Teal Goldeneye x5+ Goosander Snipe x3 Little egret x1 Redwing (large flock) Common gull Buzzard Pheasant Lesser redpoll Jay
Ta!
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Jan 9 11:46 AM, 2022
Highlights from this morning 9th Jan
2 Little Egrets.
4 Lesser redpoll.
2 Brambling ( m+f )
1 Willow Tit.
20 Teal.
5 Goldeneye.
1 Great Black backed Gull.
1 Common Gull.
Cheers Steven.
Ian Campbell said
Thu Jan 6 7:02 PM, 2022
Male Brambling and Lesser Redpoll at feeding station, also Little Egret on res. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Wed Jan 5 1:32 PM, 2022
Highlights this am 5 Greylag Geese in field next to Withins, 2 Little Egret, Buzzard, at the feeders Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and a Brambling were seen. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Tue Jan 4 7:01 PM, 2022
Highlights this a.m. 1 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail (canal), 2 Willow Tit (one at feeders) where also Brambling and Lesser Redpoll. Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Mon Jan 3 5:49 PM, 2022
In addition to Ian's report:
Willow tit by canal Teal Goldeneye Snipe x1 Jay
Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Mon Jan 3 1:12 PM, 2022
Highlights this a.m. 1 Woodcock, 1 Little Egret, 1 Shelduck, 1 Brambling (at the feeders) and a Dipper on the river. Cheers Ian
Simon Warford said
Fri Dec 31 6:48 PM, 2021
Late morning / early afternoon today, no end of year surprises unfortunately..
Around the car park feeders, 2 Brambling (male and female), 2 Lesser Redpoll, Willow Tit and Nuthatch. On the reservoir were 12 Goldeneye, 1 Pochard, 1 Little Egret and 150 Herring Gulls. Over were 2 Raven and 2 groups of Pink-feet NW consisting of 37 and 26.
Ended the year on 141 species (plus Ruddy Shelduck) which represents my best year ever at Elton. Personal highlights included Iberian Wagtail, Ring-necked Duck, Cetti's Warblers, long staying Great White Egret, Simon Johnson's superb autumn Osprey, Egyptian Goose, Red-breasted Mergansers, Iceland Gull, 3 x kittiwakes and first Elton Little Owl for 5 years, Cuckoo, Grey Plover. However its now 2 years since we had any Black Terns and surprisngly only 1 Little Gull this year after loads of sightings in 2020.
Simon Johnson said
Thu Dec 30 6:25 PM, 2021
This afternoon in the rain
Brambling- female still at the feeders Little Egret 13 Goldeneye 14 Goosander
Most of the paths like mini rivers and very slippy.
Richard Thew said
Mon Dec 27 11:19 AM, 2021
Also, this morning in addition to Steven's sighings:
Teal Snipe x5 Common gull Great black backed gull x1 Water rail calling close
Ta!
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Dec 27 11:07 AM, 2021
Highlights from this morning 27th Dec 2021. 2 Little Egrets. 10 Goldeneye. 1 Treecreeper. 1 Willow Tit. 1 Male Siskin in silver birch behind the feeders. 3 Jay's. 15 Redwings.
Cheers Steven.
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 27th of December 2021 12:40:31 PM
David Walsh said
Fri Dec 24 10:57 PM, 2021
Ian Campbell wrote:
In response to the comment from yesterday I can confirm that I have just tested -ve for the third day running . Happy Christmas to all, cheers Ian
You need to read the rules on self isolation a little more closely
Simon Johnson said
Fri Dec 24 2:41 PM, 2021
Sightings from this morning
340 Pink-footed Geese east 200+ Woodpigeon north Stock dove Little Egret 200+ Redwing Nuthatch Lesser redpoll on feeders 10 Goldeneye 50 Teal
Ian Campbell said
Fri Dec 24 7:28 AM, 2021
In response to the comment from yesterday I can confirm that I have just tested -ve for the third day running . Happy Christmas to all, cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Thu Dec 23 11:08 AM, 2021
Early morning walk round
The most surprising sighting was a birder who broadcast on here a couple of days ago he tested positive for covid walking around. hes not a risk to any of us though apparently !!
