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Post Info TOPIC: Etherow Country Park and Nature Reserve


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RE: Etherow Country Park and Nature Reserve


18.30-19.35 just car park to the weir

Dipper pair feeding 2 young, 1 healthy 1 not so much, Peregrine Falcon over, 4 Sand Martin, 25 Mandarin Duck with many young, 2 Tufted Duck, Nuthatch, 3 Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron.



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You could park at the lay-by on Glossop Road and walk down through Ernocroft Wood



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Andy Bissitt wrote:
Mike Crawley wrote:

Hi folks, sorry this is slightly off topic but is the park and car park reasonably quiet ? Trying not to be too paranoid but dont want to be on crowded footpaths etc.


 Hi Mike,

When I was there on Monday, it was bedlam, but it was a very nice day. There were 4-5 cars parked BY THE WEIR!!! Lots of cars parked around the local housing estate as well (worst I've ever seen it). You are probably best waiting until after (if) the schools return next Wednesday. Having said that, the back part of the park was mostly unused - it's just battling through the crowds to get there!!


 Thanks Andy

i would normally head straight up into the upper reaches, it was the footpaths/weir area which I felt were areas of concern.  perhaps we'll wait for the rain.......

stay safe



-- Edited by Mike Crawley on Friday 5th of June 2020 11:15:33 AM

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Mike Crawley wrote:

Hi folks, sorry this is slightly off topic but is the park and car park reasonably quiet ? Trying not to be too paranoid but dont want to be on crowded footpaths etc.


 Hi Mike,

When I was there on Monday, it was bedlam, but it was a very nice day. There were 4-5 cars parked BY THE WEIR!!! Lots of cars parked around the local housing estate as well (worst I've ever seen it). You are probably best waiting until after (if) the schools return next Wednesday. Having said that, the back part of the park was mostly unused - it's just battling through the crowds to get there!!



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Hi folks, sorry this is slightly off topic but is the park and car park reasonably quiet ? Trying not to be too paranoid but dont want to be on crowded footpaths etc.

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A cuckoo was calling in the park along the length of the river from the Keg north-eastwards. Other things; 1 garden warbler in song, goldcrest heard, and fresh from the nest today by the looks of it, juvenile blackcap.



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Turned cloudy during my insect hunting, so turned to birds. Probably best was 2 singing garden warblers, one of which showed very well. I cannot remember my previous record for the park.



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24 Mandarin Duck
Drake Goosander
1 House Martin

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17.25-19.15 via weir and then Sunny Corner and Keg Pool.

Highlights: 2 Kingfisher, Dipper, 4 Teal, 2 Goosander, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan, 25 Mandarin Duck, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3+ Tawny Owl, Grey Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, 100+ Carrion Crow pre roost.

Plus a picture in other wildlife thread



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markwoodhead wrote:

Marsh tit still showing well from Hide. Continental Cormorant still.





Hi Mark,
not to disrespect your sighting in any way, but presumably youve not just used the white head plumage to identify this as a continental Cormorant (Sinensis). Our own UK Cormorants (Carbosis) have this in the breeding season.

The Gular angle is the main feature you need to separate these more accurately, and the angle in your image looks to be within range for a UK Carbosis in my opinion, and that is only my opinion, there is an overlap in degrees so I could be left with egg on my face, image below may be helpful.
Cheers
Rob


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Marsh tit still showing well from Hide. Continental Cormorant still.



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Finally, finally, finally my 2nd eye has been operated on and I've got binocular vision and OK vision in both eyes

Took the opportunity to make the short trip to Etherow CP this morning. On arrival at the hide the bad news was no food cry but the good news was that a photographer followed me in and had lots of bird seed which he stocked the table, post and ground with. Initially hordes of birds minus the main quarry, Nuthatches, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Long-tailed Tits all poured in and out. Then attracted by the feeding frenzy the Marsh Tit appeared from over the river. It then made numerous visits as per previous posts, taking seed across the river to cache. I left the photographer in peace as it was his efforts that had attracted the birds, so if anyone goes I would suggest a bag of bird seed is well worth taking along. At least 12 Mandarins were in courtship display, most halfway along the central causeway. A five tit day at Etherow (and six by visiting Sale WP later), a great way to restart my birding post-op smile



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Noon today. Bird table re-stocked for lunch- in order of arrival:
Great Tit 2 (minimum) - sounded the dinner gong biggrin
Blue Tit <3
Coal Tit 2
Dunnock 1
Robin 1
Nuthatch 1
Marsh Tit 1
Blackbird 2 M

The Marsh Tit then proved to be the most regular visitor of all the smaller birds, sometimes re-visiting several times before any of the other species returned, as it continued to select seeds for caching. Even the presence of the two male blackbirds didn't seem to deter it. If this were a bigger species such as a thrush or duck, say, some people might suggest dubious origins for it. hmm biggrin

Along the waterways c40 Mandarin Duck, pair of Mute Swans on a walkabout, uncounted Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Black-headed Gulls and 1 immature Cormorant lurking under the willows at the side of the pool just before the weir and causing confusion for some visitors.


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Made a short visit this afternoon and was disappointed there was no food in/on the feeders but didn't have to wait long for excellent views of the marsh tit in the trees across the river. This made it 6 species of tit for the day after a wet visit to Sale WP this morning. There was also a lesser redpoll in the same trees.

 



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1300-1500 first time here spent mostly in the hide.

Came primarily to see the Marsh Tit & wasn't disappointed - excellent close up views every 2 to 3 minutes for well over an hour.

Also an abundance of Great, Blue, Coal & Long Tailed Tits constantly visiting the feeders with a solitary Nuthatch plus a Grey Wagtail over the river.

On Etherow river an amazing number of Mandarin Ducks approx. 30 males & 20 females.

2 Muscovy Ducks with stunning striated neck markings were also amongst the rest of the ducks.



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John Raynor thats a very interesting observation regarding the Marsh Tit hiding food behind the lichen, I noted that with the Watergrove Marsh Tit a while back .

Keep Birding 



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For anyone thinking of braving the gale this weekend to see the marsh tit, it was still present this morning, but only came to the table twice in about an hour as there was no food on it (I only had a bag of fish fingers, just in case the 'other' star turned up - only joking). Otherwise it was a pretty long vigil for little return. A dabchick caught two fish right opposite the hide, and the 30+ siskins were nearby. Two buzzards and a grey wagtail also viewed.



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10.30-14.00

The Marsh Tit regularly visiting the bird table at the hide.

Other highlights from a good walk around the CP included:
1 Kingfisher
1 Grey Wagtail
10 Siskin
pair of Teal
Lots of Mandarin Duck
1 Goosander - male
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Grey Heron
Plenty of Nuthatch
The Dunnock with growths on its face
Lots of Coal, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tit
3 Song Thrush

But for the main highlight see the other wildlife thread!

-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Thursday 13th of February 2020 04:13:37 PM

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Marsh Tit still coming to the hide bird table and observed hiding the food beneath lichen.
Also the expected Blue, Great and Coal Tits.
At least 3 Dunnocks - one infected with canker growths.
3 Nuthatches

Also from hide:
3 Teal
7 Mandarins
Kingfisher
Grey Heron

Elsewhere:
Treecreeper
6 Siskins with males in full song

Cheers John


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I didn't see the Marsh Tit today, though didn't spend too long in the hide as the feeders were empty.

Highlights from a nice two hour walk around the area:

30+ Siskin feeding in trees near the weir

21 Mandarin Duck

1 Grey Wagtail

1 Woodcock

1 Great Crested Grebe

Good numbers of mixed tit flocks across the area containing Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Long Tailed Tits

The weir and river were raging unsurprisingly so no chance of seeing any Dippers today.



-- Edited by Huw Morgan on Sunday 9th of February 2020 08:35:13 PM

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Marsh tit currently showing in the trees opposite the hide. Wellington are advisable today.

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Marsh Tit still this morning from the hide. Snipe flushed nearby. 

2 Dippers down from the weir, one ringed. Also Siskin near visitor centre, 20 Mandarin Duck, 3 Common Buzzard, 3 Redwing over, Grey Wagtail, 2 Goosander, 3 Cormorant, 5 Nuthatch, 2 Mistle Thrush. 

Lots of large lenses.



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The Marsh Tit continues to show ridiculously well.

Also from hide - 2 Dipper, 2 Mandarins, 1 Kingfisher with 3 Buzzards circling overhead.

Cheers, John

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The Marsh Tit on view again most of the morning from the hide. Also the Kingfisher was fishing in the river from the low branches opposite the hide.

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The marsh tit show continued into the afternoon. Hope it sticks around and perhaps another (of the other sex) drops in. The park needs a pick-me-up. Next best piece of action: watched a kingfisher dive into the fringes of the Keg and catch a tiddler - all at 10 meters!!! Must be quite rare to see this happen (outside of a hide).



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The Marsh Tit was showing well late morning when a couple arrived and put some seed out.

Kingfisher perched opposite the hide
Great Crested Grebe still present on Chadkirk Mill pond
At least two Nuthatch visiting the bird table
3 Siskin flew towards the garden centre
Drake Goosander on canal and female on river

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The Marsh Tit was in a feeding frenzy this morning taking seed as fast as it could and caching it on the far side of the river. It called twice whilst I was there but I failed to record it.

A flushed Woodcock flew over the hide
Kingfisher perched near the hide
Little Grebe on Keg Pool
Great Crested Grebe on Chadkirk Mill pond
7 Nuthatches calling

Cheers John

-- Edited by John Rayner on Tuesday 4th of February 2020 01:38:01 PM

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Marsh Tit regularly visiting the feeders by the hide.

Other birds included a total of 60 Mandarins, 4 Goosander and a Kingfisher.

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Marsh Tit went into roost at about 4-15pm. Dipper perched on dead branch in water to right of hide and Little Grebe on far side of river.



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Marsh Tit still showing well when I left at 15.30, calling often, flying back and forth across the river
Mandarin 44

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A nice find by Jeff.

Called in just after midday today and the Marsh Tit was still showing well, it called not long after I entered the hide but that was the only time I heard it.
Other than that 2 Kingfishers and the usual suspects around the hide.

Cheers

Mark

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First thanks to Jeff for flagging this up yesterday.

Early morning the Marsh Tit was calling frequently (classic pitchu pitchu) although it quietened down later on. It put on quite a show especially when it tussled with a Blue Tit in a feeding territory dispute.
At one point a male Sparrowhawk cashed through the tit flock but failed to make a catch.

On the river a pair of Goosander and 6 Teal.

Cheers John



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Marsh Tit now confirmed around the feeders from the hide by the river this morning; seen well and heard calling.

Info thanks to John Rayner



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Either a Marsh or Willow Tit was coming to food from the hide by the river after 4pm today, though views were inconclusive to secure any more definitive identification and the bird didn't call. Well worth a look for again.

 

Info thanks to Jeff Burgum

 



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3-4pm

Single Pink Footed Goose on main canal towards the weir.

50+ Mandarin Duck, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Common Buzzard, 7 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe 



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Just a personal thing really. After 34 Winters of visiting the park, I managed to add pink-footed goose to my site list yesterday afternoon when c190 went over going SE. Took me one nearer to 100 species after all these years. It can be grim in the East of the County!



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Late news for Sunday 27th.

A parakeet overflying the car park. A shorter, higher pitched squawk than Ring-necked. Yellow flashes on upper-wings. Possible Yellow-chevroned Parakeet.

Cheers John

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Wander round Etherow CP and Keg Wood 1205 - 1500

Surprised to see a snipe fly in to land in the car park as I walked in. It very quickly decided it was far too busy a place for having a rest in and flew off in the direction of the river. Didn't connect with it again.

2 grey wagtails on the river near the weir.

Three great spotted woodpeckers dotted about in Keg Wood, a male and two females, all showing well.

Two mixed flocks, a relatively small one near the toilet block and a larger, more diverse flock at Sunny Corner which included chiffchaff, goldcrest and treecreepers. Both flocks had at least six coal tits and three or four nuthatches, with a couple of pairs of nuthatches feeding by themselves elsewhere along the path.

Buzzard and sparrowhawk soaring overhead.



-- Edited by Steven Heywood on Monday 16th of September 2019 10:40:40 PM

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Visitor centre-CWT hide-Sunny Corner-Keg Pool 10-12am

3 Goosander, 3 Mute Swan, Blackcap, 2 Teal, Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1+ Common Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Nuthatch, Goldcrest, Grey Heron, 2 Muscovy Duck, 30+ Mandarin Duck. 



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Astonishing sight of THREE red kites drifting and circling over Sunny Corner at 4.02 p.m. They were going N-NW, so probably two of the same seen over Rochdale later? Whatever, I hope they settle somewhere safe.



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Visit this morning between 9.00 am and 12 pm

Had the following

Grey Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Goldcrest

Blue, Great, Coal and Long tailed Tits

Heron

Tufted Duck

Mandarins counted 15 drakes and 2 ducks on the canal so no doubt plenty of ducklings soon

Young Coot in a small creche of 5 on the Canal

Nuthatch

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Chifchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler

Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Jackdaw, Crow,Magpie

Young Canada and Greylag geese

Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon,

2 little Grebe on the Keg Pool

2 Kingfisher on the Reserve pond

Moorhen  Mallard and Mute Swan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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Garden warbler still in residence amongst the good numbers of blackcaps. A tawny owl was heard calling (mid p.m.) as a woodpecker drummed. Then I saw a phoenix. No, I didn't really, but that image is still only slightly less believable than the tree-felling that was going on along the canal. Yes, once again, Stockport Council wins the 'Golden Axe Award' for inappropriate and badly timed tree work. 



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Numerous Blackcap in song around the park.
9 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Warbler
2 Grey Wagtail
2 Little Grebe
1 Garden Warbler

Cheers

Mark

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Garden warbler singing in the beeches in Keg Wood just beyond the wooden "bus shelter" by the picnic area.

 

[I'll add my support for the Egyptian goose. :)]



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Changing tack then...

In the rain this afternoon, thought I'd check the outside chance of something odd dropping in on the lake, but found only c30 swallows, c10 sand martins and 1 house martin sweeping the water for anything going. Thankfully they won't have to put up with another day like this for a while at least.



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This discussion requires its own thread if possible please, it could (and perhaps should) run and run.



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I dont really understand NEs stance that the Egyptian Goose cant be re-released, when it is a Category C species on the BOU British list. Surely they wouldnt object to the re-release of a Mandarin from Etherow, or any of Pheasant, Red-Legged Partridge, or Little Owl? I would be interested to see their reasoning.

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Tim Wilcox wrote:

Can we have a campaign to restore the poor harmless goose to its home alongside all the other harmless wonky ducks and geese there? Who do we complain to? None of this has any bearing on the loss of native passerines and woodpeckers btw.

-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 27th of April 2019 07:54:55 PM





A start point might be...

Teresa Hughes
Nature Development Officer
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council



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Can we have a campaign to restore the poor harmless goose to its home alongside all the other harmless wonky ducks and geese there? Who do we complain to? None of this has any bearing on the loss of native passerines and woodpeckers btw.

-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 27th of April 2019 07:54:55 PM

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Julie Gardiner wrote:

I know what has happened to the Egyptian Goose at Etherow.  I spent a very long time trying to find out and did!  He apparently was found curled up somewhere in Etherow around bonfire night. A gentleman got him to the RSPCA and they looked after him.  Apparently there wasn't much wrong with him.  Those awful fireworks must have distressed him.  Anyhow, we were told at first that he would be released into the park but then Natural England put a stop to it and wouldn't issue a license for his release as he is not an indigenous species.  Along with a friend of mine we are in contact with Natural England and are at stage 2 of trying to get a license for release.  It's really hard as they have quote an EU law.  But our friend the Egptian Goose in Etherow is no threat to the wildlife there.  He's lived all his life in Etherow and around 15 years.  He's more of a domestic goose than a wild one.  And he teamed up with the swan family.  I just can't believe this lovely gentle goose cannot get back to the place he loves.  He is apparently with some private "collector" whatever that means and they won't reveal where he is.  But I really am trying to get him back where he belongs. We are expecting a reply from Natural England any day now.


 The Egyptian goose was always nice to see, but I'd rather 'Un-Natural England' restored willow tit, lesser spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, redstart, garden warbler etc... which have also all disappeared from the park. If the goose does return, I trust it has grown used to the rock music, bikers, drunken revellers and so on who have turned the park into a sad joke. Stand up Stockport Council.



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