After managing to locate the rest of the group in the large car park (and without getting too distracted by the flitting Blue Tits, Great Tits and Magpies), our party of 11 set off in hope of some Winter birding joy at Marbury Country Park. 

We managed all of 10 meters before spotting a large group of Chaffinches searching for seed along the path ahead. Chaffinches can be seen in larger groups during the Winter period, as our year-round resident birds are joined by huge flocks from Scandinavia. These birds can be joined by the scarcer Brambling at this time of year, but despite our best efforts we couldn't spot one in amongst the group. 

As we were admiring the Chaffinches, a familiar call was heard from the taller trees behind. A Nuthatch was quickly spotted making it's way up the branches, shortly joined by a second individual. 
We still hadn't moved on yet when, in the Holly bushes below,  we spotted Europe's smallest bird, the Goldcrest. Trying to point out this bird can be a challenge, as their constant restless flitting behaviour means they are always on the move, seeking out small Spiders and Insects on every branch. Luckily this would be the first of a few Goldcrests seen during the day.

Just above the toilet blocks behind us, a small flock of Redwing added to our already brilliant bird list. Another Scandinavian winter visitor, these thrushes were gorging themselves on the berries that they cross the North Sea for. It was a fantastic start to see all these species around what was one of the busiest areas of the park.

As we were already 20 minutes into the day and had barely left the car park, we decided to finally make a move and headed towards the Arboretum. This botanical collection of trees and shrubs, remaining from when Marbury was a grand estate in the 1850's, is one of the best areas to see the elusive Hawfinches and Crossbills that sometimes make an appearance in the park. Sadly, none could be found today, however we were treated to some great views of three Common Redpoll. These finches were acrobatically feeding on seeds, allowing us to see the difference between the "redder" males and "browner" females. The redness becomes much more distinctive during the breeding season.

Making our way back out of the Arboretum, we headed to the first hide. Adding Mistle Thrush and the first of four Jays seen during the day to our list, we reached the hide overlooking the large expanse of Budworth Mere. We were told that a Kingfisher had been seen not long before we arrived, so binoculars raised, were examined all the nearby branches and perches overhanging the mere. No luck, but a Grey Wagtail catching flies was a good spot. 
In the reedbed to the left of the hide, a Bittern had been seen the previous evening, but we had to make do with a preening Great White Egret.
Out on the mere itself, Tufted Ducks, Goosanders, Great Crested Grebes and Shovelers were in abundance, with Lapwing and Curlew seen on the far bank. 

Eventually, we decided to move on from the hide, following the path along the edge of the mere. It didn't take long before the sharp eyes of one party member spotted what we'd been looking for earlier. A kingfisher! Always a highlight of any walk, this beautifully coloured male (identified due to it's all black bill, compared to the orange lower mandible on the female) sat totally unbothered by us as he waiting for his lunch to swim below him.

As lunch time beckoned we headed towards the second hide, where we enjoyed our lunches looking out to the bird feeding stations. The highlight here was the Great Spotted Woodpecker that came to feed on the peanuts, so close to where we were sat. It was great seeing the vivid red colouration only feet away from us.

After lunch, we headed across the canal towards the area of Neumann's Flash. The mouse-like Treecreeper was seen swirling it's way up the trunk of a large tree and a single Stock Dove was perched on the branch of another.
A loud "Kronk" call above notified us of the Raven circling above us, and a second bird shortly after could indicate a pair looking for a breeding territory.

Making our way back towards the car park, we were treated to a field filled with Mistle Thrush, Redwing and Goldfinch. It was a good opportunity to admire the size of the Mistle Thrush and compare the differences between itself and the Song Thrush.

An enjoyable day was had by all, with the full 45 species seen found below:

Magpie
Black-headed Gull
Blue Tit
Woodpigeon
Chaffinch
Blackbird
Nuthatch
Goldcrest
Redwing
Buzzard
Cormorant
Common Redpoll
Great Tit
Robin
Crow
Mistle Thrush
Jay
Wren
Tufted Duck
Goosander
Great White Egret
Long tailed tit
Coot
Great Crested Grebe
Grey Wagtail
Grey Heron
Mallard
Herring Gull
Moorhen
Dunnock
Mute Swan
Coal Tit
Shoveler
Kingfisher
Lapwing
Little Egret
Curlew
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Feral Pigeon
Goldfinch
Treecreeper
Collared Dove
Raven
Stock Dove
​
  

Five of us gathered on a very grey and cold morning. We first visited the feeders and were delighted to see a marsh tit amongst the more expected birds. We then went to the Lillian hide. The water was frozen apart from a small opening at one side which was filled with a small mixed flock of teal, shoveler, pintail and gadwall. We got a good sighting of a female marsh harrier as it danced above the reed bed.

We then took the path round to the Causeway hide – as we walked along we had a few redwing up in the trees and a female bullfinch perched in a bush. As we carried on along the boardwalk we kept our eyes peeled for water rail, but only saw moorhens. We also stopped briefly at the grit trays for possible glimpses of bearded tits, but nothing doing. As it started to rain we hurried to the hide. The view from the hide was disappointing – no birds, apart from a group of mute swans to one side and some black-headed gulls in the far distance. As it was now raining heavily we stayed in the hide admiring the view, chatting and occasionally checking to see nothing had flown in.

When the rain eased we retraced our steps, then went the other way to the Tim Jackson hide. On the way we got a treecreeper and all along the paths we were accompanied by very confiding robins. The story at the hide was the same again – no birds – so we carried on to the Grizedale hide with low expectations. We did do abit better here, - as we walked in we immediately had good views of a great white egret, which stayed around quite a while as we sat eating our lunch. A flock of lapwing flew over and landed in the sloped field beyond the reserve. We also had the female marsh harrier again and at one point buzzard, sparrowhawk and harrier all in the sky together, with the sparrowhawk mobbbing the buzzard. Just as we were about to leave a male marsh harrier also
appeared giving us great views.

We went back to the visitor centre and enquired whether the road to the
estuary hides was OK – a staff member told us he’d just been down there and it was fine. So we drove down and walked to the Allen hide. What the staff member could have told us was that there were no birds! None at all in the area in front of the hide and only a couple more great white egrets in the marsh area beyond the fence, and a great black-back gull. So we decided to call it a day at that point. In terms of volume of birds we agreed we had never seen it so quiet, but we enjoyed seeing the smaller woodland birds and the raptors.
PS. One of the group arrived an hour and a half before the rest of us and saw both bearded tit and water rail – the early bird and all that .......grrr