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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> Roman Lakes, Marple
Post Info TOPIC: Roman Lakes, Marple
John Rayner


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RE: Roman Lakes, Marple
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Main Lake area.

Coot 38
Moorhen 8
Canada Goose 24
Mallard 22
Cormorant 3
Mute Swan 2
Barnacle Goose 1 (feral)
Great-crested Grebe 2 (new in)
Siskin 10
No Gadwall

Cheers, John



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Andrew Johnson


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Thanks for that, John.
I'll pop over some time and have a look around.

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John Rayner


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Hi Andrew,

Looking at your map Lakes Road is easily driveable up to Bottoms Bridge over the Goyt (just before Low Lea Road). After that it is very pot-holed but I still drove in today to the angling centre where there is a tea/coffee kiosk.

The first water on the LHS is North Lake and rarely gets anything good. I did find a Goldeneye here once and Goosander/Kingfisher visit every now and again.

Main Lake is the one by the angling centre where there is a motley collection of Geese, Peacocks etc. The water to the east is called either Bottom's Reservoir or Linnet Clough Reservoir - a nice habitat for spring migrants.

Good luck, John

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Andrew Johnson


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I've seen a lone Barnacle Goose at Etherow CP near the visitors' centre before.
Is this the same bird perhaps?

I've not been to the Roman Lakes before aside from walking past a couple of times. I seem to recall the immediate area has some badly-surfaced roads that don't look very car-friendly. Is it best to park up above on Longhurst Lane and walk down Old Hall Lane or is there a route in that's actually OK for a small non-4by4?!
Once there, where is the best area to go? Are there any hides around?

I take it the two lakes on the left are the ones you refer to and the one on the right towards the scout camp is not included?

Thanks for any tips/suggestions.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 18th of February 2011 09:20:41 PM

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John Rayner


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Water levels on the lakes very high and the Goyt almost bursting its banks.

North Lake:
10 Mallard

Main Lake:
32 Siskin
42 Coot
2 Mute Swans
1 long stay drake Gadwall
1 feral (but free flying) Barnacle Goose. I don't know if I mentioned it before but this bird has come in on its own and is not part of the wildfowl collection.

Cheers, John



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John Rayner


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Main Lake:
Only a small area of open water round the island. Male Gadwall and feral Barnacle remain.

Cheers, John

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Steve Hind


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Gadwall male
Mandarin pair
Barnacle Goose
Mallard 42
Coot 48
Cormorant
Mute Swan 2

Still pair Goosander on North Lake
91 Canada Geese above Linnet Clough Reservoir

regards Steve

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John Rayner


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North Lake:
Pair Goosander

Main Lake:
Continues its good run with a male Wigeon newly in.
Also the usuals in the form of:
1 Male Tufted duck
35 Mallard
32 Coot
8 Canada Geese
2 Mute Swans

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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Roman Lakes was buzzing this morning.

North Lake:
2m, 1f Goosander

Main Lake:
4m, 3f Mandarin
female Pochard (2 locally in 2 days smile.gif)
male Gadwall (rare around here my 1st since a drake in Feb 2009 smile.gifsmile.gif)
Barnacle Goose (feral but free flying and not part of the collection)
34 Coot
2 Cormorants
1 ad and 1 imm. Mute Swan

Cheers, John

-- Edited by John Rayner on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 03:36:51 PM

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John Rayner


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Drake Goldeneye still present.



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John Rayner


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A last thrash round Stockport Borough turned up a couple of surprises (but no new birds cry.gif)

En route to Roman Lakes there were 5 Goosander (4m, 1f) on the canal basin at Lockside, Marple.

Roman Lakes, Main Lake:
There was only a minute area of open water, which held 2 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Coot and a male Goldeneye. Quite a turn up for this site.
Also 31 Coot
7 Moorhens
29 Mallard
3 Bullfinches
2 Wrens
2 Jays
4 Great Tits
2 Blue Tits

This was the sum total of all passerines seen. No Thrushes, Robins, Finches no.gif

Cheers, John


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John Rayner


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Roman Lakes
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26 December (09.15 - 11.00)

Roman Lakes and Mellor Golf Course

Main Lake: Only a tiny circle of water free from ice and numbers were well down:
No Swans
Only 24 Coot
Only 2 Moorhens
48 Mallard
2 Cormorants (river)

Mellor Golf Course:
1 GS Woodpecker
18 Blackbirds
2 Mistle Thrushes
5 Lesser Redpolls
c20 Fieldfare
5 Jays
5 Wrens
4 Bullfinches
12 LT Tits
c35 LBB Gulls over

Cheers, John


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John Rayner


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Roman Lakes, Marple
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7 December (09.20 - 12.45)

Roman Lakes/ Mellor Golf Course/Linnet Clough/Bottoms Reservoir.

