On the January 25th a Bittern was unexpectedly flushed at close range from the Meadow Pond, the bird flew off at treetop height crossing the river towards Broad Ees.
Pink-footed Goose 56 over west at 09.56 Gadwall 12 over Goosander 2 (pair) over Water Rail 1 calling at the Meadow Pond Chiffchaff 1 Stonechat 1 female at the Hay Crop Siskin 45
Raven - 2 flew low west 'cronking' over the Cow Field Willow Tit - 1 at the Meadow Pond Snipe - 1 at the Meadow Pond Goosander 1 over Siskin 21 Redpoll 2
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Whooper swans heard only over the hay crop field at 7.20pm heading in an easterly direction, couldn't get on to them as I was under the cover of trees. 2 snipe flew out of cow field Willow tit heard around meadow pond Numerous jays around 2 goldcrest 1 nuthatch 1 great spotted woodpecker 3 grey herons 1 buzzard 1 kestrel 6 Reed bunting 16 redwings Tawny owls heard
There has been a dearth of Willow Tits on Chorlton Ees this year with only the odd sightings reported. I am not aware of any breeding pairs this year which is tragic.
So it was good to hear one calling this afternoon on Hardy Farm (on the training pitch side of ye path that runs from Brookburn Road to Jacksons Boat) ..
Cuckoo 1 chased from the east side of the Meadow field by Carrion Crows, flew right past me stood on the riverbank, then across towards the Tree tops Cafe end of Sale WP 08.24
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No joy with the lesser whitethroat on ivy green for me late afternoon. Grasshopper warbler heard on several occasions in the cow field. 5 whitethroat 1 treecreeper 1 sparrowhawk 1 great spotted woodpecker 1 nuthatch entering a nest box 2 stock doves Numerous blackcaps & chiffchaffs around.
Red Kite 1 picked out over Chorlton Ees at 10.53 then gained height circling high before drifting SW, over the south end of Sale WP, and out of view by 10.57 (crop photo attached) Willow Tit 2 One near the Meadow pond at 53.434143, -2.296661. One singing Ivy Green 53.438600, -2.293050 was no doubt the same bird recorded from Turn Moss earlier. Sparrowhawk pair displaying Buzzard 2 Kestrel male
Robins feeding on Spindle seeds more than usual, sometimes defending a bush against other Robins. Birds hovering below the opened capsule and plucking seeds out.
1 buzzard 2 kestrels 1 grey heron 3 song thrush 3 Teal in brook near jacksons boat bridge 1 goosander on river mersey 2 grey wagtail on river mersey 1 nuthatch 21 ring necked parakeets 2 jays
One of the four Teal was looking a bit lethargic early last week, so kept a check on it. Looked fine later, and now the four have moved to the Sale side. Otherwise, two, probably three Water Rail at Meadow Pond, also two Willow Tit here (one unusually vocal), with possibly an extra bird at the old sludge beds. Casual wanders gave up to seven Goldcrest, half a dozen Bullfinch, male Stonechat, an influx of Siskin which now seem to have moved on, a dozen Redpoll (now moved to the Sale side), a couple of Reed Bunting etc.