Cygnet Ringing in South Cheshire August 2012

Brood of 9 Cygnets ready to be caught and Ringed.

    9 Cygnets caught and ready for Ringing.

                                          Part of the Ringing Process-Putting a Darvic Ring on.

                            Measuring the longest Primary feather giving indication of growth stage.



                                                       All ringed and freedom at last.

Mute Swan Ringing in Cheshire in July 2012

The following Mute Swans were ringed by the Cheshire Swan Study Group in July.

At Doddington Mere near Nantwich = CCP1 a second year male.

At Bache House Pool near Nantwich = 3 Cygnets = CCP2 (M), CCP3 (F), CCP4 (M)
and the Cob of unknown age = CCP5.

Maximum Site Totals in July.

Acre Dell Pool, near Congleton = 42 on 8th.

Astbury Mere, Congleton = 21 on 8th.

Canal in Middlewich = 7 on 16th.

Comber Mere near Whitchurch = 15 on 22nd.

Doddinton Mere near Nantwich = 71 on 15th.

Nantwich Boating Lake = 7 on 23rd.

Weather Records for July 2012 for Rope, Crewe, Cheshire

Lowest Night time Temperature = 7 degrees = 12-7-12.

Highest Day time Temperature = 28 degrees = 24-7-12.

Average Monthly Minimum Temperature = 11.5 degrees.

Average Monthly Maxinum Temperature = 19.6 degrees.

Highest Gust Speed = 21 MPH = WSW = 1st and 17th July.

Rainfall for July = 6.64 inches = 166 mm.

Wettest Day = 1.54 inches = 38.6 mm.

Total Rainfall for 2012 = 23.61 Inches = 590.25 mm. 

All temperatures in degrees Centigrade

Mute Swan Ringing in Cheshire June 2012

The Following Swans were ringed by the Cheshire Swan Study Group in June.

At Spike Island, Runcorn = CCN2 as a second year male. A retrap.

At Acre Dell pools near Congleton = CCN3 as a second year male.
                                                     = CCN4 and CCN5 both as a males of unknown age - retraps.
                                                   
At Astbury Mere, Congleton = CCN6 as a second year female.

On the Canal in Middlewich = CCN7 as a third year male.
                                           = CCN8 as a second year male.

At Doddington Mere near Nantwich = CCN9 as a female of unknown age.
                                                        = CCP0 as a male of unknown age.


Highest Site Counts in June were : -

Acre Dell Pools near Congleton = 46 on 4th.

Astbury Mere, Congleton = 19 on 4th.

Comber Mere near Whitchurch = 12 on 11th.

Doddington Mere near Nantwich = 70 on 14th.

Middlewich Canal = 19 on 1st.

Nantwich Boating Lake = 7 on 30th.

Weather Records for June 2012 at Rope, Crewe, Cheshire

All Temperatures in Degrees Centigrade.

Lowest Night Temperature = 7.6 = 5th.
Highest Day Temperature = 24.6 = 28th.
Average Minimum Monthly Temperature = 10.3.
Average Maximum Monthly Temperature = 17.6.
Highest Gust Speed = 30MPH = WSW = 1740 hrs = 8th.
Rainfall for June = 6.82 inches = 170.4mm.
Wettest day = 0.96 inches = 24.1mm.
Total for 2012 = 16.97 inches = 424.25 mm.

South Cheshire Wetland Bird Survey Highlights June 2012

The Highlights of the South Cheshire Wetland Bird Survey(WeBS) counted during the weekend of 23rd and 24th of June 2012.

Arclid Sand Quarry near Sandbach = 2 Little Ringed Plovers.

Burleydam Pool near Whitchurch = 1 Curlew.

Comber Mere near Whitchurch = 1 Redshank.

Quoisley Meres near Whitchurch = 2 Kingfishers.

Mute Swan ringing in Cheshire May 2012

The following swans were ringed by the Cheshire Swan Study Group in May.

At Redes Mere near Macclesfield = CCL4 a second year male. CCL5 a second year female.

At Astbury mere, Congleton = CCL6 a scond year male. CCL8 a second year female.

At Acre Dell pools near Congleton = CCL7 a retrap of a female of unknown age.

On the canal in Middlewich = CCL9 a second year male.

At Queens Park in Crewe = CCN  a control as a male of unknown age.

At Nantwich Boating Lake = CCN1 a retrap of a second year male.

Highest known counts in Cheshire.

Acre Dell Pools near Congleton = 46 on 26th.

