46 Teal on the back pond late morning. For once quite easy to count accurately as the horses in the fields here went on a mini stampede around the pond and forced all the birds into the middle of the water. Presumably migrants?....seem to be a little early?
Cheers,
Bill.
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Sep 4 7:30 PM, 2011
4th September 2011
Well my two week excursion to the East coast is over for another year. Back to Boarshaw.
PM (Sunny)
Front Ponds
18 Canada Geese 25 Gulls (Mainly black heads) 1 Moorhen 4 Lapwing (First time I have seen them on the ponds this year )
Rear Pond
4 Magpie 1 Wood Pigeon
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
40+ Canada Geese (approx) 4 Magpie 7 Mallard 1 Unidentified duck (Same size as Mallard but a lot darker. Possibly Mallard hybrid?) 3 Carrion Crow
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
50 Canada Geese (Approx) in newly cut fields to side 1 Magpie 3 Swallows
Rear Pond
1 Pied Wagtail 40 Canada Geese 25+ Mallard (Approx) 1 Unknown duck (Same size as mallard but a lot darker than a female with no definition to feathers. Juvenile perhaphs?)
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
2 Gold Finch 1 Wood Pigeon
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Wed Aug 10 7:53 PM, 2011
10th August 2011
PM (Wet and wild)
Front Ponds
100+ Canada Geese (Approx) in newly cut fields to side 4 Magpie 2 Crow 2 Swallows
Rear Pond
1 Pied Wagtail 6 Canada Geese 70+ Mallard (Approx) all female or chicks
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
1 Unknown duck (Same size as mallard but alot darker than a female with no definition to feathers. Juvenile perhaphs?) 1 Blackbird 5 Swallow 120+ Black Headed Gull (Approx) in field between canal and school grounds 3 Magpie
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
Nothing !
Dave
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 10th of August 2011 09:15:42 PM
Davidcaron62 said
Tue Aug 9 7:25 PM, 2011
9th August 2011
PM
Front Ponds
100 Canada Geese (Approx) in newly cut fields to side, more flying in all the time. 2 Magpie 1 Grey Heron 7 Swallows
Single Pink-footed Goose down around the ponds mid-afternoon.
The Gadwall have finally gone - 2 were present 17/1 through until 1/3, with just a single bird seen on 7/3.
Not a lot else to report - pairs of Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Coot and Moorhen. 3 pairs of Canada Geese, 4 Lapwings (possibly 2 pairs?), 7 Jackdaws and a handful of Mallards. Thought I could hear Stock Dove but couldn't locate it.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Feb 25 5:13 PM, 2011
25th February.
PM Visit.
At 1.00 pm 6 Mute Swan (5 adults, 1 immature) was an unusual record for here. A pair engaged in courtship display and spent some time trying to chase way two of the other adult birds, before rather oddly all 4 then flew off together heading south at 1.50 pm. An adult and the immature remained.
Also 2 Oystercatcher (also here on 18/2), the 2 Gadwall are still present. In fields nearby a very large mixed feeding flock of c450 Starlings and c80 Fieldfare, with 2 Redwing spotted amongst them. The Starlings were noisy and very nervous and flighty, never settling on the ground for too long to feed, the Fieldfares less so. A male Reed Bunting seen, 2 Siskin flew over, as did a calling Curlew which headed north. 2 male Chaffinches fought briefly. Airborne flocks of c30 and c12 of Lapwing were over the local industrial estate. Snipe and Teal are usually certainties here in the winter months but have been scarce to non-existant since the big freeze and none were seen today.
Chatted briefly with the local farmer who told me that small single figure numbers of Waxwings were in the area about 1 week ago.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Feb 11 3:27 PM, 2011
11th February.
Early pm.
2 Gadwall again - looking at their plumages, almost certainly the same two birds that were here on 17/1/11. Not a lot else - 2 Goosander, 2 Jay, 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 Bullfinch, c70 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull and 1 Woodpigeon carrying nesting material.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Jan 17 3:57 PM, 2011
17th January.
