No sign of any Snow Buntings for me around the mast area and Smithill's Moor this morning up to 12.30pm, though I did flush 25 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe and 1 Woodcock from Smithill's Moor.
Around the mast area were 2 Stonechat and 3 Red Grouse.
Edge Lane, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Stonechat, 6 Snipe.
Neil Southworth said
Sun Dec 29 11:08 PM, 2019
Report on Twitter of Snow Bunting on Winter Hill this afternoon on the Bolton side near the main mast.
Simon Warford said
Sun Dec 29 7:03 PM, 2019
3 Short-eared Owls in the Fleet Moor / Burnt Edge area 4-5pm today, also 2 Woodcock over at dusk.
Late news from last Friday 29th November 3pm to 4 pm:- Both male & female Black Redstarts to rear of Winter Hill main transmitter building & then around rocket shaped mast.
Also Woodcock flushed from same area by 2 dogs.
2 very noisy honking Ravens & a dozen very active Meadow Pipits.
Merlin and presumably the same ringtail Hen Harrier on Smithills Moor
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Dec 1 9:09 AM, 2019
Late news for yesterday from Scout Road:
193 Redwing SE in 13 small flocks and 72 Fieldfare
1011 Woodpigeon N and 191 S
Ring tailed Hen Harrier hunting through north over Horrocks Moor
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Steve Judge said
Fri Nov 29 4:56 PM, 2019
Friday, 29th November 2019. Crisp, sunny, blue-sky day. Walk from Walker Fold car park - Burnt Edge - Holdens Farm - Gilligants Farm - Winter Hill - Mast Road - and return via Holdens Plantation.
Highlight - 70 plus Brambling in Holdens Plantation.
Other birds seen included:
Stonechat x 2 Raven x 1 Wren x 1 Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 2 Reed Bunting x 2 Goldfinch x 3 Coal Tit x 2 Nuthatch x 1 Chaffinch x 5
Sparrowhawk seen flying across main road near Rumworth Lodge on way to Horwich Moors.
N.B. Walker Fold car park is closed to the public tomorrow (Saturday 30th November)
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 21 10:20 PM, 2019
This morning's highlights from Scout Road:
80 Brambling south
7 Crossbill south
55 Pink-footed Geese NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 19 6:59 PM, 2019
This morning's vizmig highlights from Scout Road included:
1461 Woodpigeon N
754 Fieldfare mainly E in 31 small flocks
3727 Redwing mainly S/SE in 83 small flocks
94 Chaffinch S
1 Brambling S
49 Lesser Redpoll S
10 Siskin S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Martin Loftus said
Tue Nov 19 11:24 AM, 2019
This morning I accidentally flushed a Woodcock that was roosting at the foot of the stone wall on the last plantation on Burnt Edge
It flew off towards the mast.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 18 8:46 PM, 2019
Movement over Higher Meadows this morning included:
2 Whooper Swan over NW which landed on Rivington Reservoir
790 Pink-footed Geese in 8 small skein SE
1 Goosander W
197 Woodpigeon N
216 Fieldfare NW in 6 small flocks
Ingo thanks to Andy Makin
John Williams said
Sun Nov 10 11:39 PM, 2019
11.00-15.00
Georges Lane : 5 Stonechats, a flock of 6 Meadow Pipits and a group of 6 Fieldfares.
Walker Fold : 7 Siskins and 3 Lesser Redpolls with Coal Tits and Goldfinches on larch cones.
Also a flock of 400+ Woodpigeons, 3 Redwings and 1 Fieldfare.
