flooded field by Bollington gate 100+ Black Headed Gulls 40+ Rook
Langham Grove 50+ Redwing in trees 1 Treecreeper 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Green Woodpecker heard 1 Sparrowhawk 2 Buzzard
Ann Ribbands said
Fri Feb 26 6:04 PM, 2016
A short circular walk taking in Island pool late afternoon. In addition to the usual tits and nuthatches, we saw a Green Woodpecker fly from the area of the slaughterhouse, and near the main drive were a flock of about 12 brightly marked redwing. More watchers needed at this site which I always feel should hold more birds than it appears to!
2 great spotted woodpecker 3 nuthatch 3 treecreeper 2 jay 1 sparrowhawk
Lawrence Hindley said
Sun Jan 17 7:14 AM, 2016
on duty yesterday from 10am to 1pm
A quiet frosty day started hearing a Green Woodpecker while feeding the deer down farm walk
Bollington gate 2 Treecreeper 100+ Black Headed Gulls 1 Grey Heron 1 jackdaw with leucistic sections in its wings (we also have a Carrion Crow with the same issue)
Moat 50+ Canada Geese
Mike Duckham said
Mon Jan 4 8:18 PM, 2016
Between Dunham Town (Axe & Cleaver) & Dunham Woodhouses (Rope & Anchor) today on the Trans-Pennine Trail, there were c. 300+ Fieldfare feeding in a field of winter wheat, and a Raven towards the Dunham Woodhouses end. Also a Mistle Thrush singing away for 3 - 4 mins, and a couple of subsinging Song Thrushes.
Cheers.
-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Monday 4th of January 2016 08:20:43 PM
sid ashton said
Fri Dec 11 8:30 PM, 2015
During a very quick walk around the park late on this very chilly afternoon heard the familiar si-si-si-si call of Long tailed Tits. There was a group of twenty or so birds flitting around the coppiced trees on the grassed area in front of the house - brightened our walk considerably.
Lawrence Hindley said
Sat Dec 5 10:47 PM, 2015
Took a group on a bird walk today from 11,00am to 1.00pm. Very windy but thankfully dry. There were very few small birds about due to high winds but some water fowl made an appearance.
50+ Canada Goose on the Moat 100+ black headed Gulls and 2 Grey Heron on field by Bollington Mill
Old Mans pool 1f mandarin Duck 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker
Island Pool 1m Teal 2m Gadwall 40+ Mallard 6 Tufted Duck 1 Grey Heron
Smithy Pool 2m Gadwall
Also 1 Cormorant overhead
-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Saturday 5th of December 2015 10:52:06 PM
sid ashton said
Wed Nov 18 5:30 PM, 2015
The Mandarin pair still present on Island pool this afternoon.
sid ashton said
Sun Nov 8 4:30 PM, 2015
Of interest in the park late morning today - a pair of Mandarins on Island pool and a group of 8 Redwings in the trees around the pool. Also, an unusual sighting for me in the park, a Cormorant on the moat.
Lawrence Hindley said
Sat Nov 7 3:03 PM, 2015
On duty early this week from 10.00am-1.00pm
Lots of ducks in the park today. Field next to Bollington Gate 100+ Mallard 1f Mandarin Duck 1 1f Wigeon 50+ Black Headed Gull 1 Grey Heron 1 Raven
Island Pool 3 Mandarin Duck 2m1f 1f Goosander overflying 6 Redwing
Deer Barn 2f Green Woodpecker 5 Redwing 4 Mistle Thrush
Moat 2 Mandarin Duck 1m1f
steven burke said
Mon Nov 2 6:00 PM, 2015
10.30-3.30pm 44 species seen.
golf course & forest...
1 great spotted woodpecker 7 nuthatch 2 treecreeper 6 goldcrest 9 jay 4 siskin 1 buzzard 2 brambling feeding on berries with redwing near the 7th tee 3 chaffinch 1 greenfinch 2 song thrush lots of redwings all around with several fieldfares also.
deer park...
2 green woodpecker 1 great spotted woodpecker 9 nuthatch 4 treecreeper 4 goldcrest 6 jay 1 peregrine falcon immature female, landed in tree near deer barn for several minutes before being harassed by crows & jackdaws. 4 pied wagtail 3 meadow pipit, over 1 stock dove 3 mistle thrush lots of redwings all around with several fieldfares also.
island pool... 1 mandarin, 1 shoveler, 5 tufted duck.
1 Mistle Thrush 2 Little grebe Tufted Duck in some numbers throughout the park on the ponds 1 Common Buzzard 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Cormorant fishing on the moat.
Well over 100 Black headed Gulls in the park. Throughout the park these gulls were chasing Jackdaws with aerial battles going on all afternoon. Sometimes the Jackdaws would try to coordinate a counter attack but the gulls had the best of the fight. At one point two gulls got so brave that they started dive-bombing a Grey Heron on Island Pool. The agility of both crows and gulls was fun to watch.
-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Saturday 10th of October 2015 09:53:14 PM
Ian Boote said
Sun Sep 6 2:57 PM, 2015
Siskin, Grey Heron and Grey Wagtail around Little Bollington Mill Flats Park-Green woodpecker x 2, Lots of Nuthatch, Chiffchaff, Buzzard and Raven
Lawrence Hindley said
Sat Sep 5 9:24 PM, 2015
On duty this afternoon 1-5pm. A large mixed flock of small birds including a number of juveniles was moving through the park today. Numbers were difficult to estimate but would probably be significantly more than I saw at one time.
8+ Long Tailed Tit 10+ Blue Tit 4+ Coal Tit 4+ Goldcrest 6+ Nuthatch 1 unidentified Warbler species
Also 5 Grey Heron 1 Green Woodpecker female 4 Stock Dove 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 20 Black headed Gulls
munsworth said
Fri Aug 28 3:28 PM, 2015
2pm today Adult Green Woodpecker showed very well feeding on the ground near the Deer Barn. Otherwise very quiet bird wise.
Mike
James Walsh said
Tue Aug 18 7:41 PM, 2015
Green Woodpecker showing around the deer barn area
Lawrence Hindley said
Sat Aug 15 11:37 PM, 2015
On duty from 1.00pm to 5.00pm
1 Ruff (Probably a male in Autumn plumage but distant on flooded field outside Bollington Gate) 7 Grey heron 4 Stock Doves 200+ Black Headed Gulls 3 Lesser Black Backed Gulls 4 Buzzard 1 Pied Wagtail
Smithy Pool 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Green Woodpecker
North Park A pair of Sparrowhawk with young on the nest
The Ruff is a first for me at Dunham Massey and brings the park total to 102
Nick Hilton said
Tue Jul 21 9:58 AM, 2015
20/07/15, pm Song Thrush, 4 x (singing) Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher (Island Pool), Little Grebe (Island Pool), Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Whitethroat, 2 x Blackcap, Yellowhammer
Ian Boote said
Sun Jul 5 7:33 PM, 2015
Green woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Little Grebe, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Tufted Duck, Nuthatch.
Ian Boote said
Sun Jun 28 12:29 AM, 2015
2 green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, chiffchaff, blackcap, nuyhatch, and a reed bunting on the canal.
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 28th of June 2015 12:29:52 AM
sid ashton said
Fri Jun 26 9:26 AM, 2015
Yesterday evening:- House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows over and around Bollington Mill flats also a Buzzard, and unusually for Dunham, a Raven having a bit of an aerial battle.
Steve Scrimgeour said
Sun Jun 7 12:01 PM, 2015
The Red Kite seems to be hanging around, although this seems to be first sighting for a while. I know it was spotted over Dunham some weeks back and I saw one over Bucklow Hill shortly after. Must be roosting somewhere local...
-- Edited by Steve Scrimgeour on Sunday 7th of June 2015 12:02:27 PM
Lawrence Hindley said
Sat Jun 6 10:34 PM, 2015
On duty in the park from 1pm to 5pm. Lots of young have now hatched and the park is full of life.