2 Gadwall on the ponds here this afternoon. First time I have recorded this species here.
Also a pair of Goosander and a single Teal but no Snipe.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Nov 2 3:21 PM, 2010
2nd November.
Just a quick drop in visit late morning. A flock of c200 Starling in the fields and c40 Teal on one of the ponds .
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Oct 15 3:29 PM, 2010
15th October.
At least 17 Teal on one of the waters. Not a lot else apart from 3 Lapwing.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Aug 9 11:27 AM, 2010
9th August.
Short visit am.
Nothing out of the ordinary, except some decent flock counts of commoner birds.
A flock of c120 House Sparrows was a really good, noisy spectacle, regularly flying up into the hedgerows and then dropping down into the fields to feed, with c80 Starlings. Small numbers of young House Sparrows were still being fed by adults. A flock of c15 Linnet were also feeding on weed seeds in the same fields. 90+ Canada Geese, 1 Swift over, 1 Sand Martin over and c12 Swallows around the local farm. 6 Pied Wagtails and 1 Grey Heron.
Family parties, including begging young, of both Greenfinch and Goldfinch present.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Thu Apr 29 4:37 PM, 2010
29th April.
Small double figure flocks of Starlings seen foraging across the fields and collecting and carrying very small items of food for what at this stage are still probably quite small nestlings.
Also in the same general area but without giving away their nesting locations - a pair of Grey Wagtails with large bills full of insects. Also seen doing similar in the same location on 26/4. Late April seems to be the time first broods of this species are in the nest as I looked through last years notes and found that I recorded pairs in 4 separate locations carrying food in the last 10 days of April in 2009.
Also 1 Mistle Thrush carrying food - the nest was some considerable distance away from where the food was being collected.
At another nearby location - a pair of Dippers carrying food and chasing away a different Grey Wagtail that was encroaching on their territory!
All pleasing confirmed breeding records for the ongoing BTO and GM breeding birds atlas projects.
Spent a good while scanning around the feet of sheep and horses looking for Yellow Wagtails but without any luck. The local farmer, if watching me, probably thinks I'm some sort of livestock rustler!
Keep atlasing,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Apr 26 1:23 PM, 2010
26th April.
Did my first visit for the Rochdale Canal WBBS this morning.
Singing and giving good views were single Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler, plus Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warbler all along the canal between Higher Boarshaw and Slattocks.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Feb 20 4:09 PM, 2010
20th Feb.
At least 24 Snipe here this morning. Plus 1 immature Mute Swan.
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Sun Nov 1 7:02 PM, 2009
1st November.
Not much to report from here of late.
Brief visit this morning - a good count of 38 Teal and a small flock of c15 Redwing.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Sep 1 8:16 PM, 2009
1st September 7.00 pm.
Very substantial numbers of 4 of the commoner species on the wet fields here this evening:-
These three foraging on the grassland:-
c170 Mallard, c140 Canada Geese, c220 Lapwing.
Standing about before all departing to roost:-
c290 Black-headed Gulls.
Also 7 Pied Wagtails and 3 Teal.
Numerous Woodpigeons clattering out of pathside bushes after feeding themselves on ripening elderberries.
Cheers,
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Aug 29 12:45 PM, 2009
29th August.
10 Teal this morning.
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Aug 10 12:49 PM, 2009
10th August.
The numbers of commoner species are starting to build up here... c50 Lapwing, c90 Starling c55 Mallard,
A family party of 3 recently fledged Swallows being fed by parents and family parties of Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
1 Snipe.
Cheers,
Bill.