Holdens Farm : 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Linnets, 8 Meadow Pipits and a single flock of
16 Long Tailed Tits.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 10 8:25 PM, 2019
This morning's highlights courtesy of Andy Makin and Simon Warford from both Higher Meadows and Scout Road watchpoints:
67 Whooper Swan over in 3 flocks of 25, 20 and 22
8643 Pink-footed Geese over E/SE in 26 skeins, 3 of which numbered 88,1000 and 2000! Also 372 in 7 skeins NW
1 Short-eared Owl low NE over Wildersmoor
2913 Woodpigeon S
3 Snow Bunting over Higher Meadows area, with a female/immature type NE and then 2 male type NE
29 Lesser Redpoll over
12 Brambling SE
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 10 10:31 AM, 2019
Late news for yesterday across the moor, courtesy of Andy Makin and Simon Warford:
650 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins and one skein of 150 NW
7800 Woodpigeon 7800 S
3880 Starling W
787 Fieldfare mainly S
10 Brambling
53 Lesser Redpoll
13 Siskin
69 Chaffinch S
Ring tailed Hen Harrier on Horrocks Moor
Female type Ring Ouzel S over Scout Road
Single Swallow S at Matchmoor Lane
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 8 11:48 AM, 2019
The Higher Meadows area off Georges Lane this morning in a strong and cold northerly wind provided highlights of:
1950 Pink-footed Geese SE in 5 large skeins
10 Whooper Swan SE at 7:30am
1686 Woodpigeon S
243 Starling W/NW
1 Snow Bunting low north over, seemed to land on Wildersmoor or went low over the ground in direction of Two Lads Hill at 7:50am. Appeared to be a winter male type.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Late news for the 6th includes:
6519 Woodpigeon S
47 Reed Bunting over east and 30 down by the old kennels
777 Pink-footed Geese E in 5 skeins and 34 SW in 3 skeins
68 Fieldfare and 35 Redwing N
8 Brambling S
16 Lesser Redpoll N
Info thank to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 31 3:05 PM, 2019
This mornings highlights courtesy of Andy Makin and Simon Warford:
70 Pink-footed Geese W
190 Woodpigeon N and 461 S
1895 Starling W/NW
1238 Fieldfare N and 126 S
2467 Redwing N/NW and 432 S
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 30 9:08 PM, 2019
Today’s moors highlights included:
1442 Woodpigeon N and 727 S
1308 Starling W/NW
4949 Redwing NW
6267 Fieldfare N/NW
11 Brambling N and 1 S
15 Siskin N
5 Crossbill NW and 4 S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 29 11:16 PM, 2019
Today's highlights:
500 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins and 470 W in 3 skeins
46 Whooper Swan SE in flocks of 5, 21 and 4 which landed at nearby Belmont
6984 Woodpigeon mainly N
1159 Fieldfare N/NW
144 Redwing N
1 male Ring Ouzel N
15 Brambling N
Also, possible Rose-coloured Starling seen distantly moving through with Starlings shortly after the Elton sighting.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Steve Judge said
Tue Oct 29 10:08 AM, 2019
Monday 28th October 2019. 11:00 - 15:30 hrs. Sunny, dry and cool.
Walk from Walker Fold car park - Burnt Edge - Holdens Plantation - Two Lads Hill - Winter Hill - and return via Gilligants Farm and Holdens Farm.
1 x Female Hen Harrier (Ringtail) 2 x Raven 4 x Fieldfare 1 x Skein of Pink Footed Geese (approximately 200) heading west 1 x Reed Bunting 2 x Kestrel 2 x Jay 7 x Crows 2 x Chaffinch 1 x Blue Tit 2 x Female Pheasant
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 28 9:02 PM, 2019
This morning's vismig highlights across pretty much the entire moors between Andy Makin, Simon Warford and Rick Else:
1873 Pink-footed Geese, with two skeins of 201 birds NW and 10 skeis of 1672 SE
6 Whooper Swan SE
10167 Woodpigeon mainly S
5947 Fieldfare NW
229 Redwing W/NW
67 Brambling and 99 Chaffinch 99 N
57 Siskin N
34 redpoll S
1 Yellowhammer SE
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 27 4:06 PM, 2019
Today’s moors highlights across the whole area (pretty much) courtesy of Simon Warford and Andy Makin:
117 Whooper Swan with flocks of 19,16, 6, 4,9, 30 and 14 SE, 3 N and and 16 NW
2659 Pink-footed Geese SE in 19 skein and 881 NW in 8 skein
548 Woodpigeon NW and 2730 S
291 Chaffinch 291 N
24 Brambling N and 1 S
12 Siskin N
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 25 7:23 PM, 2019
Other sightings from the Higher Meadows area off Georges Lane this morning included:
5 Twite over west
19 Lesser Redpoll north
42 Reed Bunting around the old kennels gardens, 20 of which flew off south when the mist cleared.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 25 11:47 AM, 2019
Two Ring Ouzel at Higher Meadows off the northern end of Georges Lane this morning were joined by 4 Waxwing which circled above the dell for while. They were blocked by a bank of mist and turned back flying off NW.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 22 5:36 PM, 2019
Today’s moors highlights up to late morning from Edge Lane:
1451 Pink-footed Geese in 8 skeins E/SE
435 Woodpigeon NW
15 Crossbill W
94 Song Thrush S including a flock of 33
96 Fieldfare and 1391 Redwing
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 21 9:20 PM, 2019
Today’s moors totals moors thanks to Andy Makin and Simon Warford, up to midday:
6 skeins of Pink-footed Geese SE totalling 995 birds and 6 skein NW totalling 290 birds
1 Merlin S amongst a Fieldfare flock
Female Hen Harrier S
626 Woodpigeon N
508 Starling WSW
26 Song Thrush S
2901 Redwing W/NW in 83 flocks
2676 Fieldfare W/NW in 61 flocks
1 Brambling W
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 20 9:57 PM, 2019
Todays Vis Mig highlights with Andy Makin and Dan Brown;
2450 Pink-footed Geese SE in 13 skeins, 65 NW 5179 Woodpiegon south 1 Swallow south 1190 Fieldfares west/NW 2332 Redwings west/NW
At least 4 Bramblings in the Beech trees at Burnt Edge Lane.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 19 10:37 PM, 2019
Today's sightings included:
3 Black Redstart on the top of Winter Hill
Tree Sparrow at Higher Meadows late flew off SW
Late news for yesterday included:
Red Kite SE over Montcliffe
Ring Ouzel just in Lancashire north of Higher Meadows off the north end of Georges Lane
Black Redstart around the rocket shaped mast in Lancashire on Winter Hill
Greenland type Wheatear
12 Brambling S
3 Fieldfare S
184 Redwing S
2290 Woodpigeons S
202 Meadow Pipit S
1 Swallow S
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 18 4:16 PM, 2019
Delayed news for yesterday from Scout Road:
1208 Pink-footed Geese in 7 skeins
1 ringtail Hen Harrier S
457 Woodpigeon S & 75 N
340 Meadow Pipit S
33 Song Thrush S
94 Redwing S
1 Ring Ouzel briefly landed then flew S
179 Linnet, 230 Goldfinch 230 and 42 Lesser Redpoll S
1 Crossbill S
1 male Yellowhammer S
23 Reed Bunting S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 17 3:55 PM, 2019
Late news for yesterday when a Black Redstart was along the border wall by the cable compounds on Winter Hill, also 1 Greenland type Wheatear and 2 Stonechat.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 15 2:56 PM, 2019
This morning's highlights between Andy Makin, Simon Warford and Andy :
100 Pink-footed Geese SW
1 ringtail Hen Harrier S
58 Pied Wagtail S
197 Meadow Pipit S
2 House Martin and 7 Swallow S
726 Redwing S
87 Song Thrush S, largest flock of 17
9 Ring Ouzel through, with 6 (four male and two female type) E and 2 female type SE
32 Brambling S
Black Redstart by the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill within Lancashire
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 14 10:23 PM, 2019
Highlights from today:
Pink-footed Goose with 1 skein of 33 SE, 2 skeins of 240 SW, and 5 skeins of 706 NW
Male Merlin S
561 Woodpigeon S and 706 N
5 House Martin S
23 Swallow S
1134 Meadow Pipit S
55 Pied Wagtail S
288 Linnet S
215 Goldfinch S
53 Siskin S
2 Brambling S
1 Ring Ouzel N
23 Redwing
2 Tree Sparrow S
3 Fieldfare S
12 Song Thrush S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 12 8:52 PM, 2019
A superb mornings migration watching with Andy Makin and Dan Brown from Scout Road up to 1pm produced;
2 ringtail Hen Harriers through sw 2 Merlin through 2938 Pink-footed Geese east and 935 nw 12 Golden Plover 53 Skylark 37 Swallow 10 House Martin 4 Fieldfare 113 Redwing 2 Tree Sparrow 215 Pied Wagtails (record count) 3553 Meadow Pipits 21 Brambling 113 Greenfinch 505 Linnet (record count) 35 Lesser Redpoll 156 Siskin 46 Reed Buntings (record count)
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 8 11:16 PM, 2019
Today’s moors highlights from this morning:
