Best birds for me this morning were 1 flyover Hobby and 1 flyover Yellow Wagtail, both near capsticks but I suspect that Simon will be posting some spectacular vismig totals from today.
Cheers Ian
Phil Hilton said
Tue Sep 15 12:55 PM, 2020
Early start @ 06.20.
As i was walking up to Old Hall farm i noticed a Tawny owl behaving strangely. It was flitting from fence to bush to ground to fence. Very bizarre.
On the barn roof behind the farm there were four pigeons with a Coal tit in the middle.
Quiet coming back down the canal,a Pheasant(f),lots of Robins and Wren and a Great spotted woodpecker which i've seen 3 out of my last 5 visits.
A family of Treecreepers i'd been watching for a few weeks have been absent for the last two weeks.
Below the wall i saw a few Greenfinch,Pied and Grey wagtail and a Linnet.
Richard Thew said
Tue Sep 15 9:08 AM, 2020
My highlights this morning.....
Jay Pheasant Snipe Swallow (don't know if it was just me or my timing but I only saw one!) Goosander x7 Teal Gadwall Shoveler Little grebe x2 Kingfisher Meadow pipit Grey wagtail Water rail x2 (one showing very well and another breifly in flight)
Ta!
Simon Johnson said
Mon Sep 14 6:17 PM, 2020
Vis mig watch from pumphouse 7-11am
Great White Egret flew NW over spenmoor 54 Goosander south 3+ Curlew SW 352 Swallow south 7 Sand Martin south 28 House Martin south 180 Lapwing SW plus 21 at withins 10 Buzzard SW 29 Rook south 2 Great spotted Woodpecker
9 Gadwall, 6 Teal and a Shoveler on the res
Ian Campbell said
Mon Sep 14 12:37 PM, 2020
Best bird for us (Malcolm and Brian), was a Stonechat near the canal (good spot Brian), we left before the Great White Egret flew through .
Cheers Ian
Also 1 Little Grebe, didnt want it to feel left out !
Simon Johnson said
Fri Sep 11 1:34 PM, 2020
A decent morning Mainly vis migging from the pumphouse to add to the other sightings
Stint sp. (more than likely little) flew west in a Snipe flock at 11:40 12 Snipe west in one flock Ringed Plover SW Dunlin SW 135 Lapwing south 5 Pintail came to drop in from high circled but carried on west at 8:55 Hobby caught a Martin right above me 300+ House Martin 170 Meadow Pipit south 11 Siskin south Great spotted woodpecker high south out over pilsworth 33 Rook south 74 Pink-footed Geese NW at 8:45 and 18 Se at 09:42
Richard Thew said
Fri Sep 11 10:53 AM, 2020
Highlights this morning include....
Gadwall x16+ Teal Shoveler x8+ Swift still about.... (he must like it here) Swallow Sand martin (in smaller numbers) House martin (still in larger numbers) Meadow pipit Blackcap Chiffchaff (some singing) Possible whitethroat (glimpse of) Reed bunting Rook Jay Litle grebe (juv)
Ta!
Ps. I've been seeing great spotted woodpecker on and off over the last number of mornings too.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 11th of September 2020 09:53:07 PM
Simon Johnson said
Thu Sep 10 9:40 PM, 2020
Vis mig watch from the pump house this morning
470 Meadow Pipit S/SW and 28 NW 63 Siskin south (largest group 30) 300+ House Martin 80+ Sand Martin 6 Swift 15 Pink-footed Geese NW Curlew west Snipe west 51 Lapwing south 74 Rook south
Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing from the pump house hedge
4 Teal and a Gadwall on res
Simon Johnson said
Wed Sep 9 8:22 PM, 2020
Sightings from this morning
15 Raven North with 10 over Knoll hill and 5 over spenmoor 6 Swift south 162 Sand Martin South 650 Swallow South late morning 500 + House Martin Had moved on by late morning 160 + Meadow Pipit south 10 Siskin south Redpoll south Lapwing 7 Gadwall 18 Teal
Richard Thew said
Wed Sep 9 9:48 AM, 2020
A breif visit this morning after oversleeping.....
