A couple of hours this afternoon, Douglas valley, Pendlebury lane to Sennicar lane circular.
1 Woodcock 4 Bramblings, 1 M 3 F 8 Mandarins, 2 groups 1 group 2 M 1 F second group of 5 flushed before I could get a good look. Its amazing the behaviour difference between these ducks on the river than on the canal, when on the canal are approachable, down on the river your lucky to get 80 metres away. Single Buzzard over, two separate kills found, both look like young Rabbits but Im thinking it must be too early yet for these. Good numbers of finches about, 2 good size flocks in the trees, not much about in the fields yet
dave broome said
Sat Mar 2 6:10 PM, 2013
Friday 1st March: Woodcock near the River Douglas off Chorley Road; 2 Siskin in the Douglas Valley east of Ludovic Terrace
dave broome said
Tue Feb 26 9:22 PM, 2013
2 Woodcock and 2 Treecreeper at Crawford's Wood today
dave broome said
Tue Feb 26 3:32 AM, 2013
Woodcock today in woodland near Pendlebury Lane; Peregrine north along the Douglas valley, probably an imm female; 50+ Jackdaw displaying with Rooks near Meadow Pit and 27 Lapwing on a ploughed field along the road from there
Paul Risley said
Mon Feb 25 7:15 AM, 2013
1pm - 4pm Copull lane to twenty bridges along the banks of the river Douglas.
1 pair of Dippers, usual place ( I had 2 pairs on territories in Arley Woods on Friday) 1 Woodcock Pair of Buzzards Male Brambling on Hall Lane Great Spotted Woodpeckers, after seeing none for what seems like ages suddenly they were everywhere, two males drumming in neighbouring trees with a female in attendance and drumming heard in another four locations. 3 Nuthatches 12 Mandarins, same as last week, a group of 9 and a group of 3
Also of possible interest to users of lady mabels wood, went on the tour the other week which was pretty disappointing, the planned lake has been shelved due to the cost of applying for planning permission, apparently it would cost over £2,000 just to get through the planning stage, not much else worth mentioning.
Paul Risley said
Sun Feb 17 5:20 AM, 2013
Productive couple of hours in the Douglas valley 11.30 - 1.30pm
2 Woodcock, possibly 3 but couldnt be sure if 3rd one was not a reflush Single female brambling mixed in with a flock of chaffinch and goldfinch Single kingfisher flew down river Pair of buzzards displaying Pair of dippers, one carrying nesting material 12 mandarins, group of 3, 2m 1f and a group of 9, 5m 4f Singles of tree creeper and nuthatch
Paul Risley said
Mon Feb 11 1:36 AM, 2013
couple of hours this afternoon, lower plantations, Douglas valley.
pair of Dippers on usual territory 6 Mandarins single Buzzard 30 Redwings
feeding station hall lane no sign of the Bramblings today, Moorhen showing well walking in road good numbers of Great and Blue Tits, a Song Thrush also showed well. Juvenile Male Sparrowhawk shot through with no luck as I was packing up.
Tom Wrote " Any one seen Green Woodpecker in this area in last 12 months? They used to be fairly regular. "
two pairs successfully raised young in 2009, but since then instead of going from strenght to strenght they have mysteriously disapeared. I've had no luck with them for some time now
Tom Morton said
Thu Feb 7 12:00 AM, 2013
20+ Tree Sparrows Pendlebury Lane; Brambling (poss 2), 2 Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker Wingates Road and 80+ mixed flock Mistle Thrush/Fieldfare/Redwing Hall Lane this morning. Any one seen Green Woodpecker in this area in last 12 months? They used to be fairly regular.
