Cormorant Buzzard, mobbed by two Crows Grey Wagtail
Sale WP Visitor Centre
Willow Tit
Broad Ees Dole (About 3 - 5:30pm)
Another Buzzard, mobbed by another two Crows! Teal x 25 (at least) 6 Grey Heron Several Jays Grey Wagtail Sparrowhawk, mobbed by four Magpies pair of Shoveler Kingfisher Female Goosander
steven burke said
Sat Oct 15 9:03 PM, 2011
3.30-5.30pm broad ees dole.. 1 snipe 1 kingfisher 5 grey herons 3 shovelers (1m+2f) 2 teals 1 little grebe 1 great spotted woodpecker water rail (heard only)
on lake.. 3 great crested grebe 4 common gulls b h gulls,coots,mallards & canada goose + usual birds around
Just keep us posted on the forum Paul. Sale WP, Chorlton WP, Chorlton Ees and Turn Moss all have their own threads here, just use the search facility. The VC is only staffed on a Tuesday now as there are no information wardens.
Paul Wilkins said
Sun Oct 2 5:32 PM, 2011
Out and about round the waterpark, Chorlton Ees and Turn Moss this afternoon. Not a lot to be seen. 20 species in all before the rain drove me home. Highlights were 4 teal on Broad Ees Dole (the watery bit), 7 cormorants on the pylons around the main lake and a cock Pheasant on (in?) Chorlton Ees. As always, there was a pair of Mistle Thrushes on Turn Moss. Ok, I know that isn't exciting but I like to see them. Apart from that, the usual stuff.
Now the Mersey Valley wardens have stopped keeping a record of what's seen in the valley I hope to post more often - it's my local patch. Anybody care to join me in the effort to keep a good record?
John Doherty said
Sat Oct 1 8:55 PM, 2011
Quick sweep on Thursday
1 Jay and 2 xGrey Heron on the drained out Ees, plus two Great Crested Grebe and 1 Little Grebe on the main lake and usual Coots, Moorhens and Ducks ... not a lot around!
steven burke said
Tue Sep 27 8:28 PM, 2011
2.30-6.00pm
no signs off the green sandpiper 1 kingfisher (along river) 1 sparrowhawk 1 kestrel 3 grey heron (1 on the dole) 6 great crested grebe (inc juvs) 4 teal 2 little grebe 1 tufted duck 1 gadwall 1 grey wagtail 1 reed bunting 1 swallow (over) 8 bullfinch 3 chiffchaff 1 treecreeper (in with flock off tits) lots off jays all around + all usual birds
a pleasant aft/eve
steven burke said
Sun Sep 25 8:35 PM, 2011
green sandpiper still present up til 7 .15pm. tucked right into the near right hand side corner as you look out off the hide.
originally found by phil kelly,nice one phil. not much else on dole apart from 5 teal, 1 grey heron, 1 jay, magpies & wood pigeons.
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 25th of September 2011 08:36:29 PM
Graham Smith said
Sun Sep 25 7:30 PM, 2011
Quick walk round today 1 adult Great Crested 2 juv Great Crested 4 Mute Swans 3 juvs 1 adult 9 Heron on B.E.D
Paul Heaton said
Sun Sep 25 7:29 PM, 2011
Green Sandpiper on dole tonight so it seems to be attracting something.
Info via Phil Kelly
pete berry said
Sun Sep 25 11:51 AM, 2011
The whole idea of Broad Ees Dole when it was first built was to be able to alter water levels to attract spring and autumn waders,with levels being raised in winter to attract wildfowl and Snipe,it was never designed as a permanent stand of water.There was a pump house built,and sluices to enable water levels to be altered according to the season.Unfortunately the full potential was never realised due to many reasons,the lack of funding,etc etc etc and the invasive nature of the Cressula which found its way into B.E.D. after heavy rain when the Enviroment Agency had to flood Sale Water Park to prevent the River Mersey bursting its banks.It was designed by Paul Jepson who was at the time employed by the Mersey Valley Warden service,unfortunately after he left it was not given the same priority by subsequent management,and with only very little management work carried out it never achieved its full potential.
Pete Hines said
Sun Sep 25 10:56 AM, 2011
I've not seen the site myself recently though it'll certainly be better for migrant waders, as pools of rainwater develop, than a pond.
John Doherty said
Sun Sep 25 8:22 AM, 2011
Interesting! Do we know how long it takes to return to its regular state? I was thinking of visiting it late next week, but if it's still drained there won't be much to see.
Pete Hines said
Sat Sep 24 10:10 PM, 2011
Late news
1 Peregrine Tuesday 20th
info from Copland Smith who has nice photos of it
The last time BED was drained was in an attempt to eradicate Cressula helmsii.
Tony Darby said
Sat Sep 10 7:27 PM, 2011
Weed infestation is indeed the problem at Broad Ees Dole. I had the good fortune to bump into Phil Kelly last Sunday at the Dole. He seems to be on good terms with the Trafford Council workers who are doing the draining, and he told me that was the reason for the low water level. Same problem a few years ago, as I'm sure you'll remember Tim.
Tony
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Sep 10 5:13 PM, 2011
Just 2 Herons at Broad Ees Dole today. It has been drained. Maybe something to do with the encroaching infestation of weed on Sale WP. Anybody know?
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 1 8:33 AM, 2011
Sunday, 28.08.11:
Broad Ees Dole:
Grey Heron 12 Little Grebe 4 Moorhen 3 Coot 1 Jay 1 Buzzard 1
2 Spotted Flycatchers present at 5:30 this afternoon by the old car park off Cow Lane.
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
pete berry said
Wed Aug 24 9:28 AM, 2011
Most likely the birds were feeding on insects ,possibly flying ants.Gulls extensively use thermals to get from A to B ,but if the birds were circling in the same spot for 10 mins. then its safe to assume they were feeding rather than on the move.Its mainly the smaller gulls that use this method to feed.
Gervase Cooke said
Wed Aug 24 9:00 AM, 2011
Saw a curious event on tuesday afternoon.
Not in Sale WP but this seems to be most commonly used thread at the mo.
Near Longford park over longford road near the park on the chorlton side.
300+ Gulls circling silently in the clear blue skies. They seemed to be doing something, maybe even feeding. Mostly BHs but a few Commons and larger 1st year species.
Anybody got any idea what this behaviour could have been? I watched them for a good 10 mins. It was quite a beautiful spectacle.
Great Crested Grebe 4+1 young Bullfinch 1 Greenfinch 1 Willow Warbler 2 Blackcap 2
Broad Ees Dole:
Kingfisher 2 Grey Heron 4 Gadwall 5 Teal 3
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Pete Hines said
Tue Aug 16 3:26 PM, 2011
1 Kingfisher 6 Gadwall 1 Swift
Vegetation has been cut back along the bund infront of the hide, apparently at the request of an M.O.P. so they could watch the Egret. No doubt the disturbance spooked it off ?!!. The pump has re-emerged after all these years and is in operation. Pumping water from the lake INTO the moat !!
Graham Smith said
Sat Aug 6 10:59 AM, 2011
Went for a walk Friday afternoon and saw the following
3 Great Crested Grebe plus 2 juv 2 Goldfinch Pied wags plus juv 2 Mute plus 3 juv 6 Herons Little Egret 5 Little Grebe plus 2 juv Reed Warbler 1 Lapwing 4 Gadwell 4 Long Tailed Tits
and 1 Sparrow Hawk acting very strangely was in the hide and it was diving into the water coming up and doing it again this happened for 5 mins before he landed on edge of water and stood just in the water for 10 mins
James Walsh said
Thu Aug 4 10:15 PM, 2011
Also Kingfisher showing well @ 1100 on River Mersey near the row of tall poplars
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 4 12:33 PM, 2011
Little Egret still showing well on Broad Ees Dole at midday today.
Info thanks to James Walsh
Pete Hines said
Wed Aug 3 8:59 PM, 2011
juvenile Little Egret frequenting both pools 5 adult & 2 juvenile Little Grebe 2 Sparrowhawk
no sign of the Common Scoter this afternoon
Pete Hines said
Tue Aug 2 8:43 PM, 2011
Also the juvenile Little Egret and a juv Little Grebe
Henry Cook said
Tue Aug 2 3:12 PM, 2011
also present on the main lake were:
1 Common Tern - briefly alighted on a bouy before flying west 7 Cormorants 1 Grey Heron 3 Great Crested Grebes + 1 juv 200+ Canada Geese 11 Coots + juvs 2 Moorhens + juvs c40 Mallards + juvs c25 Black-headed Gulls 2 Chiffchaffs
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 2 2:05 PM, 2011
Common Scoter still present at the far western side at 2:03pm, though now also lots of disturbance from the boats on the lake.
