Cracking morning at Elton. Despite the strong winds a bit moving
4 Hawfinch flew south directly over head at 9.40 in a flock of Redwing (between wader point & the creek) 2 Brambling south 1100+ Redwing S/SW moving low in the wind and some flocks whizzed past head height 30 Fieldfare south 200+ Starling west Stock Dove SE 5 Goodander south
Smaller numbers of Siskin, Redpoll, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch moving
On the res itself Female Scaup with the Tufted Duck 12 Shoveler 14 Gadwall 31 Teal 2 Little Grebe Common Sand 5 Snipe 30 Lapwing 70 Cormorant
Martin Loftus said
Fri Oct 20 2:19 PM, 2017
Ian Campbell wrote:
Forgot a Common Sandpiper also present being seriously chased around res by a Tufted Duck, never seen that before !.
Yesterday the poor thing was being attacked by a gang of snipe..
Richard Thew said
Fri Oct 20 2:08 PM, 2017
Adding to ians sightings (pity I missed the rock pipits though), gadwall, teal, little grebes and a kingfisher. Couldn't see yesterday's pochard, (though it likely was hidden away somewhere) Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Fri Oct 20 10:51 AM, 2017
Forgot a Common Sandpiper also present being seriously chased around res by a Tufted Duck, never seen that before !.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Oct 20 10:48 AM, 2017
This am 2 probably 3 Rock Pipits(the 3rd bird was not seen clearly) on bank near Old Hall Farm then flew across towards wader point. 11 Wigeon in middle of res and a further 12 circled before heading W. 20+ Shoveler also present. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Thu Oct 19 11:19 AM, 2017
Also this am Peregrine on pylon, 2 Kingfisher, 16 Snipe( 12 on mud near car park and 4 wader point) and Simon J had a Common Sandpiper at wader point. Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Thu Oct 19 10:55 AM, 2017
Only had a quick look this morning as I still feel rotten from a cold. Highlights include redwing, little grebe, pochard (f), wigeon, teal, and gadwall worth noting. Ta.
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 18 5:22 PM, 2017
A late Common Sandpiper present in the creek around 1pm, also the 9 Whooper Swans (1 juv) still present, bathing and showing well.
This am with Malcolm, 9 Whooper Swans on the Res with 7 species of Duck including 8 Wigeon, 18 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 3 Pochard and 17 Teal. 1Peregrine on pylon also 1 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. At the feeders 2 Siskin amongst the other birds and plenty of Redwins present in the hedgerows. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Tue Oct 17 3:37 PM, 2017
This am with Brian and Malcolm, 91 Cormorants(at least), usual Ducks from the last few days plus 4 Wigeon, 1 Buzzard also. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Oct 16 11:28 AM, 2017
08:00-11:10am With Malcolm and briefly with Ian & Brian.
3 Goldcrest along canal...
2 Redwing along canal...
2 Chiffchaff 1 along canal 1 near Feeders...
2 Bullfinch not ringed at feeders...
2 Coal Tit..
3 Herring Gulls...
6 Pochard...
5 Gadwall...
12 Teal...
1 Goosander on River...
2 Little Grebe...
Cheers Steven
Mike c cooper said
Sun Oct 15 9:51 PM, 2017
Also in car park area (ringing) 8:30-12:30
Tree sparrow at feeders first thing Grey wagtail at least 1 Bullfinch 1 ringed and male female on feeders Chiffchaff at lesat one over stream
Roger Halsey said
Sun Oct 15 7:46 PM, 2017
Highlights from a morning visit:
Sparrowhawk and Kestrel
10 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 7 Teal and 4 Goosander.
2 Little Grebe.
2 Kingfisher.
Good numbers of Cormorant- at least 68.
Water Rail calling from Old Hall Marsh.
3 Snipe and 4 Lapwing.
My first Redwing record this autumn.
Steven Higginbottom said
Sat Oct 14 11:36 AM, 2017
07:40-10:50am with Ian and Malcolm 49 species seen highlights. .
