Astley moss this evening.

2 Curlew landed in the field behind Rindle woods at 6.30pm but only stayed 10 minutes before flying to the ploughed field behind Shooters Grove farm.
23 Fieldfare in field 69
2 Mistle thrushes collecting food

2 Buzzards circled f69 a couple of times before one came down to have a good look at the Lesser Black-backed gull. It hardly touched the ground before two Magpies which flew out of the nearby trees scared it off but I think it will be back.

2 Oystercatchers in the fields along Moss lane
A Kestrel made a successful kill in the horse paddock near the wood mouldings factory.

The adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that was occasionally wandering around field 69 now unfortunately lies dead in it.

Yep, I thought it didn't look too good.

Mid-afternoon today:

7 Willow Warblers on Astley Moss East
5 Willow Warblers around the Astley Moss SSSI loop path
Single White Wagtail in the first field behind Rindle Wood (aka field 69a)

The adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that was occasionally wandering around field 69 now unfortunately lies dead in it

Sinlge willow warbler singing in rindle wood c.12pm today also c.50 fieldfare and 4 redwing in first field behind rindle wood but constantly up and down in trees due to tractor activity.
Fields at west end of moss lane quieter than recently but still minimum of 24 tree sparrow and 3 calling grey partridge.

1 Jay, 9 Treesparrows and a Kestrel down here mid-afternoon

Fieldfare still present in the fields behind Rindle Wood early afternoon.

The Woodpigeon lures along Moss Lane had me puzzled from a distance as with poles shoved up their backsides they looked like some weird long legged waders!

60+ Fieldfare in field 69 at the moment

Astley moss early this morning.

Maximum count of 63 Fieldfare in field 69, a flock of 31 was joined by another flock of 24 and a couple of ones and twos flew in later.

Willow warbler singing from a bush close to the SSSI
Common sandpiper on the scrapes with 2 Snipe
2 Teal
12 Mallard
2 Chiffchaff heard
3 Curlew
3 Jays
Willow tit
2 Song thrush
Kestrel
3 Buzzards
Grey Heron
13 Lapwings
8 Black headed gulls
Lesser black backed gull
Over 800 Woodpigeons and a couple of Stock doves in the fields along Moss lane

I also saw 2 Woodpigeons chasing each other at speed but only flying in a 2m diameter circle with a lot of non moving pigeons watching them. A bit strange I thought until I realised it was a device to lure birds down into the field. A small hide nearby with a gun barrel stuck out proved me correct.

I was one of the 20 who chatted with the Jaguar gentleman last week and told him of the problems of parking at the top of the track. He is a nice enough fellow and does put plenty of seed down on the track and he did tell me that he would not leave his car parked there again.

-- Edited by Dave Thacker on Friday 6th of April 2012 12:49:33 PM

I spoke to the guy a few weeks back now and explained the reasons why it is preferable he does not park there. He seemed to understand and appreciate these reasons and said he wouldn't park his car there if he was going for a wander. As for 'permission', this was not granted specifically for him but the problems comes from lots of visitors parking there, some less considerably than others, and causing serious problems. As has been pointed out to him, parking at the top of the track is completely uneccessary given the amount of parking elsewhere and none of the regulars do so! He seemed a pleasant enough chap and agreed completely with my comments so it's a shame if he appears to have disregarded them.

Two Willow Warblers this AM on Croxden.

I met the gentleman with the Jag today who insists on parking by the entrance to the feeder station track. He said I was the 20th person who'd kindly advised him not to park there and stated that he was quite happy to tell 20 more that he has had permission from the farmer to park to the far left of the entrance, (looking down the track) as that would not impede access for tractors etc but he said he would prefer not to have to do so. I agreed to let people know via this website of his (unverified) comments.

I just don't get it, Dave Luckily I'm planning a visit tomorrow so I shall resolve to stick some seed on the ground along the track.

Cheers

Regarding Eddie Kings post about the feeders missing from the feeding track at Rindle a couple of postings below.
I put up one of my spare feeders at the track yesterday evening, two hours later on my return someone had took it. There are some pretty sad people about nowadays.

For the time being it is probably best to put seed down directly on the track, at least the birds will have a chance of a feed.

This afternoon, an excellent mixed flock of passerines at the very western end of Moss Lane produced:

43+ Tree Sparrow
14+ Reed Bunting
c60 Yellowhammer
40+ Chaffinch
3 Brambling

2 Wheatear still present in fields off Moss road too.

Info thanks to Andy Isherwood.

A solitary Gull (Lesser Black-backed I think) was on the ground in the field behind where the feeders used to be (east of Rindle Wood). I was not sure if it looked OK or not as it didn't fly away when I walked past and into the wood. It did scurry along the ground a bit though. Later I saw it again on the ground in field 69 when looking through the trees from Rindle Hedge.

Quick hour 19.00-20.00
Rindle road
lapwingx1
yellowhammerx2
tree sparrowx2
reed buntingx2
goldcrestx1 (not seen one for ages)
song thrushx1
loads of pheasant
kesrelx1
usual tits
mallardsx4
buzzardx1
cheers jay

Two Wheatear (first summer male and a female) together in fields off Moss Lane mid afternoon today (first field on the left).

44 Fieldfare in fields behind Rindle Wood.

17.45-20.15

Just to add to my post below. The Curlew was in the potato field when I arrived along with 22 Fieldfare. As I was walking back alongside the fields later I noticed that the 2 Whimbrel had flown in. At 19.35 another Curlew flew in and landed in the same field before both Curlew flew off over the SSSI at 19.40. Both Whimbrel were still there when I left and the Fieldfares had increased to 29.

2 Whimbrel and single Curlew in second potato field behind Rindle woods now

Field 69 held flock of 29 fieldfare and several meadow pipit and pied wagtail this morning.
flock of 27 linnet in rough fields at west end of moss lane otherwise pretty quiet today.

A large cock Pheasant was looking after 13 females

I'm not surprised! (sorry)

15.30-20.00
A bit quiet for birds early on around Astley moss as the feeding track ditch was being dug out, the first potato field was being ploughed again and two diggers were working near the scrapes.

Field 67
3 Lapwings
2 Crows
3 Jackdaws
30+ Yellowhammers
1 Reed bunting

Field 68
13 Lapwings
21 Crows
2 Grey partridge
5 Fieldfare
2 Pied wagtails
Chiffchaff
2 Oystercatchers
3 Sand martins and a Grey Heron over

Around the edge of Astley moss peat works to Botany bay woods

2 Canada geese
Both m+f Sparrowhawks
3 Buzzards over
3 Chiffchaff
Bullfinch [m]
Treecreeper
Great spotted woodpecker
Snipe
4 Mallard
Oystercatcher over
Redshank over very low

Astley moss
Chiffchaff
Blackcap singing only, I could not find it
2 Great spotted woodpeckers courting
4 Long tailed tits
2 Reed buntings
2 Yellowhammers

Field 69
8 Mistle thrushes
12 Yellowhammers
2 Pied wagtails
7 Crows
2 Jays
A large cock Pheasant was looking after 13 females



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 30th of March 2012 10:40:14 PM

2 Wheatear (a pair) and a solitary male White Wagtail in field 64 this afternoon.

99.9% certain I saw a hobby flying from the west, eastwards over the horse fields at the rear of plant cottage on Astley Rd. It flew quite low and right over me towards Uptons farm and over the turf fields and out of sight. I have seen them in this area before but usually much later in the year.

This afternoon on the moss; 21 Reed Bunting and about 20 Yellowhammer in the fields near Rindle, circa 70 Meadow Pipit in a flock in a stubble field off Ellsmere St, a Curlew near Malkins farm and a singing Chiffcaff behind the Boathouse pub(my first of the year)

Thanks Dave and Alan, if you speak to him before I do please do hav a gentle word

Eddie, I didn't walk the track yesterday but they were certainly there on Thursday

Has anyone any idea who removed all the bird feeders at Rindle feeding station. I suppose it had to happen eventually.

I talk to the Jaguar gentleman fairly regularly and have told him in the past about the problems of parking at the top of the track. He normally does not leave his car but I will mention it again when we bump into each other. As Alan mentions he will not use a computer even though I have told him about the wealth of information on Ian's website and forum.

Coincidentally, I happened to stop for a chat with the owner of the Jaguar today and we touched on the subject of the current status of the Ruddy Duck cull and the impact on the population of the White-headed Duck (not prompting a discussion on the subject under the Chat Moss banner). I suggested he would find out from the web, at which point he stopped me in my tracks and advised that he never has and never will be drawn into using a computer. I'm afraid it will have to be a vocal communication for the next person who bumps into him.

50 Redwing singing away in the trees by the junction of Rindle Road and Nook Lane this evening.

Would the gentleman with the bluish (green?) large Jaguar car mind not parking at the top of the feeding station track when going for a mooch around the moss please. I fully appreciate that you park considerately and try to leave as much room for the tractors and other farm machinery which was working out there today and that they may be able to get through no problem but parking here can not only cause problems with the famer but may also attract other birders to do the same. There is ample parking along Rindle Road and larger cars, if they're too wide for opposite the cottages, are best on the grass verge by the fishing pond where at least half a car can easily and safely fit on the verge.

I'm not sure of you look at this forum but if so it would be hugely appreciated if you could refrain from parking on the feeding station track. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you wish to discuss the matter

I thought that was you

The Skylarks flew in at 2.05 and stayed until just before 3.00 when the tractor turned up to plough the field again.

The first Wheatears and Swallows should be due in the next couple of days

Saw you coming as I was leaving Dave!

I spent 2 and a half hours in the area and those pipits got the better of me. No longer were they close to the SSSI but instead right in the middle of the field right at the farthest point! I gave up after 90 minutes scanning as trying to see them amongst the furrows at that distance (and gloom) was nigh on impossible. Two birds were brighter buff around the throat in particular but not the brightness of yesterday's birds. There were more Meadow Pipits present today too.

Other birds included 2 Chiffchaffs (one feeding along the SSSI and one singing briefly in Rindle Wood), excellent numbers of Reed Buntings, a maximum of 51 Pied Wagtails (which included 2 lookilikey White Wagtails; a genuine trap for the unwary), a single Raven over and that excellent flock of incessantly chattering Redwing.

No Skylarks whilst I was there though, which just shows what drops in

Astley moss this afternoon

Feeders
2 pairs of Bullfinch
Willow tit
15 Tree sparrows
9 Yellowhammers
5 Reed buntings
Plenty of the usual

The fields behind Rindle woods were alive with birds, it was hard to get an accurate count as the birds kept disappearing out of sight in the furrows but included;
30+ Pied wagtails
6 Skylarks
Redwings
Yellowhammers
Chaffinch
Meadow pipits. I tried to compare the pipits with each other and two of them did seem to have less streaking around the breast than the other birds. I could not see any colour difference but the misty conditions, my distance from the birds even with a scope and the amount of times that they disappeared from view did not help in noticing any colour differences.

Also seen around the moss

3 Greater spotted woodpeckers and also plenty of drumming heard
3 Treecreepers
2 Goldfinch
3 Snipe
18 Teal
4 Mallard
2 Moorhen
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
2 Buzzards
2 Curlews heard
I also found 2 Long tailed tit nests, both of which were nearly completed.

Bye the way a flock of around 80 Fieldfare behind Morleys Hall farm

Well for me and I'm sure many other birders this is what birding is about. Each to there own of course, maybe we should start a new thread on the general birding discusion to share these thing.Because no matter how experienced or not we are it is good for all are learning curves to have these discusions. As Ian says we all have a lot to learn

Good to see you out there today Paul, shame you didn't see them.

I recall reading about a similarly orangey Meadow Pipit at Cley, Norfolk back in 2004 which made it into an artcile in Birding World at the time. Was this whisleri too I wonder? I also know such birds have been seen in North Wales and at Seaforth all during this time of year too. Does whisleri even exist and if so why aren't there more reports of it, particularly from its breeding grounds? As you have stated privately to me, if you were seeing them in Orkney in April when their range is alleged to be Ireland and Western Scotland, then what indeed were your birds? Spring overshoots? Nice that such questions exists really in days when we think that most identification conundrums are well and truly sorted.

