Trip reports

Field Trip to Tatton Park and Rostherne Mere

Saturday, 4 February 2012

The first visit of 2012 began at Tatton Park on the morning of Saturday January 21st. On arrival at the Knutsford entrance both Nuthatch and Lesser Redpoll were noted in the woodland along with large numbers of Woodpigeon and Jackdaw. The group then stopped at the main park mere, highlights here, included Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Grey heron, Tufted Duck and at least a dozen Goldeneye, several males were noted displaying to potential mates. Moving to nearby Melchett Mere the group paid a visit to the newly constructed hide, more wildfowl were noted, including Teal and Pochard. Returning to the car park the group had good views of Buzzard, a pair of Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and at least two Brambling feeding with Chaffinches in the park woodlands.
After lunch the group visited nearby Rostherne Mere, from the observatory a good variety of water birds were noted, at least 100 Cormorant were present in lakeside trees, along with small numbers of Great Crested Grebe, Shoveler, Goldeneye and Goosander. Unfortunately the windy weather meant that the woodlands were very quiet, Buzzard, Redwing and Nuthatch were the only species of note.