Of note... - 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (adults) - 1 Swallow - 1 Blackcap singing - 1 Willow Warbler singing - 1 Chiffchaff singing - 1 Skylark singing - 1 Peregrine over the A58 as I turned out
...and is it just me or has the path from the car park especially near the creek all the way to capsticks suddenly become the worst its ever been for mud? I was caked in the stuff.
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Apr 8 11:55 AM, 2018
06:30-11:30am highlights of 56 species seen.. 2 Shelduck which flew north at 06:55am. 1 Wigeon. 2 Goosander. 1 Gadwall. 43 Tufted Duck. 6 Goldeneye. 7 Teal. 25 Meadow pipit. 3 Skylark. Good numbers of singing Blackcap,Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff. Increase in Swallows and Sand Martins. 2 Little Egret 1 Buzzard. 2 Kestrel.
Cheers Steven
Simon Johnson said
Sat Apr 7 9:34 PM, 2018
9.30 -11 in the rain partly with Simon Warford
140 Sand Martin 15 Swallow 8 Goldeneye flying around and appreared to go North 51 Tufted Duck 3 Blackcap 2 Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Little Egret 2 Oystercatcher
Ian Campbell said
Sat Apr 7 9:22 AM, 2018
7-8 a.m. 1 Yellow Wagtail over also 5 Meadow Pipits, on the res. just 6 Goldeneye with no hirundines present. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Fri Apr 6 7:28 PM, 2018
1. 1st year Kittiwake flew through heading NE just after 5pm this evening.
3. Adult Common Gulls flew through heading west shortly after. 1. 2nd year Great Black back gull dropped in briefly.
1 Linnet over S
Cheers Steven
Simon Warford said
Fri Apr 6 6:59 PM, 2018
As well as the Kittiwake and 2 Little Gulls early this morning, also present were Yellow Wagtail, singing Willow Warbler (4 days later than last year), singing Blackcap and 5 Swallows.
Missed out on the kittiwake, still - plenty of black headed gulls....
Also noteworthy was along the canal; teal, swallow, bullfinch, reed bunting, 2 pheasants and.... a goosander drake! Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him swimming on the canal (picture) he didn't stay long however.
Kittiwake and 2 Little Gulls, thanks to Simon Warford for spotting them, but they flew off approx 7.45. Also 1 Wheatear in Capsticks field, 1 Little Egret and approx 250 Sand Martin at 8.30 a.m. 7 Goldeneye also Cheers Ian
Quick visit around 10.30 a.m. of note around 65 Sand Martin over the water. Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Tue Apr 3 4:28 PM, 2018
This afternoon, 2 redshanks still, lapwings, 2 gadwall in flooded fields, teal goldeneye, usual larger gulls plus one common gull, 2 little egrets, male pheasant heard but unfortunately nothing else exotic to write about! Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 07:59:58 PM
This a.m. 5 Oystercatcher high heading NE, 2 Redshank in flooded highland cattle field. On the res 5 Goldeneye and 6 Teal and 3 Chiffchaff singing around the res. Cheers Ian
Ian Boote said
Mon Apr 2 4:36 PM, 2018
also 6 Goldeneye, 4 Teal around Coney Green, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Kestrel, and a Meadow Pipit
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Apr 2 4:20 PM, 2018
Pm visit partly with Peter J 3 Little Egrets. 1 Kingfisher. 3 Sand martins. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 1 Chiffchaff.
Cheers Steven
Simon Johnson said
Mon Apr 2 11:22 AM, 2018
A Short and wet visit this morning
Redshank 7 Goldeneye 45 Tufted Duck 15 Fieldfare crow tree farm 51 Goldfinch at feeders
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Apr 1 7:07 PM, 2018
Afternoon visit walk around with Martin Loftus 2 Kingfishers. 2 Gadwall. 10 Sand martin. 1 Tawny Owl. 1 Possible merlin near crow trees.
Merlin - distant mobbing a kestrel out past Higher Spenmoor 8 Buzzards moving through north 6 Kestrel Sparrowhawk 11 Sand Martin 8 Goldeneye 4 Water Rail (heard) 2 Gadwall 13 Fieldfare 90 Meadow Pipit NW
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Apr 1 11:37 AM, 2018
06:50-10:45am With Ian and partly with Brian F. 1 Peregrine Falcon. 3 Kestrels. 5 Sand Martins. 1 Curlew. 2 Oystercatchers. 6 Redwing. 3 Mistle Thrush. 8 Fieldfare. 2 Grey Wagtail.
Cheers Steven
George Warburton said
Sat Mar 31 2:50 PM, 2018
31 March - 12.40 to 1.40pm
Feeders busy with plenty of Finches including 3 Siskin.
