First visit of the season to this area. Chatted with a couple who were just leaving as we parked up in the lay-by near Cut Thorn Hill. They'd been searching for 3 hours from Cut Thorn right the way up to Danebower but dipped. Couldn't believe it when got onto an Ouzel as soon as we got to Blackclough Farm Also saw several Wheatear, displaying Lapwings and Curlews full of the joys of spring.
Walked the path along Danebower Hollow as far as the 2nd gate, from which you get a good view
across the Cumberland Brook valley and Whetstone Ridge.
A group of 11 Ravens jostled each other to perch on a couple of large rocks that jutted out from the hillside.
If these were children and not corvids, I'd swear they were playing "King of the Castle".
2 further Ravens joined 3 Buzzards and a pair of Kestrels in riding the thermals above the ridge.
A solitary Wheatear rested on the stonewall alongside the path, and had a very narrow escape when one of the
Kestrels made an attack.
Area around the chimney 6 Stonechats. The pair of Kestrels (M+F) flew across the A54 to hunt along Dane Valley.
**Please see Derbyshire thread for birds seen around the former quarry.
John Williams said
Mon Apr 11 8:01 PM, 2022
Afternoon visit
1m Ring Ouzel, 1m Stonechat, 4 Kestrels, 3 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Ravens and numerous Meadow Pipits.
The Kestrels indulged in some really spectacular display flying, despite the really strong SE wind, with 1 male putting
on a show that put even the fittest Hobby to shame. At one point he caught something, which may have been a pipit,
and started to eat his prize whilst hovering. The Lapwings too did some display flights, but they simply could not match
the falcons.
Paul Flackett said
Sun Apr 3 7:14 PM, 2022
Made several visits to the area recently buttoday finally found a couple of Ring Ouzels. First time I can recall a female being my first bird of the season. Found a male a bit later. Lapwings and Curlews on territories. A Peregrine made a failed attempt on a Lapwing then gained height again and drifted off into the distance. Several Ravens, a couple of Stonechats and lots of Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Sunday 3rd of April 2022 07:15:18 PM
John Williams said
Mon Mar 28 7:48 PM, 2022
Mid-afternoon visit.
1m Wheatear, 1m+1f Stonechats, 2 Curlews and 4 Ravens.
A couple of male Red Grouse were engaged in a noisy and highly aggressive fight.
Meadow Pipits are back and displaying over their territories.
John Williams said
Tue Apr 6 6:07 PM, 2021
Morning walk around the area
Former quarry and area around the chimney : 4 Wheatears, 3 Stonechats, 1 Red Grouse and 1m Kestrel.
A short stroll around the paths in the area produced : 2 Curlews and 7 Lapwings in an area of rough pasture.
A pair of Ring Ouzels in a paddock with a single Mistle Thrush.
Meadow Pipits abundant throughout.
Paul Flackett said
Mon Mar 29 11:47 PM, 2021
Really chuffed to drop onto this dapper Wheatear this morning just along from the quarry on the Cheshire / Derbyshire border. One of three in fact. My earliest ever in the hills. Also several Curlew on territory plus the odd Lapwing, Stonechat and lots of Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Tuesday 30th of March 2021 08:37:58 AM
Waking just after dawn due to the heat I decided to head out and was at Danebower Chimney before 7am. A cool breeze made it much more comfortable and being on my own was a nice change from Newchurch too!