Highlights include:
Snipe x2 Teal Gadwall Goosander over Meadow pipit Grey wagtail A few Swifts still Swallow Sand martin House martin (making up most numbers as fewer sand martins on my visit) Sparrowhawk 1st year male
And Simon picked up at least 8 Ravens very very very distantly over the hills.
Ta!
Roger Halsey said
Tue Sep 8 12:42 PM, 2020
Highlights from the 55 species noted on a morning circuit:
10 Gadwall, 3 Teal and 2 Goosander.
1 Lapwing and 2 Snipe.
Large number of Hirundines again, perhaps 500 or more, with House Martin predominant.
All 5 tit species with a Coal Tit in the car park and a Willow Tit with a good sized mixed flock by the river.
1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 5+ Blackcap plus Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff mainly in the hedge below the pump house.
Simon Johnson said
Mon Sep 7 8:27 PM, 2020
Further sightings from this morning main movement was after rain stopped at around 9am
Redshank flew around looking for a place to land before departing Ringed plover heard flying through 149 Pinkfooted Geese SE 243 Meadow pipit S/Sw Tree Pipit heard over Yellow Wagtail heard over 20 Teal flew west 9 Swift south 26 Siskin south 50 Goosander south 500+ House Martin 300+ Sand Martin 149 Swallow south 8 Rook south and 9 NW Kingfisher Gadwall
Mike c cooper said
Mon Sep 7 1:39 PM, 2020
Two skeins of Pink-footed geese c 50 and 35 high to East at 09:55
Richard Thew said
Mon Sep 7 11:35 AM, 2020
Highlights this morning include:
Swift (a personal latest record for me now, the previous record was last year on the 3rd) Swallow Sand martin House martin (Passed me within 6 inches!!! How cool is that!) Blackcap Whitethroat Gadwall Peregrine passing through and vanished quickly Grey wagtail Meadow pipit, (several passing through with at least one perched on wire with the swallows)
Ta!
Simon Johnson said
Sun Sep 6 5:49 PM, 2020
Early morning to lunch time
Rose-Ringed Parakeet flew east over the pumphouse Yellow Wagtail heard over Dipper on river 36 Siskin south over spenmoor Redpoll NW over capsticks 106 Meadow Pipit SW 800 House Martin 400 Sand Martin Dunlin flew through SW 52 Goosander south 6 Swift 50+ Greenfinch feeding on the embankment
Another interesting morning, with the following highlights......
Sparrowhawk Swallow Sand martin House martin Swift Lapwing (sat near the carpark) Teal Shoveler Wigeon (breifly) Gadwall Grey wagtail Kingfisher Jay And my favorite moment....
5x Tree pipits flew over and at least one wasn't high up.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 5th of September 2020 12:00:27 PM
Simon Johnson said
Fri Sep 4 10:11 PM, 2020
Further sightings from today
118 Goosander flew over south between 6:45-7am 2 Yellow Wagtail south at crow tree farm 2 Ringed Plover SW 14 Swift 2 possibly 3 Hobby 10 Teal 2 Gadwall 71 Meadow Pipit south 18 Siskin south over capsticks
A very good morning with the following highlights:
Teal Gadwall Goosanders 33+ passing through Raven Curlew (well spotted simon) Ringed plover Snipe Whinchat (You've got good eyes Simon to spot that at that distance on the Marsh) Swift Swallow Sand martin House martin Hobby (through) Sparrowhawk Grey wagtail Blackcap Willow warbler Meadow pipit (several passing over)
I hope I've not forgotten anything else.....
Ta!
ps. There was something I forgot, Shoveler! At least one seen near carpark with mallards and the gadwall.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 4th of September 2020 09:19:50 PM
Ian Campbell said
Thu Sep 3 12:30 PM, 2020
In addition to Richard's sightings 1 Dunlin passed through, 1 Swift and a group of Siskin over, (Simon J. identified these, I would not have known !). Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Thu Sep 3 9:06 AM, 2020
Largly a quiet couple of days.
Highlights for this morning's breif visit before working......
