Burtonwood

John Williams · Status: Offline

RE: Burtonwood

John Williams · Status: Offline

Morning walk from my home in Callands along the Sankey Valley Park/Trail to Newton Brook, returned via

Alder Lane, Causeway Bridges Farm and path to Gemini. (From 08.30am).

Sankey Valley Trail (A574 to Newton Brook) : 1 singing Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaffs (7 in song), 1 Linnet,

2m+1f Yellowhammers, 1 Fieldfare and 2m Reed Buntings.

Pool/Horse Paddocks opposite the former Fiddle' ith bag pub : 6 Tree Sparrows (1 in song), 1m Shoveler,

3prs of Gadwall, 1pr of Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank and 12 Lapwings (Most on terrritory).

Along the track from Alder Lane towards Farmers Lane, footpath by Causeway Bridges Farm and path back to Gemini.:

3m Yellowhammers (2 in full song), 1 Meadow Pipit (In display flight) and 2 Grey Herons.

It appeared very odd and worrying that no Buzzards (6 were recorded around here 10 days ago) or Kestrels were seen throughout

my walk today.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Morning Walk from my home in Callands along the Sankey Valley Park/Trail to Newton Brook, returned via

Alder Lane, Causeway Bridges Farm and path to Gemini.

Sankey Valley Trail (A574 to Newton Brook)

3 Yellowhammers (1 male singing at Causey Bridge), 5 singing Chiffchaffs, 4 Jays, a pair of displaying Buzzards

and a group of 3 Linnets.

Pool opposite the former Fiddle' ith bag pub

6 Shovelers, 4 Gadwall and a pair of Oystercatchers. A flock of 30 Meadow Pipits were around a pool in a neighbouring

horse paddock whilst nearby 4 Tree Sparrows and a couple of Reed Buntings were seen.

Along the track from Alder Lane towards Farmers Lane, footpath by Causeway Bridges Farm and path back to Gemini.

Highlight was a female Ring Ouzel amongst a flock of 10 Fieldfares, 5 Yellowhammers including another singing male, 4 Buzzards, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Kestrel.

-- Edited by John Williams on Wednesday 25th of March 2020 04:58:32 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

09.00-11.00

Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)

1 male Yellowhammer, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare (Oddly on it's own and on alders by Sankey Brook),

2 Buzzards (Displaying), 1 Kestrel, 2 male Reed Buntings, 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Cormorants.

Pool opposite the former Fiddle' ith bag pub.

9 Shovelers and 9 Gadwall

Along the track from Alder Lane to Farmers Lane

23 Lapwings (Mostly paired), 3 male Yellowhammers, 3 Buzzards and a pair of Pied Wagtails that were prospecting

a cavity in a shed roof.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.15-12.30

Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)

2m Stonechats, 4 Tree Sparrows, 2 Kestrels, 1m+1f Goosanders (Appeared to have flown off Sankey Brook), 3 Cormorants (On pylons),

2 Pied Wagtails, 1m Bullfinch and 50 Redwings.

Along the track from Alder Lane to Farmers Lane

1m Shoveler (On pool opposite the Fiddle i'th Bag pub), 1 Common Gull (With 36 Black Headed Gulls), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel

and a charm of 34 Goldfinches.

John Williams · Status: Offline

14.30-16.00

Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)

1m Bullfinch, 10 Meadow Pipits (With a few 4 Pied Wagtails in the horse paddocks),

a pair of Wrens having a territorial dispute and a singing Great Tit.

Along the track from Alder Lane to Farmers Lane

3 Wigeon on the pool opposite the closed Fiddle pub, 3 Buzzards hunting worms in the

middle of a partially flooded field, 1 Kestrel, 3 Reed Buntings and a group of 10 Collared Doves.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.30-12.45

Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)

4 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels and a flock of 7 Meadow Pipits.

A couple of Pied Wagtails on the horse paddock alongside the railway were seen to

attack and try to chase off the Meadow Pipits.

