Just as I was approaching the junction between NCN62 and the path to the canal this lunchtime a woodcock was flushed by something in the trees on the other side of the brook and shot off over towards the cemetery.
Quick look round for couple of hours from mid afternoon. Just down river from A56 Crossford Bridge to Ashton Weir, around Stretford Sewage Works, and Bradley Lane and maize stubble fields. Just 28 species:
Mallard 31 on river, Crossford Bridge to Ashton Weir.
Kestrel 1
Stock Dove 1
G. S. Woodpecker 1
Jackdaw 100+ at & around S.W.
Rook 25 at & around S.W.
Carrion Crow 150+ at S.W. area & on maize stubble fields.
Goldcrest 1
Long-tailed Tit 10
Nuthatch 1
Fieldfare 1 Mistle Thrush 4 Redwing 1
Pied Wagtail c.50 at S.W. and maize stubble fields. Grey Wagtail 2
Chaffinch 2 Greenfinch 1 Goldfinch 1
& Black-headed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Wren; Blackbird; Robin; Dunnock.
Also 2 female Pheasant near Kiwi Plant Nursery, and half a dozen or so Ring-necked Parakeet round and about.
Thanks for the reply and great detail on the Collared Dove. I shall look at eBird
But more interestEd in how to access the site, for a general rummage - I shall have to try and get over to see a new bit of the Mersey
I park on Bradley Lane between the Dogs and Divas and the Stretford WTP gates at 53.435369, -2.327151. The Kickety Brook trail is on the right (with a big sign saying Kickety Brook). I usually walk an anticlockwise route around the WTP along here, taking a left turn at the first junction to the Mersey (coffee shop on right) and walk left. The poplars hold a Rookery and the Doves (they are usually at Little Ees Lane) and then left again to the D & D. There are hundreds of Corvids which rest in the trees and feeding on the animal feed/grain store at Little Ees Lane. Check the fields along Bradley Lane where the maize (?) crop has recently been harvested and looks promising for a wader or two.
Collared Dove - 110+ and increasing around midday behind the Stretford WTP
Hello Pete,
sorry to be a pest but I cant find the details Im looking fo on the Woodlan Trust webpage. Following their Google maps link on my iPad puts you on the motorway hard shoulder.....
can you please tell me whether there is a car park ? Or the closest safe parking ?
Thanks
Mike check eBird hotspots Bradley Lane Fields / Kickety Brook and Little Ees Lane. The doves were at 53.436302, -2.333846. Park on Bradley Lane by The Dogs and Divas, walk south to the River Mersey then right beyond the WTP. There is a grain store at Little Ees Lane across the river which attracts them and you can park by the cricket club and view from the river bank at 53.435688, -2.334919.
There used to be a similar sized roost I haven't checked for years at the Fairy Lane smallholdings at 53.419492, -2.276755
First person to find a Turtle / Rufous / Oriental Turtle / Mourning Dove wins a biscuit.
Thanks for the reply and great detail on the Collared Dove. I shall look at eBird
But more interestEd in how to access the site, for a general rummage - I shall have to try and get over to see a new bit of the Mersey
I park on Bradley Lane between the Dogs and Divas and the Stretford WTP gates at 53.435369, -2.327151. The Kickety Brook trail is on the right (with a big sign saying Kickety Brook). I usually walk an anticlockwise route around the WTP along here, taking a left turn at the first junction to the Mersey (coffee shop on right) and walk left. The poplars hold a Rookery and the Doves (they are usually at Little Ees Lane) and then left again to the D & D. There are hundreds of Corvids which rest in the trees and feeding on the animal feed/grain store at Little Ees Lane. Check the fields along Bradley Lane where the maize (?) crop has recently been harvested and looks promising for a wader or two.
__________________
Updated birding videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/c/PeteHinesbirding
Collared Dove - 110+ and increasing around midday behind the Stretford WTP
Hello Pete,
sorry to be a pest but I cant find the details Im looking fo on the Woodlan Trust webpage. Following their Google maps link on my iPad puts you on the motorway hard shoulder.....
can you please tell me whether there is a car park ? Or the closest safe parking ?
