1st winter Iceland Gull in roost on Walkersteel roof. Not seen earlier on Fishmoor res but birds pouring in all the time from an hour before dark. A, and prob the same bird, was there last Sunday too.
Not sure if you use the ELOC forum but I am sure they would love that Iceland Gull record - appears not many records in ELOC area this winter but more so in Greater Manchester. I have always wanted to go to see the Gull roost at Fishmoor - where is the best place to observe the Gulls and do they all roost on the roofs? On a daily basis I would guess thousands of Gulls commute over Haslingden from Whinney Hill and Fishmoor to Pilsworth, Ashworth Moor and other Greater Manchester sites. Very few stop off at Grane although more large Gulls than 2013 for sure.
Easy to watch the roost from several places. You can view the res with a scope from Blackburn hospital side of the "soccer dome" complex giving decent views. The big down side is you are looking into the light slightly! Or park opposite Walkersteel, on the main road in the small lay-by, and walk through the rough land to a hole in the perimeter fence to the 2 reservoirs to get a better view. A well worn path is easy to follow. You also get a better view of the factory roof from the small res dam. Which ever way you go you will defo need a scope to sift through the 100's /1000's of gulls.
