Late morning / early afternoon visit to Lightshaw Flash with Simon Gough.
- no sign of Cattle Egret while we were there - Grey Heron at least 3 - Sedge Warbler 1 along canal - Whitethroat 3 - Reed Bunting at least 5 - Linnet 1 male - Skylark 2 - lots of Lapwing - Stock Dove 4
Nice to meet and chat with Craig Higson.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 25th of June 2017 05:30:05 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 24 10:38 PM, 2017
If adding sightings for this bird could users please ensure they state that the bird is at Lightshaw Flash or not as the case may be. This thread is for the whole of the Abram Flashes which also includes others areas this bird could well relocate to, so it's best not to just let readers assume where the bird is
Norman Price said
Sat Jun 24 10:19 PM, 2017
The Cattle Egret was showing well between 1715 sand 1845 this evening at Lightshaw.
-- Edited by Norman Price on Sunday 25th of June 2017 08:28:02 AM
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Jun 24 3:36 PM, 2017
Cattle egret just come back to lightshaw,and was still present at 4.30pm
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 24th of June 2017 05:50:10 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 24 3:35 PM, 2017
Cattle Egret just reappeared at Lightshaw at 3:30pm. Currently following cattle away from viewing screen.
Info thanks to Mike Chorley
steven burke said
Sat Jun 24 2:54 PM, 2017
Lightshaw hall meadow & flash.
Cattle egret showed well when I arrived at 12pm in front of the screen, it took a short flight & returned to the same area. Later on it took flight again with everything else ( didn't see what sent them up) & dissapeared further away & out of view but soon returned & stayed on the spit of the flash until I left at 1.15pm. No signs of any idiots whilst I was there, let's hope he gets named & shamed. 2 shelduck with 9 juveniles 1 redshank 3 grey herons 30+ lapwings Several house Martins & swifts around.
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 24th of June 2017 03:51:51 PM
Cattle egret flew west apparently over dover lock pub 10 mins ago after leaving lightshaw no signs f me yet
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 24 12:23 PM, 2017
Unfortunately there's always one idiot who spoils it for the rest.
This morning an idiot (I refuse to use the term birder or photographer because he was clearly neither) decided he'd climb over the metal gate and clearly and knowingly trespass on private farmland at Lightshaw in order to get close and undoubtably disturb the Cattle Egret in the field by the canal side. He didn't appear to have binoculars but certainly had a camera and a very long range photo was taken of the idiot.
If anyone can identify said idiot or knows him then please do have a 'word' with him about his selfish and thoughtless actions or feel free to get in touch with me.
Cattle egret still present until 10.45 at least moved onto shorter grass nearer screen.
Andy Isherwood said
Sat Jun 24 10:13 AM, 2017
Cattle egret still present c.10.05 at Lightshaw Hall Flash;seen in flight twice briefly over grass to left near Brown cattle.
IANMOFFAT1 said
Fri Jun 23 8:06 PM, 2017
LIGHTSHAW HALL MEADOWS & & FLASH
Cattle Egret still showing well at 1630, giving great photograph opportunities sitting on top of the near-by Hawthorn trees.
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by IANMOFFAT1 on Friday 23rd of June 2017 08:08:47 PM
Keith Mills said
Fri Jun 23 5:06 PM, 2017
Lightshaw Hall Flash Good views in my scope for over 30 minutes of the Cattle Egret. Both County and Life tick for me. Arrived at Western viewing screen just after 1pm. No sign of it for 30 minutes. Then it was seen flying onto the top of a tall hawthorn by the left shore, and well down the flash. After preening for 2 minutes it dropped down onto the shoreline where the reeds stick well out ( two thirds down?) More preening until it was approached by a Grey Heron. Cattle Egret then flew up and down to the left of the viewing screen before landing in open ground about 90 yards to the front left of the screen. After 15 minutes it was approached, on foot, by another Grey Heron and the Cattle Egret turned and edged away, into clumps of Juncus etc. where it could only just be seen. Still present at 2.15pm.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 23rd of June 2017 05:28:19 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jun 23 2:40 PM, 2017
Cattle Egret still present around the western end of Lightshaw Hall Flash at 2:30 pm and showing well.
