BICKERSHAW COUNTRY PARK (formerly Bickershaw Rucks)
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Jan 8 4:20 PM, 2013
10-50-- 14-10 drizzle that turned to persistent rain
C9 plenty of activity in trees above flash 2 chaffinch, 1 siskin, plenty of great tit + long tailed tit 8 blackbird, at least 2 robin, wren + dunnock, blue tit, magpie wood pigeon,carrion crow. 2 mute swan, 2 great crested grebe, 1 lesser black backed gull, 24 black headed gull, c40 coot, c30 tufted duck, 8 mallard, 1 moorhen,9 gadwall ( 5 stock pond, 4 main flash) 1 female shoveller on stock pond 1 grey heron on stock pond, 1 cormorant over. C10 11 redwing numerous great tit + goldfinch, C12 looking across to crankwood road just up from childrens play area, i spotted fieldfare in the trees at first count i got 42 with 3 redwing, but i noticed they kept dropping into the field and i couldn't see anything from my vantage point so i moved further down, a large flock of predominately fieldfare were feeding in the fields with the birds in the trees i would estimate close to 200, as well as fieldfare i did see blackbird, redwing and at least 1 mistle thrush among them.
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Tuesday 8th of January 2013 04:24:31 PM
Gordon Newman said
Mon Jan 7 11:07 PM, 2013
10.25-12.30 mostly cloudy,warm,gentle breeze C3 - Great-spotted Woodpecker x1, Mistle Thrush x 2, C4 - Stonechat 1st W female - close to path dividing c3 & c4 C6 - Great -crested Grebe x2, Tufted Duck x14, Long-tailed Tit x40+, C9 - Gadwall x5, Shoveler x1 female, Tufted Duck x30+, Little Grebe x1 , Great-crested Grebe x 1 plus usuals
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Jan 7 4:39 AM, 2013
11-00---14-15
good walk all round but very little seen around C2,3,4,+5, probably due to the very noisy off road motorbikes in all these areas.
C9 higher hall flash, stock pond + surrounding area, plenty of blackbird in good song with one even trying to mount a female although she was having none of that. numerous robin along top road and behind scrapyards also in good voice, 3 chaffinch, 2 wren, great tit + blue tit, 2 small flocks long tailed tit,magpie, carrion crow + wood pigeon. on flash 2 mute swan, 1 lesser black backed gull, 154 black headed gull, 37 coot, 2 great crested grebe, 34 tufted duck, 2 moorhen, 11 mallard, 12 gadwall ( 6 on stock pond,6 on flash,) 1 female shoveller, C7 approx 40 starling, 5 house sparrow, 3 collared dove, long tailed tit, great tit, wood pigeon, magpie. kestrel. C6 fir tree flash + surrounding area, 19 tufted duck, 6 canada geese, 6 coot, 1 moorhen, 1 great crested grebe, 31 mallard, 1 pochard, 2 mute swan, flock of 20+ goldfinch, 1 chaffinch, long tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, wren, blackbird, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon. C5 3 meadow pipit, 1 skylark.
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Jan 6 4:44 AM, 2013
14-15---17-05
kingfisher on stock pond at 15-12pm, grey heron + cormorant also on stock pond
Higher hall flash 3 gadwall ( 7 on stock pond yesterday) 2 great crested grebe, 2 mute swan, c40 tufted duck, c40 coot, 30ish black headed gull, 1 little grebe, 11 mallard, 1 kestrel in trees just above flash, blackbird, robin, long tailed tit, goldfinch, wren, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon, collared dove, great tit + blue tit in surrounding trees + bushes. yesterday 2 common snipe 1 around stock pond and 1 around main flash.
Gordon Newman said
Sat Jan 5 4:53 AM, 2013
10.40-13.00 highlights today:
1 Woodcock - flew from top rucks (c4) low directly over my head, over trees by football field and dropped into corner of C3 near where I saw one on Xmas day (still surprises me how big these birds look when close by in the air). 75 + mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing flew from rucks c4 over c12 towards the fields beyond (was unable to count them more precisely as I was in tree cover with limited viewing). 1 Common Gull - on football field with 20 Black-headed Gulls 3 Snipe c10 4 Reed Bunting - c6 3 Skylark - in song over c2 plus usuals
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Jan 3 9:15 PM, 2013
09-40-- 13-25
Higher Hall flash + stock pond
150+ black headed gulls, 1 lesser black backed gull spent some time looking through them but could only see black headed. 2 cormorant, 2 mute swan, 2 great crested grebe, 3 moorhen, 11 mallard, 1 goldeneye, 40+ tufted duck, 40+ coot. 2 gadwall on stock pond couldn't see any on main flash. trees around flash pretty quiet a single goldfinch flitting about, 1 wren 1 robin 2 blackbird, 6 magpie, 2 woodpigeon. C8 fields also pretty quiet 2 carrion crow over 4 meadow pipit, 3 magpie.
Fir tree flash 1 pochard, 29 mallard, 4 canada geese, 5 coot, 2 mute swan, 1 great crested grebe, 1 moorhen, 1 tufted duck, 1 cormorant over.1 grey heron trees around fir tree flash numerous great tit, 1 wren, 1 blue tit, 1 robin, 3 blackbird, mistle thrush heard singing lustily but not seen. top of rucks, blackbird, small flock of long tailed tit, numerous wood pigeon + magpie, 6 carrion crow, 50+ lapwing flew overhead at 11-35 heading towards Pennington flash, didn't walk down to tinker joes but viewed from top of rucks 1 coot, 30+ black headed gull. on way home up the concrete road i snipe seen in C 10
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Thursday 3rd of January 2013 09:18:20 PM
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Jan 3 3:54 AM, 2013
15-15--17-30 Wednesday 2/1/13
Quite late when i got out today and dull so much of walk in dark or poor light with some drizzle.
Higher hall flash, 2 mute swan, 3 moorhen, 2 great crested grebe, 6 gadwall, (4 main flash, 2 stock pond) 1 cormorant, 40+ coot, 50+ tufted duck, 20ish black headed gull, 8 mallard trees above flash 16 goldfinch, 7 chaffinch, 1 wren, blackbird, magpie, wood pigeon, carrion crow, long tailed tit.
