Pennington Flash this morning, 7am - 10.30am. Two Ravens flew west over the Ruck calling at about 9.30 and were later seen feeding on a dead rabbit at the junction of Byrom lane and Mossley Hall farm lane. A full circuit of the flash produced at least six singing chiffchaffs and three singing Cetti's warblers (Ramsdales, western end, Sorrowcow pond). Four redshank and a female wigeon were on the Spit and the long-tailed duck was still out in the middle. Skylarks singing on the Ruck.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 13 8:57 AM, 2017
Drake Common Scoter out in the middle of the flash.
Info thanks to Shaun Murphy
colin davies said
Sun Mar 12 8:37 PM, 2017
From Green Lane at dusk, 2nd winter yellow-legged gull again in the roost but no Mediterranean gulls and very few large gulls. 500 Jackdaws still roosting at Sorrowcow farm and Cetti's warbler singing at Sorrowcow pond. Six wigeon and the long-tailed duck out in the middle of the flash.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Mar 12 11:34 AM, 2017
Wigeon- 57 (high number for the flash moved off west when the boats came on)5 later on in Ramsdales which could have been additional to the main flock.
Long Tailed Duck- 1 imm Male
Treecreeper-1
Chiffchaff-1 nice to have one of these singing this morning.
Redshank-2
Oystercatcher-7
Goldeneye-38
Great Crested Grebe-21
Cormorant -18
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 12th of March 2017 07:11:30 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Mar 12 10:59 AM, 2017
51 Wigeon present in the middle of the flash at 10:55am today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Rob Creek said
Sun Mar 12 1:15 AM, 2017
Late visit after work today, nice to bump into Colin Davies.
- 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (distant infront of sailing club) - 1 ad Mediterranean Gull (appeared later near sailing club) - 1 Long-tailed Duck (immature drake distant infront of car park)
Plenty of other birds incl... - 4 ad Great Black-backed Gull - 2 ad Common Gull - 10+ Goldeneye
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Mar 11 6:53 PM, 2017
AM
Long Tailed Duck -1 Imm Male
Redshank-2
Oystercatcher-5
cetti's Warbler-2
No yellow legged gull up to 1pm today -so seems to go else ware in the mornings :)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 4th of March 2017 08:32:57 PM
colin davies said
Sat Mar 11 6:15 PM, 2017
Just a quick visit to the flash just before dusk, the 2nd winter yellow-legged gull was again around the car park and coming to bread. It seems to spend most of the afternoon at the flash these days. I didn't have a really good look at the roost so probably missed birds, but I didn't see any Mediterranean gulls today. There was what I assume was a melanistic black-headed gull, it certainly didn't look oiled but hard to tell in that light and at a distance.
-- Edited by colin davies on Sunday 12th of March 2017 08:38:16 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Mar 11 8:12 AM, 2017
First Sand Martin of the year today at 08:10.
Also 2 Redshank present.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Mar 10 2:40 PM, 2017
2nd winter yellow legged gull looking stunning in the grey light by the spit at the moment and long tailed duck in centre of flash
colin davies said
Thu Mar 9 7:29 PM, 2017
The gull roost at Pennington Flash is starting to fade away now, certainly for the big gulls of which there were very few today, probably less than 50. The 2nd winter yellow-legged gull was around for most of the afternoon and roosted. Three stunning, adult Mediterranean gulls roosted, the usual pair plus a new bird (for me at least). No sign of the Iceland gull this evening. Also no sign of the long-tailed duck all afternoon for me. 30 goldeneye were in Ramsdales.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 8 2:48 PM, 2017
Early afternoon today:
The first winter drake Long-tailed Duck was showing very well with Goldeneye in Rammies.
The usual second winter Yellow-legged Gull (now with yellow coming though on the base of the bill) was around the spit and eventually flew off west.
Seven Buzzard were soaring around the area.
Great to watch a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls in prolonged display on the spit, getting very territorial towards others gulls and even building a rudimentary nest! Spring is well and truly in the air.
2nd winter Yellow-legged and juvenile Iceland Gull, plus 2 breeding plumaged adult Mediterranean Gulls in the roost. Also a pair of Wigeon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
colin davies said
Tue Mar 7 9:05 PM, 2017
The 2nd winter yellow-legged gull with the black bill was hanging around the car park area again this afternoon and probably coming to bread, though I was on the far side of the Flash so not very close. It roosted again this evening and the pair of Mediterranean gulls came in again. No sign of the Iceland gull when I left at 6:00pm. Also this evening the long-tailed duck again.
