today on farmland between Meadow Pit Lane/Riley Lane, at the extreme NE corner of the recording area - the 'John O'Groats' of Haigh CP: pair of Grey Partridge, 4 Sand Martin north, Yellowhammer

Goldcrest today Coppull Lane/Bottling Wood area

10-30am - 2.00pm

Chiffchaffs singing from 3 seperate locations
Stock Dove
single Goldcrest singing in area of last years nest
Raven flew over and quickly came under attack from Female Sparrowhawk and 2 Carrion Crows, later on in same area a second Female Sparrowhawk came over and was also driven off by resident bird who was then mobbed by a Carrion Crow
singles of Kingfisher and Dipper
pair of Buzzards displaying
pair of Bullfiches
pair of Coal Tits nest building

Wingates Lane and Sennicar Lane-Pendlebury Lane west of the canal today:
3 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Tree Sparrow, 2 Nuthatch

Lower Plantations 16.00-16.15, from the felled trees on the edge of the river douglas
Dipper 2 first of the year
Grey Wagtail(f) 1
Kingfisher 1 also first of the year
it was nowhere near as busy as yesterday and the Dippers were no more than 30 yards away, one of them was almost totally submerged while it was feeding

a couple of hours in brilliant sunshine
Lower Plantations
Jackdaw 5 over
Great Spotted Woodpecker 3
Nuthatch 5 plenty more heard
Kestrel(f) 1
Stock Dove 2
Song Thrush 2 plenty more heard
Blackcap 1 heard singing near the rowing pound but couldn't get a sighting
no Dipper- too many daft big noisy dogs in the dougy grrrr
no Treecreeper- though i heard at least one singing
School Lane
Rook 20+
Fields next to Lady Mabels Wood
Curlew 2

Early AM
Nr Boating pool
2 Blackcaps singing must be new in ?
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming
pr Mandarins
5 Chiffchaff in total
Redpolls over

Jimmy

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 25th of March 2012 01:14:17 PM

48 Meadow Pipit over fields between School Covert and Winstanleys/Barker's Cottage in one hour today, moving between N to ENE
also 1 Sand Martin NE
constant activity and a variety of calls on and around the rookery
1 Linnet

Chiffchaff singing north of the Coppull Lane dam today

couple of hours this afternoon

Buzzard, several times soaring over.
female Sparrowhawk on the soar also
single Tawny owl at roost
pair of Long Tailed Tits and a pair of Moorhens nest building
pairs of Mandarin Ducks, Coal Tits and Treecreepers in Lower plantations.
singles of Jay, Nuthatch and Redwing

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 20th of March 2012 11:06:30 PM

17/3/12 (am)

Red Rock Moorings to Lady Mabels Wood:

2 Mandarin Ducks along the canal at Sennicar.
7 Buzzards thermalling together over Bawk House - all but two drifted away towards Blackrod. 2 Curlews, 2 Kestrels and a displaying Sparrowhawk in the Rothwells/Thorn Hill area..
1 Grey Wagtail on the roof of "Bridge 63" Restaurant (the old Crawford Arms Pub)
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Skylarks
1 Goldcrest
1 Nuthatch
1 Coot (eating a slug, which it had taken off the canal bank).

8am - 8.30am

quick walk along canal from the Crown Pub to Shedfield bridge, 12 Greenfinches in and around the tall hedges near to canal bridge over Wigan road. finally caught up with the Water Rail at Shedfield Bridge, new site tick and almost certainly would never have seen it without you guys mentioning it, a big thanks

11/3/12

2 Curlews, a Lapwing, 4 Tree Sparrows and 2 Cormorants (over) in the vicinity of Barkers Cottage and Winstanleys this morning..

10/3/12 (am)

Red Rock Moorings to Sennicar Bridge:

3 Curlews, 2 Cormorants, a Buzzard, 10 Canada Geese, 2 Skylarks, a Reed Bunting, a Kestrel and 2 Collared Doves all seen from along the canal..

A couple of stints in the area of Shedfield (pigeon pit or Dairy pit) Bridge this afternoon drew a blank on the Water Rail, 2 Moorhens and five Mallard were all I found in the reeds Willow Tit heard, Greenfinch displaying and a few Long Tailed Tits were the only other birds of note in the vicinity
elsewere only one Tawny Owl at the roost, wide awake and preening 2 Kestrels and good numbers of chaffinch' Great and Blue Tits at the feeding Station, singles of Coal Tit and Nuthatch.

This Morning at 9.30:
Located the said Shedfield Bridge(also called Pigeon Pit Bridge,I was told) with the help of a local Dog Walker.
After a few minutes there the Water Rail appeared out in the open on a 'platform' of narrow slatted wood that was embedded in the reeds.
It appeared to be feeding.( County TICK)

With thanks to Messrs Woosey and Meadows and not least Mr. Morton.