52 Cormorant over such in four flocks
795 Pink-footed Goose SE in 11 skeins
1 drake Goosander S
401 Woodpigeon S and 140 N
86 Pied Wagtail S
393 Meadow Pipit S
8 Swallow and 1 House Martin S
1 Ring Ouzel accidentally flushed then flew off south
170 Redwing and 3 Fieldfare S
45 Lesser Redpoll S and 1 N
97 Siskin S
498 Linnet S (a site record!)
3 Tree Sparrow S
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 5 8:12 PM, 2019
Today’s highlights from this morning included:
25 Wigeon 25 high over SW
356 Meadow Pipit S
28 Song Thrush S
100 Redwing N and 757 S
4 Fieldfare S and 1 E
10 Swallow
71 Chaffinch S
2 Brambling S
105 Linnet 105 S
194 Goldfinch S
152 Siskin S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 4 9:03 PM, 2019
2700 Redwing very low south in only two hours over Higher Meadows this morning.
Also, a Ring Ouzel and Merlin over.
Info thanks to Andy Pinches
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 4 10:28 AM, 2019
Late news for Wednesday 2nd October:
1230 Pink-footed Geese W/NW in 5 skeins and 878 E/SE in 10 skeins
4 Whooper Swan E
1 Merlin SE
14 Redwing S
Yesterday's highlights included:
3 single Marsh Harriers over
2 ringtail Hen Harrier through together
34 Redwing
409 Meadow Pipit
32 Lesser Redpoll, 122 Siskin and 513 goldfinch S
3 Tree Sparrow S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 30 9:53 PM, 2019
Today’s moors totals:
Ringtail Hen Harrier through
Merlin S
67 Skylark and 1774 Meadow Pipit through
26 Swallow and 6 House Martin
84 Linnet through
23 Twite S in a single flock seen at very close range as they passed
2 Chiffchaff
2 Black Redstart down by the rocket mast on Winter Hill just in Lancashire
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 27 3:30 PM, 2019
Yesterday morning's highlights:
231 Pink-footed Geese SE in 5 skeins and 1 skein of 60 NW
11 Buzzard S
1 Merlin at Higher Meadows
12 Snipe S
2146 Meadow Pipit S
5 Ring Ouzel NW over Higher Meadows
57 Swallow S
65 Linnet S
27 Siskin S
1 Crossbill S
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Today's highlights included:
966 Meadow Pipit S
1 Redwing S
43 Linnet S
18 Siskin S
12 Swallow S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 25 5:11 PM, 2019
Highlights today between myself, Andy Makin and Andy Pinches included:
2437 Meadow Pipit south
Juvenile Hobby through
9 Crossbill S
2 Redwing S
63 Linnet, 20 Siskin, 17 Swallow, 7 House Martin all S
1 Goosander S
5 Chiffchaff (including one around the mast buildings on Winter Hill)
1 Wheatear
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 23 6:33 PM, 2019
Other site highlights today thanks to Andy Makin included:
4 male type Red-breasted Merganser over south
42 Buzzard through SE, including a single flock of 15
1 Merlin on Smithills Moor
5 Golden Plover over SE
1618 Meadow Pipit S
160 Swallow S
81 House Martin S
1 Crossbill S
Male type Ring Ouzel dropped into Scout Road quarry before flying off south
28 Siskin, 125 Goldfinch, 88 Chaffinch and 40 Linnet all S
3 Green Woodpecker along Georges Lane (Andy Pinches)
Highlights for Saturday 21st:
1 Redwing calling over south
450 House Martin, 360 Swallow S
1 Merlin
60 Linnet, 347 Goldfinch and 361 Meadow Pipit all south
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 23 7:44 AM, 2019
A Great White Egret flew WSW from Scout Road, heading in the direction of Burnt Edge at 07:25 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Fri Sep 20 7:37 PM, 2019
Brilliant morning on Winter Hill with Andy Makin up to 2pm.
1 juvenile Hen Harrier on Smithill's Moor, then later seen around the Mast compound 8 Twite flew west 2 imm. Black Redstarts on the border wall, also 1 Whinchat and 4 Wheatear around the mast area. 1 female Merlin chasing pipits 3 Hobbies, including an adult+juv hunting dragonflies for over an hour. 1 Yellow Wagtail south 11 Buzzard 13 Raven 9 Stonechat 1814 Meadow Pipit south 56 Swallow south 36 House Martin south 92 Linnet
Around the mast area were 2 Stonechat and 3 Red Grouse.
