Woolston Eyes

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

RE: Woolston Eyes

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

One of those wonderful April mornings on Woolston's No.3 bed, with a mix of sunshine and the odd shower and migrants battling through against the wind. Highlights included: a Cuckoo calling from the west bank, 2 Sedge Warblers in song, 2 adult Little Gulls, 24 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Snipe, 2 Water Rails and all three hirundines. In addition, Kieran Foster, Jason Atkinson et al, ringed the first Grasshopper Warbler and Reed Warbler of the year. Complete moring's list:

Black-necked Grebe 24
Little Gull 2
Cuckoo 1
Sedge Warbler 2
Grasshopper Warbler 1
Reed Warbler 1
Kingfisher 2
Water Rail 2
Black-headed Gull 900
Lesser Black-backed Gull 5
Common Gull 1
Ruddy Duck 3
Swallow 45
Sand Martin 2
House Martin 9
Greenfinch 30
Tufted Duck 63
Pochard 19
Shoveler 16
Shelduck 3
Greylag Goose 5
Canada Goose 8
Blackcap 8
Chiffchaff 12
Willow Warbler 4
Common Snipe 3
Wren 8
Coot 18
Moorhen 6
Gadwall 16
Reed Bunting 8
Great Tit 6
Robin 4
Blue Tit 5
Willow Tit 2
Mute Swan 3
Teal 13
Little Grebe 8
Pheasant 6
Carrion Crow 7
Great Crested Grebe 12
Chaffinch 30
Woodpigeon 20
Stock Dove 2
Magpie 7
Dunnock 5
Feral Pigeon 56
Song Thrush 3
Blackbird 16
Lapwing 1
Cormorant 18
Mistle Thrush 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2
Grey Heron 1
Sparrowhawk 2
Long-tailed Tit 3
Common Buzzard 5
Kestrel 2
Jay 3
Bullfinch 3

Cheers David

Martyn Jones · Status: Offline

WOW, what a list! I'm going tomorrow with Leigh Orni Society, so I'm quite looking forward to seeing the 24 Black-necked Grebes in particular.

-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Saturday 21st of April 2012 06:19:07 PM

John O'Neill · Status: Offline

2 adult Little Gulls full summer plumage showing v well from Warrington Rotary Hide. Flying around and landed on water.

At least 12 Black Necked Grebes.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Still a minimum of 22 Black-necked Grebes present, possibly 24, this morning. Other than that, just the usual stuff, the odd Snipe, 40+ Swallows and a couple of Sand Martins.

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Great late record from Saturday - one of our permit holders was privileged to get views of two Common Cranes flying over later in the day. They were apparently also reported from Risley Moss and later from a site further south. Only the second Woolston record

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Nice one, David - I tried hard to find one the other day, without any luck

Cheers David

David Spencer · Status: Offline

1st summer Mediterranean Gull from the tower hide early afternoon at least

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Went onto No.3 bed for a couple of hours this afternoon. Usual stuff around and managed to count 19 Black-necked Grebes. About 4.00 pm the Marsh Harrier got up and flew round for a couple of minutes before dropping back into the north-west corner. Then hirundines started struggling in against the wind - 17 House Martins, 11 Sand Martins and 4 Swallows in total. Seven Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Blackcaps were other sightings.

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Two Little Gulls on No.3 bed, reported by Kieran Foster (Tuesday)

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Cheers Jason, I won't mention the football

David

jason atkinson · Status: Offline

Sound recording and sonogram of the Siberian Chiffchaff now on my blog.

cheers
jason

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Well, compared with Kieran and Jason's Siberian Chiffchaff on No.3 bed, Dave Steel, Les Jones and I couldn't compete!

We still had a cracking morning though, surveying the breeding birds on Nos.1 and 2 beds plus the area as far east as Bollin Point.

Highlights included: confirming breeding for our regular pair of Peregrines, for two pairs of Kestrels and a pair of Common Buzzards (a pair of each copulating and a pair of Kestrels flying in and out of a nest site).

Additionally, 4 Curlew flew north-east, a pair of Kingfishers were at Bollin Point, and Green Woodpecker and Nuthatch were calling actively. A few Willow Warblers and Blackcaps were in song along with many Chiffchaffs (95 Chiffchaffs were counted on the Reserve in the week) and a multitude of common residents were in song. With the sun shining, it made for a really special Woolston morning

Cheers David

JasonAtkinson · Status: Offline

Good news - Siberian Chiffchaff trapped and ringed. 4th for Cheshire.
Bad news - adult Little Gull found dead and now in freezer.
Pics on blog.

Cheers
Jason

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

An increase to 19 Black-necked Grebes today, with a Willow Warbler singing despite the chilly wind.

