Kingfisher showing very well from the hide this morning. Quiet otherwise - 2 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 70+ Goldfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll. At Shaw Moss there were 3 Teal, 5 Snipe, 1 Swift and a Great-spotted Woodpecker flew over.
On Thursday (16th) there were 3 Redstarts (appeared to be a family party) in the area to the south of the lake between the Shaw Moss dam and Bib Knowl plantation. Apologies for the late posting but the website appeared to be down on Thursday. No sign of them today unfortunately.
Steve Suttill said
Fri Aug 10 5:40 AM, 2012
Simon Hitchen wrote:
Water levels are very high again now and so there's no chance of any waders this autumn unless they've got a snorkel.
... or very long legs! Another Hollingworth Black-winged Stilt is long overdue
Simon Hitchen said
Fri Aug 10 4:37 AM, 2012
A Kingfisher today was a welcome surprise the first I've seen here for over a year since the local population was wiped out by two consecutive bad winters.
Also a Common Sandpiper, 2 Cormorants and a Siskin heard flying over. Water levels are very high again now and so there's no chance of any waders this autumn unless they've got a snorkel.
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Jul 16 6:58 AM, 2012
Jim Taylor and Dave Winnard had a flock of 13 Crossbills behind the dipping pond near the visitor centre this morning - appears to be only the 3rd site record that I can find and a species that I have yet to see here. Unfortunately I was at work all day and there was no sign of any this evening
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jul 6 4:07 PM, 2012
Drake Scaup present this morning.
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
Yvonne Mynett said
Mon Jun 25 1:30 AM, 2012
Hi Simon, Sorry for delay in replying but been away. Didn't find any Green Hairstreaks this year - last seen 2 yrs ago in the area just under the motorway bridge, but one was seen last year in the "nature reserve' at the lake whilst doing some green volunteering (me,not the butterfly!). Did put in a rarity report as suggested for the Red Kite. Regards, Yvonne
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jun 22 4:14 PM, 2012
A pair of Common Scoter present this morning.
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
C Brown said
Tue Jun 12 4:52 AM, 2012
I'm not sure about the Castle Hill site Simon (Rakewood), but a few years back green hairstreaks were reported on wimberry/bilberry, beyond Bib Knowl, nearer to Milnrow though. I didn't see them myself however.
Chris
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Jun 11 4:55 AM, 2012
7 drake Pochards on the Lake this evening was a most unusual date for this species at this site - presumably birds heading off somewhere to moult. This is a rare species in Rochdale nowadays and only the second record at the Lake this year!
Alan Nuttall had 2 Common Terns on 8/6.
Thanks Yvonne for reporting the Red Kite - please do send a rarity report in to Ian - let me know if you need any help doing this. By the way did you see any Green Hairstreaks- I didn't know that they were present in the area?
Cheers, Simon
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 2 4:25 AM, 2012
Hi Yvonne,
If you go to the Manchester Birding website there is a page devoted to submitting county rarities, complete with a downloadable form and bits of advise too. Other than that, any problems just let me know
Yvonne Mynett said
Sat Jun 2 2:55 AM, 2012
Hi Simon, It was me that spotted the Red Kite -I was looking for Green Hairstreaks and fortunately looked up!! It was a fantastic view in the sun, being mobbed by a pair of crows and came quite low over the motorway. Let me know how to submit the record and I will happily do so, I can check out the grid ref etc. There was one over Todmorden Moor a few months ago but this is the first I've seen in Rochdale Borough but I've only been looking 21years!! Regards, Yvonne
Karen Clewer said
Fri Jun 1 6:01 AM, 2012
I know her. I'll get in touch.
Simon Hitchen said
Fri Jun 1 5:14 AM, 2012
1 Common Tern this evening - the first this year here
Also 2 Cormorant and the 3 Oystercatcher chicks still thriving.
Anyone know who saw the Red Kite so that we can hopefully get them to submit a GM rarity form - it is (as far as I am aware) the first record at the site so it would be a shame if it was not submitted.
