Little Bittern keeps showing briefly. Decent view at 12pm when it caught what looked like a Newt. It's gone back into hiding now.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 25 12:18 PM, 2014
A Grey Plover flew through at 11:20 and a Garden Warbler is at Withins Dam.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood and Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 25 12:13 PM, 2014
Can birders visiting Elton for the Little Bittern please keep a sensible distance from the bird (or its area) and remain considerate for other observers.
Damian Young said
Sun May 25 11:50 AM, 2014
Can't get down until this evening. Where is the best place to park?
Keith Mills said
Sun May 25 11:27 AM, 2014
Little Bittern showed briefly in Willow bush at 11am Big thanks to the original finder, Brian Fielding.
-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 25th of May 2014 12:02:23 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 25 11:03 AM, 2014
Little Bittern showing at 11am
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
brian fielding said
Sun May 25 10:29 AM, 2014
not seen since 0820 but sure its still present, just being elusive at the moment.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun May 25 10:07 AM, 2014
Any one know if the little bittern is still showing? Please update through the day if possible
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 25 8:29 AM, 2014
Little Bittern still present at 08:20.
Info thanks to Brian Fielding
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 25 6:59 AM, 2014
Male Little Bittern at Elton Reservoir in Capsticks Marsh this morning and still showing. View only from Hinds Lane by Withins Reservoir to avoid disturbance.
Info thanks to Brian Fielding
Rob Creek said
Sat May 24 6:56 PM, 2014
Drake Common Scoter was still present at 5.20pm when I left. Another lifer for me!
It was covering a fair size area of the res in the half hour I was there. It also managed long dives in both time and distance, it surfaced nowhere near where it dove!
Other birds of note:
1 Common Sandpiper Uncountable number of Swift (maybe 250+) Also House Martins, Sand Martins, and Swallows in much lower numbers
Steven Higginbottom said
Sat May 24 2:04 PM, 2014
Drake common Scoter still present at 2pm Cheers Steven
Rob Creek said
Sat May 24 11:54 AM, 2014
Any knowledge as to whether or not the Common Scoter is still present?
Cheers
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 24th of May 2014 02:23:08 PM
brian fielding said
Sat May 24 8:43 AM, 2014
drake common scoter still present this morning.
brian fielding said
Fri May 23 8:46 AM, 2014
drake common scoter present this morning.
brian fielding said
Thu May 22 4:38 PM, 2014
0600 till 0745 5 ringed plover 2 common tern
Doc Brewster said
Sun May 18 9:14 PM, 2014
john tromans wrote:
Two superb birds on a lovely day. A great find and well done. Whilst there, a young lad of about 10 came up to me and asked 'where are the terns please'. I pointed them out and he was thrilled. He had a T shirt will owls on and his binoculars around his neck.. It was a pleasure to watch him and I told him mum to keep him encouraged... 'He doesn't need need encouraging he's a fanatic '. Wonderful to see when most kids today see no further than pretend games on an ipad.
That was Fred with the T-shirt & camera & Alex is his mum
I spent the rest of the time there with them helping Fred with his photography & lending Alex my Swarovski binoculars. They are both very keen and as you say it was brilliant to see someone as young as Fred be so keen & so knowledgable, not just about birds but insects & plants too. We had a pleasant few hours together & left as new found friends. The final highlight was watching the terns wash close inshore as we walked back to our cars, just feet from us with no other birders there at that location!
Dennis atherton said
Sun May 18 8:23 AM, 2014
Great day. I possibly won with the OCD with a 12 hours shift wearing a hood a drinking lagers. Lol. Funny. Fantastic birds in perfect breeding plumage and also as we expected night flyers. Which is a pity. I hoped they would stay
john tromans said
Sun May 18 8:21 AM, 2014
Two superb birds on a lovely day. A great find and well done. Whilst there, a young lad of about 10 came up to me and asked 'where are the terns please'. I pointed them out and he was thrilled. He had a T shirt will owls on and his binoculars around his neck.. It was a pleasure to watch him and I told him mum to keep him encouraged... 'He doesn't need need encouraging he's a fanatic '. Wonderful to see when most kids today see no further than pretend games on an ipad. Nice to meet up with many GM birders ... Including Mike Passant who is getting closer to the magic 200.
Mike Passant said
Sun May 18 8:13 AM, 2014
Hi John,
I walked round to join you two at wader point specifically because I thought you looked a bit dodgey; - (I was hoping you had a spare can to quench my thirst after the drive down).
