Late post from yesterday afternoon at Houghton Green Pool.
Shoveler 5 Little grebe 2 Tufted duck 5 Black headed gull 50
In surrounding vegetation:
Long tailed tit 10 Robin singing Buzzard
John Williams said
Mon Feb 1 1:34 PM, 2021
Morning walk.
6 Skylarks along the path from Delph Lane and 4 Reed Buntings in an adjoining hedge.
A Buzzard sat on a garden wall overlooking the path and hedge.
The pool was largely frozen, although a pair of Coots had found a small unfrozen patch, whilst a Common Gull
and 76 Black headed Gulls rested on the ice.
The extensive area of young sallows and birches which now cover much of the site, plus a small mature copse nearby produced
the following sightings, 2 Goldcrests, 1f Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a flock of 15 Long tailed Tits, a group of 17 Rooks,
a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a charm of 4 Goldfinches.
On the fields West of Delph Lane were 2 flocks of Lapwings (146+210), who seemed very anxious about the presence of a Carrion Crow.
Also on the fields were a single Grey Heron and a group of 4 Mistle Thrushes.
John Williams said
Mon Jan 18 10:14 PM, 2021
Around midday.
Since rambles have to taken within the borough at the moment, I opted to check out this site again.
It was pretty much butterflies galore on my visit last summer, but what sightings would a winter visit produce?.
The path from across the field from Delph Lane was very muddy, although the reward was the sighting of 1 Green Woodpecker,
a flock of 9 Skylarks plus 6 Meadow Pipits, 1 Stock Dove and a single Buzzard.
A small pool still remains at the centre of the site, although there were no birds on it, and much disturbance from dog walkers.
Amongst the surrounding willows were a flock of 10 Long tailed Tits, whilst a solitary Kestrel hovered over the banking.
John Williams said
Sun Jul 12 1:36 PM, 2020
09.00-10.30
I have not visited this site for several years, so I thought I'd see what state the pool is currently in?.
It is now very much overgrown and reverting to woodland, mainly willow and birch.
There is still a tennis court sized shallow pool there, which looks fine for attracting passage waders, but people are camping on the site,
and it is very popular with dog walkers and families. So there is little chance of any waders settling there for more than a few moments.
A couple of Common Whitethroat and Willow Warbler familes were seen along the edge of the site. A single Willow Warbler was still in full song.
6 Rooks soared high above the pool, a single Linnet rested on nearby overhead wires, whilst a few Swallows and Swifts swooped low across the site.
-- Edited by John Williams on Sunday 12th of July 2020 01:52:46 PM
Phil Oddy said
Sat Oct 5 9:21 AM, 2019
Any sign this morning?
John Watson said
Sat Oct 5 8:36 AM, 2019
Bumped into Colin Davies, who heard the Yellow-browed Warbler just before I arrived, mid pm, just W of that gate. Couldn't find it myself before the light went, but a few Redwings & Blackbirds drifting through, possible Fieldfare too. Also, Treecreeper, Goldcrest & small flock of Long-Tailed Tits
-- Edited by John Watson on Saturday 5th of October 2019 08:40:15 AM
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Oct 4 3:19 PM, 2019
Yellow- Browed Warbler seen twice this afternoon in SE corner Hawthorne Hedge by the small wooden gate . Very Illusive,call very quiet so assume it could be a 1st Winter bird.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Oct 4 10:33 AM, 2019
RBA reports a Yellow-browed Warbler here this morning,in willows on the east bank, wonder if anyone on here had any further info?
JOHN TYMON said
Wed Jun 26 10:58 AM, 2019
1 Avocet last night late found by Elliot Monteath. No sign this morning
JOHN TYMON said
Thu Apr 18 9:02 PM, 2019
2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Yellow Wagtail today
JOHN TYMON said
Thu Apr 11 3:49 PM, 2019
2 teal and plenty lapwings on eggs in surrounding fields were the only things of note this afternoon
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Apr 5 3:57 PM, 2019
Not much of note apart from 10 Stock Dove and 4 Teal ,the pool a shadow of its former self .
