NATURE NOTES

Johnny’s Animal Magic

May
In mid-April, Dave and Margaret Mullins had clear sightings of a Barn Owl. These silent flyers are not that rare and breed throughout Britain, but I believe it is extremely unusual to see one on the higher ground in our area. Less unusual, but still exciting, was Jackie Blake’s report of Little Owls roosting and possibly nest-building. The weather in April featured sustained, strong easterly winds. I can only assume that is why I had few sightings of Swallows and House Martins. Paul Woodcock and I both heard Chiff-Chaff calling. In the third week of April, I had a short break with friends in the Whitby area. This included nesting Fulmars on the cliffs, Turnstones on the beach and Gannets at sea. A big fat cigar to anyone who spots any of those in The Link area!

Kay and I spent the first half of May in Majorca. This island is a bit of a naturalist's gem. I saw a fair amount of birds, insects and wildflowers. I visited the S'Albufera wetlands reserve, which has to be one of the best in Europe. The frog chorus was little short of a cacophony! The birds I saw included Night Heron, Eleanora's Falcon, a male Red-Footed Falcon, Marsh Harrier, Crested Coot, Moustached and Fan-Tailed Warbler and many Black-Winged Stilts. Some of these birds are never seen in the British Isles and none of them are common. I also saw several Hoopoes. This unmistakeable creature (there is nothing else like it in Europe) is an occasional summer visitor to southern England. I believe it rarely gets this far north and I know Derek Forbes' eyesight is not that bad, so he had a very lucky and special sighting in Wincle recently. Derek’s version of events is as follows:-

“Last Friday (25th April) I was being driven home from Macclesfield and just after we reached the A54 I saw a bird alight on a bush at the roadside. As it landed it raised a crest on its head and with its long bill and general shape and size, I saw the unmistakable profile of a Hoopoe. This for me was a staring eye, jaw dropping moment which lasted until about half way down Barlow Hill when I announced 'I'm sure I have just seen a Hoopoe'. Later I shared this news with Winston Blythe who was understandably sceptical and we scoured through bird books looking for possible alternatives. Finally I decided to file away the memory as if it had not happened. However, by chance, when waiting to hear a tribute programme to Humphrey Littleton on Radio 4, I listened to 'World on the move. Animal migrations', and there was a mention of a recent occurrence of what was described as a 'Mediterranean overshoot' of Hoopoes into N Wales. Well, this convinced me that at least one bird had overshot as far as Wincle and I would like to welcome and record this exotic visitor to the parish. Has anyone else had a sighting?

N.B. The Hoopoe winters in S Africa and is resident in Europe. It is an occasional summer migrant and rarely nests in the southern counties.”

Back home everything looked really green and I enjoyed the wildflowers such as the clump of Bistort opposite Wincle School and the, as yet unidentified, mauve/pink carpet between West Lodge and Snipe Cottage. I have seen Swallows, House Martins and Spotted Flycatchers and had reports of Pied Flycatchers. Oh and I very quickly got bored with people telling me how glorious it had been here, whilst it was raining for most of our second week away.

April
Many thanks (again) to all the people who show so much interest in these articles and have recently told me of local sightings of Raven, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Curlew, Sand Martin, Swallow, Chiff Chaff, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Siskin and Brambling. Next month I plan to report on the natural highlights, hopefully not just birds, of two planned trips away. This month I am giving you a random collection of facts about birds that can easily be seen or heard in our area.

Many people believe that the smallest, common British bird is the Wren but it is, in fact, the Goldcrest.
All adult Robins have a red face and breast.
The male blackbird is black with a striking orange-yellow bill but the female is brown.
The Chiff Chaff and Willow Warbler are small greenish leaf warblers. Both breed here and they are virtually identical to look at - but they have very different songs.
The Nuthatch often descends the trunk of a tree (but may move in any direction) whereas the Treecreeper always goes up the trunk (see Link 49).
The Dipper, common on the River Dane, is a bit like a large robin with a white breast. It bobs on rocks before ‘swimming’ on or under the water to take small aquatic creatures.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a frequent visitor to nut feeders. In the late spring and summer, see if you can spot the difference between an adult male and juvenile – look at their crown and nape markings.
The male Chaffinch has a white wing bar and all Great Tits have a black bib and breast stripe. When several pairs live in close proximity the size of these features indicates their position in the ‘pecking order’.
I haven’t got a clue why, but the Pied Wagtail, common near human buildings as well as on farmland, seems to be very fond of hanging around school playgrounds and churchyards. I’ve noticed this all over the place over the years. It is certainly true in Wincle. Perhaps someone could let me know if it’s true in Rushton too!

