Garden warbler singing in the beeches in Keg Wood just beyond the wooden "bus shelter" by the picnic area.
[I'll add my support for the Egyptian goose. :)]
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Apr 27 11:08 PM, 2019
Changing tack then...
In the rain this afternoon, thought I'd check the outside chance of something odd dropping in on the lake, but found only c30 swallows, c10 sand martins and 1 house martin sweeping the water for anything going. Thankfully they won't have to put up with another day like this for a while at least.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 27 10:21 PM, 2019
This discussion requires its own thread if possible please, it could (and perhaps should) run and run.
dave broome said
Sat Apr 27 8:32 PM, 2019
I dont really understand NEs stance that the Egyptian Goose cant be re-released, when it is a Category C species on the BOU British list. Surely they wouldnt object to the re-release of a Mandarin from Etherow, or any of Pheasant, Red-Legged Partridge, or Little Owl? I would be interested to see their reasoning.
John Rayner said
Sat Apr 27 7:59 PM, 2019
Tim Wilcox wrote:
Can we have a campaign to restore the poor harmless goose to its home alongside all the other harmless wonky ducks and geese there? Who do we complain to? None of this has any bearing on the loss of native passerines and woodpeckers btw.
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 27th of April 2019 07:54:55 PM
A start point might be...
Teresa Hughes Nature Development Officer Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Apr 27 7:53 PM, 2019
Can we have a campaign to restore the poor harmless goose to its home alongside all the other harmless wonky ducks and geese there? Who do we complain to? None of this has any bearing on the loss of native passerines and woodpeckers btw.
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 27th of April 2019 07:54:55 PM
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Apr 26 8:15 PM, 2019
Julie Gardiner wrote:
I know what has happened to the Egyptian Goose at Etherow. I spent a very long time trying to find out and did! He apparently was found curled up somewhere in Etherow around bonfire night. A gentleman got him to the RSPCA and they looked after him. Apparently there wasn't much wrong with him. Those awful fireworks must have distressed him. Anyhow, we were told at first that he would be released into the park but then Natural England put a stop to it and wouldn't issue a license for his release as he is not an indigenous species. Along with a friend of mine we are in contact with Natural England and are at stage 2 of trying to get a license for release. It's really hard as they have quote an EU law. But our friend the Egptian Goose in Etherow is no threat to the wildlife there. He's lived all his life in Etherow and around 15 years. He's more of a domestic goose than a wild one. And he teamed up with the swan family. I just can't believe this lovely gentle goose cannot get back to the place he loves. He is apparently with some private "collector" whatever that means and they won't reveal where he is. But I really am trying to get him back where he belongs. We are expecting a reply from Natural England any day now.
The Egyptian goose was always nice to see, but I'd rather 'Un-Natural England' restored willow tit, lesser spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, redstart, garden warbler etc... which have also all disappeared from the park. If the goose does return, I trust it has grown used to the rock music, bikers, drunken revellers and so on who have turned the park into a sad joke. Stand up Stockport Council.
Julie Gardiner said
Fri Apr 26 10:55 AM, 2019
I know what has happened to the Egyptian Goose at Etherow. I spent a very long time trying to find out and did! He apparently was found curled up somewhere in Etherow around bonfire night. A gentleman got him to the RSPCA and they looked after him. Apparently there wasn't much wrong with him. Those awful fireworks must have distressed him. Anyhow, we were told at first that he would be released into the park but then Natural England put a stop to it and wouldn't issue a license for his release as he is not an indigenous species. Along with a friend of mine we are in contact with Natural England and are at stage 2 of trying to get a license for release. It's really hard as they have quote an EU law. But our friend the Egptian Goose in Etherow is no threat to the wildlife there. He's lived all his life in Etherow and around 15 years. He's more of a domestic goose than a wild one. And he teamed up with the swan family. I just can't believe this lovely gentle goose cannot get back to the place he loves. He is apparently with some private "collector" whatever that means and they won't reveal where he is. But I really am trying to get him back where he belongs. We are expecting a reply from Natural England any day now.
Mark Walsh said
Sat Apr 20 2:18 PM, 2019
I'll rescue the Etherow thread from the depths of the 5th page, early morning start and a wander round up to Sunny Corner and back by Keg Pool;
8 Chiffchaff in song 7 Nuthatch 4 Male Blackcap's singing 7 Tufted Duck (6m and 1 poor female) 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Willow Warbler (not particularly common here these days) 1 Goosander.
