Tree Sparrow....5 frequenting trees that border the Lodge, in Old Kiln Lane back gardens. Goosander.....5 ...including 2 drakes Tufted Duck....c10 Goldfinch...5 Greenfinch...1 Long-tailed Tit...3 Reed Bunting...4 Teal...a pair. Kestrel...1 female perched. Cormorant...5 Bumped into Paul Thompson, as he was leaving, who helped us with the Tree Sparrow location.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 28th of February 2017 09:58:11 AM
Paul Thompson said
Mon Feb 20 4:40 PM, 2017
Walked round the lodge this morning from 8.25 to 9.45 highlights Common Gull, male Bullfinch, 5 Goosander and 6 Reed Bunting.
Paul Thompson said
Mon Feb 20 4:38 PM, 2017
Walked round the lodge this morning from 8.25 to 9.45 highlights Common Gull, male Bullfinch, 5 Goosander and 6 Reed Bunting.
Paul Thompson said
Fri Feb 17 4:27 PM, 2017
Visited the site between 8.40 am and 10.00 am 29 species seen highlights being: Kingfisher on the island, 6 Goosanders, 5 Reed Bunting, couple of Teal and a single female Bullfinch.
Paul Thompson said
Thu Feb 16 11:49 AM, 2017
Paul Thompson wrote:
Walked around the lodge etc. 8.25 am to 9.50 am. birds seen:
Black Headed Gulls 80+
Coots 25+
Moorhens 15+
Mallards 25+
Tufted Ducks 30+
Canada Geese 20+
Magpies 15+
Wood Pigeons 20+
Blackbird 15+
Blue tits 8+
Domestic geese 5
Robins 7
Common Gulls 2
Jackdaws 17
Great Crested Grebes 4
Starlings 15+
Goosanders 4
Reed Buntings 12+
Great Tits 6
Goldfinches 20+
Bullfinch 1 Female
Song Thrush 1
Greenfinches 4
Tree Sparrows 3 (New to this site for me, they were located on the hedge at the rear of the houses that back onto the lodge from Old Kiln Lane.)
Willow Tits 2
Chaffinches 8+
Coal Tits 2
Wrens 2
Strangely after seeing the Tree Sparrow I did not see any House Sparrow, also missing were any Kingfishers.
-- Edited by Paul Thompson on Thursday 16th of February 2017 11:50:23 AM
Paul Thompson said
Thu Dec 29 12:26 PM, 2016
Walked around the lodge 9.30 am to 10.40 am. Western end of the lodge is frozen, the eastern end was ice free. Highlights include Water Rail, Kingfisher and half a dozen Snipe. 33 species seen in total.
Paul Thompson said
Wed Dec 14 4:51 PM, 2016
Walked around the lodge 9.15 am to 10.10 highlights: kingfisher showing well, willow tits in with a flock of longtailed tits, a male song thrush sing, 5 Goosanders, large numbers of redwings and a juvenile goldeneye.
Paul Thompson said
Thu Dec 8 10:39 PM, 2016
Birds seen today 9.25 am to 10.25 am
2 Cormorants
25+ Mallards
30+ Tufted Ducks
20+ Coots
5 Greylag Geese (Domestic)
12+ Moorhens
80+ Black Headed Gulls
5 Chaffinches
8+ Blackbirds
2 Great Tits
2 Wrens
7 Blue Tits
9 Longtailed Tits
1 Goldcrest
30+ Starlings
8 Jackdaws
10+ Magpies
13 Goldfinches
2 Great Crested Grebes
2 Dunnocks
3 Robins
6 Goosanders
1 Kingfisher
2 Reed Buntings
50+ Redwings
1 Bullfinch
9 Lapwings
15+ Wood Pigeon
Weather mild and raining.
