Wigeon 1 drake, present since Friday 13th, on main lake and Broad Ees Dole
John Shaughnessy said
Wed Jan 11 9:45 PM, 2023
Apart from the Kittiwake and a Jack Snipe a very quiet start to the year. Some best counts in last few days:
Little Grebe 12 regularly.
Shoveler Up to 11 at B.E.D. roost.
Teal Up to 38 early in year, now just mid 20's.
Goosander Very variable at the B.E.D. roost, but one count of 39 was my best ever.
Gadwall Up to 57 early in year, but now under 40. Disturbance from boats increasing.
Coot Counts varying between low of 151 and high of 163 as birds come and go.
Water Rail 1 flew across Teal pool.
Wood Pigeon Another big movement early in year, this time to N., across broad front, Carrington - Northenden, c.2450 birds in an hour around sunrise.
Otherwise, 2 Willow Tits at the feeders, regular Kingfisher etc.
Pete Hines said
Wed Jan 4 7:18 PM, 2023
Kittiwake a first winter / 2CY found by John Shaughnessy this afternoon c13.30 ?, showing well off the restaurant, was later seen departing east by Steve Burke c15.00
Although there has not been a swan death since 11th Dec., HPAI is still active at S.W.P. In the week before Christmas I found a dead drake Gadwall and a dead adult L. B.-b. Gull, both at the E. end of the lake. On 27th Dec. I noticed a Canada Goose with obvious symptoms, and found it dead the next day by the stone bridge. On 29th, another Canada Goose showed severe symptoms; it was still alive today, with neck bent right down along its back, gasping for breath, but still able to fly strongly. This symptom is often seen in Canada Geese, but not in swans. Also, the slipway by the boardwalk is again showing droppings characteristic of infected birds. A second wave of HPAI infection seems possible.
A dead drake Gadwall at the W. end of the lake today is a bird I saw with a broken wing two days ago, so a natural death of sorts; likely another power lines victim.
In the last ten days or so I have recorded 70 species on the S.W.P. - Chorlton W.P. - Chorlton Ees - Turn Moss circuit, so not too bad. A few things of interest:
Wood Pigeon Large movement on one day early last week and one day early this week. Last week, birds began arriving about half an hour before sunrise, and continued moving until an hour after. Flocks descended over a wide area of S/SE Manchester; Chorlton, W. Didsbury, Withington, Platt Fields, Northenden areas, then dispersed or moved generally south. I watched from the riverbank at S.W.P. each time, and the two big movements plus very small ones on other days gave well over 3000 birds.
Redpoll There is a pale bird with the small flock. I first saw it on Chorlton Ees a couple of weeks ago, then again last week at B.E.D. Trouble was, each time, I was looking straight up against the light into the top of a 40ft. tree. The undertail coverts appeared unstreaked, and each flank has a couple of strong streaks on a very pale background. Worth a look for perhaps.
The gull, presumably a Glaucous x Herring (or American Herring) hybrid, might still be around. Thought I saw it distantly last week heading for Turn Moss, but no sign when I got there.
Swans usually 38-41, 171 Coot a few days ago, still around 55-60 Gadwall, 13 Little Grebe if you have patience to wait for them all to be on the surface, very occasional Snipe, Woodcock and Water Rail, a Little Egret heading upriver, daily Kingfisher etc. Only 1300 Jackdaw at the roost recently; then a couple of nights ago I saw several hundred go to roost on Hardy Farm / Chorlton G.C., so these must be the missing B.E.D. birds.
Andrew Jeffery said
Sat Dec 31 3:40 PM, 2022
Highlights of a wander this afternoon. 2 Shoveler. 25 Teal, Kingfisher, 2 Bullfinch and 2 Willow Tits on the feeders.
steven burke said
Sat Dec 24 11:00 PM, 2022
A visit from 11am til dusk.
Main lake... 25 mute Swan 45 gadwall 24 tufted duck 6 great crested grebe 8 little grebe 3 goosander 6 Teal in inflow channel 1 fieldfare 7 redwing 10 siskin 12 ring necked parakeets 1 bullfinch 1 kestrel 2 sparrowhawk 1 buzzard Woodcock in wildflower meadow 8 goosander flying over at dusk heading towards the dole
Visitor centre feeders... 2 ring necked parakeets 1 nuthatch 1 willow tit 2 great spotted woodpecker 2 pheasants 1 buzzard
4 lapwings over main lake at 11.15am
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 24th of December 2022 11:01:44 PM
Tony Koziol said
Fri Dec 23 11:23 AM, 2022
This morning a lazy half hour having a bacon butty at the visitor centre and watching the feeders, five tit species, Nuthatch, Wren, Robin and Dunnock kept us entertained.
A very Merry Christmas to everybody.
Tony and Cath
John Shaughnessy said
Fri Dec 16 10:29 PM, 2022
Visits on recent days. Did another dawn to dusk today, S.W.P. & Chorlton Ees areas. Difficult at dawn, mist from lake freezing on my binocular lenses and my glasses.
