Well I think it's been a little more than 'a bit of rain' John!
Pennington is not alone in being susceptable to flash flooding, there are many county sites exactly the same, the peat pools at Astley are particularly bad. The inlet and outlet of the flash haven't changed and any increase in the frequency of flooding here is likely due to more water entering the Hey Brook at some point along the line. Increased run-off from house hold drives/ buisness parks and the like?
yes its due to more off run from building at points up the hey brook,and climate change,4 seasons in one hour today,at least it makes for very lush undergrowth,so we are getting more lesser whitethroats,garden warbler etc
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 16 10:41 PM, 2009
Well I think it's been a little more than 'a bit of rain' John!
Pennington is not alone in being susceptable to flash flooding, there are many county sites exactly the same, the peat pools at Astley are particularly bad. The inlet and outlet of the flash haven't changed and any increase in the frequency of flooding here is likely due to more water entering the Hey Brook at some point along the line. Increased run-off from house hold drives/ buisness parks and the like?
JOHN TYMON said
Sat May 16 9:22 PM, 2009
pm sat 15-20 common tern at least 5 arctic terns 2 dunlin not a lot else unfortunately as the water level has risen about 10 feet in 2 days.a lot of the waders have lost thier nests,and the black headed gulls at the front of horrocks had thier nest washed outseems the same every year at the moment a bit of rain and we lose all the shingle on the spit,and almost all the wader spots dissapear.
Steve Scrimgeour said
Sat May 16 10:57 AM, 2009
Callum and I decided to venture further afield last evening in search of a few more species for the May Marathon....
And unfortunately the rain came to spoil, just an excuse to visit again as this was our first.
Arrived in Horrocks hide at 1915 and added species at great rate of knots..
Dunlin Redshank Black Neck Grebes kindly pointed out by a birder friend of Ian Campbells 1 Herring Gull LBB Gull Shoveler Shelduck Great Creasted Grebe Lapwing 4 Common Terns dissappeared as soon as rain appeared Oystercatchers. Plus what seemed to thousands of hirundines......
Plus many more obvious ones.
Ian Campbells mate had been looking for Black Terns the previous evening with Ian,burst into the Hide at about 1945ish looking for the Little Tern to no avail....
Now i am now expert,but just before the warden came to lock up the hide, i picked up a smallish tern near the Yacht Club,light was going and as i said no expert, watched to hovering and swooping/diving towards the surface. According to Collins Guide this is the flight pattern of the Little Tern, unfortunately i was the only one about i will never know....
Mike Passant said
Fri May 15 11:18 PM, 2009
Arrived here at 15.05 and birded until 18.50. Really enjoyed wandering round and recorded 56 species, including my 2 target species; : Little Tern and the Black-necked Grebe pair(gorgeous!)
JOHN TYMON said
Fri May 15 5:24 PM, 2009
little tern still present 1700end of point.
Rob Smallwood said
Fri May 15 1:27 PM, 2009
Ian,
You do realise that every time you edit a post now, whatever the reason, some of us start to try to guess what potential breeding record you've removed.
Good to see you are moderating your own posts too!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 15 11:17 AM, 2009
Little Tern still present at 11:17 atleast, feeding in Ramsdales and resting on the tip of the spit
Lesser Whitethroat still singing loudly from in front of Horrocks Hide/kidney pond area
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 15th of May 2009 11:20:06 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 15 8:54 AM, 2009
This morning 08:50 the 15th May
2 BNGrebes still 1 Little Tern
Info thanks to John Lyon
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 14 8:57 PM, 2009
Hobby flew west through the flash at 8pm this evening.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 14 4:23 PM, 2009
Hobby flew SE through Ramsdale's Flash at 1:20pm today.
Info thanks to John Lyon.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 14th of May 2009 04:24:49 PM
I certainly didn't see any John but given the high winds and the very choppy water that's hardly surprising!
John Rayner said
Wed May 13 8:54 PM, 2009
Ian McKerchar wrote:
5pm this early evening:
21 Common Tern Lesser Whitethroat still singing near Horrocks Scrape
Any Black-necked Grebes at Pennington today?
