It was perched on a very large armchair that someone had fly tipped, in the centre of the brook.
Keith Mills said
Mon Feb 4 12:58 PM, 2019
Only 8 Teal visible in Loch Beaumont this morning.
Other birds seen include 20 Jackdaw and 2 Moorhen.
Keith Mills said
Tue Jan 29 11:46 AM, 2019
Sightings this am with dog, and in heavy sleet. Short walk--Lady Bridge to Heaton Bridge:
Single Dipper in drain channel
Teal.....25+ in ''Loch Beaumont'' -standing water by rail tracks. A lot of water out of sight, so probably larger number.
Grey Heron flew over, very low, to land in brook nearby.
Moorhen...3
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Tuesday 29th of January 2019 11:55:28 AM
Phil Cunliffe said
Sun Jan 20 4:23 PM, 2019
Four dippers seen this afternoon, two in the stream under Tempest Rd near Lostock station and two between the Beaumont Rd and Ladybridge Ln bridges. I assume they are different birds.
Keith Mills said
Wed Nov 7 12:27 PM, 2018
My dog and I, got caught in heavy rain this morning, but nice to see the Middlebrook 'Triple'
Kingfisher....1, two sightings
Dipper...1, flying downstream.
Grey Wagtail...1, on the brook near Bank Wood.
Also:
Grey Heron....1
Moorhen....4
Collared Dove....3 or 4
Mallard. 2
Hybrid Mallard....2
Dunnock...1
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Wednesday 7th of November 2018 12:30:38 PM
Just now a Buzzard was seen as I sat in my armchair. Medium height it passed over the golf course harassed by 3 Corvids. The Buzzard drifting over the valley,
with one corvid very close and attentive before it broke away. By this time I was with bins at my front door, and picked up a second Buzzard much higher
in the same area ( Heaton Bridge)
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 04:27:22 PM
Keith Mills said
Sun Oct 21 2:00 PM, 2018
As I cycled along the Trail on Regent Park G.C. this am,
a Buzzard flew lowish across, and then glided out of sight
down the valley.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Sunday 21st of October 2018 02:30:35 PM
Keith Mills said
Fri Oct 19 11:23 AM, 2018
Early this morning, about 200 noisy Jackdaws low over the valley, near Ravenswood. Seen from the walkway on Ladybridge.
Keith Mills said
Tue Sep 4 3:14 PM, 2018
This pm:
A Dipper was moving downstream in stages.
Not in the usual haunts but down near the flats towards Bolton.
Dippers are elusive on the brook this year.
Keith Mills said
Mon May 28 4:14 PM, 2018
This afternoon's walk with dog, sightings:
Dipper ..2 together.
Grey Wagtail.....4 at least, including 2 frolicsome juveniles.
Pied Wagtail....1
Grey Heron....1
Mallards....4
Garden Warbler....1 singing but only glimpsed.
Song Thrush heard only.
As I returned home along Junction Road I could see at least 5 Swans in the SE corner of Rumworth Lodge. I will check these later.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Monday 28th of May 2018 04:21:34 PM
Keith Mills said
Tue Apr 24 10:20 PM, 2018
Dog walk this evening in the rain:
Single Oystercatcher by the standing water against the railway. A Moorhen and a strange White-necked Mallard also present.
The Brook was in spate, possibly caused by the outflow at Rumworth Lodge being open. No birds seen.
A Grey Heron flew onto the fairway(14th) by the brook. Song Thrush singing at Rumworth Rd.
Called at the Dam on the way home: Grey Wagtail present and 2 Swallows at Bank Top Farm.
Keith Mills said
Thu Apr 12 8:06 PM, 2018
This evening dog walk:
6 Teal still, by the standing water against the railway.
Song Thrush foraging close by me, at the old pub.
A Grey Wagtail studied me from a tree, and then flew onto the pub roof.
In trees by Rumworth Road, a Song Thrush was seen in full voice.
As I turned for home up Junction Rd. a flock of 100+ Fieldfare flew overhead, from over the channel and Bank Top Farm, heading north east.