-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 10th of March 2012 11:16:35 AM

9/3/12 (am)

Whelley Loop Line to the Walled Gardens:

A Water Rail was feeding out in the open in the short reeds at Shedfield Bridge late this morning. Mr Meadows and myself were first alerted to this bird on the 29th of February by Mr Morton. The first and only time I have recorded Water Rail previously in HCP was on the 10th March 2005, uncannily at this very same spot and almost matching the exact same date ! The importance of this present sighting can best be quantified by the fact that Mr Broome actually twitched it

Nothing else of real note apart from the Tufted Duck was up at that end of the canal as well, and a couple of Treecreepers were chasing one another around near Mowpin Cottage..

-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Friday 9th of March 2012 03:18:03 PM

8/3/12 (am)

Whelley Loop Line to Rothwells Farm:

Not much going on today; the most interesting observation being a flock of around 40 Linnets in the tops of trees above the stubble field just beyond Shedfield Bridge. They were spooked by a patrolling Sparrowhawk..
The drake Tufted Duck is still knocking about on the canal with its three favourite Mallards..

2 Buzzards
2 Kestrels
2 Skylarks singing
1 Treecreeper and several Long-tailed Tits collecting moss.
1 Stock Dove
8+ Moorhens

British Waterways are refurbishing Sennicar Lane Bridge & Hall Lane Bridge, causing slight detours along the footpaths near the bridges. Work expected to last 8 weeks apparently - hope the former one is ready in time for the returning Swallows to nest !

2nd March: 4 Siskin, 4 Bullfinch and 2 Coal Tit in the plantation by Barker's Cottage

1/3/12 (am)

Whelley Loop Line to Rothwells Farm:

The drake Tufted Duck is still on the canal near Hall Lane bridge. Tree Sparrow again near Shedfield Bridge, Bullfinch "singing" at Aspull Sough, 3 Buzzards over Lady Mabels Wood and 2 Siskins, one Willow Tit and 3 Reed Buntings in LMW..
15+ Common Gulls
1 Kestrel
2 Skylarks
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

A quick hour along the River Douglas today produced my best total so far of 21 Mandarins, also 3 Dippers but unfortunately no further sightings of the Kingfisher

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of February 2012 11:16:30 PM

25/2/12 (am)

Red Rock Moorings to Lady Mabels Wood:

Single Curlew at Rothwells Farm, drake Goosander over the canal at Sennicar Lane and 3 Grey Partridges in the field opposite Winstanleys farmhouse..
3 Tree Sparrows - Pendlebury House
1 Sparrowhawk
11 Common Gulls
1 Kestrel
5 Skylarks

12.45-4.20pm

Whelley loop line to Pennington lane and back. first time back on own patch proper for a while

plenty Redwings and Goldfinches in sheep fields at Aspull sough, one of the ponds here full of frogs mating, checking other ponds later for more frogs and flushed a Buzzard carrying one.
single Skylark also on sheep fields, all to rare this side of the woods these days.
both Tawny Owls still roosting together
11 Mandarins flushed from usual area
single Dipper singing and showing well
Kingfisher flying down River
managed a quick count of 6 Tree Sparrows in the hedges, plenty more Sparrows of both species about hidden in other hedges
single Willow Tit
single male Tufted Duck still on Canal with Mallards and quite approachable, wish I'd took some bread for him
enjoyable afternoon apart from getting a twig springing back and hitting me in my eye

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of February 2012 11:17:23 PM

20/2/12 (am)

Whelley Loop Line to Pendlebury Bridge:

The Tufted Duck is still present on the canal, near the Basin Quay. A lone Raven was patrolling the fields at Rothwells Farm, and a Tree Sparrow was singing from the "thick hedge" along the track up to Shedfield Bridge - not seen one previously in this area...
1 Lapwing
1 Kestrel
2 Coots
8 Canada Geese
3 Stock Doves

parked up on hall lane on way home from work, no signs of the Tufted on basin quay and only one Mallard, short walk along Canal and could hear some more Mallards on Golf Course pond, hidden by reeds, was just going to give up thinking he'd be on there with them when I spotted him further down Canal with another pair of Mallards and a pair of Canada Geese Cheers Ian a cracking sighting for HCP

-- Edited by Paul Risley on Tuesday 21st of February 2012 07:49:31 AM

19/2/12 (am)

Red Rock Lodge to Lady Mabels Wood:

A Curlew over Barkers Cottage this morning - a very early returner !
5 Goosanders flushed off the canal at Pendlebury Bridge, 4 Buzzards circling School Coverts, Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings in LMW..
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
6 Bullfinches
3 Collared Doves

17th Feb: 40+ Magpie and 3 Reed Bunting roosting at Aspull Sough

17/2/12 (am)

Whelley Loop Line to Lady Mabels Wood:

A drake Tufted Duck was a surprise find on the canal just Southeast of Hall Lane Bridge. It was with seven Mallards.
3 Buzzards circling above the Upper Plantations, 14 Lapwings over the golf course, at least 60 Common Gulls loafing in fields off Sennicar Lane, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, and a singing Skylark were also of note..

11/2/12 (am)

Whelley Loop Line to Sennicar Lane:

1 Snipe - Aspull Sough area (two on the 9th)
2 Grey Partridges - field North West of Shedfield Bridge
16 Lapwings and 23 Stock Doves - field off Aspull Sough
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 8 Canada Geese, 2 Coal Tits..

Kingfisher this am on the River Douglas, seen from the bridge at the bottom of the hill on the main path (Wigan Lane entrance). Rare on the Duggie and obviously displaced from its usual fishing spots on the local ponds and reservoirs, which are more or less frozen up. No sign of any Dippers in the area, though.

6/2/12

Red Rock Lodge to the River Douglas:

1 Peregrine (heading East) - over Thorn Hill Viaduct
1 Snipe - Rothwells Farm
1 Buzzard - over School Coverts
7+ Tree Sparrows - Pendlebury Lane
1 Kestrel (calling & displaying !) - Sennicar Lane
1 Skylark (singing) - Bawk House Farm
3 Treecreepers - Thorn Hill Viaduct

31/1/12

Cold and quiet this morning, one of the Tawny Owl roosts providing the main interest - a pair huddled together as usual . Close encounters with a Treecreeper and Willow Tit near Shedfield Bridge, a hunting Kestrel in Lady Mabels Wood, and two Common Gulls near Rothwells barn were the other sightings worthy of note.
Listening to a large group of Starlings jabbering away at Sennicar Bridge, and a noisy flock of Jackdaws nearby were very evocative of a typical grey, drab, winters day...

Top Lock - Haigh Hall 2.30 - 4.30pm, an enjoyable couple of hours

A White/Cream coloured Rook was mixed in with the flock feeding in the fields on opp side of canal between top lock and the road bridge near the Crown pub
3 Goosanders 2M 1F also on Canal here which is just out of HCP recording area, luckily as I got closer to them they flew off towards HCP along the canal and gave me a new site tick
little else showing along the canal due to the blustery conditions, in the woods the pair of Tawny Owls were at their usual roost site being buffeted about by the wind
a pair of Nuthatches were at the feeding station as were several Robins, no food out though, I'd taken an apple for the voles but none of the birds seemed too impressed by it
Adult male Sparrowhawk shot low across the path about 10 feet in front of me disappearing back into the bushes
A large flock of Finches conservatively 160 individuals coming in to roost in the Rhodedendrons near the miniture Railway, very flighty, at first I thought they were all Greenfinches but then saw some Chaffinch and Goldfinches
single Kestrel and a male Reed Bunting in the field off Higher Lane near junction with Wigan Road

16/1/12

Willow Tit singing this morning, along the mineral line from Shedfield Bridge to Crawfords Wood. There seemed to be a lot of Nuthatch activity here as well, and Wrens were very conspicuous for a change; counted at least eight or nine just around the bridge at Higher Lane.
3 Siskins over Whelley Loop Line
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Treecreeper
1 Kestrel

Wigan RSPB Walk today
Highlights
2 Sparrowhawk
1 Buzzard
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Dipper
pr Tawny Owls in roost
2 Treecreepers
Goldcrest
Nuthatch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Coal Tits a plenty
5 Mistle Thrush
5 Goosander over
Plus all usual species

Cheers Jimmy

6/1/12 (am)

Whelley Loop Line to Rothwells Farm:

Of note was a group of 12 Pied Wagtails feeding with Redwings in one of the sheep fields near Shedfield Bridge, and the Mute Swan "pair" SLI. Upon closer observation of the female however, it was seen to be wearing "FF6" - never seen this bird (knowingly) before...
The Rothwells Kestrel made a kill on the golf course, and a Cormorant and Great Spotted Woodpecker passed along the canal; 6 Canada Geese and 21 Mallards at the Basin...

12.30pm - 4.30pm

Meadow pit lane Fishing ponds down to Whelley loop line

despite a good look for the Goosanders drew a blank, still a very enjoyable walk anyway.
Kingfisher near Sennicar Lane bridge and again down on the River Douglas later,
Female Sparrowhawk actiely hunting in the twenty bridges area
pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers giving brilliant views in the sun in the same area, also
singles of Kestrel, Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, Grey Heron, Goldcrest and Mistle Thrush. usual Tit flocks, Corvids starlings and both species of Sparrows.
15 Redwings near canal, pair of Mute Swans and 2 pairs of Canada Geese on canal
the 2 Dippers were again on stream at Aspull sough near to Waterfall

1/1/12

A drake Goosander flew high over Sennicar Bridge this morning, possibly from the fishing lodge off Meadow Pit Lane. A handful of Tree Sparrows along the hedges on Pendlebury Lane, and a Buzzard circling over Thorn Hill viaduct was about the best of it before the rain came down..

1pm - 3pm

Aspull Sough and Lower Plantations

2 Dippers on the stream behind the school again
6 Siskins in the trees here also
a single Woodcock flushed off the field adjacent to the ponds
pair of Tawny Owls at the usual roost
singles of Coal Tit and Nuthatch

31/12/11

A pair of Goosanders on the canal this morning between Sennicar Bridge and Pendlebury Bridge, and a Buzzard was being heavily mobbed by Crows over Bawk House.
c50 Pink-footed Geese passed very low over Whelley Loop Line at 12:20 heading NW; they were so low in fact that I could not count them properly as they were soon obscured by trees..

1 Willow Tit
2 Nuthatches
1 Common Gull over Shedfield Bridge
1 Cormorant
1 Bullfinch
6 Moorhens
7 Canada Geese

1pm - 3.30pm
Sennicar and Pendlebury lane area

single male Teal, on the River douglas with 3 Mallards, new site tick
approx 10 Manderins back in usual area
single Dipper
4 Bullfiches (3M, 1F)
Willow Tit (heard only)
Cormorant over
single G.S. Woodpecker
pair of Mute Swans on canal. blue ring no SLI and mate
single Kestrel
3 Tree Sparrows in front hedge on Pendlebury lane, plenty more Sparrows in vicinity

-- Edited by Paul Risley on Tuesday 27th of December 2011 04:03:15 PM

24/12/11 (am)

Red Rock Lodge to Thorn Hill Viaduct:

A Raven, 3 Tree Sparrows, and a Sparrowhawk in the Barkers Cottage/Bawk House area, and at least 10 more Tree Sparrows, a Bullfinch, and several House Sparrows on Pendlebury Lane.
1 Kestrel
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Treecreeper
2 Goldcrests

20/12/11

A mid-afternoon stroll from Red Rock Moorings to Lady Mabels Wood turned up the usual suspects - Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, and a stunning male Kestrel hunting near Sennicar Lane. Lots of corvids and Starlings in fields off Rothwells Farm, and a Cormorant flying along the canal. Heard a distant Raven but couldn`t locate it..
Mistle Thrushes, Collared Dove, Greenfinches, Bullfinch, House Sparrows, Jays, Moorhen etc

9.30am - 1.30pm
aspull sough and lower plantations , 2 Dippers on the stream leading from the treatment ponds. A third Dipper on the Dougy
2 G.S. Woodpeckers and singles of Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper and Coal Tit mixed in with at least 3 large Tit flocks
upper Plantations
4 Tawny Owls, 2 pairs at 2 different roost sites
40 plus Chaffinch flock just past Shedfield Bridge quickly scanned for Bramblings without any luck
a couple of Song Thrushes were also a nice surprise as I hardly ever notice these out of breeding season

17/12/11 (am)

Single Common Snipe flying over Aspull Sough this morning. A hunting Kestrel in Lady Mabels Wood disturbed a Buzzard from its slumbers and a Sparrowhawk was on the prowl over Hall Lane. Great Spotted Woodpecker on Whelley Loop Line.

235 Chaffinch today, moving along the tree belt by the canal, between Shedfield Bridge and the edge of the Upper Plantations, adjacent to a stubble field but feeding in the trees

Siskin and Reed Bunting over Aspull Sough

10/12/11

Whelley Loop Line to Sennicar Lane:

Single Raven over Shedfield Bridge (heading purposefully West) this morning, and a Kingfisher perched near the bridge. Roughly in the same area was a group of 5 Common Gulls loafing in fields, a Sparrowhawk hunting, and 5+ Siskin with a sizeable Goldfinch flock; some also in Lady Mabels Wood. Kestrel and 6 Bullfinches along the canal opposite the Golf Course..

A mooch this morning from Plantation Gates and round Aspull Sough in what can only be described as awful conditions. 2 Tawny Owls roosting in one of their favourite spots. Great tits Coal tits Blue tits Mixed flock of Goldfinch and Siskin feeding on Alders. A few Moorhen around the pools at the Sough.

30/11/11

2 Tawny Owls were huddled together at one of the traditional roost sites this morning, basking in the sunshine .
32 low-flying Pink-footed Geese went over Aspull Sough at 9:40 heading West, and a lone noisy Raven was patrolling the sheep fields around Rothwells Farm. Also in the vicinity were a single Tree Sparrow, a Willow Tit, a Kestrel, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker..