12.30 -3pm

A Greater spotted woodpecker worked his way up and down the Rindle road telephone poles this afternoon
300+ vocal Starlings along the wires in the fields.
4 Buzzards over the peat works and another 4 seen around Astley moss.
Treecreeper, 7 LT tits and 8 Jays which were feeding on acorns in Rindle woods.

Birds seen from the path alongside Astley SSSI included 12 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Skylarks, 3 Linnets, 40+Chaffinch, 3 Tree sparrows, 3 Siskin, GS Woodpecker, 3 MPipits, Song thrush and 4 Goldfinch.

2 Snipe flew in from the direction of Bedford moss and landed in the middle of the SSSI

At least 40 Swallows over heading South

9 Pied wagtails in the horse paddocks.

11.15am-12.45pm Irlam and Barton Mosses and Croxten

4-5 Buzzard
2 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
1 Snipe - Croxten
6 Lapwing over f9
2 Swallow south
4 LBB Gull over south
7 Pheasant
8 Jay - very active
c.20 Meadow Pipit
c. 30+ Skylark in f52
20+ Greenfinch in f52
30+ Tree Sparrow (20+ f9 and 10+ f52
6 Reed Bunting Croxten
1 Willow Tit heard - Croxten
1 Chiffchaff singing - track between f9 and f10
Also 40+ Carrion Crows f52 including an individual with extensive white on wings - seen also in f10 before flying off to f52. These 'white-winged' crows are a regular occurance on the mosses - sometimes involving a few birds.

Plus the usuals

11.30am southern edge of Irlam Moss at end of Silver Street, Irlam.

1 Singing Chiffchaff
1 Buzzard being mobbed by 2 crows

0830-1115 with Simon Ghilks

100+ Chaffinch - Moss Lane
40 Greenfinch
20 Linnet
30 Goldfinch
400+ Starling
6-8 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
20 Swallow
c60 Skylark in field with hay bales at top of Twelve Yard Road plus small numbers frequently flying over
8-10 Meadow Pipit
Mixed Tit flock:
20 Long Tailed Tit
Great Tit
2 Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Willow Tit
Goldcrest
1 Willow/Chiff (horrible term)

quick visit to moss lane/rindle area this afternoon found single swift in with several hundred hirundines (mainly swallow) feeding over fields in a dry spell also imm merlin along moss lane

Cheers Dave
Sounds like it might have been the same Bird.

Hi Jason

There are a number of Buzzards around the mosses showing very light plumage. One Buzzard in particular which I mentioned in my Sept 7th posting below is virtually white underneath.
If your lucky to see 3-4 Buzzards together soaring over the mosses, you will be surprised in how much variation there is in their plumage

Sounds like you may be right not to be convinced off your plumage comment Jason.

Thursday 16th sept
12.30 till 13.30
Kestrelx1
Sparrowhawkx1
Moorhen with chicks on SSSI
pheasantx2 juv
Large Raptor bigger than a Buzzard (white underneath) 2 other Birders reckon it was a female Marsh Harrier,not convinced myself.

Interestingly I had very similar sightings as Karen as I walked around Astley moss today;
2 Large flocks of Chaffinch 40+ and 70+ around Rindle hedges
8 Mistle thrushes
2 Bullfinch
13 Tree sparrows
3 Yellowhammers
13 Pied wagtails along Moss lane
42 Mallard and a Green sandpiper on the pools
1000's of Woodpigeons put up by some shooting
Chiffchaff
Both Hobby's were very active over the SSSI and I watched one perch up and eat a small bird near Bedford moss.
9 Buzzards including 3 over the Peat pools and another 3 at the same time over Chat moss.
3 Kestrels
At least 130 Swallows flew south in an hour as I watched the Hobby's.

Also a Sparrowhawk appeared as the racing pigeons were doing their normal circuit of Rindle woods and the fields. Instead of the pigeons scattering they all flew at the hawk and started to mob it. The hawk flew off as quick as she could.

Walked across from Irlam to Higher Green this afternoon

Hobby over Rindle Wood
40 Chaffinches in pig field near Red Chalis, 6 Collared Doves also
c1,000 Woodpigeons around the area, with small numbers of Feral and Stock Doves
35 House Sparrows near Larkhill Farm
c40 Pied Wagtails in horse paddocks on Rindle Road
8 Mistle Thrushes Irlam Moss

Also a couple of small flocks of Starlings and a charm of c40 Goldfinches and small numbers of other common species

2 Hobbys have been hunting around the sssi for the last hour.

A few hours spent on Rindle Road today.

1 Hobby seen flying over Rindle Wood towards SSSI
3 Buzzards
3 Kestrels
8 Yellowhammers
c150 Woodpigeons on Moss Road

Also 1 Common Lizard near corner of Moss Road and Rindle Road
2 Stoat (1 on feeding track and 1 ran across Rindle Road)

Rather quiet otherwise

A quick look around Rindle road on the way back from Marshside

5 Buzzards soaring over Croxdens peat works were briefly joined by a Peregrine which decided to have a go at the Woodpigeons in field 68. At least 200+ Woodies were put into the air as the Peregrine went through.
Also 2 RL Partridge along the track.

12.30 till 14.30
Jaysx2
Magpiesx5
Pheasantsx2
Flock of Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Massive flock of Starlings on Rindle Road
Sparrowhawkx1
Hobby over SSSI feeding on Dragonflys
Robinx2
Bullfinch

Rindle road 2.30-3.30pm

A Merlin flew over field 68 at 3.10pm heading for Chat moss.

Also seen;
70+ Swallows
30+ Sand martins
2 Sparrowhawks
2 Kestrels
3 Buzzards including one that was nearly all white underneath
3 Tree sparrows
Skylark
18 Greenfinch
4 Pied wagtails
2 Goldfinch
and a number of brave but wet looking Wildlife trust volunteers who had been busy on the moss.

7.10pm
Merlin along the southern edge of Irlam Moss between Merlin Rd (appropriately!!!) and the motorway heading west. Silhouetted against a gloomy sky so couldn't determine age or sex.

A walk along Twelve Yards Road around midday yesterday (4/9/11). Generally quiet, but the following seen:

Reed Bunting (Woodbarn farm, f12)
Wheatear, f3
Buzzard
lots of swallows around
Sand Martins f4,5.

Cheers,

Steve.

Late entry for Thursday, 1/9/11 between 1pm & 3pm

Single Hobby and flock of 10 Redshanks over SSSI
Spotted Flycatcher in trees at end of approach path to SSSI as it opens from wooded area onto the field.

Hi Mike, identifying juvnenile Kestrels at this time of year is often difficult but the paler sandy colouration to the upperparts could well indicate it's young age.

lovely marked kestrel hunting along rindle rd this afternoon. its back, mantle and scapulars are almost pale yellow.could it have been a juvinile has anyone a comment, mike

-- Edited by mike haylett on Thursday 1st of September 2011 03:18:08 PM

After my little visit to Pennington I decided to have a wander over the SSSI and Rindle woods area.

3 Whitethroat
2 Willow warbler
1 Blackcap
c20 Teal
3 Snipe over
1 Buzzard
1 Treecreeper
A flock of around 50 birds - mainly Siskin and a few Lesser Redpoll keeping the Buzzard company in a bare tree.

Early this morning,
A Little owl was a surprise find perched on the bales wrapped in black plastic in the corner of field 69
Seen along the feeding track and Rindle hedges;
14 Tree sparrows
8 Yellowhammers
3 Great tit
3 Blue tit
Willow tit
3 Whitethroat including one bird feeding on large green caterpillars
7 Goldfinch
3 Mistle Thrush
Jay
6 Crows
2 Pied wagtails
Buzzard
Kestrel
Stoat on the track

c300 Swallow feeding at Moss Lane this evening

Managed to get a quick 15 minutes on Rindle road this afternoon at 2pm while my daughter had a sleep in the car. Had really good views of a female adult Marsh Harrier as it quartered the fields just to the east of Rindle road before it soared off eastwards over the trees. Also seen were two Buzzard and two Kestrel.

10.30-11.20 Irlam Moss
Between the heavy rain showers

A few parties of Swallows and House Martins heading SW including 1 Swift

Hobby over Astley Moss SSSI today, visible from Moss Lane

Hobby showing really well huntng insects over Astley Moss SSSI around 2pm today.

22 Tree Sparrow (many juveniles) around Rindle Cottages

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

Quail are practically annual in these particular fields anyway Ian, just in varying quantities. This year has been possibly their best yet though. It would be nice to prove the presence of females but is very difficult (only males 'sing' and the calls of males and females are similar), requiring some pretty good views and not the current whizzing across the field or road!

---

A couple of points browsed from BWP.

"The male's song is given mainly to attract a mate rather than express territory, since evidence suggests males call only very occasionally once mated."

Only circumstantial evidence I know but this would suggest that all these singing birds are unattached males.

Also, "Calls of males and females are distinct", but I don't know anyone who has claimed to have heard a female Quail.

