Male Black Redstart old tip 10.30 seen at close range in small bare tree face on then flew into trees and not relocated. No wing patch and tail appeared black underneath - possibly 1st summer Also Gropper reeling superb close views Blackcap pair - female with nesting material and 4+ elsewhere Whitethroat 3 Willow Warbler 4 Chiffcaff 4 Reed Bunting 2 Meadow Pipits 2 Swifts 3 Swallow 1
Joey Eccles said
Sun Apr 25 9:43 AM, 2010
forgot to add from yesterday that there was a drake mallard on the side of the lake opposite the visitor center (near the river) that had partially swallowed a red plastic band and was in some distress. it had a mate, but was keen to stick to the shallows, whilst trying to rid itself of the band. If you saw it you couldn't miss it. Joey
Phil Owen said
Sat Apr 24 8:24 PM, 2010
Quick visit this afternoon, no sign of the Whinchat or Groppers unfortunately.
Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat in abundance on the tip
much of the same but with 1 cock pheasant 1 female sparrowhawk 2 swallow another gropper, different location
-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Saturday 24th of April 2010 06:26:21 PM
Ian Keith said
Fri Apr 23 10:26 PM, 2010
Report received of a pair of Woodcock flying out across the Mersey before dropping down somewhere behind the Orchard at approx 9pm. Also pair of Tawny's by wildlife pond to south of the lake.
Tony Coatsworth said
Fri Apr 23 7:16 PM, 2010
Willow Warbler and Common Whitethroat on Barlow Tip No Groppers there or on Kenworthy
Lots of maggot danglers round the lake
Pete Hines said
Thu Apr 22 12:04 AM, 2010
Wed Apr 21st
1, possibly 2, Gropper reeling on Barlow Tip 3 Buzzard
Out on the boat this evening quick check of some nests & appears the Mink has the the eggs of Coot and G/C Grebe (2nd time)
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Thursday 22nd of April 2010 12:04:41 AM
Luke Brown said
Wed Apr 21 12:42 PM, 2010
Chorlton WP / Chorlton Ees 8.00 - 12.00
Chorlton WP
15+ Sand Martin 1 GSW 1 Reed Bunting Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Blackcap 2 Whitethroat - tip 1 Grasshopper Warbler - heard reeling on tip 1 Sedge Warbler - Singing in bushes where tip meets river
River Mersey
Heron Cormorant Swallow Whitethroat
Chorlton Ees
Heron 1 Reed Warbler - heard singing in reedbed for at least 15 minutes but didn't manage to get a look Pheasant - 1 sat in a tree which was a first for me
Pete Hines said
Tue Apr 20 7:00 PM, 2010
c50 Sand Martin 2 swallow 1 Buzzard 1 Sparrowhawk
Pete Hines said
Mon Apr 19 8:15 PM, 2010
1 female Linnet on Barlow Tip before flying off north 3 Whitethroat: 2 Barlow Tip, 1 Kenworthy 1 Meadow Pipit over west 25+ Sand Martin 30+ Swallow 9 Tufted 5 Mute Swan 4 Reed Bunting (3 singing m)
1 Mink
Wheatear is an uncommon and irregular passage migrant here (March, April & August) though can occur anywhere along the valley eg river banks, golf courses, playing fields.
Chris Harper said
Mon Apr 19 9:18 AM, 2010
Just across the road, but 2 Oystercatchers flew low, calling over Southern Cemetary this morning, heading for Hough End fields. Chris H
Luke Brown said
Sun Apr 18 6:43 PM, 2010
Another great morning around Chorlton Water Park & Kenworthy
Chorlton WP
Cormorant Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap - Everywhere 1 Whitethroat - tip 3+ Song Thrush - tip 1 Wheatear - Absolutely stuning male perched in small tree on tip for 4 or 5 minutes, before flying up to top of tall tree on river bank and then back again. Stayed a couple more minutes before heading north climbing very high. Are there any previous records here? 1 unidentified warbler - possible gropper, but didnt make any noise and shot into brambles quickly.
