Had a walk along the Bollin late this afternoon, away from the flats at Bollington and noticed a lot of wing flapping in a small copse on the opposite side of the river from the oxbows. It turned out to be a startled looking, apparently very young common Buzzard seemingly making its first journey into the big wide world
Super walk this afternoon in hot sunshine along the R.Bollin from the Bridgewater Canal bridge on Dunham Rd, down to Bollington Flats then down the riverside path to the A56 and back again.
Sightings: Family of Mandarin ducks on the river - female plus 5 well grown young. 3 almost full grown Goosander on the river. Female Mallard plus 4 young which included 1 white duckling 2 Grey Wagtail 6 Pied Wagtail Lots of Swallow 6 House Martin 2 Sand Martin 3 Blackcap 2 Chiffchaff singing 1 Nuthatch heard 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Green Woodpecker heard calling from inside the deer park 2 Stock Dove 4 Buzzard circiing together 1 Kestrel Flock of c.15 Goldfinch at ox-bow
Lots of insect sightings- see other wildlife thread
Goosander 1m 2f Island Pool. Water level a lot lower in recent visits than int olden days. 2 Coot chicks bottom pool below island pool. Grey Wagtail Bollington weir. Goosander 1f with c. 13 ducklings above the weir. One later got lost. Mallard - 4 well grown ducklings above the weir. R N Parakeets - pr prospecting on the oxbows. Mandarin - 2m 1f up the river. Went alongside the boggy bit of woodland (next to the park wall and adjacent to the field with the Bollin public footpath) where Willow Tits used to occur but no sign, i assume they went 20+ years ago.
-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Sunday 6th of May 2018 12:38:40 PM
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
Led a bird walk this morning from 11am to 1pm, which proved productive despite the heavy rain. highlights were. 1 little Egret 1 Ring necked Parakeet 1 Swallow 3 Treecreeper 3 Green Woodpecker 2 great Spotted Woodpecker 4 Goosander 2m 2f 2 Little Grebe 1 Chiffchaff 1 Jay 2 Buzzard 1 Song Thrush in full song 3 Grey heron
1 green sandpiper on flood in field over Bollington gate then flew onto the stream. 2 teal & 2 gadwall also on the stream. 2 shoveler over 2 great spotted woodpecker green woodpecker heard 9 nuthatch 5 treecreeper 1 ring necked parakeet 1 mistle thrush 2 buzzards
Walk round with Malcolm this morning was very productive, saw all the expected birds except Green Woodpecker which was leading us a merry dance with its Yaffling (laughing) at us without ever being found. Biggest surprise were 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, I've not heard of them here before. Cheers Ian
Just checked back and Dave Broome heard one here on 6th March, shows what little I know !!!!!!!!!
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 16th of March 2018 01:30:26 PM
2 Green Woodpecker calling - 1 seen 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker having a drumming battle - 3 seen 1 Goosander (f) on Island Pool A flock of c.50 Redwing engaging in that funny singing they do at this time of the year in the tops of the trees near the Obelisk 2 Treecreeper- one bird feeding up the side of a wall! 3 Nuthatch 1 Jay 1 Grey Heron 1 Oystercatcher over 15 Teal on the flooded fields next to the R.Bollin just outside the park.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 9th of March 2018 07:57:58 PM
Birds today included female Stonechat still by Smithy Pool, a Ring-Necked Parakeet calling somewhere in the deer park, 1 Green Woodpecker and 22 Fieldfare
1 Stonechat (f) was a surprise in the rushes around Smithy Pool 1 Raven sat at the top of a large tree calling for over 10 mins. The local Jackdaws didnt like it being there. Eventually it flew off SW calling. Another distant Raven heard to call back. 3 Nuthatch 13 Tufted Duck 1 Coal Tit 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker - heard only 1 Buzzard 13 Redwing
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 5th of March 2018 07:28:21 PM
4 great spotted woodpeckers 3 green woodpeckers 7 nuthatch 3 treecreeper 1 jay 1 buzzard 2 grey heron 30+ redwings 3 little egrets on stream over Bollington gate.
firstly I would like to apologise as the hawfinch I seen actually flew over island pool & not smithy pool. there was one of the national trust volunteers stood with me (Richard) but he didn't get onto it, sorry Richard. other birds around...