Steve Collins said
Wed May 6 10:39 PM, 2009
A Lesser Whitethroat present today singing and briefly showing along the canal side towards Stakehill Industrial estate. Also a few Common Whitethroat singing although conditions overcast. 20+ Sand Martins over the fields and stream on other side of canal. An Oystercatcher appeared from the estate towards the fields and returned to the estate- one to keep an eye on. Steve
Steve Collins said
Fri Apr 24 11:33 PM, 2009
Certainly is cuckooflower Bill. I noticed it earlier this week when looking for the green sandpiper(no luck). I walked through it expecting orange tip butterflies but none at all! Steve
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Apr 24 8:19 PM, 2009
24th April,
1 female Wheatear, A pair of Linnet, c40 Starling foraging for food - I have watched a few "packs" of Starlings foraging for food for nestlings in the last couple of days and they seem to be coming up with very little food for all their efforts - a consequence of the prolonged dry spell? - and not a very good sign for their first broods? A House Sparrow caught and took into a nest what appeared to be a Speckled Wood butterfly. 2 male Whitethroats spent an age disputing over a territory.
Just short of the canal and adjacent to and on the north-eastern side of the cemetery/crematorium is a field carpeted in what I think is Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis). Would make a nice shot for a good photographer!
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Friday 24th of April 2009 07:19:56 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Apr 18 8:34 AM, 2009
18th April @ 8.00 am.
Green Sandpiper still present.
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Apr 17 9:05 AM, 2009
17th April.
Green Sandpiper still present on the "back" pond at 8.00 am today.
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Thu Apr 16 8:04 PM, 2009
16th April.
A Green Sandpiper was the pick of a good selection of passage waders here today.
Also 3 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 1 Stock Dove and a steady movement of Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading north or north-east in the early part of the afternoon.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Thursday 16th of April 2009 07:05:26 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Mar 31 5:24 PM, 2009
31st March.
1 Swallow heading north along the canal this morning.
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Mar 16 2:50 PM, 2009
16th March.
1 Redshank on back pond @ 9.15am. 1 Woodpigeon carrying nest material and loads of squashed frogs on the farm track!
Bill.
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Mar 13 3:01 PM, 2009
13th Marcxh.
1 Redshank on the back pond, mid-afternoon.
Cheers,
Bill.
Colin Buckley said
Thu Mar 12 5:16 PM, 2009
Thursday 12 March, midday - still two oystercatchers present, moorhen, snipe, c.30 BHgulls, crows, magpies but no lapwings or canada geese
Colin Buckley said
Fri Mar 6 3:19 PM, 2009
Friday 6March, 200 p.m.
Still two oyster catchers today, several snipe, mallard, moorhen, magpies, crows, robin singing. Large flock of lapwing arrive while I was there. No canada geese on pools but a small number on the canal.
Colin Buckley said
Sat Feb 28 1:33 PM, 2009
Saturday, 12.30 p.m. Two oystercatchers today, plus several snipe, moorhen, mallard, magpies, crows and c.60 BHgulls, many with almost full caps. A few Canada geese on the canal.
Colin Buckley said
Thu Feb 26 5:12 PM, 2009
Oyster catcher not there today at 3.00 p.m. Not much else either - snipe, moorhen wagtails, magpies but no canada geese, ducks or gulls.
Colin Buckley said
Wed Feb 25 4:34 PM, 2009
Oyster Catcher still there today at noon, along with a large number of mainly BH gulls but very little else
Colin Buckley said
Tue Feb 24 1:42 PM, 2009
Oyster Catcher still there at midday today, along with many BH gulls, moorhen, mallard, pied wagtails, snipe, magpies, crows, robins, a wren, but curiously, no canada geese apart from half a dozen on the canal
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Feb 23 5:01 PM, 2009
23rd February.
1 Goosander on ponds - there have been up to 5 here recently. 10+ Snipe, 2 Wigeon (1 male & 1 female) & c15 Redwing.
A few Robins were singing - only put this sighting in so that I could be the first to use the Batman emoticon on this website!!
Finally, 1 Oystercatcher was a nice record for the BTO Atlas project for this tetrad (SD80Y Higher Boarshaw).
Keep atlasing!
Bill.
Colin Buckley said
Thu Nov 20 2:39 PM, 2008
Thursday, 20 November, 12.00 - 12.45 p.m.
