4.00p.m today Goosander present, approx 50 Sand Martins, 4 Swift and 6 Swallows. Both Grey and Pied Wagtails had fledged young and a Kingfisher flew down river, 10 mins later flew back carrying a fish. Cheers Ian
11.00a.m. today 18 pairs of Sand Martin(minimum) nesting in walls at side of river in centre of Radcliffe, plus a male Goosander present for the last 2 days. Cheers Ian
Friday 3.50 p.m. Single Dipper, Kingfisher and Common Sandpiper along with usual Sand Martins and Wagtails. Mallard nest that was on the bridge now empty, wonder if they were successfull? Cheers Ian
Peter Johnson kindly pointed out to me this morning that I mistakenly called SAND MARTINS "House Martins" in previous post. Appologies for the confusion. Cheers Ian
At least 16 House Martin active nests, 2 pairs of Grey Wagtail and 1 of Pied. No sign of Dipper since last Monday. Also Mallard sat tight on a nest in an interesting location. Cheers Ian
12.30 today, 2 Dipper, if not mating, getting very friendly Also all the holes in Market Hall occupied by Martins and many more birds searching the wall opposite for available holes. Cheers Ian
Quick 5 min walk at 13.55 between blackburn st and pilkington way Kingfisher feeding on reeds side of market hall, female goosander up river, 4 seperate Sand Martin nesting holes on Market Hall walk active. Carrion Crowsat on nest market hall. Four grey wagtails scrapping on island, one pied wagtail. 2 Goldfinches on each side of Piklington way bridge in trees. Jay near market hall.
Called in at 3.45 today. Wagtails but nothing else, who said this site was good, no Kingfisher, Dipper then suddenly 14 Sand Martin some entering holes, then they all buggered off. Don't know about Summer being here but Spring is certainly Springing!! Cheers Ian
Just come in from a walk down the river Irwell and I spotted two pairs of Sand Martins flying in and out of the wall Black burn street presumably starting to nest. Summer on its way
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Tuesday 31st of March 2009 03:19:37 PM
3.35-4.00p.m. today Dipper feeding for 10 mins in river before flying upstream, seen regulariy now so maybe breeding nearby?. Also 3 Kingfisher, 1 initially flying upstream then 10 mins later 2 chasing each other. Sand Martins also migrating upstream in 2's and 3's, approx 20 seen in total. 4 Grey Wagtail and 2 Pied also. It's hard to believe all this in centre of Radcliffe! Cheers Ian
10.30 this a.m. Pair of Dipper together in middle of river, then flew upriver and 10 mins later single bird flew back and disappeared into the stone bank near Asda bridge, this is the first time I have seen a pair together here. Also Kingfisher present with usual Wagtails. Cheers Ian
3.30-3.45 male Goosander near Asda, then Dipper(2nd day running)amongst rocks then flying upstream as yesterday. Followed by Kingfisher in similar position to reported earlier today and also 2 Grey Wagtails. Finished off with a Sparrowhawk circling overhead. An excellent 15 mins Cheers Ian
3.50pm today, checked to see if the Sand Martins had returned but none present. However did see a Dipper feeding amongst the stones in the centre of the river untill it flew upstream. Cheers Ian
3.55 p.m. today 3 Sand Martins following the river North, 4 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Grey 1 Pied Wagtail, and heard a Kingfisher. Best though, and a site first for me was a Peregrine, quite high, flying West Cheers Ian
4.00p.m. Went for a look after work to see if there was any sign of the very early Sand Martin reported on this forum yesterday, no there wasn't Did see 3 Yellow Wagtails chasing each other, pair of Carrion Crow nest building in tall trees by Market hall and heard a Kingfisher flying up river. Cheers Ian
After wasting my time at Elton, 8.15 a.m. no visibility and almost totally frozen, went to Asda and looked on the Irwell. 8 Goosander, but best was a Dipper( I think, the 3rd I've ever seen here) but it was also singing, just read John's post about Dipper at Goyt Valley today. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, but especially to all the Elton, which has rocked all year, birders. Cheers Ian
3.00 p.m. Just 1 active Sand Martin nest, this time last year there were 12, is this a reflection of our Summer?. Plus 1 Grey Heron, which looked totally out of place and 3 passing Swift.
Today 10.30 a.m. Lots of Sand Martins with Swifts and unusually 2 House Martins and 2 Swallows. Also a female Goosander, Grey and Pied Wagtails but no Kingfisher today. Cheers Ian
Today, 11.45 a.m. and yesterday 10.00 a.m. Kingfisher using supports below bypass bridge near Asda to fish from. Today watched it catch a fish, return to bridge to bash its head in, then take it upstream. Magic , check it out Melanie. Cheers Ian
10 a.m. now at least 18 Sand Martin pairs plus the usual Grey and Pied Wagtails, also pair of Jackdaw and yet again a Kingfisher flying up river carrying a fish. Cheers Ian
This a.m. 9-9.30 At least 17 pairs of Sand Martins at the usual colony, also Grey Wagtail with young and a pair of Pied Wagtail. Kingfisher carrying fish up river. Cheers Ian
10.45 a.m. watching Sand Martins in the rain when from nowhere appeared 70-80 Swifts for 10 mins and then gone. Kingfisher seen again and Pied & Grey Wag
Around 9.30 this a.m. 45-50 Sand martins flying around the colony site also 3 Grey and 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Kingfisher. Cheers Ian
Around 12.00 today. 10 Goosander on river in centre of Radcliffe plus Grey and Pied Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher and best of all my 2nd ever Dipper seen here. Cheers Ian