First visit to the new hide, very nice too on a wet afternoon - well done to those responsible. All of the usual suspects including Pochard, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Cormorant, Shoveler, 1 Snipe, 1 Wigeon and 4 Black-necked Grebe. There were plenty of Swallows, Sand and House Martins plus at one stage 20 or so Swifts. Without a doubt however my afternoon was made by the bird I went to try to find, as reported by David Spencer, really excellent views of the Whinchat in the reeds to the right of the hide - cheers David.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 1st of May 2010 10:36:05 AM
David Spencer said
Thu Apr 29 6:50 PM, 2010
I had a Spotted Flycatcher from the scaffold hide this evening. The first I have seen on the reserve.
Other birds reported over the last couple of days have included Whinchat, Marsh Harrier and Common Tern.
David
alan patterson said
Sun Apr 25 4:50 PM, 2010
I was down at the 1st barrier to the reserve about 9am and heard a Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the fenced in area on the left of the track. I managed to get good views of it as I cut through to the sand pit ponds. I had my first ever Partridge ( a Red Leg) at Woolston in the large area that has been recently cleared for dredgings. I had a second gropper on No 4 past the alcan plant. There were Whitethroats all over the place but did I not pick up a single blackcap.
A few of the wardens took a group of 47 birders around No 3 bed later. The group from the midlands were delighted with their vist, and all heard a Gropper and a lucky few managed to spot one by the North meadow. Every one got to see a variety of Grebes but suprisingly no hirundines were seen, a Water rail was seen form the hide that replaced the old scaffold hide and this was also the best hide to see Reed Warblers.
Our new Lottery funded loo seemed to be popular with the ladies and a few said how they thought it was excellent use of lottery funds.
Pete Astles said
Sat Apr 10 6:03 PM, 2010
8 bng on reserve board today I managed to see only one.
Good close views of a blackcap at Frank Linley hide. Lots of blackcaps and willow warbers calling. Chiffchaffs every few yards.
David Spencer said
Sun Apr 4 3:30 PM, 2010
1 Black-necked Grebe from the Rotary hide today (3 reported yesterday from the tower hide). Also 2 Swallow, 1 Kingfisher and Willow Warbler heard briefly.
David
David Spencer said
Sat Apr 3 11:30 AM, 2010
Alan
No that wasn't me. I left no. 3 bed at about 10:00 am. I saw Brian as I was leaving the bed. Pity I missed the Fox.
David
alan patterson said
Fri Apr 2 10:25 PM, 2010
Hi David, Brian M told me you had reported seing them, did you see Brian there before lunchtime today, if so it might have been you I spoke to as I was coming on.
Brian M told me he saw a Fox on No 3 bed with its nose inside a jam jar of Pea Nut Butter, he said it moved up the bank and then sat down waiting for him to pass before it went back to finish it off. Dont ask what the jar of Peanut Butter was for!
-- Edited by alan patterson on Friday 2nd of April 2010 10:29:14 PM
David Spencer said
Fri Apr 2 6:18 PM, 2010
Alan
I reported the BNGs on the 28th. There were two birds (looked like a pair) straight out from the John Morgan hide and were showing very well at circa 8:00. After looking through the gulls I lost track of the grebes and couldn't refind them despite staying in the hide for another 45 minutes and then going to the Frank Linlay and the Rotary hides. Strange! I was down there today too and likewise no sign of any.
David
alan patterson said
Fri Apr 2 5:24 PM, 2010
Hi Pete,
Odd that there are no BNG about, I was down today and saw none, 2 were reported briefly on the 28th but not seen since, just seen a record of BNG at Houghton Green today but no idea of numbers. Usually by end of the first week in April we should be into double figures! best I had today was 30+ Redpoll by Sandpit Pond and a smaller very vocal and mobile group on No 3 bed. Loads of Chiff Chaff about, one record of 28 the other day!
Pete Astles said
Tue Mar 30 3:24 PM, 2010
10 Chiffchaff locations. Funny how they come to the same spot almost to the branch every year. 1 Mink on Mersey 3 Buzzard 2 Pair Gadwall 1 Cock Pheasant 1 Dabchick 5 Linnets Frank Linley Hide 1 Reed Bunting
Dennis atherton said
Sat Mar 27 8:15 PM, 2010
visit today with bolton rspb group, site 3 lots to see from the new hide, ruddy duck, brambling on the feeders, kingfisher, swallows, also lots of linnet around in a nice flock, buzzards and kestrel, also lots of really nice looking pochards
-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Saturday 27th of March 2010 08:24:34 PM
Pete Astles said
Sat Mar 20 6:34 PM, 2010
Redpoll and linnet flocks in scrub areas 1 Jay 2 Bullfinches 8 Gadwall (4 pair) 3 Pair Great Crested Grebe 1 Pair Dabchick 1 water rail good views for a minute or two at Frank Linley 1 Snipe feeding in open at John Morgan.
