Horrocks Flash am then afternoon visit,

6 Goosander
2 Goldeneye
2 Grey Heron
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Common Snipe
usual waterfowl,Redwing and Fieldfare over

and 58 Canada,2 Greylag and 2 Barnacle Geese, fresh in, pristine plumage looking a bit nervy,but of course feral birds

happy xmas one and all

Geoff

Horrocks Flash am front pool only,

4 Goosander
6 Redwing and 12 Chaffinch in a small but welcome flock
8 Fieldfare over
22 Jackdaw in the geese fields
1 Kestrel
usual waterfowl all crammed into one open pool of water

cheers geoff

Early afternoon today at Scotman's a Dunlin flew low southwards over the flash, immature Peregrine, 1 Great Black-Backed Gull

5 Wigeon and 4 Goosander on Scotman's today

Horrocks Flash early a.m.

3 Whooper Swan, calling but departed north west at 9.00
1 Sparrowhawk
usual waterfowl in poor weather

cheers geoff

A great few hours on the flashes today.

Plenty of ducks about, on the ice free areas with all the usual suspects present and in good numbers.

Scotman's
1 Shelduck
8+ Herring Gull
3 adult Whooper Swan flew over North West

Horrocks
1 Bittern on front pool, flew low across channel on left hand side and promptly disappeared!
4 Wigeon south
7 Goosander


At least four flocks of Long Tailed Tits, with at least 2 Willow Tits
4 Lesser Redpoll
Water Rail heard

A great morning to be out with some stunning close views of common species!

Horrocks Flash am with Paul Hammond and later (minus Mr Hammond) in much better light

1 Dead Great Northern Diver
Usual waterfowl on the front pool
Rear pool mostly frozen but a small opening contained 4 Mute swans 1 Goldeneye 6 Tufted and 95 Coot.
Rainfords pool mostly open water, usual crowd.

Mr Hammond should switch off now

front pool 2 Bittern flew from the central section west over the railway,smashing super my first since 2010.

cheers geoff

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

Looks likely that the Great Northern Diver may have succumbed over night as the corpse of a bird with a dagger like bill can be seen against the reeds of Horrocks Flash this morning.

Info thanks to Paul Hammond

---

Shame that, as it was very active yesterday,but really it was not acting like a great northern diver,trying to find food right into the bank and at time 2-3 feet away even from Dogs,when dogwalkers came past. A sad end to a beltin bird,that I was hoping would have flown last night while it was clear

Looks likely that the Great Northern Diver may have succumbed over night as the corpse of a bird with a dagger like bill can be seen against the reeds of Horrocks Flash this morning.

Info thanks to Paul Hammond

Pete Hines wrote:

---

Some footage of the diver from a short visit this pm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpf04YwxQ-E&feature=plcp

also 2 Wilow Tit, Water Rail heard

---

Superb video clip. Well shot Pete.

Some footage of the diver from a short visit this pm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpf04YwxQ-E&feature=plcp

also 2 Wilow Tit, Water Rail heard

Thanks for all the help. Unfortunately prob won't get down tomorrow so doubt I'll see it as it'll prob leave :(

Indeed.I overtook two cyclists wheeling their bikes along the path!great northern diver still present(roosting)when I left at 4.30.showing really well next to the path.also a woodcock flushed next to the path on the walk back.j

If anyone is thinking of going to see the diver tomorrow a word of warning the imprinted concrete towpath can be very slippy in these freezing conditions !

Jimmy

Rob Smallwood wrote:

---

Hi Tanmay - take a look at the site guide and rest of the useful info on the main site: http://www.manchesterbirding.com/siteguides.htm

---

The Wigan Flashes site guide needs an update but the info on there remains relevant and current. As for what else is about, this thread details most if the stuff although the Cetti's Warbler still lurks somewhere around the flashes and can just pop up!

Hi Tanmay - take a look at the site guide and rest of the useful info on the main site: http://www.manchesterbirding.com/siteguides.htm

Where's the best place to park to get to Horrocks Flash for the diver? not been to wigan flashes before, what else is around?

