8am to 10am. After finding it fairly uneventful to start with from Eagley to Dunscar things really picked up at Wales Lodges and from Gleaves Lodge to Fernhill Farm.
Wales Lodges :- 2 Grey Herons Pair of Canada Geese dropped in for a short time, after doing the same on one of the Eagley lodges earlier A few Mallards Pair of Wigeon. Took off as soon as they saw me. 2 pairs of Goosanders. Unlike the Wigeon they were happy to stay. 2 Moorhens 4 Coots
Gleaves to Fernhill :- 18 Lapwings 20 Curlews. Disturbed by the noise from motor scramblers at Wilton Quarries. They circled around for a while before heading off towards Belmont c120 Meadow Pipits. At last they are back. 75+ at Cubbins Farm and then numerous smaller flocks on the fields up to Fernhill Farm 12 Pied Wagtails feeding with the Meadow Pipits at Cubbins Farm 1 male Stonechat not far from the above flock 200+ Starlings 4 Fieldfares with the Starlings. I only picked out four, there could have been a few more 1 Reed Bunting
John Carter said
Thu Mar 7 2:08 PM, 2013
6 Goosanders (3m 3f) on Wales Lodge at midday. Great Spotted Woodpecker further along Longworth Lane near the golf course.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 7th of March 2013 02:13:13 PM
David Lumb said
Sun Mar 3 11:15 PM, 2013
7.45am to 9.40am. Eagley-Dunscar-Greenhill Farm
1 Grey Heron at Wales Lodges 45 Mallards 23 Goosanders (9m + 14f) on Wales Lodges must be my highest ever count here. They surprisingly stayed on the water as I walked past on the bank. 1 Sparrowhawk. A cracking brightly coloured male perched in a tree near Wales Lodges 5 Moorhens 7 Coots (6 on Wales Lodges, the other on Shore Lodge) 5 Lapwings around Greenhill Farm 8 Black-headed Gulls 61 Woodpigeons 1 Pied Wagtail 12 Wrens 8 Dunnocks 15 Robins 22 Blackbirds 4 Song Thrushes 1 Mistle Thrush 6 Long-tailed Tits 20+ Blue Tits 10+ Great Tits 2 Nuthatches 1 Dipper 1 Jay 11 Magpies 10+ Jackdaws 6 Carrion Crows 2 Starlings 10 Chaffinches 3 Greenfinches 4 Goldfinches 4 Siskins 4 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Sat Feb 16 1:54 AM, 2013
8.15am to 10.00am. Eagley-Dunscar-Greenhill Farm.
3 Grey Herons 23 Mallards 1 Buzzard 2 Pheasants 4 Moorhens 4 Coots. Pair on each of Wales Lodges. 2 Lapwings flying over 4 Black-headed Gulls 3 Feral Pigeons 1 Stock Dove 21 Woodpigeons 1 Skylark 1 Pied Wagtail 4 Wrens 5 Dunnocks 16 Robins 5 Blackbirds 4 Song Thrushes Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits 2 Nuthatches 4 Dippers. One at Eagley Mills, one at Dunscar Bridge, and a pair displaying upstream from Wales Lodges 1 Jay 16 Magpies 150 Jackdaws flying around Eagley at first light 9 Carrion Crows 4 Chaffinches 2 Greenfinches 4 Goldfinches 1 Siskin
David Lumb said
Sat Feb 9 1:30 AM, 2013
Early morning & late morning wanders through.
1 Grey Heron at Gleaves 34 Mallards spread throughout 9 Moorhens, mainly across the brook from Sports Complex 1 Coot at Wales 8 Black-headed Gulls at Gleaves 1 Dipper early visit, on small stream by golf club road Another Dipper, or possibly the same one on my back through, on Eagley Brook by Blackburn Road
David Lumb said
Thu Feb 7 2:55 AM, 2013
9am to 11.30am. Eagley-Dunscar-Dunscar Golf Course.
I've been walking this patch for a couple of years now but after today's walk I finally decided to post!
At 3pm today in the open field beyond Wales Lodge I watched a Barn owl hunting for about 10minutes with a Buzzard watching it from the big tree down next to the river!
Also had a Dipper on the little stream next to the golf course road. Otherwise just the usual Blue tits, Great tits, Robins, Blackbirds etc.
In the trees next to Valley Mill were about 6 Goldfinches (although I can't seem to tempt them with my nyjer seed feeder!) and a Grey Wagtail on the river.
On Sunday I watched a Female Goosander walk up the river from Dunscar Bridge on the A666.
-- Edited by Paul Billington on Wednesday 23rd of January 2013 02:24:21 AM
David Lumb said
Fri Jan 18 3:17 AM, 2013
Dipper singing away at Dunscar Bridge. Grey Herons at Dunscar Bridge and Gleaves Lodge. All the lodges now completely frozen. Walking along Belmont Road towards Wilton Arms a Sparrowhawk flew towards me along the middle of the road.
David Lumb said
Mon Jan 14 4:19 AM, 2013
Eagley/Dunscar/Horrocks Fold. 8.50am to 10.30am & a walk back through early afternoon.
1 Grey Heron 40 Mallards Pair of Goosanders flying over 2 Moorhens 4 Coots 30+ Black-headed Gulls 2 Feral Pigeons 17 Woodpigeons 5 Collared Doves 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Wren 1 Dunnock 8 Robins 3 Blackbirds 6 Fieldfares 9 Redwings 1 Mistle Thrush Blue Tits & Great Tits 2 Nuthatches 2 Dippers 3 Jays 11 Magpies 20+ Jackdaws 5 Carrion Crows 1 Raven, in trees with a Magpie keeping a close watch 25 Starlings 2 House Sparrows 5 Chaffinches 5 Greenfinches 2 Bullfinches
John Carter said
Wed Jan 9 10:03 PM, 2013
A male Teal was on Wales lodge this afternoon - the first time I have seen one here. No sign of any Goosanders.
David Lumb said
Sun Jan 6 5:42 AM, 2013
Two female Goosanders on Wales Lodges early afternoon
David Lumb said
Sat Jan 5 2:15 AM, 2013
8am to 9.50am around Eagley & Dunscar.
2 Grey Herons 71 Mallards 3m & 3f Goosanders on Wales Lodges 1 Pheasant 6 Moorhens 3 Coots 6 Black-headed Gulls 19 Woodpigeons 1 Barn Owl. Watched for about 20 minutes as it hunted for prey, coming within a few yards a couple of times heading straight towards me, until it saw me and veered away. Perched for a few minutes before flying away. 3 Roe Deer in the same field. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 4 Wrens 12 Robins 1 Blackbird 1 Mistle Thrush Numerous Blue Tits & Great Tits 1 Nuthatch 1 Dipper 1 Jay 9 Magpies 120+ Jackdaws on Eagley Mills at first light. Must have roosted there overnight. 7 Carrion Crows 1 Chaffinch 1 Goldfinch 2 Siskins 4 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Sun Nov 18 2:47 AM, 2012
7.40am to 9.20am
1 Cormorant 2 Grey Herons 28 Mallards 4 Moorhens 4 Coots 2 Black-headed Gulls 5 Dippers. (2 at Eagley Mills, 2 on Eagley Brook at Dunscar, and one on the stream going up to Gleaves Lodge) 1 Kestrel 2 Pheasants 7 Woodpigeons 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Meadow Pipit 6 Wrens 3 Dunnocks 7 Robins 7 Blackbirds 1 Fieldfare 1 Redwing 1 Mistle Thrush 1 flock of Long-tailed Tits and a few Blue Tits, Great Tits, and Coal Tits 1 Nuthatch 3 Jays 17 Magpies 10 Jackdaws 10 Carrion Crows 1 Chaffinch 4 Greenfinches 2 Goldfinches 1 Bullfinch And the usual 3 Roe Deer
David Lumb said
Sun Nov 11 2:20 AM, 2012
7.45am to lunchtime. Very misty to after 10am, to 10.30am on Belmont Road where visibility was down to 20 yards. Stayed in the valley where there are decent numbers of berries in places.
