5 Great Crested Grebes 2 Cormorants 6 Grey Herons 2 Canada Geese 1 Greylag 100+ Mallards 1m Goldeneye. Flew off towards Wayoh. 5 Moorhens 1 Kingfisher by the bridge next to Yatch Club. Was surprised it did not fly off until I realised it was trying to swallow a small fish. 2 Buzzards + the usual woodland species, highlight being a flock of 10 Siskins
3 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 3 Grey Herons 1 Canada Goose Numerous Mallards 5 Moorhens 30+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Raven A Redwing heard calling by the railway line & a few in a Starling flock flying over
Rare sighting of someone else here with binoculars and a note book. Should have realised it would be Phil Garnett, the only other person I know in Bromley Cross recording birds as well as watching. Spent 3 hours with Phil checking all areas.
Highlight was 4 Whooper Swans, 2 adults + 2 immature.
Also seen :- 3 Great Crested Grebes 1 Cormorant 3 Grey Herons 1 Canada Goose Numerous Mallards (lots of birds hidden sheltering from the wind) 2 Moorhens 30+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Stock Dove on the quarry 1 Grey Wagtail At least 5 Goldcrests at Ousel Nest Meadow
Other usual species hard to count due to the wind but species seen :- Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin (including a flock of 8), Bullfinch.
9.45am to 12.55pm. All areas checked, reservoir, woods, and farmland.
3 Great Crested Grebes 7 Cormorants 3 Grey Herons 2 Canada Geese c120 Mallards 6 Moorhens 20+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Kingfisher 1 Buzzard 26 Woodpigeons 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 3 Pied Wagtails 7 Wrens 4 Dunnocks 16 Robins 12 Blackbirds, 2 flocks of Redwings (6 & 4), 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 flocks of Long-tailed Tits (12 with 3 Nuthatches, 10+, 10+, & 5). Also had a flock of 12 later but I am pretty sure they were the same birds as my first flock. 3 Coal Tits, about half a dozen Great Tits, & 20+ Blue Tits 7 Nuthatches 6 Jays, 15 Magpies, 60+ Jackdaws, 25+ Rooks, 15 Carrion Crows, 12 Starlings House Sparrows at Walsh Fold & up the access road 7 Chaffinches, 4 Greenfinches, 19 Goldfinches, 3 Siskins, 6 Bullfinches. Crossbills. As I was walking up the steps by the quarry, under conifers, I heard a couple in flight. From the field at the top I scanned the conifers but no sign of any birds. Not sure if there were more than two, or whether they had been in the trees or just passed over.
12.10pm to 12.40pm on my way home from Hawkshaw :- At the top of the road from Walsh Fold, by Bradshaw Road, there was a Raven on the top of a pylon. 1 Pied Wagtail at Walsh Fold. 1 Redwing on the tops of trees by the reservoir. Black-headed Gulls up to 40+, and a Common Gull with them.
When I got to the reservoir I saw 8 Swallows on the reservoir and numerous others flying around above the access road, and also some on the wires at the farm up there, giving me a total of 32. A single House Martin was also on the wires. It was not much later that c20 House Martins appeared circling and feeding fairly high up.