54 Coot (Main Lake)
42 Mallard (Main L)
3 Swans (Main L)
Dipper on river
Female Goosander (river)
3 Treecreepers
2 Woodcock (golf course)
1 Lesser Redpoll

31 Species.

Cheers, John

-- Edited by John Rayner on Tuesday 7th of December 2010 05:59:42 PM

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John Rayner


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Just a word of warning, I got my car stuck here this morning. The very top part of Lakes Road is gritted which lures you on further - straight onto packed ice. No joke down a single track 1 in 6 hill, with a steep drop on one side and drystone wall on the other, and no chance of reversing. I somehow managed to slither down to Bottom's Bridge where another 3 cars had already been abandonded plus a lorry driver who said his lorry had been stuck at the nearby farm for 3 days. I was very lucky that a local farmer put some grit down whilst I was there and after another 1.5 hours I managed to drive out.

Put me right off birding here but I did have a quick look over Main Lake and it only held the usual.

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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27th Nov

Main Lake almost completely iced over.

85 Coot
17 Moorhens
66 Mallard
55 Canadas
3 Mute Swans
1 Peacock on the ice

A marked lack of passerines. No thrushes, no finches not even any tit flocks.

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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24th Nov:

Main Lake:
7 Cormorants
68 Coot
9 Moorhens
55 Mallard
17 BH Gulls
3 Mute Swans
1 Little Grebe

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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22 November - very steady yawn.gif

North Lake:
1 Cormorant
2 Mallard

Main Lake:
27 Mallard
63 Coot
2 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
3 Tufted Duck (1m, 2f)
11 BH Gulls
3 Mute Swans

Cheers, John

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Matt Potter


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Mike Chorley wrote:

John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

Mark Rigby wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Briefest

Is that some kind of cheese related festival?



Quite a Gouda joke Rob, but pity you couldn't think of anything Feta.

Salut, John



I think you came out best on that one, John, but then I'm Parmesan


This thread is not very mature!



That's just hard cheese, Riggers


These cheese puns are really grating on me now!

Me too Rob. It's just a curd to me that I camembert any more of them. ohmygod.gif



Quel fromage, John!
Methinks the whey this is going we should get back on topic on this thred lest, er, we fall foul of the big cheese himself



I will have to think caerphilly about a reply to this one!!

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John Rayner


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Time to resume normal service i.e. coot counting.

Main Lake only (not surrounding strips of water):

44 Coot
16 Mallard
5 Moorhens
9 BH Gulls
3 Mute Swans
4 Tufted Duck (2m, 2f - new in)
Kingfisher heard

Cheers, John

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Mike Chorley


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John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

Mark Rigby wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Briefest

Is that some kind of cheese related festival?



Quite a Gouda joke Rob, but pity you couldn't think of anything Feta.

Salut, John



I think you came out best on that one, John, but then I'm Parmesan


This thread is not very mature!



That's just hard cheese, Riggers


These cheese puns are really grating on me now!

Me too Rob. It's just a curd to me that I camembert any more of them. ohmygod.gif



Quel fromage, John!
Methinks the whey this is going we should get back on topic on this thred lest, er, we fall foul of the big cheese himself

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Bus pass birdin' great innit?
John Rayner


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Rob Thorpe wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

Mark Rigby wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Briefest

Is that some kind of cheese related festival?



Quite a Gouda joke Rob, but pity you couldn't think of anything Feta.

Salut, John



I think you came out best on that one, John, but then I'm Parmesan


This thread is not very mature!



That's just hard cheese, Riggers


These cheese puns are really grating on me now!

Me too Rob. It's just a curd to me that I camembert any more of them. ohmygod.gif

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Rob Thorpe


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Mike Chorley wrote:

Mark Rigby wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Briefest

Is that some kind of cheese related festival?



Quite a Gouda joke Rob, but pity you couldn't think of anything Feta.

Salut, John



I think you came out best on that one, John, but then I'm Parmesan


This thread is not very mature!



That's just hard cheese, Riggers


These cheese puns are really grating on me now!

__________________
Mike Chorley


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Permalink  

Mark Rigby wrote:

Mike Chorley wrote:

John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Briefest

Is that some kind of cheese related festival?



Quite a Gouda joke Rob, but pity you couldn't think of anything Feta.

Salut, John



I think you came out best on that one, John, but then I'm Parmesan


This thread is not very mature!



That's just hard cheese, Riggers

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Bus pass birdin' great innit?
Mark Rigby


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Posts: 1850
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Mike Chorley wrote:

John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Briefest

Is that some kind of cheese related festival?



