Dipper again this morning on Westleigh brook, this time from the bridge where the brook goes under the canal. Also 10 lesser redpolls in the same area.
colin davies said
Wed Jan 31 5:36 PM, 2018
Gull roost this evening in atrocious conditions from Horrock's hide:
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Yellow-legged gull 1 3rd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
Photos are of the Mediterranean gull which was on the golf course mid-afternoon, then later in the roost.
The roadworks are not so great in this area at the moment, no problem getting to Green Lane but getting away is a nightmare due to the weight of traffic. It looks like it's already having an impact on the number of observers in Green Lane, I was the only one present today when we have had around 10 on most other evenings. Fortunately for me, I can walk it, which is what I'll be doing until the roadworks go away.
John Watson said
Tue Jan 30 7:41 AM, 2018
From Wigan Council roadworks bulletin:
"Plank Lane, Leigh (at the swing bridge) - The Canal & River Trust are carrying out repairs to upgrade the canal bridge at Plank Lane. A road closure will be in place from the 29th January to 16th February 2018 and there is a diversion in place from Plank Lane to Firs Lane, Twist Lane, Atherleigh Way, St Helens Road, Sandy Lane, Byrom Lane and Slag Lane."
That's a very long way round
Approach Green Lane from the South, not the West
Tim Wilcox said
Mon Jan 29 7:33 PM, 2018
Iceland Gull in the roost for me. Im sure others will fill in the correct details later.
NB Traffic alert: if you wish to go to the roost via Green Lane be aware that Slag Lane is closed at the junction of Byrom Lane and traffic diverted down Byrom Lane creating a very long tailback on Newton Road to get onto the A579 and back to the A580. Heading back towards Golborne and then to the A580 via Lowton might be better to go back towards Manchester. It took me one and a half hours to get back to south Manchester leaving at 5pm
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Monday 29th of January 2018 07:34:06 PM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Tuesday 30th of January 2018 09:11:20 AM
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Jan 29 7:29 PM, 2018
Tonight in the Roost
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Iceland gull 1 2nd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
and a strange big Herring Gull with pale brown Primaries
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 29th of January 2018 09:11:39 PM
bernard hooley said
Mon Jan 29 8:32 AM, 2018
The Herring Gull with the deformed bill was seen at Moses Gate Country Park last Thursday.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Jan 28 8:51 PM, 2018
Day spent here today; had a look over the gulls close in on the Ramsdale's side of the flash, hoping to get lucky, but not to be. The three most common species all in big numbers, obviously, but here's everything else from the day:
3 willow tit 1 treecreeper Bullfinch, reed bunting, etc, etc. 4 song thrush, all singing (dunnocks and great tits in good voice, too) 200+ jackdaw coming in to roost 4 stock dove 48+ teal 16 gadwall 53+ shoveler 61+ tufted duck 2 pochard (both male) 36 goldeneye 34 goosander Plenty of mute swan, one with the green darvic CFC7. 2 little grebe 17 great crested grebe 60 lapwing 25+ cormorant 2 common gull 1 yellow-legged gull (usual 3rd winter; showing close in along the path from the lagoon in the morning, then turned up around the buoys near Horrocks hide in the afternoon) 5 great black-backed gull 1 kestrel
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jan 28 7:55 PM, 2018
colin davies wrote:
Attached photos of the adult Mediterranean gull and a strange looking (1st winter herring?) gull with a deformed beak. There was a bird which looked a lot like this in the roost last winter, but if it's the same bird it must be permanently stuck in this plumage.
Such bill deformities are not so uncommon in gulls Colin, especially in Herring Gulls for some reason and I've seen many over the years, a very high majority in juvenile/first winter and very few adults, no doubt probably as the deformities either break off, wear or of course hinder the bird in some way until it dies prematurely.
colin davies said
Sun Jan 28 6:54 PM, 2018
This evenings gull roost with Phil Rhodes and about 8 others produced the following:
Caspian gull 1 2nd win
Yellow-legged gull 1 3rd win
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
Attached photos of the adult Mediterranean gull and a strange looking (1st winter herring?) gull with a deformed beak. There was a bird which looked a lot like this in the roost last winter, but if it's the same bird it must be permanently stuck in this plumage.
