At least 15 when I was there around 11:45ish. After turning off the path as described, took the immediate right down the steep straight track that they used to transport the coal down. Fellow birders about 2/3 of the way down looking into the tops of the trees to the right.
Got some nice views of the crossbills (thanks for the use of the 'scope!) Then they flew off in the downhill direction though I couldn't see how far as I lost them behind the canopy- they may have just alighted again in another section of the woods further over and lower down. I didn't give chase.
-- Edited by Andrew Johnson on Sunday 19th of June 2011 06:45:12 PM
Stephen Fuentes said
Sun Jun 19 11:38 AM, 2011
This is my first post, so hello all.
Flock of 20+ Crossbills still present at 8.30 this morning in the area described by Andy, although they were quite mobile, moving between here and a more inaccessible area of the wood to the West.
Cheers,
Steve.
steven burke said
Sat Jun 18 9:56 PM, 2011
Andy Bissitt wrote:
I'm really chuffed to have helped a few people see this bird for the first time, although I'm sure someone else would have found them today. Nevertheless, this is the reason I go birdwatching, in the hope I might find something of interest to others in the county. Sorry it's such a rare occurrence!!
Cheers.
Andy
andy you have every reason to be chuffed with yourself on helping a few people out,i for one am very thankfull for such a great find by yourself. a first for me,awesome. keep birding.
steven burke said
Sat Jun 18 9:48 PM, 2011
Scott Reid wrote:
After 45 mins with no luck and a very patient girlfriend and dog in tow, we were rewarded with the flock of 25+ crossbills, very noisely flying low over the canopy at around 18:05. They remained around the area (by the gravel covered path) for several minutes, how ever I failed to catch up with them whenever they settled. The flock then flew east which is the last I saw of them, however another two did fly over the same area heading west round half an hour later. Great little birds but very flighty, however a British first for me! I may have another look before work in the morning to see if I can get any good photo opportunites.
Also nice to meet Steven Burke and his friend, thanks for the info.
no probs glad you eventually got to see the crossbills scott,and i hope you have better luck than me with the photo opportunities
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Jun 18 9:25 PM, 2011
I'm really chuffed to have helped a few people see this bird for the first time, although I'm sure someone else would have found them today. Nevertheless, this is the reason I go birdwatching, in the hope I might find something of interest to others in the county. Sorry it's such a rare occurrence!!
Cheers.
Andy
Scott Reid said
Sat Jun 18 8:52 PM, 2011
After 45 mins with no luck and a very patient girlfriend and dog in tow, we were rewarded with the flock of 25+ crossbills, very noisely flying low over the canopy at around 18:05. They remained around the area (by the gravel covered path) for several minutes, how ever I failed to catch up with them whenever they settled. The flock then flew east which is the last I saw of them, however another two did fly over the same area heading west round half an hour later. Great little birds but very flighty, however a British first for me! I may have another look before work in the morning to see if I can get any good photo opportunites.
Also nice to meet Steven Burke and his friend, thanks for the info.
steven burke said
Sat Jun 18 8:26 PM, 2011
ken the first off the 3 birders that arrived as you were leaving was me,cant believe we did not introduce ourselves never mind. what a great bird also a lifer for me and to see at least 13 off them was even better. i did manage to get a small flock off 7 a little closer further down the path which consisted off 2 males 2 females and 3 juveniles, but by the looks off chris greenes post the flocks were building all day,awesome. did go back around 4.30pm after a mooch around but no luck,but a chap there (pete) had 3 in flight. pete if you read this thank you very much for the lift to the train station. did also meet scott reid as i was leaving,(nice to meet you)hope you managed to re locate them. on the mooch around did manage 45 species inc... 2 dippers, 1 kingfisher, grey wagtail feeding juvenille, lots off blackcaps, chiffchaffs, willow warblers, siskins, buzzards + sparrowhawks over (which kept bothering the crossbills) swifts, swallows, house martins, sand martins, great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, mandarins + juveniles, pair off mute swans with 1 cygnet mallards, coots, moorhens, canada goose + all other unusual looking geese and ducks, pair great crested grebe, and all other usual woodland birds. great day.
Chris Greene said
Sat Jun 18 5:55 PM, 2011
Approx 14:30 till 15:00. I would estimate a flock of between 25 and 30 crossbills present,in area described.Birds very flighty,regular disturbance by a sparrowhawk! Nice to meet all the Manchester Birders present
Cheers Chris
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 18 12:19 PM, 2011
13+ Crossbills by 11:20 this morning with at least two juveniles in the flock which has been persued by a Sparrowhawk on a couple of occasion now!
Info thanks to Steven Burke
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 18 11:07 AM, 2011
At least nine Crossbills still present in the same location at 10:45
Info thanks to Steven Burke
John Rayner said
Sat Jun 18 11:04 AM, 2011
Ernocroft Wood (07.45 - 09.30)
3 Crossbills flew in (calling) at 07.55 to the Larches on the left down the track as described by Andy. They stayed a few minutes then moved further down the track (where there is a rubble pile across the track). Here I had trouble re-locating them until another flock joined them. I thought I'd counted 8 feeding in the Larch top but when they left at 08.27 there were more, probably c12. Of the ones I saw well there were at least 2 males, a green female and a streaky juvenile in this group but for most of the time plumages were difficult to assess against the light.
Whilst feeding they were completely silent and didn't move around much either so would then be difficult to find until they flew. The best method was to listen for dropped cones bouncing off branches and hitting the bracken.
I'm glad you got them Ken
Elsewhere, from the weir to the hide, there were a total of 21 female/eclipse Mandarins and only 1 obvious male. At the hide were 3 ducklings.
Cheers, John
Ken Dunning said
Sat Jun 18 10:43 AM, 2011
A great big thanks to John Rayner for taking the time this morning to point me in the right direction. I eventually found 5 Crossbills feeding at the top of a larch just off to the left of the path Andy described. Located them by the method John suggested, listening for the falling cones. Didnt hear them call at all. Another 3 birders there when I left at 10am so could get quite busy later. Again thanks John., and Andy
Adam Jones said
Sat Jun 18 8:15 AM, 2011
Can't believe I am 200 miles away this weekend. Will I make it back in time to see them tomorrow? Knowing my luck, probably not.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 18 8:05 AM, 2011
Three Crossbill feeding in the same Larches as yesterday at 07:55 this morning.
Info thanks to John Rayner
John Rayner said
Fri Jun 17 9:17 PM, 2011
I'd been on domestic duties this afternoon so hadn't read Andy's post.
I did get down to Etherow about 2 hours after the last sighting and had a brief fly-over at 18.00 of a 'chipping' flock of about 5 or 6 birds. They flew high overhead roughly in line with the track Andy describes. I couldn't find them perched but had to leave in a hurry or else re-subscribe to the Silent Meals Club. I'll also have another go in the morning so may see you there Ken.
Thanks to Andy for the find/post and Karen for the text.
Cheers, John
Ken Dunning said
Fri Jun 17 8:14 PM, 2011
omg! I was going to go to Adswood tip in the morning but I've never seen a crossbill so it'll have to be Etherow. Thanks Andy
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Jun 17 4:51 PM, 2011
ETHEROW MEGA!!!!!!!
6 CROSSBILLS IN ERNOCROFT WOOD UP TO 3.55 PM AT LEAST.
Take the main path from by the weir and proceed up it until you get to the area where the wood warblers were a few years back. Take the last path on the right before the gate (which is where the path bends to the left sharply). The birds were in the larches about 20 yds down on the right. There are plenty of cones, so they might stay in the area. Prepare for neck ache though!!
Cheers,
Andy
Stephen Dodd said
Mon Jun 13 9:08 PM, 2011
Thanks anyway
Adam Jones said
Mon Jun 13 8:36 PM, 2011
I am afraid not Stephen. Best thing to do is to scan through the other threads on the forum.
Stephen Dodd said
Mon Jun 13 5:31 PM, 2011
Cheers for that thanks,might call tomorrow daytime was getting a little late last night so could'nt make it all the way over there, again thanks. got any good places for owls any will do, cheers.
