Hi all,
A visit to the park with Jean Cox from 11.45 until 2.30pm.
On our way there through Brabyns Park we saw a Dipper and a Grey Wagtail on the river,as well as a male and Female Goosander.
Usual wildfowl on main lake,Coot,Canada Geese,Greylag geese,Cormorants, Mallard Ducks,Though did not see the Egyptian Goose or Mute Swans,probably because we walked along the further path,near the other lake,where we saw 2 male and 2 female Goosander,and several Cormorants. On the canal as we walked on towards the weir end of the park,at least 10 male and 10 Female Mandarin Ducks,and in the trees on the other side of the canal a small flock of Long Tailed tits and a Nuthatch singing.At the Cheshire Wildlife hide Coal tits,Nuthatch, Great tits on the bird table,Dunnock and Robin on the ground, 2 male 2 female Mandarin on the river,a Cormorant in the usual tree across the river.A Grey Wagtail flew upstream then 2 Kingfisher flew past together one behind the other,downstream, hopefully they had paired up? We used to see the Kingfisher fishing off the overhanging tree branch the other side of the river,but the last two times that I have seen it here ,it has just flown past,I wonder if anyone has seen them on that branch fishing recently?
We left the hide and as we neared the gate,heard a loud call to our left and saw a Kestrel,Sparrowhawk and a Green Woodpecker,all very close together.The Sparrowhawk seemed to be chasing the Woodpecker,which gave its call and quickly vanished into the trees! The Sparrowhawk flew around for a minute or two,and the Kestrel flew off,Then a Common Buzzard appeared flying low,and above it another Common Buzzard,quite a spectacle in such a short space of time!
At least another 20 Mandarin on the river near the pump house,on the way back.
All the best and Good Birding!





-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 11:05:12 AM

-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 07:29:55 PM

-- Edited by Mark Dean on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 07:31:14 PM

Saturday 14th Feb

The pair of Swans on the canal were both ringed. Blue ZP4 and Blue 4ADL

(Probably the same pair I saw on 01/03/2014 but I think I must have mis-read the ring as I reported it as Blue AOL and Blue ZP4)

Cheers John

10-11walk from the car park to the hide produced

Flock of long-tailed tit followed by 2 Goldcrest
2 Nuthatch
1 Treecreeper
1 Dipper
1 Grey Wagtail
Mandarin: 35 on canal, 14 on river, 4 behind pumphouse, 13 in front of the hide
1 Great Spotted woodpecker heard

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of October 2014 03:53:43 PM

11-3.30pm

1 Egyptian goose
38 mandarin
14 tufted duck
1 wigeon
5-6 buzzard
1 dipper
1 kingfisher
1 blackcap
4 great spotted woodpecker
6 jay
4 grey wagtail
7 pied wagtail
2 lapwing & 3 swallow over.
8 cormorant
nuthatch & goldcrest seemed to be all around
plus usuals.

Car park -hide. 7.15-8.45:
40+ Mandarin Duck
Kingfisher
Dipper pair
15 Swallow
10 House Martin
Egyptian Goose

Tonight 7.30-9.00pm 1 egyption goose sat at the top of the weir on the log/twigs 3 grey wagtail 2 grey heron on the pond near the hide 1 kingfisher 1 wren and 1 jay from the hide but the highlight for me was 4 dipper including 2 juvenile around the weir area all in my binocular view together at one time.

The egyptian goose 'Ernie' is definately not the same bird as the one at Platt Fields. I visited both areas one day last year and both were present.
Good to have him back at Etherow. Ive noticed the mute swans usually dont tolerate him during the breeding season and he is often alone during this time. The same happened last year. Hopefully they'll be buddies again soon.

Vicky

I have memories of multiple Egyptian Geese being at Etherow going back perhaps around thirty years. Does anyone know the history of their being at this site?
I feel sorry for this last one, who seems a real character; perching on the feeding station in the nature reserve or honking noisily constantly. Pity someone with a wildfowl collection can't donate him a mate!

Thanks, Keith. All these Egyptian Geese ... I wonder where the current incumbent came from? I hear he had a mate, who died a couple of years ago and he kind of bonded with some mute swans. Presumably there were no chicks from that liaison, unless Eugene 2/3 is a blood descendent of Eugene 1 (?). As Juan Domingo Perón said, ¡El pueblo quiere saber de qué se trata! (well he spoke Spanish - in English, 'The people want to know what's going on!').

I have heard of recent (last two or three years) of Egyptian goose (or geese?) in both Platt Fields park and also Salford Quays. Would this be the same bird or are there/have there been others.

I am a newcomer to the area and don't know the history, but was made curious by the reference to 'Eugene 2 or 3'. Just idle curiosity, but if anyone has the energy to answer I'd be interested.

Great shot. Wonder how many names it has?

Thanks, Chris. Guess his foot is better now. I'll be up there tomorrow to say hello to him!

Ah, the Egyptian goose is back! Where did you spot him, Chris?

9-10.30 Main car park to cwt hide:
40+ mandarin
Goosander
Dipper
2 Grey Wagtail
Kingfisher reportedly on 2nd brood
2+ bullfinch
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
2 Nuthatch
5 swallow
Cormorant
Many young of more common species about.

Thanks, Nick - not disappointed as I am learning. I'll put this down to experience .

I'm far from an expert - check the pic here and see what you think.

In Etherow County Park today (Mon 23 June) looking for the Egyptian Goose, which the park wardens told me has an infected foot and has been taken into rehab but should be released when recovered.


Surprised to see hooded crows here - at least three, on the left hand path walking up from the cafe. I have a photo if anyone is interested.


Otherwise saw nothing of special interest today - no sig of a dipper but there was a kingfisher dazzling over the water by the hide, too fast and unpredictable to photograph.

-- Edited by meayrs on Monday 23rd of June 2014 07:22:30 PM

Mandarin female with 4 young
Mute Swan pair. One unringed, one Blue 4ADJ

Cheers John

Andy Bissitt wrote:

---

John,

I wasn't sure that you were talking about ECP's dippers when I replied, but now you've confirmed it I can say that the Park is not west of the roadbridge (IF they mean Andrew St. in Compstall). There is a weir down river at the back of Compstall Hall (as you may know). I'm guessing that is where they might be planning to do it, and I am not aware of dippers using that area to breed.

Cheers,

Andy

---

Andy a quick look at the planning documents shows the area under consideration to be the grassy area with the bench's and shelter in-between the river and canal.

I can't figure out whether the work will affect the area where the dippers breed, obviously it will affect the vicinity but the actual location I'm not sure, I think it's also likely to affect the Grey Wagtails as that area is normally the place I've seen them feeding from.

Regards

Mark

I made a trip round Etherow yesterday and came across the sign, took a photo so I can write or email the necessary people.

Birds of note around the park included;

7 Chiffchaff Calling throughout the park
1 Goldcrest seen though a few more heard
4 Blackcap seen though with several more heard calling
2 Treecreeper
3 Nuthatch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Buzzard over

Cheers

Mark

I guess I meant goodbye to Dippers in the vicinity the weir bridge where they have bred in the past. Inevitably there will be lots of disturbance during construction but when the dust settles perhaps they will love it. I hear that Dippers have bred near other such projects so perhaps I over-reacted.

Cheers John

As well as the large sign on the path to the hide advertising "Blackthorn Music Festival - Last week in July" [see http://www.blackthornmusicfestival.co.uk] there was a council notice by the bridge at the weir.

This one announced application for planning permission for an "Archimedes Screw hydro-elecrtic plant at Weirhead, Compstall. West of the road bridge over River Etherow". Presumably similar to the one at Otterspool. Goodbye Dippers?

For anyone interested in objecting (almost pointless I would have thought) the Planning Application Number is DC055241. Notice dated 5th May and there is then a 21 day period to lodge objections.

Cheers, John

Chris Harper wrote:

---

This am 9-11:

Also whilst in woods a bird flew over that was very egret shaped, light coloured and had the flight jizz of an egret. Saw for 1 second then hidden by trees. Might be worth looking for locally?

---

Chris,

Which 'woods'? There are a lot of trees out there!

Phil it is a large area, much larger than I had originally guessed at, just hope it's managed correctly and not allowed to dry out.

On to today's sightings though;

10 Chiffchaff seen or heard
5 Blackcap all male with a possible 6th female but I didn't get a good enough look
1m and 1f Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Treecreeper
3 Nuthatch

Interestingly no Willow Warblers heard anywhere

Plenty of blue great and coal tit's about though.

Cheers

Mark