Karen Clewer said
Sun May 27 9:46 PM, 2012
Red Kite spotted flying towards the lake from Longden End this morning at about 11.00am.
Davidcaron62 said
Sun May 20 7:33 PM, 2012
20th May 2012
9am Bright but chilly.
An early morning walk (Well hobble really) around the lake this morning. The usual variety of birds plus.
Swifts (In amoungst the swallows at the back of the disused sailing club) Wheatear (Two pair in the fields near Peanock farm) Oystercatchers with their chicks were parading around in front of the hide. Ringed Plover (Staying out of the way of the Oystercatchers) Cormorant (Juvenile. On the mudflats)
A nice morning to be out and about
Regards
Dave
Karen Clewer said
Thu May 17 3:39 PM, 2012
Re water level at Hollingworth Lake. This is being closely monitored but please, please let me know if the level is in danger of disturbing anything specific. Thank you.
Simon Hitchen said
Tue May 15 10:23 PM, 2012
15/5 2 Shelduck this morning found by Ian Kimber
Also the Oystercatchers with 3 chicks 4 Common Sandpipers 1 Redshank pair Long-tailed Tits feeding recently fledged young
I must thank United Utilities and the rangers for keeping the water levels artificially low so that the Oystercatchers were able to be successful and I hope they will continue to keep the lake at this level until the chicks are independent, despite calls from other lake users for the level to be raised.
13/5
1 Dunlin 1 Ringed Plover
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 10:25:33 PM
Simon Hitchen said
Tue May 8 4:27 AM, 2012
Drake Shoveler on the lake early this morning
Also 1 Teal, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper
Karen Clewer said
Tue May 8 3:10 AM, 2012
A crow waddled calmly in through the Visitor Centre main door this morning. Wasn't fazed by the Bank Holiday crowds. It walked all around the exhibition, into one office, then another office, before I guided it out of the back door. Surreal.
Simon Hitchen said
Sun May 6 4:58 AM, 2012
Janet Whitham saw an Osprey flying north over the lake being harrassed by crows at 0930 this morning.
I didn't have any such luck but had my first Whitethroat of the year singing near Clegg Hall.
Simon Hitchen said
Thu May 3 8:35 PM, 2012
1 Cormorant 2 Great-crested grebes 1 Tufted Duck 2 Grey Partridge 8 Oystercatcher 1 Redshank 2 Common Sandpipers 1 Common Gull 2 Swift 6 Fieldfare 1 Lesser Whitethroat 4 Blackcap 1 Lesser Redpoll over
A Green Woodpecker and a pair of Stonechat were near Whittaker - especially pleased to see the Stonechats as they are the first I've seen here for a couple of years
2 Grasshopper Warblers were reeling at Clegg Hall yesterday evening
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 08:43:37 PM
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 09:34:10 PM
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 10:03:21 PM
Simon Hitchen said
Tue May 1 10:20 PM, 2012
1/5
1 Cormorant 1 Ringed plover 2 Oystercatcher 2 Redshank 1 Common Sandpiper 1 Swift
30/4
5 Arctic terns 1 Swift
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 10:34:04 PM
Simon Hitchen said
Fri Apr 27 6:06 AM, 2012
Lots of great birds throughout the county today.....but not here!
2 Common Sandpiper 4 Oystercatcher 1 Redshank
Simon Hitchen said
Thu Apr 26 5:15 AM, 2012
2 Arctic Terns were sitting on the buoy nearest the nature reserve on my way home from work at 8:00 pm - makes me wonder what may have passed through unseen during the day.
Rob Willis said
Wed Apr 25 2:28 PM, 2012
Late report for yesterday pm, not exactly round the Lake itself but in it's wider environs.
A couple of Fieldfares seen at Bib Knowl, plus Mistle Thrush (some of the latter also seen in a couple of other locatuions). A Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in the trees below Schofield Hall Road; Curlew up on the Pennine Bridleway; Swallows around Whittaker Golf Course.
