06:00-10:30am mostly with Ian and Malcolm. 1 Black Tern. 2 Common Terns. 1 Common Sandpiper. 1 Yellow Wagtail. 2 Garden Warbler.
Pm Visit. 15:00-17:00
Increase in terns with.
4 Common Terns .
3 Black Terns.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Friday 10th of May 2019 05:37:12 PM
Richard Thew said
Thu May 9 2:32 PM, 2019
A short visit this lunchtime, produced the following highlights. ...
Whitethroat Sedge warbler A wagtail hat-trick of grey, pied wagtails and.... Female yellow wagtail (record picture attached) Female wheatear (Note: both yellow wagtail and wheatear vanished towards Old Hall Farm fields when more people arrived and I couldn't relocate them) Black tern Common terns Swifts were showing very well Song thrush Mistle thrush
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Thursday 9th of May 2019 02:35:55 PM
This evening, 2 Arctic Terns, 5 Common Terns, female Yellow Wagtail, 800+ Sand Martin, 400+ Swift, 1 Common Sandpiper.
Yesterday the recent Peregrine that has been present was unfortunately picked up dead below the pylon.
Chris Maybury said
Wed May 8 8:01 PM, 2019
8/5/19 Little Egret on the marsh by the canal at midday.
-- Edited by Chris Maybury on Wednesday 8th of May 2019 10:25:02 PM
Steven Higginbottom said
Tue May 7 9:49 AM, 2019
06:00-09:40am highlights. 1 Common Tern flew through NE. 1 Yellowhammer. 1 Common Sandpiper. 1 Lesser Whitethroat. 3 Stock Dove. 33 Swift. 5 House Martin.
Grasshopper Warbler and Reed Warbler heard only.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Tuesday 7th of May 2019 07:47:07 PM
Highlights this a.m. with Malcolm, at the res 1 Common Sandpiper, in the dip 1 Garden Warbler. Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Sun May 5 12:47 PM, 2019
Frustrating few hours
Whilst stood at the pump house a hirundine with a reddish rump was seen over the pylon behind the sailing club. Unfortunately only managed to see it with bins. The bird was seen on 3 occasions and was always high with house martins. It looked good for Red-rumped Swallow but cant rule out it wasnt a hybrid swallow.
Could still be around and worth checking but with birds being high (and suffering from whiplash) I had to give up looking
Other birds seen 100+ Swift 30+ House Martin 5 Common Buzzard 2 distant raptors having a dog fight over the irwelll valley looked like a pair of Hobby 2 sparrowhawk Kestrel Snipe 2 Gadwall 17 Mute Swan Greylag Goose Pink-footed Goose
The common sandpipers must have only just arrived for the afternoon as I was sat next to the "pump house" this morning and there was no sign of any.
Other noteworthy sightings. ....
Buzzard Linnets (one landed suprisingly close for a short landing to gather grass) Sedge warblers and whitethroats singing along the canal Swift And there was hundreds of the swallow, sand and house martins as reported too!
Ta!
Peter Johnson said
Fri May 3 2:45 PM, 2019
This afternoon - 2 Common Sandpiper below the pump house. Hundreds of Hirundines over the res. consisting mainly of Sand Martins.
Derek Richardson said
Thu May 2 8:13 PM, 2019
07.00am - 12.15pm. Rain, light breeze. 4c - 12c.
53 Species spotted: Including:
Partly with Simon & Steven. In addition to Steven's post below.