Any directions would be helpful too!!

thanks

Horrocks Flash
The great northern diver was showing incredibly well,and close this afternoon,down to 4 feet :) Anyone who has not seen one close this would be a great oppotunity before in goes,It seemed to be in good health and was hunting most of the day-nice to see Geoff Hargreaves,and Jimmy Meadows down there, :)

Horrocks Flash,9 till 10.30

1 Great Northern Diver,still present and showing wellviewed from the canal bank,it,s now ranging all over the front pool and still coming close to the bank.It,s very active 'snorkelling' and prolonged dives the order of the day.

Other wildfowl as expected with an influx of Teal.

cheers geoffsite tick after two very nervy days stuck at work

Great Northern Diver still present on Horrocks Flash this morning apparently, close in to the bank.

Info thanks to Judith Smith

Can anyone who sees the diver this morning please post as I will be off work this afternoon,and hope to pop down :)

Incidentally, the Great Northern Diver appears to be a juvenile/first winter bird and not an adult.

Info thanks to Dave Broome

Horrocks Flash - Great Northen Diver still giving superb views at 12.15. Other birds included 12 Shoveler, 1 f Goosander, 2 Willow Tits and 2 Chiffchaff (with LT Tits, Treecreeper and Goldcrests)

The diver was initially sat under an overhanging willow close to the towpath. It did however become more active, continually searching for prey with it's head submerged and diving a couple of times. It does seem incredibly confiding, which made me wonder about it's state of health.

Please note that there is no access to Horrocks Flash via Taylor's Lane (over the level crossing) as the railway company have just this morning closed it off.

Info thanks to Judith Smith

Great Northern Diver still present at the western end of Horrocks Flash this morning, from the canal towpath but there is a chance it may not be in the best of health. It is however, very photogenic!

Info thanks to Dave Broome

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 29th of November 2012 09:11:56 AM

The Great Northern Diver was last seen disappearing into the reeds at around 4pm where it was very elusive indeed.

Info thanks to Judith Smith

Great Northern Diver still showing well on Horrocks Flash at 15:40 this afternoon: viewed from the canal.

Info thanks to Keith Mills

After scoping 2 of Horrock's lagoons without success, and having a chat with Dave Broome(county tick) who was also looking for it, I proceeded to the third lagoon against the canal. Taking up a view point just up from the corner with the Railway.
Amazingly as I started to scope the main group of birds, there was a disturbance in the water plants by my feet!
As I watched the vegetation I saw a bird, under water, swimming away from the bank.The Great Northern Diver surfaced 10 yards out from me.
As I made a phone call I lost it, but another underwater disturbance among the trees growing in the narrow channel towards the railway revealed the Diver again.

-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 05:19:45 PM

10.30am approx

1 Great Northern Diver (adult winter)on Horrocks Flash

Whilst watching a chunky female Sparrowhawk sat on a dead tree stump on the edge through my scope, I was fascinated by a procession of Coots, Mallards and Tufted Duck swimming close by

the hawk. The waterfowl gave the hawk a look as they sailed past, like soldiers glance at the queen as they pass by on parade, she just glared at each one with bright amber eyes.

I had a suspicion that this "Mallard" sized raptor may indeed be a Goshawk, now I'm convinced it was just a large Sparrowhawk.

However as the procession of waterfowl paid homage to the hawk a large dark bird swam past, Cormorant sized but with a white stretching from the base of the beak right down the front of

its neck, the head looked square with a flat top, its back was mottled black and low in the water.

I was chatting to a dog walker and a local photographer at the time when Judith Smith walked passed, I pointed out to Judith that I'd just seen a diver, but when we searched Horrocks

Flash from end to end we could'nt locate the bird. When I said I'd need a field guide to confirm which species of diver I'd seen Judith said maybe I'd seen a Goosander or Cormorant instead.

After 30 years of birding I know a diver when I see one.

Divers are a family of birds I only come across every blue moon on my inland travels, and at Hilbre Red Throated Divers usually appear as tiny distant blobs floating in the waves.

I was convinced the bird I'd seen, viewed for 10 seconds or so was either a Black Throated or Great Northern Diver, having consulted my McMillan and Collins field guides, plus viewed

footage on U Tube, Flicker, Bird Guides etc, I'm 100% convinced it was a adult winter Great Northern Diver.

