A fantastic couple of hours today 2-4pm. Bunting hide had all the usuals Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Willow Tit, a family of 7 Long Tailed Tits, numerous Magpie, Chaffinch and Greenfinch, Dunnock, Robin, a lone male Reed Bunting which a couple in the hide thought was a Brambling (definitely Reed Bunting), and then 2m 1f Teal came walking under the bushes into the middle of the feeding station.
Pengys. 2m Tufted Duck, 4m Scaup, plenty of Mallard, Coot, and Magpie.
Tom Edmonsons. More Tufted, the 4 Scaup had swam over, 2 Grey Herons and a bit of movement in the middle of the reeds but couldn't see anything
Ramsdale Hide. 3 Little Grebe, and 2 ducks of mallard size constantly diving, 1 was black with a bright coloured eye and a darkish bill the other was a mousey brown colour I presume female. Can anyone else verify a sighting of these ducks today??? Iv looked at Velvet Scoter but the bill appeared to be much darker on the 1s I saw today
Horrocks Hide. Best of the lot today. The hide was locked well before 4pm so I walked round the side and checked the strip of grassy shale that runs away from the hide. 2 pairs of Goldeneye swimming and diving unmistakable with the blob of white paint on the cheek. 5 Goosanders mixed m/f chasing each other before flying off. Numerous Great Black Backed, Lesser Black Backed, Black Headed and Common Gulls, 5 Cormorants, about 40-50 Lapwing took flight from the shale and I couldn't believe my eyes what happened next...as they took off they revealed behind them what i believed to be a pair of female Red Breasted Mergansers, the shaggy crest showing well, and if that wasn't enough...there was a male swimming a bit further up near where the posts stick out of the water, again the crest was showing well, I say it was a male due to the buff brown chest patch and darker back but it's head was brown which Iv never seen before, I think it's a bit unusual to be this far inland during winter but I hope someone else can get there soon and verify this for me, I don't want anyone to think I'm making it up. Cheers, all the best everyone
P.s. Ian I was at Dunham last Saturday, will send you email with photo attatched for ID, I think I know but I'd rather you confirm before I post this is unusual to see them this far in during winter but
Craig Higson said
Mon Dec 31 4:11 AM, 2012
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Very few birders around penny at the moment ,its becoming a bit under watched-in a 10 day period on average 3 hours a day apart from xmas day when I stopped in,I have had one day where I met anyone I knew,and not seen another birder at any part other than the north bank-I can't remember the last time I saw another birder at the west end-The early morning is watched but the rest of the day is open to someone finding something special themselves and would make a great local patch for anyone starting out as for recording purposes its much under recorded in my oppinion these days. :)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 30th of December 2012 04:56:36 PM
Personally John, it doesn't really surprise me. Last time I went you couldn't see the spit, teal scrape was overgrown and I was thrown out (nicely) of Horrocks hide at about 19.30 when I was expecting to get until at least 21.30 (meant I'd paid my car park ticket for less than 1hr). There seems to be a big push in getting the families and kids to come along (not a problem with that) but the lack of management is becoming apparent. To top it off there's never anyone in the visitor centre to either report stuff to, or report, e.g kids on the spit. I'm sure all the cuts in the council haven't helped matters, and I know it's not the fault of the staff in the Countryside section, so I hope it doesn't sound like I'm aiming this at them.
I just don't enjoy birding there anymore.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Dec 30 4:08 PM, 2012
am/pm full tour of note siskin -5 Goosander-6 Goldcrest-5 Treecreeper-1 Great black backed Gull-25 Lesser Black backed Gull 65 Herring Gull-25 Common Gull-15 Black headed Gull-c1000 Teal-62 Goldeneye-9 Very few birders around penny at the moment ,its becoming a bit under watched-in a 10 day period on average 3 hours a day apart from xmas day when I stopped in,I have had one day where I met anyone I knew,and not seen another birder at any part other than the north bank-I can't remember the last time I saw another birder at the west end-The early morning is watched but the rest of the day is open to someone finding something special themselves and would make a great local patch for anyone starting out as for recording purposes its much under recorded in my oppinion these days. :)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 30th of December 2012 04:56:36 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Dec 29 4:21 PM, 2012
AM/PM Teal-66 Shoveler=36 Shelduck-1 f sparrowhawk-1 siskin-10 lapwing-300 common snipe-2
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 30th of December 2012 01:22:21 AM
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Dec 29 12:02 AM, 2012
PM Mooch with Charlie Owen Highlights Merlin-1 female almost flew into horrocks hide,as it flew stright down the spit,almost the same as a hobby did in the summer Goosander-19(12m+7f) unusual to have males outnumbering females at the flash. Siskin -32 (in one flock on top of the trees by the main centre building) Kingfisher-1 Goldeneye-12 Teal-55 Shoveler-41 Lapwing -c500
Charles Farrell said
Fri Dec 28 3:26 AM, 2012
Wed 26-Dec-12: (10:30 - 13:30 ish): My first visit and one that was slightly curtailed by a family argument. Somehow I managed to miss Goldeneye and Goosander.
Highlights of what I did see were - 500+ Lapwing over the lake, put up by something unseen - 2 Willow Tit (year tick!) - a lovely pair of Bullfinch on the feeders
JOHN TYMON said
Wed Dec 26 5:09 PM, 2012
Am/pm Pretty quiet bird wise highlights Shelduck-1f Goosander-8 Goldeneye-10 Little Grebe-5 Greater Black backed Gull-6 Plus the usuals
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 26th of December 2012 07:41:15 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Dec 24 9:59 PM, 2012
Pretty quiet at penny this weekend-water levels are so high ,even the Tufted Duck are leaving :( This morning Lapwing- c300 Goldeneye-10 Reed Bunting -3 Goosander-4 Teal-50+ plus the usuals
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Dec 21 6:50 AM, 2012
Male Brambling still present this morning, in the feeding station.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Paul Richardson said
Thu Dec 20 1:02 AM, 2012
Brief sojourn at The Flash before the rain - 9 to 10.30am
7 Little Grebe from Ramsdale's, 2 swimming especially close to the hide - closest view I've had of these 1 pair Goldeneye well seen but didn't come so close! My first this winter.
Plenty of Teal from there too.
Tom Ed - 4 pairs Shoveler
Feeding Station
1 very fine male Brambling showed well for a bit among the chaffinches (Site first for me)
Very busy at the station - At least 20 Bullfinch and numerous chaffinches 11 Stock Dove 2 male Reed Bunting etc
For a brief visit, very nice thanks, Penny.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Dec 19 11:54 PM, 2012
Tuesday, December 18th am.
Water Rail 1 heard to the right of Tom Edmondson hide. Goosander 6m Goldeneye 2m 4f Lesser Redpoll 4 Willow Tit 3 at feeding station. Redwing 2 Song Thrush 1 Cormorants,Lapwings, Stock Doves. Mallards, Teal, Tufteds, Shovelers, Gt.Crested Grebes, Mute Swans. BH/C/LBB Gulls. etc.etc.etc.
John Doherty said
Tue Dec 18 12:15 AM, 2012
Highlights from a morning to 1pm tour of The Flash - weather ugly, except a minor sunny spell, continued to pelt down until I reached home only now.
Pengies - Kingfisher on the Dogwood; despite two half an hour sessions no Water Rail
Horrocks - Lots of Teal, Lapwings and Mallards, but nothing unusual
Bunting Hide - 1 F Brambling, after 40 mins wait, giving good but brief views (lifer); several Stock Doves, maybe half a dozen Reed Buntings, 1 Willow Tit plus plenty of the regulars.
