Two Kestrel over Gibfield park way, Atherton this morning.
Kristian Wade said
Wed Jan 20 4:54 PM, 2016
Kingfisher on Chanter's Brook this aft.
1 Redwing & 1 Sparrowhawk at Douglas Park.
dave broome said
Tue Jan 19 1:33 PM, 2016
Peregrine on pylons behind Howe Bridge Sports Centre today and a Kingfisher on Bee Fold Lane pond
Kristian Wade said
Tue Jan 5 4:18 PM, 2016
Grey Wagtail on Chanter's Brook this afternoon.
Paul Richardson said
Mon Jan 4 3:25 PM, 2016
Bee Fold/Miller's Lane/Lilford Flood Basin middle of day today. Felt as if the year has turned!
Jackdaw 50 Grey Heron 2 Mistle Thrush 16 - 7 around the Miller's Lane area and 8 in field the far side of LIlford flood basin. Coot 3 on Bee Fold Fishery pond Cormorant 1 over same Songthrush 1 singing loudly and seen in tree just off the Bee Fold-Howe Bridge track. Blue Tit 5 Wren 4 Robin 12 Lesser Redpoll 3 - in Alders along the Bee Fold/Miller's Lane track Starling 128 Fieldfare 4 Redwing 3 Jay 1 Bullfinch 5 2m 3f in bushes alongside Lilford Park Brook
Very enjoyable with good wellies!!
Dave Wilson said
Fri Jan 1 2:46 PM, 2016
Lovely Mistle Thrush duet from Atherton cemetery yesterday dinner-time - one in the grounds of Briarcroft, the other nearer to the town centre.
Kristian Wade said
Mon Dec 21 3:19 PM, 2015
Also had an hour mainly around the Bee Fold Area today.
Atherton cemetery - Grey Wagtail appears to be in winter residence now. Mistle Thrush in fine song this early afternoon.
Dave Wilson said
Mon Nov 23 9:44 PM, 2015
2 Grey Wagtails on roof-top in Atherton town centre (Punch Bowl) on 19th and a single heading that way over Gadbury Fold yesterday (22nd).
Paul Richardson said
Sat Nov 21 6:47 PM, 2015
20 Fieldfare in sheep field south of former Hesketh Fletcher School this afernoon.
Dave Wilson said
Sun Sep 20 3:37 PM, 2015
Gibfield Park
Kingfisher briefly at one of the larger ponds. Otherwise fairly quiet apart from parties of about 30, predominantly juvenile, Goldfinches and 15 Long-tailed Tits, and a single Chiffchaff at the Westhoughton end.
Dave Wilson said
Thu Sep 17 12:09 PM, 2015
From now on, will observers visiting the extensive area previously dubbed Gibfield/Gadbury grassland please enter their records under "Gibfield Park". This under-recorded site lies between Schofield Lane / Lower Leigh Road in the west and North Road / Platt Lane at the eastern side and extends northwards from Wigan Road , Atherton, towards Westhoughton. It's bisected by the Manchester to Wigan Railway, with Daisy Hill station on its western edge. Many thanks.
Paul Richardson said
Tue Sep 8 9:09 PM, 2015
Miller's Lane on the high tension electricity cables this morning circa 160 swallows flying to and from their power line perches, feeding over the farm fields. Looked like a migration party. A great sight!
Dave Wilson said
Wed Aug 12 7:40 PM, 2015
Gibfield/Gadbury grassland
Covey of 13 Partridges present in Wigan MBC section last Saturday morning (8th).
Jimmy Meadows said
Fri Jun 12 8:50 PM, 2015
Devonshire Rd.
Lesser Whitethroat singing on railway embankment this morning.
Jimmy
Kristian Wade said
Mon May 25 8:10 PM, 2015
Single Great Black-Backed Gull with Lesser Black-Backed, Herring and Black-Headed flying overhead in a steady passage over the centre of Atherton this afternoon.
Scott robinson said
Sat May 9 5:25 PM, 2015
Bee Fold Lane and Miller's Lane area.
Decent Weather but pretty quiet,
2 Whitethroat 4 Yellowhammer 1 Reeling Grasshopper Warbler 1 Kestrel Decent numbers of Skylark and Meadow Pipit
Kristian Wade said
Mon May 4 7:38 PM, 2015
A pair of Grey Wagtails near the Rope and Anchor Pub yesterday.
Also, 2 Song Thrushes as well as fledged Blackbirds and Woodpigeons.
Dave Wilson said
Thu Apr 23 10:14 AM, 2015
Singing Grasshopper Warblers (2) at top of Bee Fold Lane and 2 Whitethroats just off Millers Lane towards dusk yesterday.
Dave Wilson said
Sun Apr 19 5:58 PM, 2015
Increase in Willow Warblers (to double figures) over Atherton South site; 4 Yellowhammers in song (3 at Hindsford side) and single Grasshopper Warbler near top of Bee Fold Lane. Lapwing displaying, also near Hindsford.
-- Edited by Dave Wilson on Sunday 19th of April 2015 05:59:33 PM
Dave Wilson said
Sun Apr 12 1:33 PM, 2015
Two Blackcaps in song at top of Bee Fold Lane, but Skylarks fairly quiet everywhere over Atherton South site.
Angela said
Sun Apr 5 10:02 PM, 2015
Thanks for your kind reference Dave to having bionic eyesight and hearing, made me chuckle. I wish! My count was 21 Skylark, from the whole Atherton South site. Amazing stronghold and domineering all other songsters today. Plus singing yellowhammer, greenfinch, mistle thrush & songthrush all in abundance. Reed bunting out and about too. 12 meadow pipit. Plus many more of the usuals.
Kristian Wade said
Sun Apr 5 8:50 PM, 2015
Thanks Dave, I will try for them in the next couple of days.
Dave Wilson said
Sun Apr 5 8:33 PM, 2015
Kristian,
There were at least half a dozen in song by Ladies' Walk, a few more over fields by Millers Lane and Hindsford Brook, and others at intervals over the southern half of the site - i.e.north of Langley Platt and west of Bee Fold Lane. As I enter my dotage, it's a terrific advantage to mooch along with a companion who possesses bionic eyesight and hearing.
As a starter, you're probably better dawdling about along Ladies' Walk, where the very short grass allows you to watch the larks' antics at fairly close quarters.
Kristian Wade said
Sun Apr 5 8:11 PM, 2015
Dave, as I live in the atherton area I was wondering in which location and how to get there you got the great count of skylarks as it still evades me in this area. Thanks, Kristian
Dave Wilson said
Sun Apr 5 5:16 PM, 2015
The value of the large tracts of grassy areas at Atherton South was clearly demonstrated this morning by the count of about 20 singing Skylarks, making the site one of the strongholds of the species in the Leigh area.
-- Edited by Dave Wilson on Sunday 5th of April 2015 06:40:07 PM
Dave Wilson said
Fri Apr 3 6:49 PM, 2015
At least 30 Fieldfares and over 50 Meadow Pipits close to Ladies' Walk late this morning. Skyark, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush the most prolonged songsters in surrounding habitats.
Dave Wilson said
Fri Mar 27 7:52 PM, 2015
4 singing Chiffchaffs over northern part of Atherton South site this afternoon and single male Wheatear on hawthorn by Ladies' Walk.
Kristian Wade said
Sat Mar 21 5:24 PM, 2015
A very enjoyable hour around Bee Fold Pond today. On the pond were: 3 Mallards (all male) 2 Moorhens 3 Coots 1 Tufted Duck - male (first atherton record for me)
Also, 1 Kestrel hovering provided some good pics as well as a male Pheasant which is my first atherton record. 2 Buzzards, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 5+ Jackdaws, 2 Carrion Crows, 10+ Woodpigeons, Long-Tailed, Blue & Great Tits, Robins, Black-Headed Gulls plus usuals.
17 species
Dave Wilson said
Tue Mar 17 6:01 PM, 2015
40+ Fieldfares and c. 200 Redwings feeding on football pitches on Atherton South site late this morning. Also single Chiffchaff in song towards edge of Atherton Wood and 4 circling Buzzards over northern part of site.
Kristian Wade said
Sat Mar 14 1:56 PM, 2015
Bee Fold Fish Pond & Surroundings 12:30 - 13:40
5+ Moorhens 1 Coot 1 Mallard (It was in the field opposite the pond. At first I thought it was a Grey Partridge) 2 Mute Swans
Great & Blue Tits Robins Blackbirds Magpies Woodpigeons Collared Dove Chaffinch Kestrel Meadow Pipits 1 Common Gull Black Headed, Herring & Lesser Black Backed Overhead
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Saturday 14th of March 2015 01:58:02 PM
Dave Wilson said
Sat Feb 28 5:31 PM, 2015
Compact flock of 60+ Meadow Pipits on short grass south of Atherton/Hindsford (the Atherton South site) at 1500 hrs..
Kristian Wade said
Sat Feb 14 6:10 PM, 2015
Tour of Atherton today including Douglas Park, Chanter's Brook, Roads, Atherton Tip and Surrounding Woodland and Fields from 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Full Sightings:
1 Moorhen - on small pond next to brook that I have previously mentioned in my previous posts. 2 Grey Wagtails - one on river next to pond and the other further downstream near the rope & anchor pub. They were presumably a pair. c250 Black-Headed Gulls - over and on Atherton Tip c5 Lesser Black Backed Gulls - with the previous 2 Herring Gulls - with the previous 1 Common Gull - with the previous 5 Starlings - overhead 1 Treecreeper - in woods along the brook, my first atherton record 2 Blue Tits - in woods 2 Great Tits - in woods 3 Long-Tailed Tits - in woods 5 House Sparrows - scattered on different roads 2 Carrion Crows - on building 2 Jackdaws - overhead 1 Wren - in woods 7 Woodpigeons - on fields 2 Magpies - on fields 1 Pied Wagtail - on fields 2 Robins - in woods 8 Feral Pigeons - on houses 5 Blackbirds - 1 in woods and 4 together on Douglas Park 1 Collared Dove - heard only 1 Sparrowhawk - on a house, terrifying the local pigeons 1 Kestrel - hovering over road 2 Goldfinch - overhead
25 species in total was not bad considering that most of the walk was on roads. The Kingfisher that has been regularly on the brook has gone now (it obviously realized that there were no fish) but it has been replaced by the Grey Wagtail pair which are regular visitors now. The Moorhen is resident on the pond but a lot of disturbance is being made as all of the trees around the pond have now been cut down and burnt leaving a small pond with only the tiniest area of reeds left for the Moorhen to shelter in. The addition of Treecreeper now brings my Atherton list up to 50 since I started recording birds in the Atherton area in April 2014.
A friend told me about a place called Bee Fold Fish Pond which I see has been previously mentioned on the forum. I am thinking of going but can anyone tell me what to expect (e.g. size of the pond, chance of any waterbirds and surrounding habitat). I would be very grateful if anyone that knew anything about it could tell me some information because I don't really want to go there and be dissapointed if it is just a puddle surrounded by buildings.
Thanks, Kristian
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Saturday 14th of February 2015 06:11:35 PM
Jimmy Meadows said
Tue Feb 10 8:09 PM, 2015
Lee St Atherton Factory as now been demolished completely which held a small colony of House Sparrows in it but a few still in area mainly at the Old Folks complex opposite.
Jimmy
Kristian Wade said
Tue Feb 3 4:31 PM, 2015
The Kingfisher was back on the brook today in exactly the same place it was last time. It is the fourth time I have seen it here. Also there was a Moorhen on the small pond to the right of the brook which is the first one I have seen there for over 2 weeks. I don't really know the Moorhen's attraction to the area either, because when looking at the pond closely in the sunlight you can see oil on the surface! I'm still not complaining though!
Kristian Wade said
Wed Jan 21 7:35 PM, 2015
Kingfisher on Chanters Brook at 3pm this afternoon. First sighting for this area but dont know what the attraction is. The brook only flows for 50m before it goes back under the buildings and as far as im aware there are no fish in the brook either as on average it is no more than 10cm deep. Im not complaining though
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Wednesday 21st of January 2015 07:36:11 PM
Paul Richardson said
Tue Dec 16 10:21 PM, 2014
Langley Platt Lane and Miller's Lane area out behind Atherton Woods 0830-10.00 today.
Highly mobile and thus hard to count but around 400 Redwing on and around all the hawthorn bushes in this area. Also many Blackbirds
ONE Fieldfare!
Sparrowhawk 2 (one passed like an exocet through a group of Redwing, sending them up in a flurry)
Common Buzzard 2 (very distant, over the Busway workings Tyldesley direction and flew off over Collier's Wood)
Also Grey Heron Chaffinch Goldfinch Blue Tit Great Tit Long Tailed Tit Mistle Thrush Starling Mallard Magpie Carrion Crow Jackdaw Woodpigeon (far scarcer than Redwings for a change!) Collared Dove Black Headed Gull Lesser Black Backed Gull
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 10:21:34 PM
Kristian Wade said
Wed Dec 3 3:30 PM, 2014
2 small sized ponds have been created near the roller rink in atherton where the brook flows through the area. I doubt they are here to stay but with some perciverance I have managed to spot the first waterfowl on the pools today.
1 grey wagtail 1 moorhen
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Wednesday 3rd of December 2014 03:34:08 PM
Dave Wilson said
Mon Dec 1 12:00 AM, 2014
Three discrete parties of at least half a dozen, predominantly, if not all, male Blackbirds in hawthorn hedges along Bee Fold Lane towards Atherton Wood yesterday afternoon (29th), behaviour suggesting Continental immigrants, i.e, flying away fairly high and silently when disturbed: only four or five Redwings, but no Fieldfares with them. Just after half-past-three, nine flew, at intervals, into bushes near at the top of the lane - possibly communal roosting? In the past, large influxes have occurred at Pennington, chiefly in October/November, but there were none today in the south side hedgerows.
dave broome said
Thu Oct 2 4:13 PM, 2014
Grey Wagtail and a singing Chiffchaff along Collier Brook at Prestwich Street today
Jimmy Meadows said
Fri May 25 12:51 AM, 2012
Rosedale Ave Old Gasworks site Whitethroat Willow warbler Chiffchaff Blackcap All singing from this site this morning a delight to hear in such a built up area
Jimmy
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 13 6:46 AM, 2012
Cuckoo calling behind Howe Bridge Cemetary last night and also earlier today.
Info thanks to Kane Brides
dave broome said
Fri Aug 19 6:34 PM, 2011
Green Woodpecker calling in Atherton Woods this morning Grey Wagtail and 50+ Swallows along Long Causeway
Jimmy Meadows said
Mon Jun 6 9:28 PM, 2011
Pr Ravens circling and calling over Car Bank St Atherton 08:30 this morning
Cheers Jimmy
dave broome said
Fri Jan 14 6:56 PM, 2011
7 Bullfinch this morning along the former railway between the Atherleigh Way and Leigh Road at Howe Bridge
mike haylett said
Tue Nov 23 6:31 PM, 2010
THATS A GOOD WALK , THATS FOR SURE. ANOTHER ONE FOR IAN IS TO GO DOWN THE LANE BY HOWE BRIDGE SPORTS CTR AND JUST WALK AND OBSERVE RIGHT UP TO THE WOODS AND THEN DO A LEFT AND FINISH IN THE BEE FOLD LANE AREA, MIKE
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Nov 23 5:57 PM, 2010
mike haylett wrote:
HI IAN, WALK TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE CEMETARY OPPOSITE NOS 113 AND 115 LOVERS LANE AND TAKE THE BRIDLE TRACK ALONG THE OLD TRAIN LINE TO WESTLEIGH. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY SPECIES YOU WILL SEE IN THAT MILE LONG WALK. I WAS BROUGHT UP AT 115 L LANE AND STARTED MY BIRDWATCHING AT THAT VERY SPOT AS A LAD, GOOD HUNTING, REGARDS MIKE
after going down the railway head north to daisy hill and back to atherton,nice circular walk and my old local patches,seen great grey shrike,pied flycatcher,and many other decent bird alon that railway line from westleigh to lovers lane
mike haylett said
Tue Nov 23 4:32 PM, 2010
HI IAN, WALK TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE CEMETARY OPPOSITE NOS 113 AND 115 LOVERS LANE AND TAKE THE BRIDLE TRACK ALONG THE OLD TRAIN LINE TO WESTLEIGH. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY SPECIES YOU WILL SEE IN THAT MILE LONG WALK. I WAS BROUGHT UP AT 115 L LANE AND STARTED MY BIRDWATCHING AT THAT VERY SPOT AS A LAD, GOOD HUNTING, REGARDS MIKE
Ian Aspinall said
Tue Nov 23 2:54 PM, 2010
Glad to see that people do visit this area. Can anyone direct me to some good spots in Atherton within walking distance of Lovers Lane, and what I may be able to see? Are there any local birders willing to band up for some group bird spotting as I am new to all this and need all the help I can get.
Two Kestrel over Gibfield park way, Atherton this morning.
1 Redwing & 1 Sparrowhawk at Douglas Park.
Peregrine on pylons behind Howe Bridge Sports Centre today and a Kingfisher on Bee Fold Lane pond
Jackdaw 50
Grey Heron 2
Mistle Thrush 16 - 7 around the Miller's Lane area and 8 in field the far side of LIlford flood basin.
Coot 3 on Bee Fold Fishery pond
Cormorant 1 over same
Songthrush 1 singing loudly and seen in tree just off the Bee Fold-Howe Bridge track.
Blue Tit 5
Wren 4
Robin 12
Lesser Redpoll 3 - in Alders along the Bee Fold/Miller's Lane track
Starling 128
Fieldfare 4
Redwing 3
Jay 1
Bullfinch 5 2m 3f in bushes alongside Lilford Park Brook
Very enjoyable with good wellies!!
Highlights included:
1 Pheasant
50+ Jackdaw
50+ Starling
20+ Magpie
1 Willow Tit
2 Bullfinch
1 Cormorant on the pond
4 Mallards
3 Coots
1 Moorhen
5 Long-Tailed Tits
plus the usuals
2 Buzzard
2 Raven
17 Redwing, with plenty Blackbird
7 Fieldfare
1 Kestrel
2 Mistle thrush
Kingfisher briefly at one of the larger ponds. Otherwise fairly quiet apart from parties of about 30, predominantly juvenile, Goldfinches and 15 Long-tailed Tits, and a single Chiffchaff at the Westhoughton end.
Covey of 13 Partridges present in Wigan MBC section last Saturday morning (8th).
Lesser Whitethroat singing on railway embankment this morning.
Jimmy
Decent Weather but pretty quiet,
2 Whitethroat
4 Yellowhammer
1 Reeling Grasshopper Warbler
1 Kestrel
Decent numbers of Skylark and Meadow Pipit
Also, 2 Song Thrushes as well as fledged Blackbirds and Woodpigeons.
Lapwing displaying, also near Hindsford.
-- Edited by Dave Wilson on Sunday 19th of April 2015 05:59:33 PM
My count was 21 Skylark, from the whole Atherton South site. Amazing stronghold and domineering all other songsters today.
Plus singing yellowhammer, greenfinch, mistle thrush & songthrush all in abundance. Reed bunting out and about too. 12 meadow pipit. Plus many more of the usuals.
There were at least half a dozen in song by Ladies' Walk, a few more over fields by Millers Lane and Hindsford Brook, and others at intervals over the southern half of the site - i.e.north of Langley Platt and west of Bee Fold Lane. As I enter my dotage, it's a terrific advantage to mooch along with a companion who possesses bionic eyesight and hearing.
As a starter, you're probably better dawdling about along Ladies' Walk, where the very short grass allows you to watch the larks' antics at fairly close quarters.
-- Edited by Dave Wilson on Sunday 5th of April 2015 06:40:07 PM
On the pond were:
3 Mallards (all male)
2 Moorhens
3 Coots
1 Tufted Duck - male (first atherton record for me)
Also, 1 Kestrel hovering provided some good pics as well as a male Pheasant which is my first atherton record. 2 Buzzards, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 5+ Jackdaws, 2 Carrion Crows, 10+ Woodpigeons, Long-Tailed, Blue & Great Tits, Robins, Black-Headed Gulls plus usuals.