2 Grey Herons 56 Mallards 6 Moorhens 4 Coots 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Buzzard. Appeared through the mist, with an aggravated Crow, from it's usual overnight roost. 10 Woodpigeons 2 Collared Doves 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Dipper 12 Wrens 1 Dunnock 18 Robins 24 Blackbirds 12 Fieldfares at Gleaves Lodge. Unable to identify them in the mist, but on my return from Belmont Road the sun was out. The bushes near the lodge were then full of thrushes and finches. 3 Redwings. One at Wales and two at Gleaves. 2 Mistle Thrushes 2 flocks of Long-tailed Tits, one of them 20+. I must be losing my touch not finding any Treecreepers amongst them. Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits. 1 Nuthatch 2 Jays 19 Magpies 20+ Jackdaws 10+ Rooks. Seen flying towards Dunscar at 7.15am as I went to the paper shop. 11 Carrion Crows 4 Starlings 13 Chaffinches 10+ Greenfinches at Gleaves with most of the above Chaffinches. 10 Goldfinches A flock of Siskins flying in the mist, heard but unable to see. 2 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Mon Nov 5 2:47 AM, 2012
8.10am to 11.30am. Eagley-Dunscar-Fernhill Farm.
1 Cormorant on Wales number 1 lodge. Number 2 lodge was covered in ice this morning. 1 Grey Heron 34 Mallards No Moorhens seen, but I am sure some would be hidden away somewhere. 4 Coots 30+ Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over 43 Lapwings at Fernhill Farm 6 Woodpigeons 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Grey Wagtail 8 Wrens 5 Dunnocks 8 Robins 27 Blackbirds 2 Mistle Thrushes 2 Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Coal Tits 1 Nuthatch 1 Dipper at Eagley Mills 5 Jays 11 Magpies 20+ Jackdaws 7 Carrion Crows 4 Starlings 1 Chaffinch 2 Goldfinches 16 Siskins at Gleaves Lodge 1 Bullfinch
7.20am to 9.40am. Eagley/Dunscar Lodges + Fernhill Farm.
1 Cormorant on Gleaves Lodge at 2.45pm on my way back home. Relocated on brook by Sports Complex, before it carried on over Eagley Mills. 2 Grey Herons 63 Mallards 3 Pheasants 4 Moorhens 4 Coots 3 Black-headed Gulls flying over 13 Woodpigeons 1 Tawny Owl near Eagley Lodge, increasing my usual Blackbird count there as they seemed to come from all over 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Meadow Pipits 1 Grey Wagtail 3 Pied Wagtails 1 Dipper 8 Wrens 3 Dunnocks 18 Robins 15 Blackbirds 2 Mistle Thrushes Usual tit flocks 1 Nuthatch 4 Jays 9 Magpies 40+ Jackdaws 10 Carrion Crows 1 Chaffinch 5 Greenfinches 3 Goldfinches 23 Siskins, A flock of 15 at Gleaves Lodge + others in small numbers throughout the area 4 Bullfinches
John Carter said
Thu Oct 4 2:19 AM, 2012
There was a Cormorant on the lodge nearest to Blackburn Road this afternoon. It flew off in the direction of Eagley.
David Lumb said
Thu Oct 4 1:38 AM, 2012
7.45am to 9.20am. Eagley/Dunscar Lodges, Fernhill Farm.
1 Grey Heron 2 Buzzards soaring over Wales Lodges on return home approx 1.45pm 1 Moorhen 5 Coots 40+ Black-headed Gulls (Fernhill Farm) 25+ Feral Pigeons 25+ Woodpigeons 1 Kingfisher (Wales Lodges) 2 Dippers (1 on brook and surprisingly 1 on Gleaves Lodge) 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Meadow Pipits (Fernhill Farm) 1 Pied Wagtail Numerous Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins 5 Blackbirds 6 Mistle Thrushes Usual tit species 1 Nuthatch 2 Jays 8 Magpies 40+ Jackdaws (Fernhill Farm) 3 Carrion Crows 1 Chaffinch 1 Greenfinch 2 Goldfinches 1 Siskin
David Lumb said
Thu Sep 20 5:22 AM, 2012
Mid morning & early afternoon, lodges + track to Fernhill Farm.
