Mandarin 14 mostly drakes with birds flushed from trees at least 10 feet over my head. How high will these strange ducks go? Dipper at the weir Grey Wagtail 3 Grey Heron 1
Ernocroft Wood not an other person in over an hour but few birds too Goldcrest 2 Chiffchaff 1 Robins 3 Blackbirds 5+ Chaffinch 5+
One hour plus in the hide this afternoon. Kingfisher. Pair of Reed Buntings Pair of Common Buzzards. A Dipper - unusual from the hide - usually around the weir and downstream. Have not got a decent photo of a Wren - one perched on a twig 6ft from the hide on more than one occasion and to rub it in a Chiffchaff was also in view at the same time no more than 8ft from the hide not to mention Gt Spotted Woodpecker on another nearby tree. Of course didn't have my ***** camera with me as I didn't expect to see much to photograph!
Ian Boote said
Wed Mar 18 2:38 PM, 2015
Just done that and this is the bird that was ringed here in Nov 2013
Steve Suttill said
Wed Mar 18 9:07 AM, 2015
Hi Ian
have you reported the ring number to the BTO?
http://www.bto.org/ there's a link on the right hand side of the web page.
Ian Boote said
Tue Mar 17 11:28 PM, 2015
Egyptian Goose is ringed 'Brit Museum London SW7 44333'
Ian Boote said
Mon Mar 16 4:55 PM, 2015
Raven 2 Dipper 6 Goosander, 6 Treecreeper, Coal Tit, 24 Mandarin, 2 Buzzard, Kingfishers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, lots of Nuthatch several Goldcrest and a very quite Egyptian Goose.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 16th of March 2015 05:05:39 PM
Mark Dean said
Sat Feb 21 8:54 PM, 2015
Hi all, A visit to the park with Jean Cox from 11.45 until 2.30pm. On our way there through Brabyns Park we saw a Dipper and a Grey Wagtail on the river,as well as a male and Female Goosander. Usual wildfowl on main lake,Coot,Canada Geese,Greylag geese,Cormorants, Mallard Ducks,Though did not see the Egyptian Goose or Mute Swans,probably because we walked along the further path,near the other lake,where we saw 2 male and 2 female Goosander,and several Cormorants. On the canal as we walked on towards the weir end of the park,at least 10 male and 10 Female Mandarin Ducks,and in the trees on the other side of the canal a small flock of Long Tailed tits and a Nuthatch singing.At the Cheshire Wildlife hide Coal tits,Nuthatch, Great tits on the bird table,Dunnock and Robin on the ground, 2 male 2 female Mandarin on the river,a Cormorant in the usual tree across the river.A Grey Wagtail flew upstream then 2 Kingfisher flew past together one behind the other,downstream, hopefully they had paired up? We used to see the Kingfisher fishing off the overhanging tree branch the other side of the river,but the last two times that I have seen it here ,it has just flown past,I wonder if anyone has seen them on that branch fishing recently? We left the hide and as we neared the gate,heard a loud call to our left and saw a Kestrel,Sparrowhawk and a Green Woodpecker,all very close together.The Sparrowhawk seemed to be chasing the Woodpecker,which gave its call and quickly vanished into the trees! The Sparrowhawk flew around for a minute or two,and the Kestrel flew off,Then a Common Buzzard appeared flying low,and above it another Common Buzzard,quite a spectacle in such a short space of time! At least another 20 Mandarin on the river near the pump house,on the way back. All the best and Good Birding!
