BICKERSHAW COUNTRY PARK (formerly Bickershaw Rucks)
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Dec 6 1:13 PM, 2013
morning stroll much better weather C9 1f goldeneye, 2 mute swan, 2 gadwall, 2 great crested grebe,c30 each tufted duck and coot, 6 mallard, c30 goldfinch,16 black headed gull, 8 long tailed tit, 4 great tit, 14 meadow pipit, 3 blackbird 3 wood pigeon 2 wren and a robin foraging amongst the fallen leaves. C8 17 meadow pipit, 3 reed bunting, 1 buzzard.
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Dec 5 1:16 PM, 2013
morning stroll in howling wind and drizzle C9 6 gadwall, 1f goldeneye on stock pond, 2 mute swan, c30 each of coot and tufted duck, 8 black headed gull, 5 moorhen, 1 great crested grebe, 6 mallard, mainly all tight up to reed beds on the north-north west side the surrounding trees give a bit of cover from the wind, the water was very rough actually blowing over onto the bank at the east- south east end. 3 reed bunting, 11 long tailed tit, 4 great tit, 5 blackbird 2 dunnock and 2 robin foraging amongst the fallen leaves, 1 fieldfare and 3 blackbird picking at fallen apples, walked down to plank lane but only saw 4 jay, 6 carrion crow,a few magpie and 37 redwing.
morning stroll C9 Diggle flash no sign of the goosander this morning. 3 pochard 2m,1f, 2 little grebe, 3 great crested grebe, 6 gadwall 3m,3f, 1f shoveler, 1f goldeneye, 1 grey heron, 1 adult mute swan 1 cygnet,3 moorhen, 11 mallard, 1 lesser black backed gull, 18 black headed gull, 34 coot, 41 tufted duck, 1 kingfisher on stock pond. flock of c40 thrushes mostly redwing but 1 song thrush at least 2 mistle thrush and 6 blackbird, 1 kestrel perched on the same branch as 5 redwing, 2 reed bunting, c20 long tailed tit, 8 blue tit, 12 great tit, 2 chaffinch, 9 meadow pipit, 1 great spotted woodpecker.flock of c30 goldfinch.
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Dec 2 10:15 PM, 2013
morning stroll C9 Diggle Flash 1m goosander, 1f goldeneye, 6 gadwall 3m,3f, 2 mute swan 1adult male 1 cygnet, c30 each of coot, tufted duck, black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 4 moorhen, 4 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 15 mallard, 1 grey heron, 30+ redwing, 2 fieldfare, 8 great tit, 4 blue tit, 6 dunnock, 1 robin, 3 wren, 6 blackbird, 8 meadow pipit.
james hall said
Sun Dec 1 8:38 PM, 2013
met up with Bernard at the flash had a very pleasant walk, me and my dad very thankful for explaining the area to us produced;
1f goldeneye juv. lbb gull 150-200 fieldfare and redwing 2 water rail calling 3 kestrel good numbers of long-tailed tit and meadow pipit 45 tufted duck 2 little grebe 24 lapwing
after leaving Bernard:
fir tree flash
1 great spotted woodpecker 2 jay 1 female gooseander 4 tufted duck
thanks again bernard
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 2nd of December 2013 12:13:37 AM
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Dec 1 6:32 PM, 2013
11-10--14-35
met up with young James Hall and his dad Gary and enjoyed a pleasant walk in decent weather and with good company, C9 1f goldeneye, 1 adult mute swan with 1 cygnet sadly the other cygnet is dead looks to have been predated, 30+ black headed gull, 30+ coot, c40 tufted duck, 5 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 11 mallard, 1 grey heron, 4 gadwall 2m, 2f, 3 moorhen, 2 dunnock, 2 goldfinch, small numbers redwing, 1 fieldfare, C6 mixed flocks redwing + fieldfare c200 birds, 1 mistle thrush, small numbers meadow pipit, flock of long tailed tit, 1 wren, 25 lapwing over, 1 cormorant over, 2 water rail could be heard from choked pond,kestrel. C8 1 common snipe flushed from ditch beside new road, 20+ goldfinch, 1 reed bunting, 12 meadow pipit,
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Nov 28 6:10 PM, 2013
morning stroll
C9 1mute swan + 2 Cygnets, 3 great crested grebe, 1f goldeneye, 3 moorhen, 1 grey heron, 1 cormorant,9 mallard, c40 black headed gull,c30 coot, c40 tufted duck, 2 little grebe could be heard but not seen, 2 wren, 1 dunnock, 5 fieldfare, 8 redwing, 1 great spotted woodpecker.1 reed bunting. C8 1 kestrel,40+ meadow pipit, 2 reed bunting, in trees between C7 + C8 a mixed flock mainly goldfinch ( 30-40) 2greenfinch, 1 coal tit, 8 great tit, 3 blue tit, 2 linnet, 1 redpoll there were more birds on the other side of the trees but i have listed what i could positively id. 1 redwing, 1 blackbird.
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Nov 26 12:22 PM, 2013
morning stroll 08-55--11-50
C9 3 mute swan 1adult + 2 cygnet, 2 great crested grebe, c50 black headed gulls, c40 each coot and tufted duck, 17 mallard, 3 moorhen, 1 little grebe, 1f shoveler, 2 gadwall 1m, 1f, no sign of any goldeneye this morning. 8 reed bunting, small numbers blue + great tit, c20 long tailed tit, c30 meadow pipit, 1 robin, 1 wren.1 buzzard. 3 cormorant over. C8 1 kestrel, 2 dunnock, 2 wren, 1 robin, water rail heard not seen.2 reed bunting. C6 fir tree flash pretty quiet on water, 6 coot, 4 mallard, 1m shoveler, surrounding trees c20 redwing with 8 blackbirds, 7 reed bunting. C4 new water 16 black headed gull, 1 coot. top of rucks very quiet several magpie and 2 carrion crow. 2 cormorant over. C10 2 common snipe feeding around pools, 1 siskin, c50 meadow pipit, 15 long tailed tit, 3 reed bunting, 2 blackbird, cock pheasant heard not seen.
