Redwings and fieldfares, kestrel and female sparrowhawk spenmoor
merlin on a telegraph pole below dam, kingfisher over dam, pochard, lots of teal goosander, gadwall, female goldeneye res 7.30-9am

-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 16th of December 2012 12:32:57 AM

redwings and fieldfares giving great views yesterday feeding in the hawthorn.kingfisher seen over the the narrow stream/ditch beneath the res. banking.

Had a quick look for the last hour of light after work.
Birds seen included:
redwing
3 little grebes at the creek
3 goosander at the creek. Many more further out on the water.
Wren
heron
etc

Highlights from today's early raid: Freezing and quiet people-wise, did the whole circuit after coming down the canal, then back.

20 Redwings throughout, including a flock of 8.
Kingfisher through Benny's former site
2 Redhead Goosanders through, but didn't land
Teal 10-15
1 F Goldeneye
4 Pochard
2 or possibly 3 Kestrels
1 Snipe flushed from marsh just before the turn to Withins
2 Little Grebes

etc etc etc



-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 12th of December 2012 05:41:56 PM

30 Goosander at least a third drakes, 18Teal, 2 Gadwall 2 Little Grebe, 1 Female Goldeneye, 4 Pochard Heron, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtails, Jay, and a few Redwings

8-9.00 a.m. this morning, 6 Goosander, 3 Pochard, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe and a Redshank on mud near creek.
Cheers Ian

Decided against going on a wild goose chase for Waxings on my last day off and decided to spend the day at Elton. Certainly wasnt disappointed even though there was no Waxwings. It is however exrtremely muddy!!

Highlights of the day:
2 Kingfishers (one perched)
Redwings
Grey wagtail
Water Rail
Goosander
Little Grebe
Teal
Sparrowhawk
Lots and Lots of Blackbirds
Reed Bunting
Lapwing
Long Tailed Tits


Close views of:
Kesterel
Goldfinch
Bullfinch
Heron
Mistle Thrush

Also watched a Peregrine eating something on top of one of the pylons (I would expect it is the famous pylon!!)
Need to download photos but expect I have some decent shots as the light was brill this morning.

8-9.00 a.m. 1 adult Whooper Swan, 4 male Pochard, 2 Wigeon, 17 Teal and 7 Goosander on the res.
Cheers Ian

Quick afternoon visit

4 male Pochards, 6 Goosanders. 4m 2f, 16 Teal, 4 Herons, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Song thrush and 6 Redwings,

-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Sunday 2nd of December 2012 04:17:47 PM

twelve teal, two drake goosander, heron, eighteen lapwing flying over, little grebe and that was it.

Dinner Juv Whooper Swan back, 7 Teal, Pair of Goldeneye on Res (M F), Pair of Goosander of river (M F) Kestrel Withins, flock of Goldcrests, Bullfinches, House sparrows Railway line, Redwing, Bullfinches and most other comon finches dip and some earth moving encroaching on dip and line of canal..

8-9.00 a.m. Juv. Whooper Swan present then flew off with 23 Mute Swans, wonder where it goes on its trips away?, also 3 Teal, 5 Goldeneye and 2 Little Grebe.
Cheers Ian

A very muddy expedition this, from Buckingham Road ! ....1.45 to 2.45 today.

Whooper Swan...1 (Juv.)
Mute Swans...25 (including Juvs.)
Most of the Swans, including the Whooper, near the Capsticks end of the Reservoir. The Whooper being close to the wall.

Just a quick look at the rest of the suspects as I slipped and slid back:

Goosander...5
Great Crested Grebe...4
Grey Heron...3
Lots of Tufted Ducks/Mallards/Black-headed Gulls and Coots.
Wrens ..2 seen, numerous heard.
Mistle Thrush...2
Rainbow..1... and of course the Peregrine on the Pylon

Very windy dinner
Juv Whooper Swan still here, 6 Teal, 6 Goosander (5m) 1 Goldeneye male

7.45-8.45, Juv. Whooper Swan present then flew South with 2 adult Mute Swan, also 6 Goosander, 16 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye and 4 Little Grebe.
Cheers Ian

From 1st light this a.m. Peregrine on pylon, 9 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 4 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe and the juv. Whooper Swan all on the res. lots of Blackbirds and Redwings in the hedgerows as well.
Cheers Ian

21 Wigeon in 2 flocks prior to 10am this morning.

Info thanks to Ian Peters

Juv Whooper Swan, Goldeneye Male, At least 4 Little Grebes, Wigeon Male, 3 Gadwall Grey Wagtail, House Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, Goldfinchs

can on;y add female goldeneye res. kestrel and reed bunting pm.

Early a.m. very misty but did manage 2 Kingfisher before giving up and then as I was getting into my car 2 Lesser Redpoll flew past heading downriver a long awaited site tick for me.
Cheers Ian

Had a good lurk through the site today with Roy

Highlights (all main res.) -

Whooper Swan juv. Capsticks - Lifer, thanks for the updates, guys!
2 sleepy drake Wigeon
1 Gadwall
1 Little Grebe
5 Teals (2 married couples and one bachelor )
Grey Wagtail
Grey Heron
Peregrine on pylon, first time I've had it here.
4 Lapwings (over)

River - Kingifisher flew upstream

Crow Trees farm trees from canal
1 Fieldfare
1 Redwing
Sparrowhawk came up and over, smashing views.
3 Snipe, probably more hidden, marsh alongside canal, Crow Trees Farm side
Jay over marsh

Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch in small numbers along canal





-- Edited by John Doherty on Sunday 11th of November 2012 02:57:07 PM

2.30-3.30
Two Teal, One male Goldeneye also poss female but could not find it again after intial view, four Gadwall, Over eight mobile Wigeon, three Little Grebe, Kingfisher, Juv Whooper Swan Res end near capsticks, Grey Wagtail, Two Pied Wagtail, Sparrowhawk and lots of mud north bank.

From 1st light 'till 9.00 a.m. 7 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 2 Little Grebe and 1 Kingfisher on the res.
Cheers Ian

Whooper Swans back on res. at 13:50.

Whooper Swans departed at 10.28am

Info thanks to Ian Peters

7 Whooper Swans present this morning; 4 adults and 3 juvs.

Info thanks to Ian Peters

had a walk this afternoon , sat near the metro bridge watching what i thought was a mink. it turned out to be a dipper. i really need to start takeing my binoculars with me

Visit late afternoon, on the res no sign of juv Whooper Swan, 100+ Tufted Duck, single Goldeneye, 6 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal and 2 Little Grebe.
Cheers Ian

on res Peregrine, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon Little Grebes and on second visit juv Whooper Swan in front of pump house
On river two Goosander Dipper and Bullfinches on Railbed. Heard Nuthatch on River bank
Kestrel seen Withins and Spen Moor, Snipe flushed from marsh, two flocks of Lapwings flying south, two Reed Buntings, Heron picking parasites off a cows backside right in firing line
Winter Thrushes everywhere Grey Wagtail and flock of House Sparrows around Crow Tree/Canal

Early a.m. juv Whooper Swan still present, also 9 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall and Peregrine on pylon 20.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Saturday 3rd of November 2012 10:56:40 AM

Juvenile Whooper Swan
2 female Goldeneye
Quite a few Wigeon, 4 Teal 4 Gadwall 8 Shoveler Tufted Duck
Redwings Fieldfare


-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 1st of November 2012 05:45:33 PM

0730 till 0915
4 whooper swans, 1 juvenile still present at capsticks end plus 3 over heading southeast at 0800
2 goldeneye
5 gadwall
6 shoveler
4 teal
1 little grebe
plenty of fieldfares and redwings passing through

Juv whooper swan present at capsticks end with mute swans

0715 till 0915
1 juv whooper swan, still present when i left at capsticks end with mute swans
4 goldeneye including 2 drakes
3 wigeon
5 teal
6 shoveler
2 gadwall

-- Edited by brian fielding on Tuesday 30th of October 2012 09:53:26 AM

late afternoon visit, much as this morning except no Raven and 4 Gadwall, Peregrine was eating afternoon tea on pylon 20.
Cheers Ian

0730 till 0915
4 goldeneye
10 wigeon
12 teal
8 shoveler
1 gadwall
1 peregrine
1 raven

Common Scoter still present at 1130hrs

0715 till 1030 with ian campbell
1 common scoter, drake still present when i left
2 goldeneye
31 wigeon
6 shoveler
2 teal
1 peregrine
1 kingfisher
plenty of thrushes around, including fieldfare, redwing and at least 30 blackbirds

Couldn't see Scoter 2.30. Wigeon, Pochard, Lapwings, Litttle Grebe and lots of Tufted Ducks west end of res as asailing club out.

-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 28th of October 2012 03:42:57 PM

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 28th of October 2012 05:42:34 PM

Single drake common scoter present plus 2 female goldeneye

I managed to do a deal with my 13 year old daughter, a walk round Elton for a KFC for tea!!!!
We only covered the dip and canal areas but saw the following between 4.00 and 5.30.

Goldcrest
Long Tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Bullfinch
Blackbird
Cormorant over
Blackbird
Redwing (Highlight of the walk a good number about but all very skitish)
Grey Heron
Sparrowhawk
Robin
Magpie
Goldfinch
Greenfinch

All in all a decent walk well worth a KFC!!!!

7 Greylag Geese - resting near wader point
10 Shoveler
12 Wigeon
5 Teal
Little Grebe
30 Goldfinch - pumphouse

30+ Blackbirds, 30+ Redwing, 5+ Song Thrush in hedges

Walk around at Dinner
Large flock of Redwings behind boat club and another flock very high up.
Kestrel being mobbed Starlings
2 Teal, 2 Widgeon, at least 6 Pochard, at least 8 Shoveler quite jumpy and usual on res
Grey and Pied Wagtails, Herons, House Sparrows, Jay, 2 Song Thrush.
flock of Long-Tailed Tits

7.20 to 11 am

Golden Plover - called twice as it flew over but couldnt see it
9 Shoveler
4 Wigeon (one bird came in high from over pilsworth and dropped in)
5 Teal
6 Pochard (3 birds dropped in from high)

629 Redwing flew sw
95 Fieldfare sw (2 flocks)
231 Starling west
506 Woodpigeon south

80 Redwing, 40 Blackbirds and 5 Song Thrush where around Crow Tree Farm.

Also forgot 2 lesser redpoll which landed in a bush near capsticks

-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Tuesday 23rd of October 2012 10:37:18 PM

9.10 to 13.00 joined by Brian Fielding and Peter Baron

Rock pipit feeding along edge of res wall
3 Skiens of Pink-feet over 55 @ 10.15 80+ @ 10.25 and 215 @ 11.55 all west
8 Skylark over
Raven
Peregrine on pylon with a kill looked like a drake teal
Barnacle Goose with Canada's
9 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 2 teal, 75+ Tufted duck, 26 Great-crested Grebe, 270+ Coot and a little Grebe on res
Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 4+ Sparrowhawk
Redpoll over canal
95 Lapwing se plus 60 at Crow tree farm

-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Sunday 21st of October 2012 03:47:25 PM

0730 till 0900
1 barnacle goose,flew around the res a few times before heading northeast
8 wigeon
5 teal
1 shoveler
1 peregrine

I hope it was the pigeon it had targeted and not an Oriental Turtle Dove. (Well we are in October, and you can dream!!)

One in germany Mike!

I called in here at 13.30 and strolled round until15.15 when I left north for home.

Elton looked much more interesting with these lower water levels; it's such a pity it's so prone to disturbance from thoughtless dog walkers as it could be really so much better here with the water levels properly managed.

The previously reported 8 Shoveler and 7 Wigeon were all still present, but (along with the only Teal I saw) were flushed from the "Wader Point" area by a Springer Spaniel pup running along the muddy edge. (To be fair they all returned and settled in mid water again within a few minutes).
Eventually the dog and its owner arrived at my viewing point by Old Hall Farm and the owner (not the dog) engaged me in conversation saying what an improvement there was with the lower water levels and how he was impressed by the numbers of swans and ducks!
I showed him the Peregrine having a preen up on pylon 20 (I don't know if this one is its regular perch), and having got his attention, I politely made the point that it would be so much better with less disturbance and with little dogs kept on the lead on the opposite shoreline, as waders as well as the waterfowl often are to be found there and the local birders would really appreciate some understanding and just a little consideration. He seemed a reasonable guy and I think (hope) I did a little good.

Later, I watched the Peregrine launch off and fly away high (just after a feral pigeon had passed close by heading south). I followed the Peregrine for almost a mile to the south south west gaining height steadily, after which it went into a spectacular stoop onto something obscured by the trees. I hope it was the pigeon it had targeted and not an Oriental Turtle Dove. (Well we are in October, and you can dream!!)

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 19th of October 2012 09:50:11 PM

few hours this morning with Simon Warford

Little Egret was picked up from the canal near crow tree farm seen flying south other withins it then gained height and circled back over the res where Simon Warford picked it up from the creek. Bumped into another birder later who said it was down on the res earlier.

On the res
8 Shoveler (these where flushed by dogs)
7 Wigeon
5 Teal
76 Tufted Duck
20 Great-crested Grebe
Little Grebe in the dip
36 Mute Swan
272 Coot
2 Lapwing
Kingfisher - creek
Dipper - on canal overflow (result of the river being very high)


2 Coal tit in the hedge near Old Hall farm, Willow Tit at Coney Green, 2 Fieldfare near the boat house, 3 Kestrel and at least 6 Sparrowhawk.

Some light vis mig included
10 Jay s/se
2 Fieldfare south
40 Meadow Pipit south
5 Skylark south
2 Redpoll south
4 Pied Wagtail se
3 Linnet south
110 Redwing sw

PM PM 7 Shoveler 11 Wigeon Mistle Thrush large flocks of goldfinch House Sparrows and Woodpigeons and a Grey Wagtail

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 16th of October 2012 04:09:49 PM