8.15-9.30 a.m. in the rain (so much for the BBC online weather forcast), only see 6 Shoveler, also 6 Goldeneye and 14 Snipe out of capsticks, I've had better mornings . Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Wed Dec 9 10:32 AM, 2015
This a.m. now 11 Shoveler, 5 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander and watched a Kingfisher catch and then eat a fish(then realised that I had never seen this happen before). Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Tue Dec 8 10:56 AM, 2015
This a.m. only 5 Goosander today, 8.15 a.m. 10 Wigeon (5m & 5f) flew in, 9 Shoveler still here, only 2 Goldeneye seen and 1 Lesser Redpoll over. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Mon Dec 7 10:47 AM, 2015
At least 18 Goosander on at 1st light but most soon departed, 9 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye and a Kingfisher also present and it wasn't raining. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Monday 7th of December 2015 11:04:58 AM
Ian Campbell said
Sun Dec 6 12:19 PM, 2015
This a.m. with Steven H, on res. 6 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 1 Wigeon(flew off SW), over fields 5 Fieldfare, 9 Lesser Redpoll and 6 Bullfinch. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Fri Dec 4 10:35 AM, 2015
This a.m. with Malcolm, 12 Shoveler still, 7 Goldeneye, 7 Goosander and 3 Teal also. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Thu Dec 3 11:34 AM, 2015
This a.m. with Steven H, amongst Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls was an adult with all the characters of Yellow-legged Gull, presumably the same bird seen later by Richard(see previous post). Also 12 Shoveler, at least 5 Goosander and 5 Goldeneye. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Thursday 3rd of December 2015 01:34:56 PM
Richard Thew said
Thu Dec 3 10:43 AM, 2015
Several things on resovoir this morning. Goldeneye, goosanders are still here, several gulls including black headed, a pale lesser black backed gull, common gull and a 95% chance of a very likely yellow legged gull. (The Grey shade is perfect along with his face) hopefully she will hang around long enough to get seen by others and bring it to 100% as my time is limited this morning unfortunately.
Ian Campbell said
Wed Dec 2 12:44 PM, 2015
This a.m. approx. 20 Dunlin flew across the res. without stopping around 8.25. Also the 6 Shoveler and 5 Goldeneye remain with a single Goosander. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Tue Dec 1 11:31 AM, 2015
Just one more month to go of my Elton Year list challenge (THANK GOD!), total so far 141, nothing new today alas. On res. 9 Goosander, 6 Shoveler, 5 Goldeneye and 20+ Great Crested Grebe
Ian Campbell said
Sun Nov 29 11:22 AM, 2015
This a.m. on the res. 5 Goldeneye(as yesterday), 1 Shoveler and 2 Goosander. At capsticks 1 Water Rail and 5 Snipe. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Thu Nov 26 10:25 AM, 2015
Very quiet for the last 3 days, this a.m. of note 3 Shoveler, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Goosander. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Mon Nov 23 12:16 PM, 2015
With Steven H, no Great Northern Diver, 4 Goosander(briefly)on res. also 3 Goldeneye and 1 Pochard. Little Owl showing really well on woodpile and the pale Buzzard was nearby. Along the canal towards Radcliffe looking for a reported Mandarin we saw a Mink emerge from hole in brickwork at the red bridge, no sign of Mandarin however. Cheers Ian
Chris Harper said
Sun Nov 22 4:43 PM, 2015
Was a bit fortunate. Thanks for the tour of the area and excellent tips for future trips.
Other birds of note:
2 Pochard
10 Goldeneye
2 Bullfinch
Sparrowhawk
2 Reed Bunting
Lapwing
Ian Campbell said
Sun Nov 22 3:10 PM, 2015
Chris Harper wrote:
Great Northern Diver flew off high South at 9.55
Chris must be the luckiest birder in GM today, came for the Great Northern Diver and just as he arrived the bird flew off from the res., excellent timing, good to meet another Manchester birder also. Cheers Ian
Chris Harper said
Sun Nov 22 10:04 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver flew off high South at 9.55
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Nov 22 7:40 AM, 2015
Great Northern diver Present first light this morning 16 GoldenEye Cheers Steven
Steven Higginbottom said
Sat Nov 21 4:28 PM, 2015
Quick visit after work 14:45-16:15 pm
1 Great Northern Diver
1 Pochard
1 Kingfisher
5 GoldenEye
7 Goosander over
14 Common Gulls
3 Great Black Backed Gulls
Good numbers of Lesser Black Backed Gulls & Herring gulls at 3pm
Cheers Steven
Adam Jones said
Sat Nov 21 4:24 PM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still present when last seen diving at 3:35, between buoys 9 and 8.
