Two darvic ringed black-headed gulls on the golf course flood this afternoon, which is currently 90% frozen over. Only had my bins with me but I'll bring my scope down tomorrow and hopefully get the numbers, unless anyone can beat me to it!?
Four ravens around Mersey Vale between 13.00-13.30 today. Two initially flew east over the dipping pond area which I later relocated on top of the pylon by the weir. They were soon joined by a second pair and spent the following few minutes flying around and perching on the pylon. A brilliant local tick for me for the Heatons!!
Also in recent days were two ring-necked parakeets over dipping pond / patch island yesterday and a dipper briefly on the 4th, 50m west of the weir, before the water levels rose.
-- Edited by Scott Reid on Tuesday 15th of November 2016 11:22:02 PM
Single Woodcock over the Mersey at 15.20. Flew from farm just upstream from Cheadle Bridge to the large hedge separating the golf course and rugby pitch.
Quick walk along the Mersey this afternoon, cold and very quiet. When watching a flock of Long- Tailed Tits I noticed a Chiffchaff with them. Latest one I have seen.
Suicidal Stock Dove on the A6, out side the Garrick theatre, playing chicken with the 192 North bound bus's. Really thought it was gonna end up as a bloody mess as it went underneath the moving bus's but was unharmed. Currently on the Garrick theatre sign.
3 (female) Goosanders seen by Patch Island this afternoon. I am still somewhat perplexed: where have they been to during the breeding season? - locally? North-East England? Scotland? Scandinavia? Unknown?
Went to look for the Wheatear, more in hope than expectation.
No sign at lunchtime.
However, two female type Goosander on the river by Burnage rugby club. My first of this autumn.
Seem to be more Pied Wagtail about but only found one Grey Wagtail.
Two Common Buzzard circling and calling by the weir at the end of Vale Road.
Three Barn Swallow over the large horse paddock.
A new site tick for me this morning in the shape of a Wheatear between Patch Island and dipping pond. Also Kingfisher, Swallow, Grey Wagtail and 6 Grey Heron.
Just walked from the M60 bridge (accessed via the siding orchard in Mersey Vale Nature Park) to Cheadle Road bridge and back but no sign of any sandpiper sp.
22 Canada Geese on the river bank opposite Burnage rugby club's golf course
7 individual Grey Wagtail spread along the river.
9 (at least) juvenile Moorhen spread out in various spots
6 Grey Heron of various ages, again, not together
3 Cormorant (2 in flight, one on a pylon near the sewage works)
a few dozen Mallard
quite a few calling Chiffchaff (that plaintive huweet)
1 juvenile Reed Warbler in bushes near the weir. Didn't hang around for more than a few seconds before flying across the river and furthe upstream
Sandpiper species flew from Cheadle Bridge upstream at 07.30. Presumed Common, but jizz slightly strange in that no bowed wings and looked slightly reddish. Might be worth a look if anyone's down there. Definitely no white rump.
Grey Heron, Blackcap, Moorhen, Grey Wagtail and a Juvenile Kingfisher sitting in plain sight on a branch on opposite bank - hopefully a Juvenile from the pairs second brood.. I think it was, but couldn't 'prove it'. I know the first brood fledglings have been moved out of the area though.
Common Buzzard out of Heaton Norris park at 07.10 and flew along the M60. Along the river 4 Blackcap, 2 Goosander (Drake going into eclipse), Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Sand Martin.
30 Sand Martin, 4 Swift, Swallow, Blackcap, 3 Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaff, Goosander, good numbers of Lesser Black Backed Gulls on the playing fields.
3 Goosander, Willow Warbler,2 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Sand martin (Does anyone know if the colony by Patch Island has been successful? Not seen many around here for a week now)
This am : Female Goosander, Ring Necked Parakeet, very busy Sand Martin colony, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 3 Swallow, 4 Grey Heron (one stalking around the Sand Martin colony), Grey Wagtail.