Shoveler Gadwall Teal Wigeon Goosander x8 passing through with one flock of 7 Sand martin House martin Swallow Whitethroat Blackcap Willow warbler Stonechat (Old Hall marsh on gorse)
Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Tue Sep 1 3:08 PM, 2020
A Hobby was seen my another birder
Ian Campbell said
Tue Sep 1 3:07 PM, 2020
Also this am 1 Redstart at wader point and 1 Spotted Flycatcher bear capsticks with 3 Snipe in the gout area.
Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Tue Sep 1 12:07 PM, 2020
This morning quick scout.....
Highlights include:
Gadwall Shoveler x3 Teal Grey wagtail Meadow pipit Lesser whitethroat Blackcap Willow warbler Swift Swallow Sand martin House martin
Oh, and thanks Steven, I'd forgotten to note the Linnets yesterday.... oops!
Ta!
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Aug 31 9:34 PM, 2020
This morning in addition to Richard's and Derek's posts. 6 Willow Tit. 2 in Creek, 2 Below Withins and 2 in the Goyt. 3 Lesser Whitethtroat. 2 Linnets. 1 Skylark over. 3 Meadow pipits over.
Cheers Steven
Dennis atherton said
Mon Aug 31 9:26 PM, 2020
Today I witnessed two Buzzards in an amazing display of falling together talons locked 200ft in a vertical fall. Just like the mating display of the Bald Eagles, I've never seen Buzzards do it myself
An interesting morning with several highlights......
In smaller numbers than previously..... Swift Swallow House martin Sand martin
Teal Gadwall Shoveler x2 drakes Grey wagtail Possibly a yellow wagtail (Possibly because it was shiloetted as it flew over silently) Meadow pipit x3 Redstart x2 (found first by Steven and Paul) on Old Hall marsh hedges Lesser whitethroat (as above) Hobby over Blackcap Willow warbler Reed bunting Sedge warbler x2 Snipe x3
And heard only:
Willow warbler Tree pipit over
Ta!
Simon Johnson said
Sun Aug 30 4:23 PM, 2020
Also this morning
4 Grey Geese SE very distant over Knoll hill 2 Yellow Wagtail over Tree pipit flew towards old hall farm from crow trees 40+ Swift Adult Hobby 3 Gadwall 2100 House Martin with 1200 through between 6:15-6:30 1300 Sand Martin 600 Swallow Female Redstart in the Goyt 24 Lapwing SE
Richard Thew said
Sun Aug 30 9:24 AM, 2020
Highlights this morning.......
Over a thousand swallows and martins, but not as spectacular as yesterday's 2500+. The majority are made up of Sand martins, then closely House martins and swallows (amonst those that landed on the path). Larger numbers of swift however this morning than yesterday, with at least a dozen.
Also noteworthy:
Common sandpiper Grey wagtail Meadow pipit Sedge warbler Blackcap Willow warbler Chiffchaff Gadwall Teal (at least 7+ now) Hobby
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 30th of August 2020 04:56:40 PM
Richard was right about the Hirundine spectacular can add Little Grebe from this morning.
Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Sat Aug 29 9:24 AM, 2020
A quick visit this morning, mostly due to being cut short because I underestimated how cold that wind was and my hands began to seize up because of (a problem I've had since my 20s).
Highlights include:
Combined Thousands of......
Swallow House martin Sand martin With a few swifts with them.
This was quite a spectacle sight as they were over the reservoir, over the paths, many gathering on the path and grassy slope, and over the area by Old Hall Farm.
Also:
Gadwall x5 Teal Tufted duck numbers have almost doubled Common gull Grey wagtail Meadow pipit Willow warbler Chiffchaff calling Sparrowhawk
Oh, and I forgot to note over the last few days I had a couple of Jay's, one making sounds of a buzzard call.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 29th of August 2020 09:26:39 AM
Roger Halsey said
Fri Aug 28 11:50 AM, 2020
I can add Kingfisher, Ringed Plover and Whitethroat. During the rain I estimated at least 300 Sand Martin low over the reservoir, and I finally caught up with the Whinchat- thank you Richard!
Richard Thew said
Fri Aug 28 9:42 AM, 2020
A fantastic round this morning before the rain.