Cheers, John

Quail are practically annual in these particular fields anyway Ian, just in varying quantities. This year has been possibly their best yet though. It would be nice to prove the presence of females but is very difficult (only males 'sing' and the calls of males and females are similar), requiring some pretty good views and not the current whizzing across the field or road!

Field 62 had a Combined Harvester busy cutting the crops. Plenty of birds were sat in the field including;
200+ Woodpigeons and Stock doves
3 Buzzards
2 Grey partridge
3 Pheasant
Mallard

Field 61 has not been cut yet but there was no sight/sound of any Quail.

Other birds seen;
Little Owl
Tawny Owl
Sparrowhawk
6 Buzzards
9 Mistle thrush
Coal tit
Greenfinch
4 Wrens
1000+ Swallows and Martins with about 35 Swifts over fields 21, 22, 23 and 24.


-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 14th of August 2011 09:39:10 PM

Ian Peters wrote:

---

Sarfraz Hayat wrote:

---

Can the Quails be easy to see? When do they tend to migrate?

---

They are effectively single-brooded but like most gamebirds (yes, I hate the term too) they have a long development to independence (pheasants can fly [to a point] within a few days of hatching). The length of development of young means that they tend to move off around middle to late August although the non-breeding birds may already have left. Crucially, this probably means that calling and territorial behaviour will be much reduced by this time but there should be a few birds still around. Sorry it is not more encouraging but I guess we love birding because it is not necessarily easy.

---

That last bit is true but a bit if a headache at times. Never seen Quail before but have never been to this place so the visit itself will be worth it.

Of course proving breeding is another thing altogether!

Hi Sarfraz I have now spent several entire days over the years staring out over crops listening to them but still not seen one in Manchester so good luck! So no they are not easy to see at all

Can the Quails be easy to see? When do they tend to migrate?

I park near the level crossing from the East Lancs Rd end, then walk down as my car is pretty low and doesn't like pot-holes - it's only about 15 minutes or so.

15.30 to 17.30 this afternoon :-

I would agree with John that there are at least 5 Quail in fields 62 and 63. Heard 2 in the bottom corner of F62 and 1 opposite in F63, then a further 2 in F62 further along where there is a gap. The latter 2 were very close so that the growling intro to the song was quite clear - but no visible sightings of the birds, unfortunately. Very frustrating!

1 female Sparrowhawk
5 Whitethroat - 1 with a beakful of flies.
3 Greenfinch
Small flock of Goldfinch
2 Stock Doves
25-30 Starlings
Small flock of 10 Mistle Thrushes.

Rick.

PS. Whichever way you go Dave, you can't avoid the pot-holes.

Dave Olive wrote:

---

When I go to Rindle Wood I come at it from the East Lancs Road. Is this the way you would go i.e. over the rail line and presumably through the farms?

---

Alternatively you can get onto Astley Road from the Irlam direction, however the last time I went in June Astley Road past Twelve Yards Road was really pot-holed but ok if you take it easy.

When I go to Rindle Wood I come at it from the East Lancs Road. Is this the way you would go i.e. over the rail line and presumably through the farms?

Dave Olive wrote:

---

How do you find Field 62? Can you drive to it? Is there parking?

---

Hi Dave,

Click above on this page 'BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE'
Scroll down left hand column to 'COUNTY BIRDING SITES AND MAP'
Click on 'C' to find 'Chat, Irlam and Barton Mosses'
Here you will find a site guide and a map with field numbering'

Astley Road passes between fields 62 & 63 and yes, you can drive it and park right next to the birds

Cheers, John


-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 7th of August 2011 05:12:05 PM

How do you find Field 62? Can you drive to it? Is there parking?

Well! I've had warmer days in November

But another good Quail day despite the weather with 2 calling by the side of the road from F62 and another responding roadside from F63. Eventually one flew past us at point blank range from F62 to F63, no more than 2-3 metres away. Amazing how small they are at this close range. A world bird for my pal . With a minimum of 2 others calling more distantly there are still at least 5 in these fields.

Also on the mosses:
2 Ravens
c20 Tree Sparrows
male Sparrowhawk
1 Buzzard
19 Mistle Trushes (single flock)
8 Yellowhammers
15 Swifts

Cheers, John

Tony Coatsworth wrote:

---

8pm Friday
2 Quail singing in field 62 near tree trunks
1 in 63. No visible sign of course !

However with the Guineafowl, Chickens and Llamas in the area are we sure these Quail are 100% ??

There seemed to be a Tree Sparrow roost at Olive Mount farm

---

For many reasons Tony, as discussed in the discussion forum, I am sure these Quail are ok

Tree Sparrows breed around Olive Mount Farm.

