ELTON RESERVOIR

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

RE: ELTON RESERVOIR

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Evening wander

3 Whinchat -Goyt
3 Wheatear -Goyt
Redstart - Goyt
4 snipe
8 Teal
Spotted flycatcher - creek in a big tit flock which also included the below
Whitethroat
30+ Chiffchaff
Treecreeper
Goldcrest
2 blackcap

No sign of the Greenshank or 2 Great White egrets seen earlier by some of the other regulars

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Greenshank present on Within's this morning.

Yesterday drake Common Scoter and 3+ Wheatear.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

1st Summer Juvenile Little Gull dropped in at 6.30. I watched it for 10 mins before I had to leave. Was still there 6.45

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Highlights of a short, but interesting, afternoon visit:

1 Great White Egret

2 Gadwall, 14 Teal and 31 Tufted Duck.

4 Snipe.

2 Little Grebe.

4 Swift came in with c100 Swallow and smaller numbers of both Sand and House Martin.

1 Willow Tit.

1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff.

Keith Rowland · Status: Offline

Highlight of this mornings walk with Ian and Paul was 4 Avocet heading West, seen from Wihins Carpark/Capticks lane.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This morning upto midday partly with Simon J produced -

3 Common Sandpiper
1 Shoveler
4 Gadwall (23 on Swan Lodge)
3 Little Grebe
6 Goosander
8 Teal
3 Water Rail
2 Tree Pipit over south calling
3 Reed Warbler
1 Willow Tit
1 Raven
5 Treecreeper

Yesterday, drake Common Scoter, Green Sandpiper, Tree Pipit.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

08.45am - 14.30pm. Cloudy, light breeze. 11c-18c.

Did mostly a butterfly and plant count with Mike Horwood, some birds of note were.

1 Great white egret
3 Kingfisher.
1 Little egret.
7 Cormorant.
2 Goosander.
3 House Martin.
3 Willow Warbler.

Plus a small wader bird twice flew along the Irwell, hours apart, could not identify.

Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am-12.45pm.Mixed grey cloud, light breeze, one heavy shower. 16c-20c.

42 species Including:

1 Hobby.
1 Green sandpiper.
1 Kestrel.
1 Kingfisher.
2 Swift.
29 Swallow.
30+ Goldfinch.
6 Greenfinch.
80+ Starling.
4 Long tailed tit.
2 Willow warbler.
6 Collared dove.
3 Grey wagtail.
1 Pheasant.
1 Cormorant.
6 Lesser black backed gull.
9 Herring gull.
27 Black headed gull.
4 Great crested grebe.
6 Tufted duck.
90+ Canada goose.
70+ Mallard.
170+ Coot.
2 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.45am - 12.45pm. Mixed grey cloud, light breeze, showers. 14c-18c

43 Species including.

1 Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Common tern.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Little grebe.
1 Common sandpiper.
2 Rose ringed parakeet.
15 House martin.
13 Sand martin.
7 Swallow.
5 Swift.
2 Willow warbler.
2 Bullfinch.
23 Goldfinch.
8 Greenfinch.
4 Cormorant.
3 Grey wagtail.
5 Pied wagtail.
4 Lesser black backed gull.
6 Collared dove.
43 Starling. (on one telegraph line).
15 Blackbird.
9 Carrion crow.
3 Great crested grebe.
120+ Coot.
90+ Canada goose.
70+ Mallard.
3 Tufted duck.
40+ Black headed gull.
1 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning up to 11am-

1 Green Sandpiper Withins
2 Common Sandpiper Withins
1 juv Little Ringed Plover Withins
2 Shoveler
4 Teal
188 Coot
1 Little Grebe
3 Great Black-backed Gull
3 Common Tern
Water Rail+chick
Kingfisher
1 Lesser Whitethroat
25+ Willow Warblers
2 Willow Tit
2 Nuthatch
66 species in total.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.30am-13.00pm. Clear, then mixed cloud, light breeze. 17c-20c.

40 species including.

1 Green sandpiper.
1 Grasshopper warbler.
2 Kestrel.
1 Little grebe.
2 Oystercatcher.
2 Ring necked parakeet.
3 Swift.
7 Sand Martin.
8 Swallow.
1 Bullfinch.
4 Greenfinch.
1 Jay.
14 Blackbird.
1 Song Thrush.
3 Collared dove.
2 Grey wagtail.
80+ Canada goose.
50+ Wood pigeon.
90+ Coot.
33 Black headed gull.
3 Great crested grebe.
5 Tufted duck.
39 Mallard.
1 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am - 12.30pm. Mixed cloud, still. 18c-23c.

41 species including.