March
At the end of April last year, I met a very interesting chap when walking down Bearda. He told me about a spot along the A54 where you can see Ring Ouzel in the spring and summer. He also told me that a few years ago he was on Gun Hill with his son. Suddenly his son said, “Are you blind, dad?” He said, “Why?” And his son said, “Because there’s a Dotterel just ahead of you.” The Dotterel is a bird I’ve never seen and I don’t suppose I’ll be lucky enough to do so around here.

The point of this story is that you don’t have to be an expert or have a great deal of knowledge to see interesting ‘stuff’. On March 2nd I noticed a clump of frog spawn in a large puddle next to the cattle grid on the track between Tolls Farm and Danebridge Fisheries. I bet there are plenty of people who walk along there and don’t see it. Further along, in the stretch of the feeder between Gig Hall and Feeder Cottage, I saw a small number of frogs and a huge amount of spawn. I thought this seemed extremely early but my notes show that I saw about 100 frogs in a mating frenzy in the same spot on March 10th last year - what’s a week or so in Mother Nature’s cycle? I’ve seen this behaviour, when several males try to mate with the same female simultaneously, a few times on film but this was the first time I’d seen so many ‘at it’ in the wild. This doesn’t require any special skills - when you’re nature spotting you simply have to look and listen in all directions.

For example, on March 8th, near The Millennium Stone, I heard what I thought was a Raven. I looked over the fields and in the trees - nothing. Then I turned my head to the sky and saw it descend to land in a nearby tree. Without binoculars, I could easily confirm my suspicions by the shape of its tail, its call and its loose neck feathers. This was the highlight of my month. Paul Woodcock has had several sightings and thinks they may be thinking about nesting here.

February
The Bullfinch is the second largest British finch (after the Hawfinch, which you’re unlikely to see round here) and, for me, the male is one of the most beautifully coloured birds. They are rather shy and, therefore, not that easy see but when you do they are unmistakeable with their black cap, bright red under-parts and Persil white rump, especially when in flight. I usually see them about half a dozen times a year. This year, I have already seen Bullfinches in North Rode, Sutton, Wincle, Swythamley, Meerbrook and, on 31st January, we had a male visit our garden – the first time in 11 years. Then, on 2nd February, Kate Brough sent me two excellent photos of a male in her garden. This was clearly not the same bird because mine had a much, much brighter red throat and breast!

The Treecreeper is neither finch and nor is it a rodent, although I understand why some bird guides describe its movements as rather mouse-like. They are fairly common in these parts but you rarely get a prolonged sighting. So I was delighted, when on February 12th, I watched one climb up a tree trunk hunting for insects and then fly to the base of another tree - and then repeat this 12 times, to a different tree every time. This is classic Treecreeper behaviour but I don’t recall seeing one do it this many times before. I am becoming increasingly frustrated at not seeing the Peregrine reported in our area by several people between late November and mid-February.

And now for something completely different. I recently saw a programme on TV which concluded that parrots have an understanding of language round about that of a three year-old child. I have always been struck by the lack of intelligence in sheep - probably more like three months in human terms! On 3rd February I was walking my dog and noticed a sizeable flock of sheep some distance ahead. The sheep saw us, moved a good distance to the side of our path and then moved towards, alongside and behind us. This manoeuvre was considerably more sophisticated than the usual ‘run ahead until you meet an obstacle then panic’ strategy that every other sheep I’ve ever met has used. Who is the local farmer breeding these super brains?