Astbury mere, Congleton = 20 on 14th.

Barmere near Whitchurch = 28 on 5th.

Comber Mere near Whitchurch = 40 on 21st.

Doddington mere near Nantwich = 57 on 31st.

Middlewich canal = 32 on 7th.

Nantwich Boating Lake = 9 on 11th.

Neumanns Flash, Northwich = 38 on 27th.

Shotwick Boating Lake near Chester = 50 on 17th.

Weather Records for May 2012 at Rope, Crewe, Cheshire

All Temperatures in degrees Centigrade.

Lowest Night Temperature = - 0.5 = 5th.
Highest Day Temperature = 26.1 = 23rd.
Average Minimum Monthly Temperature = 7.05.
Average Maximum Montly Temperature = 16.9.
Rainfall = 1.32 inches = 33 mm.
Total rainfall for 2012 = 10.2 inches.

Sunshine and highest Gust speed not available due to Weather Station problems.

Latest Camera Trap photos

Top birds on Anglesey 14 and 15 May

Cemlyn Nature Reserve - 14th May.

Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Red Breasted Merganser, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Wheatear, Gannet and Whimbrel.

RSPB South Stack Nature Reserve - 15th May.

Gannet, Shag, Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Chough, Skylark, StonechatWheatear, Meadow Pipit and Raven.

Little Ringed Plover

Gannet

Chough

Mute Swan ringing in Cheshire April 2012

6 swans were ringed in Cheshire during April as follows(All green colour rings).

CCJ8 as a male of unknown age as a retrap at the Nantwich Boating Lake.
CCJ9 as a second year female at Spike Island, Runcorn.
CCL0 as a male of unknown age at the canal in Whixall in North Shropshire.
CCL1 as a second year female at Spike Island, Runcorn.
CCL2 as a feamle of unknown age at Spike Island, Runcorn.
CCL6 as a second year male at Astbury mere, Congleton.

Maximum site counts.

Acre Dell pools, Congleton = 36 on 14th.
Astbury Mere, Congleton = 16 on 30th.
Baddiley Meres near Nantwich = 15 on 7th.
Barmere near Whitchurch = 29 on 30th.
Canal in Middlewich = 28 on 4th.
Doddington Mere, Nantwich = 19 on 19th.
Nantwich Boating Lake = 10 on 17th.

If anyone would like a full copy of the Cheshire Swan Study Group report for 2011, please Email me on Cheshireswans@aol.com.

                                                              The canal in Middlewich

Birdwatching at Burleydam pool near Whitchurch. 3-5-12

Birds seen at Burleydam pool.

Shelduck = 11.  Coot = 6.  Canada Geese = 2.  Herring Gull = 1.  Lapwing = 2.  Tufted duck = 4.
Mallard = 2.  Whimbrel = 7. Skylark, Swallow, Sand Martin, Sand Martin, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting,

 

Four of the seven Whimbrels seen. 

April 2012 Weather records for Rope, Crewe, Cheshire

All temperatures in degrees Centigrade.

Lowest night Temperature = - 1.4 = 6-4-12.
Highest day Temperature = 17.1 = 30-4-12.
Average Minimum monthly Temperature = 4.4.
Average Maximum monthly Temperature = 11.4.
Highest Gust Speed = 33 MPH = NNE = 4-4-12.
Rainfall for month = 86.8 mm = 3.47 inches.
Total Rainfall for 2012 = 8.83 inches.
Total sunshire = 157.3 hours.

Some photos taken earlier this year

                                         Lapwing and Shelduck

                                         Pintail duck

                                         Jackdaw

                                         Pochard

                                         Flock of Mute Swans on the canal in Middlewich

South Cheshire BTO Wetland Bird Survey highlights for weekend of 7/8 April.

5  Common Snipe at Baddiley Meres.

 2 Curlew at Burleydam Pool.

2 Gadwall at Baddiley Meres.

16 Great Crested Grebe at Marbury Meres.

2 Little Ringed Plovers at Arclid Sand Quarry.

4 Mandarin Ducks at Comber Mere.

Swan Ringing in Cheshire March 2012

The Cheshire Swan Study Group ringed 10 swans in march 2012.

