A partly flooded field next to the canal tow path had surprisingly lots of gulls (possibly together about 100) all the regulars were there at 2:10pm with common, black headed, herring, great black backed gull (1x female), and several lesser black backed gulls. Ta!
Steven Higginbottom said
Thu Feb 2 11:20 AM, 2017
08:35-10:15am with Ian Campbell 1 Scaup f 24 Tufted Ducks 1 GoldenEye f 8 Pochard 6m 2f 2 Stock dove 2 Bulfinch Withins 2 Goosander 1 Barnacle Goose 2 Greylag geese flew into left field behind withins 6 Teal
Cheers Steven
Richard Thew said
Wed Feb 1 6:20 PM, 2017
This morning to note; 50% more gulls on the main part this morning with herring, black headed and common gulls with at least one lesser black backed gull. A few Teal and gadwall were near to wader point and 3 separate water rails called from old Hall Marsh and another was right next to the canal tow path and was seen very close briefly. Thanks....
Mike Cooper said
Wed Feb 1 3:46 PM, 2017
Wed 1/2 9:00-13:00 when wind got up
At feeders 2M2f Bullfinches
Fem Sparrowhawk stooped over top of trees with feeders with resulting mayhem for birds
G Bb gull 1ad on buoy
Roger Halsey said
Tue Jan 31 1:06 PM, 2017
Also 1 Goldeneye on the reservoir, a second Goosander on the river and 2 Kingfisher, 1 on Withins and one on the river.
Ian Campbell said
Tue Jan 31 10:51 AM, 2017
Scaup(f) and 7 Pochard(5m,2f), 1 Goosander this a.m. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 10:51:55 AM
bernard hooley said
Mon Jan 30 5:41 PM, 2017
on the feeders collared dove 2 wood pigeon 2 bullfinch{I'm-if) goldfinch 30+ greenfinch 4 blackbird 3 blue tit 6 great tit 4 long tailed tit 5 chaffinch 1 magpie 2 coal tit 3 on and around the reservoir mallard 12 black headed gull 40+ Canada goose 30+ cormorant 6 herring gull 4 grey heron 1 lesser black backed gull 3 goosander (black head) carrion crow 4 great crested grebe 8 tufted duck 16 scaup (f) 1 raven 1 pochard 4 little egret 2 in the field below the pumphouse
Ian Campbell said
Mon Jan 30 10:48 AM, 2017
This a.m. Little Egret again below pumphouse, on res. 5 Pochard(m) and 1 Scaup(f) amongst small number of Tufted at Capsticks end, also 1 Teal. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Jan 29 2:15 PM, 2017
08:00-10:45am with Ian C 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Kestrel 1 Meadow Pipit 2 Bulfinch 1 Scaup Female 5 Shoveler 8 Pochard 7 male 1 female 2 Teal 3 male 1 female 2 Goldeneye 1 male 1 female 2 Pink footed Geese in field near Capsticks marsh 1 Lttle Egret Elton Goyt Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush and Redwings in fields near Crow Trees
A good half-gander round with 2 goosanders, 7 pochard (6 drake and 1 female), 5 teal, a dozen great crested grebes, meadow pipits, kestrel, 3 snipe, 1 lesser black backed gull, common and black headed gulls along with the other usuals bits and pieces. Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Sat Jan 28 10:27 AM, 2017
This a.m. 2 Little Egrets below pumphouse, on res. 4 Goosander and 4 Pochard. Cheers Ian
dave broome said
Fri Jan 27 12:02 PM, 2017
Bittern still present 11:30, then about 11:50 it was high over reservoir and dropped in to Elton Goyt area
Ian Campbell said
Fri Jan 27 12:01 PM, 2017
Bittern just flown into canal/elton goyt area, info from Dave Broome. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Fri Jan 27 11:01 AM, 2017
As well as the Bittern, 3 Pochard, 6 Goosander and a Goldeneye were present. Cheers Ian
Paul Wilson said
Fri Jan 27 9:26 AM, 2017
Bittern near Wader Point. Still present at 9.22 am. Info Ian Campbell
