Hollingworth Lake

Simon Hitchen · Status: Offline

RE: Hollingworth Lake

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Just to let you know that I'd contacted Sean Gray (photographer of the Blackstone Edge littoralis) before I left for Cyprus and he very kindly sent me a couple of his images, unfortunately I hadn't time to put them onto the galleries but will get around to it imminently, so those who haven't visited Sean's great blog to see the images (which you really should try to wink

) can view them on the galleries on the manchesterbirding main site.

Simon Hitchen · Status: Offline

Willow Warbler singing this morning - first here this year.

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

The hide was open on sunday.

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Dean Mac wrote:

Went to Hollingworth Lake this afternoon. MISTAKE!
It was like Blackpool promenade. No harm in that, of course, everyone having a nice time but not conducive to good bird watching. Saw very little, a couple of great crested grebe, Herring and lesser black backed Gull, most prominent thing on the water where boats. Still a very nice walk with great scenery.

We went last week (on the Friday, after a trip to Light Hazzels to see the Twite), and there was hardly anyone around. Had great views of the female Mandarin Duck - what a gorgeous bird that is. Is the hide permanently locked nowadays?

Simon Hitchen · Status: Offline

6 adult Kittiwakes on the Lake this morning from 0830-1000 at least - also a Chiffchaff

And in reply to previous post - Hollingworth Lake is best avoided on weekends or any vaguely sunny day unless you get there first thing. At weekends rowing boats are out about 0800 and do a good job of scaring everything off, and by 1000 the place generally resembles Blackpool. We have been lobbying for a string of buoys to cordon off the nature reserve area to limit disturbance from boats but haven't had much joy - no money for wildlife in the Rochdale council budget.

Cheers, Simon

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

Went to Hollingworth Lake this afternoon. MISTAKE!
It was like Blackpool promenade. No harm in that, of course, everyone having a nice time but not conducive to good bird watching. Saw very little, a couple of great crested grebe, Herring and lesser black backed Gull, most prominent thing on the water where boats. Still a very nice walk with great scenery.

Simon Hitchen · Status: Offline

2 Little-ringed Plovers and a male White Wagtail at Shaw Moss this evening.

Also of note the 'Scandinavian' Rock Pipit at Blackstone Edge Res'r was seen again yesterday and some excellent photos were taken by a Yorkshire birder and can be viewed at www.calderbirds.blogspot.com

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Thanks for that Simon, there were then, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers in the county early this morning, which is quite remarkable given their scarce status of late.

As for "May not sound that impressive a selection to birders in the west of the county but to us poor souls in the birdless wastes of Rochdale this was as good as it gets!" Well I'm impressed, I think you're doing yourself an injustice there Simon, nice to hear from you though

Simon Hitchen · Status: Offline

An excellent morning at Hollingworth Lake with a pair Red-breasted Mergansers present early am (at least 0750) until flushed by a power boat at 0920 - therefore must be different from Audenshaw birds.

3 Kittiwakes ( 2 adults and an imm) from 0915-0945 at least.

Also a drake Gadwall, 21 Wigeon, 20 Goldeneye, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 2 Teal and, most surprisingly, a female Mandarin Duck - not sure where that's come from.

Unfortunately all the ducks shoved off by the depressingly predictable appearance of a power boat at 0920.

May not sound that impressive a selection to birders in the west of the county but to us poor souls in the birdless wastes of Rochdale this was as good as it gets!

Cheers, Simon