Seemed much quieter than last Sunday. So much for migration! Apart from 'local' warblers and hirundines still around, just one spotted flycatcher as per last week (very similar spot, but as it was not reported since then, I presume a different bird). Good job the sun was shining so that insects could step up to the mark (see other wildlife if interested).
John Rayner said
Fri Aug 11 3:47 PM, 2017
Best sightings were:
Hobby hunting Goldfinches over Cloughend Farm (still plenty of small passerines in the general area so it may stick around) Ravens 7 (with gulls and corvids near Gird Lane) Tree Sparrow 8 (Larkhill) Redpoll 9 Swift 4 Collared Dove 8 Goldfinch 26 Meadow Pipit 12 Swallow 18
1 hobby over 'dip' (just past April Cottage), flew towards Rowarth.
1 spotted flycatcher just a few yards further on in dying tree to north of road.
Other things more or less as expected: 3 redpoll, family of bullfinches (parents & 3 young), sev. tree sparrows best of the rest.
Other 'migrants'. 1 swift, chiffchaffs and willow warblers (2 heard in full song).
John Rayner said
Mon Jul 31 2:40 PM, 2017
31st July: Today I finally caught up with Hobby as an adult flew over the quarry. Also: Kestrel 2 Buzzard 2 Raven 3 Swallow 13 Lapwing 9 Rook c60
Selected highlights from some other recent visits:
27th July: Tawny Owl
29th July: Mistle Thrush 11 (including single party of 10) Swift 10 House Martin 2
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Wed Jul 26 7:47 PM, 2017
Shower dodging this afternoon. Quite a few family parties seen.
Buzzard 2 Kestrel 4 Curlew 1 Raven 1 Jay 5 Linnet 3 Tree Sparrow 1 (April Cottage) Swift 7 Green Woodpecker (heard)
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Mon Jul 24 3:59 PM, 2017
10.30-14.30 in part with Mark Walsh
Sightings included:
Redstart. 1 male in superbly bright plumage. Tree Sparrow. 4-6 around Smithy Lane Farm. One carrying food. Raven 1 Collared Dove 7 Lapwing 17 Black-headed Gull 36 Starling c80 Skylark 1 Goldfinch 32. Mostly juveniles Blackcap 2 Willow Warbler 2 Chiffchaff 5 Meadow Pipit 21 Wren 6 Linnet 2 Reed Bunting 1 Kestrel 1
Cheers John
Mark Walsh said
Sun Jul 23 5:12 PM, 2017
A bit of an extended walk from Larkhill - Lakeside - Chatterton Ln - Pistol Fm - Picking Rods - Quarry and back along the road to the car.
Highlight was a Hobby as I was almost back to the car, noticed a BoP for a brief moment near Cloughend and cursed my luck as it disappeared behind tree's, luckily it came out again heading my way.
Other than that;
31 Swift with a small number of House Martins mixed in. 17 Swallow 3 Chiffchaff 3 Linnet Then Singles of Curlew, Buzzard, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit and Lapwing.
I heard Golden Plover once but didn't see any.
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Sat Jul 22 3:52 PM, 2017
Not a lot happening this morning. The best was a noisy Raven, my first up here for a while. Also:
Buzzards 2 Rook 14 Golden Plover 20 Swift 12 Juvenile Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches
Cheers John
Mark Walsh said
Fri Jul 21 6:35 PM, 2017
Just a short walk this afternoon from 15:00 - 17:30;
42 Golden Plover 25 Starling 25 Swift 11 Swallow 7 Meadow Pipit 4 Pied Wagtail 4 Curlew 1 Oystercatcher with the Curlew 1 Snipe 1 Skylark
As the weather was so nice I decided to call up to Ludworth for a bit of a circular.
10 Curlew seen throughout the day, though 6 was the largest number seen at any one time. c120 Lapwing. Lots of Swallows over the fields. Only 3 Swift though. 10 Skylark 7 Meadow Pipit 5 Mistle Thrush 4 Pied Wagtail 3 Chiffchaff 3 Nuthatch 2 Tree Sparrow 2 Reed Bunting 2 Linnet
Distinct lack of birds of prey, didn't even hear a Buzzard.
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Thu Jun 29 2:26 PM, 2017
A soggy walk in the rain from Larkhill to the Picking Rods and back via the quarry. Into the cloud base at the Picking Rods so visibility was not the best. However...