River Mersey
1 Common Sandpiper - flitted around bridge that leads to kenworthy lane before heading along mersey upstream 1 Heron
Kenworthy
Song Thrush Sparrowhawk Kestrel 2 Buzzard Pheasant - heard 2 Whitethroat 5 Jay 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull
1 Comma 4+ Peacock
Rick Donkin said
Thu Apr 15 6:06 PM, 2010
Ian Keith wrote:
Richard - location on tip where you heard Whitethroat was a good spot for Lesser Whitethroat last year.
Ian, Thanks for 'tip'. The one I saw on Mon 12th was definitely a Common Whitethroat but will keep eye out for lessers when next at CWP. Cheers, Rick.
Pete Hines said
Wed Apr 14 12:19 AM, 2010
Tues 13th April Barlow Tip
1 Whitethroat 1 Buzzard 1 Redpoll
Ian Keith said
Tue Apr 13 9:06 PM, 2010
Unfortunately on a sunny weekend afternoon CWP attracts every idiot from miles around. The only answer is get there early or leave it until after 6pm. Over the years I've seen far too many sickening sites and at times I despair at what's going on. At the moment new paths are being excavated and stoned up throughout the Community woodland. Whilst its presumably being done in an attempt to improve access its a real shame to be losing one of the quieter areas that the local wildlife had the opportunity to flee to at weekends.
Hedges down either side of Willenhall Lane continuing to attract plenty of male Blackcaps and the odd Willow Warbler. 2 Buzzards very high over Kenworthy at 5.30pm. GSW's continuing loudest pecking competition at corner of Kenworthy. No sign of Sedge Warbler today.
Richard - location on tip where you heard Whitethroat was a good spot for Lesser Whitethroat last year.
Judith Smith said
Tue Apr 13 8:50 PM, 2010
Stop Off Road Nuisance E-mail Address(es): stopoffroadnuisance@gmpa.gov.uk
This is a useful address to report off road bikes to.
jomills said
Tue Apr 13 7:44 PM, 2010
Heard a few yesterday when we went for a walk, didnt see anyone so hopefully they were not about!!
Sadly though, saw three different lots of kids/teens who had no respect whatsoever for the birds at CWP:
One lot gloated about how they fire golf balls at the island to try and hit the geese and ducks then threw stones at them, i dare say if me and luke hadnt been there they would have had a go with their golf club, another lot attempting to kick them (luckily a canada goose got angry and had a go back :)! ) and another lot who were with their parents throwing stones from the new path at the geese, making a competition out of it with no interference from the parent.
Upsets me to think people would do things like this and that we cant be there to protect the birds all the time :(
But... (sorry about putting that on here not r.e. birds offically)
saw a beautiful willow warbler on the tip, very tame and a bit of a DIVA...hunted for the white throat but no joy!! lots of bcap and chiffchaffs and 2 Herring gulls.
Gervase Cooke said
Tue Apr 13 12:37 PM, 2010
Went for a quick stroll on sunday and there was indeed a motorbike roaring round the meadows. Rang the police and reported it. They said they'd take a look but I have little confidence they actually knew where I was talking about. I have to say tho, I did feel like they were taking it seriously. I think we'll need to pester them a bit on this one, gently pester.
Rick Donkin said
Mon Apr 12 2:16 PM, 2010
Pleasant 2 hour stroll around CWP 11.30 to 13.30 Monday 12th.
Very little on the water - mainly Canada Geese and one strange looking individual with an identity crisis. Smaller than Canada, very dark body and neck but with white head mottled with black markings, and dark orange bill ??? Some Mallard, Coot and Moorhen and approx 12 Gt Crested Grebes.
On the Tip many Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff in full song and a single Whitethroat near the Methane Gas Station at far end - on the right on some brambles. Heard Blackcap singing nearby.
Kenworthy Woods produced many more Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff with 2 Buzzard soaring overhead and also a single Sparrowhawk. All the usual little stuff also around.
Rick.