2 Kestrel
3 Kingfisher (together).
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Jay.
50+ Goldfinch.
9 Long tailed tit.
1 Blackcap.
3 Willow warbler.
6 Swift.
5 Sand martin.
12 Swallow.
2 Song Thrush.
15 Starling.
86 Mallard.
97 Coot.
180+ Canada Goose.
7 Moorhen.
3 Great crested grebe.
1 Grey wagtail.
4 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

Common scoter Drake
Redstart (m) on fence on road to crow tree farm
6 shoveler
Little grebe
130 coot
2 Curlew north
3 common sandpiper
2 little ringed plover landed on res wall then flew south
2 Oystercatcher
5 Ring-necked Parakeet
24 House Martin
451 Swift SW
Common Buzzard

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Modest highlights from a short afternoon visit:

1 Common Tern.

1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

40 Sand Martin on fence at Withins.

1 Ring-necked Parakeet on the feeders.

Singing Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat and surprisingly a Grasshopper Warbler.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Lesser Scaup still present on Elton at 1 p.m. in a group of about 8 male Tufted Ducks.

Large number of Sand Martins very low over the reservoir, with a few Swallows and Swifts. 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the buoys. Some of the Sand Martins landing on the exposed mud at Withins. 6 Canada Geese and 2 male Tufted Duck the only birds of note there.
Elsewhere Kestrel being seen off by male Blackbirds, a couple of Water Rail heard along the canal, where a pair of Coot are nesting in the middle! Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Song Thrush all singing still/again?

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Lesser Scaup first found on Elton res (in the middle) early this morning. Only a brief view of it flying off with about eight Tufted Ducks. Clear view of small white patches on wings - different from wing patterns on the Tufted duck, which showed much more white. The birds were lost from view behind the trees on the "mound". Ten minutes later, they were all re-located at the back of Withins, on the shoreline. Stayed here for a couple of hours until the scaup flew off with a single tufted duck. It was then seen back on the main reservoir, in the middle, with several more tufted duck. A nice bird for Elton! Still present when I left at noon

Other birds of note included:

2 Oystercatcher
1 Redshank
2 Common Tern
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Peregrine
1 Kingfisher (on Withins - good luck finding anything to eat there!)
1 Rose-ringed Parakeet (at feeders in car park)
2 Willow tit (feeders)
8 Nuthatch (two groups of four, one group at my feeders at Daisyfield)
2 Linnet
Total species count of 64 was pretty good for June, despite not going to the canal/marsh area, so missing sedge warbler and a few other species which are likely there).

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 15th of June 2024 02:08:08 PM

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Drake Lesser Scaup now on Elton Reservoir.

Info thanks to Simon Johnson

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Drake Lesser Scaup on Withins Reservoir this morning.

Info thanks to Simon Johnson

David Hughes · Status: Offline

Juvenile dipper in the canal overflow 3 15pm

Mike c cooper · Status: Offline

Wander around res to Withins and back 3/6 12:00-14:20 after filllng feeders incl sunflower hearts

44 sp

Feeders Jay double figure gold and greenfinches

Subsong Reed Warbler Capsticks bullrushes/Willows
6 singing Willow Warblers and Whitethroats
4 singing blackcap
1 singing Lesser Whitethroat

As wind increased and it clouded over c 30 Swifts and 40 Sand martins feeding over res

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.45am - 13.45pm. Mixed light cloud, breezy.12c-18c.

49 Species including.

1 Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Ringed plover.
2 Rose ringed parakeet.
1 Coal Tit.
1 Willow Tit.
5 Chiffchaff.
6 Whitethroat.
2 Blackcap.
4 Willow warbler.
3 Sand martin.
12 Swallow.
17 Blackbird.
2 Song Thrush.
7 Lapwing.
29 Goldfinch.
1 Grey wagtail.
1 Pheasant.
4 Lesser black backed gull.
2 Great crested grebe.
9 Tufted duck.
54 Canada goose.
70+ Starling.
19 Coot.
46 Mallard.
1 Grey heron.
1 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.30am - 13.30pm. Clear, then light cloud. 12c-15c.

Great day, hardly any humans.
Overall quiet bird wise.

43 species including.

1 Kestrel.
2 Oystercatcher.
80+Starling. (25+ Juvenile).
4 Blackcap.
3 Willow warbler.
4 Whitethroat.
2 Lesser black backed gull.
45 Canada goose.
1 House martin.
1 Sand Martin.
9 Swallow.
4 Chiffchaff.
1 Pheasant.
8 Greenfinch.
2 Song Thrush.
6 Lapwing.
13 Carrion crow.
3 Collared dove.
3 Great crested grebe.
12 Tufted duck.
2 Grey wagtail.
5 Mute swan.
1 Pied wagtail.

Thanks Derek.

Michael Hood · Status: Offline

Friday 17th am ~ 9-11:30

Common Scoter - M & F moving about, diving, prominent because they were the only ducks staying out in the middle
Common Tern - just 1, on the buoys, flying about and sometimes skimming for a drink
Common Sandpiper - 1, Ringed Plover - 1
Swifts - also skimming for a drink, Swallows & Sand Martins
Ring-necked Parakeet - 1 on the lowest feeder
Nuthatch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch - on the feeders
Willow Warbler - many, Chiffchaff - a couple but only heard
Common Whitethroat - several
Reed Warbler - 1 in the pond/marsh at the far end the name of which I can never remember
Sedge Warbler - 1 in the reeds/grass over the canal

Others there saw various waders on Withins but nothing still visible when I got there

-- Edited by Michael Hood on Friday 17th of May 2024 01:48:59 PM

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

drake Garganey present this morning.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am - 13.00pm. Light grey cloud, light breeze. 13c - 19c.

52 Species including.

1 Whinchat.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Raven.
1 Rose ringed parakeet.
1 Coal tit.
5 Chiffchaff.
4 Whitethroat.
6 Blackcap.
8 Willow warbler.
1 Oystercatcher.
2 House martin.
2 Swift.
6 Sand martin.
9 Swallow.
26 Blackbird.
3 Song thrush.
14 Lapwing.
8 Collared dove.
1 Pheasant.
1 Bullfinch.
11 Greenfinch.
2 Grey wagtail.
4 Pied wagtail.
50+ Starling.
5 Lesser black backed gull.
3 Great crested grebe.
60+ Canada goose.
27 Coot.
34 Mallard.
3 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

brian fielding · Status: Offline

1 Brent goose, over south at 7.15 then back north at 8.55

1 whinchat, doffer fold farm

1 ringed plover

1 common sandpiper

-- Edited by brian fielding on Sunday 12th of May 2024 11:16:38 AM

Mike c cooper · Status: Offline

Thurs 9/5 14:10-20
3 Greenshanks circled res calling disapearing East over sailing club

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am - 13.00pm. Clear then light cloud, still. 09c-12c.

50 Species including:

1 Garganey.
1 Kestrel.
1 Sparrowhawk.
3 Rose ringed parakeet.
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Kingfisher.
4 Swallow.
2 Sand martin.
1 Sedge warbler.
6 Whitethroat.
5 Chiffchaff.
7 Blackcap.
9 Willow warbler.
1 Mistle thrush.
3 Song thrush.
1 Jay.
10 Lapwing.
1 Reed bunting.
1 Pheasant.
1 Pied wagtail.
1 Grey wagtail.
3 Gadwall.
3 Great crested grebe.
1 Goosander.
2 Grey Heron.
4 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

No Little Tern this morning but drake Garganey still present and a Sandwich Tern flew through.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

A few record shots of Little Tern that turned up this afternoon. Still there 5.30 tonight. They don't usually stay overnight but see if its still there tommorrow

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Brilliant day around Elton with 71 species, 5.15am listening to the dawn chorus and stayed till 2pm. Highlights-

2 drake Garganey
1 drake Shoveler
6 Gadwall
1 Common Sandpiper
15 Swift
2 Water Rail
1 adult Little Gull 6.05 - approx. 9am only
1 Common Tern
1 Tawny Owl
2 Little Owl
1 Hobby
3 Ring-necked Parakeet
4 Sedge Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
22 Willow Warbler
14 Blackcap
8 Whitethroat
5 Lesser Whitethroat (record year)
2 Treecreeper
1 Redpoll

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Drake Scaup present this morning, found by the dynamic duo of Paul and Ian. Pretty quiet otherwise apart from singing Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warbler, 2 Common Tern, 2 Shoveler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear. 2 Wheatears present yesterday.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am - 15.00pm. Mixed cloud, light breeze. 07c-10c.

47 species including:

1 Raven.
3 Oystercatcher.
2 Rose ringed parakeet.
40+ Swallow.
30+ Sand Martin.
4 Swift.
20+ Goldfinch.
15 Willow warbler.
6 Chiffchaff.
5 Blackcap.
5 Meadow pipit.
4 Reed bunting.
26 Blackbird.
3 Song thrush.
1 Jay.
10 Lapwing.
4 Collared dove.
2 Pheasant.
3 Grey wagtail.
3 Pied wagtail.
11 Long tailed tit.
7 Greenfinch.
60+ Jackdaw.
80+Starling.
120+ Wood pigeon.
3 Lesser black backed gull.
60+ Black headed gull.
31 Tufted duck.
5 Goosander.
1 Gadwall.
90+ Canada goose.
3 Great crested grebe.
1 Grey heron.
9 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Keith Rowland · Status: Offline

Whimbrel over reservoir calling several times heading NE direction towards Bury College, viewed from the wall near the overflow @ 19:47

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

43 Whooper Swans still present late evening, mostly asleep. Also 5 Wheatear along the wall, 4 Swift and 1 Common Tern of note.

Michael Hood · Status: Offline

If that number (43) is correct then it sounds like that's the flock of Whoopers that were on Hollingworth Lake earlier.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

43 Whooper Swans at present on the res.

Peter Johnson · Status: Offline

A flock of around 30 Whooper Swans have just landed on the res. at 2:45 pm. Info from Neville at Woos Nab Farm.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

2 Arctic Terns briefly at 7.15am before flying off and then 2 more probably different birds appeared after 9am. Also 2 Curlew through and 2 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Swift. With Paul Wilson and Ian Campbell.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am - 14.00pm, mixed cloud, still, then light breeze. 03c-10c

With Mike Horwood.

51 species including.

3 Swift.
4 Raven.
1 Common tern.
5 Oystercatcher.
4 Rose ringed parakeet.
1 White wagtail.
100+ Sand martin.
5 Swallow.
1 House martin.
1 Little egret.
1 Kestrel.
1 Nuthatch.
3 Blackcap.
7 Willow warbler.(Many more singing).
5 Chiffchaff.
1 Reed bunting.
1 Song thrush.
1 Grey wagtail.
2 Pheasant.
10 Lapwing.
4 Jay.
4 Goosander.
25 Tufted duck.
3 Great crested grebe.
5 Gadwall.
3 Lesser black backed gull.
1 Grey heron.
5 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Charles Farrell · Status: Offline

First visit in ages. A very muddy circuit - wish I'd taken my wellys rather than just my boots. Common & Lesser Whitethroat were new for the year for me, though I couldn't manage to see either bird. Nothing else of particular note amongst the 37 species I heard or saw.

John Watson · Status: Offline

Definitely not the usual "flavissima" ssp

Looks good for Blue-Headed "flava", though I couldn't rule out "Channel Wagtail" (not uncommon hybrid flava x flavissima - seem to get a few locally) as the head is a little on the pale side

Spring yellow wagtails photo ID guide - BirdGuides

Michael Hood · Status: Offline

That Yellow Wagtail is surely one of the sub-species, something like Blue-headed Wagtail (M.f.flava) - I'm no expert but someone who is will surely see those photos

Ian Latham · Status: Offline

Single Yellow Wagtail in the flooded horse field at the capsticks end

Common Tern

4 Rose Necked Parakeets in the dip

Pair of Willow Tits along the canal

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.15am- 14.15pm. Mixed cloud, breezy, 09c-12c.

47 species including.

Lovely peaceful walk.

1 Kestrel.
1 Buzzard.
1 Lesser whitethroat.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Little egret.
1 Little ringed plover.
1 White wagtail.
1 Willow tit.
2 Blackcap.
6 Chiffchaff.
8 Willow warbler.
1 Great black backed gull.
7 Swallow.
3 Sand martin.
6 Meadow pipit.
2 Jay.
27 Blackbird.
12 Lapwing.
3 Pheasant.
1 Grey wagtail.
70+ Jackdaw.
120+ Wood pigeon.
5 Lesser black backed gull.
12 Herring gull.
100+ Black headed gull.
2 Great crested grebe.
55 Mallard.
53 Tufted duck.
3 Grey heron.
3 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Brilliant morning around Elton with the following highlights

an Osprey over the reservoir at 6.30am being pursued by 3 lesser black-backed gulls, circled briefly before flying off north towards Lowercroft. Viewed distantly from the canal (2 poor record shots attached).
single Arctic Tern briefly at 6.45am but chased off by black-headed gulls
1 Common Tern
3 Mediterranean Gulls
1 poss 2 Ringed Plovers
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Snipe
2 Wheatear
1 Lesser Whitethroat
5 Willow Tits
250 Sand Martin
7 House Martin
60 Swallow
22 Willow Warbler
14 Blackcap
2 White Wagtails
2 Siskin
5 Redpoll
7 Linnet
21 Mipits

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 14th of April 2024 01:59:34 PM

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

2 male Redstarts and a male Yellow Wagtail present this morning. Also 2 House Martin, Common Sandpiper, Little Owl and good numbers of Willow Warblers and Blackcaps fresh in.

Ian Latham · Status: Offline

A few Swallows mixed with House and Sand Martins over the res prior to the rain

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

A Sandwich Tern was perched on a buoy out from the sailing club at 6.55am viewed distantly from capsticks, by the time I got nearer it was flying around the reservoir, it went quite high towards Radcliffe then came back to the reservoir before flying NE at 7.10am. Also Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, 1 Wheatear and 7 Goldeneye.

Its already on ebird so no need for our annonymous friend to put it on there for us..