Early a.m with Peter,
On the res very quiet, 1 Kingfisher and a couple of Cormorant. In the surrounding hedgerows many Blackbirds, 40+ Redwing, 10+ Mistle Thrush, mixed flock of 60+ Chaff, Green and Goldfinch, 1 Kingfisher on the canal, 18 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel and 7 Pheasant and large number of Wood Pigeon 60+.
Cheers Ian

4/10/08 Early am

No too much doing but large flocks of birds blogging about

Mpipit 60+ Old hall farm
Skylark 2 south
Swallow 2 South
Redwing 2 South and further 2 below withins
Song Thrush 21
Blackbird 30
Reed Bunt 15 (10 at capsticks marsh)
Chaffinch 20
Chiffchaff 3
Dunnock 15
Spahawk 3
Kestrel

On res
Teal 2
Cormorant 5
GCG 7
Tufted Duck 10
Lapwing 60
Grey Wag 4

This appeared on BirdForum today:

Elton is always a bit hit and miss but yesterday was one of the hits yielding a pair of very wary bullfinches, a visiting juvenile greenshank and whinchat and a small passing flock of meadow pipits. As if that was not enough, some of the local birds decided to compete for attention with some great views of a kingfisher and up to three jays. The weather has improved (if the temperatures have not) so I am off to different pastures (or at least a woodland) but more rain tomorrow and the possibility of more magrants dropping in.

Around 16:30 -

3 Redwing
2 House Martin over
female Wheatear
31 Mistle Thrush
40+ Meadow Pipit
Buzzard still around. I have seen it daily this week.

Quick dash in this afternoon.
30+ Tufted
50+ B H Gulls
Heron, Kingfisher 2 staffordshire bull terriers flushing everything else

Sorry for trespassing.


Keep Birding

30/9/08 late pm - Goosander 3 fem, fem shoveler, 35 tufteds and the common sandpiper looks like its heading into October with us.

29/9/08 early am

Greenshank still(either yesterdays bird that me and Paul Wilson found or another?)
Peregrine sat on Pylon west of the Creek 7.45am at least.

Another brilliant morning at Elton, along with the 5 Brent Geese, which were flushed off by dogs at 8.29am and flew west, a Hobby flew over the Res at 8.40am right over your head Ian A Greenshank flew over the Res at 9.15am, Buzzard still hanging around and 4 Wigeon, 34 Tufteds on the Res and a Wheatear near the Pumphouse. Phew.

-- Edited by Simon Warford at 12:01, 2008-09-28

Early a.m. with Peter Johnson.
5 PALE BELLIED BRENT GEESEfirst spotted by Peter and another first for me from 7.45-8.25, 2 adults with 3 juvenile birds, probably left because of dog walkersheading West. However Warfy got there in time to see them and hopefully Paul Wilson got some good photo's.

Early a.m.
3 Kingfisher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Willow warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Snipe, 27 Tufted Duck and best of all a Common Buzzard being mobbed by 9 Magpie and 7 Crow but totally ignoring them.
Cheers Ian

I do believe we had 2 kingfishers this morning.
nice numbers of meadow pipits
4 grey wagatails and a very pleasent stroll round followed by tea and toast,

Keep at it buddy it will TERN-up

Keep birding

26/9/08 6.25am - 9.15am

No sign of yesterdays Mega, as expected.
Common Sand 1
Teal 4
Kingfisher 1
Stonechat 3 below Old Hall Fm
Goldcrest 4

Birding can be so cruel sometimes, any other normal weekday I would be getting to Elton around 5.30pm or could have been there within 10 mins, but yesterday I chose to twitch the Brown Shrike in Yorkshire which I would now gladly exchange for an Elton WWB Tern. Not even a cheerful Paul Heaton could pick me up this morning

Early get up tomorrow then, even if someone has spoilt it all by saying it was last seen flying South
Cheers Ian
probably see you in the morning Warfy,lets hope it's stillt here

Peter Baron has informed me he and some lucky others had a White-winged Black Tern (juv) from 1730hrs to dusk when it possibly flew S. But worth a check tomorrow, Simon...