Ian Campbell said
Sat Nov 21 10:48 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still present. Cheers Ian
Mike Passant said
Fri Nov 20 7:02 PM, 2015
-Arrived at Elton this afternoon at 13 50 in very squally weather and saw nothing on brief scan from the car park area by the little footbridge; when the rain slackened a bit I set off with 'scope (tripod swinging in the wind) and umbrella seemingly with a mind of its own determined to turn inside out; - altogether a rather "Chaplinesque" scenario.
Things were no better when I reached the overflow outlet at 14.00 where I scanned again and hit lucky when I caught a brief glimpse of the Great Northern Diver an instant before it dived. I set up the scope and saw the diver well once it surfaced, albeit for only 5/6 seconds; - a great bird for Elton and only my second in GM since the Rumworth bird of 1980.
With hindsight, perhaps worth the soaking.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Nov 20 9:33 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver present from 1st light in Eastern corner, also male Common Scoter at capsticks end, 2 Pochard and 4 Goldeneye. Cheers Ian
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 19 11:21 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still present at 11:20.
Info thanks to Pete Berry
Ian Campbell said
Thu Nov 19 10:26 AM, 2015
7.30-9.00 a.m. no sign of Great Northern Diver, the Goldeneye, Shoveler and Pochard are still here plus 7 flyover Goosander. Cheers Ian
Mike Chorley said
Wed Nov 18 6:29 PM, 2015
Great Northern Diver seen very briefly c14.45 out from the pontoon by the sailing club in wet and windy weather. Again, not relocated by the time I left at 15.10 but there was another birder still looking. Pochard m&f at the Capsticks end of the reservoir Cormorant 2 over Grey Heron 1 in marsh by cattle field. plus usuals.
S Rothery said
Wed Nov 18 2:58 PM, 2015
1230 - 1400 Great Northern Diver seen at range at far west end of resvr - circa 1245 I couldn't relocate it after..... 5 Goldeneye 2m 3f 2 Pochard 1f Shoveler 2 Kingfishers Bullfinch
-- Edited by S Rothery on Wednesday 18th of November 2015 02:59:01 PM
Ian Campbell said
Wed Nov 18 10:33 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still present, also 1 Goldeneye left(4 flew off S at 8.05 a.m.), 2 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Kingfisher and now at least 28 Great Crested Grebe. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Tue Nov 17 10:50 AM, 2015
Mark Rigby wrote:
Great Northern Diver still near boathouse around 'F' bouy at 1025hrs
Also this a.m. with Steve H, 8 Whooper Swan over SE at 8.15, 3 flocks of Fieldfare of 60, 40, 50 birds all S, 2 flocks of Redwing 50 and 30 also S. On res. 4 Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 1 Goosander and 1 Shoveler and on Withins 6 Teal. Cheers Ian
Mark Rigby said
Tue Nov 17 10:29 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still near boathouse around 'F' bouy at 1025hrs
Richard Thew said
Mon Nov 16 2:48 PM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still showing but staying mostly in the middle of the reservoir. Seems to be more unpredictable in his movements then last week, strangly, just like the one that was seen in December 2000. Also 3 goldeneye, and another birder (sorry, forgot name) counted 23 great crested grebes.
Ian Campbell said
Mon Nov 16 10:12 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver showing well in usual area of res. this morning, also 2 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, 1 Shoveler and at least 21 Great Crested Grebe. Cheers Ian
Chris brown said
Sun Nov 15 9:05 PM, 2015
I managed to get out twice this weekend. Onto Horwich Moors (Saturday) and here today. The conditions have been terrible. However, seeing the Great Northern Diver was brilliant. The Bird was spotted as I arrived by the Boat House (thanks to Lee for showing me)
but it was highly mobile. One minute it was around the Boat House area then a few minutes later right over the opposite end of the reservoir by the Farm Houses. At one point it took me over half an hour to relocate it.
I had watched the forum all week hoping the bird would still be here at the weekend. Johns post on Friday made me think I had missed my chance!! Thank you the person who spotted it and to everybody who has kept us updated on this bird it has been a great help.
Nice to speak to Tony (yes she was getting a bit to bored at the end sorry if we disturbed your viewing.)
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Nov 15 6:36 PM, 2015
Bernard McGurrin wrote:
14-25-16-10
great northern diver showed very well for last 30mins of my visit before taking to the air at 16-05, as with John on friday it seemed to head west and i'm not sure if it circled and came back but if so i didn't see it, i was making my way back to the car at that point anyway so didn't really look that hard, as Tony said it was hard to pick out at times due to choppy water, but got some great views late on, a GM first for me,
Maybe its roosting on the smaller Withins res ,and that's were it goes at Dusk ?
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Nov 15 6:14 PM, 2015
14-25-16-10
great northern diver showed very well for last 30mins of my visit before taking to the air at 16-05, as with John on friday it seemed to head west and i'm not sure if it circled and came back but if so i didn't see it, i was making my way back to the car at that point anyway so didn't really look that hard, as Tony said it was hard to pick out at times due to choppy water, but got some great views late on, a GM first for me,
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Nov 15 3:42 PM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still present 14:15 but hard to pick out in choppy water, more often under it.
Seems to favour area near pontoon by the sailing club.
Also Chris Brown - hope your daughter wasn't too bored !
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Monday 16th of November 2015 08:14:17 AM
Mark Burgess said
Sun Nov 15 9:38 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still present @ 9.30am
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Nov 15 7:37 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver present this morning 15th November @ 07:35am
3 GoldenEye (2 F 1m)
2 Pochard (1 f 1 M )
1 Shoveler. (F)
1 Kestrel
1 Great Black backed Gull
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Sunday 15th of November 2015 09:41:12 AM
Zoe Barrett said
Sat Nov 14 7:10 PM, 2015
GN diver seen from 11.00 to 13.00 today by the sailing club really close views Other highlights:
Kingfisher 2 Pochard and 5 Goldeneye first seen this winter
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 14 3:25 PM, 2015
Eugene Dillon-Hooper wrote:
I'm considering heading out to Elton Res. tomorrow, if anyone knows if the Great Northern Diver is still about, please let me know! Thanks, Eugene.
The Great Northern Diver has left I'm afraid Eugene.
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Sat Nov 14 2:48 PM, 2015
I'm considering heading out to Elton Res. tomorrow, if anyone knows if the Great Northern Diver is still about, please let me know! Thanks, Eugene.
Ian Campbell said
Sat Nov 14 8:33 AM, 2015
1st light, no sign of Great Northern Diver, ducks included 2 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2 Pochard and 3 Goldeneye. Cheers Ian
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Nov 13 6:54 PM, 2015
Elton Reservoir -12-4.30 pm A visit to Elton to see the Juv Great Northern Diver ,in absolutely horrendous conditions at some point when sheltering behind the pumphouse ,I wondered if id get back to the car the winds were so strong and sideways hailstone. Anyway It was a fantastic bird,well done to the finder. The Diver spent the whole of the Afternoon feeding and really mobile covering most of the Res.I saw it several time come up with decent fish and swallow it,which I can't recall seeing before in this species,most of there food is swallowed before they hit the surface. At 4pm the diver started doing strange flapping on the water at first i thought it was just washing some way then it went and did another circle of the Res,at 4,15 just as the Sun was almost setting it came into the east bay turned and and took off flying high into the sun where direct west where I lost it as I couldn't look into the sun ,im not sure if it did not circle and come back down,but it seemed go ,I am not sure if they fly at night,but my guess is they do as who has ever seen one land apart from on the breeding Lochs. Part of me hopes it circled round and came back so others could enjoy seeing it this weekend,but another part wants it to go and join up with others to winter off the coast somewhere.As many of these inland divers often look sickly,but this one looked fit as a fiddle. I had another search for the Diver,but the light went,so we will just have to see tomorrow if it came back or not.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 14th of November 2015 05:09:16 AM
Neil Collier said
Fri Nov 13 4:56 PM, 2015
Nipped down after the rain had stopped at 3.00 pm and had great views from the wall as the Diver was near to the overflow to the right as you look at the sailing club. Very cold wind but well worth the effort.
Michael Davis said
Fri Nov 13 2:24 PM, 2015
13/11/2015 11:30 to 13:05 - Wild windy walk with Mrs D along the southern bank - from the car park, past the sailing club, past the pump house to the shelter of the far barn building and return - before it rained:
Great Northern Diver - immature bird elusive at times owing to diving and frequently changing position along the southern range of the reservoir. Initial view at 11:53 but buffeting by the wind prevented only basic telescope use. Clear views of the bird in sunlight from the shelter of the far barn at 12:26 - telescope provided good views. Then at 12:45, from the shelter of the pump house, excellent view provided by the bird coming close - approximately forty feet. Brilliant.
Other birds of note: Goosander male.
