Old Car park : Blackcap - 2 m+f . Bullfinch - 1. Willow warbler - 1. Pied Wagtail - 1 over . And a constructed mound of soil - wish they'd leave it alone !!!
Main lake : Blackcap - 5 Inc 1 f. Grt.Crested Grebe - 2. Lesser Black-back gull - 4. Reed bunting - 2. Arctic tern - 1. Cormorant - 3.
Broad Ees Dole : Little Grebe - 2. Teal - 4. Gadwall - 1. Reed bunting - 2. And 2 very young children with a basic scope and bins who knew about MB website with their dad ...... nice to meet them .
Another birder had a water rail just in front of the hide before I arrived.
Paul Heaton said
Sat Mar 10 4:14 PM, 2018
Mute Swan
Canada Geese
Mallard
Tufted duck
Gadwall
Teal
Gulls BH Gull Herring Gull LBB Gull
Grebes Great Crested and Little
Tits Blue Great Willow Long Tailed
Corvids Crow Jackdaw Rook Magpie Jay
Goosanders
Snipe
Herons and Cormorants.
Wren Dunnock Goldcrest
Blackbird Song Thrush Mistle Thrush Redwing
Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Finches Chaffinch Goldfinch
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Saturday 10th of March 2018 04:15:41 PM
Joel Tragen said
Wed Feb 28 11:52 PM, 2018
Quick ride around. Highlights: Main lake: 1 great crested grebe 3 little grebes 3 tufted ducks 2 goosander, a pair 2 teal 1 snipe flushed from the grassy bank, next to the islands 1 fieldfare 2 lesser redpoll feeding on ground with fieldfare good numbers of gadwall + the usual Broad ees dole 2 goosanders, redheads 2 shoveler, a pair 3 little grebe 20+ teal
Paul Heaton said
Sun Feb 18 5:33 PM, 2018
BTO WeBS Count Sunday 18th Feb
Coot 38
Moorhen 9
Canada geese 53
Mute Swan 7
Tufted Duck 27
Gadwall 38
Mallard 24
Goosander 4
Great Crested Grebe 2
BH Gull 157
Common Gull 4
LBB Gull 1
Cormorant 8
Broad ees dole
Teal 17
Mallard 8
Canada geese 5
Moorhen 4
Snipe 1
Heron 1
Shannon Llewellyn said
Wed Feb 7 8:11 PM, 2018
Here from around 2.30 - 4.45. Again much of the lake frozen, including what looked like a small water bird (little grebe?) that seemed to have become locked into the ice and perished.
Also possible yellow-legged gull; mantle colour looked good, and head pristine, but couldn't make out leg colour (which perhaps suggests they weren't yellow).
Ok, so no red-breasted merganser, but 52 species for the day, which isn't too bad, and it sure as hell beats work.
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Wednesday 7th of February 2018 08:14:26 PM
Steven Nelson said
Tue Feb 6 6:19 PM, 2018
16.30-17.00 Quick visit after Chorlton WP hoping the Red-breasted Merganser had relocated to Sale WP
6 Goosander -5f & 1m 2 Grey Wagtail
..but no Merganser! I wonder where else it goes to?
Pete Hines said
Sat Feb 3 10:29 AM, 2018
08.40-09.55
Goosander 5 (1 male, 4 female) Great crested Grebe 5 Little Grebe 3 (Broad Ees Dole) Cormorant 12 Tufted Duck 19 Gadwall 23 Teal 21 (Broad Ees Dole) Snipe 3 (Broad Ees Dole) Herring Gull 13 Lesser Black-backed Gull 9 Common Gull 12 Ring-necked Parakeet 1 Siskin 20+
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 3rd of February 2018 10:35:34 AM
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Fri Feb 2 6:57 PM, 2018
Late morning after Chorlton WP.
Red-Breasted Merganser 1f. Appeared at the east end of main lake just as we were walking back to the car park. Tufted Duck 5 Gadwall 12+ Mute Swan 6 Cormorant 10+ Great Crested Grebe 6 Teal 8m 2f. Mallard 20+ Coot 40+ Moorhen 2 Little Grebe 3 Buzzard 1 Grey Heron 10 Willow Tit 2 Nuthatch 2 etc.
phillipskelly said
Wed Jan 31 4:44 PM, 2018
Late post for Monday afternoon 3pm ish , 30.01.18
Main lake. Goosander 4 (3f+1m). Common gull 10. Black-headed gull c200. Lesser Black-back gull c30. Yellow legged gull 1. Gt. Crested Grebe 5. Gadwall 24. Plus 2-3 siskin in a mixed flock of Tits.
