A Corn bunting was in a mixed flock of Reed buntings and Yellowhammers feeding in the fields going down from the main road to the reservoirs, a first for me in this area, there could have been more in the flock of around 40 birds, Dipper on river in woods and a pair of Oystercatchers in the fields to the right of the woods. thanks to Mr McKercher for confirming my sighting from my photo
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Feb 22 10:21 PM, 2022
2-15pm to 3-45 pm & quite pleasant in the sun as the tree lined lakes kept the blustery wind in check.
3 Cormorant one of which was in breeding plumage.
2 Great Crested Grebes.
A few Goldfinch with singles of Chaffinch, Bullfinch & Redwing.
About 50 Jackdaw around Kilhey Court grounds.
4 Buzzard - 2 aerial enjoying the sun & 2 in tree tops.
A walk down to the green iron bridge over the river Douglas produced a glimpse of a Dipper but it fled upstream instantly.
Finally it was really touching how tame the Blue/Great Tits & Robins were often landing right at the side of me & following me round - I can only assume they're used to being regularly fed.
Red Rock (Bridge 63 - Leeds/Liverpool Canal) - along towpath towards Adlington past Bridges 64 and 65 and turned off at Bridge 66 - towards and over River Douglas - circuit of following three Reservoirs - Adlington, Arley and Worthington - and return back over River Douglas, through Arley Woods and canal towpath.
Kingfisher x 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 Mandarin (Female) x 1 Goosander (Red Headed Female) x 1 Great Crested Grebe x 2 Redwing x 10 Dipper x 1 Grey Wagtail x 1 Nuthatch x 1 Buzzard x 1 Pied Wagtail x 5 Long Tailed Tit x 7 Blackbird x 6 Cormorant x 1 Jay x 1 Wren x 1 Mute Swan x 5 (including 3 cygnets) Mallard x 40 Black-Headed Gull x 50 Jackdaw x 30 Carrion Crow x 20 Magpie x 3 Great Tit x 4 Blue Tit x 1 Robin x 4 Chaffinch x 3 Collared Dove x 2 Woodpigeon x 10 Moorhen x 7
Ian Moran said
Wed Apr 8 4:01 PM, 2020
Arley Reservoir: 1 common sandpiper, 1f Mandarin Duck, 1 peregrine high overhead.
James Richardson said
Thu Mar 21 3:38 PM, 2019
Surveying for willow tits at this site today - no luck.
Walk through the woods and along the river, not the reservoirs or open grassland. Highlights: 2 dipper 4 grey wagtail 1 sparrowhawk 2 great spotted woodpecker 2 mandarin duck 3 goldcrest 4 treecreeper 7 nuthatch 2 buzzard
First time visit so was nice to see some old lime and oak coppice with bluebells, wood anemone etc. Will re-visit in April. also 2 curlew over heading west
-- Edited by James Richardson on Thursday 21st of March 2019 03:41:02 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of February 2024 03:47:37 PM
Steve Judge said
Sat Nov 24 4:02 PM, 2018
Saturday 24th November 2018 12:00 - 14:00 hrs. Nice to leave the centrally heated house and get some fresh air into my lungs! Not been on this patch for a while - and was rewarded.
Worthington Reservoir - Arley Reservoir - across footpaths to Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Bridge 66 - past Bridge 65 - into Woodland along River Douglas - back to Worthington Reservoir Car Park
Kingfisher x 1 Dipper x 1 Grey Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 7 Buzzard x 1 Great Crested Grebe x 2 Chiffchaff x 1 Teal x 2 Long-Tailed Tit x 4 Wren x 1 Grey Heron x 5 Moorhen x 3 Chaffinch x 1 Great Tit x 4 Blue Tit x 7 Cormorant x 5 Mallards x 30 Carrion Crow x 8 Rook x 15 Jay x 3 Magpie x 5 Goldfinch x 1 Canada Geese x 20 Blackbird x 10 Robin x 5 Black-Headed Gull x 50
Dean Lanyon said
Mon Jul 2 3:28 PM, 2018
Had a walk round this afternoon
3 pairs of Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
A Heron in the reeds
About a dozen Canada Geese
4 Robins
Female Mandarin duck
3 Goldfinch
And the highlight was spotting a Treecreeper then watching it feed it's young in the crack of a tree which I took a photo of .