Yesterday new years day 09-15-- 11-45
trees + bushes (C9) above flash very lively flock of approx 40 mainly goldfinch also contained at least 2 siskin, 3 linnet + 3 redpoll, flock of 30-40 long tailed tit with 8 great tit + 2 blue tit, robin, wren, magpie,blackbird, carrion crow + wood pigeon when i came back a couple of hours later very little showing 2 long tailed tit and 3 magpie. Higher Hall flash, 4 gadwall 2 on main flash 2 on stock pond. 1 goldeneye, 2 mute swan, 2 great crested grebe, 1 lesser black backed gull c70 black headed gull couldn't pick any common gull out, 1 cormorant, 40+ coot, 50+ tufted duck, 9 mallard, 5 moorhen. C9 behind scrapyards, 20+ long tailed tit, 2 redwing, 5 chaffinch, numerous great tit, C7 in trees near haulage yard off Smiths lane, 20+ starling with house sparrows + 3 collared dove, C8 1 buzzard over, 2 meadow pipit, not seen stonechat since Dec 18th so probably moved on. completed my new years day with an hour watching the waxwings at Howe bridge then a couple of hours at Penny flah.
Gordon Newman said
Mon Dec 31 6:21 PM, 2012
12.30-14.20 very quiet generally highlights being 1 Buzzard - c10 3 Snipe - c 4 2 Linnet - c 4 3 Redpoll c 4 1 Sparrowhawk - on post before flying low along fence line - c10 after the deluge of rain had stopped.
Happy New Year (nearly) all the best Gordon
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Monday 31st of December 2012 07:04:37 PM
Gordon Newman said
Tue Dec 25 9:02 PM, 2012
11.30-12.30 Quick walk round top rucks 1 Woodcock close to entrance by Firsway Garage 2 Redwing
Happy Christmas everyone
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue Dec 18 6:25 PM, 2012
2 stonechat in C8 again, first seen at 12-15 from old farm track between C10 + C8, whilst dog walking, after i had taken dog home i came back with scope and spent a nice hour watching them in C8 this time from old farm track between C9 +C8, saw meadow pipit, goldfinch and 7 linnet in same field.
Higher Hall flash ( C9 ) 30+ gulls mainly black headed, 1 lesser black backed and at least 2 common gull, 36 coot, 24 tufted duck, 3 moorhen, 2 mute swan, 7 mallard.
plenty of long tailed tit and great tit in trees alongside road at top of flash, 2 blackbird, 1 robin, 1 wren, 3 blue tit, usual magpie, carrion crow + wood pigeon, could hear great spotted woodpecker but didn't see it.
sparrowhawk flew over C7, C8, + C9 heading towards Hindley Green.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 18th of December 2012 10:03:29 PM
james hall said
Tue Dec 18 1:45 AM, 2012
my dad said that but i only got a quick glimps in flight
james
Rob Smallwood said
Mon Dec 17 7:05 AM, 2012
Sounds like a Pheasant?
james hall said
Mon Dec 17 5:31 AM, 2012
late walk 2:30-4:30 produced:
1 goldcrest(fir tree) 4 linnet loads long-tailed tit, siskin and redpol together sparrowhawk 1 feildfare a couple of common gulls with loads of black headed
no sign of short eared owl
and if any one could help me with my mistery bird today whitch i thought was a red legged partridge as i was near the new road by the fishermans gate and we flushed it - it was alot bigger than a grey partridge and called as it got up. Are they seen round there and has anyone else seen one?
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Dec 16 8:49 PM, 2012
09-05-- 11-40--
plenty of activity in trees above Higher Hall flash (C9) 2 dunnock, robin, great tit, blue tit, long tailed tit, blackbird, magpie + carrion crow, flock of 17 mixed linnet + redpoll in field west of flash, 3 goldfinch. 60+ gulls on flash, mainly black headed with 1 lesser black backed + 5 common gulls, 16 coot, 5 moorhen, 2 mute swan. 2 mallard, no tufted duck this morning. C11 great tit, long tailed tit, blackbird, goldfinch. C8 2 stonechat just a bit further up from where seen earlier in week, similar time just after 11-00, viewed from old farm track between C9 +C8, whilst watching stonechat a short eared owl flew from behind treeline and flew low across C8 towards C7 and was lost from view, 1 grey heron over, 2 meadow pipit. C4 top of rucks very quiet a couple of carrion crow and magpies.
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Dec 16 2:58 AM, 2012
13-35--16-00 very quiet
Higher Hall flash still 95% frozen although yesterdays rain was lying on top of the ice giving the gulls + coot the appearance of walking on water.
70+ gulls mainly black headed with 4 common and 1 lesser black backed, 3 moorhen, 2 mute swan, 40+ coot, 14 tufted duck, 4 mallard,1 grey heron. 14 wood pigeon in trees at back of stock pond, small flock of long tailed tit, 1 wren, a few magpies, 1 blackbird, 1 carrion crow.
Gordon Newman said
Fri Dec 14 7:30 PM, 2012
9.20-10.45 1 Marsh Harrier - watched for some 15mins quartering C1n, 2&3 from Tinker Joe's Flash before drifting towards Bickershaw and behind tree line. Had a quick look for yesterdays Stonechat without luck by which time the weather was not pleasant.
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Dec 14 5:58 AM, 2012
09-40--12-05 2 stonechat in corner of c8, was watching 1 for 2-3 minutes perching on stems then dropping down and returning to stems, then joined by another, 11-10am
82 pink footed geese over 11-27 heading nw stock pond completely frozen Higher Hall flash over 95% frozen
87 gulls mainly black headed with 9 common, 40+ coot, 1 little grebe, 2 mute swan presumably residents no sign of yesterdays visitors, 9 mallard, 5 moorhen, only 16 tufted duck. small charm of 12 goldfinch in trees around flash, 1 grey heron over, blackbird, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon,long tailed tit + robin all in small numbers.
common snipe, wren in c8
Gordon Newman said
Fri Dec 14 1:16 AM, 2012
14.20-16.00 very cold but pleasant
1 Short-eared Owl - flew from C5 across C4 and was lost to view 4 Fieldfare- C4 1 Male Bulfinch- C10 in bushes at end of road 1 Snipe - C10 plus usuals
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Dec 13 5:08 AM, 2012
11-00-- 14-20 very cold+ frosty, rime frost covering on all the trees, bushes + plantlife
stock pond completely frozen, Higher Hall flash over 95% frozen.
