circular walk through the woods and around the college campus. I did go part of the way along Oaken Bank Lane towards Hollins Lane, but there was little to see out that way. Weather was generally fine despite a few short hail showers.
- 1 Buzzard (Oaken Bank Wood) - 1+ Jay - c4 Nuthatch - 4 Lapwing in fields towards the golf course (from Oaken Bank Lane) - 2 Stock Doves in same area - 5 Mistle Thrush in the same area - 1 singing Goldcrest
Mike c cooper said
Thu Feb 4 3:14 PM, 2021
Wander round woods, golf course to Castletown sewage works morning thurs 4/2
Little Egret in field behind Hopwood hall farm between Trub brook and golf course
Several skylarks calling flying over
Meadow pipit 8 in fields
Mike c cooper said
Wed Mar 25 7:45 PM, 2020
My daily exercise walk around Glade wood this morning (25/3/29) with social distancing with the couple of dog walkers
Highlights
A Raven kronking over wood to east and possibly heard again later? Pair of Stock Doves courtship chasing (my first here)
Usuals plus treecreepers at least 3, Nuthatch heard, blue great long tailed and coal tits, chaffinch, kestrel
Mike c cooper said
Fri Mar 22 1:20 PM, 2019
Fri 23/3/19 09:00- now
Buzzard pair soaring over treetops Sparrowhawk fem hunting Kestrel calling (male?)
Treecreeper pair plus 3 seen together Nuthatch pair chasing each other G S Woodpecker 3 chasing each other and calling drumming
Lesser redpoll several small parties Chaffinch and goldfinch in tops Meadow Pipit heard flying north
[No bullfinches !!!!!!]
Mike Cooper said
Tue Mar 20 5:54 PM, 2018
Glade wood 20/3 09:00-15:00
Buzzard a pair being mobbed by Crows Kestrel hunting
Fieldfare 2+ over to East Redwing 20+ in trees around 'nature reserve' pool
Treecreeper a pair feeding around marl pits by golf course Goldcrest singing (m) Meadow pipit singles over to East
Fields by oaken bank lane
Starling c 50 M thrush 3
Mike c cooper said
Tue Mar 6 10:05 AM, 2018
Glade wood 08:30- damp misty still cool
Curlew at least 1 heard from golf course area
Also lapwing song Skylark singles heard flying N siskin 1 heard over Meadow pipit 1+ heard from golf course 1 flying N over
Fieldfare 1 heard then flock of 20+ over tree tops going North kestrel pair display flight Lesser redpoll 3+ G S woodpecker 1+ heard thenmale drunning
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Tuesday 6th of March 2018 01:04:50 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of March 2018 02:31:42 PM
Mike Cooper said
Fri Mar 2 1:09 PM, 2018
Fri 2/3 10:00-12:00 bitterly cold with freezing East wind overcast 2-3" of snow on ground
Woodcock flushed from side of track off Oaken bank road to Glade wood
Lots of blackbirds seen at least 20
Reading h in Lords wood
Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush in fields by Oaken Bank road
Mike Cooper said
Fri Nov 10 5:41 PM, 2017
Around glade wood this afternoon
Redwing several heard and seen fleetingly
Nuthatch Treecreeper G S Woodpecker fem
L Redpoll flock of 12 over and in birch tops Goldfinch Bullfinch at least one heard
At dusk c. 3,000 jackdaws in fields by Lord wood and then most rooster in terms Ese tops in Lord Wood
Mike Cooper said
Wed Feb 22 3:56 PM, 2017
Walk around Lords and Glade woods this afternoon 22/2/17 13:45-15:00 cloudy and blustery West breeze
Meadow pipit heard in fields between cattery and woods
Redwing flock of c. 50 on East edge of Glade by pool and feeding in pasture
Grey wagtail heard in fields north of glade
Charles Farrell said
Sun Feb 19 5:01 PM, 2017
Sun 19-Feb: 07:30-09:00 Walk from carpark near college gates round the back of the college buildings to fields near Oaken Bank, then back more or less the same way but detouring around the wood at the back of the college - first time ive been here to make use of proper footpaths!