Cheers, John
Ian McKerchar said
Wed May 13 8:30 PM, 2009
5pm this early evening:
21 Common Tern Lesser Whitethroat still singing near Horrocks Scrape
brian fielding said
Wed May 13 4:41 PM, 2009
other than lesser whitethroat singing nr horrocks hide and garden warbler showing well nr new hide, not much else, common sand and over a dozen common terns. went in the new ramsdale hide today whilst it was being inspected so should be open soon.
JOHN TYMON said
Tue May 12 10:05 PM, 2009
Nigel Troup wrote:
John,
Yes, that was me. Delighted to have met you - I have read many of your postings on this site. Many thanks for putting me onto the Whincat: a lovely bird.
I must say that I always find the PF birding community a friendly bunch. I hope to bump imto you again if any Black Terns put in an appearance.
NT.
no problem anytime
Nigel Troup said
Tue May 12 10:01 PM, 2009
John,
Yes, that was me. Delighted to have met you - I have read many of your postings on this site. Many thanks for putting me onto the Whincat: a lovely bird.
I must say that I always find the PF birding community a friendly bunch. I hope to bump imto you again if any Black Terns put in an appearance.
NT.
Bill Myerscough said
Tue May 12 2:19 PM, 2009
12th May.
A visit to a large well-known garden centre just off the E. Lancs road was an excuse for a quick detour and visit to the flash this morning.
Almost missed seeing the beautiful Black-necked Grebes - many thanks to Brian Fielding for pointing them out. Cheers Brian. The first time I have seen this species anywhere.
1 Lesser Whitethroat "rattling away" within hearing distance of the Horrocks hide. Also 2 singing Garden Warblers - absolutely brilliant views of 1 of them.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Tuesday 12th of May 2009 02:20:55 PM
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Tuesday 12th of May 2009 02:22:01 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 11 7:01 PM, 2009
3 Black-necked Grebes present this morning.
Info thanks to John Lyon
JOHN TYMON said
Sun May 10 9:54 PM, 2009
Nigel Troup wrote:
I took the journey 'up north' today. First time that I've been on PF this year and I'd almost forgotten what a great site this is. How I wish we had a similar resource in Stockport.
Horrock's hide produced 6+ Common terns, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover. I also had great views of the two summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebes.
There was a Lesser Whitethroat singing boldly from just behind New Hide - a first for me here, I think.
Star of the show was a stunning male Whinchat in the long grasses on the rucks. These are truly wonderful birds, and rather seem to outshine their commoner cousin the Stonechat. Perhaps this is just familiarity. Many thanks to the gentleman in Horrock's hide who tipped me off on where to look for it.
probably me that nigel,if you was the fella i was telling about arctic terns under the yaught clubs,nice meeting you.
Nigel Troup said
Sun May 10 9:32 PM, 2009
I took the journey 'up north' today. First time that I've been on PF this year and I'd almost forgotten what a great site this is. How I wish we had a similar resource in Stockport.
Horrock's hide produced 6+ Common terns, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover. I also had great views of the two summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebes.
There was a Lesser Whitethroat singing boldly from just behind New Hide - a first for me here, I think.
Star of the show was a stunning male Whinchat in the long grasses on the rucks. These are truly wonderful birds, and rather seem to outshine their commoner cousin the Stonechat. Perhaps this is just familiarity. Many thanks to the gentleman in Horrock's hide who tipped me off on where to look for it.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun May 10 4:43 PM, 2009
pm 9 common terns 2 arctic terns winchat 1 male lesser whitethroat-1 plus all the usual stuff
Mike Baron said
Sun May 10 4:36 PM, 2009
Craig Higson wrote:
Also Lesser Whitethroat in front of Horrocks Hide
Nice to meet Holly and Mike.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 10th of May 2009 02:42:46 PM
Also at least 1 Arctic Tern.
Nice to meet yourself and Holly, Craig. Always nice to see some good birds too!
Mike
Craig Higson said
Sun May 10 2:41 PM, 2009
Also Lesser Whitethroat in front of Horrocks Hide
Nice to meet Holly and Mike.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 10th of May 2009 02:42:46 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 10 10:31 AM, 2009
Still a pair of Black-necked Grebes this morning plus a Whinchat on Ramsdales Ruck
Info thanks to Barry Hulme/Craig Higson
JOHN TYMON said
Sun May 10 8:34 AM, 2009
brandon mulhern wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
brandon mulhern wrote:
thanks for that John we had our coats on ready to go too. Was looking for good picture opportunity but alas ......
