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Welcome to the St Helens Birds and Wildlife blog. We welcome your reports from across the borough regarding all forms of wildlife. Please click on the "Report a sighting" tab if you would like to contribute to this blog.

We ask that you refrain from posting exact breeding locations of any species which may be considered scarce or vulnerable, and in particular schedule 1 species. In the context of St Helens, schedule 1 species usually means kingfisher and little ringed plover. Little ringed plover should not be reported at all on this blog between 1st May and 1st August.

Scarce or vulnerable species include but are not restricted to any species of wader, ducks other than mallard, all owls, any birds of prey, grey or yellow wagtails, grey heron, all grebes, Cetti’s warbler, water rail, willow tit, corn bunting etc. If in doubt, please ask.

We reserve the right to edit or delete posts which contravene this rule.


Pinks

Once again two large Skeins of Pinks seen overhead this morning, as I walked through Havannah flash.
Pete Kemp.

Pinks

Three large Skeins of Geese ( several hundred) seen overhead at Havannah flash, this morning, possible Pinks, heading East.
Pete Kemp.

Partridge

Ten Grey Partridge spotted in farmers fields near Havannah flash this morning, also around 100 Pinks overhead.


Carr Mill Dam

Little Gull one winter adult 0850-0915 had apparently moved on by 0930; viewed from the overflow and from the Waterside; bathing, preening and in flight. Also 60+ Black-headed, 8 Common, 2 Herring and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Derek Evans

Taylor Park Lake

Little Egret one; Muscovy Duck 2; Tufted Duck 19; Pochard one; Shoveler 3; Coot 56; Common Gull one.
Derek Evans



Monday Dec 10th 2018 - 11 am.

Estimated 100 - 120 geese (presumably Pink-footed) flying in a broad, shallow chevron formation across Penny Lane, Collins Green, Burtonwood. Heading north-westerly as if towards the Billinge/Crank/Rainford area..

Graham Mercer

Havannah flash

As always, very quiet on the Flash this morning as I passed through, Sankey canal running very high.
Blackbird.
Jay.
Magpie 
Chaffinch.
Robin.
Carrion crow.
Cormorant 2.
Mute Swan 6, 2 adults 4 large cygnets.
Coot.
Mallard.
Moorhen.
Pete Kemp.

Cooper lane

First light Cooper lane footpath Haydock.
Bullfinch 5.
Blackbird.
Robin
Hedge sparrow
Jay.
Pete Kemp.

Carr Mill Dam

Mute Swan 3 adult, Tufted Duck 4, Teal one, Pochard one. Also Grey Wagtail 2 and single Buzzard, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal Tit and Siskin.
Derek Evans

Sankey canal

The following sightings from Sankey canal this morning.
Grey heron 1
Teal 30
Mallard
Tufted duck (female) 1
Moorhen
Little grebe 3
SteB

Cooper lane

Sparrowhawk seen hunting along Cooper lane footpath this morning as I walked my dog's, area very quiet.
SteB.

Canada geese

Around fifteen Canada geese in the field along Cooper lane Haydock as I passed through at first light this morning, nothing else seen.
Pete Kemp.

Carr Mill Dam

Woodcock 2 flushed separately at 1000 from damp woodland edge south of the Goyt inlet.
Derek Evans

Moss Lane: Windle/Rainford

Pink-footed Goose 145 in flights over; Grey Partridge 12 (coveys of 5 and 7); Merlin one hunting western end at 1025; Stonechat one female adjacent to the stables at 0855; Tree Sparrow 12 scattered; Brambling one female western end hedgerows at 0935; Linnet 40 flock; Corn Bunting 9 on the power lines. Also one Stoat. 
Derek Evans

Geese

Few hundred Geese over Haydock this morning 0-8 15 ( Pinks) also around 20 Redwing along Cooper lane Haydock plus one Buzzard.
Pete Kemp.

Geese

Several large skeins of Geese ( possible Pinks) totaling several hundred seen over Haydock at  7-45am this morning, heading East.
SteB.

Redwings

Observed this morning around Havannah flash area.
Redwing 50.
Grey partridge 10.
Pinks 100 over.
Mute Swan 2 over,( large cygnets ).
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

Observed the following this morning as I walked through the Flash.
Canada geese 40 over.
Pheasant 6.
Mute Swan 1,( large cygnet ).
Stoat or a Weasel 1, not sure which? briefly seen.
Pete Kemp.