Quite a Gouda joke Rob, but pity you couldn't think of anything Feta.

Salut, John



I think you came out best on that one, John, but then I'm Parmesan


This thread is not very mature!

__________________
Mike Chorley


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Date:
Permalink  

John Rayner wrote:

Rob Thorpe wrote:

Briefest

Is that some kind of cheese related festival?



Quite a Gouda joke Rob, but pity you couldn't think of anything Feta.

Salut, John



I think you came out best on that one, John, but then I'm Parmesan

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Bus pass birdin' great innit?
John Rayner


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Rob Thorpe wrote:

Briefest

Is that some kind of cheese related festival?



Quite a Gouda joke Rob, but pity you couldn't think of anything Feta.

Salut, John

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Rob Thorpe


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John Rayner wrote:

Briefest




Is that some kind of cheese related festival?

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John Rayner


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Briefest of scans over main lake.

Nothing new in, no Teal today and Little Grebe not seen.

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Phil Panton


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Glad to hear the Kingfisher is still about, haven't seen it for ages.
Had a quick wander around yesterday, but apart from a flock of Longtailed Tits, there wasn't much to report.

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John Rayner


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North Lake:
1 Cormorant

Main Lake:
1 Little Grebe (not been seen for a while)
1 Teal (new in)
1 Kingfisher (perched nicely)
+ usuals

Bottoms Res:
42 Mallard (where a more usual count is 0 - 5)

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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A quick visit. Wildfowl numbers down to normal again. Kingfisher perched at Main Lake.

Cheers, John



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John Rayner


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09.30 - 10.15: A noticeable increase in waterfowl.

Main Lake:
84 Canada Geese
71 Coot
17 Moorhen
53 Mallard
1 Little Grebe
2 Tufted Duck (new in)
3 Mute Swans (1 imm)
2 Cormorants
14 BH Gulls

North Lake:
2 Canada Geese
1 Cormorant
1 Moorhen
4 Mallard

Cheers, John





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John Rayner


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1 November (11.00 - 13.15)

Roman Lakes/ Mellor Golf Course/Linnet Clough/Bottoms Reservoir. A circular walk counting every bird.

Highlights were 1 Green Woodpecker, a flock of c55 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goosander. Other counts were:

Jackdaw 106
Carrion Crow 28
Magpie 9
Jay 6
Coot 61
Moorhen 17
Canada Goose 21
Mallard 29
Mute Swan 3
Cormorant 2
Black-headed Gull 9
Wood Pigeon 21
Starling 26
Pheasant 1
Wren 7
Robin 16
Nuthatch 3
Blue Tit 22
Great Tit 10
Coal Tit 3
Long-tailed Tit 9
Blackbird 12
Mistle Thrush 5
Grey Wagtail 1
Pied Wagtail 2
Sparrowhawk 1
Bullfinch 8
Chaffinch 1
Goldfinch 5
Dunnock 1

33 species, 502 individuals.

Cheers, John




-- Edited by John Rayner on Monday 1st of November 2010 05:02:28 PM

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John Rayner


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30th Oct.

Much the same as usual:

73 Coot (high count)
Little Grebe (new in)

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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24th Oct:

3 Wigeon
2 Goosander (River)
11 Redwing + 1 Fieldfare
+ usual.

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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22nd Oct

Main Lake:
53 Coot
1 Great-crested Grebe (new in)
2 Wigeon (now seem to be resident)
21 Canada Geese

North Lake:
1 Cormorant

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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18th Oct

Main Lake:
54 Coot
1 drake Teal (new in)
1 Wigeon

North Lake:
1 Canada Goose was the only water bird around cry.gif

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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Main Lake 08.30 - 09.30.

Not a lot to report. 4 Cormorants perched on the dead tree on the island. Coot numbers are up at 68 yawn.gif and a single Wigeon remains.

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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I made enquiries to the Cheshire Swan Study Group regarding the resident Mute Swan at Roman Lakes wearing a green darvic ring, CV38.

A condensed history:

29/10/07. Ringed as a female cygnet at Acre Dell Pools, Somerford

2008: Visited Lower Moss Wood and Nantwich.

2009: Visited Roman Lakes (07/03/2009) before travelling back to Acre Dell Pools (05/07/2009)

Presumably then travelled the 25k back to Roman Lakes and found a mate this year. Hatched 3 cygnets in 2010 one of which still survives.

