3 x Grey Wagtail (pair on river together 1 in steams at the back of the feeders)
1 x Great Crested Grebe
1 x Domestic Goose
2 x Goldfinch
1 x White Throated Dipper
1 x Song Thrush
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Coot
Moorhen
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Carrion Crow
Bryan Deighton said
Thu Feb 29 2:55 PM, 2024
29/02/24 0945-1200
33 species
2 x Gadwall
7 x Goosander (5 on river , 2 M 3 F, and a pair on the back lodge)
1 x Cormorant
4 x Nuthatch
2 x Dunnock
2 x Wren
1 x Chaffinch
3 x Moorhen
2 x Goldcrest
1 x Buzzard
1 x Treecreeper
2 x Pied Wagtail
1 x Great Crested Grebe
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Coot
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Long-Tailed Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Carrion Crow
Bryan Deighton said
Fri Feb 23 5:18 PM, 2024
1515-1600hrs 23/02/24
Lodges only didn't have time to walk the river
29 species
3 x Gadwall
2 x Goosander (both juvenile. One on main lodge one on back lodge)
1 x Cormorant
1 x Nuthatch
2 x Dunnock
1 x Wren
2 x Chaffinch
2 x Coal Tit
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Moorhen
Coot
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Long-Tailed Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Bryan Deighton said
Thu Feb 1 2:54 PM, 2024
0955-1145hrs 01/02/24
31 species
6 x Northern Shoveler
8 x Gadwall
1 x Goosander
3 x Cormorant
1 x Great Crested Grebe
1 x Nuthatch
3 x Dunnock
1 x Wren
1 x Chaffinch
1 x Coal Tit
1 x Sparrowhawk
2 x Grey Wagtail (initially seen together on the paths of the middle lodge, later seen on the river)
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Moorhen
Coot
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Also 14 Pink Footed Goose flew over North around 1130am
Bryan Deighton said
Thu Jan 25 2:01 PM, 2024
90 minute walk around Moses Gate this morning sighing 29 species
8 Northern Shoveler
12 Gadwall
3 Goosander
1 Cormorant
1 Buzzard
2 Treecreeper
1 Nuthatch
3 Dunnock
1 x Wren
2 White-Throated Dipper (displaying nicely just below Weir on River)
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Moorhen
Coot
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Keith Rowland said
Mon Jan 15 9:31 AM, 2024
7 Ring-necked Parakeet over and 3 Lesser Redpoll to note this morning.
Keith Rowland said
Wed Jan 3 9:02 AM, 2024
30+ Siskin at the back of the main pond (near the rear pond if you walk anti clock wise from the car park)
Keith Rowland said
Mon Nov 13 10:24 AM, 2023
22 Lapwing, 5 Redwing and a Raven over this morning, plus 21 Shoveler on the main lake and large mixed tit flocks around the fringes of the main lake which, included several Treecreeper, Goldcrests and Nuthatch.
Keith Rowland said
Tue Oct 24 1:06 PM, 2023
Hawfinch flew (Heading South East) over the Childrens play area, Red Bridge/River Croal and on towards Nob End SSSI 9:28 this morning.
Keith Rowland said
Fri Oct 13 8:57 AM, 2023
Single Whooper this morning 08:40
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 13th of October 2023 11:07:33 AM
Little Egret over river Croal towards Darcy Lever just before 9AM this morning
Keith Rowland said
Wed Sep 27 6:36 PM, 2023
Great White Egret low over main lake early this morning, again at 10am towards Darcy Lever Gravel pits, then again over Church Street Little Lever heading towards Irwell/Nob End SSSI shortly afterwards.
Thank you, Keith.
-- Edited by Keith Rowland on Wednesday 27th of September 2023 06:48:31 PM
A second year male Mute Swan that we ringed at Moses Gate on 24/2/2020 has just been caught at Abbotsbury, Dorset, a distance of 323km. This is the longest movement we have had since we started ringing swans in GM in the 1980s.