Mild with light drizzle so pretty quiet. - 2+ Great Spotted Woodpecker, including 1 drumming - 4+ singing Song Thrush - 3+ singing Chaffinch - Goldcrest - 2 Meadow Pipit in fields
Lots of residents singing (Robin, Dunnock, Wren etc), noisy House Sparrow and lots of Tits active.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of February 2017 07:52:58 PM
Mike Cooper said
Thu Feb 16 7:11 PM, 2017
Thurs 16/2 Glade wood 9:00-13:30 ringing
Skylark in first hours several heard calling (Tripp) overhead going North Curlew at least one heard in distance fields or flying over contact call Coour Kestrel M&F displaying Sparrowhawk F stealth hunting in wood Green woodpecker M&F Nuthatch Small flock of c 8 Redwings 4 Blackbirds and a Fieldfare
[no meadow pipits in horse paddock nor buzzard heard nor seen]
Mike Cooper said
Wed Jan 11 8:09 PM, 2017
Wed 14:15-16:15 cold strong NW Wind sunny spells Glade wood Mixed flock of 2 Mistle Thrushes, 8 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares and 6 Blackbirds in horse paddock (no Meadow Pipits! After c. 30 last week) In trees flock of 4 Long tld Tits, 2 Goldcrest, M Bullfinch , 1 Nuthatch and 4 Lesser Redpolls Buzzard 1 flushed 30 wood pigeons from treetops
Lords wood G S Woodpecker in nest hole in Oak Treecreeper 1+1 Nuthatch 2 Jay at least 4 squabbling Sparrowhawk F hunting
Yew tree farm/stables At least 30 clean country House Sparrows
Mike Cooper said
Fri Jan 6 12:29 AM, 2017
Glade wood 5/1/17 09:00-13:00
Lots of blackbirds and Redwings feeding in leaf litter
Siskins and redpoll heard over
Blue tits and great tits beginning to pair up
Nuthatch and jay seen
Mike Cooper said
Thu Dec 29 1:11 PM, 2016
Glade wood 09:00-12:00
Woodcock flushed with Redwings and fieldfares feeding? in unfrozen hollow @ 9:30
Bullfinches at least 4 heard at one point
Goldfinches over Chaffinch
Snipe heard
Meadow pipit c.10 in horse field
A Siskin and 2 redpoll heard going over
Female sparrowhawk hunting in wood along golf course fields
Also wren and blue tit paired up and singing in the sunshine
-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Thursday 29th of December 2016 06:23:51 PM
Mike Cooper said
Wed Nov 30 1:28 PM, 2016
This morning 30/11 8:30-11:30 Glade wood/ Stott lane. dull damp overcast and still
Big reduction in winter thrushes redwing c 60 Blackbird c 10 M thrush 8 in flock S thrush 2
Meadow pipit 2 G heron 1 imm
Snipe 1 over
Buzzard 1 Sparrowhawk female hunting along lane spooking thrushes
Ringing 1 blackbird
Mike Cooper said
Tue Nov 29 2:34 PM, 2016
Whilst ringing at glade wood / Stott lane ties 29/11 8:30-13:30 clear sunny ground frozen hard
Sparrowhawk 1 m hunting Buzzard in field being mobbed by male Kestrel
G heron 1ad
Redwing 100+ Fieldfare c. 20 Song thrush 2 M thrush 4 Blackbird 40+
Grey wagtail 2 fem/imm manure pile Meadow Pipit at least 15 in horse field
Ringing 3 Blackbirds 1 Robin 1 Blue tit
Mike Cooper said
Fri Nov 25 2:38 PM, 2016
Brief visit this morning 9:30-10:30 25/11
Hundreds of winter thrushes 20 mistle thrushes 30 blackbirds 10 song thrushes 60 fieldfares 100 Redwings
Kestrel 1m
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 25th of November 2016 03:19:45 PM
Mike c cooper said
Sun Apr 26 10:25 PM, 2015
Sun 26/4 12:00-13:00 sunny clear bitter n wind
Treecreeper 1
Bullfinch male
Jays very noisy
Lots of robins an chaffinches
Mo frogspawn in any pool???
Colin Ramsden said
Tue Apr 1 5:45 PM, 2014
Lords Wood and approaches Song Thrush x 1 Dipper on stream Treecreeper x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Jays c 6 - carrying nest material Nuthatch x 1 Teal - pair on the small lodge
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Mar 23 8:02 PM, 2014
23rd March 2014
5.30pm to 6pm
Dry and bright
Blackbird 1 Carrion Crow 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Tit 1 Jackdaw 4 Jay 1 Magpie 3 Moorhen 1 Robin 2 Woodpigeon 2 Wren 1
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Tue Mar 4 7:38 PM, 2014
4th March 2014
4pm to 5pm
Clear
A quick visit this afternoon
Blackbird 1 Blue Tit 4 Carrion Crow 14 Magpie 1 Mallard 4 Moorhen 1 Robin 1 Woodpigeon 50+
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Dec 22 5:36 PM, 2013
22nd December 2013
3.15 to 4.15pm
Very cold
Had a wander over to Lord Woods this afternoon to see if the large Corvid roost was in the area this year.
Sat on the hill looking over toward Bowlee three groups of 50 mixed Corvids flew over in that direction. On the skyline just above the tree tops counted 200ish before the light went. Not as many as last year but still a lot.
Dave
-- Edited by Davidcaron62 on Sunday 22nd of December 2013 05:37:16 PM
Charles Farrell said
Sun Sep 22 10:17 PM, 2013
Sun 22nd 11:40-12:10:
Quick walk along the stream outside the College grounds hoping for some Dipper action - and as usual - nada!
- 3 Nuthatch calling - 4 Woodpigeon - several unseen calling Long-tailed Tits - around a dozen Blue Tit - c6 Great Tit and a handful of Magpies and Carrion Crows
Colin Ramsden said
Fri Feb 22 5:30 AM, 2013
Pair of buzzard over and around the woods.
Dipper singing on the stream just before it enters the college grounds.
Charles Farrell said
Mon Nov 19 1:42 AM, 2012
Sat 18th Nov (14:10 - 15:45) fine if cool after the rain around Lunchtime.