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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7th Oct 10.15 - 12.30

North Lake:
1 Grey Heron
3 Mallard
1 Moorhen

Main Lake:
1 Wigeon
9 Mallard
3 Mute Swan
49 Coot
19 Moorhen
58 Canada Goose

Bottoms Bridge to Roman Bridge:
19 Robins (recent influx)
3 Nuthatch
2 Chaffinch
1 Pied Wagtail
7 Goldfinch
19 Blue Tit
10 Great Tit
41 Long-tailed Tit
3 Blackbird
4 Dunnock
7 Wren
7 Jay
c15 Carrion Crow
26 Jackdaw
8 Magpie
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Cheers, John




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John Rayner


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5th Oct 9.30 - 12.00

Main Lake:
3 Wigeon again
46 Coot
5 Moorhens
3 Mute Swans

Bottoms Res:
2 Buzzards
3 Bullfinches
4 Jays
23 Goldfinches
1 Goldcrest

Elsewhere:
4 Nuthatch in territorial dispute (Linnet Clough)
Green Woodpecker (near Windybottom Farm)

(Presumed Brown Trout trying to leap up a raging 8 foot weir).

Cheers, John



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John Rayner


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Nothing much changed except a new temporary flood in the horse fields opposite Main Lake held 67 Canada Geese and 35 Mallard.

2 Wigeon on Main Lake.

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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3rd Oct. Main Lake:

Now 3 Wigeon
1 bedraggled Buzzard through
1 Cormorant
+ the usual.

Cheers, John



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John Rayner


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2nd Oct

Canoes out on North Lake and loads of anglers on Main lake. Not surprisingly all the birds have cleared off, apart from 32 Coot and 3 Swans.

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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2 Wigeon again on Main Lake (absent yesterday).

Also this morning (in driving rain):

2 Cormorants
37 Coot
5 Moorhen
9 BH Gulls
3 Mute Swans
Great Spot perched atop dead tree on island.



2nd visit this evening after the downpour. Additions were:

1 Sparrowhawk
Green Woodpecker heard
1370 Jackdaws flying west

Cheers, John

-- Edited by John Rayner on Friday 1st of October 2010 07:23:47 PM

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John Rayner


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Fired with that 'anything-can-turn-up-anywhere' enthusiasm following an early morning visit to Moses Gate CP (57 Swans, 3 Teal, 1 Wigeon as well as the Gannet) I visited Roman Lakes, which is a similar sized patch of water, although heavily disturbed as it is mainly used as a fishing pool.

Main Lake:
Amazed to find 7 Teal and 2 WIGEON. (This is only the 2nd sighting of Wigeon in Stockport Borough this year following a pair at Reddish vale in February).
Usual numbers of Coot and Moorhen plus 1 Cormorant.

North Lake:
Usually dead but 2 Teal, 5 Moorhens and 1 Heron

Worth a second soaking of the day.

Cheers, John





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John Rayner


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North Lake:

3 Mallard
2 Moorhens

Main Lake:

56 Coot
28 Mallard
12 Moorhen
1 Grey Heron
Mute Swans (2 ad, 1 juv) resting on the bank. Confirms the one with the green darvic CV38 is still in residence.

General Area:

4 Nuthatches
5 Jays
4 Wrens
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Goldcrest
A largish Tit flock (c25-30) with a Chiffchaff expending much energy chasing Blue Tits and Wrens out of its feeding territory.

Cheers, John


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John Rayner


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Highlights - there were none cry.gif

Main Lake:
49 Coot
15 Moorhen
21 Mallard
1 Grey Heron
3 Mute Swan (inc 1 fully grown juv)
2 Jay

North Lake:
1 Moorhen
1 Grey Heron
1 Chiffchaff

No other warblers and no hirundines anywhere

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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A 2 hour walk in the rain - 25 species

Great spotted Woodpecker 2
Nuthatch 1
House Martin 37
Swallow 7
Blackcap 3
Chiffchaff 8
Kingfisher 1
Mute Swan 3 (2ad, 1 juv)

Cheers, John

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John Rayner


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Main Lake:
Many young Coot and Moorhens with 1 adult Coot building a new nest.
1 Juv GC Grebe but adults not seen
Pair of Mute Swans now have just 1 cygnet
2 GS woodpeckers
Nuthatch and Jay
Juvenile Wrens, LT Tits, Robins and Chiffchaffs

Bottoms Reservoir:
Very quiet - only 3 Mallard and a calling Blackcap.

Bottoms Hall:
2 Willow Warblers
Kingfisher
Pair Blackcaps with 4 juvs
1 juv Bullfinch
6 Goldfinch + 1 juv
Just 4 Swallows (and no other hirundines)

North Lake:
1 Moorhen only. I don't understand why this well vegetated pool is so unattractive to wildfowl, unlike the busy Main Lake, which is swarming with visitors and fishermen. It looks ideal for a Garganey or some such so I'll keep looking smile.gif

Cheers, John









-- Edited by John Rayner on Wednesday 4th of August 2010 03:21:32 PM

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