8 Tufted Duck (3m + 5f) at the back of the pump house 19 Mandarin (7f + 12m) as above 1 Heron 1 Treecreeper 6 goosander (3m + 3f) 1 Tawny Owl being chased by crows. Finally just as I got back to the car a kestrel flew over the car park
Cheers
Mark
Andrew Johnson said
Tue Feb 19 1:51 AM, 2013
Monday 2pm-3pm (from hide): Teal: 2m+1f on left far bank at sandy area and another 2m+1f up as far as you can see to the right. Tufted Duck: 4m+5f Mandarin Duck: 3m+2f Jay: 1 Cormorant: 19 Treecreeper: 2 Little Grebe: 1 below Cormorant tree. Grey Heron: 1 Coot: 2 Mallard: 1m+1f Carrion Crow: 2 Buzzard: 2
I then went on a walk through till 4:45pm: Plenty more Tufted Ducks and Mandarin Ducks (>13) near the pump building.
Keg Pool added the following: Goosander: 1m+2f Mute Swan: 2 (ringed) Egyptian Goose: 1 Numerous Moorhen, Coot Great Spotted Woodpecker: 2 - both drumming.
And round in Keg Woodland: Raven: 1 flying over. Nuthatch (a few making faint high-pitched little calls; no typical clear whistling calls).
And finally on the hill up through Ernocroft: Stock Dove (heard up above the right-angle turn in the path where there's some private property beyond). Goldfinch flew over, calling. And another Great Spotted Woodpecker - calling.
Plenty of Robins around generally and a few tits, blackbirds etc.
Jon Bowen said
Mon Feb 18 3:11 AM, 2013
an hour or so late morning
26 Mandarin in two groups - 17 by the weir, 9 in the back waters on the way back to the car park 2 male goosander flying upstream there seemed to be Robins singing every 50 metres or so 9 tufted duck 5 cormorants 8 Long Tailed Tits 4 Dunnock
plus the usual assortment of ducks & geese
Mark Walsh said
Fri Feb 8 9:34 PM, 2013
Etherow 15:00 - 18:00
1 Great Crested Grebe 12 Tufted Duck (7f + 5m) 15 Mandarin (9m + 6f) 2 Teal both males 1 Kingfisher 1 Little Grebe 6 Goldcrest seen throughout the park
A little quiet in the woods with not overly much making itself known.
Mark
Forgot to mention 2 Goosander 1 male, 1 female.
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Friday 8th of February 2013 09:36:05 PM
Vicky Harper said
Mon Feb 4 10:37 PM, 2013
Barnacle Goose on island at side of main lake New family of Mute swan on main lake with 3 cygnets Egyptian Goose Teal Great Spotted Woodpecker Buzzard 8 Goosander Siskin
34 Mandarin (22m + 12f) 2 Tufted Duck (1m +1f) 2 Treecreeper 6 Siskin 5 Goosander (2m + 3f) 5 Teal (3m + 2f) 1 Little Grebe 2 Buzzard 1 Peregrine looked to be flying just within the northern boundary of the park
Usual other bits and bobs
Cheers
Mark
Mark Walsh said
Fri Jan 18 2:53 AM, 2013
A saunter through the park;
One small area of the main lake remained unfrozen and so housed most of the Canada's with an estimation of between 150 - 200 birds. 2 large Jackdaw flocks heading into roost with c1000 birds 15 Mandarin (3f + 12m) at the pump house 10 Tufted Duck (6m + 4f) seen from the hide 1 Heron 3 Teal all male 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Dipper from the Weir 1 Buzzard 1 Wren 5 Goosander (2m + 3f) on the river by Keg pool
Mark
John Rayner said
Sun Jan 13 12:47 AM, 2013
Now 6 Goosanders on Keg Pool (3m, 3f) plus noisy Egyptian Goose and pair of Mute Swans.
