Only one butterfly but it was my first Red Admiral of the year My first moth of the year, an Early Thorn
David Lumb said
Tue Apr 15 5:58 PM, 2014
8.40am to 12.50pm. Reservoir & Broadhead Valley.
Reservoir :- 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Cormorant, 3 Greylags (the newly arrived pair kept trying to join the now resident bird but it was having nothing to do with them), 7 Canada Geese, 11 Mallards, pair of Teal, 4m + 3f Tufted Ducks, pair of Goldeneyes, 5 Moorhens, 9 Coots, 1 Oystercatcher flew across, 4 Black-headed Gulls, Pheasants, Stock Dove, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Wagtail, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches. 1 Roe Deer. Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, & a couple of Comma.
Broadhead Valley birds included :- 7 Canada Geese around the various ponds, 2 Mallards, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 2 Curlews, 9 Stock Doves, 5 Skylarks, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 6 Pied Wagtails, 1f Wheatear, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Nuthatches, 2 Ravens, & a Reed Bunting.
David Lumb said
Sun Apr 13 5:34 PM, 2014
A short wander across at lunchtime just checking the reservoir birds.
7 Great Crested Grebes 2 Cormorants 8 Canada Geese 10+ Mallards 2m + 1f Tufted Ducks 1m Goldeneye 1f Goosander Numerous Moorhens & Coots A few Swallows low over the water & a few more much higher up
David Lumb said
Wed Apr 9 5:41 PM, 2014
10.15am to 12.50pm.
4 Great Crested Grebes 2 Grey Herons flying over 1 Greylag + 5 Canada Geese 8 Mallards, 2 Teal (in the middle of the main reservoir for a change), a few Tufted Ducks (mostly hidden away on Little Wayoh so unable to count them), 1m & 2f Goldeneyes (between the causeway & the viaduct). 6 Moorhens & 5 Coots 21 Black-headed Gulls + a Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over 1 Swallow flying around the fields behind the houses on Embankment Road. Probably the same bird that flew through St Anne's Churchyard about 10 minutes earlier. 3 Pheasants 11 Woodpigeons, 2 Collared Doves, 1 Stock Dove & 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 1 Pied Wagtail at the waterworks & a Dipper on Broadhead Brook Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & a Song Thrush 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, & at least a dozen Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows Starlings & House Sparrows Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Wed Apr 2 4:48 PM, 2014
10.45am to 11.50am.
5 Great Crested Grebes 2 Cormorants 9 Canada Geese in the open on a very windy & choppy reservoir. Others hidden away from the wind probably with the Greylag. 10 Mallards 15 Tufted Ducks 1m Pochard 2m Goldeneyes 2 Moorhens & 4 Coots seen. As with the geese others were sheltering in cover. 12 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser black-backed Gulls
Lots of Toads in the pond at the top end of Little Wayoh. Others working their way up the grass banking towards the pond.
David Lumb said
Sun Mar 30 7:04 PM, 2014
9.10 to 13.00 around the reservoir & up Broadhead Valley.
Reservoir :- 6 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant on the reservoir & 2 flying over 1 Greylag & 14 Canada Geese 8 Mallards, 13 Tufted Ducks, 1m Pochard, 1m Goosander Pair of Goldeneye by the causeway near the railway viaduct. At first I only saw the male but when he started displaying the female came out of cover and laid flat on the water by him. After some more displaying they started to mate. I have seen them display many times before but watching them actually mate is a first for me. 5 Moorhens, 9 Coots 14 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls Buzzard, Pheasants, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Mistle Thrushes, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches. 2 Small Tortoiseshells & 7 Peacocks. Buff-tailed & White-tailed Bumble Bees.
Broadhead Valley birds included :- 2 Grey Herons, 2 pairs of Canada Geese, 1 Buzzard, 7 Pheasants, 2 Curlews, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Stock Doves, 4 Woodpigeons, 10+ Skylarks, 30+ Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 Pied Wagtails, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Raven, 1 Reed Bunting. 1 Rabbit, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, and some frogspawn.
6 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 14 Canada Geese 1 Greylag 15 Mallards Teal heard only 12 Tufted Ducks Pair of Goldeneye 3f Goosanders 4 Buzzards. Two soaring over the main reservoir and two rising up from the top end of Little Wayoh. When the latter pair started soaring around they were joined by a passing Raven. 3 Moorhens 8 Coots 7 Black-headed Gulls
David Lumb said
Sun Mar 23 6:48 PM, 2014
Good to meet you Dave, similar species to myself but you got Goldeneye & Wagtails which I missed out on today. No sign of Dippers up the brook after I left you, my last sighting of one was 7th February.
