Lesser Whitethroat - 1, possibly 2, at the usual spring spot at the canal bridge on Pendlebury Lane.
Whitethroat - 1 in same area
Raven - 2
House martin - 2
Swallow - 5
Also, Mandarins twice this month on River Douglas.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 26 6:05 AM, 2023
Originally posted today by Len Poxon:
Red Kite reported near junction of Meadow Pit Lane and Tuckers Hill Brow mid afternoon 25.05.2023
Ian Moran said
Fri May 12 7:21 PM, 2023
2 Common Terns flying around the canal at Pendlebury Lane bridge.
1 Lesser Whitethroat on 11th.
Ian Moran said
Sun Apr 30 2:23 PM, 2023
1 female wheatear off Sennicar Lane.
Ian Moran said
Sun Apr 30 2:19 PM, 2023
The cuckoo noise is coming from a speaker on the crazy golf course. There's also ducks and frogs emanating from there.
Peter Johnson said
Sun Apr 30 9:55 AM, 2023
A Cuckoo was calling as we got out of the car at the car park this morning at 08:45.
Karl Bishop said
Fri Apr 28 11:05 PM, 2023
Friday PM
Of note
Grasshopper Warbler in Lady Mabels Wood
Tree Sparrow and Lesser Whitethroat on canal near bridge 62
Thanks
Karl
Mike Chorley said
Tue Mar 21 9:59 AM, 2023
Cheers Steve. I think your's is a little more likely than my mate's, but I have a patch Robin that starts off doing Song Thrush before it switches to its' usual song, so who knows!
Steve Judge said
Tue Mar 21 7:57 AM, 2023
Hi Mike, thanks for your thoughts. We also thought it could be another bird mimicking the cuckoo or somebody with a playback device. I am tempted to go back to the area again - we were stood between the visitor centre and crazy golf course with male cuckoo call coming from School Lane / Copperas Lane direction.
Mike Chorley said
Mon Mar 20 7:33 PM, 2023
Steve Judge wrote:
Monday, 20th March 2023 - 11:30 - 15:30 hrs.
Walk from Red Rock / Bridge 63 (Leeds/Liverpool Canal) - along canal to Haigh Country Park - back through Lady Mabel Wood - along canal and return.
I heard what sounded just like a cuckoo calling in Haigh Country Park today. But I cannot believe one has returned this early. Please let me know if anyone else hears one in this area.
Hi Steve, I was out with a mate on Sunday who thought he heard one in Healey Dell in Rochdale on Feb 6th. Seems like Starlings are branching out from trim phones, firs alarms and curlews (the last of which they've been doing since at least December 1970!)
Steve Judge said
Mon Mar 20 5:17 PM, 2023
Monday, 20th March 2023 - 11:30 - 15:30 hrs.
Walk from Red Rock / Bridge 63 (Leeds/Liverpool Canal) - along canal to Haigh Country Park - back through Lady Mabel Wood - along canal and return.
I heard what sounded just like a cuckoo calling in Haigh Country Park today. But I cannot believe one has returned this early. Please let me know if anyone else hears one in this area.
1 Green Woodpecker calling and seen at Brock Mill Lane which is almost in Wigan central area. 1st I've heard or seen in Wigan borough apart from very rarely at Haigh Hall.
Ian Moran said
Thu Sep 15 2:56 PM, 2022
2 Whinchats on the dung heap at Sennicar Lane (My first in the area), 1 Stonechat, Meadow Pipits, Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk. 2 Willow Tits nearby.
Ian Moran said
Thu Apr 28 7:23 PM, 2022
1 f Wheatear on the dung heap off Sennicar Lane.
Karl Bishop said
Tue Apr 26 9:23 PM, 2022
Grasshopper Warbler back in usual spot in Lady Mabels Wood this evening
-- Edited by Karl Bishop on Tuesday 26th of April 2022 09:24:12 PM
2 adult Mediterranean gulls on fields off Sennicar Lane near the big dung heap. First ones I have seen in this area.
1 Raven sat on the post, unusually close.
1 pair Mandarin Ducks on river Douglas on Wingates Road, first there in over 3 years.
Ian Moran said
Sat Jun 12 10:29 AM, 2021
Green Woodpecker been calling next to Haigh C.P car park recently. First one I've had in the area.
