I only had chance for a very short round for some early morning exercise...
Highlights include:
Over 20 Goosanders Goldeneye Kingfisher Redwing over Woodcock (Elton 1st) Thousands of Jackdaws leaving the roost
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 10th of January 2021 03:26:55 PM
Derek Richardson said
Fri Jan 8 11:07 PM, 2021
08.15am - 12noon. Grey cloud, breezy. 0c - 2c.
Canal 100% & Reservoir 80% Frozen.
44 Species including:
3 Little Egret. 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Scaup. 2 Kestrel. 1 Little Grebe. 1 Pheasant.(M). 450+ Black Headed Gull. 400+ Canada Goose. 78 Coot. 18 Goosander. 5 Gadwall. 2 Goldeneye. 1 Common Gull. 8 Herring Gull. 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull. 4 Cormorant. 7 Great Crested Grebe. 28 Tufted Duck. 30+ Goldfinch. 5 Chaffinch. 12 Greenfinch. 2 Long Tailed Tit. 1 Jay. 1 Song Thrush. 21 Blackbird. 2 Bullfinch.(M). 2 Grey Heron. 1 Grey Wagtail. 1 Pied Wagtail. 6 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Richard Thew said
Fri Jan 8 10:47 AM, 2021
Much of the reservoir was covered in ice, but, Highlights this morning
Teal Goosander x11 Scaup Little grebe Little egret x4 Kingfisher Buzzard Meadow pipit Grey wagtail Pheasant Common gull
Ta!
Steven Higginbottom said
Thu Jan 7 12:27 PM, 2021
Morning walk around Elton reservoir in the fog highlights. 1 Scaup 1st winter still in the creek. 5 Little Egret. 9 Gadwall. 2 Goldeneye. 7 Goosander. Teal, Tufted Duck. 5 Meadow Pipit. 1 Goldcrest. 1 Willow Tit. 1 Coal Tit. 3 Common Gulls.
Cheers Steven
Derek Richardson said
Wed Jan 6 4:13 PM, 2021
08.30am - 12.15pm. Mixed cloud, then clear. 0c - 2c.
Also this a.m. a Water Rail seen along the canal and a Little Grebe near the sailing club. Yesterday a Dipper was seen singing downstream of the weir on the river. Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Mon Jan 4 11:39 AM, 2021
A very frosty morning.... highlights include:
Teal Gadwall (half a dozen) Goosander (around x15) Goldeneye Scaup still Shoveler x1 Little egret x3 Willow tit heard Buzzard seen in area Common gull Snipe x3 in a hurry over the Creek Redwing
Ta!
Simon Warford said
Sun Jan 3 5:37 PM, 2021
Early morning walk with Simon Johnson, produced the long staying first winter drake Scaup, 1 Shoveler, 7 Little Egret, 1 Woodcock and Willow Tit on the car park feeders.
Richard Thew said
Sat Jan 2 4:13 PM, 2021
also adding to Steven's sightings for 12pm.....
21 Gadwall wes counted, one group of 11, and another of 10 both of which merged The scaup moved to wader point as it was busy around the creek Buzzard Shoveler x1 Kingfisher
One black headed gull in full breeding plumage already
And all other sightings as this morning.
Ta!
Steven Higginbottom said
Sat Jan 2 2:41 PM, 2021
Highlights from this morning 1 Scaup in the creek. 6 Goldeneye. 18 Gadwall. 26 Teal. 50+ Tufted duck. 6 Little Egret. 3 Common Gull. 3 Meadow Pipit. 60+ Goldfinch 1 Willow Tit. 2 Fieldfare. 7 Mistle Thrush. 3 Song thrush. Water rail and Skylark heard but not seen.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Saturday 2nd of January 2021 02:42:20 PM
Simon Johnson said
Fri Jan 1 6:41 PM, 2021
Early morning with Simon Warford ( 66 species)
3 Woodcock 10+ Snipe left the marsh at dawn 7 Little Egret 3 Water Rail Scaup 2 Wigeon Shoveler 30 Goosander 5 Goldeneye 2 Little Grebe 2 Kingfisher 2 Dipper 5 Fieldfare 35 Redwing Willow Tit 3 Nuthatch Treecreeper Great spotted woodpecker 2 Lesser Redpoll on the feeders
2 Redpoll 5 Great Black Backed Gull. 1 Kingfisher. 1 Common Buzzard. 6 Little Egret. 5 Goldeneye. 2 Meadow Pipit. 1 Nuthatch. 1 Water Rail. 26 Redwing. 1 Scaup. 2 Wigeon. 1 Shoveler.
