Main Lake was 90% frozen. Best bird here for many a day ..
1 Whooper Swan (constantly harrassed by resident pair of Mutes until it was forced off at 10.35) 2 Mute Swans 59 Coot 10 Moorhens 2 Gadwall 2 Pochard 2 Wigeon 15 BH Gulls 1 Sparrowhawk 35 Redwing 3 Mistle Thrushes (1 singing) 1 Dipper on river (metal ringed) 5 Goosander flew upstream (1m, 4f) 2 Bullfinches Plenty of Blue, Great and LT Tits but a shortage of small birds in general.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 17th of December 2011 02:13:57 PM
Grim weather this afternoon so just a quick look from under the shelter.
Main Lake: Coot 51, Pochard 2, Gadwall 2, Siskin (c50)
North Lake: Goosander (1m, 2f)
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 4th of December 2011 02:48:58 PM
John Rayner said
Fri Dec 2 6:45 PM, 2011
2nd December
Some small changes in duck numbers
3 Redhead Goosanders (North Lake) 4 Wigeon (2f and m joined by another f) Pochard (pair) Gadwall (pair) 1 Shoveler (f) 1 Little Grebe Cormorant (5, including 'orange CIF') Kingfisher (a male that perched and posed) 2 Buzzard c20 Siskin 105 Redwing (in parties of 20 - 30) 26 Fieldfare 6 Stock Doves 1 Kestrel (f) 2 Dippers (both 1st w. 1 unringed, 1 metal ringed)
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Wed Nov 30 1:50 PM, 2011
30Nov
The main changes since last visit: A Little Grebe (new in or a returning bird) and a male Pochard that had joined the long staying female.
3 (1 drake) Wigeon - a rare sighting around here, and my 90th Stockport species of the year. 2 Gadwall 1 Pochard (female type) 2 Mute Swans 1 Cormorant Many Coot, Moorhens, Canada Geese, Mallards.
I was pretty sure that I could hear Siskins in the alders, but couldn't get a sighting. They have eluded me so far this year.
Adam Jones said
Sat Nov 19 11:49 AM, 2011
Saturday 19th November 8-10am
A first visit for me, and a great Stockport site.(Thanks to John R for your help this morning) North Lake: 1 Goosander 1 Grey Heron 1 Cormorant 3 Goldcrest (Seen on my way back John) 2 Nuthatch 12 Siskin (between North and Main lakes)
Main Lake: 1 Pochard (Borough first) 3 Widgeon (County and Borough first) 2 Gadwall
1 Dipper along the Goyt 2 Redwing Lots of Wrens, and Long Tailed Tits
John Rayner said
Sat Nov 19 11:01 AM, 2011
Geoff Walton wrote:
Very "hit and miss". I went there as soon as I had posted below, and only saw Coote and Mallard on the main lake, but did see a female Goosander on the North lake.
Only a partial clear out Geoff,
Pochard (1f), Gadwall (pair), Wigeon (1m, 2f) still present.
Also: 44 Coot 8 Moorhen 23 Mallard 84 Canada Geese 10 Cormorants (overhead including the orange colour ringed individual) 1 Green Woodpecker (overflew the horse paddock opp. Main Lake) 2 Goosander (North Lake & River Goyt) 1 Grey Wagtail 2 Dippers (male with bill sky-pointing as it sang to nearby female)
Cheers, John
Phil Panton said
Fri Nov 18 8:36 PM, 2011
Had a wander around a couple of sundays ago, spent about an hour there & had virtually given up seeing anything, then 3 sparrowhawks glided over taking advantage of the thermals, & i spent the next 20 minutes spellbound as they gave fantastic close up views above my head. Think thats the beauty of our hobby...you never know whats going to happen next.
Geoff Walton said
Fri Nov 18 7:23 PM, 2011
Very "hit and miss". I went there as soon as I had posted below, and only saw Coote and Mallard on the main lake, but did see a female Goosander on the North lake.
andrew chapman said
Fri Nov 18 1:17 PM, 2011
It tends to be relatively free from disturbance around the carp pools this time of year too, which are always worth a detour from the main lake, (lesser spotted woodpecker in the alders in this spot earlier this year).
Phil Panton said
Thu Nov 17 7:30 PM, 2011
It can be a very hit & miss place, but you're always guaranteed Dipper & Yellow Wag, & Kingfisher are more common now than they used to be.
Geoff Walton said
Thu Nov 17 2:02 PM, 2011
I must go down sometime then John I had all but given the place up as a bad job.
regards
Geoff
John Rayner said
Thu Nov 17 1:43 PM, 2011
Similar to yesterday but now on Main Lake ...
2 female Goldeneyes 4 Wigeon (yesterday's 3 plus an immature male) and still 2 Gadwall and singles of Teal, Pochard, Shoveler
2 female Goosanders (1 North Lake, 1 Goyt)
Yesterday's Cormorant (orange CIF) was ringed at Abberton Reservoir, Essex on 26th April 2009. It has previously visited Tittesworth Res, Staffs (23rd May 2010) and Farnham Gravel Pits, N. Yorkshire (16th July 2010).
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Wed Nov 16 11:16 AM, 2011
Amazing number of duck species this morning on Main Lake plus an influx of Coot
With Mallards, Canadas, the feral Barnacle and feral Greylag this made an unprecedented 10 species of wildfowl on display.
The ringed Cormorant was back. Close metal ringed on right leg. Orange Darvic on left leg, which read CIF.
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Sat Nov 12 1:52 PM, 2011
12th November (10.00 - 12.45)
Much the same as yesterday but no Wigeon and only 1 Teal
3 Kingfishers were a surprise as was ... 2 Pochard (pair new in) 3 Buzzards 1 Sparrowhawk 2 Bullfinches (spanking plumaged males) 3 Mistle Thrushes eating yew berries alongside ... 1 Goldcrest and ... 2 Nuthatches 7 Wrens (minimum)
Cheers, John
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Fri Nov 11 12:08 PM, 2011
11th November (08.45 - 10.00)
13 Cormorants (a large flock perched on the dead tree on the island included one bird with orange-red darvic ring on left leg - couldn't read lettering with binocs before it flew) 3 Teal (new in) 4 Wigeon 1 Kingfisher 47 Coot 17 Moorhens 2 Mute Swans 39 BH Gulls c70 Canada Geese c30 Siskins 19 Long -tailed Tit flock loosely associated with ... 1 Treecreeper and ... 1 Nuthatch
Cheers, John
Edit: 2 Mute Swans not 23!
-- Edited by John Rayner on Friday 11th of November 2011 08:20:53 PM
John Rayner said
Wed Nov 9 3:00 PM, 2011
Late News - 8th November
Lockside: Goosander (1f)
Main Lake: 4 Wigeon (3 female/imms now joined by a male) 1 Kingfisher 3 Cormorants 2 Little Grebes 41 Coot 16 Moorhens No sign of the Gadwall pair
Cheers, John
Nigel Troup said
Sun Nov 6 8:39 AM, 2011
Saturday 5th November, 15:00.
Main lake
Gadwall pair 2 Little Grebe Many Coot Many Moorhen Many Mallard 2 Mute Swans 30+ Black-headed Gulls
Birds of doubtful origin included a Greylag Goose and a Barnacle Goose.
Elsewhere, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a large busy flock of Long-tailed and Blue Tits.
John Rayner said
Wed Nov 2 1:37 PM, 2011
2nd Nov (08.15 - 10.45)
RIver Goyt: Colour ringed Dipper (same as Oct 7th) 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Goosander female
Main Lake: 43 Coot 7 Moorhen 3 Wigeon 2 Gadwall 1 Little Grebe 1 Buzzard Only 5 Redwing
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Sun Oct 23 12:48 PM, 2011
23rd Oct (07.35 - 09.55)
Right time of year, southerly winds overnight, so down to Roman Lakes to mop up all those rarities. Ha!
2 new Dippers (no colour rings). 1st winter with a metal ring and an unringed adult (singing)
The colour ringed Dipper was again at Bottoms Bridge. Tony Wilkinson tells me that it is a male ringed at Torrs Weir, New Mills in 2007. So it's moved down 5 miles of the Goyt since then.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Friday 14th of October 2011 10:54:32 PM
Bottoms Bridge: 2 Dippers. At least 1 ringed WHITE over RED (left) and PALE GREEN over METAL (right)
North Lake: 2 Mallard
Main Lake and environs: 1 Little Grebe 1 Grey Heron 2 Mute Swans 81 Canada Geese 14 Moorhens 34 Coot 55 Mallard 3 Nuthatches 8 Jays c30 Great/Blue/Long-tailed Tits in one mixed feeding party
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Tue Sep 13 12:13 PM, 2011
Just the usuals.
Chiffchaff singing 2 Coot sitting on nests A few House Martins
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Wed Sep 7 10:51 AM, 2011
A morning search during heavy downpours for all those wrecked Manx Shearwaters and Sabine's Gulls.
Good to hear that the Kingfishers are still about, haven't seen one for quite a while despite regular visits.
John Rayner said
Thu Sep 1 5:11 PM, 2011
1st Sept (p.m.)
2 Kingfishers up and down the Goyt then both perched up near Roman Bridge Greylag still in with Canadas
[Holly Blue and Speckled Wood on the wing]
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Wed Aug 10 3:57 PM, 2011
10th Aug AM
Noisy family party of Jays 1 GS Woodpecker 1 Greylag with 48 Canadas Feral Barnacle Goose c30 Coot with 1 still sitting on nest 2 adult Mute Swans but no young 3 Grey Wagtails c20 House Martins alarm calling as Sparrowhawk circled through them 2 Chiffchaffs but very few other passerines
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of February 2011 12:28:03 PM
John Rayner said
Tue Feb 22 11:17 PM, 2011
I just missed the Redshank which was flushed by a couple of walkers at about 15.00. Then walked with Scott to the railway tunnel where a Green Woodpecker flew high overhead from one side of the valley to the other.
There must be many birds that migrate along the Goyt Valley and briefly drop in to Roman Lakes, it is much under-watched. Quiet today but it can be absolute bedlam on a sunny weekend, best to get there early.
Cheers, John
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Feb 22 9:13 PM, 2011
Fancy that John, I was there in the afternoon (without the rain which had stopped). Considering it is the school hols it was deathly quiet (excellent!!). Apart from the prs of wigeon and gc grebe, there was also a pr of goosander on the north lake. A dipper was sat close to Bottoms Bridge, and in the trees there were 35 siskin, nuthatch and gs wood. Walked well beyond the lakes, but no green or lesser spot woods.
Think I prefer this place to Etherow CP now. At least it is quiet SOME of the time.
Scott Reid said
Tue Feb 22 1:55 PM, 2011
Popped by just after mid-day:
GC grebe and 2 wigeon still there.
1 Redshank on the edge of the main lake was a nice suprise!
Also atleast 3 Roe deer in the steep woodland behind the main lake.
May head back up there with the camera before dusk..
John Rayner said
Mon Feb 21 10:19 AM, 2011
Main Lake: On a cold, wet and soggy morning a pair of Wigeon were new arrivals 2 Great Crested Grebes 2 Treecreepers
8 Tufted Duck
1 Great-crested Grebe
1 Cormorant (Orange CIF - see below)
many Coot (inc. 2 sitting on nests)
+ the usuals
Cheers, John
Coot 56
Moorhen 11
Mallard 44
Great-crested Grebe 1
Teal 5
Mute Swan 2
Canada Goose 1
River Goyt:
Goosander 3 (2m, 1f)
Teal 2
Woodcock (1 flushed)
Redwing (c40)
Goldcrest 1
Cheers, John
More losses than gains.
Main Lake:
No Gadwall, Pochard. No winter Thrushes.
Pink-footed Goose 37 (west)
Goosander 2m, 1f
Tufted Duck 3m, 2f
Great-crested Grebe 1
Mallard c35
Coot 54
Moorhen 13
Mute Swan 2
Cormorant 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 3
Jay 2
North Lake:
Teal 1m, 1f
Grey Heron 1
Goyt:
Dipper and Grey Wagtail back now the water has subsided.
Cheers, John
A walk in the rain with Tony Mossman
Tufted Duck 3m, 4f
Gadwall 1m, 1f
Pochard 1f
Great-crested Grebe 1
Canada Geese 44
Mallard c45
Coot c42
Moorhen c10
Mute Swan 2
Cormorant 1
Grey Heron 1
Jay 1
Unseasonally mild weather has tempted Canadas into egg laying. 2 (abandoned) eggs on Main Lake Island - no nest.
Very few passerines apart from Great/Blue/Long-tailed Tits
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Wednesday 11th of January 2012 12:06:09 PM
Nothing unusual on either lakes.
Main Lake:
1 Pochard (male)
2 Mute Swans
1 Cormorant
40 Canada Geese over
1 Grey Heron
2 Moorhens
Lots of Coots
River Goyt:
2 Dippers (a pair, with one that was singing)
2 Kingfishers
1 Goosander (male)
4 Fieldfare
Plus the usuals
Back to normal today (well it will be once the Pochard goes)
65 Coot
18 Moorhens
1 Pochard (male)
77 Canada Geese
3 Cormorants
8 BH Gulls
1 Grey Heron
c40 Mallards
Cheers, John
Main Lake was 90% frozen. Best bird here for many a day ..
1 Whooper Swan (constantly harrassed by resident pair of Mutes until it was forced off at 10.35)
2 Mute Swans
59 Coot
10 Moorhens
2 Gadwall
2 Pochard
2 Wigeon
15 BH Gulls
1 Sparrowhawk
35 Redwing
3 Mistle Thrushes (1 singing)
1 Dipper on river (metal ringed)
5 Goosander flew upstream (1m, 4f)
2 Bullfinches
Plenty of Blue, Great and LT Tits but a shortage of small birds in general.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 17th of December 2011 02:13:57 PM
Pochard (m)
Gadwall (m,f)
Wigeon (m, 2f)
+ Usuals
Cheers, John
1 Goosander (North Lake)
2 Gadwall
3 Wigeon
65 Coot
10 Moorhen
2 Mute Swans
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
+ Mallards, BH Gulls and Canada Geese
No sign of Little Grebe, Pochard or Shoveler
Cheers, John
4th December
Grim weather this afternoon so just a quick look from under the shelter.
Main Lake: Coot 51, Pochard 2, Gadwall 2, Siskin (c50)
North Lake: Goosander (1m, 2f)
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 4th of December 2011 02:48:58 PM
Some small changes in duck numbers
3 Redhead Goosanders (North Lake)
4 Wigeon (2f and m joined by another f)
Pochard (pair)
Gadwall (pair)
1 Shoveler (f)
1 Little Grebe
Cormorant (5, including 'orange CIF')
Kingfisher (a male that perched and posed)
2 Buzzard
c20 Siskin
105 Redwing (in parties of 20 - 30)
26 Fieldfare
6 Stock Doves
1 Kestrel (f)
2 Dippers (both 1st w. 1 unringed, 1 metal ringed)
Cheers, John
The main changes since last visit: A Little Grebe (new in or a returning bird) and a male Pochard that had joined the long staying female.
1 Little Grebe
1m, 1f Pochard
1f Shoveler
1m, 2f Wigeon
1m, 1f Gadwall
71 Coot
16 Moorhen
47 Mallard
46 Canada Goose
2 Mute Swan
3 Redwing
1f Goosander (North Lake)
Cheers, John
1f Shoveler
1m, 2f Wigeon
1m, 1f Gadwall
1f Pochard
1f Goosander
Cheers, John
1f Goosander (North lake)
All the scarcer ducks remain at Main Lake except the Goldeneyes.
1f Shoveler
1m, 2f Wigeon
1m, 1f Gadwall
1f Pochard
68 Coot
16 Moorhen
2 Stock Doves
Siskins (heard)
Cheers, John
A quick bike visit.
3 (1 drake) Wigeon - a rare sighting around here, and my 90th Stockport species of the year.
2 Gadwall
1 Pochard (female type)
2 Mute Swans
1 Cormorant
Many Coot, Moorhens, Canada Geese, Mallards.
I was pretty sure that I could hear Siskins in the alders, but couldn't get a sighting. They have eluded me so far this year.
A first visit for me, and a great Stockport site.(Thanks to John R for your help this morning)
North Lake:
1 Goosander
1 Grey Heron
1 Cormorant
3 Goldcrest (Seen on my way back John)
2 Nuthatch
12 Siskin (between North and Main lakes)
Main Lake:
1 Pochard (Borough first)
3 Widgeon (County and Borough first)
2 Gadwall
1 Dipper along the Goyt
2 Redwing
Lots of Wrens, and Long Tailed Tits
Only a partial clear out Geoff,
Pochard (1f), Gadwall (pair), Wigeon (1m, 2f) still present.
Also:
44 Coot
8 Moorhen
23 Mallard
84 Canada Geese
10 Cormorants (overhead including the orange colour ringed individual)
1 Green Woodpecker (overflew the horse paddock opp. Main Lake)
2 Goosander (North Lake & River Goyt)
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Dippers (male with bill sky-pointing as it sang to nearby female)
Cheers, John
Think thats the beauty of our hobby...you never know whats going to happen next.
regards
Geoff
2 female Goldeneyes
4 Wigeon (yesterday's 3 plus an immature male)
and still 2 Gadwall and singles of Teal, Pochard, Shoveler
2 female Goosanders (1 North Lake, 1 Goyt)
Yesterday's Cormorant (orange CIF) was ringed at Abberton Reservoir, Essex on 26th April 2009. It has previously visited Tittesworth Res, Staffs (23rd May 2010) and Farnham Gravel Pits, N. Yorkshire (16th July 2010).
Cheers, John
Coot 64
Moorhen 17
Goldeneye 1 female
Shoveler 1 female
Pochard 1 female
Teal 1 male
Gadwall pair
Wigeon 1 male, 2 female
Cormorant 5
With Mallards, Canadas, the feral Barnacle and feral Greylag this made an unprecedented 10 species of wildfowl on display.
The ringed Cormorant was back. Close metal ringed on right leg. Orange Darvic on left leg, which read CIF.
Cheers, John
Much the same as yesterday but no Wigeon and only 1 Teal
3 Kingfishers were a surprise as was ...
2 Pochard (pair new in)
3 Buzzards
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Bullfinches (spanking plumaged males)
3 Mistle Thrushes eating yew berries alongside ...
1 Goldcrest and ...
2 Nuthatches
7 Wrens (minimum)
Cheers, John
Cheers, John
13 Cormorants (a large flock perched on the dead tree on the island included one bird with orange-red darvic ring on left leg - couldn't read lettering with binocs before it flew)
3 Teal (new in)
4 Wigeon
1 Kingfisher
47 Coot
17 Moorhens
2 Mute Swans
39 BH Gulls
c70 Canada Geese
c30 Siskins
19 Long -tailed Tit flock loosely associated with ...
1 Treecreeper and ...
1 Nuthatch
Cheers, John
Edit: 2 Mute Swans not 23!
-- Edited by John Rayner on Friday 11th of November 2011 08:20:53 PM
Lockside:
Goosander (1f)
Main Lake:
4 Wigeon (3 female/imms now joined by a male)
1 Kingfisher
3 Cormorants
2 Little Grebes
41 Coot
16 Moorhens
No sign of the Gadwall pair
Cheers, John
Main lake
Gadwall pair
2 Little Grebe
Many Coot
Many Moorhen
Many Mallard
2 Mute Swans
30+ Black-headed Gulls
Birds of doubtful origin included a Greylag Goose and a Barnacle Goose.
Elsewhere, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a large busy flock of Long-tailed and Blue Tits.
RIver Goyt:
Colour ringed Dipper (same as Oct 7th)
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Goosander female
Main Lake:
43 Coot
7 Moorhen
3 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
1 Little Grebe
1 Buzzard
Only 5 Redwing
Cheers, John
Right time of year, southerly winds overnight, so down to Roman Lakes to mop up all those rarities. Ha!
2 new Dippers (no colour rings). 1st winter with a metal ring and an unringed adult (singing)
Main Lake:
513 Jackdaws NW at dawn
36 Coot
19 Moorhens
2 Mute Swan
23 Mallard
2 Gadwall
3 Wigeon
2 Goosander (overflying river)
36 Canada Geese
2 Cormorants
300 minimum Wood Pigeon (east)
9 Siskin
Walk to Windybotom Fram:
Green Woodpecker (heard)
8 Jays
26 Redwings
22 Fieldfares
1 Song Thrush
2 Buulfinches
and a single Goldfinch.
Cheers, John
Main Lake:
Gadwall 2
Wigeon 1
Mallard 3 (unusually low number but didn't check surrounding channels)
Canada Goose 17
Coot 29
Moorhen 7
Little Grebe 1
Kingfisher 1
Cheers, John
Main lake:
2 Little Grebes
2 Gadwall (new pair)
1 Kingfisher
+ usuals
Cheers, John
Plenty of bird movement this morning especially thrushes. In 1 hour I counted:
Fieldfare 112
Redwing 903
Starling 249
Meadow Pipit 9
All these flying roughly South East.
Some new birds on Main Lake:
Little Grebe 2
Wigeon 2
Kingfisher 1
Goosander 1
The colour ringed Dipper was again at Bottoms Bridge. Tony Wilkinson tells me that it is a male ringed at Torrs Weir, New Mills in 2007. So it's moved down 5 miles of the Goyt since then.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Friday 14th of October 2011 10:54:32 PM
9 Moorhens
2 Mute Swans
1 Grey Heron
14 Long-tailed Tits
1 Treecreeper
Cheers, John
Coot numbers now up to 51
Cheers, John
2 Dippers. At least 1 ringed WHITE over RED (left) and PALE GREEN over METAL (right)
North Lake:
2 Mallard
Main Lake and environs:
1 Little Grebe
1 Grey Heron
2 Mute Swans
81 Canada Geese
14 Moorhens
34 Coot
55 Mallard
3 Nuthatches
8 Jays
c30 Great/Blue/Long-tailed Tits in one mixed feeding party
Cheers, John
Chiffchaff singing
2 Coot sitting on nests
A few House Martins
Cheers, John
42 Coot
43 Mallard
9 Moorhens
2 Mute Swans
c80 House Martins.
Oh well!
2 Kingfishers up and down the Goyt then both perched up near Roman Bridge
Greylag still in with Canadas
[Holly Blue and Speckled Wood on the wing]
Cheers, John
Noisy family party of Jays
1 GS Woodpecker
1 Greylag with 48 Canadas
Feral Barnacle Goose
c30 Coot with 1 still sitting on nest
2 adult Mute Swans but no young
3 Grey Wagtails
c20 House Martins alarm calling as Sparrowhawk circled through them
2 Chiffchaffs but very few other passerines
Cheers, John
Mallard - 2 Broods
Canada Goose - 1 brood, 3 sitting
Great crested Grebe - pair with 2 chicks
Barnacle Goose - feral
Grey Wagtail 1
Whitethroat singing
Cormorant 1
Cheers, John
2 Garden Warblers singing
Lesser Whitethroat singing
Many Blackcaps
2 Tufted Duck
Cheers, John
Usual waterfowl
Treecreeper 2
Great Spot 1
Bullfinch pair
Siskin c20
Woodcock 1
Redwing 5
Cheers, John
Edit: Forgot to mention 4 Roe Deer
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of February 2011 12:28:03 PM
There must be many birds that migrate along the Goyt Valley and briefly drop in to Roman Lakes, it is much under-watched. Quiet today but it can be absolute bedlam on a sunny weekend, best to get there early.
Cheers, John
Think I prefer this place to Etherow CP now. At least it is quiet SOME of the time.
GC grebe and 2 wigeon still there.
1 Redshank on the edge of the main lake was a nice suprise!
Also atleast 3 Roe deer in the steep woodland behind the main lake.
May head back up there with the camera before dusk..
On a cold, wet and soggy morning a pair of Wigeon were new arrivals
2 Great Crested Grebes
2 Treecreepers
+ the usuals
Cheers, John
Info from Andy Chapman.