In brief, some poor excuse for a human being shot the resident Cob Swan with a air weapon resulting in the poor bird having to be put down. £250 reward for information leading to the conviction of this lowlife.
Anthony
Rachael Hill said
Sun Jan 10 8:42 PM, 2010
Probably be next weekend- not sure I'd risk it on my own with childminded kids, happy to get my own stuck they can help push! Rae
Anthony Dixon said
Sun Jan 10 4:54 PM, 2010
Rachael, as I left today they were clearing snow from the road with a digger so it shouldn't be bad at all now. I managed to drive right down into the carpark before that without any problems.
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon on Sunday 10th of January 2010 04:55:08 PM
Rachael Hill said
Sun Jan 10 4:47 PM, 2010
Anthony Dixon wrote:
8.45am-12.15pm today
I took plenty of feed with me, but there are not many people about at the moment and the birds are starving...If anyone is passing please pop in because this wonderful place is sadly overlooked!
Anthony
What's the road condition like down to the bottom carpark? It is one of my favourite local haunts but I'd given up on the idea with all the snow! Rae
Anthony Dixon said
Sun Jan 10 3:20 PM, 2010
8.45am-12.15pm today
3 Grey Heron 1 Kingfisher (on river) 1 Kestrel 1 GSW 1 Male Shoveler 1 Male Goosander (on river) 1 Dipper (on river) *First time I've seen a dipper at Reddish* Most of the Canada Geese are now on the river because the lake is 95% frozen.
I took plenty of feed with me, but there are not many people about at the moment and the birds are starving...If anyone is passing please pop in because this wonderful place is sadly overlooked!
Anthony
Anthony Dixon said
Sat Jan 2 3:41 PM, 2010
This morning 9.00-11.30
1 Male Shoveler (rare for Reddish) 2 Grey Heron 1 Bullfinch 1 Redwing
+ all the usuals
Anthony
Anthony Dixon said
Sat Oct 31 7:55 PM, 2009
This Morning 8-10am... Had a look for possible American Robin which was reported on The Reddish Vale website, but no signs.
Lovely morning and highlights included...
1 Kingfisher (showing well on the main lake) 4 Cormorant 2 Heron 6 Tufted Duck
and a Mallard with 12 newborn chicks...Hope the mild weather continues for them.
Anthony Dixon said
Tue May 12 7:38 PM, 2009
4.30-5.45 pm
Kestrel pair have returned to nest again this year and were very active this afternoon. Plenty of Sand Martins again this year also.
1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron + All the usuals with 2 broods of Coot chicks so far.
Anthony
Anthony Dixon said
Fri Feb 20 11:03 AM, 2009
This morning... Excellent views of Kingfisher and GS Woodpecker.
One of the 3 ever-present Mute Swans seems to have disapeared though...A young cob which I think must have been chased off by it's father. Since mother Swan died early last spring, the father has had his mating eye firmly on his daughter and has for some time been aggresive towards the young male. The older cob has already seen off 3 visiting males so far this year!
Anthony Dixon said
Sun Jan 18 5:04 PM, 2009
Apart from the usual suspects this morning, birds of note included...
2 Kingfisher 2 Cormorant 9 Goosander (6 Male) 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Treecreeper 2 Indian Runner Ducks...Seemed to have decided to call the Vale home 1 Grey Heron
Anthony Dixon said
Sun Nov 23 5:49 PM, 2008
7.30-10.00am (Very cold and wet!)
2 Indian Runner Ducks (new arrivals) 2 Kingfisher 5 Goosander 1 Grey Heron 2 Cormorant 14 Tufted Duck 6 Long Tailed Tit 4 Dunnock 3 Fieldfare 3 Robin 2 Blue Tit 4 Blackbird 1 Great Crested Grebe 1 Muscovy Duck 3 Graylag Geese 8 Collard Dove
+ The usual Mallards, Canada Geese and Coots
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 17:50, 2008-11-23
Pete Lane said
Wed Nov 19 10:34 PM, 2008
Hi Phil, yes heron do fly at night I have seen them often while I have been night fishing. On the river Ribble they are often very active after dark.
Phil_Oldham said
Wed Nov 19 8:30 PM, 2008
8.10pm...
Driving (ok...was a front seat passenger) along the M60 where it crosses the river and something large flew across. It was a good 4 cars ahead over the motorway so obstructed view, and could only see its outline in the darkness by the time we drew level..was light in colour and fairly large...initial thoughts were heron, do they fly at night?
Pretty much the same as yesterday with the addition of a pair of Kingfishers on the two main lakes.
Anthony Dixon said
Fri Oct 31 3:09 PM, 2008
First day birding for nearly 2 months since tearing a muscle in my back, but had a pretty decent morning...
1 Goldeneye 2 Cormorant 2 Grey Heron 6 Pochard 7 Tufted Duck 20+ Black Headed Gull 5 Robin 12+ Long Tailed Tit 3 Blackbird 2 Great Crested Grebe 25+ House Sparrow 7 Magpie 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 4 Dunnock 5 Collard Dove 1 Muscovy Duck
+ all the usual subjects!
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 16:13, 2008-10-31
Anthony Dixon said
Mon Aug 25 6:24 PM, 2008
Sadly, I've learnt why I haven't seen the Great Crested Grebes for a few weeks. I was told today of a spate of shootings of birds at Reddish Vale and the message board on the Reddish Vale website has confirmed my worst fears...
www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com/#/messageboard/4518751902 (post from June 20th)
There is speculation on the perpetrators of this vile act, but without witness or proof there seems little can be done at the moment.
Words fail me.
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 18:25, 2008-08-25
Anthony Dixon said
Mon Aug 18 9:35 PM, 2008
I'm at Reddish Vale along with other sites at least 3 times a week, so I will try to keep this often overlooked wildlife haven updated the best I can.
Monday 18-08-08 4 Kingfisher * 1 Yellowhammer** 3 Dunnock 1 Greenfinch 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 2 Tufted Duck 4 Greylag Geese 4 Grey Heron 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 1 Muscovy Duck 12+ Collard Dove 6+ Long Tailed Tits 5 Black Headed Gull 25+House Sparrow 3 Chaffinch 3 Wood Pigeon 1 Jay 4 Magpie 4 Blackbird 3 Robin (1 Juvenile) The usual 3 Swans, Canada Geese, Mallards, Coots and Moorhen. Pair of Great Crested Grebes seem to have left now after unsuccessful breeding.
* All four seen together...Three on one branch and another on the next tree along. I'm not 100% sure but there could actually be five of these beautiful birds. Three are young birds and are currently spending hours chasing each other around the main lake towards the viaduct...That is inbetween the countless dives for fish of course!
**The second time I've seen a single Yellowhammer in the last month.
Other species of note that I've seen recently include Weasel and Terrapins!
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 21:36, 2008-08-18
Judith Smith said
Sat Mar 15 4:53 PM, 2008
Rachael, None of the regulars at Reddish Vale have ever seen Tree Sparrow there in recent years. If you are sure of your ID, please contact me privately as the ringers would love to know where they are! Judith (County Recorder)
Rachael Hill said
Sat Mar 15 3:01 PM, 2008
Been trying to get here again over past couple weeks....... 15th March 08 11.15-12.45pm Small pond (had to wait quite a while, busy with orienteering teams everywhere): 2 kingfishers together briefly, 1 flew back to river, 1 remained, 1 grey heron 2 coot 2 mallard 2 canada geese Main lakes: 50+ canada geese 40+ mallards 14 coots 12 tufted ducks, 3 moorhens 4 mute swans 2 greylag geese 2 great crested grebes (building nest) 2 common gull 1 blackheaded gull 2 muscovy ducks 1 cayuga duck (nice duck even for an escapee captive bred- looks like a black mallard with irridescent green all over) 6 collared doves 20+ starlings, flock 18+ house sparrows 4 robins 4 blue tits 7 great tits 2 long tailed tits 6 magpies 2 tree sparrows 2 blackbirds 5 woodpigeon 2 chaffinch 3 dunnocks Oh & a frog! Rae
Rachael Hill said
Sat Mar 8 9:53 PM, 2008
The tree sparrows are always in the hedges on the road down to the carpark & around the carpark. It's the only place I know that you can guarantee to see them. Rae
tonywilkinson said
Sat Mar 1 11:54 PM, 2008
Hi Rachael,
You did well with the Tree Sparrows; it must be one of the biggest flocks seen in Stockport for many a year. (Unless Judith knows otherwise!)
Tony
Rachael Hill said
Wed Feb 20 10:48 PM, 2008
Both lakes & pond totally frozen even to the edges- wildfowl all in one top corner of first lake that was free from ice (makes spotting a bit easier!). Nothing on small pond at all- no kingfishers. No tufted ducks on main lakes (usually dozens)- must have gone in search of easier water. 11.30am- 12.45pm gadwall, grey heron, mallards, coots, moorhens, mute swans, canada geese, greylag goose, black headed gulls, common gulls, rook, robins, flock of collard doves (12+) blackbirds, long tailed tits (20+) jay, great tits, blue tits, gold crests 2, chaffinches 6+, tree sparrows (12+) house sparrows, wrens 2, magpies 2, pied wagtails 6+, song thrushes 2, dunnocks 2, starlings, wood pidgeons 2. 29- not bad for a short walk, Rae
Rachael Hill said
Sat Feb 16 4:02 PM, 2008
Pair of kingfishers are regularly seen on small mill pond (from carpark turn right away from main lakes, just very short 2 mins walk). They are very tame- seen both once & I've seen one of them every time, close up- worth a visit.
Saturday 16th Feb 08, 12.30pm
Kingfisher, coots, moorhens, mallards, great tits, blue tits, robins, wren, magpies, robins, chaffinch, long tailed tits, blackbirds, Main lakes- again coots, moorhens, mallards & tits plus goosanders- pair, mute swans, canada geese, tufted ducks, jackdaw, goldcrest.
Have also seen recently grey herons, pochard, little grebe and apparently shovelers have been spotted too.
ZParis said
Mon Nov 27 8:42 AM, 2006
Judith,
Great crested grebes is right, no serious problems with fishing tackle. Swans did not nest on the swan island this year but maybe next year. There are plans to build another island and create reed beds at the vale. They have a really good web site at www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com that has some really good pictures of the swans and information on the vale, very professional finish. Give it a try!
All the best,
Zara
Judith Smith said
Fri Nov 24 10:23 PM, 2006
Thanks for that, Zara. Presume the grebes were Great Crested. Hope there aren't any problems with the swans and angling tackle - I know you and the rangers were trying to eliminate those problems.
What's happening with SEMMMS these days? It all seems to have gone quiet.
ZParis said
Fri Nov 24 5:56 PM, 2006
At Reddish Vale on Mill pond there has been 28 goosander, 12 tufted duck, 2 golden eye, 2 grebe for the last 2 days. Lots of long-tail tits about too.
Reddish Vale
Vale Road
Reddish
Stockport. Visitor centre with farm and cafe on site, River Tame runs through the site.
-- Edited by ZParis at 18:04, 2006-11-24
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 25th of May 2010 12:48:49 PM
http://www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com/#/our-mute-swan/4538497780
In brief, some poor excuse for a human being shot the resident Cob Swan with a air weapon resulting in the poor bird having to be put down.
£250 reward for information leading to the conviction of this lowlife.
Anthony
Rae
I managed to drive right down into the carpark before that without any problems.
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon on Sunday 10th of January 2010 04:55:08 PM
What's the road condition like down to the bottom carpark? It is one of my favourite local haunts but I'd given up on the idea with all the snow!
Rae
3 Grey Heron
1 Kingfisher (on river)
1 Kestrel
1 GSW
1 Male Shoveler
1 Male Goosander (on river)
1 Dipper (on river) *First time I've seen a dipper at Reddish*
Most of the Canada Geese are now on the river because the lake is 95% frozen.
I took plenty of feed with me, but there are not many people about at the moment and the birds are starving...If anyone is passing please pop in because this wonderful place is sadly overlooked!
Anthony
1 Male Shoveler (rare for Reddish)
2 Grey Heron
1 Bullfinch
1 Redwing
+ all the usuals
Anthony
Had a look for possible American Robin which was reported on The Reddish Vale website, but no signs.
Lovely morning and highlights included...
1 Kingfisher (showing well on the main lake)
4 Cormorant
2 Heron
6 Tufted Duck
and a Mallard with 12 newborn chicks...Hope the mild weather continues for them.
Kestrel pair have returned to nest again this year and were very active this afternoon.
Plenty of Sand Martins again this year also.
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
+ All the usuals with 2 broods of Coot chicks so far.
Anthony
Excellent views of Kingfisher and GS Woodpecker.
One of the 3 ever-present Mute Swans seems to have disapeared though...A young cob which I think must have been chased off by it's father.
Since mother Swan died early last spring, the father has had his mating eye firmly on his daughter and has for some time been aggresive towards the young male.
The older cob has already seen off 3 visiting males so far this year!
2 Kingfisher
2 Cormorant
9 Goosander (6 Male)
2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
1 Treecreeper
2 Indian Runner Ducks...Seemed to have decided to call the Vale home
1 Grey Heron
2 Indian Runner Ducks (new arrivals)
2 Kingfisher
5 Goosander
1 Grey Heron
2 Cormorant
14 Tufted Duck
6 Long Tailed Tit
4 Dunnock
3 Fieldfare
3 Robin
2 Blue Tit
4 Blackbird
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Muscovy Duck
3 Graylag Geese
8 Collard Dove
+ The usual Mallards, Canada Geese and Coots
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 17:50, 2008-11-23
Driving (ok...was a front seat passenger) along the M60 where it crosses the river and something large flew across. It was a good 4 cars ahead over the motorway so obstructed view, and could only see its outline in the darkness by the time we drew level..was light in colour and fairly large...initial thoughts were heron, do they fly at night?
2 Kingfisher
3 Goosander
2 Grey Heron
1 Cormorant
12 Tufted Duck
50+ Black-Headed Gulls
13 Goosander
15+ Tufted Duck
2 Pochard
2 Grey Heron
1 Cormorant
2 Kingfisher
1 Great Crested Grebe
+ the usual suspects.
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 14:15, 2008-11-09
Pretty much the same as yesterday with the addition of a pair of Kingfishers on the two main lakes.
1 Goldeneye
2 Cormorant
2 Grey Heron
6 Pochard
7 Tufted Duck
20+ Black Headed Gull
5 Robin
12+ Long Tailed Tit
3 Blackbird
2 Great Crested Grebe
25+ House Sparrow
7 Magpie
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
4 Dunnock
5 Collard Dove
1 Muscovy Duck
+ all the usual subjects!
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 16:13, 2008-10-31
I was told today of a spate of shootings of birds at Reddish Vale and the message board on the Reddish Vale website has confirmed my worst fears...
www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com/#/messageboard/4518751902 (post from June 20th)
There is speculation on the perpetrators of this vile act, but without witness or proof there seems little can be done at the moment.
Words fail me.
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 18:25, 2008-08-25
Monday 18-08-08
4 Kingfisher *
1 Yellowhammer**
3 Dunnock
1 Greenfinch
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
2 Tufted Duck
4 Greylag Geese
4 Grey Heron
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Muscovy Duck
12+ Collard Dove
6+ Long Tailed Tits
5 Black Headed Gull
25+House Sparrow
3 Chaffinch
3 Wood Pigeon
1 Jay
4 Magpie
4 Blackbird
3 Robin (1 Juvenile)
The usual 3 Swans, Canada Geese, Mallards, Coots and Moorhen.
Pair of Great Crested Grebes seem to have left now after unsuccessful breeding.
* All four seen together...Three on one branch and another on the next tree along.
I'm not 100% sure but there could actually be five of these beautiful birds.
Three are young birds and are currently spending hours chasing each other around the main lake towards the viaduct...That is inbetween the countless dives for fish of course!
**The second time I've seen a single Yellowhammer in the last month.
Other species of note that I've seen recently include Weasel and Terrapins!
Anthony
-- Edited by Anthony Dixon at 21:36, 2008-08-18
None of the regulars at Reddish Vale have ever seen Tree Sparrow there in recent years. If you are sure of your ID, please contact me privately as the ringers would love to know where they are!
Judith (County Recorder)
15th March 08 11.15-12.45pm
Small pond (had to wait quite a while, busy with orienteering teams everywhere):
2 kingfishers together briefly, 1 flew back to river, 1 remained,
1 grey heron
2 coot
2 mallard
2 canada geese
Main lakes:
50+ canada geese
40+ mallards
14 coots
12 tufted ducks,
3 moorhens
4 mute swans
2 greylag geese
2 great crested grebes (building nest)
2 common gull
1 blackheaded gull
2 muscovy ducks
1 cayuga duck (nice duck even for an escapee captive bred- looks like a black mallard with irridescent green all over)
6 collared doves
20+ starlings, flock
18+ house sparrows
4 robins
4 blue tits
7 great tits
2 long tailed tits
6 magpies
2 tree sparrows
2 blackbirds
5 woodpigeon
2 chaffinch
3 dunnocks
Oh & a frog!
Rae
Rae
You did well with the Tree Sparrows; it must be one of the biggest flocks seen in Stockport for many a year. (Unless Judith knows otherwise!)
Tony
11.30am- 12.45pm
gadwall,
grey heron,
mallards,
coots,
moorhens,
mute swans,
canada geese,
greylag goose,
black headed gulls,
common gulls,
rook,
robins,
flock of collard doves (12+)
blackbirds,
long tailed tits (20+)
jay,
great tits,
blue tits,
gold crests 2,
chaffinches 6+,
tree sparrows (12+)
house sparrows,
wrens 2,
magpies 2,
pied wagtails 6+,
song thrushes 2,
dunnocks 2,
starlings,
wood pidgeons 2.
29- not bad for a short walk,
Rae
Saturday 16th Feb 08, 12.30pm
Kingfisher,
coots,
moorhens,
mallards,
great tits,
blue tits,
robins,
wren,
magpies,
robins,
chaffinch,
long tailed tits,
blackbirds,
Main lakes- again coots, moorhens, mallards & tits plus
goosanders- pair,
mute swans,
canada geese,
tufted ducks,
jackdaw,
goldcrest.
Have also seen recently grey herons, pochard, little grebe and apparently shovelers have been spotted too.
Judith,
Great crested grebes is right, no serious problems with fishing tackle. Swans did not nest on the swan island this year but maybe next year. There are plans to build another island and create reed beds at the vale. They have a really good web site at www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com that has some really good pictures of the swans and information on the vale, very professional finish. Give it a try!
All the best,
Zara
Thanks for that, Zara. Presume the grebes were Great Crested. Hope there aren't any problems with the swans and angling tackle - I know you and the rangers were trying to eliminate those problems.
What's happening with SEMMMS these days? It all seems to have gone quiet.
At Reddish Vale on Mill pond there has been 28 goosander, 12 tufted duck, 2 golden eye, 2 grebe for the last 2 days. Lots of long-tail tits about too.
Reddish Vale
Vale Road
Reddish
Stockport. Visitor centre with farm and cafe on site, River Tame runs through the site.
-- Edited by ZParis at 18:04, 2006-11-24
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 25th of May 2010 12:48:49 PM