Steve Christmas said
Sat Jul 8 6:18 PM, 2023
Adult Mediterranean Gull on one of the wooden posts on the far side of the main lodge at 5pm today.
Tony Hill said
Mon Aug 8 4:48 PM, 2022
Little Egret on the River Irwell at the Croal-Irwell confluence at 11 30a.m. then flew down the River toward Stoneclough. Could have been the same bird I saw on the Irwell at Clifton.C.P in June, but forgot to put it on the forum.
Tony Hill said
Tue Mar 29 2:14 PM, 2022
At the Croal-Irwell confluence. 7 Goosander, 2 Common Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon on the Mill chimney, 4 Stock Dove, 6 Grey Wagtail Dipper, 3 Kingfisher, 11 Chiffchaff, Blackcap and a Nuthatch.
Richard Thew said
Wed Feb 17 4:40 PM, 2021
I wanted my mother to get out for a little while, as (like many of us) she had been struggling in the lockdown in order to stay safe.
I went up ahead to see if the iceland gull was still there (which didn't take long) and called her up. The lighting was unfortunately too strong for most of the time, (being at a difficult angle) but we managed some great views.
Juvenile Iceland Gull still showing very well here today, also 14 Shoveler and the fire service doing a sterling job of rescuing an adult Mute Swan that was trapped in the ice.
Spent a good hour searching for the Iceland Gull to no avail but seeing as there was 500+ Gulls on the main lake it was the proverbial 'needle in haystack' plus a blinding low sun adding to it. Another birder I bumped into was similarly unsuccessful.
2 Buzzards were circling quite low over trees just beyond the main lake.
A nice male Goosander was seen on the edge of the weir, whilst a short walk down the Irwell produced 2 Dippers.
Plus countless Mallard, Canada Goose, Coot, various Gulll, and Feral pigeon
I don't know if the Iceland Gull is still present. Not a bird I've ever seen before. There was over 200 gulls stood on the ice in the middle of the main lodge so it could have been amongst them.
Thanks
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Sunday 31st of January 2021 03:32:44 PM
Tom OShea said
Sat Jan 16 5:35 PM, 2021
Also sneaked a peak of the Iceland Gull juv this afternoon, very glad it stuck around as its a first for me. I've tried before to see the roosting birds at Audenshaw, but failed miserably due to the distance. Here is a great opportunity to see one from relatively close up!
Richard Thew said
Sat Jan 16 4:53 PM, 2021
I had a slightly longer bike ride today, and passed through here.
Best Highlights include:
Mistle thrush Sparrowhawk Shoveler Goosander Common gull Iceland gull (juv)
Meadow pipit (1 heard and another seen further afield) Buzzard (further afield)
Ta!
Martin Loftus said
Thu Jan 14 7:15 PM, 2021
2,35pm - 3,30pm
Juvenile Iceland gull
It stayed around 45 mins before stealing a slice of bread off a swan then flying off
Was quite difficult to spot initially due to the shear amount of large juvenile gulls all constantly moving around, mixed with at least 500plus black headed gulls. I've never seen the place so busy with bird life!
Thought I'd have a change and spent an hour or two here in the rain on my bike
Highlights include:
Shoveler Gadwall (on the back pool) Goosander x5
Usually, I get to see several common gulls around, but not on this visit.
Ta!