Paul Risley said
Tue Feb 5 6:02 AM, 2013
After getting drenched at Worthington Lakes with little reward decided for a little easy birding at Hall Lane feeding station, 4 Bramblings, 3 Females 1 Male. one of the females wearing a bto ring. Finally caught up with them at last. Usual other stuff about and a notice on the gates. The woodland trust is seeking funding to improve your visitor experience at lady Mabels wood. Visit Haigh Hall CP courtyard anytime between 10am and 3.30pm on Thursday 14th Feb or join a guided walk at the wood on the same day at 2pm meeting at the field gate entrance on hall lane. If you cant make the day you can complete a short online survey at htpp://6347957.polldaddy.com/s/lady-mabels-wood-survey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Paul Risley said
Mon Jan 7 2:30 AM, 2013
Lower Plantations 1.45pm - 4.00pm
4 Ravens over very noisy and seemed to be chasing each other, possible territorial dispute? 19 Siskins near to the River 4 Mandarins 1 Dipper, (no rings) 70+ Pink Footed Geese over heading west 1 Grey Wagtail small flock of Redwings and a few Fieldfares over 40+ Greenfinches at the roost in the upper plantations, quite a lot of Rhodedendron clearance taking place hope they leave the roost sites alone.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Paul Risley said
Mon Dec 17 9:59 PM, 2012
A quick couple of hours this dinner time in the rain produced very little the highlight being a single Woodcock flushed up near the upper feeding station, A female Reed Bunting was unexpected on higher lane and there was good numbers of the common species at the lower feeding station but nothing unusual, a male Brambling had been reported earlier in the week.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Paul Risley said
Tue Dec 11 7:46 PM, 2012
12.15pm - 3.15pm
Lower Plantations single Kingfisher and Dipper on River Grey Heron on River further along Sparrowhawk, low flypast near territory 7 Mandarins single Tawny Owl at roost Treecreeper in with a tit flock plenty of the regulars
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 11th of December 2012 08:23:12 PM
Paul Risley said
Mon Dec 3 3:56 AM, 2012
2pm - 4pm Lower plantations and Douglas Valley
single Kingfisher on River was the highlight 7 Mandarins singles of Grey Wagtail and Grey Heron Raven calling from over golf course plenty of regulars, at the feeding station on hall lane a Magpie was flying up to the tin can feeders and trying to knock some food out with its beak and returning to the ground to pick up what bits it had got.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Paul Risley said
Fri Nov 16 8:56 PM, 2012
8.15 - 11.00 am Canal and upper plantations
single Kingfisher on Canal, when checking ponds later for other Kingfishers a Water Vole put in a quick appearance, cracking record for the area Female Sparrowhawk Tawny Owl back at roost site today at least 5 Nuthatches at various sites 3 Coal tits at Hall lane feeding site plus an acrobatic Jay managing to grab food from the tin can feeders 3 Greenfinches 6 Redwings good numbers of the usual common birds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Paul Risley said
Mon Oct 29 3:18 AM, 2012
12.15pm-4.15pm
lower plantations singles of Dipper and Grey Wagtail on the River Douglas 5 Bullfinches 2 Coal Tits upper plantations 2 Ravens on the Golf course single juv Male Kestrel here to Kingfisher on one of the ponds, checked the Owl roosts but no luck, single Tawny Owl was at one on thursday single male Bullfinch nice views of a female Great Spotted Woodpecker
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Paul Risley said
Thu Oct 25 8:39 PM, 2012
8.30am - 12.00 Canal from Crown Pub to Haigh hall
juvenile male Kestrel male Sparrowhawk Kingfisher Tawny Owl at old roost site Tree Creeper x 2 Nuthatch x 2 Goldcrest x 3 15 Redwings Song Thrush
At the north end of the recording area, near School Covert, a Brambling south this morning with Chaffinches, also moving south were 3 Siskin, 44 Skylark and 1 Yellowhammer
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 22 4:25 AM, 2012
Crossbill north over at 11:10 this morning and a female Blackcap there too.
Info thanks to Peter Alker
Paul Risley said
Mon Oct 22 4:13 AM, 2012
A quick couple of hours this evening walking the canal from the Crown to the Boating lake in the upper Plantations.