This afternoon - at least 13 Mandarins (9 males and 4 females); 3 Kingfishers; c.30 Skylarks moving NW; 1 Great crested Grebe and 1 Coot only; 20+ Teal; Buzzard; Kestrel; Grey Wagtail; and many Rooks and Jackdaws back at the Rookery.
Paul Risley said
Sat Dec 31 5:17 PM, 2016
1 Kingfisher
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Dipper
2 Heron
1 Cormorant
1 Buzzard
2 long tailed Tits in a flock both missing their tails
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 15 4:51 PM, 2016
Originally posted today by Allan Rimmer
Two Green Sandpipers feeding in the channel to the west of Adlington Reservoir, Worthington, this afternoon but flew north. Also,a Greenshank was heard calling as it flew away, apparently with the Sandpipers, but was not seen.
John Williams said
Wed Aug 3 10:37 PM, 2016
18.00-20.30 (Just as the rain started)
In the meadows beside the track leading from the A5106 were 8 Linnets, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Pied Wagtail and a family of 3 Kestrels (m+f+ juv).*
Adlington Reservoir * (* In Lancs)
3 Manderins and 4 Grey Herons (3 of which were in the marsh/reserve area and were fighting over a chunky dinner plate sized fish that looked like a bream).
Arley Reservoir
6 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Tufted Ducks.
Worthington Reservoir
3 adult Great Crested Grebes + 1 half grown youngster, 2 Cormorants and 3 Tufted Duck.
Checked the nearby River Douglas for Dippers and Grey Wagtails, without success.
When I checked the nearby Arley Brook, which previously had been a great spot for Dippers and wagtails, I found the waterlevel very low, but the biggest shock was that 3 scambler motorbikes
were being ridden along the stream bed, and throughout the surrounding woodland. Little wonder there was no wildlife to be seen.
Neil Southworth said
Fri Mar 18 8:14 PM, 2016
Arley Reservoir:- pair Great Crested Grebe, single Coot, Nuthatch
4 Mandarins, 3 males in full breeding plumage and 1 female
couple of Teal
down in the woods,
pair of Grey Wagtails,
pair of Dippers,
single Great spotted Woodpecker and single Goldcrest
http://paulrisley007.wix.com/kingfisher
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Feb 13 6:32 PM, 2016
Originally posted today by Tom Morton:
This afternoon - 2 Kingfishers; 2 Herons in trees at north end of the site; 1 Great Crested Grebe (1st this year - ); c.12 Teal, 2 Cormorants; Pair Goosander on Adlington Reservoir; 3 Dippers; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Nuthatch; 7 Canada Geese (with perhaps another 30 on nearby canal).
+ the usual Blackbirds,Blue tits,Robins and Great Tits.
very quiet really.
Jimmy Meadows said
Tue Jun 9 9:23 PM, 2015
Tonight Not really Worthington Lakes but closest post for it Chorley Rd Worthington opp White Crow 2 Curlews looking forlorn in recently silage field probably lost there brood due to the silageing
Jimmy
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Jun 8 1:30 PM, 2015
pleasant 90mins whilst waiting for a call to pick mam up from hospital
19 canada geese, plenty mallard, 5 great crested grebe, several coot, pair grey wagtail, 3 treecreeper, 1 goldcrest, several blackbird including some young, robin including at least 2 young, great tits i feeding a youngster in tree, blue tit, long tailed tit, goldfinch, chaffinch, wren,blackcap, willow warbler,nuthatch heard only, pretty sure i saw a male redstart near start of woods but only a fleeting glance with naked eye and with my dodgy eyes couldn't be 100% sure, usual corvids rook,jackdaw, magpie, carrion crow and 1 jay, wood pigeon,
fred fouracre said
Sat May 30 5:19 PM, 2015
Mandarin duck on harley with 4 chicks
Steve Judge said
Sat May 30 4:58 PM, 2015
Saturday 30th May 2015 12:00 - 16:00 hrs.1
Car Park at Worthington Lakes - along side of Lake - across fields to Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Bridge 66 - past Bridge 65 - into Woodland along River Douglas - back to Car Park
Highlight: 1M and 1F Adult Mandarin Ducks with at least 6 chicks on Leeds-Liverpool Canal Buzzards Kestrels Swallows Swifts Great Crested Grebes Coot Moorhen Chaffinch Great Tit Blue Tit Cormorant Mallards Carrion Crows Magpies Goldfinch Canada Geese with 5 goslings (on canal) Blackbird Lapwing (above Chorley Road on way home)
Nigel Marsden said
Fri May 29 4:36 PM, 2015
1400-1600 Today
Around the Lakes 20 Sand Martin 19 Canada Goose 15 Mallard 5 Magpie 5 Blackbird 4 Great Crested Grebe 4 Blue Tit 2 Grey Heron 2 Great Tit 2 Mute Swan 2 Coot Great Spotted Woodpecker Moorhen
Field via access road 2 Wood Pigeon Chaffinch Yellowhammer Goldfinch
Nigel Marsden said
Tue May 26 9:25 PM, 2015
1900-2030 hrs
10 Canada Geese 12 Mallard 3 Great Crested Grebe 2 Great Tit Blue Tit 3 Blackbird Coot 2 Long -tailed Tit 2 Goldfinch 3 Yellowhammer Buzzard
Nigel Marsden said
Sun May 24 3:28 PM, 2015
1300 - 1430 hrs Today
30 Rooks (In cultivated field off main road) 14 Mallard 12 Canada Geese 3 Great Crested Grebe 3 Mandarin Duck 3 Blackbirds 3 Magpies 3 Great Tits 3 Swallow (In cultivated field) 2 House Martin (Close to Bleach Works) 2 Black Headed Gulls Coot Grey Heron Grey Wagtail Blue Tit Oystercatcher (In cultivated field) Yellowhammer Moorhen
-- Edited by Nigel Marsden on Sunday 24th of May 2015 03:30:04 PM
-- Edited by Nigel Marsden on Sunday 24th of May 2015 03:34:16 PM
Jimmy Meadows said
Fri May 22 10:15 PM, 2015
Tim Wilcox wrote:
Nigel Marsden wrote:
I am a newcomer to birding and this is my first ever posting.
14-30- 1700 hrs today, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 moorhen, 2 coot, 6 Canada Geese, 2 blue tits, 1 coal tit, 1 robin
I cannot identify what this duck is. My first thoughts were Wigeon or juvenile Mallard, can anyone help https://flic.kr/p/tdPWrt
Those are adult Mallard hybrids Nigel. You will see a lot of such hybrids in parks around Greater Manchester. Some are paler and some darker than purebred Mallards. I saw an American hybrid domesticated Mallard subspecies called Silver Appleyard Ducks in Martin Mere's captive collection this weekend. I'd never heard of them before. There's a whole world of wildfowl collecting out there and sometimes they escape causing confusion in the Birding world. Welcome to the most rewarding hobby in the World. Enjoy your birding and never let anyone tell you a bird is not worth looking at.
Hi Nigel The birds that are in your photo are Call Ducks which were put on Worthington about 4 to 5yrs ago if not longer I think there was approx 10 dumped birds both male and female but gradually the numbers have gone down. Not a clue about who put them there but about same time a Red Headed Smew was released but sadly that as gone as well. I don't know why people who buy these things and then throw them out onto a lake and think that they can look after themselves but its a strange world.
Jimmy
Paul Risley said
Fri May 22 9:27 PM, 2015
had a quick walk around the lakes this evening, what a sad sight the Great crested Grebe is lying dead on its nest, what made it worse is that its mate was still by its side Manderin with 5 young on the reserve
Nigel Marsden said
Thu May 21 9:48 PM, 2015
1900-200 HRS TODAY Common Gull Black-headed Gull Coot 10 Mallard 3 Magpies 4 Blackbird 4 Great Crested Grebe 8 Canada Geese 2 House Martin
I had a shock today when I went to look at the Great Crested Grebe, which was nesting on eggs, was lying dead across the nest.
Need this be reported to any authority?
-- Edited by Nigel Marsden on Thursday 21st of May 2015 09:51:34 PM
Tim Wilcox said
Tue May 19 7:44 PM, 2015
Nigel Marsden wrote:
I am a newcomer to birding and this is my first ever posting.
14-30- 1700 hrs today, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 moorhen, 2 coot, 6 Canada Geese, 2 blue tits, 1 coal tit, 1 robin
I cannot identify what this duck is. My first thoughts were Wigeon or juvenile Mallard, can anyone help https://flic.kr/p/tdPWrt
Those are adult Mallard hybrids Nigel. You will see a lot of such hybrids in parks around Greater Manchester. Some are paler and some darker than purebred Mallards. I saw an American hybrid domesticated Mallard subspecies called Silver Appleyard Ducks in Martin Mere's captive collection this weekend. I'd never heard of them before. There's a whole world of wildfowl collecting out there and sometimes they escape causing confusion in the Birding world. Welcome to the most rewarding hobby in the World. Enjoy your birding and never let anyone tell you a bird is not worth looking at.