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Friday 27th of January 2017 09:26:46 AM
Ian Campbell said
Wed Jan 25 11:20 AM, 2017
This a.m. female Scaup still present, also 10 Shoveler, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Pochard and a Peregrine. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Jan 22 11:18 AM, 2017
08;00-10:45am With Ian C 1 Shoveler Drake 2 Pochard drakes 1 Scaup Female Photos attached from 20th of Female Scaup. 11 Teal Withins 2 on Elton 2 Snipe 3 Kestrels 2 Male 1 Female 1 Sparrowhawk Female Elton Goyt 19 Mistle Thrush 6 Fieldfare 1 Song Thrush 6 Redwing 5 old hall farm 1 Crow Trees 1 Little Egret flew from below pump house to Elton Goyt 2 Willow Tit feeders 1 Bulfinch feeders
A treecreeper was feeding in the large solitary tree at the sailing club gates this afternoon 15:45
-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Friday 20th of January 2017 07:53:45 PM
Ian Campbell said
Fri Jan 20 11:06 AM, 2017
This a.m. partly with Simon J, Female Scaup on Elton with a male now on Withins also, 8 Shoveler and 2 Goldeneye and a Kingfisher also at Elton with a Redshank over and 12 Goosander seen. 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and Willow Tit at feeders. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 20th of January 2017 11:08:10 AM
Steven Higginbottom said
Thu Jan 19 10:35 AM, 2017
08:30-10:30am with Ian C 1 Peregrine falcon 1 Kestrel 3 Pochard 1 Scaup 1st Winter female 4 Shoveler 4 Goosander 50+ Pink footed geese over heading west @ 09:05am 1 Kingfisher on Withins 1 Pheasant 9 Common Gulls 1 Meadow Pipit
Cheers Steven
Steven Higginbottom said
Tue Jan 17 11:18 AM, 2017
08:30-10:45am With Ian & Malcolm highlights 4 Shelduck 10 Wigeon 9+ Shoveler 3 GoldenEye 4 Teal on Withins 2 Pochard 3 Goosander 2 on Withins 1 on Elton 2 Snipe 1 Goldcrest 2 Mistle Thrush 1 Willow Tit Feeders 4 Bulfinch Water Rail heard in Old hall farm marsh Elton goyt
1 Escaped cockatiel at Crow trees farm.
Cheers Steven
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Jan 16 11:08 AM, 2017
08:30-10:40am of note 1 Little egret favering out flow below pumphouse and field on otherside of track when desturbed 9 Shoveler. 4 Female 5 Male 6 GoldenEye 3 Female 3 Male 2 Teal in flooded field next to canal 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard 3 Bulfinch 2 Goldcrest
Cheers Steven
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 14 5:06 PM, 2017
just after midday today the Little Egret was below the pump house on the old football pitch.
Info thanks to Peter Johnson
Ian Campbell said
Sat Jan 14 3:19 PM, 2017
This a.m. with Malcolm, 1 Little Egret first in outlet from res then into Old Hall Marsh, between 35-40 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 15 Teal, 2 Barnacle Geese and 1 Pink-footed amongst 100's of Canada Geese. Probable female Merlin, very brief view as it flashed by below pumphouse. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Saturday 14th of January 2017 03:20:31 PM
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Saturday 14th of January 2017 03:20:58 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 14th of January 2017 05:05:41 PM
Richard Thew said
Fri Jan 13 5:56 PM, 2017
Generally, unusually quiet in the area for January early this morning, but it was nice to see a water Rail along the canal in full view near Old Hall Marsh.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jan 12 2:17 PM, 2017
A Little Egret flew from the river at 2pm today and landed in the stream at Old Hall Farm.