1 Little Egret possibly 2...
1 Tree Sparrow...
1 Swallow...
1 Chiffchaff...
1 Pink Footed Goose...
16 Redwing...
2 Little Grebe...
10 Shoveler...
9 Gadwall...
20+ Teal...
1 Kingfisher..
3 Pheasant...
4+ Meadow Pipit. ..
1 Sparrowhawk...
1 Kestrel possible 2...
Cheers Steven
Richard Thew said
Fri Oct 13 11:24 AM, 2017
At least still half a dozen redwings before the red bridge along the canal plus teal still on the flooded fields. Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Thu Oct 12 12:42 PM, 2017
Tree Sparrow at feeders again this morning. Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Thu Oct 12 10:57 AM, 2017
A passing visit with Wigeon, teal, gadwall, shoveler and pied and grey wagtails having a dispute together. Ta!
Simon Johnson said
Wed Oct 11 3:30 PM, 2017
Whilst Ian just sat in his car for an hour on the res - 8 Gadwall 20 Teal 5 Shoveler 2 Little Grebe Swallow 30 + Redwing over 74 Cormorant
And finally there is some mud!
Ian Campbell said
Wed Oct 11 2:54 PM, 2017
This am 8-9 just watching the feeders, in that time at least 70 Goldfinch and 50 Greenfinch were seen plus Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Great and Coal Tit, 1 Tree Sparrow but did not see yesterday's Brambling. Must give a big to Steven for his efforts setting the feeding station up and will give you some money for seed when I next see you. Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Wed Oct 11 10:58 AM, 2017
Redwings heard yesterday and seen today along the canal from between crowtrees farm area and the red bridge. Ta.
Steven Higginbottom said
Tue Oct 10 8:13 PM, 2017
Quick visit after work. 1 Tree Sparrow. 2 Coal Tit. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. 1 Jay. 1 Sparrowhawk constantly attempting to catch a meal at the feeders. 1 Common Buzzard.
Cheers steven
Simon Johnson said
Tue Oct 10 11:59 AM, 2017
further sightings included
16 Pink-footed Geese SE 4 Shelduck south 2 Little Grebe 3 Singing Chiffchaff
and an increase of Robin, Goldcrest and Blackbirds
Ian Campbell said
Tue Oct 10 11:12 AM, 2017
In addition to Simon's post 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Tree Sparrow at feeders along with Brambling at 10 am. Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Tue Oct 10 9:03 AM, 2017
Tree Sparrow still present at the feeding station with a smart male Brambling
Little Owl was calling from old hall at 6.45 ... good to know they are still here Tawny Owl calling from the Corun Stud area
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Oct 9 5:03 PM, 2017
Quick visit after work to check the feeders. 1 Tree Sparrow possibly more. Photo attached . 20+ Greenfinch. 60+ Goldfinch. 15+ Chaffinch. 2 Coal Tit. 7 Blue Tit. 5 Great Tit. 2 Magpie. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Photo attached.
An additional 4 teal found on the flooded fields next to the old bolton line junction from the tram line. Ta.
Ian Campbell said
Mon Oct 9 10:55 AM, 2017
This am with Brian and Malcolm, additional to Brian's post, 16 Pink-foot over N, 1 Swallow, 9 Goosander, 64 Cormorant, 11 Teal, 3 Gadwall,4 Shoveler and a site tick of Tree Sparrow at the feeders. Nearly forgot also had a Woodcock at 7.20 over car park . Cheers Ian
brian fielding said
Mon Oct 9 9:16 AM, 2017
77 wigeon on res this morning, large group flew off but still 19 remaining at 09.15, also 4 pintail and 1 common sandpiper
Simon Johnson said
Sun Oct 8 10:42 PM, 2017
Sightings from this morning
448 Pink-footed Geese w/NW in 8 skeins 46 Barnacle Geese .. single skein west 136 Swallow south in smallish groups and single bird by pump house Common Sandpiper 3 Shelduck on the res early before leaving to the south 5 Raven 324 Redwing SW 8 Siskin 6 Redpoll 3 Stock Dove west 2 Rook Chiffchaff singing 4 Skylark south
Roger Halsey said
Sun Oct 8 7:24 PM, 2017
During a 2 hour afternoon visit, highlights were:
11 Teal
5 Gadwall
6 Shoveler
123 Tufted Duck- almost entirely on Withins.
2 Little Grebe
4 Tree Sparrow on the feeders- my first record here.
Simon Johnson said
Sun Oct 8 12:09 PM, 2017
46 Barnacle Geese flew west 11.55 .. pink-footed geese also moving west ..
Ian Campbell said
Sat Oct 7 1:49 PM, 2017
8-9 am, additional to Simon's sightings, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin(flew past me at the pumphouse) and 60 Pink-footed Geese West at 8.45. Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Sat Oct 7 8:56 AM, 2017
15 Whooper Swan east over Whitefield at 8.34 180 Pink-footed Geese SE Swallow still around the pump house 2 Redwing - sailing club 3 Chiffchaff 2 Little Grebe 5 Shoveler 3 Gadwall 17 Teal 9 Wigeon south
Simon Johnson said
Fri Oct 6 7:22 PM, 2017
This morning with Ian C
Lots of Migration in the calm conditions
795 Pink-footed Geese in 12 skeins east/se some very high and 15 NW 1400 Woodpigeon south 34 Swallow south with a single still around the pump house 8 Raven (4 SW together, 2 hanging around and singles North & NW) 156 Meadow Pipit south with 60 in fields at Crow Tree farm and 20+ Old hall farm 37 Pied Wagtail south 9 Skylark west 11 Song Thrush east 12 Rook SW 8 Jay south 340 Lapwing south .. one flock of around 150 birds came over scout moor and went so high they were lost in the blue
Small numbers of Siskin, Linnet, Chaffinch and Goldfinch were also moving
Peter Johnson said
Fri Oct 6 5:52 PM, 2017
This afternoon -
5 Buzzard
Common Sandpiper
Mike Cooper said
Fri Oct 6 4:17 PM, 2017
Plus kingfisher
Bullfinch male and 2 females Siskin several heard flying over Lesser redpoll singles over
Steven Higginbottom said
Fri Oct 6 3:53 PM, 2017
13:45-15:40pm 1 Scaup record shots attached. 7 Teal. 6 Gadwall. 4 Little Grebe. 1 Herring Gull. 3 Common Gulls. 1 Swallow near pumphouse. 1 Chiffchaff. 1 Coal Tit. 1 Bullfinch. 6 Linnet. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
141 Pink-footed Geese west in 2 skeins Common Sandpiper 5 Gadwall 2 Pochard 2 Little Grebe 17 Lapwing SE Snipe Buzzard 17 Skykark over 10 Rook SW Treecreeper 10 Swallow including a bird that seems to be hanging around the pumphouse
Peter Johnson said
Wed Oct 4 4:26 PM, 2017
This afternoon -
Dipper again on the overflow, below Bennys. Good place to see them at the moment as the water level on the river is high.
Common Sandpiper.
6 Wigeon.
4 Gadwall.
2 Goosander.
And a Cormorant dead next to the tram track. I think it had flown into the overhead wires in the winds.
Simon Johnson said
Tue Oct 3 8:41 PM, 2017
Sightings from 11.15 to 13.30
8 Golden Plover flew West 2 Raven SW Buzzard 6 Swallow (5 south and a bird hanging around the pump house) House Martin 123 Tufted Duck withins 2 Pochard Withins 133 Meadow Pipit south 10 Teal old hall floods 61 Pink-footed Geese west (18,1 & 42)
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Tuesday 3rd of October 2017 08:42:42 PM
Steven Higginbottom said
Tue Oct 3 4:19 PM, 2017
15:00-16:10pm 2 Common Gulls. 1 Great Black backed Gull. 2nd Winter. 7 Teal. 1 Little Grebe. 1 Common Sandpiper ( photo attached ). 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Chiffchaff. 1 Coal tit. 69 Pink footed geese heading west @ 15:30.
