Monday 11th April

To the sound of Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff, my guests and I met on a very damp morning in the lodge. After a brief chat interrupted by a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in a near tree we set of along the edge of the mere. There was very little on the mere apart from Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Gadwall and Coot. Black Headed Gulls squawked over head  and only Cormorant was of interest on the distant spit. Two gulls flew over the mere and one caught my eye straight away. Iceland Gull I cried and a stunning adult was seen by all as it glided away. This is a rare encounter at Marbury so I thought the day could not get better, but It did.

Iceland Gull

A Grey Heron was not put off by us as it fished close by, and a Nuthatch called consistently. Then a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker came into view. This woodpecker is so difficult to see so a fleeting glimpse of this tiny bird was a very welcome sight.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

The wood was full of bird song and the first Blackcap of the year was proving that summer is nearly here. A Song Thrush and Blackbird were competing to see who could be the loudest, but a Wren popped up, sung its little heart out and won hands down. So much sound for so little a bird.

Blackcap

Up to Hydens pool where it was very quiet apart from a pair of Oystercatchers which was a welcome splash of colour. Then, the explosive call of a Cettis Warbler sprung us into action but although it called a few times in between a Water Rails pig like screams, we did not see it.

Continuing back to the mere a Raven grunted overhead and a Buzzard mewed as it glided by. At the mere there seemed to have been an explosion of birds. Black Headed Gulls were in abundance and the noise was deafening. Sand Martins were gliding above the water as a strange gull flipped into view. It was a Black Headed Gull with no black in its wings but this was then eclipsed as an adult Little Gull came into view. Its dark underwings clearly visible as it fed amongst the BHGulls. As we watched this bird another one came into view, then another AND another. This was remarkable and upto 8 birds were counted.

Little Gull

This truly was a magnificent end to the day.

If you would like to come for a walk at Marbury C P just call me on 07731 658 125 or drop me an e mail. We meet at the Marbury Country Park lodge, near Northwich by the rangers cabin at 8am and the cost is £5 P/P.



   

If you would like an introduction to Birdwatching by having a guided walk around Marbury Country Park, just give me on a call on 07731 658 125 or send me an e mail at JGILLY53@GMAIL.COM 

Start time arranged to suit you. The cost is £10 P/P.

 

If you would rather have a private day trip out around Cheshire, Wirral or North Wales,  Price for a full day for one person is £60.

Each additional guest is  £15 / person. 
Max 3 guests.

Children under 16 go free.

Why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher for a future day out.     

Contact: John Gilbody: e-mail: jgilly53@gmail.com 

Telephone  07731 658 125