ELTON RESERVOIR

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

RE: ELTON RESERVOIR

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Best this am was Great Egret, 6 Little Egret, Cetti’s warbler and Water Rail in Capsticks and Willow Tit at the feeders.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 2nd of January 2026 08:40:11 PM

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

Cettis warbler - capsticks
Great white Egret
5 little egret
3 Gadwall
30+ teal
Goldeneye
17 Goosander
2 Raven
2 Pink-footed Geese
300 redwing
Willow tit
3 Ring necked parakeet
Common Buzzard

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Cettis Warbler still present around Capsticks end of the res.

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

A decent WeBS count this morning with the following highlights:

2 Pink Footed Geese feeding with Canada Geese.

108 Mallard, 24 Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, 5 Goldeneye and 12 Goosander(per IT)

112 Coot and 1 singing Water Rail.

1 Little Egret.

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker .

1 Dipper below pump house.

5 Species of Gull, with 2 Great Black- backed and 3 Common.

Good numbers of Turdi in the hedgerow, with Blackbird and Redwing dominating and smaller numbers of Fieldfare and Song Thrush.

8 Ring Necked Parakeet.

1 Willow Tit and 1 Cettis Warbler.

Keith Rowland · Status: Offline

Elton Highlights at lunchtime today: GW Egret, 15 Little Egret (all at the creek), 2 Wigeon, 35 Redwing, 51 Teal, 1 GBBG, 2 Common Gull, Little Grebe and 7 RN Parakeet.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am - 12.30pm. Clear, breezy. 06c-08c.

50 Species including.

2 Stonechat.
1 Cetti's warbler.
1 Kestrel.
1 Great white egret.
6 Little egret.
3 Willow tit.
18 Redwing.
2 Rose ringed parakeet.
2 Bullfinch.
3 Chaffinch.
7 Greenfinch.
7 Long tailed tit.
30+ Goldfinch.
15 Carrion crow.
13 Blackbird.
1 Jay.
5 Cormorant.
3 Grey wagtail.
1 Pied Wagtail.
7 Lesser black backed gull.
12 Herring gull.
130+ Black headed gull.
60+ Canada goose.
100+ Coot.
90+ Mallard.
5 Great crested grebe.
19 Tufted Duck.
5 Wigeon.
17 Teal.
2 Gadwall.
8 Goosander.
3 Grey heron.
5 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This mornings sightings -

6700 Woodpigeon south
75 Pink-footed Geese east
1000 Fieldfare south
1 Great White Egret Creek still
4 Cetti's Warblers
2 Goldeneye, 5 Wigeon, 40 Teal
1 Chiffchaff
2 Stonechat

Ian Latham · Status: Offline

Cetti Warbler along the creek this morning near the little bridge

Keith Rowland · Status: Offline

Decent morning around Elton, 61 species noted including:

923 Pink-footed Geese in 7 Skeins NW & W

67 Fieldfare

76 Redwing

106 Starling

28 Blackbird

325 Wood Pigeon

2 Great White Egret

4 Little Egret

Willow Tit

9 Meadow Pipit

6 Reed Bunting

Redpoll

Stonechat

2 Chiffchaff

Blackcap

Goldeneye

34 Teal

3 Gadwall

3 Goosander

14 Tufted

Waterail

3 Common Gull

Little Grebe

Kingfisher

GS Woodpecker

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am -13.00pm.Mixed Cloud then Clear.Breezy. 48 Species including. 2 Stonechat. 3 Common buzzard. 1 Kestrel. 1 Great white egret. 7 Little egret. 6 Fieldfare. 14 Redwing. 2 Willow tit. 1 Coal Tit. 6 Long tailed tit. 2 Bullfinch. 6 Rose ringed parakeet. 1 Jay. 7 Cormorant. 1 Pheasant. 7 Lesser black backed gull. 100+ Black headed gull. 22 Herring gull. 2 Little grebe. 70+ Coot. 200+ Mallard. 1 Shoveler. 4 Great crested grebe. 22 Tufted Duck. 2 Gadwall. 3 Goosander. 6 Grey heron. 12 Mute swan.(9 Juvenile). Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am - 13.00pm.

