bird was favouring the north side and associating loosely with a small flock of Tufted Ducks. It dives frequently so give to pool a good search if you are going, and take wellies, it is like a mud bath! If you go in the evening, like I did, the pool is packed with Black-headed Gulls so I think scanning for the grebe would be much easier in the day when the pool has fewer birds on it.

Phil Hampson · Status: Offline

Many thanks. Went Friday evening. Cracker.

Phil

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 12th June.
Morning visit with Simon Gough.

- Long-tailed Duck 1
A first for me to see a drake with the long tail, a very smart looking bird indeed. Was distant at first but eventually it came over a lot closer to the bank where we were stood. It was worth getting soaked in return for some quality views.

Other birds around...
- Wigeon 1 male
- Tufted Duck
- Little Grebe 3
- Great Crested Grebe 2
- Oystercatcher 3
- Lapwing 1
- Sand Martin 40-50
- House Martin <10
- Swallow 1
- Reed Bunting 2

...and a few miles down the road as we headed into Macclesfield, a cracking Hobby came drifting over the car. In the slow moving traffic we watched it do a couple of circles then put the burners on and disappeared in no time into the distance!

Joel Tragen · Status: Offline

great views of the bird just after you left john. Arrived around 1:45 but it was always distant either in the middle of the pool or as john said in the nature reserve area. Just after john left i decided to leave as well and walked round to the find he was around 50 meter of one of the shores.
other highlights:
1 oystercatcher which flew in, couldn't find any where to land so flew off.
3+ little grebes
3+ great crested grebes
several pochard
2 buzzards
several reed buntings
good numbers of hirundie
Water rail, reed warbler, sedge warbler and whitethroats heard
And a hobby from the car on the way over

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Drake Long tailed Duck still present at 4pm when I left

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 13th of June 2016 07:38:20 AM

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Drake Long-tailed Duck still present when I left at 12.30, Good views though distant so scope needed.

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

Still there at 10:45 according to Birdguides John

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Any long tailef duck news today possitive or negative?

John Rayner · Status: Offline

I picked a poor time to visit and got caught in torrential downpours this afternoon. However, the Long-tailed Duck did come a little nearer the pool margin and allowed some phone-scoping. I survived the drenching, unfortunately my iPhone didn't hmm

Cheers John

-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 11th of June 2016 11:56:12 PM

steven burke · Status: Offline

here from 11.45am, first time here, watching the long-tailed duck for around an hour & trying to get photos despite in staying almost in the middle of lapwing hall pool most of the time & a wonder around for a couple of hours.
other birds seen in the area...

1 wigeon, male
male & female mandarin
6 little grebe
16 tufted duck
2 grey heron
2 oystercatcher
lots of lapwings
4-6 buzzard
1 sparrowhawk
2 garden warblers
several blackcaps around
2 reed warbler
swifts, swallows, sand martins & house martins.

smile

Adam Jones · Status: Offline

I popped back again early this morning, and the Long-tailed duck was still on Lapwing Hall Pool. Quite mobile, generally showing well.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Drake Long-tailed Duck present this morning. Took some finding but eventually located after half an hour. Well done Patrick.

Adam Jones · Status: Offline

The drake Long-tailed Duck was still present when I left at 8.30pm.
A superb looking bird.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Excellent find Patrick. being off today and having been on Newchurch this morning I was at a loose end so nipped down this afternoon. The drake Long-tailed Duck, complete with long tail 'streamers', was actively feeding at the north end of Lapwing Hall Pool whilst I was there. The Sand Martins were posing very photogenically in submerged trees at the south end, great for pictures if anyone is heading down with a camera smile

Steve Collins · Status: Offline

Nice find Patrick. Long-tailed Duck still present at 5.00 pm.

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

I found a male, near adult Long-tailed Duck here at around 13:00 today. Most unusual to see inland at this time of year and possibly my best 'self-found' bird so far (assuming I was first to see it. Certainly first to report it anywhere as far as I know?)

Steve Collins · Status: Offline

Sandwich Tern still today along with 16 Shelduck and Reed Warbler singing at Acre Nook Sand Quarry.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Had a text this morning to say that the Sandwich Tern was still at Acre Nook Sand Quarry, Chelford, has stuck around which makes it a really unusual record for inland Cheshire (thanks to John Spottiswood).