Info thanks to Henry Cook
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 2 12:13 PM, 2011
Female 'type' Common Scoter on the main lake at 12:10 today.
Little Egret 1 Little Grebe 4 ad + 1 juvenile Teal 3 Lapwing 12 Heron 1
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Adam Jones said
Sat Jul 23 3:44 PM, 2011
Saturday 23rd July 7.30-8.30am
Managed to catch the Little Egret this time. Initially sat on a dead tree near the stepping stones on the main lake, and then relocated on Broad Eels Dole ten minutes later. 2 Little Grebe (1 Juvenile) 2 Grey Heron 6 Blackcap (several juveniles) Moorhen with 6 juveniles 3 Cormorants on a pylon 4 Gadwall 1 Greylag Goose 1 Mute Swan 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Great Crested Grebe
pete berry said
Fri Jul 22 7:54 PM, 2011
Little Egret still present 5pm ish
John Doherty said
Fri Jul 22 12:41 PM, 2011
Great news on the Little Egret and its continuing presence - on a patch I regularly bird (an underrated GM spot in my opinion) I shan't be seeing it before I go abroad and most likely it'll have gone by the time I come back but we all know the dilemma in birding - we can't be in ten places at once! When I read the news I had just gotten back from Plymouth having spotted my first ever Little Egrets!
-- Edited by John Doherty on Friday 22nd of July 2011 05:27:58 PM
Ollie Wright said
Thu Jul 21 8:50 PM, 2011
Little Egret still present on Broad Ees Dole at 6:30pm this evening. Also 1 Lapwing and 2 Little Grebe. Cormorant on the pylon above the hide.
In the environs, male and female Blackcaps, Chiffchaff.
A Jay on the Visitor Centre feeding table.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jul 20 10:18 PM, 2011
14.15pm today:
Chiffchaff 2 Greenfinch 1 Goldfinch 8 House Martin 8 Reed Bunting 2
Broad Ees Dole -
Little Egret still present Little grebe 4 +2 young Lapwing 4+ 2 young Gadwall 2 Treecreeper 1
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Tue Jul 19 5:53 PM, 2011
Tuesday, 19th July am.
Little Egret 1 Little Grebe 3ad 1juv Grey Heron 5 Goldcrest 2 GtCrested Grebe 3 Tufted Duck 1m 1f Reed Bunting 1 singing Chiffchaff 1 singing Blackcap 3 Song Thrush 1 singing Lapwings BH Gulls Swifts House Martins Swallows
etc.etc.etc.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jul 17 6:11 PM, 2011
Little Egret still present this afternoon on Broad Ees Dole.
Info thanks to Andy Graham
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jul 14 9:33 AM, 2011
Yesterday, 13th:
Little Egret still on Broad Ees Dole Lapwing 9+6 juveniles Little Grebe 4+1young Grey Heron 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Black-headed Gull 21 Gadwall 2
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Gervase Cooke said
Tue Jul 12 9:50 PM, 2011
Little Egret present again this evening at 9.15 on the far side from the hide.
A juv Heron flopped in only to be set upon by a pair of nervous lappies. The heron flew along the shore next to the egret who was promptly caught up in this apparently bewildering altercation.
Many of the usual suspects also present. Lovely eve was surprised to have the place to myself. Thought there might be hooligans abroad.
steven burke said
Mon Jul 11 10:43 PM, 2011
LITTLE EGRET still present up til 9.15pm
other birds off note.. grey herons + juveniles mute swans + 3 cygnets little grebes gadwalls teals lapwings cormorants mallards moorhens coots b-h-gulls crows + juveniles magpies jay
on main lake.. great crested grebes mute swans canada geese + usuals swifts over
-- Edited by steven burke on Monday 11th of July 2011 10:49:04 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jul 11 11:41 AM, 2011
Little Egret still present at Broad Ees Dole by 10:15 this morning.
Also a single Common Tern on the main lake.
Info thanks to Tony O'Mahony
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 11th of July 2011 11:42:31 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jul 11 9:30 AM, 2011
Juvenile Little Egret still present this morning on Broad Ees Dole.
Info thanks to Henry Cook
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jul 10 2:10 PM, 2011
Remarkable to think that the county's very first ever record of Little Egret was at this very site (Broad Ees Dole) on the 28th May a full 22 years ago now!
Cormorant
Buzzard, mobbed by two Crows
Grey Wagtail
Sale WP Visitor Centre
Willow Tit
Broad Ees Dole (About 3 - 5:30pm)
Another Buzzard, mobbed by another two Crows!
Teal x 25 (at least)
6 Grey Heron
Several Jays
Grey Wagtail
Sparrowhawk, mobbed by four Magpies
pair of Shoveler
Kingfisher
Female Goosander
broad ees dole..
1 snipe
1 kingfisher
5 grey herons
3 shovelers (1m+2f)
2 teals
1 little grebe
1 great spotted woodpecker
water rail (heard only)
on lake..
3 great crested grebe
4 common gulls
b h gulls,coots,mallards & canada goose
+ usual birds around
1 Snipe
1 Shoveler
20 Teal
6 Grey Heron
16 Mallard
2 Moorhen
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Grey Heron 1
Mute Swan 3
Great Crested Grebe 1
Jay 6
Long-tailed Tit 11
Little Grebe 1
Broad Ees Dole-
Teal 37
Grey Heron 1
Kingfisher 1
Grey Wagtail 2
Moorhen 2
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Now the Mersey Valley wardens have stopped keeping a record of what's seen in the valley I hope to post more often - it's my local patch. Anybody care to join me in the effort to keep a good record?
1 Jay and 2 xGrey Heron on the drained out Ees, plus two Great Crested Grebe and 1 Little Grebe on the main lake and usual Coots, Moorhens and Ducks ... not a lot around!
no signs off the green sandpiper
1 kingfisher (along river)
1 sparrowhawk
1 kestrel
3 grey heron (1 on the dole)
6 great crested grebe (inc juvs)
4 teal
2 little grebe
1 tufted duck
1 gadwall
1 grey wagtail
1 reed bunting
1 swallow (over)
8 bullfinch
3 chiffchaff
1 treecreeper (in with flock off tits)
lots off jays all around
+ all usual birds
a pleasant aft/eve
tucked right into the near right hand side corner as you look out off the hide.
originally found by phil kelly,nice one phil.
not much else on dole apart from 5 teal, 1 grey heron, 1 jay, magpies & wood pigeons.
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 25th of September 2011 08:36:29 PM
1 adult Great Crested
2 juv Great Crested
4 Mute Swans 3 juvs 1 adult
9 Heron on B.E.D
Info via Phil Kelly
1 Peregrine Tuesday 20th
info from Copland Smith who has nice photos of it
The last time BED was drained was in an attempt to eradicate Cressula helmsii.
I had the good fortune to bump into Phil Kelly last Sunday at the Dole. He seems to be on good terms with the Trafford Council workers who are doing the draining, and he told me that
was the reason for the low water level.
Same problem a few years ago, as I'm sure you'll remember Tim.
Tony
Broad Ees Dole:
Grey Heron 12
Little Grebe 4
Moorhen 3
Coot 1
Jay 1
Buzzard 1
Main lake:
Tufted Duck 1
Coot 35
Great Crested Grebe 4
Whitethroat 1
Greenfinch 1
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Not in Sale WP but this seems to be most commonly used thread at the mo.
Near Longford park over longford road near the park on the chorlton side.
300+ Gulls circling silently in the clear blue skies. They seemed to be doing something, maybe even feeding. Mostly BHs but a few Commons and larger 1st year species.
Anybody got any idea what this behaviour could have been? I watched them for a good 10 mins. It was quite a beautiful spectacle.
Cheers
Gervase
Willow Warbler 4
Chiffchaff 5
Blackcap 1 female
Goldfinch 5
Chaffinch 4
Long-tailed Tit 4
Great Crested Grebe 2 + 1young
Jay 1
Cormorant 5
Broad Ees Dole:
Kingfisher 1
Grey Heron 5
Teal 2
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Great Crested Grebe 4+1 young
Bullfinch 1
Greenfinch 1
Willow Warbler 2
Blackcap 2
Broad Ees Dole:
Kingfisher 2
Grey Heron 4
Gadwall 5
Teal 3
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
6 Gadwall
1 Swift
Vegetation has been cut back along the bund infront of the hide, apparently at the request of an M.O.P. so they could watch the Egret. No doubt the disturbance spooked it off ?!!. The pump has re-emerged after all these years and is in operation. Pumping water from the lake INTO the moat !!