The first birds were a pair of Curlew calling and going into display flight on the hillside opposite the road side of the stream. As I headed down into the vally a pair of Wheatears was seen, the male being especially pale grey, ghostly in fact. Hordes of broods of Stonechat were flying about, probably up to 15 young, they seemed everywhere but only a couple of adult males and females were seen. Finally I heard a Ring Ouzel, down somewhere hidden in the vallty bottom towrads the eastern end. Try as I might I never located it, never mind, it prove that they were still here. A bit later I spotted an immature bird as it flew along by the drystone wall and briefly perched on it before dropping on the far side out of view, nice to see proof of breeding too. Another breeding bird seen was a Red Grouse with 5 young ones, always nice to see too, they never moved out of cover by the path until I was nearly on top of them and even then they didn't panic, but they were too young to fly so just melted off into the heather. A Grey Wagtail flew along the length of the stream and Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were also seen. A Buzzard was perched on a fence by the sheep field too.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 25th of June 2020 07:21:42 PM
Paul Flackett said
Wed Mar 25 11:35 PM, 2020
I had an uncanny feeling things were about to change so the wife & I took a trip out into the hills on Monday. So glad we did when we ended up connecting with a male Ring Ouzel in the early evening. We'd been up to Blackclough and then along to Danebower Quarry during the afternoon and picked up numerous Stonechats, Curlews & a single Wheatear. It was Ouzels I was really after though so I was a touch disappointed not to have found one as we headed back towards Cut Thorn Hill where we'd parked the car. And then suddenly there it was on the wall in front of me! It soon spooked though and flew off towards Three Shires Head 'takk-ing' loudly. Back at the car, big smile on my face, and I start changing out of my boots when Anne suddenly says "OWL". So for the next 10 minutes we then had the joy of watching a Short-Eared Owl quartering the field below us. Magic!
Phil Hampson said
Mon Apr 22 9:38 AM, 2019
This morning, 1 pair Ring Ouzel around the chimney.
Phil
John Williams said
Sat Jun 9 5:10 PM, 2018
10.00-13.30
Old Quarry and Chimney area : 1m Stonechat, 1m Wheatear, 2 Kestrels and 2 Ravens.
Danebower Hollow : 12 Curlews, 16 Lapwings, 7 Golden Plovers, 1 Skylark and lots of displaying Meadow Pipits.
It's best to stay on the footpath here and don't linger in one spot too long as the waders get agitated.
6 Golden Plover were in a flock, plus a single bird.
The body of a decomposed "Blackbird" sized Lapwing chick was on the path.
John Williams said
Sat Jun 2 5:52 PM, 2018
09.45-14.00
Really misty early on but it cleared up around 11.00.
No sign of Ring Ouzel around the chimney or old quarry.
2m Wheatears, 1f Stonechat, 1 Buzzard and lots of Meadow Pipits.
Adam Jones said
Sun Apr 15 12:04 AM, 2018
Saturday 14th April 13:00
2 Ring Ouzels on the slopes and around the stone wall/old building remnants. Quite vocal at times. Also, a pair of Wheatear and a pair of Stonechat. 2 Ravens over 2 Common Buzzard 3 Kestrels 2 Curlew Golden Plover heard but not seen. Plenty of Meadow Pipits Good warm sunshine here today. Makes a huge difference.
Julian Winstanley said
Mon May 15 9:20 AM, 2017
Had a lovely walk in great weather yesterday from Danebower Quarries, around Three Shires Head. Didn't catch the Ring Ouzel but the list of interesting spots includes Curlew, lapwing, skylarks, meadow pipits, several wheatear, buzzard, kestrel, a group of 10 (10!) raven, a pair of stonechat (female was gathering nesting material), grey wagtail and a pair of Reed buntings. Having reached the car just minutes before it began to rain, we popped round to the layby at the top of Cumberland Clough where we had excellent views of the Golden Plover, but sadly no dotterel
Doc Brewster said
Sat May 6 4:03 PM, 2017
Seeing as how Danebower is only 27 miles from home and having a few hours to spare I drove across there this morning. Parking in the layby on the north side of the A54 (the area north of the road here, next to the fields by the layby is labelled as Wood Moss on OS Maps) a couple of hundred metres before the laybe that folk usually use for the Danebower Chimney I had a quick scan of the fields. Just one Lapwing to see, but from beyond the stone barn on the crest of the hill came the haunting call of Golden Plovers. So I headed up the path beyond the layby, no other birders were up there at this time so I'd have to find the birds myself. Just past the stone barn (labelled as Sparbent on OS Maps) I could see a flock of over 40 Golden Plovers, many in stunning summer plumage. A short search as I was joined by a Wilmslow birder who I knew from him being a Focalpoint customer, reavealed a male Dotterel in this flock. A while later the female was found too and as more birders arrived we watched them for the next 45mins or so. The female Dotterel was especially aggressive to the Golden Plovers, often giving chase and driving them away from her 'patch'. It is always great to see this species, more so in your home county, although in days gone by I remember seeing then annually in autumn at Frodsham, but not for a long time now! A Wheatear was also present, it whizzed across the field in front of the plovers, Red Grouse called and were on moorland behind the plovers and plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were seen.
