4 x Goosander, 1 x Little Grebe, 2 x Grey Wagtail,4 x Lesser Redpoll, 8 x Siskin
Charles Farrell said
Tue Jan 25 8:25 PM, 2022
Tue 25-Jan-22 (11:10-12:40):
A good look around most parts of the wood and lodges. Of note
-1 Dipper near a popular spot -1 Kingfisher heard calling -1 Teal (a surprise, since I rarely record them anywhere near the lodges) - 2 Grey Wagtail - 2 Bullfinch - 1 Goosander (redhead)
plus usuals- 27 species in all. Have barely seen or heard a Parakeet here, this month.
Michael Hood said
Fri Dec 24 1:56 PM, 2021
Quick walk around the lakes at Alkrington Woods 12:30 - 13:30
Apart from the usual suspects (Mute Swans, Mallard, Coots, Moorhens, Black Headed Gulls, Canada Geese), of note...
11 Goosander - 6M, 5F on the easternmost lake
1 Kingfisher - flew across the next "lake" to the west
20+ Tufted Duck - in most of the lakes
1 Cormorant - on the easternmost lake with the Goosanders, pale so maybe juvenile
-- Edited by Michael Hood on Friday 24th of December 2021 01:57:47 PM
James Walsh said
Fri Apr 30 10:17 PM, 2021
Pair of Great Crested Grebes on Sandy Beach Lake
Charles Farrell said
Mon Apr 12 11:47 PM, 2021
12-Apr-21 (10:25-12:00):
Not much in the way of Migrants in the past few weeks aside from a few flyover Oystercatchers and some Buzzard movement. I couldn't re-find the one or two Willow Warblers that were around last week
- 1 Kestrel - 1 Buzzard (though 2 have been displaying over the woods over the last 2 weeks) - c5 singing Chiffchaff - 3 singing Blackcap - Goldcrest - 2 Kingfisher displaying - 2 Stock Dove Displaying - 3+ singing Coal Tit - 6 Nuthatch
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Monday 12th of April 2021 11:51:59 PM
Charles Farrell said
Sat Mar 6 5:39 PM, 2021
01-Mar-21 (10:55-13:00):
Peace and quiet disturbed once again by motorbikes being ridden through the stretch of woods that runs alongside the M60. GMP dragging their feet in response, as per usual.
- 37 Canada Geese (down from the usual 70-80) - c50 Black-headed Gull (down from a peak of c200 during the cold spell) - 1 Herring Gull - 2 Greylag Geese which have suddenly appeared - 1 Kingfisher - 1 Grey Wagtail heard
A few singing Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Song Thrush.
Charles Farrell said
Tue Mar 2 12:22 AM, 2021
01-Mar-21 (10:25-12:00):
Fairly quiet and for the first time in a couple of months, no Bullfinches heard calling, no Goosanders on the Lodges and no sign of the Kingfisher.
- 1 Buzzard overheard, chased off by a pair of Herring Gull - 1 Common Gull - 7 Mute Swan, including the first sign of one of the resident pairs building a nest, after last year's incident with yobs and a paving stone - 3 Coal Tit singing - 2 singing chaffinch - singing Goldcrest - 2 briefly singing Greenfinch
Charles Farrell said
Fri Feb 12 1:38 PM, 2021
12-Feb-2021 AM:
There's a good thick layer of ice now on most of the lodges, so nowhere the the local Kingfishers to hunt. The Ice has caused the majority of the Tufted Duck and Goosander to move out, but it did bring in more Gulls, though nothing unusual
- 1 Kestrel - first I've seen here this year - 1 Tufted Duck (down from the usual 20) - 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 6 Common Gulls - 2 Herring Gull - 200 to 250 Black-headed Gulls - 7 Mute Swan including 1 of the local juvenilles displaying to a recent arrival - 1 Goosander on the River Irk - 1 Grey Wagtail - 2 or 3 calling Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 of which were chasing each other and drumming a little - 5 Coal Tit singing - 4 Nuthatch singing - 6+ Bullfinch - 1 Chaffinch singing - 2 or 3 calling Ring-necked Parakeet
Locally I've also seen a small flock of Siskin, singing Treecreeper and Greenfinchnd a Buzzard (which now seems to prefer hunting over Blackley Golf Course)
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Friday 12th of February 2021 01:38:38 PM
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Friday 12th of February 2021 01:38:57 PM
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Friday 12th of February 2021 01:39:30 PM
- 7 Goosanders (1m, 6 redhead) all on Perch Pond - Kingfisher on Big Lodge favouring the corner near the Absolute Angling carpark
Charles Farrell said
Wed Jan 13 4:52 PM, 2021
12/Jan/21 (15:00-16:30):
- 7 Goosanders (2m, 5 redhead) spread across the lodges - 1 Herring Gull amongst the Black-headed Gull - 1 Gadwall (first time I've logged one being present in 10+ years) - 2+ Ring-necked Parakeet coming in to roost
- Kingfisher being seen regularly around Big Lodge by other walkers and local photographers ... but not by me
Craig Higson said
Mon Jan 11 4:21 PM, 2021
Ian - Hope this is OK to post here!