-- Edited by colin davies on Sunday 28th of January 2018 07:14:56 PM
Super gull roost but despite lengthy scans nothing out of the ordinary. Supporting cast included Cettis Warbler, Little Egret, 14 Lesser Redpoll, Kestrel, 5 Little Grebe, 7 Goldeneye including a displaying male, 60 Lapwing, Stock Dove and Shoveler.
What a great way to spend a Sunday.
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Jan 27 6:19 PM, 2018
only things of note including the roost this afternoon
Yellow-legged gull 1 x 3rd winter that disappeared about 12pm
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
Oystercatcher- 3
Goldeneye-22
plus the usuals
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 27 8:18 AM, 2018
Seven Whooper Swans present on the flash this morning (6 adults and a juvenile), also the usual third winter Yellow-legged Gull.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
colin davies said
Fri Jan 26 9:27 PM, 2018
The only thing I can add from the roost today, the regular 3rd win yellow-legged gull.
Gordon Newman said
Fri Jan 26 5:43 PM, 2018
2nd W Iceland Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull present @ 16.00 close to point from Ramsdales Ruck (expect the dozen or so birders at Green Lane came up with additions to the list), 400+ Starling roosted in Ramsdale reedbed, singing Cetti's Warbler and a very vocal Water Rail that seemed to object to the Starlings roosting
colin davies said
Thu Jan 25 6:04 PM, 2018
The gull roost keeps giving, not particularly large numbers but 10 species of gull tonight with Phil Rhodes, as follows:
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Iceland gull 1 2nd winter
Yellow-legged gull 1 3rd winter
Kittiwake 1 2nd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult, plus a report of a second adult
Great black-backed gull
Lesser black-backed gull
Herring gull including a few of the race argentatus
Common gull
Black-headed gull
That's 11 species of gull at the flash in the past seven days (including the little gull on Saturday).
-- Edited by colin davies on Thursday 25th of January 2018 06:05:43 PM
A decent gull roost this evening produced the following:
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Iceland gull 1 2nd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
10 birders present as is the norm at the moment, including John Tymon, Mike Passant, Damian Young. Sorry, I don't know the rest of your names.
The attached photos are my best by a mile so far of the Caspian gull. I've also included for interest a photo of a lesser black-backed gull with a dark hood.
3rd winter yellow-legged gull again present this afternoon, from Horrock's hide.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 20 5:11 PM, 2018
This late afternoon’s gull roost:
Adult Little Gull
Adult Mediterranean Gull
2nd winter Iceland Gull
3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull
Ino thanks to Rob Adderley
Kristian Wade said
Sat Jan 20 5:06 PM, 2018
Highlights from this morning for me... 49 Lapwing on the spit 43 Redwing in one flock on the golf course 41 Teal in various places 35 Tufted Duck again various 31 Cormorant on spit 16 Gadwall in various locations 15 Shoveler again various 15 Goldeneye on main flash 13 Goosander in various locations 7 Lesser Redpolls near Teal Hide 6 Bullfinch all from Bunting Hide 4 Stock Dove there as well 4 Mistle Thrush on golf course 3 Common Gulls near Car Park 3 Reed Bunting from Bunting Hide 3 Willow Tit (2 Bunting/1 Pengy's) 3 Little Grebe from Ramsdale's Hide 2 Pochard from Pengy's 1 Grey Wagtail on Westleigh Brook 1 Treecreeper on tree near Canal and 1 Water Rail from Bunting Hide Plus usual species - 45 species in total.