No more swan deaths or signs of new HPAI infections. More swans are still arriving as smaller waters get iced up; 39 on lake today.
Gadwall 68 today.
Teal Up to 10 scattered around lake / river. Saw one with green attachment on bill, but couldn't read code.
Shoveler 4 arrived yesterday.
Goldeneye 1 fem./imm. did a fly through yesterday.
Little Grebe Still 12 on lake.
Coot Slight decrease to 154 as their favourite feeding areas become frozen over.
Moorhen Did another count: 16, lake + 3, B.E.D. + 18, river Jackson's Boat down to Metro / canal bridge. The B.E.D. birds have now moved; the Heron carcase now bare of anything eatable, as are the Canada Geese. Just 3-4 Magpies still hanging around in hope.
Common Snipe Up to 5 around, by lake or river.
Woodcock 1 flew off Chorlton Ees and onto B.E.D. area this evening.
'Herring' Gull A 1cy bird, very pale, bill pale with very well-defined black tip, tertials very pale and finely barred, likely some Glaucous genes in there somewhere.
Jackdaw Only 1700 in to roost at dusk today.
Otherwise still two Kingfisher, up to 19 Long-tailed Tit, up to 10 Siskin, occasional Fieldfare over, but very little else.
Walked the river from Jackson's Boat bridge downstream to the Metro / canal bridges: Canada Goose (12); Mallard (55); Teal (2); Goosander (1); Grey Heron (1); Moorhen (18); Common Snipe (3); B.-h. Gull (3); Kingfisher (1); Grey Wagtail (1). A bit better than usual.
John Shaughnessy said
Wed Dec 14 10:58 PM, 2022
Just seen Rob Creek's post. Of the 12 swans he managed to read the rings of 10 are now dead. 4DVP is still alive, seemingly having survived HPAI with just very mild symptoms; I have never seen 4DXS at S.W.P., but the others are certainly dead. On 15th Nov. there were 35 ad. swans plus 6 cygnets.
John Shaughnessy said
Wed Dec 14 10:32 PM, 2022
A few effects of the cold weather, but really not very exciting:
Gadwall increased from 47, then stable with most recent counts of 63, 66, 66, 63, highest I have had here.
Wigeon A drake did a quick fly by last weekend, but did not stay
Goldeneye One fem./imm. for one day. Only the second I have had this winter.
Great Crested Grebe Increased from 3 to 6.
Little Grebe Best recent count of 12 on lake + 1 on river.
Little Egret One flew from upriver on 6th, past Jackson's Boat, and was on B.E.D. later, but gone by dawn next morning.
Grey Heron One ad. freshly dead on B.E.D. at dawn today, cause unknown. Being scavenged by two Moorhen and half a dozen Magpies, which must welcome its demise as the pickings on the Canada Goose carcases have become very thin.
Coot Early December count of 153 now increased to 165 yesterday and 164 today, the highest I have ever had here.
Moorhen Did a count last weekend, getting 18 around lake area + 4 on B.E.D. + 14 on river from Jackson's Boat downriver to Metro / canal bridge.
Woodcock 1 over Rifle Rd. / Sale W. P. metro station this dusk.
Black-headed Gull Small influx; 440 today.
L. B.-b. Gull A few more than usual, best count 40.
Jackdaw Roost of 1700 on B.E.D. early in month now increased to 2170. There is also a roost on Hardy Farm / Chorlton G.C.
Cetti's Warbler Still there! Heard it today.
Otherwise just the usual 2 Willow Tit, 2 Kingfisher etc. etc.
Did a dawn to dusk today, nearly nine hours non-stop, Sale, Chorlton and Stretford side, hard work, but at least nice weather.
Now 31 swans dead / put down, last one died on 11th having first shown symptoms (along with mate) on 5th Dec. Mate had to be put down on 8th. Will give an update later, but no discernable new infection since 5th is a good sign.
Rob Creek said
Wed Dec 14 10:01 PM, 2022
Late post for Tuesday 15th Nov Called in on tacho break on way back from Liverpool.
Lots of Mute Swans present and 12 of which I managed to read the rings, sent numbers off to Steve Christmas but I didnt realise the email didnt send and was still in outbox. Resent today and Steve has replied with all the info, cheers Steve.
Sadly 1 of the ringed Swans I saw has since died from Avian Fluh, 4DNZ.
Info from Steve.
4DPC ringed as a cygnet 29/10/2020 at Chorlton WP 4DVL ringed as a cygnet 1/10/2021 at Chorlton WP 4DTX ringed as a cygnet 7/8/2021 at Sale WP 4DXS ringed as cygnet 21/10/2021 Fairhaven Lake, St Annes 4DVP ringed as a cygnet 1/10/2021 at Platt Fields 4DNZ ringed as a cygnet 29/10/2020 at Chorlton WP 4DSL ringed as 2nd year female 10/3/2021 Pennington Flash 4DPA ringed as a cygnet 29/10/2020 at Chorlton WP
4FHB 1st w ringed 7/10/2022 Salford Quays 4FFB 1st w ringed 2/10/2022 Sale WP 4FFC 1st w ringed 2/10/2022 Sale WP 4FFA 1st w ringed 2/10/2022 Sale WP
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 14th of December 2022 10:03:09 PM
steven burke said
Sun Dec 11 7:45 PM, 2022
Finished off my long walk but only around the visitor centre area for a brew at the cafe & watch the feeders...
