Main park near playground. - 2 Lesser Redpoll (heard then seen) - 6 Siskin (heard then seen) - 4 Ring-necked Parakeets - 1 Sparrowhawk patrolling the area
More large Gulls further out on the res but I didnt have my bins or camera with me, normally do, iPhone images are never great when tryng to capture distant subjects.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 7th of March 2024 05:28:47 PM
A New Years Eve visit with my little lad to feed the Wildfowl.
- 4 Common Gulls - c150 Black-headed Gulls - 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 8 (4pr) Tufted Duck - c30 Coots - 2 Mute Swans incl 4DZS - small group of Ring-necked Parakeets on other side of res
I heard a Redwing over Reddish Bridge whilst in traffic this morning and sure enough there was a group of around c15-20 flying over into Debdale park
(ps this post has been sat here waiting but I didnt press submit!)
Tim Pears said
Wed Oct 4 9:01 PM, 2023
Sunnybrow Park. 3.30pm. Many more Mallard than usual on the stream running through. In addition to the Kingfisher last week, a Grey Heron and a Grey Wagtail this afternoon.
Rob Creek said
Fri Sep 22 10:44 PM, 2023
Tim Pears wrote:
Not sure if this is the correct place to record this - but bizarrely (maybe) a Kingfisher on the swollen stream running through Sunnybrow Park - Gorton at 3.30pm.
Hi Tim, theres regular Kingfishers on Debdale, and Sunnybrow Park is probably half a mile away at most so probably nothing too unusual.
Tim Pears said
Fri Sep 22 9:09 PM, 2023
Not sure if this is the correct place to record this - but bizarrely (maybe) a Kingfisher on the swollen stream running through Sunnybrow Park - Gorton at 3.30pm.
Rob Creek said
Sun Sep 17 8:32 AM, 2023
Fri 15th Sept
Early evening visit with Lucas to feed the ducks and for a game on the basketball courts.
- 42 Ring-necked Parakeets over the Res (27, 10, & 5 in quick succession) - 11 Black-headed Gulls - 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull - 30+ Coots - at least 11 Long-tailed Tits - 1 Chiffchaff - 2 Jay
Of note.. - 22 Black-headed Gulls (most Ive seen together in ages) - 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 4 Great Crested Grebes - 41 Coots - 2 Moorhen - 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 Chiffchaff
Isabel Hay said
Thu Aug 24 7:35 PM, 2023
Wednesday 23rd, heard Ring-Necked Parakeet.
Also: Mallard, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Great Crested Grebes, Moorhens, Coots, Nuthatch, pigeons, Black-Headed Gulls, Song Thrush. Rain did for the visibility.
Rob Creek said
Wed Apr 12 5:35 PM, 2023
Easter Sunday. Couple of hours around the park before going for a Bank holiday pint.
Mon 3rd April. A days holiday so took Lucas to Debdale.
- 2 Blackcap - 5 Chiffchaff (min) - 1 pr Great Crested Grebe - 2 Grey Wagtail - small group of Ring-necked Parakeets - few large Gulls mainly Lesser Black-backeds
Tony Koziol said
Wed Nov 23 6:43 PM, 2022
Fished today from 11.00/15.30 highlights being three female Goldeneye, three Little Grebes, two Great Crested Grebe and one Ring- necked Parakeet over.
Rob Creek said
Tue Sep 20 11:24 PM, 2022
Tues 20th Sept Quick visit mid afternoon just to see if anything of interest was about.
- 3 Mute Swans Well grown cygnet (this years) 4DZP Adult female 4DZS Adult male wasnt ringed (Thanks to Steve Christmas for the info)
- 2 single Tufted Ducks diving near the cobbles - 1 Common Gull - 2 Grey Wagtail
Of note - 2 Swallows - 2 Blackcap - 1 Chiffchaff - 2 Great Crested Grebe - Lesser Black-backed Gulls coming and going
Rob Creek said
Tue Apr 19 9:57 PM, 2022
Message of Steve Christmas regarding Mute Swan 4DXY.