-- Edited by Richard Donkin on Monday 12th of April 2010 02:17:49 PM
-- Edited by Richard Donkin on Monday 12th of April 2010 02:39:19 PM
Gervase Cooke said
Sat Apr 10 9:27 PM, 2010
Ian Keith wrote:
. Last month this resulted in 17 grass fires within a period of 3 days including 20+ acres of Chorlton Ees.
Oh NO! I wondered what had been going on. Thought there must have been planned clearing. Kept wondering what possible benefit there could be bur reassured myself that people involved would have known what they are doing. The area of the meadow and ponds on the Ees is devastated. Last year there were so many warblers there. Sedge, Reed, gropper bothe whitethroats.
This is so sad. I've saved the police number in my phone. Thanks for posting this Ian.
Neil McCall said
Sat Apr 10 9:03 PM, 2010
Common Sandpiper on River Mersey again approx 100 yards east of bailey bridge at around 19.00
Ian Keith said
Sat Apr 10 8:58 PM, 2010
Yet again the Mersey valley is currently being plagued by motorbikes.
Today we had 5 bikes on Kenworthy, 4 on Merseybank Playing Fields and 3 around Fairy Lane and the UMIST football pitches. In addition to a significant amount of disturbance including to schedule 1 listed birds the idiots are smashing fences, stiles and whatever else is in there way to gain access to the various sites. Whilst the various youths involved take it in turns to set the fastest lap their friends are getting bored. Last month this resulted in 17 grass fires within a period of 3 days including 20+ acres of Chorlton Ees.
If anybody sees or hears any off road motorbikes within the Mersey Valley please don't ignore it. Report it to the GMP - Tel 872 5050. Whilst the Police rarely attend any single incident if enough people report the problem it begins to make a mess of their performance related statistics. Eventually this results in action.
Back to the probable Gropper from this morning - no sight or sound of it at 5.30pm. Hopefully its across the river on the Old tip. Sedge Warbler still around near the substation
Gervase Cooke said
Sat Apr 10 7:40 PM, 2010
Treecreeper seen in the woods on the health walk nr the bridge over chorlton brook near ivygreen. 2pm.
Never seen one down there before. Bold as brass he was, right by the path and didn't even seem bothered by passing dog walker.
What a day. More of those please.
Luke Brown said
Sat Apr 10 5:08 PM, 2010
Mammoth walk from Chorlton wp down the mersey to Sale wp / Broad Ees Dole and back again. 8.30 - 13.00
Chorlton WP
1 Goosander overhead 3 Herons 1 pair GCG displaying GSW Several Chiffchaff 1 Willow Warbler - tip 2 Blackcap - tip 2 Shoveler
River Mersey
Mute Swan 2 Pied Wagtail Flock of Meadow Pipits (10-15?) 2 Sand Martins Several Herons on nests - Chorlton Ees 7 Buzzards - soaring very high 8 Jays squabbling
Broad Ees Dole & Sale WP
2 Little Grebe 2 Gadwall 2 Lapwing 1 Snipe
Kenworthy
1 weasel - stopped to look at us for a while before scurrying off. 2 GSW
Lots of Blackcaps & Willow Warblers around today all the way along the route.
-- Edited by Luke Brown on Saturday 10th of April 2010 05:09:15 PM
-- Edited by Luke Brown on Saturday 10th of April 2010 05:11:03 PM
Ian Keith said
Sat Apr 10 9:43 AM, 2010
10/4
Quick walk out with the dog 8am. Amongst the usual: 3 male Blackcap 1 Sedge Warbler to the south of the substation 1 very faint and short burst of reeling east of Gropper Hill (Kenworthy).
Sam Ridgway said
Sat Apr 10 8:15 AM, 2010
Thank you Ian. I need all the help I can get
Sam Ridgway
Ollie Wright said
Sat Apr 10 12:09 AM, 2010
Thank you Jo, apologies Ian.
jomills said
Fri Apr 9 11:16 PM, 2010
on the map its the 'reclaimed tip' part really good place to go...v.good for white throats when they decide to arrive :)
Defo worth a visit!!!!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 9 11:00 PM, 2010
An exhaustive site guide for Barlow Tip is on the Manchester Birding website under The Mersey Valley. Perhaps some users of this forum could extend me the courtesy of even giving said website atleast a cursory glance, please.