All usual tits including 2 willow tits 6 ring necked parakeets 1 chaffinch 15 + siskin flew out of silver birch near there.
Then a lazy tram ride back around 3.40pm
Andrew Jeffery said
Sat Dec 10 3:27 PM, 2022
Broad Ees frozen over. Only held 2 Moorhen and 27 Magpie. Sale WP partially frozen at the eastern end, 1 dead swan on the ice.
Andrew Jeffery said
Tue Dec 6 4:39 PM, 2022
Very quiet at Broad Ees this afternoon just 3 Teal, 2 Shoveler and 6 Siskin of note. Also at least 3 dead geese/swan each being eaten by Magpies.
John Shaughnessy said
Mon Dec 5 8:42 PM, 2022
So far, 29 swans have been found dead / put down at S.W.P., and similarly, 35+ Canada Geese. Two more swans are likely to go the same way tomorrow. The goose count is only estimated as several die on B.E.D. (inaccessible) and the corpses are devoured, moved around, or taken away by scavengers. The Magpies at B.E.D. are having a real feast, and I have twice seen a Moorhen having a good meal from a corpse previously opened. There are still 25 swans left at S.W.P., adding with the casualties to more than the 44 present a couple of weeks ago; the recent arrivals might well have made a really bad move. All the four cygnets from the S.W.P. breeding pairs are now dead, leaving just two visitor cygnets alive. Two other visitor cygnets did not last long. I found a dead Grey Heron recently, possibly another HPAI victim, if that is indeed the cause of the problem. Two swan and two goose corpses have been sent off for analysis to confirm (or otherwise) HPAI.
Not seen the Cetti's Warbler for a few days, but a lakeside Chiffchaff in same area. The Jackdaw roost, counted to the nearest 50, was 1300 in early Nov., 1400 later in Nov., and 1700 in early Dec. Now 10 Little Grebe on the lake, perhaps the 1-2 on the river have moved over to join the usual 7. The best Nov. Coot count was 140, but just 123 so far in Dec. Black-headed Gull numbers stable at generally 320, including occasional sightings of usual Belgian bird and eastern German bird. Otherwise, usual Willow Tit at the feeders, and on a good day c.50 species on the site. Exciting stuff eh?
John Shaughnessy said
Sat Nov 26 11:15 PM, 2022
After escaping from any obvious infection throughout the year, avian flu has finally reached S.W.P. I noticed one dead and one dying Canada Goose about ten days ago, then at dusk on Monday 21st Nov. I found a Mute Swan showing symptoms. At dawn next morning, this bird was close to death, so was put down. Four Canada Geese died during the next few days, as did a Mallard and a Gadwall (so now just 41). Yesterday evening, all the swans looked O.K., but at dawn this morning, we found one dead and one very sick, which we put down, and by late afternoon another dead and another which we needed to put down. Also, by then, a further three birds were showing symptoms and several others looking suspect. There have been 44 swans (37 birds 2cy+ and 7 cygnets) at S.W.P over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, nearly all are concentrated at the extreme E. end of the lake, partly because people throw bread at them there, but also because the male of a new young pairing has been strong enough to control the whole of the main body of the lake, even dominating the two males of the 2022 breeding pairs. So, a large death toll is expected. We are removing corpses, and birds beyond recovery; this may reduce transmission, also the site is very public.
If anyone sees a very sick or dead swan, a note here would be useful. I live just 6min. walk from the lake, so check early morning and evening, but sick birds are easy to miss. Swan 4DNZ can look a bit ill (probable obstruction to digestive / respiratory tracts), but has been for months and is improving. Cygnet 4FHY is just a weak bird, the only survivor of the late brood (12th June) of five on B.E.D., and often looks unwell, so ignore these two unless either is very bad.
We removed one dead Black-headed Gull from S.W.P. today, and in the morning I saw two on Turn Moss which looked unhealthy. A recent influx to the lake gave a count of 310 a couple of days ago.
Woodcock: At least a dozen have been picked up in the Manchester general area in the last couple of weeks; many more than usual. Either higher numbers are arriving, or something is happening. Only a tiny number of these birds survive. However, one picked up in Salford today seemed fine, and we successfully released it at dusk on the Sale Ees section of S.W.P.
