Garganey still present on Swan lake this afternoon also Green Sandpiper still present. Birds over included 2 Siskin and Crossbill heard going south but not seen.
Martin Loftus said
Sun Oct 22 8:35 PM, 2023
1pm -2pm
Garganey still present although very elusive at times!
The Bittern first seen by Kristian Wade last week was still present today. Kristian had it again this morning and it flew in from the east mid afternoon and dropped into Swan lake. Also this afternoon 4 adult Whooper Swana flew in from the east left the site to the southwest but then banked and headed back east. Single Stonechat and 3 Grey Partridge also seen.
Pete Hines said
Sat Oct 14 4:37 PM, 2023
Singles of Green Sandpiper, Little Egret and Kingfisher at Swan Lake this morning
Kristian Wade said
Wed Aug 9 10:57 PM, 2023
A single Green Sandpiper on one of the pools tonight, my first of return passage. Also fantastic to confirm breeding of Willow Tit with an adult and two well-developed chicks. I hadnt seen any Willow Tits at the site for several months so feared theyd been lost, apparently not yet!
Simon Warford said
Wed Jul 12 11:57 AM, 2023
Nice to see a couple of Hobbies here late evening yesterday chasing the many many swifts feeding over the whole area. Also 7 juvenile Stonechats and 2 reeling Grasshopper Warblers.
Chaffinch; Bullfinch; Swallow; Swift; House Martin; Reed Warbler.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Wednesday 24th of May 2023 10:53:37 PM
Simon Warford said
Sun Mar 12 12:09 PM, 2023
8 Golden Plover flew north this morning and Redshank, Jack Snipe, 19 Snipe, Woodcock, 14 Lapwing and 2 Oystercatcher were nice to see on the WeBS count. Wildfowl included 27 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 9 Teal, 2 Little Grebe, 42 Mallard, 2 Mute Swan and 15 Coot.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Dec 18 12:33 PM, 2022
Adult Yellow-legged Gull on the bottom pool at 11am and then flew off towards the Common Lane, Tyldesley area.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Dec 13 7:23 PM, 2022
1-30pm to 3-30pm
Majority of sightings were down around the Swan Lake area with Engine Lane unusually quiet.
A break in the ice on Swan Lake held 1 Mute Swan associating with 2 white farmyard ducks & 20 Coot. About 200 mixed Gulls descended on the ice containing a very large Great Black-Backed Gull. 2 Snipe were flushed from the bulrushes near the inlet creek with a further 2 flyovers nearby. The bulrushes had 2 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting & 5 Goldfinch feeding on the fluffy seeds.
On one of the large grassed hills was a mobile flock of 30 Meadow Pipit's.
Also seen :- 2 Redwing; Grey Heron; F Pheasant; 3 Kestrel; Jay; 2 Song Thrush & a very friendly Robin that tried to land on my shoulder down Engine Lane.
Swan Lake was busy today: -2 Mute Swans (an unusual site here surprisingly!) -50-60 Gadwall -10 Tufted Duck -10 Teal
Also: -50+ Meadow Pipit -2 Great Spotted Woodpecker -3 Willow Tit -5 Kestrel -3 Buzzard -1 Sparrowhawk -Mixed flock of about 50 Swallows and House Martins -1 Blackcap -3 singing Chiffchaff
Kristian Wade said
Sun Sep 18 3:31 PM, 2022
Quiet today, but included 17 Pink-Footed Geese over west, Wigeon still and 40+ Gadwall
Kristian Wade said
Tue Sep 13 1:40 PM, 2022
Highlight today was a single drake Wigeon on Swan Lake, my first here
Kristian Wade said
Thu Sep 8 4:31 PM, 2022
3 Whinchat and 3 Wheatear on the eastern side today - my highest total of either this year! Dont check the eastern side much so difficult to say if this is a one-off occurrence
Kristian Wade said
Tue Sep 6 4:25 PM, 2022
Third covey of Grey Partridge found today, towards the south of the site where I saw a pair regularly in April. Looked to be around 15 individuals, added to the other two groups suggests around 30+ juveniles from this year. Much better than the 12 or so from last year. Will be interesting to see if/where these birds will disperse to - can't imagine there are many sites locally that could support Grey Partridge outside of the mosses.