Kev Jin said
Tue Jan 12 6:51 PM, 2021
12.1.2021 13.49-15.56
50 Mute Swan
13 Shoveler
4 Goosander
1 Pochard
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Uncountable number of different gulls, lots of mallards, coots, and moorhens. Some tufted ducks. Arriving at the lakes here was incredible. I've never seen so many swans in one place and there were tons of other birds on the main lake. Quite the sight! My first time seeing Shoveler. Was very exciting :)
-- Edited by Kev Jin on Tuesday 12th of January 2021 06:52:28 PM
Bryan Deighton said
Tue Dec 29 3:48 PM, 2020
1350--1450 29/12/20
21 species seen
Mute Swan x 48
Gawall x 4
Tufted Duck x 41
Goosander x 2 (female on back lodge and male on river)
Moorhen x 9
Cormorant x 2
Grey Heron x 2
Magpie x 8
Woodpigeon x 6
Carrion Crow x 2
Coal Tit x 4
Blue Tit x 7
Great Tit x 6
Long-tailed Tit x 15
Blackbird x 3
Robin x 3
Chaffinch x 3 (1m 2f)
Plus countless Canada Goose, Coot, Black-Headed Gull, and Feral pigeon
Thanks
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Tuesday 29th of December 2020 03:49:30 PM
Bryan Deighton said
Tue Dec 22 1:11 PM, 2020
1035-1205hrs 22/12/20
25 species seen
1 x Domestic Goose
52 x Mute Swan
3 x Northern Shoveler
1 x Gawall
Tufted Duck x 45
Moorhen x 8
Common Gull x 2
Cormorant x 2
Grey Heron x 1
Magpie x 8
Carrion Crow x 2
Coal Tit x 4
Blue Tit x 3
Great Tit x 10
Wren x 1
Blackbird x 3
Robin x 7
Heard a Nuthatch but not seen.
Also could have sworn I heard a Water Rail. Never seem one on here and very little experience with them so could be wrong.
Plus countless Canada Goose, Coot, Herring Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral pigeon and Wood-Pigeon
Thanks
Bryan
Simon Warford said
Mon Dec 14 12:03 PM, 2020
WeBS count from the weekend, plenty of birds to count!
130 Pink-footed Geese over east. Also Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker around the lodges.
Bryan Deighton said
Wed Nov 11 3:33 PM, 2020
Late entry from the weekend:
Blackbird x 2
Carrion Crow x 2
Coal Tit x 1
Cormorant x 2
Great Crested Grebe x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Great tit x 11
Long tailed tit x 4
Magpie x 6
Mute Swan x 50
Moorhen x 11
Robin x 4
Treecreeper x 1
Plus countless tufted ducks mallards canada geese feral pigeon and wood pigeon and all manor of gulls
Thanks
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Wednesday 11th of November 2020 03:33:55 PM
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Nov 10 8:47 PM, 2020
Had 15 mins to spare on way to an appointment in Bolton early afternoon, so a quick scan of the lake
produced 2 Cormorant & 1 female Goosander (brown head).
There was a very large gathering of mainly Black Headed Gulls - at least 300 with many juveniles mixed in.
bernard hooley said
Tue Nov 10 2:35 PM, 2020
Forgot to mention a single male Goosander present yesterday.
bernard hooley said
Tue Nov 10 2:06 PM, 2020
Visited here yesterday.What a mess.All the walkways are badly broken or under water. The visitor centre has been closed for years and is now in a state of disrepair Bolton council should be ashamed.Rant over.Birds as follows: Feral Pigeon x 100+ Great Crested Grebe x 1 Cormorant x 6 Grey Heron x 1 Mute Swan x 42 Gadwall x 4 Canada Goose x 50 + Mallard x 26 Shoveler x 1 Tufted duck x 20 Moorhen x 6 Coot x 60+ Black Headed Gull x lots Herring Gull x 8 Lesser Black Backed Gull x 3 Wren x 1 Robin x
Bryan Deighton said
Fri Sep 4 2:43 PM, 2020
4th September 1030-1300
Blue Tit x 5
Carrion Crow x 1
Chaffinch x 1
Coal Tit x 1
Cormorant x 2
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Grey Heron x 1
Great tit x 11
House Sparrow x 3
Kestrel x 1
Long-tailed Tit x 2
Magpie x 6
Mute Swan x 28
Moorhen x 1
Nuthatch x 1
Robin x 1
Tufted Duck x 20
Wren x 3
As well as the usual large amounts of Coots, Canada Geese, mallards, wood pigeons, feral pigeons and mixed species of gulls.
