We had excellent views of the Male Hen Harrier quartering above the ridge east along the Shore path, had abit of brown in the upper plumage both me and Simon thought it was a 2nd winter male. Also a Peregrine flying above the east side of the valley with 2 raven, after we watched the Harrier we picked up 3 distant thrushes coming in from the east and flew down into the valley, 3 nice Ring Ouzels which was a nice bonus, they seemed to drop towards the trees north of the reservior but were lost to view. A nice couple of hours

Thanks for the info Steve.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 11th of October 2009 05:04:16 PM

The adult male Hen Harrier was quartering over the moor to the north of the Shore path, east of Ramsden Rd at 12:50 hrs. Seen from the west side of the valley, so views were distant. In 2006, the last time a Harrier was in the area, the bird was seen on several occasions between 7th and 24th Oct. So, hopefully these will hang around and give other peole the chance to catch up with them.

After two blank years in 2007 & 2008, my 4th moorland watch of this autumn at Watergrove finally produced the goods. At 13:50 hrs a flock of Meadow Pipits appeared over Dobbin Hill. Suspecting they had been flushed by something out of view on the other side of the hill, a Carrion Crow then began diving at something. A few seconds later a stunning male Hen Harrier appeared above the hill and was watched for several minutes as it flew north up the east side of the valley pursued by the crow. It eventually disappeared over the eastern ridge before reappearing about 10 minutes later. It was hunting low over the moor about 200yds to the south of my view point, and dropped to the ground at one point, before heading south and being lost to view.
I decided to walk back across the moor and reaching the Shore path at about 15:00 hrs heard a Meadow Pipit alarming. I couldn't believe my luck when a ring-tailed Hen Harrier appeared over the moor approx. 100 yds to the north of the Shore path. It was hunting and moving very fast, flying north-east across the moor, before turning south where it was lost to view behind Dobbin Hill. Probably an imm. male based on its size, pale fringes to upper wing coverts and orange tint to underparts.
This must rank as one of my best afternoon's ever at Watergrove. The first time I've seen two Hen Harriers here on the same day and only the second time I've seen a ring-tail here.

06:50 - 07:40 hrs
3 Pintail (2 f./imm. & an eclipse male) out from the north shore. All 3 may have been new birds as none seen over the weekend. A single f./imm. was present last Friday 25/09.
Mandarin - 1
Canada Geese - 149. the flock roosts over night and flies off south at dawn, presumably to feed on the surrounding farmland.
Chiffchaff - 1 in sub-song
Teal - 21
Lapwing -23

This evening - a Little Owl heard calling below car park at 19:15 hrs.

Not quite a mega, a female/imm. Mandarin Duck on the reservoir early this morning, with the Mallard flock, was a new species for the site, taking the site total to 156 species.
Also seen:
Chiffchaff - 2 singing
Lesser Redpoll - 6
A pair of Ravens

There appears to have been a movement of Spotted Flycatchers today, at least in the north-east of the county. As well as the 4 or 5 at Crompton Moor, 2 were seen on the edge of Million Tree Wood (the plantation below the dam and car park) this evening. They gave good views as they hawked for insects from a Hawthorn.
A pair of Ravens flew south over the car park. These have been seen on an almost daily basis over the past month and appear to have taken up residence in the area.

Early a.m
Teal - 5
Mallard - 43
Mistle Thrush - 3
Blackcap - 1
Linnet -12
Lapwing - 15
Lesser Redpoll - 1
Reed Bunting -3

Only 2 days ago I told Steve Atkins that I was going up to Speyside, but that he was more likely to see an Osprey at Watergrove! What were the odds on that? Why did I not go down to the bookies and place a bet on it?

Steve

2 Spotted Flycatchers this evening hawking from a Hawthorn off the bridleway to the west of the reservoir. I may have saved their bacon as whilst trying to get a closer view I flushed them. Moments later a Sparrwowhawk flew past close to where I was standing.
Also a Curlew down on the reservoir.

A Whimbrel high up calling, flew south this morning. Surprisingly the first of the year here. Despite the appalling weather and low water level, there were no waders down on the resr today.
A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling by the hide. Green Woodpecker on the ground by footpath to hide.
This evening 2 Ravens flying north and 2 juv Wheatears.
A Green Sandpiper was showing well along the east shoreline on Friday.

A Ruddy Shelduck was in with the Canada Goose flock this morning. Assumed to be a female as it had no neck ring. If it was countable it would be a new species for Watergrove Possibly the same bird that according to Dave Ousey has been present at Cowm Resr and in the Whitworth area for the last few years and not seen for about six months.
Also seen:
Lapwing - 30
Sedge Warbler -1
Whitethroat - 1
Chiffchaff - 1 singing (presumably a migrant as none have been present here during the breeding season).

The Garden Warbler that has been giving me the run-around for nearly 3 weeks finally gave good views this evening, singing from the top of a Hawthorn with pink blossom. Take the bridleway off the footpath on the the west side of the resr. as it starts to climb uphill, opposite side to Old Tom's Wood, grid ref SD905182.
Otherwise pretty quiet with a few Lesser Redpolls flying about, 5 Tufted Ducks, 12 Willow Warblers singing.

06:00 to 06:30
A pair of Oystercatcher
A Curlew displaying
A Sedge Warbler singing by the hide.
A pair of Coot with 2 remaining chicks (down from 5 originally).

25/5/09 10.00-11.00

20+Canada, one with goslings
Gt Crested Grebe
5 Swallows
1 Linnet
4 Lesser Redpoll
Pair Northern Wheatear
4 Skylarks
Several Meadow pipits
Loads of Willow Warblers
2 Sedge Warblers
2 Lapwing
4 Mallard, one on eggs.

Pete

Well done Simon for finding not only my first Watergrove, but also my first Rochdale Turnstone. Can't imagine how I've gone for so long without seeing one. Although to be fair there have only been two records at Watergrove in the past 15 years, the most recent being 11th May 2004.

The first Willow Warbler of the spring here was feeding outside the hide last Sunday evening (5th April). 6 were singing on Thursday morning (9th) and numbers are starting to build up rapidly with 16 singing this morning.
Also seen this morning a Curlew displaying and a female Wheatear at Steward Barn. Monday was a good day with 3 Whooper Swans calling as they flew west over the valley early morning. Late afternoon 3 Shoveler (2 males) were on the reservoir. This species is a rare visitor here with only 4 previous records in the past 10 years.
The water level is very low since U.U. lowered it to survey the dam late last year. So it's looking very promising for waders.

No sign of the Whhopers at first light. Tried Ashworth Moor res but not there either. Met Simon Hitchen who had drawn a blank at Hollingworth lake.
Pete

First visit to Watergrove Res.

A male Green Woodpecker called then perched for some minutes in Larches at eastern end of reservoir.
A female Goosander from the hide was the only decent duck of the morning (I had also visited Hollinworth Lake but only bread-fed ducks there today)

Cheers, John

Paul Cliff wrote:

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i did try your prescribed approach neil but i'm just too much of a novice at it to really be able to turn my back and stay turned. i'm like mrs lot at the minute, just can't help but look back!

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You could always try 'looking sideways' at 'em, or even a bit of 'squinting' - that's how I started... it's cheating a bit, but I'll say nowt!



Neil.

Mike Chorley wrote:

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Perhaps you should ask Neil Baxter for lessons, Paul

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I take it you're referring to my 'Bird Ignoring' thing?

By heck, I shouldn't have started that - I've got a reputation now!!!



Neil.

in my defence i tried not to see the merlin!

The first Redwing of the autumn here. A flock of 14 birds flew north low over the overflow. Also 4 Snipe on the pool by the hide. 7 Teal were also here yesterday evening. The car park has been taken over by a television crew - I'm not sure what they are filming but perhaps they are on hand just in case the next Watergrove mega turns up this weekend.

A Spotted Flycatcher, perched in a Hawthorn next to Sycamore, along bridleway to north of Roads Farm ruin (to west of resr) this morning at approx. 11:00 hrs. It was raining at the time and the bird was inactive. The bird is still present at 12:45 hrs - seen by Dave Ousey. This is the 6th year running that I've seen this species at Watergrove in August.
Otherwise it's been very quiet this autumn with a Green Sandpiper on 9th Aug being the only wader of interest. Like everywhere else the water levels are now very high with the spit in front of the clubhouse reduced to a small island.

You are right Steve, we normally have to wait until the end of May before we moult into summer plumage up here! Anyway another good morning for waders. It was very misty at 06:00 hrs. A Sanderling (not yet in full breeding plumage, still showing a lot of white on its head. Only the 2nd record here), 11 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were feeding on the spit in front of the club house. By 08:45 hrs the mist had lifted and the waders had gone except for one RP.
A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling in the horse jump field to the north of Little Town. 24 Willow Warblers singing in the plantations and a Sedge Warbler singing by the hide. A male Wheatear was on the moors.

Hi Steve,
I had assumed these birds were still on there way north to breed somewhere up in the high arctic. They certainly don't breed at Watergrove! A couple may have been 1st summers (i.e. in their 2nd calendar year) as the head pattern was dullish. However the majority was in spanking new breeding plumage. Only 3 birds were still present this evening. Last year a pair turned up on about 23rd May but were gone the following day.

Steve

The Barwits (females) were present from approx. 10:00 hrs until at least 11:00 hrs bathing and preening. It's amazing that this species has occurred here for the 2nd year running given that there were no records before last year. When I returned at 12:30 they had gone. However 10 Ringed Plover were feeding on the spit close into the club house, probably brought down by the murky weather. A record count for this site and probably the highest count in Rochdale since 1965 (unless anyone knows differently) when 16 were at Blackstone Edge Resr on 22nd August.