Smithy Pool Mute Swans with 1 Cygnet Mallard and ducklings Coot and chicks also pool had many Sand and House Martins hawking low
Island Pool Little grebe with 2 chicks (the adult attacked a pair of Tufted Duck chasing them to flight)
2 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker up near deer barn
Finally a superb view of a Red Kite low over Dunham Woodhouses
Kristian Wade said
Fri May 29 10:47 AM, 2015
A good wander round the park yesterday from about 12:00 - 3:30pm
Busy bird wise, but thankfully quite quiet on the people front.
Highlights included:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (on a dead branch) 1 Nuthatch feeding two babies in a hole in an oak tree over hanging Smithy's Pool. 3+ Blue Tit (1 going into a hole in a tree feeding young) 2+ Great Tit c5 Woodpigeon 1 Chiffchaff near Smithy's Pool 1 Cormorant overhead Jackdaws galore (probably 200+) Carrion Crows in small numbers (10+) Smithy's Pool itself was very busy with:
1 Drake Gadwall A pair of Tufted Ducks 2 Pairs of Mallards, one pair with 6 large ducklings. 2 Pairs of Coots, one pair with 4 small chicks, the other with 3 large chicks. 1 Moorhen 2 Mute Swan with one on a nest. 3 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin and 3 House Martin over the water. 1 Grey and 1 Pied Wagtail on the shore.
Two other small ponds, one on each side of the path held:
3 Tufted Ducks 4 Coots (2 young) 4 Mallard (2 female with 2 separate young) 1 Moorhen
The Moat was also jam packed with:
4 Canada Geese 40+ Mallard 1 Moorhen 1 Grey Heron in a tree 2 Greylag Geese overhead 4 Coots (2 pairs, one with 3 large young, the other with 4 tiny chicks) 2 Goldfinch in trees 7+ Tufted Duck
Green Woodpecker heard the whole way round but unable to locate.
All in all a great day
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 29th of May 2015 10:57:06 AM
Rob Smallwood said
Thu Apr 30 10:02 PM, 2015
A last minute decision to take a quick walk in the park late evening was rewarded with a low fly over Red Kite, heading towards Altincham/Carrington Moss mobbed by corvids.
Ann Ribbands said
Tue Apr 14 9:06 AM, 2015
I have a reliable report from a friend of 2 ring ouzels (1m 1f) seen at a bout 3pm yesterday, in the field on the east side of the track from the stile out of Dunham Park towards Little Bollington. We got there at 5 pm and could not locate them, but it would be worth while for anyone in the area to keep a look out.
Steven Nelson said
Tue Apr 7 10:00 PM, 2015
14.30-16.00 A family bimble amongst the crowds rather than a birding trip but a few things noted:
1 Swallow around the old stables area Green Woodpecker heard 4-5 Nuthatches c.20 Tufted Duck 1 Linnet over 2 Cormorant 2 Buzzard over 1 Pied Wagtail
Also a number of mating Toads in the moat near the watermill.
steven burke said
Mon Apr 6 9:20 PM, 2015
7.30-11.30am
despite the fog there was lots of activity & bird song around the golf course & forest inc mistle thrush, song thrush, blackbird, robin, wren & dunnock all in full song at least 14 nuthatch 5 treecreeper 3 goldcrest 2 chiffchaff 1 buzzard 4 stock dove 2 jay plus the usuals around
deer park...
2 green woodpecker, more heard 5 great spotted woodpecker, more heard lots of nuthatch 6 treecreeper 2 goldcrest 2 chiffchaff 1 raven, whizzing around cronking, first I have seen in the park 3 jay 23 tufted duck on the moat 1 green sandpiper on stream over bollington gate 3 swallow over the river plus all the usuals around
John Doherty said
Mon Apr 6 9:10 PM, 2015
Yesterday had 1 green woodpecker with more heard two tree creepers together 2 buzzards up high 1 great spotted woodpecker plus three chiffchaffs
Steve Judge said
Mon Apr 6 4:15 PM, 2015
Monday, 6th April 2015. 10:30 - 14:30 hrs.
Around Dunham Park and along Bridgwater Canal towards Lymm.
