BICKERSHAW COUNTRY PARK (formerly Bickershaw Rucks)
Gordon Newman said
Sun Oct 21 3:06 PM, 2018
Highlights from yesterday and today
single male Pochard on Fir Tree Flash today 700+ Pink-footed Geese SE in two groups with two other groups heard but not seen yesterday 6 Siskin Redwing constantly flying around in small groups of 5 & 6 in no particular direction, impossible to count with some probably duplicated 35 Fieldfare yesterday with fewer numbers today again not in any particular direction 200+ Woodpigeon SW yesterday small numbers of Linnet
Gordon Newman said
Mon Oct 15 1:08 PM, 2018
Cetti's Warbler singing briefly at 11.00 from Nevison's Flash.
Same bird as last winter? arriving at roughly the same time as 2017 "6th" .
Gordon Newman said
Mon Oct 8 7:37 PM, 2018
single Willow Warbler in roaming Long-tailed Tit group also containing single Willow Tit this evening otherwise quiet
Gordon Newman said
Mon Sep 24 8:37 PM, 2018
highlights from two short visits, one mid morning and this evening single Ring-necked Parakeet flew over NE calling @18.30 2 Siskin N a.m Green Woodpecker
Gordon Newman said
Sun Sep 23 10:56 AM, 2018
1 Woodcock over South 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Kingfisher (Nevison's Flash) 40+ Pink-footed Geese over West 2 Sand Martin over South
1 Willow Warbler,
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Sunday 23rd of September 2018 11:07:47 AM
Gordon Newman said
Sat Sep 22 1:53 PM, 2018
07.30 - 11.30 single Grey Wagtail by dam at end of Fir tree Flash 100+ Meadow Pipit S/SW between 07.30 - 08.00 plus plenty grounded 4 Skylark 2 Sand Martin 3 House Martin 10 Swallow single Snipe
Gordon Newman said
Mon Sep 10 2:23 PM, 2018
09.25 - 12.30 2 Yellow Wagtail flew over C8 SW @ 10.20 calling (new site record for myself). single Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker and 2 Willow Tit only other things of note.
Gordon Newman said
Sun Sep 9 12:00 PM, 2018
09.00 - 11.00 single Green Sandpiper flew over top rucks (c4) calling, and appeared to land on New water but was not able to relocate it later. quite a few mixed Tit groups containing Willow Warbler,Chiffchaff and a few Goldcrest. a few more Meadow Pipit about giving a autumn feel to proceedings.
Gordon Newman said
Thu Sep 6 7:27 PM, 2018
2 Green Woodpecker present this evening
Gordon Newman said
Thu Aug 30 9:34 PM, 2018
single Hobby chasing Swallows this evening, also Green Woodpecker present
Gordon Newman said
Sun Aug 26 12:23 PM, 2018
single Spotted Flycatcher mid morning on edge of trees adjacent to former pony enclosure and Slag Lane, opposite Nissan Firsway garage
Gordon Newman said
Tue Aug 21 10:33 PM, 2018
single Green Sandpiper present this evening (poor photo taken in fading light)
09.00 - 12.00 Hobby shot across tree tops and over playing field, probably chasing a Swallow or House Martin as I was walking on path through trees.
family party of Garden Warblers with at least 2 juvenile giving a brief glimpse and very vocal.
2 Whitethroat, plenty of Willow Warbler and a few Chiffchaff and Reed Warbler still present.
3 Buzzard
Gordon Newman said
Thu Aug 9 8:24 PM, 2018
single Greenshank present on New Water at 18.25 as I approached on the hill overlooking water. Flew off at 18.35 SSW towards Pennington Flash calling. poor photo attached looking towards the sun and from distance.
Green Woodpecker in trees by Fir Tree Flash and playing field this evening
Dave Wilson said
Thu Jun 21 5:05 PM, 2018
At 9.20 this morning, at the very top of the Road to Nowhere off Smiths Lane, a male Reed Bunting delivered an extended warbler-like song, nothing like the usual brief four- or five-note offering!