The Dotterel always were quite distant and the light wasn't great but I managed a few record shots for posterity! Low res picture of the male attached.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 6th of May 2017 04:08:44 PM
At 17:30 this evening, In a field, adjacent to the next lay by down from the Danebower one, on the A54, was a female Dotterel. Apparently, here for it's second day (though previous day in the company of a male), it was hunkered down quite near the lay by with several dozen splendidly summer-plumaged Golden Plover and a few Lapwing. A long awaited county tick for yours truly and nice to pick up my first Swift of the year here too
Adam Jones said
Mon Apr 10 11:22 AM, 2017
Late post Saturday 8th April 2017 9am
A pair of Wheatear seen in courtship ritual along the walls. Lovely to watch in the sunshine. Decent numbers of Meadow Pipits, as expected. 4 Curlew overhead. Quiet otherwise here.
John Williams said
Sun Apr 24 8:55 PM, 2016
Late Afternoon (Light Rain)
Area around the chimney.
1m Wheatear and 1 Curlew. No sign of Ring Ouzel, although I only spent around 20 minutes here.
Phil Hampson said
Wed Apr 13 2:42 PM, 2016
08:00 - 09:00 today.
1 ring ouzel calling. Very mild, for a change but terrible light and glare. Unable to locate the bird. Many meadow pipit and a minimum of 6 wheatear. Red grouse seen and heard as usual. A number of curlew circling round as well. All in all excellent visit.
Phil
John Williams said
Sun Aug 30 11:43 PM, 2015
17.00-18.00
1m Wheatear, 3 Red Grouse and 1m+1f Kestrel.
1 Red Admiral butterfly.
Adam Jones said
Sat Jul 18 7:17 PM, 2015
1 Peregrine 3 Kestrels 2 Ravens 2 Wheatear Curlews calling but not seen
3 Ravens, 2 Buzzards (1 light phase), 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Red Grouse and 10 Meadow Pipits.
A resplendent male Blackbird was hanging the stone wall near the chimney, and chasing other birds off, just when you're looking for his slightly larger cousin.
The small pool by the old quarry was hosting a frog orgy, 18 individuals appeared involved.
Adam Jones said
Sat Nov 1 4:48 PM, 2014
Saturday 1st November 11am
2 Stonechat 2 Ravens 1 Kestrel 3 Common Buzzard 2 Red Grouse
It was a bit bleak weather wise up there.
John Williams said
Sun Jun 29 3:52 PM, 2014
AM.
Walk from Danebower to Cut Thorn.
Danebower
Just 1 Wheatear, a juvenile, around the chimney area, there were 8 at the same spot on the 14th.
At least 10 Grey Wagtails along the brook between Danebower & Cut Thorn, and 4 Pied Wagtails, but no sign of Dipper.
Meadow Pipits abundant. Amongst the boulders near the top of the hill, a pair of Blackbirds were in residence, in what should be Ring Ouzel terrain?.
Lots of Woodpigeons on the hillside too, mainly around the clumps of Bilberry.
On the small stream a female Mallard had 7 near full grown offspring alongside her.
John Williams said
Sat Jun 14 4:00 PM, 2014
10.00-12.30
8 Wheatears (Between the lay-by & the chimney) 1 female Ring Ouzel 2 Grey Wagtails 3 Curlew 1 Buzzard being mobbed by a pair of Kestrels
Lots of Red Grouse, Meadow Pipits and Small Heath butterflies.
sid ashton said
Wed Jun 4 4:20 PM, 2014
06.30 this morning - 2 male, 1 female and two young Ring Ouzels down towards the stream from Danebower chimney. Several Wheatear and Meadow Pipits also seen.
Phil Hampson said
Sat Apr 19 9:17 AM, 2014
07:15 this morning, its was Arctic up there!