Adam Jones said
Mon Jun 13 5:25 PM, 2011
Hi Stephen, it was sat on Keg Pool, which is through the woods just beyond and to the left of the weir. There are wooden signs for it at the appropriate junction in the woods. There were also two Mute swans with one Cygnet on the pool. Good luck
Stephen Dodd said
Mon Jun 13 5:10 PM, 2011
Hi i noticed on a recent visit to ethero you spotted an egyptian goose, could you please tell me where abouts you saw it. i went last night but could'nt see it . thanks
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jun 12 10:43 AM, 2011
You're quite right Steve. After receiving images of the beast from Adam, it is indeed a Chinese Swan Goose
Adam Jones said
Sun Jun 12 9:32 AM, 2011
Thanks Steve. I was wondering what it was.
Steve Suttill said
Sat Jun 11 11:19 PM, 2011
Adam Jones wrote:
Saturday 11th June 6.30-9.00am
Lots of the usual geese, plus one with a very strange bulge at the front of it's head.
That will be the Chinese (Swan) Goose genes, I guess. Haven't been to Etherow for a few years but there used to be a couple of Swan Geese and a whole lot of Greylag/Swan Goose hybrids.
Steve
Adam Jones said
Sat Jun 11 2:24 PM, 2011
Saturday 11th June 6.30-9.00am
2 Blackcap 3 Nuthatch seen, many more heard 1 Goosander (over, making it's strange squawk) 2 Dippers 2 Grey Wagtails 1 Kingfisher 1 Chiffchaff 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Egyptian Goose 2 Mute Swans and 1 Cygnet 4 Tufted ducks 1 Great Created Grebe 3 Grey Herons Lots of young Tits and Wrens. Lots of the usual geese, plus one with a very strange bulge at the front of it's head.
A good mornings birding.
Jenny de Boer said
Sun May 1 4:30 PM, 2011
2pm- Kingfisher flew upstream past hide. M&F mandarin also swam past. Buzzard and kestrel overhead.
Also, 2x grey wagtails below weir.
Chris Greene said
Sat Apr 30 7:31 AM, 2011
Late post for yesterday ,29th ... slightly later visit than Rob's , but still fairly peaceful...quite a few men about ( fishing , walking , birding etc .) , but a noticable absence of ladies !! Similar birds to Rob also ... Kingfisher flew downstream from hide. Dippers and grey wags near weir . Despite a fairly exhaustive search of suitable locations , no further signs of flycatchers or redstart... Also , I was told of a sighting of a water rail, flushed from under the boardwalk to the hide ! I was also informed that a common sandpiper had been seen on the main lodge , much earlier that morning !
Cheers Chris
Rob Bell said
Fri Apr 29 2:40 PM, 2011
06.30 - 09.30 (an early one)
4 Mandarins (2m, 2f) 1 Egyptian Goose 4 Greylag geese 6 Canada Geese 2 GC Grebes near visitor's centre 6 Herons 4 Blackcaps (3m, 1f) - but heard a few more 10+ Chiffchaff heard and seen 5 Willow warblers (heard) 1 Whitethroat 1 Green Woodpecker (heard) 2 GS Woodpeckers (m+f) 1 Treecreeper 1 Nuthatch All common crow species and tit species, robins and dunnocks. 2 Mistle Thrushes singing from tree tops 1 Song Thrush 10+ Blackbirds 4 Tufted Ducks 1 Grey Wagtail
Great time to go - no dog walkers/runners
keep birding
Albert Zijlstra said
Mon Apr 18 7:40 PM, 2011
There was also a grey wagtail on the river below the weir, seen on saturday
Andrew Johnson said
Sun Apr 17 10:10 PM, 2011
Walked down through Ernocroft Woods - numerous nuthatches, blackcaps, treecreepers (latter on the open sweeping bend of the trail that loops off to one side and crosses the route of the coal carts) and chiffchaffs. Came across a goldcrest at close quarters too near the treecreepers.
Then from the hide, two willow warblers heard singing quite briefly. Pair of tufties swam past and 2 male mandarins.
Grey heron standing out in the middle near the visitors' centre, looking like a statue. Pair of GC Grebes on the main lake despite all the sailing boats.
Woods over near the Keg - two Sparrowhawks circling overhead at the far end as you start to descend to the pool. At least one of these flew in from the north-west.
