Allan Rimmer and I did our second Waterways Breeding Bird Survey along the canal and river today. We had a family of 3 young Kingfishers, a Willow Tit family, a Hobby (first record for this survey which I've been doing since 1993), a small Sand Martin colony in a brickwork reinforcement wall on the cana...
Just noticed a report on Birdguides Bird News of an Osprey at Carr Mill Dam (Lancs) at 06:30 this morning (8th June). As this is approx 5miles SW of the Wigan Flashes it looks like this is the Wigan Flashes/Pennington Flash bird.
Just received an e-mail from LWT which might be of interest, as two of the sites mentioned are in GM:
Reserve Success
We are proud to announce that we have recently acquired 3 new sites, two as part of the success of our new Mosslands Living Landscape Project.
Freeman's Pools
Located in Lancaster...
As there has seemingly been no reports of Pied Flycatchers at Etherow Country Park this year could anyone with any details from this site, positive or negative, please contact Judith Smith or myself privately over the matter so we can ascertain a better picture. Very much obliged. -- Edited by Ian Mc...
Having watched the Red Kites on Springwatch, I had a thought about them.
Remembering when Buzzards were so uncommon 20-30 years ago and all of a sudden they seem to be everywhere, could the same thing possibly happen with Red Kites in say another 20-30 years time from now??
They certainly are gett...
2 Ospreys seen 1645hrs today flying over Warren Drive, Swinton. eastwards towards the direction of Swinton Park Golf Course. The birds were relatively low and clearly identifiable.
IM REALLY NOT SURE ABOUT THIS. IT WAS DEFINATLY A RAPTOR, IT WAS LARGE, HAD DARK UPPER PLUMAGE AND THIS IS THE UNSURE BIT ,I THOUGHT IT HAD LIGHTER CHEST, BELLY PLUMAGE. IT WAS HIGH AND HAD SLOW GULL LIKE WING BEATS SOMETIMES GLIDING. CAN SOMEONE COMMENT ON THIS SCANTY INFO AS I WANT TO CONVINCE MYSELF IT W...
A female with 15 ducklings on the Irwell at Springside, Walmersley, this afternoon. Fairly regular here over the last few years, but this might be the largest brood ever seen!
Not strictly birds...but found when doing TTV...for Dave Winnard really.
There has been the largest influx of Painted Lady butterflies ever into the UK (eg 18K over Scolt Head Norfolk recently)
I had 2 on my Billinge TTV this morning SD50F (one in GMC, one in Merseyside) and with SE winds I suspect w...
Had nice views of a Garden Warbler yesterday.It was on the footpath which runs parallel with the canal,on the way towards the Golf course and Teal Hide.It was singing beautifully aswell.
A NICE SHOW OF A SINGLE KINGFISHER ON THE RIVER GLAZE WHERE IT RUNS UNDER WARRINGTON RD NEAR THE GREYHOUND, INCIDENTLY CAN ANYONE OUT THERE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SEXES OF THE KINGFISHER, REGARDS MIKE
INCIDENTLY, THE RIVER GLAZE AND THE HOPE CARR NATURE RESERVE IS PRESENTLY A GREAT HOME TO THE WARBLER FAMILY, HOWEVER YET ANOTHER INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE IS UNDERWAY RIPPING THE GUTS OUT OF THE REED BEDS. A DIFFICULT ONE REALLY BECAUSE WE DONT LIKE TO SEE THE BIRD ENVIROMENT SPOILED BUT I THINK IT SHOWS...
Went to Burrs today with Paul Cliff in the hope of seeing a Kingfisher,after having no luck at Radcliffe.
Both of us were soaking and l mean sodden wet thru' ha ha....l'd slipped in the river a little and wanted a coffee and was desperate to see a Kingfisher and then once we got to the weir one flew by!!!!!...
HI EVERYONE, IM NEW TO THIS SO ILL DO MY BEST. 25 05 09 ABOUT 4.00 PM THERE WHERE A PAIR OF HOBBYS ALONG HIGHER GREEN LANE CLOSE TO THE HOBS AND COBS JUNCTION. THEY PUT ON A GREAT SHOW FOR ME. THEY SHOWED FOR ABOUT 5 MINS BUT THE TEMPERATURE WAS DROPPING QUICKLY AND I THINK THE INSECTS WHERE DECREASING. HOP...
First trip to Southstack RSPB reserve on Sunday 24th May and really enjoyed it.
From the 2 hours 30min journey down and from leaving the lower carpark, excellent sightings of Wheatears m and f showed. Mipits +++ everywhere. Some excellent views of Stonechats and Skylarks around with also Ravens a...
Rather a quaint sounding name, not sure of its origins, apart from the fact that the area is in Rochdale. Anyway, whilst out doing the Crompton Moor TTV this morning, I came across a Tree Pipit singing for all it was worth and parachuting from a sapling onto the ground. Dave Ousey managed to get good view...
Had a non birding day today but the better half suggested a short visit to Ness Gardens near Neston on the Wirral - couldn't quite believe my eyes when there was a flock of 15-20 Crossbills in a Birch tree which they then left to get back into the cones on the bank of Scots Pine that acts as a windbreak. Good j...
Cross of Greet is on the fells between Slaidburn and High Bentham, not far from Stocks reservoir. We had breeding Ring Ouzel there last year so thought we would have a look after Leighton Moss. No luck and one of the local birders told us that the Ouzels have not appeared this year. However just before th...
A Little Egret was in a heronry in the county today - I think the first time I've heard of one in such a location. Due to the sensitive nature of the heronry I regret I can't divulge its location.
Called in as I drove past this evening to find at least two adult Med Gulls - new lifer finally after months of searching what seems like thousands of black headed gulls - now I've seen them they are very, very different in the field !
I don't like to appear daft but let's give it a bash anyway
It was a bit too wet to go birding today so I was happy to stay at home but then I starts a' thinking - and the question I have is "are all Falcons Hawks or are all Hawks Falcons" - come on hands up who knows the answer????
I probably shoul...
A pair of siskins were on my garden feeders this evening. Has anyone else been getting them this late in the year? In past years they have gone by early April.
Pair of Bullfinches seen feeding in the region of Lostock railway station.
Not sure where they stand for the county, but it's been years since I saw one, so to see a pair is a delight. Male guarding while the female collected seeds from various plants.
The male has been seen more than once.
I have only just joined this web site since the Waxwing flock in my garden in January but am amazed at the numbers of Raven sightings reported even well into Spring and in lowland areas.
Is there a population of non-breeders in our area that cannot establish a breeding territory or are they being forc...
Little egrets seemed to be everywhere today ,four buzzards using the thermals above the woods being harrased by the local crow population.I was realy searching for one of my favourite birds a Hobby but not a chance although there were loads of swallows and house martins about. lots of white throtes a...