Never seen so few birds here. C. 100 Canada geese on fields to the North of the pools. I snipe, a few moorhen, but no ducks, gulls,even magpies. Perhaps the wind has blown them all away.
Colin Buckley said
Tue Nov 18 1:10 PM, 2008
Tuesday 18 November, 11.30 - noon
The usual suspects. C. 100 Canada geese, 60 BH gulls, many moorhen, blackbirds, jackdaws, crows, 2 mistlethrush. No mallards seen - the only duck was a single pochard.
Colin Buckley said
Thu Nov 6 3:49 PM, 2008
Thursday6 Nov, 11.15 a.m. - 12.15 p.m..
C. 40 canada geese by the pools, with another 20 or so on the canal. A dozen or so moorhen, 40 BHGulls, 6 snipe, 4 mallard, 4 blue tits, small flock of goldfinches, mistlethrush, 2 redwings, several small parties of fieldfares heading NE, the usual lot of magpies and jackdaws, 3 crows.
Colin Buckley said
Tue Nov 4 4:44 PM, 2008
Tuesday Nov 4, Noon - 1.00 p.m.
Few Canada Geese by the pools, the main flock being on the fields to the south. No ducks or lapwings, but ample numbers of moorhen, plus c. 30 BHGulls. 1 snipe, 2 Mistlethrush, plenty of crows, magpies and jackdaws. Several small groups of fieldfare passed over going W. Small flock of chaffinches in the hedgerows. Many blackbirds and woodpigeon feeding on the berries.. Group of c. a dozen redwings landed and fed on the field nearest to the railway line. Some starlings with them. Saw kestrel take a fieldmouse and sit in the field eating it. 1 kingfisher by the canal.
Colin Buckley said
Tue Oct 28 4:50 PM, 2008
Tuesday28 October, 1 45 - 2.30 p.m.
Bitterly cold. c. 100 Canada geese, mainly around the pools. Flock of about 60 starlings, ditto lapwings, coming and going. Half a dozen BHgulls, good numbers of moorhen, blackbirds, woodpigeon, magpies, jackdaws. 3 crows, 1 kestrel, 2 jays. 4 small groups of fieldfares passed over, heading SW. I saw half a dozen redwings, but could see no mallard, teal, wagtails or snipe.
Colin Buckley said
Wed Oct 22 4:58 PM, 2008
Wednesday 22 Oct 2.15-3.30 p.m.
Superb light to see things. Still 100+ Canada Geese on fields to north of the pools, with another c.30 on the canal and the same number round the pools. Large flock of Lapwings circled overhead for several minutes, then landed on the roof of one of the sheds beyond the railway line. They took off after a few minutes, heading north out of sight. A while later, a smaller group landed by the upper pool. Lots of Woodpigeon and Blackbirds eating berries in the hedges. A dozen or so Mallard, similar numbers of Moorhen and BHGulls, 3 teal, a pair of Pied Wagtails, 5 Jays 7 Crows, 10 Jackdaws, a few Blue and Great Tits, 1 Meadow Pipit, I Mistlethrush, 2 Kestrels, 3 Snipe in the rushes by the middle pool.
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Oct 21 5:28 PM, 2008
21st October.
Hi Colin,
I made a quick visit this morning (11.00 - 11.45) and was very surprised to find a very late Common Sandpiper on the edge of the back pond!! Teal numbers seem to ebb and flow - there were 21 here yesterday (20/10). On most days (although not this morning!) since 7th October, a single Wigeon has been present (2 were here on 13th). Yesterday had 3 Redwing flying about. A little farther north alongside the canal on 19th, counted c120 Jackdaw and c20 Rook.
Best wishes,
Bill.
Colin Buckley said
Tue Oct 21 5:07 PM, 2008
21 Oct, 2.30 - 3.30 p.m.
c.30 Canada Geese by the pools, but flock of 100+ on fields to the north of the pools. 5 Teal, 1 female Mallard, 13 Moorhen, c. 50 BH Gulls, 2 Woodpigeon, 10 Jackdaws , several Magpies, 3 Crows, 1 Pied Wagtail, a few Starlings, abundants Blackbirds. Flock of 40 Lapwings arrived while I was there. Two groups of Fieldfare, about 20 in each group, flew over heading westwards.