Curlew 7 Oystercatcher 2 Snipe 4 (a long time since I have heard the 'wicka, wicka, wicka' call up here) Lapwings c85 Golden Plover c55 Reed Bunting 4 Skylark 6 Meadow Pipits c10 Starling c150 Linnet 1 juvenile Pied Wagtail 7 Bullfinch 2
Birds singing: Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wren, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch
Birds carrying food for young: Reed Bunting, Skylark, Meadow Pipit,
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Thu Jun 29 2:16 PM, 2017
Hi Moorendman,
Welcome to the forum, the more the merrier reporting from Ludworth.
I sent you a private message this morning. You need to be logged on in order to read it.
Cheers John
Ted Stockton said
Thu Jun 29 7:19 AM, 2017
I am not a regular birder anymore , but I like to follow this forum, and especially, the Ludworth topic, and see whats about from time to time.
Monday evening, 26th June:
4 Oystercatchers in the field next to the Picking Rods track.
Keep up the good work.
Mark Walsh said
Sun Jun 25 4:00 PM, 2017
Headed over to Coombes edge yesterday afternoon/evening, saw a few birds of note while walking up the Picking Rods path.
2 Oystercatchers and 1 Snipe but no Golden Plovers seen (one heard in the distance) 2 Male Reed Bunting a few Swift, Skylark and Meadow Pipit. 1 Curlew heard over towards Far Bradshaw. 21 Lapwing
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Sat Jun 24 7:31 PM, 2017
Good for waders today:
Oystercatcher 3 Curlew 1 feeding then a flock of 19 flew in Golden Plover 47 Lapwing 87 (minimum)
Skylark 4 (including one carrying food but still singing) Meadow Pipit 11 Starling c80 Lesser Black-backed Gull 8 Swift 3 (through north)
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Mon Jun 12 10:40 AM, 2017
Late BB Survey this morning.
Mostly just the expected species (including 4 Curlew) but the undoubted highlight was a male Merlin that shot straight through.
Cheers John
Julian Winstanley said
Sun Jun 4 8:05 PM, 2017
Little owl and whitethroat from Briargrove road on this afternoon's ride
John Rayner said
Wed May 31 3:43 PM, 2017
Gird Lane/Smithy Lane Farm/Cloughend/Quarry/Sandhill Lane
Green Woodpecker 1 (Off Smithy Lane) Tree Sparrow 3 (1 Smithy Lane Farm, 2 April Cottage. The latter collecting pine needles as nesting material) Whitethroat 4 Blackcap 2 Willow Warbler 5 Garden Warbler 1 Chiffchaff 3 Buzzard 4 (1 juvenile with prey with 2 adults overhead. A tail-less 4th was soon seen off the premises) Swallow 7 Lapwing 14 (inc 3 juvs) Reed Bunting 3 (carrying food for young) Bullfinch pair Swift 4 Curlew and Raven heard
A couple of good butterfly sightings on othevwildlife
Cheers John
Mark Walsh said
Sun May 28 3:31 PM, 2017
A quick hour's search for Lesser Whitethroat proved to be fruitless, however there was still plenty about;
14 Swallow 2 Swift 2 Common Whitethroat 2 Chiffchaff 5 Willow Warbler 1 Curlew 1 Redpoll 1 Flyover Oystercatcher
Lots of bird song
cheers
Mark
Julian Winstanley said
Wed May 24 10:58 PM, 2017
Lovely evening walk round the moor, didn't see any wheatear but in addition to the "expected" birds such as Plover, Curlew, buzzard etc we did have two unusual spots: at the end of the evening we saw a pair of oystercatcher, and at the beginning we saw a pipit the we struggled to identify. It was a lot lighter coloured than a meadow pipit, and was not as heavily speckled on the chest. There was a red blush to the chest, but nothing as heavy as the pictures I've seen of the red throated pipit: more, the red blush was only on the chest, it didn't extend to the head. No pictures sorry. Any suggestions as to what it might have been would be welcome
EDIT - forgot to mention that from Cown Edge overlooking the quarry we heard (but did not see) both cuckoo and tawny owl
-- Edited by Julian Winstanley on Thursday 25th of May 2017 08:58:51 AM
Called in this morning to look for the ring ouzel on my cycle commute, circa 8am. No sign of anything at all in the field - in fact it was fairly quiet in general all the way over from Mill Brow right to Charlesworth. In addition to the corvids and small passerines, I only saw a handful of lapwings and a few gulls (black-headed in the main) and heard a couple of skylark. No sign of curlew at all
Mark Walsh said
Sun May 7 7:21 PM, 2017
I was up this afternoon and noticed the ploughed field, what's left of the 'moorland' habitat is dwindling year after year. Considering this is the only moorland habitat in the borough it's a real shame.
