The Pectoral Sandpiper was the first record for the site (and I think for Rochdale) - not the easiest bird to photograph in the poor light yesterday but I've attached a couple of phonescoped images.
Unfortunately the bird was flushed at about 0930 this morning and did not return so I didn't get to see it again today. However there was a big influx of migrants in the area and a few hours around the wider Lake area this morning produced 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Redstarts, 2 Wheatear, 3 Whinchat, 6 Stonechat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 15+ Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 40 + Swifts and loads of hirundines heading south. Also 8 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Buzzard , 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10+ Linnet and 1 Lesser Redpoll amongst the usuals.
I made an effort this morning, wanting to see the Pectoral Sandpiper with my family, only to find out when I got there it had flown off; I wanted to ball my eyes out and sulk (not really).
That's the way birding goes: Bill Oddie once said you can plan a trip to see a bird but come out empty, but you may see something else that makes it worthwhile. I'm just happy I made an effort and so was my mother.
Other colourful highlights include:
Wagtail Hat Trick of; Yellow wagtail Pied wagtail Grey wagtail
Plus: Lesser Redpoll Goldfinch Blue tit Black headed gulls Lesser black backed gull
Common gull Pheasant Lapwings Teal Peregrine (seen fly and suddenly swoop and vanished behind a hill)
Ta!
pete berry said
Mon Aug 17 2:42 PM, 2020
According to Birdguides the Pectoral Sandpiper was flushed by a dog walker and flew off.
Dave Ousey said
Mon Aug 17 12:46 PM, 2020
Yes many thanks to Dave Broome for letting me use his scope to watch the Pectoral Sandpiper yesterday evening!
Dave Ousey.
Pete Hines said
Mon Aug 17 9:17 AM, 2020
Pectoral Sandpiper still present - distant (record shots attached) First picked out in flight as it flew in with the Ringed Plover about 08.40. Took several flights with the RP and last seen in flight at 09.10, lost behind trees as the viewing conditions were very narrow. There are decent photographs and video on the Wild Littleborough Facebook page from yesterday.
Ringed Plover 1
Yellow Wagtail 1
Common Gull 1
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Monday 17th of August 2020 03:05:32 PM
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Monday 17th of August 2020 03:13:10 PM
A Greenshank on the nature reserve this morning - also a Spotted Flycatcher showing well in Big Hedge and 2 male Redstarts, the first 2 Teal of the autumn, 2 Siskin over and a female Sparrowhawk
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Aug 10 10:41 PM, 2020
Male Redstart and a Wheatear this morning
Also 2 Whinchat at Shaw Moss
Mike c cooper said
Fri Aug 7 5:37 PM, 2020
Fri 7/8 first thing lots (c. 30) robins ticking all around the reserve ... either juvs attaining red breasts and being driven off or migrants/ fall
Green woodpecker calling from caravan site
Mike c cooper said
Wed Jul 29 5:09 PM, 2020
Wed 28/7/20
Green woodpecker calling and moving either side of nature reserve early morning Yellow wagtail heard calling flying south over reserve
Simon Hitchen said
Thu Jul 23 7:18 PM, 2020
Female Redstart in bushes opposite the hide this afternoon
Mike c cooper said
Wed Jul 15 10:11 PM, 2020
Wed 15/7 morning
Green woodpecker repeatedly calling from caravan park and then hill either side of NR
Common sandpiper still in front of hide Oystercatcher calling flying in out of lake
On shore L Bb gull 4 herring gull 3 Common gull 1 ad plus 1 imm Lapwing c. 60
Lesser redpolls ones and twos flying about Siskin 1 heard over Lots of fledged Robins Blackcap willow warbler and chiffchaff s still singing
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Jul 13 9:49 PM, 2020
Drake Common Scoter this morning
Adult Mediterranean Gull by the rowing club this afternoon
Simon Hitchen said
Tue Jul 7 10:24 PM, 2020
Female Common Scoter this evening - also the Black-tailed Godwit still
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Jul 6 2:17 PM, 2020
Black-tailed Godwit this morning - also 9 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Raven over
Simon Hitchen said
Sun Jul 5 11:08 AM, 2020
Little egret this morning
Late news for 30/6 when 12 Common Scoter (11 drakes) were present
Mike c cooper said
Wed Jul 1 12:25 PM, 2020
Wed morning 1/7 NR - male kingfisher on branches in front of hide Common sandpiper 1 in front of hide Siskin several calling high over and 3 (1 male) in willows Nuthatches roaming G S Woodpecker calling Blackcaps willow warblers a chiffchaffs stil singing Shoreline Canada goose 150+ first thing Lapwing 100+ L R Plover 1 ad Herring gull 2 ad plus 3yr Common gull 1 x 1st summer Tufted duck 1m Shoveler 1 m eclipse
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 1st of July 2020 02:02:34 PM
Also a Green Woodpecker heard only flying Low over Willows south of nature reserve in the afternoon
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Wednesday 1st of July 2020 11:04:57 PM
Mike c cooper said
Thu Jun 25 12:14 PM, 2020
Yesterday morning 24/6
On shore by NR
Ringed plover 2 adults
Common sandpiper 1
Oystercatcher 2 plus juv
Grey wagtail at least 2 fledged juvs
Nuthatch family group
Lesser redpoll group of 3 over willows
Siskin at least 1 heard over
Mike c cooper said
Wed May 20 9:51 AM, 2020
Also a Redshank plus a summer plumage Dunlin on s edge of island
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Wednesday 20th of May 2020 05:49:15 PM
Mike c cooper said
Wed May 20 9:22 AM, 2020
This morning so far in Nature Reserve
A Ringed Plover, an oystercatcher and a common sandpiper
James Walsh said
Sat May 16 7:13 PM, 2020
Singing Grasshopper Warbler Branch Fold Farm
Simon Hitchen said
Thu May 14 8:32 PM, 2020
A Greenshank this morning - also 3 Dunlin and a Kingfisher
Note that car parks and all amenities here are still closed
Paul Samuels said
Sat May 9 1:46 PM, 2020
Quick look as I passed through the lake area on the bike....
1 Whitethroat singing in hedge near Wine Press
Many singing Blackcap/Willow/Chiff's
1 Dunlin sp
3 Redshank
3 Common SandPiper
2 Oystercatcher
1 Buzzard
1 Heron
now several broods of Canadas & Mallard
-- Edited by Paul Samuels on Saturday 9th of May 2020 01:47:05 PM
James Walsh said
Sat May 9 12:44 PM, 2020
Pair of Stonechats on Shaw Moss
Paul Samuels said
Thu Apr 30 12:06 PM, 2020
Bike ride this morning, much as previous days...
6 Ringed Plover
4 Redshank
2 Common Sandpiper
2 Dunlin
3 House Martin
4 Sand Martin
3 Swallow
1 Grey Heron
Paul Samuels said
Tue Apr 28 12:25 PM, 2020
Called in on the bike ride...
1 Oystercatcher
4 Common Sandpiper
3 Redshank
3 Dunlin
4 Ringed Plover
Pair of Canada Geese with 4 young
Mixed group of about 50 Swallows & House Martins around the horse stables opposite main carpark
Paul Samuels said
Sat Apr 25 12:33 PM, 2020
Called in on the usual bike ride...
2 Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin
1 Shelduck
1 Curlew
Nice to see GC Grebe displaying to each other
Paul Samuels said
Sat Apr 18 1:25 PM, 2020
Bike ride in full race gear passed Hollingworth Lake...quick scan but not lake
3 Oystercatcher
1 Common Sandpiper
3 Pink Footed Goose
No sign of Greylag from last week
5 Ringed Plover
Plenty of Chiffchaff
Plenty of Willow Warbler
1 Buzzard
Path around lake now open, but not good for a road bike !
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 18th of April 2020 01:29:41 PM
Simon Hitchen said
Sat Mar 21 1:47 PM, 2020
Late news for Friday 20th March
Male Wheatear
3 Pink-footed Geese
1 Chiffchaff
Also 1 Redshank, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch, 30+ Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Lesser Redpoll and a Siskin over
Simon Hitchen said
Tue Mar 3 9:03 AM, 2020
Late news for yesterday (2nd March)
Adult Mediterranean Gull again late afternoon
Also 1 Greylag Goose flew west, 2 Goosander, 14 Cormorant, 40+ Redwing and 4 Nuthatch
- 1 Redhead Goosander - 2 Cormorant - pr Tufted Duck - pr Great Crested Grebe - c30 Teal - c250 Lapwing in single flock over the lake - Bullfinch calling + Other finches and Tits in small area of woodland behind the cafe - c5 Common Gull amongst c200 BH Gull - 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gull
+ usuall waterfowl and corvids etc
Simon Hitchen said
Sat Dec 28 5:53 PM, 2019
Pair Common Scoter this afternoon
Mike c cooper said
Fri Dec 27 9:42 AM, 2019
Fri 27/12 08:45
Common sandpiper with c 200 Lapwings on shore opposite Nature reserve
James Walsh said
Sun Nov 24 12:48 AM, 2019
Saturday 23rd November 2019
Great Egret in the Hollingworth Lake area, initially reported on Shaw Moss early afternoon then present in the Birchinley Hall area before flying south
Winter plumaged Knot present this afternoon (found by Andrew Huyton) - also a Common Sandpiper
Simon Hitchen said
Thu Sep 12 8:58 PM, 2019
A Tree Pipit over south this morning
Also single Common and Green Sandpipers and good numbers of Meadow Pipits on the move
A Spotted Flycatcher was present at Shaw Moss on Sunday (8th) when there was also a single Whitethroat and a Wheatear
James Walsh said
Sun Sep 8 12:38 PM, 2019
Sunday 1st September 2019
Little Egret 12 Teal 87 Lapwings
Simon Hitchen said
Sun Sep 1 10:09 PM, 2019
Redstart at Shaw Moss this morning along with a Whitethroat
11 Teal at the nature reserve
Yesterday evening (31/8) an adult Mediterranean Gull was with the other gulls on the mud before flying off NW
Mike c cooper said
Fri Aug 30 1:21 PM, 2019
Fri 30/8 07:00-12:00
12 teal now in NR Over 100 Lapwings on grassy shore by NR
Green woodpecker flew over from bib hill?
Lesser redpoll 10 in flock
Blackcap at least 3 feeding on blackberries along big hedge
James Walsh said
Thu Aug 29 7:34 PM, 2019
10 Teal and 91 Lapwings on the nature reserve
Simon Hitchen said
Thu Aug 29 12:07 PM, 2019
Late news from Monday 26th August (apologies) when there were quite a few migrants about- the highlights being:-
3 Teal, 2 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 3 Redstarts, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 10+ Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Shaw Moss and 2 Ravens over SW
The Pectoral Sandpiper was the first record for the site (and I think for Rochdale) - not the easiest bird to photograph in the poor light yesterday but I've attached a couple of phonescoped images.
Unfortunately the bird was flushed at about 0930 this morning and did not return so I didn't get to see it again today. However there was a big influx of migrants in the area and a few hours around the wider Lake area this morning produced 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Redstarts, 2 Wheatear, 3 Whinchat, 6 Stonechat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 15+ Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 40 + Swifts and loads of hirundines heading south. Also 8 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Buzzard , 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10+ Linnet and 1 Lesser Redpoll amongst the usuals.
That's the way birding goes: Bill Oddie once said you can plan a trip to see a bird but come out empty, but you may see something else that makes it worthwhile. I'm just happy I made an effort and so was my mother.
Other colourful highlights include:
Wagtail Hat Trick of;
Yellow wagtail
Pied wagtail
Grey wagtail
Plus:
Lesser Redpoll
Goldfinch
Blue tit
Black headed gulls
Lesser black backed gull
Common gull
Pheasant
Lapwings
Teal
Peregrine (seen fly and suddenly swoop and vanished behind a hill)
Ta!
According to Birdguides the Pectoral Sandpiper was flushed by a dog walker and flew off.
Yes many thanks to Dave Broome for letting me use his scope to watch the Pectoral Sandpiper yesterday evening!
Dave Ousey.
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Monday 17th of August 2020 03:05:32 PM
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Monday 17th of August 2020 03:13:10 PM
Pectoral Sandpiper feeding on the mud, still there when I left at 20.15 hrs, viewed from Rakewood Road.
Nice to meet Dave Broome.
Roger.
Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper currently on the mud at the nature reserve, best viewed from Rakewood Road.
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
2 Redstart
1 Spotted Flycatcher - Bib Knowl
Also 5 Teal, 5+ Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Redpoll
Green woodpecker calling from caravan site
Green woodpecker calling and moving either side of nature reserve early morning
Yellow wagtail heard calling flying south over reserve
Green woodpecker repeatedly calling from caravan park and then hill either side of NR
Common sandpiper still in front of hide
Oystercatcher calling flying in out of lake
On shore
L Bb gull 4
herring gull 3
Common gull 1 ad plus 1 imm
Lapwing c. 60
Lesser redpolls ones and twos flying about
Siskin 1 heard over
Lots of fledged Robins
Blackcap willow warbler and chiffchaff s still singing
Wed morning 1/7 NR - male kingfisher on branches in front of hide Common sandpiper 1 in front of hide Siskin several calling high over and 3 (1 male) in willows Nuthatches roaming G S Woodpecker calling Blackcaps willow warblers a chiffchaffs stil singing Shoreline Canada goose 150+ first thing Lapwing 100+ L R Plover 1 ad Herring gull 2 ad plus 3yr Common gull 1 x 1st summer Tufted duck 1m Shoveler 1 m eclipse
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 1st of July 2020 02:02:34 PM Also a Green Woodpecker heard only flying Low over Willows south of nature reserve in the afternoon
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Wednesday 1st of July 2020 11:04:57 PM
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Wednesday 20th of May 2020 05:49:15 PM
Quick look as I passed through the lake area on the bike....
1 Whitethroat singing in hedge near Wine Press
Many singing Blackcap/Willow/Chiff's
1 Dunlin sp
3 Redshank
3 Common SandPiper
2 Oystercatcher
1 Buzzard
1 Heron
now several broods of Canadas & Mallard
-- Edited by Paul Samuels on Saturday 9th of May 2020 01:47:05 PM
Bike ride this morning, much as previous days...
6 Ringed Plover
4 Redshank
2 Common Sandpiper
2 Dunlin
3 House Martin
4 Sand Martin
3 Swallow
1 Grey Heron
Called in on the bike ride...
1 Oystercatcher
4 Common Sandpiper
3 Redshank
3 Dunlin
4 Ringed Plover
Pair of Canada Geese with 4 young
Mixed group of about 50 Swallows & House Martins around the horse stables opposite main carpark
Called in on the usual bike ride...
2 Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin
1 Shelduck
1 Curlew
Nice to see GC Grebe displaying to each other
Bike ride in full race gear passed Hollingworth Lake...quick scan but not lake
3 Oystercatcher
1 Common Sandpiper
3 Pink Footed Goose
No sign of Greylag from last week
5 Ringed Plover
Plenty of Chiffchaff
Plenty of Willow Warbler
1 Buzzard
Path around lake now open, but not good for a road bike !
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 18th of April 2020 01:29:41 PM
Late news for yesterday (2nd March)
Adult Mediterranean Gull again late afternoon
Also 1 Greylag Goose flew west, 2 Goosander, 14 Cormorant, 40+ Redwing and 4 Nuthatch
adult Mediterranean Gull this evening
brief visit this pm :-
drake Gadwall, pair Shoveler, 10 Goosander, 15 Cormorant, 3 Great-crested Grebes, 1 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Redhead Goosander
- 2 Cormorant
- pr Tufted Duck
- pr Great Crested Grebe
- c30 Teal
- c250 Lapwing in single flock over the lake
- Bullfinch calling + Other finches and Tits in small area of woodland behind the cafe
- c5 Common Gull amongst c200 BH Gull
- 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gull
+ usuall waterfowl and corvids etc
Saturday 23rd November 2019
Great Egret in the Hollingworth Lake area, initially reported on Shaw Moss early afternoon then present in the Birchinley Hall area before flying south
https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/local/leisure/Bib-Knowl-Hollingworth-Lake-Walk.pdf
Information thanks to the Rochdale Birding WhatsApp group
Buzzard on Shaw Moss
Also 80+ Lapwings, 27 Teal (24 on the nature reserve and 3 on Shaw Moss), 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goosander, 5 Mute Swans
A Tree Pipit over south this morning
Also single Common and Green Sandpipers and good numbers of Meadow Pipits on the move
A Spotted Flycatcher was present at Shaw Moss on Sunday (8th) when there was also a single Whitethroat and a Wheatear
Little Egret
12 Teal
87 Lapwings
12 teal now in NR
Over 100 Lapwings on grassy shore by NR
Green woodpecker flew over from bib hill?
Lesser redpoll 10 in flock
Blackcap at least 3 feeding on blackberries along big hedge
Late news from Monday 26th August (apologies) when there were quite a few migrants about- the highlights being:-
3 Teal, 2 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 3 Redstarts, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 10+ Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Shaw Moss and 2 Ravens over SW
A few decent birds around over the last few days
Today (25/8)
Kingfisher showing well from the hide
Also 2 Buzzards, 3 Swifts, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap and 4 Stonechat near Syke Farm
also Ian Kimber had a Whinchat near Big Hedge
Yesterday (24/8)
a Yellow Wagtail flew south calling and a Lesser Whitethroat was near Turnough Hall Farm
Friday 23/8 - 9 Shelduck were present early morning and 2 Spotted Flycatchers were at Shaw Moss
A Spotted Flycatcher at Shaw Moss today
Also 6 Cormorants but otherwise quiet
4 Black-tailed Godwits in summer plumage were present this afternoon but had disappeared by 745 pm
2 Shoveler were also new in this afternoon
Also today 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Little ringed Plover and a Lesser Redpoll