Ollie Wright said
Fri Apr 9 8:11 PM, 2010
Hi, please could someone tell me - where is Barlow Tip? Thanks!
Tony Coatsworth said
Fri Apr 9 7:06 PM, 2010
Quick visit after work pair GC Grebes 1 Cormorant on island Usual Canada Geese and Mallards 4 M 1F Tufted Duck pair of Sparrowhawk circling over the reclaimed tip no Swallows or Martins 3 or 4 Blackcaps singing
Gervase Cooke said
Thu Apr 8 9:27 AM, 2010
Late afternoon walk from Chorlton Ees to the water park yesterday in the beautiful light.
Singing Chiff chaff seen next to the pond on the meadow along with chatty male Bullfinch.
3 swallows seen on the river.
Many chiffchaff heard.
Willow Warbler singing in the Waterpark near the gate to the bridge.
Pair of GC grebes grunting away to each other the start of their long courtship?
3 swallows flying over the lake (same ones?)
So many people about surprised to only bump into one birder- Tony.
Lovely to see the shoots of spring. So much more to come.
Neil McCall said
Wed Apr 7 8:15 PM, 2010
1 Swallow late evening near river bridge to Kenworthy.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 male Blackcap on Barlow Tip at CWP end.
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 6 8:31 PM, 2010
Me and Phil Owen hiked along the Riverbank down as far as Broad Ees Dole this afternoon but there was no sign of the Common Sandpiper. Good to see a few Sand Martins and Swallows back now.
Pete Hines said
Tue Apr 6 7:24 PM, 2010
1 Blackcap 1 Willow Warbler 1 Sand Martin 3 Swallow several Chiffchaff 3 Redpoll 2 Goosander 2 L Bl-b Gull
Luke Brown said
Mon Apr 5 6:57 PM, 2010
5/4 4.30 - 6.00pm
1 Common Sandpiper - along river between two bridges 1 Swallow 1 Pied Wagtail Several Song Thrush on tip 3/4 Chiffchaff singing 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls GSW
Pete Hines said
Mon Apr 5 6:52 PM, 2010
also 1 House Martin 2 Swallow 5 Redpoll 2 Tufted Goldcrest in song 2 Stock Dove at Barlow Tip 1 Buzzard at Barlow Tip
Will check out the vandalism and rectify a.s.a.p. Ian. They are coming armed with saws and bolt croppers now so it's an ongoing battle. We need to order some fencing rail in now it's the new tax year and the admin people get back after the easter hols.
Ian Keith said
Mon Apr 5 5:49 PM, 2010
5/4 CWP and the Mersey 1 Sandpiper downstream of derelict/closed bridge 3 Goosander (1 drake, 2 female) 1 Goldcrest - wildlife pool 3 Swallows 2 Sand Martin
Kenworthy 1 Willow Warbler 5 Chiff Chaff 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard 5 Bullfinch Sad to see idiots on quad/motor bikes have yet again vandalised the perimeter fence and entrances. Hopefully they can be repaired or better still electrified via the pylons before the warblers return.
Pete Hines said
Sun Apr 4 7:29 PM, 2010
also 2 Stock Dove at Barlow Tip 2 Sand Martin singing Goldcrest
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Apr 4 12:07 PM, 2010
10:30 this morning
1M 2F Goosander 4 Swallows over lake Buzzard over reclaimed Tip area Sparrowhawk over play area
Ian Keith said
Sat Apr 3 8:03 PM, 2010
From the Visitor Centre walk around the southern end of the lake and head on up the hill and out of the water park next to the timber bridge over the Mersey. In general the better views tend to be from the Kenworthy side of the bridge during late afternoon/early evening. The bridge seems to attract clouds of various moths throughout the summer and these help to bring in the hirundines and later various bats. If you don't see any here walk down the western bank of the river. The substation and derelict/closed bridge is another favoured location. Normally during summer evenings if you're on the bottom path the swallows and martins will literally fly past at head height or even below. Also worth keeping an eye out for the occasional Hobby especially during showery weather.