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Saturday 20th of January 2018 05:06:56 PM
Barry Corless said
Sat Jan 20 12:45 PM, 2018
Couple of hours in the rain this morning...
Water Rail under the feeders at the Bunting Hide Willow, Blue, Great, Coal and Long Tailed Tit Bullfinch Kestrel Chaffinch Wren Dunnock Robin Canada Goose Mute Swan Great Crested and Little Grebes Black headed, Herring and Lesser Black Backed gulls 20+ Goosander at various places Reed Bunting Coot Moorhen Shoveler Gadwall Goldeneye Teal Tufted Duck Mallard Lapwing Cormorant Grey Heron Little Egret Blackbird Wood Pigeon
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Jan 19 6:54 PM, 2018
2nd W Caspian Gull appeared at 3.20pm but flew off SW at 3.35pm
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 x 3rd Winter regular bird
Black Headed Gull - 1 Leucistic bird
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 19th of January 2018 07:33:41 PM
Male Brambling at the small feeding station and mulch at the back of Horrocks Hide this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Steven Nelson said
Sun Jan 14 7:42 PM, 2018
15.00-17.00 I primarily went for the gull roost hoping for the Iceland Gull but I couldnt locate it unfortunately.
However I did pick out: 1 Mediterranean Gull - adult in near full hood 1 Yellow-legged Gull - the regular 3rd winter. Initially picked up out on the flash, the bird came very close to the car park as people fed the ducks bread giving some great close views as it flew around and settled on the water close to the shore.
Other birds of note: 1 Woodcock over the car park at 5pm Flock of Pink-footed Geese over in the gloom - heard only
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 14th of January 2018 04:20:37 PM
Keith Mills said
Sun Jan 14 4:14 PM, 2018
3rd Winter Yellow-legged Gull: good viewing this pm, 12.45 to 2.30 Picked this gull up on arrival on yellow Buoy near yacht club. Then spent an hour in Horrocks hide, with John Tymon, watching it move around. John knows this bird like the back of his hand and was very helpful.( Gull seen even better in John's new Kowa scope) County lifer for me
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Jan 13 7:26 PM, 2018
of note this afternoon
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 usual 3rd winter bird arrived from the North at 2.30
Couple of hours this morning
3 Little Egret from Ramsdale hide
2+ Kingfisher
Nuthatch in trees behind Horrocks hide
Dipper on westleigh brook between golf course footbridge and college.
Water rail showing well from Bunting hide
2 drake Pochard from pengies hide
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Jan 13 7:22 AM, 2018
pm 12.01.2017
in roost ,smallest roost for a while
Second winter Iceland Gull
adult Mediterranean Gull
3rd Winter Yellow Legged Gull
also in afternoon
6 Treecreeper
4 Willow Tit
25 Goosander
1 Kingfisher
and unfortunately 6 dead Black Headed Gulls at the front of Horrocks and on spit ,that makes 10 in 2 weeks ,so there is suspicion it could be air rifles at night?I can't think of any other reason,as it would be unusual to have 6 die in the same area overnight and 2 with legs in the air. :(
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 13th of January 2018 07:23:36 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jan 11 5:35 PM, 2018
A total of 66 species recorded on site today, surely difficult to beat that at a single site anywhere else in the north west at this time of year?
Highlights included:
9 Goldcrest
Roosting Tawny Owl on the south side
3 Rook over together (still decent birds here)
2 Woodcock
Peregrine
6 Pochard
5 Water Rail
8 Lesser Redpoll and 7 Siskin showing very well in Alders by the viewing screen at the back of Teal Scrape
1 Nuthatch
5 Willow Tit
Dipper on Westleigh Brook
38 Fieldfare in a single flock along Byrom Lane
Third winter Yellow-legged Gull early afternoon (not present in the roost)
Second winter Iceland Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost
Clear shortage of Bullfinch though (today at least) with only 7 recorded around the entire site?
dave broome said
Thu Jan 11 4:50 PM, 2018
Hello Mike Its best to park on Green Lane and walk down to watch from the shoreline by Sorrowcow Pond. Good luck Dave
Mike Passant said
Thu Jan 11 4:13 PM, 2018
I am half tempted to come down and have a try for the Caspian Gull at Penny, but have never stayed before for the winter Gull roost and not sure where best to stand; is it best from the Rucks please?