2 Grey Herons 37 Mallards 4 Pheasants 2 Moorhens 3 Coots 5 Lapwings 5 Black-headed Gulls 95 Woodpigeons 20 House Martins 15 Swallows 30+ Meadow Pipits 2 Pied Wagtails Wrens, Dunnocks & Robins 5 Blackbirds 2 Chiffchaffs Usual tit flocks 3 Jays 10 Magpies 60 Jackdaws 8 Carrion Crows 25 Greenfinches 20 Goldfinches 10 Siskins 1 Bullfinch (hard to get exact number of finches as they were mixed together)
David Lumb said
Tue Sep 11 1:41 AM, 2012
9.35am to 8.45am
Only different bird to yesterday was a Dipper on Eagley Brook
Dunscar Golf Course :- 5 Woodpigeons 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 12 Swallows 5 Wrens 5 Robins 2 Goldcrests Mixed flock of Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits Blue Tits and Great Tits 1 Nuthatch 1 Jay 2 Magpies 2 Carrion Crows 15 Starlings 2 Chaffinches 9 Goldfinches 21 Siskins (flew across the boundary from Longworth Clough)
David Lumb said
Sun Sep 9 11:45 PM, 2012
7.30am to 9.10am Eagley/Dunscar Lodges, Eagley Brook, & famland at Fernhill Farm which is freshly cut attracting lots of birds.
3 Grey Herons 51 Mallards 3 Pheasants 5 Moorhens 3 Coots 38 Lapwings (on farmland until the guns started in the Scout Road quarries, which spooked them making it easier to count them) 170 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over 1 Feral Pigeon 45 Woodpigeons, mainly on farmland 2 Stock Doves (normally in the quarries, pushed out on shooting Sundays) 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker House Martins/Swallows. A mixed flock on the ground, in the air, on telegraph wires, barbed wire, and any other suitable perch. I estimated about 250, and did not even attempt to count seperate species. 10 Meadow Pipits 4 Pied Wagtails (one at Eagley Sports Complex and 3 on farmland) 8 Wrens 1 Dunnock 17 Robins 3 Blackbirds 1 Chiffchaff 1 Willow Warbler Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, and Great Tits 2 Nuthatches 4 Jays 25 Magpies 100+ Jackdaws on farmland 5 Carrion Crows 10 Starlings 2 Chaffinches 20+ Greenfinches feeding with Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits on farmland 2 Goldfinches 2 Siskins 8 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Sat Sep 8 3:57 AM, 2012
14.10 to 15.20
Fernhill Farm to Gleaves Lodges :- 13 Black-headed Gulls 50+ Woodpigeons 50+ Swallows 20+ House Martins 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Jay 80 Starlings 20 Greenfinches
Dunscar Lodges to Eagley :- 42 Mallards 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Moorhen at Gleaves, 1 on brook, and 2 with well grown juveniles at Eagley Mills 2 Coots 1 Grey Wagtail on Gleaves overflow 1 Siskin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Aug 22 2:49 AM, 2012
Originally posted by David Lumb today:
Not much on lodges apart from Mallards, Moorhens & Coots. 52 canada Geese on field above Gleaves Lodge. Track from Gleaves to Fernhill Farm included 100+ Woodpigeons, 200 Starlings, 40 Greenfinches, 9 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 20+ Swallows, about 10 House Martins, and a few Meadow Pipits.
John Carter said
Thu Jun 14 12:21 AM, 2012
A Common Tern was fishing successfully over Gleaves Reservoir this afternoon. Could it be from Doffcocker? At least 5 Grey Heron were in the area around Longworth Lane, some of them in the trees. 2 Coots have raised a family of 5 chicks on a nearby pond (from 6 originally). They are about 40 days old. One of the parents is very aggressive and spends its time making the local Mallards' lives a misery whenever they come anywhere near the chicks.
John Carter said
Fri Mar 9 10:17 PM, 2012
13 Goosander at midday on one of the two small reservoirs between Eagley Brook and Longworth Lane (the road to Dunscar Golf Club to the west of Blackburn Road). Some of these birds then took off upstream in the direction of Belmont. Normally these reservoirs only hold Mallard, Coot and Moorhen but a fortnight ago they were joined briefly by a Mandarin Duck.
Other birds seen today included: two Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, A Common Buzzard being mobbed mercilously by a Carrion Crow, Grey Heron, about 50 Wood Pigeon 20 Jackdaw Jay
With singing nuthatches, blue tits, great tits and chaffinches together with gradually rising temperatures it made for a very enjoyable lunch time within 1/4 mile of one of the busiest roads in Bolton.
Wales Lodges :-
2 Grey Herons
Pair of Canada Geese dropped in for a short time, after doing the same on one of the Eagley lodges earlier
A few Mallards
Pair of Wigeon. Took off as soon as they saw me.
2 pairs of Goosanders. Unlike the Wigeon they were happy to stay.
2 Moorhens
4 Coots
Gleaves to Fernhill :-
18 Lapwings
20 Curlews. Disturbed by the noise from motor scramblers at Wilton Quarries. They circled around for a while before heading off towards Belmont
c120 Meadow Pipits. At last they are back. 75+ at Cubbins Farm and then numerous smaller flocks on the fields up to Fernhill Farm
12 Pied Wagtails feeding with the Meadow Pipits at Cubbins Farm
1 male Stonechat not far from the above flock
200+ Starlings
4 Fieldfares with the Starlings. I only picked out four, there could have been a few more
1 Reed Bunting
Great Spotted Woodpecker further along Longworth Lane near the golf course.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 7th of March 2013 02:13:13 PM
1 Grey Heron at Wales Lodges
45 Mallards
23 Goosanders (9m + 14f) on Wales Lodges must be my highest ever count here. They surprisingly stayed on the water as I walked past on the bank.
1 Sparrowhawk. A cracking brightly coloured male perched in a tree near Wales Lodges
5 Moorhens
7 Coots (6 on Wales Lodges, the other on Shore Lodge)
5 Lapwings around Greenhill Farm
8 Black-headed Gulls
61 Woodpigeons
1 Pied Wagtail
12 Wrens
8 Dunnocks
15 Robins
22 Blackbirds
4 Song Thrushes
1 Mistle Thrush
6 Long-tailed Tits
20+ Blue Tits
10+ Great Tits
2 Nuthatches
1 Dipper
1 Jay
11 Magpies
10+ Jackdaws
6 Carrion Crows
2 Starlings
10 Chaffinches
3 Greenfinches
4 Goldfinches
4 Siskins
4 Bullfinches
3 Grey Herons
23 Mallards
1 Buzzard
2 Pheasants
4 Moorhens
4 Coots. Pair on each of Wales Lodges.
2 Lapwings flying over
4 Black-headed Gulls
3 Feral Pigeons
1 Stock Dove
21 Woodpigeons
1 Skylark
1 Pied Wagtail
4 Wrens
5 Dunnocks
16 Robins
5 Blackbirds
4 Song Thrushes
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
2 Nuthatches
4 Dippers. One at Eagley Mills, one at Dunscar Bridge, and a pair displaying upstream from Wales Lodges
1 Jay
16 Magpies
150 Jackdaws flying around Eagley at first light
9 Carrion Crows
4 Chaffinches
2 Greenfinches
4 Goldfinches
1 Siskin
1 Grey Heron at Gleaves
34 Mallards spread throughout
9 Moorhens, mainly across the brook from Sports Complex
1 Coot at Wales
8 Black-headed Gulls at Gleaves
1 Dipper early visit, on small stream by golf club road
Another Dipper, or possibly the same one on my back through, on Eagley Brook by Blackburn Road
1 Grey Heron
29 Mallards
3 Moorhens
1 Coot
1 Black-headed Gull
8 Feral Pigeons
13 Woodpigeons
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
6 Wrens
2 Dunnocks
4 Robins
3 Blackbirds
2 flocks of Long-tailed Tits
2 Coal Tits
Numerous Blue Tits & Great Tits
5 Nuthatches
1 Treecreeper
13 Magpies
8 Jackdaws
11 Carrion Crows
1 Chaffinch
3 Greenfinches
9 Goldfinches
Approx 25 Siskins from 4 flocks
1 Bullfinch
At 3pm today in the open field beyond Wales Lodge I watched a Barn owl hunting for about 10minutes with a Buzzard watching it from the big tree down next to the river!
Also had a Dipper on the little stream next to the golf course road.
Otherwise just the usual Blue tits, Great tits, Robins, Blackbirds etc.
In the trees next to Valley Mill were about 6 Goldfinches (although I can't seem to tempt them with my nyjer seed feeder!) and a Grey Wagtail on the river.
On Sunday I watched a Female Goosander walk up the river from Dunscar Bridge on the A666.
-- Edited by Paul Billington on Wednesday 23rd of January 2013 02:24:21 AM
Walking along Belmont Road towards Wilton Arms a Sparrowhawk flew towards me along the middle of the road.