Water quiet apart from sailing boats.
Grey Wagtail on river.
No Summer visitors seen. Very cold conditions.
Ian Campbell said
Sat Mar 31 9:59 AM, 2018
This a.m. with Paul, very quiet, of note 3 Sand Martin over the res. with 8 Goldeneye on it and 1 singing Chiffchaff behind the sailing club. Cheers Ian
Iceland gull with herring gulls, great and lesser black backed gulls stayed till about 6pm when those other gulls that were left flew off together (about 60 of them).
I managed to see the redshank when it flew about 50 yards as I was really struggling to find it on the opposite side with just binos.
A very nice find there Steven and many thanks!!!
Ta!
ps. Another pheasant found on my way back but this time a female!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 30th of March 2018 08:08:56 PM
.......... Also again this morning adding to the reports already!
1 Grey wagtail, 1 Male pheasant, 2 Mistle thrush really close (enjoyed their company for a while) 1 common gull, 2 Reed bunting 15 meadow pipits in one area together
Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Fri Mar 30 2:41 PM, 2018
1 Curlew also this a.m. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Fri Mar 30 12:40 PM, 2018
07:00-10:30am with Ian C highlights 1 Chiffchaff. 3 Shoveler. 5 Teal. 6 Goldeneye. 3 Goosander. 1 Greylag Goose. 1 Little Egret. 40+ Fieldfare. 5 Redwing. 1 Kestrel. 2 Unidentifed Swans flying high heading North.
Cheers Steven.
Roger Halsey said
Thu Mar 29 3:22 PM, 2018
On a late morning circuit:
4 Sand Martin.
Sparrowhawk terrorising the House Sparrows around Old Hall Farm, and a Buzzard.
1 Little Egret on Old Hall Marsh and later on the River.
1 Curlew displaying.
38 Fieldfare and 12 Redwing on the fields by Crow Trees Farm.
Ian Campbell said
Thu Mar 29 10:38 AM, 2018
This a.m. 7 Goldeneye, 5 Teal and 3 Gadwall on the res. with 2 Sand Martin also. 2 flocks of Fieldfare (47 and 64) over NE. On the river 3 Goosander as it runs next to the canal. and 1 Dipper near the weir and corkscrew generator. 2 Oystercatcher displaying on factory roof. Cheers Ian
Martin Loftus said
Tue Mar 27 10:35 PM, 2018
Got some info back on one of the Mute Swans that turned up last week with 2 adults and 3 cygnets. One of the cygnets had a darvic ring 4CYN was originally ringed as a male cygnet on 3/2/2018 at Firs Flash, Leigh.
07:00-10:40am with Ian C & Malcolm highlights. 1 Merlin flew through east. 1 Sand martin. 1 Little Ringed Plover. 2 Singing Chiffchaff. 2 Sparrowhawk. 1 Kestrel. 1 Goldcrest. 5 Gadwall. 7 Goldeneye 12 Teal. 3 Pheasant.
Cheers Steven
Ian Campbell said
Sun Mar 25 12:28 PM, 2018
This a.m. with Brian Fielding (it must be Spring !) and partly Simon J, on the res. 10 Goldeneye and 1 Redshank, no sign of Greater Scaup. Near capsticks a Great Tit giving a perfect copy of a Chiffchaff call. At Crow Trees approx 200 mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing. Along canal Water Rail and Buzzard heard but not seen and a Little Egret was in the marsh. Back at the pump house between 10-11 a.m 43 Meadow Pipit passed over in small groups N. Cheers Ian
Roger Halsey said
Sat Mar 24 2:36 PM, 2018
52 species this morning during a 3 hour circuit, but no summer visitors noted. Best birds:
Scaup, 8 Goldeneye and a Goosander on the reservoir.
Mixed flock of c30 Redwing and Fieldfare below Withins.
2 Kingfisher on the River Irwell, apparently in a territorial dispute.
1 Little Egret on Old Hall Marsh.
Several pairs of Lapwing and singles of Curlew and Oystercatcher.
Also (again).... gadwall, teal still on flooded fields and a little egret again but in flight directly over me near Bennies. Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Thu Mar 22 10:44 AM, 2018
This a.m. 1 Greater Scaup, 2 Goosander, 12 Teal and 6 Goldeneye on the res. Water Rail near Bennies and a Buzzard in the dip. Cheers Ian
Mike Cooper said
Thu Mar 22 8:54 AM, 2018
Wed. 21/3 07:00-12:00 car park area
Lesser redpoll at least 2 trilling with male on Niger seeds Goldcrest 1 on fat balls fem later ringed Reed bunting Male and 2 fem all unringed
Meadow pipit singles over
-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Thursday 22nd of March 2018 08:55:52 AM
Richard Thew said
Wed Mar 21 6:37 PM, 2018
Also, Nice to see a little egret again near old hall marsh this morning on a passing visit. To think just 10 years ago I'd have to be extremely lucky to see one in the area! Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Wed Mar 21 11:30 AM, 2018
This a.m. with Malcolm, 1 Dunlin on shore near sailing club, 1 Greater Scaup, 4 Goldeneye and 7 Teal. 1 Buzzard over Crow Trees another in a tree at the dip and at least one in the air over Bury. Water Rail seen on the canal. After the large passage of Meadow Pipits yesterday there was 1 today. Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Tue Mar 20 2:13 PM, 2018
Also worthy of note; a few gadwalls and teal and a full summer looking common gull were on the flooded fields along the canal just past the crow trees farm area. Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Tue Mar 20 10:03 AM, 2018
Between 8-8.30 at the pumphouse at least 137 Meadow Pipits passed through heading NE along with 5 Skylark. On res. 1 Greater Scaup, 8 Goldeneye and 12 Teal with 2 more by canal. 2 Water Rail heard along canal with 1 singing Linnet. In lane behind sailing club 1 Chiffchaff. Cheers Ian
Derek Richardson said
Mon Mar 19 3:05 PM, 2018
10.15am - 12.30pm. Sunny,Cold,Clear, Windy ENE , 2C.
44 Species spotted including:
2 Curlew.
2 Little Egret.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Skylark
1 Buzzard.
11 Swallow.
35 Sand Martin.
4 Oystercatcher.
2 Goldeneye.
22 Meadow Pipit.
64 Jackdaw.
2 Goosander.
13 Lapwing.
Thanks Derek.
Of note...
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (adults)
- 1 Swallow
- 1 Blackcap singing
- 1 Willow Warbler singing
- 1 Chiffchaff singing
- 1 Skylark singing
- 1 Peregrine over the A58 as I turned out
...and is it just me or has the path from the car park especially near the creek all the way to capsticks suddenly become the worst its ever been for mud? I was caked in the stuff.
2 Shelduck which flew north at 06:55am.
1 Wigeon.
2 Goosander.
1 Gadwall.
43 Tufted Duck.
6 Goldeneye.
7 Teal.
25 Meadow pipit.
3 Skylark.
Good numbers of singing Blackcap,Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff.
Increase in Swallows and Sand Martins.
2 Little Egret
1 Buzzard.
2 Kestrel.
Cheers Steven
140 Sand Martin
15 Swallow
8 Goldeneye flying around and appreared to go North
51 Tufted Duck
3 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Little Egret
2 Oystercatcher
Cheers Ian
3. Adult Common Gulls flew through heading west shortly after.
1. 2nd year Great Black back gull dropped in briefly.
1 Linnet over S
Cheers Steven
Missed out on the kittiwake, still - plenty of black headed gulls....
Also noteworthy was along the canal; teal, swallow, bullfinch, reed bunting, 2 pheasants and.... a goosander drake! Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him swimming on the canal (picture) he didn't stay long however.
Ta!
Cheers Ian
Cheers Steven
1 Swallow.
40+ Sand Martin.
5 Goldeneye.
9 Teal.
4 Gadwall. 1 on within,1 on Elton & 2 in Field below pump house.
4 Common Gull.
16 Meadow pipits over in singles.
3 Skylark.
1 Fieldfare with 2 Mistle thrush.
5 Singing Chiffchaff.
Cheers Steven
2 Swallows.
35+ Sand Martins.
6 Goldeneye.
1 Goosander.
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Pheasant.
6 Meadow Pipits.
1 Skylark.
4 Chiffchaff.
1 Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Peregrine falcon on pylon with prey. Record shot attached.
Cheers Steven
This afternoon -
3 Little Egret
A pair of Gadwall
Chiffchaff
Water Rail
Several Sand Martins
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 07:59:58 PM
Cheers Ian
also 6 Goldeneye, 4 Teal around Coney Green, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Kestrel, and a Meadow Pipit
3 Little Egrets.
1 Kingfisher.
3 Sand martins.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1 Chiffchaff.
Cheers Steven
Redshank
7 Goldeneye
45 Tufted Duck
15 Fieldfare crow tree farm
51 Goldfinch at feeders
2 Kingfishers.
2 Gadwall.
10 Sand martin.
1 Tawny Owl.
1 Possible merlin near crow trees.
Cheers Steven
47 Species spotted: Including:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
2 Oystercatcher.
2 Sparrowhawk.
11 Fieldfare.
6 Redwing.
1 Kestrel.
3 Bullfinch (3M).
3 Song Thrush.
5 Sandmartin.
2 Grey Wagtail.
150 + Woodpigeon.(heading south).
