-- Edited by Phil Panton on Wednesday 4th of November 2020 02:21:54 PM
It did not improve in the afternoon either! Caught dipper and kingfisher both flying away from me, and the keg had 4 (a family) little grebes which is a good count for anywhere. As there's no beech mast this year, the park is not going to attract many finches. A drop in the water levels and a freeze might tempt me back.
Phil Panton said
Wed Nov 4 2:21 PM, 2020
11.30 - 13.00
Pleasant mooch around, but fairly quiet overall
2 Sparrowhawks over
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Cormorant
4 Coal Tit
4 Nuthatch
1 Goldcrest
6M & 4F Mandarin
2 Mute Swans
Plenty of Blue/Great Tits, Robins & Woodpigeons
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Wednesday 4th of November 2020 02:21:54 PM
Chris Harper said
Sat Oct 31 6:49 PM, 2020
14:30-16:45
Barnacle Goose, 4 Common Buzzard, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Treecreeper, 7 Nuthatch, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrest, Kestrel, Goosander, Jay, 2 Mandarin Duck, Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan, 700 Wood Pigeon, 20 Redwing, Fieldfare, 2 Stock Dove n
Andy Bissitt said
Wed Oct 7 8:47 PM, 2020
This p.m... best of...
1 Raven loitering around the park, 1 chiffchaff (h), 1 swallow going down the valley, 2 wigeon (prob pair), 2 dabchick, 1 goosander, 4+ buzzards, sparrowhawk, kestrel.
Steven Heywood said
Sun Oct 4 2:10 PM, 2020
Hi David,
Last time I visited, a couple of weeks ago, all the mandarins were on the river downstream from the weir. I only found them because I was looking for and not finding dippers.
David Pierce said
Sun Oct 4 2:05 PM, 2020
A walk round this morning with camera but no binoculars saw 22 species. The Keg Pool had a family of 5 swans, a goosander, a little grebe, 2 tufted ducks and a coot plus numerous mallards. The biggest surprise though was to see no mandarin ducks anywhere!
Dipper pair feeding 2 young, 1 healthy 1 not so much, Peregrine Falcon over, 4 Sand Martin, 25 Mandarin Duck with many young, 2 Tufted Duck, Nuthatch, 3 Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron.
David Pierce said
Fri Jun 5 11:44 AM, 2020
You could park at the lay-by on Glossop Road and walk down through Ernocroft Wood
Mike Crawley said
Fri Jun 5 11:14 AM, 2020
Andy Bissitt wrote:
Mike Crawley wrote:
Hi folks, sorry this is slightly off topic but is the park and car park reasonably quiet ? Trying not to be too paranoid but dont want to be on crowded footpaths etc.
Hi Mike,
When I was there on Monday, it was bedlam, but it was a very nice day. There were 4-5 cars parked BY THE WEIR!!! Lots of cars parked around the local housing estate as well (worst I've ever seen it). You are probably best waiting until after (if) the schools return next Wednesday. Having said that, the back part of the park was mostly unused - it's just battling through the crowds to get there!!
Thanks Andy
i would normally head straight up into the upper reaches, it was the footpaths/weir area which I felt were areas of concern. perhaps we'll wait for the rain.......
stay safe
-- Edited by Mike Crawley on Friday 5th of June 2020 11:15:33 AM
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Jun 4 8:37 PM, 2020
Mike Crawley wrote:
Hi folks, sorry this is slightly off topic but is the park and car park reasonably quiet ? Trying not to be too paranoid but dont want to be on crowded footpaths etc.
Hi Mike,
When I was there on Monday, it was bedlam, but it was a very nice day. There were 4-5 cars parked BY THE WEIR!!! Lots of cars parked around the local housing estate as well (worst I've ever seen it). You are probably best waiting until after (if) the schools return next Wednesday. Having said that, the back part of the park was mostly unused - it's just battling through the crowds to get there!!
Mike Crawley said
Thu Jun 4 6:20 PM, 2020
Hi folks, sorry this is slightly off topic but is the park and car park reasonably quiet ?
Trying not to be too paranoid but dont want to be on crowded footpaths etc.
Andy Bissitt said
Mon Jun 1 8:20 PM, 2020
A cuckoo was calling in the park along the length of the river from the Keg north-eastwards. Other things; 1 garden warbler in song, goldcrest heard, and fresh from the nest today by the looks of it, juvenile blackcap.