A call in the cafe where I met up with Mr Rayner, who had had Kingfisher on the river, before we headed up to Ludworth
Cheers
Mark
Mark Dean said
Sun Feb 3 8:15 PM, 2019
I visited for a couple of hours between 1 and 3 pm. Usual wildfowl on unfrozen parts of main lake, and some stood on ice,Greylags,Mallard,Coots,Moorhen,Mute Swans, a Tufted Duck, the 2 Muscovy ducks, Canada Geese as well as B H Gulls,but unfortunately no sign of the Egyptian Goose or Great Crested Grebe. Walked on and on the 'Canal' section at least 40 Mandarin ducks.Walked up path through wooded area and on field above at least 10 Lapwings,2 Mistle Thrush,a few Carrion Crows.On to the Wild Sensory Garden and on feeders Great tits,Blue Tits, Coal Tits ,a small flock of 12 Long Tail Tits,1 Nuthatch kept visiting, on ground a Dunnock, 3 Blackbirds,3 Robins,Chaffinch 2 Woodpigeon,a Song Thrush ,2 Cormorants flew over. I walked on to the bridge near the weir,no sign of Dipper or Kingfisher and the pond further on was frozen over,and nothing on it. A few notices around informing that there is a petition to sign in the information centre to stop the demolition of the toilet block near the Sensory Garden area ,this I think runs until later this month so I signed it. All the best and good Birding in 2019!
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Feb 2 9:54 PM, 2019
Got to try and keep the place on the map! No signs of anything unusual, but there was a very large cormorant roost of 25+ birds. Two great spotted woodpeckers were having a drumming competition, and the number of jackdaws overflying the park at dusk was the most I've seen for some time (750+). Also noted 1 male goosander and a few teal on the river. Much of the open water was frozen so I expecgted more on the river but was disappointed.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 2nd of February 2019 10:02:03 PM
Julie Gardiner said
Tue Jan 8 2:40 PM, 2019
Has anybody seen the Egyptian Goose recently at Etherow Country Park. I haven't seen him for six weeks and am worried.
James Walsh said
Thu Dec 20 1:29 PM, 2018
Wednesday 19th December 2018
c40 Mandarins on the channel between the main lakes and Keg Pool 1 Peregrine 1 Greylag Goose
Quick sken round at lunchtime, 33 species in total, some highlights:
90+ pigeons on the café roof
17 mandarin ten drakes, seven ducks
3 muscovy ducks a pair plus one half-grown juvenile
One common gull, all the rest black-headed, no large gulls
One male goosander, one male tufted duck
Great spotted woodpecker showing well on the feeders by the herb garden, also large numbers of blue, great and coal tits and at least two nuthatches
Grey wagtail on the river, also a juvenile heron
One buzzard feeding on the field
Nice to see a song thrush belting out a song in plain view by the garden centre
Chris Harper said
Sun Oct 28 7:56 PM, 2018
09.30-11.30 this morning.
140 Fieldfare in fields beyond Sunny Corner .20 Redwing. Also Egyptian Goose, 8 Goosander, Kingfisher, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Common Buzzard.
John Rayner said
Tue Oct 9 2:57 PM, 2018
Large flock of 167 Feral Pigeons around the café. (Well, someone might as well count them! It's pretty slow around these parts of GM)
Cheers, John
Chris Harper said
Tue Jul 31 5:32 PM, 2018
Evening stroll from 19.30-21.00 yesterday .
2 Raven over weir, 14 Mandarin, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan.
Steven Heywood said
Mon Jun 4 11:53 PM, 2018
12:45 16:30
Drake mandarins ranging from full breeding plumage to very nearly full eclipse.
Pair of buzzard overhead, occasionally mobbed by carrion crows.
No sign of dippers and just the one grey wagtail.
Steven Heywood said
Mon May 21 8:33 PM, 2018
Nesting nuthatches and treecreepers. Great spotted woodpeckers, blackcaps and chiffchaffs very much in evidence. Just the one willow warbler.
Egyptian goose on Keg Pool.
