ELTON RESERVOIR

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

RE: ELTON RESERVOIR

Peter Johnson · Status: Offline

This afternoon -

2 Common Sandpiper

3 Greylag Geese

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

I've had enough time this morning to have a good scout in every possible spot and like Ian says- no garganey. Several gulls on the main reservoir of lesser black backed, herring and one 2nd summer great black backed gull. Also the usual black headed gulls and that's about all worth noting for now. Ta.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. no sign of the Gargany but Lesser Whitethroat singing in hedgerow by the pond it was on, also no sign of the Little Gulls. 1 Common Tern made a brief appearance at 7.30, also 2 Common Sandpipers and 3 Oystercatcher. Simon Warford had a Whitethroat by the river.
Cheers Ian

John Doherty · Status: Offline

First, long time no post. I've been on a hiatus, plus I've recently had a health setback - it was emotional getting to Elton, not because I love it but because it boosted me

I'm still fragile but.... The sightings were worth it. I managed 2 Little Gull - somehow a lifer after all my birding years - and it was beautiful getting them in that plumage. One looks to be just be coming into summer plumage, the second is fully. I also relocated the Garganey - it's in the field just before Cocklestorm, if you're coming up the canal from Radcliffe. It's metres away. Also, several swallow, sparrowhawk.

Phil Hampson · Status: Offline

My visit this morning sadly a day too late! Thanks for the help and information.

Phil

Sarfraz Hayat · Status: Offline

2 Little Gull still on. First time I have seen adults in breeding plumage I believe and first time within 12 miles of home.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Unfortunately the garganey is no longer in his usual spot as the field is in use today. But the lesser whitethroat is still present if a little further north along the canal.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:00-07:00am Spent most of the time in the creek due to influx of warblers with: 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler heard not seen. 1 Singing Lesser Whitethroat heard not seen. 1 Garden Warbler heard not seen. 3 Willow Warblers. 2 Blackcaps. 1 Chiffchaff. Now 2 Little Gulls. 2 Gadwall Cheers Steven

-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Thursday 20th of April 2017 08:53:20 AM

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Also this morning, drake Garganey still on the pools between Canal and tram line at Crow Trees and a singing Lesser Whitethroat there.

Mike c cooper · Status: Offline

Little gull still showing from west end to opposite sailing club.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:10-06:25am before work 1 Little Gull 1 Sedge warbler. Singing but unable to see. Cheers Steven

Steven Heywood · Status: Offline

Little gull still on at 1:50pm. Thanks to the chap who pointed it out to me, I couldn't see it for looking.

Drake garganey showing nicely in the flooded field by the canal, close enough to hear it grunting. Even the very shouty guy on his 'phone as he walked down the towpath couldn't ruffle its feathers.

Phil Hampson · Status: Offline

Simon, that's great thank you.

Phil

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Hi Phil, if going just for the Garganey, it will be best to park just off Bury Road in Radcliffe, on Within's Lane and walk up past Cocklestorm Paints (you cant drive up the track to Within's), then turn left down the canal towpath, and there are small floods on both sides of the canal. This is where the Garganey is favouring and it will only be about 200 yards walk in total.

Cheers, Simon

Phil Hampson · Status: Offline

Could I ask for some directions please. I don't know the site or the area and fancy a trip for the Gargeney, assuming stays for a couple of days. Key thing for me is it far to walk, I'm limited post back surgery at the moment and 1km is about my limit.

Many thanks, Phil

brian fielding · Status: Offline

0700 till 1030 with ian c and malcolm

1 drake garganey showing well on near pool to the canal path

1 little gull on res

1 green sandpiper flew from res outflow first thing but not relocated

1 yellow wagtail over pumphouse

1 common sandpiper

1 grasshopper warbler heard in field close to boathouse

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Garganey still close on the flooded field next to the canal at crow trees farm but currently asleep on the tiny island. No sign so far of the common sandpiper that was with him yesterday yet! Ta.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Quick check before work 1 Little Gull 1 Common Tern Cheers Steven

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 16th April, morning visit and nice to bump into both site regulars and forum members.

- Little Gull 1 adult. Showed really well near the pumphouse putting on an acrobatic show.
- Garganey 1 drake. Showing on and off on distant pool on left beyond canal bridge 18.

Other birds or note...
- Sand Martin 300+
- House Martin 2
- Swallow 3
- Willow Warbler 2

Also 1 Garden Warbler heard after a tip off from Paul Wilson and 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard near the dip opposite sailing club but I didn't see either unfortunately.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Little gull, garganey and common sandpiper all still present and correct. The latter 3 are in the same location area. Ta.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:15-10:50am of Note
1 Little Gull
1 Garganey Drake
2 Gadwall.
2 Goosander.
1 Curlew.
1 Common Sandpiper.
1 Kingfisher.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Garganey still next to canal tow path in flooded field (9am). Also upto 3 common sandpipers were found. One was originally with the garganey- now along the Brook in front of withins. The other two are on the reservoir wall side. Also greylag goose, little gull (as of 8:30), good numbers of swallows and sand martins. Blackcap, sparrowhawk and willow warbler.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Little Gull still present this morning 17/4/17 Richard thew text saying Garganey and Common Sand Pipier in same place a yesterday but closer. Cheers Steven

-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 17th of April 2017 06:44:05 AM

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Little Gull still present at 5.30 along with c400 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and 1 House Martin. Also of note at least 10 rats climbing in the tree with the feeders on! I didn't go down the canal for the Garganey.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Garganey still present at 12.30 on flooded field next to tram lines on left off canal just past crow trees canal bridge 18 as you walk towards coney green. Also 1 Common sandpiper on adjacent pool. Little Gull also present on reservoir at 12.45.

-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Sunday 16th of April 2017 02:41:17 PM

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

The Elton Little gull is showing well today, in bad light unfortunately but well enough to see the bird is in breeding plumage with a stunning Pink tinge to its chest, a little cracker

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Paul Wilson wrote:

Steven Higginbottom wrote:
Little Gull still present this morning.
Also Garganey still present on res although lost from view presently

Garganey refound in flooded field next to tram lines on left off canal just past crow trees canal bridge 18 as you walk towards coney green. Also 1 Common sandpiper.
Cheers Steven

-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Sunday 16th of April 2017 10:24:23 AM

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Steven Higginbottom wrote:
Little Gull still present this morning.

Also Garganey still present on res although lost from view presently

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Little Gull still present this morning.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Managed to see the garganey at 7:30 on the flooded field near the tram line. Pity I missed it when it was closer but can't win them all. Who knows what will turn up next!

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

Here are some photos of the Garganey before it was spooked by two walkers and flew into the adjacent field, much further away. Thanks again to George, for my lifer tick smile

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

14:20-17:00pm with Martin Loftus.
1 Drake Garganey thanks for the call George Warburton great find.
1 White Wagtail.
2 Gadwall.
1 Greylag Goose.
1 Little Gull on Elton Res.
1 Sparrowhawk.

Cheers Steven

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Garganey still late afternoon, showing well biggrin

my first ever drake at Elton, in over 20 years birding here. Great find by George Warburton.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Garganey flew into flooded field on other side of canal due to walkers walking past pool. Still present

brian fielding · Status: Offline

Drake garganey reported in flooded field at crow trees farm this afternoon

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Quick look on way to Spurn.
- No sign of Little Gull for me, few Black-headed Gulls around
- Sand Martin allover the res
- 3 House Martins
- handful of Swallows
- pair of Shoveler
- 3 Willow Warbler inc 1 near car park
- 2 pr Bullfinch

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Quick look this morning Little Gull still present Common Tern 300 Sand Martin which looked to go North 19 Meadow pipit North 2 Goodander 2 Shoveler

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Quick look before work what looks like 1 Common Tern but could be Article light not the best so going with common Tern Cheers Steven

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Little gull still active at lunchtime (excellent find Steven),
Also this morning in addition to Stevens...
6 linnets on the reservoir path
2 grey wagtails
2 pied wagtails (male and female)
Meadow pipit

Ta.
(Attached (i hope); - little gull)

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:15-10am with Ian Cand Malcolm.
1 Little Gull which flew off at about07:25 but returned when we left.
1 Female Merlin flew along banking below pumphouse to oldhall farm before flying over Red towards Spenn Moor.
2 White Wagtail 1 inf field near bridge 19 and one on wall path at side of Elton Res .
1 House martin amongst the 300+ sand martins and 10+ Swallows.

Cheers Steven

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

The little gull is still here happily feeding around the reservoir. Ta!

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:15-10am highlights
1 Osprey flew over heading towards Bolton high up.

1 White Wagtail.
2 Grey Wagtail.
2 Gadwall.
1 Shoveler.
1 Stock Dove.
Lots of Willow warblers,Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing.

Cheers Steven

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

8-10 a.m. with Malcolm in not very nice weather, 2 White Wagtail still present with approx. 450 Sand Martin over the res. and 3 Swallow behind boathouse. 1 Little Ringed Plover by canal and many singing Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Cheers Ian

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

7-9 a.m. with Brian, 2 White Wagtail near pumphouse and 2 Curlew over. 1 Greylag Goose in field below pumphouse. Over the res. 200+ Sand Martin with at least 2 House Martin and 5 Swallow.
Cheers Ian

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

I lost sight of the Ruff about 7.45(good spot Simon), the Sand Martins increased to over 300 and 5 Swallows were amongst them, also 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Gadwall and 1 Snipe. Brian also had a Shelduck after I'd left.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Monday 10th of April 2017 04:29:22 PM

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Early morning, 2 Ruff feeding on grass by the Creek, then by 7am they were on the grass at Wader Point.

Also 1 House Martin amongst 200+ Sand Martin.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:00-10:15am with Paul W 1 Curlew. 2 Shoveler. 2 Snipe. 4 Oystercatchers. 1 Goosander. First light. 1 Teal. Blackcap,Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff. Only 2 Sand martin seen. Cheers Steven.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

17:00-19:30pm with Martin of note. 1 House Martin flew through sw 1 Wheatear in field next to Old Hall Farm 1 Blackcap. 1 Willow warbler. 5 Great Black Backed Gulls. 1 Snipe in Creek. 4 Teal. 2 Gadwall. 1 Little Grebe. Cheers Steven.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Online

At least three Swallows over the water early this morning with c70 Sand Martin once the most had cleared and two Little Ringed Plovers.