Info thanks to Keith Mills
p.s. If adding sightings for this bird could users please ensure they state that the bird is at Lightshaw Flash or not as the case may be. This thread is for the whole of the Abram Flashes which also includes others areas this bird could well relocate to, so it's best not to just let readers assume where the birds is
john tromans said
Fri Jun 23 12:19 PM, 2017
Cattle Egret showing well until I left at around 11.15. It was on the far side of the flash as I arrived but followed the cattle to be in front of the screen giving some excellent views. A GM lifer for me. Now on 199... The magic 200 is next!
Thanks Rick and Dave for your help. Much appreciated.
Rick Hall said
Fri Jun 23 8:35 AM, 2017
Cattle Egret flew in at 7.30 and settled behind a grassy spit. Life and GM tick
Sorry John, I had no internet connection until I got to work.
dave broome said
Fri Jun 23 7:53 AM, 2017
Hi John
Where the A573 crosses the Leigh Branch Canal there is a canalside car park on the opposite side of the road to the Dover Lock Inn. Enter that and turn right along the towpath, passing Dover Basin after a few hundred metres, then you'll see a gated footpath on the right down on to a footpath along a dismantled railway line. Follow this path and Lightshaw Hall Flash is on your left. The Cattle Egret may be visible from a gate for a cattle pen, but carry further on along the path and there's a footpath to the left up to the western viewing screen. Good luck
john tromans said
Fri Jun 23 7:26 AM, 2017
Can anyone help with directions from the Dover inn pub. Is the bird viewable from the canal towpath? Any help would be appreciated.
Simon Warford said
Thu Jun 22 9:44 PM, 2017
This evening with Karen Foulkes, Cattle Egret showing well till 7.15pm at least, also adult Hobby present.
Single drake Pintail at Lightshaw Meadows pool 11.30am. Not sure if this is the same pool referred to as Dover Basin?
dave broome said
Wed Feb 15 6:44 PM, 2017
2 drake Pintail at Dover Basin today
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 8 2:17 PM, 2017
Highlights from a visit early afternoon today were a flock of 12 Yellowhammer by Lightshaw Flash, with plenty of displaying Teal on the flash itself and a Water Rail, 3 Goosander and 4 Pochard on Dover Basin.
dave broome said
Thu Aug 18 4:32 PM, 2016
2 Greenshank present late afternoon, from screens
1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Buzzard
-- Edited by dave broome on Thursday 18th of August 2016 04:57:29 PM
Dave Wilson said
Tue Aug 2 5:05 PM, 2016
Green Sandpiper over and Curlew > high NW just before noon. Single Grasshopper Warbler reeling briefly and Yellow Wagtail by pasture field below canal at far eastern end (below old railway embankment).
Scott robinson said
Sun Jul 17 9:48 AM, 2016
2 Common Tern seen this morning while out on my Mountain Bike.
Steve Judge said
Sat Jul 16 6:12 PM, 2016
Linear walk from Plank Bridge car park - along Leigh Branch of Leeds/Liverpool canal - Lightshaw Meadows (circuit of) - Dover Lock - and return.
Saturday, 16th July 2016. 14:30 - 17:00 hrs
Common Tern x 7 (including cracking view of one catching fish from canal) Kingfisher x 3 separate sightings Common Whitethroat x 1 Reed Bunting x 1 Song Thrush x 1 Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 1 (hovering above field behind Dover Lock pub) Jay x 4 separate sightings Chiffchaff x 2 Lapwing x 3 Goldfinch x 15 Swallows x 10 Swift x 60 House Martin x 80 Collared Dove x 1 Grey Heron x 3 Wren x 1 Mute Swan x 4 Great Crested Grebe x 1 Coot x 50 Moorhen x 4 Cormorant x 4 Blue Tit x 1 Blackbird x 3 Mallard x 50 Black-Headed Gull x 5 Herring Gull x 4 Woodpigeon x 30 Carrion Crow x 5 Magpie x 20 Feral Pigeon x 5
Scott robinson said
Tue May 24 11:47 AM, 2016
Grasshopper Warbler reeling on Lightshaw Meadow this morning as I went past on Mountain Bike. 1 Common Tern just past Dover Lock fishing and successfully catching a fish, cracking views.
