Took my walk this way today as a change from Werneth Park. Fishing lake 3/4 frozen, 'duckpond'2/3rds. Reasonably busy but managable, although more people were arriving as I left.
Grey Heron sharing a tree on the duck pond islands with the most adventurous of 8 Moorhens. 2 of the 3 Coot were on the 'duck pond' as well, as were the majority of the C200 Black-headed Gulls. Mixed in were 8 Common Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls (1x3rd Winter and 2x1st Winter) and 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.
100+ Canada Geese on the fishing lake, with the majority of c50 Mallard and 14 Tufted Duck.
Also 2 Mute Swans. Elsewhere 1 Mistle Thrush in song, 1 Blackbird and several each of Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins in the shrubbery
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 10th of January 2021 11:10:32 AM
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 10th of January 2021 11:11:07 AM
James Walsh said
Mon Jan 4 3:42 PM, 2021
Alexandra Park Lakes
2 Mute Swan 23 Tufted Ducks
James Walsh said
Fri Dec 25 1:17 PM, 2020
Alexandra Park Lakes
5 Goosander 11 Tufted Duck 2 Mute Swan
Charles Farrell said
Fri Nov 27 11:31 PM, 2020
Late sighting for 3pm on Thu 26-Nov-20
Not exactly Alexandra Park, but was being driven along Oldham Way on the way back from Dovestones when I saw a flock of two of Feral Pigeons scattering from the Spindles shopping centre. I suspected that there might be a Peregine might be around, when a sizeable female (somewhat bigger than the pigeons it was chasing) flashed over Oldham way in pursuit.
4 Mute Swans and 13 Tufted Ducks on the Park Lakes
Mike Chorley said
Tue Jun 2 9:12 PM, 2020
Another visit to Snipe Clough, where the effects of this dry weather are clear from the fact that the small pool has dried out in just under a week. At least 4 Chiffchaff singing, 2 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcap (one doing Robin and Yellowhammer) including a pair in what looked like a courtship chase, which sounded like it might have been successful , plus Jay, Blackbird, genuine Robins, Wrens, and Song Thrush. On the way back I saw male Bullfinch, adding to the sightings list of Magpie, Jackdaw, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Goldfinch and Collared Dove.
I popped in to Alexandra Park as well and noted 2 Adult and one juvenile Grey Heron around the lakes along with uncounted Mallard, Tufted Duck and Canada Goose, with a few Black-headed Gulls. One of the Mallard had around 6 ducklings in tow.
One Peacock butterfly and a couple of Large Whites seen around Snipe Clough.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Tuesday 2nd of June 2020 10:22:26 PM
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Tuesday 2nd of June 2020 10:24:13 PM
Mike Chorley said
Tue May 26 9:55 PM, 2020
Walked over to Snipe Clough - adjacent to the park - last night to check for Grasshopper Warbler. None heard and a walk round the area suggests that the habitat has dried out quite a bit since I last visited, which would explain why there was no sound of any on what would have been a perfect night. Other species seen Bullfinch 1M Magpie Carrion Crow Wood Pigeon Blackbird Jackdaw Starling and heard Wren Robin Song Thrush Blackcap Chiffchaff Blue Tit Willow Warbler Jay
nearby 3 Swift over the trees to the north of the Clough, bringing my total for my evening walk to 11
Also 1 Fox
James Walsh said
Mon Mar 23 7:00 PM, 2020
2 Mute Swans and 11 Tufted Ducks - Alexandra Park Lakes
James Walsh said
Mon Mar 16 5:07 PM, 2020
Singing Chiffchaff - Snipe Clough
2 Mute Swans and 20 Tufted Ducks - Alexandra Park Lakes
Recent highlights on-site, drake Goosander (Feb 28th), 2 Mute Swans (Feb 24th), a maximum of 20 Tufted Ducks (Feb 27th) and 27 Redwings also on Feb 27th in trees around the tennis courts
Red-head Goosander on the main lake, also 30 Tufted Ducks
James Walsh said
Thu Jan 17 4:32 PM, 2019
Drake Goosander giving superb views on the Upper Lake (aka "The Duck Pond") 8 Tufted Ducks on the Lower Lake Also 1 Grey Wagtail and 4 Grey Heron
James Walsh said
Sun Dec 2 1:26 PM, 2018
9 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Wagtail and 4 Grey Heron
Mike Chorley said
Thu May 31 10:25 PM, 2018
30/05/18 Lunchtime
'Duck Pond' Tufted Duck 6M 2F Mallard 2M 1F Coot 3 inc nesting pair Moorhen nesting pair Black-headed Gull 2 - adult and juvenile Herring Gull 6 -of various sub-adult ages Lesser Black-backed Gull C.60 of various ages up to adult Canada Goose - lots!
