Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Monthly maxima counts:- J F M A M J J A S O N D 5 8 3 - - - - - 1 6 7 7 Great-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Monthly maxima counts:- J F M A M J J A S O N D 8 9 11 7 10 Birds were in courtship display by 18th Jan and nesting by 18th Feb. 2 pairs had two broods, the first brood were unsuccessful for both pairs although five out of six young fledged from the second broods. A very weak immature from the first brood was handed in to WPWs but unfortunately died on the way to the wildlife sanctuary, apparently of starvation. Courtship displays and nest building on the east island was noted again from 17th Nov. Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus A bird found on Parkway playing fields ( SJ820915 ) was handed in to W.P.W.s by a M.O.P. on 28th Sept. The bird was taken to Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Sanctuary, Knutsford, the same day. It was then relocated to Stapeley Grange RSPCA, Nantwich on 1st Oct., after its condition had deteriorated, fortunately the bird was successfully released at a later date at an unknown location at the coast. Cormorant Phalacorax carbo A maximum of 9 birds were recorded on 16th Nov which included six birds flying north and three on the lake. A maximum of four birds have been recorded fishing on the lake at any one time, the vast majority of sightings being of ones and twos flying up and down the River Mersey where fishing is also favourable. Recorded in all months except June and August, with singles recorded on two dates only during May and July. Recorded daily from 17 Sept. to the year end. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea A pair nested for the first time at Chorlton Water Park, on the ground on the edge of the east island from mid Feb. successfully raising three out of four young which had left the nest by 26th May. The forth young unfortunately, after first being disturbed by canoes, then viciously attacked by Canada Geese, sustained a compound fracture to its wing after snagging it during the panic to escape the geese, this individual was put to sleep by the RSPCA. A second nest, built on an overhanging willow on the west island, was abandoned by late June. A maximum of 7 birds were recorded during Feb. Mute Swan Cygnus olor The two aggressive resident swans ( the male bearing a blue ring inscribed BSX, ringed as a cygnet at Hinley Hall, Wigan in 1993 ) failed to breed yet again. Ring details from visiting swans include; a sub-adult bearing a blue ring inscribed FNB is a 1997 cygnet from Sale WP on 8-9 Jan., also visited Chorlton Water Park on 13 Dec. 1999; a sub-adult on 3 Jul. was ringed as a second year f. on 19 Mar. 2000 at Winterley Pool near Sandbach, Cheshire and was last seen there on 1st May 2000. An adult with a BTO ring inscribed U5172 ( no darvic ) on 5 Dec. Was ringed in Dec. 1993 at Southport Marine Lake as a f., which was born in, or before, 1991, and was last reported at Pennington Flash, Wigan on 9th Aug. 1994, ( this bird had lost its blue darvic ring inscribed BYP ). ( Ring details courtesy of AJS pers. comm. ). Birds bearing rings for which there are currently no details include; green darvic ring inscribed C225 on 26 Jan., green darvic inscribed C695 on 30 Oct. A maximum of 12 were present on 26 Jan and , as usual, were chased off by the resident pair. Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus Oddly, overhead skeins were recorded during two months only : JAN : c140 - SE at 10.10 and 250+ - W at 14.50 on 2nd, 200+ - NE at 09.40 on 6th, 1-200 - SW at 10.00 on 20th. APR : 2 reported on the lake on 11th. NOV : c150 - NE at 10.05 and 90-100 - W at 11.00 on 9th, c120 - W at 08.00 on 16th, c150 - E at 08.00 and c300 - SE at 11.05 on 19th, c150 - SE over Kenworthy at 15.15 on 26th. Greylag Goose Anser anser 2 were present on the lake on 18th April. Canada Goose Branta canadensis Monthly maxima winter counts :- J F M A M J J A S O N D 48 47 55 83 59 61 136 165 102 Statistics for 27th June: ADULTS YOUNG TOTAL RIVER 24 92 116 LAKE 148 3 151 TOTAL 172 95 267 Breeding success this year was undoubtedly due to the adults taking their crches onto the River Mersey thus escaping the onslaught of the resident Mute Swans. A ringed bird, with a BTO ring inscribed 5142263, was present from 15th to at least 26th May, this bird was also present at Chorlton Water Park during Jan - Mar 1999 and was probably ringed in the Wigan Flashes in 1990. Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis An unringed, fully winged tame bird, was on the banks of the River Mersey associating with Canada Geese on 28 Oct, returning on 16th Nov and recorded intermittently until the year end. This may have been the bird present at Chorlton Water Park from 9th Apr until the end of July 1999. Barnacle x Canada Goose Branta leucopsis x B. Canadensis The resident hybrid was present throughout the year. Wigeon Anas penelope A pair on 19th April was the only record in the first half of the year. Eclipse males were present during Sept., with 2 on 12th, 3 on 16th and 2 17th-18th. A f. On 15th Oct was joined by an eclipse m. 16-17 Oct. An eclipse m. again on 22nd Oct. A pair on 3rd and 5th Nov, 1 f. 10th and 14th Nov, 3 ( 1m. & 2 f. ) 18th Nov, pair 22nd Nov, 3 ( 2 m. & 1 f. ) from 23rd - 30th Nov. In December up to 6 present on five dates 1st - 8th Dec. then 2 until 17th Dec. 9 present on 27th Dec. with just 1 the following day. Gadwall Anas strepera A pair on 31st Jan. and a pair reported on 15th and 17th Feb. 1 m. 12th Sept., 1 m. 16th Oct. and 21st Dec., 1 f. 22nd Dec., and a pair on 23rd Dec. There were only two records during 1999. Teal Anas crecca Singles on 2nd Jan., and 6th Feb. 2 on 30th Mar. A single f. was recorded on 13th Sept. Up to two birds recorded on six dates in Nov., singles recorded on five dates in Dec., 2 on 20th Dec. and 4 on 27th Dec. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Monthly maxima counts:- J F M A M J J A S O N D 23 32 nc 15 nc nc 105 103 20 109 65 164 Up to four pairs bred. A pair were observed mating on 9th Nov. Shoveler Anas clypeata A single m. on 11th Jan., 3 m. on 14th Mar., single m. 19th Apr., a pair on 8th Dec. and 2 m. 23rd Dec. A total of ten individuals recorded on six bird dates. Pochard Aythya ferina Monthly maxima counts :- J F M A M J J A S O N D 355 230 26 1 - 1 - - 2 7 58 120 Interestingly a partial albino m. exhibiting large white patches on an otherwise chestnut head which was regularly present amongst the main flock from 28th Nov. until the year end provided a good `indicator bird, as this was recorded on Salford Quays amongst c100 Pochard on 28th Dec ( PB pers. comm. ). Numbers were comparatively low to previous years, not reaching the threshold for national importance. In 1999 numbers peaked at 687 during Feb. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca A female first discovered on 14th Nov. ( PH and vidieoed by AJS ) returned on 22nd Nov. and 6th Dec. This species is currently enjoying national rarity status and a description has been submitted to the BBRC. Ferruginous x Pochard Aythya nyroca x A. ferina The annually returning hybrid was recorded on three dates only during 2000, on Jan. 4th, 16th and 11th Feb. The bird did not return during the winter of 2000/1. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Monthly maxima counts:- J F M A M J J A S O N D 118 20 10 10 2 1 1 3 5 17 88 191 As with Pochard, numbers were comparatively low to previous years. Numbers peaked 323 during Jan. 1999. Tufted x Pochard Aythya fuligula x A. ferina A single bird was recorded on two dates only at the start of the year, on 2nd Jan. and 11th Feb. One was present almost daily from 18th Nov. to the year end, being joined by a second on 25th -26th Nov. and 12th Dec. Scaup Aythya marila A first winter m. present from 8th Jan. was joined by a f. until the 16th ( missing on two dates during this period ). An imm. f. was present 28th - 30th Oct. A f. was reported on 23rd Nov. ( MOP ). Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Monthly maxima counts:- J F M A M J J A S O N D 26 25 22 3 1 - - - - - 1 10 Last recorded on 6th May and the first winter arrival on 24th Nov. Goosander Mergus merganser Monthly maxima counts:- J F M A M J J A S O N D 7 5 6 5 - - - - - - 4 8 Last recorded on 9th April and the first winter arrival on 9th Nov. Ruddy Duck Oxymura jamaicensis 6 were reported on 2nd Dec. ( MOP ) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Recorded in ones and twos during all months, the first pair sighted on 18th Apr., two imms. recorded on 5th June. Breeding was proven on Kenworthy, with three fledged young present on 21 July, in an area where they were suspected of breeding in 1999. Buzzard Buteo buteo The bird from Sept.99 was still being reported in the area of the M60 / A5081 slip road up until 24th Feb. 1 flew north over the wardens compound on 13th Aug and 18th Oct., when two were reported from Kenworthy an hour later ( P McD ). 2 reported on a pylon on Kenworthy 25 Oct. ( P McD ). Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Recorded in all months, breeding was again suspected nearby, an imm. was present on Kenworthy 30 July and 3 f. / imm. at Barlow Tip during Sept. Hobby Falco subbuteo One flew low W over the wardens compound at 09.50 on 7th June ( AD, PH ). Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Probably five pairs present on Kenworthy, with two broods of four and five noted. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Monthly maxima counts :- J F M A M J J A S O N D 11 16 8 5 16 16 12 At least four pairs nested, with one choosing to nest about fifteen feet high in willows. An adult was observed carrying a small dead roach to the lakeside where it proceeded to feed on it on 31st Oct. There was one chick fatality to a discarded fishing hook. Coot Fulica atra Monthly maxima counts :- J F M A M J J A S O N D 42 43 19 8 93 83 89 At least four pairs bred, with some raising two broods. Chick mortality is very high with one or two fledging out of six. Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus One flew in from the north-east, in a southerly wind, circled the lake, landed briefly on the north jetty before being pushed off by a Canada Goose and departed to the west at 14.10 on 25th April. One was pushed around the lakeside by dogs from 09.45 until 14.25 when it departed to the west, downriver, on 29th May. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 26 flew E at 15.30 on 20 Feb, 1 Parkway playing fields 7th May. Sightings increased on 28th Dec during the cold spell when there was 4+ snow cover, with 13 -E at 09.25, 9 -W at 13.35 and 1-W at 15.30. Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus 1 Barlow Tip 6th Apr ( TOM ). Snipe Gallinago gallinago 4 Barlow Tip 19th Feb, Redshank Tringa totanus A single bird flew north after being flushed from the south jetty on the morning of 7th April. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleuca Recorded on seven dates only between 11th Apr. and 12th Sept., apart from 4 on 7 July all were ones and twos. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Largest counts on the lake were 197 in Feb., 92 in Aug., 67 in Oct., c200 in Nov., and 96 in Dec. On the UMIST sports field behind Kenworthy, 92 in Aug ( all adults )., 176 in Sept and 63 in Nov. E -W movements were noted during the evenings from 8th July with 25, 43 on 10th July, c70 on 1st Aug., 46 on 7th Aug., 53 on 9th Aug., and 105 flying N on 12th Sept. Common Gull Larus canus Largest counts made on the lake were 24 in Jan., 34 in Feb., 7 in Oct., 74 in Nov., and 15 in Dec. There was one record of an imm. in May, and four records in the last week of July ( 2 ad., 1 imm., and 1 1st sum. ). On the UMIST sports field behind Kenworthy, 7ad. on 28 Aug., 8 on 23 Sept., 33 ( 32 ad., 1 1st winter ) on 15 Oct., and 29 on 24 Nov. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Peak counts of 9 - W on 4 June and 18 ad. on the UMIST sports field 25 Oct. Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Peak counts of 50+ Kenworthy wood 25 Feb., 76+ gc - Kenworthy 21 Oct, 56 gc - Kenworthy 1 Nov., and 31 -N 3rd Dec. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Apart from a peak count of 9 in the car park on 9 Nov., c30 were reported flying N on 3rd Dec. Tawny Owl Strix aluco A pair were reported calling to each other, one from the beech tree at the top of cardiac hill, the other from the edge of Barlow Golf Course, in the early hours of 24th September ( P McD ). 