Jogging without any optical aid this morning around the Lilford area from 0630 - 0700 today. Fantastic birdsong everywhere!
Counted the following during my exertions:
The following were heard rather than seen, but definitely at different locations.... 10 Willow Warblers (one seen) 4 Chiffchaff 12 Wren 5 Songthrush 2 Skylark 2 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Numerous blackbird, blue and great tits
sighted:
1 Redwing being bothered by a Magpie
1 Grey Heron in the drain known as Red Waters near Miller's Lane
1 Male Yellowhammer (also singing well!) in perimeter bushes of field where Red Waters crosses Millers Lane.
1 Linnet
2 Drake Shoveler on the oversized puddle that seems now to be a semi-permanent "flash" where Bee Fold Lane joins Langley Platt Lane.
Not bad for a bino-less jog, I reckon - and only the second time I've ever seen a Yellowhammer in the area.
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 09:12:20 AM
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 09:14:45 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 09:54:36 AM
Paul Richardson said
Wed Apr 25 5:36 AM, 2012
Well done on sighting the Green Woodpecker, Martyn - I've yet to see one here, though hear them regularly!
The tree cutting is a bit of a shock but local wisdom is that a lot of new trees are to be planted. The big gash through the area that will be the new Misguided Busway is a greater eyesore really, but the bird population seems to be surviving well.
Martyn Jones said
Wed Apr 25 4:03 AM, 2012
An hour or so in sunny Lilford Park produced:
1 Song Thrush near the entrance gates 1 Green Woodpecker was seen flying over the flood basin and landing in a tree on the edge of Atherton Woods with another yaffling away somwhere - must be at least 2 here 2 Treecreepers - great close views 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Great Tit nestbuilding 1 Robin feeding fledgling 1 cock Pheasant plus others heard 1 Buzzard and 1 Grey Heron over 2 Mallards over and around the flood basin A few Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies and Wood Pigeons
It was quite a shock to see all the trees they've removed since last I was here. Let's hope they don't start on the ancient woodland next.
Paul Richardson said
Sun Apr 15 12:36 PM, 2012
Beautiful morning and very productive session in our local patch today.
09.30 to 11.30am.
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Nuthatch 2 Treecreeper 1 Songthrush
1 Willow Warbler & 1 more singing 1 Blackcap & 2 more singing
1 Green Woodpecker calling - I have yet to see the elusive tyke!! Today it seemed to be in the Atherton Hall woods, on the other side of the waterway at the far end of Lilford Woods. Plenty of hiding places.
Plus loads of Chaffinch, Blue & Great Tits etc.
The warblers and blackcap were in the so-called "Tree Bank" area to the SE of the old railway track which is going to be the Misguided Busway. It's an amazingly overgrown area with a nice network of small paths, even a couple of dilapidated bird hides. I was the closest I've ever been to a willow warbler there!
@Raymond - the Lilford Park tree cutting is to do with the flood drainage project and the emergency reservoir, though nobody seems to be able to work out quite why the trees had to come down yet! That said, the "reservoir" area is a good varied habitat for birds too.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 15th of April 2012 04:30:16 PM
Raymond Ashcroft said
Tue Mar 6 1:35 AM, 2012
Around Lilford Woods Several Nuthatches seen. Also Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper plus the usuals
Long Causeway A pair of Buzzards showing well. Also surprised to see two sets of Teal in the ponds along the causeway (25 and 10)
Not sure what the tree cutting exercise is about inside Lilford Park itself but a lot of trees have been chopped behind where the old childrens zoo used to be.
Paul Richardson said
Sun Feb 19 11:57 PM, 2012
Well I can't quite match Nick's big numbers, but was glad to see 4 Fieldfares and 2 Redwings in one of the fields at back of Atherton Hall Woods this afternoon. Very near where I live, so good to see these so close to home.
Also 4 youngish guys two of whom were toting telescopic sighted rifles of some kind. Hopefully they were targeting the grey squirrels - but I suspect they shoot anything they get chance to!
Nick Isherwood said
Wed Dec 28 5:06 PM, 2011
Another visit again today but this time with the family in tow.
Pretty much the same as yesterday but with less woodland birds showing due to the wind. Still good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare at the top end of the woods next to horse pastures. Loads of birds feeding in the field there as well as several Magpie and Crow. Only one Nuthatch seen today.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Dec 27 1:24 PM, 2011
A couple of hours this morning round the woods and surrounding area.
