ELTON RESERVOIR

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

RE: ELTON RESERVOIR

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Highlights from this morning

2 Greylag
1 Kingfisher (on river)
1 Dipper (on river)
1 Scaup
2 Common Scoter (1m, 1f)
2 Little Ringed Plover (on mud at Withins)
50- 100 Sand Martin (hard to count)
2 Rose-ringed Parakeet (feeders)
1 Willow warbler (singing again near Capsticks)
Meadow pipit (very small number heading north)

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.45am-14.00pm. Grey cloud, moderate breeze. 08c-10c.

43 species including:

1 Dipper.
1 Kestrel.
4 Common scoter.
1 Scaup.
1 Raven.
3 Rose ringed parakeet.
12 Chiffchaff.
6 Bullfinch.
1 Chaffinch.
12 Goldfinch.
2 Reed bunting.
25 Blackbird. (2F, 23M).
2 Song thrush.
3 Jay.
3 Collared dove.
6 Lapwing.
19 Carrion crow.
2 Pheasant.
6 Lesser black backed gull.
80+ Black headed gull.
9 Herring gull.
50+ Canada goose.
5 Goldeneye.
1 Goosander.
26 Tufted duck.
5 Teal.
34 Coot.
6 Great crested grebe. (4 displaying).
1 Pied wagtail.
2 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

CALLUM VERNON · Status: Offline

4 Common Scoters (2 drakes) flew in approx 1pm and still there at 230pm Scaup Willow Warbler Raven No sign of any Hirundines

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

33 wigeon
7 Teal
Scaup
Swallow
50 sand Martin
Willow warbler
60+ meadow pipit north
3 skylark including a singing bird

David Hughes · Status: Offline

Scaup still present 3 30 today

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am-12.15pm. Mixed cloud, light breeze. 10c-13c.

With Mike Horwood.

49 species Including:

1 Kestrel.
2 Little grebe.
4 Chiffchaff.
2 Meadow pipit.
2 Rose ringed parakeet.
4 Bullfinch.
4 Chaffinch.
2 Reed bunting.
1 Grey wagtail.
2 Pied wagtail.
4 Lapwing.
3 Long tailed tit.
17 Blackbird.
2 Song Thrush.
4 Pheasant.
1 Common gull.
4 Lesser black backed gull.
80+ Black headed gull.
3 Herring gull.
40+ Canada goose.
1 Shoveler.
2 Great crested grebe.
18 Tufted duck.
5 Goldeneye.
2 Goosander.
5 Teal.
1 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Scaup at Elton again this morning

Bryan Deighton · Status: Offline

Rock Pipit and Scaup still present 1pm today.

Also 1 Snipe and 1 Greylag Goose

Paul Samuels · Status: Offline

These were at Crawshaw Booth Res earlier, spooked by a wind surfer and headed towards Bury, suspected they would end up an Elton

-- Edited by Paul Samuels on Tuesday 18th of March 2025 09:38:15 PM

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

This evening

18 Whooper Swan still present until they departed north at 7pm
3 Little-ringed Plover
Snipe
Scaup
14 Goldeneye
2 Ring-necked Parakeet
17 Redwing east
Common Buzzard
110 meadow pipit north

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Scaup, Rock Pipit and Little Owl also this morning

Bryan Deighton · Status: Offline

17 Whooper Swan currently in middle of the res

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Rock Pipit still present this morning and drake Scaup.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This morning, 2 adult Whooper Swans dropped in at 8am and stayed till 8.48am when they flew west due to a Mute Swan chasing them, also drake Scaup still and 115 Meadow Pipit north.

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

2pm - 4pm

X1 Drake Scaup at Capsticks end of the Res.

X1 Rock Pipit along reservoir wall near pump house.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.OOam-13.OOpm. Clear then mixed cloud, light breeze. 02c-08c.