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 11:05:12 AM
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 07:29:55 PM
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 07:31:14 PM
The pair of Swans on the canal were both ringed. Blue ZP4 and Blue 4ADL
(Probably the same pair I saw on 01/03/2014 but I think I must have mis-read the ring as I reported it as Blue AOL and Blue ZP4)
Cheers John
Mark Dean said
Sun Jan 18 5:32 PM, 2015
Hi all, Visit to the park today between 11.15 to 2pm.Walked from car park to hide. Usual Waterfowl including the Egyptian Goose,Greylags Canada Geese 7 male and similar number female Mandarin on canal,and a further 13 male and 5 female Mandarin on river near old pump house.At least 2 male 2 female tufted Ducks also there, as well as Mallard, Coot and Moorhen, and a pair of Mute Swans . At Hide in Cheshire Wildlife Trust reserve, 2 Jays , 2 Nuthatch,Blue tits,Great tits Coal Tits Robins good view of Wren and Dunnock. Close to hide,Pair of Teal flew onto river,Pied Wagtail,Grey Wagtail flew to other side of river,Chaffinch on ground,6 male Mandarin and 4 Female Mandarin on river,Grey Heron in distance, 4 Cormorants, a Goldcrest flitting about in Alder tree other side of river,as well as Blackbird.No sign of Kingfisher,Though did get a glimpse of it here 3 weeks ago. Cheers and Good Birding Mark
Vicky Harper said
Sun Oct 19 11:30 AM, 2014
10-11walk from the car park to the hide produced
Flock of long-tailed tit followed by 2 Goldcrest 2 Nuthatch 1 Treecreeper 1 Dipper 1 Grey Wagtail Mandarin: 35 on canal, 14 on river, 4 behind pumphouse, 13 in front of the hide 1 Great Spotted woodpecker heard
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of October 2014 03:53:43 PM
John Watson said
Sun Sep 28 10:15 PM, 2014
16:30 - not been before, apprehensive about just how many folk were about, but plenty of birds !
~49 Mandarins, several in flight. Never seen so many together: just NE of main lake, several juveniles 1+ Grey Wagtail (juv) 1 Egyptian Goose "Ernie" 1 treecreeper (h) 1+ nuthatch (h)
-- Edited by John Watson on Sunday 28th of September 2014 10:16:15 PM
steven burke said
Sun Sep 28 8:06 PM, 2014
11-3.30pm
1 Egyptian goose 38 mandarin 14 tufted duck 1 wigeon 5-6 buzzard 1 dipper 1 kingfisher 1 blackcap 4 great spotted woodpecker 6 jay 4 grey wagtail 7 pied wagtail 2 lapwing & 3 swallow over. 8 cormorant nuthatch & goldcrest seemed to be all around plus usuals.
Tim Wilcox said
Sun Sep 14 7:59 PM, 2014
Dipper today with Mark Citsay visiting GM from Minnesota. A lifer for Mark who comes from a state where the list is over 400. But it's quite big and we are very small. Great to bird with you Mark
Chris Harper said
Mon Sep 1 9:18 PM, 2014
Car park -hide. 7.15-8.45: 40+ Mandarin Duck Kingfisher Dipper pair 15 Swallow 10 House Martin Egyptian Goose
Mark Walsh said
Sun Aug 31 1:05 PM, 2014
A quick jaunt round Etherow at 13:30 for 2 hours, so only up round Ernocroft and then to the hide.
A couple of large tit flocks mainly consisting of Long tailed Tit's and Coal Tit's but with a few Blue and Great tit's thrown in for good measure. Accompanying them were good numbers of Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Treecreeper.
Other than that not much to report.
Cheers
Mark
paul shaw said
Thu Aug 7 9:50 PM, 2014
Tonight 7.30-9.00pm
1 egyption goose sat at the top of the weir on the log/twigs
3 grey wagtail
2 grey heron on the pond near the hide
1 kingfisher 1 wren and 1 jay from the hide but the highlight for me was 4 dipper including 2 juvenile around the weir area all in my binocular view together at one time.
Paul Rafferty said
Thu Jul 31 11:24 AM, 2014
Was great to see the Egyptian goose last night and at the weekend, my first such sightings. Also had great views of a kingfisher from the hide last night.
Vicky Harper said
Tue Jul 29 4:32 PM, 2014
The egyptian goose 'Ernie' is definately not the same bird as the one at Platt Fields. I visited both areas one day last year and both were present. Good to have him back at Etherow. Ive noticed the mute swans usually dont tolerate him during the breeding season and he is often alone during this time. The same happened last year. Hopefully they'll be buddies again soon.
Vicky
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Jul 26 9:47 PM, 2014
Andrew Johnson wrote:
I have memories of multiple Egyptian Geese being at Etherow going back perhaps around thirty years. Does anyone know the history of their being at this site? I feel sorry for this last one, who seems a real character; perching on the feeding station in the nature reserve or honking noisily constantly. Pity someone with a wildfowl collection can't donate him a mate!
