Early am, very quiet The workmen have pumped out the bit of water that had accumulated over the last week, leaving absolutely nothing in again.
Did a "Vis Mig" watch instead 7.30-9.00
Mipits 20 South plus 30+ on the Mud. Skylark 3 SW Jay 4 SW Magpie 11 high SW Siskin 3 SW Rook 1 over Jackdaw 15 over Redwings 15 SW and 25 in the Dip.
Goldcrest 2 Sparrowhawk Kingfisher
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 12th of October 2009 06:35:01 PM
Peter Johnson said
Sun Oct 11 6:12 PM, 2009
Early evening levels very low as they are still pumping out water. Saw 7 Teal.
In front of Benny's we flushed 3 Kingfisher.
Stonechat on barbed wire fence along the canal opposite the Corran Stud.
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 11 4:57 PM, 2009
Early afternoon, 4 Dunlin on the mud with 15+ Jackdaws also on the mud 8 Teal on the bit of water by the pumphouse 3 Snipe flushed from the Creek Lots of Mipits and Linnets around, ive put some seed down where the Linnets are hanging around, near the Creek, see if anything comes in.
Im beginning to miss the water now!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 11th of October 2009 05:05:05 PM
Ian Campbell said
Sun Oct 11 2:36 PM, 2009
Early a.m. with Paul and Peter. Water Rail and 30 Redwing near Bennies. Many Meadow Pipits with small number of Linnet aroun the res. with a flyover Peregrine, also 2 more Redwing at the creek. 34 Snipe in the air over the canal. Cheers Ian
Peter Johnson said
Sat Oct 10 5:58 PM, 2009
This evening only birds of note 13 Teal, 27 Linnet, Little Owl, Kingfisher and on the Irwell next to the Monkey Bridge an escaped Speckled Teal in with several Mallard.
-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Saturday 10th of October 2009 05:59:04 PM
Ian Campbell said
Sat Oct 10 11:28 AM, 2009
10-10.45 after the mist had lifted. Water level a little higher than last week, on the water 2 Teal, on the mud 80 Lapwing and 4 Snipe, also around 70 Meadow Pipit. Canal at Bennies 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher and on the river a fly past Dipper, my first this year. Cheers Ian
Mike Cooper said
Mon Oct 5 11:03 AM, 2009
Mon 5/10 06:45 - 09:00 Cold, still clear / light cloud. Dew mist and light frost
Mallard c. 20 Mipits c. 30 P Wagtail c.10 G Wagtail 2+ Lapwing c. 70 Snipe 1+1 Goldcrest (H+) Bullfinch (H+) Linnet 1 M Teal F & 4 Moorhens (Capsticks)
Dip
Dabchick 2 Chiffchaff 1 (s) Willow Tit Bullfinch 2+
Ian Campbell said
Sun Oct 4 10:34 AM, 2009
Early a.m. again with Paul Lapwing numbers increasing, also lots of Meadow Pipits, 4 Swallow, 3 House Martin and 2 Willow Warbler. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Sat Oct 3 11:12 AM, 2009
Early a.m. with Paul W. Highlite was a site first Golden Plover for both Paul & myself. Also 30+ Meadow Pipit, 80-90 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Raven, 1 Snipe and a male Kestrel. Paul also had 2 Stock Dove. Cheers Ian
Anne Wilkinson said
Sun Sep 27 5:06 PM, 2009
Thanks Ian and Archie. I'm taking someone who has never seen a Little owl and all my normally reliable sites up here in the Ribble Valley have let me down this year.