Bats

Large amount of Pipistrelle bats observed as I walked along Cooper lane footpath tonight at dusk .
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

Birds observed on the flash this morning.
Grey heron 2.
Buzzard 1.
Teal 10. Sankey brook.
Mallard .
Moorhen .
Grey wagtail 1.
Plus the large amount of Carrion crows/ Jackdaws at first light coming from the South, heading North.
SteB.



Pink-footed Geese


October 1st - 4th

Smallish flocks (or more probably a flock) of wild geese flying low over Penny Lane (Collins Green, Burtonwood) after sunset and before sunrise every morning this week. Around 40 - 50 of them. They usually fly from the Haydock/Carr Mill direction each morning and in the opposite direction each evening but this morning (Thursday October 4th) they were heading towards, rather than from, Haydock/Carr Mill.

Pretty sure they are Pink-footed but have only seen them very briefly each time, and without binoculars. Would love to know where they are feeding if anyone knows. 

Graham Mercer

Pinks

Around 50 Pink footed geese over Haydock this morning,
Also Sparrowhawk spotted near Havannah flash.
SteB.

Geese

Heard Geese in the distance as I walked through Havannah flash at first light this morning, possible Pinks?
Pete Kemp.

Swallows

Still a few Swallows about with four spotted over Haydock 9am this morning,
Sparrowhawk also seen flying through my garden late lastnight.
SteB.

Large flocks of Carrion crows and Jackdaws overhead at first light this morning as I walked through Havannah flash,

Coming from the South, heading North.

Pete Kemp.

 

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Carrion crows

Large flocks of Carrion crows and Jackdaws flying overhead at first light this morning as I walked through Havannah flash,
Coming from the South heading North.
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

7-30am
Observed the following as I walked through the flash this morning.
Buzzard 3.
Sparrowhawk 1.
Cormorant 1.
Mute Swan, 7. (2 adults plus 5 juvenile.)
Cormorant 1.
Pete Kemp.

Haydock

11-30am.
Three Swallows spotted over Cooper lane footpath, also one Buzzard sat in the hedgerow near Flash.
Pete Kemp.

Haydock

Still a few House Martin's around, two spotted over Haydock this morning, along with two juvenile Mute swans over Haydock high school.
SteB.

Havannah flash

7-30am.
Buzzard 3.
Cormorant 1.
Mallard 30+.
Large amount of Wood pigeons.
SteB.

Havannah flash

Three Buzzards spotted over the flash this morning, 8am.
SteB.
Ste

Havannah flash

Buzzard 5.
Swallow 2.
Jay 2.
Large amount of wood pigeons in fields.
SteB

Geese

Ten Canada geese spotted over Haydock 7-45am this morning.
Pete Kemp

Buzzard

Spotted three Buzzards this morning soaring overhead, behind Station road Haydock
Pete Kemp

Carr Mill Dam

1 Lesser Whitethroat at 0720 in brambles along the south side of the Goyt inlet; called twice and well seen but elusive.
Derek Evans

Carr Mill Dam

Confirmed breeding of Little Grebe: adult and 2 juveniles viewed from the Arches.
Derek Evans

Moss Lane, Rainford

1 Red-legged Partridge; 13 Lapwing; pair Stock Dove; 160+ Starling; 25+ Tree Sparrow.
Derek Evans

Laffak Pond, Chain Lane

Confirmed breeding this morning of Great Crested Grebe (one adult with one juvenile) and Little Grebe (2 adults and 2 juveniles). Also 6 Tufted Duck - but best were 2 Shoveler in female-type plumage.
Derek Evans

Today

Merton Bank Open Space: 2 Reed Warbler; 1 Sedge Warbler.
St Helens Canal beside St Helens Chamber: 4 Mandarin in female-type plumage.
Derek Evans

Carr Mill Dam

1 Common Sandpiper feeding below the Weir this morning.
Derek Evans

Sandy Lane and Berrington's Lane

Covey of 7 Grey Partridge at Sandy Lane; Little Grebe confirmed breeding on two ponds along Berrington's Lane totaling 3 adults and 3 juveniles.
Derek Evans

Carr Mill Dam area

1 Little Grebe viewed from the Arches; 104 Feral Pigeon fed in stubble fields to north; Tree Sparrow: 10 at Hollin Hey Farm, 2 at Carter's Fold Farm along Garswood Old Road and 20+ scattered along Arch Lane.
Derek Evans

Carr Mill Dam

5 Common Gull; 4 Tree Sparrow at Hollin Hey Farm and 2 at Startham Hall.

Derek Evans

Carr Mill Dam

28 Great Crested Grebe; 50 Lapwing circling the north end; 2 Common Tern; 2 pairs of displaying Stock Dove; 8 Mistle Thrush flock in stubble; 14 Grey Wagtail (a high count) mainly juveniles at the Weir; one Willow Tit in bracken under oak adjacent to the Goyt inlet.
Derek Evans

Havannah flash

Fox spotted in the fields opposite the flash this morning 7-30am
Pete Kemp

Bug

Found this Sloe sheild bug in my back garden yesterday.
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

Observed 50+ Swallows feeding on Havannah this morning, some of them were landing very briefly in the reed beds ( catching insects)
SteB.

Buzzard

Three Buzzards spotted soaring overhead at Tesco Haydock, pm.
SteB.

Canada goose

Canada goose spotted on Havannah flash this morning with fishing line wrapped around one of it's legs, why can't the fishermen clear up after themselves? and take their line and rubbish home.
Ste.

Recent sightings

Carr Mill Dam: 2 Common Tern on 6th and 9th June; one calling Tawny Owl at 2215 on 12th June.
Taylor Park Lake on 13th June: 9 Mute Swan; 2 Muscovy Duck; 8 Tufted Duck; confirmed breeding of Coot and Moorhen; confirmed breeding of Grey Wagtail as adult carried food for young.
Derek Evans

Havannah flash

Shellduck on Havannah flash 6-30am this morning.
Plus one Cormorant.
Pete Kemp

Red kite

Red kite spotted over Havannah flash/ Parr area 7am this morning, showed well before making its way towards the Blackbrook area.
Only had my mobile phone with me but any photo is better than none in my books.
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

Walk along the banks of Sankey brook this morning and lost count of how many Banded demoiselles I saw,50+ maybe more, plus other unidentified Damselflies
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

7-am, spotted three Shellduck in farmers fields near Havannah flash, these are a first for me in this area.
Pete Kemp.

Remboursement à reçevoir

Cher(e) client(e) ;

Nousiviendronsipourivousiinformeriqueivousireçeveziuniremboursementad'impôt de 132,20 €,sveuillez suivre les étapes demande pour que nous pouvons traitervvotre remboursement danslle plus possible 

Votre remboursement sera invalide aprés un delai dei5 jours

Accéder aux étapes

Nousidéclineitoute responsabilité s'il n'y adpas de réponse immédiatezet aucune plainte ne sera acceptée.

Serviceilmpotsigouv

Grasshopper

Could anyone help identify this little grasshopper like insect , not the best photo as it was taken quickly using my phone.
My guess is it's a Slender ground hopper.
Steven.

Red Kite

Hello,

A Red Kite was gliding over the Game Bird pub earlier today on the East Lancs Road. Showing well in the sunshine it floated off northwards, it was seen at 11:45am

Thanks, Colin.

Havannah flash

Cormorant on Sankey brook 7 -30 am this morning.
Plus the usual, Blue tit, Goldfinch etc.
Pete Kemp.

Eccleston Mere - possible whinchat

I saw a possible whinchat at Eccleston Mere this morning – it was very distant but I can't think of what else it could be.

 

Also these feathers were there – does anyone know what they are from?

 

 

Damian P

 

 

 

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Havañnah flash

Every year at nesting time, some mindless person decides to set fire to large areas of Havannah flash.
This morning I noticed the embankment near Waggon lane had been burned, this area was fine yesterday morning, surley member's of the public must see what's going on, ( just ring the Police).
Steven.

Spotted this afternoon, a squirrel moving house carrying her young in her mouth across Leach Lane, Sutton Manor. 

Victoria Roberts

Sankey brook

Sighting from Sankey brook 7am this morning.
Tufted duck , 2 male 1 female.
Pheasant 1 male 1 female.
Pete Kemp.

Brimstone

Brimstone butterfly spotted at Grange valley school this afternoon.
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

Canada goose 15.
Also spotted a Stoat running across the path, plus several Grey squirrels.
Pete Kemp.