Paul Thompson said
Wed Dec 7 12:07 PM, 2016
Birds seen today 9.10 am to 10.25am: Goldfinches 25+, Magpies 10+, Feral Pigeons 4, Mallards 30+, Coots 22+, Tufted Ducks 35+, Moorhens 15+, Carrion Crows 4, Jackdaws 6+, Black Headed Gulls 85+, Dunnocks 3, Cormorants 2, Great Crested Grebe 1, Blue Tits 12+, Coal Tits 3, Lesser Black Backed Gull 1, Great Tits 2, Blackbirds 15+, Kingfisher 1, Common Gull 1, Wren 1, Wood Pigeons 18+, Redwings 45+, Lesser Redpoll 1, Greenfinches 3 and Bullfinch 1.
Paul Thompson said
Tue Dec 6 5:37 PM, 2016
Arrived at 8.45 to 9.40 today's sightings: Black Headed Gulls 80+, Coots 20+, Greylag geese (domestic) 5, Tufted Ducks 25+, Mallards 30+, Kingfisher 1, Great Crested Grebes 2, Magpies 7, Longtailed Tits 8+, Cormorants 2, Jackdaws 5, Wood Pigeons 20+, Blue Tits 8, Common Gulls 2, Starlings 30+, Goosanders 2, Grey Heron 1, Lesser Black Backed Gull 1, Wrens 2, Redwings 100+, Blackbirds 15+, Bullfinch 1, Dunnocks 3, Fieldfares 2, Moorhens 6+ and Feral Pigeons 2.
-- Edited by Paul Thompson on Wednesday 7th of December 2016 12:09:55 PM
Paul Thompson said
Mon Dec 5 8:24 PM, 2016
Walked round the lodge today between 9.35 am & 10.35 am. birds seen: Carrion Crows 2, Black Headed Gulls 80+, Mallard 25+, Tufted Ducks 28+, Moorhens 10+, coots 20+, Greylag Geese (Domestic) 5. Wood Pigeons 8+, Kingfishers 2, Starlings 15+, Magpies 6+, Goldfinches 15+, Common Gull 2, Great Crested Grebes 2, Robins 2, Bullfinches 3, Goldcrest 1, Blue Tits 5, Canada Geese 18, Great Spotted Woodpeckers 2, Dunnock 1, Lesser Black Backed Gull 1, Chaffinches 9, Siskins 5, Blackbirds 13, Jackdaw 1, Greenfinches 5, Wren 1 and Redwings 65+.
No Bittern or Water Rail today.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Dec 4 8:17 PM, 2016
No sign of the Bittern today but 3 Water Rails and a Kingfisher were present.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Peter Krischkiw said
Sat Dec 3 3:21 PM, 2016
No sign of Bittern between 10.30-2.00pm,Water Rail seen,2 Kingfisher,4 Goosander,plus usuals.
Walked round the lodge between 11.40 to 12.35. Three sightings of Kingfisher (not sure if they were the same or different birds), 3 Goosander (1 male and 2 female). About 50+ Redwing in the hedges along Moss Bank Way. A single Great Crested Grebe the first one I've seen for about a week, they seem to know the lodge was going to freeze and moved off. No sign of the Water Rail or bittern which a saw on Tuesday. Plenty of people still looking for the bittern.
Other birds seen: Starlings 25+, Coots 20+, Black Headed Gulls 80+, Tufted Ducks 25+, Robins 2, Moorhens 8, Cormorants c3, Chaffinches 8, Dunnocks 2, Blackbirds c12, Magpies 6+, Goldfinches 5, Wood Pigeons 15+, Greenfinches 8, Blue Tits 2, Common Gull 1, Lesser Black Backed Gull 2, Greylag Geese (Domestic) 5, Canada Geese 17, House Sparrows 4+, Mallard 20+ and Jackdaws 2.
Steve Costa said
Fri Dec 2 10:38 AM, 2016
Just to add to Dave's notes on previous entry:
Goosander 4
Water Rail 2
Kingfisher 1
Jackdaw - flocks coming to roost in willow carr at dusk (no count)
Nice to have your company Dave and Dave (Broome).
