An early morning bike ride to the Common and round the lake.
A very showy Garden Warbler was in fine song by the lake footpath in the North West corner. Good numbers of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap also in song. One Great Crested Grebe on the lake was the best on show there.
I only caught a quick glimpse and blurred photo. I thought the same about the time of year but it looked like it had that yellowish tint and white underbelly.
Over the past few visits to Lindow Common, I've been shocked by the lack of wildlife evident. However, I wasn't disappointed today whilst walking the dog.
Garden Warbler back on territory this afternoon, also the female Great Crested Grebe was floating around Black Lake with recently hatched humbugs on her back and Reed Bunting holding territory at the edge of the Lake.
11/06/2013 - 3 Garden Warblers in song this afternoon. One in particular put on a great show at the west end of the lake in willows, they're not usually so showy!
Lovely morning on the common 1 Reed Warbler singing - my first here 1 Whitethroat singing - my first here for several years 1 Garden Warbler singing several Blackcaps, Willow Warblers & Chriffchaffs Singing 5 Long Tailed Tit fledglings 2 Great Crested Grebes + 2 chicks 2 Coots + 3 chicks
A very confiding Kestrel seen at Lindow Common this am. Eyes looked very odd - the left was almost closed. The yellow ring around the rght was very prominent, whilst the eye itself seemed completely black. The Bird did then fly off, and flew very well. Hopefully its vision isn't affected, although I fear it might be, as I can't imagine a kestrel lasting long without perfect vision. Also (as per Rory) a pair of Great-crested Grebe, with 2 well-grown chicks on Black Lake.
At least 4 Reed Warblers showing down to about 3 feet around Black Lake this afternoon, first record of these for a long time and got some great pictures, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were feeding young and a Male Reed Bunting was singing, Great Crested Grebes had 2 chicks.
15/01/2013 - 2 probable Hawfinches flew over Black Lake at 12.25pm. I was looking nearly into the sun when they went over and they didn't land, they just continued on NW. A broad-wing bar was clearly apparent and the front-heavy, long bulk of this monster finch was visible. They gave a call i've not heard before, a slightly more drawn out version of the usual 'tipp' call, wasn't aware they may have a different flight call but after checking xeno canto my suspicions were confirmed. With the harsh viewing conditions and not seeing them perched I can't be definite on the id unfortunately.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Tuesday 15th of January 2013 01:13:14 PM
About 30 black headed gulls on black lake this morning, with a cormorant sunning on the kingfisher post, a buzzard was walking around some of the marshy flooded areas catching worms and there were 2 goldcrests in with the mixed tit flock containing long tailed, great, blue and coal tits. 1 great spotted woodpecker and a nuthatch which were mobbing a sleepy looking tawny owl.
6 Chiffchaff 1 Willow Warbler (which came within and inch of my face) 2 Bullfinch Kestrel Buzzard Heron 2 Coot 1 Moorhen 2 Mallard 1 GSW And all the usual birds around the common.
Also, a Meadow Pipit passed over the common, which is the first time I have ever seen one here!
I know a lot of migrants have been arriving earlier over the last few decades - this seems particularly true though of Blackcaps - which now seem to arrive very much earlier.
I remember reading in Bell's Birds of Cheshire that Bell & Samuels' average arrival date for Blackcap in the wilmslow area was 22nd April (1960's I think)
These days they seem to be fairly widespread by the end of March.
4 singing Chiffchaff on the common today, along with the reed buntings and various finches and tits. a male kestrel was hunting over over the common as was a buzzard. a green woodpecker was heard but not seen and 1 great crested grebe was on Black lake with coots and Mallards.
a large flock of reed buntings with one singing male, black headed gulls on black lake and a great crested grebe was present on the lake along with a comorant and heron. great spotted woodpeckers are around constantly and three siskins were passing through the woods this morning. a sparrowhawk and a buzzard were also saoring over the heath. redwings and feildfares around as well as the usaul host of things.
29/11/2011 - A Marsh/Willow Tit was present amongst a large tit flock at the east end of the common at noon. I without optical aids and the bird didn't call so I couldn't find out exactly which unfortunately.
There were three Great Crested Grebe on Black lake, along with a water vole and a Hobby! A Kestrel and a buzzard were seen hunting over the heathland and lots of Willow Warblers in the woods. A pair of Tawny Owls are nesting and roosting in the box looking over the heath, and can be seen very easily as they are now hunting during the day. A male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen on a piece of deadwood by the lake. A Garden and Grasshopper Warbler were also present with Swifts and Swallows.
