A Cracking male Merlin flew NW up the valley and off over the tops 2 Raven 26 Wheatear 2 Stonechat 6 Redpoll including display flight 14 Fieldfare 11 Swift House Martin 30+ Willow Warbler 6 Blackcap 5 Chiffchaff 2 Green Woodpecker Stock Dove
Also found my first ever long tailed tit nest
rob archer said
Sun Apr 15 6:55 PM, 2012
3 Ring Ouzel above the Ranges this am..2 above Paddys Pond and one on the Red Brook boulder field....12 Wheatear also..
Rob Archer
Ian Boote said
Sun Apr 15 6:39 PM, 2012
trip to see the ring ouzels but sadly at red brook was a group of trial motorbikes on which one heavy headed character tried to repeatedly drive the thing vertically up the hill until he dropped off much to the mirth of his pals.
Some other bits along moor bottom rd holcombbe hill 2f 3/4M Stonechats 10 wheatear lots of meadow pipit skylark fly over buzzard 3 green woodpecker pheasant. Good views of Mottram Church Joderal Bank, Bickerton Hill, Fidlers ferry Liverpool Cathederals, and Welsh Mountains
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 15th of April 2012 07:24:51 PM
Ian Boote said
Sun Apr 8 12:39 AM, 2012
Reddisher Woods Two Chiffchaff, One Blackcap, Sparrowhawk, Several Great Spotted Woodpecker Nuthatch Moor Bottom Road Two Green Woodpecker, Pheasant, Wheatear, Skylarks - loads, Meadow Pipits, Curlew, Raven, Bull Hill to Trig Point Down Red Brook then over to Lark View Two Red Grouse, Skylarks - loads Curlew Low Flying Mallard
Simon Ladds said
Thu Mar 29 4:59 PM, 2012
Lovely afternoon walk
2 Wheatear Skylarks - lots Meadow Pipits - lots Kestrel Buzzard - 1st one up here in a long time that I have seen Green Woodpecker - first sighting this year despite so many calls!! 2 Stonechat The mythical White pheasant made an appearance on Moor Bottom Road too!!
-- Edited by Simon Ladds on Thursday 29th of March 2012 05:00:18 PM
Keith Mills said
Wed Mar 28 10:31 PM, 2012
Noon today, until 2.30pm, with John Parkinson. Moorbottom Road
Little OWL.....1...... Superb view. Stonechat... a pair.... close views. Chiffchaff....1 Male Wheatear ...1 Kestrel...pair Skylark...2 Meadow Pipits....4
John had arrived earlier than me, when there had been more activity. In addition to the above he had:
10 Wheatear 6 Stonechat Green Woodpecker/Linnets
Ian Boote said
Sun Mar 25 8:56 PM, 2012
Moor Bottom Rd round Bull Hill back along Moor Bottom Rd. 2 Male Wheatear, lots and lots of skylarks and scores of meadow pipits displaying, curlew, stonechat male, Peregrine falcon, Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, pheasant, nuthatch, raven, kestrel, and pied wagtail.
and a burnt land cruiser dumped in the middle of the moor
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 25th of March 2012 08:56:59 PM
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 25th of March 2012 08:59:10 PM
Simon Johnson said
Sat Mar 24 9:03 PM, 2012
Early morning ramble - mainly on the moor
3 male Wheatear Male Stonechat 3 Green Woodpeckers 80+ Skylark - singing from all over 2 Curlew Raven Peregrine 2 Kestrel Sparrowhawk 4 Reed Bunting
Ian Boote said
Mon Mar 19 4:11 PM, 2012
Moor Bottom Rd- Pilgrims Cross north across the moor and back to the tower Green Woodpecker 2 male stonechat curlew kestrel lots of skylarks and meadow pipits flushed 2 Red Grouse
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Monday 19th of March 2012 04:12:53 PM
Ian Boote said
Mon Mar 12 3:14 PM, 2012
4 Greenwoodpecker, one at the bottom of the valley, two calling out to each other mid valley and one rifle range Quite a few Curlew lots of singing skylarks two flocks of meadow pipits one male stonechat one nuthatch and great spotted woodpecker woods pheasant
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 12th of March 2012 03:40:04 PM
rob archer said
Thu Mar 1 3:05 AM, 2012
Its on the MOD land but public footpaths run through it and its a great area for walking and birds.... As long as the flags are not flying !! Rob
frank wood said
Thu Mar 1 1:18 AM, 2012
Thanks Rob. You can't beat local knowledge. From looking at the map, it appears there's no problem getting to it - or is it private?
