1 Goosander
33 Tufted Ducks
2 Mute Swans

The drake Gadwall still present on Alexandra Park Lakes on the upper lake early afternoon, plus 4 Goosander, 26 Tufted Ducks and 2 Mute Swans

Drake Gadwall
2 Goosander
26 Tufted Ducks

Alexandra Park Lakes

2 Mute Swan
23 Tufted Ducks

Late sighting for 3pm on Thu 26-Nov-20

Not exactly Alexandra Park, but was being driven along Oldham Way on the way back from Dovestones when I saw a flock of two of Feral Pigeons scattering from the Spindles shopping centre. I suspected that there might be a Peregine might be around, when a sizeable female (somewhat bigger than the pigeons it was chasing) flashed over Oldham way in pursuit.

Female Wigeon
3 Goosanders (1 drake)
16 Tufted Ducks
4 Mute Swans

Another visit to Snipe Clough, where the effects of this dry weather are clear from the fact that the small pool has dried out in just under a week. At least 4 Chiffchaff singing, 2 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcap (one doing Robin and Yellowhammer) including a pair in what looked like a courtship chase, which sounded like it might have been successful , plus Jay, Blackbird, genuine Robins, Wrens, and Song Thrush. On the way back I saw male Bullfinch, adding to the sightings list of Magpie, Jackdaw, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Goldfinch and Collared Dove.

I popped in to Alexandra Park as well and noted 2 Adult and one juvenile Grey Heron around the lakes along with uncounted Mallard, Tufted Duck and Canada Goose, with a few Black-headed Gulls. One of the Mallard had around 6 ducklings in tow.

One Peacock butterfly and a couple of Large Whites seen around Snipe Clough.

-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Tuesday 2nd of June 2020 10:22:26 PM

-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Tuesday 2nd of June 2020 10:24:13 PM

2 Mute Swans and 11 Tufted Ducks - Alexandra Park Lakes

Monday 9th March 2020

2 drake Goosander
18 Tufted Ducks

Recent highlights on-site, drake Goosander (Feb 28th), 2 Mute Swans (Feb 24th), a maximum of 20 Tufted Ducks (Feb 27th) and 27 Redwings also on Feb 27th in trees around the tennis courts

1 Mute Swan
6 Goosander
22 Tufted Duck
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Nuthatch

Red-head Goosander on the main lake, also 30 Tufted Ducks

9 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Wagtail and 4 Grey Heron

Friday 11th May

5 Swift & 1 singing Chiffchaff Snipe Clough just south-east of the park
Singing Blackcaps & Willow Warblers Donnelly's Hollow
2 Herring Gulls on the duck pond islands with 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
10 Tufted Ducks

Drake Goosander present on the top lake (aka the duck pond) 11:50am also 35 Tufted Ducks, plus singing Goldcrest around the boardwalk area adjacent to the Boathouse Cafe

35 Tufted Ducks on the duck pond and boating lake

Fishing Lake and 'Duck Pond'

Grey Heron 2 - adult and juvenile
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 - 1 x 2nd Summer, 2 x1st Summer
Herring Gull 1 adult
Black-headed Gull 6
Mallard 20
Tufted Duck 15
Canada Goose 77
Moorhen 3

Apart from the uncounted Mallards, Tufted Ducks & Canada Geese:
Moorhen 3
Coot 2
Grey Heron 2
Herring Gull 2 adults
Lesser Black-backed Gulls 2 adults
Black-headed Gull 1
Pink-footed Goose 1 - unringed, unclipped wings, quite wary

No sign of any Waxwings today, but 29 found briefly nearby in Hathershaw at Schofield Street, then flew towards Copster Park.

Large numbers of Canada Goose and Black-headed Gull, smaller numbers of Mallard and Tufted Duck. Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon also noted.

27th February.


A drake Gadwall was on the larger of the two water bodies this morning.

Whilst feeding the ducks I counted c22 Tufted Duck, some of which were coming to and taking bread.......that is when the Black-headed Gulls weren't trying to grab it first! When the ducks did manage to get hold of some, they had to dive underwater and try and swallow it down there - talk about having to bolt you food down! There was 1 Common Gull amongst the squabbling pack of c180 Black-headed Gulls, which was far too refined and dignified to be seen fighting over a bit of bread.