Highlights from this morning partly with Ian ,Malcolm, Simon and Derek. 1 Yellowhammer heard singing and Seen.a site first for me. 3 Wheatears. 1 oystercatcher. 43+ Swift. 80+ Sand Martin. 50+ Swallows. 4 House Martins. 2 Great Black backed Gulls. 5 Gadwall. 12 Sedge Warblers. 4 Chiffchaff. 4 Blackcap. 10 Willow Warblers. 11 Whitethroat.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Thursday 2nd of May 2019 11:54:23 AM
Simon Johnson said
Wed May 1 6:44 PM, 2019
57 species seen on a wander round this morning
Reed Warbler - dip 2 Wheatear (coney green and res wall) 11 Whitethroat 10 Sedge Warbler 8 Blackcap Common Sand 2 Gadwall 2 Greylag Geese Pink-footed Goose 20+ Swift House Martin
7 Arctic Terns present this morning also Common Sandpiper, Greylag Goose, Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Swift.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Apr 26 3:12 PM, 2019
This a.m. with Malcolm, 1 Peregrine again sat on pylon in front of Sailing club, 5 Swift over the res. Lesser Whitethroat along canal and Kingfisher on the river plus a noticeable increase in the number of singing Whitethroats. Cheers Ian
Peter Johnson said
Thu Apr 25 4:30 PM, 2019
This afternoon 2 Little Egret on the Irwell below Benny's.
Wed 24/4 07:00-12:00 At feeders Willow tit first thing Bullfinch 2 m & 2 f together late morning [No sign of brambling]
On res G Bb gull ad & 2y
Ian Campbell said
Wed Apr 24 11:48 AM, 2019
This mornings highlights with Howard and Malcolm, 1 Peregrine on pylon in front of Sailing club, along canal 2 Lesser Whitethroat with plenty of Willow Warblers, Whitethroat with fewer Sdge Warbler and Blackcap around the site. Cheers Ian
This a.m. with Malcolm, highlights along the canal, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Reed Warbler (Coney reedbed). 1 Kingfisher on the river. Cheers Ian
Derek Richardson said
Mon Apr 22 2:07 PM, 2019
08.00am - 12.15pm. Blue sky, dry, still. 7c - 18c.
-- Edited by Derek Richardson on Monday 22nd of April 2019 02:08:22 PM
Richard Thew said
Mon Apr 22 11:40 AM, 2019
A short visit this morning. The only extra notewarthy things about is a sedge warbler and possibly 2 lesser whitethroats along the canal. Otherwise it's just a mix of the usual summer visitors.
Ian Campbell said
Mon Apr 22 11:37 AM, 2019
This a.m. with Brian and Malcolm, highlights included 1 Hobby sat on top of pylon in front of Sailing club around 8.00 a.m. 1 Snipe on edge of res. Cheers Ian
Roger Halsey said
Sun Apr 21 11:19 AM, 2019
3 or 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Lesser Whitethroat along the canal. Also a flyover Kingfisher.
In addition to Roger's post also had a Mediterranean Gull over the res. 1 Sedge Warbler at Coney reedbed and 1 Sedge Warbler singing on the other side of the canal from the Grasshopper Warbler. Also, sadly, 1 dead Great Crested Grebe on the outflow from Withins. Cheers Ian
Roger Halsey said
Fri Apr 19 9:58 AM, 2019
This morning 7.00 to 9.00. 2 Brambling on the feeders. Pink - Footed Goose with Canada Geese by Withins, 6 Gadwall, singing Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Rook over.
Richard Thew said
Thu Apr 18 2:34 PM, 2019
I had only just arrived af at the feeders when the green woodpecker loudly called, I immediately went to the dip to see if I could locate it whilst Mike checked the other areas but to no avail.
Other noteworthy
Brambling (possibly 3 but at least 2 males and 1 female) Male sparrowhawk Little egret Grey wagtail Long tailed tits Blackcap Willow warbler (several singing) As mentioned earlier, the grasshopper warbler Song thrush
Ta!
Mike c cooper said
Thu Apr 18 2:15 PM, 2019
Also today 18/4/19 at 10:30 green woodpecker heard from area behind car park up the side of track and probably into dip
Grasshopper warbler reeling in old hall marsh near stone bridge.