Return up though Ernocroft - more treecreepers singing about a third of the way up and then a buzzard calling up beyond the road somewhere.
Didn't spot either redstarts or pied flycatchers :(
Ian Boote said
Sun Apr 17 9:37 PM, 2011
keep it all in one place keg several black caps chiff chaffs one willow warbler several nuthatches and 3 gold crests 2 fighting one sparrow hawk and a dipper on the river
John Rayner said
Sun Apr 17 7:58 PM, 2011
Hi Ian (Boote),
This is the Etherow thread with the most recent sightings. The other one had been dormant for nearly 2 years until you found it today
In addition to the other sightings there was also a male Redstart today and a female Pied Flycatcher on 16th (info from John Ireland).
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 17th of April 2011 08:01:10 PM
vic chatterton said
Fri Apr 15 5:45 PM, 2011
Pretty much the same as Rob Bell although 3 Green Woodpeckers were notable - 1 seen, 2 different birds calling at same time. Blackcaps were everywhere and are by far the commonest warbler.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 15 4:16 PM, 2011
Rob Bell wrote:
12.00 - 2pm
Hope a few redstarts or flycatchers stay and nest! fingers tightly crossed! cheers
Couldn't agree more Rob
Seeing as we're getting to that time of year though I'll take the opportunity to bring this forums breeding bird posting policy to the fore once again. It can be found in the sticky threads at the top of this forum
Rob Bell said
Fri Apr 15 3:42 PM, 2011
12.00 - 2pm
I thought Id go and have a look around today for redstarts or pied flycatchers but my efforts didnt pay off
I saw pretty much the same birds as John and Chris:
2 Chiffchaffs and 1 willow warbler in ernocroft woods 8-10 mandarins (some with females but mostly males) 3 GS Woodpeckers 1 Dipper (in its usual spot on the river) Lots of mallards and canada geese 2 GC Grebes courting 6 Tufted Ducks on the river 2 Herons 1 Song Thrush 1 Buzzard from the keg pool in the distance
Hope a few redstarts or flycatchers stay and nest! fingers tightly crossed! cheers
John Rayner said
Fri Apr 15 10:26 AM, 2011
Friday 06.45 - 09.45
No sign of Pied Flycatcher today either but a nice male Redstart compensated. Sparrowhawk and Raven over. Both Dippers are unringed. c10 Mandarins (all males). Lots of Great Spot activity. Numerous Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Song Thrushes singing.
Cheers, John
Chris Greene said
Fri Apr 15 8:15 AM, 2011
Late post for yesterday ,Thursday 14th , about noon... Quick visit , hoping for a repeat viewing of the flycatcher- but alas , no joy on that score. However , birds seen included : Two dippers on river ,I'm 90% certain, that both are unringed birds. Chiffchaff and willow warbler. Four lapwing on stubble field ,adjacent to the top path,back from Weir Cottages to theV.C. Also , three buzzards , circling high and gently calling , in the same area. Coot family still have one chick on canal .
Cheers Chris
Chris Greene said
Wed Apr 13 4:32 PM, 2011
Brief visit this afternoon @ 14:30 , highlights including : Two dippers on river , just below weir . Male pied flycatcher , in small enclosed garden area , near weir cottages . Two chiffchaffs , plenty more heard . Willow warbler. Buzzard over . Coots on canal , now down to one chick ,( three yesterday ) Four swallows over main lake Plenty of usual tits , finches and nuthatches ...
Cheers Chris
Joey Eccles said
Mon Mar 21 10:06 AM, 2011
Late post from Saturday (19th March)
21+ mandarin 2 dipper flew across the path moorhen and coots both sitting on nest Great Crested grebe 3 nuthatch 2 buzzard over 5 tufted duck on farmer's private pool
Wooded area:
5/6 goldcrest treecreeper sparrowhawk over
Nick_Patel said
Sun Mar 6 8:19 PM, 2011
Around 2/3 Dipper, 2 Grey wagtail, 20+ Mandarin on the park as a whole, many treecreepers, 1 Male goosander... Also a possible Wigeon x Mallard hybrid (have got photograph), 2 Great crested grebe as well.