JOHN TYMON wrote:
EGRET LEFT AT 11.15,I MISSED IT BY ABOUT 25 MINS,FLEW OFF EAST-TOWARDS HOPE CAR?
it wouldn't have stayed anyway,when i left there were 3 yaughts washed up on the point that had capsised and another 2 on the way to the point,so very little birdlife at the front of horrocks hide when i left at 3pm
i take it from your shouting that it (capsized boats on the spit) made you angry!!
No no shouting just a fact of life at the flash,the yaughts have been on the flash as long as the birders,so a few boats on the piont is nothing new to me after 30+ years,sometimes the boats can help expecially for duck counts in winter,when everything ends up in one flock in rammies flash.
brandon mulhern said
Sat May 9 6:36 PM, 2009
JOHN TYMON wrote:
brandon mulhern wrote:
thanks for that John we had our coats on ready to go too. Was looking for good picture opportunity but alas ......
JOHN TYMON wrote:
EGRET LEFT AT 11.15,I MISSED IT BY ABOUT 25 MINS,FLEW OFF EAST-TOWARDS HOPE CAR?
it wouldn't have stayed anyway,when i left there were 3 yaughts washed up on the point that had capsised and another 2 on the way to the point,so very little birdlife at the front of horrocks hide when i left at 3pm
i take it from your shouting that it (capsized boats on the spit) made you angry!!
JOHN TYMON said
Sat May 9 4:15 PM, 2009
brandon mulhern wrote:
thanks for that John we had our coats on ready to go too. Was looking for good picture opportunity but alas ......
JOHN TYMON wrote:
EGRET LEFT AT 11.15,I MISSED IT BY ABOUT 25 MINS,FLEW OFF EAST-TOWARDS HOPE CAR?
it wouldn't have stayed anyway,when i left there were 3 yaughts washed up on the point that had capsised and another 2 on the way to the point,so very little birdlife at the front of horrocks hide when i left at 3pm
brandon mulhern said
Sat May 9 3:18 PM, 2009
thanks for that John we had our coats on ready to go too. Was looking for good picture opportunity but alas ......
JOHN TYMON wrote:
EGRET LEFT AT 11.15,I MISSED IT BY ABOUT 25 MINS,FLEW OFF EAST-TOWARDS HOPE CAR?
JOHN TYMON said
Sat May 9 3:13 PM, 2009
EGRET LEFT AT 11.15,I MISSED IT BY ABOUT 25 MINS,FLEW OFF EAST-TOWARDS HOPE CAR?
brandon mulhern said
Sat May 9 2:29 PM, 2009
anyone know if little egret is still there? 2.29 now so wondering if its worth a trip?
Steve Collins said
Sat May 9 1:02 PM, 2009
I know what you mean Sue! Ironic that we were there early and the Egret came after we left, it's usually the other way round for me- I felt sure you would have still been there and seen it! Nice to meet you too and hopefully bump into you both round Elton soon and you can show me where the Little Owls are! Cheers Steve
Sue Fargher said
Sat May 9 11:46 AM, 2009
Was nice to meet Steve Collins when Paul and I went to look for the Wood Warbler this morning.
Good views of the Black Necked Grebes next to the spit and the Little Gull ( thanks Steve ).
Shame we didn't stay another hour, could have got the egret but we were looking for the Grasshopper Wrbler at Elton and strangly enough were discussing egrets in Manchester when we received the alert.
Who says birding is not stressful!
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 9 10:12 AM, 2009
Little Egret flew onto the spit at 10:10am this morning.
Also present 2 Black-necked Grebes and single 1st summer Little Gull
Info thanks to John Lyons
Steve Collins said
Sat May 9 9:13 AM, 2009
I was there at 6am until 8.30am and didn't hear the Wood Warbler and didn't speak to anybody who came into Horrocks hide who heard it either so good luck if you fancy looking for it! No sign of Lesser Whitethroat either but that could just have gone quiet! There was however a Little Gull and 2 Black-necked Grebes at 6am and still there when I left. The air filled with the sound of Birdsong from the supporting cast made it all worthwhile. Steve PS I just checked my Birdguides and it says bird was singing early morning yesterday
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Saturday 9th of May 2009 09:29:26 AM
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Saturday 9th of May 2009 09:30:52 AM
Gary Gorner said
Sat May 9 8:59 AM, 2009
wood warbler reported on bird guides yesterday morning.
