Hi Judith, I walked up reddish vale on 31 december and have taken a poor picture of a bird I did not recognise, it was stood next to a cormorant and looked quite small. Initially thought goosander but it was too small. I have just looked up a red headed smew and I beleive that is was I have a picture of. could I upload it to you for confirmation. Its not brilliant but may serve. Also the one with it next to the cormorant, but its quite misty but gives a size comparison. Cheers Ken
Ken, your sighting would constitute a county rarity and as such the county rarities committee would warmly welcome the receipt of a submission for this bird. Initially at least, the photo can be sent to me on any of the links on the Manchester Birding website. Look under who's who, any problems then let me know.
John Rayner said
Sun Jan 2 10:32 AM, 2011
Ken Dunning wrote:
Hi Judith, I walked up reddish vale on 31 december and have taken a poor picture of a bird I did not recognise, it was stood next to a cormorant and looked quite small. Initially thought goosander but it was too small. I have just looked up a red headed smew and I beleive that is was I have a picture of. could I upload it to you for confirmation. Its not brilliant but may serve. Also the one with it next to the cormorant, but its quite misty but gives a size comparison. Cheers Ken
Hi Ken,
Is your avatar the Reddish bird?
Cheers, John
Ken Dunning said
Sun Jan 2 9:51 AM, 2011
Hi Judith, I walked up reddish vale on 31 december and have taken a poor picture of a bird I did not recognise, it was stood next to a cormorant and looked quite small. Initially thought goosander but it was too small. I have just looked up a red headed smew and I beleive that is was I have a picture of. could I upload it to you for confirmation. Its not brilliant but may serve. Also the one with it next to the cormorant, but its quite misty but gives a size comparison. Cheers Ken
Judith Smith said
Sat Jan 1 5:33 PM, 2011
I've contacted Dave for more info.
John Rayner said
Sat Jan 1 5:18 PM, 2011
Drake Pochard amongst the many Mallard, Tufties and Coot. 2 Herons on the ice.
At North Place I heard that a redhead Smew had been seen here last Thursday 30th (per Dave Evans).
Cheers, John
Anthony Dixon said
Mon Oct 4 6:29 PM, 2010
Numbers of Tufted Duck now on the rise with 24 present this afternoon. Flock of 30+ LT Tit only other thing of any note.
Anthony
Anthony Dixon said
Mon Aug 30 12:44 PM, 2010
Beautiful mist rising over the vale this morning...
Sadly the last remaining Cygnet has fallen foul to a predator by the look of things.
2 Kingfisher showing well over the Mill Ponds. 4 Tufted Duck. 4 Wren 1 Kestrel 1 Goldcrest
Anthony
Anthony Dixon said
Sun Aug 15 4:42 PM, 2010
Pleasant walk round in the sunshine this morning although not a huge amount to report. 2 Kingfishers were very active on the main Mill Pond, but the highlight for me was a fairly close and lengthy view of a Wren tackling a rather large Caterpillar before offering it to her offspring.
Anthony
Anthony Dixon said
Fri Jul 2 6:43 PM, 2010
After posting on my blog last night about the demise of the Kingfisher at Reddish Vale, this afternoon I heard a familiar sound and looked around to see not one but two flashes of electric blue flying across the smaller of the two Mill Ponds...Typical!!!
I'm not getting too excited yet, but after Scott's sighting last week, things might be looking up.
Anthony
Scott Reid said
Sun Jun 27 10:54 AM, 2010
Thanks for the info on the dippers Tony. I was down there again yesterday and saw one adult bird but didn't see them feeding the chicks, I'm wondering if they have fledged and the second parent was feeding them down river?
Also promising was 2 kingfishers on the river aswell yesterday by the wier. I've seen individual birds regulary down there all year but it's the first time I've seen two at the same time.
Cheers
Scott
Rob Smallwood said
Fri Jun 25 9:23 AM, 2010
"The workman seem to be more interested in the wildlife than finishing the bridge though, one of the guys spent 45mins watching a juv. heron with me the other day rather than working!...the poor thing hadn't quite mastered the art of standing still whilst fishing and was getting rather impatient! Very entertaining!"
I think we should be concerned that the workman was both juvenile and fidgety fishing.....
tonywilkinson said
Thu Jun 24 9:30 PM, 2010
First egg date for early breeders is about mid March and we usually ring first broods starting mid April. About 20% of birds, usually those with early first broods, have a second. Late first broods are a bit more difficult to analyse. Sometimes first clutches are lost, possibly to mink, rats or an unpaired male. Mink/rats seem to result in the birds moving to another 'regular' nest site; young birds often give up until next year. Some females having lost the first brood to another male, relay; there is usually a bit of a territorial battle prior to this. The nest lining is a thin layer of leaves, oak, beech, rather similar to a Nuthatch nest lining, and the female strips and relines for second brood, or relines the following spring. They are extremely tolerant of being handled for ringing but really hate cats! So what about this pair? Carrying moss etc could be either a second nest and you missed the first attempt or a classic boy meets girl scenario. Female juvenile Dippers disperse much further than males but it seems unlikely that the pair met this year. Too many ifs and buts to know but could they have been missed in 2009? The juvs will be out of the nest in a day or two and will be dependent on the adults for food (at the riffles probably)for a week or two then the adults will moult. From then until next March they are hard to spot.
Good luck, great spot.
Tony
Scott Reid said
Thu Jun 24 7:38 PM, 2010
It is the same pair Rick. The chicks are still in the nest so they won't be rebuilding (maybe just patching the nest up?) and as Tony said, even this is very late for a second brood.
If you can get close to the weir without disturbing the adult birds you can hear the chicks calling when the parents get within 10ft of the nest with a beak full of food.
I've spent a fair bit of time down there over the last few days sat on the bench over looking the weir and the adults have been coming back to the next with food every 4-5 minutes throughout the day, one parent hunting up river and the other down river, so the chicks are getting fed very well!! Fingers crossed they can fledge successfully in the near future.
As for the bridge hopfully that will be finished soon! The workman seem to be more interested in the wildlife than finishing the bridge though, one of the guys spent 45mins watching a juv. heron with me the other day rather than working!...the poor thing hadn't quite mastered the art of standing still whilst fishing and was getting rather impatient! Very entertaining!
Scott
Rick Donkin said
Thu Jun 24 5:52 PM, 2010
Thurs 24/6/10 14.00 - 15.00 for a quick visit.
River Tame from Stockport (Tesco/Portwood) - below Harrison's Weir - 2 Dipper, one of which was collecting lichen and moss. Possibly setting up nest for second brood?? Could this be same pair that Scott has seen or are there more than one pair breeding?
A few Mallard and 1 Moorhen.
1 Chiffchaff seen and two others calling in distance. 2 Juv Robins
Towards golf course - 4 House Martin and 3 Sand Martin.
Digger and workmen on the far side of the 'Electric Bridge' under the pylon downstream from weir. Footbridge may be closed for the next few days while cable repair work being carried out - I was told that signs should be posted.
Rick.
-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Thursday 24th of June 2010 05:58:15 PM
Scott Reid said
Tue Jun 22 1:23 PM, 2010
Dipper Update:
Great news! Reddish Vale Dippers have bread successfully and have chicks in the nest! Very late brood but both parents were feeding the chicks well this afternoon between 12:00 and 13:15. By the sound of it there are atleast 2 chicks in the nest! Brilliant news for Reddish vale!!
Also at RV:
My first Garden Warbler here this year.
Good numbers of Chiffys
Good numbers of Sand Martins at the viaduct end.
Also what seemed to be a buzzard over head by the motorway bridge but when I got my bins on it, it appeared to be a Cormorant circling over head riding the thermals. I've never seen this behavior before by Cormorants, is this normal?
Scott
-- Edited by Scott Reid on Tuesday 22nd of June 2010 01:31:38 PM
-- Edited by Scott Reid on Tuesday 22nd of June 2010 03:15:11 PM
Anthony Dixon said
Mon Jun 21 6:41 PM, 2010
I first saw a Dipper on the river near the viaduct on a cold snowy day back in January...A first for me at the Vale. I've since seen this single bird on a few other ocassions at the same spot.
That January day I first saw the Dipper was sadly the last time I saw a Kingfisher at Reddish...Nice to know that one of these lovely species survived that hard winter.
Anthony
tonywilkinson said
Mon Jun 21 11:23 AM, 2010
Hi,
With Dippers being early nesters, even second broods should have fledged by now. There might still be dependent juveniles, if breeding has been successful, and they could be either upstream or downstream at the usual foraging riffles. A good extra dimension for RV birders even so. It also supplements info I have had from Karen Foulkes and Stephen Young relating to Dippers in Haughton Green and Dukinfield; Dippers are one of the easiest to see of indicators of well-being of a river and so Kingfishers especially also seem to be doing well. Grey Wags seem to have wintered badly so numbers are not so good, especially earlier in the year. Unless someone has confirmed breeding at Vernon Park you could be looking at a Dipper 'Atlas' tick!
Tony
Scott Reid said
Mon Jun 21 9:38 AM, 2010
Rick and Tony,
I have good news for you on the dipper front after reading your posts. I have been watching and filming a pair of dippers just down stream from RV now for the past month. Last time I was down there (just over two weeks ago) the male was showing well but the female only appeared twice in the space of 3 hours before returning to what I can only assume was a nest, which suggests to me that she was sitting on eggs.
I am returning there this week so hopfully I will find out the latest and whether they have been successful. I will keep you updated.
Cheers
Scott
tonywilkinson said
Mon Jun 21 8:52 AM, 2010
Nice one Rick.
Not too long ago I had a conversation in the 'Nursery' with Dave Evans in which he expressed the opinion that RV had been a Dipper free zone for 'over ten years', which makes this, in the breeding season, a special sighting.
Judith the GR is SJ907919 so your thoughts of them nesting under ASDA, might be closer than you hoped?
Tony
Lorraine Parsonage said
Mon Jun 21 8:40 AM, 2010
i to live near the reddish vale but near the motorway bridge which is where i watch many birds ,i am like a kid on christmas day every morning now,cannot wait to go out with the camera and the dogs cannot belive there luck,out all the time.have seen all sorts of finches buzzards kestral got a good photo of goosander and her babies,its all new to me bird watching and taking photos of them,there is a tree on the field near me thats like a christmas tree there is all sorts of lovelys in it,i used to just walk past not any more.there is greenfinch,bullfinch, goldfinch,treecreepers,sorry to go on but its great to tell people my family just go oh right,and iam buzzing keep you posted lanie
Anthony Dixon said
Sun Jun 20 2:51 PM, 2010
7.00-8.30 am
2 Buzzard Kestrel 6 Tufted Duck Jay Plenty of Swift, Swallow & Sand Martin
Anthony
Rick Donkin said
Fri May 28 5:37 PM, 2010
Yesterday - Thurs 27th (16.00 to 18.00)
Further down River Tame towards Stockport - below Harrison's Weir - 1 Dipper, female Mallard with 5 chicks, separate groups of Drake Mallard, several moorhen, Jay, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, many Gt, Blue and LT Tits. Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch
Up from the weir towards golf course - approx 15 swift and 10 Sand Martin and 1 Buzzard high overhead.
Rick.
Philip Kinsey said
Fri May 28 6:02 AM, 2010
The goosanders were back in Reddish Vale early yesterday morning, they were spotted on the river near the Sunnyside Woods area.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue May 25 12:50 PM, 2010
Originally posted by Philip Kinsey at 12:45pm 25.05.10
11 goosander chicks on the River Tame at Reddish Vale on the 18th May, they went down stream from the sluice gate and past the visitor centre. They were spotted last week near the motorway bridge at the Tameside end of Reddish Vale. Great spotted woodpecker nest with chicks at Reddish Vale. And there is a whitethroat at Reddish Vale with a silver ring, he seems to have made the area at the front of the viaduct his territory. There are some photos of all these birds on the welcome page slideshow at www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com
John Taylor said
Mon May 24 10:34 PM, 2010
Cheers Mike and Anthony. It's a long time since I've seen a Muscovy but it seemed bigger than I remember. I am no expert so thanks for the id
Anthony Dixon said
Mon May 24 5:18 AM, 2010
Agree with Mike, I'm 99% sure that this will be the resident Muscovy Duck.
Anthony
Mike Passant said
Sun May 23 9:41 PM, 2010
Hi John, Doesn't really fit anything "wild." Suggest you check it out against the following possibilities :
escaped Spur-winged goose; escaped Black-necked swan; (Black Swan would only show white in flight); domestic form of Muscovy Duck would seem likeliest though?
Cheers. Mike P.
John Taylor said
Sun May 23 9:05 PM, 2010
A large black and white goose with red on the head on the top fishing pond. Can anyone id please.
Judith Smith said
Sat May 15 10:13 PM, 2010
Thanks. The brood of 12 is now at South Reddish, Alan Hunter says, and is intact.
Anthony Dixon said
Sat May 15 8:19 PM, 2010
Will do Judith. I'll be seeing the person who told me about these Goosander on Monday, so I'll ask...Unless I get chance to have a look myself tomorrow.
Anthony
Judith Smith said
Fri May 14 8:48 PM, 2010
Undoubtedly different, Anthony - they wouldn't go onto a different river. Can you find out how many young there were?
Anthony Dixon said
Fri May 14 5:55 AM, 2010
Judith, I was told Yesterday of a Goosander with young on the River Goyt between Bredbury Hall and Vernon Park that was spotted on Tuesday...Most likely a different bird because I know there has been a pair in that area for some time now.
Anthony
Judith Smith said
Wed May 12 8:38 PM, 2010
A female Goosander with 12 newly hatched ducklings was on the R. Tame just upstream of the motorway bridge yesterday. Some chicks were on her back. They are likely to drift downstream towards Stockport, so will birders in that area look out for them? Information thanks to Alan Hunter.
Rick Donkin said
Sun May 9 12:14 PM, 2010
Sunday 9.00 to 11.00
Grasshopper Warbler visible and another reeling in distance beyond viaduct. Many Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and at least 6 Whitethroats - 3 together chasing and displaying ( 2 male 1 female ??).
Sparrowhawk, Jay, Mistle Thrush, Blue, Great and LT Tits. Wren singing everywhere.
Many Sand Martin, Swift and Swallow.
Nice to have met up with Phil Kinsey.
Further down Tame below Harrison's Weir - 1 Kingfisher and plenty more Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Rick.
-- Edited by Richard Donkin on Sunday 9th of May 2010 12:15:52 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed May 5 10:59 AM, 2010
Originally posted by Terry Sykes on the 5th May:
Pair of Grasshopper warblers near to viaduct yesterday 1 Garden Warbler Treecreeper nest Building close to ponds a Black cap accompanied by 3 females (lucky chap. Though he did look as if he was trying to leave them behind) 6+ whitethroats Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs is it me or are more than average amount of Robins this year?
__________________ eltel
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 6th of May 2010 08:29:10 AM
vic chatterton said
Tue May 4 8:26 PM, 2010
Tuesday 4/5/2010
2pm - 5pm
Grasshopper Warbler still present but skulking and singing occasionally. Did sing for about 30 secs in full view at close range.
2 Whitethroats 1 Reed Bunting (m) 1 Lapwing 25+ Sand Martins several Blackcaps. Willow Warblers and ChiffChaffs.
{biggest surprise on way to Reddish Vale was a singing Sedge Warbler near Dowson Road, Hyde on the old railway track)
Vic Chatterton
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 3 8:19 AM, 2010
Originally posted by Phil Kinsey on the 3rd May 2010:
Grasshopper Warbler spotted behind the viaduct at Reddish Vale Country Park, 3/5/10. I managed to get some photos and a bit of video and have put them on the Reddish Vale website, http://www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com/#/grasshopper-warbler/4540668641
Rick Donkin said
Thu Apr 29 7:46 PM, 2010
Weather forecast for Thurs afternoon - drier and brighter!!!
Still, a pleasant walk up the Tame under the umbrella produced; 30+ Sand Martins 15 (ish) Swallows 10 Swifts Kestrel Sparrowhawk Several Jays Blackcap, Willow Warber and Chiffchaff. Stock Dove
On and around the ponds near visitor centre; House Sparrows Collared Doves Mallard, Canada's, Coot with 3 chicks, pair Mute Swan, Cormorant and Grey Heron, and Anthony's 'beautiful little bird' fast asleep on the first island in the middle of the larger pond. Better view from your picture, Anthony!
Tufted Duck numbers up to 47 this morning. Pochard still present and following a small group of Tufties all over the place! GS Woodpecker only other highlight.
Spent much of the morning (like yesterday) searching for Kingfisher...Not looking at all good I'm affraid.
Anthony
John Rayner said
Sat Feb 20 1:42 PM, 2010
Pochard (1 male, thanks Anthony) Goosander (8 left early) Tufted Duck (22) Cormorant (1) Grey Heron (2) Mute Swan (3. The remaining pen plus the new pair, one of which carries a blue darvic SHD or 5HD)
Cheers, John
Anthony Dixon said
Sun Feb 14 9:16 PM, 2010
8-10am this morning...
2 new Mute Swans now on the Vale, but sadly at the expense of the orphaned Pen which it seems has been 'seen off' by the aggressive behaviour of the newcomers. The only good thing to have come out of the recent death of the Cob is the overwhelming public reaction to the crime after it made the front page of the Stockport Express.
From the Reddish Vale website and reffering to the fact that the killing of a Swan is still a capital offence...a point echoed by many on the Manchester Evening News website also...
"Go an' tell Her Majesty, that one of her Swans is dead. Someone came with a gun and shot it in the head. Yes an' tell her I know where there's a fine old Willow tree, with boughs that will take the weight of a hanging there is to be. Yes an' tell her I will be available, it will not worry me, To swing on these bas***ds legs when they hang from the tree."
Sadly no sign of any Kingfisher which is a big worry after all the bad weather we've had recently.
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon on Sunday 14th of February 2010 09:18:12 PM
Anthony Dixon said
Sat Feb 6 6:28 PM, 2010
This morning 8-10am...
Sadly no sign of the orphaned Pen Swan
A pair of Wigeon 13 Goosander 16 Tufted Duck 3 Grey Heron 1 Cormorant
Anthony
Judith Smith said
Tue Feb 2 11:04 PM, 2010
And there is a ranger's/visitor's office which I think is staffed most of the time. too.
Anthony Dixon said
Tue Feb 2 5:05 PM, 2010
Judith Smith wrote:
Not the first time this has happened there, either.
You're quite right Judith, one of a pair of Great Crested Grebes was shot dead last year and I've heard that Canada Geese have met similar ends in the past too. An Angler was also hit by a pellet a while back...Not to mention 2 rapes and a murder last year.
I don't know, it's a beautiful place but sadly one that recently I've not felt entirely comfortable visiting. Despite the many genuinely lovely people there who care deeply about wildlife, it just seems to attract a scum minority that is ruining it for everyone.
Rachael Hill said
Tue Feb 2 2:31 PM, 2010
Lots of posters up yesterday about it. Only 1 swan was on the lakes, didn't come to feed and in fact struggled over the ice when I fed the others and stayed by itself . I wish these idiots realised what damage they have done.
Judith Smith said
Tue Feb 2 12:29 PM, 2010
Not the first time this has happened there, either.
Ken, your sighting would constitute a county rarity and as such the county rarities committee would warmly welcome the receipt of a submission for this bird. Initially at least, the photo can be sent to me on any of the links on the Manchester Birding website. Look under who's who, any problems then let me know.
Hi Ken,
Is your avatar the Reddish bird?
Cheers, John
I walked up reddish vale on 31 december and have taken a poor picture of a bird I did not recognise, it was stood next to a cormorant and looked quite small. Initially thought goosander but it was too small.
I have just looked up a red headed smew and I beleive that is was I have a picture of.
could I upload it to you for confirmation. Its not brilliant but may serve. Also the one with it next to the cormorant, but its quite misty but gives a size comparison. Cheers Ken
At North Place I heard that a redhead Smew had been seen here last Thursday 30th (per Dave Evans).
Cheers, John
Flock of 30+ LT Tit only other thing of any note.
Anthony
Sadly the last remaining Cygnet has fallen foul to a predator by the look of things.
2 Kingfisher showing well over the Mill Ponds.
4 Tufted Duck.
4 Wren
1 Kestrel
1 Goldcrest
Anthony
2 Kingfishers were very active on the main Mill Pond, but the highlight for me was a fairly close and lengthy view of a Wren tackling a rather large Caterpillar before offering it to her offspring.
Anthony
I'm not getting too excited yet, but after Scott's sighting last week, things might be looking up.
Anthony
Also promising was 2 kingfishers on the river aswell yesterday by the wier. I've seen individual birds regulary down there all year but it's the first time I've seen two at the same time.
Cheers
Scott
I think we should be concerned that the workman was both juvenile and fidgety fishing.....
So what about this pair? Carrying moss etc could be either a second nest and you missed the first attempt or a classic boy meets girl scenario. Female juvenile Dippers disperse much further than males but it seems unlikely that the pair met this year.
Too many ifs and buts to know but could they have been missed in 2009?
The juvs will be out of the nest in a day or two and will be dependent on the adults for food (at the riffles probably)for a week or two then the adults will moult. From then until next March they are hard to spot.
Good luck, great spot.
Tony
If you can get close to the weir without disturbing the adult birds you can hear the chicks calling when the parents get within 10ft of the nest with a beak full of food.
I've spent a fair bit of time down there over the last few days sat on the bench over looking the weir and the adults have been coming back to the next with food every 4-5 minutes throughout the day, one parent hunting up river and the other down river, so the chicks are getting fed very well!! Fingers crossed they can fledge successfully in the near future.
As for the bridge hopfully that will be finished soon! The workman seem to be more interested in the wildlife than finishing the bridge though, one of the guys spent 45mins watching a juv. heron with me the other day rather than working!...the poor thing hadn't quite mastered the art of standing still whilst fishing and was getting rather impatient! Very entertaining!
Scott
River Tame from Stockport (Tesco/Portwood) - below Harrison's Weir - 2 Dipper, one of which was collecting lichen and moss. Possibly setting up nest for second brood?? Could this be same pair that Scott has seen or are there more than one pair breeding?
A few Mallard and 1 Moorhen.
1 Chiffchaff seen and two others calling in distance. 2 Juv Robins
Towards golf course - 4 House Martin and 3 Sand Martin.
Digger and workmen on the far side of the 'Electric Bridge' under the pylon downstream from weir. Footbridge may be closed for the next few days while cable repair work being carried out - I was told that signs should be posted.
Rick.
-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Thursday 24th of June 2010 05:58:15 PM
Great news! Reddish Vale Dippers have bread successfully and have chicks in the nest! Very late brood but both parents were feeding the chicks well this afternoon between 12:00 and 13:15. By the sound of it there are atleast 2 chicks in the nest! Brilliant news for Reddish vale!!
Also at RV:
My first Garden Warbler here this year.
Good numbers of Chiffys
Good numbers of Sand Martins at the viaduct end.
Also what seemed to be a buzzard over head by the motorway bridge but when
I got my bins on it, it appeared to be a Cormorant circling over head riding the thermals. I've never seen this behavior before by Cormorants, is this normal?
Scott
-- Edited by Scott Reid on Tuesday 22nd of June 2010 01:31:38 PM
-- Edited by Scott Reid on Tuesday 22nd of June 2010 03:15:11 PM
I've since seen this single bird on a few other ocassions at the same spot.
That January day I first saw the Dipper was sadly the last time I saw a Kingfisher at Reddish...Nice to know that one of these lovely species survived that hard winter.
Anthony
With Dippers being early nesters, even second broods should have fledged by now. There might still be dependent juveniles, if breeding has been successful, and they could be either upstream or downstream at the usual foraging riffles.
A good extra dimension for RV birders even so.
It also supplements info I have had from Karen Foulkes and Stephen Young relating to Dippers in Haughton Green and Dukinfield; Dippers are one of the easiest to see of indicators of well-being of a river and so Kingfishers especially also seem to be doing well. Grey Wags seem to have wintered badly so numbers are not so good, especially earlier in the year.
Unless someone has confirmed breeding at Vernon Park you could be looking at a Dipper 'Atlas' tick!
Tony
I have good news for you on the dipper front after reading your posts. I have been watching and filming a pair of dippers just down stream from RV now for the past month. Last time I was down there (just over two weeks ago) the male was showing well but the female only appeared twice in the space of 3 hours before returning to what I can only assume was a nest, which suggests to me that she was sitting on eggs.
I am returning there this week so hopfully I will find out the latest and whether they have been successful. I will keep you updated.
Cheers
Scott
Not too long ago I had a conversation in the 'Nursery' with Dave Evans in which he expressed the opinion that RV had been a Dipper free zone for 'over ten years', which makes this, in the breeding season, a special sighting.
Judith the GR is SJ907919 so your thoughts of them nesting under ASDA, might be closer than you hoped?
Tony
2 Buzzard
Kestrel
6 Tufted Duck
Jay
Plenty of Swift, Swallow & Sand Martin
Anthony
Further down River Tame towards Stockport - below Harrison's Weir - 1 Dipper, female Mallard with 5 chicks, separate groups of Drake Mallard, several moorhen, Jay, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, many Gt, Blue and LT Tits. Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch
Up from the weir towards golf course - approx 15 swift and 10 Sand Martin and 1 Buzzard high overhead.
Rick.
11 goosander chicks on the River Tame at Reddish Vale on the 18th May, they went down stream from the sluice gate and past the visitor centre. They were spotted last week near the motorway bridge at the Tameside end of Reddish Vale.
Great spotted woodpecker nest with chicks at Reddish Vale.
And there is a whitethroat at Reddish Vale with a silver ring, he seems to have made the area at the front of the viaduct his territory.
There are some photos of all these birds on the welcome page slideshow at
www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com
Anthony
Doesn't really fit anything "wild." Suggest you check it out against the following possibilities :
escaped Spur-winged goose;
escaped Black-necked swan; (Black Swan would only show white in flight);
domestic form of Muscovy Duck would seem likeliest though?
Cheers.
Mike P.
I'll be seeing the person who told me about these Goosander on Monday, so I'll ask...Unless I get chance to have a look myself tomorrow.
Anthony
Anthony
Information thanks to Alan Hunter.
Grasshopper Warbler visible and another reeling in distance beyond viaduct.
Many Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and at least 6 Whitethroats - 3 together chasing and displaying ( 2 male 1 female ??).
Sparrowhawk, Jay, Mistle Thrush, Blue, Great and LT Tits. Wren singing everywhere.
Many Sand Martin, Swift and Swallow.
Nice to have met up with Phil Kinsey.
Further down Tame below Harrison's Weir - 1 Kingfisher and plenty more Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Rick.
-- Edited by Richard Donkin on Sunday 9th of May 2010 12:15:52 PM
Pair of Grasshopper warblers near to viaduct yesterday
1 Garden Warbler
Treecreeper nest Building close to ponds
a Black cap accompanied by 3 females (lucky chap. Though he did look as if he was trying to leave them behind)
6+ whitethroats
Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs
is it me or are more than average amount of Robins this year?
__________________
eltel
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 6th of May 2010 08:29:10 AM
2pm - 5pm
Grasshopper Warbler still present but skulking and singing occasionally. Did sing for about 30 secs in full view at close range.
2 Whitethroats
1 Reed Bunting (m)
1 Lapwing
25+ Sand Martins
several Blackcaps. Willow Warblers and ChiffChaffs.
{biggest surprise on way to Reddish Vale was a singing Sedge Warbler near Dowson Road, Hyde on the old railway track)
Vic Chatterton
Grasshopper Warbler spotted behind the viaduct at Reddish Vale Country Park, 3/5/10. I managed to get some photos and a bit of video and have put them on the Reddish Vale website,
http://www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com/#/grasshopper-warbler/4540668641
Still, a pleasant walk up the Tame under the umbrella produced;
30+ Sand Martins
15 (ish) Swallows
10 Swifts
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Several Jays
Blackcap, Willow Warber and Chiffchaff.
Stock Dove
On and around the ponds near visitor centre;
House Sparrows
Collared Doves
Mallard, Canada's, Coot with 3 chicks, pair Mute Swan, Cormorant and Grey Heron, and
Anthony's 'beautiful little bird' fast asleep on the first island in the middle of the larger pond. Better view from your picture, Anthony!
Rick.
Beautiful little bird.
Anthony
Kestrel
Cormorant
Loads of Swallow and Sand Martin.
Anthony
Kingfisher on Tame near sluice gate and 2 Buzzard soaring overhead towards motorway.
Rick.
4 Goosander
9 Tufted Duck
2 Grey Heron
4 Cormorant
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
1 Kestrel
4 Swallow
Anthony
Pochard still present and following a small group of Tufties all over the place!
GS Woodpecker only other highlight.
Spent much of the morning (like yesterday) searching for Kingfisher...Not looking at all good I'm affraid.
Anthony
Goosander (8 left early)
Tufted Duck (22)
Cormorant (1)
Grey Heron (2)
Mute Swan (3. The remaining pen plus the new pair, one of which carries a blue darvic SHD or 5HD)
Cheers, John
2 new Mute Swans now on the Vale, but sadly at the expense of the orphaned Pen which it seems has been 'seen off' by the aggressive behaviour of the newcomers.
The only good thing to have come out of the recent death of the Cob is the overwhelming public reaction to the crime after it made the front page of the Stockport Express.
From the Reddish Vale website and reffering to the fact that the killing of a Swan is still a capital offence...a point echoed by many on the Manchester Evening News website also...
"Go an' tell Her Majesty, that one of her Swans is dead.
Someone came with a gun and shot it in the head.
Yes an' tell her I know where there's a fine old Willow tree,
with boughs that will take the weight of a hanging there is to be.
Yes an' tell her I will be available, it will not worry me,
To swing on these bas***ds legs when they hang from the tree."
Other sightings
8 Goosander
22 Tufted Duck
1 Kestrel
2 Grey heron
1 GS Woodpecker
Sadly no sign of any Kingfisher which is a big worry after all the bad weather we've had recently.
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon on Sunday 14th of February 2010 09:18:12 PM
Sadly no sign of the orphaned Pen Swan
A pair of Wigeon
13 Goosander
16 Tufted Duck
3 Grey Heron
1 Cormorant
Anthony
You're quite right Judith, one of a pair of Great Crested Grebes was shot dead last year and I've heard that Canada Geese have met similar ends in the past too.
An Angler was also hit by a pellet a while back...Not to mention 2 rapes and a murder last year.
I don't know, it's a beautiful place but sadly one that recently I've not felt entirely comfortable visiting.
Despite the many genuinely lovely people there who care deeply about wildlife, it just seems to attract a scum minority that is ruining it for everyone.