Not quite a mega, a female/imm. Mandarin Duck on the reservoir early this morning, with the Mallard flock, was a new species for the site, taking the site total to 156 species. Also seen: Chiffchaff - 2 singing Lesser Redpoll - 6 A pair of Ravens
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
Yes Steve it certainly is an amazing coincidence. As I read your email I thought to myself "There's not much chance of me seeing an Osprey at Watergrove", especially as my one and only previous sighting here was in 1995! It's been a long wait, but certainly worth it. The Osprey was circling over East Hill and was in view for about a minute from the track by the SE corner of the resr. I lost sight of it as it drifted over the top of the hill, probably heading south or south-east. Do you want to place a bet Steve on a Marsh Sandpiper turning up. Go on, I dare you.
Marsh Sandpiper - even I'm not that foolhardy
However, I didn't see any Ospreys on Speyside (the RSPB centre had closed down completely, so the birds must have left several weeks ago) but neither did I see any Crested Tits - now that would be a "mega" for Watergrove
There appears to have been a movement of Spotted Flycatchers today, at least in the north-east of the county. As well as the 4 or 5 at Crompton Moor, 2 were seen on the edge of Million Tree Wood (the plantation below the dam and car park) this evening. They gave good views as they hawked for insects from a Hawthorn. A pair of Ravens flew south over the car park. These have been seen on an almost daily basis over the past month and appear to have taken up residence in the area.
Yes Steve it certainly is an amazing coincidence. As I read your email I thought to myself "There's not much chance of me seeing an Osprey at Watergrove", especially as my one and only previous sighting here was in 1995! It's been a long wait, but certainly worth it. The Osprey was circling over East Hill and was in view for about a minute from the track by the SE corner of the resr. I lost sight of it as it drifted over the top of the hill, probably heading south or south-east. Do you want to place a bet Steve on a Marsh Sandpiper turning up. Go on, I dare you.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
Only 2 days ago I told Steve Atkins that I was going up to Speyside, but that he was more likely to see an Osprey at Watergrove! What were the odds on that? Why did I not go down to the bookies and place a bet on it?
2 Spotted Flycatchers this evening hawking from a Hawthorn off the bridleway to the west of the reservoir. I may have saved their bacon as whilst trying to get a closer view I flushed them. Moments later a Sparrwowhawk flew past close to where I was standing. Also a Curlew down on the reservoir.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
A Lesser Whitethroat showed really well in the hedgerow between the club house and the hide this morning. A new species for Watergrove. Also 3 juv. Willow Warblers looking really smart with lemon-yellow underparts.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
A Whimbrel high up calling, flew south this morning. Surprisingly the first of the year here. Despite the appalling weather and low water level, there were no waders down on the resr today. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling by the hide. Green Woodpecker on the ground by footpath to hide. This evening 2 Ravens flying north and 2 juv Wheatears. A Green Sandpiper was showing well along the east shoreline on Friday.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
A Ruddy Shelduck was in with the Canada Goose flock this morning. Assumed to be a female as it had no neck ring. If it was countable it would be a new species for Watergrove Possibly the same bird that according to Dave Ousey has been present at Cowm Resr and in the Whitworth area for the last few years and not seen for about six months. Also seen: Lapwing - 30 Sedge Warbler -1 Whitethroat - 1 Chiffchaff - 1 singing (presumably a migrant as none have been present here during the breeding season).
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
No sooner have we got past midsummer's day and autumn migration is under way, or so it would appear. A Green Sandpiper was on the old Ramsden Rd causeway, in front of the windsurfer's club house, this morning at 06:00 hrs and flew off calling, high up to the south. The first ever June record here. Apart from one May sighting, all previous records have been in July and August. Also singing this morning - Blackcap, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. The Garden Warbler was singing and showing well yesterday evening along the bridleway to the west of the resr. It's the first one that has been on territory here since 2004. At the time of BBGM (1979-83) none of these Warblers were recorded at Watergrove. So it's good to see that some species are actually increasing in the area.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
The Garden Warbler that has been giving me the run-around for nearly 3 weeks finally gave good views this evening, singing from the top of a Hawthorn with pink blossom. Take the bridleway off the footpath on the the west side of the resr. as it starts to climb uphill, opposite side to Old Tom's Wood, grid ref SD905182. Otherwise pretty quiet with a few Lesser Redpolls flying about, 5 Tufted Ducks, 12 Willow Warblers singing.
06:00 to 06:30 A pair of Oystercatcher A Curlew displaying A Sedge Warbler singing by the hide. A pair of Coot with 2 remaining chicks (down from 5 originally).
