Bittern: Flying over Scotsman's to the right hand side reeds and showing well there.
Red-crested Pochard: Surprised to see it on the canal at the bridge at Westwood Road with mallards etc. Strange white base to it's bill and limp looking leg. Very tame.
A fruitless search for the red crested pochard today but was more than made up for by bittern flying to south west corner,1 willow tit and one goldcrest.
-- Edited by David Hughes on Wednesday 14th of December 2022 02:15:27 PM
John Williams said
Tue Dec 13 5:14 PM, 2022
11.00-14.30
Westwood and Pearsons Flashes both only had a bathtub sized area unfrozen, and on each this contained
a pair of Mute Swans.
In the trees alongside the towpath a mixed Blue and Long-tailed Tit flock, also contained 1 Willow Tit,
2 Coal Tits and 4 Goldcrests.
Horrocks Flash: 32 Mute Swans, including 8 1st winters, sadly 1 of these youngsters appeared to be ill.
I also witnessed the death of 1 of the adults, the bird appeared to gasp it's last breath whilst lying on the ice,
with it's mate standing alongside looking very anxious. Also on Horrocks were 100+ Coots and 10 Shovelers.
Scotsmans Flash: Wildfowl and gulls were packed in and around a few unfrozen areas.
1f Red-crested Pochard, 4m+4f Goldeneyes, 1m Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe and 13 Pochards.
In the gull roost a huge adult "Argentatus" type Herring Gull dwarfed the Lesser Black Backs stood alongside it.
A scan through the other gulls did not produce anything unusual.
Raptors seen alongside the canal were 2 Buzzards and 1m Kestrel.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 05:26:57 PM
a 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull and an adult Herring Gull that dwarfed the surrounding Lesser Black-backs.
David Hughes said
Mon Oct 31 9:10 AM, 2022
Yesterday 11/12 30, short walk to Pearson's from the lock,on westwood flash shoveller, little grebe ,coot ,mute swan ,teal ,goosander ,on Pearson's flash, snipe ,teal, goldeneye, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, gadwall, cormorant, reed bunting , bullfinch, long tailed tit, tutted duck, mallard ,coot, party of about 10 little grebe,.
John Williams said
Sat Oct 1 5:40 PM, 2022
Ok thanks for that Pete, I'm used to seeing adult Yellow Legged Gulls at Sandbach side on and in good light, when their mantle looks
noticeably lighter than the bird in my photo, hence my initial doubt. At one point the birds head looked very rounded, indicating a
Yellow Legged, but the speckled pattern extending down the neck seems pure Lesser Black Back. At one point I even considered
a hybrid, which would certainly start a debate.
pete berry said
Sat Oct 1 4:52 PM, 2022
Looks like a Lesser Black Back gull unfortunately, mantle too dark for Yellow Legged gull,sun can "bleach out" LBB mantle and make them look paler than they really are.
John Williams said
Sat Oct 1 3:40 PM, 2022
10.00-13.30 Walked along the canal towpath from Poolstock to Horrocks Flash and back.
Westwood Flash : 1 Reed Bunting and oddly no waterfowl at all.
Pearsons Flash :12 Little Grebes, 10 Lapwings, 43 Tufted Ducks and 40 Coots.
Horrocks Flash : 1 adult Yellow legged Gull (Photo Below) which I puzzled over for quite a while. Was it a Yellow Legged or
an adult "graellsii" Lesser black Back?. On looking at the photo I've opted for a Yellow Legged now, but the shade of the saddle
changed depending on the light and angle of view. Also the winter plumage speckle pattern seemed to extend a little down the birds neck,
rather than just around the eye, as on a typical field guide YLG. Please advise me if you disagree with my view on this?.
Also around the flash were 16 Snipe, 2 Buzzards, 28 Lapwings, 1 Grey Heron. 3 Cormorants and a noticeable abundance of Gadwall.
Scotsmans Flash: 4 adult + 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes.
Pearson's flash, Snipe, reed warbler, wigeon,tufted duck,gadwall,mute swan,lapwing, coot, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull,common tern juv,shoveler, cormorant, little grebe, great crested grebe, mallard ,moorhen.,teal.
-- Edited by David Hughes on Thursday 8th of September 2022 03:15:45 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 8th of September 2022 08:34:06 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 3 9:52 PM, 2022
Female Pintail and Common Sandpiper on Scotmans today, plus a Green Sandpiper on Pearsons.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 2 12:19 PM, 2022
82 Mute Swan, 2 Common Tern, and a small but steady flow of Lesser Black-backed Gulls coming in from the north stopping briefly then moving off south, at Scotmans Flash this late morning.