Swallow x 1 (in field next to Bridgewater Canal near 'Ye Olde No 3' pub) Chiffchaff x 1 (as above location) Green Woodpecker x 1 flying off near 'Slaughter House' Coal Tit Nuthatch Treecreeper Pied Wagtail Sparrowhawk Buzzard Mistle Thrush Grey Heron Blackbird Mallard Coot Black-Headed Gulls Canada Geese Jackdaws Carrion Crows Wren Dunnock House Sparrow Chaffinch Cormorant Woodpigeon Blue Tit Great Tit Starling Magpie Feral pigeon
Peacock Butterfly
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Monday 6th of April 2015 04:23:47 PM
Martin Loftus said
Mon Apr 6 12:07 AM, 2015
Spent 6 hours covering all 4 corners of the Deer park today.. X3 Green Woodpecker X6 Buzzard X2 Treecreeper 20+ Jackdaw 10+ Great tit 5+ Blue tit x8 Nuthatch x6 Wren x2 ChiffChaff X4 Grey Heron x1 Jay x 2 Thrush plus the usual resedent Waterfowl
Mike Duckham said
Sat Apr 4 5:10 PM, 2015
One Green Sandpiper still in the ditch viewed from the stile below the mill - I imagine it'll be clearing off before too long. A nuthatch was busy plastering a hole in a tree near the obelisk.
-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Saturday 4th of April 2015 05:53:11 PM
Ann Ribbands said
Wed Mar 25 4:15 PM, 2015
Lovely morning in the park before the crowds arrived. Green woodpeckers vocal on the east of Charcoal drive near the deer barn, and one seen near island pool. Great Spotted Woodpecker around the park but the Lessers eluded us. Nice to see noisy nuthatches paired up, and the Green Sandpiper was still on the stream just outside the park wall. Two buzzards soared overhead, and a new bird for us here was a Raven.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 25th of March 2015 05:28:31 PM
sid ashton said
Mon Mar 23 1:22 PM, 2015
A couple of hours in the park this morning gave me Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. Other species of note: 3 Herons around the heronry, lots of noisey Nuthatches, Goldcrest, Redwings and a Green Sandpiper on the stream to Bollington Mill.
Graham Smith said
Sun Mar 22 1:16 PM, 2015
On a non birding trip on 21st march walking the dogs saw my 1st 2 Green woodpeckers
Jon Bowen said
Fri Mar 20 7:48 PM, 2015
Quick hour this afternoon produced Green Woodpecker ( yaffling, drumming the works) Great Spotted Woodpecker Goldcrest Treecreeper 7 Redwing
Lawrence Hindley said
Mon Mar 16 10:14 PM, 2015
Hi Pete and Sid
Sid's advice on the best areas to look is spot on, but it is worth pointing out that the counter under the clock has now been replaced by the new visitor centre in the car park. The reception desk should be able to provide you with leaflets containing maps.
Hope you have a good visit.
Lawrence
Pete Astles said
Mon Mar 16 10:01 PM, 2015
Excellent thanks Sid that belps a lot mate
sid ashton said
Mon Mar 16 9:42 PM, 2015
Pete Astles wrote:
Hi folks
I am a new member of the national trust this year and might give this place a try I went to the hall last year but only to see the World War One feature but no idea of the grounds could I ask generally where you head to for the birding ?
Thanks in advance
Pete
Pete to get yourself started the National Trust counter directly under the clock have free info leaflets with a park map included to give you an idea of the various locations mentioned in the forum thread.
For example if you walk from in front of the house up the main paved path with Smithy Pool to your left. You will pass a fenced-off area and two wood carvings - walk on about 100m and you will see the deer house to your left. The Green Woodpeckers tend to feed on the ground in that area. Historically the Lesser spotted Woodpeckers tend to be in the wooded areas around the obelisk and the various pieces of water are always worth a look including the stream over towards the Bollington Mill flats. A walk along the Bollin from the flats can be productive.
As for other "birding areas" in the park just walk around and you will find many of the species as published on this thread.
I tend to try to be there before the crowds arrive and always try to avoid weekends when birding. Good luck.
Pete Astles said
Mon Mar 16 8:46 PM, 2015
Hi folks
I am a new member of the national trust this year and might give this place a try I went to the hall last year but only to see the World War One feature but no idea of the grounds could I ask generally where you head to for the birding ?
Thanks in advance
Pete
Zoe Barrett said
Mon Mar 16 8:35 PM, 2015
with Steve Atkins saturday morning:
Green woodpecker 2 x Green sandpipers 3 x Buzzards including 2 displaying Mute swan pair Great spotted woodpeckers drumming flock of Redwing in sub song Grey Herons at heronry
-- Edited by Zoe Barrett on Monday 16th of March 2015 08:41:29 PM
Lawrence Hindley said
Sun Mar 15 10:28 PM, 2015
On duty yesterday 1pm to 5pm. A quiet day but much woodpecker activity.
Green Woodpecker x 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker x4 Large amounts of Nuthatch activity throughout park 1x Teal on Island pool A pair of Mute Swans are back on Smithy Pool
No sign of the reported Little Egret but the duty rangers are aware of its condition and are keeping an eye out for it.
sid ashton said
Wed Mar 11 4:53 PM, 2015
James Walsh wrote:
The Little Egret has a protuberance from it's neck just underneath its' beak, the situation didn't look very healthy and I have reported this situation and my concern for this birds' welfare to the RSPCA, the Case Number is 123843-1426027611
If anyone visits Dunham Park, please report on the health of this bird
There has been a Little Egret reported in and around the park for a couple of weeks but no sign today.
PS - A group of 15 - 20 Redwings remains in the area of the obelisk.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 11th of March 2015 06:06:25 PM
James Walsh said
Wed Mar 11 8:24 AM, 2015
The Little Egret has a protuberance from it's neck just underneath its' beak, the situation didn't look very healthy and I have reported this situation and my concern for this birds' welfare to the RSPCA, the Case Number is 123843-1426027611
If anyone visits Dunham Park, please report on the health of this bird
James Walsh said
Tue Mar 10 5:49 PM, 2015
Little Egret on Island Pool, giving good views and still present at 5pm 3 Green Sandpipers Bollington area
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Mar 10 4:32 PM, 2015
Little Egret still present at 4:20 today.
Info thanks to James Walsh
Simon Gough said
Sat Mar 7 11:26 PM, 2015
A visit today with my sister and her family, hoping to show the kids the deer and maybe a woodpecker or two. Didn't see one, but did manage a nice Little Egret on the Island Pool, which is a GM tick for me. It seemed pretty comfortable, might become a fixture, who knows?
Steven Nelson said
Mon Mar 2 5:40 PM, 2015
Whilst driving past the fisheries at Dunham Woodhouses at 16.45 this evening a Little Egret was flying over the village in the direction of Dunham Massey park. It seemed to be heading towards the back of the park perhaps for the R.Bollin.
Lawrence Hindley said
Sat Feb 7 5:24 PM, 2015
A quiet day at Dunham Massey from 12.30 to 3.30pm, with some nice highlights.
1 kingfisher on the mill outflow 2 Treecreeper 1 Goldcrest 6 Long Tailed Tits 50+ Black Headed Gulls on Smithy pool 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Lawrence Hindley said
Sat Jan 10 9:54 PM, 2015
The park was finally given the go-ahead to open at 10am as the winds had dropped. I was on duty from 10am to 1pm.
Despite the wind and cold the park was humming with life. Whilst checking for tree damage in the more inaccessible paths I had a number of highlights.
20 Pink Footed Geese (flying over) 1 Redwing 3 Treecreeper 7 Long Tailed Tit 1 Goldcrest 100 Black Headed Gulls (on flooded field other side of Bollington Gate) 30 Canada Geese 2 Green Woodpecker (seen near deer barn)
This area is by far the best place to see Green Woodpecker in the park as it has many ant hills and very rarely disappoints. They are often found on the ground among the ant hills or in the surrounding trees. Find a comfortable seat or tree to lean against and wait and they should turn up.
flooded field by Bollington gate
100+ Black Headed Gulls
40+ Rook
Langham Grove
50+ Redwing in trees
1 Treecreeper
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Green Woodpecker heard
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Buzzard
golf course & forest...
1 great spotted woodpecker
5 nuthatch
2 goldcrest
2 treecreeper
2 buzzard
deer park...
2 great spotted woodpecker
3 nuthatch
3 treecreeper
2 jay
1 sparrowhawk
A quiet frosty day started hearing a Green Woodpecker while feeding the deer down farm walk
Bollington gate
2 Treecreeper
100+ Black Headed Gulls
1 Grey Heron
1 jackdaw with leucistic sections in its wings (we also have a Carrion Crow with the same issue)
Moat
50+ Canada Geese
Between Dunham Town (Axe & Cleaver) & Dunham Woodhouses (Rope & Anchor) today on the Trans-Pennine Trail, there were c. 300+ Fieldfare feeding in a field of winter wheat, and a Raven towards the Dunham Woodhouses end. Also a Mistle Thrush singing away for 3 - 4 mins, and a couple of subsinging Song Thrushes.
Cheers.
-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Monday 4th of January 2016 08:20:43 PM
During a very quick walk around the park late on this very chilly afternoon heard the familiar si-si-si-si call of Long tailed Tits. There was a group of twenty or so birds flitting around the coppiced trees on the grassed area in front of the house - brightened our walk considerably.
There were very few small birds about due to high winds but some water fowl made an appearance.
50+ Canada Goose on the Moat
100+ black headed Gulls and 2 Grey Heron on field by Bollington Mill
Old Mans pool
1f mandarin Duck 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker
Island Pool
1m Teal
2m Gadwall
40+ Mallard
6 Tufted Duck
1 Grey Heron
Smithy Pool
2m Gadwall
Also 1 Cormorant overhead
-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Saturday 5th of December 2015 10:52:06 PM
The Mandarin pair still present on Island pool this afternoon.
Of interest in the park late morning today - a pair of Mandarins on Island pool and a group of 8 Redwings in the trees around the pool. Also, an unusual sighting for me in the park, a Cormorant on the moat.
Lots of ducks in the park today.
Field next to Bollington Gate
100+ Mallard
1f Mandarin Duck 1
1f Wigeon
50+ Black Headed Gull
1 Grey Heron
1 Raven
Island Pool
3 Mandarin Duck 2m1f
1f Goosander overflying
6 Redwing
Deer Barn
2f Green Woodpecker
5 Redwing
4 Mistle Thrush
Moat
2 Mandarin Duck 1m1f
golf course & forest...
1 great spotted woodpecker
7 nuthatch
2 treecreeper
6 goldcrest
9 jay
4 siskin
1 buzzard
2 brambling feeding on berries with redwing near the 7th tee
3 chaffinch
1 greenfinch
2 song thrush
lots of redwings all around with several fieldfares also.
deer park...
2 green woodpecker
1 great spotted woodpecker
9 nuthatch
4 treecreeper
4 goldcrest
6 jay
1 peregrine falcon immature female, landed in tree near deer barn for several minutes before being harassed by crows & jackdaws.
4 pied wagtail
3 meadow pipit, over
1 stock dove
3 mistle thrush
lots of redwings all around with several fieldfares also.
island pool... 1 mandarin, 1 shoveler, 5 tufted duck.
smithy pool... 1 mute swan juv ring 4bvb, 4 gadwall, 3 tufted duck.
moat... 19 tufted duck
oxbow... 4 teal, 15+ siskin with few goldfinch.
plus all usuals around
A quiet day in general with some highlights
1 Mistle Thrush
2 Little grebe
Tufted Duck in some numbers throughout the park on the ponds
1 Common Buzzard
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Cormorant fishing on the moat. Well over 100 Black headed Gulls in the park. Throughout the park these gulls were chasing Jackdaws with aerial battles going on all afternoon. Sometimes the Jackdaws would try to coordinate a counter attack but the gulls had the best of the fight. At one point two gulls got so brave that they started dive-bombing a Grey Heron on Island Pool. The agility of both crows and gulls was fun to watch.
-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Saturday 10th of October 2015 09:53:14 PM
Park-Green woodpecker x 2, Lots of Nuthatch, Chiffchaff, Buzzard and Raven
A large mixed flock of small birds including a number of juveniles was moving through the park today. Numbers were difficult to estimate but would probably be significantly more than I saw at one time.
8+ Long Tailed Tit
10+ Blue Tit
4+ Coal Tit
4+ Goldcrest
6+ Nuthatch
1 unidentified Warbler species
Also
5 Grey Heron
1 Green Woodpecker female
4 Stock Dove
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
20 Black headed Gulls
Adult Green Woodpecker showed very well feeding on the ground
near the Deer Barn. Otherwise very quiet bird wise.
Mike
1 Ruff (Probably a male in Autumn plumage but distant on flooded field outside Bollington Gate)
7 Grey heron
4 Stock Doves
200+ Black Headed Gulls
3 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
4 Buzzard
1 Pied Wagtail
Smithy Pool
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Green Woodpecker
North Park
A pair of Sparrowhawk with young on the nest
The Ruff is a first for me at Dunham Massey and brings the park total to 102
Song Thrush, 4 x (singing) Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher (Island Pool), Little Grebe (Island Pool), Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Whitethroat, 2 x Blackcap, Yellowhammer
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 28th of June 2015 12:29:52 AM
Must be roosting somewhere local...
-- Edited by Steve Scrimgeour on Sunday 7th of June 2015 12:02:27 PM
Lots of young have now hatched and the park is full of life.
Smithy Pool
Mute Swans with 1 Cygnet
Mallard and ducklings
Coot and chicks
also pool had many Sand and House Martins hawking low
Island Pool
Little grebe with 2 chicks (the adult attacked a pair of Tufted Duck chasing them to flight)
2 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker up near deer barn
Finally a superb view of a Red Kite low over Dunham Woodhouses
Busy bird wise, but thankfully quite quiet on the people front.
Highlights included:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (on a dead branch)
1 Nuthatch feeding two babies in a hole in an oak tree over hanging Smithy's Pool.
3+ Blue Tit (1 going into a hole in a tree feeding young)
2+ Great Tit
c5 Woodpigeon
1 Chiffchaff near Smithy's Pool
1 Cormorant overhead
Jackdaws galore (probably 200+)
Carrion Crows in small numbers (10+)
Smithy's Pool itself was very busy with:
1 Drake Gadwall
A pair of Tufted Ducks
2 Pairs of Mallards, one pair with 6 large ducklings.
2 Pairs of Coots, one pair with 4 small chicks, the other with 3 large chicks.
1 Moorhen
2 Mute Swan with one on a nest.
3 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin and 3 House Martin over the water.
1 Grey and 1 Pied Wagtail on the shore.
Two other small ponds, one on each side of the path held:
3 Tufted Ducks
4 Coots (2 young)
4 Mallard (2 female with 2 separate young)
1 Moorhen
The Moat was also jam packed with:
4 Canada Geese
40+ Mallard
1 Moorhen
1 Grey Heron in a tree
2 Greylag Geese overhead
4 Coots (2 pairs, one with 3 large young, the other with 4 tiny chicks)
2 Goldfinch in trees
7+ Tufted Duck
Green Woodpecker heard the whole way round but unable to locate.
All in all a great day
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 29th of May 2015 10:57:06 AM
A family bimble amongst the crowds rather than a birding trip but a few things noted:
1 Swallow around the old stables area
Green Woodpecker heard
4-5 Nuthatches
c.20 Tufted Duck
1 Linnet over
2 Cormorant
2 Buzzard over
1 Pied Wagtail
Also a number of mating Toads in the moat near the watermill.
despite the fog there was lots of activity & bird song around the golf course & forest inc mistle thrush, song thrush, blackbird, robin, wren & dunnock all in full song
at least 14 nuthatch
5 treecreeper
3 goldcrest
2 chiffchaff
1 buzzard
4 stock dove
2 jay
plus the usuals around
deer park...
