Always happy to oblige

Matt Potter wrote:

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sid ashton wrote:

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pete berry wrote:

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And to\ make it even more enjoyable not a "bin dipper" in our field of view all day.

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As usual I'm struggling with birding terminology - so what's a "bin dipper" Pete ?

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I know it as a Scouser*!!!






*These are not necessarily the views of the writer!

-- Edited by Matt Potter on Wednesday 16th of December 2009 06:19:53 PM

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I'll get you at playtime, Hari

sid ashton wrote:

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pete berry wrote:

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And to\ make it even more enjoyable not a "bin dipper" in our field of view all day.

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As usual I'm struggling with birding terminology - so what's a "bin dipper" Pete ?

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I know it as a Scouser*!!!





*These are not necessarily the views of the writer!

-- Edited by Matt Potter on Wednesday 16th of December 2009 06:19:53 PM

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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Usual juvenile Glaucous Gull showing well today, visiting the Birchwood Pool a couple of times during the day. Also amongst the gulls, single adult Yellow-legged Gull and leucistic adult Herring Gull.

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And to\ make it even more enjoyable not a "bin dipper" in our field of view all day.

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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As I understand it, the authorised visits were limited to 10 people and were obviously very popular!

Perhaps we here in Greater Mancester get more weekends gulls as a result of them moving away from Arpley Tip? Though why they'd move here at the weekends when our tips are closed for tipping too is odd. Perhaps it's due to scaring at our tips during working hours forcing many gulls away which means at weekends there's a glut of lovely rubbish for them to scavenge through, whereas the lack of scaring at Arpley means they consume most of what's there throughout the week leaving nothing left at weekends?

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 4th of December 2009 03:17:15 PM

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Ian

Another theory.

All landfill sites operate under an Environmental Permit. In some cases the conditions of the permit will specify that the exposed face(s) of the site have to be covered when not in use. This can be for aesthetic reasons or due to odours emanating from the site which are classed as a public nuisance (a criminal offence under environmental legislation). At Arpley you will see most surfaces covered except the face of the cell currently being filled. I can't comment on Manchester sites as I have not visited them, however such conditions are largely influenced by historical complaints by the local population. All sorts of factors come into play such as the proximity of built up areas and prevailing wind directions etc. Arpley is a large and busy landfill site which has an urban area quite close.

At its peak last winter the gull population at Arpley was estimated to be around 30,000+ birds. The area of exposed tip face (relatively small for the above reasons)would not support that population unless the face is refreshed every few minutes - which it is due to Arpley being very busy. When the tip closes the exposed face will be very quickly exhausted of food and thus the gulls wander off.

Incidentally I understand that Arpley will be full within the next few years - don't know exactly when, but all current landfill space in the UK is estimated to be full within the next 10 years or so. There are relatively few areas left which meet the criteria for a modern landfill site, for this and other reasons there is likely to be a big push towards zero waste households. Consequently the spectacle that is currently provided will largely disappear from the UK in the future.

I will also be interested to see how the population at Arpley fares this winter. The latest Warrington recycling scheme kicked in last year - by now it should be embedded into the local populatiuon and maybe this will reduce the amount of food available at the tip?

Eh up Pete!

Remember last years (I think it was last year) 1st winter Yank Herring Gull or 2? on Richmond Bank and over Arpley Tip that 20+ birders saw me included, superb photos taken and posted on Surfbirds for all to see. Its not yet been accepted by CAWOS or BBRC as far as I know...looks like we need a member of said rarities committee to come down and suss one out for himself just like at Didcot for the Azorean job, then we can all tick it .

-- Edited by Pete Antrobus on Sunday 6th of December 2009 02:50:43 PM

and camera Pete, and camera...

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Never without it Ian! Helped me today as well - finally saw some Twite [lifer] at Southport and could treble check the ID when I got home from the piccies!

Glauc reported again today so weekend gulling is a possibility as suggested! Might take a flask and stake out Birchwood pool for a bit tomorrow...

-- Edited by Pete Welch on Saturday 5th of December 2009 08:26:09 PM

Theres actually three hides at Birchwood Pool a new one at the eastend went up recently. Most birders though will tend togather at the westend as its the nearest hide to the new carpark.
Pumphouse Pool (two hides) the next pool along from Birchwood also attracts lots of gulls, ducks and the odd wader. I've seen Glauc, Iceland and Med on here this year.

Once the tip stops working most gulls head back down the R.Mersey with many especially larger types roosting on the mudbank opposet Fiddlers Ferry Power Stn (to the north) and Norton Marsh (to the south) a cracking viewpoint is on top the old filterbed just east of Halfway House. I've seen several large WWGs from here plus theres the added bonus of the very large Lapwing/Golden Plover flock which attracts other waders sometimes.

fingers crossed

-- Edited by Pete Antrobus on Saturday 5th of December 2009 09:47:28 AM

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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I know an opportunity when I see one so here goes...

I am really interested (to put it mildly) in any good quality gull photos birders might get from this site. There are few locations which offer such excellent gull photographic opportunities as the close-quarter bathers on Birchwood Pool and it is these I am really interested in. Any of the larger species (Great and Lesser Black-backed, Herring Gull and owt rarer of course) and any age with a particular emphasis on adults showing the upperwing pattern, often easy to see whilst they're generally flapping their wings about on the pool.

The photos will be used for research and possibly an article or two in the future (nothing in the pipeline yet) but of course any images would recieve the usual acknowledgement and huge thanks.

Anyway, if anyone can oblige we've a good four months to go at in front of us

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sounds like a challenge?sure you will get a few from me!!does it have to be from moore?

As I understand it, the authorised visits were limited to 10 people and were obviously very popular!

Perhaps we here in Greater Mancester get more weekends gulls as a result of them moving away from Arpley Tip? Though why they'd move here at the weekends when our tips are closed for tipping too is odd. Perhaps it's due to scaring at our tips during working hours forcing many gulls away which means at weekends there's a glut of lovely rubbish for them to scavenge through, whereas the lack of scaring at Arpley means they consume most of what's there throughout the week leaving nothing left at weekends?

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 4th of December 2009 03:17:15 PM

I'm surprised if that's the case Mike (but I'm always prepared for a surprise!) weekends on refuse tips usually allows disturbance free feeding on the refuse which has been tipped the previous days. At other sites in the UK and certainly here in GM, weekends are the most productive for feeding gulls on tips plus there are no scaring methods in use at Arpley Tip. Last seasons authorised weekend visits onto the actual tip itself there were very productive indeed!

Hi Pete, i would totally recommend a full immersion into the gulls on Richmond Bank. I really don't think you'll regret it...look at me..i'm happee all the time...
Seriously, the potential for finding your own "good birds" is off the scale!
Came back in the Spring with a mate from N Wales,we had a min of 7 white wingers just viewed from Gatewarth. And 2 b fair the whole area is great patching, we had Kingfisher on Birchwood, etc will have to check me notes etc blah...
Best patch anywhere?!?! Nah.
Cheers, Mike.

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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Pete Welch wrote:

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Hello all, have spent quite a lot of time at Moore in the Spring but not been for a while - can anyone confirm:

[a] I guess for gulls days the tip is working are best - is it likely that will be any on a non working day?

what the working days are at the moment? In the spring seemed to be alternate week days only?

Cheers, Peter

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To be honest Peter, just go at anytime is the best advice. There are always gulls present and despite some days perhaps being better than others (if it's anything like the tips operating currently in Greater Manchester then the non-working days of weekends are usually best!) the best gulls will come and go at any time, any day. There weren't really that many gulls on show last Monday but I still found the Glaucous Gull there, the first of this winter. Clearly, anytime is a good time.

Also, the hide overlooking the Birchwood Pool is only very small and I assume at weekends it could quickly become crowded (I wouldn't dare go near at weekends!) and viewing the bathing gulls or even the ones on the tip itself would be less than ideal.

