08.45am - 11.45am. Clear, still, 14c -19c.

41 Species Including:

1 Hobby.(Pylon after Creek).
2 Kingfisher.
3 Goosander. (3F).
1 Common Tern.
1 Great Black Backed Gull.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
2 Herring Gull.
13 Great Crested Grebe.
70+ Canada Goose.
31 Collared Dove.
2 Cormorant.
1 Sedge Warbler.
2 Willow Warbler.
80+ Goldfinch.
3 Grey Heron.
4 Grey Wagtail.(2juv).
2 Mute Swan.
3 Song Thrush.
70+ Starling.
30+ Swallow.

Thanks Derek.

No sign of Redstart this a.m. but excellent views of Water Rail by bridge 19 on canal.
Cheers Ian

Thanks Ian, at least we tried! I have only managed a quick look around today and that produced: 2 linnets, a glimpse of a water rail, and a kingfisher that was perched on the canal wall. Ta!

I've had a good morning but in my panic when it rained, I accidentally dropped my samsung galaxy tablet. So if anyone hears one has been found, please post it here. It was lost by old hall farm. It is security protected so it won't be of use to anyone but this means I cannot edit my posts nor check for private messages. (I can only post via a basic mobile site) There is no personal information on it thankfully. Ta!

3 common scoters this morning. Also noteworthy was a family of sedge warblers along the canal with 3 youngsters being fed. A grey wagtail was there too, plus a gadwall and 2 linnets. Also I'm very certain a spotted flycatcher was calling briefly between the Creek and wader point but was inaccessible to check due to the dense shrubs at the back where I heard it call from. Also I hope you'll forgive me but I forgot to mention yesterday a male pheasant from the canal area and a large flock of 125+ goldfinches around the back. While I'm typing this, the two common terns have just returned. Ta!

Disappointing after the last 2 days, just 1 Common Tern and a Garden Warbler at the entrance to the Creek of note.
Cheers Ian

This a.m. with Malcolm, the Common Scoter departed W at 7.30, 11 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 1 Gadwall and 1 Kingfisher also on the res. 1 male Redstart at usual location in hedge by bridge over stream near Crow Trees.
Cheers Ian

Perhaps lacking the glamour of recent posts I still regard breeding tufted duck as noteworthy. These images were taken on 17th July ...I do hope both these chicks are alive.

David Walsh wrote:

---

Whilst those comments are undoubtedly true, I would argue that those three individuals from Simons post do increase their chances of unusual sightings, or spectacular numbers, by the sheer regularity of visits, and number of hours expended. They are three of many observers who are out regularly, in all weathers, and it is neither coincidence nor good fortune that the same names turn up the unusual and spectacular.

---

I think possibly you may have got the wrong end of the stick here David when you say "I would argue that", as I do sometimes have trouble with my "wording" and putting things across in a correct clear manner and my appologies if I've given this impression.

I was largly commenting about "mass migration" in general and whilst timing for any field trips away from Elton (usually around the coast) is vital with weather and wind etc, peak of any mass migration moments can still be missed - I know. But for regulars in local areas like Simon and others, (as you rightly pointed out) they obviously greatly increase their likelihood of coming across experiences like this and this is what I was praising them for - being out there as usual to find that something special! - to experience the wonders of nature!

I myself am a local regular at Elton but I don't always post my wonderings depending on if there's anything worth adding to the sightings and on certain days it's impossible to get out at certain times that I would like.

I hope this helps clear any misunderstandings.

-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 28th of July 2019 07:14:02 PM

There was actually 65 Common Sandpipers at Elton today as undercounted the flock flying round (according to the photos)

Pity it wasn't possible for me to get out this morning, still, very quiet compared with now with:

Best highlights were:

5 common scoters, but these were flushed by the boats and took off and vanished.

Also noteworthy this afternoon:

The 3 usual common terns still about
Lapwing
Blackcap
Willow warbler
Willow tit calling
Kingfisher, flew across a field before reaching the reservoir which felt strange as it's not often one sees a kingfisher away from water!

The only "spotted" species this time was a great spotted woodpecker.

Ta!

To add a comment for from simons post, I've always found "mass migration" movements in general, fascinating, but you have to be in the right place at the right time for general special trips away from the locality for experiences for that, I've never yet had that level of luck but it's great to read that this can happen anywhere o n your doorstep!!! Nice one Simon!

-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 28th of July 2019 08:02:47 PM

5 common scoter drakes currently on elton . So far also common terns still. Ta!

Richard Thew wrote:

---

Had to change my morning route due to being harassed by biting flies this morning, normally I don't have any issues with this but they seemed to have it in for me for some reason - surly I'm not that tasty?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Richard, with all of those bites you are probably now going to become one of Elton's  "Spotted Species" 

-- Edited by sid ashton on Friday 26th of July 2019 09:35:15 PM

07.00am - 11.45am . Clear , light breeze, 15c - 23c.


48 Species spotted: Including:

1 Redstart. (M), (Crow trees).
1 Dipper. (Irwell).
2 Common Scoter.
1 Water Rail. (Canal).
1 Kingfisher.
1 Treecreeper.
1 Common Tern.
1 Chiffchaff.
1 Whitethroat.
1 Willow Warbler.
12 Sand Martin.
10 Swift.
40+ Swallow.
4 Cormorant.
5 Gadwall. (Withins).
11 Great Crested Grebe.
1 Grey Wagtail.
6 Grey Heron.
1 Great Black Backed Gull.
8 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
70+ Black Headed Gull.
2 Herring Gull.
2 Reed Bunting.
3 Long Tailed Tit.
100+ Canada Goose.
70+ Goldfinch.
60+ Wood Pigeon.
70+ Starling.
9 Mute Swan.
7 Lapwing.

