Female Goosander this morning, unusual for time of year I thought, then 100m down from pyramid there were 5! All redheads, early returners or a local brood? All pretty large.
Also very close Kingfisher just up from M60 bridge, sat on barkless fallen tree.
Large dark fish from Hollywood Way bridge.
Plenty of Bullfinches, Whitethroat, Blackcaps, Song Thrushes etc.
Single Willow Warbler.

Late post for Tues pm.

All activity by or in the 'horse' field at Vale Rd Farm.

Male Blackcap with 3 juveniles in close proximity.
30 Woodpigeons in field with at least 4 juveniles.
3 Juvenile Magpies.
Still plenty of singing Chiffchaff and 2 calling Whitethroats.

All along the river from Cheadle to Stockport there must have been over 80 Sand Martins in total - difficult to tell if any were juveniles although evidence of some of the birds being chased around by 2 or 3 other birds. Also some seen entering nesting holes towards Stockport.

Rick.

Kingfisher again this morning by M60 bridge.
A lot of Bullfinches around too today.

3 Lapwings today on braid in river behind Patch Island. Very busy Sand Martins by colony on the bend. GS Woodpecker over.
Juv Pied Wags, Herons and Magpies on Parrs Wood fields
Kingfisher at M60 bridge yesterday morning.
4 Whitethroats calling and 1 very agitated male Blackcap

Late post for friday afternoon - Cheadle Bridge and down river.

Dippers still present.
No sign recently of the Grey Wagtail family - probably moved on because of aggressive nature of the Dippers.
Splendid view of male Kingfisher - sat on branch near bank for a full 15mins. Also second Kingfisher (female ?) flew up river flashing past the male.
Plenty of activity from the Sand Martins - at least 30 birds flying to and fro feeding low over the water.
A few swifts and Swallows
Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing in wooded area behind the Hotel/Leisure Centre
House Sparrows nesting under the roof of the Hotel/Leisure Centre
Mallards still producing broods of young.
2 Grey Herons

Rick.

I had a cycle along to Kingsway Bridge about 1pm yesterday. Saw the dipper there and panned up with the bins and the kingfisher was sat right opposite me looking directly over for a good 5 minutes.

Sunday early evening from Cheadle Bridge :-

1 Kingfisher flying down river
2 separate sightings of Dipper feeding mid river
30+ Sand Martins flying to and fro low over the water
10 Swifts
1 Grey Heron
3 Grey Wagtails
Wren carrying food in its beak
8 Goldfinch

Rick.

8pm tonight. From Bridge, upstream to Garlic bend and back.

Dipper by Cheadle bridge, blinking away.
Plenty of Sand Martins and Swifts with the odd House Martin and Swallow also at the bridge.

Gray Wagtail, Herons, Chaffinch with young (fledglings unusual calls had me thinking there was something more noteworthy in the area).

In trees at the bend - Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, Whitethroats, Bull Finch, Green Finch, possible Lesser Whitethroat, very noisy Wrens, Jay, Kestrel in field by pond. Blue Tits with young. Song Thrush on other side. Fly past by Cormorant.

SS

This afternoon between Cheadle Bridge and Kingsway Road Bridge

3 Grey Herons
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Dipper
1 Kingfisher flying down river from Cheadle Bridge
Robin feeding 2 juveniles
Many juvenile Great Tits
House Sparrow collecting flies at side of river
1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodpigeons, Blackbirds and Chaffinches in trees on opposite bank from hotel/leisure centre.
Dozens of Starlings flying overhead (and 40+ more in fields across from Parrs Wood school).
5 separate families of Mallard with offspring.
Swifts, Swallows, and Sand Martins with a couple of House Martins passing through.

Met up with Jon Beckett again

Rick.

Forgot to mention Wed on way home a small brown bird skulking in reeds near pond. (By rugby pitch). Was raining, no bins and in a hurry so didn't have time to stop. Not calling. Could just have been a wren, may have been a warbler?
Moorhen with young still on it.

Yesterday 8pm-9. Cheadle Bridge to Fletcher Moss.

Dipper in usual spot by bridge, replaced by Heron when I walked back later.

Sand Martins and Swifts by the bridge are amazing. I sat on the flood defence, just upriver of the bridge, and the Sand Martins were within a few feet of my head.

