Garden Warbler this morning. My first one in this area.
Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, & Willow Warblers also present.

Pair of Dippers on the river this morning

Grey Heron, 2 Moorhens, female Goosander, and Dipper on the river this morning.
2 Coots on a frozen lodge.

1 Grey Heron, pair of Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 3 Kingfishers (2 flying along the river together + another one further downstream), 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Dipper.

9am to 10am.

5 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, pair of Coots with 5 juveniles, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Grey Wagtail,
1 Buzzard flying over,
Woodpigeons, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, 1 Mistle Thrush,
1 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers,
Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Magpies, House Sparrows,
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches.

9.50am to 10.45am.

1 Grey Heron
8 Canada Geese
2 Moorhens
2 Coots
1 Dipper on Astley Brook
1 Blackcap
8 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler

8.40am to 9.20am.

1 Grey Heron
12 Canada Geese
4 Mallards
1m Goosander
1 Moorhens
4 Coots
1 Black-headed Gulls
4 Chiffchaffs

Also spent a few minutes watching the pair of town centre Peregrines flying around fairly high up

Late morning.

Grey Heron on Astley Brook

Grey Heron, a Moorhen, & 2 Coots on Back o'th' Bank lodges

A pair of Mallards & a pair of Goosanders on the river

(on the way down here I had 40+ Redwings at Canon Slade again)

Back o'th' Bank this morning :-

Dipper on the river
2 adult Coots & 4 fully grown juveniles on the lodges
6 House Martins flying around
Not much else about

8.30am to 9.30am

8 Canada Geese, 9 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 5 Feral Pigeons, 6 Woodpigeons, 12 Wrens, 6 Dunnocks, 11 Robins, 19 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Great Tits, 10+ Blue Tits, 5 Magpies, 3 Carrion Crows, 2 Chaffinches, 10+ Greenfinches, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Bullfinches.
No sign of any Dippers this morning.

2 Dippers & pair of Bullfinches at Astley Brook

Back o'th' Bank lodges :-
2 Canada Geese
2 Mallards
1f Goosander
2 Coots

Back o'th' Bank Lodges at lunchtime :-
2 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 3 Coots.

Only Mallards on the river, so I checked Astley Brook between Valley Complex and Blackburn Road, where I managed to find a Dipper.

9.50am to 11.00am.

1 Grey Heron, 7 Mallards, 2 Coots, 1 Dipper, Black-headed Gulls & a Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over.
Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches.

Family of Dippers this morning + 3 Grey Wagtails

8.45am to 9.30am.

Pair of Coots with 5 young
Pair of Canada Geese
6 Mallards
2 Black-headed Gulls
Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches

9.40am to 10.20am.

1 Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 2 Coots (not together, one on a lodge and one nearby on the river), 1 Sparrowhawk, Black-headed Gulls & Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches.

Not much about again this morning, the only summer migrant being a Chiffchaff. As I got to Back o'th' Bank Lodges (Canada Geese & a Coot the only birds there) I saw a corvid that looked to be too big for a Crow flying off. A little later as I passed Waterloo Street I confirmed it was one of the town centre Ravens as it flew back down there.

After sorting out some business in town I headed back home along Blackburn Road and as I was passing McDonalds (12.30pm) I saw a Peregrine flying up from Waters Meeting. It turned over McDonalds and headed straight down Blackburn Road towards town.

Another quiet morning all the way down the valley from Bromley Cross until I found a pair of Goosanders on the river at Back o'th, Bank. A pair of Coots back on the lodges the only other things of note.

10.30am to 11.30am.

Not much of interest until I came across a young Sparrowhawk stood in the river. It looked like a wader at first glance.
It was having a good clean, totally unconcerned about me as I got to within a few yards of it. When it did fly it only went to the shallows of the far bank and continued to splash about.

A couple of minutes later a Dipper flew past. Only a Grey Heron on the lodges, a few Mallards on the river, and a Pied Wagtail on The Valley car parks.

8.55am to 10.20am. Hall i'th Wood to Back o'th' Bank.

2 Grey Herons
3 Mallards
2 Moorhens
1 Dipper
A few Chiffchaffs
Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches.

Late morning at Back 0'th Bank.

A few Mallards including duckings on the river, with Grey Wagtails.

Pair of Coots with two well grown young on the lodges. A Moorhen & a Black-headed Gull the only other birds on the lodges.

Not much going on but birds included Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches.

I went on a mission to check for Oystercatchers this morning. I started just before 9am at Castle Hill School. Being Sunday I was able to check things out on a non school day. Numerous Black-headed Gulls were on the playing fields, and it was not long before I heard a couple of flying Oystercatchers in the industrial area behind Crompton Way Police & Fire Stations.
Being unable to accesss that area, due to there being a security guard's hut at the entrance barrier, I headed down towards Back o'th Bank, viewing the industrial area from the footpath.
I did not hear or see any Oystercatchers until I was watching the pair of Coots with two young at ones of the lodges (9.53am). An Oystercatcher was flying around over my head, before heading back into the industrial area.

Other birds around Back o'th Bank included :-
Mallards, Black-headed Gulls, Woodpigeons, a Grey Wagtail, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, a Mistle Thrush, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches.

Lots of Giant Hogweed down here, which kept this morning's scramblers well away from the river. I know what damage these plants can do on a sunny day. Wouldn't it be a shame if the bikers landed amongst them, with bare skin for maximum effect. Ouch !

Rain this morning not suitable for normal birding, so I concentrated on possible breeding birds on a walk to town & back.

Last year I was put onto breeding Oystercatchers by a local dog walker. He heard them nightly from his house near the fire station/police station on Crompton Way. They were calling from somewhere on the Industrial Estate between Tonge Moor & Waters Meeting/Back o'th Bank. Someone else saw one on Canon Slade playing fields. I found juveniles on Castle Hill playing fields with the parents as he suggested. At this time the adults were flying up the Bradshaw Valley to Jumbles (my only sightings there last year), and back again. As I saw an Oystercatcher on Jumbles yesterday, and another at Turton High School a few days before, I have a feeling that they could be somewhere around here again. I heard or saw none today but I will keep an eye on the area. I do not want to walk all around the Industrial Estate (probably be accused of industrial espionage with my binoculars and camera) , but I can view it from certain vantage points. It does seem that this is another area for roof top breeders.

I had more success with the missing Dippers from Back o'th Bank. I have not seen any there since I came across the scramblers, but as I passed over Turner Bridge near Dave's Aquarium I heard one and saw a couple just after, which included a juvenile. They have obviously moved downstream to an undisturbed stretch of river. A couple of Swifts flew over.

Coots finally have young in the nest at Back o'th' Bank. A Grey Wagtail, a Pied Wagtail, and two Swallows were along the river.

9.55am to 11.20am. Hall i'th' Wood - Waters Meeting - Back o'th Bank.

1 Grey Heron
6 Canada Geese
9 adult Mallards including a female with 7 ducklings
1 Moorhen
4 Coots, one still sat on her nest
15 Black-headed Gulls
2 Feral Pigeons
30+ Woodpigeons
20+ Swifts
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Grey Wagtails
12 Wrens
4 Dunnocks
15 Robins
14 Blackbirds
7 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
6 Willow Warblers
4 Long-tailed Tits
8 Blue Tits
8 Great Tits
6 Magpies
3 Carrion Crows
20+ Starlings
4 Chaffinches
8 Greenfinches
2 Goldfinches
4 Bullfinches

10.15am to 11.10am. Hall i'th' Wood - Waters Meeting - Back o'th'Bank.

1 Grey Heron
7 Canada Geese
8 Mallards
1 Sparrowhawk
Pair of Coots, female still sitting on her nest. Young must be due out anytime soon.
A few Black-headed Gulls flying over
2 Feral Pigeons
13 Woodpigeons
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
7 Blackbirds
2 Song Thrushes
5 Blackcaps
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
4 Magpies
4 Carrion Crows
2 Chaffinches
6 Greenfinches
3 Goldfinches
4 Bullfinches

8.55am to 10.15am. Hall i'th Wood - Waters Meeting - Back o'th' Bank.

1 Grey Heron
9 Canada Geese
12 Mallards
3 Coots
1 Dipper near Crompton Way
A few Black-headed Gulls flying over
23 Woodpigeons
3 Swallows
12 Wrens
5 Dunnocks
10 Robins
13 Blackbirds
2 Song Thrushes
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
6 Willow Warblers
6 Long-tailed Tits
6 Blue Tits
8 Great Tits
6 Magpies
2 Carrion Crows
1 Starling
1 Chaffinch
6 Greenfinches
3 Goldfinches
6 Bullfinches

8.40am to 10.15am. Hall i'th' Wood - Waters Meeting - Back o'th' Bank. Out of the wind in the valley birds were singing everywhere.

1 Grey Heron
7 Canada Geese
12 Mallards
1 Moorhen
3 Coots
12 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
10 Feral Pigeons
26 Woodpigeons
1 Collared Dove
3 Swallows
26 Wrens, birds everywhere
7 Dunnocks
15 Robins
16 Blackbirds
5 Song Thrushes
1 Mistle Thrush
6 Blackcaps
5 Chiffchaffs
9 Willow Warblers
4 Long-tailed Tits
13 Blue Tits
4 Great Tits
1 Nuthatch
2 Jays
4 Magpies
3 Carrion Crows
19 Starlings
2 House Sparrows
3 Chaffinches
7 Greenfinches
6 Goldfinches
1 Siskin
4 Bullfinches

8.00am to 9.30am. Hall i'th' Wood - Waters Meeting - Back o'th' Bank.

Nothing along the river again, unless you count Mallards. Discussed again with the mate who also reported the biker problem. He has direct contact with the Community Officer.

The only migrants were still winter ones, a pair of Goosanders and 14 Redwings. Not surprising when I later saw a flashing sign showing 1 degree (must have been the warmest place in Bolton), and Motor-world advertising snow shovels !

The 6 Canada Geese on the lodges included a pair begging outside the houses at Waters Meeting. Pair of Mallards, 1 Moorhen, and 3 Coots with the Goosanders on Back o'th bank Lodges. A Sparrowhawk over Crompton Way, a Great Spotted Woodpecker on Hall i'th' Wood estate, and a Treecreeper were the other highlights.

I am migrating South for a fortnight in France early Tuesday, surely to find something heading North.

9.45am to 10.50am. I did not see a single bird along the river. I spoke to the police last week, as did my fisherman mate, regarding the motorbikes. They will watch out for these idiots. I pointed out that they can be heard from Astley Bridge Police Station, whichever stretch they are on.

4 Canada Geese
1 Mallard
2 Moorhens
4 Coots
10 Feral Pigeons
12 Woodpigeons
6 Wrens
7 Dunnocks
5 Robins
10 Blackbirds
1 Song Thrush
4 Long-tailed Tits
2 Blue Tits
3 Great Tits
4 Magpies
1 Carrion Crow
1 Chaffinch
9 Greenfinches
4 Goldfinches
3 Bullfinches

Cheers Pete. I used that number for something else a while back, so I will use it again.

Just phone the non-emergency Police number (101) and say you wish to report a nuisance motorcycle, try to note some features of the bike(s) and give an accurate description of the location along with any known access points. It'll get logged. The more times it happens the more likely it is that action will be taken. If no reception, do it after the event http://www.gmpcc.org.uk/tools-and-resources/stop-off-road-nuisance/
It's very satisfying when you see one of these things being confiscated and taken away to be crushed, worth the effort.

Not much showing in the wind this morning, and a big problem with motor scramblers as well. First met them on Eagley Brook below Hall i'th' Wood, and then again at Back o'th Bank. Not content with churning up the footpaths they were also riding through the shallow stretches of river. Not kids, and the leader of the pack knew exactly where to ride in the river, so it appears this was not a one off. I met a mate who fly fishes on Bradshaw Brook who has a phone number included in his his licence to report this sort of unruly behaviour. Not good for Dippers etc (I saw none today not surprisingly) and especially for spawning trout.

One Moorhen on the river all others on the lodges.
7 Goosanders on Waters Meeting with a pair of Canada Geese.
Pair of Coots at Back o'th' Bank.

A flock of 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over.

9.30am to 10.20am

4 Grey Herons, 1 flying away and 3 very active birds on Waters Meeting Lodge.
Pair of Canada Geese
12 Mallards
3m + 2f Goosanders
5 Moorhens
4 Coots
1 Grey Wagtail
3 Dippers
A pair of Bullfinches the highlight of woodland birds

9.50am to 10.45am

14 Mallards
Pair of Goosanders on Waters Meeting Lodge, and another pair on one of the Back o'th'Bank lodges
2 Moorhens
3 Coots
5 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over
50+ Feral Pigeons on CineWorld
15 Woodpigeons
3 Wrens
3 Dunnocks
6 Robins
2 Blackbirds
1 Song Thrush
2 pairs of Long-tailed Tits
Numerous Blue Tits & Great Tits
3 Dippers flew under the bridge together at Waters Meeting before splitting up, one staying in this area and a pair going down to Back o'th'bank
8 Magpies
1 Carrion Crow
1 Chaffinch
3 Greenfinches
3 Goldfinches
2 Siskins

9.15am to 10am.

2 Grey Herons (another on the river below Hall i'th' Wood museum)
9 Mallards
2m + 4f Goosanders
1 Dipper
1 Siskin
2 Bullfinches

10.15am to 10.45am. Just a walk along the river, all lodges obviously frozen.

1 Grey Heron
8 Mallards
Numerous Black-headed Gulls flying around
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Common Gull
2 Feral Pigeons
4 Woodpigeons
1 Dunnock
1 Robin
2 Blackbirds
2 Redwings
3 Song Thrushes
A few Blue Tits
19 Magpies
1 Carrion Crow
1 Siskin

Walked up to Blackburn Road but no sign of any Lapwings

11am to 11.45am

1 Grey Heron
15 Mallards
1 Moorhen
2 Coots
6 Black-headed Gulls
6 Feral Pigeons
7 Woodpigeons
3 Collared Doves
6 Wrens
1 Dunncok
7 Robins
2 Blackbirds
1 Mistle Thrush
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
1 Dipper
14 Magpies
2 Jackdaws
3 Carrion Crows

9.35am to 9.55am in heavy rain. hence the short visit.

14 Mallards and a Dipper on the river.
12 female Goosanders on the main lodge at Back o'th bank. I did not check for anything else so I did not disturb them.
1 Moorhen on the smaller adjoining lodge

9.55am to 10.45am

2 Grey Herons
5 Mallards
1 Coot
1 Kingfisher

10.30am to 11.15am

2 Grey Herons
17 Mallards
1 female Goosander
2 Moorhens
1 Coot
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
50+ Feral Pigeons
9 Woodpigeons
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
4 Wrens
6 Robins
3 Blackbirds
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits,
1 Jay
11 Magpies
2 Chaffinches
16 Goldfinches

This morning in the steady drizzle I only managed to check the river & lodges.

1 Grey Heron
14 Mallards
1 Coot
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over

On the way there I checked for the Blackburn Road Lapwings. For the second week running I did not see any.

9.05am to 9.50am.

1 Grey Heron
17 Mallards
3 female Goosanders
1 Peregrine. Cleared the roof of Cineworld of all the Feral Pigeons before flying off towards the town centre
3 Moorhens
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over
60+ Feral Pigeons
4 Woodpigeons
1 Kingfisher
2 Grey Wagtails
6 Wrens
3 Dunnocks
7 Robins
3 Blackbirds
1 Goldcrest
2 flocks of Long-tailed Tits + other tit species with them
1 Jay
7 Magpies
1 Carrion Crow
1 Siskin
2 Bullfinches

A quick look along River Tonge on my way into town, 8.30am to 8.50am.

6 Mallards
2 Black-headed Gulls
2 Dippers
2 Chiffchaffs

High levels of River Tonge meant virtually nothing there, except a couple of Mallards.

Only birds of interest were two Chiffchaffs, one by Cineworld, and one by river at Back 0'th' Bank.

Insects much better for once, see other wildlife.

10am to 10.45am

7 Mallards
1 male eclipse Mandarin (seen in April, and has reappeared since late July in eclipse. A bit more colour now confirming male. Always seen on river, not ponds)
4 Feral Pigeons
7 Woodpigeons
3 Wrens
2 Dunnocks
4 Robins
1 Blackbird
2 Chiffchaffs
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, and Great Tits
4 Jays
4 Magpies
1 Carrion Crow
1 Greenfinch

Very quiet. Coots have left lodges, and it is unusual not to see a couple of Dippers.