Kristian Wade said
Wed Aug 10 5:37 PM, 2022
From the last couple of days: -Confirmed breeding of Shoveler for second year in succession -Confirmed breeding of Stonechat - first that I can recall -Multiple Little Grebe broods -Large Grey Partridge covey, counted 21 minimum. I don't know if this would represent multiple family groups or not, but there were at least 3 pairs on site this spring. -Raven on the pylons -Large numbers of Gadwall down on Swan Lake, unsure if they bred onsite this year, but easily 20-30 -Several Sedge Warbler still about
Lez Fairclough said
Thu Jul 28 10:23 PM, 2022
3pm to 5pm - very quiet on all fronts.
2 Juvenile Buzzards low down on a pylon calling to an adult higher up.
5 Kestrel - 3 of which were swooping & locking talons with each other over Swan Lake.
2 cronking Ravens also on Pylons.
Also plenty of calling Willow Warbler, singing Goldfinch, plus M & F Reed Bunting.
A couple hours around the eastern end of the site had the usual big numbers of singing Skylark. 3 Ringed Plover,2 Little Ringed Plover and a single Common Sandpiper were on the large central muddy pool. A Snipe was flushed from the long grass, Oystercatcher over and several Lapwing holding territory. A Lesser Whitethroat was rattling away behind Kenny's Skip Hire on the way in,several Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing,also a single singing Reed Warbler in one of the phragmites beds. On the pools a couple of Shoveler, Mallard and plenty of Gadwall,plus the usual Herring ,Lesser Black Backs and Black Headed Gulls. Elsewhere a male Stonechat,pair of Grey Partridge, 2 Grey Wagtails ,a few Linnet and Reed Buntings and a couple of Buzzards were the best of the rest.
Kristian Wade said
Thu Apr 21 8:40 PM, 2022
Can add from this evening 2 Little Ringed Plovers and at least 2 singing Grasshopper Warblers.
Kristian Wade said
Thu Apr 21 2:07 PM, 2022
Highlight this morning was a VERY late Fieldfare feeding on the ground. Couldn't really believe what I was seeing, although it was in the exact same spot Redwings and Fieldfares would feed earlier this year. Otherwise, pair of Shoveler, 10-20 Linnet, and the Stonechat pair still looking very settled were the highlights.
Kristian Wade said
Wed Apr 20 4:26 PM, 2022
Decided to do a full Linnet survey this morning. Was surprised by the result - at least 9 pairs across the south half of the site. 8 singing Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 10 Willow Warbler. Swallows back at Oliver Fold, 2 pairs. 4 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck also on Swan Lake.
Kristian Wade said
Wed Apr 20 1:05 PM, 2022
Decided to do a full Linnet survey this morning. Was surprised by the result - at least 9 pairs across the south half of the site. 8 singing Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 10 Willow Warbler. Swallows back at Oliver Fold, 2 pairs. 4 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck also on Swan Lake.
Kristian Wade said
Tue Apr 19 1:07 PM, 2022
Lapwing numbers high again this morning, 15+ in the air when someone decided to let their dog charge through them :/ Also a pair that have been occupying the field by Oliver Fold farm. Warbler numbers on the south side included 6-8 of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat. A brief female Wheatear on the ground. Pair of Teal. 2 snipe. First ever Mute Swan on Swan Lake, also 2 Greylag Geese. Linnet numbers high, at least 5 pairs.