10 Redpoll feeding voraciously on a very productive Alder tree near the old Lapwing Hide (now a viewing screen past Bunting Hide) 6 Common Snipe in the remnants of the rushes just below Tom Edmundson Hide Cetti's calling near Ramsdale's Unusually, a female Goldeneye in the shallow lagoon in front of Ramsdale's Hide
Ramsdale's Ruck had at least 2 singing Skylarks
colin moran said
Tue Mar 7 5:43 PM, 2017
2nd winter yellow-legged gull on various buoys 15.30 to 16.00
colin davies said
Mon Mar 6 8:00 PM, 2017
In the gull roost tonight at Pennington Flash, the juvenile Iceland gull again and two stunning adult Mediterranean gulls. Full black hoods with not a speck of white. They looked to be a pair. Also this evening the long-tailed duck still, 5 scaup and hundreds of jackdaws into the roost. At least 500 birds I would say, probably a lot more.
steven burke said
Mon Mar 6 3:19 PM, 2017
post for yesterday evening 5th.
2nd winter yellow-legged gull & juvenile Iceland gull in the roost long-tailed duck 5 scaup 21 goosander 5 oystercatcher
Pink Footed Goose-1 on boat club with canada geese
Nothing of note in the Gull Roost that I could see ,but they all were as far away as they could possibly be and the visibility was awful.The Roost contained very few Large Gulls ,but plenty of Black Headed
colin davies said
Fri Mar 3 1:52 PM, 2017
I had a walk around the flash before the rain this morning and saw or heard the following:
Pink-footed goose 1 in front of Ramsdales Scaup 5 Oystercatcher 5 near the yacht club Cetti's warbler at least 2 singing
Male Stonechat seen in trees at brow of hill on Byrom Lane near gated entrance to Mossley Hall farm - 16.10.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Mar 2 1:54 PM, 2017
Some highlights from today:
5 Scaup 1W drake Long-tailed Duck 3 Cetti's Warblers Male Stonechat alongside the horse paddocks by the railway embankment by Mossley Hall Farm (so presumably a pair about) 2 Shelduck
colin davies said
Wed Mar 1 7:44 PM, 2017
2nd winter yellow-legged gull in the roost this evening was the only gull of note that I saw. Also on the flash, 1st winter male long-tailed duck, 5 scaup and 15 oystercatchers.
My first visit this morning. Pretty poor visibility but highlights included:
20+ goosander
5 scaup
Male long-tailed duck
2W/3CY yellow-legged gull
A lot of goldeneye and tufted duck on the water and the view from the Horrocks Hide included gadwall, teal, oystercatcher, lapwing and cormorants.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Feb 27 11:32 AM, 2017
This morning so far:
42 Goosander 4 Curlew over NW
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Feb 26 4:00 PM, 2017
Bit of a dour mooch on the flash today with Karl Bishop but in the end we saw a few bird and a few signs of spring movement of waders ,heres what we saw ...
Long tailed Duck -1
Scaup- 5
Oystercatcher- 4 well down on the last few days ,but they have been roosting on the boat clubs,but they have been busy this weekend
Common Buzzard-2
Cetti's Warbler- 1
Curlew- 3 flying South picture of one of them below
A mooch around the south and west sides this am. Highlights being, 3 Curlew circled spit and drifted off west calling, female Stonechat on embankment between flash and Slag lane seen from near stables. 5 Scaup in East bay, several Oystercatcher on spit and 2 near sailing club, at least 8 Bullfinch very vocal in trees around paddocks and a few Siskin flying over.
Zoe Barrett said
Sat Feb 25 8:00 PM, 2017
Good days birding despite the weather and canoeists with Steve Atkins and Russ Clarke:
1 Long-tailed duck male first winter (main flash) 1 Curlew flew NE 1 Iceland gull (juvenile) in roost 2 Mediterranean gulls (adult breeding) in roost 2 Cetti's warbler heard (Ramsdales) 5 Scaup (imm\fems) Ramsdales 1 Little egret (Tom Edmondson) 13 Oystercatchers on spit 24 Goldeneye 15 Goosander 1 Water rail heard at Ramsdales
The only other birds of note this afternoon were 29 Oystercatchers on the small patch of grass in front of the sailing club.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Feb 23 2:07 PM, 2017
Access road to the main car park is closed today as is the small car park just as you turn in off St. Helens Road; due to either fallen trees or the likelihood of.
