ELTON RESERVOIR

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

RE: ELTON RESERVOIR

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

07:00-10:30am with Ian C highlights
1 Chiffchaff.
3 Shoveler.
5 Teal.
6 Goldeneye.
3 Goosander.
1 Greylag Goose.
1 Little Egret.
40+ Fieldfare.
5 Redwing.
1 Kestrel.
2 Unidentifed Swans flying high heading North.

Cheers Steven.

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

On a late morning circuit:

4 Sand Martin.

Sparrowhawk terrorising the House Sparrows around Old Hall Farm, and a Buzzard.

1 Little Egret on Old Hall Marsh and later on the River.

1 Curlew displaying.

38 Fieldfare and 12 Redwing on the fields by Crow Trees Farm.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. 7 Goldeneye, 5 Teal and 3 Gadwall on the res. with 2 Sand Martin also. 2 flocks of Fieldfare (47 and 64) over NE. On the river 3 Goosander as it runs next to the canal. and 1 Dipper near the weir and corkscrew generator. 2 Oystercatcher displaying on factory roof.
Cheers Ian

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

Got some info back on one of the Mute Swans that turned up last week with 2 adults and 3 cygnets. One of the cygnets had a darvic ring 4CYN was originally ringed as a male cygnet on 3/2/2018 at Firs Flash, Leigh.

Info courtesy of Steve @northwestswanstudy

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Quick look after work
3 possibly 4 Sand martins
2 Little Egrets on Elton red shore line.
7 Goldeneye.

Some concern in case poison has been used below feeders as 6 rats found dead.

cheers Steven

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Pm visit highlights.
2 Little ringed plover.
1 Chiffchaff in Creek.
1 Coal Tit at feeders.
6 Bullfinches
2 Linnet along canal
2 Pheasant.

Cheers Steven

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

07:00-10:40am with Ian C & Malcolm highlights.
1 Merlin flew through east.
1 Sand martin.
1 Little Ringed Plover.
2 Singing Chiffchaff.
2 Sparrowhawk.
1 Kestrel.
1 Goldcrest.
5 Gadwall.
7 Goldeneye
12 Teal.
3 Pheasant.

Cheers Steven

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. with Brian Fielding (it must be Spring !) and partly Simon J, on the res. 10 Goldeneye and 1 Redshank, no sign of Greater Scaup. Near capsticks a Great Tit giving a perfect copy of a Chiffchaff call. At Crow Trees approx 200 mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing. Along canal Water Rail and Buzzard heard but not seen and a Little Egret was in the marsh. Back at the pump house between 10-11 a.m 43 Meadow Pipit passed over in small groups N.
Cheers Ian

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

52 species this morning during a 3 hour circuit, but no summer visitors noted. Best birds:

Scaup, 8 Goldeneye and a Goosander on the reservoir.

Mixed flock of c30 Redwing and Fieldfare below Withins.

2 Kingfisher on the River Irwell, apparently in a territorial dispute.

1 Little Egret on Old Hall Marsh.

Several pairs of Lapwing and singles of Curlew and Oystercatcher.

Singles of Buzzard and Kestrel.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

8.45am - 11.15am Grey Cloudy, Cool, Breezy, SSE, 7c.

31 Species spotted including:

33 Fieldfare ( heading west).
37 Tufted Duck.
23 Herring Gull.
14 Lapwing.
21 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
5 Teal.
1 Kestrel.
1 Water Rail (below pumphouse).
3 Song Thrush.
5 Bullfinch.5m.

Thanks Derek.

.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Also (again).... gadwall, teal still on flooded fields and a little egret again but in flight directly over me near Bennies. Ta!

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. 1 Greater Scaup, 2 Goosander, 12 Teal and 6 Goldeneye on the res. Water Rail near Bennies and a Buzzard in the dip.
Cheers Ian

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

Wed. 21/3 07:00-12:00 car park area

Lesser redpoll at least 2 trilling with male on Niger seeds
Goldcrest 1 on fat balls fem later ringed
Reed bunting Male and 2 fem all unringed

Meadow pipit singles over

-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Thursday 22nd of March 2018 08:55:52 AM

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Also, Nice to see a little egret again near old hall marsh this morning on a passing visit. To think just 10 years ago I'd have to be extremely lucky to see one in the area! Ta!