Highlights include:
Gadwall 7+ Shoveler Swallow Swift (passing through) Sand martin House martin Grey wagtail Willow warbler Blckcap
Lesser whitethroat (well spotted Roger) Redstart (Tip of from Simon) Both above seen in hedges along the wall side.
Whinchat (finally at Old Hall marsh on wooden fence) Hobby quick visit that soon vanished at speed
Also this a.m. 1 Ringed Plover and a second Tree Pipit over.
Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Thu Aug 27 8:42 AM, 2020
A few things noteworthy this morning before working......
Pochard (female type) Kingfisher Pheasant Swallow House martin Sand martin Singing Chiffchaff again Blackcap Common gull at Crow trees Tree pipit over from Crow trees and headed towards Old hall marsh.
Ta!
Roger Halsey said
Wed Aug 26 1:03 PM, 2020
I can add 2 Gadwall, at least 2 Swift, 1 Snipe and 1 Whitethroat.
Simon Warford said
Wed Aug 26 12:19 PM, 2020
Also this morning, 2 Arctic Terns flew through (one at 6.45am and one at 7.30am). Also 11 Teal flew through west and a juvenile Ringed Plover was down on the little bit of shoreline that remains.
Simon Johnson said
Wed Aug 26 10:13 AM, 2020
Richard Thew wrote:
Simon Johnson wrote:
5 whinchat - 1 Elton Goyt near crow trees and 4 in Fields at Bradleyfold farm
Hope you don't mind Simon, but where is Bradlyfold farm? I asked a couple of locals and we can only think you mean Doffer fold. Tried to Google it and only get areas outside of Elton.
Thanks.
Highlights this morning (dispite early drizzle being blown sideways)....
Teal Shoveler A few common gulls Kingfisher Blackcaps Willow warbler Pheasant Sand martin House martin Swallow
Ta!
Sorry I meant Dofferfold. Always forget its name
Richard Thew said
Wed Aug 26 9:22 AM, 2020
Simon Johnson wrote:
5 whinchat - 1 Elton Goyt near crow trees and 4 in Fields at Bradleyfold farm
Hope you don't mind Simon, but where is Bradlyfold farm? I asked a couple of locals and we can only think you mean Doffer fold. Tried to Google it and only get areas outside of Elton.
Thanks.
Highlights this morning (dispite early drizzle being blown sideways)....
Teal Shoveler A few common gulls Kingfisher Blackcaps Willow warbler Pheasant Sand martin House martin Swallow
Ta!
Richard Thew said
Tue Aug 25 9:50 AM, 2020
I had to quickly change my plans this morning and I arrived around 8am and searched through the blackheaded gulls and general area, getting wet in the process but I had no Sandwich terns..
However, before I left at 8:50am, I made one last ditch effort in front of the sailing club and bingo, 2 sandwich terns. I enjoyed them for 5 minutes before something briefly spooked the flock of gulls with the two terns. Most of the gulls landed back within a minute, but a couple, including both terns, continued off in the Heywood direction. .
Ta!
.
Elton 2020 firsts now include:
1. Red kite 2. Wood sandpiper 3.. Sanderling 4. White wagtail (sure seen before at Elton, but no record) 5. Little tern 6. Hobby 7. Sandwich tern
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 25th of August 2020 02:59:06 PM
Adult and Juvenile Sandwich Terns present this morning from 7am till 8am at least, in heavy rain. Also 11 Ringed Plover and a Whinchat on the shoreline by the creek.
Dennis atherton said
Mon Aug 24 8:16 PM, 2020
Two Little gulls turned up tonight for ten mins only at 7.15 ish
I had a bad feeling when I planned a proper day out interesting birds will turn up! Typical!! Still, on my way back, I saw a Hobby flying near Brookbottom farm. Ta!
As i was walking up to Old Hall farm i noticed a Tawny owl behaving strangely. It was flitting from fence to bush to ground to fence. Very bizarre.
On the barn roof behind the farm there were four pigeons with a Coal tit in the middle.
Quiet coming back down the canal,a Pheasant(f),lots of Robins and Wren and a Great spotted woodpecker which i've seen 3 out of my last 5 visits.
A family of Treecreepers i'd been watching for a few weeks have been absent for the last two weeks.
Below the wall i saw a few Greenfinch,Pied and Grey wagtail and a Linnet.
Jay
Pheasant
Snipe
Swallow (don't know if it was just me or my timing but I only saw one!)
Goosander x7
Teal
Gadwall
Shoveler
Little grebe x2
Kingfisher
Meadow pipit
Grey wagtail
Water rail x2 (one showing very well and another breifly in flight)
Ta!
Great White Egret flew NW over spenmoor
54 Goosander south
3+ Curlew SW
352 Swallow south
7 Sand Martin south
28 House Martin south
180 Lapwing SW plus 21 at withins
10 Buzzard SW
29 Rook south
2 Great spotted Woodpecker
9 Gadwall, 6 Teal and a Shoveler on the res
53 Species including:
1 Buzzard.
3 Kestrel.
1 Raven.
7 Pink Footed Goose. (SE).
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1 Kingfisher.
33 Meadow Pipit (After SJ left).
500+ House Martin.
200+ Starling.(Feeding).
5 Grey Wagtail.
1 Chiffchaff.
7 Willow Warbler.
3 Blackcap.
1 Reed Bunting.
1 Little Grebe.
80+ Greenfinch. ( 1x22 W, 1x 50+ W).
5 Jay.
1 Pheasant. (F).
11 Cormorant.
13 Collared Dove.
15 Blackbird.
2 Goosander.
10 Great Crested Grebe.
17 Tufted Duck.
150+ Canada Goose.
100+ Coot.
3 Grey Heron.
80+ Black Headed Gull.
6 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
7 Herring Gull.
27 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Stint sp. (more than likely little) flew west in a Snipe flock at 11:40
12 Snipe west in one flock
Ringed Plover SW
Dunlin SW
135 Lapwing south
5 Pintail came to drop in from high circled but carried on west at 8:55
Hobby caught a Martin right above me
300+ House Martin
170 Meadow Pipit south
11 Siskin south
Great spotted woodpecker high south out over pilsworth
33 Rook south
74 Pink-footed Geese NW at 8:45 and 18 Se at 09:42
Gadwall x16+
Teal
Shoveler x8+
Swift still about.... (he must like it here)
Swallow
Sand martin (in smaller numbers)
House martin (still in larger numbers)
Meadow pipit
Blackcap
Chiffchaff (some singing)
Possible whitethroat (glimpse of)
Reed bunting
Rook
Jay
Litle grebe (juv)
Ta!
Ps. I've been seeing great spotted woodpecker on and off over the last number of mornings too.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 11th of September 2020 09:53:07 PM
470 Meadow Pipit S/SW and 28 NW
63 Siskin south (largest group 30)
300+ House Martin
80+ Sand Martin
6 Swift
15 Pink-footed Geese NW
Curlew west
Snipe west
51 Lapwing south
74 Rook south
Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing from the pump house hedge
4 Teal and a Gadwall on res
15 Raven North with 10 over Knoll hill and 5 over spenmoor
6 Swift south
162 Sand Martin South
650 Swallow South late morning
500 + House Martin Had moved on by late morning
160 + Meadow Pipit south
10 Siskin south
Redpoll south
Lapwing
7 Gadwall
18 Teal
Highlights include:
Snipe x2
Teal
Gadwall
Goosander over
Meadow pipit
Grey wagtail
A few Swifts still
Swallow
Sand martin
House martin (making up most numbers as fewer sand martins on my visit)
Sparrowhawk 1st year male
And Simon picked up at least 8 Ravens very very very distantly over the hills.
Ta!
Highlights from the 55 species noted on a morning circuit:
10 Gadwall, 3 Teal and 2 Goosander.
1 Lapwing and 2 Snipe.
Large number of Hirundines again, perhaps 500 or more, with House Martin predominant.
All 5 tit species with a Coal Tit in the car park and a Willow Tit with a good sized mixed flock by the river.
1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 5+ Blackcap plus Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff mainly in the hedge below the pump house.
