Late post for Monday morning 10:45 - 11:20. Stopped by to do a tiny bit of landscape photography but couldn't resist checking the Broad Ees Dole. With the amount I saw I'm going to have to start patching Sale WP again!
Main lake, from the concrete structure at the most north point: 2 Cormorants ~100 Black-headed gulls 7 Common gulls 3 Lesser black backed gulls 2 Moorhens 2 Coots 2 Mallards
Broad Ees Dole: 8 Shovelers (5 males & 3 females) 20-30 Teal (ran out of time to count them) 1 male Gadwall some mallards, moorhens and a very large Sparrowhawk being harassed by magpies at the back of the pool.
Unnamed pond next to Broad Ees Dole (I was thinking to myself on the way home that it needed a name, it appears that I'm not alone in that thought!): 4 Teal (2 male & 2 female) 1 Grey heron But by far the best bird and a patch lifer for me was a Water rail!!! After reading Shannon's post earlier this week I only hoped of seeing one. Feeding right out in the open on the mud, on the left hand side of the pool. Unfortunately someone walking by on their phone managed to scare it and it quickly scuttled back into the reeds and didn't return again in the 5 mins I waited for it.
Paul Heaton said
Mon Nov 26 9:12 PM, 2018
Rob thats very interesting, they do move onto the fields along longford park a lot , I will keep an eye out for it .
Paul Heaton said
Mon Nov 26 9:07 PM, 2018
Cheers Shannon, thank you we do need to name that pool , perhaps Water Rail pool.
Rob Creek said
Mon Nov 26 8:35 PM, 2018
Rob Creek wrote:
- This afternoon, ringed Black-headed Gull ETKE was sat on the low bar surrounding the main car park. Had it here 2 months ago. Ill send off the sighting and see if its been anywhere else in between.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 20th of November 2018 07:08:09 PM
...had a reply from Tim Audenaert this evening and theres been no other sightings of this bird reported to him since I last saw it here in September so presumably not left the UK (or GM even) during that time. Only guessing though.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sat Nov 24 11:01 AM, 2018
Paul Heaton wrote:
Shannon , excellent round up as always , very impressed with your sighting and a tad jealous ...
Water rail , thought I heard a squeak the other week, but never saw one , I have in my mind that nice pool to the left of Broad Ees Dole , it seem to have lovely stretch of mud and reed perfect for Water Rail,
I will keep looking
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Monday 19th of November 2018 07:00:13 AM
Hi Paul,
Sorry for the late reply, been offline all week. It was indeed on that pool (and the second time I've seen one there), feeding along the waterline at the back.
The adult Yellow Legged Gull was on the main lake towards the western end this morning and on Saturday there was a 1st winter Yellow Legged Gull on the bouys just below Deckers car park,but no sign today.Only other thing of interest was a Kingfisher on the Mersey opp Jacksons Boat
Rob Creek said
Tue Nov 20 6:48 PM, 2018
- This afternoon, ringed Black-headed Gull ETKE was sat on the low bar surrounding the main car park. Had it here 2 months ago. Ill send off the sighting and see if its been anywhere else in between.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 20th of November 2018 07:08:09 PM
Shannon , excellent round up as always , very impressed with your sighting and a tad jealous ...
Water rail , thought I heard a squeak the other week, but never saw one , I have in my mind that nice pool to the left of Broad Ees Dole , it seem to have lovely stretch of mud and reed perfect for Water Rail,
I will keep looking
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Monday 19th of November 2018 07:00:13 AM
Steve Burke has seen one on that pool before.
Paul Heaton said
Mon Nov 19 6:59 AM, 2018
Shannon , excellent round up as always , very impressed with your sighting and a tad jealous ...
