Lapwing Lane Pool Area : 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe and a Cuckoo that was heard but not seen.
On Lapwing Lane opposite the gate leading to the feeding station, a Grasshopper Warbler posed for a few seconds and reeled from vegetation alongside
the ditch. A single Goldcrest was seen nearby, and 4 Grey Herons were stalking prey in the pools by the feeding station.
Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were singing in profusion throughout the area, and a single Garden Warbler was in full song from a thicket by the old canal.
Birchwood Pool : 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Sand Martins, 10 Gadwall and 8 Tufted Ducks.
A Lesser Whitethroat was singing from a bramble patch alongside the pool.
2m+1f Bullfinches were in Birchwood, both finch males were enduring the wrath of a territorial Robin
Pumphouse Pool : 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Gadwall and 2 Buzzards.
Eastern Reedbed : 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Stock Doves, 4 Grey Herons and 3 Greylag Geese. Raven heard here.
The vandalised Colin's Hide has been replaced by a screen and benches, whilst the burned down Phoenix screen as been replaced by a new one.
Mike Mulholland said
Fri Apr 13 6:27 PM, 2018
Good views of the Great Grey Shrike earlier today (approx 12.30 ) at Upper Moss Side approx 100 metres west of the wooden bridge.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Apr 12 8:35 PM, 2018
Had a message this afternoon on our grapevine from Phil Oddy that he had found a Great Grey Shrike at Upper Moss Side today. A fantastic find and subsequently twitched by other birders. It was near where a previous one was several years ago that I saw in the Balloon Shed Field. Great reward for an avid Cheshire Lister.
Tom Jones said
Wed Apr 11 5:18 PM, 2018
Nice hike around Uppermoss Side today, saw a pair of Yellowhammers, on the road to the bridge to uppermoss side, I had dipped out on the yellowhammers for the past 2 years so the hike was worth it.
John Williams said
Sun Dec 10 4:35 PM, 2017
10.00-14.00
Lapwing Lane Pool : 34 Wigeon and 20+ Teal. 1 Goldcrest + 2f Bullfinches by Lapwing Lane Hide.
Feeding Station and surrounding woodland : 6 Siskins and 4 Lesser Redpoll with Goldfinches on the alders. 1 Nuthatch.
No sign of any Willow Tits at the feeders, but plenty of Blue and Great Tits visiting.
Birchwood Pool : 24 Pochard (Highest number I've seen anywhere for ages), 2m+2f Goldeneye, 7 Tufted Ducks, 3 Great Crested Grebes
2 Little Grebes and 10 Teal.
A Black Headed Gull was harassing a female Tufted Duck so much so sought shelter amongst dense overhanging branches.
The gull patiently waited for her to reappear, which she had'nt by the time I left.
Pumphouse Pool : 8 Common Gulls, 4 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 1f Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes and 6 Teal.
The sad news is, despite my comments posted after my last visit on 12th November, Colin's Hide has not been repaired, and looks an utter mess.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Nov 13 11:54 AM, 2017
Interesting bird John, I hope folk keep an eye out for it, would be a great bird for Moore. remember there is a precedent too for rare raptors turning up at Moore NR. Several years ago I was asked to go down to check out a 'Red Kite' sighting that had some doubts about it and helped to nail the ID as a Black Kite which was then twitched by many. In fact it's one of the only birds in the current Rare & Scarce Birds of Cheshire & Wirral book that has my name against it !! Eyes to the skies folks
John Williams said
Sun Nov 12 4:16 PM, 2017
10.00-13.30
Around 10.30 this morning I saw a very intriguing Buzzard above the Raptor Watch Point.
The bird which I initially classed as a very pale Common Buzzard had certain features which as soon as I got home I checked out.
Firstly, very prominent Carpal Patches on the underwing, almost like "After Eight" mints. Secondly, the undertail was white with a battleship grey tailband.
Apart from the Carpal Patches and tail band the underside of the bird was mainly white with little if any noticable marking.
The bird appeared to be the same size as a Common Buzzard.
In addition, as the bird drifted off towards Lower Moss Side it was evident it was not flying with it's wings held in the usual "V" shape that Common Buzzards often do.
The buzzard flew with it's wings largely horizontal as large gulls do, although the very outer "fingers" or feathers were bent slightly as there was a noticeable NW wind blowing.
For now, or until another report emerges I'll class the raptor as an odd very pale "Buteo Buteo", although I have to say the bird matched the juvenile Rough Legged Buzzard
shown in the BTO ID video on Utube. Fingers crossed that another report comes in.
Please keep an eye out for this unusual fellow if your birding in the Moore, Moss Side or Fiddlers Ferry areas.
As this raptor drifted off North West, 5 Common Buzzards appeared and soared over the watchpoint for a while, together with their small following of troublesome Jackdaws.
Also seen here was a single Green Woodpecker. 12 Wigeon were with Teal on Lapwing Lane Pool.
The was a steady procession of Willow Tits visiting the feeding station, together a single Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Chaffinches appeared plentiful, but no sign of Bramblings, and oddly no Reed Buntings.
On Birchwood Pool were 1m Goldeneye, 2 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes, 4m Pochards and 5 Little Grebes. A team of 4 Cormorants fished the pool.
Also some nostalgia here too, in the form of a large raft of gulls, although sadly they were all Black Headed.
On Pumphouse Pool were 4m+ 2f Pochard, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Herons and 1 Buzzard.
Every now and then small numbers of Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall would erupt from the overhanging vegetation on the North side of the pool, as if scared by a land predator.
As Paul says in the previous post, it's tragic to see Colin's Hide destroyed, but happily it appears to be under repair.
I did not venture down to the Eastern Reedbed as a birder advised me that the Phoenix Hide is still closed following the vandalism earlier this year.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Nov 9 1:55 PM, 2017
Just seen a posting on Facebook by the Moore NR Wardens that Colin's Hide was vandalised last night. It was partially burnt down. The damage is repairable but this is one of a continuing series of vandalism events this year. The lack of evidence means the police haven't been involved so if anyone sees anything that could help catch the perpetrators then they should get in touch with the wardens asap. Very sad news indeed
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 9th of November 2017 01:56:04 PM
John Williams said
Sat Oct 28 4:30 PM, 2017
08.45-13.00
Lapwing Lane Pool : 1 Little Grebe
Lower Moss Side : A flock of 7 Tree Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk and a highly vocal pair of Ravens.
Upper Moss Side : 4 Goldcrests in the hawthorn hedge by the old feeding station. A large flock of Redwings and Blackbirds flushed from hawthorns.
Norton Marsh : 900 Lapwings, 20 Curlew, 5 Cormorants, 12 Common Gulls and 1 Buzzard.
Masses of Black Headed Gulls with lesser numbers of Lesser Blacks and Herring Gulls, but no Great Black Backs or anything uncommon.
Manchester Ship Canal : 27 Tufted Ducks. A male Sparrowhawk flew over the canal with an very irate Jay in pursuit.
Mike Mulholland said
Sun Oct 1 9:02 PM, 2017
Ruff this morning on Pumphouse Pool.
Rene Griffiths said
Tue Sep 5 8:57 AM, 2017
Saturday 2nd September, dry sunny weather.
