BICKERSHAW COUNTRY PARK (formerly Bickershaw Rucks)
Gordon Newman said
Thu Sep 19 5:43 PM, 2024
A slow walk from 08.15 to New Water and back, might have produced a few more birds, both species as well as total numbers, had I not been stopped 3 times by people wanting to talk ... Birds noted included 3 Common Snipe, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap , 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, a number of Meadow Pipit as well as the usual mix of Tits & Finch species.
Gordon Newman said
Fri Sep 6 5:47 PM, 2024
Some recent highlights beginning with the most recent.
06/09/24 06.45 - 09.15
1 Tree Pipit over South ,1 Reed Warbler , 4 Cettis Warbler, 5 Little Egret , 5 Shoveler.
04/09/24 07.00 - 09.45
2 Tree Pipit, down on Ruck then left SW together, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Cettis Warbler, 2 Kingfisher.
01/09/24 15.30 - 16.15
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Tit, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Nuthatch.
31/08/24 07.30 - 09.00
2 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Nuthatch.
ALL OBSERVATIONS RELATE TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PARK!
Kevin Forde said
Sat Jun 15 2:44 PM, 2024
Grasshopper warbler
Sedge warbler
Reed bunting
Wren
Bullfinch
Common whitethroat
Jay
Goldfinch
Buzzard
dave broome said
Sat Jun 15 8:30 AM, 2024
Friday 14th June A Little Egret flew off the site by Diggle Flash and north over Bickershaw Lane
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jun 2 6:00 PM, 2024
Yesterday evening up to 9pm, 5 Grasshopper Warblers and a male Cuckoo.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Scott robinson said
Sat May 18 5:26 PM, 2024
2pm to 5pm
Most of the site apart from the Diggle Flash end.
Of Note,
15+ Willow Warbler 10+ Common Whitethroat 8 Chiffchaff 6 Blackcap 5 Reed Warbler 2 Sedge Warbler 2 Skylark 2 Bullfinch 5 Reed Bunting 4 Cettis Warbler, all heard only 1 Grasshopper Warbler, heard only 1 Garden Warbler, singing gloriously for 10 minutes but couldn't find the bugger, Nevisons Flash end. 1 Kestrel 2 Little Egret 1 Water Rail Great Crested Grebe, Coot and Moorhen with youngsters. 2 Shoveler C30 Swift
Ian McKerchar said
Tue May 7 9:23 PM, 2024
Cuckoo late afternoon today on the west side of New Water, also two Little Egrets.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Kevin Forde said
Sat May 4 7:01 PM, 2024
Jay
Reed bunting
Whitethroat
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Willow warbler
Swift (overhead)
Cuckoo (heard only)
Tree sparrow
Grasshopper warbler
Reed warbler
Magpie
Kevin Forde said
Sat Apr 27 3:20 PM, 2024
Male Marsh Harrier
Simon Gough said
Sun Apr 21 10:44 PM, 2024
Sunday 21st April 8.30-13.00
Hadn't been here for ages but fancied looking for spring arrivals somewhere interesting and had an excellent morning
Grasshopper Warbler Whinchat Marsh Harrier Little Egret plus Cetti's, Sedge and 4 other warbler species, Reed Buntings, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Bullfinch, 41 species altogether without really grilling the place
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Apr 20 10:16 AM, 2024
Grasshopper Warbler reeling by Fir Tree Flash this morning.
Scott robinson said
Sun Mar 17 2:14 PM, 2024
Back home from Mull for a couple of days,
11 till 13.30
Riddled with Crossers and Quads!!
29 Tufted Duck 2 Great Crested Grebes 2 Teal 4 Gadwall 6 Goldeneye 1 Water Rail 1 Little Egret C60 Mixed Flock of Fieldfare, Redwing and Mistle Thrush (New Water) 1 Cettis Warbler, heard only (New Water) 1 Kestrel 6 Redpoll 2 Reed Bunting 3 Skylark 2 Song Thrush 6 Buzzard
8 Chiffchaff on site
-- Edited by Scott robinson on Sunday 17th of March 2024 03:40:30 PM
Immature male or female Marsh Harrier hunting around 1:15pm, also Willow Tit, 3 Stonechat, 80 Redwing and 5 Fieldfare. At Diggle Flash 2 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye and 34 Tufted Ducks.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 30 6:32 PM, 2023
Bittern sun bathing in the NE reeds of Diggle Flash at 2:55 then moved into cover. Also a drake Pochard, female Goldeneye, 30+Tufted Duck and a Willow Tit.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 12 8:21 PM, 2023
At least 1200 Starlings in the evening roost, seen flying around above the country park from the south shore of Pennington Flash at dusk.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 17 12:29 PM, 2023
A Red Kite flew low over being mobbed, then flew off high above Hindley Green at 10:35
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Scott robinson said
Sun Jun 11 3:04 PM, 2023
Few hours this morning, nice to be back on the old patch! The sites looking good.
As aforementioned the White Tailed Lapwing was giving excellent views this morning in the, at times, very heavy showers.
Couldn't hang around as had a meeting in Liverpool, but other birds seen included Reed Warbler, Kestrel, 3 Swift, Common Buzzard, Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and Blackcap.
Cracking find. Thanks. Couple of pictures attached.
Just an update from birders on site, the White-tailed Lapwing was showing well at 12,30 so still threre but tad wet bird and birders .
Keep Birding
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 30 7:15 AM, 2022
White-tailed Plover still present at 07:10
Info thanks to Ian Campbell
Gordon Newman said
Mon May 30 6:50 AM, 2022
No sign of White - tailed Lapwing from 04.30 - 06.00 at which point heavy rain began and I made a hasty retreat back home.
Gordon Newman said
Sun May 29 10:28 PM, 2022
Cheers Simon and John. I still have not recorded Cuckoo this year on rucks so I will look out for it tomorrow.
Simon Warford said
Sun May 29 10:22 PM, 2022
White-tailed Lapwing still 9.20pm, also Cuckoo, 2 Cettis Warbler, 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Amazing bird for GM and incredible find Gordon, congratulations!
Gordon Newman said
Sun May 29 10:06 PM, 2022
White-tailed Lapwing still present @ 2045
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 29 9:47 PM, 2022
Not that it was ever in doubt I suppose but feather wear and abrasion on the wing coverts (particularly on the right wing) of the recent Rimac, Lincolnshire (and elsewhere on the East coast) White-tailed Lapwing and today's fabulous new county addition are one and the same. Interesting movement!
JOHN TYMON said
Sun May 29 8:26 PM, 2022
White-tailed Lapwing showing well at 19.15
Well done to Gordon for a great find on his patch
Steven Nelson said
Sun May 29 6:37 PM, 2022
White-tailed Lapwing showing well at 17.15
Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing well along the path 3 Cettis Warbler heard
dave broome said
Sun May 29 5:48 PM, 2022
Just in case it helps for folk not familiar with the site. Parking is usually best on Common Lane, cross back over Plank Lane and enter the site via the black metal horse gate. Follow the stone footpath past Nevison Flash reedbed on your left, then through a wooded section, before the path swings right and uphill to overlook the scrapes. Congratulations to Gordon for an amazing find.
1 Cettis Warbler singing
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 29 4:14 PM, 2022
White-tailed Lapwing still present at 16:10.
Directions as below, please view only from the footpath.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 29 2:51 PM, 2022
White-tailed Lapwing still present at 14:50, showing intermittently through the trees, please view ONLY from the footpath.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 29 2:09 PM, 2022
WHITE-TAILED PLOVER (W-t Lapwing if you like) on New Water, easiest access via Plank Lane /Common Lane, walk past Nevison's Flash, through the tree line then view the water slightly to your left below top ruck. Still showing at 14:05.
Info thanks to Gordon Newman
Gordon Newman said
Thu May 26 1:55 PM, 2022
Pair of Pochard still present on Nevison's Flash this morning.
1 Grey Wagtail by t he completed drainage barriers by Plank Lane entrance.
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Thursday 26th of May 2022 02:00:29 PM
Gordon Newman said
Mon May 23 11:58 AM, 2022
Pair of Pochard on Nevison's Flash this morning was a bit of a surprise
Grasshopper warbler
Sedge warbler
Reed bunting
Wren
Bullfinch
Common whitethroat
Jay
Goldfinch
Buzzard
Yesterday evening up to 9pm, 5 Grasshopper Warblers and a male Cuckoo.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Most of the site apart from the Diggle Flash end.
Of Note,
15+ Willow Warbler
10+ Common Whitethroat
8 Chiffchaff
6 Blackcap
5 Reed Warbler
2 Sedge Warbler
2 Skylark
2 Bullfinch
5 Reed Bunting
4 Cettis Warbler, all heard only
1 Grasshopper Warbler, heard only
1 Garden Warbler, singing gloriously for 10 minutes but couldn't find the bugger, Nevisons Flash end.
1 Kestrel
2 Little Egret
1 Water Rail
Great Crested Grebe, Coot and Moorhen with youngsters.
2 Shoveler
C30 Swift
Cuckoo late afternoon today on the west side of New Water, also two Little Egrets.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Hadn't been here for ages but fancied looking for spring arrivals somewhere interesting and had an excellent morning
Grasshopper Warbler
Whinchat
Marsh Harrier
Little Egret
plus
Cetti's, Sedge and 4 other warbler species, Reed Buntings, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Bullfinch, 41 species altogether without really grilling the place
Grasshopper Warbler reeling by Fir Tree Flash this morning.
11 till 13.30
Riddled with Crossers and Quads!!
29 Tufted Duck
2 Great Crested Grebes
2 Teal
4 Gadwall
6 Goldeneye
1 Water Rail
1 Little Egret
C60 Mixed Flock of Fieldfare, Redwing and Mistle Thrush (New Water)
1 Cettis Warbler, heard only (New Water)
1 Kestrel
6 Redpoll
2 Reed Bunting
3 Skylark
2 Song Thrush
6 Buzzard
8 Chiffchaff on site
-- Edited by Scott robinson on Sunday 17th of March 2024 03:40:30 PM
Immature male or female Marsh Harrier hunting around 1:15pm, also Willow Tit, 3 Stonechat, 80 Redwing and 5 Fieldfare. At Diggle Flash 2 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye and 34 Tufted Ducks.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Bittern sun bathing in the NE reeds of Diggle Flash at 2:55 then moved into cover. Also a drake Pochard, female Goldeneye, 30+Tufted Duck and a Willow Tit.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
At least 1200 Starlings in the evening roost, seen flying around above the country park from the south shore of Pennington Flash at dusk.
A Red Kite flew low over being mobbed, then flew off high above Hindley Green at 10:35
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Of Note,
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Cettis Warbler
9 Willow Warbler
4 Chiffchaff
7 Reed Warbler
3 Sedge Warbler
11 Whitethroat
5 Reed Bunting
1 Kestrel
1 Male Bullfinch
1 Female Whinchat
Female Cuckoo and Cettis Warbler present this morning near to Higher Hall flash.
Early afternoon produced a single Woodcock, Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Water Rail, 2 Snipe and 2 Buzzards.
14:15 to 16:45 - Nevison Flash entrance to Fir Tree Flash & back.
Jay x 5
Buzzard x 2
Kestrel x 2
Pheasant x 2
Great Crested Grebe x 2 plus 1 juvenile
Cormorant
Gadwall
Shoveler
Goldfinch
Long-Tailed Tit
& a Green Sandpiper flushed from the path between the reeds at Nevison Flash.
Heron
Blue tit
Great tit
Willow warbler
Reed bunting
Kestrel
Raven
Goldfinch
Buzzards (seven in the sky at once) my highlight.
Garden Warbler singing away
Looks like the plover has flown over to Woolston Eyes
Ahh explains why incouldnt find ot approx 1900 ish last night! Thought it be hiding away due to the large amount of dirt bikes tearing around!
ah well one for another time
Did come across a Reed Warbler ive never seen before which is a bonus :)
-- Edited by JonathanGallagher on Tuesday 31st of May 2022 05:20:18 PM
-- Edited by JonathanGallagher on Tuesday 31st of May 2022 07:24:04 PM
-- Edited by pete berry on Tuesday 31st of May 2022 03:19:34 PM
No sign of the White-failed Plover so far today.
White-Tailed Plover still showing well from 3pm to 4-30pm but fairly mobile & quite distant at times.
Couple of pics in poor light attached
As aforementioned the White Tailed Lapwing was giving excellent views this morning in the, at times, very heavy showers.
Couldn't hang around as had a meeting in Liverpool, but other birds seen included Reed Warbler, Kestrel, 3 Swift, Common Buzzard, Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and Blackcap.
Cracking find. Thanks. Couple of pictures attached.
Showed very well, better than my visit to blacktoft
Just an update from birders on site, the White-tailed Lapwing was showing well at 12,30 so still threre but tad wet bird and birders .
Keep Birding
White-tailed Plover still present at 07:10
Info thanks to Ian Campbell
I still have not recorded Cuckoo this year on rucks so I will look out for it tomorrow.
Not that it was ever in doubt I suppose but feather wear and abrasion on the wing coverts (particularly on the right wing) of the recent Rimac, Lincolnshire (and elsewhere on the East coast) White-tailed Lapwing and today's fabulous new county addition are one and the same. Interesting movement!
White-tailed Lapwing showing well at 19.15
Well done to Gordon for a great find on his patch
Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing well along the path
3 Cettis Warbler heard
1 Cettis Warbler singing
White-tailed Lapwing still present at 16:10.
Directions as below, please view only from the footpath.
White-tailed Lapwing still present at 14:50, showing intermittently through the trees, please view ONLY from the footpath.
WHITE-TAILED PLOVER (W-t Lapwing if you like) on New Water, easiest access via Plank Lane /Common Lane, walk past Nevison's Flash, through the tree line then view the water slightly to your left below top ruck. Still showing at 14:05.
Info thanks to Gordon Newman
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Thursday 26th of May 2022 02:00:29 PM
Hobby over playing field @ 11.45
40 + Swift
15+ House Martin
1 Garden Warbler
3 Whinchat - 2m -1f 11.22 am 4th may
1 m today 1-33pm
reported by Kevin Forde