320+ Pink Footed Goose. (4 Skeins) 1x21,1x79 both South West.1x130 South, 1x90+ West. 70+ Wigeon.(My largest count). 1 Common Buzzard. 1 Kestrel. 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Kingfisher. 1 Water Rail. 11 Siskin.(South West). 3 Bullfinch. (1F,2M). 1 Little Egret. 1 Lapwing. 5 Chaffinch. 15 Greenfinch. 14 Long Tailed Tit. 5 Meadow Pipit. (Feeding). 80+ Blackbird. 60+ Starling. (Feeding). 3 Redwing. 1 Fieldfare. 1 Song Thrush. 1 Jay. 2 Collared Dove. 5 Great Crested Grebe. 103 Teal. (my largest count). 250+ Canada Goose. 3 Cormorant. 2 Common Gull. 4 Lesser Black Backed Gull. 90+ Black Headed Gull. 21 Herring Gull. 2 Grey Heron. 4 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Nov 19 12:53 PM, 2021
Little Egret also this a.m.
Mike c cooper said
Fri Nov 19 11:37 AM, 2021
Thursday 18/11 in drizzle
Teal c 60 feeding on grass and waters edge in sailing club bay Meadow pipit 8 with Teal Siskin several pairs flew over calling Raven 1 over early afternoon
Richard Thew said
Fri Nov 19 10:02 AM, 2021
Highlights for a short visit this morning include:
Goosander x4 Wigeon x5+ Gadwall x2 Teal Grey wagtail Jay Water rail Common gull x3
Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Wed Nov 17 2:33 PM, 2021
This a.m. highlights, 7 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler and 3 Little Egrets at the res with a brief view of Water Rail at canal. Cheers Ian
Steven Heywood said
Tue Nov 16 10:21 PM, 2021
The Lowercroft bird was a Richardson's cackling goose. I'm wondering if this is a Taverner's goose. It's not a taxon I know at all but I'm told it doesn't have as stubby a bill as Richardson's.
Paul Samuels said
Tue Nov 16 1:15 PM, 2021
Here's a couple of images of the Cackling Goose that was at Lowercroft last year showing the bill a lot smaller, the third image shows the bill difference best
-- Edited by Paul Samuels on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 01:21:27 PM
-- Edited by Paul Samuels on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 01:24:29 PM
Fieldfare Redwing Snipe x2 Pheasant Jay x2+ Grey wagtail Meadow pipit Common gull Little egret Teal Wigeon x3 Gadwall Shelduck x2 (1st reported by Ian) Goldeneye x1f
The Cackling type goose was around wader point. I'm no expert in this field for odd looking Canada geese, but the goose itself is half the size in every dimension (neck, body, stance stc) compared to the Canada goose as it walked past them. The only things that is really bugging me with this (as already pointed out) is the size of the bill and lack of steep forhead. The Cackling goose found earlier in the year at Ainsworth was much more distinctive and comparing those pictures, I've come to the conclusion this must be either another type of goose or a hybrid. I've attached a picture with a mallard very close to it for comparison from Eltons mystery goose.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 10:20:48 AM
The bill looks a bit big for cackler in my opinion. It's clearly not the bird that was at Pennington & Lightshaw earlier in the year, which was smaller billed, shorter necked & darker especially on the breast.
Yep I thought exactly the same yesterday Colin, its certainly a smaller than average Canada though, Black-headed Gull to the rest for comparison.
colin davies said
Tue Nov 16 7:02 AM, 2021
The bill looks a bit big for cackler in my opinion. It's clearly not the bird that was at Pennington & Lightshaw earlier in the year, which was smaller billed, shorter necked & darker especially on the breast.
Rob Creek said
Tue Nov 16 12:02 AM, 2021
Hi Richard, these images of the Cackling Goose cropped up on Twitter earlier taken by Janice Sutton. It was infront of the sailing club near the car park bridge. I asked Janices permission to use the images on here and she okd it.
