Called in for 2nd helpings yesterday after a depressing morning checking Sale WP ( 89 Coot ) and bumped into Pete Berry. We checked out all the lagoons together and it was completely dead, not even a Green Sand.

Yes that's right Ian!
I didn't realise it was you Geoff otherwise I would have done a proper intro! I always usually ask if anybody is a forum member when out and about but i think the excitement got the better of me! I know what you mean about the photo- it's continually on the move and in the light tonight my photos arn't much good but the chance of another one isn't great so i'm glad to get one.
I've met Woosey, Hammy, Warfy and the Adderleys when they have been up to Rochdale but It's about time I ventured more around the county so hope to bump into you again and have a chat next time.
Cheers
Steve

steve, nice to meet you, glad you did the double great county bird,i,m struggling with photographing the little darling and must said have i hope it sticks around a month,with more hope than expectation, i did see it flap its wings before you arrived so could be off any minute.

cheers geoff

grey phalarope still present 18.45 20/10/07 still on first lagoon

cheers geoff

Last night 4 Green Sandpiper flew in between 6:00 and 7:00 to add to the couple already on the site.

Grey Phalarope showing very well too.

merman wrote:

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where is hope carr and how do you get to it from pennington flash? are there any online maps? cant find much info. i live quite local (ashton) so street names and parking locations would be useful. thanks.

sometimes i walk along the canal from wigan flashes to pennington flash, if i keep going will i get to hope carr?

was thinking of visiting the two today for the phalaropes.

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Hi Merman and anyone else who might find this useful.

For online maps i use www.maps.google.co.uk

I find this site really useful. You can click on any area of UK and zoom in, then scroll about till you find what you're looking for. There are also search options and loads of other features. There are 3 types of map... Map, Satellite and Hybrid. Map is a street map, Satellite is a overhead picture with no street names and Hybrid combines the first 2.
I find Hybrid particularly good when looking for roads and paths leading to reservoirs etc. The detail is excellent. you can even find specific hedgerows, walls etc.
Youcan zoom in to the desired level you want then simply print the page off. I have loads of printed maps in the bottom of my rucksack.

Hope this is helpfull.

Cheers Dean.

Is it possible to reach the area by public transport at all?

It even got me out of Chorlton for an hour 08.45-09.45 ( even though it's not a Manc tick - not that i keep a Manc list ).
Oddly, Birdguides keep reporting it as a juvenile - looks like a non-breeding adult to me !.

-- Edited by Pete Hines at 19:02, 2007-09-19

Caught up with Grey Phalarope at 7-15am this morning - a lifer for me. The RNP would have been if it had stuck around. Been working away and knew nothing about these birds until late last night.

Nice meeting you this morning Riggers.

Mike

re access for hope carr check the county birding site guide on the forum will give you a starting point,
failing that if you go down the east lancs to the junction with the A574 warrington road once on that turn left at first lights through the industrial estate at the bottom of this road you will see the united utlilties sign park in car park and take left path passed the arts and crafts sign, follow the path and lagoons on your right, you should see trampled nettles view just over there
if at pennington ask the rangers to put you on the right path
good luck.

Are there any South Manc birders heading to Hope Carr and could possibly give me a lift (from Hale Barns)? Thanks v much. Henerz.
(p.s. ma mob is 07976377215)

-- Edited by henerz1 at 09:22, 2007-09-19

grey phalarope still there when i left at 07,00
this morn

-- Edited by j meadows at 08:29, 2007-09-19

If you go through the second barrier (if it's open) into the reserve car park, I think they close it when they leave - school classes visit there, so assume school hours. But you can park on the spare land at the end of the small access road and it's usually OK. Or you can come from Chestnut Drive South, along the ginnel/footpath and over the bridge over the R Glaze - probaby quicker if coming from Pennington Flash.
Also there today: 3 Green Sandpipers.

Rob, I dont think theres any restrictions on access, just park by the barrier and walk left through the car park.

Believe it or not I've never been to Hope Carr. Can't go today, but if present tonight will try tomorrow - are there any time limits on access at the site?

saturday 1st september,08:00

Just a single green sand, atleast 4 chiffchaffs in with a roving tit flock plus single lesser whitethroat and blackcap with atleast 1 sedge warbler still remaining

Gave up Hobby hunting on the Mosses so went to Hope Carr, this place has overgrown hasnt it!

All we could muster was 1 Green Sandpiper and my dad trying to turn every Kestrel into a Hobby.

-- Edited by warfy at 13:37, 2007-07-29

Has his computer broke down to Ian

Saturday 21st July, late afternoon.

2 Green Sand
1 Adult LRPlover

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes

lol, hmm he has even started birding around Leigh that is disturbing, has he stopped doin Rumworth?

Keep at it pal !.................are those grey hairs I can see appearing ?

Hows the year list goin Paul?

Cheers Ian

I'll probably nip up Saturday morning but will give you a ring first. If the path is the same one I used when I first visited Hope Carr at beginning of June I got soaked as the vegetation was well and truly wet and hanging into the path, not pruned like the path that runs from the visitor centre.

Hi Ian

Whereabouts did you see the Green Sandpipers. Tried three times so far without luck.