Broad Ees Dole. Grey Heron 4. Teal c15.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Wednesday 31st of January 2018 04:48:42 PM
Also Mute swan 5 plus Herring gull .
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Wednesday 31st of January 2018 04:50:25 PM
Paul Heaton said
Mon Jan 22 11:58 AM, 2018
BTO WeBS Sunday 8.30-10-30
Weather. could have been better and drier, sadly
Coot 110
Moorhen 18
Cananda Geese 54
Tufted Duck 23 m 7 f
Gadwall 18 m 7f
Mallard 15 m 12f
Mute Swan 12
Goosander 1 f
Cormorant 22
B H Gull 137 (3) showing summer plumage heads
LBB Gull 5
Herring Gull 2
Common Gull 8
Great Crested Grebe 7
Broad res Dole
Teal 23m 8f
Heron 2
Kingfisher 1
Keep Birding ( even in the rain )
Rob Creek said
Fri Jan 12 6:15 PM, 2018
Friday 12th Jan (2.30pm)
A late delivery in Stretford so called in here for a break. Of note... - c30 Tufted Duck - 6 Gadwall - 8 Cormorant - 5 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 2 adult Common Gulls
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Jan 7 5:54 PM, 2018
A few hours around here today, morning and afternoon, nice day for it, and lots to be seen.
Main lake and surrounds:
1 willow tit 2 nuthatch 7+ goldfinch 1 chaffinch 1 bullfinch 1 song thrush 1 kingfisher (with the largest fish I've ever seen one with) 3 great spotted woodpecker 1 moorhen c40 coot 3 teal 21 gadwall 41 tufted duck 2 goosander 9 (I think) mute swan 4 little grebe 2 great crested grebe 1 grey heron c8 cormorant 250+ black-headed gull 8+ common gull 10+ lesser black-backed gull 6+ herring gull 1 sparrowhawk
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Sunday 7th of January 2018 07:40:07 PM
Paul Heaton said
Fri Jan 5 6:51 PM, 2018
Good stroll round today, Lots of activity at the visitors centre Willow tit x1 Great Tit x 11 R N Parakeets 4 Nuthatch x3
large flock of mixed finches on cow lane mainly Chaffinch with possible Brambling (bad light in the trees )
Main lake B H Gull 200+ Coots 80+ Gadwall 25 Tufted duck 40+ Goldeneye 1
Broad ees Dole Teal 38 Snipe 9+ Heron 3 Little Grebe 4 Kingfisher 1.
Goldcrest x7 and lots of other stuff as well .
Keep Birding.
Andy Isherwood said
Fri Jan 5 11:34 AM, 2018
Now 38 Tufted Duck as well as 22+ Gadwall, 9 Cormorant and drake Goldeneye.
Andy Isherwood said
Thu Jan 4 9:01 AM, 2018
37 Tufted Duck this am and 12+ Gadwall. Kingfisher heard around islands and single Buzzard flew low over lake toward west end.
Andy Isherwood said
Wed Jan 3 9:38 PM, 2018
Quick check of main lake at first light this am, 36 Tufted Duck (28 drakes) single drake Goldeneye and 6 Cormorant.
Paul Heaton said
Sun Dec 31 8:28 PM, 2017
Well spotted Roger, and when I do my 2108 list , it will be interesting I wonder what will be here then.
Have fun birding in the meantime .
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun Dec 31 7:20 PM, 2017
update in 2108 and find something good ............................................................ Does longevity run in the family Paul ? Only another 91 years to go !
Roger.
Paul Heaton said
Sun Dec 31 2:34 PM, 2017
Sunday Morning 9.30-12.30
Visitor centre area
Willow tit x1
GS Woodpecker x2
Nuthatch x1
Great tit x5
Blue Tit x4
Main Lake
B H Gull 218
Common Gull 18
Lesser Black backed Gull x9
Herring Gull x 2
Cormorants x 13
Canada Goose 27
Mute Swan x12
Great Crested Grebe x6
Little Grebe x 2
Gadwall x23
Mallard x 29
Goosander x1
Coots x30
Moorhen x 4
Kingfisher x2
Wood pigeon x 30
Feral pigeon x11
Broad ees dole
Teal x 15
Buzzard x2
Blackbird x 1
Mistle Thrush x 2
Robins x9
Jackdaw x 5
Crow x 18
Well thats about it for 2017 planing to do a few more Mersey Valley update in 2018 and find something good ...
