Early afternoon after the rain had passed through. Fairly quiet.
5 Great Crested Grebes 4 Cormorants 2 Grey Herons 13 Canada Geese on the reservoir and another on a farmland pond with Mallards as it was last Saturday 120+ Mallards 3 Moorhens 28 Black-headed Gulls
A Dipper feeding in Bradshaw Brook at the overflow, and a Grey Wagtail in the overflow tunnel.
David Lumb said
Sun Oct 20 2:18 AM, 2013
3 hours this morning covering Reservoir area, Ousel Nest Meadow, Grange Road, & adjacent farmland. Nothing unusual moving through but plenty of the usual birds.
7 Great Crested Grebes 4 Cormorants 2 Grey Herons 1 Canada Goose 90 Mallards 4 Moorhens 16 Lapwings flying around just the other side of Bradshaw Road. 20+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 13 Feral Pigeons 110 Woodpigeons 2 Collared Doves 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Grey Wagtail 5 Pied Wagtails 16 Wrens 5 Dunnocks 40+ Robins. Everywhere except the farmland in groups of 2-3 if not more. 3 Redwings 1 Mistle Thrush 3 flocks of Long-tailed Tits 2 pairs of Coal Tits 30+ Blue Tits 10+ Great Tits 5 Nuthatches 7 Jays 11 Magpies 70+ Jackdaws 2 Rooks 8 Carrion Crows 35 Starlings 9 Chaffinches 2 Greenfinches 3 Goldfinches 12 Bullfinches.
David Lumb said
Fri Oct 18 12:14 AM, 2013
9.30am to 12.10pm. A thorough search as I could see the weather closing in (so much for a fine morning in the forecast) and it seemed pointless to travel further afield.
Ousel Nest Meadow :- 4 Redwings, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, numerous Bullfinches. 42 Starlings on wires near Grange Road.
Bradshaw Brook at the overflow :- 2 Dippers
Farmland between reservoir & Bradshaw Road :- 1 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipits, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Reed Bunting. Lots of Rooks & Jackdaws around the rookery area on Bradshaw Road.
Reservoir :- Highlight was 4 Crossbills in the Information Centre area. Things were looking good after the above sightings but I then had continuous rain for about 90 minutes and things went fairly quiet. 7 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Cormorants, 21 Canada Geese, 60+ Mallards, 1 Pheasant, 2 Moorhens, 15 Black-headed Gulls, Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches.
Just after 2pm as I crossed the field between Turton Tower and Turton Golf Course I saw a couple of Ravens fly up from Jumbles, circle around for a few minutes, and then fly back to Jumbles.
David Lumb said
Fri Oct 11 2:39 AM, 2013
10.15am to 10.55am.
7 Great Crested Grebes 4 Cormorants 3 Grey Herons 35 Canada Geese + the hybrid 50+ Mallards 3 Black-headed Gulls 1 Sparrowhawk on Ousel Nest Meadow, very close as it flew across the path 1 Buzzard flying over
Dipper and Grey Wagtail at the overflow on Bradshaw Brook A couple of Meadow Pipits on the field between the reservoir and the pill box.
A few Speckled Woods.
David Lumb said
Wed Sep 25 5:40 AM, 2013
9.25am to 10.15am
5 Great Crested Grebes 8 Cormorants 6 Grey Herons Hybrid goose 70+ Mallards 1 Moorhen 20+ Black-headed Gulls A few Swallows when I arrived and soon a flock of 30+ flew through 1 House Martin 2 Dippers on overflow pipies 1 Chiffchaff
David Lumb said
Sat Aug 31 2:14 AM, 2013
8.30am to 1o.10am. Still just the usual species, nothing passing through.
5 Great Crested Grebes 15 Cormorants 6 Grey Herons 1 Canada Goose 60+ Mallards 1 Moorhen 20+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 25+ Woodpigeons & a few Feral Pigeons 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 10+ House Martins & 10+ Swallows high up 1 Grey Wagtail & 1 Dipper at the overflow Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Chafffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins (20+), Bullfinches.
1 dead Common Shrew on the footpath at Ousel Nest Meadow.
David Lumb said
Sun Aug 25 6:16 AM, 2013
9.50am to 10.45am.
5 Great Crested Grebes 8 Cormorants 4 Grey Herons 6 Canada Geese Lots of Mallards 1 Buzzard 1 Moorhen, presumably more hidden away 25 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull Mixed flock of 20+ Swallows/House Martins high up 2 Grey Wagtails 1 Dipper at the overflow
Still very quiet around the woodland
David Lumb said
Fri Aug 23 1:41 AM, 2013
10am to 11am
6 Great Crested Grebes 7 Cormorants 4 Grey Herons 7 Canada Geese 90+ Mallards 1 Buzzard 5 Moorhens 25 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 6 Swallows 2 Grey Wagtails 1 Dipper feeding in the brook at the overflow 1 Raven heard, somewhere over Bromley Cross
David Lumb said
Wed Aug 21 5:28 AM, 2013
8.35am to 9.30am
3 Great Crested Grebes 7 Cormorants 8 Grey Herons 6 Canada Geese 50+ Mallards 1 Buzzard 5 Moorhens 5 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over 1 Dipper walking across the weir to the the overflow pipes
David Lumb said
Sun Aug 18 8:54 PM, 2013
10am to 11am amongst the heavy showers.
3 Great Crested Grebes 7 Cormorants 11 Grey Herons 7 Canada Geese 90+ Mallards 1 Buzzard which flew low across the reservoir before climbing higher to soar around 4 Moorhens 5 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Kingfisher which for a change was very obliging as it posed for photos perched on a stick 20+ House Martins. None about until the Buzzard appeared. They followed it in and mobbed it when it rose higher. A few Swallows
David Lumb said
Fri Aug 16 12:24 AM, 2013
Late morning visit started well at the overflow on Bradshaw Brook. As I approached the bridge I heard a Kingfisher whistling past but it had gone by the time I reached the bridge. A Dipper and a Grey Wagtail were on the overflow pipes though.
Reservoir birds :- 2 Great Crested Grebes 6 Cormorants 2 Grey Herons 38 Canada Geese 70+ Mallards 1 Buzzard 6 Moorhens, including a couple of juveniles 10+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Kingfisher, presumably the one I heard at the overflow. Seen on a fencepost at the water's edge and again from Horrobin car park. 4 Swallows
1 Great Crested Grebe 3 Cormorants 10 Grey Herons Already plenty of Canada Geese when I got there, and over the next hour or so lots more flew in including the hybrid. Finished with a total of 124. 80+ Mallards 2 Moorhens 2 Common Sandpipers 30+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Common Tern 20+ Swallows. Breeding pair at Grange Farm stables + passing birds. 1 Grey Wagtail
David Lumb said
Sun Aug 4 6:38 AM, 2013
10am to 11.15am.