Also seen in various locations Long Tailed/Blue/Great/Coal Tits; Goldfinches and Greenfinches.
Finally, what I think was a Spotted Flycatcher in the big hedge area by the Lake. I couldn't get a definitive ID of this bird as I couldn't get a clear enough view for long enough, but it was acting exactly as a Flycatcher should in terms of dashing from it's perch grabbing an insect then returning to the same perch; and it was about the same size and colouration as would be expected.
However, the perch was around a bush out of my direct sight and I was unable to stay for long because technically I may have been trespassing and I was aware that the farmer was coming round to tend to his horses. I wish now I'd approached him and asked if I was OK to stay but hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Has anyone seen a Spotted Flycatcher in this vicinity at this time of year, or have I simply misidentified this bird?
-- Edited by Rob Willis on Wednesday 25th of April 2012 02:29:46 PM
Simon Hitchen said
Sun Apr 15 4:36 AM, 2012
0630-0730:-
1 Great-crested grebe 2 Cormorant 1 Greylag Goose 2 Little ringed plovers 2 Redshank 3 Oystercatcher 1 Dunlin Great spotted Woodpecker drumming 1 White Wagtail 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Swallow 1 Chiffchaff c10 Willow Warblers 1 Blackcap 2 Siskin over
Ok so it's not at the lake but when I opened my curtains yesterday morning a red legged partridge was pecking along the street. Not seen one of them in Dearnley before. Lovely start to the day.
John Doherty said
Thu Apr 5 4:35 PM, 2012
My first visit to Hollingworth, didn't plan it - tried to head to Dove Stone Res. but caught the wrong bus
Nonetheless -
2 Lesser-blackbacked Gulls c8 Oystercatcher - hard to count - there were three on the 'beach' when I arrived, two flew back and forth over the lake, then when I got back to the 'beach' only 1 was around but then 6 went overhead and one of them dropped into the beach whilst the others proceeded in the direction of Smithy Bridge.
Marshy area near the hide - 3 Plover in total, too distant to be IDd conclusively, but one was definitely a Ringed Plover, also 2 Pied Wagtails there.
No raptors
-- Edited by John Doherty on Thursday 5th of April 2012 04:49:08 PM
Alan Nuttall said
Tue Apr 3 7:42 PM, 2012
0900hrs,16 Wigeon,pair Shoveler,9 Teal,5 Oystercatchers by 0920hrs all the ducks had gone exsept for the Teal. Then went on to my patch on Clegg Hall Marsh. Clegg new Pools, 3 Wigeon,pair Shoveler- quite possible Hollingworth ducks! 3 Greylag,8 Tufted,5 Coot,6 Mallard,3 Mute Swan,1 Cormorant,1 Oystercatcher. Spring migrants this morning,5 Sand Martin,2 Willow Warbler. 2012 site list 59 species.
Cheers Alan
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 3rd of April 2012 07:57:36 PM
Karen Clewer said
Tue Apr 3 5:20 PM, 2012
A better April Fool would have been the rare bare-bottomed twitcher...
Simon Hitchen said
Tue Apr 3 3:19 AM, 2012
0730: 3 Shelduck 2 Redshank
Yes David I'm afraid it tends to be fairly soul-destroying trying to go birding at the lake at weekends unless you can get there early doors -any migrant ducks or waders leave as soon as the rowing boats come out at around 730. Makes you wonder what the place could be like without all the disturbance. You can still get away from the crowds though - I would recommend trying areas away from the lake itself such as Ealees Valley, Whittaker Wood, Longden End and Shaw Moss - there are some maps of the footpaths through these areas in the visitor centre - and you'd be surprised how easy it is to escape the crowds and still find some interesting wildlife.
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Apr 1 8:45 PM, 2012
1st April 2012
9am Very bright but chilly.
A disappointing early morning walk around the lake. Water birds were very few and far between . There were however throngs of people (Is there a connection? ). I know I don't visit often but I have never seen so many people out so early.
