Can the Dunham massey Crew please confirm if the bird is still there or not?
Can I also suggest a detailed perusal of the systematic county bird list, easy to find as its on this website and in the county report.
There was only one report last year of this bird, and as a result was the only one seen all year in GM, birds like this can be vital to a year lister.
Keep birding.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Feb 8 6:21 PM, 2009
Wot yearlisters
sid ashton said
Sun Feb 8 5:40 PM, 2009
Confirming that the Little Egret was still present on the stream this evening at 16.45. Had watched it for a time earlier feeding quite happily in the snow storm. Couldn't see much else though until c.50 Canadas arrived.
Have none of the year listers referred to by Paul seen the Dunham Egret yet?
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Feb 5 10:59 AM, 2009
Note the report on this forum of an individual at Bollington/Dunham SJ734873 on the 22nd January this year, likely this bird has been hanging around using the ditches etc which is not uncommon for them to do and in this current weather it's perhaps likely to continue to linger unless they freeze hard.
Paul Heaton said
Thu Feb 5 9:26 AM, 2009
Can the Dunham massey Crew please confirm if the bird is still there or not?
Can I also suggest a detailed perusal of the systematic county bird list, easy to find as its on this website and in the county report.
There was only one report last year of this bird, and as a result was the only one seen all year in GM, birds like this can be vital to a year lister.
Keep birding.
Steve Scrimgeour said
Thu Feb 5 8:41 AM, 2009
Was out last night Sid, Henry beat me to it,nice find, should have registered yourself for the Manchester Birding Tournament would have been worth a few points.....
Henry Cook said
Wed Feb 4 11:44 PM, 2009
I can't recommend a good barrister but if you need a character reference I may be able to help before the hearing! No Snowy yet it's leading me on a merry owl chase around the 'owl of the county. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 23:45, 2009-02-04
sid ashton said
Wed Feb 4 11:26 PM, 2009
Henry
Didn't realise that a Little Egret was rare in GM - hope I don't have to go before the committee
Sid
P.S. found that Snowy jobby yet????
P.P.S. That's one grand little Gosling that you sent up from the South West!!!
blockquote>Henry Cook wrote:
Sid, Little Egret!!! Rare in Manc. Just shows what a great patch it is and that great birds can always be thrown up with persistence. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 23:00, 2009-02-04
-- Edited by sid ashton at 23:35, 2009-02-04
Henry Cook said
Wed Feb 4 10:55 PM, 2009
Sid, Little Egret!!! Rare in Manc. Just shows what a great patch it is and that great birds can always be thrown up with persistence. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 23:00, 2009-02-04
sid ashton said
Wed Feb 4 6:47 PM, 2009
Really nice walk around the park this afternoon in the sunshine - not much to start with - pair of Shoveler on the moat, Grey Wag near the house in the drained canal, 2 pairs of Gadwall, several Tufties and a little Grebe on Smithy pool along with the two adult Swans (leg tags UXV and TAX). 3 Shoveler on Island pool plus further Tufties, Nuthatch & GS Woodpeckers drumming - but down on the brook over the stile to Bollington mill a quick sweep around produced Kingfisher, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper and amazingly (for me) a Little Egret wading in the stream, a first for me a DMP. There was also a big flock c.150 of mixed winter Thrushes on the meadow proper. Then I had a Sparrowhawk over and to cap the day I found where the Ring necked Parakeet is hanging out. It's in the picnic area next to the car park close to the gardeners huts in the corner - saw it a couple of times at around 4pm.
