Another spectacular swirling display for about ten minutes by at least 10,000 Starlings at the Eastern Reed Bed late afternoon today as they came in to roost. A Peregrine was seen eating its prey on the grass strip beween the reeds and two Sparrowhawks were also seen making several dashes through the roost. Sadly no Bittern seen however.
-- Edited by Brian Baird on Thursday 15th of December 2011 04:17:58 PM
Pete Welch said
Sat Dec 3 8:11 PM, 2011
sid ashton wrote:
Pete Welch wrote:
Bittern - flew into the middle reeds near the small tree at 15.50 - appeared to have come from the far reeds
I hadn't noticed any reports of bittern this year so not sure of this is one of the first records of a returning bird - hopefully back for the winter again?
Pete, the Bittern has been getting reported on the Moore web site since 15th November.
Thanks Sid, I'm late again
sid ashton said
Sat Dec 3 6:25 PM, 2011
Pete Welch wrote:
Bittern - flew into the middle reeds near the small tree at 15.50 - appeared to have come from the far reeds
I hadn't noticed any reports of bittern this year so not sure of this is one of the first records of a returning bird - hopefully back for the winter again?
Pete, the Bittern has been getting reported on the Moore web site since 15th November.
Pete Welch said
Sat Dec 3 5:44 PM, 2011
Just me and my daughter watched the starling roost tonight: cold and windy conditions but the flocks still joined and formed up - displaying for a good ten minutes - complete with:
Buzzard x2 Sparrowhawks x2 [at least one of which, a male, was successful] Heron x3
and the stars of the evening:
Bittern - flew into the middle reeds near the small tree at 15.50 - appeared to have come from the far reeds
Stoat - crossed the track a few feet in front of us as we walked back [near the T junction just west of the far pool]
I hadn't noticed any reports of bittern this year so not sure of this is one of the first records of a returning bird - hopefully back for the winter again?
pete berry said
Fri Nov 4 5:46 PM, 2011
Popped into Moore today for an hour,one of the pools is half empty and the other one is completely drained,just wondering if anyone knows whats goung on there?.Think pools are called Birchwood and Pumphouse.
Little Grebe 26+ Shovelers/Gadwalls/Teal/Tufted/Mallard. BH/LBB Gulls. Canada/Greylag Geese.
etc.etc.etc.
David Wilson said
Sun Jun 5 4:32 PM, 2011
Late posting for Friday.
Willow tit family behind colins hide. Adult and 3 juveniles. Cuckoo heard on upper moss side. Lots of willow warblers, Reed warblers. Lesser whitethroat in front of hide over looking Lapwing lake.
Rob Bell said
Tue Apr 26 4:07 PM, 2011
I was trying out Moore for the first time yesterday, early afternoon. Great little place.
Green Woodpecker Willow Warblers Chiffchaffs Whitethroats Little Grebes GC Grebe 2 Gadwalls Blackcaps Goldfinches and 2 Stock Doves in the fields at the back 1 Yellowhammer 4 Reed Buntings 1 Cormorant
Adam Jones said
Mon Apr 25 4:54 PM, 2011
Monday 25th April 2.30-3.30
My first visit here, but didn't have much time. 1 Treecreeper along the path to Birchwood pool. 2 Little Grebe 1 Black Swan 1 Oystercatcher 6 Gadwall 1 Pochard 1 Great Crested Grebe
David Wilson said
Sun Apr 24 9:55 PM, 2011
Good views of male cuckoo over old canal near lapwing lake from high up on hillcrest quarry. Also peregrine being mobbed in same area.
Neil McCall said
Tue Apr 19 6:43 PM, 2011
My wife went for a walk there today and left her bins behind!! But she did spot a Marsh Harrier.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Apr 7 5:52 PM, 2011
Thursday, April 7.