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Tuesday 26th of November 2013 12:24:06 PM
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Nov 24 10:07 PM, 2013
morning stroll 10-05--12-15
C9 2 goldeneye 1m 1f, 5 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 3 mute swan 1 adult 2 cygnets, c60 mainly black headed gulls but i did pick out at least 2 common gulls, 2 lesser black backed gull, c40 tufted duck, c30 coot, 14 mallard, 1 grey heron. 4 moorhen, 2 reed bunting, 1 kestrel, several redwing and fieldfare, C8 30+ meadow pipit, 1 wren, water rail heard in choked pond area sounded very close but i couldn't spot it. C6 field above Fir Tree Flash to the west very active with Fieldfare c50 and a slightly smaller number of redwing 4 blackbird and at least 1 mistlethrush all feeding on hawthorn berries, c20 meadow pipit, c40 goldfinch flock also containing 2 siskin and at least 2 linnet,
walk yesterday late afternoon/early evening 1 raven heading north, whilst walking down the old concrete road had a woodcock fly quite low directly above me, presume it had been flushed further up the road. nice to meet Bill Myerscough during my morning walk yesterday.
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Nov 19 3:41 AM, 2013
afternoon - early evening 2 strolls sandwiched between picking grandson up from school
C9 1m goldeneye, 1 little grebe seen 1 more heard, 3 great crested grebe, 18 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 3 moorhen, 30+ tufted duck, 30+ coot, 8 mallard, 1 adult mute swan + 2 cygnets, 31 goldfinch, 4 reed bunting, 3 wren, 3 robin, 4 dunnock, 8 great tit, 1 was looking at 4 wood pigeon and 2 long tailed tit in trees behind the stock pond when a sparrowhawk swooped in from field behind in the resulting chaos c40 wood pigeon, 17 redwing and c20 long tailed tit took to the air from the trees and bushes around the back of the stock pond. C8 5 meadow pipit, 2 reed bunting, 1 kestrel.
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Nov 18 3:55 AM, 2013
morning stroll
C8 1 stonechat, 2 reed bunting, 6 meadow pipit, 1 kestrel, 12 linnet, c20 goldfinch. C9 1 mute swan + 2 cygnets, c25 each of tufted duck and coot, c35 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 1 cormorant on water + 2 over, 1 grey heron, 2 moorhen, 1f shoveler, 9 mallard, 1 reed bunting, 3 great tit, 2 blue tit, 2 robin, 1 dunnock, 2 wren, c20 long tailed tit, at least 7 redwing i think probably 18 or so but they were very flighty and i never actually saw more than 7 at the same time,4 blackbird,
Gordon Newman said
Sat Nov 16 9:49 PM, 2013
07.20-9.45 very quiet yesterdays Male Goldeneye still present 1 Common Snipe numbers of Linnet have increased no Redwing or Fieldfare for the first time since they arrived back yesterday 2 Raven 2 Snipe 12 Grey Partridge
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Nov 15 11:02 PM, 2013
morning stroll water birds on Diggle flash much the same as yesterday, only newcomer is a cracking looking male goldeneye that i first saw yesterday evening, plenty of redwing knocking around in small flocks, 1 big looking buzzard,1 common snipe,6 meadow pipit, 1 reed bunting, plenty of long tailed tit.
1 mute swan + 2 cygnets, 3 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 1f shoveler, 1 grey heron, 1 lesser black backed gull, c20 black headed gull, c30 coot, 35+ tufted duck, 2 moorhen, 10 mallard. 1 willow tit with 3 reed bunting( all 4 birds seen together yesterday as well, at least i'm presuming the same birds) 1 wren, 1 robin, 1 dunnock, small flock long tailed tit approx 8 birds, 3 great tit, 1 blue tit, 12 redwing over, 3 blackbird, 2 jay, 1 common snipe.
sparrowhawk over yesterday, not seen one over for a while.
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Nov 12 3:19 AM, 2013
morning stroll C9 1 mute swan + 2 cygnets, unfortunately a dog walker informed me that one of the adult swans had died over the weekend, 30+ tufted duck, 25+ coot, 25+ black headed gulls, 1 lesser black backed gull, 2 moorhens, 1 little grebe, 3 great crested grebe, 9 mallard, 2 grey heron, 2 shoveler 1m, 1f, 9 mallard, 1 cormorant over. 30 + long tailed tit, 20+ goldfinch, 3 linnet, 2 wren, 7 redwing, 1 mistle thrush, 4 blackbird,small numbers blue + great tit, 2 robin. C8 9 meadow pipit, C10 buzzard.
Evening stroll C8 1 kestrel, several jackdaw over, at least 12 grey partridge flew up from close to tarmac road i managed to count 12 but i think i missed some. C10 water rail heard but not seen, 20+ redwing, c50 pink footed geese over heading south westerly at approximately 16-00
Gordon Newman said
Fri Nov 8 7:18 PM, 2013
in addition to Bernard's records C4 : 23 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, ! Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Linnet , 1 Raven same as Bernard's, 1 Buzzard ,1 Water Rail calling from C10. (and Bernard in the distance).
2 resident mute swans with 2 cygnets plus a juvenile mute swan, resident male kept trying to chase it off but wasn't successful in the time i was there, resident female didn't seem to mind it being with her own youngsters. 3 shoveler 2m, 1f, c25 tufted duck, c30 coot, c30 black headed gulls, 2 lesser black backed gulls, 3 great crested grebe, 15 mallard, 1 grey heron.2 moorhen. 2 dunnock, 2 robin, 1 wren, 15 godfinch, 5 great tit, 2 blue tit, small flock of about 12 long tailed tit.3 blackbird. C10 mixed flock of fieldfare and redwing about 90 birds pretty evenly split, 3 jay. flock of 20ish long tailed tit.
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Nov 5 9:48 PM, 2013
10-15--12-20 C9 Diggle flash + surrounds 4 whooper swans over @10-37 heading south-south easterly, 2 mute swan could only see 1 cygnet this morning, 1m shoveler, 27 tufted duck, 25 coot, 3 great crested grebe,1 grey heron, 2 moorhen, 9 mallard, 18 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 2 dunnock, 1 robin, 3 blackbird,4 great tit, 2 blue tit. C8 4 redwing, 8 meadow pipit, C4 12 fieldfare, new water 2 common gull, 23 black headed gull C3 1 jay C10 2 jay, flock of 30ish long tailed tit.
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Nov 5 6:14 AM, 2013
07-40---09-25 frosty with mist over the water + fields before the sun burned it off.
C9 Diggle Flash + surrounds 2 mute swan + 2 cygnets, 3 great crested grebe, 2 little grebe, 2m shoveler, 3 gadwall 2m, 1f, 2 moorhen, 1 lesser black backed gull, c30 black headed gull, c30 tufted duck, c20 coot, 9 mallard, 3 robin, 4 blackbird, 1 wren, 1 dunnock, small numbers great, blue + long tailed tit, 1 kestrel. C10 1 great spotted woodpecker. C3 c40 fieldfare, c20 redwing, 2 jay, 4 siskin, 3 grey partridge.
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Oct 29 1:38 AM, 2013
15-10---17-00 C8 11 grey partridge, at least 15 meadow pipit actually counted 23 but could have counted some twice, c50 golfinch in two distinct flocks, 1 kestrel also saw 1 kestrel distant later on over C3 possibly same bird. C10 47 jackdaw over heading back to roost, 1 jay, 7 redwing, 16 fieldfare my first this autumn. C9 1 mute swan + 2 cygnets, 3 great crested grebe, 3 little grebe, 4 shoveler 2m+2f, 4 gadwall 2m+2f, 30+ black headed gull, 30+ tufted duck, 25+ coot. 3 moorhen, numerous mallard. 2 robin, 2 blackbird, 1 wren, 3 great tit, 1 blue tit. numerous wood pigeon, carrion crow and magpie. large numbers of gulls heading back to roost mainly black headed but a few lesser black backed and 1 great black backed.
Gordon Newman said
Mon Oct 28 8:45 PM, 2013
10.50-13.00 C4/10 only 1 Raven 2 Common Snipe 25 Redwing 1 Fieldfare 1 Buzzard 2 Kestrel 15+ Meadow Pipit strangely no tit species plus usuals
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Oct 27 7:06 PM, 2013
9-00--10-30 mostly in rain C8 11 meadow pipit, 3 jackdaw over, raven heard but not seen. C9 Diggle flash + surrounds 3 shoveler 2m+1f, 4 gadwall 2m+2f, 4 great crested grebe, 2 little grebe, 14 mallard, c30 black headed gull, c30 tufted duck, c20 coot, 1 moorhen, 2 mute swan + 2 cygnets, 1 wren, 2robin, 2 jay.
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Oct 24 7:13 PM, 2013
08-15 --10-00 200-250 pink footed geese over se 8-30ish C9 Diggle Flash + surrounds 2 mute swan, 4 great crested grebe,2 little grebe, 1 lesser black backed gull, 1 grey heron, 4 moorhen, 1m shoveler,c20 each of coot,tufted duck and black headed gulls, 5 robin, 3 wren, 6 blackbird, small numbers great, blue and long tailed tit. C10 1 mistle thrush with 3 redwing + 7 redwing over, 6 jackdaw over,2 jay. plenty of wood pigeon over, carrion crow and magpie.
Hi Gordon as regards coal tit i have only seen 2 in C9 on one occasion this year, over the past few years i saw them regularly in the trees behind Bickershaw school just up from the scrap yards, i know there used to be feeders in the school grounds and possibly these attracted them, i presume the feeders are no longer used as i don't see half as many birds in that area and haven't seen such as the coal tit and great spotted woodpeckers in that area where they used to be quite regular.
12.30-15.00 1 Coal Tit C12 ( only 3rd record in 3 years for myself, not sure about Bernard) 1 Siskin C3 2 Buzzard C3 20+ Redwing - 5 C3 + 15+ C10
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Oct 11 9:27 PM, 2013
morning stroll 08-50--10-00 C9 2 mute swan + 3 Cygnets, 5 great crested grebe, 3 little grebe, 2 shoveler, 4 moorhen, c30 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, c25 coot, 14 tufted duck. 12 mallard. flock of c30 goldfinch, saw a similar sized flock yesterday that included at least 4 linnet + 1 redpoll. c15 long tailed tit. C8 kestrel, 16 meadow pipit.
Bernard McGurrin said
Wed Oct 9 6:02 AM, 2013
C8 kestrel hunting, 41 pink footed geese east @ 18-15T
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Oct 8 8:18 PM, 2013
no sign of kingfisher this morning with 3 anglers on the stock pond. 1 raven perched in tree border C4 + C 10 cronking before being disturbed by motor bikes and flying towards Heron lodge farm. C8 3 flocks of goldfinch over in 5min intervals scouting party of 14 main party 40-50 followed by 25-30, 7 meadow pipit. C9 all usual waterfowl on Diggle flash, 1 willow tit, 3 wren, 4 robin.
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Oct 8 2:22 AM, 2013
evening stroll 16-50-- 18-25
kingfisher seen again flew low across Diggle flash before landing on post in stock pond, grey heron also on stock pond, Diggle flash 2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 4 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 5 moorhen, 1 lesser black backed gull, 54 black headed gull, 23 coot, 12 tufted duck, 7 mallard. C9 3 wren, 5 robin + 2 in C8, decent numbers blue, great + long tailed tit,kestrel, 1 dunnock. C8 11 meadow pipit, 14 goldfinch. C10 1 buzzard being harassed by half a dozen carrion crow, good numbers magpie + wood pigeon throughout walk.
