Ken Dunning wrote:

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Hi Judith,
I walked up reddish vale on 31 december and have taken a poor picture of a bird I did not recognise, it was stood next to a cormorant and looked quite small. Initially thought goosander but it was too small.
I have just looked up a red headed smew and I beleive that is was I have a picture of.
could I upload it to you for confirmation. Its not brilliant but may serve. Also the one with it next to the cormorant, but its quite misty but gives a size comparison. Cheers Ken

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Hi Ken,

Is your avatar the Reddish bird?

Cheers, John

I've contacted Dave for more info.

Numbers of Tufted Duck now on the rise with 24 present this afternoon.
Flock of 30+ LT Tit only other thing of any note.

Anthony

Pleasant walk round in the sunshine this morning although not a huge amount to report.
2 Kingfishers were very active on the main Mill Pond, but the highlight for me was a fairly close and lengthy view of a Wren tackling a rather large Caterpillar before offering it to her offspring.

Anthony

Thanks for the info on the dippers Tony. I was down there again yesterday and saw one adult bird but didn't see them feeding the chicks, I'm wondering if they have fledged and the second parent was feeding them down river?

Also promising was 2 kingfishers on the river aswell yesterday by the wier. I've seen individual birds regulary down there all year but it's the first time I've seen two at the same time.

Cheers

Scott

First egg date for early breeders is about mid March and we usually ring first broods starting mid April. About 20% of birds, usually those with early first broods, have a second. Late first broods are a bit more difficult to analyse. Sometimes first clutches are lost, possibly to mink, rats or an unpaired male. Mink/rats seem to result in the birds moving to another 'regular' nest site; young birds often give up until next year. Some females having lost the first brood to another male, relay; there is usually a bit of a territorial battle prior to this. The nest lining is a thin layer of leaves, oak, beech, rather similar to a Nuthatch nest lining, and the female strips and relines for second brood, or relines the following spring. They are extremely tolerant of being handled for ringing but really hate cats!
So what about this pair? Carrying moss etc could be either a second nest and you missed the first attempt or a classic boy meets girl scenario. Female juvenile Dippers disperse much further than males but it seems unlikely that the pair met this year.
Too many ifs and buts to know but could they have been missed in 2009?
The juvs will be out of the nest in a day or two and will be dependent on the adults for food (at the riffles probably)for a week or two then the adults will moult. From then until next March they are hard to spot.

Good luck, great spot.

Tony

Thurs 24/6/10 14.00 - 15.00 for a quick visit.

River Tame from Stockport (Tesco/Portwood) - below Harrison's Weir - 2 Dipper, one of which was collecting lichen and moss. Possibly setting up nest for second brood?? Could this be same pair that Scott has seen or are there more than one pair breeding?

A few Mallard and 1 Moorhen.

1 Chiffchaff seen and two others calling in distance. 2 Juv Robins

Towards golf course - 4 House Martin and 3 Sand Martin.

Digger and workmen on the far side of the 'Electric Bridge' under the pylon downstream from weir. Footbridge may be closed for the next few days while cable repair work being carried out - I was told that signs should be posted.

Rick.



-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Thursday 24th of June 2010 05:58:15 PM

I first saw a Dipper on the river near the viaduct on a cold snowy day back in January...A first for me at the Vale.
I've since seen this single bird on a few other ocassions at the same spot.

That January day I first saw the Dipper was sadly the last time I saw a Kingfisher at Reddish...Nice to know that one of these lovely species survived that hard winter.

Anthony

Rick and Tony,

I have good news for you on the dipper front after reading your posts. I have been watching and filming a pair of dippers just down stream from RV now for the past month. Last time I was down there (just over two weeks ago) the male was showing well but the female only appeared twice in the space of 3 hours before returning to what I can only assume was a nest, which suggests to me that she was sitting on eggs.

I am returning there this week so hopfully I will find out the latest and whether they have been successful. I will keep you updated.

Cheers

Scott

i to live near the reddish vale but near the motorway bridge which is where i watch many birds ,i am like a kid on christmas day every morning now,cannot wait to go out with the camera and the dogs cannot belive there luck,out all the time.have seen all sorts of finches buzzards kestral got a good photo of goosander and her babies,its all new to me bird watching and taking photos of them,there is a tree on the field near me thats like a christmas tree there is all sorts of lovelys in it,i used to just walk past not any more.there is greenfinch,bullfinch, goldfinch,treecreepers,sorry to go on but its great to tell people my family just go oh right,and iam buzzing keep you posted lanie

Yesterday - Thurs 27th (16.00 to 18.00)

Further down River Tame towards Stockport - below Harrison's Weir - 1 Dipper, female Mallard with 5 chicks, separate groups of Drake Mallard, several moorhen, Jay, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, many Gt, Blue and LT Tits. Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch

Up from the weir towards golf course - approx 15 swift and 10 Sand Martin and 1 Buzzard high overhead.

Rick.

Originally posted by Philip Kinsey at 12:45pm 25.05.10

11 goosander chicks on the River Tame at Reddish Vale on the 18th May, they went down stream from the sluice gate and past the visitor centre. They were spotted last week near the motorway bridge at the Tameside end of Reddish Vale.
Great spotted woodpecker nest with chicks at Reddish Vale.
And there is a whitethroat at Reddish Vale with a silver ring, he seems to have made the area at the front of the viaduct his territory.
There are some photos of all these birds on the welcome page slideshow at
www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com

Agree with Mike, I'm 99% sure that this will be the resident Muscovy Duck.

Anthony

A large black and white goose with red on the head on the top fishing pond. Can anyone id please.

Will do Judith.
I'll be seeing the person who told me about these Goosander on Monday, so I'll ask...Unless I get chance to have a look myself tomorrow.

Anthony

Judith, I was told Yesterday of a Goosander with young on the River Goyt between Bredbury Hall and Vernon Park that was spotted on Tuesday...Most likely a different bird because I know there has been a pair in that area for some time now.

Anthony

Sunday 9.00 to 11.00

Grasshopper Warbler visible and another reeling in distance beyond viaduct.
Many Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and at least 6 Whitethroats - 3 together chasing and displaying ( 2 male 1 female ??).

Sparrowhawk, Jay, Mistle Thrush, Blue, Great and LT Tits. Wren singing everywhere.

Many Sand Martin, Swift and Swallow.

Nice to have met up with Phil Kinsey.

Further down Tame below Harrison's Weir - 1 Kingfisher and plenty more Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.

Rick.

-- Edited by Richard Donkin on Sunday 9th of May 2010 12:15:52 PM

Tuesday 4/5/2010

2pm - 5pm

Grasshopper Warbler still present but skulking and singing occasionally. Did sing for about 30 secs in full view at close range.

2 Whitethroats
1 Reed Bunting (m)
1 Lapwing
25+ Sand Martins
several Blackcaps. Willow Warblers and ChiffChaffs.

{biggest surprise on way to Reddish Vale was a singing Sedge Warbler near Dowson Road, Hyde on the old railway track)

Vic Chatterton

Weather forecast for Thurs afternoon - drier and brighter!!!

Still, a pleasant walk up the Tame under the umbrella produced;
30+ Sand Martins
15 (ish) Swallows
10 Swifts
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Several Jays
Blackcap, Willow Warber and Chiffchaff.
Stock Dove

On and around the ponds near visitor centre;
House Sparrows
Collared Doves
Mallard, Canada's, Coot with 3 chicks, pair Mute Swan, Cormorant and Grey Heron, and
Anthony's 'beautiful little bird' fast asleep on the first island in the middle of the larger pond. Better view from your picture, Anthony!

Rick.

Ringed Teal (escapee?) on Mill Pond this afternoon.
Kestrel
Cormorant

Loads of Swallow and Sand Martin.

Anthony

8.30-10.30 this morning...

4 Goosander
9 Tufted Duck
2 Grey Heron
4 Cormorant
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
1 Kestrel
4 Swallow

Anthony

Pochard (1 male, thanks Anthony)
Goosander (8 left early)
Tufted Duck (22)
Cormorant (1)
Grey Heron (2)
Mute Swan (3. The remaining pen plus the new pair, one of which carries a blue darvic SHD or 5HD)

Cheers, John

This morning 8-10am...

Sadly no sign of the orphaned Pen Swan

A pair of Wigeon
13 Goosander
16 Tufted Duck
3 Grey Heron
1 Cormorant

Anthony

Judith Smith wrote:

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Not the first time this has happened there, either.

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You're quite right Judith, one of a pair of Great Crested Grebes was shot dead last year and I've heard that Canada Geese have met similar ends in the past too.
An Angler was also hit by a pellet a while back...Not to mention 2 rapes and a murder last year.

I don't know, it's a beautiful place but sadly one that recently I've not felt entirely comfortable visiting.
Despite the many genuinely lovely people there who care deeply about wildlife, it just seems to attract a scum minority that is ruining it for everyone.