There wasn't a lot else about so I spent an enjoyable 20 minutes or so watching a pair of Nuthatches put on a brilliant display of industry and teamwork around the large bird feeder at the side of the park offices. They continuously visited the feeder which was stocked with mixed grain. The birds were never on the feeder at the same time - whilst one was chucking out onto the floor all the bits that it didn't quite fancy, until it found a grain that it did like the look of, the other watched until its partner departed and then it did exactly the same. Both birds were flying away and hiding food on two adjacent favoured trees and this might supply a readily at hand larder of food for the adult birds later in the year whilst they continue to defend their territory and are actively looking for insect food for any young they may have? I had a quick look last summer for any suitable nesting holes in the park but I couldn't find one and it struck me as odd then, that despite plenty of seemingly suitable habitat, I don't think I have ever recorded Great Spotted Woodpecker in this park and the apparent lack of their old nesting holes may limit somewhat the choice of nest sites for Nuthatch here?

Also - 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch singing, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush singing and another possibly nest building in rhododendron - it was flying into the bush so fast it was impossible to see if it was carrying anything.


Cheers,


Bill.

6th July - am.

2 family parties of Tufted Duck - one female with 7 ducklings and another with possibly as many as 9 smaller ducklings.

Also family parties of Carrion Crow and Wren. A male Pied Wagtail was collecting insect food off the bowling green and flying in the direction of Oldham town centre. Have now recorded this spring and summer, Pied Wagtails collecting food from bowling greens 3 times, from cricket pitches 3 times and from football pitches 2 times. Didn't realise this species loved sport quite so much. Not sure yet of they have a preference for lawn or crown green bowls.

Cheers,

Bill.

31st January.

Large number of loafing gulls on the iced over areas of the ornamental lakes here this morning - c430 - c410 Black-headed, c15 Common, 3 Lesser-black Backed and 2 Herring.

In the park - Nuthatch calling (also heard calling here 6/1), Sparrowhawk, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Song Thrush, c40 Starling, c16 Woodpigeon (including birds fighting), 4+ Collared Doves - at least 2 pairs, including a pair investigating a likely nest site, Carrion Crows carrying nesting material.

Cheers,

Bill.

29th November.

Short pm visit.

The ornamental lakes are mostly frozen over, except where the 2 fountains are presently keeping the water from freezing over. In the un-iced bit - c85 Mallard with just 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot and a solitary Canada Goose. Standing on the ice were c140 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Common Gulls. Also standing on the ice (at one time he even lay down on it!) was one half-witted youth desperately trying to impress his girlfriend....probably not the smartest way to go about it

In the park - 2 Nuthatch - I don't visit this park too often but I'm sure this is the first time I have seen or heard this species here....although there is plenty of suitable habitat available for a pair. Also 2 Goldcrest, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush and several Blackbirds. Also c150 Feral Pigeon.

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Monday 29th of November 2010 04:24:55 PM

9th August.

A really good local confirmed breeding record that Mark! With Tufted Duck being such a scarce breeder in Oldham, I thought I would have a wander up there this afternoon in the rain and enjoy watching the young ducklings. When I got there and after a good while checking and counting there appears to be actually three separate broods of Tufted Duck on the same lake!! One female with 8 small ducklings, 1 with 4 larger ones and 1 with 3 larger ones. The female with the 8 smaller ones initially started off as 4, which then became 7, then 8 then 6. The very small ducklings seem to have a greater tendency to wander away from mother, more so than the more advanced ducklings - probably the reason for the changing numbers? Still a really lovely spectacle on such an urban pond.

Also c125 Canada Geese, c110 Feral Pigeon, c85 Mallard, Moorhen on a nest, 2 Coot, family party of Chaffinches, family party of Woodpigeons and a Sparrowhawk in hot pursuit and just a few yards behind a male Blackbird trying to make a fast noisy escape to the nearest bushes...which I think it made it to!

Cheers,

Bill.