Teal Hide - 8 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebes, 25+ Teals
Plus 1 Distant hunting Kestrel
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Dec 16 5:09 PM, 2012
LATE AM/PM FULL TOUR AND A HALF OF THE FLASH highlights Siskin -50+ Kingfisher-2 Water Rail-3 Brambling-1 male Kestrel-1 Common Buzzard-2 Goldcrest-2 Tufted Duck-175 Mainly at the west end Pochard-10 west end Shoveler-20 Goosander-11 Redpoll-6 Common Snipe-10 Greater Black backed Gull-6 Little Grebe-8 Teal-100 Goldeneye-16
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 16th of December 2012 05:10:20 PM
Mark Rigby said
Sun Dec 16 4:48 PM, 2012
Male Brambling still and 2+ Willow Tit early afternoon
-- Edited by Mark Rigby on Sunday 16th of December 2012 07:23:07 PM
Robert Adderley said
Sun Dec 16 4:28 AM, 2012
A male Brambling, a Nuthatch and 3 Willow Tits at the feeding station this am.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Dec 13 2:46 AM, 2012
Today:
9 Goosander 8 Pochard 19 Goldeneye 21 Siskin Water Rail showing very well in Pengies 1 female Brambling and 4 Willow Tits in the feeding station
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Dec 12 4:26 AM, 2012
3 Waxwings flew over the visitor centre at 12:40, heading towards Leigh town centre. They alighted briefly in the top of tall trees by the picnic area/golf course and quickly headed on.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Dec 9 12:15 AM, 2012
Mooch with Paul Brown AM/PM of note Kestrel-2 Kingfisher-1 Water Rail-3 Little Grebe-14(12 at the west end) Goosander-7 plus the usuals
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Dec 8 6:20 AM, 2012
Always worth reporting them Pete, probably easiest through the BTO's website.
Fortunately the ring colours remain 'stable' when looked at with one's eyes whilst watching the bird Pete
Pete Hines said
Sat Dec 8 6:13 AM, 2012
Ian McKerchar wrote:
These Willow Tits have been colour ringed at the flash (though other sites in the north-west have also colour ringed their population too) to monitor any movements of the birds etc.
Should observers be reporting these colour codes to Euring / BTO / someone local or just accept that these birds were processed on site?. I took some video footage today and the ring colours can become distorted in varying light conditions. I saw 3 Willow Tit (2 unringed) or possibly 4 today depending on the influence of light or varying colour codes.
Jon Taverner said
Wed Dec 5 8:20 PM, 2012
Whooper Swans flew north-west at 11.30 am
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Dec 5 7:03 PM, 2012
This morning:
2 Whooper Swans with Mute Swans out from the burger van at the main car park at 11am. Also, 3 Goosander, 5 Snipe and 1 Raven flew north.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Chris brown said
Wed Dec 5 6:47 PM, 2012
After a no show on waxwings we went over to pennington. Not visited since last year I think. Species highlights included: bullfinch willow tit reed bunting kingfisher goosander goldeneye little grebe
however many sections of the water frozen and not a single bird on them. The feeding station was brill.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 07:28:24 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Dec 3 12:41 AM, 2012
Only thing of real note today was a Adult Mediterranean Gull which spent half an hour at the front of Horrocks hide.Most of the pools frozen and half of rammies.
David Hindley said
Sat Dec 1 11:46 PM, 2012
Saw a Barn owl flying low over sailing club on wednesday around 4.30pm. It flew into fields near farm and began hunting along the hedgerows.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 28 11:48 PM, 2012
This early morning:
300 Jackdaw and 2000 Starling flew out of the roost. Drake Goosander at the western end, 17 Goldeneye and 800 Pink-footed Geese in various skeins and directions flew over.
