Coot 1 adult plus juveniles heard only. Moorhen 1 adult and 3 juveniles. Mallard 6 Chiffchaff 3 singing.
General Sightings:
Treecreeper 1 near passage under railway near Dutton's Pond. Nuthatch 1 regular in garden. Grey Heron 1 Black-headed Gull 50+ including just 1 juvenile on Wellacre College field. Blackcap 3 singing.
etc.etc.etc.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 4th of September 2016 08:25:50 PM
Steven Nelson said
Wed Jul 6 7:12 PM, 2016
Looks like the pair of Oystercatchers have failed in their breeding attempt this year and have left with no sign of either of the birds this morning or this evening.
Of note to birders, access to the path alongside the MSC on the Flixton side may no longer be possible after the embankment repairs. A large fence and warning sign has been erected.
The pair of Oystercatchers were quite active with one bird making a couple of trips to the ETW and returning with a large worm in it's beak. Neither was sat on the nest. I couldn't make out if there were any eggs and there was no sign of any chicks. Also: Pair of Grey Wagtails 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Cormorant 1 Great Crested Grebe 1 Grey Heron - stood in hunting mode on a wooden ledge half way down one of the lock gates.
The pair of Oystercatchers at Irlam Locks seem to be sat on another clutch of eggs (the same nest as used for the first clutch). There were 3 young chicks here a month ago. I assume these have been predated and they are trying again. The nest site is rather exposed and vulnerable but hopefully 2nd time lucky.
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Thursday 9th of June 2016 10:22:24 PM
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Tue May 31 7:34 PM, 2016
A wander down to the ETW and Canal this afternoon.
Total of singing Warblers was 11 Chiffchaffs, 6 Willow Warblers, 7 Whitethroats and 15 Blackcaps, plus the above.
Nick Hilton said
Thu May 12 9:20 PM, 2016
This evening, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 16 Swift around the path between the railway and Jack Lane NR on a cycle through.
Steven Nelson said
Tue May 10 11:51 AM, 2016
8.00 1 Common Sandpiper - MSC 1 Reed Warbler - heard - Jack Lane NR
Steven Nelson said
Mon May 9 6:39 PM, 2016
17.45 Irlam Locks and MSC
1 Pintail - drake. Apparently been here for a couple of weeks but often remains hidden under overhanging trees. Pair of Oystercatchers have 3 newly hatched chicks 1 Cormorant c20 Swift 1 Sand Martin Mallard male paired with a white farmyard duck
Steven Nelson said
Fri May 6 9:55 PM, 2016
17.00 Irlam Locks and MSC
1 Kingfisher 2 Oystercatcher Plus 3 Mallard ducklings together on a rock under bankside trees 'cheeping' but no sign of an adult!
08.00 - pair of Bullfinches
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Friday 6th of May 2016 09:58:06 PM
Steven Nelson said
Wed May 4 10:45 AM, 2016
Irlam Locks 8.00am
2 Swift - my first this year 1 Kingfisher 1 Oystercatcher 2 Cormorant 3 Tufted Duck A few Swallows
Martin Whittam said
Mon May 2 10:30 AM, 2016
Reed Warbler in Jack Lane NR this morning (finally) & big drop of Hirundines at the ETW
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Sun May 1 6:13 PM, 2016
Highlights:
Common Sandpiper 2 on Flixton bank of canal. Swift 1 over Jack Lane. Whitethroat 3 singing plus 1 female.
ETW:
Hirundines...100+ with majority Swallows, followed by Sand Martins, then House Martins.
Steven Nelson said
Sun Apr 24 6:45 PM, 2016
16.30-17.15 Irlam Locks
2 Common Sandpiper flushed from Flixton side and flew to Irlam side of MSC 1 Oystercatcher 2 Cormorant 2 Great Crested Grebe - pair 1 Gadwall 6 Mallard 1 white Farmyard duck Lots of Hirundines feeding low over the ETW - mostly Swallows and Sand Martins but also 1 House Martin.
Martin Whittam said
Sun Apr 24 9:12 AM, 2016
3 Common Sandpiper and 1 Swift at the locks this morning
Steven Nelson said
Thu Apr 21 8:04 PM, 2016
7.45am 2 Oystercatcher at Irlam Locks this morning.
Steven Nelson said
Tue Apr 19 10:37 PM, 2016
7.50am 4 singing Blackcaps counted along the track parallel to railway line near Jack Lane NR this morning.
Also: this evening 1 male Goosander flew E over Mile End Rd at 17.55 (nearest thread I could think of!)
Dutton's Pond:
Moorhen 8
Coot 3
Mallard 6
Jack Lane:
Teal 1m 1f.
Mallard 8
Water Rail 1 heard.
