When I arrived a young chap was walking along Shore line, he then did a circuit of the right hand island putting everything to flight. Left hand island is now surrounded by water following recent rain.
No Avocets 11+ Oystercatcher 2 Little Ringed Plover 5 Common Tern 8 Great Crested Grebe 5 Tufted Duck All female 8 Swallow 2 Grey Heron Black Headed Gull lots of juvs & adults 40+ Lapwing 50+ Canada Geese Plenty of Reed Bunting & Pied Wagtails
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Jul 20 3:39 PM, 2011
Wednesday, late morning visit.
No Avocets but,
1 adult Mediterranean Gull. 7 LR Plovers. 2 adult Dunlin. 4 Common Terns, 2ad 2juv. 7 Oystercatchers. 1 Sparrowhawk. Lapwings, BH/LBB Gulls, Sedge Warblers, Reed Buntings and 1 Willow Warbler.
etc.etc.etc.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jul 19 4:02 PM, 2011
All four Avocets still present by 3pm.
Also 12 Little Ringed Plover and single Common Sandpiper still plus 11 Oystercatcher and 5 Common Tern.
Steve Almond said
Tue Jul 19 12:17 PM, 2011
This morning 9.30 to 11.30:
Avocet 4 LR Plover 12 Oystercatcher 7 Common sandpiper 1 Common tern 2 Willow warbler 2 Sedge warbler 4 Reed bunting 6 Swallow 50 Swift 20 Sand martin 5
12 noon - hanging the washing out - the 4 Avocets flew right over the garden calling and heading East. They have been with us since 2nd May.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jul 19 12:06 PM, 2011
Yesterday evening:
4 Avocet still (including 3 juveniles) 6 Common Sandpiper 6 Little Ringed Plover 7 Oystercatcher
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jul 16 9:18 PM, 2011
Up to 2:20 today:
4 Avocet 1 Dunlin 3 Common Sandpiper 11 Little Ringed Plover 6 Common Tern
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jul 15 12:18 PM, 2011
8am this morning:
4 Avocet (male done a bunk again!) 5 Common Sandpiper 1 Dunlin 14 Little Ringed Plover 1 Snipe
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Steve Almond said
Fri Jul 15 12:06 PM, 2011
2 hours this morning:
1 adult plus 3 young Avocet 10 Oystercatcher 6 LRP 1 Dunlin 1 Common Sandpiper 8 Common tern 1 Kestrel
Neil Southworth said
Wed Jul 13 10:35 PM, 2011
3 juvenile and single adult Avocet seen (maybe the other adult was on the 'dark side' of one of the islands). Other sightings:-
Canada Goose c50 GC Grebe min 4 Tufted Duck and young Kestrel Grey Heron 2 Lapwing c100 Little Ringed Plover min 10 Oystercatcher min 3 Common Sandpiper 2 Black-headed Gull c80 inc c20 juveniles Common Tern 6 inc juvenile Pied Wagtail 4 several Swallow and House Martin feeding Grasshopper Warbler Sedge Warbler Linnet 3 Reed Bunting
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 13th of July 2011 10:38:05 PM
Pete Lane said
Mon Jul 11 9:53 PM, 2011
8-00-9-30pm walk round.
All the usual plus excellent views of reed warbler and a family of reed buntigs perched on the little reed bed.
Nice views of a little owl.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jul 11 11:48 AM, 2011
Sightings from this early morning:
5 Avocet 3 Common Sandpiper 18 Little Ringed Plover 1 Green Sandpiper 10 Oystercatcher 1 female Teal 30 Sand Martin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Rick Donkin said
Sun Jul 10 6:46 PM, 2011
First visit to this site this morning beginning with a circuit along Lock Lane, Tempest Rd, Junction Rd West and Beaumont Rd to the viewing point produced over 40 species.
With about 15 anglers fishing all along the the eastern edge most birds were over on the far western edge. The highlights being:-
1 Little Egret - flew off NW at 9:35. All 5 Avocets. 6 Little Ringed Plovers. 4 Pied Wagtails - 1 Adult, 3 Juveniles. 5 Common Terns. 10 Sand Martins passing through. Many Swallows and Swifts. Sedge and Reed Warbler in small reed bed. 16 Oystercatchers. 2 Lapwings. Linnets flitting about around the surrounding fields.
