ELTON RESERVOIR

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

ELTON RESERVOIR

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

A good morning for migration

408 Pink-footed geese SE in 14 Skeins
2 Greylag geese SE
305 Meadow pipit south
110 Swallow
580 House Martin
3 Sand Martin

On the res
2 Little Grebe
Gadwall
15 Teal

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Highlights this morning, 24 Little Egrets flew over, also 37 Goosander, also 2 Little Grebe on res. Keith Rowland had a Great Egret chased off by a Heron. Whilst trying to refine this a probable Red- necked Grebe was also found, seen very briefly as it was continually diving and then disappeared completely!

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am - 13.00pm. Clear, then light cloud, still. 13c-20c.

Good to see up to 4 metres of sand banking on far side of reservoir.

41 species including:

2 Kingfisher.
2 Black necked grebe.
1 Little egret.
47 Swallow.
1 Bullfinch. (1M).
9 Long tailed tit.
27 Goldfinch.
3 Chiffchaff.
2 Willow Warbler.
11 Lapwing. (W).
51 Starling. (on one telephone wire).
3 Jay.
67 Herring gull.
33 Lesser black backed gull.
90+ Black headed gull.
25 Cormorant.
48 Tufted duck.
116 coot.
11 Great crested grebe.
1 Grey heron.

Thanks Derek.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

Been little change over the last couple of days with the following highlights:

Black necked grebe x2 (max I've seen despite the report by bird guides of 7)
Pheasant
Pochard x2+
Pheasant
Water rail
Grey wagtail

Ta!

Trust me to forget to post that a Common gull was found today too.

-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 1st of September 2023 04:17:45 PM

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

morning highlights, 2 Black-necked Grebe.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am - 13.00pm. Mixed cloud, light breeze.13c-15c.

41 Species Including.

1 Black necked grebe.
1 Pochard.
1 Cormorant.
9 Lesser black backed gull.
23 Herring gull.
110+ Coot.
33 Tufted Duck. (24 flew in from east onto withins ).
5 Great crested grebe.
70+ Black headed gull.
41 Swallow.
4 Sand martin.
2 Jay.
20+ Goldfinch.
5 Long tailed tit.
1 Grey heron.
1 Grey wagtail.
5 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from a great morning with Simon, Paul, Keith & Ian C

15 Knot (one single flock) flew low over the res at 6am they did a short lap before heading south
Turnstone south over pumphouse
5 ringed plover ( 3 west & 1 NE)
Common Sandpiper
Lapwing
2 Yellow Wagtails south (pumphouse & capsticks)
Tree pipit south
12+ Swift
2 Whinchat in the Goyt with a possible 3rd flying down the res wall towards old hall
3 Wheatear ( 2 wall & 1 in the Goyt)
2 Redstart (singles at Dofferfold & Redstart hedge
Spotted Flycatcher in Gully near bridge 18
2 juv Black-necked Grebes
Shoveler
2 Teal
3 Gadwall
Goosander
Little Egret

-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Saturday 26th of August 2023 01:02:49 PM

Ian Latham · Status: Offline

Juvenile Black Necked Grebe showing well just in front of the main csr park

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Juvenile Black-necked Grebe present this morning seen with Steve Higginbottom off the Creek and later on it was near the main car park, otherwise very quiet apart from a heard Yellow Wagtail and a single Common Sandpiper. A Tree Pipit was also seen by Paul Wilson at bridge 18.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am - Noon. Mixed grey cloud with clear spells, Windy. 17c-20c.

Very quiet only 36 species including:

1 Snipe.
1 Common sandpiper.
1 Garden warbler.
3 Willow warbler.
5 Swift.
3 Sand Martin.
6 Swallow.
2 House martin.
11 Goldfinch.
5 Greenfinch.
1 Cormorant.
40+ Starling. (one flock).
124 Coot.
10 Great crested grebe.
56 Mallard.
5 Tufted duck.

Thanks Derek.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This am 3 Common Tern passed through and a Garden Warbler was seen in the Cuckoo allotment.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Morning highlights, 6 Pintail over SW and a Common Scoter. Didnt get down to the canal to check on the Cuckoo due to the rain.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.45am - 12.45pm. Mixed grey cloud. 13c-17c.

41 species including.