1320 Pink-footed Geese west over the flash this morning, in skiens of 500, 700 and 120.
Also 100 Jackdaw over and 2 Ravens west.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme and Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 27 5:07 AM, 2012
Originally posted by Rob Creek today:
Made it up to the Bunting Hide feeding station about 2pm and was greeted by a male Reed Bunting, not had 1 of these for a good 10yrs, 2 male Bullfinch, countless m+f Chaffinch and Greenfinch. Plenty of Blue and Great Tit, a pair of Coal Tits, and the ever present Willow Tits. The Nuthatch pair chose not to show up for us. Couple of Blackbird, 7 or 8 Moorhen, lots of Magpies, and 2 Grey Squirrels rounded off the Bunting Hide. Round to the Marsh Hide and it was quiet numbers wise but interesting species wise...1 Shoveler, a pair of Coots, 1 Cormorant, Plenty of mallard and Mute Swans, a pair of tea and 3 or 4 ducks resting on the marsh edge and I couldn't determine whether they were Tufted Duck or Scaup, couldn't see the tuft although they were at rest??? The other 2 hides near the edge of the boating lake were locked (3.35pm) so I viewed the lake from the side, on the thin strip of land that runs away from the hide into the lake were 4 cormorants, plenty of Black Headed And Lesser Black Backed Gulls, About 40 Lapwing, 30 or so Woodpigeon.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Nov 25 2:55 AM, 2012
pm Not a lot of note Redpoll-6 Kingfisher-2 Siskin-12 plenty Goldeneye,teal,gadwall a few redwings,Fieldfare Kestrel-1 Lapwing-c300 quite a large gull roost,but nothing special up until I left
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 23 4:25 PM, 2012
2 Waxwings were present in poplars next to the compound before the main car park this morning before flying off south.
Also 140 Pink-footed Geese flew over east.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 23 4:00 PM, 2012
These Willow Tits have been colour ringed at the flash (though other sites in the north-west have also colour ringed their population too) to monitor any movements of the birds etc.
Ben Kayser said
Fri Nov 23 8:48 AM, 2012
a rather grey morning this morning, but pleasant nonetheless!
1 goldeneye drake diving in the main lake, 3 females past the end of the spit. 3 little grebes 1 goosander male 50+ teal from various hides ~10 gadwall ~30 shoveler plenty of mute swan; one with 5 cygnets at ramsdale hide. quite a few willow tits at the feeding stations. one was tagged, but i couldn't see any numbers. it had a green and red ring on its right leg (2 separate rings), with a single blue ring on its left leg. any ideas what this means?
thanks
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 19 9:43 PM, 2012
This morning:
3 Dunlin 8 Snipe 2 Goosander
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 18 5:33 AM, 2012
Single Dunlin flew NW at 13.07 today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 16 1:15 AM, 2012
15 Golden Plover circled the spit this morning before heading off east.
Also present were a single Green Sandpiper and 16 Snipe.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 15 12:55 AM, 2012
Single Redshank present today of note.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Nov 11 5:42 PM, 2012
AM/PM YELLOW LEGGED GULL - 1 AD IN ROOST TONIGHT OFF THE POINT GOLDENEYE-19(4M.15F) CORMORANT-45 FIELDFARE-28>S 12.30 REDWING-20 SISKIN-10 GOLDCREST-2 GOOSANDER-2F GREAT CRESTED GREBE-51 COMMON SNIPE-32 LITTLE GREBE-11 (7 AT THE WEST END) NUTHATCH-1 PLUS THE USUALS SORRY ALL IN CAPS,MY KEYBOARD IS PLAYING UP
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 11th of November 2012 06:23:27 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Nov 11 12:12 AM, 2012
am/pm with Paul Brown Goldeneye - 18 (4m/14f) Shelduck-1 Goosander - 2 goldcrest-2 redwing -6 Kestrel-1m Sparrowhawk-2 Kingfisher-1 meadow pipit-1 Great crested grebe-44 little grebe-10 plus the usuals
John Williams said
Sat Nov 10 12:43 AM, 2012
09.00-12.00
Apart from the usual waterfowl, gulls etc.
Ramsdale Hide
1 Kingfisher and 1 Kestrel.
5 Siskins in Alders near Tom Edmonson Hide, a single flock of 26 Goldfinches here too.
12 Redwings with Blackbirds on Hawthornes near the canal footbridge, 20+ Goldfinches here also.
4 Stock Doves at the feeding station but no sign of Bramblings, plenty of Chaffinches around though.
2 Kestrels and 1 Sparrowhawk on the South Side opposite the butty van.
There seemed to be plenty of Great Crested Grebes scattered around the mere, I regret I did'nt count them.
Also lots of Shoveler and Teal, especially in front of the Teal Hide.
1 Goldcrest with a mixed tit flock near the Teal Hide.
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Nov 10 12:20 AM, 2012
pm mooch with Paul Brown plenty siskins,redwing present Goosander-7 Bar headed goose -1 came in at 3pm common snipe-30 nuthatch-1 no sign of any Brambling sparrowhawk-1f plus the usuals
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 9 6:40 AM, 2012
This morning:
38 Pink-footed Geese flew over east. 2 Brambling and a Nuthatch still in the feeding station.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Jason Dulhanty said
Thu Nov 8 3:01 PM, 2012
10 till 12 Plenty of birders about species list greenfinch reed bunting chaffinch goldfinch bullfinch brambling nuthatch magpie pied wagtail robin coal tit willow tit blue and great tit dunnock redwing Teal, mallard,tufted duck, shoveler,gadwall grey heron,mute swan,lapwing,comorant Kestrel Cheers Jay
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 8th of November 2012 03:10:02 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 8 12:46 AM, 2012
Please feel free to start such a thread in the discussion section then please
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 7 11:29 PM, 2012
Two Bramblings (one a male) and a Nuthatch in the feeding station this morning and three Shelduck out on the flash.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 7th of November 2012 11:29:50 PM
Ian Boote said
Wed Nov 7 5:26 PM, 2012
This could be the start of a interesting 'cuts watch' thread about how reductions in expenditure affect GM birdlife.
There are ways forward at a price. In Radcliffe two housing developments are funding a Local Nature Reserve at Radcliffe Paper Mill that the council are hoping will be maintained by a community group, and Spen Moor where it is proposed a degraded area for wildlife will be rejuvenated as long as houses are allowed to be built.
Sadly the cuts are happening, a lot of people will lose there jobs, and those remaining must be demoralised which cannot be beneficial. However does that mean that areas will go into terminal decline? In a neighbouring town a park has had cuts and it does appears to be in terminal decline with things not being repaired or replaced when they are damaged or wear out. But is basic repair work involving chicken wire nails and a bits of wood still impossible? And as birdwatchers should who often use these areas for free should we not be doing more ourselves?
Pic at flickr
sat on the signpost in front of Horrock's Hide.
-- Edited by Ben Smart on Sunday 6th of January 2013 01:08:59 PM
of note
3 Shelduck
2 Goosander
9 Little Grebe
Goldeneye-23
Common Snipe-4
Kingfisher-2
treecreeper-1
Goldcrest-1
plus the usuals
Goldeneye 2
Lapwing 150
Little Grebe 1
Great Crested Grebe 3
Stock Dove 4
Siskin 6
usual finches and tits at the feeding station
9 Goosander
1 f shelduck
60 teal
1 kingfisher
12 goldeneye
:)
Pengys. 2m Tufted Duck, 4m Scaup, plenty of Mallard, Coot, and Magpie.
Tom Edmonsons. More Tufted, the 4 Scaup had swam over, 2 Grey Herons and a bit of movement in the middle of the reeds but couldn't see anything
Ramsdale Hide. 3 Little Grebe, and 2 ducks of mallard size constantly diving, 1 was black with a bright coloured eye and a darkish bill the other was a mousey brown colour I presume female. Can anyone else verify a sighting of these ducks today??? Iv looked at Velvet Scoter but the bill appeared to be much darker on the 1s I saw today
Horrocks Hide. Best of the lot today. The hide was locked well before 4pm so I walked round the side and checked the strip of grassy shale that runs away from the hide. 2 pairs of Goldeneye swimming and diving unmistakable with the blob of white paint on the cheek. 5 Goosanders mixed m/f chasing each other before flying off. Numerous Great Black Backed, Lesser Black Backed, Black Headed and Common Gulls, 5 Cormorants, about 40-50 Lapwing took flight from the shale and I couldn't believe my eyes what happened next...as they took off they revealed behind them what i believed to be a pair of female Red Breasted Mergansers, the shaggy crest showing well, and if that wasn't enough...there was a male swimming a bit further up near where the posts stick out of the water, again the crest was showing well, I say it was a male due to the buff brown chest patch and darker back but it's head was brown which Iv never seen before, I think it's a bit unusual to be this far inland during winter but I hope someone else can get there soon and verify this for me, I don't want anyone to think I'm making it up.