Thanks Derek.
Richard Thew said
Fri Jan 1 11:58 AM, 2021
Highlights this morning exercise:
Teal Goosander (around 10, not counted them) Goldeneye x5 Scaup Little egret x4 Snipe (at least one showing) Common gull Great black backed gull Water rail Nuthatch Willow tit Redwing
Ta!
Roger Halsey said
Thu Dec 31 1:12 PM, 2020
Also Willow Tit near the car park.
Richard Thew said
Thu Dec 31 10:16 AM, 2020
I should have been better prepared this morning than what I was as my gloves got a little damp and I had no rainguard for my bino's.
So with freezing hands, and snow covered lenses, the highlights include:
Teal (fewer, about half a dozen) Shoveler x2 Goosander x10 Goldeneye Scaup Little egret x2, possibly 3 Common gull Kingfisher Grey wagtail Nuthatch Sparrowhawk Buzzard Pheasant Water rail just disappearing into the reeds Snipe heard flying over
Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Wed Dec 30 6:45 PM, 2020
This a,m, in thick fog the Scaup still present plus 2 Little Egret and a Willow Tit in the car park area. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Tue Dec 29 4:43 PM, 2020
Afternoon visit 14.00 - 16.15 pm highlights. 1 Greater Scaup. 8 Goosander. 2 little egret. 8 Great black backed Gulls. A large Herring gull almost as big as the Great Black backed gulls. 3 Common Gulls. 2 Kingfishers
Highlight of my walk around the res this morning was a Grey Heron being pursued by a Buzzard being pursued by a Magpie. Near Withins i saw a Fieldfare, Nuthatch and Kingfisher.
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Dec 28 11:41 AM, 2020
Walk around this morning highlights include. 11 Goosander. 7 Goldeneye. 19 Teal. 1 Greater Scaup. 1 Shoveler. 3 Little Egret. 1 Water Rail. 1 Willow Tit. And an interesting Chaffinch / Bambling record shot attached.
Teal Goldeneye x7 Goosander x9 Scaup Little egret (c)x3 Snipe Nuthatch Redwing (small and larger flock over) Grey wagtail Buzzard (breifly) Common gull (briefly)
Ta!
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Dec 27 1:52 PM, 2020
Walk around this morning 8.30 till 11am highlights. 1 Greater Scaup . 4 Shoveler. 5 Goldeneye. 9 Goosander 7 Snipe Little Egrets seen in most locations with a possible 10 seen. 1 Willow Tit possibly 2 2 Nuthatch 11 Bullfinch
This a.m. around the car park, 2 Little Egret, 1 Willow Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Nuthatch, plus all the commoner species. Quick look at the creek revealed the Scaup still present. Cheers Ian
ALSO: I saw a raptor today that on initial encounter I thought was a Merlin, but as I'd never seen one before and the sighting was brief I did not include on my previous post until I had researched a bit more. I've been looking into it this afternoon and the plumage of the bird I saw seems to match that of an adult Merlin: distinctive streaking, not barring, below, and grey upperparts. Flight style, body shape, and wing shape was most comparable to Hobbys I have seen in the past, and the head had the typical falcon helmet-like markings, with a white chin patch. It was also definitely smaller than a Kestrel. I've just been browsing other parts of the forum and saw that Bernard Hooley posted a Merlin sighting in Ringley along the Irwell from this morning, and my potential sighting also along the Irwell, by Newbank garden centre, at about 2:15pm. I am now pretty convinced that my initial thoughts on the encounter were correct:) Like I saw I've never actually seen one before, so if it appears to anyone that I've made an error please let me know.
Thanks and have a good christmas!!!!