7 Great Crested Grebes 6 Cormorants 5 Grey Herons 90+ Mallards 6 Moorhens 30+ Black-headed Gulls A few Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over 1 Grey Wagtail 2 Pied Wagtails
8 Great Crested Grebes 3 Cormorants 7 Grey Herons 7 Canada Geese 70+ Mallards Flock of Lapwings at Walsh Fold in a field with cattle. 30+ seen but others in a dip over the brow of the hill could only be seen when the cattle put them up. Last week a mate who lives on Bradshaw Road had 144 on the field behind his house. 15 Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Kingfishers 1 House Martin at the reservoir + 1 flying across farmland c30 Swallows at the reservoir + 1 across farmland 1 Pied Wagtail
7 Great Crested Grebes. Juveniles now included in one total. 4 Cormorants 5 Grey Herons 26 Canada Geese 70+ Mallards 1m Sparrowhawk skimming over the toilet block very fast. 2 Buzzards. One passing over & one on Ousel Nest Meadow. 5 Moorhens 50+ Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 16 Feral Pigeons 48 Woodpigeons 1 Kingfisher on the reservoir + 1 on Bradshaw Brook. 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 10+ House Martins 30+ Swallows 3 Pied Wagtails 1 Grey Wagtail 4 Wrens 17 Robins 4 Blackbirds 2 Chiffchaffs 1 Willow Warbler 1 Goldcrest 2 Spotted Flycatchers behind the information centre. Can be seen from the bottom of the access road. 2 flocks of Long-tailed Tits 2 Coal Tits Only 2 Great Tits seen. Surely there must be more hidden away in the trees. Same problem with counting Blue Tits. About a dozen Blue Tits 3 Nuthatches 1 Treecreeper 3 Jays. One making a very strange noise. I was just glad I saw it first before searching for something unusual. 12 Magpies 30+ Jackdaws Rooks calling from over the brow of a hill so unable to count them. 7 Carrion Crows 1 Starling 30+ House Sparrows at Walsh Fold 5 Chaffinches 4 Goldfinches A flock of 5 Siskins + individual birds here and there Only 4 Bullfinches & no Greenfinches was a surprise
9.50am to 11.50am. Got drenched a couple of times this morning.
4 Great Crested Grebes + juveniles 8 Cormorants 4 Grey Herons 1 Canada Goose 90+ Mallards 4 Moorhens 30+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Buzzard Almost 100 Swallows on wires by the access road farm with dozens in the air, a few around Horrobin Fold, & up to 20 birds at Grange Farm stables. A few House Martins mobbing the Buzzard + a few at Horrobin Fold. 1 Pied Wagtail Just a few of the usual woodland & farmland birds in the wet and windy weather
6 Great Crested Grebes + the juveniles 7 Cormorants 4 Grey Herons 3 Canada Geese Numerous Mallards 5 Moorhens 25+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Grey Wagtail at the overflow with a Dipper, + 1 at the reservoir
All areas covered from 7.40am to 11.25am. No sign of the Redstart but I did get 2 Spotted Flycatchers. Found them on the back of the reservoir woodland as I headed back down the hill from Walsh Fold. They got very active every time a Chiffchaff got close.
5 Great Crested Grebes + the juveniles 9 Cormorants 5 Grey Herons 1 Canada Goose on the reservoir, 41 at Walsh Fold (7 of them flew down to the reservoir), and 2 which flew in from the direction of Bromley Cross 50+ Mallards 20+ Black-headed Gulls 3 Pheasants 7 Feral Pigeons 1 Stock Dove 35 Woodpigeons 1 Kingfisher 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 4 House Martins 30+ Swallows 1 Meadow Pipit 2 Pied Wagtails 5 Wrens 4 Dunnocks 19 Robins 13 Blackbirds 1 Song Thrush 6 Chiffchaffs 1 Goldcrest 2 Spotted Flycatchers 2 Coal Tits 10+ Great Tits 10+ Blue Tits 7 Nuthatches 1 Treecreeper 6 Jays 13 Magpies c25 Jackdaws 15 Rooks 15 Carrion Crows 12 Starlings 30+ House Sparrows at Walsh Fold 7 Chaffinches 14 Greenfinches included 12 at the top of the access road 40+ Goldfinches at Walsh Fold + a few others elsewhere A flock of 9 Siskins + individual birds heard in flight in most areas 10+ Bullfinches on Ousel Nest Meadow + at least 8 around the reservoir
Three Reservoirs walk around Jumbles, Wayoh and Entwistle reservoirs.
