home

March 2007 Diary and News from Chasewater
 and Cuckoo Bank

All the latest sightings, news and photos from Chasewater, Cuckoo Bank, Clayhanger/Ryders Mere
and surrounding areas.   All records are welcome, please send them to Graham at chasewater.org.uk  (substitute @ for at) and jpeg your photos and Zip them - OR submit your records via Chasewater Chat FORUM
February 2007
January 2007  December 2006  November 2006 October 2006  September 2006  August 2006  July 2006  June 2006  May 2006
April 2006  March 2006  February 2006  January 2006  December 2005  November 2005  October 2005  September 2005  August 2005 
July 2005   June 2005   May 2005   April 2005  

Key to Contributors

2007

Sightings/News

Photos
Saturday 31 March

2 Shelducks, 100+ Sand Martins (PJ), 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Jackdaws.

Dam: 2 Treecreepers, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Jays, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stock Dove, 

Swag: 3 Buzzards, 49 Goldeneye, 1 Pochard, 8 Tufted, 3 drake Ruddies, 20 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 1 calling Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Coot, 1 Heron.

Slurry Pool: 73 Tufted, 1 pair Ruddy Ducks, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 23 Coot, 3 pairs Lapwing, 2 singing Sky Larks (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 Iceland Gull, 1 ‘thayeri’ type Herring Gull and the albino Black-headed Gull (PJ, JA, IW, GE).

Cuckoo Bank: 5 Stonechats, 4 Jack Snipe, 9 Common Snipe (PJ), 50 Golden Plovers (PW).

Kingswood: 1 pair Goosanders, 107 Lesser Black-backs, 5 Great Black-backs, 23 Herring Gulls (GE).

 

Little Ringed Plover (GE).

Iceland Gull appears to have grey in the mantle and brownish marking on coverts.

Pale Herring Gull showing rather Thayers Gull like features (GE).
Friday 30 March 2 Swallows (PJ), 80 Sand Martins, 11 Pied Wagtails and the albino Black-headed Gull (GE).
Thursday 29 March

4 Oystercatchers very noisily flying around the lake and landing on the south-shore where the pairs confronted each other before continuing their chase. One pair remained and settled on the raft. 30+ Sand Martins (GE), 10 Goosanders (IW).

Gull Roost: 600 large gulls, 12 Great Black-backs (IW) and the albino Black-headed Gull (GE).

Cuckoo Bank: Just the usual to report; Grey Partridge, Pheasant, 2 Buzzard, Stonechat etc.
What I was pleased to see were dozens of toads spawning in many of the pools (GR

 

Toad orgy on Cuckoo Bank (GR).
Wednesday 28 March

20+ Sand Martins, 3 Goosanders (PJ), several Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Wagtail (PW).

Gull Roost: 600+ large gulls including 11+ Great Black-backs. 1 albino Black-headed Gull (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: 300+ Golden Plovers, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Brimstone, several Peacocks, 9 Red Deer (PW).

Male Goldeneye (P Ward)

Golden Plover (PW)
Tuesday 27 March

Green algae up to 10 feet out from dam and on south shore. 4 Pochard in Fly Bay, pair of Goosander close in on north shore and about 10 Goldeneye (EO).

Raceway Heath: 1 singing Yellowhammer (GE).

Gull Roost: 163 Black-headed Gulls, 300 large gulls, mainly Lesser Black-backs (GE).

Eights Wood: 09:00 Poor visibility but heard Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Song Thrush.

Cuckoo Bank: 100 Golden Plovers (PW) Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting on posts. On top fields visibility less, nothing of interest. On second visit to bottom end by roadway still nothing. Tadpole pool had Heron in attendance (EO).

M6Toll: 1 Barn Owl dead on the roadside just prior to the northbound exit before Chasewater (IW).
Monday 26 March Little noted apart from a singing Yellowhammer on the Raceway Heath (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: 1 female Black Redstart still present, a Curlew briefly landed, 2 Buzzards, 1 Hare and several Peacock butterflies (PW).

Golden Plovers on Cuckoo Bank (P Ward)
 Sunday    25 March

1 Tawny Owl in bushes on the dam (IW).1 Grey Partridge calling from the south shore motorway embankment (IW, PW).  1 Cormorant, 7 Redwings (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: 1 female type Black Redstart (PW, GE), 11 Stonechats (5 pairs and a male), 330 Golden Plovers, 12 displaying Lapwings, many Sky Larks, 2 Buzzards, 1-2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Common Snipe, 4 Grey Partridges, 2 Pheasants, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, herds of 9 and 12 Red Deer.