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Sunday 31st of December 2017 08:25:00 PM
Hour or so around the western end and Broad Ees Dole this afternoon. Jet-skiing, but still, some birds:
Main lake and surrounds:
1 stock dove over 1 moorhen 2 coot 10 (or possibly 11) mute swan 2 great crested grebe 35+ black-headed gull 4+ common gull 6+ lesser black-backed gull 1 herring gull
Broad Ees Dole was very quiet:
Long-tailed tit flock, with the odd blue tit mixed in 1 jay 2 moorhen 1 snipe 1 grey heron
phillipskelly said
Fri Dec 1 10:20 PM, 2017
Apologies for the very late post for Thursday 30.11.17. Main lake ........ Mute swan - 3 cygnets. Black-headed gull - c100. Lesser Black-back gull - 10. Herring gull - 2 ( both 3rd winter ) . Common gull - 10. Yellow legged gull - 1 (same individual as last time ). Broad Ees Dole ........ Teal - 30 on a mainly fozen bund. Snipe - 2 on reed bed edges of bund. Also several mobile long-tail tit flocks about. Plus another long-tail tit flock and 2 Treecreeper (one seen , one heard) in hedge along Hawthorn lane on the way back.
Pete Hines said
Wed Nov 22 9:56 AM, 2017
08.05 - 08.25
Gadwall 8 Herring Gull 1
(nothing on Broad Ees Dole)
Rob Creek said
Fri Nov 17 4:25 PM, 2017
Friday 17th November. (4pm)
A late break on main car park at Deckers.
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull (certainly looked good for it) has just flown from the side of Deckers over to the far side of the lake, done a couple of circuits round that area but I've lost it. Could well be the same one that myself and then Phil Kelly have seen here recently. - 2 Grey Wagtail - 1 Woodcock has just flown up from beyond the island and then dropped back down towards the entrance area. (I remember Steve Burke saying it was a good sight for them here, right place right time I guess!)
Paul Heaton said
Sun Nov 12 12:34 PM, 2017
All the normal stuff but GADWALL count up to 17
Keep Birding
phillipskelly said
Thu Nov 9 12:20 PM, 2017
Late post - Wed 08.11.17 Yellow Legged Gull - 1 (confirmation from Ian McKerchar from images ). Grey Heron - 1. Goldfinch - 5. Grt. Crested Grebe - 1. Little grebe - 1. Tufted Duck - 1. Mute Swan - 6 (2 ad. + 4 cygnets ). Broad Ees Dole .......... Snipe - 1. Teal - 7.
Rob Creek said
Fri Nov 3 7:23 PM, 2017
Thursday 2nd Nov Tacho break yesterday afternoon after a late delivery in Stretford.
Usual stuff knocking around including the Black-headed Gulls and an interesting large Gull that appeared flying round the car park and the edge of the reservoir near Deckers. I reached for my bins and immediately the mantle hue stood out along with the yellow legs. I tried to snap a flight shot but I just couldn't get one (except for a totally blurred one) and it was out of sight behind the trees before I knew it! I've attached some still images below, and although it looks good for Yellow-legged Gull I was hoping for a shot of the primaries or underwing pattern to confirm it. Thanks for your view on this one Ian, seems it looks ok but for the very reason above regarding the wings, it can't be 100% confirmed. Yet! In my view, it doesn't look like one of the Smithfield pair neither.
lots of dog walkers , joggers and speed boats on the water, left it late to visit.
Keep Birding
Joel Tragen said
Wed Sep 27 7:48 PM, 2017
A quick cycle round, around 3 today. Highlight being: Broad ees dole -5 teal -a pair of gadwal -a little grebe -6 grey herons Main lake -4 lesser black backed gulls -5 cormorants -1 great crested grebe -1 little grebe Wildflower meadow -2 swallows over -a tit flock -1 willow tit -1 goldcrest
Paul Heaton said
Sat Sep 23 5:53 PM, 2017
42 species today Highlights
Jay x5
Treecreeper Goldcrest Chiffchaff , Kingfisher
Keep Birding
Tim Wilcox said
Fri Sep 22 8:28 PM, 2017
Steven Heywood wrote:
A couple of treecreepers with the mixed tit flocks near the car park this lunchtime.
Two juvenile sparrowhawks kept everything quiet on Broad Ees Dole.