When glassing through waders and gulls on the spit in the afternoons previously, I quite like sitting by the two big rocks on the Rucks and scoping from there, but perhaps the locals prefer the yacht club side for the big roosts?
Any help would be appreciated please.
Regards,
Mike P
colin davies said
Wed Jan 10 11:33 PM, 2018
Foggy conditions made the gull roost extremely difficult and frustrating viewing today. The 3rd win yellow-legged gull and adult Mediterranean gull were present but most other gulls were lost in the fog.
colin davies said
Wed Jan 10 10:35 AM, 2018
Dipper again on Westleigh brook this morning in extremely dismal and murky conditions. Today it was from the bridge nearest Leigh college about 200m down stream from the bypass bridge where it was seen yesterday. With Bill Harrison.
In the gull roost this evening, 9 species of gull, including:
2nd win Caspian gull
2nd win Iceland gull
3rd win yellow-legged gull
Adult Mediterranean gull
With John Tymon and Ian McKerchar.
colin davies said
Tue Jan 9 10:52 AM, 2018
Dipper on West Leigh brook under the bypass. Not the bridge near the car park, it's the bridge near Holiday Inn, next to Morrisons.
-- Edited by colin davies on Tuesday 9th of January 2018 11:37:38 AM
colin davies said
Tue Jan 9 8:03 AM, 2018
Here's a few photos of mine of yesterday evenings 2nd winter Caspian gull if they help, (taken through John's scope). As John said, it was nearly dark when these were taken (around 4:30).
John (Tymon), Have you got any pics of the Caspian Gull facing left? Keen to try and determine whether itâs the same 2ndw as present at Fishmoor Res, Lancs, 30-31st Dec. Thanks.
Yes but not that clear as it was dark when I was taking them . Full set of pictures have been sent to Ian.
John (Tymon), Have you got any pics of the Caspian Gull facing left? Keen to try and determine whether itâs the same 2ndw as present at Fishmoor Res, Lancs, 30-31st Dec. Thanks.
Dipper again this morning on Westleigh brook, this time from the bridge where the brook goes under the canal. Also 10 lesser redpolls in the same area.
Gull roost this evening in atrocious conditions from Horrock's hide:
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Yellow-legged gull 1 3rd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
Photos are of the Mediterranean gull which was on the golf course mid-afternoon, then later in the roost.
At the gull roost this evening, from Green Lane:
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Yellow-legged gull 1 3rd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
Also today:
Lapwing 200 flying around
Jackdaw 800+
Goldeneye 25+
The roadworks are not so great in this area at the moment, no problem getting to Green Lane but getting away is a nightmare due to the weight of traffic. It looks like it's already having an impact on the number of observers in Green Lane, I was the only one present today when we have had around 10 on most other evenings. Fortunately for me, I can walk it, which is what I'll be doing until the roadworks go away.
"Plank Lane, Leigh (at the swing bridge) - The Canal & River Trust are carrying out repairs to upgrade the canal bridge at Plank Lane. A road closure will be in place from the 29th January to 16th February 2018 and there is a diversion in place from Plank Lane to Firs Lane, Twist Lane, Atherleigh Way, St Helens Road, Sandy Lane, Byrom Lane and Slag Lane."
