Common Sandpiper 1 flew to Flixton bank of canal, downstream of locks. Kingfisher 2 around Irlam bank, upstream of locks, opposite the old ferry crossing. BH Gulls and 1 LBB Gull. Swallows, Hs Martins and Sand Martins about. Goldfinch 4 Linnet 2 Coot 2 Mallard 4 Pied Wagtail 2 on sewage beds.
Had the best view I've ever had of Grasshopper Warbler today. It was reeling away in the nettles on the hill, got within 15ft of it- no camera of course. Also 12 Gadwall on the lagoon, loads of Reed Warbs on Jack Lane Reserve and all the usual stuff.
Kev-- I phoned you so you could get the gropper but you were out!!
Short walk in the rain this morning. Swallows, sand martins, solitary house martin and 5 swifts at ETW also yellow wag. Kingfisher at locks, 3 Reed Warbler at Jack Lane.
Willow Warbler 5 singing Blackcap 6 singing Chaffinch 4 singing reed warbler 1 "singing" Linnet 2 Sparrowhawk pair displaying plus a separate female Goldfinches Jay 1 Raven 1 which also flew low over my house Reed Bunting 1m Cormorant 1 flying up Ship Canal Stock Dove 1 Chiffchaff 5 singing etc. However, no Whitethroats or Hirundines.
At Dutton's Pond:
Canada Geese 12+ Mallard 20+ Moorhen 2 Coot 2 ad + 1yng Mute Swan only 1 ad
Afternoon amble down Irlam Road to Irlam Locks and the Ship canal.
Sand Martin 1 flying up ship canal. Swallow 1 near riding stables. Grey Wagtail 2 BH Gull 50+ Common Gull 1 Gt C Grebe 1 on canal. Mallards 8 Canada Goose 1 on canal. Magpie 30+ at sewage works. Greenfinch/Goldfinch/Chaffinch etc.
6 Rooks nests on Woodsend Road, between Red Lion and Woodsend Circle.
Coots 6 Mallards 8 Tufted Ducks 1m 1f BH Gulls 330+ Cormorants 3 flying west down canal. C Gull 1 Song Thrush 1 singing on Irlam bank of canal. Gt Crested G 1 Mute Swan 1ad Woodcock 1 on Flixton bank near railway bridge.
Dutton's Pond( 80% frozen )
Moorhens 4 Coots 2 Canada Geese 4 Mallards 30+
No Mute Swans. Possibly Pond adult on Ship Canal.
Plus usuals, including 2 Bullfinches, 1Jay, 3 Redwings, Goldfinches etc.
First light 'til 09:30 ish All the usual suspects + 13 Shoveller on ship canal below Irlam Locks, 2 Ravens in pylon near airpark, Redpoll, Siskin , c100 Pied Wags on Jack Lane Fields
Hi Phil, the Shoveller are quite often on the far lagoon near the pipe bridge- you cant see it from the hill. There were six this morning at 9am ish. Unless youre the first there you wont get them 'cos whoever is first usually puts them up. Also 20-30 Teal + 2 Gadwall. The Stonechat was in a small bush, again near the pipe bridge-another good spot for Stonechat is in the Gorge bushes near where everyone stops to look at the lagoons.
Walk on 24/11 from Arundel Ave down Jack Lane, along railway to ship canal, under railway bridge and along river to Flixton Lagoons, through the lagoons and down to the river at the pipe bridge, around green hill, Duttons Pond and back behind Wellacre.
Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Chaffinch Coot Dunnock Goldcrest Goosander Great Tit Grey Heron House Sparrow Long-tailed Tit Mallard Moorhen Pheasant Robin Shoveler Stonechat Willow Tit Wren Blackbird Bullfinch Carrion Crow Collared Dove Cormorant Feral Pigeon Goldfinch Great Spotted Woodpecker Greater Canada Goose Grey Wagtail Jay Magpie Mistle Thrush Mute Swan Pied Wagtail (yarrellii) Rook Starling Teal Woodpigeon
Walk from Sott Drive to Dutton's Pond and onto the hill overlooking the lagoons. Tuesday, 20/11/07.
Pied Wagtail 40+ Missel Thrush 9 Goldfinch 20+ Redwing 6 Sparrowhawk 1 ad male and 1 poss imm male Lesser Redpoll 3 Chaffinch 4 Greenfinch 6+ Stock Dove 2 Fieldfare 4 M. Pipit 2 etc.