4DXY was ringed as a cygnet on 22/10/2021 at Reddish Vale. One of its brood mates was seen at Spike Island, Widnes, last week.
Rob Creek said
Mon Apr 18 11:04 AM, 2022
what it shouldve said below is - it never really came close enough to get the best of views.
Rob Creek said
Sun Apr 17 9:41 PM, 2022
Saturday 16th April c Lunchtime visit with Lucas, starting at the reservoir, then walking up to the Donkey sanctuary near Wright Robbie and back.
Of note - Blackcap everywhere, possibly c10-15 different individuals - Chiffchaff, possibly c10 - 1 male Bullfinch near res - 1 male Greenfinch - 1 Nuthatch near res - 1 Ring-necked Parakeet - 1 ringed Mute Swan 4DXY - 1 immature Gull flying around near the bouys, never really came close and I didnt have bins with me. I thought it couldve been a Yellow-legged Gull at first but as it banked it showed a slightly paler mantle than Id be happy with and also seemed to have a paler inner primary window so I put it down to Herring Gull.
Rob Creek said
Mon Jan 31 12:40 AM, 2022
Sunday 30th Jan
I notified Steve Christmas yesterday regarding the young Mute Swan that was possibly unwell incase he knew the bird and it was agreed it was worth checking. Also one of the 2 adults nearby was ringed but it was broken so I was unable to read it.
I received an update today - one of Steves colleagues from the RSPCA Sonia Hulme checked on the bird this morning and it was observed swimming around so deemed to be ok. It was probably tired. I visited the site mid-afternoon and I observed the Swan feeding so looks to be a positive outcome. Many thanks for your time Steve.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 31st of January 2022 12:42:03 AM
Rob Creek said
Sat Jan 29 5:30 PM, 2022
Saturday 29th Jan Afternoon visit with Lucas.
Quick heads up to Paul Heaton, are you still with the RSPCA Paul? One of the 1st w Cygnets appears unwell, I appreciate its hard to say for sure without the bird being examined, but it was just sat on the cobbles and barely moved. Thought it was worth mentioning.
Of note - Kingfisher heard but couldnt locate it - 130+ Canada Geese - 32 Coot - 1 Coal Tit near car park
Weds 12th Jan Mid-morning visit with Lucas whilst I had the day off for personal reasons.
- Kingfisher heard - brief flight view only - 21 Tufted Duck - 7 Common Gull - 100+ Black-headed Gull - 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 Grey Heron on west side cobbles - few Ring-necked Parakeets heard
Flock of small birds near sailing club consisting of - 11 Long-tailed Tits - 4 Great Tits - 3 Blue Tits - 1 Coal Tit - 1m + 1f Bullfinch - then a cracking Treecreeper came flying right passed us and landed on a wide trunk nearby
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 12th of January 2022 11:48:20 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 13th of January 2022 06:36:11 AM
New Years Day. Took Lucas a walk to feed the Ducks, of note
- 2 Kingfisher together flew from the concrete pier / steps round passed the overflow to the Abbey Hey side of the reservoir - 1 Great Crested Grebe - 10 Tufted Duck - Mute Swan 4BHX - 2 Ring-necked Parakeets
Correction Mute Swan 4BXH that was here in mid November. Info thanks to Steve Christmas
Rob Creek said
Sat Jan 1 3:26 PM, 2022
New Years Day. Took Lucas a walk to feed the Ducks, of note
- 2 Kingfisher together flew from the concrete pier / steps round passed the overflow to the Abbey Hey side of the reservoir - 1 Great Crested Grebe - 10 Tufted Duck - Mute Swan 4BHX - 2 Ring-necked Parakeets
Rob Creek said
Mon Nov 22 12:50 AM, 2021
Reply from Frank Majoor today regarding Black-headed Gull E8C2.
It was ringed in Arnhem, The Netherlands, 23.03.21 as a 2CY male.
Rob Creek said
Sun Nov 21 9:04 AM, 2021
Just to add - white ringed Black-headed Gull seen briefly but no chance of pinning it down to read the ring number such is their whirlwind nature. Unlikely to be anything else but E8C2 that was present last Sunday.