Scott robinson said
Sat Jun 9 3:16 PM, 2018
Mooch this afternoon,
1 Kestrel, Male seen a number of times hunting. 1 Buzzard Small numbers of Reed and Sedge Warbler, also small numbers of Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. 3 Skylark, one individual was seen having a dust bath, got to within 10 yard outstanding views. 7 Meadow Pipit Reed Bunting numbers at the moment on this site are the most I've ever seen. They are absolutely everywhere. Lapwing sitting and one with youngsters. Black headed sitting in same area. 1 Linnet Plenty Swift over in most areas. 1 Common Tern over
Plus all usuals.
Gordon Newman said
Wed May 23 9:57 PM, 2018
Male Cuckoo this evening by Nevison's Flash
Scott robinson said
Sun May 20 9:57 AM, 2018
6:00 am till 9:00 am
Lesser Whitethroat showing well in scrub just off the new road C8. 3 Sedge Warbler, more heard 1 Grasshopper Warbler 5 Willow Warbler 3 Reed Warbler, more heard 1 Linnet 1 Willow Tit 1 Stonechat 9 Blackcap 11 Chiffchaff 4 Whitethroat 15 Reed Bunting 4 Skylark 2 Meadow Pipit 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Kestrel 2 Buzzard 5 Lapwing
Plus all usual suspects.
John Watson said
Wed May 9 8:06 AM, 2018
Y'day 8th May, late morning before the rain
1-2 Grasshopper Warblers (h) 1 Raven (E of rucks, drifting N) 3 Whitethroats 3 Sedge Warblers 10 Reed Buntings 20 Swift (E of rucks) 20 House Martins (flock, E of rucks, drifting N) Chiffchaffs Willow Warblers
Scott robinson said
Sat May 5 2:36 PM, 2018
11 till 2:15. Glorious weather.
All areas except C5 and C7
1 Whinchat C8 1 Stonechat C8 1 Cuckoo C2 20+ Willow Warbler, Most areas. 20+ Blackcap, Most areas. 15+ Whitethroat, Most areas. 10+Chiffchaff 40+ Reed Bunting, most abundant bird on site today, absolutely everywhere. 10+ Lapwing all C10 3 Buzzard 2 Kestrel 10+ Reed Warbler 10+ Sedge Warbler 2 Grasshopper Warbler both C8 4 Linnet, over. 10+ Skylark 5 Meadow Pipit
Nice to hear a Yellowhammer singing although I didn't see it.
Plus all usuals.
Forgot to add 2 Grey Partridge flushed.
-- Edited by Scott robinson on Saturday 5th of May 2018 02:38:02 PM
Neil Dowson said
Thu May 3 11:03 AM, 2018
Thursday 3rd May, 0900-1000
1 Cuckoo - flying over large flooded area towards top rucks
1 male Whinchat - in field adjacent to large flooded area
Blackcap
Sedge warbler
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Gordon Newman said
Sat Apr 28 7:48 PM, 2018
45 mins after work from 18.30 2 Common Tern visited Nevisons Flash for 5 mins before departing over to Pennington Flash. Green Woodpecker flying around edge of Nevisons Flash before landing in top of tree on top rucks then yaffling for 10 mins. plenty of Reed Warbler chattering away. Cetti's Warbler very vocal.