Rob Creek said
Tue May 19 7:26 PM, 2015
Nigel Marsden wrote:
I am a newcomer to birding and this is my first ever posting.
14-30- 1700 hrs today, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 moorhen, 2 coot, 6 Canada Geese, 2 blue tits, 1 coal tit, 1 robin
I cannot identify what this duck is. My first thoughts were Wigeon or juvenile Mallard, can anyone help https://flic.kr/p/tdPWrt
Hi Nigel, A warm welcome to the forum. Both standard Drake Mallard. Rob
Nigel Marsden said
Tue May 19 7:16 PM, 2015
I am a newcomer to birding and this is my first ever posting.
14-30- 1700 hrs today, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 moorhen, 2 coot, 6 Canada Geese, 2 blue tits, 1 coal tit, 1 robin
I cannot identify what this duck is. My first thoughts were Wigeon or juvenile Mallard, can anyone help https://flic.kr/p/tdPWrt
Tom Morton said
Wed Mar 4 6:02 PM, 2015
14.45 - 16.15: 17+ Teal, Mandarin M, Kingfisher, 2 Herons in trees, 3 Great Crested Grebes, Dipper and Grey Wagtail on river, Redwings, Treecreeper and 2 Oystercatchers.
Scott robinson said
Tue Mar 3 10:42 AM, 2015
1 Dipper 1 Kingfisher 2 Grey wagtail
All on river Douglas this morning.
Tom Morton said
Sun Mar 1 6:00 PM, 2015
After the rain - 16.15 - 17.30, sightings of note Gadwall M Worthington Res (unusual at his site); Pair Oystercatchers on draw off tower Arley Res; Curlew flying east and calling, Kingfisher Adlington Res; 3 Great Crested Grebes; 8 Whooper Swans flying west over Chorley Road
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Feb 27 5:06 PM, 2015
Afternoon visit 7 mandarin 3m 2f on nature reserve and a pair on Arlington red, at least 9 teal on nature reserve, 1 grey heron, plenty of mallard,great crested grebe, Canada geese,coot,moorhen and black headed gull, at least 3 treecreeper, 6 long tailed tit, decent numbers blue and great tit, horse paddock was very busy at least 40 fieldfare, 2 mistle thrush, 1 song thrush,4 blackbird,4 moorhen,1 collared dove,wood pigeon, chaffinch and yellowhammer also flying in to paddock from nearby trees,p Entry jackdaw,rook,carrion crow and magpie, walked down to river Douglas and saw 1 dipper, No sign of the long staying pinnioned smew and no cormorant,
Jon Bowen said
Sun Feb 15 1:38 PM, 2015
2 Kingfishers in the nature reserve this morning plus Pied and Grey Wagtail on the dung heap
Steve Judge said
Sat Feb 14 10:00 PM, 2015
Saturday 14th February 2015 10:40 - 13:00 hrs. Worthington Lake - Leeds/Liverpool Canal (past bridges 66 and 65) - River Douglas - back to Worthington Lake.
Black-Headed Gulls Mallards Tufted Duck Moorhen Great Crested Grebe Robin Blackbirds Blue Tit Great Tit Buzzard x 4 Kestrel Teal Treecreeper Long Tailed Tits Goldcrest Dipper Canada Geese Carrion Crow Woodpigeon Magpies Wren
Saw 1st Lambs of Spring in field next to Leeds/Liverpool Canal.