Boating/Fishing Lake Tufted Duck 7M 6F Mallard 3M 2F Canada Goose 6 including 1 pair keeping a watchful eye on 5 quite small goslings in the presence of Grey Heron 2 (who have three well-grown but unfledged young of their own)
4 Swifts, in two pairs were over the park
Blackcap. Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin and 2 Wrens were all singing around Donnelly's Hollow
5 Swift & 1 singing Chiffchaff Snipe Clough just south-east of the park Singing Blackcaps & Willow Warblers Donnelly's Hollow 2 Herring Gulls on the duck pond islands with 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 10 Tufted Ducks
James Walsh said
Mon Apr 9 4:42 PM, 2018
2 Peregrines displaying over the Lions Den 2 Swallows 35 Tufted Ducks
James Walsh said
Sat Mar 31 12:09 PM, 2018
Drake Goosander present on the top lake (aka the duck pond) 11:50am also 35 Tufted Ducks, plus singing Goldcrest around the boardwalk area adjacent to the Boathouse Cafe
James Walsh said
Fri Mar 23 3:17 PM, 2018
35 Tufted Ducks on the duck pond & boating lake, also Goldcrest & Treecreeper around the boardwalk adjacent to Boathouse Cafe
Grey Heron nesting again in the usual spot. Third year running.
Mike Chorley said
Tue Jan 8 6:13 AM, 2013
No sign of any Waxwings today, but 29 found briefly nearby in Hathershaw at Schofield Street, then flew towards Copster Park.
Large numbers of Canada Goose and Black-headed Gull, smaller numbers of Mallard and Tufted Duck. Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon also noted.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Jul 21 11:48 PM, 2012
21st July - am.
It was great to see a female Tufted Duck with 4 small ducklings, although this is a little disappointing after the 3 broods noted here in 2010 and 2 in 2011. Also present was a Little Grebe, plus 2 Grey Heron. The Canada Geese went uncounted but contained only 2 goslings and I couldn't see any young Moorhen, Coot or Mallard on a quick scan.
A Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler in a small hawthorn tree by the bowling green were unexpected records. A female type Blackcap was in another part of the park. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flying over calling was unusual and 2 Nuthatch traded calls. 4+ Coal Tit, including 3 independent juveniles, were seen near a male Goldcrest. A Pied Wagtail was on the bowling green and fledged Woodpigeon, Robin, Dunnock and Wren were seen/heard. Fledged Greenfinch were also heard and a male was seen apparently collecting dock seeds, possibly for its young? A Song Thrush was still singing and a few Blackbirds took advantage of the good weather to get in a bit of sunbathing. Some juvenile Blue and Great Tits were on the large feeder near the park offices.
There appeared to be a "fun run" on in the park, although not too many of the runners appeared to be laughing or smiling. One man was running along gamely with an ironing board tucked under one arm and holding an iron in the other hand. I just wish I'd brought along a few of my shirts that need ironing!
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Feb 28 3:38 AM, 2012
27th February.
A drake Gadwall was on the larger of the two water bodies this morning.
Whilst feeding the ducks I counted c22 Tufted Duck, some of which were coming to and taking bread.......that is when the Black-headed Gulls weren't trying to grab it first! When the ducks did manage to get hold of some, they had to dive underwater and try and swallow it down there - talk about having to bolt you food down! There was 1 Common Gull amongst the squabbling pack of c180 Black-headed Gulls, which was far too refined and dignified to be seen fighting over a bit of bread.