Cheers, John
Mark Walsh said
Sat Jan 12 5:11 AM, 2013
15:30 - 1730
15 Mandarin (10m + 5f) 7 Tufted Duck (3m + 4f) 7 Teal (5m + 2f) 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Dipper Several Tawny owl calls round Keg woodland, despite the seeming abundance I didn't manage to locate one.
Mark
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jan 10 6:12 AM, 2013
Much the same as John, in a late morning visit, 20 Mandarins including 9 females, 9 on the stream just after the main lake causeway & the rest up near the Pump House, Egyptian Goose on Keg Pool as well as a pair of Goosander, and another female Goosander on the main lake.
John Rayner said
Wed Jan 9 9:40 PM, 2013
Mandarin Duck (17 male, 9 female. All apparently adult apart from 1 1st winter male) Egyptian Goose (Keg Pool) 2 Mute Swans (Keg Pool) Teal heard on the river.
Cheers, John
Mark Walsh said
Wed Jan 2 12:18 AM, 2013
1st Visit of the new year and not very much to show for it as the park was full to bursting with people.
A day off work saw me down Etherow for a few hours between 10am and 1pm;
4 Goosander (2 pairs one on the main lake with the other pair on keg pool) 9 Tufted dotted around the park (4m + 5f) Small mixed flock of Goldfinch and Siskin, around 10 of each 6 Goldcrest 15 - 20 Long tailed Tits in 2 parties 7 Teal (5m + 2f) 2 Great sptted woodpecker's both male 2 Nuthatch A further 10+ Siskin around the back end of Keg pool 1 Female Kestrel 2 Nuthatch
Mark
Mark Walsh said
Sun Dec 16 12:42 AM, 2012
A couple of hours at Etherow produced;
1 Buzzard Mixed flock of 20 Goldinch and Siskin on the causeway 6 Mandarin (3m +3f) Mixed Tit flock with 15+ Long Tailed Tit and 2 Goldcrest 1 Treecreeper Mixed flock of 15 - 20 Redwing and Fieldfare over the top back towards the visitor centre
Regards
Mark
Chris Greene said
Fri Dec 14 3:13 PM, 2012
Late post for yesterday..13:00-13:30 Highlights 2 Song Thrush near Weir Cottages. Max 3 Jays at once from hide,also female Great Spotted Woodpecker. Pair of Goosander flew downstream below weir. Plus all the usuals.
Cheers Chris
John Rayner said
Thu Dec 13 3:42 PM, 2012
Pump House:
Mandarin 15 Tufted Duck 10 Pair of Mallards displaying
P.S. If I search for 'Etherow' I get 7 different threads - but not this one??
-- Edited by John Rayner on Thursday 13th of December 2012 03:43:19 PM
Mark Walsh said
Wed Dec 12 4:59 AM, 2012
A very late post for Sunday the 9th;
A walk around with Tony Mossman who wanted me to put something about 'top birder, great bloke, etc' so there you go.
Not much to report really;
20 Mandarins (12m + 8f) at the back of the pump house 10 Tufted Duck (6m +4f) on Keg pool My own personal highest count of 8 Goosander (3m + 5f) again on keg pool. Only one flock of tits seen roaming in Ernocroft. 1 Great spotted Woodpecker 6 Siskin over the car park as we were leaving.
Regards
Mark
Mark Walsh said
Sat Dec 8 1:58 AM, 2012
Very quick visit after work today. 15:00 - 16:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 5 Long Tailed Tit's 1 Sparrowhawk over Ernocroft 2 Goosander (1m + 1f) on main lake
Heard 1 (possibly more) Crossbills flying over or through Ernocroft Wood this morning but couldn't see them through the thicket of trees.
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Sun Nov 25 2:56 PM, 2012
Ernowcroft Wood very quiet. No sight or sound of Crossbills. Usual fare from the hide - Jay, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, 13 Cormorants, 10 Long tailed Tits. Also some nice mulled wine offered by another birder in the hide, many thanks if you are reading this.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 25th of November 2012 02:59:19 PM
Mark Walsh said
Sat Nov 24 11:53 PM, 2012
A visit from 11:30 - 14:30.