-- Edited by Gary Gorner on Saturday 9th of May 2009 02:01:44 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 8 8:23 PM, 2009
At 7:40 this evening after heavy showers;
2 Arctic Terns 1000 Swift 700 Sand Martin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
declan savage said
Fri May 8 6:27 PM, 2009
no sign or sound of Wood Warbler in very blustery conditions at lunchtime today, but BN Grebes were showing very well; also a showy singing Lesser Whitethroat along the track between the play area and New Hide. single Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 3 Common Terns on spit, plus usual other stuff. declan
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 8 7:36 AM, 2009
This morning, the 8th:
2 Black-necked Grebes Wood Warbler still singing by the childrens play area
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Adam Dyson said
Thu May 7 9:08 PM, 2009
went mid morning. didnt know were the wood warbler was, god knows how many times i cycled past it today . other than that good views of a sedge warbler, whitethroat, common tern, common sandpiper plus all the usual stuff.
Simon Hitchen said
Thu May 7 7:40 PM, 2009
Wood Warbler was showing well at 11 am and 2 Whimbrel in front of Horrock's Hide
John Rayner said
Thu May 7 2:40 PM, 2009
Male Goosander from Teal Hide this morning.
Cheers, John
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 7 9:56 AM, 2009
wood Warbler still present 09:50 singing from by the childrens play area.
Info thanks to John Rayner/Barry Hulme
Craig Higson said
Thu May 7 9:41 AM, 2009
Wood Warbler at the side of the visitors center this am.
Info from Barry Hulme
brian fielding said
Wed May 6 4:15 PM, 2009
present today, 2 black necked grebes, 1 sanderling, am only, 1 dunlin, common sand, 7 common terns, garden warbler.
Rob Thorpe said
Wed May 6 2:54 PM, 2009
Ian Woosey wrote:
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 01:19:33 PM
Not much about then Mr Woosey?
Ian McKerchar said
Wed May 6 1:02 PM, 2009
6 Dunlin also present very early morning atleast today.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Ian Woosey said
Wed May 6 12:57 PM, 2009
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 01:19:33 PM
Jonathan Platt said
Wed May 6 11:26 AM, 2009
2 bn grebes from Green Lane 6.00am this morning.
2 drake ruddy duck from Green Lane 7.30pm yesterday, a couple of hundred sand martins too, most I've seen there this year.
yes its due to more off run from building at points up the hey brook,and climate change,4 seasons in one hour today,at least it makes for very lush undergrowth,so we are getting more lesser whitethroats,garden warbler etc
Pennington is not alone in being susceptable to flash flooding, there are many county sites exactly the same, the peat pools at Astley are particularly bad. The inlet and outlet of the flash haven't changed and any increase in the frequency of flooding here is likely due to more water entering the Hey Brook at some point along the line. Increased run-off from house hold drives/ buisness parks and the like?
15-20 common tern
at least 5 arctic terns
2 dunlin
not a lot else unfortunately as the water level has risen about 10 feet in 2 days.a lot of the waders have lost thier nests,and the black headed gulls at the front of horrocks had thier nest washed out
And unfortunately the rain came to spoil, just an excuse to visit again as this was our first.
Arrived in Horrocks hide at 1915 and added species at great rate of knots..
Dunlin
Redshank
Black Neck Grebes kindly pointed out by a birder friend of Ian Campbells
1 Herring Gull
LBB Gull
Shoveler
Shelduck
Great Creasted Grebe
Lapwing
4 Common Terns dissappeared as soon as rain appeared
Oystercatchers.
Plus what seemed to thousands of hirundines......
Plus many more obvious ones.
Ian Campbells mate had been looking for Black Terns the previous evening with Ian,burst into the Hide at about 1945ish looking for the Little Tern to no avail....
Now i am now expert,but just before the warden came to lock up the hide, i picked up a smallish tern near the Yacht Club,light was going and as i said no expert, watched to hovering and swooping/diving towards the surface. According to Collins Guide this is the flight pattern of the Little Tern, unfortunately i was the only one about i will never know....
You do realise that every time you edit a post now, whatever the reason, some of us start to try to guess what potential breeding record you've removed.
Good to see you are moderating your own posts too!