Andy Bissitt said
Thu May 7 8:57 PM, 2020
Turned cloudy during my insect hunting, so turned to birds. Probably best was 2 singing garden warblers, one of which showed very well. I cannot remember my previous record for the park.
James Walsh said
Wed May 6 5:01 PM, 2020
24 Mandarin Duck Drake Goosander 1 House Martin
Chris Harper said
Sat Mar 21 8:00 PM, 2020
17.25-19.15 via weir and then Sunny Corner and Keg Pool.
Marsh tit still showing well from Hide. Continental Cormorant still.
Hi Mark, not to disrespect your sighting in any way, but presumably youve not just used the white head plumage to identify this as a continental Cormorant (Sinensis). Our own UK Cormorants (Carbosis) have this in the breeding season.
The Gular angle is the main feature you need to separate these more accurately, and the angle in your image looks to be within range for a UK Carbosis in my opinion, and that is only my opinion, there is an overlap in degrees so I could be left with egg on my face, image below may be helpful. Cheers Rob
Finally, finally, finally my 2nd eye has been operated on and I've got binocular vision and OK vision in both eyes
Took the opportunity to make the short trip to Etherow CP this morning. On arrival at the hide the bad news was no food but the good news was that a photographer followed me in and had lots of bird seed which he stocked the table, post and ground with. Initially hordes of birds minus the main quarry, Nuthatches, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Long-tailed Tits all poured in and out. Then attracted by the feeding frenzy the Marsh Tit appeared from over the river. It then made numerous visits as per previous posts, taking seed across the river to cache. I left the photographer in peace as it was his efforts that had attracted the birds, so if anyone goes I would suggest a bag of bird seed is well worth taking along. At least 12 Mandarins were in courtship display, most halfway along the central causeway. A five tit day at Etherow (and six by visiting Sale WP later), a great way to restart my birding post-op
Mike Chorley said
Thu Feb 27 7:43 PM, 2020
Noon today. Bird table re-stocked for lunch- in order of arrival: Great Tit 2 (minimum) - sounded the dinner gong Blue Tit <3 Coal Tit 2 Dunnock 1 Robin 1 Nuthatch 1 Marsh Tit 1 Blackbird 2 M
The Marsh Tit then proved to be the most regular visitor of all the smaller birds, sometimes re-visiting several times before any of the other species returned, as it continued to select seeds for caching. Even the presence of the two male blackbirds didn't seem to deter it. If this were a bigger species such as a thrush or duck, say, some people might suggest dubious origins for it.
Along the waterways c40 Mandarin Duck, pair of Mute Swans on a walkabout, uncounted Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Black-headed Gulls and 1 immature Cormorant lurking under the willows at the side of the pool just before the weir and causing confusion for some visitors.
David Pierce said
Wed Feb 19 5:04 PM, 2020
Made a short visit this afternoon and was disappointed there was no food in/on the feeders but didn't have to wait long for excellent views of the marsh tit in the trees across the river. This made it 6 species of tit for the day after a wet visit to Sale WP this morning. There was also a lesser redpoll in the same trees.
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Feb 18 9:16 PM, 2020
1300-1500 first time here spent mostly in the hide.
Came primarily to see the Marsh Tit & wasn't disappointed - excellent close up views every 2 to 3 minutes for well over an hour.
Also an abundance of Great, Blue, Coal & Long Tailed Tits constantly visiting the feeders with a solitary Nuthatch plus a Grey Wagtail over the river.
On Etherow river an amazing number of Mandarin Ducks approx. 30 males & 20 females.
2 Muscovy Ducks with stunning striated neck markings were also amongst the rest of the ducks.
John Raynor thats a very interesting observation regarding the Marsh Tit hiding food behind the lichen, I noted that with the Watergrove Marsh Tit a while back .
Keep Birding
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Feb 14 9:15 PM, 2020
For anyone thinking of braving the gale this weekend to see the marsh tit, it was still present this morning, but only came to the table twice in about an hour as there was no food on it (I only had a bag of fish fingers, just in case the 'other' star turned up - only joking). Otherwise it was a pretty long vigil for little return. A dabchick caught two fish right opposite the hide, and the 30+ siskins were nearby. Two buzzards and a grey wagtail also viewed.
