This morning:

 

3 Little Egret

1 Black-tailed Godwit

1 Common Sandpiper

5 Redshank

4 Oystercatcher

 

Info thanks to Barry Hulme

4 cettis warbler still very vocal, 2 Little ringed plover flew west over rucks c.8.25am, good numbers of Willow warbler and Blackcap singing, an especially good congregation of both and Chiffchaff in trees alongside flash on the rucks. Single common sandpiper still near sailing club.

In addition to Andy's records, I was at the flash today from 7am - 11am with a detour to Lightshaw from about 8:30am - 9:45am.

Hundreds of hirundines low over the water first thing, I estimate at least 1000, of which 99% were sand martins. A single house martin was seen (not by me) and several swallows. I had 2 common sandpipers and a dunlin on the shore at the yacht club.

Of particular interest, I had 3 egrets appear to fly out of Ramsdales and then away over the Ruck when I arrived at 7am. Unfortunately I was just about as far away as I could get in the south-east corner and only had binoculars with me. My immediate impression was cattle egrets just from the way they were flying, but there has been up to 3 little egrets at the flash and Lightshaw recently so chances are they were them. I managed a few photos, but they don't really help at that distance, except perhaps to say that I can't see any yellow feet on them.

I continued on to Lightshaw and did a full circuit of the flash but found no further sign of any egrets.

-- Edited by colin davies on Monday 10th of April 2017 01:28:18 PM

At least 500 sand martins and a few swallows low over the water at dusk today. Also two Cetti's warblers singing, one at Sorrowcow pond, the other at the western end.

-- Edited by colin davies on Sunday 9th of April 2017 08:59:01 PM

late afternoon/evening visit.
the same as john but did have 3 shelduck on spit, 2 from teal hide, 2 from ramsdale hide.
heard 2 cettis warbler, 1 shown well from tom Edmondson hide.
4 oystercatcher
7 blackcap
7 willow warbler
9 chiffchaff
1 treecreeper
2 jay
1 skylark
this evening there were masses of hirundines over the flash, they seemed to stay high up the odd group coming down low, then eventually they were all down low. I am useless at counting birds like this but I would put a bet on there being well over a thousand hirundines over the flash. they all seemed to be sand martins but I did eventually get 2 swallows together, then 3, then 8 together. an awesome sight

16 Black-tailed Godwits flew SE over the main water at 08:15 this morning.

Also present were 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Shelduck.

Info thanks to Shaun Murphy

Drake Garganey still present at 5:30, with Teal on the 'kidney pond' on the opposite side of the causeway from Tom Edmondson hide; viewed from the viewing screen there.

Info thanks to Simon Warford

So far today:

Common Sandpiper on the spit

2 Redshank

5 Oystercatcher

Little Egret

Curlew

2 Raven

60 Sand Martin

1 Swallow

Info thanks to Bill Harrison

This morning so far:

5 Black-tailed Godwits

3 Little Egrets

4 Redshank

1 White Wagtail

3 Goosander

Info thanks to Bill Harrison and Barry Hulme

Late news for yesterday was a single Little Ringed Plover

 

 

I was at the flash this morning and met a bloke ( sorry didn't get your name ) who was convinced he had two Cattle Egrets flying around near teal hide before disappearing in the trees there. We looked for about a hour in the area but no further sign . I nipped up to Lightshaw but could only find two Little Egrets.

I was on the Point this evening when a cattle egret flew over heading west. Not a totally surprising record given the number around in the country and the north-west at the moment. I'm not sure if it's a first for the flash, but it sounds like it could be. I think it's a Greater Manchester tick for me. I reckon anybody who wants to look for it tomorrow could do worse than go to Lightshaw flash. In amongst the long-horn cattle would be nice.

this morning, 1 long-tailed duck, 1 redshank, singing cetti,s warbler, lots of willow warblers and blackcaps now in.

c.250 sand martin over flash this am, single Swallow over fields at west end, 4 singing Cettis warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 willow warbler. c.70 Redwing over east in 2 flocks and single snipe flushed from horse field by side of track at west end.

-- Edited by Andy Isherwood on Saturday 1st of April 2017 07:48:52 PM

PM

Also this afternoon, single Blackcap (possibly two) in brief song between Tom Edmondson hide and canal.

Birds present this morning include:

Long staying Long-tailed Duck

Drake Mandarin

Little Egret

70 Sand Martin

Info thanks to Bill Harrison

Long-Tailed Duck still present today, at the very western end early afternoon

-- Edited by dave broome on Tuesday 28th of March 2017 09:46:50 PM

Hi, I was trying to locate the sandmartins at the Flash yesterday, but no luck. Where is the best place to see them. Any advice will be much appreciated

29 singing chiffchaff around the flash this morning/early afternoon, also 2 Redshank, the long-staying Long-tailed Duck and 6 Sand Martin (latter thanks to Bill Harrison).

Single Black-tailed Godwit on the spit this morning, also two Redshank.

Info thanks to Bill Harrison

2 Redshanks at Ramsdale Hide mid-afternoon. Also brilliant views of a Water Rail at Pengys

7.30 - 11.00 & 13.00 - 16.40. Magical views of the little gulls this morning with Bill as they hawked for insects and often walked on water like storm petrels. A privilege to see them so well, the experience made all the better by the drizzle because that was probably what was keeping them there. They didn't stay long once the rain stopped and there was no sign this afternoon. Also this morning 7 singing chiffchaffs, 3 singing Cetti's warblers, long-tailed duck and at least 8 sand martins.

 

So far at the flash, at least 60 sand martins and long-tailed duck still.

A pair of Common Scoter also present this afternoon on the main flash