John Rayner said
Sun May 6 2:04 PM, 2018
Blackcap (the most abundant warbler) 13 Chiffchaff 3 Willow Warbler ZERO Sand Martin 2 (visiting nest hole) House Martin 4 Swallow 2 Grey Wagtail 1 Dipper 1 (colour ringed Blue/left, Red over metal/right) Treecreeper 3 Raven 1 Buzzard 2 Mute Swan 2 ad, 3 1st s. Mandarin 6m, 3f Mallard f+9 ducklings Little Grebe 1
Didn't bump into the Egyptian Goose in a fairly extensive walk. Lots of butterflies.
Cheers John.
Mark Walsh said
Mon Apr 9 5:23 PM, 2018
Had a quick walk round midday as the weather was so nice.......I quickly remembered it was the school holidays as the place was packed.
Main things of note;
3 Male Blackcap seen, more heard. 8 Chiffchaff 2 Little Grebe 1 Raven 1 Buzzard
Usual woodland stuff as well, Nuthatch, Treecreeper etc.
Cheers
Mark
James Richardson said
Mon Apr 9 9:51 AM, 2018
Sunday 8 April first time visit to Etherow CP, what a nice pocket of ancient woodland I never knew was there. As usual in the NW though - Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed everywhere.
Wondering if it's redstart/pied fly/wood warbler territory?
There was a female sparrowhawk hunting round the big warehouse by the car park, where there were also 4 sand martins shadowing it when it flew higher up.
In the woodland loads of blue tit, several chiffchaff and treecreeper, 4 great spotted woodpecker, ravens heard, 2 buzzards over the forest to the east.
On the river/canal, 1 dipper, 2 grey wagtail, 2 mute swan, loads of mandarin, one Egyptian goose. Also 2 goosander.
Will have to go back in a few weeks.
-- Edited by James Richardson on Monday 9th of April 2018 09:53:38 AM
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Mar 20 8:50 PM, 2018
vic chatterton wrote:
Re Andy's count of Tufted Duck
During the late 1970s and early 80s there were some fairly high counts during the much harsher winters.
On 13/1/1979 I had 48 Tufted Duck all visible from the hide. All still water was frozen on that day and even parts of the river. There were also 22 Teal and 5 Pochard on the river. I counted 48 Tufted Duck again on 1/2/1979.
Way before my time Vic.
Andy.
vic chatterton said
Tue Mar 20 5:41 PM, 2018
Re Andy's count of Tufted Duck
During the late 1970s and early 80s there were some fairly high counts during the much harsher winters.
On 13/1/1979 I had 48 Tufted Duck all visible from the hide. All still water was frozen on that day and even parts of the river. There were also 22 Teal and 5 Pochard on the river. I counted 48 Tufted Duck again on 1/2/1979.
John Rayner said
Tue Mar 20 2:04 PM, 2018
Chiffchaff from hide Ravens 2 over Treecreeper 2 Siskin 14 Best bird was a displaying Goldcrest - quite stunning with red-orange crown fully flared.
No sign of Crossbill in Ernocroft Wood (reported by Paul Greenall)
Mandarin c. 10 - well down on this time last year Sparrowhawk in the car park Egyptian Goose at Keg Pool Surprise Tawny Owl flying around in the woods near Keg Pool around noon and perching in the open! Weir in spate so no Dipper activity
Mark Walsh said
Sat Mar 3 4:42 PM, 2018
Called in briefly this afternoon;
Similar to Andy I had good numbers of Tufted Duck with 17 counted between the main lake and hide. 11 Coot 5 Moorhen 2 Goosander A sizable party of Long Tailed Tits on some fat blocks near the hide.
Sadly no Water Rail, best I managed was a Robin feeding along the bank
Cheers
Mark
Oh and Great Spotted Woodpecker from the hide as well.
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Saturday 3rd of March 2018 04:43:22 PM
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Mar 2 9:38 PM, 2018
Really testing conditions which I thought might have brought something unusual in, but hadn't really. The following were recorded as notable.
Lodge:
20 tufted duck (14 male); possibly a site record?
18 cormorants (at least).
6 goosander (4 male)
River Hide:
pr of goosander
1 dabchick, a real scarcity in the park these days
1 snipe; attempted to land on mud bank (covered in ice), but flew off up river at once. A first for me here after 33 years of visits!
