Excellent views for over an hour as it picked off some of the hundreds of frogs around the waters edge, it flew off in the direction of chorlton so we down hearted few left for home, only as we walked back we accidently disturbed it in a tree overlooking the main lake, it flew backover the hide where it flew round for a while then settled back to picking frogs by the waters edge again, we left it alone at about 9ish . Nice to meet the friendly people who put up with Toby my 5yr old and his incessant talking. Ian i hope the midges left your legs alone long enough for you to get a glimpse of the gropper!! We heard one but never saw it, near the little stream by the dragonfly pond.
-- Edited by brandon mulhern on Tuesday 30th of June 2009 09:34:49 PM
nice walk round, we saw the sand martins along the river opp chorlton ees (we were on the Sale side) lots of swallow and swift there too. Single cormorant on the pylon. Our first kingfisher at Sale wp sat on the middle little post to the right of the hide as you look out, it never stayed long enough for its photo to be taken sadly! but still great views for all of 7 or 8 seconds. Heron sat right in front of the hide for quite a while and 4 gc grebe on main lake, no little grebe we could see or the teal, nice view of a f kestrel hunting over the dragonfly pond, chiff chaff and pied wags around the same pond . All in all a pleasent walk had.
There is a new small Sand Martin colony in the slumped riverbank opposite Chorlton Ees (best viewed from there). I'll make sure the EA are aware of it. 1 Kingfisher (also at Chorlton Ees meadow pond) 1 m Teal 3 Little Grebe (and1 at Stretford Ees) 5 Lapwing 2 pr Tufted 13 Heron 2 Cormorant
Nobody should attempt to access Broad Ees Dole during the breeding season, besides its Trafford MBC's responsibility and an access key and probably a boat would be required.
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Tuesday 2nd of June 2009 12:03:58 PM
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BED - 1 Kingfisher perched up just in front of hide on one of the poles. All of the usual incl. dead swan No sign of LRP's
Overflow channel at the far end next to Jackson's Boat car park and the model plane flying area. 1 Kingfisher 2 Heron 1 male Blackcap 2 Willow Warbler The channel is black with tadpoles. Although I've never seen or heard of a KF bothering with tadpoles the sheer size and quantity of them might be tempting. Also plenty of damselflies especially banded demoiselle.
Late sightings for Monday evening 4th 1900-2030 in the rain...
Broad Ees Dole. 3 Little Grebes 1 Snipe Canada Geese Mallards Coots Lapwings
Main Lake 3 Great Crested Grebes Swallows giving great photo opportunity on hand rail in front of Deckers.
A gentleman whom came into the hide mentioned that on Saturday Reed Buntings were giving great views in Reed Bed infront of Hide or if looking onto the Dole behind the hide....
Sale WP / BED / river back to VC 13;15 - 14;45 Blackcap c. 4 singing males Garden Warbler 1 singing hegde past canal / pool end Whitehtroat c. 3 males singing Grashopper Warbler 1 in march by VC & 1 behind old car park and hedge by river embankment Dabchick 2 BED & 2 pool across river Tufted 2 pair pool across river Common Sandp 2 flitting about main pool Sand MArtin 2 over river Swallow 2 over river/BED
Walk from Visitors' Centre to Broad Ees Dole, returning along Mersey.
Grasshopper W 1 heard beyond Centre feeding station. Blackcap 5 singing. Whitethroat 4 singing. Willow W 1 singing. Chiffchaff 1 singing. Bullfinch 3 GtC Grebe 2 on main lake. Little Grebe 2 on BE Dole. Lapwing 6 on BE Dole. Tufted Duck 5 on Dole. Cormorant 2 Mute Swan 1 on main lake plus 1 dead on BE Dole. Grey Heron 1
thanks for replying we went in search of it ( kingfisher) tonight along the ees and if you read the ees post were very shocked to hear then see a cuckoo we have two photos of it but they are diabolical and could be anything from a pidgeon to a black headed gull as it was in trees and the best photo was on full zoom, but recorded the sound and got very excited trailing it for so long
-- Edited by brandon mulhern on Monday 20th of April 2009 09:55:25 PM
First sighting from the hide. Flew from right to left about half way out and went behind bank. Second sighting from footpath just past the hide and pylon male KF perched up on branch by edge of pool,
Far easier to see at Chorlton WP. On the western bank there's a small concrete slipway next to a a picnic table midway between the island. If you go down to the lower path there's a timber seat on the path edge. With patience if you look north and scan the water's edge you'll eventually see a KF.
Good luck
-- Edited by Ian Keith on Monday 20th of April 2009 08:17:22 PM
One Gropper reeling on Chorlton Ees Dole in the usual site, but I also heard a second reeling near the outflow building adjacent to the airfield on the Sale side. I'm sure they were two seperate birds, but could the reeling from Chorlton Ees carry that far?
1 Little Ringed Plover 6 Lapwing male Teal male Reed Bunting 4 Grey Heron 2 Little Grebe nesting Coot, Moorhen and Canada Geese
sadly, what appeared to be a dead Mute Swan on one of the islands, at least thats what it looked like. A Canada Goose was stood on top of it at one point.
Pair of GC Grebes displaying on the main lake. 3 Cormorant on the pylon. 2 adult LBB Gulls.
late wander round we saw 1 greylag 1 cormorant 1 reed bunting (hanging round the hide) 3 grey herons 2 goosanders (on river) 2 gc grebe plenty canada's, mallard, coot, moorhen, blackbirds, great tit, blue tit and long tail tits raven on the pylon carrion mobbing the raven. no gulls anywhere today!
-- Edited by brandon mulhern on Tuesday 31st of March 2009 07:36:11 PM
Treecreeper for the first time for me at SWP this morning , at the north end near the gates leading to Broad Ees Hide. Goosander and Pochard still about.
Following all seen around midday from hide at Broad Ees, 24/02/09.
Black-headed Gull Canada Goose Coot Cormorant Gadwall pair Goosander Great Crested Grebe Grey Heron Lapwing single individual on small island furthest right Magpie Mallard Moorhen Oystercatcher single individual on furthest away island Pochard single male Shoveler Teal Tufted Duck Woodpigeon
Group of shoveler (10) on Broad Ees, a Pochard and a goosander (3 more on the Mersey). Also a Buzzard scavenging on the far island as viewed from the hide. Never seen one around there before . Otherwise the usual, GCGrebe and at least 2 Little Grebe
I received a text message from a colleague at 15.40 re 3 Eider on the Mersey between Barfoot Bridge (the metrolink bridge) and Jacksons Boat, a second hand report which had been left on the VC answer machine. I staked out the area from just after 16.00 until dark (see also Chorlton Ees and Streford Ees threads). The river bank is heavily used, many dog walkers cyclists and a motorbike this evening. If gen, the Eider could be anywhere along the Mersey / Ship Canal / Irwell. I have seen Common Scoter and Ring-necked Duck in the past on the section of river Paul mentions.
Dusk:
28 Goosander roosting on Broad Ees Dole 7 Shoveler B.E.D (& another 13 on Stretford Ees - the cow field Paul mentions) 5 Teal B.E.D. 12 Tufted B.E.D. 2 Little Grebe 2 Goldeneye 1 hybrid goose mentioned earlier on this thread the Magpies, plus many others, were going to roost at Chorlton Ees / Ivy Green many Woodpigeon roosting at the back of B.E.D.
not a single Cormorant, so they roost elsewhere, probably Rostherne
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After a little report of 3 eiders on the river mersey between jackson boat, and the weir, thought it would be rude not to go and have a look. (although I suspected I would not find them, but your never know?)
4 Goosander 110 magpies on the cow field 17 canada geese 20 teal on broad ees dole 2 Goldeneye on main water 30 cormorant BH gulls and Common Gulls. nice walk, met Phil Kelly.
Here is the response from Mark Saxon, Parks Operations Manager dated 22 Dec:
Thank you for you letter blah blah..
Trafford's Parks Operations team commenced maintenance of Mersey Valley sites in April this year. Throughout the summer months, the team have spent a considerable amount of time and effort maintaining the Mersey Valley areas and in particular, Broad Ees Dole.
As a birdwatcher you will be aware that the shrubs blocking the view from the bird hide and arond the Dole banking have been cut to improve views. In addition other works including graffiti removal, fencing repairs, strimming of fence lines and litter removal from the hide and the dole canal system, have been carried out.
Of particular importance during the wet Summer was controlling the water levels in the dole as well as weed control. although this work was started, the team were unable to complete it as the Mersey Valley Warden Service took the pump to Platt Fields.
You can be assured that as soon as the pump is once again in operation, the team will complete the work that has already been started and will continue to respond to maintenance concerns,
yours sincerely
So there you have it. Comments Pete ans Steve?
It will be many months before I go again. I'm recovering from a very bad accident with broken femur and broken arm.
Steve, this is the same hybrid goose I posted on the Stretford Ees thread on 26th Nov, that had been documented in the South Manchester Reporter on 3 Jan 08, then resident on Didsbury golf course. Strange looking bird of questionable parentage. The legs and feet are orange / yellow.
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Main Lake: 1 m Teal. 2 Tufties 1 Little Grebe 5 Great Creasted Grebes 1 f Shoveler 1 x small hybrid goose, hanging out with Canadas, White Vent, White and black patches on face, Pink Beak and Orange Beak.
Broad Ees Dole or frozen, overgrown boating lake ( probably more use now) 1 m Shoveler 6 m Teal 1 Grey Heron
Real crying shame, to see the Dole so sparce of birds but so heavily overgrown and flooded, if it stays this way then, it will be in a sorry state by the Spring, also so many cans and bottles floating about.
I've just sent a letter of complaint to Paul Harvey Director, Environment at Trafford Council about the desperate state of Broad Ees Dole. I'll report on the outcome.
I have been informed today that the EA (Environment Agency) open the Mersey sluice gates here and at Millgate Fields yesterday, flooding these areas, so there will access restrictions in place until the water subsides at these sites. The pump hadn't been removed so may well be damaged.
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Tim the LNR area, no longer managed by Mersey Valley is known as Broad Ees Dole. The site surrounded by the raised bund and moat is known as the jheel. This design was based on Bharatpur in Rajastan where water levels can be maintained for their required purpose, in this case so it can be pumped out to provide ideal conditions for LRP's. The buliding next to the hide contains the pump. As you can the see site has not been managed at all during 2008, despite repeated requests to Trafford MBC who are responsible. I was surprised that the LRPs managed a single chick this year, running around the top of the bund with limited space. In fact it hasn't been managed since the heavy rains of the previous summer which prevented a second pair of LRPs and a pair of RPs from nesting. The rest I simply refer to as the pond. I find it too disheartening to visit.
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1 Ringed Plover ( no sign of any LRP's) 2 Tufted ducklings 1 drake Teal 1 ad Little Grebe 3 Stock Dove 4 juv Pied Wag 1 Reed Warbler in song 3 Cormorant
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1 Buzzard distant and circling high over Chorlton in heat haze late morning 2 L-r P's at Broad Ees dole Lapwings & chicks " 1ad & 1 juv Little Grebe ad Pied Wag with 2 juvs 3 Cormorant
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2 l.r.plover. 1 getting a lot of bother from a lapwing 2 lapwing 2 juvenile grey heron with a full grown heron 1 willow warbler pair of bulfinch all in broad dole ees