David Sulway said
Thu Dec 1 8:43 PM, 2016
Attended the lodge at first light but thick fog affected visibility. Saw kingfisher and heard water rails calling .Met Andy Makin but we gave up hope of seeing bittern due to weather. Thought I would call after work and returned to lodge an hour before dusk. Met David Broome and Peter from Heywood (sorry but forgot your surname). Eventually Dave saw movement in the edge of reed bed at the northern edge of the smaller lodge (left of causeway).Saw bittern walking steadily in the reeds but only giving partial sightings. Just before dusk the bittern climbed up the top of the reeds to roost. It gave good views as it preened. Last seen at this location before darkness came and we had to leave. I have attached a record shot which was taken on phone though Dave's scope. Thanks to Dave and Pete and nice to meet you
Bittern still in reeds on the right hand side of the smaller lodge, viewed from the causeway. Well hunkered down when we were there at around mid-day but still visible.
Keith Mills said
Wed Nov 30 12:27 PM, 2016
This am up to 11.30 Two great views of the Bittern, which is currently located in the Phragmites in the smaller lake, and at its northern end. At 10.25 the Bittern was showing fully at the front of the reeds for 1 to 2 mins. Viewed from the causway at about 70 yards. At 11am with Andy Makin from the grassy slope to the south of the lake , the Bittern was seen flying, 30 yards, along the northern edge of same reeds. Later the bird was elusive with only partial views from 50 yards. Probably will show better from further back on causeway. A County tick for me! Also: Kingfisher....1 Teal....6 Tufted Duck...7 Grey heron...1
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 30 10:55 AM, 2016
Bittern showing well in front of the reedbed at 10:30 this morning.
Info thanks to Keith Mills
Keith Mills said
Tue Nov 29 8:07 PM, 2016
This morning sightings, with thanks, from Paul Thompson:
At 8.50 a Bittern was showing well on the Ice (Yes A Bittern!) Also seen were Water rail...1 Kingfisher...1 At the top of Smithills Dean, by Scout Road, a Single Golden Plover was with Lapwings.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 29th of November 2016 08:11:57 PM
Steve Almond said
Wed Nov 23 11:18 AM, 2016
This morning 10 Whooper Swans present (9 adult, 1 juvenile). They flew out at 10.13 after being disturbed by a dog chasing a ball in the water. The sign saying dogs must be on a lead is widely ignored. Also present 1 Little Grebe and 1 female Goosander.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 19 9:42 PM, 2016
Single Tree Sparrow on feeders at Boot Lane near Doffcocker this early afternoon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
marvin lewis said
Sun Oct 16 11:07 PM, 2016
WeBS visit 0900 - 0940 Great Crested Grebe x 1 Domestic Greylag Goose x 5 Mallard x 18 Tufted Duck x 13 Coot x 21 Moorhen x 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull x 1 Black-headed Gull x 125
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 16th of October 2016 11:14:15 PM
Simon Warford said
Wed Sep 14 12:48 PM, 2016
Late morning,
1 Wigeon 4 Teal 59 Tufted Duck
Keith Mills said
Sat May 7 8:04 PM, 2016
This evening: At least 11 Common Tern, using the rafts. Reed Warbler showing very well.
Keith Mills said
Fri Apr 15 6:04 PM, 2016
Drake Ruddy Shelduck flew in around 8.30am today. Also Common Tern seen. Info thanks to Paul Thomson, who left, with the bird still present, at 9.20am No sign of either on my short visit this evening just... 10 Tufted Duck, a Willow Warbler, and 1 Swallow.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 15th of April 2016 06:07:51 PM
Keith Mills said
Thu Feb 25 1:09 PM, 2016
This am with David Aldred. Sunny.
Goosander...5....(3m,2f) Teal....2 Great Crested Grebe...4 Reed Bunting... a pair Tufted Duck...5 Moorhen...c8 Grey Wagtail...1 White Domestic Geese...5 Canada Geese...3 + 3 Hybrid
-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 25th of February 2016 03:48:14 PM
Keith Mills said
Wed Feb 10 8:45 PM, 2016
This morning: Goosander....9 (5f,4m) Adult Mediterranean Gull...1 Info, with thanks, from David Aldred.
