Field Meeting Reports – 2026

Marbury Country Park – Sunday 25th January 2026

As we began our walk, the sun appeared rather unexpectedly, but we didn’t complain. We soon found several Redwings feeding on berries. A great start. Two Buzzards flew leisurely overhead. A pair of Stock Doves looked to be nest prospecting in a large tree. A Goldcrest flitted about in a fir tree. Several Nuthatches were seen and heard.

Reaching the large mere hide we were treated to birds everywhere. On the water were numerous Goosanders, Great-crested Grebes and Tufted Ducks. The feeders were busy with Blue, Great and Coal Tits. A Kingfisher was seen but was a little shy, while a Grey Wagtail was more visible. Both Heron and Great Egret were in the reedbed.

We eventually tore ourselves away and took the path alongside the mere. An obliging Treecreeper was well spotted by Ben. On the far bank were Lapwings and a few Curlew. A family of Mute Swans were looking for bread!

We returned to the cars for lunch. Then afterwards we walked through Big Wood, stopping off at the woodland hide where we added Long-tailed Tit. Conditions became gloomy now, and the woods were quiet. We carried on and made our way to Neumann’s Flash where we added Teal, Wigeon and Shelduck.

From here we took a route back to the car park. Luckily the threatened rain kept away, and as we neared the cars, we finally saw a Great-spotted Woodpecker (we’d been hearing them all day!), and a nice flock of nearly 40 Greenfinches in the fading light.

A successful day with 47 species seen or heard.

Photos courtesy of Ellie, Colin, Gary and Hugh. Thank you all. There are so many lovely images, I will add more in the next Hugh’s News.

Hugh