Thanks
Mike check eBird hotspots Bradley Lane Fields / Kickety Brook and Little Ees Lane. The doves were at 53.436302, -2.333846. Park on Bradley Lane by The Dogs and Divas, walk south to the River Mersey then right beyond the WTP. There is a grain store at Little Ees Lane across the river which attracts them and you can park by the cricket club and view from the river bank at 53.435688, -2.334919.
There used to be a similar sized roost I haven't checked for years at the Fairy Lane smallholdings at 53.419492, -2.276755
First person to find a Turtle / Rufous / Oriental Turtle / Mourning Dove wins a biscuit.
Thanks for the reply and great detail on the Collared Dove. I shall look at eBird
But more interestEd in how to access the site, for a general rummage - I shall have to try and get over to see a new bit of the Mersey
Mike. A good visit is to park on Elm Drive in Stretford. A path by Beltone Crescent takes you onto stretford meadows. This is a good area to have a walk around on the way out or back. On the other side of stretford meadows you go over the motorway footbridge onto Kickety Brook. The cycle route 62 takes you to the River Mersey where a cafe does a good coffee. Otherwise Park in Urmston and approach from along the river. Or from Hawthorn Lane in Dtretford along the NCN 62 cycle path. Hope this helps Chris
Collared Dove - 110+ and increasing around midday behind the Stretford WTP
Hello Pete,
sorry to be a pest but I cant find the details Im looking fo on the Woodlan Trust webpage. Following their Google maps link on my iPad puts you on the motorway hard shoulder.....
can you please tell me whether there is a car park ? Or the closest safe parking ?
Thanks
Mike check eBird hotspots Bradley Lane Fields / Kickety Brook and Little Ees Lane. The doves were at 53.436302, -2.333846. Park on Bradley Lane by The Dogs and Divas, walk south to the River Mersey then right beyond the WTP. There is a grain store at Little Ees Lane across the river which attracts them and you can park by the cricket club and view from the river bank at 53.435688, -2.334919.
There used to be a similar sized roost I haven't checked for years at the Fairy Lane smallholdings at 53.419492, -2.276755
First person to find a Turtle / Rufous / Oriental Turtle / Mourning Dove wins a biscuit.
__________________
Updated birding videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/c/PeteHinesbirding
Mike.
A good visit is to park on Elm Drive in Stretford. A path by Beltone Crescent takes you onto stretford meadows. This is a good area to have a walk around on the way out or back.
On the other side of stretford meadows you go over the motorway footbridge onto Kickety Brook. The cycle route 62 takes you to the River Mersey where a cafe does a good coffee.
Otherwise Park in Urmston and approach from along the river. Or from Hawthorn Lane in Dtretford along the NCN 62 cycle path.
Hope this helps
Chris
Collared Dove - 110+ and increasing around midday behind the Stretford WTP
Hello Pete,
sorry to be a pest but I cant find the details Im looking fo on the Woodlan Trust webpage. Following their Google maps link on my iPad puts you on the motorway hard shoulder.....
can you please tell me whether there is a car park ? Or the closest safe parking ?
Willow Tit (4) plus usual mix of Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit Swallow (1) over Buzzard (1) over Jay (6) Bullfinch Oystercatcher (2) over plenty of Chiffchaff but did not hear any Willow Warbler
Swallows, House Martin Sand Martins Chiffchaffs, putting on a good show, Buzzards Grey Wagtails and lots of other s stuff, making a very pleasant mornings walk.
Site visit today, about 10 Teal flew off from the overflow channel south of Newcroft Fram, and 6 Jay were moving around, making noises I haven't heard before - a lowish flute/whistle call then a perfect Buzzard call.
Good news years start Willow tit still present, which meant today in GM I saw Both Marsh and Willow, plus Coal Tit Blue Tit Great Tit, Long tailed Tit.
Good flock of 40+ Chaffinch at this site plus one Redpoll.
Several Bullfinch - seemed to be in Dolby surround-sound at one point! 1 Fieldfare A small party of Long-Tailed Tits 2 Great Tit 2 Chaffinch 2 Carrion Crow A few Jackdaw
First time I have given this area a real grilling 28 species recorded today, including Buzzard kestrel Bullfinch and 2 Willow tits. it just feels like it had potential, and east access to Stretford Meadows via bridge over M60.