1 Grey Heron
40 Mallards
Pair of Goosanders flying over
2 Moorhens
4 Coots
30+ Black-headed Gulls
2 Feral Pigeons
17 Woodpigeons
5 Collared Doves
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Wren
1 Dunnock
8 Robins
3 Blackbirds
6 Fieldfares
9 Redwings
1 Mistle Thrush
Blue Tits & Great Tits
2 Nuthatches
2 Dippers
3 Jays
11 Magpies
20+ Jackdaws
5 Carrion Crows
1 Raven, in trees with a Magpie keeping a close watch
25 Starlings
2 House Sparrows
5 Chaffinches
5 Greenfinches
2 Bullfinches
2 Grey Herons
71 Mallards
3m & 3f Goosanders on Wales Lodges
1 Pheasant
6 Moorhens
3 Coots
6 Black-headed Gulls
19 Woodpigeons
1 Barn Owl. Watched for about 20 minutes as it hunted for prey, coming within a few yards a couple of times heading straight towards me, until it saw me and veered away. Perched for a few minutes before flying away. 3 Roe Deer in the same field.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
4 Wrens
12 Robins
1 Blackbird
1 Mistle Thrush
Numerous Blue Tits & Great Tits
1 Nuthatch
1 Dipper
1 Jay
9 Magpies
120+ Jackdaws on Eagley Mills at first light. Must have roosted there overnight.
7 Carrion Crows
1 Chaffinch
1 Goldfinch
2 Siskins
4 Bullfinches
1 Cormorant
2 Grey Herons
28 Mallards
4 Moorhens
4 Coots
2 Black-headed Gulls
5 Dippers. (2 at Eagley Mills, 2 on Eagley Brook at Dunscar, and one on the stream going up to Gleaves Lodge)
1 Kestrel
2 Pheasants
7 Woodpigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Meadow Pipit
6 Wrens
3 Dunnocks
7 Robins
7 Blackbirds
1 Fieldfare
1 Redwing
1 Mistle Thrush
1 flock of Long-tailed Tits and a few Blue Tits, Great Tits, and Coal Tits
1 Nuthatch
3 Jays
17 Magpies
10 Jackdaws
10 Carrion Crows
1 Chaffinch
4 Greenfinches
2 Goldfinches
1 Bullfinch
And the usual 3 Roe Deer
2 Grey Herons
56 Mallards
6 Moorhens
4 Coots
1 Black-headed Gull
1 Buzzard. Appeared through the mist, with an aggravated Crow, from it's usual overnight roost.
10 Woodpigeons
2 Collared Doves
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Dipper
12 Wrens
1 Dunnock
18 Robins
24 Blackbirds
12 Fieldfares at Gleaves Lodge. Unable to identify them in the mist, but on my return from Belmont Road the sun was out. The bushes near the lodge were then full of thrushes and finches.
3 Redwings. One at Wales and two at Gleaves.
2 Mistle Thrushes
2 flocks of Long-tailed Tits, one of them 20+. I must be losing my touch not finding any Treecreepers amongst them.
Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits.
1 Nuthatch
2 Jays
19 Magpies
20+ Jackdaws
10+ Rooks. Seen flying towards Dunscar at 7.15am as I went to the paper shop.
11 Carrion Crows
4 Starlings
13 Chaffinches
10+ Greenfinches at Gleaves with most of the above Chaffinches.
10 Goldfinches
A flock of Siskins flying in the mist, heard but unable to see.
2 Bullfinches
1 Cormorant on Wales number 1 lodge. Number 2 lodge was covered in ice this morning.
1 Grey Heron
34 Mallards
No Moorhens seen, but I am sure some would be hidden away somewhere.
4 Coots
30+ Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
43 Lapwings at Fernhill Farm
6 Woodpigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Grey Wagtail
8 Wrens
5 Dunnocks
8 Robins
27 Blackbirds
2 Mistle Thrushes
2 Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Coal Tits
1 Nuthatch
1 Dipper at Eagley Mills
5 Jays
11 Magpies
20+ Jackdaws
7 Carrion Crows
4 Starlings
1 Chaffinch
2 Goldfinches
16 Siskins at Gleaves Lodge
1 Bullfinch
2 Cormorants flying over
2 Grey Herons
49 Mallards
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
2 Pheasants
7 Moorhens
4 Coots
2 Black-headed Gulls
12 Feral Pigeons
9 Woodpigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
14 Meadow Pipits
1 Grey Wagtail
4 Pied Wagtails
14 Wrens
4 Dunnocks
12 Robins
14 Blackbirds
6 Fieldfares
50+ Redwings. Total amount from numerous sightings.
7 Mistle Thrushes
1 Goldcrest
2 mixed flocks of tits
2 Nuthatches
4 Jays
10 Magpies
70+ Jackdaws
7 Carrion Crows
35 Starlings
3 Chaffinches
2 Greenfinches
2 Goldfinches
1 Siskin
4 Bullfinches
2 Grey Herons
34 Mallards
1 Pheasant
5 Moorhens
3 Coots
15 Feral Pigeons
14 Woodpigeons
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Pied Wagtails
1 Dipper
6 Wrens
2 Dunnocks
12 Robins
21 Blackbirds
2 Mistle Thrushes
Numerous Blue Tits & Great Tits
5 Jays
12 Magpies
20+ Jackdaws
5 Carrion Crows
2 Rooks flying over
1 Greenfinch
12 Goldfinches
2 Siskins
2 Lesser Redpolls
2 Bullfinches
Gleaves Lodge :-
1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallards, 1 Moorhen.
Wales Lodges :-
6 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coots, 1 Buzzard low over the lodges, 1 Sparrowhawk flying low through the trees by the lodges.
Eagley Lodges :-
1 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen.
I have included the Eagley Lodges on this thread as birds move about between all the above mentioned old mill lodges.
Lots of thunder and showers, a couple of rainbows, and a closed waterlogged golf course.
1 Grey Heron on Eagley Brook
2 Buzzards soaring
3 Pheasants
5 Black-headed Gulls + numerous flying over
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
11 Woodpigeons
3 Meadow Pipits
1 Grey Wagtail
15+ Pied Wagtails
2 Wrens
1 Robin
2 Blackbirds
2 Mistle Thrushes
2 Goldcrests
A flock of 22 Long-tailed Tits with numerous Blue Tits, Great Tits, and the two Goldcrests
2 Coal Tits
3 Jays
2 Magpies
4 Carrion Crows
1 Chaffinch
1 Greenfinch
5 Goldfinches
4 Lesser Redpolls
1 Bullfinch
1 Cormorant
3 Grey Herons
37 Mallards
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
3 Pheasants
5 Moorhens
4 Coots
31 Lapwings (Fernhill Farm)
10 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over
17 Woodpigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
6 Meadow Pipits
2 Pied Wagtails
2 Dippers
7 Wrens
5 Dunnocks
18 Robins
Pair of Stonechats at Fernhill Farm
23 Blackbirds
1 Redwing
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits
1 Nuthatch
5 Jays
15 Magpies
20+ Jackdaws
10 Carrion Crows
13 Starlings
Numerous House Sparrows at Fernhill Farm
9 Chaffinches
5 Goldfinches
2 Greenfinches
1 Siskin
5 Bullfinches
1 Cormorant on Gleaves Lodge at 2.45pm on my way back home. Relocated on brook by Sports Complex, before it carried on over Eagley Mills.