32 tufted duck, 28 coot, 33 black headed gull, 2 common gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 6 mallard, 3 moorhen, 1 cormorant, 1 pochard, 2 resident mute swan with 2 more landing on ice, the 2 residents are very territorial i have seen them chase off other mute swans + canada geese in the past, they did make threatening gestures but were unwilling to leave the bit of unfrozen water they were in. 3 grey heron + 2 common snipe around the unfrozen drainage/ overflow channel, 2 more grey heron in corner of Fir Tree flash with 6 coot, 6 blackbird, 15 magpie, 2 long tailed tit with blue tit + great tit, flock of 14 long tailed tit.3 robin, 2 carrion crow, 2 wood pigeon, 1 reed bunting, 3 meadow pipit, 2 jay. 1 pied wagtail in trees near Bickershaw lane and on road at top of HH flash, collared dove, starling, house sparrow and 1 great spotted woodpecker in gardens of two big houses backing onto road above flash.
Bernard McGurrin said
Wed Dec 12 5:03 AM, 2012
12-50-- 14-35 bright sunshine but very frosty + cold especially in shade
stock pond completely frozen Higher Hall Flash 90% frozen
on first circuit of flash 20+ coot, 30+ tufted duck, 1 female shoveler with 3 mallard, 1 little grebe, 6 moorhen, 58 black headed gull, 2 common gull, 1 lesser black backed gull,2 mute swan, on second circuit approx 70mins after first gulls had increased to 109 black headed, 6 common gull + 1 lesser black backed gull. 2 cormorant on north bank, 1 grey heron + 3 mallard on overflow channel
wren, robin, carrion crow, wood pigeon, meadow pipit, great tit, flock of 24 long tailed tit, magpie, blackbird.
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Dec 7 4:28 AM, 2012
09-20-- 12-35
Stock pond completely frozen Higher Hall flash about 50% frozen
2 mute swan, 1 godeneye, 3 common gull amongst 48 black headed and 1 lesser black backed gull seen on 1st circuit of flash on 2nd circuit later on no sign of goldeneye and only 1 common gull. 46 coot, 39 tufted duck, 9 moorhen, 1 cormorant, 3 mallard, no sign of any grebe. drainage/ overflow channel was free of ice and on 1st circuit 6 mallard, 1 grey heron and 1 grey wagtail were showing, nothing on 2nd circuit. nice to meet Gary + Wayne on 2nd circuit and we studied a flock of 50 ish mainly goldfinch but also containing siskin, redpoll and linnet in trees around flash, top road near flash was very quiet seeing only 2 long tailed tit and 1 great tit with a few magpie in trees. flock of c 20 redwing over near scrapyards but again pretty quiet with 2 blackbird, 1 robin, 1 carrion crow + magpies. flock of 16 goldfinch in trees off new road, 2 meadow pipit, 1 wren, 1 kestrel hunting above field,
Bernard McGurrin said
Wed Dec 5 2:35 AM, 2012
11-50---14-35
Higher Hall flash + stock pond
1 goldeneye, 1 great crested grebe, 2 mute swan, 1 lesser black backed gull, 5 moorhen, 27 coot, 28 black headed gull, 53 tufted duck, 1 grey heron, cormorant over, 2 little grebe definitely seen i think a third was present, great spotted woodpecker in trees around stock pond, 1 common snipe flew out of drainage/ overflow ditch,
c 20 goldfinch, 3 blue tit, 6 chaffinch, 7 great tit, various small flocks of long tailed tit 3, 7, 10, 11 + 14. 3 robin, 1 wren, 7 blackbird, 9 magpie, 3 carrion crow, 1 jay, 1 mistle thrush, 2 collared dove + 3 starling in gardens near entrance gate to car park.
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Nov 30 3:31 AM, 2012
10-30--14-15 sunny but cold
Higher Hall flash + stock pond
1 lesser black backed gull, 35 black headed gull, 29 tufted duck, 31 coot, 12 mallard, 2 mute swan, 2 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 7 moorhen, 1 cormorant, no sign of goldeneye today, above the houses on Bickershaw Lane 15 loft pigeons were mobbing a sparrowhawk, numerous wood pigeon + magpie approx 35 carrion crow. 9 blackbird, 2 blue tit, 4 robin, 1 wren, 2 goldfinch, 2 great tit, 3 chaffinch seen but could hear more deeper into trees, flock of 14 long tailed tit plus a single and further on 3 that i think were stragglers from bigger flocks that i could hear but not see, 20+ redwing, 1 buzzard, 1 common snipe, 1 jay,1 mistlethrush, 1 kestrel.
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Nov 29 2:43 AM, 2012
13-30--16-50 sunny but cold
Higher Hall flash + stock pond first visit 13-30 - 14-30 second visit 15-55-16-45
27 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 1m goldeneye, 10 mallard, 23 coot, 34 tufted duck, 3 great crested grebe, 2 mute swan, 1 cormorant on flash + 1 over, on 1st visit only 1 moorhen but 7 on 2nd visit, 24 lapwing over heading NE at 14-15-- 13 heading SW at 14-05 possibly some of same birds heading back to roost. brief glimpse of grey wagtail on 2nd visit near drainage/ overflow ditch.
pretty quiet as regards small birds,1 blue tit, 9 chaffinch, 6 blackbirds, 1 wren, 5 wood pigeon, 2 meadow pipit, 7 magpie, 1 grey heron over, c40 carrion crow heading back to roost mobbing a single buzzard, 5mins later another 80ish carrion crow flew in same direction, had decent views of them but couldn't pick out any other corvids amongst either flock. until these went over only saw 2 other crow which is very low for here and didn't see any long tailed or great tit again unusual.
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Nov 26 1:26 AM, 2012
2 skeins of pink footed geese c140 + c60
Higher Hall Flash 2 goldeneye, 1m,1f, 2 gadwall ( stock pond), 9 mallard, 3 great crested grebe, 8 moorhen, 2 cormorant ( 1 on flash 1 over) 28 coot, 33 tufted duck, 47 black headed gull on flash numerous over approx 600 in all probably heading back to roost at pennington, 2 mute swan, 1 wigeon. no sign of grey wagtail today but did see it again yesterday,
19 meadow pipit, 9 linnet ( near bottom of new road) 1 kestrel, 1 buzzard, c25 goldfinch, 12 blackbird, 4 robin, 1 wren, 2 mistlethrush,1 collared dove, numerous carrion crow, magpie and woodpigeon. 1 pheasant seen but sounded like at least 3 squabbling. only saw 3 long tailed tit usually lots more.
Gordon Newman said
Sat Nov 24 8:05 PM, 2012
7.45-10.00 heavy mist and cold 1 Chiffchaff - on top rucks 1 Siskin 300+ Starling rose from Tinker Joe's reeedbed at 7.50 otherwise very quiet
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Nov 23 3:43 AM, 2012
08-45-- 12-00 very windy but managed to avoid most of the rain just a couple of showers.
Higher Hall flash + stock pond 1 goldeneye m,3 great crested grebe, 1 grey heron, 1 cormorant, 6 moorhen, 8 mallard, 2 mute swan, 19 tufted duck, 37 black headed gull, 26 coot. 1 grey wagtail around drainage overflow ditch near gate. 30+ golfinch, 20+ long tailed tit. little grebe heard but not seen.
5 meadow pipit, 1 common snipe very close to concrete road, 7 chaffinch, numerous goldfinch, long tailed tit + great tit, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 6 blackbird, 2 robin, 1 wren. plenty of magpie + carrion crow, 9 wood pigeon.
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Nov 16 4:30 AM, 2012
late afternoon walk 15-00-- 16-50
at least 150 probably closer to 200 pink footed geese over at 16-00 7 grey partridge, numerous redwing but not seen any fielfare here as yet. 30+ chaffinch behind Bickershaw school no brambling amongst them, 5 linnet on top of rucks, plenty of long tailed and great tit, goldfinch, 1 great spotted woodpecker, heron and cormorant over.
james hall said
Mon Nov 12 7:29 PM, 2012
sunday 11th 3pm-4:30pm produced:
55 WHOOPER SWANS(FLYING SOUTH OVER NEW ROAD NEAR FLASH WITH A BOUT 15-20 JUV CALLING A BOUT 4PM FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN THIS MANY IN A FLOCK, BRILLIANT. 25 PINK-FOOTED GEESE OVER GREY WAGTAIL ON NEW FISHING PEGS 2 REDWING ON BERRIES NEAR CAR PARK FLOCK OF FIELDFARE 1 KINGFISHER ON FIR TREE FLASH LOADS OF TITS ECT 20+ TUFFTED DUCK 3 GREAT CRESTED GREBE ON HIGHER HALL FLASH AND 1 ON FIR TREE FLASH KESTREL, CORMORANT, MEADOW PIPIT
ON A WHOLE BRILLIANT DAY WITH 31 SPECIES SEEN.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 12th of November 2012 08:52:17 PM
Bernard McGurrin said
Sat Nov 10 2:11 AM, 2012
60+ pink footed geese flying in a westerly direction at 08-35 am, male stonechat just off new road where it leads to Higher Hall flash. 15 redwing, 8 blackbird, plenty of long tailed tit, 9 meadow pipit, two charms of goldfinch 8 + 11, buzzard perched in trees, Kestrel hunting. Higher Hall Flash 2 goldeneye, 2 little grebe, 4 great crested grebe, 2 mute swan, 8 mallard, 6 moorhen, approx 25 coot, approx 40 tufted duck, 1 lesser black backed gull, 16 black headed gull.
Gordon Newman said
Fri Oct 26 10:11 AM, 2012
7.40-9.45 1 Short-eared Owl - seen over top rucks at 7.50 then again at 9.15 1 Water Rail 30 Redwing 1 Chiffchaff 10+ Siskin 3 Lesser Redpoll 100+ Woodpigeon 80+ Pink-footed Geese - 2 skeins 30+ SE at 8.45 and 50+ W at 9.45 plus usuals
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Friday 26th of October 2012 10:24:32 AM
Gordon Newman said
Mon Oct 22 8:33 PM, 2012
9.25-12.30 20 Redwing Water Rail called breifly on Tinker Joe's Flash 2 Raven plus usuals
Gordon Newman said
Fri Oct 19 5:15 PM, 2012
8.30-9.15 400+ Woodpigeon south 6 Siskin 5 Pied Wagtail 2 Grey Wagtail small numbers of Linnet plus usuals
Gordon Newman said
Mon Oct 15 2:50 AM, 2012
15.30-18.00 1 Water Rail - went for a pee in bushes at edge of ditch at the end of road for propossed golf course when noticed a small bird in thickets to the side of me but was not forthcoming in showing itself to i.d, so in true Bill Oddie style thought I would try pishing to attract its attention and nearly fell over when instantly a Water Rail started squealing at me. 100+ Pink-footed Geese over top rucks at 17.50 SE
Gordon Newman said
Sat Oct 13 9:06 PM, 2012
8-12.30 2 Redwing 2 Chiffchaff 3 Siskin generally very quiet
Gordon Newman said
Tue Oct 2 5:15 PM, 2012
8.30 - 9.45 heavy rain 1 Whitethroat 4 Chiffchaff 7 Snipe usual Buzzard then sun came out as I got home
Gordon Newman said
Fri Sep 28 7:22 PM, 2012
1 Hobby flew low over flash below top rucks flushing at least 15 Snipe at 10 a.m
Gordon Newman said
Mon Sep 17 12:35 AM, 2012
a.m 20+ Redwing south over top rucks at 11.15 15 Snipe
Gordon Newman said
Sun Sep 16 1:33 AM, 2012
12.45 - 3.15 1 Common Sandpiper on Tinker Joe's Flash 1 Greenshank over top rucks 1 Sand Martin 2 Great - spotted Woodpecker plus usuals
Gordon Newman said
Tue Sep 11 11:31 PM, 2012
9 - 10 Top Rucks only 1 Marsh Harrier flew over and disappeared over trees in direction of Crankwood 1 Greenshank 20+ Mistle Thrush 1 Chiffchaff singing
yesterday 3 hour walk
1 probable Hobby didn't see well enough to be sure. 1 male Pochard on Higher Hall Flash 25 + Mistle Thrush 5 Chiffchaff - all singing Wllow Warbler singing 2 Great - Spotted Woodpecker plus usuals
Bernard McGurrin said
Thu Aug 30 7:52 PM, 2012
Green Woodpecker at bottom of new road this morning ( 1st i've seen over here for approx 9months)
c100 goldfinch feeding on thistles etc in field, about 20 feeding and whilst i was watching these another 40 or so joined them and within 30seconds of those another similar sized flock flew in. 2 grey partridge and 3 pheasant in fields, 6 swallow over field,
yesterday evening a flock of around 20 mistlethrush and 3 blackbird feeding on berries.