I think it was council driven. When I first moved to Romiley in 1986, I recall visiting the park and there being a range of 'tame' ducks and geese. Pintail I remember vividly, and I'm fairly sure about wood duck (and maybe mandarin). I have a photograph from about that time of an Egyptian goose taken in ECP. Within very few years none of them remained.
Cheers,
Andrew Johnson said
Fri Jul 25 11:23 PM, 2014
I have memories of multiple Egyptian Geese being at Etherow going back perhaps around thirty years. Does anyone know the history of their being at this site? I feel sorry for this last one, who seems a real character; perching on the feeding station in the nature reserve or honking noisily constantly. Pity someone with a wildfowl collection can't donate him a mate!
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jul 25 4:13 PM, 2014
Bit of a late post, I visited a friend (& birder) who lives overlooking Etherow CP on 27th June this year. We walked down to Keg Pool where to my surprise the Egyptian Goose was stood on a half submerged branch not far from the path. I had read about him being taken away to get his foot sorted & hadn't expected him to be back so soon! So he was definitely back in the park on 27th June................................... unless we have a two bird theory
meayrs said
Fri Jul 25 11:24 AM, 2014
Thanks, Keith. All these Egyptian Geese ... I wonder where the current incumbent came from? I hear he had a mate, who died a couple of years ago and he kind of bonded with some mute swans. Presumably there were no chicks from that liaison, unless Eugene 2/3 is a blood descendent of Eugene 1 (?). As Juan Domingo Perón said, ¡El pueblo quiere saber de qué se trata! (well he spoke Spanish - in English, 'The people want to know what's going on!').
Keith Mills said
Fri Jul 25 11:12 AM, 2014
meayrs wrote:
I have heard of recent (last two or three years) of Egyptian goose (or geese?) in both Platt Fields park and also Salford Quays. Would this be the same bird or are there/have there been others.
I am a newcomer to the area and don't know the history, but was made curious by the reference to 'Eugene 2 or 3'. Just idle curiosity, but if anyone has the energy to answer I'd be interested.
Eugene was the regular Egyptian Goose, at this site for many years and died in 2011. Locals were attached to it, and one Lady had it's ashes in a casket tied with blue ribbon.
meayrs said
Fri Jul 25 10:04 AM, 2014
I have heard of recent (last two or three years) of Egyptian goose (or geese?) in both Platt Fields park and also Salford Quays. Would this be the same bird or are there/have there been others.
I am a newcomer to the area and don't know the history, but was made curious by the reference to 'Eugene 2 or 3'. Just idle curiosity, but if anyone has the energy to answer I'd be interested.
Keith Mills said
Fri Jul 25 9:56 AM, 2014
Chris Harper wrote:
Great shot. Wonder how many names it has?
Could be ''Eugene 2'' or is it 3?
Chris Harper said
Fri Jul 25 8:06 AM, 2014
Great shot. Wonder how many names it has?
Mike Poole said
Fri Jul 25 12:24 AM, 2014
Nice to meet you yesterday Chris, the Egyptian goose gave me a fly past about 10 minutes after you had gone
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/pooleypix]
-- Edited by pooley on Friday 25th of July 2014 01:16:12 AM
-- Edited by pooley on Friday 25th of July 2014 01:17:42 AM
meayrs said
Thu Jul 24 9:40 PM, 2014
Thanks, Chris. Guess his foot is better now. I'll be up there tomorrow to say hello to him!
Chris Harper said
Thu Jul 24 9:17 PM, 2014
Good old Ernie. Was in the top pond near the cottage. The one with the sunken barge in it. Good to see 'him' back.
meayrs said
Thu Jul 24 6:18 PM, 2014
Ah, the Egyptian goose is back! Where did you spot him, Chris?