Bill Myerscough said
Tue Oct 7 5:28 PM, 2008
7th October.
Early afternoon.
Higher numbers than normal of Mallard (c95) - amongst which was 1 male Wigeon
Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail yesterday.
Cheers,
Bill.
Colin Buckley said
Mon Oct 6 3:59 PM, 2008
Monday 6th October, 1.00 - 2.00 p.m.
70 Canada geese, 50 BH gulls, 30 Mallard, 12 Magpies, 7 Crows, 8 Moorhen, 20 Starlings, many juvenile House Sparrows, 5 Blackbirds, 1 Robin, 2 Great Tits, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Jays , 5 Wood Pigeon. No Teal,Snipe, Wagtails, Heron, or Swallows, and the Lapwings have disappeared.
46 Teal on the back pond late morning. For once quite easy to count accurately as the horses in the fields here went on a mini stampede around the pond and forced all the birds into the middle of the water. Presumably migrants?....seem to be a little early?
Cheers,
Bill.
Well my two week excursion to the East coast is over for another year. Back to Boarshaw.
PM (Sunny)
Front Ponds
18 Canada Geese
25 Gulls (Mainly black heads)
1 Moorhen
4 Lapwing (First time I have seen them on the ponds this year )
Rear Pond
4 Magpie
1 Wood Pigeon
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
40+ Canada Geese (approx)
4 Magpie
7 Mallard
1 Unidentified duck (Same size as Mallard but a lot darker. Possibly Mallard hybrid?)
3 Carrion Crow
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
2 Magpie
1 Wood Pigeon
1 Black-Headed Gull (Dead )
Dave
PM (Wet and dull)
Front Ponds
50 Canada Geese (Approx) in newly cut fields to side
1 Magpie
3 Swallows
Rear Pond
1 Pied Wagtail
40 Canada Geese
25+ Mallard (Approx)
1 Unknown duck (Same size as mallard but a lot darker than a female with no definition to feathers. Juvenile perhaphs?)
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
40+ Canada Geese (approx)
2 Magpie
1 Moorhen (Juv)
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
2 Gold Finch
1 Wood Pigeon
Dave
PM (Wet and wild)
Front Ponds
100+ Canada Geese (Approx) in newly cut fields to side
4 Magpie
2 Crow
2 Swallows
Rear Pond
1 Pied Wagtail
6 Canada Geese
70+ Mallard (Approx) all female or chicks
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
1 Unknown duck (Same size as mallard but alot darker than a female with no definition to feathers. Juvenile perhaphs?)
1 Blackbird
5 Swallow
120+ Black Headed Gull (Approx) in field between canal and school grounds
3 Magpie
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
Nothing !
Dave
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 10th of August 2011 09:15:42 PM