Neil McCall said
Sat Apr 3 7:23 PM, 2010
Didn't see either swallows or martins there this afternoon.
4 Great Crested Grebes 2 Tufted Duck (no Pochard, Goldeneye or Goosander) 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
Plenty of Chiffchaffs around, heard 6 singing between the Princess Parkway bus loop and the old tip, mostly on Kenworthy Fields.
Luke Brown said
Sat Apr 3 2:30 PM, 2010
Thanks Rob, swallows should be all over the place soon, just eager to get a look at some sand martins as I didn't manage to see any there last year
Rob Smallwood said
Sat Apr 3 10:45 AM, 2010
At this time of year just before a shower is often best as birds come down to avoid the weather, but they'll become ever present soon..
Luke Brown said
Sat Apr 3 10:28 AM, 2010
Quick question for anyone who can help, now the swallows and sand martins are around, does anyone know the best times and places at Chorlton WP to get a glimpse?
Pete Hines said
Fri Apr 2 8:25 PM, 2010
Sadly Keith it would appear the local Kingfishers perished during the big freeze with no sightings since 2nd and 4th Jan, when we would normally be seeing 1 or 2 birds daily Jan-mar. Shame about the scrub clearance there when all the talk was about Wrens perishing during the cold snap .
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 3rd of April 2010 10:13:16 AM
Ian Keith said
Fri Apr 2 6:21 PM, 2010
2/4 - 5.30pm
River Mersey - bridge 7 Swallows 3 Sand Martins 2 House Martins
Willenhall Lane 7 Bullfinches in Blackthorn 1 Sparrowhawk over Orchard
Kenworthy 2 male and 1 female GSW 3 Swallows over the gallops 2 Buzzards
still no Kingfishers seen since early Jan at CWP
stevethehydra said
Tue Mar 30 11:36 PM, 2010
Chorlton Water Park on 28th March:
1 male Reed Bunting on the bird table by the car park (sadly gone before i could photograph him), along with Great and Blue Tits, Dunnock and House Sparrows
The same weird (Barnacle x something?) hybrid goose I saw there on 6th and 7th March - see this thread: http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=96752&p=3&topicID=34980521 Lots of Canadas Lots of Mallards, including one odd-looking, possibly hybrid or intersex bird (see above thread) c. 10 Goldeneye (mostly female) c. 5-6 Tufted Duck c. 10 GC Grebe 1 Mute Swan 1 Greylag Goose (appeared to be wild, flew over twice then landed in the middle of the lake) Magpies Crows (no ravens though!) Cormorant flying over
Tailless Magpie (looking very strange!) on the bend of the Mersey by Darley Avenue on the way back - photos: http://pic.atpic.com/1755072/600 http://pic.atpic.com/1755075/600
Oddly no Pochards or Goosanders that day, although both were there on 6th and 7th March. I also got good views of the male Scaup (who seemed to be paired up with a female Pochard - wonder if they'll produce any hybrids?) on the 6th: http://pic.atpic.com/1727222/600
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Mar 27 11:45 AM, 2010
Very quiet this am.
4 GC Grebe 2M 1F Goosander 8 Tufted Duck No Pochard or Scaup
Several Chiffchaff 10 Lesser Redpoll in hedge by the Orchard 1F Reed Bunting NW corner of lake
Nev Wright said
Tue Mar 23 7:31 PM, 2010
0750 A chiffchaff singing and 7 Sand Martins over the water
Male Black Redstart old tip 10.30 seen at close range in small bare tree face on then flew into trees and not relocated. No wing patch and tail appeared black underneath - possibly 1st summer
Also Gropper reeling superb close views
Blackcap pair - female with nesting material and 4+ elsewhere
Whitethroat 3
Willow Warbler 4
Chiffcaff 4
Reed Bunting 2
Meadow Pipits 2
Swifts 3
Swallow 1
Joey
Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat in abundance on the tip
Saw a Brimstone over on Kenworthy too.