Ian Campbell said
Wed Apr 17 12:06 PM, 2019
This a.m. with Malcolm, highlights included 5 Brambling at the feeders (2m, 3f), 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 7 Goosander, 2 Wigeon, 9 Willow Warbler, 5 singing Skylark and 1 Water Rail heard at canal. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Tue Apr 16 7:28 PM, 2019
quick visit 16:15-17:00 highlights. 1 Mediterranean Gull. 1 Great Black backed Gull. 1 Shelduck. 1 Willow Tit. 1 Brambling a very dark male.
lots of Sand Martins and Swallows over the reservoir.
47 Species spotted: Including:
1 Yellow Wagtail.
1 Nuthatch.
1 Common Tern.
1 Common Sandpiper.
2 Oystercatcher.
9 Blackcap.
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
80+ Black Headed Gull.
37 Blackbird.
6 Reed Bunting.
5 Chiffchaff.
6 Sedge Warbler.
3 Willow Warbler.
2 Collared Dove.
6 Great Crested Grebe.
16 Tufted Duck.
8 Gadwall.
2 Grey Wagtail.
1 Jay.
23 Lapwing.
2 Mistle Thrush.
5 Mute Swan.
20+ Sand Martin.
20+ Swallow.
15 Swift.
4 Song Thrush.
70+ Starling.
Thanks Derek.
P
3 Black Tern and 2 common Tern on the res at 5pm
1 Black Tern.
2 Common Terns.
1 Common Sandpiper.
1 Yellow Wagtail.
2 Garden Warbler.
Pm Visit. 15:00-17:00 Increase in terns with. 4 Common Terns . 3 Black Terns.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Friday 10th of May 2019 05:37:12 PM
Whitethroat
Sedge warbler
A wagtail hat-trick of grey, pied wagtails and....
Female yellow wagtail (record picture attached)
Female wheatear
(Note: both yellow wagtail and wheatear vanished towards Old Hall Farm fields when more people arrived and I couldn't relocate them)
Black tern
Common terns
Swifts were showing very well
Song thrush
Mistle thrush
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Thursday 9th of May 2019 02:35:55 PM
50 Species spotted: Including:
1 Black Tern.
6 Common Tern.
1 Little Egret. (Irwell).
1 White Wagtail.
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
1 Herring Gull.
1 Kingfisher. (Irwell).
24 Blackbird.
20+ House Martin.
50+ Swift.
40+ Swallow.
300+ Sand Martin.
1 Bullfinch. (1M).
4 Whitethroat.
3 Sedge Warbler.
2 Willow Warbler.
1 Blackcap.
1 Skylark.
2 Reed Bunting.
2 Chiffchaff.
6 Gadwall.
1 Cormorant.
6 Great Crested Grebe.
17 Tufted Duck.
2 Grey Wagtail.
4 Pied Wagtail.
2 Mistle Thrush.
1 Song Thrush.
13 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
1 Black Tern record shot attached.
1 Arctic Tern.
4 Common Tern
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Yellow Wagtail.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Thursday 9th of May 2019 11:42:18 AM
Yesterday the recent Peregrine that has been present was unfortunately picked up dead below the pylon.
8/5/19 Little Egret on the marsh by the canal at midday.
-- Edited by Chris Maybury on Wednesday 8th of May 2019 10:25:02 PM
1 Common Tern flew through NE.
1 Yellowhammer.
1 Common Sandpiper.
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
3 Stock Dove.
33 Swift.
5 House Martin.
Grasshopper Warbler and Reed Warbler heard only.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Tuesday 7th of May 2019 07:47:07 PM
55 Species spotted: Including:
1 Yellowhammer.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Buzzard.
6 Chiffchaff.
7 Whitethroat.
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
4 Sedge Warbler.
5 Willow Warbler.
1 Wheatear.
1 Blackcap.
3 Skylark.
2 Mistle Thrush.
5 Song Thrush.
21 Mute Swan.
1 Pheasant. (1M).
4 Oystercatcher.
2 Great Black Backed Gull.(Irwell).
6 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
33 Blackbird.
1 Greylag Goose.
1 Bullfinch. (1M).
12 Reed Bunting.
3 Collared Dove.
1 Cormorant.
5 Great Crested Grebe.
17 Tufted Duck.
2 Gadwall.
2 Grey Wagtail.
2 Pied Wagtail.
10 House Martin.
20+ Swallow.