3 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 1 Greylag 8 Canada Geese 8 Mallards 17 Tufted Ducks 1 Buzzard 4 Moorhens 3 Coots 1 Curlew flying over 5 Black-headed Gulls c25 Feral Pigeons, 1 Collared Dove. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes. I did not see any Fieldfares around the reservoir but saw 20+ between Bolton Road & Old Russia lodge. 1 Chiffchaff & numerous Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches 3 Jays, Magpies (flock of 12 at Wayoh Fold Farm), Jackdaws (none around the reservoir but could see 60+ in Chapeltown), Rooks around the top of Hob Lane, & a few Carrion Crows. Starlings & House Sparrows Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Siskins
Dave Higginson-Tranter said
Sun Mar 23 3:00 PM, 2014
An early morning wander in decent weather, the sun shone, the temperature was fine, 28 bird species the result:- Dunnock; Robin; Grey Heron; Magpie; Mallard; Canada Goose; Blue Tit; Pied Wagtail; House Sparrow; Pheasant; Goldeneye; Tufted Duck; Carrion Crow; Black Headed Gull; Long Tailed Tit; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Sparrowhawk; Greylag Goose; Coal Tit; Grey Wagtail; Great Crested Grebe; Mistle Thrush; Fieldfare + Great Tit; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Goldcrest; Nuthatch and Wren on call.
Good to see Mr Lumb doing the rounds - fine work indeed.
Fungalpunk Dave - www.fungalpunknature.co.uk
David Lumb said
Sun Mar 16 4:16 PM, 2014
9.35am to 11.00am
2 Great Crested Grebes 1 Grey Heron 21 Canada Geese 13 Mallards A couple of Teal heard only 13 Tufted Ducks 3m + 1f Goldeneyes 2m + 3f Goosanders 6 Moorhens 8 Coots 1 Curlew 3 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 1 Great Black-backed Gull (probably the one seen earlier on Entwistle) 1 Stock Dove 2 Crossbills
David Lumb said
Wed Mar 12 7:41 PM, 2014
10.05am to 12.45pm.
Reservoir :- 4 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 1 Greylag 21 Canada Geese A few Mallards 15 Tufted Ducks Pair of Goldeneye 8m + 23f Goosanders 3 Moorhens 4 Coots 13 Black-headed Gulls
2 Buzzards together were the highlight of the woodland until I came across a very vocal flock of at least 15 Crossbills (very few other small birds calling in the strong wind). They were flying around the tops of the conifers on Little Wayoh.
9.30am to 13.20 around the reservoir & up the Broadhead Valley.
Reservoir :- 34 Whooper Swans when I got there (31 adults & 3 juveniles). They took off heading NW at 10.08am. A male Shoveler was even more unusual, a site tick for me. This left not long after the Whoopers. 20 Canada Geese flew in with the now regular Greylag and a few minutes later as I was heading for the valley a pair of Greylags flew over me heading for the reservoir. When I got back down to the reservoir at lunchtime only the single Greylag remained. 3 Great Crested Grebes 2 Cormorants 17 Mallards 4 Teal seen, probably more hidden away 9M + 11f Tufted Ducks 2m Goldeneyes 3m + 8f Goosanders 1 Moorhen 4 Coots 25 Black-headed Gulls 1 Herring Gull 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Buzzard 1 Tawny Owl
Broadhead Valley :- Pair of Canada Geese, 2 Buzzards, 1 Snipe, 5 Stock Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylarks, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, c120 Fieldfares, 3 Mistle Thrushes, a few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Siskins, + 2 Reed Buntings.
David Lumb said
Wed Feb 26 11:42 PM, 2014
I forgot to mention a Kingfisher on the lodge of the top end of Little Wayoh this morning.
David Lumb said
Wed Feb 26 5:57 PM, 2014
10.50am to 11.45am.
1 Great Crested Grebe 16 Canada Geese 1 Greylag 8 Mallards Teal heard only 8m + 6f Tufted Ducks 1m Goosander 2 Moorhens 3 Coots 24 Black-headed Gulls 1 Skylark flying low over Little Wayoh was unusual
Very quiet around the woodland apart from a large flock of Bramblings. As I walked up to Entwistle Reservoir from the viaduct I counted at least 100 on my side of the valley. There could well have been more on the other side of the valley in the thicker woodland. The flock included a striking male in breeding plumage, which easily stood out from the rest of the flock.