1 reported over the triangle during the early hours of 22 Oct ( P McD ). Swift Apus apus First recorded on the very early date of 23rd April, when a single bird, loosely associated with House Martins, flew over the car park at 17.30 ahead of thundery showers and an increased SE wind, this was closely followed by a single bird over on 25th April. c30 present during the summer months may indicate a local breeding colony. Visible autumn migration was noted on 30th July when c100 flew high SE over Kenworthy, very few were present during the first week in August. c50 were recorded on 11th August, with the last record of a single bird on 24th August. Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Recorded during all months except May, but only one sighting of a single bird during March and two sightings in April. The vast majority of records involved single birds with peaks in Jan., Aug., and Dec., respectively. Records of two birds together came from all months except Mar. to May, peaking in Jan. and June, indeed most reports during the summer came from fishermen. A bird seen flying along the River Mersey on 19th Aug. was PHs first record for the river in 25 years of birding the area!. During the winter of 1999 / 2000 WPWs created an artificial embankment on the east island, basically an exposed vertical face of layers of soil, sand and gravel, in the hope that one day Kingfishers will utilise this as a nesting habitat. This was completed, and officially opened in February, although no holes had been burrowed during 2000, we live in hope!. Great-spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major Recorded in all months in ones and twos, a probable breeder ( most likely on the Barlow golf course ) drumming was heard from 18th Jan. A pair were seen on Kenworthy on 15th Oct. Skylark Alauda arvensis Singles were reported in song over Barlow Tip on 11th June ( JH ) and 27th June ( SB ), all attempts by PH and AD to locate birds during the summer were unsuccessful. 8 flew E during freezing conditions on 28th Dec. Sand Martin Riparia riparia Earliest record of 2 along the River Mersey on 14 Mar. c25 were present on 19th April. Birds began to colonise a recently exposed sand bank at the River Mersey near to Jacksons Boat pub, Sale by 19th May. By 29th May up to 16 nest holes ( with possibly a dozen being occupied and others being excavated ) were in evidence. Concerns for the future of the colony were raised on 4th June when the high river level completely submerged the bank, but by the following day the water level had dropped and the colony continued to excavate. No young were visible by 27th June and there were 15 occupied holes by 22nd July. Swallow Hirundo rustica Earliest record of 4 on 8th April. Autumn congregations consisted of 50+ on 21st July, a mixed flock of 50-60 hirundines on 22nd Aug., and 30 on wires by Jacksons Boat on 12th Sept. The latest sighting was of 2 on 10th Oct. House Martin Delichon urbica Earliest sighting of 1 on 19th April. Autumn congregations consisted of 31 regularly over the wardens compound during the first half of August ( local breeders ? ), 50+ on 30th Aug, 180 on wires at Jacksons Boat pub, Sale on 12th Sept. ( SB ), c70 on 27th Sept, and 50+ on 29th Sept. Interestingly, 6+ individuals were still nesting at Chorlton Green on 22nd Sept. ( PH ). The latest sighting was of 1 flying N - S on 11th Oct. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis At the start of the year small numbers ( 1-3 ) were present around playing fields and Barlow Tip. Visible movements were minor during mid-March with only 5 - 7 birds being logged. A visible N - S autumn migration began on 13th Sept. with a single bird. Small numbers continued until reaching peaks on 1st Oct., with 53+ over between 08.00 - 11.00, and 4th Oct, with 62+ over between 08.00 - 08.34. Numbers then dropped to ones and twos until the last sighting of a single bird over on 24th Oct. All passage noted occurred during the mornings. 5 were present during freezing conditions on 28th Dec. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Ones and twos recorded throughout the year, except for 8th Oct., when 4 were logged. A bird was reported carrying nesting material along the River Mersey by the Parkway ( A5103 ) bridge on 27th May. On 29th May a m. was observed feeding two fully fledged young on the east island. Pied Wagtail ( British race ) Motacilla alba yarrelli 9 on UMIST sports field, Kenworthy on 25th Feb. Ones and twos present throughout the winter, increasing to 4 & 5 during Sept. Birds accompanied meadow pipits on the visible N -S migration on 1st & 4th Oct with 8 & 9 over respectively. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Common resident breeder. Dunnock Prunella modularis Common resident breeder. Robin Erithacus rubecula Common resident breeder. Stonechat Saxicola torquata A single female was present on Barlow Tip and the adjacent banks of the River Mersey from 22nd to 25th February. Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe A f. on Kenworthy on 2nd May and a m. on Parkway playing fields on 10th May. Blackbird Turdus merula Common resident breeder and winter visitor. A partial albino male stayed site faithful to the gc path all year. Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Up to 9 recorded ( UMIST sports field, Kenworthy ) at the start of the year, with the latest sighting of 5 on 15th April. Earliest autumn sighting of 1 over Kenworthy on 29th October, small numbers during Nov. ( up to 7 ) with some arriving with redwings. 28 were on Kenworthy on 28th Dec. Song Thrush Turdus philomenus Common resident breeder and winter visitor. One was observed being chased by a redpoll during the N - S migration on 1st Oct. Redwing Turdus iliacus Early in the year 40 were on a Kenworthy sports field on 14th January with 36 there on 25th February. 30+ were in sub-song on 2nd April. Latest record of 5 on 15th April. Earliest winter arrivals of 3 on 6th Oct. ( exactly the same date as in 1999 ). N - S movements were evident from 22nd Oct. with 40 prior to 08.25, 19 the following morning, 12 on 24th, 123+ on 26th Oct., c100 on 2nd Nov, c95 on 4th Nov, c60 on 7th & 8th Nov. All N - S movements occurred in the early morning. An estimated c150 -200 were present on Kenworthy during the latter half of Dec. Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Common. A pair probably nested along the gc path. Small numbers of autumn groupings, with 22 over on 12th July and 11 over on 29th Aug. 12 were on the UMIST sports field, Kenworthy 15th Oct. Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobanus 1 singing in the east bay groynes on 8th May. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus A bird was on territory singing from the Phragmites in the east bay groynes from 9th to 24th July was the first record of the species for Chorlton Water Park. The Phragmites were planted in March 1996. Whitethroat Sylvia communis Common breeder on Kenworthy. Earliest report of 2 m. Kenworthy on 23rd April, closely followed by 2+ on Barlow Tip the next day. Immatures were evident along the east face of Barlow Tip during the summer. Latest was a bird in the wardens compound on 5th Sept. Garden Warbler Sylvia borin A bird was in song in the south-east corner of Barlow Tip / south-west area of the Water Park from 13th to 14th May. A bird was reported, in song, on Kenworthy Wood behind the orchard in mid-May ( T. OM ). Interestingly a bird was recorded at the same location on 17th May last year ( PH ). Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Common breeder. The earliest was 1 on 7th Apr., with 2 the following day. Winter records of a f. In the wardens compound on 18th Nov., and a m. At the same location on 28th Dec. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita The earliest was 1 at Kenworthy Wood on 14th March. Prob. 4+ territories ( all sites ) during summer. Birds resumed singing during the third week in Sept. 1 was calling in the car park on 4th Oct. Latest sighting of 1 on Barlow Tip on 15th Oct. A Siberian Chiffchaff P.c.tristis was claimed by G. McPherson along the gc path on 12th Dec. This record remains subject to confirmation by the county rarities committee. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus The earliest was of 2 singing on Barlow Tip on 8th April. Common breeder with many territories held across all sites. Goldcrest Regulus regulus 5+ were present at the start of the year. The earliest autumn arrival was 1 on 10th Sept., although birds had been in evidence in sub-urban Chorlton since at least 26th Aug. Around the lakeside there were 5+ during Sept., and 6+ to the year end. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus An over-wintering m., first recorded in the car park on 5th Dec. ( PH,SB ) remained elusive, being reported on the south side of Chorlton Water Park ( MOP ) on 31st Dec. only. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Common resident breeder. Coal Tit Parus ater A single bird frequented a bird feeder in the wardens compound during Dec. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Common resident breeder, again utilising the lifebouys for nesting. Great Tit Parus major Common resident breeder. Nuthatch Sitta europaea Birds noted originate from Barlow gc, occasionally visiting bird tables during the winter. Birds were non-vocal and elusive up until 19th April. Treecreeper Certhia familiarise Single birds reported along the gc path on 22nd Feb., and on the Sale side of the River Mersey in oak trees adjacent to the C.E.G.B. station on 17th Mar. Jay Garrulus garrulus Virtually absent during the last week of March, a pattern reflected in sub-urban Chorlton. Birds often seen carrying acorns across from the nearby Southern Cemetery during the autumn by which numbers are increased by the presence of immatures. Magpie Pica pica Common breeder. No notable counts. Jackdaw Corvus monedula A common visitor, small numbers regularly over the wardens compound during the evenings probably originate from the colony of c70 resident in Chorltonville. Carrion Crow Corvus corone Resident breeder in small numbers. No notable counts. Starling Sturnus vulgaris Only notable counts of c60 circling the lake at dusk on 20th Aug and c60 over the wardens compound on 26th Oct. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Small numbers resident within the car park area. No notable counts. Chafffinch Fringilla coelebs Common in small numbers, especially in winter, but no notable counts. Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Common breeder in small numbers. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 15 -20 adults and immatures frequented the east face of Barlow Tip during July. Largest count of c40 on 24th Nov. Siskin Carduelis spinus c30 were present at the start of the year. Winter arrivals occurred amongst the N - S migration with 3 on 6th Oct then singles over until 21st Oct. c30 remained from mid-Nov. until the year end. Linnet Carduelis cannabina 1 flew W on 16th May, 5 flew N - S on 17th Oct., and 1 N -S on 9th Nov. There were no records of this species during 1999. Redpoll Carduelis flammea No notable counts at the start of the year. The first winter arrival occurred during the visible N -S migration on 1st Oct. with a single bird chasing a song thrush. Numbers increased from 4th Oct with birds flying N - S in the mornings with 61 on 4th, 22 on 5th, 5 on 6th. 30+ were present form 1st Nov until the year end. Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common in small numbers, territories were held in the wardens compound and the NW corner of the lake. Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniculus During May / June a m. held territory in the east bay groynes and 5 m. held territory on Barlow Tip, at least two other territories held on Kenworthy. ESCAPEES Black Swan Cygnus atratus A single bird ( which had previously been at Sale Water Park ) was present on the morning of 2nd October, departing to the west ( returning to Sale WP ) at 09.15 after being continually harassed by the resident pair of Mute Swans. This bird returned to Chorlton Water Park on 7th Dec. with an adult Mute Swan, but both were pushed off back to Sale WP by the resident Mutes after twenty minutes. Harris Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus An unconfirmed report came from MOP of a bird over Kenworthy on 11th Jan. 1 adult, bearing jesses, flew over the wardens compound to Kenworthy Wood on 24th October. Chorlton Water Park bird report 2000 ( Draft ) Compiled by Pete Hines 9