We met at Clay Lane at the slightly later time of 0930, pulling on boots and waterproofs as small passerines fed on the roadside feeders. Walking down to the viewing stance overlooking the Salt Pan, we were soon picking out waders and wildfowl, the targets of the visit. Lapwings were everpresent, and flighty, causing us to break off our study several times to peer in to the grey sky for raptors, as this is the normal cause of the Lapwings’ flight. Among them we were able to pick out a couple of Ruff, and later a Redshank. Shoveler and Teal were also active, but only a few Wigeon were present. Tufted and Shelduck also made it into binocular view along with the larger Mute Swan and pervasive Canada Geese.
The feeders alongside the path gave up Great Spotted Woodpecker as well as several species of Tit, while the berries of wild hawthorn were sustaining Redwings and Fieldfares. The lane down to Elton Hall Flash was under water, and none of us felt like checking out the waterproofing of our boots. So we wandered on down to look over Pumphouse Flash, where gull identification was the order of the day. All five common British species were present, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, Herring, Common and Black-headed, but try as we might we could not isolate one that did not fit those species. Two Little Grebe were unusual fishers on this Flash, while a Wren scolded us from the hedgerow. As we were leaving, the convoy of cars came to a juddering halt, as 18 Curlew were spotted in the field across from the Flash.
The day ended at the Holly Bush in Winterley, as the Birdwatching Group partook of their annual Christmas meal. Despite several pleas to the contrary Turkey, Chicken and Duck were not admitted to the day list total of 39.
Sandbach Flashes Species list 18 Dec 2013
| Mute Swan | Salt Pan |
| Greater Canada Goose | Salt Pan |
| Shelduck | Salt Pan |
| Wigeon | Salt Pan |
| Teal | Salt Pan |
| Mallard | Salt Pan |
| Shoveler | Salt Pan |
| Tufted Duck | Salt Pan |
| Little Grebe ruficollis | Salt Pan |
| Cormorant | Pumphouse Flash |
| Grey Heron | Pumphouse Flash |
| Buzzard | Salt Pan |
| Moorhen | Pumphouse Flash |
| Common Coot | Pumphouse Flash |
| Lapwing | Salt Pan |
| Ruff | Salt Pan |
| Curlew | Salt Pan |
| Redshank | Salt Pan |
| Black-headed Gull | Salt Pan |
| Common Gull | Pumphouse Flash |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull | Pumphouse Flash |
| Herring Gull | Pumphouse Flash |
| Great Black-backed Gull | Pumphouse Flash |
| Wood-Pigeon | Salt Pan |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker | Salt Pan |
| Wren | Pumphouse Flash |
| Dunnock | Pumphouse Flash |
| Robin | Salt Pan |
| Blackbird | Salt Pan |
| Fieldfare | Salt Pan |
| Redwing | Salt Pan |
| Blue Tit | Salt Pan |
| Great Tit | Salt Pan |
| Black-billed Magpie | Salt Pan |
| Carrion Crow | Salt Pan |
| Starling | Salt Pan |
| House Sparrow | Salt Pan |
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | Salt Pan |