Hi Tanmay,

I saw the Green Sandpiper very briefly in March in the brook at the time the pair of Grey Wagtails were showing but despite a number of checks since I haven't seen anything ; however the brook is always worth a look, Herons regularly stay there half way up the field, so you never know....

I have checked the stream and the oxbow a few times in the past week but no signs of Green Sandpipers at the moment

Sounds like the right area Tanmay.

Tanmay, have look on this map here to which Steven kindly added his sightings recently. It's the leftmost red marker, but of course it could have moved! Zoom into the map photo for more detail or switch to the drawn version.

Cheers, Martyn.

Another place to try is the field on the other side of the River Bollin from the Obelisk.

If you get to the Obelisk, it's the field lined with Birch/Alder Trees over the other side of the river.

Sometimes that field becomes quite boggy and they go on there occasionally, have a scan around and see what you can find.

Good luck!

-- Edited by Phil Owen on Saturday 7th of April 2012 11:45:21 AM

Sounds like a great day, Steven.

Just wondering whether you or anyone else could give directions to find the green sandpiper? I've looked for it before, going out of the park via bollington gate and looking at the stream top the right. Have I got the right place?

regards

Tanmay

-- Edited by Tanmay Dixit on Saturday 7th of April 2012 11:05:31 AM

7.30-1.30pm 50 species seen throughout the golf course & deer park.

golf course & forest...

1 lesser spotted woodpecker,(female)giving really good views for around 10 mins around 8.20am,was a lovely surprise walking through.
1 tawny owl
3 great spotted woodpeckers
1 buzzard
1 sparrowhawk
2 blackcaps
4 chiffchaffs
2 goldcrests
nuthatches & treecreepers
plus all usual birds.

deer park...

1 lesser spotted woodpecker,(female,could well off been the one seen earlier) around 9.35am watched for 25 mins.
3 green woodpeckers
4 great spotted woodpeckers, hat-trick off hat-tricks
1 little owl
2-4 buzzards
1 kestrel
1 green sandpiper
1 house martin,first for the year.
2 sand martins
1 lapwing (over)
1 blackcap
3 chiffchaff
1 pied wagtail
4 meadow pipits

pleasant morning

Playing golf today at Dunham.

1 Curlew fly over
Loads of Jackdaws and a good few Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 6th of April 2012 08:04:58 PM

Another visit for a couple of hours late afternoon yesterday.
At least 6 Green Woodpecker
3 Great-spotted Woodpecker
1 female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker drumming and calling between the deer barn and forest edge.

Cheers
Jason

Martyn Jones wrote:

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Fantastic photos Mike, whereabouts did you see them and at what time?

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PM sent

Regards

Mike

A pleasant 90 minutes this afternoon/evening (6-7.30). Half a dozen Great Spotted and at least 4 Green Woodpecker with 2 showing extremely well not too far from the deer barn, unfortunately not close enough for decent photos.

Cheers
Jason

Interesting that Green Woodpeckers are so visible. I saw one yesterday probably the same one) about 7 p.m, again a few feet from the Deer Barn and one on Sunday. The one yesterday flew down so I spotted it easily as I sat on the bench by the wall. Heard an Owl as well on the perimeter near the Gatehouse but could not see it.

7.00-11.00 a.m. this morning in the rain, After many attemps finally found a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, in the deer park no where near the obelisk where I'd spent hours waiting, all the other Dunham birds in abundance but only heard Green Woodpecker.
Cheers Ian

Fantastic photos Mike, whereabouts did you see them and at what time?

Hi

The Green Woodpeckers are showing well at dunham massey - Spent 2 pleasant evenings watching them - have a look here -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55985722@N08/

Regards

Mike

Hello Bill,

Saw your post, Open Message. Birding madly at Dunham as recently early retired and learning fast. Anyone going into Dunham v early or late wanting quiet, focussed very humorous company? Let me know. Had 3 Woodpeckers but now need to move on!