JOHN TYMON said
Thu Mar 21 1:10 PM, 2019
Little bit of water in the pool this morning about 50 yards wide but dropping fast so potential in the next few weeks for migrants 12 Teal Present today
Rob Smith said
Thu Oct 18 5:37 PM, 2018
Great day for a stroll around one of my local patches to find out what's dropped in. Pool reduced to a mere puddle so no action there but managed to record 32 species nonetheless. All the usual's but of interest
Corn Bunting - 2 Tree Sparrow - 3 Nuthatch - 1 Grey Partridge - 18 Redwing & Fieldfare - a few of each around the area
On the lookout for Yellow browed Warbler as it has been here in the past but no luck today!
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Apr 6 2:46 PM, 2018
pm
Swallow- 8
Sand Martin - 30+
House Martin-1
Peregrine- 2 High over in display flight
Little Grebe-2
Tufted Duck-8
Teal-16
JOHN TYMON said
Thu Apr 5 9:22 PM, 2018
pm
Little Grebe- 1 pair
Tufted Duck-12
Teal-12
Chiffchaff-2
Willow Warbler-1
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Mar 26 3:03 PM, 2018
AM
Teal-23
Shoveler-8
Chiffchaff-2
Common Snipe-1
Tufted Duck-8
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Mar 24 3:41 PM, 2018
Today
Redshank-1
Teal-19
Shoveler-18
Tufted Duck-8
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Mar 23 3:19 PM, 2018
PM
Shoveler-32 (record for here for me)
Teal- 14
great crested Grebe-1 Pair (not seen any on here for years)
Little Grebe-1
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Mar 11 1:46 PM, 2018
of note this afternoon
Shoveler-24 (possibly record number for here)
Teal-12
Tufted Duck-10
Goldeneye-1 f
Buzzard-5
Lapwing-3
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Feb 11 2:14 PM, 2018
some water back in the pool after a wet spell and a few birds this afternoon
Shoveler-8
Wigeon-4
Tufted Duck -4
Pochard-1
Mallard-10
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Sep 22 5:37 PM, 2017
Also called into my old patch that is no more Houghton Green Flash which has more or less gone now a once great bird site that was a site of special interest ,is now a site of no interest ,and the people who allowed that place to be drained ,should be totally ashamed of themselves is so sad to see it now . 5 Mallard waddling in the muddy patch that's left :(
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Mar 31 7:57 PM, 2017
PM
Gadwall- 2 Male
Teal-8
Great Crested Grebe-1
Tufted Duck-5
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Mar 31 7:50 PM, 2017
PM
Gadwall- 2 Male
Teal-8
Great Crested Grebe-1
Tufted Duck-5
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Mar 24 7:48 PM, 2017
pm
Pochard-4
Tufted Duck-6
Cormorant-1
Teal-18
Gadwall-4
Buzzard-4
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Mar 17 4:17 PM, 2017
PM
Goldeneye- 1 Female
Gadwall-10
Teal-6
Tufted Duck- 8
Pochard-1 Female
Mallard-9
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Mar 11 6:59 PM, 2017
Pochard -3
Tufted Duck-4
as predicted in the silver lane thread no Wigeon. most likely disturbed by dog walkers looking at how many were on site when I arrived .
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Feb 14 4:13 PM, 2017
Originally posted today by Ray Banks:
Had a quick walk round Houghton Green Pool around mid day, had a few bits and pieces there which were
Wigeon x 17
Teal x 24
Tufted Duck x 2
Mallard x 8
Great Crested Grebe x 1
Buzzard x 1
Black-headed Gull x 122
Common Gull x 3
Magpie x 4
Carrion Crow x 4
Skylark x 2
Wren x 2
Blackbird x 4
Dunnock x 3
Meadow Pipit x 20+
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Jan 8 6:47 PM, 2017
AM
12 Wigeon ,3 Mute Swans,3 Common Gulls and 40 Black Headed Gulls.
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Dec 27 4:43 PM, 2016
PM
Wigeon-36
Tufted Duck- 4
Common Gull- 2
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Nov 19 6:02 PM, 2016
PM
Wigeon-41 (highest number for quite a while)
Mallard-62
Tufted Duck-1
Teal-4
Grey Wagtail-1
Buzzard-1
Fieldfare-30
Redwing-40
Goldcrest-2
Goldfinch-15
Linnet-5
Lapwing- 50 on wester Fields
Kestrel-1
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Nov 18 8:15 PM, 2016
Always more on a friday than any other day,and how the birds drift back after being disturbed at the weekend im not sure,but today there were good numbers on the pool.