Mark Dean · Status: Offline

Made my first ever visit to this site this afternoon for the Black Necked Grebe.
It was showing quite well at the opposite side of the water from where I entered ,which was off the muddy track which runs through what I believe is called the Mosses.It was a nice view in the scope ,although it kept diving quite a lot.
Also a Little Grebe and at least 70 Tufted ducks and at least the same number of Wigeon and Coots. A female Kestrel flew right over my head calling,,as well as a Common Buzzard overhead,and Long-Tail tits in the trees . Did not see any other birders, just a few dog walkers.
A nice place to visit, I would think it is a place I will visit more in the future.
All the best and Good Birding Mark

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Black-necked Grebe still present this morning at 8.00am
Also
little Grebe 2
Wigeon c50

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Given that Lapwing Hall Pool is only 15miles from home and having not seen it yet I decided to pop over this morning to see if the Black-necked Grebe was still present. It was! Favouring the west end of the pool, feeding here and only moving away when dogs were on the west shore or swimming there. Plenty of Wigeon too and Tufted Ducks, Canada Geese and two Little Grebes.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Black-necked Grebe still present on Lapwing Hall Pool around 11.45 this morning.

Chris Sutton · Status: Offline

Black-necked Grebe (1)
Dropped in at dusk on the way back from Sandbach Flashes and managed to pick up the reported black-necked grebe in the fading light. First time I have been to the site and definitely worthy of another visit in daylight. Good variety of winter ducks and a large gull roost building all the time I was there (vast majority black headed).
Chris

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

No sign of the Caspian Tern this evening. I was kind of hoping maybe it could've found another feeding location and would've still roosted here tonight but not to be. Still, it was a nice drive out and met some nice people out there.

Birds of note:

130+ Curlew
1 Common Snipe
1 Dunlin
1 Common Gull
1 Buzzard
Approx 10-15 Oystercatcher
Lapwing and Starling in large numbers, uncountable...very flighty
Black-Headed, Great Black-Backed and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls in abundance

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

The tern was watched flying off strongly just after 8.45pm and hadn't returned by dusk, leaving Cheshire birders present to theorise that maybe that was the bird finally leaving. As Sid comments it had changed it's behaviour from previous evenings, this departure being the major change. It seems like those suggestions that it had moved on have proved to be right so far, with still a no show at either location by c.5pm this afternoon. Mates on site at both locations have phond me with updates and birders will check Acre Nook SQ this evening to se if it returns to the roost, which it could still do if it has found a new feeding site during the day.

Tony Coatsworth · Status: Offline

Must have just missed you as I left around 19:15

Seemed quite settled then and was preening.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

I watched the Tern from 19.30 yesterday evening along with the finders and it was still there when I left at 20.45 although in my post I did mention that all of the birds took to the air a couple of times in that period - also the Tern did appear to be quite skittish when it was on the ground. This seems to have been different behaviour to previous evenings in the roost.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Flew off early yesterday evening and then not seen at all this morning so far at Rudyard. Could be that it has departed the area.... but still worth a look at Acre Nook tonight smile

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Had another look at the Caspian Tern in the sunshine this evening at Chelford. Great views of it on the ground (mud/water) and also excellent flight views through the scope when it was heard calling. All of the birds went up a couple of times, once when a Buzzard flew over. Had more time to appreciate the plumage and its little jig in the mud - quite amusing. As has been said by others a "cracking" bird biggrin

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

I felt sorry for one poor guy who turned up at dusk when the only people present were Chris Dorney and myself. We'd watched the tern fly into the shallows for a bath but had then turned our attention to the large numbers of Curlew flighting in. By the time he arrived it was almost dark and the vast majority of gulls were facing away from us into the wind with their heads under their wings. We searched for the tern for ten minutes before a heavy shower arrived and we headed back to the cars - he never did see it!

Other birds present were a Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, and four Goosander (flew off shortly after we arrived), along with Pochard, Tufties, a few Gadwall and Teal, etc.

I see (from Facebook) someone's lost a pair of binocs at Chelford, if folk could keep their eyes open for them.