Latest wildlife sightings

Last Friday we published a Cat Alert after an AWEG (Audlem Wildlife & Ecology Group) member reported spotting an Eagle Owl to the south of the village.

Last week's AWEG meeting also reported a number of other wildlife sightings – a cormorant was seen near Lock 9 on the canal and a Polecat and two Mink were on land off Green Lane, the Market Drayton road.

Polecats have been seen more in recent years after once being incredibly rare, indeed, non-existent in this area. An otter was also seen on the canal.

Amongst other birds seen was a Firecrest, a very unusual sighting, on the canal and a Little Owl.  Other members saw a Little Owl and a Barn Owl on Bagley Lane and a pair of nuthatches in a garden in Coxbank. 

A pair of Goosanders were seen on the canal by canal where a lock was being repaired – these are relatively unusual visitors although they do turn up every now and then – also a Treecreeper and a pair of Black Caps on the canal on 1st March.  Grey Wagtails are reported to be back by the canal. Siskin, which have not been very common in gardens this year, were however spotted in one member's garden.

It was also reported that HeronWatch had commenced on Ellesmere, always an interesting sight with cameras near the nests on an island and you can watch the birds from the comfort of the visitors centre and cafe.

AWEG meets every other month and organises a series of visits to wildlife sites. Details of meetings are published on AudlemOnline.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.