Oystercatcher (Highlight of the morning watching three chase each other around) Mallard Canada Goose Teal (Only 2) Grey Heron Carrion Crow Magpie Blackbird Blue Tit Great Tit Coal Tit (Not seen many of these this year) Mistle Thrush
Heard lots of others but saw little and am too inexperienced to identify much by call. I could however tell lots of what's going on in other peoples lives from their overly loud mobile phone conversations. Much more exciting than Coronation Street .
The perfect end to the morning was reading the board outside the visitor centre detailing what has been seen lately. Pochard, Redshank, kittiwake, Little Owl to name a few. Where had they all gone. If I did not know the lake area better I would suspect an April fools day joke
Regards
Dave
Simon Hitchen said
Fri Mar 30 4:53 AM, 2012
Adult Kittiwake early morning but flew off at 0725. 17 Teal 3 Oystercatchers Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming 1 Chiffchaff 1 Lesser Redpoll over
Longen End
1 Curlew 3 Sand Martins - first of the year here male Wheatear singing
Mike Cooper said
Mon Mar 26 3:53 AM, 2012
sUN 25/3 15:30 - 17:30 sUNNY HOT!!! N breeze started from 16:30
Oystercatcher 2 flying about and noisily displaying on shore by res
Chiffchaff S(inging) in reserve
Deon Meadowcroft said
Thu Mar 22 12:09 AM, 2012
pleasant walk round the lake today bit quiet on the bird front though grey heron,kestrel,mallard,teal,cormorant,oystercatcher and two redshank from the hide
regards deon
Karen Clewer said
Mon Mar 19 4:46 PM, 2012
I'll need a separate page in Hollingworth Lake's Wildlife Diary for contributors and their underwear (or lack of it)
simon ghilks said
Mon Mar 19 4:26 PM, 2012
Karen Foulkes wrote:
John Rayner wrote:
The Royal Marines Commando Unit claims to be on permanent readiness to deploy across the globe.
A perfect parallel is Mr Rigby who is also on permanent readiness to twitch any bird in GM.
But I believe he took the analogy a step too far today in going commando for a Kittiwake at Hollinworth Lake.
Cheers, John
I did wonder why he was walking funnily when he was at Audenshaw! I'm glad I didn't know!
From what I could tell he could have been completely naked, moving that fast I couldn't get a fix on him. id on call alone, sounded something like "silent meals club"
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Mar 19 4:34 AM, 2012
John Rayner wrote:
The Royal Marines Commando Unit claims to be on permanent readiness to deploy across the globe.
A perfect parallel is Mr Rigby who is also on permanent readiness to twitch any bird in GM.
But I believe he took the analogy a step too far today in going commando for a Kittiwake at Hollinworth Lake.
Cheers, John
I did wonder why he was walking funnily when he was at Audenshaw! I'm glad I didn't know!
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Mar 19 4:06 AM, 2012
I'm not sure I wanted to know that John! He did have an unfeasibly quick response time of about 20 minutes though.
This evening 2 Wheatears at Longden End and also a Dipper heard calling but not seen. A Little Owl was near Whittaker.
John Rayner said
Mon Mar 19 2:50 AM, 2012
The Royal Marines Commando Unit claims to be on permanent readiness to deploy across the globe.
A perfect parallel is Mr Rigby who is also on permanent readiness to twitch any bird in GM.
But I believe he took the analogy a step too far today in going commando for a Kittiwake at Hollinworth Lake.
Cheers, John
Simon Hitchen said
Sun Mar 18 7:40 PM, 2012
2 adult Kittiwakes this morning - still present at 0900 dodging the rowing boats
Also 3 Curlew over, 2 Redshanks, 4 Oystercatchers
Rob Willis said
Sun Mar 18 2:53 AM, 2012
Belated news of a single female Stonechat seen on Wednesday March 14th up towards the Pennine Bridleway on a walk in the wider area of the Lake. Also saw a Sparrowhawk being harried by a single crow near the small wood at Bib Knowl.
