0700hrs Male Ruff still with Lapwing flock also 11 Snipe 1 Common Sand piper,Cheers Alan
Alan Nuttall said
Thu Aug 16 10:41 PM, 2012
I male Ruff mixed with Lapwings,1 Common Sand,1 imm Little Ringed Plover,2 Swift Cheers Alan
Bill Myerscough said
Wed Aug 15 7:20 PM, 2012
15th August.
The best records from 3 visits today!
11 Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper, 27 Common Gull, c120 Starling, c20 House Martin, c5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit and 1 Kestrel. The Snipe were very flighty today for no apparent reason, with the largest wisp of 16 noted, although there may well have been more than this present on site.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Wednesday 15th of August 2012 07:25:53 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Aug 14 11:51 PM, 2012
14th August - am.
2 Teal (still waiting for a Garganey to drop in!) and c130 Black-headed Gull.
13th August - am.
c230 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, c60 Starling, 3 Skylark, 2 Swift moved through, single figure numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin. 1 Stock Dove was more unusual. Several small flocks of Goldfinch feeding on thistles, the largest of which was c20, plus c12 Long-tailed Tit. Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap still present.
The first returning Common Gulls noted were 3 adults on 29th July, with 8 here on 31st July.
Whilst the mudflats here are a frequent attraction for good numbers of loafing gulls, unfortunately Herring Gull is not usually a regular visitor, even in wintertime. Therefore Alan Nuttall's recent sighting of 5 birds here on 12th August - 3 adults, one of which had two juveniles in tow and which were seen begging for food, was an interesting and unusual record for Kingsway.
Cheers,
Bill.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 6 1:09 AM, 2012
Without prejudice, could any further exchanges take place by private message please.
John Doherty said
Mon Aug 6 12:32 AM, 2012
Only irrelevant if, say, based on the premise (which obviously you seem to hold, at least in the slightest degree) that this section is completely restricted to 'x y z seen today', and nobody can put any kind of other comment or observation trivial, boring, enlightening or otherwise, which isn't and should not be the case - this section doesn't work like that, nor does the MBF, which relies on insight, information and helping each other share the mutual passion. My defense of me just doing that - enthusing on the array of waders which the site is lucky to receive and announcing out loud I should visit. Not the most entertaining post in the world, I admit, but only as inane as your sarcastic response. I guess you could say the two posts were equally as unwanted, but at least I was talking about birds, that site in particular without going out of my way.
Mark Rigby said
Sun Aug 5 11:24 PM, 2012
John Doherty wrote:
Mark - I think it's a bit snidey to insinuate that my post was boring or irrelevant just because it wasn't one of the usual 'list the species I've seen' jobs?
County bird sightings forum??? Nothing to do with being snidey, Irrelevant
Mark Rigby said
Sun Aug 5 7:53 PM, 2012
Stop telling us all and just do it
Alan Nuttall said
Sun Aug 5 6:07 PM, 2012
0700hrs,1 Green Sandpiper,2 Dunlin,10 Snipe,405 Lapwing,5 Pied Wagtail,11 Swift. Cheers Alan
John Doherty said
Sun Aug 5 2:01 PM, 2012
Mark - I think it's a bit snidey to insinuate that my post was boring or irrelevant just because it wasn't one of the usual 'list the species I've seen' jobs? What makes your: "Stop telling us all and just do it " comment any more or less interesting, valuable or required to the forum's greater good???? I appreciate that I'm enthusiastic to take note of a place I've not made it to and am encouraged by the diversity of the waders there - ergo it's worth a look but haven't for various reasons. Isn't that one of the dilemmas of birdwatching, not being able to get to everywhere at every opportunity?????????? I'm sure we've all had a moment where we've looked at posts and thought as exactly as you've done without going on to post it - because it's a bit naughty to pass an equally (no a MORE) inane comment, which, depending on who you are dealing with, might invite a riposte or not.
There, I'll wind my neck in now.
-- Edited by John Doherty on Sunday 5th of August 2012 02:02:13 PM
John Doherty said
Sun Aug 5 11:43 AM, 2012
I keep kicking myself that I haven't made it here as it seems a great drawer for waders. Must do so soon.
-- Edited by John Doherty on Sunday 5th of August 2012 11:44:05 AM
C Brown said
Tue Jul 31 12:08 AM, 2012
Just in case anyone is thinking of contacting the local MP, the current chap is in fact Simon Danczuk (Lab'). He replaced Paul Rowen in 2010.
