Vale Royal Locks to Winsford (PM) I was advised by a nature lover from Northwich that this area is a hotspot for Grass Snakes, alas I didn't find any. It's a walk worth doing though, no uncommon birds about, but lots of wildlife, and at this time of year a botanical gem, especially the marshy areas adjoin...
Didn't expect to see much in the way of fungi but the site was teeming with it especially around the young Silver Birch trees next to New Water & growing out of the old mining rucks also. Identified species in picture order :- Blackening Waxcap Blushing Bracket Common Earthball Crimson Waxcap Fly...
Marsh Cinquefoil now established at Etherow CP. In pond opposite the entrance to the hide. One of the Broad-leaved Helloborine sites had 5 plants showing -not in flower yet- 2 further plants broken off as part of area has been trampled. -- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 16th of June 2012 04:22:34...
Astley moss Saturday 01/10 1 Stoat and a Wood mouse in the fields around Rindle road. -- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 28th of June 2015 09:57:03 AM
I'm in Argyll at the moment, playing belated Father Christmas for some of my relatives. Had a trip down the Kintyre Peninsular with my mate today, despite poor weather we didn't do too badly. First stop was Rhunahaorine Point, an excellent place to scan the superb Sound of Gigha. On show today were Gre...
A full-on twitch to Musselburgh for the recently split American White-winged Scoter with Paul Greenall (our impeccable driver), Ian Lyth and Roger Baker. Alarm set for a brain-shattering 01.30 and our journey north began inauspiciously with delays due to i-phone updates and motorway closures....
Tue. 6th Feb. f. Mandarin - River Douglas @ Marylebone Bridge Grey Partridge - Lady Mabel`s 2 Green Woodpecker - nr. Whelley Loop Line. Also 3 f. Bullfinch. 3 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper & 3 Goldcrest - `Yellow Brook` area. -- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 18:13, 2007-05-01-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 2...
1st September.
A single Black-tailed Godwit.
5 Teal.
Have visited here a few times recently hoping to find Yellow Wagtail amongst the good numbers of Pied Wagtails foraging around the feet of the horses and sheep here. No luck yet!
Other recent records here:-
21/8 - c120 Canada Geese.
26/...
Had a break north of the border but its hard work up there..especially in a caravan with two kids, not a great deal found but had dipper, kingfisher, grey wagtail, buzzard and raven every day.
but had an excellent day out on the Galloway Kite Trail on the A762 near Laurieston take the B795 and a small far...
Possible Siberian Chiffchaff near Bollington, 14th April. Middle wood Way is an old disused railway line - it's now a 'green lane' for bikes and walkers. I have several good detailed photographs attached. It had all the signs of the Siberian race, black legs and bill, no yellow at all on head, breas...
During my tetrad survey covering the Lower Reservoir this morning, I found 2 Common Sandpipers - they were observed mating at one point and there was other display behaviour and calling as they flew back and forward across the res. Could these be likely to nest locally or is more likely to be a pair on mi...
A productive morning and early afternoon walk covering Hey Wood, Hamer Pasture and Brownhouse Wham Reservoirs. Tree Pipit - one circled overhead and called several times over Ring Lows Lane (SD900158) then flew SSW at 09:30. Yellow Wagtail - one flew low calling over Dewhirst Road to the south of Br...
A Wryneck was present all day today near Knypersley reservoir just N.of Stoke, a bit closer for Greater Manchester birders than the East Coast!! Directions (if it still there tomorrow) are: Just N.of Brown Edge by Sands Lane on gorse covered hill. Drive over the dam at Knypersley Resr and continue to...
This site lies adjacent to Longford Park, Stretford, but is in Manchester M21, owned by MMU and under threat of development. 07.30 -11.30 (later joined by Phil Kelly & Tony O'Mahony) The most productive area this morning was the corner of Longford Road by the brick building. Redstart 1 male (vid...
Got a phone call from Dave Broome to say he was watching a White-lettered Hairstreak in Tydesley Cemetery. Popped up and after a small wait had nice views of one perched in the treetops. Also saw what was almost certainly another one flying around the Elm tree. -- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 17t...
Some late sightings I forgot to add from last week! Sparrowhawk, Nuthatch, Goldcrest, Jay, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Swallow, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff - 3 foraging as a loose "flock" and 1 singing, c30 Tufted Duck and 6 Goosanders. Cheers, Bill. -- Edited by Bill Myerscough at 16:06, 2...
4th March.
Visited this area of Oldham for the first time ever today - despite having lived in the area for 20+ years! Really will have to try and get out a bit more
On the upper reservoir - 1 Little Grebe, 2 redhead Goosanders and a pair of Tufted Duck. 170+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser...
A Little Egret was seen two weeks ago, in the reservoir outflow to the River Yarrow. Seen from the Street by Tom Grimshaw and Jack Farrimond. With thanks for info.
Had a walk with the family around Monsal Head just a minute walk from the car park and we saw a male Merlin zoom past at our level just skimming over the tree tops heading towards the rocky outcrops to the right hand side of the car park as you look out over the valley. Was great to see and my first ever Merlin....