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. with Malcolm, 1 Dunlin on shore near sailing club, 1 Greater Scaup, 4 Goldeneye and 7 Teal. 1 Buzzard over Crow Trees another in a tree at the dip and at least one in the air over Bury. Water Rail seen on the canal. After the large passage of Meadow Pipits yesterday there was 1 today.
Cheers Ian

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Also worthy of note; a few gadwalls and teal and a full summer looking common gull were on the flooded fields along the canal just past the crow trees farm area. Ta!

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Between 8-8.30 at the pumphouse at least 137 Meadow Pipits passed through heading NE along with 5 Skylark. On res. 1 Greater Scaup, 8 Goldeneye and 12 Teal with 2 more by canal. 2 Water Rail heard along canal with 1 singing Linnet. In lane behind sailing club 1 Chiffchaff.
Cheers Ian

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.15am - 12.30pm. Sunny,Cold,Clear, Windy ENE , 2C.

25 Species spotted including:

2 Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Goldcrest.
1 Pheasant.
1 Coal Tit.
1 Greater Scaup.
3 Bullfinch 2M 1F.
4 Lapwing.

Thanks Derek.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. with Malcolm and Paul, 2 Greylag Geese over car park early, on res 1 Greater Scaup, 7 Goldeneye and 7 Teal. 18 Meadow Pipit below res, 1 Raven near Crow Trees and a Little Egret on Old Hall field then to the river.
Cheers Ian

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

8.20 - 11am

some cold weather movement this morning

627 Fieldfare south/SE
77 Redwing south/se
59 Skylark south
763 Starling SW and 100+ NE
2 Curlew NW
2 Snipe south and 11 NW
20 Meadow Pipit south

3 Snipe feeding in a pond in capsticks field and another in a stream near withins
26 lapwing crow tree farm
Pheasant
10 Goldeneye

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Highlights from a late afternoon visit:

8 Goldeneye.

12 Goosander arrived late on and appeared to roost.

28 Lapwing.

2 Oystercatcher.

Grey Wagtail on stream below Withins.

2 Kestrel over Old Hall Marsh.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:00-10:00am mostly with Ian C and partly with Simon J.
1 Greater Scaup female.
7 Goldeneye.
15 Teal.
3 Gadwall.
4 Goosander.
6 Snipe.
8 Common Gull.
1 Great black backed gull.
167+ Fieldfare moving through.
2 Redwing.
23+Skylark over.
1 Buzzard.
2 Kestrels. 1 Over hospital 1 old hall marsh.
2 Sparrowhawks 1 Feeders twice 1 Old hall farm.
1 Goldcrest at feeders.
2 Bullfinch.

Cheers Steven

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sand Martin this morning in the snow showers
Female Scaup still present
2 Gadwall withins

The flashes along the canal at Crow Trees and Coney Green had a good selection -
Redshank
6 Oystercatcher
19 Lapwing
4 Gadwall
8 Teal
190 Fieldfare
600+ Starling
Buzzard
23 Meadow Pipit south

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

14.00 - 16.00 Part cloudy/sunny light breeze 11c.

30 species spotted including:

1 Kestrel.
5 Reed Bunting.
2 Gadwall.
7 Lesser Black backed Gull.
1 Pochard.
1 Jay.
7 Pied Wagtail.
6 Great Crested Grebe.

Thanks Derek.

Peter Johnson · Status: Offline

This afternoon -

2 pair of Oystercatcher, 1 pair of which were displaying and calling before landing on the old MacPhersons site roof.

2 Buzzard, 1 of which was being harassed by a Raven and 2 Carrion Crows.

4 Gadwall in flooded field along the canal.

Mediterranean Gull.

12 Fieldfare.

Lots of Jackdaws collecting nesting material. Also a pair of Mistle Thrush.

Noticed a lot of frog spawn on the canal. Not sure I've ever seen so much before.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:30-09:15 highlights.
1 Greater Scaup. F.
6 Gadwall.
9 Goldeneye.
9 Teal.
1 Pochard.
4 Goosander.
2 Oystercatcher.
2 Pheasant.
Water Rail heard only.
Chiffchaff heard calling only near Monkey bridge.

Cheers Steven.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. in wet conditions, on the res. 1 Greater Scaup, 7 Goldeneye and a Goosander of note. At capsticks 1 Water Rail. 1 Little Egret old hall field.
Cheers Ian

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

9.15 - 11.30 . Light cloud, Breezy 7c.

34 Species spotted, Including:

2 Goldeneye.
2 Grey Wagtail.
1 Pochard.
1 Kestrel.
2 Song Thrush.
1 Greater Scaup.
2 Bullfinch. 1M 1F.
3 Lapwing.
1 Skylark.

Thanks Derek.

Mike Cooper · Status: Offline

Also this morning
4 m 2 f goldeneye
Lesser redpoll at least one trilling song flight /display
Goldcrest at feeders

Overhead 1 meadow pipit and 3 skylarks

-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Wednesday 14th of March 2018 05:24:38 PM

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Mooch round this morning 9.30 to 1.30

No sign of Short-eared Owl, or, for that matter the Scaup or BN Grebe. Had to be satisfied with:

1 Kingfisher
3-4 Kestrel
1 Pochard
4-5 Goldeneye
2 Teal
1 Little Egret
2 Oystercatchers
Several Lapwing displaying

Met someone in car park called Mike who had never been to Elton, so walked a full circuit giving him a guided tour of the various locations and what to expect at different times of the year. Despite the lack of anything special to see, he seemed impressed with Elton - much more than he expected.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Hopefully, to bring the falcon matter to a conclusion on this thread, here is all we know.

The bird seen on the pump house is the female of a pair and is a Gyr x Saker cross. Both birds escaped from a site in south Manchester during the recent hard weather and have been at large since, the male having been located in Chester and recently recaptured but unfortunately died due to being so malnourished. The female was reported again from another location yesterday evening.

A local falconer has been notified by the relevant authorities and is actively attempting to recapture the bird but any further information should be passed onto the IBR whose telephone numbers can be found within Richard Thew's post.

Thanks to everyone for their concern and for providing information.

James Walsh · Status: Offline

Short-eared Owl Capsticks Marsh at 8:30am also female Greater Scaup & drake Pochard

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

Richard Thew wrote:

Just to note; in my experience, the falcon in question to me is obviously owned by someone. I've only just seen this post now and has the classic shaped overgrowth beak that happens after years of feeding soft meat. But be warned! - I've not checked yet myself but it's just as HIGHLY likely to be a hybrid as a pure breed as falcons are regularly mixed to create best of two birds (as an example - perigrine x gyrfalcon gives the obedience and impressive use of a gyr with a peregrine edge.) I've also seen in my previous job that not all birds have been properly kept to "legal status" and some do end up escaping. If the owner has flown the bird when it disappeared - usually jesses are sometimes removed by the minority fearing the bird will get snagged on trees etc, so this isn't a reliable indicator. The bird could also have come from miles away which won't help matters. It maybe best to report the find to the I.B.R. on 01617905613, although there is little that can be done without the ring number! This is all the information I can give at this time. Ta!

IBR already know about the bird, apparently it's one of a pair that went missing the other week so possibly escaped from an aviary rather than birds that were being flown? Does anyone know when the pics were taken? Sorry for taking the thread away from birding, please PM me if anyone knows.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Just to note; in my experience, the falcon in question to me is obviously owned by someone. I've only just seen this post now and has the classic shaped overgrowth beak that happens after years of feeding soft meat. But be warned! - I've not checked yet myself but it's just as HIGHLY likely to be a hybrid as a pure breed as falcons are regularly mixed to create best of two birds (as an example - perigrine x gyrfalcon gives the obedience and impressive use of a gyr with a peregrine edge.) I've also seen in my previous job that not all birds have been properly kept to "legal status" and some do end up escaping. If the owner has flown the bird when it disappeared - usually jesses are sometimes removed by the minority fearing the bird will get snagged on trees etc, so this isn't a reliable indicator. The bird could also have come from miles away which won't help matters. It maybe best to report the find to the I.B.R. on 01617905613, although there is little that can be done without the ring number! This is all the information I can give at this time. Ta!

A S Ball · Status: Offline

I did not see any straps(jesses) on the raptor, only yellow talons. 2 more photos attached with talons in view.

John Watson · Status: Offline

Nearly all the photos I can find show pale legs - A S Ball's pic shows some bright yellow, perhaps jesses. And the fact that it's tame, well ...

A S Ball · Status: Offline

I was walking along the reservoir embankment between 14.30 and 15.30. The raptor was on the pumphouse for over 30 minutes, regardless of people and dogs walking past, and being dived on by gulls and crows.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

When today was all this happening please

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

A S Ball wrote:

This is the same bird of prey that was sat on the pumphouse for 30 mins, being swooped on by crows and gulls but not moving.
It eventually flew off going towards the canal being chased by a carrion crow.
I think it may be a juvenile pale buzzard. It had yellow talons, yellow lore, black eye and dark grey curved beak.

Hi Allan,
however you look at this bird in those few images, it's a Falcon. The birds jizz and general structure tell you it's a Falcon and not a Buzzard which would be classed as a Hawk. It certainly looks like a Gyrfalcon from the images, the only other species it could be at a push is a pale morph Saker but note from the images it looks quite large on the pumphouse.
These birds are MAJESTIC, especially in this plumage (because there is a wide range) jessie's or not!

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Walk around after work.
1 Black neck grebe record shot attached.
2 Little Grebes.
1 Greater Scaup female.
1 Pochard drake.
2 Teal.
8 Goldeneye.

Cheers Steven.

brian fielding · Status: Offline

Hi , did you see any jessies on this bird and what time did you see it fly to the canal, looks like a gyr falcon to me.

A S Ball · Status: Offline

This is the same bird of prey that was sat on the pumphouse for 30 mins, being swooped on by crows and gulls but not moving.

It eventually flew off going towards the canal being chased by a carrion crow.

I think it may be a juvenile pale buzzard. It had yellow talons, yellow lore, black eye and dark grey curved beak.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

What appears to be a white morph Gyr Falcon was present today, sat on the pumphpouse and allowing close approach! Very unlikely to be a wild bird (no information as to whether the bird had jessies or not just yet) but an impressive looking beast nevertheless.

Peter Johnson · Status: Offline

This afternoon -

2 Whooper Swans

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This a.m. with Malcolm, of note were 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Greater Scaup and 10 Goldeneye on the res. 1 Water rail at capsticks and 1 Little Egret in Old Hall field.
Cheers Ian

Paul Wilkins · Status: Offline

On the water

Scaup (female)
Tufted Duck c. 20
Canada Goose (lots)
Great Crested Grebe c. 6
Coot (uncounted)
Mallard (ditto)
Pochard (drake)
Goldeneye c. 12
Black-headed Gull (uncounted)
Teal 2
Moorhen 6
Greylag Goose 1
Cormorant (flying over)
Common Gull
Mute Swan 3
Black-necked Grebe
Mediterranean Gull 2

Fringes

Robin
Lapwing 3
Dunnock
Wren
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Wood Pigeon
Great Tit
Pied Wagtail 2
Starling
Fieldfare

Feeders

Goldfinch 20+
Greenfinch 2
Long-tailed Tit 4
Blue Tit 3
Chaffinch 2
Reed Bunting 1
Goldcrest 1

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

First Sand Martin this morning picked up by Steve H .. it was harassed by black-headed Gulls and flew off high south

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

06:30-10:30am highlights of 54 species seen. 1 Sand Martin. Flew over the res at 8:15am. 1 Black necked grebe. 1 Little Grebe. 1 Greater Scaup f. 12 Goldeneye. 1 Pochard m. 1 Goosander m. 1 Little Egret 1 Curlew. 1 Oystercatcher. 1 Water Rail along canal flushed by a mink. 4 Pheasant. 3 Kestrels. 1 Buzzard. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Cheers Steven

-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Sunday 11th of March 2018 10:53:15 AM

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

15:00-16:50pm
1 Black neck grebe in front of the sailing club record shot attached.
1 Drake Pochard.
1 Female Greater Scaup.
10 Goldeneye.
3 Goosander.

Cheers Steven