Gordon Newman said
Mon Aug 13 3:23 AM, 2012
6pm 1 Greenshank flew from wet tusocky grass below top rucks, called briefly, and was quiclkly lost to view and was unable to relocate.
Gordon Newman said
Mon Jul 16 8:46 PM, 2012
morning visit 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing well. 1 Water Rail calling for about 15 minutes on Tinker Joe's Flash, wasn't able to locate it amongst thick vegetation.
Gordon Newman said
Mon Jul 16 4:28 AM, 2012
1 Ringed Plover on flash below top rucks before flying off in direction of Penny Flash early evening
Bernard McGurrin said
Sat Jul 14 4:39 AM, 2012
Kingfisher on Higher Hall Flash 6-30pm this evening, not seen a Kingfisher on here since last September, that doesn't of course mean they haven't been here just that i haven't seen them.
Gordon Newman said
Mon Jun 18 7:29 PM, 2012
Major surprise this morning 2 Siskin flew overhead calling by Fir Tree Flash. Don't normally seen them here this time of year.
Gordon Newman said
Sun Jun 17 5:48 AM, 2012
bit of a surprise this evening for late season, a pair of Sparrowhawk with the male displaying with typical climb and sudden stoop and rising again, both birds calling to each other all the time.
Bernard McGurrin said
Tue May 29 5:49 AM, 2012
late evening stroll highlights 1 whinchat a patch 1st for me 2 wheatear 1 cuckoo c30 swift with 6 swallow and 2 house martin, 3 grasshopper warbler heard but not seen.
Gordon Newman said
Mon May 28 6:01 PM, 2012
8.00 - 10.30 1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo + the usuals
Gordon Newman said
Sat May 26 5:56 PM, 2012
7.15 - 9.30 very quiet only bird of note was a Green Woodpecker yaffeling close to scrapyard
C9 plenty of activity in trees above flash 2 chaffinch, 1 siskin, plenty of great tit + long tailed tit 8 blackbird, at least 2 robin, wren + dunnock, blue tit, magpie wood pigeon,carrion crow.
2 mute swan, 2 great crested grebe, 1 lesser black backed gull, 24 black headed gull, c40 coot, c30 tufted duck, 8 mallard, 1 moorhen,9 gadwall ( 5 stock pond, 4 main flash) 1 female shoveller on stock pond 1 grey heron on stock pond, 1 cormorant over.
C10 11 redwing numerous great tit + goldfinch,
C12 looking across to crankwood road just up from childrens play area, i spotted fieldfare in the trees at first count i got 42 with 3 redwing, but i noticed they kept dropping into the field and i couldn't see anything from my vantage point so i moved further down, a large flock of predominately fieldfare were feeding in the fields with the birds in the trees i would estimate close to 200, as well as fieldfare i did see blackbird, redwing and at least 1 mistle thrush among them.
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Tuesday 8th of January 2013 04:24:31 PM
mostly cloudy,warm,gentle breeze
C3 -
Great-spotted Woodpecker x1, Mistle Thrush x 2,
C4 -
Stonechat 1st W female - close to path dividing c3 & c4
C6 -
Great -crested Grebe x2, Tufted Duck x14, Long-tailed Tit x40+,
C9 -
Gadwall x5, Shoveler x1 female, Tufted Duck x30+, Little Grebe x1 , Great-crested Grebe x 1
plus usuals
good walk all round but very little seen around C2,3,4,+5, probably due to the very noisy off road motorbikes in all these areas.
C9 higher hall flash, stock pond + surrounding area,
plenty of blackbird in good song with one even trying to mount a female although she was having none of that.
numerous robin along top road and behind scrapyards also in good voice,
3 chaffinch, 2 wren, great tit + blue tit, 2 small flocks long tailed tit,magpie, carrion crow + wood pigeon.
on flash 2 mute swan, 1 lesser black backed gull, 154 black headed gull, 37 coot, 2 great crested grebe, 34 tufted duck, 2 moorhen, 11 mallard, 12 gadwall ( 6 on stock pond,6 on flash,) 1 female shoveller,
C7 approx 40 starling, 5 house sparrow, 3 collared dove, long tailed tit, great tit, wood pigeon, magpie. kestrel.
C6 fir tree flash + surrounding area,
19 tufted duck, 6 canada geese, 6 coot, 1 moorhen, 1 great crested grebe, 31 mallard, 1 pochard, 2 mute swan, flock of 20+ goldfinch, 1 chaffinch, long tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, wren, blackbird, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon.
C5 3 meadow pipit, 1 skylark.
kingfisher on stock pond at 15-12pm, grey heron + cormorant also on stock pond
Higher hall flash 3 gadwall ( 7 on stock pond yesterday) 2 great crested grebe, 2 mute swan, c40 tufted duck, c40 coot, 30ish black headed gull, 1 little grebe, 11 mallard,
1 kestrel in trees just above flash, blackbird, robin, long tailed tit, goldfinch, wren, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon, collared dove, great tit + blue tit in surrounding trees + bushes.
yesterday 2 common snipe 1 around stock pond and 1 around main flash.
highlights today:
1 Woodcock - flew from top rucks (c4) low directly over my head, over trees by football field and dropped into corner of C3 near where I saw one on Xmas day (still surprises me how big these birds look when close by in the air).
75 + mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing flew from rucks c4 over c12 towards the fields beyond (was unable to count them more precisely as I was in tree cover with limited viewing).
1 Common Gull - on football field with 20 Black-headed Gulls
3 Snipe c10
4 Reed Bunting - c6
3 Skylark - in song over c2
plus usuals
Higher Hall flash + stock pond
150+ black headed gulls, 1 lesser black backed gull spent some time looking through them but could only see black headed.
2 cormorant, 2 mute swan, 2 great crested grebe, 3 moorhen, 11 mallard, 1 goldeneye, 40+ tufted duck, 40+ coot. 2 gadwall on stock pond couldn't see any on main flash. trees around flash pretty quiet a single goldfinch flitting about, 1 wren 1 robin 2 blackbird, 6 magpie, 2 woodpigeon.
C8 fields also pretty quiet 2 carrion crow over 4 meadow pipit, 3 magpie.
Fir tree flash
1 pochard, 29 mallard, 4 canada geese, 5 coot, 2 mute swan, 1 great crested grebe, 1 moorhen, 1 tufted duck, 1 cormorant over.1 grey heron
trees around fir tree flash numerous great tit, 1 wren, 1 blue tit, 1 robin, 3 blackbird, mistle thrush heard singing lustily but not seen.
top of rucks, blackbird, small flock of long tailed tit, numerous wood pigeon + magpie, 6 carrion crow, 50+ lapwing flew overhead at 11-35 heading towards Pennington flash,
didn't walk down to tinker joes but viewed from top of rucks 1 coot, 30+ black headed gull.
on way home up the concrete road i snipe seen in C 10
-- Edited by Bernard McGurrin on Thursday 3rd of January 2013 09:18:20 PM
Quite late when i got out today and dull so much of walk in dark or poor light with some drizzle.
Higher hall flash, 2 mute swan, 3 moorhen, 2 great crested grebe, 6 gadwall, (4 main flash, 2 stock pond) 1 cormorant, 40+ coot, 50+ tufted duck, 20ish black headed gull, 8 mallard
trees above flash 16 goldfinch, 7 chaffinch, 1 wren, blackbird, magpie, wood pigeon, carrion crow, long tailed tit.
Yesterday new years day 09-15-- 11-45
trees + bushes (C9) above flash very lively flock of approx 40 mainly goldfinch also contained at least 2 siskin, 3 linnet + 3 redpoll, flock of 30-40 long tailed tit with 8 great tit + 2 blue tit, robin, wren, magpie,blackbird, carrion crow + wood pigeon when i came back a couple of hours later very little showing 2 long tailed tit and 3 magpie.
Higher Hall flash,
4 gadwall 2 on main flash 2 on stock pond. 1 goldeneye, 2 mute swan, 2 great crested grebe, 1 lesser black backed gull c70 black headed gull couldn't pick any common gull out, 1 cormorant, 40+ coot, 50+ tufted duck, 9 mallard, 5 moorhen.
C9 behind scrapyards, 20+ long tailed tit, 2 redwing, 5 chaffinch, numerous great tit,
C7 in trees near haulage yard off Smiths lane, 20+ starling with house sparrows + 3 collared dove,
C8 1 buzzard over, 2 meadow pipit, not seen stonechat since Dec 18th so probably moved on.
completed my new years day with an hour watching the waxwings at Howe bridge then a couple of hours at Penny flah.
very quiet generally highlights being
1 Buzzard - c10
3 Snipe - c 4
2 Linnet - c 4
3 Redpoll c 4
1 Sparrowhawk - on post before flying low along fence line - c10 after the deluge of rain had stopped.
Happy New Year (nearly)
all the best
Gordon
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Monday 31st of December 2012 07:04:37 PM
Quick walk round top rucks
1 Woodcock close to entrance by Firsway Garage
2 Redwing
Happy Christmas everyone
Higher Hall flash ( C9 ) 30+ gulls mainly black headed, 1 lesser black backed and at least 2 common gull, 36 coot, 24 tufted duck, 3 moorhen, 2 mute swan, 7 mallard.
plenty of long tailed tit and great tit in trees alongside road at top of flash, 2 blackbird, 1 robin, 1 wren, 3 blue tit, usual magpie, carrion crow + wood pigeon, could hear great spotted woodpecker but didn't see it.
sparrowhawk flew over C7, C8, + C9 heading towards Hindley Green.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 18th of December 2012 10:03:29 PM
james
1 goldcrest(fir tree)
4 linnet
loads long-tailed tit, siskin and redpol together
sparrowhawk
1 feildfare
a couple of common gulls with loads of black headed
no sign of short eared owl
and if any one could help me with my mistery bird today whitch i thought was a red legged partridge as i was near the new road by the fishermans gate and we flushed it - it was alot bigger than a grey partridge and called as it got up. Are they seen round there and has anyone else seen one?
plenty of activity in trees above Higher Hall flash (C9) 2 dunnock, robin, great tit, blue tit, long tailed tit, blackbird, magpie + carrion crow, flock of 17 mixed linnet + redpoll in field west of flash, 3 goldfinch.
60+ gulls on flash, mainly black headed with 1 lesser black backed + 5 common gulls, 16 coot, 5 moorhen, 2 mute swan. 2 mallard, no tufted duck this morning.
C11 great tit, long tailed tit, blackbird, goldfinch.
C8 2 stonechat just a bit further up from where seen earlier in week, similar time just after 11-00, viewed from old farm track between C9 +C8, whilst watching stonechat a short eared owl flew from behind treeline and flew low across C8 towards C7 and was lost from view, 1 grey heron over, 2 meadow pipit.
C4 top of rucks very quiet a couple of carrion crow and magpies.
Higher Hall flash still 95% frozen although yesterdays rain was lying on top of the ice giving the gulls + coot the appearance of walking on water.
70+ gulls mainly black headed with 4 common and 1 lesser black backed, 3 moorhen, 2 mute swan, 40+ coot, 14 tufted duck, 4 mallard,1 grey heron.
14 wood pigeon in trees at back of stock pond, small flock of long tailed tit, 1 wren, a few magpies, 1 blackbird, 1 carrion crow.
1 Marsh Harrier - watched for some 15mins quartering C1n, 2&3 from Tinker Joe's Flash before drifting towards Bickershaw and behind tree line.
Had a quick look for yesterdays Stonechat without luck by which time the weather was not pleasant.
2 stonechat in corner of c8, was watching 1 for 2-3 minutes perching on stems then dropping down and returning to stems, then joined by another, 11-10am
82 pink footed geese over 11-27 heading nw
stock pond completely frozen Higher Hall flash over 95% frozen
87 gulls mainly black headed with 9 common, 40+ coot, 1 little grebe, 2 mute swan presumably residents no sign of yesterdays visitors, 9 mallard, 5 moorhen, only 16 tufted duck.
small charm of 12 goldfinch in trees around flash,
1 grey heron over, blackbird, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon,long tailed tit + robin all in small numbers.
common snipe, wren in c8
very cold but pleasant
1 Short-eared Owl - flew from C5 across C4 and was lost to view
4 Fieldfare- C4
1 Male Bulfinch- C10 in bushes at end of road
1 Snipe - C10
plus usuals
stock pond completely frozen, Higher Hall flash over 95% frozen.
32 tufted duck, 28 coot, 33 black headed gull, 2 common gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 6 mallard, 3 moorhen, 1 cormorant, 1 pochard, 2 resident mute swan with 2 more landing on ice, the 2 residents are very territorial i have seen them chase off other mute swans + canada geese in the past, they did make threatening gestures but were unwilling to leave the bit of unfrozen water they were in.
3 grey heron + 2 common snipe around the unfrozen drainage/ overflow channel, 2 more grey heron in corner of Fir Tree flash with 6 coot,
6 blackbird, 15 magpie, 2 long tailed tit with blue tit + great tit, flock of 14 long tailed tit.3 robin, 2 carrion crow, 2 wood pigeon, 1 reed bunting, 3 meadow pipit, 2 jay.
1 pied wagtail in trees near Bickershaw lane and on road at top of HH flash, collared dove, starling, house sparrow and 1 great spotted woodpecker in gardens of two big houses backing onto road above flash.
stock pond completely frozen Higher Hall Flash 90% frozen
on first circuit of flash 20+ coot, 30+ tufted duck, 1 female shoveler with 3 mallard, 1 little grebe, 6 moorhen, 58 black headed gull, 2 common gull, 1 lesser black backed gull,2 mute swan,
on second circuit approx 70mins after first gulls had increased to 109 black headed, 6 common gull + 1 lesser black backed gull. 2 cormorant on north bank, 1 grey heron + 3 mallard on overflow channel
wren, robin, carrion crow, wood pigeon, meadow pipit, great tit, flock of 24 long tailed tit, magpie, blackbird.
Stock pond completely frozen Higher Hall flash about 50% frozen
2 mute swan, 1 godeneye, 3 common gull amongst 48 black headed and 1 lesser black backed gull seen on 1st circuit of flash on 2nd circuit later on no sign of goldeneye and only 1 common gull.
46 coot, 39 tufted duck, 9 moorhen, 1 cormorant, 3 mallard, no sign of any grebe.
drainage/ overflow channel was free of ice and on 1st circuit 6 mallard, 1 grey heron and 1 grey wagtail were showing, nothing on 2nd circuit.
nice to meet Gary + Wayne on 2nd circuit and we studied a flock of 50 ish mainly goldfinch but also containing siskin, redpoll and linnet in trees around flash,
top road near flash was very quiet seeing only 2 long tailed tit and 1 great tit with a few magpie in trees.
flock of c 20 redwing over near scrapyards but again pretty quiet with 2 blackbird, 1 robin, 1 carrion crow + magpies.
flock of 16 goldfinch in trees off new road, 2 meadow pipit, 1 wren, 1 kestrel hunting above field,
Higher Hall flash + stock pond
1 goldeneye, 1 great crested grebe, 2 mute swan, 1 lesser black backed gull, 5 moorhen, 27 coot, 28 black headed gull, 53 tufted duck, 1 grey heron, cormorant over, 2 little grebe definitely seen i think a third was present, great spotted woodpecker in trees around stock pond, 1 common snipe flew out of drainage/ overflow ditch,
c 20 goldfinch, 3 blue tit, 6 chaffinch, 7 great tit, various small flocks of long tailed tit 3, 7, 10, 11 + 14. 3 robin, 1 wren, 7 blackbird, 9 magpie, 3 carrion crow, 1 jay,
1 mistle thrush, 2 collared dove + 3 starling in gardens near entrance gate to car park.
Higher Hall flash + stock pond
1 lesser black backed gull, 35 black headed gull, 29 tufted duck, 31 coot, 12 mallard, 2 mute swan, 2 great crested grebe, 1 little grebe, 7 moorhen, 1 cormorant, no sign of goldeneye today,
above the houses on Bickershaw Lane 15 loft pigeons were mobbing a sparrowhawk,
numerous wood pigeon + magpie approx 35 carrion crow. 9 blackbird, 2 blue tit, 4 robin, 1 wren, 2 goldfinch, 2 great tit, 3 chaffinch seen but could hear more deeper into trees, flock of 14 long tailed tit plus a single and further on 3 that i think were stragglers from bigger flocks that i could hear but not see, 20+ redwing, 1 buzzard, 1 common snipe, 1 jay,1 mistlethrush, 1 kestrel.
Higher Hall flash + stock pond first visit 13-30 - 14-30 second visit 15-55-16-45
27 black headed gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 1m goldeneye, 10 mallard, 23 coot, 34 tufted duck, 3 great crested grebe, 2 mute swan, 1 cormorant on flash + 1 over, on 1st visit only 1 moorhen but 7 on 2nd visit, 24 lapwing over heading NE at 14-15-- 13 heading SW at 14-05 possibly some of same birds heading back to roost. brief glimpse of grey wagtail on 2nd visit near drainage/ overflow ditch.
pretty quiet as regards small birds,1 blue tit, 9 chaffinch, 6 blackbirds, 1 wren, 5 wood pigeon, 2 meadow pipit, 7 magpie, 1 grey heron over,
c40 carrion crow heading back to roost mobbing a single buzzard, 5mins later another 80ish carrion crow flew in same direction, had decent views of them but couldn't pick out any other corvids amongst either flock. until these went over only saw 2 other crow which is very low for here and didn't see any long tailed or great tit again unusual.