Chris Harper said
Thu Jul 24 6:05 PM, 2014
An enjoyable but ultimately fruitless search for Pied Flycatcher around sunny corner this morning, with similar birds to yesterday. However, in addition were: 2+ Kingfisher 2 Little Grebe Egyptian Goose 4 Tufted Duck
Chris Harper said
Wed Jul 23 7:43 PM, 2014
9-10.30 Main car park to cwt hide: 40+ mandarin Goosander Dipper 2 Grey Wagtail Kingfisher reportedly on 2nd brood 2+ bullfinch Blackcap Chiffchaff 2 Nuthatch 5 swallow Cormorant Many young of more common species about.
Chris Harper said
Wed Jul 23 4:49 PM, 2014
9-10.30 Main car park to cwt hide: 40+ mandarin Goosander Dipper Kingfisher reportedly on 2nd brood 2+ bullfinch Blackcap Chiffchaff 5 swallow Cormorant Many young of more common species about.
meayrs said
Mon Jun 23 7:47 PM, 2014
Thanks, Nick - not disappointed as I am learning. I'll put this down to experience .
Nick Isherwood said
Mon Jun 23 7:44 PM, 2014
Sorry to disappoint but that's a Jackdaw.
meayrs said
Mon Jun 23 7:37 PM, 2014
I'm far from an expert - check the pic here and see what you think.
Chris Harper said
Mon Jun 23 7:31 PM, 2014
Hooded? There are a few crows there with a lot of white in the wing, could it be these?
meayrs said
Mon Jun 23 7:20 PM, 2014
In Etherow County Park today (Mon 23 June) looking for the Egyptian Goose, which the park wardens told me has an infected foot and has been taken into rehab but should be released when recovered.
Surprised to see hooded crows here - at least three, on the left hand path walking up from the cafe. I have a photo if anyone is interested.
Otherwise saw nothing of special interest today - no sig of a dipper but there was a kingfisher dazzling over the water by the hide, too fast and unpredictable to photograph.
-- Edited by meayrs on Monday 23rd of June 2014 07:22:30 PM
Mark Walsh said
Sun Jun 22 9:02 PM, 2014
A quick visit to Etherow before going on to Ludworth where the main highlight was 3 juvenile Tawny Owl's happily flying around keg wood area.
John Rayner said
Mon Jun 9 7:36 PM, 2014
Mandarin female with 4 young Mute Swan pair. One unringed, one Blue 4ADJ
Cheers John
Tony Darby said
Sat May 24 5:41 PM, 2014
This link should take any interested parties to the planning application:
The work would take place in the area between the wooden bridge over the overflow, and the bridge at the wierhead. It doesn't look too bad to me from the Dippers point of view, but I'll let you make your own mind up about that.
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Saturday 24th of May 2014 05:52:34 PM
Mark Walsh said
Sat May 24 3:09 PM, 2014
Andy Bissitt wrote:
John,
I wasn't sure that you were talking about ECP's dippers when I replied, but now you've confirmed it I can say that the Park is not west of the roadbridge (IF they mean Andrew St. in Compstall). There is a weir down river at the back of Compstall Hall (as you may know). I'm guessing that is where they might be planning to do it, and I am not aware of dippers using that area to breed.
Cheers,
Andy
Andy a quick look at the planning documents shows the area under consideration to be the grassy area with the bench's and shelter in-between the river and canal.
I can't figure out whether the work will affect the area where the dippers breed, obviously it will affect the vicinity but the actual location I'm not sure, I think it's also likely to affect the Grey Wagtails as that area is normally the place I've seen them feeding from.
Regards
Mark
Andy Bissitt said
Sat May 24 2:16 PM, 2014
John Rayner wrote:
I guess I meant goodbye to Dippers in the vicinity the weir bridge where they have bred in the past. Inevitably there will be lots of disturbance during construction but when the dust settles perhaps they will love it. I hear that Dippers have bred near other such projects so perhaps I over-reacted.
Cheers John
John,
I wasn't sure that you were talking about ECP's dippers when I replied, but now you've confirmed it I can say that the Park is not west of the roadbridge (IF they mean Andrew St. in Compstall). There is a weir down river at the back of Compstall Hall (as you may know). I'm guessing that is where they might be planning to do it, and I am not aware of dippers using that area to breed.
