MB

 

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> Cheshire and The Wirral -> Houghton Green Pool
Post Info TOPIC: Houghton Green Pool
John Lyon


Status: Offline
Posts: 55
Date:
RE: Houghton Green Flash
Permalink  

Hi all,

I have heard a lot about Houghton Green Flash but I am not sure where it is. Can anyone direct me how to get there please. Janice and myself are thinking of going to Moore or Marbury Park early Saturday morning 10th April. Is it part of Pennington Flashes or near to Winwick??

John confuse.gif

__________________
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

2 Yellow Wagtails this evening - both males

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Eight Black-necked Grebes this evening

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Willow Warbler this evening

5 Black-necked Grebes on pool and lone Golden Plover still present

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

1 Swallow and 1 House Martin this morning.

Six Black-necked Grebes present along with Golden Plover in south field.

Wigeon flock now down to 16.

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

sid ashton wrote:

Late on this afternoon on the way home dropped in to HGF - Three Black-necked Grebe, two Oyster Catcher, several Redshank, lots of Wigeon plus GC Grebe, Little Grebe etc. There was also a Golden Plover in summer plumage in the field on the walk over to the entrance into the flash.





Hi Sid

I spotted the Golden Plover casually strolling around the field this evening. From the markings I suspect it is the same bird I flushed here on Wednesday.

Six Black-necked Grebes were present first thing this morning and again at lunch - didn't bother counting them this evening.

Mike

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
sid ashton


Status: Offline
Posts: 1855
Date:
Permalink  

Late on this afternoon on the way home dropped in to HGF - Three Black-necked Grebe, two Oyster Catcher, several Redshank, lots of Wigeon plus GC Grebe, Little Grebe etc. There was also a Golden Plover in summer plumage in the field on the walk over to the entrance into the flash.

__________________
Karen Foulkes


Status: Offline
Posts: 1729
Date:
Permalink  

We managed two Black Necked Grebes this morning, stunning in the bright sunlightbiggrin.gif. Six Redshank around displaying and two Oystercatchers. A successful morning with the Cattle Egret as wellsmile.gif

__________________
Only the obsessed understand!
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

5 Black-necked Grebes this morning.

Also 2 Wheatears (male and female) in field by Midhops Farm

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

No sign of Ring Ouzel this evening.

5 Black-necked Grebes present this morning and still present.

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Ian McKerchar


Status: Offline
Posts: 15440
Date:
Permalink  

Male Ring Ouzel present at 08:15 atleast this morning in fields to the south of the pool

Info thanks to Mike Baron

__________________

Forum administrator and owner
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

j meadows wrote:

Hi Mike

We had 4 what was mixing in with the Tufted , 1 in the middle and 2 which was close in on the right hand corner as you come over the big Style it was only when a dog walker moved everything from the motorway side that we could count them all

Cheers Jimmy





Thanks Jimmy - makes sense.

Six birds present this evening.

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Jimmy Meadows


Status: Offline
Posts: 1229
Date:
Permalink  

Hi Mike

We had 4 what was mixing in with the Tufted , 1 in the middle and 2 which was close in on the right hand corner as you come over the big Style it was only when a dog walker moved everything from the motorway side that we could count them all

Cheers Jimmy

__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

Mike Baron wrote:

j meadows wrote:

We counted 7 Black neck Greebe tonight

jimmy





In my short visit the Grebes were constantly diving and moving around - I had to rely on trying to remember where I had seen birds on the surface. Initially I did think there were seven but couldn't confirm it from repeated counts so I suspect there were seven present all day.

I wonder if the departed birds were the ones that turned up on Wigan Flashes?



I ONLY GOT 6 AT 3PM SATURDAY,SO THE OTHER MAY HAVE BEEN A VERY SHORT STAYERsmile.gif

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

j meadows wrote:

We counted 7 Black neck Greebe tonight

jimmy





In my short visit the Grebes were constantly diving and moving around - I had to rely on trying to remember where I had seen birds on the surface. Initially I did think there were seven but couldn't confirm it from repeated counts so I suspect there were seven present all day.

I wonder if the departed birds were the ones that turned up on Wigan Flashes?

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

only 2 BNG,left this afternooncry.gif

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Jimmy Meadows


Status: Offline
Posts: 1229
Date:
Permalink  

We counted 7 Black neck Greebe tonight

jimmy

__________________
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Six Black-necked Grebes present at lunch. 10 Sand Martins and 2 singing Chiffchaffs also present with 69 Wigeon and 5 Redshanks.

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Three Black-necked Grebes present this morning. Also a White Wagtail on the north bank.