There wasn't a lot else about so I spent an enjoyable 20 minutes or so watching a pair of Nuthatches put on a brilliant display of industry and teamwork around the large bird feeder at the side of the park offices. They continuously visited the feeder which was stocked with mixed grain. The birds were never on the feeder at the same time - whilst one was chucking out onto the floor all the bits that it didn't quite fancy, until it found a grain that it did like the look of, the other watched until its partner departed and then it did exactly the same. Both birds were flying away and hiding food on two adjacent favoured trees and this might supply a readily at hand larder of food for the adult birds later in the year whilst they continue to defend their territory and are actively looking for insect food for any young they may have? I had a quick look last summer for any suitable nesting holes in the park but I couldn't find one and it struck me as odd then, that despite plenty of seemingly suitable habitat, I don't think I have ever recorded Great Spotted Woodpecker in this park and the apparent lack of their old nesting holes may limit somewhat the choice of nest sites for Nuthatch here?
Also - 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch singing, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush singing and another possibly nest building in rhododendron - it was flying into the bush so fast it was impossible to see if it was carrying anything.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Jan 28 7:50 AM, 2012
27th January.
c115 Canada Geese, c30 Mallard and 11+ Tufted Duck on the ponds.
A mixed foraging flock of c40 Starling, 11 Redwing and 4 Mistle Thrush.
1, possibly 2 Nuthatch.
This smart urban park must have one of the best display of dogwoods in GM. They looked glowing on a gloomy and wet winters day.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Saturday 28th of January 2012 08:00:30 AM
Bill Myerscough said
Wed Jul 6 7:11 PM, 2011
6th July - am.
2 family parties of Tufted Duck - one female with 7 ducklings and another with possibly as many as 9 smaller ducklings.
Also family parties of Carrion Crow and Wren. A male Pied Wagtail was collecting insect food off the bowling green and flying in the direction of Oldham town centre. Have now recorded this spring and summer, Pied Wagtails collecting food from bowling greens 3 times, from cricket pitches 3 times and from football pitches 2 times. Didn't realise this species loved sport quite so much. Not sure yet of they have a preference for lawn or crown green bowls.
Cheers,
Bill.
Mark Rigby said
Fri Feb 11 9:24 PM, 2011
Late pm
Mute Swan Tufted Duck Coot Moorhen
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Jan 31 6:21 PM, 2011
31st January.
Large number of loafing gulls on the iced over areas of the ornamental lakes here this morning - c430 - c410 Black-headed, c15 Common, 3 Lesser-black Backed and 2 Herring.
In the park - Nuthatch calling (also heard calling here 6/1), Sparrowhawk, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Song Thrush, c40 Starling, c16 Woodpigeon (including birds fighting), 4+ Collared Doves - at least 2 pairs, including a pair investigating a likely nest site, Carrion Crows carrying nesting material.
Cheers,
Bill.
Judith Smith said
Mon Nov 29 8:48 PM, 2010
Just as a matter of interest, Bill, the Oldham Ranger Service's HQ is now there, having moved from Strinesdale.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Nov 29 4:12 PM, 2010
29th November.
Short pm visit.
The ornamental lakes are mostly frozen over, except where the 2 fountains are presently keeping the water from freezing over. In the un-iced bit - c85 Mallard with just 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot and a solitary Canada Goose. Standing on the ice were c140 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Common Gulls. Also standing on the ice (at one time he even lay down on it!) was one half-witted youth desperately trying to impress his girlfriend....probably not the smartest way to go about it
In the park - 2 Nuthatch - I don't visit this park too often but I'm sure this is the first time I have seen or heard this species here....although there is plenty of suitable habitat available for a pair. Also 2 Goldcrest, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush and several Blackbirds. Also c150 Feral Pigeon.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Monday 29th of November 2010 04:24:55 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Sun Aug 22 10:12 AM, 2010
22nd August.
Quick visit at 7.30 am today to check on the progress of the Tufted Duck young. They seem to be doing pretty well - although the family of 8 ducklings are now down to 5, the other family parties of 4 and 3 young remain as they were.
Also Moorhen still sitting on a nest and chasing away some Pied Wagtails that dared to land near the nest site! 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron and c140 Canada Geese. No sign of the feral Barnacle Goose (today or 9/8) that used to accompany the Canada Geese flock here in earlier years.