General sightings:
Redwing 50+
Fieldfare 5+
Woodpigeon 50+
Mistle Thrush 1
Willow Tit 1 next to path under railway.
Goldcrest 1 singing.
Buzzard 2
Magpie 50+
etc.etc.etc.
Little Grebe 2
Oystercatcher 2 on the locks.
Gadwall 3m 2f.
Tufted Duck 16
Coot 2
Moorhen 2
Grey Heron 1
Cormorant 2
Mute Swan 2
Grey Wagtail 4
Pied Wagtail 20+
Starling 50+
Mallard 20+
etc.
Tufted Duck 50+...possible visitors from iced-over Shell Pool.
Mute Swan 8
Coot 2
Moorhen 2
Gadwall 4
Mallard 8
Grey Heron 3
Cormorant 5
Black-headed Gull 350+
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Herring Gull 10+ over flying downstream.
Grey Wagtail 2
Pied Wagtail 20+
Starling 30+
Magpie 20+
Collared Dove 12+
Song Thrush 3
Chaffinch 6
etc.
Mute Swan 8
Tufted Duck 20
Pink-footed Geese 60+ heading NW.
Gadwall 2
Mallard 25+
Coot 4
Moorhen 1
Cormorant 4
Grey Wagtail 2
Pied Wagtail 50+
Starling 200+
Common Gull 2
Lesser Black-baked Gull 1
Black-headed Gull 250+
Magpie 30+
etc.etc.etc.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 14th of January 2017 09:15:44 PM
Goosander 1f/imm flew downstream, then veered off towards Irlam before the Locks.
Tufted Duck 2f
Gadwall 3m 1f
Mallard 40+
Mute Swan 2
Cormorant 4
Grey Wagtail 3
Pied Wagtail 50+
Common Gull 1
Black-headed Gull 200+
Starling 100+
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Moorhen 2
Grey Heron 2
Kestrel 1m
Mistle Thrush 1
Song Thrush 1
Goldcrest 2
Magpies...plenty as usual.
Etc.etc.etc.
Common Gull 12
Black-headed Gull 40+
Dutton's Pond:
Moorhen 6
Goldcrest 3
FlyAsh Hill:
Teal 2m
Gadwall 2m 1f
Willow Tit 1
Linnet 2
Jack Lane:
Kingfisher 1
Chiffchaff 1
General:
Buzzard 1
Lesser Redpoll 1
etc.etc.etc.
Mute Swan 2
Mallard 10
Gadwall 2m
Coot 1
Moorhen 3
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Black-headed Gull 130+
Pied Wagtail 50+
Grey Wagtail 2
Magpie 50+
Starling 10+
Meadow Pipit 1
Goosander 1 male flying up the Ship Canal.
Grey Wagtail 3
Pied Wagtail 10+
Little Grebe 1
Gadwall 3
Moorhen 3
Grey Heron 2
Cormorant 1
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 2
etc.
Jack Lane:
Fieldfare 2
Song Thrush 2
Mistle Thrush 4
Redwing 4
Meadow Pipit 2
etc.
Dutton's Pond:
Kingfisher 1
Grey Heron 2
Goldcrest 2
FlyAsh Hill:
Redwing 23
Meadow Pipit 1 over > south.
Skylark 1 over.
Tufted Duck 6 flew off from Lagoon,
Jack Lane:
Water Rail 1 heard.
Reed Bunting 1f
Willow Tit 1
ETW/Canal:
Grey Wagtail 4
Pied Wagtail 20+
Grey Heron 3
General:
Treecreeper 1
Goldcrest 2
Song Thrush 2
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 1
etc.etc.etc.
Jack lane NR:
Water Rail 2 heard.
Goldcrest 1
Willow Tit 1
Chiffchaff 1
Moorhen 1
Grey Wagtail 1
ETW/Ship Canal:
Mallard 13
Grey Heron 4
Cormorant 1
Pied Wagtail 10+
Grey Wagtail 1
Black-headed Gull 60+
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
General Sightings:
Redwing 1
Buzzard 2
Kestrel 1
Coal Tit 2
etc.
Cormorant 1
Grey Heron 5
Mallard 25+
Gadwall 1m 1f.
Black-headed Gull 70+
Mute Swan 3 adults.
Magpie 30+
Pied Wagtail 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull 4
Herring Gull 1
From Fly Ash Hill:
Wigeon 1m 1f.
Gadwall 1m.
Siskin 1 over, heading south-east.
Kestrel 1m.
Mistle Thrush 2
Dutton's Pond:
Moorhen 9
Grey Heron 2
Common Gull 5 on Wellacre College field.
Chiffchaff 1 singing behind Stott Drive.
etc.etc.
