ELTON RESERVOIR

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

RE: ELTON RESERVOIR

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This am with Malcolm, on the res. 1 Greater Scaup, 10 Goldeneye, 1 Pochard and 6 Teal of note. Above the surrounding fields at least 5 singing Skylark and 3 Oystercatcher. Pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker in the dip(male was drumming). At the feeders 5 Lesser Redpoll. 1 Little Egret in Old Hall field.
Cheers Ian

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

8.45am - 11.00am. Cool, cloudy, still. 5c.

33 Species spotted, including:

1 Greater Scaup.
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
1 Kingfisher. (on Irwell).
1 Little Egret.(Below pump
1 Skylark.
3 Song Thrush.
3 Bullfinch.3M.
3 Wren.

Thanks Derek.

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

3.30pm, adult Iceland gull came in briefly for a wash then flew off north, shortly followed by an adult Mediterranean gull, that stayed for a bit longer then flew off south east..

-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Tuesday 6th of March 2018 05:39:55 PM

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. with Malcolm, 2 very tame Dunlin near viewing mound, on the res. 1 Greater Scaup, 8 Goldeneye, 3 Teal and 1 Goosander of note. At the feeders 1 Lesser Redpoll amongst the usuals. 1 Little Egret in Old Hall fields. Also 6 Skylark heading NE, 1 Oystercatcher and 20+Lapwing in display over the fields.
Cheers Ian

Steven Heywood · Status: Offline

Notables from a walk around this lunchtime:

Just the one lesser redpoll on the feeders
Eight wigeon flew in from Withins
Two little egrets by Old Hall Farm
A flock of twelve lapwings flying over included one ruff

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. with Malcolm, of note Scaup still present and 2 Little Egret in Old Hall Marsh.
Cheers Ian

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Mike Cooper wrote:

Simon the weather was around freezing with low winds in the morning with a few light flurries all nets were constantly checked in a circuit and birds ringed quickly all were healthy in hand and flew off strongly. I stopped at 11:15 when winds (chill factor) increased and snow started. The birds safety and health is my and any ringers priority.

This was a small window this week when ringing would be possible.

If you have any further questions please PM me

Hi Mike,
no disrespect but I must admit I also thought the very same thing about ringing birds in this weather, and especially at a feeding station when the birds were obviously hungry during one of the worst winter blasts in years! Thursday was a particularly bad weather day with a 16 vehicle accident that morning in Bury on the M66, and many people were stranded for nearly 24hrs literally a few miles away on the M62, and I even cancelled a drive down to Cornwall and I'm not usually put off by adverse weather.
My apologies if you think I'm in the wrong but I wouldn't have thought it was best practice to trap small birds in subzero temperatures.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

A short walkabout for 2 hours highlights included....

2 little egrets on Old Hall Farm area
Pochard
Scaup at wader point
Goosander
Lapwings
Oystercatcher
Common gull

Ta!

Craig Bell · Status: Offline

Brief visit around lunchtime with R Rowe..

No Scaup for us. 20+ Tufted Duck.

1 Dunlin and 2 Snipe on west banking.

2 Pochard (drakes).

4 Goldeneye (2 pairs).

1 Goosander (fem).

7+ GC Grebe.

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

This morning:

goldcrest, reed bunting and lesser redpoll on the feeders.

Scaup, pochard and 4 goldeneye on the reservoir.

2 oystercatcher and 5 lapwing flying around.

2 little egret on Old Hall Marsh.

Goosander on the River Irwell.

Small mixed flock of redwing, fieldfare, song thrush and mistle thrush on the field by Old Hall Farm.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Quick visit after work looking for the Ruff but failed.
1 Scaup.
2 Pochard.
4 Goldeneye.
3 Common Gulls.