Apologies for lateness.
Simon Hitchen said
Sat Mar 17 8:03 PM, 2012
Quite a few ducks at 7 am:-
3 Wigeon 4 Tufted Duck 2 Pochard 5 Goldeneye
At 730 am:-
5 rowing boats 0 ducks
I sometimes wonder why I bother.
Also today 31 Teal (28 Shaw Moss), 1 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew over, Snipe chipping at Shaw Moss and Alan Nuttall had a Chiffchaff at Clegg Hall.
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Saturday 17th of March 2012 08:43:18 PM
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Saturday 17th of March 2012 08:43:51 PM
Simon Hitchen said
Tue Mar 13 4:43 AM, 2012
3 Shoveler this morning (2 males, 1 female)
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Mar 12 4:08 AM, 2012
Drake Mandarin on Akzo Pond this evening Also:- 2 Cormorant, 14 Teal, 2 Coot (Akzo Pond), 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 1 Curlew over, Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming, 1 Grey Wagtail,4 Skylarks E, 30+ Redwings (several in babbling sub-song), 2 Fieldfare, 1 Siskin over
Karen Foulkes said
Thu Mar 8 2:36 AM, 2012
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Common Scoter still present at 4:25 this afternoon.
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
With Simon Ghilks
The Common Scoter was almost at the opposite side of the Lake upon arrival. It was still present despite there having been some boats out on the lake earlier in the afternoon!
Drake Goosander also present this evening.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Mar 8 12:26 AM, 2012
Common Scoter still present at 4:25 this afternoon.
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
Mark Rigby said
Wed Mar 7 4:44 PM, 2012
Drake Common Scoter still present at 0840hrs loafing off the sailing club.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 7 8:16 AM, 2012
Drake Common Scoter on the lake this morning.
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 7th of March 2012 08:47:18 AM
On Thursday (16th) there were 3 Redstarts (appeared to be a family party) in the area to the south of the lake between the Shaw Moss dam and Bib Knowl plantation. Apologies for the late posting but the website appeared to be down on Thursday. No sign of them today unfortunately.
... or very long legs! Another Hollingworth Black-winged Stilt is long overdue
Also a Common Sandpiper, 2 Cormorants and a Siskin heard flying over. Water levels are very high again now and so there's no chance of any waders this autumn unless they've got a snorkel.
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
Sorry for delay in replying but been away.
Didn't find any Green Hairstreaks this year - last seen 2 yrs ago in the area just under the motorway bridge, but one was seen last year in the "nature reserve' at the lake whilst doing some green volunteering (me,not the butterfly!).
Did put in a rarity report as suggested for the Red Kite.
Regards,
Yvonne
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
Chris
Alan Nuttall had 2 Common Terns on 8/6.
Thanks Yvonne for reporting the Red Kite - please do send a rarity report in to Ian - let me know if you need any help doing this. By the way did you see any Green Hairstreaks- I didn't know that they were present in the area?
Cheers, Simon
If you go to the Manchester Birding website there is a page devoted to submitting county rarities, complete with a downloadable form and bits of advise too. Other than that, any problems just let me know
It was me that spotted the Red Kite -I was looking for Green Hairstreaks and fortunately looked up!! It was a fantastic view in the sun, being mobbed by a pair of crows and came quite low over the motorway.
Let me know how to submit the record and I will happily do so, I can check out the grid ref etc.
There was one over Todmorden Moor a few months ago but this is the first I've seen in Rochdale Borough but I've only been looking 21years!!
Regards,
Yvonne
Also 2 Cormorant and the 3 Oystercatcher chicks still thriving.
Anyone know who saw the Red Kite so that we can hopefully get them to submit a GM rarity form - it is (as far as I am aware) the first record at the site so it would be a shame if it was not submitted.
9am Bright but chilly.
An early morning walk (Well hobble really) around the lake this morning. The usual variety of birds plus.