Goosander 2
Kingfisher 1
Grey Heron 5
Gadwall 5
Cormorant 1
Mallard 25+
Starling 50+
Swallow 12
Grey Wagtail 1
Pied Wagtail 10+
Magpie 30+
Black-headed Gull 100+
Kestrel 1male.
Sparrowhawk 1
1 Willow Tit and 1 Goldcrest along path below railway.
1 Goldcrest singing Jack Lane.
2 Goldcrest in garden.
Grey Heron 4
Canada Geese 2
Mute Swan 4 adults.
Great Crested Grebe 2 adults.
Gadwall 1male 1female.
Mallard 20+
Moorhen 6
Black-headed Gull 100+
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Common Gull 2
Grey Wagtail 1
Pied Wagtail 100+
Magpie 20+
Swallow 15+
House Martin 4
Starling 1
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 4th of September 2016 08:25:18 PM
Black-headed Gull 170+
Common Gull 1 adult.
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 adults.
Grey Wagtail 3
Goosander 1f and 6 juvs.
Pied Wagtail 5+
Cormorant 1
Mallard 25+
Kingfisher 1
Treecreeper 2 seen below railway, south of ETW.
Mute Swan 1 adult?
Cormorant 2
Great Crested Grebe 1
Kingfisher 1
Grey Wagtail 1
Pied Wagtail 1
Swallow 10+
Sand Martin 2
Magpie 10+
Black-headed Gull 20+
Jack Lane:
Reed Warbler 2 singing.
Moorhen 1
Dutton's Pond:
Coot 1 adult plus juveniles heard only.
Moorhen 1 adult and 3 juveniles.
Mallard 6
Chiffchaff 3 singing.
General Sightings:
Treecreeper 1 near passage under railway near Dutton's Pond.
Nuthatch 1 regular in garden.
Grey Heron 1
Black-headed Gull 50+ including just 1 juvenile on Wellacre College field.
Blackcap 3 singing.
etc.etc.etc.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 4th of September 2016 08:25:50 PM
Of note to birders, access to the path alongside the MSC on the Flixton side may no longer be possible after the embankment repairs. A large fence and warning sign has been erected.
Hobby 1 over flying west.
Reed Warbler 3 singing.
Reed Bunting 1 singing.
Canal/ETW:
Sand Martin 30+
Cormorant 1
Great-crested Grebe 2
Mute Swan 2
Gadwall 1adult plus 3 juvs.
Mallard 20+
Swallow 10+
Swift 10+
Magpie 40+
Starling 100+
Pied Wagtail 2
Oystercatcher 2
Coot 2 adults.
etc.
The pair of Oystercatchers were quite active with one bird making a couple of trips to the ETW and returning with a large worm in it's beak. Neither was sat on the nest. I couldn't make out if there were any eggs and there was no sign of any chicks.
Also:
Pair of Grey Wagtails
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Cormorant
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Grey Heron - stood in hunting mode on a wooden ledge half way down one of the lock gates.
Starling 200+
Sand Martin 30+ including juveniles on telephone wires.
Grey Wagtail 1
Oystercatcher 2
Grey Heron 2
Cormorant 6
Mute Swan 4 adults.
Great-crested Grebe 2
Swift 2
Swallow 10+
Pied Wagtail 5
Mallard 20+
Lesser Black-backed Gull 12+ flying downstream.
Black-headed Gull 5+
etc.
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Thursday 9th of June 2016 10:22:24 PM
Grey Wagtail 1m 1f.
Pied Wagtail 1m 1f.
Oystercatcher 1 on locks.
Sparrowhawk 1
Mistle Thrush 1
Starlings 100+
Swift 1
Swallow 10+
Black-headed Gull 3
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 adults.
Cormorant 3
Mallard 20+
Gadwall 2m.
Coot 2
Magpie 10+
Herring Gull 1 adult flying upstream. What's that doing?
4 House Martins at Woodsend.
Also, a Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest singing in trees behind the garden.
Canal:
Common Sandpiper 1
House Martin 2
Mute Swan 2 adults.
ETW:
Magpie 30+
Starling 20+
Swallow 10+
Pied Wagtail 1
Swift 20+
Jack Lane:
Reed Warbler 5 singing.
Water Rail 2 heard.
Sand Martin 2
FlyAsh Hill:
Sedge Warbler 1 singing.
Reed Warbler 3 singing.
Gadwall 3
Lapwing 2
Total of singing Warblers was 11 Chiffchaffs, 6 Willow Warblers, 7 Whitethroats and 15 Blackcaps, plus the above.
1 Common Sandpiper - MSC
1 Reed Warbler - heard - Jack Lane NR
1 Pintail - drake. Apparently been here for a couple of weeks but often remains hidden under overhanging trees.
Pair of Oystercatchers have 3 newly hatched chicks
1 Cormorant
c20 Swift
1 Sand Martin
Mallard male paired with a white farmyard duck
1 Kingfisher
2 Oystercatcher
Plus 3 Mallard ducklings together on a rock under bankside trees 'cheeping' but no sign of an adult!