Biddulph’s Pool: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 singing Willow Tit, 1 Heron, several Hard Ferns and large quantities of Floating Club-rush (GE).

Herd of Red Deer on Cuckoo Bank (PW)

Black Redstart on Cuckoo Bank (GE).
 Saturday    24 March

2nd year Iceland Gull throughout much of the day (GE, CM, PW), 4 Cormorants including 2 sinensis types, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Tit (CM), 4 Buzzards flew north-east, 1 Green Woodpecker (GE).

Slurry Pool: 3 Gadwall (CM).

Swag: 52 Goldeneye, 62 Tufted Ducks, 4 Teal, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Pochard (GE).

Jack’s Wood: 1 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Coal Tits, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Buzzard over, 150 Hart’s tongue Ferns (GE).

Gull Roost: 2nd year Iceland Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, albino Black-headed Gull (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: 2 Buzzards, 20+ Golden Plovers (PW).

Kingswood: 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Buzzards, 1 drake Goosander (GE, PW)

Stubbers Green: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Goosanders (PJ).

Distant shots of the Iceland Gull (GE).

Iceland Gull (P Ward)

Albino Black-headed Gull (P W)

 Friday    23 March

1 Common Scoter.

Gull Roost: 1 2nd year Iceland Gull, 230 Black-headed Gulls including the albino, 5 Common Gulls (GE, PJ, JA, IW, GH, EGP).

 

Common Scoter (GE)

Cuckoo Bank: 1 female type Black Redstart (BS) 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk (IW), 300 Golden Plovers, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Kestrel (PW)

.

Black Redstart (P Ward)

Albino Black-headed Gull (GE).
Thursday 22 March Common Scoter

Gull roost: 1 2nd year Iceland Gull and 1 1st year Iceland Gull (PJ, IW)
Wednesday 21 March

1 Common Scoter, 1 Chiffchaff (PDH).

Gull Roost: 1448 large gulls including the 2nd year Iceland Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 95 Herring Gulls and 4 Great Black-backs. 93 Black-headed Gulls including the albino (JA, GE, PDH, PJ, IW). The juv Glaucous Gull arrived at 18:45 (MS).

Cuckoo Bank: 4 Buzzards (PDH).

Stubbers Green: 2 Little Ringed Plovers (per PJ).

 

Iceland Gull at Kingswood (© M. Priest)

Male Common Scoter (GE).

2nd year Iceland Gull (GE)
Tuesday 20 March Meeting at the Chase Recreation Club –19:30

A Raven flew west at 16:40 (PJ).

Gull Roost: 1200+ large gulls including 1 2nd year Iceland Gull that arrived at 17:25, 1 juv Glaucous Gull arrived at 18:35, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 18+ Great Black-backs. 2 Common Gulls (PJ, IW).

10.45-12.00: 3 Pochard, 12+ Goldeneye, 1 Snipe on burnt heath, 2 Green Woodpeckers calling. 1m + 4 f Goosander.  1 m Gadwall on Slurry Pool, 1 Lapwing on hill behind slurry pool. 1 Chiffchaff in trees by Swag. 2 Cormorants on platform. Roll on the warmer weather (EO).

Cuckoo Bank 7.45-10.30:  3 Buzzards; one was smaller than other two, so 1 m and 2 f, one of which had noticeably darker primaries.

5 Teal on Biddulph’s Pool, 6 Mallard, 2 Tufted, 2 Canada Geese, 6 Coots on other pools.

35+ Skylark ascending into the bitter wind. 20 Meadow Pipits, pair Stonechat, 8 Snipe, 10 +Reed Buntings. Frogspawn now hatched with 100s of little tadpoles.  On the top fields (Oil-seed), 2 Heron, 2/300 Wood Pigeons and 2 Grey Partridge. 20+ Carrion Crows (EO).

7 Yellowhammers on the top fields; 3 cocks and 4 hens (GR).
Monday 19 March

2 Oystercatchers, 1 Chiffchaff (GE, PJ, IW).

North Shore: 2 Stonechat and 2 Grey Partridge (GR).