Steven Nelson said
Thu Feb 13 3:55 PM, 2020
10.30-14.00
The Marsh Tit regularly visiting the bird table at the hide.
Other highlights from a good walk around the CP included: 1 Kingfisher 1 Grey Wagtail 10 Siskin pair of Teal Lots of Mandarin Duck 1 Goosander - male 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Grey Heron Plenty of Nuthatch The Dunnock with growths on its face Lots of Coal, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tit 3 Song Thrush
But for the main highlight see the other wildlife thread!
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Thursday 13th of February 2020 04:13:37 PM
John Rayner said
Wed Feb 12 1:19 PM, 2020
Marsh Tit still coming to the hide bird table and observed hiding the food beneath lichen. Also the expected Blue, Great and Coal Tits. At least 3 Dunnocks - one infected with canker growths. 3 Nuthatches
Also from hide: 3 Teal 7 Mandarins Kingfisher Grey Heron
Elsewhere: Treecreeper 6 Siskins with males in full song
Cheers John
Huw Morgan said
Sun Feb 9 8:34 PM, 2020
I didn't see the Marsh Tit today, though didn't spend too long in the hide as the feeders were empty.
Highlights from a nice two hour walk around the area:
30+ Siskin feeding in trees near the weir
21 Mandarin Duck
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Woodcock
1 Great Crested Grebe
Good numbers of mixed tit flocks across the area containing Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Long Tailed Tits
The weir and river were raging unsurprisingly so no chance of seeing any Dippers today.
-- Edited by Huw Morgan on Sunday 9th of February 2020 08:35:13 PM
paul shaw said
Sun Feb 9 3:18 PM, 2020
Marsh tit currently showing in the trees opposite the hide. Wellington are advisable today.
Chris Harper said
Sat Feb 8 9:58 AM, 2020
Marsh Tit still this morning from the hide. Snipe flushed nearby.
2 Dippers down from the weir, one ringed. Also Siskin near visitor centre, 20 Mandarin Duck, 3 Common Buzzard, 3 Redwing over, Grey Wagtail, 2 Goosander, 3 Cormorant, 5 Nuthatch, 2 Mistle Thrush.
Lots of large lenses.
John Rayner said
Fri Feb 7 2:26 PM, 2020
The Marsh Tit continues to show ridiculously well.
Also from hide - 2 Dipper, 2 Mandarins, 1 Kingfisher with 3 Buzzards circling overhead.
The Marsh Tit on view again most of the morning from the hide. Also the Kingfisher was fishing in the river from the low branches opposite the hide.
Andy Bissitt said
Wed Feb 5 8:13 PM, 2020
The marsh tit show continued into the afternoon. Hope it sticks around and perhaps another (of the other sex) drops in. The park needs a pick-me-up. Next best piece of action: watched a kingfisher dive into the fringes of the Keg and catch a tiddler - all at 10 meters!!! Must be quite rare to see this happen (outside of a hide).
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Feb 5 2:21 PM, 2020
The Marsh Tit was showing well late morning when a couple arrived and put some seed out.
Kingfisher perched opposite the hide Great Crested Grebe still present on Chadkirk Mill pond At least two Nuthatch visiting the bird table 3 Siskin flew towards the garden centre Drake Goosander on canal and female on river
John Rayner said
Tue Feb 4 1:33 PM, 2020
The Marsh Tit was in a feeding frenzy this morning taking seed as fast as it could and caching it on the far side of the river. It called twice whilst I was there but I failed to record it.
A flushed Woodcock flew over the hide Kingfisher perched near the hide Little Grebe on Keg Pool Great Crested Grebe on Chadkirk Mill pond 7 Nuthatches calling
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Tuesday 4th of February 2020 01:38:01 PM
Robert Adderley said
Tue Feb 4 12:56 PM, 2020
Marsh Tit regularly visiting the feeders by the hide.
Other birds included a total of 60 Mandarins, 4 Goosander and a Kingfisher.
vic chatterton said
Mon Feb 3 6:36 PM, 2020
Marsh Tit went into roost at about 4-15pm. Dipper perched on dead branch in water to right of hide and Little Grebe on far side of river.
Pete Hines said
Mon Feb 3 5:21 PM, 2020
Marsh Tit still showing well when I left at 15.30, calling often, flying back and forth across the river Mandarin 44
Called in just after midday today and the Marsh Tit was still showing well, it called not long after I entered the hide but that was the only time I heard it. Other than that 2 Kingfishers and the usual suspects around the hide.
