This is far greater than any single count that I have personally had on the lodges (previous best about five or six), though other regular watchers on the site may well have had more. The sighting is all the more remarkable because Silburn Way lodge is one of the smaller ones on the complex.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Oct 27 8:34 PM, 2012
27th October.
A Pochard was on the main lodge this morning in the company of a couple of Tufted Duck. Pochard is quite a scarce species here.
Also 11 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Goosander (parties of 5, 2 and 2 on differing lodges), 4 Mute Swan. The rafts on the main lodge held a decent count of loafing gulls - c110 Black-headed, 2 Common and 1 Lesser Black-backed.
Also seen 1 Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2+ Siskin heard but not seen.
Cheers,
Bill.
Charles Farrell said
Sun Oct 14 4:30 PM, 2012
Sat 13th 11:00 - 12:50 ish
Quick tour of the woods (which only seemed to hold the usual tits and small passerines) and the lodges. Only bird of note was the Grey Wagtail, which I haven't seen much of this year.
- Grey Wagtail ( alongside the river Irk) - Jay. 1 seen and several heard. - Grey Heron - single Greylag Goose - 43 Canada Goose - c20 Tufted Duck - 9 Mallard - small numbers of Moorhen and Coot
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Sunday 14th of October 2012 04:31:01 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Sep 11 8:33 PM, 2012
11th September - am.
4 Great Crested Grebe (each adult trailed by a single juvenile).
Singles of Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, Teal and Kingfisher. 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan - the darvic rings were a little difficult to read but thought to be FZ6 and CZ6.
A few remaining summer visitors were a single Swallow and a Chiffchaff which was singing in the sunshine between the heavy showers.
Cheers,
Bill.
Charles Farrell said
Sun Sep 2 3:42 PM, 2012
Sat 1st Sep 11:00-13:15 Around the lodges: Grey Heron - 1 Mute Swan - 2 Great Crested Grebe pair with 2 chicks Plus an assortment of eclipse Mallards and Tufted Duck
In the Woods themselves which were very quiet except for the calls of some mixed tit flocks Nuthatch - 2+ inc 1 feeding with a mixed tit flock Kestrel
Plus a solitary flyover Swallow
Charles Farrell said
Sun Sep 2 3:41 PM, 2012
Sat 1st Sep 11:00-13:15 Around the lodges: Grey Heron - 1 Mute Swan - 2 Great Crested Grebe pair with 2 chicks Plus an assortment of eclipse Mallards and Tufted Duck
In the Woods themselves which were very quiet except for the calls of some mixed tit flocks Nuthatch - 2+ inc 1 feeding with a mixed tit flock Kestrel
Plus a solitary flyover Swallow
Charles Farrell said
Sun Jul 22 1:59 AM, 2012
Good long walk around this afternoon (13:30 - 17:30) in decent conditions, if a bit wet underfoot.
Buzzard - 1 following the line of the M60 and disappearing over towards Heaton Park Sparrowhawk - One drifting off towards North Manchester Golf club Grey Heron - 1 Mute Swan - 2 Great Crested Grebe pair with 2 chicks Several Coot with single chicks One female Mallard with 3 chicks on the Irk 2+ Swift over 3 House Martin
In the Woods themselves Bullfinch - a pair Nuthatch - 1 Chiffchaff - 3+ Blackcap - 1
John Doherty said
Wed Jul 11 11:46 PM, 2012
Highlights from a wander around in good conditions (this afternoon)
Grey Heron - 1 Mute Swan -2 Great Crested Grebe pair with 2 chicks Little Grebe with 2 chicks Several Coot parents with chicks Mallard with brood And usuals
Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, several each singing in the undergrowth.
Charles Farrell said
Sat May 12 4:47 PM, 2012
Good Long walk through the woods and around the Lodges (09:20 - 12:30). Surprisingly chilly early on, but getting warmer later on.
On the Lodges 8 Canada Geese 4 Great Crested Grebe Moorhen 5 Coot c10 Mallard 1 Mute Swan 3 Black-headed Gulls over
Elsewhere 2+ Nuthatch calling 2 or 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying around pr Bullfinch 1 Treecreeper 3+ Song Thrush 6 Chiffchaff 3 Willow Warbler 7 Blackcap 3 Whitethroat Reed Bunting 3 Swallow
plus the usual tits, corvids etc
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Saturday 12th of May 2012 04:48:17 PM
Charles Farrell said
Mon Apr 9 9:26 PM, 2012
Sun 8th Apr 19:30 - 20:15 10s of Woodpigeon and Jackdaw over Plenty of singing Blackbirds and Robins
- 2 Tawny Owl Female hooting, Male being mobbed by 3 Magpies, who created a lot of noise.
Mon 9th April 10:30 - 12:15 4+ Nuthatch calling 4+ Jay 3 singing Chiffchaff 1 singing Blackcap 3 Great Crested Grebe 2 Singing Song Thrush Mistle Thrush singing Reed Bunting
Charles Farrell said
Sat Apr 7 10:47 AM, 2012
Fri 6th April 06:45 - 08:00
Back in Middleton for the Easter Weekend I sneaked out to the Woods leaving the rest of the family watching a DVD.
Not much moving about but plenty of singing/calling birds including the usual Tits, Robins,Blackbirds etc. In Addition
- lots of woodpigeon settling down to roost - Song Thrush in full voice - Mistle Thrush - Nuthatch
I continued through the centre of the wood and bingo! - 2 Tawny Owl!
Both male and female birds were calling, but the female was a little further off and appeared to be moving around between the bird sanctuary area and private gardens. The male was close and eventually I got a good look of him perched in a tree and then flying away. A GM lifer!
My sister in law who lives in the area has often reported Tawny Owls calling during the summer, but I was never sure whether the birds had a territory in the area or had been kicked out by their parents and were passing through.
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Saturday 7th of April 2012 10:47:54 AM
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Saturday 7th of April 2012 10:50:34 AM
Kaz Horrocks said
Fri Apr 6 11:06 PM, 2012
Great info on the Jay gatherings Bill, Thanks! Very interesting & it would also suggest that this is probably the best time of year to get decent pics of these birds, whilst they are being distracted by 'other things' :)
I've recently spotted a pair raiding peanuts from my Morton Street garden - a garden first for me!
Kaz
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Apr 6 3:54 PM, 2012
6th April - am.
