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Post Info TOPIC: PENNINGTON FLASH.
Craig Higson


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PENNINGTON FLASH.
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I hadnt read Colins so headed out to Pennington just in case. I arrived around 5:30!and the same, or different bird appeared at 18:20. Thats a 31 year wait to see an Osprey at Pennington. A Hobby also put in a brief appearance.

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colin davies


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This afternoon 14:00 - 16:00,

Osprey 1. I was alerted to it's arrival at about 14:20 by all of the gulls going up on the spit. I was in Horrock's hide so had to go outside to see it. For about 30 minutes it was flying around East Bay and for a while was even over the bay off the car park. Then it moved towards the sailing club so I also moved there. When I arrived it was still flying around the western end for a while, before heading back to East Bay. Finally it returned to the sailing club for 10 minutes before flying high and heading off west at about 15:50. Comparing photos, I'm pretty confident that this is a different bird to the one that was roosting at the western end last week. Todays bird has a much more prominent breast band and looks like an adult to me, probably a female. Last week's bird I think was a first year bird. That's the third osprey I've seen at the flash so far this year and probably the fourth in total.

Dunlin 4 adults on the spit

Pintail 1 1st summer male still on the spit

Ringed plover 1 at the sailing club

 

 



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colin davies


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This morning up until 9am,

Pintail 1 1st summer drake on spit.

Dunlin adult in breeding plumage on spit

Redshank 2

Common tern 3

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

2 Shelduck through east

1 male Shoveler

Great White Egret flew through slow and high east at 07:40

2 Ringed Plover on the spit

2 Great Black-backed Gulls, an adult and second calendar year bird

4 Common Terns

Cuckoo singing around the east side of the ruck and Ramsdales



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colin davies


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This morning,

Ringed plover 2 on the spit.

Common sandpiper 2

Redshank 1

Common tern 7

Great black-backed gull 1 adult.

 



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colin davies


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No sign of the osprey for me today in a full circuit of both Lightshaw and Pennington Flash. To the best of my knowledge it's not been seen by anybody.

Otherwise a very quiet day, with 9 common terns the best for me.

 



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Steven Heywood


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14:10 Osprey seen from the meadows by the lane to Mossley Hall, circling high over the rucks over the other side of the flash and drifting towards Plank Lane. Also a hobby shot by at treetop height 14:24.

 

(Not entirely sure how I managed to lose half the text when I posted this, sorry!)



-- Edited by Steven Heywood on Thursday 7th of May 2026 05:41:18 PM

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Ian Bertenshaw


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The Osprey was present from 0945hrs flying at the west end of the flash before being harassed by corvids then taking a perch halfway up a tree in the centre of the west end shore. For the next 75mins the Osprey took in the views from this perch and was occasionally dive bombed by passing gulls. At just after 1100hrs the Osprey took flight circling around the west end chased by gulls before flying over the trees in the south west corner and out of my sight as I left my position from the viewing spot east of the sailing club and besides Sorrow Cow pond on Green Lane.

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Ian McKerchar


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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE CURRENT OSPREY AT PENNINGTON FLASH:

Please do not attempt to access the western shoreline off the ruck through the trees as this will flush the bird, which sees you long before you?ve seen it! Nor should access be attempted by the shore of Mossley Hall, like one stupid photographer did this morning who clearly knew the bird was there but still walked down in full view and flushed it.

Best views when it may be resting in trees at the western end are from by the sailing club off Green Lane by the shore by Sorrow Cow Pond. This may necessitate a telescope but there is absolutely no chance of disturbing the bird.



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Andy Isherwood


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Whilst watching the Osprey from by the sailing club this morning, along with Bill, a single Curlew flew east over the ruck and flash and then 6 Cattle egret flew over relatively high up at c.7.55. We picked them up directly out from the sailing club and they continued west in the direction of Lightshaw.

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colin davies


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5:30-8:00am

Osprey in trees at western end

Shelduck 1 

 



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Colin Broadhurst


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Osprey photos from earlier



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Colin Broadhurst


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10am...inadvertently disturbed Osprey at western end which flew off low with a large fish, a second Osprey was circling higher up and both flew off in the direction of Lightshaw.

Also 4 x Common Terns, 1 x Redshank and 1 x Common Sandpiper, also 1 x House Martin.



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Ian McKerchar


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Osprey again this morning, initially sat in the same tree at the western end at just after 6:40 on my arrival (so presumably the same bird as two days ago?), though I suspected its presence before I got to the water’s edge due to the frantic screaming of the five Lesser Black-backed Gulls above it. The bird flew off quickly down the flash (though could have veered off north) pursued by the gulls and carrying a large fish in its talons!

Other birds included:

4 Common Sandpipers

4 Common Terns

Male Linnet on the ruck



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colin davies


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Additional sightings from this morning, a singing garden warbler at Sorrowcow pond and drake mandarin on the golf course with mallards.