-- Edited by John Shaughnessy on Saturday 26th of November 2022 11:22:51 PM
Andrew Jeffery said
Sat Nov 26 12:44 PM, 2022
18 Teal, 21 Gadwall, 17 Shoveler and 2 dead Canada Geese on Broad Ees.
1 Willow Tit and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeders.
Pete Hines said
Mon Nov 14 7:00 PM, 2022
Woodcock 1 Tawny Owl female heard
Steven Heywood said
Tue Nov 8 4:10 PM, 2022
Broad Ees Dole 15:55 - 16:10: First Winter Mediterranean gull just over briefly. Also 33 magpies, a dozen each of shoveler, gadwall and mallard, a couple of dozen teal and a pair of goosanders. Just the one dabchick, a first Winter bird.
phillipskelly said
Thu Nov 3 5:10 PM, 2022
This afternoon - Main lake . Coot 30. Gadwall 8. Little grebe 1. Tufted duck 4. Kestrel 1. Cormorant 2 on pylon. Mute swan 20 (inc. 3 juveniles - 4FFA ,4FFC, 4FFD).
Broad ees dole . Shoveler duck 6. Gadwall 9. Little grebe 1. Teal 11. Cettis warbler and Water rail not seen or heard. Plus a dieing Grey Heron on an island near to the path on the Teal pool.
Steve Collins said
Mon Oct 31 8:08 PM, 2022
Heard the Cettis Warbler calling, rather than singing, and a probable brief flight view (not enough to photo or id) close to the path by the Teal Pool early afternoon. A Kingfisher flew past. Much better were views of a Water Rail on the edge of the reeds on the Teal Pool.
Cetti's Warbler heard in song again briefly from the back of the Teal Pool mid morning Raven 2 Chiffchaff 2 Kingfisher 1
steven burke said
Sun Oct 30 9:33 PM, 2022
Cettis warbler showed well on Teal pool, eventually this afternoon. Other birds on Teal pool... Water rail Snipe Kingfisher Teal Shoveler Great spotted woodpecker over Skylark over
Broad ees dole... Grey herons Teal Shoveler Tufted duck Gadwall Little grebe Goosander
Cetti's Warbler still present at the Teal Pool today
phillipskelly said
Fri Oct 28 5:05 PM, 2022
This afternoon around Broad ees dole. Cettis warbler quite mobile but heard only. Water rail seen flying across the adjacent pool (Teal Pool)at the dole at 4:15 pm.
Pete Hines said
Fri Oct 28 12:54 PM, 2022
Cetti's Warbler 1 very closes in front of the hide calling frequently, singing and showing occasionally 09.55-10.08 when flew to lakeside reeds opposite from where it sang and showed occasionally to 10.55, when I left it. Record shot. First documented site record. Shoveler 8 Gadwall 26 Teal 28 Tufted Duck 1 Goosander 1 Little Grebe 5 Moorhen 18 Coot 78 Buzzard 1 Kingfisher 2 Treecreeper 1 Redwing 15
Cetti's Warbler singing from the back of the Teal Pool at 16.50. Some movement observed though UTVs without a scope Goosander 14 at the Broad Ees Dole roost at dusk Shoveler 9 Gadwall 21 Teal 31 Jackdaw c800 at dusk
Steve Christmas said
Thu Oct 27 3:51 PM, 2022
Cetti's Warbler singing from Broad Ees Dole at 11.30 this morning.
Andrew Jeffery said
Sat Oct 15 1:27 PM, 2022
1 late Swallow and 1 Shoveler were the highlights of a wander around this morning.
Peter Yendle said
Tue Oct 11 11:52 AM, 2022
Two Redwings in blackthorn bushes on the riverbank this morning were my first of the season.
Pete Hines said
Wed Sep 21 1:40 PM, 2022
Wigeon 5 (2 male 3 female) flying around the main lake before departing NW without landing Teal 46 Gadwall 13 Little Grebe 3 Kingfisher 2 together (then two observations of individuals at opposite ends of the lake) Sparrowhawk 2 Buzzard 2 Kestrel 2 Meadow Pipit 8 over south
Peter Yendle said
Tue Aug 30 10:37 AM, 2022
A surprisingly productive early visit, with two patch ticks for me: Cuckoo and Whinchat.
The Cuckoo (brown; presumably juv) was in the trees along the river behind Broad Ees Dole, but flew across the river into Chorlton Ees before I could get a photo. The Whinchat was also very active, but I managed to get a couple of distant record shots before it also flew over the river. (See photos attached.)
Apart from those highlights, fairly typical for the time of year.
Highlights of a wander around this morning were: 3 Gadwall, 4 Teal, Kingfisher and a charm of approx 60 Goldfinch.
Andrew Jeffery said
Fri Aug 19 6:53 PM, 2022
Water Rail creeping along the muddy reed edge on the Teal pond next to Broad Ees Dole this evening. Patch tick for me!
-- Edited by Andrew Jeffery on Friday 19th of August 2022 07:04:06 PM
Steven Heywood said
Sun Aug 7 12:04 AM, 2022
Lots of activity on the lake so lots of birds on Broad Ees Dole this afternoon: a couple of dozen mallards on Teal Pool, a dozen more on the hide pool with three herons, a pair of gadwalls and a juvenile dabchick being supervised in its fishing by an adult. A kingfisher shot across Teal Pool but I couldn't pick it up from the hide.
