A Reed Warbler singing from the phragmites reed bed this morning and the Cettis Warbler again round the fishing pond. No sign of the Garden Warbler today,but still good numbers of common warblers including a Whitethroat. Couple of Buzzards over and a Jay seen briefly.
pete berry said
Tue Apr 30 12:29 PM, 2024
A Garden Warbler singing this morning near the canal. Cettis Warbler still singing round the fishing pond,and plenty of Willow Warbler,Chiffchaff and Blackcsps still singing in good numbers.
pete berry said
Wed Apr 24 12:52 PM, 2024
3 Swallows over the horse fields and a Raven around the colliery. The Cettis Warbler again around the fishing pond,plenty of singing Blackcap,Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in the general area and a singing Goldcrest near the entrance to the Meadows.
pete berry said
Tue Apr 16 2:22 PM, 2024
The Cettis Warbler again round the fishing pond. Good numbers of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcaps in the area,and 3 Buzzards thermalling around .
pete berry said
Sat Apr 6 12:00 PM, 2024
3 singing Blackcaps this morning, plus a singing Willow Warbler were new birds in. The Cettis Warbler again round the perimeter of the fishing pond and at least 6 singing Chiffchaff again A single Redwing was feeding on the horse paddocks and a singing Nuthatch in trees opposite my house. The 2 Ravens were still in the area,Sparrowhawk and Buzzard were both seen as well.
pete berry said
Tue Apr 2 12:03 PM, 2024
The Cettis Warbler still around the fishing pond. At least 8 Chiffchaff singing but still no Willow Warblers yet.Raven was in one of the horse fields behind the colliery and a Nuthatch was singing from trees round the village green
-- Edited by pete berry on Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 12:04:11 PM
pete berry said
Sat Mar 30 11:26 AM, 2024
A singing Cettis Warbler again nr the fishing pond Plenty of singing Chiffchaff, at least 2 singing Goldcrest Kestrel hunting and 2 Buzzards over.
pete berry said
Wed Mar 6 11:48 AM, 2024
A singing Cettis Warbler by the fishing pond ,also in the general area of the Meadows south of the canal 2 Chiffchaff Willow Tit Couple of Bullfinch Plus all the usuals
Kevin Cook said
Tue Mar 5 12:58 PM, 2024
Short walk this morning through Whitehead Hall Meadow to the canal bridge along from the Boathouse Pub.
Nothing of note except 2 Chiffchaff, one calling one viewed.
dave broome said
Thu Oct 12 10:19 PM, 2023
A Ring-Necked Parakeet was at Ellesmere Street Recreation Ground this morning
pete berry said
Mon May 1 1:01 PM, 2023
A wander round local patch this morning. Plenty of singing Warblers inc Reed, Sedge,Blackcap,Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Also 4 Cettis Warblers in the general area of the fishing pond and 6 Tufted Duck,2 Little Grebe on the private pond.
pete berry said
Sat Apr 22 12:28 PM, 2023
A Grasshopper Warbler reeling along Ellesmere Street extens6 this morning.
pete berry said
Sun Apr 2 11:12 AM, 2023
A wander round my local patch turned up trumps with at least 3 CETTIS WARBLERS singing at more or less the same time from totally different areas. Also 3 singing Willow Warbler 4 Sand Martins At least a dozen Chiffchaff Sparrowhawk 2 Grey Heron 8 Tufted Duck,6 Coot,and 2 pairs of Little Grebe Plus all the usual suspects
And just as I got back Ring Necked Parakeet in the back garden,still a rare bird round here
-- Edited by pete berry on Sunday 2nd of April 2023 11:17:41 AM
Kevin Cook said
Thu Mar 30 1:20 PM, 2023
Walk on canal this time, no bike. 10.00am - 11.45am WhiteHead Hall Meadow Astley to Vicars Hall canal bridge and back on opposite side.
Went in search of Willow Tit and my first Mistle Thrush sighting of the year! Only heard overhead to date while riding. Dipped on the Thrush but happy with the following highlights;
8.25am. Bike ride from Boathouse pub, Astley towards Boothstown. Willow Tit calling on south side of canal halfway to first bridge from Boathouse.