Higher Hall Flash
2 goldeneye, 1m,1f, 2 gadwall ( stock pond), 9 mallard, 3 great crested grebe, 8 moorhen, 2 cormorant ( 1 on flash 1 over) 28 coot, 33 tufted duck, 47 black headed gull on flash numerous over approx 600 in all probably heading back to roost at pennington, 2 mute swan, 1 wigeon. no sign of grey wagtail today but did see it again yesterday,
19 meadow pipit, 9 linnet ( near bottom of new road) 1 kestrel, 1 buzzard, c25 goldfinch, 12 blackbird, 4 robin, 1 wren, 2 mistlethrush,1 collared dove, numerous carrion crow, magpie and woodpigeon. 1 pheasant seen but sounded like at least 3 squabbling. only saw 3 long tailed tit usually lots more.
heavy mist and cold
1 Chiffchaff - on top rucks
1 Siskin
300+ Starling rose from Tinker Joe's reeedbed at 7.50
otherwise very quiet
Higher Hall flash + stock pond
1 goldeneye m,3 great crested grebe, 1 grey heron, 1 cormorant, 6 moorhen, 8 mallard, 2 mute swan, 19 tufted duck, 37 black headed gull, 26 coot. 1 grey wagtail around drainage overflow ditch near gate. 30+ golfinch, 20+ long tailed tit. little grebe heard but not seen.
5 meadow pipit, 1 common snipe very close to concrete road, 7 chaffinch, numerous goldfinch, long tailed tit + great tit, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 6 blackbird, 2 robin, 1 wren. plenty of magpie + carrion crow, 9 wood pigeon.
at least 150 probably closer to 200 pink footed geese over at 16-00
7 grey partridge, numerous redwing but not seen any fielfare here as yet.
30+ chaffinch behind Bickershaw school no brambling amongst them, 5 linnet on top of rucks, plenty of long tailed and great tit, goldfinch, 1 great spotted woodpecker, heron and cormorant over.
55 WHOOPER SWANS(FLYING SOUTH OVER NEW ROAD NEAR FLASH WITH A BOUT 15-20 JUV CALLING A BOUT 4PM FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN THIS MANY IN A FLOCK, BRILLIANT.
25 PINK-FOOTED GEESE OVER
GREY WAGTAIL ON NEW FISHING PEGS
2 REDWING ON BERRIES NEAR CAR PARK
FLOCK OF FIELDFARE
1 KINGFISHER ON FIR TREE FLASH
LOADS OF TITS ECT
20+ TUFFTED DUCK
3 GREAT CRESTED GREBE ON HIGHER HALL FLASH AND 1 ON FIR TREE FLASH
KESTREL, CORMORANT, MEADOW PIPIT
ON A WHOLE BRILLIANT DAY WITH 31 SPECIES SEEN.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 12th of November 2012 08:52:17 PM
male stonechat just off new road where it leads to Higher Hall flash.
15 redwing, 8 blackbird, plenty of long tailed tit, 9 meadow pipit, two charms of goldfinch 8 + 11, buzzard perched in trees, Kestrel hunting.
Higher Hall Flash
2 goldeneye, 2 little grebe, 4 great crested grebe, 2 mute swan, 8 mallard, 6 moorhen, approx 25 coot, approx 40 tufted duck, 1 lesser black backed gull, 16 black headed gull.
1 Short-eared Owl - seen over top rucks at 7.50 then again at 9.15
1 Water Rail
30 Redwing
1 Chiffchaff
10+ Siskin
3 Lesser Redpoll
100+ Woodpigeon
80+ Pink-footed Geese - 2 skeins 30+ SE at 8.45 and 50+ W at 9.45
plus usuals
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Friday 26th of October 2012 10:24:32 AM
20 Redwing
Water Rail called breifly on Tinker Joe's Flash
2 Raven
plus usuals
400+ Woodpigeon south
6 Siskin
5 Pied Wagtail
2 Grey Wagtail
small numbers of Linnet
plus usuals
1 Water Rail - went for a pee in bushes at edge of ditch at the end of road for propossed golf course when noticed a small bird in thickets to the side of me but was not forthcoming in showing itself to i.d, so in true Bill Oddie style thought I would try pishing to attract its attention and nearly fell over when instantly a Water Rail started squealing at me.
100+ Pink-footed Geese over top rucks at 17.50 SE
2 Redwing
2 Chiffchaff
3 Siskin
generally very quiet
heavy rain
1 Whitethroat
4 Chiffchaff
7 Snipe
usual Buzzard
then sun came out as I got home
20+ Redwing south over top rucks at 11.15
15 Snipe
1 Common Sandpiper on Tinker Joe's Flash
1 Greenshank over top rucks
1 Sand Martin
2 Great - spotted Woodpecker
plus usuals
Top Rucks only
1 Marsh Harrier flew over and disappeared over trees in direction of Crankwood
1 Greenshank
20+ Mistle Thrush
1 Chiffchaff singing
yesterday 3 hour walk
1 probable Hobby didn't see well enough to be sure.
1 male Pochard on Higher Hall Flash
25 + Mistle Thrush
5 Chiffchaff - all singing
Wllow Warbler singing
2 Great - Spotted Woodpecker
plus usuals
c100 goldfinch feeding on thistles etc in field, about 20 feeding and whilst i was watching these another 40 or so joined them and within 30seconds of those another similar sized flock flew in.
2 grey partridge and 3 pheasant in fields, 6 swallow over field,
yesterday evening a flock of around 20 mistlethrush and 3 blackbird feeding on berries.
1 Greenshank flew from wet tusocky grass below top rucks, called briefly, and was quiclkly lost to view and was unable to relocate.
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing well.
1 Water Rail calling for about 15 minutes on Tinker Joe's Flash, wasn't able to locate it amongst thick vegetation.
1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo + the usuals
very quiet only bird of note was a Green Woodpecker yaffeling close to scrapyard