Have seen many birds like that up in orkney, and more than once people call red-throated pipit. Most birds from the northern isles vacate for the winter and do'nt know but do the western isles birds do the same, if so they must winter somewhere! On a simillar track in orkney during the winter rock pipits turn up in the hills and they are suspected to be littoralis

As always an eventful and bird filled afternoon around Rindle and Astley Moss today but most interesting (if for me only) were a flock of 16 or so Meadow Pipits in the ploughed field behind Rindle Wood. At least 4 of the flock displayed reduced breast streaking and prominent orange underparts, particularly around the breast and face. One of the birds was practically reddish-orange and was very striking, a cracking looking bird.

Whilst such coloured Meadow Pipits are seemingly scarce (it seems?) especially around this time of year and I have seen similar birds before, these are the first I had seen in Greater Manchester. They had/have been assigned to the race whisleri of Meadow Pipit in the past but I have no experience of these alledged Irish and Western Scottish birds with such colouration when up there (they have always looked 'normal'!) so can't comment on that. Either way, even common birds can turn up some real surprises if we look close enough and I'll be back tomorrow with my camera just in case they're still there

17.30-19.45 this evening around Astley moss

2 Kestrels were zig-zagging behind a tractor ploughing f67. They made 3 kills and missed 2 more as the small rodents tried to escape the plough.

2 Ravens over f69 as I got out of my car
8 Mallard and 2 Teal around the pools
2 Reed Buntings
2 Yellowhammers
Buzzard

Distant Tawny owl and Curlew heard

Plenty of wildlife about, see the wildlife sightings page

rindle prior to 8am today
3 curlew
26 pied wagtail
c.50 redwing
c.30 Chaffinch

along moss lane
large jackdaw flock in stubble field behind allwood farm sure i counted 751 though ian!

-- Edited by Andy Isherwood on Thursday 8th of March 2012 09:42:46 PM

Early afternoon today at Rindle:

Pair of Bullfinch, 5 Tree Sparrow and 6 Yellowhammers at the feeding station.
Pair of Treecreeper in Rindle Wood

The Leigh Ornithological Society has just completed refurbing the nestbox scheme for Tree Sparrows at Rindle Wood. There are now 30 Tree Sparrow boxes there which will be monitored through the breeding season.

Info thanks to Roy Rhodes

a brief half-hour bike ride on Irlam Moss was rather unproductive this afternoon. Only things to note were

a mixed flock of c.60 Fieldfare and c.50 Starling in f16
a few Lapwings on territories and occassional displaying
2 LBB Gulls over

and thats it!

Two Tawny owls heard around Astley moss last night.
Also heard;
Oystercatcher
Lapwings
Jackdaw
Curlew
Pheasant
Canada geese as they flew over my head
Robin

18.15-19.40.
Only a single Tawny owl heard this evening though it did fly into the large tree at the end of the feeding track near Rindle woods and continued to call.
Also heard in the dark;
2 distant Curlew
Numerous Lapwings calling from the direction of Chat moss
GS Woodpecker alarm call as I walked in Rindle woods
A couple of geese flying over the SSSI
Mallard
Robin along Rindle road

No sound of the mystery bird from last night of which I have still not found out what it was.

Steve, I feel a bit of a Great tit now that I have heard that.

I have now discounted Grey plover after listening to xeno canto for most of the morning.

Dave Thacker wrote:

---

Hi Tony. It was not a great tit ...

---

Tony's little joke, Dave

"If you hear a bird call that you can't identify, it will be a Great Tit" (Bill Oddie et al)

Years ago I trudged around Slapton Ley in Devon trying to track down what would have been my first Cetti's Warbler - that turned out to be a Great Tit.

Steve

Bullfinch also have a call that could match the description. it's not their usual call, but a longer, softer more drawn-out note. Despite seeing and hearing bullfinch all the time, I don't hear this call very often (usually in summer) and it sometimes catches me out.

Hi Bill
Certainly not a Willow tit as I hear them on most of my visits.

I have just been checking on plover recordings after Robs posting, its not a Golden Plover but it is very similar to the recording of a Grey plover on the RSPB birds by name web page. You can hear a lot of strange noises while wandering the mosses in the dark but this sound is one that I have not heard before.

Complete shot in the dark (literally): could it have been Golden Plover?

It doesn't sound like any Long-eared Owl I've heard either but then again I'm struggling to come up with an answer myself!