Raven Carrion crow Meadow Pipit Red grouse Chaffinch Ring Ouzel (m&f) Lapwing Curlew
Strangely no wheatear seen or heard.
Phil
Adam Jones said
Tue Apr 15 9:08 PM, 2014
Just after 4pm this afternoon while looking for Ring Ouzel up at Danebower I watched a large raptor soar round from Axe Edge Moor. I thought it was a little unusual to see a Buzzard here. When I finally got fixed on it with the binoculars, it was quite clearly a Red Kite. It continued towards me through the quarry and then across the road towards Wild Boar Clough. A great sight to see in the warm sunshine. Needless to say, I didn't see any Ouzel and not much else actually bar a few very plucky Red Grouse.
Phil Hampson said
Wed Apr 9 12:37 PM, 2014
3 male and 3 female wheatear Many meadow pipits Red grouse No ring ouzel
Phil
Phil Hampson said
Tue Jun 25 3:10 PM, 2013
2 juvenile ring ouzels having a dispute with a juvenile mistle thrush Many meadow pipits, adult and juveniles being fed 1 wheatear (surprising low as there are many up there) Curlew Lapwing
It was cold, seemingly as usual, up there.
Phil
Phil Hampson said
Sat Apr 20 5:34 PM, 2013
No sign of ring ouzel this morning.
>10 wheatears and in song Meadow pipits very active displaying Vocal red grouse.
Phil
Phil Hampson said
Thu Apr 4 4:37 AM, 2013
Danebower No ring ouzel, there again too cold to stand and look.
Some roads still closed so no chance of looking for red grouse.
Phil
Adam Jones said
Mon Oct 22 3:06 AM, 2012
Sunday 21st October 2 Stonechat 1 Peregrine 150 Pink footed geese heading South East 50+ Meadow Pipits on the slopes Plenty of Red Grouse in the sunshine.
chrisdorney said
Sun Aug 12 4:34 AM, 2012
A walk across the moor via black clough to the chimney and back: 15-20 red grouse(good luck tomorrow by the way) Skylark 100+ meadow pipits(15 in the road driving towards flash!) 3-4 kestrel Merlin(near black clough farm) 6 wheatear 2 raven(one carrying what looked like nest material?) 1 golden plover(calling then came over to check me out,did a lap round me then dropped back in to the moor) Really misty early doors but ended up a beautiful morning.
Adam Jones said
Sun Jul 22 6:40 PM, 2012
Sunday 22nd July
A great morning, but where was the promised sunshine? 1 female Ring Ouzel 2 Stonechat 1 Raven 1 Peregrine. I watched as it caught up with an unsuspecting Wood Pigeon and took it in mid air with minimal fuss. Pigeon still flapping as it was taken away in the tallons. A truly awesome spectacle. Lots of Wheatears. Golden Plover heard overhead but not seen.
Adam Jones said
Sun Jul 1 6:00 PM, 2012
Sunday 1st July
1 Ring Ouzel seen this morning 1 Red Grouse 12 Wheater (severeal juveniles) 6 Meadow Pipits 1 Curlew heard calling
sid ashton said
Sat Jun 30 5:29 AM, 2012
On the way home from "twitching" the Olympic flame in Buxton stopped for a short time at Danebower watching two young Peregrines around the chimney.
Adam Jones said
Mon Jun 11 4:28 AM, 2012
Sunday 10th June
Nice to see a pair of Stonechat with 3 juveniles this morning. Meadow Pipits and Wheatear with beaks full of insects too.
John O'Neill said
Tue May 29 6:40 AM, 2012
late post for 27/05/12
Cat & Fiddle Pass: Cheshire side in between C&F pub and Walker Barn. Red Kite showing v well soaring relatively low over fields adjacent to road.