This am with Brian, Ducks as yesterday plus 2 Goosander also 1 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 2 Linnet, 1 Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk. 18 Pink-footed Geese going W at 8.15. Cheers Ian
Peter Johnson said
Mon Oct 2 4:42 PM, 2017
8 Goosander on the river, Kingfisher and Dipper on the overflow below Bennys and a single exhausted Swallow being buffeted by the wind landed on the ramp below the pump house for a few minutes before taking off again.
Ian Campbell said
Mon Oct 2 10:50 AM, 2017
This am with Brian, 2 Swallow, 1 male Wheater, 1 Buzzard, 4 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 2 Pochard and at least 45 Cormorant. Cheers Ian
Merlin having an Ariel battle with a sparrowhawk over old hall 15 Pink-footed Geese se @ 8.32 Common Sandpiper flew south over capsticks Redwing 9 Buzzard 14 Siskin 15 Goosander south
Several hundred Meadow Pipits and Swallow moving through with smaller numbers of pied wagtails, Chaffinch, Goldfinch etc
4 Hawfinch flew south directly over head at 9.40 in a flock of Redwing (between wader point & the creek)
2 Brambling south
1100+ Redwing S/SW moving low in the wind and some flocks whizzed past head height
30 Fieldfare south
200+ Starling west
Stock Dove SE
5 Goodander south
Smaller numbers of Siskin, Redpoll, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch moving
On the res itself
Female Scaup with the Tufted Duck
12 Shoveler
14 Gadwall
31 Teal
2 Little Grebe
Common Sand
5 Snipe
30 Lapwing
70 Cormorant
Yesterday the poor thing was being attacked by a gang of snipe..
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Tree sparrow at feeders first thing
Grey wagtail at least 1
Bullfinch 1 ringed and male female on feeders
Chiffchaff at lesat one over stream
Highlights from a morning visit:
Sparrowhawk and Kestrel
10 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 7 Teal and 4 Goosander.
2 Little Grebe.
2 Kingfisher.
Good numbers of Cormorant- at least 68.
Water Rail calling from Old Hall Marsh.
3 Snipe and 4 Lapwing.
My first Redwing record this autumn.
Cheers Ian
8 Gadwall
20 Teal
5 Shoveler
2 Little Grebe
Swallow
30 + Redwing over
74 Cormorant
And finally there is some mud!
Cheers Ian
1 Tree Sparrow.
2 Coal Tit.
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
1 Jay.
1 Sparrowhawk constantly attempting to catch a meal at the feeders.
1 Common Buzzard.
Cheers steven
16 Pink-footed Geese SE
4 Shelduck south
2 Little Grebe
3 Singing Chiffchaff
and an increase of Robin, Goldcrest and Blackbirds
Cheers Ian
Swallow - pumphouse
74 Cormorant
7 Wigeon
7 Gadwall
13 Teal
5 Shoveler
Little Owl was calling from old hall at 6.45 ... good to know they are still here
Tawny Owl calling from the Corun Stud area
1 Tree Sparrow possibly more. Photo attached .
20+ Greenfinch.
60+ Goldfinch.
15+ Chaffinch.
2 Coal Tit.
7 Blue Tit.
5 Great Tit.
2 Magpie.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Photo attached.
Cheers Steven.