1 Cuckoo.
2 Little egret.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Buzzard.
1 Little grebe.
1 Water rail.
62 Lapwing.(one flock resting).
50+ Starling (one flock flew over).
6 Swift.
2 House martin.
4 Sand martin.
23 Swallow.
6 Lesser black backed gull.
80+ Black headed gull. ( nearly all juvenile).
9 Herring gull.
2 Grey heron.
3 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This morning with Paul Wilson and partly Ian Campbell and Melanie Beckford produced 63 species -

1 Dunlin
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Curlew through
1 Little Egret over
1 male Redstart in the Goyt
1 Spotted Flycatcher bridge 18
1 juvenile Cuckoo
1 Shoveler
1 Raven
2 Kingfisher
2 Willow Tit with massive tit flock creek.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 12th of August 2023 01:43:53 PM

Adrian Dancy · Status: Offline

I had the pleasure of watching and photographing the Elton juvenile Cuckoo on 8th and 9th August. On the 8th a hobby flew over. Many pictures taken and I have not had time to go through them all. Nice to see some old faces and some of the younger ones at Elton. I was just a little intrigued that the nails of the bird, like the toes, were yellow.

Lez Fairclough · Status: Offline

Mid afternoon following a birthday treat at a nearby Country Club, I managed to persuade the Mrs to go to Elton Reservoir. A grumpy 20 minutes walk down the canal to bridge 18 was soon forgotten & views of less than 5 feet were enjoyed of the Juvenile Cuckoo thanks to another birders meal worm treats which lured it excitingly close. I didn't have my camera with me but a very kind birder allowed me to screenshot a couple of his pics.

Neil Collier · Status: Offline

Cuckoo still showing well at 7.45pm by the gate into the allotments near bridge 18.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

This morning, juv. Cuckoo still showing well at bridge 18. Also 4 Pochard, 3 Little Grebe and a Ringed Plover on the res.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Tues 8th Aug.
Morning visit before going back in work, Lucas was mithering me to go see the juvenile Cuckoo.

- juvenile Cuckoo
We found a parking space close to the canal bridge 18 and strolled over. We didnt have to wait too long, the Cuckoo flew into the tree in the allotment and proceeded to put on a show. Getting closer and closer and not bothering one bit about the 7/8 people present. What an absolutely quality bird this is. After about 5-10 mins it flew off picking up caterpillars off the ground in the field.

My lad made people laugh when he said Dad this is one of the best birds Ive ever seen. I asked him if it beat a Caspian or a Yellow-legged Gull.. he looked and went Ooooo I forgot about them Dad.
wink

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Mon 7th Aug
Morning visit with Lucas, he loved it, he said the Bee-eater was a cracking good bird and he enjoyed meeting people.
Nice to meet Martin Loftus, cheers for your help mate.

- European Bee-Eater

Well done to Paul Wilson and the Elton gang for this, love these birds and it made a nice change seeing one locally instead of travelling distances to see one.
It was showing on arrival on its favoured Hawthorn, after a while it did a couple of short flights, caught 2 dragonflies and a bee. Then it took flight again and disappeared behind the hedges, suddenly taking us all by surprise by appearing within feet and flying right over our heads calling. I called it out and unfortunately that was the last anyone saw of it. After an extensive search it wasnt relocated.

Other birds of note ..
- Hobby circling over sailing club, then took off East
- Peregrine with pigeon landed on pylon near car park
- 2 Sparrowhawk
- 2 Garden Warbler
- 2 Willow Warbler
- 4 Chiffchaff
- 1 probable Lesser Whitethroat
- 1 Kingfisher over car park

Also we walked to canal bridge 18 to try for the juv Cuckoo but it didnt show, it showed later this afternoon though.

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

2;30pm - 6pm

Searched extensively for the bee-eater, having dipped it earlier due to being trapped in work cry No sign at all.

Decided to see if the juvenile Cuckoo was still around. Waited over an hour on the canal near the allotment next to bridge 18, was just about to give up when it suddenly appeared. Showing even closer than yesterday!

Andy Isherwood · Status: Offline

Hi John, the Bee-eater apparently flew off at c. 11.45 and has not been seen since. This is news from one of the bird info services.

David Hughes · Status: Offline

My best of the day,

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Any further updates of the Bee Eater for the ones working today who doesn't have Birdguides? Or can't be bothered with social media :) or am I assuming before Lunctime it left?

Ian Latham · Status: Offline

Still present best viewed from lane next to Doffer Fold Farm

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Amazing find by Paul Wilson well deserved for all your effort this year, luckily I was just around the corner by the reservoir. Please view only from field behind the cemetry or the lane by Doffer Fold Farm.

Also this morning Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher Spen Moor.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 7th of August 2023 10:11:27 AM

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Bee-eater Stijl showing well from field between cemetery and Withins res. Best viewed from w3w location audio.sheets.mile

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Bee-eater by Withins at 7am and still present at 07:35

To view, please do not walk by Withins itself and view only from the field by the cemetery or Dogger Fold Farm. The bird is currently in Hawthorns by the waters edge and will flush otherwise.

Info thanks to Simon Warford

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

A nice visitor to Elton Reservoir. Found at 8.30am with Simon and Simon, not long after I realised I hadn't put a memory card in my camera!. Luckily it stayed all day, so I was able to go back later, with camera and card!

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

6pm

Juvenile Cuckoo still present in the Pony field / allotment area of around bridge 18 of the canal (Withins Lane)

Viewable from the canal and bridge wall.

Although very elusive, when it did show, it did very well!

Well done to both the Simons on finding such a patch gold beauty! wink

-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Sunday 6th of August 2023 09:38:40 PM

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.15am - 13.15pm. Light cloud, light breeze. 13c - 15c.

39 species including.

1 Cuckoo. (J) Great pictures Richard.
2 Kingfisher.
1 Common scoter.
1 Raven. (Heard only).
1 Oystercatcher.
2 Swift.
30+ Sand martin.
13 House martin.
30 + Swallow.
1 Bullfinch.(F).
7 Greenfinch.
1 Song thrush.
140+ Canada goose.
6 Great crested grebe.
8 Lesser black backed gull.
12 Herring Gull.
1 Common Gull.
1 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning with Simon & Paul

Juv Cuckoo by bridge 18
Female common scoter still
2 pochard
2 Gadwall
Willow tit
Little owl
2 Yellow Wagtail west
2 snipe
Oystercatcher
15+ Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Grasshopper warbler
Green Woodpecker

steven burke · Status: Offline

A very pleasant mooch around from 2.30pm til 8pm.

58 willow warblers, 17 at one point around the creek.
10 chiffchaffs
9 blackcaps
8 whitethroat
1 lesser whitethroat along hedge on path to withins.
1 spotted flycatcher along hedge midway between the creek & wader point.
3 garden warblers, 1 in same area as the spotted flycatcher, 2 with large tit flock near Bridge 18.
1 sedge warbler along the canal.
1 Reed bunting
1 female common scoter, didn't see this until just after 7pm.
4 tufted ducks
1 little egret on the river.
1 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk
Swallows, sand Martins, house Martins & swifts around.
Plus the usuals smile

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

A very wet morning with Simon Johnson and partly Paul Wilson produced-

11 Common Scoter (1 female) till 6.30am when they flew west
2 Shoveler
2 Pochard
7 Gadwall
3 Redshank and 1 Curlew through
1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Garden Warbler in hedges between Spen Moor and the res
1 Redstart by Within's
2 Lesser Whitethroat
3 Grasshopper Warblers
30+ Willow Warblers
1 Willow Tit

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Mornings highlight was a male Pied Flycatcher at the Capsticks end of the reservoir

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

This evening

106+ Common Scoter flew west at dusk in flocks of 90ish and 16
Dunlin west
100+ Swift
112 Sand Martin roosted in the Goyt
2 Hobby west

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Also this morning, (and yesterday) a Green Sandpiper in flooded field at Corran Stud.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

A calling Whimbrel over this morning picked up above Doffer and flew quite high SW towards the cemetry at 8.15am also 2 Lesser Whitethroats near Capsticks.

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Missed all the flycatchers, but some interest nonetheless:

1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel.

1 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall.

1 Common Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper.

10+ Swift plus all 3 Hirundines in reasonable numbers.

1 Kingfisher.

1 Willow Tit.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Morning highlights, 2 Pied Flycatchers and 2 Spotted Flycatchers in the Doffer Fold area.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

morning highlights, 1 Green Woodpecker heard calling below Withins then seen briefly from the canal, 2 reeling Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Shoveler and 2 Gadwall.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

7 Common Scoter (all males), 1 Common Tern and a Little Egret this mornings highlights.

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Modest highlights from this morning:

1 Little Egret.

1 Common Tern.

2 Goosander over south , 12 Tufted Duck.

1 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher.

15 Swift, 80+ Sand Martin, 10 each Swallow and House Martin.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay.

2 singing Sedge Warbler.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

2 Little Egrets this morning

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Morning highlights, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, (2 adults and a juv.) and a Little Egret (juv.)

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Grasshopper Warbler giving good views in hedgerow below pumphouse was this mornings highlight.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Also this morning with Simon, Paul and Ian, an adult Hobby drifted west, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Gulls passed through. Also 3 Willow Tits and the Black-necked Grebe.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

08.00am-12.15pm. Mixed cloud, light breeze. 14c-20c

46 Species including.

1 Black necked grebe.
1 Kestrel (with prey).
1 Cormorant.
2 Common tern.
30+ Goldfinch. (1 flock feeding on thistles).
50+ Starling. (1 flock flew up from marsh).
3 Chiffchaff.
4 Blackcap.
2 Willow warbler.
2 Sedge warbler.
2 Grasshopper warbler.(heard only).
3 Whitethroat.
5 Collared dove.
17 Swallow.
2 Sand Martin.
3 Swift.
4 Song thrush.
8 Great crested grebe.
2 Grey heron.
13 Herring gull.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Mike c cooper · Status: Offline

I think warblers are second brooding as they were late arriving because of prolonged cold northerly winds in April and early may