Brief morning visit:

Coot 27 (included one Darvic ringed bird - White ANF)
Mallard 116
Tufted Duck 17
Mute Swan 6
Little Grebe 1
Cormorant 2
Grey Heron 1

Cheers John

Morning visit:

Mute Swan 2ad, 4 imm (Both adults were ringed. one metal ringed only and the other Blue Darvic XU6)
Mallard 145
Tufted Duck 11
Canada Goose 44
Cormorant 2
Black-headed Gull 57 (Including 2 metal ringed individuals - get the scope out Tony!)
Grey Heron 1
Collared Dove 4
Redwing 7
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Cheers John

Single Rose-ringed Parakeet over community garden 1600 hours.

A quick visit late A.M.

Minimum 15 House Sparrows
c20 House Martins low over mill pond
2 Sand Martins with the above
1 Kingfisher sat on wooden fence
Mixed roving Tit flock - 42 individuals counted crossing a gap. Roughly equal Great/Blue/Long-tailed.
3 Nuthatches
6 Mute Swans (2 ads, 4 cygnets)

Cheers, John

Portwood end 8.00-10.00 am

Female goosander with 3 young
2 adult dipper with newly fledged chick
2 kingfisher flirting to and fro from nest hole
Mallard with 8 young
Grey heron
Treecreeper
Usuals

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 12th of June 2013 03:00:54 PM

Walk along the river with Jill and the dog this afternoon at the Portwood End.
Pair Dipper
Pair mandarin
Kingfisher
Female Goosander with 3 young ( had 13 last week )
Kestrel over
Willow warblers
Usuals.

2.30 pm single Hobby circling over riding school then zoomed north much to the relief of the hirundines!

Daryll Falconer wrote:

---

A few weeks ago the bird tables were disinfected and covered over due to an outbreak of trichomoniasis. This resulted in the death a few collared dove. All the correct procedures were put in place and the quarantine period is over . My partner and I visit every day and have not seen any casualties since but we will enquire at the visitors centre. The lack of a permanent warden anymore won't help things though! (

---

Thanks Daryll, very interesting. I've heard of it as an STD in humans similar to Thrush (obviously Candida can be airborne / non STD), I've also heard of Canker in Pigeons (and some of the Pigeon family) and Frounce in Falcons (and some of the other Raptors).
What I didn't know is that they are basically the same thing, caused by the same group of organisms, Trichonomads. What I've also learnt tonight is that an estimated 33% of Spain's wild Woodpigeons are currently carrying the disease!

A few weeks ago the bird tables were disinfected and covered over due to an outbreak of trichomoniasis. This resulted in the death a few collared dove. All the correct procedures were put in place and the quarantine period is over . My partner and I visit every day and have not seen any casualties since but we will enquire at the visitors centre. The lack of a permanent warden anymore won't help things though! (

My brother was down here at weekend with family and the dog, near the Visitor Centre end. Many of the sites Collared Doves have died due to an unknown virus. He said they were just lying there on the floor, quite a few of them. I've not been down myself yet, just wondered if anyone was in the know???

Apparently a poster has been put up that tells you it's a virus or something like that.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 21st of May 2013 07:25:44 PM

Whilst I was passing the area at around 4 pm today a single Brent Goose flew low over the M60 heading East.
More than likely the recent Audenshaw, Denton, Hyde commuter.

Mill Ponds
------------

1 Sedge Warbler
1 Mink driven off by male Mute Swan after getting too close to the nest.

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

3 Wheatear (2f,1m)

River Tame
--------------

10 Sand Martin

Plenty of Whitethroat now in.

Mill Ponds
------------

Plenty of Blackcap/Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Skylark

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 Swallow
7 Sand Martin
2 Willow Warbler
6 Meadow Pipit

Mill Ponds
-------------
1 Great Crested Grebe

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Curlew
c100 Meadow Pipits
1 Redwing

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

c40 Meadow Pipits
1 Lapwing
1 Buzzard

Mill Ponds
------------

22 Tufted Duck
1 Cormorant
23 Mallard
4 Coot
10 Canada Geese
3 Moorhen
1 Great Crested Grebe
2 Mute Swan
1 Sparrowhawk

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Goosander (Pair)
1 Chiffchaff
3 Little Ringed Plover
2 Buzzard (Pair)
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11.30-12.30 Just mill ponds:
1 chiffchaff-visitor centre
Kingfisher
2 Grey Heron
2 Cormorant
Lesser Black Backed Gull
17 Tufted Duck

Mill Ponds
------------

1F Goosander
1 Kingfisher

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

9 Fieldfare
1 Chiffchaff

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and Boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 Teal
2 Little Ringed Plover
2 Lapwing
1 Chiffchaff

By M60/Bredbury junction (just up from Reddish Vale)
12.05pm
2 buzzards circling low overhead

Tony Mossman wrote:

---

It would appear that the two immature Mute Swans were chased off the ponds by the adult male and sought refuge on the viaduct. It is presumed that they were then hit by a train or dashed against the viaduct walls. A third bird was caught in the recent high winds and hit a tree, luckily a ranger was present and carried it to a nearby pond, it appears unharmed. Sad times indeed.

---

Terrible and tragic news

It would appear that the two immature Mute Swans were chased off the ponds by the adult male and sought refuge on the viaduct. It is presumed that they were then hit by a train or dashed against the viaduct walls. A third bird was caught in the recent high winds and hit a tree, luckily a ranger was present and carried it to a nearby pond, it appears unharmed. Sad times indeed.

Sad news.

2 dead immature Mute Swans on the railway line on Reddish Vale viaduct.

Among the regulars were a couple of Canada Geese bearing rings, which I (partially) read:

5265x37 and 5265513 (perhaps some more of Steve Christmas's ringing)

Cheers, John

Mill Ponds
------------

99 Canada Geese
70 Mallard
14 Coot
16 Tufted Duck
6 Moorhen
1 Little Grebe
5 Mute Swan (2adults and 3 extremely harrassed immatures)
60 Black Headed Gull
2 Lesser Black Backed Gull
1 Common Gull
3 Cormorant

Ross Lave Lane
-------------------

Man with shotgun (duly reported to police)
15 Fieldfare
4 Meadow Pipit

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Teal
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Buzzard

Rather foolishly left binoculars at home....doh!

Mill Ponds
------------

Male Mute Swan seeing off last four remaining youngsters
1 Common Gull

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

2 Mistle Thrush
4 Meadow Pipit

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1m Bullfinch
Mandarin Pair
1 Common Gull
1 Buzzard

Drake shoveler on main mill pond , spotted by my other half , Jill , at 4.30 this afternoon .

Mill Ponds
------------

2 Little Grebe

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

Signs of passage

11 Meadow Pipit
3 Pied Wagtail

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and Boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Greenfinch
1 Buzzard
1m Kestrel
2 Little Grebe
2 Teal

95% Frozen

Mill Ponds
------------

5 Canada Geese
27 Mallard
13 Coot
1 Moorhen
32 Tufted Duck
6 Mute Swan (2 ad 4 imm)
1 Little Grebe

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Goldcrest

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 Little Grebe
2 Teal
1 Reed Bunting
1 Kestrel (m)

Mill Ponds
------------

1 Grey Wagtail
128 Canada Geese
4 Moorhen
17 Coot
37 Mallard
31 Tufted Duck
6 Mute Swan (2ad)

Ross Lave lane
-------------------

6 House Sparrow

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Grey Heron
1 Grey Wagtail

Mill Ponds
------------

86 Mallard
27 Tufted Duck
24 Coot
3 Moorhen
7 Mute Swan (2Ad)
36 Canada Geese
1m Mandarin
2 Goosander
1 Grey Heron
1m Sparrowhawk

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Buzzard
1 Lesser Black Backed Gull

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1m Goldeneye
1 Little Grebe
1 Mistle Thrush
A wader flew from a gravel bank on the river, it did not call and I didn't get a good view, probably a Redshank which would have been a first here for me, oh well thats birding!
1 Horse stuck in style (After much nagging from the girlfriend eventually contacted the owners (should have done that earlier I but I had unidentified waders on my mind) I presume they got it out but I doubt the style is in one piece.

Regards

Tony

c20 Lapwings flew over the railway viaduct towards the horse fields adjacent to the lake at 1150hrs

Mill Ponds
------------

117 Canada Geese
22 Coot
2 Moorhen
27 Mallard
36 Tufted Duck
7 Mute Swan (2ad)

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Fieldfare
2 Mistle Thrush

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

c35 Redwing
2 Teal
10 Goosander

Kingfisher
Great Spotted Woodpecker
20 Tufted Duck
4 Mute Swan
Cormorant

Plus all the usuals

Mill Ponds
------------

136 Canada Geese
16 Tufted Duck
2 Grey Heron
c110 Mallard
28 Coot
3 Moorhen
3 Cormorant
7 Mute Swan (2Ad)
1 Kingfisher

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Bullfinch
1 Goldcrest

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame
-----------------------------------------------------------

1 Treecreeper
8 Teal
1 Dipper
1 Buzzard
1M Kestrel

Mill Ponds
------------

95% Frozen

15 Canada Geese
30 Mallard
43 Coot
1 Grey Heron
2 Moorhen
1 Kingfisher
7 Mute Swan
1 Kestrel
c80 Black Headed Gull
3 Common Gull


Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Bullfinch
1 Fieldfare
1 Grey Heron

Mill Ponds
-------------

80% Frozen

c125 Black-Headed Gull
2 Common Gull
6 Tufted Duck
102 Canada Geese
44 Mallard
33 Coot
2 Moorhen
7 Mute Swan (2Ad)

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via boardwalk and River Tame
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 Teal
1 Dipper
1 Kingfisher
2 Buzzard

Mill Ponds
------------

34 Tufted Duck
2 Shoveler (Pair)
70 Canada Geese
16 Collared Dove
2 Moorhen
27 Coot
56 Mallard
7 Mute Swan (2 ad)
2 Goosander (Pair)
36 Black Headed Gull
1 Grey Heron

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Grey Heron
1 Redwing

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and Boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Teal
4 Mistle Thrush
8 Redwing
40 Starling
1 Buzzard

Portwood end this morning 7.30 am to 9am

Pair dipper on weir
Pair grey wagtail
3 x cormorant
Little grebe
Great spotted woodpecker
3x mistle thrush
Plus tits , robins , wrens , and blackbirds


-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 10:47:28 AM

Mill Ponds
------------

15 Collared Doves
84 Canada Geese
76 Mallard
24 Coot
9 Tufted Duck
2 Moorhen
7 Mute Swan (2 Ad)
c70 Black Headed Gull
1 Common Gull
1 Kingfisher

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Fieldfare
23 Lapwing

Horse Close wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1M Teal
2 Goosander (M&F)
6 Redwing

Dipper singing away happily now the water has receded somewhat and a Little Grebe also present on the river.

Info thanks to Daryll Falconer

Late post for yesterday:

A dipper was sat in tree branches overhanging the very swollen River Mersey and 200+ Pink-footed Geese flew over prior to 9am.

Info thanks to Daryll Falconer

Mill Ponds
------------

1 Grey Heron
23 Mallard
55 Pink Footed Geese (over)
25 Tufted Duck
23 Coot
4 Moorhen
63 Canada Geese
7 Mute Swan (2 Adult)
2M Goosander
2 Kingfisher
5 Cormorant

Ross Lave Lane
-------------------

1 Goldcrest
2 Redwing
1 Fieldfare
1 Grey Heron

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1M Goosander
4 Siskin

Mill Ponds
------------

34 Mallard
4 Moorhen
27 Tufted Duck
c50 Canada Geese
19 Coots
11 Collared Dove
8 Goosander (6F 2M)
1 Grey Heron
32 Black Headed Gull
1 Goldcrest

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

6 Fieldfare
2 Redwing
1F Bullfinch

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and Boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Siskin
12 Redwing
1 Fieldfare

13.11.12

Mill Ponds
------------

25 Tufted Duck
1M Goosander

Ross Lave Lane to Hyde Hall Farm
-------------------------------------------

2 Goldcrest
1 Kestrel
1 Grey Heron
37 Lapwing (On the ground-good number for here)

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and Boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Mistle Thrush
1 Kingfisher

Late post for 12.11.12

Mill Ponds
------------

27 Tufted Duck
72 Mallard
1F Goosander
41 Canada Geese
7 Mute Swan (2 Ad 5 Im)
5 Cormorant
19 Coot
3 Moorhen
1 Grey Heron
c40 Black-Headed Gull

Ross Lave Lane to Hyde Hall Farm
-------------------------------------------

170 Canada Geese
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and Boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Kestrel
2 Dipper

Up to 9.15 this morning, Dipper showing well by the weir and 200+ Pink-footed Geese over.

Info thanks to Daryll Falconer

Mill Ponds
------------

7 Mute Swan (2 Ad 5 Juv)
2 Gadwall

Ross Lave Lane to Hyde Hall Farm
-------------------------------------------

117 Canada Geese
c100 Swallow
1 House Martin

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and Boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18 Mistle Thrush

Late post for 25/07/12

Mill Ponds
------------

21 Coot
86 Mallard
33 Canada Geese
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
1 Moorhen
1 Kingfisher
2 Mute Swan + 5 Cygnets

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

4 Lapwing

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No Sand Martins at all today, it appears that every nesting attempt this year was washed away, I have never seen so much bank erosion at this site before.

1 Reed Bunting

Mill Ponds
------------

c75 Mallard
40 Canada Geese
1 Kingfisher
1 Grey Heron

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Jay
14 Swallow
1 Skylark
2 Reed Bunting

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via River Tame and boardwalk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Great Spotted woodpecker
1 House Martin

Mill Ponds
------------

1m Tufted Duck

Ross Lave Lane
--------------------

1 Lapwing
1 Skylark

Horse Close Wood to Mill Ponds via Boardwalk
----------------------------------------------------------

2 Lapwing
1 Buzzard