Pete Hines said
Tue Aug 2 2:37 PM, 2022
Gadwall 6 Common Tern 2 Kingfisher 1 Reed Warbler adult feeding two recently fledged juveniles
I must admit that LBH did briefly cross my mind, but juvenile Little Egret seemed far more likely.
Pete Hines said
Thu Jul 21 12:29 PM, 2022
Dave Cropper wrote:
Interesting photo of little egret (presumably a juvenile).
There have been claims in the past of this plumage, with a pale bill with dark tip and pale legs, being a juvenile little blue heron. (Recorded in Ireland but not yet on the British list).
Juvenile Little Egrets have been recorded and document several times at this site at this time of year before
Dave Cropper said
Thu Jul 21 12:14 PM, 2022
Interesting photo of little egret (presumably a juvenile).
There have been claims in the past of this plumage, with a pale bill with dark tip and pale legs, being a juvenile little blue heron. (Recorded in Ireland but not yet on the British list).
Peter Yendle said
Thu Jul 21 10:21 AM, 2022
Little Egret at Broad Ees Dole early this morning. (It had gone when I returned at 09:30.) See record shot attached.
Also a (Northern) Lapwing here. Apart from that, just the usuals. (Full list on eBird.)
The highlights of a wander round this morning were all around the feeders: 2 Willow Tit, 3 Teal, a Mallard with 6 ducklings , 2 pairs of Long Tailed Tit ferrying nesting material about and a delicious egg/bacon barm.
Anthony Robinson said
Tue Mar 15 8:13 PM, 2022
As Winter passes to Spring, I had a of couple of hours after work at Sale Water Park and got a great list of 39 birds. There were ten Mallard ducklings on the water behind the feeders. I got two new birds for my year list: Chiffchaff and Kingfisher. I saw my first ever Siskin at SWP. Also by the feeders were Reed Bunting. Two Grey Wagtail by the sluice gates. A Nuthatch was calling loudly near the café. There was a Buzzard circling overhead. Five species of Tit and four species of Finches. There were noisy Ring-necked Parakeets all over the place! Next time, I'll have to take my camera!
-- Edited by Anthony Robinson on Wednesday 16th of March 2022 08:06:52 PM
Apart from the Kittiwake and a Jack Snipe a very quiet start to the year. Some best counts in last few days:
Little Grebe 12 regularly.
Shoveler Up to 11 at B.E.D. roost.
Teal Up to 38 early in year, now just mid 20's.
Goosander Very variable at the B.E.D. roost, but one count of 39 was my best ever.
Gadwall Up to 57 early in year, but now under 40. Disturbance from boats increasing.
Coot Counts varying between low of 151 and high of 163 as birds come and go.
Water Rail 1 flew across Teal pool.
Wood Pigeon Another big movement early in year, this time to N., across broad front, Carrington - Northenden, c.2450 birds in an hour around sunrise.
Otherwise, 2 Willow Tits at the feeders, regular Kingfisher etc.
Although there has not been a swan death since 11th Dec., HPAI is still active at S.W.P. In the week before Christmas I found a dead drake Gadwall and a dead adult L. B.-b. Gull, both at the E. end of the lake. On 27th Dec. I noticed a Canada Goose with obvious symptoms, and found it dead the next day by the stone bridge. On 29th, another Canada Goose showed severe symptoms; it was still alive today, with neck bent right down along its back, gasping for breath, but still able to fly strongly. This symptom is often seen in Canada Geese, but not in swans. Also, the slipway by the boardwalk is again showing droppings characteristic of infected birds. A second wave of HPAI infection seems possible.
A dead drake Gadwall at the W. end of the lake today is a bird I saw with a broken wing two days ago, so a natural death of sorts; likely another power lines victim.
In the last ten days or so I have recorded 70 species on the S.W.P. - Chorlton W.P. - Chorlton Ees - Turn Moss circuit, so not too bad. A few things of interest:
Wood Pigeon Large movement on one day early last week and one day early this week. Last week, birds began arriving about half an hour before sunrise, and continued moving until an hour after. Flocks descended over a wide area of S/SE Manchester; Chorlton, W. Didsbury, Withington, Platt Fields, Northenden areas, then dispersed or moved generally south. I watched from the riverbank at S.W.P. each time, and the two big movements plus very small ones on other days gave well over 3000 birds.
Redpoll There is a pale bird with the small flock. I first saw it on Chorlton Ees a couple of weeks ago, then again last week at B.E.D. Trouble was, each time, I was looking straight up against the light into the top of a 40ft. tree. The undertail coverts appeared unstreaked, and each flank has a couple of strong streaks on a very pale background. Worth a look for perhaps.
The gull, presumably a Glaucous x Herring (or American Herring) hybrid, might still be around. Thought I saw it distantly last week heading for Turn Moss, but no sign when I got there.