Tom Morton said
Sat Jan 24 4:25 PM, 2015
11.30 -13.30 14 Teal;39 Canada Geese,; 2 Mute Swans; 3 Coot; pair Goosander; pair Mandarin; 70+Mallard; 2 Great Crested Grebe; Kingfisher; Pied Wagtail on manure heap; Dipper on river; Buzzard; c.50 Redwings; 5 Mistle Thrushes; 4 Fieldfare, Nuthatch, 104 Black headed Gulls; 1 Cormorant; Nuthatch; a flock of c.120 Lapwings in the air by Chorley Road;
Jon Bowen said
Sat Jan 10 1:34 PM, 2015
An hour this morning in very strong winds !! Grey Wagtail in the field tight to the layby Pied Wagtail on manure pile 5 Fieldfare in field on right side as walking down to the nature reserve 3 male 1 female Mandarin 7 Teal Great Crested Grebe Nice mixed woodland flock around the iron bridge comprising Long tailed tit Blue Tit 2 Coal Tit 2 Goldcrest Treecreeper
Tonight not Worthington Lakes but nearest site I could post on
Chorley Rd Adult Mediterranean Gull feeding with Black headed and Lesser Blacked gulls on recently silaged fields also 2 Curlew 4 Tree Sparrow 6 Yellowhammer 1 Nuthatch 3 Pheasant
Jimmy
Paul Risley said
Wed May 21 8:56 PM, 2014
Female Mandarin with 10 young 7 male Mandarins on nature reserve Buzzard over Great Crested Grebe on nest Yellowhammer on manure pile female Grey Wagtail
Brown Hare in fields Emerald Damselfly in woods
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123361074@N05/
Paul Risley said
Sat May 10 5:10 PM, 2014
1 pair of Dippers with fledged young, another pair plus pair of Grey Wagtails predated. looks like Mink
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123361074@N05/
Tom Morton said
Sun Apr 27 12:21 PM, 2014
8 Whimbrel over this am; also 1 Common Tern, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Tufted Duck.
A Corn bunting was in a mixed flock of Reed buntings and Yellowhammers feeding in the fields going down from the main road to the reservoirs, a first for me in this area, there could have been more in the flock of around 40 birds, Dipper on river in woods and a pair of Oystercatchers in the fields to the right of the woods. thanks to Mr McKercher for confirming my sighting from my photo
2-15pm to 3-45 pm & quite pleasant in the sun as the tree lined lakes kept the blustery wind in check.
3 Cormorant one of which was in breeding plumage.
2 Great Crested Grebes.
A few Goldfinch with singles of Chaffinch, Bullfinch & Redwing.
About 50 Jackdaw around Kilhey Court grounds.
4 Buzzard - 2 aerial enjoying the sun & 2 in tree tops.
A walk down to the green iron bridge over the river Douglas produced a glimpse of a Dipper but it fled upstream instantly.
Finally it was really touching how tame the Blue/Great Tits & Robins were often landing right at the side of me & following me round - I can only assume they're used to being regularly fed.
Red Rock (Bridge 63 - Leeds/Liverpool Canal) - along towpath towards Adlington past Bridges 64 and 65 and turned off at Bridge 66 - towards and over River Douglas - circuit of following three Reservoirs - Adlington, Arley and Worthington - and return back over River Douglas, through Arley Woods and canal towpath.
Kingfisher x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Mandarin (Female) x 1
Goosander (Red Headed Female) x 1
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Redwing x 10
Dipper x 1
Grey Wagtail x 1
Nuthatch x 1
Buzzard x 1
Pied Wagtail x 5
Long Tailed Tit x 7
Blackbird x 6
Cormorant x 1
Jay x 1
Wren x 1
Mute Swan x 5 (including 3 cygnets)
Mallard x 40
Black-Headed Gull x 50
Jackdaw x 30
Carrion Crow x 20
Magpie x 3
Great Tit x 4
Blue Tit x 1
Robin x 4
Chaffinch x 3
Collared Dove x 2
Woodpigeon x 10
Moorhen x 7
Arley Reservoir: 1 common sandpiper, 1f Mandarin Duck, 1 peregrine high overhead.
Surveying for willow tits at this site today - no luck.
Walk through the woods and along the river, not the reservoirs or open grassland. Highlights:
2 dipper
4 grey wagtail
1 sparrowhawk
2 great spotted woodpecker
2 mandarin duck
3 goldcrest
4 treecreeper
7 nuthatch
2 buzzard
First time visit so was nice to see some old lime and oak coppice with bluebells, wood anemone etc.
