I got there at 0840 this morning, and after a morning of no show, finally got the phalarope at 1500, along with a few other birders. It then stayed around the general area, occasionally getting further out than the heybrook (?) channel, but most of the time on the far side giving good views, a lifer for me . Other birds of note:
1 Black necked grebe (where the phalarope currently is) 1 Kingfisher (same place) 1 Green Sand (Horrocks)
Word of warning, Wigan Wallgate station is out of action, so I ended up going home via Wigan, then Eccles, then Cornbrook!
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 11 5:38 PM, 2011
Grey Phalarope still showing well (if not exactly close!) at the western end tucked in against the reeds at 5:35pm
Info thanks to Pete Loydall
Geoff Walton said
Sun Sep 11 4:56 PM, 2011
Thanks chaps, hope to see some of you. You know us, one with a beard and me nearer the ground
Geoff
Paul Wilson said
Sun Sep 11 4:04 PM, 2011
Grey Phalarope still present at the western end at 3.30
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 11 2:52 PM, 2011
Grey Phalarope still present at the western end at 2:20.
Info thanks to Birdnet Information
Nick Isherwood said
Sun Sep 11 12:46 PM, 2011
Geoff Walton wrote:
Hi all,
Is the western end by the other road, with the fenced car park, where the Sl.Grebe was? We might come tomorrow.
Thanks
geoff
Geoff. Its the fenced off car park thats on Slag Lane and just down from the swing bridge over the canal. Its where the Red Necked Grebe was seen most of the time last year.
Paul Wilson said
Sun Sep 11 11:21 AM, 2011
Geoff Walton wrote:
Hi all,
Is the western end by the other road, with the fenced car park, where the Sl.Grebe was? We might come tomorrow.
Thanks
geoff
The western end is right up the farthest end from the car park / golf area, past the sailing club
Geoff Walton said
Sun Sep 11 11:19 AM, 2011
Hi all,
Is the western end by the other road, with the fenced car park, where the Sl.Grebe was? We might come tomorrow.
Thanks
geoff
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 11 9:15 AM, 2011
Other birds present this morning:
Black-necked Grebe in the east bay. 4 Green Sandpipers 2 Buzzard Unidentified large raptor flew south at 9am.
Grey Phalarope occasionally showing better, about half was out at the western end of the flash.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 11 9:11 AM, 2011
8 Green Sandpipers present from Teal hide late yesterday afternoon (10th) at 5:30.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 11 8:26 AM, 2011
Grey Phalarope currently back against the reedbed at the very western end of the flash.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Mark Evans said
Sun Sep 11 7:06 AM, 2011
Grey phalarope still present this morning in the far Western corner till 06:45 when it flew low across the water toward the centre of the flash and out of sight
Mike Passant said
Sat Sep 10 7:12 PM, 2011
I arrived at Pennington at 10.20 (main car park) and was watching the Phalarope at 10.40, so thanks to all for your updates, last night and importantly, this morning.
At 13.15 there were no fewer than 8 Green Sandpipers in front of Teal Hide, all together on the tiny elongate islet right in front of the hide, (though viewing was slightly impeded by a horrible growth of Himalayan balsam).
The Female Pintail was earlier in front of Ramsdales hide. I did try a couple of times for the Dipper under the bridges but had no luck; it was possibly not the ideal time of day (early afternoon), though I did see a Grey Wagtail under the main road bridge, just before it was flushed by a Spaniel.
Cheers, Mike P.
Chris Harper said
Sat Sep 10 4:29 PM, 2011
Phalarope still present at 3pm, giving excellent views. Great to bump into J. Rayner again. Enjoy the grandkids!
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Sep 10 1:04 PM, 2011
Very early morning mooch today 6.30 - 8.00.
Grey Phalarope was still present as per Ian's earlier post. Female Pintail on the spit. Kingfisher down at the western end. 2 Kestrels over Ramsdales ruck. Lots of gulls present as they were just beginning to leave their roosts. Good numbers of LBB's and Black Headed. I also quickly caught sight of 2 Terns passing through but was unable to ID them.
Tony Mossman said
Sat Sep 10 12:05 PM, 2011
Phalarope still showing midday.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 10 9:33 AM, 2011
Seven Black Terns flew south at approximately 9:30.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Sep 10 7:37 AM, 2011
Anyone going for the Phalarope,it would be best to get there befor 11am as that is when the sailing club starts with the boats,and normally almost all the birds at the western end bar a few coots and grebe end up flying into rammies or the south east bay-and if the phalarope gets caught up in the disturbance it could may end up anywhere.
Mike Passant said
Sat Sep 10 7:25 AM, 2011
Thanks to all concerned for the update.
Cheers, Mike
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 10 7:15 AM, 2011
Grey Phalarope still present this morning at the western end if the flash, against the reed fringed edge there.
Info thanks to Nick Isherwood
jason fisher said
Sat Sep 10 6:44 AM, 2011
i wonder if anyone on here are the people i met around 6.30pm, spoke to one chap with a camera and a big grin who had seen it already, and aimed another chap in it's direction while i was on my way back to the car.
steven burke said
Fri Sep 9 10:38 PM, 2011
GREY PHALAROPE still showing well up til 7.10pm when me & phil kelly eventually left,lifer for us also. nice to meet dave thacker & tim wilcox other birds.. 1 black necked grebe 1 kingfisher ( flew over lake whilst watching phalarope) 2 little grebe plenty off great crested grebes & coots 1 pintail (horrocks) 1 wigeon (on lake) shoveler/gadwall/pochard/tufted duck/teal 2 buzzards (over car park when first arrived) from 7.30pm watched the gulls gathering on the lake, never seen so many l-b-b gulls hundreds off them too many to actually count,did manage 2 g-b-b gulls,2 herring gulls, 2 common gulls & hundreds off b-h gulls. good few hours,cheers again phil.
Joe Wynn said
Fri Sep 9 10:34 PM, 2011
Just realised I can't get there tomorrow, absolutely gutted, fingers crossed it stays! Thanks for directions, hopefully will get the chance to use them!
Tim Wilcox said
Fri Sep 9 9:14 PM, 2011
Another County lifer in the bag though twitching through Friday rush hour is not recommended. Nice to see Phil Kelly, Steve ?, Tony O'Mahony, Rob and Sonia Adderley. Take your best zoom on your scope as it's a long way off. Wish I'd seen those Sandwich Terns. I guess they must've gone through before I got there just before 6pm
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 9:06 PM, 2011
Joe, it's a 20 minute walk max from the main car park if you're not distracted along the way and well worth the walk. Always good to view Rammies from the viewing posts there, the point (opposite the spit) affords an excellent viewpoint, the rucks are great for pipits and Skylark and the western end of the flash is a great location all too often ignored.
The phalarope is on the southern edge of the shore (opposite the rucks), against the reeds. It's obvious enough to see where we mean when you get down there.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 9th of September 2011 09:09:36 PM
Joe Wynn said
Fri Sep 9 8:59 PM, 2011
jason fisher wrote:
yes you do joe see my complaint about worn out legs and shoes, took me nigh on 40 minutes
Wow, this'll be fun!
jason fisher said
Fri Sep 9 8:58 PM, 2011
yes you do joe see my complaint about worn out legs and shoes, took me nigh on 40 minutes
Joe Wynn said
Fri Sep 9 8:52 PM, 2011
Never been to that part of the flash, if you walk there from the main entrance following the shoreline, would you get there? I'm looking at a map, is it under ramesdale rucks? Cheers, Joe
jason fisher said
Fri Sep 9 8:50 PM, 2011
i got there late due to having been watching a spotted crake at IMF.
parked in the main carpark, wore out one pair of legs and 2 pair of shoes when i finally found it (about 6.45pm) over near the far bank near the tree that looks like it should be in a childs painting.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 6:59 PM, 2011
still, Plank Lane sounds better than Slag Lane Den
Dennis atherton said
Fri Sep 9 6:57 PM, 2011
Sorry yes Slag lane
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Dennis atherton wrote:
park near the bridge at plank lane on the car park
Still Slag Lane...
Karen Foulkes said
Fri Sep 9 6:55 PM, 2011
paul brady wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
AS Well as the Grey phalarope Black necked grebe still present at lunchtime and a crackin Juv peregrine over horrocks mis afternoon and the dipper still present as well plus the usuals-no terns though
Thanks for all the info guys managed to pick up a lifer
I watched the grey phalarope after parking on Green Lane/Sandy Lane and walking a bit round the west side adjacent to Slag Lane. It was showing well and I managed to watch it through a gap in the trees just after the brook running from Slag Lane direction.
Thanks to a mystery "Liverpool" birder for the conversation.
Just after the phalarope moved out of sight a sandwich tern flew right over me, calling and another tern was with it.
Yep after seeing the Phalarope, two Sandwich Terns flew towards us from East to West, flying what seemed like the full length of the flash. We hoped they were going to stay, but they terned and flew initially east and then south, thus avoiding Mr McKerchar's house and a possible garden tick
The Black Necked Grebe was also still present.
Not a bad couple of hours and nice to meet a few new and some familiar faces!
Rick Donkin said
Fri Sep 9 6:36 PM, 2011
Good view of Grey Phalarope at the western end of the flash up to 16.30 when I left. Nice to have spent some time watching the bird in the company of Dave Thacker.
Rick.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 6:13 PM, 2011
Dennis atherton wrote:
park near the bridge at plank lane on the car park
Still Slag Lane...
Mike Passant said
Fri Sep 9 6:06 PM, 2011
OK, thanks guys for your help;- fingers crossed then for tomorrow.
Dennis atherton said
Fri Sep 9 6:02 PM, 2011
yes Mike, plank lane, park near the bridge at plank lane on the car park, walk towards the flash away from the bridge down a path and your in the right place, it is where the red necked grebe was seen most of the time last year if this helps anyone,
bird still present in same area at 6.00 0 clock, info thanks to Holly Page
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 6:01 PM, 2011
Hi Mike, Plank Lane changes into Slag Lane at the canal bridge. Slag Lane then continues past the western end of the flash and all the way to Church Lane in Lowton.
Mike Passant said
Fri Sep 9 5:55 PM, 2011
- Sorry if I seem a bit thick, but I cannot find Slag Lane on any map; is it another name please for Plank Lane?
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 5:54 PM, 2011
Grey Phalarope still showing at the western end of the flash at 5:52.
Info thanks to Tim Wilcox
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 5:53 PM, 2011
There were indeed two Sandwich Terns which flew practically straight over the flash Paul (heading south I believe), also seen by Karen Foulkes and Simon Ghilks.
paul brady said
Fri Sep 9 5:44 PM, 2011
JOHN TYMON wrote:
AS Well as the Grey phalarope Black necked grebe still present at lunchtime and a crackin Juv peregrine over horrocks mis afternoon and the dipper still present as well plus the usuals-no terns though
Thanks for all the info guys managed to pick up a lifer
I watched the grey phalarope after parking on Green Lane/Sandy Lane and walking a bit round the west side adjacent to Slag Lane. It was showing well and I managed to watch it through a gap in the trees just after the brook running from Slag Lane direction.
Thanks to a mystery "Liverpool" birder for the conversation.
Just after the phalarope moved out of sight a sandwich tern flew right over me, calling and another tern was with it.
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Sep 9 5:24 PM, 2011
AS Well as the Grey phalarope Black necked grebe still present at lunchtime and a crackin Juv peregrine over horrocks mis afternoon and the dipper still present as well plus the usuals-no terns though
Dave Thacker said
Fri Sep 9 4:25 PM, 2011
Grey phalarope still tucked right under the bank heading towards western corner of the flash. Bring a scope
jason fisher said
Fri Sep 9 12:44 PM, 2011
cheers ian
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 12:43 PM, 2011
Grey Phalarope still present at the western (Slag Lane) end at 12:40. Against the reeds on the southern edge.
Info thanks to John Tymon
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 12:40 PM, 2011
Yes Jason, the Slag Lane is the western end.
Also present this morning:
6 Green Sandpipers 3 Redshank
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
jason fisher said
Fri Sep 9 12:24 PM, 2011
by western end do you mean down by stag lane?
Mike Passant said
Fri Sep 9 11:36 AM, 2011
-Just found out about the Phalarope and cannot come down until Saturday. Any late Friday and /or early Saturday updates would be greatly appreciated please.
What a gem if I could see this one; (there's a Mars Bar riding on it as well!)
Please see "North East England Invaded" if anyone needs a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
Cheers, Mike P.
Nick Isherwood said
Fri Sep 9 11:13 AM, 2011
Managed a quick visit this morning on the news on the Phalarope.
Good but distant views of it feeding down at the western end of the flash as previously reported. A cracking little bird!!
Hopefully it will hang around for a few days and I'll be able to get more of a chance to observe it.
Also, nice to finally meet Judith Smith.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 9 10:03 AM, 2011
Grey Phalarope present this morning at the western end, against the reeds. Originally seen briefly and inconclusively by Barry Hulme earlier this morning around the east bay it was eventually refound by Barry with some necessary assistance on the identification due to it's range and him having no tripod
Black-necked Grebe also still present at the western end.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 9th of September 2011 09:08:44 AM
1 Black necked grebe (where the phalarope currently is)
1 Kingfisher (same place)
1 Green Sand (Horrocks)
Word of warning, Wigan Wallgate station is out of action, so I ended up going home via Wigan, then Eccles, then Cornbrook!
Info thanks to Pete Loydall
Geoff
Info thanks to Birdnet Information
Geoff. Its the fenced off car park thats on Slag Lane and just down from the swing bridge over the canal. Its where the Red Necked Grebe was seen most of the time last year.
The western end is right up the farthest end from the car park / golf area, past the sailing club
Is the western end by the other road, with the fenced car park, where the Sl.Grebe was? We might come tomorrow.
Thanks
geoff
Black-necked Grebe in the east bay.
4 Green Sandpipers
2 Buzzard
Unidentified large raptor flew south at 9am.
Grey Phalarope occasionally showing better, about half was out at the western end of the flash.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
At 13.15 there were no fewer than 8 Green Sandpipers in front of Teal Hide, all together on the tiny elongate islet right in front of the hide, (though viewing was slightly impeded by a horrible growth of Himalayan balsam).
The Female Pintail was earlier in front of Ramsdales hide. I did try a couple of times for the Dipper under the bridges but had no luck; it was possibly not the ideal time of day (early afternoon), though I did see a Grey Wagtail under the main road bridge, just before it was flushed by a Spaniel.
Cheers,
Mike P.
Great to bump into J. Rayner again. Enjoy the grandkids!
Grey Phalarope was still present as per Ian's earlier post.
Female Pintail on the spit.
Kingfisher down at the western end.
2 Kestrels over Ramsdales ruck.
Lots of gulls present as they were just beginning to leave their roosts. Good numbers of LBB's and Black Headed.
I also quickly caught sight of 2 Terns passing through but was unable to ID them.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Cheers,
Mike
Info thanks to Nick Isherwood
nice to meet dave thacker & tim wilcox
other birds..
1 black necked grebe
1 kingfisher ( flew over lake whilst watching phalarope)
2 little grebe
plenty off great crested grebes & coots
1 pintail (horrocks)
1 wigeon (on lake)
shoveler/gadwall/pochard/tufted duck/teal
2 buzzards (over car park when first arrived)
from 7.30pm watched the gulls gathering on the lake, never seen so many l-b-b gulls hundreds off them too many to actually count,did manage 2 g-b-b gulls,2 herring gulls,
2 common gulls & hundreds off b-h gulls.
good few hours,cheers again phil.
The phalarope is on the southern edge of the shore (opposite the rucks), against the reeds. It's obvious enough to see where we mean when you get down there.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 9th of September 2011 09:09:36 PM
Wow, this'll be fun!
Cheers,
Joe
parked in the main carpark, wore out one pair of legs and 2 pair of shoes when i finally found it (about 6.45pm) over near the far bank near the tree that looks like it should be in a childs painting.
Yep after seeing the Phalarope, two Sandwich Terns flew towards us from East to West, flying what seemed like the full length of the flash. We hoped they were going to stay, but they terned
The Black Necked Grebe was also still present.
Not a bad couple of hours and nice to meet a few new and some familiar faces!
Rick.
Still Slag Lane...
bird still present in same area at 6.00 0 clock, info thanks to Holly Page
Info thanks to Tim Wilcox
Thanks for all the info guys managed to pick up a lifer
I watched the grey phalarope after parking on Green Lane/Sandy Lane and walking a bit round the west side adjacent to Slag Lane. It was showing well and I managed to watch it through a gap in the trees just after the brook running from Slag Lane direction.
Thanks to a mystery "Liverpool" birder for the conversation.
Just after the phalarope moved out of sight a sandwich tern flew right over me, calling and another tern was with it.
Black necked grebe still present at lunchtime
and a crackin Juv peregrine over horrocks mis afternoon and the dipper still present as well
plus the usuals-no terns though
Info thanks to John Tymon
Also present this morning:
6 Green Sandpipers
3 Redshank
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Any late Friday and /or early Saturday updates would be greatly appreciated please.
What a gem if I could see this one; (there's a Mars Bar riding on it as well!)
Please see "North East England Invaded" if anyone needs a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
Cheers,
Mike P.
Good but distant views of it feeding down at the western end of the flash as previously reported. A cracking little bird!!
Hopefully it will hang around for a few days and I'll be able to get more of a chance to observe it.
Also, nice to finally meet Judith Smith.
Black-necked Grebe also still present at the western end.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 9th of September 2011 09:08:44 AM