Apparently, I noticed that there was what appeared to be a small-sized Canada goose on the opposite side and as I hadn't had anything next to it to compare size, but, by the time I got on the other side, he had moved and I couldn't see him, so I assumed it was just a Canada goose. However, I've just received word that there was a Cackling goose on today, and this makes sense that this is what I saw.
Ta!
Richard Thew said
Mon Nov 15 1:55 PM, 2021
Slowly getting back on my feet....
Highlights this morning include:
Teal Wigeon x3 Common gull x2 Little egret Dipper Pheasant Redwing Meadow pipit Great spotted woodpecker Lesser redpoll
Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Mon Nov 15 1:38 PM, 2021
This a.m. highlights 2 Little Egret and a Wigeon on the res. Also 2 new dead Canada Geese and 1 Dead Tufted Duck. On the river a Dipper was on the rocks. Cheers Ian
This a.m. highlights 1 Little Egret, 1 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye and 5 Water Rail heard along canal. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Wed Nov 10 1:38 PM, 2021
In poor visibility this a.m. highlight was 3 Little Egret. Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Mon Nov 8 9:39 PM, 2021
Sightings from this morning with Simon & Paul
6 Red-breasted Merganser flew NW (2 Male 4 female) Great White Egret flew west 482 Redwing west 14 Fieldfare west 40+ Siskin 2 Stock dove north 4 Goldeneye 3 Little Egret
Also 4 dead Canada Geese one with its head ripped off and a dead cormorant
Simon Johnson said
Sun Nov 7 2:08 PM, 2021
Sightings from this morning
Golden Plover heard flying over crow Trees Farm, but was seen in fields near dofferfold farm earlier by Paul 15 Pinkfooted geese west 40 Siskin north 4 redpoll south Pochard 4 Wigeon 80+ Teal 10+ Gadwall Goldeneye
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Sunday 7th of November 2021 02:10:21 PM
Did have a brief glance at 20+ finches passing over the tops of trees in the dip, in a diamond shape, no song, small about blue tit size or less at 10.00am but could not identify them.
Thanks Derek.
Simon Johnson said
Sat Nov 6 10:01 PM, 2021
Another great morning of migration with Simon and Paul. Winter thrushes streaming over
8600 Redwing, 4600 Fieldfare, 30 Blackbird and 9 Song thrush west
Teal
Goldeneye x5+
Goosander
Snipe x3
Little egret x1
Redwing (large flock)
Common gull
Buzzard
Pheasant
Lesser redpoll
Jay
Ta!
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Willow tit by canal
Teal
Goldeneye
Snipe x1
Jay
Ta!
Cheers Ian
Around the car park feeders, 2 Brambling (male and female), 2 Lesser Redpoll, Willow Tit and Nuthatch.
On the reservoir were 12 Goldeneye, 1 Pochard, 1 Little Egret and 150 Herring Gulls.
Over were 2 Raven and 2 groups of Pink-feet NW consisting of 37 and 26.
Ended the year on 141 species (plus Ruddy Shelduck) which represents my best year ever at Elton. Personal highlights included Iberian Wagtail, Ring-necked Duck, Cetti's Warblers, long staying Great White Egret, Simon Johnson's superb autumn Osprey, Egyptian Goose, Red-breasted Mergansers, Iceland Gull, 3 x kittiwakes and first Elton Little Owl for 5 years, Cuckoo, Grey Plover. However its now 2 years since we had any Black Terns and surprisngly only 1 Little Gull this year after loads of sightings in 2020.
Brambling- female still at the feeders
Little Egret
13 Goldeneye
14 Goosander
Most of the paths like mini rivers and very slippy.
Teal
Snipe x5
Common gull
Great black backed gull x1
Water rail calling close
Ta!
2 Little Egrets.
10 Goldeneye.
1 Treecreeper.
1 Willow Tit.
1 Male Siskin in silver birch behind the feeders.
3 Jay's.
15 Redwings.
Cheers Steven.