Info thanks to Peter Johnson
Ian Campbell said
Thu Jan 12 10:55 AM, 2017
This a.m. in poor conditions 2 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Wigeon amongst the Canadas off wader point. At the feeding station 1 Willow Tit and 2 attempts from a male Sparrowhawk to catch it's breakfast(both failed). Cheers Ian
Mike Cooper said
Wed Jan 11 7:55 PM, 2017
Tues 10/1/17 morning 9:30-11:45 windy strong W sunny spells
Shoveler c. 35 (less than half males) Goldeneye MF Goosander MF Teal MM
Feeding station Bullfinch MF Reed Bunting at least 1F G S Woodpecker 1 on feeders and 1 on top of birch tree in distance
Roger Halsey said
Sat Jan 7 12:43 PM, 2017
Dipper on the stream below Withins this morning. Couldn't see much on the reservoir because of the murk, but 3 Pochard just visible. Reed Bunting on the feeders.
Peter Johnson said
Fri Jan 6 2:21 PM, 2017
Little Egret on island up river from bridge at Benny's at 14:15.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Jan 6 11:32 AM, 2017
8-9 a.m. 16 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Pochard, 17 Shoveler and 5 Goosander of note. No sign of yesterday's Scaup. Cheers Ian
This a.m. with Malcolm, 6 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 18 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 5 Teal plus usual Mallard and Tufted. Barnacle Goose again amongst the Canadas and a dog walker gave a perfect description of a male Merlin he had seen. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Fri Dec 30 11:22 AM, 2016
This a.m. with Malcolm, 18 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 5 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 7 Goosander and 2 Greylag Geese. Cheers Ian
brian kirkwood said
Thu Dec 29 5:24 PM, 2016
Good to meet Ian and Steven again on a lovely sunny cold day around Elton, can add the following.
Two Peregrine Falcons mobbed by Carrion Crows.
Five Goosander [1 male/4 female] flew over towards Whithins.
Two Song Thrush one Mistle Thrush.
Good numbers of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and one Goldcrest around the feeding station.
Happy New Year to all, regards Brian and Geoff.
Steven Higginbottom said
Thu Dec 29 11:10 AM, 2016
08:30-11:00am with Ian Campbell 1 Snipe 2 GoldenEye 2 Pochard 9 Teal 12 Shoveler 2 Kestrel 2 Sparrowhawk 1 Buzzard Redwings along the canal
Had a little potter about till my walk about was cut short by 2 bikers disturbing the area. Managed 12 shovelers, 1 goldeneye drake, grey wagtail, a few common gulls, more tolerant redwings now that we have a cold snap, 1 buzzard and 1 sparrowhawk. One black headed gull was found with half a black head and had no white spots on the wing but vanished when the noise of the bikers turned up. That's all I can report for now, thanks.
13:00-15:10 pm 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at feeders 1 GoldenEye 2 Pochard 6 Teal 1 Redwing 1 Great Black backed gull 9 Common gull
merry Christmas to all Steven
Steven Higginbottom said
Sat Dec 24 4:55 PM, 2016
14:00 -14:30pm Quick check after work very quite 2 Great Black Backed Gulls amongst Herring & Lesser Black Backed Gulls 1 Willow Tit at Feeders 5 Teal Cheers Steven
Ian Campbell said
Fri Dec 23 12:06 PM, 2016
This morning all yesterday's Shoveler have gone, just a single Pochard and 7 Teal of note. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Thu Dec 22 12:27 PM, 2016
8-9.30 a.m. with Malcolm, 32 Shoveler(is this a site record?), 8 Teal, 3 Goosander and a Barnacle Goose amongst the Canadas. 5 Snipe in capsticks and 135 Pink-footed Geese over East at 8.40 Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Dec 19 10:44 AM, 2016
08:45-10:15am foggy morning of note. 1 Female Merlin flew from old hall marsh over res towards Spen moor 18 Shoveler 1 Pochard Winter thrushes Redwings Fieldfare and mostly blackbirds.