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your visit to Watergrove. May is certainly one of the best months and it's a place that is well worth visiting on a regular basis. There must be lots of good birds that pass through unnoticed, as even I can't be there all the time! Peter Hill once told me that you never used to get Willow Warblers north of Wardle. The tree planting that took place about twenty years ago has seen a massive increase in the number of species that occur. Willow Warbler numbers seem to increase year after year. My highest count this spring was 28 singing birds - another site record, compared to 24 in 2007 and only 6 in 1995. There was a Garden Warbler singing this morning, in the plantation opposite the Little Town ruin, to the north of the club house. It was heard again this evening opposite the club house. In an average year I record over 100 species with the all time site list standing at approx. 155 species.
Steve
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
Sun 24/5 15:30 - 18:00 Glorious sunny afternoon First time back to site for many year -Wow! what a difference birds everywhere and in song C Sandp 1 reserve Dunlin 2 on exposed sand/gravel in middle of res half empty? Sedge Warbler 2 - reserve Tufted Duck 3 (2 M+F) reserve Willow Warbler at least 20 singing - fantastic I was a little concerned about lack of numbers this year Redpoll at least 10 singing / display flights
Well done Simon for finding not only my first Watergrove, but also my first Rochdale Turnstone. Can't imagine how I've gone for so long without seeing one. Although to be fair there have only been two records at Watergrove in the past 15 years, the most recent being 11th May 2004.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
The first Willow Warbler of the spring here was feeding outside the hide last Sunday evening (5th April). 6 were singing on Thursday morning (9th) and numbers are starting to build up rapidly with 16 singing this morning. Also seen this morning a Curlew displaying and a female Wheatear at Steward Barn. Monday was a good day with 3 Whooper Swans calling as they flew west over the valley early morning. Late afternoon 3 Shoveler (2 males) were on the reservoir. This species is a rare visitor here with only 4 previous records in the past 10 years. The water level is very low since U.U. lowered it to survey the dam late last year. So it's looking very promising for waders.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
No sign of the Whhopers at first light. Tried Ashworth Moor res but not there either. Met Simon Hitchen who had drawn a blank at Hollingworth lake. Pete
Glad I left work early today for my first Friday afternoon visit to Watergrove since the beginning of January. A flock of 24 Whooper Swans was on the resr (approx. 9 immatures) at 4.30 pm. They were still present at 5.20 pm so hopefully are going to roost overnight. Chris Johnson is going to check for them at first light tomorrow. As far as I can ascertain this is the largest ever flock of Whoopers down on the water in the Rochdale area. There is a record of 50-60 flying over Castleton on 31st Dec 1967. The previous highest count of birds "down" appears to be 16 on Ashworth Moor resr on 8th Nov 1992. What was that you were saying Simon about all birds being scarce in Rochdale?
-- Edited by Steve Atkins at 18:15, 2009-01-30
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
A male Green Woodpecker called then perched for some minutes in Larches at eastern end of reservoir. A female Goosander from the hide was the only decent duck of the morning (I had also visited Hollinworth Lake but only bread-fed ducks there today)
phil jennison and i spent a pleasant few hours walking the valley above the res this morning between 9.45 & 1.30. glorious sunshine and heavy showers and a truly lovely rainbow mid way.
we had a stoat or it could have been a weasel as steve A, has already seen one nearby where we spotted one this peeping straight at us over the top of a drystone wall on the cobbled road by the last big gate before you get to stewards barn, just ace.
only birds of note were a dozen or so fieldfare feeding on the hawthorn berries up above the stream.
i did try your prescribed approach neil but i'm just too much of a novice at it to really be able to turn my back and stay turned. i'm like mrs lot at the minute, just can't help but look back!
You could always try 'looking sideways' at 'em, or even a bit of 'squinting' - that's how I started... it's cheating a bit, but I'll say nowt!
i did try your prescribed approach neil but i'm just too much of a novice at it to really be able to turn my back and stay turned. i'm like mrs lot at the minute, just can't help but look back!
Revenge (for the AMR Brent) came in the form of a Crossbill flying over Turn Slack Clough today, i was even with Steve Atkins to add insult to injury! Mr Paul Cliff had a male Merlin (that he dreamt about last night!), so a good day at Watergrove, but not for Mr Atkins.......hehe
The first Redwing of the autumn here. A flock of 14 birds flew north low over the overflow. Also 4 Snipe on the pool by the hide. 7 Teal were also here yesterday evening. The car park has been taken over by a television crew - I'm not sure what they are filming but perhaps they are on hand just in case the next Watergrove mega turns up this weekend.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
A flock of 19 Wigeon in the middle of the resr at 16:30 hrs, is the highest count here of this species since November 2006, when an identical number was recorded. The birds weren't present this morning and may have been brought down by low cloud and drizzle that moved in about 3 p.m. They took off at 16:40 hrs, as the weather cleared, departing high to the north in an unusual formation - two lead birds flying one behind the other, and the rest following in V-formation. There has clearly been some passage of Wigeon through the county today with the birds also seen at Elton and Moses Gate. A flock of 20 Teal was in the middle of the resr on 31st Aug - present from 12:40 until at least 18:30 hrs.