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 27th of December 2021 12:40:31 PM
You need to read the rules on self isolation a little more closely
340 Pink-footed Geese east
200+ Woodpigeon north
Stock dove
Little Egret
200+ Redwing
Nuthatch
Lesser redpoll on feeders
10 Goldeneye
50 Teal
In response to the comment from yesterday I can confirm that I have just tested -ve for the third day running
. Happy Christmas to all, cheers Ian
The most surprising sighting was a birder who broadcast on here a couple of days ago he tested positive for covid walking around. hes not a risk to any of us though apparently !!
Bird sightings
4 Woodcock
Little Egret
7 Goldeneye
40 Goosander
Dipper
Kingfisher
Woodcock - flew over
Snipe x3
Common gull
Little egret
Buzzard
Jay
Goosander x10 on res.
Goldeneye x3
Teal
Nuthatch
Grey wagtail
Redwing
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 21st of December 2021 11:43:24 AM
Dipper along the river
Nuthatch x2
Common gull
Pheasant
Water rail heard.
Ta!
Duck numbers much reduced as the water level continues to rise. WeBS numbers:
Mallard 78, Teal 8, Tufted Duck 20, Pochard 1(Withins), Goldeneye 3, Goosander 1, Great Crested Grebe 4. Also 1 Little Egret and 3 Snipe.
Flock of 20+ Redwing with a lone Fieldfare along the canal.
1 Pintail female.
40+ Teal.
3 Goldeneye.
12 Meadow Pipits.
1 Lesser black backed gull with pink legs.
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
Highlights from this morning:
Good count of 135 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye and 2 Goosander.
1 Little Egret.
1 Snipe, 1 Lapwing.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Water Rail showed very well along the canal.
5 Song Thrush on the ground together with a group of Blackbird.
Goosander
Wigeon
Teal
Gadwall
Goldeneye
Snipe (flew along river)
Meadow pipit
Sparrowhawk (f)
Common gull
Ta!
15 Goldeneye
36 Goosander
15 Wigeon
41 Gadwall
100+ Teal
3 Little Egret
2 Snipe
4,000 (estimate) Jackdaws over to roost
270 Herring Gull
50 Great Black-backed Gull
Highlights this busy morning ....
Teal
Gadwall
Little egret
Redwing
Fieldfare
Common gull
Ta!
Cheers Ian
Goosander x4+
Wigeon x5
Teal
Goldeneye x4 (3f, 1m)
Redwing
Sparrowhawk x1f
Buzzard
Common gull x2
Ta!
Full Circuit.
47 Species Including:
320+ Pink Footed Goose. (4 Skeins) 1x21,1x79 both South West.1x130 South, 1x90+ West.
70+ Wigeon.(My largest count).
1 Common Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Water Rail.
11 Siskin.(South West).
3 Bullfinch. (1F,2M).
1 Little Egret.
1 Lapwing.
5 Chaffinch.
15 Greenfinch.
14 Long Tailed Tit.
5 Meadow Pipit. (Feeding).
80+ Blackbird.
60+ Starling. (Feeding).
3 Redwing.
1 Fieldfare.
1 Song Thrush.
1 Jay.
2 Collared Dove.
5 Great Crested Grebe.
103 Teal. (my largest count).
250+ Canada Goose.
3 Cormorant.
2 Common Gull.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
90+ Black Headed Gull.
21 Herring Gull.
2 Grey Heron.
4 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Teal c 60 feeding on grass and waters edge in sailing club bay
Meadow pipit 8 with Teal
Siskin several pairs flew over calling
Raven 1 over early afternoon
Goosander x4
Wigeon x5+
Gadwall x2
Teal
Grey wagtail
Jay
Water rail
Common gull x3
Ta!