Along the track from Alder Lane to Farmers Lane

I got there just after the morning shoot had finished so I expected few birds to be

around but was pleasantly surprised to see a mixed flock of 35 Fieldfares, 16 Redwings,

7 Skylarks and large numbers of Starlings foraging on the recently ploughed farmlamd.

A couple of Kestrels were also seen nearby. No waterfowl were noted though on the pool

opposite the now closed Fiddle In'th Bag pub.

John Williams · Status: Offline

09.30-12.00

Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)

3 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs moving around with a group of Long tailed Tits.

1 Yellowhammer, 1 Common Whitethroat and 1 Kestrel.

A noticeable trickle of Swallows flying West in small groups.

The horse paddock opposite the Fiddle pub was completely flooded with just a few Mallards and Coots there.

Along the track from Alder Lane to Farmers lane were :

1 Whinchat (Resting on a large heap of well rotted manure), 8 Tree Sparrows, 3 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel,

1 Yellowhammer and 1 Swift.

Dave Riley · Status: Offline

A brief visit to the flooded field opposite the Fiddle i' the Bag, present were:

many hirundines, all House Martins and Swallows
Oystercatcher on a nest
Lapwing young
1 Ringed Plover
5 Dunlin (first time I've seen them here)

plus all the usuals

Dave

Daniel Owen · Status: Offline

Also 2 Yellow Wagtails on the flooded paddock opposite The Fiddle i'th Bag this afternoon

John Williams · Status: Offline

08.30-11.00

Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)

& The Fiddle i'th Bag pub along Old Alder Lane, then along the track towards Farmers Lane.

4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Oystercatchers, 2m Yellowhammers, 3 Ravens, 4 Skylarks, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Linnets,

1 Shelduck, 1m+1f Wheatears, 2(singing) Chiffchaffs, 8 Swallows and a mother Mallard with a brood of 14 tiny youngsters.

John Williams · Status: Offline

15.00-17.00

Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook) :

4 Pied Wagtails were chasing each other round the flooded paddock by the railway. Also near here were 1 Buzzard and 1 Grey Heron.

Between Hollins Lane roadbridge and Newton Brook (Merseyside border) were : 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 1m Sparrowhawk and 1 Goldcrest.

The flooded paddock opposite the Fiddle pub held 12 Gadwall, 5 Lapwings and 2 Oystercatchers.

Along the track from Old Alder Lane to Farmers Lane were :

12 Reed Buntings, 6 Yellowhammmers (1m in full song), 5 Meadow Pipits, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Buzzard and a flock of 16 Linnets.

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

Old Alder Lane

Yesterday there were around 100 Fieldfares with a small number of Redwings in the stubble fields.

A pair of Oystercatchers, 4 Teal and 35 Lapwing at the Fiddle pool and paddocks.

A Mink was along the Sankey Brook by Causey Bridges cry

Dave Riley · Status: Offline

I had a quick look over the flooded paddocks opposite the Fiddle i' the Bag, nice selection there including 57 Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshanks, 6 Snipe, 10 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 50+ Black-headed gulls, 1 Common Gull along with the usual Coot, Pied Wagtail, Moorhen, Buzzard and Woodpigeon.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-13.00

Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)

A large mixed flock of Rooks and Jackdaws. 1 Kestrel.

4 Reed Buntings with a large flock of Chaffinches and Redwings at Causey Bridge.

2 Buzzards and a Cormorant on the Cheshire/Merseyside border at Newton Brook.

Horse paddocks opposite the Fiddle pub.

7 Shoveler and 2 Teal. 5 Pied Wagtails with a large group of Redwings.

A flock of 50+ Fieldfares, plus 2 male Bullfinches along the track along the South side of the paddocks.

A huge pile of well rotted manure covers the track at one point, it's quite smelly, but it also attracts small birds.

20+ Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Meadow Pipits flitted around the steaming pile.

