Also a Red Kite was seen at the Woolston Community Protection Camp
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 27th of April 2015 01:10:50 AM
richard howells 2 said
Wed Apr 22 5:37 PM, 2015
Wood Sandpiper on No 3 bed in front of John Morgan hide at 1145 today. Also Sedge, Reed, Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat.
DavidBowman said
Sat Apr 18 1:35 PM, 2015
A brilliant sunny morning, though with little evidence of visible passage. Highlights were: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Grashopper Warbler, 15 Black-necked Grebes, 1 Goosander, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail, 1 Redshank, 3 Sedge Warblers, 4 Reed Warblers, 11 Whitethroats,4 Willow Tits, 6 Swallows, 21 Sand Martins and 1 Peregrine.
Last bit of Woolston birding for me for a couple of weeks, as I'm off to southern Greece !
Cheers David(with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd, Ste Dodd and George Dunbar.)
Adam Jones said
Fri Apr 17 9:26 PM, 2015
A good morning on number 3 bed. My first Swift of the year followed by my first House Martins too. A Sedge Warbler singing from within the reeds, but I didn't manage to see it. A Marsh Harrier made a few passes over the bed. Grasshopper Warbler reeling as I came out of the Morgan hide. 8 Black-necked Grebes 1 Reed Warbler Good numbers of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Plus all the usuals.
DavidBowman said
Thu Apr 16 3:04 PM, 2015
Great morning on No.3 bed, with lots of quality birds. Early on, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showed well by the footbridge and two adult Mediterranean Gulls, along with ten Black-necked Grebes were in front of the Morgan Hide. Later, on a walk round the bed, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 7 Willow Warblers and 4 Water Rails added to the variety. Finally, two Common Terns flew through, stopping only briefly before heading off to the north-west. Then had a mooch photographing butterflies. Another Cetti's Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler were also reported from the eastern end of the Reserve.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Wed Apr 15 9:33 PM, 2015
An excellent couple of hours before dusk on No.3 bed this evening. Records included 1 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtails and at least 4 White Wagtails with 10 Pied Wagtails on the Morgan Hide scrape, 1 Barn Owl hunting outside the hide, plus 175 Sand Martins and a few Swallows over the lagoon. Earlier in the day a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 9 Black-necked Grebes were reported. As we walked off the bed a badger was ambling along the south bank ahead of us and 2 unidentified Pipistrelles were hunting. David (with Dave Spencer and Darren Lloyd)
DavidBowman said
Tue Apr 14 8:45 PM, 2015
A beautiful late afternoon and evening at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve. Highlight was a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, along with the first Reed Warbler of the year, 6 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Willow Tits and 70 Sand Martins, plus masses of commoner birds
Cheers David
Jon Bowen said
Sun Apr 12 3:40 PM, 2015
Woolston Eyes busy today for Woolston. Good to see summer migrants in good numbers. At least 6 Chiffchaff around the reserve 2 Willow Warblers heard Male Blackcap showing well and warming up,for full song. Kingfisher heard around the bridge. 2 Sparrowhawks 7 Black Necked Grebe Willow Tit on the feeders and 2 birds heard around the reserve. Good numbers of Sand Martin and Swallow with a couple of House Martins thrown in. Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe Pochards looking particularly splendid monger the various ducks
John Williams said
Sun Apr 12 1:34 PM, 2015
A brief mooch round No3 bed this AM.
No sign of any Med Gulls.
22 Pochard, 17 Gadwall, 8 Black Necked Grebes, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1m+1f Kestrels, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 2m Shoveler and 2 Lapwings.
A male Blackcap was singing and showing well by the car park, but a Willow Warbler in the nearby copse was pouring out song whilst staying hidden.
3 more Willow Warblers heard on No3 and plenty of Chiffchaff song too. There seem to be lots of Teal still around although I regret I did'nt count them.
Upto a dozen or so Sand Martins were over the pool most of the time, and with them a few Swallows too.
4 Buzzards were soaring over the No3 Bed, then later 4 more were over the weir area.
Tension seemed very high amongst 3 pairs of Mute Swans on No 3 Bed, a fight was certainly looming.