Ian Campbell said
Sun Sep 27 11:40 AM, 2009
Early a.m. with Peter J At the res flock of 30+ Linnet with plenty of Meadow Pipit still present. Around 50 Swallow flying South and a Water Rail on canal near Bennies. Cheers Ian Forgot the Spotted Flycatcher near Bennies car park and 2 Chiffchaff
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Sunday 27th of September 2009 11:47:46 AM
Peter Johnson said
Sat Sep 26 6:55 PM, 2009
This evening:
Small flock of 18 Linnet at the south end of the res. feeding on seeds that have grown in the dried area
15 Mistle Thrush
Around 150 Swallow / House Martin along the canal and over Radcliffe Cemetery
Ian Campbell said
Sat Sep 26 10:36 AM, 2009
Early a.m. Only birds of note were 70+ Meadow Pipit feeding mainly around the creek area, also 2 Swallow. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Fri Sep 25 3:07 PM, 2009
Anne Take the path from Withins towards Crow Trees Farm. Go past Redstart hedge, after the next hedge you come to a bridge over a stream. From here look right into the field and at the top you should see an old trailer. A Little Owl is nearly always sat on this or the nearby woodpile. Look at the map of Elton in the site guide for more detail. Hope this helps. Cheers Ian
Archie Simpson said
Fri Sep 25 2:44 PM, 2009
Anne, I have seen them on the fence to the right of the farm house, at the far end opposite the yacht club, fairly early in morning, Archie
Anne Wilkinson said
Fri Sep 25 1:36 PM, 2009
Could anyone tell me the best place to see Little owl at Elton please?
Ian Boote said
Tue Sep 22 10:05 AM, 2009
Not muxch on a damp morning Chiff Chaff heard dip and near capsticks. Three Herons o canal. King Fisher below Woos Nab on canal. 6 meadpow pipits and plenty of wagtails on res.
Paul Wilson said
Mon Sep 21 6:25 PM, 2009
I was told it has been delayed a bit due to bad weather, but should be done by beginning of November. More problems due in the future when the "hospital" extension starts!
Neil Collier said
Mon Sep 21 5:36 PM, 2009
Quick question: Does anyone know how long the work at Elton is going to take??
Paul Wilson said
Sun Sep 20 11:33 AM, 2009
Early a.m. with Ian C & Peter J.
Nothing of note on the res - just 6 LBB Gulls in with usual BH Gulls. Several G Herons on what is left of the water. 3 Snipe flushed from Capsticks and another seen later. A couple of Kingfishers also seen.
Left Ian and Peter near Bennies and went in the Dip. Quite lively in there with several Chiffchaffs and Willow Warbler. Spent a while watching two small warblers - looked like Goldcrests without crests. Suspect juv Goldcrests. They were behaving like the Firecrests I had in my Garden! Didn't manage to get decent views before I had to get home. Also had yet another Spotted Flycatcher at bottom of the Dip. Half a dozen Jays flying around as well.
Oh yes, also had Water Rail at the canal overflow near Bennies.
Ian Campbell said
Sat Sep 19 1:40 PM, 2009
Early a.m. with Paul W & Peter J On the small amount of water left were 7 Heron and 2 GCGrebe with lots of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit on the mudflats. Highlite was the Spotted Flycatcher in bushes by stream below Withins, also here at least 3 Blackcap and a probable Garden Warbler. Little Owl on usual trailer. Cheers Ian
Peter Johnson said
Fri Sep 18 5:51 PM, 2009
2 Whinchat in Old Hall Farm field at 17:20 viewed from along the canal.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 17 7:35 PM, 2009
In February this year, digi-master Paul Hackett saw a colour-ringed Black-headed Gull at Elton and has now received full details of the birds origins and movements which I have included below. Note that the bird was back in Denmark just a little over a month after the Elton sighting!
Thanks to Paul for persuing the sighting and for providing all the information.
Metal ring: COPENHAGEN 6H....2943 Colour ring: White VVT Ringing data Species: Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) Hood: 7 Age: 3y+ ; Head: 82,3 Sex: Male Wing: 311 Date: 29-03-2008 Locality: Svanemøllebugten, København, DK06 55.43N-012.35E Ringer: Kjeld Tommy Pedersen Recovery data 14-02-2009 &nb sp; White VVT ELTON RESERVOIR BURY GBMA 53.35N-002.19W Alive Colour ring read Paul Hackett 7 81 25-03-2009 White VVT SANKT JØRGENS SØ KØBENHAVN DK06 55.41N-012.34E Alive Colour ring read Eddie Fritze &nbs p; 8 81 Number of recoveries: 2
brian fielding said
Thu Sep 17 5:14 PM, 2009
0730 till 10am, not much again, no waders, 3 shelduck on withins, many hirundines passing through, a few meadow pipits, grey wag, sparrowhawk.
brian fielding said
Tue Sep 15 8:03 AM, 2009
0630 till 0730, nothing of note, no waders on res or capsticks, a few warblers, grey wag, 6 herons.