Swifts (In amoungst the swallows at the back of the disused sailing club)
Wheatear (Two pair in the fields near Peanock farm)
Oystercatchers with their chicks were parading around in front of the hide.
Ringed Plover (Staying out of the way of the Oystercatchers)
Cormorant (Juvenile. On the mudflats)
A nice morning to be out and about
Regards
Dave
Thank you.
2 Shelduck this morning found by Ian Kimber
Also the Oystercatchers with 3 chicks
4 Common Sandpipers
1 Redshank
pair Long-tailed Tits feeding recently fledged young
I must thank United Utilities and the rangers for keeping the water levels artificially low so that the Oystercatchers were able to be successful and I hope they will continue to keep the lake at this level until the chicks are independent, despite calls from other lake users for the level to be raised.
13/5
1 Dunlin
1 Ringed Plover
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 10:25:33 PM
Also 1 Teal, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper
I didn't have any such luck but had my first Whitethroat of the year singing near Clegg Hall.
2 Great-crested grebes
1 Tufted Duck
2 Grey Partridge
8 Oystercatcher
1 Redshank
2 Common Sandpipers
1 Common Gull
2 Swift
6 Fieldfare
1 Lesser Whitethroat
4 Blackcap
1 Lesser Redpoll over
A Green Woodpecker and a pair of Stonechat were near Whittaker - especially pleased to see the Stonechats as they are the first I've seen here for a couple of years
2 Grasshopper Warblers were reeling at Clegg Hall yesterday evening
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 08:43:37 PM
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 09:34:10 PM
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 10:03:21 PM
1 Cormorant
1 Ringed plover
2 Oystercatcher
2 Redshank
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Swift
30/4
5 Arctic terns
1 Swift
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 10:34:04 PM
2 Common Sandpiper
4 Oystercatcher
1 Redshank
A couple of Fieldfares seen at Bib Knowl, plus Mistle Thrush (some of the latter also seen in a couple of other locatuions). A Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in the trees below Schofield Hall Road; Curlew up on the Pennine Bridleway; Swallows around Whittaker Golf Course.
Also seen in various locations Long Tailed/Blue/Great/Coal Tits; Goldfinches and Greenfinches.
Finally, what I think was a Spotted Flycatcher in the big hedge area by the Lake. I couldn't get a definitive ID of this bird as I couldn't get a clear enough view for long enough, but it was acting exactly as a Flycatcher should in terms of dashing from it's perch grabbing an insect then returning to the same perch; and it was about the same size and colouration as would be expected.
However, the perch was around a bush out of my direct sight and I was unable to stay for long because technically I may have been trespassing and I was aware that the farmer was coming round to tend to his horses. I wish now I'd approached him and asked if I was OK to stay but hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Has anyone seen a Spotted Flycatcher in this vicinity at this time of year, or have I simply misidentified this bird?
-- Edited by Rob Willis on Wednesday 25th of April 2012 02:29:46 PM
1 Great-crested grebe
2 Cormorant
1 Greylag Goose
2 Little ringed plovers
2 Redshank
3 Oystercatcher
1 Dunlin
Great spotted Woodpecker drumming
1 White Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Swallow
1 Chiffchaff
c10 Willow Warblers
1 Blackcap
2 Siskin over
5 Swallow,7 Sand Martin,3 Singing Willow Warbler,1 Pied Wagtail,
2 Oystercatchers,1 Lapwing,
3 Greylag,12 Canada,8 Tufted,5 Coot,2 Mute Swan,
Cheers Alan
Nonetheless -
2 Lesser-blackbacked Gulls
c8 Oystercatcher - hard to count - there were three on the 'beach' when I arrived, two flew back and forth over the lake, then when I got back to the 'beach' only 1 was around but then 6 went overhead and one of them dropped into the beach whilst the others proceeded in the direction of Smithy Bridge.
Marshy area near the hide - 3 Plover in total, too distant to be IDd conclusively, but one was definitely a Ringed Plover, also 2 Pied Wagtails there.