Wigeon-33
Mallard-68
Cormorant-3
Teal -8
Little Grebe-1
Shoveler-1 Female
Pied Wagtail-6
colin davies said
Sun Nov 13 6:52 PM, 2016
Green sandpiper 1
Wigeon 24
Teal 3
Cormorant 1
There was a lot of disturbance today, in fact the green sandpiper was flushed by a dog almost as soon as I saw it.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Nov 6 5:31 PM, 2016
p
Little Grebe-1
Wigeon-18
Teal-14
Mallard-48
Common Gull- 1 Adult
Redwing-50+
Fieldfare-20
Blackbird - 20+(migrants)
Pied Wagtail -3
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Nov 4 7:19 PM, 2016
pm
Wigeon-10
Teal-10
Mallard-27
Lapwing-80
Redwing-75
Fieldfare-45
John O'Neill said
Sun Oct 23 7:54 PM, 2016
Yellow Browed Warbler showing very well in willows as described in earlier posts. Mobile and vocal. 8:30 ish this morning.
Great find, Colin.
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Oct 22 6:35 PM, 2016
Yellow Browed Warbler- 1 still there at 3.30 pm today ,about 30 feet west of the main entrance first in the willows then flew across to the hedge.
Teal -6
Lapwing-52
Kestrel- 1
Grey Heron-1
chiffchaff-1
Long Tailed Tit-23
Buzzard-2
Grey Partridge- 4
Noctule Bat -1 flying round like a bird of prey catching insects
colin davies said
Mon Oct 17 11:48 AM, 2016
Yellow-browed warbler still this morning, also 1 greenshank & 10 wigeon.
colin davies said
Sun Oct 16 8:57 PM, 2016
12:30 - 14:30
Greenshank 1 (present on & off for at least 54 days now! Assuming it's the same bird).
Peregrine 1 adult, took a teal in flight.
Wigeon 4
Tufted ducks 2
Nuthatch 1 in woods north of pool.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Oct 16 6:32 PM, 2016
Pm Yellow Browed Warbler- 1 (still in the sw corner,showed well for a short while) Wigeon-4 Teal-4 Buzzard-4
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 16th of October 2016 07:51:09 PM
Rob Smith said
Sun Oct 16 5:34 PM, 2016
From yesterday.
John - Only 9 Grey Partridge left now.
As the flock flew back low from the adjacent field & just as they touched the ground a buzzard - timing it to perfection, came in low from the side and took one of them. Following a bit of mantling over the bird it then flew off towards the woods with it !
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Oct 15 5:53 PM, 2016
Widgeon- 3 only left today Teal-8 Lapwing-12 Yellow- Browed Warbler- 1 still present seen for longer periods today,but still impossible to get a full bird shot has it spends its time deep in the willows it was still present at 4pm Buzzard-4 Kestrel-2 Grey Partridge-10
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Oct 14 5:20 PM, 2016
AM/PM Yellow Browed Warbler- still present at 3.30pm showed twice for about 20 seconds in 6 hours today, not an easy bird to find in all that willow scrub. Wigeon - 17 Raven-1 over east Grey Partridge -15 Teal-8 Redwing 15 Grey Wagtail -1 ,Green Sandpiper-1
--
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 15th of October 2016 06:35:49 AM
No sign of yellow browed warbler from 11 to 1 30. Chris
colin davies said
Thu Oct 13 1:09 PM, 2016
Yellow-browed warbler still this morning, showing well and calling frequently for about 5 minutes at about 9:15. It was in the willow scrub in the corner near Cloverdell. Also on the pool, green sandpiper, 16 wigeon, 8 teal and 5 swallows over.
Yellow-browed warbler still this morning, calling in the hedge near Cloverdell. There was also a male ring ouzel in the same hedge. On the pool, green sandpiper and 17 wigeon, also 200 pink-footed geese over east.
colin davies said
Tue Oct 11 4:08 PM, 2016
Yellow-browed warbler still present in the same place with long-tailed tits at 15:30.
colin davies said
Tue Oct 11 11:26 AM, 2016
Yellow-browed warbler this morning in sycamores in the hedge near Cloverdell with a flock of long-tailed tits. Quite showy but didn't call once. On the pool 14 wigeon, 70 lapwings, 69 black-headed gulls, 3 cormorants and about 50 mallard. Also a single swallow over. Attached are a couple of photos of the yellow-browed, not great but identifiable!