Redshank flew around looking for a place to land before departing
Ringed plover heard flying through
149 Pinkfooted Geese SE
243 Meadow pipit S/Sw
Tree Pipit heard over
Yellow Wagtail heard over
20 Teal flew west
9 Swift south
26 Siskin south
50 Goosander south
500+ House Martin
300+ Sand Martin
149 Swallow south
8 Rook south and 9 NW
Kingfisher
Gadwall
Swift (a personal latest record for me now, the previous record was last year on the 3rd)
Swallow
Sand martin
House martin (Passed me within 6 inches!!! How cool is that!)
Blackcap
Whitethroat
Gadwall
Peregrine passing through and vanished quickly
Grey wagtail
Meadow pipit, (several passing through with at least one perched on wire with the swallows)
Ta!
Rose-Ringed Parakeet flew east over the pumphouse
Yellow Wagtail heard over
Dipper on river
36 Siskin south over spenmoor
Redpoll NW over capsticks
106 Meadow Pipit SW
800 House Martin
400 Sand Martin
Dunlin flew through SW
52 Goosander south
6 Swift
50+ Greenfinch feeding on the embankment
Singles of Little Grebe, Shoveler and Teal on Res
48 Species including:
38 Lapwing.
1 Water Rail.
1 Whinchat.
1 Kestrel.
Several hundred Sand/House Martin/Swallow.
250+ Starling. (1x 130+, 1x 120+).
12 Collared Dove.
5 Chaffinch.
1 Jay.
4 Cormorant.
3 Great Crested Grebe.
120+ Goldfinch.
30+ Greenfinch.
9 Long Tailed Tit.
5 Grey Heron.
4 Grey Wagtail.
13 Pied Wagtail.
21 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Sparrowhawk
Swallow
Sand martin
House martin
Swift
Lapwing (sat near the carpark)
Teal
Shoveler
Wigeon (breifly)
Gadwall
Grey wagtail
Kingfisher
Jay
And my favorite moment....
5x Tree pipits flew over and at least one wasn't high up.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 5th of September 2020 12:00:27 PM
118 Goosander flew over south between 6:45-7am
2 Yellow Wagtail south at crow tree farm
2 Ringed Plover SW
14 Swift
2 possibly 3 Hobby
10 Teal
2 Gadwall
71 Meadow Pipit south
18 Siskin south over capsticks
Short visit for me.
1 Kestrel.
6 Grey Wagtail.
150+ Starling.(S).
1 Whitethroat.
2 Blackcap. (1F, 1M).
3 Meadow Pipit.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
2 Swift.
500+ House/Sand Martin.
40+ Swallow.
5 Herring Gull.
80+ Black Backed Gull.
70+ Canada Goose.
1 Cormorant.
5 Great Crested Grebe.
13 Tufted Duck.
2 Gadwall.
70+ Goldfinch.
20+ Greenfinch.
2 Grey Heron.
22 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Teal
Gadwall
Goosanders 33+ passing through
Raven
Curlew (well spotted simon)
Ringed plover
Snipe
Whinchat (You've got good eyes Simon to spot that at that distance on the Marsh)
Swift
Swallow
Sand martin
House martin
Hobby (through)
Sparrowhawk
Grey wagtail
Blackcap
Willow warbler
Meadow pipit (several passing over)
I hope I've not forgotten anything else.....
Ta!
ps. There was something I forgot, Shoveler! At least one seen near carpark with mallards and the gadwall.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 4th of September 2020 09:19:50 PM
Cheers Ian
Highlights for this morning's breif visit before working......
Shoveler
Gadwall
Teal
Wigeon
Goosander x8 passing through with one flock of 7
Sand martin
House martin
Swallow
Whitethroat
Blackcap
Willow warbler
Stonechat (Old Hall marsh on gorse)
Ta!
Highlights include:
Gadwall
Shoveler x3
Teal
Grey wagtail
Meadow pipit
Lesser whitethroat
Blackcap
Willow warbler
Swift
Swallow
Sand martin
House martin
Oh, and thanks Steven, I'd forgotten to note the Linnets yesterday.... oops!
Ta!