Cheers Ian
77 wigeon on res this morning, large group flew off but still 19 remaining at 09.15, also 4 pintail and 1 common sandpiper
448 Pink-footed Geese w/NW in 8 skeins
46 Barnacle Geese .. single skein west
136 Swallow south in smallish groups and single bird by pump house
Common Sandpiper
3 Shelduck on the res early before leaving to the south
5 Raven
324 Redwing SW
8 Siskin
6 Redpoll
3 Stock Dove west
2 Rook
Chiffchaff singing
4 Skylark south
During a 2 hour afternoon visit, highlights were:
11 Teal
5 Gadwall
6 Shoveler
123 Tufted Duck- almost entirely on Withins.
2 Little Grebe
4 Tree Sparrow on the feeders- my first record here.
46 Barnacle Geese flew west 11.55 .. pink-footed geese also moving west ..
Cheers Ian
180 Pink-footed Geese SE
Swallow still around the pump house
2 Redwing - sailing club
3 Chiffchaff
2 Little Grebe
5 Shoveler
3 Gadwall
17 Teal
9 Wigeon south
Lots of Migration in the calm conditions
795 Pink-footed Geese in 12 skeins east/se some very high and 15 NW
1400 Woodpigeon south
34 Swallow south with a single still around the pump house
8 Raven (4 SW together, 2 hanging around and singles North & NW)
156 Meadow Pipit south with 60 in fields at Crow Tree farm and 20+ Old hall farm
37 Pied Wagtail south
9 Skylark west
11 Song Thrush east
12 Rook SW
8 Jay south
340 Lapwing south .. one flock of around 150 birds came over scout moor and went so high they were lost in the blue
Small numbers of Siskin, Linnet, Chaffinch and Goldfinch were also moving
This afternoon -
5 Buzzard
Common Sandpiper
Bullfinch male and 2 females
Siskin several heard flying over
Lesser redpoll singles over
1 Scaup record shots attached.
7 Teal.
6 Gadwall.
4 Little Grebe.
1 Herring Gull.
3 Common Gulls.
1 Swallow near pumphouse.
1 Chiffchaff.
1 Coal Tit.
1 Bullfinch.
6 Linnet.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Cheers Steven
Cheers Steven.
This afternoon -
2 Stonechat along the canal
Dipper
Kingfisher
141 Pink-footed Geese west in 2 skeins
Common Sandpiper
5 Gadwall
2 Pochard
2 Little Grebe
17 Lapwing SE
Snipe
Buzzard
17 Skykark over
10 Rook SW
Treecreeper
10 Swallow including a bird that seems to be hanging around the pumphouse
This afternoon -
Dipper again on the overflow, below Bennys. Good place to see them at the moment as the water level on the river is high.
Common Sandpiper.
6 Wigeon.
4 Gadwall.
2 Goosander.
And a Cormorant dead next to the tram track. I think it had flown into the overhead wires in the winds.
8 Golden Plover flew West
2 Raven SW
Buzzard
6 Swallow (5 south and a bird hanging around the pump house)
House Martin
123 Tufted Duck withins
2 Pochard Withins
133 Meadow Pipit south
10 Teal old hall floods
61 Pink-footed Geese west (18,1 & 42)
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Tuesday 3rd of October 2017 08:42:42 PM
2 Common Gulls.
1 Great Black backed Gull. 2nd Winter.
7 Teal.
1 Little Grebe.
1 Common Sandpiper ( photo attached ).
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Chiffchaff.
1 Coal tit.
69 Pink footed geese heading west @ 15:30.
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
8 Goosander on the river, Kingfisher and Dipper on the overflow below Bennys and a single exhausted Swallow being buffeted by the wind landed on the ramp below the pump house for a few minutes before taking off again.
Cheers Ian
4 Shoveler
2 Little Grebe
3 Swallow
52 Cormorant
28 Snipe
160 Lapwing
287 Meadow Pipit south
Redwing
35 Siskin south
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Thursday 28th of September 2017 02:38:55 PM
Merlin having an Ariel battle with a sparrowhawk over old hall
15 Pink-footed Geese se @ 8.32
Common Sandpiper flew south over capsticks
Redwing
9 Buzzard
14 Siskin
15 Goosander south
Several hundred Meadow Pipits and Swallow moving through with smaller numbers of pied wagtails, Chaffinch, Goldfinch etc