Cheers
Bryan
Bryan Deighton said
Wed Sep 2 1:22 PM, 2020
2nd September 1030-1230
Blue Tit x 3
Carrion Crow x 4
Coal Tit x 1
Cormorant x 2
Dunnock x 1
Goldfinch x 1
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Grey Heron x 1
Great tit x 9
Long-tailed Tit x 2
Magpie x 7
Mute Swan x 53
Moorhen x 2
Nuthatch x 2
Robin x 2
Treecreeper x 1
Tufted Duck x 28
As well as the usual large amounts of Coots, Canada Geese, mallards, wood pigeons, feral pigeons and mixed species of gulls.
Cheers
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Wednesday 2nd of September 2020 01:23:13 PM
Bryan Deighton said
Mon Aug 10 12:44 PM, 2020
10th June 0945-11-45
Bullfinch x 2
Buzzard x 1
Carrion Crow x 6
Cormorant x 1 (first time I've seen one on here this year)
Goldfinch x 2
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Grey Heron x 1
Magpie x 4
Moorhen x 2
Robin x 2
Tufted Duck x 12
As well as the usual large amounts of Coots, Canada Geese, swans, mallards, wood pigeons, feral pigeons and mixed species of gulls.
Also heard Wrens and Long-tailed tits but not seen.
It appears the Sand Martin's have moved on as well.
Cheers
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Monday 10th of August 2020 12:46:19 PM
Bryan Deighton said
Sun Jul 26 8:21 AM, 2020
21st June
4 x blackbird
1 x buzzard (circling high above the park)
1 x chaffinch
3 x Goldfich
4 x Great crested grebe (two adult two juveniles)
5 x Great tit
2 x Grey heron
8 x Herring Gul
2 x Long-tailed tit
1 x Moorhen
5 x Robin
2 x Sand Martin
1 x Song thrush
2 x Wren
As well as the usual large amounts of Coots, Canada Geese, swans, mallards, wood pigeons, feral pigeons,and black headed gulls, common gulls and magpies
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Sunday 26th of July 2020 08:26:28 AM
Richard Thew said
Mon Mar 16 3:04 PM, 2020
A short visit in line with a local round trip from Elton...
Highlights here include.....
Treecreeper Nuthatch Long tailed tits 2 Jay's that gave a mimic calls of a buzzard and not only fooled me but also the birds on the lodge which all panicked.
Male Pochard, 4 Goosander, few siskins, and Nuthatch
Richard Thew said
Wed May 15 8:54 PM, 2019
The pink footed goose is still on the main lodge. It may appear it could have escapped from a collection somewhere, but I couldn't see any rings on its feet and my friend reports the same when he has seen it out of the water (which also confirms the previous post). So, it's origins remain a mystery.
Other birds on the lodge include:
Great crested grebe Lesser black backed gulls.