Feeders 85+ Goldfinches with 2 groups waiting in trees for their turn to feed. 15 Greenfinch 1 Bulfinch 1 Willow Tit 1 Jay Cheers Steven
Ian Campbell said
Fri Dec 16 3:22 PM, 2016
This a.m with Malcolm, now 12 Shoveler, also 6 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye and 1 Pochard. Cheers Ian
Roger Halsey said
Thu Dec 15 8:38 PM, 2016
On Tuesday there was a colour ringed first winter Common Gull perched on one of the buoys. I have just received details of the bird's movements and they are quite interesting. It was ringed on 6 July 2016 in Stavanger, Norway and then 7 sightings confirmed that it stayed in the area until 20 October 2016, not travelling more than 9km from the place of ringing. There were no further sightings until 13 December when it was recorded at Elton having travelled 771km.
Ian Campbell said
Thu Dec 15 2:07 PM, 2016
8-9.15 a.m. Barnacle Goose flew in at 8.30 and stayed 30 mins(pity it doesn't count, still don't get why not), also 9 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 2 Goosander and 2 Goldeneye. Cheers Ian
1 Scaup f
24 Tufted Ducks
1 GoldenEye f
8 Pochard 6m 2f
2 Stock dove
2 Bulfinch
Withins
2 Goosander
1 Barnacle Goose
2 Greylag geese flew into left field behind withins
6 Teal
Cheers Steven
At feeders 2M2f Bullfinches
Fem Sparrowhawk stooped over top of trees with feeders with resulting mayhem for birds
G Bb gull 1ad on buoy
Also 1 Goldeneye on the reservoir, a second Goosander on the river and 2 Kingfisher, 1 on Withins and one on the river.
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 10:51:55 AM
collared dove 2
wood pigeon 2
bullfinch{I'm-if)
goldfinch 30+
greenfinch 4
blackbird 3
blue tit 6
great tit 4
long tailed tit 5
chaffinch 1
magpie 2
coal tit 3
on and around the reservoir
mallard 12
black headed gull 40+
Canada goose 30+
cormorant 6
herring gull 4
grey heron 1
lesser black backed gull 3
goosander (black head)
carrion crow 4
great crested grebe 8
tufted duck 16
scaup (f) 1
raven 1
pochard 4
little egret 2 in the field below the pumphouse
Cheers Ian
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Bulfinch
1 Scaup Female
5 Shoveler
8 Pochard 7 male 1 female
2 Teal 3 male 1 female
2 Goldeneye 1 male 1 female
2 Pink footed Geese in field near Capsticks marsh
1 Lttle Egret Elton Goyt
Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush and Redwings in fields near Crow Trees
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
Bittern still present 11:30, then about 11:50 it was high over reservoir and dropped in to Elton Goyt area
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Bittern near Wader Point. Still present at 9.22 am. Info Ian Campbell
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Friday 27th of January 2017 09:26:46 AM
Cheers Ian
1 Shoveler Drake
2 Pochard drakes
1 Scaup Female Photos attached from 20th of Female Scaup.
11 Teal Withins 2 on Elton
2 Snipe
3 Kestrels 2 Male 1 Female
1 Sparrowhawk Female Elton Goyt
19 Mistle Thrush
6 Fieldfare
1 Song Thrush
6 Redwing 5 old hall farm 1 Crow Trees
1 Little Egret flew from below pump house to Elton Goyt
2 Willow Tit feeders
1 Bulfinch feeders
Cheers Steven
Also this morning 7 Goosander, c70 Pink Feet flew NW, 1 Peregrine on the pylons, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel.
1 Female Scaup
2 GoldenEye
5 Teal Withins
2 Meadow Pipit
1 Great spotted Woodpecker
1 Willow Tit
2 Bullfinch's
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Friday 20th of January 2017 07:53:45 PM
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 20th of January 2017 11:08:10 AM
1 Peregrine falcon
1 Kestrel
3 Pochard
1 Scaup 1st Winter female
4 Shoveler
4 Goosander
50+ Pink footed geese over heading west @ 09:05am
1 Kingfisher on Withins
1 Pheasant
9 Common Gulls
1 Meadow Pipit
Cheers Steven
4 Shelduck
10 Wigeon
9+ Shoveler
3 GoldenEye
4 Teal on Withins
2 Pochard
3 Goosander 2 on Withins 1 on Elton
2 Snipe
1 Goldcrest
2 Mistle Thrush
1 Willow Tit Feeders
4 Bulfinch
Water Rail heard in Old hall farm marsh Elton goyt
1 Escaped cockatiel at Crow trees farm.
Cheers Steven
1 Little egret favering out flow below pumphouse and field on otherside of track when desturbed
9 Shoveler. 4 Female 5 Male
6 GoldenEye 3 Female 3 Male
2 Teal in flooded field next to canal
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
3 Bulfinch
2 Goldcrest
Cheers Steven
Info thanks to Peter Johnson
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Saturday 14th of January 2017 03:20:31 PM
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Saturday 14th of January 2017 03:20:58 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 14th of January 2017 05:05:41 PM
A Little Egret flew from the river at 2pm today and landed in the stream at Old Hall Farm.
Info thanks to Peter Johnson
Cheers Ian
Shoveler c. 35 (less than half males)
Goldeneye MF
Goosander MF
Teal MM
Feeding station
Bullfinch MF
Reed Bunting at least 1F
G S Woodpecker 1 on feeders and 1 on top of birch tree in distance
Dipper on the stream below Withins this morning. Couldn't see much on the reservoir because of the murk, but 3 Pochard just visible. Reed Bunting on the feeders.
Little Egret on island up river from bridge at Benny's at 14:15.
Cheers Ian
1Scaup
1GoldenEye
3 Pochard
5 Teal
19 Shovelers.
14 Goosander
40+ Tufted Duck
Cheers Steven
2 Raven
26 Shoveler
1 Scaup
2 Pochard
1 Kestrel
1 Great Spotted woodpecker
Siskin heard near car park
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Good to meet Ian and Steven again on a lovely sunny cold day around Elton, can add the following.
Two Peregrine Falcons mobbed by Carrion Crows.
Five Goosander [1 male/4 female] flew over towards Whithins.
Two Song Thrush one Mistle Thrush.
Good numbers of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and one Goldcrest around the feeding station.
Happy New Year to all, regards Brian and Geoff.
1 Snipe
2 GoldenEye
2 Pochard
9 Teal
12 Shoveler
2 Kestrel
2 Sparrowhawk
1 Buzzard
Redwings along the canal
Cheers Steven
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
5 Bulfinch
1 Willow Tit
9 Teal
1 Goldeneye drake
1 Kestrel
Steven
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at feeders
1 GoldenEye
2 Pochard
6 Teal
1 Redwing
1 Great Black backed gull
9 Common gull
merry Christmas to all
Steven
2 Great Black Backed Gulls amongst Herring & Lesser Black Backed Gulls
1 Willow Tit at Feeders
5 Teal
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
1 Female Merlin flew from old hall marsh over res towards Spen moor
18 Shoveler
1 Pochard
Winter thrushes Redwings Fieldfare and mostly blackbirds.
Feeders
85+ Goldfinches with 2 groups waiting in trees for their turn to feed.
15 Greenfinch
1 Bulfinch
1 Willow Tit
1 Jay
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
On Tuesday there was a colour ringed first winter Common Gull perched on one of the buoys. I have just received details of the bird's movements and they are quite interesting. It was ringed on 6 July 2016 in Stavanger, Norway and then 7 sightings confirmed that it stayed in the area until 20 October 2016, not travelling more than 9km from the place of ringing. There were no further sightings until 13 December when it was recorded at Elton having travelled 771km.
Cheers Ian