Mute Swan x3 Grey Heron (probably the best posed Heron I've seen, standing on a rock over the shimmering water with the bridge in the background, of course I had no camera with me...) Tufted Ducks Gadwall Mallard Pochard Plenty of Coot and Moorhen Little Grebe
John Williams said
Sun Jul 23 7:26 PM, 2017
10.00-15.00
Sandy heathland West of Lapwing Lane :
1 Kestrel and 1 Green Woodpecker. 3 Blackcaps and a couple of Willow Warblers were with a large roaming flock of Bluetits.
Reed Warblers are still showing well as they move along the top of the lakeside reeds.
Surprisingly, 2 Green Woodpeckers, plus 2 of the more usual Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen in the woodland near the feeding station.
Birchwood Pool :
A family of 4 highly vocal Oystercatchers were on the small islet. 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebes, 1 pair have 2 striped youngsters, the other pair have 1 youngster.
2 Little Grebes. A noisy family group of Willow Warblers were on the edge of Birch Wood.
Pumphouse Pool :
1 pair of Great Crested Grebes, one of which appeared to have a couple of young on it's back. There was also a solitary adult on the pool.
Also, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwings, 2 Little Grebes, 2 eclipse drake Pochards and a single Kingfisher. 8+ Sand Martins flew over the pool.
The Phoenix Hide is still closed due to vandalism.
Tom Jones said
Thu Jul 13 5:37 PM, 2017
Today 1300 - 1700hrs, nice walk around, between Berchwood pool and Collins Hide, 3 Kingfishers on the same branch, and under the same branch was a Common Sandpiper, which I had not seen at Moore before, this was on the pump house pool, from Collins hide, a very close Green Woodpecker in the field walking down to Collins Hide, a large amount of Pied Wagtails, and all the normal stuff for Moore.
John Williams said
Mon Jun 19 11:03 PM, 2017
17.30-20.15
Lapwing Lane
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Jays.
Birchwood Pool
3 adult Great Crested Grebes+ 1 half grown youngster, 1 Buzzard, 6 Tufted Duck and 6 Greylag Geese.
Pumphouse Pool
1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwings,1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Tufted Ducks, 1m Pochard, 3 Grey Herons and a single juvenile Black Headed Gull.
2 Stock Doves were on the heath, but no sign of Green Woodpecker. A family of 8 Long Tailed Tits flew over.
6 Bullfinches were on the land earmarked for the new port, opposite Pumphouse Pool, and they appeared to be attracted to sorrel seeds.
John Williams said
Sat May 27 11:11 PM, 2017
13.00-16.00
Lapwing Lane Pool and Adjoining Heath
2 adult Great Crested Grebes, including 1 carrying a couple of youngsters, 2 Little Grebes.
1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Buzzard.
Birchwood Pool
2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Greylag Goose and 1 Mistle Thrush.
Pumphouse Pool
6 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Oystercatcher and 3 Lapwings.
A group of 5 highly vocal Ravens flew over. 12+ Sand Martins were over the pool.
John Williams said
Sat May 13 4:42 PM, 2017
Walked from Lapwing Lane to Halfway House along the ship canal the back via Upper Moss Side. (09.00-13.30)
Lapwing Lane Area
1 Cuckoo calling and showing well around the lake. The bird appeared to cause visible anxiety amongst the Reed Warblers, they often perched on the edge of the
reeds and tilted their heads to look skyward. It's rare to get clear views of these little birds, which would of been easy pickings for a passing hawk.
A single Little Grebe was also here.
Alongside the ship canal
2 Linnets, 4 Bullfinches, 1 Song Thrush, a singing male Greenfinch and numerous Common Whitethroats. Goldfinches abundant, most in small charms of about 6 birds.
Ship Canal
2 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Grey Herons (There's a heronry nearby), 2prs Tufted Ducks, 6 Gadwall and 2 Cormorants.
There was a light but steady passage of Swifts, plus a few Swallows, throughout. All were heading West.
Halfway House & Mersey Sandbanks
1 Little Egret, 1 adult Great Black Backed Gull, 12 Lapwings, 3 Gadwall and a pair of white Feral Geese, one of which had head marking
like a Bar Headed Goose. 1 displaying Sedge Warbler.
Upper Moss Side
2 Linnets and 6 Bullfinches
-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 13th of May 2017 04:55:24 PM
John Williams said
Tue May 9 11:44 PM, 2017
17.30-20.30
Lapwing Lane Pool Area
1 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1pr Great Crested Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Buzzard.
Birchwood Pool Area
2prs Great Crested Grebes, 3 Mistle Thrushes and 1 Bullfinch
Pumphouse Pool
1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Grebes and 3 Great Crested Grebes.
1 highly vocal female Green Woodpecker was on the adjoining heath, with a Robin for company, as she scoured the ground looking for food.
A steady procession of Swifts and Swallows passed through all evening, all heading North.
6 Chiffchaffs were in song throughout the walk, compared to just 1 Willow Warbler, and 4 Blackcaps.
Sadly the Phoenix Hide (Eastern Reedbed) is closed due to vandalism.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 9th of May 2017 11:56:18 PM
John Williams said
Mon Jan 2 5:05 PM, 2017
09.30-15.00
Lapwing Lane : 13 Wigeon and a few Teal on the lake, which was 70% frozen over. 6 Siskins were in nearby alders.
Feeding station & adjoining woods :Nuthatches were highly vocal and territorial. Also here were 1 Willow Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 4 Reed Buntings.
A few Chaffinches fed below the feeders, but no sign of Brambling. A single Goldcrest flitted through nearby ivy, whilst a Field Vole nervously fed below the feeders.
Birchwood Pool : 6 Little Grebes, 42 Shoveler, 1f Goldeneye, 4 Pochard, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Mistle Thrush.
Pumphouse Pool : 4 Little Grebes, 45 Shoveler (I suspect most of these had been counted by me on BP, and had just flown across, as when I returned to Birchwood Pool
numbers had dropped.),1 Common Gull,6 Pochard, 1f Goldeneye and 1 Grey Heron.
The Heath :2 pairs of Stock Doves were displaying.
Eastern Reedbed : The Bittern was showing to the left of Phoenix Hide rather than in the main reedbed.
It was hidden for much of the time though as it patrolled the stream running from the wood. 2 Green Woodpeckers were showing well on the banking below the hide.
3 highly vocal Ravens flew over, whilst 2 Buzzards gave an aerial display. A single Kestrel was on wires near the railway bridge.
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Dec 16 6:14 PM, 2016
MOORE NR -Gull fest After work today took the chance that the high tide would have pushed all the Gulls off Richmond bank and onto Birchwood pool Moore ,and I wasn't dissapointed the pool had constant flow of between 500 and 1000 large gulls ,but has much has I checked through them in 3 hours I could not find anything unusual apart from 1 Adult Yellow legged Gull .There were thousands through the pool in the time I was there, and I could recommend anyone wanting to look for rarer gulls to check here first and get used to all the common Gull type variants ,has all the commoner races of Herring gull went through the pool has did Lesser Black backs and plenty Great Black Backed Gulls,so good comparisons of size -its a great starting point for Gull watching . The Tip is supposed to be closing soon so go have a look before they are all gone . Also on the pool Great crested Grebe,Kingfisher ,Little Grebe and Goldeneye. Picture Birchwood pool Moore Nr
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 16th of December 2016 06:50:31 PM
Lapwing Lane Pool
Single f Goldeneye
Adjacent field
Single Green Woodpecker
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Dec 13 11:35 PM, 2016
Lots of gulls on Pumphouse Pool around midday during a few hour stint by Pete Berry and myself. Nothing special was picked out but there were always good numbers present at any one time (3-500 or so) and a really good turnover of birds. Many can also be watched feeding on the tip further up past the hide and is worth a look.
With not long left until the tip closes (just over a month at worst and until maybe October at best) gulling time is fast running out
Doc Brewster said
Tue Dec 13 12:00 PM, 2016
A very rainy, wet, cold couple of hours at the Pond Wood feeders this morning produced the target species eventually! Since I am mainly staying on my local patch I have missed a few species this year and Willow Tit was one of them! Eventually after quite a long wait one, possibly two, Willow Tits visited the well stocked bird table at the feeding station in front of the screen. Other birds using the feeders included Coal, Great & Blue Tits, Nuthatch, Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
John Williams said
Sat Dec 3 4:40 PM, 2016
10.30-15.00
Lapwing Lane Pool : 1f Goldeneye and 10 Teal.
Near Feeding Station : 2 Goldcrests.
Birchwood Pool Area : 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Song Thrush.
Lots of gulls on the pool, mainly Herring, but nothing uncommon amongst them.
The rowan tree with white berries, which has attracted Waxwings in previous winters, has gone.
Pumphouse Pool : 14 Shoveler, 2m Pochard, 1 Raven and 1 Grey Heron. 2 Green Woodpeckers were on the adjoining heath, whilst 18 Goldfinches were feeding in birches nearby.
The Eastern Reedbed and Lagoon appeared devoid of life, except for a solitary Moorhen. No raptors were seen throughout.
John Williams said
Tue Sep 6 10:29 PM, 2016
5.20-7.45pm
Lapwing Lane Pool
5 Cormorants were chasing each other around the pool
2 Nuthatches were in a mixed tit flock by the old canal. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers here too.
Birchwood Pool
4 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe and a group of 22 Greylag Geese which included 3 white birds.
The pool was covered with a thin layer of algae.
Pumphouse Pool
3 adult + 3 juvenile Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Grebes, 2 drake Pochard, 1 Buzzard (Only raptor seen) and 2 Grey Herons.
Heath
20 Magpies settled to roost in 2 dead trees, until a pair of Carrion Crows flushed them, together with a single Mistle Thrush.
Eastern Reedbed
1 Water Rail and 1 Green Sandpiper. A couple of Malllard drakes were back in their finery, 2 Shovelers seen here though were still in eclipse.
Lots of Gadwall were on the pool just south of Phoenix hide.
John Williams said
Wed Aug 31 10:53 PM, 2016
5.20-8.15pm
Opted to walk to Half Way House from Lapwing Lane.
1 Linnet with 3 Goldfinches on wires on the sandy heath. 10 Cormorants flying east along the ship canal, and a single Buzzard over the south bank.
10 Tufted Ducks were on the canal. 2 Grey Herons were on the South bank, whilst 20 Pied Wagtails were in the paddock by the Stobart warehouse, watched by the usual Buzzard that sits on the roof.
Also there were 40+ Starlings and 1 Kestrel.
No sign of the Osprey at Half Way House, just masses of Lesser Black Back and Black Headed Gulls, with 10 Common and a few Herring Gulls among the throng.
80+ Curlew were on the sandbanks, with 2 Little Egrets, whilst a pair of Kestrels hovered over the banks.
Along the banks of the ship canal, especially near the wooden jetties, the hawthorne scrub held lots of passerines, this is great spot for small migrants.
6 Willow Warblers, appeared to be moving around together, all looking like they'd been dunked in lemon sherbet. A little further on was a bigger flock, this time of Chiffchaffs, looking noticeably smaller than their cousins,
some appeared quite dark, and all looked drab. The bushes here were full of small birds, and had it been morning, rather than in the fading light, I'd have stayed longer and looked for other small migrants.
Apart from the warblers, a number of Long Tailed Tits were here too. 100 Feral Pigeons roosted on the swing bridge.
Daniel Owen said
Wed Aug 31 4:30 PM, 2016
1 osprey showing distantly on Norton Marsh late morning/ lunchtime. Also present here were, 3 little egrets, 1 black-tailed godwit and plenty of gulls + lapwings. 1 kestrel and 2 buzzards were hunting on the opposite side of the Mersey. 16 little and 2 great crested grebes were counted on the lakes around Moore with the usual birds present.
Opted for another walk upto Halfway House along the canal, then back via Upper Moss Side.
The heathland alongside the canal produced: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Tit (Totally unexpected here, it posed for a while on top of a gorse bush), 2 Common Whitethroats,
2 Linnets, 1 Greenfinch and a flock of 5 Mistle Thrushes.
A Buzzard was again sat on the Stobart warehouse, avidly watching the horse paddock below. The canal held a group of 27 Canada Geese and a single Little Egret.
It was almost high tide when I viewed the river, gulls, Lapwings and a few Curlew were seeking refuge on the far bank close to the vegetation.
There were far fewer Curlew around than last week. Also here were 4 Oystercatchers, 5 adult Common Gulls, 3 Cormorants, 5 Great Black Backed Gulls, 1 Grey Heron and a single Little Egret.
Amongst the mass of Black Headed, Lesser Black Back and Herring Gulls was an interesting 2nd summer bird, with a white head that was shaped more like a chicken drumstick, but what really
made it stand out was it's "telescopic neck", which it stretched a few times, making me suspect it had egret in it's genes. Where's a gull expert when you need one?.
Upper Moss Side : 1 male Linnet and a flock of around 30 Sand Martins that were moving SW.
John Williams said
Mon Jul 18 11:49 PM, 2016
5.30-8.30pm
Walk to Halfway House from Lapwing Lane along the ship canal, then back via Moss Side.
Along Ship canal to Halfway House
9 Linnets, 1m Blackcap carrying food, 2 Buzzards, 4 Common Whitethroats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 singing Chiffchaffs.
Halfway House/ Newton Marsh
80+ Curlew, 2 Cormorants, 2 Oystercatchers and 2 Great Black Backed Gulls, plus lots of Lapwings, Black Headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
Upper Moss Side
2 Kestrels sat on a nest box.
** Insect repellent essential**, especially at Upper Moss Side.
Daniel Owen said
Wed Jul 6 6:25 PM, 2016
5th July
18:20 - 22:00
Upper Moss Side: 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Little Owl (sat on the map near to the bird table) and 1 male Yellowhammer singing
-- Edited by Daniel Owen on Wednesday 6th of July 2016 06:28:02 PM
John Williams said
Sat Jun 25 4:39 PM, 2016
09.30-13.00
Lapwing Lane
1 pr Great Crested Grebes with 2 near full sized young, 3 Little Grebes, A family of Gadwall with 7 half grown young.
Birchwood Pool
80+ Sand Martins giving a tremendous display over the water, with around 40 often stopping for a rest in the dead tree on the small island.
1 adult and 1 juv Little Grebes. 2 Buzzards, 1 of which flew low over the water appearing to try and catch a martin, but had no chance of doing so.
Pumphouse Flash
3 Kingfishers together on a dead bush, 1 bird was seen to catch a stickleback, they appeared to be a family group.
1 adult Great Crested Grebe. There were families of Coots on all pools, but one adult took it's 3 small young very close to a group of Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
This seemed very unwise, but the gulls just ignored them and carried on bathing, do adult Coot know when a predator does not pose a threat?.
3 Buzzards soared above the railway calling loudly.
Eastern Reedbed
6 Grey Herons, 3 Lapwings, 2 broods of Gadwall, 2 adult Great Crested Grebes and 1 youngster, and a very tame Robin with a deformed foot, but sadly I had no food to offer this little fellow.
Daniel Owen said
Sun Jun 5 11:22 AM, 2016
17:45 - 22:00
1 male yellowhammer singing at Upper Moss Side, where a grasshopper warbler reeled but remained hidden. Also here were 2 toads. It was quiet elsewhere on the reserve with only 2 swifts above Lapwing Lake and a few young rabbits by the car park.
John Williams said
Thu Mar 31 11:19 PM, 2016
5.15-8.00pm
Lapwing Lane Pool
12 Sand Martins, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Cormorants.
Feeding Station
1 Willow Tit.
Birchwood Pool
4 Little Grebes, 1f Goldeneye, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Oystercatchers. Lots of Sand Martins were skimming across the pool, but proved impossible to count.
Pumphouse Pool ( Water level very high with no exposed banking.)
6 Shovelers. 1 Kingfisher, 8 Great Black Backed Gulls, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 singing Song Thrush.
Eastern Reedbed
2 Little Grebes, 13 Grey Herons, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Great Crested Grebes. At one point I'm pretty sure I glimpsed a Black Necked Grebe at the Eastern end of the pool,
but could'nt be 100%.
Mike Mulholland said
Sun Mar 27 3:47 PM, 2016
Black-necked Grebe on Pumphouse Pool yesterday, Cetti's Warbler today in the Eastern Reedbed
John Williams said
Sat Jan 23 9:18 PM, 2016
11-00-15.00
Feeding Station
1 Brambling, 1f Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3m+1f Bullfinches
Birchwood Pool
1f Goldeneye, 4 Little Grebes
I was concerned for a Mute Swan that had found it's way onto the grassy area at the Western end of the pool, and did'nt seem to know a way back to the water,
where its mate was looking very anxious and patrolled close to the bank. A couple of us tried to find an opening in the fencing, but to no avail, as I left the swan had wondered
into the nearby wood.
The only Pochard seen today was a single drake on Pumphouse Pool.
Also on this pool, 8 Little Grebes engaged in a noisy territorial war, 6 Shovelers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, and on the adjoining heath a pair of Stock Doves were displaying.
6 Grey Herons were by the Eastern Reedbed, where a single Buzzard was mobbed by 10 Jackdaws plus a couple of crows. Show PreviewHide Preview
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jan 12 2:24 PM, 2016
Three Yellow-legged Gulls (two adults and a second winter) in three hours around midday on Pumphouse Pool.
Mike Mulholland said
Sun Jan 10 8:51 PM, 2016
Brief but good view of a Bittern in the Eastern Reedbed today also Kingfisher and Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler singing
Mike Mulholland said
Tue Nov 17 3:26 PM, 2015
A smart looking adult Yellow-legged Gull on Pumphouse Pool late morning and 2000+ Black-headed Gulls. Cetti's Warbler still in the Eastern Reedbed, singing and seen very briefly also Water Rail and Kingfisher.
John O'Neill said
Wed Nov 4 10:32 PM, 2015
Tawny Owl visible roosting in ivy near wooden bridge close to Birchwood Pool
DAVID KENNEDY said
Sun Oct 25 10:04 AM, 2015
Sunday 25th Oct 2015
Cetti's warbler heard from eastern reed bed "roofless hide" (with slimy wet benches) early this morning!
Also saw a kingfisher, juvenile grey wagtails, tufted ducks, 2 adult swans and 3 young, 3 little grebes, coots, long tailed tit, wren, blackbird and plenty of gadwall.
Mike Mulholland said
Wed Oct 21 9:20 AM, 2015
Cetti's Warbler close by the Eastern Reedbed hide yesterday morning and Water Rail showed well. Good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare present on the reserve and 11 Siskin near Colin's Hide.
Mike Mulholland said
Thu Oct 8 4:26 PM, 2015
Cetti's warbler early morning in the northwest corner of the Eastern Reedbed, also Kingfisher, Water Rail and Grey Wagtail.
Mike Mulholland said
Mon Sep 28 7:27 PM, 2015
Water rails calling in the eastern Reedbed today also a green sandpiper there and two wigeon on Millbrook Pool.
John Williams said
Fri Sep 4 3:47 PM, 2015
08.30-12.00
Lapwing Lane Area
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Buzzard and on the pool, 1 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes.
Birchwood Pool
800+ Canada Geese (Not much room left for anything else), 8 Greylag Geese and 7 Little Grebes. 1 Red Admiral butterfly, 1 Brown Hawker and 1 Blue Tailed Damselfly.
One Little Grebe caught, then played with a fish which looked too big to be a Stickleback.
The grebe kept diving, but still held onto the same fish, it then played with it's catch on the surface for several minutes before swallowing it.
Normally this little fellow would be pushing it's luck doing this, as there is usually lots of big gulls on the pool, but with all the geese around, the only gulls there were 3 Black Headed.
Birchwood
1m+2f Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff.
Pumphouse Pool
1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Stock Doves, 1 adult + 2 full grown juv Great Crested Grebes , 4 Cormorants, 1 Little Grebe and 12 Pochard.
Lots of gulls were on the pool, mainly Lesser Black Backs.
Eastern Reedbed.
1 Little Grebe and 15 Gadwall (Most drakes are now out of eclipse)
Speckled Wood butterflies plentiful in the woodland areas throughout.
-- Edited by John Williams on Friday 4th of September 2015 07:55:08 PM
John Williams said
Fri Aug 14 5:07 PM, 2015
AM
Lapwing Lane
A pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 young. 4 Little Grebes
As per usual there were lots of Lesser Black Backed, Herring and Black Headed Gulls on Birchwood and Pumphouse, but with the exception of a single 2nd winter Great Black Back,
there was nothing uncommon amongst them. A heron flew over Pumphouse and was mobbed by Lesser Black Backs, to the extent that they forced it to crash-land in nearby willows.
One adult LBB gull had 4 juveniles begging it for food, to whom it did regurgitate it's last meal and certainly gave the impression that this was all one family.
Eastern Reedbed
2 Buzzards, 2 Stock Doves and a moulting flock of 28 Gadwall. On one pool was an adult Great Crested Grebe with a single full grown youngster.
On the main reedbed pool though was another full grown Great Crested Grebe, with no sign of an adult.
John Williams said
Wed Aug 5 2:41 PM, 2015
08.30-12.30
Lapwing Lane
6 adult Little Grebes plus 2 small youngsters being fed Sticklebacks by their parents. 1 pr of Great Crested Grebes feeding 2 half grown young.
Birchwood Pool
6 more adult Little Grebes.
Masses of Lesser Black Backed Gulls, with lesser numbers of Herring and Black Headed, but apart from a juvenile Great Black Back, nothing uncommon amongst them.
Pumphouse Pool
Again masses of gulls, and giving great views from Colin's Hide, but alas nothing uncommon here either.
2 adult+1 juvenile Oystercatchers, 22 Lapwings and a pair of Great Crested Grebes with 1 youngster.
The adjoining heath held 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Stock Doves and a Buzzard.
Eastern Reedbed.
2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Kingfisher and a single Great Crested Grebe feeding a full grown youngster. 1 Common Blue & 1 Comma butterflies, Gatekeepers common throughout.
Tom Jones said
Thu Jul 2 5:10 PM, 2015
1400 -1630
Colin's hide 4 little ring plovers, 2 kingfishers, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Gull, 2 Juvenile Great spotted woodpeckers, 1 Coal tit, I Chiffchaff, + of course, Mute swan, Tufted ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Lesser Black backed gulls, Great Crested Grebes, and Little Grebes.
On walk back to the car park, also saw, Blackcap, Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtails,
John Williams said
Tue May 19 11:13 PM, 2015
09.00-12.00
1 Spotted Flycatcher by the railway embankment. 2 Goldcrests by Birchwood pool.
Pumphouse Pools, mainly Swallows and House Martins with very few Sand Martins.
1 Kestrel by the railway embankment too.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 19th of May 2015 11:35:08 PM
Mike Mulholland said
Mon May 4 5:05 PM, 2015
Cetti's warbler singing yesterday southwest of the reserve by the ship canal near Randall Sluices, also Wheatear and Common Sandpiper nearby....
John Williams said
Sun May 3 2:10 PM, 2015
08.00-12.00
The Reed Warblers were showing well by Lapwing Lane Pool, on occasions they left the reeds and flew to a bramble patch to feed, giving great views from the overlooking hide.
Also on the pool were singles of Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, a pair of Greylag Geese plus the usual Canada Geese etc.
There was just the usual garden birds in the woodland, with singing Blackcaps in abundance, Chiffchaffs plentiful too, but I only found 2 singing Willow Warblers.
Birchwood Pool held 3 Little Grebes, whilst a pair of Canada Geese here have 3 small goslings.
Pumphouse had 2 Little Grebes and a single Little Ringed Plover.
A Lesser Whitehroat was singing from the hawthornes by the railway embankment.
The only Woodpecker seen was a female Great Spotted on the "heath" area, where a single Buzzard was the only raptor throughout.
The Eastern Reedbed held a few Tufted Duck, Gadwall and the inevitable Canada Geese. 8 Grey Herons and a pair of Stock Doves here too.
As the rain cleared late morning, the sun appeared, and so too did 6+Orange Tip Butterflies.
Mike Mulholland said
Sun Apr 19 4:41 PM, 2015
Due to a lot of GCN survey work not been on the patch of late. Went for a walk this morning from the reserve and west along the ship canal track towards Halfway House. Good numbers of Chiffchaff as well as a few Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and at least 3 Whitethroat. Highlight was 2 female Ring Ouzels in the 'Horse Fields' on the south side of the ship canal near the warehouses ( had a male Ring Ouzel here a couple of years ago).
Lapwing Lane Pool Area : 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe and a Cuckoo that was heard but not seen.
On Lapwing Lane opposite the gate leading to the feeding station, a Grasshopper Warbler posed for a few seconds and reeled from vegetation alongside
the ditch. A single Goldcrest was seen nearby, and 4 Grey Herons were stalking prey in the pools by the feeding station.
Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were singing in profusion throughout the area, and a single Garden Warbler was in full song from a thicket by the old canal.
Birchwood Pool : 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Sand Martins, 10 Gadwall and 8 Tufted Ducks.
A Lesser Whitethroat was singing from a bramble patch alongside the pool.
2m+1f Bullfinches were in Birchwood, both finch males were enduring the wrath of a territorial Robin
Pumphouse Pool : 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Gadwall and 2 Buzzards.
Eastern Reedbed : 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Stock Doves, 4 Grey Herons and 3 Greylag Geese. Raven heard here.
The vandalised Colin's Hide has been replaced by a screen and benches, whilst the burned down Phoenix screen as been replaced by a new one.
Good views of the Great Grey Shrike earlier today (approx 12.30 ) at Upper Moss Side approx 100 metres west of the wooden bridge.
Had a message this afternoon on our grapevine from Phil Oddy that he had found a Great Grey Shrike at Upper Moss Side today. A fantastic find and subsequently twitched by other birders. It was near where a previous one was several years ago that I saw in the Balloon Shed Field. Great reward for an avid Cheshire Lister.
Lapwing Lane Pool : 34 Wigeon and 20+ Teal. 1 Goldcrest + 2f Bullfinches by Lapwing Lane Hide.
Feeding Station and surrounding woodland : 6 Siskins and 4 Lesser Redpoll with Goldfinches on the alders. 1 Nuthatch.
No sign of any Willow Tits at the feeders, but plenty of Blue and Great Tits visiting.
Birchwood Pool : 24 Pochard (Highest number I've seen anywhere for ages), 2m+2f Goldeneye, 7 Tufted Ducks, 3 Great Crested Grebes
2 Little Grebes and 10 Teal.
A Black Headed Gull was harassing a female Tufted Duck so much so sought shelter amongst dense overhanging branches.
The gull patiently waited for her to reappear, which she had'nt by the time I left.
Pumphouse Pool : 8 Common Gulls, 4 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 1f Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes and 6 Teal.
The sad news is, despite my comments posted after my last visit on 12th November, Colin's Hide has not been repaired, and looks an utter mess.
Interesting bird John, I hope folk keep an eye out for it, would be a great bird for Moore. remember there is a precedent too for rare raptors turning up at Moore NR. Several years ago I was asked to go down to check out a 'Red Kite' sighting that had some doubts about it and helped to nail the ID as a Black Kite which was then twitched by many. In fact it's one of the only birds in the current Rare & Scarce Birds of Cheshire & Wirral book that has my name against it !! Eyes to the skies folks
Around 10.30 this morning I saw a very intriguing Buzzard above the Raptor Watch Point.
The bird which I initially classed as a very pale Common Buzzard had certain features which as soon as I got home I checked out.
Firstly, very prominent Carpal Patches on the underwing, almost like "After Eight" mints. Secondly, the undertail was white with a battleship grey tailband.
Apart from the Carpal Patches and tail band the underside of the bird was mainly white with little if any noticable marking.
The bird appeared to be the same size as a Common Buzzard.
In addition, as the bird drifted off towards Lower Moss Side it was evident it was not flying with it's wings held in the usual "V" shape that Common Buzzards often do.
The buzzard flew with it's wings largely horizontal as large gulls do, although the very outer "fingers" or feathers were bent slightly as there was a noticeable NW wind blowing.
For now, or until another report emerges I'll class the raptor as an odd very pale "Buteo Buteo", although I have to say the bird matched the juvenile Rough Legged Buzzard
shown in the BTO ID video on Utube. Fingers crossed that another report comes in.
Please keep an eye out for this unusual fellow if your birding in the Moore, Moss Side or Fiddlers Ferry areas.
As this raptor drifted off North West, 5 Common Buzzards appeared and soared over the watchpoint for a while, together with their small following of troublesome Jackdaws.
Also seen here was a single Green Woodpecker. 12 Wigeon were with Teal on Lapwing Lane Pool.
The was a steady procession of Willow Tits visiting the feeding station, together a single Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Chaffinches appeared plentiful, but no sign of Bramblings, and oddly no Reed Buntings.
On Birchwood Pool were 1m Goldeneye, 2 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes, 4m Pochards and 5 Little Grebes. A team of 4 Cormorants fished the pool.
Also some nostalgia here too, in the form of a large raft of gulls, although sadly they were all Black Headed.
On Pumphouse Pool were 4m+ 2f Pochard, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Herons and 1 Buzzard.
Every now and then small numbers of Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall would erupt from the overhanging vegetation on the North side of the pool, as if scared by a land predator.
As Paul says in the previous post, it's tragic to see Colin's Hide destroyed, but happily it appears to be under repair.
I did not venture down to the Eastern Reedbed as a birder advised me that the Phoenix Hide is still closed following the vandalism earlier this year.
Just seen a posting on Facebook by the Moore NR Wardens that Colin's Hide was vandalised last night. It was partially burnt down. The damage is repairable but this is one of a continuing series of vandalism events this year. The lack of evidence means the police haven't been involved so if anyone sees anything that could help catch the perpetrators then they should get in touch with the wardens asap. Very sad news indeed
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 9th of November 2017 01:56:04 PM
Lapwing Lane Pool : 1 Little Grebe
Lower Moss Side : A flock of 7 Tree Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk and a highly vocal pair of Ravens.
Upper Moss Side : 4 Goldcrests in the hawthorn hedge by the old feeding station. A large flock of Redwings and Blackbirds flushed from hawthorns.
Norton Marsh : 900 Lapwings, 20 Curlew, 5 Cormorants, 12 Common Gulls and 1 Buzzard.
Masses of Black Headed Gulls with lesser numbers of Lesser Blacks and Herring Gulls, but no Great Black Backs or anything uncommon.
Manchester Ship Canal : 27 Tufted Ducks. A male Sparrowhawk flew over the canal with an very irate Jay in pursuit.
Mute Swan x3
Grey Heron (probably the best posed Heron I've seen, standing on a rock over the shimmering water with the bridge in the background, of course I had no camera with me...)
Tufted Ducks
Gadwall
Mallard
Pochard
Plenty of Coot and Moorhen
Little Grebe
Sandy heathland West of Lapwing Lane :
1 Kestrel and 1 Green Woodpecker. 3 Blackcaps and a couple of Willow Warblers were with a large roaming flock of Bluetits.
Reed Warblers are still showing well as they move along the top of the lakeside reeds.
Surprisingly, 2 Green Woodpeckers, plus 2 of the more usual Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen in the woodland near the feeding station.
Birchwood Pool :
A family of 4 highly vocal Oystercatchers were on the small islet. 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebes, 1 pair have 2 striped youngsters, the other pair have 1 youngster.
2 Little Grebes. A noisy family group of Willow Warblers were on the edge of Birch Wood.
Pumphouse Pool :
1 pair of Great Crested Grebes, one of which appeared to have a couple of young on it's back. There was also a solitary adult on the pool.
Also, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwings, 2 Little Grebes, 2 eclipse drake Pochards and a single Kingfisher. 8+ Sand Martins flew over the pool.
The Phoenix Hide is still closed due to vandalism.
Lapwing Lane
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Jays.
Birchwood Pool
3 adult Great Crested Grebes+ 1 half grown youngster, 1 Buzzard, 6 Tufted Duck and 6 Greylag Geese.
Pumphouse Pool
1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwings,1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Tufted Ducks, 1m Pochard, 3 Grey Herons and a single juvenile Black Headed Gull.
2 Stock Doves were on the heath, but no sign of Green Woodpecker. A family of 8 Long Tailed Tits flew over.
6 Bullfinches were on the land earmarked for the new port, opposite Pumphouse Pool, and they appeared to be attracted to sorrel seeds.
Lapwing Lane Pool and Adjoining Heath
2 adult Great Crested Grebes, including 1 carrying a couple of youngsters, 2 Little Grebes.
1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Buzzard.
Birchwood Pool
2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Greylag Goose and 1 Mistle Thrush.
Pumphouse Pool
6 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Oystercatcher and 3 Lapwings.
A group of 5 highly vocal Ravens flew over. 12+ Sand Martins were over the pool.
Walked from Lapwing Lane to Halfway House along the ship canal the back via Upper Moss Side. (09.00-13.30)
Lapwing Lane Area
1 Cuckoo calling and showing well around the lake. The bird appeared to cause visible anxiety amongst the Reed Warblers, they often perched on the edge of the
reeds and tilted their heads to look skyward. It's rare to get clear views of these little birds, which would of been easy pickings for a passing hawk.
A single Little Grebe was also here.
Alongside the ship canal
2 Linnets, 4 Bullfinches, 1 Song Thrush, a singing male Greenfinch and numerous Common Whitethroats. Goldfinches abundant, most in small charms of about 6 birds.
Ship Canal
2 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Grey Herons (There's a heronry nearby), 2prs Tufted Ducks, 6 Gadwall and 2 Cormorants.
There was a light but steady passage of Swifts, plus a few Swallows, throughout. All were heading West.
Halfway House & Mersey Sandbanks
1 Little Egret, 1 adult Great Black Backed Gull, 12 Lapwings, 3 Gadwall and a pair of white Feral Geese, one of which had head marking like a Bar Headed Goose. 1 displaying Sedge Warbler.
Upper Moss Side
2 Linnets and 6 Bullfinches
-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 13th of May 2017 04:55:24 PM
17.30-20.30
Lapwing Lane Pool Area
1 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1pr Great Crested Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Buzzard.
Birchwood Pool Area
2prs Great Crested Grebes, 3 Mistle Thrushes and 1 Bullfinch
Pumphouse Pool
1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Grebes and 3 Great Crested Grebes.
1 highly vocal female Green Woodpecker was on the adjoining heath, with a Robin for company, as she scoured the ground looking for food.
A steady procession of Swifts and Swallows passed through all evening, all heading North.
6 Chiffchaffs were in song throughout the walk, compared to just 1 Willow Warbler, and 4 Blackcaps.
Sadly the Phoenix Hide (Eastern Reedbed) is closed due to vandalism.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 9th of May 2017 11:56:18 PM
Lapwing Lane : 13 Wigeon and a few Teal on the lake, which was 70% frozen over. 6 Siskins were in nearby alders.
Feeding station & adjoining woods :Nuthatches were highly vocal and territorial. Also here were 1 Willow Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 4 Reed Buntings.
A few Chaffinches fed below the feeders, but no sign of Brambling. A single Goldcrest flitted through nearby ivy, whilst a Field Vole nervously fed below the feeders.
Birchwood Pool : 6 Little Grebes, 42 Shoveler, 1f Goldeneye, 4 Pochard, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Mistle Thrush.
Pumphouse Pool : 4 Little Grebes, 45 Shoveler (I suspect most of these had been counted by me on BP, and had just flown across, as when I returned to Birchwood Pool
numbers had dropped.),1 Common Gull,6 Pochard, 1f Goldeneye and 1 Grey Heron.
The Heath :2 pairs of Stock Doves were displaying.
Eastern Reedbed : The Bittern was showing to the left of Phoenix Hide rather than in the main reedbed.
It was hidden for much of the time though as it patrolled the stream running from the wood. 2 Green Woodpeckers were showing well on the banking below the hide.
3 highly vocal Ravens flew over, whilst 2 Buzzards gave an aerial display. A single Kestrel was on wires near the railway bridge.
MOORE NR -Gull fest
After work today took the chance that the high tide would have pushed all the Gulls off Richmond bank and onto Birchwood pool Moore ,and I wasn't dissapointed the pool had constant flow of between 500 and 1000 large gulls ,but has much has I checked through them in 3 hours I could not find anything unusual apart from 1 Adult Yellow legged Gull .There were thousands through the pool in the time I was there, and I could recommend anyone wanting to look for rarer gulls to check here first and get used to all the common Gull type variants ,has all the commoner races of Herring gull went through the pool has did Lesser Black backs and plenty Great Black Backed Gulls,so good comparisons of size -its a great starting point for Gull watching . The Tip is supposed to be closing soon so go have a look before they are all gone .
Also on the pool Great crested Grebe,Kingfisher ,Little Grebe and Goldeneye.
Picture Birchwood pool Moore Nr
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 16th of December 2016 06:50:31 PM
Single f Goldeneye
Adjacent field
Single Green Woodpecker
Lots of gulls on Pumphouse Pool around midday during a few hour stint by Pete Berry and myself. Nothing special was picked out but there were always good numbers present at any one time (3-500 or so) and a really good turnover of birds. Many can also be watched feeding on the tip further up past the hide and is worth a look.
With not long left until the tip closes (just over a month at worst and until maybe October at best) gulling time is fast running out
A very rainy, wet, cold couple of hours at the Pond Wood feeders this morning produced the target species eventually! Since I am mainly staying on my local patch I have missed a few species this year and Willow Tit was one of them! Eventually after quite a long wait one, possibly two, Willow Tits visited the well stocked bird table at the feeding station in front of the screen. Other birds using the feeders included Coal, Great & Blue Tits, Nuthatch, Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Lapwing Lane Pool : 1f Goldeneye and 10 Teal.
Near Feeding Station : 2 Goldcrests.
Birchwood Pool Area : 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Song Thrush.
Lots of gulls on the pool, mainly Herring, but nothing uncommon amongst them.
The rowan tree with white berries, which has attracted Waxwings in previous winters, has gone.
Pumphouse Pool : 14 Shoveler, 2m Pochard, 1 Raven and 1 Grey Heron. 2 Green Woodpeckers were on the adjoining heath, whilst 18 Goldfinches were feeding in birches nearby.
The Eastern Reedbed and Lagoon appeared devoid of life, except for a solitary Moorhen. No raptors were seen throughout.
Lapwing Lane Pool
5 Cormorants were chasing each other around the pool
2 Nuthatches were in a mixed tit flock by the old canal. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers here too.
Birchwood Pool
4 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe and a group of 22 Greylag Geese which included 3 white birds.
The pool was covered with a thin layer of algae.
Pumphouse Pool
3 adult + 3 juvenile Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Grebes, 2 drake Pochard, 1 Buzzard (Only raptor seen) and 2 Grey Herons.
Heath
20 Magpies settled to roost in 2 dead trees, until a pair of Carrion Crows flushed them, together with a single Mistle Thrush.
Eastern Reedbed
1 Water Rail and 1 Green Sandpiper. A couple of Malllard drakes were back in their finery, 2 Shovelers seen here though were still in eclipse.
Lots of Gadwall were on the pool just south of Phoenix hide.
Opted to walk to Half Way House from Lapwing Lane.
1 Linnet with 3 Goldfinches on wires on the sandy heath. 10 Cormorants flying east along the ship canal, and a single Buzzard over the south bank.
10 Tufted Ducks were on the canal. 2 Grey Herons were on the South bank, whilst 20 Pied Wagtails were in the paddock by the Stobart warehouse, watched by the usual Buzzard that sits on the roof.
Also there were 40+ Starlings and 1 Kestrel.
No sign of the Osprey at Half Way House, just masses of Lesser Black Back and Black Headed Gulls, with 10 Common and a few Herring Gulls among the throng.
80+ Curlew were on the sandbanks, with 2 Little Egrets, whilst a pair of Kestrels hovered over the banks.
Along the banks of the ship canal, especially near the wooden jetties, the hawthorne scrub held lots of passerines, this is great spot for small migrants.
6 Willow Warblers, appeared to be moving around together, all looking like they'd been dunked in lemon sherbet. A little further on was a bigger flock, this time of Chiffchaffs, looking noticeably smaller than their cousins,
some appeared quite dark, and all looked drab. The bushes here were full of small birds, and had it been morning, rather than in the fading light, I'd have stayed longer and looked for other small migrants.
Apart from the warblers, a number of Long Tailed Tits were here too. 100 Feral Pigeons roosted on the swing bridge.
16 little and 2 great crested grebes were counted on the lakes around Moore with the usual birds present.
Opted for another walk upto Halfway House along the canal, then back via Upper Moss Side.
The heathland alongside the canal produced: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Tit (Totally unexpected here, it posed for a while on top of a gorse bush), 2 Common Whitethroats,
2 Linnets, 1 Greenfinch and a flock of 5 Mistle Thrushes.
A Buzzard was again sat on the Stobart warehouse, avidly watching the horse paddock below. The canal held a group of 27 Canada Geese and a single Little Egret.
It was almost high tide when I viewed the river, gulls, Lapwings and a few Curlew were seeking refuge on the far bank close to the vegetation.
There were far fewer Curlew around than last week. Also here were 4 Oystercatchers, 5 adult Common Gulls, 3 Cormorants, 5 Great Black Backed Gulls, 1 Grey Heron and a single Little Egret.
Amongst the mass of Black Headed, Lesser Black Back and Herring Gulls was an interesting 2nd summer bird, with a white head that was shaped more like a chicken drumstick, but what really
made it stand out was it's "telescopic neck", which it stretched a few times, making me suspect it had egret in it's genes. Where's a gull expert when you need one?.
Upper Moss Side : 1 male Linnet and a flock of around 30 Sand Martins that were moving SW.
Walk to Halfway House from Lapwing Lane along the ship canal, then back via Moss Side.
Along Ship canal to Halfway House
9 Linnets, 1m Blackcap carrying food, 2 Buzzards, 4 Common Whitethroats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 singing Chiffchaffs.
Halfway House/ Newton Marsh
80+ Curlew, 2 Cormorants, 2 Oystercatchers and 2 Great Black Backed Gulls, plus lots of Lapwings, Black Headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
Upper Moss Side
2 Kestrels sat on a nest box.
** Insect repellent essential**, especially at Upper Moss Side.
Upper Moss Side:
2 Grey Partridge, 1 Little Owl (sat on the map near to the bird table) and 1 male Yellowhammer singing
-- Edited by Daniel Owen on Wednesday 6th of July 2016 06:28:02 PM
Lapwing Lane
1 pr Great Crested Grebes with 2 near full sized young, 3 Little Grebes, A family of Gadwall with 7 half grown young.
Birchwood Pool
80+ Sand Martins giving a tremendous display over the water, with around 40 often stopping for a rest in the dead tree on the small island.
1 adult and 1 juv Little Grebes. 2 Buzzards, 1 of which flew low over the water appearing to try and catch a martin, but had no chance of doing so.
Pumphouse Flash
3 Kingfishers together on a dead bush, 1 bird was seen to catch a stickleback, they appeared to be a family group.
1 adult Great Crested Grebe. There were families of Coots on all pools, but one adult took it's 3 small young very close to a group of Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
This seemed very unwise, but the gulls just ignored them and carried on bathing, do adult Coot know when a predator does not pose a threat?.
3 Buzzards soared above the railway calling loudly.
Eastern Reedbed
6 Grey Herons, 3 Lapwings, 2 broods of Gadwall, 2 adult Great Crested Grebes and 1 youngster, and a very tame Robin with a deformed foot, but sadly I had no food to offer this little fellow.
1 male yellowhammer singing at Upper Moss Side, where a grasshopper warbler reeled but remained hidden. Also here were 2 toads.
It was quiet elsewhere on the reserve with only 2 swifts above Lapwing Lake and a few young rabbits by the car park.
5.15-8.00pm
Lapwing Lane Pool
12 Sand Martins, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Cormorants.
Feeding Station
1 Willow Tit.
Birchwood Pool
4 Little Grebes, 1f Goldeneye, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Oystercatchers. Lots of Sand Martins were skimming across the pool, but proved impossible to count.
Pumphouse Pool ( Water level very high with no exposed banking.)
6 Shovelers. 1 Kingfisher, 8 Great Black Backed Gulls, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 singing Song Thrush.
Eastern Reedbed
2 Little Grebes, 13 Grey Herons, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Great Crested Grebes. At one point I'm pretty sure I glimpsed a Black Necked Grebe at the Eastern end of the pool,
but could'nt be 100%.
Black-necked Grebe on Pumphouse Pool yesterday, Cetti's Warbler today in the Eastern Reedbed
11-00-15.00
Feeding Station
1 Brambling, 1f Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3m+1f Bullfinches
Birchwood Pool
1f Goldeneye, 4 Little Grebes
I was concerned for a Mute Swan that had found it's way onto the grassy area at the Western end of the pool, and did'nt seem to know a way back to the water,
where its mate was looking very anxious and patrolled close to the bank. A couple of us tried to find an opening in the fencing, but to no avail, as I left the swan had wondered
into the nearby wood.
The only Pochard seen today was a single drake on Pumphouse Pool.
Also on this pool, 8 Little Grebes engaged in a noisy territorial war, 6 Shovelers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, and on the adjoining heath a pair of Stock Doves were displaying.
6 Grey Herons were by the Eastern Reedbed, where a single Buzzard was mobbed by 10 Jackdaws plus a couple of crows. Show Preview Hide Preview
Brief but good view of a Bittern in the Eastern Reedbed today also Kingfisher and Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler singing
A smart looking adult Yellow-legged Gull on Pumphouse Pool late morning and 2000+ Black-headed Gulls. Cetti's Warbler still in the Eastern Reedbed, singing and seen very briefly also Water Rail and Kingfisher.
Sunday 25th Oct 2015
Cetti's warbler heard from eastern reed bed "roofless hide" (with slimy wet benches) early this morning!
Also saw a kingfisher, juvenile grey wagtails, tufted ducks, 2 adult swans and 3 young, 3 little grebes, coots, long tailed tit, wren, blackbird and plenty of gadwall.
Lapwing Lane Area
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Buzzard and on the pool, 1 adult + 1 juv Great Crested Grebes.
Birchwood Pool
800+ Canada Geese (Not much room left for anything else), 8 Greylag Geese and 7 Little Grebes. 1 Red Admiral butterfly, 1 Brown Hawker and 1 Blue Tailed Damselfly.
One Little Grebe caught, then played with a fish which looked too big to be a Stickleback.
The grebe kept diving, but still held onto the same fish, it then played with it's catch on the surface for several minutes before swallowing it.
Normally this little fellow would be pushing it's luck doing this, as there is usually lots of big gulls on the pool, but with all the geese around, the only gulls there were 3 Black Headed.
Birchwood
1m+2f Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff.
Pumphouse Pool
1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Stock Doves, 1 adult + 2 full grown juv Great Crested Grebes , 4 Cormorants, 1 Little Grebe and 12 Pochard.
Lots of gulls were on the pool, mainly Lesser Black Backs.
Eastern Reedbed.
1 Little Grebe and 15 Gadwall (Most drakes are now out of eclipse)
Speckled Wood butterflies plentiful in the woodland areas throughout.
-- Edited by John Williams on Friday 4th of September 2015 07:55:08 PM
Lapwing Lane
A pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 young. 4 Little Grebes
Birchwood Pool
6 Little Grebes &1 Buzzard.
Pumphouse Pool
2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Pied Wagtails & 2 Grey Herons.
As per usual there were lots of Lesser Black Backed, Herring and Black Headed Gulls on Birchwood and Pumphouse, but with the exception of a single 2nd winter Great Black Back,
there was nothing uncommon amongst them. A heron flew over Pumphouse and was mobbed by Lesser Black Backs, to the extent that they forced it to crash-land in nearby willows.
One adult LBB gull had 4 juveniles begging it for food, to whom it did regurgitate it's last meal and certainly gave the impression that this was all one family.
Eastern Reedbed
2 Buzzards, 2 Stock Doves and a moulting flock of 28 Gadwall. On one pool was an adult Great Crested Grebe with a single full grown youngster.
On the main reedbed pool though was another full grown Great Crested Grebe, with no sign of an adult.
Lapwing Lane
6 adult Little Grebes plus 2 small youngsters being fed Sticklebacks by their parents. 1 pr of Great Crested Grebes feeding 2 half grown young.
Birchwood Pool
6 more adult Little Grebes.
Masses of Lesser Black Backed Gulls, with lesser numbers of Herring and Black Headed, but apart from a juvenile Great Black Back, nothing uncommon amongst them.
Pumphouse Pool
Again masses of gulls, and giving great views from Colin's Hide, but alas nothing uncommon here either.
2 adult+1 juvenile Oystercatchers, 22 Lapwings and a pair of Great Crested Grebes with 1 youngster.
The adjoining heath held 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Stock Doves and a Buzzard.
Eastern Reedbed.
2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Kingfisher and a single Great Crested Grebe feeding a full grown youngster. 1 Common Blue & 1 Comma butterflies, Gatekeepers common throughout.
Colin's hide 4 little ring plovers, 2 kingfishers, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Gull, 2 Juvenile Great spotted woodpeckers, 1 Coal tit, I Chiffchaff, + of course, Mute swan, Tufted ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Lesser Black backed gulls, Great Crested Grebes, and Little Grebes.
On walk back to the car park, also saw, Blackcap, Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtails,
1 Spotted Flycatcher by the railway embankment. 2 Goldcrests by Birchwood pool.
Pumphouse Pools, mainly Swallows and House Martins with very few Sand Martins.
1 Kestrel by the railway embankment too.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 19th of May 2015 11:35:08 PM
The Reed Warblers were showing well by Lapwing Lane Pool, on occasions they left the reeds and flew to a bramble patch to feed, giving great views from the overlooking hide.
Also on the pool were singles of Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, a pair of Greylag Geese plus the usual Canada Geese etc.
There was just the usual garden birds in the woodland, with singing Blackcaps in abundance, Chiffchaffs plentiful too, but I only found 2 singing Willow Warblers.
Birchwood Pool held 3 Little Grebes, whilst a pair of Canada Geese here have 3 small goslings.
Pumphouse had 2 Little Grebes and a single Little Ringed Plover.
A Lesser Whitehroat was singing from the hawthornes by the railway embankment.
The only Woodpecker seen was a female Great Spotted on the "heath" area, where a single Buzzard was the only raptor throughout.
The Eastern Reedbed held a few Tufted Duck, Gadwall and the inevitable Canada Geese. 8 Grey Herons and a pair of Stock Doves here too.
As the rain cleared late morning, the sun appeared, and so too did 6+Orange Tip Butterflies.