1 whinchat
1 gropper
1 whitethroat
lots of chiffchaff, blackcap, willow warbler
also this pm 4-5.30
much of the same
but with
1 cock pheasant
1 female sparrowhawk
2 swallow
another gropper, different location
-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Saturday 24th of April 2010 06:26:21 PM
No Groppers there or on Kenworthy
Lots of maggot danglers round the lake
1, possibly 2, Gropper reeling on Barlow Tip
3 Buzzard
Out on the boat this evening quick check of some nests & appears the Mink has the the eggs of Coot and G/C Grebe (2nd time)
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Thursday 22nd of April 2010 12:04:41 AM
Chorlton WP
15+ Sand Martin
1 GSW
1 Reed Bunting
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
2 Whitethroat - tip
1 Grasshopper Warbler - heard reeling on tip
1 Sedge Warbler - Singing in bushes where tip meets river
River Mersey
Heron
Cormorant
Swallow
Whitethroat
Chorlton Ees
Heron
1 Reed Warbler - heard singing in reedbed for at least 15 minutes but didn't manage to get a look
Pheasant - 1 sat in a tree which was a first for me
2 swallow
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Whitethroat: 2 Barlow Tip, 1 Kenworthy
1 Meadow Pipit over west
25+ Sand Martin
30+ Swallow
9 Tufted
5 Mute Swan
4 Reed Bunting (3 singing m)
1 Mink
Wheatear is an uncommon and irregular passage migrant here (March, April & August) though can occur anywhere along the valley eg river banks, golf courses, playing fields.
Chris H
Chorlton WP
Cormorant
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap - Everywhere
1 Whitethroat - tip
3+ Song Thrush - tip
1 Wheatear - Absolutely stuning male perched in small tree on tip for 4 or 5 minutes, before flying up to top of tall tree on river bank and then back again. Stayed a couple more minutes before heading north climbing very high. Are there any previous records here?
1 unidentified warbler - possible gropper, but didnt make any noise and shot into brambles quickly.
River Mersey
1 Common Sandpiper - flitted around bridge that leads to kenworthy lane before heading along mersey upstream
1 Heron
Kenworthy
Song Thrush
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
2 Buzzard
Pheasant - heard
2 Whitethroat
5 Jay
1 Lesser Black Backed Gull
1 Comma
4+ Peacock
Ian,
Thanks for 'tip'. The one I saw on Mon 12th was definitely a Common Whitethroat but will keep eye out for lessers when next at CWP.
Cheers,
Rick.
1 Whitethroat
1 Buzzard
1 Redpoll
Over the years I've seen far too many sickening sites and at times I despair at what's going on. At the moment new paths are being excavated and stoned up throughout the Community woodland. Whilst its presumably being done in an attempt to improve access its a real shame to be losing one of the quieter areas that the local wildlife had the opportunity to flee to at weekends.
Hedges down either side of Willenhall Lane continuing to attract plenty of male Blackcaps and the odd Willow Warbler. 2 Buzzards very high over Kenworthy at 5.30pm. GSW's continuing loudest pecking competition at corner of Kenworthy. No sign of Sedge Warbler today.
Richard - location on tip where you heard Whitethroat was a good spot for Lesser Whitethroat last year.
E-mail Address(es):
stopoffroadnuisance@gmpa.gov.uk
This is a useful address to report off road bikes to.
Sadly though, saw three different lots of kids/teens who had no respect whatsoever for the birds at CWP:
One lot gloated about how they fire golf balls at the island to try and hit the geese and ducks then threw stones at them, i dare say if me and luke hadnt been there they would have had a go with their golf club, another lot attempting to kick them (luckily a canada goose got angry and had a go back :)! ) and another lot who were with their parents throwing stones from the new path at the geese, making a competition out of it with no interference from the parent.
Upsets me to think people would do things like this and that we cant be there to protect the birds all the time :(
But... (sorry about putting that on here not r.e. birds offically)
saw a beautiful willow warbler on the tip, very tame and a bit of a DIVA...hunted for the white throat but no joy!! lots of bcap and chiffchaffs and 2 Herring gulls.