rob archer said
Wed Feb 29 11:49 PM, 2012
Hi Frank, Re your post on Paddys Pond it is marked on the OS at 767171. (Pond Bay) It was named after Colonel Panton OBE 1st Battalion Queens Regt who was once CO at the Ranges during his time in the Forces.. He was a top man and lover of all things green and outdoors and apparantly spent much of his time by the pond Rob Archer
frank wood said
Mon Feb 27 8:58 PM, 2012
I've seen it mentioned before, Rob, but where is Paddy's Pond? It's not marked on any OS map, so presumably it's a local name or somewhere where Val Doonican grazes his goat.
Keith Holland said
Mon Feb 27 12:43 AM, 2012
Short eared owl hunting off Watling street, Affetside, at 4pm
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Feb 17 7:06 AM, 2012
Originally posted today by Keith Holland:
Short eared owl hunting in fields off Turton Road 7.15am
rob archer said
Tue Feb 7 2:55 AM, 2012
Last light walk over to check the Stonechats were hanging on ok.. Pair still present in same loc .. Green Woodpecker near Paddys Pond..
Rob Archer
Simon Ladds said
Wed Jan 18 5:45 PM, 2012
Evening walk as the sunset today, great view of the Little Owl at the small quarry. Alas did not get to see the Short Eared Owl. Heard yaffling of Green Woodpecker over Reddisher Woods.
-- Edited by Simon Ladds on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 05:45:54 PM
-- Edited by Simon Ladds on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 05:46:14 PM
rob archer said
Tue Jan 17 5:03 PM, 2012
Afternoon walk over saw the Red Brook Stonechats still in situ and a Short Eared Owl below Harcles Hill..
Rob Archer
Simon Johnson said
Sun Jan 15 7:42 PM, 2012
2 Raven only birds of note in fact only birds seen!
Over 100 fieldfare in various flocks of between 5 and 50 in the valley off Moorbottom road plus 4 kestrel.
Keith Holland said
Tue Nov 8 12:50 PM, 2011
10 - 11.30am. Flock of 70+ Feildfare foraging in hawthorn bushes and on the ground in the field between Moorbottom Road and Saplin wood. Plus a single Ring Ouzel seen twice in the group. 2 Stonechat in on the slopes above.
Keith Holland said
Sun Nov 6 5:07 PM, 2011
8am. Flock of 12 fieldfare in hawthorn bush off Ramsbottom road Hawkshaw plus a 2nd flock of around 30 flying towards Affetside.
4.30pm. Flock of 80+ lapwing flying from jumbles towards Affetside
Ian Whittaker said
Mon Oct 17 1:20 PM, 2011
11.30 am - 2.00 pm
Walk along Moor Bottom Rd and up the valley.
3 Flocks of Fieldfare (30ish each) travelling up the valley from the rifle range (S to N)
5 buzzards in the air together over the ridge looking to the west. Trailed off one by one eastwards over Holcombe Moor.
Two pairs (m/f) of stonechats quite confident and close to Moor Bottom Road
At least 4 kestrels hunting (successfully) and two sparrowhawks. Spectacular aerial display at one point involving sparrowhawk, kestrel and mobbing crows
Several meadow pipits along the way
Simon Johnson said
Sat Oct 15 1:25 PM, 2011
7.30 - 11.30am
Had a go at migration watching from peel tower
Picked up a large skein of distant ducks to my south they were heading west towards winter hill, managed to get the winter hill watchers onto them and they turned out to be Pintail and about 80 in total!!
also Hen Harrier - ringtail picked up coming over the valley above Ramsbottom went SW and also picked up at winter hill
Ring Ouzel 2 (1 sw at 8.35 and a Male south 10.06)
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Saturday 15th of October 2011 03:17:38 PM
rob archer said
Mon Sep 26 3:04 PM, 2011
Fine afternoon for Birds of Prey over the ranges; 2 Juv Peregrine together 8 Buzzards in the air together across towards Quarlton 3 Sparrowhawk 4 Kestrel 2 Little Owl, Harcles Quarry 1 Raven
Rob Archer
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Aug 28 6:03 PM, 2011
Originally posted by Mike Horwood today:
inbetween showers 1100 1500 , 50+ mipits 2 stone chat, 6 wheatear, 2 whinchat on footpath below moor bottom road and just above army training ground, not seen anyhere for 15 yrs , green woody, many swallows,10+ house martins, crow with reddish ( !!!) bill
Simon Johnson said
Thu Aug 25 10:01 PM, 2011
A very early start on a day spent birding in the Bury Borough.
