Blackstone Edge and Light Hazzles Reservoirs plus environs
Steve Atkins said
Tue May 9 5:33 PM, 2023
Two calling Whimbrels flew north over the moor between Blackstone Edge Reservoir and Whiteholme at 10:35 hrs.
A single Whimbrel flew west over BE Res on 26th April.
dave broome said
Sat Feb 4 2:29 PM, 2023
Just ten species of bird recorded today at Blackstone Edge Reservoir drake Goldeneye 23 Pink-Footed Geese flew west 1 Kestrel Herring and Black-Headed Gulls over Carrion Crow 1 male Stonechat, 3 Reed Bunting and 4 Wren in the sludge lagoon 1 Skylark
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 4th of February 2023 02:29:45 PM
Tim Pears said
Thu Aug 25 1:01 PM, 2022
12.20. Wood Sandpiper still showing well. Same area as Pauls post.
Paul Whiting said
Wed Aug 24 11:11 AM, 2022
Wood Sandpiper at Blackstone Edge reservoir showing well
Mytholmroyd rd end under pylon wires
Also Yellow wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, and loads of Meadow Pipits
Bit bleak when I left at 10.15
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Aug 8 10:37 PM, 2022
A cream-crown Marsh Harrier flew north over Blackstone Edge Res'r this morning and headed over the moor towards White Holme Reservoir - a long-awaited Rochdale borough tick for me!
Also 2 Raven over south
James Walsh said
Fri Mar 25 12:16 AM, 2022
Thursday 24th March 2022
1 Whooper Swan
James Walsh said
Mon Mar 7 12:10 PM, 2022
2 Whooper Swans on Blackstone Edge Reservoir
Information thanks to Andrew Huyton
James Walsh said
Sat Mar 5 10:26 AM, 2022
2 Whooper Swans on Blackstone Edge Reservoir
Information thanks to Simon Hitchen
James Walsh said
Fri Mar 4 4:28 PM, 2022
2 Whooper Swans on Blackstone Edge Reservoir
Information thanks to Andrew Huyton
James Walsh said
Fri Oct 22 5:12 PM, 2021
6 Whooper Swans on Blackstone Edge Reservoir
Information thanks to Andrew Huyton
Pete Hines said
Sun Oct 17 7:22 PM, 2021
Twite - 28 came to feed at the north west corner of Blackstone Edge Res for 5 minutes, 14.35 to 14.40, until they were flushed by a pedestrian. Most sporting a combination a colour rings. Counted from photo of the flock in flight. Rubbish record shots attached.
A single snow bunting seen on the path that runs from the west corner of Blackstone Edge Reservoir to White Holme Reservoir. A few red grouse too (but mostly over the border into Yorkshire).
John Rayner said
Wed Jul 11 7:58 AM, 2018
brian fielding wrote:
i refound the bairds sandpiper this morning at about 07.15 on the rocky small island on whiteholme res, i was joined about 08.00 by john raynor and mark rigby, the bird then relocated to the far left hand side of the res but we stayed at the end of the res closest to the manchester border just in case the bird should fly to warland res like it did yesterday, thankfully we saw it fly of the shoreline of whiteholme res and followed it continously has it flew over the moor directly for warland res and only lost it has it dropped down towards warland res, looking at johns map the bird clearly flew through manchester airspace, which if accepted will be a county tick for all 3 of us.
This sighting in GM has recently been accepted by British Birds Rarities Committee
Cheers John
Simon Hitchen said
Mon Apr 9 11:11 PM, 2018
A few phonescoped photos of yesterday's Water Pipit - sorry to hear it didn't show today
No sign of water pipit at or around the sludge lagoon 06.30 till 09.30
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Apr 8 9:04 PM, 2018
Stunning breeding plumaged Water Pipit on the drain below Blackstone Edge Reservoir this evening.
The bird was on the drain just directly below the White House pub - there is a sludge lagoon next to it there and the bird was perched on one of the fence posts around this. Unfortunately the bird then flew low up the drain but was still thought to be in the area.
Ridiculously good images (and a bit of video) of this bird by its finder Simon Hitchen are now on the Manchester Birding homepage.
Info all thanks to Simon Hitchen
John Rayner said
Fri Sep 15 8:58 PM, 2017
Just to add to Brian's post. When Mark and I joined him, viewing from the SW bay of White Holme, he had already seen the bird on the rocky island and it had relocated to the far sandy spit and was working its way left round the shore. At the point marked 'X' on the map it was flushed by a crow and flew, first a little right, but quickly doubled back and made straight for the south end of Warland. It lost elevation and appeared to be landing however, despite a good search it was not re-found.
A repeat performance today for me, several miles walked, hours on site, 1 wheatear and a few meadow pipits to show for the effort. A very difficult bird to connect with.
brian fielding said
Fri Sep 15 12:05 PM, 2017
i refound the bairds sandpiper this morning at about 07.15 on the rocky small island on whiteholme res, i was joined about 08.00 by john raynor and mark rigby, the bird then relocated to the far left hand side of the res but we stayed at the end of the res closest to the manchester border just in case the bird should fly to warland res like it did yesterday, thankfully we saw it fly of the shoreline of whiteholme res and followed it continously has it flew over the moor directly for warland res and only lost it has it dropped down towards warland res, looking at johns map the bird clearly flew through manchester airspace, which if accepted will be a county tick for all 3 of us.
phillipskelly said
Thu Sep 14 10:04 PM, 2017
Glad to hear the Baird Sandpiper was still present on White Holme res. this evening , as I left I saw a man get out of his car with a shotgun and dog. Hope it's about tomorrow ( 2nd time lucky ... maybe? ).
Scott Reid said
Thu Sep 14 9:51 PM, 2017
Was lucky enough to be on site, albeit at the wrong end of the res, when the bird was re-found around 17:50 feeding in the small bays in the western corner of White Holme Res. Views were good and a small water tank provided shelter from the wind. This is apparently the same area of the res where the bird was initially found yesterday, so despite it apparently venturing over to Light Hazzels and Warlands, it seems to be showing some loyalty to this area of White Holme. Baird's was a long-overdue tick for me and was definitely becoming a bogey-bird after dipping four at various places over the last few years! Brilliant little wader! Happy days!
Tim Wilcox said
Thu Sep 14 9:23 PM, 2017
brian fielding wrote:
bairds sandpiper reported has again present on whiteholme res this evening, like colin a made the trip up there twice today and dipped twice, walking well over 10 miles, when the bird is on warland res it is very close to the manchester border although viewing difficult due to main path along warland res being closed which would give better views into the many inlets along the east shore, all in all a very bad dip but thats birding i suppose, nice to see some familiar faces up there today, might have another go tomorrow if my legs have recovered by then!
The creek where Andy saw it IS the GM boundary. Clearly marked on OS Explorer OL21. Nice to see you albeit with nothing to show from all that hiking but sore legs
Mark Burgess said
Thu Sep 14 7:39 PM, 2017
Baird's Sandpiper still present on White Holme Res at 19.00 feeding on small rocky island
brian fielding said
Thu Sep 14 7:09 PM, 2017
bairds sandpiper reported has again present on whiteholme res this evening, like colin a made the trip up there twice today and dipped twice, walking well over 10 miles, when the bird is on warland res it is very close to the manchester border although viewing difficult due to main path along warland res being closed which would give better views into the many inlets along the east shore, all in all a very bad dip but thats birding i suppose, nice to see some familiar faces up there today, might have another go tomorrow if my legs have recovered by then!
colin davies said
Thu Sep 14 6:20 PM, 2017
I spent about 3 hours on site today and walked about 7 miles but the only bird of note was a peregrine over Warland reservoir. I have no doubts that the bird was still present, but it's a big site and very difficult viewing, and nobody present had seen the bird or had any clear idea as to exactly where it had been seen. It wouldn't surprise me if it turns up again on White Holme res.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 14 3:46 PM, 2017
Baird's Sandpiper on Warland Reservoir (just NW of White Holme Res) at 2:30pm at least today. In the bay on the south eastern side but very difficult to view and probably still in West Yorkshire but very close to the county boundary.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Bill Aspin said
Fri Jun 16 9:34 PM, 2017
2 Little Tern > west through Light Hazzles Res, 10:17.
dave broome said
Fri May 19 10:15 AM, 2017
female Common Scoter on Blackstone Edge Reservoir this morning
no sign of Knot at Light Hazzles, 3 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover were present and a Greenshank circled and flew NE seemingly having come off Whiteholme Res
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 19th of May 2017 01:52:54 PM
The Long tailed Duck showed quite well at the White House end of Blackstone Edge Reservoir around 2pm. It was seen by others at 5-30pm and finally at 6-15pm in failing light.
David Ousey.
David Winnard said
Fri Oct 21 7:37 AM, 2016
Long-tailed duck still present at 07.35 - 8 years to the day since the last one turned up in Rochdale at Piethorne Reservoir.
-- Edited by David Winnard on Friday 21st of October 2016 10:23:35 AM
Simon Hitchen said
Thu Oct 20 7:34 PM, 2016
A fem/imm Long-tailed duck on Blackstone Edge reservoir this afternoon and still present at dusk - originally found by Yorkie birders
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Thursday 20th of October 2016 07:35:19 PM
Zoe Barrett said
Thu Jul 21 12:02 AM, 2016
Today during hot weather: Yellow wagtail juvenile on dam of Blackstone edge res 2 Common sandpipers - Blackstone edge res 2 Wheatear - Blackstone edge res Peregrine on pylon 2 Red grouse on Moor 2 Skylark Family of Meadow pipits - White Holme res
Zoe Barrett said
Tue Jul 19 10:25 PM, 2016
Today during hot weather:
Yellow wagtail juvenile on dam of Light Hazels
2 Common sandpipers - light hazzles
2 Wheatear - light hazzles
Peregrine on pylon
2 Red grouse on Moor
2 Skylark
Family of Meadow pipits - Warrant reservoir
Mike Cooper said
Sun Mar 6 8:22 PM, 2016
Sun6/3 14:30-17:30 cold an inch of snow on ground sunny clouding over later cold N breeze
Teal 3 on rusty pool next to chelate res below edge
Mallard pair light hazzles
Red grouse 2 pairs feeding plus 1 calling towards wayland res on maturing heather in fenced enclosure above light hazzles res
Craig Higson said
Sat May 2 1:17 PM, 2015
Spent an hour or so around here today hoping for a Twite or two and, seeing as its not a million miles from Axletree Edge, thought there might be a possibility of Dotterel (although admittedly that's like hoping to find a needle in a haystack in a field of haystacks). Unfortunately it was pretty windy with showers so not a lot moving.
Wheatear 3, Red Grouse 4, Common Sandpiper 1, plus a few Meadow Pipits, Reed bunting, and a Pied Wagtail.
Andrew Huyton said
Wed Aug 20 10:05 PM, 2014
A walk this evening with Cath, to Warland Res from the Whitehouse, produced 1 Peg sat on rock between blackstone edge and whiteholme, seen from some distance. 2 Common Sandpiper and approx 8 Wheatear most female/juv type but with 1 male.
-- Edited by Andrew Huyton on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 10:06:46 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 10:21:56 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 29 10:02 PM, 2014
Originally posted today by Dave Hill:
Blackstone Edge Reservoir 7.00pm last night, four Twite(2pairs),3 common sand,pair of greylag geese,redshank,golden plover and a pair and a single grey partridge,
one of my better visits and left a good feeling for a change
Steve Atkins said
Sun Dec 8 5:04 PM, 2013
There was no sign of the Common Scoter this pm. However, a Golden Plover was feeding on the shoreline on Warland Reservoir.
Rob Creek said
Sun Dec 8 3:32 PM, 2013
Thanks Steve, on way back from Marshside Southport after getting my first Baikal Teal. If I can get there before the light goes then I will have a quick look but it sounds like she may have gone. Cheers Rob
Steve Atkins said
Sun Dec 8 12:15 PM, 2013
Hi Rob,
I was up there yesterday pm and checked the resr twice with no sign of it. There was very little else about apart from a pair of Ravens along the Pennine Way. However we saw 3 passerines, one showing a lot of white on the wings (so may well have been Snow Buntings). These were along the track which runs north from Blackstone Edge Resr over Byron Edge i.e. parallel but to the east of the Pennine Way. Due to rain and cold our binoculars were so fogged up we didn't get a clear view of the birds and didn't want to hang around looking for them as we were wet and cold
Good luck if you try for them.
Steve
Rob Creek said
Sun Dec 8 10:43 AM, 2013
Dave Colton wrote:
Common Scoter still present 13:20 - 14:00 today.
About 30-40mtrs off the dam wall, lots of preening, wing flapping and tail shaking going on, maybe preparing to move on?
Anyone know if this bird is still here or has she flown?
Dave Colton said
Fri Dec 6 2:59 PM, 2013
Common Scoter still present 13:20 - 14:00 today.
About 30-40mtrs off the dam wall, lots of preening, wing flapping and tail shaking going on, maybe preparing to move on?
Very little else seen and very cold!!
Alan Nuttall said
Tue Dec 3 6:09 PM, 2013
Female Common Scoter still showing well from dam wall
C Brown said
Sat Nov 30 7:08 PM, 2013
Common scoter showing well from the Pennine Way in lovely bright conditions this dinner time. Also a lone meadow pipit over.
Chris
Simon Hitchen said
Thu Nov 28 9:22 PM, 2013
Female Common Scoter still present on Blackstone Edge Reservoir this afternoon
A single Whimbrel flew west over BE Res on 26th April.
drake Goldeneye
23 Pink-Footed Geese flew west
1 Kestrel
Herring and Black-Headed Gulls over
Carrion Crow
1 male Stonechat, 3 Reed Bunting and 4 Wren in the sludge lagoon
1 Skylark
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 4th of February 2023 02:29:45 PM
12.20. Wood Sandpiper still showing well. Same area as Pauls post.
Wood Sandpiper at Blackstone Edge reservoir showing well
Mytholmroyd rd end under pylon wires
Also Yellow wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, and loads of Meadow Pipits
Bit bleak when I left at 10.15
A cream-crown Marsh Harrier flew north over Blackstone Edge Res'r this morning and headed over the moor towards White Holme Reservoir - a long-awaited Rochdale borough tick for me!
Also 2 Raven over south
1 Whooper Swan
Information thanks to Andrew Huyton
Information thanks to Simon Hitchen
Information thanks to Andrew Huyton
Information thanks to Andrew Huyton
1 female Goldeneye
2 Dunlin
3 Common Sandpiper
Information thanks to Alan Nuttall
A single snow bunting seen on the path that runs from the west corner of Blackstone Edge Reservoir to White Holme Reservoir. A few red grouse too (but mostly over the border into Yorkshire).
This sighting in GM has recently been accepted by British Birds Rarities Committee
Cheers John
A few phonescoped photos of yesterday's Water Pipit - sorry to hear it didn't show today
Stunning breeding plumaged Water Pipit on the drain below Blackstone Edge Reservoir this evening.
The bird was on the drain just directly below the White House pub - there is a sludge lagoon next to it there and the bird was perched on one of the fence posts around this. Unfortunately the bird then flew low up the drain but was still thought to be in the area.
Ridiculously good images (and a bit of video) of this bird by its finder Simon Hitchen are now on the Manchester Birding homepage.
Info all thanks to Simon Hitchen
Cheers John
A repeat performance today for me, several miles walked, hours on site, 1 wheatear and a few meadow pipits to show for the effort. A very difficult bird to connect with.
i refound the bairds sandpiper this morning at about 07.15 on the rocky small island on whiteholme res, i was joined about 08.00 by john raynor and mark rigby, the bird then relocated to the far left hand side of the res but we stayed at the end of the res closest to the manchester border just in case the bird should fly to warland res like it did yesterday, thankfully we saw it fly of the shoreline of whiteholme res and followed it continously has it flew over the moor directly for warland res and only lost it has it dropped down towards warland res, looking at johns map the bird clearly flew through manchester airspace, which if accepted will be a county tick for all 3 of us.
Hope it's about tomorrow ( 2nd time lucky ... maybe? ).
Baird's was a long-overdue tick for me and was definitely becoming a bogey-bird after dipping four at various places over the last few years! Brilliant little wader! Happy days!
The creek where Andy saw it IS the GM boundary. Clearly marked on OS Explorer OL21. Nice to see you albeit with nothing to show from all that hiking but sore legs
bairds sandpiper reported has again present on whiteholme res this evening, like colin a made the trip up there twice today and dipped twice, walking well over 10 miles, when the bird is on warland res it is very close to the manchester border although viewing difficult due to main path along warland res being closed which would give better views into the many inlets along the east shore, all in all a very bad dip but thats birding i suppose, nice to see some familiar faces up there today, might have another go tomorrow if my legs have recovered by then!
I spent about 3 hours on site today and walked about 7 miles but the only bird of note was a peregrine over Warland reservoir. I have no doubts that the bird was still present, but it's a big site and very difficult viewing, and nobody present had seen the bird or had any clear idea as to exactly where it had been seen. It wouldn't surprise me if it turns up again on White Holme res.
Baird's Sandpiper on Warland Reservoir (just NW of White Holme Res) at 2:30pm at least today. In the bay on the south eastern side but very difficult to view and probably still in West Yorkshire but very close to the county boundary.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
female Common Scoter on Blackstone Edge Reservoir this morning
no sign of Knot at Light Hazzles, 3 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover were present and a Greenshank circled and flew NE seemingly having come off Whiteholme Res
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 19th of May 2017 01:52:54 PM
A Knot on Light Hazzles Reservoir this morning was a bit of a Rochdale mega, being my first in the borough since 1986!
Also 2 Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Thursday 18th of May 2017 11:21:16 PM
A pair of Pintail on Blackstone Edge Tesr this afternoon
heavily cropped image attached
Long- tailed duck still here this afternoon
The Long tailed Duck showed quite well at the White House end of Blackstone Edge Reservoir around 2pm. It was seen by others at 5-30pm and finally at 6-15pm in failing light.
David Ousey.
Long-tailed duck still present at 07.35 - 8 years to the day since the last one turned up in Rochdale at Piethorne Reservoir.
-- Edited by David Winnard on Friday 21st of October 2016 10:23:35 AM
A fem/imm Long-tailed duck on Blackstone Edge reservoir this afternoon and still present at dusk - originally found by Yorkie birders
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Thursday 20th of October 2016 07:35:19 PM
Yellow wagtail juvenile on dam of Blackstone edge res
2 Common sandpipers - Blackstone edge res
2 Wheatear - Blackstone edge res
Peregrine on pylon
2 Red grouse on Moor
2 Skylark
Family of Meadow pipits - White Holme res
Teal 3 on rusty pool next to chelate res below edge
Mallard pair light hazzles
Red grouse 2 pairs feeding plus 1 calling towards wayland res on maturing heather in fenced enclosure above light hazzles res
Wheatear 3, Red Grouse 4, Common Sandpiper 1, plus a few Meadow Pipits, Reed bunting, and a Pied Wagtail.
-- Edited by Andrew Huyton on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 10:06:46 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 10:21:56 PM
Blackstone Edge Reservoir 7.00pm last night, four Twite(2pairs),3 common sand,pair of greylag geese,redshank,golden plover and a pair and a single grey partridge,
one of my better visits and left a good feeling for a change
Cheers
Rob
I was up there yesterday pm and checked the resr twice with no sign of it. There was very little else about apart from a pair of Ravens along the Pennine Way. However we saw 3 passerines, one showing a lot of white on the wings (so may well have been Snow Buntings). These were along the track which runs north from Blackstone Edge Resr over Byron Edge i.e. parallel but to the east of the Pennine Way. Due to rain and cold our binoculars were so fogged up we didn't get a clear view of the birds and didn't want to hang around looking for them as we were wet and cold
Good luck if you try for them.
Steve
Anyone know if this bird is still here or has she flown?
About 30-40mtrs off the dam wall, lots of preening, wing flapping and tail shaking going on, maybe preparing to move on?
Very little else seen and very cold!!
Chris