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Mon Feb 3 12:09 PM, 2020
First thanks to Jeff for flagging this up yesterday.
Early morning the Marsh Tit was calling frequently (classic pitchu pitchu) although it quietened down later on. It put on quite a show especially when it tussled with a Blue Tit in a feeding territory dispute. At one point a male Sparrowhawk cashed through the tit flock but failed to make a catch.
Marsh Tit now confirmed around the feeders from the hide by the river this morning; seen well and heard calling.
Info thanks to John Rayner
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Feb 2 9:34 PM, 2020
Either a Marsh or Willow Tit was coming to food from the hide by the river after 4pm today, though views were inconclusive to secure any more definitive identification and the bird didn't call. Well worth a look for again.
Info thanks to Jeff Burgum
Chris Harper said
Fri Jan 3 7:54 PM, 2020
3-4pm
Single Pink Footed Goose on main canal towards the weir.
50+ Mandarin Duck, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Common Buzzard, 7 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Dec 17 8:55 PM, 2019
Just a personal thing really. After 34 Winters of visiting the park, I managed to add pink-footed goose to my site list yesterday afternoon when c190 went over going SE. Took me one nearer to 100 species after all these years. It can be grim in the East of the County!
John Rayner said
Tue Oct 29 12:10 PM, 2019
Late news for Sunday 27th.
A parakeet overflying the car park. A shorter, higher pitched squawk than Ring-necked. Yellow flashes on upper-wings. Possible Yellow-chevroned Parakeet.
Cheers John
Steven Heywood said
Mon Sep 16 10:40 PM, 2019
Wander round Etherow CP and Keg Wood 1205 - 1500
Surprised to see a snipe fly in to land in the car park as I walked in. It very quickly decided it was far too busy a place for having a rest in and flew off in the direction of the river. Didn't connect with it again.
2 grey wagtails on the river near the weir.
Three great spotted woodpeckers dotted about in Keg Wood, a male and two females, all showing well.
Two mixed flocks, a relatively small one near the toilet block and a larger, more diverse flock at Sunny Corner which included chiffchaff, goldcrest and treecreepers. Both flocks had at least six coal tits and three or four nuthatches, with a couple of pairs of nuthatches feeding by themselves elsewhere along the path.
Buzzard and sparrowhawk soaring overhead.
-- Edited by Steven Heywood on Monday 16th of September 2019 10:40:40 PM
Chris Harper said
Tue Jul 30 7:19 PM, 2019
Visitor centre-CWT hide-Sunny Corner-Keg Pool 10-12am
Astonishing sight of THREE red kites drifting and circling over Sunny Corner at 4.02 p.m. They were going N-NW, so probably two of the same seen over Rochdale later? Whatever, I hope they settle somewhere safe.
Mandarins counted 15 drakes and 2 ducks on the canal so no doubt plenty of ducklings soon
Young Coot in a small creche of 5 on the Canal
Nuthatch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Chifchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler
Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Jackdaw, Crow,Magpie
Young Canada and Greylag geese
Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon,
2 little Grebe on the Keg Pool
2 Kingfisher on the Reserve pond
Moorhen Mallard and Mute Swan
Andy Bissitt said
Wed May 15 10:00 PM, 2019
Garden warbler still in residence amongst the good numbers of blackcaps. A tawny owl was heard calling (mid p.m.) as a woodpecker drummed. Then I saw a phoenix. No, I didn't really, but that image is still only slightly less believable than the tree-felling that was going on along the canal. Yes, once again, Stockport Council wins the 'Golden Axe Award' for inappropriate and badly timed tree work.
Mark Walsh said
Mon May 6 8:20 PM, 2019
Numerous Blackcap in song around the park. 9 Chiffchaff 2 Willow Warbler 2 Grey Wagtail 2 Little Grebe 1 Garden Warbler
It did not improve in the afternoon either! Caught dipper and kingfisher both flying away from me, and the keg had 4 (a family) little grebes which is a good count for anywhere. As there's no beech mast this year, the park is not going to attract many finches. A drop in the water levels and a freeze might tempt me back.
