A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was showing ridiculously well by the yacht club today. This is, as far as I am aware, the first record for the site. Apologies for the late posting of the sighting. It was still present at 3 pm.
At about 1045 I was amazed to hear a Grey Plover which flew over NE repeatedly calling
A Ring Ouzel was in the dell and then the field immediately behind Pavilion Wood (photos below)
Also of note 1 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Tufted Duck, 7 Teal, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Redwing, 4 Goldcrest, 10+ Siskin over, 6 Lesser Redpoll over, 1 Linnet over
On Saturday 14th October Andrew Huyton had brief but conclusive views of a Yellow-browed Warbler at Shaw Moss (which is the first record for the Rochdale area as far as I am aware) but unfortunately there has been no further sign despite searching
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 19th of October 2017 08:40:37 PM
2 Whooper Swans on the lake mid morning but had disappeared by midday - one appeared to have wounded/back/wing - looked like blood to me rather than colour marking - I hope its not been wounded by the wind farm barrier around Rochdale!
Also 1 Redwing, 1 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest and 10+ Siskins
Andrew Huyton had a Black tern on Monday evening (2/10) but unfortunately no sign this morning - just 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Siskin of any note.
Also late news from Saturday 23rd September when a local (non- birding) photographer took a photo of a Great White Egret at the nature reserve - presumably the same bird as had earlier been seen at Crime Lake and the first record for Rochdale if accepted. Another dip for me!
-- Edited by Simon Hitchen on Wednesday 4th of October 2017 12:18:40 AM
Grey Heron, Crow, Willow Warbler - several around the lake perimeter, Chiffchaff singing, Long Tailed Tit, Woodpigeon, Black Headed Gull, Tufted Duck. Great Crested Grebes nest building opposite the hide, Cormorant, Magpie, Robin, Coot, Mallard, Male/Female Pintail, Moorhen, pair Mute Swan.
A Red-throated Diver was present this afternoon but only stayed for about 20 minutes before flying off high WSW at around 4pm - it was getting harassed by gulls, but I think the predictable appearance of a sailing boat was unhelpful . It hadn't been present in the morning so presumably it was brought down by the poor weather. The first here for about 30 years!
Also today 5 Great Crested grebes, 4 Cormorants, 18 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 40+ Fieldfare, 15+ Redwing, 2 Raven flew SE and a Lesser Redpoll over
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 29th of October 2016 10:05:02 PM
Monday mid morning to early afternoon Walk around from Shaw Moss and a stint in the hide for the kingfisher which showed extremely well also turned up:
Saturday 08:30 - 12:10 from Shaw Moss to the Lake nature reserve hide and return.
Set out with a spring in my step hoping for (praying for) a yellow-browed warbler no joy unfortunately.
4 Common Gull,
2 Lesser Black Backed Gull,
4 Mistle Thrush,
3 Raven,
2 Grey Heron,
2 Tufted Duck,
1 Sparrowhawk,
1 Common Buzzard,
1 Kestrel,
5 Lapwing,
1 Wigeon,
8 Swallow,
35 Teal,
32 Goldfinch,
11 Meadow Pipit,
3 Jays,
-- Edited by Andrew Huyton on Monday 26th of September 2016 04:05:02 PM
-- Edited by Andrew Huyton on Monday 26th of September 2016 04:06:44 PM
A female/imm Pied Flycatcher was in the Big Hedge area early this morning though it unfortunately could not be relocated later on - only my 2nd record at the site - checking my notes the other was on 21st August 1987 which makes me feel quite old!
Also a male Redstart in the same area and a Spotted Flycatcher was along Turnough Lane (Ian Kimber earlier had 4 Spotted Flycatcher in this area)
Also today 1 Dipper, 1 Kingfisher and a Green Woodpecker. Ian Kimber had a single adult Shelduck early morning
2 juv Shelduck at Shaw Moss this evening were presumably the same birds that Ian Kimber saw on Hollingworth Lake this morning. Ian also had 12 Wigeon first thing but they flew off NW at 0710.
Saturday 27th August
adult Hobby at Shaw Moss - a very rare bird here in the east of the county
7 Shelduck on the Lake (4 adults, 3 juv)
Also 1 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff. Ian Kimber had the male Redstart at Shaw Moss again