Mike Cooper said
Mon Sep 14 2:07 PM, 2009
Monday 14/9 11:30 - 13:00 No sign of Wood Sanp on Res, Capsticks nor Withens Res Mallard c. 35 G C Grebe 2 G HEron 3 imm C Goose c. 60 Bhd Gull c, 60 LBb Gull 2 (ad) + 1 imm H GUll 1 3Y C Gull 1 (ad) Captiscks Moorhen 6 imm P Wagtail c. 20 mostly juvs with 2 (ad F) Grey Wagtail Withins Res G C Grebe 5 TEal at end (1 M + 4 F)
Simon Warford said
Mon Sep 14 9:08 AM, 2009
Wood Sandpiper still present this morning, on the small pool on the main res till 8.15am then flushed by workmen and flew high towards withins when lost to view, wasnt relocated on Capsticks but could well return. A Spotted Flycatcher in the dead tree by Capsticks and a Lesser Whitethroat still about the area with Long Tailed Tits. Peregrine on Pylon and 6 Teal on small pool by Pumphouse.
Paul Wilson said
Sun Sep 13 5:12 PM, 2009
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Wood Sand still present on Capsticks at 4:05pm atleast
Info thanks to Henry Cook
Still showing at 5pm. Very close to footpath. Info Simon Warford.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 13 4:28 PM, 2009
Wood Sand still present on Capsticks at 4:05pm atleast
Info thanks to Henry Cook
Paul Wilson said
Sun Sep 13 2:53 PM, 2009
Juv Wood Sandpiper still showing well at 2.30pm - sometimes down to 20yds - in Capsticks field.
Henry Cook said
Sun Sep 13 1:42 PM, 2009
Heard it was still around at 1.30pm.
Henry Cook said
Sun Sep 13 1:31 PM, 2009
Has the bird been seen since 12pmat all? Cheers. Henry.
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 13 12:00 PM, 2009
WOOD SANDPIPER back on Capsticks 12pm showing well, please approach with caution birds are very easily disturbed as the marsh is right next to the path.
Info from Simon Johnson
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 13 11:25 AM, 2009
WOOD SANDPIPER 11am Capsticks Marsh, then flew low possibly towards the huge expanse of mud known as the Reservoir. Currently being looked for.
Info thanks to Peter Baron.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 13th of September 2009 08:36:18 PM
brian fielding said
Thu Sep 10 5:29 PM, 2009
hi simon, got the lesser whitethroat in capsticks aprox 30mins after we saw you, also garden warbler nr the creek but no sign of spot fly.
Simon Warford said
Thu Sep 10 10:00 AM, 2009
10/9/09 7am-9am with Paul,
Abit quiet really,
A new Spotted Flycatcher in the hedge between wader point and Capsticks giving Paul some good photo opportunities Garden Warbler still in hedge by Capsticks favouring elderberries Lesser Whitethroat, below Withins with tit flock then moved towards Capsticks, not sure if connected Brian? Many Blackcaps this morning plus 1 Whitethroat and smaller numbers of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs.
No sign of any Ringed plovers they seemed to have moved on, only 1 Common Sand only wader. Little Grebe on whats left of the water but flushed off by the boats and nets who are catching the fish.
Sparrowhawk chasing Pied Wags, not alot else!
Simon Warford said
Wed Sep 9 8:07 PM, 2009
3 Black Tailed Godwits present this afternoon (Info from Dennis Colbert) however no sign of them 5-6pm but 15 Ringed Plover, single Dunlin still, plus Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler still around Capsticks stocking up on elderberries.
Ian Campbell said
Mon Sep 7 4:07 PM, 2009
Also seen this a.m. was 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps and 1 Common Sandpiper. Last weekday visit for a while from me as it's back to teaching Farnworth finest from tomorrow. Cheers Ian
Mark Rigby said
Mon Sep 7 8:03 AM, 2009
No sign af Curlew Sand this morning but Dunlin and c10 Ringed Plover still.
Info thanks to Warfy (jnr)
Rob Thorpe said
Sun Sep 6 9:31 PM, 2009
Ian McKerchar wrote: Ooh, 'tis a dangerous game to play with the top of the county's premier league.
Did somebody mention the Wigan Flashes? Or did you mean Castleshaw?
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Sunday 6th of September 2009 10:01:23 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Sep 6 9:17 PM, 2009
Simon Warford wrote:
Ian McKerchar wrote: Ooh, 'tis a dangerous game to play with the top of the county's premier league. Especially as it looks like it's just recorded the first Turtle Dove for years
I must admit you are pushing us all the way
Sorry im a giddy mood tonite, just cracked open another Boddingtons
and flyover photographed curlew sands count as 2 so that makes 4
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 6 8:39 PM, 2009
Ian McKerchar wrote: Ooh, 'tis a dangerous game to play with the top of the county's premier league. Especially as it looks like it's just recorded the first Turtle Dove for years
I must admit you are pushing us all the way
Sorry im a giddy mood tonite, just cracked open another Boddingtons
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 6 8:05 PM, 2009
Simon Warford wrote:
Thats 3-2 to Elton so far this year and ours actually landed
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 6th of September 2009 07:44:36 PM
Ooh, 'tis a dangerous game to play with the top of the county's premier league. Especially as it looks like it's just recorded the first Turtle Dove for years
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 6 7:35 PM, 2009
Wow Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper showing really well by the sailing club 7pm at least, sometimes as close as 30 feet, its not feeding on the waters edge but favouring the wet areas near the orange fence. Its with 16 Ringed Plover, Dunlin and 1 Common Sand. Makes up for missing the two adults in June, and a juvenile is much better looking with its subtle tones and buffish sides, get in
Thats 3-2 to Elton so far this year and ours actually landed
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 6th of September 2009 07:44:36 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 6 4:25 PM, 2009
Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper present from 4:15 atleast this afternoon. Favouring the southern end currently (found by Peter Johnson).
Peregrine on the pylon Spotted Flycatcher in the Dip. Garden Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat Capsticks eating elderberries. Whitethroat 3 Chiffchaff 6 Common Sand Dunlin 2 Ringed Plover 13 Snipe 3 Cormorant 13+ picking of whats left of the fish. Jay 7 Bullfinch 4 Kingfisher Swallow 75 south Mipits 37 south
Simon Johnson said
Sat Sep 5 7:53 PM, 2009
Visit 16.30-18.30 With Warfy
Buzzard and 2 Raven seen by Warfy before i got there. 13 Ringed Plover and a Common Sand only waders, juv Shelduck landed on the pond in the dip and flew off south couple of Chiffchaff about.
totals for this morning 143 Meadow Pipit, 229 Swallow, 5 Grey Wag, 15 House Martin, 2 Sand martin and 40 Goldfinch all in a south direction
Simon Johnson said
Sat Sep 5 12:54 PM, 2009
very ealy am left as Jill and Ian C arrived as had to go to work and missed the Whinchat even though had a quick look for them.
Not much more to add other than there was a decent movement of Meadow Pipits and Swallows first thing in with them the odd sand martin and grey wag and siskin flew west
Juv Arctic Tern (ring on right leg) still present 2pm (presumably the same bird reported on the bird info services as a juv Black Tern at 11am). Also juv Shelduck and many ringed plovers.
The workmen have pumped out the bit of water that had accumulated over the last week, leaving absolutely nothing in again.