No raptors
-- Edited by John Doherty on Thursday 5th of April 2012 04:49:08 PM
Then went on to my patch on Clegg Hall Marsh.
Clegg new Pools,
3 Wigeon,pair Shoveler- quite possible Hollingworth ducks!
3 Greylag,8 Tufted,5 Coot,6 Mallard,3 Mute Swan,1 Cormorant,1 Oystercatcher.
Spring migrants this morning,5 Sand Martin,2 Willow Warbler.
2012 site list 59 species.
Cheers Alan
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 3rd of April 2012 07:57:36 PM
3 Shelduck
2 Redshank
Yes David I'm afraid it tends to be fairly soul-destroying trying to go birding at the lake at weekends unless you can get there early doors -any migrant ducks or waders leave as soon as the rowing boats come out at around 730. Makes you wonder what the place could be like without all the disturbance. You can still get away from the crowds though - I would recommend trying areas away from the lake itself such as Ealees Valley, Whittaker Wood, Longden End and Shaw Moss - there are some maps of the footpaths through these areas in the visitor centre - and you'd be surprised how easy it is to escape the crowds and still find some interesting wildlife.
9am Very bright but chilly.
A disappointing early morning walk around the lake. Water birds were very few and far between . There were however throngs of people (Is there a connection? ). I know I don't visit often but I have never seen so many people out so early.
Oystercatcher (Highlight of the morning watching three chase each other around)
Mallard
Canada Goose
Teal (Only 2)
Grey Heron
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit (Not seen many of these this year)
Mistle Thrush
Heard lots of others but saw little and am too inexperienced to identify much by call. I could however tell lots of what's going on in other peoples lives from their overly loud mobile phone conversations. Much more exciting than Coronation Street .
The perfect end to the morning was reading the board outside the visitor centre detailing what has been seen lately. Pochard, Redshank, kittiwake, Little Owl to name a few. Where had they all gone. If I did not know the lake area better I would suspect an April fools day joke
Regards
Dave
17 Teal
3 Oystercatchers
Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming
1 Chiffchaff
1 Lesser Redpoll over
Longen End
1 Curlew
3 Sand Martins - first of the year here
male Wheatear singing
Oystercatcher 2 flying about and noisily displaying on shore by res
Chiffchaff S(inging) in reserve
regards deon
From what I could tell he could have been completely naked,
moving that fast I couldn't get a fix on him.
id on call alone, sounded something like "silent meals club"
I did wonder why he was walking funnily when he was at Audenshaw! I'm glad I didn't know!
This evening 2 Wheatears at Longden End and also a Dipper heard calling but not seen. A Little Owl was near Whittaker.
A perfect parallel is Mr Rigby who is also on permanent readiness to twitch any bird in GM.
But I believe he took the analogy a step too far today in going commando for a Kittiwake at Hollinworth Lake.
Cheers, John
Also 3 Curlew over, 2 Redshanks, 4 Oystercatchers
Apologies for lateness.
3 Wigeon
4 Tufted Duck
2 Pochard
5 Goldeneye
At 730 am:-
5 rowing boats
0 ducks
I sometimes wonder why I bother.
Also today 31 Teal (28 Shaw Moss), 1 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew over, Snipe chipping at Shaw Moss and Alan Nuttall had a Chiffchaff at Clegg Hall.
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Saturday 17th of March 2012 08:43:18 PM
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Saturday 17th of March 2012 08:43:51 PM
Also:-
2 Cormorant, 14 Teal, 2 Coot (Akzo Pond), 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 1 Curlew over, Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming, 1 Grey Wagtail,4 Skylarks E, 30+ Redwings (several in babbling sub-song), 2 Fieldfare, 1 Siskin over
With Simon Ghilks
The Common Scoter was almost at the opposite side of the Lake upon arrival. It was still present despite there having been some boats out on the lake earlier in the afternoon!
Drake Goosander also present this evening.
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 7th of March 2012 08:47:18 AM