Tom OShea said
Thu Dec 24 4:25 PM, 2020
This afternoon in addition to prev posts:
2 Kingfisher on Irwell
4 Bullfinch (2 pairs)
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Gadwall
Flock of about 15 redwing
and 1 Lapwing flying northwestish
Simon Johnson said
Thu Dec 24 1:41 PM, 2020
Nice to get out for a walk today! Some other sightings from this morning
230+ Pink-footed Geese SE Nuthatch 60 Lapwing south 2 Raven north 3 Pochard 27 Teal Wigeon Scaup 3 Shoveler 3 Goldeneye 6 Goosander 4 Kestrel
Richard Thew said
Thu Dec 24 11:22 AM, 2020
A nice morning.... but cold....
Highlights include:
Teal Pochard Shoveler Goldeneye Scaup Little egret x2 Little grebe Common gull Buzzard Jay x2 Grey wagtail Water rail
Redpoll heard over
Ta!
Richard Thew said
Wed Dec 23 2:09 PM, 2020
Only had a chance for a quick look later this morning, So some species were missed because of.
Highlights include.....
Teal Goosander x4 Kingfisher Water rail
Ta!
Richard Thew said
Tue Dec 22 6:54 PM, 2020
also this morning was....
Teal Shoveler Little egret Meadow pipit Pheasant Snipe x4 Sparrowhawk
And afterwards I went for a bike ride which added.....
Little grebe Common gull Goldeneye Raven Nuthatch
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 22nd of December 2020 08:43:50 PM
Mike c cooper said
Tue Dec 22 6:28 PM, 2020
Tues 22/12 car park area
Raven over to west at 08:00
Blackcap female on fastballs at feeding station
Willow tit 2 around stream then along hedgerow towards pylon
Greater Scaup 1y male in creek
Tawny owl flying to roost at 07:45
2 little egrets
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Tuesday 22nd of December 2020 06:31:01 PM
Roger Halsey said
Mon Dec 21 5:07 PM, 2020
Highlights from a quick visit after the rain had cleared and Christmas shopping:
Scaup in the creek and 2 Little Egret.
30 Goosander at 16.00, and 2 Goldeneye.
2 Great Black-backed Gull passed through but few gulls roosted.
1 Willow Tit and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Richard Thew said
Sun Dec 20 10:27 AM, 2020
Don't get chance on Sundays, but this weekend has been different.....
Highlights include:
Chiffchaff being the best bird of the morning Teal Scaup Goldeneye Goosander x3 Little egret x3 Snipe (several spotted) Reed bunting Jay
Ta!
oh, and a Buzzard
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 20th of December 2020 10:29:20 AM
Highlights this a.m. 1 Scaup, 3 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher and 3 Wigeon at the res. 3 Water Rail heard only along the canal. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Saturday 19th of December 2020 12:01:05 PM
Richard Thew said
Fri Dec 18 10:01 AM, 2020
Highlights for this morning include:
Teal Goldeneye Goosander x8 Scaup still at The Creek Wigeon x1f Little egret x2 Snipe x4 Little grebe on the river Water rail again Common gull A very immaculate looking Lesser black backed gull too.
Also 1 Dipper was heard flying over.... from the canal area next to the horse field!!
44 Species including;
2 Lesser Redpoll.
4 Little Egret.
1 Water Rail.
15 Redwing.
5 Song Thrush.
5 Meadow Pipit.
70+ Starling.
60+ Goldfinch.
14 Greenfinch.
7 Chaffinch.
5 Bullfinch.(1F,4M).
4 Long Tailed Tit.
1 Common Gull.
15 Herring Gull.
1 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
100+ Black Headed Gull.
23 Blackbird.
1 Reed Bunting.
1 Cormorant.
200+ Canada Goose.
6 Goldeneye.
1 Goosander. (M).
68 Coot.
1 Teal.
11 Tufted Duck.
2 Grey Heron.
3 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Short walk.
46 Species including:
65 Pink Footed Goose. (W).
1 Common Buzzard.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Kingfisher. (Irwell).
1 Scaup.
5 Little Egret.
1 Little Grebe.
3 Bullfinch. (1F, 2M).
21 Greenfinch.
4 Reed Bunting. (4F).
7 Meadow Pipit.
4 Long Tailed Tit.
8 Chaffinch.
15 Cormorant.
2 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
250+ Black Headed Gull.
