Best from the morning fitness walk along the Irwell valley:
1 Goosander.
1 Tawny Owl showed well when the local Blackbirds drew my attention to it!
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1 Dipper.
The warblers are getting harder to find now as they have largely stopped singing ( or is it the weather?) with only a single Chiffchaff and Blackcap noted.
2 pairs of Dipper on the River Irwell between Summerseat and Ramsbottom this morning. Also 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming and 1 Goldcrest.
Dippers seem to have bred successfully on the River Irwell this year. What appeared to be a family party with at least 2 Juveniles noted on the river this morning. Also a single Buzzard over.
Evening walk in the Summerseat area 24/03/13.. 2 Pink-footed Geese in with the Canada Geese at Banks Farm Lodge plus 2 Oystercatcher and a single Redshank.. . A Grey Heron, presumably from the local Heronry, got caught in the gusting winds flying over Wood Lane Road taking it straight into an overhead Electricity Pylon killing it instantly.. 2 Kestrel along the Irwell. Rob Archer
Pair of Buzzards floating on thermals over Summerseat GardenCentre this afternoon. 2nd time seen them there in 2 weeks. Also a pair sat on fence at side of Junc 1 of M66 last week.