Scott robinson said
Sun May 22 11:44 AM, 2016
2 Common Tern on Canal at Lightshaw.
Steve Judge said
Sat May 21 9:40 PM, 2016
Walk along Leigh branch of Leeds/Liverpool Canal from Plank Lane Bridge car park - Lightshaw Meadows - Dover Basin and return
Saturday, 21st May 2016. 14:00 - 16:30 hrs.
Common Tern x 3 Shelduck x 2 Redshank x 1 Sedge Warbler x 2 Gadwall x 2 Pied Wagtail x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Lapwing x 6 Swift x 20 Swallow x 7 Mute Swan x 2 Coot x 2 Chaffinch x 1 House Sparrow x 1 Robin x 3 Blue Tit x 1 Cormorant x 1 Mallard x 7 (and total of 10 chicks) Woodpigeon x 50 Feral Pigeon x 10 Carrion Crow x 4 Magpie x 10 Starling x 3 Blackbird x 4 Male Pheasant x 1 Canada Geese x 7 Black-Headed Gull x 3 Collared Dove x 1 Buzzard x 1 (on way home above East Lancs - crossing into Tyldesley) Skylark x 2 Jay x 1
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 21st of May 2016 09:47:07 PM
dave broome said
Sat May 21 2:31 PM, 2016
Lesser Whitethroat singing by Lightshaw Hall Flash today
dave broome said
Thu May 19 11:03 AM, 2016
3 Black-Tailed Godwit and a singing Lesser Whitethroat at Lightshaw Hall Flash this morning
Ian McKerchar said
Wed May 18 2:32 PM, 2016
Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's and Grasshopper Warblers singing at Dover Basin this morning.
Highlights of Lightshaw Hall Flash mid-morning:
3 Black-tailed Godwit 5 Redshank 2 Common Tern Single Yellow Wagtail Singing Lesser Whitethroat close to western viewing screen Singing Cuckoo
This morning, 1 cuckoo heard and seen well, 2 common terns displaying, 5 shelduck, 1 common sandpiper, 2 shoveler and 2 Cetti's warblers singing. Add the latter to the two Cetti's I saw earlier in the morning at Pennington, and that's 4 singing Cetti's warblers on a short bike ride from Lowton to Lightshaw! Who would have imagined that a few years ago?
dave broome said
Tue May 10 10:08 AM, 2016
Sandwich Tern on an island at Lightshaw Hall Flash for a while but then flew towards canal 10:25
-- Edited by dave broome on Tuesday 10th of May 2016 10:31:44 AM
- no sign of Cattle Egret while we were there
- Grey Heron at least 3
- Sedge Warbler 1 along canal
- Whitethroat 3
- Reed Bunting at least 5
- Linnet 1 male
- Skylark 2
- lots of Lapwing
- Stock Dove 4
Nice to meet and chat with Craig Higson.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 25th of June 2017 05:30:05 PM
If adding sightings for this bird could users please ensure they state that the bird is at Lightshaw Flash or not as the case may be. This thread is for the whole of the Abram Flashes which also includes others areas this bird could well relocate to, so it's best not to just let readers assume where the bird is
-- Edited by Norman Price on Sunday 25th of June 2017 08:28:02 AM
Cattle egret just come back to lightshaw,and was still present at 4.30pm
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 24th of June 2017 05:50:10 PM
Cattle Egret just reappeared at Lightshaw at 3:30pm. Currently following cattle away from viewing screen.
Info thanks to Mike Chorley
Cattle egret showed well when I arrived at 12pm in front of the screen, it took a short flight & returned to the same area. Later on it took flight again with everything else ( didn't see what sent them up) & dissapeared further away & out of view but soon returned & stayed on the spit of the flash until I left at 1.15pm. No signs of any idiots whilst I was there, let's hope he gets named & shamed.
2 shelduck with 9 juveniles
1 redshank
3 grey herons
30+ lapwings
Several house Martins & swifts around.
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 24th of June 2017 03:51:51 PM
Unfortunately there's always one idiot who spoils it for the rest.
This morning an idiot (I refuse to use the term birder or photographer because he was clearly neither) decided he'd climb over the metal gate and clearly and knowingly trespass on private farmland at Lightshaw in order to get close and undoubtably disturb the Cattle Egret in the field by the canal side. He didn't appear to have binoculars but certainly had a camera and a very long range photo was taken of the idiot.