Walk with Paul Hurst from Rochdale Road end over to Bowker Vale. (sorry that the birdlife wasn't as interesting as I'd hoped it would be)
Lords Wood Very quiet. I think that after 30 mins we had seen/heard just 3 species! - c10 Woodpigeon - 7 Magpie - c30 Rook (on farmland next to the Wood) - c50 Jackdaw (with Rooks and other corvids) - 1 Common Gull - Moorhen (heard only) - 2 Mallard - c3 Reed Bunting - Grey Heron
Farmland between Oaken Bank Wood and Bowker Vale - c6 Chaffinch - 4+ Great Tit - 3+ Blue Tit - c40 Starling - flock of c16 mixed Black-headed and Common Gull - 6 House Sparrow - Sparrowhawk - 2+ Herring Gull over
c200 Jackdaw at roost near St Ann's Academy, Bowker Vale with a few Carrion Crow and Rooks in amongst them.
sunday 19th coming back from lunch at Hollingworth Lake. - Buzzard on farmland near Junction 19 of the M62
Davidcaron62 said
Thu Sep 13 2:28 AM, 2012
12 September 2012
3.00pm to 4.30pm
Very wet but nice and sunny between the showers. Not much about other than in the fields adjacent the woods.
Lovely walk round the Woods, through the Clough and Oaken Bank Wood. (14:15-15:35). Not a massive amount of birds around, but did get to see
1 Song Thrush 4+ Willow Warbler 5+ Chiffchaff 1 Blackcap 2+ Nuthatch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only) 2 Swift over 12+ Swallow around the farmland 2 Jay
Plenty of Corvids and Tits around too
Kaz Horrocks said
Fri May 11 6:37 PM, 2012
11/5/12 0830-1030 Cold, overcast and fairly windy so resitricted myself to Lords Wood only
Blackbird 1 Robin 3 Jay 1 Bluetit 4 Great tit 2 Carrion Crow 1 Woodpigeon 2 Green Woodpecker - heard only - 2 Nuthatch 4 Sparrowhawk 1
Bullfinch 2 (pair) On the back lane alongside the Playing fields
This is the first time I've seen the Sparrowhawk in Lords Wood - maybe that explains wh there were so few birds about?
Davidcaron62 said
Wed May 9 2:36 AM, 2012
8th May 2012
PM Cloudy but warm
Second trip out since suffering from sciatica and its getting easier . I nearly forgot all about the pain when I saw a Dipper and two Green Woodpecker . I was also really impressed () with the new fence to the front of Lords Wood pond. I dont know how we have lived without this for so long
5 Blackbird 2 Blue Tit 5 Carrion Crow 1 Dipper (On river near water wheel next to small pond) 3 Feral Pigeon 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Great Tit 2 Green Woodpecker 5 Jackdaw 6 Magpie 2 Mallard 1 Moorhen (Lords Wood Pond) 1 Oystercatcher (Playing Fields) 2 Robin 2 Starling 6 Swallow 39 Woodpigeon
Regards
Dave
Kaz Horrocks said
Tue Apr 10 11:32 PM, 2012
Just an hour or so in Lords Wood this afternoon.
As per the norm: Blue Tit, Great Tit & Robin in abundance. Also: Treecreeper x2 Nuthatch x2 (Safe from the recent fire - Phew!) Chaffinch x2 Dunnock Wren Magpie x5 Carrion Crow 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker Moorhen x2 Mallard x3 Little Grebe / Dabchick x2
...and one LBJ I couldn't get enough of a decent view of to ID - I need to know my birdsong better!!!
Kaz Horrocks said
Mon Apr 2 5:57 AM, 2012
Davidcaron62 wrote:
I think the thrush was around the fenced off pond near the college.
Yes - thats where it was! That pond is the old mill-pond for the mill you recollect. I'd forgotten about the 'Urban warfare' section of todays assault course ;)
Thanks again Kaz
Davidcaron62 said
Mon Apr 2 5:44 AM, 2012
Hi Kaz
No I don't think you have missed anything. Am glad you noted the flocks of Great Tit in the area. I was begining to think its just me that sees them everywhere I go . I think the thrush was around the fenced off pond near the college.
It certainly was bird watching SAS style. If I knew you were a Royal Marine Commando birdwatcher I would have done some training beforehand .
Its good to know that there is a kinderd spirt out there who also lives in hope of seeing a Kingfisher . I will look forward to meeting up again
Regards
Dave
Kaz Horrocks said
Mon Apr 2 2:05 AM, 2012
Met up with Davidcaron62 for a wander round Hopwood. Plenty of birds around despite the dogwalkers.
Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit all in good numbers all over
Lords wood/pond 2 Green Woodpecker heard exchanging calls Great Spotted Woodpecker Wren Carrion Crow Jay Magpie Moorhen Little Grebe Mallard
Rear of College Chaffinch Chiffchaff heard
Lane to rear of Glade Wood Long-tailed Tit (one tail-less!)
Glade Wood Mallard (rear pond) Great Spotted Woodpecker
Lane between Glade Wood & Lords Wood Grey Heron Wren
Hopwood Clough Grey Wagtail * (Voted our Bird of the Day) Nuthatch Magpie Wren Blackbird
Also Song Thrush, but cant for life of me remember just where it was!
Am not sure if it was the bog-snorkeling in Glade Wood, or the commando crawl along the fallen tree crossing the river in the Clough, but I'm well and truly worn out after all that walking!
Thanks for a very pleasant afternoon walk Dave - Sorry if I missed anything!