Rang the police and reported it. They said they'd take a look but I have little confidence they actually knew where I was talking about.
I have to say tho, I did feel like they were taking it seriously. I think we'll need to pester them a bit on this one, gently pester.
Very little on the water - mainly Canada Geese and one strange looking individual with an identity crisis. Smaller than Canada, very dark body and neck but with white head mottled with black markings, and dark orange bill ??? Some Mallard, Coot and Moorhen and approx 12 Gt Crested Grebes.
On the Tip many Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff in full song and a single Whitethroat near the Methane Gas Station at far end - on the right on some brambles. Heard Blackcap singing nearby.
Kenworthy Woods produced many more Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff with 2 Buzzard soaring overhead and also a single Sparrowhawk. All the usual little stuff also around.
Rick.
-- Edited by Richard Donkin on Monday 12th of April 2010 02:17:49 PM
-- Edited by Richard Donkin on Monday 12th of April 2010 02:39:19 PM
Oh NO! I wondered what had been going on. Thought there must have been planned clearing. Kept wondering what possible benefit there could be bur reassured myself that people involved would have known what they are doing. The area of the meadow and ponds on the Ees is devastated. Last year there were so many warblers there. Sedge, Reed, gropper bothe whitethroats.
This is so sad. I've saved the police number in my phone. Thanks for posting this Ian.
Today we had 5 bikes on Kenworthy, 4 on Merseybank Playing Fields and 3 around Fairy Lane and the UMIST football pitches. In addition to a significant amount of disturbance including to schedule 1 listed birds the idiots are smashing fences, stiles and whatever else is in there way to gain access to the various sites. Whilst the various youths involved take it in turns to set the fastest lap their friends are getting bored. Last month this resulted in 17 grass fires within a period of 3 days including 20+ acres of Chorlton Ees.
If anybody sees or hears any off road motorbikes within the Mersey Valley please don't ignore it. Report it to the GMP - Tel 872 5050. Whilst the Police rarely attend any single incident if enough people report the problem it begins to make a mess of their performance related statistics. Eventually this results in action.
Back to the probable Gropper from this morning - no sight or sound of it at 5.30pm. Hopefully its across the river on the Old tip. Sedge Warbler still around near the substation
Never seen one down there before. Bold as brass he was, right by the path and didn't even seem bothered by passing dog walker.
What a day. More of those please.
Chorlton WP
1 Goosander overhead
3 Herons
1 pair GCG displaying
GSW
Several Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler - tip
2 Blackcap - tip
2 Shoveler
River Mersey
Mute Swan
2 Pied Wagtail
Flock of Meadow Pipits (10-15?)
2 Sand Martins
Several Herons on nests - Chorlton Ees
7 Buzzards - soaring very high
8 Jays squabbling
Broad Ees Dole & Sale WP
2 Little Grebe
2 Gadwall
2 Lapwing
1 Snipe
Kenworthy
1 weasel - stopped to look at us for a while before scurrying off.
2 GSW
Lots of Blackcaps & Willow Warblers around today all the way along the route.
-- Edited by Luke Brown on Saturday 10th of April 2010 05:09:15 PM
-- Edited by Luke Brown on Saturday 10th of April 2010 05:11:03 PM
Quick walk out with the dog 8am. Amongst the usual:
3 male Blackcap
1 Sedge Warbler to the south of the substation
1 very faint and short burst of reeling east of Gropper Hill (Kenworthy).
I need all the help I can get
Sam Ridgway
Defo worth a visit!!!!
pair GC Grebes
1 Cormorant on island
Usual Canada Geese and Mallards
4 M 1F Tufted Duck
pair of Sparrowhawk circling over the reclaimed tip
no Swallows or Martins
3 or 4 Blackcaps singing
Singing Chiff chaff seen next to the pond on the meadow along with chatty male Bullfinch.
3 swallows seen on the river.
Many chiffchaff heard.
Willow Warbler singing in the Waterpark near the gate to the bridge.
Pair of GC grebes grunting away to each other the start of their long courtship?