Pool had a feel of dog disturbance this afternoon with only 1 teal and 1 mallard present in the duck line but 1 common Sandpiper and 1 greenshank also present. Other of note 4 grey partridge ,2 swallow, 80 black headed gulls.
Shoveler 5
Little grebe 2
Tufted duck 5
Black headed gull 50
In surrounding vegetation:
Long tailed tit 10
Robin singing
Buzzard
6 Skylarks along the path from Delph Lane and 4 Reed Buntings in an adjoining hedge.
A Buzzard sat on a garden wall overlooking the path and hedge.
The pool was largely frozen, although a pair of Coots had found a small unfrozen patch, whilst a Common Gull
and 76 Black headed Gulls rested on the ice.
The extensive area of young sallows and birches which now cover much of the site, plus a small mature copse nearby produced
the following sightings, 2 Goldcrests, 1f Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a flock of 15 Long tailed Tits, a group of 17 Rooks,
a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a charm of 4 Goldfinches.
On the fields West of Delph Lane were 2 flocks of Lapwings (146+210), who seemed very anxious about the presence of a Carrion Crow.
Also on the fields were a single Grey Heron and a group of 4 Mistle Thrushes.
Since rambles have to taken within the borough at the moment, I opted to check out this site again.
It was pretty much butterflies galore on my visit last summer, but what sightings would a winter visit produce?.
The path from across the field from Delph Lane was very muddy, although the reward was the sighting of 1 Green Woodpecker,
a flock of 9 Skylarks plus 6 Meadow Pipits, 1 Stock Dove and a single Buzzard.
A small pool still remains at the centre of the site, although there were no birds on it, and much disturbance from dog walkers.
Amongst the surrounding willows were a flock of 10 Long tailed Tits, whilst a solitary Kestrel hovered over the banking.
I have not visited this site for several years, so I thought I'd see what state the pool is currently in?.
It is now very much overgrown and reverting to woodland, mainly willow and birch.
There is still a tennis court sized shallow pool there, which looks fine for attracting passage waders, but people are camping on the site,
and it is very popular with dog walkers and families. So there is little chance of any waders settling there for more than a few moments.
A couple of Common Whitethroat and Willow Warbler familes were seen along the edge of the site. A single Willow Warbler was still in full song.
6 Rooks soared high above the pool, a single Linnet rested on nearby overhead wires, whilst a few Swallows and Swifts swooped low across the site.
-- Edited by John Williams on Sunday 12th of July 2020 01:52:46 PM
Any sign this morning?
Bumped into Colin Davies, who heard the Yellow-browed Warbler just before I arrived, mid pm, just W of that gate. Couldn't find it myself before the light went, but a few Redwings & Blackbirds drifting through, possible Fieldfare too. Also, Treecreeper, Goldcrest & small flock of Long-Tailed Tits
-- Edited by John Watson on Saturday 5th of October 2019 08:40:15 AM
Yellow- Browed Warbler seen twice this afternoon in SE corner Hawthorne Hedge by the small wooden gate . Very Illusive,call very quiet so assume it could be a 1st Winter bird.
RBA reports a Yellow-browed Warbler here this morning,in willows on the east bank, wonder if anyone on here had any further info?
2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Yellow Wagtail today
Not much of note apart from 10 Stock Dove and 4 Teal ,the pool a shadow of its former self .
Little bit of water in the pool this morning about 50 yards wide but dropping fast so potential in the next few weeks for migrants 12 Teal Present today
Great day for a stroll around one of my local patches to find out what's dropped in. Pool reduced to a mere puddle so no action there but managed to record 32 species nonetheless. All the usual's but of interest
Corn Bunting - 2
Tree Sparrow - 3
Nuthatch - 1
Grey Partridge - 18
Redwing & Fieldfare - a few of each around the area
On the lookout for Yellow browed Warbler as it has been here in the past but no luck today!