Also:
Grey wagtail heard in the river. Nuthatches, reed buntings calling and the other usual stuff seen/heard
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Wednesday 15th of May 2019 08:58:07 PM
06/03/24 1050-1320
33 species
3 x Gadwall
4 x Goosander (2 M 2 F on river)
3 x Nuthatch
1 x Dunnock
1 x Wren
6 x Chaffinch (3M 3F)
2 x Coal Tit
6 x Long Tailed Tit
3 x Grey Wagtail (pair on river together 1 in steams at the back of the feeders)
1 x Great Crested Grebe
1 x Domestic Goose
2 x Goldfinch
1 x White Throated Dipper
1 x Song Thrush
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Coot
Moorhen
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Carrion Crow
29/02/24 0945-1200
33 species
2 x Gadwall
7 x Goosander (5 on river , 2 M 3 F, and a pair on the back lodge)
1 x Cormorant
4 x Nuthatch
2 x Dunnock
2 x Wren
1 x Chaffinch
3 x Moorhen
2 x Goldcrest
1 x Buzzard
1 x Treecreeper
2 x Pied Wagtail
1 x Great Crested Grebe
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Coot
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Long-Tailed Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Carrion Crow
1515-1600hrs 23/02/24
Lodges only didn't have time to walk the river
29 species
3 x Gadwall
2 x Goosander (both juvenile. One on main lodge one on back lodge)
1 x Cormorant
1 x Nuthatch
2 x Dunnock
1 x Wren
2 x Chaffinch
2 x Coal Tit
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Moorhen
Coot
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Long-Tailed Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
0955-1145hrs 01/02/24
31 species
6 x Northern Shoveler
8 x Gadwall
1 x Goosander
3 x Cormorant
1 x Great Crested Grebe
1 x Nuthatch
3 x Dunnock
1 x Wren
1 x Chaffinch
1 x Coal Tit
1 x Sparrowhawk
2 x Grey Wagtail (initially seen together on the paths of the middle lodge, later seen on the river)
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Moorhen
Coot
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Also 14 Pink Footed Goose flew over North around 1130am
90 minute walk around Moses Gate this morning sighing 29 species
8 Northern Shoveler
12 Gadwall
3 Goosander
1 Cormorant
1 Buzzard
2 Treecreeper
1 Nuthatch
3 Dunnock
1 x Wren
2 White-Throated Dipper (displaying nicely just below Weir on River)
Plus plenty of uncounted:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Moorhen
Coot
Tufted Duck
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Domestic Mallard
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
7 Ring-necked Parakeet over and 3 Lesser Redpoll to note this morning.
30+ Siskin at the back of the main pond (near the rear pond if you walk anti clock wise from the car park)
22 Lapwing, 5 Redwing and a Raven over this morning, plus 21 Shoveler on the main lake and large mixed tit flocks around the fringes of the main lake which, included several Treecreeper, Goldcrests and Nuthatch.
Hawfinch flew (Heading South East) over the Childrens play area, Red Bridge/River Croal and on towards Nob End SSSI 9:28 this morning.
Single Whooper this morning 08:40
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 13th of October 2023 11:07:33 AM
117 Redwing over 8:45am
Little Egret over river Croal towards Darcy Lever just before 9AM this morning
Great White Egret low over main lake early this morning, again at 10am towards Darcy Lever Gravel pits, then again over Church Street Little Lever heading towards Irwell/Nob End SSSI shortly afterwards.
Thank you, Keith.
-- Edited by Keith Rowland on Wednesday 27th of September 2023 06:48:31 PM
A second year male Mute Swan that we ringed at Moses Gate on 24/2/2020 has just been caught at Abbotsbury, Dorset, a distance of 323km. This is the longest movement we have had since we started ringing swans in GM in the 1980s.
Adult Mediterranean Gull on one of the wooden posts on the far side of the main lodge at 5pm today.
I went up ahead to see if the iceland gull was still there (which didn't take long) and called her up. The lighting was unfortunately too strong for most of the time, (being at a difficult angle) but we managed some great views.
These are her pictures,
Ta!
16/02/21 13.30 - 1600
25 Species
Iceland Gull X 1 (finally found amongst the biggest collection of gulls I've ever seen on here)
Northern Shoveler X 10
Wood Pigeon X 14
Buzzard X 1
Magpie X 8
Carrion Crow X 3
Coal Tit X 4
Blue Tit X 5
Great Tit X 8
Long-Tailed Tit X 6
Nuthatch X 1
Dipper X 1 ( on the Irwell)
Blackbird X 6
Robin X 6
Chaffinch X 2
Plus usual large amounts of Swan, Canada Goose, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard and Feral Pigeon
Cheers
Fewer shovelers and didnt see the goosander here either though.
Ta!
4th Feb 1320-1500
23 species
Mute Swan x 50
Tufted Duck x 52
Goosander x 4 (one pair on back lodge one pair on river)
Northern Shoveler x 5 (3m 2f)
Moorhen x 8
Woodpigeon x 12
Cormorant x 4 (two hunting together in the back lodge very successfully)
Magpie x 6
Carrion Crow x 2
Coal Tit x 4
Blue Tit x 10
Great Tit x 6
Nuthatch x 3
Robin x 8
Blackbird x 8
Plus usual large amounts of various gulls (still no Iceland) Canada goose, Coot, Mallard and Feral Pigeon.