2 green woodpecker, more heard
5 great spotted woodpecker, more heard
lots of nuthatch
6 treecreeper
2 goldcrest
2 chiffchaff
1 raven, whizzing around cronking, first I have seen in the park
3 jay
23 tufted duck on the moat
1 green sandpiper on stream over bollington gate
3 swallow over the river
plus all the usuals around
Around Dunham Park and along Bridgwater Canal towards Lymm.
Swallow x 1 (in field next to Bridgewater Canal near 'Ye Olde No 3' pub)
Chiffchaff x 1 (as above location)
Green Woodpecker x 1 flying off near 'Slaughter House'
Coal Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Pied Wagtail
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Mistle Thrush
Grey Heron
Blackbird
Mallard
Coot
Black-Headed Gulls
Canada Geese
Jackdaws
Carrion Crows
Wren
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Cormorant
Woodpigeon
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Starling
Magpie
Feral pigeon
Peacock Butterfly
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Monday 6th of April 2015 04:23:47 PM
X3 Green Woodpecker
X6 Buzzard
X2 Treecreeper
20+ Jackdaw
10+ Great tit
5+ Blue tit
x8 Nuthatch
x6 Wren
x2 ChiffChaff
X4 Grey Heron
x1 Jay
x 2 Thrush
plus the usual resedent Waterfowl
A nuthatch was busy plastering a hole in a tree near the obelisk.
-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Saturday 4th of April 2015 05:53:11 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 25th of March 2015 05:28:31 PM
Green Woodpecker ( yaffling, drumming the works)
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Goldcrest
Treecreeper
7 Redwing
Sid's advice on the best areas to look is spot on, but it is worth pointing out that the counter under the clock has now been replaced by the new visitor centre in the car park. The reception desk should be able to provide you with leaflets containing maps.
Hope you have a good visit.
Lawrence
For example if you walk from in front of the house up the main paved path with Smithy Pool to your left. You will pass a fenced-off area and two wood carvings - walk on about 100m and you will see the deer house to your left. The Green Woodpeckers tend to feed on the ground in that area. Historically the Lesser spotted Woodpeckers tend to be in the wooded areas around the obelisk and the various pieces of water are always worth a look including the stream over towards the Bollington Mill flats. A walk along the Bollin from the flats can be productive.
As for other "birding areas" in the park just walk around and you will find many of the species as published on this thread.
I tend to try to be there before the crowds arrive and always try to avoid weekends when birding. Good luck.
I am a new member of the national trust this year and might give this place a try I went to the hall last year but only to see the World War One feature but no idea of the grounds could I ask generally where you head to for the birding ?
Thanks in advance
Pete
Green woodpecker
2 x Green sandpipers
3 x Buzzards including 2 displaying
Mute swan pair
Great spotted woodpeckers drumming
flock of Redwing in sub song
Grey Herons at heronry
-- Edited by Zoe Barrett on Monday 16th of March 2015 08:41:29 PM
Green Woodpecker x 3
Great Spotted Woodpecker x4
Large amounts of Nuthatch activity throughout park
1x Teal on Island pool
A pair of Mute Swans are back on Smithy Pool
No sign of the reported Little Egret but the duty rangers are aware of its condition and are keeping an eye out for it.
PS - A group of 15 - 20 Redwings remains in the area of the obelisk.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 11th of March 2015 06:06:25 PM
If anyone visits Dunham Park, please report on the health of this bird
3 Green Sandpipers Bollington area
Info thanks to James Walsh
1 kingfisher on the mill outflow
2 Treecreeper
1 Goldcrest
6 Long Tailed Tits
50+ Black Headed Gulls on Smithy pool
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Despite the wind and cold the park was humming with life. Whilst checking for tree damage in the more inaccessible paths I had a number of highlights.
20 Pink Footed Geese (flying over)
1 Redwing
3 Treecreeper
7 Long Tailed Tit
1 Goldcrest
100 Black Headed Gulls (on flooded field other side of Bollington Gate)
30 Canada Geese
2 Green Woodpecker (seen near deer barn)
This area is by far the best place to see Green Woodpecker in the park as it has many ant hills and very rarely disappoints. They are often found on the ground among the ant hills or in the surrounding trees. Find a comfortable seat or tree to lean against and wait and they should turn up.