I have been made aware of an opportunity for people to get involved in a project called Bringing the Irk to Life. The project is hoping to improve the whole of the River irk Catchment and wants to engage with people who work and play in the catchment. The link below takes you to a page where you can read more about the project and feed in any knowledge you might have about the river and its wildlife. I have also posted this in the General Discussion section.
Trudged through some of the more off-the-beaten track areas in my wellies, but still searching for an elusive Woodcock
- 7 Goosanders (2m, 5 redhead) spread across the lodges - 1 Herring Gull amongst the Black-headed Gull and actually on the deck - Pair of courting Goldcrest - 4+ Noisy Nuthatches - 1 Dipper on Boardman Brook - 3+ Bullfinch
dave broome said
Sat Dec 12 3:56 PM, 2020
This morning birds included 11 Goosander on Perch Pond 28 Tufted Duck 2 Cormorant 1 Woodcock near Boardman Brook 3 Ring-Necked Parakeet near the edge of the woodland SW of the hall 3 Nuthatch 7 Goldcrest
Charles Farrell said
Wed Dec 2 10:18 PM, 2020
2-Dec-2020 (14:30-15:45)
Not much sign of any Winter visitors sticking around, however
- pr Dipper on Boardman Brook, well away from usual locations on the Irk - 4 Goosander. a pair on 'Sandy Lake and 2 Redheads on Big Lodge - Jay - 2 Cormorants around, having been absent now for some months
Charles Farrell said
Tue Oct 27 2:01 PM, 2020
27-Oct-2020 (08:45 - 10:15):
Walk back from the Middleton end. Of Interest
- Pair of Dipper on the Irk - 1 Grey Wagtail - 1 Shoveler still at Perch Pond - 1 redhead Goosander
Charles Farrell said
Fri Oct 23 12:23 AM, 2020
22-Oct-2020 (13:00 - 15:00):
Walk back from the Middleton end. Of Interest
- 1 Dipper on the Irk - 2 Grey Wagtail - 1 Shoveler at Rhodes Lodges - the first I've seen here
Charles Farrell said
Sun Oct 18 5:56 PM, 2020
17-Oct-2020 (13:45 - 15:00):
Walk back from Heaton Park along the Irk past Saisburys and through Rhodes. Of Interest
- 1 Dipper singing on stretch of the Irk that passes under the M60 - 1+ Grey Wagtail - 1 Kingfisher - 1 Redhead Goosander on the Irk
Rhodes Lodges Very quiet at the moment with few Gulls. There was a male Wigeon briefly at the beginning of the month and up to six redheaded Goosander, but no sign of either today
- pair of Swallow flew low over Big Lodge and took a drink or two
Kev Jin said
Fri Sep 11 1:22 PM, 2020
9th Sept 2020
14.10-16.10
6 tufted ducks
2 mute swans
1 grey wagtail
1 kingfisher (flew by, didn't catch it fishing)
+ lots of mallards, coots, and long tailed tits.
-- Edited by Kev Jin on Friday 11th of September 2020 01:23:58 PM
Charles Farrell said
Mon Apr 6 10:03 AM, 2020
Mon 6th Apr (07:00-08:10):
Early morning visit after a brief shower. Quite lively with singing birds but few surprises:
Sat 4th Apr: (7:15 - 8:35) - Nice and clear but cool, gradually becoming overcast.
After 2 weeks of being confined to the house and garden, it was nice to get out and about. Nothing radically, aside from finally adding Blackcap to my yearlist
- 1 Dipper - near probably nest site, but I have only seen 1 bird in the area this year - 1 Raven being driven off by some angry Crows - 2 singing Blackcap - 3 singing Chiffchaff - 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker - flying around and making a lot of noice. Presumably some sort of territorial dispute - 2 Black-headed Gull still - Pair of Mute Swans preparing a nest on one of the lodges, while the pair on the 'Duck Pond' tried to encourage the last of last year's offspring to find somewhere else to live - 3 Grey Wagtail including one pair feeding together
- lots of other species singing. 35 species in all.