43 Species including:

1 Scaup.
1 Common buzzard.
3 Kestrel.
3 Chiffchaff.
10 Lapwing.
9 Reed bunting.
4 Bullfinch.
2 Chaffinch.
30+ Goldfinch.
5 Greenfinch.
6 Long tailed tit.
17 Blackbird.
1 Song thrush.
2 Grey wagtail.
2 Pheasant.
7 Lesser black backed gull.
4 Heron gull.
140+ Black headed gull.
4 Goldeneye.
37 Tufted duck.
21 Teal.
100+ Canada goose.
31 Coot.
41 Mallard.
1 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Drake Scaup showing well this morning also 10 Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe. Also 89 Meadow Pipit and 4 Sand Martin north. Blackcap and Siskin at the feeders.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

Rock pipit - pumphouse
Sand Martin
4 Chiffchaff
Wigeon - coney green
4 Gadwall
9 Goldeneye
35 meadow pipit north
Lesser redpoll north
2 skylark north
2 Ring-necked parakeet
2 Raven

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.15am-13.45pm. Clear then light cloud, still then light breeze, 05c-15c.

42 Species including:

2 Kestrel.
1 Chiffchaff.
1 Common buzzard.
1 Common scoter.
1 Nuthatch.
2 Goldcrest.
2 Reed bunting.
1 Bullfinch.
5 Long tailed tit.
3 Grey wagtail.
2 Lapwing.
11 Blackbird.
60+ Wood pigeon. (1 flock).
110+ Jackdaw (1 flock).
2 Cormorant.
1 Common gull.
4 Lesser black backed gull.
80+ Black headed gull.
37 Teal.
50+ Mallard.
2 Great crested grebe.
23 Tufted duck.
10 Goldeneye.
2 Goosander.
1 Grey heron.
3 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

Drake Common Scoter still present
Sand Martin
5 Gadwall
13 Goldeneye
2 Goosander
Chiffchaff singing coney green
30+ redwing crow trees
23 Teal withins
2 oystercatcher
Treecreeper
2+ ring-necked parakeets

Bryan Deighton · Status: Offline

Common Scoter still present this lunch time.

Also 4 Goldeneye (2 pairs) 2 Northern Shoveler (pair) and 5 Lapwing present as well as all the usual suspects

David Hughes · Status: Offline

Common scoter Common gull 3 pm

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.00am-14.30pm, Clear then light cloud, light breeze. 02c-10c.
With Mike Horwood.

51 Species including:

1 Common buzzard.
2 Kestrel.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Sand martin.
2 Snipe.
1 Skylark.
1 Little egret.
2 Oystercatcher.
4 Reed bunting.
11 Lapwing.
1 Goldcrest.
3 Grey wagtail.
2 Pied wagtail
6 Pheasant.
3 Lesser black backed gull.
1 Common gull.
130+ Black headed gull.
1 Cormorant.
60+ Canada goose.
2 Great crested grebe.
22 Tufted Duck.
2 Gadwall.
5 Goldeneye.
12 Teal.
2 Goosander.
2 Grey heron.
7 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sand Martin present briefly over the res before saying off south

Not much else

Greylag Goose
10+ goldeneye
2 oystercatcher
Little egret
2 little grebe

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am - 13.30pm, Grey cloud, breezy 03c-04c.

Partly with Jim.

42 Species including.

1 Kestrel.
1 Nuthatch.
35 Redwing. (W).
4 Shoveler.
1 Oystercatcher.
5 Rose ringed parakeet.
5 Bullfinch.
2 Chaffinch.
30+ Goldfinch.
4 Long tailed tit.
1 Song Thrush.
9 Blackbird.
1 Collared dove.
2 Jay.
13 Carrion crow.
1 Pheasant.
1 Common gull.
2 Cormorant.
5 Lesser black backed gull.
9 Herring gull.
160+ Black headed gull.
120+ Canada goose.
16 Goldeneye.
1 Goosander.
22 Coot.
31 Mallard.
1 Gadwall.
1 Grey heron.
2 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

1.15 - 3.30pm Very quiet. Highlights:

1 Mediterranean Gull
180 BH Gull
12 Herring Gull
4 LBB Gull
1 Common Gull
8 Goldeneye
1 Oystercatcher
2 RR Parakeet
1 Buzzard (low over boathouse heading to the Dip
1 Nuthatch
1 GS Woodpecker

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am-13.00pm. Grey cloud, very windy. 03c-06c.

40 species including.

1 Common Buzzard.
2 Kestrel.
21 Lapwing.
1 Raven.
14 Carrion crow.
60+ Goldfinch.
4 Bullfinch.
5. Greenfinch.
4 Long tailed tit.
11 Blackbird.
2 Song thrush.
30+ Starling. (1 flock).
2 Grey wagtail.
200+ Black headed gull.
7 Lesser black backed gull.
6 Herring gull.
6 Cormorant.
10 Goldeneye.
2 Teal.
170+ Canada goose.
47 Mallard.
33 Coot.
21 Tufted duck.
2 Great crested grebe.
1 Grey heron.

Thanks Derek.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Seemed very quiet this morning however some signs of spring with a few waders

Ringed Plover - single at the pump house
3 oystercatcher
60+ lapwing west
12 Goldeneye
28 Teal withins
Ring-necked parakeet - dip
Nuthatch

-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Saturday 8th of February 2025 12:40:56 PM

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

10.00am-14.15pm. Grey cloud, breezy. 03c-07c.

44 species including:

2 Kestrel.
1 Scaup.
14 Fieldfare.
6 Redwing.
7 Rose ringed parakeet.
1 Goldcrest.
60+ Goldfinch.
6 Greenfinch.
3 Bullfinch.
7 Long tailed tit.
34 Starling.
1 Jay.
12 Blackbird.
2 Song thrush.
13 Carrion crow.
40+ Wood pigeon.
7 Pheasant.
1 Grey wagtail.
2 Pied wagtail.
200+ Black headed gull.
8 Herring gull.
3 Cormorant.
10 Teal.
3 Great crested grebe.
90+Mallard.
180+ Canada goose.
56 Coot.
3 Goldeneye.
2 Gadwall.
19 Tufted duck.
3 Goosander.
2 Grey heron.
6 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.15am-13.15pm. light cloud, clear, light breeze. 02c-06c.

35 species including:

1 Kestrel.
2 Sparrowhawk.
1 Scaup.
1 Common gull.
1 Little egret.
4 Rose ringed parakeet.
11 Blackbird.
1 Song thrush.
8 Carrion crow.
5 Cormorant.
2 Pheasant.
6 Lesser blacked back gull.
150+ Black headed gull.
160+ Canada goose.
4 Teal.
26 Tufted Duck.
4 Goldeneye.
11 Mute Swan.

Thanks Derek.

Derek Richardson · Status: Offline

09.30am-13.00, Cloudy, light breeze, 1c -3c.

41 species including;

2 Little egret.
1 Kestrel.
1 Scaup.
1 Goldcrest.
6 Rose ringed parakeet.
20+ Goldfinch.
1 Coal tit.
14 Long tailed tit.
4 Bullfinch.
2 Collared dove.
17 Blackbird.
1 Song thrush.
9 Carrion crow.
7 Pheasant.
5 Cormorant.
80+ Black headed gull.
2 Lesser black backed gull.
7 Herring Gull.
260+ Canada goose.
60+ Coot.
50+ Mallard.
2 Great crested grebe.
4 Goldeneye.
1 Goosander.
5 Teal.
2 Pied wagtail.
3 Mute swan.

Thanks Derek.

Mike c cooper · Status: Offline

Greater Scaup 1 w male off pump house at 10:30 when the fog temporarily lifted

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

A good morning with Simon Warford & Paul Wilson ( for a short time)

Scaup 1st Winter male with the tufteds
Common Scoter (female) still present
13 Wigeon
6 Gadwall
45 Teal
5 Goldeneye
77 Tufted duck
15 Goosander
Little Grebe
2 Little Egret
2 woodcock
Snipe
7 lapwing
137 Pink-footed Geese NW (in 2 groups)
25+ redwing
2 stock dove
Common Buzzard
2 Ring-necked Parakeet

Bryan Deighton · Status: Offline

11/01/25 0845-1045hrs

35 species

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Gadwall

Mallard

Teal

Tufted Duck

Common Scoter

Ring-necked Pheasant

Feral Pigeon

Wood Pigeon

Moorhen

Coot

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Crested Grebe

Cormorant

Grey Heron

Jay

Magpie

Jackdaw

Carrion Crow

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Wren

Song Thrush

Blackbird

Robin

Dunnock

House Sparrow

Meadow Pippit

Chaffinch

Bullfinch

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from quick Look this morning

Common Scoter - female
21 Goosander
17 Gadwall
7 Shoveler
Little Grebe
Woodcock
Little Egret
2 Greylag Geese

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Highlights from a short morning visit:

1 Scoter, 2 Goosander, 3 Goldeneye, 5 Wigeon.

1 Greylag Goose.

1 Little Egret.

4 Ring- necked Parakeet.

1 Nuthatch.

1 Reed Bunting and flock of 5 Bullfinch.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Some signs of cold weather movement this morning in the snow

Heading south
11 Skylark (single at 7:30 whilst still dark and a flock of 10 later)
42 Fieldfare
250 Redwing
10 meadow pipit
19 Snipe (inc a flock of 17)
Woodcock

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

58 species from a couple of hours this morning

2 Woodcock
Common Buzzard
3 Shoveler
5 Goldeneye
25 Lapwing South
20 Redwing
Willow Tit
2 Nuthatch
Goldcrest
2 Stock dove
Great spotted Woodpecker
3 Ring necked Parakeet
Water Rail

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

Sightings from this morning

Common scoter (female)
9 goldeneye
13 Goosander
Gadwall
Little grebe on withins
4 little Egret
2 water rail
80 redwing
970 Pink-footed Geese SE and 90 west
9 Greylag Geese west
236 Woodpigeon north
5 stock dove north
250+ lapwing south over pilsworth

Derek Polley · Status: Offline

Nice walk this morning. Highlights were long-tailed tit flock, flyover goosanders, nuthatch and willow tit at the feeders and a water rail sitting out preening in full view along the canal about 200 m from the bridge at the outflow. Watched it for two minutes before it ambled off into the reeds. Also met a local birder for a chat, this post is for him to let him know I saw a water rail.

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Single Common Scoter still present this morning.

Also 4 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 40 Teal, c40 Pink-Footed Goose over.

4 Goldeneye, 7 Goosander and 3 Little Grebe.

2 Little Egret.

1 Willow Tit.

Small mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare by Crow Trees Farm.

-- Edited by Roger Halsey on Sunday 15th of December 2024 08:18:31 PM

Mike c cooper · Status: Offline

Sat 14/12 13:00-14:00 on res after filling bird feeders
2 fem/imm Common Scoters
5 Shovelers
5 Goosanders 1 male
2 Little Egrets
3 male Goldeneyes
c. 50 Tufted Ducks mostly males
20 Teal mostly males
1 Snipe
7 Cormorants

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 14th of December 2024 02:26:10 PM

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

12.40 today, 2 Crossbill flew over the car park heading NW.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

With Simon W and Paul Wilson this am

Both Grey and Golden plovers heard flying over in the murk/drizzle
Scaup still present
3 pochard
110 redwing east
20 Fieldfare east
Several Little Egret

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

Good morning at Elton with Simon Johnson and Paul Wilson -

Vis mig watch early on -

2 Hawfinch picked up over Spen Moor flying just above pylons heading SW past the cemetry at 8.24am giving decent scope views
534 Redwings mostly south or SE
266 Fieldfares mostly south or SE
14 Siskin south
88 Chaffinch mostly south or west
1 Redshank through
1 calling Golden Plover over us north
1 Jack Snipe seemed to drop in and then circled Withins before dropping down towards the canal
2 Little Egret west

On the reservoir -

Imm drake Scaup still
3 Pochard
1 Goldeneye
5 Wigeon
60 Teal
30+ Tufted
2 Goosander
6 Little Egret

On the feeders Willow Tit and 3 Parakeets.

Roger Halsey · Status: Offline

Highlights from a late morning visit:

1 Greater Scaup, 2 Pochard, 4 Goldeneye and c20 Tufted Duck.

2 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler and 40 Teal.

1 Little Grebe.

3 Little Egret.

2 Water Rail.

3 Common Gull.

2 Willow Tit.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

This mornings vis mig watch from Withins with Paul Wilson up to 11.30am produced -

Single Hawfinch flying low south, right past us at 8.35am
5051 Redwings south, SW or SE, with some even going NE.
744 Fieldfare South
1 Greylag west
21 Wigeon west
12 Teal west
54 Herring Gull east
8 Great Black-backed Gulls east
403 Starlings NW
14 Meadow Pipit
7 Bullfinch
25 Chaffinch
27 Siskin
2 Redpoll
14 Goldfinch
6 Stock Dove

Photo's taken by Elton's finest photographer, Mr Wilson.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Little Gull from Elton today found by Simon Warford. Pics from 3pm. Still there when I left.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

At least 11 Little Egret near feeders today, also fly over Rock Pipit, Raven, 2 Whooper Swan and a Shelduck on the res