3 swallows flying over the lake (same ones?)
So many people about surprised to only bump into one birder- Tony.
Lovely to see the shoots of spring. So much more to come.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 male Blackcap on Barlow Tip at CWP end.
1 Willow Warbler
1 Sand Martin
3 Swallow
several Chiffchaff
3 Redpoll
2 Goosander
2 L Bl-b Gull
1 Common Sandpiper - along river between two bridges
1 Swallow
1 Pied Wagtail
Several Song Thrush on tip
3/4 Chiffchaff singing
2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
GSW
1 House Martin
2 Swallow
5 Redpoll
2 Tufted
Goldcrest in song
2 Stock Dove at Barlow Tip
1 Buzzard at Barlow Tip
Will check out the vandalism and rectify a.s.a.p. Ian. They are coming armed with saws and bolt croppers now so it's an ongoing battle. We need to order some fencing rail in now it's the new tax year and the admin people get back after the easter hols.
CWP and the Mersey
1 Sandpiper downstream of derelict/closed bridge
3 Goosander (1 drake, 2 female)
1 Goldcrest - wildlife pool
3 Swallows
2 Sand Martin
Kenworthy
1 Willow Warbler
5 Chiff Chaff
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
5 Bullfinch
Sad to see idiots on quad/motor bikes have yet again vandalised the perimeter fence and entrances. Hopefully they can be repaired or better still electrified via the pylons before the warblers return.
2 Sand Martin
singing Goldcrest
1M 2F Goosander
4 Swallows over lake
Buzzard over reclaimed Tip area
Sparrowhawk over play area
In general the better views tend to be from the Kenworthy side of the bridge during late afternoon/early evening. The bridge seems to attract clouds of various moths throughout the summer and these help to bring in the hirundines and later various bats. If you don't see any here walk down the western bank of the river.
The substation and derelict/closed bridge is another favoured location. Normally during summer evenings if you're on the bottom path the swallows and martins will literally fly past at head height or even below. Also worth keeping an eye out for the occasional Hobby especially during showery weather.
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Tufted Duck (no Pochard, Goldeneye or Goosander)
2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
Plenty of Chiffchaffs around, heard 6 singing between the Princess Parkway bus loop and the old tip, mostly on Kenworthy Fields.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 3rd of April 2010 10:13:16 AM
River Mersey - bridge
7 Swallows
3 Sand Martins
2 House Martins
Willenhall Lane
7 Bullfinches in Blackthorn
1 Sparrowhawk over Orchard
Kenworthy
2 male and 1 female GSW
3 Swallows over the gallops
2 Buzzards
still no Kingfishers seen since early Jan at CWP
1 male Reed Bunting on the bird table by the car park (sadly gone before i could photograph him), along with Great and Blue Tits, Dunnock and House Sparrows
The same weird (Barnacle x something?) hybrid goose I saw there on 6th and 7th March - see this thread: http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=96752&p=3&topicID=34980521
Lots of Canadas
Lots of Mallards, including one odd-looking, possibly hybrid or intersex bird (see above thread)
c. 10 Goldeneye (mostly female)
c. 5-6 Tufted Duck
c. 10 GC Grebe
1 Mute Swan
1 Greylag Goose (appeared to be wild, flew over twice then landed in the middle of the lake)
Magpies
Crows (no ravens though!)
Cormorant flying over
Tailless Magpie (looking very strange!) on the bend of the Mersey by Darley Avenue on the way back - photos:
http://pic.atpic.com/1755072/600
http://pic.atpic.com/1755075/600
Oddly no Pochards or Goosanders that day, although both were there on 6th and 7th March. I also got good views of the male Scaup (who seemed to be paired up with a female Pochard - wonder if they'll produce any hybrids?) on the 6th: http://pic.atpic.com/1727222/600
4 GC Grebe
2M 1F Goosander
8 Tufted Duck
No Pochard or Scaup
Several Chiffchaff
10 Lesser Redpoll in hedge by the Orchard
1F Reed Bunting NW corner of lake
A chiffchaff singing and 7 Sand Martins over the water