David Hughes said
Fri May 13 9:19 AM, 2022
Swift over moss bridge yesterday also garden warbler seen singing, thanks Peter for putting me on it
David Hughes said
Tue May 3 1:03 PM, 2022
Tuesday a.m. , lesser black backed gull, herring gull,black headed gull, mute swan,cormorant,great crested grebe, coot, moorhen, gadwall, mallard, blackbird, greenfinch, grey wagtail, grey heron, buzzard,sparrowhawk, greylag with chicks,Canada goose, robin, cettis warbler seen ,others heard,willow warbler, shelduck over,sand martin,house martin ,swallow, swift,woodpigeon, carrion crow,goldfinch, sedge warbler singing but elusive, blackcap singing all around, long tailed tit,teal
Rob Thorpe said
Sat Apr 30 9:42 PM, 2022
Saturday 30 April 2022
A Garden Warbler was near the concrete silo thing at Pearsons Flash, early afternoon.
A Grasshopper Warbler was in the field along the southern edge of Bryn Marsh, early morning.
Late news for Wednesday 27 April, when a Swift was feeding high above the new road at Scotmans Flash, early evening.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Saturday 30th of April 2022 09:46:50 PM
David Hughes said
Sun Apr 24 11:02 AM, 2022
Sunday sunny and warm,blackcap singing, willow warbler singing, wren seen,kingfisher,tufted duck,gadwall,mallard,mute swan ,greylag with young,Canada goode,blackbird, robin,lesser black backed gull, black headed gull, coot, great crested grebe, sedge warbler singing but hidden,a couple of sand martin over scotmans flash,cormorant, cettis warbler both vocal and active by moss bridge i saw 3 ,one from 5 mtrs
David Hughes said
Sat Apr 9 8:30 PM, 2022
This evening a short walk to moss bridge and back to poolstock lock,blackbird, song thrush ,long tailed tit, mute swan, coot,cettis warbler in 3 locations, blue tit,cormorant, tufted duck ,mallard,goldeneye, kingfisher, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, kestrel,canada goose,great crested grebe, a steady stream of sand martins ,with swallow amongst them i counted at least 20 swallow, and a single reed bunting.
-- Edited by David Hughes on Saturday 9th of April 2022 08:31:45 PM
David Hughes said
Sat Apr 2 4:07 PM, 2022
Flashes today, cettis warbler calling in 3 locations, blackcap singing ,approx 20 sand martin, 1 kestrel, 4 buzzards, 2 cormorant, 20 lesser black backed gull, goldeneye, teal,tufted duck wren, canada goose, see picture ,greylag goose, mallard, mute swan,lots of black headed gull, còot,dunnock
1pm-3pm,carrion crow ,song thrush, blackbird, woodpigeon, chaffinch,goldfinch ,coal tit ,great tit, magpie,blue tit,long tailed tit ,reed bunting, jay,robin,skylark high singing, meadow pipit, wren, dunnock ,stonechat male in same field as reported previously,.Bryn marsh viewpoint gave gadwall,coot,tufted duck,mallard and kingfisher obligingly gave a great view
-- Edited by David Hughes on Wednesday 16th of March 2022 03:27:40 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 16th of March 2022 04:34:02 PM
Rob Thorpe said
Sun Mar 13 11:35 PM, 2022
Sunday 13 March 2022
1 Sand Martin and 8 Chiffchaff this morning.
David Hughes said
Thu Mar 10 2:08 PM, 2022
Midday mooch,of note 1 chiffchaff singing, 1 seen,goldeneye m/f 10,long tailed tit pair gathering fibres for nesting,1 buzzard over 4 great crested grebe.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Feb 28 12:22 PM, 2022
Sunday 27 February 2022
1 Stonechat (female) was in the northern corner of the field which borders the south-west of Bryn Marsh, at around 8am. A surprisingly rare bird here, and a long-awaited Wigan Flashes tick for me!
Also of interest, 8 Whooper Swan flew north over Scotmans Flash at around 9am.
A wander round today in the cold and dry, from the feeders to moss bridge and around past ochre flash, goldcrest in a few locations roughly a dozen,treecreeper,bullfinch, robin ,song thrush,blackbird, coal tit ,willow tit,great tit,blue tit,dunnock, jay,magpie,chaffinch ,mixed flock goldfinch redpoll siskin feeding on alder tree,Reed bunting ,kingfisher ,coot,Canada goose, mute swan ,cormorant, gadwall, mallard,black headed gull.
Keith Pilling said
Thu Jan 20 5:23 PM, 2022
Little Egret on Horrocks Flash late afternoon.