Also saw I what I presume was an unusual Domestic Duck on the river with two mallards. Bigger than a mallard but smaller than a goose
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Thursday 4th of February 2021 11:27:18 PM
14:30 to 16:30
Spent a good hour searching for the Iceland Gull to no avail but seeing as there was 500+ Gulls on the main lake it was the proverbial 'needle in haystack' plus a blinding low sun adding to it. Another birder I bumped into was similarly unsuccessful.
2 Buzzards were circling quite low over trees just beyond the main lake.
A nice male Goosander was seen on the edge of the weir, whilst a short walk down the Irwell produced 2 Dippers.
1110--1245 31/12/21
26 species seen
Mute Swan x 50
Tufted Duck x 45
Goosander x 1 (female)
Northern Shoveler x 9 (5m 4f)
Moorhen x 10
Cormorant x 1
Magpie x 4
Woodpigeon x 9
Carrion Crow x 3
Coal Tit x 5
Blue Tit x 5
Great Tit x 3
Long-tailed Tit x 6
Blackbird x 13
Robin x 8
Chaffinch x 2 (both female)
Mistle Thrush x 1
Dunnock x 1
Nuthatch x 2
Plus countless Mallard, Canada Goose, Coot, various Gulll, and Feral pigeon
I don't know if the Iceland Gull is still present. Not a bird I've ever seen before. There was over 200 gulls stood on the ice in the middle of the main lodge so it could have been amongst them.
Thanks
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Sunday 31st of January 2021 03:32:44 PM
Also sneaked a peak of the Iceland Gull juv this afternoon, very glad it stuck around as its a first for me. I've tried before to see the roosting birds at Audenshaw, but failed miserably due to the distance. Here is a great opportunity to see one from relatively close up!
Best Highlights include:
Mistle thrush
Sparrowhawk
Shoveler
Goosander
Common gull
Iceland gull (juv)
Meadow pipit (1 heard and another seen further afield)
Buzzard (further afield)
Ta!
2,35pm - 3,30pm
Juvenile Iceland gull
It stayed around 45 mins before stealing a slice of bread off a swan then flying off
Was quite difficult to spot initially due to the shear amount of large juvenile gulls all constantly moving around, mixed with at least 500plus black headed gulls. I've never seen the place so busy with bird life!
Highlights include:
Shoveler
Gadwall (on the back pool)
Goosander x5
Usually, I get to see several common gulls around, but not on this visit.
Ta!
12.1.2021 13.49-15.56
50 Mute Swan
13 Shoveler
4 Goosander
1 Pochard
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Uncountable number of different gulls, lots of mallards, coots, and moorhens. Some tufted ducks. Arriving at the lakes here was incredible. I've never seen so many swans in one place and there were tons of other birds on the main lake. Quite the sight! My first time seeing Shoveler. Was very exciting :)
-- Edited by Kev Jin on Tuesday 12th of January 2021 06:52:28 PM
1350--1450 29/12/20
21 species seen
Mute Swan x 48
Gawall x 4
Tufted Duck x 41
Goosander x 2 (female on back lodge and male on river)
Moorhen x 9
Cormorant x 2
Grey Heron x 2
Magpie x 8
Woodpigeon x 6
Carrion Crow x 2
Coal Tit x 4
Blue Tit x 7
Great Tit x 6
Long-tailed Tit x 15
Blackbird x 3
Robin x 3
Chaffinch x 3 (1m 2f)
Plus countless Canada Goose, Coot, Black-Headed Gull, and Feral pigeon
Thanks
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Tuesday 29th of December 2020 03:49:30 PM
1035-1205hrs 22/12/20
25 species seen
1 x Domestic Goose
52 x Mute Swan
3 x Northern Shoveler
1 x Gawall
Tufted Duck x 45
Moorhen x 8
Common Gull x 2
Cormorant x 2
Grey Heron x 1
Magpie x 8
Carrion Crow x 2
Coal Tit x 4
Blue Tit x 3
Great Tit x 10
Wren x 1
Blackbird x 3
Robin x 7
Heard a Nuthatch but not seen.
Also could have sworn I heard a Water Rail. Never seem one on here and very little experience with them so could be wrong.
Plus countless Canada Goose, Coot, Herring Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral pigeon and Wood-Pigeon
Thanks
Bryan
154 Coot
19 Moorhen
74 Mute Swan
285 Canada Geese
120 Mallard
3 Gadwall
6 Shoveler
74 Tufted Duck
1 drake Pochard
11 Goosander
3 Little Grebe
1 Kingfisher
4 Cormorant
110 Herring Gull
60 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5 Common Gull
560 Black-headed Gulls.
2 Dippers on the Irwell, also around the lodges Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1330-1440hrs 2nd Dec
24 Species
Northern Shoveler x 2
Mute Swan x 48
Tufted Duck x 29
Goosander X 2 (both males, not seen these two before)
Moorhen x 5
Cormorant x 1
Magpie x 11
Wood Pigeon x 6
Carrion Crow x 2
Coal Tit x 2
Great Tit x 7
Blue Tit x 4
Blackbird x 3
Robin x 7
Dunnock X 2
Herring Gull X 1
Lesser Black-Backed Gull X 2
Pied Wagtail X 1
Kestrel X 1
Plus usual countless Mallard, Coot, Feral Pigeon and Black-Headed Gull.
Thanks
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Wednesday 2nd of December 2020 03:38:17 PM
1400-1600hrs 22nd Nov
Northern Shoveler x 3 (a first for me on here)
Mute Swan x 50
Tufted Duck x 42
Goosanderx 3 (1 juvenile in the River and two flying over)
Moorhen x 4
Cormorant x 3 (2 on main lodge 1 flying over)
Kingfisher x 1 (fishing on river)
Magpie x 3
Wood Pigeon x 6
Carrion Crow x 3
Coal Tit x 1
Great Tit x 1
Blue Tit x 1
Long Tailed Tit x 6
Wren x 2
Blackbird x 2
Robin x 8
Goldfinch x 18
Plus usual countless mallard, coot, feral pigeon and various species of Gull.
Thanks
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Sunday 22nd of November 2020 06:40:28 PM
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Sunday 22nd of November 2020 06:43:47 PM
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Sunday 22nd of November 2020 06:47:54 PM
147 Coot
15 Moorhen
68 Mute Swan
206 Canada Geese
75 Mallard
2 Gadwall
2 Shoveler
72 Tufted Duck
1 drake Goosander
1 Grey Heron
2 Little Grebe
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Water Rail
2 Kingfisher
130 Pink-footed Geese over east.
Also Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker around the lodges.
Late entry from the weekend:
Blackbird x 2
Carrion Crow x 2
Coal Tit x 1
Cormorant x 2
Great Crested Grebe x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Great tit x 11
Long tailed tit x 4
Magpie x 6
Mute Swan x 50
Moorhen x 11
Robin x 4
Treecreeper x 1
Plus countless tufted ducks mallards canada geese feral pigeon and wood pigeon and all manor of gulls
Thanks
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Wednesday 11th of November 2020 03:33:55 PM
Had 15 mins to spare on way to an appointment in Bolton early afternoon, so a quick scan of the lake
produced 2 Cormorant & 1 female Goosander (brown head).
There was a very large gathering of mainly Black Headed Gulls - at least 300 with many juveniles mixed in.
or under water. The visitor centre has been closed for years and is now in a state
of disrepair Bolton council should be ashamed.Rant over.Birds as follows:
Feral Pigeon x 100+
Great Crested Grebe x 1
Cormorant x 6
Grey Heron x 1
Mute Swan x 42
Gadwall x 4
Canada Goose x 50 +
Mallard x 26
Shoveler x 1
Tufted duck x 20
Moorhen x 6
Coot x 60+
Black Headed Gull x lots
Herring Gull x 8
Lesser Black Backed Gull x 3
Wren x 1
Robin x
4th September 1030-1300
Blue Tit x 5
Carrion Crow x 1
Chaffinch x 1
Coal Tit x 1
Cormorant x 2
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Grey Heron x 1
Great tit x 11
House Sparrow x 3
Kestrel x 1
Long-tailed Tit x 2
Magpie x 6
Mute Swan x 28
Moorhen x 1
Nuthatch x 1
Robin x 1
Tufted Duck x 20
Wren x 3
As well as the usual large amounts of Coots, Canada Geese, mallards, wood pigeons, feral pigeons and mixed species of gulls.
Cheers
Bryan
2nd September 1030-1230
Blue Tit x 3
Carrion Crow x 4
Coal Tit x 1
Cormorant x 2
Dunnock x 1
Goldfinch x 1
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Grey Heron x 1
Great tit x 9
Long-tailed Tit x 2
Magpie x 7
Mute Swan x 53
Moorhen x 2
Nuthatch x 2
Robin x 2
Treecreeper x 1
Tufted Duck x 28
As well as the usual large amounts of Coots, Canada Geese, mallards, wood pigeons, feral pigeons and mixed species of gulls.
Cheers
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Wednesday 2nd of September 2020 01:23:13 PM
10th June 0945-11-45
Bullfinch x 2
Buzzard x 1
Carrion Crow x 6
Cormorant x 1 (first time I've seen one on here this year)
Goldfinch x 2
Great Crested Grebe x 2
Grey Heron x 1
Magpie x 4
Moorhen x 2
Robin x 2
Tufted Duck x 12
As well as the usual large amounts of Coots, Canada Geese, swans, mallards, wood pigeons, feral pigeons and mixed species of gulls.
Also heard Wrens and Long-tailed tits but not seen.
It appears the Sand Martin's have moved on as well.
Cheers
Bryan
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Monday 10th of August 2020 12:46:19 PM
21st June
4 x blackbird
1 x buzzard (circling high above the park)
1 x chaffinch
3 x Goldfich
4 x Great crested grebe (two adult two juveniles)
5 x Great tit
2 x Grey heron
8 x Herring Gul
2 x Long-tailed tit
1 x Moorhen
5 x Robin
2 x Sand Martin
1 x Song thrush
2 x Wren
As well as the usual large amounts of Coots, Canada Geese, swans, mallards, wood pigeons, feral pigeons,and black headed gulls, common gulls and magpies
-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Sunday 26th of July 2020 08:26:28 AM
Highlights here include.....
Treecreeper
Nuthatch
Long tailed tits
2 Jay's that gave a mimic calls of a buzzard and not only fooled me but also the birds on the lodge which all panicked.
Also...
2 real Buzzards coming back along the canal
Ta!
60 Mute Swan
1 drake Pochard
1 drake Shoveler
70 Tufted Duck
1 Water Rail
1 Pink-footed Goose amongst 177 Canada Geese
3 Goosander
67 Mallard
60 Coot
14 Moorhen
30 Herring Gull
2 Common Gull
530 Black-headed Gull
Water rail seen AM
Male Pochard, 4 Goosander, few siskins, and Nuthatch
It may appear it could have escapped from a collection somewhere, but I couldn't see any rings on its feet and my friend reports the same when he has seen it out of the water (which also confirms the previous post). So, it's origins remain a mystery.
Other birds on the lodge include:
Great crested grebe
Lesser black backed gulls.
Also:
Grey wagtail heard in the river.
Nuthatches, reed buntings calling and the other usual stuff seen/heard
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Wednesday 15th of May 2019 08:58:07 PM