I started at Larkhill and moved down Gird Ln heading for Cloughend, once I noticed the ploughed field though I didn't have the heart to go on so missed John's Oystercatcher.
Several Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff around. 2 Buzzard 3 Mistle Thrush 8 Swallow 1 House Martin 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Great Spotted woodpecker 1 Blackcap 3 Redpoll 2 Linnet 1 Garden Warbler (this one down Gird Ln)
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Sun May 7 10:40 AM, 2017
After seeing the Dotterel in with Golden Plovers near Danebower yesterday I thought I would check out our local flock, but after recent 3 figure counts of GPs I could only find low numbers today.
Golden Plover 7 Wheatears 5 Oystercatcher 1 (I think my first up here) Garden Warbler 1 Whitethroat 1 Redpoll 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming Mixed corvids c150
A couple of items of bad news to report.
Another field of rough grass and scattered rush clumps has been ploughed in to make yet another sheep pasture. This was the field that held the large Wheatear flock earlier this year.
Gunshot from the fields above where the Ring Ouzels were caused c150 mixed corvids to take to the air. I could see the shooter in an orange/brown Land Rover type ,pick-up vehicle. Never saw a bird fall to the ground but an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull was fluttering helplessly in the sheep field. The guy got in his vehicle and attempted to dispatch it by driving over it. Missed first time and had to circle round to get it second attempt. Then drove off. Scum!
Cheers John
Nigel Troup said
Sat Apr 29 10:02 AM, 2017
I called by at 9:15, on the way home from my BBS count on Mellor Moor. A male Ring Ouzel is still showing well from the top of one of the large hawthorns on the grassy bank opposite Hillside Farm. Two Wheatear were on the stone wall just beyond this.
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Apr 27 8:35 PM, 2017
John Rayner wrote:
Main highlights: 10 Wheatears 1 Whinchat 96 Golden Plovers (An under-estimate. These were counted on the ground but the flock looked well over 100 in flight)
Cheers John
John,
I was up there yesterday and, if I had gone online (which I didn't) was going to say that there was at least 95 golden plover, so I think about 100 is accurate. Didn't see any whinchats though (sadly).
Andy
John Rayner said
Thu Apr 27 5:34 PM, 2017
Main highlights: 10 Wheatears 1 Whinchat 96 Golden Plovers (An under-estimate. These were counted on the ground but the flock looked well over 100 in flight)
Cheers John
Julian Winstanley said
Thu Apr 27 8:23 AM, 2017
Andy Voisey wrote:
I went to see the Ouzels, but I'm not sure I went to the correct spot.
We saw them further up the hill along Sandhill Lane, in the field opposite the entrance to Hillside Farm. Glad you did catch them on your route though
Andy Voisey said
Wed Apr 26 5:36 PM, 2017
Two short walks in bright sunshine and a bitter wind.
I went to see the Ouzels, but I'm not sure I went to the correct spot.
From Sandhill Lane I went up a footpath opposite Smithy Lane ,which on the OS map appears to be called Dirty Lane.
A cuckoo was calling from Brown Low Wood, and near the top of the hill I did see an Ouzel, along with one Whinchat and two Wheatears on the way up.
I then tried the quarry end of Ludworth Moor.
The woods were full of life, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Greenfinch, Gold Finch, Chaffinch, Song and Mistle Thrushes. A bit further on there was a Canada Goose in the pond.
I followed the footpath on my map until I lost it and returned. I only saw Mippits, Wheatears and Lapwings on the open ground.
Two new year ticks tho' so it was a good trip out.
John Rayner said
Tue Apr 25 1:52 PM, 2017
Ring Ouzel, 2 Whinchats and 9 Wheatears all present and correct at 10.15. A 10th Wheatear at start of Picking Rods track. Didn't check the main areas below quarry.
Also attached are a couple of photos of the Ring Ouzel taken by Roy Peacock (I am sure he won't mind me posting them here)
Quite a twitch this morning in glorious sunshine with 7 cars visiting Hillside Farm.
2 male and 1 female Ring Ouzels
56 Golden Plovers
4-5 Wheatears
3 Ravens
3 Lesser Redpolls
2 Linnets
2 Buzzards
Plus usual breeding species.
