The Red-rumped Swallow was found by John Ireland late afternoon over the Central Causeway, (sadly whilst I was at the opposite side of the County at the Wigan Flashes!). Unfortunately it quickly moved on to the disappointment of many Audenshaw regulars, a cracking well deserved find though for John.
I live in Audenshaw but for some reason decided to go to Pennington to try and see Little Gull or Black Tern. Unfortunately, I didn't see either despite the Little Gulls being there according to Gary Gorner. I had a good look through all the BHGs but couldn't see any that looked smaller. I did find what I am reasonably sure was a Garden Warbler in the scrub opposite the Teal hide though.
Thanks for that information, John and Nigel - fills in a few gaps! All credit for today's bird, though, to Paul Hammond who puts so much time in at Audi and this was a well deserved reward. Steve Collins' photo looked really good in the camera, so looking forward to seeing it on the forum - have seen Rob A's too, which is also pretty good considering he doesn't have a big lens.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
think if i remember correctly the pennington bird was first seen by patrick baglee,followed about 10 seconds later by myself and paul brown,it was first seen above what is now the back of the new hide.think dave wilson and frank horrocks saw it with us about 10 mins later
Last Saturday, I was at Audenshaw between the hours it was showing ; this Saturday I was shopping in Stockport. I guess that's bad timing. There goes another one that will probably never grace my G. M/c list. Life's cruel.
Nice to meet you Riggers. Pity about the timingStill glad I tried for it though. I didn't get any consolation prizes down King's Road either Anyway at least I found out I'dve been even more disappointed slogging up Pendle Hill as the Dotterel buggered off at noon.
JUDITH NIGEL, Very interesting information, but blooming heck todays Alpine swift the 3rd May 2008 was a cracker and the lads who found it should go down in history, might even let the come in the 200 club for a pint. well done that hammond keep birding (swiftly)
For those who are interested: the last Alpine Swift (s) were in 1981, when one was at Pennington Flash 23-25 May and one was at Blackleach Resr 21 July. In 1970, one was at Compstall. At that time, Compstall was in Cheshire (pre local government reorganisation) and I don't have the Cheshire report for that year, but no doubt someone can tell us when it was. The observers aren't given in either the 1981 county report or the 1981 Leigh OS report for the Pennington and Blackleach birds. LOS did cover Blackleach, but don't mention that record in their 1981 report, whcih suggests they didn't know about it.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
ALPINE SWIFT - showed well on and off until c10.35am but no further sign by 11.15am at least. Initially the bird fed along the north wall of no 1 Resv often over the road and houses but as the skies cleared it started to feed at higher altitude and became harder to locate. Congratulations to Paul Hammond on a well deserved find.
what a corker, the ALPINE SWIFT was last seen approx 10.35 when it drifted high with the swifts, no sign since according to the unfortunate working Riggers and not many swifts left.
Saturday 26th April 2008 05.20-09.00 Cloudy Southerly breeze
Goldeneye 8 Ringed Plover Common Sandpiper Swift 8 Dunlin 3 Female Sparrowhawk Cormorant 2 Female Wheatear
Sunday 27th April 2008 06.45-11.10 Light Rain Moderate South to south easterly
Ringed Plover 2 Wheatear 3 White Wagtail Yellow Wagtail 3 Dunlin at least 11 maybe 18 as flocks never landed Cormorant Common Tern 3 Whimbrel calling as it flew through
Should have stuck around hammy, large flock of pipits moved through about 11 ish 30+ meadow pipts 3 rock pipts 17 pied wagtails 2 goosander 1 canada goose 2 ringed plover 4 wheatear hirudines galore to many to count or maybe i was too cold. keep birding
2 male Shoveler Pair of Tufted Duck 3 Goosander Pair of Wigeon c150 Sand Martins flying about in close pack for much of the time with 7 Swallows and 8 House Martins At least 2 female Wheatear up to 8 Meadow Pipits including a couple harassing a weasel
Huge flock of hirundines 5 R. plover displaying at side 2 L R Plover 15 wheatear meadow pipits and a couple of angry dog walkers who were not best pleased when I asked to see there permits. keep birding
Nine Wigeon on No1 first thing before 10 more dropped in. Two small flocks of 7 and 6 flew over
2 Redshank Cormorant 7 Sand Martin
Grey Plover circled the reservoirs, calling, climbing height all the time before appearing to head off East Teal 3 pairs Common Scoter on No2 Knot on No3 still present at 10.00 am LRP Kittiwake Curlew pair of shoveler
I hope all visitors to Audenshaw take note of Racheal's post of Thursday and drop a line of protest to United Utilities. How much more will they do to further the wildlife desert that Audenshaw is becoming, and all to prevent a few kids from breathing in a few flies the poor babies! If we sit back and say nothing a vital migration fuelling site will be removed from the chain and numbers of all birds will continue to dwindle. Please act now!
16 kittiwakes was my last count. Also 9 ringed plover came in on No2 as the weather went worse. Earlier were 1 rock pipit and 2 sand martin and the common scoter still present. Considering the weather forecast it was a good afternoon!(must be mad!) Steve
Hi, I saw in today's advertiser (p30) plans to tackle the fly plague at Audenshaw reservoirs including spraying land/gardens but also 'other chemical products' to kill eggs & larvae (presumably in water)..... wondered whether this would harm the birds too, though hopefully it shouldn't be too lethal as it would be in drinking water. Rae