2 Little Grebes (possibly the first time I have seen this species here?) and 3 Great Crested Grebe.
At least 10, possibly as many as 12 Jays noisily and restlessly moving about in the same general area.
Spring (from my experience) is the one of the best times to see decent sized flocks of Jays and in past years I have seen very vocal, restless flocks criss-crossing suitable breeding sites in April and May and pondered as to the purpose of this behaviour, guessing that it was may be something to do with pairing up and possibly looking for suitable nest sites or possibly sorting out territories as a communal pack? I think Kaz Horrocks recently commented on some noisy local flocks of Jays on the County Garden birds thread and also below on this thread too. Puzzled and fascinated by this I did a bit of research on my return and in one reliable source of information this type of communal behaviour is therein described as a "spring gathering" (hereafter referred to as a gathering) and occurs mostly on fine mornings from late February until late April or early May, sometimes even mid-May to early June. Usually any number up to 20 or possibly even more birds may participate. It also seems to suggest that in all gatherings that males might outnumber females and that whilst some birds are passive spectators the main impression of a gathering is of noise and intense excitement despite frequent short lulls in activity. Participants, often including several apparent pairs, which might be spread over several trees and continually change position over a wide area, with one bird taking flight and then the rest following. Display of perched birds is accompanied by a great diversity of vocalizations including mimicry, but mostly their flight and "kraah" calls. Apparently these "kraah" calls are mostly given by females whilst in what's called an "advertising posture"! and that these gatherings apparently start with a single bird giving these "kraah" calls inducing other apparent females to pursue giving "flight-appeal calls" and that these followers display in the leader's vicinity wherever it alights and sometimes includes "mutual advertising-display" between apparent males and females. Brief fights have also been noted in these gatherings.
Finally, the purpose of these gatherings is considered hard to interpret but it is mainly thought to be to bring together unpaired birds and that gatherings can sometimes be stimulated by the killing a member of an established pair (Jays normally have lifelong monogamous pair bonding) and that such gatherings might also mediate re-adjustment of territorial ownership or boundaries.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Friday 6th of April 2012 03:56:38 PM
Kaz Horrocks said
Thu Mar 29 9:42 PM, 2012
1130-1330 29/03/12
5 Jay together this lunchtime, seems like some kind of territorial dispute, major noise! Loads of Mallard on lodges and river 1 Male Grey Wagtail in breeding colouration looking stunning on brook by Silburn Way. 2 Mute swan on back lodge 2 pairs of Long-tailed Tit collecting nesting material. Pair of Great Crested Grebe on Big Lodge
Chiffchaff heard singing Wren, Robin, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit in abundance, No sign of the Goosander or Kingfisher
John Doherty said
Mon Mar 12 10:11 PM, 2012
Today before Heaton Park:
1 Grey Wagtail (brook)
Lodges:
2 Mute Swan 1 Heron 2 Great Crested Grebes together, dozing away. Mr and Mrs Goosander pair 25 Tufted Ducks
and all the supporting cast.
Collette Collier said
Mon Mar 12 5:04 AM, 2012
Ah yes they probs were grey wagtails, now ive compared them. Tho very similar...
Thank you for the correction.. :0)
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Mar 12 4:28 AM, 2012
Dopeycc wrote:
Pretty new to these forums..
Photography is my first passion bird watching a close second..!, hasten to admit...
Anyway first time watching on e lodges.. Has anyone seen A pair of Yellow Wagtails here? Only I saw some very briefly but when checking bird books there are several species that look similar., defo wagtail variety.. Can tell rom he jittery behaviour and were very yellow/green..
Saw 2 Crested Grebes on two different ponds so not sure their a pair.? Lots of turfted ducks Mallards Canada geese MuteSwans Heard lots of Wren activity 1 blue tit
Black headed gull..
I have some grebe photos and some other pics if you'd like a look check out Dopeycc in Flickr leave a comment if you like a pic :0)
your wagtails would be Grey wagtails with yellow underneath -google it if you haven't got a decent book
Collette Collier said
Mon Mar 12 4:25 AM, 2012
Pretty new to these forums..
Photography is my first passion bird watching a close second..!, hasten to admit...
Anyway first time watching on e lodges.. Has anyone seen A pair of Yellow Wagtails here? Only I saw some very briefly but when checking bird books there are several species that look similar., defo wagtail variety.. Can tell rom he jittery behaviour and were very yellow/green..
Saw 2 Crested Grebes on two different ponds so not sure their a pair.? Lots of turfted ducks Mallards Canada geese MuteSwans Heard lots of Wren activity 1 blue tit
Black headed gull..
I have some grebe photos and some other pics if you'd like a look check out Dopeycc in Flickr leave a comment if you like a pic :0)
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Mar 11 6:44 PM, 2012
11th March 2012
9am Mild and bright.
Wren Great Tit Blue Tit Woodpigeon Magpie Jay Robin Blackbird Black-headed Gull Greylag Geese Canada Geese Mute Swans Coot Tufted Duck Mallard Great Crested Grebe Moorhen
And the crowning glory of an early morning amble was a Song Thrush singing its heart out in the woods. Delightful
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Feb 26 12:22 PM, 2012
Had a pleasant early morning walk around the woods and lodges today. Lots of song birds about and nice to see the Grebes dancing together.
Great Tits Blue Tits Great Spotted Woodpeckers Wood Pigeons Magpies Collared Doves Thrush Robins Dunnocks Blackbirds Black-headed Gull Herring Gull Greylag Geese Canada Geese Mute Swans Coot Tufted Duck Great Crested Grebe
All in all a good start to the day
Regards
Dave
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of February 2012 03:31:09 PM
Charles Farrell said
Sun Jan 29 7:35 PM, 2012
Sat 28th a quick half hour walk round the edge of the woods around 3pm
Great Spotted Woodpecker - flying into private garden mixed tit flock inc 1 Coal Tit m & f Bullfinch
John Doherty said
Mon Jan 2 2:36 PM, 2012
Today, 12:00 onward - didn't stay long because of motorbike-riding scallies
Goosander pair on one of the back lodges 2 Heron c20 Tufted Duck of about-equal sexes across visited waters 3 Mute Swan 1 Grey Wagtail on stream
The wooded areas were very quiet save for Blue and Great Tit
-- Edited by John Doherty on Monday 2nd of January 2012 02:37:32 PM
Charles Farrell said
Tue Dec 27 8:01 PM, 2011
A more extensve walk through the woods and around the lodges inc the other fishing lakes over towards Rochdale Road (11:00 - 14:30)
Plenty of the common tits and finches around. The Lodges were fairly quiet save for the Canada Geese and Black-headed Gull.