Karl Bishop said
Sat Apr 24 9:12 PM, 2021
Grasshopper Warbler this morning at Lady Mabels Wood , also 2 Common Whitethroats new in
Ian Moran said
Mon Feb 1 4:25 PM, 2021
3 Golden Plover off Pendlebury Lane: First ones I've seen in the area.
15+ Meadow Pipit
20+ Redwing
2 Stock Dove
3 Bullfinch, Linnets, Siskins.
Mike Chorley said
Wed Dec 2 8:32 PM, 2020
Steven Nelson wrote:
Ian Moran wrote:
1 Woodcock flew over while having a coffee at Haigh Hall.
Blimey! - thats some skilful flying by the Woodcock!
Those chick-carrying thighs probably helped
Steven Nelson said
Tue Dec 1 8:33 PM, 2020
Ian Moran wrote:
1 Woodcock flew over while having a coffee at Haigh Hall.
Blimey! - thats some skilful flying by the Woodcock!
Ian Moran said
Tue Dec 1 3:23 PM, 2020
1 Woodcock flew over while having a coffee at Haigh Hall.
Steve Judge said
Fri Oct 9 12:06 PM, 2020
8th October 2020. 10:30 - 15:00 hrs.
Leeds/Liverpool Canal (Bridge 63 / Red Rock) - Haigh Upper Plantations including bird viewing screen (and filled up bird feeds and bird table) - through Haigh Country Park - bridge over River Douglas - Lower Plantations - Plantation Gates - turned right on to short stretch of A49 (Wigan Road) - right at Leyland Mill Lane - Hall Lane - Lady Mabel's Wood - return via Leeds/Liverpool Canal.
Kingfisher x 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 Mistle Thrush x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Nuthatch x 2 Goldfinch x 5 Robin x 5 Blackbird x 4 Wren x 2 Black-Headed Gulls x 10 Jay x 2 Magpie x 5 Carrion Crow x 10 Moorhen x 4 (including 2 juveniles) Mallard x 14 Woodpigeon x 50 Great Tit x 5 Blue Tit x 4 Chaffinch x 2 Coal Tit x 2 Pheasant x 4
Steve Judge said
Wed Jul 8 8:07 PM, 2020
8th July 2020. 12:00 - 15:30 hrs.
Red Rock - Leeds/Liverpool Canal - Lady Mabel's Wood - Hall Lane - short stretch A49 (Wigan Road) - Haigh Lower Plantations - section of River Douglas trail - Haigh Upper Plantations - return via Leeds/Liverpool Canal
Grasshopper Warbler x 1 (reeling in Lady Mabel's Wood) Common Tern x 1 Greenfinch x 2 Whitethroat x 2 (including one juvenile) Curlew x 1 Chiffchaff x 4 Song Thrush x 2 Mistle Thrush x 1 Grey Wagtail x 5 (including one juvenile) Pied Wagtail x 1 juvenile Buzzard x 3 Kestrel x 2 Nuthatch x 1 Goldfinch x 10 House Sparrow x 1 Robin x 1 Blackbird x 4 2 x Mute Swan adults (plus 7 cygnets) and 2 x Mute Swan adults (plus 5 cygnets) Wren x 3 Black-Headed Gulls x 50 Swallow x 5 Swift x 2 House Martin x 7 Magpie x 7 Carrion Crow x 9 Moorhen x 2 Mallard x 10 adults plus 6 ducklings Lesser Black-Backed Gull x 1 Woodpigeon x 15
Paul Risley said
Sat May 23 8:20 PM, 2020
Did a round of my nestboxes today, all 19 boxes have been used with Blue tits occupying ten of them and now have 59 young close to fledging, Great tits are occupying 7 boxes with 33 young close to fledging and one box the adult was still brooding so I left it alone, 2 boxes are being used by Nuthatches and they have 13 young close to fledging.
One of the Blue tit boxes had been pulled down however the culprits on discovering young in the box placed it in the fork of 2 branches in a nearby tree and thankfully the adults have continued to feed the 7 young. Nearby Willow tit feeding young in the nest and a Sparrowhawk incubating
Ian Moran said
Wed May 6 3:36 PM, 2020
1 possibly 2 Lesser Whitethroats calling and showing well along the canal. 1st time I've seen them in the area.
