Cuerden Valley Park & Brockholes Quarry - 24th June 2009

What a gorgeously sunny day so a trip down to Brockholes in the evening was inevitable. First stop of the day though was a walk through Cuerden Valley Park with the dogs, not much chance of birding but we did spot a few things as we were dragged round. We entered the park via the Wigan road car park having walked up the A49 from Bamber Bridge and the usual Chiffchaff was singing from the top of one of the trees. We had intended to check out the Dragonfly pond which is just to the right of the path but having the dogs with us we didn’t think it was a good idea, but well worth a visit if you are in the area. On the walk around we noticed several flocks of Long Tail Tit families as well as Blue and Great Tit. Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Swallow, Swift, House and Sand Martin were also around in numbers. We didn’t head up into the woods so none of the usual species we usually see when we visit. There is a small pond to the right as you approach the field with the picnic tables on that are worth a look if you’re looking for tadpoles and damselflies. We counted at least 4 species and will post the type as soon as we find out what they are.

Brockholes was another interesting night with two species we hadn’t seen in a while on the main pit. Reece picked out a single drake Wigeon feeding on the NE end of the pit while 2 Redshank were feeding on the edge of the islands. Plenty of Lapwing and Coot, still no sign of young though we did spot 2 young Moorhen towards the end of the night, one climbing a shrub! Only a single Heron tonight which is unusual along with a Curlew, a little ringed and ringed plover. Only 1 Cormorant on the No. 1 pit along with the usual array of Gulls.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Photos through the scope were not bad at all! Will try Cuerden Park when I get the chance. Mike.

Jonny Scragg said...

I once saw 4 young moorhens sat in 1 tree!!