5 Herring Gull.
6 Great Crested Grebe.
23 Blackbird.
200+ Canada Goose.
28 Tufted Duck.
2 Goldeneye. (1F, 1M).
40+ Goldfinch.
3 Goosander. (2F, 1M).
6 Mute Swan.
2 Pied Wagtail.
Thanks Derek.
Teal
Goldeneye
Goosander
Scaup
Buzzard
Little egret
Meadow pipit
Water rail x2
Ta!
Teal
Goldeneye
Little grebe
Water rail
Meadow pipit
Pheasant
Ta!
Cheers Ian
45 Species including:
1 Little Egret.
1 Water Rail.
1 Scaup.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Kestrel.
5 Mistle Thrush.
4 Song Thrush.
38 Blackbird.
2 Redwing.
70+ Starling.
5 Bullfinch. (2F, 3M).
70+ Goldfinch.
17 Greenfinch.
6 Chaffinch.
3 Reed Bunting.
1 Coal Tit.
3 Long Tailed Tit.
3 Collared Dove.
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
300+ Black Headed Gull.
6 Herring Gull.
4 Cormorant.
200+ Canada Goose.
2 Goldeneye.
24 Goosander.
1 Teal.
5 Grey Heron.
1 Pied Wagtail.
7 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Highlights include:
Over 20 Goosanders
Goldeneye
Kingfisher
Redwing over
Woodcock (Elton 1st)
Thousands of Jackdaws leaving the roost
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 10th of January 2021 03:26:55 PM
Canal 100% & Reservoir 80% Frozen.
44 Species including:
3 Little Egret.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Scaup.
2 Kestrel.
1 Little Grebe.
1 Pheasant.(M).
450+ Black Headed Gull.
400+ Canada Goose.
78 Coot.
18 Goosander.
5 Gadwall.
2 Goldeneye.
1 Common Gull.
8 Herring Gull.
1 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
4 Cormorant.
7 Great Crested Grebe.
28 Tufted Duck.
30+ Goldfinch.
5 Chaffinch.
12 Greenfinch.
2 Long Tailed Tit.
1 Jay.
1 Song Thrush.
21 Blackbird.
2 Bullfinch.(M).
2 Grey Heron.
1 Grey Wagtail.
1 Pied Wagtail.
6 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Teal
Goosander x11
Scaup
Little grebe
Little egret x4
Kingfisher
Buzzard
Meadow pipit
Grey wagtail
Pheasant
Common gull
Ta!
1 Scaup 1st winter still in the creek.
5 Little Egret.
9 Gadwall.
2 Goldeneye.
7 Goosander.
Teal, Tufted Duck.
5 Meadow Pipit.
1 Goldcrest.
1 Willow Tit.
1 Coal Tit.
3 Common Gulls.
Cheers Steven
43 Species including:
1 Common Buzzard.
2 Kestrel.
2 Little Egret.
2 Little Grebe. (1 Reservoir, 1 Irwell).
1 Treecreeper.
1 Nuthatch.
4 Pheasant. (4M).
2 Redwing.
2 Song Thrush.
300+ Black Headed Gull.
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
5 Herring Gull.
5 Long Tailed Tit.
4 Bullfinch. (4M).
5 Chaffinch.
16 Goldfinch.
2 Greenfinch.
1 Coal Tit.
6 Cormorant.
22 Goosander.
1 Gadwall.
1 Goldeneye.
3 Teal.
250+ Canada Goose.
14 Great Crested Grebe.
2 Grey Heron.
2 Grey Wagtail.
1 Pied Wagtail.
3 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Highlights include:
Teal
Goldeneye
Goosander x22
Scaup
Little egret
Little grebe x1
Common gull
Sparrowhawk
Grey wagtail
Meadow pipits calling
Water rail heard calling
Ta!
45 Species including :
2 Dipper. (Irwell).
1 Scaup.
1 Common Buzzard.
4 Kestrel.
4 Little Egret.
50+ Goldfinch.
5 Bullfinch. (2F, 3M).
6 Chaffinch.
2 Greenfinch.
1 Reed Bunting. (M).
1 Coal Tit.
3 Long Tailed Tit.
13 Cormorant.
5 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
430+ Black Headed Gull.