Gordon Newman said
Thu Apr 26 9:00 PM, 2018
Hobby flew west from playing field right across rucks and beyond Smiths Lane @ 18.20
Gordon Newman said
Mon Apr 23 10:48 AM, 2018
08.00-10.15 1 Cuckoo perched in top of tree on edge of playing field 2 Whitethroat at end of road to nowhere 1 Sedge Warbler(C8) 2 Grasshopper Warbler 9 Reed Warbler Cetti's Warbler singing 4 Oystercatcher 5 Buzzard 3 Grey Partridge Green Woodpecker yaffling in distance while stood at end of road to nowhere Willow Warbler, Blackcap & Chiffchaff all into double figures 3 Linnet 8 Lapwing
Gordon Newman said
Sun Apr 22 12:41 PM, 2018
Not much this morning should of gone out early as went cloudy as I left the house and eventually turned to rain
2 Grasshopper Warbler
Cetti's Warbler
2 Swallow
Plenty of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff
2 Blackcap
4 Reed Warbler
Gordon Newman said
Tue Apr 17 8:02 PM, 2018
Grasshopper Warbler reeling by playing field early evening
Gordon Newman said
Mon Apr 16 10:42 PM, 2018
18-00-20.00 Male Hobby circled over playing field @ 18.10 showed a brief interest in a passing Woodpigeon before departing North ( my previous earliest record for the Rucks was 2nd May)
Gordon Newman said
Mon Apr 16 12:39 PM, 2018
08.50-10.15 of note single Reed Warbler single Whimbrel heard only single Green Woodpecker flew across top rucks single Cetti's Warbler very vocal and managed a very brief glimpse single Blackcap Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff both in good numbers
Gordon Newman said
Sun Apr 8 2:22 PM, 2018
1 1/2 hours late morning, much more pleasant than yesterday in the rain Highlights
14 Fieldfare on top rucks moving through East Green Woodpecker yaffling way in distance 1 Grey Wagtail Cetti's Warbler singing Willow Warbler Chiffchaff Long-tailed Tit collecting nesting material from an old cushion discarded, that you wouldn't normally like to be seen left, but came in useful on this occasion.
walk in heavy rain this morning, 1 Blackcap singing by Fir Tree Flash 8 Willow Warbler 5 Chiffchaff
Gordon Newman said
Fri Apr 6 9:49 AM, 2018
07.30-09.00 only things of note were single Willow Warbler 8 Chiffchaff
Gordon Newman said
Thu Apr 5 8:25 PM, 2018
17.00-18.30 female Marsh Harrier - flew through high West @ 18.27 single Sand Martin Cetti's Warbler singing from Nevisons Flash
Yesterday evening (Wednesday) 2 Shelduck flew over SW 2 Chiffchaff
Gordon Newman said
Tue Mar 27 10:12 PM, 2018
17.00-16.00 3 Sand Martin Cetti's Warbler singing from Nevisons Flash (probably same bird that has been singing from central ditch as initially heard from Nevisons Flash back in September 2017 , of course there could be 2 birds as I didn't visit central ditch area this evening), would like to think there are two individuals.
Gordon Newman said
Sun Mar 25 11:13 AM, 2018
07.30-10.15 1 Chiffchaff - flew into small bush on edge of ruck above new housing ,called once then flew off. Green Woodpecker still present, seems to like to cover whole site has it has done this morning Curlew - heard only
Gordon Newman said
Sat Mar 24 1:55 PM, 2018
08.45-12.30 cracking mornings walk 47 species seen highlights being:
Green Woodpecker - initially heard in C12 as the other day but not seen , then at midday what I presume was the same bird ,was yaffeling from trees by C5/football field before flying to trees overlooking Fir Tree Flash then flew further away still yaffeling. (could possibly move of site, watch out Pickley Green)
Little Egret - landed in flooded area of C10 that has recently had a lot of work done to retain water levels etc , but was promptly flushed by dog walker walking by waters edge despite new banking and channels put in place acting as screening and not easy to get through. ( probably same bird that is at Pennington Flash and that I have seen flying over towards Pennington Flash a couple of times recently?)
Cetti's Warbler heard only but deafening (loudest I have heard it call since first arriving at back end of last year).
1 Siskin (M) 3 Lesser Redpoll
Gordon Newman said
Thu Mar 22 7:52 PM, 2018
17.00-18.15 Went in search of Wheatear unsuccessfully, in usual areas I see Wheatear every year, that I haven't walked over for in ages but glad I did has I heard a Green Woodpecker yaffelling in distance , so went in search, finding it perched in a tree in C2 .(managed a poor record shot attached below). only other bird of note was a single Fieldfare (only my third record of the winter which is poor for here). Also couple of photos attached of the guys handywork in laying out the railings in Nevisons Flash the other day.
17.00-18.45 3 Siskin N @ 17.19, 1 Kingfisher, Cetti's Warbler singing briefly, 800+ Starling. Snipe flushed by some idiot dragging metal railings through water and reeds laying them in a line to form a walk way didn't dare try and approach him.
