Hi Can you tell me where it is exactly. I am looking at goggle map,all i can see is dry land,which looks interesting,but with the many birds spotted there being wetland birds,i'm not sure if that is it. Doe's the A6193 run across the area i am looking for?
Google maps are always going to be out of date - particularly for a site like this.
However - approx 4 years ago Bill M wrote:
Officially you are not supposed to wander off from the pavements bordering the roads which currently carry traffic through the business park. I have to say that I have seen other people wandering off here, there and everywhere.... although it goes without saying this is something that I personally have never done Seriously though, if you approaching from the Kingsway/Gordon Riggs end, there is a pool that can just about viewed from the first roundabout. From the second roundabout there is a large expanse of flat land that can be viewed quite easily - this area has, in times of higher rainfall, become flooded and sometimes holds many smaller pools and at different times of the year may hold waders, gulls, geese or flocks of passerines. This is usually the best spot and has generally had the best sightings so far. At the other end of the park and just before you get to junction 21 of the motorway there is a large pool, where water levels can change very quickly, this can be accessed via Harbour Lane and Ashfield Lane which are off Elizabethan Way.
Pete Stevens said
Wed Apr 17 5:33 PM, 2013
9.30-10.30 Wed 17th
1 common sandpiper 4 Ringed plover, 2 pairs, one pair mating 8 little ringed plover 2 common redshank 6 lapwing 4 teal 2 mallard 2 oystercatchers at least 12 pied wagtails 4 white wagtails 12+ meadow pipits 2 skylarks in the sky singing 2 wheatear on the old farm (pair) 2 moorhens
All scared off when a large dog charged around in the water. After a few minutes it left and the birds returned.
Good hours birding
Cheers Pete
Paul Timmis said
Wed Apr 17 5:37 AM, 2013
Hi Can you tell me where it is exactly. I am looking at goggle map,all i can see is dry land,which looks interesting,but with the many birds spotted there being wetland birds,i'm not sure if that is it. Doe's the A6193 run across the area i am looking for?
Mark Rigby said
Wed Apr 17 4:44 AM, 2013
2 Dunlin this evening
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 17 3:05 AM, 2013
Originally posted by Dave Philips today:
Tuesday 16th am.
Two Yellow wagtails still around. Been a bit of a bogey bird for me so a very welcome and beautiful sight. Also White wagtails and Pied in good numbers. Redshank (2) . Little Ring and Ring Plovers also and Meadow Pipits. A few Swallows and Teal present as was my first Wheatear of the year. What a little gem of a site this is if only it could be preserved. Cheers Dave Phillips.
Phil Owen said
Tue Apr 16 9:56 PM, 2013
Quick stop off at lunchtime with Henry Cook:
Counted were a total of 20 White Wagtails amongst the Pied Wagtails.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 16th of April 2013 10:16:59 PM
C Brown said
Tue Apr 16 3:15 AM, 2013
Whilst enjoying the yellow wagtails (cheers Simon) at circa 15:50, I also saw my first local swallow of the spring.
Regards, C J-B
Alan Nuttall said
Mon Apr 15 11:51 PM, 2013
This must be one of my best birding days in Rochdale for many a year! 5 Blacktail Godwit 3 Redshank 1 Dunlin 2 Oystercatchers 6 Lapwing 4 Ringed Plover 8 Little Ringed Plover 22 Teal 2 Shelduck 2 Mallard 2 Moorhen 3 Yellow Wagtail More than 6 White wagtail More than 12 Pied Wagtail More than 20 Meadow pipit Linnet,Reed Bunting,4 Singing Skylark 2 Sand Martin
Cheers from a very happy Alan
Richard Hart said
Mon Apr 15 4:47 AM, 2013
Early afternoon visit
Dunlin 3 Redshank 2 Little Ringed Plover 9 White Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 11 Swallow 2
C Brown said
Thu Apr 11 10:03 PM, 2013
Likewise Simon. Don't forget to let me know if (or perhaps when?) you find any yellow wagtails there!
Chris
Simon Hitchen said
Thu Apr 11 3:48 PM, 2013
Late post for yesterday:-
A male White Wagtail mid afternoon
And nearly as rare - Chris Jepson-Brown - good to see you again Chris
Pools some 80% Frozen 1 Ringed plover 1 Redshank 7. Teal 16 Lapwing 4 Singing Skylark 2 LBB gull 150 Black headed Gull 1 male Kestrel Cheers Alan
Alan Nuttall said
Wed Mar 20 10:32 PM, 2013
Buzzard over mobbed by Carrion Crow 2 Ringed plover 1 Redshank 14 Lapwing 7 LBB Gull 3 Singing Skylark 24 Teal 1 Pied Wagtail 2 Linnet Rochdale year list now 95 species,adding Buzzard,Linnet cheers Alan
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Mar 18 5:03 AM, 2013
3 Mute Swan 1 Dunlin 1 Redshank 2 Ringed Plover flock of c.30 Wigeon circled and then headed off north-east around 08:00 - probably the Hollingworth Lake birds as the rowing club get started about 07:30
Simon Hitchen said
Sun Mar 17 5:27 AM, 2013
1 Shelduck 23 Teal 19 Lapwing
Reed Bunting and Skylark singing
Russell Lee said
Fri Feb 22 3:28 AM, 2013
21st February - 16:20
30 Lapwing 14 Wigeon
Russ
Bill Myerscough said
Sun Feb 17 8:11 PM, 2013
17th February.