23 Tufted Ducks - Alexandra Park Lakes
1 singing Blackcap on Snipe Clough on Friday 2nd April
30 Tufted Ducks - Alexandra Park Lakes
33 Tufted Ducks
2 Mute Swans
28 Tufted Ducks
2 Mute Swans
Information thanks to Gary Crowder
2 Goosander
26 Tufted Ducks
Grey Heron sharing a tree on the duck pond islands with the most adventurous of 8 Moorhens. 2 of the 3 Coot were on the 'duck pond' as well, as were the majority of the C200 Black-headed Gulls. Mixed in were 8 Common Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls (1x3rd Winter and 2x1st Winter) and 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.
100+ Canada Geese on the fishing lake, with the majority of c50 Mallard and 14 Tufted Duck.
Also 2 Mute Swans. Elsewhere 1 Mistle Thrush in song, 1 Blackbird and several each of Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins in the shrubbery
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 10th of January 2021 11:10:32 AM
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 10th of January 2021 11:11:07 AM
2 Mute Swan
23 Tufted Ducks
5 Goosander
11 Tufted Duck
2 Mute Swan
Not exactly Alexandra Park, but was being driven along Oldham Way on the way back from Dovestones when I saw a flock of two of Feral Pigeons scattering from the Spindles shopping centre. I suspected that there might be a Peregine might be around, when a sizeable female (somewhat bigger than the pigeons it was chasing) flashed over Oldham way in pursuit.
6 Goosander (1 drake)
17 Tufted Ducks
4 Mute Swan
3 Goosanders (1 drake)
16 Tufted Ducks
4 Mute Swans
I popped in to Alexandra Park as well and noted 2 Adult and one juvenile Grey Heron around the lakes along with uncounted Mallard, Tufted Duck and Canada Goose, with a few Black-headed Gulls. One of the Mallard had around 6 ducklings in tow.
One Peacock butterfly and a couple of Large Whites seen around Snipe Clough.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Tuesday 2nd of June 2020 10:22:26 PM
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Tuesday 2nd of June 2020 10:24:13 PM
Bullfinch 1M
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Wood Pigeon
Blackbird
Jackdaw
Starling
and heard
Wren
Robin
Song Thrush
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Blue Tit
Willow Warbler
Jay
nearby 3 Swift over the trees to the north of the Clough, bringing my total for my evening walk to 11
Also 1 Fox
2 Mute Swans and 20 Tufted Ducks - Alexandra Park Lakes
2 drake Goosander
18 Tufted Ducks
Drake Goosander and 17 Tufted Ducks
6 Goosander
22 Tufted Duck
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Nuthatch
1 Mute Swan
31 Tufted Ducks
8 Redwing in Donnelly's Hollow
8 Tufted Ducks on the Lower Lake
Also 1 Grey Wagtail and 4 Grey Heron
'Duck Pond'
Tufted Duck 6M 2F
Mallard 2M 1F
Coot 3 inc nesting pair
Moorhen nesting pair
Black-headed Gull 2 - adult and juvenile
Herring Gull 6 -of various sub-adult ages
Lesser Black-backed Gull C.60 of various ages up to adult
Canada Goose - lots!
Boating/Fishing Lake
Tufted Duck 7M 6F
Mallard 3M 2F
Canada Goose 6 including 1 pair keeping a watchful eye on 5 quite small goslings in the presence of
Grey Heron 2 (who have three well-grown but unfledged young of their own)
4 Swifts, in two pairs were over the park
Blackcap. Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin and 2 Wrens were all singing around Donnelly's Hollow
Elsewhere
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Nuthatch
Jackdaw
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon.
5 Swift & 1 singing Chiffchaff Snipe Clough just south-east of the park
Singing Blackcaps & Willow Warblers Donnelly's Hollow
2 Herring Gulls on the duck pond islands with 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
10 Tufted Ducks
Grey Heron 2 - adult and juvenile
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 - 1 x 2nd Summer, 2 x1st Summer
Herring Gull 1 adult
Black-headed Gull 6
Mallard 20
Tufted Duck 15
Canada Goose 77
Moorhen 3
Maybe it's the Mossley/Greenfield bird on its way back to Iceland (well, it's got the direction roughly correct
Moorhen 3
Coot 2
Grey Heron 2
Herring Gull 2 adults
Lesser Black-backed Gulls 2 adults
Black-headed Gull 1
Pink-footed Goose 1 - unringed, unclipped wings, quite wary
Large numbers of Canada Goose and Black-headed Gull, smaller numbers of Mallard and Tufted Duck. Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon also noted.