Steve Judge said
Thu Jan 20 9:51 AM, 2022
Wednesday, 19th January 2022. 11:30 - 16:15 hrs. Sunny but cold northerly wind.
Plank Lane Bridge car park - along towpath of Leigh branch of Leeds/Liverpool canal - Dover Lock - Platt Bridge - Horrock's Flash - Pearson's Flash - Scotsman's Flash - Westwood Flash - and return.
Willow Tit (2) feeding on bird table someone has kindly put up on canal towpath between Platt Bridge and Horrock's Flash. Goldeneye (5) Goosander (10) 7M and 3F Shoveler (6) Teal (5) Gadwall (30) Redwing (2) Buzzard (3) Kestrel (1) Jay (3) Grey Heron (2) Collared Dove (2) Tufted Duck (c60) Black-Headed Gull (c150) Lesser Black-Backed Gull (1) Mute Swan (30) Cormorant (3) Robin (3) Chaffinch (2) Blue Tit (3) Great Tit (4) Blackbird (5) Mallard (c50) Magpie (7) Woodpigeon (15) Canada Geese (10) House Sparrow (8) Coot (c250) Moorhen (3)
David Hughes said
Mon Jan 3 1:28 PM, 2022
Started at the woods between canal and westwood flash, great spotted woodpecker,siskin 1,cettis warbler 1 calling,2 robins very close together, paired up maybe?goldfinch, onward to Pearson's flash, gadwall, goldeneye ,coot, lesser black backed gull ,2 Cetti’s warblers singing in the reeds between the flash and the canal, moorhen, tufted duck,distant kestrel, carrion crow.Scotmans flash goosander,goldeneye, coot,cormorant, lesser black backed gull, mute swan ,black headed gull tufted duck ,gadwall,Wigan rovers pitch had 2 mistle thrush and a few blackbirds,along with a small charm of goldfinch.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of January 2022 05:06:34 PM
dave broome said
Fri Dec 31 1:33 PM, 2021
Adult Mediterranean Gull on Scotmans Flash at 13:30
Cettis Warbler - 1 singing south end of Scotmans Flash and 1 singing at Pearsons Flash
1 Shoveler Pearsons Flash
Singles of Siskin and Redpoll
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 31st of December 2021 05:27:09 PM
dave broome said
Sat Dec 18 12:58 PM, 2021
A minimum of 3 Cettis Warbler at Bryn Marsh this morning Other birds there included: Peregrine 1 immature Water Rail min 4 Shoveler 2 Snipe 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Jay 2 Willow Tit 1 Linnet 1 over Gadwall 2 (plus 26 on Ochre Flash)
Ive been the area today,this is a general report for the area,dozens of Canada geese, 2 swallow, 1 swift ,reed bunting, reed warbler, tufted duck, dozens of mute swan ,2 common tern, 20 or so lesser black backed gull ,mallard, sedge warbler, 11 scoter on scotmans@13:10,only blackbirds singing today, cormorant over,dunnock,
David Hughes said
Fri May 28 4:56 PM, 2021
Friday 12-3pm ,greylag with chicks on canal Canada goose likewise,blackbird, whitethroat, sedge warbler, reed warbler, 3 or4 cettis warbler calling, black headed gull,lesser black backed gull, common tern ,cormorant, buzzard over,2 swallow, blue tit ,carrion crow ,tufted duck, mallard, coot, moorhen, house sparrow,willow warbler singing,mute swan,starling, woodpigeon, blackcap singing, great crested grebe,reed bunting
Pete Hines said
Wed May 12 5:39 PM, 2021
Pearsons Flash
Goldeneye 1 female
Scotsmans Flash
Cetti's Warbler at least 4, including 3 singing males (1 ringed)
David Hughes said
Tue May 11 1:48 PM, 2021
Tuesday 11 May, 11 30 -1 30 cettis warbler seen ,a few more possibly heard ,water rail seen with chicks,swift,reed warbler heard ,sedge warbler seen, jay ,magpie, cormorant over,blackbird ,all by the small boardwalk reedbed area,grasshopper warbler seen there on last visit too.
David Hughes said
Sat Apr 17 4:43 PM, 2021
Pearson's flash,
Blackcap female, teal,gadwall,greylag goose, mute swan, Canada goose,sedge warbler singing ,goldeneye, coot, moorhen tufted duck, black headed gull,lesser black backed gull, great crested grebe. Mallard
Between Pearson's and Turners
Song thrush ,willow warbler heard ,blackcap,bullfinch, blue tit, great tit ,robin,woodpigeon over,.
Turners,
Oystercatcher,Canada goose, mute swan, black headed gull,lesser black backed gull, coot, moorhen,mallard .