PM
Front Ponds
100 Canada Geese (Approx) in newly cut fields to side, more flying in all the time.
2 Magpie
1 Grey Heron
7 Swallows
Rear Pond
1 Grey Heron
6 Black Headed Gull
1 Magpie
2 Wood Pigeon
1 Crow
1 Lapwing
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
1 Mallard (Female) with 3 or 4 chicks
1 Black Bird
5 Starlng
2 Black Headed Gull
1 Wood Pigeon
1 Moorhen (Juv)
1 Jay
1 Hawk of some sort. Kestrel size
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
5 Swallows
2 Wood Pigeon
Dave
PM
Front Ponds
100 Canada Geese (Approx)
1 Magpie
1 Wood Pigeon
6 Swallows
2 Moorhen
Rear Pond
1 Grey Heron
5 Mallard (Female)
1 Magpie
1 Wood Pigeon
1 Crow
1 Pied Wagtail
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
5 Swallows
7 Starlng
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
1 White Throat
3 Magpie
2 Gold Finch
4 Long Tailed Tit
2 Great Tit
3 Blue Tit
1 Wood Pigeon
2 Siskin (Possibly)
Dave
PM
Front Ponds
4 Canada Geese
2 Magpies
1 Wood Pigeon
3 Swallows (Approx)
1 Moorhen
Rear Pond
4 Black Head Gulls
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
25 Canada Geese (Approx)
10 Swallows
1 Grey Heron
Back Site Between Canal and Railway Line (Adjacent Lock 59)
3 White Throat
1 Song Thrush
4 Magpie
1 Green Finch
Dave
AM
Front ponds
3 Canada Geese
4 Magpies
4 Wood Pigeon
10 Swallows (Approx)
Rear Pond
2 Black Head Gulls
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
40 Canada Geese (Approx)
5 Swallows
Dave
AM
Ponds
25 Canada Geese (Approx)
2 Magpies
3 Woodpigeon
6 Swallows
Canal (Between locks 60 and 59)
10 Canada Geese
Dave
Pink-footed Goose still present and 7 Teal.
Cheers,
Bill.
Single Pink-footed Goose down around the ponds mid-afternoon.
The Gadwall have finally gone - 2 were present 17/1 through until 1/3, with just a single bird seen on 7/3.
Not a lot else to report - pairs of Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Coot and Moorhen. 3 pairs of Canada Geese, 4 Lapwings (possibly 2 pairs?), 7 Jackdaws and a handful of Mallards. Thought I could hear Stock Dove but couldn't locate it.
Cheers,
Bill.
PM Visit.
At 1.00 pm 6 Mute Swan (5 adults, 1 immature) was an unusual record for here. A pair engaged in courtship display and spent some time trying to chase way two of the other adult birds, before rather oddly all 4 then flew off together heading south at 1.50 pm. An adult and the immature remained.
Also 2 Oystercatcher (also here on 18/2), the 2 Gadwall are still present. In fields nearby a very large mixed feeding flock of c450 Starlings and c80 Fieldfare, with 2 Redwing spotted amongst them. The Starlings were noisy and very nervous and flighty, never settling on the ground for too long to feed, the Fieldfares less so. A male Reed Bunting seen, 2 Siskin flew over, as did a calling Curlew which headed north. 2 male Chaffinches fought briefly. Airborne flocks of c30 and c12 of Lapwing were over the local industrial estate. Snipe and Teal are usually certainties here in the winter months but have been scarce to non-existant since the big freeze and none were seen today.
Chatted briefly with the local farmer who told me that small single figure numbers of Waxwings were in the area about 1 week ago.
Cheers,
Bill.
Early pm.
2 Gadwall again - looking at their plumages, almost certainly the same two birds that were here on 17/1/11. Not a lot else - 2 Goosander, 2 Jay, 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 Bullfinch, c70 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull and 1 Woodpigeon carrying nesting material.
Cheers,
Bill.
2 Gadwall on the ponds here this afternoon. First time I have recorded this species here.
Also a pair of Goosander and a single Teal but no Snipe.
Cheers,
Bill.
Just a quick drop in visit late morning. A flock of c200 Starling in the fields and c40 Teal on one of the ponds .
Cheers,
Bill.
At least 17 Teal on one of the waters. Not a lot else apart from 3 Lapwing.
Cheers,
Bill.
Short visit am.
Nothing out of the ordinary, except some decent flock counts of commoner birds.
A flock of c120 House Sparrows was a really good, noisy spectacle, regularly flying up into the hedgerows and then dropping down into the fields to feed, with c80 Starlings. Small numbers of young House Sparrows were still being fed by adults. A flock of c15 Linnet were also feeding on weed seeds in the same fields. 90+ Canada Geese, 1 Swift over, 1 Sand Martin over and c12 Swallows around the local farm. 6 Pied Wagtails and 1 Grey Heron.
Family parties, including begging young, of both Greenfinch and Goldfinch present.
Cheers,
Bill.
Small double figure flocks of Starlings seen foraging across the fields and collecting and carrying very small items of food for what at this stage are still probably quite small nestlings.