Did a "Vis Mig" watch instead 7.30-9.00
Mipits 20 South plus 30+ on the Mud.
Skylark 3 SW
Jay 4 SW
Magpie 11 high SW
Siskin 3 SW
Rook 1 over
Jackdaw 15 over
Redwings 15 SW and 25 in the Dip.
Goldcrest 2
Sparrowhawk
Kingfisher
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 12th of October 2009 06:35:01 PM
In front of Benny's we flushed 3 Kingfisher.
Stonechat on barbed wire fence along the canal opposite the Corran Stud.
4 Dunlin on the mud with 15+ Jackdaws also on the mud
8 Teal on the bit of water by the pumphouse
3 Snipe flushed from the Creek
Lots of Mipits and Linnets around, ive put some seed down where the Linnets are hanging around, near the Creek, see if anything comes in.
Im beginning to miss the water now!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 11th of October 2009 05:05:05 PM
Water Rail and 30 Redwing near Bennies. Many Meadow Pipits with small number of Linnet aroun the res. with a flyover Peregrine, also 2 more Redwing at the creek. 34 Snipe in the air over the canal.
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Saturday 10th of October 2009 05:59:04 PM
Cheers Ian
Mallard c. 20
Mipits c. 30
P Wagtail c.10
G Wagtail 2+
Lapwing c. 70
Snipe 1+1
Goldcrest (H+)
Bullfinch (H+)
Linnet 1 M
Teal F & 4 Moorhens (Capsticks)
Dip
Dabchick 2
Chiffchaff 1 (s)
Willow Tit
Bullfinch 2+
Lapwing numbers increasing, also lots of Meadow Pipits, 4 Swallow, 3 House Martin and 2 Willow Warbler.
Cheers Ian
Highlite was a site first Golden Plover for both Paul & myself.
Also 30+ Meadow Pipit, 80-90 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Raven, 1 Snipe and a male Kestrel. Paul also had 2 Stock Dove.
Cheers Ian
At the res flock of 30+ Linnet with plenty of Meadow Pipit still present. Around 50 Swallow flying South and a Water Rail on canal near Bennies.
Cheers Ian
Forgot the Spotted Flycatcher near Bennies car park and 2 Chiffchaff
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Sunday 27th of September 2009 11:47:46 AM
Small flock of 18 Linnet at the south end of the res. feeding on seeds that have grown in the dried area
15 Mistle Thrush
Around 150 Swallow / House Martin along the canal and over Radcliffe Cemetery
Cheers Ian
Take the path from Withins towards Crow Trees Farm. Go past Redstart hedge, after the next hedge you come to a bridge over a stream. From here look right into the field and at the top you should see an old trailer. A Little Owl is nearly always sat on this or the nearby woodpile. Look at the map of Elton in the site guide for more detail. Hope this helps.
Cheers Ian
Chiff Chaff heard dip and near capsticks. Three Herons o canal. King Fisher below Woos Nab on canal. 6 meadpow pipits and plenty of wagtails on res.
Does anyone know how long the work at Elton is going to take??
Nothing of note on the res - just 6 LBB Gulls in with usual BH Gulls. Several G Herons on what is left of the water. 3 Snipe flushed from Capsticks and another seen later.
A couple of Kingfishers also seen.
Left Ian and Peter near Bennies and went in the Dip. Quite lively in there with several Chiffchaffs and Willow Warbler. Spent a while watching two small warblers - looked like Goldcrests without crests. Suspect juv Goldcrests. They were behaving like the Firecrests I had in my Garden! Didn't manage to get decent views before I had to get home.
Also had yet another Spotted Flycatcher at bottom of the Dip. Half a dozen Jays flying around as well.
Oh yes, also had Water Rail at the canal overflow near Bennies.
On the small amount of water left were 7 Heron and 2 GCGrebe with lots of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit on the mudflats. Highlite was the Spotted Flycatcher in bushes by stream below Withins, also here at least 3 Blackcap and a probable Garden Warbler. Little Owl on usual trailer.