Charles Farrell said
Mon Mar 2 9:27 PM, 2020
Mon 2nd Mar: (13:00 - 15:15) - Mild but changeable - from blue skies to hailstorms
Around the Lodges: - 1m Goosander - 4 Mute Swan - c30 Tufted Duck - c50 Canada Goose - c70 BH Gull - 1 Cormorant + a second flying overhead - 1 Dipper seen briefly on the River Irk
Around the Woods: - 1 Grey Wagtail - 2+ Siskin - 2-3 calling Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2 singing Song Thrush - c12 Long-tailed Tit - 1 calling Bullfinch - 1 Buzzard getting mobbed over the woods - though a better placed observer reported a pair - Lots of Blue ane Great Tits singing
No sign of a Kingfisher around at the moment
Charles Farrell said
Tue Feb 4 1:01 PM, 2020
Tue 4th Feb: (9:30 - 12:00) - Mild but a liitle damp early on.
Around the Lodges: - pr Goosander - 4 Mute Swan - c30 Tufted Duck - c40 Canada Goose - c60 BH Gull - 1 Common Gull - 1 Cormorant - 1 Dipper seen flying up the Irk towards MIddleton
Around the Woods: - 4+ Jay - 2 calling Great Spotted Woodpecker - 4+ Nuthatch - 1 singing Song Thrush - c6 Coal Tit (1 pair) - c8 Long-tailed Tit - 1 Buzzard calling overhead - Lots of Blue ane Great Tits singing
Charles Farrell said
Sun Jan 12 11:33 PM, 2020
12-Jan-20 (22:30):
- 2 calling male Tawny Owls
Charles Farrell said
Tue Dec 3 2:43 PM, 2019
Tuesday 3rd Dec (9:30-11:00):
Fairly quiet in mild condition, although some of the Lodges were largely covered in Ice.
Highlights: - 1 Treecreeper (first I have seen here this year) - c6 Bullfinch - c3 Grey Wagtail - 5 Goosander (1 male and 4 redhead) - all on the 'duck pond' - 6+ Jay all foraging and calling loudly
Charles Farrell said
Fri May 31 12:00 PM, 2019
Tue 28th May
Also 3 or 4 Swift feeding over Alkrington. 3 screaming birds seen flying low over some of the older houses on Friday 25th. There are usually a few more than this around, but I've seen very few anywhere this year.
Charles Farrell said
Fri May 31 11:55 AM, 2019
Tue 28th May (06:30 09:00): A good walk round the wider area. However, Still didnt have time to check every nook and cranny. 35 Species in all, which is a fairly consist number for my visits this year, but still havent seen Treecreeper or Sparrowhawk here this year. Most Interesting sightings: 1 Common Whitethroat I suspect some of the scrubby areas towards Rhodes holds more 1 Dipper seen on the Irk 1 singing Chiffchaff 5 singing Blackcap 1 singing Willow Warbler (down from 3 last month) 4+ Nuthatch pair feeding young 2 singing Goldcrest 1 Kestrel Very few waterbirds, mainly Canada Geese and just a single Gull over the area. Still 20+ singing Robin, Wren and Blackbirds plus a good number of singing Song Thrush. Havent been able to prove that the Tawny Owls have bred this year.
Charles Farrell said
Sun Apr 14 9:17 PM, 2019
Sat April 13th (09-00 - 13:00)
Pleased to see that the water levels have dropped on the River Irk and that Rochdale council have quickly repaired paths washed away only a few weeks ago. The amount of plastic waste that has been left in amongst the riverside vegetation is unfortunately quite an eyesore. As expected, I found 0 Willow Tits, but did manage to locate
Breezy and changeable. Water Levels on the River Irk are still high, but the River is back within its boundaries.
Highlights - 4 redhead Goosander - Male and Female Bullfinch calling - 3+ Nuthatch - 2 Coal Tit singing - 1 calling Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 Mistle Thrush
around 35 species seen. No Willow Tits located - but that wasn't entirely unexpected.
Charles Farrell said
Mon Feb 11 3:45 PM, 2019
Mon 11th Feb: (11:00 - 13:00)
Mild and bright morning with a fairly clear sky. Lots of activity amongst the resident birds.