The moors were quiet to start but picked up as it got warmer
Fem/imm Merlin flew off the moor at peel tower SW Kestrel 7 Sparrowhawk 3 Peregrine Buzzard Tawny owl - paddy's pond Raven 3
2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel and a Raven were playing about by Peel tower when the Merlin came bombing over chase for a while by the Kestrels it circled round before powering off.
Redstart Male and Female in the minature pony field Stonechat 3 ad male and 2 just fledged juv red brook Wheatear 3 Siskin 3 - saplin wood Goldrest 2 paddys pond Skylark 2 Meadow Pipit 150+ Goldfinch 15 Green Woodpecker 2
Vis Mig included Cormorant flock of 6 SE House Martin 24 SE Meadow Pipit 15 E Swallow 211 mainly E SE
Ivan Ellison said
Wed Jul 13 9:49 AM, 2011
rob archer wrote:
Ivan, Stonechats have bred successfully this year in the Holcombe area up near Red Brook . There were at least 2 juv fledged about a month or so up there and the birds are still in the same area ( On a second brood I would imagine) The same goes for Wheatear up there.. 3 pairs have bred that I know of, of which only one pair are still in the area feeding young (As of yesterday). Another 2 pairs have nested further along Moorbottom Road into Lancs. The only other GM Stonechats I know of this year were up by Ashworth Moor Res and also in the Naden Valley. Both have nested successfully.
Rob Archer
Cheers Rob, thats good news. I didn't walk as far as that.
rob archer said
Wed Jul 13 6:23 AM, 2011
Ivan, Stonechats have bred successfully this year in the Holcombe area up near Red Brook . There were at least 2 juv fledged about a month or so up there and the birds are still in the same area ( On a second brood I would imagine) The same goes for Wheatear up there.. 3 pairs have bred that I know of, of which only one pair are still in the area feeding young (As of yesterday). Another 2 pairs have nested further along Moorbottom Road into Lancs. The only other GM Stonechats I know of this year were up by Ashworth Moor Res and also in the Naden Valley. Both have nested successfully.
Rob Archer
Ivan Ellison said
Tue Jul 12 11:07 PM, 2011
Steve Suttill wrote:
Following the last couple of winters, it seems to be bad for Stonechats, fullstop
Haven't seen one all year and I've visited about 10 former breeding sites over in the east of the county. I don't think I saw any last year either.
It's not just round here either. They've disappeared from the place I always go for a holiday on the west coast of Scotland and, being down at sea level, their winters haven't been as cold.
I'm afraid the Stonechat map on the new atlas won't give the full picture and will need some explanatory notes!
Steve
Thanks Steve for this
-- Edited by Ivan Ellison on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 11:08:13 PM
Steve Suttill said
Tue Jul 12 10:13 PM, 2011
Following the last couple of winters, it seems to be bad for Stonechats, fullstop
Haven't seen one all year and I've visited about 10 former breeding sites over in the east of the county. I don't think I saw any last year either.
It's not just round here either. They've disappeared from the place I always go for a holiday on the west coast of Scotland and, being down at sea level, their winters haven't been as cold.
I'm afraid the Stonechat map on the new atlas won't give the full picture and will need some explanatory notes!
Steve
Ivan Ellison said
Tue Jul 12 9:54 PM, 2011
A couple of hours there this afternoon looking for Stonechats and Wheatears. Didn't see any Stonechats but got a couple of Juv Wheatears on one of the walls, Has it been a bad year for Stonechats breeding in the area.