Edge Lane, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Stonechat, 6 Snipe.
Report on Twitter of Snow Bunting on Winter Hill this afternoon on the Bolton side near the main mast.
Georges Lane : 1 Kestrel and 1f Bullfinch.
Burnt Edge : 3 Ravens, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Kestrel.
Walker Fold : 1m Siskin on a larch with a mixed flock of Coal, Blue and Long Tailed Tits.
1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.
Holdens Farm : 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 Kestrel.
Also 1 Fieldfare which was amongst a small group of 36 Starlings.
11.30 to 13.30 Georges Rd & Higher Meadows highlights
Green Woodpecker calling & seen (at distance) on edge of pine plantation & Higher Meadows after former dog kennels on Georges Rd
1 male Stonechat
A few Meadow Pipit's, Pied Wagtails & Goldfinch around grazing sheep on Higher Meadows
also Male Kestrel patrolling above areas.
Late news from last Friday 29th November 3pm to 4 pm:- Both male & female Black Redstarts to rear of Winter Hill main transmitter building & then around rocket shaped mast.
Also Woodcock flushed from same area by 2 dogs.
2 very noisy honking Ravens & a dozen very active Meadow Pipits.
Late news for yesterday from Scout Road:
1872 Redwing S/SW in 40 flocks
4 Brambling south
43 Reed Bunting south
Merlin and presumably the same ringtail Hen Harrier on Smithills Moor
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Late news for yesterday from Scout Road:
193 Redwing SE in 13 small flocks and 72 Fieldfare
1011 Woodpigeon N and 191 S
Ring tailed Hen Harrier hunting through north over Horrocks Moor
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Highlight - 70 plus Brambling in Holdens Plantation.
Other birds seen included:
Stonechat x 2
Raven x 1
Wren x 1
Buzzard x 1
Kestrel x 2
Reed Bunting x 2
Goldfinch x 3
Coal Tit x 2
Nuthatch x 1
Chaffinch x 5
Sparrowhawk seen flying across main road near Rumworth Lodge on way to Horwich Moors.
N.B. Walker Fold car park is closed to the public tomorrow (Saturday 30th November)
This morning's highlights from Scout Road:
80 Brambling south
7 Crossbill south
55 Pink-footed Geese NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's vizmig highlights from Scout Road included:
1461 Woodpigeon N
754 Fieldfare mainly E in 31 small flocks
3727 Redwing mainly S/SE in 83 small flocks
94 Chaffinch S
1 Brambling S
49 Lesser Redpoll S
10 Siskin S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning I accidentally flushed a Woodcock that was roosting at the foot of the stone wall on the last plantation on Burnt Edge
It flew off towards the mast.
Movement over Higher Meadows this morning included:
2 Whooper Swan over NW which landed on Rivington Reservoir
790 Pink-footed Geese in 8 small skein SE
1 Goosander W
197 Woodpigeon N
216 Fieldfare NW in 6 small flocks
Ingo thanks to Andy Makin
Georges Lane : 5 Stonechats, a flock of 6 Meadow Pipits and a group of 6 Fieldfares.
Burnt Edge : 1 Raven, 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Stonechats and 1 Grey Heron.
Walker Fold : 7 Siskins and 3 Lesser Redpolls with Coal Tits and Goldfinches on larch cones.
Also a flock of 400+ Woodpigeons, 3 Redwings and 1 Fieldfare.
Holdens Farm : 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Linnets, 8 Meadow Pipits and a single flock of
