Pair of Dippers and pair of Grey Wagtails at Rumworth Mill Bridge showing well again yesterday morning (Dippers highly vocal again)

The pair of Dippers at Rumworth Mill bridge are showing well, and have been highly vocal over the last three days, singing morning and late-afternoon

This am dog walk.
Ox hey lane to the Green Bridge.
Grey Heron...1
Kestrel..1 ( missing most tail feathers)
Canada Goose... circling the Dam several times and calling
Swallows..4 perched on wires.
Reed Bunting..1
Mistle Thrush..1
Black-headed Gulls..6
Corvids continuously over in singles and small groups. At least 3 Rooks.
Moorhen..1
Coot...1
(ponds very quiet)

Over 100 Woodpigeon spooked from farm field over the valley.

Ox hey Lane to Lostock Mill Dam ( this am.)
Very quiet.
The new golf course is now open,with plenty golfers, and birds seen in the past on the course, were not showing.

Moorhen...9 including 2 very brown Juveniles.
Coot..1
Mallards..4
Robins..4
Blue Tit..1
Swallows c40 highish over the valley
Black-headed Gull..1
Lesser Black-backed Gull..1
Corvids and Woodpigeons.

A shortish dog walk this morning mainly downstream from Lady Bridge:

A Grey Heron was seen a few times in the brook.Once at 10 yards perched on a crossing pipe.
Moorhen ..3
Mallards...3
Robin
A Dipper flew downstream past Bank Wood.

A local told me that Herons here were down in number, as they are being shot at with air rifles.
Something making a loud squealing/crying sound in Bank Wood. Presumably a mammal.

Also this evening up to 7.15.

In and around the standing water against the railway (downstream from Heaton Bridge):

Teal...4
Grey Heron...1
Black-headed Gull...8
Common Gull..2
Woodpigeon ..c35
The above viewed from elevated ground.

On my way back home, I made a short detour to check on Dippers by Bank Wood.
A Dipper was having a drink, in the Brook. It stood on shingle, in shallow water and I was able to watch,
for sometime,without disturbance.

This morning between 9.15 and 11.30, Rumworth Mill Bridge to Haslam Park and back - fairly quiet, breezy:

Dipper x1 (at Rumworth Mill Bridge)
Grey Wagtail x2 (at Rumworth Mill Bridge)
Moorhen x3
Mallard x25
Black headed Gull x8
Wood Pigeon
Collard Dove
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Coat Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Robin
Blackbird x2
Song Thrush x2
Chiffchaff x1 (singing)
Willow Warbler x1
Dunnock x2
House Sparrow x3
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jay (heard)

This evening's dog walk up to 7pm.

Between Lostock Junction and Haslam Park

Wren...1
Grey Wagtail..3 (juv. at Heaton Bridge, 1 at Rumworth Mill bridge, 1 in the Rumworth outlet channel.)
Canada Geese...19+ around the standing water across the railtrack, although Water mostly hidden from Trail.
Mallard...26
Moorhen..3 +2 heard
Black-headed Gull..6
Carrion Crow..2
Jackdaw..1
Woodpigeon..15
Magpies..25+

This morning, walk both ways, between the footbridges by Heaton bridge and Haslam Park.

Carrion Crow...4
Grey Wagtail...1... moving downstream at Heaton Bridge.
Dipper..2 at a new location adjacent to Bank Wood.
Mallards...9
Chiffchaff...1
Woodpigeon..7
Feral Pigeon..2
Black-headed Gull..2
Moorhen..heard only.

Likewise Huw,
Kingfisher reported to me by a Ladybridge resident, whom I met last Saturday afternoon
while walking on the trail.
He had seen it 20 minutes earlier; going upstream (fast) between Heaton Fold Bridge and Lady Bridge.
Gave it my best effort but no joy.

This morning from 9.30-11.30 from Lostock station to Heaton Fold and back again ...

Grey Heron x1
Moorhen x2
Dipper x1
Mallard x13
Wood Pigeon
Collard Dove
Long-tailed Tit x16
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Willow Warbler x14
Nuthatch x3
Chaffinch x2
Goldfinch x2
Robin x4
Blackbird
Wren
Starling x2
Swallow
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Jay x2
Black-headded Gull x2

Also got chatting to a local dog walker who had heard that a Kingfisher had been seen along this stretch over the last few days - but I've not seen any postings recently

This morning along the trail between Regent Road and Ox Hey Lane:

Whitethroat x3
Willow Warbler x2
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Willow Tit x1
Wren x1
Blackbird x3
Robin x1
Dunnock x1
House Sparrow x3
Goldfinch x8
Greenfinch x2
Linnet x2
Pied Wagtail x1
Wood Pigeon
Black backed Gull x3
Swallow x4
House Martin x4
Magpie
Jay x1
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw

Good to finally meet Keith Mills earlier in the week - good birding!

Walk this afternoon on the same stretch as yesterday.

41 Mallards counted today. One of which appeared to survive a stone thrown at it by an urchin.
The brood of 10 was intact, but I could only see 3 of the smaller brood.
3 Moorhens seen.
Nice to meet Huw Lloyd and the Lady.

The Grey Wagtail still present in the Rumworth Lodge outflow. Today perched on a thin branch
that was in the water

This afternoon's dog walk:

38 Mallards between Ladybridge Lane and Rumworth Mill Bridge, mainly Juveniles including
a 10 strong brood of small ducklings.
A Moorhen also present but much of the brook still screened with Balsam.


-- Edited by keith mills on Monday 19th of August 2013 04:03:39 PM

yesterday mid-day from Lostock station to the second stone (green) rail bridge, very quiet, highlights:

Dipper x1
Buzzard x1
Moorhen x3
Mallard x23 (including one female with 5 young and another with 3 young)
Wren x1
Willow Warbler x4
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Swallow

yesterday morning until mid-day very quiet

Dipper x1
Willow Warbler x2
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Goldfinch x4
Mallard +30
(inlcuding one female with 10 young, another female with 5 young)
Wood Pigeon
Moorhen x2
Black-backed Gull
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Jay x1
Blackbird
Song Thrush x1
Wren x3
Dunnock x2
Swift x2
Swallow x2

Each night this week, multiple small flocks of Swallows and House Martins flying over Lostock (always 8-9pm and either heading south or north)

This am.
Ladybridge to Lostock Arms.

Plenty vegetation screening the brook in many places. Mainly Balsam.
Just a few common species only...

Mallards...21... plenty juveniles.
Moorhen..2
Grey Wagtail...1 Juvenile.
Carrion Crow..1
Black-headed Gull..c10 Around the standing water which is hidden from the path
A few Feral Pigeons and Magpies

Pied Wagtail on Junction Road.

This afternoon up to 4.30, Ox hey Lane to the Green Bridge that crosses Middlebrook and the railway.
Chaffinch..2
Goldfinch..1
Blackbirds..10
Robin..1
Blackcap..1 the singing male.
Mistle Thrush..2 on the GC fairway
Jay..2
Lapwing..1
Grey Heron..3 sightings: 1 on the stone wall of the Dam and on my way back; 1 perched in reeds at Dam,
and 1 flying down the GC fairway. Maybe same bird.
Kestrel.. regular sightings, hunting either side of me at the Mill Dam. And soaring twice above me (a male) Maybe 1 bird.
At the Mire the Male Reed Buntings were showing well, with 8 seen and most singing.
Sedge Warblers..3 around the Hawthorn in the Mire.
A Buzzard was seen twice low over the Mire, circling normally today, but still managing one short hover,
and once mobbed by 2 Crows.
Coot family and pair of Mallards also at the Dam.
At the higher GC pond..7 Canada Geese drifted in the middle of the water, with a Pied Wagtail on the shore.
The lower GC Pond, by the Mire, is not popular at present, with plenty bare earth still around it, and only
1 Black-headed Gull present.
Common Whitethroat could be heard in many of the Hawthorn, but with the heavy blossom only 3 seen.
C25 Swallows seen mainly over the Mire,with 2 House Martins picked out. Later to be joined by c10 Swifts
passing through.
Starlings, A flock of 16 down the valley and a mixed group of 9 including juveniles, on a telephone pole/wire
near my vehicle.. A Moorhen and 2 Mallards on the Private Pond







-- Edited by keith mills on Monday 10th of June 2013 06:40:01 PM

Brief afternoon walk along the trail from Regent Road to Ox Hey Close, very quiet...

Wood Pigeon
Collard Dove
Moorhen x1
Buzzard x1
Kestrel x1
Blackbird
Robin
Chaffinch x5
Goldfinch x5
Greenfinch x2
Common Whitethroat x5
Willow Warbler x2
Dunnock x2
House Sparrow x3
Swallow x8
Swift x9
House Martin x2
Black headed Gull
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie

This evening: a stroll from Lostock Hall Fold to Middlebrook via the Green Bridge, with my dog.

Lowish over Lostock Mire, a Buzzard was repeatedly hovering in a manner identical to a Kestrel.
Also at the Mire, were 4 Reed Bunting including 1 female.
A raptor going away fast, over the railway towards Lostock Junction looked to me like a Hobby, but not confirmed.
One Mallard on Middlebrook.

Elsewhere:
Goldfinch 4
Chaffinch..1
Blackbirds..6
Collared Doves ..2 (on Ox Hey Lane)
House Sparrows ..4
Lapwings ..4 over
Lesser Black-Backed Gull..1 over
Starlings..c35 across
Swifts..2

On the virgin Golf Course fairways were 8 Woodpigeons, 2 Mistle Thrushes, a Carrion Crow, and around the
upper Course pond were 7 Canada Geese and a Lapwing. Over the pond c 10 Swallows, 4 House Martins.
and 3 Black-headed Gulls.

At Lostock Mill Dam the Coot family had 2 much larger chicks with a single Mallard present.


-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 7th of June 2013 09:35:43 PM

This afternoon up to 5.30.

Around Lostock Hall Fold:

Robins...3
Whitethroat...1
Greenfinch...2
House Sparrows.
On the Private Pond...
Grey Heron ..1
Mallards..3
Moorhen..1
On the Golf Course...
Mistle Thrush....2
Oystercatcher....2
Mallards...4
Canada Geese...7
Blue Tit...1
Lapwing..2
Carrion Crow..1
Starlings..7
At Lostock Mill Dam...
Common Tern and 4 Black-headed Gulls over the Water
Coot family with 2 chicks,
Mallards ...3
Lostock Mire...
Reed buntings... a pair
There is also a second Golf course pond situated down by the Mire.
This was viewed from the Green railway footbridge and was where the Oystercatchers were seen.
Plenty Swallows and Woodpigeons about






-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 4th of June 2013 06:41:04 PM

This morning (6am-7.30am) from Rumworth Mill Bridge to the Heaton Fold Garden Centre:

Grey Heron x2
Moorhen x1
Dipper x2
Oystercatcher x3
Mallard +13
Black headed Gull
Great Spotted Woodpecker x2
Wood Pigeon
Collard Dove
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Song Thrush x1
Robin x4
Wren x4
Dunnock x3
Common Whitethroat x2
Blackcap x1
Chiffchaff x1
Willow Warbler x1
Sedge Warbler x1
Reed Bunting x1
Goldfinch x7
Greenfinch x2
Chaffinch x2
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie

This evening (6.30 - 8pm) from Lostock Train Station to Heaton Fold Garden Centre:

Grey Heron x1
Sparrowhawk x1
Kestrel x1
Wood Pigeon
Collard Dove
Great Spotted Woodpecker x1
Swallow x2
Swift x3
Mallard x11
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Long tailed Tit x5
Greenfinch x2
Goldfinch +15
Chaffinch x6
Willow Warbler x1
Chiffchaff x4
Common Whitethroat x2
Blackcap x3
Reed Bunting x2
Dunnock x2
Wren x2
Blackbird
Song Thrush x3
Robin
Grey Wagtail x1
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie


-- Edited by Huw Lloyd on Sunday 2nd of June 2013 08:29:58 PM

Mid-morning today along the trail from Regent Road to Ox Hey Lane

Dunnock x4
House Sparrow x3
Redpoll x2
Chaffinch x3
Goldfinch x6
Greenfinch x5
Common Whitethroat x4
Blackcap x1
Willow Warbler x1
Goldcrest x2
Wren
Robin
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Wood Pigeon
Collard Dove
Swallow x6
House Martin x5
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull


-- Edited by Huw Lloyd on Sunday 2nd of June 2013 01:10:13 PM

This evening up to 7.30.
Around Lostock Hall Fold .
Sightings:

Goldfinch....7
Greenfinch..5
Blue Tit..2
Blackcap(m) ... 1 singing
On the ( soon to be) Golf course...3 Oystercatchers, 1 Canada Goose( on the Tee), 1 Mallard, and 1 Kestrel very low.
Around the Reeded Pond...Coot Family with the 2 surviving chicks, 3 Drake Mallards and a Moorhen.
Swallows ..c15
In the wood: A larger Corvid flock tonight; wheeling just above the canopy. Minimum count....50.
A lot of Carrion Crows with some Jackdaws.
Mistle Thrushes flitting through the trees. Minimum count ...4

By the way, a friend of mine who lives around here, has re-educated me on the place names. The reeded pond
(which I have referred to as Lostock Mire) is in fact ''Lostock Mill Dam''
and Lostock Mire is the boggy land between the pond and the railway. Lostock Mire is a SBI.
The impressive three storey stone residence is the old Gatehouse for Lostock Hall. The Hall itself being long ago demolished.
Sorry for the confusion!






-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 09:19:37 PM

Along the other side of Middlebrook Valley trail (Regent Road to Ox Hey Lane) this morning:

Swift x13
Swallow x10
House Martin x2
Starling x7
Grey Heron x1
Common Moorhen x1
Pied Wagtail x2
Grey Wagtail x2
Chaffinch x5
Bullfinch x3
Greenfinch x11
Goldfinch +15
Linnet x2
Redpoll x4
Common Whitethroat x3
Reed Bunting x2
Song Thrush x2
Willow Warbler x5
Chiffchaff x1 (heard only)
Mallard x5
Dunncock x3
House Sparrow +12
Wren x2
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Robin
Herring Gull
Blackheaded Gull
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Wood Pigeon
Collard Dove

This morning's dog walk, near Lostock Hall.

Buzzard ..1 lowish over the marsh before the railway.
Common Tern ..1 fishing the Mire.
Coot family 2 chicks seen today.
Grey Heron ..1 stood in private pond
Swifts..8 passing over.
Swallows..6 around the mire.
Mistle Thrush..2
Jay..1
Black-headed Gull..c20
House Sparrow..3
Greenfinch..1
Chaffinch..1
Goldfinch..1
Dunnock..2
Lapwing..1
Carrion Crow..3
A Sedge Warbler and a Great Spotted Woodpecker heard only
Mallards..7 (2 flushed from GC lake by man with amphibious dog)
Moorhen..1

I had a look round the Brook either side of the Heaton Fold to Deane Clough Footbridge.

Just downstream a Grey Heron stood stationary in the Brook.
A male Blackcap was heard and seen in the bushes by the bridge
A small charm of Goldfinch passed through the same bushes.
2 Swifts and 4 Swallows were feeding over the Marsh
Mallards on the Brook, Plenty Robins and Blackbirds singing.

This evening with my dog, around Lostock Hall. Up to 8.10pm

Common Tern ..1 repeatedly fishing the Mire. Just in front of me.
Sedge Warbler...1 Plenty noise tonight and one showing close on Willow, by the water.
Common Whitethroat..1
The Wood was full of Corvids The Jackdaw flock as last night, but at least 12 Carrion Crows tonight.
Jay..1 out of the wood
Song Thrush ..1 heard only from edge of wood near the Mire.
Mistle Thrush..2 on the Golf Course.
Kestrel..1 hunting over the Course.
House Martins..2 near the GC lake.
Swallows..6 around the Mire. sometimes just missing me at knee height.
Lesser Black-backed Gulls..4 over.
Dunnocks...4 Including a juvenile.
Great Tit ..1
Goldfinch..3
Moorhen..1
Mallards..2
Coots..chicks, hopefully, tucked up , only one head seen.
Black-headed Gulls and Blackbirds.

-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 24th of May 2013 08:45:42 PM

The Kingfisher(s) can still be seen pretty regularly, I just don't think populations of suitably-sized prey are high enough to support more than one or two non-breeding individuals other than in a perfect year for all the necessary parameters.
The little spate pulse came and went without bothering the Dippers, it may have restricted feeding for a few hours. Conditions such as we had last Summer would be a different matter though.

This evening short walk around Lostock Hall up to 7.40 and rain.

Kestrel..1 over the set-a-side field west of the Mire.
Jackdaws..c35 Coming out of the wood.
Grey Heron..1 fishing the private pond.
Mallards..4
Mistle Thrush...1 On new Fairway
Oystercatchers...4 On new tee by the sculptured GC pond.
Lapwing..2
Carrion Crow..3
Robins..3
Singles of ..Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Swallow
Only 3 Coot chicks seen

Pleased to learn that you saw the Kingfishers last year, Huw. Let's hope that they come back this year!

Thanks Keith - Kingfishers were there last year (one pair) but to date, no sign of them this year (don't give up hope yet though!). Took a quick walk down to the Heaton Fold Garden Centre from the Lostock train station around mid-day, and the most noteworthy records were:

Kestrel x1
Dipper x3
Swift x1
Swallow x2
House Martin x2
Oystercatcher x1 (on the golf course)
Sedge Warbler x1
Willow Warbler x1
Chiffchaff x2
Moorhen x1
Goldfinch +20
Greefinch x4
Chaffinch x2
Great Tit x4
Blue Tit x6
Wren x2
Black-headed Gull x3 (flying)
Plus a bunch of Blackbirds, Mallard, Wood Pigeon etc



-- Edited by Huw Lloyd on Thursday 23rd of May 2013 04:13:18 PM

Having just joined the forum I'm not that familiar with this thread (but very familiar with these Dippers) - but just to mention (as a first contribution) that there was a very short but very sudden flooding/rise in water levels last week at this spot which may have seriously impacted these Dippers (and other species along this stretch). Other noteworthy records include Tawny Owls (two pairs) which have been fairly vocal in recent weeks. One of my favourtite records from last year were the Grasshopper Warblers (at least three individuals) in the reed habitat on the opposite side of the trail (across the river) before the Heaton Fold stone railway bridge (the 'second stone-bridge down' from Lostock train station - apologies if I get these landmark names wrong!). Habitat hasn't fully recovered yet but worth keeping your ears (and eyes) open for these soon (good spot for Reed Warblers too).

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 22nd of May 2013 10:08:59 PM

Short dog walk this morning around Lostock Hall.

Birds seen:
Grey Heron ..lifting off the private Pond
Moorhen..2
Whitethroat..2
Goldfinch..3
Mistle Thrush..1 taking worms from the new Golf Course turf.
Starlings..13
Swallows..7
Carrion Crow..4
Woodpigeon 5
Feral pigeon..6
House Sparrow..1
Mallard and the Coot family on the Mire with 4 chicks showing today
Black-headed Gull ..1
Blackbird..2
Chaffinch ..1 heard only



-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 22nd of May 2013 11:46:14 AM

Around Lostock Hall this morning.

The 2 Coots on the Mire now have 5 chicks swimming with them.
2 Mallard and a Moorhen on the private pond.

Seen in the Wood:
Nuthatch
Wren ,with full beak
Chaffinch.
Blackbirds..2
Great Tit.
2 Carrion Crow and a Black-headed Gull about.

Around Lostock Hall and Lostock Mire, at 9.30 this morning with my dog.

Great Tits...5
Blackbird..6
House Sparrow..4
Goldfinch..1
Starlings..c30
Mistle Thrush..1 or 2
Reed Bunting..1 male singing.
Mallards..2
Coots..2
Mute Swans Imm.....2
Carrion Crow..2
Greenfinch..1 heard only

Around 11 this am, with my dog.

Buzzard..1 down the valley/ with corvid escort.
Grey Heron..1
Coots.... 2 on Lostock Mire.
Swift..1
Swallow..2
Whitethroat..1
Willow Warbler..1
Blackbird..2
House Sparrows.
Black-headed Gull..4
The new Golf Course extension is nearing completion and contains a very nice sculptured pond with inflow;
50 yards from the Mire.

Buzzard flew out of wood just downstream of Beaumont Rd. on Saturday evening, headed over to the trees on the North bank across the pasture. Dippers feeding avidly.

One hour up to 3.0pm today.(before the Rummy news) around Lostock Hall:

Buzzards...3 ....1 low by Lostock Mire, 1 low over the new Golf Course and a distant one over Chew Moor.
Mute Swans..2 Immature on Lostock Mire
Coots..2 on Mire.
Greenfinch...3
House Sparrows in hedge.
Lesser Black- backed Gulls...6 over
Cormorant..1 over
Black Headed Gulls and Swallows..about 10 of each.
The wood still very quiet.

-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 5th of May 2013 05:30:13 PM

Yesterday 4.45pm

pair of very fast flying birds of prey over the road near the reebok heading towards Horwich Moors. I think Hobbies, but inconclusive. They were flying very quickly in one general direction but zigging and zagging now and then???? I was driving, so didn't get chance to watch them for long enough to id properly.

Dipper and Grey Wagtail showing well opposite Lostock Arms this morning

Bushes (Mock Orange and others) on opposite side to footpath just down from Lostock Arms were bouncing with warblers tonight, everywhere I looked there were LBJs. Only one I could be sure of was a Blackcap in subsong, shadows were lengthening and they were feeding well into cover. Further down past Beaumont there were courting Sparrowhawks across the field towards the bad taste mansions.

12.35 to 13.30.

Field/pool between Beaumont Road & Ladybridge Lane :-
1 Grey Heron
3 Teal
2 Redshanks
33 Woodpigeons
6 Jackdaws
Chiffchaffs & Nuthatches heard calling.

Fairly quiet along the brook to Gilnow, 4 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, more Chiffchaffs, and a Willow Warbler.

At least three Chiffchaffs between Lostock Arms and Ladybridge Lane, Nuthatches calling from every direction. Pair of LTTits gathering nesting material just down from pub, further down in woodland saw mixed group of LTTits and Phylloscopus warblers feeding avidly.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 15th of April 2013 08:45:06 AM

Late post for 1pm. yesterday:

A Dipper perched on stones in Middlebrook, for several minutes.
Just upstream from Rumworth Mill Bridge.

Steve Almond wrote:

---

keith mills wrote:

---

Cycling past the (Shut down) Lostock Arms a Grey Wagtail flew under Rumworth Mill Bridge onto the pub roof.

---

OK, but how did the bird get his bike up on to the roof?

---

My first real bike as a teenager was called an ''Armstrong Moth'' Believe me, that bike could fly anywhere!

As I Cycled past the (Shut down) Lostock Arms, a Grey Wagtail flew under Rumworth Mill Bridge onto the pub roof.


-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 7th of April 2013 04:07:09 PM

Good views of Dipper either side of the bridge near Lostock Arms this morning

10.10am to 11.50am. Full length from Lostock to Gilnow.

4 Canada Geese flying over
12 Mallards
1 Black-headed Gull
Numerous Feral Pigeons underneath & just above Beaumont Road bridge
60+ Woodpigeons
2 Collared Doves
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
9 Wrens
3 Dunnocks
12 Robins
4 Blackbirds
30 Redwings at Bank Wood
Willow Tit calling in the same area as your's Pete, this time in the bushes across the railway line.
Numerous Blue Tits & Great Tits
3 Nuthatches
Dipper by Haslam Park, and another by the high rise flats flying up from Gilnow.
1 Jay
9 Magpies
7 Carrion Crows
6 Chaffinches
Flock of 8 Greenfinches at the Lostock end
7 Goldfinches
2 Siskins
2 Bullfinches