Two Shelducks were a big surprise, and my first ones on the local reservoirs. They were not here when I started so they must have flown in while I was working my way around.
2 Great Crested Grebes 2 Canada Geese Teal again heard only 2m Pochards 19 Tufted Ducks 1m Goldeneye 4m & 2f Goosanders 2 Moorhens 2 Coots 7 Black-headed Gulls 1 Dipper 1 Buzzard, being mobbed by a Crow 1 Pheasant Woodpigeons & Collared Doves 1 Green Woodpecker & 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, a Song Thrush, & Mistle Thrushes Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, & Treecreepers Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Starlings, & House Sparrows Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, & Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Tue Feb 4 7:18 PM, 2014
10.45 to 13.00.
1 Great Crested Grebe 2 Cormorants 3 Grey Herons (the ones seen flying off the reservoir & over Chapeltown) 31 Canada Geese 44 Mallards Teal again heard only, calling from cover 2m Pochards 7m + 4f Tufted Ducks 1m Goldeneye 4m + 8f Goosanders 2 Moorhens 1 Coot 15 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, & Collared Doves 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes The flock of Fieldfares, Redwings, & Starlings on my Turton report flew down to the reservoir and back up to the field again A few Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits 4 Nuthatches 2 Treecreepers Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, & Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Thu Jan 30 4:37 PM, 2014
11.15 to 13.00
2 Cormorants 38 Canada Geese 14 Mallards Teal heard only. Waters levels are back up so they are hidden away again 2m Pochards 17 Tufted Ducks 1m Goldeneye Pair of Goosanders 1 Moorhen 26 Black-headed Gulls 1 Great Black-backed Gull
According to a fisherman the Raven I had seen earlier on a pylon at Clough House Farm had made a few visits to the reservoir
David Lumb said
Mon Jan 27 6:15 PM, 2014
10.55am to 12.50pm
1 Great Crested Grebe 29 Canada Geese, on the usual field 25 Mallards 6 Teal 1m Pochard 15 Tufted Ducks, including a bird with a large white patch but again definitely not a Scaup 2m Goldeneyes 2m + 1f Goosanders 1 Buzzard flying across the reservoir 3 Moorhens 12 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passing over 1 Tawny Owl calling Other species today :- Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch.
David Lumb said
Sun Jan 19 6:49 PM, 2014
WeBS count this morning. Forestry workers due to start work along the overflow want the water lowered by 1.1/2 metres (they don't want to cross the rushing water with their equipment), which means that the Teal are back just in time for this month's count.
Got drenched walking over this morning (it started specking as I tied my boots outside the front door at 7.30am, and gradually got worse, even a few flakes of snow at one stage). After waiting for it to ease under the trees at Little Wayoh I made an overdue visit up the Broadhead Valley before covering the reservoir.
Broadhead Valley (9am to 11am) :- Still some light rain when I walked up to The Naze but I soon forgot about it when I saw my first Brown Hare up here for many a year. 4 Mallards 2 Buzzards, including a very light coloured bird which made me give it more attention than normal to make sure, until it started mewing with the other one 5 Pheasants 1 Snipe 4 Woodpigeons, 2 Stock Doves Green Woodpeckers either side of Blackburn Road (Roman Road) calling to each other at one point 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Wrens, 1 Robin 5 Blackbirds, 19 Fieldfares, 6 Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches 2 Jays, 16 Magpies, 6 Carrion Crows, 1 Raven House Sparrows at Wayoh Fold Farm Chaffinches, Bullfinches, & a Siskin
Wayoh Reservoir (11am to noon) :- 1 Great Crested Grebe 39 Canada Geese on a field next to the reservoir 35 Mallards 1m Pochard 7 Tufted Ducks 2m Goldeneyes 1m + 2f Goosanders 1 Moorhen 2 Black-headed Gulls 1 Dipper
David Lumb said
Tue Jan 7 6:14 PM, 2014
10.50am to 12.55pm.
35 Mallards 1m Pochard 17 Tufted Ducks 2m Goldeneyes 18 Goosanders 1 Moorhen 20+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull c150 Woodpigeons flew up from the woodland floor near the viaduct 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker by Strawbury Duck
David Lumb said
Thu Jan 2 7:03 PM, 2014
Early afternoon visit. Very little showing around the woodland.
30 Mallards 1m Pochard 8 Tufted Ducks 2m Goldeneyes 6m + 3f Goosanders 1 Moorhen 14 Black-headed Gulls 3 Common Gulls A flock of 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
David Lumb said
Sun Dec 29 5:29 PM, 2013
10.20am to 12.10am.
1 Cormorant 50+ Mallards 1m Pochard 14 Tufted Ducks 2m Goldeneyes 18 Goosanders 1 Moorhen 1 Coot 8 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull on the water + 3 flying across 1 Great Black-backed Gull 200+ Woodpigeons flying over 2 Pied Wagtails 2 Grey Wagtails 20+ Crossbills flying around Little Wayoh. The flock stayed very close together each time I saw it making it very difficult to get an exact count. Very noisy ! Numbers here normally match ones on Entwistle so this could be yesterday's flock there with a few additions. Not far at all between there and here at the top end of the reservoir.
9 Meadow Pipits by Overshores Road.
David Lumb said
Thu Dec 26 6:32 PM, 2013
10.10am to 11.50am.
4 Cormorants 1 Grey Heron 20+ Teal 40+ Mallards 10 Tufted Ducks 1m Goldeneye 5m + 2f Goosanders 1 Moorhen 1 Coot 50 Black-headed Gulls 1 Herring Gull. Unusual to see one on the reservoir, normally just birds passing over. 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over (flocks of 10 & 5) 1 Dipper
At 7.35am there were six Whooper Swans flying low over the Wayoh Reservoir then headed in the direction of the Jumbles reservoir.
David Lumb said
Sat Nov 16 3:14 AM, 2013
11.15am to 12.10pm.
1 Redwing with a Mistle Thrush & numerous Blackbirds by the terraced row near Strawbury Duck as I crossed from Entwistle Reservoir.
1 Great Crested Grebe 1 Canada Goose 20+ Mallards 2m Pochards 13 Tufted Ducks, including a female with a large white face patch. Looked like a hybrid. 2m + 1f Goosanders 1 Moorhen 2 Coots 25+ Black-headed Gulls
David Lumb said
Mon Nov 11 3:37 AM, 2013
8.50am to 11.00am
1 Great Crested Grebe 1 Cormorant 13 Canada Geese being followed around by a Greylag 21 Mallards 2 Pochards 12 Tufted Ducks 2 Moorhens 2 Coots 25 Black-headed Gulls 3 Pheasants 2 Stock Doves near the viaduct, nut no Woodpigeons seen anywhere. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Pied Wagtail Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Bullfinches.
David Lumb said
Fri Nov 8 1:32 AM, 2013
10.50am to 12.35pm.
2 Great Crested Grebes Only one Teal out in the open, presumably more hidden away 30 Mallards 1 male Pochard 15 Tufted Ducks 1 Moorhen 2 Coots 22 Black-headed Gulls 1 Meadow Pipit near the waterworks
12.15 to 13.20. Water levels much higher after the last few days of rain.
3 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 20+ Teal. Much harder to see now the water has risen. Lots of places to hide now. 38 Mallards 2m Pochards 6 Tufted Ducks 2 Moorhens 14 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Crested Grebe 2 Cormorants 1 Grey Heron 9 Teal 50+ Mallards 3 Tufted Ducks 4 Moorhens 1 Coot 15 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull A small flock of Crossbills flying around the top of conifers on Little Wayoh. Unable to count them from where I was below the trees.
The biggest surprise was a Dipper in an unusual place. I am used to seeing them on the streams at the top end now and again, but not at the bottom corner of the reservoir near the waterman's cottage. After finding it on the shoreline I watched it fly up to the overflow structure and start singing. Not typical Dipper territory.
10 Great Crested Grebes, possibly my first double figure count here
3 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
5 Canada Geese
Numerous Mallards, Moorhens, & Coots
8 Tufted Ducks
2 Black-headed Gulls
2 Swallows
My first Small White butterflies of the year, with Green-veined Whites, Orange Tips, Small Tortoiseshells, & Peacocks
Reservoir :-
4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Cormorants, 5 Canada Geese, 10 Mallards, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Moorhens, 8 Coots. No gulls on the reservoir but Black-headed & Lesser Black-backed passing over, Pheasants, Stock Doves, Woodpigeons, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 House Martins, 2 Swallows, Pied Wagtail, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, & Bullfinches.
Valley birds included :-
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
7 Pheasants
1 Moorhen
4 Curlews
6 Stock Doves
Numerous Skylarks & Meadow Pipits
5 Pied Wagtails
2 Wheatears
4 Willow Warblers
2 Ravens
1 Linnet
Butterflies :-
Green-veined Whites, Orange Tips, Peacocks
4 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron
1 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese
5 Mallards, Pair of Teal, 4m + 3f Tufted Ducks
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard
2 Moorhens, 8 Coots
1 Oystercatcher
3 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
10+ Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Pied Wagtail
Pheasants, Woodpigeons, Stock Doves, Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes
Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows
Bramblings, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls
Only one butterfly but it was my first Red Admiral of the year
My first moth of the year, an Early Thorn
Reservoir :-
4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Cormorant, 3 Greylags (the newly arrived pair kept trying to join the now resident bird but it was having nothing to do with them), 7 Canada Geese, 11 Mallards, pair of Teal, 4m + 3f Tufted Ducks, pair of Goldeneyes, 5 Moorhens, 9 Coots, 1 Oystercatcher flew across, 4 Black-headed Gulls, Pheasants, Stock Dove, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Wagtail, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches.
1 Roe Deer.
Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, & a couple of Comma.
Broadhead Valley birds included :-
7 Canada Geese around the various ponds, 2 Mallards, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 2 Curlews, 9 Stock Doves, 5 Skylarks, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 6 Pied Wagtails, 1f Wheatear, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Nuthatches, 2 Ravens, & a Reed Bunting.
7 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
8 Canada Geese
10+ Mallards
2m + 1f Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
1f Goosander
Numerous Moorhens & Coots
A few Swallows low over the water & a few more much higher up
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Grey Herons flying over
1 Greylag + 5 Canada Geese
8 Mallards, 2 Teal (in the middle of the main reservoir for a change), a few Tufted Ducks (mostly hidden away on Little Wayoh so unable to count them), 1m & 2f Goldeneyes (between the causeway & the viaduct).
6 Moorhens & 5 Coots
21 Black-headed Gulls + a Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over
1 Swallow flying around the fields behind the houses on Embankment Road. Probably the same bird that flew through St Anne's Churchyard about 10 minutes earlier.
3 Pheasants
11 Woodpigeons, 2 Collared Doves, 1 Stock Dove & 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
1 Pied Wagtail at the waterworks & a Dipper on Broadhead Brook
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & a Song Thrush
1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, & at least a dozen Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows
Starlings & House Sparrows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches
5 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
9 Canada Geese in the open on a very windy & choppy reservoir. Others hidden away from the wind probably with the Greylag.
10 Mallards
15 Tufted Ducks
1m Pochard
2m Goldeneyes
2 Moorhens & 4 Coots seen. As with the geese others were sheltering in cover.
12 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser black-backed Gulls
Lots of Toads in the pond at the top end of Little Wayoh. Others working their way up the grass banking towards the pond.
Reservoir :-
6 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant on the reservoir & 2 flying over
1 Greylag & 14 Canada Geese
8 Mallards, 13 Tufted Ducks, 1m Pochard, 1m Goosander
Pair of Goldeneye by the causeway near the railway viaduct. At first I only saw the male but when he started displaying the female came out of cover and laid flat on the water by him. After some more displaying they started to mate. I have seen them display many times before but watching them actually mate is a first for me.
5 Moorhens, 9 Coots
14 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Buzzard, Pheasants, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Mistle Thrushes, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches.
2 Small Tortoiseshells & 7 Peacocks. Buff-tailed & White-tailed Bumble Bees.
Broadhead Valley birds included :-
2 Grey Herons, 2 pairs of Canada Geese, 1 Buzzard, 7 Pheasants, 2 Curlews, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Stock Doves, 4 Woodpigeons, 10+ Skylarks, 30+ Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 Pied Wagtails, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Raven, 1 Reed Bunting.
1 Rabbit, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, and some frogspawn.
4 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
8 Canada Geese
1 Greylag
Only 3 Mallards
Teal heard only
14 Tufted Ducks
1m Pochard
2f Goosanders
1m Goldeneye
2 Moorhens
7 Coots
8 Black-headed Gulls
6 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
14 Canada Geese
1 Greylag
15 Mallards
Teal heard only
12 Tufted Ducks
Pair of Goldeneye
3f Goosanders
4 Buzzards. Two soaring over the main reservoir and two rising up from the top end of Little Wayoh. When the latter pair started soaring around they were joined by a passing Raven.
3 Moorhens
8 Coots
7 Black-headed Gulls
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
1 Greylag
8 Canada Geese
8 Mallards
17 Tufted Ducks
1 Buzzard
4 Moorhens
3 Coots
1 Curlew flying over
5 Black-headed Gulls
c25 Feral Pigeons, 1 Collared Dove.
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes. I did not see any Fieldfares around the reservoir but saw 20+ between Bolton Road & Old Russia lodge.
1 Chiffchaff & numerous Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
3 Jays, Magpies (flock of 12 at Wayoh Fold Farm), Jackdaws (none around the reservoir but could see 60+ in Chapeltown), Rooks around the top of Hob Lane, & a few Carrion Crows.
Starlings & House Sparrows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Siskins
Good to see Mr Lumb doing the rounds - fine work indeed.
Fungalpunk Dave - www.fungalpunknature.co.uk
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
21 Canada Geese
13 Mallards
A couple of Teal heard only
13 Tufted Ducks
3m + 1f Goldeneyes
2m + 3f Goosanders
6 Moorhens
8 Coots
1 Curlew
3 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull (probably the one seen earlier on Entwistle)
1 Stock Dove
2 Crossbills
Reservoir :-
4 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
1 Greylag
21 Canada Geese
A few Mallards
15 Tufted Ducks
Pair of Goldeneye
8m + 23f Goosanders
3 Moorhens
4 Coots
13 Black-headed Gulls
Broadhead Valley birds included :-
3 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
1 Curlew
1 Snipe
6 Stock Doves
1 Tawny Owl
4 Skylarks
5 Meadow Pipits
3 Pied Wagtails
1 Raven
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Greylag
21 Canada Geese
18 Mallards
10 Tufted Ducks
Pair of Goldeneye
3m + 9f Goosanders
5 Moorhens
4 Coots
1 Curlew
15 Black-headed Gulls
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Buzzard
2 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
9 Canada Geese
1 Greylag
10 Mallards
15 Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
3m + 3f Goosanders
6 Moorhens
2 Coots
3 Black-headed Gulls
7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
2 Buzzards together were the highlight of the woodland until I came across a very vocal flock of at least 15 Crossbills (very few other small birds calling in the strong wind). They were flying around the tops of the conifers on Little Wayoh.
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Greylag
28 Canada Geese
11 Mallards
Numerous Teal. Heard only.
13 Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
22 Goosanders
7 Moorhens
4 Coots
26 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Reservoir :-
34 Whooper Swans when I got there (31 adults & 3 juveniles). They took off heading NW at 10.08am.
A male Shoveler was even more unusual, a site tick for me. This left not long after the Whoopers.
20 Canada Geese flew in with the now regular Greylag and a few minutes later as I was heading for the valley a pair of Greylags flew over me heading for the reservoir. When I got back down to the reservoir at lunchtime only the single Greylag remained.
3 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
17 Mallards
4 Teal seen, probably more hidden away
9M + 11f Tufted Ducks
2m Goldeneyes
3m + 8f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
4 Coots
25 Black-headed Gulls
1 Herring Gull
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Buzzard
1 Tawny Owl
Broadhead Valley :-
Pair of Canada Geese, 2 Buzzards, 1 Snipe, 5 Stock Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylarks, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, c120 Fieldfares, 3 Mistle Thrushes, a few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Siskins, + 2 Reed Buntings.
1 Great Crested Grebe
16 Canada Geese
1 Greylag
8 Mallards
Teal heard only
8m + 6f Tufted Ducks
1m Goosander
2 Moorhens
3 Coots
24 Black-headed Gulls
1 Skylark flying low over Little Wayoh was unusual
2 Great Crested Grebes
23 Canada Geese
1 Greylag Goose
Only 5 Mallards
9m + 5f Tufted Ducks
7m + 6f Goosanders
4 Moorhens
3 Coots
52 Black-headed Gulls
9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passing through
Very quiet around the woodland apart from a large flock of Bramblings. As I walked up to Entwistle Reservoir from the viaduct I counted at least 100 on my side of the valley. There could well have been more on the other side of the valley in the thicker woodland. The flock included a striking male in breeding plumage, which easily stood out from the rest of the flock.
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
8 Canada Geese
13 Mallards
8m + 8f Tufted Ducks
2m Goldeneyes
6m + 5f Goosanders
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Moorhens
2 Coots
18 Black-headed Gulls
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Great Crested Grebes
11 Canada Geese
11 Mallards
7m & 8f Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
3m & 3f Goosanders
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Pheasant
2 Moorhens
2 Coots
30 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Redwing
+ the commoner residents
Two Shelducks were a big surprise, and my first ones on the local reservoirs. They were not here when I started so they must have flown in while I was working my way around.
2 Great Crested Grebes
2 Canada Geese
Teal again heard only
2m Pochards
19 Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
4m & 2f Goosanders
2 Moorhens
2 Coots
7 Black-headed Gulls
1 Dipper
1 Buzzard, being mobbed by a Crow
1 Pheasant
Woodpigeons & Collared Doves
1 Green Woodpecker & 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, a Song Thrush, & Mistle Thrushes
Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, & Treecreepers
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Starlings, & House Sparrows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, & Bullfinches
1 Great Crested Grebe
2 Cormorants
3 Grey Herons (the ones seen flying off the reservoir & over Chapeltown)
31 Canada Geese
44 Mallards
Teal again heard only, calling from cover
2m Pochards
7m + 4f Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
4m + 8f Goosanders
2 Moorhens
1 Coot
15 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, & Collared Doves
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes
The flock of Fieldfares, Redwings, & Starlings on my Turton report flew down to the reservoir and back up to the field again
A few Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
4 Nuthatches
2 Treecreepers
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, & Bullfinches
2 Cormorants
38 Canada Geese
14 Mallards
Teal heard only. Waters levels are back up so they are hidden away again
2m Pochards
17 Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
Pair of Goosanders
1 Moorhen
26 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
According to a fisherman the Raven I had seen earlier on a pylon at Clough House Farm had made a few visits to the reservoir
1 Great Crested Grebe
29 Canada Geese, on the usual field
25 Mallards
6 Teal
1m Pochard
15 Tufted Ducks, including a bird with a large white patch but again definitely not a Scaup
2m Goldeneyes
2m + 1f Goosanders
1 Buzzard flying across the reservoir
3 Moorhens
12 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passing over
1 Tawny Owl calling
Other species today :- Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch.
1 Great Crested Grebe
2 Cormorants
29 Canada Geese
15 Teal
47 Mallards
18 Tufted Ducks
1m + 3f Goldeneye
9 Goosanders
48 Black-headed Gulls
Another very quiet day around the woodland with just some of the residents
1 Great Crested Grebe
5 Canada Geese
Numerous Mallards
13 Tufted Ducks
Pair of Goldeneye
2m + 3f Goosanders
5 Black-headed Gulls
1 Grey Heron
5 Canada Geese
15 Mallards
17 Tufted Ducks
Pair of Goldeneye
3m + 3f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
11 Black-headed Gulls
1 Buzzard
Broadhead Valley (9am to 11am) :-
Still some light rain when I walked up to The Naze but I soon forgot about it when I saw my first Brown Hare up here for many a year.
4 Mallards
2 Buzzards, including a very light coloured bird which made me give it more attention than normal to make sure, until it started mewing with the other one
5 Pheasants
1 Snipe
4 Woodpigeons, 2 Stock Doves
Green Woodpeckers either side of Blackburn Road (Roman Road) calling to each other at one point
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Wrens, 1 Robin
5 Blackbirds, 19 Fieldfares, 6 Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes
Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches
2 Jays, 16 Magpies, 6 Carrion Crows, 1 Raven
House Sparrows at Wayoh Fold Farm
Chaffinches, Bullfinches, & a Siskin
Wayoh Reservoir (11am to noon) :-
1 Great Crested Grebe
39 Canada Geese on a field next to the reservoir
35 Mallards
1m Pochard
7 Tufted Ducks
2m Goldeneyes
1m + 2f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
2 Black-headed Gulls
1 Dipper
35 Mallards
1m Pochard
17 Tufted Ducks
2m Goldeneyes
18 Goosanders
1 Moorhen
20+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
c150 Woodpigeons flew up from the woodland floor near the viaduct
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker by Strawbury Duck
30 Mallards
1m Pochard
8 Tufted Ducks
2m Goldeneyes
6m + 3f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
14 Black-headed Gulls
3 Common Gulls
A flock of 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
1 Cormorant
50+ Mallards
1m Pochard
14 Tufted Ducks
2m Goldeneyes
18 Goosanders
1 Moorhen
1 Coot
8 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull on the water + 3 flying across
1 Great Black-backed Gull
200+ Woodpigeons flying over
2 Pied Wagtails
2 Grey Wagtails
20+ Crossbills flying around Little Wayoh. The flock stayed very close together each time I saw it making it very difficult to get an exact count. Very noisy !
Numbers here normally match ones on Entwistle so this could be yesterday's flock there with a few additions. Not far at all between there and here at the top end of the reservoir.
9 Meadow Pipits by Overshores Road.
4 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
20+ Teal
40+ Mallards
10 Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
5m + 2f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
1 Coot
50 Black-headed Gulls
1 Herring Gull. Unusual to see one on the reservoir, normally just birds passing over.
15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over (flocks of 10 & 5)
1 Dipper
1 Cormorant
1 Canada Goose
3 Teal
26 Mallards
1m Pochard
20 Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
1m Goosander
1 Moorhen
1 Coot
8 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Crested Grebe
2 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
13 Canada Geese
32 Teal
76 Mallards
21 Tufted Ducks
2m Goldeneyes
3m Goosanders
4 Moorhens
1 Coot
20+ Black-headed Gulls
2 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
35 Teal
50+ Mallards
14 Tufted Ducks
13 Goosanders
7 Moorhens
1 Coot
25 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
30+ Fieldfares
A few Redwings hidden in the tops of conifers
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Great Crested Grebe
17 Canada Geese
28 Teal
30 Mallards
2m Pochards
26 Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
1 Moorhen
2 Coots
12 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Redwing
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Great Crested Grebe
12 Teal
25 Mallards
2 Pochards
22 Tufted Ducks
3 Moorhens
2 Coots
15 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
At 7.35am there were six Whooper Swans flying low over the Wayoh Reservoir then headed in the direction of the Jumbles reservoir.
1 Redwing with a Mistle Thrush & numerous Blackbirds by the terraced row near Strawbury Duck as I crossed from Entwistle Reservoir.
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Canada Goose
20+ Mallards
2m Pochards
13 Tufted Ducks, including a female with a large white face patch. Looked like a hybrid.
2m + 1f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
2 Coots
25+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Cormorant
13 Canada Geese being followed around by a Greylag
21 Mallards
2 Pochards
12 Tufted Ducks
2 Moorhens
2 Coots
25 Black-headed Gulls
3 Pheasants
2 Stock Doves near the viaduct, nut no Woodpigeons seen anywhere.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Pied Wagtail
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds,
Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits,
Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows,
Starlings, House Sparrows,
Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Bullfinches.
2 Great Crested Grebes
Only one Teal out in the open, presumably more hidden away
30 Mallards
1 male Pochard
15 Tufted Ducks
1 Moorhen
2 Coots
22 Black-headed Gulls
1 Meadow Pipit near the waterworks
1 Small Tortoiseshell
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
Numerous Mallards & Teal
1m Pochard
5 Tufted Ducks
2 Moorhens
5 Black-headed Gulls
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
20+ Teal. Much harder to see now the water has risen. Lots of places to hide now.
38 Mallards
2m Pochards
6 Tufted Ducks
2 Moorhens
14 Black-headed Gulls
1 Red Admiral
1 Great Crested Grebe
4 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
31 Teal
74 Mallards
3 Tufted Ducks
2 Moorhens
48 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Crested Grebe
2 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
9 Teal
50+ Mallards
3 Tufted Ducks
4 Moorhens
1 Coot
15 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
A small flock of Crossbills flying around the top of conifers on Little Wayoh. Unable to count them from where I was below the trees.
1 Great Crested Grebe
5 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
53 Mallards
7 Teal
3 Tufted Ducks
2 Goosanders
3 Moorhens
25 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Redwings
1 Fieldfare
The biggest surprise was a Dipper in an unusual place. I am used to seeing them on the streams at the top end now and again, but not at the bottom corner of the reservoir near the waterman's cottage. After finding it on the shoreline I watched it fly up to the overflow structure and start singing. Not typical Dipper territory.
6 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
6 Teal
43 Mallards
2 Tufted Ducks
1 Moorhen
1 Coot
20+ Black-headed Gulls