From Turners to the canal
Sedge warbler singing cettis warbler singing, willow warbler seen,mallard ,female garganey with the mallard,and greylag goose pair with chicks on the pool near to moss bridge.no swallow or sand martin at all in the 3 hrs visit
David Hughes said
Fri Apr 9 2:59 PM, 2021
Sedge warbler heard ,5 Cetti’s warbler heard in different locations, 1 seen.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 9th of April 2021 03:07:42 PM
David Hughes said
Wed Mar 31 7:46 PM, 2021
1pm till 3 from the feeders and on to and around horrockses,similar report to John Williams earlier, will add greylag goose ,kingfisher fleetingly near the steps by railway bridge ,blackcap singing but seemingly the other side of either canal or railway line to me ,saw 8 jays together in the same tree near the canal at moss bridge.another birder said he had seen 2 marsh harrier at bryn flash area,definitely not buzzard he added
John Williams said
Wed Mar 31 4:01 PM, 2021
Morning walk from Poolstock to Horrocks Flash and back.
Westwood Flash : 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
Pearsons Flash : 1m Goldeneye, 1m Wigeon, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
Along towpath on walk to Horrocks Flash : A pair of Treecreepers and a surprising 14 Jays.
The Jays in flocks of 3 or 4 were highly vocal, but there appeared to be no obvious reason for their gathering.
Horrocks Flash : 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Buzzards.
Scotsmans Flash : A group of 27 Tufted Ducks (Mainly males) erupted of the flash and moved over to Pearsons, it seemed
sailing had unnerved them.
7 Buzzards soared on thermals high above St. James church in Poolstock.
David Hughes said
Mon Mar 29 4:05 PM, 2021
12.45pm /3 30 pm,
By the feeders nr school
Lesser redpoll,dunnock ,song thrush , blackbird, mallard, chaffinch, house sparrows, robin ,jay ,woodpigeon ,reed bunting, goldfinch ,blue tit, great tit, chiffchaff
Pearson's flash
Goldeneye, coot,tufted duck,sand martins,buzzard, grey heron,gadwall, greylag goose,Canada goose, mute swan, great crested grebe,moorhen,cormorant ,long tailed tit, lesser black backed gull,black headed gull ,cettis calling from at least 5 locations today,brimstone butterflies and peacock butterflies also
Ernest Sherman said
Mon Mar 29 12:47 PM, 2021
11 am.. At least 200 Sand Martin over Scotsmans Flash. Plenty of singing Chiffchaff and Cettis Warbler calling in usual place near info sign canal bridge.
David Hughes said
Sat Mar 27 3:04 PM, 2021
Saturday 27 3 21 12-2.30pm Circuit to park farm and around ochre flash Field nearest Killington close, Magpie,carrion crow, robin ,woodpigeon . Park farm pair alba wagtail, buzzard,pheasant ,carrion crow ,chaffinch, blue tit ,great tit,meadow pipit ,robin ,goosander over,woodpigeon, stock dove,skylark,cormorant over,blackbird ,goldfinch ,reed bunting Viewpoint overlooking bryn flash 2 mute swan,coot, moorhen, blue tit,blackbird buzzard distant,robin Ochre flash 2 mute swan, gadwall 4,coot ,moorhen ,mallard,cettis warbler seen,2.30 pm air ambulance landed 50mtrs from my start point,and curtailed my activity today
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Mar 25 2:34 PM, 2021
Originally posted today by David Hughes:
Wigan flashes 24/3/21 12 -4 pm
Westwood flash ,coot, moorhen ,sparrowhawk, little grebe, mute swan, buzzard,black-headed gull, Canada goose great crested grebe,mallard.coot with nesting material Pearsons flash. Mute swan, goldeneye, shoveller, carrion crow ,gadwall ,coot, tufted duck ,reed bunting ,kestrel ,black-headed gull, great crested grebe ,buzzard .sand martin ,mallard .mute swan on nest. Turners flash Chiffchaff, long-tailed tit ,blue tit ,great tit ,Canada goose, oystercatcher black-headed gull ,coot ,moorhen ,mute swan, robin ,tufted duck song thrush, cormorant over On the feeders near the school. Lesser Redpoll,reed bunting House sparrow ,dunnock ,robin,blue tit, great tit blackbird General Lots of cetti's warbler heard every 100mtr or so none spotted, several Chiffchaff heard and 2 seen.woodpigeon numerous all over area.it appears the East side of pearsons flash is having some work to create a wader scrape ,a lot of the east edge has been worked and none of it is visible from the canal side footpath.
Steve Judge said
Fri Mar 12 6:44 PM, 2021
Friday 12th March 2021. Late morning /afternoon walk. Dry with cold northerly wind.