Cheers, all the best everyone
P.s. Ian I was at Dunham last Saturday, will send you email with photo attatched for ID, I think I know but I'd rather you confirm before I post
this is unusual to see them this far in during winter but
Personally John, it doesn't really surprise me. Last time I went you couldn't see the spit, teal scrape was overgrown and I was thrown out (nicely) of Horrocks hide at about 19.30 when I was expecting to get until at least 21.30 (meant I'd paid my car park ticket for less than 1hr). There seems to be a big push in getting the families and kids to come along (not a problem with that) but the lack of management is becoming apparent. To top it off there's never anyone in the visitor centre to either report stuff to, or report, e.g kids on the spit. I'm sure all the cuts in the council haven't helped matters, and I know it's not the fault of the staff in the Countryside section, so I hope it doesn't sound like I'm aiming this at them.
I just don't enjoy birding there anymore.
full tour
of note
siskin -5
Goosander-6
Goldcrest-5
Treecreeper-1
Great black backed Gull-25
Lesser Black backed Gull 65
Herring Gull-25
Common Gull-15
Black headed Gull-c1000
Teal-62
Goldeneye-9
Very few birders around penny at the moment ,its becoming a bit under watched-in a 10 day period on average 3 hours a day apart from xmas day when I stopped in,I have had one day where I met anyone I knew,and not seen another birder at any part other than the north bank-I can't remember the last time I saw another birder at the west end-The early morning is watched but the rest of the day is open to someone finding something special themselves and would make a great local patch for anyone starting out as for recording purposes its much under recorded in my oppinion these days. :)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 30th of December 2012 04:56:36 PM
Teal-66
Shoveler=36
Shelduck-1 f
sparrowhawk-1
siskin-10
lapwing-300
common snipe-2
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 30th of December 2012 01:22:21 AM
Highlights
Merlin-1 female almost flew into horrocks hide,as it flew stright down the spit,almost the same as a hobby did in the summer
Goosander-19(12m+7f) unusual to have males outnumbering females at the flash.
Siskin -32 (in one flock on top of the trees by the main centre building)
Kingfisher-1
Goldeneye-12
Teal-55
Shoveler-41
Lapwing -c500
Highlights of what I did see were
- 500+ Lapwing over the lake, put up by something unseen
- 2 Willow Tit (year tick!)
- a lovely pair of Bullfinch on the feeders
Pretty quiet bird wise
highlights
Shelduck-1f
Goosander-8
Goldeneye-10
Little Grebe-5
Greater Black backed Gull-6
Plus the usuals
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 26th of December 2012 07:41:15 PM
This morning
Lapwing- c300
Goldeneye-10
Reed Bunting -3
Goosander-4
Teal-50+
plus the usuals
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
7 Little Grebe from Ramsdale's, 2 swimming especially close to the hide - closest view I've had of these
1 pair Goldeneye well seen but didn't come so close! My first this winter.
Plenty of Teal from there too.
Tom Ed - 4 pairs Shoveler
Feeding Station
1 very fine male Brambling showed well for a bit among the chaffinches (Site first for me)
Very busy at the station -
At least 20 Bullfinch and numerous chaffinches
11 Stock Dove
2 male Reed Bunting
etc
For a brief visit, very nice thanks, Penny.
Water Rail 1 heard to the right of Tom Edmondson hide.
Goosander 6m
Goldeneye 2m 4f
Lesser Redpoll 4
Willow Tit 3 at feeding station.
Redwing 2
Song Thrush 1
Cormorants,Lapwings, Stock Doves.