Grey Wagtail family still under Kingsway bridge.

Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and some very vocal Chaffinches.

Plenty of Swallows by the sluices - looks like they are from the stables on the other side.

Great Spot Woodpecker by bridge on return.

SS

This morning between 10:00 and 12:00.

Cheadle Bridge and down river -

2 Dippers
2 Kingfishers
A mixed flock of about 30 Sand Martins, Swifts, House Martins and Swallows
1 Chiffchaff and 1 Greenfinch singing
A few Robins, Blackbirds, Great Tits and Blue Tits
A couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers calling
Grey Wagtail and youngster near Kingsway Road bridge which were chased by a Dipper that had come down from Cheadle Bridge
2 pairs of Mallard with young
1 female Goosander

Rick.

Went out 14:45 until 15:30
Finally saw the kingfisher! Flew past me and then sat by the bank a few hundred yards past the multi-coloured building, got a great view. Then saw it again a few minutes later flying past with a fish in its mouth.
Also saw a couple of pied wagtails, one feeding a chick.
Grey wagtail.
4 goosander.
Swallows, swifts, sand martins.
Didn't manage to spot the dipper though.

Peregrine over Stockport this morning. Also buzzard.
Kestrel by M60 bridge.
Feeding frenzy of mainly Sand Martins, with a few Swifts and House Martins by playing fields. 130+ altogether.
Loads of Long Tailed Tits, plus usual warblers and fiches.
Didn't see the Dipper.

This morning between 11:00 and 12:00.

Cheadle Bridge and down river -

2 Dippers - 1 still very aggressive towards the Grey Wagtails
2 adult Grey Wagtails both feeding young
1 Cormorant flying down river
A couple of Chiffchaff singing
Greenfinch singing away
Great Tits and Blue Tits
Robin with beakful of grubs
A couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers calling
A mixed flock of about 50 Sand Martins, Swifts, House Martins and Swallows
2 Jays
A pair of Bullfinches
1 Common Sandpiper near Kingsway Road bridge
Another adult Grey Wagtail feeding a youngster down river from Kingsway bridge
1 Grey Heron
Many Woodpigeaons, Magpies and Carrion Crows
House Sparrows chattering away along side of Hotel
Pair of Collared Doves in car park at back of Hotel
The usual pairs of Mallard with young

Rick.

12:30 - stopped off for 10 mins @ Cheadle Bridge

Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Heron (chased off by Mallard family), fly over by Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

SS

Out again between 07:45 and 09:30.

Cheadle Bridge and downstream -

2 Dippers
2 Grey Wagtails - adults only (the youngers probably still in bed!)
2 Kingfishers
1 Cormorant
Many Chiffchaff singing
Greenfinch and Goldfinch
Great Tit with beakfull of flies
Great Spotted Woodpecker
About 30 Sand Martins and similar number of Swifts
Smaller numbers of House Martins and Swallows
Loads of Starlings

Rick.


-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Saturday 14th of May 2011 10:13:49 AM

Cheadle Bridge to Millgate Lane overflow this morning.

Pretty much the same as Rick's post, although only 1 Dipper
Nice to see the Grey Wagtails with young
Lots of activity at the Sand Martin colony
6 Goosanders 4m 2f lurking by the sandbank opp. Micker Brook
No Kingfishers until I retuned this afternoon and saw one flash under the bridge
heading downstream, just after a mega downpour around 3.15, must have just
missed you Rick
I also bumped into (a dry) Mr Becket & friend this morning at the overflow

Cheers Tony

-- Edited by Tony Darby on Friday 13th of May 2011 06:55:17 PM

Yes nice to meet you Rick, got soaked though!
The bird I couldn't identify past kingsway bridge was definitely a common sandpiper.

On a very wet afternoon between 14:00 to 16:00

From Cheadle Bridge down river

2 Dippers (one of the Dippers was having a right go at the adult Grey Wagtails at one stage - chasing them up and down the river!)
4 Grey Herons
Swifts, Swallows and a few Sand and House Martins
The one footed Grey Wagtail still feeding the newly fledged offspring with the second adult feeding another youngster - but quite separately (about 50meters apart).
1 Kingfisher
At least 3 separate pairs of Mallard with broods of chicks
2 male Goosander
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Song Thrush
Several Robins, Wrens and Dunnocks flying to and fro across the river.
House Sparrows along the side of the Hotel/Leisure Centre
1 slightly wet Jon Beckett at Cheadle Bridge - nice to have met you Jon and I hope you are successful in your search for the Kingfisher(s)

On way home from the bridge, in fields across from the school were -
2 Grey Herons
12 Starlings
5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Rick.