Russell Lee said
Wed Jun 3 2:10 PM, 2015
Fleeting visit at lunchtime today - 10 Common Tern.
Jon Bowen said
Sun Apr 19 2:10 PM, 2015
Hour over lunch time today.
2 Common Terns
Willow Tit (pair)
2 snipe
Swallows and House Martins
Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler in song at far end of causeway with brief views of the former.
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff also adding their voices.
Alan Warford said
Thu Apr 16 7:35 PM, 2015
Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler in song by causeway, no sign any Terns as yet.
Jon Bowen said
Sat Apr 11 12:02 PM, 2015
Hour around the lodge this morning after the rain 3 Chiffchaff Pair of Willow Tit Single Swallow Snipe Female Goosander.
Robert Farmer said
Tue Apr 7 11:36 AM, 2015
Very smart looking adult Mediterranean Gull with the Black-Headed Gulls yesterday at 3.40pm. On the water for some time, then flew off for a while in the direction of Rumworth but was present again a little later.
Other notables were the return of the monster Terrapin sunning himself on the lower branches of a fallen bush in the water at the eastern corner of the lodge and the complete absence of any swans.
Chris brown said
Tue Mar 24 7:03 PM, 2015
Visited this morning and saw the following:
Reed bunting,
Black headed gull,
Goosander (2 pairs)
Chiffchaff (first of the year for me),
Teal,
Pied wagtail,
Goldfinch.
Jon Bowen said
Sat Mar 21 1:25 PM, 2015
First summer migrant of the year with Chiffchaff over far end of the lodge Also Goldcrest 3 Goosander Greater Black backed Gull 3 tufted Duck 4 Wren Buzzard Sparrowhawk kill around the back of the lodge
Jon Bowen said
Sat Feb 14 12:59 PM, 2015
10.30 to 11.30 this morning 7 Goosander (3m 4f) 5 tufted Duck Common Gull Lesser Black backed Gull Canada Goose Great Crested Grebe Single Kingfisher, which having caught a fish was then pursued by half a dozen black headed gulls around the lodge
Annette Cutts said
Mon Sep 29 10:33 PM, 2014
For the last week I have watched two kingfishers do battle on the lodge. There are some great chases as one chases the other in great agitation. Today they flew round and round repeatedly through the back gardens of houses on Ripon road. What a sight to see as you stand doing the washing up! I always see them around late morning/noon though other people who have gone up say they have never seen them but they are giving some great views all over the main lake.
Robert Farmer said
Sun Jun 29 10:24 PM, 2014
My wife and I had a late walk round the lodge last evening and we were treated to a fantastic display by the feeding swifts.
As the dusk fell from around 9.30pm the swifts started feeding lower and lower. In the end as the light was falling they were buzzing past us from all sides, almost within touching distance (if we could have been quick enough!), as we stood on the path near the gate at the Kiln Lane end.
Alan Warford said
Mon May 12 7:59 PM, 2014
PM walk round with dogs
Common Tern 9 on raft Reed Warbler 6 heard Mute Swan pair Great Crested Grebe pair Reed Bunting Tufted Duck 2 pairs Lesser BB Gull 1 adult Black Headed Gull 30+ Chiffchaff 3 Willow Warbler 2
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Monday 12th of May 2014 08:03:35 PM
Jon Bowen said
Sat Apr 26 1:19 PM, 2014
An hour between 11-12
Reed Warbler 1 singing in left reed bed Sedge Warbler - good views in right hand reed bed 2 Common Tern arrived back and reclaimed the raft whilst I was there Pair of Blackcaps Pair of Bullfinches Cormorant Long Tailed Tit carrying food up to 6 Reed Buntings (4 males) Pair of Tufted Duck Great Crested Grebe sitting tight plus lots of the usuals (copyright JT)
Jon Bowen said
Sun Apr 20 12:37 PM, 2014
Blowing a bit this morning between 8.30 - 10.00. Highlights Singing Blackcap Greenfinch 5 Swallows Willow Tit in scrub around the back of left hand lake 3 Willow Warblers 2 Chiffchaff
Antony Wainwright said
Sat Jan 25 1:03 PM, 2014
An hour till 12am
Woodcock 1 flushed from hawthorne scrub north side Goosander 7 Greenfinch 17 Buzzard 1 Sparrowhawk 1 male Bullfinch 3 Goldcrest 2 Lesser Redpoll 1
Huw Lloyd said
Mon Aug 19 7:04 PM, 2013
This morning between 09.45 and 11.00am - windy, over-cast
Moorhen x4 Coot x31 Mallard +40 Tufted Duck x12 Mute Swan x4 (2 adults and 2 young) Great Crested Grebe x3 (2 adults and 1 young who was constantly begging one of the parents for food, and diving after them - great to watch) Canada Goose x10 Black headed Gull x4 House Martin x6
Whitethroat x1 Willow Warbler x4 Great Tit Blue Tit Robin x2 Wren x1 Goldfinch x1 Greenfinch x6 Siskin x2 Chaffinch x2 Blackbird x1 Magpie Carrion Crow
Roy Hodkinson said
Sat Aug 3 11:59 PM, 2013
Hi I have been away for a few days.I read the post about the signet with the fishing tackle so went to have a walk round today 3/8/13 at 4.30pm. Both adults and two signets on the lodge. As I walked towards the swans I saw the adult male tangled in a fishermans line. He was trying to drag the swan towards shore. The line eventually snapped. I borrowed some sweetcorn and enticed all 4 swans to the very edge.They all looked okay I could see no injury to the male swan and no sign of a hook or line. I did speak to the group of fishermen who seemed fairly unconcerned. No sign of the third signet.
Keith Mills said
Fri Jul 26 11:21 PM, 2013
I will send you a pm, Dave. Cheers Keith
David Lumb said
Fri Jul 26 3:43 AM, 2013
Hi Keith, presumably the same Ian I have not seen for years. I knew him well, from socialising not cycling, when he lived in Egerton. Please pass on my regards.
Cheers, Dave.
Keith Mills said
Wed Jul 24 9:48 PM, 2013
Information thanks to my neighbour , and longtime Lancashire Road Club Secretary, Ian Marshall....
Ian has been watching the Mute Swans all Summer as his son-in- law and grandkids live by the Lodge. Today he noticed that one of the remaining 3 Cygnets(originally 5) had what looked like a 2 coloured fishing float stuck in it's bill. He contacted the RSPCA this afternoon ,who took full details. Ian has cycled up late this evening and could only see 2 normal Cygnets. He hopes that the Swan has been collected to get some help, and that hopefully this story has a happy ending!
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 24th of July 2013 10:10:41 PM
Alan Warford said
Sun Jul 21 6:00 AM, 2013
Evening visit
Common Tern 8+ adults & 6 newly hatched juvs that are unable to fly yet, seems the previously fledged juvs have already left. Reed Warbler still singing ! Mute Swan 2 adult, 3 cygnets. Pair Great Crested Grebes Tufted Duck 15 in eclipse
Alan Warford said
Thu Jul 4 4:33 PM, 2013
PM walk round
Mute Swan 2 adult + 3 Cygnets Common Tern 15+ Adults & at least 4 newly fledged juveniles in flight. Reed Warbler still singing Great Crested Grebe 2 Canada Goose 55 Swift 8
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Thursday 4th of July 2013 04:33:50 PM
Huw Lloyd said
Sun Jun 9 8:54 PM, 2013
This morning 5.50am-7am:
Common Tern x15 Mute Swan pair + 4 cygnets Canada Goose x28 Moorhen x2 Coot x5 Tufted Duck x5 Mallard Great crested Grebe x1 Black Headed Gull Herring Gull x1 Collard Dove Wood Pigeon Starling +30 House Sparrow x6 Dunnock x7 Blackbird x4 Mistle Thrush x2 Robin Willow Warbler x3 Chiffchaff x2 Common Whitethroat x3 Reed Warbler x7 Sedge Warbler x3 Reed Bunting x2 Greenfinch x8 Goldfinch x4 Chaffinch x9 Wren x5 Swallow x2 Swift +12
Tree Sparrow....5 frequenting trees that border the Lodge, in Old Kiln Lane back gardens.