Will re-visit in April. also 2 curlew over heading west
-- Edited by James Richardson on Thursday 21st of March 2019 03:41:02 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of February 2024 03:47:37 PM
Worthington Reservoir - Arley Reservoir - across footpaths to Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Bridge 66 - past Bridge 65 - into Woodland along River Douglas - back to Worthington Reservoir Car Park
Kingfisher x 1
Dipper x 1
Grey Wagtail x 2
Redwing x 7
Buzzard x 1
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Chiffchaff x 1
Teal x 2
Long-Tailed Tit x 4
Wren x 1
Grey Heron x 5
Moorhen x 3
Chaffinch x 1
Great Tit x 4
Blue Tit x 7
Cormorant x 5
Mallards x 30
Carrion Crow x 8
Rook x 15
Jay x 3
Magpie x 5
Goldfinch x 1
Canada Geese x 20
Blackbird x 10
Robin x 5
Black-Headed Gull x 50
Had a walk round this afternoon
3 pairs of Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
A Heron in the reeds
About a dozen Canada Geese
4 Robins
Female Mandarin duck
3 Goldfinch
And the highlight was spotting a Treecreeper then watching it feed it's young in the crack of a tree which I took a photo of .
a couple of hours this morning
Dippers doing well, feeding second brood in nest whilst fledged young from first nest seen further up the river
Grey Wagtails feeding a fledged youngster, first nesting attempt was predated
Mute Swans seem to have failed, birds incubating on last visit but now both out on resevoir
Visit this AM 05,03,18 Arley pool, Adlington res and Lower Worthington res.
2 kingfisher very active and vocal on Adlington Res.
2 pairs+ Mandarin Ducks, Adlington Res.
1 pair Gadwall, Lower Worthington Lake.
3 Great crested Grebe 1 pair 1 single Lower Worthington Lake.
1 pair Teal, Arley pool then Adlington Res.
2 Raven overhead vocal.
Common Buzzard 1 pair vocal then 4 together in fields above Worthington opposite Bradley Ln inc 1 in ariel tussle over fields with Carrion crow.
1 Kestrel fem/imm.
1 Grey Heron stalking reedy edge of Adlington Res.
1 Yellowhammer singing.
80+ Linnet in stubble field on Bradley Ln, in this flock a 10+ Skylarks and several more Yellowhammers 4 +.
8+ Lapwing vocal and display flight too.
Common Sandpiper on Arley Lake this morning.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
This morning
1 Kingfisher
4 pr Great Crested Grebe with 8 young between them
3 Grey Heron
2 juv Mandarin
1 Buzzard
50+Mallard
10 Coot
8 Moorhen
1 Treecreeper
Jimmy
Couple of hours this morning
5 pairs of Great Crested Grebes
Worthington Res, 1 pair with 4 young
Arley Res 3 pairs, 1 pair going down again after at least 2 failed attempts two other pairs both with at least 1 failed attempt
Coot with 3 young
Adlington Res 1 pair incubating
Single Dipper on Dougy
Dipper, 4 poss 5 just fledged young
Sparrowhawk on nest
Great crested grebe on new nest
family party of Goldcrests
1pm today
Male and female Mandarin Duck on grass bank near Adlington reservoir.
Mike
Originally posted today by a Stuart Mackay:
Heard a cuckoo briefly in the fields near Wigan golf club behind worthington lakes yeasterday, but failed to see it.
This pm 2 Dippers; 2 Woodcock flushed; pair Mute Swans; 1 Kingfisher; 1 Cormorant; 15+Teal; Bullfinch; Nuthatch
This afternoon - at least 13 Mandarins (9 males and 4 females); 3 Kingfishers; c.30 Skylarks moving NW; 1 Great crested Grebe and 1 Coot only; 20+ Teal; Buzzard; Kestrel; Grey Wagtail; and many Rooks and Jackdaws back at the Rookery.
1 Kingfisher
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Dipper
2 Heron
1 Cormorant
1 Buzzard
2 long tailed Tits in a flock both missing their tails
Two Green Sandpipers feeding in the channel to the west of Adlington Reservoir, Worthington, this afternoon but flew north. Also,a Greenshank was heard calling as it flew away, apparently with the Sandpipers, but was not seen.
In the meadows beside the track leading from the A5106 were 8 Linnets, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Pied Wagtail and a family of 3 Kestrels (m+f+ juv).*
Adlington Reservoir * (* In Lancs)
3 Manderins and 4 Grey Herons (3 of which were in the marsh/reserve area and were fighting over a chunky dinner plate sized fish that looked like a bream).
Arley Reservoir
6 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Tufted Ducks.
Worthington Reservoir
3 adult Great Crested Grebes + 1 half grown youngster, 2 Cormorants and 3 Tufted Duck.
