Gained access and had a good root around things a bit quiet with very few tits of finches, however the following were seen. 4 Blue tit, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Jay,4 Wood Pieon,40+ B.H.Gull, min 200 Jackdaw with maybe 25 C. Crow, 3 Moorhen, 1 Pheasant, 2 Collared Dove.
28 Starlings were feeding on the beds and flocks of 150+6+9+20 flew towards Broadway area. Is there still a roost at Fields Rd near Durie & Millers? Might be worth checking!
Pied Wagtails present in good numbers and a more accurate count was taken by virtue of the fact that they moved out too roost in 13 small parties. 101 birds were counted moving over the gates in the direction of the golf course. It seems likely that there is a roost somewhere in that direction or even as far as Helmshore or Grane. Any sightings of these birds in those areas around late afternoon would be interesting. A Sparrowhawk flying over the gates towards the golf club was the last bird seen and a good bird to finish with.
Additionally my partner in grime Archie Jones had 2 Wood**** in the woods at Clowbridge today - first of the year for that site.
And remember - to err is human to moo is bovine - PT.
Regards - Bob.
P.S. forgot to add that the albino P.Wag. was present. A.J. has cristened it "Beeno".
It's the word c-o-c-k that has been starred out. It is possible the pied wagtails are flying to Accrington. There was a roost there in the town centre last winter.
Bob, With regards the Pied Wagtails, I have not checked in more recent times, but there was always a very large PW roost along the quieter industrial estate road (just remembered name = Knowsley Road) which lies between the old Porritts Mill and Durie & Millers, accessible by the road which leads between the side of Durie & Miller (now called Interfloor) and the shop and large row of houses. I am sure this is where they will be making to. Here you would see them coming in tens or scores at a time and settling in the small bushes along the sides of this Road. Not too sure whether they actually stayed in these bushes for the night or moved onto the roofs of Durie & Miller. This roost would certainly be of a 80-150 bird tally.
Another just remembered edit: I've noted you mention Albino Pied Wagtail. This bird was seen on a regular daily basis nearto the Farmers Glory Pub, where it hung about for most of September/October, it now looks like its moved further down to the EBSW.
With regards the Starlings, I dont think the Fields Road roost is active nowadays Bob, if it is it certainly is not on any scale as it used to be (thousands), but occasionally I watch the Starlings going to roost from our house and the main roost of the birds from the Haslingden areas, for the past couple of years seems to be far off and they look like there heading towards the Holcombe, Ramsbottom areas, though I have as yet not been able to actually pinpoint a particular area as distance can be so disceiving looking through binoculars. Also there does appear to be another roost somewhere North/North West of where I live, because I see these birds coming through in the early morning.
By the way Bob, when I used to check out the EBSW on a daily basis in the 80's, I was very fortunate on most days to have Water Rail, during the Winter. And if you quietly approached the tip area to the Irwell Vale side (and near to the River/Railing side). I wonder if they are still about?
The pied wagtail roost is on Carrs Industrial Estate. At 17:15 today (11th Feb) there were c150 on the roofs of TS Chemicals and Advanced Auxiliaries on Brentwood Road.