16 Long Tailed Tits.
This morning's highlights courtesy of Andy Makin and Simon Warford from both Higher Meadows and Scout Road watchpoints:
67 Whooper Swan over in 3 flocks of 25, 20 and 22
8643 Pink-footed Geese over E/SE in 26 skeins, 3 of which numbered 88,1000 and 2000! Also 372 in 7 skeins NW
1 Short-eared Owl low NE over Wildersmoor
2913 Woodpigeon S
3 Snow Bunting over Higher Meadows area, with a female/immature type NE and then 2 male type NE
29 Lesser Redpoll over
12 Brambling SE
Late news for yesterday across the moor, courtesy of Andy Makin and Simon Warford:
650 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins and one skein of 150 NW
7800 Woodpigeon 7800 S
3880 Starling W
787 Fieldfare mainly S
10 Brambling
53 Lesser Redpoll
13 Siskin
69 Chaffinch S
Ring tailed Hen Harrier on Horrocks Moor
Female type Ring Ouzel S over Scout Road
Single Swallow S at Matchmoor Lane
The Higher Meadows area off Georges Lane this morning in a strong and cold northerly wind provided highlights of:
1950 Pink-footed Geese SE in 5 large skeins
10 Whooper Swan SE at 7:30am
1686 Woodpigeon S
243 Starling W/NW
1 Snow Bunting low north over, seemed to land on Wildersmoor or went low over the ground in direction of Two Lads Hill at 7:50am. Appeared to be a winter male type.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Late news for the 6th includes:
6519 Woodpigeon S
47 Reed Bunting over east and 30 down by the old kennels
1 Yellowhammer down by the old kennels
Info and image thanks to Andy Makin
This mornings highlights from the Higher Meadows area:
500 Pink-footed Geese in 1 skein NW and 1 skeins of 18 E
4 Whooper Swan E over Horwich
1 Golden plover W
24 Stock Dove S
2 Brambling N and 98 Chaffinch N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Higher Meadows area this morning:
1 Ring Ouzel briefly before flying S
80(!) Reed Bunting in old kennel gardens along with a Tree sparrow briefly in the big hedge before flying high S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This mornings highlights:
777 Pink-footed Geese E in 5 skeins and 34 SW in 3 skeins
68 Fieldfare and 35 Redwing N
8 Brambling S
16 Lesser Redpoll N
Info thank to Andy Makin
This mornings highlights courtesy of Andy Makin and Simon Warford:
70 Pink-footed Geese W
190 Woodpigeon N and 461 S
1895 Starling W/NW
1238 Fieldfare N and 126 S
2467 Redwing N/NW and 432 S
Today’s moors highlights included:
1442 Woodpigeon N and 727 S
1308 Starling W/NW
4949 Redwing NW
6267 Fieldfare N/NW
11 Brambling N and 1 S
15 Siskin N
5 Crossbill NW and 4 S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today's highlights:
500 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins and 470 W in 3 skeins
46 Whooper Swan SE in flocks of 5, 21 and 4 which landed at nearby Belmont
6984 Woodpigeon mainly N
1159 Fieldfare N/NW
144 Redwing N
1 male Ring Ouzel N
15 Brambling N
Also, possible Rose-coloured Starling seen distantly moving through with Starlings shortly after the Elton sighting.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Walk from Walker Fold car park - Burnt Edge - Holdens Plantation - Two Lads Hill - Winter Hill - and return via Gilligants Farm and Holdens Farm.
1 x Female Hen Harrier (Ringtail)
2 x Raven
4 x Fieldfare
1 x Skein of Pink Footed Geese (approximately 200) heading west
1 x Reed Bunting
2 x Kestrel
2 x Jay
7 x Crows
2 x Chaffinch
1 x Blue Tit
2 x Female Pheasant
This morning's vismig highlights across pretty much the entire moors between Andy Makin, Simon Warford and Rick Else:
1873 Pink-footed Geese, with two skeins of 201 birds NW and 10 skeis of 1672 SE
6 Whooper Swan SE
10167 Woodpigeon mainly S
5947 Fieldfare NW
229 Redwing W/NW
67 Brambling and 99 Chaffinch 99 N
57 Siskin N
34 redpoll S
1 Yellowhammer SE
Today’s moors highlights across the whole area (pretty much) courtesy of Simon Warford and Andy Makin:
117 Whooper Swan with flocks of 19,16, 6, 4,9, 30 and 14 SE, 3 N and and 16 NW
2659 Pink-footed Geese SE in 19 skein and 881 NW in 8 skein
548 Woodpigeon NW and 2730 S
291 Chaffinch 291 N
24 Brambling N and 1 S
12 Siskin N
Other sightings from the Higher Meadows area off Georges Lane this morning included:
5 Twite over west
19 Lesser Redpoll north
42 Reed Bunting around the old kennels gardens, 20 of which flew off south when the mist cleared.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Two Ring Ouzel at Higher Meadows off the northern end of Georges Lane this morning were joined by 4 Waxwing which circled above the dell for while. They were blocked by a bank of mist and turned back flying off NW.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today’s moors highlights up to late morning from Edge Lane:
1451 Pink-footed Geese in 8 skeins E/SE
435 Woodpigeon NW
15 Crossbill W
94 Song Thrush S including a flock of 33
96 Fieldfare and 1391 Redwing
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today’s moors totals moors thanks to Andy Makin and Simon Warford, up to midday:
6 skeins of Pink-footed Geese SE totalling 995 birds and 6 skein NW totalling 290 birds
1 Merlin S amongst a Fieldfare flock
Female Hen Harrier S
626 Woodpigeon N
508 Starling WSW
26 Song Thrush S
2901 Redwing W/NW in 83 flocks
2676 Fieldfare W/NW in 61 flocks
1 Brambling W
Todays Vis Mig highlights with Andy Makin and Dan Brown;
2450 Pink-footed Geese SE in 13 skeins, 65 NW
5179 Woodpiegon south
1 Swallow south
1190 Fieldfares west/NW
2332 Redwings west/NW
At least 4 Bramblings in the Beech trees at Burnt Edge Lane.