Ian Moran said
Tue Apr 21 4:13 PM, 2020
Sennicar Lane and canal: Grasshopper Warbler calling (1st of the year for me), 1 Whitethroat, Pair of Gadwall (1st I've seen on the canal)
Karl Bishop said
Mon Apr 13 12:52 PM, 2020
8.00 - 11.00 am Grasshopper Warbler this morning Lady Mabels Wood usual area , as in previous years Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler only other migrants seen Karl
An hour this morning around the lower plantations: 1 great spotted woodpecker drumming, 1 treecreeper, 3 or 4 nuthatch and a good mixed flock of goldfinch and siskin. No sign of dipper or mandarin ducks.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 11th of January 2020 10:05:06 PM
dave broome said
Wed Jan 8 6:36 PM, 2020
Cettis Warbler at Aspull Sough today, Raven over, 3 Bullfinch and 1 Siskin
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 8th of January 2020 06:37:02 PM
Paul Risley said
Sun Dec 1 9:01 PM, 2019
2 possibly 3 Woodcock flushed, one might have been a reflush
2 Dippers chasing each other constantly
6 Mandarin
singles of Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron and Treecreeper
good numbers of Titmice and Redwings
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 1st of December 2019 10:33:17 PM
Jimmy Meadows said
Wed May 1 5:47 PM, 2019
Late news for yesterday
Lady Mabels Wood
Garden Warbler singing and seen briefly
Grasshopper Warbler reeling in juncus fields adj Lady Mabels Wood.
Jimmy Meadows said
Mon Apr 22 10:04 AM, 2019
Reeling Grasshopper Warbler off Higher Lane at edge of Crawford Wood
dave broome said
Wed Apr 17 6:26 PM, 2019
2 Mediterranean Gulls at midday today in a sheep field alongside Red Rock Lane opposite Hampson Green
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 17th of April 2019 06:29:55 PM
Golf Club area: 1 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Curlew calling
Paul Risley said
Mon Feb 4 9:02 PM, 2019
5pm to 6pm
After 3 previous visits and drawing a blank each time tonight I had 6 Tawny Owls calling from various locations
2000+ Starlings coming in to roost in the reed beds at Aspull sough, female Sparrowhawk buzzed them at one point but was harassed by a Crow
Buzzard over
40 + Magpies roosting in the willow scrub
Paul Risley said
Mon Dec 31 11:09 AM, 2018
late post for yesterday
Water Rail, flushed near river Douglas, first from this area for me
Singles of Dipper, Heron, Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Buzzard
10 Mandarins
Andrew Cross said
Wed Dec 26 1:47 PM, 2018
On Christmas Day walking the dog along the canal towards the Top Lock, we spotted four Goosander (see photo). I know this area well and it is my first sighting of this species here (although they are quite often spotted on the nearby Wigan Flashes).
I also spotted:
one Kingfisher in flight;
one Collared Dove;
Mallard; and
three Moorhen.
-- Edited by Andrew Cross on Wednesday 26th of December 2018 02:02:17 PM
Lower Plantations to Pendlebury lane and back via lady Mabel's wood
1 Woodcock and 6 Snipe flushed from 1 of the fields, for the last few years this field has not held any Snipe on my visits, prior to that I use to flush 20 plus regularly with the help of a Spaniel
Pair of Willow tits feeding at one of the feeding stations in lady mabels wood
Male Kestrel showing well on Sennicar Lane some Meadow Pipits here too which can be hit an miss for this area
Good numbers of the usual residents but especially Redwings Blackbirds and Starlings, according to one of the residents on Pendlebury lane the Sparrow colony (both House and Tree) has had an exceptional year
Andrew Cross said
Sat Oct 20 3:45 PM, 2018
I went for a short walk with my dog in the Lower Plantations this morning. On the River Douglas in this area we spotted:
a pair of Mandarin (I believe this is the same pair that used to be regularly spotted on the canal, but now seem to occupy this area instead);
at least six or eight Mallard in the same group as the Mandarin mentioned above; and
one pair of Dipper. They were on one of the gravel banks before flying low over the centre of the river.
-- Edited by Andrew Cross on Saturday 20th of October 2018 03:52:15 PM
-- Edited by Andrew Cross on Saturday 20th of October 2018 05:14:41 PM
Dean Lanyon said
Thu Jun 28 1:55 PM, 2018
Just had a quick walk with the dog
3 grey wagtails , 1 pied wagtail , 2 jays , mute swan with 5 cygnets on board and quite a number of swallows on sennicar lane
Paul Risley said
Sun Jun 24 11:24 AM, 2018
couple of hours this morning checking on the raptors
first signs of droppings beneath the Sparrowhawks nest, also managed to witness a food pass
young Kestrels peering out of their nesthole due to fledge any day now
Buzzard hunting down the line allowing good views reluctant to move away as I passed
Paul Risley said
Tue May 29 9:54 PM, 2018
Late post from weekend
Tawny Owl being mobbed, a passer by told me it had taken a young Rabbit off the path 10 minutes earlier
Pair of Buzzards thermalling above nest site on private land
3 fledged Grey Wagtails on river bank
Sparrowhawks on territory
Jay feeding young in nest
Mandarins with single youngster on river
Nestboxes doing well, about 12 days difference between fledging dates though,
Blue tits 101 young with one nest not counted as adult brooding
Great Tits 13 young {I misidentified one of the nests containing eggs in my previous post)
Nuthatch 7 young
Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding young in nest
Also found a Blackbirds nest with five eggs at the base of a tree next to one of the nest boxes
-- Edited by Paul Risley on Tuesday 29th of May 2018 09:56:01 PM
Paul Risley said
Fri May 11 4:59 PM, 2018
A quick check of the nest boxes today, 19 boxes
17 in use by Blue tits, some with small young some with eggs
1 in use by Great Tits, small young in
1 in use by Nuthatches, again 7 small young,
also Treecreeper and Grey Wagtails feeding young in nests, Dippers appear to have been predated
Jimmy Meadows said
Wed Apr 25 9:04 PM, 2018
Today.
Common Sandpiper nr bridge 63
3 Buzzards
2 Raven over Lady Mabel's Wood
-- Edited by Jimmy Meadows on Wednesday 25th of April 2018 09:07:37 PM
Steve Judge said
Sat Apr 21 4:24 PM, 2018
Saturday, 21st April 2018 12:00 - 15:00 hrs.
Walk from Red Rock / Bridge 63 (Leeds/Liverpool Canal) - Sennicar Bridge - through Haigh Country Park - Lady Mabels Wood - along canal and return.
Blackcap x 1 Chiffchaff x 3 Willow Warbler x 1 Swallow x 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 Kestrel x 3 Buzzard x 2 Greenfinch x 3 (including 1 juvenile being fed) Tree Sparrow x 1 House Sparrow x 2 Coal Tit x 2 Treecreeper x 1 Song Thrush x 1 Grey Heron x 1 Lapwing x 2 Carrion Crow x 30 Jackdaw x 10 Starling x 4 Wren x 1 Goldfinch x 7 Blackbird x 4 Chaffinch x 3 Blue Tit x 8 Great Tit x 3 Robin x 1 Mallard x 2 Magpie x 4 Wood Pigeon x 9 Black-Headed Gull x 3 Canada Geese x 7
Paul Risley said
Sun Feb 18 7:04 PM, 2018
4 Mandarins, after not seeing none all winter, 4 possibly six show up.
2 Siskin in a 60+ charm of Goldfinches
3 Dippers chasing back and forth up the river
Single Buzzard
Single Treecreeper
Good numbers of Redwings and Starlings over
Cleaned out the nest boxes and added another 6 new Tit boxes to my nestbox scheme. whilst repairing another 9 boxes, on the way back to the car 4 Blue Tits were already inspecting one of the new boxes
Paul Risley said
Sat Feb 3 9:53 PM, 2018
As I got out of my car at the junction of Sennicar lane and Pendlebury lane a Female Kestrel flew from the undergrowth with a kill, looked like a small Mammal but as usual she has mastered the art of disappearing into the undergrowth. later on adult male and juvenile male hunting less than 100 yards from each other.
dippers paired up on Dougy
single Willow tit at feeding station
young Buzzard still hanging around, Adult also seen
single Willow tit at feeding station but I did not stay long
single Great spotted Woodpecker
No Mandarins around here for some time now in what has usually been a hot spot?
Paul Risley said
Sat Jan 20 1:23 PM, 2018
Nice morning despite the weather
Woodcock, 2 sightings but possibly same individual
Single Dipper
2 Kestrels, juvenile Male and a female that caught a small mammal whilst I was watching
2 Buzzards
2 Willow Tits at Lady Mabels feeding station, good numbers of Great, Blue and Long tailed tits there too, also of note there Male pheasant and 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Male 1 Female
Lesser Whitethroat - 1, possibly 2, at the usual spring spot at the canal bridge on Pendlebury Lane.
Whitethroat - 1 in same area
Raven - 2
House martin - 2
Swallow - 5
Also, Mandarins twice this month on River Douglas.
Originally posted today by Len Poxon:
Red Kite reported near junction of Meadow Pit Lane and Tuckers Hill Brow mid afternoon 25.05.2023
2 Common Terns flying around the canal at Pendlebury Lane bridge.
1 Lesser Whitethroat on 11th.
1 female wheatear off Sennicar Lane.
The cuckoo noise is coming from a speaker on the crazy golf course. There's also ducks and frogs emanating from there
.
A Cuckoo was calling as we got out of the car at the car park this morning at 08:45.
Walk from Red Rock / Bridge 63 (Leeds/Liverpool Canal) - along canal to Haigh Country Park - back through Lady Mabel Wood - along canal and return.
I heard what sounded just like a cuckoo calling in Haigh Country Park today. But I cannot believe one has returned this early. Please let me know if anyone else hears one in this area.
Tawny Owl (1) (heard briefly)
Marsh Harrier (1)
Buzzard (3)
Kestrel (1)
Raven (2)
Nuthatch (2)
Coal Tit (3)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) (heard)
Reed Bunting (1)
Song Thrush (2)
Mistle Thrush (1)
Wren (3)
Pied Wagtail (1)
Jay (2)
1 Green Woodpecker calling and seen at Brock Mill Lane which is almost in Wigan central area. 1st I've heard or seen in Wigan borough apart from very rarely at Haigh Hall.
2 Whinchats on the dung heap at Sennicar Lane (My first in the area), 1 Stonechat, Meadow Pipits, Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk. 2 Willow Tits nearby.
1 f Wheatear on the dung heap off Sennicar Lane.
-- Edited by Karl Bishop on Tuesday 26th of April 2022 09:24:12 PM
2 adult Mediterranean gulls on fields off Sennicar Lane near the big dung heap. First ones I have seen in this area.
1 Raven sat on the post, unusually close.
1 pair Mandarin Ducks on river Douglas on Wingates Road, first there in over 3 years.
Green Woodpecker been calling next to Haigh C.P car park recently. First one I've had in the area.
3 Golden Plover off Pendlebury Lane: First ones I've seen in the area.
15+ Meadow Pipit
20+ Redwing
2 Stock Dove
3 Bullfinch, Linnets, Siskins.
Those chick-carrying thighs probably helped
Blimey! - thats some skilful flying by the Woodcock!
1 Woodcock flew over while having a coffee at Haigh Hall.
Leeds/Liverpool Canal (Bridge 63 / Red Rock) - Haigh Upper Plantations including bird viewing screen (and filled up bird feeds and bird table) - through Haigh Country Park - bridge over River Douglas - Lower Plantations - Plantation Gates - turned right on to short stretch of A49 (Wigan Road) - right at Leyland Mill Lane - Hall Lane - Lady Mabel's Wood - return via Leeds/Liverpool Canal.
Kingfisher x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Mistle Thrush x 1
Pied Wagtail x 1
Nuthatch x 2
Goldfinch x 5
Robin x 5
Blackbird x 4
Wren x 2
Black-Headed Gulls x 10
Jay x 2
Magpie x 5
Carrion Crow x 10
Moorhen x 4 (including 2 juveniles)
Mallard x 14
Woodpigeon x 50
Great Tit x 5
Blue Tit x 4
Chaffinch x 2
Coal Tit x 2
Pheasant x 4
Red Rock - Leeds/Liverpool Canal - Lady Mabel's Wood - Hall Lane - short stretch A49 (Wigan Road) - Haigh Lower Plantations - section of River Douglas trail - Haigh Upper Plantations - return via Leeds/Liverpool Canal
Grasshopper Warbler x 1 (reeling in Lady Mabel's Wood)
Common Tern x 1
Greenfinch x 2
Whitethroat x 2 (including one juvenile)
Curlew x 1
Chiffchaff x 4
Song Thrush x 2
Mistle Thrush x 1
Grey Wagtail x 5 (including one juvenile)
Pied Wagtail x 1 juvenile
Buzzard x 3
Kestrel x 2
Nuthatch x 1
Goldfinch x 10
House Sparrow x 1
Robin x 1
Blackbird x 4
2 x Mute Swan adults (plus 7 cygnets) and
2 x Mute Swan adults (plus 5 cygnets)
Wren x 3
Black-Headed Gulls x 50
Swallow x 5
Swift x 2
House Martin x 7
Magpie x 7
Carrion Crow x 9
Moorhen x 2
Mallard x 10 adults plus 6 ducklings
Lesser Black-Backed Gull x 1
Woodpigeon x 15
Did a round of my nestboxes today, all 19 boxes have been used with Blue tits occupying ten of them and now have 59 young close to fledging, Great tits are occupying 7 boxes with 33 young close to fledging and one box the adult was still brooding so I left it alone, 2 boxes are being used by Nuthatches and they have 13 young close to fledging.
One of the Blue tit boxes had been pulled down however the culprits on discovering young in the box placed it in the fork of 2 branches in a nearby tree and thankfully the adults have continued to feed the 7 young. Nearby Willow tit feeding young in the nest and a Sparrowhawk incubating
1 possibly 2 Lesser Whitethroats calling and showing well along the canal. 1st time I've seen them in the area.
Sennicar Lane and canal: Grasshopper Warbler calling (1st of the year for me), 1 Whitethroat, Pair of Gadwall (1st I've seen on the canal)
Grasshopper Warbler this morning Lady Mabels Wood usual area , as in previous years
Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler only other migrants seen
Karl
An hour this morning around the lower plantations: 1 great spotted woodpecker drumming, 1 treecreeper, 3 or 4 nuthatch and a good mixed flock of goldfinch and siskin. No sign of dipper or mandarin ducks.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 11th of January 2020 10:05:06 PM
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 8th of January 2020 06:37:02 PM
2 possibly 3 Woodcock flushed, one might have been a reflush
2 Dippers chasing each other constantly
6 Mandarin
singles of Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron and Treecreeper
good numbers of Titmice and Redwings
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 1st of December 2019 10:33:17 PM
Late news for yesterday
Lady Mabels Wood
Garden Warbler singing and seen briefly
Grasshopper Warbler reeling in juncus fields adj Lady Mabels Wood.
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 17th of April 2019 06:29:55 PM
River Douglas: 3 Mandarin Ducks on the bank
Sennicar Lane: 1p Stonechat, 1 Curlew, 1f Sparrowhawk, cca 5 Meadow Pipits
River Douglas: 5m+3f Mandarin Duck
Golf Club area: 1 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Curlew calling
5pm to 6pm
After 3 previous visits and drawing a blank each time tonight I had 6 Tawny Owls calling from various locations
2000+ Starlings coming in to roost in the reed beds at Aspull sough, female Sparrowhawk buzzed them at one point but was harassed by a Crow
Buzzard over
40 + Magpies roosting in the willow scrub
late post for yesterday
Water Rail, flushed near river Douglas, first from this area for me
Singles of Dipper, Heron, Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Buzzard
10 Mandarins
On Christmas Day walking the dog along the canal towards the Top Lock, we spotted four Goosander (see photo). I know this area well and it is my first sighting of this species here (although they are quite often spotted on the nearby Wigan Flashes).
I also spotted:
-- Edited by Andrew Cross on Wednesday 26th of December 2018 02:02:17 PM
Lower Plantations to Pendlebury lane and back via lady Mabel's wood
1 Woodcock and 6 Snipe flushed from 1 of the fields, for the last few years this field has not held any Snipe on my visits, prior to that I use to flush 20 plus regularly with the help of a Spaniel
Pair of Willow tits feeding at one of the feeding stations in lady mabels wood
Male Kestrel showing well on Sennicar Lane some Meadow Pipits here too which can be hit an miss for this area
Good numbers of the usual residents but especially Redwings Blackbirds and Starlings, according to one of the residents on Pendlebury lane the Sparrow colony (both House and Tree) has had an exceptional year
I went for a short walk with my dog in the Lower Plantations this morning. On the River Douglas in this area we spotted:
-- Edited by Andrew Cross on Saturday 20th of October 2018 03:52:15 PM
-- Edited by Andrew Cross on Saturday 20th of October 2018 05:14:41 PM
Just had a quick walk with the dog
3 grey wagtails , 1 pied wagtail , 2 jays , mute swan with 5 cygnets on board and quite a number of swallows on sennicar lane
couple of hours this morning checking on the raptors
first signs of droppings beneath the Sparrowhawks nest, also managed to witness a food pass
young Kestrels peering out of their nesthole due to fledge any day now
Buzzard hunting down the line allowing good views reluctant to move away as I passed
Late post from weekend
Tawny Owl being mobbed, a passer by told me it had taken a young Rabbit off the path 10 minutes earlier
Pair of Buzzards thermalling above nest site on private land
3 fledged Grey Wagtails on river bank
Sparrowhawks on territory
Jay feeding young in nest
Mandarins with single youngster on river
Nestboxes doing well, about 12 days difference between fledging dates though,
Blue tits 101 young with one nest not counted as adult brooding
Great Tits 13 young {I misidentified one of the nests containing eggs in my previous post)
Nuthatch 7 young
Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding young in nest
Also found a Blackbirds nest with five eggs at the base of a tree next to one of the nest boxes
-- Edited by Paul Risley on Tuesday 29th of May 2018 09:56:01 PM
A quick check of the nest boxes today, 19 boxes
17 in use by Blue tits, some with small young some with eggs
1 in use by Great Tits, small young in
1 in use by Nuthatches, again 7 small young,
also Treecreeper and Grey Wagtails feeding young in nests, Dippers appear to have been predated
Today.
Common Sandpiper nr bridge 63
3 Buzzards
2 Raven over Lady Mabel's Wood
-- Edited by Jimmy Meadows on Wednesday 25th of April 2018 09:07:37 PM
Walk from Red Rock / Bridge 63 (Leeds/Liverpool Canal) - Sennicar Bridge - through Haigh Country Park - Lady Mabels Wood - along canal and return.
Blackcap x 1
Chiffchaff x 3
Willow Warbler x 1
Swallow x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Kestrel x 3
Buzzard x 2
Greenfinch x 3 (including 1 juvenile being fed)
Tree Sparrow x 1
House Sparrow x 2
Coal Tit x 2
Treecreeper x 1
Song Thrush x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Lapwing x 2
Carrion Crow x 30
Jackdaw x 10
Starling x 4
Wren x 1
Goldfinch x 7
Blackbird x 4
Chaffinch x 3
Blue Tit x 8
Great Tit x 3
Robin x 1
Mallard x 2
Magpie x 4
Wood Pigeon x 9
Black-Headed Gull x 3
Canada Geese x 7
4 Mandarins, after not seeing none all winter, 4 possibly six show up.
2 Siskin in a 60+ charm of Goldfinches
3 Dippers chasing back and forth up the river
Single Buzzard
Single Treecreeper
Good numbers of Redwings and Starlings over
Cleaned out the nest boxes and added another 6 new Tit boxes to my nestbox scheme. whilst repairing another 9 boxes, on the way back to the car 4 Blue Tits were already inspecting one of the new boxes
As I got out of my car at the junction of Sennicar lane and Pendlebury lane a Female Kestrel flew from the undergrowth with a kill, looked like a small Mammal but as usual she has mastered the art of disappearing into the undergrowth. later on adult male and juvenile male hunting less than 100 yards from each other.
dippers paired up on Dougy
single Willow tit at feeding station
young Buzzard still hanging around, Adult also seen
single Willow tit at feeding station but I did not stay long
single Great spotted Woodpecker
No Mandarins around here for some time now in what has usually been a hot spot?
Nice morning despite the weather
Woodcock, 2 sightings but possibly same individual
Single Dipper
2 Kestrels, juvenile Male and a female that caught a small mammal whilst I was watching
2 Buzzards
2 Willow Tits at Lady Mabels feeding station, good numbers of Great, Blue and Long tailed tits there too, also of note there Male pheasant and 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Male 1 Female
Male Bullfinch
2 Siskins in with a charm of Goldfinches
Single Raven over