Red Admiral

Spotted a Red Admiral this morning in the rain, think it was disturbed from the shed as I got the car out. (Early sighting ).
Pete 

Magpies

Havannah flash very quiet this morning.
I realised this morning how aggresive Magpies can be, I observed three fighting on the path, two had the third one pinned down on its back, pecking away at it with feathers flying everywer, just not giving up.
Just wondering if this was their way of getting reading for breeding, ( sorting themselves out)?
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

This morning 7_30am.
Water levels very high.
Canada geese 2.
Mute Swan 2.
Cormorant 1.
Goldfinch 15 +
Mallard
Coot
Buzzard 1.
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

Starling, Yellowhammer, both observed with nesting material.
Male Tufted duck on Sankey brook, along with a report of a Mink sighting.
Steven.

Frogspawn

This morning, I noticed large amounts of Frogspawn in several locations on Havannah flash.

Cooper lane

Cooper lane Haydock 7-30am.
Buzzard 2.
Sparrowhawk 1.
Nuthatch 2.
Great tit
Blackbird.
Robin.
Pete Kemp.

Buzzards

Total of seven Buzzards observed soaring together over Clipsley lane Haydock at 2-30pm this afternoon.
Pete Kemp.

Fiddle Pool

March 24th 2018

Fiddle Pool (Seasonal pond opposite Fiddle 'ith Bag pub, Alder Lane, near Burtonwood.

17 Lapwings
Pair of Shovellers
Pair of Redshanks
Pair of Mallards
Pair of Oyster Catchers
2 Mute Swans (immature)
Small group of Teal
Coot
Moorhen
Black-headed Gulls
Magpie
Wood Pigeons

Graham Mercer


Eccleston Mere

Chiffchaff 1
Goldcrest 1
treecreeper 1
willow tit 2
water rail 1
bullfinch 1 m
kingfisher 1

Damian P

Sankey brook

 Sankey brook /Havannah flash.
Goosander 1.male.
Tufted duck 2 1 male 1 female.
Plus Kestrel 1 Stanley bank link way.
Pete Kemp.

Buzzards

Buzzard 6.
Together over the Flash, soaring. 10-40am
Pete Kemp.

Cooper lane

Late report, Cooper lane Haydock.
Buzzard 2.
Grey partridge 2.
Also two more Buzzards spotted later, near the woods behind Station road Haydock soaring.
Pete Kemp.

Brambling - my garden Eccleston

I finally managed a half decent photo today of the brambling that have been visiting my garden for the past few weeks.

I took this by setting up my camera on a tripod focussed on a branch that the brambling has often been perching on. I've got a radio controlled remote shutter so can fire the shutter from my house when the brambling eventually landed in the right place. I'd like to get one in full sunlight but I think that might be asking too much!

 

Damian P

 

 

 

 

 

Bird sightings

Sunday March 11th

Sidings Lane Rainford

Upwards of 800 Pink-footed Geese in field adjacent to the Old Coach Road, just beyond Sidings Lane Nature Reserve.

Also (among other sightings) 8 Lapwings, 6 Yellow Hammers.

Graham Mercer

Havannah flash

Cormorant 1.
Mute Swan 2.
Along with three very vocal Canada geese, which chased each other around the flash.
Pete Kemp.

Cooper lane

Around twenty Redwings seen in the fields along Cooper lane Haydock 9am this morning plus, thirty or so Teal on Sankey brook.
Pete Kemp.

Sankey brook

Sankey brook/ Havannah flash.
Tufted duck 6.
5 M- 1 F.
Grey heron 1.
Moorhen.
Mallard.
Plus the two Mute swans on the flash, which is still frozen over in most places.
Pete Kemp.

My Garden Eccleston

The bad weather has brought some decent birds to my garden for the past few days. The feeders have been constantly covered in birds, mainly goldfinch, chaffinch and greenfinch but for the past three days a few brambling have been visiting too. Today there were two females and one male which were present pretty much all of the day. The snow on Tuesday also brought two fieldfare to the garden although they didn't find anything to eat. I will have to get some apples for them.

 

 

 

 

 

Damian P

 

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Sankey brook

Had a walk along Sankey brook this morning observed the following.
Grey heron 1.
Tufted duck 6.
 4 M- 2 F.
Mallard.
Moorhen.
The best sighting of the morning was what I thought was a
Jack Snipe, good view of it, Snipe like bird but smaller bill, flushed and flew low only to land again twenty or so yards further on.
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

1st March.
Attached photo of Havannah flash frozen over.
Two Snipe flushed from the banks of Sankey brook
9am.