11.30 - 13.00
Pleasant mooch around, but fairly quiet overall
2 Sparrowhawks over
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Cormorant
4 Coal Tit
4 Nuthatch
1 Goldcrest
6M & 4F Mandarin
2 Mute Swans
Plenty of Blue/Great Tits, Robins & Woodpigeons
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Wednesday 4th of November 2020 02:21:54 PM
14:30-16:45
Barnacle Goose, 4 Common Buzzard, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Treecreeper, 7 Nuthatch, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrest, Kestrel, Goosander, Jay, 2 Mandarin Duck, Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan, 700 Wood Pigeon, 20 Redwing, Fieldfare, 2 Stock Dove n
This p.m... best of...
1 Raven loitering around the park, 1 chiffchaff (h), 1 swallow going down the valley, 2 wigeon (prob pair), 2 dabchick, 1 goosander, 4+ buzzards, sparrowhawk, kestrel.
A walk round this morning with camera but no binoculars saw 22 species. The Keg Pool had a family of 5 swans, a goosander, a little grebe, 2 tufted ducks and a coot plus numerous mallards. The biggest surprise though was to see no mandarin ducks anywhere!
Fleeting visit mid morning. Adult Dipper and 1 young. Grey Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Common Buzzard, 35 Mandarin Duck, 2 Tufted Duck, Chiffchaff.
18.30-19.35 just car park to the weir
Dipper pair feeding 2 young, 1 healthy 1 not so much, Peregrine Falcon over, 4 Sand Martin, 25 Mandarin Duck with many young, 2 Tufted Duck, Nuthatch, 3 Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron.
You could park at the lay-by on Glossop Road and walk down through Ernocroft Wood
Thanks Andy
i would normally head straight up into the upper reaches, it was the footpaths/weir area which I felt were areas of concern. perhaps we'll wait for the rain.......
stay safe
-- Edited by Mike Crawley on Friday 5th of June 2020 11:15:33 AM
Hi Mike,
When I was there on Monday, it was bedlam, but it was a very nice day. There were 4-5 cars parked BY THE WEIR!!! Lots of cars parked around the local housing estate as well (worst I've ever seen it). You are probably best waiting until after (if) the schools return next Wednesday. Having said that, the back part of the park was mostly unused - it's just battling through the crowds to get there!!
A cuckoo was calling in the park along the length of the river from the Keg north-eastwards. Other things; 1 garden warbler in song, goldcrest heard, and fresh from the nest today by the looks of it, juvenile blackcap.
Turned cloudy during my insect hunting, so turned to birds. Probably best was 2 singing garden warblers, one of which showed very well. I cannot remember my previous record for the park.
Drake Goosander
1 House Martin
17.25-19.15 via weir and then Sunny Corner and Keg Pool.
Highlights: 2 Kingfisher, Dipper, 4 Teal, 2 Goosander, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan, 25 Mandarin Duck, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3+ Tawny Owl, Grey Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, 100+ Carrion Crow pre roost.
Plus a picture in other wildlife thread
Hi Mark,
not to disrespect your sighting in any way, but presumably youve not just used the white head plumage to identify this as a continental Cormorant (Sinensis). Our own UK Cormorants (Carbosis) have this in the breeding season.
The Gular angle is the main feature you need to separate these more accurately, and the angle in your image looks to be within range for a UK Carbosis in my opinion, and that is only my opinion, there is an overlap in degrees so I could be left with egg on my face, image below may be helpful.
Cheers
Rob
Marsh tit still showing well from Hide. Continental Cormorant still.
Finally, finally, finally my 2nd eye has been operated on and I've got binocular vision and OK vision in both eyes
Took the opportunity to make the short trip to Etherow CP this morning. On arrival at the hide the bad news was no food but the good news was that a photographer followed me in and had lots of bird seed which he stocked the table, post and ground with. Initially hordes of birds minus the main quarry, Nuthatches, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Long-tailed Tits all poured in and out. Then attracted by the feeding frenzy the Marsh Tit appeared from over the river. It then made numerous visits as per previous posts, taking seed across the river to cache. I left the photographer in peace as it was his efforts that had attracted the birds, so if anyone goes I would suggest a bag of bird seed is well worth taking along. At least 12 Mandarins were in courtship display, most halfway along the central causeway. A five tit day at Etherow (and six by visiting Sale WP later), a great way to restart my birding post-op
Great Tit 2 (minimum) - sounded the dinner gong
Blue Tit <3
Coal Tit 2
Dunnock 1
Robin 1
Nuthatch 1
Marsh Tit 1
Blackbird 2 M
The Marsh Tit then proved to be the most regular visitor of all the smaller birds, sometimes re-visiting several times before any of the other species returned, as it continued to select seeds for caching. Even the presence of the two male blackbirds didn't seem to deter it. If this were a bigger species such as a thrush or duck, say, some people might suggest dubious origins for it.
