After escaping from any obvious infection throughout the year, avian flu has finally reached S.W.P. I noticed one dead and one dying Canada Goose about ten days ago, then at dusk on Monday 21st Nov. I found a Mute Swan showing symptoms. At dawn next morning, this bird was close to death, so was put down. Four Canada Geese died during the next few days, as did a Mallard and a Gadwall (so now just 41). Yesterday evening, all the swans looked O.K., but at dawn this morning, we found one dead and one very sick, which we put down, and by late afternoon another dead and another which we needed to put down. Also, by then, a further three birds were showing symptoms and several others looking suspect. There have been 44 swans (37 birds 2cy+ and 7 cygnets) at S.W.P over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, nearly all are concentrated at the extreme E. end of the lake, partly because people throw bread at them there, but also because the male of a new young pairing has been strong enough to control the whole of the main body of the lake, even dominating the two males of the 2022 breeding pairs. So, a large death toll is expected. We are removing corpses, and birds beyond recovery; this may reduce transmission, also the site is very public.

If anyone sees a very sick or dead swan, a note here would be useful. I live just 6min. walk from the lake, so check early morning and evening, but sick birds are easy to miss. Swan 4DNZ can look a bit ill (probable obstruction to digestive / respiratory tracts), but has been for months and is improving. Cygnet 4FHY is just a weak bird, the only survivor of the late brood (12th June) of five on B.E.D., and often looks unwell, so ignore these two unless either is very bad.

We removed one dead Black-headed Gull from S.W.P. today, and in the morning I saw two on Turn Moss which looked unhealthy. A recent influx to the lake gave a count of 310 a couple of days ago.

Woodcock:  At least a dozen have been picked up in the Manchester general area in the last couple of weeks; many more than usual. Either higher numbers are arriving, or something is happening. Only a tiny number of these birds survive. However, one picked up in Salford today seemed fine, and we successfully released it at dusk on the Sale Ees section of S.W.P.

 

 

-- Edited by John Shaughnessy on Saturday 26th of November 2022 11:22:51 PM

Woodcock 1
Tawny Owl female heard

This afternoon -
Main lake .
Coot 30.
Gadwall 8.
Little grebe 1.
Tufted duck 4.
Kestrel 1.
Cormorant 2 on pylon.
Mute swan 20 (inc. 3 juveniles - 4FFA ,4FFC, 4FFD).

Broad ees dole .
Shoveler duck 6.
Gadwall 9.
Little grebe 1.
Teal 11.
Cettis warbler and Water rail not seen or heard.
Plus a dieing Grey Heron on an island near to the path on the Teal pool.

Cetti's Warbler heard in song again briefly from the back of the Teal Pool mid morning
Raven 2
Chiffchaff 2
Kingfisher 1

Cetti's Warbler still present at the Teal Pool today

Cetti's Warbler 1 very closes in front of the hide calling frequently, singing and showing occasionally 09.55-10.08 when flew to lakeside reeds opposite from where it sang and showed occasionally to 10.55, when I left it. Record shot. First documented site record.
Shoveler 8
Gadwall 26
Teal 28
Tufted Duck 1
Goosander 1
Little Grebe 5
Moorhen 18
Coot 78
Buzzard 1
Kingfisher 2
Treecreeper 1
Redwing 15

Cetti's Warbler singing from Broad Ees Dole at 11.30 this morning.

Two Redwings in blackthorn bushes on the riverbank this morning were my first of the season.

A surprisingly productive early visit, with two patch ticks for me: Cuckoo and Whinchat.

The Cuckoo (brown; presumably juv) was in the trees along the river behind Broad Ees Dole, but flew across the river into Chorlton Ees before I could get a photo. The Whinchat was also very active, but I managed to get a couple of distant record shots before it also flew over the river. (See photos attached.)

Apart from those highlights, fairly typical for the time of year. 

Water Rail creeping along the muddy reed edge on the Teal pond next to Broad Ees Dole this evening. Patch tick for me!

-- Edited by Andrew Jeffery on Friday 19th of August 2022 07:04:06 PM

Gadwall 6
Common Tern 2
Kingfisher 1
Reed Warbler adult feeding two recently fledged juveniles

I must admit that LBH did briefly cross my mind, but juvenile Little Egret seemed far more likely. 

Interesting photo of little egret (presumably a juvenile).

There have been claims in the past of this plumage, with a pale bill with dark tip and pale legs, being a juvenile little blue heron. (Recorded in Ireland but not yet on the British list).

Highlights this evening all at Broad Ees Dole: 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Teal and 1 Lapwing.

2 Common Terns this evening.

Main highlights today:

1 Common Sandpiper
2 Reed Warbler singing
1 Kingfisher
3 Grey Wagtail - two adults feeding a youngster on the Mersey.

Today from 3pm.
Main lake .
Mute swan - 32.

Cow lane.
Goldcrest - 1.
Robin - 1.
Blackbird - 3.
Song thrush - 3 heard.
Chiffchaff - 1 heard.

Old car park.
Bullfinch - 2.
Long-tail tit - 2.
Greenfinch - 4 ( 2 singing).
Chiffchaff - 1.
Goldfinch - 2.
Wren - 1.
Robin - 1.
Blackbird - 3.
Blackcap - 2 m+ f.

Broad ees dole. (Water level high).
Canada goose - 2.
Mallard - 2.
Coot - 2.
Moorhen - 1.
Little grebe - 1.
Mute swan - 1.
Grey heron - 3.

As Winter passes to Spring, I had a of couple of hours after work at Sale Water Park and got a great list of 39 birds. There were ten Mallard ducklings on the water behind the feeders. I got two new birds for my year list: Chiffchaff and Kingfisher. I saw my first ever Siskin at SWP. Also by the feeders were Reed Bunting. Two Grey Wagtail by the sluice gates. A Nuthatch was calling loudly near the café. There was a Buzzard circling overhead. Five species of Tit and four species of Finches. There were noisy Ring-necked Parakeets all over the place! Next time, I'll have to take my camera!

-- Edited by Anthony Robinson on Wednesday 16th of March 2022 08:06:52 PM

Lovely sunny, cool day. On the path to Jacksons Boat, 1x Greenfinch, 1 x Kestrel (f), a few Siskin, 1 passing Great Spotted Woodpecker, several Redwing, 1x Treecreeper. At/near Broad Ees Dole a passing Kingfisher, 1 x Little Grebe, several Gadwall and a close up view of some beautiful Teal.

-- Edited by Ian Howarth on Monday 7th of March 2022 07:54:54 PM

Couldn't get near Broad Ees Dole, even with wellies, as it was well flooded due to the River Mersey sluice gates been opened in the middle of the night. A few fallen trees due to the high winds last night. But did see 2 Redpoll amongst several Goldfinch.

On Broad Ees Dole in the light drizzle were 2 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 12 Grey Heron and 1 Little Grebe.. Around the feeders at the cafe 3 Bullfinch. 1 Willow Tit, 3 Nuthatch and the usual selection of other tits and parakeets also 6 Teal in the flood area below the feeders.

Today between 08.30/10.15. Lovely morning but icy underfoot, nice butties and brew from cafe !!

2 Willow tits on feeders near cafe, along with male Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, good flock of mixed tits, 2 Dunnock, 6 Robin, 1 Wren and 2 Ring necked Parakeets.

On the lake at least 2 Common Gull, 1 Pochard, 18 Tufted duck,12 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Mute Swans, lots of Canada Geese and Black headed Gulls 

Afternoon visit till dusk.

38 mute swans
55 gadwall
23 tufted duck
1 goosander
4 great crested grebe
3 little grebe
No sign of the pochard for me
1 Grey wagtail
2 ring necked parakeets over
Usual gulls around
Peregrine falcon flew over me whilst near the hide at Broad ees dole, it then perched on the pylon next to the hide for a while.

Broad ees dole..

4 Grey herons
6 goosander

Teal pool..

2 Teal
1 snipe

Harris hawk was seen across the river in top of tree on meadow pond field at chorlton ees, first time I have actually caught up with it.

Here from 2.45pm till dusk...

37 mute swans
54 gadwall
31 tufted duck
1 pochard
2 goosander
4 great crested grebes
9 cormorants
Lots of Black headed gulls including a yellow darvic ringed one ETKE.
Common gulls
Herring gulls
Lesser Black backed gulls
1 pied wagtail
1 bullfinch
1 great spotted woodpecker
2 Grey herons

Broad ees dole...

7 goosander
5 Grey herons
2 kingfishers

Teal pool...

2 Teal
1 snipe

2 goosanders on the river