Seen at 11.30 am ,still present when we drove back 5.00pmish.
sid ashton said
Fri Apr 20 8:30 PM, 2012
As part of my Macc forest area trip this morning I was at Danbower at 10'ish. A heavy shower was in progress as I arrived but when the sun came up briefly I found a pair of feeding Ring Ouzel. They were visible from the layby area to the west of the derelict cottage.
john brookes said
Mon Apr 16 4:25 AM, 2012
Ouzels feeding in fields pm along axe edge path east of the quarries next to first farm. Report of up to seven, I spotted only four (2m 2f). Meadow pipits in plague proportions, at least a dozen Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel (in the quarry) 1 Raven, plenty of Grouse and Curlew and my first Whinchat of the year.
Phil Hampson said
Mon Apr 16 2:40 AM, 2012
Think I need to stop the early visits!
Phil
Brian Burnett said
Mon Apr 16 1:33 AM, 2012
Couple of hours up to 1pm
3 Ring Ouzel (two males and a female), Grey Wagtail along stream, Raven, Sparrowhawk, Red grouse, Swallow, Stonechat, Golden Plover flock flew over, numerous Meadow pipits and Wheatear. No Dipper again at Wildboarclough (how do we keep not finding them)
Helen and Brian Burnett
Phil Hampson said
Sun Apr 15 5:59 PM, 2012
This morning at 07:00 - 07:25 Mipits Red grouse Again no ring ouzel
Phil
Mike Turton said
Sun Apr 15 2:53 AM, 2012
I was also up at Danebower 1045 to 1245 seen three of the Ring Ouzels loan male and one pair plus the very showy Red Grouse 7 one Male flew right at me as I was walking from cat and fiddle to Danebower plenty of Golden Plover 5 Wheatears 1 House Martin 1 Swallow loads of meadow pipits 2 Ravens 1 Buzzard 1 Curlew and best of all 2 Red Kites over head as I was sat looking out for Ring Ouzels MIKE
Adam Jones said
Sat Apr 14 7:20 PM, 2012
Highlight of the morning was seeing 4 Ring Ouzels. Two separate pairs. Also saw my first House Martin of the year 30 Golden Plover Numerous Wheatear and Meadow Pipits 7 Red Grouse (not very shy this morning) 3 Lapwings 5 Curlews
Phil Hampson said
Thu Apr 12 4:45 PM, 2012
0 ring ouzel 6 wheatear red grouse curlew buzzard
Phil
Phil Hampson said
Tue Apr 10 8:35 PM, 2012
1 ring ouzel and 3 wheatears, told that earlier there had been 3 rouzel.
Phil
Lynne Webster said
Tue Apr 10 4:23 PM, 2012
Looking down from the layby to the stone walls below the chimney at around 08:15,
3 ring ouzel 3 wheatear 1 meadow pipit
Also a dipper at the bridge at Wildboarclough, and 2 grey wagtail on a wall further downstream.
Lynne
-- Edited by Lynne Webster on Tuesday 10th of April 2012 04:23:50 PM
First visit of the season to this area. Chatted with a couple who were just leaving as we parked up in the lay-by near Cut Thorn Hill. They'd been searching for 3 hours from Cut Thorn right the way up to Danebower but dipped. Couldn't believe it when got onto an Ouzel as soon as we got to Blackclough Farm
Also saw several Wheatear, displaying Lapwings and Curlews full of the joys of spring.
Walked the path along Danebower Hollow as far as the 2nd gate, from which you get a good view
across the Cumberland Brook valley and Whetstone Ridge.
A group of 11 Ravens jostled each other to perch on a couple of large rocks that jutted out from the hillside.
If these were children and not corvids, I'd swear they were playing "King of the Castle".
2 further Ravens joined 3 Buzzards and a pair of Kestrels in riding the thermals above the ridge.
A solitary Wheatear rested on the stonewall alongside the path, and had a very narrow escape when one of the
Kestrels made an attack.
Area around the chimney 6 Stonechats. The pair of Kestrels (M+F) flew across the A54 to hunt along Dane Valley.
**Please see Derbyshire thread for birds seen around the former quarry.
1m Ring Ouzel, 1m Stonechat, 4 Kestrels, 3 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Ravens and numerous Meadow Pipits.
The Kestrels indulged in some really spectacular display flying, despite the really strong SE wind, with 1 male putting
on a show that put even the fittest Hobby to shame. At one point he caught something, which may have been a pipit,
and started to eat his prize whilst hovering. The Lapwings too did some display flights, but they simply could not match
the falcons.
