GOOSANDER SURVEY
Winters 2009 - 2010 and 2010 - 2011
The winter distribution map in Birds in Cheshire and Wirral - A breeding and wintering atlas showed that Goosanders were mainly to be found in the south and east of Cheshire where they were widespread, most often on the meres and reservoirs but also on rivers, streams and small canals. Some sizeable counts were reported but more than half the Atlas records were of just one or two birds. Records submitted for the annual Bird Reports suggest that the birds are quite mobile during the day. They do, however, gather together in the evening at particular sites which they use as overnight roosts.

There are several unknowns about the Goosander population in Cheshire and Wirral. These include a good estimate of the total numbers present, the extent of any movement between roost sites during the course of a winter and whether birds come into Cheshire to roost from daytime feeding sites in other counties. It is hoped that this survey will provide some answers.

We intend to undertake coordinated counts in 2010 - 2011 but are doing some preliminary work from November 2009 to March 2010 to identify roosting sites.

In winter 2009 - 2010:
  1. It is intended that a small number of surveyors will check known roost sites for the presence of Goosanders at dusk. Overnight roost sites known to be used in recent years are: Acre Nook, Bosley Reservoir, Disley Reservoir, Hurleston Reservoir, Lamaload Reservoir, the Macclesfield Forest Reservoirs and North Rode Pool. If any CAWOS member is aware of other overnight roost sites used in recent years or sites where birds have been seen late in the afternoon please inform David Cogger immediately by or in writing at 113 Nantwich Road, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 9HD.
  2. Additionally, during the course of the winter we ask all CAWOS members to visit sites where they have seen Goosanders in the past or which they suspect are suitable for the species. We would like those visits to be made late in the day - preferably during the last hour of daylight. Where Goosanders are present please send dated and timed counts to David Cogger immediately. If possible, please make your count at dusk. Sites holding roosting Goosanders this winter will be earmarked for coordinated counts next winter. Do not put your safety in doubt by having to return over unfamiliar or uneven ground in dark or gloomy conditions and make sure someone else knows where you are going.
  3. If you see Goosanders fly off before dusk please note the place and time of the sighting, direction of flight and the number of birds and inform David Cogger immediately.

CAWOS Monitoring & Surveying Sub-committee