Cheers,

Martin

I am reposting this visit as my first attempt went to County Sightings. Also reflecting my experience of finding Woodpeckers.
Visited Dunham Massey on 31/03/12 from 6-10:30 am and then 6-8:30 p.m. hoping to finally track down the Green Woodpecker and, hopefully find a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker after 6 months of trying and following directions on this site such as 'near the Deer Barn' and 'near the Obelisk'. So I am going to try to give some precise directions.
In the morning at about 8, I was following the path round the bottom (east) of the Island Pool and into the woods going towards the Obelisk. As I entered the trees I heard a light tapping straight ahead and was able to observe a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker high up in the tree. It showed well for a couple of minutes then flew off into the trees to the left behind the deer sanctuary fence. In the evening at 8p.m. I observed a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker fly over and stop in a tree by the Obelisk. I did not see it fly again and there is a Woodpecker hole high in the tree. As I stood with my back to the Obelisk facing the path going back to Island Pool it was the tree on the left, just at the start that divides into three tall trunks with not much foliage on top. Hope that helps anyone looking...
I saw Great Spotted Woodpeckers right by the Slaughterhouse as I went back, lots of activity.
In the evening at about 6 I came over the gate at the Dunham Town entrance (where everyone parks) and walked down the perimeter path towards the Deer Barn. On the side of the path where a group of young trees have been planted and surrounded by little fences, I saw my first Green Woodpecker demolishing an ant mound by the path. After 5 minutes it flew away into the copse of trees before you get to the Deer Barn and made a lot of noise ; I think it may be nesting there. I then walked on along the perimeter path and saw another Green Woodpecker about 10 yards into the tussocky field area and we faced each other for about 15minutes. I actually saw one today near that spot at 4:30 p.m.
Apologies if this seems pedantic directions for those experienced birders, but it may give a clue to others. And I got my trio of Woodpeckers! Further posts will be briefer!
A final point about Green Woodpeckers; for some reason I was expecting them to be moving around a lot. They don't. Without binoculars they were almost invisible on the ground. But now i've seen one, my eye seems to be tuned in to seeing them.
Beautiful birds and not worthy of being abbreviated!

The Park is lighting up!

Visit today, nesting nuthatch in woodpecker hole. Two Green Woodpecker by Deer Barn. Green woodpecker near perimeter path overlooking Deer Barn, stayed as 2 dog walkers went past 6 feetaway. Spooky experience near Slaughterhouse as Buzzard came in underneath canopy! Attracted by my bald head? ducked. All usual birds around. No sign of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker by Slaughterhouse 3:30 pm.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 1st of April 2012 10:17:46 PM

01/04/2012 - 9-10am with Phil Owen:

2 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers - female and possible male in trees between Island Pool, Old Man Pool and the main house

2 Mandarins - still flying around the trees noisily in tandem
2 Buzzards
1 Green Woodpecker
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
1 Chiffchaff

01/04/12 14-00 till 19-00

2 Green Woodpecker (watched male for about 10 mins )
5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers

Kestrel (m&f)
Treecreepers, Nuthatches, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tits
3 Buzzards soaring
Loads of jackdaws
Pair of Mute Swans on nest very close to public paths
Moorhen, Coot, Mallards, Tufted Ducks

No Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, maybe next time.

Great Afternoon

Bill


-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 1st of April 2012 10:54:38 PM

ollie,if you look down the thread you will notice that on a couple off occasions that i have spotted 2 sand martins,so it possible it could be them but you never know

Hi Steve,

Thanks, on reading up more and view photos, I think they were Sand Martins. They looked grey rather than black and also seemed to have a bit of a 'collar'. I was just a bit confused to see them not really near any water.

Whenever i've been to Dunham, the area you are describing is the only place where i've actually seen Green Woodpeckers in the park

When I was in DM this week I noticed Green Woodpeckers close-ish to Charcoal Lane - come off the stile from the Lane, walk down the main path as if towards the house, BUT then focus on the deer-park area here on the right - I noted two Green Woodpeckers here rather than way up near the little house. A large group of deer were on the grassland between the cottage (what's it called, the small one??) and the main path so it could be some of the Green Woodies were pushed East - I know I am rambling a bit but I am saying don't discount that area as you come in off Charcoal Lane, walk down the path, then look right where the fenced-off deer area is.
Of course they move about but it's just a little info.

The small building between the Obelisk and the Deer Barn is, I believe,
called the ''Slaughter House''.

-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 1st of April 2012 01:36:56 PM

9.30-12 ish, with phil kelly.

1 lesser spotted woodpecker,heard drumming then located it (10.35am) female showing reasonably well for 3-4 mins. also got one off the chaps who do the rounds with the national trust onto it,so he was pleased with that

other birds...
2 great spotted woodpeckers + others heard
green woodpeckers (heard only,so no hat trick there,"but" managed to locate one in another nearby location,so yeah 2 hat tricks in one week) and well done to phil also
2+ buzzards
1 sparrowhawk
1 kestrel
1 green sandpiper
nuthatches & treecreepers
plus all usual birds around

nice to meet up with kevin kelly again

ollie,if you look down the thread you will notice that on a couple off occasions that i have spotted 2 sand martins,so it possible it could be them but you never know

Also had four mandarin high in trees before flying off, 3 great spotted woodpeckers plus one green woodpecker. No hatrick for me I heard lesser spotted drumming early morning and calling near obelisk late morning but no sighting for me! Two buzzards, 4 jays, 1 chiffchaff and all usual woodland birds. Good to see Steve and Phil again and thanks for the lift to the tram Phil! Also green sandpiper still present on stream picked out by eagle eye steve! Great place my first visit!