That's a very long way round
Approach Green Lane from the South, not the West
NB Traffic alert: if you wish to go to the roost via Green Lane be aware that Slag Lane is closed at the junction of Byrom Lane and traffic diverted down Byrom Lane creating a very long tailback on Newton Road to get onto the A579 and back to the A580. Heading back towards Golborne and then to the A580 via Lowton might be better to go back towards Manchester. It took me one and a half hours to get back to south Manchester leaving at 5pm
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Monday 29th of January 2018 07:34:06 PM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Tuesday 30th of January 2018 09:11:20 AM
Tonight in the Roost
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Iceland gull 1 2nd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
and a strange big Herring Gull with pale brown Primaries
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 29th of January 2018 09:11:39 PM
Moses Gate Country Park last Thursday.
3 willow tit
1 treecreeper
Bullfinch, reed bunting, etc, etc.
4 song thrush, all singing (dunnocks and great tits in good voice, too)
200+ jackdaw coming in to roost
4 stock dove
48+ teal
16 gadwall
53+ shoveler
61+ tufted duck
2 pochard (both male)
36 goldeneye
34 goosander
Plenty of mute swan, one with the green darvic CFC7.
2 little grebe
17 great crested grebe
60 lapwing
25+ cormorant
2 common gull
1 yellow-legged gull (usual 3rd winter; showing close in along the path from the lagoon in the morning, then turned up around the buoys near Horrocks hide in the afternoon)
5 great black-backed gull
1 kestrel
Such bill deformities are not so uncommon in gulls Colin, especially in Herring Gulls for some reason and I've seen many over the years, a very high majority in juvenile/first winter and very few adults, no doubt probably as the deformities either break off, wear or of course hinder the bird in some way until it dies prematurely.
This evenings gull roost with Phil Rhodes and about 8 others produced the following:
Caspian gull 1 2nd win
Yellow-legged gull 1 3rd win
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
Attached photos of the adult Mediterranean gull and a strange looking (1st winter herring?) gull with a deformed beak. There was a bird which looked a lot like this in the roost last winter, but if it's the same bird it must be permanently stuck in this plumage.
-- Edited by colin davies on Sunday 28th of January 2018 07:14:56 PM
2.30-4.25
Super gull roost but despite lengthy scans nothing out of the ordinary. Supporting cast included Cettis Warbler, Little Egret, 14 Lesser Redpoll, Kestrel, 5 Little Grebe, 7 Goldeneye including a displaying male, 60 Lapwing, Stock Dove and Shoveler.
What a great way to spend a Sunday.
only things of note including the roost this afternoon
Yellow-legged gull 1 x 3rd winter that disappeared about 12pm
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
Oystercatcher- 3
Goldeneye-22
plus the usuals
Seven Whooper Swans present on the flash this morning (6 adults and a juvenile), also the usual third winter Yellow-legged Gull.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
400+ Starling roosted in Ramsdale reedbed, singing Cetti's Warbler and a very vocal Water Rail that seemed to object to the Starlings roosting
The gull roost keeps giving, not particularly large numbers but 10 species of gull tonight with Phil Rhodes, as follows:
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Iceland gull 1 2nd winter
Yellow-legged gull 1 3rd winter
Kittiwake 1 2nd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult, plus a report of a second adult
Great black-backed gull
Lesser black-backed gull
Herring gull including a few of the race argentatus
Common gull
Black-headed gull
That's 11 species of gull at the flash in the past seven days (including the little gull on Saturday).
-- Edited by colin davies on Thursday 25th of January 2018 06:05:43 PM
Early afternoon today:
Cetti's warbler showing reasonably well whilst calling and mooching about in Ramsdales Reedbed near to the viewing posts
2 Water Rail also squealing from Ramsdales Reedbed
A fast-moving roving tit flock in the woodland on top of Ramsdales Ruck contained:
A single Chiffchaff, 15+ Long-tailed Tit, 5 Goldcrest and 2 Treecreeper.
A couple of Digiscoped Caspian Gull 2nd Winter from last night
Sorry, I forgot the photo of the lesser black-back with a dark hood!