rob archer said
Thu Jun 2 11:54 PM, 2011
Walked over..0530 till 1130..Saw the following of note; c20 Blackcap through the day many Willow Warbler 2 Chiffchaff 4 Grasshopper Warbler 2 Whitethroat 1 Garden Warbler 2 Green Woodpecker 2 Curlew on the Ranges with 3 juv f Sparrowhawk Lesser Redpoll m Stonechat m f Wheatear Dipper Spotted Flycatcher on the way home in Lancs
Rob Archer
marco villa said
Fri May 20 2:56 PM, 2011
went there yesterday afternoon from 4:00 pm till 6:30 pm 2 stone chat (J) 1 little owl near red brook gully 7 wheatear 10 meadow pippit 2 green woodpecker 1 curlew 3 skylarks heard more singing though 1 kesterel and 1 linnet
rob archer said
Fri May 20 9:58 AM, 2011
Walked over..0500 till 0930..Saw the following; Dipper high near Red Brook Gully. 2 Green Woodpecker c20 Lesser Redpoll 6 Linnet 2 Whitethroat 2 Garden Warbler 1 Chiffchaff Many Willow Warbler and Blackcap Cuckoo flying between Ranges/Sapllin Wood. 2 Grey Heron
Rob Archer
Dennis atherton said
Sun May 15 7:56 PM, 2011
a walk along down from the firing range today were 2 green woodpeckers and 1 little owl, lots of wheatears and meadow pipits, skylarks, 2 peregrines together, 1 calling golden plover, 1 curlew, 1 stonechat, male, though i agree with previous posts there are not many stonechats about recently,
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 15 7:09 PM, 2011
Originally posted today for Holcombe village by Mike Horwood :
Garden Warbler at old road end of village very visable and a long song in the rain at 15- 30
Simon Johnson said
Mon May 2 2:41 PM, 2011
Lunch time walk
Male Redstart in gardens off Holcombe Old road Garden Warbler 2 - bottom Saplin wood Blackcap - several Chiffchaff 5 Jay 2 Starling - several squadrons flying up valley to feed - over 100 birds Kestrel Spahawk Wheatear 6 Green Woodpecker 2 GSW 2 Linnet 15 - single flock flew over Redpoll
No sign of any Kite
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Monday 2nd of May 2011 02:43:55 PM
Adrian Dancy said
Sat Apr 30 3:56 PM, 2011
Another visit yesterday...sadly no ring ouzel. Plenty of Wheatear.
A song thrush taking food to the nest in the morning was seen feeding a chick in the evening on the slope of the hill.
Adrian Dancy said
Sun Apr 24 6:35 PM, 2011
Thanks for that Keith
I visited Holcombe Moor today...it's a two buses and tram trip for me plus a long walk lugging gear around.
I only stuck to the main path and got:-
4 Wheatear 4 Ring ouzel 1 Green woodpecker that flew over my head twice Oddly a tawny owl calling from the wood below at about 1500hrs 1 Kestrel Plenty of meadow pipits ..not counted 1 Sky lark 1 Curlew calling Usual corvids 4 Mistle thrush 2 willow warbler
I heard the ring ouzel at the top of the hill and for me going straight up is a hard climb. I managed a shot so I will just have to see how it has turned out. Returned exhausted.
Keith Mills said
Sun Apr 24 9:35 AM, 2011
Adrian Dancy wrote:
It seems from recent posts we are without stonechats.
I have not seen one this year and I know that I am not alone over this, as we have been discussing Stonechats in our group. Although a few have been posted they are just not at the usual places. It was the same story in Norfolk when we visited in March. Barn Owl deaths last winter have been in the news,but I think that the point you make is correct and Stonechats have been effected too.
-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 24th of April 2011 04:12:49 PM
Mark Connaughton said
Sat Apr 23 9:15 PM, 2011
Walk this evening 5-7pm quite windy
1 Ring Ouzel m 2 Kestrel 10+Wheatears 3 Linnet 2 Green woodpecker Tons of Mipits 3 Swallow
Ouzel flew out of the area behind the sheep pens where they were last year and went up onto the side of the hill. No Stonechats tonight but there's at least a pair right at the bottom end of the valley in the firing range if not 2.
Thanks
Adrian Dancy said
Sat Apr 23 12:17 AM, 2011
It seems from recent posts we are without stonechats.