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Fri Apr 21 6:58 PM, 2017
I addition this morning I also saw a total of 19 Wheatears, with 16 of them in a single flock.
Cheers, John
Geoff Walton said
Fri Apr 21 6:08 PM, 2017
Nice to meet you John, and thanks for showing Jim and myself the Ring Ouzels.
We saw many Lapwings, plus a flock of around 25 Golden Plover over the wall just below the Picking Rods.
There were a few Skylarks in the air and we heard many on the gound. A Curlew flew over and landed on the way to Roworth.
The odd Wheatear was about, and there was a Pied Wagtail. Meadow Pipits as usual.
Not bad for 6 miles from home
John Rayner said
Fri Apr 21 11:05 AM, 2017
At least 4 Ring Ouzels on grassy slope opposite Hillside Farm.
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Thu Apr 20 1:25 PM, 2017
Apologies to anyone who tried to find Ring Ouzels at Hilltop Farm. I should have typed Hillside Farm and I know at least 2 people went to the wrong farm in Mellor.
As it happens the Ouzels seem to have moved on, although most of the Fieldfares are still around.
10.00-12.00 with (in part) Tim Wilcox and Tony Darby.
Highlight was a Whimbrel which overflew the Picking Rods track, calling, and appeared to land towards the kennels. Not refound. Golden Plovers 34 Wheatears 3 Fieldfares 19
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Wed Apr 19 6:10 PM, 2017
Now 7 Ring Ouzels (3m, 4f) in the same area
(Info thanks to John Ireland)
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Wed Apr 19 11:05 AM, 2017
Breeding Bird Survey with Mark Walsh
Highlights: A reeling Grasshopper Warbler Flocks of Fieldfares flying SW (13 & 23) Feeding flock of Fieldfare (24) opposite Hilltop Farm contained 6 Ring Ouzels (2m, 4f) Golden Plover 22 Wheatear 7
All expected breeding birds were recorded including 2 Tree Sparrows at Smithy Lane Farm.
Cheers John
Mark Walsh said
Fri Apr 14 4:29 PM, 2017
OK Forget editing, it wont let me;
18 Golden Plover 1 Wheatear 3m and 2f Reed Bunting 1 Kestrel 2 Raven Curlew Heard 2 Canada Geese 4/5 Willow Warbler Good numbers of Lapwing, Meadow Pipit and Skylark.
Mark Walsh said
Fri Apr 14 3:09 PM, 2017
That's what I get for posting from my mobile, will edit later so it makes sense.
Mark Walsh said
Fri Apr 14 3:08 PM, 2017
Called in today from 12-2. Headed up to the Picking Rods and then down to the quarry. Bumped into Mr Rayner early on so we headed round together.
18 Golden plover in two small flocks of 9 up the picking rods path
1 Wheatear up the PR path
3 Male 2 Female Reed Bunting
1 Kestrel
2 Raven
Curlew Heard
2 Canada Geese
4 possibly 5 Willow Warbler
Good numbers of Lapwing, Meadow Pipit and Skylark
3 Swallow flitting around the Kennels in Derbyshire.
Cheers
Mark
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Friday 14th of April 2017 04:27:03 PM
Mark Walsh said
Sat Apr 8 5:47 PM, 2017
Called up yesterday and today, thankfully no motorbikes in the quarry so no disturbance;
3 Wheatear quarry area (same as yesterday) 1 Swallow over (3 yesterday) 2 Curlew by the pond just in Derbyshire more heard over towards Far Bradshaw 2 Chiffchaff 11 Meadow Pipit (c30 in DB yesterday) 7 Skylark 1 Reed Bunting 1 Buzzard 1 Golden Plover heard (22 in a flock yesterday) 21 Lapwing
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Mon Apr 3 1:01 PM, 2017
Circular walk on a superb sunny morning: Larkhill - Smithy Lane - Far Bradshaw - Gun Road - Picking Rods - Quarry - Cloughend - Larkhill
Swallow 2 east over Larkhill Brambling 1 (male coming into summer plumage) Tree Sparrow 2 (away from Larkhill at Smithy Lane Farm) Herring Gull 3 Chiffchaff 8 Curlew 4 Golden Plover 1 Wheatear 2 Snipe 6 Reed Bunting 6 Skylark 12 Meadow Pipit 10 Lapwing 15 Green Woodpecker heard Buzzard 2 Kestrel 1
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Monday 3rd of April 2017 04:31:54 PM
Wheatear 2 (male & female by Picking Rods track) Lesser Redpoll 3 (Cloughend) Stock Dove 1 (outside Larkhill) Mandarin Duck 2 (pair under the Larkhill feeders was a surprise)
Seemed much quieter than last Sunday. So much for migration! Apart from 'local' warblers and hirundines still around, just one spotted flycatcher as per last week (very similar spot, but as it was not reported since then, I presume a different bird). Good job the sun was shining so that insects could step up to the mark (see other wildlife if interested).
Hobby hunting Goldfinches over Cloughend Farm (still plenty of small passerines in the general area so it may stick around)
Ravens 7 (with gulls and corvids near Gird Lane)
Tree Sparrow 8 (Larkhill)
Redpoll 9
Swift 4
Collared Dove 8
Goldfinch 26
Meadow Pipit 12
Swallow 18
Cheers John
Goldfinch 56 (largest flock 25)
Swallow 33 (largest flock 19)
Willow Warbler 5
Whitethroat 1
Lesser Redpoll 2
Linnet 2
Curlew 1
Cheers John
A couple of hours mid-late morning.
1 hobby over 'dip' (just past April Cottage), flew towards Rowarth.
1 spotted flycatcher just a few yards further on in dying tree to north of road.
Other things more or less as expected: 3 redpoll, family of bullfinches (parents & 3 young), sev. tree sparrows best of the rest.
Other 'migrants'. 1 swift, chiffchaffs and willow warblers (2 heard in full song).
Today I finally caught up with Hobby as an adult flew over the quarry. Also:
Kestrel 2
Buzzard 2
Raven 3
Swallow 13
Lapwing 9
Rook c60
Selected highlights from some other recent visits:
27th July:
Tawny Owl
29th July:
Mistle Thrush 11 (including single party of 10)
Swift 10
House Martin 2
Cheers John
Buzzard 2
Kestrel 4
Curlew 1
Raven 1
Jay 5
Linnet 3
Tree Sparrow 1 (April Cottage)
Swift 7
Green Woodpecker (heard)
Cheers, John
Sightings included:
Redstart. 1 male in superbly bright plumage.
Tree Sparrow. 4-6 around Smithy Lane Farm. One carrying food.
Raven 1
Collared Dove 7
Lapwing 17
Black-headed Gull 36
Starling c80
Skylark 1
Goldfinch 32. Mostly juveniles
Blackcap 2
Willow Warbler 2
Chiffchaff 5
Meadow Pipit 21
Wren 6
Linnet 2
Reed Bunting 1
Kestrel 1
Cheers John
Highlight was a Hobby as I was almost back to the car, noticed a BoP for a brief moment near Cloughend and cursed my luck as it disappeared behind tree's, luckily it came out again heading my way.
Other than that;
31 Swift with a small number of House Martins mixed in.
17 Swallow
3 Chiffchaff
3 Linnet
Then Singles of Curlew, Buzzard, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit and Lapwing.
I heard Golden Plover once but didn't see any.
Cheers
Mark
Also:
Buzzards 2
Rook 14
Golden Plover 20
Swift 12
Juvenile Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches
Cheers John
42 Golden Plover
25 Starling
25 Swift
11 Swallow
7 Meadow Pipit
4 Pied Wagtail
4 Curlew
1 Oystercatcher with the Curlew
1 Snipe
1 Skylark
and 1 Spotted Flycatcher just beyond Cloughend
Cheers
Mark
18.40-20.40 highlights:
8 Golden Plover, 2 Common Snipe, 5 Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, 8 Skylark, 55 Lapwing, 16 Meadow Pipit, Kestrel, Linnet, 3 Stock Dove, Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 50 Swift, 10 Swallow, 8 Mistle Thrush, 5 Pied Wagtail.
10 Curlew seen throughout the day, though 6 was the largest number seen at any one time.
c120 Lapwing.
Lots of Swallows over the fields.
Only 3 Swift though.
10 Skylark
7 Meadow Pipit
5 Mistle Thrush
4 Pied Wagtail
3 Chiffchaff
3 Nuthatch
2 Tree Sparrow
2 Reed Bunting
2 Linnet
Distinct lack of birds of prey, didn't even hear a Buzzard.