Highlights - 1 Kingfisher - around the edge of one of the larger lodges - 5 redhead Goosander and a single male - up to 4 Bullfinch calling - 2 to 4 Ring-necked Parakeet - 3+ Nuthatch - 3+ Coal Tit singing - 2 Buzzard - soaring and displaying over the Wood - 2 or 3 Raven - seen flying in the direction of Heaton Park - 1 drumming and 1+ calling Great Spotted Woodpecker
around 36 species seen.
Charles Farrell said
Fri Feb 1 1:19 AM, 2019
Several visits between Sun 27th and Thu 31st Jan:
Highlights - 1 Kingfisher - before the snow and ice came along - 5 redhead Goosander, but only 1 on the 31st - 1 Grey Wagtail on the River Irk - up to 4 Bullfinch - 4 Greenfinch - 2 Ring-necked Parakeet - 4+ Nuthatch - 4+ Coal Tit
around 30 species seen on each visit.
Charles Farrell said
Sat Dec 29 1:41 AM, 2018
Fri 28th Dec Have made sever further visits of varying lengths, but today's was probably the most productive - and included a patch tick for me in the form of a Goldeneye
Highlights: - Fem/juv Goldeneye on Log number 2 - 3 Coal Tit - 9 Goosander (1m, 8 red-head) - 3+ Nuthatch - Bullfinch (calling) - 3 Song Thrush (singing) - 4+ Ring-necked Parakeet - Great Spotted Woodpecker (calling)
Charles Farrell said
Sat Dec 22 1:04 AM, 2018
Fri 21st Dec First visit in a while without my sister and dog, so had the time to do a more thorough visit of the area. 33 Species is probably the best that I've managed here this year and even so, some expected species (such as RN Parakeets) were not encountered.
Mute Swans, Crow, Robin, Mallard pair, Tufted Duck pair, Chiffchaff, Canada Geese, coot, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe pair, Willow Warbler singing, Wren, Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Blue Tit, Magpies, Blackbirds, Green Ring Necked Parakeets pair, Goldfinch.
Charles Farrell said
Fri Apr 14 5:52 PM, 2017
Friday 14th Apr First visit in a while, in drizzly conditions. Not a great deal around, but a few migrants:
1 or 2 singing Willow Warblers - the first that Ive heard here for a few years 5 singing Chiffchaff 2 or 3 singing Blackcap 1 Grey Wagtail 4+ calling Nuthatch 2 Coal Tit 1 Mistle Thrush c4 Ring-necked Parakeet
Usual ducks and waterfowl, but none of the expected Great Crested Grebes and no sign of any Dipper.
Charles Farrell said
Fri Feb 17 10:40 AM, 2017
Friday 17th Feb: Quick Walk around with my sister and the dog - 3 Grey Wagtails (1 + 1 pair) - 3 Goosander (Pair + 1 redhead) + usual ducks and Geese - 1 Common Gull - 1 1W Herring Gull - c60 Black-headed Gull
- c6 singing Song Thrush + plenty of singing Robins, Wrens & Dunnocks
Elsewhere around Alkrington: 1 Goldcrest and 1 singing male Bullfinch.
Charles Farrell said
Mon Feb 13 10:56 AM, 2017
Another Kingfisher reported by my sister - once again seen along the stretch of the Irk between the Lodges and the M60 Motorway bridge (along the back of Rhodes).
Charles Farrell said
Fri Feb 3 3:07 PM, 2017
Kingfisher along the stretch of the Irk between the Lodges and the M60 Motorway bridge (along the back of Rhodes). A Lifer for my sister!
Charles Farrell said
Sun Jan 29 6:08 PM, 2017
Hmmm, it looks like I forgot to post any sightings over theChristmas period, anyway ...
Sat 29th Jan '17: (08:30 - 10:30) Pretty miserable morning with pouring rain. Still lots of ice on the lodges and not many birds around. Of note....
Also, while walking the dog with my sister along the Irk, we both heard, on at least 2 occasions a very loud and convincingly Bittern-like 'Boom' sound, although there is little in the way of reedbed or suitable habitat in the area. We searched the other side (wood side) of the Irk, but found nothing. Very odd.
Charles Farrell said
Tue Jul 19 1:23 PM, 2016
Tuesday 19th July: 7:15 - 9:45AM
Given the bright weather, there was a fair amount of activity - certainly more than I had anticipated at this time of the year.
Rhodes Lodges: Very little - 1 Grey Heron - 1 male Tufted Duck - 1 Black-headed Gull plus the usual Mallard, Canada Geese, Coot and Moorhen. No sign of any Dippers, although my brother reported 1 on Sunday.