Mallards, Teal, Tufteds, Shovelers, Gt.Crested Grebes, Mute Swans.
BH/C/LBB Gulls.
etc.etc.etc.
Pengies - Kingfisher on the Dogwood; despite two half an hour sessions no Water Rail
Ramsdale - 1 Drake Goosander, handful of Teals, Goldeneye pair, 5 Gadwalls
Horrocks - Lots of Teal, Lapwings and Mallards, but nothing unusual
Bunting Hide - 1 F Brambling, after 40 mins wait, giving good but brief views (lifer); several Stock Doves, maybe half a dozen Reed Buntings, 1 Willow Tit plus plenty of the regulars.
Teal Hide - 8 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebes, 25+ Teals
Plus 1 Distant hunting Kestrel
FULL TOUR AND A HALF OF THE FLASH
highlights
Siskin -50+
Kingfisher-2
Water Rail-3
Brambling-1 male
Kestrel-1
Common Buzzard-2
Goldcrest-2
Tufted Duck-175 Mainly at the west end
Pochard-10 west end
Shoveler-20
Goosander-11
Redpoll-6
Common Snipe-10
Greater Black backed Gull-6
Little Grebe-8
Teal-100
Goldeneye-16
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 16th of December 2012 05:10:20 PM
-- Edited by Mark Rigby on Sunday 16th of December 2012 07:23:07 PM
9 Goosander
8 Pochard
19 Goldeneye
21 Siskin
Water Rail showing very well in Pengies
1 female Brambling and 4 Willow Tits in the feeding station
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
of note
Kestrel-2
Kingfisher-1
Water Rail-3
Little Grebe-14(12 at the west end)
Goosander-7
plus the usuals
Fortunately the ring colours remain 'stable' when looked at with one's eyes whilst watching the bird Pete
Should observers be reporting these colour codes to Euring / BTO / someone local or just accept that these birds were processed on site?. I took some video footage today and the ring colours can become distorted in varying light conditions. I saw 3 Willow Tit (2 unringed) or possibly 4 today depending on the influence of light or varying colour codes.
2 Whooper Swans with Mute Swans out from the burger van at the main car park at 11am. Also, 3 Goosander, 5 Snipe and 1 Raven flew north.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
bullfinch
willow tit
reed bunting
kingfisher
goosander
goldeneye
little grebe
however many sections of the water frozen and not a single bird on them.
The feeding station was brill.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 07:28:24 PM
300 Jackdaw and 2000 Starling flew out of the roost. Drake Goosander at the western end, 17 Goldeneye and 800 Pink-footed Geese in various skeins and directions flew over.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Pink footed goose 350 > South
Goosander 1F
Goldeneye 1M 2F
Willow tit 4 @ BH
Buzzard 1
Also 100 Jackdaw over and 2 Ravens west.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme and Bill Harrison
Made it up to the Bunting Hide feeding station about 2pm and was greeted by a male Reed Bunting, not had 1 of these for a good 10yrs, 2 male Bullfinch, countless m+f Chaffinch and Greenfinch. Plenty of Blue and Great Tit, a pair of Coal Tits, and the ever present Willow Tits. The Nuthatch pair chose not to show up for us. Couple of Blackbird, 7 or 8 Moorhen, lots of Magpies, and 2 Grey Squirrels rounded off the Bunting Hide.
Round to the Marsh Hide and it was quiet numbers wise but interesting species wise...1 Shoveler, a pair of Coots, 1 Cormorant, Plenty of mallard and Mute Swans, a pair of tea and 3 or 4 ducks resting on the marsh edge and I couldn't determine whether they were Tufted Duck or Scaup, couldn't see the tuft although they were at rest???
The other 2 hides near the edge of the boating lake were locked (3.35pm) so I viewed the lake from the side, on the thin strip of land that runs away from the hide into the lake were 4 cormorants, plenty of Black Headed And Lesser Black Backed Gulls, About 40 Lapwing, 30 or so Woodpigeon.