-- Edited by Kevin Cook on Wednesday 29th of March 2023 10:25:20 AM
pete berry said
Mon Mar 27 12:15 PM, 2023
A walk round local patch produced at least 7 singing Chiffchaff, A singing Goldcrest ,Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming a couple of Bullfinch,and a Grey Wagtail on the roof of one of houses on the way back were the main highlights.
Lez Fairclough said
Wed Nov 16 7:12 PM, 2022
2.15pm to 4pm.
Charm of about 30 Goldfinch.
2 Greenfinch.
3 Kestrel including one very tame individual that posed for me about 3 metres away.
2 Buzzard.
4 Mistle Thrush.
singles of Redwing, Collared Dove & Pheasant.
2 Jay.
At least 100 Jackdaw preparing to roost on Astley Green Colliery Pithead.
Pete, there's a falconer in Glazebrook who exercises a Goshawk on the mosses, though I haven't seen him for a while
pete berry said
Sun Apr 10 12:03 PM, 2022
Thought I'd have a wander round my old lockdown route this am. Chiffchaffs everywhere ,at least 4 singing Willow Warblers and a single Blackcap were the only summer migrants. A singing Cettis Warbler was still present after over wintering,hopefully it'll find a mate. Brief views of a Willow Tit were pleasing as it's the first one I've seen locally all winter. At least 6 Buzzards seen include thermal of 4 together,a female Kestrel and a massive female Goshawk which is almost certainly a falconers escape,although no jesses were seen. On the pool 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Coot,43 Black Headed Gulls and a pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls.
pete berry said
Sun Feb 20 9:52 AM, 2022
14 Goosanders in one flock on the canal this morning.
Rob Creek said
Fri Dec 3 2:34 PM, 2021
- Raven over La Casa restaurant flying S approx 10am
pete berry said
Thu Oct 21 3:34 PM, 2021
The Cettis Warbler still present today by the fishing pond, calling occasionally. Also 3 Buzzards up together, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel,several Jays and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the general area.
pete berry said
Tue Oct 19 3:18 PM, 2021
A calling Cettis Warbler at the rear of the fishing pond on The Meadows on Lower Green. Also at least 150 Jackdaws on the fields by Vicars Hall Bridge but no sign of any winter thrushes yet.
Lez Fairclough said
Sun Oct 17 10:15 PM, 2021
Saturday 16th October couple of hours mid afternoon.
Usually a good area for winter thrushes but none seen.
Good afternoon for raptors though with 4 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels & a Sparrowhawk seen.
Also seen :- Grey Partridge, numerous Long-Tailed Tits & a single Snipe flushed from a field edge.
Friday 18th June (am) Delivering to La Casa restaurant just off the East Lancs (en-route to Liverpool).
- 2 Common Whitethroat in a sing off - 1 Chiffchaff
forgot to put that they were in the scrubby field area literally yards away from the loading area at the back of the restaurant
Rob Creek said
Sun Jun 20 12:19 AM, 2021
Friday 18th June (am) Delivering to La Casa restaurant just off the East Lancs (en-route to Liverpool).
- 2 Common Whitethroat in a sing off - 1 Chiffchaff
pete berry said
Sun Feb 28 11:53 AM, 2021
A wander round local area today was interesting with the highlight being a calling Water Rail from a phragmites reed bed. Other birds seen were 3 Buzzards up together on the thermals A female Sparrowhawk joined them in the same thermal On the small lake 4 Little Grebe,10 Tufted Duck,4 Gadwall, 6 Teal,2 Mallard,2 drake Goosander, a Comorant,54 Black Headed Gulls and 2 singing Reed Buntings in the nearby reedbed.
pete berry said
Thu Nov 12 9:49 AM, 2020
Popped down to my friends garden/allotment where she has a lot of feeders ,20+ Tree Sparrows were visiting her feeders this morning,also plenty of Goldfinch, a few Greenfinch, 3 Collared Doves ,Blue and Great Tits,and a few House Sparrows.
Lez Fairclough said
Mon Nov 9 8:54 PM, 2020
2:15pm to 4:30pm.
C.30 Redwing.
Single Fieldfare.
Coal Tit & Long Tailed Tits with Great & Blue Tit tagging along.
Chaffinch, Greenfinch & plenty of Goldfinch.
A few Yellowhammers.
C.50 Jackdaw, several Jay, 2 Kestrel & 2 Buzzard
Grey Partridge with Pheasant.
2 Mistle Thrush & a Song Thrush.
Green Sandpiper still in same flooded area.
Too many to count but 2 telegraph pole lengths apart of tightly packed noisy Starlings on telegraph wires.
The Green Sandpiper again on the same flood on a flooded area just off the East Lancs diagonally opposite the One Stop Car Shop this morning presume it must be a potential overwintering bird.
pete berry said
Mon Nov 2 10:35 AM, 2020
Green Sandpiper still present this morning on same flood.
pete berry said
Sun Nov 1 12:41 PM, 2020
The Green Sandpiper still present again this am on same flooded area.
pete berry said
Sat Oct 31 3:37 PM, 2020
The Green Sandpiper still present this afternoon in the same flood.
pete berry said
Fri Oct 30 12:10 PM, 2020
Green Sandpiper still present today on a flooded area just off the East Lancs diagonally opposite the One Stop Car Shop
Kevin Cook said
Wed Oct 28 8:16 AM, 2020
7.40am. Green Sandpiper still present on flooded area. Single Redwing in surrounding bushes.
pete berry said
Tue Oct 27 11:26 AM, 2020
The Green Sandpiper still present today on the same flood.
pete berry said
Sun Oct 25 1:37 PM, 2020
A Green Sandpiper this morning on a flooded area just off the East Lancs diagonally opposite the One Stop Car Shop.
pete berry said
Thu Jun 18 7:34 PM, 2020
Thought I'd take a walk after rain stopped around my local area and had a new bird for the list with a Kingfisher on the farm pool, it's the 86th bird for my lockdown list.
Plenty of Swallows, House Martin's and Swifts over the pool and a pair of Tufted Duck. On the nearby small pool the Moorhen that fledged 3 young now have a 2nd brood.
pete berry said
Tue May 19 8:00 PM, 2020
Just had a quick walk after tea and had a new bird for my walk list when a Nuthatch showed well on a solitary Oak by the path. Plenty of Swallows, a couple of House Martin's and a few Swifts hawking insect and plenty of young birds on the pool, couple brood of Mallard, Coot and Moorhen.
pete berry said
Sat May 16 12:21 PM, 2020
2 Lesser Whitethroats singing on the East Lancs road this morning, one in it's usual place by the public footpath sign and one on the other side of The Lancs nearer to traffic lights. That's probably why I thought the bird was covering a large area ,there's obviously been 2 birds there for a while,but this is the first time they've both sang at the same time.
pete berry said
Fri May 15 1:42 PM, 2020
Quick walk this morning down the East Lancs road, the Lesser Whitethroat has moved back to its original tree to sing from,after ranging at least 300 yds away,including a couple of forays over the East Lancs road itself !! The 3 Moorhen young still present on the small pool and looking half grown now,plenty of Swallows still around the farm including a couple sat on the wires and singing. Couple of broods of Mallard chicks on the big pool,together with adult Gadwall and Little Grebe. A few Swallows, House Martin's and Swifts feeding over the big pool ,and plenty of common warblers around the area.
pete berry said
Tue May 12 3:56 PM, 2020
Had a wander over to the sewage works, there were at least 250 hirundines plus a few Swifts feeding along the southern edge as the wind was blowing all the insects in that direction. Quite impressive to be stood in the middle of such a big feeding flock. Apart from that it was pretty quiet as most birds were keeping a low profile in the cold wind,a few Pied Wagtails in the fields and the Lapwings were chasing off every passing Crow as usual.
