Hello! Would really like to see an Egyptian goose as it would be a life tick for me! Is It easy to locate here or does it come and go? I'm gonna take a trip there on Sunday, any advice would be great! Kevin
1 Grey Wagtail Buzzard over Woodheys Plenty of Mandarin, as previously mentioned, Male outnumbering female. Blue, Great, Coal & Longtailed Tits Good numbers of Nuthatch & a couple of Treecreepers
Watched a pair of Dipper 'to' ing & 'fro' ing from what looks like a possible 'des res'
Popular place today Can only add 3pm-4pm Keg lots of Nuthatches and treecreepers as stated Great Spotted Woodpecker five Goosander pool six Tufted Ducks Pool similar river near pool and back of sluice house Cormorant over Egyptian Goose side of pool making a racket Several Signs saying keep dogs on leads so as not to fret the mute swans and no one taking any notice. and saw four Great Crested Grebes on main res
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 4th of March 2012 09:24:08 PM
Late post for yesterday ,13:00 - 14:30 ... Great crested grebe on main lake , I counted 21 male mandarin on the canal section, ( probably more though,) And 27 males behind the pump - house . The males appear to outnumber the females by about 2:1 !!! Also great spotted woodpecker ,teal and treecreepers from hide + all usuals.. including several mating pairs of Canada geese .
The usuals on the main lake. No Goosanders at all for me today. 4 Manadarins and 2 Cormorants. 3 Dipper sightings on the river Goyt.
From the hide: 4 Teal 3 Tufted Ducks 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Kingfisher seen on 4 occasions Flock of 8 Siskin Many Nuthatch, Great, Blue, Long Tail and Coal Tits. 2 Treecreepers 12 Cormorants 2 Mandarins
Lots of Mandarins between the main lake and the weir. Are they taking over the neighbourhood? Not seen so many here before.
Such a beautiful morning, squeezed in a v. quick circuit by bike. 17 male and at least 8 female mandarins looking stunning by the pump house, three goosander (2 female) still on the big lake though there could have been more hiding somewhere.
Good on you Chris. As I was still under the weather, we all went for a coffee at Bruntwood Park and a stoll. We had never been before, but will go again.
Main lake 12:15... 8 male and 4 female goosanders present. No sign of a deceased goosander around the lake ,so hopefully, the mysterious dissappearing goosander from Wednesday is OK Also present on main lake 2m and 1f tufted duck,amongst the usual bread-munchers.
Now you've got me worried,I'll nip back to have a look in the morning,but chances are they have moved on( either three or four of them) I suppose there is a chance that the male might have re-surfaced at the other side of the island,but I would say that was about 60 yards away at the time.
Thanks Jeoy. Chris, I must have been half and hour behind you, so it does not sound good. I would go back, but have been smitten with something, and at all well.
I found this on the University of Michigan's website. It's the same species (I think) just a different name:
Common mergansers can remain underwater for up to 2 minutes, but maximum recorded dive times are 52 seconds in 2 to 3 m water and 37 seconds in 18 to 37 m water, with a typical dive lasting less than 30 seconds.
So it doesn't look too good if it didn't resurface anywhere in that time
Hi Geoff, nice to see you again. Funny you should say that you only saw three goosanders,because on the way back to the car park ,I was watching the four goosanders, one of the males dived under the remaining thin sheet of ice that the bh gulls were stood on ... I watched for a good 3 or 4 minutes, but didn't see him re-surface ! By this time my missus was getting worried, so I reassured her that goosanders, can swim a long way underwater ( hopefully !!! ) and we carried on . Also 6 teal upstream from hide ,and good numbers of treecreepers and nuthatch.
Nice to see you both again Chris. Did not find any Dippers, but loads of Tuffties behind the pump house. Mandarin on the Canal and 75% of two pairs of Goosander on the main lake. Assume the other male was somehwre.
Short walk 12.30 - 2.30, highlight was 2 kingfishers darting up and down river from hide. Also views of nuthatch , treecreeper and usual tits along main path.
Two male and two female shovellers, on main lake,between islands,this afternoon at about 2pm. Female greater spotted woodpecker, from C.W.T. hide, Two male teal far upstream, 28 cormorant in roost tree , 20+ tufties on river.
Brief visit to hide today,@ 13:00 ; All usual birds present plus: Large flock of long-tailed tits,feeding on suet pellets and fat balls, Great views of goldcrest - about 8 feet away for a few minutes, Two treecreepers, At least two jays, Little grebe, cautiously eating a stickleback!
What birds would likely visit the table if you were there for a day
The usual birds that visit the table by the hide are:chaffinches, blue,great and coal tits,plenty of nuthatches, robins and dunnocks.Quite often jays and great spotted woodpeckers put in an appearance. The Egyptian goose has also been known to visit the table for an easy meal!!!
Cheers Chris P.S Don't forget to take food to put on the table,as it's usually empty!!
-- Edited by Chris Greene on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 05:19:38 PM
A pleasant walk on a stormy day with the river higher and faster flowing than I had seen before. The birds were mostly hiding in the shrub or sheltering in calm waters. The mandarins are absolutely beautiful at the moment. The egyptian goose (does it count as a wild bird?) and mute swans on keg pool were out hunting walkers. Four goosanders (2m, 2f) had moved from the river to the calm waters of keg pool. The tufted ducks were flocking on the river upstream from the hide, and the little grebe was on the opposite side from them sheltering under branches. Cormorants fishing on the higher reaches of the river in the fastest running water: funny to see the snake-like necks sticking out of the water in the most unexpected places, well away from each other. Two jays in the shrubbery opposite the hide. 'All the usuals' were hiding apart from some siskins braving the wind. It was interesting to see the different ways birds react to the conditions.
Quick visit with the family High Lights were at least 37 Mandarin Ducks, males now in all their splendour Female Goosander on the river 20 Tufted Ducks Keg Pool Plus all the usuals
Brief visit yesterday pm , between showers !! Highlights from CWT hide : Little grebe, 30+ tufted ducks, 2 M and 1 F teal, Female goosander , 16 cormorants in roost tree ... 2 grey wagtails near weir .
12.30-4.30pm 1 kingfisher 6 teals 8 tufted ducks 1 grey wagtail 1 egyptian goose 29 cormorants (all in the usual tree) all the above seen from the hide, also water rail (heard only). lots off mandarins around,mainly on the river. 1 buzzard green woodpecker (heard only) tawny owls (heard only) nice flock off 50+ siskins & goldfinches (mostly siskins) redwings, fieldfares, nuthatches, treecreepers huge numbers off jackdaws over going into roost. plus all usual birds around.
A semi-rarity for the park yesterday with only my second ever record of a goldeneye there in over 25 years. A female, it was on the keg pool but wary, swimming to the other side when I or other walkers used the path round it.
Not a great deal else. About a dozen siskins, 4+ goldcrests, 4 treecreepers, a few redwings heard, loads of mandarins going through the early stages of courtship, and mid-teens of cormorants.
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Late post for yesterday ,03/11/11 @ 11:30 - 13:00 Highlights from hide : Two very vocal kingfishers showing well . M+F teal seen upstream, 20 + tufted duck, Male greater spotted woodpecker, 3 jays seen at once, Plus usual tits ,finches and nuthatches On leaving hide : three goldcrest,feeding with blue tits- in bushes near the semi-submerged punt on the pond near the gate. No sign of any Mandarin ducks anywhere, I presume they are lurking along the river .
Highlight this morning was a flock of 10 Bullfinches and 14 Redpoll in Keg Wood above the path down to Keg Pool. Feeding in the birch over head, they stayed in the same area while I watched for a good 25 minutes. Nothing else out of the ordinary on a lovely bright morning. 4 Cormorant 1 Grey Wagtail (by weir) 8 Nuthatch 1 Buzzard 9 Mandarin Ducks Lots of Tit flocks
12-3pm in the drizzling rain. 1 dipper 1 kingfisher 1 grey wagtail 3 teal 6 cormorants 2 grey herons plenty off mandarins around,also nuthatches & jays. 4 goldcrests in with flock off tits. plus all usual birds around.
c20 Mandarin in various plumages 1 Dipper viewed from platform by river 1 Grey Heron on pool opposite nature reserve entrance 2 Great Crested Grebe 1 Tufted Duck
3 young manderin in different locations plus one adult female manderin. From the hide kingfisher, cormerant, egyptian goose and two mute swans with only one cygnet
Myself and a friend set out to keg wood after sunset this evening with a goal to photograph tawny owls, and we weren't dissapointed. Between 21:30 and 23:30 we heard atleast 6 individuals, saw atleast 3 individuals and managed to photograph one bird that happily sat within range of our spotlights for around 30 seconds, allowing us to get the desired shots. A great adventure with brilliant results!! Topped off by an EXTREMELY close encounter with a badger on the walk back to the car!
1 Kingfisher flew up and down river etherow twice this evening, with 5 young grey wags visible on the river itself. 4 young Manderin on the far end of the lake.
No sign of Crossbills until 4.10pm when at least 6 were seen to fly into larch trees calling (probably more). Real neck achers this time unlike Monday, feeding at the very top of tall larch. They were on path on right of main path just before sharp left bend. The path going left from the top of the tramway - larches near to where the path is partially blocked by logs and piles of stones. The birds appeared to fly in from outside the reserve from the Marple direction.
Other birds present were - at least 100 Swift feeding overhead. 2 Buzzards - mobbed by 3 LBB Gulls good view of Tawny Owl being mobbed by Blackbirds 1 Sparrowhawk.
A maximum count of 12 Crossbills, including 2 adult males, this morning - the first Crossbills I've seen for about 10 years.
Met up with fellow forum members Jon Beckett and his father as I was just entering Erncroft Wood and with John Rayner and Ken Dunning who were viewing the birds as I arrived. Nice to put faces to postings.
A walk further up the path to Glossop Rd and back produced sightings of: 5 Coal Tits (adults with juveniles chasing them around). Several Great Tits, Blue Tits, Wrens and Blackbirds. 2 singing Chiffchaff. 1 Adult Nuthatch with 2 young. By the time I returned to where the Crossbills had been seen they had moved on.
From/near the hide: 1 Grey Heron. Several Mandarin Ducks with ducklings and 1 very 'eclipsed' male. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Chiffchaff. Blackcap. Jay. Many Canada Geese with goslings. 3 Tufted Ducks.
Spent about an hour there from 10am this morning, saw 11 crossbills. View through the 'scope was fantastic. No adult males though.. Saw a kingfisher flash past as leaving so enjoyable morning
At least 15 Crossbills still present in Ernocroft Wood, between 2 and 3.30pm. Excellent views of some birds perching for long periods on dead branches at eye level. They were also the quietest Crossbills I have ever come across with not a sound for the whole hour and a half until they flew off for a short distance at 3.30pm. Birds were still in general area feeding a few yards below the main path. Walk up the main path in Ernocroft until you come to an oak tree covered in wild Honeysuckle - birds feeding about 15-20 yds below there. Also 2 Treecreepers on larch where Crossbills feeding.
At least 3 broods of Mandarin Ducks in front of hide. 3 pairs of Lapwings on field adjacent to top path (above canal section) with at least 2 very well developed young - must have been an early nesting from size of birds + plumage.
i only managed to see them this morning because they happened to fly up while i was in the right place other wise you can be staring at the trees you know they're sat in and still not see them.
nice to meet stephen this morning, we also passed 3 people heading in the opposite direction as we were on our way out 1 of which i know was a forum member as i've met him before.