Hi ollie, I too had a Martin species near the obelisk high in the sky early morning very pinned back wings couldn't make out what it was!

Darn it. I'm sorry, I just couldn't tell.

Ollie Wright wrote:

---

Two martins in the sky over the obelisk. I couldn't say with any certainty whether they were House Martins or Sand Martins. Anybody know which would be more likely?

---

Absolutely impossible to say I'm afraid

This afternoon -

A lot of drumming, but couldn't see any woodpeckers.
Two martins in the sky over the obelisk. I couldn't say with any certainty whether they were House Martins or Sand Martins. Anybody know which would be more likely?
2 Buzzards
1 Treecreeper
1 Wren

This morning 7.30 to 8.30

Finally a lesser spotted woodpecker, heard drumming, then flew and called. Possibly a second bird also drumming (could have been same bird doubling back but dont think it was).

Green woodpecker calling loudly
Great spotted woodpecker, 2 chasing each other.

Lots of of activity from all the usual species found hear.

Lovely morning and my first ever hat trick.

Been playing on the golf course today and saw a pair of Stock Doves vigourously mating!

Also, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Red-legged Partridge.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 3rd of April 2012 03:46:27 PM

27th march, morning visit.

no signs off lesser spotted woodpecker.

1 green woodpecker
5 great spotted woodpeckers
1 kestrel
1 buzzard
2 treecreepers
5 nuthatches
1 mistle thrush
2 jays
lots off jackdaws about

muddy stream,bollington gate..

1 green sandpiper
1 greylag goose

info thanks to phil kelly.

This evening 5.45 - 7.45

SUPER weather, an amazing sunset over Cheshire!

Sightings:

Great Spotted Woodpeckers - 3, more heard
Green Woodpeckers - 3, more heard not the best views (so couldn't tell which sex, but 1 was M and there was then a possible pair) as they were in the deer enclosures.
No woodpecker hattrick - no sign of Lesser-Spotted :/


Lots of Jackdaw, as per the last post.
Lots of Nuthatch, as usual
2 x Buzzard as the light failed.

On the lake at the back towards the obelisk I had a Tufted Duck pair, 1 Mute Swan and 1 Little Grebe.

Never got as far as the stream. Also a Chiffchaff heard on park's edge and another on the golf course.

-- Edited by John Doherty on Tuesday 27th of March 2012 10:17:32 PM

7.30-4.00pm 43 species seen.

well after my 4th attempt i finally got the lesser spotted woodpecker after coming through the golf course & entering the deer park i could hear drumming from woodpeckers but mostly great spotted then i picked up the drumming off the lesser spotted,located the tree only for it to fly to another then picked it up again & got sight off it (female) at 8.12am only for a couple minutes before it flew off completely but enough time for me to get a few distant pics in (you can tell what it is) plus my first hat trick

other birds...

3 green woodpeckers + more heard & one being pursued by a sparrowhawk,it did not catch it,thank god.
6 great spotted woodpeckers + more heard.
lots off treecreepers & nuthatches.
3 chiffchaffs, 2 seen 1 heard.
lots off buzzards throughout the day,having 6 in the air at once.
1 sparrowhawk
2 kestrels
2 mandarins
2 grey wagtails
1 pied wagtail
again 2 sand martins (over)
1 swallow (over) my first for the year & my earliest by 2 days
also whilst walking around i thought i heard a blackcap singing,but could be just hearing things

golf course & forest...

4 great spotted woodpeckers
1 green woodpecker (heard only)
2 chiffchaffs
4 treecreepers
plenty off nuthatches
1 goldcrest,eventually on my way back through,plus also on my way back through i was not hearing things, 1 male blackcap (singing) then got sight off it,also my earliest by 7days

nice to meet a couple off familiar faces.
plus also nice to have a chat to phil owens parents

2.30pm
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near obelisk landed on top of tree for 15 seconds
before losing site when it flew to tree nearby - no further sighting over next hour
3 Buzzards soaring
2 Grey Wagtail brook - over nearby style
2 Nuthatches
1 Jay
2 Cormorants (flyover)
Green Woodpecker (heard)
Great & Blue Tits

great day out today loads of nuthatch treecreepers 1lesser spotted woodpecker near the obelisk .Nice to have good chat with Kieth mills and Ivan ellison i have been watching a malard duck now for two weeks on nest in a tree will keep the location secret for now. Kieth after i spoke to you near the car park as me and my wife went back in , nearing the
obelisk a chap picked it up but no second glipse for me hhade them all now at dunham but not on the same day.
Bad news about the deer poaching that went on this week

Photos And video of the female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker on my blog.