January
Not exactly a sparkling nature watching start to 2008 for me. All I have to report is several sightings of fairly large flocks of Fieldfare, especially on the fields at the Top of Barlow Hill, and a pair of Hares exhibiting the ‘joys of spring’ behaviour near Wincle Grange on January 6th. Fortunately, people seem to have taken to these articles and my ‘back-up team’ have provided me the following sightings :

A covey of 14 Partridge (known by some as Grey or Common to distinguish them from Red-legged) was seen in our area on January 5th. A Raven and the (previously reported) Merlin were spotted in Wincle early in the month by Paul Woodcock. Kate Brough sent me a photo of a siskin on a nut-feeder in her garden. If you don’t look closely, you could mistake this little finch for a greenfinch but it is slightly smaller, the male in particular is darker, especially around the head, and it has a more pointed bill. Although quite common I seldom see them – last year I had a few sightings, including in my garden, all in March, April and May - as opposed to Greenfinches which I see almost every day.

Over the years I have participated in and ‘overheard’ various conversations, mostly in The Ship Inn and Heaton & Swythamley Centre, about the ‘notorious’ wallabies. The perceived wisdom seems to be that there have been no definite sightings for several years. Then there was the short article about recent sightings in last month’s Link. Well blow me down, if it wasn’t only one or two days after reading that and Shirley Bracegirdle told me she had seen one on the track between West Lodge and Snipe Cottage on 20th December. What’s that old chestnut about buses?

December
In November I was informed of sightings of merlin at Gun End and peregrine and woodcock near the Dane. I had a sighting of 3 bullfinches near the top of Barlow Hill, which I recognised by their white rump in flight. This is their ‘jizz’, a word experienced birders often use, which has similar meaning to gist. For example, if you see a fast, low and straight flight near water and a flash of turquoise - it’s a kingfisher. If you see birds feeding on teasels or thistles and as they fly off a hint of yellow in their wings – then they’re goldfinches. You don’t have to hear its bubbling song to know a bird with a long down-curving bill is probably a curlew. Over the years you build up a ‘jizz’ library in your head.

But there are no hard and fast rules. If you rely on ‘jizz’ you will often be fooled. When I first started to learn about birds I talked to Kay about them constantly. One day she said, “What’s that on the bird-table?” I said, “Chaffinches.” She said,“I thought so - but you told me they’re ground feeders.” Then I read somewhere that carrion crows are solitary and rooks are highly sociable. A few days later I counted over 90 crows together in a small field. Very recently, I saw a large bird of prey flying towards me. The ‘jizz’ said “not a buzzard”. So, as it approached, I went through all sorts of possibilities from red kite to goshawk to hen harrier to osprey to golden eagle! But as it passed close by me I could say without a shadow of a doubt that it was a buzzard!

A polecat was seen by Wincle Vicarage on December 8th. If you go for walk whilst digesting your Christmas tuck, keep one eye open for him/her and the other for fieldfare, redwing and brambling (these winter visitors are around now). Good seasonal nature watching to you all.

November
The thing is I just love birds. And I have spent quite a lot of time looking for them and at them in the wild and on TV. And nothing can take away the pleasure they give me. Not even that irritating Oddie character, who very nearly spoilt my great love of watching a huge flock of starlings coming into roost by chattering on about it once. Or that infuriating Titchmarsh bloke (described by a relative as “an absolute master of stating the totally bleeding obvious”) who recently attempted to put me off kingfishers (it’s the way they dive and then manipulate their catch even more than their incredible colours that I love). Oh well, these TV celebrities must have some purpose in life even if I find them as irritating as mozzies and midges. In my view, watching wildlife on TV is often improved by turning the sound off.

In the middle of October, I was walking along the feeder canal when I heard a Stag or Stags bellowing almost non-stop for what seemed like about ten minutes. I have seen deer a good number of times in various locations - including fairly regularly in Wincle, Swythamley and Macclesfield Forest. But I do believe this is the first time I’ve heard this amazing sound. And I must say if I’d heard it at twilight I might have found it a little bit scary!