-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Friday 13th of May 2011 04:37:52 PM

Dipper was by the bridge at 7:30 tonight. Not doing much, head tucked under wing.

2 x male Goosander just downstream.

Gray Wagtails and several Mallards with young on the river.


SS

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 17th of May 2011 07:42:45 AM

Fascinating behaviour today with what I thought was a rarity hovering above the river catching emerging/drowning flies. Stopped and saw it was a Robin!

100 Sand Martins in the rain this morning, with most in 2 groups,1 near Acorn and 1 around Parrs Wood fields.

Jon, could you check your private massages please

I saw the dipper this morning at cheadle bridge with the grey Wagtail. Went again about 3ish but no kingfisher

13:45 to 14:30

Cheadle Bridge down river

1 Dipper
3 Grey Herons
Full complement of Swifts, Swallows, Sand and House Martins
The one footed Grey Wagtail feeding 1 newly fledged offspring
2 Kingfishers
2 separate pairs of Mallard with broods of chicks
1 male Goosander

Rick.

What do you know, my post on Monday mentioned that I hadn't seen Kingfishers since February. Today there were two.

I was watching the pair of Dippers from Cheadle Bridge and heard two Kingfishers calling, one close by and the other downstream. One bird was near the bridge and surprisingly high-up in the trees, as it flew off downstream I was in he unusual situation of looking up at a Kingfisher as it flew away and transformed from orange into blue.

Apart from the Dippers, the usual warblers (Willow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat).

Also Swifts along the river, particularly by Cheadle bridge - noteworthy as they weren't around on Saturday.

Sedge Warbler is still by the Fletcher Moss sluices. This time singing about 30yds down the flood channel. Flying up from the Hawthorns and spiralling down whilst spouting a random backwards garble.

Just read your post and about 10 days ago walked downstream from Cheadle Bridge looking downriver trying to spot the dipper. As I was looking through the Binoculars I saw the unmistakable blue flash cross my vision from left to right. It went low into the greenery just below Waterside Hotel. Never did see the dipper.

-- Edited by Bazzzer on Monday 9th of May 2011 08:39:50 PM

Ir run this stretch of the river a couple of times a week and walk it at least once a week with binoculars - I haven't seen one since February and from the other posts it looks like there's been very few sightings during spring.

During the winter I regularly saw a single Kingfisher between the Salmon Weir and the Green Footbridge. It was most frequently upstream of the M60.

A couple of years back they were more prevalent. I've also seen Kingfishers locally at Abney Hall (near the waterfall), but nothing there for at least 12 months either.

Good Luck, please post if you see one.

SS

I've just discovered this forum and registered here. I live a couple of minutes away from the Mersey not far from Burnage Rugby and cycle along the banks pretty much every day.
Can anyone tell me the best place to see a kingfisher, I saw one last year near the business park (just past the wooden salmon sculpture) and would like to see another again.
Just cycled along the river to Didsbury golf and saw sand martins opposite the colourful building and a cormerant landing. No kingfisher tho!

Dipper in fine form this morning. Enjoying the rain and taking full advantage of the car-tyres in the river bed which the low river has exposed.

Explored the "off-path" section of the river behind the Galleon health club car park. There's a Sand Martin colony on the opposite bank, maybe where the Rugby club colony has move to? Whereas the old colony was messy and spread across the face of the bank, this one is well organised and looks new. All the holes are equidistant (looks like they used a tape-measure) and in a horizontal line just below the top of the bank.

SS


-- Edited by Steve Smith on Saturday 7th of May 2011 10:41:22 PM

As an addendum, Patch island is the only real island in this section, between the rugby club and 'garlic bend'.
Usual goodies this morning, with male Goosander still next to horse field.
Sand martins still mainly upstream by Acorn business park.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the prompt and comprehensive reply,

Cheers, John

I'll have a go at these.

Starting at Cheadle Bridge and going downriver.