Weir Pool (inc Old River)
34 Tufted Ducks, 8 Pochard, 8 Cormorants, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Shelduck.
Ship Canal
12 Tufted Ducks and 2 Great Crested Grebes.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Apr 12 7:30 AM, 2015
For anyone interested The Med Gull that I photographed at Woolston yesterday was rung in France and has spent the last 5 years on the Wyre Estuary in Lancashire.The Green Darvic ring no is R141T if you see it at Woolston eyes.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 12th of April 2015 07:33:06 AM
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Apr 11 5:55 PM, 2015
DavidBowman wrote:
Hi John, we photographed the Darvic colour ring and also got three of the digits off the metal ring. The fact that the metal ring was above the knee would suggest a bird of continental origin - maybe Dutch? When we find out, I'll post the info. here.
Cheers David
now ive got home and looked at the pictures it looks like Green R141 Which according to a website I've just been on is a French ringed bird. :)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 11th of April 2015 05:56:04 PM
DavidBowman said
Sat Apr 11 3:31 PM, 2015
Hi John, we photographed the Darvic colour ring and also got three of the digits off the metal ring. The fact that the metal ring was above the knee would suggest a bird of continental origin - maybe Dutch? When we find out, I'll post the info. here.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Sat Apr 11 3:29 PM, 2015
A terrific morning at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve, with the weather moving from cold and wet to breezy sunshine. Starting on No.3 bed, covering No.1 bed and then back onto No.3. Highlights were 1 Cetti's Warbler in song and seen briefly, an early Hobby cutting through the masses of Sand Martins (c.220 in total), 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 House Martins, 8 Willow Warblers, 2 Willow Tits, 16 Swallows, 9 Black-necked Grebes, 1 Redshank and both Peregrines and Kestrels at nest sites. Buttertflies included 2 Brimstones and an Orange Tip.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Alan Warford, Brian Baird, Diane Shepherd, George Dunbar, Les Jones, Dave Melia and Glenda Melia)
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Apr 11 2:44 PM, 2015
Cracking pair of Mediterranean gulls just came in landed at yhe frint of the main hide did bit of display then flew off north one had a long green ring with what looked like 14TY on its left leg any idea where its from and were it wss ringed?
DavidBowman said
Wed Apr 8 4:15 PM, 2015
A brilliant morning on No.3 bed, with the early morning mist burning off to reveal some excellent birds. Highlight was a Cetti's Warbler in full song, with a supporting cast of 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Snipe, 4 Water Rails, 5 Swallows, 4 Sparrowhawks, 14 Chiffchaffs, 6 Buzzards plus loads of commoner stuff.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Brian Martin, Dave Riley, Paul Hazlehurst, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Tue Apr 7 5:53 PM, 2015
Called in for a couple of hours in mid-afternoon. A Wheatear had been seen earlier but I couldn't find it. Two Black-necked Grebes, 3 Sand Martins, 1 Raven, 1 Peregrine, 2 singing Willow Tits, 7 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 820 Black-headed Gulls were the best I could do. The sunshine brought out the butterflies, too, with 18 Peacocks, 5 Small Tortoiseshells and a Speckled Wood on the path round No.3 bed.
Cheers David
Richard Thew said
Tue Apr 7 4:32 PM, 2015
An interesting afternoon with black necked grebes, an Immature common gull flying over and a common buzzard also over, besides the usual birds. But, i had a bitter sweet end which came from the pee-we-we alarm call of a lesser spotted woodpecker near the main bridge gate. Sweet to hear one, but bitter that I couldn't see it. Still, a very nice day in all.
Steve Judge said
Sat Apr 4 3:58 PM, 2015
Saturday, 4th April 2015 11:30 - 14:30 hrs.
Great to see John Tymon and have chat. Good selection of birds in dry weather with occasional sunny spells.
Black-Necked Grebes x 3 Kingfisher (over River Mersey - towards Weir Road end) Shelducks x 20 Buzzards x 5 heading south Chiffchaff x 5 Greenfinch x 2 Lapwing Great Crested Grebe Shoveler Wren Dunnock Robin House Sparrows x 10 (Weir Road) Long-Tailed Tits x 3 Reed Bunting x 1 Cormorants Blue Tits Great Tits Pochard x 30 Teal Gadwall Tufted Ducks x lots Blackbirds Grey Heron Black-Headed Gulls x lots Moorhen Coots Mallards Magpies Carrion Crows Lesser Black-backed Gulls x 2 Greylag Geese Canada Geese Mute Swan x 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying across Manchester Ship Canal on leaving reserve
1st Butterfly of year seen - Peacock near Meadow fields
DavidBowman said
Sat Apr 4 3:11 PM, 2015
A really beautiful morning produced some excellent birds. On arrival, a Barn Owl flew across the Ship Canal to quarter the far bank. Three Redwings flew over as we walked to the Morgan Hide, where the bird of the day, an Egyptian Goose flew through. At least 6 Black-necked Grebes were very active, with a female Marsh Harrier, and a single Swallow also noted. Then on to No.2 bed to complete a Breeding Bird Survey. Highlights were a Green Sandpiper, a pair of Kestrels occupying a newly erected nest box and Peregrine at the usual nest site. With high single figure counts of Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks, Kieran Foster also added a single Brimstone in No.3 bed.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)
M Gannon said
Sat Apr 4 10:33 AM, 2015
6:30-8:30
I was lucky enough to be in the hide when an Egyptian goose flew over, a lifer for me and also apparently only the third for the reserve
Other sightings included:
1 Ruddy duck 1 Marsh harrier 5 Black necked grebe 3 Chiffchaff 14 Pochard 1 G S woodpecker 2 Buzzard 2 Sparrowhawk 6 Reed bunting
steven burke said
Sat Mar 28 10:34 PM, 2015
despite the weather a really enjoyable day with 51 species...
1 red kite, just after 12pm 1 marsh harrier 4-6 buzzard 2 kestrel 1 sparrowhawk 1 barn owl, giving me the best ever views when it landed in a tree 20yds away from me 3 black necked grebe 1 Mediterranean gull 1 water rail 4 sand martin 2 willow tit 6 chiffchaff plus all the usuals around.
also witnessed a lesser black backed gull grab a black headed gull by its neck & kept hold of it for a while, swung it about a little & dropped it in the water, the black headed gull was floating on its back & drifted to a patch off exposed mud managed to get in an upright position looking very exhausted & looked almost certain to be dead soon after !
DavidBowman said
Sat Mar 28 2:56 PM, 2015
A really rewarding early spring morning, with some excellent birds recorded. A single Red Kite flew through at mid-day, attracting the attentions of 5 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels and 2 Sparrowhawks, with the raptor cast augmented by 2 sightings of Peregrine and the now regular Marsh Harrier. 2 Black-necked Grebes, 1 Mediterranean Gull, and 6 Sand Martins added to the masses of commoner species and made for another special morning.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd, Les Jones and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Fri Mar 27 11:54 AM, 2015
Another sighting of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this morning. It was first seen along the south bank of No.3 bed, before moving off towards No.2 bed. Medterranean Gull and Black-necked Grebe also still present. (info from David Spencer)
Cheers David
Patrick Earith said
Thu Mar 26 6:17 PM, 2015
Three Black-necked Grebes from the Rotary Hide at 18:00 today
DavidBowman said
Thu Mar 26 12:22 PM, 2015
Three, possibly four, Black-necked Grebes have turned up on No.3 bed, with Mediterranean Gull also still present (reported by David Spencer)
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Wed Mar 25 3:49 PM, 2015
A productive morning started and ended with some good birding on No.3 bed, where Green Sandpiper and Mediterranean Gull were the highlights, though no sign of yesterday's Black-necked Grebe. In between, we were able to make progress with erecting three Kestrel nesting boxes provided by the Highways Agency in relation to security work they are doing under Thelwall Viaduct. Cheers David (with David Spencer and Brian Baird)
DavidBowman said
Mon Mar 23 10:08 AM, 2015
Report from David Spencer this morning of single Black-necked Grebe, Mediterranean Gull and Marsh Harrier on No.3 bed.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Sat Mar 21 3:45 PM, 2015
A lovely,early spring morning, completing the first Common Bird Transects of the year on No.3 bed and then on No.1 bed. Highlights were: 1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 15 Chiffchaffs, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Snipe, 2 Willow Tits, 18 Reed Buntings, 75 Fieldfare, 7 Redwings, 3 Sparrowhawks, 9 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 6 Song Thrushes, 26 Wrens, 9 Dunnocks and 24 Robins.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd, George Dunbar and Les Jones.
DavidBowman said
Wed Mar 18 4:49 PM, 2015
Not much change this afternoon. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls still present, along with the male Cetti's Warbler which has been around for about a week. Two chiffchaffs were in song and nearly 600 Black-headed Gulls were a constant hive of activity
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Wed Mar 18 9:41 AM, 2015
Two adult Mediterranean Gulls and a Cetti's Warbler reported from No.3 bed yesterday. The gulls were still present in front of the Morgan Hide this morning (per David Spencer)
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Tue Mar 17 6:20 PM, 2015
Nice late afternoon, with a Green Sandpiper on the newly revamped pools on No.4 bed, two Chiffchaffs, 6 Little Grebes, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 120 Teal, 30 Pochard, 10 Shovelers and 8 Shelduck on No.3 bed. In addition, Dave Steel reported a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this morning on the south bank of No.3 bed.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Sat Mar 14 2:39 PM, 2015
One of those interesting days when winter and spring birds cross each others paths. Chiffchaff and Sand Martin were on No.3 bed, along with a male Brambling, while other good sightings included: a drake Goosander, a Willow Tit, a Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Gulls, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 9 Lesser Redpolls and 21 Pochard. Raptor breeding activity was also evident, with :four Peregrine sightings, probably involving the same male and includiing one of it carrying food in the direction of the regular breeding site; a pair of displaying Sparrowhawks and a pair of displaying Buzzards.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Tue Mar 3 2:58 PM, 2015
Last night's Starling roost held about 230,000 birds,with plenty of raptor activity, too. A Marsh Harrier was constantly in view, a male Peregrine kept cutting through the flock and 5 Sparrowhawks and 3 Buzzards made up the rest of the cast. To add to the spectacle, a Badger came and fed nonchalantly under the Morgan Hide feeders.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Sat Feb 28 4:05 PM, 2015
A great morning at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve today. We started with c.200,000 Starlings pouring out of the roost at dawn, with a couple of Sparrowhawks encouraging them on their way. Then, from the Morgan Hide, the Marsh Harrier was active throughout the morning, with c.670 Black-headed Gulls, now back at the breeding colony, adding a raucous soundtrack. Other sightings included: 1 Peregrine, 1 Woodcock, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, 3 Snipe, 5 Buzzards, 1 Willow Tit, 2 Little Grebes, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Wigeon, 300 Teal and 41 Lapwings.
Cheers David
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 28th of February 2015 04:29:18 PM
DavidBowman said
Fri Feb 27 3:12 PM, 2015
Spent the morning with contractor Steve Fletcher, on the Loop of No.4 bed, signing off his work on restoring the reed bed. He's done a fantastic job and already plenty of birds and wildlife were present. These included: 1 Weasel, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 12 Shovelers, 1 Great BLack-backed Gull, 7 Shelducks, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Water Rail, 16 Teal, 2 Gadwalls, 4 Lapwings, 9 Pied Wagtails, 1 Skylark, 3 Reed Buntings and a Buzzard. When the summer has dried the ground more we'll be putting in an access path to the new hide and opening it for permit holders.
Cheers David
DavidBowman said
Tue Feb 24 1:37 PM, 2015
Went down to No.3 bed early, intending to watch the Starlings leave the roost. Miscalculated, as at 6.45 am, just as we were driving down the track, a huge stream of Starlings were already moving south over the Ship Canal. Other sightings included:1 Peregrine, 71 Lapwings on the Morgan Hide scrape,260 Black-headed Gulls back at the colony, 1 Sparrowhawk trying to snatch one of the later-rising Starlings from the reedbed, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 70 Pochard and 160 Tufted Ducks.
12 Pochard, 10 Teal, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers & 6 Gadwall.
The Canada Geese were highly vocal, and the Coots chased off any other bird that got too close, especially Moorhens.
I actually saw a Coot fly in from the West, high above the meadow, that's something you don't see everyday.
A Song Thrush was in full song, as were Dunnocks, Robins and Blue Tits, whilst a couple of Wrens gave a full recital from the reed tops.
A Marsh Harrier was seen earlier, but it did'nt show for me. The Black Headed Gulls are back en-masse, displaying and pairing off.
Lots of Chaffinches with the Greenfinches around the feeders, but no sign Brambling, or any Willow Tits.
At one point though, 6 Long tailed Tits clung onto a single feeder, now that would have made a great photo. if only I'd brought my camera.
DavidBowman said
Sat Feb 14 3:48 PM, 2015
We started today on No.3 bed, where 240,000 Starlings made an impressive sight leaving the roost shortly after dawn. We then wandered as far as Bollin Point, at the eastern end of the Reserve. Other sightings of note included: 1 Peregrine, 220 Tufted Ducks, 27 Pochard, 8 Shelducks, 3 Sparrowhawks, 8 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Willow Tit, 25 Skylarks, 8 Linnets, 1 Water Rail and 10 Reed Buntings.
Cheers David (with Al Warford, Sue Haddock, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Sat Feb 7 2:44 PM, 2015
On Wildfowl Count day we started at dawn on No.3 bed, where a Sparrowhawk flushed more than 100,000 Starlings out of part of the roost. They then treated us to a dramatic murmuration before heading south. 380 Teal were on the only open pool in the centre of the largely frozen bed, along with Pochard, Shovelers, Shelduck, Gadwalls, Mallards, Moorhens and Coots. The walk to Bollin Point was productive, too, with a Badger ambling across the path with ten yards of us and two Goosanders flying west down the Canal. Other counts of interest included: 2 Tawny Owls and 2 Redpolls (per K. Foster), 736 Tufted Ducks, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 16 Bullfinches, 2 Snipe, 26 Pochard, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Song Thrushes and 2 Common Gulls.
Cheers David (with Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd, George Dunbar and Dave Melia)
alan patterson said
Tue Feb 3 8:40 AM, 2015
The starlings started to arrive about 4.45 last night and numbers built up quickly to well over 100,000. They settled down after about 45 minutes of superb display in front of the Tower Hide. I saw larger numbers last year but the display was better as they flew in tighter formation and created some great spiral patterns. I took 2 friends and there was only one other couple.
DavidBowman said
Sun Feb 1 12:12 PM, 2015
A fabulous dawn till dusk session on No.3 bed yesterday, started with a river of Starlings pouring out of the roost and heading south. The resident Barn Owl was seen by Kieran Foster at dawn, with evidence of its predilection for plucking Starlings out of the roost scattered inside the Tower Hide. Teal numbers remained good, with at least 800 present, largely tucked in the reeds till flushed by a male Peregrine. 500 Pinkfooted Geese heading west, 25 Pochards, 6 Snipe, 2 Willow Tits, 34 Redwings, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Bullfinches and 18 Reed Buntings were other good sightings. The best was saved for last, though, with 160,000 Starlings coming in to roost at dusk and swirling overhead, while harrassed by up to four Sparrowhawks.
Cheers David (with Dave Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd, Kelly Ainsworth, George Dunbar and Dave Melia)
DavidBowman said
Sat Jan 24 2:15 PM, 2015
Another excellent morning on No.3 bed, followed by an off-roading trip to review progress on No.4 bed with the contractor. One of our party, Paul Hazlehurst, arrived early and was in the Morgan Hide before first light (making up for over-sleeping the previous week!). He got his rewards when a Barn Owl tried to join him in the hide, twice landing on the ledge a couple of feet way from him and thinking about coming into the warmth of the hide. Other sightings included: 1 Kingfisher, loads of Teal, 4 Pochards, 10 Bullfinches,2 Fieldfare, 22 Redwings, 27 Magpies, 8 Stock Doves, 5 Snipe, 1 Redpoll, 1 Tawny Owl, 108 Lapwings, 6 Shelducks and 18 Shovelers. The trip onto No.4 bed proved eventful, when David Spencers car got bogged down and had to be towed out by the contractor!
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Brian Ankers, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Les Jones, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
DavidBowman said
Thu Jan 22 7:04 PM, 2015
A sunny winter's afternoon on No.3 bed brought some excellent sightings. Highlights were a Barn Owl, quartering the North Meadow at 2.00 pm, a single Brambling under the Morgan Hide feeders and a Starling roost, with the usual raptors in attendance, which held roughly 18,000 birds. In addition, around 1,000 Teal were on the bed, along with a single Snipe, 2 Water Rails, 100 Chaffinches, 80 Greenfinches, 3 Willow Tits, 5 Reed Buntings, 8 Bullfinches and 1 Grey Wagtail, plus many commoner species.
Cheers David (with Greg Baker)
DavidBowman said
Tue Jan 20 2:12 PM, 2015
Went down this morning, to meet the contractor who's currently revamping the wetland on No.4 bed. It's looking really good and we'll soon have a small elevated hide in place, for permit holders to use. Then on to No.3 bed for an hours birding. Sightings included: 650 Teal, 160 Pink-footed Geese flying over, 50 Gadwall, 80 Tufted Ducks, 5 Shelducks, 10 Redwings, 40 Chaffinches, 50 Greenfinches, 5 Shovelers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Willow Tit, 5 Bullfinches and 5 Reed Buntings. A permit holder reported one Brambling, which we didn't see.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, Alan Warford and David Spencer)
DavidBowman said
Sat Jan 10 5:16 PM, 2015
An excellent morning spent scanning from the Morgan Hide on No.3 bed, with the weather moving from heavy squalls to bright sunshine. A complete list of sightings was: Woodcock 1(flying across the front of the hide), Peregrine 1, Pinkfooted Goose 40, Willow Tit 1, Sparrowhawk 3, Buzzard 3, Greenfinch 100, Chaffinch 70, Bullfinch 8, Goldfinch 12, Moorhen 9, Teal 350, Wigeon 6, Pochard 7, Great Crested Grebe 2, Gadwall 19, Fieldfare 3, Redwing 3, Mistle Thrush 1, Blackbird 4, Song Thrush 1, Reed Bunting 8, Mallard 21, Shelduck 5, Pied Wagtail 3, Tufted Duck 25, Carrion Crow 5, Magpie 8, Jackdaw 201, Starling 100 (from roost), Canada Goose 11, Greylag Goose 2, Cormorant 9, Dunnock 3, Mute Swan 4, Grey Heron 1, Woodpigeon 300, Black-headed Gull 215, Lapwing 116, Pheasant 2, Shoveler 5, Lesser Black-backed Gull 4, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Long-tailed Tit 10, Jay 1, Blue Tit 7, Great Tit 6, Stock Dove 1, Robin 1, Herring Gull 1, Coot 4, Wren 3.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Les Jones, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)
John Williams said
Wed Jan 7 5:44 PM, 2015
10.00-13.00
The waterfowl seem to have thinned out quite a lot, especially the dabblers.
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail,1f Great Spotted Woodpecker,1 Goldcrest and 4 Bullfinches.
Also a pair of Canada Geese that seemed very interested in a raft, could they surveying their 2015 nest site?.
Lots of Chaffinches and Greenfinches around the feeders but no sign of any Bramblings.
R.Mersey/Weir Pool
2m+2f Goldeneye, 52 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelducks, 1 Little Grebe, a pair of Mute Swans and 30 Black Headed Gulls.
DavidBowman said
Mon Dec 29 5:25 PM, 2014
A cracking late afternoon on No.3 bed, where the Starling roost has quickly built up to c.100,000 birds. Also out on a small pool being kept open in the ice were: 450 Teal, 25 Coot and 21 Moorhens. Other sightings included: 15 Redpolls, 70 Greenfinches, 60 Chaffinches, 350 Jackdaws (flying west at dusk) and 65 Pied Wagtails coming in to roost.
Cheers David (with George Dunbar and Graham Cooke)
DavidBowman said
Sat Dec 27 2:50 PM, 2014
A great morning on a snowy No.3 bed. The lagoon had a thin skim of ice on it, though the Teal were working hard to keep some pools open. Highlights were the first Snowdrops of the year, masses of Badger and Fox prints everywhere, plus 15,000 Starlings from the roost at dawn, 700 Teal, 3 Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wigeon, 7 Goldeneye (on the Weir Pool) plus loads of finches around the feeding station.
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, George Dunbar and Sue Haddock.)
A female Sparrowhawk was engaged in an aerial squabble with a smaller immature hawk, it looked like she was trying to chase the juvenile
bird out of her territory. The battle finished though with the young hawk chasing off the the big female, and throughout the fight the Grey Wagtail
carried on feeding on the scrape directly below the predators.