Kristian Wade said
Fri Apr 15 4:18 PM, 2022
This afternnon: Lapwing numbers much higher than I saw last year. Perhaps 15 pairs in total. Skylark numbers similarly very high, probably >30 singing males. First swallow of the year over. Pair of Shoveler are back again (there were 5 a few days ago). Pair of Raven. Pair of Linnet. And a strange (to me) Pipit. It was feeding in one of the shallow ponds, moving around the vegetation and reeds. It did not associate with any of the Meadow Pipits, and when it flew off had two distinct short calls. Only one of them sounded like the typical call. Still looked like a Meadow Pipit though so perhaps just some unusual feeding habits?
Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 16 Lapwing, a few Linnets and a pair of Stonechat today
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Saturday 2nd of April 2022 08:36:23 PM
Kristian Wade said
Fri Apr 1 1:59 PM, 2022
Pair of Ringed Plovers today. Also 14 lapwing, 1 Snipe and a pair of Grey Wagtails
Kristian Wade said
Mon Mar 28 4:37 PM, 2022
2 Little Ringed Plovers today. Plus a Linnet, Snipe and 6 Buzzard
pete berry said
Sat Mar 26 10:09 AM, 2022
A single Avocet on the 2nd most easterly pool,feeding out in the shallow water ,also Raven over north carrying possible food,plenty of singing Skylarks and a Little Ringed Plover calling.
Kristian Wade said
Thu Mar 24 8:03 PM, 2022
Stunning male Hen Harrier this evening, hunting low along the field edges
Kristian Wade said
Wed Mar 23 1:36 PM, 2022
Male Wheatear today. Also many Skylark (20+), 3 pairs of Grey Partridge, 4 Snipe, pair of Stonechat, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Cormorant, 2 Teal, 15+ Chiffchaff
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Feb 21 9:35 AM, 2022
Mid-afternoon yesterday:
Leucistic 1W Herring Gull
2 Oystercatcher
12 Teal
8 Gadwall
Pair of Stonechat
14 Skylark
20 Meadow Pipits
Grey Partridge
Snipe
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Lez Fairclough said
Mon Jan 10 10:48 PM, 2022
Quick hour & half mid afternoon down Engine Lane to Swan Lake & back.
No sign of the Kittiwake & most of the gulls in the gloom were heading off to roost.
A single Little Grebe was constantly diving on the lake & 5 very friendly farmyard ducks were also present.
A female Sparrowhawk & Buzzard were perched off the lane near the railway.
Also seen down Engine Lane - Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit & Song Thrush.
Multiple Stonechat still around. At least 4 Snipe around the site, 2 Woodcock, multiple Bullfinch and Willow Tit. Kestrel, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Lots of Redwing at dusk.
Kristian Wade said
Thu Dec 9 3:41 PM, 2021
Huge numbers of Stonechat this afternoon - never seen anything like it. Would say 6 at a minimum (2m,4f) but they were everywhere. Didn't even venture to the western side where there have been 2 pairs in recent winters, so could have been even more. Also: 3 Common Snipe 1 Little Grebe 1 Treecreeper 1 Coal Tit 3 Willow Tit 1 Bullfinch 1 Green Sandpiper 1 Cormorant (on Swan Lake) 3 Skylark 10+ Meadow Pipit 39 species total
Kristian Wade said
Mon Dec 6 3:53 PM, 2021
A Little Egret on one of the eastern pools this afternoon - my first here for a while.
pete berry said
Mon Nov 8 12:26 PM, 2021
A couple of hours around the eastern of the site was worthwhile with the highlights being at least 2 Green Sandpiper and a pair of Stonechat. Still plenty of Skylark and Meadow Pipits around the site,also Kestrel, Reed Bunting, Bullfinch,Grey and 2 Pied Wagtails,and a few Goldfinch. Swan Lake was busy with Mallard,Gadwall,Coot,Moorhen and about 150 Herring Gull and 50 Black Headed Gulls
pete berry said
Sat Oct 23 1:13 PM, 2021
A wander round the eastern side of the site produced a Merlin being chased by a Carrion Crow,also a couple of Kestrels hunting around the site. 2 coveys of Grey Partridge seen,a party of 12 birds and another one of just 2 birds. Plenty of Skylark around the site including several singing and aerial displaying birds !!! Good numbers of Meadow Pipits in the grassy areas,also 3 Reed Bunting, a small flock of 15 Goldfinch, and a flock of 30 or so Linnet. Plenty of gulls around the site including a mixed flock of 300 plus large gulls which came off the fields by Common Lane and landed on Swan Lake.