Along the waterways c40 Mandarin Duck, pair of Mute Swans on a walkabout, uncounted Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Black-headed Gulls and 1 immature Cormorant lurking under the willows at the side of the pool just before the weir and causing confusion for some visitors.
Made a short visit this afternoon and was disappointed there was no food in/on the feeders but didn't have to wait long for excellent views of the marsh tit in the trees across the river. This made it 6 species of tit for the day after a wet visit to Sale WP this morning. There was also a lesser redpoll in the same trees.
1300-1500 first time here spent mostly in the hide.
Came primarily to see the Marsh Tit & wasn't disappointed - excellent close up views every 2 to 3 minutes for well over an hour.
Also an abundance of Great, Blue, Coal & Long Tailed Tits constantly visiting the feeders with a solitary Nuthatch plus a Grey Wagtail over the river.
On Etherow river an amazing number of Mandarin Ducks approx. 30 males & 20 females.
2 Muscovy Ducks with stunning striated neck markings were also amongst the rest of the ducks.
John Raynor thats a very interesting observation regarding the Marsh Tit hiding food behind the lichen, I noted that with the Watergrove Marsh Tit a while back .
Keep Birding
For anyone thinking of braving the gale this weekend to see the marsh tit, it was still present this morning, but only came to the table twice in about an hour as there was no food on it (I only had a bag of fish fingers, just in case the 'other' star turned up - only joking). Otherwise it was a pretty long vigil for little return. A dabchick caught two fish right opposite the hide, and the 30+ siskins were nearby. Two buzzards and a grey wagtail also viewed.
The Marsh Tit regularly visiting the bird table at the hide.
Other highlights from a good walk around the CP included:
1 Kingfisher
1 Grey Wagtail
10 Siskin
pair of Teal
Lots of Mandarin Duck
1 Goosander - male
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Grey Heron
Plenty of Nuthatch
The Dunnock with growths on its face
Lots of Coal, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tit
3 Song Thrush
But for the main highlight see the other wildlife thread!
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Thursday 13th of February 2020 04:13:37 PM
Also the expected Blue, Great and Coal Tits.
At least 3 Dunnocks - one infected with canker growths.
3 Nuthatches
Also from hide:
3 Teal
7 Mandarins
Kingfisher
Grey Heron
Elsewhere:
Treecreeper
6 Siskins with males in full song
Cheers John
I didn't see the Marsh Tit today, though didn't spend too long in the hide as the feeders were empty.
Highlights from a nice two hour walk around the area:
30+ Siskin feeding in trees near the weir
21 Mandarin Duck
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Woodcock
1 Great Crested Grebe
Good numbers of mixed tit flocks across the area containing Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Long Tailed Tits
The weir and river were raging unsurprisingly so no chance of seeing any Dippers today.
-- Edited by Huw Morgan on Sunday 9th of February 2020 08:35:13 PM
Marsh Tit still this morning from the hide. Snipe flushed nearby.
2 Dippers down from the weir, one ringed. Also Siskin near visitor centre, 20 Mandarin Duck, 3 Common Buzzard, 3 Redwing over, Grey Wagtail, 2 Goosander, 3 Cormorant, 5 Nuthatch, 2 Mistle Thrush.
Lots of large lenses.
Also from hide - 2 Dipper, 2 Mandarins, 1 Kingfisher with 3 Buzzards circling overhead.
Cheers, John
The marsh tit show continued into the afternoon. Hope it sticks around and perhaps another (of the other sex) drops in. The park needs a pick-me-up. Next best piece of action: watched a kingfisher dive into the fringes of the Keg and catch a tiddler - all at 10 meters!!! Must be quite rare to see this happen (outside of a hide).