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

An Osprey was sat in trees at the western end at 06:40 this morning but flew off east down the flash and was lost behind cover but was not subsequently seen

1 Ringed Plover

1 Common Sandpiper

4 Common Terns

130+ Swifts



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colin davies


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A couple of photos of this evenings grey plover at the sailing club, a first at the flash for me. Thanks to Phil for the info.



-- Edited by colin davies on Sunday 3rd of May 2026 09:07:53 PM

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Ian McKerchar


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Grey Plover on the sailing shore from 6:10 to 6:40pm when it was flushed. Also, 3 Common Sandpipers, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Cuckoo on the ruck and 4 Common Terns.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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Andy Isherwood


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Other birds from a wet early morning included Ringed Plover on the spit, 2 Common Sandpiper, single Redshank and Snipe. 12 Linnet on the ruck before flying off North and a Cuckoo heard calling in the direction of Lightshaw when walking along Slag lane.

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Ian McKerchar


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84 Swallows feeding over the water early this morning.



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colin davies


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This morning,

Ruff 5 still at 7am but no sign later.

Common sandpiper 1

Redshank 1

Common tern 5

 



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colin davies


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This afternoon, 15:00 - 16:30,

Black-necked grebe 2 in east bay

Ruff still 5 on the spit. Looking like all females to me.

Common sandpiper 2

Common tern 4

 

 



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colin davies


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This morning, 

Ruff 5 still on spit,

Little gull still in middle

Common sandpiper 1

 



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colin davies


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Mid-afternoon 15:15- 16:15, from Horrock's hide only.

Ruff 5 on the spit in front of the hide, around the direction finder.

Curlew 1 flew in calling, attempted to land and then departed east.

Common sandpiper 1

Common tern 5+

 



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JOHN TYMON


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This morning very shot visit 

6 common sandpiper

2 common Tern

1 Little Gull

No sign of any Black Necked Grebe in east bay



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Ian McKerchar


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5 Ruff from Ramsdales Hide this morning.

Info thanks to John Dixon



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Ian McKerchar


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Main highlights this morning:

2 Shelduck

5 Black-necked Grebes in East Bay

Little Gull still present

2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls

Single Arctic Tern very mobile around the flash with several Common Terns early morning (three of which flew off NW) but eventually landed on the spit with a couple of Common Terns

93 Swifts



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Ian McKerchar


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This evening:

8 Arctic Terns

5 Black-necked Grebes

Adult Little Gull

7 Common Terns

Common Sandpiper

White Wagtail

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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colin davies


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06:45 - 12:00 on and off,

Black-necked grebe 5 still in east bay

Little gull 1 adult winter

Common tern 12

Mediterranean gull 2 adults flew in and landed on the spit at about 11:30

Swift 30

Common sandpiper 1 on the spit

Mandarin 1 drake

Great black-backed gull 2 adults

 



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Ian McKerchar


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Early evening today:

5 Black-necked Grebes, with 3 together out in the middle and 2 still around East Bay

1 Common Sandpiper

2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls

14 Common Terns

36 Swifts

34+ House Martins

c360 Sand Martins

 



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colin davies


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This evening 18:45 - 19:15 from Green Lane,

Black-necked grebe 3+ still, in the middle

Little gull 1 ad non-breeding

Common tern 12

 



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dave broome


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15 Common Tern present by 8:20pm viewing from Green Lane

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Ian McKerchar


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Little Gull still present at 7:50pm, also 7 Common Terns

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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Chris Harper


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09:59-1:30 today. Nature reserve and rucks. Highlights:

Little Gull still, manly hawking near sailing club, 8 Black Necked Grebe, Garden Warbler, 5 Common Tern, 6 Reed Warbler, 15 Common Swift, House Martin, Swallow, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Cettis Warbler, Redshank, 6 Sand Martin, 4 Common Whitethroat, 17 Blackcap, 10 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Reed Bunting, 6 Little Grebe, 15 Lapwing 



-- Edited by Chris Harper on Sunday 26th of April 2026 05:19:40 PM

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Andy Isherwood


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Other sightings from this morning included 8 Black Necked Grebe still present, 8 singing Cettis warbler, 2 adult Mediterranean gull flew in from the east, circled the spit for a while then drifted off west along the canal. White Wagtail on the spit and the Little gull still present with 4 Common tern at 8.45.

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Andy Isherwood


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Single Little Gull off the sailing club this morning, adult in winter plumage.

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colin davies


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6:15 - 8:30

Black necked grebe 7 again. 

Greenshank 1 on the sailing club foreshore at 6:30

Mediterranean gull 2 adults flew in at about 8:00

 



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JOHN TYMON


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This Morning - North bank tour 

Osprey - 1 Flew south found by Colin Davies and I got on it just pic below lol

Greenshank-1

Little Ringed Plover - 1 Pair 

Ringed Plover - 1 Pair

Common Tern -6 

Willow Tit-2

Cetti's Warbler- 3 singing

Garden Warbler - 1 singing behind Ramsdales Hide

Black Headed Gulls - a dozen or so occupied nests in the Charlie Owen Hide scrape area 

Black Necked Grebe - 1 Pair 

Swift -4

Mandarin - 1 Male 

Bullfinch -4

White Wagtail -1 



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colin davies


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A very brief visit this morning to see the greenshank on the spit proved very productive! I was standing outside Horrock's hide watching the greenshank when the cries of the gulls alerted me to an osprey that was circling over the southern side of the flash. It was gaining height and ultimately flew south east which seemed a bit odd. Also today, 2 black-necked grebes still, redshank, and 3 common terns. Not a bad 15 minutes!



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Ian McKerchar


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Osprey east over at 10:25

Info thanks to Bill Harrison



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Ian McKerchar


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Greenshank on the spit at 9am

Info thanks to Bill Harrison



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Ian McKerchar


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Highlights from this morning included:

2 Black-necked Grebes in East Bay

1 Little Egret

1 Redshank

34+ Swifts (but low numbers of Sand Martins)

1 Sedge Warbler

3 pairs of Whitethroat in the Lock Monument Valley (along the side of the canal)

Pair of Linnets on the ruck again



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Andy Isherwood


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8 Black Necked Grebe still present this am, single Ringed Plover on the sailing club shore was flushed and flew in the direction of the spit also single Redshank did the same. 2 Little egret flew to the south shore and 12+ Swift over the ruck.

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Ian McKerchar


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Eight Black-necked Grebes still present in and around East Bay this morning.

Info thanks to Bill Harrison



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JOHN TYMON


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Yesterday 11-1.30

Black Necked Grebe - 8 in the east bay sheltering from the boat activity (Picture on the main website homepage on here which everyone should take time to visit as there are some unique county record shots and articles on there or see picture via my picture link below )

Common Tern - 10+ hard to count as some were landed and they were flying between the boats 

Cettis Warbler - 1 singing by the old east bay hide area 

Whitethroat -2 

Blackcap -4

Swift- 4+

plenty house martin , Sand Martin and 20+ Swallow 

Common Sandpiper-2 

Redshank-2



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colin davies


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Early afternoon,

Black-necked grebe 8 still in East Bay

Common tern 12

Common sandpiper 1

Redshank 2

Little egret 3

 



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Ian McKerchar


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Highlights for me this morning:

Drake Mandarin on the spit

8 Black-necked Grebes in their tight feeding group in East Bay

Little Egret at the west end

2 Little Ringed Plovers

2 Redshanks, one of which flew off west

1 Common Sandpiper

3 adult Great Black-backed Gulls

5 Common Terns

2400 Sand Martins though the birds were disturbed by a couple of Sparrowhawks so numbers varied wildly at times as birds rose high into the sky in tight flocks

Small but increasing numbers of Swallows

6 Swifts

Garden Warbler sang fairly briefly on the ruck

2 pairs of Linnets on the ruck

Male Lesser Redpoll on the ruck

 

No sign of the drake Scaup for me



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Ian McKerchar


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This afternoon, 9 Black-necked Grebes, drake Scaup still, 12 Common Terns, 3 Common Sandpipers.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes 



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Colin Broadhurst


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Highlights this morning were 7 x Common Tern, male Scaup still present, 1 x Pochard,  1 x Sedge Warbler, 4 x Common Sandpiper on Spit with 1 x Little Ringed Plover and 1 x Redshank,  1 x Whitethroat on the Ruck and upwards of 12 Reed Warbler now.



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Andy Isherwood


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Lovely morning this morning with a few good birds and weather to match. The main highlight was the Whinchat which I unfortunately didn't see again after the initial sighting, closely followed by a cream crown Marsh Harrier which flew west over the Ruck whilst I was viewing from near the sailing club c. 6.25am. Other birds of note included the Cuckoo heard twice calling from the nature reserve area just before 8.30, singing Garden Warbler, the drake Scaup at the west end, 7 Black Necked Grebe in East bay, 6 Common Sandpiper on the spit along with a male White Wagtail and 2 Common Tern. At least 4 Swift in with c.2,000 Sand Martin and small numbers of Swallow and House Martin. Grasshopper warbler reeling near the canal, single Redpoll over the rucks and Siskin over the west end. Green Sandpiper in Ramsdales and 2 adult Mediterranean Gull which flew over the spit area at least 3 times between 7.30 and 8.30 am, each time they drifted off low northwest.



-- Edited by Andy Isherwood on Sunday 19th of April 2026 11:29:33 AM



-- Edited by Andy Isherwood on Sunday 19th of April 2026 11:31:01 AM



-- Edited by Andy Isherwood on Sunday 19th of April 2026 11:35:38 AM

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