Today's sightings included:
3 Black Redstart on the top of Winter Hill
Tree Sparrow at Higher Meadows late flew off SW
Late news for yesterday included:
Red Kite SE over Montcliffe
Ring Ouzel just in Lancashire north of Higher Meadows off the north end of Georges Lane
Black Redstart around the rocket shaped mast in Lancashire on Winter Hill
Greenland type Wheatear
12 Brambling S
3 Fieldfare S
184 Redwing S
2290 Woodpigeons S
202 Meadow Pipit S
1 Swallow S
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Delayed news for yesterday from Scout Road:
1208 Pink-footed Geese in 7 skeins
1 ringtail Hen Harrier S
457 Woodpigeon S & 75 N
340 Meadow Pipit S
33 Song Thrush S
94 Redwing S
1 Ring Ouzel briefly landed then flew S
179 Linnet, 230 Goldfinch 230 and 42 Lesser Redpoll S
1 Crossbill S
1 male Yellowhammer S
23 Reed Bunting S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Late news for yesterday when a Black Redstart was along the border wall by the cable compounds on Winter Hill, also 1 Greenland type Wheatear and 2 Stonechat.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's highlights between Andy Makin, Simon Warford and Andy :
100 Pink-footed Geese SW
1 ringtail Hen Harrier S
58 Pied Wagtail S
197 Meadow Pipit S
2 House Martin and 7 Swallow S
726 Redwing S
87 Song Thrush S, largest flock of 17
9 Ring Ouzel through, with 6 (four male and two female type) E and 2 female type SE
32 Brambling S
Black Redstart by the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill within Lancashire
Highlights from today:
Pink-footed Goose with 1 skein of 33 SE, 2 skeins of 240 SW, and 5 skeins of 706 NW
Male Merlin S
561 Woodpigeon S and 706 N
5 House Martin S
23 Swallow S
1134 Meadow Pipit S
55 Pied Wagtail S
288 Linnet S
215 Goldfinch S
53 Siskin S
2 Brambling S
1 Ring Ouzel N
23 Redwing
2 Tree Sparrow S
3 Fieldfare S
12 Song Thrush S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 ringtail Hen Harriers through sw
2 Merlin through
2938 Pink-footed Geese east and 935 nw
12 Golden Plover
53 Skylark
37 Swallow
10 House Martin
4 Fieldfare
113 Redwing
2 Tree Sparrow
215 Pied Wagtails (record count)
3553 Meadow Pipits
21 Brambling
113 Greenfinch
505 Linnet (record count)
35 Lesser Redpoll
156 Siskin
46 Reed Buntings (record count)
Today’s moors highlights from this morning:
52 Cormorant over such in four flocks
795 Pink-footed Goose SE in 11 skeins
1 drake Goosander S
401 Woodpigeon S and 140 N
86 Pied Wagtail S
393 Meadow Pipit S
8 Swallow and 1 House Martin S
1 Ring Ouzel accidentally flushed then flew off south
170 Redwing and 3 Fieldfare S
45 Lesser Redpoll S and 1 N
97 Siskin S
498 Linnet S (a site record!)
3 Tree Sparrow S
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Today’s highlights from this morning included:
25 Wigeon 25 high over SW
356 Meadow Pipit S
28 Song Thrush S
100 Redwing N and 757 S
4 Fieldfare S and 1 E
10 Swallow
71 Chaffinch S
2 Brambling S
105 Linnet 105 S
194 Goldfinch S
152 Siskin S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2700 Redwing very low south in only two hours over Higher Meadows this morning.