Kaz
David Winnard said
Sun Apr 1 9:47 PM, 2012
Mainly looking for plants but did see;
Blackcap (m) Green Woodpecker Dipper Bullfinch Nuthatch
Plant list on the wildlife section
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Fri Mar 30 2:34 PM, 2012
Hi Kaz
The area around the hill had been burnt a little by the 27th when I was last up there. Didn't appear to be any damage to the memorial trees then (Even the small ones) so hopefully its just restricted to the braken and grass like you say. Thats a good spot to sit and watch the Corvid roost over Glade and Oakenbank Woods in winter.
I spent an a couple of hours in Hopwood Clough and the woods behind the college (5pm to 7pm) looking for the Green Woodpecker and Dippers unfortunately got neither sight nor sound . Just my luck they had moved to Lords Wood.
Regards
Dave
Kaz Horrocks said
Fri Mar 30 1:25 AM, 2012
29/03/12 1530-1730
There were at least 2 Green Woodpeckers in Lords Wood this afternoon, calling between each other. I only managed to see one however as it flew the length of the pond!
Great Spotted Woodpecker also seen. (Male) Nuthatch 3 Little Grebe / Dabchick 1 (2 heard) Mallard 2 (pair) Wren 3 Great Tit 4 Blue Tit 6 Blackbird 1 (female) Jay 2
After walking round the reserve for about an hour, I became aware of a strong smell of smoke, and eventually found the source - The hill to the rear of the reserve, and grassland bordering the reserve and Golf Course were both well alight!
After calling out the Fire Brigade and directing them to the site of the fire, I headed off via my favourite Nuthatch patch before heading home. A good area of the open grassland has been laid waste, as has a section of the Reserve towards the back edge. Hopefully it is largely surface burning of bracken and dead grass, and will soon recover once the spring growth kicks in!
Kaz
Kaz Horrocks said
Wed Mar 28 9:43 PM, 2012
28th March 1030-1400hrs. Bright sunshine
Lords Wood Blackbird 2 Mallard 6 (1 pair + 3 males chasing 1 female) Magpie 4 Wren 2 Chaffinch 2 Blue Tit 4 Jay 2 Great Tit 3 Wood Pigeon 4 Long-tailed Tit 1 Grey Heron 1 Little Grebe 2 Nuthatch 2 Dunnock 2 Robin 1 Moorhen 3 Treecreeper 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Buzzard 1
Woods behind College Jay 2 Blue Tit 3 Great Tit 4 Green Woodpecker 1
Glade Wood Chaffinch 2 Robin 3 Blue Tit 5 Carrion Crow 5 Rook 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Long-tailed Tit 4 (Pair collecting nesting material) Wren 4 Great Tit 5 Magpie 1 Chiffchaff 1 Blackbird 1
It would be great if it does. Dippers are amoungst my favourite birds. I had only ever seen them in Yorkshire until I saw the one in Hopwood Clough. Its great knowing we have them on the doorstep so as to speak. I will have a good look for it the next time I am out.
Another unsual sighting for me was a Little Grebe on Lords Wood Pond in September. At the time it was late and the light was poor. I got a couple of photos but had struggled to identify what it was. Recently Bill Myerscough mentioned a Little Grebe on the pond so I posted my pics on a site called ISPOT (Same user name) and got the ID confirmed. I haven't seen it since but am hoping it will be back this year .
Am also going to look out for the Green Woodpecker Ian has mentioned at the back of the college. Never seen one of those.
Regards
Dave
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 21 9:57 PM, 2012
Originally posted by Kaz Horrocks today:
Dipper spotted at Hopwood LNR yesterday afternoon, also Nutchatch & treecreeper. Great Spotted Woodpecker hammering.
Kaz
Kaz Horrocks said
Wed Mar 21 6:33 PM, 2012
DavidCaron62, I notice that you mentioned a Dipper at Hopwood in a post on Alkrington Woods/Rhodes last year. The one I spotted yesterday was in the same place, and fully coloured. Fingers crossed it's the same bird still around, and finds a mate - or better still, a mate for the one you saw and she's still around! Kaz
-- Edited by Kaz Horrocks on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 07:34:02 PM
Davidcaron62 said
Mon Mar 19 3:06 AM, 2012
18th March 2012
PM bright and chilly
2 Blue Tit 1 Carrion Crow 10 Great Tit (Been a lot of these about the past few visits) 1 Grey Heron 3 Mallard (1 on Lords Wood pond and 2 on small pond between woods and playing fields) 3 Moorhen (Lords Wood Pond) 12 Woodpigeon (Fields to Glade Wood)
No sign of the big corvid roost
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Mon Mar 12 2:28 AM, 2012
11th March 2012
Early evening 6pm mild.
Wondered up Hopwood Clough from Boarshaw Clough this evening and finshed in Lords Woods
Hopwood Clough (To Lords Wood)
Blackbird Robin Blue Tit Great Tit (11) Coal Tit Collared Dove Woodpigeon Magpie Carrion Crow
Lords Wood
Blue Tit Great Tit (16) Wren Blackbird Robin Magpie Long-tailed Tit
Lots of Great Tit around tonight can't remember ever having seen so many .
Lords Wood Pond
2 Moorhen 6 Mallard (All chased away by a couple of dogs that decided to go swimming . Ducks got their own back by luring them into the middle of the pond and then the mud area at the back. They were in a right state. Glad I din't have to clean them ). 1 Grey Heron flew over the pond East to West decided not to stop due to the dogs.
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Sun Mar 11 4:38 AM, 2012
10th March 2012
Late PM Dull but mild
Lords Wood
10 Blue Tit 1 Blackbird 2 Magpie 1 Chaffinch 3 Great Tit 2 Carrion Crow 4 Long-tailed Tit 2 Jay 1 Coal Tit 1 Woodpigeon
Lords Wood Pond
3 Grey Heron (Same three that were in Higher Boarshaw yesterday. Still behaving as if they were in a spaghetti western) 7 Mallard 4 Moorhen
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Tue Mar 6 3:18 AM, 2012
5th March 2012
Late Afternoon
Sunny but cold.
Small Pond (Between woods and fields)
1 Moorhen
Lords Wood
3 Blue Tit 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Magpie 2 Chaffinch 1 Great Tit 1 Carrion Crow
Lords Wood Pond
13 Mallard 3 Moorhen
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Mon Jan 30 3:19 AM, 2012
29th January 2012
Another late visit on a very cold day.
Fields to College
4 Carrion Crow 5 Black-head Gulls
Lords Wood
2 Blackbird 4 Magpie 3 Chaffinch 2 Robin
Lords Wood Pond
2 Moorhen 6 Mallard
Fields between Lords Wood, the College and Glade Wood
500+ mixed Corvids flying arriving in groups of 50 to 75
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Mon Jan 23 2:19 AM, 2012
22nd January 2012
Spur of the moment visit about 4.00ish after the footie to show the Corvid flock to my eldest. Nothing about at first and was beginning to think it was a wasted visit bird wise Then in between gusts of wind I could here them and finally spotted them in the distance over Glad Wood. Thousands of them. At least ten times the numbers I have previously seen. My daughter was really impressed (Which is something of a first) It was like watching the swarms of starlings you see on TV .
To dark to see anything elese except 20 Mallard and 3 Moorhen on Lords Wood pond.
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Mon Jan 16 6:30 PM, 2012
15th January 2012
PM Sunny but very cold
Lords Wood
1 Magpie 2 Great Tit 1 Carrion Crow
Lords Wood Pond
8 Mallard 1 Moorhen
Fields between Lords Wood, the College and Glade Wood
The roost has grown to well over 500 (Approx) today. They were flying in in groups of 25 to 75 as the sun went down. A real spectacle.
Regards
Dave
Davidcaron62 said
Tue Dec 27 7:10 PM, 2011
27th December 2011
PM cloudy
Lords Wood
1 Magpie 4 Black Bird
Lords Wood Pond
1 Moorhen 12 Mallard
Fields between Lords Wood, the College and Glade Wood.
300 Flock of Mixed Carrion, Rooks, Jackdaw and Crow still present but more over to Glade Wood today.
circular walk through the woods and around the college campus. I did go part of the way along Oaken Bank Lane towards Hollins Lane, but there was little to see out that way. Weather was generally fine despite a few short hail showers.
- 1 Buzzard (Oaken Bank Wood)
- 1+ Jay
- c4 Nuthatch
- 4 Lapwing in fields towards the golf course (from Oaken Bank Lane)
- 2 Stock Doves in same area
- 5 Mistle Thrush in the same area
- 1 singing Goldcrest
Little Egret in field behind Hopwood hall farm between Trub brook and golf course
Several skylarks calling flying over
Meadow pipit 8 in fields
Highlights
A Raven kronking over wood to east and possibly heard again later?
Pair of Stock Doves courtship chasing (my first here)
Usuals plus treecreepers at least 3, Nuthatch heard, blue great long tailed and coal tits, chaffinch, kestrel
Buzzard pair soaring over treetops
Sparrowhawk fem hunting
Kestrel calling (male?)
Treecreeper pair plus 3 seen together
Nuthatch pair chasing each other
G S Woodpecker 3 chasing each other and calling drumming
Lesser redpoll several small parties
Chaffinch and goldfinch in tops
Meadow Pipit heard flying north
[No bullfinches !!!!!!]
Buzzard a pair being mobbed by Crows
Kestrel hunting
Fieldfare 2+ over to East
Redwing 20+ in trees around 'nature reserve' pool
Treecreeper a pair feeding around marl pits by golf course
Goldcrest singing (m)
Meadow pipit singles over to East
Fields by oaken bank lane
Starling c 50
M thrush 3
Glade wood 08:30- damp misty still cool
Curlew at least 1 heard from golf course area
Also lapwing song
Skylark singles heard flying N
siskin 1 heard over
Meadow pipit 1+ heard from golf course 1 flying N over
Fieldfare 1 heard then flock of 20+ over tree tops going North
kestrel pair display flight
Lesser redpoll 3+
G S woodpecker 1+ heard thenmale drunning
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Tuesday 6th of March 2018 01:04:50 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of March 2018 02:31:42 PM
Woodcock flushed from side of track off Oaken bank road to Glade wood
Lots of blackbirds seen at least 20
Reading h in Lords wood
Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush in fields by Oaken Bank road
Redwing several heard and seen fleetingly
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
G S Woodpecker fem
L Redpoll flock of 12 over and in birch tops
Goldfinch
Bullfinch at least one heard
At dusk c. 3,000 jackdaws in fields by Lord wood and then most rooster in terms
Ese tops in Lord Wood
Meadow pipit heard in fields between cattery and woods
Redwing flock of c. 50 on East edge of Glade by pool and feeding in pasture
Grey wagtail heard in fields north of glade
Sun 19-Feb: 07:30-09:00
Walk from carpark near college gates round the back of the college buildings to fields near Oaken Bank, then back more or less the same way but detouring around the wood at the back of the college - first time ive been here to make use of proper footpaths!