Rick.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jul 9 11:52 AM, 2011
This morning:
Adult Mediterranean Gull again (with Black-headed Gulls) 5 Avocet 1 Black-tailed Godwit 1 Green Sandpiper 3 Common Sandpiper 22 Little Ringed Plover 19 Oystercatcher 4 Redshank
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sat Jul 9 12:03 AM, 2011
Yes Steve I certainly did, I have had an acknowledgment but nothing further yet.
Of interest the colour ringed bird was not present today, but yet the godwits were up to 12, so it would seem that some birds are moving through or between sites and being replaced by others. Around 9pm tonight all but one flew off high towards Pennington.
Also at least 45 Pied Wagtails, 100+ Swift forced lower down by the rain & male Sparrowhawk caught a hirrundine probably a Sand martin.
Alan Warford said
Fri Jul 8 7:51 PM, 2011
6-30 to 7-30 pm
12 Black Tailed Godwit 5 Avocet 3 Common Sandpiper 15+ Oystercatcher 2 Redshank 10+ Little Ringed Plover 4 Common Tern 40 Lapwing 35 Swift 5 Great Crested Grebe Reed Warbler (Heard)
Steve Suttill said
Thu Jul 7 10:01 PM, 2011
Simon Warford wrote:
Also present still 9 Black Tailed Godwits including one colour ringed bird (Red on left leg & pale green on right). Trying to find out its history but if any of our ringers can find out quicker than me please let me know.
:
Presume you have entered the ring details via the BTO website, Simon? I've always had a really quick response from the Icelandic ringers - I'm pretty certain that's where it will be from (shouldn't have said that - it'll turn out to be a Dutch-ringed bird
Very envious of your wader gathering. Wish we had such a site in the east of the county
Steve
Simon Warford said
Thu Jul 7 9:12 PM, 2011
Fantastic early evening at Rumworth watching so many waders with the highlight being our young Avocet's taking to the air, great to see them now flying around with the adults, shortly afterwards all 3 cuddled up together on the island the closest ive seen them but alas no camera with me.
Also present still 9 Black Tailed Godwits including one colour ringed bird (Red on left leg & pale green on right). Trying to find out its history but if any of our ringers can find out quicker than me please let me know.
Also Single Green Sandpiper 3 Common Sandpiper Ringed Plover 4 Snipe 7 Redshank 14 Little Ringed Plover Plenty of young Oystercatchers. Tufted Duck still has 5 young. At least 5 juvenile Common Terns from Doffcocker. Juvenile Pied Wagtails all over the place.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jul 7 5:25 PM, 2011
Now 7 Redshank and 18 Oystercatcher present plus one of the godwits is colour ringed.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jul 7 4:34 PM, 2011
Mid-afternoon today:
11 Black-tailed Godwit 1 Green Sandpiper 1 Common Sandpiper 13 Little Ringed Plover 4 Snipe Family party of 5 Avocet 2 Redshank
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Alan Warford said
Sun Jul 3 2:32 PM, 2011
Mid am with Simon
Avocets 5, the juvs are growing quickly. Common tern 4, 3 adult, 1 juv. Great Crested Grebe 2 adult 1 fully grown juv. Oystercatcher 10+ Redshank 2 ad, 1 Juv Common Sandpiper Sedge Warbler singing. Lapwing 6+ Snipe 2 in flight
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Sunday 3rd of July 2011 02:39:45 PM
Ivan Ellison said
Thu Jun 30 6:22 PM, 2011
All 5 Avocets showing well this a/noon, got very lucky with some nice pics as one of the adults flew across the lake to the side I was on and settled into feeding right in front of me. Also on lake. 13 Oystercatchers 2 ringed plover 4 common terns at any one time incl one in juv/ immature plumage- may be last years as I think it is a little early unless someone can put me right on this. Plenty of gulls and 2 grey herons. In a field off Lock Lane behind Rumworth a farmer was cutting his hay, this attracted loads of gulls incl, a summer plumage Med gull and a Curlew. They seemed to be feeding on bits the tractor was spewing out, possibly chopped up voles and insects.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 30th of June 2011 07:49:21 PM
James Walsh said
Thu Jun 30 6:29 AM, 2011
29/06/11
Also 10 Oystercatcher, 5 Common Tern, 1 Grey Heron, c20 Lapwing
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 30th of June 2011 07:48:15 AM
Henry Cook said
Wed Jun 29 5:55 PM, 2011
29/06/2011 - 11am with James Walsh:
All 5 Avocets still present - one of the adults has a limp on the left leg but still flying fine
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jun 28 8:40 PM, 2011
How one of those birders sees anything through that telescope is beyond me !
