Lots of warbler activity today at this site, Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat and Willow Warblers carrying food. Blackcap and Reed Warbler in song. Reed Buntings also on show and a pair of Linnet. Two broods of Canada Geese.
Two drake Tufted Duck on the River Douglas, later three drakes and a female at Walmsley's.
A good chinwag with site regular Fred 'man who discovered The Verve' Fouracre

the swans have moved onto the river.all the swans that breed in this area do this.i think it must be the prolific weed growth that gives the cygnets easy feeding.also canadas have hatched on walmesleys.grey wagtail nesting in the canal locks and a common tern following the canal

saw the swans with 5 cygnets today.great to see theyve been successful

swan stillon nest
good numbers of chiffchaff,willow warbler and whitethroat.
sedge and reed warblers just beginning to arrive.
reed bunting numbers very poor.ive only seen 4
grey wagtail present every day by the canal locks.so probably nest in the lock walls.they have done so in the past.
canadas nesting.
water rail calling

the swans have abandoned the nest and are now building another lower down but still on land. the wheatear stil l present.also at least 6 chiffchaff and 4 reed bunting.

a single wheatear today on the heather.not a first timer but nevertheless a nice bird for this location

Originally posted by Fred Fouracre on the 3rd April 2011:

swans nestbuilding on the narrow strip of land between walmsleys pond and the canal.the pond has recently been taken over by a carp fishing group.this is a worry because anyone fishing that part of the pond would practically have to step over the nest to get there and carp men often fish for days and bring a mountain of gear which they get to the bank in a wheelbarrow.

further bad news.there is another dead swan on walmsleys lodge.there is no access to this lodge but three older guys who walk their dogs everyday say they met a man whod been round to look at it.it has a pike lure embedded in its bill.its floating with its head in the water and looks like its alive.they also say it was the mate of the one found by the green bridge.they had a nest on the larger pond by the bridge with eggs in.so its two swans plus the brood they would have had that have perished.very sad.

Jimmy, Judith. thanks for the info, very interesting. its sad but it at least sounds like he had a good innings

This bird has been around a long time, was IFP but lost Darvic ring by Dec 2002. He was born 1998 at Turner's Flash and bred Horrocks Flash 2002. I rescued him from lawns at Mesnes Park in Jan 2007 and put him on Scot Lane New Ponds where he had held a territory in 2005. He was at Horrocks Flash in spring 2007 but not paired, and again in May 2008 with an unringed female, but didn't breed either year (too much competition). I last saw him there in September 2008. More likely to be vandalism, as at his age he will know all about foxes.

Hi Paul
Yes one was trying to nest last week but had not finished building it when i called in sad news news altogether
This pond is a bad one for swans really always hope they dont try to nest on it plenty of scroats here some fishing some not but not saying they caused the death ,, plus a few foxes in the area


Cheers Jimmy

Dead Swan near pond close to green metal bridge, half eaten. bto ring no X2328, mate said one was on a nest nearby a week ago but no signs now

The area between the soccerdrome and the canal/river. accessed by the green metal bridge from the soccerdrome, then turn left along the canal towpath, all marsh, is Martland Marsh. On the other side of the canal is a flash called Walmsley's Flash, whcih we understand is to be made into a marina by BW.

An angler is trying to convert Martland Marsh into fishing ponds, but it's unlikely he will get permission as it's a SBI Grade B and Wigan MBC are committed to protecting all SBIs from unsuitable development, which this would be, as it would destroy habitat for breeding warblers, Reed Buntings and Water Rails.

Cheers Judith, I had no idea, drove past there many times and thought it was just a small pond, I was surprised when I had a good look today, very nice area, is the area near to the soccerdome martland marsh or am I in the wrong location altogether,

Hi Paul - that area is known as Scot Lane new ponds.

had a walk around this area at dinner time while waiting for my car to be serviced.
2 broods of Mallard one on fishing pond near main road junction with 9 young and on dougy nearby 4 young
3 young coots on same fishing pond and another single youngster on pond near soccerdome
kingfisher
2 Herons
good numbers of Whitethroats and Reed Buntings
3 Reed Warblers
Kestrel
Swallows with young
juvenile Goldfinch
juvenile Canada Geese on Dougy near soccerdome
8+ very large Carp on fishing pond near surface keeping well away from anglers

This Morning
4 Reed Warblers
5 Sedge warblers
7 Reed Buntings
4 Greylags Over
2 Whitethroats
Pr Mute Swan
Pr Tufted Duck on Walmsleys
Nr By Scot Lane
1 Chiffchaff with a different call nr Lamp Col 70 Scot Lane
Blue Tits Nesting in Traffic Signals

Scot Lane New Ponds
Pr Mute Swans no nest
Coot with Young
Mallard with Young
Canada Goose with Young
Chiffchaff Feeding young

Cheers Jimmy

This Morning
Pr Mute Swans starting to make a nest
1 Chiffchaff
1 Blackcap nr JJB
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
1 Calling Water Rail

Cheers Jimmy

Tonight in the fenced off area that is a joke 4 Calling Water Rails 1 Wheatear Pr Mute Swans on little pond 3 Singing Chiff chaffs also near by pr Mute Swans on river pr Kestrels at JJB Stadium Common Gull over canal Cheers Jimmy