DavidBowman said
Thu Dec 18 8:25 PM, 2014
This morning's visible migration watch from Butchersfield Tip started with drizzle which had cleared by mid-morning. Things started well, with a Woodcock flushed from the track on the way to the Tip. Most movements were of local feeding birds with the main counts of interest being: 23 Pink-footed Geese, 30 Fieldfares, 21 Redwings, 110 Skylarks, 1,800 Woodpigeons, 70 Stock Doves, 3,270 Starings, 200 Herring Gulls and 40 Chaffinches.
1 drake Pochard
10 Tufted Duck
8 Gadwall
2 Great Crested Grebe
c5 Buzzard
Also a Red Kite was seen at the Woolston Community Protection Camp
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 27th of April 2015 01:10:50 AM
Last bit of Woolston birding for me for a couple of weeks, as I'm off to southern Greece !
Cheers David(with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd, Ste Dodd and George Dunbar.)
My first Swift of the year followed by my first House Martins too. A Sedge Warbler singing from within the reeds, but I didn't manage to see it. A Marsh Harrier made a few passes over the bed. Grasshopper Warbler reeling as I came out of the Morgan hide.
8 Black-necked Grebes
1 Reed Warbler
Good numbers of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.
Plus all the usuals.
Cheers David
Cheers David
At least 6 Chiffchaff around the reserve
2 Willow Warblers heard
Male Blackcap showing well and warming up,for full song.
Kingfisher heard around the bridge.
2 Sparrowhawks
7 Black Necked Grebe
Willow Tit on the feeders and 2 birds heard around the reserve.
Good numbers of Sand Martin and Swallow with a couple of House Martins thrown in.
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe
Pochards looking particularly splendid monger the various ducks
A brief mooch round No3 bed this AM.
No sign of any Med Gulls.
22 Pochard, 17 Gadwall, 8 Black Necked Grebes, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1m+1f Kestrels, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 2m Shoveler and 2 Lapwings.
A male Blackcap was singing and showing well by the car park, but a Willow Warbler in the nearby copse was pouring out song whilst staying hidden.
3 more Willow Warblers heard on No3 and plenty of Chiffchaff song too. There seem to be lots of Teal still around although I regret I did'nt count them.
Upto a dozen or so Sand Martins were over the pool most of the time, and with them a few Swallows too.
4 Buzzards were soaring over the No3 Bed, then later 4 more were over the weir area.
Tension seemed very high amongst 3 pairs of Mute Swans on No 3 Bed, a fight was certainly looming.
Weir Pool (inc Old River)
34 Tufted Ducks, 8 Pochard, 8 Cormorants, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Shelduck.
Ship Canal
12 Tufted Ducks and 2 Great Crested Grebes.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 12th of April 2015 07:33:06 AM
now ive got home and looked at the pictures it looks like Green R141 Which according to a website I've just been on is a French ringed bird.
:)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 11th of April 2015 05:56:04 PM
Cheers David
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Alan Warford, Brian Baird, Diane Shepherd, George Dunbar, Les Jones, Dave Melia and Glenda Melia)
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Brian Martin, Dave Riley, Paul Hazlehurst, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
Cheers David
Great to see John Tymon and have chat. Good selection of birds in dry weather with occasional sunny spells.
Black-Necked Grebes x 3
Kingfisher (over River Mersey - towards Weir Road end)
Shelducks x 20
Buzzards x 5 heading south
Chiffchaff x 5
Greenfinch x 2
Lapwing
Great Crested Grebe
Shoveler
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
House Sparrows x 10 (Weir Road)
Long-Tailed Tits x 3
Reed Bunting x 1
Cormorants
Blue Tits
Great Tits
Pochard x 30
Teal
Gadwall
Tufted Ducks x lots
Blackbirds
Grey Heron
Black-Headed Gulls x lots
Moorhen
Coots
Mallards
Magpies
Carrion Crows
Lesser Black-backed Gulls x 2
Greylag Geese
Canada Geese
Mute Swan x 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker flying across Manchester Ship Canal on leaving reserve
1st Butterfly of year seen - Peacock near Meadow fields
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)
I was lucky enough to be in the hide when an Egyptian goose flew over, a lifer for me and also apparently only the third for the reserve
Other sightings included:
1 Ruddy duck
1 Marsh harrier
5 Black necked grebe
3 Chiffchaff
14 Pochard
1 G S woodpecker
2 Buzzard
2 Sparrowhawk
6 Reed bunting
1 red kite, just after 12pm
1 marsh harrier
4-6 buzzard
2 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk
1 barn owl, giving me the best ever views when it landed in a tree 20yds away from me
3 black necked grebe
1 Mediterranean gull
1 water rail
4 sand martin
2 willow tit
6 chiffchaff
plus all the usuals around.