I noticed the tern raft the other day Rory, it's being used more as a Cormorant roost raft recently but it would be great if it worked for some Common Terns!
Lovely day today, There were the two Great Crested Grebes, and plenty of Chiffchaff to be heard and seen. There are also Plenty of GSW in the woods as well.
02/12/2010 - I go for many walks here as it is near to home and a good spot to walk the dog. Wouldn't normally mention anything but 9 Waxwings flew over southwards on today's visit. Otherwise quiet as the lake is 100% frozen over. 1 Treecreeper, 2 Coal Tits and 2 Jays in the woodlands. Thanks. Henry.
Finding an old History/Geography book once, I decided to renew the British Empire as a listing area, covers all the hoildays you care to take
As for pre the GM website used to keep a Manchester list based on the MOS reports and it cover a 15 mile radius from Manchester Town hall, used to like that list then Greater Manchester came along!
Thank you for your kind comments gentlemen, but I`m fine with my North-West list. It`s actually called a Greater CumLanCheshire List, and for the record it doesn`t include North Wales (which some people count for some strange reason).
And BTW Mr Rigby I had a NW list before GM Birding was ever invented, so sod off !
Does anyone else have this happen to them (going looking for one type of bird and being surprised by a totally different yet great sighting) seems to happen to us all the time.
A couple of months ago a Red Kite roosted overnight at a farm in Weston near Crewe, and short of somewhere to go that day we went to (hopefully) see the Kite. We had literally just stepped out of the car when a birder came running down the farm track yelling "Crane, Crane". We looked directly overhead and there was the said Common Crane flying over - a North-West blocker for me - totally unexpected ! Didn`t see the Kite though after all that..........
Does anyone else have this happen to them (going looking for one type of bird and being surprised by a totally different yet great sighting) seems to happen to us all the time.
That's the beauty of birding, it would be very boring if you always saw what you expected to see. And that's exactly the reason why I try to avoid twitching.
hobby showing well and flying close over boddington arms this evening, had some great views for a good 10 minutes until it flew off towards morley green. still not seen the green woody but this was a new tick for me here! Does anyone else have this happen to them (going looking for one type of bird and being surprised by a totally different yet great sighting) seems to happen to us all the time.
-- Edited by brandon mulhern on Thursday 9th of July 2009 09:47:20 PM
Brandon I didnt take my kit yesterday. As I mentioned in my biog, I am a little lazy with birding as I like to 'watch'. I have just come in now from a 8 hour shoot at a wedding and am going back out for the evening reception now. That'll have me editing for two weeks as well as all the other jobs I have on at present so I'm afraid I dont do much. I will though! Posted a few yesterday but not sure they are on yet. Regars Mark
thanks for that, i always look for it on the right side as you would come in as thats where most people see it! Did you in your professional capacity get any decent photos?
Brandon I parked on Racecourse by 'the board' and as I wasa putting my boots on I could hear a 'pecker'! I stayed for around an hour or so on the common and when I was returning just by the path that leads back to the car park near the board, I saw it fly across a small opening to my right. In essence, If you come in from where I parked and walk 25 yards and turn immediately left you'll see the 'glade'. It was there. Hope that helps?
for those who don't know Lindow common is in Wilmslow just turn right after the boddington and dragon pub (formerly boddington arms).
Been there at least twice a week since jan looking for the green woody i see gs woody's regular, can i ask where he/she was? Normally it is sited on the racecourse rd side near lindow lane but i have never seen/heard it there even though lots of people see and hear it there! My normal walk round shows me chiff chaff and the resident pair of jays and most of your list, had some good views (and photos) of a juvenile cormorant some weeks back and of a raven, a few crows and lots of jackdaw but alas never mr green. Maybe i am colourblind! I know i am deaf too because my wife says i am, therefore i must be!
-- Edited by brandon mulhern on Thursday 11th of June 2009 09:34:49 PM
Just had a nice pleasant hour around the lake and common. Nothing startling but saw the following: Garden Warblers Greenfinches Long tailed Tit family of 7 Mallards Coots and their young on the water Buzzard over head Kestrel hunting Chaffinces Goldfinches Green Woodpecker A nice stroll!