Gordon Newman said
Mon Oct 7 10:29 PM, 2013
12.00-14.30 3 Raven - 2 C9 flew off over Bolton House Road, reappeared 20 mins later with a third in tow over Diggle Flash from direction of Barlow's Farm 1 Water Rail - Nevisons Flash
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Oct 7 10:01 AM, 2013
2 skeins pink footed geese over both seemed to be heading south easterly, 47 at 08-26, second skein at 08-53 was quite distant and impossible to count i would estimate at least 150 geese, kingfisher on stock pond, raven over heading north, seen at least i raven usually 2 heading over for 6 consecutive days presumably heading to a good feeding spot, kestrel in trees with prey looked like a small mouse,
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Monday 7th of October 2013 10:05:34 AM
Gordon Newman said
Sat Oct 5 11:49 PM, 2013
07.45-9.30 C4 only 50+ Pied Wagtail SW 3 Grey Wagtail SW 9 Redwing W 2 Mistle Thrush W 1 Siskin S 2 Swallow S small numbers of Meadow Pipit SW 1 Willow Warbler following a group of 9 Reed Bunting 2 Chiffchaff 3 skeins Pink-footed Goose totalling 110 (also saw 2 skeins flying over Winter Hill shortly after 9a.m) 28 Greylag Greylag Goose N 12 Skylark 36 Lapwing larger numbers of Long-tailed Tit than of late
ran out of allocated time this morning sure there was more to be had today
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Sunday 6th of October 2013 12:00:20 AM
morning stroll C8 2 raven nw @ 9-23. 1 skylark high and singing, C9 4 little grebe Diggle flash evening stroll 16-50---18-40 C8 5 meadow pipit, flock of 70+ goldfinch, kestrel. C4 3 jay seen 1 more heard, 2blackbird and 4 mistle thrush feeding on berries, blue great and long tailed tit, c600 gulls over heading towards pennington mainly black heade but at least 20 lesser black backed, 3 herring gull, and 2 tern i think common, 18 jackdaw over, C9 Diggle flash 2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 3 adu;lt great crested grebe + 2 young couldn't see the third, mallard, coot, tufted duck, 3 moorhen,black headed gulls, 1 lesser black backed gull.
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Sep 26 1:44 PM, 2013
morning stroll 10-05-- 11-30 C8 2 raven over approx 10-40, 5 meadow pipit, 2 linnet, 1 buzzard,single swallow. C9 4 little grebe, 2 great crested grebe + 3 young, 3 moorhen, 2 mute swan only saw 2 of the cygnets today, tufted duck, coot, black headed gulls, mallard, 1 lesser black backed gull.1 reed warbler, 2 wren.blue and great tits, robin, blackbird, carrion crow, magpie, wood pigeon.
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Thursday 26th of September 2013 01:45:56 PM
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Sep 26 3:30 AM, 2013
goshawk with falconers, i know not a wild bird but it was still fascinating watching it fly at speed, at one point it scared up a pheasant and gave chase, i couldn't see if it actually caught it but i would think it did as it seemed to be gaining rapidly before i lost sight of them. tawny owl calling from direction of heron lodge farm about 18-15.
Bernard McGurrin said
Wed Sep 25 4:53 AM, 2013
morning walk 08-25--10-00 C9 14 jackdaw over, 1 kestrel in dead tree being harassed by 1 jay, small numbers blue, great and long tailed tits, goldfinch, 2 dunnock, 2 robin, 1 wren, 3 meadow pipit 2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 2 great crested grebe + young, 2 little grebe, 9 mallard, 2 moorhen, usual coot, tufted duck and black headed gulls, 1 lesser black backed gull. evening approx 17-15 pm 1 raven over C8
Gordon Newman said
Mon Sep 23 9:51 PM, 2013
1 Raven flew E over C3 @ 11.10
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Sep 22 8:21 PM, 2013
flock of about 60 hirundines over C8 about 10-30 am, mainly swallow, but did pick out at least 2 sand martin and 4 house martin, 4 meadow pipit and a flock of c40 goldfinch also in C8
Gordon Newman said
Sat Sep 21 4:33 PM, 2013
07.30-9.00 first group of thrush of the Autumn this morning otherwise pretty quiet 15 Mistle Thrush 1 Willow Warbler 1 Reed Warbler
Bernard McGurrin said
Sat Sep 21 2:34 AM, 2013
37 pink footed geese over round about 14-00pm, C8 also 5 meadow pipit C9 good numbers of blue, great and long tailed tit in trees above Diggle flash, 1m blackcap, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 1 willow warbler, 2 linnet, 3 wren, 2 robin, 4 dunnock, flock of c30 goldfinch, 2 blackbird. 2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 3 adult great crested grebe didn't see any of the juveniles today although i could hear them amongst the reeds, 2 little grebe, 1 grey heron, 1 lesser black backed gull, c25 black headed gull, 20ish tufted duck, 20+ coot, 2 moorhen, 3 swallow.
Gordon Newman said
Fri Sep 20 7:23 PM, 2013
9.30-11.30 C2/3/4 only 6 Sand Martin 2 Reed Warbler 2 Chiffchaff 10 Swallow 20+ Meadow Pipit 8 Reed Bunting 2 Kestrel 1 juv Grey Heron that seems to have taken a liking to Nevisons Flash over the past few days
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Sep 15 8:50 PM, 2013
31 pink footed geese over C8 at approx 10-30 this morning, 1 common snipe, 1 kestrel C8.
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Sep 15 4:03 AM, 2013
two strolls morning 08-50--10-00 evening 5-45--7-35
C9 Diggle flash + surrounds 2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 2 great crested grebe + 3 young, little grebe 4 seen am only 1 seen pm, 1 grey heron am, c25 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 7 mallard, 2 moorhen, c20 coot, c20 tufted duck, 2 jay, robin, wren, blue tit, long tailed tit. 2 raven over, heading northerly, C8 1 kestrel am 2 pm, pm 7 lesser black backed gull, 3 herring gull and c80 black headed gull over presumably heading back to roost at Pennington, am flock of about 50 goldfinch with at least 3 linnet tagging along, 3 swallow am,
afternoon early evening stroll, heavy showers C9 Diggle flash + surrounds 2 mute swan could only see 2 of the cygnets but pretty sure the other one was in the reeds, 2 great crested grebe + 3 young, 1 juvenile herring gull, 2 lesser black backed gull, black headed gulls, coot, moorhen, tufted duck, 2 grey heron, 11 lapwing over, mallard,1 little grebe. wren, 11 long tailed tit, 2 flocks goldfinch 13 + 18, willow warbler, kestrel.
C9 1f goldeneye, 2 mute swan, 2 gadwall, 2 great crested grebe,c30 each tufted duck and coot, 6 mallard, c30 goldfinch,16 black headed gull, 8 long tailed tit, 4 great tit, 14 meadow pipit, 3 blackbird 3 wood pigeon 2 wren and a robin foraging amongst the fallen leaves.
C8 17 meadow pipit, 3 reed bunting, 1 buzzard.
C9 6 gadwall, 1f goldeneye on stock pond, 2 mute swan, c30 each of coot and tufted duck, 8 black headed gull, 5 moorhen, 1 great crested grebe, 6 mallard, mainly all tight up to reed beds on the north-north west side the surrounding trees give a bit of cover from the wind, the water was very rough actually blowing over onto the bank at the east- south east end.
3 reed bunting, 11 long tailed tit, 4 great tit, 5 blackbird 2 dunnock and 2 robin foraging amongst the fallen leaves, 1 fieldfare and 3 blackbird picking at fallen apples, walked down to plank lane but only saw 4 jay, 6 carrion crow,a few magpie and 37 redwing.
1f goldeneye, 2pochard 1m,1f, 2 mute swan, 3 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 6 gadwall 3m,3f. 40+ tufted duck, 30+ coot, 30+ black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 1 grey heron, 4 moorhen, 9 mallard. 2 willow tit with great tits, long tailed tit x12, 3 blackbird, 3 wren, 2 dunnock, 2 robin, 7 redwing.
C8 1 kestrel, 40+ meadow pipit, 2 wren, 4 mute swan over, 1 cormorant over, 3 reed bunting.
C9 Diggle flash
no sign of the goosander this morning. 3 pochard 2m,1f, 2 little grebe, 3 great crested grebe, 6 gadwall 3m,3f, 1f shoveler, 1f goldeneye, 1 grey heron, 1 adult mute swan 1 cygnet,3 moorhen, 11 mallard, 1 lesser black backed gull, 18 black headed gull, 34 coot, 41 tufted duck, 1 kingfisher on stock pond.
flock of c40 thrushes mostly redwing but 1 song thrush at least 2 mistle thrush and 6 blackbird, 1 kestrel perched on the same branch as 5 redwing, 2 reed bunting, c20 long tailed tit, 8 blue tit, 12 great tit, 2 chaffinch, 9 meadow pipit, 1 great spotted woodpecker.flock of c30 goldfinch.
C9 Diggle Flash
1m goosander, 1f goldeneye, 6 gadwall 3m,3f, 2 mute swan 1adult male 1 cygnet, c30 each of coot, tufted duck, black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 4 moorhen, 4 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 15 mallard, 1 grey heron,
30+ redwing, 2 fieldfare, 8 great tit, 4 blue tit, 6 dunnock, 1 robin, 3 wren, 6 blackbird, 8 meadow pipit.
1f goldeneye
juv. lbb gull
150-200 fieldfare and redwing
2 water rail calling
3 kestrel
good numbers of long-tailed tit and meadow pipit
45 tufted duck
2 little grebe
24 lapwing
after leaving Bernard:
fir tree flash
1 great spotted woodpecker
2 jay
1 female gooseander
4 tufted duck
thanks again bernard
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 2nd of December 2013 12:13:37 AM
met up with young James Hall and his dad Gary and enjoyed a pleasant walk in decent weather and with good company,
C9 1f goldeneye, 1 adult mute swan with 1 cygnet sadly the other cygnet is dead looks to have been predated, 30+ black headed gull, 30+ coot, c40 tufted duck, 5 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 11 mallard, 1 grey heron, 4 gadwall 2m, 2f, 3 moorhen, 2 dunnock, 2 goldfinch, small numbers redwing, 1 fieldfare,
C6 mixed flocks redwing + fieldfare c200 birds, 1 mistle thrush, small numbers meadow pipit, flock of long tailed tit, 1 wren, 25 lapwing over, 1 cormorant over, 2 water rail could be heard from choked pond,kestrel.
C8 1 common snipe flushed from ditch beside new road, 20+ goldfinch, 1 reed bunting, 12 meadow pipit,
C9 1mute swan + 2 Cygnets, 3 great crested grebe, 1f goldeneye, 3 moorhen, 1 grey heron, 1 cormorant,9 mallard, c40 black headed gull,c30 coot, c40 tufted duck, 2 little grebe could be heard but not seen, 2 wren, 1 dunnock, 5 fieldfare, 8 redwing, 1 great spotted woodpecker.1 reed bunting.
C8 1 kestrel,40+ meadow pipit, 2 reed bunting, in trees between C7 + C8 a mixed flock mainly goldfinch ( 30-40) 2greenfinch, 1 coal tit, 8 great tit, 3 blue tit, 2 linnet, 1 redpoll there were more birds on the other side of the trees but i have listed what i could positively id. 1 redwing, 1 blackbird.
C9 3 mute swan 1adult + 2 cygnet, 2 great crested grebe, c50 black headed gulls, c40 each coot and tufted duck, 17 mallard, 3 moorhen, 1 little grebe, 1f shoveler, 2 gadwall 1m, 1f, no sign of any goldeneye this morning. 8 reed bunting, small numbers blue + great tit, c20 long tailed tit, c30 meadow pipit, 1 robin, 1 wren.1 buzzard. 3 cormorant over.
C8 1 kestrel, 2 dunnock, 2 wren, 1 robin, water rail heard not seen.2 reed bunting.
C6 fir tree flash pretty quiet on water, 6 coot, 4 mallard, 1m shoveler, surrounding trees c20 redwing with 8 blackbirds, 7 reed bunting.
C4 new water 16 black headed gull, 1 coot. top of rucks very quiet several magpie and 2 carrion crow. 2 cormorant over.
C10 2 common snipe feeding around pools, 1 siskin, c50 meadow pipit, 15 long tailed tit, 3 reed bunting, 2 blackbird, cock pheasant heard not seen.
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Tuesday 26th of November 2013 12:24:06 PM
C9 2 goldeneye 1m 1f, 5 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 3 mute swan 1 adult 2 cygnets, c60 mainly black headed gulls but i did pick out at least 2 common gulls, 2 lesser black backed gull, c40 tufted duck, c30 coot, 14 mallard, 1 grey heron. 4 moorhen, 2 reed bunting, 1 kestrel, several redwing and fieldfare,
C8 30+ meadow pipit, 1 wren, water rail heard in choked pond area sounded very close but i couldn't spot it.
C6 field above Fir Tree Flash to the west very active with Fieldfare c50 and a slightly smaller number of redwing 4 blackbird and at least 1 mistlethrush all feeding on hawthorn berries, c20 meadow pipit, c40 goldfinch flock also containing 2 siskin and at least 2 linnet,
walk yesterday late afternoon/early evening 1 raven heading north, whilst walking down the old concrete road had a woodcock fly quite low directly above me, presume it had been flushed further up the road.
nice to meet Bill Myerscough during my morning walk yesterday.
C9 1m goldeneye, 1 little grebe seen 1 more heard, 3 great crested grebe, 18 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 3 moorhen, 30+ tufted duck, 30+ coot, 8 mallard, 1 adult mute swan + 2 cygnets, 31 goldfinch, 4 reed bunting, 3 wren, 3 robin, 4 dunnock, 8 great tit,
1 was looking at 4 wood pigeon and 2 long tailed tit in trees behind the stock pond when a sparrowhawk swooped in from field behind in the resulting chaos c40 wood pigeon, 17 redwing and c20 long tailed tit took to the air from the trees and bushes around the back of the stock pond.
C8 5 meadow pipit, 2 reed bunting, 1 kestrel.
C8 1 stonechat, 2 reed bunting, 6 meadow pipit, 1 kestrel, 12 linnet, c20 goldfinch.
C9 1 mute swan + 2 cygnets, c25 each of tufted duck and coot, c35 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 1 cormorant on water + 2 over, 1 grey heron, 2 moorhen, 1f shoveler, 9 mallard, 1 reed bunting, 3 great tit, 2 blue tit, 2 robin, 1 dunnock, 2 wren, c20 long tailed tit, at least 7 redwing i think probably 18 or so but they were very flighty and i never actually saw more than 7 at the same time,4 blackbird,
very quiet
yesterdays Male Goldeneye still present
1 Common Snipe
numbers of Linnet have increased
no Redwing or Fieldfare for the first time since they arrived back
yesterday
2 Raven
2 Snipe
12 Grey Partridge
water birds on Diggle flash much the same as yesterday, only newcomer is a cracking looking male goldeneye that i first saw yesterday evening,
plenty of redwing knocking around in small flocks, 1 big looking buzzard,1 common snipe,6 meadow pipit, 1 reed bunting, plenty of long tailed tit.
C9 Diggle Flash + surrounds
1 mute swan + 2 cygnets, 3 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 1f shoveler, 1 grey heron, 1 lesser black backed gull, c20 black headed gull, c30 coot, 35+ tufted duck, 2 moorhen, 10 mallard.
1 willow tit with 3 reed bunting( all 4 birds seen together yesterday as well, at least i'm presuming the same birds) 1 wren, 1 robin, 1 dunnock, small flock long tailed tit approx 8 birds, 3 great tit, 1 blue tit, 12 redwing over, 3 blackbird, 2 jay, 1 common snipe.
sparrowhawk over yesterday, not seen one over for a while.
C9 1 mute swan + 2 cygnets, unfortunately a dog walker informed me that one of the adult swans had died over the weekend,
30+ tufted duck, 25+ coot, 25+ black headed gulls, 1 lesser black backed gull, 2 moorhens, 1 little grebe, 3 great crested grebe, 9 mallard, 2 grey heron, 2 shoveler 1m, 1f, 9 mallard, 1 cormorant over.
30 + long tailed tit, 20+ goldfinch, 3 linnet, 2 wren, 7 redwing, 1 mistle thrush, 4 blackbird,small numbers blue + great tit, 2 robin.
C8 9 meadow pipit, C10 buzzard.
Evening stroll
C8 1 kestrel, several jackdaw over, at least 12 grey partridge flew up from close to tarmac road i managed to count 12 but i think i missed some.
C10 water rail heard but not seen, 20+ redwing,
c50 pink footed geese over heading south westerly at approximately 16-00
1 raven over heading west.
C9 Diggle flash + surrounds
2 resident mute swans with 2 cygnets plus a juvenile mute swan, resident male kept trying to chase it off but wasn't successful in the time i was there, resident female didn't seem to mind it being with her own youngsters.