Keith Mills said
Fri Apr 22 12:52 PM, 2011
9 until 11.30 this am. Walk along Moorbottom Road, with a dip into the woods on the way back. Green Woodpecker 1 (4 others heard) Willow Warbler 1 ( 4 others heard) Swallows 7 Linnets...at least 9 Mistle Thrush 6 Wheatear 3 Pied Wagtail 1 Plenty Magpies , Jackdaws, Crows , Wood pigeons, Blue and Great Tit. Few Pheasant and Blackbird. Chaffinch 1 seen, several heard. BH Gull 1
No luck with the Grey Partridge Nice to meet David Wells.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 22nd of April 2011 02:03:38 PM
Simon Johnson said
Wed Apr 20 9:46 PM, 2011
Walk along moor bottom road this eve (still no Ouzels for me)
Grey Partridge 2 Pheasant 15 - all males Linnet 10 + Goldfinch 10+ Wheatear 9 Green Woodpecker 2 Willow Warbler 5 Stock Dove
rob archer said
Mon Apr 18 12:29 PM, 2011
Whilst doing my BBS Survey Squares this am around the Ranges/Redisher saw the following of note; 1 f Ring Ouzel north of Paddys Pond Single Golden Plover by Lark Hill Single Brown Hare.
Walking home through Saplin; 1 f Sparrowhawk 1 Grey Partridge 1 Lesser Redpoll
Rob Archer
rob archer said
Sat Apr 16 5:08 PM, 2011
Early start..0530 till 1530 over to Jumbles.. Best bits were;
6 Ring Ouzel (4m) just above the Ranges 6 Wheatear 2 Kestrel Pair of Buzzards Moorbottom Road Little Owl in a spot I have not seen them before just in Lancs Many Willow Warblers and Blackcaps 2 Chiffchaff c15 Fieldfare 2 Green Woodpecker 1 f Sparrowhawk, Affetside
2 Goosander (mf) Two Brooks Fishing Lodge
2 Common Tern and 5 f Goosander on Jumbles Res
Rob Archer
Simon Johnson said
Thu Apr 14 9:24 PM, 2011
2 hours this evening - dead is the only word to describe it
Wheatear 3 Curlew 2
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Thursday 14th of April 2011 09:30:06 PM
A Cracking male Merlin flew NW up the valley and off over the tops
2 Raven
26 Wheatear
2 Stonechat
6 Redpoll including display flight
14 Fieldfare
11 Swift
House Martin
30+ Willow Warbler
6 Blackcap
5 Chiffchaff
2 Green Woodpecker
Stock Dove
Also found my first ever long tailed tit nest
Rob Archer
Some other bits along moor bottom rd holcombbe hill 2f 3/4M Stonechats 10 wheatear lots of meadow pipit skylark fly over buzzard 3 green woodpecker pheasant. Good views of Mottram Church Joderal Bank, Bickerton Hill, Fidlers ferry Liverpool Cathederals, and Welsh Mountains
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 15th of April 2012 07:24:51 PM
Two Chiffchaff, One Blackcap, Sparrowhawk, Several Great Spotted Woodpecker Nuthatch
Moor Bottom Road
Two Green Woodpecker, Pheasant, Wheatear, Skylarks - loads, Meadow Pipits, Curlew, Raven,
Bull Hill to Trig Point Down Red Brook then over to Lark View
Two Red Grouse, Skylarks - loads Curlew Low Flying Mallard
2 Wheatear
Skylarks - lots
Meadow Pipits - lots
Kestrel
Buzzard - 1st one up here in a long time that I have seen
Green Woodpecker - first sighting this year despite so many calls!!
2 Stonechat
The mythical White pheasant made an appearance on Moor Bottom Road too!!
-- Edited by Simon Ladds on Thursday 29th of March 2012 05:00:18 PM
Moorbottom Road
Little OWL.....1...... Superb view.
Stonechat... a pair.... close views.
Chiffchaff....1
Male Wheatear ...1
Kestrel...pair
Skylark...2
Meadow Pipits....4
John had arrived earlier than me, when there had been more activity.
In addition to the above he had:
10 Wheatear
6 Stonechat
Green Woodpecker/Linnets
2 Male Wheatear, lots and lots of skylarks and scores of meadow pipits displaying, curlew, stonechat male, Peregrine falcon, Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, pheasant, nuthatch, raven, kestrel, and pied wagtail.