Regards, Chris
Thomas and Bill Jones said
Mon Jul 30 6:46 PM, 2012
This is such a great little site. I wonder does anybody know the legal status of the land, and whether there are any ongoing attempts to conserve it? It would be a sad day indeed if it was swallowed up into the business park . (am pleased to confirm that the football-topped 'birders' weren't me&Bill. We probably need to brush up on 'field skills' though!...)
Thomas and Bill Jones said
Mon Jul 30 3:05 PM, 2012
Think I've answered my own question.. There is an extensive report compiled by Ecologists on behalf of ASDA for Plot 'J' in the business park.
I wonder if anyone is interested (as I am) in writing to the local MP (see above post!) to ensure this land is protected as much as possible. I'm not convinced that the report goes far enough at all.
Apologies, Ian, if this off-topic.
-- Edited by Thomas and Bill Jones on Monday 30th of July 2012 05:26:35 PM
Mark Rigby said
Sat Jul 28 9:09 PM, 2012
1310-1350
Greenshank heard briefly in flight as I arrived but not re-located.
Not surprising really given the 2 football top clad 'birders' demonstrating all the field-craft skills of a bulldozer.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Jul 28 12:26 PM, 2012
28th July.
Greenshank this morning. Very elusive at times. I think the tally of wader species recorded at this site now stands at 20.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Saturday 28th of July 2012 12:26:55 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Jul 10 1:59 AM, 2012
Hi Dave,
I've sent you a private message.
Best wishes,
Bill.
Dave Phillips said
Tue Jul 10 1:04 AM, 2012
Hi Bill, What a cracking little list for Kingsway. Could you be a bit more specific where you find the warblers. Did have a Bar Tailed Godwit there a few week ago couple of Reed Buntings too. Cheers Dave Phillips.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Jul 9 11:27 PM, 2012
9th July,
A brief but clear and close view of a Reed Warbler this morning. A first site record I think? Also 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and varying numbers of Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Reed Bunting too.
A flock of c160 Lapwing.
Cheers,
Bill.
C Brown said
Sun May 20 3:26 AM, 2012
Wood sandpiper still there five minutes ago.
C.B
Iain Johnson said
Sun May 20 12:01 AM, 2012
Simon Hitchen wrote:
The Wood Sandpiper was initially found by Gary Crowden (I think - apologies Gary if I've got your surname wrong) on his first visit to the site!
Suspect it is Gary Crowder
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 19 10:19 PM, 2012
Wood Sandpiper still present at 1:50pm
Info thanks to Steve Collins
Simon Hitchen said
Sat May 19 7:17 PM, 2012
The Wood Sandpiper was initially found by Gary Crowden (I think - apologies Gary if I've got your surname wrong) on his first visit to the site! A long awaited Rochdale tick for me and appears to be the first in Rochdale since 1991!
Also this morning in the arctic conditions I briefly saw a yellow wagtail resembling a Grey- headed Wagtail - it had a dark grey head and a yellow throat - I couldn't see any supercilium but the view was frustratingly brief - wonder if it could have been the Elton bird.
Also 1 male Wheatear
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 19 6:42 PM, 2012
Wood Sandpiper still present and showing well at 11:30am.
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 19 10:00 AM, 2012
Wood Sandpiper at Kingsway this morning at 09:58 and showing well.
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 19th of May 2012 10:00:43 AM
Simon Hitchen said
Wed May 16 5:14 AM, 2012
2 Shelduck this evening - presumably the same birds that were on Hollingworth Lake this morning 1 Redshank
Yesterday (14/5) 3 Dunlin
Alan Nuttall said
Fri May 11 8:14 AM, 2012
0530hrs,1 Black-Tailed Godwit,1 Dunlin,1 Common Sandpiper,10 Mute Swan,1 Sedge Warbler. Cheers Alan
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 11th of May 2012 11:31:24 AM
John Cooper said
Fri May 11 4:35 AM, 2012
Last hour this evening:
Half a dozen Dunlin mixed with the Ringed Plover. No sign of the Yellow Wagtails Plenty House Martins/Swallows
Simon Hitchen said
Thu May 10 3:21 PM, 2012
Late post for yesterday (9/5)
2 male Yellow Wagtails - a rare bird in Rochdale
No sign of the Ruff since Sunday
Simon Hitchen said
Tue May 8 4:31 AM, 2012
No sign of the Ruff this evening but there was a single Dunlin
Ian Kimber had a Yellow Wagtail this morning but no sign this evening
Karen Foulkes said
Sun May 6 4:07 PM, 2012
2 Ruff still present. Also 1 Common Sandpiper
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun May 6 4:02 PM, 2012
Sunday 6th May. 06.30 - 07.15 hrs
2 Ruff still present. Right at the top end.
Roger.