So there you go. For me, if you're after gulls, ignore the days and times, just get down there, stay as long as you can (a brief visit will not suffice) and enjoy those lovely larids.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 3rd of December 2009 09:04:07 PM

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supprisingly ,ive been a few times on a sunday,when the flash has been crowded,and been on my own in the hide at birchwood,the majority of people seem to go from the parking area and streight down towards the feeding station are,and avoid birchwood pool area,and apart from a few dogwalkers,nowt like as many as the flash its been fairly good people wise.
but im no expert on the pool ive only been about 4 times in a year and its closer to me that pennybut i never see much to be honest,but always worth a look through the gulls

Hello all, have spent quite a lot of time at Moore in the Spring but not been for a while - can anyone confirm:

[a] I guess for gulls days the tip is working are best - is it likely that will be any on a non working day?

what the working days are at the moment? In the spring seemed to be alternate week days only?

Cheers, Peter

Hi Pete

Not heard anything myself and as yet I've not ventured down that way this Autumn/Winter. The tip face as of last Spring/Summer was progressing in an Easterly direction taking the gulls away from Birchwood Pool so probably the next pool along (which has hides at either end) Pumphouse Pool will be more favorable for gull watching only time will tell.
The Bindippers haven't appeared as yet (still counting Roseate Terns!! at Seaforth) but no doubt once the weather gets wintery they'll be down.
Fingers crossed this Winter for a Cheshire Glaucous-winged or maybe a Slaty-backed...

cheers Pod

ps Pete I've been abreviated to Pod mate.

-- Edited by Pete Antrobus on Tuesday 24th of November 2009 06:47:33 PM

At Lapwing Lane Pool this Sunday afternoon there was 3 LITTLE EGRETS under the Cormarant roosting tree. I've never seen this many here before at Moore in 40 yrs of birding down there.
Above them there was 35 Cormarants plus 20+ Crows.

15+ Tree Sparrows and one Willow Tit were at the feeders over at Upper Moss Side.

ttfn

-- Edited by Pete Antrobus on Sunday 22nd of November 2009 05:46:50 PM

We Three were here today - only saw one guy taking pikkies.
Nothing much doing at all, but from the Hide on the way to the tip, we saw an adult and a juv. Little Egret(one with Yellow feet & one with black)

A few Buzzards, a GCG and a Little Grebe, and a Barnacle Goose in the midst of the Canadians from the Hide at the other end of the Lake. Nothing at all at the Reed beds, other than a reed Bunting and a few Gadwall.
A couple of Grey Wags and LT Tits, and a 3 Snipe.

Three of us could well be here tomorrow from around 10-15am . Anyone else going?

Went for a late evening Barn Owl spot,last night, but think I went to wrong area of reserve...certainly didn;t see any...did hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away continuously tho', in thick scrub by Upper Moss Side .

Good day for "we two" today after there being more birders than birds at Innermarsh farm.

Like John, Two Little grebe with chick and Reed Buntings
Also watched a Female GS feeding a young male GS on a tree very close by the feeder hide - a delight to watch. No food out, and after nothing except us eating our butties, we were just about to go. Glad we stayed.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 3rd of June 2009 10:34:12 PM

Wednesday, May 6.

LBB/BH/H Gulls.
BN Grebe 1
Little and GT Crested Grebes.
Grey Herons 10
Garden Warbler 1 singing
Sand Martins and Swallows.
Gadwall 9+
Treecreeper 1
Buzzard 1
Tawny Owl just 1 t-woo heard!
Reed Warbler 1 singing
WT 1 singing plus Willow Ws/Chiffchaffs/Blackcaps.
GtSpottedWoodpecker 1
Jays 2

etc,etc.

Richmond Bank late morning/early afternoon

1 Glaucous Gull
3 Iceland Gulls
3 Yellow-legged Gulls

Henry Cook wrote:

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Excellent set of photos Jason.
How I wish I could have been there this morning!

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Cheers Henry good job it showed well

cheers
jason