Been Walking round Shoretop for Years, way past the Woodchat Shrike in 1997, seen a lot of birds come and go, Like Lapwings they bred up there, Oystercatcher , Tree Sparrows, Yellow Wagtails, Twite, little Owl, quite a change over the years. So I thought no one seems to report for Shoretop, here goes.
Stroll round today with my wife Iris a couple of miles round the reservoir, which has a small lodge, which is very weeded, but still at times holds good birds? and overlooks another lodge, with views over the Irwell also.
Late post due to a afternoon/late evening fishing trip.
Arrived at 1300 to find a Little Egret in the margins which stayed till 1500 before being chased off by a pair of Black-headed Gulls last seen flying towards the river Irwell Pair of Common Terns flying around the water all afternoon also two Grey Herons and a single Cormorant present. Peregrine flew fast and low over the water after being mobbed by ~ 10 Carrion Crows. A pair of Great Crested Grebes feeding four juveniles with there persistent whistling begging calls also a pair of Coots with three juveniles breed successfully on the water. Kestrel hunting over the adjacent fields.
Ornithological first for me whilst fishing on the lodge yesterday (7th April) Observed a pair of Common Scoters performing a mating display which involved the birds "jerking the head & neck forward simultaneously" whilst calling a short fluting "pyew-pyew" whistle more akin to a wader than a duck. Just 30yds away on the water a pair of G.C.Grebes were performing there spectacular mating dance, plus 3 Swallows put in appearance over the water my 1st siting this spring which always gives me a "uplifting buzz".