40+ Sand Martin.
20+ Swift.
22 Lapwing.
7 Long Tailed Tit.
80+ Starling.
Thanks Derek.
Cheers Ian
Whilst stood at the pump house a hirundine with a reddish rump was seen over the pylon behind the sailing club. Unfortunately only managed to see it with bins. The bird was seen on 3 occasions and was always high with house martins. It looked good for
Red-rumped Swallow but cant rule out it wasnt a hybrid swallow.
Could still be around and worth checking but with birds being high (and suffering from whiplash) I had to give up looking
Other birds seen
100+ Swift
30+ House Martin
5 Common Buzzard
2 distant raptors having a dog fight over the irwelll valley looked like a pair of Hobby
2 sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Snipe
2 Gadwall
17 Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Pink-footed Goose
3,45pm
X2 Arctic tern just turned up
50 Species spotted: Including:
1 Yellowhammer.
5 Gadwall.
2 Jay.
3 Whitethroat.
2 Sedge Warbler.
3 Willow Warbler.
1 Wheatear.
3 Oystercatcher.
2 Blackcap.
4 Skylark.
19 Mute Swan.
1 Pheasant. (1M).
1 Great Black Backed Gull.
15 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
5 Herring Gull.
42 Blackbird.
4 Song Thrush
1 Bullfinch. (1M).
6 Reed Bunting.
4 Chiffchaff.
3 Collared Dove.
3 Cormorant.
7 Great Crested Grebe.
9 Tufted Duck.
70+ Wood Pigeon.
300+ Sand Martin.
20+ House Martin.
40+ Swift.
50+ Jackdaw.
25 Lapwing.
60+ Starling.
Thanks Derek.
Other noteworthy sightings. ....
Buzzard
Linnets (one landed suprisingly close for a short landing to gather grass)
Sedge warblers and whitethroats singing along the canal
Swift
And there was hundreds of the swallow, sand and house martins as reported too!
Ta!
This afternoon - 2 Common Sandpiper below the pump house. Hundreds of Hirundines over the res. consisting mainly of Sand Martins.
53 Species spotted: Including:
Partly with Simon & Steven. In addition to Steven's post below.
2 Stock Dove.
1 Linnet.
2 Kingfisher. (Irwell).
2 Kestrel.
1 Oystercatcher.
2 Skylark.
20+ Sand Martin.
8 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
1 Greylag Goose.
1 Bullfinch. (1M).
4 Reed Bunting.
5 Collared Dove.
3 Cormorant.
5 Great Crested Grebe.
17 Tufted Duck.
2 Goosander.
2 Grey Heron.
2 Grey Wagtail.
1 Jay.
1 Mistle Thrush.
2 Song Thrush.
4 Mute Swan.
3 Pied Wagtail.
Thanks Derek.
1 Yellowhammer heard singing and Seen.a site first for me.
3 Wheatears.
1 oystercatcher.
43+ Swift.
80+ Sand Martin.
50+ Swallows.
4 House Martins.
2 Great Black backed Gulls.
5 Gadwall.
12 Sedge Warblers.
4 Chiffchaff.
4 Blackcap.
10 Willow Warblers.
11 Whitethroat.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Thursday 2nd of May 2019 11:54:23 AM
Reed Warbler - dip
2 Wheatear (coney green and res wall)
11 Whitethroat
10 Sedge Warbler
8 Blackcap
Common Sand
2 Gadwall
2 Greylag Geese
Pink-footed Goose
20+ Swift
House Martin
47 Species spotted: Including:
4 Blackcap.
4 Chiffchaff.
5 Whitethroat.
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
1 Sedge Warbler.
2 Skylark.
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Gadwall.