Dover Bridge car park (Dover Lock) - along towpath of Leigh branch of Leeds/Liverpool canal - Horrock's Flash - Turner's Flash - Pearson's Flash - Scotsman Flash - Hawkley Viewing Screen - Ochre Flash - Bryn Flash - and return.
Redpoll x 3 Willow Tit x 5 Goldeneye x 4 Greenfinch x 3 Bullfinch x 2 Reed Bunting x 2 Goldfinch x 7 Great Crested Grebe x 9 Oystercatcher x 1 Long Tailed Tit x 3 Merlin x 1 Sparrowhawk x 1 Buzzard x 3 Jay x 1 Grey Heron x 1 Collared Dove x 1 Tufted Duck x 40 Black-Headed Gull x 100 Great Black-Backed Gull x 1 Mute Swan x 15 Cormorant x 4 (one was leucistic looking - but definitely not juvenile) Dunnock x 2 Robin x 12 Chaffinch x 2 Blue Tit x 7 Great Tit x 4 Blackbird x 3 Gadwall x 1 Mallard x 15 Magpie x 7 Woodpigeon x 50 Canada Geese x 35 Greylag Geese x 4 Carrion Crow x 30 House Sparrow x 7 Coot x 50 Moorhen x 5 Wren x 1
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Friday 12th of March 2021 06:45:53 PM
Rob Thorpe said
Sun Feb 28 11:13 PM, 2021
Sunday 28 February 2021
Chiffchaff singing near Ochre Flash while I was out for a run early this afternoon.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Feb 22 11:18 AM, 2021
John Watson wrote:
Could that 2nd pic be a Mealy/Common ?
No is the short answer John (beyond DNA proving otherwise!).
Bittern: Flying over Scotsman's to the right hand side reeds and showing well there.
Red-crested Pochard: Surprised to see it on the canal at the bridge at Westwood Road with mallards etc. Strange white base to it's bill and limp looking leg. Very tame.
Also water rail calling and willow tits.
A fruitless search for the red crested pochard today but was more than made up for by bittern flying to south west corner,1 willow tit and one goldcrest.
-- Edited by David Hughes on Wednesday 14th of December 2022 02:15:27 PM
Westwood and Pearsons Flashes both only had a bathtub sized area unfrozen, and on each this contained
a pair of Mute Swans.
In the trees alongside the towpath a mixed Blue and Long-tailed Tit flock, also contained 1 Willow Tit,
2 Coal Tits and 4 Goldcrests.
Horrocks Flash: 32 Mute Swans, including 8 1st winters, sadly 1 of these youngsters appeared to be ill.
I also witnessed the death of 1 of the adults, the bird appeared to gasp it's last breath whilst lying on the ice,
with it's mate standing alongside looking very anxious. Also on Horrocks were 100+ Coots and 10 Shovelers.
Scotsmans Flash: Wildfowl and gulls were packed in and around a few unfrozen areas.
1f Red-crested Pochard, 4m+4f Goldeneyes, 1m Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe and 13 Pochards.
In the gull roost a huge adult "Argentatus" type Herring Gull dwarfed the Lesser Black Backs stood alongside it.
A scan through the other gulls did not produce anything unusual.
Raptors seen alongside the canal were 2 Buzzards and 1m Kestrel.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 05:26:57 PM
Scotsmans Flash : 66 Tufted Ducks, 2m+3f Goldeneyes, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 12 Gadwall.
Horrocks Flash :1 Kingfisher, 15 Tufted Ducks, 10 Gadwall, 2m+1f Shovelers and 1 Kestrel.
There appeared to be healthy numbers of Coots on all the larger flashes, however a raft of 150+ on Horrocks Flash
was quite a sight.
In trees alongside the towpath opposite Bryn Flash, a mixed flock of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits also held singles
of Willow Tit, Goldcrest and Treecreeper.
Pearsons Flash :5 Little Grebes, 5f Goldeneyes and a pair of Gadwall.
Westwood Flash :4 Tufted Ducks.
Westwood Flash : 14 Shovelers and 5 Gadwall.
Pearsons Flash : 10 Little Grebes, 8 Shovelers, 24 Tufted Ducks, 2f Goldeneyes and 13 Gadwall.
Horrocks Flash : 1 Kingfisher, 10 Tufted Ducks, 16 Gadwall, 12 Teal, a group of 10 Long-tailed Tits
and a passing flock of 10 Fieldfares. Oddly the small islets around the flash held no Snipe or Lapwings.
Scotsmans Flash: 5 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Cormorants, 13 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Ducks,
a 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull and an adult Herring Gull that dwarfed the surrounding Lesser Black-backs.