I'm not sure two Sparrowhawks were needed to 'keep it quiet'. Best birds there for a while...
Steven Heywood said
Fri Sep 22 7:43 PM, 2017
A couple of treecreepers with the mixed tit flocks near the car park this lunchtime.
Two juvenile sparrowhawks kept everything quiet on Broad Ees Dole.
phillipskelly said
Sat Sep 9 10:05 PM, 2017
From 2 - 4.30p. today . Main lake - Mute swan 2 adult + 5 cygnet. Reed warbler 2 adult and possibly 2 juveniles. (One adult with food). Lots of Blue tit and Long-tail tit everywhere. Broad Ees Dole - Teal 2 . Grey Heron 3. Little Grebe 3 (2 adult + 1 well developed juvenile ). Moorhen 5 ( 3 adult + 2 juvenile ). Also 3 cormorant on the pylons.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Mon Sep 4 3:52 PM, 2017
three or so hours this morning:
1 goldcrest (juvenile) 4 chiffchaff 2 blackcap 4+ reed warbler, including at least one very recent fledgling and an adult with food. 1 treecreeper 1 nuthatch heard 2 greenfinch 10+ swallow House martins heard 3 jay 1 great spotted woodpecker heard 2 ring-necked parakeet 1 moorhen 1 coot 7 mute swan (five almost full grown cygnets) 2 grey heron 5 or 6 cormorant 1 or 2 buzzard
Broad Ees Dole:
6 moorhen (one almost full-grown juvenile) 4 little grebe (one full-grown juvenile) 7 grey heron
Andy Isherwood said
Tue Jul 25 4:28 PM, 2017
Single Ring Necked Parakeet flew east over main lake c. 8.30 this am. 56 Canada geese and the 5 Mute Swan Cygnets still on main lake as well as 3 Little Grebe.
Pete Hines said
Tue Jul 25 12:04 PM, 2017
Herring Gull 1 adult Teal 1 female
phillipskelly said
Tue Jul 25 11:57 AM, 2017
Yesterday Mon 24.07.17 Sale wp. Inflow Channel ...... Buzzard - 1 over . Peregrine - 1 seen very briefly over tree tops toward Jacksons Boat pub. WF. Meadow ....... Read bunting 3. Bullfinch 1. Goldfinch 6 (2 adults + 4 juv. ). Greenfinch 2. Swift 4. Swallow 2. Main lake ........ Mute swan 2 adult and 4 cygnet. Broad Ees Dole ....... Little grebe 4 adult + 4 juv. Grey Heron 2. Cormorant 2. R. Mersey ........ Kestrel 1adult + 1juv (across from the water park ). Kingfisher 1 ( flew past only metres away at head height - great view! ).
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jul 23 9:22 PM, 2017
Paul Wilkins wrote:
two Little Egrets. This has been my local patch for over twenty years and these are the first I've seen anywhere in the Mersey Valley. I'm pleased they've put in an appearance.
They are still very scarce in the area Paul but Broad Ees Dole has managed at least three records of the species that I can recall off the top of my head (including of course the first ever county record). I'm sure they'll get commoner in the near future though
Paul Wilkins said
Sun Jul 23 8:49 PM, 2017
Broad EE's Dole
A few Black- headed Gulls, one Cormorant, three Grey Herons, two Moorhens, one Little Grebe, one Mallard but two Little Egrets. This has been my local patch for over twenty years and these are the first I've seen anywhere in the Mersey Valley. I'm pleased they've put in an appearance.
phillipskelly said
Sat Jul 22 4:02 PM, 2017
This afternoon from 12pm ... Visitor Centre - Raven 1. Main lake - Mute swan 2 adult + 5 cygnet . Reed warbler 1 heard only . WF.Meadow - (all seen in the corner at rear of Old Carpark ) . Reed bunting 2 (1 male collecting insects and feeding juvenile - also seen again on the way back ) . Chiffchaff - 1 juvenile . Blackcap - 1 male . Greenfinch - 1 male . Dunnock - 1 . Broad Ees Dole - Common Buzzard 1 over . Cormorant 3 on island . Little grebe 4 ( 2 adult feeding 2 chicks ) . Grey Heron 2 . Kingfisher 2 sightings (one on return to hide on way back ) .
phillipskelly said
Sun Jul 16 7:48 PM, 2017
Main Lake - Mute Swan 2 adult + 5 cygnet . Chorlton Ees - Buzzard 1 over seen briefly ( very dark - no pale markings seen, and movIng quicker than usual - it didn't look quite right for a common buzzard). Old carpark - Blackbird 2. Blackcap 2 (f) probaby the same one . Broad Ees Dole - Little Grebe 4 . Grey Heron 4. Black -Headed Gull c15 .... one with yellow leg ring - ETKE on left leg.
