Male Hen Harrier still present and showing at 3pm for the two Simons of Warford and Johnson.

The adult male Hen Harrier was quartering over the moor to the north of the Shore path, east of Ramsden Rd at 12:50 hrs. Seen from the west side of the valley, so views were distant. In 2006, the last time a Harrier was in the area, the bird was seen on several occasions between 7th and 24th Oct. So, hopefully these will hang around and give other peole the chance to catch up with them.

The ring-tailed Hen Harrier was hunting along the side of Dobbin Hill to the east of the resr at 08:50 hrs this morning. Viewed from the top of the dam, it was mobbed by a crow and turned back, disappearing from view behind the mature Beech trees to the north of the Shore path.
Seen on WeBS count:
Mandarin - 1
Snipe -2
Mallard - 74
Teal - 7
Chiffchaff - 2 (1 singing)
The first Redwing of the autumn here - 3 flew south, others head calling overhead.

After two blank years in 2007 & 2008, my 4th moorland watch of this autumn at Watergrove finally produced the goods. At 13:50 hrs a flock of Meadow Pipits appeared over Dobbin Hill. Suspecting they had been flushed by something out of view on the other side of the hill, a Carrion Crow then began diving at something. A few seconds later a stunning male Hen Harrier appeared above the hill and was watched for several minutes as it flew north up the east side of the valley pursued by the crow. It eventually disappeared over the eastern ridge before reappearing about 10 minutes later. It was hunting low over the moor about 200yds to the south of my view point, and dropped to the ground at one point, before heading south and being lost to view.
I decided to walk back across the moor and reaching the Shore path at about 15:00 hrs heard a Meadow Pipit alarming. I couldn't believe my luck when a ring-tailed Hen Harrier appeared over the moor approx. 100 yds to the north of the Shore path. It was hunting and moving very fast, flying north-east across the moor, before turning south where it was lost to view behind Dobbin Hill. Probably an imm. male based on its size, pale fringes to upper wing coverts and orange tint to underparts.
This must rank as one of my best afternoon's ever at Watergrove. The first time I've seen two Hen Harriers here on the same day and only the second time I've seen a ring-tail here.

A walk around the res. with Dave Winnard this morning. Dave picked up 3 Pintail flying SE away from the res. These had probably been feeding off the north shore, where 2-3 have been seen almost daily over the past two weeks. A dog walker was walking along the shoreline, and had probably flushed them, along with all the other duck, which are normally present here first thing in the morning. It's strange how some people prefer to walk through mud,causing maximum distrubance to birds, rather than sticking to the nice footpaths that United Utilities have spent so much money on upgrading.

06:50 - 07:40 hrs
3 Pintail (2 f./imm. & an eclipse male) out from the north shore. All 3 may have been new birds as none seen over the weekend. A single f./imm. was present last Friday 25/09.
Mandarin - 1
Canada Geese - 149. the flock roosts over night and flies off south at dawn, presumably to feed on the surrounding farmland.
Chiffchaff - 1 in sub-song
Teal - 21
Lapwing -23

This evening - a Little Owl heard calling below car park at 19:15 hrs.

2 f. /imm Pintail were in with the Mallard flock this morning just out from the north shore, by the footpath to the hide.
Also with them 21+ Teal - the largest flock here for 5 years.
This evening a site record count of 125 Mallard. Don't laugh, with the exception of Goosander on AMR, it's pretty rare to get large flocks of duck on any of the Rochdale Resrs!
The low water levels this year at Watergrove have resulted in the shoreline being colonised by plants. The dabbling ducks are presumably feeding on the seeds of the plants which have dropped into the water as the levels have risen over the last couple of weeks.
Also seen today:
Wheatear - 1 imm. standing on a picnic bench next to the resr. Not the normal location for this species which is usually up on the moors.
Kestel - 1
Cormorant - 2
Little Owl - 1 heard & 1 seen at the entrance to a burrow on the hillside. The first time I've seen one here using an underground home.
Raven - 1
Snipe -1

Not quite a mega, a female/imm. Mandarin Duck on the reservoir early this morning, with the Mallard flock, was a new species for the site, taking the site total to 156 species.
Also seen:
Chiffchaff - 2 singing
Lesser Redpoll - 6
A pair of Ravens

Steve Atkins wrote:

---

Yes Steve it certainly is an amazing coincidence. As I read your email I thought to myself "There's not much chance of me seeing an Osprey at Watergrove", especially as my one and only previous sighting here was in 1995! It's been a long wait, but certainly worth it.
The Osprey was circling over East Hill and was in view for about a minute from the track by the SE corner of the resr. I lost sight of it as it drifted over the top of the hill, probably heading south or south-east.
Do you want to place a bet Steve on a Marsh Sandpiper turning up. Go on, I dare you.

---

Marsh Sandpiper - even I'm not that foolhardy

However, I didn't see any Ospreys on Speyside (the RSPB centre had closed down completely, so the birds must have left several weeks ago) but neither did I see any Crested Tits - now that would be a "mega" for Watergrove

Steve

There appears to have been a movement of Spotted Flycatchers today, at least in the north-east of the county. As well as the 4 or 5 at Crompton Moor, 2 were seen on the edge of Million Tree Wood (the plantation below the dam and car park) this evening. They gave good views as they hawked for insects from a Hawthorn.
A pair of Ravens flew south over the car park. These have been seen on an almost daily basis over the past month and appear to have taken up residence in the area.

Early a.m
Teal - 5
Mallard - 43
Mistle Thrush - 3
Blackcap - 1
Linnet -12
Lapwing - 15
Lesser Redpoll - 1
Reed Bunting -3

Yes Steve it certainly is an amazing coincidence. As I read your email I thought to myself "There's not much chance of me seeing an Osprey at Watergrove", especially as my one and only previous sighting here was in 1995! It's been a long wait, but certainly worth it.
The Osprey was circling over East Hill and was in view for about a minute from the track by the SE corner of the resr. I lost sight of it as it drifted over the top of the hill, probably heading south or south-east.
Do you want to place a bet Steve on a Marsh Sandpiper turning up. Go on, I dare you.

Only 2 days ago I told Steve Atkins that I was going up to Speyside, but that he was more likely to see an Osprey at Watergrove! What were the odds on that? Why did I not go down to the bookies and place a bet on it?

Steve

Osprey over south-east at 07:05 this morning

info thanks to Steve Atkins with more details from the man later on no doubt

2 Spotted Flycatchers this evening hawking from a Hawthorn off the bridleway to the west of the reservoir. I may have saved their bacon as whilst trying to get a closer view I flushed them. Moments later a Sparrwowhawk flew past close to where I was standing.
Also a Curlew down on the reservoir.

A Lesser Whitethroat showed really well in the hedgerow between the club house and the hide this morning. A new species for Watergrove.
Also 3 juv. Willow Warblers looking really smart with lemon-yellow underparts.

A Whimbrel high up calling, flew south this morning. Surprisingly the first of the year here. Despite the appalling weather and low water level, there were no waders down on the resr today.
A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling by the hide. Green Woodpecker on the ground by footpath to hide.
This evening 2 Ravens flying north and 2 juv Wheatears.
A Green Sandpiper was showing well along the east shoreline on Friday.

A Sanderling here this morning - also 1 LRP

A Ruddy Shelduck was in with the Canada Goose flock this morning. Assumed to be a female as it had no neck ring. If it was countable it would be a new species for Watergrove Possibly the same bird that according to Dave Ousey has been present at Cowm Resr and in the Whitworth area for the last few years and not seen for about six months.
Also seen:
Lapwing - 30
Sedge Warbler -1
Whitethroat - 1
Chiffchaff - 1 singing (presumably a migrant as none have been present here during the breeding season).

No sooner have we got past midsummer's day and autumn migration is under way, or so it would appear. A Green Sandpiper was on the old Ramsden Rd causeway, in front of the windsurfer's club house, this morning at 06:00 hrs and flew off calling, high up to the south. The first ever June record here. Apart from one May sighting, all previous records have been in July and August.
Also singing this morning - Blackcap, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler.
The Garden Warbler was singing and showing well yesterday evening along the bridleway to the west of the resr. It's the first one that has been on territory here since 2004. At the time of BBGM (1979-83) none of these Warblers were recorded at Watergrove. So it's good to see that some species are actually increasing in the area.

The Garden Warbler that has been giving me the run-around for nearly 3 weeks finally gave good views this evening, singing from the top of a Hawthorn with pink blossom. Take the bridleway off the footpath on the the west side of the resr. as it starts to climb uphill, opposite side to Old Tom's Wood, grid ref SD905182.
Otherwise pretty quiet with a few Lesser Redpolls flying about, 5 Tufted Ducks, 12 Willow Warblers singing.

06:00 to 06:30
A pair of Oystercatcher
A Curlew displaying
A Sedge Warbler singing by the hide.
A pair of Coot with 2 remaining chicks (down from 5 originally).

Hi Mike,

I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your visit to Watergrove. May is certainly one of the best months and it's a place that is well worth visiting on a regular basis. There must be lots of good birds that pass through unnoticed, as even I can't be there all the time!
Peter Hill once told me that you never used to get Willow Warblers north of Wardle. The tree planting that took place about twenty years ago has seen a massive increase in the number of species that occur. Willow Warbler numbers seem to increase year after year. My highest count this spring was 28 singing birds - another site record, compared to 24 in 2007 and only 6 in 1995.
There was a Garden Warbler singing this morning, in the plantation opposite the Little Town ruin, to the north of the club house. It was heard again this evening opposite the club house.
In an average year I record over 100 species with the all time site list standing at approx. 155 species.

Steve

25/5/09 10.00-11.00

20+Canada, one with goslings
Gt Crested Grebe
5 Swallows
1 Linnet
4 Lesser Redpoll
Pair Northern Wheatear
4 Skylarks
Several Meadow pipits
Loads of Willow Warblers
2 Sedge Warblers
2 Lapwing
4 Mallard, one on eggs.

Pete

Sun 24/5 15:30 - 18:00 Glorious sunny afternoon
First time back to site for many year -Wow! what a difference birds everywhere and in song
C Sandp 1 reserve
Dunlin 2 on exposed sand/gravel in middle of res half empty?
Sedge Warbler 2 - reserve
Tufted Duck 3 (2 M+F) reserve
Willow Warbler at least 20 singing - fantastic I was a little concerned about lack of numbers this year
Redpoll at least 10 singing / display flights

Lovely afternoon 32 species - I'll be back ....

Well done Simon for finding not only my first Watergrove, but also my first Rochdale Turnstone. Can't imagine how I've gone for so long without seeing one. Although to be fair there have only been two records at Watergrove in the past 15 years, the most recent being 11th May 2004.

A spanking (not literally) summer plumaged Turnstone here this afternoon

Also 2 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper

The first Willow Warbler of the spring here was feeding outside the hide last Sunday evening (5th April). 6 were singing on Thursday morning (9th) and numbers are starting to build up rapidly with 16 singing this morning.
Also seen this morning a Curlew displaying and a female Wheatear at Steward Barn. Monday was a good day with 3 Whooper Swans calling as they flew west over the valley early morning. Late afternoon 3 Shoveler (2 males) were on the reservoir. This species is a rare visitor here with only 4 previous records in the past 10 years.
The water level is very low since U.U. lowered it to survey the dam late last year. So it's looking very promising for waders.

Monday 9th March 12 noon

6 Goosanders 3M 3F
1 Kestrel (overhead)
2 Oystercatchers
2 lesser bb gulls
4 Common Gulls
6 Goldfinch near car park

No sign of the Whhopers at first light. Tried Ashworth Moor res but not there either. Met Simon Hitchen who had drawn a blank at Hollingworth lake.
Pete

Glad I left work early today for my first Friday afternoon visit to Watergrove since the beginning of January. A flock of 24 Whooper Swans was on the resr (approx. 9 immatures) at 4.30 pm. They were still present at 5.20 pm so hopefully are going to roost overnight. Chris Johnson is going to check for them at first light tomorrow. As far as I can ascertain this is the largest ever flock of Whoopers down on the water in the Rochdale area. There is a record of 50-60 flying over Castleton on 31st Dec 1967. The previous highest count of birds "down" appears to be 16 on Ashworth Moor resr on 8th Nov 1992. What was that you were saying Simon about all birds being scarce in Rochdale?

-- Edited by Steve Atkins at 18:15, 2009-01-30

First visit to Watergrove Res.

A male Green Woodpecker called then perched for some minutes in Larches at eastern end of reservoir.
A female Goosander from the hide was the only decent duck of the morning (I had also visited Hollinworth Lake but only bread-fed ducks there today)

Cheers, John

phil jennison and i spent a pleasant few hours walking the valley above the res this morning between 9.45 & 1.30. glorious sunshine and heavy showers and a truly lovely rainbow mid way.

we had a stoat or it could have been a weasel as steve A, has already seen one nearby where we spotted one this peeping straight at us over the top of a drystone wall on the cobbled road by the last big gate before you get to stewards barn, just ace.

only birds of note were a dozen or so fieldfare feeding on the hawthorn berries up above the stream.

i love it up there. great place.

edit to add stoat/weasel confusion.



-- Edited by Paul Cliff at 18:14, 2008-10-26

Paul Cliff wrote:

---

i did try your prescribed approach neil but i'm just too much of a novice at it to really be able to turn my back and stay turned. i'm like mrs lot at the minute, just can't help but look back!

---

You could always try 'looking sideways' at 'em, or even a bit of 'squinting' - that's how I started... it's cheating a bit, but I'll say nowt!



Neil.

i did try your prescribed approach neil but i'm just too much of a novice at it to really be able to turn my back and stay turned. i'm like mrs lot at the minute, just can't help but look back!

Mike Chorley wrote:

---

Perhaps you should ask Neil Baxter for lessons, Paul

---

I take it you're referring to my 'Bird Ignoring' thing?

By heck, I shouldn't have started that - I've got a reputation now!!!



Neil.

Perhaps you should ask Neil Baxter for lessons, Paul

in my defence i tried not to see the merlin!

Revenge (for the AMR Brent) came in the form of a Crossbill flying over Turn Slack Clough today, i was even with Steve Atkins to add insult to injury! Mr Paul Cliff had a male Merlin (that he dreamt about last night!), so a good day at Watergrove, but not for Mr Atkins.......hehe

Dont worry steve, plenty of Ring Ouzels to come!!

Dave

The first Redwing of the autumn here. A flock of 14 birds flew north low over the overflow. Also 4 Snipe on the pool by the hide. 7 Teal were also here yesterday evening. The car park has been taken over by a television crew - I'm not sure what they are filming but perhaps they are on hand just in case the next Watergrove mega turns up this weekend.

A flock of 19 Wigeon in the middle of the resr at 16:30 hrs, is the highest count here of this species since November 2006, when an identical number was recorded. The birds weren't present this morning and may have been brought down by low cloud and drizzle that moved in about 3 p.m. They took off at 16:40 hrs, as the weather cleared, departing high to the north in an unusual formation - two lead birds flying one behind the other, and the rest following in V-formation. There has clearly been some passage of Wigeon through the county today with the birds also seen at Elton and Moses Gate.
A flock of 20 Teal was in the middle of the resr on 31st Aug - present from 12:40 until at least 18:30 hrs.

-- Edited by Steve Atkins at 18:47, 2008-09-12

-- Edited by Steve Atkins at 18:49, 2008-09-12

A Spotted Flycatcher, perched in a Hawthorn next to Sycamore, along bridleway to north of Roads Farm ruin (to west of resr) this morning at approx. 11:00 hrs. It was raining at the time and the bird was inactive. The bird is still present at 12:45 hrs - seen by Dave Ousey. This is the 6th year running that I've seen this species at Watergrove in August.
Otherwise it's been very quiet this autumn with a Green Sandpiper on 9th Aug being the only wader of interest. Like everywhere else the water levels are now very high with the spit in front of the clubhouse reduced to a small island.

Dave Winnard and I found a Greenshank at Watergrove at 18:00 hrs this evening. It flew up from the inside of the dam calling, circled over the resr and gave good views as it landed briefly on the shoreline. It then took flight north shortly before a thunderstorm arrived. There were also 2 Sedge Warblers (one singing) by the hide. This was my first record of Greenshank in Rochdale and amazingly only the third record for Watergrove.

You are right Steve, we normally have to wait until the end of May before we moult into summer plumage up here! Anyway another good morning for waders. It was very misty at 06:00 hrs. A Sanderling (not yet in full breeding plumage, still showing a lot of white on its head. Only the 2nd record here), 11 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were feeding on the spit in front of the club house. By 08:45 hrs the mist had lifted and the waders had gone except for one RP.
A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling in the horse jump field to the north of Little Town. 24 Willow Warblers singing in the plantations and a Sedge Warbler singing by the hide. A male Wheatear was on the moors.

From a Greater Manchester perspective, surely Watergrove is the high arctic! It's always seemed like that when I've ventured up there!!

Steve

Hi Steve,
I had assumed these birds were still on there way north to breed somewhere up in the high arctic. They certainly don't breed at Watergrove! A couple may have been 1st summers (i.e. in their 2nd calendar year) as the head pattern was dullish. However the majority was in spanking new breeding plumage. Only 3 birds were still present this evening. Last year a pair turned up on about 23rd May but were gone the following day.

Steve

What are all these Ringed Plovers doing here (and elsewhere in the county)? Seems early for post-breeding flocks to me, though I could be wrong (I often am!).

I was up in Scotland at the start of the month and they were already on eggs or had young then. Are these birds still migrating north and, if so, can they be identified as a more northern race?

Steve

The Barwits (females) were present from approx. 10:00 hrs until at least 11:00 hrs bathing and preening. It's amazing that this species has occurred here for the 2nd year running given that there were no records before last year. When I returned at 12:30 they had gone. However 10 Ringed Plover were feeding on the spit close into the club house, probably brought down by the murky weather. A record count for this site and probably the highest count in Rochdale since 1965 (unless anyone knows differently) when 16 were at Blackstone Edge Resr on 22nd August.

2 Bar-tailed Godwits this afternoon on the spit in front of the club house this afternoon and a Garden Warbler singing.

Info thanks to Steve Atkins

An epic bike ride around Watergrove Reservoir today included all the surrounding hills (and what a slog they were to get to!), Crook Hill (and moor), Hades (that's what it said on the map) and Brown Wardle Hill (only half of it in GM), then around each and every path I could find elsewhere. Unfortunately, it was relatively quiet but the weather and views were fantastic,

Wheatear- 22
Raven- 1 on Crook Hill being mobbed by Crows
Lesser Redpoll- 3+ around the boat house

A cracking male Ring Ouzel this evening flew past at close range and landed in the top of a Larch, above the compensation lagoon, on the east side of the resr. It then flew north and was lost to view behind the trees near the memorial garden. Otherwise it has been very quiet here so far this month. Migrants are late arriving and only in small number , hardly surprising given the awful weather. A circuit of the whole valley last Sunday produced just one Wheatear. The first Willow Warbler arrived on 13th April and only two have been heard singing.

Nice records Steve especially the Grey Partridge, Snipe and Stonechat.
Got in the 200 club on Sunday; 199 Dippers and 1 Grey Wagtail.