Not a lot of note
Redpoll-6
Kingfisher-2
Siskin-12
plenty Goldeneye,teal,gadwall
a few redwings,Fieldfare
Kestrel-1
Lapwing-c300
quite a large gull roost,but nothing special up until I left
Also 140 Pink-footed Geese flew over east.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
1 goldeneye drake diving in the main lake, 3 females past the end of the spit.
3 little grebes
1 goosander male
50+ teal from various hides
~10 gadwall
~30 shoveler
plenty of mute swan; one with 5 cygnets at ramsdale hide.
quite a few willow tits at the feeding stations. one was tagged, but i couldn't see any numbers. it had a green and red ring on its right leg (2 separate rings), with a single blue ring on its left leg. any ideas what this means?
thanks
3 Dunlin
8 Snipe
2 Goosander
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Also present were a single Green Sandpiper and 16 Snipe.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
YELLOW LEGGED GULL - 1 AD IN ROOST TONIGHT OFF THE POINT
GOLDENEYE-19(4M.15F)
CORMORANT-45
FIELDFARE-28>S 12.30
REDWING-20
SISKIN-10
GOLDCREST-2
GOOSANDER-2F
GREAT CRESTED GREBE-51
COMMON SNIPE-32
LITTLE GREBE-11 (7 AT THE WEST END)
NUTHATCH-1
PLUS THE USUALS
SORRY ALL IN CAPS,MY KEYBOARD IS PLAYING UP
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 11th of November 2012 06:23:27 PM
Goldeneye - 18 (4m/14f)
Shelduck-1
Goosander - 2
goldcrest-2
redwing -6
Kestrel-1m
Sparrowhawk-2
Kingfisher-1
meadow pipit-1
Great crested grebe-44
little grebe-10
plus the usuals
Apart from the usual waterfowl, gulls etc.
Ramsdale Hide
1 Kingfisher and 1 Kestrel.
5 Siskins in Alders near Tom Edmonson Hide, a single flock of 26 Goldfinches here too.
12 Redwings with Blackbirds on Hawthornes near the canal footbridge, 20+ Goldfinches here also.
4 Stock Doves at the feeding station but no sign of Bramblings, plenty of Chaffinches around though.
2 Kestrels and 1 Sparrowhawk on the South Side opposite the butty van.
There seemed to be plenty of Great Crested Grebes scattered around the mere, I regret I did'nt count them.
Also lots of Shoveler and Teal, especially in front of the Teal Hide.
1 Goldcrest with a mixed tit flock near the Teal Hide.
plenty siskins,redwing present
Goosander-7
Bar headed goose -1 came in at 3pm
common snipe-30
nuthatch-1
no sign of any Brambling
sparrowhawk-1f
plus the usuals
38 Pink-footed Geese flew over east.
2 Brambling and a Nuthatch still in the feeding station.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Plenty of birders about
species list
greenfinch
reed bunting
chaffinch
goldfinch
bullfinch
brambling
nuthatch
magpie
pied wagtail
robin
coal tit
willow tit
blue and great tit
dunnock
redwing
Teal, mallard,tufted duck, shoveler,gadwall
grey heron,mute swan,lapwing,comorant
Kestrel
Cheers Jay
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 8th of November 2012 03:10:02 PM
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 7th of November 2012 11:29:50 PM
There are ways forward at a price. In Radcliffe two housing developments are funding a Local Nature Reserve at Radcliffe Paper Mill that the council are hoping will be maintained by a community group, and Spen Moor where it is proposed a degraded area for wildlife will be rejuvenated as long as houses are allowed to be built.
Sadly the cuts are happening, a lot of people will lose there jobs, and those remaining must be demoralised which cannot be beneficial. However does that mean that areas will go into terminal decline? In a neighbouring town a park has had cuts and it does appears to be in terminal decline with things not being repaired or replaced when they are damaged or wear out. But is basic repair work involving chicken wire nails and a bits of wood still impossible? And as birdwatchers should who often use these areas for free should we not be doing more ourselves?