A huge loose flock of Redwing on the fields to the rear of the woods. Easily 300 birds with around 50 Fieldfare mixed in too. Good numbers of Mistle and Song Thrush around looking for food in the surrounding fields and flood plain. All the usual woodland birds present: Great tit Blue tit Robin Blackbird Magpie Crow Woodpigeon Loads of Nuthatch both seen and heard. 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker.
dave broome said
Tue Dec 6 6:15 PM, 2011
a flock of 25 Greenfinch were feeding on a Yew tree in Lilford Park yesterday
Nick Isherwood said
Wed Aug 31 6:49 PM, 2011
Thought I'd have a morning mooch here with a hope to adding Green Woodpecker to my Wigan year list. I'd forgotten what a great area it is around here as I hadn't been for many years.
At least 6 Greater Spotted Woodpecker heard. 2 Green Woodpecker heard near to the flood basin. 1 Nuthatch Loads of Robins around along with the usual Goldfinch, Blue tits, Great tits, Blackbirds, Magpies, etc.
Martyn Jones said
Thu Apr 21 5:59 PM, 2011
First of all I need to say what a great place this is - if you've never been or have not been for a few years like me, get yourself down there.
The last time I came here must be about 10 years ago, when I was only focused on tiring the kids out on the playground. It's a shame the animal section has long gone, but there's a new trail around the edge of the flood basin and through the woods, and lots of little diversions off it into the trees. A fantastic place in the early morning spring sunshine and the woods were alive with birdsong.
Whilst there today I saw the following birds:
Chiffchaffs singing but not seen Many Chaffinch, Blackbirds, Blue tits and Great Tits 2 Long-tailed Tits 1 Nuthatch 1 Wren (carrying nest material I think) Several Magpies, Crows and Woodpigeons An acrobatic Grey Squirrel
I didn't manage to see a Green Woodpecker or a Treecreeper which have both been reported here, but the Nuthatch and Wren madeup for it. There's stiil loads more for me to see so I'll probably be back again this week.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Mar 25 9:09 PM, 2011
Yesterday a Green Woodpecker yaffling and has been on the observers last few visits to this site. Also a Chiffchaff singing.
Green Woodpecker - vocal but also very mobile, only managed one quick view.
Great Spotted Woodpecker - One Adult male collecting food near allotments - One Juvenile at the far end of the Woods.
Plenty of young fledglings - Great Tits, Blue Tits, Long Tail Tits, Blackcaps and Chaffinches
Raymond Ashcroft said
Mon May 24 7:12 PM, 2010
Mon 24th May
No sign or sound of the Green Woodpeckers this morning but good views of a pair of Treecreepers collecting nesting materials.
Raymond Ashcroft said
Mon May 10 10:07 AM, 2010
Mon 10th May - 8.00am
Two Green Woodpeckers - one showing well in centre of wood whilst second yaffling away near by. Great Spotted Woodpeckers - seen both near the allotments and at the far end of the wood.
Raymond Ashcroft said
Tue Apr 6 4:25 PM, 2010
Tues 6th April - PM
Buzzard flying on Northern edge of wood Treecreeper plus the normal sightings
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Mar 5 10:24 PM, 2010
Green Woodpecker yaffling in the woods today plus several Nuthatches present.
Info thanks to Peter Alker
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 27th of January 2011 10:05:09 PM
Counted the following during my exertions:
The following were heard rather than seen, but definitely at different locations....
10 Willow Warblers (one seen)
4 Chiffchaff
12 Wren
5 Songthrush
2 Skylark
2 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Numerous blackbird, blue and great tits
sighted:
1 Redwing being bothered by a Magpie
1 Grey Heron in the drain known as Red Waters near Miller's Lane
1 Male Yellowhammer (also singing well!) in perimeter bushes of field where Red Waters crosses Millers Lane.
1 Linnet
2 Drake Shoveler on the oversized puddle that seems now to be a semi-permanent "flash" where Bee Fold Lane joins Langley Platt Lane.
Not bad for a bino-less jog, I reckon - and only the second time I've ever seen a Yellowhammer in the area.
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 09:12:20 AM
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 09:14:45 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 09:54:36 AM
The tree cutting is a bit of a shock but local wisdom is that a lot of new trees are to be planted. The big gash through the area that will be the new Misguided Busway
1 Song Thrush near the entrance gates
1 Green Woodpecker was seen flying over the flood basin and landing in a tree on the edge of Atherton Woods
2 Treecreepers - great close views
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Great Tit nestbuilding
1 Robin feeding fledgling
1 cock Pheasant plus others heard
1 Buzzard and 1 Grey Heron over
2 Mallards over and around the flood basin
A few Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies and Wood Pigeons
It was quite a shock to see all the trees they've removed since last I was here. Let's hope they don't start on the ancient woodland next.
09.30 to 11.30am.
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Nuthatch
2 Treecreeper
1 Songthrush
1 Willow Warbler & 1 more singing
1 Blackcap & 2 more singing
1 Green Woodpecker calling - I have yet to see the elusive tyke!! Today it seemed to be in the Atherton Hall woods, on the other side of the waterway at the far end of Lilford Woods. Plenty of hiding places.
Plus loads of Chaffinch, Blue & Great Tits etc.
The warblers and blackcap were in the so-called "Tree Bank" area to the SE of the old railway track which is going to be the Misguided Busway. It's an amazingly overgrown area with a nice network of small paths, even a couple of dilapidated bird hides. I was the closest I've ever been to a willow warbler there!
@Raymond - the Lilford Park tree cutting is to do with the flood drainage project and the emergency reservoir, though nobody seems to be able to work out quite why the trees had to come down yet! That said, the "reservoir" area is a good varied habitat for birds too.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 15th of April 2012 04:30:16 PM
Several Nuthatches seen.
Also Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper
Long Causeway
A pair of Buzzards showing well.
Also surprised to see two sets of Teal in the ponds along the causeway (25 and 10)
Not sure what the tree cutting exercise is about inside Lilford Park itself but a lot of trees have been chopped behind where the old childrens zoo used to be.
Very near where I live, so good to see these so close to home.
Also 4 youngish guys two of whom were toting telescopic sighted rifles of some kind. Hopefully they were targeting the grey squirrels - but I suspect they shoot anything they get chance to!
Pretty much the same as yesterday but with less woodland birds showing due to the wind.
Still good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare at the top end of the woods next to horse pastures. Loads of birds feeding in the field there as well as several Magpie and Crow.
Only one Nuthatch seen today.
A huge loose flock of Redwing on the fields to the rear of the woods. Easily 300 birds with around 50 Fieldfare mixed in too.
Good numbers of Mistle and Song Thrush around looking for food in the surrounding fields and flood plain.
All the usual woodland birds present:
Great tit
Blue tit
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Crow
Woodpigeon
Loads of Nuthatch both seen and heard.
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker.
At least 6 Greater Spotted Woodpecker heard.
2 Green Woodpecker heard near to the flood basin.
1 Nuthatch
Loads of Robins around along with the usual Goldfinch, Blue tits, Great tits, Blackbirds, Magpies, etc.
The last time I came here must be about 10 years ago, when I was only focused on tiring the kids out on the playground. It's a shame the animal section has long gone, but there's a new trail around the edge of the flood basin and through the woods, and lots of little diversions off it into the trees. A fantastic place in the early morning spring sunshine and the woods were alive with birdsong.
Whilst there today I saw the following birds:
Chiffchaffs singing but not seen
Many Chaffinch, Blackbirds, Blue tits and Great Tits
2 Long-tailed Tits
1 Nuthatch
1 Wren (carrying nest material I think)
Several Magpies, Crows and Woodpigeons
An acrobatic Grey Squirrel
I didn't manage to see a Green Woodpecker or a Treecreeper which have both been reported here, but the Nuthatch and Wren madeup for it. There's stiil loads more for me to see so I'll probably be back again this week.
Info thanks to Peter Alker
15 Fieldfare
26 Redwing
21 Mistle Thrush
Leucistic Starling with 60 Starling
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Green Woodpecker - vocal but also very mobile, only managed one quick view.
Great Spotted Woodpecker - One Adult male collecting food near allotments - One Juvenile at the far end of the Woods.
Plenty of young fledglings - Great Tits, Blue Tits, Long Tail Tits, Blackcaps and Chaffinches
No sign or sound of the Green Woodpeckers this morning but good views of a pair of Treecreepers collecting nesting materials.
Two Green Woodpeckers - one showing well in centre of wood whilst second yaffling away near by.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers - seen both near the allotments and at the far end of the wood.
Buzzard flying on Northern edge of wood
Treecreeper
plus the normal sightings
Info thanks to Peter Alker
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 27th of January 2011 10:05:09 PM