0845-0930
Good numbers of robin, long tailed tits, nuthatch, coal tit, wren.
Stand out finding was actually seeing the dipper I thought I heard day before in full song at the bottom of the small weir on the reserve.
Another visit just before the rain kicked in:
345-430pm
Usual suspects: coal tit, great tit, nuthatch in good numbers.
Not too sure if I could faintly hear a dipper but rain masked most calls
Recently moved down from Carrbrook so decided to visit the reserve now access seems to be open all hours.
730-815
Lots of the usual ( blue tits, great tits, long tailed tits, wren, Robin etc.) c12 Goldfinch 1 lesser redpoll over At least 6 nuthatch Heron on lower pond along with moorhen. Sparrowhawk carrying prey just under the public footpath/bridge. Treecreeper calling frequently also.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of October 2014 09:24:16 AM
Looks like nobody has been here since August 2011. Went up there just before xmas and was told by 1 of the wardens it was being cleaned up and hours extended, due to open January 2013. Had an hour up here today and its still not finished but was quite pleasantly suprised where they've tidied up the feeding station. It was busy with activity at the feeders.
Saw a Treecreper, 2 Nuthatches, Coal Tit, Blue and Great Tit, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, and Dunnock, only the Wren and Dunnock not at the feeder. Alot of Woodpecker 'Drumming' in these woods, some distant, some right up close but couldn't see a single one. The drum rolls were quite long (I'd say over a second) so that would suggest Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but it was strong and loud which suggests Great Spotted Woodpecker, if anyone can clarify this I'd be grateful. Who knows, maybe both are present. All in all, bird-wise, a very active and noisy Eastwood, or Cheethams Park as some people know it.
Forgot to mention the link to Ian's Great Snipe article on the Species Study pages of this website. It was Richard Wakeley who was given the deceased bird by the person who shot it, thinking it might be a rarity. Richard was sure it was a Great Snipe and sent it to John Marchant at the BTO for confirmation.
Richard was also the first person to confirm breeding of Black Redstart in Manchester, after he was called out by a demolition contractor who had found the nest but couldn't identify the birds.
I see Richard Wakeley every now and then. He is now 80 and still enjoying his birds (and other wildlife) though mainly in his garden these days. I'll let him know that his enthusiasm has been infectious and inspirational.
Steve
That's great Steve, please do! My mum's a teacher at a primary in Stalybridge and I know that she thought extremely highly of those trips as well.
I see Richard Wakeley every now and then. He is now 80 and still enjoying his birds (and other wildlife) though mainly in his garden these days. I'll let him know that his enthusiasm has been infectious and inspirational.
Very sad to see that. Used to go there on school trips and family walks - Mr Wakeley (the warden at the time) was a hugely informative guide and those trips played a huge part in inspiring my interest in birds.
short visit this afternoon. Sadly the reserve is extremely overgrown and the first mill pond completely silted up and problems with the second pond which two volunteers were trying to fix. Its a real shame as it could be a nice woodland reserve.
A trip to Eastwood this morning. Plenty of birds around.
8+ Nuthatch 2+ Treecreeper Coal Tit Long Tailed Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Wren Robin Mallard G S Woodpecker
Plenty of food put out by a couple of volunteers who were telling my about the politics involved. They lock the hide between their shift and the next volunteers even though there are normally only a few minutes between. Sad to know that there are plenty of scroats out there who are intent on causing damage.
Went for a stroll today & it was open 12.00-13.00 Great tit 12+ Coal tit 6+ Blue tit 5 Nuthatch 6 Robins 6+ Magpie 5 Wren 1 Treecreeper 2 woodpigeon 2 chaffinch 1 mallard 2 Canada geese & blackheaded gulls on bottom pond Signs of woodpecker but they seem to be avoiding me at the moment
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