Is that mushroom safe to eat or deadly poisonous? That’s another one of those little conundrums # that God/Mother Nature sent us. I believe you can come across fungi at any time of the year but they are prolific between August and early November. In October I saw many ‘bracket’ and similar fungi on trees and rotting wood, several fly agaric, ink cap and others in fields and leaf litter and found a single ‘down-know-what-it-was-and-can’t-find-it-in-a-book-or-on-the-Internet’ on the roadside bank just above our house.

< P.S. # I was sure it should conundra but the computer and dictionary both say conundrums.

October
TV nature watchers have seen the wonders of long distance mass migration by a variety of creatures, such as monarch butterflies, whales and wildebeest. And one of the first things you learn about birds is the amazing journeys made twice a year by arctic terns and small birds, such as hirundines and leaf warblers. However, migration is extremely common in most species, often over fairly short distances, and it is the main indicator of birds increasing or decreasing their range and population due to natural or man-made changes in climate and habitat.

Recent ‘migratory related’ sightings have included Hobby in Wincle and Swythamley, Goosander on the Dane and Common Sandpiper on Tittesworth Reservoir. I spotted a small group of Gadwall on Teggs Nose Reservoir early in September. Although this duck is not a rare bird (the RSPB web site says there are 790 breeding pairs and 17,000 winter visitors in the UK) it is mostly found further east and south than our area. They are slightly smaller than the ubiquitous mallard. The predominantly grey drake lacks the bright colours of many other male ducks but he has attractive plumage in good light.

We are constantly bombarded with planetary doom and gloom through the media, with species disappearing at an alarming rate, but there are still some success stories. When I first became interested in birds the Red Kite was only found in the mid/west Wales region of the UK. A successful programme of re-introduction has seen them established elsewhere, most notably in the Chilterns, Yorkshire and Scotland. Wonderful, but no great surprise then, that there were at least three sightings of a Red Kite in our area at the end of September (probably all the same juvenile bird). Similarly, when I saw 3 Little Egrets in Cornwall in about 1992 this was quite unusual. Now these small, elegant white herons are fairly numerous winter visitors from Europe and about 50 pairs breed in southern England. Hence, I was not surprised when, in the last week of September, I saw a total of 8 in two different locations on Anglesey.

Leaving birds aside, on October 3rd I noticed a good number of Harebells in flower and a couple of Speckled Wood butterflies active on the slopes above Folly Mill.

September
Well, I’ve only produced three of these articles and already far too many people have responded for me to thank them all here. Lois popped by to show me a wonderful photo of the young flycatchers in the Villa nest-box (see last month). John Weston informed that up to 200 house martins were gathering on the wires near to Bartomley Farm. When I went for a look, I was thoroughly entertained by a sparrowhawk chasing about 20 martins away but not managing to catch one. The gathering of swallows and martins ready for their long journey south is taken by some as the first sign of autumn. But, at the time of writing, they’re still here and the weather has been the best it’s been for months. John Wilcock tells me he had a hummingbird hawkmoth in his garden and saw what he thought was a hobby near Gun End, both on 9th September.

I have had various reports of otter sightings during August. A group of walkers talking in the coffee shop at Tittesworth sounded pretty sure they had seen an otter/s in one of the reservoir’s feeder streams. Another was a vague rumour of an otter in the feeder canal close to the Dane weir. And the landlady at The Royal Oak in Rushton was very definite that there was an otter, which had taken some fish but left some eggs put out for it, in the feeder next to the pub. As a result, I’ve had several unsuccessful walks along stretches of the Dane and feeder looking for an otter or signs - such as spraints (droppings) or tracks in the mud.

The Environment Agency carried out a comprehensive otter survey between 2000 and 2002. The nearest regular activity to our area at that time was on the River Weaver north of Nantwich. In July, The Macclesfield Express reported that the Cheshire Wildlife Trust has recently recorded otters on the Rivers Bollin and Dean for the first time for years. I’m sure many people would be delighted if otters returned to the Dane – given there is a spot named Otters Pool they must have been here at some time. But I’m not sure that Lorne would feel any happier about them than the dreaded mink that I know turn up from time to time. Hopefully, I will now be flooded with messages from people who’ve seen an otter (or a mink or a polecat) and can give me tips on how to see one myself!