Rob Bell said
Sat Mar 5 1:10 PM, 2011
Friday 4th March - Grey skies but no rain
Pools near visitor centre
4 Mandarin (3 drakes, 1 female) 20 Canada Geese 1 Great Crested Grebe having fish for breakfast 2 Greylag Geese 3 Coot 2 Moorhen 9 BH Gulls 1 Blackbird 1 Redwing 1 Blue Tit
no kingfisher Ernocroft woods was pretty uneventful as well, just a few Blue and LTT tits
1 Dipper (viewed from bridge near waterfall) 1 Magpie
Woods
1 Treecreeper 2 Nuthatches 2 Redwing 1 Fieldfare
From Hide
2 Cormorants sat in the trees looking over the river 1 KINGFISHER (darted past the hide along the river) - great to see considering the harsh weather we've had this winter and makes me wonder whether or not they may be breeding here this year.
Keep Birding!
Jon Bowen said
Sun Feb 6 5:49 PM, 2011
11.30am 5 Goosander (3m 2F) & 12 Tufties on Keg Pool, 8 Mandarin at weir (5m 3F)
Chris Greene said
Tue Feb 1 4:23 PM, 2011
Enjoyable visit today,between 13:00 and 14:30hrs. At weir 15 male and 10 female Mandarins. 7 male and 4 female Tufted ducks. From the C.W.T hide blue,great,coal and long tailed tits. 1 male Chaffinch. 2 Dunnock. 1 Robin. 3 Jays. Kingfisher in tree upstream. Male GS Woodpecker. 3 male 2 female Teal. 2 male 2 female Tufted duck. 4 Crows. 12 Cormorants in usual tree. 5 Nuthatch. Moorhen. Coot. Little Grebe. 2 male and 1 female Goosander. Cheers, Chris
Keith Mills said
Wed Jan 19 4:58 PM, 2011
Enjoyable first visit to this very picturesque Country park.
30 plus Mandarin (20 DRK) 30 Tufted duck Keg Pool: 1 Egyptian Goose with... 2 Mute Swans. 9 Goosander (6 DRK) In the trees: Numerous Gt. Tit and Blue tit 4 Nuthatch 10 Cormorants 2 Treecreepers 1 Jay From the Hide: 1 (male) Teal on the river The feeding table was continuosly used by at least 12 Nuthatch, Gt.tits ,Blue Tits 2 Coal tits and a flock of Lt Tits.
Several Crows,2 Jackdaws and a Magpie were also seen.
Bumped into 7 Local birders: All very pleasant and informative. One 'Kathy' has the ashes of Eugene (the dead Egyptian Goose) , that she was very attached to. The casket is tied in blue ribbon!
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 19th of January 2011 05:07:36 PM
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 19th of January 2011 11:13:59 PM
Chris Harper said
Sun Jan 9 12:20 PM, 2011
21 mandarin today Barnacle Goose still 4 Teal from hide Drake Goosander above weir, 15 siskins too. 12 Stock Dove on farm, with 20 Redwing. Chris H
Ian Coote said
Sat Jan 8 10:41 PM, 2011
Chris Greene wrote:
I was up at Etherow yesterday ( 04/01/11 ) , about 13: 00 hrs , there is at least one Egyptian Goose alive and well , it was on the river , opposite Keg pool, in the company of a pair of mute swans , it then proceeded to clamber out of the river ,near the hide ,and started eating bits of bread and bacon rind , that someone had scattered under the bird table !
The Egyptian Goose (on its own!) was in the same place this afternoon!
John Rayner said
Thu Jan 6 5:26 PM, 2011
There was a Barnacle Goose which kept to itself away from the other geese today. When I came back from the hide I couldn't see it although all the Canadas etc were still present.
From hide: Egyptian Goose, 6 Mandarins, 1 Little Grebe.
Cheers, John
Chris Greene said
Wed Jan 5 7:43 AM, 2011
I was up at Etherow yesterday ( 04/01/11 ) , about 13: 00 hrs , there is at least one Egyptian Goose alive and well , it was on the river , opposite Keg pool, in the company of a pair of mute swans , it then proceeded to clamber out of the river ,near the hide ,and started eating bits of bread and bacon rind , that someone had scattered under the bird table ! Also seen from hide : Little Grebe , 8 teal , tufties , 7 male and 5 female mandarin , 12 cormorant ( in tree upstream ) nuthatch , treecreepers , blue , great and coal tits. Plenty of the usual species around the country park itself , including heron and sparrowhawk over , a few jays and at least 10 moorhens in the muddy section of the backwater , near the garden centre ... Unfortunately, no sign of willow tit anywhere . Cheers Chris _
At least 15 when I was there around 11:45ish. After turning off the path as described, took the immediate right down the steep straight track that they used to transport the coal down. Fellow birders about 2/3 of the way down looking into the tops of the trees to the right.
Got some nice views of the crossbills (thanks for the use of the 'scope!) Then they flew off in the downhill direction though I couldn't see how far as I lost them behind the canopy- they may have just alighted again in another section of the woods further over and lower down. I didn't give chase.
-- Edited by Andrew Johnson on Sunday 19th of June 2011 06:45:12 PM
Flock of 20+ Crossbills still present at 8.30 this morning in the area described by Andy, although they were quite mobile, moving between here and a more inaccessible area of the wood to the West.
Cheers,
Steve.
andy you have every reason to be chuffed with yourself on helping a few people out,i for one am very thankfull for such a great find by yourself. a first for me,awesome.
no probs glad you eventually got to see the crossbills scott,and i hope you have better luck than me with the photo opportunities
Cheers.
Andy
Also nice to meet Steven Burke and his friend, thanks for the info.
what a great bird also a lifer for me
2 dippers, 1 kingfisher, grey wagtail feeding juvenille,
lots off blackcaps, chiffchaffs, willow warblers, siskins,
buzzards + sparrowhawks over (which kept bothering the crossbills)
swifts, swallows, house martins, sand martins,
great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches,
mandarins + juveniles, pair off mute swans with 1 cygnet
mallards, coots, moorhens, canada goose + all other unusual looking geese and ducks,
pair great crested grebe, and all other usual woodland birds.
great day.
I would estimate a flock of between 25 and 30 crossbills present,in area described.Birds very flighty,regular disturbance by a sparrowhawk!
Nice to meet all the Manchester Birders present
Cheers Chris
Info thanks to Steven Burke
Info thanks to Steven Burke
3 Crossbills flew in (calling) at 07.55 to the Larches on the left down the track as described by Andy. They stayed a few minutes then moved further down the track (where there is a rubble pile across the track). Here I had trouble re-locating them until another flock joined them. I thought I'd counted 8 feeding in the Larch top but when they left at 08.27 there were more, probably c12. Of the ones I saw well there were at least 2 males, a green female and a streaky juvenile in this group but for most of the time plumages were difficult to assess against the light.
Whilst feeding they were completely silent and didn't move around much either so would then be difficult to find until they flew. The best method was to listen for dropped cones bouncing off branches and hitting the bracken.
I'm glad you got them Ken
Elsewhere, from the weir to the hide, there were a total of 21 female/eclipse Mandarins and only 1 obvious male. At the hide were 3 ducklings.
Cheers, John
I eventually found 5 Crossbills feeding at the top of a larch just off to the left of the path Andy described.
Located them by the method John suggested, listening for the falling cones.
Didnt hear them call at all.
Another 3 birders there when I left at 10am so could get quite busy later.
Again thanks John., and Andy
Will I make it back in time to see them tomorrow? Knowing my luck, probably not.
Info thanks to John Rayner
I did get down to Etherow about 2 hours after the last sighting and had a brief fly-over at 18.00 of a 'chipping' flock of about 5 or 6 birds. They flew high overhead roughly in line with the track Andy describes. I couldn't find them perched but had to leave in a hurry or else re-subscribe to the Silent Meals Club. I'll also have another go in the morning so may see you there Ken.
Thanks to Andy for the find/post and Karen for the text.
Cheers, John
I was going to go to Adswood tip in the morning but I've never seen a crossbill so it'll have to be Etherow.
Thanks Andy
6 CROSSBILLS IN ERNOCROFT WOOD UP TO 3.55 PM AT LEAST.
Take the main path from by the weir and proceed up it until you get to the area where the wood warblers were a few years back. Take the last path on the right before the gate (which is where the path bends to the left sharply). The birds were in the larches about 20 yds down on the right. There are plenty of cones, so they might stay in the area. Prepare for neck ache though!!
Cheers,
Andy
Good luck
That will be the Chinese (Swan) Goose genes, I guess. Haven't been to Etherow for a few years but there used to be a couple of Swan Geese and a whole lot of Greylag/Swan Goose hybrids.
Steve
2 Blackcap
3 Nuthatch seen, many more heard
1 Goosander (over, making it's strange squawk)
2 Dippers
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Kingfisher
1 Chiffchaff
2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
1 Egyptian Goose
2 Mute Swans and 1 Cygnet
4 Tufted ducks
1 Great Created Grebe
3 Grey Herons
Lots of young Tits and Wrens. Lots of the usual geese, plus one with a very strange bulge at the front of it's head.
A good mornings birding.
Also, 2x grey wagtails below weir.
Similar birds to Rob also ...
Kingfisher flew downstream from hide.
Dippers and grey wags near weir .
Despite a fairly exhaustive search of suitable locations , no further signs of flycatchers or redstart...
Also , I was told of a sighting of a water rail, flushed from under the boardwalk to the hide !
I was also informed that a common sandpiper had been seen on the main lodge , much earlier that morning !
Cheers Chris
4 Mandarins (2m, 2f)
1 Egyptian Goose
4 Greylag geese
6 Canada Geese
2 GC Grebes near visitor's centre
6 Herons
4 Blackcaps (3m, 1f) - but heard a few more
10+ Chiffchaff heard and seen
5 Willow warblers (heard)
1 Whitethroat
1 Green Woodpecker (heard)
2 GS Woodpeckers (m+f)
1 Treecreeper
1 Nuthatch
All common crow species and tit species, robins and dunnocks.
2 Mistle Thrushes singing from tree tops
1 Song Thrush
10+ Blackbirds
4 Tufted Ducks
1 Grey Wagtail
Great time to go - no dog walkers/runners
keep birding
Then from the hide, two willow warblers heard singing quite briefly. Pair of tufties swam past and 2 male mandarins.
Grey heron standing out in the middle near the visitors' centre, looking like a statue. Pair of GC Grebes on the main lake despite all the sailing boats.
Woods over near the Keg - two Sparrowhawks circling overhead at the far end as you start to descend to the pool. At least one of these flew in from the north-west.
Return up though Ernocroft - more treecreepers singing about a third of the way up and then a buzzard calling up beyond the road somewhere.
Didn't spot either redstarts or pied flycatchers :(
keg
several black caps chiff chaffs one willow warbler
several nuthatches and 3 gold crests 2 fighting
one sparrow hawk
and a dipper on the river
This is the Etherow thread with the most recent sightings. The other one had been dormant for nearly 2 years until you found it today
In addition to the other sightings there was also a male Redstart today and a female Pied Flycatcher on 16th (info from John Ireland).
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 17th of April 2011 08:01:10 PM
Couldn't agree more Rob
Seeing as we're getting to that time of year though I'll take the opportunity to bring this forums breeding bird posting policy to the fore once again. It can be found in the sticky threads at the top of this forum
I thought Id go and have a look around today for redstarts or pied flycatchers but my efforts didnt pay off
I saw pretty much the same birds as John and Chris:
2 Chiffchaffs and 1 willow warbler in ernocroft woods
8-10 mandarins (some with females but mostly males)
3 GS Woodpeckers
1 Dipper (in its usual spot on the river)
Lots of mallards and canada geese
2 GC Grebes courting
6 Tufted Ducks on the river
2 Herons
1 Song Thrush
1 Buzzard from the keg pool in the distance
Hope a few redstarts or flycatchers stay and nest! fingers tightly crossed!
cheers
No sign of Pied Flycatcher today either but a nice male Redstart compensated.
Sparrowhawk and Raven over.
Both Dippers are unringed.
c10 Mandarins (all males).
Lots of Great Spot activity.
Numerous Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Song Thrushes singing.
Cheers, John
Quick visit , hoping for a repeat viewing of the flycatcher- but alas , no joy on that score.
However , birds seen included :
Two dippers on river ,I'm 90% certain, that both are unringed birds.
Chiffchaff and willow warbler.
Four lapwing on stubble field ,adjacent to the top path,back from Weir Cottages to theV.C.
Also , three buzzards , circling high and gently calling , in the same area.
Coot family still have one chick on canal .
Cheers Chris
Two dippers on river , just below weir .
Male pied flycatcher , in small enclosed garden area , near weir cottages .
Two chiffchaffs , plenty more heard .
Willow warbler.
Buzzard over .
Coots on canal , now down to one chick ,( three yesterday )
Four swallows over main lake
Plenty of usual tits , finches and nuthatches ...
Cheers Chris
21+ mandarin
2 dipper flew across the path
moorhen and coots both sitting on nest
Great Crested grebe
3 nuthatch
2 buzzard over
5 tufted duck on farmer's private pool
Wooded area:
5/6 goldcrest
treecreeper
sparrowhawk over
Pools near visitor centre
4 Mandarin (3 drakes, 1 female)
20 Canada Geese
1 Great Crested Grebe having fish for breakfast
2 Greylag Geese
3 Coot
2 Moorhen
9 BH Gulls
1 Blackbird
1 Redwing
1 Blue Tit
no kingfisher
Ernocroft woods was pretty uneventful as well, just a few Blue and LTT tits
Pools:
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Egyptian geese
6 Mandarins
10+ Mallard
4 Coots
2 Moorhens
2 Mute Swans
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Blue Tit
2 Great Tits
1 Greylag Goose
2 Tufted Ducks
River Etherow
1 Dipper (viewed from bridge near waterfall)
1 Magpie
Woods
1 Treecreeper
2 Nuthatches
2 Redwing
1 Fieldfare
From Hide
2 Cormorants sat in the trees looking over the river
1 KINGFISHER (darted past the hide along the river) - great to see considering the harsh weather we've had this winter and makes me wonder whether or not they may be breeding here this year.
Keep Birding!
5 Goosander (3m 2F) & 12 Tufties on Keg Pool, 8 Mandarin at weir (5m 3F)
At weir 15 male and 10 female Mandarins.
7 male and 4 female Tufted ducks.
From the C.W.T hide blue,great,coal and long tailed tits.
1 male Chaffinch.
2 Dunnock.
1 Robin.
3 Jays.
Kingfisher in tree upstream.
Male GS Woodpecker.
3 male 2 female Teal.
2 male 2 female Tufted duck.
4 Crows.
12 Cormorants in usual tree.
5 Nuthatch.
Moorhen.
Coot.
Little Grebe.
2 male and 1 female Goosander.
Cheers, Chris
30 plus Mandarin (20 DRK)
30 Tufted duck
Keg Pool:
1 Egyptian Goose with...
2 Mute Swans.
9 Goosander (6 DRK)
In the trees:
Numerous Gt. Tit and Blue tit
4 Nuthatch
10 Cormorants
2 Treecreepers
1 Jay
From the Hide:
1 (male) Teal on the river
The feeding table was continuosly used by at least 12 Nuthatch, Gt.tits ,Blue Tits
2 Coal tits and a flock of Lt Tits.
Several Crows,2 Jackdaws and a Magpie were also seen.
Bumped into 7 Local birders: All very pleasant and informative. One 'Kathy' has the
ashes of Eugene (the dead Egyptian Goose) , that she was very attached to. The casket is tied in blue ribbon!
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 19th of January 2011 05:07:36 PM
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 19th of January 2011 11:13:59 PM
Barnacle Goose still
4 Teal from hide
Drake Goosander above weir, 15 siskins too.
12 Stock Dove on farm, with 20 Redwing.
Chris H
From hide: Egyptian Goose, 6 Mandarins, 1 Little Grebe.
Cheers, John
Also seen from hide :
Little Grebe ,
8 teal ,
tufties ,
7 male and 5 female mandarin ,
12 cormorant ( in tree upstream )
nuthatch , treecreepers , blue , great and coal tits.
Plenty of the usual species around the country park itself , including heron and sparrowhawk over , a few jays and at least 10 moorhens in the muddy section of the backwater , near the garden centre ... Unfortunately, no sign of willow tit anywhere .
Cheers Chris _