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.
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.
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.
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.
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
8.00am 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.
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.
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
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
9.35am 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
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
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.