At Acre Dell pools, Congleton = CCJ5 a male of unknown age.
At Astbury, Congleton = CCF8 a second year male + CCJ6 another second year male as a retrap.
At the canal in Middlewich = CCJ0 a second year female and CCJ5 a second year male.
At Ellesmere, Shropshire = CCJ4 a male of unknown age.
At the Nantwich Boating Lake = CCJ8 a retrap as a male of unknown age.
At the river Dane in Northwich = CCJ3 a retrap as a female of unknown age.
At Spike Island, Widnes = CCJ2 a third year female and CCJ3 a second year male.

The highest site counts in march were as follows.

Acre Dell pools, Congleton = 43 on 18th.
Astbury, Congleton = 18 on 18th.
Canal, Coole Pilate near Nantwich = 16 on 30th.
Canal, Middlewich = 16 on 18th.
On fields in the Cholmondeley area = 51 on 18th.
Comber Mere near Whitchurch = 8 on 11th.
Doddington mere near Nantwich = 22 on 2nd.
Nantwich Boating Lake = 11 on 12th.

March 2012 Weather Records for Rope, Crewe, Cheshire.

All Temperatures in Degrees Centigrade.

Lowest Night Temperature = - 0.7 = 6-3-12.
Highest Day Temperature = 22.9 = 27-3-12.
Average Minimum Monthly Temperature = 3.3.
Average Maximum Monthly Temperatute = 13.9.
Highest Gust Speed = 30 MPH = NW = 7-3-12.
Rainfall Total = 0.81 inches or 20.2 mm.
Total Rainfall for 2012 so far = 5.36 inches or 134 mm.
Sunshine Total = 176.7 hours.

Swan ringing in Cheshire February 2012

The Cheshire Swan Study Group ringed the following swans in February.

At Acre Dell Pools, Congleton = a female of unknown age = CCH6.
                                                  a retrap male of unknown age = CCH5 ex CT18.

At Astbury mere, Congleton = a second year female = CCH7.
                                               a male of unknown age = CCH8.
                                               a second year male = CCH9.

At Hargrave Hall near Chester = two second females = CCH1 +CCF1.
                                                  two second year males  = CCF0 + CCH0.

At Spike Island, Widnes = two males of unknown age = CCH2 + CCH3.

At Doddington Mere near Nantwich = a second year male = CCH4.

Swan site counts.

Acre Dell pools, Congleton = 45 on 18th.
Astbury Mere, Congleton = 18 on 19th.
Canal in Middlewich = 25 on 26th.
Doddington Mere, Nantwich = 40 on 3rd.
Nantwich Boating Lake = 9 on 7th.

The Cheshire Swan Study Group Report for 2011 will be available during late march. As it will be too big for publication please ask for a copy to be Emailed to you.
Please let me know as soon as possible = Email address = cheshireswans@aol.com.

February 2012 Weather Records for Rope, Crewe, Cheshire

                                       All temperatures in degrees Centigrade

Lowest Nighttime temperature = - 6.4 = 3-2-12.

Highest Daytime Temperature = 15.9 = 23-2-12.

Average Minimum Monthly Temperature = 1.47.

Average Maximum Monthly Temperature = 7.75.

Highest Gust Speed = 37 MPH = SSW = 22-2-12.

February Rainfall = 1.5 inches - 37.5 mm.

Total Rainfall for 2012 = 3.55 inches - 88.75 mm.

Sunshine = 150.7 hours.

Cheshire Swan Study Group News Sheet No 9 February 2012.

Cheshire Swan Study Group News Sheet No 9 February 2012.

Since my last report in October, the Swan Study Group has ringed a total of 48 Swans including 27 cygnets, 7 adults, 11 second years and 3 third year birds.

There was 9 retrap.

The maximum counts of flocks of Mute swans since October  are as follows.

Acre Dell Pools, Congleton = 46 on 23^rd October, 42 on 26^th November, 43 on 10^th December and 52 on 28th January.

Astbury, Congleton = 10 on 23^rd October, 15 on 27^th November and 14 on 22^nd January.

Canal in Middlewich = 26 on 26^th October, 37 on 28^th November, 33 on 11^th December and 62 on 22^nd January.

Comber Mere = 5 on 20^th November, 19 on 12 December and 8 on 9^th January.

Doddington Mere, Nantwich = 31 on 31^st October, 31 on 7^th November, 33 on 2^nd December and 37 on 28^th January.

Nantwich Boating Lake = 13 on 21^st October, 14 on 19^th November, 10 on 1^st December and 10 on 8^th January.

Quoisley Meres near Whitchurch = 45 on 17^th October, 42 on 21^st November, 36 on 19^th December and 5 on 16^th January.