Colin Broadhurst · Status: Offline

Sat 1st. Birds of note

2 x Whooper Swan @ 12.30 briefly before being disturbed by sailing club boat

2 x Great White Egret on marshy field between Old Hall Farm and canal

5 x Little Egret

2 x Stonechat

1 x Cettis Warbler

1 x Chiffchaff in full song

1 x Willow Tit (orange and blue ring on left leg)

3 x Goldeneye 1m 2f

3 x Goosander 1m 2f

10 x Ring necked Parakeet on feeders

Michael Hood · Status: Offline

Friday 31st, 12:00-14:30

Feeders - usual finches and tits, least common being a Coal Tit, plus 5 Parakeets.

Main Reservoir - most notable:

2 Goldeneye, 1m with Tufted, 1f with a different group of Tufted
4 Goosander, 1m on its own, 1m+2f with Tufted
Wigeon, 1f on the water hanging around with a Black-headed Gull
Kingfisher
1 dead adult Mute Swan at far end (several more on the water), reported to DEFRA
Gulls, Black-headed - lots, Lesser Black-backed & Herring - several, Common - 1, GBb - none

Withins - as well as the usual Canada Geese and Mallards, 50+ Teal

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Adult Winter plumage Mediterranean Gull in the Roost tonight at Elton

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am -12.30pm.Mixed cloud,windy. 09c-11c.

48 species including:

2 Stonechat.
1 Great white egret.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Kestrel.
1 Sparrowhawk.
10 Little egret.
4 Shoveler.
1 Willow tit.
2 Bullfinch.
30+ Goldfinch.
3 Chaffinch.
7 Long tailed tit.
17 Meadow pipit.(feeding).
11 Redwing.
9 Blackbird. ( very low counts in the last 3 months).
2 Jay.
1 Rose ringed parakeet.
1 Grey wagtail.
1 Pheasant.
17 Cormorant.
3 Lesser black backed gull.
50+ Black headed gull.
12 Herring gull.
23 Teal.
90+ Coot.
120+ Mallard.
11 Goosander.
6 Great crested grebe.
32 Tufted duck.
8 Grey heron.
6 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Great White Egret again this morning with at least 7 Little Egret.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Great Egret still present this morning, (info from Paul Wilson).

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Elton 4.30 till dark

Nothing in the gulls,

But 24 Whooper Swans flew over, 2 Skeins 6 and 18, an hour later 6 flew back and landed on the Res probably to roost, still there when I left.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Great White Egret still around at Elton today.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Elton 8-12.15

Highlights

3 Flyby Widgeon

6 Skylark

1 Lesser Redpol

24 Redwings

2 Water Rail Capsticks

3 Chiffchaff

2 Swallows

Singing Cetti's Warbler in Creek with Great White Egret still too

-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Tuesday 21st of October 2025 05:11:40 PM

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Great White Egret was a nice surprise this morning in the creek, also 3 Little Egret.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

9.45am -13.45pm, Cloudy , still, then breezy. 11c -13c.

With Mike Horwood.
51 species including.

1,060 Redwing. (West).
3 Common buzzard. (Together).
2 Kestrel.
2 Little egret.
39 Redwing.
60+ Starling.
1 Willow tit.
1 Coal tit.
7 Rose ringed parakeet.
1 Little grebe.
1 Bullfinch.
8 Long tailed tit.
2 Collared dove.
4 Jay.
1 Pheasant.
2 Great black backed gull.
10 Lesser black backed gull.
13 Herring gull.
5 Goosander.
60+ Canada goose.
63 Cormorant.
6 Great crested grebe.
26 Tufted Duck.
110+ Coot.
60+ Mallard.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This morning up to 12.30pm -

1900 Pink-footed Geese over west between 9.30am and 11.30am in 14 skiens
4 Shoveler Within's
2 Wigeon
30 Teal
1 Water Rail
14 Lapwing
5 Snipe
2 Little Egret
17 Ring-necked Parakeets
2 Willow Tit
6 Skylark
1 Chiffchaff Capsticks
1 Blackcap
75 Redwing
60 Fieldfare
1 Rock Pipit along wall
32 Meadow Pipit
4 Stonechat Goyt
16 Linnet
3 Siskin
1 Redpoll

71 species

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am-12.30pm. Cloudy, still. 10c-14c. 42 Species including: 1 Kingfisher. 1 Kestrel. 2 Raven. 1 Little egret. 5 Wigeon. 2 Willow tit. 6 Rose ringed parakeet. 34 Cormorant. 4 Jay. 19 Carrion crow. 13 Blackbird. 90+ Jackdaw. 160+ Wood pigeon.( Including 100+ in one flock South). 2 Long tailed tit. 1 Grey wagtail. 120+ Black headed gull. 7 Lesser black backed gull. 110+ Coot. 73 Mallard. 9 Moorhen. 7 Great crested grebe. 37 Tufted duck. 1 Gadwall. 5 Goosander. 8 Grey heron. 2 Mute swan. Thanks Derek.

David Hughes · Status: Offline

What is the highest count of parakeets at elton?

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Mediterranean Gull tonight in gull roost, long distance flyby

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Late news yesterday when a Great White Egret was present in the Creek from late morning - found by Peter Baron at 11.45am.

Despite the windy conditions yesterday's vis mig watch produced 2 Wigeon, 620 Meadow Pipits, 4 Swallows, 85 Linnets and 2 Redpolls all heading SW up to 11.30am.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 6th of October 2025 08:42:29 PM

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Pics of today's Terns

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Juvenile Arctic tern and Black Tern in the rain.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am - 13.30pm. Light cloud, still. 08c-16c.

Great birding day.

51 Species including.

5 Stonechat (2 then another 3).
2 Common buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Raven.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Common sandpiper.
2 Little egret.
1 Little grebe.
1 Goldcrest.
8 Meadow pipit.
1 Bullfinch.
20+ Goldfinch.
4 Chaffinch.
2 Chiffchaff.
1 Willow warbler.
1 Jay.
23 Carrion crow.
100+ Wood pigeon.
6 Grey wagtail.
2 Pied wagtail.
6 Pheasant.
9 Cormorant.
2 Great black backed gull.
14 Lesser black backed gull.
40+ Black headed gull.
8 Herring gull.
80+ Canada goose.
140+ Coot.
7 Great crested grebe.
29 Tufted duck.
32 Gadwall.
44 Mallard.
1 Goosander.
7 Grey heron.
15 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am-13.00pm. Clear, light breeze. 08c-14c.

44 Species including:

1 Common buzzard.
2 Kestrel.
1 Sparrowhawk.
2 Little egret.
1 Coal Tit.
3 Chiffchaff.
2 Rose ringed parakeet.
30+ House martin.
40+ Swallow.
15+ Goldfinch.
11 Greenfinch.
5 Blackbird. (very low count).
1 Song thrush.
100+ Jackdaw. (1 flock).
4 Grey wagtail.
2 Pied wagtail.
14 Cormorant.
3 Lesser black backed gull.
50+ Black headed gull.
1 Goosander.
14 Tufted duck.
35 Canada goose.
180+ Coot.
5 Great crested grebe.
5 Grey heron.
8 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Eclipse drake Pintail amongst the many Mallards on Withins this morning for its second day.

Nearly 2000 Swallows, 600 Meadow Pipits, 50 House Martin, 21 Siskin, 6 Mistle Thrush through south by 9.15am.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Top Elton birding this morning. Started with the Male Common Scooter and Common Tern, had a flyby flock of Black Tailed Godwits which when I checked pictures had a Turnstone with them. Plus finished off with my first Elton Osprey to the East going SW.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am - 13.00pm, Dark cloud, windy. 13c -15c.

With Mike Horwood.

45 Species including:

1 Raven.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Little egret.
250+ Swallow.
40+ House martin.
2 Sand martin.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Little grebe.
1 Kestrel.
6 Rose ringed parakeet.
4 Chiffchaff.
16 Long tailed tit.
2 Collared dove.
2 Jay.
20+ Starling.
2 Pheasant.
13 Cormorant.
2 Grey wagtail.
2 Pied wagtail.
5 Lesser black backed gull.
9 Herring gull.
4 Teal.
120+ Coot.
6 Great crested grebe.
59 Tufted Duck.
70+ Mallard.
1 Gadwall.
6 Grey heron.
5 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

11am-14pm. Mixed cloud, Windy. 16c-19c.

2 Yellow wagtail.
2 Kingfisher.
2 Little egret.
1 Kestrel.
2 Chiffchaff.
9 Greenfinch.
37 Swallow.
9 Sand Martin
1 House martin.
7 Long tailed Tit.
1 Song thrush.
34 Carrion crow.
50+ Jackdaw.
50+ Wood pigeon.
2 Grey wagtail.
8 Cormorant.
1 Pheasant.
9 Lesser black backed gull.
36 Black headed gull.
6 Herring gull.
210+ Coot.
170+ Canada goose.
63 Mallard.
2 Great crested grebe.
8 Tufted duck.
9 Gadwall.
3 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This morning vis mig watch in overcast calm conditions-

2 Hobbies south
581 Swallow south
97 House Martin
1 Tree Pipit south
1 Yellow Wagtail
8 Siskin south
8 Shoveler on Elton and 2 on Within's

This afternoon during the downpour from 3.30pm, 9 Black Terns (1 adult) were feeding amongst the boats showing well until 3.50pm when a Peregrine harassed them and they spiralled up and flew west.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

13 Gadwall
10 Shoveler
23 Teal
40 Goosander over from the roost
Kingfisher
Little grebe
Swift

Totals from a vis mig watch inc birds heading south unless otherwise stayed
1100 swallow
133 House Martin
8 sand Martin
131 meadow pipit
Yellow wagtail
2 grey wagtail
109 Goldfinch
6 common buzzard
8 Siskin + 8 north
2 linnet north

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Spotted Flycatcher from yesterday near Withins and a late September Swift

James Tipping · Status: Offline

05/09/25

1 Willow tit on the feeder this evening

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Highlight this morning:

Spotted Redshank on Withins, flew off south.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

2 Swifts still this morning

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

2 Whinchat in the Marsh and along the fence near Old Hall Farm this evening, also 1 Spotted Flycatcher below the Pumphouse and a single Curlew passed overhead.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am- 12.45pm. Cloudy, moderate breeze. 15c-17c.

43 Species including.

1 Spotted flycatcher.
1 Little egret.
1 Sparrowhawk.
2 Kingfisher. (Juvenile).
13 Rose ringed parakeet. (3 Juvenile).
74 Cormorant.
1 Kestrel.
4 Jay.
1 Nuthatch.
12 Swallow.
30 Goldfinch.
14 Greenfinch.
2 Chiffchaff.
3 Chaffinch.
5 Long tailed tit.
50+ Starling.
10 Lesser black backed gull.
8 Herring gull.
33 Black headed gull.
93 Coot.
51 Mallard.
5 Goosander.
4 Great crested grebe.
2 Gadwall.
2 Grey heron.
3 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

3pm - 4:30pm

Fairly quiet loop.

Only birds of note were:

X2 Shoveler ,X2 teal, X1 little Grebe on Withins

X1 Little Egret in the Goyt

X2 Sedge warbler were feeding some newly fledged young along the canal in the Goyt.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

A bit of Excitement this morning at Elton, a strange calling high up wader flew over without stopping NE. luckily I managed a few shots of it, I thought the length of the bill was the key ID, last record at Elton apparently 1991. A lovely Juvenile Spotted Redshank.

-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Tuesday 19th of August 2025 02:10:17 PM

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.30am-13.30pm. Cloudy, light breeze. 17c-20c.

46 species including.

1 Willow tit.
150+ Goldfinch. ( 1 flock over Coran stud towards Irwell).
2 Kestrel.
1 Rose ringed parakeet.
2 Bullfinch.
10 Gadwall.
6 Sand martin.
32 Swallow.
1 Pied wagtail.
50+ Starling. (1 flock over reservoir).
17 Carrion crow.
80+ Jackdaw.
12 Cormorant.
2 Pheasant.
11 Lesser black backed gull.
56 Black headed gull.
12 Herring gull.
4 Great crested grebe.
158 Coot.
62 Mallard.
120+ Canada goose.
6 Grey heron.
15 Mute swan.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This morning up to 10.30am-

female Redstart still in the Goyt also 3 Sedge Warblers.
Hobby over the reservoir flew towards Spen Moor
2 Yellow Wagtails around horse field by the Cemetery
2 Snipe and 1 Common Sandpiper
23 Lapwing
164 Coot
Juv Water Rail on the canal
Little Grebe and 2 Teal on Within's.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Early morning joined by Simon Warford

Whinchat juv briefly in the marsh early doors
Redstart Goyt
6+ swift
Curlew west
3 lapwing NE
2 snipe
2 Teal
2 Gadwall
Common buzzard
Kingfisher
3 Whitethroat

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am-13.30pm. Clear, light breeze. 18c-24c

With Mike Horwood.

44 species including.

2 Yellow wagtail.
2 Wheatear.
1 Common buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
1 Water rail.
2 Rose ringed parakeet.
2 Chiffchaff.
20 Cormorant.
12 Sand Martin.
14 Swallow.
2 Grey wagtail.
1 Pied wagtail.
1 Pheasant.
9 Lesser black backed gull.
40+ Black headed gull.
11 Herring gull.
90+ Canada goose.
125 Coot.
60+ Mallard.
6 Great crested grebe.
2 Tufted duck.
1 Goosander.
2 Grey heron.
3 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.