The view across the flash is impressive though with wind gusts forcing huge amounts of spray sweeping across as the water. Most Black-headed Gulls appear to have not bothered leaving the roost this morning (sensible!) and large numbers are using Ramsdales for some shelter and the now very good looking first winter drake Long-tailed Duck was showing very well, close to the shore off Sorrowcow Farm at 14:10
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 22 7:42 PM, 2017
The second winter Yellow-legged Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull roosted this evening.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
colin davies said
Wed Feb 22 7:08 PM, 2017
Second winter yellow-legged gull stilll around car park and spit until I left at 17:15. Also today adult Mediterranean gull in the roost but I didn't stay to the end so don't know if the juvenile Iceland gull came in again. However what was probably the Pennington bird was on Lyme Pit tip, Haydock today, so likely still around.
-- Edited by colin davies on Wednesday 22nd of February 2017 07:08:33 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 22 2:16 PM, 2017
Second winter Yellow-legged Gull showing really well off the car park at 2pm; fighting for scraps with the other gulls!
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 22 9:55 AM, 2017
Juvenile Iceland Gull on the spit just after 8am this morning.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Feb 21 11:12 PM, 2017
Juvenile Iceland Gull roosted again tonight.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Feb 20 3:23 PM, 2017
Highlights from this morning were:
1 Curlew 9 Oystercatcher 5 Scaup still 2 Little Egret
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Feb 19 9:58 PM, 2017
Single juvenile Iceland and adult Mediterranean Gulls were present in the gull roost this late afternoon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Feb 19 3:02 PM, 2017
AM/PM 19.02.2017
Curlew - 1 landed just off the spit, so was nice to see on the ground at the flash,which is not annual for me landed.
Long Tailed Duck-1
Oystercatcher- 14
Scaup - 5 were back in rammies today
Common Snipe-15
Goldeneye-51
Little Egret-2
Cettie's Warbler-2
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 20th of February 2017 08:50:50 AM
Another crackin spring like day at the flash today 7 Hours Patchin' what more could a man want right up to dark :) I had a really relaxing time ,and finished off doing the Roost with Pete Berry and Phil Rhodes anyway what did I see ...
Long Tailed Duck - 1 x 1st Winter
Iceland Gull- 1 Juv in Roost came in about 5.15 as usual ,just before dark.
Mediterranean gull - 1 Adult with 3/4 hood new bird ,and different from the others ive seen recently
Cetti's Warbler - 3
Shelduck -3
Water rail - 5
Goldeneye-52
Goosander-28
Common Snipe-7
Oystercatcher-16
Lapwing -150
Yellow Legged Gull- A second winter bird that ive been watching for weeks and never had a good shot of until yesterday was present again today ,unfortunately the good shots I had of it yesterday ,I lost when I formatted my card by mistake.
Looks like the Scaup have moved on .
Pictures me at the start of the Gull Roost and I had just picked up the Med Gull record shot here.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 19th of February 2017 08:48:29 AM
Not been to my old stomping ground for a while and really enjoyed it. Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and Brambling were a highlight at Bunting hide alongside Goosander, Oystercatcher and Stock Dove.
Does anyone know which is the best hide to see a Snipe? I've never seen one and I was hoping to get a glimpse after visiting each hide but was unlucky this time.
Thanks
Mark
more often than not Mark when i have seen snipe at Pennington it has been from Horrocks hide, but they can often be seen from Ramsdales as well, i have also seen them from the Teal hide.
Mark Bellew said
Sat Feb 18 3:58 PM, 2017
Not been to my old stomping ground for a while and really enjoyed it. Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and Brambling were a highlight at Bunting hide alongside Goosander, Oystercatcher and Stock Dove.
Does anyone know which is the best hide to see a Snipe? I've never seen one and I was hoping to get a glimpse after visiting each hide but was unlucky this time.
Thanks
Mark
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Feb 17 7:16 PM, 2017
pm to dark
Long tailed duck- 1
Oystercatcher- 16 (goodly number) 8 on the shore at boat clubs and 8 on spit Common Buzzard-2 Iceland Gull - 1 Juvenile Mediterranean gull - 1 Adult Cetti's Warbler-1 Jackdaw -c800 went to roost Goosander-35 Goldeneye-32 Pochard-2
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 18th of February 2017 06:58:28 AM
colin davies said
Wed Feb 15 8:35 PM, 2017
Adult Iceland gull and adult Mediterranean gull in the roost this evening, but no sign of juvenile Iceland or juvenile glaucous gulls. This is probably the Iceland gull that has been in Haydock and Newton-le-Willows today, so there is a good chance that the juvenile glaucous could return as well, since it has spent the day with the adult Iceland.
