Yes, a few. I have sent some to the Boss to put on the Manchester Birding Website. If you want me to send you the ones i sent him, PM me your email address (your email address isn't in your user profile).
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Wednesday 15th of April 2009 02:36:24 PM
Dave Lowe said
Wed Apr 15 12:00 PM, 2009
Hi Paul any pics of the Med Gulls ?
Dave
Paul Wilson said
Wed Apr 15 11:44 AM, 2009
8.00-10am with Ian Cambell.
Common Tern 1 (didn't stay long) Oystercatcher 1 Tufted Duck 2 GC Grebe 4 Wheatear 1 female near Bennies Little Owl 1 LBB Gull 2 (no meds this morning)
Not much else on a dull overcast morning except loads of Sand Martins (c200) and Swallows (c50) very rough estimates.
Did see a Peregrine when I went back to the main res to see if the Tern had returned (it hadn't). About a dozen Black-headed Gulls soon saw the Peregrine off!
Ian Woosey said
Tue Apr 14 10:01 PM, 2009
Paul Wilson wrote:
No, I'm NOT counting. I couldn't hope to compete with The Legend.
I'm now on 87 by the way!!!
Mmmmm, this could be very interesting......
Mr Wilson on 87 for Elton Res
Mr Thorpe on 94 for Wigan Flashes
Eight and a half months to go.............whose sanity will crack first ?
Paul Wilson said
Tue Apr 14 9:46 PM, 2009
No, I'm NOT counting. I couldn't hope to compete with The Legend.
I'm now on 87 by the way!!!
Ian Campbell said
Tue Apr 14 9:37 PM, 2009
Not that your counting Paul Is Warfy getting worried???????
Paul Wilson said
Tue Apr 14 4:54 PM, 2009
4.15pm
Two Med Gulls near boathouse - thanks Pete for phonecall. Photos to follow.
Paul Wilson said
Tue Apr 14 11:41 AM, 2009
7.30-11am.
Oystercatcher 2 Shelduck 6 on res then flew off Tufted Duck 2 GC Grebe 5 Little Grebe 3 (1 on canal and 2 in Dip) Sand Martins 10+ Swallows 6+ Fieldfare c18 Wheatear 1 near Old Hall Farm then flew to other side of Res Little Owl 1 Willow Warbler 3+ Chiffchaff 4+ LR Plover Snipe 1 Bullfinch 1 (female near botton of Dip) Linnet 2 or 3 near Bennies
-- 49 different species seen this morning in total
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Tuesday 14th of April 2009 10:50:03 AM
Ian Campbell said
Mon Apr 13 12:50 PM, 2009
Early a.m. with Peter Johnson 7.45am in front of boathouse 2 adult Mediterranaen Gulls, site and GM 1st for me, unfortunately they only stayed for 5 mins Also over the res. 2 Ravens, a site and GM 1st for Peter, plus 1 Little Ringed Plover. 3 Little Owls, 2 at Crow Trees, 1 at Old Hall Farm. 1 Little Grebe on canal near Crow Trees. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Monday 13th of April 2009 02:36:05 PM
Sue Fargher said
Mon Apr 13 11:23 AM, 2009
9.30am to 10.50am
Canal behind Bennys. Jackdaws 6 Raven being mobbed by crows Mute Swan chasing 2 Canada Geese off the water Kestrel over the fields Heron 2 Jay
Down towards the dip and past on the footpath Blackcap 2 Greenfinch Chaffinch No redpoll G S Woodpecker
-- Edited by Sue Fargher on Monday 13th of April 2009 10:25:31 AM
Adrian Dancy said
Sun Apr 12 10:28 PM, 2009
Little owl Crow Trees Farm Common buzzard mocked by crows Sparrowhawk in dip Kestrel attacking grey heron, crows, woodpigeons and a drake mallard that had landed on its nest box!
Several willow warblers and chiffchaff song thrush 2 reed buntings 5 great crested grebes lesser blackbacked gull 2 tufted duck nlt 2 grey heron
2 grey partridge by hedge in sheep field near Crow trees Farm, got sent up (possibly by mink very nearby) and flew past me. A nice to see there are some still around here at Elton.
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Sunday 12th of April 2009 09:31:32 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 14th of April 2009 11:46:54 AM
Ian Campbell said
Sun Apr 12 12:48 PM, 2009
Also this a.m. in field next to Redstart hedge were 18 Fieldfare and near Crow Trees a Little Owl. Cheers Ian
Paul Wilson said
Sun Apr 12 11:22 AM, 2009
7.30-11am - warler fest this morning.
Main Res: Oystercatcher 1 GC Grebe 4 Sand Martins (a few only) Swallows (several near canal) Willow Warbler 1 (in creek) Chiffchaff 4+ (in creek) Blackcap 1 (in creek) Raven 1 LR Plover (1 seen by other birders) GS Woodpecker (drumming in trees between Res and Daisyfield).
Decided to give Within a miss and walk along the canal to the Dip instead. Here I had: Blackcap 6 (1 near end of canal, 5 more together at bottom of the dip) Chiffchaff 3+ Willow Warbler 2 Whilst following Blackcaps past the bottom of the Dip I decided to check out the hedgerows. Was looking across to see what was in the woods behind the hospital when I found a Lesser Redpoll in the hedgerow near me. Followed it a while a try to get a picture but lost it. Heard it call again ten minutes later whilst talking to another birder, but had to get home. This is a new Elton tick for me!
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Sunday 12th of April 2009 10:27:53 AM
Sue Fargher said
Sat Apr 11 11:10 AM, 2009
8.30 to 10.30. With Paul Wilson and Ian Campbell.
Raven 1 Oystercatcher 4 Tufted Duck 3 Teal 2 Long Tailed Tits 2 Heron at withins Swallow 2 Willow Warbler at least 5 Greenfinch several Chiffchaff 6 ( 2 seen) Little Owl 1 (on wood pile next to the red trailer) Blackcap, male in the Creek Snipe heard fron the canal little ringed plover 2
-- Edited by Sue Fargher on Saturday 11th of April 2009 10:11:37 AM
-- Edited by Sue Fargher on Saturday 11th of April 2009 11:01:41 AM
Paul Wilson said
Fri Apr 10 11:04 AM, 2009
8-10am with Ian Campbell. Even quieter with no sign of Shellduck.
Goosander 2 Oystercatcher 1 Tufted Duck 2 Sand Martins (a few only) Willow Warbler 1 (singing just down from Withins) Chiffchaff 4+ (heard but not seen) Little Owl 1 (in red trailer) GS Woodpecker 1 (throwing rubbish out of hole in the dip)
Jim Nisbet said
Fri Apr 10 9:10 AM, 2009
Early morning walk Good Friday 0630 apart from me not much up however did get three shellduck which I have not seen for a while on Elton to early for sandmartin etc next time I will have a lie in
Ian Campbell said
Thu Apr 9 3:11 PM, 2009
Early today, 1 Little Ringed Plover, landed 8.05 and flew off SW 15 mins later, also Raven flying over heading South and heard a Curlew, about 30 Sand Martins over the water. Little Owl in usual tree near canal Cheers Ian
Alan Warford said
Wed Apr 8 7:14 AM, 2009
6.20-7.30 last night
Little Ringed Plover Ringed Plover 3 Oystercatchers Little Owl Goosander (f). Willow Wblr
Ian Campbell said
Tue Apr 7 6:47 PM, 2009
No sign of Med Gulls at 3.30p.m. lots of Swallows and Sand Martins however, plus 1 Goosander. Cheers Ian
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 7 12:46 PM, 2009
Birdnet pagers report two 2nd summer Med Gulls at 9:15am today.
Ian Campbell said
Tue Apr 7 10:58 AM, 2009
Early a.m. 1 Common Sandpiper, 250/300 Sand Martin which suddenly disappeared then 15 mins later another 50 approx turned up. 22 Swallow, 4 Jay, 2 Little Owl, 1 Raven, 2 Sparrowhawk. Another walker reported 2 Dipper on the river. Cheers Ian
Steve Suttill said
Tue Apr 7 9:29 AM, 2009
Steve Suttill wrote:
almost half the Dipper nests I've found this year have been predated and mink are the prime suspects
Steve
Further enquiries to Tony Wilkinson suggest that the Dipper egg predation was probably by other Dippers - so apologies to the mink (this time!)
Ian Campbell said
Mon Apr 6 10:15 PM, 2009
Shouldn't the Government be doing something, sorry I was being silly there Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Monday 6th of April 2009 09:21:21 PM
Simon Johnson said
Mon Apr 6 9:11 PM, 2009
Maybe the RSPB should think about culling Mink they do more harm than the Ruddy Duck. There were pictures in the paper a while ago of one attacking a mute swan by climbing up its neck and trying to pull its head under water!!
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Monday 6th of April 2009 08:14:22 PM
Steve Suttill said
Mon Apr 6 12:34 PM, 2009
Ian Campbell wrote: The stupid animal so called rights brigade have a lot to answer for Ian
Nothing to do with animal rights round my way. The culprits were the mink farmers who released them all illegally when they weren't making enough money!
I know this is a bird, not a mammal, forum but these nasty, furry things are eating everything in sight: fish, Moorhens, ducklings, eggs... almost half the Dipper nests I've found this year have been predated and mink are the prime suspects
Steve
Ian Campbell said
Mon Apr 6 10:05 AM, 2009
7.30-9.00a.m. 2 Swallow, 20 Sand Martin, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank. Withins had 4 Great Crested Grebe. Surrounding area had 5 singing Skylark, many Lapwing in fields, 13 Reed Bunting and 2 Little Owls. Cheers Ian
Peter Johnson said
Sun Apr 5 7:26 PM, 2009
Around 18:00 single Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher.
Ian Boote said
Fri Apr 3 11:52 AM, 2009
I note the mamal sight but this was mentioned more in relation to the birdlife on the canal and further up around Elton. Mink may see off the Water Rail and little Grebes among others rather sharpish.
Paul Wilson said
Fri Apr 3 10:57 AM, 2009
8.00-10.30am, overcast and misty:
With mate from work, so a bit rushed. Missed most of what Warfy saw but did get 2 Little Ringed Plover. Also male Kestrel on top of its nest box post and Liitle Owl again in the large tree near canal. Little Grebes in dip as usual and 2 Bullfinches near Withins.
Simon Warford said
Fri Apr 3 8:39 AM, 2009
3/4/09 early am
Wigeon 1 male Shoveler 1 male Teal 6 Redshank 1 Blackcap still in creek Swallow 3 Sand Martin 7 Chiffchaff 4 No sign of any large tits
David Winnard said
Thu Apr 2 6:34 PM, 2009
There is a forum for the discussion on Manchester Mammals and indeed the rest of its fury and flowery species on the Manchester Wildlife website.... www.manchesterwildlife.com
or for the link direct forum the click the link below.
Dave
-- Edited by David Winnard on Thursday 2nd of April 2009 05:35:24 PM
Ian Campbell said
Thu Apr 2 5:29 PM, 2009
Ian, where abouts on the canal was the Mink?, this is not good news. The stupid animal so called rights brigade have a lot to answer for Ian
Ian Boote said
Thu Apr 2 4:09 PM, 2009
This should have related to the mink only, no double entendre Sid James style intended
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Apr 2 4:01 PM, 2009
Ian Boote wrote:
Very Large Blue Great Tits Etc
How large are we talking?
Paul Wilson said
Thu Apr 2 3:22 PM, 2009
8.00-11.45am, sunny:
BH Gull c150 LBBG 2 Common Gull 1 GC Grebe 5 (2 on res, 3 on Withins) Shoveler 1 Swallow 1 Reed Bunting 10+ Fieldfare 13 (Redstart hedge) Skylark (3 pairs) Chiffchaff 4+ Bullfinch 1 (male near crow tree farm) Little Owl 1 (heard calling near canal) Kestrel 1 (hunting over main car park)
Ian Boote said
Thu Apr 2 2:55 PM, 2009
Seen today Two Dabchicks Two Heron Woodpecker heard Dip Three Lapwing in field south of Res 2 Cormorants on Pylon 4 Oyster Catcher flying over Reed bunting in Dip Canal and round Res Res Shovler Mute Swans Greenfinch GC Grebe Withins 3 GC Grebe Skylarks Chaffinch in lane Blue Great Tits Etc Very large Mink on Canal
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Thursday 2nd of April 2009 03:18:56 PM
Paul Wilson said
Wed Apr 1 12:23 PM, 2009
8.30-11.45am, overcast but mild morning:
BH Gull c40 LBBG 1 Goosander 1 (fem) GC Grebe 5 (2 on res, 3 on Withins) Meadow Pipit 1 (where have they all gone?) Sand Martin 3 Swallow 1 Reed Bunting c8 Pied Wagtail 4 Grey Wagtail 2 Oystercatcher 1 Skylark (several in surrounding fields) Chiffchaff 3+ Little Owl 1 (in oak tree near bridge over canal near tram line)
Also reported by other birders:
Wheatear 1 (male) Blackcap 1 (in creek)
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Wednesday 1st of April 2009 11:30:26 AM
Ian Boote said
Tue Mar 31 4:16 PM, 2009
I could not see the shelduck or goosanders, but did see the others on the Res and Two Comerants on the Pylon Two long tailed tits Hedge north west of res Chiff Chaff in creek and dip Reed bunting dip 2 herons in dip 2 little grebes in dip 3 lapwings north shore
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Tuesday 31st of March 2009 03:18:03 PM
Oystercatcher 2 BH Gull 50+ LBBG 2 GC Grebe 7 (3 on res, 4 on Withins) Meadow Pipit c10 Sand Martin 30+ Reed Bunting 8+ Pied Wagtail 6 Little Owl 1 SWALLOW 2 (over reeds near canal) Fieldfare 2 (Crow Tree Farm)
Also thought I heard Sedge Warbler - but isn't it too early for them?
Paul Wilson said
Sat Mar 28 1:23 PM, 2009
Raven was being mobbed by three Crows. Also, c30 Fieldfare making their way through the trees near the creek.
Ian Campbell said
Sat Mar 28 11:18 AM, 2009
early a.m. today 1 Raven, 2 female Wheatear amongst 30+ meadow Pipit and 8 Pied Wagtails around the pumphouse area. Approx 50 Sand Martin struggling in the wind over the res. with 1 Shoveller , 7 Tufted and 4 Great Crested Grebe on the water and 1 flyby Goosander. Cheers Ian
Paul Wilson said
Thu Mar 26 10:45 AM, 2009
JOHN TYMON wrote:
i would have thought a bittern that was slightly ill,could eisily be washed down a river,if it had been sculking in the reeds and rain,had made water levels rise rapidly.i have seen em a couple of times at leighton,floating,by the side of the reeds,like a goose realy,i have also seen herons on the water like that at penny,so you never know,there are not many birds you can mistake for bitterns.
A juvenile cormorant would fit the description
JOHN TYMON said
Thu Mar 26 10:11 AM, 2009
Ian Boote wrote:
I want to emphasize that this was an unconfirmed but reliable report, and the bird was seen in the water. Behaviour that is very un-bittern like. It is unlikely to be that bird.
i would have thought a bittern that was slightly ill,could eisily be washed down a river,if it had been sculking in the reeds and rain,had made water levels rise rapidly.i have seen em a couple of times at leighton,floating,by the side of the reeds,like a goose realy,i have also seen herons on the water like that at penny,so you never know,there are not many birds you can mistake for bitterns.
Ian Boote said
Wed Mar 25 11:10 PM, 2009
I want to emphasize that this was an unconfirmed but reliable report, and the bird was seen in the water. Behaviour that is very un-bittern like. It is unlikely to be that bird.
Paul Wilson said
Wed Mar 25 9:09 PM, 2009
Ian Boote wrote:
Also on return to Work in Radcliffe I had a report from another birding colleague of a 'large brown bird with mottled plumage a long neck and long beak nearly as big as a goose' in the swollen river Irwell looking bemused and heading down river. I went out but could not see anything as far as the river bend behind Radcliffe ASDA.
Could be our missing Bittern?
Ian Boote said
Wed Mar 25 6:31 PM, 2009
Short walk still very blowing at 12-1.30 Along Doffers fold to Withins Res past Crow Tree Farm back along canal to Bennies then up to the Dip back along Dam top to Old Hall Farm back towards Bennies and accross field to Crow tree farm and back past Withins Res Saw the following 2 Oyster Catchers on Main Res and later in fields west of Crow Tree Farm Poss same pair Heron in Dip 4 GC Grebes on Withins Res Great Tits Blue Tits Dunnock Robin Blackbirds etc and Jay on lane to Crow Tree farm Meadow Pipits in Lane below Dam and on the South side of the Dam flocks. Reed Bunting at least 12 south side of Dam few on canal Male and Female Goosander on North bank of Res Loads of Sand Martins flying accross res Few Green Finches South side of Dam Pied Wagtails x 3 on Dam Grey wagtail x 2 on Dam 6 Lapwings behind Old Hall Farm and one south of withins res 3 Skylarks front of Withins Little Owl Heard east of Crow Tree farm Usual other Characters in abundance
Also on return to Work in Radcliffe I had a report from another birding colleague of a 'large brown bird with mottled plumage a long neck and long beak nearly as big as a goose' in the swollen river Irwell looking bemused and heading down river. I went out but could not see anything as far as the river bend behind Radcliffe ASDA. -- Edited by Ian Boote on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 06:35:32 PM
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 06:40:07 PM
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 07:20:28 PM
Paul Wilson said
Wed Mar 25 11:37 AM, 2009
Short walk today, 10.30-11.30am, in very blustery conditions. Not much to be seen, these beng the best:
Oystercatcher 1 LBBG 3 Goosander 1 (m) Shoveler 4 (3m, 1f) Little Grebe 2 (in the Dip) Meadow Pipit c40 Sand Martin 50+ Reed Bunting 2 Pied Wagtail 4
Paul Wilson said
Tue Mar 24 1:17 PM, 2009
8am-1pm a long hard stretch!
Oystercatcher 1 Common Gull 1 LBBG 8 Tufted Duck 2 Goosander 2 (Withins) Peregrine 1 (over car park) Raven 2 (over car park) Little Grebe 2 (in the Dip) GC Grebe 3 (Withins) Meadow Pipit 50+ Sand Martin 70+ (when I arrived but only 2 when I left) Reed Bunting 8+ Skylark 6+ Chiffchaff 1 (heard in the Dip) Pied Wagtail 6 (near boathouse) Little Owl 1 (on Red Trailer from Crow Tree Farm) Lapwing 10+ (in scattered around in various fields)
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Tuesday 24th of March 2009 01:20:35 PM
Yes, a few. I have sent some to the Boss to put on the Manchester Birding Website. If you want me to send you the ones i sent him, PM me your email address (your email address isn't in your user profile).
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Wednesday 15th of April 2009 02:36:24 PM
any pics of the Med Gulls ?
Dave
Common Tern 1 (didn't stay long)
Oystercatcher 1
Tufted Duck 2
GC Grebe 4
Wheatear 1 female near Bennies
Little Owl 1
LBB Gull 2 (no meds this morning)
Not much else on a dull overcast morning except loads of Sand Martins (c200) and
Swallows (c50) very rough estimates.
Did see a Peregrine when I went back to the main res to see if the Tern had returned (it hadn't). About a dozen Black-headed Gulls soon saw the Peregrine off!
Mmmmm, this could be very interesting......
Mr Wilson on 87 for Elton Res
Mr Thorpe on 94 for Wigan Flashes
Eight and a half months to go.............whose sanity will crack first ?
I'm now on 87 by the way!!!
Is Warfy getting worried???????
Two Med Gulls near boathouse - thanks Pete for phonecall. Photos to follow.
Oystercatcher 2
Shelduck 6 on res then flew off
Tufted Duck 2
GC Grebe 5
Little Grebe 3 (1 on canal and 2 in Dip)
Sand Martins 10+
Swallows 6+
Fieldfare c18
Wheatear 1 near Old Hall Farm then flew to other side of Res
Little Owl 1
Willow Warbler 3+
Chiffchaff 4+
LR Plover
Snipe 1
Bullfinch 1 (female near botton of Dip)
Linnet 2 or 3 near Bennies
-- 49 different species seen this morning in total
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Tuesday 14th of April 2009 10:50:03 AM
7.45am in front of boathouse 2 adult Mediterranaen Gulls, site and GM 1st for me, unfortunately they only stayed for 5 mins
Also over the res. 2 Ravens, a site and GM 1st for Peter, plus 1 Little Ringed Plover.
3 Little Owls, 2 at Crow Trees, 1 at Old Hall Farm.
1 Little Grebe on canal near Crow Trees.
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Monday 13th of April 2009 02:36:05 PM
Canal behind Bennys.
Jackdaws 6
Raven being mobbed by crows
Mute Swan chasing 2 Canada Geese off the water
Kestrel over the fields
Heron 2
Jay
Down towards the dip and past on the footpath
Blackcap 2
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
No redpoll
G S Woodpecker
-- Edited by Sue Fargher on Monday 13th of April 2009 10:25:31 AM
Common buzzard mocked by crows
Sparrowhawk in dip
Kestrel attacking grey heron, crows, woodpigeons and a drake mallard that had landed on its nest box!
Several willow warblers and chiffchaff
song thrush
2 reed buntings
5 great crested grebes
lesser blackbacked gull
2 tufted duck
nlt 2 grey heron
2 grey partridge by hedge in sheep field near Crow trees Farm, got sent up (possibly by mink very nearby) and flew past me. A nice to see there are some still around here at Elton.
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Sunday 12th of April 2009 09:31:32 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 14th of April 2009 11:46:54 AM
Cheers Ian
Main Res:
Oystercatcher 1
GC Grebe 4
Sand Martins (a few only)
Swallows (several near canal)
Willow Warbler 1 (in creek)
Chiffchaff 4+ (in creek)
Blackcap 1 (in creek)
Raven 1
LR Plover (1 seen by other birders)
GS Woodpecker (drumming in trees between Res and Daisyfield).
Decided to give Within a miss and walk along the canal to the Dip instead. Here I had:
Blackcap 6 (1 near end of canal, 5 more together at bottom of the dip)
Chiffchaff 3+
Willow Warbler 2
Whilst following Blackcaps past the bottom of the Dip I decided to check out the hedgerows. Was looking across to see what was in the woods behind the hospital when I found a Lesser Redpoll in the hedgerow near me. Followed it a while a try to get a picture but lost it. Heard it call again ten minutes later whilst talking to another birder, but had to get home. This is a new Elton tick for me!
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Sunday 12th of April 2009 10:27:53 AM
Raven 1
Oystercatcher 4
Tufted Duck 3
Teal 2
Long Tailed Tits 2
Heron at withins
Swallow 2
Willow Warbler at least 5
Greenfinch several
Chiffchaff 6 ( 2 seen)
Little Owl 1 (on wood pile next to the red trailer)
Blackcap, male in the Creek
Snipe heard fron the canal
little ringed plover 2
-- Edited by Sue Fargher on Saturday 11th of April 2009 10:11:37 AM
-- Edited by Sue Fargher on Saturday 11th of April 2009 11:01:41 AM
Goosander 2
Oystercatcher 1
Tufted Duck 2
Sand Martins (a few only)
Willow Warbler 1 (singing just down from Withins)
Chiffchaff 4+ (heard but not seen)
Little Owl 1 (in red trailer)
GS Woodpecker 1 (throwing rubbish out of hole in the dip)
Cheers Ian
Little Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
3 Oystercatchers
Little Owl
Goosander (f).
Willow Wblr
Cheers Ian
1 Common Sandpiper, 250/300 Sand Martin which suddenly disappeared then 15 mins later another 50 approx turned up. 22 Swallow, 4 Jay, 2 Little Owl, 1 Raven, 2 Sparrowhawk. Another walker reported 2 Dipper on the river.
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Monday 6th of April 2009 09:21:21 PM
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Monday 6th of April 2009 08:14:22 PM
Nothing to do with animal rights round my way. The culprits were the mink farmers who released them all illegally when they weren't making enough money!
I know this is a bird, not a mammal, forum but these nasty, furry things are eating everything in sight: fish, Moorhens, ducklings, eggs... almost half the Dipper nests I've found this year have been predated and mink are the prime suspects
Steve
2 Swallow, 20 Sand Martin, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank. Withins had 4 Great Crested Grebe. Surrounding area had 5 singing Skylark, many Lapwing in fields, 13 Reed Bunting and 2 Little Owls.
Cheers Ian
With mate from work, so a bit rushed. Missed most of what Warfy saw but did get 2 Little Ringed Plover. Also male Kestrel on top of its nest box post and Liitle Owl again in the large tree near canal. Little Grebes in dip as usual and 2 Bullfinches near Withins.
Wigeon 1 male
Shoveler 1 male
Teal 6
Redshank 1
Blackcap still in creek
Swallow 3
Sand Martin 7
Chiffchaff 4
No sign of any large tits
or for the link direct forum the click the link below.
Dave
-- Edited by David Winnard on Thursday 2nd of April 2009 05:35:24 PM
Ian
How large are we talking?
BH Gull c150
LBBG 2
Common Gull 1
GC Grebe 5 (2 on res, 3 on Withins)
Shoveler 1
Swallow 1
Reed Bunting 10+
Fieldfare 13 (Redstart hedge)
Skylark (3 pairs)
Chiffchaff 4+
Bullfinch 1 (male near crow tree farm)
Little Owl 1 (heard calling near canal)
Kestrel 1 (hunting over main car park)
Two Dabchicks
Two Heron
Woodpecker heard Dip
Three Lapwing in field south of Res
2 Cormorants on Pylon
4 Oyster Catcher flying over
Reed bunting in Dip Canal and round Res
Res
Shovler
Mute Swans
Greenfinch
GC Grebe
Withins
3 GC Grebe
Skylarks
Chaffinch in lane
Blue Great Tits Etc
Very large Mink on Canal
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Thursday 2nd of April 2009 03:18:56 PM
BH Gull c40
LBBG 1
Goosander 1 (fem)
GC Grebe 5 (2 on res, 3 on Withins)
Meadow Pipit 1 (where have they all gone?)
Sand Martin 3
Swallow 1
Reed Bunting c8
Pied Wagtail 4
Grey Wagtail 2
Oystercatcher 1
Skylark (several in surrounding fields)
Chiffchaff 3+
Little Owl 1 (in oak tree near bridge over canal near tram line)
Also reported by other birders:
Wheatear 1 (male)
Blackcap 1 (in creek)
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Wednesday 1st of April 2009 11:30:26 AM
Two Comerants on the Pylon
Two long tailed tits Hedge north west of res
Chiff Chaff in creek and dip
Reed bunting dip
2 herons in dip
2 little grebes in dip
3 lapwings north shore
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Tuesday 31st of March 2009 03:18:03 PM
BH Gull c60
Herring Gull 2
LBBG 2
Tufted Duck 5
Shoveler 1
Shellduck 1
Goosander 2 (1m 1f)
GC Grebe 6 (2 on res, 4 on Withins)
Meadow Pipit c40
Sand Martin c10
Reed Bunting c10
Pied Wagtail 4
Skylark (several in surrounding fields)
Lapwing 20+
Fieldfare 6 (Redstart hedge)
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Tuesday 31st of March 2009 11:18:13 AM
Oystercatcher 2
BH Gull 50+
LBBG 2
GC Grebe 7 (3 on res, 4 on Withins)
Meadow Pipit c10
Sand Martin 30+
Reed Bunting 8+
Pied Wagtail 6
Little Owl 1
SWALLOW 2 (over reeds near canal)
Fieldfare 2 (Crow Tree Farm)
Also thought I heard Sedge Warbler - but isn't it too early for them?
1 Raven, 2 female Wheatear amongst 30+ meadow Pipit and 8 Pied Wagtails around the pumphouse area. Approx 50 Sand Martin struggling in the wind over the res. with 1 Shoveller , 7 Tufted and 4 Great Crested Grebe on the water and 1 flyby Goosander.
Cheers Ian
A juvenile cormorant would fit the description
i would have thought a bittern that was slightly ill,could eisily be washed down a river,if it had been sculking in the reeds and rain,had made water levels rise rapidly.i have seen em a couple of times at leighton,floating,by the side of the reeds,like a goose realy,i have also seen herons on the water like that at penny,so you never know,there are not many birds you can mistake for bitterns.
Could be our missing Bittern?
Along Doffers fold to Withins Res past Crow Tree Farm back along canal to Bennies then up to the Dip back along Dam top to Old Hall Farm back towards Bennies and accross field to Crow tree farm and back past Withins Res
Saw the following
2 Oyster Catchers on Main Res and later in fields west of Crow Tree Farm Poss same pair
Heron in Dip
4 GC Grebes on Withins Res
Great Tits Blue Tits Dunnock Robin Blackbirds etc and Jay on lane to Crow Tree farm
Meadow Pipits in Lane below Dam and on the South side of the Dam flocks.
Reed Bunting at least 12 south side of Dam few on canal
Male and Female Goosander on North bank of Res Loads of Sand Martins flying accross res
Few Green Finches South side of Dam
Pied Wagtails x 3 on Dam
Grey wagtail x 2 on Dam
6 Lapwings behind Old Hall Farm and one south of withins res
3 Skylarks front of Withins
Little Owl Heard east of Crow Tree farm
Usual other Characters in abundance
Also on return to Work in Radcliffe I had a report from another birding colleague of a 'large brown bird with mottled plumage a long neck and long beak nearly as big as a goose' in the swollen river Irwell looking bemused and heading down river. I went out but could not see anything as far as the river bend behind Radcliffe ASDA.
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 06:35:32 PM
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 06:40:07 PM
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 07:20:28 PM
Oystercatcher 1
LBBG 3
Goosander 1 (m)
Shoveler 4 (3m, 1f)
Little Grebe 2 (in the Dip)
Meadow Pipit c40
Sand Martin 50+
Reed Bunting 2
Pied Wagtail 4
Oystercatcher 1
Common Gull 1
LBBG 8
Tufted Duck 2
Goosander 2 (Withins)
Peregrine 1 (over car park)
Raven 2 (over car park)
Little Grebe 2 (in the Dip)
GC Grebe 3 (Withins)
Meadow Pipit 50+
Sand Martin 70+ (when I arrived but only 2 when I left)
Reed Bunting 8+
Skylark 6+
Chiffchaff 1 (heard in the Dip)
Pied Wagtail 6 (near boathouse)
Little Owl 1 (on Red Trailer from Crow Tree Farm)
Lapwing 10+ (in scattered around in various fields)
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Tuesday 24th of March 2009 01:20:35 PM