Goosander.....5 ...including 2 drakes
Tufted Duck....c10
Goldfinch...5
Greenfinch...1
Long-tailed Tit...3
Reed Bunting...4
Teal...a pair.
Kestrel...1 female perched.
Cormorant...5
Bumped into Paul Thompson, as he was leaving, who helped us with the Tree Sparrow location.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 28th of February 2017 09:58:11 AM
Walked round the lodge this morning from 8.25 to 9.45 highlights Common Gull, male Bullfinch, 5 Goosander and 6 Reed Bunting.
Walked round the lodge this morning from 8.25 to 9.45 highlights Common Gull, male Bullfinch, 5 Goosander and 6 Reed Bunting.
Visited the site between 8.40 am and 10.00 am 29 species seen highlights being: Kingfisher on the island, 6 Goosanders, 5 Reed Bunting, couple of Teal and a single female Bullfinch.
Walked around the lodge etc. 8.25 am to 9.50 am. birds seen:
Strangely after seeing the Tree Sparrow I did not see any House Sparrow, also missing were any Kingfishers.
-- Edited by Paul Thompson on Thursday 16th of February 2017 11:50:23 AM
Walked around the lodge 9.30 am to 10.40 am. Western end of the lodge is frozen, the eastern end was ice free. Highlights include Water Rail, Kingfisher and half a dozen Snipe. 33 species seen in total.
Walked around the lodge 9.15 am to 10.10 highlights: kingfisher showing well, willow tits in with a flock of longtailed tits, a male song thrush sing, 5 Goosanders, large numbers of redwings and a juvenile goldeneye.
Birds seen today 9.25 am to 10.25 am
Weather mild and raining.
Birds seen today 9.10 am to 10.25am: Goldfinches 25+, Magpies 10+, Feral Pigeons 4, Mallards 30+, Coots 22+, Tufted Ducks 35+, Moorhens 15+, Carrion Crows 4, Jackdaws 6+, Black Headed Gulls 85+, Dunnocks 3, Cormorants 2, Great Crested Grebe 1, Blue Tits 12+, Coal Tits 3, Lesser Black Backed Gull 1, Great Tits 2, Blackbirds 15+, Kingfisher 1, Common Gull 1, Wren 1, Wood Pigeons 18+, Redwings 45+, Lesser Redpoll 1, Greenfinches 3 and Bullfinch 1.
Arrived at 8.45 to 9.40 today's sightings: Black Headed Gulls 80+, Coots 20+, Greylag geese (domestic) 5, Tufted Ducks 25+, Mallards 30+, Kingfisher 1, Great Crested Grebes 2, Magpies 7, Longtailed Tits 8+, Cormorants 2, Jackdaws 5, Wood Pigeons 20+, Blue Tits 8, Common Gulls 2, Starlings 30+, Goosanders 2, Grey Heron 1, Lesser Black Backed Gull 1, Wrens 2, Redwings 100+, Blackbirds 15+, Bullfinch 1, Dunnocks 3, Fieldfares 2, Moorhens 6+ and Feral Pigeons 2.
-- Edited by Paul Thompson on Wednesday 7th of December 2016 12:09:55 PM
Walked round the lodge today between 9.35 am & 10.35 am. birds seen: Carrion Crows 2, Black Headed Gulls 80+, Mallard 25+, Tufted Ducks 28+, Moorhens 10+, coots 20+, Greylag Geese (Domestic) 5. Wood Pigeons 8+, Kingfishers 2, Starlings 15+, Magpies 6+, Goldfinches 15+, Common Gull 2, Great Crested Grebes 2, Robins 2, Bullfinches 3, Goldcrest 1, Blue Tits 5, Canada Geese 18, Great Spotted Woodpeckers 2, Dunnock 1, Lesser Black Backed Gull 1, Chaffinches 9, Siskins 5, Blackbirds 13, Jackdaw 1, Greenfinches 5, Wren 1 and Redwings 65+.
