Brockholes LWT, Preston, Lancashire

Neil McCall · Status: Offline

Brockholes LWT, Preston, Lancashire

Graham Smith · Status: Offline

on northwest tonight about the 4 types of Heron currently here

Gordon Cottle · Status: Offline

Bittern reported today Monday 13th January on the edge of reeds on Meadow Lake viewed from the Visitor Village

John Williams · Status: Offline

AM

Ribbleton Pool & No 1 Pit.

No sign of the Green Winged Teal reported yesterday, local birders hav'nt seen it today either.

Although there were lots of Teal sheltering in the vegetation on the island in No 1 Pit.

Also,

35 Pochard, 2m+3f Goldeneye, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Snipe plus Tufted Duck, Coot etc.

Masses of Black Headed plus a few Common, Herring and Lesser Black Back Gulls.

A flock of 150 Lapwings really struggling against the wind as they flew South.

No Shoveler or Wigeon. 3 Grey Herons, 11 Cormorants and a single Pied Wagtail.

Despite ferocious wind and hail, Teal and Mallard were displaying and pairing off. With 1 pair of Mallard copulating despite the tempest.

The woodland on the North side of the reserve seems to have taken a battering, with quite a number of mature trees damaged, and is closed to public access.

This wood contains some fine mature Wych Elms, or did?.

-- Edited by John Williams on Wednesday 1st of January 2014 05:43:34 PM

Paul Richardson · Status: Offline

My first visit - impressed! 10.15am to 3pm

No 1 Pit:
Little Ringed Plover 2 (Lifer) smile

Ringed Plover approx 6
Lapwing ++ and a lot of chicks various maturities
Oystercatcher 2 adults and 2 chicks
Common Sandpiper 1
Redshank and chicks (lost count - quite a few)
Great Crested Grebe 2 pairs, one pair with 3 chicks
Tufted Duck
Mallard
Coot
Mute Swans
Grey Heron

Black headed gulls on island near visitor centre and plenty over.
Lesser Black Backed gulls over

In reeds/ scrubland between the pools:

Reed Bunting several
Common Whitethroat 2
Tree Sparrows
Willow Warbler
Kestrel 2 over

Boilton Woods:

Great Spotted Woodpecker 3
Chiffchaff
Chaffinch
Blackbird
Goldfinch 3
Nuthatch
Blue Tits
Dunnock
Wren
Woodpigeon
Carrion Crow

Most of the time I had the place to myself - amazing. School party was engaged in pond dipping etc near the visitor centre.
As I expected, the traffic noise on the west side of the reserve is pretty intrusive - making it hard to hear birds before they are seen. Otherwise a very beautiful place.

-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Wednesday 12th of June 2013 04:36:57 PM

-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Wednesday 12th of June 2013 04:49:17 PM

Chris Smith · Status: Offline

love this place ......

6 little ringed plover
4 very noisy oystercatchers
lapwings & chicks
pied wagtail
reed bunting
2 mute swan
tufted duck M&F
pair of great crested grebe
jay
chaffinches

male kestrel hunting near the pond dipping area

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 12th of June 2013 12:02:01 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.30-13.30

6 Cormorants, 2prs Great Crested Grebes, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Redshanks, 2 Dunlin and a Black Swan.

Masses of Swallows, Sand Martins and Swifts but only 4 House Martins.

4 tiny Lapwing chicks on the island on No 1 Pit, surprisingly their parents completely ignored 3 Lesser Black Back Gulls that flew close by.

Huge numbers of hirundines and Swifts over the river too, with 2 Goosander pairs and a couple of Gadwall on the water.

A male Goosander suddenly began behaving in a manic way, as if a Pike were biting his legs, both he and his partner submerged, then she appeared with with what looked like a small Perch.

Frank Whitney · Status: Offline

Jon Bowen wrote:

Frank Whitney wrote:

You missed a couple of hobbys later on Jon , as we were waiting for Clarkos lad , one of them hovered directly above as around 20 ft , almost made me forget about the rain
Frank
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/

Thanks for that Frank I was trying to ignore the fact that sloping off early to grab some lunch and brownie points cost me the 1st Hobby of the year

You're welcome

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Frank Whitney wrote:

You missed a couple of hobbys later on Jon , as we were waiting for Clarkos lad , one of them hovered directly above as around 20 ft , almost made me forget about the rain
Frank
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/

Thanks for that Frank I was trying to ignore the fact that sloping off early to grab some lunch and brownie points cost me the 1st Hobby of the year

Frank Whitney · Status: Offline

You missed a couple of hobbys later on Jon , as we were waiting for Clarkos lad , one of them hovered directly above as around 20 ft , almost made me forget about the rain
Frank
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Couple of hours in the drizzle this morning.
Single arctic tern
Kingfisher briefly on weir
Female Blackcap
40+ swifts
Dunlin
17 white Wagtail
Little Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
Reed Warbler heard he reception centre
Whitethroat
17 Black Tailed Godwit
Goosander
2 Goldeneye (female)

Chris brown · Status: Offline

Had a visit out to brockholes today with the family. Picnic, time on the park etc but still managed to see quite a bit.
Lots of usuals including

Little ringed plover
Reed bunting
Cormorant
Tree sparrow
Oystercatcher
Pheasant
Lapwing
Curlew
Wren

But the highlights were a single singing skylark
And 2 brilliant male Whinchat. Thank you to the guy who explained were to look for them!!!
Lots of work going on in various areas.
Love how there are various feeding points around to show the kids different birds.

I think this place will get better and better over the coming years.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 27th of April 2013 09:52:58 PM

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

More chauffeuring duties to this site today. Managed a quick glimpse of a few of the Birds.

On the Ribble:
Goldeneye 8 (only 2 Drakes)
Canada Geese..2
From the Floating Village on Meadow Lake,
Dunlin..2
Ringed Plover..4
Meadow Pipits..2
Pied Wagtail..3
Gadwall..Pair
Mute Swans,Tufted Duck. Mallards,Canada Geese and Grey Heron.

On arrival 2 Roe Deer ran just in front of my vehicle.

I spoke to a worker on the building site near the Sand Martin wall. The footings are now in for the new Family and/or Educational Hide which will overlook Number One Pit. This will be a brick built hide with a Wood burning stove inside!
The Sand Martin Wall is to be rebuilt with one made of recycled material.
There is around here a small plantation of white plastic bags on sticks. The purpose of which is to discourage Little Ringed Plover from nesting here, which would stop the construction work!

Two weeks ago a Barn Owl was hunting near the Car Park as we left.

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Dropping Alison off for her volunteer duties this afternoon, I could not resist the ducks on the River Ribble.
Between the Brockholes entrance/exit bridges:

Goldeneye....8 (2 Drakes)
Goosander....6(4 Drakes)
All busy feeding
Mallards..7

And a Kestrel perched at the car park.

-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 17th of January 2013 05:50:00 PM

Anne Wilkinson · Status: Offline

Brockholes LWT

The Hide in the best position on No.1 Pit (on the Ribble Way) has been destroyed by arsonists.

http://www.lancswt.org.uk/news/273/55/Arsonists-selfish-attack-on-beauty-spot-s-hide

Stephen Fuentes · Status: Offline

No 1 Pit this evening amongst the usual suspects.

2 Common terns
1 Whimbrel
1 Sanderling (still in winter plumage)
1 Dunlin
1 Sedge warbler (by the Family Hide)
1w Med Gull
1 Shelduck
Great crested grebes
Lots and lots of Ringed plovers.

No sign of the Little Stint which was present earlier in the week. A little tern was also reported earlier in the day.

Cheers,

Steve.

-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Thursday 17th of May 2012 09:39:54 PM

Stephen Fuentes · Status: Offline

Little stint this evening on No1 Pit. A lifer for me.

Also:

Dunlin 3
Common sandpiper 2
Whimbrel 3

Cheers,

Steve.

Stephen Fuentes · Status: Offline

First visit this evening in the rain. Species seen on and around both No1 Pit and Meadow Lake:

Redshank
Whimbrel
Coot
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Mallard
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Black-headed gull
Gadwall
Cormorant
Linnet
Reed bunting
Pied wagtail
Sand martin
Swallow
and lots of Canada Geese.

Cheers,

Steve.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

First visit to the reserve which is just under ten miles from where I live. Definitely pluses and minuses here. Eighty five cars on the car park, the commercial side going great guns, plenty of folk in the shops, restaurant and conference centre. Plenty in the playground area and families here and there pushing prams etc. But, where were the birders? Barely half a dozen apart from myself.

If you can ignore the M6, a great setting adjacent to the River Ribble, mixed woodland, marsh and pools. All the hides have been vandalised and none now have seating in front of the windows. The door on one won't close and the hide overlooking Boilton Marsh has been burnt down!

Great potential but I wouldn't visit during school holidays or weekends. Amongst other stuff :-

Meadow Lake

Heron (2)
Tufted (c.25)
Pochard (1)
Shoveler (8)
Wigeon (2)
Gadwall (2)
Canada Goose (26)
Greylag Goose (2)
Mute Swan (2)

Ribbleton Pool

Tufted (c.15)
Gadwall (c.35)

No 1 Pit

Tufted (c.10)
Pochard (c.15)
Wigeon (c.20)
Gadwall
Goldeneye (1)
Canada Goose (29)
Snipe (1)
Cormorant (9)
Bullfinch
L T Tit

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Went for a recce in the appalling weather on Tuesday. The warden told me that all the hardwood benches they had for the hides had been stolen hence only the fixed benches at the rear. One hide had been trashed by vandals. I was the only birder at all walking round the very large main reserve. Nothing much but great potential for waterbirds. The visitor 'village' is architecturally interesting too. I hope they do well.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

We went today, but more stuff in our back gardens, so we decided we would not go again.

Edit - Forgot to add, no seating arrangements at the Hide windows, just at the back of the hides - a real downer.

-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Saturday 10th of September 2011 06:21:30 PM

James Walsh · Status: Offline

31/05/11

Spent most of the day at Brockholes, no sign of Spotted Sandpiper, but Hobby (over Meadow Lake & River Ribble 1pm & 2:30pm), plus Cuckoo (No1 pit), Common Sandpiper & Dunlin

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

I went about 11.00am, it had not been seen today

, such is life

, still it looks to have lots of potential for the future, today there were lots of Ringed and more Little Ringed Plovers, redshanks, plover and lapwing young. Cost me £2 to park as I was 5 mins over 1 hour!
Cheers Ian

Mark Evans · Status: Offline

Thanks very much for the info lads. I dont think the Spotted Sandpiper has been seen this morning but I fancy a visit anyway. Cheers, Mark

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

My first visit, arrived at 18:50, long after reserve was shut. However, was advised by an employee of the reserve, who was just leaving, to park off the side of the road, opposite the 'works' entrance (where there were traffic cones) but still quite near to the barriers to the main car park. She didn't seem to have a problem with us being there.

Got great views (and video!), again, in front of the Sand Martin wall, in the early evening sunshine. Nice to see the Turnstone and so many Swifts here too. Looks a nice reserve, if that's not too contraversial a thing to say....

Cheers

Patrick

Phil Owen · Status: Offline

Mark, the bird was still being reported as present at 8.30pm and the information was still saying "park in the main car park", so my guess is you should be OK and that it is the visitor centre only which closes at 5pm and not the actual reserve. Maybe they have kept the car park open later for this bird??

The car parking charges are £1 for up to 1 hour, £2 up to 2 hours, £4 for 2-5 hours and £10 over 5 hours.

Good Luck!!!

-- Edited by Phil Owen on Monday 30th of May 2011 10:03:26 PM

-- Edited by Phil Owen on Monday 30th of May 2011 10:06:17 PM

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Mark Evans wrote:

Does anyone know if its the whole reserve or just the visitors centre that closes at 17:00? Might go up tmrw if its open later. Cheers, Mark

Mark you should check with the reserve but I believe that the visitor centre closes at 17.00 and the car park at 18.00. Note the warning in my post re parking on the lane leading to the reserve.

Mark Evans · Status: Offline

Does anyone know if its the whole reserve or just the visitors centre that closes at 17:00? Might go up tmrw if its open later. Cheers, Mark

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Great views of the Spotted Sandpiper up to the time I left at 4.10 to get across to to Martin Mere and good to meet and chat with Sid.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Spotted Sandpiper still present 16.30 in front of the Sand Martin wall. Thanks to John Barber for letting me know earlier - sorry I couldn't come with you John but at least I had the benefit of the late afternoon sunshine which allowed brilliant views of the bird

Other waders also present included: Ringed Plover and Little Ringed Plover with chicks, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and a really nice Turnstone in full summer kit - nice to meet forum member Jon Bowen.

P.S. Car park not too expensive £1 for first hour, £2 for 2 hours then £4 for up to 5 hours (I think). Also understand from one of the local guys that there have been a number of cars broken into when parked on the lane at the start of the reserve - so probably safer on the car park.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Tuesday 31st of May 2011 04:57:22 PM

Pat Griffin · Status: Offline

Spotted Sandpiper still present at 3.45pm and showing very well near Sand Martin bank on number one pit.

Phil Owen · Status: Offline

Quick visit earlier to Brockholes for the Spotted Sandpiper which gave cracking views whilst showing really well alongside the waters edge close to a couple of Redshank.

A great bird to continue a good run of vagrant waders recently.

Nice to bump into John Barber too.

-- Edited by Phil Owen on Monday 30th of May 2011 03:00:12 PM

-- Edited by Phil Owen on Monday 30th of May 2011 03:01:02 PM

dave broome · Status: Offline

breeding plumage Spotted Sandpiper showing well on No.1 pit today, in the company of 2 Dunlin

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Four of us went for our first visit today(let the kids go back to school first

) and were impressed, at least when we got round to the two "seated" hides at Pit 1.
1 Sandpiper
2 Dunlin
2 Oystercatchers
1 bathing Curlew
2 Whimbrel
1 Redshank
handful of Greylag's
handful of Lapwing
Some sandmartins
a mixture of LR and R Plover
Cormants
Scaup
GC Grebe
Tuffties

Reed Bunting
Sedgewarbler

Sorry to see one of the hides has been attacked the nutters

Actually took some bumph for my next door and the children

-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Friday 6th of May 2011 06:45:32 PM

Ian Boote · Status: Offline

quick visit after a family day trip to morcombe. THe carpark was quoted as £8 for a day but today was £1 asthe machines had packed in. Its a dog free zone by order of the LWT. And at risk of soundimg partial but for a location like this WHOOPEE!! Still a lot of work to do and there appears to be a lot of glass mixed in with hard core on the paths even near the play area.

Sightings on brief walk common sand piper 8 oyster catcher, lots of lapwing, 1 curlew, poss 1 whimbrel, 1 redshank in the field the board said it would be, 1 LR Plover, sand martins, several wild Grey Lag Geese and a sky lark over the meadow where the board said it would be. Once the lagoons and marshes have matured this will be a prime site

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Since my last visit a lot of the scaffolding is down from the new centre and you can make out most of the different sized units that make up the whole . From the side that I thought was continuous, I counted at least 10 separate roofs. All units very close and cohesive.
The Sand Martin wall is nearly finished.
I scoped the Number 1 Pit and the Conservation Lake :
Oystercatcher 23
BH Gull c 400
GBB Gull 2
Herons 2 or 3
Mute Swan 5
Canada Geese 6
Cormorant 8
Pochard 5
Lapwing c 30
Goldeneye 10 ...Only 2 drakes
Shovelers 6
Teal 5
Gadwall 6
GC Grebes 3
Tufties c 30
Pied Wagtail 2............ also Coot/Mallard
In the trees:
Linnet 28
Reed Bunting 7
Tree Sparrow 2 ... Actually on a special pod of nest boxes designed for them.
The Management here (Sophie) was delighted with my siting being the first for Tree Sparrows on them.

Robins/Blackbirds /Crows /Magpies/Chaffinch /G Tits /B Tits/Pheasant.

-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 4th of March 2011 04:55:09 PM

-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 4th of March 2011 07:22:42 PM

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Don't worry Anne, we know what you mean

and to be fair, like visiting Pennington Flash on a sunny bank holiday, if you're after a nice walk and some peace and quiet, you're not going to find it around the nature reserve side! That said, like Brockholes, the birds will still be there none the wiser. Personally and as those who know me can vouch for, I really don't like crowds (and three's a crowd remember

) but atleast at sites like Brockholes, specifically designed for nature and not within the immediate vicinity of large conurbations, I'd expect (probably wrongly!) most visitors to have some appreciation of where they are and why.

The sites needs all those visitors either way

Anne Wilkinson · Status: Offline

Dear me, I should be more careful with my comments. No way would I wish to deter any family from attending Brockholes.

As it happens I am going to be a volunteer at Brockholes and hopefully I will be stationed in a hide to help educate the public about birds and wildlife in general. I will also be involved with Children and trying to enthuse them, as I have all my life with my own.

My tongue in cheek remark was meant to be a heads up to birders not to expect too much on Easter Sunday in the way of birds. If you want to come and see the Whimbrels and anything else that may be here, best come another day, or better still in the evening when they come in to roost.

That's all.

stuart lewis-gough · Status: Offline

I couldn't agree more Ian,who will we pick on next, ramblers? If young people are not encouraged to take an interest in nature then where will the next generation of birders come from.

Gordon Cottle · Status: Offline

Well said Ian

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

I'm sure I'm missing the winking smileys denoting the tongue in cheek nature of these posts

, but it seems we are making ourselves sound an increasingly selfish and unsociable bunch. Recent similar comments at sites in Greater Manchester pour scorn on the general public visiting 'our' birding locations, even though most are certainly not intended just for us (birders). I mean, young children enjoying the great outdoors and potentially gaining some appreciation for nature. How very dare they

Gavin Delaney · Status: Offline

Imagine that , families and young people being encouraged to visit a new flagship reserve on a holiday weekend, what a dreadful thought- make sure we all steer clear.

Anne Wilkinson · Status: Offline

The Reserve will be opening to the public on Monday 18 April with an official launch event on Easter Sunday . This includes family events and an Easter egg hunt etc. Best avoid Easter Sunday then. :-p

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

It was to me as well, Keith.

Certainly seems a good-sized building. Looking forward to seeing it completed.

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Hi Mike,
Purchased ''Lancashire Life'' today....It was news to me,when you mentioned the article.
My view of the centre, was of one long continuous building, albeit shrouded in scaffolding. This was the view side on from the road.
Yes, Cley hides are a good analogy but my guess is that Brockholes is 2 or 3 times bigger than the Cley centre.

-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 11th of February 2011 05:43:37 PM

Ian Woosey · Status: Offline

For video updates of the construction work see here:

http://www.lancswt.org.uk/discovery_centre/?page_id=341

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Hi Keith.

Visiting family in Liverpool this week, saw the article in Lancashire Life about Brockholes, with artists impression of the visitor centre. MUCH more in keeping with its' environment

Reminded me of the hides at Cley.

I thought it looked to be mostly roof as well.

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Dropped my Daughter off here today as she is going to be a ''Volunteer''.
Had a quick look round ......
A few first impressions :
The £6 million visitor centre will be opened this Easter.
It is Large, but Riggers and Mike C. please note, it does blend in well.
As it is intended to float it is being constructed in a sort of dry dock. This will eventually be called the ''CONSERVATION LAKE''
As I looked at the centre, it appears as 75% ROOF . A giant Dutch Barn springs to mind.
The roofing material is hand crafted OAK TILES, which will eventually weather to silver grey.
Incorporates a Cafe.
A spell of birding produced : In the trees( plenty new nest boxes)...numerous Reed Buntings,G Tits, B Tits, Robins,Dunnock and Blackbirds.
A 'resident' Kestrel. And a flock of 40 Linnets.
On the large Lagoon near the motorway named ''Number One Pit'' there was variety with low numbers:
C 30 Lapwing ,1 GC Grebe, 1 Little Grebe. 6 Cormorants, 4 Goldeneye
6 Oystercatchers, 1 Goosander, 3 Mute swans. Few Canada Geese,Few Tufties,
Few Coot and other stuff I really needed my 'scope for............ Back in March with it.

-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 10th of February 2011 03:21:45 PM

-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 10th of February 2011 04:33:29 PM

Ian Woosey · Status: Offline

28/12/10 am

The redhead Smew was still present (2nd day) on the Ribble, about 100yds downstream of the access bridges at 09:15. Four drake Goosanders kept swiming up to it moidering it. It eventually hauled up onto the ice and started preening. A Kingfisher was present, and 7 Goldeneye were up and down the river..

The reserve proper was very quiet, as was to be expected - A Sparrowhawk perched up, a Teal in a ditch, and about 10 Linnets were the best of it. The only open piece of water on the main lake held a raft of mostly Black-headed Gulls with a few Common, some Mallards and Coot.... Spoke to a gent who had seen 2 Barn Owls, a Green Sandpiper and a Stonechat at first light. 7 Reed Buntings and 2 Coal Tits were on the feeders on the way out.

-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Tuesday 28th of December 2010 12:35:07 PM

-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Tuesday 28th of December 2010 12:44:47 PM

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

First visit for me, looks like the place has good potenial, lots of birds around even with all the digging, a few herons, loads of mute swans, canada geese, cormorants, buzzards, pochard and tufties, great crested grebe, snipe, reminds me a lot of penny, location points for what looks like about 5 hides, maybe more when completed, all quite nicely put in key locations, the visitor center looks like a modern piece of art, very nice design, looking forward to seeing it finished