This AM
Scaup moved to pearsons
Cuckoo calling from back of Westwood/Pearsons
Red Crested Pochard (f) on Scotmans

Jimmy

Cuckoo calling

Scaup still present at lunch time today

04/03/2013 - A Greater Scaup (drake) was on Scotsman's Flash.

female Common Scoter on Scotman's early p.m.

This AM
Pearsons
4 Black Tailed Godwits
Pr Great Black Back Gulls

Willow Tit calling nr Wigan Rovers

Jimmy

5 Black-Tailed Godwit on Pearson's Flash early p.m.

Managed to sneek an hour and a half after work today 4.30-6pm

scotsman
~50 greater black backed gulls
drake goldeneye
1 sedge warbler
sand martins
swallows

pearsons
2 black tailed godwits
greylag goose
common (or arctic tern?), not an expert but most probably one of those. hovering and skimming the water, fishing.
reed bunting
teal
swallows
gadwall
sand martins (everywhere!)
house martin
lapwing

canal
kingfisher


-- Edited by Ben Kayser on Friday 26th of April 2013 11:19:00 AM

Couldn't find the Red-crested Pochard this morning but a reeling Grasshopper Warbler in the reedbed in the north west corner was giving good views from the towpath, as were several Reed and Sedge Warblers; possibly another Grasshopper Warbler nearby. Two Swifts flying over both Pearson's and Scotman's. At least five Black-tailed Godwits and two Dunlin on the mud.

female Red-Crested Pochard, 3 Black-Tailed Godwit and Yellow Wagtail at Pearson's this morning, 2 Arctic Tern moving between there and Scotman's. Also on Scotman's Common Sandpiper and a first-summer drake Goldeneye. Swift and Peregrine over

Tues 23rd: Garden Warbler feeding at N end of Scotman's, 1 Swift, 2 Arctic Tern and 1 Common Tern; 1 Black-Tailed Godwit Pearson's Flash

2 Arctic Tern feeding in NE corner of Scotman's early evening and 1 Goldeneye; 12 Blackcap along embankment at N end, also 2 Whitethroat and 5 Willow Warbler there

This A M

Pearsons
1 Grasshopper Warbler singing
4 Black Tailed Godwits
pr Shelduck
4 Gadwall
4 Pochard
10 Teal
4 Reed Warblers singing
Sand martins
10 Swallows

Landfill
1 Blackcap
pr Willow Tits
1 Bullfinch

Scotmans
3 Bullfinch
2 Common Tern
2 Reed Warblers
pr Goldeneye
1 Pochard
8 Greylag Geese
Whitethroat singing
3 Reed Warbler singing
69 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
Sand Martins

Also showing well pr Cettis Warbler with probably another female in same location as after looking up more info the male can attract up to 2 females to its territory (Location not being named just in case they attempt to breed here)

Jimmy

Whitethroat at N end of Scotman's this morning, no sign of Common Scoter

Immature Common Scoter currently present at N end of Scotman's. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

8 White Wagtail on towpath by Scotman's this morning, Black-Tailed Godwit Pearson's Flash, Cetti's Warbler singing near feeding station, 400 Sand Martin, 100 Swallow, c10 House Martin

Early a.m visit

1 Cetti,s warbler at hawkley reed bed,glimpsed but heard every 5 8 minutes
1 Cetti,s warbler at pearsons south west reed bed unseen but vocal
dipped on the third bird

cheers geoff

Horrocks Flash,a.m. visit,usual crowd of note

1 Buzzard
5 Goosander
2 Teal
20 Shoveler
the warblers are back,Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing,

cheers geoff

Nick Isherwood wrote:

---

Doc Brewster wrote:

---

A bit over-dramatic, but worth a read!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-22110396

---

Makes me think they've been watching too many films.

---

Totally agree - only just spotted this 'fact' (!!!!) supposedly supplied by Lancs Wildlife Trust, and I quote:

"The birds (Cetti's Warblers) breed in winter in scrubby margins of reed beds and overgrown ditches"

Doc Brewster wrote:

---

A bit over-dramatic, but worth a read!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-22110396

---

Makes me think they've been watching too many films.