Cheers Ian
Thanks to Paul for persuing the sighting and for providing all the information.
Metal ring: COPENHAGEN 6H....2943 Colour ring: White VVT
Ringing data
Species: Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) Hood: 7
Age: 3y+ ; Head: 82,3
Sex: Male Wing: 311
Date: 29-03-2008
Locality: Svanemøllebugten, København, DK06 55.43N-012.35E
Ringer: Kjeld Tommy Pedersen
Recovery data
14-02-2009 &nb sp; White VVT ELTON RESERVOIR BURY GBMA 53.35N-002.19W
Alive Colour ring read Paul Hackett 7 81
25-03-2009 White VVT SANKT JØRGENS SØ KØBENHAVN DK06 55.41N-012.34E
Alive Colour ring read Eddie Fritze &nbs p; 8 81
Number of recoveries: 2
No sign of Wood Sanp on Res, Capsticks nor Withens
Res
Mallard c. 35
G C Grebe 2
G HEron 3 imm
C Goose c. 60
Bhd Gull c, 60
LBb Gull 2 (ad) + 1 imm
H GUll 1 3Y
C Gull 1 (ad)
Captiscks
Moorhen 6 imm
P Wagtail c. 20 mostly juvs with 2 (ad F)
Grey Wagtail
Withins Res
G C Grebe
5 TEal at end (1 M + 4 F)
Still showing at 5pm. Very close to footpath. Info Simon Warford.
Info thanks to Henry Cook
Cheers. Henry.
Info from Simon Johnson
Info thanks to Peter Baron.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 13th of September 2009 08:36:18 PM
Abit quiet really,
A new Spotted Flycatcher in the hedge between wader point and Capsticks giving Paul some good photo opportunities
Garden Warbler still in hedge by Capsticks favouring elderberries
Lesser Whitethroat, below Withins with tit flock then moved towards Capsticks, not sure if connected Brian?
Many Blackcaps this morning plus 1 Whitethroat and smaller numbers of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs.
No sign of any Ringed plovers they seemed to have moved on, only 1 Common Sand only wader. Little Grebe on whats left of the water but flushed off by the boats and nets who are catching the fish.
Sparrowhawk chasing Pied Wags, not alot else!
Cheers Ian
Info thanks to Warfy (jnr)
Did somebody mention the Wigan Flashes? Or did you mean Castleshaw?
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Sunday 6th of September 2009 10:01:23 PM
and flyover photographed curlew sands count as 2 so that makes 4
I must admit you are pushing us all the way
Sorry im a giddy mood tonite, just cracked open another Boddingtons
Ooh, 'tis a dangerous game to play with the top of the county's premier league. Especially as it looks like it's just recorded the first Turtle Dove for years
Thats 3-2 to Elton so far this year and ours actually landed
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 6th of September 2009 07:44:36 PM
Info thanks to Paul Wilson
A pleasant stroll, in calm conditions for once..
Peregrine on the pylon
Spotted Flycatcher in the Dip.
Garden Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat Capsticks eating elderberries.
Whitethroat 3 Chiffchaff 6
Common Sand
Dunlin 2
Ringed Plover 13
Snipe 3
Cormorant 13+ picking of whats left of the fish.
Jay 7
Bullfinch 4
Kingfisher
Swallow 75 south
Mipits 37 south
Buzzard and 2 Raven seen by Warfy before i got there. 13 Ringed Plover and a Common Sand only waders, juv Shelduck landed on the pond in the dip and flew off south couple of Chiffchaff about.
totals for this morning
143 Meadow Pipit, 229 Swallow, 5 Grey Wag, 15 House Martin, 2 Sand martin and 40 Goldfinch all in a south direction
Not much more to add other than there was a decent movement of Meadow Pipits and Swallows first thing in with them the odd sand martin and grey wag and siskin flew west
2 Oystercatcher
12+Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin
1 Whinchat (near Bennies)
30+ Meadow Pipits
Info per Peter Baron/Alan Warford.