6 Willow Tit. 2 in Creek, 2 Below Withins and 2 in the Goyt.
3 Lesser Whitethtroat.
2 Linnets.
1 Skylark over.
3 Meadow pipits over.
Cheers Steven
Today I witnessed two Buzzards in an amazing display of falling together talons locked 200ft in a vertical fall. Just like the mating display of the Bald Eagles, I've never seen Buzzards do it myself
And a photo of a Swallow about to catch a fly
52 Species including:
1 Tree Pipit. (Over Capsticks towards Old hall farm).
2 Yellow Wagtail. (Flew over towards dip).
1 Sparrowhawk.
3 Kestrel.
1 Redstart.
3 Chiffchaff. (1 Singing).
8 Willow Warbler.
3 Blackcap ( 2F, 1M).
150+ Goldfinch.
30+ Greenfinch.
14 Chaffinch.
3 Bullfinch. (2F,1M).
2 Jay.
3 Swift.
22 House Martin.
40+ Sand Martin.
150+ Swallow. (120+ SW).
70+ Starling.
1 Shoveler.
36 Tufted Duck.
3 Gadwall.
4 Herring Gull.
5 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
4 Cormorant.
120+ Black Headed Gull.
100+ Canada Goose.
80+ Wood Pigeon.
70+ Jackdaw.
2 Song Thrush.
3 Great Crested Grebe.
6 Collared Dove.
86 Coot.
2 Grey Heron.
2 Grey Wagtail.
7 Pied Wagtail.
23 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
In smaller numbers than previously.....
Swift
Swallow
House martin
Sand martin
Teal
Gadwall
Shoveler x2 drakes
Grey wagtail
Possibly a yellow wagtail (Possibly because it was shiloetted as it flew over silently)
Meadow pipit x3
Redstart x2 (found first by Steven and Paul) on Old Hall marsh hedges
Lesser whitethroat (as above)
Hobby over
Blackcap
Willow warbler
Reed bunting
Sedge warbler x2
Snipe x3
And heard only:
Willow warbler
Tree pipit over
Ta!
4 Grey Geese SE very distant over Knoll hill
2 Yellow Wagtail over
Tree pipit flew towards old hall farm from crow trees
40+ Swift
Adult Hobby
3 Gadwall
2100 House Martin with 1200 through between 6:15-6:30
1300 Sand Martin
600 Swallow
Female Redstart in the Goyt
24 Lapwing SE
Over a thousand swallows and martins, but not as spectacular as yesterday's 2500+. The majority are made up of Sand martins, then closely House martins and swallows (amonst those that landed on the path). Larger numbers of swift however this morning than yesterday, with at least a dozen.
Also noteworthy:
Common sandpiper
Grey wagtail
Meadow pipit
Sedge warbler
Blackcap
Willow warbler
Chiffchaff
Gadwall
Teal (at least 7+ now)
Hobby
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 30th of August 2020 04:56:40 PM
800+ House Martin.
300 + Sand Martin.
100+ Swallow.
17 Swift.
3 Buzzard.
2 Kestrel.
1 Hobby.
1 Wheatear. (J).
2 Whitethroat.
3 Blackcap.(2F, 1M).
1 Chiffchaff.
4 Willow Warbler.
5 Chaffinch.
2 Reed Bunting.
2 Bullfinch. (1F, 1M).
12 Greenfinch.
80+ Goldfinch.
5 Long Tailed Tit.
4 Grey Wagtail.
18 Pied Wagtail.
5 Grey Heron.
4 Cormorant.
5 Herring Gull.
1 Great Black Backed Gull.
6 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
200+ Black Headed Gull.
1 Little Grebe.
120+ Canada Goose.
150+ Mallard.
105 Coot.
22 Tufted Duck.
2 Gadwall.
4 Great Crested Grebe.
2 Teal.
50+ Starling.
11 Collared Dove.
80+ Wood Pigeon.
70+ Jackdaw.
2 Grey Heron.
19 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek
Highlights include:
Combined Thousands of......
Swallow
House martin
Sand martin
With a few swifts with them.
This was quite a spectacle sight as they were over the reservoir, over the paths, many gathering on the path and grassy slope, and over the area by Old Hall Farm.
Also:
Gadwall x5
Teal
Tufted duck numbers have almost doubled
Common gull
Grey wagtail
Meadow pipit
Willow warbler
Chiffchaff calling
Sparrowhawk
Oh, and I forgot to note over the last few days I had a couple of Jay's, one making sounds of a buzzard call.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 29th of August 2020 09:26:39 AM
I can add Kingfisher, Ringed Plover and Whitethroat. During the rain I estimated at least 300 Sand Martin low over the reservoir, and I finally caught up with the Whinchat- thank you Richard!
Highlights include:
Gadwall 7+
Shoveler
Swallow
Swift (passing through)
Sand martin
House martin
Grey wagtail
Willow warbler
Blckcap
Lesser whitethroat (well spotted Roger)
Redstart (Tip of from Simon)
Both above seen in hedges along the wall side.
Whinchat (finally at Old Hall marsh on wooden fence)
Hobby quick visit that soon vanished at speed
Ta!
51 Species Including:
2 Kestrel.
4 Linnet.
5 Swift.
7 Chaffinch.
1 Chiffchaff. (Singing).
2 Willow Warbler.
3 Blackcap. (2M,1F).
1 Coal Tit.
7 Long Tailed Tit.
1 Pochard.
250+ Goldfinch. (Inc 1x150+, 2x30+ feeding then S).
23 Greenfinch.(SW).
230+ Starling. (inc 1x 150+ S,SW).
3 Grey Wagtail.
140+ Swallow. (40+ S).
3 House Martin.
80+ Sand Martin. (S).
1 Jay.
4 Pied Wagtail.
14 Tufted Duck.
2 Gadwall.
4 Herring Gull.
5 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
87 Black Headed Gull.
1 Common Gull.
3 Cormorant.
110+ Canada Goose.
4 Great Crested Grebe.
91 Coot.
117 Mallard.
17 Collared Dove.
120+ Wood Pigeon.
5 Grey Heron.
23 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Pochard (female type)
Kingfisher
Pheasant
Swallow
House martin
Sand martin
Singing Chiffchaff again
Blackcap
Common gull at Crow trees
Tree pipit over from Crow trees and headed towards Old hall marsh.
Ta!
I can add 2 Gadwall, at least 2 Swift, 1 Snipe and 1 Whitethroat.
Sorry I meant Dofferfold. Always forget its name
Hope you don't mind Simon, but where is Bradlyfold farm? I asked a couple of locals and we can only think you mean Doffer fold. Tried to Google it and only get areas outside of Elton.
Thanks.
Highlights this morning (dispite early drizzle being blown sideways)....
Teal
Shoveler
A few common gulls
Kingfisher
Blackcaps
Willow warbler
Pheasant
Sand martin
House martin
Swallow
Ta!
However, before I left at 8:50am, I made one last ditch effort in front of the sailing club and bingo, 2 sandwich terns. I enjoyed them for 5 minutes before something briefly spooked the flock of gulls with the two terns. Most of the gulls landed back within a minute, but a couple, including both terns, continued off in the Heywood direction. .
Ta! .
Elton 2020 firsts now include:
1. Red kite
2. Wood sandpiper
3.. Sanderling
4. White wagtail (sure seen before at Elton, but no record)
5. Little tern
6. Hobby
7. Sandwich tern
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 25th of August 2020 02:59:06 PM
Two Little gulls turned up tonight for ten mins only at 7.15 ish
50 Species including:
1 Whinchat. (Juv).
90+ Goldfinch. ( 1 x 60+ SW).
1 Pheasant.( F).
1 Redstart.
1 Little Grebe.
1 Spotted Flycatcher.
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
1 Grey Wagtail.
70+ Starling.
38 Swallow.
5 Willow Warbler.
1 Blackcap.
6 Long Tailed Tit.
100+ Black Headed Gull.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
120+ Canada Goose.
2 Cormorant.
3 Great Crested Grebe.
8 Chaffinch.
11 Greenfinch.
17 Collared Dove.
87 Coot.
2 Tufted Duck.
2 Grey Heron.
100+ Wood Pigeon.
86 Jackdaw.
18 Mute Swan.
3 Pied Wagtail.
Thanks Derek.