24/9/08 7am-10am bit of a fall this morning

Spotted Flycatcher 3 (2 Creek, 1 Dip)
Goldcrest 26
Redwing 6 in Dip then flew off (1st of the Autumn for me)
Song Thrush 22
Siskin 2 over
Chiffchaff 2
Blackcap 6+
Dunlin 1
Tufted 35
Meadow Pipit 75 south
Grey Wag 8 over
Buzzard still around fields by Withins.
Skylark several over
kingfisher 2
Little Owl 2

I missed an Elton mega this morning when a Raven flew over at 8.30 calling, seen by two different people one being Ken Anderton While i was below Withins!

Juvenile Black Tern on Res. at 17:00.

Buzzard again in same field as yesterday.

Also 3 Stonechat below Withins Res. along the stream in a hawthorn bush.

a.m. with Peter J
1 or 2 Kingfisher and approx 8 Snipe plus 7 Juv Pheasant in field next to Redstart hedge. Also 1 Littl Owl and 5 Jay.
Cheers Ian

Good luck Warfy, there's got to be one more, surely.

Dean.

Simon you forgot to mention the 2 Rooks we had this morning, a rather scarce bird at Elton these days. Just as scarce is the Buzzard which was sat in a hedgerow below Withins which i picked up while talking to Peter & Norma Johnson late afternoon, it often pays to stand around chatting,It only took 9 months to get a Buzzard, equalling the previous highest year list total in the process.

Early am 20/9/08

Vis Mig all south
Siskin single
Mpipit 85
Pied Wag 11
Grey Wag 2
Swallow 17
House Martin 2
Reed Bunt 2
Goosander 23 in 3 groups

On res
Snipe 7
Teal 3
Tufted duck 33
Cormorant 3

Early a.m. with Paul W & Sue
6 Chiffchaff, 3-4 Willow Warbler, 2 Kingfisher, 6-7 Snipe, 1 Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper, 12 Swallow and 1 Kestrel.
Cheers Ian

Yes course we are! It goes without saying. But this is for sightings not for discussing if and who is going to Elton

19th Sep 07.10 - 09.45.

The Knot was present as I arrived and, despite much disturbance from the sailing club, still roosting on the shingle spit when I left (in fact everything else was flushed and it was the only bird left).

Also:

Kingfisher
Little Grebe
Reed Bunting (7)
Grey Wagtail (3)
Jay (6)
A selection of Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and a Garden Warbler

Cheers, John

19/9/08 6.40am-7.40am

Shoveler 2 over
Goosander 6 over west
Teal 9 flew west and 2 in the creek
Tufted 27
Little Grebe 1
Common Sand 1
Blackcaps 5+ still in creek

Paul Cliff wrote:

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poor warfy, lol. it's all from the perspective of the viewer - i'm afraid non of you have a choice in the matter! :D :D :D :D

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totally agree...

poor warfy, lol. it's all from the perspective of the viewer - i'm afraid non of you have a choice in the matter! :D :D :D :D

---

Lets clear something up, there are only THREE legends in this county, one is the website owner, one is the county recorder and the other is an Audenshaw regular, so PLEASE do not call me a legend.

-- Edited by Simon Warford at 20:18, 2008-09-18

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I fully agree with you Simon, you are not a legend (not yet anyway) but then again neither are any of the people you mention, including myself.

What makes a legend, I'm not sure but for me there are three that spring immediately to mind for one reason or another: Frank Horrock's (of course), David Wilson and Geoff Lightfoot. This probably needs a thread of it's own if it's going any further but legend is huge title and not one that should be banded around lightly

18/9/08 5pm -7pm - Water level excellent again..

KNOT - 1 adult winter in front of sailing club

Green Sand 1
Dunlin 1
Common Sand 1
Tufted now 24
Little Owl 3
Kingfisher 2
Little in the bushes just several Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs and that was about it.

Myself and Peter Baron.