Gordon Newman said
Thu Mar 15 7:14 PM, 2018
single Little Egret flew SW over Nevisons Flash towards Pennington Flash @ 18.35. male Stonechat in corner of C5, also present this evening with Cetti's Warbler singing loudly from central ditch
james hall said
Wed Mar 7 6:12 PM, 2018
Quick walk through at 4:30-5:45
1 chiffchaff (first of year)
4+ skylark
Water rail heard ( nevisons)
Gordon Newman said
Tue Mar 6 7:10 PM, 2018
single Little Egret flew over SW @ 17.10 towards Pennington Flash no doubt to roost (right place right time scenario has I had just left treeline)
Gordon Newman said
Mon Mar 5 12:50 PM, 2018
male Stonechat still present in C5 this morning increase in numbers of Skylark and Reed Bunting with both singing, giving hint of spring round the corner
Gordon Newman said
Mon Feb 19 6:05 PM, 2018
Cettis Warbler giving brief bursts of song this afternoon from central ditch between C5 & C6 also in same area 11 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Water Rail calling
Gordon Newman said
Mon Feb 12 8:07 PM, 2018
male Stonechat still present in C5 as per Saturdays post although that post and the other wildlife post for same site seemed to disappear soon after posting for some reason. 1 male Pochard - DF 2 Goosander - FTF numbers dropped since end of January 1 Grey Wagtail - C3
Gordon Newman said
Sat Jan 27 2:36 PM, 2018
not much to report in the rain this morning other than FTF 16 Goosander Mute Swan numbers keep climbing now totaling 19 Adult +15 immature
Gordon Newman said
Sat Jan 13 4:19 PM, 2018
11.30 - 14.30 C10 1 Woodcock male + female Pochard 10 Tufted Duck 5 Teal 1 Great spotted Woodpecker
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Saturday 13th of January 2018 04:22:43 PM
Bernard McGurrin said
Sat Dec 30 6:37 PM, 2017
peregrine falcon over this am circled around close to diggle flash before heading off in direction of pennington flash, 2 goldeneye on diggle flash 1m 1f, kestrel seen catching prey,
Bernard McGurrin said
Sat Dec 23 2:33 PM, 2017
3 whooper swans over south this am, 1 kestrel, 1 snipe, flock of 16 goldfinch, small numbers blue,great and long tailed tits,
Gordon Newman said
Mon Dec 18 10:55 PM, 2017
Cettis Warbler gave brief burst of song mid morning from central ditch close to dam end near Fir Tree Flash
Bernard McGurrin said
Sat Dec 9 3:46 PM, 2017
stock pond- 1 great crested grebe, 8 coot, 3 mute swan 1 adult 2 well grown cygnets, 2 moorhen, 1 lesser black backed gull, 11 gadwall diggle flash- 5 gadwall, 3 pochard 2 m 1 f, 1 drake goldeneye, 2 little grebe, 2 common gull, 2 lesser black backed gull, coot, tufted duck, b;lack headed gulls, 7 long tailed tit, 5 great tit, 2 blue tit, 3 goldfinch, 3 robin, 6 blackbird, 1 wren, 3 jackdaw, 4 chaffinch, 2 greenfinch, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon.
single male Pochard on Fir Tree Flash today
700+ Pink-footed Geese SE in two groups with two other groups heard but not seen yesterday
6 Siskin
Redwing constantly flying around in small groups of 5 & 6 in no particular direction, impossible to count with some probably duplicated
35 Fieldfare yesterday with fewer numbers today again not in any particular direction
200+ Woodpigeon SW yesterday
small numbers of Linnet
Same bird as last winter? arriving at roughly the same time as 2017 "6th" .
single Ring-necked Parakeet flew over NE calling @18.30
2 Siskin N a.m
Green Woodpecker
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Kingfisher (Nevison's Flash)
40+ Pink-footed Geese over West
2 Sand Martin over South 1 Willow Warbler,
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Sunday 23rd of September 2018 11:07:47 AM
single Grey Wagtail by dam at end of Fir tree Flash
100+ Meadow Pipit S/SW between 07.30 - 08.00 plus plenty grounded
4 Skylark
2 Sand Martin
3 House Martin
10 Swallow
single Snipe
2 Yellow Wagtail flew over C8 SW @ 10.20 calling (new site record for myself).
single Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker and 2 Willow Tit only other things of note.
single Green Sandpiper flew over top rucks (c4) calling, and appeared to land on New water but was not able to relocate it later.
quite a few mixed Tit groups containing Willow Warbler,Chiffchaff and a few Goldcrest.
a few more Meadow Pipit about giving a autumn feel to proceedings.
Hobby shot across tree tops and over playing field, probably chasing a Swallow or House Martin as I was walking on path through trees.
family party of Garden Warblers with at least 2 juvenile giving a brief glimpse and very vocal.
2 Whitethroat, plenty of Willow Warbler and a few Chiffchaff and Reed Warbler still present.
3 Buzzard
poor photo attached looking towards the sun and from distance.
1 Kestrel, Male seen a number of times hunting.
1 Buzzard
Small numbers of Reed and Sedge Warbler, also small numbers of Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
3 Skylark, one individual was seen having a dust bath, got to within 10 yard outstanding views.
7 Meadow Pipit
Reed Bunting numbers at the moment on this site are the most I've ever seen. They are absolutely everywhere.
Lapwing sitting and one with youngsters. Black headed sitting in same area.
1 Linnet
Plenty Swift over in most areas.
1 Common Tern over
Plus all usuals.
Lesser Whitethroat showing well in scrub just off the new road C8.
3 Sedge Warbler, more heard
1 Grasshopper Warbler
5 Willow Warbler
3 Reed Warbler, more heard
1 Linnet
1 Willow Tit
1 Stonechat
9 Blackcap
11 Chiffchaff
4 Whitethroat
15 Reed Bunting
4 Skylark
2 Meadow Pipit
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
2 Buzzard
5 Lapwing
Plus all usual suspects.
1-2 Grasshopper Warblers (h)
1 Raven (E of rucks, drifting N)
3 Whitethroats
3 Sedge Warblers
10 Reed Buntings
20 Swift (E of rucks)
20 House Martins (flock, E of rucks, drifting N)
Chiffchaffs
Willow Warblers
All areas except C5 and C7
1 Whinchat C8
1 Stonechat C8
1 Cuckoo C2
20+ Willow Warbler, Most areas.
20+ Blackcap, Most areas.
15+ Whitethroat, Most areas.
10+Chiffchaff
40+ Reed Bunting, most abundant bird on site today, absolutely everywhere.
10+ Lapwing all C10
3 Buzzard
2 Kestrel
10+ Reed Warbler
10+ Sedge Warbler
2 Grasshopper Warbler both C8
4 Linnet, over.
10+ Skylark
5 Meadow Pipit
Nice to hear a Yellowhammer singing although I didn't see it.
Plus all usuals.
Forgot to add 2 Grey Partridge flushed.
-- Edited by Scott robinson on Saturday 5th of May 2018 02:38:02 PM
Thursday 3rd May, 0900-1000
1 Cuckoo - flying over large flooded area towards top rucks
1 male Whinchat - in field adjacent to large flooded area
Blackcap
Sedge warbler
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
2 Common Tern visited Nevisons Flash for 5 mins before departing over to Pennington Flash.
Green Woodpecker flying around edge of Nevisons Flash before landing in top of tree on top rucks then yaffling for 10 mins.
plenty of Reed Warbler chattering away.
Cetti's Warbler very vocal.
1 Cuckoo perched in top of tree on edge of playing field
2 Whitethroat at end of road to nowhere
1 Sedge Warbler(C8)
2 Grasshopper Warbler
9 Reed Warbler
Cetti's Warbler singing
4 Oystercatcher
5 Buzzard
3 Grey Partridge
Green Woodpecker yaffling in distance while stood at end of road to nowhere
Willow Warbler, Blackcap & Chiffchaff all into double figures
3 Linnet
8 Lapwing
Male Hobby circled over playing field @ 18.10 showed a brief interest in a passing Woodpigeon before departing North ( my previous earliest record for the Rucks was 2nd May)
of note
single Reed Warbler
single Whimbrel heard only
single Green Woodpecker flew across top rucks
single Cetti's Warbler very vocal and managed a very brief glimpse
single Blackcap
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff both in good numbers
Highlights
14 Fieldfare on top rucks moving through East
Green Woodpecker yaffling way in distance
1 Grey Wagtail
Cetti's Warbler singing
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Long-tailed Tit collecting nesting material from an old cushion discarded, that you wouldn't normally like to be seen left, but came in useful on this occasion.