Lez Fairclough said
Thu Sep 16 12:19 AM, 2021
Afternoon visit
The highlight being 3 Buzzards with 2 Carrion Crows & a Sparrowhawk all rather playfully swooping at each other.
Also of note :- 3 Jay, plenty of Willow Warblers, Goldfinch, Long-Tailed Tit, Common Whitethroat, 3 Kestrel, Grey Wagtail.
6 juvenile Little Grebes - 1 on the small swan lake & 5 on the larger bottom pool.
Also on the bottom pool 4 white & 1 black & white domestic ducks. (phone pic attached)
This afternoon, quiet again, but a few interesting sightings
-4+ Little Grebe
-16 wading birds high overhead and flying south/south-east, my guess was snipe, they were producing a single note call infrequently
-1 unidentified raptor, accidentally flushed from a dead tree, definitely not kestrel, very dark brown and smaller than kestrel. Perhaps sparrowhawk but looked too slim.
Kristian Wade said
Thu Aug 19 6:24 PM, 2021
Quite quiet at the moment at Cutacre - most of the grassland is in the process of being cut, so the site looks quite different.
This afternoon:
-4+ Grey Heron, mostly in the freshly cut grass -3+ Common Snipe, accidentally flushed and likely more -1 Lapwing -4 Gadwall -Covey of fully grown 12/13 Grey Partridge, the second covey found this year
also someone had released 5 large white domestic ducks/geese, didn't look capable of flight
Kristian Wade said
Thu Jul 22 10:53 PM, 2021
Hi Rob,
Thanks for that, I thought the same with the legs, but you never like to disagree with a more senior birder! :)
Rob Creek said
Thu Jul 22 9:59 PM, 2021
Hi Kristian, looks Mallard-like to me, and the orange legs (rather than dull yellowish) would suggest so too! Could be wrong though, young Wildfowl can be tricky.
Kristian Wade said
Thu Jul 22 5:19 PM, 2021
This afternoon:
-hundreds of Swift & Swallow overhead, with smaller numbers of House Martin -2 Little Grebe pairs, one with a single, well-developed young -2 well-grown Shoveler chicks -1 Stock Dove -Whinchat family still present, probably 5 individuals -Grey Partridge family group, at least 6
...and a group of 4 ducks which I previously thought were well-developed Mallard chicks, but a passer-by identified them to me as Gadwall. Picture attached, any comments appreciated!
I haven't seen or heard any Garden Warblers at the site this year after many visits, but there is plenty of suitable habitat! Where abouts was your possible sighting?
Hi Kristian,
The area was about 100 yds north of Swan Lake along a narrow path that runs along the edge of the nearly dried up creek where the two Jays are regularly seen. Red circled area on attached map.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Sunday 4th of July 2021 10:33:43 PM
I haven't seen or heard any Garden Warblers at the site this year after many visits, but there is plenty of suitable habitat! Where abouts was your possible sighting?
Lez Fairclough said
Thu Jul 1 11:57 PM, 2021
3 hours this afternoon sightings included :-
Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Bullfinch; Linnet;
Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Common Whitethroat;
Reed Bunting; Skylark; Meadow Pipit;
Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail; Jay;
Buzzard; Kestrel; Pheasant; Juvenile Wren.
And what I think was a Garden Warbler with juveniles - not 100% but eye ring, beak & general colouring seem closest match
& the absence of a stand out distinctive whitethroat makes me feel its not a Whitethroat.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Friday 2nd of July 2021 12:07:08 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 2nd of July 2021 06:34:27 AM
Garganey still on Swan Lake this afternoon.
1pm -2pm
Garganey still present although very elusive at times!
x1 Green Sandpiper
x2 Little grebe
x1 Snipe
-- Edited by dave broome on Monday 23rd of October 2023 10:29:31 AM
Tuesday 23rd May late morning - quick hour on route to Bolton Royal - from the A6 car park entrance.
2 Garden Warbler (heard only); Willow Warbler; Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Common Whitethroat; Goldfinch;
Chaffinch; Bullfinch; Swallow; Swift; House Martin; Reed Warbler.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Wednesday 24th of May 2023 10:53:37 PM
8 Golden Plover flew north this morning and Redshank, Jack Snipe, 19 Snipe, Woodcock, 14 Lapwing and 2 Oystercatcher were nice to see on the WeBS count. Wildfowl included 27 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 9 Teal, 2 Little Grebe, 42 Mallard, 2 Mute Swan and 15 Coot.
Adult Yellow-legged Gull on the bottom pool at 11am and then flew off towards the Common Lane, Tyldesley area.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
1-30pm to 3-30pm
Majority of sightings were down around the Swan Lake area with Engine Lane unusually quiet.
A break in the ice on Swan Lake held 1 Mute Swan associating with 2 white farmyard ducks & 20 Coot. About 200 mixed Gulls descended on the ice containing a very large Great Black-Backed Gull. 2 Snipe were flushed from the bulrushes near the inlet creek with a further 2 flyovers nearby. The bulrushes had 2 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting & 5 Goldfinch feeding on the fluffy seeds.
On one of the large grassed hills was a mobile flock of 30 Meadow Pipit's.
Also seen :- 2 Redwing; Grey Heron; F Pheasant; 3 Kestrel; Jay; 2 Song Thrush & a very friendly Robin that tried to land on my shoulder down Engine Lane.
Swan Lake was busy today:
-2 Mute Swans (an unusual site here surprisingly!)
-50-60 Gadwall
-10 Tufted Duck
-10 Teal
Also:
-50+ Meadow Pipit
-2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
-3 Willow Tit
-5 Kestrel
-3 Buzzard
-1 Sparrowhawk
-Mixed flock of about 50 Swallows and House Martins
-1 Blackcap
-3 singing Chiffchaff
-Confirmed breeding of Shoveler for second year in succession
-Confirmed breeding of Stonechat - first that I can recall
-Multiple Little Grebe broods
-Large Grey Partridge covey, counted 21 minimum. I don't know if this would represent multiple family groups or not, but there were at least 3 pairs on site this spring.
-Raven on the pylons
-Large numbers of Gadwall down on Swan Lake, unsure if they bred onsite this year, but easily 20-30
-Several Sedge Warbler still about
3pm to 5pm - very quiet on all fronts.
2 Juvenile Buzzards low down on a pylon calling to an adult higher up.
5 Kestrel - 3 of which were swooping & locking talons with each other over Swan Lake.
2 cronking Ravens also on Pylons.
Also plenty of calling Willow Warbler, singing Goldfinch, plus M & F Reed Bunting.
3 Ringed Plover,2 Little Ringed Plover and a single Common Sandpiper were on the large central muddy pool. A Snipe was flushed from the long grass, Oystercatcher over and several Lapwing holding territory.
A Lesser Whitethroat was rattling away behind Kenny's Skip Hire on the way in,several Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing,also a single singing Reed Warbler in one of the phragmites beds.
On the pools a couple of Shoveler, Mallard and plenty of Gadwall,plus the usual Herring ,Lesser Black Backs and Black Headed Gulls.
Elsewhere a male Stonechat,pair of Grey Partridge, 2 Grey Wagtails ,a few Linnet and Reed Buntings and a couple of Buzzards were the best of the rest.
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Saturday 2nd of April 2022 08:36:23 PM
Mid-afternoon yesterday:
Leucistic 1W Herring Gull
2 Oystercatcher
12 Teal
8 Gadwall
Pair of Stonechat
14 Skylark
20 Meadow Pipits
Grey Partridge
Snipe
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Quick hour & half mid afternoon down Engine Lane to Swan Lake & back.
No sign of the Kittiwake & most of the gulls in the gloom were heading off to roost.
A single Little Grebe was constantly diving on the lake & 5 very friendly farmyard ducks were also present.
A female Sparrowhawk & Buzzard were perched off the lane near the railway.
Also seen down Engine Lane - Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit & Song Thrush.
Indeed a Kittiwake.
07/01/2022:
Possible Kittiwake on Swan Lake (southernmost)? Picture attached, and thoughts welcome.
Also:
3 Common Snipe
1 Little Grebe
1 Treecreeper
1 Coal Tit
3 Willow Tit
1 Bullfinch
1 Green Sandpiper
1 Cormorant (on Swan Lake)
3 Skylark
10+ Meadow Pipit
39 species total
Swan Lake was busy with Mallard,Gadwall,Coot,Moorhen and about 150 Herring Gull and 50 Black Headed Gulls
2 coveys of Grey Partridge seen,a party of 12 birds and another one of just 2 birds. Plenty of Skylark around the site including several singing and aerial displaying birds !!! Good numbers of Meadow Pipits in the grassy areas,also 3 Reed Bunting, a small flock of 15 Goldfinch, and a flock of 30 or so Linnet.
Plenty of gulls around the site including a mixed flock of 300 plus large gulls which came off the fields by Common Lane and landed on Swan Lake.
Afternoon visit
The highlight being 3 Buzzards with 2 Carrion Crows & a Sparrowhawk all rather playfully swooping at each other.
Also of note :- 3 Jay, plenty of Willow Warblers, Goldfinch, Long-Tailed Tit, Common Whitethroat, 3 Kestrel, Grey Wagtail.
6 juvenile Little Grebes - 1 on the small swan lake & 5 on the larger bottom pool.
Also on the bottom pool 4 white & 1 black & white domestic ducks. (phone pic attached)
This afternoon:
-4+ Grey Heron, mostly in the freshly cut grass
-3+ Common Snipe, accidentally flushed and likely more
-1 Lapwing
-4 Gadwall
-Covey of fully grown 12/13 Grey Partridge, the second covey found this year
also someone had released 5 large white domestic ducks/geese, didn't look capable of flight
Thanks for that, I thought the same with the legs, but you never like to disagree with a more senior birder! :)
looks Mallard-like to me, and the orange legs (rather than dull yellowish) would suggest so too! Could be wrong though, young Wildfowl can be tricky.
-hundreds of Swift & Swallow overhead, with smaller numbers of House Martin
-2 Little Grebe pairs, one with a single, well-developed young
-2 well-grown Shoveler chicks
-1 Stock Dove
-Whinchat family still present, probably 5 individuals
-Grey Partridge family group, at least 6
...and a group of 4 ducks which I previously thought were well-developed Mallard chicks, but a passer-by identified them to me as Gadwall. Picture attached, any comments appreciated!
Hi Kristian,
The area was about 100 yds north of Swan Lake along a narrow path that runs along the edge of the nearly dried up creek where the two Jays are regularly seen. Red circled area on attached map.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Sunday 4th of July 2021 10:33:43 PM
I haven't seen or heard any Garden Warblers at the site this year after many visits, but there is plenty of suitable habitat! Where abouts was your possible sighting?
3 hours this afternoon sightings included :-
Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Bullfinch; Linnet;
Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Common Whitethroat;
Reed Bunting; Skylark; Meadow Pipit;
Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail; Jay;
Buzzard; Kestrel; Pheasant; Juvenile Wren.
And what I think was a Garden Warbler with juveniles - not 100% but eye ring, beak & general colouring seem closest match
& the absence of a stand out distinctive whitethroat makes me feel its not a Whitethroat.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Friday 2nd of July 2021 12:07:08 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 2nd of July 2021 06:34:27 AM