Alkrington Woods: - 1 male Bullfinch - c5 Singing Blackcap + 1 female - 4 singing Chiffchaff - 4 sining Coal Tit + a small family of birds - c4 calling Nuthatch - c6 Song Thrush (mostly singers) - 3 Swift - 2 Swallow - 2 pairs of Jay plus usuals - 36 species in all.
Charles Farrell said
Sun Jul 17 8:10 AM, 2016
10 mins after midnight, 2 weakly calling Tawny Owls from the woods either side of Alkrington Hall.
Charles Farrell said
Sun May 15 2:13 PM, 2016
Another 3 hrs yomping around the woods, lodges and surrounding area with slightly better results than at Easter.
- 1 Buzzard circling high and calling
- 1-2 Grey Wagtail
- c6 Chiffchaff
- 7 Blackcap
- 5 Willow Warbler
- 2 Nuthatch
29 species in all, but only Coot with young.
Around Midnight, calling Tawny Owl from mature trees on Hall Drive
4 x Goosander, 1 x Little Grebe, 2 x Grey Wagtail,4 x Lesser Redpoll, 8 x Siskin
A good look around most parts of the wood and lodges. Of note
-1 Dipper near a popular spot
-1 Kingfisher heard calling
-1 Teal (a surprise, since I rarely record them anywhere near the lodges)
- 2 Grey Wagtail
- 2 Bullfinch
- 1 Goosander (redhead)
plus usuals- 27 species in all. Have barely seen or heard a Parakeet here, this month.
Quick walk around the lakes at Alkrington Woods 12:30 - 13:30
Apart from the usual suspects (Mute Swans, Mallard, Coots, Moorhens, Black Headed Gulls, Canada Geese), of note...
11 Goosander - 6M, 5F on the easternmost lake
1 Kingfisher - flew across the next "lake" to the west
20+ Tufted Duck - in most of the lakes
1 Cormorant - on the easternmost lake with the Goosanders, pale so maybe juvenile
-- Edited by Michael Hood on Friday 24th of December 2021 01:57:47 PM
Not much in the way of Migrants in the past few weeks aside from a few flyover Oystercatchers and some Buzzard movement. I couldn't re-find the one or two Willow Warblers that were around last week
- 1 Kestrel
- 1 Buzzard (though 2 have been displaying over the woods over the last 2 weeks)
- c5 singing Chiffchaff
- 3 singing Blackcap
- Goldcrest
- 2 Kingfisher displaying
- 2 Stock Dove Displaying
- 3+ singing Coal Tit
- 6 Nuthatch
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Monday 12th of April 2021 11:51:59 PM
Peace and quiet disturbed once again by motorbikes being ridden through the stretch of woods that runs alongside the M60. GMP dragging their feet in response, as per usual.
- 37 Canada Geese (down from the usual 70-80)
- c50 Black-headed Gull (down from a peak of c200 during the cold spell)
- 1 Herring Gull
- 2 Greylag Geese which have suddenly appeared
- 1 Kingfisher
- 1 Grey Wagtail heard
A few singing Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Song Thrush.
01-Mar-21 (10:25-12:00):
Fairly quiet and for the first time in a couple of months, no Bullfinches heard calling, no Goosanders on the Lodges and no sign of the Kingfisher.
- 1 Buzzard overheard, chased off by a pair of Herring Gull
- 1 Common Gull
- 7 Mute Swan, including the first sign of one of the resident pairs building a nest, after last year's incident with yobs and a paving stone
- 3 Coal Tit singing
- 2 singing chaffinch
- singing Goldcrest
- 2 briefly singing Greenfinch
There's a good thick layer of ice now on most of the lodges, so nowhere the the local Kingfishers to hunt. The Ice has caused the majority of the Tufted Duck and Goosander to move out, but it did bring in more Gulls, though nothing unusual
- 1 Kestrel - first I've seen here this year
- 1 Tufted Duck (down from the usual 20)
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 6 Common Gulls
- 2 Herring Gull
- 200 to 250 Black-headed Gulls
- 7 Mute Swan including 1 of the local juvenilles displaying to a recent arrival
- 1 Goosander on the River Irk
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 2 or 3 calling Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 of which were chasing each other and drumming a little
- 5 Coal Tit singing
- 4 Nuthatch singing
- 6+ Bullfinch
- 1 Chaffinch singing
- 2 or 3 calling Ring-necked Parakeet
Locally I've also seen a small flock of Siskin, singing Treecreeper and Greenfinchnd a Buzzard (which now seems to prefer hunting over Blackley Golf Course)
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Friday 12th of February 2021 01:38:38 PM
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Friday 12th of February 2021 01:38:57 PM
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Friday 12th of February 2021 01:39:30 PM
- Kingfisher
- c6 Bullfinch, including several pairs
- 5 Nuthatch
- 3 Goosander
- pr Mistle Thrush
- 1 Common Gull
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- Dipper (heard only)
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 7 Goosanders (1m, 6 redhead) all on Perch Pond
- Kingfisher on Big Lodge favouring the corner near the Absolute Angling carpark
- 7 Goosanders (2m, 5 redhead) spread across the lodges
- 1 Herring Gull amongst the Black-headed Gull
- 1 Gadwall (first time I've logged one being present in 10+ years)
- 2+ Ring-necked Parakeet coming in to roost
- Kingfisher being seen regularly around Big Lodge by other walkers and local photographers ... but not by me
I have been made aware of an opportunity for people to get involved in a project called Bringing the Irk to Life. The project is hoping to improve the whole of the River irk Catchment and wants to engage with people who work and play in the catchment. The link below takes you to a page where you can read more about the project and feed in any knowledge you might have about the river and its wildlife. I have also posted this in the General Discussion section.