Gull Roost: 1 2nd year Iceland Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1147 large gulls including 12 Great Black-backs, 40+ Herring, 250 Black-headed Gulls (PJ, GE, IW).

 

The second year Iceland Gull appeared gleaming white against the dark water at dusk (GE).
Sunday 18 March

WeBS count: 38 Mute Swans, 27 Canada Geese, 128 Coot, 90 Mallard, 115 Tufted Ducks, 55 Goldeneye, 8 Pochard, 18 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Ruddy Ducks, 4 Goosanders (NS).

1 Buzzard and 50 Fieldfares west during a blizzard (PW).

Gull Roost: The albino Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull and only 850+ large gulls including an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a 1st w Great Black-back. 60+ Golden Plovers flew through (PJ, IW, PW).
Saturday 17 March

57 Goldeneye, 147 Tufted Ducks, 12 Pochard, 8 Ruddy Ducks, 1 Goosander, 10 Canada Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Cormorants, 2 Herons, 1 Common Gull, 24 Lapwings, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Sand Martins, 3 singing Chiffchaffs, 2 Stock Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Redwings, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Jays, 6 Red Deer, 1 Peacock butterfly.

Norton Bog hill: 6 Skylarks, 4 Lapwings (GE).

Gull Roost: 2 3rd w Yellow-legged Gulls and the albino Black-headed Gull (PJ, JA, IW).

Ryder’s Mere: 21 Goosanders (PJ)
Friday 16 March

4 Oystercatchers, 5 Goosanders, 16+ Sand Martins (PJ), 63 Goldeneye, 3 singing Chiffchaffs, (PW).

Gull Roost: 1 juv Glaucous Gull (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: A Short-eared Owl flew over to Gentleshaw Common, also 3 Fieldfares, calling Grey Partridge and a small flock of Linnets (GR).
Thursday 15 March

2 Sand Martins and 1 Woodcock flew in at dusk.

Gull Roost: 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: 1 Peregrine, 4 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Herons, 1 Dunlin on pool by old road, 15 Golden Plover, 30 Lapwing, 700 Woodpigeons, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pheasant (GR).
Wednesday 14 March

18 Goosanders (PJ), 4 Cormorants, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Linnet, 1 Comma butterfly (PW, EO),

Fly Bay: 1 Ruddy Duck.

North Shore: several Meadow Pipits.

Slurry Pool: 1 pair Ruddy Ducks, 1 Kestrel.

On a disturbing note, I spoke to a dog walker who had seen 2 youths, one with airgun and the other with a catapult, aiming at swans from the causeway. He also reckoned they were there yesterday at the same time i.e. 11.30 -12.15. He had no description of the youths (EO)

Gull Roost: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls – adult and 3rd w, 15+ Great Black-backs, 1275 large gulls, mainly Lesser Black-backs but still around 100 Herring Gulls present and only 95 Black-headed Gulls (PJ).
Tuesday 13 March

No sign of the diver today. 16 Goosanders.

4 Cormorants, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Linnet, 1 Comma butterfly (PW, EO),

Fly Bay: 1 Ruddy Duck.

North Shore: several Meadow Pipits.

Slurry Pool: 1 pair Ruddy Ducks, 1 Kestrel.

On a disturbing note, I spoke to a dog walker who had seen 2 youths, one with airgun and the other with a catapult, aiming at swans from the causeway. He also reckoned they were there yesterday at the same time i.e. 11.30 -12.15. He had no description of the youths (EO).

Gull Roost: 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 1028+ large gulls with many still arriving, 22+ Great Black-backs (3 adults, 1 4th w, 1 3rd w, 1 2nd w, 16+ 1st w), 1 ‘thayeri’ type 1st w Herring Gull, albino Black-headed Gull (PJ).
Monday 12 March

1 Great Northern Diver

2 Oystercatchers, 26 Goosanders, 1 singing Chiffchaff.

Gull Roost: 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 22+ Great Black-backs (5 ad, 1 4th w, 4 3rd w, 5 2nd w, 7+ 1st w), 1 ‘thayeri’ type 1st w Herring Gull, 1220 large gulls (PJ).
Sunday 11 March

1 Great Northern Diver.

Swag: 56 Goldeneye.

Jack’s Wood: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 singing Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, good quantities of Hart’s tongue Fern on the wall (GE).

Gull Roost: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls – adult and 3rd w, 3rd w Great Black-back, 955+ large gulls, 1 Common Gull, albino Black-headed Gull (PJ, JA, IW, N).

