Moore NR

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Moore NR

Pete Antrobus · Status: Offline

Best place at the moment for Willow Tit is the feeders (3 No.) that are found along the Upper Moss Side path which is the area to the West going towards Runcorn passed the last farm. Here you'll also find 50+ Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammer(a rare bird in Cheshire these days).
Today there was a female Goosander at Halfway House where the Mersey and MShip Canal are at their closest, its a fair walk though.
Bitterns are best on calm sunny days at any time of the day just keep quiet (especially those motordrives

).

good luck
Pete

-- Edited by Pete Antrobus at 21:01, 2009-01-09

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Tony if you want to find the Moore Lesser Spots you would need to be there a little earlier than 0930 - just a thought.

Sid A

PS Sunrise is 07.17 that day, the 21st Feb

-- Edited by sid ashton at 19:43, 2009-01-09

Tony Coatsworth · Status: Offline

I'm leading an RSPB Group Members trip there on Feb 21st, so if anyone fancies coming along we meet up at the Gateway Hotel in Parrs Wood 9:00 or Moore itself about 9:30

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Thanks Sid. Moore is a cracking place, we only "found " it last year.The only trouble with the Bittern Sid, was that they were all looking at it, and I could not find where they were looking!! When offered a scope, the thing had gone back in before I could adjust the focus.
Maybe see you there or around sometime

Cheers

Geoff

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Geoff

Don't be too disappointed - friends of mine were also at Moore today and they missed out as well - I have spent hours and hours looking for the Moore Bitterns over the past few years and it is only this year that I have a good record of seeing them - on the ice!! Notice that you found one of the Tawneys in the normal roost as well as the Willow Tits at the feeding station - Henry and I looked for both species on Wednesday and couldn't find - so Geoff you can't win them all but just keep trying

Sid A

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Well, been there, and I was the only one NOT to see the Bittern at the East Reedbeds

.

East Hide
Bittern
Buzzard
Jays
Green Sandpiper

Hide at Lake just below the woods
Gulls (millions
Iceland Gull
GC Grebe
9 Heron
Coote
Moorhen

Bridge to Wood up from above hide
Tawney Owl in the right hand tree behind the large tree

Feeder Hide
LT Tits
GS Woodpecker
Willow Tit
Reed warbler
Grey Wagtail
Blue tits
Jay
Coal Tits
Nuthatch

-- Edited by Geoff Walton at 18:01, 2009-01-09

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Four of us hope to go here today.perhaps if anyone else is there, they could "let on" I am the small one

Geoff

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Hi. I've had a few decent birds seen from the feeding station in the past including Marsh+Willow Tits (no LSW yet!) but wasn't expecting a Spoonbill to fly over and at this time of year!
It went over westwards heading alongside the mersey against the general flow of gulls but at the same height as the gulls. Sadly Sid didn't get onto it but we tried to relocate it on the Mersey by the Fiddlers Ferry power station with no luck.
I put the news out but it seems that RBA didn't translate my text very well and the direction of flight wasn't put out on the news services which can't have helped the other birders on site.
Other stuff around included:
3 Bitterns (eastern reedbed)
1 Kingfisher
20+ Pheasants (east of the reserve on rough ground)
1 Treecreeper
3 Nuthatches
6 Lesser Redpolls
3 Siskins
1 poss Brambling (flew over the eastern reedbed calling)
c30 Tree Sparrows (west of the reserve)
8+ Yellowhammers
c30 Reed Buntings

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Welcome to the forum Pod but who are you? - we tend to use our full names on the forum.

Sid A

PS from what Henry said the bird was in the direction of the Mersey if that is of any help

PPS Just read POD WORLD nuff said!!!
-- Edited by sid ashton at 22:26, 2009-01-07

-- Edited by sid ashton at 22:51, 2009-01-07

-- Edited by sid ashton at 22:52, 2009-01-07

-- Edited by sid ashton at 22:55, 2009-01-07

Pete Antrobus · Status: Offline

Any clues to which way the Spoonbill flew

its a first for Moss Side/Moore NR recording area me thinks.
cheers Pod

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Jason- that is an absolutley amazing coincidence - we met a bloke who said that he had seen the same gulls that you reported

jason atkinson · Status: Offline

Hi Sid

I was there later on this afternoon as a consolation for a day out in Wales. Well done Henry btw there were a few gripped off birders checking everywhere.

cheers
jason

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Jason

Was that you that we met walking down from the hide on Pump House pool at about 1 o'clock and we spoke briefly?

Henry spotted the Spoonbill flying over the feeding station after we saw the Bitterns when we left you - if it was you that is. I of cousre was a bit too slow!!!

Sid A

jason atkinson wrote:

juv Iceland + juv Glaucous Gull - Birchwood Pool
2 Bitterns - eastern reedbed
Maybe Sid or Henry could shed more light on the Spoonbill sighting.

cheers
jason

-- Edited by sid ashton at 19:14, 2009-01-07

jason atkinson · Status: Offline

juv Iceland + juv Glaucous Gull - Birchwood Pool
2 Bitterns - eastern reedbed
Maybe Sid or Henry could shed more light on the Spoonbill sighting.

cheers
jason

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Rob Smallwood wrote:

Someone reported a Spoonbill....

Yep that was Henry - unfortunately by the time I looked to the skys it was gone

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Someone reported a Spoonbill....

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Three Bittern at the Eastern Reedbed late morning was there with Henry C who will no doubt remember everything else that we saw

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

So guilty of starting the new year off out of town.

No sign of the Bitterns this morning in fact the only sighting at the reedbed was a MINK, oh we did have a heron and a skating crow.

A roosting tawny owl was a quiz of the day set by Warfy who took us to the tree and said find the owl, it was hard but we found it in the end.

Nice site first real walk around it, company fantastic.

Warfy, dad of Warfy Paul and sue and mel

Keep birding

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Had a quick hour at the Eastern Reedbed this morning at 9.00am. There were 4 other birders there with some impressive lens on show.

The Bittern were a little evasive though with only one putting in two brief appearances with a flight between reedbeds after 20 minutes and then an even shorter flight of 3 metres after a further 20 minutes.

Steve Collins · Status: Offline

Called in for the first time on my way back from Wales. Huge place! Drove down to the eastern reed bed hopeing for a lucky view of a bittern and saw all three in flight within 20 mins.
One flew within 5 minutes of getting there landed in the distance and walked about on the ice for the whole 20 minutes whilst the other 2 flew across during that time. Great scope views and a few distant photos too. Extremely lucky!
Steve

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Me and Melanie went to Moore NR this morning, brief views of a Bittern on the ice at the Eastern Reedbed followed by a roosting Tawny Owl in the "usual spot" kindly pointed out to us by a local birder. 2 Nuthatch & 3 Willow Tits at the feeding station, no sign of any white wingers on the Birchwood pool, gull numbers down as they have only just started tipping again after Christmas.

Then a couple of hours at Parkgate Marsh, no sign of the Richards Pipit so we watched the raptors which included a nice male Merlin hunting in front of car park along with at least 8 Short Eared Owls all over the place, and excellent views of at least 5 Hen Harriers including 2 males coming into roost. Finally just as we were leaving a Barn Owl appeared to finish off a decent raptor day.

Mike Baron · Status: Offline

An hour's gull watching this afternoon yielded:

1 Caspian Gull (4th winter/adult)
1 Glaucous gull (1st winter)
1 Iceland Gull (1st winter)
1 Yellow-legged gull (adult)

Found them all myself which was very satisfying and was able to check the Cas with a couple of birders who had photographed the same bird earlier in the day. Am getting a bit better at gull watching.

For anyone interested in the gulls at Moore, see the websites below:

http://www.crosbybirding.blogspot.com/

http://www.freewebs.com/merseybirders/

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 20:44, 2008-12-23

Nev Wright · Status: Offline

Managed 1.5 hours this morning.

One Bittern showed well crossing the ice

. Couldn't see any others. Lots of big lens' about though!

Nowt special in the gullery!

I was wondering about the welfare of birds diving under the ice. Does anyone know if it's risky for them

? - I was watching the little grebes at the time!

Mike Baron · Status: Offline

sid ashton wrote:

I know it was a nice day Mike but two hours of Gull watching!!! Still I suppose you had the sun on your back to keep warm.

The two Bitterns you described acted just as those I saw mid week - this is the first time that we have had three Bittern at Moore I believe. As the the third bird did not show presumably you heard it call - good stuff.

Sid

Hi Sid

I only know three birds are present at Moore because all three were seen together a few days ago. I have a feeling there were 3 birds present in the 2006/07 winter too.

Gull watching can be addictive for me - I know it's not your cup of tea. I spent a day there 2 weeks ago - not a peep out of a Bittern and only an adult YLG and a leucistic BHG to show for gull watching. I will get an Iceland or a Glauc before much longer though - one of the Seaforth experts had a Caspian shortly before I turned up yesterday (he also found the Med).

You're right though - it is bl**dy cold in that hide!

Mike

sid ashton · Status: Offline

I know it was a nice day Mike but two hours of Gull watching!!! Still I suppose you had the sun on your back to keep warm.

The two Bitterns you described acted just as those I saw mid week - this is the first time that we have had three Bittern at Moore I believe. As the the third bird did not show presumably you heard it call - good stuff.

Sid

Mike Baron wrote:

Two Bitterns this morning - the third bird present skulked and did not show. One was stood on the edge of the ice in the open (right in front of the screen) for approx 30 mins from first light. I saw it again on 2 occasions and also another bird which climbed some reeds and then flew to the back of the pool.

3 Jack Snipe also present at the reedbeds and a Kingfisher.

Tawny Owl asleep in usual place with a female Goldeneye on Birchwood Pool.

2 hours gull watching yielded an adult Med Gull and not much else of interest.

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 16:43, 2008-12-06

Mike Baron · Status: Offline

Two Bitterns this morning - the third bird present skulked and did not show. One was stood on the edge of the ice in the open (right in front of the screen) for approx 30 mins from first light. I saw it again on 2 occasions and also another bird which climbed some reeds and then flew to the back of the pool.

3 Jack Snipe also present at the reedbeds and a Kingfisher.

Tawny Owl asleep in usual place with a female Goldeneye on Birchwood Pool.

2 hours gull watching yielded an adult Med Gull and not much else of interest.

-- Edited by Mike Baron at 16:43, 2008-12-06

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Found not one but two Bittern "skating" on the ice of the Eastern reed bed late morning, the Tawny Owl was dozing at the usual roost in Birch wood, a Merlin on the tip chasing but not catching a small bird (couldn't see what it was) and there were 3 or 4 Willow Tit at the feeding station plus the usual selection including Fieldfare, Redwing, Yellowhammer, Curlew, Kestrel, Tree Sparrow, Shoveler.

Alas no Short-eared Owls today.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Seem to have managed to post this twice so deleted first effort!!!

-- Edited by sid ashton at 17:57, 2008-12-03

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Had a cracking afternoon at Moore today - no mega stars but in about three hours I had 40 plus species without getting three of the target birds - Tawny Owl (in Birch Wood), Willow Tit (at the feeding station) and Bittern (Eastern Reed beds). However did find some brilliant Yellowhammer (brightened up a grey afternoon), a Kingfisher that kept coming round and the most amazing views of two Short Eared Owls on the marsh as well as a Little Owl to finish with.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Two of "we three" had a good time today. I have to say, it is a cracking place.
The weather was kind, and the sun shone. The light was really good.
Picked my nephew up as he lives nearby, so he had a master class from the "we three expert" who was recording for the BTO Atlas.

Buzzards
Kestrel
Sparrow hawk
Pheasant
Lapwing
Loads of little Grebe
Great crested Grebe - One family group with little in tow, and on the back
Tuffties
Mallard
Ruddy
Kingfisher
Jay
Reed Bunting
Heron
Dog Fox running across the open ground in front of the Reed Hide
Gulls
Loads of other stuff

Geoff

-- Edited by Geoff Walton at 18:31, 2008-06-19

-- Edited by Geoff Walton at 20:33, 2008-06-19

Mike Baron · Status: Offline

Two Iceland Gulls today flying over tip - first summer bird and adult. Also one Swallow and Willow Warbler.

Although large numbers of gulls were on the tip, very few came down to the pool today and at approx half nine th wind veered round and an icy blast from the north came straight through the hide. It was very very cold and reminded me of Horrocks Hide in mid-summer!!!

Mike Baron · Status: Offline

Called in late afternoon yesterday - at least 1000 gulls on the pool when I arrived. Managed 4 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 second summer, a third summer and a large adult) plus 1st summer Iceland Gull.

After the gulls had gone 2 Kingfishers flew in formation around the hide making lots of noise and flying quite high at times.

No one else there - nice way to spend an hour or so.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

I went there today after PF but was seriously held up by traffic jams on the M6 so maybe arrived a bit late for the action which certainly tailed off around 5pm. Still quite a show of 1,000s of gulls but no white wings dropped into the pool while I was there.

If the Govt. has it's way though such landfill sites will be a thing of the past. Enjoy it while you can.

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

One of the good things about the gulls on Moore is that most are out of view or very distant in flight much of the time!

The gulls use the pool to bathe, and the population on the pool is much lower, and ever changing.

I only spent about and hour and a half there yesterday lunchtime and manged two Icelands and several Yellow-legged's in that time.

I assume that Tim is one of the two "Seaforth" birders that were there yesterday - if so a big thanks for the ID assistance on Yellow-legged's l- I learnt more in a hour a half than I have managed in !* years reading up on 'em!

Good photo ops whilst on the pool too...

Steven Astley · Status: Offline

Tim Vaughan wrote:

To clarify for everyone - The 3rdW Kumliens Gull was briefly on the Birchwood Pool but fortunately photographed. Besides three juv Iceland Gulls and the 14 YL Gulls there was also a 4thW Caspian Gull. 15,000 gulls in the area today but over 7 hours study produced the goods.

Was thinking of going sometime to look for these gulls but 7 hours looking through 15,000 and my best scope is knackered, think I will give it a miss. I'm too much of a part timer.

Tim Vaughan · Status: Offline

To clarify for everyone - The 3rdW Kumliens Gull was briefly on the Birchwood Pool but fortunately photographed. Besides three juv Iceland Gulls and the 14 YL Gulls there was also a 4thW Caspian Gull. 15,000 gulls in the area today but over 7 hours study produced the goods.

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

White-winged gulls still in evidence here, 2 or 3 different Iceland, 3w Kumlein's, up to 14 Yellow-legged Gulls (I only saw a few of these myself) all moving between Birchwood Pool and the tip.

Great entertainment for Larid-ites

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Well, we have been and come back, and really enjoyed our first visit. Met some nice fellow birders in the Hides and around.
Willow Tits
Great Tits
Coal Tits
Robins
Nuthatch
Tawney Owls

Shovellers
Tufties
GS Grebe
Loads of Little Grebe
Siskin
Redpoll
Heron
Snipe
Water Rail
Gulls by the million, but nothing special
Coot
Loads of Moorhen
Kestrel

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

"We three" are going tomorrow AM/early pm. If anyone else is around, I am the one who is half the size of the other two

Hope to see someone

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

No sign today, but 1st & 3rd winter Iceland and 1st winter Glaucous showing really well in fron of hide at Birchwood Pool.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Rob

Yes I think that this may be another case of someone seeing what they want to see to gain an ellusive tick - not that they are fooling anyone except themselves - but it is a bit annoying when you make a special effort to go as I did last Sunday only to find it was a "Wild Duck Chase".

Having said that nobody forced me to go, annoying none-the-less.

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

The Cheshire birders have given Moore a real thrashing over the last few days and (to my knowledge) non have seen either the Ring-necked Duck, nor the observer, only 2nd hand reports.

I'm not saying there isn't one, but if there is it is very illusive.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Henry

Thanks for that - yes I knew about the gulls, they were reported on the Moore web page by a well known birder who did not mention the Ring necked duck - which makes me wonder was it the pale fem Tufty that was mistakenly reported yesterday.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Hey Sid. The Ring-necked Duck was seen again this morning on Pumphouse Pool.
An Iceland and a Glaucous Gull were both on Birchwood Pool and a Mealy Repoll was reported towards the Eastern Reedbed.
Sound like the area is having a bit of a purple (or should that be white with all those gulls!) patch especially with the Willow Tits and Lesser Pecker.
Thanks. Henry

sid ashton · Status: Offline

I notice that the Ring-necked Duck is reported as being present again today on both Birdguides and RBA. Has anyone from the Manchester crew seen this bird - if so where on Moore was it?

I would appreciate any comments as I would like to have another bash at this one as long as I'm not looking at that pale Tuftie again - nothing wrong with Tufties of course but.......

sid ashton · Status: Offline

I spent all of yesterday morning at Moore from just before dawn - there was no Ring Necked Duck showing and I looked on every piece of water Pumphouse Pool included. There was a pale female Tufty that perhaps could have been mistaken for a Fem RND on Birchwood but that was it.

Nice flocks of Siskin and Redpoll, 2xWillow Tit and of course that good old Tawny!!

Steve Johnson · Status: Offline

I walked past the pumphouse, but was busy watching the sparrowhawk at the time jumping for tree to tree around me, always happens when I,ve not got the camera. I didnt see ring-necked duck, hope I didnt walk past and put it down as just another tufted, as there where 15+ tufted about in the morning. Its look like it might be very wet this Saturday but I proberly go back to check.

Steve

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Ring-necked Duck fem on Pumphouse Pool this avo reported!

Steve Johnson · Status: Offline

first visit to Moore NR this morning, not a bad this for 2 hours at the site.

blackbird
bunting reed
buzzard
coot
cormorant
crow carrion
crow hooded
dove collard
duck, tufted
finch bull
finch chaf
finch green
goose canada
grebe great crested
grebe little
gull black headed
gull common
gull glaucous
gull greater black backed
gull herring
gull lesser black backed
heron grey
jackdaw
jay
kestrel (male)
lapwing
magpie
mallard
moorhen
owl tawny (usual roost)
pheasant
robin
sparrow house
sparrowhawk (female)
starling
swan, mute
teal
thrush song
tit blue
tit coal
tit great
wagtail pied
willow tit
wren

Sadly no bitten, it had been seen earlier on but had gone in to reeds when I was there. No woodpeckers either. gives me a reason to visit again.

Steve