-- Edited by pete berry on Tuesday 12th of May 2020 03:57:37 PM
A walk down the East Lancs road produced a new bird when a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the Lancs and landed in a tree above my head. The Lesser Whitethroat has moved even nearer my house,I could actually see my house from where it was singing, I'll have to stand at bottom of the garden and see if I can hear it !!! Otherwise just the same warblers in song,plenty of Swallows around the farm, the Moorhen still has 2 chicks,which are quite well grown now,and venturing around on their own.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 9th of May 2020 12:18:50 PM
pete berry said
Mon May 4 5:00 PM, 2020
Made a bit earlier start this am to avoid crowds and managed to find another 2 singing Yellowhammers bringing my total to 10 territories !! Other birds seen were 2 Linnet,a pair of Reed Buntings and 4 Grey Partridge (in 2 pairs)plus all the usual warblers, plenty of Whitethroats in the little pockets of scrubby areas left by the farmer
pete berry said
Sun May 3 5:19 PM, 2020
Had a wander round the planted cereal fields this morning to try and count the Yellowhammer territories,found a couple of new singing birds which means there's at least 8 territories occupied, unfortunately as I was out a bit late the crowds of people stopped me from covering the whole area. Found 3 pairs of Grey Partridge all in different fields scattered about the area,also a flyover Oystercatcher was only the second one I've seen this spring. Plenty of variety of warblers around the farmland as fortunately the farmer is very wildlife friendly and leaves lots of good wildlife areas alone,and let's the hedgerows grow to a reasonable height. Most fields had one or two sitting Lapwing in them,as the cereal was only planted in spring they should be well finished with breeding before they harvest.
No sign of the Garden Warbler today,but still good numbers of common warblers including a Whitethroat.
Couple of Buzzards over and a Jay seen briefly.
Cettis Warbler still singing round the fishing pond,and plenty of Willow Warbler,Chiffchaff and Blackcsps still singing in good numbers.
The Cettis Warbler again around the fishing pond,plenty of singing Blackcap,Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in the general area and a singing Goldcrest near the entrance to the Meadows.
Good numbers of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcaps in the area,and 3 Buzzards thermalling around .
The Cettis Warbler again round the perimeter of the fishing pond and at least 6 singing Chiffchaff again
A single Redwing was feeding on the horse paddocks and a singing Nuthatch in trees opposite my house.
The 2 Ravens were still in the area,Sparrowhawk and Buzzard were both seen as well.
At least 8 Chiffchaff singing but still no Willow Warblers yet.Raven was in one of the horse fields behind the colliery and a Nuthatch was singing from trees round the village green
-- Edited by pete berry on Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 12:04:11 PM
Plenty of singing Chiffchaff, at least 2 singing Goldcrest
Kestrel hunting and 2 Buzzards over.
2 Chiffchaff
Willow Tit
Couple of Bullfinch
Plus all the usuals
Short walk this morning through Whitehead Hall Meadow to the canal bridge along from the Boathouse Pub.
Nothing of note except 2 Chiffchaff, one calling one viewed.
Plenty of singing Warblers inc Reed, Sedge,Blackcap,Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.
Also 4 Cettis Warblers in the general area of the fishing pond and 6 Tufted Duck,2 Little Grebe on the private pond.
Also 3 singing Willow Warbler
4 Sand Martins
At least a dozen Chiffchaff
Sparrowhawk
2 Grey Heron
8 Tufted Duck,6 Coot,and 2 pairs of Little Grebe
Plus all the usual suspects And just as I got back Ring Necked Parakeet in the back garden,still a rare bird round here
-- Edited by pete berry on Sunday 2nd of April 2023 11:17:41 AM
Walk on canal this time, no bike. 10.00am - 11.45am WhiteHead Hall Meadow Astley to Vicars Hall canal bridge and back on opposite side.
Went in search of Willow Tit and my first Mistle Thrush sighting of the year! Only heard overhead to date while riding. Dipped on the Thrush but happy with the following highlights;
Yellowhammer x1, Bullfinch (M), Linnet (pair) Redpol x2, Siskin x1, Greenfinch x1
Willow Warbler x1 my first of the year
Numerous Chiffchaff calling
Willow Tit x1
Sparrowhawk x 1
8.25am. Bike ride from Boathouse pub, Astley towards Boothstown. Willow Tit calling on south side of canal halfway to first bridge from Boathouse.
-- Edited by Kevin Cook on Wednesday 29th of March 2023 10:25:20 AM
A singing Goldcrest ,Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming a couple of Bullfinch,and a Grey Wagtail on the roof of one of houses on the way back were the main highlights.
2.15pm to 4pm.
Charm of about 30 Goldfinch.
2 Greenfinch.
3 Kestrel including one very tame individual that posed for me about 3 metres away.
2 Buzzard.
4 Mistle Thrush.
singles of Redwing, Collared Dove & Pheasant.
2 Jay.
At least 100 Jackdaw preparing to roost on Astley Green Colliery Pithead.