It was great to see a female Tufted Duck with 4 small ducklings,
A Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler in a small hawthorn tree by the bowling green were unexpected records. A female type Blackcap was in another part of the park. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flying over calling was unusual and 2 Nuthatch traded calls. 4+ Coal Tit, including 3 independent juveniles, were seen near a male Goldcrest. A Pied Wagtail was on the bowling green and fledged Woodpigeon, Robin, Dunnock and Wren were seen/heard. Fledged Greenfinch were also heard and a male was seen apparently collecting dock seeds, possibly for its young? A Song Thrush was still singing and a few Blackbirds took advantage of the good weather to get in a bit of sunbathing.
There appeared to be a "fun run" on in the park, although not too many of the runners appeared to be laughing or smiling.
Cheers,
Bill.
A drake Gadwall was on the larger of the two water bodies this morning.
Whilst feeding the ducks I counted c22 Tufted Duck, some of which were coming to and taking bread.......that is when the Black-headed Gulls weren't trying to grab it first! When the ducks did manage to get hold of some, they had to dive underwater and try and swallow it down there - talk about having to bolt you food down!
There wasn't a lot else about so I spent an enjoyable 20 minutes or so watching a pair of Nuthatches put on a brilliant display of industry and teamwork
Also - 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch singing, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush singing and another possibly nest building in rhododendron - it was flying into the bush so fast
Cheers,
Bill.
c115 Canada Geese, c30 Mallard and 11+ Tufted Duck on the ponds.
A mixed foraging flock of c40 Starling, 11 Redwing and 4 Mistle Thrush.
1, possibly 2 Nuthatch.
This smart urban park must have one of the best display of dogwoods in GM. They looked glowing on a gloomy and wet winters day.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Saturday 28th of January 2012 08:00:30 AM
2 family parties of Tufted Duck
Also family parties of Carrion Crow and Wren. A male Pied Wagtail was collecting insect food off the bowling green and flying in the direction of Oldham town centre. Have now recorded this spring and summer, Pied Wagtails collecting food from bowling greens 3 times, from cricket pitches 3 times and from football pitches 2 times. Didn't realise this species loved sport
Cheers,
Bill.
Mute Swan
Tufted Duck
Coot
Moorhen
Large number of loafing gulls on the iced over areas of the ornamental lakes here this morning - c430 - c410 Black-headed, c15 Common, 3 Lesser-black Backed and 2 Herring.
In the park - Nuthatch calling (also heard calling here 6/1), Sparrowhawk, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Song Thrush, c40 Starling, c16 Woodpigeon (including birds fighting), 4+ Collared Doves - at least 2 pairs, including a pair investigating a likely nest site, Carrion Crows carrying nesting material.
Cheers,
Bill.
Short pm visit.
The ornamental lakes are mostly frozen over, except where the 2 fountains are presently keeping the water from freezing over. In the un-iced bit - c85 Mallard with just 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot and a solitary Canada Goose. Standing on the ice were c140 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Common Gulls. Also standing on the ice (at one time he even lay down on it!) was one half-witted youth
In the park - 2 Nuthatch - I don't visit this park too often but I'm sure this is the first time I have seen or heard this species here....although there is plenty of suitable habitat available for a pair. Also 2 Goldcrest, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush and several Blackbirds. Also c150 Feral Pigeon.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Monday 29th of November 2010 04:24:55 PM
Quick visit at 7.30 am today to check on the progress of the Tufted Duck young. They seem to be doing pretty well - although the family of 8 ducklings are now down to 5, the other family parties of 4 and 3 young remain as they were.
Also Moorhen still sitting on a nest and chasing away some Pied Wagtails that dared to land near the nest site! 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron and c140 Canada Geese. No sign of the feral Barnacle Goose
Cheers,
Bill.