Of Note 1+ Jay 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (calling) c50 Canada Geese c150 Black-headed Gull 1 Common Gull 3 Goosander (all female) + 2 overhead and a few manky mallards m Bullfinch 2+ Nuthatch 2 Redwing c8 Fieldfare over
33 species in all
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Tuesday 27th of December 2011 11:37:01 PM
Charles Farrell said
Thu Dec 22 1:59 PM, 2011
A walk through from the Mainway end over to the Lodges (11:30 - 14:00)
Plenty of the common passerines throughout, with the common tits and chaffinches being quite noisy. The Lodges were fairly quiet save for the Canada Geese and Black-headed Gull.
Of Note 1 Jay 1 Coal Tit pr Grey Wagtail by the weir on the river c40 Canada Geese c200 Black-headed Gull 3 Common Gull 2 Goosander (m &f) Kingfisher flying back and forth across one of the lodges 2 Treecreeper along the path between one of the lodges and the river and a few manky mallards
28 species in all
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Nov 6 12:55 PM, 2011
6th November 2011
AM Very bright and very cold. Beautiful morning lots mist rising off the lakes .
Canada Geese Mallard Manky Mallard Tufted Duck Coot Blue Tits Great Tits Blackbirds Chaffinch Robins Magpie Grey Heron (Letting people get very close) 2 Greylag Geese in amoungst the Canada Geese
Regards
Dave
John Doherty said
Thu Oct 13 7:26 PM, 2011
Today:
No Kingfisher or Dipper
A single Jay near the Lodges 1 Heron 4 Mute Swan 7 Tufted Duck 1 Greylag Goose Usual Great Tits and Long Tailed Tits
Davidcaron62 said
Wed Oct 12 1:45 PM, 2011
Hi Charles
Thats almost the same place where my wife saw it on Sunday . All the years of fishing there as a kid never thought it would be a home to Kingfishers
As for Dippers, I saw one a few month ago in Hopwood Clough . A juvenile female. Was really surprised to see one on my door step. I have only seen them in North Yorkshire previously (Malham). I managed to get a half decent photo which I posted on a site called 'ISpot' for varification.
It was along the stretch of river running from the entrance near the junction of Middleton Road and Stanycliffe Lane to the bridge near the Road to the college. I have only seen it once but as it was a juvenile presume there are others.
Regards
Dave
Charles Farrell said
Wed Oct 12 10:02 AM, 2011
Davidcaron62 wrote:
And my wife swears she saw a Kingfisher along the side of the lodge near the carpark. Am having none of it myself. By the time I had pulled the binoculars from her grasp what ever it was had well and truely gone.
David, up until a few years ago I would have reacted the same way. I also grew up nearby and spent ages in the woods as a teenager without ever getting a glimpse of Kingfisher. However just over 2 years ago (Sep 2009), I saw one along the edges of the large lodge in the corner close to the fishing club carpark. Ive been back a few times without any luck, but keep trying and I'm sure that you will see one - and if I keep visiting Saddleworth and Dovestones then maybe I'll also get to see a Dipper this year :)
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Wednesday 12th of October 2011 10:03:21 AM
Davidcaron62 said
Tue Oct 11 8:02 PM, 2011
Hi Adrian
Thanks for the links. I had forgotten how useful the RSPB site is
Its been a while since I've been to Heaton Park. Am really looking forward to having a good roam around there on Sunday. Just hope the rain holds off .
Bury is not somewhere I get to that often . Have visited the market a few times but tend to get dizzy and have a nose bleed if I go further from home than than Heywood. Having looked up Burrs Park on Goggle Earth I think I may give it a go at some point. Looks easy enough to drive to. My youngest daughter was there early in the summer with her school and says its worth a visit.
Cheers
Dave
Adrian Dancy said
Tue Oct 11 2:28 PM, 2011
David
you will double your chances of seeing a kingfisher by being tuned in to their calls and responding quickly when they fly past ,have a listen:-
Kingfisher can be seen at Heaton Park on the main boating lake in the winter occasionally and on this pond for a good part of the year...early mornings in winter is best.
I have seen them flying up and down the river at Burrs Park near Bury on every visit I have made.
Good luck
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Oct 9 7:33 PM, 2011
Hi Ivan
Thanks for the heads up. Am going to have a wander around Heaton Park next Sunday so may have a look along the river near Sainsburys .
This is actually a bit of a sore point with me. I have never seen a Kingfisher in all the many years I have been bird watching . I live close to the Rochdale Canal in Boarshaw and every time I am out with my binoculars (And I am out most days of the week) people stop me and ask 'Have you seen the Kingfisher'? (Aparently there are a few in my area). Dog walkers ask me, families out for a stroll ask me, courting couples ask me, fishermen ask me, teenagers ask me, even children in push chairs ask me. Everyone, it appears, has seen the Kingfishers except me .
My wife saw one a few weeks ago while walking home from work along the canal. My eldest daughter saw one last week while out with me in Hopwood woods. Its gotten to the stage that I think I am destined never to see one
I do however live in hope
Thanks
Dave
Ivan Ellison said
Sun Oct 9 4:31 PM, 2011
Dave, re your wifes kingfisher. It is more than likely that she saw one, there are several in Heaton park and I have seen them on the river near to Sainsburys at Heaton park.
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Oct 9 12:32 PM, 2011
9th October 2011
AM Cloudy but fairly warm.
Am ashamed that its been at least nine years since I visited this area . I only live five minutes away and grew up with the woods almost as my back garden. Had a really pleasent nostalgic morning
Canada Geese Mallard Manky Mallard Tufted Duck Coot Blue Tits Great Tits Blackbirds
And my wife swears she saw a Kingfisher along the side of the lodge near the carpark. Am having none of it myself. By the time I had pulled the binoculars from her grasp what ever it was had well and truely gone.
Regards
Dave
Bill Myerscough said
Wed Sep 7 1:12 PM, 2011
7th September.
Both Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail around the lodges this morning - presumably because the nearby R. Irk is in spate. 7 Tufted Duck. Chiffchaff calling.
Great to see that the male Mute Swan has attracted a new mate after the female was killed during the breeding season.
Bill.