This is the third time, this season, I have seen a large Fieldfare flock in this vicinity.
A Pied Wagtail was on wire at Broadgate farm.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Friday 13th of April 2018 06:55:25 AM
Keith Mills said
Sat Apr 7 4:40 PM, 2018
This pm with dog.
Dipper ....1 on territory but not on brook, but in open feeder drain on the other side of the railway.
Great Spotted Woodpecker....1, heard and then seen drumming, in Bank Wood. This is now a regular here.
Jay....1, flew upstream calling
Lesser Black-backed Gulls....2 over twice, calling.
Wrens.... 5 seen and and 12+heard.
Song Thrush....5 heard only
Chiffchaff....1 heard
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Saturday 7th of April 2018 04:45:24 PM
Keith Mills said
Fri Mar 16 3:20 PM, 2018
Early afternoon dog walk today. Lady Bridge to the station.
Song Thrush ...singing.
Great Spotted Woodpecker...drumming, heard only
Buzzards....2 soaring together, with at times up to 25 Corvids around them.
Teal....17+ in the standing water against the railway. Water partly obscured by rail bank, so probably more than the 17.
Canada Goose....1 ditto
Mallards....8 including the regular white fronted pair.
No sign today of Dipper, Kingfisher or even Grey Wagtail.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 16th of March 2018 03:47:01 PM
Phil Cunliffe said
Sun Feb 4 7:24 PM, 2018
A dog walk this afternoon got me the dipper near the dilapidated pub. Also, a buzzard near Beaumont Road. On the way back to the car, I saw a heron perched on the roof of the house near Rumworth Lodge dam outflow.
Keith Mills said
Tue Jan 30 2:38 PM, 2018
This am while cycling the trail: A Dipper back on the brook. First sighting since May 2017. Absence maybe caused by the bridge rebuilding?
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 30th of January 2018 02:51:53 PM
Keith Mills said
Tue Jan 23 3:25 PM, 2018
Mid day dog walk; Lady Bridge to the station. By Ravenswood a Buzzard soared with a corvid in attendance. In front of this wood a Sparrowhawk cruised by, twice. The brook itself was empty of birds apart from a Grey Heron and a Moorhen. Still no signs of the Dippers and not even a Grey Wagtail today.
Keith Mills said
Tue Jan 23 3:20 PM, 2018
Mid day dog walk; Lady Bridge to the station. By Ravenswood a Buzzard soared with a corvid in attendance. In front of this wood a Sparrowhawk cruised by, twice. The brook itself was empty of birds apart from a Grey Heron and a Moorhen. Still no signs of the Dippers and not even a Grey Wagtail today.
Phil Cunliffe said
Sun Dec 31 2:51 PM, 2017
Also, it was very nice to finally meet Keith.
Phil Cunliffe said
Sun Dec 31 2:17 PM, 2017
Lunchtime dog walk with my wife and daughter from the old pub right down to the outskirts of Bolton got me a kestrel, a kingfisher, a grey heron and a buzzard mewing (although I couldn't see it due to the sun). A few blackbirds, robins, blue tits etc were in the trees bear the old pub.
Keith Mills said
Sun Dec 10 5:12 PM, 2017
Today. Late morning; cycling the trail. (Heaton bridge to Bolton)
Dippers have gone missing at all 3 sites on Middlebrook, and they are not appearing either, in the overflow at Rumworth Lodge.
Keith Mills said
Fri Oct 6 6:21 PM, 2017
Cycling to Bolton this pm (return)
A Kingfisher downstream by Bank Wood. 2 Jays, one coming straight at me before banking away. (This my third Jay of the day, with one this morning 5 feet above my head in Moss Bank Park) Kestrel with Magpie escort. Mallard...1 Moorhen...1 Grey Wagtail on the brook. Again no Dippers seen.
Keith Mills said
Sun Oct 1 9:29 PM, 2017
10.30ish this am, while I was cycling: A Kingfisher flew up the brook towards Rumworth Mill Bridge.
