The Water Pipit has returned once again having been seen well this afternoon on the filter beds.
Also a Little Egret flew west this morning.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Tony Koziol said
Sun Jan 30 5:07 PM, 2022
We arrived at around 12.45 and stayed until 15.20 and had no sign of the Water Pipit. One chap said he had seen a small flock of pipit fly up towards the stubble field we had a good look around but failed to locate any pipits.
Did manage a nice Goldcrest, two Lesser Redpoll, Wren, six Long tailed Tits, one Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Heron, Grey and Pied Wagtails.
steven burke said
Sun Jan 30 11:10 AM, 2022
Water pipit showed well this morning whilst stood with Paul Hammond, nice to meet you Paul, it flew around a few times landing in other spots but was best viewed in the tree Paul mentions.
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 30th of January 2022 08:17:52 PM
10.45am. Hi vis workmen had disturbed all the birds, so little to see for an hour. Then two clowns dressed in military black arrived inside the sewage farm and parked adjacent to No 4, exiting the vehicle in full view of the filter beds with hand held, long lens cameras. They then partly hid behind green tank, popping out hoping to see a sign pointing to their intended target. !!!!!!!! With little chance of birdies popping out, we moved on at 12.20pm. Yellowhammers Meadow Pipits Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail 100+ BH Gulls 3 Juv Herring Gulls 1 LBB Gull 4 Buzzards 1 Kestral
Mark Burgess said
Thu Jan 27 11:54 AM, 2022
Water Pipit still present this morning, Showing on no 4 filter bed, Also Meadow Pipit Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail
Lez Fairclough said
Thu Jan 27 12:18 AM, 2022
After failed attempts on Monday & Tuesday I was determined to make it 3rd time lucky.
Arrived at 1:15pm to find about 50 Gulls feeding on the grass around the filter beds with no sign of the Water Pipit.
Decided to go for a walk around the fields where I found 6 Yellowhammer together in a tree, 3 circling Buzzards, a Peregrine,
2 Reed Buntings, a male Bullfinch & 6 Long-Tailed Tits.
Returned an hour later to the sewage works & there it was on No.1 Bed showing really well for about an hour along with
several Meadow Pipits & the odd Pied & Grey Wagtail.
Water Pipit still present this morning on the filter beds.
Info thanks to Simon Gough
Lez Fairclough said
Mon Jan 24 9:58 PM, 2022
Typically I spent 2 hours from 2pm without a single sighting but was told by a local birder that it had been spooked by a vehicle half an hour before I arrived.
Did see the odd Pied & Grey Wagtail on the filter beds & 8 Meadow Pipits circled for about 3 minutes before disappearing.
About 100 Jackdaw were seen further along the treatment works with 3 Linnet, 2 Bullfinch & a Song Thrush along the footpath.
Also sadly was a dead dark brown sheep near the rear access gates to the treatment works.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Monday 24th of January 2022 09:59:23 PM
Richard Thew said
Mon Jan 24 8:21 PM, 2022
Went to visit this area on my bicycle this morning, just over 12 miles each way.
I had a small trouble accessing the spot it at first, seeing I arrived at the north side. So I walked it down the public footpath that takes you through the fields and found it sure enough.
The Water pipit was showing straight away and seemed to prefer perching on the concrete centre piece for some time. He was fairly mobile, which made it tricky to help a couple of others find it who soon joined me. He spent most of the morning on Number 1 filter. It's a lottery as to where he will go and I was fortunately blessed when he showed near to me for a short time at Number 2 filter before I had to depart. Ironically, when I left him, he was back on Number 1 filter.
On the map, I can see there's a S-N footpath up the W side, an access road leading down from the North, and a S-N footpath well over to the East. It's not clear which offers decent views of the filter beds, or maybe there's something informal
John, park near 81 Corner Lane, WN7 5PY, the satnav takes you there nicely! There's an obvious footpath with prominent sign heading north off Corner Lane. It goes through a small wooded area and over a concrete bridge over a brook. You come out in a field and looking across it you can see the Sewage Farm fence. Head directly across to the fence, and the best view of all 4 filter beds is afforded by going a short way left on a muddy path to a trampled down area to look over/through the fence. Wellies make it easy as you don't have to pick your way through drier areas and can just head directly to the works! I first picked the bird up on the red-orange railings up to the north of this and it then came down onto the nearest bed. When it first appeared it arrived at the same time as a single Grey Wagtail and 2 Pied Wagtails, the Meadow Pipits arrived later. Hope this helps, I had brilliant directions from Steve Collins, ta mate
I was there at 9.15am yesterday and the bird first appeared just before 10am but remained pretty elusive until it came onto the filter bed to feed. As I said I picked it up first when the wagtails arrived, so if they appear keep a good eye out! Later another birder heard it call as it arrived on the beds and showed better for us all. Was that you that Andy (Isherwood) that heard it when you joined us at the fence with your son? I was the guy who walked back to Corner Lane with you.
My digiscoping struggled due to low light levels and slow shutter speed so just a record pic attached to show the railings on which it first appeared (distantly!!) with the wagtails, it did actually drop down onto a hidden raised bed from these but was then out of sight for some time.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 24th of January 2022 04:47:24 PM
Water Pipit still showing on an off on various filter beds and on the central concrete block at midday. Was rather mobile at times around the site. GM tick for me.
John Watson said
Mon Jan 24 1:19 PM, 2022
I don't know the site. How do you access it?
On the map, I can see there's a S-N footpath up the W side, an access road leading down from the North, and a S-N footpath well over to the East. It's not clear which offers decent views of the filter beds, or maybe there's something informal
Karl Bishop said
Mon Jan 24 12:13 PM, 2022
Water Pipit still present at 10.00 am Monday 24th
-- Edited by Karl Bishop on Monday 24th of January 2022 12:15:28 PM
Arrived about 10.15 this morning and the Water Pipit was as Andy says sitting on the rotating arm of the nearest filter bed to Corner Road. Jumped off frequently to feed and was difficult to spot at times.
A couple of Meadow Pipit were joining it on occasion, as were 2 Pied Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail.
A further 12 Meadow Pipit in field.
Scrappy photo attached but it does give an idea of where it was perched.
Water Pipit still present at c. 10am this morning giving good views sat on the spinning watering arms on the filter beds for prolonged periods. Single Raven also flew west over.
Huw Morgan said
Sat Jan 22 12:29 PM, 2022
Water Pipit still present, showing nicely on the filter beds between 10 and 11am associating with two Grey Wagtails and a few Pied Wagtails.
Also on a short wander around the adjacent fields: 2 Yellowhammer (m&f), 1 Reed Bunting (f), 8 Meadow Pipit and 40 Redwing in the horse field.
Tim Wilcox said
Fri Jan 21 1:42 PM, 2022
Water Pipit again present up to 11.45am at least.
Steve Collins said
Thu Jan 20 10:39 AM, 2022
Water Pipit present again on the filter beds at Daisy Hill water treatment works.
Water Pipit feeding in stubble field just over the brook on the east side of the sewage works, from approx 1:35-2pm at SD653036, where a line of electricity wires passes over the public footpath. Feeding separately to around a dozen elusive Meadow Pipit also present. It had a vocal fly-around before landing further up the field just south of Gillibrands Farm, but couldnt be re-located. 10 Yellowhammer and 5 Skylark also present. A quite frankly awful phone-scoped record shot attached
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 29th of January 2021 09:28:56 PM
Water Pipit on the filter beds today but has also flown to the adjacent fields on occasion (53.5263993, -2.5287330) (///skill.hang.rival)
View the SE corner from the perimeter fence; best access from Corner lane. Any visitors must be following government guidance on Covid restrictions and social distancing; failure to do so will ultimately result in future suppression of similar county rarities.
Phil Cunliffe said
Sat Mar 28 7:13 PM, 2020
On a walk from my house to the fields east of the sewage works I saw 2 jays, 2 chiffchaffs singing and a mixed flock of blue and great tits. I heard a couple of chaffinches singing but sadly no yellowhammers.
When I got home I noted a blackcap on my feeders along with the usual house sparrows, blue, great and coal tits and greenfinch. My first garden record of a blackcap since 2013.
Phil Cunliffe said
Wed Jun 6 7:52 PM, 2018
Walk in the fields to east of the sewage works adjacent to Leigh Road: 2 or more whitethroat singing, 2 grey partridge flushed, 1 yellowhammer.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 6th of June 2018 08:14:01 PM
Tim Wilcox said
Thu Feb 1 7:59 PM, 2018
JBithell wrote:
Moved to the area last May, found this website. Happy with the amount of rare birds there have been reported in the area. I live on Chantry and was wondering is there a path that goes from the farmland on the edge of the estate, to Small brook lane. Any advice on spotting Yellowhammers and such will be appreciated, cheers.
Welcome to the best county and best county birding site in the country. I dont have the answer myself but others surely will
JBithell said
Thu Feb 1 3:48 PM, 2018
Moved to the area last May, found this website. Happy with the amount of rare birds there have been reported in the area. I live on Chantry and was wondering is there a path that goes from the farmland on the edge of the estate, to Small brook lane. Any advice on spotting Yellowhammers and such will be appreciated, cheers.
Phil Cunliffe said
Sun Jan 21 4:06 PM, 2018
Flock of 50+ jackdaw over Edges Fold estate, Daisy Hill, at 15:30, heading towards roost near the sewage works.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 18 12:36 PM, 2017
Hobby hunting this morning, then drifted SE at 09:21. Lesser Whitethroat singing also.
Chiffchaff Willow Tit 14 Meadow Pipit 2 Raven over west 9 Grey Partridge
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 29 10:43 PM, 2014
Lesser Whitethroat singing at 11:40am today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Apr 20 8:00 PM, 2014
Whitethroat singing today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 9 6:27 AM, 2013
Yesterday, up to 3pm:
2 Blackcap 2 Chiffchaff 8 Lapwing 15 Collared Dove
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Antony Wainwright said
Sun Jul 28 9:11 PM, 2013
12-1pm.
Yellowhammer 3, inc 1 pair Whitethroat 3, inc 1 juvenile Goldfinch and Greenfinch, small groups including juveniles. Song Thrush 3 inc 1 juvenile
Antony Wainwright said
Sun Jul 14 6:04 PM, 2013
Quick walk through this morning
Yellowhammer 2 singing
Swallow & House Martin 10 of each on wire next to kennels
Blackcap 1 singing
Whitethroat 1 singing
Chiffchaff 1 singing
Bullfinch 1 pair feeding at least 1 fledged juvenile
Jay knight said
Wed Jun 5 6:37 PM, 2013
Don't know if this is the correct place to post this but I can't see anywhere better. Saw a low flying Red Kite passing from chequerbent roundabout following the fields behind Park Lane down towards Daisy Hill. 100% Red Kite, looked like it was moulting a it had a few feathers missing.
Water Pipit showing well mid-morning today.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
The Water Pipit has returned once again having been seen well this afternoon on the filter beds.
Also a Little Egret flew west this morning.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
We arrived at around 12.45 and stayed until 15.20 and had no sign of the Water Pipit. One chap said he had seen a small flock of pipit fly up towards the stubble field we had a good look around but failed to locate any pipits.
Did manage a nice Goldcrest, two Lesser Redpoll, Wren, six Long tailed Tits, one Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Heron, Grey and Pied Wagtails.
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 30th of January 2022 08:17:52 PM
With little chance of birdies popping out, we moved on at 12.20pm.
Yellowhammers
Meadow Pipits
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
100+ BH Gulls
3 Juv Herring Gulls
1 LBB Gull
4 Buzzards
1 Kestral
Water Pipit still present this morning, Showing on no 4 filter bed,
Also
Meadow Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
After failed attempts on Monday & Tuesday I was determined to make it 3rd time lucky.
Arrived at 1:15pm to find about 50 Gulls feeding on the grass around the filter beds with no sign of the Water Pipit.
Decided to go for a walk around the fields where I found 6 Yellowhammer together in a tree, 3 circling Buzzards, a Peregrine,
2 Reed Buntings, a male Bullfinch & 6 Long-Tailed Tits.
Returned an hour later to the sewage works & there it was on No.1 Bed showing really well for about an hour along with
several Meadow Pipits & the odd Pied & Grey Wagtail.
The light was really poor hence the awful pics.
Water Pipit still present this morning on the filter beds.
Info thanks to Simon Gough
Typically I spent 2 hours from 2pm without a single sighting but was told by a local birder that it had been spooked by a vehicle half an hour before I arrived.
Did see the odd Pied & Grey Wagtail on the filter beds & 8 Meadow Pipits circled for about 3 minutes before disappearing.
About 100 Jackdaw were seen further along the treatment works with 3 Linnet, 2 Bullfinch & a Song Thrush along the footpath.
Also sadly was a dead dark brown sheep near the rear access gates to the treatment works.
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Monday 24th of January 2022 09:59:23 PM
I had a small trouble accessing the spot it at first, seeing I arrived at the north side. So I walked it down the public footpath that takes you through the fields and found it sure enough.
The Water pipit was showing straight away and seemed to prefer perching on the concrete centre piece for some time. He was fairly mobile, which made it tricky to help a couple of others find it who soon joined me. He spent most of the morning on Number 1 filter. It's a lottery as to where he will go and I was fortunately blessed when he showed near to me for a short time at Number 2 filter before I had to depart. Ironically, when I left him, he was back on Number 1 filter.
Other Highlights include:
Grey wagtail
Pied wagtail
Meadow pipit
Yellowhammer x4+
Redwing x100s
Ta!
John, park near 81 Corner Lane, WN7 5PY, the satnav takes you there nicely! There's an obvious footpath with prominent sign heading north off Corner Lane. It goes through a small wooded area and over a concrete bridge over a brook. You come out in a field and looking across it you can see the Sewage Farm fence. Head directly across to the fence, and the best view of all 4 filter beds is afforded by going a short way left on a muddy path to a trampled down area to look over/through the fence. Wellies make it easy as you don't have to pick your way through drier areas and can just head directly to the works! I first picked the bird up on the red-orange railings up to the north of this and it then came down onto the nearest bed. When it first appeared it arrived at the same time as a single Grey Wagtail and 2 Pied Wagtails, the Meadow Pipits arrived later. Hope this helps, I had brilliant directions from Steve Collins, ta mate
I was there at 9.15am yesterday and the bird first appeared just before 10am but remained pretty elusive until it came onto the filter bed to feed. As I said I picked it up first when the wagtails arrived, so if they appear keep a good eye out! Later another birder heard it call as it arrived on the beds and showed better for us all. Was that you that Andy (Isherwood) that heard it when you joined us at the fence with your son? I was the guy who walked back to Corner Lane with you.
My digiscoping struggled due to low light levels and slow shutter speed so just a record pic attached to show the railings on which it first appeared (distantly!!) with the wagtails, it did actually drop down onto a hidden raised bed from these but was then out of sight for some time.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 24th of January 2022 04:47:24 PM
Water Pipit still showing on an off on various filter beds and on the central concrete block at midday. Was rather mobile at times around the site. GM tick for me.
On the map, I can see there's a S-N footpath up the W side, an access road leading down from the North, and a S-N footpath well over to the East. It's not clear which offers decent views of the filter beds, or maybe there's something informal
-- Edited by Karl Bishop on Monday 24th of January 2022 12:15:28 PM
Water and Meadow Pipit together.
Arrived about 10.15 this morning and the Water Pipit was as Andy says sitting on the rotating arm of the nearest filter bed to Corner Road. Jumped off frequently to feed and was difficult to spot at times.
A couple of Meadow Pipit were joining it on occasion, as were 2 Pied Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail.
A further 12 Meadow Pipit in field.
Scrappy photo attached but it does give an idea of where it was perched.
Water Pipit still present at c. 10am this morning giving good views sat on the spinning watering arms on the filter beds for prolonged periods. Single Raven also flew west over.
Also on a short wander around the adjacent fields: 2 Yellowhammer (m&f), 1 Reed Bunting (f), 8 Meadow Pipit and 40 Redwing in the horse field.
Water Pipit still showing well on the filter beds of the treatment works at 12:30 at least.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ray Scally
Water Pipit present on filter beds again this morning.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Access/directions as per last year in the posts immediately below.
The Water Pipit was still present on the filter beds of the treatment works today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Had a walk this morning from Corner Lane to see if Water Pipit still around, no luck.
2 Great Tits in woods with a Robin.
3 Bullfinch males in trees by brook
on settling beds 1 Meadow Pipit , 2 Pied Wagtails , about 20 Jackdaws , Black Headed Gulls , 2 Carrion Crow.
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 29th of January 2021 09:28:56 PM
Water Pipit on the filter beds today but has also flown to the adjacent fields on occasion (53.5263993, -2.5287330) (///skill.hang.rival)
View the SE corner from the perimeter fence; best access from Corner lane. Any visitors must be following government guidance on Covid restrictions and social distancing; failure to do so will ultimately result in future suppression of similar county rarities.
Walk in the fields to east of the sewage works adjacent to Leigh Road: 2 or more whitethroat singing, 2 grey partridge flushed, 1 yellowhammer.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 6th of June 2018 08:14:01 PM
Welcome to the best county and best county birding site in the country. I dont have the answer myself but others surely will
Moved to the area last May, found this website. Happy with the amount of rare birds there have been reported in the area. I live on Chantry and was wondering is there a path that goes from the farmland on the edge of the estate, to Small brook lane. Any advice on spotting Yellowhammers and such will be appreciated, cheers.
Hobby hunting this morning, then drifted SE at 09:21. Lesser Whitethroat singing also.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Female Wheatear
Chiffchaff
Grey Partridge
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
200 Redwing
17 Skylark
8 Yellowhammer
5 Goldcrest
9 Grey Partridge
Kingfisher
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Chiffchaff
Willow Tit
14 Meadow Pipit
2 Raven over west
9 Grey Partridge
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
2 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff
8 Lapwing
15 Collared Dove
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Yellowhammer 3, inc 1 pair
Whitethroat 3, inc 1 juvenile
Goldfinch and Greenfinch, small groups including juveniles.
Song Thrush 3 inc 1 juvenile
Yellowhammer 2 singing
Swallow & House Martin 10 of each on wire next to kennels
Blackcap 1 singing
Whitethroat 1 singing
Chiffchaff 1 singing
Bullfinch 1 pair feeding at least 1 fledged juvenile