Checked Ewood Bridge Sewage Works - nothing out of ordinary in morning.
Drake Shoveler over Holden Wood
1 Whimbrel heading towards Rochdale and a Yellow Wagtail with Pied Wagtails, approx 20 Wheatear at Ashworth Moor. Tern species heard but not seen. 3 Great Crested Grebes too. Yellow Wagtail spotted by Craggy photo coming later.
Decided to head up to Holden Wood again with Russell but same usual birds on except a Pipit species which was sat on a small tree and then flew off Northerly non stop - a migrating Pipit of sorts but no call. and then decided to check Clowbridge as I wanted to add Ringed Plover seen by Andy Young on to my Rossendale Ornithologist Recording Area List. Also because Black Terns were flooding in to the North West because of the easterly winds which appear to be the story for the next week.
No Black Terns were there but certainly not disappointed when Russell pointed at some waders in the Bay area. The black belly was unmistakeable along with the spangly grey back and head colour - a summer plumaged Grey Plover with one still yet to turn. These 2 were feeding with 4 Ringed Plover and nearby rested 4 Dunlin. A flock of about 30 Godwits flew over - some did have wing bars so Black tailed. They may have been disturbed by something as there were other birds flying too - could be resting or feeding in nearby fields across the road?
This weekend has seen Rossendale turn into Spurn with Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and Shoveler. new to my Rossendale list - Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Whimbrel and Black tailed Godwit.
Other birds on Clowbridge - 1 Drake Goosander, 1 Curlew over, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, min 10 Mallards, dozens of Swallows after midges, min 2 Pied Wagtails.
-- Edited by sarfraz on Sunday 30th of April 2017 09:38:29 PM
I initially went past around 11.00 when there were probably two ringed plovers (not seen together), 1 common sandpiper and one curlew, also a reeling grasshopper warbler up the stream past Limy Lane
In the evening going back round with Bob and David c10 dunlins landed round the corner from the other 4 and were presumably a different lot, plus a common sand near the boathouse.
Andy (plus Archie briefly am and Sarfraz, Craggy, Bob, David, Craig and a chap from Burnley in the evening)
That sitting Goose's partner twice flew at me. Once it shifted behind the trees to eat some grass ad it noticed me going back from where I was stood, just where Craig was last night. I decided to make run for it knowing the Goose was behind the trees but now agitated as it knew I would go past the nest again. I kept an eye behind me because that is where I expected it to appear as that was the route it took. As I turned the car it actually had flew the other way around the wood and flew straight at me. I did run back and it eventually changed course allowing me to run past before it gathered its composure. Do beware!
-- Edited by sarfraz on Monday 1st of May 2017 10:41:06 PM
Autumn migration season under way and a visit to Clowbridge from 6-8pm today :-
2 ringed plover - adult and an immature
13 min mallard - feeding on vegetation looking good for Garganey Wigeon etc
2 Common Gull
10-15 Pied wagtail maybe more..
some goldfinch...heard but not counted