Keith Mills said
Sun Sep 17 3:33 PM, 2017
Early afternoon today, cycling down the trail:
A large Sparrowhawk (f) was soaring over Ravenswood before crossing the railway to the golf course side. A Kingfisher was fishing in the brook and then showed twice more as we both moved down towards Bolton. A Bullfinch disappeared into Bank Wood.
Keith Mills said
Sat May 27 10:28 AM, 2017
Late evening yesterday. Lady Bridge to Heaton Fold;
Dipper....1 Willow Warbler....1 Reed Bunting.... 2 including a juvenile. Song Thrush....1 (2 more heard only) Grey Heron....1 Quite a few Swallows, and 2 Swifts.
Mallards four only ; very few on the brook recently.
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 27th of May 2017 10:33:55 AM
Keith Mills said
Wed May 10 10:00 AM, 2017
Late evening yesterday. Lady Bridge to Heaton Fold with my dog.
Dipper carrying a worm into it's den. Grey Wagtail....1 Long tailed Tit ...2 Willow Warbler....2 Reed Bunting...2 Sedge Warbler........1 Grey Heron...1 very close. A dark Buzzard rose from the railway track and crossed the brook 20 yards in front of me
Keith Mills said
Sat Apr 8 6:14 PM, 2017
5.20pm today: 2 Buzzards soaring over Ravenswood , but drifting quickly north, towards Doffcocker. Seen from our back garden.
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 8th of April 2017 06:40:47 PM
Keith Mills said
Thu Mar 30 3:45 PM, 2017
The Dipper by Bank Wood was on territory this pm. It flew off the brook onto the footpath in front to twitch me. On the way down to Lady Bridge, 2 Pied Wagtails were on a front lawn(Armadale Rd.)
Keith Mills said
Sat Mar 4 10:47 AM, 2017
Just now: A Buzzard over Ravenswood ; well seen from my back garden. Also a Buzzard seen at 10.25 soaring high over the Middlebrook valley towards Lady Bridge; seen from the Walkway.
Keith Mills said
Tue Jan 31 2:56 PM, 2017
This pm with dog. Lady Bridge to the station.
A Buzzard was soaring and calling over Ravenswood A corvid went up to harass it. Grey Heron on the brook. Reed Bunting....3 males together Moorhen. ...7 Mallard...6..
Phil Cunliffe said
Thu Jan 12 7:53 PM, 2017
Wednesday 11 January: quick stopover when passing and saw two dipper in the brook and a blue tit and blackbird in the trees over the brook near the bridge.
Christaylor said
Sun Oct 30 7:00 PM, 2016
2 Dipper
Kingfisher
6 Bullfinch
15 Redwing
4 Jay
3 Heron
Several Great Tit and Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Keith Mills said
Tue Jul 26 1:30 PM, 2016
Today with dog: Dipper by the weir and a Song Thrush by Bessy Brook were my only birds of note. 4 juvenile Swallow perched on the dam gantry at Rumworth.
Keith Mills said
Tue Jun 14 6:35 PM, 2016
Cycling along today: Canada Geese...2 + 5 large goslings. These must be the same family that I saw 24/5 at the Crematorium(on this thread) I think this is the first time I have seen Canada's actually on the Brook. A Swift was hunting over the Kirkebrok reed bed. Jay ...2 including one juvenile Singing Chiffchaff...1 Song Thrush 2 heard only
Keith Mills said
Sat Jun 4 5:32 PM, 2016
Short walk this pm between Lady bridge and Heaton Fold. Wren...3 Willow Warbler...2 Reed Bunting...5+ Reed Warbler...1 Dipper..1. Good to see this local one. (Not seen since 11th March) Mallard. ..2 Moorhen. ..2 Swallow...1
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 4th of June 2016 07:24:13 PM
Keith Mills said
Tue May 31 4:14 PM, 2016
Cycling today, from Bolton to Lostock: 2 Dippers, 7 Mallards plus an eleven strong brood.
Keith Mills said
Sat May 28 7:36 PM, 2016
This afternoon: Heaton Fold to the station.Quiet, some of the usual not seen. Grey Heron. ..1 Reed Warbler...4 Wren. ..3 Mallard...4 Moorhen. ..2 Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff heard.
Keith Mills said
Tue May 24 3:29 PM, 2016
Just a few feet from the road by the chapels, on the lawn at the Crematorium; 2 Canada Geese with 5 goslings. This pm.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 05:19:20 PM
Info and picture, with thanks from Joseph Cooper, who saw this female Blackcap by the Trail yesterday.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Thursday 18th of April 2019 08:06:42 AM
Late post for last Friday:
Willow Tit....1
Coal tit.....1
Nuthatch.....1
Long-tailed Tit.....4
Chaffinch....1
Wren....1
An enjoyable session covering Lady Bridge down to where Middlebrook changes to the River Croal.
Most of time with Joseph Cooper and Partner.
Willow Tit......2
Coal Tit ...2
Long-tailed Tit...2 or 3
Nuthatch.... 4+ multiple sightings. 2 more heard only.
Wren....2
Song Thrush...1 close, on ground
Jay...2, one perched on stone in brook.
Dunnock/ Robin...numerous.
Chaffinch...pair.
Grey Wagtail....1 on brook
Buzzard....1
Kestrel......1 low.
Grey Heron....1 in brook
Chiffchaff....3
Blackcap...heard only
Teal....2 in the Middlebrook feeder stream that crosses the 5th hole of DGC ( new site for Teal)
No Dipper seen today by me, but one I saw Friday, left off my last post.
A Kingfisher went by upstream, I was told ,while I had my back turned.
Pictire taken today, by Joseph Cooper:
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Monday 1st of April 2019 07:49:18 PM
Quite eventful this pm:
Chiffchaff....3
Buzzard....2 soaring/displaying over the Brook...down
near Haslam Park.
Coal Tit....2
Nuthatch....2
Willow Tit heard.
Chaffinch....2
Wren....2
Long-tailed Tit....2
Grey Heron...1
Teal....18 at least, on "Loch Beaumont
I had to call the Fire Brigade, re. reed bed fire started by 5 Youths.
All soon under control but 100 yards of the reed bed damaged.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Friday 29th of March 2019 10:12:21 PM
More news from Joseph Cooper,
with thanks:
Downstream by Haslam Park a Great Crested Grebe Grebe
has been seen twice in the last few days.
3 weeks ago a Goosander was near the same place.
Both would be site ticks for me.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Monday 25th of March 2019 08:43:49 PM
Yestersay pm: Buzzard seen soaring down the valley towards Lostock.
Seen through my front room window.
New picture taken by David Rogers last week at Loch Beaumont.
A Pale Buzzard.
Also seen today, while cycling:
Dipper....2
Grey Wagtail....1
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Sunday 24th of March 2019 01:54:19 PM
Down by the brook this pm:
Dipper.... 2 sightings( Bank Wood territory)
Nuthatch.....1
Coal Tit......1
Long-tailed Tit..... 3
Willow Tit ........1 Site tick for me.....see photo of one of two regulars
Photo with thanks to Joseph Cooper.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Friday 15th of March 2019 03:57:25 PM
Info this am, with thanks from David Rogers:
Two Buzzards putting on a glorious mating display
by Loch Beaumont. Sometimes settling in the trees
at the back (Ravenswood)
And also on the ground by the Loch
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Thursday 14th of March 2019 04:11:28 PM
A proper Dipper photo .
As taken last week on Middlebrook by David Rogers.
One Dipper seen today while I was cycling.
Bank Wood Territory
While cycling: Dipper back on territory
It was perched on a very large armchair that someone had fly tipped, in the centre of the brook.
Only 8 Teal visible in Loch Beaumont this morning.
Other birds seen include 20 Jackdaw and 2 Moorhen.
Sightings this am with dog, and in heavy sleet. Short walk--Lady Bridge to Heaton Bridge:
Single Dipper in drain channel
Teal.....25+ in ''Loch Beaumont'' -standing water by rail tracks. A lot of water out of sight, so probably larger number.
Grey Heron flew over, very low, to land in brook nearby.
Moorhen...3
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Tuesday 29th of January 2019 11:55:28 AM
My dog and I, got caught in heavy rain this morning, but nice to see the Middlebrook 'Triple'
Kingfisher....1, two sightings
Dipper...1, flying downstream.
Grey Wagtail...1, on the brook near Bank Wood.
Also:
Grey Heron....1
Moorhen....4
Collared Dove....3 or 4
Mallard. 2
Hybrid Mallard....2
Dunnock...1
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Wednesday 7th of November 2018 12:30:38 PM
This am, with thanks for info from David Rogers:
Pair of Kingfishers and a third single sighting.
Photo by David Rogers.
Just now a Buzzard was seen as I sat in my armchair. Medium height it passed over the golf course harassed by 3 Corvids. The Buzzard drifting over the valley,
with one corvid very close and attentive before it broke away. By this time I was with bins at my front door, and picked up a second Buzzard much higher
in the same area ( Heaton Bridge)
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 04:27:22 PM
As I cycled along the Trail on Regent Park G.C. this am,
a Buzzard flew lowish across, and then glided out of sight
down the valley.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Sunday 21st of October 2018 02:30:35 PM
Early this morning, about 200 noisy Jackdaws low over the valley, near Ravenswood. Seen from the walkway on Ladybridge.
This pm:
A Dipper was moving downstream in stages.
Not in the usual haunts but down near the flats towards Bolton.
Dippers are elusive on the brook this year.
This afternoon's walk with dog, sightings:
Dipper ..2 together.
Grey Wagtail.....4 at least, including 2 frolicsome juveniles.
Pied Wagtail....1
Grey Heron....1
Mallards....4
Garden Warbler....1 singing but only glimpsed.
Song Thrush heard only.
As I returned home along Junction Road I could see at least 5 Swans in the SE corner of Rumworth Lodge. I will check these later.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Monday 28th of May 2018 04:21:34 PM
Dog walk this evening in the rain:
Single Oystercatcher by the standing water against the railway. A Moorhen and a strange White-necked Mallard also present.
The Brook was in spate, possibly caused by the outflow at Rumworth Lodge being open. No birds seen.
A Grey Heron flew onto the fairway(14th) by the brook. Song Thrush singing at Rumworth Rd.
Called at the Dam on the way home: Grey Wagtail present and 2 Swallows at Bank Top Farm.
This evening dog walk:
6 Teal still, by the standing water against the railway.
Song Thrush foraging close by me, at the old pub.
A Grey Wagtail studied me from a tree, and then flew onto the pub roof.
In trees by Rumworth Road, a Song Thrush was seen in full voice.
As I turned for home up Junction Rd. a flock of 100+ Fieldfare flew overhead, from over the channel and Bank Top Farm, heading north east.
This is the third time, this season, I have seen a large Fieldfare flock in this vicinity.
A Pied Wagtail was on wire at Broadgate farm.
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Friday 13th of April 2018 06:55:25 AM
This pm with dog.
Dipper ....1 on territory but not on brook, but in open feeder drain on the other side of the railway.
Great Spotted Woodpecker....1, heard and then seen drumming, in Bank Wood. This is now a regular here.
Jay....1, flew upstream calling
Lesser Black-backed Gulls....2 over twice, calling.
Wrens.... 5 seen and and 12+heard.
Song Thrush....5 heard only
Chiffchaff....1 heard
-- Edited by Keith Mills on Saturday 7th of April 2018 04:45:24 PM
Early afternoon dog walk today. Lady Bridge to the station.
Song Thrush ...singing.
Great Spotted Woodpecker...drumming, heard only
Buzzards....2 soaring together, with at times up to 25 Corvids around them.
Teal....17+ in the standing water against the railway. Water partly obscured by rail bank, so probably more than the 17.
Canada Goose....1 ditto
Mallards....8 including the regular white fronted pair.
No sign today of Dipper, Kingfisher or even Grey Wagtail.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 16th of March 2018 03:47:01 PM
A Dipper back on the brook.
First sighting since May 2017.
Absence maybe caused by the bridge rebuilding?
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 30th of January 2018 02:51:53 PM
By Ravenswood a Buzzard soared with a corvid in attendance.
In front of this wood a Sparrowhawk cruised by, twice.
The brook itself was empty of birds apart from a Grey Heron and a Moorhen.
Still no signs of the Dippers and not even a Grey Wagtail today.
By Ravenswood a Buzzard soared with a corvid in attendance.
In front of this wood a Sparrowhawk cruised by, twice.
The brook itself was empty of birds apart from a Grey Heron and a Moorhen.
Still no signs of the Dippers and not even a Grey Wagtail today.
Kingfisher....1
Grey Wagtail....1
Grey Heron...1
Mallards....4
Dippers have gone missing at all 3 sites on Middlebrook, and they are not appearing either, in the overflow at Rumworth Lodge.
A Kingfisher downstream by Bank Wood.
2 Jays, one coming straight at me before banking away.
(This my third Jay of the day, with one this morning 5 feet above my head in Moss Bank Park)
Kestrel with Magpie escort.
Mallard...1
Moorhen...1
Grey Wagtail on the brook.
Again no Dippers seen.
A Kingfisher flew up the brook towards Rumworth Mill Bridge.
A large Sparrowhawk (f) was soaring over Ravenswood before crossing the railway to the golf course side.
A Kingfisher was fishing in the brook and then showed twice more as we both moved down towards Bolton.
A Bullfinch disappeared into Bank Wood.
Dipper....1
Willow Warbler....1
Reed Bunting.... 2 including a juvenile.
Song Thrush....1 (2 more heard only)
Grey Heron....1
Quite a few Swallows, and 2 Swifts.
Mallards four only ; very few on the brook recently.
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 27th of May 2017 10:33:55 AM
Dipper carrying a worm into it's den.
Grey Wagtail....1
Long tailed Tit ...2
Willow Warbler....2
Reed Bunting...2
Sedge Warbler........1
Grey Heron...1 very close.
A dark Buzzard rose from the railway track and crossed the brook 20 yards in front of me
2 Buzzards soaring over Ravenswood , but drifting quickly north, towards Doffcocker.
Seen from our back garden.
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 8th of April 2017 06:40:47 PM
It flew off the brook onto the footpath in front to twitch me.
On the way down to Lady Bridge, 2 Pied Wagtails were on a front lawn(Armadale Rd.)
A Buzzard over Ravenswood ; well seen from my back garden. Also a Buzzard seen at 10.25 soaring high over the Middlebrook valley towards Lady Bridge; seen from the Walkway.
A Buzzard was soaring and calling over Ravenswood
A corvid went up to harass it.
Grey Heron on the brook.
Reed Bunting....3 males together
Moorhen. ...7
Mallard...6..
Dipper by the weir and a Song Thrush by Bessy Brook were my only
birds of note.
4 juvenile Swallow perched on the dam gantry at Rumworth.
Canada Geese...2 + 5 large goslings. These must be the same family that I saw 24/5 at the Crematorium(on this thread)
I think this is the first time I have seen Canada's actually on the Brook.
A Swift was hunting over the Kirkebrok reed bed.
Jay ...2 including one juvenile
Singing Chiffchaff...1
Song Thrush 2 heard only
Wren...3
Willow Warbler...2
Reed Bunting...5+
Reed Warbler...1
Dipper..1. Good to see this local one. (Not seen since 11th March)
Mallard. ..2
Moorhen. ..2
Swallow...1
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 4th of June 2016 07:24:13 PM
2 Dippers, 7 Mallards plus an eleven strong brood.
Grey Heron. ..1
Reed Warbler...4
Wren. ..3
Mallard...4
Moorhen. ..2
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff heard.
2 Canada Geese with 5 goslings.
This pm.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 05:19:20 PM