Kingfisher perched opposite the hide
Great Crested Grebe still present on Chadkirk Mill pond
At least two Nuthatch visiting the bird table
3 Siskin flew towards the garden centre
Drake Goosander on canal and female on river
A flushed Woodcock flew over the hide
Kingfisher perched near the hide
Little Grebe on Keg Pool
Great Crested Grebe on Chadkirk Mill pond
7 Nuthatches calling
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Tuesday 4th of February 2020 01:38:01 PM
Other birds included a total of 60 Mandarins, 4 Goosander and a Kingfisher.
Marsh Tit went into roost at about 4-15pm. Dipper perched on dead branch in water to right of hide and Little Grebe on far side of river.
Mandarin 44
Called in just after midday today and the Marsh Tit was still showing well, it called not long after I entered the hide but that was the only time I heard it.
Other than that 2 Kingfishers and the usual suspects around the hide.
Cheers
Mark
Early morning the Marsh Tit was calling frequently (classic pitchu pitchu) although it quietened down later on. It put on quite a show especially when it tussled with a Blue Tit in a feeding territory dispute.
At one point a male Sparrowhawk cashed through the tit flock but failed to make a catch.
On the river a pair of Goosander and 6 Teal.
Cheers John
Marsh Tit now confirmed around the feeders from the hide by the river this morning; seen well and heard calling.
Info thanks to John Rayner
Either a Marsh or Willow Tit was coming to food from the hide by the river after 4pm today, though views were inconclusive to secure any more definitive identification and the bird didn't call. Well worth a look for again.
Info thanks to Jeff Burgum
3-4pm
Single Pink Footed Goose on main canal towards the weir.
50+ Mandarin Duck, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Common Buzzard, 7 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe
Just a personal thing really. After 34 Winters of visiting the park, I managed to add pink-footed goose to my site list yesterday afternoon when c190 went over going SE. Took me one nearer to 100 species after all these years. It can be grim in the East of the County!
A parakeet overflying the car park. A shorter, higher pitched squawk than Ring-necked. Yellow flashes on upper-wings. Possible Yellow-chevroned Parakeet.
Cheers John
Wander round Etherow CP and Keg Wood 1205 - 1500
Surprised to see a snipe fly in to land in the car park as I walked in. It very quickly decided it was far too busy a place for having a rest in and flew off in the direction of the river. Didn't connect with it again.
2 grey wagtails on the river near the weir.
Three great spotted woodpeckers dotted about in Keg Wood, a male and two females, all showing well.
Two mixed flocks, a relatively small one near the toilet block and a larger, more diverse flock at Sunny Corner which included chiffchaff, goldcrest and treecreepers. Both flocks had at least six coal tits and three or four nuthatches, with a couple of pairs of nuthatches feeding by themselves elsewhere along the path.
Buzzard and sparrowhawk soaring overhead.
-- Edited by Steven Heywood on Monday 16th of September 2019 10:40:40 PM
Visitor centre-CWT hide-Sunny Corner-Keg Pool 10-12am
3 Goosander, 3 Mute Swan, Blackcap, 2 Teal, Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1+ Common Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Nuthatch, Goldcrest, Grey Heron, 2 Muscovy Duck, 30+ Mandarin Duck.
Astonishing sight of THREE red kites drifting and circling over Sunny Corner at 4.02 p.m. They were going N-NW, so probably two of the same seen over Rochdale later? Whatever, I hope they settle somewhere safe.
Visit this morning between 9.00 am and 12 pm
Had the following
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Goldcrest
Blue, Great, Coal and Long tailed Tits
Heron
Tufted Duck
Mandarins counted 15 drakes and 2 ducks on the canal so no doubt plenty of ducklings soon
Young Coot in a small creche of 5 on the Canal
Nuthatch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Chifchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler
Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Jackdaw, Crow,Magpie
Young Canada and Greylag geese
Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon,
2 little Grebe on the Keg Pool
2 Kingfisher on the Reserve pond
Moorhen Mallard and Mute Swan
Garden warbler still in residence amongst the good numbers of blackcaps. A tawny owl was heard calling (mid p.m.) as a woodpecker drummed. Then I saw a phoenix. No, I didn't really, but that image is still only slightly less believable than the tree-felling that was going on along the canal. Yes, once again, Stockport Council wins the 'Golden Axe Award' for inappropriate and badly timed tree work.
9 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Warbler
2 Grey Wagtail
2 Little Grebe
1 Garden Warbler
Cheers
Mark