A bit over-dramatic, but worth a read!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-22110396

35 Sand Martin and 1 Swallow feeding at Scotman's today

Today with Wigan RSPB group
2 singing Cetti's Warblers (1 adj feeding station,1 at s/w reedbed Pearsons)also info from Judith Smith 1singing at eastern end of Pearsons so possibly 3 in the area
Scotmans
20 Goldeneye
Pearsons
1 Little Ring Plover
4 Pochard
1 Snipe
10 Teal
3 calling Water Rails
at least 6 Chiffchaff btw Welham road and Wigan Rovers ground.
3 Buzzards
also fires have occurred btw Welham Road and Moss Bridge and at the railway embankment on Pearsons

Jimmy

-- Edited by Jimmy Meadows on Wednesday 10th of April 2013 07:06:46 PM

1 Swallow and 16 Goldeneye at Pearson's today

Horrocks Flash am visit,usual waterfowl of note

2 Curlew over
1 Kingfisher ,canal
1 Treecreeper
100,s of Redwing in the woods,very vocal some in song, a first for me

Scotmans and Pearsons pm visit,quick wander, of note

2 Water Rail calling
1 Cetti,s Warbler calling (after a good long search)for Hawkley Reed Bed

Cheers geoff

Cetti's Warbler singing on south side of Pearson's Flash today below wooded slopes of former landfill, also 50 Goldeneye 1 Greylag Goose

Horrocks Flash,

14 Whooper swan on the Rainfords pool (viewed from railway crossing) at 16.00 info per J.Smith
not present at 19.00

cheers geoff

Four days rolled into one post

Horrocks Flash,4 full tours usual suspects,of note
43 Shoveler in one flock,maybe ready to leave
80+ Redwing
13 Fieldfare, all the thrushes hanging out in the woods by the goose fields

Bryn Marsh,3 2 hour stints
2 Mute swan,the male sending off anything that lands
6 Tufted
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Heck of a lot of Bittern free reed bed


cheers geoff

Early AM Visit
Scotmans
42 Goldeneye
27 Lesser Redpolls
Pearsons
6 Pochard
1 Oystercatcher
Cettis Warbler singing in S/W Corner reedbed.
Westwood
pr Grey Wagtail back on territory

Jimmy

This AM in snow showers
Scotmans
45 Goldeneye
13 Redpolls nr Moss Bridge
Pearsons
30 Teal
4 Pochard
Westwood
12 Gadwall

Jimmy

Full Tour 12.15 - 16.45

Robin
Coot
Black Headed Gull
Mute Swan
Tufted Duck
Carrion Crow
Long Tailed Tit
Gadwall
Great Crested Grebe
Moorhen
Mallard
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Common Gull
Goldeneye
Teal
Magpie
Cormorant
Common Buzzard
Goldcrest
Wood Pigeon
Coal Tit
Blackbird
Grey Heron
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting
Blue Tit
Song Thrush
Jay
Great Tit
Willow Tit
Lapwing
Goldfinch
Kestrel
Treecreeper
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Oystercatcher
Goosander
Shoveler
Lesser Redpoll

Cheers
Karl

Horrocks Flash,early a.m. quick visit,

Usual waterfowl, of note in the lee of the north/south railway line

275 Redwing
45 Fieldfare
6 Mistle Thrush
4 Blackbirds
3 Pied Wagtails
60 Wood Pigeon
300 Starlings

in all a huge flock all feeding in the fields

cheers geoff

4 hours covering flashes this morning. Horrocks Flash, Shoveler 61, Cormorant 62. Turner's Flash, Water Rail heard 1. Scotsmans Flash, Black headed Gull 500, Lesser black backed Gull 40, Herring Gull 20, Goldeneye 30. Also flock of 60 starling 30 fieldfare & 20 redwing in fields.