- 1 Kingfisher heard then a brief fly-by - 1 Grey Wagtail - 1 Great Crested Grebe - 6 Ring-necked Parakeets low over sailing club
Rob Creek said
Fri Aug 20 12:28 AM, 2021
Thurs 19th Aug
After work visit with Lucas to feed the ducks!
Of note - Kingfisher heard (not seen) - 1m + 1f Chaffinch feeding near cobbles - 1 ad + 1 juv Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 ad Great Crested Grebe - 30+ Coot - 6 Mute Swans incl 4ASZ + CNA5.
Swan info : I last saw these 2 individuals together here on 22nd Feb this year.
4ASZ - ringed as 2CY m 19.01.19, KGV Pool, Altrincham (Info from Steve Christmas back in Feb)
CNA5 - ringed as 1CY f 22.10.18, Spike Island, Widnes (Info from Dave Cookson back in Feb)
3 were unringed and 1 only had a metal ring and missing its darvic.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 20th of August 2021 12:34:39 AM
Rob Creek said
Fri Aug 6 10:14 PM, 2021
Friday 6th Aug
Of note - 1 Kingfisher Flew from the inner far left corner and followed the contour of the shape of the lake hugging the bank closely. - Great Crested Grebe family - small party of Long-tailed Tits - c50 Black-headed Gulls
Just to add to Fridays sightings, in amongst the Feral Pigeons at the side of the reservoir were 2 homing / racing Pigeons, I must admit nice looking birds. Both possessed coloured rings on both legs but I couldnt read the phone number / ID number due to the flighty nature of the birds. I know 1000s went astray a few weeks ago due to an anomaly in the earths magnetic field so Ive been on the website to maybe try to get some info on relating specific colours to owners, but Im thinking is that too basic and you specifically need the phone number by catching it? Anybody in the know?
I dont want to start a lengthy conversation on a sightings thread so just a few pointers or a PM will do. Cheers
They used to stamp the underwing with the Address at one time , but I remember way back in the 1970's / 80s any bird that came back late was put down as they didn't want to add bad genes to the strain, I would just leave them as they are, as if they haven't moved on they could have been lost for months or years.
Cheers John, i must say theyve certainly kept themselves looking well if theyve been lost for a long time.
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Jul 12 7:46 PM, 2021
Rob Creek wrote:
Just to add to Fridays sightings, in amongst the Feral Pigeons at the side of the reservoir were 2 homing / racing Pigeons, I must admit nice looking birds. Both possessed coloured rings on both legs but I couldnt read the phone number / ID number due to the flighty nature of the birds. I know 1000s went astray a few weeks ago due to an anomaly in the earths magnetic field so Ive been on the website to maybe try to get some info on relating specific colours to owners, but Im thinking is that too basic and you specifically need the phone number by catching it? Anybody in the know?
I dont want to start a lengthy conversation on a sightings thread so just a few pointers or a PM will do. Cheers
They used to stamp the underwing with the Address at one time , but I remember way back in the 1970's / 80s any bird that came back late was put down as they didn't want to add bad genes to the strain, I would just leave them as they are, as if they haven't moved on they could have been lost for months or years.
Rob Creek said
Sun Jul 11 11:02 AM, 2021
Just to add to Fridays sightings, in amongst the Feral Pigeons at the side of the reservoir were 2 homing / racing Pigeons, I must admit nice looking birds. Both possessed coloured rings on both legs but I couldnt read the phone number / ID number due to the flighty nature of the birds. I know 1000s went astray a few weeks ago due to an anomaly in the earths magnetic field so Ive been on the website to maybe try to get some info on relating specific colours to owners, but Im thinking is that too basic and you specifically need the phone number by catching it? Anybody in the know?
I dont want to start a lengthy conversation on a sightings thread so just a few pointers or a PM will do. Cheers
Early evening visit with Lucas. Had a few visits recently but not really getting chance to take in the birds.
Of note - min 12 Ring-necked Parakeets - 2 Chiffchaff - 2 Blackcap - 1 Jay - 2 Song Thrush - 20+ Coot - few Lesser Black-backed Gulls on res
Rob Creek said
Sun May 30 9:18 AM, 2021
Saturday 29th May
Hooray! At last some Gulls! - 10 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls active around main lake - 1 Chiffchaff - 2 Blackcap - 1 Song Thrush - 1 small party of Long-tailed Tit - Ring-necked Parakeet heard
Rob Creek said
Sat May 1 11:47 PM, 2021
Totally forgot to post this last week, apologies.
Saturday 24th April a.m. visit with Lucas.
Res. - 20+ Coot - 1 Moorhen - 1 Great Crested Grebe - 2 Chiffchaff - 1 Blackcap - 1 Long-tailed Tit - c15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - lots of Black-headed Gulls - the highlight for Lucas was the fire engine at the sailing club as a team was called out to a smouldering tree stump at the side of the res.
Saturday 1st May. Lunchtime visit with Lucas, a lot quieter but a bit of quality!
Main Park. - Chiffchaff singing in many areas (1 seen) - Blackcap fairly numerous too - 1 Common Buzzard over, calling as it went by
But the highlight was when a Mistle Thrush started sounding an alarm call, Blackbirds and a Magpie joined in, then a Jay squawking its head off in same area near the basketball court, to me that meant one thing so we went over to have a look and sure enough there was a Tawny Owl (partially obscured) being harassed. I was just deciding which way to go to try for a better view when it mustve decided it had had its fill of annoyance and it flew off over the park office and out of view. Needless to say the commotion just turned to silence immediately. Lucas made laugh (bear in mind hes not even 2yrs old yet) when he started bending down looking into nearby bushes and then looking up into the trees and said Daddy I can see Owl up here
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 1st of May 2021 11:48:06 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 1st of May 2021 11:54:54 PM
Rob Creek said
Mon Apr 19 11:42 AM, 2021
Saturday 17th April
Morning through to early afternoon visit with Lucas.
Main Park... - Willow Warbler singing near basketball courts - Blackcap 4 singing (1 seen) - Chiffchaff 3 singing - Coal Tit 2 together - 1 Ring-necked Parakeet - 2 Chaffinch - 1 Jay - Plenty of usual stuff around.
4DBU ringed as 1/8 brood of cygnets at Ashton Moss 02/08/18
Rob Creek said
Sat Mar 6 9:20 AM, 2021
Quick visit yesterday morning.
Of note... - 36 Tufted Duck - 2 Great Crested Grebe - 1 Cormorant - 11 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls - lots of Common Gull - few distant Ring-necked Parakeets - usual woodland stuff around incl Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tits, Robin
- Mute Swans, only 2 on the whole of the visible reservoir. 4CLA and a new one 4DBU
A reply from Dave Cookson regarding Cheshire Mute Swan CNA5.
Ringed as a female cygnet on 22-10-18 at Spike Island, Widnes.
Rob Creek said
Tue Feb 23 12:26 AM, 2021
Quick visit late morning on way back from Redgate.
Of note... - 150+ Black-headed Gulls - 10+ Common Gull - 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 22 Tufted Duck (3 more flew in but didnt land, flew off) - 1 Great Crested Grebe - 1 Cormorant on sailing club ramp - 1 Grey Wagtail - 1 Sparrowhawk high over res put everything up - 2 odd looking Canada Geese (1 with very short neck, other with steep forehead)
8 Mute Swans that I could see inc 4 ringed birds. 4ASZ, 4DBN, 4BYH, and CNA5. Many thanks to Steve Christmas for info below.
4ASZ ringed as 2nd yr male 19/1/2019 KGV Pool, Altrincham.
4DBN ringed as cygnet (brood of 8) 2/9/2018 Ashton Moss.
4BYH ringed as 2nd yr male 20/2/2016 Moses Gate CP.
CNA5 sent to David Cookson / Cheshire Group, awaiting reply
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 23rd of February 2021 12:28:07 AM
Rob Creek said
Mon Feb 1 1:58 PM, 2021
A reply from Steve Christmas already, a real Greater Manchester mix here, cheers mate.