The Flood Sluices (I think these are also called "Millgate" in some other posts, but I could be wrong) are are about 1.5km down river of Cheadle bridge, so they are beyond The Galleon Hotel and Kingsway bridge. Google Earth says - 53°24'08.08" N 2°14'02.13" W.

All the other locations are upriver from Cheadle Bridge.

The Rugby club is less than 1km upriver from Cheadle bridge, just after the School playing fields - 53°24'27.03" N 2°12'30.22" W

The United Utilities site (sewage works) is on the opposite side of the river to the path. It starts about 1km upriver of Cheadle bridge at a bend on the river (53°24'18.40" N 2°12'21.63" W) that I sometimes call garlic bend because of the wild garlic. There's usually Warbler activity on this bend. The UU site occupies most of the land between this bend and the M60 bridge.

The Salmon Weir is the only large weir between Cheadle Bridge (about 1.5Km upriver) and the M60 - there's a large wooden Salmon sculpture there. 53°24'24.19" N 2°12'00.18" W

The green bridge and Geoff's bridge are one and the same - a footbridge over the Mersey a couple of 100m upriver from where the M60 crosses the Mersey. The bridge is green (you probably guessed that) and there's a commemorative plaque on the Stockport side to Geoff who was a Stockport MBC Employee. The bridge connects the old Gorsey Bank estate to the industrial estate. According to Google Earth the green bridge is at 53°24'20.61" N 2°11'10.67" W

So in order(going upriver) - they go Sluices, Kingsway bridge, Hotel, Cheadle bridge, Rugby Club, Garlic bend (start of UU on other side), Salmon Weir, M60 bridge (end of UU), green bridge.

SS


-- Edited by Steve Smith on Thursday 5th of May 2011 10:45:36 PM

Can anyone please be more specific on where the various landmarks mentioned in these posts are?

I know Cheadle bridge but where are 'Green Bridge', 'Geoff's Bridge', 'Flood Sluices', 'Salmon Weir', 'Millgate', 'Rugby Club', United Utilities'?

Perhaps someone would be kind enough to put them in order starting at Cheadle Bridge upstream/downstream.

Cheers, John

Nice to meet you too Rick, I am envious of these retirees
Forgot to mention there was a White Wagtail on Parrs Wood playing fields yesterday, as well as Sparrowhawk over.
Plenty of Bullfinches this morning, some with nesting material.
Displaying Whitethroat behind pond.

07:30 to 09:00 Cheadle Bridge to Geoff's Bridge and back.

1 Dipper
Mallard pair with 7 chicks and another pair with only 1 chick
Lapwing in field across river from Rugby Club
3 Goosander (1m/2f) flying up river
Many Chiffchaff singing - only 1 seen
Willow Warbler singing
Many Wrens, Blackbirds, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits
Cormorant
Lapwing in horse field
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (m) near Geoff's Bridge
1 lone female Goosander near Geoff's Bridge
1 Bullfinch (m)
1 Greenfinch
Pair Chaffinch
20 Starlings feeding on school playing fields and flying off with beak fulls of food
Swifts, Swallows, Sand and House Martins

Nice to have met Chris Harper at long last - thanks for stopping and introducing yourself

Rick.

-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Thursday 5th of May 2011 07:15:03 PM

Slightly later than yesterday (8 - 9 pm).

Jog between green footbridge to Fletcher Moss and back.

Single Dipper at usual place by Cheadle bridge, on way there and back.

3+ Herons

Usual Warblers, plus Sedge Warbler in bushes just upriver of the Flood Sluices - stopped to listen and also spotted a Male Reed bunting too.

Probable Lesser Whitethroat heard across the river on the United Utilities site just opposite the field with the horses.

Lots of Song Thrushes singing tonight, still no Sand Martins at the Rugby club and I haven't seen a Swift yet!

SS

08:00 to 09:00 Cheadle Bridge to Salmon Weir and back.

1 Grey Wagtail
3 Grey Herons
8 Mallard (7m/1f)
2 Goosanders (1m/1f)
5 Canada Geese
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Whitethroat
3 Pied Wagtails
4 Willow Warblers
Moorhen with 4 chicks
40+ Swifts
10 Swallows
25 Sand Martins

Rick.

