A Kingfisher and a Little Grebe plus Moorhen and Grey Heron along Sankey Brook this afternoon, just south of Cromwell Ave. Two Buzzards and a Kestrel were actively hunting in the area.
No Kingfisher on the Sankey Canal but there is a single Common Sand showing really well, viewed from the north end the Hulme Lock entrance side! If that's clear? Anyways I have taken some pics and updated my Blog please check it out guys, alos loads of Chiffchaffs and one female Blackcap
Three Goosanders present in Sankey Brook yesterday between Dallam and Winwick Quay. A pair plus a possible juvenile I think. Also a handsome male Kestrel and a Buzzard were hunting at the northern end near M62.
-- Edited by Brian Baird on Friday 18th of January 2013 11:42:37 AM
-- Edited by Brian Baird on Friday 18th of January 2013 12:05:14 PM
I do accept there are unsavoury characters on Sankey Valley but its a big place over many miles and Dallam is a place I would be wary of. That said I have been many there on my bike and never seen an incident.
My area would be the fields around Burtonwood and NLW and I have never had any incidents there and especially around Burtonwood the place is deserted. I have seen Barn Owl there and its not bad for birds of open country in winter.
I do the monthly WeBS count for the brook and canal between Liverpool and Dallam. I do record the odd decent record, but the general number of birds is falling quite alarmingly. Talking with the local anglers, they say they are seeing a lot on Mink activity which is probably not coincidental! The number of Coot and Moorhen have fallen dramatically. I also feel the on-going (seems continual) large scale works by United Utilities seem to have a significant impact too. I regularly see Kingfisher on the patch, most often up at the Dallam end of the Brook. I have only recorded Goosander once, which was during the extremely cold period we had the winter before last when everywhere else was frozen solid. The Redshanks that used to be bout on the Brook near Liverpool Road weren't seen last Winter and the Little Grebes aren't seen as often as they were. There also seems to be quite a reduction in the number of woodland / shrub birds as well.
I always do my counts at first light to try and avoid the human disturbance as much as possible. It can be a very busy place at times. There have indeed been some unpleasant occurrences on the site over the past few years. Fortunately, to date, I have not encountered any problems, but it is wise to keep your wits about you. It seems the low life of Warrington, which seems to be an increasing, evasive species, is not keen to get up too early in the morning, which does have its advantages I suppose.
A Green Sandpiper was seen along Sankey Brook this morning.
Pete
I'm sure you are right as I have also seen Goosander and Kingfisher along the brook recently, both in the same area.
Cheers Brian
-- Edited by Brian Baird on Thursday 25th of October 2012 07:57:23 PM
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I stopped birding the valley after too many encounters with unsavoury people,and after a few muggings and a murder at the warrington end.My wife said it wasn't worth the risc,and she was probaly right,but over the years I had plenty good birds including pied flycatcher,little ringedplover,red kite ,hen harrier,firecrest etc :)shame really as i used to enjoy the walks down there.
