A pair of Goosander dropped into the pond at 8.00am, just as the last of the Mallard were leaving, and promptly began fishing. A second drake flew in five minutes later, and was immediately chased by the other. This performance was repeated whenever the second drake came within 15 or so yards of the female. A third drake flew in, and the drama was re-enacted, with the initial drake chasing both interlopers around the pond, a pair of Coot diving for cover.
It wasn't until another duck and drake pair landed that peace finally descended, and the group, joined by still another drake, began swimming around as a group and started fishing, as though nothing had happened. I understand that Goosander can pair up in winter, often far from their breeding grounds, and I have witnessed drakes having the odd spat of late, but have never witnessed such sustained aggression, followed by comparative serenity in such a short space of time, seemingly due only to a change of personnel?
After all that excitement, the sightings were:
6 Goosander 1 Grey Heron 1 pair of Coot 1 Kingfisher 1 singing Mistle Thrush c6 Long-tailed Tits c6 Nuthatches - very vocal and very mobile
4.30pm - c20 Mallard. No other ducks
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 6th of January 2015 10:24:02 PM
Derek Pates said
Tue Jan 6 5:25 PM, 2015
tuesday 6th January 2015, 8.30am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
heron long tailed tits robin pair of coots m/f goosander fleeting glimse of the kingfisher wrens heard
coots on frozen pond nuthatch long tailed tit bluetit robins bullfinch by the locks/bridge great spotted woodpecker wren nice to meet you david walsh- i was the guy with the camera - thanks for the information.
David Walsh said
Sun Jan 4 1:14 PM, 2015
Sunday 4th January 2015, 10.50 - 11.30am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
The pond was almost completely frozen, holding only the pair of Coot
4 Goosander (3m, 1f) 1 Kingfisher, perched up for a good 15 minutes before being spooked by a Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 pair of Coot 1 Grey Heron 1 m Great Spotted Woodpecker c10 Long-tailed Tits Nuthatch calling Wren singing
David Walsh said
Sat Jan 3 12:30 PM, 2015
Saturday 3rd January 2015, 11.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod, in heavy rain
1 pair of Goosander, plus another male swimming in an overflow channel not much wider than itself 1 pair of Coot 1 drake Teal
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Jan 2 6:15 PM, 2015
2nd Jan. 15.00 - 16.00 hrs.
Stalybridge. Harrop Edge.
Sparrowhawk (m). Kestrel (m).
Roger.
David Walsh said
Fri Jan 2 8:43 AM, 2015
Friday 2nd January 2015, 8.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
5 Goosander (2m, 3f) 1 pair of Coot
David Walsh said
Thu Jan 1 12:12 PM, 2015
Thursday 1st January 2015, 11.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
4 Goosander (2 m, 2f) Pair of Coot
David Walsh said
Wed Dec 31 8:58 AM, 2014
Wednesday 31st December 2014, 8.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod - quite a productive 10 minutes en route to work.