Also in the same general area but without giving away their nesting locations - a pair of Grey Wagtails with large bills full of insects. Also seen doing similar in the same location on 26/4. Late April seems to be the time first broods of this species are in the nest as I looked through last years notes and found that I recorded pairs in 4 separate locations carrying food in the last 10 days of April in 2009.
Also 1 Mistle Thrush carrying food - the nest was some considerable distance away from where the food was being collected.
At another nearby location - a pair of Dippers carrying food and chasing away a different Grey Wagtail that was encroaching on their territory!
All pleasing confirmed breeding records for the ongoing BTO and GM breeding birds atlas projects.
Spent a good while scanning around the feet of sheep and horses looking for Yellow Wagtails but without any luck. The local farmer, if watching me, probably thinks I'm some sort of livestock rustler!
Keep atlasing,
Bill.
Did my first visit for the Rochdale Canal WBBS this morning.
Singing and giving good views were single Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler, plus Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warbler all along the canal between Higher Boarshaw and Slattocks.
Cheers,
Bill.
At least 24 Snipe here this morning. Plus 1 immature Mute Swan.
Bill.
Not much to report from here of late.
Brief visit this morning - a good count of 38 Teal and a small flock of c15 Redwing.
Cheers,
Bill.
Very substantial numbers of 4 of the commoner species on the wet fields here this evening:-
These three foraging on the grassland:-
c170 Mallard,
c140 Canada Geese,
c220 Lapwing.
Standing about before all departing to roost:-
c290 Black-headed Gulls.
Also 7 Pied Wagtails and 3 Teal.
Numerous Woodpigeons clattering out of pathside bushes after feeding themselves on ripening elderberries.
Cheers,
Bill.
10 Teal this morning.
Bill.
The numbers of commoner species are starting to build up here...
c50 Lapwing,
c90 Starling
c55 Mallard,
A family party of 3 recently fledged Swallows being fed by parents and family parties of Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
1 Snipe.
Cheers,
Bill.
20+ Sand Martins over the fields and stream on other side of canal. An Oystercatcher appeared from the estate towards the fields and returned to the estate- one to keep an eye on.
Steve
Steve
1 female Wheatear,
A pair of Linnet,
c40 Starling foraging for food - I have watched a few "packs" of Starlings foraging for food for nestlings in the last couple of days and they seem to be coming up with very little food for all their efforts - a consequence of the prolonged dry spell? - and not a very good sign for their first broods?
A House Sparrow caught and took into a nest what appeared to be a Speckled Wood butterfly.
2 male Whitethroats spent an age disputing over a territory.
Just short of the canal and adjacent to and on the north-eastern side of the cemetery/crematorium is a field carpeted in what I think is Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis). Would make a nice shot for a good photographer!
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Friday 24th of April 2009 07:19:56 PM
Green Sandpiper still present.
Green Sandpiper still present on the "back" pond at 8.00 am today.
Bill.
A Green Sandpiper was the pick of a good selection of passage waders here today.
Also 3 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 1 Stock Dove and a steady movement of Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading north or north-east in the early part of the afternoon.
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Thursday 16th of April 2009 07:05:26 PM
1 Swallow heading north along the canal this morning.
Bill.
1 Redshank on back pond @ 9.15am. 1 Woodpigeon carrying nest material and loads of squashed frogs on the farm track!
Bill.
1 Redshank on the back pond, mid-afternoon.
Cheers,
Bill.
Still two oyster catchers today, several snipe, mallard, moorhen, magpies, crows, robin singing. Large flock of lapwing arrive while I was there. No canada geese on pools but a small number on the canal.
1 Goosander on ponds - there have been up to 5 here recently. 10+ Snipe, 2 Wigeon (1 male & 1 female) & c15 Redwing.
A few Robins were singing - only put this sighting in so that I could be the first to use the Batman emoticon on this website!!
Finally, 1 Oystercatcher was a nice record for the BTO Atlas project for this tetrad (SD80Y Higher Boarshaw).