1 Blackcap singing by Fir Tree Flash
8 Willow Warbler
5 Chiffchaff
only things of note were
single Willow Warbler
8 Chiffchaff
female Marsh Harrier - flew through high West @ 18.27
single Sand Martin
Cetti's Warbler singing from Nevisons Flash
Yesterday evening (Wednesday)
2 Shelduck flew over SW
2 Chiffchaff
3 Sand Martin
Cetti's Warbler singing from Nevisons Flash (probably same bird that has been singing from central ditch as initially heard from Nevisons Flash back in September 2017 , of course there could be 2 birds as I didn't visit central ditch area this evening), would like to think there are two individuals.
1 Chiffchaff - flew into small bush on edge of ruck above new housing ,called once then flew off.
Green Woodpecker still present, seems to like to cover whole site has it has done this morning
Curlew - heard only
cracking mornings walk 47 species seen highlights being:
Green Woodpecker - initially heard in C12 as the other day but not seen , then at midday what I presume was the same bird ,was yaffeling from trees by C5/football field before flying to trees overlooking Fir Tree Flash then flew further away still yaffeling. (could possibly move of site, watch out Pickley Green)
Little Egret - landed in flooded area of C10 that has recently had a lot of work done to retain water levels etc , but was promptly flushed by dog walker walking by waters edge despite new banking and channels put in place acting as screening and not easy to get through. ( probably same bird that is at Pennington Flash and that I have seen flying over towards Pennington Flash a couple of times recently?)
Cetti's Warbler heard only but deafening (loudest I have heard it call since first arriving at back end of last year).
1 Siskin (M)
3 Lesser Redpoll
Went in search of Wheatear unsuccessfully, in usual areas I see Wheatear every year, that I haven't walked over for in ages but glad I did has I heard a Green Woodpecker yaffelling in distance , so went in search, finding it perched in a tree in C2 .(managed a poor record shot attached below). only other bird of note was a single Fieldfare (only my third record of the winter which is poor for here).
Also couple of photos attached of the guys handywork in laying out the railings in Nevisons Flash the other day.
3 Siskin N @ 17.19,
1 Kingfisher,
Cetti's Warbler singing briefly,
800+ Starling.
Snipe flushed by some idiot dragging metal railings through water and reeds laying them in a line to form a walk way didn't dare try and approach him.
male Stonechat in corner of C5, also present this evening with Cetti's Warbler singing loudly from central ditch
increase in numbers of Skylark and Reed Bunting with both singing, giving hint of spring round the corner
1 male Pochard - DF
2 Goosander - FTF numbers dropped since end of January
1 Grey Wagtail - C3
FTF
16 Goosander
Mute Swan numbers keep climbing now totaling 19 Adult +15 immature
C10
1 Woodcock
male + female Pochard
10 Tufted Duck
5 Teal
1 Great spotted Woodpecker
FTF
9 Goosander 5m +4f
2 male Pochard, 1 Grey Wagtail
20 Mute Swan
30 Mallard
20 Tufted Duck
2 Grey Heron
C3
1 Grey Wagtail
30 Redwing
-- Edited by Gordon Newman on Saturday 13th of January 2018 04:22:43 PM
diggle flash- 5 gadwall, 3 pochard 2 m 1 f, 1 drake goldeneye, 2 little grebe, 2 common gull, 2 lesser black backed gull, coot, tufted duck, b;lack headed gulls,
7 long tailed tit, 5 great tit, 2 blue tit, 3 goldfinch, 3 robin, 6 blackbird, 1 wren, 3 jackdaw, 4 chaffinch, 2 greenfinch, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon.