ELTON RESERVOIR

Derek Polley · Status: Offline

RE: ELTON RESERVOIR

Keith Rowland · Status: Offline

Elton Reservoir South end and Withins reservoir lunchtime today.

Merlin (f) flushed from fence post at Withins Car park/lane which flew off at speed low West.

Withins Reservoir low water level attracted - 87 Tufted, 5 Goldeneye, 8 Teal, 1 Pochard, 2 Little Egret, 37 Lapwing plus numbers of Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Black Headed Gull and Heron.

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Vis mig stand-in for SW/SJ (poor substitute) - missed a lot, but here's what I managed from 7:50 to 8:40 (when it suddenly seemed to slow down massively):

3 Little Egrets (dropped in behind the creek)
2190 Woodpigeon south
118 Redwing SW (also 30+ hanging around the trees)
183 Fieldfare SW
(195 unidentified thrushes) SW
11 Pied Wagtail north
6 Linnet north
3 Siskin NE
4 Skylark SE
143 Starling south
Plenty of other finches which I could identify

On the res:

500+ BH Gull
5 Shoveler
4 Wigeon
3 Goldeneye
1 Little Egret
3 Snipe

-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Wednesday 25th of October 2023 10:20:48 AM

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from Elton reservoir this morning with Paul

Great White Egret circled withins and was looking to land but continued south
12600 Woodpigeon south. Very intense first half hour with some impressive flocks
Swallow south
600+ Redwing SW
500+ Fieldfare SW
40 Siskin west
80 Chaffinch NW
708 Pink-footed Geese W/NW in 5 Skeins
Little egret
Pochard
Chiffchaff

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am - 12.15pm. Light showers, then clear.07c-09c.

Mainly with Steven.

49 species including:

1 Kestrel.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Kingfisher.
2 Skylark.
1 Goldeneye.
3 Little egret.
5 Lesser black backed gull.
2 Common gull.
13 Cormorant.
3 Shoveler.
1 Pochard.
9 Teal.
6 Gadwall.
13 Great crested grebe.
5 Goosander.
2 Grey heron.
4 Grey wagtail.
11 Mute swan.
4 Pheasant.
5 Meadow pipit.
3 Reed bunting.
2 Goldfinch.
2 Collared Dove.
3 Jay.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Another great morning of migration watching from withins res with Simon & Paul

6500+ Woodpigeon south
4 Stock dove south
3290 Fieldfare sw
900+ Redwing sw
700+ Starling west in small groups
31 Siskin north
4 redpoll west
245 Chaffinch w/sw
11 linnet south
940 Pink-footed Geese SE

On the res
Goldeneye
Pochard
120 Tufted duck
5 shoveler

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Highlights from a vis mig watch with Paul & Simon this morning

8 Great Egrets E/NE came right over us at Withins
Merlin south
3 Brambling south in a flock of redwing
900 Redwing SE
1100 Fieldfare SE
16 Siskin NE
1000 Starling west

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Highlight this morning (with Simon W and Simon W) was a fly over by no less than EIGHT Great Egrets. Managed a few record shots (one showing three of the birds, one showing five of them and one showing all eight, at distance as they headed off ENE). Also GC Grebe with a pike!

Keith Rowland · Status: Offline

Red Kite 13:11, initial South over sailing club, mobbed by Carrion Crow then headed East, last seen in the distance past Pilsworth tip still heading east.

Keith Rowland · Status: Offline

Lunchtime walk from Sailing club Car Park to Withins and back

Highlights -

7 Wigeon

9 Swallow (6 and then 3) South over Withins

4 Sanderling low over res then NE

3 Common Gull

10 Teal

2 Shoveler

-- Edited by Keith Rowland on Tuesday 17th of October 2023 02:30:19 PM

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

A vis mig watch from withins with Simon & Paul was rather productive

Hen Harrier - ad female flew right over us south
Merlin - female SW
7 Whooper Swan SE
200+ Pink-footed Geese SE
2500 Woodpigeon south
4 Stock dove in with woodpigeons south
238 Redwing SW
Fieldfare SW
14 Siskin south + 2 NE
15 Linnet south
4 Redpoll south
8 Rook SW
3 Little Egret west

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

08.30am-12.15pm. Clear, then mixed cloud, still. 08c-11c.

32 Species included:

5 Whooper swan.
2 Little egret.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Shelduck.
1 Raven.
8 Jay.
1 Pheasant. (F).
1 Bullfinch.(M).
53 Tufted duck.
44 Cormorant.
1 Grey wagtail.
11 Lesser black backed gull.
110+ Herring gull.
100+ Black headed gull.
3 Goosander.
120+ Coot.
9 Great crested grebe.
4 Grey heron.
9 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

9 Whooper Swan on the res
Shoveler
20+ Teal
4 snipe
Swallow
Treecreeper

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

7 Whooper Swan dropped in at 7:23 to join 6 on the res. These departed south a further 55 flew SE at 8:55
Golden plover west
1100 Woodpigeon south
3 Wigeon on withins
2 skylark
5 swallow
200+ redwing
Fieldfare

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

500+ Redwing west this evening between 5 and 6pm

Keith Rowland · Status: Offline

Rock Pipit on the pumphouse wall just before 1pm along with 15 Meadow pipits on the fence/ground, no sign of them on the return walk, also 25 Redwing and 9 Wigeon.

Steven Higginbottom · Status: Offline

Highlights from this morning 7am till 9am.
1 Goldeneye.
11 Wigeon.
7 Gadwall.
18 Teal.
6 Goosander.
1 Pink footed goose with Canada geese.
2 Little Grebe.
2 Kingfisher.
7 Meadow pipit.
56 Redwing.

Cheers Steven.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This mornings vis mig watch between 7am and 12pm produced the following -

2 Goosander SW
4 Snipe
4 Swallow
26 Redwing
34 Pied Wagtails
413 Meadow Pipits, most after 10am
27 Linnet with also 3 in the field by Doffer Farm
2 Redpoll
3 Siskin
30 duck sp. over very high but not in Elton airspace.

On the res, 130 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret. 3 Raven also lingering about.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Highlights from this morning, 3 Rock Pipits over the pumphouse within 30 mins with a probable 4th. Also 2 Little Egret.
Cheers Ian

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This mornings vis mig watch between 7am and 9am produced the following -

15 Golden Plover heading south west (13 at 8.20am and 2 at 8.25am).
c2340 Pink-footed Geese heading east in about 16 or so skeins, most at height and motoring
7 Little Egrets flew high north then veered west
6 Swallow south
271 Meadow Pipit south
1 Siskin south
1 Lesser Redpoll south
2 Skylark

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Migration watch with Paul Wilson this morning.

Really good morning of birds heading south

Female type Merlin flew south over crow tree farm following meadow pipits
1304 Meadow pipit
12 Redpoll
19 mistle thrush
5 song thrush
28 pied wagtail
4 skylark
30 linnet
182 Swallow
3 stock dove
17 long tailed tit
1395 Pinkfooted Geese SE in 7 skeins

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Belated news for yesterday 1/10

Black-necked Grebe
4 Common Scoter
14 Gadwall
Rock pipit flew over the pumphouse calling

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Belated news from yesterday

Vis mig watch with Simon Warford at withins

Birds heading south

Hawfinch
1700+ meadow pipit
300+ swallow
32 Siskin
64 linnet
2 redpoll
58 pied wagtails
11 shoveler
440 Pinkfooted Geese SE and 44 west

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Vis mig watch from withins this morning

All birds heading south

1522 Meadow pipit
45 swallow
6 House Martin
38 pied wagtail
18 Chaffinch
16 Siskin
82 goldfinch
3 coal tit
611 Pink-footed Geese SE in 10 skeins
2 Wigeon dropped in
Kingfisher

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am-12.45pm. Mixed cloud, still. 09c-14c

A nice birthday morning stroll.

40 species including.

1 Little egret.
1 Yellow wagtail.
2 Kingfisher.
2 Kestrel.
2 Little grebe.
3 Willow warbler.
23 Swallow.
1 Bullfinch.
18 Goldfinch.
1 Jay.
4 Grey wagtail.
80+ Starling.
1 Lesser black backed gull.
14 Herring gull.
43 Tufted duck.
16 Great crested grebe.
1 Gadwall.
2 Goosander.
17 Cormorant.
70+ Canada goose.
1 Grey heron.
5 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

dave broome · Status: Offline

Grey Phalarope still present until dusk
464 Black-Headed Gull roosting
1 Kingfisher
1 Goosander

Stephen Fuentes · Status: Offline

Grey Phalarope still present today at 2pm, and still getting a tough time from the gulls.

Cheers,

Steve.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

Grey Phalarope still present
2 Common Sandpiper
15+ snipe
200 Swallow
50 house Martin
2 sand Martin
1000+ meadow pipit south
18 Siskin
8 Pinkfooted geese west

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

In addition to the Grey Phalarope at 7.00pm I also had a Common Sandpiper at the boat club.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Other sightings from Elton today mainly from a vis mig watch

2100+ Meadow pipit south
Wheatear
Juvenile Arctic Tern
Yellow wagtail south
90 House Martin which included a pure white bird
500+ swallow
3 Sand Martin
50+ Siskin south
3 Skylark
12 Common buzzard
Dunlin west
80 Lapwing

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Grey Phalarope still there 7.30 tonight . It did get a tough time from the Black Headed gulls though

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

Grey Phalarope still present 9am, at the entrance to the creek

Ian Latham · Status: Offline

Grey Phalarope still present at 7.30pm.

Moving around the res

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Grey Phalarope present at the sailing club end of the reservoir at 6:30pm

Info thanks to Keith Rowland

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

08.45am - 12.30pm.Mixed cloud, breezy. 12c-15c.

41 Species including.

1 Little egret.
2 Kestrel.
2 Kingfisher. (1 Irwell, 1 reservoir).
2 Buzzard.
1 Coal tit.
1 Willow tit.
80+ Swallow. (60+ SW, 20+ feeding over marsh).
1 Common sandpiper.
3 Long tailed tit.
6 Chaffinch.
1 Bullfinch.
2 Jay.
9 Blackbird.
60+ Jackdaw.
120+ Wood pigeon.
19 Goldfinch.
21 Cormorant.
2 Grey wagtail.
50+ Black headed gull.
100+ Canada goose.
130+ Coot.
3 Great crested grebe.
9 Tufted duck.
60+ Mallard.
1 Goosander.
3 Grey heron.
11 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from Elton this morning

19 Common Scoter on res (6 male & 13 female)
Pintail male flew west with Wigeon
13 Wigeon (4 west, 6 east and 3 in)
3 Gadwall
30+ Teal
20 snipe west
36 Pinkfooted geese se
Hobby NE
Tree pipit over calling
340 meadow pipit south
360 swallow south
13 Siskin south
Little grebe
3 common buzzard
9 grey Wagtail
Willow warbler
Willow tit
13 Rook south
2 little Egret

-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Friday 15th of September 2023 04:30:30 PM

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