My first Green Sandpiper here for many a year. Picked up on it as it flew into view in my bins as I was checking the gulls for anything different. I followed it's flight until it went out of view without landing. Not long after the Black-headed Gulls had a real feast on a shoal of Roach which were being picked off from just below the surface of the reservoir. A lesser Black-backed Gull was on the overflow structure with 3 Cormorants. 12 Grey Herons were in the bottom corner. Another was further up the reservoir.
Also present were 2 Great Crested Grebes, 34 Canada Geese, numerous Mallards, and a Moorhen.
David Lumb said
Sat Aug 3 5:13 AM, 2013
8.30am to 9.30am.
1 Great Crested Grebe 2 Cormorants 10 Grey Herons 19 Canada Geese 60+ Mallards 2 Moorhens 30+ Black-headed Gulls A few House Martins & Swallows overhead 1 Buzzard
David Lumb said
Sat Jul 27 2:51 AM, 2013
9.40am to 11.50am
4 Great Crested Grebe 4 Cormorants 20 Grey Herons, 19 of them together in the bottom corner near Grange Farm 33 Canada Geese 50+ Mallards 1 Moorhen 50+ Black-headed Gulls 3 Common Terns 1 Kingfisher 6 Swallows 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Dipper on Bradshaw Brook
David Lumb said
Thu Jul 25 1:48 AM, 2013
9.05am to 9.50am.
4 Great Crested Grebes 5 Cormorants 13 Grey Herons 31 Canada Geese + the hybrid 50+ Mallards 1 Common Sandpiper 20+ Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over 2 Common Terns 1 Swift 4 Swallows 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Dipper on the overflow pipes
David Lumb said
Mon Jul 22 2:42 AM, 2013
10.05am to 11.40am.
3 Great Crested Grebes 5 Cormorants 13 Grey Herons 31 Canada Geese + the hybrid 30+ Mallards, + 10 ducklings 1 Moorhen 2 Common Sandpipers 40+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 8 Common Terns 2 House Martins 4 Swallows 3 Pied Wagtails
David Lumb said
Thu Jul 18 5:27 AM, 2013
9.15am to 11.30am
1 Great Crested Grebe 3 Cormorants 12 Grey Herons 32 Canada Geese 30+ Mallards 2 Moorhens 50+ Black-headed Gulls 4 Common Terns 1 Kingfisher chasing young Pied Wagtails at the top end of the reservoir 5 Pied Wagtails 15+ Swallows, including a family group A couple of House Martins flew in from Chapeltown Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, 1 Stock Dove at Ousel Nest Meadow Great Spotted Woodpeckers Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Mon Jul 15 2:37 AM, 2013
8.45am to 10.15am
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
15 Grey Herons
34 Canada Geese
30+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
40+ Black-headed Gulls
7 Common Terns
5 Swallows
1 House Martin
2 Pied Wagtails
+ all the usual woodland birds
David Lumb said
Sat Jul 13 1:42 AM, 2013
8.30am to 9.45am.
Pair of Great Crested Grebes. Low water levels mean that the nest has had to be abandoned.
25 Grey Herons. 22 of them on rocks in the Grange Farm corner.
30+ Canada Geese
40+ Mallards, including a new brood of ducklings
30+ Black-headed Gulls
6 Common Terns
2 Swallows
1 House Martin
3 Pied Wagtails
1 Kingfisher
1 Dipper seen from the overflow bridge on Bradshaw Brook
David Lumb said
Tue Jul 9 3:43 AM, 2013
Lots of juvenile water birds around the reservoir this morning, none of them from breeding here.
15 Grey Herons, mostly juveniles from Entwistle.
40+ Black-headed Gulls with lots of juveniles, presumably from Belmont.
Common Terns included 2 juveniles. I heard some Terns flying in as I mooched around Ousel Nest Meadow. At the reservoir there were some birds flying around, some on buoys (where I saw the young ones), and some on the shoreline with the Gulls. I got to eleven in total, the same as the flock a few days ago. Nearest breeding birds that I know of are at Doffcocker.
Other birds included :-
3 Great Crested Grebes, including one on the nest
19 Canada Geese + the hybrid goose
30+ Mallards
Nesting Swallows at Grange Farm & the farm up the access road
Pair of Garden Warblers by the yatch club, possibly with young. I had a cracking view of a singing bird at the top of a tree when a second bird came out of the vegetation a few feet from the footpath. This second bird made me feel very unwelcome as it was obviously trying to divert me away from the area. The constant singing of both birds made my day.
I did not see any Moorhens, not helped by a bloke taking his young son fishing in the conservation area. All that area around the reservoir but the plonker had to go in there.
David Lumb said
Wed Jul 3 10:31 PM, 2013
11.30am to 12.30pm
Great Crested Grebe on the new nest. I only saw one other but I did not check the bay by the yatch club where another pair normally frequent. 2 Cormorants 14 Grey Herons, 13 of them away from the footpaths near Grange Farm 32 Canada Geese 20+ Mallards 3 Black-headed Gulls 11 Common Terns. All flying around together before one dropped onto a buoy. The other 10 continued flying around, very noisily, for about 5 minutes before heading off. 6 Swifts 2 House Martins 2 Swallows
David Lumb said
Mon Jul 1 9:54 PM, 2013
8.35am to 9.40am
5 Great Crested Grebes. One pair have a newly built nest. 2 Cormorants 11 Grey Herons. No wonder there are only a few left at Entwistle Reservoir. 32 Canada Geese including goslings + the hybrid 30+ Mallards 3 Moorhens 12 Black-headed Gulls 4 Common Terns 3 Swifts 2 Swallows 1 Grey Wagtail
Early afternoon I heard Buzzards coming over Jumbles as I walked through Turton Tower grounds. One bird actually landed in a tree not far from me. A third bird could be seen over Walsh Fold.
David Lumb said
Fri Jun 28 1:44 AM, 2013
8.15am to 11.40am.
5 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 3 Grey Herons 31 Canada Geese 40+ Mallards 1 Buzzard. Seen flying in from Turton Tower carrying prey (something black) pursued by Carrion Crows. Flew towards Walsh Fold. 3 Moorhens 1 Coot 1 Oystercatcher 6 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Common Terns 14 Feral Pigeons 24 Woodpigeons 30+ Swifts 10+ Swallows 1 House Martin 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Pied Wagtail Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, a Siskin, Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Thu Jun 20 3:52 AM, 2013
9.00am to 12.40pm. Most of the time checking insects.
4 Great Crested Grebes (including a pair with a nest, which is on mud near the bridge at the top end. The rain being forecast will soon wash it away) 37 Canada Geese (including the goslings which are almost full size now) The hybrid goose 40+ Mallards 1 Buzzard 1 Moorhen 3 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Common Terns Woodpigeons 2 Swifts 2 House Martins 2 Swallows 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 1 Grey Wagtail on Bradshaw Brook Blackbirds Song Thrushes 2 Whitethroats 3 Blackcaps 2 Chiffchaffs 4 Willow Warblers Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits Blue Tits Great Tits Nuthatches Jays Magpies Jackdaws Rooks Carrion Crows Chaffinches Greenfinches Goldfinches Bullfinches
6 Great Crested Grebes 4 Grey Herons 26 Canada Geese + goslings 1 hybrid Goose 30+ Mallards 2 Pheasants 2 Moorhens 1 Curlew on farmland 3 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Common Tern 3 Feral Pigeons 1 Stock Dove at Ousel Nest Meadow 18 Woodpigeons 2 Collared Doves along Grange Road 1 Tawny Owl at Ousel Nest Meadow 6 Swifts Pair of House Martins at the farm up the access road Swallows also at the farm, + others at Grange Farm stables 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 2 Pied Wagtails 20 Wrens 5 Dunnocks 14 Robins, including juveniles 13 Blackbirds 2 Song Thrushes 3 Mistle Thrushes Pair of Whitethroats on Ousel Nest Meadow 2 Garden Warblers. Not quite in the CP. On the field between Ousel Nest Meadow and Grange Park Road. 7 Blackcaps 2 Chiffchaffs 7 Willow Warblers 4 Goldcrests Lots of Long-tailed Tits including juveniles Numerous Coal Tits, Blue Tits (including birds disappearing into tiny holes in stone walls), and Great Tits. 3 Nuthatches No Treecreepers seen. I checked where they were nest building last week, but no sign of anything 2 Jays 8 Magpies 2 Jackdaws 4 Carrion Crows 3 House Sparrows 13 Chaffinches 4 Greenfinches 4 Goldfinches 1 Lesser Redpoll 2 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Thu Jun 6 3:14 AM, 2013
9.30am to 12.45pm. Most of the time spent mooching around Ousel Nest Meadow :- Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers.
6 Great Crested Grebes 3 Grey Herons, including one in a strange pose I have never seen before. The wings were hanging low down facing forwards like two large spoons, unlike outstretched Cormorant wings. 29 Canada Geese + goslings 1 hybrid Goose 50+ Mallards & ducklings 1 Pheasant at Walsh Fold 1 Moorhen 1 Coot 1 Lapwing on farmland 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Common Tern 8 Feral Pigeons 18 Woodpigeons 1 Collared Dove 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 House Martin 6 Swallows Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes (including a juvenile) Pair of Whitethroats off Grange Road 6 Blackcaps 2 Chiffchaffs 6 Willow Warblers 6 Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits Pair of Treecreepers. Cracking views of them building a nest in a dead tree near the information centre. 1 Jay 6 Magpies 4 Jackdaws No Rooks at the CP but lots along Bradshaw Road in the Rookery area 3 Carrion Crows House Sparrows at the farms 20 Chaffinches 8 Greenfinches 6 Goldfinches 2 Bullfinches
8 Great Crested Grebes 3 Grey Herons 11 Canada Geese + goslings 23 Mallards 1 Moorhen 1 Oystercatcher 1 Black-headed Gull 24 Woodpigeons 2 Collared Doves 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 2 House Martins 20+ Swallows 1 Pied Wagtail 17 Wrens 4 Dunnocks 14 Robins 14 Blackbirds 4 Song Thrushes 1 Mistle Thrush 3 Whitethroats 1 Garden Warbler, up the access road near the farm. 4 Blackcaps 1 Chiffchaff 12 Willow Warblers 4 Goldcrests 8 Long-tailed Tits 8 Blue Tits 6 Great Tits 1 Nuthatch 3 Magpies 4 Jackdaws 2 Carrion Crows 1 Starling 2 House Sparrows 11 Chaffinches 8 Greenfinches 5 Goldfinches 1 Linnet 4 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Fri May 24 9:53 PM, 2013
8.05am to 8.50am.
5 Great Crested Grebes 3 Grey Herons 8 Canada Geese + goslings 15 Mallards 2 Moorhens 4 Black-headed Gulls 2 House Martins 20+ Swallows 2 Grey Wagtails 1 Reed Bunting. By the pond in the pill box field between the reservoir & Chapeltown Road.
David Lumb said
Wed May 22 11:02 PM, 2013
8.10am to 10.45am. Lesser Whitethroat looks to have moved on, and surprisingly no Common Terns today, including a second look early afternoon.
5 Great Crested Grebes 2 Cormorants 2 Grey Herons 10 adult Canada Geese + 4 of the original goslings, and 2 new ones 1 Hybrid Goose back again 20+ Mallards 2 Pheasants 5 Moorhens 1 Lapwing 2 Curlews 3 Black-headed Gulls 6 Feral Pigeons 23 Woodpigeons 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 1 House Martin 8 Swallows 19 Wrens 4 Dunnocks 16 Robins 15 Blackbirds 3 Song Thrushes 2 Whitethroats 6 Blackcaps 2 Chiffchaffs 14 Willow Warblers 4 Goldcrests 4 Long-tailed Tits 2 Coal Tits 10 Blue Tits 6 Great Tits No Nuthatches seen or heard. Very unusual. 10 Magpies No Jackdaws or Rooks around the CP, but 40+ Rooks with some Jackdaws on the other side of Bradshaw Road near the rookery. 8 Carrion Crows House Sparrows nesting at Walsh Fold 13 Chaffinches 6 Greenfinches 5 Goldfinches 1 Linnet 2 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Sun May 19 12:36 AM, 2013
9.45am to 11.30am. Managed to beat the rain but a strongish wind kept a lot of the smaller birds hidden & quiet.
6 Great Crested Grebes 4 Grey Herons, two together when I got there, and a couple flying in from Entwistle direction. 4 Canada Geese + goslings 20+ Mallards 2 male Goosanders. Near the weir on the brook at the top end before flying to open water beneath the quarry when I disturbed them. 2 Moorhens 1 Coot 1 Black-headed Gull 2 Common Terns on buoys on the reservoir throughout and as I headed home along Grange Road two more flew in from over Bromley Cross. 1 Tawny Owl calling from the top of the quarry. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 8 House Martins, my first ones here this year, a sure sign that the Chapeltown nesting colony is building up nicely. 20+ Swallows 1 Lesser Whitethroat in the usual place, still only giving fleeting glimpses from the back of the hedgerow. Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, & Willow Warblers. No sign of any Whitethroats.
David Lumb said
Wed May 15 1:12 AM, 2013
7.35am to 9.25am.
9 Great Crested Grebes, including a pair rebuilding their nest. 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 19 Canada Geese + 5 goslings 30+ Mallards 1 Sparrowhawk very high up 3 Moorhens 1 Coot 1 Curlew at Birches Farm 4 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 25 Woodpigeons 2 Collared Doves 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 15 Swallows 1 Grey Wagtail Lots of Wrens & Robins 10 Dunnocks 13 Blackbirds 3 Song Thrushes 1 Whitethroat along Grange Road 1 Lesser Whitethroat near the information centre, at the bottom of the access road again. One in the same hedge for a few days last year. 5 Blackcaps 2 Chiffchaffs 9 Willow Warblers Goldcrests in 5 different locations. Normally only a couple of pairs breed here. 4 Long-tailed Tits 2 Coal Tits 20+ Blue Tits 10+ Great Tits 1 Nuthatch 1 Jay 3 Magpies 2 Jackdaws 20+ Rooks 4 Carrion Crows 1 Starling 4 House Sparrows 6 Chaffinches 6 Greenfinches 5 Goldfinches Pair of Linnets at the farm up the access road. Unusual birds here. 2 Bullfinches
10.10am to 11.25am and a short late afternoon visit.
7 Great Crested Grebes. There were no Grebes on the nest this morning, and this afternoon a Moorhen was exploring the nest. The pair of Grebes watched from a distance, moving nearer when the Moorhen moved off, and then swam out into the middle of the reservoir, before flying towards other Grebes at the bottom end of the reservoir. It looks as though the nest has been abandoned. 3 Grey Herons 8 Canada Geese + the 5 goslings 20+ Mallards Pair of Tufted Ducks 4 Moorhens 1 Common Sandpiper 12 Black-headed Gulls 2 Common Terns 3 Swallows A Whitethroat near the yatch club is the first one this year around the reservoir area.
David Lumb said
Tue May 7 3:28 AM, 2013
7.50am to 10.10am.
10 Great Crested Grebes 1 Grey Heron 14 Canada Geese. The missing goslings have been 'hiding' at the yatch club. Down to five now though. 40+ Mallards 2 Moorhens 2 Coots 12 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 7 Common Terns. Two pairs on buoys & 3 very active ones chasing each about, even to Bradshaw Lodges and back, and probably the 3 that visited Wayoh later. 6 Swallows 2 Whitethroats along Grange Road, across from where the footpath from the railway footbridge comes out. 6 Blackcaps 4 Chiffchaffs 11 Willow Warblers 4 Goldcrests Plus the usual other residents.
David Lumb said
Sun May 5 1:25 AM, 2013
8.25am to 9.20am.
10 Great Crested Grebes 1 Grey Heron 5 Canada Geese (nobody has seen any goslings for nearly a week) 30+ Mallards 5 Moorhens 2 Coots 4 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 2 Common Terns 4 Swallows
David Lumb said
Fri May 3 12:58 AM, 2013
7.40am to 10.20am & 13.45 to 14.45. Even with a check of every nook & cranny still no sign of some expected migrants, Whitethroats & hirundines especially.
8 Great Crested Grebes 20 Canada Geese, no sign of the goslings, hopefully hidden away somewhere. 40+ Mallards 3 Buzzards 3 Kestrels. A pair on Ousel Nest Meadow + a male on the quarry. 6 Moorhens 2 Coots 1 Lapwing on farmland 15 Black-headed Gulls 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 2 Common Terns, being bullied by two of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 37 Woodpigeons 1 Tawny Owl at the bottom of Ousel Nest Meadow. Perched about 20 feet away watching my every move. No intention of moving for me, or any of the small birds, or a Woodpigeon which was perched next to it. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 6 Swallows Pair of Grey Wagtails by the overflow tunnel 4 Pied Wagtails 22 Wrens 6 Dunnocks 23 Robins 19 Blackbirds 3 Song Thrushes 2 Mistle Thrushes 6 Blackcaps 2 Chiffchaffs 13 Willow Warblers 2 Goldcrests 8 Long-tailed Tits 2 Coal Tits, as usual outside the information centre where someone is putting food out. 21 Blue Tits 11 Great Tits 1 Jay 9 Magpies Good numbers of Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows, mostly mixed together at Walsh Fold. Other Rooks heard from the Rookery on Bradshaw Road. House Sparrows breeding at Walsh Fold 10 Chaffinches 7 Greenfinches 5 Goldfinches 2 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Sun Apr 28 11:34 PM, 2013
8.55am to 10.00am.
10 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 16 Canada Geese + 6 goslings (there were 7 yesterday). Finally bred successfully on the quarry ledge after years of failures. Numerous Mallards 3 Buzzards. Two together quite low, and one much higher up. 4 Moorhens 3 Coots 1 Common Sandpiper 3 Black-headed Gulls 1 Common Tern Nothing new amongst the woodland species.
David Lumb said
Fri Apr 26 12:01 AM, 2013
8.45am to 11.10am. Nothing new from my last visit, still waiting for Garden Warblers, Whitethroats, and any waders.
7 Great Crested Grebes, including one sat on a nest. 1 Grey Heron 7 Canada Geese, including one still high up on a ledge of the quarry Numerous Mallards 1 Kestrel on Ousel Nest Meadow when I arrived, and another or the same one near the stables when I was leaving. 4 Moorhens 2 Coots 5 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Common Tern 9 Swallows Pair of Grey Wagtails at the overflow tunnel 2 Pied Wagtails 2 Blackcaps 2 Chiffchaffs 10 Willow Warblers Plus the regulars
David Lumb said
Mon Apr 22 2:09 AM, 2013
7.40am to 9.45am
7 Great Crested Grebes 14 Canada Geese and the hybrid which flew in and tried to split up a pair on the pond near the pill box. Not a popular bird with this pair. 30+ Mallards Presumably a very large Sparrowhawk flying over. Only a brief view between trees, unable to study properly, but Goshawk unlikely around here. 1 Buzzard 1 Pheasant 1 Moorhen 3 Coots 2 Lapwings on farmland 1 Snipe flushed from the footpath by the reservoir 4 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 2 Common Terns 1 Feral Pigeon 20 Woodpigeons 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 10+ Swallows 2 Grey Wagtails, one in the overflow tunnel and one on the bridge at the top end. 3 Pied Wagtails Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins 11 Blackbirds 4 Song Thrushes 2 Mistle Thrushes 1 Blackcap 3 Chiffchaffs 9 Willow Warblers 3 Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits 4 Nuthatches 1 Treecreeper 10 Jays, including a very noisy five in one tree. 7 Magpies 4 Jackdaws 6 Rooks 4 Carrion Crows 4 House Sparrows 6 Chaffinches 2 Greenfinches 8 Goldfinches 2 Siskins 2 Lesser Redpolls 4 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Thu Apr 18 9:59 PM, 2013
9.30am to 10.40am.
11 Great Crested Grebes 4 Cormorants 2 Grey Herons 24 Canada Geese + a hybrid of some sort 30+ Mallards 2 Moorhens 4 Coots 3 Black-headed Gulls 1 Common Tern 1 Swallow 1 Buzzard
David Lumb said
Wed Apr 17 11:14 PM, 2013
10.00 to 13.00. Fairly sheltered from the wind here so I spent 3 hours checking the residents and anything passing through.
8 Great Crested Grebes 5 Cormorants 4 Grey Herons 15 Canada Geese 35+ Mallards 1 male Goosander 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Buzzard 3 Moorhens 5 Coots 1 Lapwing on farmland 6 Black-headed Gulls on the reservoir, a few others flying over. 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the reservoir throughout, and 21 passing over, largest group one of 13 birds. 1 Common Tern on a buoy most of the time, flying off to fish at Bradshaw Lodges presumably as I was leaving. That should upset the fishermen there as even the Crow scarer did not bother them last year. The Terns that is, not the worm drowners. 24 Woodpigeons 4 Swallows passing through 1 Meadow Pipit 3 Pied Wagtails. Only the resident Pied, no White ones. 25 Wrens 8 Dunnocks 24 Robins 17 Blackbirds 4 Song Thrushes 4 Mistle Thrushes 1 Blackcap 3 Chiffchaffs 5 Willow Warblers 3 Goldcrests 6 Long-tailed Tits 2 Coal Tits 20 Blue Tits 15 Great Tits 6 Nuthatches 2 Treecreepers 4 Jays 14 Magpies 2 Jackdaws 3 Rooks 11 Carrion Crows 5 Starlings 6 Chaffinches 4 Greenfinches 11 Goldfinches 1 Siskin 2 Bullfinches
David Lumb said
Wed Apr 17 6:23 AM, 2013
13.45 to 14.30.
4 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 24 Canada Geese Numerous Mallards 2 Moorhens 5 Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 1 Grey Wagtail 2 Swallows At Horrobin Lane I heard a Green Woodpecker and traced it to the field behind the lane, where I was surprised to see it flush a Buzzard from a tree.
5 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
13 Canada Geese on the reservoir and another on a farmland pond with Mallards as it was last Saturday
120+ Mallards
3 Moorhens
28 Black-headed Gulls
A Dipper feeding in Bradshaw Brook at the overflow, and a Grey Wagtail in the overflow tunnel.
7 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
1 Canada Goose
90 Mallards
4 Moorhens
16 Lapwings flying around just the other side of Bradshaw Road.
20+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
13 Feral Pigeons
110 Woodpigeons
2 Collared Doves
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Grey Wagtail
5 Pied Wagtails
16 Wrens
5 Dunnocks
40+ Robins. Everywhere except the farmland in groups of 2-3 if not more.
3 Redwings
1 Mistle Thrush
3 flocks of Long-tailed Tits
2 pairs of Coal Tits
30+ Blue Tits
10+ Great Tits
5 Nuthatches
7 Jays
11 Magpies
70+ Jackdaws
2 Rooks
8 Carrion Crows
35 Starlings
9 Chaffinches
2 Greenfinches
3 Goldfinches
12 Bullfinches.
Ousel Nest Meadow :-
4 Redwings, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, numerous Bullfinches. 42 Starlings on wires near Grange Road.
Bradshaw Brook at the overflow :-
2 Dippers
Farmland between reservoir & Bradshaw Road :-
1 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipits, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Reed Bunting. Lots of Rooks & Jackdaws around the rookery area on Bradshaw Road.
Reservoir :-
Highlight was 4 Crossbills in the Information Centre area.
Things were looking good after the above sightings but I then had continuous rain for about 90 minutes and things went fairly quiet.
7 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Cormorants, 21 Canada Geese, 60+ Mallards, 1 Pheasant, 2 Moorhens, 15 Black-headed Gulls, Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches.
8 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
19 Canada Geese
60+ Mallards
6 Moorhens
15 Black-headed Gulls
1 Grey Wagtail
Just after 2pm as I crossed the field between Turton Tower and Turton Golf Course I saw a couple of Ravens fly up from Jumbles, circle around for a few minutes, and then fly back to Jumbles.
7 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
3 Grey Herons
35 Canada Geese + the hybrid
50+ Mallards
3 Black-headed Gulls
1 Sparrowhawk on Ousel Nest Meadow, very close as it flew across the path
1 Buzzard flying over
7 Great Crested Grebes
11 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
50+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
10 Black-headed Gulls
5 Great Crested Grebes
10 Cormorants
5 Grey Herons
80+ Mallards
30+ Black-headed Gulls
Dipper and Grey Wagtail at the overflow on Bradshaw Brook
A couple of Meadow Pipits on the field between the reservoir and the pill box.
A few Speckled Woods.
5 Great Crested Grebes
8 Cormorants
6 Grey Herons
Hybrid goose
70+ Mallards
1 Moorhen
20+ Black-headed Gulls
A few Swallows when I arrived and soon a flock of 30+ flew through
1 House Martin
2 Dippers on overflow pipies
1 Chiffchaff
5 Great Crested Grebes
15 Cormorants
6 Grey Herons
1 Canada Goose
60+ Mallards
1 Moorhen
20+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
25+ Woodpigeons & a few Feral Pigeons
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
10+ House Martins & 10+ Swallows high up
1 Grey Wagtail & 1 Dipper at the overflow
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Treecreeper,
Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Chafffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins (20+), Bullfinches.
1 dead Common Shrew on the footpath at Ousel Nest Meadow.
5 Great Crested Grebes
8 Cormorants
4 Grey Herons
6 Canada Geese
Lots of Mallards
1 Buzzard
1 Moorhen, presumably more hidden away
25 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mixed flock of 20+ Swallows/House Martins high up
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Dipper at the overflow
Still very quiet around the woodland
6 Great Crested Grebes
7 Cormorants
4 Grey Herons
7 Canada Geese
90+ Mallards
1 Buzzard
5 Moorhens
25 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
6 Swallows
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Dipper feeding in the brook at the overflow
1 Raven heard, somewhere over Bromley Cross
3 Great Crested Grebes
7 Cormorants
8 Grey Herons
6 Canada Geese
50+ Mallards
1 Buzzard
5 Moorhens
5 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
1 Dipper walking across the weir to the the overflow pipes
3 Great Crested Grebes
7 Cormorants
11 Grey Herons
7 Canada Geese
90+ Mallards
1 Buzzard which flew low across the reservoir before climbing higher to soar around
4 Moorhens
5 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Kingfisher which for a change was very obliging as it posed for photos perched on a stick
20+ House Martins. None about until the Buzzard appeared. They followed it in and mobbed it when it rose higher.
A few Swallows
A Dipper and a Grey Wagtail were on the overflow pipes though.
Reservoir birds :-
2 Great Crested Grebes
6 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
38 Canada Geese
70+ Mallards
1 Buzzard
6 Moorhens, including a couple of juveniles
10+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Kingfisher, presumably the one I heard at the overflow. Seen on a fencepost at the water's edge and again from Horrobin car park.
4 Swallows
2 Great Crested Grebes
9 Cormorants
11 Grey Herons
16 Canada Geese
50+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
10 Lapwings
20+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Common Tern
5 Swallows
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Cormorants
10 Grey Herons
Already plenty of Canada Geese when I got there, and over the next hour or so lots more flew in including the hybrid. Finished with a total of 124.
80+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
2 Common Sandpipers
30+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Common Tern
20+ Swallows. Breeding pair at Grange Farm stables + passing birds.
1 Grey Wagtail
My first Green Sandpiper here for many a year. Picked up on it as it flew into view in my bins as I was checking the gulls for anything different. I followed it's flight until it went out of view without landing.
Not long after the Black-headed Gulls had a real feast on a shoal of Roach which were being picked off from just below the surface of the reservoir. A lesser Black-backed Gull was on the overflow structure with 3 Cormorants. 12 Grey Herons were in the bottom corner. Another was further up the reservoir.
Also present were 2 Great Crested Grebes, 34 Canada Geese, numerous Mallards, and a Moorhen.
1 Great Crested Grebe
2 Cormorants
10 Grey Herons
19 Canada Geese
60+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
30+ Black-headed Gulls
A few House Martins & Swallows overhead
1 Buzzard
4 Great Crested Grebe
4 Cormorants
20 Grey Herons, 19 of them together in the bottom corner near Grange Farm
33 Canada Geese
50+ Mallards
1 Moorhen
50+ Black-headed Gulls
3 Common Terns
1 Kingfisher
6 Swallows
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Dipper on Bradshaw Brook
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Cormorants
13 Grey Herons
31 Canada Geese + the hybrid
50+ Mallards
1 Common Sandpiper
20+ Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
2 Common Terns
1 Swift
4 Swallows
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Dipper on the overflow pipes
3 Great Crested Grebes
5 Cormorants
13 Grey Herons
31 Canada Geese + the hybrid
30+ Mallards, + 10 ducklings
1 Moorhen
2 Common Sandpipers
40+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
8 Common Terns
2 House Martins
4 Swallows
3 Pied Wagtails
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Cormorants
12 Grey Herons
32 Canada Geese
30+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
50+ Black-headed Gulls
4 Common Terns
1 Kingfisher chasing young Pied Wagtails at the top end of the reservoir
5 Pied Wagtails
15+ Swallows, including a family group
A couple of House Martins flew in from Chapeltown
Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, 1 Stock Dove at Ousel Nest Meadow
Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds
Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Bullfinches
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
15 Grey Herons
34 Canada Geese
30+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
40+ Black-headed Gulls
7 Common Terns
5 Swallows
1 House Martin
2 Pied Wagtails
+ all the usual woodland birds
Pair of Great Crested Grebes. Low water levels mean that the nest has had to be abandoned.
25 Grey Herons. 22 of them on rocks in the Grange Farm corner.
30+ Canada Geese
40+ Mallards, including a new brood of ducklings
30+ Black-headed Gulls
6 Common Terns
2 Swallows
1 House Martin
3 Pied Wagtails
1 Kingfisher
1 Dipper seen from the overflow bridge on Bradshaw Brook
15 Grey Herons, mostly juveniles from Entwistle.
40+ Black-headed Gulls with lots of juveniles, presumably from Belmont.
Common Terns included 2 juveniles. I heard some Terns flying in as I mooched around Ousel Nest Meadow. At the reservoir there were some birds flying around, some on buoys (where I saw the young ones), and some on the shoreline with the Gulls. I got to eleven in total, the same as the flock a few days ago. Nearest breeding birds that I know of are at Doffcocker.
Other birds included :-
3 Great Crested Grebes, including one on the nest
19 Canada Geese + the hybrid goose
30+ Mallards
Nesting Swallows at Grange Farm & the farm up the access road
Pair of Garden Warblers by the yatch club, possibly with young. I had a cracking view of a singing bird at the top of a tree when a second bird came out of the vegetation a few feet from the footpath. This second bird made me feel very unwelcome as it was obviously trying to divert me away from the area. The constant singing of both birds made my day.
I did not see any Moorhens, not helped by a bloke taking his young son fishing in the conservation area. All that area around the reservoir but the plonker had to go in there.
Great Crested Grebe on the new nest. I only saw one other but I did not check the bay by the yatch club where another pair normally frequent.
2 Cormorants
14 Grey Herons, 13 of them away from the footpaths near Grange Farm
32 Canada Geese
20+ Mallards
3 Black-headed Gulls
11 Common Terns. All flying around together before one dropped onto a buoy. The other 10 continued flying around, very noisily, for about 5 minutes before heading off.
6 Swifts
2 House Martins
2 Swallows
5 Great Crested Grebes. One pair have a newly built nest.
2 Cormorants
11 Grey Herons. No wonder there are only a few left at Entwistle Reservoir.
32 Canada Geese including goslings + the hybrid
30+ Mallards
3 Moorhens
12 Black-headed Gulls
4 Common Terns
3 Swifts
2 Swallows
1 Grey Wagtail
Early afternoon I heard Buzzards coming over Jumbles as I walked through Turton Tower grounds. One bird actually landed in a tree not far from me. A third bird could be seen over Walsh Fold.
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
3 Grey Herons
31 Canada Geese
40+ Mallards
1 Buzzard. Seen flying in from Turton Tower carrying prey (something black) pursued by Carrion Crows. Flew towards Walsh Fold.
3 Moorhens
1 Coot
1 Oystercatcher
6 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Common Terns
14 Feral Pigeons
24 Woodpigeons
30+ Swifts
10+ Swallows
1 House Martin
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Pied Wagtail
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes
Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches
Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, a Siskin, Bullfinches
4 Great Crested Grebes (including a pair with a nest, which is on mud near the bridge at the top end. The rain being forecast will soon wash it away)
37 Canada Geese (including the goslings which are almost full size now)
The hybrid goose
40+ Mallards
1 Buzzard
1 Moorhen
3 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Common Terns
Woodpigeons
2 Swifts
2 House Martins
2 Swallows
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
1 Grey Wagtail on Bradshaw Brook
Blackbirds
Song Thrushes
2 Whitethroats
3 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
4 Willow Warblers
Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits
Blue Tits
Great Tits
Nuthatches
Jays
Magpies
Jackdaws
Rooks
Carrion Crows
Chaffinches
Greenfinches
Goldfinches
Bullfinches
6 Great Crested Grebes
11 Canada Geese
30+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
3 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Common Tern
6 Great Crested Grebes
4 Grey Herons
26 Canada Geese + goslings
1 hybrid Goose
30+ Mallards
2 Pheasants
2 Moorhens
1 Curlew on farmland
3 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Common Tern
3 Feral Pigeons
1 Stock Dove at Ousel Nest Meadow
18 Woodpigeons
2 Collared Doves along Grange Road
1 Tawny Owl at Ousel Nest Meadow
6 Swifts
Pair of House Martins at the farm up the access road
Swallows also at the farm, + others at Grange Farm stables
5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
2 Pied Wagtails
20 Wrens
5 Dunnocks
14 Robins, including juveniles
13 Blackbirds
2 Song Thrushes
3 Mistle Thrushes
Pair of Whitethroats on Ousel Nest Meadow
2 Garden Warblers. Not quite in the CP. On the field between Ousel Nest Meadow and Grange Park Road.
7 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
7 Willow Warblers
4 Goldcrests
Lots of Long-tailed Tits including juveniles
Numerous Coal Tits, Blue Tits (including birds disappearing into tiny holes in stone walls), and Great Tits.
3 Nuthatches
No Treecreepers seen. I checked where they were nest building last week, but no sign of anything
2 Jays
8 Magpies
2 Jackdaws
4 Carrion Crows
3 House Sparrows
13 Chaffinches
4 Greenfinches
4 Goldfinches
1 Lesser Redpoll
2 Bullfinches
Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers.
Reservoir :-
8 Great Crested Grebes
10 Grey Herons
26 Canada Geese + goslings
Numerous Mallards
3 Moorhens
1 Coot
1 Curlew
2 Black-headed Gulls
1 Swift
4 Swallows
6 Great Crested Grebes
3 Grey Herons, including one in a strange pose I have never seen before. The wings were hanging low down facing forwards like two large spoons, unlike outstretched Cormorant wings.
29 Canada Geese + goslings
1 hybrid Goose
50+ Mallards & ducklings
1 Pheasant at Walsh Fold
1 Moorhen
1 Coot
1 Lapwing on farmland
1 Black-headed Gull
1 Common Tern
8 Feral Pigeons
18 Woodpigeons
1 Collared Dove
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 House Martin
6 Swallows
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes (including a juvenile)
Pair of Whitethroats off Grange Road
6 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
6 Willow Warblers
6 Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
Pair of Treecreepers. Cracking views of them building a nest in a dead tree near the information centre.
1 Jay
6 Magpies
4 Jackdaws
No Rooks at the CP but lots along Bradshaw Road in the Rookery area
3 Carrion Crows
House Sparrows at the farms
20 Chaffinches
8 Greenfinches
6 Goldfinches
2 Bullfinches
6 Great Crested Grebes
6 Grey Herons
23 Canada Geese + goslings
40+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
3 Black-headed Gulls
3 Common Terns
2 Swallows
1 Grey Wagtail
8 Great Crested Grebes
3 Grey Herons
11 Canada Geese + goslings
23 Mallards
1 Moorhen
1 Oystercatcher
1 Black-headed Gull
24 Woodpigeons
2 Collared Doves
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
2 House Martins
20+ Swallows
1 Pied Wagtail
17 Wrens
4 Dunnocks
14 Robins
14 Blackbirds
4 Song Thrushes
1 Mistle Thrush
3 Whitethroats
1 Garden Warbler, up the access road near the farm.
4 Blackcaps
1 Chiffchaff
12 Willow Warblers
4 Goldcrests
8 Long-tailed Tits
8 Blue Tits
6 Great Tits
1 Nuthatch
3 Magpies
4 Jackdaws
2 Carrion Crows
1 Starling
2 House Sparrows
11 Chaffinches
8 Greenfinches
5 Goldfinches
1 Linnet
4 Bullfinches
5 Great Crested Grebes
3 Grey Herons
8 Canada Geese + goslings
15 Mallards
2 Moorhens
4 Black-headed Gulls
2 House Martins
20+ Swallows
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Reed Bunting. By the pond in the pill box field between the reservoir & Chapeltown Road.
5 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
10 adult Canada Geese + 4 of the original goslings, and 2 new ones
1 Hybrid Goose back again
20+ Mallards
2 Pheasants
5 Moorhens
1 Lapwing
2 Curlews
3 Black-headed Gulls
6 Feral Pigeons
23 Woodpigeons
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
1 House Martin
8 Swallows
19 Wrens
4 Dunnocks
16 Robins
15 Blackbirds
3 Song Thrushes
2 Whitethroats
6 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
14 Willow Warblers
4 Goldcrests
4 Long-tailed Tits
2 Coal Tits
10 Blue Tits
6 Great Tits
No Nuthatches seen or heard. Very unusual.
10 Magpies
No Jackdaws or Rooks around the CP, but 40+ Rooks with some Jackdaws on the other side of Bradshaw Road near the rookery.
8 Carrion Crows
House Sparrows nesting at Walsh Fold
13 Chaffinches
6 Greenfinches
5 Goldfinches
1 Linnet
2 Bullfinches
6 Great Crested Grebes
4 Grey Herons, two together when I got there, and a couple flying in from Entwistle direction.
4 Canada Geese + goslings
20+ Mallards
2 male Goosanders. Near the weir on the brook at the top end before flying to open water beneath the quarry when I disturbed them.
2 Moorhens
1 Coot
1 Black-headed Gull
2 Common Terns on buoys on the reservoir throughout and as I headed home along Grange Road two more flew in from over Bromley Cross.
1 Tawny Owl calling from the top of the quarry.
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
8 House Martins, my first ones here this year, a sure sign that the Chapeltown nesting colony is building up nicely.
20+ Swallows
1 Lesser Whitethroat in the usual place, still only giving fleeting glimpses from the back of the hedgerow.
Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, & Willow Warblers. No sign of any Whitethroats.
9 Great Crested Grebes, including a pair rebuilding their nest.
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
19 Canada Geese + 5 goslings
30+ Mallards
1 Sparrowhawk very high up
3 Moorhens
1 Coot
1 Curlew at Birches Farm
4 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
25 Woodpigeons
2 Collared Doves
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
15 Swallows
1 Grey Wagtail
Lots of Wrens & Robins
10 Dunnocks
13 Blackbirds
3 Song Thrushes
1 Whitethroat along Grange Road
1 Lesser Whitethroat near the information centre, at the bottom of the access road again. One in the same hedge for a few days last year.
5 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
9 Willow Warblers
Goldcrests in 5 different locations. Normally only a couple of pairs breed here.
4 Long-tailed Tits
2 Coal Tits
20+ Blue Tits
10+ Great Tits
1 Nuthatch
1 Jay
3 Magpies
2 Jackdaws
20+ Rooks
4 Carrion Crows
1 Starling
4 House Sparrows
6 Chaffinches
6 Greenfinches
5 Goldfinches
Pair of Linnets at the farm up the access road. Unusual birds here.
2 Bullfinches
7 Great Crested Grebes
3 Grey Herons
8 Canada Geese + goslings
20+ Mallards
1 Sparrowhawk
4 Moorhens
1 Common Sandpiper
8 Black-headed Gulls
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew across from Bradshaw Lodges
4 Common Terns
1 Feral Pigeon
28 Woodpigeons
2 Collared Doves
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
20+ Swallows
1 Pied Wagtail
20+ Wrens,
8 Dunnocks,
20+ Robins
17 Blackbirds
4 Song Thrushes
2 Mistle Thrushes
1 Whitethroat
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Garden Warbler
5 Blackcaps
3 Chiffchaffs
11 Willow Warblers
4 pairs of Goldcrests
2 Long-tailed Tits
2 Coal Tits
20+ Blue Tits
10+ Great Tits
1 Nuthatch
3 Jays
6 Magpies
10+ Jackdaws
20+ Rooks
5 Carrion Crows
2 House Sparrows
8 Chaffinches
10 Greenfinches
6 Goldfinches
2 Bullfinches
7 Great Crested Grebes. There were no Grebes on the nest this morning, and this afternoon a Moorhen was exploring the nest. The pair of Grebes watched from a distance, moving nearer when the Moorhen moved off, and then swam out into the middle of the reservoir, before flying towards other Grebes at the bottom end of the reservoir. It looks as though the nest has been abandoned.
3 Grey Herons
8 Canada Geese + the 5 goslings
20+ Mallards
Pair of Tufted Ducks
4 Moorhens
1 Common Sandpiper
12 Black-headed Gulls
2 Common Terns
3 Swallows
A Whitethroat near the yatch club is the first one this year around the reservoir area.
10 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
14 Canada Geese. The missing goslings have been 'hiding' at the yatch club. Down to five now though.
40+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
2 Coots
12 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
7 Common Terns. Two pairs on buoys & 3 very active ones chasing each about, even to Bradshaw Lodges and back, and probably the 3 that visited Wayoh later.
6 Swallows
2 Whitethroats along Grange Road, across from where the footpath from the railway footbridge comes out.
6 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
11 Willow Warblers
4 Goldcrests
Plus the usual other residents.
10 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
5 Canada Geese (nobody has seen any goslings for nearly a week)
30+ Mallards
5 Moorhens
2 Coots
4 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 Common Terns
4 Swallows
8 Great Crested Grebes
20 Canada Geese, no sign of the goslings, hopefully hidden away somewhere.
40+ Mallards
3 Buzzards
3 Kestrels. A pair on Ousel Nest Meadow + a male on the quarry.
6 Moorhens
2 Coots
1 Lapwing on farmland
15 Black-headed Gulls
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 Common Terns, being bullied by two of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
37 Woodpigeons
1 Tawny Owl at the bottom of Ousel Nest Meadow. Perched about 20 feet away watching my every move. No intention of moving for me, or any of the small birds, or a Woodpigeon which was perched next to it.
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
6 Swallows
Pair of Grey Wagtails by the overflow tunnel
4 Pied Wagtails
22 Wrens
6 Dunnocks
23 Robins
19 Blackbirds
3 Song Thrushes
2 Mistle Thrushes
6 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
13 Willow Warblers
2 Goldcrests
8 Long-tailed Tits
2 Coal Tits, as usual outside the information centre where someone is putting food out.
21 Blue Tits
11 Great Tits
1 Jay
9 Magpies
Good numbers of Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows, mostly mixed together at Walsh Fold. Other Rooks heard from the Rookery on Bradshaw Road.
House Sparrows breeding at Walsh Fold
10 Chaffinches
7 Greenfinches
5 Goldfinches
2 Bullfinches
10 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
16 Canada Geese + 6 goslings (there were 7 yesterday). Finally bred successfully on the quarry ledge after years of failures.
Numerous Mallards
3 Buzzards. Two together quite low, and one much higher up.
4 Moorhens
3 Coots
1 Common Sandpiper
3 Black-headed Gulls
1 Common Tern
Nothing new amongst the woodland species.
7 Great Crested Grebes, including one sat on a nest.
1 Grey Heron
7 Canada Geese, including one still high up on a ledge of the quarry
Numerous Mallards
1 Kestrel on Ousel Nest Meadow when I arrived, and another or the same one near the stables when I was leaving.
4 Moorhens
2 Coots
5 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Common Tern
9 Swallows
Pair of Grey Wagtails at the overflow tunnel
2 Pied Wagtails
2 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
10 Willow Warblers
Plus the regulars
7 Great Crested Grebes
14 Canada Geese and the hybrid which flew in and tried to split up a pair on the pond near the pill box. Not a popular bird with this pair.
30+ Mallards
Presumably a very large Sparrowhawk flying over. Only a brief view between trees, unable to study properly, but Goshawk unlikely around here.
1 Buzzard
1 Pheasant
1 Moorhen
3 Coots
2 Lapwings on farmland
1 Snipe flushed from the footpath by the reservoir
4 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 Common Terns
1 Feral Pigeon
20 Woodpigeons
4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
10+ Swallows
2 Grey Wagtails, one in the overflow tunnel and one on the bridge at the top end.
3 Pied Wagtails
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
11 Blackbirds
4 Song Thrushes
2 Mistle Thrushes
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
9 Willow Warblers
3 Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
4 Nuthatches
1 Treecreeper
10 Jays, including a very noisy five in one tree.
7 Magpies
4 Jackdaws
6 Rooks
4 Carrion Crows
4 House Sparrows
6 Chaffinches
2 Greenfinches
8 Goldfinches
2 Siskins
2 Lesser Redpolls
4 Bullfinches
11 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
24 Canada Geese + a hybrid of some sort
30+ Mallards
2 Moorhens
4 Coots
3 Black-headed Gulls
1 Common Tern
1 Swallow
1 Buzzard
8 Great Crested Grebes
5 Cormorants
4 Grey Herons
15 Canada Geese
35+ Mallards
1 male Goosander
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Buzzard
3 Moorhens
5 Coots
1 Lapwing on farmland
6 Black-headed Gulls on the reservoir, a few others flying over.
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the reservoir throughout, and 21 passing over, largest group one of 13 birds.
1 Common Tern on a buoy most of the time, flying off to fish at Bradshaw Lodges presumably as I was leaving. That should upset the fishermen there as even the Crow scarer did not bother them last year. The Terns that is, not the worm drowners.
24 Woodpigeons
4 Swallows passing through
1 Meadow Pipit
3 Pied Wagtails. Only the resident Pied, no White ones.
25 Wrens
8 Dunnocks
24 Robins
17 Blackbirds
4 Song Thrushes
4 Mistle Thrushes
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warblers
3 Goldcrests
6 Long-tailed Tits
2 Coal Tits
20 Blue Tits
15 Great Tits
6 Nuthatches
2 Treecreepers
4 Jays
14 Magpies
2 Jackdaws
3 Rooks
11 Carrion Crows
5 Starlings
6 Chaffinches
4 Greenfinches
11 Goldfinches
1 Siskin
2 Bullfinches
4 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
24 Canada Geese
Numerous Mallards
2 Moorhens
5 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Swallows
At Horrobin Lane I heard a Green Woodpecker and traced it to the field behind the lane, where I was surprised to see it flush a Buzzard from a tree.