also witnessed a lesser black backed gull grab a black headed gull by its neck & kept hold of it for a while, swung it about a little & dropped it in the water, the black headed gull was floating on its back & drifted to a patch off exposed mud managed to get in an upright position looking very exhausted & looked almost certain to be dead soon after !
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd, Les Jones and George Dunbar)
Cheers David
Cheers David
Cheers David
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd, George Dunbar and Les Jones.
Cheers David
Cheers David
Cheers David
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
Cheers David
Cheers David
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 28th of February 2015 04:29:18 PM
Cheers David
Cheers David (with Melanie Beckford)
Weir Pool area
38 Tufted Ducks, 9 Pochard, 2 Shelducks, 2 Cormorants & 1m Goldeneye.
No 3 Bed
6 Shelducks, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Bullfinches, 2 Snipe, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Buzzards, 2 Lapwings, 6 Shovelers,
12 Pochard, 10 Teal, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers & 6 Gadwall.
The Canada Geese were highly vocal, and the Coots chased off any other bird that got too close, especially Moorhens.
I actually saw a Coot fly in from the West, high above the meadow, that's something you don't see everyday.
A Song Thrush was in full song, as were Dunnocks, Robins and Blue Tits, whilst a couple of Wrens gave a full recital from the reed tops.
A Marsh Harrier was seen earlier, but it did'nt show for me. The Black Headed Gulls are back en-masse, displaying and pairing off.
Lots of Chaffinches with the Greenfinches around the feeders, but no sign Brambling, or any Willow Tits.
At one point though, 6 Long tailed Tits clung onto a single feeder, now that would have made a great photo. if only I'd brought my camera.
Cheers David (with Al Warford, Sue Haddock, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
Cheers David (with Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd, George Dunbar and Dave Melia)
Cheers David (with Dave Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd, Kelly Ainsworth, George Dunbar and Dave Melia)
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Brian Ankers, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Les Jones, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)
Cheers David (with Greg Baker)
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, Alan Warford and David Spencer)
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Les Jones, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)
The waterfowl seem to have thinned out quite a lot, especially the dabblers.
No.3 Bed
60+ Teal, 4 Shovelers, 8 Pochard, 86 Tufted Ducks, 4 Shelduck, 10 Gadwall, 3 Buzzards, 3 Cormorants,
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail,1f Great Spotted Woodpecker,1 Goldcrest and 4 Bullfinches.
Also a pair of Canada Geese that seemed very interested in a raft, could they surveying their 2015 nest site?.
Lots of Chaffinches and Greenfinches around the feeders but no sign of any Bramblings.
R.Mersey/Weir Pool
2m+2f Goldeneye, 52 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelducks, 1 Little Grebe, a pair of Mute Swans and 30 Black Headed Gulls.
Cheers David (with George Dunbar and Graham Cooke)
Cheers David (with David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, George Dunbar and Sue Haddock.)
Woolston Weir Pool
46 Tufted Duck, 2f+1m Goldeneye & 2 Shelduck
Old River
8 Shoveler, 20 Tufted Ducks, 9 Cormorants & 2 Little Grebes.
No3 Bed
210 Teal (Most flew in from the NE as I arrived), 6 Wigeon, 8 Shelducks, 10 Shoveler, 2 Cormorants, 5 Snipe,
2 Greylag Geese, 10 Canada Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail & 1 Grey Wagtail. 34 Lapwings flew over heading West.
A female Sparrowhawk was engaged in an aerial squabble with a smaller immature hawk, it looked like she was trying to chase the juvenile
bird out of her territory. The battle finished though with the young hawk chasing off the the big female, and throughout the fight the Grey Wagtail
carried on feeding on the scrape directly below the predators.
Cheers David (with Dave Steel and David Spencer)