-- Edited by Steve Atkins at 18:47, 2008-09-12
-- Edited by Steve Atkins at 18:49, 2008-09-12
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
A Spotted Flycatcher, perched in a Hawthorn next to Sycamore, along bridleway to north of Roads Farm ruin (to west of resr) this morning at approx. 11:00 hrs. It was raining at the time and the bird was inactive. The bird is still present at 12:45 hrs - seen by Dave Ousey. This is the 6th year running that I've seen this species at Watergrove in August. Otherwise it's been very quiet this autumn with a Green Sandpiper on 9th Aug being the only wader of interest. Like everywhere else the water levels are now very high with the spit in front of the clubhouse reduced to a small island.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
Dave Winnard and I found a Greenshank at Watergrove at 18:00 hrs this evening. It flew up from the inside of the dam calling, circled over the resr and gave good views as it landed briefly on the shoreline. It then took flight north shortly before a thunderstorm arrived. There were also 2 Sedge Warblers (one singing) by the hide. This was my first record of Greenshank in Rochdale and amazingly only the third record for Watergrove.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
You are right Steve, we normally have to wait until the end of May before we moult into summer plumage up here! Anyway another good morning for waders. It was very misty at 06:00 hrs. A Sanderling (not yet in full breeding plumage, still showing a lot of white on its head. Only the 2nd record here), 11 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were feeding on the spit in front of the club house. By 08:45 hrs the mist had lifted and the waders had gone except for one RP. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling in the horse jump field to the north of Little Town. 24 Willow Warblers singing in the plantations and a Sedge Warbler singing by the hide. A male Wheatear was on the moors.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
Hi Steve, I had assumed these birds were still on there way north to breed somewhere up in the high arctic. They certainly don't breed at Watergrove! A couple may have been 1st summers (i.e. in their 2nd calendar year) as the head pattern was dullish. However the majority was in spanking new breeding plumage. Only 3 birds were still present this evening. Last year a pair turned up on about 23rd May but were gone the following day.
Steve
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
What are all these Ringed Plovers doing here (and elsewhere in the county)? Seems early for post-breeding flocks to me, though I could be wrong (I often am!).
I was up in Scotland at the start of the month and they were already on eggs or had young then. Are these birds still migrating north and, if so, can they be identified as a more northern race?
The Barwits (females) were present from approx. 10:00 hrs until at least 11:00 hrs bathing and preening. It's amazing that this species has occurred here for the 2nd year running given that there were no records before last year. When I returned at 12:30 they had gone. However 10 Ringed Plover were feeding on the spit close into the club house, probably brought down by the murky weather. A record count for this site and probably the highest count in Rochdale since 1965 (unless anyone knows differently) when 16 were at Blackstone Edge Resr on 22nd August.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
An epic bike ride around Watergrove Reservoir today included all the surrounding hills (and what a slog they were to get to!), Crook Hill (and moor), Hades (that's what it said on the map) and Brown Wardle Hill (only half of it in GM), then around each and every path I could find elsewhere. Unfortunately, it was relatively quiet but the weather and views were fantastic,
Wheatear- 22 Raven- 1 on Crook Hill being mobbed by Crows Lesser Redpoll- 3+ around the boat house
A cracking male Ring Ouzel this evening flew past at close range and landed in the top of a Larch, above the compensation lagoon, on the east side of the resr. It then flew north and was lost to view behind the trees near the memorial garden. Otherwise it has been very quiet here so far this month. Migrants are late arriving and only in small number , hardly surprising given the awful weather. A circuit of the whole valley last Sunday produced just one Wheatear. The first Willow Warbler arrived on 13th April and only two have been heard singing.
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
37 species recorded today for the Bird Atlas / GM Breeding Atlas including pairs of the following: Great Crested Grebe Oystercatcher Coot (2 pairs) Tufted Duck Grey Partidge Also seen 4 Snipe, a Stonechat, a Sand Martin (the first of the year was here on 30th March), a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk. The highest breeding evidence code was Curlew and Wood Pigeon displaying. Did anyone get more than 37 specie? You can't count them unless you have / are going to submit the records to the BTO website http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/index.htm
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 6th of May 2012 09:34:11 PM
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.