4CLA male cygnet 30/12/2016 Debdale, Gorton
4DBN cygnet 2/9/2018 Ashton Moss
4DIA cygnet 1/12/2019 Salford Quays
4DIB male cygnet 4/12/2019 Blackleach, Walkden
4DID cygnet 20/12/2019 Crime Lake, Daisy Nook
4DJV female cygnet 25/8/2020 Barton, Eccles
Best wishes,
Steve
(ps Ive attached images of the 2 furthest afield birds from the site, 4DJV from Barton and 4DIB from Blackleach CP, Walkden)
Ive also put an image for each of the ringed Swans on my Twitter, but thought Id best limit it to a couple on the forum.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 1st of February 2021 10:39:40 PM
Teatime visit with Lucas.
Of note
- 1pr Great Crested Grebe with 2 well grown young.
One of the adults caught a Perch.
- 1pr Tufted Duck
- 5 Ring-necked Parakeets
Afternoon visit to feed the Ducks with Lucas and Michelle.
Reservoir.
- 5 Common Gulls inc 3 adults
- c200 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- c20 Tufted Duck
- c20 Coot
- 2 Mute Swan
- 3 singing Blackcap
- few Long-tailed Tits
Main park near playground.
- 2 Lesser Redpoll (heard then seen)
- 6 Siskin (heard then seen)
- 4 Ring-necked Parakeets
- 1 Sparrowhawk patrolling the area
More large Gulls further out on the res but I didnt have my bins or camera with me, normally do, iPhone images are never great when tryng to capture distant subjects.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 7th of March 2024 05:28:47 PM
A New Years Eve visit with my little lad to feed the Wildfowl.
- 4 Common Gulls
- c150 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 8 (4pr) Tufted Duck
- c30 Coots
- 2 Mute Swans incl 4DZS
- small group of Ring-necked Parakeets on other side of res
I heard a Redwing over Reddish Bridge whilst in traffic this morning and sure enough there was a group of around c15-20 flying over into Debdale park
(ps this post has been sat here waiting but I didnt press submit!)
Sunnybrow Park. 3.30pm.
Many more Mallard than usual on the stream running through. In addition to the Kingfisher last week, a Grey Heron and a Grey Wagtail this afternoon.
Hi Tim, theres regular Kingfishers on Debdale, and Sunnybrow Park is probably half a mile away at most
so probably nothing too unusual.
Not sure if this is the correct place to record this - but bizarrely (maybe) a Kingfisher on the swollen stream running through Sunnybrow Park - Gorton at 3.30pm.
Early evening visit with Lucas to feed the ducks and for a game on the basketball courts.
- 42 Ring-necked Parakeets over the Res
(27, 10, & 5 in quick succession)
- 11 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 30+ Coots
- at least 11 Long-tailed Tits
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 2 Jay
Of note..
- 22 Black-headed Gulls (most Ive seen together in ages)
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 41 Coots
- 2 Moorhen
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 1 Chiffchaff
Wednesday 23rd, heard Ring-Necked Parakeet.
Also: Mallard, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Great Crested Grebes, Moorhens, Coots, Nuthatch, pigeons, Black-Headed Gulls, Song Thrush. Rain did for the visibility.
Couple of hours around the park before going for a Bank holiday pint.
- 1 pr Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Ring-necked Parakeet
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 6 Chiffchaff
- 3 Blackcap
Also a few different bits to last week..
- 2 Willow Warbler (both not far from res car park)
- 2 Cormorant with white breast, presumed 2CY imm
- Herring Gull with yellow legs
Image shows the 2 Cormorants on the floating jetty and the Herring Gull on the post, but it was an iPhone shot and doesnt do either any justice.
A days holiday so took Lucas to Debdale.
- 2 Blackcap
- 5 Chiffchaff (min)
- 1 pr Great Crested Grebe
- 2 Grey Wagtail
- small group of Ring-necked Parakeets
- few large Gulls mainly Lesser Black-backeds
Fished today from 11.00/15.30 highlights being three female Goldeneye, three Little Grebes, two Great Crested Grebe and one Ring- necked Parakeet over.