3 shoveler 2m, 1f, c25 tufted duck, c30 coot, c30 black headed gulls, 2 lesser black backed gulls, 3 great crested grebe, 15 mallard, 1 grey heron.2 moorhen.
2 dunnock, 2 robin, 1 wren, 15 godfinch, 5 great tit, 2 blue tit, small flock of about 12 long tailed tit.3 blackbird.
C10 mixed flock of fieldfare and redwing about 90 birds pretty evenly split, 3 jay. flock of 20ish long tailed tit.
C9 Diggle flash + surrounds
4 whooper swans over @10-37 heading south-south easterly, 2 mute swan could only see 1 cygnet this morning, 1m shoveler, 27 tufted duck, 25 coot, 3 great crested grebe,1 grey heron, 2 moorhen, 9 mallard, 18 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 2 dunnock, 1 robin, 3 blackbird,4 great tit, 2 blue tit.
C8 4 redwing, 8 meadow pipit,
C4 12 fieldfare, new water 2 common gull, 23 black headed gull
C3 1 jay
C10 2 jay, flock of 30ish long tailed tit.
C9 Diggle Flash + surrounds
2 mute swan + 2 cygnets, 3 great crested grebe, 2 little grebe, 2m shoveler, 3 gadwall 2m, 1f, 2 moorhen, 1 lesser black backed gull, c30 black headed gull, c30 tufted duck, c20 coot, 9 mallard, 3 robin, 4 blackbird, 1 wren, 1 dunnock, small numbers great, blue + long tailed tit, 1 kestrel.
C10 1 great spotted woodpecker.
C3 c40 fieldfare, c20 redwing, 2 jay, 4 siskin, 3 grey partridge.
C8 11 grey partridge, at least 15 meadow pipit actually counted 23 but could have counted some twice, c50 golfinch in two distinct flocks, 1 kestrel also saw 1 kestrel distant later on over C3 possibly same bird.
C10 47 jackdaw over heading back to roost, 1 jay, 7 redwing, 16 fieldfare my first this autumn.
C9 1 mute swan + 2 cygnets, 3 great crested grebe, 3 little grebe, 4 shoveler 2m+2f, 4 gadwall 2m+2f, 30+ black headed gull, 30+ tufted duck, 25+ coot. 3 moorhen, numerous mallard.
2 robin, 2 blackbird, 1 wren, 3 great tit, 1 blue tit. numerous wood pigeon, carrion crow and magpie.
large numbers of gulls heading back to roost mainly black headed but a few lesser black backed and 1 great black backed.
C4/10 only
1 Raven
2 Common Snipe
25 Redwing
1 Fieldfare
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrel
15+ Meadow Pipit
strangely no tit species
plus usuals
C8 11 meadow pipit, 3 jackdaw over, raven heard but not seen.
C9 Diggle flash + surrounds
3 shoveler 2m+1f, 4 gadwall 2m+2f, 4 great crested grebe, 2 little grebe, 14 mallard, c30 black headed gull, c30 tufted duck, c20 coot, 1 moorhen, 2 mute swan + 2 cygnets, 1 wren, 2robin, 2 jay.
200-250 pink footed geese over se 8-30ish
C9 Diggle Flash + surrounds
2 mute swan, 4 great crested grebe,2 little grebe, 1 lesser black backed gull, 1 grey heron, 4 moorhen, 1m shoveler,c20 each of coot,tufted duck and black headed gulls, 5 robin, 3 wren, 6 blackbird, small numbers great, blue and long tailed tit.
C10 1 mistle thrush with 3 redwing + 7 redwing over, 6 jackdaw over,2 jay. plenty of wood pigeon over, carrion crow and magpie.
Hi Gordon as regards coal tit i have only seen 2 in C9 on one occasion this year, over the past few years i saw them regularly in the trees behind Bickershaw school just up from the scrap yards, i know there used to be feeders in the school grounds and possibly these attracted them, i presume the feeders are no longer used as i don't see half as many birds in that area and haven't seen such as the coal tit and great spotted woodpeckers in that area where they used to be quite regular.
300+ Redwing
80+ Fieldfare
plenty Long-tailed Tit otherwise quiet in poor weather
1 Coal Tit C12 ( only 3rd record in 3 years for myself, not sure about Bernard)
1 Siskin C3
2 Buzzard C3
20+ Redwing - 5 C3 + 15+ C10
C9 2 mute swan + 3 Cygnets, 5 great crested grebe, 3 little grebe, 2 shoveler, 4 moorhen, c30 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, c25 coot, 14 tufted duck. 12 mallard.
flock of c30 goldfinch, saw a similar sized flock yesterday that included at least 4 linnet + 1 redpoll. c15 long tailed tit.
C8 kestrel, 16 meadow pipit.
1 raven perched in tree border C4 + C 10 cronking before being disturbed by motor bikes and flying towards Heron lodge farm.
C8 3 flocks of goldfinch over in 5min intervals scouting party of 14 main party 40-50 followed by 25-30, 7 meadow pipit.
C9 all usual waterfowl on Diggle flash, 1 willow tit, 3 wren, 4 robin.
kingfisher seen again flew low across Diggle flash before landing on post in stock pond, grey heron also on stock pond, Diggle flash 2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 4 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 5 moorhen, 1 lesser black backed gull, 54 black headed gull, 23 coot, 12 tufted duck, 7 mallard.
C9 3 wren, 5 robin + 2 in C8, decent numbers blue, great + long tailed tit,kestrel, 1 dunnock.
C8 11 meadow pipit, 14 goldfinch.
C10 1 buzzard being harassed by half a dozen carrion crow,
good numbers magpie + wood pigeon throughout walk.
3 Raven - 2 C9 flew off over Bolton House Road, reappeared 20 mins later with a third in tow over Diggle Flash from direction of Barlow's Farm
1 Water Rail - Nevisons Flash
kingfisher on stock pond, raven over heading north, seen at least i raven usually 2 heading over for 6 consecutive days presumably heading to a good feeding spot, kestrel in trees with prey looked like a small mouse,
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Monday 7th of October 2013 10:05:34 AM
C4 only
50+ Pied Wagtail SW
3 Grey Wagtail SW
9 Redwing W
2 Mistle Thrush W
1 Siskin S
2 Swallow S
small numbers of Meadow Pipit SW
1 Willow Warbler following a group of 9 Reed Bunting
2 Chiffchaff
3 skeins Pink-footed Goose totalling 110 (also saw 2 skeins flying over Winter Hill shortly after 9a.m)
28 Greylag Greylag Goose N
12 Skylark
36 Lapwing
larger numbers of Long-tailed Tit than of late
ran out of allocated time this morning sure there was more to be had today
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Sunday 6th of October 2013 12:00:20 AM
9 Grey Partridge - C5
1 Water Rail calling - C10 choke pond
evening stroll 16-50---18-40
C8 5 meadow pipit, flock of 70+ goldfinch, kestrel.
C4 3 jay seen 1 more heard, 2blackbird and 4 mistle thrush feeding on berries, blue great and long tailed tit, c600 gulls over heading towards pennington mainly black heade but at least 20 lesser black backed, 3 herring gull, and 2 tern i think common, 18 jackdaw over,
C9 Diggle flash 2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 3 adu;lt great crested grebe + 2 young couldn't see the third, mallard, coot, tufted duck, 3 moorhen,black headed gulls, 1 lesser black backed gull.
C8 2 raven over approx 10-40, 5 meadow pipit, 2 linnet, 1 buzzard,single swallow.
C9 4 little grebe, 2 great crested grebe + 3 young, 3 moorhen, 2 mute swan only saw 2 of the cygnets today, tufted duck, coot, black headed gulls, mallard, 1 lesser black backed gull.1 reed warbler, 2 wren.blue and great tits, robin, blackbird, carrion crow, magpie, wood pigeon.
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Thursday 26th of September 2013 01:45:56 PM
tawny owl calling from direction of heron lodge farm about 18-15.
C9 14 jackdaw over, 1 kestrel in dead tree being harassed by 1 jay, small numbers blue, great and long tailed tits, goldfinch, 2 dunnock, 2 robin, 1 wren, 3 meadow pipit
2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 2 great crested grebe + young, 2 little grebe, 9 mallard, 2 moorhen, usual coot, tufted duck and black headed gulls, 1 lesser black backed gull.
evening approx 17-15 pm 1 raven over C8
4 meadow pipit and a flock of c40 goldfinch also in C8
first group of thrush of the Autumn this morning otherwise pretty quiet
15 Mistle Thrush
1 Willow Warbler
1 Reed Warbler
C9 good numbers of blue, great and long tailed tit in trees above Diggle flash, 1m blackcap, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 1 willow warbler, 2 linnet, 3 wren, 2 robin, 4 dunnock, flock of c30 goldfinch, 2 blackbird.
2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 3 adult great crested grebe didn't see any of the juveniles today although i could hear them amongst the reeds, 2 little grebe, 1 grey heron, 1 lesser black backed gull, c25 black headed gull, 20ish tufted duck, 20+ coot, 2 moorhen, 3 swallow.
C2/3/4 only
6 Sand Martin
2 Reed Warbler
2 Chiffchaff
10 Swallow
20+ Meadow Pipit
8 Reed Bunting
2 Kestrel
1 juv Grey Heron that seems to have taken a liking to Nevisons Flash over the past few days
C9 Diggle flash + surrounds
2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 2 great crested grebe + 3 young, little grebe 4 seen am only 1 seen pm, 1 grey heron am, c25 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 7 mallard, 2 moorhen, c20 coot, c20 tufted duck, 2 jay, robin, wren, blue tit, long tailed tit. 2 raven over, heading northerly,
C8 1 kestrel am 2 pm, pm 7 lesser black backed gull, 3 herring gull and c80 black headed gull over presumably heading back to roost at Pennington, am flock of about 50 goldfinch with at least 3 linnet tagging along, 3 swallow am,
C9 Diggle Flash + surrounds
2 mute swan + 3 cygnets, 2 great crested grebe + 3 young, 1 little grebe, 1 moorhen, 1 grey heron, 1 moorhen, c30 coot, c20 tufted duck, 12 mallard, wren, robin, kestrel, buzzard, goldfinch, blue tit, long tailed tit, great spotted woodpecker,magpie, collared dove, blackbird, carrion crow, wood pigeon, willow warbler, chaffinch.
C9 Diggle flash + surrounds
2 mute swan could only see 2 of the cygnets but pretty sure the other one was in the reeds, 2 great crested grebe + 3 young, 1 juvenile herring gull, 2 lesser black backed gull, black headed gulls, coot, moorhen, tufted duck, 2 grey heron, 11 lapwing over, mallard,1 little grebe.
wren, 11 long tailed tit, 2 flocks goldfinch 13 + 18, willow warbler, kestrel.
1 Water Rail - Nevisons Flash
4 Reed Warbler -Nevisons Flash
1 Snipe - Nevisons Flash
1 female Blackcap - C3
3 Chiffchaff - 1 singing above Diggle Flash
4 Willow Warbler
30+ Swallow
4 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
60+ Goldfinch - C9 - containg at least 4 Linnet
1 Grey Wagtail - SW over C4
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Sunday 8th of September 2013 05:23:37 PM
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Sunday 8th of September 2013 10:32:04 PM
2 Raven - flew over NE
3 Willow Warbler - 2C4 + 1 C3
1 Chiffchaff- C3
3 Buzzard - C9
1 Linnet - C4