Unusual Local Breeding records

Last Week an email from Jason Mossman was circulated around the Nantwich Natural History Society, informing members that he had seen a Goosander on the River Weaver with 10 chicks.  As this is a brilliant breeding record for Cheshire I headed off to try and get some photos for the blog.  It was difficult to get close to them without disturbing the birds, but I did manage a few snaps, the best of which you can see here.  I recorded 1 Adult with 8 Chicks and a Kingfisher, who was very happy to pose for photographs. 

A second record well worth a mention is an adult male Grasshopper Warbler holding territory in suitable habitat within the breeding season.  This would suggest breeding has occurred or at least been attempted this year, again on the River Weaver in Nantwich.  (Library pic)

Goosander

Grasshopper Warbler - Library picture

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Summer catch up

Just a few photographs from the last few weeks covering what has been a busy time doing survey work.  Sadly we haven't had a lot of spare time for leisure birding.

We did manage a weekend in North Wales at the Tern Colony on Anglesey at Cemlyn and The Little Tern Colony at Gronant.  Also a few visits to the New RSPB reserve Burton Mere Wetlands on the Wirral (this is the former Inner Marsh Farm site).  The RSPB have done a great job with the site and you could comfortable spend a whole afternoon there. 

 Speckled Wood

 Buzzard

 Buzzard

 Gatekeeper

 Little Grebe with chicks

 Reed Warbler

 Little Egret now a common site at Burton Mere RSPB

 Black tailed Godwit

 Common Whitethroat

 Swallows

 Sandwich Tern

 Sandwich Tern

 Oystercatcher

 Common Blue

 Little Tern

 Little Tern

Great black-backed Gull 

 Common Blue

 Dark Green Fritillary

 Dark Green Fritillary

 Dark Green Fritillary

 Dark Green Fritillary

Meadow Pipit