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 28th of June 2011 08:57:49 PM
Simon Warford said
Tue Jun 28 7:56 PM, 2011
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Simon, did we ever actually confirm four eggs? I think we've discussed this before during our many conversations during their incubation etc but I could only ever see three eggs myself and have reasonable long ranged digiscoped images of the nest that clearly only seem to show three eggs ?
Although I didn't actually see four eggs myself, two other well respected county birders were certain that there was indeed four, even when the first chick was born they claimed three eggs could still be seen, . I suppose it could be down to optics they were using pal. I wouldn't mind seeing your digiscoped images though which sounds like they could prove to be conclusive.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jun 28 4:06 PM, 2011
All 5 Avocets still present this afternoon, also two Common Sandpipers.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jun 27 10:46 PM, 2011
Simon, did we ever actually confirm four eggs? I think we've discussed this before during our many conversations during their incubation etc but I could only ever see three eggs myself and have reasonable long ranged digiscoped images of the nest that clearly only seem to show three eggs ?
Dennis atherton said
Mon Jun 27 10:34 PM, 2011
Ah, yes, 3 out of 4, i did not know, not as good but still Brilliant, Well done for all the hours you put in Simon, it paid off greatly
Simon Warford said
Mon Jun 27 7:54 PM, 2011
Hi Dennis, It is actually a score of 3 from 4. Either way like you said an absolutely Brilliant result for 3 young to get this far.
I made the mistake of popping down mid afternoon Sunday, again to be greeted to a scene more like Blackpool beach with kids, dogs etc, even some folk exploring the islands themselves, think we need to get that electric fence in operation and a few no entry signs maybe for next year. Anyway the young Avocets didn't seem bothered by all the disturbance, happily swimming about then feeding away only yards from a group of children.
Dennis atherton said
Sun Jun 26 10:08 PM, 2011
Is it me or do we seem to have done better than most places with these Avocets?
i went to marshside a month back and i was told by the wardens that so far not one single avocet chick has yet survived? All had been picked off by black backed gulls
And here we are with a Three out of Three score, BRIILLIANT is all i can say, Big Thanks to everyone involved
Chris brown said
Sun Jun 26 9:04 PM, 2011
Arrived at 9.30am and quickly found the 2 adult avocets. Shortly after spotted the 3 young. They look much bigger within a week as I visited last Monday. On that visit I met stan, the surrounding area land owner and during our hour chat I felt inspired by his attitude to wildlife and farming. He explained some of the things he has done on the land to preserve wildlife and went on to take me down to the lodge to see the avocet family. If only more farmers had his attitude I am sure more wildlife wouldn't be as at risk!!! Other birds seen today: GC grebe ringed plover(mating is this late?) redshank common tern lapwing grey heron carrion crow magpie goldfinch linnet tufted duck Canada goose possible sedge warbler(seen but no song) wood pigeon pied wagtail
finally it is fantastic to see avocets breed in my home town of Bolton and well done to every one who has helped preserve this brilliant event. [spoiler]
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of June 2011 10:04:16 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jun 25 5:48 PM, 2011
All five Avocet still present this afternoon.
Also 2 Common Sandpiper.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Alan Warford said
Fri Jun 24 6:28 PM, 2011
4-30 pm
Avocets 5 (2 adult + 3 juvs gaining some darker feathers). Ringed Plover 2 Oystercatcher 8 Common Tern 2 Redshank Common Sandpiper Tufted Duck (Drake) Great Crested Grebe (3 adult + 1 juv).