17 species
5+ Moorhens
1 Coot
1 Mallard (It was in the field opposite the pond. At first I thought it was a Grey Partridge)
2 Mute Swans
Great & Blue Tits
Robins
Blackbirds
Magpies
Woodpigeons
Collared Dove
Chaffinch
Kestrel
Meadow Pipits
1 Common Gull
Black Headed, Herring & Lesser Black Backed Overhead
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Saturday 14th of March 2015 01:58:02 PM
Full Sightings:
1 Moorhen - on small pond next to brook that I have previously mentioned in my previous posts.
2 Grey Wagtails - one on river next to pond and the other further downstream near the rope & anchor pub. They were presumably a pair.
c250 Black-Headed Gulls - over and on Atherton Tip
c5 Lesser Black Backed Gulls - with the previous
2 Herring Gulls - with the previous
1 Common Gull - with the previous
5 Starlings - overhead
1 Treecreeper - in woods along the brook, my first atherton record
2 Blue Tits - in woods
2 Great Tits - in woods
3 Long-Tailed Tits - in woods
5 House Sparrows - scattered on different roads
2 Carrion Crows - on building
2 Jackdaws - overhead
1 Wren - in woods
7 Woodpigeons - on fields
2 Magpies - on fields
1 Pied Wagtail - on fields
2 Robins - in woods
8 Feral Pigeons - on houses
5 Blackbirds - 1 in woods and 4 together on Douglas Park
1 Collared Dove - heard only
1 Sparrowhawk - on a house, terrifying the local pigeons
1 Kestrel - hovering over road
2 Goldfinch - overhead
25 species in total was not bad considering that most of the walk was on roads. The Kingfisher that has been regularly on the brook has gone now (it obviously realized that there were no fish) but it has been replaced by the Grey Wagtail pair which are regular visitors now. The Moorhen is resident on the pond but a lot of disturbance is being made as all of the trees around the pond have now been cut down and burnt leaving a small pond with only the tiniest area of reeds left for the Moorhen to shelter in. The addition of Treecreeper now brings my Atherton list up to 50 since I started recording birds in the Atherton area in April 2014.
A friend told me about a place called Bee Fold Fish Pond which I see has been previously mentioned on the forum. I am thinking of going but can anyone tell me what to expect (e.g. size of the pond, chance of any waterbirds and surrounding habitat). I would be very grateful if anyone that knew anything about it could tell me some information because I don't really want to go there and be dissapointed if it is just a puddle surrounded by buildings.
Thanks,
Kristian
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Saturday 14th of February 2015 06:11:35 PM
Factory as now been demolished completely which held a small colony of House Sparrows in it but a few still in area mainly at the Old Folks complex opposite.
Jimmy
Im not complaining though
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Wednesday 21st of January 2015 07:36:11 PM
Highly mobile and thus hard to count but around 400 Redwing on and around all the hawthorn bushes in this area.
Also many Blackbirds
ONE Fieldfare!
Sparrowhawk 2 (one passed like an exocet through a group of Redwing, sending them up in a flurry)
Common Buzzard 2 (very distant, over the Busway workings Tyldesley direction and flew off over Collier's Wood)
Also
Grey Heron
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Mistle Thrush
Starling
Mallard
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Woodpigeon (far scarcer than Redwings for a change!)
Collared Dove
Black Headed Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 10:21:34 PM
1 grey wagtail
1 moorhen
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Wednesday 3rd of December 2014 03:34:08 PM
Whitethroat
Willow warbler
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
All singing from this site this morning a delight to hear in such a built up area
Jimmy
Info thanks to Kane Brides
Grey Wagtail and 50+ Swallows along Long Causeway
Cheers Jimmy
after going down the railway head north to daisy hill and back to atherton,nice circular walk and my old local patches,seen great grey shrike,pied flycatcher,and many other decent bird alon that railway line from westleigh to lovers lane
Glad to see that people do visit this area.
Can anyone direct me to some good spots in Atherton within walking distance of Lovers Lane, and what I may be able to see?
Are there any local birders willing to band up for some group bird spotting as I am new to all this and need all the help I can get.