Danebridge

John Williams · Status: Offline

Danebridge

John Williams · Status: Offline

06.30-10.30 Walk along the River Dane towards Congleton & return via roughly the same route

At least 6 male + 1 female Pied Flycatchers. 2 of the males were seen in pursuit of the female.

3 Dippers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Buzzards, 4 Ravens, 6m+2f Mandarin Ducks, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreepers, 1f Sparrowhawk,

1m Goosander, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 3 House Martins, 3 Swallows and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

2 Chiffchaffs and 1 Blackcap were in song along the route.

A pair of the Ravens indulged in a spectacular aerial display, with 1 of the birds briefly seen flying upside down.

John Williams · Status: Offline

09.00-13.00

Walk along the River Dane towards Congleton & return via same route,

2m+1f Pied Flycatchers, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Dippers, 6 Grey Wagtails, 1f Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzards, 6 Ravens,

6m+2f Blackcaps (2 males seen in avid pursuit of a single female), 1f Mandarin Duck and 1 Grey Heron.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-14.00

Area on the Cheshire side of the river heading West as far as the weir.

3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Willow Warblers and 1 Blackcap were among a large mixed flock of Long Tailed, Blue and Great Tits.

5 Dippers and 1 Kingfisher were along the river whilst a couple of Buzzards soared over the valley.

John Williams · Status: Offline

09.30-13.00

Followed the path West for a mile or so from Danebridge along the Cheshire side.

2m+3f Pied Flycatchers, 6 Grey Wagtails, 2 Dippers, 2m+2f Mandarin Ducks and 3 Buzzards.

Numerous Blackcaps and Willow Warblers in song. Coal and Long Tailed Tits fly catching flycatcher style along the river.

No sign of Redstarts, despite an extensive through the areas of mature oak, ash and alder.

I had little problem in finding them on my last visit in April 2016.

John Williams · Status: Offline

12.30-15.00

Followed the path West for a mile or so from Danebridge along the Cheshire side.

3m+1f Pied Flycatchers, 3m+2f Redstarts, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 1m+1f Mandarin Ducks, 1 Buzzard and 1 Grey Heron.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Walked East along the Staffordshire side of the river to Back Forest farm and back.

Birds seen above the river or on the Cheshire side: 6 Goosanders flying West, 2 Buzzards and 4 Ravens.

With about 4 inches of snow on the ground, there were few small birds about.

The walk Westwards from Danebridge, towards Beards produced more passerines, with 2 Dippers,3 Grey Wagtails and 1 Pied Wagtail along the river, plus a single Grey Heron.

A Nuthatch was highly vocal on a riverside Alder, whilst a Buzzard, a Kestrel and a pair of Ravens flew above the meadow.

There is a copse with a number of mature oaks and alders, on a slope, just past the trout hatchery, that looks worth checking out in May for Redstarts etc.