No sign of teal or water rail, which with carrion crows and a grey heron patrolling where it had been is perhaps understandable. Only saw 5 small passerines in total (robin, blackbird, wren, long-tailed tit, goldfinch), all singles.
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Feb 27 8:39 PM, 2018
One of the park's Holy (G)rails this afternoon, from the now reopened hide. A water rail on the far bank of the river giving good views well before dusk. Also 9 teal on the river, 14 cormorants on the mill lodge, dipper from the weir bridge, and two ravens over. All in all, a very productive pm.
Cheers,
Andy
bernard hooley said
Fri Feb 23 9:13 AM, 2018
A couple of hours yesterday afternoon. Starling x5 Black Headed Gull x 40+ Magpie x6 Carrion Crow x7 Jackdaw x15 Wood Pigeon x8 Canada Goose x 100+ Mallard x 80 + Greylag Goose x5 Mute Swan x6 Blue Tit x8 Chaffinch x3 Robin x10 Goosander x2 Mandarin x14 Egyptian Goose x1 Coot x12 Blackbird x3 Cormorant x3 Long Tailed Tit x8 Nuthatch x4 Great Spotted Woodpecker x1 Great Tit x3 Coal Tit x1 Moorhen x2 Herring Gull x2
steven burke said
Tue Jan 30 9:11 PM, 2018
A couple of hours this morning.
33+ mandarin 2 Goosander 7 tufted duck 1 great crested grebe 1 little grebe Close views of a kingfisher on the canal, the same or another seen near pump house later on. 2 dipper near the weir another seen flying up stream from the hide. There was actually 2 black bags outside of the boarded up hide. The 4 muscovy ducks were on the path between canal & pool & were not even bothered by my presence ( nigel, not quiet sure where there from but I get the impression that they have been there for some time) there is something about them though, despite there looks 1 raven, over 1 grey wagtail 2 pied wagtail No signs of the Egyptian goose for me. Plus the usuals around.
Mark Walsh said
Tue Jan 30 7:55 PM, 2018
John Rayner wrote:
There is a notice on the hide closed from 14th December. Does anyone know is this is seasonal or permanent? The way the door and windows are screwed and boarded up make it look permanent.
Cheers John
John I know there has been a homeless person living in the hide for a while now. Maybe closing and barring it shut is an effort to move him on?
nigel charlesworth said
Tue Jan 30 6:40 PM, 2018
Afternoon visit usual suspects at car park end walk up to weir 21+Mandarin, Egyptian Goose was on the pond area of the canal near the old barge on the way back near the cottage before garden centre were 4 very smart Muscovy Duck I have never seen them like this where have these come from any ideas people???
John Rayner said
Tue Jan 30 6:10 PM, 2018
Goosander 2 Mandarin Duck 21 Teal 3 Egyptian Goose 1 Little Grebe 1 Raven 1 (mobbed by Carrion Crows)
There is a notice on the hide closed from 14th December. Does anyone know is this is seasonal or permanent? The way the door and windows are screwed and boarded up make it look permanent.
Cheers John
Steve Christmas said
Sun Jan 21 3:16 PM, 2018
Egyptian goose was ringed there as an adult on 10/11/2013. Thanks for reporting it.
Steve
Chris Knight said
Sun Jan 21 1:43 PM, 2018
Dropped in to shelter from the foul weather in the cafe. Quick look showed a single goosander on boat club lake. The (?) Egyptian goose was sitting disconsolately up on the edge of the path, this meant I could test out the close focus on my new bins (Thanks FocalPoint!) and read its BTO ring (1044333). Is this well known, or worth reporting?
Mark Walsh said
Fri Dec 8 11:31 PM, 2017
Called in again this afternoon, only 2 things of note were a flock of c30 Siskin near sunny corner and a group of 12 Long Tailed Tits with 2 Goldcrest moving through, otherwise very quiet.
Mark Walsh said
Fri Dec 1 10:36 PM, 2017
Fancied a change from Ludworth so called in Etherow for a brief visit;
Several parties of Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit and Goldcrest around the park, in addition a lone Grey Wagtail by the weir.
A large number of Jackdaw heading to roost (3:30pm) as the sun was setting, heading south west.
Usual Mandarin's along the canal between the visitor centre and pump house with some in the river behind the pump house. The Egyptian Goose was also on the canal.
Cheers
Mark
bernard hooley said
Wed Aug 16 6:49 PM, 2017
Late post for yesterday Sparrowhawk m x1 Coot x4 Mallard x34 Canada Goose x31 Black Headed Gull 28 Mandarin x12 Mute Swan x3 Moorhen x 2 Greylag Goose x 1 Carrion Crow x 4 Egyptian Goose x1 Grey Heron x 1 Cormorant x 1 Raven x 2 Jackdaw x 1 Magpie x 4 Wood Pigeon x 6
Pete Hines said
Fri Aug 11 1:33 PM, 2017
Mandarin 42 Egyptian Goose 1 Kingfisher 1 Little Grebe 1 Great crested Grebe 2 Buzzard 1
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 11th of August 2017 03:55:10 PM
Chris Harper said
Tue Jul 25 3:46 PM, 2017
Yesterday 7.40-9.40 am
2 Redpoll by garden centre, Goldcrest, Kestrel top of Ernocroft, 4 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 4 Muscovy Duck, 14 Mandarin Duck.
John Rayner said
Fri Jun 30 3:26 PM, 2017
The Egyptian Goose was ringed as an adult at Etherow on 10/11/2013
Info thanks to Steve Christmas.
John Rayner said
Fri Jun 30 3:20 PM, 2017
Without trawling through 11 pages of sightings I cannot be sure this hasn't been reported before:
The Egyptian Goose was hauled out on the bank near the model boat club area. It was metal ringed 1044333. I would assume it was ringed at Etherow but someone out there will know for certain. > Sand Martin young were hanging out of holes in the brick walls of the mill waiting to be fed and 1 Great Crested Grebe on the lodge.
My intention to photograph insects was unsuccessful. Must remember to put a memory card in the camera next time
Cheers John
Chris Harper said
Mon May 29 7:04 AM, 2017
6-8.30 pm yesterday
Dipper, Tawny Owl, 2 Stock Dove, Grey Wagtail, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Treecreeper, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 8 Mandarin, 2 Mute Swan with cygnet, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Swift, 5 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin, 3 Goldcrest, Goosander and at least 3 pairs of Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Plus the usuals
vic chatterton said
Wed Apr 19 5:42 PM, 2017
Brief visit to hide - pair of Kingfishers perched below hide for some time but mostly obscured by vegetation (about time the brambles were cut on edge of embankment)
pair of Teal and pair of Tufted Ducks and several Mandarin. Grey Wagtail by weir and a single Great Crested Grebe on boating lake.
Earlier in the afternoon (in addition to the above), there was a single raven over the park which hung around for about 5 minutes. Also drake goosander, a few sand martins, and a tantalising glimpse of what was near certainly a woodcock which rose from the ground near Sunny Corner (whilst I was not looking in that direction) and made off over the trees in a direct line away from me.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Saturday 8th of April 2017 09:13:10 PM
Highlight was a male reed bunting by the nature reserve.
5+ Sand martin 2 Swallow 1 Great crested grebe 20+Mandarin 12 Tufted duck 1 Grey wagtail 1 Dipper 1 + Kingfisher 2 Treecreeper 2 Blackcap 1 Nuthatch 1 Great Spotted woodpecker 5+ Chiffchaff 2 Buzzard 1 Goldcrest 2 Stock dove
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of April 2017 05:07:40 PM
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Apr 1 9:21 PM, 2017
p.m.
12 sand martins around the mills and lodge area. A pair of sparrowhawks way on high, one in display. Male goosander in flight, one dipper briefly near weir, and chiffchaffs/buzzards as expected. Across the road along the river, a willow warbler was heard very briefly, but not seen. This, I think, was my earliest ever for the county.
A couple of pieces of behaviour were quite interesting. One was noting mandarins 'diving' (for up to 20 seconds). I had always considered them a dabbler/grazer. The other was a coot steaming towards me across the pond in an aggressive manner, mute swan style, and its mate likewise. They did not leave the water though, and backed off when I made steps towards them. Never seen that before (it was not a pond where the birds are fed).
Garden warbler singing in the beeches in Keg Wood just beyond the wooden "bus shelter" by the picnic area.
[I'll add my support for the Egyptian goose. :)]
Changing tack then...
In the rain this afternoon, thought I'd check the outside chance of something odd dropping in on the lake, but found only c30 swallows, c10 sand martins and 1 house martin sweeping the water for anything going. Thankfully they won't have to put up with another day like this for a while at least.
This discussion requires its own thread if possible please, it could (and perhaps should) run and run.
A start point might be...
Teresa Hughes
Nature Development Officer
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 27th of April 2019 07:54:55 PM
The Egyptian goose was always nice to see, but I'd rather 'Un-Natural England' restored willow tit, lesser spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, redstart, garden warbler etc... which have also all disappeared from the park. If the goose does return, I trust it has grown used to the rock music, bikers, drunken revellers and so on who have turned the park into a sad joke. Stand up Stockport Council.
I know what has happened to the Egyptian Goose at Etherow. I spent a very long time trying to find out and did! He apparently was found curled up somewhere in Etherow around bonfire night. A gentleman got him to the RSPCA and they looked after him. Apparently there wasn't much wrong with him. Those awful fireworks must have distressed him. Anyhow, we were told at first that he would be released into the park but then Natural England put a stop to it and wouldn't issue a license for his release as he is not an indigenous species. Along with a friend of mine we are in contact with Natural England and are at stage 2 of trying to get a license for release. It's really hard as they have quote an EU law. But our friend the Egptian Goose in Etherow is no threat to the wildlife there. He's lived all his life in Etherow and around 15 years. He's more of a domestic goose than a wild one. And he teamed up with the swan family. I just can't believe this lovely gentle goose cannot get back to the place he loves. He is apparently with some private "collector" whatever that means and they won't reveal where he is. But I really am trying to get him back where he belongs. We are expecting a reply from Natural England any day now.
8 Chiffchaff in song
7 Nuthatch
4 Male Blackcap's singing
7 Tufted Duck (6m and 1 poor female)
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Willow Warbler (not particularly common here these days)
1 Goosander.
A call in the cafe where I met up with Mr Rayner, who had had Kingfisher on the river, before we headed up to Ludworth
Cheers
Mark
All the best and good Birding in 2019!
Got to try and keep the place on the map! No signs of anything unusual, but there was a very large cormorant roost of 25+ birds. Two great spotted woodpeckers were having a drumming competition, and the number of jackdaws overflying the park at dusk was the most I've seen for some time (750+). Also noted 1 male goosander and a few teal on the river. Much of the open water was frozen so I expecgted more on the river but was disappointed.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 2nd of February 2019 10:02:03 PM
Has anybody seen the Egyptian Goose recently at Etherow Country Park. I haven't seen him for six weeks and am worried.
c40 Mandarins on the channel between the main lakes and Keg Pool
1 Peregrine
1 Greylag Goose
Quick sken round at lunchtime, 33 species in total, some highlights:
09.30-11.30 this morning.
140 Fieldfare in fields beyond Sunny Corner .20 Redwing. Also Egyptian Goose, 8 Goosander, Kingfisher, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Common Buzzard.
Cheers, John
Evening stroll from 19.30-21.00 yesterday .
2 Raven over weir, 14 Mandarin, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan.
12:45 16:30
Drake mandarins ranging from full breeding plumage to very nearly full eclipse.
Pair of buzzard overhead, occasionally mobbed by carrion crows.
No sign of dippers and just the one grey wagtail.
Nesting nuthatches and treecreepers. Great spotted woodpeckers, blackcaps and chiffchaffs very much in evidence. Just the one willow warbler.
Egyptian goose on Keg Pool.
Chiffchaff 3
Willow Warbler ZERO
Sand Martin 2 (visiting nest hole)
House Martin 4
Swallow 2
Grey Wagtail 1
Dipper 1 (colour ringed Blue/left, Red over metal/right)
Treecreeper 3
Raven 1
Buzzard 2
Mute Swan 2 ad, 3 1st s.
Mandarin 6m, 3f
Mallard f+9 ducklings
Little Grebe 1
Didn't bump into the Egyptian Goose in a fairly extensive walk. Lots of butterflies.
Cheers John.
Main things of note;
3 Male Blackcap seen, more heard.
8 Chiffchaff
2 Little Grebe
1 Raven
1 Buzzard
Usual woodland stuff as well, Nuthatch, Treecreeper etc.
Cheers
Mark
Wondering if it's redstart/pied fly/wood warbler territory?
There was a female sparrowhawk hunting round the big warehouse by the car park, where there were also 4 sand martins shadowing it when it flew higher up.
In the woodland loads of blue tit, several chiffchaff and treecreeper, 4 great spotted woodpecker, ravens heard, 2 buzzards over the forest to the east.
On the river/canal, 1 dipper, 2 grey wagtail, 2 mute swan, loads of mandarin, one Egyptian goose. Also 2 goosander.
Will have to go back in a few weeks.
-- Edited by James Richardson on Monday 9th of April 2018 09:53:38 AM
Way before my time Vic.
Andy.
Re Andy's count of Tufted Duck
During the late 1970s and early 80s there were some fairly high counts during the much harsher winters.
On 13/1/1979 I had 48 Tufted Duck all visible from the hide. All still water was frozen on that day and even parts of the river. There were also 22 Teal and 5 Pochard on the river. I counted 48 Tufted Duck again on 1/2/1979.
Ravens 2 over
Treecreeper 2
Siskin 14
Best bird was a displaying Goldcrest - quite stunning with red-orange crown fully flared.
No sign of Crossbill in Ernocroft Wood (reported by Paul Greenall)
Cheers John
Teal 4
Tufted Duck 4
Goosander 5
Little Grebe 1
Nuthatch 2
Cheers John
Mandarin c. 10 - well down on this time last year
Sparrowhawk in the car park
Egyptian Goose at Keg Pool
Surprise Tawny Owl flying around in the woods near Keg Pool around noon and perching in the open!
Weir in spate so no Dipper activity
Similar to Andy I had good numbers of Tufted Duck with 17 counted between the main lake and hide.
11 Coot
5 Moorhen
2 Goosander
A sizable party of Long Tailed Tits on some fat blocks near the hide.
Sadly no Water Rail, best I managed was a Robin feeding along the bank
Cheers
Mark Oh and Great Spotted Woodpecker from the hide as well.
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Saturday 3rd of March 2018 04:43:22 PM
Really testing conditions which I thought might have brought something unusual in, but hadn't really. The following were recorded as notable.
Lodge:
20 tufted duck (14 male); possibly a site record?
18 cormorants (at least).
6 goosander (4 male)
River Hide:
pr of goosander
1 dabchick, a real scarcity in the park these days
1 snipe; attempted to land on mud bank (covered in ice), but flew off up river at once. A first for me here after 33 years of visits!
No sign of teal or water rail, which with carrion crows and a grey heron patrolling where it had been is perhaps understandable. Only saw 5 small passerines in total (robin, blackbird, wren, long-tailed tit, goldfinch), all singles.
Starling x5
Black Headed Gull x 40+
Magpie x6
Carrion Crow x7
Jackdaw x15
Wood Pigeon x8
Canada Goose x 100+
Mallard x 80 +
Greylag Goose x5
Mute Swan x6
Blue Tit x8
Chaffinch x3
Robin x10
Goosander x2
Mandarin x14
Egyptian Goose x1
Coot x12
Blackbird x3
Cormorant x3
Long Tailed Tit x8
Nuthatch x4
Great Spotted Woodpecker x1
Great Tit x3
Coal Tit x1
Moorhen x2
Herring Gull x2
33+ mandarin
2 Goosander
7 tufted duck
1 great crested grebe
1 little grebe
Close views of a kingfisher on the canal, the same or another seen near pump house later on.
2 dipper near the weir another seen flying up stream from the hide. There was actually 2 black bags outside of the boarded up hide.
The 4 muscovy ducks were on the path between canal & pool & were not even bothered by my presence ( nigel, not quiet sure where there from but I get the impression that they have been there for some time) there is something about them though, despite there looks
1 raven, over
1 grey wagtail
2 pied wagtail
No signs of the Egyptian goose for me.
Plus the usuals around.
John I know there has been a homeless person living in the hide for a while now. Maybe closing and barring it shut is an effort to move him on?
Mandarin Duck 21
Teal 3
Egyptian Goose 1
Little Grebe 1
Raven 1 (mobbed by Carrion Crows)
There is a notice on the hide closed from 14th December. Does anyone know is this is seasonal or permanent? The way the door and windows are screwed and boarded up make it look permanent.
Cheers John
Egyptian goose was ringed there as an adult on 10/11/2013. Thanks for reporting it.
Steve
Dropped in to shelter from the foul weather in the cafe. Quick look showed a single goosander on boat club lake. The (?) Egyptian goose was sitting disconsolately up on the edge of the path, this meant I could test out the close focus on my new bins (Thanks FocalPoint!) and read its BTO ring (1044333). Is this well known, or worth reporting?
Several parties of Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit and Goldcrest around the park, in addition a lone Grey Wagtail by the weir.
A large number of Jackdaw heading to roost (3:30pm) as the sun was setting, heading south west.
Usual Mandarin's along the canal between the visitor centre and pump house with some in the river behind the pump house. The Egyptian Goose was also on the canal.
Cheers
Mark
Sparrowhawk m x1
Coot x4
Mallard x34
Canada Goose x31
Black Headed Gull 28
Mandarin x12
Mute Swan x3
Moorhen x 2
Greylag Goose x 1
Carrion Crow x 4
Egyptian Goose x1
Grey Heron x 1
Cormorant x 1
Raven x 2
Jackdaw x 1
Magpie x 4
Wood Pigeon x 6
Mandarin 42
Egyptian Goose 1
Kingfisher 1
Little Grebe 1
Great crested Grebe 2
Buzzard 1
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 11th of August 2017 03:55:10 PM
Yesterday 7.40-9.40 am
2 Redpoll by garden centre, Goldcrest, Kestrel top of Ernocroft, 4 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 4 Muscovy Duck, 14 Mandarin Duck.
Info thanks to Steve Christmas.
The Egyptian Goose was hauled out on the bank near the model boat club area. It was metal ringed 1044333. I would assume it was ringed at Etherow but someone out there will know for certain. >
Sand Martin young were hanging out of holes in the brick walls of the mill waiting to be fed and 1 Great Crested Grebe on the lodge.
My intention to photograph insects was unsuccessful. Must remember to put a memory card in the camera next time
Cheers John
6-8.30 pm yesterday
Dipper, Tawny Owl, 2 Stock Dove, Grey Wagtail, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Treecreeper, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 8 Mandarin, 2 Mute Swan with cygnet, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Swift, 5 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin, 3 Goldcrest, Goosander and at least 3 pairs of Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Plus the usuals
Brief visit to hide - pair of Kingfishers perched below hide for some time but mostly obscured by vegetation (about time the brambles were cut on edge of embankment)
pair of Teal and pair of Tufted Ducks and several Mandarin. Grey Wagtail by weir and a single Great Crested Grebe on boating lake.
Earlier in the afternoon (in addition to the above), there was a single raven over the park which hung around for about 5 minutes. Also drake goosander, a few sand martins, and a tantalising glimpse of what was near certainly a woodcock which rose from the ground near Sunny Corner (whilst I was not looking in that direction) and made off over the trees in a direct line away from me.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Saturday 8th of April 2017 09:13:10 PM
19.00-20.30 Highlights
Drake Teal, Kingfisher, Dipper, 7 Tufted Duck, 18 Mandarin Duck, 5 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 2 Swallow, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Goldcrest
2.30 -4.00
Highlight was a male reed bunting by the nature reserve.
5+ Sand martin
2 Swallow
1 Great crested grebe
20+Mandarin
12 Tufted duck
1 Grey wagtail
1 Dipper
1 + Kingfisher
2 Treecreeper
2 Blackcap
1 Nuthatch
1 Great Spotted woodpecker
5+ Chiffchaff
2 Buzzard
1 Goldcrest
2 Stock dove
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of April 2017 05:07:40 PM
p.m.
12 sand martins around the mills and lodge area. A pair of sparrowhawks way on high, one in display. Male goosander in flight, one dipper briefly near weir, and chiffchaffs/buzzards as expected. Across the road along the river, a willow warbler was heard very briefly, but not seen. This, I think, was my earliest ever for the county.
A couple of pieces of behaviour were quite interesting. One was noting mandarins 'diving' (for up to 20 seconds). I had always considered them a dabbler/grazer. The other was a coot steaming towards me across the pond in an aggressive manner, mute swan style, and its mate likewise. They did not leave the water though, and backed off when I made steps towards them. Never seen that before (it was not a pond where the birds are fed).