Hi Tony, A rewarding walk this morning, just three miles along lanes west of Marton with 39 species (perhaps 40 if I really did hear a brief Meadow Pipit call).  Up to 60 Fieldfare were still on the fields and three Redwings hanging on.  A fly-over Oystercatcher was welcome as were two Shelducks on a rapidly diminishing area of flooded field.  A huge, bare field held a much hoped-for Wheatear as well as 20 Stock Doves, a singing Skylark and a mixed gull flock holding Black-headed, a couple of Herring and twenty or so Lesser Black-backs.  Many of the 17 Lapwing present were displaying as they do here every spring, however, farming operations usually put paid to their efforts.

Cheers ........ Steve

Jill Thornley up in Cumbria was on the lookout for Willow Warblers today.

This morning the blackcap is back and singing. I am listening out for willow warbler which usually appear in the next week, though move on to more deciduous woodland than ours.
The Tawny owl was being mobbed last night on my regular wander at dusk and a tree creeper was silhouetted against the tree with its surprising long bill. The great spotted woodpecker called out . I haven't heard or seen it for weeks so was pleased it was still around.
Red legged are somewhere near the house which should be safer for them.  Helen was pleased to see a tree sparrow going into one of the nest boxes we put up last week. She was in charge of the hammer and nails for once, on the basis she had to learn sometime to use them.

Best wishes to all
Jill

Alan Booth was more fortunate with the warbler down on Knutsford Moor..

Hi Tony

At last a new bird for the Moor (number36) An early Willow Warbler in song. No doubt a passage bird as they don't usually stick around on the moor. regards Alan

David Cogger was also on the Moor but missed out on the Willow Warbler.

The Moor was almost deserted this morning about 10.30 -  very few people.  Most of the ducks and gulls had obviously gone off to better feeding stations - or possible breeding stations?    Just a few remaining, with pairs of Canada Geese and Mute Swan, a lone Tufted Duck and a bold Moorhen walking along the path.   However, plenty of singing - Wren, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Song Thrush etc.   We felt as if we were in one of these science fiction films where we were the only ones left alive! 

Jayne Davies has been hob-knobbing with the Rooneys - class!!

Hi Tony

Today's contribution from me.

Out around Mobberley again this morning. I met Tony on Gleavehouse Lane, and we had a socially distanced chat about footpath obstructions and life without Goostrey's sausage rolls. I took a different route today, out past Wayne Rooney's still unfinished mansion and back via Damson Lane and Mobberley SQ. There were tree sparrows not far from Gleavehouse Lane, a raven flying over the fields, two coots on the fishing pit, linnets on Mobberley SQ . I also revisited the area of water where I saw gulls a couple of days ago - no gulls today but two mallard, two shelduck, three tufted duck and two Canada geese on the water, with two oystercatchers and a lapwing nearby.

Jayne

Bob Groom had a more than satisfactory day doing the wildfowl count at Tabley

Ranger Darren Morris had the first Swallow of the year at Tatton.