Also seen this morning

Pearsons Flash

8 Pochard, 2male+2female Goldeneye, 1 Kingfisher plus Tufted Duck etc.

Horrocks Flash

22 Pochard, 13 Mute Swans, 65 Tufted Duck, 6 Cormorants



-- Edited by John Williams on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 03:37:05 PM

Horrocks Flash,quick visit first light very misty

Usual water fowl
1 Treecreeper
2 Goldcrest
1 Sparrowhawk ,a close encounter

cheers geoff

Brambling and Goldcrest in the hedgerow at the Killington Close entrance today

Wigan Rspb group walk
Highlights,
Welham Road
Sparrowhawk over (f)

Scotmans
Cettis Warbler calling from willow scrub on left hand side approaching Moss Bridge
1 Goldeneye male in stonking condition

Horrocks Flash
30+ Pochard
3 Goosanders,
2 Crossbills s/w over at railway crossing.
Mute Swans everywhere

Bryn Marsh
Water Rail calling

Pearsons
Cettis Warbler singing in reeds adj to screen heard from canal towpath,
4 Goldeneye (4f).
4 Common Gull
4 Teal,

Moss Bridge
Sparrowhawk (m)

Jimmy

Brian,I,ve sent you a p.m.

cheers geoff

Hi, we met at horrocks flash this morning, I saw the two goosanders and also two ducks that I couldn't identify, looked like two female goldeneye, but one had a white flank by its tail. I was thinking gadwall but not 100%, any ideas

Horrocks Flash,rainfords pool

9 Whooper swans ,quite settled and have been present since 10am last seen at 12 midday

cheers geoff

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 11th of November 2012 01:51:14 PM

Horrocks Flash am full tour,

33 Pochard front pool
1 Wigeon rear pool
1 Little grebe

Little else of note, usual residents as expected

cheers geoff

Monday 29th October, late am. Bittern in flight over Bryn Marsh reedbed.

10 Whoopers on Pearson's this morning.
Cheers,
Ken

5 Goldeneye on Scotman's today

This AM in Fog
1 Treecreeper
2 Skiens of Pink Feet 1 at 8:30,1 at 8:55 both S/E no count as i couldnt see them due to fog
Willow Tit calling nr feeding station
2 Jays.

Jimmy

Horrocks Flash mid morning full tour

no surprises,usual water fowl and tit flocks around
1 Willow tit and 1 Coal Tit visiting one of the bird tables next to the railway path
1 Chiffchaff cracking one off
3 Pochard on the front pool,1 Pochard ,reported taking bread
2 Wigeon,tucked away on the rear pool

cheers geoff

15.00-17.00

Pearsons Flash

2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron sat on the nearby pylon plus the usual waterfowl.

Turners Flash

1 Little Grebe eating a Stickleback.

Horrocks Flash

3 Cormorants, 2 Lapwings, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Mute Swans including a very territorial bird that was chasing the other 8 around the pool, 7 Pochard plus the usual Tufted Ducks, Coot etc.

The police helicopter buzzed the flash several times and the birds became very anxious, but only the 3 Cormorants opted to leave.

Scotsmans Flash

1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Gull, 2 Great Crested Grebes plus the usual waterfowl and gull roost.

Horrocks Flash,lunchtime visit

Usual residents plus
1 Kingfisher
32 Snipe
6 Skylark (over)

cheers geoff

Not sure this is the best place for this - Ian please move if not. I found an objective cover for a Viking scope at the Hawkley Hall entrance to the flashes today. It looks like an 80mm lens cover. If its yours let me know.

No sign of yellow browed warbler this morning, cettis warbler and willow tit heard only

Scotmans Flash,Hawkley Reedbed area

Lot,s of tits,blackbirds usual stuff,I spent a couple of hours mooching no sign of the warbler

cheers geoff

Cheers Ian

The details are as good as you're going to get Craig I'm afraid. The bird was in an area not accessible to the public when seen but as you'll appreciate it has the ability to move anywhere in the area of bushes and trees in between Scotmans and Hawkley Reedbed (to say the least!). It wasn't particularly associating with any other species and just simply popped up right in front of the observer. It quickly moved through and wasn't seen again but wasn't pursued either to be fair.

Anymore details about the location anyone?