2 Goosander.
2 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
60+ Black Headed Gull.
21 Blackbird.
1 Pink Footed Goose.
3 Reed Bunting.
5 Collared Dove.
3 Great Crested Grebe.
17 Tufted Duck.
1 Grey Heron.
3 Herring Gull.
1 Jay.
13 Lapwing.
12 Sand Martin.
3 Swallow.
1 Mistle Thrush.
3 Song Thrush.
6 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
1 Peregrine falcon. (over reservoir 09.45am).
-- Edited by Derek Richardson on Tuesday 30th of April 2019 09:25:45 PM
Cheers Ian
Mostly with Steven.
53 Species spotted: Including:
2 Black - Necked Grebe.
1 Peregrine (Over canal towards Radcliffe).
3 Sedge Warbler.
1 Raven.
1 Grasshopper Warbler.
3 Gadwall.
1 Wheatear.
1 Oystercatcher.
3 Goosander. (Irwell) (2F,1M).
1 Kingfisher. (Irwell).
12 Lapwing. (including 1 chick).
1 Great Black Backed Gull. (Irwell).
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
7 Reed Bunting.
2 Chiffchaff.
1 Cormorant.
4 Great Crested Grebe.
1 Grey Heron.
1 Grey Wagtail.
4 House Martin.
4 Swallow.
4 Swift.
20+ Sand Martin.
3 Long Tailed Tit.
1 Mistle Thrush.
Thanks Derek.
2 black necked grebes present early morning, info thanks to steve
Cheers Ian
This afternoon 2 Little Egret on the Irwell below Benny's.
51 Species spotted: Including:
4 Swift. (Above Creek 9.15am).
2 Sedge Warbler.
1 Kingfisher. (Irwell).
70+ Sand Martin.
5 Swallow.
7 Chiffchaff.
9 Willow Warbler.
2 Skylark.
5 Long Tailed Tit.
1 Gadwall.
1 Mistle Thrush.
5 Song Thrush.
7 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
70+ Black Headed Gull.
3 Herring Gull.
11 Lapwing.
26 Blackbird.
1 Jay.
1 Greylag Goose.
1 Bullfinch. (1M).
6 Reed Bunting.
4 Collared Dove.
1 Cormorant.
5 Great Crested Grebe.
21 Tufted Duck.
1 Grey Heron.
2 Grey Wagtail.
1 Pied Wagtail.
5 Mute Swan.
50+ Jackdaw.
60+ Starling.
Thanks Derek.
5pm. First summer juvenile Peregrine on the pylon on the mound, sheltering from the rain.
Also 16 lesser black backed gulls on the res.
At feeders
Willow tit first thing
Bullfinch 2 m & 2 f together late morning
[No sign of brambling]
On res
G Bb gull ad & 2y
Cheers Ian
47 Species spotted: Including:
1 Kingfisher. (Irwell).
1 Sedge Warbler.
2 Skylark.
3 Snipe.(Marsh).
1 Blackcap.
1 Oystercatcher.
60+ Sand Martin.
7 Swallow.
11 Lapwing.
3 Gadwall.
1 Pheasant. (1M).
9 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
4 Herring Gull.
1 Jay.
1 Greylag Goose.
3 Bullfinch. (2F, 1M).
7 Reed Bunting.
4 Chiffchaff.
2 Willow Warbler.
5 Collared Dove.
1 Mistle Thrush.
3 Song Thrush.
2 Cormorant.
5 Great Crested Grebe.
14 Tufted Duck.
1 Fieldfare.(Coney Green).
3 Grey Heron.
1 Grey Wagtail.
7 Pied Wagtail.
40+ Jackdaw.
5 Mute Swan.
60+ Starling.
Thanks Derek.
Cheers Ian
52 Species spotted: Including:
1 Hobby.(Pylon near Creek).9.20am.
1 Peregrine. (1M).(Pylon past Spenmoor).
3 Kestrel. ( 2 Corran stud, 1 Coney Green).
1 Buzzard.
1 Sedge Warbler.
9 Willow Warbler.
1 Treecreeper.
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Whitethroat.