2 Kingfishers, one on the boating Lake the other on the canal showing well hunting for his supper Female Sparrowhawk over Single Great Spotted Woodpecker 36 Mallards on the boating lake and 5 Moorhens, took some food for them but they had already been fed. Pair of Mute Swans on canal, ring numbers SLI and FF6, the latter taking food out of my hand Several flocks of corvids, mainly Jackdaws and in groups of approx 50+ heading to the roost on Wutchy Rook
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Paul Risley said
Fri Oct 19 7:07 PM, 2012
A nice hour after work in the upper plantations, trees starting to change colour.
30 Greenfinches and approx same amount of Chaffinches coming in to roost male Great spotted Woodpecker couple of Jays making a racket but couldn't see what had annoyed them male Sparrowhawk hunting along canal lots of Mallards and Moorhens and Wrens seemed to be scolding me every where I went, not much when written as a list but there never seemed to be a dull moment, nice evening.
12.30 - 2.30pm Sennicar lane / Pendlebury lane areas
single Dipper on River, first I've seen there since the floods single Grey Heron 2 Buzzards a few Jays, no more than usuall 30+ Meadow Pipits 3 Greenfinches plus the usuall suspects
60+ Redwing grounded and many others flying over early this morning.
Info thanks to Peter Alker
Paul Risley said
Sat Sep 29 12:03 AM, 2012
another few hours this afternoon, no sign of the cow today so decided it was safe to check out Sennicar Lane Swallows still feeding over the fields, 2 Kestrels hunting and a small charm of Goldfinches were the only other things of note here single Kingfisher on the large boating lake in the upper plantations Douglas Valley near Pennington lane, pair of Mandarins, pair of Buzzards and a Grey Heron
Ian Boote said
Thu Sep 27 7:36 PM, 2012
Paul Risley wrote:
dave broome wrote:
Paul Risley wrote:
helped the local farmer struggling to get a cow out of the drainage ditches and into his trailer, it gave us the runaround for over an hour around the field, ended up caked in mud and still didnt catch it
You deserve a pat on the head Paul
Cheers Dave, I think
Now that's rather amoosing
Paul Risley said
Thu Sep 27 6:22 PM, 2012
dave broome wrote:
Paul Risley wrote:
helped the local farmer struggling to get a cow out of the drainage ditches and into his trailer, it gave us the runaround for over an hour around the field, ended up caked in mud and still didnt catch it
You deserve a pat on the head Paul
Cheers Dave, I think
dave broome said
Thu Sep 27 4:18 PM, 2012
Paul Risley wrote:
helped the local farmer struggling to get a cow out of the drainage ditches and into his trailer, it gave us the runaround for over an hour around the field, ended up caked in mud and still didnt catch it
You deserve a pat on the head Paul
Paul Risley said
Thu Sep 27 5:15 AM, 2012
A couple of hours mouching around the grounds this afternoon Copull lane dam area, the new multi million pound flood prevention dam was nearly over flowing and had to be opened, roads flooded down town again a new lake, lake wigan, had formed and already a family of Mallards were busy feeding Pendlebury lane area, single Goldcrest, good numbers of Tree and House Sparrows at the usual place Sennicar lane 40+ Swallows over fields, 25 Meadow pipits feeding in fields helped the local farmer struggling to get a cow out of the drainage ditches and into his trailer, it gave us the runaround for over an hour around the field, ended up caked in mud and still didnt catch it
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 16 5:46 AM, 2012
At least 7 Blackcaps in one small area of Brambles this afternoon.
Info thanks to Peter Alker
Paul Risley said
Sun Sep 16 2:12 AM, 2012
12 - 4.00pm whelley loop line to pendlebury lane and back along canal
3 Buzzards. 2 Adults, one Juvenile ( very vocal) all on soar at one point with juv making mock attacks on adults Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 showing well in Doulas valley 2 others seen at other locations 2 Grey Herons 2 Dippers possible 3rd all on Douglas good numbers of Swallows over fields single Kingfisher on usual woodland pond
Paul Risley said
Sat Sep 8 9:13 PM, 2012
Sennicar Lane
single Wheatear Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and still good numbers of Swallows feeding recently fledged young
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 7 3:49 AM, 2012
Spotted Flycatcher present this morning.