A decent gull roost this evening produced the following:
Caspian gull 1 2nd winter
Iceland gull 1 2nd winter
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
10 birders present as is the norm at the moment, including John Tymon, Mike Passant, Damian Young. Sorry, I don't know the rest of your names.
The attached photos are my best by a mile so far of the Caspian gull. I've also included for interest a photo of a lesser black-backed gull with a dark hood.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Tuesday 23rd of January 2018 07:13:12 PM
Also this afternoon a first winter Scaup
2nd winter Caspian gull in the roost tonight along with a leucistic black-headed gull. With John Tymon, Phil Rhodes, Ray Banks and Craig Higson.
Gull roost tonight:
Iceland gull 1 2nd win
Mediterranean gull 1 adult, possibly 2
3rd winter yellow-legged gull again present this afternoon, from Horrock's hide.
This late afternoon’s gull roost:
Adult Little Gull
Adult Mediterranean Gull
2nd winter Iceland Gull
3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull
Ino thanks to Rob Adderley
49 Lapwing on the spit
43 Redwing in one flock on the golf course
41 Teal in various places
35 Tufted Duck again various
31 Cormorant on spit
16 Gadwall in various locations
15 Shoveler again various
15 Goldeneye on main flash
13 Goosander in various locations
7 Lesser Redpolls near Teal Hide
6 Bullfinch all from Bunting Hide
4 Stock Dove there as well
4 Mistle Thrush on golf course
3 Common Gulls near Car Park
3 Reed Bunting from Bunting Hide
3 Willow Tit (2 Bunting/1 Pengy's)
3 Little Grebe from Ramsdale's Hide
2 Pochard from Pengy's
1 Grey Wagtail on Westleigh Brook
1 Treecreeper on tree near Canal and 1 Water Rail from Bunting Hide
Plus usual species - 45 species in total.
-- Edited by Kristian Wade on Saturday 20th of January 2018 05:06:56 PM
Water Rail under the feeders at the Bunting Hide
Willow, Blue, Great, Coal and Long Tailed Tit
Bullfinch
Kestrel
Chaffinch
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Great Crested and Little Grebes
Black headed, Herring and Lesser Black Backed gulls
20+ Goosander at various places
Reed Bunting
Coot
Moorhen
Shoveler
Gadwall
Goldeneye
Teal
Tufted Duck
Mallard
Lapwing
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Blackbird
Wood Pigeon
2nd W Caspian Gull appeared at 3.20pm but flew off SW at 3.35pm
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 x 3rd Winter regular bird
Black Headed Gull - 1 Leucistic bird
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 19th of January 2018 07:33:41 PM
Excellent :)
Definitely the same second winter bird as last week John, the markings on the scapulars as well as the covert moult fits perfectly
In the Roost tonight- only me roosting
Caspian Gull - 1 2nd Winter (looks like another new one ,so that's 3 this winter)Came in at 3.20pm -flew off South over boat clubs at 4.20pm
Iceland Gull - 1 2nd Winter
Jackdaw - Amazing sight tonight with 1500+ going to roost
Picture digiscoped record shot -Caspian Gull 2nd Winter
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Wednesday 17th of January 2018 07:37:07 PM
Male Brambling at the small feeding station and mulch at the back of Horrocks Hide this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
I primarily went for the gull roost hoping for the Iceland Gull but I couldnt locate it unfortunately.
However I did pick out:
1 Mediterranean Gull - adult in near full hood
1 Yellow-legged Gull - the regular 3rd winter. Initially picked up out on the flash, the bird came very close to the car park as people fed the ducks bread giving some great close views as it flew around and settled on the water close to the shore.