JOHN TYMON said
Sun May 18 7:51 AM, 2014
Just to add to everyone's thoughts on yesterday. 6 hours for me with the cracking pair of White winged Black terns watching and photographing them :) -Well done to the Finder and the Elton regulars, a fantastic pair for Elton.Also throughout the day everyone was well behaved, loads of great company from many off the forum and I had to smile when I was told later that no one would walk round to wader point where me and Dennis Atherton Parked for the day as Denis had a hoody on with the hood up to protect his head from the sun and I had a baseball cap on backwards, and everyone thought we were a pair of thugs having a day on the lager
Elton really does Rock
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 18th of May 2014 07:53:40 AM
colin davies said
Sun May 18 7:18 AM, 2014
No sign up to 6.20 when I left
steven burke said
Sat May 17 10:57 PM, 2014
after my trip to Northwich I got back here to finish the rest of my great day out around 4.40pm til 7.45pm & watched & photographed these wonderfull white-winged black terns a lifer for me. thanks again dennis for your expert help, very much appreciated also 1 little owl at crow trees farm on my home.
Doc Brewster said
Sat May 17 10:20 PM, 2014
Tanmay Dixit wrote:
An unexpected early return from leighton moss allowed us to see the 2 white-winged black terns both showing reasonably well until 3.30-ish. They look fairly settled. Also juv great crested grebe and 2 common tern. Thanks to Doc Brewster for the info and other forum members for the directions - we didn't even get lost!
Glad to be of help Tanmay Really glad that you connected & got yourself a lifer, and in that plumage too, brilliant.
After the Spoonbill at Neumann's Flash early morning I fancied more exotica so headed up to Elton Reservoir & was soon watching these 2 beauties. Great to bump into John Barber & Dave Houghston again after seeing them at the Spoonbill! Also Alex & Fred, great to chat to and share these birds with (don't know if they visit these forums). The terns performed well all the time I was there, allowing the odd digiscoped shot when they settled on the buoys. I too saw them plunging in to have a wash, really close in at the shallows where the ducks get fed. The pair of Common Terns were pair bonding too, even passing fish, and the female was making begging calls frequently to the male. Fantastic day, great company and a nice suntan to boot
Well done & thanks to all the finders and relayers of the news
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 17th of May 2014 10:21:16 PM
Simon Warford said
Sat May 17 9:57 PM, 2014
Dennis atherton wrote:
Still present as im leaving at 7. 30
12 hours on site Dennis, and I thought Mike Passant was mad
Went back for the last hour of daylight, both birds were plunging into the water, giving their feathers a good wash.
Rob Creek said
Sat May 17 8:05 PM, 2014
Thanks to everyone for the earlier info on these birds. Good to meet some familiar faces and nice to meet Bernard and wife in tow today.
2 x White-winged Black Terns showing well between 1.15 -2.45pm although they were visible all over the Res whilst I was there, up close and couldn't get the camera to focus, far too quick, then they were over on the far side and I managed a bit of decent video and at least 3 or 4 ID shots considering that these Terns hardly rested, and also taking into account the nature of Terns in general and my equipment capability... I'm happy!
Other birds of note: 2 Common Terns (1 of which had very long tail streamers but a quick glimpse of the bill confirmed it was a Common Tern. Cormorant, Mallard, plus usuals, then the Warblers. Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff all heard but not seen but obviously plenty of. Cheers Rob
Dennis atherton said
Sat May 17 7:25 PM, 2014
Still present as im leaving at 7. 30
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 17 6:05 PM, 2014
Both White-winged Black Terns still present at 6pm this evening.
Info thanks to Pete Berry
Tanmay Dixit said
Sat May 17 4:15 PM, 2014
An unexpected early return from leighton moss allowed us to see the 2 white-winged black terns both showing reasonably well until 3.30-ish. They look fairly settled. Also juv great crested grebe and 2 common tern. Thanks to Doc Brewster for the info and other forum members for the directions - we didn't even get lost!
Alan Warford said
Sat May 17 3:02 PM, 2014
2 Adult White Winged Black Terns still showing well at 3pm towards narrow end. pleased they are still here after morning at Woolston Eyes.
Simon Warford said
Sat May 17 3:00 PM, 2014
Both adult summer plumaged White-winged Black Terns still present along field side of reservoir, at 3pm.
Info thanks to Alan Warford.
James Walsh said
Sat May 17 2:15 PM, 2014
2 White-winged Black Terns & 2 Common Terns @ 12:10pm
Rob Creek said
Sat May 17 12:56 PM, 2014
Many thanks for all info. Cheers
Simon Warford said
Sat May 17 12:54 PM, 2014
From Wellington pub on Bury Road (A58) turn down Kitchener Street then right on to Buller Street then left over bridge then right in front of hospital to sailing club car park. Birds showing very well still.
Nick Isherwood said
Sat May 17 12:53 PM, 2014
Best way I know is via Kitchener street. It takes you down to the yacht club and once parked up there's a very short walk.
Rob Creek said
Sat May 17 12:43 PM, 2014
What road would be best to access the Res? Visited here the other week and came through Radcliffe, bit of a trek over the little bridge and potholes galore in the dirt track. Many thanks for any info.
Ian Campbell said
Sat May 17 12:06 PM, 2014
brian fielding wrote:
black tern present this morning, info thanks to ian campbell
First saw it and thought it was a Black Tern, sat on bouy in front of boat house, then it flew and was joined by another and it was immediately obvious that it was not Black Tern and that they were White-winged Black Terns, I waited for Paul Wilson and Ian Peters to arrive and confirm ID before informing Ian McK. Cheers Ian
Jon Bowen said
Sat May 17 12:03 PM, 2014
First visit for the White-winged Black Terns this morning, stunning birds giving great views between 8- 9.30. What a start to the weekend. Lifer for me
Keith Mills said
Sat May 17 11:00 AM, 2014
Both White-winged Black Terns viewed this morning up to 10.15. Viewing from shore just past the Creek. Good views as terns made regular short forays up the Creek. Good to meet Phil Rhodes. Lifers for me
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 17 10:16 AM, 2014
Both breeding plumaged adult White-winged Black Terns still present at 10:15 and showing down to 20 feet in range.
Info thanks to Simon Warford
Simon Warford said
Sat May 17 8:54 AM, 2014
Both showing superbly well 8.50 at least flying past pump house to 20 feet!
Richard Thew said
Sat May 17 8:30 AM, 2014
Many thanks for the early birds who found and reported the white-winged black terns, fairly close at times. A perfect stress relief from a hard tiring week. Thankyou all for a wonderful forum to make this possible. As you can guess, its a new tick for me and all before my breakfast. Plus Linnet over, common whitethroat, sand Martin plus other common birds.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 17 7:49 AM, 2014
Two White-winged Black Terns present this morning!
Info thanks to several observers
brian fielding said
Sat May 17 6:45 AM, 2014
black tern present this morning, info thanks to ian campbell
brian fielding said
Fri May 16 5:07 PM, 2014
0545 till 0815 1 shelduck, called in for half an hour before heading east 2 common sandpiper 1 common tern
Richard Thew said
Fri May 16 9:07 AM, 2014
A very brief report passing through, very quiet this morning on main reservoir, a pair of great created grebes displaying near the boat club. Main thing to note at 8:45am was a lesser whitethroat in full song in the hawthorns next to the small road up from withins lane area just past the canal bridge.
brian fielding said
Thu May 15 2:38 PM, 2014
0545 till 0830 not much the last 2 mornings today 3 common sandpipers 1 common tern yesterday 1 common tern only.
Richard Thew said
Tue May 13 2:39 PM, 2014
Largely quiet at 2pm. Brief pass through by old hall farm area. Nice to see spring in full swing with singing skylarks, sedge warblers and whitethroats- (the latter was seen very close next to the canal bridge). Also plenty of swift and swallows with one common tern and a magpie that thinks it can wade in the middle of the canal.
brian fielding said
Tue May 13 12:18 PM, 2014
0615 till 1100 1 avocet, found at 0630 but flew off at 0700, 2nd record for elton i believe, also seen and photographed by paul wilson. 1 flyover rook 1 oystercatcher.
Decent view at 12pm when it caught what looked like a Newt. It's gone back into hiding now.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood and Phil Rhodes
Big thanks to the original finder, Brian Fielding.
-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 25th of May 2014 12:02:23 PM
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
Info thanks to Brian Fielding
Info thanks to Brian Fielding
It was covering a fair size area of the res in the half hour I was there. It also managed long dives in both time and distance, it surfaced nowhere near where it dove!
Other birds of note:
1 Common Sandpiper
Uncountable number of Swift (maybe 250+)
Also House Martins, Sand Martins, and Swallows in much lower numbers
Cheers
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 24th of May 2014 02:23:08 PM
5 ringed plover
2 common tern
That was Fred with the T-shirt & camera & Alex is his mum
I spent the rest of the time there with them helping Fred with his photography & lending Alex my Swarovski binoculars. They are both very keen and as you say it was brilliant to see someone as young as Fred be so keen & so knowledgable, not just about birds but insects & plants too. We had a pleasant few hours together & left as new found friends. The final highlight was watching the terns wash close inshore as we walked back to our cars, just feet from us with no other birders there at that location!
Nice to meet up with many GM birders ... Including Mike Passant who is getting closer to the magic 200.
Hi John,
I walked round to join you two at wader point specifically because I thought you looked a bit dodgey; - (I was hoping you had a spare can to quench my thirst after the drive down).
6 hours for me with the cracking pair of White winged Black terns watching and photographing them :) -Well done to the Finder and the Elton regulars, a fantastic pair for Elton.Also throughout the day everyone was well behaved, loads of great company from many off the forum and I had to smile when I was told later that no one would walk round to wader point where me and Dennis Atherton Parked for the day as Denis had a hoody on with the hood up to protect his head from the sun and I had a baseball cap on backwards, and everyone thought we were a pair of thugs having a day on the lager
Elton really does Rock
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 18th of May 2014 07:53:40 AM
also 1 little owl at crow trees farm on my home.
Glad to be of help Tanmay Really glad that you connected & got yourself a lifer, and in that plumage too, brilliant.
After the Spoonbill at Neumann's Flash early morning I fancied more exotica so headed up to Elton Reservoir & was soon watching these 2 beauties. Great to bump into John Barber & Dave Houghston again after seeing them at the Spoonbill! Also Alex & Fred, great to chat to and share these birds with (don't know if they visit these forums). The terns performed well all the time I was there, allowing the odd digiscoped shot when they settled on the buoys. I too saw them plunging in to have a wash, really close in at the shallows where the ducks get fed. The pair of Common Terns were pair bonding too, even passing fish, and the female was making begging calls frequently to the male. Fantastic day, great company and a nice suntan to boot
Well done & thanks to all the finders and relayers of the news
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 17th of May 2014 10:21:16 PM
12 hours on site Dennis, and I thought Mike Passant was mad
Went back for the last hour of daylight, both birds were plunging into the water, giving their feathers a good wash.
Good to meet some familiar faces and nice to meet Bernard and wife in tow today.
2 x White-winged Black Terns showing well between 1.15 -2.45pm although they were visible all over the Res whilst I was there, up close and couldn't get the camera to focus, far too quick, then they were over on the far side and I managed a bit of decent video and at least 3 or 4 ID shots considering that these Terns hardly rested, and also taking into account the nature of Terns in general and my equipment capability... I'm happy!
Other birds of note:
2 Common Terns (1 of which had very long tail streamers but a quick glimpse of the bill confirmed it was a Common Tern.
Cormorant, Mallard, plus usuals, then the Warblers.
Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff all heard but not seen but obviously plenty of.
Cheers
Rob
Info thanks to Pete Berry
Info thanks to Alan Warford.
Visited here the other week and came through Radcliffe, bit of a trek over the little bridge and potholes galore in the dirt track.
Many thanks for any info.
First saw it and thought it was a Black Tern, sat on bouy in front of boat house, then it flew and was joined by another and it was immediately obvious that it was not Black Tern and that they were White-winged Black Terns, I waited for Paul Wilson and Ian Peters to arrive and confirm ID before informing Ian McK.
Cheers Ian
Viewing from shore just past the Creek. Good views as terns made regular short forays up the Creek.
Good to meet Phil Rhodes.
Lifers for me
Info thanks to Simon Warford
Info thanks to several observers
1 shelduck, called in for half an hour before heading east
2 common sandpiper
1 common tern
not much the last 2 mornings
today 3 common sandpipers
1 common tern
yesterday 1 common tern only.
1 avocet, found at 0630 but flew off at 0700, 2nd record for elton i believe, also seen and photographed by paul wilson.
1 flyover rook
1 oystercatcher.
Info thanks to Brian Fielding