arcg.is/S0O4a
Trudged through some of the more off-the-beaten track areas in my wellies, but still searching for an elusive Woodcock
- 7 Goosanders (2m, 5 redhead) spread across the lodges
- 1 Herring Gull amongst the Black-headed Gull and actually on the deck
- Pair of courting Goldcrest
- 4+ Noisy Nuthatches
- 1 Dipper on Boardman Brook
- 3+ Bullfinch
11 Goosander on Perch Pond
28 Tufted Duck
2 Cormorant
1 Woodcock near Boardman Brook
3 Ring-Necked Parakeet near the edge of the woodland SW of the hall
3 Nuthatch
7 Goldcrest
Not much sign of any Winter visitors sticking around, however
- pr Dipper on Boardman Brook, well away from usual locations on the Irk
- 4 Goosander. a pair on 'Sandy Lake and 2 Redheads on Big Lodge
- Jay
- 2 Cormorants around, having been absent now for some months
Walk back from the Middleton end. Of Interest
- Pair of Dipper on the Irk
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Shoveler still at Perch Pond
- 1 redhead Goosander
Walk back from the Middleton end. Of Interest
- 1 Dipper on the Irk
- 2 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Shoveler at Rhodes Lodges - the first I've seen here
Walk back from Heaton Park along the Irk past Saisburys and through Rhodes. Of Interest
- 1 Dipper singing on stretch of the Irk that passes under the M60
- 1+ Grey Wagtail
- 1 Kingfisher
- 1 Redhead Goosander on the Irk
Rhodes Lodges
Very quiet at the moment with few Gulls. There was a male Wigeon briefly at the beginning of the month and up to six redheaded Goosander, but no sign of either today
- pair of Swallow flew low over Big Lodge and took a drink or two
9th Sept 2020
14.10-16.10
6 tufted ducks
2 mute swans
1 grey wagtail
1 kingfisher (flew by, didn't catch it fishing)
+ lots of mallards, coots, and long tailed tits.
-- Edited by Kev Jin on Friday 11th of September 2020 01:23:58 PM
Early morning visit after a brief shower. Quite lively with singing birds but few surprises:
- 1 (briefly) singing Willow Warbler
- 2 singing Blackcap
- 3 singing Chiffchaff
- 2 pairs of Grey Wagtail
- 1 calling Buzzard
After 2 weeks of being confined to the house and garden, it was nice to get out and about. Nothing radically, aside from finally adding Blackcap to my yearlist
- 1 Dipper - near probably nest site, but I have only seen 1 bird in the area this year
- 1 Raven being driven off by some angry Crows
- 2 singing Blackcap
- 3 singing Chiffchaff
- 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker - flying around and making a lot of noice. Presumably some sort of territorial dispute
- 2 Black-headed Gull still
- Pair of Mute Swans preparing a nest on one of the lodges, while the pair on the 'Duck Pond' tried to encourage the last of last year's offspring to find somewhere else to live
- 3 Grey Wagtail including one pair feeding together
- lots of other species singing. 35 species in all.
Around the Lodges:
- 1m Goosander
- 4 Mute Swan
- c30 Tufted Duck
- c50 Canada Goose
- c70 BH Gull
- 1 Cormorant + a second flying overhead
- 1 Dipper seen briefly on the River Irk
Around the Woods:
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 2+ Siskin
- 2-3 calling Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 2 singing Song Thrush
- c12 Long-tailed Tit
- 1 calling Bullfinch
- 1 Buzzard getting mobbed over the woods - though a better placed observer reported a pair
- Lots of Blue ane Great Tits singing
No sign of a Kingfisher around at the moment
Around the Lodges:
- pr Goosander
- 4 Mute Swan
- c30 Tufted Duck
- c40 Canada Goose
- c60 BH Gull
- 1 Common Gull
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Dipper seen flying up the Irk towards MIddleton
Around the Woods:
- 4+ Jay
- 2 calling Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 4+ Nuthatch
- 1 singing Song Thrush
- c6 Coal Tit (1 pair)
- c8 Long-tailed Tit
- 1 Buzzard calling overhead
- Lots of Blue ane Great Tits singing
- 2 calling male Tawny Owls
Fairly quiet in mild condition, although some of the Lodges were largely covered in Ice.
Highlights:
- 1 Treecreeper (first I have seen here this year)
- c6 Bullfinch
- c3 Grey Wagtail
- 5 Goosander (1 male and 4 redhead) - all on the 'duck pond'
- 6+ Jay all foraging and calling loudly
Also 3 or 4 Swift feeding over Alkrington. 3 screaming birds seen flying low over some of the older houses on Friday 25th. There are usually a few more than this around, but I've seen very few anywhere this year.
A good walk round the wider area. However, Still didnt have time to check every nook and cranny. 35 Species in all, which is a fairly consist number for my visits this year, but still havent seen Treecreeper or Sparrowhawk here this year.
Most Interesting sightings:
1 Common Whitethroat I suspect some of the scrubby areas towards Rhodes holds more
1 Dipper seen on the Irk
1 singing Chiffchaff
5 singing Blackcap
1 singing Willow Warbler (down from 3 last month)
4+ Nuthatch pair feeding young
2 singing Goldcrest
1 Kestrel
Very few waterbirds, mainly Canada Geese and just a single Gull over the area. Still 20+ singing Robin, Wren and Blackbirds plus a good number of singing Song Thrush. Havent been able to prove that the Tawny Owls have bred this year.
Pleased to see that the water levels have dropped on the River Irk and that Rochdale council have quickly repaired paths washed away only a few weeks ago. The amount of plastic waste that has been left in amongst the riverside vegetation is unfortunately quite an eyesore. As expected, I found 0 Willow Tits, but did manage to locate
- 2 Willow Warbler
- 8 Blackcap
- 5 Chiffchaff
- 4+ Nuthatch
- Bullfinch
- 1 Ring-necked Parakeet
- 4+ Coal Tit
- 3 Great-Spotted Woodpecker, including a mating pair
around 35 species in all.
Breezy and changeable. Water Levels on the River Irk are still high, but the River is back within its boundaries.
Highlights
- 4 redhead Goosander
- Male and Female Bullfinch calling
- 3+ Nuthatch
- 2 Coal Tit singing
- 1 calling Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 1 Mistle Thrush
around 35 species seen. No Willow Tits located - but that wasn't entirely unexpected.
Mild and bright morning with a fairly clear sky. Lots of activity amongst the resident birds.
Highlights
- 1 Kingfisher - around the edge of one of the larger lodges
- 5 redhead Goosander and a single male
- up to 4 Bullfinch calling
- 2 to 4 Ring-necked Parakeet
- 3+ Nuthatch
- 3+ Coal Tit singing
- 2 Buzzard - soaring and displaying over the Wood
- 2 or 3 Raven - seen flying in the direction of Heaton Park
- 1 drumming and 1+ calling Great Spotted Woodpecker
around 36 species seen.
Highlights
- 1 Kingfisher - before the snow and ice came along
- 5 redhead Goosander, but only 1 on the 31st
- 1 Grey Wagtail on the River Irk
- up to 4 Bullfinch
- 4 Greenfinch
- 2 Ring-necked Parakeet
- 4+ Nuthatch
- 4+ Coal Tit
around 30 species seen on each visit.
Have made sever further visits of varying lengths, but today's was probably the most productive - and included a patch tick for me in the form of a Goldeneye
Highlights:
- Fem/juv Goldeneye on Log number 2
- 3 Coal Tit
- 9 Goosander (1m, 8 red-head)
- 3+ Nuthatch
- Bullfinch (calling)
- 3 Song Thrush (singing)
- 4+ Ring-necked Parakeet
- Great Spotted Woodpecker (calling)
Fri 21st Dec
First visit in a while without my sister and dog, so had the time to do a more thorough visit of the area. 33 Species is probably the best that I've managed here this year and even so, some expected species (such as RN Parakeets) were not encountered.
Highlights:
- 4+ Bullfinch (4 males seen)
- Treecreeper
- Goldcrest
- 2 Coal Tit
- 6+ Siskin
- Mistle Thrush
- 9 Goosander (2m, 7 red-head) - 4+ Nuthatch
Have still not had a good view of a Dipper here this year (though my sister saw a pair a few weeks ago) or a Kingfisher.
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Saturday 22nd of December 2018 01:05:37 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 22nd of December 2018 07:35:09 AM
On this occasion however, it was soaring over the woods near the hall and was being mobbed by Crows.
Im only in the area when visiting my folks, but I see one on maybe 40% of my visits to the woods.
- 2+ calling Tawny Owl (m&f). 1 bird barely 10ft away caught in the beam of my torch (total fluke)
Sat 31st Mar:
- 1 Chiffchaff (singing)
- 1 Buzzard
- 1 Goldcrest
- 3 Grey Wagtail
Very little in the way of Waterfowl left and not much in the way of migrants, not helped by the weather.
I have still not seen Kingfisher or Dipper here yet this year.
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Monday 2nd of April 2018 10:24:32 PM
Hard going in wet conditions. Water levels pretty high on the River Irk
1 Grey Wagtail on the Irk
7 Goosander (3 pairs and a single male) - 1 pair was swimming on the Irk r
- Tufted Duck c15
- Goosander 9 (2m)
- Goldcrest 1
- Jay 1
- Long-tailed Tit 6
1 Dipper seen on the River Irk by the lodges by my sister, early in the morning.
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 9 Goosander - 1 pair and a group of 5 males with 2 redheads
- 1+ Ring-necked Parakeet (heard only)
not a great deal around.
Originally posted today by Dave Olive:
Alkrington Woods:
18th March 2017
Mute Swans, Crow, Robin, Mallard pair, Tufted ducks pair, Chiffchaff, Canada Geese, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Coot, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe pair, Willow Warbler singing, Grey Wagtail.
29th April 2017
Mute Swans, Crow, Robin, Mallard pair, Tufted Duck pair, Chiffchaff, Canada Geese, coot, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe pair, Willow Warbler singing, Wren, Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Blue Tit, Magpies, Blackbirds, Green Ring Necked Parakeets pair, Goldfinch.
First visit in a while, in drizzly conditions. Not a great deal around, but a few migrants:
1 or 2 singing Willow Warblers - the first that Ive heard here for a few years
5 singing Chiffchaff
2 or 3 singing Blackcap
1 Grey Wagtail
4+ calling Nuthatch
2 Coal Tit
1 Mistle Thrush
c4 Ring-necked Parakeet
Usual ducks and waterfowl, but none of the expected Great Crested Grebes and no sign of any Dipper.
Quick Walk around with my sister and the dog
- 3 Grey Wagtails (1 + 1 pair)
- 3 Goosander (Pair + 1 redhead)
+ usual ducks and Geese
- 1 Common Gull
- 1 1W Herring Gull
- c60 Black-headed Gull
- c6 singing Song Thrush + plenty of singing Robins, Wrens & Dunnocks
Elsewhere around Alkrington: 1 Goldcrest and 1 singing male Bullfinch.
Sat 29th Jan '17: (08:30 - 10:30)
Pretty miserable morning with pouring rain. Still lots of ice on the lodges and not many birds around. Of note....
- 2 pairs of Goosander
- 5 Mute Swan
- c50 Canada Goose
- 1 fem Bullfinch
- 1 treecreeper
- 1 Grey Wagtail
Also, while walking the dog with my sister along the Irk, we both heard, on at least 2 occasions a very loud and convincingly Bittern-like 'Boom' sound, although there is little in the way of reedbed or suitable habitat in the area. We searched the other side (wood side) of the Irk, but found nothing. Very odd.
Given the bright weather, there was a fair amount of activity - certainly more than I had anticipated at this time of the year.
Rhodes Lodges: Very little
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 male Tufted Duck
- 1 Black-headed Gull
plus the usual Mallard, Canada Geese, Coot and Moorhen. No sign of any Dippers, although my brother reported 1 on Sunday.
Alkrington Woods:
- 1 male Bullfinch
- c5 Singing Blackcap + 1 female
- 4 singing Chiffchaff
- 4 sining Coal Tit + a small family of birds
- c4 calling Nuthatch
- c6 Song Thrush (mostly singers)
- 3 Swift
- 2 Swallow
- 2 pairs of Jay
plus usuals - 36 species in all.