Other birds of note:
1 Woodcock over the car park at 5pm
Flock of Pink-footed Geese over in the gloom - heard only
Tufted Duck - 185
Pochard-2
Goosander-21
Goldeneye-29
Teal -55
Shoveler-31
Great Crested Grebe- 22
Coot - c270
Cormorant-24
Lesser Redpoll -6
Little Egret-1
Sparrowhawk-1
Kestrel- 1
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 ( Regular 3rd winter)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 14th of January 2018 04:20:37 PM
Picked this gull up on arrival on yellow Buoy near yacht club. Then spent an hour in Horrocks hide, with John Tymon, watching it move around.
John knows this bird like the back of his hand and was very helpful.( Gull seen even better in John's new Kowa scope)
County lifer for me
of note this afternoon
Yellow Legged Gull - 1 usual 3rd winter bird arrived from the North at 2.30
adult Mediterranean Gull
21 Goldeneye ,
23 Great Crested Grebe ,
120 Tufted Duck,
6 Pochard,
2 Wigeon,
20 Goosander
Goldcrest-1
Grey Wagtail-2
Sparrowhawk-1
Picture - 3rd W Yellow Legged Gull
plus the usuals
pm 12.01.2017
in roost ,smallest roost for a while
Second winter Iceland Gull
adult Mediterranean Gull
3rd Winter Yellow Legged Gull
also in afternoon
6 Treecreeper
4 Willow Tit
25 Goosander
1 Kingfisher
and unfortunately 6 dead Black Headed Gulls at the front of Horrocks and on spit ,that makes 10 in 2 weeks ,so there is suspicion it could be air rifles at night?I can't think of any other reason,as it would be unusual to have 6 die in the same area overnight and 2 with legs in the air. :(
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 13th of January 2018 07:23:36 AM
A total of 66 species recorded on site today, surely difficult to beat that at a single site anywhere else in the north west at this time of year?
Highlights included:
9 Goldcrest
Roosting Tawny Owl on the south side
3 Rook over together (still decent birds here)
2 Woodcock
Peregrine
6 Pochard
5 Water Rail
8 Lesser Redpoll and 7 Siskin showing very well in Alders by the viewing screen at the back of Teal Scrape
1 Nuthatch
5 Willow Tit
Dipper on Westleigh Brook
38 Fieldfare in a single flock along Byrom Lane
Third winter Yellow-legged Gull early afternoon (not present in the roost)
Second winter Iceland Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost
Clear shortage of Bullfinch though (today at least) with only 7 recorded around the entire site?
Its best to park on Green Lane and walk down to watch from the shoreline by Sorrowcow Pond.
Good luck
Dave
I am half tempted to come down and have a try for the Caspian Gull at Penny, but have never stayed before for the winter Gull roost and not sure where best to stand; is it best from the Rucks please?
When glassing through waders and gulls on the spit in the afternoons previously, I quite like sitting by the two big rocks on the Rucks and scoping from there, but perhaps the locals prefer the yacht club side for the big roosts?
Any help would be appreciated please.
Regards,
Mike P
Foggy conditions made the gull roost extremely difficult and frustrating viewing today. The 3rd win yellow-legged gull and adult Mediterranean gull were present but most other gulls were lost in the fog.
Dipper again on Westleigh brook this morning in extremely dismal and murky conditions. Today it was from the bridge nearest Leigh college about 200m down stream from the bypass bridge where it was seen yesterday. With Bill Harrison.
Also today Oystercatcher on the spit (info Bill).
In the gull roost this evening, 9 species of gull, including:
2nd win Caspian gull
2nd win Iceland gull
3rd win yellow-legged gull
Adult Mediterranean gull
With John Tymon and Ian McKerchar.
Dipper on West Leigh brook under the bypass. Not the bridge near the car park, it's the bridge near Holiday Inn, next to Morrisons.
-- Edited by colin davies on Tuesday 9th of January 2018 11:37:38 AM
Here's a few photos of mine of yesterday evenings 2nd winter Caspian gull if they help, (taken through John's scope). As John said, it was nearly dark when these were taken (around 4:30).
Yes but not that clear as it was dark when I was taking them . Full set of pictures have been sent to Ian.