Info thanks to Peter Alker
Paul Risley said
Thu Aug 23 5:47 AM, 2012
5.15pm - 6.30pm. pendlebury lane and sennicar lane
good sized mixed flock of Tree and House Sparrows on Pendlebury Lane Kestrel in first field on same lane good numbers of House Martins and Swallows feeding over fields and Canal 2 seperate charms of Goldfinches, each containing at least 40 birds, many youngsters, feeding on thistles in fields off Sennicar lane single Linnet on telephone lines Cormorant flying along canal Grey Heron near River Douglas
dave broome said
Thu Aug 16 4:17 AM, 2012
13 Mistle Thrush with 40 Starlings off Pendlebury Lane this evening 75 House Martin feeding over the wooded former railway north of Samuel Fold with a few Swallows juv Sparrowhawk calling 4 Tree Sparrow
dave broome said
Thu Aug 9 3:56 PM, 2012
Wed 8th evening: Curlew calling near Barker's Cottage/Hampson Green, 24 Lapwing north in four small flocks, 72 Black-Headed Gull feeding on grass field near School Covert, juv Grey Heron over and dropping towards River Douglas
Paul Risley said
Sat Jul 21 12:18 AM, 2012
A couple of hours this afternoon, Aspull sough to Shedfield Bridge
Reed Warblers carrying food Reed Buntings carrying food Juvenile Lapwings in fields , 2nd year running they've got to this stage of the breeding cycle, hopefully they'll steer clear of the predators, also a flock of 30 other Lapwings in same field Sedge Warblers Blackcap Robin with young Swallows feeding young on wing Grey Heron Raven over Buzzard heard family party of Long Tailed Tits
Paul Risley said
Wed Jul 11 2:52 AM, 2012
5.15-6.15pm
Juvenile Female Sparrowhawk perched on side of nest, Juvenile Male flying around nearby family party of Wrens, at least 8 counted Juvenile Song Thrush. Family of Jays moving around tree tops
Paul Risley said
Thu Jun 28 3:47 AM, 2012
Kestrel with fledged young off Pendlebury Lane, fledged Swallows also in same area. Sedge Warblers at Aspull Sough collecting nest material as well as feeding fledged young.
Paul Risley said
Wed Jun 27 5:06 AM, 2012
Aspull Sough and Plantations 6.30pm- 8.30pm
Sedge Warblers feeding young, Reed Buntings, some fledged young plus another pair still feeding young in nest Blackcap singing 3 Coots 3 Ravens over mock fighting Jay mimicing Tawny Owl calls first signs of droppings under Sparrowhawks nest and a few plucked feathers nearby A few Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs
Paul Risley said
Fri Jun 8 7:05 PM, 2012
A quick visit to the pond I saw the kingfisher on last week and it was there again, it disappears into the trees when you approach then returns to its favourite hunting perch when you leave. got a couple of record shots on camera and pleased to report it is a Juvenile. white tip to beak and little brown feet looks like its found a nice quiet pond to learn its hunting on
Paul Risley said
Sat Jun 2 11:52 PM, 2012
Aspull sough to haigh hall bridge along Canal from Shedfield bridge 10.45am - 1.00 pm
3 pairs of Reed Buntings 2 pairs of Reed Warblers pair of Coots pair of Whitethroats good numbers of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs Kingfisher Mistle Thrush seeing off Jay and then Carrion Crow Song Thrush Blackcap Male Tufted Duck pair of Lapwings Pied Wagtail Goldcrest male House Sparrow in woods
Paul Risley said
Tue May 29 6:28 AM, 2012
9.00pm - 10.00pm
late mooch basically for foxes and Deer drew a blank but as I was ready for coming home heard a familiar sound, soon located 3 fledged Tawny Owls, managed to see one bobbing up and down looking back at me
dave broome said
Wed May 23 4:58 AM, 2012
fledged Treecreepers in the Lower Plantations on Mon 21st
Paul Risley said