Yesterday 11/12 30, short walk to Pearson's from the lock,on westwood flash shoveller, little grebe ,coot ,mute swan ,teal ,goosander ,on Pearson's flash, snipe ,teal, goldeneye, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, gadwall, cormorant, reed bunting , bullfinch, long tailed tit, tutted duck, mallard ,coot, party of about 10 little grebe,.
noticeably lighter than the bird in my photo, hence my initial doubt. At one point the birds head looked very rounded, indicating a
Yellow Legged, but the speckled pattern extending down the neck seems pure Lesser Black Back. At one point I even considered
a hybrid, which would certainly start a debate.
Westwood Flash : 1 Reed Bunting and oddly no waterfowl at all.
Pearsons Flash :12 Little Grebes, 10 Lapwings, 43 Tufted Ducks and 40 Coots.
Horrocks Flash : 1 adult Yellow legged Gull (Photo Below) which I puzzled over for quite a while. Was it a Yellow Legged or
an adult "graellsii" Lesser black Back?. On looking at the photo I've opted for a Yellow Legged now, but the shade of the saddle
changed depending on the light and angle of view. Also the winter plumage speckle pattern seemed to extend a little down the birds neck,
rather than just around the eye, as on a typical field guide YLG. Please advise me if you disagree with my view on this?.
Also around the flash were 16 Snipe, 2 Buzzards, 28 Lapwings, 1 Grey Heron. 3 Cormorants and a noticeable abundance of Gadwall.
Scotsmans Flash: 4 adult + 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes.
Pearson's flash, Snipe, reed warbler, wigeon,tufted duck,gadwall,mute swan,lapwing, coot, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull,common tern juv,shoveler, cormorant, little grebe, great crested grebe, mallard ,moorhen.,teal.
-- Edited by David Hughes on Thursday 8th of September 2022 03:15:45 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 8th of September 2022 08:34:06 PM
Female Pintail and Common Sandpiper on Scotmans today, plus a Green Sandpiper on Pearsons.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
82 Mute Swan, 2 Common Tern, and a small but steady flow of Lesser Black-backed Gulls coming in from the north stopping briefly then moving off south, at Scotmans Flash this late morning.
Swift over moss bridge yesterday also garden warbler seen singing, thanks Peter for putting me on it
Tuesday a.m. , lesser black backed gull, herring gull,black headed gull, mute swan,cormorant,great crested grebe, coot, moorhen, gadwall, mallard, blackbird, greenfinch, grey wagtail, grey heron, buzzard,sparrowhawk, greylag with chicks,Canada goose, robin, cettis warbler seen ,others heard,willow warbler, shelduck over,sand martin,house martin ,swallow, swift,woodpigeon, carrion crow,goldfinch, sedge warbler singing but elusive, blackcap singing all around, long tailed tit,teal
A Garden Warbler was near the concrete silo thing at Pearsons Flash, early afternoon.
A Grasshopper Warbler was in the field along the southern edge of Bryn Marsh, early morning.
Late news for Wednesday 27 April, when a Swift was feeding high above the new road at Scotmans Flash, early evening.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Saturday 30th of April 2022 09:46:50 PM
Sunday sunny and warm,blackcap singing, willow warbler singing, wren seen,kingfisher,tufted duck,gadwall,mallard,mute swan ,greylag with young,Canada goode,blackbird, robin,lesser black backed gull, black headed gull, coot, great crested grebe, sedge warbler singing but hidden,a couple of sand martin over scotmans flash,cormorant, cettis warbler both vocal and active by moss bridge i saw 3 ,one from 5 mtrs
This evening a short walk to moss bridge and back to poolstock lock,blackbird, song thrush ,long tailed tit, mute swan, coot,cettis warbler in 3 locations, blue tit,cormorant, tufted duck ,mallard,goldeneye, kingfisher, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, kestrel,canada goose,great crested grebe, a steady stream of sand martins ,with swallow amongst them i counted at least 20 swallow, and a single reed bunting.
-- Edited by David Hughes on Saturday 9th of April 2022 08:31:45 PM
Flashes today, cettis warbler calling in 3 locations, blackcap singing ,approx 20 sand martin, 1 kestrel, 4 buzzards, 2 cormorant, 20 lesser black backed gull, goldeneye, teal,tufted duck wren, canada goose, see picture ,greylag goose, mallard, mute swan,lots of black headed gull, còot,dunnock
1pm-3pm,carrion crow ,song thrush, blackbird, woodpigeon, chaffinch,goldfinch ,coal tit ,great tit, magpie,blue tit,long tailed tit ,reed bunting, jay,robin,skylark high singing, meadow pipit, wren, dunnock ,stonechat male in same field as reported previously,.Bryn marsh viewpoint gave gadwall,coot,tufted duck,mallard and kingfisher obligingly gave a great view
-- Edited by David Hughes on Wednesday 16th of March 2022 03:27:40 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 16th of March 2022 04:34:02 PM
1 Sand Martin and 8 Chiffchaff this morning.
1 Stonechat (female) was in the northern corner of the field which borders the south-west of Bryn Marsh, at around 8am.
A surprisingly rare bird here, and a long-awaited Wigan Flashes tick for me!
Also of interest, 8 Whooper Swan flew north over Scotmans Flash at around 9am.
Pearson's Flash: 3 Little Egrets, one flying off. My first at the flashes. 1m Wigeon, Goldeneyes, Teals, 2 Pochard, 2 Shoveler.
Scotsman's Flash: 2f + 1m Goosander, Goldeneyes.
Ochre Flash: 30+ Gadwall, Willow Tits nearby, 3 Bullfinch.
Plank Lane Bridge car park - along towpath of Leigh branch of Leeds/Liverpool canal - Dover Lock - Platt Bridge - Horrock's Flash - Pearson's Flash - Scotsman's Flash - Westwood Flash - and return.
Willow Tit (2) feeding on bird table someone has kindly put up on canal towpath between Platt Bridge and Horrock's Flash.
Goldeneye (5)
Goosander (10) 7M and 3F
Shoveler (6)
Teal (5)
Gadwall (30)
Redwing (2)
Buzzard (3)
Kestrel (1)
Jay (3)
Grey Heron (2)
Collared Dove (2)
Tufted Duck (c60)
Black-Headed Gull (c150)
Lesser Black-Backed Gull (1)
Mute Swan (30)
Cormorant (3)
Robin (3)
Chaffinch (2)
Blue Tit (3)
Great Tit (4)
Blackbird (5)
Mallard (c50)
Magpie (7)
Woodpigeon (15)
Canada Geese (10)
House Sparrow (8)
Coot (c250)
Moorhen (3)
Started at the woods between canal and westwood flash, great spotted woodpecker,siskin 1,cettis warbler 1 calling,2 robins very close together, paired up maybe?goldfinch, onward to Pearson's flash, gadwall, goldeneye ,coot, lesser black backed gull ,2 Cetti’s warblers singing in the reeds between the flash and the canal, moorhen, tufted duck,distant kestrel, carrion crow.Scotmans flash goosander,goldeneye, coot,cormorant, lesser black backed gull, mute swan ,black headed gull tufted duck ,gadwall,Wigan rovers pitch had 2 mistle thrush and a few blackbirds,along with a small charm of goldfinch.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of January 2022 05:06:34 PM
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 31st of December 2021 05:27:09 PM
Other birds there included:
Peregrine 1 immature
Water Rail min 4
Shoveler 2
Snipe 3
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Jay 2
Willow Tit 1
Linnet 1 over
Gadwall 2 (plus 26 on Ochre Flash)
Poolstock, area around the canal : 1 Kestrel and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Pearsons Flash : 1 adult +1 juvenile Great Crested Grebe, 12 Little Grebes (8 seen together and appeared to be pairing and displaying),
1m+1f Kestrels, 1 adult Great Black Backed Gull (Tried to mob and intimidate a Grey Heron, but the bigger bird seemed indifferent and
simply ignored the gull), 8 Lapwings and 142 Coots.
Horrocks Flash : 17 Snipe, 50 Lapwings (Actual count), 1 Kingfisher, a charm of 10 Goldfinches plus 1 adult and 1 juvenile Great Crested Grebes.
Scotsmans Flash : 3 adult + 1 juvenile Great Crested Grebes.
Pearsons Flash : 1 Great White Egret (Chased off by a Grey Heron but later seen on Horrocks Flash), 1m Pochard, 4 Little Grebes,
4 adult + 1 juvenile Great Crested Grebes, 3 Grey Herons and 24 Lapwings.
Horrocks Flash : 1 Great White Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 170+ Lapwings, 1 Willow Warbler and a pair of Kestrels being mobbed by a crow.
Few birds on Scotsmans Flash, sailing taking place. No hirundines or Swifts seen throughout.
Goldeneye 1 female
Scotsmans Flash
Cetti's Warbler at least 4, including 3 singing males (1 ringed)
Sedge warbler heard ,5 Cetti’s warbler heard in different locations, 1 seen.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 9th of April 2021 03:07:42 PM
Westwood Flash : 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
Pearsons Flash : 1m Goldeneye, 1m Wigeon, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
Along towpath on walk to Horrocks Flash : A pair of Treecreepers and a surprising 14 Jays.