Cheers,
Andy
Mark Walsh said
Sat May 24 12:40 PM, 2014
I made a trip round Etherow yesterday and came across the sign, took a photo so I can write or email the necessary people.
Birds of note around the park included;
7 Chiffchaff Calling throughout the park 1 Goldcrest seen though a few more heard 4 Blackcap seen though with several more heard calling 2 Treecreeper 3 Nuthatch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Buzzard over
Cheers
Mark
Steve Suttill said
Tue May 20 10:37 PM, 2014
The question of Dippers and small hydro schemes has been raised before - in New Mills. I'm not familiar with the locality to be able to comment, but it would be useful if a local with knowledge of the Dipper nest site could write to the planning authority. I would imagine that some form of mitigation could be included in the planning approval (if it goes ahead). If a nest box was provided, Nev Powell would be prepared to help I'm sure.
John Rayner said
Tue May 20 10:09 PM, 2014
I guess I meant goodbye to Dippers in the vicinity the weir bridge where they have bred in the past. Inevitably there will be lots of disturbance during construction but when the dust settles perhaps they will love it. I hear that Dippers have bred near other such projects so perhaps I over-reacted.
Cheers John
Andy Bissitt said
Tue May 20 9:47 PM, 2014
John,
I did raise the issue of the music festival on this website a while ago. Not sure if anyone was interested. I contacted the Council but found I was way out of my depth with the sort of stuff they quoted and what I would have to do to lodge a 'proper' complaint. Not sure why the installation of the hydro plant would mean goodbye to the dippers (unless you know something I don't). In any case it would just be an eyesore on quite a wild stretch of river, but hey, what do Stockport Council care? Delusions of grandure figure very highly in their plans for World domination (well North-West England anyway).
Cheers,
Andy
John Rayner said
Mon May 19 10:50 PM, 2014
As well as the large sign on the path to the hide advertising "Blackthorn Music Festival - Last week in July" [see http://www.blackthornmusicfestival.co.uk] there was a council notice by the bridge at the weir.
This one announced application for planning permission for an "Archimedes Screw hydro-elecrtic plant at Weirhead, Compstall. West of the road bridge over River Etherow". Presumably similar to the one at Otterspool. Goodbye Dippers?
For anyone interested in objecting (almost pointless I would have thought) the Planning Application Number is DC055241. Notice dated 5th May and there is then a 21 day period to lodge objections.
Mandarin 14 mostly drakes with birds flushed from trees at least 10 feet over my head. How high will these strange ducks go?
Dipper at the weir
Grey Wagtail 3
Grey Heron 1
Ernocroft Wood not an other person in over an hour but few birds too
Goldcrest 2
Chiffchaff 1
Robins 3
Blackbirds 5+
Chaffinch 5+
Dipper pair
Kingfisher pair
10 Mandarin Duck
Swallow
2 Tufted Duck
Swallow
2 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff
3 Nuthatch
Common Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Kingfisher.
Pair of Reed Buntings
Pair of Common Buzzards.
A Dipper - unusual from the hide - usually around the weir and downstream.
Have not got a decent photo of a Wren - one perched on a twig 6ft from the hide on more than one occasion and to rub it in a Chiffchaff was also in view at the same time no more than 8ft from the hide not to mention Gt Spotted Woodpecker on another nearby tree.
Of course didn't have my ***** camera with me as I didn't expect to see much to photograph!
have you reported the ring number to the BTO?
http://www.bto.org/ there's a link on the right hand side of the web page.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 16th of March 2015 05:05:39 PM
A visit to the park with Jean Cox from 11.45 until 2.30pm.
On our way there through Brabyns Park we saw a Dipper and a Grey Wagtail on the river,as well as a male and Female Goosander.
Usual wildfowl on main lake,Coot,Canada Geese,Greylag geese,Cormorants, Mallard Ducks,Though did not see the Egyptian Goose or Mute Swans,probably because we walked along the further path,near the other lake,where we saw 2 male and 2 female Goosander,and several Cormorants. On the canal as we walked on towards the weir end of the park,at least 10 male and 10 Female Mandarin Ducks,and in the trees on the other side of the canal a small flock of Long Tailed tits and a Nuthatch singing.At the Cheshire Wildlife hide Coal tits,Nuthatch, Great tits on the bird table,Dunnock and Robin on the ground, 2 male 2 female Mandarin on the river,a Cormorant in the usual tree across the river.A Grey Wagtail flew upstream then 2 Kingfisher flew past together one behind the other,downstream, hopefully they had paired up? We used to see the Kingfisher fishing off the overhanging tree branch the other side of the river,but the last two times that I have seen it here ,it has just flown past,I wonder if anyone has seen them on that branch fishing recently?