Swans usually 38-41, 171 Coot a few days ago, still around 55-60 Gadwall, 13 Little Grebe if you have patience to wait for them all to be on the surface, very occasional Snipe, Woodcock and Water Rail, a Little Egret heading upriver, daily Kingfisher etc. Only 1300 Jackdaw at the roost recently; then a couple of nights ago I saw several hundred go to roost on Hardy Farm / Chorlton G.C., so these must be the missing B.E.D. birds.
Highlights of a wander this afternoon. 2 Shoveler. 25 Teal, Kingfisher, 2 Bullfinch and 2 Willow Tits on the feeders.
Main lake...
25 mute Swan
45 gadwall
24 tufted duck
6 great crested grebe
8 little grebe
3 goosander
6 Teal in inflow channel
1 fieldfare
7 redwing
10 siskin
12 ring necked parakeets
1 bullfinch
1 kestrel
2 sparrowhawk
1 buzzard
Woodcock in wildflower meadow
8 goosander flying over at dusk heading towards the dole
Broad ees dole..
3 shoveler
2 Teal
1 grey heron
1 grey wagtail
1 kingfisher
Teal pool...
1 Teal
2 snipe
Visitor centre feeders...
2 ring necked parakeets
1 nuthatch
1 willow tit
2 great spotted woodpecker
2 pheasants
1 buzzard
4 lapwings over main lake at 11.15am
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 24th of December 2022 11:01:44 PM
This morning a lazy half hour having a bacon butty at the visitor centre and watching the feeders, five tit species, Nuthatch, Wren, Robin and Dunnock kept us entertained.
A very Merry Christmas to everybody.
Tony and Cath
Visits on recent days. Did another dawn to dusk today, S.W.P. & Chorlton Ees areas. Difficult at dawn, mist from lake freezing on my binocular lenses and my glasses.
No more swan deaths or signs of new HPAI infections. More swans are still arriving as smaller waters get iced up; 39 on lake today.
Gadwall 68 today.
Teal Up to 10 scattered around lake / river. Saw one with green attachment on bill, but couldn't read code.
Shoveler 4 arrived yesterday.
Goldeneye 1 fem./imm. did a fly through yesterday.
Little Grebe Still 12 on lake.
Coot Slight decrease to 154 as their favourite feeding areas become frozen over.
Moorhen Did another count: 16, lake + 3, B.E.D. + 18, river Jackson's Boat down to Metro / canal bridge. The B.E.D. birds have now moved; the Heron carcase now bare of anything eatable, as are the Canada Geese. Just 3-4 Magpies still hanging around in hope.
Common Snipe Up to 5 around, by lake or river.
Woodcock 1 flew off Chorlton Ees and onto B.E.D. area this evening.
'Herring' Gull A 1cy bird, very pale, bill pale with very well-defined black tip, tertials very pale and finely barred, likely some Glaucous genes in there somewhere.
Jackdaw Only 1700 in to roost at dusk today.
Otherwise still two Kingfisher, up to 19 Long-tailed Tit, up to 10 Siskin, occasional Fieldfare over, but very little else.
Walked the river from Jackson's Boat bridge downstream to the Metro / canal bridges: Canada Goose (12); Mallard (55); Teal (2); Goosander (1); Grey Heron (1); Moorhen (18); Common Snipe (3); B.-h. Gull (3); Kingfisher (1); Grey Wagtail (1). A bit better than usual.
Just seen Rob Creek's post. Of the 12 swans he managed to read the rings of 10 are now dead. 4DVP is still alive, seemingly having survived HPAI with just very mild symptoms; I have never seen 4DXS at S.W.P., but the others are certainly dead. On 15th Nov. there were 35 ad. swans plus 6 cygnets.
A few effects of the cold weather, but really not very exciting:
Gadwall increased from 47, then stable with most recent counts of 63, 66, 66, 63, highest I have had here.
Wigeon A drake did a quick fly by last weekend, but did not stay
Goldeneye One fem./imm. for one day. Only the second I have had this winter.
Great Crested Grebe Increased from 3 to 6.
Little Grebe Best recent count of 12 on lake + 1 on river.
Little Egret One flew from upriver on 6th, past Jackson's Boat, and was on B.E.D. later, but gone by dawn next morning.
Grey Heron One ad. freshly dead on B.E.D. at dawn today, cause unknown. Being scavenged by two Moorhen and half a dozen Magpies, which must welcome its demise as the pickings on the Canada Goose carcases have become very thin.
Coot Early December count of 153 now increased to 165 yesterday and 164 today, the highest I have ever had here.
Moorhen Did a count last weekend, getting 18 around lake area + 4 on B.E.D. + 14 on river from Jackson's Boat downriver to Metro / canal bridge.
Woodcock 1 over Rifle Rd. / Sale W. P. metro station this dusk.
Black-headed Gull Small influx; 440 today.
L. B.-b. Gull A few more than usual, best count 40.
Jackdaw Roost of 1700 on B.E.D. early in month now increased to 2170. There is also a roost on Hardy Farm / Chorlton G.C.
Cetti's Warbler Still there! Heard it today.
Otherwise just the usual 2 Willow Tit, 2 Kingfisher etc. etc.