Up with the lark (literally) on a really lovely morning. 1 Ringed Plover - a few days earlier than anticipated.
Also 10+ Skylark - at least 3 singing, one of which was singing on the ground. c100 Lapwing, c35 Teal and 1 Meadow Pipit.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Feb 9 12:41 AM, 2013
8th February.
3 male Reed Buntings back in a small area of suitable breeding habitat this morning. One sang briefly and then it had a bit of a disagreement with another male. No sign of any females today - I think this might be one of those species where the males try and establish and then hold a territory before the girls arrive back in town!
Not a lot else other than a flock of c60 Jackdaw. Have spent a while looking for Water Rail on Fenn's Pond this winter but without any luck to date - one was here Oct/Nov 2010.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Thu Jan 31 12:13 AM, 2013
30th January.
Terrific views of a Kingfisher perched atop a bulrush head on Fenn's Pond this morning.
Also - c5 Redwing, Woodpigeons displaying, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, c280 Black-headed Gull and c20 Common Gull. I was just starting to enjoy great close-up views of a small rodent running out in the open across a pathway until it was pounced upon by a Kestrel.
First singing Skylark of the year (possibly a bit earlier than normal?), when 2 were present, with 1 singing briefly in the strong cold wind. And the next event scheduled on the Kingsway calendar? Ringed Plover putting in a first appearance sometime around 21st February? We'll see!
Cheers,
Bill.
Simon Hitchen said
Fri Oct 19 5:03 AM, 2012
1 Raven flew east calling 30 Teal 2 Bullfinches
Charles Farrell said
Tue Oct 16 1:03 AM, 2012
Bill Myerscough wrote:
Certainly the site has turned up some exciting birds over the last few years and there are still a number of interesting areas and habitats left at present for birds and wildlife, on what was once formerly farmland. It is however primarily, as the name suggests, a developing and working business park and sadly not the top-notch nature reserve that we would all love to have on our doorstep.
Ahem yes 'developing' indeed! as a sign seems to indicate that the current 'wetlands' seems destined to become a warehouse for JD Sports (isnt the world already over-supplied with sportswear?). Given that this was my first visit to the site in 6 months it may have been there for some time - I don't know. However, perhaps the takeover of JD Sports by Sports Direct will delay the building.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Oct 15 10:41 PM, 2012
15th October - am.
A mixed flock of 40+ finches near Stanney Brook Park. Most were Greenfinch although Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch were also present and I thought I could hear the nasal call of a Brambling but unfortunately one wasn't seen. The Greenfinch flock was feeding on the small rounded red hips of a wild rose species (possibly Rosa multiflora?) which has been planted en masse alongside one of the footpaths between the mudflats and Stanney Brook Park.
On Saturday (13/10) on pastoral farmland near the Metrolink stop (more on that in the next paragraph) a Sparrowhawk disturbed a mixed feeding flock of c70 Meadow Pipit and c20 Pied Wagtail. A male Pheasant was also in this area.
Just a quick bit of further info on the Metrolink for any non local birders - the business park will shortly have improved access via public transport when the Kingsway Business Park Metrolink stop opens, I understand sometime during the last few months of 2012. So when the next lost phalarope or storm driven Nearctic passerine turns up at Kingsway (I've put in an order with the powers that be , for both to be delivered sometime over the next twelve months ), then access will be available to more birders than before. Mind you the stop is on an old railway loop line and the journey time might not be quite quick enough for some birders who like a twitch...when any few extra minutes could be absolutely vital. The Metrolink stop is on the northern edge of the large extent of land currently being developed as the business park. Just a small word of caution for those not yet familiar with the site and intending on travelling some distance on the Metrolink and expecting to find the Manchester equivalent of Minsmere! Certainly the site has turned up some exciting birds over the last few years and there are still a number of interesting areas and habitats left at present for birds and wildlife, on what was once formerly farmland. It is however primarily, as the name suggests, a developing and working business park and sadly not the top-notch nature reserve that we would all love to have on our doorstep.
Cheers,
Bill.
Charles Farrell said
Sun Oct 14 7:50 PM, 2012
Sun 14th 11:00 - 11:30 ish
The mist had cleared, but there wasn't much in evidence save for Teal, a small group of Black-headed Gulls and some corvids. However patience paid off and eventually some snipe showed themselves. Can't say if the Garganey was present or not, but all the ducks looked like Teal.
Unfortunately no sign of the small flock of Lesser Redpoll that John mentioned yesterday, of which we enjoyed good close up views of them as they fed on willowherb seeds aside a footpath running through the business park.
Other selected sightings from today - 1 Redwing feeding on hawthorn berries, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Common Gull, a flock of 6 Greenfinch and there were 5 Moorhen too.
There were c580 Black-headed Gulls here on 7th October.
Cheers,
Bill.
John Doherty said
Wed Oct 10 8:49 PM, 2012
This AM for a few hours, with Bill Myerscough.
Garganey - still present, though proving elusive behind the weeds. GM tick for me. 20+ Teal Snipe - c80 - hard to count as they were twooing and froing - eventually, the entire flock minus 1 had disappeared when Bill and I toured the rest of the site - we suspect a raptor had visited. Therefore, as of 12:00 when we left, none were left on the main pool. 2 Common Gulls.
Other birds: 10+ Lesser Redpoll 1 Jay 1 Heron 1-2 Kestrel 1 Linnet over Numerous Meadow Pipits about Goldcrest heard etc
Thanks to Bill for the tour on my first visit to the site.
Alan Nuttall said
Wed Oct 10 1:26 AM, 2012
1 Garganey,23 Teal,60+ Snipe,2 Buzzard. Cheers Alan
Simon Hitchen said
Tue Oct 9 1:05 AM, 2012
Yes the Garganey was back here this morning. Also counted 93 Snipe which must be a considerable underestimate of the numbers here!
2 large skeins of Pink-footed Geese over - 170+ west at 10:00 and a further 250+ west at 10:20
Also 23 Meadow Pipits S, 1 Jay and 3 Lesser Redpoll over
Geoff Eldridge said
Mon Oct 8 11:56 PM, 2012
My thanks to Bill Myerscough, who I bumped into out there today. My shopping trip now includes a Gargeney. I would never have got past all those snipe!
Bill Myerscough said
Sun Oct 7 8:05 PM, 2012
7th October.
A small flock of 5 Redwing flew WSW in foggy conditions at 7.40 today. Other small numbers of Redwing heard calling but not seen at around this time too.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Oct 6 4:35 AM, 2012
5th October - 10.20 to 11.10 am.
On first arrival I was disappointed to look up and see all the gulls flying off - this can sometimes mean that a Peregrine Falcon is about and lo and behold an immature bird was perched on the edge of the large warehouse overlooking the mudflats. To my surprise 38 Teal remained; relatively exposed and out on the open water. I had a few brief views of the falcon's legs whilst it perched there but could not see any obvious rings. After a good few minutes there it attracted the attention of 3 passing Herring Gulls which perhaps surprisingly took to vigorously dive bombing it for over 5 minutes, before the falcon got fed up with the harassment and in the departing chase it twice flew very low over the top of the spring of Teal. The ducks scattered on both occasions but perhaps wisely none were "sprung" - presumably if they had become airborne, one would have been a much easier target for the falcon?
As per Simon's post yesterday - a noticeable southerly passage of birds. 130+ Meadow Pipit in the time there, including 75+ in a 10 minute or so period around 10.45 am. Also 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Skylark and Linnet and Lesser Redpoll heard too.
The Lapwing flock could be seen in the distance, having some time today keeping their feet dry on the roof of a unit at nearby Kingsway Retail Park. No sign of any Snipe this morning, although Alan had an excellent count of 54 here as recently as 30th September.
No sign of the Garganey here this morning. A little more background on Alan's excellent Garganey find. This would appear to be only the 7th record for Rochdale MBC, with none apparently before 13th May 1982 and is the first record since 24th September 2006. If the Kingsway bird and the Clegg Hall Pools bird are one and the same then it would also be the longest ever staying Rochdale Garganey, with most earlier records just "one-dayers", apart from a female that resided at Clegg Hall Pools for 5 days in July 1997. Pre-2000 records were taken from Peter Hill's excellent publication - "Birds of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough - A Millennium View". Post-2000 records provided courtesy of and thanks to Steve Atkins and that all important GM bird records database!
Whilst on the subject of records...not yet got round to submitting details of your all important bird sightings to the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group? Click on "Bird Recording and County Rarities" on the homepage of Ian's website and then the link on how to submit your bird sightings. There's lots of useful information there on how you can put your sightings to good use and remember help is always at hand too.
Cheers,
Bill.
Simon Hitchen said
Fri Oct 5 5:54 AM, 2012
No sign of the Garganey this morning - presumably the bird at Clegg Hall Pools was the same individual.
27 Teal 5 Snipe
Quite a few birds heading mainly south included 50+ Meadow pipits, 10+ Skylarks, 6 House Martins, 2 Swallows, 3 Siskins, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 10+ Chaffinches and best of all a Brambling heard flying over.
Mark Rigby said
Thu Oct 4 6:59 AM, 2012
Garganey still present at 1730hrs
Also House Martin 3 Snipe 45 Teal 150+ Black-headed Gull Meadow Pipit 75+ Lapwing
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 4 6:27 AM, 2012
Originally posted today by Alan Nutall:
Male eclipse Garganey present for 5 days but not identified until today mixed with 40 or so Teal Cheers Bill&Alan
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Sep 24 1:16 AM, 2012
23rd September.
c85 Mallard and c120 Canada Geese here first thing this morning - the majority departed before 7.30am. Also 17 Teal (22 here on both 14/9 and 17/9). A small movement of Meadow Pipits heading south - largest groups were of 6 and 9 birds.
A pair of Swallows were still regularly visiting a nest site as late as 17/9, although they appear to have gone today. Also on this date a Peregrine Falcon.
House MArtins c.50 feeding over pool and grass when I arrived dirfted off during visit Swallow c 6
Skylark c. 6 over in singles Mipit 3 Goldfinch 6 C Crow 3 Jackdaw 6
Lawing 35 Snipe 6
Teal 6 F/imm
Bhd Gull c. 40 C Gull 6 (ad)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 17th of September 2012 03:19:25 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Thu Sep 6 2:49 AM, 2012
Mark Rigby wrote:
1200
No Garganey Bill!
Many thanks for keeping an eye out Mark! The habitat at Kingsway has seemed ideal for a few weeks now for a Garganey. Hopefully there is still time........if it doesn't dry out too much!
Nature Notes in The Times today (5/9) featured Garganey and states that "An unusual number of Garganey have been reported on lakes or floodwater in the last few weeks". It also suggests that "they may be more numerous this year because the heavy rain helped provide watery nesting sites". I must admit I had thought that the there may also be a chance of getting some non-UK birds on passage but sadly according to this article "Continental Garganey rarely pass through Britain on migration". With this last remark I read a bit further elsewhere and it was interesting to look in the Collins Field Guide to note that whilst Teal breeds over much of Scandinavia and Iceland that Garganey is largely absent from these same areas, possibly decreasing the likelihood of birds from there on passage? The "Migration Atlas" noted that "populations breeding further east in Europe and some from northern Russia east of the Urals, tend to migrate southwest to southern France and Italy, on their way to Africa", thus seemingly avoiding the UK? Still looking on the positive side, a quick browse through some recent county reports for GM shows that the latest bird quite often is reported in the last third of September but with the latest ever noted on 2nd November 1993. So a little bit of time left yet then.
I'm sure if one does turns up then Alan would be pleased about it too........it would save him having to listen on to my repeated wittering on about Garganey every time we bump into each other at Kingsway!!
I think Alan's excellent Hobby sighting on 4/9 was another new species for Kingsway. I've just done a fairly quick rough and ready tally of species recorded here since summer 2008 and from my limited knowledge this brings the total number of species recorded to a minimum of 113, which isn't at all bad for a site with no real expanse of mature woodland or any deep water habitat either.
Cheers,
Bill.
Alan Nuttall said
Wed Sep 5 3:04 AM, 2012
Nice to see my first Hobby of the year this morning,yesterday evening produced more than 300 Hirundines feeding in the evening sunshine. 12 Teal,405 Lapwing,21 Snipe.Cheers Alan
Mark Rigby said
Tue Sep 4 7:12 PM, 2012
1200
39 Snipe although plenty more could be in amongst the junctus 85 Lapwing 27 Starling Mallard 3 Swallow
No Garganey Bill!
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Sep 4 2:14 AM, 2012
3rd September.
2 probably 3 Swift foraging over mudflats this morning.
Cheers,
Bill.
Mike Cooper said
Sun Sep 2 8:36 PM, 2012
Sun 2/9 19:10 - 19:40
c. 300 B hd Gulls 5 Common Gulls 1 L Bb Gull (juv) c. 80 Lapwing 6 Snipe
Kestrel F P Wagtail juv
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 2nd of September 2012 09:26:59 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Aug 28 6:34 PM, 2012
28th August.
9.30 - 10.15 am. With Alan Nuttall.
A nice surprise amongst the small flock of 8 Teal of the flooded mudflats this morning was a single Pintail and a single Shoveler. Both were drakes in eclipse. Still no sign yet and time is running out for my hoped for Garganey!!
Also 2 Swift.
The wet summer has resulted in high water levels and little exposed mud on the mudflats. However, the higher water levels have helped attract the above two ducks which appear to be new species for Kingsway.
On 24/8 a male Ruff was on the mudflats with the Lapwings but only early morning. I suspect from its plumage and the fact there was a full 5 day gap between the bird that Alan found on 16th August that remained until 18th, that this may possibly have been a different male from the earlier one?
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Aug 27 8:22 PM, 2012
27th August.
9.10 - 9.45 am.
For late August still a decent number of Swifts counted here this morning. The largest single tally was of 6 but smaller numbers were noted spread out over this small time period, which may or may not have been the same birds?
Plus 13 Common Gull, 1 Meadow Pipit and 1 Skylark.
Cheers,
Bill.
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Aug 25 7:42 PM, 2012
Late morning visit to the site
8+ Snipe 1 Lapwing 1 Common Gull amongst the 30 or so Black Headed Gulls which were present Handful of Swallow and House Martin flying over
Simon Hitchen said
Wed Aug 22 6:29 AM, 2012
3 Teal 290+ Lapwing 15+ Snipe 1 Swift S
Simon Hitchen said
Sun Aug 19 4:07 AM, 2012
Single Ruff still this afternoon
Also 1 Common Sandpiper and a Sparrowhawk
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Aug 17 10:30 PM, 2012
Alan Nuttall wrote:
I was pleased to meet Bill on Kingsway this rainy morning.Sad to say we could not relocate this mornings Ruff but we had to make do with 2 Green Sandpipers!What will turn up next! Cheers Alan
17th August.
Great to catch up with Alan this morning ......even if the Ruff wasn't around! Immediately after lunch I thought I would try again and the Ruff was found actively feeding amongst the large flock of resting Lapwings. That was until an ambulance with its siren blaring came through the business park and with the sound reverberating loudly off the walls of the large industrial unit all the birds, bar the gulls, took to the air and the Ruff was gone......hopefully just temporarily. It was interesting to note the large flock of Lapwings in the air which appeared to number c400, which was far more than had been present on the ground, possibly suggesting some may have been roosting on the roof of the industrial unit or elsewhere on the business park? A single Green Sandpiper remained early pm. We thought the other Green Sandpiper of the morning may only have been present on the ground for a short period of time (say 20 to 30 mins), feeding up briefly, before flying off strongly SW at 10.50 am. Other things of note - the Starling flock fluctuated in numbers, with possibly as many as c150 present at one stage. The passage of Swifts appeared to be continuing early afternoon, with small numbers seemingly heading SW too.
Cheers,
Bill.
Alan Nuttall said
Fri Aug 17 7:08 PM, 2012
I was pleased to meet Bill on Kingsway this rainy morning.Sad to say we could not relocate this mornings Ruff but we had to make do with 2 Green Sandpipers!What will turn up next! Cheers Alan
Google maps are always going to be out of date - particularly for a site like this.
However - approx 4 years ago Bill M wrote:
Officially you are not supposed to wander off from the pavements bordering the roads which currently carry traffic through the business park. I have to say that I have seen other people wandering off here, there and everywhere.... although it goes without saying this is something that I personally have never done
Seriously though, if you approaching from the Kingsway/Gordon Riggs end, there is a pool that can just about viewed from the first roundabout. From the second roundabout there is a large expanse of flat land that can be viewed quite easily - this area has, in times of higher rainfall, become flooded and sometimes holds many smaller pools and at different times of the year may hold waders, gulls, geese or flocks of passerines. This is usually the best spot and has generally had the best sightings so far. At the other end of the park and just before you get to junction 21 of the motorway there is a large pool, where water levels can change very quickly, this can be accessed via Harbour Lane and Ashfield Lane which are off Elizabethan Way.
1 common sandpiper
4 Ringed plover, 2 pairs, one pair mating
8 little ringed plover
2 common redshank
6 lapwing
4 teal
2 mallard
2 oystercatchers
at least 12 pied wagtails
4 white wagtails
12+ meadow pipits
2 skylarks in the sky singing
2 wheatear on the old farm (pair)
2 moorhens
All scared off when a large dog charged around in the water. After a few minutes it left and the birds returned.
Good hours birding
Cheers
Pete
Can you tell me where it is exactly.
I am looking at goggle map,all i can see is dry land,which looks interesting,but with the many birds spotted there being wetland birds,i'm not sure if that is it.
Doe's the A6193 run across the area i am looking for?
Tuesday 16th am.
Two Yellow wagtails still around. Been a bit of a bogey bird for me so a very welcome and beautiful sight. Also White wagtails and Pied in good numbers. Redshank (2) . Little Ring and Ring Plovers also and Meadow Pipits. A few Swallows and Teal present as was my first Wheatear of the year. What a little gem of a site this is if only it could be preserved.
Cheers Dave Phillips.
Counted were a total of 20 White Wagtails amongst the Pied Wagtails.
Also present:
16 Little Ringed Plover
1 Redshank
1 Lapwing
3 Yellow Wagtails
1 Swallow
2 Skylarks
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 16th of April 2013 10:16:59 PM
Regards, C J-B
5 Blacktail Godwit
3 Redshank
1 Dunlin
2 Oystercatchers
6 Lapwing
4 Ringed Plover
8 Little Ringed Plover
22 Teal
2 Shelduck
2 Mallard
2 Moorhen
3 Yellow Wagtail
More than 6 White wagtail
More than 12 Pied Wagtail
More than 20 Meadow pipit
Linnet,Reed Bunting,4 Singing Skylark
2 Sand Martin
Cheers from a very happy Alan
Dunlin 3
Redshank 2
Little Ringed Plover 9
White Wagtail 1
Pied Wagtail 11
Swallow 2
Chris
A male White Wagtail mid afternoon
And nearly as rare - Chris Jepson-Brown - good to see you again Chris
Teal 47
Gadwall 2 (pair)
Oystercatcher 2
Redshank 3
Little Ringed Plover 9
Lapwing 8
Pied Wagtail 9
Meadow Pipit 15+
Gadwall pair
Teal 27
Little Ringed Plover 4
Pied Wagtail 14
Of note
6 Little Ringed Plover
8 Lapwing
3 Snipe
1 Ringed plover
1 Redshank
7. Teal
16 Lapwing
4 Singing Skylark
2 LBB gull
150 Black headed Gull
1 male Kestrel
Cheers Alan
2 Ringed plover
1 Redshank
14 Lapwing
7 LBB Gull
3 Singing Skylark
24 Teal
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Linnet
Rochdale year list now 95 species,adding Buzzard,Linnet
cheers Alan
1 Dunlin
1 Redshank
2 Ringed Plover
flock of c.30 Wigeon circled and then headed off north-east around 08:00 - probably the Hollingworth Lake birds as the rowing club get started about 07:30
23 Teal
19 Lapwing
Reed Bunting and Skylark singing
30 Lapwing
14 Wigeon
Russ
Up with the lark (literally) on a really lovely morning. 1 Ringed Plover - a few days earlier than anticipated.
Also 10+ Skylark - at least 3 singing, one of which was singing on the ground. c100 Lapwing, c35 Teal and 1 Meadow Pipit.
Cheers,
Bill.
3 male Reed Buntings back in a small area of suitable breeding habitat this morning. One sang briefly and then it had a bit of a disagreement with another male. No sign of any females today - I think this might be one of those species where the males try and establish and then hold a territory before the girls arrive back in town!
Not a lot else other than a flock of c60 Jackdaw. Have spent a while looking for Water Rail on Fenn's Pond this winter but without any luck to date - one was here Oct/Nov 2010.
Cheers,
Bill.
Terrific views of a Kingfisher perched atop a bulrush head on Fenn's Pond this morning.
Also - c5 Redwing, Woodpigeons displaying, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, c280 Black-headed Gull and c20 Common Gull.
I was just starting to enjoy great close-up views of a small rodent running out in the open across a pathway until it was pounced upon by a Kestrel.
First singing Skylark of the year (possibly a bit earlier than normal?), when 2 were present, with 1 singing briefly in the strong cold wind. And the next event scheduled on the Kingsway calendar? Ringed Plover putting in a first appearance sometime around 21st February? We'll see!
Cheers,
Bill.
30 Teal
2 Bullfinches
Ahem yes 'developing' indeed! as a sign seems to indicate that the current 'wetlands' seems destined to become a warehouse for JD Sports (isnt the world already over-supplied with sportswear?). Given that this was my first visit to the site in 6 months it may have been there for some time - I don't know. However, perhaps the takeover of JD Sports by Sports Direct will delay the building.
A mixed flock of 40+ finches near Stanney Brook Park. Most were Greenfinch although Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch were also present and I thought I could hear the nasal call of a Brambling but unfortunately one wasn't seen. The Greenfinch flock was feeding on the small rounded red hips of a wild rose species (possibly Rosa multiflora?) which has been planted en masse alongside one of the footpaths between the mudflats and Stanney Brook Park.
On Saturday (13/10) on pastoral farmland near the Metrolink stop (more on that in the next paragraph) a Sparrowhawk disturbed a mixed feeding flock of c70 Meadow Pipit and c20 Pied Wagtail. A male Pheasant was also in this area.
Just a quick bit of further info on the Metrolink for any non local birders - the business park will shortly have improved access via public transport when the Kingsway Business Park Metrolink stop opens, I understand sometime during the last few months of 2012. So when the next lost phalarope or storm driven Nearctic passerine turns up at Kingsway (I've put in an order with the powers that be , for both to be delivered sometime over the next twelve months ), then access will be available to more birders than before. Mind you the stop is on an old railway loop line and the journey time might not be quite quick enough for some birders who like a twitch...when any few extra minutes could be absolutely vital. The Metrolink stop is on the northern edge of the large extent of land currently being developed as the business park. Just a small word of caution for those not yet familiar with the site and intending on travelling some distance on the Metrolink and expecting to find the Manchester equivalent of Minsmere! Certainly the site has turned up some exciting birds over the last few years and there are still a number of interesting areas and habitats left at present for birds and wildlife, on what was once formerly farmland. It is however primarily, as the name suggests, a developing and working business park and sadly not the top-notch nature reserve that we would all love to have on our doorstep.
Cheers,
Bill.
The mist had cleared, but there wasn't much in evidence save for Teal, a small group of Black-headed Gulls and some corvids. However patience paid off and eventually some snipe showed themselves. Can't say if the Garganey was present or not, but all the ducks looked like Teal.
- c40Teal
- c20 Black-headed Gull
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- c20 Snipe
- 4 Magpie
- 6 Carrion Crow
- Kestrel
Linnet heard but not seen.
1 Redshank down which then flew north.
Unfortunately no sign of the small flock of Lesser Redpoll that John mentioned yesterday, of which we enjoyed good close up views of them as they fed on willowherb seeds aside a footpath running through the business park.
Other selected sightings from today - 1 Redwing feeding on hawthorn berries, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Common Gull, a flock of 6 Greenfinch and there were 5 Moorhen too.
There were c580 Black-headed Gulls here on 7th October.
Cheers,
Bill.
Garganey - still present, though proving elusive behind the weeds. GM tick for me.
20+ Teal
Snipe - c80 - hard to count as they were twooing and froing - eventually, the entire flock minus 1 had disappeared when Bill and I toured the rest of the site - we suspect a raptor had visited. Therefore, as of 12:00 when we left, none were left on the main pool.
2 Common Gulls.
Other birds:
10+ Lesser Redpoll
1 Jay
1 Heron
1-2 Kestrel
1 Linnet over
Numerous Meadow Pipits about
Goldcrest heard
etc
Thanks to Bill for the tour on my first visit to the site.
Cheers Alan
2 large skeins of Pink-footed Geese over - 170+ west at 10:00 and a further 250+ west at 10:20
Also 23 Meadow Pipits S, 1 Jay and 3 Lesser Redpoll over
A small flock of 5 Redwing flew WSW in foggy conditions at 7.40 today. Other small numbers of Redwing heard calling but not seen at around this time too.
Cheers,
Bill.
On first arrival I was disappointed to look up and see all the gulls flying off - this can sometimes mean that a Peregrine Falcon is about and lo and behold an immature bird was perched on the edge of the large warehouse overlooking the mudflats. To my surprise 38 Teal remained; relatively exposed and out on the open water. I had a few brief views of the falcon's legs whilst it perched there but could not see any obvious rings. After a good few minutes there it attracted the attention of 3 passing Herring Gulls which perhaps surprisingly took to vigorously dive bombing it for over 5 minutes, before the falcon got fed up with the harassment and in the departing chase it twice flew very low over the top of the spring of Teal. The ducks scattered on both occasions but perhaps wisely none were "sprung" - presumably if they had become airborne, one would have been a much easier target for the falcon?
As per Simon's post yesterday - a noticeable southerly passage of birds. 130+ Meadow Pipit in the time there, including 75+ in a 10 minute or so period around 10.45 am. Also 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Skylark and Linnet and Lesser Redpoll heard too.
The Lapwing flock could be seen in the distance, having some time today keeping their feet dry on the roof of a unit at nearby Kingsway Retail Park. No sign of any Snipe this morning, although Alan had an excellent count of 54 here as recently as 30th September.
No sign of the Garganey here this morning. A little more background on Alan's excellent Garganey find. This would appear to be only the 7th record for Rochdale MBC, with none apparently before 13th May 1982 and is the first record since 24th September 2006. If the Kingsway bird and the Clegg Hall Pools bird are one and the same then it would also be the longest ever staying Rochdale Garganey, with most earlier records just "one-dayers", apart from a female that resided at Clegg Hall Pools for 5 days in July 1997. Pre-2000 records were taken from Peter Hill's excellent publication - "Birds of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough - A Millennium View". Post-2000 records provided courtesy of and thanks to Steve Atkins and that all important GM bird records database!
Whilst on the subject of records...not yet got round to submitting details of your all important bird sightings to the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group? Click on "Bird Recording and County Rarities" on the homepage of Ian's website and then the link on how to submit your bird sightings. There's lots of useful information there on how you can put your sightings to good use and remember help is always at hand too.
Cheers,
Bill.
27 Teal 5 Snipe
Quite a few birds heading mainly south included 50+ Meadow pipits, 10+ Skylarks, 6 House Martins, 2 Swallows, 3 Siskins, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 10+ Chaffinches and best of all a Brambling heard flying over.
Also
House Martin
3 Snipe
45 Teal
150+ Black-headed Gull
Meadow Pipit
75+ Lapwing
Male eclipse Garganey present for 5 days but not identified until today mixed with 40 or so Teal Cheers Bill&Alan
c85 Mallard and c120 Canada Geese here first thing this morning - the majority departed before 7.30am. Also 17 Teal (22 here on both 14/9 and 17/9). A small movement of Meadow Pipits heading south - largest groups were of 6 and 9 birds.
A pair of Swallows were still regularly visiting a nest site as late as 17/9, although they appear to have gone today. Also on this date a Peregrine Falcon.
Cheers,
Bill.
House MArtins c.50 feeding over pool and grass when I arrived dirfted off during visit
Swallow c 6
Skylark c. 6 over in singles
Mipit 3
Goldfinch 6
C Crow 3
Jackdaw 6
Lawing 35
Snipe 6
Teal 6 F/imm
Bhd Gull c. 40
C Gull 6 (ad)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 17th of September 2012 03:19:25 PM
Many thanks for keeping an eye out Mark! The habitat at Kingsway has seemed ideal for a few weeks now for a Garganey. Hopefully there is still time........if it doesn't dry out too much!
Nature Notes in The Times today (5/9) featured Garganey and states that "An unusual number of Garganey have been reported on lakes or floodwater in the last few weeks". It also suggests that "they may be more numerous this year because the heavy rain helped provide watery nesting sites". I must admit I had thought that the there may also be a chance of getting some non-UK birds on passage but sadly according to this article "Continental Garganey rarely pass through Britain on migration". With this last remark I read a bit further elsewhere and it was interesting to look in the Collins Field Guide to note that whilst Teal breeds over much of Scandinavia and Iceland that Garganey is largely absent from these same areas, possibly decreasing the likelihood of birds from there on passage? The "Migration Atlas" noted that "populations breeding further east in Europe and some from northern Russia east of the Urals, tend to migrate southwest to southern France and Italy, on their way to Africa", thus seemingly avoiding the UK? Still looking on the positive side, a quick browse through some recent county reports for GM shows that the latest bird quite often is reported in the last third of September but with the latest ever noted on 2nd November 1993. So a little bit of time left yet then.
I'm sure if one does turns up then Alan would be pleased about it too........it would save him having to listen on to my repeated wittering on about Garganey every time we bump into each other at Kingsway!!
I think Alan's excellent Hobby sighting on 4/9 was another new species for Kingsway. I've just done a fairly quick rough and ready tally of species recorded here since summer 2008 and from my limited knowledge this brings the total number of species recorded to a minimum of 113, which isn't at all bad for a site with no real expanse of mature woodland or any deep water habitat either.
Cheers,
Bill.
12 Teal,405 Lapwing,21 Snipe.Cheers Alan
39 Snipe although plenty more could be in amongst the junctus
85 Lapwing
27 Starling
Mallard
3 Swallow
No Garganey Bill!
2 probably 3 Swift foraging over mudflats this morning.
Cheers,
Bill.
c. 300 B hd Gulls
5 Common Gulls
1 L Bb Gull (juv)
c. 80 Lapwing
6 Snipe
Kestrel F
P Wagtail juv
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 2nd of September 2012 09:26:59 PM
9.30 - 10.15 am. With Alan Nuttall.
A nice surprise amongst the small flock of 8 Teal of the flooded mudflats this morning was a single Pintail and a single Shoveler. Both were drakes in eclipse. Still no sign yet and time is running out for my hoped for Garganey!!
Also 2 Swift.
The wet summer has resulted in high water levels and little exposed mud on the mudflats. However, the higher water levels have helped attract the above two ducks which appear to be new species for Kingsway.
On 24/8 a male Ruff was on the mudflats with the Lapwings but only early morning. I suspect from its plumage and the fact there was a full 5 day gap between the bird that Alan found on 16th August that remained until 18th, that this may possibly have been a different male from the earlier one?
Cheers,
Bill.
9.10 - 9.45 am.
For late August still a decent number of Swifts counted here this morning. The largest single tally was of 6 but smaller numbers were noted spread out over this small time period, which may or may not have been the same birds?
Plus 13 Common Gull, 1 Meadow Pipit and 1 Skylark.
Cheers,
Bill.
8+ Snipe
1 Lapwing
1 Common Gull amongst the 30 or so Black Headed Gulls which were present
Handful of Swallow and House Martin flying over
290+ Lapwing
15+ Snipe
1 Swift S
Also 1 Common Sandpiper and a Sparrowhawk
17th August.
Great to catch up with Alan this morning ......even if the Ruff wasn't around! Immediately after lunch I thought I would try again and the Ruff was found actively feeding amongst the large flock of resting Lapwings. That was until an ambulance with its siren blaring came through the business park and with the sound reverberating loudly off the walls of the large industrial unit all the birds, bar the gulls, took to the air and the Ruff was gone......hopefully just temporarily. It was interesting to note the large flock of Lapwings in the air which appeared to number c400, which was far more than had been present on the ground, possibly suggesting some may have been roosting on the roof of the industrial unit or elsewhere on the business park? A single Green Sandpiper remained early pm. We thought the other Green Sandpiper of the morning may only have been present on the ground for a short period of time (say 20 to 30 mins), feeding up briefly, before flying off strongly SW at 10.50 am. Other things of note - the Starling flock fluctuated in numbers, with possibly as many as c150 present at one stage. The passage of Swifts appeared to be continuing early afternoon, with small numbers seemingly heading SW too.
Cheers,
Bill.