Checked the nearby River Douglas for Dippers and Grey Wagtails, without success.
When I checked the nearby Arley Brook, which previously had been a great spot for Dippers and wagtails, I found the waterlevel very low, but the biggest shock was that 3 scambler motorbikes
were being ridden along the stream bed, and throughout the surrounding woodland. Little wonder there was no wildlife to be seen.
Arley Reservoir:- pair Great Crested Grebe, single Coot, Nuthatch
Adlington Reservoir:- Cormorant 3, Mallard 3, Moorhen 2, pair Grey Wagtail, Siskin
Nature Reserve:- Mandarin Duck 3, Teal 5, Pheasant, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Willow Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Jay
Adjacent fields:- Lapwing, Curlew, Skylark, Pied Wagtail 2, Fieldfare min 100, Yellowhammer
couple of hours this afternoon
single Great crested Grebe on Anglezarke res
Arley res
2 Grey Herons
4 Mandarins, 3 males in full breeding plumage and 1 female
couple of Teal
down in the woods,
pair of Grey Wagtails,
pair of Dippers,
single Great spotted Woodpecker and single Goldcrest
http://paulrisley007.wix.com/kingfisher
This afternoon - 2 Kingfishers; 2 Herons in trees at north end of the site; 1 Great Crested Grebe (1st this year - ); c.12 Teal, 2 Cormorants; Pair Goosander on Adlington Reservoir; 3 Dippers; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Nuthatch; 7 Canada Geese (with perhaps another 30 on nearby canal).
42 Canada Geese
33 Mallard
2 Drake Tufted Ducks
2 Buzzards (overhead)
1 Grey Wagtail
6 Black Headed Gulls
+ the usual Blackbirds,Blue tits,Robins and Great Tits.
very quiet really.
Not really Worthington Lakes but closest post for it
Chorley Rd Worthington
opp White Crow 2 Curlews looking forlorn in recently silage field probably lost there brood due to the silageing
Jimmy
19 canada geese, plenty mallard, 5 great crested grebe, several coot, pair grey wagtail, 3 treecreeper, 1 goldcrest, several blackbird including some young, robin including at least 2 young, great tits i feeding a youngster in tree, blue tit, long tailed tit, goldfinch, chaffinch, wren,blackcap, willow warbler,nuthatch heard only, pretty sure i saw a male redstart near start of woods but only a fleeting glance with naked eye and with my dodgy eyes couldn't be 100% sure, usual corvids rook,jackdaw, magpie, carrion crow and 1 jay, wood pigeon,
Car Park at Worthington Lakes - along side of Lake - across fields to Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Bridge 66 - past Bridge 65 - into Woodland along River Douglas - back to Car Park
Highlight: 1M and 1F Adult Mandarin Ducks with at least 6 chicks on Leeds-Liverpool Canal
Buzzards
Kestrels
Swallows
Swifts
Great Crested Grebes
Coot
Moorhen
Chaffinch
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Cormorant
Mallards
Carrion Crows
Magpies
Goldfinch
Canada Geese with 5 goslings (on canal)
Blackbird
Lapwing (above Chorley Road on way home)
Around the Lakes
20 Sand Martin
19 Canada Goose
15 Mallard
5 Magpie
5 Blackbird
4 Great Crested Grebe
4 Blue Tit
2 Grey Heron
2 Great Tit
2 Mute Swan
2 Coot
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Moorhen
Field via access road
2 Wood Pigeon
Chaffinch
Yellowhammer
Goldfinch
1900-2030 hrs
10 Canada Geese
12 Mallard
3 Great Crested Grebe
2 Great Tit
Blue Tit
3 Blackbird
Coot
2 Long -tailed Tit
2 Goldfinch
3 Yellowhammer
Buzzard
30 Rooks (In cultivated field off main road)
14 Mallard
12 Canada Geese
3 Great Crested Grebe
3 Mandarin Duck
3 Blackbirds
3 Magpies
3 Great Tits
3 Swallow (In cultivated field)
2 House Martin (Close to Bleach Works)
2 Black Headed Gulls
Coot
Grey Heron
Grey Wagtail
Blue Tit
Oystercatcher (In cultivated field)
Yellowhammer
Moorhen
-- Edited by Nigel Marsden on Sunday 24th of May 2015 03:30:04 PM
-- Edited by Nigel Marsden on Sunday 24th of May 2015 03:34:16 PM
Hi Nigel
The birds that are in your photo are Call Ducks which were put on Worthington about 4 to 5yrs ago if not longer I think there was approx 10 dumped birds both male and female but gradually the numbers have gone down.
Not a clue about who put them there but about same time a Red Headed Smew was released but sadly that as gone as well.
I don't know why people who buy these things and then throw them out onto a lake and think that they can look after themselves but its a strange world.
Jimmy
Manderin with 5 young on the reserve
Common Gull
Black-headed Gull
Coot
10 Mallard
3 Magpies
4 Blackbird
4 Great Crested Grebe
8 Canada Geese
2 House Martin
I had a shock today when I went to look at the Great Crested Grebe, which was nesting on eggs, was lying dead across the nest.
Need this be reported to any authority?
-- Edited by Nigel Marsden on Thursday 21st of May 2015 09:51:34 PM
Those are adult Mallard hybrids Nigel. You will see a lot of such hybrids in parks around Greater Manchester. Some are paler and some darker than purebred Mallards. I saw an American hybrid domesticated Mallard subspecies called Silver Appleyard Ducks in Martin Mere's captive collection this weekend. I'd never heard of them before. There's a whole world of wildfowl collecting out there and sometimes they escape causing confusion in the Birding world. Welcome to the most rewarding hobby in the World. Enjoy your birding and never let anyone tell you a bird is not worth looking at.
Hi Nigel,
A warm welcome to the forum.
Both standard Drake Mallard.
Rob
14-30- 1700 hrs today, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 moorhen, 2 coot, 6 Canada Geese, 2 blue tits, 1 coal tit, 1 robin
I cannot identify what this duck is. My first thoughts were Wigeon or juvenile Mallard, can anyone help
https://flic.kr/p/tdPWrt
1 Kingfisher
2 Grey wagtail
All on river Douglas this morning.
7 mandarin 3m 2f on nature reserve and a pair on Arlington red, at least 9 teal on nature reserve, 1 grey heron, plenty of mallard,great crested grebe, Canada geese,coot,moorhen and black headed gull, at least 3 treecreeper, 6 long tailed tit, decent numbers blue and great tit, horse paddock was very busy at least 40 fieldfare, 2 mistle thrush, 1 song thrush,4 blackbird,4 moorhen,1 collared dove,wood pigeon, chaffinch and yellowhammer also flying in to paddock from nearby trees,p
Entry jackdaw,rook,carrion crow and magpie, walked down to river Douglas and saw 1 dipper,
No sign of the long staying pinnioned smew and no cormorant,
Black-Headed Gulls
Mallards
Tufted Duck
Moorhen
Great Crested Grebe
Robin
Blackbirds
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Buzzard x 4
Kestrel
Teal
Treecreeper
Long Tailed Tits
Goldcrest
Dipper
Canada Geese
Carrion Crow
Woodpigeon
Magpies
Wren
Saw 1st Lambs of Spring in field next to Leeds/Liverpool Canal.
Grey Wagtail in the field tight to the layby
Pied Wagtail on manure pile
5 Fieldfare in field on right side as walking down to the nature reserve
3 male 1 female Mandarin
7 Teal
Great Crested Grebe
Nice mixed woodland flock around the iron bridge comprising
Long tailed tit
Blue Tit
2 Coal Tit
2 Goldcrest
Treecreeper
2 Cormorants
6 Great Crested grebes + 1 youngster
80+ Black headed Gull
1 Lesser black backed gull
2 Mandarin duck
3 Teal
80 + Mallard
2 Call ducks
1 Grey wagtail
1 Great spotted woodpecker
6 Coot
2 Moorhen
2 Buzzard overhead
Chorley Rd
Adult Mediterranean Gull feeding with Black headed and Lesser Blacked gulls on recently silaged fields
also 2 Curlew
4 Tree Sparrow
6 Yellowhammer
1 Nuthatch
3 Pheasant
Jimmy
7 male Mandarins on nature reserve
Buzzard over
Great Crested Grebe on nest
Yellowhammer on manure pile
female Grey Wagtail
Brown Hare in fields
Emerald Damselfly in woods
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123361074@N05/
1 pair of Dippers with fledged young, another pair plus pair of Grey Wagtails predated. looks like Mink
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123361074@N05/