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jun 23 7:06 PM, 2011
Up to 5:50pm today:
All 5 Avocets still fit and well Single Curlew 2 Ringed Plover Grasshopper Warbler
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Pete Lane said
Wed Jun 22 10:50 PM, 2011
9 30pm All three chicks wandering far and wide, an angler friend of mine had them a few yards from him eating casters he had thrown for them, the adults were going mad!!!
Alan Warford said
Tue Jun 21 7:12 PM, 2011
4-30 pm
Avocets 5 (2 adults, 3 Juvs) The male has returned. Its getting more difficult to locate the chicks as they range further away from parents.
2 Redshank 2 Common tern Lapwings 10+ Oystercatchers 7+ No sign Black Tailed Godwits
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Tuesday 21st of June 2011 07:14:32 PM
Ian Campbell said
Mon Jun 20 5:16 PM, 2011
I was there mid afternoon, saw much the same as Alan but like Simon on Sunday I was dismayed to see a man and his big dog right in the middle of the area the Avocets feed in, the dog was in the water with man throwing stones. The adult was flying around calling and the chicks were swimming in the middle. It was almost like he was doing it on purpose!. It was just like Elton, except there were birds at Rumworth. Cheers Ian
Alan Warford said
Mon Jun 20 5:08 PM, 2011
Late Afternoon
Avocets:- 1 adult, 3 chicks (looks like the male has gone walkabout again !) Black Tailed Godwit 2 in Summer plumage Redshank 2 Oystercatcher 7 + Common Tern 2 Grest Crested Grebe 2 + young Lapwing few Goldfinch pair Sedge Warbler
Simon Warford said
Sun Jun 19 8:41 PM, 2011
I arrived mid afternoon today to be greeted by a whole family camped along the shoreline with 2 huge dogs fetching balls being thrown into the water by their owners. They were right in the middle of the Avocets favourite feeding area. The adult Avocets were immediately obvious flying around over the water and the dogs, giving constant alarm calls. I couldnt see any young at first but then picked up all 3 juveniles swimming in the middle of the reservoir! Its a good job they are born swimmers. This went on for a good 5 minutes before I made my way down to intervene. Finally after a few stressfull minutes all 3 safely swam back to the shoreline, stretched there tiny wings, had a preen and carried on feeding like nothing had happened!
They don't have to put up with this rubbish at Martin Mere!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 19th of June 2011 08:42:23 PM
Keith Mills said
Sat Jun 18 1:42 PM, 2011
Pair Avocets with 3 Juvenile still present and correct at 1.15 when I departed. Adults quickly mobbing a Grey heron that landed near them, getting it to leave.
GC Grebes 5 at least Canada Geese 56 Few Bh gulls with 3 Juvenile Grey Heron 2 Mallard 27 at least. Common Sandpiper 1 Redshank 1 ( most of time sat on fence post) Pied Wagtail 2 Coots 4 Swallow c 20 Reed Buntings 4 Lapwing 10 Oystercatchers 8 Common Tern 2
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 18th of June 2011 01:44:34 PM
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 18th of June 2011 01:45:21 PM
Jon Bowen said
Sat Jun 18 9:35 AM, 2011
This morning 7-8.30 All avocets present (2 adult 3 juv) - great to see 50 Canada Geese 2 Common Tern 5 Reed Bunting ( inc 3 juv) Sedge Warbler Little Ringed Plover Ringed Plover Redshank 9 Great Crested Grebe ( 4 adult 5 juv) Juv Black Headed Gull Redshank Juv greenfinch swifts/swallows/housemartins A wren singing it's heart out
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 18th of June 2011 09:48:53 AM
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Saturday 18th of June 2011 03:44:56 PM
Simon Warford said
Fri Jun 17 7:17 PM, 2011
17/6/11 late aft.
Avocet 5 (2 ad & 3 Juvs) Ringed Plover 3 (1 Juv) Common Sandpiper Tufted Duck still has 5 young Raven flew west first Juvenile Black headed gulls have appeared
John Rayner said
Thu Jun 16 5:53 PM, 2011
I paid my respects to the 5 of them today as well.
All present and correct at 16.30 with the parents 'beating up' any ducks that came close to the chicks.
Cheers, John
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jun 16 3:21 PM, 2011
Today up to 2:30pm:
5 Avocets still Single Common Sandpiper
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jun 16 3:19 PM, 2011
Ian Boote wrote:
Very good news. Silence on this site hopefully helped the pair to success. However others sites are not so careful with full disclosure and pictures of the breeding bird being broadcast on 24.05.11.
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Monday 13th of June 2011 10:10:35 AM
My old pal Julian has very kindly provided some background to clear this up, as I fully expected he would. Of course it goes without saying that any form of apology from him is entirely unecessary and everyone involved with the monitoring of this occurence understands completely. If anything we're to blame for not letting him know we were keeping it a secret anyway! His comments are included below. Top man...
I want to clear up the facts and set the record straight since his post was a little misleading. An important part that wasn't made clear, is that the date, May 24th, was only my journal entry, not the day I posted it on my blog. The posting was only made a few days ago, June 10, after I had been back in the US for some time and by which time the birds had successfully reared chicks. I figured that by the time I made the post, it wouldn't be on the radar of many UK people and would be 'old' news by now. If that was a tad bit premature of an planned 'official' announcement, then hopefully Ian McK. will forgive me on that. I do want to apologize if this caused any issue with the efforts that any of the locals put in to secure their success. As an ex-local, that has put time in at Rumworth over many years there was no malicious intent on my part to undermine any of that work. I hope this helps reframe the situation on my end.
What a fabulous occurrence!
Julian Hough Www.naturescapeimages.wordpress.com
Alan Warford said
Thu Jun 16 11:10 AM, 2011
10-30 am
3 Avocet chicks now getting more independent. Both adults present nearby. 6 Oystercatchers 2 Adult Common tern + single juvenile. 2 Redshank 2 Grey Heron 6+ Sand Martin 2+ House Martin
Nice to meet Karen, Riggers and Steve.
Steve Almond said
Wed Jun 15 4:15 PM, 2011
This aft in the rain:
Avocets & chicks doing fine Redshank 2 Curlew 2 Common Tern 2
Adam Jones said
Tue Jun 14 9:07 PM, 2011
Great views this evening of the Avocets in the setting sun. Both adults and 3 juveniles feeding quite closely. I found it best to view from the top of the field close to the entrance. Also seen were a Common Tern sat on a post. 4 Oystercatchers 1 Redshank 2 or 3 Ringed Plover 1 Reed Bunting The stars though were certainly the 5 Avocets. Well worth the journey.
I left pretty sharpish as the farmer drove his tractor into the field and then proceeded to start muck spreading. Take a nose peg when you go and watch where you tread.
Ian Campbell said
Tue Jun 14 5:59 PM, 2011
Went after work today, 3 young very adventurous, straying a long way from the single adult I could see present. Cheers Ian
Simon Warford said
Mon Jun 13 10:01 PM, 2011
The counties first breeding pair of Avocets has got to be one of the best bits of news the counties seen for many years. Its been an anxious few weeks watching developments unfold, especially when the adult male bird disappeared for nearly a week, following his visit to Pennington on the 22nd May. He did however return just in time for the hatching. The average success rate from nests in the north west is 1.1, so to get 3 chicks to 11 days old is fantastic.
Thank you to United Utilities for keeping the water level low during the last month, providing ideal feeding for the birds.
Surely the time has come to make part of Rumworth into a nature reserve providing a designated area for shorebirds that is free from disturbance ?
The presence of the Avocets has led to some fairly lengthy daily vigils by most of the Rumworth regulars which has also resulted in some other good birds being recorded along the way, the most notable sightings are as follows:
When I arrived a young chap was walking along Shore line, he then did a circuit of the right hand island putting everything to flight. Left hand island is now surrounded by water following recent rain.
No Avocets
11+ Oystercatcher
2 Little Ringed Plover
5 Common Tern
8 Great Crested Grebe
5 Tufted Duck All female
8 Swallow
2 Grey Heron
Black Headed Gull lots of juvs & adults
40+ Lapwing
50+ Canada Geese
Plenty of Reed Bunting & Pied Wagtails
No Avocets but,
1 adult Mediterranean Gull.
7 LR Plovers.
2 adult Dunlin.
4 Common Terns, 2ad 2juv.
7 Oystercatchers.
1 Sparrowhawk.
Lapwings, BH/LBB Gulls,
Sedge Warblers, Reed Buntings and 1 Willow Warbler.
etc.etc.etc.
Also 12 Little Ringed Plover and single Common Sandpiper still plus 11 Oystercatcher and 5 Common Tern.
Avocet 4
LR Plover 12
Oystercatcher 7
Common sandpiper 1
Common tern 2
Willow warbler 2
Sedge warbler 4
Reed bunting 6
Swallow 50
Swift 20
Sand martin 5
12 noon - hanging the washing out - the 4 Avocets flew right over the garden calling and heading East. They have been with us since 2nd May.
4 Avocet still (including 3 juveniles)
6 Common Sandpiper
6 Little Ringed Plover
7 Oystercatcher
Info thanks to Andy Makin
4 Avocet
1 Dunlin
3 Common Sandpiper
11 Little Ringed Plover
6 Common Tern
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
4 Avocet (male done a bunk again!)
5 Common Sandpiper
1 Dunlin
14 Little Ringed Plover
1 Snipe
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 adult plus 3 young Avocet
10 Oystercatcher
6 LRP
1 Dunlin
1 Common Sandpiper
8 Common tern
1 Kestrel
Canada Goose c50
GC Grebe min 4
Tufted Duck and young
Kestrel
Grey Heron 2
Lapwing c100
Little Ringed Plover min 10
Oystercatcher min 3
Common Sandpiper 2
Black-headed Gull c80 inc c20 juveniles
Common Tern 6 inc juvenile
Pied Wagtail 4
several Swallow and House Martin feeding
Grasshopper Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Linnet 3
Reed Bunting
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 13th of July 2011 10:38:05 PM
All the usual plus excellent views of reed warbler and a family of reed buntigs perched on the little reed bed.
Nice views of a little owl.
5 Avocet
3 Common Sandpiper
18 Little Ringed Plover
1 Green Sandpiper
10 Oystercatcher
1 female Teal
30 Sand Martin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
With about 15 anglers fishing all along the the eastern edge most birds were over on the far western edge. The highlights being:-
1 Little Egret - flew off NW at 9:35.
All 5 Avocets.
6 Little Ringed Plovers.
4 Pied Wagtails - 1 Adult, 3 Juveniles.
5 Common Terns.
10 Sand Martins passing through.
Many Swallows and Swifts.
Sedge and Reed Warbler in small reed bed.
16 Oystercatchers.
2 Lapwings.
Linnets flitting about around the surrounding fields.
Rick.
Adult Mediterranean Gull again (with Black-headed Gulls)
5 Avocet
1 Black-tailed Godwit
1 Green Sandpiper
3 Common Sandpiper
22 Little Ringed Plover
19 Oystercatcher
4 Redshank
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Of interest the colour ringed bird was not present today, but yet the godwits were up to 12, so it would seem that some birds are moving through or between sites and being replaced by others. Around 9pm tonight all but one flew off high towards Pennington.
Also at least 45 Pied Wagtails, 100+ Swift forced lower down by the rain & male Sparrowhawk caught a hirrundine probably a Sand martin.
12 Black Tailed Godwit
5 Avocet
3 Common Sandpiper
15+ Oystercatcher
2 Redshank
10+ Little Ringed Plover
4 Common Tern
40 Lapwing
35 Swift
5 Great Crested Grebe
Reed Warbler (Heard)
Presume you have entered the ring details via the BTO website, Simon? I've always had a really quick response from the Icelandic ringers - I'm pretty certain that's where it will be from (shouldn't have said that - it'll turn out to be a Dutch-ringed bird
Very envious of your wader gathering. Wish we had such a site in the east of the county
Steve
Also present still 9 Black Tailed Godwits including one colour ringed bird (Red on left leg & pale green on right). Trying to find out its history but if any of our ringers can find out quicker than me please let me know.
Also Single Green Sandpiper
3 Common Sandpiper
Ringed Plover
4 Snipe
7 Redshank
14 Little Ringed Plover
Plenty of young Oystercatchers.