If anyone can identify said idiot or knows him then please do have a 'word' with him about his selfish and thoughtless actions or feel free to get in touch with me.
Cattle egret still present c.10.05 at Lightshaw Hall Flash;seen in flight twice briefly over grass to left near Brown cattle.
LIGHTSHAW HALL MEADOWS & & FLASH
Cattle Egret still showing well at 1630, giving great photograph opportunities sitting on top of the near-by Hawthorn trees.
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by IANMOFFAT1 on Friday 23rd of June 2017 08:08:47 PM
Lightshaw Hall Flash
Good views in my scope for over 30 minutes of the Cattle Egret. Both County and Life tick for me.
Arrived at Western viewing screen just after 1pm. No sign of it for 30 minutes. Then it was seen flying onto the top of a tall hawthorn by the left shore, and well down the flash. After preening for 2 minutes it dropped down onto the shoreline where the reeds stick well out ( two thirds down?)
More preening until it was approached by a Grey Heron. Cattle Egret then flew up and down to the left of the viewing screen before landing in open ground about 90 yards to the front left of the screen. After 15 minutes it was approached, on foot, by another Grey Heron and the Cattle Egret turned and edged away, into clumps of Juncus etc. where it could only just be seen. Still present at 2.15pm.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 23rd of June 2017 05:28:19 PM
Cattle Egret still present around the western end of Lightshaw Hall Flash at 2:30 pm and showing well.
Info thanks to Keith Mills
p.s. If adding sightings for this bird could users please ensure they state that the bird is at Lightshaw Flash or not as the case may be. This thread is for the whole of the Abram Flashes which also includes others areas this bird could well relocate to, so it's best not to just let readers assume where the birds is
Cattle Egret showing well until I left at around 11.15. It was on the far side of the flash as I arrived but followed the cattle to be in front of the screen giving some excellent views. A GM lifer for me. Now on 199... The magic 200 is next!
Thanks Rick and Dave for your help. Much appreciated.
Cattle Egret flew in at 7.30 and settled behind a grassy spit. Life and GM tick
Sorry John, I had no internet connection until I got to work.
Hi John
Where the A573 crosses the Leigh Branch Canal there is a canalside car park on the opposite side of the road to the Dover Lock Inn. Enter that and turn right along the towpath, passing Dover Basin after a few hundred metres, then you'll see a gated footpath on the right down on to a footpath along a dismantled railway line. Follow this path and Lightshaw Hall Flash is on your left. The Cattle Egret may be visible from a gate for a cattle pen, but carry further on along the path and there's a footpath to the left up to the western viewing screen. Good luck
Can anyone help with directions from the Dover inn pub. Is the bird viewable from the canal towpath? Any help would be appreciated.
Cattle Egret still present at Lightshaw Hall Flash at 6:30pm, still viewed from the western end.
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
Cattle Egret still present 14:25 in same area nr screen at W end of Lightshaw Hall Flash, after circling several times when harassed by Lapwings
-- Edited by dave broome on Thursday 22nd of June 2017 02:29:20 PM
Cattle Egret currently at Lightshaw Hall Flash; at the western end (from the western viewing screen) in field with cattle.
Info thanks to Judith Smith
Osprey showing very well over dover basin at 10.30 am.
Osprey perched by the main road at 5:34pm.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Osprey at Dover basin at 10.45. Drifted towards Wigan flashes.
Osprey hunting over Dover Basin at 5:20 this afternoon, caught a fish and was still present at 6:35pm.
Info thanks to Rob Thorpe and Dave Broome
Up to 5pm today:
Ringed Plover
2 Redshank
2 Wheatear
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Up to 6:15pm today:
Male Ruff
Black-tailed Godwit
Snipe
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ruff this evening at Lightshaw (thanks to Judith Smith for info), other birds included 2 Black-Tailed Godwit and 2 Common Sandpiper
2 Black-tailed Godwits
2 Redshank
3 Shelduck
4 Shoveler
18 Teal
3 Reed Warblers
Kingfisher
Willow Tit
2 Whitethroat singing
This evening, black tailed godwit, redshank, 15 teal, 2 shelduck, 40 sand martins and 2 swallows.