Andy Isherwood said
Fri Jul 7 9:11 AM, 2017
94 Canada geese, 5 Mute Swan Cygnets, 3 Lesser Black backed gulls and 12 Black headed gulls on main lake this am.
Andy Isherwood said
Thu Jul 6 3:46 PM, 2017
4 Ring Necked Parakeet flew over heading for Sale c.8.20am. Lake very quiet.
Visitor centre :
Grey Heron - 1 (in marsh).
Willow tit - 1 (on bird table with a very narrow chin marking but briefly seen) .
Cow lane :
Treecreeper - 1.
Inflow channel :
Chiffchaff - 2.
Grey Heron - 1.
Mallard - 4.
Wildflower meadow :
Greenfinch - 6.
Bullfinch - 1.
Reed bunting - 2.
Jay - 1.
Chiffchaff - 2 .
Treecreeper - 1.
Woodpigeon .- c 30.
Old Car park :
Blackcap - 2 m+f .
Bullfinch - 1.
Willow warbler - 1.
Pied Wagtail - 1 over .
And a constructed mound of soil - wish they'd leave it alone !!!
Main lake :
Blackcap - 5 Inc 1 f.
Grt.Crested Grebe - 2.
Lesser Black-back gull - 4.
Reed bunting - 2.
Arctic tern - 1.
Cormorant - 3.
Broad Ees Dole :
Little Grebe - 2.
Teal - 4.
Gadwall - 1.
Reed bunting - 2.
And 2 very young children with a basic scope and bins who knew about MB website with their dad ...... nice to meet them .
Common Tern present early afternoon today.
Info thanks to Tony O'Mahony
BTO WeBS Count.( in the snow brave of me I know )
Goosander c6
Mallard c25
Canada goose c23
Mute Swan c13
Moorhen c11
Coot c38
Cormorant c11
Great Crested Grebe c9
Gadwall c20
Tufted Duck c35
Black Headed Gull c 327
LBB Gull c14
Herrring Gull c5
Common Gull c10
Heron 1
Broad ees dole
Teal 33
Mallard 9
Shoveler 14
Snipe 9
Little Grebe 3
Keep Birding
2 willow tit
1 bullfinch
6+ redwing
3 song thrush
4 moorhen
31 coot
5 teal (on marshy area beneath cafe)
3 gadwall
14 tufted duck
2 goosander
2 mute swan
2 great crested grebe
2 grey heron
8 cormorant
c100 black-headed gull
13 common gull
3 herring gull
1 kestrel
1 buzzard
Broad Ees Dole:
2 reed bunting
4 moorhen
1 coot
16 teal
24 gadwall
1 mute swan
3 little grebe
4 snipe
3 grey heron
Another birder had a water rail just in front of the hide before I arrived.
Mute Swan
Canada Geese
Mallard
Tufted duck
Gadwall
Teal
Gulls BH Gull Herring Gull LBB Gull
Grebes Great Crested and Little
Tits Blue Great Willow Long Tailed
Corvids Crow Jackdaw Rook Magpie Jay
Goosanders
Snipe
Herons and Cormorants.
Wren Dunnock Goldcrest
Blackbird Song Thrush Mistle Thrush Redwing
Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Finches Chaffinch Goldfinch
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Saturday 10th of March 2018 04:15:41 PM
Main lake:
1 great crested grebe
3 little grebes
3 tufted ducks
2 goosander, a pair
2 teal
1 snipe flushed from the grassy bank, next to the islands
1 fieldfare
2 lesser redpoll feeding on ground with fieldfare
good numbers of gadwall + the usual
Broad ees dole
2 goosanders, redheads
2 shoveler, a pair
3 little grebe
20+ teal
BTO WeBS Count Sunday 18th Feb
Coot 38
Moorhen 9
Canada geese 53
Mute Swan 7
Tufted Duck 27
Gadwall 38
Mallard 24
Goosander 4
Great Crested Grebe 2
BH Gull 157
Common Gull 4
LBB Gull 1
Cormorant 8
Broad ees dole
Teal 17
Mallard 8
Canada geese 5
Moorhen 4
Snipe 1
Heron 1
Main lake and surrounds:
1 goldcrest
1 willow tit
1 grey wagtail
Redwing heard
2 moorhen
27 coot
4 teal
c20 gadwall
2 goosander
4 mute swan
2+ great crested grebe
2 grey heron
8+ cormorant
116+ black-headed gull
3 common gull
16+ lesser black-backed gull
6+ herring gull
1 buzzard
Also possible yellow-legged gull; mantle colour looked good, and head pristine, but couldn't make out leg colour (which perhaps suggests they weren't yellow).