Sun May 13 12:17 AM, 2012
11.00am - 1.00pm
Willow Tit Great Spotted Woodpecker young calling from inside nest hole Mistle Thrush with Fledged young Nuthatch feeding young in nest Female Sparrowhawk on nest Starlings carrying food from the fields. Camera Battery packed in half way round, only a couple of mins later a stunning Tawny Owl perched about 20 feet away carrying prey, totally clear view little male Blackcap giving nice views and going through his full repertoire of songs and calls
Paul Risley said
Fri May 11 12:58 AM, 2012
3.30pm - 5.15pm
A Tawny Owl being mobbed by Jays, Blackbirds and Chaffinches was the highlight. pair of Blackcaps pair of Coal Tits, single Goldcrest singing plus the usual common species were all I managed on a quiet afternoon
Paul Risley said
Sun May 6 8:34 PM, 2012
12.00pm - 3.00pm
Willow Tits still at nest site Stock Doves nesting with another pair seen using an Owl box in a private garden Another Great Spotted Woodpecker nest located no Swallows under Sennicar Lane bridge its only recently been uncovered after being renovated Male Sparrowhawk posing for photo's, unbelieveable views. carrying prey item at one point and calling for female who was displaying above the area singles of Treecreeper and Nuthatch
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 6th of May 2012 09:32:39 PM
Paul Risley said
Sat May 5 7:09 AM, 2012
5.00pm - 6.00pm
A quick mooch for the Sparrowhawks turned out productive with both birds on the territory, male showing nicely. Robin and Pigeon squab remains in vicinity. Long Tailed Tits with fledged young and a couple of Song Thrushes in full voice were the other highligts
Jimmy Meadows said
Thu May 3 3:53 AM, 2012
Hall Lane nr Lodge house
Grasshopper Warbler reeling this morning
Info thanks to Allan n Jean Rimmer
Paul Risley said
Mon Apr 23 5:12 AM, 2012
10.45am-3.15pm Lower Plantations, Coppull Lane to Dominoes plus Senicar Lane
highlight was watching a pair of Willow Tits excavating a nest hole further on at the edge of the woods, birds started alarm calling. Looked up and momenterily saw a fork tailed Raptor circle over woods, disapearing immediately over the trees. waited for what seemed ages for it to reappear. A Sparrowhawk glided over, from the same area and started to climb before turning to circle, centre deck feathers were broke half way down didnt once think it could have been a Red Kite other sightings included singles of Kingfisher Buzzard Song Thrush Dipper Blackcap (male) 2 locations Great Spotted Woodpecker Tree Creeper 2 locations Nuthatch Skylark pairs of Mandarins and Grey Wagtails
Paul Risley said
Mon Apr 16 6:24 AM, 2012
12pm-4pm
same area as yesterday. Dipper near usual nest site carrying nesting material, they should be feeding young by now 3 seperate pairs of Mandarins, 2 pairs on River Douglas, 1 pair on small pond in Lady Mabels wood Curlew in fields Sennicar Lane Buzzard, Male Kestrel and Raven over Great Spotted Woodpecker chipping out nest hole Swallows near nesting site on Sennicar Lane bridge which is still covered over being renovated
Paul Risley said
Sat Apr 14 7:08 AM, 2012
5.30pm - 7.00pm
64 steps to Dominoes
3 Mandarins (2m 1f) high up in a tree near top of steps single Dipper on River Douglas nr bridge at bottom of steps 4 Swallows over fields on Pendlebury Lane 2 further Dippers near Dominoes, one wearing silver ring
1 Woodcock
4 Bramblings, 1 M 3 F
8 Mandarins, 2 groups 1 group 2 M 1 F second group of 5 flushed before I could get a good look. Its amazing the behaviour difference between these ducks on the river than on the canal, when on the canal are approachable, down on the river your lucky to get 80 metres away.