08.00 - pair of Bullfinches
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Friday 6th of May 2016 09:58:06 PM
2 Swift - my first this year
1 Kingfisher
1 Oystercatcher
2 Cormorant
3 Tufted Duck
A few Swallows
& big drop of Hirundines at the ETW
Common Sandpiper 2 on Flixton bank of canal.
Swift 1 over Jack Lane.
Whitethroat 3 singing plus 1 female.
ETW:
Hirundines...100+ with majority Swallows, followed by Sand Martins, then House Martins.
2 Common Sandpiper flushed from Flixton side and flew to Irlam side of MSC
1 Oystercatcher
2 Cormorant
2 Great Crested Grebe - pair
1 Gadwall
6 Mallard
1 white Farmyard duck
Lots of Hirundines feeding low over the ETW - mostly Swallows and Sand Martins but also 1 House Martin.
2 Oystercatcher at Irlam Locks this morning.
4 singing Blackcaps counted along the track parallel to railway line near Jack Lane NR this morning.
Also: this evening 1 male Goosander flew E over Mile End Rd at 17.55 (nearest thread I could think of!)
Great Crested Grebe 1
Cormorant 6
Mute Swan 3
Mallard 10+
Gadwall 9
Swallow 10+
Sand Martin 15+
Grey Wagtail 1
Pied Wagtail 6+
Oystercatcher 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Black-headed Gull 100+
Starling 50+
Mistle Thrush 1
etc.etc.
Kestrel 1m
Buzzard 2
Sparrowhawk 1f
Willow Tit 1
Chiffchaff 8 singing males.
Blackcap 1m 1f...Jack Lane NR.
etc.etc.etc.
Tufted Duck 1m 1f.
Gadwall 1m 1f.
Great Crested Grebe 1
Moorhen 2
Grey Heron 1
Mute Swan 4
Oystercatcher 2
Cormorant 4
Mallard 4
BH Gull 50+
LBB Gull 4
Pied Wagtail 20+
etc.etc.
BH Gull 400+
Common Gull 8
Grey Wagtail 2
Pied Wagtail 10+
Gadwall 2m 3f.
Mallard 6+
Mute Swan 2
Moorhen 1
Cormorant 3
Grey Heron 1
Starling 40+
Goldcrest 2 singing en route.
etc.
Grey Heron 1
Moorhen 2
FlyAsh Hill:
Teal 2m 1f
Little Grebe 1
Moorhen 1
ETW:
BH Gull 250+
Common Gull 1
Pied Wagtail 10+
Magpie 50+
Cormorant 1 over.
Herring Gull 1 over.
LBB Gull 1 over.
Starling 1...yes, just 1.
Dutton's Pond:
Canada Goose 1
Moorhen 6
Coot 2
Mallard 8
General:
Willow Tit 1
Meadow Pipit 6+...field north of Jack Lane.
Collared Dove 10+...Farm near ETW.
Redwing 20+
Goldcrest 2
Buzzard 1
etc.etc.etc.
We decided to have a mooch around both fields on Mile Rd yesterday.
The right hand side field as you go up Mile Rd from Urmston, produced
4 Mallard, 16 Teal, 5 Goosanders 3m & 2f, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Oystercatcher & 2 Grey Partridge.
Left hand field,
7 Goldeneye nr Flixton Bridge, 10 Teal, 2 Mallards.
Shoveler 1m 1f.
Gadwall 2m 2f.
Mallard 4
Grey Wagtail 3
Cormorant 4
Oystercatcher 2
Mute Swan 2ad.
Pied Wagtail 2
BH Gull 400+
Common Gull 6
LBB Gull 2
etc.
Peregrine Falcon over Flixton Fields this afternoon 1535ish, spotted by my wife and Joshua.
They thought they saw it earlier in the week too, but definately saw it just now.....
Gadwall 1m1f.
Mallard 10+
BH Gull 350+
LBB Gull 4
Common Gull 4
Cormorant 5
Grey Heron 3
Grey Wagtail 1
Pied Wagtail 1
Starling 20+
Magpies
Bullfinch 1m.
Goldfinch 3
No sign today of the Dipper at Mile Rd Bridge, so we decide to patrol the field on the left hand side, which runs back towards Urmston.
Grey Wagtail was expected find. Unlike the 9 Golden Eye, 20 Teal and Green Sandpiper.
But biggest surprise was a Shelduck which flew over us heading towards Carrington Moss..
Next week we are going to search search other field.
Mile Rd Bridge Flixton.
1 Dipper.
Was hoping for Kingfisher but will take my first Dipper instead, great views of it bobbing..