Tom Stewart said
Sat Aug 27 10:03 AM, 2011
On a visit a couple of weeks ago, I saw what was definitely a possible LSW fly across the path half way between Mainway and the first lodge. Then again yesterday I saw another possible fly over houses on Mainway in the direction of the woods. I can see that Bill Myerscough had a possible in March, and it would be great to find out if there had been any other sightings because this would be a really fantastic record for the woods!
Tom
Charles Farrell said
Sun Jul 3 5:28 PM, 2011
Quick Visit back up north and only time for a quick walk around
Sun 15-May-11 12:00-13:30 Lovely bright sunshine
On all the lodges
c30 Mallard inc brood of 7 chicks and many more juvs c100 Canada Goose Embden Goose Handfuls of both Moorhen and Coot. Still not much sign of nesting taking place on the rafts.
Quick walk back along the River irk and around Irkside Nature reserve c3 singing Chiffchaff 1 Song Thrush disturbed about something 6+ Goldfinch c5 Wren inc several singers juv Robin 1+ Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Grey Wagtail on the stretch of the River Irk between the fishing lodges and the other lake
Also 1 Weasel near the banks of the Irk - the first time I've ever seen one here.
Plus lots of nice damselflies and other interesting insects.
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Sunday 3rd of July 2011 05:29:34 PM
Charles Farrell said
Tue May 17 6:09 PM, 2011
David wrote:
I was there Sunday evening and saw quite a number of swallows
errm good point! In fact so did I ... and a few Swift too - I put the details in Birdtrack but don't know why I forgot to post them here ... old age, I suppose. Will amend my post accordingly.
David said
Mon May 16 10:49 PM, 2011
I was there Sunday evening and saw quite a number of swallows
Charles Farrell said
Sun May 15 9:39 PM, 2011
Quick Visit back up north for family birthdays and to support my brother doing the Manchester 10K meant not much time for birding.
Sun 15-May-11 16:15-17:15 Constant Drizzle/Light rain.
On all the lodges
2 Great Crested Grebe 1 Mute Swan C 10 Mallard C 10 Canada + 1 Gosling Handfuls of both Moorhen and Coot. Not much sign of nesting taking place on the rafts.
Quick walk back along the River irk and around Irkside Nature reserve 1 singing Willow Warbler c5 singing Chiffchaff 2 singing Song Thrush 5+ Blackbird (several singers) and a few singing robins
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Sunday 15th of May 2011 09:40:27 PM
John Doherty said
Wed Apr 27 4:02 PM, 2011
On all the lodges
1 Great Crested Grebe 3 Tufted Ducks (2 M, 1f) 7 Mute Swans 1 Grey Heron C 20 Mallard C 10 Canada Handfuls of both Moorhen and Coot
Quick walk back through the woods - Goldfinch, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit in there.
Charles Farrell said
Fri Apr 22 9:16 PM, 2011
22nd April 19:15-20:30 Quick walk around the woods and across the lodges
- 8+ singing Wren - 10+ Blackbirds (many singing) - 8 Robins - 3 Song Thrush - 3 Chiffchaff (singing) - 1 Willow Warbler (singing) - 1 Nuthatch (calling) - Small numbers of Magpies, Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons
1 almost certainly 2 Chiffchaff - 1 silent bird seen and another singing weakly in a different part of the woodland. 1 Goldcrest singing. 1 Nuthatch calling from the woodland and some Great Spotted Woodpeckers disputing. 1 calling Lesser Redpoll flew over.
Amongst the usual waterfowl was a single Gadwall - I think the first time that I have seen this species here? c25 Tufted Duck and 4 Mute Swan.
A male Reed Bunting sang from some rough grassland close by - again I think possibly the first time I have recorded this species here?
2 pairs of Grey Wagtail along the River Irk.
A possible, only possible mind you, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. A bird was heard drumming and it took me a good 10 mins or so to try and find where the sound was coming from. After locating the approximate area it was coming from, a small bird flew directly away from me (too small to be Gt Spotted) but with no red undertail colouring visible from an admittedly very brief sighting. The drumming then stopped and I was unable to relocate the bird after a further search - very frustrating!
Cheers,
Bill.
Mark Taggart said
Wed Jan 12 1:03 AM, 2011
Just an additional note. The Enbden goose without wing feathers has been resident for at least five years. Normally on the small feeding pond but he must have waddled over to the big flash where he was today. The greedy Greylag has also been there for some time.
Also forgot to mention a dozen or moe tufties on small feeding pond and some unidentifiiable resident ducks which appear to be mutants or possibly exotics. Put it this way I cant find anything resembling them in my birdbooks!
Mark Taggart said
Wed Jan 12 12:44 AM, 2011
Had a walk round Rhodes for an hour or so this afternoon. The usual suspects included 40 plus Canada's, 60 plus blackheaded gulls, family of mute swans, 12 coot on larger flash, 7 or 8 elsehwhere. Moorhens including juveniles. Large number of mallards also one greedy Greylag, possibly resident and a pink footed goose. On the Irk behind the flashes meanwhile were a pair of female goosanders.
Woodland birds included woodpigeon, several noisy jays, blue tits, Great tits and a gold Crest close to path in brambles but showing well.
Charles Farrell said
Fri Jan 7 6:39 PM, 2011
Bill Myerscough wrote: Hi Charles,
This whole area is generally fairly underwatched and it's unusual to meet other birdwatchers here! You probably didn't pick the best time to visit for birds, with it looking like a bit of a winter wonderland! The 2 Pink-Feet were a surprise and at one stage one was about only 2 foot away from my feet!
Alkrington Woods is a really nice area of mature beech woodland and holds most of the common breeding woodland birds in the summer months and the Grey Wagtails are present all year round along the Irk and the occasional Kingfisher too.
Best wishes,
Bill.
I grew up in Alkrington and can't remember seeing much in the woods as a teenager in the 1970s. I didn't really visit the lodges, so I was surprised to get a brief view of a Kingfisher while walking my brother's dog round there in Sep '09.
I saw a Nuthatch in the woods last spring, which I certainly don't remember seeing as a youngster and there appear to be a pair of G S Woodpeckers - which I also don't remember being present 30 years ago. One of my brothers and my sister still live in Alkrington and keep an eye out for birds in their gardens. My brother sometimes gets the woodpeckers on his feeders from time to time and my sister's garden has been visited by 3 Jays in the last week. My other sighting of note over the Christmas period was a flock of 8 Lesser Redpoll on the playing fields near Mainway.