-- Edited by Pete Astles on Saturday 20th of March 2010 06:34:38 PM
alan patterson said
Sun Feb 21 8:31 PM, 2010
Did a web count this morning not a lot of birds about, No 3 bed was largely frozen with a few Teal to be seen. Did not stop long but Willow Tit was a regular visitor at the new feeding station and a male Brambling has been seen a few times.
There are large Nos of Tufted at the Weir, a recent count of 1173 for the whole reserve was a record. A few Goldeneye are usualy seen at the Weir.
Should not be long till the BNGrebes return c20 March something to look forward to while wandering around in the cold counting duck. Hope to have a good year for the BNG if we can keep control of the mink that are numerous on the River.
Cheers Alan
alan patterson said
Mon Jan 25 1:14 PM, 2010
Pete Astles wrote:
I go to Woolston Eyes its a great place especially for those who like solitude.
However worth pointing out for those who don't know it you need a permit and a key to access the place. Its an island in the old mersey bed and you won't get near it without a key. I have been a couple of times when disappointed birders have turned up when alerted on pagers. One couple from Birmingham once.
Its also perhaps not a place you can just turn up at you need to put the hours in.
I understand its ones of the best north west sites for firecrest but I have never seen one yet but I live in hope.
Hi Pete, As Woolston is permit only, and as you say you need a key to get on to No 3 bed, it is not possible for non permit holders to get on to that bed unless they are lucky enought to bump into a warden. I know some web sites do mention that it is permit only when they put a sighting out. There are good reasons for No 3 bed being permit only and the main one is to do with security and the land owners insistance that the gate to No 3 is locked .
We do however take visiting groups on to the reserve, however these do need to be booked in advance as we are only a small group of wardens and not always available. There is a charge for groups and the details of them and how to bookare on our web site. Large group were always a problem in the past as it was not always possible to find enough wardens to take a group around the reserve. However the new Morgan hide should reduce the demand onwardens as a whole group will now fit into the one hide and means we no longer need to split large groups up.
Cheers Alan
-- Edited by alanp on Monday 25th of January 2010 01:14:54 PM
Rob Smallwood said
Sun Jan 24 10:13 PM, 2010
Pete Astles wrote:
I understand its ones of the best north west sites for firecrest but I have never seen one yet but I live in hope.
Delamere forest scoring better this year with three Firecrest together...
Pete Astles said
Sun Jan 24 5:20 PM, 2010
I go to Woolston Eyes its a great place especially for those who like solitude.
However worth pointing out for those who don't know it you need a permit and a key to access the place. Its an island in the old mersey bed and you won't get near it without a key. I have been a couple of times when disappointed birders have turned up when alerted on pagers. One couple from Birmingham once.
Its also perhaps not a place you can just turn up at you need to put the hours in.
I understand its ones of the best north west sites for firecrest but I have never seen one yet but I live in hope.
alan patterson said
Sun Jan 24 12:28 AM, 2010
On saturday lunch time all the pools on No3 bed were free from ice and a lot of duck were present including 200+ Tufted Duck and 151 Pochard, also present was a male SCAUP all viewed from the new John Morgan Hide. There is a new feeding station at this hide and there were a variety af birds feeding including 2 Willow Tits. A wide section of reed has been cleared in front of the Old Scafold Hide and I had great view of a WATER RAIL there
No 3 bed is permit only and any one who has not been for some time will see a few big changes. Our new Elevated John Morgan Hide replaces the old metal centre hide and it is superb and will seet 30 easily, I was lost there all on my own. Another first for the reserve is our new "self composting toilet" clever thing and will be popular with our older female visitors.
Cheers Alan
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 12th of January 2011 08:46:53 PM
First visit to the new hide, very nice too on a wet afternoon - well done to those responsible. All of the usual suspects including Pochard, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Cormorant, Shoveler, 1 Snipe, 1 Wigeon and 4 Black-necked Grebe. There were plenty of Swallows, Sand and House Martins plus at one stage 20 or so Swifts. Without a doubt however my afternoon was made by the bird I went to try to find, as reported by David Spencer, really excellent views of the Whinchat in the reeds to the right of the hide - cheers David.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 1st of May 2010 10:36:05 AM
Other birds reported over the last couple of days have included Whinchat, Marsh Harrier and Common Tern.