Broad Ees Dole:
54 teal
1 shoveler
2 mute swan
1 little grebe
2 grey heron
Ok, so no red-breasted merganser, but 52 species for the day, which isn't too bad, and it sure as hell beats work.
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Wednesday 7th of February 2018 08:14:26 PM
6 Goosander -5f & 1m
2 Grey Wagtail
..but no Merganser! I wonder where else it goes to?
08.40-09.55
Goosander 5 (1 male, 4 female)
Great crested Grebe 5
Little Grebe 3 (Broad Ees Dole)
Cormorant 12
Tufted Duck 19
Gadwall 23
Teal 21 (Broad Ees Dole)
Snipe 3 (Broad Ees Dole)
Herring Gull 13
Lesser Black-backed Gull 9
Common Gull 12
Ring-necked Parakeet 1
Siskin 20+
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 3rd of February 2018 10:35:34 AM
Red-Breasted Merganser 1f. Appeared at the east end of main lake just as we were walking back to the car park.
Tufted Duck 5
Gadwall 12+
Mute Swan 6
Cormorant 10+
Great Crested Grebe 6
Teal 8m 2f.
Mallard 20+
Coot 40+
Moorhen 2
Little Grebe 3
Buzzard 1
Grey Heron 10
Willow Tit 2
Nuthatch 2
etc.
Main lake.
Goosander 4 (3f+1m).
Common gull 10.
Black-headed gull c200.
Lesser Black-back gull c30.
Yellow legged gull 1.
Gt. Crested Grebe 5.
Gadwall 24.
Plus 2-3 siskin in a mixed flock of Tits.
Broad Ees Dole.
Grey Heron 4.
Teal c15.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Wednesday 31st of January 2018 04:48:42 PM Also Mute swan 5 plus Herring gull .
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Wednesday 31st of January 2018 04:50:25 PM
BTO WeBS Sunday 8.30-10-30
Weather. could have been better and drier, sadly
Coot 110
Moorhen 18
Cananda Geese 54
Tufted Duck 23 m 7 f
Gadwall 18 m 7f
Mallard 15 m 12f
Mute Swan 12
Goosander 1 f
Cormorant 22
B H Gull 137 (3) showing summer plumage heads
LBB Gull 5
Herring Gull 2
Common Gull 8
Great Crested Grebe 7
Broad res Dole
Teal 23m 8f
Heron 2
Kingfisher 1
Keep Birding ( even in the rain )
A late delivery in Stretford so called in here for a break. Of note...
- c30 Tufted Duck
- 6 Gadwall
- 8 Cormorant
- 5 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 adult Common Gulls
Main lake and surrounds:
1 willow tit
2 nuthatch
7+ goldfinch
1 chaffinch
1 bullfinch
1 song thrush
1 kingfisher (with the largest fish I've ever seen one with)
3 great spotted woodpecker
1 moorhen
c40 coot
3 teal
21 gadwall
41 tufted duck
2 goosander
9 (I think) mute swan
4 little grebe
2 great crested grebe
1 grey heron
c8 cormorant
250+ black-headed gull
8+ common gull
10+ lesser black-backed gull
6+ herring gull
1 sparrowhawk
Broad Ees Dole:
1 grey wagtail
1 moorhen
36 teal
1 little grebe
12+ snipe
3 grey heron
1 kestrel (on pylon behind hide)
1 buzzard
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Sunday 7th of January 2018 07:40:07 PM
Good stroll round today, Lots of activity at the visitors centre Willow tit x1 Great Tit x 11 R N Parakeets 4 Nuthatch x3
large flock of mixed finches on cow lane mainly Chaffinch with possible Brambling (bad light in the trees )
Main lake B H Gull 200+ Coots 80+ Gadwall 25 Tufted duck 40+ Goldeneye 1
Broad ees Dole Teal 38 Snipe 9+ Heron 3 Little Grebe 4 Kingfisher 1.
Goldcrest x7 and lots of other stuff as well .
Keep Birding.