Did a dawn to dusk today, nearly nine hours non-stop, Sale, Chorlton and Stretford side, hard work, but at least nice weather.
Now 31 swans dead / put down, last one died on 11th having first shown symptoms (along with mate) on 5th Dec. Mate had to be put down on 8th. Will give an update later, but no discernable new infection since 5th is a good sign.
Called in on tacho break on way back from Liverpool.
Lots of Mute Swans present and 12 of which I managed to read the rings, sent numbers off to Steve Christmas but I didnt realise the email didnt send and was still in outbox. Resent today and Steve has replied with all the info, cheers Steve.
Sadly 1 of the ringed Swans I saw has since died from Avian Fluh, 4DNZ.
Info from Steve.
4DPC ringed as a cygnet 29/10/2020 at Chorlton WP
4DVL ringed as a cygnet 1/10/2021 at Chorlton WP
4DTX ringed as a cygnet 7/8/2021 at Sale WP
4DXS ringed as cygnet 21/10/2021 Fairhaven Lake, St Annes
4DVP ringed as a cygnet 1/10/2021 at Platt Fields
4DNZ ringed as a cygnet 29/10/2020 at Chorlton WP
4DSL ringed as 2nd year female 10/3/2021 Pennington Flash
4DPA ringed as a cygnet 29/10/2020 at Chorlton WP
4FHB 1st w ringed 7/10/2022 Salford Quays
4FFB 1st w ringed 2/10/2022 Sale WP
4FFC 1st w ringed 2/10/2022 Sale WP
4FFA 1st w ringed 2/10/2022 Sale WP
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 14th of December 2022 10:03:09 PM
All usual tits including 2 willow tits
6 ring necked parakeets
1 chaffinch
15 + siskin flew out of silver birch near there.
Then a lazy tram ride back around 3.40pm
So far, 29 swans have been found dead / put down at S.W.P., and similarly, 35+ Canada Geese. Two more swans are likely to go the same way tomorrow. The goose count is only estimated as several die on B.E.D. (inaccessible) and the corpses are devoured, moved around, or taken away by scavengers. The Magpies at B.E.D. are having a real feast, and I have twice seen a Moorhen having a good meal from a corpse previously opened. There are still 25 swans left at S.W.P., adding with the casualties to more than the 44 present a couple of weeks ago; the recent arrivals might well have made a really bad move. All the four cygnets from the S.W.P. breeding pairs are now dead, leaving just two visitor cygnets alive. Two other visitor cygnets did not last long. I found a dead Grey Heron recently, possibly another HPAI victim, if that is indeed the cause of the problem. Two swan and two goose corpses have been sent off for analysis to confirm (or otherwise) HPAI.
Not seen the Cetti's Warbler for a few days, but a lakeside Chiffchaff in same area. The Jackdaw roost, counted to the nearest 50, was 1300 in early Nov., 1400 later in Nov., and 1700 in early Dec. Now 10 Little Grebe on the lake, perhaps the 1-2 on the river have moved over to join the usual 7. The best Nov. Coot count was 140, but just 123 so far in Dec. Black-headed Gull numbers stable at generally 320, including occasional sightings of usual Belgian bird and eastern German bird. Otherwise, usual Willow Tit at the feeders, and on a good day c.50 species on the site. Exciting stuff eh?
After escaping from any obvious infection throughout the year, avian flu has finally reached S.W.P. I noticed one dead and one dying Canada Goose about ten days ago, then at dusk on Monday 21st Nov. I found a Mute Swan showing symptoms. At dawn next morning, this bird was close to death, so was put down. Four Canada Geese died during the next few days, as did a Mallard and a Gadwall (so now just 41). Yesterday evening, all the swans looked O.K., but at dawn this morning, we found one dead and one very sick, which we put down, and by late afternoon another dead and another which we needed to put down. Also, by then, a further three birds were showing symptoms and several others looking suspect. There have been 44 swans (37 birds 2cy+ and 7 cygnets) at S.W.P over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, nearly all are concentrated at the extreme E. end of the lake, partly because people throw bread at them there, but also because the male of a new young pairing has been strong enough to control the whole of the main body of the lake, even dominating the two males of the 2022 breeding pairs. So, a large death toll is expected. We are removing corpses, and birds beyond recovery; this may reduce transmission, also the site is very public.
If anyone sees a very sick or dead swan, a note here would be useful. I live just 6min. walk from the lake, so check early morning and evening, but sick birds are easy to miss. Swan 4DNZ can look a bit ill (probable obstruction to digestive / respiratory tracts), but has been for months and is improving. Cygnet 4FHY is just a weak bird, the only survivor of the late brood (12th June) of five on B.E.D., and often looks unwell, so ignore these two unless either is very bad.
We removed one dead Black-headed Gull from S.W.P. today, and in the morning I saw two on Turn Moss which looked unhealthy. A recent influx to the lake gave a count of 310 a couple of days ago.
Woodcock: At least a dozen have been picked up in the Manchester general area in the last couple of weeks; many more than usual. Either higher numbers are arriving, or something is happening. Only a tiny number of these birds survive. However, one picked up in Salford today seemed fine, and we successfully released it at dusk on the Sale Ees section of S.W.P.
-- Edited by John Shaughnessy on Saturday 26th of November 2022 11:22:51 PM
Tawny Owl female heard
This afternoon -
Main lake .
Coot 30.
Gadwall 8.
Little grebe 1.
Tufted duck 4.
Kestrel 1.
Cormorant 2 on pylon.
Mute swan 20 (inc. 3 juveniles - 4FFA ,4FFC, 4FFD).
Broad ees dole .
Shoveler duck 6.
Gadwall 9.
Little grebe 1.
Teal 11.
Cettis warbler and Water rail not seen or heard.
Plus a dieing Grey Heron on an island near to the path on the Teal pool.
A Kingfisher flew past.
Much better were views of a Water Rail on the edge of the reeds on the Teal Pool.
Raven 2
Chiffchaff 2
Kingfisher 1
Other birds on Teal pool...
Water rail
Snipe
Kingfisher
Teal
Shoveler
Great spotted woodpecker over
Skylark over
Broad ees dole...
Grey herons
Teal
Shoveler
Tufted duck
Gadwall
Little grebe
Goosander
Cettis warbler quite mobile but heard only.
Water rail seen flying across the adjacent pool (Teal Pool)at the dole at 4:15 pm.
Shoveler 8
Gadwall 26
Teal 28
Tufted Duck 1
Goosander 1
Little Grebe 5
Moorhen 18
Coot 78
Buzzard 1
Kingfisher 2
Treecreeper 1
Redwing 15
Goosander 14 at the Broad Ees Dole roost at dusk
Shoveler 9
Gadwall 21
Teal 31
Jackdaw c800 at dusk
Cetti's Warbler singing from Broad Ees Dole at 11.30 this morning.
Two Redwings in blackthorn bushes on the riverbank this morning were my first of the season.
Teal 46
Gadwall 13
Little Grebe 3
Kingfisher 2 together (then two observations of individuals at opposite ends of the lake)
Sparrowhawk 2
Buzzard 2
Kestrel 2
Meadow Pipit 8 over south
A surprisingly productive early visit, with two patch ticks for me: Cuckoo and Whinchat.
The Cuckoo (brown; presumably juv) was in the trees along the river behind Broad Ees Dole, but flew across the river into Chorlton Ees before I could get a photo. The Whinchat was also very active, but I managed to get a couple of distant record shots before it also flew over the river. (See photos attached.)
Apart from those highlights, fairly typical for the time of year.
Water Rail creeping along the muddy reed edge on the Teal pond next to Broad Ees Dole this evening. Patch tick for me!
-- Edited by Andrew Jeffery on Friday 19th of August 2022 07:04:06 PM
Common Tern 2
Kingfisher 1
Reed Warbler adult feeding two recently fledged juveniles
I must admit that LBH did briefly cross my mind, but juvenile Little Egret seemed far more likely.
Juvenile Little Egrets have been recorded and document several times at this site at this time of year before
Interesting photo of little egret (presumably a juvenile).
There have been claims in the past of this plumage, with a pale bill with dark tip and pale legs, being a juvenile little blue heron. (Recorded in Ireland but not yet on the British list).
Little Egret at Broad Ees Dole early this morning. (It had gone when I returned at 09:30.) See record shot attached.
Also a (Northern) Lapwing here. Apart from that, just the usuals. (Full list on eBird.)
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Reed Warbler singing
1 Kingfisher
3 Grey Wagtail - two adults feeding a youngster on the Mersey.
Main lake .
Mute swan - 32.
Cow lane.
Goldcrest - 1.
Robin - 1.
Blackbird - 3.
Song thrush - 3 heard.
Chiffchaff - 1 heard.
Old car park.
Bullfinch - 2.
Long-tail tit - 2.
Greenfinch - 4 ( 2 singing).
Chiffchaff - 1.
Goldfinch - 2.
Wren - 1.
Robin - 1.
Blackbird - 3.
Blackcap - 2 m+ f.
Broad ees dole. (Water level high).
Canada goose - 2.
Mallard - 2.
Coot - 2.
Moorhen - 1.
Little grebe - 1.
Mute swan - 1.
Grey heron - 3.
As Winter passes to Spring, I had a of couple of hours after work at Sale Water Park and got a great list of 39 birds. There were ten Mallard ducklings on the water behind the feeders. I got two new birds for my year list: Chiffchaff and Kingfisher. I saw my first ever Siskin at SWP. Also by the feeders were Reed Bunting. Two Grey Wagtail by the sluice gates. A Nuthatch was calling loudly near the café. There was a Buzzard circling overhead. Five species of Tit and four species of Finches. There were noisy Ring-necked Parakeets all over the place! Next time, I'll have to take my camera!
-- Edited by Anthony Robinson on Wednesday 16th of March 2022 08:06:52 PM