Quick run between green footbridge and bend just after Fletcher Moss flood defence and back (no bins, plus I'm running so it this is only stuff that I heard or couldn't miss)

Usual stuff this evening (whitethroats, chiffchaffs, blackcaps and willow warblers).
3 Goosander between M60 and green footbridge (2F+1M)
5 Herons
House Martins and Swallows, but no sign of Sand Martins by Rugby Club -has anybody else seen them or have they moved on?

Steve

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 4th of May 2011 06:25:16 AM

28/04/2011 - Following in John's footsteps at 10am: many of those birds still present including the Kingfisher and Dipper. I walked as far as the Mersey Vale Nature Park and additional sightings to those listed by John included:

1 Grey Heron
2 Buzzards
2 Moorhens
1 Pheasant
1 House Martin - amongst the Sand Martins
2 Blackcaps
1 Nuthatch
2 Bullfinches
2 Reed Buntings

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 28th of April 2011 04:35:47 PM

April 28th 09.00 - 10.30

Walked both upsteam and downstream from Cheadle Bridge

Kingfisher 1
Dipper 1
Grey Wagtail 1
Sand Martin c20 (6 visiting nest holes)
Swallow 6
Whitethroat 4
Goosander 1 male
Chiffchaff 2
Willow Warbler 2

Cheers, John

Quick run (ok, jog) along the Mersey tonight.

Single Dipper again in the usual spot by Cheadle bridge

Couple of Herons between Cheadle and the green footbridge

Male Goosander and increased number of Sand Martins by the rugby club. Bullfinches on the path by the industrial units just down-river from the salmon weir. Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and Willow Warbler heard.

Blackcaps on the usual bend and a pheasant heard (but not seen) on the other side ,just down-river from the Blackcap (Garlic) bend. First time I've heard a pheasant here.

Not seen a Kingfishers for several months and no re-appearance of the Water Rail that I managed to get a photo of either.

SS

Fletcher Moss - Millgate - sluices

3 Swallow
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
RN Parakeet
GS Woodpecker
Treecreeper
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Common Whitethroat

cheers Rick, clearly just a matter of getting the timing right

This afternoons sightings on a cycle ride from Cheadle Bridge to Salmon weir and back:-

2 Grey Herons
6 Sand Martins
Several Chiffchaff singing - only 1 seen.
2 Male Blackcaps.
1 Whitethroat seen and another heard.
1 Willow Warbler.
2 Jays - being chased by 2 Magpies
4 Drake Mallards
Canada Geese
4 Goldfinch
2 Long-tailed Tits and many Blue and Great Tits, Blackbirds, Dunnocks and Wrens.

Rick.

Mike Crawley wrote:

---

However, what I haven't seen in this area before is Buzzard.

Three times over the weekend I was lucky enough to see a single Buzzard soaring over the wooded area / industrial estate next to the rugby club.

There's plenty of the right kind of habitat around to support a breeding attempt if a partner should appear.

---

Mike, There have been many Buzzards seen for many years in the area around the Mersey valley, especially a bit further south towards Cheadle Wood farm, the motorway and Abney Hall Park (see separate thread) where up to 4 Buzzards have been seen at the same time. I don't doubt that they have bred around here in the past, and hopefully will do this year - it's just a question of where!???

Rick.

I haven't sifted through the whole thread so apologies if this isn't news.

I live a few hundred yards from the Mersey (nearly 30 years now, how time flies...) and have been a member at Burnage for many more years than I've been birding (only 22 years).
However, what I haven't seen in this area before is Buzzard.

Three times over the weekend I was lucky enough to see a single Buzzard soaring over the wooded area / industrial estate next to the rugby club.

There's plenty of the right kind of habitat around to support a breeding attempt if a partner should appear.

18/04/2011 - 7.30-8am at Cheadle bridge:

2 Dippers
1 Grey Heron
c20 Sand Martins

Single Dipper was there again today on the Hotel side of the bridge (about 11 am and again at 12)

Good views if Chiffchaffs flying across the path with nesting materials on the bend under the pylon. Pair of Blackcaps in the same area. Willow warblers and Whitethroats heard but not seen.

Everywhere I go at the moment there are loads of Goldfinches, has anybody else noticed a population surge or am I imagining things?

Bumped into a group of birders, good to meet you all.

Steve

Cheadle Bridge

1 Dipper preening itself on Stockport Borough bank of river at 12:00.
Rick.