Made several visits to the area recently but today finally found a couple of Ring Ouzels. First time I can recall a female being my first bird of the season. Found a male a bit later. Lapwings and Curlews on territories. A Peregrine made a failed attempt on a Lapwing then gained height again and drifted off into the distance. Several Ravens, a couple of Stonechats and lots of Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Sunday 3rd of April 2022 07:15:18 PM
1m Wheatear, 1m+1f Stonechats, 2 Curlews and 4 Ravens.
A couple of male Red Grouse were engaged in a noisy and highly aggressive fight.
Meadow Pipits are back and displaying over their territories.
Former quarry and area around the chimney : 4 Wheatears, 3 Stonechats, 1 Red Grouse and 1m Kestrel.
A short stroll around the paths in the area produced : 2 Curlews and 7 Lapwings in an area of rough pasture.
A pair of Ring Ouzels in a paddock with a single Mistle Thrush.
Meadow Pipits abundant throughout.
Really chuffed to drop onto this dapper Wheatear this morning just along from the quarry on the Cheshire / Derbyshire border. One of three in fact. My earliest ever in the hills. Also several Curlew on territory plus the odd Lapwing, Stonechat and lots of Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Tuesday 30th of March 2021 08:37:58 AM
Waking just after dawn due to the heat I decided to head out and was at Danebower Chimney before 7am. A cool breeze made it much more comfortable and being on my own was a nice change from Newchurch too!
The first birds were a pair of Curlew calling and going into display flight on the hillside opposite the road side of the stream. As I headed down into the vally a pair of Wheatears was seen, the male being especially pale grey, ghostly in fact. Hordes of broods of Stonechat were flying about, probably up to 15 young, they seemed everywhere but only a couple of adult males and females were seen. Finally I heard a Ring Ouzel, down somewhere hidden in the vallty bottom towrads the eastern end. Try as I might I never located it, never mind, it prove that they were still here. A bit later I spotted an immature bird as it flew along by the drystone wall and briefly perched on it before dropping on the far side out of view, nice to see proof of breeding too. Another breeding bird seen was a Red Grouse with 5 young ones, always nice to see too, they never moved out of cover by the path until I was nearly on top of them and even then they didn't panic, but they were too young to fly so just melted off into the heather. A Grey Wagtail flew along the length of the stream and Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were also seen. A Buzzard was perched on a fence by the sheep field too.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 25th of June 2020 07:21:42 PM
I had an uncanny feeling things were about to change so the wife & I took a trip out into the hills on Monday. So glad we did when we ended up connecting with a male Ring Ouzel in the early evening. We'd been up to Blackclough and then along to Danebower Quarry during the afternoon and picked up numerous Stonechats, Curlews & a single Wheatear. It was Ouzels I was really after though so I was a touch disappointed not to have found one as we headed back towards Cut Thorn Hill where we'd parked the car. And then suddenly there it was on the wall in front of me! It soon spooked though and flew off towards Three Shires Head 'takk-ing' loudly. Back at the car, big smile on my face, and I start changing out of my boots when Anne suddenly says "OWL". So for the next 10 minutes we then had the joy of watching a Short-Eared Owl quartering the field below us. Magic!
This morning, 1 pair Ring Ouzel around the chimney.
Phil
Old Quarry and Chimney area : 1m Stonechat, 1m Wheatear, 2 Kestrels and 2 Ravens.
Danebower Hollow : 12 Curlews, 16 Lapwings, 7 Golden Plovers, 1 Skylark and lots of displaying Meadow Pipits.
It's best to stay on the footpath here and don't linger in one spot too long as the waders get agitated.
6 Golden Plover were in a flock, plus a single bird.
The body of a decomposed "Blackbird" sized Lapwing chick was on the path.
Really misty early on but it cleared up around 11.00.
No sign of Ring Ouzel around the chimney or old quarry.
2m Wheatears, 1f Stonechat, 1 Buzzard and lots of Meadow Pipits.
2 Ring Ouzels on the slopes and around the stone wall/old building remnants. Quite vocal at times.
Also, a pair of Wheatear and a pair of Stonechat.
2 Ravens over
2 Common Buzzard
3 Kestrels
2 Curlew
Golden Plover heard but not seen.
Plenty of Meadow Pipits
Good warm sunshine here today. Makes a huge difference.
Seeing as how Danebower is only 27 miles from home and having a few hours to spare I drove across there this morning. Parking in the layby on the north side of the A54 (the area north of the road here, next to the fields by the layby is labelled as Wood Moss on OS Maps) a couple of hundred metres before the laybe that folk usually use for the Danebower Chimney I had a quick scan of the fields. Just one Lapwing to see, but from beyond the stone barn on the crest of the hill came the haunting call of Golden Plovers. So I headed up the path beyond the layby, no other birders were up there at this time so I'd have to find the birds myself. Just past the stone barn (labelled as Sparbent on OS Maps) I could see a flock of over 40 Golden Plovers, many in stunning summer plumage. A short search as I was joined by a Wilmslow birder who I knew from him being a Focalpoint customer, reavealed a male Dotterel in this flock. A while later the female was found too and as more birders arrived we watched them for the next 45mins or so. The female Dotterel was especially aggressive to the Golden Plovers, often giving chase and driving them away from her 'patch'. It is always great to see this species, more so in your home county, although in days gone by I remember seeing then annually in autumn at Frodsham, but not for a long time now! A Wheatear was also present, it whizzed across the field in front of the plovers, Red Grouse called and were on moorland behind the plovers and plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were seen.
The Dotterel always were quite distant and the light wasn't great but I managed a few record shots for posterity! Low res picture of the male attached.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 6th of May 2017 04:08:44 PM
At 17:30 this evening, In a field, adjacent to the next lay by down from the Danebower one, on the A54, was a female Dotterel. Apparently, here for it's second day (though previous day in the company of a male), it was hunkered down quite near the lay by with several dozen splendidly summer-plumaged Golden Plover and a few Lapwing. A long awaited county tick for yours truly and nice to pick up my first Swift of the year here too
Late post Saturday 8th April 2017 9am
A pair of Wheatear seen in courtship ritual along the walls. Lovely to watch in the sunshine.
Decent numbers of Meadow Pipits, as expected.
4 Curlew overhead.
Quiet otherwise here.
Area around the chimney.
1m Wheatear and 1 Curlew. No sign of Ring Ouzel, although I only spent around 20 minutes here.
08:00 - 09:00 today.
1 ring ouzel calling. Very mild, for a change but terrible light and glare. Unable to locate the bird. Many meadow pipit and a minimum of 6 wheatear. Red grouse seen and heard as usual. A number of curlew circling round as well. All in all excellent visit.
Phil
1m Wheatear, 3 Red Grouse and 1m+1f Kestrel.
1 Red Admiral butterfly.
3 Kestrels
2 Ravens
2 Wheatear
Curlews calling but not seen
2 Kestrels
5 Wheatear (2 stunning males)
Lots of Meadow Pipits
1m+3f Wheatears, 1m+1f Stonechats, 2 Curlew, 2 Lapwings,
3 Ravens, 2 Buzzards (1 light phase), 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Red Grouse and 10 Meadow Pipits.
A resplendent male Blackbird was hanging the stone wall near the chimney, and chasing other birds off, just when you're looking for his slightly larger cousin.
The small pool by the old quarry was hosting a frog orgy, 18 individuals appeared involved.
2 Stonechat
2 Ravens
1 Kestrel
3 Common Buzzard
2 Red Grouse
It was a bit bleak weather wise up there.
Walk from Danebower to Cut Thorn.
Danebower
Just 1 Wheatear, a juvenile, around the chimney area, there were 8 at the same spot on the 14th.
At least 10 Grey Wagtails along the brook between Danebower & Cut Thorn, and 4 Pied Wagtails, but no sign of Dipper.
Cut Thorn Hill
1 highly vocal Cuckoo, 4 Curlews attacking passing crows, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Buzzards, 4 Red Grouse, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 Stoat.
Meadow Pipits abundant. Amongst the boulders near the top of the hill, a pair of Blackbirds were in residence, in what should be Ring Ouzel terrain?.
Lots of Woodpigeons on the hillside too, mainly around the clumps of Bilberry.
On the small stream a female Mallard had 7 near full grown offspring alongside her.
8 Wheatears (Between the lay-by & the chimney)
1 female Ring Ouzel
2 Grey Wagtails
3 Curlew
1 Buzzard being mobbed by a pair of Kestrels
Lots of Red Grouse, Meadow Pipits and Small Heath butterflies.
Raven
Carrion crow
Meadow Pipit
Red grouse
Chaffinch
Ring Ouzel (m&f)
Lapwing
Curlew
Strangely no wheatear seen or heard.
Phil
A great sight to see in the warm sunshine.
Needless to say, I didn't see any Ouzel and not much else actually bar a few very plucky Red Grouse.
Many meadow pipits
Red grouse
No ring ouzel
Phil
Many meadow pipits, adult and juveniles being fed
1 wheatear (surprising low as there are many up there)
Curlew
Lapwing
It was cold, seemingly as usual, up there.
Phil
>10 wheatears and in song
Meadow pipits very active displaying
Vocal red grouse.
Phil
No ring ouzel, there again too cold to stand and look.
Some roads still closed so no chance of looking for red grouse.
Phil
2 Stonechat
1 Peregrine
150 Pink footed geese heading South East
50+ Meadow Pipits on the slopes
Plenty of Red Grouse in the sunshine.
15-20 red grouse(good luck tomorrow by the way)
Skylark
100+ meadow pipits(15 in the road driving towards flash!)
3-4 kestrel
Merlin(near black clough farm)
6 wheatear
2 raven(one carrying what looked like nest material?)
1 golden plover(calling then came over to check me out,did a lap round me then dropped back in to the moor)
Really misty early doors but ended up a beautiful morning.
A great morning, but where was the promised sunshine?
1 female Ring Ouzel
2 Stonechat
1 Raven
1 Peregrine. I watched as it caught up with an unsuspecting Wood Pigeon and took it in mid air with minimal fuss. Pigeon still flapping as it was taken away in the tallons. A truly awesome spectacle.
Lots of Wheatears.
Golden Plover heard overhead but not seen.
1 Ring Ouzel seen this morning
1 Red Grouse
12 Wheater (severeal juveniles)
6 Meadow Pipits
1 Curlew heard calling
Nice to see a pair of Stonechat with 3 juveniles this morning.
Meadow Pipits and Wheatear with beaks full of insects too.
Cat & Fiddle Pass: Cheshire side in between C&F pub and Walker Barn.
Red Kite showing v well soaring relatively low over fields adjacent to road.
Seen at 11.30 am ,still present when we drove back 5.00pmish.
Phil
3 Ring Ouzel (two males and a female), Grey Wagtail along stream, Raven, Sparrowhawk, Red grouse, Swallow, Stonechat, Golden Plover flock flew over, numerous Meadow pipits and Wheatear. No Dipper again at Wildboarclough (how do we keep not finding them)
Helen and Brian Burnett
Mipits
Red grouse
Again no ring ouzel
Phil
seen three of the Ring Ouzels loan male and one pair
plus the very showy Red Grouse 7 one Male flew right at me as I was walking from cat and fiddle to Danebower
plenty of Golden Plover
5 Wheatears
1 House Martin
1 Swallow
loads of meadow pipits
2 Ravens
1 Buzzard
1 Curlew
and best of all
2 Red Kites over head as I was sat looking out for Ring Ouzels
MIKE
Two separate pairs.
Also saw my first House Martin of the year
30 Golden Plover
Numerous Wheatear and Meadow Pipits
7 Red Grouse (not very shy this morning)
3 Lapwings
5 Curlews
6 wheatear
red grouse
curlew
buzzard
Phil
Phil
3 ring ouzel
3 wheatear
1 meadow pipit
Also a dipper at the bridge at Wildboarclough, and 2 grey wagtail on a wall further downstream.
Lynne
-- Edited by Lynne Webster on Tuesday 10th of April 2012 04:23:50 PM