Ernocroft - Hide - Keg wood and pool.
While up in Ernocroft I heard a Crossbill flying along the path of the river coming from the visitor centre direction, I managed to locate it through the trees and was lucky enough to have it land briefly (about a minute) at the top of a dead tree not too far from me, after calling for a short while the bird (a female) flew off northeast before circling back towards Marple. It seemed there was only the one lone bird.
Other birds of note;
5 Treecreeper 3 Jay Only one pair of Mandarin seen but I didn't go to the back of the pump house. 4 Nuthatch Small numbers of Goldfinch flying over 3 Teal (all male) 7 Tufted Duck (4m + 3f) 1 Little Grebe 2 Goosander (both female) 20+ Redwing in two small flocks around the park.
Good number of small bird flocks around the park with what must have been 30+ Goldcrest seen and probably 50+ Long Tailed Tit.
Mark
I almost didn't go thinking I'd visit tomorrow, glad I went today.
Ian Boote said
Sat Nov 24 2:59 AM, 2012
From the Hide Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long Tailed Tits, Jays, Nuthatches, Bullfinch, Mandarin, Tufted Ducks, Coal Tits, Cormorants, and heard Buzzard.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Nov 20 7:58 PM, 2012
Got to agree with everything said here, especially Rob The standard of user on other 'forums' just isn't up to the class on here Etherow has significant numbers in a National context, especially up north. The count of 141 at Alderley Park, Cheshire is astounding!!
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 20 7:26 PM, 2012
Rob Smallwood wrote:
Doc Brewster wrote:
Just heard on another forum that numbers of Mandarins here have topped 140 in the past, must make Etherow Internationally important.
"Another Forum"? There are no other forums, just pale imitations - plastic you might even say!
Always liked you Rob...and your brilliant band: XL5
Numbers of Mandarin rose significantly in 2010 and the county record then was doubled to 74 but 2011 produced no similar counts and numbers seemed to had declined somewhat perhaps. Though I have no 2012 data yet there have been no huge counts reported on this forum nor have any of the other birders I know who visit the site (but don't always post on here) reported anything as significant as any three figure counts
Rob Smallwood said
Tue Nov 20 6:55 PM, 2012
Doc Brewster wrote:
Just heard on another forum that numbers of Mandarins here have topped 140 in the past, must make Etherow Internationally important.
"Another Forum"? There are no other forums, just pale imitations - plastic you might even say!
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 20 6:02 PM, 2012
Nope, news to me?
I believe there has been 141 at Alderley Park, Cheshire which Hugh knows about. Coincidence?
Doc Brewster said
Tue Nov 20 5:47 PM, 2012
The person who reported it said you knew about this??
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 20 5:46 PM, 2012
Doc Brewster wrote:
Just heard on another forum that numbers of Mandarins here have topped 140 in the past, must make Etherow Internationally important.
At Etherow Paul? I've never heard of such counts nor have anything like ever been formally recorded. Our county record is considerably less than that and this sites highest count is currently around 54.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Nov 20 5:22 PM, 2012
Just heard on another forum that numbers of Mandarins here have topped 140 in the past, must make Etherow Internationally important.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Nov 20 10:05 AM, 2012
That was the post that triggered the response from the guy who said that he wasn't impressed by it because Etherow gets similar numbers, maybe he was just exaggerating for effect? When I was Assistant County Recorder we never had those numbers either at Etherow CP.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 10:06:42 AM
Vicky Harper said
Tue Nov 20 6:25 AM, 2012
6 Teal seen from the hide 1 Green Woodpecker heard yaffling as I walked up and down the path trying to locate it. It got the better of me though!
Plus all the usuals
Lawson Dauer said
Sun Nov 18 1:44 PM, 2012
Could I have seen a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker here this morning? We were walking along the right hand side of the canal from the car park. Close to one of the canal bridges (orange lifebelt on a white board adjacent) I saw a woodpecker in a tree - definitely a Grea Spotted. I then looked to my right (river side) & up in a tree I saw a much smaller woodpecker. It definitely wasn't the first Great as, for about 10 seconds, I had them both in my sight. The second bird looked to be like an overgrown sparrow in build - but definitely a woodpecker. So, before I get too excited, does Etherow hold any Lesser Spotteds &, if so, have any been reported recently?
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 18th of November 2012 02:52:27 PM
Vicky Harper said
Sun Nov 18 1:24 AM, 2012
Spent all day there today.
6 Goosander on Keg Pool (all redheads; no males today ) 2 Little Grebe Kingfisher spotted twice. Highlight was when it perched on the beak of the Kingfisher sculpture at Keg pool. I found it quite amusing (it doesn't take much) 2nd time it was perched on the fence submerged in the pond at the side of the private road. Got good views both times. 9 Mandarin on canal and 17 behind pump house. 1 Male Tufted duck behind pump house. 8 Tufted on Keg Pool 4 Nuthatch 3 Treecreeper 1 Jay 1 Buzzard 1 Sparrowhawk 16 Goldfinch 4 Goldcrest Mute Swan closely followed by Egyptian Goose as always. 4 House Sparrow
The highlight had to be on my walk back home over Werneth Low as it was getting dark. A woodcock flew straight past my head flying in the direction of Romiley/Compstall. A lifer for me!!
Mark Walsh said
Sat Nov 17 2:07 AM, 2012
Managed a quick visit from 15:00 through to 17:00 but just up and around Keg wood and pool.
Dipper 3 Goosander 4 Tufted duck behind pump house Mandarin Kingfisher on main lake 2 Little Grebe 2 Mute Swans Very noisy Egyptian goose!
Chris Harper said
Thu Nov 15 10:10 PM, 2012
Highlights 9-10.30 Dipper by weir Kingfisher on main pool(caught 2 fish) 34 Mandarin(30 behind pump house) 3 Goosander 4 Tufted Duck Egyptian Goose Treecreeper 2 Nuthatch Little Grebe(Keg Pool)
Lovely to meet Vicky S. Egyptian Goose in the palm of your hand!
Chris Harper said
Mon Nov 12 12:51 AM, 2012
Kingfisher on gate en route to hide 27 Mandarin 12 Tufted Duck Buzzard 3 Jay 2 Nuthatch Great Spotted Woodpecker 9 Cormorant Grey Wagtail
Vicky Harper said
Sun Nov 11 6:44 PM, 2012
Dunnock Grey Heron 30 Cormorant at usual roost 2 Jay Chaffinch (m) Kingfisher at Keg Pool 2 Nuthatch 1 Collared Dove, woodpigeon Usual on Keg pool: Mute swan, Egyptian goose, Tufted Duck 13 Goosander (3 m + 10 f) Numerous Manderin behind pump house Buzzard Raptor over farm land. Didn't get a very good view of it. Goldcrest Flock of Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit
Edit: Sorry I forgot 3 Treecreepers
-- Edited by Vicky Sumner on Sunday 11th of November 2012 06:46:13 PM
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun Nov 11 5:03 PM, 2012
Sun 11th Nov. 07.30 hrs.
4 Goosander on the backwater near the footbridge, 1 male and 3 redheads. Disturbed by a jogger and flew off towards main lake.
Roger
Mark Walsh said
Sat Nov 10 3:34 AM, 2012
A late post for the 7th;
Due to time off work I was able to get to Etherow by 11am and stay through till 2ish.
Usual route;
18 Mandarin (14m + 4f) 50+ Long tailed Tit 6 Goldcrest 4 Jay 4 Goldfinch 1 Redwing seen but multiple heard in Ernocroft wood 2 Nuthatch seen but again several heard 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Sparrowhawk circling over ernocroft 3 Buzzard seen over ernocroft from the road to the hide 1 Kingfisher 3 Tufted (2m + 1f) And the highlight 4 Goosander on Keg pool
Seen all round the park though were large Tit flocks with good numbers of Long Tailed Tit, Blue tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit with the odd Goldcrest thrown in, thats a lot different to how I've seen it the last few weeks though that's probably due to the time of day I've been going.
Mark
Mark Walsh said
Sat Nov 3 2:15 AM, 2012
Probably the final Friday evening I'll be able to do for a while as it's going dark by about 5ish.
15:30 - 18:00
Ernocroft - Hide - Keg Wood
Not much up in Ernocroft so from the hide onwards:
30+ Cormorants 3 Teal (2m +1f) 10+ Long Tailed Tit 1 Wren 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Presumingly Pipit species (due to the flight pattern) over the top of Ernocroft seen from near the hide, likely hood was it was a Meadow Pipit out back over Ludworth but I though it worth while mentioning. 5 Jay 1 Buzzard 2 Little Grebe 8 Tufted Duck (4m + 4f) 20 + Mandarin 1 Dipper
Ian Boote said
Sat Oct 27 9:58 PM, 2012
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mandarin, Tufted Ducks, Egyptian thing, 2 Little Grebe, Siskin, lots of Jays Cormorant and Nuthatches and Long-Tailed Tits, Buzzard group of Fieldfares other side of river several groups of Pink-Footed Geese doing south east and west.
Mark Walsh said
Fri Oct 26 8:43 PM, 2012
Quick Jaunt around the park from 16:00 - 18:30
Usual route.
First sighting was a pair of Fieldfare flying over the park seen from the car park.
Everything else of note;
18 Mandarin (13m + 5f) 3 Teal (2m + 1f) 20+ Cormorants 4 Jay 1 Dipper seen from the bridge near the weir 1 Buzzard 3 Tufted Duck (all female) 2 Little Grebe 1 Tawny Owl heard
Additionally at 17:30 two lads used the park as a motocross track heading by the sound of it along the tarmac path from the weir to sunny corner round and down to Keg pool along the non-river side of the pool, then up to that little green wooden shack for a breather before heading off. I didn't actually see them though the sound of their bikes and marks from the tyres on the paths were self evident as to the type of vehicle used.......all in all it's probably a good thing I didn't meet them as I might have opened my big gob and come off the worse for it.
Never-the-less I was fuming for quite a while.
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Friday 26th of October 2012 08:44:29 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 26 8:14 PM, 2012
And here endeth the lesson...
RE: READ THE BLOODY STICKY...
RE: MANCHESTER BIRDING FORUM GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS
Doc Brewster said
Fri Oct 26 5:28 PM, 2012
Can see where you are coming from Geoff, so many folk say Lesser Pecker so P for the final bit of the name could be logical. p.s. I knew really that you meant Great Spotted Woodpecker
Geoff Walton said
Fri Oct 26 2:52 PM, 2012
Great spotted woodpecker Ian (without the wood). I blame it in on my arthritic fingers.
Four of us at Penny this morning, hope to see some of you all freezing with us.
8 Tufted Duck (3m + 5f) at the back of the pump house
19 Mandarin (7f + 12m) as above
1 Heron
1 Treecreeper
6 goosander (3m + 3f)
1 Tawny Owl being chased by crows.
Finally just as I got back to the car a kestrel flew over the car park
Cheers
Mark
Teal: 2m+1f on left far bank at sandy area and another 2m+1f up as far as you can see to the right.
Tufted Duck: 4m+5f
Mandarin Duck: 3m+2f
Jay: 1
Cormorant: 19
Treecreeper: 2
Little Grebe: 1 below Cormorant tree.
Grey Heron: 1
Coot: 2
Mallard: 1m+1f
Carrion Crow: 2
Buzzard: 2
I then went on a walk through till 4:45pm:
Plenty more Tufted Ducks and Mandarin Ducks (>13) near the pump building.
Keg Pool added the following:
Goosander: 1m+2f
Mute Swan: 2 (ringed)
Egyptian Goose: 1
Numerous Moorhen, Coot
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 2 - both drumming.
And round in Keg Woodland:
Raven: 1 flying over.
Nuthatch (a few making faint high-pitched little calls; no typical clear whistling calls).
And finally on the hill up through Ernocroft:
Stock Dove (heard up above the right-angle turn in the path where there's some private property beyond).
Goldfinch flew over, calling.
And another Great Spotted Woodpecker - calling.
Plenty of Robins around generally and a few tits, blackbirds etc.
26 Mandarin in two groups - 17 by the weir, 9 in the back waters on the way back to the car park
2 male goosander flying upstream
there seemed to be Robins singing every 50 metres or so
9 tufted duck
5 cormorants
8 Long Tailed Tits
4 Dunnock
plus the usual assortment of ducks & geese
1 Great Crested Grebe
12 Tufted Duck (7f + 5m)
15 Mandarin (9m + 6f)
2 Teal both males
1 Kingfisher
1 Little Grebe
6 Goldcrest seen throughout the park
A little quiet in the woods with not overly much making itself known.
Mark
Forgot to mention 2 Goosander 1 male, 1 female.
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Friday 8th of February 2013 09:36:05 PM
New family of Mute swan on main lake with 3 cygnets
Egyptian Goose
Teal
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Buzzard
8 Goosander
Siskin
A rainy walk around the park.
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Grey Heron
30 Mandarin (17m + 13f)
12 Tufted Duck (7m + 5f)
2 Teal (1m + 1f)
1 Little Grebe
+ Usual Tits etc.
Mark
34 Mandarin (22m + 12f)
2 Tufted Duck (1m +1f)
2 Treecreeper
6 Siskin
5 Goosander (2m + 3f)
5 Teal (3m + 2f)
1 Little Grebe
2 Buzzard
1 Peregrine looked to be flying just within the northern boundary of the park
Usual other bits and bobs
Cheers
Mark
One small area of the main lake remained unfrozen and so housed most of the Canada's with an estimation of between 150 - 200 birds.
2 large Jackdaw flocks heading into roost with c1000 birds
15 Mandarin (3f + 12m) at the pump house
10 Tufted Duck (6m + 4f) seen from the hide
1 Heron
3 Teal all male
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Dipper from the Weir
1 Buzzard
1 Wren
5 Goosander (2m + 3f) on the river by Keg pool
Mark
Cheers, John
15 Mandarin (10m + 5f)
7 Tufted Duck (3m + 4f)
7 Teal (5m + 2f)
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Dipper
Several Tawny owl calls round Keg woodland, despite the seeming abundance I didn't manage to locate one.
Mark
Egyptian Goose (Keg Pool)
2 Mute Swans (Keg Pool)
Teal heard on the river.
Cheers, John
2 Tufted Duck (1m + 1f)
4 Goosander (3m + 1f)
1 Treecreeper
1 Nuthatch
30 - 40 Siskin
3 Teal all male
Mark
4 Goosander (2 pairs one on the main lake with the other pair on keg pool)
9 Tufted dotted around the park (4m + 5f)
Small mixed flock of Goldfinch and Siskin, around 10 of each
6 Goldcrest
15 - 20 Long tailed Tits in 2 parties
7 Teal (5m + 2f)
2 Great sptted woodpecker's both male
2 Nuthatch
A further 10+ Siskin around the back end of Keg pool
1 Female Kestrel
2 Nuthatch
Mark
1 Buzzard
Mixed flock of 20 Goldinch and Siskin on the causeway
6 Mandarin (3m +3f)
Mixed Tit flock with 15+ Long Tailed Tit and 2 Goldcrest
1 Treecreeper
Mixed flock of 15 - 20 Redwing and Fieldfare over the top back towards the visitor centre
Regards
Mark
Highlights 2 Song Thrush near Weir Cottages.
Max 3 Jays at once from hide,also female Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Pair of Goosander flew downstream below weir.
Plus all the usuals.
Cheers Chris
Mandarin 15
Tufted Duck 10
Pair of Mallards displaying
Ernocroft:
Treecreeper 1
Siskin 2
Redpoll 3
Coal/Blue/Great Long-tailed Tits
Cheers, John
P.S. If I search for 'Etherow' I get 7 different threads - but not this one??
-- Edited by John Rayner on Thursday 13th of December 2012 03:43:19 PM
A walk around with Tony Mossman who wanted me to put something about 'top birder, great bloke, etc' so there you go.
Not much to report really;
20 Mandarins (12m + 8f) at the back of the pump house
10 Tufted Duck (6m +4f) on Keg pool
My own personal highest count of 8 Goosander (3m + 5f) again on keg pool.
Only one flock of tits seen roaming in Ernocroft.
1 Great spotted Woodpecker
6 Siskin over the car park as we were leaving.
Regards
Mark
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
5 Long Tailed Tit's
1 Sparrowhawk over Ernocroft
2 Goosander (1m + 1f) on main lake
Mark
10 Lesser Redpoll
8 Long-tailed Tits
2 Jays
Blue/Coal/Great Tits
2 Wrens
No Crossbills
Cheers, John
Cheers, John
thanks if you are reading this.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 25th of November 2012 02:59:19 PM
Ernocroft - Hide - Keg wood and pool.
While up in Ernocroft I heard a Crossbill flying along the path of the river coming from the visitor centre direction, I managed to locate it through the trees and was lucky enough to have it land briefly (about a minute) at the top of a dead tree not too far from me, after calling for a short while the bird (a female) flew off northeast before circling back towards Marple. It seemed there was only the one lone bird.
Other birds of note;
5 Treecreeper
3 Jay
Only one pair of Mandarin seen but I didn't go to the back of the pump house.
4 Nuthatch
Small numbers of Goldfinch flying over
3 Teal (all male)
7 Tufted Duck (4m + 3f)
1 Little Grebe
2 Goosander (both female)
20+ Redwing in two small flocks around the park.
Good number of small bird flocks around the park with what must have been 30+ Goldcrest seen and probably 50+ Long Tailed Tit.
Mark
I almost didn't go thinking I'd visit tomorrow, glad I went today.
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long Tailed Tits, Jays, Nuthatches, Bullfinch, Mandarin, Tufted Ducks, Coal Tits, Cormorants, and heard Buzzard.
Always liked you Rob...and your brilliant band: XL5
Numbers of Mandarin rose significantly in 2010 and the county record then was doubled to 74 but 2011 produced no similar counts and numbers seemed to had declined somewhat perhaps. Though I have no 2012 data yet there have been no huge counts reported on this forum nor have any of the other birders I know who visit the site (but don't always post on here) reported anything as significant as any three figure counts
"Another Forum"? There are no other forums, just pale imitations - plastic you might even say!
I believe there has been 141 at Alderley Park, Cheshire which Hugh knows about. Coincidence?
At Etherow Paul? I've never heard of such counts nor have anything like ever been formally recorded. Our county record is considerably less than that and this sites highest count is currently around 54.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 10:06:42 AM
1 Green Woodpecker heard yaffling as I walked up and down the path trying to locate it. It got the better of me though!
Plus all the usuals
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 18th of November 2012 02:52:27 PM
6 Goosander on Keg Pool (all redheads; no males today )
2 Little Grebe
Kingfisher spotted twice. Highlight was when it perched on the beak of the Kingfisher sculpture at Keg pool. I found it quite amusing (it doesn't take much) 2nd time it was perched on the fence submerged in the pond at the side of the private road. Got good views both times.
9 Mandarin on canal and 17 behind pump house.
1 Male Tufted duck behind pump house. 8 Tufted on Keg Pool
4 Nuthatch
3 Treecreeper
1 Jay
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
16 Goldfinch
4 Goldcrest
Mute Swan closely followed by Egyptian Goose as always.
4 House Sparrow
The highlight had to be on my walk back home over Werneth Low as it was getting dark. A woodcock flew straight past my head flying in the direction of Romiley/Compstall. A lifer for me!!
Not much seen really;
10 Mandarin (7m + 3f)
7 Tufted Duck (4m +3f)
4 Goosander
1 Dabchick
1 Grey Heron
Plenty of jackdaws heading into roost
Highlights:
Dipper
3 Goosander
4 Tufted duck behind pump house
Mandarin
Kingfisher on main lake
2 Little Grebe
2 Mute Swans
Very noisy Egyptian goose!
Dipper by weir
Kingfisher on main pool(caught 2 fish)
34 Mandarin(30 behind pump house)
3 Goosander
4 Tufted Duck
Egyptian Goose
Treecreeper
2 Nuthatch
Little Grebe(Keg Pool)
Lovely to meet Vicky S. Egyptian Goose in the palm of your hand!
27 Mandarin
12 Tufted Duck
Buzzard
3 Jay
2 Nuthatch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
9 Cormorant
Grey Wagtail
Grey Heron
30 Cormorant at usual roost
2 Jay
Chaffinch (m)
Kingfisher at Keg Pool
2 Nuthatch
1 Collared Dove, woodpigeon
Usual on Keg pool: Mute swan, Egyptian goose, Tufted Duck
13 Goosander (3 m + 10 f)
Numerous Manderin behind pump house
Buzzard
Raptor over farm land. Didn't get a very good view of it.
Goldcrest
Flock of Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit
Edit: Sorry I forgot 3 Treecreepers
-- Edited by Vicky Sumner on Sunday 11th of November 2012 06:46:13 PM
4 Goosander on the backwater near the footbridge, 1 male and 3 redheads. Disturbed by a jogger and flew off towards main lake.
Roger
Due to time off work I was able to get to Etherow by 11am and stay through till 2ish.
Usual route;
18 Mandarin (14m + 4f)
50+ Long tailed Tit
6 Goldcrest
4 Jay
4 Goldfinch
1 Redwing seen but multiple heard in Ernocroft wood
2 Nuthatch seen but again several heard
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Sparrowhawk circling over ernocroft
3 Buzzard seen over ernocroft from the road to the hide
1 Kingfisher
3 Tufted (2m + 1f)
And the highlight 4 Goosander on Keg pool
Seen all round the park though were large Tit flocks with good numbers of Long Tailed Tit, Blue tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit with the odd Goldcrest thrown in, thats a lot different to how I've seen it the last few weeks though that's probably due to the time of day I've been going.
Mark
15:30 - 18:00
Ernocroft - Hide - Keg Wood
Not much up in Ernocroft so from the hide onwards:
30+ Cormorants
3 Teal (2m +1f)
10+ Long Tailed Tit
1 Wren
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Presumingly Pipit species (due to the flight pattern) over the top of Ernocroft seen from near the hide, likely hood was it was a Meadow Pipit out back over Ludworth but I though it worth while mentioning.
5 Jay
1 Buzzard
2 Little Grebe
8 Tufted Duck (4m + 4f)
20 + Mandarin
1 Dipper
Usual route.
First sighting was a pair of Fieldfare flying over the park seen from the car park.
Everything else of note;
18 Mandarin (13m + 5f)
3 Teal (2m + 1f)
20+ Cormorants
4 Jay
1 Dipper seen from the bridge near the weir
1 Buzzard
3 Tufted Duck (all female)
2 Little Grebe
1 Tawny Owl heard
Additionally at 17:30 two lads used the park as a motocross track heading by the sound of it along the tarmac path from the weir to sunny corner round and down to Keg pool along the non-river side of the pool, then up to that little green wooden shack for a breather before heading off. I didn't actually see them though the sound of their bikes and marks from the tyres on the paths were self evident as to the type of vehicle used.......all in all it's probably a good thing I didn't meet them as I might have opened my big gob and come off the worse for it.
Never-the-less I was fuming for quite a while.
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Friday 26th of October 2012 08:44:29 PM
RE: READ THE BLOODY STICKY...
RE: MANCHESTER BIRDING FORUM GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS
p.s. I knew really that you meant Great Spotted Woodpecker
Four of us at Penny this morning, hope to see some of you all freezing with us.
Kind regards
Geoff