Cheers David

David Spencer · Status: Offline

Little Gull from the Rotary Hide this evening, earlier it had been seen from the centre hide. Also female Marsh Harrier, several Sand Martins and at least one Swallow. 12 Black-necked Grebes although mobile and difficult to count accurately.

-- Edited by David Spencer on Monday 2nd of April 2012 10:18:58 PM

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Thanks Brian, yes, we had a nice morning didn't we! Thanks for the Swan information, which will come in handy for next year's report.

Cheers David

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

David
Nice to have met up with you and Les yesterday.
I have had feedback from David Cookson, Cheshire Swan Study Group regarding the Mute Swan with the Darvic ring seen yesterday at The Eyes :-
" Darvic CCB3 BTO W32582 Male of unknown age
Ringed at Spike Island Widnes 09/12/11
No recorded sightings "
Seemingly it hasn't travelled far.
I had a male Kestrel hunting over the Wildflower Meadows as I was leaving, plus a Great Spotted Woodpecker, six Linnets and a Buzzard circling over.

Regards
Brian

-- Edited by Brian Baird on Sunday 1st of April 2012 05:58:16 PM

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

With a coolish northerly wind it was a bit less spring-like this morning. Les Jones and I spent the morning in No.3 bed, for once missing our co-conspiritor Dave Steel. We bumped into Brian Baird, along with a few other Woolston regulars and worked hard at counting the Black-necked Grebes, finally catching up with a minimum of 12. We had no luck with the two Marsh Harriers which have been present but may now have moved on?. By mid-morning it had warmed slightly and a single Swallow and 3 Sand Martins dropped in to feed. First year I can remember when I've seen Swallow before Sand Martin.

We later flushed 3 Common Snipe and caught up with 2 singing Blackcaps. Other good counts included:

Chiffchaff 14
Great Crested Grebe 15
Little Grebe 12
Water Rail 1
Lapwing 11
Ruddy Duck 2
Song Thrush 4
Cormorant 21
Shelduck 8
Shoveler 30
Teal 40
Greylag Goose 5
Black-headed Gull 700

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Hi Jason, we usually get our highest counts in late March and April - when they've all arrived and are still pairing/displaying. I think we once had 23 and have certainly had regular counts of 20 or so.

Might catch up with you Saturday if you're down.

Cheers David

JasonAtkinson · Status: Offline

What is the peak date for the grebes David? And what is the highest count? Brian and I had some fun counting them on Saturday morning.

Cheers
Jason

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Up-date on the Black-necked Grebes: 12 present by late morning today.

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Went onto No.3 bed early this morning. It was quite a spectacle, with the sun burning the mist off the water, hundreds of Black-headed Gulls milling around mobbing a Marsh Harrier, and 8 Black-necked Grebes in front of the main hide. A single Blackcap was in song, along with 9 Chiffchaffs, while a couple of Redwing were still present. Other sightings included: 4 Bullfinches, 19 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 4 Lapwing, 3 Ruddy Duck, 4 Snipe, 10 Gadwall and 18 Shoveler.

Other permit-holder records from March, all from No.3 bed (for Dave Steel's summary in Birdwatching magazine

)

6th 2 Bramblings, 1 male Goldeneye
16th 1 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher
18th 1 female Marsh Harrier
19th 2 Marsh Harriers
20th 1 Marsh Harrier
21st 4 Black-necked Grebes
22nd 8 Black-necked Grebes, 1 female Marsh Harrier
23rd 1 female Marsh Harrier
24th 8/9 Black-necked Grebes
25th 5 Black-tailed Godwits
26th 2 House Martins

Cheers David

David Spencer · Status: Offline

Not strictly 'the eyes' but a walk along the River Mersey this morning bordering no. 1 bed yielded 2 Nuthatches and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in Swithen Hill Wood and a Raven circling over Brookside Fm. Lots of Chiffchaff plus a Willow Tit calling from no. 1 bed.

-- Edited by David Spencer on Sunday 25th of March 2012 05:08:46 PM

JasonAtkinson · Status: Offline

No3 bed. 8 possibly 9 Black necked Grebes from the Morgan hide.
Ringing wise: 3 Chiffchaff and a female Blackcap.

Cheers
Jason

alan patterson · Status: Offline

I was down on No 3 bed this morning and met one of the founding memebrs coming off the bed and he had failed to locate any Black Necked Grebes However he did say that he'd had some great views of the female Marsh Harrier.