Cheers Ian
Here's a couple of images of the Cackling Goose that was at Lowercroft last year showing the bill a lot smaller, the third image shows the bill difference best
-- Edited by Paul Samuels on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 01:21:27 PM
-- Edited by Paul Samuels on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 01:24:29 PM
Highlights this morning include:
Fieldfare
Redwing
Snipe x2
Pheasant
Jay x2+
Grey wagtail
Meadow pipit
Common gull
Little egret
Teal
Wigeon x3
Gadwall
Shelduck x2 (1st reported by Ian)
Goldeneye x1f
The Cackling type goose was around wader point. I'm no expert in this field for odd looking Canada geese, but the goose itself is half the size in every dimension (neck, body, stance stc) compared to the Canada goose as it walked past them. The only things that is really bugging me with this (as already pointed out) is the size of the bill and lack of steep forhead. The Cackling goose found earlier in the year at Ainsworth was much more distinctive and comparing those pictures, I've come to the conclusion this must be either another type of goose or a hybrid. I've attached a picture with a mallard very close to it for comparison from Eltons mystery goose.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 16th of November 2021 10:20:48 AM
Yep I thought exactly the same yesterday Colin, its certainly a smaller than average Canada though, Black-headed Gull to the rest for comparison.
these images of the Cackling Goose cropped up on Twitter earlier taken by Janice Sutton. It was infront of the sailing club near the car park bridge.
I asked Janices permission to use the images on here and she okd it.
Highlights this morning include:
Teal
Wigeon x3
Common gull x2
Little egret
Dipper
Pheasant
Redwing
Meadow pipit
Great spotted woodpecker
Lesser redpoll
Ta!
Cheers Ian
2/3rds of circuit.
48 Species. Including.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Water Rail.
4 Fieldfare (Feeding).
5 Redwing. (Feeding).
1 Little Egret.
86 Blackbirds. (My highest count this Autumn).
1 Song Thrush.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
11 Herring Gull.
2 Goldcrest.
2 Bullfinch. (M).
14 Greenfinch.
5 Chaffinch.
2 Coal Tit.
5 Long Tailed Tit.
17 Pied Wagtail.
1 Grey Wagtail.
41 Teal.
3 Goosander.
170+ Canada Goose.
19 Coot.
1 Cormorant.
6 Great Crested Grebe.
220+ Mallard.
21 Tufted duck.
200+ Black Headed Gull.
4 Grey Heron.
4 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
6 Red-breasted Merganser flew NW (2 Male 4 female)
Great White Egret flew west
482 Redwing west
14 Fieldfare west
40+ Siskin
2 Stock dove north
4 Goldeneye
3 Little Egret
Also 4 dead Canada Geese one with its head ripped off and a dead cormorant
Golden Plover heard flying over crow Trees Farm, but was seen in fields near dofferfold farm earlier by Paul
15 Pinkfooted geese west
40 Siskin north
4 redpoll south
Pochard
4 Wigeon
80+ Teal
10+ Gadwall
Goldeneye
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Sunday 7th of November 2021 02:10:21 PM
Half Circuit.
45 Species Including:
4 Shelduck.
3 Siskin.(NW).
240+ Redwing (W).
150 + Fieldfare (W).
90+ Starling . (W).
1 Lapwing. (W).
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Kestrel.
1 Buzzard.
2 Little Egret.
76 Teal.
2 Bullfinch.
17 Goldfinch.
3 Chaffinch.
1 Coal Tit.
1 Jay.
43 Blackbird. (Larger count than of late, mostly around the Dip and canal hedges).
5 Collared Dove.
5 Pied Wagtail.
1 Grey Wagtail.
270+ Mallard.
7 Cormorant.
9 Great Crested Grebe.
26 Tufted Duck.
280+ Canada Goose.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
7 Herring Gull.
260+ Black Headed Gull.
4 Grey Heron.
7 Mute Swan.
Did have a brief glance at 20+ finches passing over the tops of trees in the dip, in a diamond shape, no song, small about blue tit size or less at 10.00am but could not identify them.
Thanks Derek.
8600 Redwing, 4600 Fieldfare, 30 Blackbird and 9 Song thrush west
37 Whooper Swan ( 17 & 20) SE
Dunlin west
2 Brambling
104 Siskin
3 Redpoll
3 Skylark
4 Shelduck
3 Goldeneye
4+ Wigeon
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Saturday 6th of November 2021 10:02:04 PM