3 Goosander flew out as I approached 1 pair of Coot 1 Moorhen 1 Kingfisher perched up 1 Cormorant flying upriver
David Walsh said
Tue Dec 30 1:34 PM, 2014
Tuesday 30th December 2014, 11.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Coot 1 Moorhen Several Nuthatches moving around noisily
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 30th of December 2014 01:35:36 PM
David Walsh said
Mon Dec 29 9:50 AM, 2014
Monday 29th December 2014, 8.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
Kingfisher buzzing around the bushes overhanging the only unfrozen corner of the pond
David Walsh said
Sun Dec 28 1:39 PM, 2014
Sunday 28th December 2014, 12.30 - 1.00pm
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Coot 3 Moorhens Cormorant over in the direction of the river
David Walsh said
Sat Dec 27 12:31 PM, 2014
Saturday 27th December 2014, 11.30am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
Pair of Coot Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers Pair of Bullfinch Nuthatch calling
Karen Foulkes said
Fri Dec 26 11:05 PM, 2014
County bridge area to Plantation Farm
Moorhen on Tame Jay by roadside
Coopers Ride
Dipper flew upstream
Plantation Farm area
Kingfisher flew from the canal towards the river Drake Goosander on canal 9 Mallard, a pair of which were mating Mixed flock of 70+ finches included c35 Goldfinch and c25 Greenfinch and c6 Chaffinch. The size of the flock only became apparent when all birds took flight
David Walsh said
Wed Dec 24 8:45 AM, 2014
Wednesday 24th December 2014, 8.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 male Goosander, flew out at 8.05 c20 Mallard, flying off noisily at first light 1 Grey Heron
David Walsh said
Mon Dec 22 9:57 AM, 2014
Monday 22nd December 2014, 8.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Goosander 1 Grey Heron c12 Mallard - no time for a detailed count
David Walsh said
Sun Dec 21 2:47 PM, 2014
Sunday 21st December 2014, 11.30am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Goosander fishing - no other ducks at all 1 Kingfisher, also fishing 2 Nuthatches, more calling 1 Treecreeper Several Chaffinch feeding on beech mast Party of Long-tailed Tits Great and Blue Tits moving noisily around 2 Wrens singing against each other
Roger Baker 3 said
Sat Dec 20 7:56 PM, 2014
Sat 20th Dec. 15.00 hrs.
Stalybridge. Printworks Rd.
Had a good scan round for the Mandarin drake but no joy ....... also checked out Tescos but had gone awol there also. Was told there was one on Stamford Park Lake last week-end.
The scan did turn up 4 skulking Moorhen.
6 Goosander ........ 2 male & 4 redhead. 4 Mallard.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Sat Dec 20 5:59 PM, 2014
Saturday 20th December 2014, 12.00pm
Printworks Road, Heyrod
3 Goosander (1 male, 2 female) c10 Mallard 1 drake Mandarin 1 Moorhen Several Nuthatches Plenty of Goldfinch, Chaffinch, and Bullfinch c4 Coal Tits
David Walsh said
Fri Dec 19 9:45 AM, 2014
Friday 19th December 2014, 8.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
7 Goosanders (4m, 3f), with one paired female having a right old go at the other 3 males c16 Mallards
David Walsh said
Thu Dec 18 1:03 PM, 2014
Thursday 18th December 2014, 11.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
2 male, 2 female Goosander. They seemed to be swimming as 2 distinct pairs, with the males having the occasional spat 1 Grey Heron 7 Mallards Kingfisher heard calling, but not seen Several Nuthatches
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 18th of December 2014 01:05:17 PM
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 18th of December 2014 03:15:19 PM
1 Kingfisher perched up on the Millbrook side of the river 1 Moorhen 3 pairs of Mallard 100+ Black-headed Gulls perched on a pylon by the power station 6 Long-tailed Tits
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 5th of December 2014 02:50:26 PM
David Walsh said
Fri Dec 5 7:40 AM, 2014
Friday 5th December 2014, 6.30am
Tawny Owl calling, and flying around the woods at Grove Road, Millbrook
David Walsh said
Sun Nov 30 12:22 PM, 2014
Sunday 30th November 2014, 11.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 male, 1 redhead Goosander, flying in and out 1 Grey Heron 1 Moorhen
David Walsh said
Sat Nov 22 7:36 PM, 2014
Saturday 22nd November 2014, 6.15pm
Tawny Owl calling from the woods at Grove Road, Millbrook
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Nov 10 7:23 PM, 2014
Mon 10th Nov. 13.00 - 15.00 hrs.
Stalybridge. Standrick Hill.
Kestrel. Seemed to be an fair influx of Blackbird since my last visit. Mistle Thrush. 6 Goldfinch. 200+ Greenfinch. Bullfinch. Chaffinch.
Roger.
simon ghilks said
Sat Nov 8 11:09 AM, 2014
8/11/14. 10;45 Currently 2 Fieldfare feeding on berries in a tree in Dukinfield Park. The first time I've seen any Fieldfare from our house since the severe weather in early 2010 when 2 were in the garden and chasing all other thrushes off the food we put out. This tree is the same one that had 16 Blackbirds in it a few weeks ago, it is attracting up to 7 Blackbirds and also 1 Mistle Thrush today.
David Walsh said
Thu Nov 6 9:07 PM, 2014
Thursday 6th November 2014
3.30pm, Pied Wagtail calling from Morrisons roof, Dukinfield
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 25th of October 2014 08:17:06 PM
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Oct 25 6:29 PM, 2014
River Tame in Dukinfield, mid pm
Grey Heron Dipper 10 Long-tailed Tit flew from a tree by the side of the river
simon ghilks said
Fri Oct 17 11:02 AM, 2014
Just counted 16 Blackbirds flying out of one small berry laden tree in Dukinfield Park. Birds are coming and going regularly so possibly more than the 16 using it. Struggling to identify the tree but maybe (Spach) Hedl, produces clusters of small red berries. Also popular with Woodpigeons and a couple of Mistle Thrush. Also, Sparrowhawk just drifted over the park.
Steve Suttill said
Thu Oct 16 9:09 AM, 2014
As one who has used that train route for many years, I've noted that site is usually good for gulls. Not as good a site as it used to be in t'olden days though.
Before the football club moved in, there was just a running track (East Cheshire Harriers I think) and the centre of the track used to have quite big flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover regularly throughout the winter.
The site can be accessed along Richmond Street near the Ashton Moss Sainsbury's.
Ollie Wright said
Wed Oct 15 8:17 PM, 2014
Just to say that I get the train past the Curzon Ashton stadium every morning and there's always a good congregation of gulls on the grass there. I have no idea if it's there's any viewing point for this area, just throwing it out there.
Obviously wouldn't be a good idea to turn up with bins if people were actually jogging around the track in their shorts, as they may get the wrong idea! But there are good numbers of gulls each morning, that's for sure.
Printworks Road, Heyrod
A pair of Goosander dropped into the pond at 8.00am, just as the last of the Mallard were leaving, and promptly began fishing. A second drake flew in five minutes later, and was immediately chased by the other. This performance was repeated whenever the second drake came within 15 or so yards of the female. A third drake flew in, and the drama was re-enacted, with the initial drake chasing both interlopers around the pond, a pair of Coot diving for cover.
It wasn't until another duck and drake pair landed that peace finally descended, and the group, joined by still another drake, began swimming around as a group and started fishing, as though nothing had happened. I understand that Goosander can pair up in winter, often far from their breeding grounds, and I have witnessed drakes having the odd spat of late, but have never witnessed such sustained aggression, followed by comparative serenity in such a short space of time, seemingly due only to a change of personnel?
After all that excitement, the sightings were:
6 Goosander
1 Grey Heron
1 pair of Coot
1 Kingfisher
1 singing Mistle Thrush
c6 Long-tailed Tits
c6 Nuthatches - very vocal and very mobile
4.30pm - c20 Mallard. No other ducks
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 6th of January 2015 10:24:02 PM
Printworks Road, Heyrod
heron
long tailed tits
robin
pair of coots
m/f goosander
fleeting glimse of the kingfisher
wrens heard
Printworks Rd.
Mandarin Drake.
........................................................................
16.00 hrs.
also 7 Lesser Redpoll feeding in the alders on the canal at the side of Tescos were a bit of a surprise .... only gave themselves away by calling.
Roger.
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Coot
1 Kingfisher, fishing successfully
2 Canada Geese
coots on frozen pond
nuthatch
long tailed tit
bluetit
robins
bullfinch by the locks/bridge
great spotted woodpecker
wren
nice to meet you david walsh- i was the guy with the camera - thanks for the information.
Printworks Road, Heyrod
The pond was almost completely frozen, holding only the pair of Coot
River Tame:
1 ringed Dipper singing
1 redhead Goosander fishing
Several noisy Nuthatch around the area
Printworks Road, Heyrod
4 Goosander (3m, 1f)
1 Kingfisher, perched up for a good 15 minutes before being spooked by a Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 pair of Coot
1 Grey Heron
1 m Great Spotted Woodpecker
c10 Long-tailed Tits
Nuthatch calling
Wren singing
Printworks Road, Heyrod, in heavy rain
1 pair of Goosander, plus another male swimming in an overflow channel not much wider than itself
1 pair of Coot
1 drake Teal
Stalybridge. Harrop Edge.
Sparrowhawk (m).
Kestrel (m).
Roger.
Printworks Road, Heyrod
5 Goosander (2m, 3f)
1 pair of Coot
Printworks Road, Heyrod
4 Goosander (2 m, 2f)
Pair of Coot
Printworks Road, Heyrod - quite a productive 10 minutes en route to work.
3 Goosander flew out as I approached
1 pair of Coot
1 Moorhen
1 Kingfisher perched up
1 Cormorant flying upriver
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Coot
1 Moorhen
Several Nuthatches moving around noisily
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 30th of December 2014 01:35:36 PM
Printworks Road, Heyrod
Kingfisher buzzing around the bushes overhanging the only unfrozen corner of the pond
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Coot
3 Moorhens
Cormorant over in the direction of the river
Printworks Road, Heyrod
Pair of Coot
Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Pair of Bullfinch
Nuthatch calling
Moorhen on Tame
Jay by roadside
Coopers Ride
Dipper flew upstream
Plantation Farm area
Kingfisher flew from the canal towards the river
Drake Goosander on canal
9 Mallard, a pair of which were mating
Mixed flock of 70+ finches included c35 Goldfinch and c25 Greenfinch and c6 Chaffinch. The size of the flock only became apparent when all birds took flight
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 male Goosander, flew out at 8.05
c20 Mallard, flying off noisily at first light
1 Grey Heron
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Goosander
1 Grey Heron
c12 Mallard - no time for a detailed count
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 pair of Goosander fishing - no other ducks at all
1 Kingfisher, also fishing
2 Nuthatches, more calling
1 Treecreeper
Several Chaffinch feeding on beech mast
Party of Long-tailed Tits
Great and Blue Tits moving noisily around
2 Wrens singing against each other
Stalybridge. Printworks Rd.
Had a good scan round for the Mandarin drake but no joy ....... also checked out Tescos but had gone awol there also.
Was told there was one on Stamford Park Lake last week-end.
The scan did turn up 4 skulking Moorhen.
6 Goosander ........ 2 male & 4 redhead.
4 Mallard.
Roger.
Printworks Road, Heyrod
3 Goosander (1 male, 2 female)
c10 Mallard
1 drake Mandarin
1 Moorhen
Several Nuthatches
Plenty of Goldfinch, Chaffinch, and Bullfinch
c4 Coal Tits
Printworks Road, Heyrod
7 Goosanders (4m, 3f), with one paired female having a right old go at the other 3 males
c16 Mallards
Printworks Road, Heyrod
2 male, 2 female Goosander. They seemed to be swimming as 2 distinct pairs, with the males having the occasional spat
1 Grey Heron
7 Mallards
Kingfisher heard calling, but not seen
Several Nuthatches
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 18th of December 2014 01:05:17 PM
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 18th of December 2014 03:15:19 PM
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
4 Goosander (1 male)
33 Mallard
1 Grey Heron
Printworks Road, Heyrod
3 redhead Goosander
2 Grey Heron
16 Mallard
1 Moorhen
Printworks Road Heyrod
2 male Goosander
14 Mallard
1 Moorhen
Several Nuthatch
c10 Long-tailed Tits
Printworks Road, Heyrod
8.00am
1 male Goosander
1 Grey Heron
1.15pm
5 Goosander (3m, 2f)
1 Grey Heron
Several Nuthatches
Party of Long-tailed Tits
Printworks Road, Heyrod
3 Goosander (2m, 1f)
1 drake Teal
3 Grey Heron
1 Kingfisher perched up
Male Mandarin on canal at side of Tescos.
also checked out Printworks Rd @ 15.00hrs.
4 Goosander (all redheads).
1 Grey Heron.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 8th of December 2014 04:32:24 PM
Very quick look, en route to work:
At least 14 Goosander at Printworks Road, Heyrod, viewed briefly through the trees
Printworks Road, Heyrod
16 Goosander (9 males)
1 drake Teal
1 Grey Heron
1 pair of Mallard
1 Canada Goose
River Tame, Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 Kingfisher perched up on the Millbrook side of the river
1 Moorhen
3 pairs of Mallard
100+ Black-headed Gulls perched on a pylon by the power station
6 Long-tailed Tits
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 5th of December 2014 02:50:26 PM
Tawny Owl calling, and flying around the woods at Grove Road, Millbrook
Printworks Road, Heyrod
1 male, 1 redhead Goosander, flying in and out
1 Grey Heron
1 Moorhen
Tawny Owl calling from the woods at Grove Road, Millbrook
Mon 10th Nov. 13.00 - 15.00 hrs.
Stalybridge. Standrick Hill.
Kestrel.
Seemed to be an fair influx of Blackbird since my last visit.
Mistle Thrush. 6
Goldfinch. 200+
Greenfinch.
Bullfinch.
Chaffinch.
Roger.
Currently 2 Fieldfare feeding on berries in a tree in Dukinfield Park. The first time I've seen any Fieldfare from our house since the severe weather in early 2010 when 2 were in the garden and chasing all other thrushes off the food we put out.
This tree is the same one that had 16 Blackbirds in it a few weeks ago, it is attracting up to 7 Blackbirds and also 1 Mistle Thrush today.
3.30pm, Pied Wagtail calling from Morrisons roof, Dukinfield
4.45pm, Grey Heron over Stalybridge Post Office
Stalybridge. Printworks Road.
Kingfisher.
Mallard. Pair.
Goosander. 2 Redheads.
Coot. 3
Nuthatch.
Roger.
Stalybridge. Standrick Hill.
Kestrel (pair m & f)
Fieldfare flock of 15.
Mistle Thrush. 3.
Moorhen. 1.
Starlings. flock of 200+ dropping down off the pylons into the field.
Roger.
Tameside Starling Watch
Melbourne Street, Stalybridge, 30+
Ashton market, 250+
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 25th of October 2014 08:17:06 PM
Grey Heron
Dipper
10 Long-tailed Tit flew from a tree by the side of the river
Struggling to identify the tree but maybe (Spach) Hedl, produces clusters of small red berries. Also popular with Woodpigeons and a couple of Mistle Thrush.
Also, Sparrowhawk just drifted over the park.
Before the football club moved in, there was just a running track (East Cheshire Harriers I think) and the centre of the track used to have quite big flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover regularly throughout the winter.
The site can be accessed along Richmond Street near the Ashton Moss Sainsbury's.
Obviously wouldn't be a good idea to turn up with bins if people were actually jogging around the track in their shorts, as they may get the wrong idea! But there are good numbers of gulls each morning, that's for sure.
Best birds were
Kingfisher flying upstream
Dipper also flew upstream
2 Grey Heron
Grey Wagtail
Numbers of other species were low
Around horse field:
20 meadow pipit
2 pied wagtail
2 Swallow
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Chiffchaff
Kingfisher present in the same area yesterday afternoon
River Tame, from Caroline Street Bridge, Stalybridge
1 Dipper
1 very yellow Grey Wagtail
Both on the river next to Longland's Mill
Another Grey Wagtail over the canal at Melbourne Street.