Originally posted by Joey Eccles on the 26th Match 2009:

i've been a couple of times now and i still haven't located it. is the location about 50m to the right uphill of the boardwalk that follows the stream. there are two dead trees with woodpecker holes about 20-30m apart in this area. is this the right spot?

Originally posted by Ian Moffat on the 26th March 2009:

Had the female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker again late this afternoon.
Flew across my path giving cracking views for 15-20 mins.
Again the same section of woodland not 30mtr from the `old wore stone west`
Again between 1500-1700hrs, sadly still no male to be seen, yet!
Cheers Ian



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 27th of March 2009 12:19:08 PM

The Swans are openly building their nest again for all to see in the delph

Did a couple of hours in the woods this morning,
5+ nuthatchs seen calling and checking nest sites
1 treecreeper very close and male gsw in the lsw haunt but sadly no lsw though.
3 teal 1m 2f in mud flats outside that black and white cottage
heard a water rail but could not find it also on mud flats
5 tufted duck 2 m 3 f on dam along with male mallard
jay
various tits all through woods
possible twite but not too sure - seems unlikely
two male blackbirds that were locked in combat by the side of worsley road was pretty interesting.
possible brambling - hard to tell because of light
35+ redwing high in trees
pair of mistle thrush - often seen in field round the back of BETFRED's place.
Beautiful views of singing song thrush which in turn attracted a possible mate.
various robins singing
lots of woodpigeon, crows and jackdaws about.
Do we get stock doves in the woods or surrounding fields?
Also was the lsw seen in the mature trees or the thinner trees opposite slightly up the hill?

Thanks

-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Saturday 14th of March 2009 03:12:02 PM

Hi John - Yes, that was me. Birding since 1971 and it has eluded me ever since. A real bogey bird. Thanks for the peek through your scope! What a cracking reserve Moore is.

Will probably still have a look around Worsley though as it's not too far from East Lancs.

Mark

-- Edited by Mark Jarrett at 16:13, 2009-03-10

Mark Jarrett wrote:

---

Was going to go to Worsley last Sunday to try and find the LSW but at the last minute decided to go to Moore NR instead. Mission accomplished and, within 5 mins of arriving, I had seen the Moore LSW. For once I had made the correct decision!

---

Hi Mark,

Were you the chap who had a peek down my telescope? A lifer for you if it was

Cheers, John

Was going to go to Worsley last Sunday to try and find the LSW but at the last minute decided to go to Moore NR instead. Mission accomplished and, within 5 mins of arriving, I had seen the Moore LSW. For once I had made the correct decision!

I've not been able to get back to the woods due to work but a friend of mine went looking for the LSW on Sat/Sun and today. I gave him Ian's directions on where to look for the bird and he told me that he knew he was in the correct place when he found a sign on a tree saying "Lesser spot, look up"

Was that you Ian ?

He did not see the LSW but found 2 Water rail next to 2 Snipe on the small mud flat in front of the Avairy house on the dam.Also a pair of Kingfishers and 4 Grey wagtails around the dam area

Hi Ian

It looks like I am going to have to pull a sickday in work to see this bird in the woods again. I will let you know how I go on.

Just hope that my MD does not read this post.

Hi Dave. Worsley Woods 1520pm 5th March.
Would you believe it, had the female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this afternoon.
Same time, same place, same conditions and i persume the same bird.
Again it was high up but showed really well and again had it in vision with the
Great spot, just stood still and watched for anything that moved or flickered above.
Cheers Ian

Hi Pete
In the trees along the old railway was also a good place to see them, but that was in the late 70,s.
An old fellow that I met a couple of weeks ago who lives in nearby Woodstock drive told me that he had LSW,s visiting his garden feeders over Xmas. I thought that he was getting mixed up with GSW's but he may have been correct.

Due to work commitments the trees will be in full leaf before I am able to get to the woods in the early morning [ sad face emotion].

Dave,the Lesser Peckers always used to show best early morning(if they're still there that is).Anywhere between the entrance off Sefton Drive to just past the black and white timbered house in the woods was always the place to see them.Good Luck

-- Edited by pete berry at 09:24, 2009-03-03

Kingfisher at the delph at 7.30 this morning again

-- Edited by Birder15 at 20:54, 2009-03-02

Spent a couple of hours in the woods this afternoon looking for the LS Woodpeckers, sadly none seen but plenty of birds about including

GS Woodpeckers 6 including a pair checking out a nesting hole
Nuthatches 5 with also 2 checking out a nesting site
Treecreepers 5
LT tits 20+ with 2 carrying nesting material
Coal tits 3
Female Sparrowhawk
Blackcap 2 both females

On the dam
Snipe at least 4 on the small mudflat
Little Grebe 2
Tufted duck 2
Teal 8
Heron 1
Kingfisher 2
Jay 5
Grey Wagtail 1

Spring is nearly here

-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 15:35, 2009-03-01

Kingfisher at Delph (big pond opposite canal on otherside of bridge next to entrance to the woods on worsley road) on friday the 27th of FEB on branches on left hand side in water. Also joined by 2 grey wag. Heard lsw drumming in woods a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks Ian
The old warke stone area is where I used to see them years ago. If I manage to get out of work early over the weekend I will go and have a look for them.

-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:12, 2009-02-27

Hi Dave
I almost gave up hope of finding one again myself but perverance paid off.
LOCATION
Exit Worsley roundabout onto Walkden road immediately take the next right
(If you reach Aviary road you have gone too far) carry on down the single
tract lane that takes you past St Marks school and underneath the motorway.
On emerging from the tunnel the section of woodland on your right is the location
i found the Lesser spot today.
Or, if you sat on the "old wark stone" dated 1860ish and walked straight ahead
to the back of the woods and see a couple of rotted stumps with old woodpecker
holes you will know you are in the right place.
Hope this makes sense Dave
Good luck, cheers Ian.

Ian
Was the LSW in the trees behind the small cottage at the entrance of the woods as that is where I used to see them during the 70-80's.

I have been over 20 times in the last two years to find one and was beginning to give up hope of one being seen again in the woods.

-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 17:58, 2009-02-27

Late afternoon 1500hrs Overcast but dry.
Female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Finally after 6 visits this month had the black capped female
high up in the Alder trees giving good views for 20 minutes.
At one stage had the Lesser & Great spot in vision on the same branch.
The bird was located in the exact same section of woodland
when last seen in 2004, five years ago!
Also 3 siskins,a pair of Great spots,Nuthatches,& Tree Creepers.
Cheers Ian


-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 18th of January 2010 01:05:00 PM