BIG SIT

Thought I'd have a bash at the Birdwatch 2009 Big Sit so Sunday 31st May became the allotted day rather by chance than planning. The 'Mound' situated in the South East corner of Neumann's Flash was my chosen view point. It gives a good 360' panoramic view over the flashes of Neumann's and Ashton's plus the nearby village of Marston. With a scope I can see Lostock and Winnington works plus the woods at Marbury Country Park. At the rather late starting time of 5.00am I began my 'Big Sit' armed with camping seat, flask, road cone!! (for listening purposes), tick list and hope. Whilst walking from my car to the 'Mound' a Mipit flew over the only one of the day unfortunately, a bad start. Setting up atop the 'Mound' I looked over a misty Neumann's as the sun rose behind me, the day as it happened......

1. 5.01 CUCKOO calling over on Dairy House Meadows


2. 5.01 REED WARBLER (s)singing from the reed bed by Bund Hide


3. 5.02 PHEASANT called from the field at Marston


4. 5.02 SKYLARK singing over Ashton's


5. 5.02 CANADA GOOSE flew over


6. 5.03 JACKDAW flew over


7. 5.03 CROW calling Marston


8. 5.03 WREN on the Mound


9. 5.04 WHITETHROAT on the Mound


10. 5.04 B H GULL on Neumann's


11. 5.04 TUFTED DUCK on Neumann's


12. 5.05 KESTREL flew over


13. 5.06 OYSTERCATCHER called Neumann's the mist now clearing rapidly


14. 5.09 LBB GULL 3 immatures on Neumann's


15. 5.10 LAPWING on the mud Neumann's


16. 5.10 COOT ditto


17. 5.10 MALLARD ditto


18. 5.12 AVOCET....BINGO!!!! on the muddy spit in with the BH Gulls, a patch yeartick whap!


19. 5.12 MOGGY spit


20. 5.12 SONG THRUSH singing Marston


21. 5.15 WILLOW WARBLER singing nearby


22. 5.17 BLACKBIRD in trees nearby


23. 5.17 WOODY flew over


24. 5.19 MAGPIE by hastily erected feeding station (two seed feeders on fence below Mound)


25. 5.19 CHIFFY singing nearby


26. 5.23 LINNET pair on the Mound


27. 5.23 GREY HERON flew over


28. 5.30 MUTE SWAN on Neumann's plus the pair of Black Swans


29. 5.31 FERAL PIGEON flying round Winnington Works


30. 5.31 CORMARENT over DHM


31. 5.32 HOUSE SPUGGY calling from Marston


32. 5.33 GADWALL on Neumann's


33. 5.45 RUDDY DUCK top end Neumann's as final bit of mist cleared


34. 5.48 STOCK DOVE over Ashton's


35. 5.48 SWIFT over Ashton's


36. 5.56 BUZZARD over Budworth direction


37. 6.00 LRP on Ashton's


38. 6.00 STARLING on Ashton's


39. 6.20 GOLDFINCH on Mound


40. 6.30 ROBIN calling Marston


41. 6.30 CHAFFINCH singing Marston


42. 6.33 PEREGRINE perched on pylon by Lostock Works


43. 6.35 SHELDUCK far end Neumann's


44. 6.43 GT C GREBE on Neumann's


45. 6.49 COLLARED DOVE over Northwich town centre


46. 6.51 REED BUNTING on Mound


47. 7.15 HOUSE MARTIN over wood by Old Hide


48. 7.20 DUNNOCK pished out on Mound


49. 7.25 RAVEN family party of 4 flew over Mound


50. 7.33 GREAT TIT calling Marston and the Avocet has done one


51. 7.47 BARN SWALLOW over Mound


52. 7.56 BLUE TIT on Mound


53. 8.00 BULLFINCH on Mound


54. 8.02 JAY below Mound...8.27 to 8.52 McDonald's breakfast cheers Debs


55. 9.50 GREAT SPOT after nearly two birdless hours. Its now 60'f + very warm with loads of heat haze


56. 10.02 GREEN WOODY called nearby


57. 10.03 SPARROWHAWK a pair thermaling over Scarey and time out on first session


58. 19.48 PIED WAGTAIL last bird of the day flew over Mound

I actually did three sessions one from 5am till 10.03 another from 14.30 to 15.00 cos Vern had a RED KITE over Davenham and the last one from 19.00 till 21.03 where I added one new species as I watched the sun set over Marbury. I don't think my total will break any records but 58 is there to be beaten fellow patchers (if you're that way inclined).

Bad misses were BLACKCAP, GREENFINCH, GBB GULL, GREYLAG (4 on Neumann's next day), HERRING GULL, LONG-TAILED TIT, MISTLE THRUSH, ROOK and SEDGE WARBLER maybe next time?