August
Firstly, as a quick follow up to my Flycatcher article last month, Kate has sent me a photo of 3 young Spotted Flycatchers in The Villa’s open-fronted nest box. And Winston tells me they have nested at Pear Tree Cottage for the last five years. So they are still north of the river!

‘Everybody loves butterflies’, I suppose, is a truism. I’ve certainly never met anyone in my life who hasn’t adored them. There are, surprisingly, less than 50 species resident in Britain and I don’t know how many of them you can see in our area (I’m no expert). But this year so far, despite the weather, I have seen various ‘Whites’ (there are 4 different ones of these), Orange Tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Ringlet, Gatekeeper and Painted Lady in our area.

On the other hand, many people seem to dislike moths intensely. I guess it’s because they are largely nocturnal in habit and are often attracted to lights, particularly that one you use to read by in bed. There are about 800 regular species and over 2400 recorded in the UK – which is lot more than on the bird list. And, as far as I know, apart from chewing the odd hole in your Versace dress, they are completely harmless. On June 17th I found a small moth on the window sill in The Ship which I am pretty sure was a Marbled Minor. During June and July I have come across and identified Brimstone (a beautiful little thing), Light Arches and Little Emerald moths inside my house. One of my favourite creatures of all is The Hummingbird Hawkmoth, which Kay and I first saw many years ago in Boscastle in Cornwall. We have seen them many times throughout western and southern Europe and southern England, but never in this area. Although I have read that they were more widespread than usual in 2000 and 2006.

If you’re interested in finding out more about butterflies and moths the Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe is more than adequate for beginners. Or try the following websites for starters:
www.britishbutterflies.co.uk
ukmoths.org.uk/index.php

July
The Flycatcher family is a large one worldwide, with several European members. There are just two spring and summer visitors to the UK, both spending the rest of the year in Africa. The Spotted Flycatcher is one of the last of the migrants to arrive. However, by mid-June pairs are setting up territories all over the British Isles, and it is not unusual for them to have two broods during their short stay. This is one of those birds known by serious ornithologists as ‘little brown jobs’ and it has a rather thin, squeaky song. Yet, there is something about its markings and posture and habit of sitting on a wire or exposed branch, flying off to catch insects and returning to the same spot, which make it very attractive and much loved by many people. This includes several locals I have had chatted with about wildlife recently. On the 18th June, there were at least 5 pairs breeding in gardens in Danebridge and Swythamley and 3 pairs were easy to watch from the roadside without binoculars. I have not yet seen any on the Cheshire side of the Dane this year - although they have previously nested at The Ship Inn and Little Chapter. As I reported last month, with a bit of patience the more striking but less obvious Pied Flycatcher can be found ‘down Bearda way’ and occasionally turns up in woodland north of the river.

Thanks to Judy, Dave, Lee and Alison for local sightings and ‘The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1988-1991’ for detailed information. I am giving serious consideration to writing something about moths and butterflies next month.


June
In the absence of Steve Plimbley, as a daily dog walker in Wincle and the surrounding area and a long-time lover of our feathered friends, I thought I would have a go at keeping the nature notes going. Do contact me if you have anything to contribute in the coming months.

My first observation is that, in spite of the huge numbers of scarecrows around, there is, as always, no lack of the various corvids in our area! Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Jay and Magpie are among the most common and obvious of birds. I much prefer the wren to all of these - for its deafening alarm calls and song contrasting with its dainty appearance.

The month of May has to be one of the best in the year for nature watchers and gardeners alike. Everything is growing and bursting with life but, because the trees are not yet fully in leaf and the birds are very vocal, it is a relatively easy time to see things. By the time you are reading this, even the latest migrants should be with us. I have heard Chiff Chaff and Willow Warbler regularly since early April. I saw good numbers of Swallows but very few House Martins in April and May. Swifts are around now too. In the last week of April, I saw a Pied Flycatcher down Bearda. On 31st May I saw a Spotted Flycatcher in Danebridge and a Redstart in Swythamley. Another local reported sightings of a Mandarin Duck on the river and a Red Kite in the air along the Dane near the weir – but I was not in luck when I went after them. Other than birds, I have had a few sightings of hares, orange tip butterflies and bats (presumably pipistrelle) in Wincle and Swythamley.