and a burnt land cruiser dumped in the middle of the moor
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 25th of March 2012 08:56:59 PM
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 25th of March 2012 08:59:10 PM
3 male Wheatear
Male Stonechat
3 Green Woodpeckers
80+ Skylark - singing from all over
2 Curlew
Raven
Peregrine
2 Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
4 Reed Bunting
Green Woodpecker
2 male stonechat
curlew
kestrel
lots of skylarks and meadow pipits
flushed 2 Red Grouse
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Monday 19th of March 2012 04:12:53 PM
Quite a few Curlew
lots of singing skylarks
two flocks of meadow pipits
one male stonechat
one nuthatch and great spotted woodpecker woods
pheasant
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 12th of March 2012 03:40:04 PM
Rob
Re your post on Paddys Pond it is marked on the OS at 767171. (Pond Bay)
It was named after Colonel Panton OBE 1st Battalion Queens Regt who was once CO at the Ranges during his time in the Forces.. He was a top man and lover of all things green and outdoors and apparantly spent much of his time by the pond
Rob Archer
Short eared owl hunting in fields off Turton Road 7.15am
Rob Archer
-- Edited by Simon Ladds on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 05:45:54 PM
-- Edited by Simon Ladds on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 05:46:14 PM
Rob Archer
Raven, 2 Stonechats, Heard Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch Reddisher wood
4.30pm. Flock of 80+ lapwing flying from jumbles towards Affetside
Walk along Moor Bottom Rd and up the valley.
3 Flocks of Fieldfare (30ish each) travelling up the valley from the rifle range (S to N)
5 buzzards in the air together over the ridge looking to the west. Trailed off one by one eastwards over Holcombe Moor.
Two pairs (m/f) of stonechats quite confident and close to Moor Bottom Road
At least 4 kestrels hunting (successfully) and two sparrowhawks. Spectacular aerial display at one point involving sparrowhawk, kestrel and mobbing crows
Several meadow pipits along the way
Had a go at migration watching from peel tower
Picked up a large skein of distant ducks to my south they were heading west towards winter hill, managed to get the winter hill watchers onto them and they turned out to be Pintail and about 80 in total!!
also
Hen Harrier - ringtail picked up coming over the valley above Ramsbottom went SW and also picked up at winter hill
Ring Ouzel 2 (1 sw at 8.35 and a Male south 10.06)
Woodpigeon 960 sw
Stock Dove sw
Skylark 32 sw
Meadow Pipit 140 sw
Fieldfare 186 sw
Redwing 117 sw
Chaffinch 40 sw
Starling 100 nw
Jackdaw 121 sw
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Saturday 15th of October 2011 03:17:38 PM
2 Juv Peregrine together
8 Buzzards in the air together across towards Quarlton
3 Sparrowhawk
4 Kestrel
2 Little Owl, Harcles Quarry
1 Raven
Rob Archer
inbetween showers 1100 1500 , 50+ mipits 2 stone chat, 6 wheatear, 2 whinchat on footpath below moor bottom road and just above army training ground, not seen anyhere for 15 yrs , green woody, many swallows,10+ house martins, crow with reddish ( !!!) bill
The moors were quiet to start but picked up as it got warmer
Fem/imm Merlin flew off the moor at peel tower SW
Kestrel 7
Sparrowhawk 3
Peregrine
Buzzard
Tawny owl - paddy's pond
Raven 3
2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel and a Raven were playing about by Peel tower when the Merlin came bombing over chase for a while by the Kestrels it circled round before powering off.
Redstart Male and Female in the minature pony field
Stonechat 3 ad male and 2 just fledged juv red brook
Wheatear 3
Siskin 3 - saplin wood
Goldrest 2 paddys pond
Skylark 2
Meadow Pipit 150+
Goldfinch 15
Green Woodpecker 2
Vis Mig included
Cormorant flock of 6 SE
House Martin 24 SE
Meadow Pipit 15 E
Swallow 211 mainly E SE
Cheers Rob, thats good news. I didn't walk as far as that.
Stonechats have bred successfully this year in the Holcombe area up near Red Brook . There were at least 2 juv fledged about a month or so up there and the birds are still in the same area ( On a second brood I would imagine)
The same goes for Wheatear up there.. 3 pairs have bred that I know of, of which only one pair are still in the area feeding young (As of yesterday). Another 2 pairs have nested further along Moorbottom Road into Lancs.
The only other GM Stonechats I know of this year were up by Ashworth Moor Res and also in the Naden Valley. Both have nested successfully.
Rob Archer
Thanks Steve for this
-- Edited by Ivan Ellison on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 11:08:13 PM
Haven't seen one all year and I've visited about 10 former breeding sites over in the east of the county. I don't think I saw any last year either.
It's not just round here either. They've disappeared from the place I always go for a holiday on the west coast of Scotland and, being down at sea level, their winters haven't been as cold.
I'm afraid the Stonechat map on the new atlas won't give the full picture and will need some explanatory notes!
Steve
c20 Blackcap through the day
many Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaff
4 Grasshopper Warbler
2 Whitethroat
1 Garden Warbler
2 Green Woodpecker
2 Curlew on the Ranges with 3 juv
f Sparrowhawk
Lesser Redpoll
m Stonechat
m f Wheatear
Dipper
Spotted Flycatcher on the way home in Lancs
Rob Archer
2 stone chat (J)
1 little owl near red brook gully
7 wheatear
10 meadow pippit
2 green woodpecker
1 curlew
3 skylarks heard more singing though
1 kesterel
and 1 linnet
Dipper high near Red Brook Gully.
2 Green Woodpecker
c20 Lesser Redpoll
6 Linnet
2 Whitethroat
2 Garden Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
Many Willow Warbler and Blackcap
Cuckoo flying between Ranges/Sapllin Wood.
2 Grey Heron
Rob Archer
Garden Warbler at old road end of village very visable and a long song in the rain at 15- 30
Male Redstart in gardens off Holcombe Old road
Garden Warbler 2 - bottom Saplin wood
Blackcap - several
Chiffchaff 5
Jay 2
Starling - several squadrons flying up valley to feed - over 100 birds
Kestrel
Spahawk
Wheatear 6
Green Woodpecker 2
GSW 2
Linnet 15 - single flock flew over
Redpoll
No sign of any Kite
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Monday 2nd of May 2011 02:43:55 PM
A song thrush taking food to the nest in the morning was seen feeding a chick in the evening on the slope of the hill.
I visited Holcombe Moor today...it's a two buses and tram trip for me plus a long walk lugging gear around.
I only stuck to the main path and got:-
4 Wheatear
4 Ring ouzel
1 Green woodpecker that flew over my head twice
Oddly a tawny owl calling from the wood below at about 1500hrs
1 Kestrel
Plenty of meadow pipits ..not counted
1 Sky lark
1 Curlew calling
Usual corvids
4 Mistle thrush
2 willow warbler
I heard the ring ouzel at the top of the hill and for me going straight up is a hard climb. I managed a shot so I will just have to see how it has turned out. Returned exhausted.
I have not seen one this year and I know that I am not alone over this, as we have been discussing Stonechats in our group. Although a few have been posted they are just not at the usual places.
It was the same story in Norfolk when we visited in March.
Barn Owl deaths last winter have been in the news,but I think that the point you make is correct and Stonechats have been effected too.
-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 24th of April 2011 04:12:49 PM
1 Ring Ouzel m
2 Kestrel
10+Wheatears
3 Linnet
2 Green woodpecker
Tons of Mipits
3 Swallow
Ouzel flew out of the area behind the sheep pens where they were last year and went up onto the side of the hill. No Stonechats tonight but there's at least a pair right at the bottom end of the valley in the firing range if not 2.
Thanks
Walk along Moorbottom Road, with a dip into the woods on the way back.
Green Woodpecker 1 (4 others heard)
Willow Warbler 1 ( 4 others heard)
Swallows 7
Linnets...at least 9
Mistle Thrush 6
Wheatear 3
Pied Wagtail 1
Plenty Magpies , Jackdaws, Crows , Wood pigeons, Blue and Great Tit.
Few Pheasant and Blackbird.
Chaffinch 1 seen, several heard.
BH Gull 1
No luck with the Grey Partridge
Nice to meet David Wells.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 22nd of April 2011 02:03:38 PM
Grey Partridge 2
Pheasant 15 - all males
Linnet 10 +
Goldfinch 10+
Wheatear 9
Green Woodpecker 2
Willow Warbler 5
Stock Dove
1 f Ring Ouzel north of Paddys Pond
Single Golden Plover by Lark Hill
Single Brown Hare.
Walking home through Saplin;
1 f Sparrowhawk
1 Grey Partridge
1 Lesser Redpoll
Rob Archer
6 Ring Ouzel (4m) just above the Ranges
6 Wheatear
2 Kestrel
Pair of Buzzards Moorbottom Road
Little Owl in a spot I have not seen them before just in Lancs
Many Willow Warblers and Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaff
c15 Fieldfare
2 Green Woodpecker
1 f Sparrowhawk, Affetside
2 Goosander (mf) Two Brooks Fishing Lodge
2 Common Tern and 5 f Goosander on Jumbles Res
Rob Archer
Wheatear 3
Curlew 2
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Thursday 14th of April 2011 09:30:06 PM