Cheers Steven

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Walk round with Warfy this morning produced the following -

2 Woodcock - withins area
Ruff
15 Snipe dotted about at various spots around the res
Jack Snipe - Bennys
Dunlin - feeding in field at capsticks
5 Lapwing - capsticks
Water Rail - Bennys
6 Grey Heron .. inc one in stream at feeding station
5 Gadwall
66 Teal
2 Pochard - male
15 Cormorant - North
Buzzard flew over the creek
Lesser Redpoll - dip
35 Blackbird
6 Song Thrush
370 Canada Geese

No disturbance at the feeding station this morning so a bit of activity 50+ Goldfinch, Redwing, Fieldfare, Goldcrest and 2 Bullfinch amongst others

No sign of the Scaup today

35 Blackbird and 6 song Thrush in the creek

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Ruff present between sailing club and creek

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Scaup and 3 goldeneye on the reservoir this afternoon. Goldcrest and reed bunting on the feeders. Couldnt find anything unusual in the gull flock.

Peter Johnson · Status: Offline

This afternoon along the canal -

2 Water Rail in front of Bennys

7 male Bullfinch in hawthorns

Bizarrely a single Meadow Pipit within about 8ft of me on the frozen canal. With hindsight I suppose it had more chance of finding food there than in the snow covered field.

2 Little Grebe on the Irwell

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

11:25-12:30 walk to the Creek and back in the Snow and strong wind.
1 Dunlin record Shot attached.
1 Meadow Pipit photo attached.
2 Goldeneye.
7 Fieldfare.
very little at the feeders which was surprising considering the weather.

Cheers Steven

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

Simon the weather was around freezing with low winds in the morning with a few light flurries all nets were constantly checked in a circuit and birds ringed quickly all were healthy in hand and flew off strongly. I stopped at 11:15 when winds (chill factor) increased and snow started. The birds safety and health is my and any ringers priority.

This was a small window this week when ringing would be possible.

If you have any further questions please PM me

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Hi Mike

Is the weather not a bit to harsh to be ringing birds at present. Its been -5 last few nights plus the snow so food will be hard to find. Ringing them at a feeding station in this weather will just add more stress and pressure to them and I am sure we all want whats best for the birds whilst in these harsh conditions?

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

Car park area ringing freezing in snow flurries 07:45-12:00

Feeders

Goldfinch c 60
lesser Redpoll heard
Goldcrest f(?)
Reed bunting m ringed
Fieldfare seen several times
Sparrowhawk fem/imm hunting around area and attacks on feeders
Kestrel

Res

Lapwing 3 over

-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Thursday 1st of March 2018 09:41:37 AM

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

8.45am - 11.15am. Cold, Cloudy,-1c.

29 species spotted including.

1 Goldcrest.
6 Song Thrush.
1 Lapwing.
3 Grey Heron.
1 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
1 Lesser Redpoll.
40 + Goldfinch.
5 Bullfinch 4m 1f.
1 Reed Bunting.

Thanks Derek.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

07:00-10:15 am With Malcolm.
1 Scaup.
16 Teal.
4 Goldeneye
1 Pochard.
2 Oystercatcher.
1 Stock dove.
1 Lesser Redpoll.
1 Great Spotted woodpecker.

PM visit 14:45- 15:30pm
2 Lesser Redpoll
14 Common Gulls.
1 Common Buzzard.

Cheers Steven

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

The blue tit controlled on Monday 19/2 was originally ringed as a juvenile in Oct 2017 at Woolston Eyes

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Short walk this morning 25/2/18 to Withins and back to the carpark.
1 Scaup.
1 Pochard.
1 Gadwall.
5 GoldenEye.
2 Teal.
3 Oystercatcher.
2 Common Gulls.
2 Stock dove.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Cheers Steven

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

Also from car park area fri 23/2 until 14:00

Nuthatch 1 feeding along road by white metal foot bridge

Reed bunting 2 m (1 more fully in summer plumage) and a fem now ringed

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

9.30 - 11.45 .Sunny, Cold, 0c.

38 Species spotted including:

1 Goldcrest.
3 Lesser Redpoll.
2 Goldeneye.
3 Teal.
1 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
1 Mistle Thrush.
2 Song Thrush.
1 Jay.
3 Lapwing.
7 Great crested grebe.
5 Common Gull.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

07:50-10:45am with Ian C & Malcolm highlights.
3 Lesser Redpoll 2 Male 1 Female.
1 Goldcrest.
2 Treecreeper.
2 Little Egret.
1 Scaup female.
6 Goldeneye.
5 Gadwall.
8 Teal.
36 Lapwing.
1 Snipe.
3 Oystercatcher.
3 Kestrel.
1 Buzzard.
4 Common Gull.
1 Great Black backed Gull 2nd Winter.

Cheers Steven

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

07:10-10:35am with Ian C 51 Species seen + 2 Heard only.
1 Scaup.
6 GoldenEye.
14 Teal.
1 Water Rail.
3 Oystercatcher.
Curlew Heard only in 3 locations Old Hall Marsh, Withins & Near Buckingham Drive.
3 Skylark.
65+ Fieldfares.
1 Goldcrest.
1 Buzzard.
1 Peregrine.
3 Kestrels.
1 Sparrowhawk.
23 Lapwings some displaying.
Great Spotted woodpecker heard drumming only.

Cheers Steven

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

11am - 13.30 pm . Cloudy, MIld,10c.

22 Species spotted including :

Mealy Redpoll.
2 Lesser Redpoll.
4 Goosander 1m 3f.
23 Lapwing.
2 Goldeneye.
2 Common Gull.
3 Lesser black backed gull.
3 Bullfinch.All male.

Thanks Derek.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Steven Higginbottom wrote:

10:50-11:55am quick visit due to the amount of disturbances, highlights.
5 Lesser Redpoll with one cracking male making me think it was the mealy record shots attached.
1 Goldcrest.
3 Common Gulls.
1 Scaup female.
6 Goldeneye.

Cheers Steven

It was there earlier Steven, Malcolm and I also thought it was the Mealy, we also had 2 Oystercatcher and the Buzzard near Crow Trees, 9 Teal in capsticks and 51 Pink-feet going West at 8.30

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

10:50-11:55am quick visit due to the amount of disturbances, highlights.
5 Lesser Redpoll with one cracking male making me think it was the mealy record shots attached.
1 Goldcrest.
3 Common Gulls.
1 Scaup female.
6 Goldeneye.

Cheers Steven

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

07:30-10:15 with Ian C.
3 Siskin 1m 2 f at Feeders.
1 Goldcrest.
3 Oystercatchers.
Curlew Heard only.
1 Scaup F
6 Goldeneye.
4 Teal.
1 Goosander.
Lapwing displaying.
3 Skylark one singing.
1 Buzzard

Cheers Steven
Q

-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Tuesday 20th of February 2018 10:44:09 AM

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

In car park area 19/2 09:00-16:00

Feeders

G S Woodpecker gem on fat balls

Goldcrest (fem?) on fat balls

Max count of 3 male and 2 fem Bullfinches

Less goldfinch and greenfinches than recently

Area behind feeders

Siskin male singing and 2 fem/imms in tall tree by muddy path at 15:30

Goldcrest singing male at 12:30 ( same or another male ringed at 15:00)

Res

Teal pair

2 oystercatchers noisliy over

Peter Johnson · Status: Offline

2 Shelduck over this afternoon.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Also this a.m. 1 Willow Tit in tall trees in front of Old Hall Farm, Water Rail at Capsticks where a dog walker told me of 4 White Herons at Old Hall Marsh but I could find no trace.
Cheers Ian

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

This morning with Simon J and Ian C
Scaup
Goosander
Tufted Duck
5 Goldeneye
1 Wigeon (stayed five minutes, then flew)
Goosander
4 Oystercatcher
Lapwing (some displaying)
3 Greylag Geese(over)
2 GS Woodpecker
3 Snipe
Feeding station
Goldcrest
3 Siskin
4 Bullfinch
GS Woodpecker
Reed Bunting

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Walk round in the rain

Scaup
2 Little Egret old hall marsh
5 Lapwing displaying
Tufted Duck
10 Goldeneye
Goosander
Oystercatcher
88 Goldfinch at the feeding station
6 Bullfinch
Kestrel

Coney Green / Crow Tree farm floods
4 Gadwall
9 Teal
14 Moorhen
3 Lapwing
20 Goldfinch
2 Buzzard
Kestrel

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Quick visit this morning before work.
1 Greylag goose over heading East at 07:15am.
1 Greater Scaup Female.
6 Goldeneye.
24 Goosander.
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Great Black backed Gull.
3 Redwing.
1 Goldcrest.

Cheers Steven

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

9am - 11am. Bitterly cold, very windy 1c.

21 species spotted including:

1 Goldcrest.
11 fieldfare.
1 Mistle Thrush.
60+ Tufted Duck.
2 Grey Heron.
2 Goosander 1m 1f on river.
100+ Canada Goose flew onto Reservoir from Withins.

Derek.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. with Malcolm, on the res. 1 Greater Scaup, 6 Goldeneye, approx 70 Tufted Duck, 10 Teal. At capsticks 1 Water Rail. Buzzard near Crow Trees. At the feeders 1 lesser Redpoll and a Goldcrest amongst the usual birds.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Wednesday 14th of February 2018 03:49:04 PM

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. with Malcolm, on the res. 1 Goosander (5 also on the river), 7 Goldeneye and 1 Teal (4 on Withins), 1 Oystercatcher, at the feeders all the usual birds but no Redpolls. 1 Water Rail at Capsticks.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Tuesday 13th of February 2018 01:39:01 PM

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Also 1 lesser redpoll and 1 coal tit on the feeders. 1 Scaup, 1 goosander and 6 goldeneye on the reservoir. Elsewhere, 1 buzzard, 1 kestrel, 2 stock dove and a flock of 40 fieldfare on the fields next to the canal.

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

Car park area 08:45-12:30

Feeders

Lower numbers of goldfinch and greenfinch
Goldcrest at least 1 on fat balls
redwing 3+2 over
Res

G Bb gull 2 ad + 2 imm 1w/2cy oystercatcher 1 over at 10:15

-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Monday 12th of February 2018 03:09:23 PM

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

07:50-09:50am with Ian C 42 Species seen highlights.
1 Greater Scaup female.
7 Goldeneye. 4m 3F
9 Teal.
4 Goosander.
1 Oystercatcher.
2 Little Egret.
2 Great Black backed Gulls.
1 Lesser Redpoll.
1 Goldcrest.

Cheers Steven.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

8-9 a.m. at the feeders, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 70 Goldfinch(69 now as one was taken by a male Sparrowhawk !), 7 Bullfinch, 24 Greenfinch, all the usual Tits and 14 Mallard hoovering up the seed on the ground. No sign of Mealy Redpoll.
Cheers Ian

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Quick check after work.
2 Goldeneye 1m1f.
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Goldcrest.

Cheers Steven

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am - Noon. Sunny,Windy, visibility Very good. 4 degree c.

33 species seen.
Including:
1 Scaup.
3 Bullfinch 2f 1m.
50 + Long tailed tits. (Near Feeders).
70 + Goldfinch. (Near feeders).
12 Greenfinch.
5 Teal.
1 Lesser Redpoll.
1 Grey Wagtail

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

08:00-10:30am with Ian C 47 species seen highlights.
1 Jack Snipe flew over marsh.
9 Snipe.
1 Little Egret.
1 Common Buzzard.
50+ Fieldfare
7 Redwing.
2 Stock Dove.
1 Goldcrest.
1 Goosander.
1 Scaup.
22 Teal.
5 Common Gull.

Cheers Steven

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

In car park area 08:00-12:00

Feeders
Max 3 m 2 f bullfinch
3 lesser redpolls f/imm
Coat tit
Goldcrest

Over car park fem Peregrine

Res

2 pairs or Teal

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Just along the canal this morning - 2 oystercatchers amongst the usual black headed and common gulls on the flooded fields. Ta!