Quick visit mid afternoon just to see if anything of interest was about.
- 3 Mute Swans
Well grown cygnet (this years) 4DZP
Adult female 4DZS
Adult male wasnt ringed
(Thanks to Steve Christmas for the info)
- 2 single Tufted Ducks diving near the cobbles
- 1 Common Gull
- 2 Grey Wagtail
- 1 pr Great Crested Grebe
- 1 pr Mute Swan (unringed) with 1 cygnet
- 1 Nuthatch
- 4 Blackcap
- 2 Chiffchaff
- 1 Grey Heron
- 23 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Ring-necked Parakeets
Of note
- 2 Swallows
- 2 Blackcap
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 2 Great Crested Grebe
- Lesser Black-backed Gulls coming and going
4DXY was ringed as a cygnet on 22/10/2021 at Reddish Vale. One of its brood mates was seen at Spike Island, Widnes, last week.
Lunchtime visit with Lucas, starting at the reservoir, then walking up to the Donkey sanctuary near Wright Robbie and back.
Of note
- Blackcap everywhere, possibly c10-15 different individuals
- Chiffchaff, possibly c10
- 1 male Bullfinch near res
- 1 male Greenfinch
- 1 Nuthatch near res
- 1 Ring-necked Parakeet
- 1 ringed Mute Swan 4DXY
- 1 immature Gull flying around near the bouys, never really came close and I didnt have bins with me. I thought it couldve been a Yellow-legged Gull at first but as it banked it showed a slightly paler mantle than Id be happy with and also seemed to have a paler inner primary window so I put it down to Herring Gull.
I notified Steve Christmas yesterday regarding the young Mute Swan that was possibly unwell incase he knew the bird and it was agreed it was worth checking. Also one of the 2 adults nearby was ringed but it was broken so I was unable to read it.
I received an update today - one of Steves colleagues from the RSPCA Sonia Hulme checked on the bird this morning and it was observed swimming around so deemed to be ok. It was probably tired.
I visited the site mid-afternoon and I observed the Swan feeding so looks to be a positive outcome.
Many thanks for your time Steve.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 31st of January 2022 12:42:03 AM
Afternoon visit with Lucas.
Quick heads up to Paul Heaton, are you still with the RSPCA Paul?
One of the 1st w Cygnets appears unwell, I appreciate its hard to say for sure without the bird being examined, but it was just sat on the cobbles and barely moved.
Thought it was worth mentioning.
Of note
- Kingfisher heard but couldnt locate it
- 130+ Canada Geese
- 32 Coot
- 1 Coal Tit near car park
Mid-morning visit with Lucas whilst I had the day off for personal reasons.
- Kingfisher heard - brief flight view only
- 21 Tufted Duck
- 7 Common Gull
- 100+ Black-headed Gull
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Grey Heron on west side cobbles
- few Ring-necked Parakeets heard
Flock of small birds near sailing club consisting of
- 11 Long-tailed Tits
- 4 Great Tits
- 3 Blue Tits
- 1 Coal Tit
- 1m + 1f Bullfinch
- then a cracking Treecreeper came flying right passed us and landed on a wide trunk nearby
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 12th of January 2022 11:48:20 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 13th of January 2022 06:36:11 AM
Correction Mute Swan 4BXH that was here in mid November.
Info thanks to Steve Christmas
Took Lucas a walk to feed the Ducks, of note
- 2 Kingfisher together flew from the concrete pier / steps round passed the overflow to the Abbey Hey side of the reservoir
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 10 Tufted Duck
- Mute Swan 4BHX
- 2 Ring-necked Parakeets
It was ringed in Arnhem, The Netherlands, 23.03.21 as a 2CY male.
- 143 (min) Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- c40+ Coot
- 4 Little Grebe
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- c15 Long-tailed Tits
- 1 Ring-necked Parakeet
Also another adult with it and a well grown cygnet nearby, both unringed.
