Just a quick scout this morning (partly with Ian and Steven) with: teal, 9+ snipes, lapwings, meadow pipit, grey wagtail, raven, shoveler, wigeon, gadwall, jay, a likely tree pipit found on the wires near old hall farm before it got flushed, and the usual warblers as of last few days. (I did forget to post kingfisher yesterday too).
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
A very enjoyable early morning mostly with Derek and Steven,
My highlights include....
Gadwall Teal Lapwing Snipe Buzzard Peregrine passing through Whitethroat Blackcap Willow warbler Chiffchaff Meadow pipit Tree pipit passing through Swift still Grey wagtail Pheasant Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 26th of August 2019 12:30:16 PM
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
This morning with Simon Johnson and Paul Wilson, 6am to 10.00am;
GREAT WHITE EGRET over west towards Bolton at 7.25am 21 Snipe 3 Gadwall 41 Goosander over 1 Little Grebe 1 Reed Warbler 1 Garden Warbler 1 Tree Pipit over 33 Swift south no sign of juv Kittiwake.
Just wanted to update on our kittiwake freind. I didn't want to say this morning but he is looking alot healthier and the little extra energy fish bits a few individuals have been giving it has made all the difference. I'm going to try and keep an eye on him daily till he goes. (Fresh bite size seabean today). Ta!
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
This morning with Simon Johnson and Paul Wilson, 6am to 11.30am;
Juv/female MARSH HARRIER picked up by SJ at height heading NW towards Winter Hill at 7.55 - 8.05am. Superb record here. juv Kittiwake still surviving, perched on the wall when we left 1 Green Sandpiper over 1 Common Sandpiper 2 Curlew over 10 Snipe Elton Goyt 6 Teal, 6 Gadwall and 16 Goosander 24 Blackcaps, 11 Willow Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. 2 male Redstarts Elton Goyt 190 Coot 2 Common Gull sw 75+ Swift
Just wanted to give an update for the Kittiwake. He's still here and alive and hungry but he has enough energy to fly a little. I'm still hoping he will make it ok. At this time nothing more can be done. Other birds so far this morning include: 2 teal, 3 snipe, 14 lapwings, 1 pheasant, kingfisher flew through.... ta!
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
Morning visit 24.8.19 1 Juv Kittiwake starting to look weak and was able to get within feet without it moving away. Contacted the RSPCAwho said they would send an officer out. It has been eating insects of the waters surface but looks lethargic. 1 Common Sandpiper. Tree pipit and Yellow Wagtail heard flying over.
The Kittiwake (Juv) was showing at 8.30 this morning. Still there when I left at 9.30. Was picking insects from the water. It had been on the shore line just before I arrived. GM tick for me.
Just thought I'd mention and i hope I'm doing right but I noticed our kittiwake appears showing signs of hunger and I have heard many stories of kittiwakes that end up inland not surviving long. Call me over-worried if you like but because he was hugging the edge - I dropped plain tinned mackerel pieces on the edge of the water line and he's eating that pretty well. Im hoping this energy boost will help him head out?? He won't eat anything else other than fish.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Thursday 22nd of August 2019 05:26:49 PM
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
Stevens pretty much covered the sightings but I can contribute to this list with: Swifts still about, 1 teal (3 now after a passing visit at 4pm) and 2 grey wagtails. Otherwise the usual warblers and whitethroat. Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Thursday 22nd of August 2019 05:13:15 PM
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
Highlights from this mornings sightings from Simon Johnson, Simon Warford and Steven Higginbottom. 1 Green Sandpiper. 2 Shoveler. 15 Gadwall. 35 Goosander. 1 Juvenile Kittiwake. 2 Garden Warbler. 2 Spotted Flycatcher. 2 Yellow wagtail. 1 Tree pipit heard only. 1 Raven.
My time was somewhat limited this morning due to cleaning obligations, but had a very good morning and bumped into Steven along the way.
Highlights include....
4 teal 11 gadwall 1 goosander juvenile Swift 3 Spotted flycatcher with one by the creek Blackcap Garden warbler Willow warbler Chiffchaff Sparrowhawk Kestrel passed through at speed Willow tit heard
The biggest highlight was a juvenile KITTIWAKE and he was still there when I left
I will post pictures of the kittiwake later when I have more time.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Wednesday 21st of August 2019 12:30:48 PM
No sign of the green sandpiper later this morning, but I did find in addition to Simon's....
3 teal Great spotted woodpecker Lapwing
And also...
Whitethroat Blackcap Chiffchaff Willow warbler
There was a bird of prey that appeared and upset the swallows and martins, unfortunately, it would be right where the sun was wouldn't it - meaning it was impossible to identify it and could easily have been that hobby! Life can be cruel at times!
Ta!
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
1 Green Sandpiper wader point 5 Gadwall Hobby chasing hirrundines 2 Tree Pipit and 3 Meadow Pipit over 1 Garden Warbler 1 Tree Pipit Elton Goyt 2 juvenile Redstarts Pumphouse hedge 20+ Swift
Highlights from this morning 18/8/19 1 Juvenile Sandwich Tern flew through heading SSW at 08:20am 3 Kingfishers one landing withing 7ft of me on the bridge next to the carpark. 6 Cormorant. 2 Gadwall. 7 Tufted Duck. A reduction of warbler with 8 chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warblers. 2 Sedge Warblers 1Whitethroat. Increases number of Robin's 10 seen with more heard.
Constant Movement of Swallows ,Sand Martin's, House Martin's & Swifts moving through S
Not as productive this morning but still a couple of good things....
A water rail showed briefly, but not the usual one. 5 Gadwall Kestrel Reed bunting Blackcap Willow warbler Chiffchaff And a nice distant view of the redstart by the bridge between crow trees farm and withins reservoir.
Ta!
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
After a busy day, I walked it from Bury to Radcliffe this afternoon.
There was only one birder that I saw in the rain, must be mad trailing through all that wet and muddy conditions.... oh yeah, that was me!
Highlights were....
Common sandpiper, which flew and glided past close in style! Grey wagtail 2 kingfisher, one of which gave belting views 2 pheasants 4 Gadwall Blackcap Willow warbler Reed bunting Sedge warbler Tufted ducks in their usual areas
Yesterday I forgot to add a Jay!
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Wednesday 14th of August 2019 06:03:46 PM
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
An interesting morning scout from 10am to 12:15. The water rail showed beautifully today, sunning itself, having a good stretch! (Sounds like how I feel today). Also a lapwing was hiding in the grasses of old hall marsh, 4 gadwall on the res, and a kingfisher. Also usual whitethroats, blackcaps, singing willow warbler, song thrush and a grey wagtail!
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
It was nothing to do with birds Ian, though I did have a brief potter about during my lunch with several house martins, usual gulls and pied wagtails etc. You'll find information on the 3 day event i went to at www.jw.org . It was a very interesting convention to say the least and it was 100% free!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 12th of August 2019 09:23:55 PM
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
Nice to get back to birding after 3.5 days travelling to Liverpool. This afternoon has been very good with some highlights being Gadwall on both res and canal, blackcap, willow warbler, kestrel and after the shower - 17 common sandpipers were seen just flying out from the shoreline of the res as I reached the top of the wall side, lesser whitethroat showed well flitting in a shrub by old hall marsh, and a nice walk ended with beautiful views (though distant) of a male redstart in usual location. I may as well add common tern still here too! Ta!!!!!!
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
This a.m. with Malcolm, 1 Peregrine caught and ate a Swift !, 4 Gadwall, 2 Common Tern, 1 Kingfisher and at least 50 Swift. At bridge 19 the usual Water Rail. Cheers Ian
This a.m. on the res. 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Gadwall. Steven also had a Dunlin before I arrived. On the canal 1 Water Rail (bridge 19) and 16 Pied Wagtails in Corran Stud field. Cheers Ian
Early morning with Simon Johnson, Ian Campbell and Steve Higginbottom produced,
2 Greenshank through 1 Common Sandpiper 1 Pochard 1 Little Grebe 5 Gadwall 3 Goosander 3 Water Rail 2 Common Tern 1 Lesser Whitethroat 25+ Swift moving through 1 male Redstart Elton Goyt Yesterday 1 Little Egret in the Creek.
Not much for me to add to the sightings from today as well as from yesterday's scout. So I went round the back by lunchtime to check out that large flock of goldfinches in the hopes of getting a more accurate figure. Unfortunately they have all split in smaller bunches varying between 9 and about 50. But I did find a willow tit whilst there and the young tufted duck back on Elton should survive well now as it's almost full size. Finally, still a few whitethroats are showing well too! Ta!
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
This a.m. with Malcolm, 1 Redstart in hedge near bridge over stream, 1 Water Rail giving good views near bridge 19 on canal and a Peregrine were the highlights. Cheers Ian
A female Redstart was also in Elton Goyt this morning. A Teal in the creek yesterday was still present this morning. Also yesterday early morning a Greenshank and Ringed Plover flew through and 3 Redstarts (2 males) were in Elton Goyt.
A short walk this morning produced fantastic views of a water rail sunning itself and preening, lapwings, 4 common terns passing through and the mother tufted duck of the chick is taking her son/daughter on another tour of the reservoir. And a possible brief glimpse of a Linnet. Ta!
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
This a.m. with Malcolm, on the res. 1 Goosander, 2 Common Tern, 24 Lapwing over. Near Crow Trees 2 Redstart in hedge near bridge over stream. Cheers Ian
...... and 3 common terns, 5 snipes (flused by cattle), Tufted duck and chick in usual spot still and lapwings calling. Boy did it feel humid this afternoon!!!
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06