15 Herring Gull.
27 Blackbird.
1 Jay.
3 Collared Dove.
1 Little Grebe.
75 Coot.
11 Teal.
17 Great Crested Grebe.
15 Goosander. (7F, 8M).
2 Shoveler. (2F).
23 Tufted Duck.
4 Goldeneye.
4 Grey Heron.
1 Grey Wagtail.
2 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Cheers Ian
Teal
Gadwall (half a dozen)
Goosander (around x15)
Goldeneye
Scaup still
Shoveler x1
Little egret x3
Willow tit heard
Buzzard seen in area
Common gull
Snipe x3 in a hurry over the Creek
Redwing
Ta!
21 Gadwall wes counted, one group of 11, and another of 10 both of which merged
The scaup moved to wader point as it was busy around the creek
Buzzard
Shoveler x1
Kingfisher
One black headed gull in full breeding plumage already
And all other sightings as this morning.
Ta!
1 Scaup in the creek.
6 Goldeneye.
18 Gadwall.
26 Teal.
50+ Tufted duck.
6 Little Egret.
3 Common Gull.
3 Meadow Pipit.
60+ Goldfinch
1 Willow Tit.
2 Fieldfare.
7 Mistle Thrush.
3 Song thrush.
Water rail and Skylark heard but not seen.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Saturday 2nd of January 2021 02:42:20 PM
3 Woodcock
10+ Snipe left the marsh at dawn
7 Little Egret
3 Water Rail
Scaup
2 Wigeon
Shoveler
30 Goosander
5 Goldeneye
2 Little Grebe
2 Kingfisher
2 Dipper
5 Fieldfare
35 Redwing
Willow Tit
3 Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Great spotted woodpecker
2 Lesser Redpoll on the feeders
No main counts today, 51 Species seen.
Highlights were:
2 Redpoll
5 Great Black Backed Gull.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Common Buzzard.
6 Little Egret.
5 Goldeneye.
2 Meadow Pipit.
1 Nuthatch.
1 Water Rail.
26 Redwing.
1 Scaup.
2 Wigeon.
1 Shoveler.
Thanks Derek.
Teal
Goosander (around 10, not counted them)
Goldeneye x5
Scaup
Little egret x4
Snipe (at least one showing)
Common gull
Great black backed gull
Water rail
Nuthatch
Willow tit
Redwing
Ta!
Also Willow Tit near the car park.
So with freezing hands, and snow covered lenses, the highlights include:
Teal (fewer, about half a dozen)
Shoveler x2
Goosander x10
Goldeneye
Scaup
Little egret x2, possibly 3
Common gull
Kingfisher
Grey wagtail
Nuthatch
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Pheasant
Water rail just disappearing into the reeds
Snipe heard flying over
Ta!
Cheers Ian
1 Greater Scaup.
8 Goosander.
2 little egret.
8 Great black backed Gulls.
A large Herring gull almost as big as the Great Black backed gulls.
3 Common Gulls.
2 Kingfishers
Cheers Steven
49 Species including:
300+ Pink Footed Goose (1 Skien). W/NW.
1 Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Sparrowhawk.
2 Little Egret.
1 Kingfisher.(Following brook upstream towards Withins).
1 Greater Scaup.
1 Fieldfare.
4 Redwing.
1 Mistle Thrush.
4 Song Thrush.
29 Goldfinch.
6 Bullfinch. ( 2F, 4M).
9 Chaffinch.
1 Greenfinch.
1 Coal Tit.
1 Reed Bunting. (F).
7 Long Tailed Tit.
1 Jay.
100+ Starling.
27 Blackbird.
5 Collared Dove.
38 Wood Pigeon.
10 Cormorant.
1 Common Gull.
5 Herring Gull.
6 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
130+ Black Headed Gull.
7 Goldeneye.(5F, 2M).
250+ Canada Goose.
2 Goosander.
3 Teal.
12 Great Crested Grebe.
22 Tufted Duck.
67 Coot.
2 Gadwall.
4 Grey Heron.
7 Mute Swan.
4 Pied Wagtail.
Thanks Derek.
Near Withins i saw a Fieldfare, Nuthatch and Kingfisher.
11 Goosander.
7 Goldeneye.
19 Teal.
1 Greater Scaup.
1 Shoveler.
3 Little Egret.
1 Water Rail.
1 Willow Tit.
And an interesting Chaffinch / Bambling record shot attached.
Cheers Steven
Teal
Goldeneye x7
Goosander x9
Scaup
Little egret (c)x3
Snipe
Nuthatch
Redwing (small and larger flock over)
Grey wagtail
Buzzard (breifly)
Common gull (briefly)
Ta!
1 Greater Scaup .
4 Shoveler.
5 Goldeneye.
9 Goosander
7 Snipe
Little Egrets seen in most locations with a possible 10 seen.
1 Willow Tit possibly 2
2 Nuthatch
11 Bullfinch
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
49 Species including:
1 Peregrine Falcon.
1 Scaup.
2 Sparrowhawk.
2 Kestrel.
2 Dipper (Irwell).
6 Little Egret.
1 Little Grebe.(Irwell).
1 Buzzard.
25 Goldfinch.
6 Bullfinch. (2F, 4M).
1 Reed Bunting.
1 Greenfinch.
2 Chaffinch.
1 Grey Wagtail.
3 Mistle Thrush.
26 Blackbird.
1 Redwing.
34 Starling.
2 Long Tailed Tit.
4 Pied Wagtail.
12 Teal.
1 Gadwall.
2 Pochard.
3 Goldeneye.(2F,2M).
5 Goosander.
6 Cormorant.
25 Tufted Duck.
12 Great Crested Grebe.
49 Mallard.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
250+ Black Headed Gull.
5 Herring Gull.
150+ Canada Goose.
3 Grey Heron.
Thanks Derek.
Here's an image of the Greater Scaup taken a few days back
-- Edited by Paul Samuels on Friday 25th of December 2020 04:23:35 PM
Highlights include:
Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Pheasant
Little grebe
Teal
Shoveler
Goldeneye
Goosander
Scaup (half way now through his change to adult plumage)
Little egret x4 together
Lapwing x1 in flight
Snipe x4
Jay
Raven
Common gull
Kingfisher
Dipper
Meadow pipit
Reed bunting
Bullfinch
Willow tit
Ta!
Ps. Treecreeper heard but not seen, would have made 51 species.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 25th of December 2020 11:58:31 AM
48 Species including:
1 Scaup.
2 Little Egret.
2 Kestrel.
1 Kingfisher
1 Little Grebe.
1 Bullfinch. (M).
1 Goldcrest.
1 Reed Bunting.
2 Chaffinch.
12 Goldfinch.
3 Greenfinch.
3 Pochard.
2 Goosander. (1F, 1M).
24 Teal.
1 Coal Tit.
1 Jay.
60+ Starling.
1 Wigeon.
29 Tufted Duck.
3 Goldeneye. (2F, 1M).
8 Cormorant.
13 Great Crested Grebe.
300+ Black Headed Gull.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
5 Herring Gull.
130+ Canada Goose.
3 Grey Heron.
3 Pied Wagtail.
Thanks Derek.
ALSO: I saw a raptor today that on initial encounter I thought was a Merlin, but as I'd never seen one before and the sighting was brief I did not include on my previous post until I had researched a bit more. I've been looking into it this afternoon and the plumage of the bird I saw seems to match that of an adult Merlin: distinctive streaking, not barring, below, and grey upperparts. Flight style, body shape, and wing shape was most comparable to Hobbys I have seen in the past, and the head had the typical falcon helmet-like markings, with a white chin patch. It was also definitely smaller than a Kestrel. I've just been browsing other parts of the forum and saw that Bernard Hooley posted a Merlin sighting in Ringley along the Irwell from this morning, and my potential sighting also along the Irwell, by Newbank garden centre, at about 2:15pm. I am now pretty convinced that my initial thoughts on the encounter were correct:) Like I saw I've never actually seen one before, so if it appears to anyone that I've made an error please let me know.
Thanks and have a good christmas!!!!
This afternoon in addition to prev posts:
2 Kingfisher on Irwell
4 Bullfinch (2 pairs)
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Gadwall
Flock of about 15 redwing
and 1 Lapwing flying northwestish
230+ Pink-footed Geese SE
Nuthatch
60 Lapwing south
2 Raven north
3 Pochard
27 Teal
Wigeon
Scaup
3 Shoveler
3 Goldeneye
6 Goosander
4 Kestrel
Highlights include:
Teal
Pochard
Shoveler
Goldeneye
Scaup
Little egret x2
Little grebe
Common gull
Buzzard
Jay x2
Grey wagtail
Water rail
Redpoll heard over
Ta!
Highlights include.....
Teal
Goosander x4
Kingfisher
Water rail
Ta!
Teal
Shoveler
Little egret
Meadow pipit
Pheasant
Snipe x4
Sparrowhawk
And afterwards I went for a bike ride which added.....
Little grebe
Common gull
Goldeneye
Raven
Nuthatch
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 22nd of December 2020 08:43:50 PM
Raven over to west at 08:00
Blackcap female on fastballs at feeding station
Willow tit 2 around stream then along hedgerow towards pylon
Greater Scaup 1y male in creek Tawny owl flying to roost at 07:45 2 little egrets
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Tuesday 22nd of December 2020 06:31:01 PM
Highlights from a quick visit after the rain had cleared and Christmas shopping:
Scaup in the creek and 2 Little Egret.
30 Goosander at 16.00, and 2 Goldeneye.
2 Great Black-backed Gull passed through but few gulls roosted.
1 Willow Tit and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Highlights include:
Chiffchaff being the best bird of the morning
Teal
Scaup
Goldeneye
Goosander x3
Little egret x3
Snipe (several spotted)
Reed bunting
Jay
Ta!
oh, and a Buzzard
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 20th of December 2020 10:29:20 AM
08c
47 Species including:
3 Wigeon.
1 Scaup.
2 Kestrel.
2 Kingfisher.
4 Little Egret.
2 Coal Tit.
1 Long Tailed Tit.
1 Reed Bunting.
6 Goldeneye.
2 Goosander.
1 Little Grebe.
18 Teal.
1 Grey Wagtail.
3 Chaffinch.
3 Bullfinch. (2F, 1M).
3 Jay.
1 Common Gull.
6 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
200+ Black Backed Gull.
7 Herring Gull.
120+ Canada Goose.
91 Coot.
14 Great Crested Grebe.
29 Tufted Duck.
2 Grey Heron.
8 Mute Swan.
3 Pied Wagtail.
Thanks Derek.
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Saturday 19th of December 2020 12:01:05 PM
Teal
Goldeneye
Goosander x8
Scaup still at The Creek
Wigeon x1f
Little egret x2
Snipe x4
Little grebe on the river
Water rail again
Common gull
A very immaculate looking Lesser black backed gull too.
Also 1 Dipper was heard flying over.... from the canal area next to the horse field!!
Ta!
48 Species including:
1 Dipper.(Irwell).
2 Little Egret.
1 Scaup.
1 Little Grebe. (Irwell).
1 Water Rail.
1 Kingfisher.(Irwell).
2 Kestrel.
1 Raven.
5 Redwing.
4 Mistle Thrush.
2 Song Thrush.
100+ Starling.
1 Pheasant (M).
12 Chaffinch.
13 Greenfinch.
5 Goldfinch.
4 Long Tailed Tit.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
2 Herring Gull.
3 Cormorant.
13 Great Crested Grebe.
1 Goosander.
48 Blackbird.( 27 in one hawthorn bush).
230+ Black Headed Gull.
2 Bullfinch (1F,1M).
120+ Canada Goose.
4 Teal.
23 Tufted Duck.
2 Gadwall.
3 Goldeneye.
3 Pied Wagtail.
1 Grey Wagtail.
2 Grey Heron.
11 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
46 species on a morning circuit with the highlights being:
1 Scaup, 2 Goldeneye and 2 Little Egret on the reservoir.
1 Buzzard and 2 Kestrel.
1 Goosander on Withins.
1 Kingfisher and 1 Little Grebe on the Irwell.
6 Mistle and 3 Song Thrush on the field to the east of the canal.