Black-Tailed Godwit on Lightshaw early afternoon, 3 Little Egret and a drake Garganey still present, plus 60 Sand Martin and 3 Willow Warbler
-- Edited by dave broome on Monday 3rd of April 2017 02:49:39 PM
A pair of Garganey present this morning, along with 3 Little Egrets.
Info thanks to Colin Davies
Little Egret
4 Redshank
18 Shoveler
Kingfisher
2 Shelduck
2 Oystercatcher
Willow Tit
5 singing Chiffchaff between Dover and Lightshaw
Chiffchaff singing
Cetti's Warbler
Water Rail
1 Little Egret
3 Pochard
2 Shelduck
2 Shoveler
5 Goosander
2 Greylag Geese
50 Teal
2 singing Yellowhammer
20+ Fieldfare
20+ Meadow Pipit
Single drake Pintail at Lightshaw Meadows pool 11.30am. Not sure if this is the same pool referred to as Dover Basin?
2 drake Pintail at Dover Basin today
2 Greenshank present late afternoon, from screens
1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Buzzard
-- Edited by dave broome on Thursday 18th of August 2016 04:57:29 PM
Saturday, 16th July 2016. 14:30 - 17:00 hrs
Common Tern x 7 (including cracking view of one catching fish from canal)
Kingfisher x 3 separate sightings
Common Whitethroat x 1
Reed Bunting x 1
Song Thrush x 1
Buzzard x 1
Kestrel x 1 (hovering above field behind Dover Lock pub)
Jay x 4 separate sightings
Chiffchaff x 2
Lapwing x 3
Goldfinch x 15
Swallows x 10
Swift x 60
House Martin x 80
Collared Dove x 1
Grey Heron x 3
Wren x 1
Mute Swan x 4
Great Crested Grebe x 1
Coot x 50
Moorhen x 4
Cormorant x 4
Blue Tit x 1
Blackbird x 3
Mallard x 50
Black-Headed Gull x 5
Herring Gull x 4
Woodpigeon x 30
Carrion Crow x 5
Magpie x 20
Feral Pigeon x 5
1 Common Tern just past Dover Lock fishing and successfully catching a fish, cracking views.
Saturday, 21st May 2016. 14:00 - 16:30 hrs.
Common Tern x 3
Shelduck x 2
Redshank x 1
Sedge Warbler x 2
Gadwall x 2
Pied Wagtail x 1
Chiffchaff x 1
Lapwing x 6
Swift x 20
Swallow x 7
Mute Swan x 2
Coot x 2
Chaffinch x 1
House Sparrow x 1
Robin x 3
Blue Tit x 1
Cormorant x 1
Mallard x 7 (and total of 10 chicks)
Woodpigeon x 50
Feral Pigeon x 10
Carrion Crow x 4
Magpie x 10
Starling x 3
Blackbird x 4
Male Pheasant x 1
Canada Geese x 7
Black-Headed Gull x 3
Collared Dove x 1
Buzzard x 1 (on way home above East Lancs - crossing into Tyldesley)
Skylark x 2
Jay x 1
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 21st of May 2016 09:47:07 PM
Lesser Whitethroat singing by Lightshaw Hall Flash today
3 Black-Tailed Godwit and a singing Lesser Whitethroat at Lightshaw Hall Flash this morning
Highlights of Lightshaw Hall Flash mid-morning:
3 Black-tailed Godwit
5 Redshank
2 Common Tern
Single Yellow Wagtail
Singing Lesser Whitethroat close to western viewing screen
Singing Cuckoo
(Record photos iphonescoped at long range!)
This morning, 1 cuckoo heard and seen well, 2 common terns displaying, 5 shelduck, 1 common sandpiper, 2 shoveler and 2 Cetti's warblers singing. Add the latter to the two Cetti's I saw earlier in the morning at Pennington, and that's 4 singing Cetti's warblers on a short bike ride from Lowton to Lightshaw! Who would have imagined that a few years ago?
Sandwich Tern on an island at Lightshaw Hall Flash for a while but then flew towards canal 10:25
-- Edited by dave broome on Tuesday 10th of May 2016 10:31:44 AM