The Jays in flocks of 3 or 4 were highly vocal, but there appeared to be no obvious reason for their gathering.
Horrocks Flash : 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Buzzards.
Scotsmans Flash : A group of 27 Tufted Ducks (Mainly males) erupted of the flash and moved over to Pearsons, it seemed
sailing had unnerved them.
7 Buzzards soared on thermals high above St. James church in Poolstock.
Saturday 27 3 21 12-2.30pm
Circuit to park farm and around ochre flash
Field nearest Killington close,
Magpie,carrion crow, robin ,woodpigeon .
Park farm pair alba wagtail, buzzard,pheasant ,carrion crow ,chaffinch, blue tit ,great tit,meadow pipit ,robin ,goosander over,woodpigeon, stock dove,skylark,cormorant over,blackbird ,goldfinch ,reed bunting
Viewpoint overlooking bryn flash
2 mute swan,coot, moorhen, blue tit,blackbird buzzard distant,robin
Ochre flash
2 mute swan, gadwall 4,coot ,moorhen ,mallard,cettis warbler seen,2.30 pm air ambulance landed 50mtrs from my start point,and curtailed my activity today
Originally posted today by David Hughes:
Westwood flash ,coot, moorhen ,sparrowhawk, little grebe, mute swan, buzzard,black-headed gull, Canada goose great crested grebe,mallard.coot with nesting material
Pearsons flash.
Mute swan, goldeneye, shoveller, carrion crow ,gadwall ,coot, tufted duck ,reed bunting ,kestrel ,black-headed gull, great crested grebe ,buzzard .sand martin ,mallard .mute swan on nest.
Turners flash
Chiffchaff, long-tailed tit ,blue tit ,great tit ,Canada goose, oystercatcher black-headed gull ,coot ,moorhen ,mute swan, robin ,tufted duck song thrush, cormorant over
On the feeders near the school.
Lesser Redpoll,reed bunting House sparrow ,dunnock ,robin,blue tit, great tit blackbird
General
Lots of cetti's warbler heard every 100mtr or so none spotted, several Chiffchaff heard and 2 seen.woodpigeon numerous all over area.it appears the East side of pearsons flash is having some work to create a wader scrape ,a lot of the east edge has been worked and none of it is visible from the canal side footpath.
Friday 12th March 2021. Late morning /afternoon walk. Dry with cold northerly wind.
Dover Bridge car park (Dover Lock) - along towpath of Leigh branch of Leeds/Liverpool canal - Horrock's Flash - Turner's Flash - Pearson's Flash - Scotsman Flash - Hawkley Viewing Screen - Ochre Flash - Bryn Flash - and return.
Redpoll x 3
Willow Tit x 5
Goldeneye x 4
Greenfinch x 3
Bullfinch x 2
Reed Bunting x 2
Goldfinch x 7
Great Crested Grebe x 9
Oystercatcher x 1
Long Tailed Tit x 3
Merlin x 1
Sparrowhawk x 1
Buzzard x 3
Jay x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Collared Dove x 1
Tufted Duck x 40
Black-Headed Gull x 100
Great Black-Backed Gull x 1
Mute Swan x 15
Cormorant x 4 (one was leucistic looking - but definitely not juvenile)
Dunnock x 2
Robin x 12
Chaffinch x 2
Blue Tit x 7
Great Tit x 4
Blackbird x 3
Gadwall x 1
Mallard x 15
Magpie x 7
Woodpigeon x 50
Canada Geese x 35
Greylag Geese x 4
Carrion Crow x 30
House Sparrow x 7
Coot x 50
Moorhen x 5
Wren x 1
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Friday 12th of March 2021 06:45:53 PM
Chiffchaff singing near Ochre Flash while I was out for a run early this afternoon.
No is the short answer John (beyond DNA proving otherwise!).
Took a walk around today
Feeders
At least 10 Lesser Redpoll
Male Bullfinch
4x Reed Bunting
House Sparrow
Goldfinch
Goldcrest
Robin
Chaffinch
Hedge Sparrow
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Wood Pigeon
Path with Coconut feeders 2 Willow Tit
Female Scaup still at Scotsman's.
3 Redpolls on the feeders.
1 Little Egret on fields towards Bryn.
Unfrozen section of Scotsman's Flash: 1m Pintail, 2f 1m Goosander, 4 Little Grebe, 10+ Goldeneye, 5+ Teal, Pochards, Gadwalls. 4 ad Great Black-Backed Gulls.
Feeders: 1 Redpoll, 1 Willow Tit.