We left the hide and as we neared the gate,heard a loud call to our left and saw a Kestrel,Sparrowhawk and a Green Woodpecker,all very close together.The Sparrowhawk seemed to be chasing the Woodpecker,which gave its call and quickly vanished into the trees! The Sparrowhawk flew around for a minute or two,and the Kestrel flew off,Then a Common Buzzard appeared flying low,and above it another Common Buzzard,quite a spectacle in such a short space of time!
At least another 20 Mandarin on the river near the pump house,on the way back.
All the best and Good Birding!
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 11:05:12 AM
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 07:29:55 PM
-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 07:31:14 PM
Raven over
28 Mandarin
Egyptian Goose
Treecreeper
5 Nuthatch
Common Buzzard
Goosander pair
50 Redwing
3 Fieldfare
4 Bullfinch
The pair of Swans on the canal were both ringed. Blue ZP4 and Blue 4ADL
(Probably the same pair I saw on 01/03/2014 but I think I must have mis-read the ring as I reported it as Blue AOL and Blue ZP4)
Cheers John
Visit to the park today between 11.15 to 2pm.Walked from car park to hide.
Usual Waterfowl including the Egyptian Goose,Greylags Canada Geese 7 male and similar number female Mandarin on canal,and a further 13 male and 5 female Mandarin on river near old pump house.At least 2 male 2 female tufted Ducks also there, as well as Mallard, Coot and Moorhen, and a pair of Mute Swans . At Hide in Cheshire Wildlife Trust reserve, 2 Jays , 2 Nuthatch,Blue tits,Great tits Coal Tits Robins good view of Wren and Dunnock. Close to hide,Pair of Teal flew onto river,Pied Wagtail,Grey Wagtail flew to other side of river,Chaffinch on ground,6 male Mandarin and 4 Female Mandarin on river,Grey Heron in distance, 4 Cormorants, a Goldcrest flitting about in Alder tree other side of river,as well as Blackbird.No sign of Kingfisher,Though did get a glimpse of it here 3 weeks ago.
Cheers and Good Birding Mark
Flock of long-tailed tit followed by 2 Goldcrest
2 Nuthatch
1 Treecreeper
1 Dipper
1 Grey Wagtail
Mandarin: 35 on canal, 14 on river, 4 behind pumphouse, 13 in front of the hide
1 Great Spotted woodpecker heard
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of October 2014 03:53:43 PM
~49 Mandarins, several in flight. Never seen so many together: just NE of main lake, several juveniles
1+ Grey Wagtail (juv)
1 Egyptian Goose "Ernie"
1 treecreeper (h)
1+ nuthatch (h)
-- Edited by John Watson on Sunday 28th of September 2014 10:16:15 PM
1 Egyptian goose
38 mandarin
14 tufted duck
1 wigeon
5-6 buzzard
1 dipper
1 kingfisher
1 blackcap
4 great spotted woodpecker
6 jay
4 grey wagtail
7 pied wagtail
2 lapwing & 3 swallow over.
8 cormorant
nuthatch & goldcrest seemed to be all around
plus usuals.
40+ Mandarin Duck
Kingfisher
Dipper pair
15 Swallow
10 House Martin
Egyptian Goose
A couple of large tit flocks mainly consisting of Long tailed Tit's and Coal Tit's but with a few Blue and Great tit's thrown in for good measure. Accompanying them were good numbers of Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Treecreeper.
Other than that not much to report.
Cheers
Mark
Good to have him back at Etherow. Ive noticed the mute swans usually dont tolerate him during the breeding season and he is often alone during this time. The same happened last year. Hopefully they'll be buddies again soon.