Chiffchaffs everywhere ,at least 4 singing Willow Warblers and a single Blackcap were the only summer migrants. A singing Cettis Warbler was still present after over wintering,hopefully it'll find a mate. Brief views of a Willow Tit were pleasing as it's the first one I've seen locally all winter.
At least 6 Buzzards seen include thermal of 4 together,a female Kestrel and a massive female Goshawk which is almost certainly a falconers escape,although no jesses were seen.
On the pool 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Coot,43 Black Headed Gulls and a pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls.
The Cettis Warbler still present today by the fishing pond, calling occasionally.
Also 3 Buzzards up together, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel,several Jays and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the general area.
Saturday 16th October couple of hours mid afternoon.
Usually a good area for winter thrushes but none seen.
Good afternoon for raptors though with 4 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels & a Sparrowhawk seen.
Also seen :- Grey Partridge, numerous Long-Tailed Tits & a single Snipe flushed from a field edge.
forgot to put that they were in the scrubby field area literally yards away from the loading area at the back of the restaurant
Delivering to La Casa restaurant just off the East Lancs (en-route to Liverpool).
- 2 Common Whitethroat in a sing off
- 1 Chiffchaff
Other birds seen were
3 Buzzards up together on the thermals
A female Sparrowhawk joined them in the same thermal
On the small lake 4 Little Grebe,10 Tufted Duck,4 Gadwall, 6 Teal,2 Mallard,2 drake Goosander, a Comorant,54 Black Headed Gulls and 2 singing Reed Buntings in the nearby reedbed.
2:15pm to 4:30pm.
C.30 Redwing.
Single Fieldfare.
Coal Tit & Long Tailed Tits with Great & Blue Tit tagging along.
Chaffinch, Greenfinch & plenty of Goldfinch.
A few Yellowhammers.
C.50 Jackdaw, several Jay, 2 Kestrel & 2 Buzzard
Grey Partridge with Pheasant.
2 Mistle Thrush & a Song Thrush.
Green Sandpiper still in same flooded area.
Too many to count but 2 telegraph pole lengths apart of tightly packed noisy Starlings on telegraph wires.
Some pics were taken in very poor fading light.
The Green Sandpiper again on the same flood on a flooded area just off the East Lancs diagonally opposite the One Stop Car Shop this morning presume it must be a potential overwintering bird.
Green Sandpiper still present today on a flooded area just off the East Lancs diagonally opposite the One Stop Car Shop
7.40am. Green Sandpiper still present on flooded area. Single Redwing in surrounding bushes.
The 3 Moorhen young still present on the small pool and looking half grown now,plenty of Swallows still around the farm including a couple sat on the wires and singing. Couple of broods of Mallard chicks on the big pool,together with adult Gadwall and Little Grebe. A few Swallows, House Martin's and Swifts feeding over the big pool ,and plenty of common warblers around the area.
Apart from that it was pretty quiet as most birds were keeping a low profile in the cold wind,a few Pied Wagtails in the fields and the Lapwings were chasing off every passing Crow as usual.
-- Edited by pete berry on Tuesday 12th of May 2020 03:57:37 PM
A walk down the East Lancs road produced a new bird when a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the Lancs and landed in a tree above my head. The Lesser Whitethroat has moved even nearer my house,I could actually see my house from where it was singing, I'll have to stand at bottom of the garden and see if I can hear it !!!
Otherwise just the same warblers in song,plenty of Swallows around the farm, the Moorhen still has 2 chicks,which are quite well grown now,and venturing around on their own.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 9th of May 2020 12:18:50 PM
Other birds seen were 2 Linnet,a pair of Reed Buntings and 4 Grey Partridge (in 2 pairs)plus all the usual warblers, plenty of Whitethroats in the little pockets of scrubby areas left by the farmer
Found 3 pairs of Grey Partridge all in different fields scattered about the area,also a flyover Oystercatcher was only the second one I've seen this spring. Plenty of variety of warblers around the farmland as fortunately the farmer is very wildlife friendly and leaves lots of good wildlife areas alone,and let's the hedgerows grow to a reasonable height.
Most fields had one or two sitting Lapwing in them,as the cereal was only planted in spring they should be well finished with breeding before they harvest.