David
A few of the wardens took a group of 47 birders around No 3 bed later. The group from the midlands were delighted with their vist, and all heard a Gropper and a lucky few managed to spot one by the North meadow. Every one got to see a variety of Grebes but suprisingly no hirundines were seen, a Water rail was seen form the hide that replaced the old scaffold hide and this was also the best hide to see Reed Warblers.
Our new Lottery funded loo seemed to be popular with the ladies and a few said how they thought it was excellent use of lottery funds.
Good close views of a blackcap at Frank Linley hide. Lots of blackcaps and willow warbers calling. Chiffchaffs every few yards.
David
No that wasn't me. I left no. 3 bed at about 10:00 am. I saw Brian as I was leaving the bed. Pity I missed the Fox.
David
Brian M told me he saw a Fox on No 3 bed with its nose inside a jam jar of Pea Nut Butter, he said it moved up the bank and then sat down waiting for him to pass before it went back to finish it off. Dont ask what the jar of Peanut Butter was for!
-- Edited by alan patterson on Friday 2nd of April 2010 10:29:14 PM
I reported the BNGs on the 28th. There were two birds (looked like a pair) straight out from the John Morgan hide and were showing very well at circa 8:00. After looking through the gulls I lost track of the grebes and couldn't refind them despite staying in the hide for another 45 minutes and then going to the Frank Linlay and the Rotary hides. Strange! I was down there today too and likewise no sign of any.
David
Odd that there are no BNG about, I was down today and saw none, 2 were reported briefly on the 28th but not seen since, just seen a record of BNG at Houghton Green today but no idea of numbers. Usually by end of the first week in April we should be into double figures! best I had today was 30+ Redpoll by Sandpit Pond and a smaller very vocal and mobile group on No 3 bed. Loads of Chiff Chaff about, one record of 28 the other day!
1 Mink on Mersey
3 Buzzard
2 Pair Gadwall
1 Cock Pheasant
1 Dabchick
5 Linnets Frank Linley Hide
1 Reed Bunting
lots to see from the new hide, ruddy duck, brambling on the feeders, kingfisher, swallows, also lots of linnet around in a nice flock, buzzards and kestrel, also lots of really nice looking pochards
-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Saturday 27th of March 2010 08:24:34 PM
1 Jay
2 Bullfinches
8 Gadwall (4 pair)
3 Pair Great Crested Grebe
1 Pair Dabchick
1 water rail good views for a minute or two at Frank Linley
1 Snipe feeding in open at John Morgan.
-- Edited by Pete Astles on Saturday 20th of March 2010 06:34:38 PM
There are large Nos of Tufted at the Weir, a recent count of 1173 for the whole reserve was a record. A few Goldeneye are usualy seen at the Weir.
Should not be long till the BNGrebes return c20 March something to look forward to while wandering around in the cold counting duck. Hope to have a good year for the BNG if we can keep control of the mink that are numerous on the River.
Cheers Alan
Hi Pete, As Woolston is permit only, and as you say you need a key to get on to No 3 bed, it is not possible for non permit holders to get on to that bed unless they are lucky enought to bump into a warden. I know some web sites do mention that it is permit only when they put a sighting out. There are good reasons for No 3 bed being permit only and the main one is to do with security and the land owners insistance that the gate to No 3 is locked .
We do however take visiting groups on to the reserve, however these do need to be booked in advance as we are only a small group of wardens and not always available. There is a charge for groups and the details of them and how to bookare on our web site. Large group were always a problem in the past as it was not always possible to find enough wardens to take a group around the reserve. However the new Morgan hide should reduce the demand onwardens as a whole group will now fit into the one hide and means we no longer need to split large groups up.
Cheers Alan
-- Edited by alanp on Monday 25th of January 2010 01:14:54 PM
Delamere forest scoring better this year with three Firecrest together...
However worth pointing out for those who don't know it you need a permit and a key to access the place. Its an island in the old mersey bed and you won't get near it without a key. I have been a couple of times when disappointed birders have turned up when alerted on pagers. One couple from Birmingham once.
Its also perhaps not a place you can just turn up at you need to put the hours in.
I understand its ones of the best north west sites for firecrest but I have never seen one yet but I live in hope.
No 3 bed is permit only and any one who has not been for some time will see a few big changes. Our new Elevated John Morgan Hide replaces the old metal centre hide and it is superb and will seet 30 easily, I was lost there all on my own. Another first for the reserve is our new "self composting toilet" clever thing and will be popular with our older female visitors.
Cheers Alan
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 12th of January 2011 08:46:53 PM