Just south of the water park today some passage early morning was clearly evident and in included:
6 Swallows Quite a few Siskins but often too high to see Two small flocks of Tree Sparrows totalling about 18 birds Best of all though was a single Hawfinch!!!
On the 24th April a male Yellow Wagtail was just outside the southern boundary of Orrell Water Park and also 6 Blackcaps were singing, which is a good number for the site.
There was a male Brambling at the feeding station on Friday (22nd) and 2 Common Tern went through on that date also.
13-3-11 Several yellowhammers(all looking in top condition) 3 reed buntings,lots of chaffinch all feeding on the fence near the feeding station. 4 brambling on the station Greenfinches,robin,pair of dunnocks Buzzard and kestrel in the field behind Winstanley college.
Single male Brambling showing well at the feeding station early afternoon (ranger informed there had been 5 Bramlings earlier in the day) Siskins and Redpoll with Goldfinch flock in the trees between the 2nd Pond and Feeding station. GSW put in a quick appearance Coal Tit and Nuthatch also at feeding station plus all the usual
-- Edited by Raymond Ashcroft on Saturday 22nd of January 2011 04:05:57 PM
6 Bramblings at the feeding station this morning, where there are also good numbers of Chaffinch. Also around the south end of the park were a mixed flock of a few dozen Goldfinch & Siskin, a few Reed Buntings and singles of Treecreeper, Yellowhammer and Willow Tit. Kingfisher also seen around the reserve by another observer.
-- Edited by dave broome on Monday 3rd of January 2011 01:33:55 PM
Mid morning and a blatent borough twitch,1 brambling
lots of goodies at the feeding station,nice to park and tick,and just cos birding in wigan is so easy,park at the junction of tracks lane and greenslate rd take the obvious public footpath,feeding station is to the left,15 mins tops job done.
70 Pink-footed Geese north-west 3+ Bramblings Water Rail 6 Waxwing reported in tree tops by car park with others he couldn't see (per. Ian Greenhalgh).
Yellowhammer 6 x Lesser Redpoll up to to 10 brambling (including 4 at feeding station) 1st on life list Willow Tit Coal Tit Long Tailed Tit Great / Blue Tit Greenfinch GoldFinch Chaffinch Bullfinch Reed Bunting plus the usual on the lake
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 02:55:57 PM
speaking to one of the locals he said there was at least 5 Waxwings feeding on berries on Moss Rd yesterday but sadly when we scurried there alas nothing in sight but worth a look if your in the area.
Between Orrell Water Park and Longshaw on the 17th March:
There are mobile flocks of Yellowhammers (30+), Chaffinch (25+) and Reed Bunting (8+). In the evening there was a female Stonechat at grid ref SD 5366 0222 (a definate migrant given the winter) and 12 Meadow Pipits flew north at the same location.
the g c grebe on the lower lake has found a mate,lots of mallard.coot and moorhen the feeding station was very busy,gs pecker,coal tit and more chaffinch than you could shake a stick at,alas no brambling
1 Brambling at the feeding station this morning 70+ Chaffinch 1 Reed Bunting 3 Siskin on top lake island with 10 Goldfinch 1 Great Crested Grebe on lower lake
5 Yellowhammers in the Greenslate Meadows LNR, again nr the footpath to Winstanley College, Kingfisher on the brook nr the reedbed, 126 Mallard on the upper lake in a small open area above the overflow, Dunnock in song
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 13th of January 2010 07:13:36 PM
2 Yellowhammers near the entrance to Winstanley College fields 1 Willow Tit & 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at the feeders 2 Coal Tit 30+ Redwing over 18 Collared Doves near the island 118 Canada Geese
Kingfisher around the island on the upper lake this morning Great Crested Grebes nesting on the lower lake and possibly on the upper Whitethroat singing just outside the south end of the park