My brother and his wife regularly walk the dog in the woods (at least they did until it was attacked by an alsatian about 3 months ago). They keep a casual eye out for interesting birds in passing, but probably aren't keen enough to record sightings other than for the Big Garden Birdwatch.
I signed one of my nephews up for the RSPB for his Christmas present and I have been trying to persuade him to record his sightings on Birdtrack. There are good birds that visit his garden - including G S Woodpeckers and Redwing and from time to time he hears a (presumably Tawny) Owl - though he's never actually seen it. I do like Birdtrack, but it can be quite time-consuming to use if you are dilligent about recording all the additional details.
-- Edited by chazzyf on Friday 7th of January 2011 06:42:09 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Jan 7 3:10 PM, 2011
chazzyf wrote:
Hello, I'm normally resident in NW London, but I was up north for Christmas visiting the folks and was also birding at Alkrington Woods on the 21st.
Bill - I wonder if you were the only other person that I saw with bins that afternoon? If that was the case our paths must have crossed at the lodges where the majority of Canada Geese and Mallards were crowded together on the only bit of open water.
I missed the Pink-Footed Geese and the Lapwing and the Goldcrest and Teal. I didn't see the Grey Wagtails either that day (or on any of my subsequent visits) - I'm glad to hear that they are still around.
I did see 3 Bullfinch though - in the Irkside Nature Reserve and got a very brief view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the main wood as it flew off
Hi Charles,
This whole area is generally fairly underwatched and it's unusual to meet other birdwatchers here! You probably didn't pick the best time to visit for birds, with it looking like a bit of a winter wonderland! The 2 Pink-Feet were a surprise and at one stage one was about only 2 foot away from my feet!
Alkrington Woods is a really nice area of mature beech woodland and holds most of the common breeding woodland birds in the summer months and the Grey Wagtails are present all year round along the Irk and the occasional Kingfisher too.
Best wishes,
Bill.
Charles Farrell said
Fri Jan 7 12:39 PM, 2011
Hello, I'm normally resident in NW London, but I was up north for Christmas visiting the folks and was also birding at Alkrington Woods on the 21st.
Bill - I wonder if you were the only other person that I saw with bins that afternoon? If that was the case our paths must have crossed at the lodges where the majority of Canada Geese and Mallards were crowded together on the only bit of open water.
I missed the Pink-Footed Geese and the Lapwing and the Goldcrest and Teal. I didn't see the Grey Wagtails either that day (or on any of my subsequent visits) - I'm glad to hear that they are still around.
I did see 3 Bullfinch though - in the Irkside Nature Reserve and got a very brief view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the main wood as it flew off
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Dec 21 7:49 PM, 2010
21st December.
Early pm.
2 Pink-footed Geese were down with the other waterfowl on one small area of un-iced water on one of the lodges this afternoon. One of these made attempts to come to bread only to have its feathers aggressively ruffled by a grumpy Canada Goose!
Also c95 Canada Geese, c60 Mallard, 4 Mute Swan, c15 Coot and c15 Moorhen. 1 Lapwing on the ice amongst the smallish number of gulls.
In surrounding woodlands - 1 Goldcrest and 2 Bullfinch.
Along the adjacent R. Irk - 2 Grey Wagtails and 2 Teal.
Very damp underfoot but otherwise fine and dry. Pretty quiet.
- 1 male Bullfinch
- Goldcrest
- c36 Long-tailed Tits in 4 flocks
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
On the lodges
- 6 Goosander (3m, 3f)
- 7 Mute Swan
- c60 Canada Goose
- c20 Tufted Duck
- Greylag Goose
- c150 Black-headed Gull + 1 Common Gull (at least)
At least 60 Magpie gathering to roost around Irkside Nature Reserve
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Thursday 27th of December 2012 07:09:30 PM
Generally quiet and fewer birds on the lodges than expected.
The usual tits but No thrushes save for a few Blackbirds
- 1/2 Goldcrest
- 1 Coal Tit
- 2 Jay
- 1 Grey Wagtail along the River Irk
Around the lodges
- 4 Grey Heron
- 4 Mute Swan
- 14 Tufted Duck
- 36 Canada Goose
- 2 Goosander (both redheads)
Eleven female goosanders on Silburn Way lodge.
This is far greater than any single count that I have personally had on the lodges (previous best about five or six), though other regular watchers on the site may well have had more. The sighting is all the more remarkable because Silburn Way lodge is one of the smaller ones on the complex.
A Pochard was on the main lodge this morning in the company of a couple of Tufted Duck. Pochard is quite a scarce species here.
Also 11 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Goosander (parties of 5, 2 and 2 on differing lodges), 4 Mute Swan. The rafts on the main lodge held a decent count of loafing gulls - c110 Black-headed, 2 Common and 1 Lesser Black-backed.
Also seen 1 Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2+ Siskin heard but not seen.
Cheers,
Bill.
Quick tour of the woods (which only seemed to hold the usual tits and small passerines) and the lodges. Only bird of note was the Grey Wagtail, which I haven't seen much of this year.
- Grey Wagtail ( alongside the river Irk)
- Jay. 1 seen and several heard.
- Grey Heron
- single Greylag Goose
- 43 Canada Goose
- c20 Tufted Duck
- 9 Mallard
- small numbers of Moorhen and Coot
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Sunday 14th of October 2012 04:31:01 PM
4 Great Crested Grebe (each adult trailed by a single juvenile).
Singles of Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, Teal and Kingfisher. 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan - the darvic rings were a little difficult to read but thought to be FZ6 and CZ6.
A few remaining summer visitors were a single Swallow and a Chiffchaff which was singing in the sunshine between the heavy showers.
Cheers,
Bill.