pm
Swallow- 8
Sand Martin - 30+
House Martin-1
Peregrine- 2 High over in display flight
Little Grebe-2
Tufted Duck-8
Teal-16
pm
Little Grebe- 1 pair
Tufted Duck-12
Teal-12
Chiffchaff-2
Willow Warbler-1
AM
Teal-23
Shoveler-8
Chiffchaff-2
Common Snipe-1
Tufted Duck-8
Today
Redshank-1
Teal-19
Shoveler-18
Tufted Duck-8
PM
Shoveler-32 (record for here for me)
Teal- 14
great crested Grebe-1 Pair (not seen any on here for years)
Little Grebe-1
of note this afternoon
Shoveler-24 (possibly record number for here)
Teal-12
Tufted Duck-10
Goldeneye-1 f
Buzzard-5
Lapwing-3
some water back in the pool after a wet spell and a few birds this afternoon
Shoveler-8
Wigeon-4
Tufted Duck -4
Pochard-1
Mallard-10
Also called into my old patch that is no more Houghton Green Flash which has more or less gone now a once great bird site that was a site of special interest ,is now a site of no interest ,and the people who allowed that place to be drained ,should be totally ashamed of themselves is so sad to see it now . 5 Mallard waddling in the muddy patch that's left :(
PM
PM
pm
PM
Goldeneye- 1 Female
Gadwall-10
Teal-6
Tufted Duck- 8
Pochard-1 Female
Mallard-9
Had a quick walk round Houghton Green Pool around mid day, had a few bits and pieces there which were
Wigeon x 17
Teal x 24
Tufted Duck x 2
Mallard x 8
Great Crested Grebe x 1
Buzzard x 1
Black-headed Gull x 122
Common Gull x 3
Magpie x 4
Carrion Crow x 4
Skylark x 2
Wren x 2
Blackbird x 4
Dunnock x 3
Meadow Pipit x 20+
AM
12 Wigeon ,3 Mute Swans,3 Common Gulls and 40 Black Headed Gulls.
PM
Wigeon-36
Tufted Duck- 4
Common Gull- 2
PM
Green sandpiper 1
Wigeon 24
Teal 3
Cormorant 1
There was a lot of disturbance today, in fact the green sandpiper was flushed by a dog almost as soon as I saw it.
p
Great find, Colin.
Teal -6
Lapwing-52
Kestrel- 1
Grey Heron-1
chiffchaff-1
Long Tailed Tit-23
Buzzard-2
Grey Partridge- 4
Noctule Bat -1 flying round like a bird of prey catching insects
Yellow Browed Warbler- 1 (still in the sw corner,showed well for a short while)
Wigeon-4
Teal-4
Buzzard-4
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 16th of October 2016 07:51:09 PM
John - Only 9 Grey Partridge left now.
As the flock flew back low from the adjacent field & just as they touched the ground a buzzard - timing it to perfection, came in low from the side and took one of them. Following a bit of mantling over the bird it then flew off towards the woods with it !
Teal-8
Lapwing-12
Yellow- Browed Warbler- 1 still present seen for longer periods today,but still impossible to get a full bird shot has it spends its time deep in the willows it was still present at 4pm
Buzzard-4
Kestrel-2
Grey Partridge-10
Yellow Browed Warbler- still present at 3.30pm showed twice for about 20 seconds in 6 hours today, not an easy bird to find in all that willow scrub.
Wigeon - 17
Raven-1 over east
Grey Partridge -15
Teal-8
Redwing 15
Grey Wagtail -1 ,Green Sandpiper-1
--
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 15th of October 2016 06:35:49 AM
Yellow-browed warbler still this morning, also green sandpiper, 2 snipe, 16 wigeon and 11 grey partridge.
Yellow-browed warbler still this morning, showing well and calling frequently for about 5 minutes at about 9:15. It was in the willow scrub in the corner near Cloverdell. Also on the pool, green sandpiper, 16 wigeon, 8 teal and 5 swallows over.
Yellow-browed warbler still present in the same place with long-tailed tits at 15:30.
Yellow-browed warbler this morning in sycamores in the hedge near Cloverdell with a flock of long-tailed tits. Quite showy but didn't call once. On the pool 14 wigeon, 70 lapwings, 69 black-headed gulls, 3 cormorants and about 50 mallard. Also a single swallow over. Attached are a couple of photos of the yellow-browed, not great but identifiable!