Single Buzzard over, two separate kills found, both look like young Rabbits but Im thinking it must be too early yet for these.
Good numbers of finches about, 2 good size flocks in the trees, not much about in the fields yet
1 pair of Dippers, usual place ( I had 2 pairs on territories in Arley Woods on Friday)
1 Woodcock
Pair of Buzzards
Male Brambling on Hall Lane
Great Spotted Woodpeckers, after seeing none for what seems like ages suddenly they were everywhere, two males drumming in neighbouring trees with a female in attendance and drumming heard in another four locations.
3 Nuthatches
12 Mandarins, same as last week, a group of 9 and a group of 3
Also of possible interest to users of lady mabels wood, went on the tour the other week which was pretty disappointing, the planned lake has been shelved due to the cost of applying for planning permission, apparently it would cost over £2,000 just to get through the planning stage, not much else worth mentioning.
2 Woodcock, possibly 3 but couldnt be sure if 3rd one was not a reflush
Single female brambling mixed in with a flock of chaffinch and goldfinch
Single kingfisher flew down river
Pair of buzzards displaying
Pair of dippers, one carrying nesting material
12 mandarins, group of 3, 2m 1f and a group of 9, 5m 4f
Singles of tree creeper and nuthatch
pair of Dippers on usual territory
6 Mandarins
single Buzzard
30 Redwings
feeding station hall lane
no sign of the Bramblings today, Moorhen showing well walking in road good numbers of Great and Blue Tits, a Song Thrush also showed well. Juvenile Male Sparrowhawk shot through with no luck as I was packing up.
Tom Wrote " Any one seen Green Woodpecker in this area in last 12 months? They used to be fairly regular. "
two pairs successfully raised young in 2009, but since then instead of going from strenght to strenght they have mysteriously disapeared.
I've had no luck with them for some time now
After getting drenched at Worthington Lakes with little reward decided for a little easy birding at Hall Lane feeding station,
4 Bramblings, 3 Females 1 Male. one of the females wearing a bto ring. Finally caught up with them at last.
Usual other stuff about and a notice on the gates.
The woodland trust is seeking funding to improve your visitor experience at lady Mabels wood.
Visit Haigh Hall CP courtyard anytime between 10am and 3.30pm on Thursday 14th Feb or join a guided walk at the wood on the same day at 2pm meeting at the field gate entrance on hall lane.
If you cant make the day you can complete a short online survey at htpp://6347957.polldaddy.com/s/lady-mabels-wood-survey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
4 Ravens over very noisy and seemed to be chasing each other, possible territorial dispute?
19 Siskins near to the River
4 Mandarins
1 Dipper, (no rings)
70+ Pink Footed Geese over heading west
1 Grey Wagtail
small flock of Redwings and a few Fieldfares over
40+ Greenfinches at the roost in the upper plantations, quite a lot of Rhodedendron clearance taking place hope they leave the roost sites alone.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Lower Plantations
single Kingfisher and Dipper on River
Grey Heron on River further along
Sparrowhawk, low flypast near territory
7 Mandarins
single Tawny Owl at roost
Treecreeper in with a tit flock
plenty of the regulars
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 11th of December 2012 08:23:12 PM
single Kingfisher on River was the highlight
7 Mandarins
singles of Grey Wagtail and Grey Heron
Raven calling from over golf course
plenty of regulars, at the feeding station on hall lane a Magpie was flying up to the tin can feeders and trying to knock some food out with its beak and returning to the ground to pick up what bits it had got.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
single Kingfisher on Canal, when checking ponds later for other Kingfishers a Water Vole put in a quick appearance, cracking record for the area
Female Sparrowhawk
Tawny Owl back at roost site today
at least 5 Nuthatches at various sites
3 Coal tits at Hall lane feeding site plus an acrobatic Jay managing to grab food from the tin can feeders
3 Greenfinches
6 Redwings
good numbers of the usual common birds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