10 nuthatch 7 treecreeper 3 goldcrest 2 buzzard 1 jay 9 linnet & 2 meadow pipit, over several redwings around 3 grey heron on stream not a single woodpecker seen or heard on the walk around.
island pool.. 13 gadwall, 6 shoveler, 1 tufted duck, 2 little grebe, 2 yew trees on the island had several redwing, mistle thrush, song thrush & blackbirds feeding in them.
large flock of finches across charcoal road in field next to the golf course 150-200 majority linnets, chaffinch, goldfinch, 2 reed bunting, couldn't find any brambling.
A single hawfinch flew overhead as I was stood watching the ducks on smithy pool at 11.20am, it made its tik call & I managed to pick it up & get an decent look at the 2 white wing bars as it went south in the park. Could easily be feeding in the park.
This morning, a walk down the Bridgewater Canal from Dunham Town to Agden Bridge produced by first Fieldfare (4) of the autumn. 8 Redwing, a Kestrel and a Bullfinch were also noted.
Spent some time along the Bollin, but no sign of the Yellow- Browed; there's a lot of willows in the fields on the other side of the river so it needn't have moved far to have "gone".
Mike, John Barber who originally reported the Yellow-browed noted that the bird was calling/singing from the Cheshire side of the river, probably in those willows.
Swallow - 1 contact calling as it flew over Charcoal Lane and above the Park (i was only thinking, i've not seen one for yonks but usually see an October bird). The fact it was calling makes me wonder if it was from the brewery farmyard or somewhere similar. Stock Dove - 1. Spent some time along the Bollin, but no sign of the Yellow- Browed; there's a lot of willows in the fields on the other side of the river so it needn't have moved far to have "gone".
-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Sunday 1st of October 2017 09:56:29 PM
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
A report on Birdguides of a Yellow Browed Warbler at Dunham Massey Park by the River Bollin, 150m upstream from the weir. Think that would put it in the alders by the oxbows..
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
3 Green Woodpeckers - an adult and juv feeding together near the enclosed area plus another adult near Smithy Pool 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Treecreeper 3 Nuthatch plus numerous others calling 1 Goldcrest 2 Little Grebe
Dusk on Sun 27th (late news), 2 Tawny Owls calling from trees next to the grass avenue near the Hall. Little Grebe chicks begging loudly on the pond nearby.
Earlier, Green Woodpecker calling.
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
a wander this pm down the Trans Pennine Trail from The Rope and Anchor pub to Black Moss Covert, quiet, highlights were 2 Common Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Yellowhammer and a Kestrel
An evening stroll around the deer park produced excellent views of a Green Woodpecker, plus another bird calling. 2 singing Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were also noted.
Took a bird walk yesterday morning with some success, but the park was a bit quiet. Had 27 on the walk and the weather was sunny. 2 grey heron 6 Treecreeper including one juvenile 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker heard 3-4 Nuthatch 1 Kingfisher 1 Little Grebe
After the walk a Tawny Owl and 1 young Owlet was found in the North Park and we got good but brief views of the Adult
Afternoon Walk 4-5pm but park still very busy. Not much Woodpecker activity but .... Spotted Flycatcher (1) - next to island pond .... and a couple of treecreeper nearby. Chris
Late post for yesterday .Birds seen as follows blackbird wood pigeon carrion crow jackdaw mute swan green woodpecker moorhen mallard magpie Canada goose jay tufted duck robin swallow house martin raven starling garden warbler It was fascinating watching the jackdaws sitting on the backs of the Fallow Deer pulling out their fur to use as nesting material.
Pair of Gadwall on the island pool. Pair of Mandarin on the river, then flew over the park, then came back and landed in the field between the oxbows and the footpath. Grey Wagtail below the footbridge over the river.
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
1 wheatear, near the deer barn 1 green woodpecker 3 swallows, over 2 chiffchaff 1 willow warbler 1 buzzard 1 tawny owl 4 mandarin just outside the deer park on the river.
A Kingfisher on the oxbow viewed from the obelisk was beating a fish on a twig - initially calling, so perhaps more than one bird present. Up to 3 Buzzard high over circling. No sign of the Tawnies in their roost hole but a Wren did sound the alarm as it passed over it so maybe there's a female in there with chicks?... 17 Tufties versus 15 Mallard on the Moat Pool (i can still remember my excitement when the first Tuftie turned up there in the early 80's). A gorgeous Tawny Mining Bee digging a hole for a nest. One Redwing between the obelisk and the watermill.
In the fields near the park towards the Crematorium a Lapwing was displaying and 5 Buzzards circling together.
-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Wednesday 29th of March 2017 01:14:57 PM
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
A day off work and an early start in beautiful conditions saw me on Dunham Forest Golf Club at around 7am. Lots of the usual birds around, but I was quite surprised to see 3 Mandarins flying through the wooded area off towards Altrincham. On the deer park there were 4-5 more in the trees around the Obelisk. They roost in trees I believe, I haven't been early enough to see them before I suppose. The call/quack was interesting, a bit more goose-like than many ducks I have heard before.
Also of note a lovely pale-phase Buzzard that I happened upon on the golf course, perched low on a dead tree. What a handsome creature, later seen gliding around with a couple of others.
All in all a splendid morning and well worth a day of holiday, always nice when the days off land on decent birding weather.
Excellent 3 hours spent today with Malcolm, saw all the target birds including Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. Cheers Ian
A pleasant mooch around the Deer Park and Dunham Forest Golf Club this morning with Chris Chandler.
All the usual birds showing well, stacks of Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker being noisy and obvious. I saw a Green Woodpecker on the golf course which Chris missed, and we both saw 1 in the Deer Park, and Chris spotted a second in the park. Heard a couple more too. We were also pleased to see 4 Redpoll in the park, always nice to see these pretty little finches. 2 Buzzards showed well over the woods on the golf course.
green woodpecker, heard only 7 great spotted woodpeckers 11 nuthatch 5 goldcrest 2 buzzard 3 jay 9 siskin several redwings, song thrush & stock doves around. plus all the usuals.
deer park...
1 green woodpecker, more heard 5 great spotted woodpeckers lots of nuthatch around 2 treecreeper 2 goldcrest 2 jay 1 buzzard 1 snipe, on stream just over Bollington gate 2 skylarks, over 1 little grebe 9 tufted duck 5 teal again several redwings, song thrush & stock doves around. few fieldfares over plus all the usuals.
was not sure where to put this but as it says "dunham massey area" in the title, I had a little walk along the trans pennine trail at dunham massey & there was 15 pink footed geese in the fields just west of barns lane, also 11 yellowhammers, 7 lesser redpoll.
-- Edited by steven burke on Monday 20th of February 2017 04:53:02 PM
A walk through Dunham Forrest /Golf course from Bradgate rd. to the NT Deer park 7.20am - 12pm. Lots of Tits , Chaffinch and Blackbirds about in the woods also - Great Spotted Woodpecker 1. Nuthatch 1. Common Buzzard 3. ( interacting with each other near the club house, just a few feet off the ground). NT park - Lots of Jackdaw , with two in the same tree with nest material. Nuthatch 2. (Lots more heard ) Treecreeper 2. Snipe 3. on stream near the mill. Little grebe 1. on the island pool. Redwing 6. Mistle Thrush 5. Ps. No Green woodpecker seen in the park but 2 heard (always distant ) , until I spooked 2 on the way back on the golf course.
Also 7 Great spotted woodpecker seen in the park lots more heard .
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Tuesday 14th of February 2017 04:11:30 PM