-- Edited by sid ashton at 18:48, 2009-02-04
Steve Suttill said
Fri Jan 23 9:49 AM, 2009
It's not the first time they've taken down a lot of trees - a few years ago they chopped down the old heronry! Plenty of people were angry about that and I wrote a letter of complaint. The manager replied saying it was all part of a plan to make the park look like it did when the house was built, and that the conifers had to go. Thankfully some of the herons have established a new colony. If you're right Sid, I don't quite see how a large car park fits in with the plans for the estate to have a "period look"!
sid ashton said
Thu Jan 22 6:30 PM, 2009
Had a very late visit to the park today at 16.00 for an end of day walk and was saddened to see the number of trees that have been taken down in and around the car park in the last few days. It is apparently to make the car park larger hence preventing congestion on the main road during busy times - one less place to look for the Lesser Spotted Peckers though. On the walk noticed a lone Green Sandpiper in the pool on the meadow over to Bollington Mill.
sid ashton said
Fri Jan 16 11:37 AM, 2009
A couple of hours in the park this morning from 08.30 on - no sign of the Lesser Spotted Peckers there were several Greater Spots and 3 Greens and a Green Sandpiper in the mud around the big puddle on the meadow to the mill, lots of Redwing, a few Fieldfare plus all of the usual suspects.
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Jan 4 12:29 PM, 2009
2 male Shoveler on the stream Several Nuthatches and Treecreepers around the mill At least 3 GSW drumming and calling but no LSW
8 Linnet along Oldfield Lane and small groups of Redwings and Fieldfares
declan savage said
Sat Jan 3 2:02 PM, 2009
This morning (9.00) I heard a Lesser Sp Woodpecker calling and drumming briefly near to Island Pool but i couldn't locate it in the treetops . A green Woodpecker showed well and lots of Great Sp Wpeckers were drumming and calling. A big flock of Redwing (100+) were feeding on the forest floor among the deer. Most of the pools were frozen and most birds were concetrated on Smith Pool, incl. 9 Gadwall, 1 drake Shoveler and 2 Little Grebe. On the moat were 30+ Tufties and another drake Gadwall. 1 Buzzard and 2 Kestrel also present,
Nearby, 40+ Fieldfare and 100+ Starling close to Dunham village, and 3 Corn Buntings in hedge along Black Moss Lane, one of which was singing.
Henry Cook said
Sat Jan 3 10:29 AM, 2009
Great, thanks for the tips chaps. Henry.
Mike Duckham said
Sat Jan 3 12:27 AM, 2009
Hezza, i'd agree with Sid i've had them there early doors, Cidermaster used to do very well for Lesser Spots and his Golden Rule was - go at dawn!
sid ashton said
Fri Jan 2 4:33 PM, 2009
Henry I was there quite early and there were few if any people away from the area of the house and I walk very slowly!! Didn't see any "peeps" either whatever they may be
Henry Cook said
Fri Jan 2 4:18 PM, 2009
Just another Lesser Pecker ey Sid, nice find though! I spent quite a lot of time in the historical area for this species yesterday to no avail once more. What's your trick? Henry.
sid ashton said
Fri Jan 2 3:44 PM, 2009
Pleasant morning in DMP Redwing, Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch and Tree creeper in car park trees with Sparrowhawk over. Snipe and Grey Heron on brook to mill and Gadwall (8) on Smithy pool.
Heard a Lesser Pecker calling up the path past Island pool and got what was the briefest of views but flying into the sun. It went into the trees in the deer sanctuary towards the obelisk - so eyes upward you Dunham Massey spotters.
Henry Cook said
Thu Jan 1 5:13 PM, 2009
01/01/2009! - A right wintery scene at Dunham today and most of the waterbodies frozen over but open water on the brook out to the mill and smithy+moat pool. Tonnes of peeps still around making birding tricky but it was still a rewarding visit and included: 1 Ring-necked Parakeet (heard only in trees flanking the oxbow lake) 1 Gadwall (Smithy pool) 1 Little Grebe (Smithy pool) 1 Kingfisher (mill brook) 2 Treecreeper 1 Nuthatch 1 Grey Wagtail (feeding in the drained part of the moat)
Henry Cook said
Fri Dec 26 12:32 PM, 2008
26/12/2008 - Along with what seemed like most of Manchester I had the idea of a nice sunny boxing day walk, to exercise off a few spare grams. Plenty of birds around including: 1 Little Grebe 2 Grey Herons 4 Shovelers (2m, 2f on the island pool) 2 Canada Geese 7 Tufted Ducks 1 Common Gull (in with the black-headeds on the flood) 1 Curlew (flew over) 1 Stock Dove 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Grey Wagtail c150 Redwings (one big flock feeding in the grass fields out to the mill) 3 Mistle Thrushes 1 Treecreeper 1 Nuthatch 2 Goldcrests 2 Jays 10+ Long-tailed Tits.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 12:36, 2008-12-26
sid ashton said
Sun Dec 14 2:24 PM, 2008
Quick walk round the park this morning - nothing special the highlight being 2 Shoveler and a juv male Golden Eye on Island pool. Lots of Long tailed Tits, Gold Crest, Nuthatch and Tree Creeper. Watched the Long tailed Tit groups very carefully as it was about this time last year that I found the Lesser Spotted Pecker following a group. No luck today though.
