Med Gull with Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Cadishead Moss
Female Kestrel on midden pile off Dam Head Lane
Common Terns, Moat Lane pools
Tufted Ducks, Moat Lane pools
Where's the path gone?
Moat Lane pool 1 now a lot dryer!
Black-necked Grebe at HGF
Cinnabar, Rixtonxxxxx
On Saturday late morning (very sunny) I took Bill for the usual stroll around HGF. Nice to see a few raptors – Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were all seen with the Spar (looked like an immature female) floating over Midhops and creating havoc! A Black-necked Grebe was present on the pool – presumably the same bird John Tymon picked up. Almost forgot – on Thursday morning before setting off for Oakham I had found a juvenile Common Sandpiper here. The usual suspects were still around with a largish flock of woodies flying around Midhops. 15 Tufties, 5 Pochards and 7 Great Crested Grebes also present, a Grey Partridge calling from the south field and quite a few Linnets flitting around. Five Little Ringed Plovers were present on Saturday evening – two pairs and a juvenile.
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On Sunday morning I wandered over with Bill to Rixton. The usual gap in the banking which allowed access to the pools had been plugged, preventing access. I had to view the pools from the top of the bank, further down the lane. The family of Common Terns were still on pool 2, however as I watched a bloke walking a pack of dogs appeared from somewhere, walking around the pool. The terns then commuted to pool 1 where the vast reduction in water levels has left a few islands of mud exposed. A Lesser Whitethroat was rattling away from the back of pool 2 and adult and immature Little Ringed Plovers were at the back of this pool. A female Tufted Duck also emerged with 6 ducklings in tow.
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On my way home, almost on a whim I decided to try and find the Ravens that Jonathan had spotted along Woolden Road. I was slightly surprised to see around 600 Lesser Black-backed Gulls – most feeding in the pig pens with some in the field opposite and a few bathing in the nearby River Glaze. Interesting sight! Scanning the gulls in the field I picked up an adult Med Gull plus an adult Common Gull with two Herring Gulls and around 30-40 BHG’s. Also around were at least 1000 Starlings, mostly immature birds.
Xxxx
A local guy drove past me just as I was about to digiscope the Med, got out of his car and flushed the lot! Eventually the birds settled down though the majority relocated to the nearby turf fields. The Med went missing for a while but then reappeared, however the traffic along this road was amazing for a quiet Sunday morning and I never got an opportunity to digiscope the Med properly. No Ravens were seen though I did pick up a pair of Little Grebes in the Glaze. I also had a brief detour down Dam Head Lane – a female kestrel seemed to be ensconced on the midden pile to the right of the bridge.
Xxxxx
Sunday evening the usual stuff at HGF though a Little Grebe was a welcome visitor. Three Little Ringed Plovers were present – two adults and an immature bird. Male Bullfinch also on the feeders in the garden. A tour around Waterworks and Highfield Lanes produced 6 male Yellowhammers singing, 2 Whitethroats, 9 Stock Doves, a Buzzard and a few Grey Partridges.
Xxxxxx
Yesterday much the same in the evening visit to HGF – Black-necked Grebe and 3 Little Ringed Plovers present. A quick morning drive by along Woolden Road produced around 100 gulls and 2 Ravens at the pig pens. I had been working in N Wales yesterday afternoon and had a brief sea watch off Rhos Point after work. To be fair most of the birds on the rising tide were out beyond the wind farm though I did pick up the following:
Xxxx
25+ Kittiwakes
15+ Gannets
12+ Guillemots
3 Fulmars
Xxxxx
On Sunday morning I wandered over with Bill to Rixton. The usual gap in the banking which allowed access to the pools had been plugged, preventing access. I had to view the pools from the top of the bank, further down the lane. The family of Common Terns were still on pool 2, however as I watched a bloke walking a pack of dogs appeared from somewhere, walking around the pool. The terns then commuted to pool 1 where the vast reduction in water levels has left a few islands of mud exposed. A Lesser Whitethroat was rattling away from the back of pool 2 and adult and immature Little Ringed Plovers were at the back of this pool. A female Tufted Duck also emerged with 6 ducklings in tow.
Xxxx
On my way home, almost on a whim I decided to try and find the Ravens that Jonathan had spotted along Woolden Road. I was slightly surprised to see around 600 Lesser Black-backed Gulls – most feeding in the pig pens with some in the field opposite and a few bathing in the nearby River Glaze. Interesting sight! Scanning the gulls in the field I picked up an adult Med Gull plus an adult Common Gull with two Herring Gulls and around 30-40 BHG’s. Also around were at least 1000 Starlings, mostly immature birds.
Xxxx
A local guy drove past me just as I was about to digiscope the Med, got out of his car and flushed the lot! Eventually the birds settled down though the majority relocated to the nearby turf fields. The Med went missing for a while but then reappeared, however the traffic along this road was amazing for a quiet Sunday morning and I never got an opportunity to digiscope the Med properly. No Ravens were seen though I did pick up a pair of Little Grebes in the Glaze. I also had a brief detour down Dam Head Lane – a female kestrel seemed to be ensconced on the midden pile to the right of the bridge.
Xxxxx
Sunday evening the usual stuff at HGF though a Little Grebe was a welcome visitor. Three Little Ringed Plovers were present – two adults and an immature bird. Male Bullfinch also on the feeders in the garden. A tour around Waterworks and Highfield Lanes produced 6 male Yellowhammers singing, 2 Whitethroats, 9 Stock Doves, a Buzzard and a few Grey Partridges.
Xxxxxx
Yesterday much the same in the evening visit to HGF – Black-necked Grebe and 3 Little Ringed Plovers present. A quick morning drive by along Woolden Road produced around 100 gulls and 2 Ravens at the pig pens. I had been working in N Wales yesterday afternoon and had a brief sea watch off Rhos Point after work. To be fair most of the birds on the rising tide were out beyond the wind farm though I did pick up the following:
Xxxx
25+ Kittiwakes
15+ Gannets
12+ Guillemots
3 Fulmars
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