Johnny Morris
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Local Native Trees - Birch
The silver birch (Betula pendula) and the downy birch (Betula pubescens) are close relatives. They were amongst the first trees to appear in Britain after the last ice age, some 10,000 years ago, and are often still the first to colonise open ground, dying away as larger trees follow and shade out the light. The silver birch takes its name from its silvery bark, although the base of the tree is dark and fissured like that of the downy birch. Both trees have ovate triangular leaves, yellow male catkins growing in groups and female catkins growing from the leaf axils. They both flower from April to May, germinate easily and will grow to about 60 feet in the right conditions.

Both birches also provide habitats for a huge range of beetles and other insects and offer the food choice to many butterflies and moths. Unusually, the mature bark of the birch can be tougher than the timber inside and use to be used for fuel. The timber was traditionally used to make kitchenware and farm implements, while birchwood besoms were widely used for sweeping the yard.

Today birch is increasingly being used to make high quality plywoods and wood block flooring whilst some traditional uses of birch are coming back into fashion. Birch sap, which can only be collected for a couple of weeks in early March, is so prolific and easy to tap that it is known as ‘birch water’. It is still prized for its antiseptic properties and is very effective in treating skin infections and bladder problems. Apparently, commercial wine producers are showing renewed interest in using it to make a delicious aromatic wine.

Tea made from birch leaves has been taken for centuries to dissolve kidney and bladder stones and reduce fluid retention. Herbalists use a preparation of birch leaves to cleanse the system and eliminate toxins, especially for relieving arthritic and rheumatic pain and helping the digestion and bowel functions. The oil from birch buds and bark contains methylsalicylate and is used as a liniment for arithitis, rheumatism, psoriasis and eczema.

Enid Ruddock
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The landscape
Wincle sits in hills that rise out of the Eastern edge of the Cheshire plain. Farms, barns and dry stone walls are all built out of the same harsh millstone grit that make up the surrounding slopes.
The mixed landscape includes farmland interspersed with deciduous woodlands along the sides of the river valley, rising to heather moorland on the high ground.

Sir Philip Brocklehurst, one of the areas landowners in the late eighteenth century described the area as follows- “Few English Districts are more interesting to those who study nature in her wildest and fairest states…. valleys, rivers, rocks and hills lie mingled in profuse variety; the purple heather blends with the green moss and toppling crags rise out of verdant woods”.

Clearly not much has changed since then and a recent review article described the area as “ Conveys a feeling of being totally divorced from the rest of the country. Here rugged heather-clad moorland, swift flowing streams, turbulent rivers, scattered farms and tiny hamlets nestling in the folds of the hills” (Cheshire Life February 2003)

On a clear night, the sky can be particularly beautiful in Wincle. Far enough away from the street lights of the neighbouring towns for a good number of stars to be visible, on a cloudless, moon-free night the Milky Way can be seen and occasionally a shooting star.

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Wildlife
The varied landscape of Wincle and the surrounding area provides a rich habitat for many species of wildlife, including badgers, foxes, stoats, rabbits, hares and field mice.

Bats are often seen on dusky evenings in summer, emerging from their tree roosts to hunt for insects. Owls can be heard throughout the night, both barn and tawny owls. Little owls can sometimes be seen during the day, tucked into a tree or sitting on telegraph wires.

Birds regularly sited include kestrels and sparrow hawks hunting over the open fields, and woodpeckers, nuthatches and tree creepers in the woodlands.

The distinctive cries of curlews and lapwings can be heard over the meadows, particularly in summer. Swallows and house martens are regular visitors, nesting in local barns. Pied flycatchers also arrive in the spring, to make their homes in ivy on the house and farm fronts.

On the Dane, white breasted dippers can often be seen perching on rocks and bobbing in their distinctive way or skimming the water as they speed off to their next spot.

Garden birds might include wrens, goldfinches, tits, greenfinches, collared doves, robins, thrushes and blackbirds.

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