2 Grey Herons
63 Mallards
3 Pheasants
4 Moorhens
4 Coots
3 Black-headed Gulls flying over
13 Woodpigeons
1 Tawny Owl near Eagley Lodge, increasing my usual Blackbird count there as they seemed to come from all over
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Meadow Pipits
1 Grey Wagtail
3 Pied Wagtails
1 Dipper
8 Wrens
3 Dunnocks
18 Robins
15 Blackbirds
2 Mistle Thrushes
Usual tit flocks
1 Nuthatch
4 Jays
9 Magpies
40+ Jackdaws
10 Carrion Crows
1 Chaffinch
5 Greenfinches
3 Goldfinches
23 Siskins, A flock of 15 at Gleaves Lodge + others in small numbers throughout the area
4 Bullfinches
1 Grey Heron
2 Buzzards soaring over Wales Lodges on return home approx 1.45pm
1 Moorhen
5 Coots
40+ Black-headed Gulls (Fernhill Farm)
25+ Feral Pigeons
25+ Woodpigeons
1 Kingfisher (Wales Lodges)
2 Dippers (1 on brook and surprisingly 1 on Gleaves Lodge)
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Meadow Pipits (Fernhill Farm)
1 Pied Wagtail
Numerous Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
5 Blackbirds
6 Mistle Thrushes
Usual tit species
1 Nuthatch
2 Jays
8 Magpies
40+ Jackdaws (Fernhill Farm)
3 Carrion Crows
1 Chaffinch
1 Greenfinch
2 Goldfinches
1 Siskin
2 Grey Herons
37 Mallards
4 Pheasants
2 Moorhens
3 Coots
5 Lapwings
5 Black-headed Gulls
95 Woodpigeons
20 House Martins
15 Swallows
30+ Meadow Pipits
2 Pied Wagtails
Wrens, Dunnocks & Robins
5 Blackbirds
2 Chiffchaffs
Usual tit flocks
3 Jays
10 Magpies
60 Jackdaws
8 Carrion Crows
25 Greenfinches
20 Goldfinches
10 Siskins
1 Bullfinch
(hard to get exact number of finches as they were mixed together)
Only different bird to yesterday was a Dipper on Eagley Brook
Dunscar Golf Course :-
5 Woodpigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
12 Swallows
5 Wrens
5 Robins
2 Goldcrests
Mixed flock of Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits Blue Tits and Great Tits
1 Nuthatch
1 Jay
2 Magpies
2 Carrion Crows
15 Starlings
2 Chaffinches
9 Goldfinches
21 Siskins (flew across the boundary from Longworth Clough)
Eagley/Dunscar Lodges, Eagley Brook, & famland at Fernhill Farm which is freshly cut attracting lots of birds.
3 Grey Herons
51 Mallards
3 Pheasants
5 Moorhens
3 Coots
38 Lapwings (on farmland until the guns started in the Scout Road quarries, which spooked them making it easier to count them)
170 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over
1 Feral Pigeon
45 Woodpigeons, mainly on farmland
2 Stock Doves (normally in the quarries, pushed out on shooting Sundays)
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
House Martins/Swallows. A mixed flock on the ground, in the air, on telegraph wires, barbed wire, and any other suitable perch. I estimated about 250, and did not even attempt to count seperate species.
10 Meadow Pipits
4 Pied Wagtails (one at Eagley Sports Complex and 3 on farmland)
8 Wrens
1 Dunnock
17 Robins
3 Blackbirds
1 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, and Great Tits
2 Nuthatches
4 Jays
25 Magpies
100+ Jackdaws on farmland
5 Carrion Crows
10 Starlings
2 Chaffinches
20+ Greenfinches feeding with Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits on farmland
2 Goldfinches
2 Siskins
8 Bullfinches
Fernhill Farm to Gleaves Lodges :-
13 Black-headed Gulls
50+ Woodpigeons
50+ Swallows
20+ House Martins
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Jay
80 Starlings
20 Greenfinches
Dunscar Lodges to Eagley :-
42 Mallards
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Moorhen at Gleaves, 1 on brook, and 2 with well grown juveniles at Eagley Mills
2 Coots
1 Grey Wagtail on Gleaves overflow
1 Siskin
Not much on lodges apart from Mallards, Moorhens & Coots.
52 canada Geese on field above Gleaves Lodge.
Track from Gleaves to Fernhill Farm included 100+ Woodpigeons, 200 Starlings, 40 Greenfinches, 9 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 20+ Swallows,
about 10 House Martins, and a few Meadow Pipits.
At least 5 Grey Heron were in the area around Longworth Lane, some of them in the trees.
2 Coots have raised a family of 5 chicks on a nearby pond (from 6 originally). They are about 40 days old. One of the parents is very aggressive and spends its time making the local Mallards' lives a misery whenever they come anywhere near the chicks.
Other birds seen today included:
two Sparrowhawks,
Kestrel,
A Common Buzzard being mobbed mercilously by a Carrion Crow,
Grey Heron,
about 50 Wood Pigeon
20 Jackdaw
Jay
With singing nuthatches, blue tits, great tits and chaffinches together with gradually rising temperatures it made for a very enjoyable lunch time within 1/4 mile of one of the busiest roads in Bolton.