Chorlton Water Park with RSPB

RSPB Event at Chorlton WP. Different events set up for the families camping out for the Big Sleepout. Great Day had by the local Stockport group and everyone else I think.

3 Kingfisher
Kestrel
Reed Bunting
Heron
Great Crested Grebe
Blackbird
Jackdaw
Crow
Magpie
Canada Geese
Mallard

Blackcap (heard)
Chiffchaff (heard)

Mersey Vale Nature Park - Stockport

Mon 2nd June
7pm - 8.15pm
Raining
Habitat can be seen in the image below;

Started with very light rain that came down heavier as we ventured downstream on the Mersey. Not a brilliant night but I did see quite a few Sand Martin feeding which was excellent;

Robin, Blackbird, Grey Heron, Song Thrush, Canada Geese (4 Goslings), Mallards, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Swift and Sand Martin.

Approx 25+ Sand Martin using the bank for nesting holes. Above the eye line they looked jet black however once they came down and skimmed the water you could see how brown they actually were. You could clearly see that there was no white rump visible. The Wren was also popping in and out of the nest holes.

MCR Peregrine Chicks 22nd May 2014

Live web cam - http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/150761-manchester-peregrines-

RSPB ID Trip - Pennington Flash Wigan.

Thanks again to Jane, Jean, Peter and friends for a great day and some very good birding.

DATE: 3 May 2014
TIME: 9.30am to 4pm

Driving down the lane to the carpark we were greeted by a Blackbird and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Main Lake by car park

Canada Geese
Graylag Goose
Tufted Duck (M+F)
Mute Swan
Great Crested Grebe
Swifts towards the yachting club

Bunting Hide


Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Stock Dove, Moorhen, Dunnock, Great Tit, Mallard

Bullfinch*

Chaffinch

Jay*

Robin*

Dunnock

Greenfinch

Walking to the Teal hide we went via the golf course following the path and what a great decision that was....

Song Thrush, Whitethroat*, Willow Warbler*, Blackcap*, Wren, Kingfisher

Song Thrush*
Know your Song and Mistle Thrush

 Whitethroat

Blackcap

Willow Warbler

Teal Hide

Pied Wagtail, Pochard*, Cormorant - eating or trying to eat a vary large fish which was very entertaining. Coot nesting, Grey Heron, Lapwing

 Pochard

Lunchtime

After lunch we went to the Edmundson Hide usually a great place to see kingfisher unfortunately today we were not lucky so only a fleeting glance as it flew over.

Mallard, Moorhen, Grey Heron

At the screen opposite the hide a great veiw of a Reed Warbler* thanks Nick.

Moving on for a walk around the wooded areas, the lake and the Ramsdale hide at the back of the spit.

Chiifchaff, Blackheaded Gull, Starling, Wren, Common Tern, Buzzard, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper*, Oystercatcher, Great Crested Grebes, Black Headed Gulls.

A great day and some great views of the Whitethroat and Warblers.

Some photo's by me* and some from stock photos. 

See the Manchester Peregrine chicks

Every week day 18 April to 20 July 2014 - look out for the RSPB green marquee in places like Albert Square, St Ann's Square and Piccadilly Gardens

http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/150761-manchester-peregrines-

A day on the Wirral (RSPB)

RSPB Trip Thanks to Jean, Peter and Jane for a great day.

Starting at Leasowe Lighthouse

12/April 9.30am -12.30pm @ Leasowe Lighthouse

Walking from the carpark at the lighthouse towards Hoylake along the seafront and returning along the back, sand dunes and scrubland

Swallow 1

Blackbird 6

Robin 1

*Skylark 5 (rising vertically and calling)

Greenfinch 3

Cormorant 33 mainly on a sandbank nr to boats

*Redshank 30+ roosting on a rocky outcrop (noticed by orange legs)

Turnstones 7 amongst the Redshank

*Linnet 6 (bouncing flight)

Curlew largest flock I have seen nr Cormorants

*Great Black-Back Gull 2 (out at sea, through scope)

Mallard M+F in flight

Great Crested Grebe diving out at sea

*Collard Dove 2

Woodpigeon 1

Starling 3

Goldfinch 9

Long Tailed Tit 1

Chiffchaff 1

*Reed Bunting 1

Wren 1 Singing

Coot 1

Alerts re Ringed Ouzel in the area however none seen. Also breeding Blackcaps again none seen.

1pm - 2pm Wirral Country Park - Thurstaston

Short visit and lunch, great cafe.

Waders out on the estuary however to far out to actually make out what kinds.

Bullfinch M+F

Chiffchaff 3

Dove 3

Tree Sparrow many

2.30pm - 5pm RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands

Little Grebe 2

*Avocet 9 Island in front of main hide , some nesting with eggs

Black Headed Gulls many

Tufted Duck M+F

Black Tailed Godwits many
*Common Sandpiper

Canada Geese not as many as I have seen at other times

Coot 4

Lapwing 2

*Redshank 2 in with the Godwits

Swallow 5

Gadwall 2

Kestrel 1

Teal 1

*Pheasant 1

*Spotted Redshank 2

*Sand Martin 4

House Martin 5 (white markings could be well seen)

Avocets Nesting

Feeders;

Blue Tit 3

Great Tit 2

Goldfinch 3

*Siskin 1 (we think)

Cormorant 1

Starling 2

Chiffchaf calling

*Willow Warbler calling

Looking towards Inner Marsh farm from the hide;

Little Egrets

Little Egrets 7

Teal 2

Gadwall 3

*Shoveler 2

Black Headed Gulls many

Grey Heron 1 

REDDISH VALE COUNTRY PARK - STOCKPORT

Saturday 9th November

Our 2nd outing with the RSPN Bird ID course leaders;

A great oasis near to Stockport town centre.

3 Goosander 2M and 1F
Little Grebe 2
Cormorant 2
Coal Tit 2
Sparrow 3
Nuthatch 1
Mallards Many
Canada Geese Many
Moorhen 2
Coot 3
Tufted Duck 4
BH Gulls Many
Mute Swan 2 + 3 cygnets
Mistle Thrush 1
Blue Tit
Great Tit

Highlights for today
a Buzzard and Great Spotted Woodpecker

Related link:
RSPB Stockport

WOODBANK PARK - STOCKPORT (RSPB Bird ID Course)

Saturday 2nd November

After 4 weeks of inside theory on the RSPB Bird Identification course we set out eager to put those new skills into action.

Highlight of the day for Jackie and I was:

a Peregrine and halve a dozen Jays.
Flock of Long Tailed Tits
Blue Tits
Carrion Crow
Nuthatch
Mallards

and a superb grey wagtail

Related Link

RSPB Stockport

Florida Birding Highlights

An excellent evening presented by Paul Hobson (Wildlife Photographer) visit his web site here.

We were treated to some great photography and humourous commentary of Paul fascination and appreciation of America birds and people.

I've never really wanted to go to America, certainly not on a package tour however I could drop the family off at Orlando and tell them I'll see them in a fortnight after seeing the venues and birds on offer.

Kissimee Nature Refuge, Refuge used instead of reserve and actually more apt to what is actually being provided - a safe refuge for all wildlife. These refuges are so big that usually you dont walk around them but drive, animals and birds are very used to seeing cars and you can drive very close a get some really great photos. Beaches with sunbathers and birds co habitating in harmony. Bald Eagles living in peoples back yards, absolutely unbelieveable.

Some examples of the birds we saw in the presentation:

Great Egret

Spoonbill Roseate

Mockingbird

Osprey

Skimmer

Looking forward to next month - Wings over Wales

RSPB Stockport

RSPB Stockport Local Group - Meeting Mon 11/Feb/2013

Stockport RSPB

Tonights Meeting

FLORIDA BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS by Paul Hobson

Venue:
Location: Stockport College of Further and Higher Education,
Lecture Theatre B ,
Greek St. entrance,
Off Wellington Rd. South,
Stockport.
SK1 3UQ.

If you are shivering in Britain, why not come with us this evening to the warmth of Florida. Although well-known for its tourist attractions, it can offer superb birdwatching opportunities too. The birds can be amazingly tame, which makes it one of the best places in the world to practise your bird photography.

Please note that there will be a book sale at this meeting. If anyone wishes to donate natural history, travel or gardening books, please bring them along on the night, already priced in pencil, on the understanding that any unsold books are taken home that evening.

All sale proceeds will go towards the group's fundraising activities. For any further information, please contact Jean Crouch on 01625 873147.

Time: 7.30 pm

Price: Local group members £0.50 Visitors £3.00

Telephone: 0161 485 4024

E-mail: stockportrspb@googlemail.com