A falconer asked me if I had seen his escaped Harris Hawk, which I had not.

The bird escaped this morning from Causeway Bridges Farm.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.30-13.00

Sankey Valley Trail (Old Alder Lane - Newton Brook)

A flock of 50+Chaffinches on stubble contained a single Linnet, but no sign of any Bramblings.

2 Woodcock flew across the path just inside the Cheshire border at Newton Brook.

Also seen along the path were : 1 Buzzard, 2 Ravens, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush,

1 Song Thrush and a flock of 20 Redwings.

Old Alder Lane Horse Paddocks (Opposite the Fiddle i'th Bag pub)

1 Buzzard and 2 Snipe. A flock of 50+ Fieldfares paused for a while before flying off heading South.

Masses of Starlings were on the pasture, amongst them were numerous Redwings and Blackbirds.

The Buzzard, a resplendent pale individual, trotted around the paddock like a rooster, picking up worms and grubs as it went.

When the Buzzard paused for a while on a fence post, Starlings and thrushes came to within a few feet of the raptor, and showed no concern.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Sankey Valley Trail ( Alder Lane - Hollins Lane) Mid-Afternoon

1 Cormorant and 1 Buzzard.

Horse Paddocks (Opposite Fiddle pub)

30 Lapwings, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail and a flock of 14 Linnets.

Lawrence Hindley · Status: Offline

2 Redhead Goosander on Sankey brook near Fiddle ith bag this morning at 10.00am

1 Yellowhammer and 20+ Linnet by Bradlegh Old hall

-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Saturday 21st of October 2017 06:47:52 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

Sankey Valley Trail (Late afternoon)

Along the path from Alder Lane to Hollins Lane :

A flock of 7 Yellowhammers. 6 Meadow Pipits and 3 Stonechats.

Horse Paddocks (Opposite Fiddle pub)

56 Lapwings, 2 Kestrels, 1 Buzzard and a family of 3 Moorhens (2 juv+1 adult).

Chris Greene · Status: Offline

Common Crane just flew south over M62 near junction 7, appeared to land in fields near Bold Heath. Cheers Chris

John Williams · Status: Offline

Horse Paddocks on Alder Lane (Opposite the Fiddle i'th Bag pub) (10.15-11.30)

3m+1f Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 1 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Lapwings and 2 Pied Wagtails. 3 Buzzards flew over.

The track that runs along the South side of the paddocks produced few birds, although the hedges appear to be in fine condition.

Plus there were plenty of St. Marks Flies about, so I expected a few more passerines, but there was only a couple of Dunnocks and a single Blackbird around.

This track is always worth checking out though.

dave broome · Status: Offline

Fiddle i'th Bag flood, Alder Lane today:

25 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 9 Lapwing, Grey Partridge

John Williams · Status: Offline

A.M

Walked along the Sankey Valley trail from Old Alder Lane to Newton Brook, and then back along Old Alder Lane.

The horse paddock alongside the railway held 42 Redwings, 3 Fieldfares and 1 Mistle Thrush.

Nearby, a large covey of 36 Grey Partridges flew across the path.

A further 6 Redwings were in paddocks by the Merseyside border at Newton Brook.

The horse paddocks opposite the Fiddle ith bag pub just held 2 Moorhens and a dozen Black Headed Gulls, although Redwings were flushing from virtually every hedgerow.

4 Linnets were near the kennels on Old Alder Lane, whilst a single Buzzard sat in a nearby tree.

dave broome · Status: Offline

Adult Mediterranean Gull on a freshly ploughed field at Alder Land late morning with c1100 Black-Headed Gulls and small numbers of large gulls

-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 1st of October 2016 12:08:00 PM

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

Matt Pitt found two Black-tailed godwits on the flood opposite the Fiddle 'ith Bag yesterday, still there when I arrived in the evening. Also present were four juvenile Redshank, a drake Teal and three Common snipe.

A Shoveler managed to fledge nine youngsters on the flood this year.

-- Edited by Jonathan Platt on Monday 25th of July 2016 06:01:33 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

09.00-11.00

Flooded paddock opposite Fiddle 'ith Bag pub

6 Little Ringed Plover, 60 Lapwings, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 broods of Mallard totalling 14 half grown ducklings, whilst among the usual Black Headed Gulls

were 4 newly fledged juveniles.

The track on the south side of the paddocks, with it's rotting manure pile, held 2 adult Pied Wagtails and 5 juveniles, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Yellowhammers.

Whilst a male Kestrel sat on a nearby post.

Along the Sankey Valley Trail from Old Alder Lane, northwards to Newton Brook.

2 Lapwings with 1 half grown young, 2 adult Oystercatchers with 1 near fledged youngster, 2 Grey Partridges, 4 Linnets, 2 Yellowhammers and 1 Buzzard.

1 Chiffchaff and 2 Wrens still in song. 1 Grey Wagtail was by Newton Brook. Lots of Starlings around the whole area.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.20-11.00

The flooded paddock opposite the Fiddle pub.

1 Redshank, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 broods of Coot with 4+3 well grown youngsters, a brood of Mallard with 5 half grown ducklings, and around 20 Black Headed Gulls.

All the young waterfowl now seem too big to be threatened by the large Brown Rat that was seen close by.

A scruffy male Goldcrest was in nearby trees, but the best surprise was the track just to South of the paddocks.

Here a large pile of rotted manure attracted 14 Tree Sparrows, including a youngster being fed by an adult, a fine male Yellow Wagtail, a Pied Wagtail and 4 Linnets.

10 Lapwings were seen around the paddocks, 2 of which appeared to be brooding. Numerous Swifts and Swallows were feeding above the paddocks throughout.

Dave Riley · Status: Offline

A brief visit to look over the flooded field opposite the Fiddle i' the Bag, there were good numbers of breeding Lapwings with probably 10+ pairs there, most were still sitting but at least one brood was out and about, 3 broods of Coot were seen with a further two birds still sitting. Other sightings of note included 30 or so Swifts feeding low over the field along with 20+ Swallows, 1 Redshank, 1 pair Shoveler, 2 Yellow Wagtails and one Pied Wagtail

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

Quick look at the flooded field opposite the fiddle pub on my way back from work this evening: Little Grebe x 2, Redshank x 2, Gadwall x 2, Little Ringed Plover x 3, Common Sandpiper x1. Cheers Matt

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

Short visit past the flooded paddock by the fiddle pub. Little grebe x 2, Little ringed plover x 2 Gadwall x 3 Redshank x 1 Cheers Matt

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

Flooded paddock opposite fiddle ith bag this evening: Shoveler 2 ( pair ) Redshank 2 Little Grebe 2 Cheers Matt

John Williams · Status: Offline

Walked along Alder Lane from railway bridge to Fiddle ith Bag' (PM)

Along the path beyond Causeway Bridges Farm

5 Yellowhammers and 3 Linnets, whilst in the field on the other side of Sankey Brook, 4prs of Lapwings.

Flooded paddocks area (Opposite the Fiddle pub)

8 Lapwings, 1 Shelduck, 1pr Gadwall,1pr of Oystercatchers and 1 adult Lesser Black Backed Gull.

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

4 Wheatear in paddocks off Old Alder Lane this afternoon.

Redshank, Oystercatcher, Shoveler and Gadwall still present in flooded area opposite Fiddle Pub.

colin davies · Status: Offline

On and around the flood off Old Alder Lane this morning:

Wheatear 1

Redshank 2

Oystercatcher 2

Shoveler 2 (pair)

Gadwall 2 (pair)

Teal 2 (pair)

Lawrence Hindley · Status: Offline

Down Sankey canal toward Fiddle ith Bag 5.00 - 8.00pm

1 Swallow
12+ Sand Martin
6+ Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler singing
1 Yellowhammer

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

Goosander in Sankey Brook this morning at bottom of Bradley Lane.

Lawrence Hindley · Status: Offline

Old Hall lane junction to Bradlegh Old hall 14.30

Just seen a flock of 30+ Tree Sparrows with a number of juvenile birds amongst them in a hawthorn hedge. This is the largest flock I have seen in the area and is good to see so many of this rather scarce sparrow. I would assume they have had a good breeding season.

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

Northern Wheatear in horse paddocks off Old Alder Lane this afternoon with Skylarks, Lapwings, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron and Buzzards in same area. Elsewhere a Corn Bunting was singing along Clay Lane.

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

Forgot to mention earlier I had my first swift of the year also. Cheers Matt

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

Had a stroll around the fields and along Old Alder Lane this afternoon and found :-

3 Yellow Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
3 Yellowhammer
2 Grey Partridge
4 Oystercatchers
6+ Lapwing with young
10+ Swallows
20+ Starlings
20+ Wood Pigeons

plus small numbers of the following :- Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Linnet, Song Thrush, Jackdaw, Crow, Mallard, Magpie, Robin, Lesser Black-back Gull and Herring Gull.

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

A quick look at the flooded field opposite the Fiddle pub on my way home from work, produced an excellent display of parental care from the female lapwing that now has only 3 healthy chicks. First she chased off a raptor which I couldn't identify followed by a pair of oystercatchers which attempted to land on the field. Other sightings included: Tree Sparrow x1 Willow Warbler x1 Greenfinch x1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 4 cheers Matt

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

A pair of Red legged Partridge gave great views running into a field off Old Alder Lane this morning on my way to work. Cheers Matt

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

10 House Martin over the flooded paddock this evening. Cheers Matt

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

Brief look at the flooded field : A Pair of Mallard with 12 chicks! Grey Wagtail x1 (M) Cheers Matt

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

Pete Astles wrote:

There must be loads of kingfishers round there the sankey brook is full of fish. There was a time I never thought I would say that

You are right Pete, as I have regularly seen Kingfishers and Cormorants too, when walking along the Winwick Quay stretch.

Pete Astles · Status: Offline

There must be loads of kingfishers round there the sankey brook is full of fish. There was a time I never thought I would say that

Matt Pitt · Status: Offline

To and from work I drive past, and usually stop for 10 mins, at the now very depleted pool in the horse paddock opposite the fiddle i'th bag pub on Old Alder Lane. Don't normally report what I see but tonight was more exceptional! 6 Lapwings, all defending territories and one with 5 chicks! 2 Pied Wagtails 1 very handsome Yellow Wagtail male 30 Linnets 50 plus Starlings 4 Swallows 1 Meadow Pipit best of all a Kingfisher arrived and perched on the branches over the muddy pool long enough for me to get my binoculars on it and have a brief, but great view. Cheers Matt

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

25 Fieldfare, were in the horse paddocks along Old Alder Lane mixed with around 40 Starlings this afternoon. At least 4 Lapwings were seen displaying and a pair of Grey Partridges were flushed in nearby Beryls Wood.

Lawrence Hindley · Status: Offline

Old Hall lane and near Bradlegh Old hall 10.30 -12.30

50+ Chaffinch
30+ Linnet
10+ Redwing
10+ Starling
3 Fieldfare
1 Grey Wagtail
Above all part of one feeding flock spooked by a Buzzard

1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
2 Common Buzzard
3 Jay
Tree Sparrows heard
2 Grey Heron
Blue Tit
Great Tit
10+ long Tailed Tit

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

A flock of around eighty Fieldfare were feeding on the hawthorn berries near Causey Bridges farm this afternoon, with a few Mistle Thrushes and Starlings mixed in.

Also a couple of Buzzards circled over the adjacent fields whilst two Cormorants were perched on a pylon beside Sankey Brook.