1 Goosander (1M).
Thanks Derek.
Merlin - distant mobbing a kestrel out past Higher Spenmoor
8 Buzzards moving through north
6 Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
11 Sand Martin
8 Goldeneye
4 Water Rail (heard)
2 Gadwall
13 Fieldfare
90 Meadow Pipit NW
1 Peregrine Falcon.
3 Kestrels.
5 Sand Martins.
1 Curlew.
2 Oystercatchers.
6 Redwing.
3 Mistle Thrush.
8 Fieldfare.
2 Grey Wagtail.
Cheers Steven
31 March - 12.40 to 1.40pm
Feeders busy with plenty of Finches including 3 Siskin.
Water quiet apart from sailing boats.
Grey Wagtail on river.
No Summer visitors seen. Very cold conditions.
Cheers Ian
47 Species spotted including:
3 Sandmartin.
1 Little Egret.
2 Kestrel.
1 Sparrowhawk.
5 Reed Bunting.
1 Song Thrush.
7 Lapwing.
1 Pheasant. 1M.
4 Grey Wagtail
1 Meadow Pipit.
1 Goldeneye.
Thanks Derek.
I managed to see the redshank when it flew about 50 yards as I was really struggling to find it on the opposite side with just binos.
A very nice find there Steven and many thanks!!!
Ta!
ps. Another pheasant found on my way back but this time a female!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 30th of March 2018 08:08:56 PM
1 Iceland Gull. Record shot attached.
1 Redshank.
1 Chiffchaff.
Cheers Steven
1 Grey wagtail,
1 Male pheasant,
2 Mistle thrush really close (enjoyed their company for a while)
1 common gull,
2 Reed bunting
15 meadow pipits in one area together
Ta!
Cheers Ian
1 Chiffchaff.
3 Shoveler.
5 Teal.
6 Goldeneye.
3 Goosander.
1 Greylag Goose.
1 Little Egret.
40+ Fieldfare.
5 Redwing.
1 Kestrel.
2 Unidentifed Swans flying high heading North.
Cheers Steven.
On a late morning circuit:
4 Sand Martin.
Sparrowhawk terrorising the House Sparrows around Old Hall Farm, and a Buzzard.
1 Little Egret on Old Hall Marsh and later on the River.
1 Curlew displaying.
38 Fieldfare and 12 Redwing on the fields by Crow Trees Farm.
Cheers Ian
Got some info back on one of the Mute Swans that turned up last week with 2 adults and 3 cygnets. One of the cygnets had a darvic ring 4CYN was originally ringed as a male cygnet on 3/2/2018 at Firs Flash, Leigh.
Info courtesy of Steve @northwestswanstudy
3 possibly 4 Sand martins
2 Little Egrets on Elton red shore line.
7 Goldeneye.
Some concern in case poison has been used below feeders as 6 rats found dead.
cheers Steven
2 Little ringed plover.
1 Chiffchaff in Creek.
1 Coal Tit at feeders.
6 Bullfinches
2 Linnet along canal
2 Pheasant.
Cheers Steven
1 Merlin flew through east.
1 Sand martin.
1 Little Ringed Plover.
2 Singing Chiffchaff.
2 Sparrowhawk.
1 Kestrel.
1 Goldcrest.
5 Gadwall.
7 Goldeneye
12 Teal.
3 Pheasant.
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
52 species this morning during a 3 hour circuit, but no summer visitors noted. Best birds:
Scaup, 8 Goldeneye and a Goosander on the reservoir.
Mixed flock of c30 Redwing and Fieldfare below Withins.
2 Kingfisher on the River Irwell, apparently in a territorial dispute.
1 Little Egret on Old Hall Marsh.
Several pairs of Lapwing and singles of Curlew and Oystercatcher.
Singles of Buzzard and Kestrel.
31 Species spotted including:
33 Fieldfare ( heading west).
37 Tufted Duck.
23 Herring Gull.
14 Lapwing.
21 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
5 Teal.
1 Kestrel.
1 Water Rail (below pumphouse).
3 Song Thrush.
5 Bullfinch.5m.
Thanks Derek.
.
Cheers Ian
Wed. 21/3 07:00-12:00 car park area
Lesser redpoll at least 2 trilling with male on Niger seeds
Goldcrest 1 on fat balls fem later ringed
Reed bunting Male and 2 fem all unringed
Meadow pipit singles over
-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Thursday 22nd of March 2018 08:55:52 AM
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
25 Species spotted including:
2 Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Goldcrest.
1 Pheasant.
1 Coal Tit.
1 Greater Scaup.
3 Bullfinch 2M 1F.
4 Lapwing.
Thanks Derek.