C Brown said
Sat May 5 4:42 AM, 2012
Grasshopper warbler reeling very loudly at approx' 16:00.
Chris
Mark Rigby said
Fri May 4 9:08 PM, 2012
2 Ruff showing well at 1100hrs near to roundabout.
Hundreds of hirundines over the water as the weather closed in. Good numbers of House Martins-cant remember seeing so many at once for a long time
Simon Hitchen said
Fri May 4 4:32 AM, 2012
Yes Chris that is exactly where it was.
Cheers, Simon
Simon Hitchen said
Fri May 4 3:25 AM, 2012
As well as the Ruff today a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling by Stanney Brook Park and showing well at times.
C Brown said
Thu May 3 8:59 PM, 2012
Simon, is that in the rushy pasture across the road from Stanney entrance? There was one there last summer too if it's the same place.
Were you on the New Road just before dinnertime Bill? I saw an 'observer' there when I was driving past. If I'd have known it was you I would've stopped for a chat.
C. B
-- Edited by C Brown on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 09:02:37 PM
-- Edited by C Brown on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 09:03:09 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Thu May 3 7:44 PM, 2012
First visit to see the Ruff since 27/4 and to marvel how at quickly their plumages appear to be evolving. It was quite breezy conditions this morning but two of the birds appear to be showing signs of developing their ruffs and possibly their head feathers too?
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 08:04:02 PM
Mark Rigby said
Wed May 2 3:45 AM, 2012
4 Ruff still present at 2000hrs.
Also
Male Whinchat 4 Wheatear 25+ Swift House Martin 2 Mallard Pied Wagtail
simon ghilks said
Tue May 1 8:44 PM, 2012
1/5/2012 12:45-13:00
Brief visit on route home
4 Ruff feeding in the middle of water. c6 Lapwing c5 Swift c5 Swallow 1 House Martin 1 Oystercatcher 2 Skylark plus one singing in the distance 1 White Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Kestrel 2 Wheatear
Danny Spencer said
Tue May 1 7:27 PM, 2012
Cheers Geoff,you where spot on with second roundabout. Called today and wasn't disappointed.Good views of ruff,also present wheatear and what looked like linnet. Didn't get a look quick enough. Thanks again. Danny
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 07:46:25 PM
Geoff Eldridge said
Tue May 1 3:53 PM, 2012
The best place to park and to watch is at the second roundabout from which ever direction that you are travelling from on the Isac Newton Way. You don't need to walk - if you do you will scare off what you are going to see. There was a good turn out of different birds there yesterday but people walking too close to them did frighten the ruff (4) off while I watched. I returned an hour or so later but there was no sign of them.
Danny Spencer said
Tue May 1 3:59 AM, 2012
were's the best place to park?
Alan Nuttall said
Tue May 1 1:57 AM, 2012
Nice to see the Ruff this afternoon they really do look fantastic.There was a small fall of birds around the pool about 1500hrs. A stonking male Whinchat,I usually have to wait till August in Rochdale. 6 Wheatear,3 Linnet,3 Little Ringed Plover,7 Lapwing at least 3 nests lost due to the wet weather of late.Cheers Alan
Rob Willis said
Sun Apr 29 4:21 AM, 2012
Also saw the Ruffs this pm together with a few Lapwings.
Great to finally get to see them, but our time observing them was somewhat curtailed by the weather - it was really cold in the wind and as I'd not taken my gloves my hands were freezing holding the binoculars.
Still, it was well worth a bit of discomfort, I might pop up there again tomorrow even though the weather forecast is even worse than today!
C Brown said
Sat Apr 28 8:13 PM, 2012
I saw the ruffs late this aft', plus two little ringed plover and a couple of swallows. The views of the ruffs were great today, with the birds pretty close to the New Road. They all look fab', but one in particular looks utterly sensational. What a subject.