Thanks Derek.

This a.m. with Malcolm, on the res. 2 Common Tern and 1 Common Sandpiper, along the canal 1 Water Rail and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, below Withins 1 calling Redstart and on the river 2 Little Grebe.
Cheers Ian

07.00am - 11.15am. Light cloud, Light breeze. 12c - 16c.

47 Species spotted:Including:

1 Yellow Wagtail. (Coran Stud Field).
1 Grasshopper Warbler. (Marsh).
1 Dipper. (Irwell).
1 Common Tern.
4 Kestrel. (1A,3juv).
5 Gadwall (1F, 4juv).
1 Linnet.
1 Chiffchaff.
2 Whitethroat.
2 Willow Warbler.
4 Sedge Warbler.
1 Jay.
10 Great Crested Grebe.
130+ Goldfinch. ( Including 1x60+ , 1x30+ ).
4 Reed Bunting.
30+ Sand Martin.
30+ Swallow.
50+ Starling.
7 Swift.
100+ Canada Goose.
60+ Black Headed Gull.
28 Blackbird.
2 Song Thrush.
6 Collared Dove.
3 Grey Heron.
8 Pied Wagtail.
3 Grey Wagtail.
9 Lapwing.
9 Mute Swan.
65 Coot.
48 Mallard.

Thanks Derek.

Early morning visit, on res. 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Common Terns. Along canal reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Snipe and very vocal Water Rails (unseen),
Cheers Ian

This a,m. with Malcolm and Howard, on the res. no sign of the Common Scoter but 2 Little Ringed Plover and Snipe. 2 male Redstart in hedgerow to left of bridge over stream heading towards Crow Trees (same spot as last Saturdays bird). Lots of Water Rail sounds along canal but no sightings. 1 Dipper seen heading upriver and a Little Grebe there also.
Cheers Ian

This a.m. with Malcolm, on the res. 1 Common Scoter, 1 Common Tern and the Tufted Duck with 2 young still. Withins outflow had a Kingfisher. Along the canal 2 Water Rail with others heard nearby also 1 Snipe. Little Egret also seen.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Tuesday 16th of July 2019 10:59:31 AM

This a.m. with Malcolm, on the res. just the male Common Scoter remains also 1 Common Tern and the Tufted Duck has 2 young left. On the canal we watched an adult Water Rail be joined in full view by a youngster less than half its size. Also 1 Little Egret and 2 Snipe at canal pool. Warblers seen were, 1 Garden at corran stud also Willow, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Sedge and Blackcap. Kingfisher near the river and 2 Oystercather over with 64 Collared Doves on grass bank of the res.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Tuesday 16th of July 2019 10:58:27 AM

This a.m. the 3 Common Scoter still present also 1 Common Tern, 1 Kingfisher and the Tufted Duck now has 4 young left. On the river 2 more Kingfisher and by the canal 2 Snipe.
Cheers Ian

07.00am - 11.30am. Dark cloud, light breeze. 11c - 15c.

46 Species spotted: Including:

6 Kestrel. ( 4juv ).
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
2 Willow Warbler.
3 Common Scoter.
1 Linnet.
2 Blackcap. (2F).
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Whitethroat.
5 Sedge Warbler.
56 Collared Dove.
350+ Goldfinch. (Including 1 flock x 250+ ).
80+ Starling.
150+ Wood Pigeon.
6 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
50+ Black Headed Gull.
2 Herring Gull.
36 Blackbird.
5 Song Thrush.
5 Reed Bunting.
3 Cormorant.
7 Great Crested Grebe.
5 Grey Heron.
2 Grey Wagtail.
2 House Martin.
24 Sand Martin.
25 Swallow.
16 Lapwing.
27 Swift.
3 Mute Swan.

Thanks Derek.

Scoter and Little Egret still present at 12.30. Also Common Tern and a pair of Tufted Duck with 9 new ducklings. Quite amazing that they manage to nest successfully with so much disturbance around the edges.

07.00am - 11.30am. Grey cloud, Still. 10c - 16c.


48 Species spotted: Including:


1 Pied Flycatcher. (M). (Followed for 10 minutes , catching insects etc, around bridge near Benny's toward Coran Stud).
3 Common Scoter.
1 Peregrine Falcon. (M).
4 Kingfisher (2 juv, Irwell).
3 Little Egret.
1 Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Goldcrest.
1 Nuthatch.
2 Willow Tit.
5 Sedge Warbler. (3juv).
5 Chiffchaff.
1 Whitethroat.
1 Blackcap. (F).
3 Oystercatcher.
1 Common Tern.
1 Cormorant.
2 Jay.
5 Song Thrush.
11 Pied Wagtail.
1 Great Black Backed Gull.
9 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
7 Reed Bunting.
11 Collared Dove.
7 Great Crested Grebe.
5 Grey Heron.
3 Mute Swan.
6 Sand Martin.
8 Swift.
25 Swallow.
70+ Starling.

Thanks Derek.