Well spotted Roger, and when I do my 2108 list , it will be interesting I wonder what will be here then.
Have fun birding in the meantime .
............................................................
Does longevity run in the family Paul ? Only another 91 years to go !
Roger.
Sunday Morning 9.30-12.30
Visitor centre area
Willow tit x1
GS Woodpecker x2
Nuthatch x1
Great tit x5
Blue Tit x4
Main Lake
B H Gull 218
Common Gull 18
Lesser Black backed Gull x9
Herring Gull x 2
Cormorants x 13
Canada Goose 27
Mute Swan x12
Great Crested Grebe x6
Little Grebe x 2
Gadwall x23
Mallard x 29
Goosander x1
Coots x30
Moorhen x 4
Kingfisher x2
Wood pigeon x 30
Feral pigeon x11
Broad ees dole
Teal x 15
Buzzard x2
Blackbird x 1
Mistle Thrush x 2
Robins x9
Jackdaw x 5
Crow x 18
Well thats about it for 2017 planing to do a few more Mersey Valley update in 2018 and find something good ...
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Sunday 31st of December 2017 08:25:00 PM
Main lake .......
Gadwall - 24
Tufted duck - 26.
Little grebe - 1.
Grt. Crested Grebe - 2.
Mute swan - 7.
Common gull - 10 .
Black-headed gull - c200.
Lesser Black-back gull 4.
Herring gull - 1.
Yellow legged gull 1.
Broad Ees Dole ......... ( not frozen ).
Snipe - 12 .
Moorhen - 3.
And Nowt else !
Mute swan - 7.
Common gull - 2.
Black-headed gull - c 160.
Lesser Black-back gull - 10.
Gadwall - 17.
Goosander - 1 (f).
Tufted duck - 14.
Grt.Crested Grebe - 2.
Cormorant - 7.
Old carpark .....
Kestrel - 1.
BroadEes Dole. .......
Snipe - 6.
Grey Heron - 1.
Main lake and surrounds:
1 stock dove over
1 moorhen
2 coot
10 (or possibly 11) mute swan
2 great crested grebe
35+ black-headed gull
4+ common gull
6+ lesser black-backed gull
1 herring gull
Broad Ees Dole was very quiet:
Long-tailed tit flock, with the odd blue tit mixed in
1 jay
2 moorhen
1 snipe
1 grey heron
Main lake ........
Mute swan - 3 cygnets.
Black-headed gull - c100.
Lesser Black-back gull - 10.
Herring gull - 2 ( both 3rd winter ) .
Common gull - 10.
Yellow legged gull - 1 (same individual as last time ).
Broad Ees Dole ........
Teal - 30 on a mainly fozen bund.
Snipe - 2 on reed bed edges of bund.
Also several mobile long-tail tit flocks about.
Plus another long-tail tit flock and 2 Treecreeper (one seen , one heard) in hedge along Hawthorn lane on the way back.
Gadwall 8
Herring Gull 1
(nothing on Broad Ees Dole)
A late break on main car park at Deckers.
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull (certainly looked good for it) has just flown from the side of Deckers over to the far side of the lake, done a couple of circuits round that area but I've lost it. Could well be the same one that myself and then Phil Kelly have seen here recently.
- 2 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Woodcock has just flown up from beyond the island and then dropped back down towards the entrance area.
(I remember Steve Burke saying it was a good sight for them here, right place right time I guess!)
All the normal stuff but GADWALL count up to 17
Keep Birding
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 (confirmation from Ian McKerchar from images ).
Grey Heron - 1.
Goldfinch - 5.
Grt. Crested Grebe - 1.
Little grebe - 1.
Tufted Duck - 1.
Mute Swan - 6 (2 ad. + 4 cygnets ).
Broad Ees Dole ..........
Snipe - 1.
Teal - 7.
Tacho break yesterday afternoon after a late delivery in Stretford.
Usual stuff knocking around including the Black-headed Gulls and an interesting large Gull that appeared flying round the car park and the edge of the reservoir near Deckers.
I reached for my bins and immediately the mantle hue stood out along with the yellow legs. I tried to snap a flight shot but I just couldn't get one (except for a totally blurred one) and it was out of sight behind the trees before I knew it!
I've attached some still images below, and although it looks good for Yellow-legged Gull I was hoping for a shot of the primaries or underwing pattern to confirm it.
Thanks for your view on this one Ian, seems it looks ok but for the very reason above regarding the wings, it can't be 100% confirmed. Yet!
