Couldn't find it today, but as it spends a lot of time under water, and the reservoir was quite rough, I could have missed it. 6 goldeneye 5 tufted 6 little grebe 40+ coots a few mallard 1 grey wagtail (there always seems to be just one!) plenty BH gulls and common gull
Long Tailed Duck still present at 1445hrs. Seen near to the sailing club buildings. There is a gate giving access to the res (as long as you are not there to go swimming!!) past the metal gates in the far corner near to the sailing club. Also present 3 Goldeneye, 3 little grebe, great crested grebe,2 mallard,Common and Black headed gulls.
AND it is difficult to turn your car if you drive up to the res. 15 point turn-i think!!!
Long-tailed Duck still present at 1.30 pm, but needed patience as it was spending a lot of time under water in the middle of a choppy reservoir. From memory, I think the cheek patch on the Roddlesworth bird was whiter than on this one.
Just out of interest this reservoir has had a summering male Goldeneye for about 6 years now. You can also get access from Fall Birch Rd (brings you to the reservoir) turning from the A673 Chorley New Rd, about 300m towards Bolton after the "Beehive" roundabout at SD655098. Easier if coming off the M61.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
I'd really like to see some images of this bird if anyone can obtain any (wouldn't we all!), particularly as Bill Aspin has provided me with some great shots of the Roddlesworth bird. Perhaps we can ascertain if they are one and the same or not and where or indeed if the Pennington bird fits in anywhere?
Anyway, please send them to me on the email link on the website, pigeon mail...however you can
There is definitely public access allowed via a wooden gate just beyond the double metal gates. This morning at about 09.00 the place was swarming with dog-walkers. There is a footpath all round the res and viewing is therefore excellent. At one end there`s a bit of a marsh, the other sides are bounded by open farmland and woods (and the golf-course along the road). I shall definitely be visiting again in conjunction with a trip ont moors.
Phil ,went to see the ltd today around 12.00 ,would advise you to go in on fall birch road, get to High rid farm and park up there, before the cobbles start,i didn,t enter the reservoir it,s self and got some cracking views from the road. i approached from the other end and the track is still driveable but rough there is parking right next to the res but turning could be tricky.
Thanks for that Simon. The road does get worse the further you go, if i'd had more time i would have parked up and walked. Quiete and undisturbed, could be promissing. I must have drove past here hundreds of times over the years.
Dean, as with alot of places around Bolton its grossly underwatched, ive been a handful of times this year and its usually birdless, i checked a couple of weeks ago and there was no LT Duck then, it once had a Grey Phalarope so theres always a chance of something like any reasonable size piece of water. As for access dont quote me on this but dont think theres public access round the water itself, its just view from where u can, think theres a gate at the west end that you can get in. I usually just climb the wall and it only takes 5 mins to check, but its not the best road to drive down. As Mr Woosey said anything can turn up anywhere. Wouldnt be suprised if this bird stays a while and it may well have been there days already.
Saw the Long Tailed Duck at 8am this morning along with 2 male Goldeneye and Little Grebe.
It was a flying visit on the way to work so didn't have time to check the area proparly. Anyone know anything about this reservoir? I've never been before. Followed the road to the far end of res were there was an area closed off with locked metal gates. Only other access to the banks seemed to be climbing over the wall and up the bank. Which i didn't need to do as the bird was visible from the gates. Is this private or open to the public?
judith there was a l t duck on upper roddlesworth res in oct but that apparently was caught up in fishing line dont think thats been seen since 1st week in nov
Only Ian and I saw it, John. By the time I got there with camera, about 1550, it was too dark to get even a record shot. But it did look like the Penn Flash bird, with a comparatively well marked head cf with some drab birds I have seen in recent years.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
The bird was still present as the light went at about 16.20 - it seemed pretty settled - it could have been there for days.
I did start off up ont` moors but it was poor visibility so I decided to call in here on my way home. It`s also the first time I`ve ever been here. I was counting the Common Gulls (that`s how good it was !) when I came across the Long-tailer..... Just goes to prove that anything could be anywhere !
Ian Woosey found an female/immature Long-tailed Duck on High Rid Reservoir, Bolton at approximately 3pm this afternoon. The bird was still present at the time of this post atleast.
To access the resr, turn off the A6402 Old Kiln Lane onto Old Hall Lane, the reservoir is along the side of the road and is easily accessed.
must be a good omen.