lower plantations
singles of Dipper and Grey Wagtail on the River Douglas
5 Bullfinches
2 Coal Tits
upper plantations
2 Ravens on the Golf course
single juv Male Kestrel here to
Kingfisher on one of the ponds,
checked the Owl roosts but no luck, single Tawny Owl was at one on thursday
single male Bullfinch
nice views of a female Great Spotted Woodpecker
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
juvenile male Kestrel
male Sparrowhawk
Kingfisher
Tawny Owl at old roost site
Tree Creeper x 2
Nuthatch x 2
Goldcrest x 3
15 Redwings
Song Thrush
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Info thanks to Peter Alker
2 Kingfishers, one on the boating Lake the other on the canal showing well hunting for his supper
Female Sparrowhawk over
Single Great Spotted Woodpecker
36 Mallards on the boating lake and 5 Moorhens, took some food for them but they had already been fed.
Pair of Mute Swans on canal, ring numbers SLI and FF6, the latter taking food out of my hand
Several flocks of corvids, mainly Jackdaws and in groups of approx 50+ heading to the roost on Wutchy Rook
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
30 Greenfinches and approx same amount of Chaffinches coming in to roost
male Great spotted Woodpecker
couple of Jays making a racket but couldn't see what had annoyed them
male Sparrowhawk hunting along canal
lots of Mallards and Moorhens and Wrens seemed to be scolding me every where I went,
not much when written as a list but there never seemed to be a dull moment, nice evening.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Sennicar lane / Pendlebury lane areas
single Dipper on River, first I've seen there since the floods
single Grey Heron
2 Buzzards
a few Jays, no more than usuall
30+ Meadow Pipits
3 Greenfinches
plus the usuall suspects
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/
Info thanks to Peter Alker
Swallows still feeding over the fields, 2 Kestrels hunting and a small charm of Goldfinches were the only other things of note here
single Kingfisher on the large boating lake in the upper plantations
Douglas Valley near Pennington lane, pair of Mandarins, pair of Buzzards and a Grey Heron
Now that's rather amoosing
Cheers Dave, I think
You deserve a pat on the head Paul
Copull lane dam area, the new multi million pound flood prevention dam was nearly over flowing and had to be opened, roads flooded down town again a new lake, lake wigan, had formed and already a family of Mallards were busy feeding
Pendlebury lane area, single Goldcrest, good numbers of Tree and House Sparrows at the usual place
Sennicar lane 40+ Swallows over fields, 25 Meadow pipits feeding in fields
helped the local farmer struggling to get a cow out of the drainage ditches and into his trailer, it gave us the runaround for over an hour around the field, ended up caked in mud and still didnt catch it
Info thanks to Peter Alker
3 Buzzards. 2 Adults, one Juvenile ( very vocal) all on soar at one point with juv making mock attacks on adults
Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 showing well in Doulas valley 2 others seen at other locations
2 Grey Herons
2 Dippers possible 3rd all on Douglas
good numbers of Swallows over fields
single Kingfisher on usual woodland pond
single Wheatear
Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and still good numbers of Swallows feeding recently fledged young
Info thanks to Peter Alker
good sized mixed flock of Tree and House Sparrows on Pendlebury Lane
Kestrel in first field on same lane
good numbers of House Martins and Swallows feeding over fields and Canal
2 seperate charms of Goldfinches, each containing at least 40 birds, many youngsters, feeding on thistles in fields off Sennicar lane
single Linnet on telephone lines
Cormorant flying along canal
Grey Heron near River Douglas
75 House Martin feeding over the wooded former railway north of Samuel Fold with a few Swallows
juv Sparrowhawk calling
4 Tree Sparrow
Reed Warblers carrying food
Reed Buntings carrying food
Juvenile Lapwings in fields , 2nd year running they've got to this stage of the breeding cycle, hopefully they'll steer clear of the predators, also a flock of 30 other Lapwings in same field
Sedge Warblers
Blackcap
Robin with young
Swallows feeding young on wing
Grey Heron
Raven over
Buzzard heard
family party of Long Tailed Tits
Juvenile Female Sparrowhawk perched on side of nest, Juvenile Male flying around nearby
family party of Wrens, at least 8 counted
Juvenile Song Thrush.