-- Edited by sid ashton at 14:34, 2008-12-14
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Dec 7 1:50 PM, 2008
A few of us braved the cold and saw a creditable 34 Species.
Highlights were a Kingfisher on the brook and 11 Snipe here.
Gadwall and Little Grebe on the only open water on the Smithy Pool. No Tufted Ducks or Mute Swans in the park - maybe flown to Rostherne Mere ?
Also of note was a Nuthatch pretending to be a Wallcreeper on the Mill - it was working its way round a window frame then along the brickwork - I've only ever seen them on trees before.
And to round it off the RN Parakeet just north of the Car Park - I've never seen it so far from the obelisk before !
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth at 14:03, 2008-12-07
Ann Ribbands said
Sun Dec 7 10:26 AM, 2008
A short walk on Saturday morning with visitors from Canada, who were amazed to see the parakeet enjoying the sun from high up in the usual tree! The deer put on a good show, and we saw the usual tits and a tree creeper but no sign of any woodpeckers.
Tony Coatsworth said
Thu Dec 4 5:36 PM, 2008
I am leading a group of RSPB Manchester Members Group around Dunham Massey on Sunday 7th if anyone would like to join us.
Meet at the Gateway Hotel, Parrs Wood at 09:00 or Swan with Two Nicks at 09:20 to enter the park at the south gate.
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Nov 22 3:05 PM, 2008
Not much about today - probably more kids on pink bicycles than birds !
All the action seemed to be on the feeders by the Post Office in 'Dunham Town' with 2 GS Woodpeckers fighting it out over some suet and numerous Blue and Great Tits queuing up.
Also a pair of Jays on a Yew tree trying to pick berries off.
sid ashton said
Wed Nov 19 6:30 PM, 2008
Martin
Firstly welcome to the forum, secondly don't worry about confusing species for here speaks the bloke who can turn Wood Pigeons into anything you want!!!
If you need any pointers for Dunham I have sent you a private message.
Cheers
Sid A
mpcuth wrote:
It looks like an error on my part. I 'm surprised as I sat and watched all of them for some time through binoculars and I just didn't see any tuft on the head, and they were only about 40 metres away. Not a good start to me contributing to the website.
Martin
Martin Cuthbert said
Wed Nov 19 6:01 PM, 2008
It looks like an error on my part. I 'm surprised as I sat and watched all of them for some time through binoculars and I just didn't see any tuft on the head, and they were only about 40 metres away. Not a good start to me contributing to the website.
Martin
sid ashton said
Wed Nov 19 2:38 PM, 2008
Martin
Sorry to say I could still only find the 7 Tufties (3 male, 4 female) that have been on Island pool for some time now. Did you see these when you were there? - you didn't say in your post.
There was no sign of Scaup on any of the other pools in the park or on the canal or river where they run close to the park. There was another birder in the park who had seen the report of Scaup on the forum and he hadn't seen them either.
Sid A
sid ashton said
Tue Nov 18 10:54 PM, 2008
Martin
When I looked this afternoon there where 6 or 7 Tufties some Coot and Moorhens but unfortunately no Scaup on the Island pool- I have never seen Scaup at Dunham and as Judith said in her post earlier this evening 7 would be very unusual - I'll give it another go tomorrow.
Sid A
Martin Cuthbert said
Tue Nov 18 10:29 PM, 2008
It was the Island Pool for the scaups. This was my first visit , so I don't know whats normally there. The best spot was at the wood next to the canal, not far from the car park on the side road that goes to Bollington milll. it was absolutely alive with various tits plus the tree creeper and goldcrest Also at Bollington mill, immediately after the two streams was an open field on your right with berry bushes, there were a few birds , fieldfare type, that I couldnt positively identify
Martin
sid ashton said
Tue Nov 18 9:20 PM, 2008
Martin
I too was in Dunham park today and unfortunately didn't see any Scaup - there are three pools in the park Smithy Pool near Charcoal Lane entrance, Old Mans Pool close to the stile to Bollington Mill and Island Pool next to the main drive and containing lots of plant life this is the pool where the Tufties mentioned by Judith tend to hang out. Which pool were your birds on? - I'd like to have another look tomorrow.
Cheers
Sid A
mpcuth wrote:
At the Smithy Pool 8 pochards among the malllard, bhg, coots and moorhens. Kestral nearby At the pool in the deer park a little grebe and 7 scaup among coots and mallards. Jay nearby Buzzard flying low towards Bollington Mill, chased by crows Around Bollington mill 12 long tailed tits and a siskin. Lots of berries here. 4 Herons in small stream running across meadow from water mill, 3 together Tree creeper, goldcrest and more long tailed tits in small wood between Dunham Massey Park and canal
these between 9.30 am and 1pm today
Martin Cuthbert
Judith Smith said
Tue Nov 18 3:13 PM, 2008
7 Scaup would be very unusual - are you sure they are not Tufted Ducks? (They breed there)
Martin Cuthbert said
Tue Nov 18 2:32 PM, 2008
At the Smithy Pool 8 pochards among the malllard, bhg, coots and moorhens. Kestral nearby At the pool in the deer park a little grebe and 7 scaup among coots and mallards. Jay nearby Buzzard flying low towards Bollington Mill, chased by crows Around Bollington mill 12 long tailed tits and a siskin. Lots of berries here. 4 Herons in small stream running across meadow from water mill, 3 together Tree creeper, goldcrest and more long tailed tits in small wood between Dunham Massey Park and canal
these between 9.30 am and 1pm today
Martin Cuthbert
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Nov 9 2:07 PM, 2008
Did a recce visit today for SJ78N tetrad
Nice flock of about 40 Linnets down Oldfield Lane (near the brewery)
Henry Cook said
Mon Oct 13 10:46 AM, 2008
Nice one with the Redshank Sid. Not a bird i've seen in the park (or for that matter Manchester!) before. Good to hear the reports from this great spot whilst i'm away. Thanks. Henry.
Tony Coatsworth said
Thu Oct 9 5:32 PM, 2008
1st November is the start of the winter recording period for the BTO Atlas project - see link on Steve's reply .
Steve Suttill said
Thu Oct 9 5:25 PM, 2008
Hi Sid
for a full explanation of TTVs, RRs and lots of other useful information have a look at: www.birdatlas.net I'm sure you can make your bird records count!
Steve
Nik Grounds said
Thu Oct 9 4:24 PM, 2008
Timed Tetrad Visits
sid ashton said
Thu Oct 9 3:52 PM, 2008
Paul
That doesn't help - whats a TTV?
Paul Cliff said
Thu Oct 9 2:54 PM, 2008
TTV's i'm guessing!
sid ashton said
Thu Oct 9 2:24 PM, 2008
Tony
What happens on 1st November?
Tony Coatsworth said
Thu Oct 9 12:34 PM, 2008
Lets hope it hangs around until 1st November !
sid ashton said
Wed Oct 8 9:41 PM, 2008
A single Redshank amongst 100's of Black Headed Gulls on the pool to the left of the path to Bollington - haven't seen one at Dunham previously. Has anyone else ever seen a Redshank in the park?
Also heard the Ring-necked Parakeet - last time I saw (or hearrd) it was May.
-- Edited by sid ashton at 21:44, 2008-10-08
sid ashton said
Fri Sep 26 7:13 PM, 2008
Back to the birds - there were at least 10 Common Snipe around the temporary pool on the meadow to Bollington Mill at 18.00
Henry Cook said
Wed Sep 24 10:49 PM, 2008
I've just caught a Marveille du Jour moth in my trap which is one of the only ones i've been able to ID easily recently so moths in general are b*******( insert insane amount of stars with some winking smileys at the end!) Oh, but there's a forum for all this moth talk http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=123878 Thanks. H.
Mike Duckham said
Wed Sep 24 10:36 PM, 2008
Were mine bee moths then? I'm really confused now! Think i'll get one of those smilie things they're great:
Henry Cook said
Wed Sep 24 10:28 PM, 2008
Confusing but sometimes the wax-moth (Galleria mellonella) is sometimes called a bee-moth (which is actually Aphomia Sociella) colloquially, even the britannica online encyclopeadia lumps the two by name. The pyralid moths are very hard to tell apart but Goater (1986) is apparently a good read! H.
Mike Duckham said
Wed Sep 24 10:15 PM, 2008
What's a bee moth? Just assumed they were wax moths, always remember Mr Marsh making me scrape all the wax off the combs at Alty Grammar coz they had these larvae in there.
Ian
See Paul posting below for ref to year listers
Have none of the year listers referred to by Paul seen the Dunham Egret yet?
Can I also suggest a detailed perusal of the systematic county bird list, easy to find as its on this website and in the county report.
There was only one report last year of this bird, and as a result was the only one seen all year in GM, birds like this can be vital to a year lister.
Keep birding.
No Snowy yet it's leading me on a merry owl chase around the 'owl of the county.
Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 23:45, 2009-02-04
Didn't realise that a Little Egret was rare in GM - hope I don't have to go before the committee
Sid
P.S. found that Snowy jobby yet????
P.P.S. That's one grand little Gosling that you sent up from the South West!!!
blockquote>Henry Cook wrote:
Sid, Little Egret!!!
Rare in Manc.
Just shows what a great patch it is and that great birds can always be thrown up with persistence.
Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 23:00, 2009-02-04
-- Edited by sid ashton at 23:35, 2009-02-04
Rare in Manc.
Just shows what a great patch it is and that great birds can always be thrown up with persistence.
Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 23:00, 2009-02-04
-- Edited by sid ashton at 18:48, 2009-02-04
Several Nuthatches and Treecreepers around the mill
At least 3 GSW drumming and calling but no LSW
8 Linnet along Oldfield Lane and small groups of Redwings and Fieldfares
Nearby, 40+ Fieldfare and 100+ Starling close to Dunham village, and 3 Corn Buntings in hedge along Black Moss Lane, one of which was singing.
Henry.
I spent quite a lot of time in the historical area for this species yesterday to no avail once more. What's your trick?
Henry.
Heard a Lesser Pecker calling up the path past Island pool and got what was the briefest of views but flying into the sun. It went into the trees in the deer sanctuary towards the obelisk - so eyes upward you Dunham Massey spotters.
1 Ring-necked Parakeet (heard only in trees flanking the oxbow lake)
1 Gadwall (Smithy pool)
1 Little Grebe (Smithy pool)
1 Kingfisher (mill brook)
2 Treecreeper
1 Nuthatch
1 Grey Wagtail (feeding in the drained part of the moat)
1 Little Grebe
2 Grey Herons
4 Shovelers (2m, 2f on the island pool)
2 Canada Geese
7 Tufted Ducks
1 Common Gull (in with the black-headeds on the flood)
1 Curlew (flew over)
1 Stock Dove
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Grey Wagtail
c150 Redwings (one big flock feeding in the grass fields out to the mill)
3 Mistle Thrushes
1 Treecreeper
1 Nuthatch
2 Goldcrests
2 Jays
10+ Long-tailed Tits.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 12:36, 2008-12-26
-- Edited by sid ashton at 14:34, 2008-12-14
Highlights were a Kingfisher on the brook and 11 Snipe here.
Gadwall and Little Grebe on the only open water on the Smithy Pool. No Tufted Ducks or Mute Swans in the park - maybe flown to Rostherne Mere ?
Also of note was a Nuthatch pretending to be a Wallcreeper on the Mill - it was working its way round a window frame then along the brickwork - I've only ever seen them on trees before.
And to round it off the RN Parakeet just north of the Car Park - I've never seen it so far from the obelisk before !
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth at 14:03, 2008-12-07
Meet at the Gateway Hotel, Parrs Wood at 09:00 or Swan with Two Nicks at 09:20 to enter the park at the south gate.
All the action seemed to be on the feeders by the Post Office in 'Dunham Town' with 2 GS Woodpeckers fighting it out over some suet and numerous Blue and Great Tits queuing up.
Also a pair of Jays on a Yew tree trying to pick berries off.
Firstly welcome to the forum, secondly don't worry about confusing species for here speaks the bloke who can turn Wood Pigeons into anything you want!!!
If you need any pointers for Dunham I have sent you a private message.
Cheers
Sid A
I 'm surprised as I sat and watched all of them for some time through binoculars and I just didn't see any tuft on the head, and they were only about 40 metres away.
Not a good start to me contributing to the website.
Martin
Sorry to say I could still only find the 7 Tufties (3 male, 4 female) that have been on Island pool for some time now. Did you see these when you were there? - you didn't say in your post.
There was no sign of Scaup on any of the other pools in the park or on the canal or river where they run close to the park. There was another birder in the park who had seen the report of Scaup on the forum and he hadn't seen them either.
Sid A
When I looked this afternoon there where 6 or 7 Tufties some Coot and Moorhens but unfortunately no Scaup on the Island pool- I have never seen Scaup at Dunham and as Judith said in her post earlier this evening 7 would be very unusual - I'll give it another go tomorrow.
Sid A
This was my first visit , so I don't know whats normally there.
The best spot was at the wood next to the canal, not far from the car park on the side road that goes to Bollington milll. it was absolutely alive with various tits plus the tree creeper and goldcrest
Also at Bollington mill, immediately after the two streams was an open field on your right with berry bushes, there were a few birds , fieldfare type, that I couldnt positively identify
Martin
Martin
I too was in Dunham park today and unfortunately didn't see any Scaup - there are three pools in the park Smithy Pool near Charcoal Lane entrance, Old Mans Pool close to the stile to Bollington Mill and Island Pool next to the main drive and containing lots of plant life this is the pool where the Tufties mentioned by Judith tend to hang out. Which pool were your birds on? - I'd like to have another look tomorrow.
Cheers
Sid A
Kestral nearby
At the pool in the deer park a little grebe and 7 scaup among coots and mallards.
Jay nearby
Buzzard flying low towards Bollington Mill, chased by crows
Around Bollington mill 12 long tailed tits and a siskin. Lots of berries here.
4 Herons in small stream running across meadow from water mill, 3 together
Tree creeper, goldcrest and more long tailed tits in small wood between Dunham Massey Park and canal
these between 9.30 am and 1pm today
Martin Cuthbert
Nice flock of about 40 Linnets down Oldfield Lane (near the brewery)
Thanks. Henry.
for a full explanation of TTVs, RRs and lots of other useful information have a look at:
www.birdatlas.net
I'm sure you can make your bird records count!
Steve
That doesn't help - whats a TTV?
What happens on 1st November?
Also heard the Ring-necked Parakeet - last time I saw (or hearrd) it was May.
-- Edited by sid ashton at 21:44, 2008-10-08
Oh, but there's a forum for all this moth talk
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=123878
Thanks. H.
The pyralid moths are very hard to tell apart but Goater (1986) is apparently a good read!
H.