Female Redstart (on path between Jumbles Reservoir and Turton Towers) Great Black-Backed Gull x 1 Buzzard x 1 Black-Headed Gull x 30 Grey Wagtail x 1 Nuthatch x 3 Coal Tit x 2 Blue Tit x 3 Great Tit x 1 Cormorant x 7 Swallows x 5 House Martin x 3 Canada Geese x 50 Great Crested Grebe x 7 Mallards x 50 Grey Heron x 3 Jackdaw x 3 Carrion Crow x 5 Magpies x 10 Robin x 3 Moorhen x 1 Wren (heard) Goldfinch x 7 House Sparrow x 2 Blackbirds x 3 Woodpigeons x 20
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 5th of September 2015 04:45:09 PM
4 Great Crested Grebes + the 2 newest juveniles. No sign of the other two. Moved on or hidden away ? 5 Cormorants 9 Grey Herons 3 Canada Geese at the reservoir + 22 on farmland 67 Mallards 3 Moorhens 5 Lapwings on farmland 40+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Stock Dove 43 Woodpigeons 2 Kingfishers 1 Green Woodpecker by the railway line near Grange Farm stables 1 Sand Martin. Catching insects over the embankment above the overflow 30+ House Martins. Also feeding on insects, over Horrobin Fold/Horrobin Lane. If I had not been looking down from the railway line footpath I would not have seen them from the reservoir. 50+ Swallows 1 Grey Wagtail at the overflow 1 Pied Wagtail A few Wrens & Robins 1 Blackbird 1 Chiffchaff A few Great Tits & Blue Tits. 1 Coal Tit. 6 Nuthatches 1 Dipper at the overflow 3 Jays 12 Magpies 40+ Jackdaws 2 Rooks 8 Carrion Crows 25 Starlings 5 Greenfinches 8 Goldfinches 6 Siskins 6 Bullfinches
6 Great Crested Grebes + the 4 juveniles 5 Cormorants 9 Grey Herons 25 Canada Geese Numerous Mallards. No Moorhens seen or heard which does happen in windy conditions 50+ Black-headed Gulls Only Swallows seen were the ones around Grange Farm
Dipper + 2 Grey Wagtails at the overflow
Not much showing or calling in the windy conditions, but did have a Chiffchaff calling at the reservoir. Yesterday's birds were on Ousel Nest Meadow. Stock Dove on the quarry at the top end
A thorough search of all areas this morning from 08.35am to 11.55am.
7 adult Great Crested Grebes + 4 juveniles 11 Cormorants 14 Grey Herons Only 3 Canada Geese when I arrived but 44 by the time I left 87 Mallards 2 Buzzards. One very low but the other one so high you needed binoculars to see it 3 Moorhens 50+ Black-headed Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at the reservoir + 2 flying over 16 Feral Pigeons 36 Woodpigeons 1 Kingfisher 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers c35 Swallows including birds still using Grange Farm stables 21 House Martins passing over the farm at the top of the access road 1 Swift with the House Martins. About 20 minutes later as I headed back down the access road another Swift flew up from the reservoir. 4 Pied Wagtails 1 Dunnock 9 Wrens 15 Robins 4 Blackbirds 3 Mistle Thrushes 2 Chiffchaffs 2 Willow Warblers 1 flock of Long-tailed Tits (20+) Lots of Blue Tits & Great Tits, Very active amongst the trees so difficult to count 6 Nuthatches 1 Dipper at the overflow 2 Jays 16 Magpies 6 Jackdaws 1 Rook 12 Carrion Crows Only 1 Chaffinch seen 4 Greenfinches 8 Goldfinches Flock of 20+ Siskins near the information centre + a few others scattered around the whole area 2 Linnets by the farm up the access road 12 Bullfinches
Three Reservoir Walk - around Jumbles, Wayoh and Entwistle (and back via Turton Tower). With refreshment at Strawbury Duck pub! (next to Entwistle station - that pub name is spelt correctly).
Goldcrest x 2 Great Black-backed Gull x 1 (Wayoh) Willow Warbler x 2 Bullfinch (Male) Kestrel Nuthatch x 3 Coal Tit x 4 Long Tailed Tit x 10 Swallows x 10 Blue Tit x 4 Great Tit x 7 Cormorant x 10 Great Crested Grebe x 5 Jackdaw x 7 Carrion Crows x 4 Black-headed Gull x 30 Robin x 1 Wren x 3 Blackbirds x 4 Magpies x 10 Mallards 50 plus Canada Geese x 1 Grey Heron x 1 Goldfinch x 10 Woodpigeon x 50 Moorhen x 1
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Sunday 23rd of August 2015 09:02:44 AM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Sunday 23rd of August 2015 09:03:39 AM
6 adult + 4 juvenile Great Crested Grebes. 3 Cormorants 9 Grey Herons 3 Canada Geese 71 Mallards Only 1 Moorhen seen. Must be others hidden somewhere. 30+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull on the reservoir, and a couple passing over 20+ Swallows
Dipper and 2 Grey Wagtails (adult & juvenile) at the overflow
A few days ago I thought two juvenile Great Crested Grebes looked smaller than usual. Only 2 juveniles seen though on the reservoir so I presumed my eyes were playing tricks. Confirmation today that there is another pair, the smaller ones at times on mother's back. Also watched male taking fish to them. 5 adults in total.
Green Woodpecker has been heard from Turton Golf Course calling near the railway line down here a few times recently. This morning finally heard it this side of the railway, near Grange Farm stables.
5 Great Crested Grebes + the 2 juveniles 5 Cormorants 1 Grey Heron 4 Canada Geese 84 Mallards 5 Moorhens 50+ Black-headed Gulls 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 1 Kingfisher Only Swallows seen were two flying in and out of Grange Farm stables 1 Dipper at the overflow Usual woodland birds
4 Great Crested grebes + the 2 juveniles 3 Cormorants 6 Grey Herons 4 Canada Geese c115 Mallards 5 Moorhens 70+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 10+ House Martins around Horrobin Fold (probably the Chapeltown birds) 10+ Swallows Adult & juvenile Kestrels in woodland by main car park again
Good finish to the morning's birding as I checked the overflow area from the footbridge:- A Dipper & a Grey Wagtail were on the weir, the Grey Wagtail with a mouthful of insects, which after a couple of minutes it took to a waiting juvenile. Did not take long for a Sparrowhawk to spot this also and it swooped down at them. The adult spotted it and flew at the Sparrowhawk diverting it away from the juvenile, which never moved from it's perch. Juvenile was still in same spot when I left, waiting for it's next feed.
Walking up the steps to the car park I heard a couple of noisy Kestrels calling. One was calling from the top of the wall by the embankment road and the other was in the woodland by the car park.
6 Great Crested Grebes + the two juveniles 6 Cormorants 5 Grey Herons 3 Canada Geese 70+ Mallards 6 Moorhens 5 Black-headed Gulls A few Swallows flying around/passing over 1 Grey Wagtail
9 Great Crested Grebes + 2 juveniles with one of the grebes 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 30 Canada Geese c70 Mallards 3 Moorhens 15+ Black-headed Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull A few Swallows around the stables Siskins heard in two places by the reservoir and on Ousel Nest Meadow Very quiet around the woodland areas
Visited jumbles area today species seen included: common tern, great crested grebe, long tailed tit, dipper, grey wagtail, blackcap, song thrush, goldfinch.
Three Reservoir Walk - round Jumbles, Wayoh and Entwistle (and back via Turton Tower).
Conditions: Sunny, dry, windy and cool.
Willow Warbler x 1 (first seen this year - in woods next to Wayoh Reservoir) Meadow Pipits x 10 Grey Wagtails x 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 seen (and 1 heard drumming) Greenfinch x 1 Nuthatches x 2 Jay x 2 Coal Tit x 1 Blue Tit x 9 Great Tit x 7 Wren x 3 Robin x 10 Dunnock x 1 Cormorants x 2 Canada Geese x 40 Black Headed Gulls x 20 Jackdaws x 30 Magpies x 8 Carrion Crows x 4 Blackbirds x 4 Mallards x 20 Grey Heron x 4 Woodpigeon x 3 Great Crested Grebes x 2 Long Tailed Tits x 5 Chaffinch x 3
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 11th of April 2015 06:21:15 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 11th of April 2015 06:24:14 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 11th of April 2015 06:26:20 PM
Had a walk round jumbles area yesterday and saw the following:
Jay,
Heron,
Goldfinch,
Great Crested Grebe,
Nuthatch,
Chiffchaff,
The 2 highlights were pair of dippers, and a pair of Grey wagtails,
Lots of the usuals.
Also sadly a dead kestrel.