1 Skylark.
1 Kingfisher.
3 Chiffchaff.
2 Pheasant. (2M).
7 Reed Bunting.
1 Great Black Backed Gull.
33 Blackbird.
5 Collared Dove.
4 Great Crested Grebe.
1 Greylag Goose.
2 Gadwall.
1 Goosander. (1M).
2 Grey Heron.
9 Lapwing. (Including 2 chicks).
1 Mistle Thrush.
6 Mute Swan.
3 Sand Martin.
5 Swallow.
40+ Starling.
Thanks Derek.
-- Edited by Derek Richardson on Monday 22nd of April 2019 02:08:22 PM
Cheers Ian
3 or 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Lesser Whitethroat along the canal. Also a flyover Kingfisher.
1 Lesser Whitethroat .
2 Common Whitethroat.
3 Chiffchaff.
15 Willow Warbler..
9 Blackcap.
Cheers Steven
48 Species spotted: Including:
1 Grasshopper Warbler.(Marsh near canal).
2 Willow Warbler.
2 Blackcap.
5 Chiffchaff.
1 Kestrel.
1 Pheasant (1M).
13 Lapwing.
1 Mistle Thrush.
3 Song Thrush.
8 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
29 Blackbird.
1 Greylag Goose.
3 Bullfinch. (2F,1M).
3 Reed Bunting.
4 Collared Dove.
1 Cormorant.
1 Gadwall.
1 Goosander. (1M).
4 Grey Heron.
1 Pink Footed Goose.
1 House Martin.
7 Sand Martin.
4 Swallow.
1 Skylark.
1 Jay.
2 Mute Swan.
5 Pied Wagtail.
60+ Starling.
Thanks Derek.
Yellowhammer heard only on Spen Moor then heard later near the cemetery/Crow trees area.
1 Grasshopper Warbler record shot attached
1 Sedge Warbler.
2 Common Whitethroat.
3 Chiffchaff.
9 Willow Warbler.
7 Blackcap.
4 Skylark.
1 White/Alba Wagtail.
1 Brambling.
1 Fieldfare.
1 Stock Dove.
1 Greylag Goose.
4 Gadwall
2 Teal.
Water Rail heard only.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Saturday 20th of April 2019 08:08:18 PM
Cheers Ian
This morning 7.00 to 9.00. 2 Brambling on the feeders. Pink - Footed Goose with Canada Geese by Withins, 6 Gadwall, singing Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Rook over.
Other noteworthy
Brambling (possibly 3 but at least 2 males and 1 female)
Male sparrowhawk
Little egret
Grey wagtail
Long tailed tits
Blackcap
Willow warbler (several singing)
As mentioned earlier, the grasshopper warbler
Song thrush
Ta!
49 Species spotted. Including:
1 Wheatear.
2 Buzzard.
1 Little Egret.
4 Brambling. (2F,2M).
2 Chiffchaff.
2 Willow Warbler.
4 Bullfinch. (2F, 2M).
3 Skylark.
3 Swallow.
3 Jay.
2 Common Gull.
7 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
150+ Black Headed Gull.
11 Herring Gull.
3 Gadwall.
1 Cormorant.
7 Great Crested Grebe.
18 Blackbird.
6 Reed Bunting.
2 Collared Dove.
18 Tufted Duck.
2 Grey Heron.
3 Grey Wagtail.
12 Lapwing.
4 Long Tailed Tit.
2 Song Thrush.
3 Mute Swan.
5 Pied Wagtail.
4 Sand Martin.
Thanks Derek.
Cheers Ian
1 Mediterranean Gull.
1 Great Black backed Gull.
1 Shelduck.
1 Willow Tit.
1 Brambling a very dark male.
lots of Sand Martins and Swallows over the reservoir.
cheers Steven
A Shelduck is currently on the res.