Cheers
Mark
Curlew 7
Oystercatcher 2
Snipe 4 (a long time since I have heard the 'wicka, wicka, wicka' call up here)
Lapwings c85
Golden Plover c55
Reed Bunting 4
Skylark 6
Meadow Pipits c10
Starling c150
Linnet 1 juvenile
Pied Wagtail 7
Bullfinch 2
Birds singing: Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wren, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch
Birds carrying food for young: Reed Bunting, Skylark, Meadow Pipit,
Cheers John
Welcome to the forum, the more the merrier reporting from Ludworth.
I sent you a private message this morning. You need to be logged on in order to read it.
Cheers John
I am not a regular birder anymore , but I like to follow this forum, and especially, the Ludworth topic, and see whats about from time to time.
Monday evening, 26th June:
4 Oystercatchers in the field next to the Picking Rods track.
Keep up the good work.
2 Oystercatchers and 1 Snipe but no Golden Plovers seen (one heard in the distance)
2 Male Reed Bunting
a few Swift, Skylark and Meadow Pipit.
1 Curlew heard over towards Far Bradshaw.
21 Lapwing
Cheers
Mark
Oystercatcher 3
Curlew 1 feeding then a flock of 19 flew in
Golden Plover 47
Lapwing 87 (minimum)
Skylark 4 (including one carrying food but still singing)
Meadow Pipit 11
Starling c80
Lesser Black-backed Gull 8
Swift 3 (through north)
Cheers John
Mostly just the expected species (including 4 Curlew) but the undoubted highlight was a male Merlin that shot straight through.
Cheers John
Green Woodpecker 1 (Off Smithy Lane)
Tree Sparrow 3 (1 Smithy Lane Farm, 2 April Cottage. The latter collecting pine needles as nesting material)
Whitethroat 4
Blackcap 2
Willow Warbler 5
Garden Warbler 1
Chiffchaff 3
Buzzard 4 (1 juvenile with prey with 2 adults overhead. A tail-less 4th was soon seen off the premises)
Swallow 7
Lapwing 14 (inc 3 juvs)
Reed Bunting 3 (carrying food for young)
Bullfinch pair
Swift 4
Curlew and Raven heard
A couple of good butterfly sightings on othevwildlife
Cheers John
14 Swallow
2 Swift
2 Common Whitethroat
2 Chiffchaff
5 Willow Warbler
1 Curlew
1 Redpoll
1 Flyover Oystercatcher
Lots of bird song
cheers
Mark
EDIT - forgot to mention that from Cown Edge overlooking the quarry we heard (but did not see) both cuckoo and tawny owl
-- Edited by Julian Winstanley on Thursday 25th of May 2017 08:58:51 AM
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Willow Warbler 5
Chiffchaff 2
Garden Warbler 1
Blackcap 1
Stock Dove 2
Reed Bunting 5
Golden Plover 10
Cheers John
Called in this morning to look for the ring ouzel on my cycle commute, circa 8am. No sign of anything at all in the field - in fact it was fairly quiet in general all the way over from Mill Brow right to Charlesworth. In addition to the corvids and small passerines, I only saw a handful of lapwings and a few gulls (black-headed in the main) and heard a couple of skylark. No sign of curlew at all
I started at Larkhill and moved down Gird Ln heading for Cloughend, once I noticed the ploughed field though I didn't have the heart to go on so missed John's Oystercatcher.
Several Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff around.
2 Buzzard
3 Mistle Thrush
8 Swallow
1 House Martin
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Great Spotted woodpecker
1 Blackcap
3 Redpoll
2 Linnet
1 Garden Warbler (this one down Gird Ln)
Cheers
Mark
Golden Plover 7
Wheatears 5
Oystercatcher 1 (I think my first up here)
Garden Warbler 1
Whitethroat 1
Redpoll 4
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
Mixed corvids c150
A couple of items of bad news to report.
Another field of rough grass and scattered rush clumps has been ploughed in to make yet another sheep pasture. This was the field that held the large Wheatear flock earlier this year.
Gunshot from the fields above where the Ring Ouzels were caused c150 mixed corvids to take to the air. I could see the shooter in an orange/brown Land Rover type ,pick-up vehicle. Never saw a bird fall to the ground but an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull was fluttering helplessly in the sheep field. The guy got in his vehicle and attempted to dispatch it by driving over it. Missed first time and had to circle round to get it second attempt. Then drove off. Scum!
Cheers John
John,
I was up there yesterday and, if I had gone online (which I didn't) was going to say that there was at least 95 golden plover, so I think about 100 is accurate. Didn't see any whinchats though (sadly).
Andy
10 Wheatears
1 Whinchat
96 Golden Plovers (An under-estimate. These were counted on the ground but the flock looked well over 100 in flight)
Cheers John
We saw them further up the hill along Sandhill Lane, in the field opposite the entrance to Hillside Farm. Glad you did catch them on your route though
I went to see the Ouzels, but I'm not sure I went to the correct spot.
From Sandhill Lane I went up a footpath opposite Smithy Lane ,which on the OS map appears to be called Dirty Lane.
A cuckoo was calling from Brown Low Wood, and near the top of the hill I did see an Ouzel, along with one Whinchat and two Wheatears on the way up.
I then tried the quarry end of Ludworth Moor.
The woods were full of life, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Greenfinch, Gold Finch, Chaffinch, Song and Mistle Thrushes. A bit further on there was a Canada Goose in the pond.
I followed the footpath on my map until I lost it and returned. I only saw Mippits, Wheatears and Lapwings on the open ground.
Two new year ticks tho' so it was a good trip out.
Also attached are a couple of photos of the Ring Ouzel taken by Roy Peacock (I am sure he won't mind me posting them here)
Cheers, John
19 Wheatears
1 House Martin
Cheers, John
Nice to meet you Chris. After you left John Tromans and Chris Sutton arrived and we saw both male and female Ring Ouzels
Male Ring Ouzel still, with female reported by others. 09.30.
60+ Golden Plover en route to picking rods. 12 Wheatear, 1+ White Wagtail, Reed Bunting, 20+ Lapwing, 4 Curlew, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Swallow, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, 2 Teal, 10 Meadow Pipit
Plus some photos:
Cheers, John
Nice to meet you John, and thanks for showing Jim and myself the Ring Ouzels.
We saw many Lapwings, plus a flock of around 25 Golden Plover over the wall just below the Picking Rods.
There were a few Skylarks in the air and we heard many on the gound. A Curlew flew over and landed on the way to Roworth.
The odd Wheatear was about, and there was a Pied Wagtail. Meadow Pipits as usual.
Not bad for 6 miles from home
As it happens the Ouzels seem to have moved on, although most of the Fieldfares are still around.
10.00-12.00 with (in part) Tim Wilcox and Tony Darby.
Highlight was a Whimbrel which overflew the Picking Rods track, calling, and appeared to land towards the kennels. Not refound.
Golden Plovers 34
Wheatears 3
Fieldfares 19
Cheers John
(Info thanks to John Ireland)
Cheers, John
Highlights:
A reeling Grasshopper Warbler
Flocks of Fieldfares flying SW (13 & 23)
Feeding flock of Fieldfare (24) opposite Hilltop Farm contained 6 Ring Ouzels (2m, 4f)
Golden Plover 22
Wheatear 7
All expected breeding birds were recorded including 2 Tree Sparrows at Smithy Lane Farm.
Cheers John
18 Golden Plover
1 Wheatear
3m and 2f Reed Bunting
1 Kestrel
2 Raven
Curlew Heard
2 Canada Geese
4/5 Willow Warbler
Good numbers of Lapwing, Meadow Pipit and Skylark.
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Friday 14th of April 2017 04:27:03 PM
3 Wheatear quarry area (same as yesterday)
1 Swallow over (3 yesterday)
2 Curlew by the pond just in Derbyshire more heard over towards Far Bradshaw
2 Chiffchaff
11 Meadow Pipit (c30 in DB yesterday)
7 Skylark
1 Reed Bunting
1 Buzzard
1 Golden Plover heard (22 in a flock yesterday)
21 Lapwing
Cheers
Mark
Swallow 2 east over Larkhill
Brambling 1 (male coming into summer plumage)
Tree Sparrow 2 (away from Larkhill at Smithy Lane Farm)
Herring Gull 3
Chiffchaff 8
Curlew 4
Golden Plover 1
Wheatear 2
Snipe 6
Reed Bunting 6
Skylark 12
Meadow Pipit 10
Lapwing 15
Green Woodpecker heard
Buzzard 2
Kestrel 1
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Monday 3rd of April 2017 04:31:54 PM
Lesser Redpoll 3 (Cloughend)
Stock Dove 1 (outside Larkhill)
Mandarin Duck 2 (pair under the Larkhill feeders was a surprise)
+ other expected species
Cheers, John