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

Mike Baron wrote:

It's amazing how the numbers on here fluctuate on a daily basis - something John Tymon and I have discussed at length. I visited early am and had the following (compare with John Rayner's counts):

41 Coot
23 Tufties
4 GCG's
70 Wigeon





83 wigeon at 4pmsmile.gifit is strange the pool my theory is that at this time of year,there could be up to say 150 wigeon passing through in 1 day,and at any one time between 80-100 on the pool.i think birds use the motorways,m62/m6 that cut through either side of the pool to guide them further west or south,like they would follow rivers in bygone dayssmile.gif

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

It's amazing how the numbers on here fluctuate on a daily basis - something John Tymon and I have discussed at length. I visited early am and had the following (compare with John Rayner's counts):

41 Coot
23 Tufties
4 GCG's
70 Wigeon

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

black necks still there 4pm,won't be long before they are off to woolston,but sure there will be plenty more through this springwink.gif

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
John Rayner


Status: Offline
Posts: 2667
Date:
Permalink  

13th March (11.15 - 11.45) In addition to 2 Black-necked Grebes

GC Grebe 6
Wigeon 58
Tufted Duck 17
Mallard 10
Coot 32
Moorhen 3
Redshank 3
Oystercatcher 2
BH Gull 54
Common Gull 2
LBB Gull 1
Buzzard 1

Cheers, John


__________________
Neil Dowson


Status: Offline
Posts: 16
Date:
Permalink  

2 Black Necked Grebes still present, plus 2 redshank

__________________
Mark Rigby


Status: Offline
Posts: 1850
Date:
Permalink  

2 Black necked grebes still present this morning 1000hrs at least

__________________
Simon Warford


Status: Offline
Posts: 2228
Date:
Permalink  

2 Black necked grebes still present this afternoon, plus 4 Redshank & 95 Wigeon.

__________________
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Female Stonechat also present this afternoon

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

3-4pm
redshank-2
black necked grebe-1 pair
wigeon-105
teal-2
smile.gif

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON at 21:11, 2009-03-08

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

White Wagtail present with 10 Pieds late afternoon

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

still 2 black necked grebe at 12pm
plus-wigeon-103 (good number for this time of year)smile.gif

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

Henry Cook wrote:

Who has responsibility for the flash Mike? Might be worth getting in touch just before things kick-off there for passage and breeding.
Henry.




HI HENRY
The owner is well aware of the disturbance,but realy he lets people walk around the pool when he could stop everyone as there is only public access at the east end.he only uses the pool for fishing for trout which he stocked there years ago.many groups have tried at houghton green liasing with the owners without any success ,but in the end it is privately owned ,and it could be worse,the owner originally baught it to stop power boating on there.
The pool was my local patch for almost ten years,but i only go occaisionally now due to a dogwalker every 2 minuets.the thing that started the disturbance was the owner stopped the local farmer from grasing his bullocks there,that used to stop the dogwalkers.In fact when i first started doing it it was like my own private reserve,i hardly ever saw anyone on the pool.The black necked grebes have always visited the pool in spring,then again late summer with up to about 12 at times,less last few years.but unfortunately until the owner takes ownership properly,and designates it as private land,then spend a lot of time stopping everyone from going round nothing will change.that why im now back doing pennington,loads of people,but they are kept separate from the birds.

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON at 19:44, 2009-03-06

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON at 20:23, 2009-03-06

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Henry Cook


Status: Offline
Posts: 1703
Date:
Permalink  

Who has responsibility for the flash Mike? Might be worth getting in touch just before things kick-off there for passage and breeding.
Henry.

__________________
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

2 Black-necked Grebes present this evening. Both well into breeding plumage.

It will be interesting to see if they are still present in the morning. Last year the spring influx was a disaster with birds moving on almost as soon as they appeared due to the plethora of dog walkers disturbing them. True to form lately there were more dog walkers present than birds tonight and quite a few encouraging their dogs to swim into the water near birds. The BNG's appeared nervous and edgy, continually diving to get away. Why places like this are allowed to be abused and abandoned this way is beyond me!

Also present:

86 Wigeon
16 Tufty
1 Pochard
43 Coot
5 Moorhen
4 Redshank
2 Oystercatcher
1 Mute Swan
6 Great Crested Grebes

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

3.30-4PM
OYSTERCATCHER-2,G.C.GREBE-4(1 PAIR DISPLAYING),REDSHANK-3,WIGEON-91,GOLDENEYE-2M,BUZZARD-3,PLUS THE USUAL STUFF

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

7 Golden Plovers observed through the snow in the field to the west of the pool this afternoon. Approx 80 Fieldfares also present - usual stuff on the pool itself.smile.gif

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

This afternoon:

2 Pintail (drake and duck)
1 Goosander (duck)
80 Wigeon
8 Pochard
8 Tufty
63 Coot
4 Redshank
1 Buzzard...

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

This morning (very blustery)

87 Wigeon
30 Tufty and 24 Pochard
4 Goldeneye (2 drakes, 2 ducks)
1 Canada Goose
107 Mallard
108 Coot and 2 Moorhen
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Redshank and 105 Lapwing
1 Peregrine (flew lazily and low over the pool - probable male given size comparison with female Kestrel present at the same time - nothing stirred)
1 Kestrel and 2 Buzzards
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
55+ Jackdaw and 50+ Rook
2 Stock Dove
195 BHG, 1 Herring Gull, 2 LBBG and 5 Common Gull
1 Heron & 2 Cormorant

and then the rain came.....

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

This morning:

115 Coot
90 Wigeon
2 Goldeneye (duck plus drake)
19 Tufty
16 Pochard
5 Moorhen
1 Buzzard
4 Redshank
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
69 Fieldfare
31 Lapwing
8 Stock Dove
9 Meadow Pipit
1 Snipe
80+ BHG
9 Common Gull

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

This morning:

102 Coot
91 Wigeon
14 Tufties
11 Pochard
1 Teal
2 Great Crested Grebes
140+ Black-headed Gulls
9 Common Gulls
2 Skylarks
1 Meadow Pipit
55+ Rook
150+ Jackdaw
1 Grey Wagtail
5 Redshanks
1 Snipe
1 Reed Bunting
1 Buzzard

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 19:13, 2008-12-28

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 19:41, 2008-12-28

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Late afternoon:

120 Coot
6 Moorhen
1 Great Crested Grebe
118 Mallard
76 Wigeon
30 Tufty
7 Pochard
2 Redshank
1 Heron
10 Fieldfare
1 Kestrel

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

This morning

59 Wigeon
40 Tufty
13 Pochard
7 Teal
121 Coot
118 Mallard
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
4 Redshank
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrels
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Grey Wagtail - threw me a bit because it was walking around on the ice on the far side and it had no tail!

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

This morning:

41 Wigeon
17 Tufties
114 Coot
1 Little Grebe
1 Cormorant
3 Goldeneye (all drakes)
1 Shoveler (drake)
1 Bullfinch (female)
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrels
4 Redshank
7 Reed Buntings
4 Redwing
4 Song Thrush
80+ Linnet
4 Mipit
196 BHG
3 LBBG
5 Common Gull
1 Herring gull

1 absolutely soaked birder and 1 very wet dog!

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 12:19, 2008-11-23

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

50 WIGEON AT 3PM TODAYsmile.gif

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Peregrine this morning - flew in from west, skimmed low over water and headed off NE

Plus;

32 Wigeon
1+5+31+38+4+6 Redwing all through south
16+8 Fieldfare west

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 13:55, 2008-11-08

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

33 Wigeon today with:

1 Stonechat (male)
4 Redshank
1 Teal
3 Pochard
12 Tufty
114 Coot
10 Pied Wags
11 Mute Swans

Also south hedge was alive with Tits, Thrushes and Finches

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

2 Stonechat today +
27 Wigeon
4 Redshank
87 Mallard
1 Pochard
17 Tufted Duck
1 Goldeneye (female)
117 Coot
5 Moorhen
4 Mute Swan
2 Grey Wagtail
5 Grey Heron
130+ BHG
3 Common Gull
1 LBBG
40+ Herring Gull
3 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebe
4 Redwing
32 Fieldfare
2 Mipit
1 Skylark
1 Kestrel
280 Starling


__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Immature drake Goldeneye this morning.

Wigeon up to 24.

4 Redshank plus usual stuff

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3501
Date:
Permalink  

Mike Baron wrote:

Goshawk this morning - approx 07:50.

Prob male from size. The hawk appeared from the NE, flew lazily over the field to the south of the pool for a minute or so and then spiralled off high to the south.

Wigeon now up to 18.





working the patch realy pays off eventually-beltin recordsmile.gif

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Mike Baron


Status: Offline
Posts: 828
Date:
Permalink  

Rob Smallwood wrote:

I'd have expected the Wigeon count to have gone down rather than up following that visitor!





Rob

You would think so, however nothing moved (though the field was empty at the time and the hawk came in through the wooded area to the north east) - I'm not sure if anything saw it.

I have seen Collared Doves perched in the same tree as Sparrowhawks in my garden and yesterday Jonathan and myself watched a male Peregrine dash across the Morecambe/Allen pools which were full of waders and nothing at all moved.

Funny how prey species appear to know when a raptor is not that interested.

Certainly my best patch sighting - am still buzzing!smile.gifsmile.gifsmile.gif

__________________
www.winwickbirder.blogspot.com
Rob Smallwood


Status: Offline
Posts: 1151
Date:
Permalink  

I'd have expected the Wigeon count to have gone down rather than up following that visitor!

__________________
Rob
« First  <  Page 14  >   Last »  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> Cheshire and The Wirral -> Houghton Green Pool

RODIS

 

This forum is dedicated to the memory of Eva Janice McKerchar.