Vicky
I think it was council driven. When I first moved to Romiley in 1986, I recall visiting the park and there being a range of 'tame' ducks and geese. Pintail I remember vividly, and I'm fairly sure about wood duck (and maybe mandarin). I have a photograph from about that time of an Egyptian goose taken in ECP. Within very few years none of them remained.
Cheers,
I feel sorry for this last one, who seems a real character; perching on the feeding station in the nature reserve or honking noisily constantly. Pity someone with a wildfowl collection can't donate him a mate!
Eugene was the regular Egyptian Goose, at this site for many years and died in 2011. Locals were attached to it, and one Lady had it's ashes in a casket tied with blue ribbon.
I am a newcomer to the area and don't know the history, but was made curious by the reference to 'Eugene 2 or 3'. Just idle curiosity, but if anyone has the energy to answer I'd be interested.
Could be ''Eugene 2'' or is it 3?
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/pooleypix]
-- Edited by pooley on Friday 25th of July 2014 01:16:12 AM
-- Edited by pooley on Friday 25th of July 2014 01:17:42 AM
2+ Kingfisher
2 Little Grebe
Egyptian Goose
4 Tufted Duck
40+ mandarin
Goosander
Dipper
2 Grey Wagtail
Kingfisher reportedly on 2nd brood
2+ bullfinch
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
2 Nuthatch
5 swallow
Cormorant
Many young of more common species about.
40+ mandarin
Goosander
Dipper
Kingfisher reportedly on 2nd brood
2+ bullfinch
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
5 swallow
Cormorant
Many young of more common species about.
Surprised to see hooded crows here - at least three, on the left hand path walking up from the cafe. I have a photo if anyone is interested.
Otherwise saw nothing of special interest today - no sig of a dipper but there was a kingfisher dazzling over the water by the hide, too fast and unpredictable to photograph.
-- Edited by meayrs on Monday 23rd of June 2014 07:22:30 PM
Mute Swan pair. One unringed, one Blue 4ADJ
Cheers John
http://planning.stockport.gov.uk/PlanningData/AcolNetCGI.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=120710
The work would take place in the area between the wooden bridge over the overflow, and the bridge at the wierhead.
It doesn't look too bad to me from the Dippers point of view, but I'll let you make your own mind up about that.
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Saturday 24th of May 2014 05:52:34 PM
Andy a quick look at the planning documents shows the area under consideration to be the grassy area with the bench's and shelter in-between the river and canal.
I can't figure out whether the work will affect the area where the dippers breed, obviously it will affect the vicinity but the actual location I'm not sure, I think it's also likely to affect the Grey Wagtails as that area is normally the place I've seen them feeding from.
Regards
Mark
John,
I wasn't sure that you were talking about ECP's dippers when I replied, but now you've confirmed it I can say that the Park is not west of the roadbridge (IF they mean Andrew St. in Compstall). There is a weir down river at the back of Compstall Hall (as you may know). I'm guessing that is where they might be planning to do it, and I am not aware of dippers using that area to breed.
Cheers,
Andy
Birds of note around the park included;
7 Chiffchaff Calling throughout the park
1 Goldcrest seen though a few more heard
4 Blackcap seen though with several more heard calling
2 Treecreeper
3 Nuthatch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Buzzard over
Cheers
Mark
Cheers John
I did raise the issue of the music festival on this website a while ago. Not sure if anyone was interested. I contacted the Council but found I was way out of my depth with the sort of stuff they quoted and what I would have to do to lodge a 'proper' complaint. Not sure why the installation of the hydro plant would mean goodbye to the dippers (unless you know something I don't). In any case it would just be an eyesore on quite a wild stretch of river, but hey, what do Stockport Council care? Delusions of grandure figure very highly in their plans for World domination (well North-West England anyway).
Cheers,
Andy
This one announced application for planning permission for an "Archimedes Screw hydro-elecrtic plant at Weirhead, Compstall. West of the road bridge over River Etherow". Presumably similar to the one at Otterspool. Goodbye Dippers?
For anyone interested in objecting (almost pointless I would have thought) the Planning Application Number is DC055241. Notice dated 5th May and there is then a 21 day period to lodge objections.
Cheers, John