Lesser Whitethroat still singing loudly from in front of Horrocks Hide/kidney pond area
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 15th of May 2009 11:20:06 AM
2 BNGrebes still
1 Little Tern
Info thanks to John Lyon
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to John Lyon.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 14th of May 2009 04:24:49 PM
Small compensation in:
2 Black-necked Grebes
9 Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin (1 Horrocks scrape and 1 Teal scrape)
4 Lesser Whitethroats (around the entire flash)
Any Black-necked Grebes at Pennington today?
Cheers, John
21 Common Tern
Lesser Whitethroat still singing near Horrocks Scrape
no problem anytime
Yes, that was me. Delighted to have met you - I have read many of your postings on this site. Many thanks for putting me onto the Whincat: a lovely bird.
I must say that I always find the PF birding community a friendly bunch. I hope to bump imto you again if any Black Terns put in an appearance.
NT.
A visit to a large well-known garden centre just off the E. Lancs road was an excuse for a quick detour and visit to the flash this morning.
Almost missed seeing the beautiful Black-necked Grebes - many thanks to Brian Fielding for pointing them out. Cheers Brian.
1 Lesser Whitethroat "rattling away" within hearing distance of the Horrocks hide. Also 2 singing Garden Warblers - absolutely brilliant views of 1 of them.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Tuesday 12th of May 2009 02:20:55 PM
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Tuesday 12th of May 2009 02:22:01 PM
Info thanks to John Lyon
probably me that nigel,if you was the fella i was telling about arctic terns under the yaught clubs,nice meeting you.
Horrock's hide produced 6+ Common terns, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover. I also had great views of the two summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebes.
There was a Lesser Whitethroat singing boldly from just behind New Hide - a first for me here, I think.
Star of the show was a stunning male Whinchat in the long grasses on the rucks. These are truly wonderful birds, and rather seem to outshine their commoner cousin the Stonechat. Perhaps this is just familiarity. Many thanks to the gentleman in Horrock's hide who tipped me off on where to look for it.
9 common terns
2 arctic terns
winchat 1 male
lesser whitethroat-1
plus all the usual stuff
Also at least 1 Arctic Tern.
Nice to meet yourself and Holly, Craig. Always nice to see some good birds too!
Mike
Nice to meet Holly and Mike.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 10th of May 2009 02:42:46 PM
Info thanks to Barry Hulme/Craig Higson
No no shouting
just a fact of life at the flash,the yaughts have been on the flash as long as the birders,so a few boats on the piont is nothing new to me after 30+ years,sometimes the boats can help expecially for duck counts in winter,when everything ends up in one flock in rammies flash.
i take it from your shouting that it (capsized boats on the spit) made you angry!!
it wouldn't have stayed anyway,when i left there were 3 yaughts washed up on the point that had capsised and another 2 on the way to the point,so very little birdlife at the front of horrocks hide when i left at 3pm
Was looking for good picture opportunity but alas ......
Nice to meet you too and hopefully bump into you both round Elton soon and you can show me where the Little Owls are!
Cheers
Steve
Good views of the Black Necked Grebes next to the spit and the Little Gull ( thanks Steve ).
Shame we didn't stay another hour, could have got the egret but we were looking for the Grasshopper Wrbler at Elton and strangly enough were discussing egrets in Manchester when we received the alert.
Who says birding is not stressful!
Also present 2 Black-necked Grebes and single 1st summer Little Gull
Info thanks to John Lyons
No sign of Lesser Whitethroat either but that could just have gone quiet!
There was however a Little Gull and 2 Black-necked Grebes at 6am and still there when I left.
The air filled with the sound of Birdsong from the supporting cast made it all worthwhile.
Steve
PS
I just checked my Birdguides and it says bird was singing early morning yesterday
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Saturday 9th of May 2009 09:29:26 AM
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Saturday 9th of May 2009 09:30:52 AM
-- Edited by Gary Gorner on Saturday 9th of May 2009 02:01:44 PM
2 Arctic Terns
1000 Swift
700 Sand Martin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
declan
2 Black-necked Grebes
Wood Warbler still singing by the childrens play area
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Cheers, John
Info thanks to John Rayner/Barry Hulme
Info from Barry Hulme
Not much about then Mr Woosey?
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 01:19:33 PM
2 drake ruddy duck from Green Lane 7.30pm yesterday, a couple of hundred sand martins too, most I've seen there this year.