Keep atlasing!
Bill.
Never seen so few birds here. C. 100 Canada geese on fields to the North of the pools. I snipe, a few moorhen, but no ducks, gulls,even magpies. Perhaps the wind has blown them all away.
The usual suspects. C. 100 Canada geese, 60 BH gulls, many moorhen, blackbirds, jackdaws, crows, 2 mistlethrush. No mallards seen - the only duck was a single pochard.
C. 40 canada geese by the pools, with another 20 or so on the canal. A dozen or so moorhen, 40 BHGulls, 6 snipe, 4 mallard, 4 blue tits, small flock of goldfinches, mistlethrush, 2 redwings, several small parties of fieldfares heading NE, the usual lot of magpies and jackdaws, 3 crows.
Few Canada Geese by the pools, the main flock being on the fields to the south. No ducks or lapwings, but ample numbers of moorhen, plus c. 30 BHGulls. 1 snipe, 2 Mistlethrush, plenty of crows, magpies and jackdaws. Several small groups of fieldfare passed over going W. Small flock of chaffinches in the hedgerows. Many blackbirds and woodpigeon feeding on the berries.. Group of c. a dozen redwings landed and fed on the field nearest to the railway line. Some starlings with them. Saw kestrel take a fieldmouse and sit in the field eating it. 1 kingfisher by the canal.
Bitterly cold. c. 100 Canada geese, mainly around the pools. Flock of about 60 starlings, ditto lapwings, coming and going. Half a dozen BHgulls, good numbers of moorhen, blackbirds, woodpigeon, magpies, jackdaws. 3 crows, 1 kestrel, 2 jays. 4 small groups of fieldfares passed over, heading SW. I saw half a dozen redwings, but could see no mallard, teal, wagtails or snipe.
Superb light to see things. Still 100+ Canada Geese on fields to north of the pools, with another c.30 on the canal and the same number round the pools. Large flock of Lapwings circled overhead for several minutes, then landed on the roof of one of the sheds beyond the railway line. They took off after a few minutes, heading north out of sight. A while later, a smaller group landed by the upper pool. Lots of Woodpigeon and Blackbirds eating berries in the hedges. A dozen or so Mallard, similar numbers of Moorhen and BHGulls, 3 teal, a pair of Pied Wagtails, 5 Jays 7 Crows, 10 Jackdaws, a few Blue and Great Tits, 1 Meadow Pipit, I Mistlethrush, 2 Kestrels, 3 Snipe in the rushes by the middle pool.
Hi Colin,
I made a quick visit this morning (11.00 - 11.45) and was very surprised to find a very late Common Sandpiper on the edge of the back pond!! Teal numbers seem to ebb and flow - there were 21 here yesterday (20/10). On most days (although not this morning!) since 7th October, a single Wigeon has been present (2 were here on 13th). Yesterday had 3 Redwing flying about. A little farther north alongside the canal on 19th, counted c120 Jackdaw and c20 Rook.
Best wishes,
Bill.
c.30 Canada Geese by the pools, but flock of 100+ on fields to the north of the pools. 5 Teal, 1 female Mallard, 13 Moorhen, c. 50 BH Gulls, 2 Woodpigeon, 10 Jackdaws , several Magpies, 3 Crows, 1 Pied Wagtail, a few Starlings, abundants Blackbirds. Flock of 40 Lapwings arrived while I was there. Two groups of Fieldfare, about 20 in each group, flew over heading westwards.
Early afternoon.
Higher numbers than normal of Mallard (c95) - amongst which was 1 male Wigeon
Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail yesterday.
Cheers,
Bill.
70 Canada geese, 50 BH gulls, 30 Mallard, 12 Magpies, 7 Crows, 8 Moorhen, 20 Starlings, many juvenile House Sparrows, 5 Blackbirds, 1 Robin, 2 Great Tits, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Jays , 5 Wood Pigeon. No Teal,Snipe, Wagtails, Heron, or Swallows, and the Lapwings have disappeared.