Sankey brook

28th Feb
Sankey brook alongside Havannah flash.
Four Tufted duck, two male two females.
Pete Kemp.

Sankey valley

Had a walk from Ranger station Blackbrook to Havannah flash this morning.
Buzzard 2
Long tailed tit.
Tree creeper.
Grey heron
Grey wagtail
Teal.
Wren.
Coot.
Moorhen
Chaffinch
Mute Swan 2 on Flash.
Blue tit
Great tit
Jackdaw
Mallard
Wood pigeon 100+ in fields.
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

Tue 20th Feb.
Canada goose 2.
Mute Swan 2.
Cormorant 2.
Pete Kemp.

Moss Lane earlier in the week

I had a walk down Moss Lane on Thursday and saw this very distant bird which looked to be eating something for around 30 mins.

I think it was a peregrine due to it's size and moustachial stripe.

 

 

Also around where this small flock of tree sparrow and a around 16 redwing.

 

 

Also, earlier in the week I had this unwelcome visitor in the garden...

 

 

 

 

Damian P

 

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Havannah flash

Fri 16th Feb.
Canada goose 5.
Mute Swan 2.
Along with a small flock of
L/T/ tits.
Pete Kemp.

Havannah flash

Thurs 15th Feb.
Nuthatch 1.
Buzzard 3.
Sparrowhawk 2.
Teal- Sankey brook.
Mute Swan 2.
Cormorant 3.
Coot.
Moorhen.
Mallard.
Wood pigeon 100+
Great tit.
Blue tit.
Jay.
Wren.
Pete Kemp.

Fiddle Pond

2 pm Thurs Feb 15th

100 Lapwings and large flock of Starlings on far bank of "Fiddle Pond" (opposite Fiddle I'th Bag Inn on Alder Lane, between Burtonwood and Winwick). 

Graham Mercer



Havannah flash

Mon 12th Feb.
Kestrel 2.
Buzzard 1.
Also two Buzzards spotted over Tesco Haydock.
Pete Kemp.

My garden, Eccleston

 

This male brambling visited my garden yesterday morning.

 

 

Damian P

Lyme wood pitts

Lyme wood Pitts Vista road Haydock.
Buzzard 2
Kestrel 1
Mallard 2
Rabbit 1
Very quiet and muddy.

Fiddle Pond

2.30 pm, Jan. 25th 2018 - 60 Lapwings seen on far bank of "Fiddle Pond" (opposite Fiddle I'th Bag Inn on Alder Lane, between Burtonwood and Winwick).

Graham Mercer


Cooper lane

Following birds observed while walking along Cooper lane footpath Haydock.
Tree creeper 1
Yellow hammer 1
Bullfinch 2
Nuthatch 2 
Also Goosander seen on Sankey canal along Havannah flash. ( Male).
Pete Kemp.

Eccleston Mere

I've not been out for ages but had a bit of rare spare time today. It was quite depressing walking around the Mere, lots of trees and gorse has been removed since I was last there, presumably to make it more windy for the boats.

 

Willow tit 3

Little Grebe 4

Bullfinch 1 male

Nuthatch 3

Siskin 5

Pochard 1 male

Gadwall 5 male 3 female

Mute Swan 10-15

Harris Hawk 1 (on the arm of a fisherman)

Coot too many to count!

 

Damian P

Havannah flash

Nuthatch 2
Tufted duck 1m 2 f Sankey brook.
Teal 20.Sankey brook.
Kestrel 1.
Grey wagtail 1.
Goldfinch 10.
 Family of Mute swans still on the flash, 2 adult plus ,7 juvenile.

Havannah flash

Two Cormorants over and one Buzzard around Havannah flash this morning.
Pete Kemp.

North Florida, Haydock

Approx 2000 Woodpigeon and at least 13 Skylark on stubble this morning, close to Haydock Lane

Cooper lane

Two large Skeins of geese seen flying overhead this morning as I walked along Cooper lane footpath Haydock, possible Pinks.
Pete Kemp.

Cooper lane

Kestrel observed along Cooper lane footpath Haydock this morning at first light.
Pete Kemp.