Family of Jays moving around tree tops
Kestrel with fledged young off Pendlebury Lane, fledged Swallows also in same area. Sedge Warblers at Aspull Sough collecting nest material as well as feeding fledged young.
Sedge Warblers feeding young,
Reed Buntings, some fledged young plus another pair still feeding young in nest
Blackcap singing
3 Coots
3 Ravens over mock fighting
Jay mimicing Tawny Owl calls
first signs of droppings under Sparrowhawks nest and a few plucked feathers nearby
A few Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs
10.45am - 1.00 pm
3 pairs of Reed Buntings
2 pairs of Reed Warblers
pair of Coots
pair of Whitethroats
good numbers of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs
Kingfisher
Mistle Thrush seeing off Jay and then Carrion Crow
Song Thrush
Blackcap
Male Tufted Duck
pair of Lapwings
Pied Wagtail
Goldcrest
male House Sparrow in woods
late mooch basically for foxes and Deer drew a blank but as I was ready for coming home heard a familiar sound, soon located 3 fledged Tawny Owls, managed to see one bobbing up and down looking back at me
Willow Tit
Great Spotted Woodpecker young calling from inside nest hole
Mistle Thrush with Fledged young
Nuthatch feeding young in nest
Female Sparrowhawk on nest
Starlings carrying food from the fields.
Camera Battery packed in half way round, only a couple of mins later a stunning Tawny Owl perched about 20 feet away carrying prey, totally clear view
little male Blackcap giving nice views and going through his full repertoire of songs and calls
A Tawny Owl being mobbed by Jays, Blackbirds and Chaffinches was the highlight.
pair of Blackcaps
pair of Coal Tits, single Goldcrest singing plus the usual common species were all I managed on a quiet afternoon
Willow Tits still at nest site
Stock Doves nesting with another pair seen using an Owl box in a private garden
Another Great Spotted Woodpecker nest located
no Swallows under Sennicar Lane bridge its only recently been uncovered after being renovated
Male Sparrowhawk posing for photo's, unbelieveable views. carrying prey item at one point and calling for female who was displaying above the area
singles of Treecreeper and Nuthatch
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 6th of May 2012 09:32:39 PM
A quick mooch for the Sparrowhawks turned out productive with both birds on the territory, male showing nicely. Robin and Pigeon squab remains in vicinity. Long Tailed Tits with fledged young and a couple of Song Thrushes in full voice were the other highligts
Grasshopper Warbler reeling this morning
Info thanks to Allan n Jean Rimmer
highlight was watching a pair of Willow Tits excavating a nest hole
further on at the edge of the woods, birds started alarm calling. Looked up and momenterily saw a fork tailed Raptor circle over woods, disapearing immediately over the trees. waited for what seemed ages for it to reappear. A Sparrowhawk glided over, from the same area and started to climb before turning to circle, centre deck feathers were broke half way down
didnt once think it could have been a Red Kite
other sightings included
singles of Kingfisher
Buzzard
Song Thrush
Dipper
Blackcap (male) 2 locations
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Tree Creeper 2 locations
Nuthatch
Skylark
pairs of Mandarins and Grey Wagtails
same area as yesterday.
Dipper near usual nest site carrying nesting material, they should be feeding young by now
3 seperate pairs of Mandarins, 2 pairs on River Douglas, 1 pair on small pond in Lady Mabels wood
Curlew in fields Sennicar Lane
Buzzard, Male Kestrel and Raven over
Great Spotted Woodpecker chipping out nest hole
Swallows near nesting site on Sennicar Lane bridge which is still covered over being renovated
64 steps to Dominoes
3 Mandarins (2m 1f) high up in a tree near top of steps
single Dipper on River Douglas nr bridge at bottom of steps
4 Swallows over fields on Pendlebury Lane
2 further Dippers near Dominoes, one wearing silver ring