3 Great Crested Grebe plus 2 juv
2 Goldfinch
Pied wags plus juv
2 Mute plus 3 juv
6 Herons
Little Egret
5 Little Grebe plus 2 juv
Reed Warbler
1 Lapwing
4 Gadwell
4 Long Tailed Tits
and 1 Sparrow Hawk acting very strangely was in the hide and it was diving into the water coming up and doing it again this happened for 5 mins before he landed on edge of water and stood just in the water for 10 mins
Info thanks to James Walsh
5 adult & 2 juvenile Little Grebe
2 Sparrowhawk
no sign of the Common Scoter this afternoon
1 Common Tern - briefly alighted on a bouy before flying west
7 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
3 Great Crested Grebes + 1 juv
200+ Canada Geese
11 Coots + juvs
2 Moorhens + juvs
c40 Mallards + juvs
c25 Black-headed Gulls
2 Chiffchaffs
Info thanks to Henry Cook
Info thanks to Tony O'Mahony
1 Kingfisher
Gteat Crested Grebe 3
Cormorant 5
Willow Warbler 1
Broad Ees Dole -
Little Egret 1
Little grebe 5
Grey Heron 6
Lapwing 2
Coot 5
Moorhen 3
Black-headed Gull c 20
Woodpigeon c 40
Reed warbler 1
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
40 Lapwing
1 Teal
5 Little Grebe
Info thanks to James Walsh
4Reed Buntings
Several Reed Warblers seen
1Sedge Warbler
1Kestrel
1 Jay
Broad Ees Dole:
4 Little Grebes + 1 chick
10 Lapwings inc. 1 juv.
3 Herons
Little Egret still present
Main Lake:
Pair Great Crested Grebes + 1 juv.
Only 1 Little Grebe juvenile from 2 breeding pairs ? Herons or Mink, take your pick
Tony
Also, around 10 Greenfinch +3 Swallows near Jackson's Boat Bridge.
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Friday 29th of July 2011 10:42:46 PM
Grasshopper Warbler heard in wild flower meadow
Willow Warbler 1
Reed Bunting 3
Grear Crested Grebe 2
Broad Ees Dole -
Little Egret 1
Little Grebe 4 ad + 1 juvenile
Teal 3
Lapwing 12
Heron 1
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Managed to catch the Little Egret this time. Initially sat on a dead tree near the stepping stones on the main lake, and then relocated on Broad Eels Dole ten minutes later.
2 Little Grebe (1 Juvenile)
2 Grey Heron
6 Blackcap (several juveniles)
Moorhen with 6 juveniles
3 Cormorants on a pylon
4 Gadwall
1 Greylag Goose
1 Mute Swan
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Great Crested Grebe
When I read the news I had just gotten back from Plymouth having spotted my first ever Little Egrets!
-- Edited by John Doherty on Friday 22nd of July 2011 05:27:58 PM
In the environs, male and female Blackcaps, Chiffchaff.
A Jay on the Visitor Centre feeding table.
Chiffchaff 2
Greenfinch 1
Goldfinch 8
House Martin 8
Reed Bunting 2
Broad Ees Dole -
Little Egret still present
Little grebe 4 +2 young
Lapwing 4+ 2 young
Gadwall 2
Treecreeper 1
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Little Egret 1
Little Grebe 3ad 1juv
Grey Heron 5
Goldcrest 2
GtCrested Grebe 3
Tufted Duck 1m 1f
Reed Bunting 1 singing
Chiffchaff 1 singing
Blackcap 3
Song Thrush 1 singing
Lapwings
BH Gulls
Swifts
House Martins
Swallows
etc.etc.etc.
Info thanks to Andy Graham
Little Egret still on Broad Ees Dole
Lapwing 9+6 juveniles
Little Grebe 4+1young
Grey Heron 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Black-headed Gull 21
Gadwall 2
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
A juv Heron flopped in only to be set upon by a pair of nervous lappies. The heron flew along the shore next to the egret who was promptly caught up in this apparently bewildering altercation.
Many of the usual suspects also present. Lovely eve was surprised to have the place to myself. Thought there might be hooligans abroad.
other birds off note..
grey herons + juveniles
mute swans + 3 cygnets
little grebes
gadwalls
teals
lapwings
cormorants
mallards
moorhens
coots
b-h-gulls
crows + juveniles
magpies
jay
on main lake..
great crested grebes
mute swans
canada geese
+ usuals
swifts over
-- Edited by steven burke on Monday 11th of July 2011 10:49:04 PM
Also a single Common Tern on the main lake.
Info thanks to Tony O'Mahony
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 11th of July 2011 11:42:31 AM
Info thanks to Henry Cook