Kingswood: 1 Little Ringed Plover (Pager), 1 Buzzard (GE).
Saturday
10 March

1 Great Northern Diver, 1pair Stonechats (male singing), 3 Common Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker (GE), 1 Chiffchaff, 40 Goldeneye, 3 Goosanders (PDH), 4 Dunlin flew around (PW).

Feeding Station: 6 Bullfinches, 2 Willow Tits. 2 Reed Buntings.

Chasetown Brook: 1 previously unrecorded specimen of Hart’s tongue Fern (GE).

Slurry Pool: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 pair Swans – rings 6CB, LJF.

Gull Roost: 1 juv Iceland Gull, 350 large gulls, 750 Black-headed Gulls (GE, PJ, JA, PDH).

Kingswood: 1 juv Iceland Gull, 152 Lesser Black-backs, 2 1st w Great Black-backs, 28 Herring Gulls (mainly immatures), 365 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Buzzard (GE).

Goscote Valley: 5 Chiffchaffs, 7 Grey Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher (PJ).

 

The newly extended boardwalk – soon to be covered by rising water levels (GE).

The Iceland Gull at Kingswood. Facing into the sun doesn’t help handheld digiscoping! (GE).
Friday
9 March

1 Great Northern Diver, 6 Cormorants (PW)

Gull Roost: 1 juv Iceland Gull (same as the February bird), 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 1200 Black-headed Gulls including the albino bird (PJ, GE, IW, N).
Thursday
8 March

1 Great Northern Diver, 10 Goosanders.

Gull Roost: 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 2 2nd w Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Common Gulls and the albino Black-headed Gull (PJ).
Wednesday
7 March

08:40 – 10:45 Pair Pochard in Fly Bay, at least 5 Bullfinch on feeders, Green woodpecker calling, 1 Lapwing on burnt heath, 7 Snipe in marsh.

1 Skylark parachuting on hill behind Slurry Pool, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Lapwing flying around.

1 male Goosander on Swag, 15 Lapwing by ski club, 1 Kestrel hovering behind railway station.

Whilst new walkway is being put in between Fly Bay and burnt heath the surrounding area is a churned up bog. Definitely a wellie job! (EO).

Great Northern Diver.

Gull Roost: 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 1 2nd w Yellow-legged Gull, 1134 large gulls, albino Black-headed Gull (PJ).
Tuesday
6 March

1 Great Northern Diver.

Gull Roost: 1 juv Glaucous Gull present between 16:00 and 17:00 when it flew off but returned at 17:50, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (2nd and 3rd w), albino Black-headed Gull and 1204 large gulls (PJ, IW, JA).
Monday
5 March		 Gull Roost: 1 juv Glaucous Gull arrived at 18:10, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Great Black-backs (2 adult, 2 1st w), 1150 large gulls with some still arriving (PJ).
Sunday
4 March

1 Great Northern Diver (GE, PW). Water levels have now risen to 40 cm off maximum; a rise of 1m in two months.

Gull Roost: Small numbers of gulls tonight (IW).
Saturday
3 March

1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Goosanders, 4 + Goldeneye (GE, PW).

Swag: 66 Goldeneye, 47 Pochard, 4 Ruddies, 2 redhead Goosanders, 1 Rook. (GE) 1 Kingfisher (PW).

Gull Roost: A small roost tonight. 1 first-year Glaucous Gull, 500 Lesser Black-backs, 30 Herring Gulls, 1first-year Great Black-back, 3800 Black-headed Gulls including the albino and also the white bird with black in the primaries (GE).

Cuckoo Bank: 500+ Golden Plover flew over the site and later there was a flock of about 300 on the fields. 1 Buzzard mobbed by a Kestrel, 1 Yellowhammer, Skylarks all over site, many singing. Stonechat, Reed Bunting, 30 Greenfinch. Lots of Frog spawn. On the down side, I could see a car in the top fields and heard
shooting (GR).
Friday
2 March

1 Great Northern Diver (PW).

Gull Roost: 1 first-year Glaucous Gull, 1420 large gulls counted, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 white Black-headed Gull (GE, PJ, IW).

Thursday
1 March

1 Great Northern Diver.

Gull Roost: 1 first-year Glaucous Gull, 1200 large gulls, of which at least 1000 were Lesser Black-backs (PJ).