Mild with light drizzle so pretty quiet.
- 2+ Great Spotted Woodpecker, including 1 drumming
- 4+ singing Song Thrush
- 3+ singing Chaffinch
- Goldcrest
- 2 Meadow Pipit in fields
Lots of residents singing (Robin, Dunnock, Wren etc), noisy House Sparrow and lots of Tits active.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of February 2017 07:52:58 PM
Skylark in first hours several heard calling (Tripp) overhead going North
Curlew at least one heard in distance fields or flying over contact call Coour
Kestrel M&F displaying
Sparrowhawk F stealth hunting in wood
Green woodpecker M&F
Nuthatch
Small flock of c 8 Redwings 4 Blackbirds and a Fieldfare
[no meadow pipits in horse paddock nor buzzard heard nor seen]
Glade wood
Mixed flock of 2 Mistle Thrushes, 8 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares and 6 Blackbirds in horse paddock (no Meadow Pipits! After c. 30 last week)
In trees flock of 4 Long tld Tits, 2 Goldcrest, M Bullfinch , 1 Nuthatch and 4 Lesser Redpolls
Buzzard 1 flushed 30 wood pigeons from treetops
Lords wood
G S Woodpecker in nest hole in Oak
Treecreeper 1+1
Nuthatch 2
Jay at least 4 squabbling
Sparrowhawk F hunting
Yew tree farm/stables
At least 30 clean country House Sparrows
Lots of blackbirds and Redwings feeding in leaf litter
Siskins and redpoll heard over
Blue tits and great tits beginning to pair up
Nuthatch and jay seen
Woodcock flushed with Redwings and fieldfares feeding? in unfrozen hollow @ 9:30
Bullfinches at least 4 heard at one point
Goldfinches over
Chaffinch
Snipe heard
Meadow pipit c.10 in horse field
A Siskin and 2 redpoll heard going over
Female sparrowhawk hunting in wood along golf course fields
Also wren and blue tit paired up and singing in the sunshine
-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Thursday 29th of December 2016 06:23:51 PM
Big reduction in winter thrushes
redwing c 60
Blackbird c 10
M thrush 8 in flock
S thrush 2
Meadow pipit 2
G heron 1 imm
Snipe 1 over
Buzzard 1
Sparrowhawk female hunting along lane spooking thrushes
Ringing 1 blackbird
Sparrowhawk 1 m hunting
Buzzard in field being mobbed by male Kestrel
G heron 1ad
Redwing 100+
Fieldfare c. 20
Song thrush 2
M thrush 4
Blackbird 40+
Grey wagtail 2 fem/imm manure pile
Meadow Pipit at least 15 in horse field
Ringing 3 Blackbirds 1 Robin 1 Blue tit
Hundreds of winter thrushes
20 mistle thrushes
30 blackbirds
10 song thrushes
60 fieldfares
100 Redwings
Kestrel 1m
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 25th of November 2016 03:19:45 PM
Treecreeper 1
Bullfinch male
Jays very noisy
Lots of robins an chaffinches
Mo frogspawn in any pool???
Song Thrush x 1
Dipper on stream
Treecreeper x 1
Chiffchaff x 1
Jays c 6 - carrying nest material
Nuthatch x 1
Teal - pair on the small lodge
5.30pm to 6pm
Dry and bright
Blackbird 1
Carrion Crow 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit 1
Jackdaw 4
Jay 1
Magpie 3
Moorhen 1
Robin 2
Woodpigeon 2
Wren 1
Regards
Dave
4pm to 5pm
Clear
A quick visit this afternoon
Blackbird 1
Blue Tit 4
Carrion Crow 14
Magpie 1
Mallard 4
Moorhen 1
Robin 1
Woodpigeon 50+
Dave
3.15 to 4.15pm
Very cold
Had a wander over to Lord Woods this afternoon to see if the large Corvid roost was in the area this year.
Sat on the hill looking over toward Bowlee three groups of 50 mixed Corvids flew over in that direction. On the skyline just above the tree tops counted 200ish before the light went. Not as many as last year but still a lot.
Dave
-- Edited by Davidcaron62 on Sunday 22nd of December 2013 05:37:16 PM
Quick walk along the stream outside the College grounds hoping for some Dipper action - and as usual - nada!
- 3 Nuthatch calling
- 4 Woodpigeon
- several unseen calling Long-tailed Tits
- around a dozen Blue Tit
- c6 Great Tit
and a handful of Magpies and Carrion Crows
Dipper singing on the stream just before it enters the college grounds.
Walk with Paul Hurst from Rochdale Road end over to Bowker Vale. (sorry that the birdlife wasn't as interesting as I'd hoped it would be)
Lords Wood
Very quiet. I think that after 30 mins we had seen/heard just 3 species!
- c10 Woodpigeon
- 7 Magpie
- c30 Rook (on farmland next to the Wood)
- c50 Jackdaw (with Rooks and other corvids)
- 1 Common Gull
- Moorhen (heard only)
- 2 Mallard
- c3 Reed Bunting
- Grey Heron
Farmland between Oaken Bank Wood and Bowker Vale
- c6 Chaffinch
- 4+ Great Tit
- 3+ Blue Tit
- c40 Starling
- flock of c16 mixed Black-headed and Common Gull
- 6 House Sparrow
- Sparrowhawk
- 2+ Herring Gull over
c200 Jackdaw at roost near St Ann's Academy, Bowker Vale with a few Carrion Crow and Rooks in amongst them.
sunday 19th coming back from lunch at Hollingworth Lake.