Mute swan 4BXH ringed as a male cygnet 12/12/2015 at Chorlton WP.
Thanks, Rob
A walk round the near side of the reservoir with Lucas.
Plenty of the usual Wildfowl around.
Of note
- 100+ Black-headed Gulls
- B-hG E8C2 (Dutch ringed)
- Mute Swan 4BXH
- 6 Little Grebe
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 2 Tufted Duck only?
- 2 Ring-necked Parakeets
- 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits
- 1 Coal Tit
- few Redwings over whilst there
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 15th of November 2021 10:55:26 AM
Teatime / early evening visit with Lucas.
- 1 Kingfisher heard then a brief fly-by
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 6 Ring-necked Parakeets low over sailing club
After work visit with Lucas to feed the ducks!
Of note
- Kingfisher heard (not seen)
- 1m + 1f Chaffinch feeding near cobbles
- 1 ad + 1 juv Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 ad Great Crested Grebe
- 30+ Coot
- 6 Mute Swans incl 4ASZ + CNA5.
Swan info :
I last saw these 2 individuals together here on 22nd Feb this year.
4ASZ - ringed as 2CY m 19.01.19, KGV Pool, Altrincham
(Info from Steve Christmas back in Feb)
CNA5 - ringed as 1CY f 22.10.18, Spike Island, Widnes
(Info from Dave Cookson back in Feb)
3 were unringed and 1 only had a metal ring and missing its darvic.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 20th of August 2021 12:34:39 AM
Of note
- 1 Kingfisher
Flew from the inner far left corner and followed the contour of the shape of the lake hugging the bank closely.
- Great Crested Grebe family
- small party of Long-tailed Tits
- c50 Black-headed Gulls
Of note
- 9 Ring-necked Parakeets (min)
- 1 Blackcap
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 26 Coot
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
Cheers John, i must say theyve certainly kept themselves looking well if theyve been lost for a long time.
They used to stamp the underwing with the Address at one time , but I remember way back in the 1970's / 80s any bird that came back late was put down as they didn't want to add bad genes to the strain, I would just leave them as they are, as if they haven't moved on they could have been lost for months or years.
Both possessed coloured rings on both legs but I couldnt read the phone number / ID number due to the flighty nature of the birds. I know 1000s went astray a few weeks ago due to an anomaly in the earths magnetic field so Ive been on the website to maybe try to get some info on relating specific colours to owners, but Im thinking is that too basic and you specifically need the phone number by catching it?
Anybody in the know?
I dont want to start a lengthy conversation on a sightings thread so just a few pointers or a PM will do.
Cheers
- 12 Ring-necked Parakeets (group of 9)
- c200 Canada Geese
- c30 Coot
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 2 Chiffchaff
- 1 Blackcap
Early evening visit with Lucas.
Had a few visits recently but not really getting chance to take in the birds.
Of note
- min 12 Ring-necked Parakeets
- 2 Chiffchaff
- 2 Blackcap
- 1 Jay
- 2 Song Thrush
- 20+ Coot
- few Lesser Black-backed Gulls on res
Hooray! At last some Gulls!
- 10 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls active around main lake
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 2 Blackcap
- 1 Song Thrush
- 1 small party of Long-tailed Tit
- Ring-necked Parakeet heard
Saturday 24th April
a.m. visit with Lucas.
Res.
- 20+ Coot
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 2 Chiffchaff
- 1 Blackcap
- 1 Long-tailed Tit
- c15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- lots of Black-headed Gulls
- the highlight for Lucas was the fire engine at the sailing club as a team was called out to a smouldering tree stump at the side of the res.
Saturday 1st May.
Lunchtime visit with Lucas, a lot quieter but a bit of quality!
Res.
- 8 Coot
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 Mute Swan (asleep)
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Herring Gull
- 4 Black-headed Gull
Main Park.
- Chiffchaff singing in many areas (1 seen)
- Blackcap fairly numerous too
- 1 Common Buzzard over, calling as it went by
But the highlight was when a Mistle Thrush started sounding an alarm call, Blackbirds and a Magpie joined in, then a Jay squawking its head off in same area near the basketball court, to me that meant one thing so we went over to have a look and sure enough there was a Tawny Owl (partially obscured) being harassed. I was just deciding which way to go to try for a better view when it mustve decided it had had its fill of annoyance and it flew off over the park office and out of view.
Needless to say the commotion just turned to silence immediately.
Lucas made laugh (bear in mind hes not even 2yrs old yet) when he started bending down looking into nearby bushes and then looking up into the trees and said Daddy I can see Owl up here
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 1st of May 2021 11:48:06 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 1st of May 2021 11:54:54 PM
Morning through to early afternoon visit with Lucas.
Main Park...
- Willow Warbler singing near basketball courts
- Blackcap 4 singing (1 seen)
- Chiffchaff 3 singing
- Coal Tit 2 together
- 1 Ring-necked Parakeet
- 2 Chaffinch
- 1 Jay
- Plenty of usual stuff around.
Res.
- c25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 21 Coot
On res.
- c20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Herring Gulls
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 4 Coot
- 1 only Mute Swan
(Broken blue ring, couldnt read it)
On park.
- 2 Ring-necked Parakeets
- 4 Blackcap heard in different areas
- 3 Chiffchaff heard
- 1m Chaffinch
- Nuthatch heard
Late morning mooch, quick look on the res and then the main park.
Res.
- 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Herring Gulls
- 3 Tufted Duck
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
Park.
- 5 Chiffchaff (2 seen, 3 more heard, 1 showing well near main path from car park)
- 2 Blackcap (2m singing, 1 seen,
- 2 male Chaffinch
- Nuthatch heard
- Ring-necked Parakeet heard
4DBU ringed as 1/8 brood of cygnets at Ashton Moss 02/08/18
Of note...
- 36 Tufted Duck
- 2 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Cormorant
- 11 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- lots of Common Gull
- few distant Ring-necked Parakeets
- usual woodland stuff around incl Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tits, Robin
- Mute Swans, only 2 on the whole of the visible reservoir.
4CLA and a new one 4DBU
Ringed as a female cygnet on 22-10-18 at Spike Island, Widnes.
Of note...
- 150+ Black-headed Gulls
- 10+ Common Gull
- 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 22 Tufted Duck (3 more flew in but didnt land, flew off)
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Cormorant on sailing club ramp
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Sparrowhawk high over res put everything up
- 2 odd looking Canada Geese
(1 with very short neck, other with steep forehead)
8 Mute Swans that I could see inc 4 ringed birds.
4ASZ, 4DBN, 4BYH, and CNA5. Many thanks to Steve Christmas for info below.
4ASZ ringed as 2nd yr male 19/1/2019 KGV Pool, Altrincham.
4DBN ringed as cygnet (brood of 8) 2/9/2018 Ashton Moss.
4BYH ringed as 2nd yr male 20/2/2016 Moses Gate CP.
CNA5 sent to David Cookson / Cheshire Group, awaiting reply
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 23rd of February 2021 12:28:07 AM
4CLA male cygnet 30/12/2016 Debdale, Gorton
4DBN cygnet 2/9/2018 Ashton Moss
4DIA cygnet 1/12/2019 Salford Quays
4DIB male cygnet 4/12/2019 Blackleach, Walkden
4DID cygnet 20/12/2019 Crime Lake, Daisy Nook
4DJV female cygnet 25/8/2020 Barton, Eccles
Best wishes,
Steve
(ps Ive attached images of the 2 furthest afield birds from the site, 4DJV from Barton and 4DIB from Blackleach CP, Walkden)
Ive also put an image for each of the ringed Swans on my Twitter, but thought Id best limit it to a couple on the forum.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 1st of February 2021 10:39:40 PM
Reservoir.
- 6 Long-tailed Tits near car park
- minimum 140 Black-headed Gulls
- c40 Tufted Duck
- 1 tiny Greylag bit smaller than the Canada Geese
- 9 Mute Swan including 6 ringed.
4DJV immature
4DBN
4DID
4DIA
4DIB
4CLA