71 Goldeneye and 4 Goosander roosted on Scotman's this evening. 75 Lesser Black-Backed Gull early p.m today, with 49 Herring and 3 Great Black-Backed. Similar numbers of large gulls early evening, with turnover as birds dropped in and others departed NW. Among these was an adult intermedius Lesser Black-Backed

12 Waxwing low east past the embankment at N end of Scotman's towards Westwood 1740hrs; 2 Oystercatcher feeding on sailing club; 29 Goldeneye

Horrocks Flash Saturday am visit

Usual water fowl
1 Great Black-backed Gull
4 Herring gull
2 Lesser Black-backed Gull
6 Wigeon 4m
2 Redpoll
2 Oystercatcher (back on their patch)
200ish Jackdaws feeding amongst the geese
2 Raven (over my garden)

cheers geoff

-- Edited by Geoff Hargreaves on Sunday 10th of March 2013 09:54:52 PM

51 species recorded within Wigan Flashes today including a single singing Cetti's Warbler. Could be heard from canal bridge in Hawkley Reedbed and west end of Turner's Flash. Sang occasionally from 10.30-11.30am. Grid Ref SD583033

41 Goldeneye and 9 Goosander roosted on Scotman's tonight

Horrocks Flash am visit

Usual water fowl, of note
43 Shoveler
25 Goosander
8 Goldeneye
6 Great Crested Grebe (2 home making)
1 Little Grebe calling
1 influx of gulls,100,s of Black Headed,25 Herring Gull,4 Lesser Black Backed,12 ass juvs see Bryn Gates post

cheers geoff

3 Water Rail calling in Bryn Marsh this morning, two of them fairly close to the viewing screen
1 Siskin over
Treecreeper in woodland south of Ochre Flash
51 Common Gull Scotman's
3 Lapwing and 2 Meadow Pipit by Park House Farm

A Bittern flew from the East end of Turners this morning.

-- Edited by Fergus Mosey on Monday 11th of February 2013 10:41:01 PM

Horrocks Flash sat and sunday numerous visits

Usual crowd but of note

11 Pink-Footed geese amongst the feral geese, feeding in the fields opposite the flash,only present for 30mins
22 Lapwing over

cheers geoff

Horrocks Flash,morning visit

Usual crowd,of note
13 Goosanders
1 Wigeon
36 Greylag ,back again and very vocal
1 Bittern ,in flight views it came out of the central reedbed and flew west towards Bryn Marsh

cheers geoff

Horrocks Flash,sat sun a.m. visit

Usual crowd but confined to a strip of open water on the front pool and Rainfords pool mostly ice free in the lee of the railway,of note
2 Goosander
23 Wigeon
235 Fieldfare over in a large loose flock going south
4 Goldeneye
1 Pink-footed Goose mixed in with the Canada
45 Redwing feeding in the leaf litter

cheers geoff

Horrocks Flash,a few visits over the weekend,usual crowd but of note

1 Water rail,flew across the front pool
38 Wigeon on rainfords, a site record for me
1 Goosander
26 Shoveler

cheers geoff

Scotmans today
10 Gadwall,
18 Goldeneye
8 Goosanders.

Jimmy

4 Goosander, 370 Herring Gull, 1 Great Black-Backed and 31 Lesser Black-Backed Gull on Scotman's late morning
In reeds at the south end of Scotman's a Water Rail showed well swimming across a channel and a Cetti's Warbler called in the reedbed at the SE corner by Moss Bridge
2 Lesser Redpoll by Moss Bridge with Goldfinches,1 Meadow Pipit flew south
1 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk

Scotmans Flash

8 Goosander
4 Goldeneye
Plenty of Tufted ducks, Coots and Gulls present

Some good groups of Redpolls around Moss Bridge, at least 3 male Bullfinches around Hawkley Hall, 2 Buzzards seen from Pearsons hide and 1 lonely Lapwing stood on the ice on Pearsons.
Water rail heard at Turners and Hawkley Hall.

Horrocks Flash,various visits

usual suspects,plus
4 Greylag
2 Barnacle,almost 'coming to bread'but still a bit shy
2 Treecreeper,2 Goldcrest in with the tit flock

cheers geoff

Horrocks Flash 25th and 26th

Usual suspects, all very predictable,of interest
the three feral ducks dumped on the canal seem to doing very well,but their i.d. is still challenging
1 Mute Swan returned to the canal after being found by a member of the public trapped in a fence in Bamfurlong
1 Mute Swan found dead ,presumed drowned after entanglement with fishing line and treble hooks,BTO ring number noted and reported(no darvic)

Geoff