No luck for me on the Crossbill front between 2.45 and 3.45pm. I know I was in the right area as passing park ranger kindly pointed me in the right direction. Still plenty of cones around, and I am sure they are probably in the vacinity. Time just ran out for me.
At least 15 when I was there around 11:45ish. After turning off the path as described, took the immediate right down the steep straight track that they used to transport the coal down. Fellow birders about 2/3 of the way down looking into the tops of the trees to the right.
Got some nice views of the crossbills (thanks for the use of the 'scope!) Then they flew off in the downhill direction though I couldn't see how far as I lost them behind the canopy- they may have just alighted again in another section of the woods further over and lower down. I didn't give chase.
-- Edited by Andrew Johnson on Sunday 19th of June 2011 06:45:12 PM
Flock of 20+ Crossbills still present at 8.30 this morning in the area described by Andy, although they were quite mobile, moving between here and a more inaccessible area of the wood to the West.
I'm really chuffed to have helped a few people see this bird for the first time, although I'm sure someone else would have found them today. Nevertheless, this is the reason I go birdwatching, in the hope I might find something of interest to others in the county. Sorry it's such a rare occurrence!!
Cheers.
Andy
andy you have every reason to be chuffed with yourself on helping a few people out,i for one am very thankfull for such a great find by yourself. a first for me,awesome. keep birding.
After 45 mins with no luck and a very patient girlfriend and dog in tow, we were rewarded with the flock of 25+ crossbills, very noisely flying low over the canopy at around 18:05. They remained around the area (by the gravel covered path) for several minutes, how ever I failed to catch up with them whenever they settled. The flock then flew east which is the last I saw of them, however another two did fly over the same area heading west round half an hour later. Great little birds but very flighty, however a British first for me! I may have another look before work in the morning to see if I can get any good photo opportunites.
Also nice to meet Steven Burke and his friend, thanks for the info.
no probs glad you eventually got to see the crossbills scott,and i hope you have better luck than me with the photo opportunities
I'm really chuffed to have helped a few people see this bird for the first time, although I'm sure someone else would have found them today. Nevertheless, this is the reason I go birdwatching, in the hope I might find something of interest to others in the county. Sorry it's such a rare occurrence!!
Cheers.
Andy
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After 45 mins with no luck and a very patient girlfriend and dog in tow, we were rewarded with the flock of 25+ crossbills, very noisely flying low over the canopy at around 18:05. They remained around the area (by the gravel covered path) for several minutes, how ever I failed to catch up with them whenever they settled. The flock then flew east which is the last I saw of them, however another two did fly over the same area heading west round half an hour later. Great little birds but very flighty, however a British first for me! I may have another look before work in the morning to see if I can get any good photo opportunites.
Also nice to meet Steven Burke and his friend, thanks for the info.
ken the first off the 3 birders that arrived as you were leaving was me,cant believe we did not introduce ourselves never mind. what a great bird also a lifer for me and to see at least 13 off them was even better. i did manage to get a small flock off 7 a little closer further down the path which consisted off 2 males 2 females and 3 juveniles, but by the looks off chris greenes post the flocks were building all day,awesome. did go back around 4.30pm after a mooch around but no luck,but a chap there (pete) had 3 in flight. pete if you read this thank you very much for the lift to the train station. did also meet scott reid as i was leaving,(nice to meet you)hope you managed to re locate them. on the mooch around did manage 45 species inc... 2 dippers, 1 kingfisher, grey wagtail feeding juvenille, lots off blackcaps, chiffchaffs, willow warblers, siskins, buzzards + sparrowhawks over (which kept bothering the crossbills) swifts, swallows, house martins, sand martins, great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, mandarins + juveniles, pair off mute swans with 1 cygnet mallards, coots, moorhens, canada goose + all other unusual looking geese and ducks, pair great crested grebe, and all other usual woodland birds. great day.