I managed to locate a single Black necked Grebe

which was a first for the friend I was showing around the reserve

We had managed to pick up the Female Harrier straight away from the elevated platfom on the south bank, it was being mobbed by gulls. It even dropped into the reeds about 100yards in front of us. My friend and I saw it about 5 more times in the 1 and a half we were on the bed and at one point a second Harrier flew up to join it.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

A pleasant couple of hours at Woolston this afternoon - quite busy; as well as Mr Barber and myself there were 3 other birders in the new tower hide

Of interest we had singing Chiffchaff, one of the two reported Black-necked Grebe as well as Little and Great Crested Grebe, Common Snipe, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, 100's of Black-headed Gulls and a stunning female Marsh Harrier - at one stage having a bit of a set-to with a common Buzzard.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

One of those gorgeous Spring mornings down at Woolston, with the rain clearing early on and the light becoming really brilliant. Spent most of the time on No.3 bed but also did a common bird count on No.2 bed, with Les Jones and Brian Ankers.

Highlights were the two Black-necked Grebes, feeding actively among the c.830 Black-headed Gulls which were swirling round, courting and generally making a racket

. With two Common Sandpipers dropping in to the back of the bed and several Chiiffchaffs singing away, it felt like Spring had really arrived.

Sightings included:

Black-necked Grebe 2
Common Sandpiper 2
Chiffchaff 8
Wigeon 3
Little Grebe 11
Pochard 28
Greylag Goose 2
Littlle Grebe 11
Grey Heron 2
Cormorant 8
Moorhen 2
Shoveler 16
Black-headed Gull 830
Lesser Black-backed Gull 8
Teal 24
Lapwing 13
Willow Tit 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker 4
Reed Bunting 10
Great Crested Grebe 11
Common Snipe 2
Kingfisher 2
Dunnock 13
Robin 12
Great Tit 14
Wren 7
Chaffinch 40
Blue Tit 13
Blackbird 8
Woodpigeon 20
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 1
Buzzard 6
Goldfinch 5
Song Thrush 3
Greenfinch 9
Gadwall 4
Stock Dove 7
Jay 2

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Forgot to post a late record, of a Bittern, on No.3 bed on 26th February, seen by a permit holder on his first visit to the Reserve

. Certain wardens have been trying for decades to get this on their lists

Spent Saturday with Dave Steel and Sue Haddock wandering round Nos.2 and 4 beds. Highlights were: One Oystercatcher, 1 Peregrine, 3 Fieldfare, a flock of 25 Redpolls, 27 Shoveler, 33 Pochard, 119 Tufted Duck, 110 Teal, 4 Shelduck and 7 Song Thrushes.

Cheers David

Brian Burnett · Status: Offline

Relax guys it was the partridge. I have a sparrowhawk photo on our feeders though

Brian

JasonAtkinson · Status: Offline

Only a few minutes. I remember the photos being published, sure it was in a magazine. Pretty spectacular sighting, almost as good as a common crane eating seed from a bird table? Now there's a story.

Cheers
Jason

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

JasonAtkinson wrote:

JOHN TYMON wrote:

Brian Burnett wrote:

I wonder if it was the same bird as the one on our nearby patio at dusk (one heck of a garden tick)

Brian and Helen

I would have thought it was more likely a sparrowhawk on the patio than a goshawk,I daupt one has ever been seen on a patio anywhere.I may be wrong though,but would have thought a sparrowhawk would be the most likely in the garden.

Fill your boots.
Goshawk in UK garden photos

Cheers
Jason

bet that took thi all neet

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Yes, I thought it was the Red-legged Partridge in the garden

Or was it the partridge which attracted the Goshawk

That'd make a good photo, Jason

Cheers David

JasonAtkinson · Status: Offline

JOHN TYMON wrote:

Brian Burnett wrote:

I wonder if it was the same bird as the one on our nearby patio at dusk (one heck of a garden tick)

Brian and Helen

I would have thought it was more likely a sparrowhawk on the patio than a goshawk,I daupt one has ever been seen on a patio anywhere.I may be wrong though,but would have thought a sparrowhawk would be the most likely in the garden.

Fill your boots.
Goshawk in UK garden photos

Cheers
Jason

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Ian McKerchar wrote:

Or was Brian referring to the Red-legged Partridge

I see ,I thowt it were strange

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Or was Brian referring to the Red-legged Partridge

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Brian Burnett wrote:

I wonder if it was the same bird as the one on our nearby patio at dusk (one heck of a garden tick)

Brian and Helen

I would have thought it was more likely a sparrowhawk on the patio than a goshawk,I daupt one has ever been seen on a patio anywhere.I may be wrong though,but would have thought a sparrowhawk would be the most likely in the garden.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Hi Brian and Helen, sounds like you live close to (or in) Weir Lane. If so, chances are it was the same bird. Not more than a handful of sightings at Woolston in 34 years birding there, so it's a brilliant garden tick

Cheers David

JasonAtkinson · Status: Offline

JOHN TYMON wrote:

Brian Burnett wrote:

I wonder if it was the same bird as the one on our nearby patio at dusk (one heck of a garden tick)

Brian and Helen

I would have thought it was more likely a sparrowhawk on the patio than a goshawk,I daupt one has ever been seen on a patio anywhere.I may be wrong though,but would have thought a sparrowhawk would be the most likely in the garden.