No Bittern or Water Rail today.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
No sign of Bittern between 10.30-2.00pm,Water Rail seen,2 Kingfisher,4 Goosander,plus usuals.
Photo's below from Thursday
Walked round the lodge between 11.40 to 12.35. Three sightings of Kingfisher (not sure if they were the same or different birds), 3 Goosander (1 male and 2 female). About 50+ Redwing in the hedges along Moss Bank Way. A single Great Crested Grebe the first one I've seen for about a week, they seem to know the lodge was going to freeze and moved off. No sign of the Water Rail or bittern which a saw on Tuesday. Plenty of people still looking for the bittern.
Other birds seen: Starlings 25+, Coots 20+, Black Headed Gulls 80+, Tufted Ducks 25+, Robins 2, Moorhens 8, Cormorants c3, Chaffinches 8, Dunnocks 2, Blackbirds c12, Magpies 6+, Goldfinches 5, Wood Pigeons 15+, Greenfinches 8, Blue Tits 2, Common Gull 1, Lesser Black Backed Gull 2, Greylag Geese (Domestic) 5, Canada Geese 17, House Sparrows 4+, Mallard 20+ and Jackdaws 2.
Bittern still in reeds on the right hand side of the smaller lodge, viewed from the causeway. Well hunkered down when we were there at around mid-day but still visible.
Two great views of the Bittern, which is currently located in the Phragmites in the smaller lake, and at its northern end.
At 10.25 the Bittern was showing fully at the front of the reeds for 1 to 2 mins. Viewed from the causway at about 70 yards.
At 11am with Andy Makin from the grassy slope to the south of the lake , the Bittern was seen flying, 30 yards, along the northern
edge of same reeds. Later the bird was elusive with only partial views from 50 yards. Probably will show better from further back on causeway.
A County tick for me!
Also: Kingfisher....1
Teal....6
Tufted Duck...7
Grey heron...1
Info thanks to Keith Mills
At 8.50 a Bittern was showing well on the Ice (Yes A Bittern!)
Also seen were Water rail...1
Kingfisher...1
At the top of Smithills Dean, by Scout Road, a Single Golden Plover was with Lapwings.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 29th of November 2016 08:11:57 PM
Also present 1 Little Grebe and 1 female Goosander.
Single Tree Sparrow on feeders at Boot Lane near Doffcocker this early afternoon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Great Crested Grebe x 1
Domestic Greylag Goose x 5
Mallard x 18
Tufted Duck x 13
Coot x 21
Moorhen x 6
Lesser Black-backed Gull x 1
Black-headed Gull x 125
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 16th of October 2016 11:14:15 PM
1 Wigeon
4 Teal
59 Tufted Duck
Reed Warbler showing very well.
Info thanks to Paul Thomson, who left, with the bird still present, at 9.20am
No sign of either on my short visit this evening just...
10 Tufted Duck, a Willow Warbler, and 1 Swallow.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 15th of April 2016 06:07:51 PM
Goosander...5....(3m,2f)
Teal....2
Great Crested Grebe...4
Reed Bunting... a pair
Tufted Duck...5
Moorhen...c8
Grey Wagtail...1
White Domestic Geese...5
Canada Geese...3 + 3 Hybrid
-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 25th of February 2016 03:48:14 PM
Goosander....9 (5f,4m)
Adult Mediterranean Gull...1
Info, with thanks, from David Aldred.
3 Chiffchaff
Pair of Willow Tit
Single Swallow
Snipe
Female Goosander.
Other notables were the return of the monster Terrapin sunning himself on the lower branches of a fallen bush in the water at the eastern corner of the lodge and the complete absence of any swans.
Also
Goldcrest
3 Goosander
Greater Black backed Gull
3 tufted Duck
4 Wren
Buzzard
Sparrowhawk kill around the back of the lodge
7 Goosander (3m 4f)
5 tufted Duck
Common Gull
Lesser Black backed Gull
Canada Goose
Great Crested Grebe
Single Kingfisher, which having caught a fish was then pursued by half a dozen black headed gulls around the lodge
As the dusk fell from around 9.30pm the swifts started feeding lower and lower. In the end as the light was falling they were buzzing past us from all sides, almost within touching distance (if we could have been quick enough!), as we stood on the path near the gate at the Kiln Lane end.
Common Tern 9 on raft
Reed Warbler 6 heard
Mute Swan pair
Great Crested Grebe pair
Reed Bunting
Tufted Duck 2 pairs
Lesser BB Gull 1 adult
Black Headed Gull 30+
Chiffchaff 3
Willow Warbler 2
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Monday 12th of May 2014 08:03:35 PM
Reed Warbler 1 singing in left reed bed
Sedge Warbler - good views in right hand reed bed
2 Common Tern arrived back and reclaimed the raft whilst I was there
Pair of Blackcaps
Pair of Bullfinches
Cormorant
Long Tailed Tit carrying food
up to 6 Reed Buntings (4 males)
Pair of Tufted Duck
Great Crested Grebe sitting tight
plus lots of the usuals
Singing Blackcap
Greenfinch
5 Swallows
Willow Tit in scrub around the back of left hand lake
3 Willow Warblers
2 Chiffchaff
Woodcock 1 flushed from hawthorne scrub north side
Goosander 7
Greenfinch 17
Buzzard 1
Sparrowhawk 1 male
Bullfinch 3
Goldcrest 2
Lesser Redpoll 1
Moorhen x4
Coot x31
Mallard +40
Tufted Duck x12
Mute Swan x4 (2 adults and 2 young)
Great Crested Grebe x3 (2 adults and 1 young who was constantly begging one of the parents for food, and diving after them - great to watch)
Canada Goose x10
Black headed Gull x4
House Martin x6
Whitethroat x1
Willow Warbler x4
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Robin x2
Wren x1
Goldfinch x1
Greenfinch x6
Siskin x2
Chaffinch x2
Blackbird x1
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Both adults and two signets on the lodge.
As I walked towards the swans I saw the adult male tangled in a fishermans line. He was trying to drag the swan towards shore.
The line eventually snapped.
I borrowed some sweetcorn and enticed all 4 swans to the very edge.They all looked okay I could see no injury to the male swan and no sign of
a hook or line.
I did speak to the group of fishermen who seemed fairly unconcerned.
No sign of the third signet.
Cheers
Keith
Cheers, Dave.
Ian has been watching the Mute Swans all Summer as his son-in- law and grandkids live by the Lodge.
Today he noticed that one of the remaining 3 Cygnets(originally 5) had what looked like a 2 coloured fishing float stuck in it's bill.
He contacted the RSPCA this afternoon ,who took full details.
Ian has cycled up late this evening and could only see 2 normal Cygnets.
He hopes that the Swan has been collected to get some help, and that hopefully this story has a happy ending!
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 24th of July 2013 10:10:41 PM
Common Tern 8+ adults & 6 newly hatched juvs that are unable to fly yet, seems the previously fledged juvs have already left.
Reed Warbler still singing !
Mute Swan 2 adult, 3 cygnets.
Pair Great Crested Grebes
Tufted Duck 15 in eclipse
Mute Swan 2 adult + 3 Cygnets
Common Tern 15+ Adults & at least 4 newly fledged juveniles in flight.
Reed Warbler still singing
Great Crested Grebe 2
Canada Goose 55
Swift 8
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Thursday 4th of July 2013 04:33:50 PM
Common Tern x15
Mute Swan pair + 4 cygnets
Canada Goose x28
Moorhen x2
Coot x5
Tufted Duck x5
Mallard
Great crested Grebe x1
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull x1
Collard Dove
Wood Pigeon
Starling +30
House Sparrow x6
Dunnock x7
Blackbird x4
Mistle Thrush x2
Robin
Willow Warbler x3
Chiffchaff x2
Common Whitethroat x3
Reed Warbler x7
Sedge Warbler x3
Reed Bunting x2
Greenfinch x8
Goldfinch x4
Chaffinch x9
Wren x5
Swallow x2
Swift +12