Also, a Ring Ouzel and Merlin over.
Info thanks to Andy Pinches
Late news for Wednesday 2nd October:
1230 Pink-footed Geese W/NW in 5 skeins and 878 E/SE in 10 skeins
4 Whooper Swan E
1 Merlin SE
14 Redwing S
Yesterday's highlights included:
3 single Marsh Harriers over
2 ringtail Hen Harrier through together
34 Redwing
409 Meadow Pipit
32 Lesser Redpoll, 122 Siskin and 513 goldfinch S
3 Tree Sparrow S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today’s moors totals:
Ringtail Hen Harrier through
Merlin S
67 Skylark and 1774 Meadow Pipit through
26 Swallow and 6 House Martin
84 Linnet through
23 Twite S in a single flock seen at very close range as they passed
2 Chiffchaff
2 Black Redstart down by the rocket mast on Winter Hill just in Lancashire
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Yesterday morning's highlights:
231 Pink-footed Geese SE in 5 skeins and 1 skein of 60 NW
11 Buzzard S
1 Merlin at Higher Meadows
12 Snipe S
2146 Meadow Pipit S
5 Ring Ouzel NW over Higher Meadows
57 Swallow S
65 Linnet S
27 Siskin S
1 Crossbill S
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Today's highlights included:
966 Meadow Pipit S
1 Redwing S
43 Linnet S
18 Siskin S
12 Swallow S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Highlights today between myself, Andy Makin and Andy Pinches included:
2437 Meadow Pipit south
Juvenile Hobby through
9 Crossbill S
2 Redwing S
63 Linnet, 20 Siskin, 17 Swallow, 7 House Martin all S
1 Goosander S
5 Chiffchaff (including one around the mast buildings on Winter Hill)
1 Wheatear
Other site highlights today thanks to Andy Makin included:
4 male type Red-breasted Merganser over south
42 Buzzard through SE, including a single flock of 15
1 Merlin on Smithills Moor
5 Golden Plover over SE
1618 Meadow Pipit S
160 Swallow S
81 House Martin S
1 Crossbill S
Male type Ring Ouzel dropped into Scout Road quarry before flying off south
28 Siskin, 125 Goldfinch, 88 Chaffinch and 40 Linnet all S
3 Green Woodpecker along Georges Lane (Andy Pinches)
Highlights for Saturday 21st:
1 Redwing calling over south
450 House Martin, 360 Swallow S
1 Merlin
60 Linnet, 347 Goldfinch and 361 Meadow Pipit all south
A Great White Egret flew WSW from Scout Road, heading in the direction of Burnt Edge at 07:25 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 juvenile Hen Harrier on Smithill's Moor, then later seen around the Mast compound
8 Twite flew west
2 imm. Black Redstarts on the border wall, also 1 Whinchat and 4 Wheatear around the mast area.
1 female Merlin chasing pipits
3 Hobbies, including an adult+juv hunting dragonflies for over an hour.
1 Yellow Wagtail south
11 Buzzard
13 Raven
9 Stonechat
1814 Meadow Pipit south
56 Swallow south
36 House Martin south
92 Linnet
Highlights from this morning:
15 Pink-footed Geese SE at 7:43
1 Hobby S
251 Swallow and 283 House Martin S
403 Meadow Pipit 403
4 Wheatear
7 Red Grouse
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today's sightings early morning to early afternoon:
Pink-footed Geese: 2 N 11:02am and 33 SW 08:15am
3 Merlin, with one direct S and presumed yesterday’s pair of immature male and female type hunting together over Smithills Moor
3 Golden Plover over
3127 Meadow Pipit S
160 Swallow
524 House Martin
105 Linnet S
1 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Lapland Bunting flew low south calling and giving decent in-flight views over Smithills Moor at 10:20 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Late news for yesterday included:
Six skeins of Pink-footed Geese over
5 Whinchat at Higher Meadows
3 Goosander
450 Meadow Pipit S
5 Wheatear
Spotted Flycatcher Higher Meadows
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches