Late listing again from WEBS count 17/2/18 10am Sheldon Pool 5 mute swans 4 mallard 5 tufted ducks 4 coot 2 moorhen 6 canada geese 51 black headed gulls
simon ghilks said
Thu Feb 22 1:24 PM, 2018
22/2/18 late morning.
2 Stonechat, fairly elusive in the middle of the mound, 5 Skylark, some fitful singing, 1 Meadow Pipit, 3 Kestrel, 2 of them slightly off site calling over towards the leisure park, Pair of Teal on the flooded horse field, Not seen any Snipe on here since 21st November, probably due to regular weekend disturbance by off road bikes and the ever increasing off lead dog walking activity.
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Feb 21 8:11 PM, 2018
As I passed on the tram late this afternoon, there were at least 8 Tufted Duck (5 drake) on Sheldon Pool. The five Mute Swans were also present
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Feb 4 3:58 PM, 2018
Afternoon visit
5 Mute Swan, 5 Tufted Duck (3 drake) and 10 Canada Geese on Sheldon Pool
Male Stonechat and a single Meadow Pipit were the only noteworthy birds on the mound
Rachael Hill said
Mon Jan 29 8:43 PM, 2018
Sorry, late post but did do WEBS count 20/1/18 10 canada geese 2 coot 3 tufted ducks 2 moorhen 5 mute swans 12 black headed gulls
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Jan 27 10:36 PM, 2018
Short visit, late afternoon
4 Tufted Duck (2 pairs) and 5 Mute Swan on Sheldon Pool 6 Lapwing and Grey Heron on horse field Song Thrush singing in trees by Mockridge Garden Centre 5 Moorhen on Mockridge Pool
simon ghilks said
Fri Jan 26 5:21 PM, 2018
26/1/2018 afternoon visit
5 Mute Swan and 2 Tufted Duck on Sheldon Pool, At least 4 Teal in the rushes on Mockridge Pool, 8 Lapwing in flooded horse field, 2 Heron, 3 Stonechat, 2 Kestrel, Meadow Pipit and Skylark heard.
WEBS count, Sheldon Pool ]5 mute swans 18 canada geese 2 moorhen 1 tufted duck 4 mallard 4 coot 2 teal (pair)- good spot for the WEBS count, 1st ones I've recorded. Hiding in reeds at back of pond (tram side) 78 black headed gulls
simon ghilks said
Sun Nov 12 7:26 PM, 2017
12/11/17 early morning until 10am
5 Mute Swans all still on Sheldon Pool 1 Grey Heron 2 Kestrel 1 Sparrowhawk At least 17 Collared Dove, all at the western end of the site 2 Stonechat 10-15 Meadow Pipit spread out around the mound 1 Skylark Linnet heard overflying a couple of times 2 Reed Bunting 2 Mallard and 2 Coot on the back pools
Rachael Hill said
Tue Oct 17 4:28 PM, 2017
6th Oct 17 10.00am Webs Count Sheldon Pool 5 mute swans 16 mallard 2 canada geese 5 coot 5 moorhen 1 grey heron 1 black headed gull
simon ghilks said
Sat Oct 14 2:50 PM, 2017
14/10/2017 Late morning up to midday.
The Mute Swan family is still on Sheldon Pool, all had a brief flight from one end to the other. Also 2 Mute Swans on Moss Lane pool, one darvic ringed 4CLA the other just metal ringed.
On or around the mound 1 Buzzard, again hovering over the mound then later presumably the same bird seen in a tree on Moss Lane. 2 Stonechat, male and fem. 3 Skylark 3 Common Snipe 5 or 6 Meadow Pipit 1 Chiffchaff Lots of Long-tailed Tits heard all around the edges of the mound. Linnet heard Overhead, a skein of Pink-footed Geese were heading north west at about 11am. Notably the last 2 birds in the flock were probably about 25% larger than the others but I couldn't make out any other differences at that distance.
simon ghilks said
Sun Sep 17 2:50 PM, 2017
17/9/2017 around midday
1 Buzzard was hovering low over the mound for a while, hopefully a sign of decent rodent numbers, if so perhaps a chance of Short-eared Owl again if there is a sizeable influx. 2 Buzzards later soaring together. 1 Kestrel 1 Skylark c10 Meadow Pipit dotted around 1 Chiffchaff singing Small number of Swallow, some coming to drink from the back pool 1 Little Grebe 1 Grey Heron.
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Aug 27 9:52 PM, 2017
This afternoon
Mute Swan family still present on Sheldon Pool along with Grey Heron and two Coot
Mound area
40+ Swallow became one less after one was taken by a Sparrowhawk 10+ House Martin 1 Sand Martin 1 Swift drank briefly at back pool before flying off again 3 Coot including a small chick 2 Moorhen 1 Buzzard
simon ghilks said
Sun Aug 13 3:00 PM, 2017
13/8/17 late morning
2 adult and 3 juvenile Mute Swan and a juvenile Grey Heron on Sheldon Pool, On or around the mound 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard 20+ each of House Martin and Swallow c10 Sand Martin 2 Swift 2 Reed Bunting Mixed flock of mainly Willow Warbler perhaps 10+, with Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit. On the back pool a Kingfisher was perched on one of the larger grey overflow pipes for a while Also on here 2 Little Grebe, 2 Coot and a Moorhen.
Steve Suttill said
Sun Jul 30 10:57 AM, 2017
Yesterday morning:
The pools at the back contained Grey Heron, 6 adult Coot (one still sitting), Moorhen with one well-grown juvenile, 2 Little Grebe.
Also plenty of insect life attracting Swifts, Swallows, House and Sand Martins.
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Jun 18 7:06 PM, 2017
The Mute Swan pair with their three cygnets are still present on Sheldon Pool Also pair of Coot Moorhen Grey Heron 2 House Martins arrived to drink Willow Warbler singing in the area
On the mound
Common Whitethroat singing 3 Reed Bunting also singing
The pools at the back contained Grey Heron, 2 adult Coot and 3 younger birds of various sizes and a pair of Canada Geese with 2 goslings
Liz Headon said
Thu Jun 8 11:04 PM, 2017
Yesterday (7th June) - skylark singing over the land behind the Metrolink Park and Ride.
Steve Suttill said
Thu Jun 8 9:12 AM, 2017
Mute Swan: pair with 3 cygnets Moorhen: could only see one with a smallish chick Coot: just the one Heron: one House Sparrow: 3 males Willow Warbler: still singing
Karen Foulkes said
Mon May 29 10:40 PM, 2017
Pair of Mute Swan with three cygnets on Sheldon Pool Pair of Moorhen with a brood of six Pair of Coot
Pair of Canada Geese leading six goslings across Lord Sheldon Way this afternoon
simon ghilks said
Tue Apr 25 11:24 AM, 2017
25/4/2017 early morning visit
8 Willow Warbler 10+ Skylark 5+ Reed Bunting 1 Swallow 6 Goldfinch 2 Bullfinch Singles of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat heard singing, Also heard calling were a Meadow Pipit and a couple of Linnet A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling from the centre of the mound just after 7am. Seems to be quite an influx locally of this species at the moment, I have only heard 2 birds in Tameside in the last 10 years, this bird is the 4th in 5 days.
A Wheatear and 6 Linnet were seen during my last visit.
A bit of info on the Sheldon Mute Swans thanks to Steve Christmas.
The male was originally ringed as a cygnet at Ashton Moss on 25/08/2014, Darvic 4ANJ. The female has also been ringed now.
Karen Foulkes said
Thu Mar 16 7:43 PM, 2017
A quick look on Sheldon Pool on my way home from work tonight
No sign of Teal reported earlier. This had been replaced by a female Goldeneye, a surprise bird given the depth of Sheldon Pool!
David Walsh said
Thu Mar 16 2:16 PM, 2017
Thursday 16th March 2017, 12.15pm
Sheldon Pool, a quick stop on the way home from the vet
1 pair of Tufted Duck 1 drake Teal 3 Coot 2 Moorhen c 12 Canada Geese Good numbers of Skylark singing over the mound.
simon ghilks said
Sat Mar 11 12:45 PM, 2017
11/3/17 mid morning
I had thought the swans on Sheldon Pool had only 1 metal ring between them but now one of them at least has a blue davic, unfortunately only able to read 4M the rest of the ring was buried in the feathers. Maybe a different pair or perhaps they have been ringed over the winter. On the back pools 4 Coot 2 Tufted Duck 1 Canada Goose 2 Mallard 1 Little Grebe Lots of singing from Skylarks, well into double figures At least 6 singing Reed Buntings C10 Meadow Pipit
Karen Foulkes said
Thu Mar 9 8:01 PM, 2017
3 Tufted Duck (2 drake) on Sheldon Pool this evening.
7 Canada Geese and Mute Swan pair also present.
1 Moorhen on bank
simon ghilks said
Mon Feb 20 3:39 PM, 2017
20/2/2017 brief visit mid morning.
Still fairly quiet but nice to hear some sustained singing from Skylarks, over 10 birds present, not all singing. 2 Stonechat, both males, previous sightings this winter have always included 1 female. 1 or 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting Lots of Carrion Crows and Magpies On the back pools A pair of Tufted Duck 3 Mallard 4 Coot 1 Moorhen Just off site 2 Kestrels were interacting high over the Leisure Park
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Feb 15 7:33 PM, 2017
A Kestrel was hovering over the mound this morning
Karen Foulkes said
Tue Feb 14 9:51 PM, 2017
Drake Tufted Duck present on Sheldon pool this afternoon
Rachael Hill said
Sat Feb 11 9:57 PM, 2017
WEBS count 11/2/17 2.40-2.50pm 1 mute swan (other not in sight) 5 mallard 4 coot 1 moorhen 2 canada geese 4 black headed gulls
Karen Foulkes said
Thu Feb 2 7:33 PM, 2017
A quick look on the way home in the gloom
Female Wigeon associating with five drake Mallard on Sheldon Pool 4 Coot Mute Swan pair Grey Heron
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 1 1:32 PM, 2017
simon ghilks wrote:
Of interest looking across to Littlemoss 2 Pink-footed Geese were seen feeding alone in one of the horse fields. One of them being very dark, possibly melanistic or hybrid. Couple of distant photos hopefully attached.
The darker Pink-footed Goose looks like the bird which was also seen at Audenshaw Reservoirs a few days ago.
simon ghilks said
Wed Feb 1 1:19 PM, 2017
01/02/2017 late morning walk around the mound
2 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting 7 Meadow Pipit 1 Goldcrest 1 Sparrowhawk 6 Heron and 9 Lapwing in the Horse field near Mockridge Pool
Of interest looking across to Littlemoss 2 Pink-footed Geese were seen feeding alone in one of the horse fields. One of them being very dark, possibly melanistic or hybrid. Couple of distant photos hopefully attached.
1 Skylark 1 Meadow Pipit 2 Stonechat, first sighting for a couple of months, possibly new birds. 6 Snipe of which one was probably a Jack as it flushed from close quarters, flew silently low and straight and looked to have a shorter bill.
2 possibly 3 Stonechat, fairly mobile on the mound. 20+ Meadow Pipit 1 Skylark 3 Reed Bunting 1 Fieldfare flew over 10 Collared Dove 15+ Wren 1 Redpoll 1 Goldcrest 15+ Long-tailed Tit in 2 flocks 4 Little Grebe (back pool) 4 Mallard, 3 drake (back pool) Seemed to be lots of Redwing and Blackbirds in the fields and hedges over towards Littlemoss
Rachael Hill said
Sun Oct 16 12:56 PM, 2016
WEBs count for Sheldon pool 16/10/16 11.50-12.00 5 coot 2 mute swans 3 moorhen 16 canada geese 2 black headed gulls
simon ghilks said
Wed Sep 21 9:18 PM, 2016
Hello Rachael
The Kingfisher was on one of the far pools near Moss Side Farm. Can't recall ever seeing one on Sheldon Pool but no reason why they wouldn't get on there occasionally, though I suppose it gets a lot more disturbance than the far pools.
Rachael Hill said
Wed Sep 21 8:16 PM, 2016
Was the kingfisher on Sheldon? Thanks
simon ghilks said
Wed Sep 21 5:44 PM, 2016
21/9/16 late afternoon
c70 Meadow Pipit 24 Collared Dove 200+ Starling 1 Skylark 1 Snipe 1 Kingfisher 5 Little Grebe including the 3 juveniles. Mixed tit flock, mainly Long-tailed, c15 with a couple of Chiffchaffs. 2 Mute Swans still on Sheldon Pool.
Rachael Hill said
Sun Sep 18 1:49 PM, 2016
Webs count this morning but had a camping fisherman and dog jumping in for a bottle Sheldon Pond 2 mute swans 3 coot
simon ghilks said
Mon Sep 5 7:20 PM, 2016
5/9/16 mid afternoon on the mound
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Double figures Collared Dove around the horse field c10 Swallow 1 Whitethroat c20 Goldfinch 1 Willow Warbler with a small mixed tit flock Reed Bunting heard on the back ponds Female Mallard and 1 almost full grown juvenile, these 2 have been on the same pond since the chick was newly hatched 4 Moorhen incl 3 juveniles 4 Coot incl 2 juveniles The 2 Little Grebes did breed and managed to hatch 3 young that appear to be doing very well.
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Aug 27 9:54 PM, 2016
This afternoon
A flock of at least 50 Goldfinch 40+ Swallow present and at least 10 towards Littlemoss 4+ House Martin
No sign of any rooftop Lapwing on site yet
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Aug 6 8:06 PM, 2016
6/8/16
Sheldon Pool
2 juv Grey Heron 4 Swallow, possibly a family party Juv Moorhen 4 Coot Eclipse drake Mallard
Moorhen , on Lord Sheldon Way .
male 4CYS
female 4CYT
female 4CYU
6 Tufted Duck (4 drake)
5 Mute Swan
8 Canada Geese
2 Moorhen
2 Coot
4 Mallard (3 drakes)
Kestrel hunting over the mound
Sheldon Pool
5 mute swans
4 mallard
5 tufted ducks
4 coot
2 moorhen
6 canada geese
51 black headed gulls
2 Stonechat, fairly elusive in the middle of the mound,
5 Skylark, some fitful singing,
1 Meadow Pipit,
3 Kestrel, 2 of them slightly off site calling over towards the leisure park,
Pair of Teal on the flooded horse field,
Not seen any Snipe on here since 21st November, probably due to regular weekend disturbance by off road bikes and the ever increasing off lead dog walking activity.
5 Mute Swan, 5 Tufted Duck (3 drake) and 10 Canada Geese on Sheldon Pool
Male Stonechat and a single Meadow Pipit were the only noteworthy birds on the mound
10 canada geese
2 coot
3 tufted ducks
2 moorhen
5 mute swans
12 black headed gulls
4 Tufted Duck (2 pairs) and 5 Mute Swan on Sheldon Pool
6 Lapwing and Grey Heron on horse field
Song Thrush singing in trees by Mockridge Garden Centre
5 Moorhen on Mockridge Pool
5 Mute Swan and 2 Tufted Duck on Sheldon Pool,
At least 4 Teal in the rushes on Mockridge Pool,
8 Lapwing in flooded horse field,
2 Heron,
3 Stonechat,
2 Kestrel,
Meadow Pipit and Skylark heard.
Moorhen
2 Coot
5 Mute Swan
10 Canada Geese
Pair of Tufted Duck
Then rain stopped play
]5 mute swans
18 canada geese
2 moorhen
1 tufted duck
4 mallard
4 coot
2 teal (pair)- good spot for the WEBS count, 1st ones I've recorded. Hiding in reeds at back of pond (tram side)
78 black headed gulls
5 Mute Swans all still on Sheldon Pool
1 Grey Heron
2 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
At least 17 Collared Dove, all at the western end of the site
2 Stonechat
10-15 Meadow Pipit spread out around the mound
1 Skylark
Linnet heard overflying a couple of times
2 Reed Bunting
2 Mallard and 2 Coot on the back pools
Sheldon Pool
5 mute swans
16 mallard
2 canada geese
5 coot
5 moorhen
1 grey heron
1 black headed gull
The Mute Swan family is still on Sheldon Pool, all had a brief flight from one end to the other. Also 2 Mute Swans on Moss Lane pool, one darvic ringed 4CLA the other just metal ringed.
On or around the mound
1 Buzzard, again hovering over the mound then later presumably the same bird seen in a tree on Moss Lane.
2 Stonechat, male and fem.
3 Skylark
3 Common Snipe
5 or 6 Meadow Pipit
1 Chiffchaff
Lots of Long-tailed Tits heard all around the edges of the mound.
Linnet heard
Overhead, a skein of Pink-footed Geese were heading north west at about 11am. Notably the last 2 birds in the flock were probably about 25% larger than the others but I couldn't make out any other differences at that distance.
1 Buzzard was hovering low over the mound for a while, hopefully a sign of decent rodent numbers, if so perhaps a chance of Short-eared Owl again if there is a sizeable influx.
2 Buzzards later soaring together.
1 Kestrel
1 Skylark
c10 Meadow Pipit dotted around
1 Chiffchaff singing
Small number of Swallow, some coming to drink from the back pool
1 Little Grebe
1 Grey Heron.
Mute Swan family still present on Sheldon Pool along with Grey Heron and two Coot
Mound area
40+ Swallow became one less after one was taken by a Sparrowhawk
10+ House Martin
1 Sand Martin
1 Swift drank briefly at back pool before flying off again
3 Coot including a small chick
2 Moorhen
1 Buzzard
2 adult and 3 juvenile Mute Swan and a juvenile Grey Heron on Sheldon Pool,
On or around the mound
2 Kestrel,
1 Buzzard
20+ each of House Martin and Swallow
c10 Sand Martin
2 Swift
2 Reed Bunting
Mixed flock of mainly Willow Warbler perhaps 10+, with Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit.
On the back pool a Kingfisher was perched on one of the larger grey overflow pipes for a while
Also on here 2 Little Grebe, 2 Coot and a Moorhen.
The pools at the back contained Grey Heron, 6 adult Coot (one still sitting), Moorhen with one well-grown juvenile, 2 Little Grebe.
Also plenty of insect life attracting Swifts, Swallows, House and Sand Martins.
Also pair of Coot
Moorhen
Grey Heron
2 House Martins arrived to drink
Willow Warbler singing in the area
On the mound
Common Whitethroat singing
3 Reed Bunting also singing
The pools at the back contained Grey Heron, 2 adult Coot and 3 younger birds of various sizes and a pair of Canada Geese with 2 goslings
Moorhen: could only see one with a smallish chick
Coot: just the one
Heron: one
House Sparrow: 3 males
Willow Warbler: still singing
Pair of Moorhen with a brood of six
Pair of Coot
Pair of Canada Geese leading six goslings across Lord Sheldon Way this afternoon
8 Willow Warbler
10+ Skylark
5+ Reed Bunting
1 Swallow
6 Goldfinch
2 Bullfinch
Singles of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat heard singing,
Also heard calling were a Meadow Pipit and a couple of Linnet
A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling from the centre of the mound just after 7am. Seems to be quite an influx locally of this species at the moment, I have only heard 2 birds in Tameside in the last 10 years, this bird is the 4th in 5 days.
A Wheatear and 6 Linnet were seen during my last visit.
7 canada geese
2 mute swans
3 mallard
1 coot
2 black headed gulls
The male was originally ringed as a cygnet at Ashton Moss on 25/08/2014, Darvic 4ANJ. The female has also been ringed now.
No sign of Teal reported earlier. This had been replaced by a female Goldeneye, a surprise bird given the depth of Sheldon Pool!
Sheldon Pool, a quick stop on the way home from the vet
1 pair of Tufted Duck
1 drake Teal
3 Coot
2 Moorhen
c 12 Canada Geese
Good numbers of Skylark singing over the mound.
I had thought the swans on Sheldon Pool had only 1 metal ring between them but now one of them at least has a blue davic, unfortunately only able to read 4M the rest of the ring was buried in the feathers. Maybe a different pair or perhaps they have been ringed over the winter.
On the back pools
4 Coot
2 Tufted Duck
1 Canada Goose
2 Mallard
1 Little Grebe
Lots of singing from Skylarks, well into double figures
At least 6 singing Reed Buntings
C10 Meadow Pipit
7 Canada Geese and Mute Swan pair also present.
1 Moorhen on bank
Still fairly quiet but nice to hear some sustained singing from Skylarks, over 10 birds present, not all singing.
2 Stonechat, both males, previous sightings this winter have always included 1 female.
1 or 2 Meadow Pipit,
2 Reed Bunting
Lots of Carrion Crows and Magpies
On the back pools
A pair of Tufted Duck
3 Mallard
4 Coot
1 Moorhen
Just off site 2 Kestrels were interacting high over the Leisure Park
1 mute swan (other not in sight)
5 mallard
4 coot
1 moorhen
2 canada geese
4 black headed gulls
Female Wigeon associating with five drake Mallard on Sheldon Pool
4 Coot
Mute Swan pair
Grey Heron
The darker Pink-footed Goose looks like the bird which was also seen at Audenshaw Reservoirs a few days ago.
2 Stonechat,
1 Reed Bunting
7 Meadow Pipit
1 Goldcrest
1 Sparrowhawk
6 Heron and 9 Lapwing in the Horse field near Mockridge Pool
Of interest looking across to Littlemoss 2 Pink-footed Geese were seen feeding alone in one of the horse fields. One of them being very dark, possibly melanistic or hybrid.
Couple of distant photos hopefully attached.
1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Stonechat, first sighting for a couple of months, possibly new birds.
6 Snipe of which one was probably a Jack as it flushed from close quarters, flew silently low and straight and looked to have a shorter bill.
2 mute swans
9 canada geese
5 coot
11 mallard
1 tufted duck
28 black headed gulls
2 lesser black backed gulls
9 canada geese
2 mute swans
10 mallard
5 moorhen
3 coot
40 black headed gulls
2 mute swans
5 mallard
3 coot
4 moorhen
1 tufted duck
9 black headed gulls
2 possibly 3 Stonechat, fairly mobile on the mound.
20+ Meadow Pipit
1 Skylark
3 Reed Bunting
1 Fieldfare flew over
10 Collared Dove
15+ Wren
1 Redpoll
1 Goldcrest
15+ Long-tailed Tit in 2 flocks
4 Little Grebe (back pool)
4 Mallard, 3 drake (back pool)
Seemed to be lots of Redwing and Blackbirds in the fields and hedges over towards Littlemoss
16/10/16 11.50-12.00
5 coot
2 mute swans
3 moorhen
16 canada geese
2 black headed gulls
The Kingfisher was on one of the far pools near Moss Side Farm. Can't recall ever seeing one on Sheldon Pool but no reason why they wouldn't get on there occasionally, though I suppose it gets a lot more disturbance than the far pools.
Thanks
c70 Meadow Pipit
24 Collared Dove
200+ Starling
1 Skylark
1 Snipe
1 Kingfisher
5 Little Grebe including the 3 juveniles.
Mixed tit flock, mainly Long-tailed, c15 with a couple of Chiffchaffs.
2 Mute Swans still on Sheldon Pool.
Sheldon Pond
2 mute swans
3 coot
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Double figures Collared Dove around the horse field
c10 Swallow
1 Whitethroat
c20 Goldfinch
1 Willow Warbler with a small mixed tit flock
Reed Bunting heard
on the back ponds
Female Mallard and 1 almost full grown juvenile, these 2 have been on the same pond since the chick was newly hatched
4 Moorhen incl 3 juveniles
4 Coot incl 2 juveniles
The 2 Little Grebes did breed and managed to hatch 3 young that appear to be doing very well.
A flock of at least 50 Goldfinch
40+ Swallow present and at least 10 towards Littlemoss
4+ House Martin
No sign of any rooftop Lapwing on site yet
Sheldon Pool
2 juv Grey Heron
4 Swallow, possibly a family party
Juv Moorhen
4 Coot
Eclipse drake Mallard