Sure there is a photo that I have seen, will have a look.

Cheers
Jason

-- Edited by JasonAtkinson on Sunday 26th of February 2012 06:59:53 PM

-- Edited by JasonAtkinson on Sunday 26th of February 2012 07:01:18 PM

Brian Burnett · Status: Offline

I wonder if it was the same bird as the one on our nearby patio at dusk (one heck of a garden tick)

Brian and Helen

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Nearly forgot - Dave Steel had a Red-legged Partridge, in Weir Lane early this morning, which is a good bird for Woolston !

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

After a brilliant early morning at Rixton, wandered down onto No.1 bed and was rewarded with a pair of Peregrines displaying, high overhead and a Kingfisher on the Ship Canal. Was chatting to Dave Riley and Ron Brumby when we all looked up to see a stunning male Goshawk powering north, at low level across the bed. It was in sight for several minutes, enabling good field notes to be taken. Six Buzzards, 7 Redwing and a Goldcrest were also of interest.

Then went on to No.3 bed, where 1 Curlew, 2 Woodcock and 4 Ruddy Duck, plus c.640 noisy Black-headed Gulls were the highlights.

Cheers David

Brian Baird · Status: Offline

A pair of Gt. Crested Grebes in courtship display on No. 3 Bed this afternoon plus Gt. Spotted Woodpecker and Bullfinch on feeders with Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Blue and Gt. Tits.
Over 200 Black - headed Gulls now back on territory.
Pochard, Gadwall, Teal, Cormorant, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Lapwing and Tufted Duck also noted.
A male Goldeneye was at Woolston Weir as I left.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Makes sense, Ian. I aso should have said that I don't put Ruddy records on here from any other sites, as I'm aware of the sensitivities about the issue.

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Hi Ian/Jason, WECG's policy is one of openness, as is CAWOS's. The general view on the committee was to support our colleague conservationists in Spain, though not without a lot of heart searching.

As the records are published in both the CAWOS and WECG Annual Reports, there doesn't seem to be much point in concealing records from fellow birders

I don't have a problem with not putting Ruddy records on this site, though, Ian, if it's causing dissonance with Manchester's approach.

let me know what you think.

Cheers David

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Don't worry David, it would have been edited before now if I felt it necessary

Though the GMBRG currently withholds infomation on Ruddies and as County Recorder I follow that lead on the Greater Manchester sightings forum (because I really can't wear two hats at once!), I allow the rest of the forums to follow the decisions from their respective counties

Manchester Birding isn't an official website/forum for the GMBRG or the county of GM in general, though my own role in both sometimes blurs that fact

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 21st of February 2012 12:11:03 PM

JasonAtkinson · Status: Offline

I think DEFRA's stance of "eradicate all Ruddy Ducks" still stands, so whilst there are birds there are marksmen. Though I did hear they were only targeting male birds? Not quite sure though.

Cheers
Jason

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

JasonAtkinson wrote:

Excellent news David. I think we will reap the benefits I'm sure.
Best keep the Ruddy's under wraps? DEFRA might be watching!

Cheers
Jason

CAWOS seem to openly publish their Ruddy Duck sightings in their county report. Certainly here in GM we don't and as a website I remove all county sightings.

What is the current situation with DEFRA and Ruddies?

JasonAtkinson · Status: Offline

Excellent news David. I think we will reap the benefits I'm sure.
Best keep the Ruddy's under wraps? DEFRA might be watching!

Cheers
Jason

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Down at Woolston, on No.3 bed this morning, for a meeting with representatives of the Ship Canal Company. Very positive too, as they formally confirmed their support for our bid for Higher Level Stewardship for the Reserve. This should come on stream in April of this year and allow us to undertake substantial restoration work on the reed beds, which are in the process of drying out and becoming less productive. It should also enable us to open up some better viewing from the hides, with some better habitat for waders etc. All being well, work should start in August this year and be completed the following autumn.

Anyway, not much time for birding but c.450 Black-headed Gulls were back at the breeding colony, 3 Ruddy Ducks were present and there was a noticeable influx of Great Crested Grebes.

Cheers David