Around the lodges:
Grey Heron - 1
Mute Swan - 2
Great Crested Grebe pair with 2 chicks
Plus an assortment of eclipse Mallards and Tufted Duck
In the Woods themselves which were very quiet except for the calls of some mixed tit flocks
Nuthatch - 2+ inc 1 feeding with a mixed tit flock
Kestrel
Plus a solitary flyover Swallow
Around the lodges:
Grey Heron - 1
Mute Swan - 2
Great Crested Grebe pair with 2 chicks
Plus an assortment of eclipse Mallards and Tufted Duck
In the Woods themselves which were very quiet except for the calls of some mixed tit flocks
Nuthatch - 2+ inc 1 feeding with a mixed tit flock
Kestrel
Plus a solitary flyover Swallow
Buzzard - 1 following the line of the M60 and disappearing over towards Heaton Park
Sparrowhawk - One drifting off towards North Manchester Golf club
Grey Heron - 1
Mute Swan - 2
Great Crested Grebe pair with 2 chicks
Several Coot with single chicks
One female Mallard with 3 chicks on the Irk
2+ Swift over
3 House Martin
In the Woods themselves
Bullfinch - a pair
Nuthatch - 1
Chiffchaff - 3+
Blackcap - 1
Grey Heron - 1
Mute Swan -2
Great Crested Grebe pair with 2 chicks
Little Grebe with 2 chicks
Several Coot parents with chicks
Mallard with brood
And usuals
Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, several each singing in the undergrowth.
On the Lodges
8 Canada Geese
4 Great Crested Grebe
Moorhen
5 Coot
c10 Mallard
1 Mute Swan
3 Black-headed Gulls over
Elsewhere
2+ Nuthatch calling
2 or 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying around
pr Bullfinch
1 Treecreeper
3+ Song Thrush
6 Chiffchaff
3 Willow Warbler
7 Blackcap
3 Whitethroat
Reed Bunting
3 Swallow
plus the usual tits, corvids etc
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Saturday 12th of May 2012 04:48:17 PM
19:30 - 20:15
10s of Woodpigeon and Jackdaw over
Plenty of singing Blackbirds and Robins
- 2 Tawny Owl
Female hooting, Male being mobbed by 3 Magpies, who created a lot of noise.
Mon 9th April
10:30 - 12:15
4+ Nuthatch calling
4+ Jay
3 singing Chiffchaff
1 singing Blackcap
3 Great Crested Grebe
2 Singing Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush
singing Reed Bunting
Back in Middleton for the Easter Weekend I sneaked out to the Woods leaving the rest of the family watching a DVD.
Not much moving about but plenty of singing/calling birds including the usual Tits, Robins,Blackbirds etc. In Addition
- lots of woodpigeon settling down to roost
- Song Thrush in full voice
- Mistle Thrush
- Nuthatch
I continued through the centre of the wood and bingo!
- 2 Tawny Owl!
Both male and female birds were calling, but the female was a little further off and appeared to be moving around between the bird sanctuary area and private gardens. The male was close and eventually I got a good look of him perched in a tree and then flying away. A GM lifer!
My sister in law who lives in the area has often reported Tawny Owls calling during the summer, but I was never sure whether the birds had a territory in the area or had been kicked out by their parents and were passing through.
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Saturday 7th of April 2012 10:47:54 AM
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Saturday 7th of April 2012 10:50:34 AM
I've recently spotted a pair raiding peanuts from my Morton Street garden - a garden first for me!
Kaz
2 Little Grebes (possibly the first time I have seen this species here?) and 3 Great Crested Grebe.
At least 10, possibly as many as 12 Jays noisily and restlessly moving about in the same general area.
Spring (from my experience) is the one of the best times to see decent sized flocks of Jays and in past years I have seen very vocal, restless flocks criss-crossing suitable breeding sites in April and May and pondered as to the purpose of this behaviour, guessing that it was may be something to do with pairing up and possibly looking for suitable nest sites or possibly sorting out territories as a communal pack? I think Kaz Horrocks recently commented on some noisy local flocks of Jays on the County Garden birds thread and also below on this thread too. Puzzled and fascinated by this I did a bit of research on my return and in one reliable source of information this type of communal behaviour is therein described as a "spring gathering" (hereafter referred to as a gathering) and occurs mostly on fine mornings from late February until late April or early May, sometimes even mid-May to early June. Usually any number up to 20 or possibly even more birds may participate. It also seems to suggest that in all gatherings that males might outnumber females and that whilst some birds are passive spectators the main impression of a gathering is of noise and intense excitement despite frequent short lulls in activity. Participants, often including several apparent pairs, which might be spread over several trees and continually change position over a wide area, with one bird taking flight and then the rest following. Display of perched birds is accompanied by a great diversity of vocalizations including mimicry, but mostly their flight and "kraah" calls. Apparently these "kraah" calls are mostly given by females whilst in what's called an "advertising posture"! and that these gatherings apparently start with a single bird giving these "kraah" calls inducing other apparent females to pursue giving "flight-appeal calls" and that these followers display in the leader's vicinity wherever it alights and sometimes includes "mutual advertising-display" between apparent males and females. Brief fights have also been noted in these gatherings.
Finally, the purpose of these gatherings is considered hard to interpret but it is mainly thought to be to bring together unpaired birds and that gatherings can sometimes be stimulated by the killing a member of an established pair (Jays normally have lifelong monogamous pair bonding) and that such gatherings might also mediate re-adjustment of territorial ownership or boundaries.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Friday 6th of April 2012 03:56:38 PM
5 Jay together this lunchtime, seems like some kind of territorial dispute, major noise!
Loads of Mallard on lodges and river
1 Male Grey Wagtail in breeding colouration looking stunning on brook by Silburn Way.
2 Mute swan on back lodge
2 pairs of Long-tailed Tit collecting nesting material.
Pair of Great Crested Grebe on Big Lodge
Chiffchaff heard singing
Wren, Robin, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit in abundance,
No sign of the Goosander or Kingfisher
1 Grey Wagtail (brook)
Lodges:
2 Mute Swan
1 Heron
2 Great Crested Grebes together, dozing away.
Mr and Mrs Goosander pair
25 Tufted Ducks
and all the supporting cast.
Thank you for the correction.. :0)
your wagtails would be Grey wagtails with yellow underneath -google it if you haven't got a decent book
Photography is my first passion bird watching a close second..!, hasten to admit...
Anyway first time watching on e lodges.. Has anyone seen A pair of Yellow Wagtails here? Only I saw some very briefly but when checking bird books there are several species that look similar., defo wagtail variety.. Can tell rom he jittery behaviour and were very yellow/green..
Saw 2 Crested Grebes on two different ponds so not sure their a pair.?
Lots of turfted ducks
Mallards
Canada geese
MuteSwans
Heard lots of Wren activity
1 blue tit
Black headed gull..
I have some grebe photos and some other pics if you'd like a look check out Dopeycc in Flickr leave a comment if you like a pic :0)
9am Mild and bright.