Cheers
Jason

-- Edited by JasonAtkinson on Sunday 25th of March 2012 12:07:04 AM

Early morning visit with Simon Ghilks. Quite foggy when we first arrived!

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming initially at about 0705. We moved to where we thought the sound was coming from and located a female high in a tree, still drumming. She flew into another tree and continued to drum and we watched for a few minutes more before leaving.

Other sightings:

3 Chiffchaff (2 heard, 1 seen)
Great Spotted Woodpecker, also plenty of drumming
Green Woodpecker (heard only)
Plenty of Nuthatches


-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 24th of March 2012 06:34:07 PM

Fair shout - it's hardly a secret, as with the other local sites..

Rob Smallwood wrote:

---

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

Please follow the guidelines to the forum please and give these wonderful birds the dignity they deserve . LSW? Surely it's worthy to give it it's full name?

---

If we should be reporting at all at the moment.......

---

A good point Rob. I've given this plenty of thought already though and am happy for it to continue to be put on. If things change (a nest hole identified etc) then so may it's reporting but currently it's fine by me .

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

Please follow the guidelines to the forum please and give these wonderful birds the dignity they deserve . LSW? Surely it's worthy to give it it's full name?

---

If we should be reporting at all at the moment.......

Please follow the guidelines to the forum please and give these wonderful birds the dignity they deserve . LSW? Surely it's worthy to give it it's full name?

L S W flying from tree to tree near Obelisk,other than that the Park was very quiet,apart from the very noisey Jackdaws.
No Green Woodies to be heard and only one Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming.

Dunham Town
4 Tree Sparrows
Magpie with hardly any White feathers,must of been bathing in a muddy pool.
Pheasant in Field next to Axe & Cleaver pub.

Female Lesser-spot showing well mid to late afternoon excavating a hole in tree close to the obelisk.

Cheers
Jason

4.15-7.00pm

golf course & forest...

1 buzzard
1 kestrel
1 green woodpecker,another heard
2 great spotted woodpeckers
2 treecreepers
lots off nuthatches
plus all usual birds.
tawny owl heard only, on my way back through.

deer park...

2 little owls
2 green woodpeckers,others heard
3 chiffchaffs (heard only)
2 sand martins over around 5pm heading north
2 buzzards
2 mandarins (over)
2 grey wagtails,on muddy stream
1 green sandpiper,on muddy stream
1 kestrel
1 treecreeper
several nuthatches & great spotted woodpeckers around
6 tufted ducks, 4 coots, 2 moorhens & 12 mallards no little grebes on island pool.
plus all usual birds around

no signs off the lesser spotted woodpeckers for me,keep missing them






-- Edited by steven burke on Friday 23rd of March 2012 09:42:23 PM

06.30 - 09.00, Dull to start then sunny and mild

The target bird was the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker; seen them at three other locations this year but not in Dunham. That was put right this morning with really close up views of the female in one of the trees closest to the deer sanctuary rail, between the obelisk and Island Pool where they have been seen in previous years. Well done to Andy from Irlam who had it as a life time first, also good to meet forum members Richard Norris and Steve Costa again.

Most of the other recent sightings were around.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Friday 23rd of March 2012 10:43:31 AM

4.20pm - driving past Dunham Massey Park this evening a Ring-necked Parakeet flew from the park, over the road and off towards Dunham village.

Afternoon stroll with the wife and dogs.
3 Green Woodpecker
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard only, calling away in the wood sculpture enclosure.
For the voyeurs amongst us! 2 Kestrels mating and plenty of cavorting human couples.

Cheers
Jason

22/03/2012 - 6-8am - A super early morning in the park with an ethereal veil of mist floating over the pools and all the park's specialities seen:

2 Cormorants - over towards Rostherne
4 Grey Herons
2 Mandarins - noisily prospecting the park's natural real-estate
16 Tufted Ducks
1 Sparrowhawk - displaying
2 Grey Partridges
2 Green Sandpipers - on the brook
1 Ring-necked Parakeet
26 Stock Doves
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers - male and a particularly showy female near the Obelisk, drumming and lots of chasing going on with bat-like flight-style observed.
1 Green Woodpecker
4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
4 Meadow Pipits - over
1 Grey Wagtail
8 Redwings
11 Treecreepers
6 Nuthatches - nest building
2 Jays
2 Coal Tits
1 Goldcrest
1 Chiffchaff
3 Siskins
2 Lesser Redpolls