- Buzzard on farmland near Junction 19 of the M62
3.00pm to 4.30pm
Very wet but nice and sunny between the showers. Not much about other than in the fields adjacent the woods.
Black-headed Gull 11
Blackbird 1
Carrion Crow 8
Dunnock 1
Great Tit 1
Mallard 3
Moorhen 2
Sparrowhawk 1
Starling 6
Swallow c22
Woodpigeon 9
Regards
Dave
5.15pm to 6.30pm
Very wet and not much about other than in the fields adjacent the woods.
Black-headed Gull 9
Carrion Crow 3
Jay 2
Mallard 2
Starling 25
Woodpigeon 22
Regards
Dave
1 Song Thrush
4+ Willow Warbler
5+ Chiffchaff
1 Blackcap
2+ Nuthatch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only)
2 Swift over
12+ Swallow around the farmland
2 Jay
Plenty of Corvids and Tits around too
0830-1030 Cold, overcast and fairly windy so resitricted myself to Lords Wood only
Blackbird 1
Robin 3
Jay 1
Bluetit 4
Great tit 2
Carrion Crow 1
Woodpigeon 2
Green Woodpecker - heard only - 2
Nuthatch 4
Sparrowhawk 1
Bullfinch 2 (pair) On the back lane alongside the Playing fields
This is the first time I've seen the Sparrowhawk in Lords Wood - maybe that explains wh there were so few birds about?
PM Cloudy but warm
Second trip out since suffering from sciatica and its getting easier
5 Blackbird
2 Blue Tit
5 Carrion Crow
1 Dipper (On river near water wheel next to small pond)
3 Feral Pigeon
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Great Tit
2 Green Woodpecker
5 Jackdaw
6 Magpie
2 Mallard
1 Moorhen (Lords Wood Pond)
1 Oystercatcher (Playing Fields)
2 Robin
2 Starling
6 Swallow
39 Woodpigeon
Regards
Dave
As per the norm:
Blue Tit, Great Tit & Robin in abundance.
Also:
Treecreeper x2
Nuthatch x2 (Safe from the recent fire - Phew!)
Chaffinch x2
Dunnock
Wren
Magpie x5
Carrion Crow 3
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Moorhen x2
Mallard x3
Little Grebe / Dabchick x2
...and one LBJ I couldn't get enough of a decent view of to ID - I need to know my birdsong better!!!
Yes - thats where it was! That pond is the old mill-pond for the mill you recollect. I'd forgotten about the 'Urban warfare' section of todays assault course ;)
Thanks again
Kaz
No I don't think you have missed anything. Am glad you noted the flocks of Great Tit in the area. I was begining to think its just me that sees them everywhere I go
It certainly was bird watching SAS style. If I knew you were a Royal Marine Commando birdwatcher I would have done some training beforehand
Its good to know that there is a kinderd spirt out there who also lives in hope of seeing a Kingfisher
Regards
Dave
Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit all in good numbers all over
Lords wood/pond
2 Green Woodpecker heard exchanging calls
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Wren
Carrion Crow
Jay
Magpie
Moorhen
Little Grebe
Mallard
Rear of College
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff heard
Lane to rear of Glade Wood
Long-tailed Tit (one tail-less!)
Glade Wood
Mallard (rear pond)
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Lane between Glade Wood & Lords Wood
Grey Heron
Wren
Hopwood Clough
Grey Wagtail * (Voted our Bird of the Day)
Nuthatch
Magpie
Wren
Blackbird
Also Song Thrush, but cant for life of me remember just where it was!
Am not sure if it was the bog-snorkeling in Glade Wood, or the commando crawl along the fallen tree crossing the river in the Clough, but I'm well and truly worn out after all that walking!
Thanks for a very pleasant afternoon walk Dave - Sorry if I missed anything!
Kaz
Blackcap (m)
Green Woodpecker
Dipper
Bullfinch
Nuthatch
Plant list on the wildlife section
Dave
The area around the hill had been burnt a little by the 27th when I was last up there. Didn't appear to be any damage to the memorial trees then (Even the small ones) so hopefully its just restricted to the braken and grass like you say. Thats a good spot to sit and watch the Corvid roost over Glade and Oakenbank Woods in winter.
I spent an a couple of hours in Hopwood Clough and the woods behind the college (5pm to 7pm) looking for the Green Woodpecker and Dippers unfortunately got neither sight nor sound
Regards
Dave
There were at least 2 Green Woodpeckers in Lords Wood this afternoon, calling between each other. I only managed to see one however as it flew the length of the pond!
Great Spotted Woodpecker also seen. (Male)
Nuthatch 3
Little Grebe / Dabchick 1 (2 heard)
Mallard 2 (pair)
Wren 3
Great Tit 4
Blue Tit 6
Blackbird 1 (female)
Jay 2
After walking round the reserve for about an hour, I became aware of a strong smell of smoke, and eventually found the source - The hill to the rear of the reserve, and grassland bordering the reserve and Golf Course were both well alight!
After calling out the Fire Brigade and directing them to the site of the fire, I headed off via my favourite Nuthatch patch before heading home. A good area of the open grassland has been laid waste, as has a section of the Reserve towards the back edge. Hopefully it is largely surface burning of bracken and dead grass, and will soon recover once the spring growth kicks in!
Kaz
Lords Wood
Blackbird 2
Mallard 6 (1 pair + 3 males chasing 1 female)
Magpie 4
Wren 2
Chaffinch 2
Blue Tit 4
Jay 2
Great Tit 3
Wood Pigeon 4
Long-tailed Tit 1
Grey Heron 1
Little Grebe 2
Nuthatch 2
Dunnock 2
Robin 1
Moorhen 3
Treecreeper 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Buzzard 1
Woods behind College
Jay 2
Blue Tit 3
Great Tit 4
Green Woodpecker 1
Glade Wood
Chaffinch 2
Robin 3
Blue Tit 5
Carrion Crow 5
Rook 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker 3
Long-tailed Tit 4 (Pair collecting nesting material)
Wren 4
Great Tit 5
Magpie 1
Chiffchaff 1
Blackbird 1
Kaz
PM bright and warm
2 Long-tailed Tit
3 Magpie
1 Treecreeper
3 Great Tit
3 Blackbird
1 Nuthatch
2 Robin
1 Dunnock
1 Blue Tit
1 Grey Heron
3 Mallard (Lords Wood Pond)
2 Moorhen (Lords Wood Pond)
2 Little Grebe (Lords Wood Pond)
2 Woodpigeon
Regards
Dave
It would be great if it does. Dippers are amoungst my favourite birds. I had only ever seen them in Yorkshire until I saw the one in Hopwood Clough. Its great knowing we have them on the doorstep so as to speak. I will have a good look for it the next time I am out.
Another unsual sighting
Am also going to look out for the Green Woodpecker Ian has mentioned at the back of the college. Never seen one of those.
Regards
Dave
Dipper spotted at Hopwood LNR yesterday afternoon, also Nutchatch & treecreeper. Great Spotted Woodpecker hammering.
Kaz
Kaz
-- Edited by Kaz Horrocks on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 07:34:02 PM
PM bright and chilly
2 Blue Tit
1 Carrion Crow
10 Great Tit (Been a lot of these about the past few visits)
1 Grey Heron
3 Mallard (1 on Lords Wood pond and 2 on small pond between woods and playing fields)
3 Moorhen (Lords Wood Pond)
12 Woodpigeon (Fields to Glade Wood)
No sign of the big corvid roost
Regards
Dave
Early evening 6pm mild.
Wondered up Hopwood Clough from Boarshaw Clough this evening and finshed in Lords Woods
Hopwood Clough (To Lords Wood)
Blackbird
Robin
Blue Tit
Great Tit (11)
Coal Tit
Collared Dove
Woodpigeon
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Lords Wood
Blue Tit
Great Tit (16)
Wren
Blackbird
Robin
Magpie
Long-tailed Tit
Lots of Great Tit around tonight can't remember ever having seen so many
Lords Wood Pond
2 Moorhen
6 Mallard (All chased away by a couple of dogs that decided to go swimming
1 Grey Heron flew over the pond East to West decided not to stop due to the dogs.
Regards
Dave
Late PM Dull but mild
Lords Wood
10 Blue Tit
1 Blackbird
2 Magpie
1 Chaffinch
3 Great Tit
2 Carrion Crow
4 Long-tailed Tit
2 Jay
1 Coal Tit
1 Woodpigeon
Lords Wood Pond
3 Grey Heron (Same three that were in Higher Boarshaw yesterday. Still behaving as if they were in a spaghetti western)
7 Mallard
4 Moorhen
Regards
Dave
Late Afternoon
Sunny but cold.
Small Pond (Between woods and fields)
1 Moorhen
Lords Wood
3 Blue Tit
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Magpie
2 Chaffinch
1 Great Tit
1 Carrion Crow
Lords Wood Pond
13 Mallard
3 Moorhen
Regards
Dave
Another late visit on a very cold day.
Fields to College
4 Carrion Crow
5 Black-head Gulls
Lords Wood
2 Blackbird
4 Magpie
3 Chaffinch
2 Robin
Lords Wood Pond
2 Moorhen
6 Mallard
Fields between Lords Wood, the College and Glade Wood
500+ mixed Corvids flying arriving in groups of 50 to 75
Regards
Dave
Spur of the moment visit about 4.00ish after the footie to show the Corvid flock to my eldest. Nothing about at first and was beginning to think it was a wasted visit bird wise
To dark to see anything elese except 20 Mallard and 3 Moorhen on Lords Wood pond.
Regards
Dave
PM Sunny but very cold
Lords Wood
1 Magpie
2 Great Tit
1 Carrion Crow
Lords Wood Pond
8 Mallard
1 Moorhen
Fields between Lords Wood, the College and Glade Wood
The roost has grown to well over 500 (Approx) today. They were flying in in groups of 25 to 75 as the sun went down. A real spectacle.
Regards
Dave
PM cloudy
Lords Wood
1 Magpie
4 Black Bird
Lords Wood Pond
1 Moorhen
12 Mallard
Fields between Lords Wood, the College and Glade Wood.
300 Flock of Mixed Carrion, Rooks, Jackdaw and Crow still present but more over to Glade Wood today.
Fields to the College
6 Black-headed Gull
Regards
Dave