Richard Thew said
Fri Nov 13 10:49 AM, 2015
Just a quick word of warning. weather conditions absolutely horrible at the moment. the wind is very strong and it is bitingly cold making finding the diver very difficult. He hasn't been in his usual spot since i arrived half hour ago. In fact i haven't located it yet and neither has another birder whom just asked me.
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Nov 13 10:46 AM, 2015
Ian Campbell wrote:
Great Northern Diver still present this a.m. most usually to be found in the area to the left of the Sailing Club as you look at the res from the Sailing Club (hope that makes sense!). Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 13th of November 2015 10:38:04 AM
thanks ian
Ian Campbell said
Fri Nov 13 10:35 AM, 2015
Great Northern Diver still present this a.m. most usually to be found in the area to the left of the Sailing Club as you look at the res from the Sailing Club (hope that makes sense!). Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 13th of November 2015 10:38:04 AM
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Nov 13 10:03 AM, 2015
Any signs of the great nortgern diver this morning I may nip up to see it later
Simon Johnson said
Thu Nov 12 9:02 PM, 2015
early morning part with Ian C
Great Northern Diver - showing well 40 Shoveler flew south in 3 flocks of 15,9,16 2 Pochard male and female with the male also flying south 3 Goldeneye 1000 Starling flew sw in lots of small flocks 19 Brambling flew south with flocks of 6,8,2,3 2 Pinkfeet flew through sw and skeins of 80 @8.05 120 @ 8.07, 40 @ 8.48 and 70 @ 8.55 all se 170 Lapwing south/sw 200+ Fieldfare sw 6 Snipe - withins - one had a lucky escape as a big female sparrowhawk came over hunting the fields flushing a single snipe and giving chase but it got away Great spotted woodpecker flew over old hall marsh
Andrew Mitchell said
Thu Nov 12 10:04 AM, 2015
Quick visit this morning - Great Northern Diver still in the same area and looking great in the autumn sunshine
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Monday 7th of December 2015 11:04:58 AM
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Thursday 3rd of December 2015 01:34:56 PM
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Was a bit fortunate. Thanks for the tour of the area and excellent tips for future trips.
Other birds of note:
2 Pochard
10 Goldeneye
2 Bullfinch
Sparrowhawk
2 Reed Bunting
Lapwing
Chris must be the luckiest birder in GM today, came for the Great Northern Diver and just as he arrived the bird flew off from the res., excellent timing, good to meet another Manchester birder also.
Cheers Ian
Great Northern Diver flew off high South at 9.55
16 GoldenEye
Cheers Steven
Quick visit after work 14:45-16:15 pm
1 Great Northern Diver
1 Pochard
1 Kingfisher
5 GoldenEye
7 Goosander over
14 Common Gulls
3 Great Black Backed Gulls
Good numbers of Lesser Black Backed Gulls & Herring gulls at 3pm
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
-Arrived at Elton this afternoon at 13 50 in very squally weather and saw nothing on brief scan from the car park area by the little footbridge; when the rain slackened a bit I set off with 'scope (tripod swinging in the wind) and umbrella seemingly with a mind of its own determined to turn inside out; - altogether a rather "Chaplinesque" scenario.
Things were no better when I reached the overflow outlet at 14.00 where I scanned again and hit lucky when I caught a brief glimpse of the Great Northern Diver an instant before it dived. I set up the scope and saw the diver well once it surfaced, albeit for only 5/6 seconds; - a great bird for Elton and only my second in GM since the Rumworth bird of 1980.
With hindsight, perhaps worth the soaking.
Cheers Ian
Info thanks to Pete Berry
Cheers Ian
Pochard m&f at the Capsticks end of the reservoir
Cormorant 2 over
Grey Heron 1 in marsh by cattle field.
plus usuals.
Great Northern Diver seen at range at far west end of resvr - circa 1245
I couldn't relocate it after.....
5 Goldeneye 2m 3f
2 Pochard
1f Shoveler
2 Kingfishers
Bullfinch
-- Edited by S Rothery on Wednesday 18th of November 2015 02:59:01 PM
Cheers Ian
Also this a.m. with Steve H, 8 Whooper Swan over SE at 8.15, 3 flocks of Fieldfare of 60, 40, 50 birds all S, 2 flocks of Redwing 50 and 30 also S. On res. 4 Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 1 Goosander and 1 Shoveler and on Withins 6 Teal.
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
I managed to get out twice this weekend. Onto Horwich Moors (Saturday) and here today. The conditions have been terrible. However, seeing the Great Northern Diver was brilliant. The Bird was spotted as I arrived by the Boat House (thanks to Lee for showing me)
but it was highly mobile. One minute it was around the Boat House area then a few minutes later right over the opposite end of the reservoir by the Farm Houses. At one point it took me over half an hour to relocate it.
I had watched the forum all week hoping the bird would still be here at the weekend. Johns post on Friday made me think I had missed my chance!! Thank you the person who spotted it and to everybody who has kept us updated on this bird it has been a great help.
Nice to speak to Tony (yes she was getting a bit to bored at the end sorry if we disturbed your viewing.)
Maybe its roosting on the smaller Withins res ,and that's were it goes at Dusk ?
great northern diver showed very well for last 30mins of my visit before taking to the air at 16-05, as with John on friday it seemed to head west and i'm not sure if it circled and came back but if so i didn't see it, i was making my way back to the car at that point anyway so didn't really look that hard, as Tony said it was hard to pick out at times due to choppy water, but got some great views late on, a GM first for me,
Great Northern Diver still present 14:15 but hard to pick out in choppy water, more often under it.
Seems to favour area near pontoon by the sailing club.
Also Chris Brown - hope your daughter wasn't too bored !
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Monday 16th of November 2015 08:14:17 AM
Great Northern Diver present this morning 15th November @ 07:35am
3 GoldenEye (2 F 1m)
2 Pochard (1 f 1 M )
1 Shoveler. (F)
1 Kestrel
1 Great Black backed Gull
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Sunday 15th of November 2015 09:41:12 AM
Other highlights:
Kingfisher
2 Pochard and 5 Goldeneye first seen this winter
The Great Northern Diver has left I'm afraid Eugene.
Thanks, Eugene.
Cheers Ian
Elton Reservoir -12-4.30 pm
A visit to Elton to see the Juv Great Northern Diver ,in absolutely horrendous conditions at some point when sheltering behind the pumphouse ,I wondered if id get back to the car the winds were so strong and sideways hailstone.
Anyway It was a fantastic bird,well done to the finder.
The Diver spent the whole of the Afternoon feeding and really mobile covering most of the Res.I saw it several time come up with decent fish and swallow it,which I can't recall seeing before in this species,most of there food is swallowed before they hit the surface.
At 4pm the diver started doing strange flapping on the water at first i thought it was just washing some way then it went and did another circle of the Res,at 4,15 just as the Sun was almost setting it came into the east bay turned and and took off flying high into the sun where direct west where I lost it as I couldn't look into the sun ,im not sure if it did not circle and come back down,but it seemed go ,I am not sure if they fly at night,but my guess is they do as who has ever seen one land apart from on the breeding Lochs.
Part of me hopes it circled round and came back so others could enjoy seeing it this weekend,but another part wants it to go and join up with others to winter off the coast somewhere.As many of these inland divers often look sickly,but this one looked fit as a fiddle.
I had another search for the Diver,but the light went,so we will just have to see tomorrow if it came back or not.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 14th of November 2015 05:09:16 AM
Nipped down after the rain had stopped at 3.00 pm and had great views from the wall as the Diver was near to the overflow to the right as you look at the sailing club. Very cold wind but well worth the effort.
13/11/2015 11:30 to 13:05 - Wild windy walk with Mrs D along the southern bank - from the car park, past the sailing club, past the pump house to the shelter of the far barn building and return - before it rained:
Great Northern Diver - immature bird elusive at times owing to diving and frequently changing position along the southern range of the reservoir. Initial view at 11:53 but buffeting by the wind prevented only basic telescope use. Clear views of the bird in sunlight from the shelter of the far barn at 12:26 - telescope provided good views. Then at 12:45, from the shelter of the pump house, excellent view provided by the bird coming close - approximately forty feet. Brilliant.
Other birds of note: Goosander male.
thanks ian
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 13th of November 2015 10:38:04 AM
Great Northern Diver - showing well
40 Shoveler flew south in 3 flocks of 15,9,16
2 Pochard male and female with the male also flying south
3 Goldeneye
1000 Starling flew sw in lots of small flocks
19 Brambling flew south with flocks of 6,8,2,3
2 Pinkfeet flew through sw and skeins of 80 @8.05 120 @ 8.07, 40 @ 8.48 and 70 @ 8.55 all se
170 Lapwing south/sw
200+ Fieldfare sw
6 Snipe - withins - one had a lucky escape as a big female sparrowhawk came over hunting the fields flushing a single snipe and giving chase but it got away
Great spotted woodpecker flew over old hall marsh