Wren
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Woodpigeon
Magpie
Jay
Robin
Blackbird
Black-headed Gull
Greylag Geese
Canada Geese
Mute Swans
Coot
Tufted Duck
Mallard
Great Crested Grebe
Moorhen
And the crowning glory of an early morning amble was a Song Thrush singing its heart out in the woods. Delightful
Regards
Dave
Great Tits
Blue Tits
Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Wood Pigeons
Magpies
Collared Doves
Thrush
Robins
Dunnocks
Blackbirds
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Greylag Geese
Canada Geese
Mute Swans
Coot
Tufted Duck
Great Crested Grebe
All in all a good start to the day
Regards
Dave
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of February 2012 03:31:09 PM
Great Spotted Woodpecker - flying into private garden
mixed tit flock inc 1 Coal Tit
m & f Bullfinch
Goosander pair on one of the back lodges
2 Heron
c20 Tufted Duck of about-equal sexes across visited waters
3 Mute Swan
1 Grey Wagtail on stream
The wooded areas were very quiet save for Blue and Great Tit
-- Edited by John Doherty on Monday 2nd of January 2012 02:37:32 PM
Plenty of the common tits and finches around. The Lodges were fairly quiet save for the Canada Geese and Black-headed Gull.
Of Note
1+ Jay
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (calling)
c50 Canada Geese
c150 Black-headed Gull
1 Common Gull
3 Goosander (all female) + 2 overhead
and a few manky mallards
m Bullfinch
2+ Nuthatch
2 Redwing
c8 Fieldfare over
33 species in all
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Tuesday 27th of December 2011 11:37:01 PM
Plenty of the common passerines throughout, with the common tits and chaffinches being quite noisy. The Lodges were fairly quiet save for the Canada Geese and Black-headed Gull.
Of Note
1 Jay
1 Coal Tit
pr Grey Wagtail by the weir on the river
c40 Canada Geese
c200 Black-headed Gull
3 Common Gull
2 Goosander (m &f)
Kingfisher flying back and forth across one of the lodges
2 Treecreeper along the path between one of the lodges and the river
and a few manky mallards
28 species in all
AM Very bright and very cold. Beautiful morning lots mist rising off the lakes .
Canada Geese
Mallard
Manky Mallard
Tufted Duck
Coot
Blue Tits
Great Tits
Blackbirds
Chaffinch
Robins
Magpie
Grey Heron (Letting people get very close)
2 Greylag Geese in amoungst the Canada Geese
Regards
Dave
No Kingfisher or Dipper
A single Jay near the Lodges
1 Heron
4 Mute Swan
7 Tufted Duck
1 Greylag Goose
Usual Great Tits and Long Tailed Tits
Thats almost the same place where my wife saw it on Sunday . All the years of fishing there as a kid never thought it would be a home to Kingfishers
As for Dippers, I saw one a few month ago in Hopwood Clough . A juvenile female. Was really surprised to see one on my door step. I have only seen them in North Yorkshire previously (Malham). I managed to get a half decent photo which I posted on a site called 'ISpot' for varification.
It was along the stretch of river running from the entrance near the junction of Middleton Road and Stanycliffe Lane to the bridge near the Road to the college. I have only seen it once but as it was a juvenile presume there are others.
Regards
Dave
David, up until a few years ago I would have reacted the same way. I also grew up nearby and spent ages in the woods as a teenager without ever getting a glimpse of Kingfisher. However just over 2 years ago (Sep 2009), I saw one along the edges of the large lodge in the corner close to the fishing club carpark. Ive been back a few times without any luck, but keep trying and I'm sure that you will see one - and if I keep visiting Saddleworth and Dovestones then maybe I'll also get to see a Dipper this year :)
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Wednesday 12th of October 2011 10:03:21 AM
Thanks for the links. I had forgotten how useful the RSPB site is
Its been a while since I've been to Heaton Park. Am really looking forward to having a good roam around there on Sunday. Just hope the rain holds off .
Bury is not somewhere I get to that often . Have visited the market a few times but tend to get dizzy and have a nose bleed if I go further from home than than Heywood. Having looked up Burrs Park on Goggle Earth I think I may give it a go at some point. Looks easy enough to drive to. My youngest daughter was there early in the summer with her school and says its worth a visit.
Cheers
Dave
you will double your chances of seeing a kingfisher by being tuned in to their calls and responding quickly when they fly past ,have a listen:-
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/k/kingfisher/index.aspx
Kingfisher can be seen at Heaton Park on the main boating lake in the winter occasionally and on this pond for a good part of the year...early mornings in winter is best.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asisawit/4628976031/in/pool-heatonpark.
I have seen them flying up and down the river at Burrs Park near Bury on every visit I have made.
Good luck
Thanks for the heads up. Am going to have a wander around Heaton Park next Sunday so may have a look along the river near Sainsburys .
This is actually a bit of a sore point with me. I have never seen a Kingfisher in all the many years I have been bird watching . I live close to the Rochdale Canal in Boarshaw and every time I am out with my binoculars (And I am out most days of the week) people stop me and ask 'Have you seen the Kingfisher'? (Aparently there are a few in my area). Dog walkers ask me, families out for a stroll ask me, courting couples ask me, fishermen ask me, teenagers ask me, even children in push chairs ask me. Everyone, it appears, has seen the Kingfishers except me .
My wife saw one a few weeks ago while walking home from work along the canal. My eldest daughter saw one last week while out with me in Hopwood woods. Its gotten to the stage that I think I am destined never to see one
I do however live in hope
Thanks
Dave
AM Cloudy but fairly warm.
Am ashamed that its been at least nine years since I visited this area . I only live five minutes away and grew up with the woods almost as my back garden. Had a really pleasent nostalgic morning
Canada Geese
Mallard
Manky Mallard
Tufted Duck
Coot
Blue Tits
Great Tits
Blackbirds
And my wife swears she saw a Kingfisher along the side of the lodge near the carpark. Am having none of it myself. By the time I had pulled the binoculars from her grasp what ever it was had well and truely gone.
Regards
Dave
Both Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail around the lodges this morning - presumably because the nearby R. Irk is in spate. 7 Tufted Duck. Chiffchaff calling.
Great to see that the male Mute Swan has attracted a new mate after the female was killed during the breeding season.
Bill.
Tom
Sun 15-May-11 12:00-13:30 Lovely bright sunshine
On all the lodges
c30 Mallard inc brood of 7 chicks and many more juvs
c100 Canada Goose
Embden Goose
Handfuls of both Moorhen and Coot. Still not much sign of nesting taking place on the rafts.
Quick walk back along the River irk and around Irkside Nature reserve
c3 singing Chiffchaff
1 Song Thrush disturbed about something
6+ Goldfinch
c5 Wren inc several singers
juv Robin
1+ Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Grey Wagtail on the stretch of the River Irk between the fishing lodges and the other lake
Also 1 Weasel near the banks of the Irk - the first time I've ever seen one here.
Plus lots of nice damselflies and other interesting insects.
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Sunday 3rd of July 2011 05:29:34 PM
errm good point! In fact so did I ... and a few Swift too - I put the details in Birdtrack but don't know why I forgot to post them here ... old age, I suppose. Will amend my post accordingly.
Sun 15-May-11 16:15-17:15 Constant Drizzle/Light rain.
On all the lodges
2 Great Crested Grebe
1 Mute Swan
C 10 Mallard
C 10 Canada + 1 Gosling
Handfuls of both Moorhen and Coot. Not much sign of nesting taking place on the rafts.
Quick walk back along the River irk and around Irkside Nature reserve
1 singing Willow Warbler
c5 singing Chiffchaff
2 singing Song Thrush
5+ Blackbird (several singers)
and a few singing robins
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Sunday 15th of May 2011 09:40:27 PM
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Tufted Ducks (2 M, 1f)
7 Mute Swans
1 Grey Heron
C 20 Mallard
C 10 Canada
Handfuls of both Moorhen and Coot
Quick walk back through the woods - Goldfinch, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit in there.
Quick walk around the woods and across the lodges
- 8+ singing Wren
- 10+ Blackbirds (many singing)
- 8 Robins
- 3 Song Thrush
- 3 Chiffchaff (singing)
- 1 Willow Warbler (singing)
- 1 Nuthatch (calling)
- Small numbers of Magpies, Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons
On the Lodges
- 8 Mute Swan
- 12+ Canada Goose
- 6 Tufted Duck
- c20 Mallard
- Embden Goose
1 almost certainly 2 Chiffchaff - 1 silent bird seen and another singing weakly in a different part of the woodland. 1 Goldcrest singing. 1 Nuthatch calling from the woodland and some Great Spotted Woodpeckers disputing. 1 calling Lesser Redpoll flew over.
Amongst the usual waterfowl was a single Gadwall - I think the first time that I have seen this species here? c25 Tufted Duck and 4 Mute Swan.
A male Reed Bunting sang from some rough grassland close by - again I think possibly the first time I have recorded this species here?
2 pairs of Grey Wagtail along the River Irk.
A possible, only possible mind you, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. A bird was heard drumming and it took me a good 10 mins or so to try and find where the sound was coming from. After locating the approximate area it was coming from, a small bird flew directly away from me (too small to be Gt Spotted) but with no red undertail colouring visible from an admittedly very brief sighting. The drumming then stopped and I was unable to relocate the bird after a further search - very frustrating!
Cheers,
Bill.
Also forgot to mention a dozen or moe tufties on small feeding pond and some unidentifiiable resident ducks which appear to be mutants or possibly exotics. Put it this way I cant find anything resembling them in my birdbooks!
Woodland birds included woodpigeon, several noisy jays, blue tits, Great tits and a gold Crest close to path in brambles but showing well.
I grew up in Alkrington and can't remember seeing much in the woods as a teenager in the 1970s. I didn't really visit the lodges, so I was surprised to get a brief view of a Kingfisher while walking my brother's dog round there in Sep '09.
I saw a Nuthatch in the woods last spring, which I certainly don't remember seeing as a youngster and there appear to be a pair of G S Woodpeckers - which I also don't remember being present 30 years ago. One of my brothers and my sister still live in Alkrington and keep an eye out for birds in their gardens. My brother sometimes gets the woodpeckers on his feeders from time to time and my sister's garden has been visited by 3 Jays in the last week. My other sighting of note over the Christmas period was a flock of 8 Lesser Redpoll on the playing fields near Mainway.
My brother and his wife regularly walk the dog in the woods (at least they did until it was attacked by an alsatian about 3 months ago). They keep a casual eye out for interesting birds in passing, but probably aren't keen enough to record sightings other than for the Big Garden Birdwatch.
I signed one of my nephews up for the RSPB for his Christmas present and I have been trying to persuade him to record his sightings on Birdtrack. There are good birds that visit his garden - including G S Woodpeckers and Redwing and from time to time he hears a (presumably Tawny) Owl - though he's never actually seen it. I do like Birdtrack, but it can be quite time-consuming to use if you are dilligent about recording all the additional details.
-- Edited by chazzyf on Friday 7th of January 2011 06:42:09 PM
Hi Charles,
This whole area is generally fairly underwatched and it's unusual to meet other birdwatchers here! You probably didn't pick the best time to visit for birds, with it looking like a bit of a winter wonderland! The 2 Pink-Feet were a surprise and at one stage one was about only 2 foot away from my feet!
Alkrington Woods is a really nice area of mature beech woodland and holds most of the common breeding woodland birds in the summer months and the Grey Wagtails are present all year round along the Irk and the occasional Kingfisher too.
Best wishes,
Bill.
Bill - I wonder if you were the only other person that I saw with bins that afternoon? If that was the case our paths must have crossed at the lodges where the majority of Canada Geese and Mallards were crowded together on the only bit of open water.
I missed the Pink-Footed Geese and the Lapwing and the Goldcrest and Teal. I didn't see the Grey Wagtails either that day (or on any of my subsequent visits) - I'm glad to hear that they are still around.
I did see 3 Bullfinch though - in the Irkside Nature Reserve and got a very brief view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the main wood as it flew off
Early pm.
2 Pink-footed Geese were down with the other waterfowl on one small area of un-iced water on one of the lodges this afternoon. One of these made attempts to come to bread only to have its feathers aggressively ruffled by a grumpy Canada Goose!
Also c95 Canada Geese, c60 Mallard, 4 Mute Swan, c15 Coot and c15 Moorhen. 1 Lapwing on the ice amongst the smallish number of gulls.
In surrounding woodlands - 1 Goldcrest and 2 Bullfinch.
Along the adjacent R. Irk - 2 Grey Wagtails and 2 Teal.
Cheers,
Bill.