Info thanks to Neil Gordon.
-- Edited by colin davies on Wednesday 15th of February 2017 08:47:20 PM
Pennington Flash this morning, 7am - 10.30am. Two Ravens flew west over the Ruck calling at about 9.30 and were later seen feeding on a dead rabbit at the junction of Byrom lane and Mossley Hall farm lane. A full circuit of the flash produced at least six singing chiffchaffs and three singing Cetti's warblers (Ramsdales, western end, Sorrowcow pond). Four redshank and a female wigeon were on the Spit and the long-tailed duck was still out in the middle. Skylarks singing on the Ruck.
Drake Common Scoter out in the middle of the flash.
Info thanks to Shaun Murphy
From Green Lane at dusk, 2nd winter yellow-legged gull again in the roost but no Mediterranean gulls and very few large gulls. 500 Jackdaws still roosting at Sorrowcow farm and Cetti's warbler singing at Sorrowcow pond. Six wigeon and the long-tailed duck out in the middle of the flash.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 12th of March 2017 07:11:30 PM
51 Wigeon present in the middle of the flash at 10:55am today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
- 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (distant infront of sailing club)
- 1 ad Mediterranean Gull (appeared later near sailing club)
- 1 Long-tailed Duck (immature drake distant infront of car park)
Plenty of other birds incl...
- 4 ad Great Black-backed Gull
- 2 ad Common Gull
- 10+ Goldeneye
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 4th of March 2017 08:32:57 PM
Just a quick visit to the flash just before dusk, the 2nd winter yellow-legged gull was again around the car park and coming to bread. It seems to spend most of the afternoon at the flash these days. I didn't have a really good look at the roost so probably missed birds, but I didn't see any Mediterranean gulls today. There was what I assume was a melanistic black-headed gull, it certainly didn't look oiled but hard to tell in that light and at a distance.
-- Edited by colin davies on Sunday 12th of March 2017 08:38:16 AM
Also 2 Redshank present.
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
The gull roost at Pennington Flash is starting to fade away now, certainly for the big gulls of which there were very few today, probably less than 50. The 2nd winter yellow-legged gull was around for most of the afternoon and roosted. Three stunning, adult Mediterranean gulls roosted, the usual pair plus a new bird (for me at least). No sign of the Iceland gull this evening. Also no sign of the long-tailed duck all afternoon for me. 30 goldeneye were in Ramsdales.
The first winter drake Long-tailed Duck was showing very well with Goldeneye in Rammies.
The usual second winter Yellow-legged Gull (now with yellow coming though on the base of the bill) was around the spit and eventually flew off west.
Seven Buzzard were soaring around the area.
Great to watch a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls in prolonged display on the spit, getting very territorial towards others gulls and even building a rudimentary nest! Spring is well and truly in the air.
2 Redshank
5 Oystercatcher
18 Goldeneye
8 Little Grebe
5 Skylark
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
2nd winter Yellow-legged and juvenile Iceland Gull, plus 2 breeding plumaged adult Mediterranean Gulls in the roost.
Also a pair of Wigeon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
The 2nd winter yellow-legged gull with the black bill was hanging around the car park area again this afternoon and probably coming to bread, though I was on the far side of the Flash so not very close. It roosted again this evening and the pair of Mediterranean gulls came in again. No sign of the Iceland gull when I left at 6:00pm. Also this evening the long-tailed duck again.
10 Redpoll feeding voraciously on a very productive Alder tree near the old Lapwing Hide (now a viewing screen past Bunting Hide)
6 Common Snipe in the remnants of the rushes just below Tom Edmundson Hide
Cetti's calling near Ramsdale's
Unusually, a female Goldeneye in the shallow lagoon in front of Ramsdale's Hide
Ramsdale's Ruck had at least 2 singing Skylarks
2nd winter yellow-legged gull on various buoys 15.30 to 16.00
In the gull roost tonight at Pennington Flash, the juvenile Iceland gull again and two stunning adult Mediterranean gulls. Full black hoods with not a speck of white. They looked to be a pair. Also this evening the long-tailed duck still, 5 scaup and hundreds of jackdaws into the roost. At least 500 birds I would say, probably a lot more.
2nd winter yellow-legged gull & juvenile Iceland gull in the roost
long-tailed duck
5 scaup
21 goosander
5 oystercatcher
11.00- 4.45
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 4th of March 2017 08:32:57 PM
I had a walk around the flash before the rain this morning and saw or heard the following:
Pink-footed goose 1 in front of Ramsdales
Scaup 5
Oystercatcher 5 near the yacht club
Cetti's warbler at least 2 singing
No sign of the long-tailed duck for me today.
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Male Stonechat seen in trees at brow of hill on Byrom Lane near gated entrance to Mossley Hall farm - 16.10.
5 Scaup
1W drake Long-tailed Duck
3 Cetti's Warblers
Male Stonechat alongside the horse paddocks by the railway embankment by Mossley Hall Farm (so presumably a pair about)
2 Shelduck
2nd winter yellow-legged gull in the roost this evening was the only gull of note that I saw. Also on the flash, 1st winter male long-tailed duck, 5 scaup and 15 oystercatchers.
My first visit this morning. Pretty poor visibility but highlights included:
A lot of goldeneye and tufted duck on the water and the view from the Horrocks Hide included gadwall, teal, oystercatcher, lapwing and cormorants.
42 Goosander
4 Curlew over NW
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
A mooch around the south and west sides this am. Highlights being, 3 Curlew circled spit and drifted off west calling, female Stonechat on embankment between flash and Slag lane seen from near stables. 5 Scaup in East bay, several Oystercatcher on spit and 2 near sailing club, at least 8 Bullfinch very vocal in trees around paddocks and a few Siskin flying over.
1 Long-tailed duck male first winter (main flash)
1 Curlew flew NE
1 Iceland gull (juvenile) in roost
2 Mediterranean gulls (adult breeding) in roost
2 Cetti's warbler heard (Ramsdales)
5 Scaup (imm\fems) Ramsdales
1 Little egret (Tom Edmondson)
13 Oystercatchers on spit
24 Goldeneye
15 Goosander
1 Water rail heard at Ramsdales
Plus usuals
46 Goosander
22 Goldeneye
2 Shelduck
5 Skylark
Long-tailed Duck
5 Scaup
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
The view across the flash is impressive though with wind gusts forcing huge amounts of spray sweeping across as the water. Most Black-headed Gulls appear to have not bothered leaving the roost this morning (sensible!) and large numbers are using Ramsdales for some shelter and the now very good looking first winter drake Long-tailed Duck was showing very well, close to the shore off Sorrowcow Farm at 14:10
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Second winter yellow-legged gull stilll around car park and spit until I left at 17:15. Also today adult Mediterranean gull in the roost but I didn't stay to the end so don't know if the juvenile Iceland gull came in again. However what was probably the Pennington bird was on Lyme Pit tip, Haydock today, so likely still around.
-- Edited by colin davies on Wednesday 22nd of February 2017 07:08:33 PM
Info thanks to Bill Harrison
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
1 Curlew
9 Oystercatcher
5 Scaup still
2 Little Egret
Info thanks to Barry Hulme
Single juvenile Iceland and adult Mediterranean Gulls were present in the gull roost this late afternoon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
AM/PM 19.02.2017
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 20th of February 2017 08:50:50 AM
Pennington Flash -18.02.2017
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 19th of February 2017 08:48:29 AM
more often than not Mark when i have seen snipe at Pennington it has been from Horrocks hide, but they can often be seen from Ramsdales as well, i have also seen them from the Teal hide.
Not been to my old stomping ground for a while and really enjoyed it. Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and Brambling were a highlight at Bunting hide alongside Goosander, Oystercatcher and Stock Dove.
Does anyone know which is the best hide to see a Snipe? I've never seen one and I was hoping to get a glimpse after visiting each hide but was unlucky this time.
Thanks
Mark
pm to dark
Long tailed duck- 1
Oystercatcher- 16 (goodly number) 8 on the shore at boat clubs and 8 on spit
Common Buzzard-2
Iceland Gull - 1 Juvenile
Mediterranean gull - 1 Adult
Cetti's Warbler-1
Jackdaw -c800 went to roost
Goosander-35
Goldeneye-32
Pochard-2
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 18th of February 2017 06:58:28 AM
Adult Iceland gull and adult Mediterranean gull in the roost this evening, but no sign of juvenile Iceland or juvenile glaucous gulls. This is probably the Iceland gull that has been in Haydock and Newton-le-Willows today, so there is a good chance that the juvenile glaucous could return as well, since it has spent the day with the adult Iceland.
Info thanks to Neil Gordon.
-- Edited by colin davies on Wednesday 15th of February 2017 08:47:20 PM