I wasn't querying the grid ref, just the fact they were reported on 11th on Birdguides - by whom? No-one on this forum appears to have seen them 11th.

SD896183 could be on the border, 50 metres into Rossendale or 50 metres into Rochdale which is why I took 8 figure grid refs (i.e. accurate to 10 metres) when watching the Dotterel on Saturday and Sunday, so I could be certain they were in Rochdale.
Not that I'm a GPS nerd of course

The Dotterel were on Birdguides for 11th at SD896183.

A Whimbrel on the north shoreline by footpath to the hide at 07:15 hrs today. The 3rd seen here this spring. Possibly the closest views I've ever had of a Whimbrel, only 30 metres away.
It took flight and attempted to land on the island (soon to be spit) which has emerged as the water levels drop. A Lapwing decided it wasn't going to tolerate any other waders on its territory and drove it off.
The Whimbrel then flew off to the north-east calling.
Whitethroat - 1 singing
Willow Warbler - 7 singing
Wren - 3 singing

no sign of the dotterel between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm.

Thanks for the call Dave.
I went right up to the top without finding them. Dave said they were more on the Whitworth side so went down just over the border and suddenly came across them and they flew into Rochdale! Very lucky as they could have gone the other way!
Easy to count 9 in flight and also see where they landed. I sat down and they very kindly walked back towards me and so able also to get a few photos even though it was a bit grim at 8pm. Lovely friendly birds!
Steve

9 Dotterel still present on the south slope again this early evening.

Info thanks to Dave Ousey

Sun 9/5/10 16:00 - 19:45 & Brown Wardle. Cloudy / sunnt spells, warm with cool NE breeze

G C Grebe 1
L Bb Gull 1
B hd Gull 1
Oyks 2 on N shore as I left

LInnet M + 2F on dam wall
Green Woodp calling from stand of trees at base of hill
Pheasant at least 2 calling
Swift 2
Swallow
Wheatear M + MF

Dotterel 3 F + 2 M + 4 non - breeders - lost whilst I was sketching at 17:45 went around E which is the direction they were walking, re found at 18:30 to the W in a hollow settling down to roost, some asleep. 2 Quads roared past them that woke / altered them at 18:50. When the quads restarted their engines (sounded like gun fire) at 18:55 the trip spooked and flew N out of my binocular sight ........ as I went down the hill they whistled low past me and veered around to the W - so hopefully they have roosted overnight

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 10th of May 2010 06:37:52 AM

Mystery solved: it seems that the party had fragmented early in the day and I only found the smaller splinter.

Many thanks to Steve, who I met in the car park, for the excellent directions. It was good too to meet Dave Phillips; I'm glad that you got to see these wonderful birds.

I eventually found them thanks to Steve and Dave Ousey despite dodgy phone reception, no other birders around at 1pm - ish but was joined by Robert Hirst and Ian Corbett from Lancs and all 9 performed really well, despite twice having rough riders hurtle right through them!!!!!!!! Also a pair of Wheatear present.

-- Edited by Judith Smith on Sunday 9th of May 2010 08:47:16 PM

Initially 3 Dotterel located on the south slope of Brown Wardle at SD 8972 1827 (16:50 hrs), then 6 more feeding at SD 8985 1836 (i.e. well into Rochdale). The 6 were joined by the 3 and all were feeding actively 30-50 yds below where we were sitting. The birds were still present when we left at 17:30 hrs.
It was nice to meet Mike Cooper who was busy producing a true to life pencil sketch of one of the birds.
Now the wind has dropped it probably won't be long before they are on their way further north to Scotland, Scandinavia or maybe even Russia.

Got there for about noon...dipped ...I covered the south face, wished I had gone as far as the black horses. Saw no other birders.

4 wheatear, mipits and skylark.


Grasshopper warbler reeling quite loudly off Smithy Bridge Road. As you turn left from Smithy Bridge station cross the road , there is a field with a dyke running through it. Bird was on the left hand side of dyke about 40 yards from road.

I was up there from about 09:00 to 10:15 and, despite covering a wide area pretty thoroughly, located just three birds. I wonder whether six joined this party after I left, or whether these were a different three? I would describe mine as being on the SW slopes, rather than S. They were on an open grassy area, grazed by a black horse.

Also seen: three Wheatear (2m); 4 Swift; 1 Swallow; 2 Reed Buntings; many Meadow Pipits and Skylarks.