Ian Campbell wrote:

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Warfy, does this counting error mean you are no longer able to be classed as a legend??
Not to worry though, a legend is just a foot(think about it)
Cheers Ian

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Lets clear something up, there are only THREE legends in this county, one is the website owner, one is the county recorder and the other is an Audenshaw regular, so PLEASE do not call me a legend.

-- Edited by Simon Warford at 20:18, 2008-09-18

Anyone up for a Saturday morning big sweep / Osprey hunt?

1845hrs

KNOT and Green Sandpiper in front of sailing club

info thanks to the legend that is- Warfy

Warfy, does this counting error mean you are no longer able to be classed as a legend??
Not to worry though, a legend is just a foot(think about it)
Cheers Ian

Ecstacy to Despair..

WhinchatThanks for the call Simon, i was just enjoying our mini fall of Goldcrests in the Dip but that was cut short, luckily the Whinchat was behaving itself just below the Pumphouse..

However I remain on 119 after i counted a species twice(not telling you what it was). Gonna join Mr Woosey as the county dim wit number 2.

16/9/08 early am

Whinchat flushed from wader point across the res to Old Hall Farm and Warfy wasnt in sight!! a quick phone call had him running from the dip to finally catch up with it in the Highland Cattle Field!

and the rest.......

Hobby chasing swallows at old hall farm 7.15am then high east
Spot Fly - below withins
Blackcap 15
Goldcrest 11
Chiffchaff 6
Common Sand
Lapwing 200+
Tufted Duck 17
Goosander 8
Little Owl 2 calling crow tree farm
Spahawk 2
Mpipit 100 SE
Sand Martin
Swallow 100+
House Martin 20+
Jay 2
Grey Wag 4

15/9/08 early am

Ringed Plover 1
Common Sand 1
Tufted 15
Pochard 1 male
Little Grebe 1 ad 2 juv on main Res.
40 Meadow Pipit south in less than 30 mins.

Early a.m.
10 Snipe and 3 Wigeon amongst Lapwing at edge of res. 2 Kingfisher, one on Elton and one below Withins. Approx 30 Swallow only with none of the large number of House Martin from yesterday. Finally 2 Little Owl close together below Old Hall Farm.
Cheers Ian

This a.m. with Peter J
No sign of Ducks from yesterday, 12(at least) Snipe on the res. with possibly others, or the same ones flying about below the res. At least 300 mixed Hirundines, mainly House Martin with Swallows and a small number of Sand. Near Bennies 2 Blackcap and a Whitethroat.
Also on the canal 4 young Moorhen only 1 or 2 days old.
Cheers Ian
............................
Forgot the 8 flyover Meadow Pipit

-- Edited by Ian Campbell at 14:55, 2008-09-13

12/9/08 early am

Wigeon 6 (cant remember the last time I was so happy to see this species)
Shoveler 2
Gadwall 1 fem
Dunlin 2 (different to yesterdays birds)
Ringed Plover 1
Snipe 10 on wader point with Lapwing
Cormorant 11
Tufted Duck 10
In the Dip 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs & 2 G S Woodpeckers

Peregrine giving the Lapwing flock a good going over late afternoon, 15+ Pied Wags with the highland cattle but nothing else with them, and i heard i missed another Whinchat over the weekend

Poor Phil..

Been quiet last few days but i dont need Gee ing up just yet Mr Riggers..

This morning 2 Dunlin flew through, Spotted Flycatcher Old Hall Fm still and 2 juvenile Wheatears near the pumphouse was the best i could manage!

Steve, them immature grebes on the main res are different to the 4 young that were on Withins of which havent been seen since the flood,

Simon Warford wrote:

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I turned down an offer of a lift to South Gare today(where Mr Rhodes has been watching Great Snipe and Wrynecks!) instead I thrashed Elton yet again.
-- Edited by Simon Warford at 20:27, 2008-09-07

---

Phil and friends infact saw no Great Snipe and no Wrynecks, oh and no Greenish Warbler, no subalpine Warbler, no Red-breasted Flycatcher, no Icterine Warbler, no decent sea-birds.....

Elton looked like the better proposition all things considered

I had a walk round on Sunday afternoon, (on my own as not yet reached legendary status but working on it), dodging the showers, and saw 3 young and 2 adult grebes on Elton Res.
I didn't see the redstarts either despite half an hour or so at each hedge.
No spotted flycatchers, lesser whitethroats or whinchat for me but wrong time of day and wrong weather really!
On the way back up to Withins from the hedges 2 adult grebes flew onto Withins so perhaps the grebes have learnt to move about -they were certainly big enough but not seen the young before to be sure. One juv ringed plover was the only bird of note.
Cheers
Steve

Judith, I don't think something like a mesh over the outlet at Withins would work as it would restrict the flow of water, also with the volume of water flowing over this weekend birds would likely become trapped against the structure and then be in greater danger of drowning. It is sad however that it appears that all 4 young Grebes have been swept away this weekend
Interested to hear about all these legends walking about this weekend at Elton, it makes the rest of us feel inadequate
Cheers Ian(once a wise man!)

Nice to meet the legendary Tim Wilcox on sunday and Tony also.
The 4th person with us was the legendary Dave Winnard of AMR fame.

Alan

Nice to meet the legendary Warfords, Paul Cliff and ? (sorry suffering from an ear problem at the moment and didn't catch your name) today with Tony Darby. We had a good scout around but didn't find the Redstarts or indeed anything much at all but if I were a bird I'd find your hedges very inviting! Then we had to run for it before we got totally soaked.

Believe me the odd dog walker and some baffling sailing (quite fun to watch them crashing into each other) is a lot less disturbance than in the Mersey valley which is getting very poor in parts these days.

Simon - is there no chance of putting some kind of mesh across the Withins outlet so beirds don't get swept down the outflow - Peter J might have some ideas, he's pretty handy?

Oh Paul dont get too carried away, we can not compete with other sites in the county for rarities, the fact is we are already punching well above our weight as it is and we just have to make the best of what we have which unfortunately remains a very heavily disturbed local patch. I turned down an offer of a lift to South Gare today(where Mr Rhodes has been watching Great Snipe and Wrynecks!) instead I thrashed Elton yet again. Ian is quite right though we do have some excellent cover for passerines and we should be thankful we are treated to these birds passing through each autumn.

Not nearly as many birds around today compared to yesterday, no sign of the Whinchat or any Redstarts, Its hard to keep a track of the Spotted Flycatchers, further to Mr Campbells bird today other individuals were at Old Hall Farm and at the top end of Redstart hedge this morning. Still several Goldcrests, Blackaps and Chiffchaffs in the Creek area and that was about it!

and still no sign of the young grebes on Withins anywhere they seem to have vanished! Im pretty certain they would not be able to fly yet but I maybe wrong.

-- Edited by Simon Warford at 20:27, 2008-09-07

After all the recent excitment a quiet morning today, 1 Snipe on the res. with 100+ mixed Hirundines. 1 Spotted Flycatcher in tree next to Crow Trees Farm and a Little Owl near Old Hall Farm. However did see Warfy as we were leaving braving the Highland cattle (and the land owner!), hope you got the Whinchat, we could not find it today.
Cheers Ian & Peter Johnson

Paul Wilson wrote:

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Who needs Pennington?

-- Edited by Paul Wilson at 21:24, 2008-09-06

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Let's not get over exited, 28 Brent Geese, Great White Egret, Temminck's Stint, Red-throated Diver, Arctic Skua, Firecrest, atleast 3 Iceland Gulls, Glaucous Gull, atleast 3 Ospreys, over a dozen Black Terns and many many more (need I go on?)....mind you we have only had one Redstart

Fact is, I'm not surprised Elton has done so well, it's got some of the best passerine habitat in the county with all those hedges and Elderberries and being near a reservoir you can see the attraction. Coupled with that of course is a dedicated bunch of birders who know their site very well and cover every corner and that's something other county site's, Pennington especially, is absolutely crying out for.

Enjoy your 'purple patch' boys (and girls) you deserve it and long may it continue. Perhaps that Barred Warbler isn't so far away after all