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.