9 Dotterel still present of the southern slope of Brown Wardle Hill at 11:20 this morning.

Info thanks to Dave Ousey

Dotterel were still present at 19:45 hrs yesterday. Info from Bob Turner (the original finder of 6 birds). Thanks to Mark Rigby for relocating them yesterday morning and finding an additional 3 birds. I've not been up to look for them so far today, but another birder (Nigel) was on his way up at 09:00 hrs and said he would inform Ian / post on forum if he saw them.

Or one could check the systematic list on the website for full details too

A few Dotterel stats from the county database:
The trip of 9 birds seen today was the largest number seen together in GM since 14 on Crook Moor (the east side of the Watergrove valley) on 10/05/1997.
It's the 3rd highest count ever in GM - the 2nd being 11 at Ding Quarry on 03/05/1993.
The last previous sighting in the Watergrove area was of a single bird on 06/05/1999 - it's been a long wait!
Dotterel have been recorded in GM every year since 1992 with the exception of two blank years in 2000 and 2005.

Full trip of Dotterel still present at 4:30pm.

Info thanks to Tim Wilcox

Dotterel still present at 3:15pm

Info thanks to Mike Passant/John Rayner

9 Dotterel ( 3 f., 5m. & a very pale bird, possibly 1st summer m.) feeding on the lower slopes of Brown Wardle Hill. Still present at 14:00 hrs. Very confiding, especially if you sit down, they came within 20-30 metres.
The birds were in Rossendale when I first arrived with Simon Hitchen at 12:30 hrs (i.e. to the west of SD 8970 1834) and were then flushed by a dog walker back into Rochdale (if only all dog walkers were so considerate ).
We then moved position and were sitting right on the border at SD 8965 1832, with the birds feeding to the south and east of this point (i.e. in Rochdale). At one point 2 sat down on the ground as if they were on a nest, but that was definitely wishful thinking on our part.
Mark wasn't the only person suffering from oxygen deprivation. We met Gavin in the car park and by the time we were half way up Brown Wardle he was gasping for breath!
After many hours spent searching for Dotterel on the hills around Watergrove it was great to finally connect with these stunning birds. All thanks to Bob Turner. Well done Bob

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

Now 10 Dotterel present!

Info thanks to Mark Rigby

---

Confirmed as definately only 9 Dotterel.

Clearly Mr. Rigby is now suffering from a lack of oxygen at those altitudes and should start to descend to base camp immediately before he grows another finger on each hand or something

Now 10 Dotterel present!

Info thanks to Mark Rigby

Confirmed that 8 Dotterel are present. Due to the awkward viewing of the birds as they keep low in the grass there may yet well be more!

Info thanks to Mark Rigby

Dotterel still present this morning on the southern slope of Brown Wardle Hill. Probably also 8 birds present in total.

Inof thanks to Mark Rigby

6 Dotterel (2f. + 4 m.) were seen by Bob Turner at 10:00 hrs today, sheltering from the wind on the south facing slope of Brown Wardle (to the west of Watergrove). The birds were very confiding, seen down to approx. 50 feet.
Sorry for the late post, only got the news from Bob about an hour ago.
To access the area walk west along the dam from Trap Farm car park (at bottom of dam), go through kissing gate at end of dam and over bridge by resr overflow. Turn immediately left across area of open ground to north of WTW. On far side go through another kissing gate, and follow track north towards a group of mature trees. Brown Wardle is straight ahead. When you reach the base of the hill about half way along the track there is a path that leads up to the summit. Take this path and then follow another track that veers off to the right. The birds were about 2/3rds of the way up the hillside. Approx. grid ref is SD897184.

-- Edited by Steve Atkins on Friday 7th of May 2010 08:36:38 PM

Another Whimbrel calling loudly an circling high up over the resr at 07:20 hrs, before flying north. Yesterday the first Whitethroat of the spring here.

A Whimbrel, calling loudly, flew north-west over the resr at 07:10 hrs. Aprox 10 mins later it, or another, was circling and calling before heading in the same direction. My first April record here, previous earliest was 1st May 1995.

I try not to take things too seriously Steve, although I'm not sure I always succeed.
That 0.5 C could mean the difference between the polar ice caps melting or remaining intact
It's interesting to compare the arrival dates of migrants with the temperature. There is evidently a link between air temperature and the arrival dates of Swifts although I can't remember where I read this.
No sooner had I posted about a lack of Swallows at Watergrove, 4 turned up on Sunday. They obviously read the forum too.

Recording the temperature to the nearest half a degree, Steve?
You're taking this site recording business a bit too seriously methinks

Steve

The first Stonechat of the year (a male) was seen this evening. It's great to know that they are still hanging on in the Rochdale area despite the bad winter.
A male Wheatear in immaculate spring plumage singing and fanning its tail with female nearby.
A pair of Oystercatchers mobbing a female Sparrowhawk as it flew low over the resr this a.m.
Curlew - 1
Willow Warbler - 9 singing
Reed Bunting - 1 singing
Wren - 3 singing
Lesser Redpoll - 1
A pair of Teal
A pair of Coot
2 pairs of Tufted Duck
Great Crested Grebe - 1
Still no sign of any Swallows or other migrants although the temperature was a balmy 13.5 C at 17:40 hrs.

Spring migrants starting to move in & through now:
1st arrival dates:
Willow Warbler - 3rd April (3 singing today)
Wheatear - 2 on 4th April
Sand Martin - 5th April
A pair of Pintail - 7th April + Chiffchaff singing
5 Wigeon - present at 07:00 hrs and still resting on resr at 19:00 hrs. No wind = no windsurfers
3 Oystercatcher this a.m.

Steve Suttill wrote:

---

Another (or the same) was reported on the canal next to Tesco in Stalybridge a short while ago.

Steve

---

the male mandarin was near tesco in stalybridge from around christmas untill mid january

4 Shoveler on the resr (2 pairs) found by Simon Hitchen this a.m. were still present this evening at 18:45 hrs. The first here since April 2008.

Another (or the same) was reported on the canal next to Tesco in Stalybridge a short while ago.

Steve

On the canal at Uppermill, according to Gary Crowder, with 2 Canadas, on 25th March!

-- Edited by Judith Smith on Friday 26th of March 2010 09:59:09 PM

I think it has put in appearances at Cowm Res Steve, Rose has been seeing one when she has been walking the dog.

Dave

A male Mandarin on the resr yesterday evening just out from the club house, looking really smart. It was displaying to a Canada Goose! I just hope they don't produce a hybrid. Presumably the same bird that was around from August to November last year. Wonder where it's been for the past 4 months?
Also seen
Robin - 8 singing
Snipe - 1
Goosander - 4
Tufted Duck - 4

Many thanks to Stephen Jones, U.U. Ranger for the Rochdale area, for organising the refurbishment of the hide and providing the massive new white board, which is probably big enough to fit a year's sightings on. There was certainly enough space to put this website's address on, as well as ManchesterWildlife.com.
The seats aren't actually new Bill, just the old ones clad in metal, to prevent some of the local intelligentsia from setting fire to them when they hold their summer barbecues in the hide. Whilst fire proof they are somewhat cold to sit on in the winter
You may have noticed the padlock box fitted to the hide door. The intention is to lock the hide of an evening to prevent a repeat of the events of summer 2008. So if any one would like a key, please drop me a p.m. Unfortunately my financial resources don't stretch to providing all local (or not so local) birders with a free key, so there will be a charge for getting them cut.
John - you will be waiting a long time on that bench. I've been going up to Watergrove for 15 years and not seen one there yet.

-- Edited by Steve Atkins on Friday 12th of March 2010 07:12:53 PM

Had a walk round with Rayner and Chorley.

Only birds of note

7 Goosander
3 Coot
Redpoll

Mr.Rayner sat on a bench and said " I am waiting here 'till a Red Kite Flies over!"

8th March.

Quick visit 10.00 - 11.00 am.

14 (8 males) Goosander, 27 Common Gull, 2 Coot and 3 Snipe. Plus 2 Coal Tit, 2 Jay, 1 Reed Bunting called, 1 Bullfinch sang and singles of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll flew over calling.

Since I last visited some time ago the hide has benefited from a nice new coat of paint and what looks like some new metallic seats - the whole hide looked very smart indeed with an up-to-date sightings board and hopefully now it is completely vandal-proof!

Cheers,

Bill.

Sun 20/2 15:00 - 18:15
Goosander 9 )4 M + 5 F)
Tufted 1 M (reserve)
Teal 2 pair (reserve) - D(isplay)
Coot 2+1 (reserve)
Moorhen 1+ (reserve)
Canada Goose c. 80 (60 flew in after dusk from moors to W)
Pink footed Goose 1 (with 16 Candas feeding on moorland hill top - flew to res 16:30
Lapwing 4
Skylark 2 on moorland / (Hades) hill top - subsong
Tawny Owl (Heard) fatre dusk E & N of res

Despite the supposed thaw the resr was still 95% frozen over during the WeBS count this morning. A small area of water (probably the deepest part of the resr) has remained unfrozen.
9 Goosander flew south at dawn, probably heading towards the Roch to feed
14 Teal standing on the ice
Coot - 2
Moorhen - 2
a Tawny Owl
Amazingly 2 Skylark flew west over the dam - the earliest ever record here (the previous earliest being 5th Feb.) It would appear that global warming is alive and well.
22 Fieldfare flew north (Redwing heard calling in the flock)
Meadow Pipit - 1



-- Edited by Steve Atkins on Sunday 17th of January 2010 10:23:14 AM

Tues 29/12 09:40 - 12:40. Snow / ice on ground. Cloudy, low cloud. Bitter NE wind.

B hd Gull c. 60
C Gull 12
Goosander M + 4 F
Coot 2

B Tit 6
G Tit 3
Wren 4
L tld Tit 3
Blackbird 5
C Crow 4+2+2
Magpie 4+2

The male Mandarin flew in this morning with a couple of Mallard and landed on the resr close into the west shore. It could be seen from the top of the dam and obviously wanted a starring role in this morning's WeBS count. The first sighting since 30th Oct.
Also seen:
Teal - 17
Mallard - 37
Great Crested Grebe
Snipe - 8
Tawny Owl
A chiffchaff feeding with tit flock in plantation. Only my 2nd winter sighting here. The previous one was a possible Tristis in Nov 2006, but that was rejected by the GM rarities committee

Late post from 6th Nov. 20 Whooper Swans were seen on the resr early pm by Alan Nuttall and Alan Cross. Unfortunately they were flushed by one of my favourite people (a windsurfer) befroe I got the chance to see them.

Brian Fielding and another birder (sorry didn't get your name) were looking for the Great Northern Diver which had taken off from Hollingworth Lake (before 9 am), climbed high into the sky and flown in the direction of Watergrove. I'd been hoping that it would take a day trip here. Probably flew right over my head while I was watching the Mandarin and may well have been heading for the Lancashire coast.

Another mooch up here with Simon Warford for an hour this afternoon

Few ducks on res included 2 Wigeon, 15 teal, Goldeneye, also Cormorant and 43 Lapwing.

Few mipits still on the moor about 100+, Goldcrest was heard, 60+ Fieldfare, few redwing and a flock of 32 redpoll was very still up here today. cracking place!

Spent several hours here this morning searching for harriers and was rewarded with close views of a ringtail Hen Harrier in the area around ClayPots Hill. Also 2 Ravens, 2 Stonechat, 4 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff and 7 Wigeon and no shortage of Mipits. Missed the Barwit though.

Watergrove is one of the few areas in GM where you can truly get away from all the nonsense of 21st century living, which is why I feel so gutted that the government in their target-driven wisdom have overturned the decision by Rochdale council to reject the windfarm development here - a sobering thought that in the exact area where I was watching Hen Harrier today there'll be 12 giant wind turbines in the next few years waiting to chop them up- give me global warming any day!

A Bar-tailed Godwit in winter plumage flew in this morning at 08:10 hrs and was on the spit on the east side of the resr for about 30 minutes before being flushed and flying off high up to the west. It called once as it flew away.
This afternoon a Woodcock flew towards me over the track between Higher Slack Brook and Steward Barn, and then veered off, flying north over the moors. It was probably flushed from Rotary Plantation above the brook by my Springer Spaniel.

Mon 12/10 10:15 - 11:45 Sunny, clear (high cloud), still, sunny / warm

From dam wall scanning 'natural ampitheartre' and moor with bins and scope - no sign of Harriers this morning

TEal 8
Goosander 3 F
G C Grebe
C Gull 5 (ad) + 1 (2Y)
L Bb Gull
Jay 2+
G S Woodp 1
M Thrush
Skylark 2 over to S
Redpoll
L OWl (H) below res

Hi Simon,

I'm pleased you and Simon J were able to see the male Hen Harrier. I must admit when watching it yesterday through my scope, in good light conditions, at approx. 200yds distance I didn't notice any brown on the upper body. It makes me wonder how many Hen Harriers there are in the area at the moment.
Well done on finding the Ring Ouzels. I've not seen any here so far this year, but was expecting them through at any time. Never seen more than two together here, although Ian holds the record with 8 birds in April 2007.

Cheers

Steve

We had excellent views of the Male Hen Harrier quartering above the ridge east along the Shore path, had abit of brown in the upper plumage both me and Simon thought it was a 2nd winter male. Also a Peregrine flying above the east side of the valley with 2 raven, after we watched the Harrier we picked up 3 distant thrushes coming in from the east and flew down into the valley, 3 nice Ring Ouzels which was a nice bonus, they seemed to drop towards the trees north of the reservior but were lost to view. A nice couple of hours

Thanks for the info Steve.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 11th of October 2009 05:04:16 PM