C. Brown
-- Edited by C Brown on Saturday 28th of April 2012 08:14:23 PM
-- Edited by C Brown on Saturday 28th of April 2012 08:14:57 PM
Ian Campbell said
Sat Apr 28 7:15 PM, 2012
10.00 a.m. 4 Ruff, my 1st males in Summer plumage, excellent. Cheers Ian
Simon Hitchen said
Fri Apr 27 6:04 AM, 2012
4 Ruff still today - all males now in summer plumage - quite spectacular. also 1 Redshank, 10 + Swallows, 1 House martin, 2 Sand martin
Bill Myerscough said
Wed Apr 25 8:10 PM, 2012
25th April.
A nice hour here this morning.....before the weather took a turn for the worse.
Amazingly, 4 Ruff still present. Also singles of Dunlin, Redshank and Oystercatcher. 1 Grey Heron, c15 Swallows, 5 singing Willow Warblers, 1 singing Blackcap and 1 male Reed Bunting. A pair of Coot and 2 pairs of Moorhen also.
A flock of c40 Starlings were all collecting and carrying food in the direction of the nearest housing estate. I thought this might be a little early but checking my records it's pretty much in line with the last 3 years, when adult birds were first seen carrying food on 28/4/11, 29/4/10 and 23/4/09. It's amazing how Starlings appear to be able to loosely synchronize their first clutches, with birds also seen carrying food at Higher Boarshaw later this morning.
Cheers,
Bill.
Geoff Eldridge said
Sat Apr 21 8:35 PM, 2012
Just read previous posts today (Sat) I saw 2 Ruff on Wed 18/4.
0700hrs Male Ruff still with Lapwing flock also 11 Snipe 1 Common Sand piper,Cheers Alan
The best records from 3 visits today!
11 Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper, 27 Common Gull, c120 Starling, c20 House Martin, c5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit and 1 Kestrel. The Snipe were very flighty today for no apparent reason, with the largest wisp of 16 noted, although there may well have been more than this present on site.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Wednesday 15th of August 2012 07:25:53 PM
2 Teal (still waiting for a Garganey to drop in!) and c130 Black-headed Gull.
13th August - am.
c230 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, c60 Starling, 3 Skylark, 2 Swift moved through, single figure numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin. 1 Stock Dove was more unusual. Several small flocks of Goldfinch feeding on thistles, the largest of which was c20, plus c12 Long-tailed Tit. Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap still present.
The first returning Common Gulls noted were 3 adults on 29th July, with 8 here on 31st July.
Whilst the mudflats here are a frequent attraction for good numbers of loafing gulls, unfortunately Herring Gull is not usually a regular visitor, even in wintertime. Therefore Alan Nuttall's recent sighting of 5 birds here on 12th August - 3 adults, one of which had two juveniles in tow and which were seen begging for food, was an interesting and unusual record for Kingsway.
Cheers,
Bill.
County bird sightings forum??? Nothing to do with being snidey, Irrelevant
Cheers Alan
What makes your: "Stop telling us all and just do it " comment any more or less interesting, valuable or required to the forum's greater good????
I appreciate that I'm enthusiastic to take note of a place I've not made it to and am encouraged by the diversity of the waders there - ergo it's worth a look but haven't for various reasons. Isn't that one of the dilemmas of birdwatching, not being able to get to everywhere at every opportunity??????????
I'm sure we've all had a moment where we've looked at posts and thought as exactly as you've done without going on to post it - because it's a bit naughty to pass an equally (no a MORE) inane comment, which, depending on who you are dealing with, might invite a riposte or not.
There, I'll wind my neck in now.
-- Edited by John Doherty on Sunday 5th of August 2012 02:02:13 PM
Must do so soon.
-- Edited by John Doherty on Sunday 5th of August 2012 11:44:05 AM
Regards, Chris
(am pleased to confirm that the football-topped 'birders' weren't me&Bill. We probably need to brush up on 'field skills' though!...)
There is an extensive report compiled by Ecologists on behalf of ASDA for Plot 'J' in the business park.
Here's the link to it if anyone is interested.
PDF for ecology report on Kingsway Business Park
I wonder if anyone is interested (as I am) in writing to the local MP (see above post!) to ensure this land is protected as much as possible. I'm not convinced that the report goes far enough at all.
Apologies, Ian, if this off-topic.