In my view, it doesn't look like one of the Smithfield pair neither.
20+ Redwing near the visitors centre
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
lots of dog walkers , joggers and speed boats on the water, left it late to visit.
Keep Birding
Broad ees dole
-5 teal
-a pair of gadwal
-a little grebe
-6 grey herons
Main lake
-4 lesser black backed gulls
-5 cormorants
-1 great crested grebe
-1 little grebe
Wildflower meadow
-2 swallows over
-a tit flock
-1 willow tit
-1 goldcrest
42 species today Highlights
Jay x5
Treecreeper Goldcrest Chiffchaff , Kingfisher
Keep Birding
I'm not sure two Sparrowhawks were needed to 'keep it quiet'. Best birds there for a while...
A couple of treecreepers with the mixed tit flocks near the car park this lunchtime.
Two juvenile sparrowhawks kept everything quiet on Broad Ees Dole.
Main lake -
Mute swan 2 adult + 5 cygnet.
Reed warbler 2 adult and possibly 2 juveniles. (One adult with food).
Lots of Blue tit and Long-tail tit everywhere.
Broad Ees Dole -
Teal 2 .
Grey Heron 3.
Little Grebe 3 (2 adult + 1 well developed juvenile ).
Moorhen 5 ( 3 adult + 2 juvenile ).
Also 3 cormorant on the pylons.
1 goldcrest (juvenile)
4 chiffchaff
2 blackcap
4+ reed warbler, including at least one very recent fledgling and an adult with food.
1 treecreeper
1 nuthatch heard
2 greenfinch
10+ swallow
House martins heard
3 jay
1 great spotted woodpecker heard
2 ring-necked parakeet
1 moorhen
1 coot
7 mute swan (five almost full grown cygnets)
2 grey heron
5 or 6 cormorant
1 or 2 buzzard
Broad Ees Dole:
6 moorhen (one almost full-grown juvenile)
4 little grebe (one full-grown juvenile)
7 grey heron
Teal 1 female
Yesterday Mon 24.07.17 Sale wp.
Inflow Channel ......
Buzzard - 1 over .
Peregrine - 1 seen very briefly over tree tops toward Jacksons Boat pub.
WF. Meadow .......
Read bunting 3.
Bullfinch 1.
Goldfinch 6 (2 adults + 4 juv. ).
Greenfinch 2.
Swift 4.
Swallow 2.
Main lake ........
Mute swan 2 adult and 4 cygnet.
Broad Ees Dole .......
Little grebe 4 adult + 4 juv.
Grey Heron 2.
Cormorant 2.
R. Mersey ........
Kestrel 1adult + 1juv (across from the water park ).
Kingfisher 1 ( flew past only metres away at head height - great view! ).
They are still very scarce in the area Paul but Broad Ees Dole has managed at least three records of the species that I can recall off the top of my head (including of course the first ever county record). I'm sure they'll get commoner in the near future though
A few Black- headed Gulls, one Cormorant, three Grey Herons, two Moorhens, one Little Grebe, one Mallard but two Little Egrets. This has been my local patch for over twenty years and these are the first I've seen anywhere in the Mersey Valley. I'm pleased they've put in an appearance.
Visitor Centre -
Raven 1.
Main lake -
Mute swan 2 adult + 5 cygnet .
Reed warbler 1 heard only .
WF.Meadow - (all seen in the corner at rear of Old Carpark ) .
Reed bunting 2 (1 male collecting insects and feeding juvenile - also seen again on the way back ) .
Chiffchaff - 1 juvenile .
Blackcap - 1 male .
Greenfinch - 1 male .
Dunnock - 1 .
Broad Ees Dole -
Common Buzzard 1 over .
Cormorant 3 on island .
Little grebe 4 ( 2 adult feeding 2 chicks ) .
Grey Heron 2 .
Kingfisher 2 sightings (one on return to hide on way back ) .
Mute Swan 2 adult + 5 cygnet .
Chorlton Ees -
Buzzard 1 over seen briefly ( very dark - no pale markings seen, and movIng quicker than usual - it didn't look quite right for a common buzzard).
Old carpark -
Blackbird 2.
Blackcap 2 (f) probaby the same one .
Broad Ees Dole -
Little Grebe 4 .
Grey Heron 4.
Black -Headed Gull c15 .... one with yellow leg ring - ETKE on left leg.
Common Sandpiper 2
Teal 1 female
Canada Goose 89
Cormorant 2