Tufted Duck still has 5 young.
At least 5 juvenile Common Terns from Doffcocker.
Juvenile Pied Wagtails all over the place.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
11 Black-tailed Godwit
1 Green Sandpiper
1 Common Sandpiper
13 Little Ringed Plover
4 Snipe
Family party of 5 Avocet
2 Redshank
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Avocets 5, the juvs are growing quickly.
Common tern 4, 3 adult, 1 juv.
Great Crested Grebe 2 adult 1 fully grown juv.
Oystercatcher 10+
Redshank 2 ad, 1 Juv
Common Sandpiper
Sedge Warbler singing.
Lapwing 6+
Snipe 2 in flight
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Sunday 3rd of July 2011 02:39:45 PM
Also on lake.
13 Oystercatchers
2 ringed plover
4 common terns at any one time incl one in juv/ immature plumage- may be last years as I think it is a little early unless someone can put me right on this.
Plenty of gulls and 2 grey herons.
In a field off Lock Lane behind Rumworth a farmer was cutting his hay, this attracted loads of gulls incl, a summer plumage Med gull and a Curlew. They seemed to be feeding on bits the tractor was spewing out, possibly chopped up voles and insects.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 30th of June 2011 07:49:21 PM
Also 10 Oystercatcher, 5 Common Tern, 1 Grey Heron, c20 Lapwing
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 30th of June 2011 07:48:15 AM
All 5 Avocets still present - one of the adults has a limp on the left leg but still flying fine
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 28th of June 2011 08:57:49 PM
Although I didn't actually see four eggs myself, two other well respected county birders were certain that there was indeed four, even when the first chick was born they claimed three eggs could still be seen, . I suppose it could be down to optics they were using pal. I wouldn't mind seeing your digiscoped images though which sounds like they could prove to be conclusive.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
It is actually a score of 3 from 4. Either way like you said an absolutely Brilliant result for 3 young to get this far.
I made the mistake of popping down mid afternoon Sunday, again to be greeted to a scene more like Blackpool beach with kids, dogs etc, even some folk exploring the islands themselves, think we need to get that electric fence in operation and a few no entry signs maybe for next year. Anyway the young Avocets didn't seem bothered by all the disturbance, happily swimming about then feeding away only yards from a group of children.
i went to marshside a month back and i was told by the wardens that so far not one single avocet chick has yet survived? All had been picked off by black backed gulls
And here we are with a Three out of Three score, BRIILLIANT is all i can say, Big Thanks to everyone involved
Other birds seen today:
GC grebe
ringed plover(mating is this late?)
redshank
common tern
lapwing
grey heron
carrion crow
magpie
goldfinch
linnet
tufted duck
Canada goose
possible sedge warbler(seen but no song)
wood pigeon
pied wagtail
finally it is fantastic to see avocets breed in my home town of Bolton and well done to every one who has helped preserve this brilliant event.
[spoiler]
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of June 2011 10:04:16 PM
Also 2 Common Sandpiper.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Avocets 5 (2 adult + 3 juvs gaining some darker feathers).
Ringed Plover 2
Oystercatcher 8
Common Tern 2
Redshank
Common Sandpiper
Tufted Duck (Drake)
Great Crested Grebe (3 adult + 1 juv).
All 5 Avocets still fit and well
Single Curlew
2 Ringed Plover
Grasshopper Warbler
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Avocets 5 (2 adults, 3 Juvs)
The male has returned. Its getting more difficult to locate the chicks as they range further away from parents.
2 Redshank
2 Common tern
Lapwings 10+
Oystercatchers 7+
No sign Black Tailed Godwits
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Tuesday 21st of June 2011 07:14:32 PM
Cheers Ian
Avocets:- 1 adult, 3 chicks (looks like the male has gone walkabout again !)
Black Tailed Godwit 2 in Summer plumage
Redshank 2
Oystercatcher 7 +
Common Tern 2
Grest Crested Grebe 2 + young
Lapwing few
Goldfinch pair
Sedge Warbler
They don't have to put up with this rubbish at Martin Mere!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 19th of June 2011 08:42:23 PM
Adults quickly mobbing a Grey heron that landed near them,
getting it to leave.
GC Grebes 5 at least
Canada Geese 56
Few Bh gulls with 3 Juvenile
Grey Heron 2
Mallard 27 at least.
Common Sandpiper 1
Redshank 1 ( most of time sat on fence post)
Pied Wagtail 2
Coots 4
Swallow c 20
Reed Buntings 4
Lapwing 10
Oystercatchers 8
Common Tern 2
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 18th of June 2011 01:44:34 PM
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 18th of June 2011 01:45:21 PM
All avocets present (2 adult 3 juv) - great to see
50 Canada Geese
2 Common Tern
5 Reed Bunting ( inc 3 juv)
Sedge Warbler
Little Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
Redshank
9 Great Crested Grebe ( 4 adult 5 juv)
Juv Black Headed Gull
Redshank
Juv greenfinch
swifts/swallows/housemartins
A wren singing it's heart out
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 18th of June 2011 09:48:53 AM
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Saturday 18th of June 2011 03:44:56 PM
Avocet 5 (2 ad & 3 Juvs)
Ringed Plover 3 (1 Juv)
Common Sandpiper
Tufted Duck still has 5 young
Raven flew west
first Juvenile Black headed gulls have appeared
All present and correct at 16.30 with the parents 'beating up' any ducks that came close to the chicks.
Cheers, John
5 Avocets still
Single Common Sandpiper
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
My old pal Julian has very kindly provided some background to clear this up, as I fully expected he would. Of course it goes without saying that any form of apology from him is entirely unecessary and everyone involved with the monitoring of this occurence understands completely. If anything we're to blame for not letting him know we were keeping it a secret anyway! His comments are included below. Top man...
I want to clear up the facts and set the record straight since his post was a little misleading.
An important part that wasn't made clear, is that the date, May 24th, was only my journal entry, not the day I posted it on my blog.
The posting was only made a few days ago, June 10, after I had been back in the US for some time and by which time the birds had successfully reared chicks.
I figured that by the time I made the post, it wouldn't be on the radar of many UK people and would be 'old' news by now. If that was a tad bit premature of an planned 'official' announcement, then hopefully Ian McK. will forgive me on that.
I do want to apologize if this caused any issue with the efforts that any of the locals put in to secure their success. As an ex-local, that has put time in at Rumworth over many years there was no malicious intent on my part to undermine any of that work.
I hope this helps reframe the situation on my end.
What a fabulous occurrence!
Julian Hough
Www.naturescapeimages.wordpress.com
3 Avocet chicks now getting more independent. Both adults present nearby.
6 Oystercatchers
2 Adult Common tern + single juvenile.
2 Redshank
2 Grey Heron
6+ Sand Martin
2+ House Martin
Nice to meet Karen, Riggers and Steve.
Avocets & chicks doing fine
Redshank 2
Curlew 2
Common Tern 2
Also seen were a Common Tern sat on a post.
4 Oystercatchers
1 Redshank
2 or 3 Ringed Plover
1 Reed Bunting
The stars though were certainly the 5 Avocets. Well worth the journey.
I left pretty sharpish as the farmer drove his tractor into the field and then proceeded to start muck spreading. Take a nose peg when you go and watch where you tread.
Cheers Ian
Thank you to United Utilities for keeping the water level low during the last month, providing ideal feeding for the birds.
Surely the time has come to make part of Rumworth into a nature reserve providing a designated area for shorebirds that is free from disturbance ?
The presence of the Avocets has led to some fairly lengthy daily vigils by most of the Rumworth regulars which has also resulted in some other good birds being recorded along the way, the most notable sightings are as follows:
8/5. Grey Plover, Black Tern, Whimbrel
9/5. Greenshank
10/5. Black Tailed Godwit
12/5. Cuckoo
16/5. Hobby
18/5. Sandwich Tern, Sanderling, 20 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin
23/5. 3 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover
25/5. female Red Breasted Merganser
26/5 Sanderling
27/5. 22 Dunlin, 17 Ringed Plover
29/5 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover
2/6. Willow Tit, Hobby
10/6. Hobby