Redes Mere, Macclesfield = 24 on 16^th October, 15 on 20^th November, 9 on 18^th December and 8 on 15^th January.

The Cheshire Swan Study Group Report for 2011 will be available either by email or post from march onwards, please contact me if you require a copy.

Sightings of all Swans should be sent to:- David Cookson.

Email = Cheshireswans@aol.com  giving details of place (6 fig map ref) , colour/character combination of ring and, if with other swans, total number present in flock. All sightings will receive a printout of the history for the relevant bird(s).

NB. Please note that our Swan Reports and Newsletters are now available on our Website as listed below.

Website = www.record-lrc.co.uk/Group.aspx?Mod=Article&ArticleID=G0012001

Blog site = http://cheshireswanringing.blogspot.com/

Sponsored by Roberts Bakery, Northwich.

Swan Ringing in Cheshire January 2012

This month we ringed the following swans.

At Hankelow Mill near Nantwich on 9th = CCD2 = second year male + CCD5 + CCD6 = second year females.

At Hankelow Hall pools near Nantwich on 6th = CCD3 = second year female + CCD4 = second year male.

At the River Dee in Chester on 11th = CCD7 as a male of unknown age.

At Doddington Mere near Nantwich on 13th = CCD8 as a second year male.

At Spike Island, Widnes on 18th a retrap = ex 7FPC now CCF2  as a male of unknown age.

At Acre Dell Pools near Congleton on 22nd = CCF3 as a second year female.

At Astbury mere, Congleton on 22nd = CCF4 as a second year female.

On the Canal in Middlewich on 22nd = CCF5 a retrap as a female as unknown age. CCF6 as a male of unknown age and CCF7 as second year male.

Around the County the highest counts in January were as follows.

Acre Dell Pools, Congleton = 46 on 21st.
Astbury Mere, Congleton = 14 on 22nd.
Doddington Mere, Nantwich = 36 on 13th.
Nantwich Boating Lake = 8 on 15th.
The Canal in Middlewich = 62 on 22nd.
Comber Mere near Whitchurch = 8 on 9th.

January 2012 Weather Records for Rope, Crewe, Cheshire

All temperatures in degrees Centigrade.

Lowest Night Temperature = -2.8 = 30-1-12.
Highest Day Temperature = 11.7 = 18-1-12.
Average Mean Minimum Monthly Temperature = 2.42.
Average Mean Maximum Monthly Temperature = 8.94.
Highest Gust Speed = 49 MPH = Westerley = 0540 hours = 5-1-12.
Months Rainfall = 76.3 mm / 3.05 inches.
Months Sunshine = 91.3 hours.

SWAN RINGING IN CHESHIRE IN DECEMBER 2011

A Total of 11 Swans were ringed in Cheshire in December 2011.

1 was retrapped on the canal in Middlewich as a male of unknown age = CCD1.

3 were ringed at Hankelow Hall near Audlem as 2 females and one male cygnet = CCB1, CCB2 and CCB3.

2 were ringed at Spike Island near Runcorn as males of unknown age = CCB3 + CCB4.

1 was ringed at Astbury mere, Congleton as a third year female = CCB5.

2 were ringed at Nantwich Boating Lake. One as a male cygnet = CCB6. The other was a female of unknown age = CCB7.

2 cygnets were ringed later in december at the canal in Middlewich, one of each sex = CCB8 + CCB9.

Maximum counts round Cheshire were as follows.

Acre Dell pool near Congleton = 43 on 10th.
Canal, Middlewich = 33 on 11th.
Canal, Coole Pilate = 14 on 15th.
Comber Mere near Whitchurch = 19 on 12th.
Doddington mere near Nantwich = 33 on 11th.
Nantwich Boating Lake = 10 on 1st.
Quoisley meres near Whitchurch = 36 on 19th.
Redes Mere near Macclesfield = 12 on 27th.
Shotwick Fields near Chester = 50 Mutes and 36 Whooper Swans on 27th.

December 2011 WEATHER RECORDS FOR ROPE, CREWE, CHESHIRE

All Temperatures in degrees Centigrade.

Lowest Night Temperature = -3.4 on 17th.
Highest Day Temperature = 14 on 26th.
Average Minimum Month Temperature = 3.23.
Average Maximum Month Temperature = 8.94.
Highest Gust Speed = 43 MPH - WSW on 8th.
Months Rainfall = 3.84 inches / 96.1 mm.
Total Rainfall for 2011 = 24.57 inches.
Sunshine = 59.2 hours.