-- Edited by Thomas and Bill Jones on Monday 30th of July 2012 05:26:35 PM
Greenshank heard briefly in flight as I arrived but not re-located.
Not surprising really given the 2 football top clad 'birders' demonstrating all the field-craft skills of a bulldozer.
Greenshank this morning. Very elusive at times. I think the tally of wader species recorded at this site now stands at 20.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Saturday 28th of July 2012 12:26:55 PM
I've sent you a private message.
Best wishes,
Bill.
What a cracking little list for Kingsway. Could you be a bit more specific where you find the warblers. Did have a Bar Tailed Godwit there a few week ago couple of Reed Buntings too.
Cheers Dave Phillips.
A brief but clear and close view of a Reed Warbler this morning. A first site record I think? Also 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and varying numbers of Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Reed Bunting too.
A flock of c160 Lapwing.
Cheers,
Bill.
C.B
Info thanks to Steve Collins
Also this morning in the arctic conditions I briefly saw a yellow wagtail resembling a Grey- headed Wagtail - it had a dark grey head and a yellow throat - I couldn't see any supercilium but the view was frustratingly brief - wonder if it could have been the Elton bird.
Also 1 male Wheatear
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 19th of May 2012 10:00:43 AM
1 Redshank
Yesterday (14/5) 3 Dunlin
Cheers Alan
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 11th of May 2012 11:31:24 AM
Half a dozen Dunlin mixed with the Ringed Plover.
No sign of the Yellow Wagtails
Plenty House Martins/Swallows
2 male Yellow Wagtails - a rare bird in Rochdale
No sign of the Ruff since Sunday
Ian Kimber had a Yellow Wagtail this morning but no sign this evening
Also 1 Common Sandpiper
2 Ruff still present. Right at the top end.
Roger.
Chris
Hundreds of hirundines over the water as the weather closed in. Good numbers of House Martins-cant remember seeing so many at once for a long time
Cheers, Simon
Were you on the New Road just before dinnertime Bill? I saw an 'observer' there when I was driving past. If I'd have known it was you I would've stopped for a chat.
C. B
-- Edited by C Brown on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 09:02:37 PM
-- Edited by C Brown on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 09:03:09 PM
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 08:04:02 PM
Also
Male Whinchat
4 Wheatear
25+ Swift
House Martin
2 Mallard
Pied Wagtail
Brief visit on route home
4 Ruff feeding in the middle of water.
c6 Lapwing
c5 Swift
c5 Swallow
1 House Martin
1 Oystercatcher
2 Skylark plus one singing in the distance
1 White Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Kestrel
2 Wheatear
Danny
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 07:46:25 PM
There was a good turn out of different birds there yesterday but people walking too close to them did frighten the ruff (4) off while I watched. I returned an hour or so later but there was no sign of them.
A stonking male Whinchat,I usually have to wait till August in Rochdale.
6 Wheatear,3 Linnet,3 Little Ringed Plover,7 Lapwing at least 3 nests lost due to the wet weather of late.Cheers Alan
Great to finally get to see them, but our time observing them was somewhat curtailed by the weather - it was really cold in the wind and as I'd not taken my gloves my hands were freezing holding the binoculars.
Still, it was well worth a bit of discomfort, I might pop up there again tomorrow even though the weather forecast is even worse than today!
C. Brown
-- Edited by C Brown on Saturday 28th of April 2012 08:14:23 PM
-- Edited by C Brown on Saturday 28th of April 2012 08:14:57 PM
Cheers Ian
also 1 Redshank, 10 + Swallows, 1 House martin, 2 Sand martin
A nice hour here this morning.....before the weather took a turn for the worse.
Amazingly, 4 Ruff still present. Also singles of Dunlin, Redshank and Oystercatcher. 1 Grey Heron, c15 Swallows, 5 singing Willow Warblers, 1 singing Blackcap and 1 male Reed Bunting. A pair of Coot and 2 pairs of Moorhen also.
A flock of c40 Starlings were all collecting and carrying food in the direction of the nearest housing estate. I thought this might be a little early but checking my records it's pretty much in line with the last 3 years, when adult birds were first seen carrying food on 28/4/11, 29/4/10 and 23/4/09. It's amazing how Starlings appear to be able to loosely synchronize their first clutches, with birds also seen carrying food at Higher Boarshaw later this morning.
Cheers,
Bill.