Water rail , thought I heard a squeak the other week, but never saw one , I have in my mind that nice pool to the left of Broad Ees Dole , it seem to have lovely stretch of mud and reed perfect for Water Rail,
I will keep looking
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Monday 19th of November 2018 07:00:13 AM
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Nov 18 7:11 PM, 2018
A few hours round here today, from just gone 10 to nearly three. Yellow-legged gull had been seen before I arrived, but had flown by then; the only large gulls on lake that I saw were all lesser black-backed. Nevertheless, an extremely productive and enjoyable few hours, with some excellent other species around:
1 goldcrest 3 willow tit (one on feeder by cafe, pair around outlet channel) 1 treecreeper 2 nuthatch (one seen, one heard) 2 lesser redpoll 1 siskin 6+ goldfinch 2 linnet (a Mersey Valley patch first for me) 1 redwing 2 jay 1 kingfisher (male, two sightings, presumed same bird) 3 moorhen 1 coot 29 gadwall 2 tufted duck 7 or 8 mute swan 3 little grebe 2 grey heron 240+ black-headed gull 7 common gull 5 lesser black-backed gull 1 kestrel 1 sparrowhawk 1 buzzard heard fairly distantly
Broad Ees Dole:
1 water rail 5 moorhen 1 coot 31 teal 4 shoveler 2 little grebe 3 snipe 2 grey heron
Paul Heaton said
Sat Nov 17 11:06 AM, 2018
240+ Black headed Gulls
12 Common Gull
5 Lesser Black Backed Gull
1 Yellow legged Gull
Gadwall 35
Teal highest count for a bit 45
Lots of Finches, tits wrens etc
Ring Necked Parakeet x 6
Buzzard x3 Sparrowhawk and kestrel present .
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Saturday 17th of November 2018 11:07:03 AM
Pete Hines said
Fri Nov 16 2:24 PM, 2018
Yellow-legged Gull still present 12.10 to 12.28 when flew towards NW corner but lost to view behind trees
Yellow legged gull showing well today , and a couple of birders poaching on my patch
Paul Heaton said
Wed Nov 14 3:52 PM, 2018
A number of large gulls present today, I suspect the Yellow legged Gull ,was there but the waterskiing man decided to have a run out, just as I was about the view the gulls putting them all up .
Broad ees dole 7 Shoveler ,and 2 male Goosander , and 16 Teal ,
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Wednesday 14th of November 2018 04:22:07 PM
Rob Creek said
Tue Nov 13 10:01 PM, 2018
Paul Heaton wrote:
Rob excellent find, and great photos, did the WeBs count at weekend it went there then , great record , thanks for the photos
Keep Birding
It will be submitted as a record too Paul, cheers.
Paul Heaton said
Tue Nov 13 7:52 PM, 2018
Rob excellent find, and great photos, did the WeBs count at weekend it wasn't there then , great record , thanks for the photos
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Wednesday 14th of November 2018 09:04:48 AM
Rob Creek said
Tue Nov 13 4:36 PM, 2018
Tuesday 13th Nov 2018
- adult Yellow-legged Gull On main lake this afternoon viewed from near Deckers and then a better view near one of the fishing platforms just passed the sailing club. There was a loud bang from the other side of the lake and a lot of the Gulls were put up including this one and I lost it flying towards the pylon. Cheers for confirmation Ian.
(ps. knock 1 hour off camera time, I do it every time the clocks go back or forward)
Today 01.11.18 (short visit). Main lake :- Lesser Black-back gull - 6. Common gull - 6. Herring gull - 1. But No Yellow legged gull. Broad Ees Dole Snipe - 3. Teal - 14. Water on the Dole is at it's Lowest level for a long time but views from the hide are becoming narrower due to encroaching bushes and trees.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Thursday 1st of November 2018 03:23:25 PM
Paul Heaton said
Sat Oct 27 12:07 PM, 2018
Cold and frosty morning stroll
Raven over the sports centre first thing
Kingfisher on broad ees dole
Gadwall count high at least 25+
All the normal stuff you would expect
Keep Birding
phillipskelly said
Thu Oct 18 4:32 PM, 2018
From 10:30 am today.
Main lake ...... Gadwall - 9. Mute swan - 17 ( 8 juveniles including 4DCF, 4DCD,and 4DCC.).
Old Carpark ...... Reed bunting - 1.
Broad Ees Dole ....... Wigeon - 10. Gadwall - 6. Shoveler - 4. Little grebe - 4 Inc. 1 juv. Buzzard - 1 . Snipe - 4. Teal - 9. Kingfisher - 1. (Ps. hope the snipe photo is right way up this time.phone scoped)
and lots of Long-tail tit about everywhere.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Thursday 18th of October 2018 04:34:48 PM
Visitor centre area 4 Nuthatch, 5 Ring necked Parakeets 2 Coal tit 1 Willow tit
Broad ees dole
Kingfisher 1
Wigeon 13
Shoveler 8
Gadwall 5
Little Grebe 6
Buzzard
and Chiffchaff sulking left of the hide seemed to be paler, but was in strong light .
Keep Birding
Shannon Llewellyn said
Mon Sep 24 11:01 AM, 2018
That's what I was afraid of. Perhaps it'd be better just to board the hide up if that's what it's being used for.
Paul Heaton said
Sun Sep 23 10:07 PM, 2018
Shannon , I noted a few dead little grebes last week adult ones at least 3, I regret the fact that I was told an air rifle was used, I have been in touch with the local authorities but have not yet been able to get a body to x-ray it .
Sadly the demise of the rangers has not be a good thing for the Water park .
Keep birding
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Sep 23 7:43 PM, 2018
Day spent around the water parks today; here first:
2 goldcrest 1 chiffchaff heard 1 willow tit heard 2+ nuthatch 1 or 2 greenfinch heard 1 grey wagtail 1 jay 3 moorhen 2 coot c20 mallard 9 mute swan (pair with 7 grown juveniles) c80 black-headed gull 1 cormorant 1 sparrowhawk (seen over the river from Sale Ees, dueling with a carrion crow) 1 buzzard
Broad Ees Dole:
1 kingfisher 4 moorhen 4 teal 3 shoveler 6 little grebe, 2 very young, being fed by parents 3 grey heron 2 sparrowhawk (male and female)
Dead mallard on Broad Ees Dole, too; last time, there were also two dead Canada geese, which I didn't think much of at the time, but after Phillip's post below, is this something to worry about?
Rob Creek said
Fri Sep 21 7:15 PM, 2018
Tuesday 18th September
- Black-headed Gull bearing a yellow 4 alpha code ring 'ETKE', with the other Gulls on the boardwalk below Deckers car park. Belgian ringed as suspected and it appears you had it here last year Ian.
Date Location 18/06/2016 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM Audenaert Tim 18/06/2016 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM Audenaert Tim 16/07/2017 SALE (Sale water Park), GREATER MANCHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN McKerchar Ian 25/03/2018 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM De Taey Eddy 25/03/2018 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM De Smet Geert 08/04/2018 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM Audenaert Tim 18/09/2018 SALE (Sale water Park), GREATER MANCHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN Creek Rob
Visitor centre : Willow tit - 1 on feeder. Buzzard - 1 across the marsh.
Main lake : Kingfisher - 1. Mute swan - 9 ( 2 adults + 7 cygnet ).
Cow lane : Nuthatch - 1 ( three sightings but probably the same bird). Robin - 4. Chaffinch - 2. Also lots of Long-tail tit, Blue tit and Great tit seen and heard in the tree canopy.
Old car park (rear of ) : Blackcap - 1 juvenile. Dunnock - 4. Reed bunting - 4. Chiffchaff - 2 (1 seen + 1 heard only). Blue tit - 5 family party. Blackbird - 1. And one unresolved bird in the Blackthorn - singing very quietly (sub song ?) like a Blackcap , but when seen momentarily , it didn't seem to have a cap - just looked plain greyish and I thought Garden Warbler . I double checked the song with a CD and it wasn't Garden warbler . I heard the same song last weekend on Cow lane but couldn't see the bird at first an then finally saw the same greyish sylvia type bird as today .
Broad Ees Dole : Teal - 18 and also 3 dead ones unfortunately. Snipe - 1 on main island. Grey Heron - 1.
Little grebe - 4.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Saturday 8th of September 2018 03:54:23 PM
Paul Heaton said
Sun Aug 12 10:57 AM, 2018
BTO WebS count this morning was on the quite side , in fact prior to a big rainfall the water park appeared empty,
However after the rain , things improved other highlights included
Swift House Martin and Swallow were in good numbers
Kingfisher showing well near Stepping stones
Chiffchaff, Blackcap still in good numbers .
Buzzard Kestrel present ,
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 12th of August 2018 03:11:02 PM
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Jul 29 7:11 PM, 2018
Broad Ees Dole and surrounds for a couple of hours this afternoon:
1 chiffchaff heard 2 reed bunting (one a fledgling, still begging) 1 house martin 1 swallow 1 swift 1 stock dove 6 moorhen 1 coot 1 gadwall 21 mallard 6 little grebe (2 full-grown juveniles, 2 half-grown) 1 lapwing 4 grey heron 3 black-headed gull 1 lesser black-backed gull 8 cormorant over 1 sparrowhawk (over Stretford Ees) 1 buzzard (juvenile constantly calling from Stretford Ees)
Paul Heaton said
Fri Jul 13 5:54 PM, 2018
30+ Species seen today best was 8 Juvenile Goosanders on river mersey opp cow field , I recorded a female with 8 young at Kickerty Brook a few weeks ago, I have been watching them every few days , recently they went missing so I am fairly certain these are mine, After watching them for 15 mins they all flew up river towards Northenden.
Keep Birding
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Jul 8 5:17 PM, 2018
A few hours today, from mid-morning - early afternoon:
2 chiffchaff heard singing 11+ blackcap 5 reed warbler heard singing 1 willow tit 6 goldfinch 3+ greenfinch 3 bullfinch 1 reed bunting heard singing 2+ house martin 1 swallow 3+ song thrush 1+ jay heard 7+ swift 2 moorhen 1 coot 2 mute swan with 7 cygnets 1 grey heron 1 cormorant
Broad Ees Dole:
1 reed bunting heard singing 6 moorhen, including grown juveniles 1 coot 14 mallard 5 little grebe, pair with 3 young chicks 5 lapwing 10 grey heron 70+ black-headed gull 1 lesser black-backed gull
Common Sandpiper - 1. Lapwing - 2. Little Grebe - 2. Moorhen - 2. Mallard - 8.
Rob Creek said
Tue May 22 7:51 PM, 2018
Break this afternoon.
Of note over main lake... - 1 Swallow - 1 Common Swift - 1 Common Whitethroat singing from shrubbery to the right of the car park - 3 Great Crested Grebe (1 pr + 1)
Rob Creek said
Tue May 15 8:32 PM, 2018
Mid afternoon today at the lake side.
Only birds of note were 3 Common Swift and 2 Swallow.
And something that had me laughing that happened on 3 different occasions. Firstly a girl feeding the Canada Geese and as they encroached she backed off and ran back to the waiting car. Then 2 girls walking on the jetty had the fright of their lives and ran off as one Goose flew up out of the water infront of them. Lastly 3 girls with buggies and youngsters were feeding them when all of a sudden they started running off and the Geese were actually running after them. You could hear the kids screaming laughing and all of them threw the whole slices of bread and ran off in terror to the other side near Deckers as more and more Geese appeared!
phillipskelly said
Fri May 11 9:30 AM, 2018
Brief visit ending at 3pm.yester day 10.05.18 Similar to last post with - Reed warbler - 3 seen with 2 singing males competing for the same spot and giving great views. Reed bunting - 1. Grt.Crested Grebe - 2. Chiffchaff - 1. All the above seen on main lake.
Broad Ees Dole....... Water level dramatically high covering nearly all the islands. Little grebe - 4. Grey Heron - 1 over. Moorhen - 2.
Ps.time ran out so didn't do the rest of the WP.
Chris Chandler said
Thu May 10 5:02 PM, 2018
2 possibly 3 Reed Warblers in reeds at the north west corner by Broad Ees Dole. Only had 2 birds together on the edge of the lake, but singing from beyond the pond to the north of the path was likely a 3rd bird.
4 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff
Reed Bunting
Great Crested Grebe - otherwise little of note on or over the water.
Broad Ees Dole:
2 Little Grebe
Teal
Grey Heron
By the bridge over the river:
2 Grey Wagtail
Buzzard being mobbed by crows
James Walsh said
Tue May 1 10:20 AM, 2018
Common Sandpiper Main Lake in bay SE of Watersports Centre 10:20am
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Apr 29 8:39 PM, 2018
Few hours around here this afternoon; pretty chilly, and water-sports on the lake.
2 chiffchaff 5 blackcap 1 nuthatch c25 sand martin 3 swallow 1 song thrush 1 moorhen 5 coot, including one on nest 5 - 7 mute swan 4 or 5 great crested grebe 1 cormorant over 1 black-headed gull 5 lesser black-backed gull 4 herring gull 1 buzzard
Broad Ees Dole:
3 moorhen 2 coot 2 little grebe 1 herring gull
sid ashton said
Thu Apr 26 3:45 PM, 2018
Called in at the water park early afternoon and watched a pair of Great Crested Grebe appearing to start their courtship dance. One of the birds had a bill full of water weeds.
Matt Gillett said
Wed Apr 25 8:38 PM, 2018
Brief evening jog around the main lake and recovery viewing from Boathouse car park (745-815pm)
Old Car park : Blackcap - 2 m+f . Bullfinch - 1. Willow warbler - 1. Pied Wagtail - 1 over . And a constructed mound of soil - wish they'd leave it alone !!!
Main lake : Blackcap - 5 Inc 1 f. Grt.Crested Grebe - 2. Lesser Black-back gull - 4. Reed bunting - 2. Arctic tern - 1. Cormorant - 3.
Broad Ees Dole : Little Grebe - 2. Teal - 4. Gadwall - 1. Reed bunting - 2. And 2 very young children with a basic scope and bins who knew about MB website with their dad ...... nice to meet them .
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 13th of April 2018 09:18:26 PM
Main lake, from the concrete structure at the most north point:
2 Cormorants
~100 Black-headed gulls
7 Common gulls
3 Lesser black backed gulls
2 Moorhens
2 Coots
2 Mallards
Broad Ees Dole:
8 Shovelers (5 males & 3 females)
20-30 Teal (ran out of time to count them)
1 male Gadwall
some mallards, moorhens and a very large Sparrowhawk being harassed by magpies at the back of the pool.
Unnamed pond next to Broad Ees Dole (I was thinking to myself on the way home that it needed a name, it appears that I'm not alone in that thought!):
4 Teal (2 male & 2 female)
1 Grey heron
But by far the best bird and a patch lifer for me was a Water rail!!! After reading Shannon's post earlier this week I only hoped of seeing one. Feeding right out in the open on the mud, on the left hand side of the pool. Unfortunately someone walking by on their phone managed to scare it and it quickly scuttled back into the reeds and didn't return again in the 5 mins I waited for it.
Rob thats very interesting, they do move onto the fields along longford park a lot , I will keep an eye out for it .
Cheers Shannon, thank you we do need to name that pool , perhaps Water Rail pool.
...had a reply from Tim Audenaert this evening and theres been no other sightings of this bird reported to him since I last saw it here in September so presumably not left the UK (or GM even) during that time. Only guessing though.
Hi Paul,
Sorry for the late reply, been offline all week. It was indeed on that pool (and the second time I've seen one there), feeding along the waterline at the back.
Gadwall 45
Mallard 36
Teal 2
Moorhen 9
Coot 8
Canada Goose 31
Mute Swan 3
Little Grebe 4
Cormorant 6
Herring Gull 5
Lesser Black-backed Gull 7
Common Gull 16
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 20th of November 2018 07:08:09 PM
Steve Burke has seen one on that pool before.
Shannon , excellent round up as always , very impressed with your sighting and a tad jealous ...
Water rail , thought I heard a squeak the other week, but never saw one , I have in my mind that nice pool to the left of Broad Ees Dole , it seem to have lovely stretch of mud and reed perfect for Water Rail,
I will keep looking
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Monday 19th of November 2018 07:00:13 AM
1 goldcrest
3 willow tit (one on feeder by cafe, pair around outlet channel)
1 treecreeper
2 nuthatch (one seen, one heard)
2 lesser redpoll
1 siskin
6+ goldfinch
2 linnet (a Mersey Valley patch first for me)
1 redwing
2 jay
1 kingfisher (male, two sightings, presumed same bird)
3 moorhen
1 coot
29 gadwall
2 tufted duck
7 or 8 mute swan
3 little grebe
2 grey heron
240+ black-headed gull
7 common gull
5 lesser black-backed gull
1 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk
1 buzzard heard fairly distantly
Broad Ees Dole:
1 water rail
5 moorhen
1 coot
31 teal
4 shoveler
2 little grebe
3 snipe
2 grey heron
240+ Black headed Gulls
12 Common Gull
5 Lesser Black Backed Gull
1 Yellow legged Gull
Gadwall 35
Teal highest count for a bit 45
Lots of Finches, tits wrens etc
Ring Necked Parakeet x 6
Buzzard x3 Sparrowhawk and kestrel present .
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Saturday 17th of November 2018 11:07:03 AM
Yellow legged gull showing well today , and a couple of birders poaching on my patch
Thatll be me and Tony Darby. We are on the south bank down from Deckers!
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Friday 16th of November 2018 12:27:15 PM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Friday 16th of November 2018 12:28:07 PM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Friday 16th of November 2018 12:28:53 PM
A number of large gulls present today, I suspect the Yellow legged Gull ,was there but the waterskiing man decided to have a run out, just as I was about the view the gulls putting them all up .
Broad ees dole 7 Shoveler ,and 2 male Goosander , and 16 Teal ,
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Wednesday 14th of November 2018 04:22:07 PM
It will be submitted as a record too Paul, cheers.
Rob excellent find, and great photos, did the WeBs count at weekend it wasn't there then , great record , thanks for the photos
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Wednesday 14th of November 2018 09:04:48 AM
- adult Yellow-legged Gull
On main lake this afternoon viewed from near Deckers and then a better view near one of the fishing platforms just passed the sailing club. There was a loud bang from the other side of the lake and a lot of the Gulls were put up including this one and I lost it flying towards the pylon. Cheers for confirmation Ian.
(ps. knock 1 hour off camera time, I do it every time the clocks go back or forward)
Buzzard feeding on mallard today ..
Wigeon 14
Gadwall 12
Mallard 19
Teal 4
Little Grebe 2
Grey Heron 1
Over at Chorlton WP canoeists were packing up so must've driven all but the local Tufted Ducks and a few local Mallards over to the Dole
Gulls BH Gull 240 LBB Gull 8 Herring Gull 3 Common Gull 4
Ducks Mallard 38 Gadwall 24 Tufted 5 Teal 18 Shoveler 1
Herons 7 Cormorants 11 Corvids Crows Rook Jackdaw
Woodpigeon 49 Collared Dove 10 Ring Necked Parakeet 5
Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing Robins
Blue tit Great Tit Coal tit Long Tailed tit Willow tit
Nuthatch, Great spotted woodpecker , Treecreeper
Goldcrest Goldfinch Chaffinch Greenfinch , Dunnocks and Sparrows
Kestrel Buzzard.
Moorhen, Coots, Little grebe .
Nature is ace Keep Birding
Inflow Channel :-
Grey Heron - 1.
Goldcrest - 1.
Treecreeper - 1.
Blackbird - 2.
River Mersey :-
Common Buzzard over - 2 circling.
Main lake :-
Cormorant - 4.
Gadwall - 25.
Mute swan - 9 (2 adult Inc. VN6 and 7 juveniles inc.4DCF).
And a possible Yellow legged gull.
Broad Ees Dole :-
Shoveler - 3.
Moorhen - 6.
Grey Heron - 1.
Teal - 13.
Little grebe - 1.
Long-tail tit - 10.
Today 01.11.18 (short visit).
Main lake :-
Lesser Black-back gull - 6.
Common gull - 6.
Herring gull - 1.
But No Yellow legged gull.
Broad Ees Dole
Snipe - 3.
Teal - 14.
Water on the Dole is at it's Lowest level for a long time but views from the hide are becoming narrower due to encroaching bushes and trees.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Thursday 1st of November 2018 03:23:25 PM
Cold and frosty morning stroll
Raven over the sports centre first thing
Kingfisher on broad ees dole
Gadwall count high at least 25+
All the normal stuff you would expect
Keep Birding
Main lake ......
Gadwall - 9.
Mute swan - 17 ( 8 juveniles including 4DCF, 4DCD,and 4DCC.).
Old Carpark ......
Reed bunting - 1.
Broad Ees Dole .......
Wigeon - 10.
Gadwall - 6.
Shoveler - 4.
Little grebe - 4 Inc. 1 juv.
Buzzard - 1 .
Snipe - 4.
Teal - 9.
Kingfisher - 1.
(Ps. hope the snipe photo is right way up this time.phone scoped)
and lots of Long-tail tit about everywhere.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Thursday 18th of October 2018 04:34:48 PM
Good birding today,
Visitor centre area 4 Nuthatch, 5 Ring necked Parakeets 2 Coal tit 1 Willow tit
Broad ees dole
Kingfisher 1
Wigeon 13
Shoveler 8
Gadwall 5
Little Grebe 6
Buzzard
and Chiffchaff sulking left of the hide seemed to be paler, but was in strong light .
Keep Birding
Shannon , I noted a few dead little grebes last week adult ones at least 3, I regret the fact that I was told an air rifle was used, I have been in touch with the local authorities but have not yet been able to get a body to x-ray it .
Sadly the demise of the rangers has not be a good thing for the Water park .
Keep birding
2 goldcrest
1 chiffchaff heard
1 willow tit heard
2+ nuthatch
1 or 2 greenfinch heard
1 grey wagtail
1 jay
3 moorhen
2 coot
c20 mallard
9 mute swan (pair with 7 grown juveniles)
c80 black-headed gull
1 cormorant
1 sparrowhawk (seen over the river from Sale Ees, dueling with a carrion crow)
1 buzzard
Broad Ees Dole:
1 kingfisher
4 moorhen
4 teal
3 shoveler
6 little grebe, 2 very young, being fed by parents
3 grey heron
2 sparrowhawk (male and female)
Dead mallard on Broad Ees Dole, too; last time, there were also two dead Canada geese, which I didn't think much of at the time, but after Phillip's post below, is this something to worry about?
- Black-headed Gull bearing a yellow 4 alpha code ring 'ETKE', with the other Gulls on the boardwalk below Deckers car park.
Belgian ringed as suspected and it appears you had it here last year Ian.
BELGIAN COLOUR-RING PROJECT : Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
www.bhgull.be
CR-ID: ETKE(Larus ridibundus)
Sex: Unidentified
Ringed as: Pullus
Date Location
18/06/2016 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM Audenaert Tim
18/06/2016 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM Audenaert Tim
16/07/2017 SALE (Sale water Park), GREATER MANCHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN McKerchar Ian
25/03/2018 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM De Taey Eddy
25/03/2018 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM De Smet Geert
08/04/2018 MOLSBROEK (Lokeren), OOST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM Audenaert Tim
18/09/2018 SALE (Sale water Park), GREATER MANCHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN Creek Rob
Main lake :
Mute swan - 2 adult + 7 cygnet.
Chiffchaff - 1 .
Kestrel - 1 .
Black headed gull - 41.
Herring gull - 1.
Lesser Black-back gull - 2.
Old car park :
Buzzard - 1 over.
Blackcap - 3 ( 2 f + 1m ).
Bullfinch - 1 heard.
Chiffchaff - 2 heard.
Broad Ees Dole :
Teal - 17 .
Gadwall - 3.
Littlegrebe - 4 + 2 chicks.
Buzzard - 1 over.
Sparrowhawk - 1 over.
Grey Heron - 8.
Moorhen - 6.
Willow tit - 1 on feeder.
Buzzard - 1 across the marsh.
Main lake :
Kingfisher - 1.
Mute swan - 9 ( 2 adults + 7 cygnet ).
Cow lane :
Nuthatch - 1 ( three sightings but probably the same bird).
Robin - 4.
Chaffinch - 2.
Also lots of Long-tail tit, Blue tit and Great tit seen and heard in the tree canopy.
Old car park (rear of ) :
Blackcap - 1 juvenile.
Dunnock - 4.
Reed bunting - 4.
Chiffchaff - 2 (1 seen + 1 heard only).
Blue tit - 5 family party.
Blackbird - 1.
And one unresolved bird in the Blackthorn - singing very quietly (sub song ?) like a Blackcap , but when seen momentarily , it didn't seem to have a cap - just looked plain greyish and I thought Garden Warbler . I double checked the song with a CD and it wasn't Garden warbler .
I heard the same song last weekend on Cow lane but couldn't see the bird at first an then finally saw the same greyish sylvia type bird as today .
Broad Ees Dole :
Teal - 18 and also 3 dead ones unfortunately.
Snipe - 1 on main island.
Grey Heron - 1.
Little grebe - 4.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Saturday 8th of September 2018 03:54:23 PM
BTO WebS count this morning was on the quite side , in fact prior to a big rainfall the water park appeared empty,
However after the rain , things improved other highlights included
Swift House Martin and Swallow were in good numbers
Kingfisher showing well near Stepping stones
Chiffchaff, Blackcap still in good numbers .
Buzzard Kestrel present ,
Keep Birding
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 12th of August 2018 03:11:02 PM
1 chiffchaff heard
2 reed bunting (one a fledgling, still begging)
1 house martin
1 swallow
1 swift
1 stock dove
6 moorhen
1 coot
1 gadwall
21 mallard
6 little grebe (2 full-grown juveniles, 2 half-grown)
1 lapwing
4 grey heron
3 black-headed gull
1 lesser black-backed gull
8 cormorant over
1 sparrowhawk (over Stretford Ees)
1 buzzard (juvenile constantly calling from Stretford Ees)
30+ Species seen today best was 8 Juvenile Goosanders on river mersey opp cow field , I recorded a female with 8 young at Kickerty Brook a few weeks ago, I have been watching them every few days , recently they went missing so I am fairly certain these are mine, After watching them for 15 mins they all flew up river towards Northenden.
Keep Birding
2 chiffchaff heard singing
11+ blackcap
5 reed warbler heard singing
1 willow tit
6 goldfinch
3+ greenfinch
3 bullfinch
1 reed bunting heard singing
2+ house martin
1 swallow
3+ song thrush
1+ jay heard
7+ swift
2 moorhen
1 coot
2 mute swan with 7 cygnets
1 grey heron
1 cormorant
Broad Ees Dole:
1 reed bunting heard singing
6 moorhen, including grown juveniles
1 coot
14 mallard
5 little grebe, pair with 3 young chicks
5 lapwing
10 grey heron
70+ black-headed gull
1 lesser black-backed gull
Whitethroat - 1.
Blackcap - 1.
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1.
Reed Bunting - 2.
Grt.Crested Grebe - 1.
Reed Warbler - 2 ( 1 seen +1 heard).
Mute Swan - 2 + 9 cygnet.
Broad Ees Dole (2 islands bearly showing).
Common Sandpiper - 1.
Lapwing - 2.
Little Grebe - 2.
Moorhen - 2.
Mallard - 8.
Of note over main lake...
- 1 Swallow
- 1 Common Swift
- 1 Common Whitethroat singing from shrubbery to the right of the car park
- 3 Great Crested Grebe (1 pr + 1)
Only birds of note were 3 Common Swift and 2 Swallow.
And something that had me laughing that happened on 3 different occasions. Firstly a girl feeding the Canada Geese and as they encroached she backed off and ran back to the waiting car. Then 2 girls walking on the jetty had the fright of their lives and ran off as one Goose flew up out of the water infront of them.
Lastly 3 girls with buggies and youngsters were feeding them when all of a sudden they started running off and the Geese were actually running after them. You could hear the kids screaming laughing and all of them threw the whole slices of bread and ran off in terror to the other side near Deckers as more and more Geese appeared!
Similar to last post with -
Reed warbler - 3 seen with 2 singing males competing for the same spot and giving great views.
Reed bunting - 1.
Grt.Crested Grebe - 2.
Chiffchaff - 1.
All the above seen on main lake.
Broad Ees Dole.......
Water level dramatically high covering nearly all the islands.
Little grebe - 4.
Grey Heron - 1 over.
Moorhen - 2.
Ps.time ran out so didn't do the rest of the WP.
2 chiffchaff
5 blackcap
1 nuthatch
c25 sand martin
3 swallow
1 song thrush
1 moorhen
5 coot, including one on nest
5 - 7 mute swan
4 or 5 great crested grebe
1 cormorant over
1 black-headed gull
5 lesser black-backed gull
4 herring gull
1 buzzard
Broad Ees Dole:
3 moorhen
2 coot
2 little grebe
1 herring gull
Called in at the water park early afternoon and watched a pair of Great Crested Grebe appearing to start their courtship dance. One of the birds had a bill full of water weeds.
Brief evening jog around the main lake and recovery viewing from Boathouse car park (745-815pm)
Of note;
2 Swift
2 Swallow
1 Kestrel
1 Blackcap (m if full song repertoire)
Willow Tit pair
Gadwal 5
Tufted Duck 3
Little Grebe 1
Blackcap 7
Chiffchaff 5
Willow Warbler 2
Swallow 2
Sand Martin 1
Reed Bunting 4
Ring-necked Parakeet 3
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Tuesday 17th of April 2018 12:26:43 PM
BTO WeBS count today 7am-9am
Water Park and Broad res Dole
Canada Geese
Mute Swan
Coots
Moorhen
Great Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Mallard
Tufted Duck
Teal
Gadwall
Heron
Black Headed Gull
LBB Gull.
Of other interest Chiffchaff Willow Warbler in good numbers
Willow tit seen carrying nesting material.
Keep Birding
Saturday morning visit, and pretty much the same as Phil's sightings yesterday except no Artic terns but a nice pair of Wigeon on Broad ees dole
Keep Birding
This afternoon from 1pm.
Visitor centre :
Grey Heron - 1 (in marsh).
Willow tit - 1 (on bird table with a very narrow chin marking but briefly seen) .
Cow lane :
Treecreeper - 1.
Inflow channel :
Chiffchaff - 2.
Grey Heron - 1.
Mallard - 4.
Wildflower meadow :
Greenfinch - 6.
Bullfinch - 1.
Reed bunting - 2.
Jay - 1.
Chiffchaff - 2 .
Treecreeper - 1.
Woodpigeon .- c 30.
Old Car park :
Blackcap - 2 m+f .
Bullfinch - 1.
Willow warbler - 1.
Pied Wagtail - 1 over .
And a constructed mound of soil - wish they'd leave it alone !!!
Main lake :
Blackcap - 5 Inc 1 f.
Grt.Crested Grebe - 2.
Lesser Black-back gull - 4.
Reed bunting - 2.
Arctic tern - 1.
Cormorant - 3.
Broad Ees Dole :
Little Grebe - 2.
Teal - 4.
Gadwall - 1.
Reed bunting - 2.
And 2 very young children with a basic scope and bins who knew about MB website with their dad ...... nice to meet them .
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 13th of April 2018 09:18:26 PM