8pm Friday
2 Quail singing in field 62 near tree trunks
1 in 63. No visible sign of course !

However with the Guineafowl, Chickens and Llamas in the area are we sure these Quail are 100% ??

There seemed to be a Tree Sparrow roost at Olive Mount farm

up to 3 singing Quails by Twelve Yards Road around 5pm, also 1 Common Buzzard

10.30am-12.30pm Irlam Moss

Nice to meet John (the Quail whisperer) Rayner! I would probably have missed the Quail flying low over the wheat field but he spotted it. I just had a 2 or 3 second glimpse before it dropped into the crops again - but a lifer for me after many frustrating hours spent listening to them! Thanks John!

Sightings much the same as John with the addition of:
3 further Yellow Wagtails together over f18 - at least 1 was a juv -(sorry John - I know you were looking for them!)
Also:
2 Buzzard
2 Stock Dove
2 family parties of Pied Wags - c.6 near Woodstock Fm, c.10 over f63
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Willow Warbler - looking rather worn
4 Whitethroat
1 Wren nesting in hole in a corrugated roof of a barn at Hope Fm.
Nice to see lots of young Swallows perched in the conifer trees and on fence posts around Woodstock Fm.

-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Wednesday 3rd of August 2011 11:32:01 PM

Wed 3rd Aug (07.30 - 12.15). In part with Steve Nelson.


4-6 Quails calling throughout the morning with close flight views at 10.25 (field 62) and at 11.50 (field 63). Difficult to assess numbers accurately as they are ventriloquial and move exceedingly fast. At one stage 2 were very close to the edge of field 62 (so close I could see the wheat stalks moving) and both were calling loudly, probably disputing territorial boundaries. A third bird, called from the back of field 62, was attracted to the commotion and made it across the field (unseen) in an amazingly short time, calling frequently as it ran. They were so close that the growling introduction to the song ("marr warr") was easy to hear.

Later I had a second sighting at 11.50, together with Steve Nelson, as a bird flew from the near corner of field 63 and dropped into cover after 100 metres or so. There were also 3 birds calling from this field at the time.

Elsewhere most of the action was around Woodstock Farm with a Spotted Flycatcher flycatching from the fence opposite the entrance.

An adult Hobby hunted one of the 90 or so House Martins in the same area and Steve had a Yellow Wagtail fly over.

c20 Swifts over field 62.

I was also filmed watching the Quail by the Google Earth camera van as it drove down Astley Road

Cheers, John

12.30-7.00pm nice long walk around try and see some quails (no joy,heard only)
heard 3 in f63 / 4 in f62 / 2 in f17 / 1 in f21 ah well will have to make do with....
1 hobby over woodstock farm then circling around f21/f22 sending up 100+ starlings
& swallows & house martins going mad
2 yellow wagtails f22
2 buzzards
1 sedge warbler f60
same as karen high numbers of tree sparrows, yellowhammers & whitethroats in the area.
woodstock farm..
7 lapwings, 50+ b-h-gulls, 5 linnets, 2 yellow wagtails, 9 pied wagtails, 6 mistle thrush
+ lots off wood pigeons.
other birds around inc..
siskins near red challis, willow warblers, chiffchaffs, blackcaps, kestrels, swifts,
sand martins, goldfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches, pheasants, collared doves
stock doves, feral pigeons, crows, magpies, house sparrows, jay
blackbirds, dunnocks, robins, wrens, blue/great/coal & long tailed tits.

good afternoon/evening



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 31st of July 2011 10:56:25 PM

0630-1030ish with Simon Ghilks

A cracking morning's birding

1 Cuckoo flew across Rindle Road between Rindle cottages and railway cottages.
Quail singing - 2 in field 17, 2 in field 62
Female Grey Partridge with two young in field 63, also 2-3 along feeding track on Rindle Road
c200 House Martins perched on wires along Astley Road
1 Yellow Wagtail landed briefly on wires amongst House Martins, 1 also seen carrying food near field 63
Mixed flock of c40 Mistle Thrushes and Blackbirds in rowans at the back of fields 19 and 20
High numbers of Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers and Whitethroats in the area



-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 31st of July 2011 02:05:13 PM

Next to Moss Bank Farm this am:

Moorhen pair with 5 chicks
Pair of buzzards circling and calling
chiffchaff calling
yellowhammer heard
Curlew over
2 lapwing over
Whitethroat carrying food
Probable peregrine over, saw it briefly as it stooped behind some trees and out of sight



-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Saturday 30th of July 2011 10:31:03 PM