47 species seen. Highlights included:
Sand Martin 40+ LSWoodpecker 1m excavating hole on dead tree. Green Woodpecker 1 flew across car park field. Treecreeper 1 GtSWoodpecker 1m Reed Bunting 5m at feeding station. Shelduck 3 Lapwing 1 Kestrel 1 pair at nest box. Teal 4 Oystercatcher 2 Buzzard 1 with missing flight feathers. Nuthatch 2 plenty of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers singing. etc.etc.etc.
dave broome said
Tue Apr 5 9:50 PM, 2011
90+ Sand Martin this afternoon
1 second calendar year Glaucous Gull in a ploughed field at the nearby Holly Hedge Lane
sid ashton said
Mon Apr 4 8:27 PM, 2011
Brief visit to Moore this afternoon between showers - the highlight for me was the number of Sandmartins on Birchwood pool - at a very rough guess there were possibly 80. I don't know how folk count these guys while they are darting about all over the place
Joey Eccles said
Sat Apr 2 9:36 PM, 2011
Part of a bumper Cheshire day
Brilliant, extended views of the male LSW
Great views of the tawny owl too
GSW
sparrowhawk
buzzard
pair of meadow pipit at the feeders
on pool:
gadwall
goldeneye
teal
snipe
pochard
tufted
little grebe
oystercatcher
Rory Newton said
Sat Apr 2 9:05 PM, 2011
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showing very well, Today we got the view of a lifetime of The LSW. Also at the feeder area there were Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings. Tawny Owl now has a new roost site on Lapwing Lane and can be seen very well. There was also a Blackcap.
Twitchbot said
Sat Apr 2 6:26 PM, 2011
Brilliant views of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and roosting Tawny Owl which has moved to a new spot on Lapwing Lane now. Also plenty of Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings, I got cracking views of Snipe and Mistle Thrush. There are still plenty of Sand Martins about.
David Wilson said
Fri Apr 1 4:44 PM, 2011
All 3 woodpeckers showing today. Pair of greens on lapwing lane with lesser showing well on dead tree. greater at feeding station. willow warbler and chiffchaff. 2 sightings of stoats on lapwing lane. mistle thrush and swallow dogfield. ruddy duck ,great crested grebe on birchwood pool. yellowhammer,skylark,pair bullfinch + female sparrowhawk on upper moss side. 2 pairs of oystercatchers. one on birchwood + one on pumphouse pool.
alan patterson said
Wed Mar 30 5:21 PM, 2011
Despite the poor weather got good views of the Lesser Pecker on its favourite tree having first picked up the Tawny Owl. We heard several Green Woodpeckers down lapwing Lane but failed to pick one out.
After lunch the BNG gave very good views on the Birchwood Pool as c20 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows circled overhead. Loads of Chiffchaff but did not hear any other Warblers.
As the rain was getting heavy we decided not to venture to Upper Moss Side for the Little Owl but on the way out we got great views of one in the eves above the Owl box on the barns up the hill.
-- Edited by alan patterson on Wednesday 30th of March 2011 05:23:44 PM
Mike Mulholland said
Tue Mar 29 7:37 PM, 2011
Male brambling at the feeding station today, a couple of blackcap and a single willow warbler in song. Little owl at UMS and the common scoter still on the ship canal.
Orange underwing should be on the wing now- worth checking the willows on the south side of the Eastern Reedbed.
Anne Wilkinson said
Mon Mar 28 4:59 PM, 2011
No Lesser Spotted for us but we did see the Tawny owl, at one point being mobbed by a Jay. Two Swallows were over Lapwing Pool and the Black-necked grebe was still on Birchwood Pool. Birders at the Reedbed Hide reported an Osprey flying over at 1120am.
Tony Mossman said
Sun Mar 27 5:36 PM, 2011
Myself and Holly Page popped in today, male LSW first picked up in Birch Wood then flew to usual tree giving stonking views for a few minutes. Black Necked Grebe still present on Birch Pool, also Tawny Owl in tree near to feeding station.
David Wilson said
Sat Mar 26 9:28 PM, 2011
Lesser spotted very vocal and tree tapping but not very showy in round moss wood. Black necked grebe ( single male) on Birchwood pool. Chiffchaff in trees near warehouses. 20 sand martins over birchwood pool hide. Kestrel mobbing buzzard over feeding station. Nuthatches , treecreepers(pair) , redwings over, great spotted woody, plenty reed buntings feeding station, great crested grebes on lapwing lake, birchwood pool and a pair on ship canal. Coal tit near carpark.
35 species.
Phil Owen said
Tue Mar 22 5:36 PM, 2011
Myself and Henry Cook popped in at Moore en-route to Marshside this afternoon and had good views of the male Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker in the usual dead tree near the boardwalk.
Chris Greene said
Mon Mar 21 7:44 AM, 2011
Late post for yesterday 20/03/11 11:00 - 14:00 hrs.. Male LSW showing fairly well again , in usual location ..dead tree ,adjacent to boardwalk near old canal , two goldcrests nearby .. Male Ruddy duck on Birchwood pool .. Also on Birchwood pool ,pair of oystercatchers on island ,single goldeneye ,shovelers and pair of little grebe . Several chiffchaffs heard in Birch Wood , only two seen . Plenty more shovellers and teal on Pump House Pool, sand martins over and buzzard mewing nearby . Eastern reedbed quiet , few reed buntings , grey heron and usual waterfowl ...
Cheers Chris
Alan Turner said
Sat Mar 12 5:52 PM, 2011
Good views of LSW, male. Also - GSW small flocks of Siskins, several Redpoll, 3 Willow Tits 2 Sand Martins over 'Bittern Pool' Buzzard, several overhead + 1 perched.
Chris Greene said
Mon Mar 7 7:34 AM, 2011
Post for yesterday , 06/03/11 @ 14:30 hrs , Brief visit to Moore NR ,highlights included : Great uninterrupted views of a male LSW , for a good twenty minutes or so ,( thanks to the guy from Crewe , who put me onto the best location.) GSWs drumming everywhere , at least three separate birds seen ( 2m and 1f ) Flock of about 30 siskin Four buzzards soaring over landfill area Female sparrowhawk through tree canopy .
Cheers Chris
On a more depressing note : We saw a dead barn owl on the hard-shoulder of the M56 , near the Lymm turn-off !
-- Edited by Chris Greene on Monday 7th of March 2011 08:35:05 AM
John O'Neill said
Sun Mar 6 9:53 PM, 2011
Great views of a LSW today, about 5.00pm.
Feeding high in tall ivy covered tree just inside wood thru' metal gate close to the small parking laybys along the old disused canal.
sid ashton said
Fri Mar 4 4:31 PM, 2011
A passing visit to Moore at lunch-time gave great views, for about half an hour, of male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Round Moss Wood - WA3 on the compartment map west on the Moore Nature reserve web site. The wood is adjacent to the old Latchford canal and has the boardwalk down one side.
Also of interest two Med Gulls on Pumphouse Pool, one in full summer plumage the other almost there
Mike Mulholland said
Thu Mar 3 8:28 AM, 2011
Cheers Nick. There has been lots of sightings of LSW on the patch in the last couple of years (a corollary of the increase in the number of birders visiting the reserve) but no reports of females.
Nick Isherwood said
Wed Mar 2 10:06 PM, 2011
Yes Mike. It was a male. I know from past reports that there seems to be no females down there.
Mike Mulholland said
Wed Mar 2 9:35 PM, 2011
Large 2nd winter Iceland Gull on PHP early afternoon today. Nick, was your LSW a male?
John Barber said
Wed Mar 2 5:24 PM, 2011
Congratulations on the LSW Nick. You must have something I don't. As you know I've been looking for my first LSW for nearly two years, I even went back to Moore this afternoon with high hopes - and dipped again. Still, the Dartford Warbler at Worlds End was some consolation !
Nick Isherwood said
Wed Mar 2 1:26 PM, 2011
A really good mornings birding here this morning has finally come up trumps for me with my first LSW. This is my 4th visit in the last fortnight and I was beginning to wonder if they actually existed or not.
After much wandering this morning from the car park all the way down to the pumphouse pool and back I heard a LSW call from over near the wooden walkway near to the old canal. I eventually located it on a small tree but only managed to watch it for about 20 seconds before it slipped out of sight again so I was unable to get a photo of it. In the words of Arnie - I'll be back!!
Other birds seen today were: Siskin Goldfinch Nuthatch Blue tit Great tit Robin Blackbird Jackdaw Crow Buzzard Tawny Owl - In his usual roost Little Grebe Pochard Gadwall Tufted duck Shelduck Heron GSW Woodpigeon Jay LBBG Herring gull Black headed gull Common gull Cormorant
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Feb 26 3:14 PM, 2011
2-3pm buzzard-2 pochard a few imm gbb gull little grebe teal plenty Jackdaws Oystercatcher-1
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 26th of February 2011 03:24:15 PM
pete berry said
Thu Feb 24 2:46 PM, 2011
1st.w. Glaucous Gull on Pumphouse pool this afternoon,different bird than the one at Richmond Bank a couple of weeks ago.
Mike Mulholland said
Fri Feb 18 5:04 PM, 2011
1st winter male common scoter on the ship canal this morning about 100m west of Randles Sluices.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 22 5:11 PM, 2011
High tide at Richmond was about 1pm and a decent one too at 10.2 metres. Still it was better than our visit on Thursday which Pete and I are trying to forget
Mike Baron said
Sat Jan 22 5:00 PM, 2011
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Pete and I actually made it to the car park at Richmond Bank today and sat there for an hour in the desperate hope the fog would lift. Needless to say we left without getting near the mudbank although it did appear to be rapidly lifting around 11:30 but by that time we'd run out of time as I had to be back home just after dinner
Likewise I had to be home for lunch and it was somewhat galling to see the fog clearing as I was walking back to the car to go home!
As the fog cleared large numbers of gulls started flying off the mersey from further down the river and heading on to the tip. I wonder how many gulls were actually around the tip while it was foggy? High tide was around 2ish I think so I suspect the gulls wouldn't be on the bank in the afternoon anyway.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 22 3:16 PM, 2011
Pete and I actually made it to the car park at Richmond Bank today and sat there for an hour in the desperate hope the fog would lift. Needless to say we left without getting near the mudbank although it did appear to be rapidly lifting around 11:30 but by that time we'd run out of time as I had to be back home just after dinner
Mike Baron said
Sat Jan 22 2:39 PM, 2011
Set off for Richmond Bank this morning and diverted to Moore en route as the fog suddenly descended (*&%$&*!!!)
8 Jays 2 Nuthatches 1 GSW 2 Reed Buntings 1 Lesser Redpoll in a flock of 20 Goldfinches 20+ Redwings Tawny Owl in usual roost
David Wilson said
Fri Jan 21 10:03 PM, 2011
Nice day spent round moore.
All the usual stuff seen including:
Yellowhammer 3 Tree sparrows Redwing Linnet Raven Bullfinch Wigeon Pochard Shelduck Tufted duck Teal Gadwall Shoveler 48 species
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 7 7:34 PM, 2011
Pete Berry and I spent an hour or so here yesterday, mid-afternoon. There were gulls on Pumphouse Pool (right underneath the far hide) but as Sid states, Birdchwood pool was fully frozen and devoid of birds. A Green Woodpecker showed superbly well in front of the far hide at Pumphouse pool for a short while.
sid ashton said
Thu Jan 6 6:36 PM, 2011
A short walk late on this afternoon found the Tawny Owl showing really well in Middle Moss Wood. At the feeding station Great Spotted Pecker and two Reed Bunting.
Birchwood pool is still more or less completely frozen and apart from a couple of Herring Gulls the only other birds on the ice were the remains of Grey Heron that was being devoured by a Common Buzzard
Mike Mulholland said
Fri Dec 10 3:38 PM, 2010
Iceland Gul - probably 1st w and adul Med Gull on BWP this afternoon.
sid ashton said
Wed Dec 8 6:00 PM, 2010
In sub-zero temperatures I had a very short, fall-on-your backside, too-slippy-by-far trip to Moore this afternoon. So when I picked myself up after slipping on the steps down to Birchwood Pool I went to the hide for a sit. Luckily there was another birder, Bryan from Urmston, in the hide who put me on to a Yellow legged Gull, a life time first for me. We then walked around to Middle Moss wood in search of the "new" Tawny Owl and after some minutes it popped its head up in the same tree as was occupied by the bird that was killed a couple of years ago. Walking back to the car-park down the main road was extremely tricky as the ice has not cleared - so if going beware.
In the car park we had brief views of a perched Common Buzzard - Tony and Vivien please note it did not become a RLB after you left
On the way into the reserve there was a Little Owl on the roof of the barn with owl box on the end at Big Hand ranch. Of interest the box seems to be occupied at present by a group of Jackdaws - that's the fifth species that I have seen using that box in the last eighteen months.
Ian Coote said
Sun Dec 5 2:03 PM, 2010
Misty and Icy this morning, but the walk along to Half Way House was rewarded with excellent views of a Short-Earred Owl flying over the Ship Canal.
Also, two female Goldeneye, several Bullfinches and Yellowhammer, along with good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwings.
Henry Cook said
Sat Dec 4 7:40 PM, 2010
There are also recent reports of one at Rostherne Mere but it's acting to form and is elusive.
Ian Coote said
Sat Dec 4 7:24 PM, 2010
Speaking with several of the regulars earlier in the week, speculation suggests that the bird seen briefly at Moore has moved onto Marbury Park.
A Peregrine was seen eating its prey on the grass strip beween the reeds and two Sparrowhawks were also seen making several dashes through the roost.
Sadly no Bittern seen however.
-- Edited by Brian Baird on Thursday 15th of December 2011 04:17:58 PM
Thanks Sid, I'm late again
Pete, the Bittern has been getting reported on the Moore web site since 15th November.
Buzzard x2
Sparrowhawks x2 [at least one of which, a male, was successful]
Heron x3
and the stars of the evening:
Bittern - flew into the middle reeds near the small tree at 15.50 - appeared to have come from the far reeds
Stoat - crossed the track a few feet in front of us as we walked back [near the T junction just west of the far pool]
I hadn't noticed any reports of bittern this year so not sure of this is one of the first records of a returning bird - hopefully back for the winter again?
Swallow 1
Buzzard 5
Kestrel 3
Sparrowhawk 1
Chiffchaff 1 singing.
Goldcrest 3
Coal Tit 1 singing.
L.Redpoll 1
Meadow Pipit 10+
Treecreeper 1
Nuthatch 2
Green Sandpiper 1
Jay 3
Little Grebe 26+
Shovelers/Gadwalls/Teal/Tufted/Mallard.
BH/LBB Gulls.
Canada/Greylag Geese.
etc.etc.etc.
Willow tit family behind colins hide. Adult and 3 juveniles.
Cuckoo heard on upper moss side.
Lots of willow warblers, Reed warblers.
Lesser whitethroat in front of hide over looking Lapwing lake.
Great little place.
Green Woodpecker
Willow Warblers
Chiffchaffs
Whitethroats
Little Grebes
GC Grebe
2 Gadwalls
Blackcaps
Goldfinches and 2 Stock Doves in the fields at the back
1 Yellowhammer
4 Reed Buntings
1 Cormorant
My first visit here, but didn't have much time.
1 Treecreeper along the path to Birchwood pool.
2 Little Grebe
1 Black Swan
1 Oystercatcher
6 Gadwall
1 Pochard
1 Great Crested Grebe
47 species seen. Highlights included:
Sand Martin 40+
LSWoodpecker 1m excavating hole on dead tree.
Green Woodpecker 1 flew across car park field.
Treecreeper 1
GtSWoodpecker 1m
Reed Bunting 5m at feeding station.
Shelduck 3
Lapwing 1
Kestrel 1 pair at nest box.
Teal 4
Oystercatcher 2
Buzzard 1 with missing flight feathers.
Nuthatch 2
plenty of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers singing.
etc.etc.etc.
After lunch the BNG gave very good views on the Birchwood Pool as c20 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows circled overhead. Loads of Chiffchaff but did not hear any other Warblers.
As the rain was getting heavy we decided not to venture to Upper Moss Side for the Little Owl but on the way out we got great views of one in the eves above the Owl box on the barns up the hill.
-- Edited by alan patterson on Wednesday 30th of March 2011 05:23:44 PM
Male LSW showing fairly well again , in usual location ..dead tree ,adjacent to boardwalk near old canal , two goldcrests nearby ..
Male Ruddy duck on Birchwood pool ..
Also on Birchwood pool ,pair of oystercatchers on island ,single goldeneye ,shovelers and pair of little grebe .
Several chiffchaffs heard in Birch Wood , only two seen .
Plenty more shovellers and teal on Pump House Pool, sand martins over and buzzard mewing nearby .
Eastern reedbed quiet , few reed buntings , grey heron and usual waterfowl ...
Cheers Chris
Also - GSW
small flocks of Siskins,
several Redpoll,
3 Willow Tits
2 Sand Martins over 'Bittern Pool'
Buzzard, several overhead + 1 perched.
Brief visit to Moore NR ,highlights included :
Great uninterrupted views of a male LSW , for a good twenty minutes or so ,( thanks to the guy from Crewe , who put me onto the best location.)
GSWs drumming everywhere , at least three separate birds seen ( 2m and 1f )
Flock of about 30 siskin
Four buzzards soaring over landfill area
Female sparrowhawk through tree canopy .
Cheers Chris
On a more depressing note : We saw a dead barn owl on the hard-shoulder of the M56 , near the Lymm turn-off !
-- Edited by Chris Greene on Monday 7th of March 2011 08:35:05 AM
Feeding high in tall ivy covered tree just inside wood thru' metal gate close to the small parking laybys along the old disused canal.
Also of interest two Med Gulls on Pumphouse Pool, one in full summer plumage the other almost there
Nick, was your LSW a male?
After much wandering this morning from the car park all the way down to the pumphouse pool and back I heard a LSW call from over near the wooden walkway near to the old canal. I eventually located it on a small tree but only managed to watch it for about 20 seconds before it slipped out of sight again so I was unable to get a photo of it. In the words of Arnie - I'll be back!!
Other birds seen today were:
Siskin
Goldfinch
Nuthatch
Blue tit
Great tit
Robin
Blackbird
Jackdaw
Crow
Buzzard
Tawny Owl - In his usual roost
Little Grebe
Pochard
Gadwall
Tufted duck
Shelduck
Heron
GSW
Woodpigeon
Jay
LBBG
Herring gull
Black headed gull
Common gull
Cormorant
buzzard-2
pochard
a few imm gbb gull
little grebe
teal
plenty Jackdaws
Oystercatcher-1
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 26th of February 2011 03:24:15 PM
Likewise I had to be home for lunch and it was somewhat galling to see the fog clearing as I was walking back to the car to go home!
As the fog cleared large numbers of gulls started flying off the mersey from further down the river and heading on to the tip. I wonder how many gulls were actually around the tip while it was foggy? High tide was around 2ish I think so I suspect the gulls wouldn't be on the bank in the afternoon anyway.
No gulls on Birchwood Pool
On Pumphouse pool:
2000+ Black-headed Gulls
150+ Common Gulls
15 Herring Gulls
5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Mooch through the woods yielded:
8 Jays
2 Nuthatches
1 GSW
2 Reed Buntings
1 Lesser Redpoll in a flock of 20 Goldfinches
20+ Redwings
Tawny Owl in usual roost
All the usual stuff seen including:
Yellowhammer 3
Tree sparrows
Redwing
Linnet
Raven
Bullfinch
Wigeon
Pochard
Shelduck
Tufted duck
Teal
Gadwall
Shoveler
48 species
Birchwood pool is still more or less completely frozen and apart from a couple of Herring Gulls the only other birds on the ice were the remains of Grey Heron that was being devoured by a Common Buzzard
In the car park we had brief views of a perched Common Buzzard - Tony and Vivien please note it did not become a RLB after you left
On the way into the reserve there was a Little Owl on the roof of the barn with owl box on the end at Big Hand ranch. Of interest the box seems to be occupied at present by a group of Jackdaws - that's the fifth species that I have seen using that box in the last eighteen months.
Also, two female Goldeneye, several Bullfinches and Yellowhammer, along with good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwings.