ASTLEY, CHAT, LITTLE WOOLDEN AND ASSOCIATED MOSSES
Jason Dulhanty said
Thu May 19 2:10 PM, 2011
10.30 till 12.15 Astley Moss
yellowhammerx3 Chaffinch Buzzardsx3 Kestrel Lapwings Mistle thrush pied wagtail Pair of Linnets Garden warbler Blackcap Chffchaff heard not seen Cuckoo heard not seen Heron over Dunnockx3
Tim Wilcox said
Mon May 16 11:13 AM, 2011
Visit to Astley Moss Sunday am with Tomy Darby produced very little but 2 separate Cuckoos calling - one N of Rindle Rd feeding station and one W beyond SSSI. We failed to see either. Plus Sparrowhawk over ploughed field.
On the way Sparrowhawk mobbing a Buzard over the M602 Salford Hope Hospital area.
Iain Johnson said
Sat May 14 6:49 PM, 2011
Hobby over 12 Yards Road by Field 15 and Yellow Wagtail by Barton Moss Farm.
3 Chaffinches 5 Yellowhammers 2 Wrens 3 Blue Tits 2 Great Tits 2 Long Tailed Tits 6 Willow Warblers 8 Whitethroats 1 Chiffchaff 1 Robin 1 Skylark 4 Mistle Thrushes 1 Song Thrush 3 Blackbirds 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel
Large numbers of Swallows, Sand Martins and Swifts.
Nice to meet and talk with Dave Olive again.
Dave Thacker said
Sat May 14 10:39 AM, 2011
Early till 9.50am. I got soaked a couple of times but a great morning, birds seen;
2 Curlew and a Whimbrel in the same field constantly being disturbed by 2 Hares. Cuckoo seen calling from the edge of the SSSI A Hobby flew in just after 8am and settled in a tree for 25 minutes before flying around the SSSI and heading for Moss lane. Sparrowhawk Kestrel 2 Buzzards Plenty of the usual about.
Big surprise along moss lane as I was counting the Wheatears when two large unusual birds walked in front of my car. A quick look at the Collins confirmed that they were Helmeted Guinea fowl. They both had a large bony point on the top of their heads with one bird having slightly paler plumage compared with the other bird.
Also seen along Moss lane, 7 Wheatear, Buzzard over, 2 Red Leg Partridge.
Wildlife sightings posted on Manchester Wildlife
Dave Thacker said
Sat May 14 8:25 AM, 2011
Hobby over Sssi since 8.05 this morning
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 13 8:43 PM, 2011
This morning:
4 Wheatear along Moss Lane included 2 Greenland race birds. Also 2 Mistle Thrush families.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
Keith Mills said
Fri May 13 7:45 PM, 2011
Pretty wet evening:
Wimbrel 1.... Field 67 Plenty Swallows and Mistle Thrushes. Kestrel 1 Goldfinch : c40 flock in Horse field , Rindle Rd. Linnets: several with Goldfinch. Yellowhammer 2 Lapwing: several. Oystercatcher 1 Red Leg Partridge 2 Pied Wagtail 10 No joy with Hobby/Whinchat. Cuckoo heard.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 13th of May 2011 07:53:42 PM
Two Whimbrel still in the ploughed field behind Rindle Wood early afternoon today and a single Hobby put on a magnificent show catching dragonflies at the eastern end of the SSSI (viewed from the information board).
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 9 8:37 AM, 2011
Male Whinchat on the fence around the horse field at the east end of Moss Lane this morning and a female showing very well around the fishing pond along Rindle Road. Also 4 Wheatear along Moss Lane.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 9 7:39 AM, 2011
It's just a reminder Rick but I only called in twice (mid afternoon-ish) yesterday and on both occasions there was a car there
Rick Donkin said
Sun May 8 11:48 PM, 2011
Ian McKerchar wrote:
May I remind birders visiting the Rindle/Astley Moss area NOT to park at the top of the feeding station track. It may look wide and inviting but agricultural vehicles working on the fields there often have very long trailers which require the full width of this area of the track to swing out onto the road. There is plenty of parking at the side of the road opposite the cottages and more by the fishing pond.
The increased activity of birders in this area has not gone unnoticed by locals, including farmers and gamekeepers and to ensure we keep a positive relationship with them your cooperation in this matter would be appreciated.
Ian, There were no cars at the end of the track near the barrier during my visit this morning. All were parked opposite the cottages. Rick.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 8 11:16 PM, 2011
May I remind birders visiting the Rindle/Astley Moss area NOT to park at the top of the feeding station track. It may look wide and inviting but agricultural vehicles working on the fields there often have very long trailers which require the full width of this area of the track to swing out onto the road. There is plenty of parking at the side of the road opposite the cottages and more by the fishing pond.
The increased activity of birders in this area has not gone unnoticed by locals, including farmers and gamekeepers and to ensure we keep a positive relationship with them your cooperation in this matter would be appreciated.
Rick Donkin said
Sun May 8 11:12 PM, 2011
Rindle Wood and Astley Moss - 10:00 to 12:00
Curlew - 1 Whimbrel - 2 Swifts Swallows Yellowhammers Sand Martins House Martins Linnets Carrion Crows Mistle Thrush Wrens Willow Warblers Chaffinches Woodpigeons Common Whitethroats Buzzards Kestrel Hobby Marsh Harrier Lapwings Reed Buntings Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 f Grey Heron Goldfinches Blackbirds Long Tailed Tits
I guess it must have been Dave Thacker (the early bird(er)) and Nik Grounds I met briefly during my visit with a friend.
Rick.
Steven Nelson said
Sun May 8 10:59 PM, 2011
11.00am-12.00pm Irlam Moss
Peregrine on the bare peat on Croxtem drinking from pool before flying off south. Also: 1 Oystercatcher - also on Croxten bare peat 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 2 House Martins Lots of Swallow and Swifts Whitethroats, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and usuals but overall quiet in strong breeze.
Looking at previous posts on this thread today quite a raptor fest on the mosses today!
3 Chaffinches 3 Goldfinches 2 Linnets 2 Yellowhammers 2 male Reed Buntings 3 Wrens 2 Long Tailed Tits 1 Blackcap 3 Willow Warblers 8 Whitethroats 1 Robin 2 Song Thrushes 2 Blackbirds 2 GSW 1 Pheasant 6 Swallows 4 Swifts 6 Mallards 2 Canada Geese 1 Grey Heron 5 Buzzards 1 Kestrel 1 Hobby 2 Whimbrel in ploughed field behind the woods
2 Stoats running over Rindle Road on my return to the car.
Hope you had a good breakfast Dave
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 8 1:46 PM, 2011
Thanks Dave, seen this individual myself in that case.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 8th of May 2011 01:48:57 PM
Dave Thacker said
Sun May 8 1:02 PM, 2011
Ian , The harrier is the same one that has been seen in the last 10 days by a couple of forum members and the one myself and Martyn Jones saw a week last Friday being attacked by the Curlew.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 8 12:59 PM, 2011
Is the Marsh Harrier an adult male Dave? A new bird if so, one I've not caught up with!
Dave Thacker said
Sun May 8 12:56 PM, 2011
Early this morning up to 11am;
Numerous sightings of up to 2 Hobby's over the SSSI this morning. No Dragonflies about but both Hobby's were seen chasing small birds, one of which was caught and the Hobby spent 25 minutes enjoying its meal in a tree beside the SSSI. Another Hobby perched on a plastic vent pipe in the middle of the moss preening itself for 15 minutes. A Kestrel twice chased off a Hobby over the morning.
Other birds seen; Marsh harrier [m] seen twice over the SSSI 2 Curlew 2 Whimbrel constantly flying between f69 and the ploughed field behind the woods 2 Sparrowhawks 3 Kestrels 9 Buzzards Cuckoo seen and another heard Heron Lots of Whitethroats and Willow warblers
Best of all was just after dawn when 2 Roe Deer [f] quietly appeared on the path about 40' in front of me
Steven Nelson said
Sat May 7 11:16 PM, 2011
Cuckoo calling this morning at 6.30am on Cadishead Moss - info from my Mum & Dad !!!
Nick Hilton said
Sat May 7 3:39 PM, 2011
Along with Tony Mossman this morning 1045 - 1200; 2 Whimbrel (ploughed field behind Rindle Wood), 1 Cuckoo over Astley Moss SSSI, general area; Linnet, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunt, Mipits, 1 Snipe, Oystercatcher.
Dave Thacker said
Fri May 6 9:17 PM, 2011
3.30-7pm
Not one Hobby seen and I could not find the Whinchat
Birds seen included, 2 Whimbrel Curlew 2 Shelduck 2 Tufted duck 3 Buzzards Sparrowhawk 3 Linnets 7 Whitethroat Lots of the usual
After not even hearing a Cuckoo all afternoon, Two were seen chasing each other along the edge of the SSSI and towards Rindle woods.
Nice to meet everyone this evening
JOHN TYMON said
Fri May 6 5:49 PM, 2011
same as the others plus a whinchat
munsworth said
Fri May 6 3:56 PM, 2011
2-3pm This afternoon
Single Hobby giving a fantastic aerial display, stooping to catch dragonflies over SSSI - marvelous!
2 Whimbrel in ploughed field by SSSI. No Cuckoos heard or seen.
Another visit this afternoon between 2.00 and 4.00pm.
Birds of note were: 1 Whimbrel in f67 as I arrived 1 Hobby seen across the SSSI briefly before it landed in a distant tree for a few minutes before disappearing again. 1 Garden Warbler 2 Teal 1 Redwing in ploughed field 1 Fieldfare in ploughed field. 5 Wheatear down Moss Lane.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Thursday 5th of May 2011 05:14:40 PM
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Thursday 5th of May 2011 05:15:54 PM
Nick Isherwood said
Wed May 4 5:31 PM, 2011
Rindle woods and the SSSI this afternoon between 2.00 and 4.00pm.
Loads of warbler activity about but the highlight was the three hobbies that put on an amazing show hunting dragonflies right in front of me over the SSSI. I just sat back amazed at these birds as they glided and stooped many times to catch the dragonflies, sometimes even flipping upside down and then ate them on the wing. It was a brilliant sight and something I hadn't witnessed before to this extent. I also managed to get some half decent photos too which I'll put on my flickr page later.
In addition to this I also saw a Marsh Harrier across the SSSI but it was quite distant.
Rick Donkin said
Tue May 3 4:35 PM, 2011
First visit to Astley Moss this morning and what a belting time!
Birds seen included:-
Lapwings Mistle Thrushes Whitethroats Willow Warblers Yellowhammers Linnets - first of the year!! Hobby - seen 3 times. Once sat at far side of moss from info sign, then in flight over pools at western fringe and then in a tree, again over on the west side. Buzzards - 1 in flight being mobbed by Crows and 1 sat in tree. Sparrowhawk Marsh Harrier - at a distance to north west. Kestrel Reed Buntings Pheasants Cuckoo - heard over a period of about 40 mins with intermittent calling but never seen.
Brilliant place and well worth many more visits. Also bumped into Scott Reid and his pal Rick.
Martyn Jones said
Mon May 2 8:20 PM, 2011
A walk down Moss Lane and through Rindle Wood to the edge of the SSSI from 5pm to 7.45pm on a very windy but sunny late afternoon / early evening produced:
Moss Lane: 2 Red Legged Partridges 6 Pied Wagtails Swallows Carrion Crows Lapwings mating Our Marsh Harrier friend with the missing primaries
Ploughed field next to Rindle Wood and the SSSI: Skylarks heard but not seen Cuckoo calling and showing in tree tops in the usual place on the SSSI A brilliant display of aerobatics by up to twelve Swallows catching flies and just having fun flying low along the furrows in the ploughed field Pied Wagtail, Mistle Thrushes and Blackbirds in furrows Carrion Crows and one Oystercatcher over No hobbies though
Drake Mallard raising its head just above the long vegetation in field next to Rindle Cottages and Curlew calling from nearby on way back to car
Nice to meet Gary Mills out looking for hobbies too - which ponds were they at?
-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Monday 2nd of May 2011 09:28:11 PM
stuartherring said
Mon May 2 4:43 PM, 2011
12.30-.200 pm 1 yellowhammer,1 buzzard,2 pheasant,1 cuckoo heard and 1 seen and 3 hobbies feeding over the ponds
Dave Thacker said
Mon May 2 1:10 PM, 2011
A good walk around the mosses this morning turned up ; Astley moss Single Cuckoo over the SSSI 2 Oystercatchers 6 Buzzards Sedge warbler Blackcap 3 Yellowhammers Sparrowhawk 5 Whitethroat
Chat moss 2 pairs of Ravens 2 Grey partridge Wheatear next to the peat works near the Ringing pits 4 Buzzards
Scott Reid said
Sun May 1 5:44 PM, 2011
A beautiful morning despite very stong easterlies making it a bit chilly until the sun popped above the trees.
Around Astley Moss between 06:30 - 10:00 :-
3+ Cuckoo (Atleast 1 lone male and 1 pair very active around the site between 06:50 and 09:30. Also heard the female 'bubbling' in flight which I have never heard before!) 2 Sparrowhawk (Pair displaying fantastic areal acrobatics in the wind) 1 Wheatear (On ploughed field) c.25 Pink-feet (Flying North around 08:00) 2 Whimbrel 4 Buzzard 2 Kestrel
Plus good numbers of Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Willow warbler, Reed bunt., Skylark, Lapwing, Linnet... along with the other usuals.
A great first visit to Astley Moss and I will definitely be back there very soon!
gary mills said
Sun May 1 4:42 PM, 2011
The Cuckoo was still present at 1pm today on the SSSI. It remained very quiet and only called about 3 times over the period 1 hour.
Dave Thacker said
Sat Apr 30 1:41 PM, 2011
No Marsh harriers seen of either sex this morning No Cuckoo's seen or heard as well
Birds seen Treecreeper 2 Whitethroat 3 Chiffchaff Many Willow warblers Goldcrest Willow tit Moorhen 2 Curlew 2Whimbrel 2 Oystercatchers 3 GS Woodpeckers 8 Buzzards 3 Sparrowhawks 2 Kestrels 5 Pied wagtails 4 Yellowhammers 2 Tree sparrows 7 Lapwings Raven over
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 30th of April 2011 01:53:45 PM
Martyn Jones said
Sat Apr 30 12:57 PM, 2011
Hi, for anyone who's interested, the photos of the Marsh Harrier being mobbed are on my blog (addresses below). They're not very good because the birds were a long way off, it was quite a dark and the birds were moving quickly, but you can clearly see the missing primaries. (Excuses over).
I only have Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting to Dave's list from yesterday. A great session with a dramatic ending - thanks Dave, I'd have missed some of the birds without you there. The only shame was I didn't get a better look at the cuckoos - I'll have to go back this weekend.
P.S. Six eggs now and counting in my Blue Tit nestbox - live NestCam at my blog link below. I'll never look at a chocolate mini-egg the same again!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 29 10:03 PM, 2011
Thanks Dave, not sure I need Martyn's photos to confirm it for me though, fifteen minutes worth of quite close observation did the trick nicely
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 29th of April 2011 10:21:39 PM
Dave Thacker said
Fri Apr 29 9:51 PM, 2011
Ian
The Marsh harrier that was mobbed by the Curlew and the Lapwing and was watched by myself and Martyn Jones did have a couple of inner primaries missing from its right wing. I didn't think at the time that it was a 2cy male but having just looked at as many photo's on the Internet that I could find to compare the birds I have to agree with you on it being a 2cy male. Maybe Martyn's photo's may confirm this.
Interestingly earlier as I drove to the moss I stopped at the corner of Moss lane to watch a Cuckoo fly over the fields and saw what I thought was a definate Marsh harrier just dip behind the trees. While waiting for it to come back into view a couple of Buzzards flew up over the trees and I watched them instead. I mentioned this to Martyn when we met later.
Other birds seen this evening;
2 Whimbrel in f69 The field behind Rindle woods was being ploughed again but this didn't stop the birds feeding including; Oystercatcher 3 Lapwings 5 Mpipits 4 Skylarks Plenty of Blackbirds and Mistle thrushes 2 Pied wagtails and best of all a single Yellow wagtail which unfortunately only stayed for about 10 minutes. 8 Swallows and a couple of Sand martins Numerous Willow warblers alongside the SSSI
2 Grey partridge and a Curlew in f67
2 Pair of Grey partridge along Moss lane
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 29 8:30 PM, 2011
Dave, having just got back in myself, there have been two Marsh Harriers in the 'Astley Mosses' area since atleast 6pm today, though both have been seen ranging widely including crossing the railway to the south (towards Croxdens) and heading north towards Worsley Moss.
One is a full adult female (fully winged) which I only saw fly past a close range before not being seen again and the other is a second calendar year male. The male has a couple of inner primaries missing from the right wing and has already replaced the inner tail feathers which appear grey though are surprisingly difficult to see at range.
Also two Ravens in the area.
Dave Thacker said
Fri Apr 29 7:56 PM, 2011
A female Marsh harrier has just flown over Rindle road and it was being attacked by a Curlew and a lapwing
Jason Dulhanty said
Thu Apr 28 4:13 PM, 2011
It was on the way up there Alan. Not that familiar with the area yet ,enjoyed it good spot.
Jonathan Platt said
Thu Apr 28 3:04 PM, 2011
Just a heads up - a ring-tailed harrier flew high over Risley Moss around 2.00pm, heading towards Astley Moss. I didn't see it, but three other birders did. Concensus seemed to be that it looked long-winged, long-tailed and slim bodied, bird was against the sun so no real detail. Least it could be would be a hen harrier, so it might be worth keeping an eye open.
Alan Rowley said
Thu Apr 28 1:20 PM, 2011
Jason Was the Garden Warbler in the scrub on the railway enbankment at the Southernmost tip of the SSSI? I had one singing there at 11AM this morning.
Also there: 2 male Cuckoos / 1 pair of Tufted Duck and Teal (latter heard only) on the scrapes.
Jason Dulhanty said
Wed Apr 27 3:49 PM, 2011
Good hour and a bit chasin cuckoo calls, no luck typical. Did the loop round the moss 2nd visit 2 yellowhammer 1 Linnet Sparrowhawk Heron Song thrush 2 Jay Swallows Magpies Heard woodpecker Whimbrel Garden Warbler Whitethroat Lapwings There was something else in the field with the Whimbrel, looked like an oystercatcher??? Could,nt make it out. Deffo not a lapwing
steven burke said
Tue Apr 26 9:01 PM, 2011
Melanie Beckford wrote:
Hi Steve, glad you saw the 'chubby' Cuckoo.
l felt a bit bad that you'd cycled all the way there and not got a glimpse, so l'm happy to read your post
hi melanie,yes i had to stick around as i had never been here before. but yes glad i did as i said in my post did not spot it till 6pm but it did start calling soon after you left,when i did spot it it was in the dead birch near the notice board. the bike ride was worth it, not only the cuckoo (chubby) but whimbrel,yellow wagtail and grasshopper warbler at sewage works,carrington moss it was 4 new birds for the year.
Melanie Beckford said
Tue Apr 26 6:47 AM, 2011
Hi Steve, glad you saw the 'chubby' Cuckoo.
l felt a bit bad that you'd cycled all the way there and not got a glimpse, so l'm happy to read your post
steven burke said
Mon Apr 25 10:07 PM, 2011
melanie that was the one i seen eventually at 6.00pm (it was big) only seen it for less than a minute due to a blackbird flying onto a nearby branch and the cuckoo did not like it so chased him off. at least i got a view off it,did hear another cuckoo on my way home around 6.30pm it was in the area behind red challis farm/olive mount farm,little woolden moss. other birds off note.. 1 whimbrel 1 oystercatcher 2 red legged partridge 2 willow tits redpolls yellowhammers buzzards plenty off mistle thrush about whitethroat all over also had yellow wagtail at larkhill farm in between f17+f23 irlam moss.
it was nice to meet you melanie and by the time i got home i had done over 30 miles on my bike today (knackered) but worth it.
Melanie Beckford said
Mon Apr 25 6:26 PM, 2011
l saw the Cuckoo over on the SSSI....what a porker !! Goodness knows how this fella managed to fly, he was a big 'un!!
Then l decided to walk around to see if l could see owt else. Yellowhammers Pied Wagtail Reed Bunting Whimbrels Buzzard Oystercatcher
Got brilliant views later of another Cuckoo. The sun had gone down, so the light was perfect and this bird was in pristine condition, wonderful
Plenty of birders passing through, nice to meet the ones who l chatted too
-- Edited by Melanie Beckford on Monday 25th of April 2011 09:16:36 PM
yellowhammerx3
Chaffinch
Buzzardsx3
Kestrel
Lapwings
Mistle thrush
pied wagtail
Pair of Linnets
Garden warbler
Blackcap
Chffchaff heard not seen
Cuckoo heard not seen
Heron over
Dunnockx3
On the way Sparrowhawk mobbing a Buzard over the M602 Salford Hope Hospital area.
4 Goldfinches
2 Whitethroats
2 Blackbirds
2 Lapwings
3 Mallards
1 Grey Heron
1 Pheasant
Rindle Woods / Astley Moss SSSI 8.55am - 12.15pm
3 Chaffinches
5 Yellowhammers
2 Wrens
3 Blue Tits
2 Great Tits
2 Long Tailed Tits
6 Willow Warblers
8 Whitethroats
1 Chiffchaff
1 Robin
1 Skylark
4 Mistle Thrushes
1 Song Thrush
3 Blackbirds
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
Large numbers of Swallows, Sand Martins and Swifts.
Nice to meet and talk with Dave Olive again.
I got soaked a couple of times but a great morning, birds seen;
2 Curlew and a Whimbrel in the same field constantly being disturbed by 2 Hares.
Cuckoo seen calling from the edge of the SSSI
A Hobby flew in just after 8am and settled in a tree for 25 minutes before flying around the SSSI and heading for Moss lane.
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
2 Buzzards
Plenty of the usual about.
Big surprise along moss lane as I was counting the Wheatears when two large unusual birds walked in front of my car. A quick look at the Collins confirmed that they were Helmeted Guinea fowl. They both had a large bony point on the top of their heads with one bird having slightly paler plumage compared with the other bird.
Also seen along Moss lane, 7 Wheatear, Buzzard over, 2 Red Leg Partridge.
Wildlife sightings posted on Manchester Wildlife
4 Wheatear along Moss Lane included 2 Greenland race birds. Also 2 Mistle Thrush families.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
Wimbrel 1.... Field 67
Plenty Swallows and Mistle Thrushes.
Kestrel 1
Goldfinch : c40 flock in Horse field , Rindle Rd.
Linnets: several with Goldfinch.
Yellowhammer 2
Lapwing: several.
Oystercatcher 1
Red Leg Partridge 2
Pied Wagtail 10
No joy with Hobby/Whinchat.
Cuckoo heard.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 13th of May 2011 07:53:42 PM
Whimbrel 1 over bird feeding track.
Tree Sparrow 3
Oystercatcher 1
Willow Tit 1
Kestrel 1m.
Tufted Duck 2
Meadow Pipit 1
Yellowhammer 2 singing.
Skylark 1
Buzzard 2
Lapwing 2
Missel Thrush 3
Numerous Sand Martins, Swallows, Swifts and Lesser Blackbacked Gulls.
etc.etc.etc.
3xBuzzards
Kestral
Sparrowhawk
Hobby
2xCanada Geese
Yellowhammer
whitethroat
oystercatcher
Mistlethrush (loads of)
2xLinnets
Heron over
Reed Bunting
No whimbrel
Cuckoo heard
Nice to meet Janet and Colin.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
Ian, There were no cars at the end of the track near the barrier during my visit this morning. All were parked opposite the cottages.
Rick.
The increased activity of birders in this area has not gone unnoticed by locals, including farmers and gamekeepers and to ensure we keep a positive relationship with them your cooperation in this matter would be appreciated.
Curlew - 1
Whimbrel - 2
Swifts
Swallows
Yellowhammers
Sand Martins
House Martins
Linnets
Carrion Crows
Mistle Thrush
Wrens
Willow Warblers
Chaffinches
Woodpigeons
Common Whitethroats
Buzzards
Kestrel
Hobby
Marsh Harrier
Lapwings
Reed Buntings
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 f
Grey Heron
Goldfinches
Blackbirds
Long Tailed Tits
I guess it must have been Dave Thacker (the early bird(er)) and Nik Grounds I met briefly during my visit with a friend.
Rick.
Peregrine on the bare peat on Croxtem drinking from pool before flying off south.
Also:
1 Oystercatcher - also on Croxten bare peat
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
2 House Martins
Lots of Swallow and Swifts
Whitethroats, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and usuals but overall quiet in strong breeze.
Looking at previous posts on this thread today quite a raptor fest on the mosses today!
1 Goldfinch
1 Yellowhammer
3 Whitethroats
4 Linnets
1 Song Thrush
2 Swallows
3 Swifts
1 Lapwing
2 Carrion Crows
Rindle Woods / Astley Moss SSSI 9.45 - 12noon
3 Chaffinches
3 Goldfinches
2 Linnets
2 Yellowhammers
2 male Reed Buntings
3 Wrens
2 Long Tailed Tits
1 Blackcap
3 Willow Warblers
8 Whitethroats
1 Robin
2 Song Thrushes
2 Blackbirds
2 GSW
1 Pheasant
6 Swallows
4 Swifts
6 Mallards
2 Canada Geese
1 Grey Heron
5 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
1 Hobby
2 Whimbrel in ploughed field behind the woods
2 Stoats running over Rindle Road on my return to the car.
Hope you had a good breakfast Dave
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 8th of May 2011 01:48:57 PM
The harrier is the same one that has been seen in the last 10 days by a couple of forum members and the one myself and Martyn Jones saw a week last Friday being attacked by the Curlew.
Numerous sightings of up to 2 Hobby's over the SSSI this morning. No Dragonflies about but both Hobby's were seen chasing small birds, one of which was caught and the Hobby spent 25 minutes enjoying its meal in a tree beside the SSSI. Another Hobby perched on a plastic vent pipe in the middle of the moss preening itself for 15 minutes. A Kestrel twice chased off a Hobby over the morning.
Other birds seen;
Marsh harrier [m] seen twice over the SSSI
2 Curlew
2 Whimbrel constantly flying between f69 and the ploughed field behind the woods
2 Sparrowhawks
3 Kestrels
9 Buzzards
Cuckoo seen and another heard
Heron
Lots of Whitethroats and Willow warblers
Best of all was just after dawn when 2 Roe Deer [f] quietly appeared on the path about 40' in front of me
2 Whimbrel (ploughed field behind Rindle Wood), 1 Cuckoo over Astley Moss SSSI, general area; Linnet, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunt, Mipits, 1 Snipe, Oystercatcher.
Not one Hobby seen and I could not find the Whinchat
Birds seen included,
2 Whimbrel
Curlew
2 Shelduck
2 Tufted duck
3 Buzzards
Sparrowhawk
3 Linnets
7 Whitethroat
Lots of the usual
After not even hearing a Cuckoo all afternoon, Two were seen chasing each other along the edge of the SSSI and towards Rindle woods.
Nice to meet everyone this evening
Single Hobby giving a fantastic aerial display, stooping to catch dragonflies over SSSI - marvelous!
2 Whimbrel in ploughed field by SSSI.
No Cuckoos heard or seen.
Mike
Astley Moss SSSI area:
2 Hobby
1 Peregrine
2 Whimbrel
1 Cuckoo
2 Raven
4 Buzzard
2 Oystercatcher
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Kestrel
Birds of note were:
1 Whimbrel in f67 as I arrived
1 Hobby seen across the SSSI briefly before it landed in a distant tree for a few minutes before disappearing again.
1 Garden Warbler
2 Teal
1 Redwing in ploughed field
1 Fieldfare in ploughed field.
5 Wheatear down Moss Lane.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Thursday 5th of May 2011 05:14:40 PM
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Thursday 5th of May 2011 05:15:54 PM
Loads of warbler activity about but the highlight was the three hobbies that put on an amazing show hunting dragonflies right in front of me over the SSSI. I just sat back amazed at these birds as they glided and stooped many times to catch the dragonflies, sometimes even flipping upside down and then ate them on the wing. It was a brilliant sight and something I hadn't witnessed before to this extent. I also managed to get some half decent photos too which I'll put on my flickr page later.
In addition to this I also saw a Marsh Harrier across the SSSI but it was quite distant.
Birds seen included:-
Lapwings
Mistle Thrushes
Whitethroats
Willow Warblers
Yellowhammers
Linnets - first of the year!!
Hobby - seen 3 times. Once sat at far side of moss from info sign, then in flight over pools at western fringe and then in a tree, again over on the west side.
Buzzards - 1 in flight being mobbed by Crows and 1 sat in tree.
Sparrowhawk
Marsh Harrier - at a distance to north west.
Kestrel
Reed Buntings
Pheasants
Cuckoo - heard over a period of about 40 mins with intermittent calling but never seen.
Brilliant place and well worth many more visits.
Also bumped into Scott Reid and his pal
Rick.
Moss Lane:
2 Red Legged Partridges
6 Pied Wagtails
Swallows
Carrion Crows
Lapwings mating
Our Marsh Harrier friend with the missing primaries
Ploughed field next to Rindle Wood and the SSSI:
Skylarks heard but not seen
Cuckoo calling and showing in tree tops in the usual place on the SSSI
A brilliant display of aerobatics by up to twelve Swallows catching flies and just having fun flying low along the furrows in the ploughed field
Pied Wagtail, Mistle Thrushes and Blackbirds in furrows
Carrion Crows and one Oystercatcher over
No hobbies though
Drake Mallard raising its head just above the long vegetation in field next to Rindle Cottages and Curlew calling from nearby on way back to car
Nice to meet Gary Mills out looking for hobbies too - which ponds were they at?
-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Monday 2nd of May 2011 09:28:11 PM
Astley moss
Single Cuckoo over the SSSI
2 Oystercatchers
6 Buzzards
Sedge warbler
Blackcap
3 Yellowhammers
Sparrowhawk
5 Whitethroat
Chat moss
2 pairs of Ravens
2 Grey partridge
Wheatear next to the peat works near the Ringing pits
4 Buzzards
Around Astley Moss between 06:30 - 10:00 :-
3+ Cuckoo (Atleast 1 lone male and 1 pair very active around the site between 06:50 and 09:30. Also heard the female 'bubbling' in flight which I have never heard before!)
2 Sparrowhawk (Pair displaying fantastic areal acrobatics in the wind)
1 Wheatear (On ploughed field)
c.25 Pink-feet (Flying North around 08:00)
2 Whimbrel
4 Buzzard
2 Kestrel
Plus good numbers of Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Willow warbler, Reed bunt., Skylark, Lapwing, Linnet... along with the other usuals.
A great first visit to Astley Moss and I will definitely be back there very soon!
No Cuckoo's seen or heard as well
Birds seen
Treecreeper
2 Whitethroat
3 Chiffchaff
Many Willow warblers
Goldcrest
Willow tit
Moorhen
2 Curlew
2Whimbrel
2 Oystercatchers
3 GS Woodpeckers
8 Buzzards
3 Sparrowhawks
2 Kestrels
5 Pied wagtails
4 Yellowhammers
2 Tree sparrows
7 Lapwings
Raven over
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 30th of April 2011 01:53:45 PM
I only have Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting to Dave's list from yesterday. A great session with a dramatic ending - thanks Dave, I'd have missed some of the birds without you there. The only shame was I didn't get a better look at the cuckoos - I'll have to go back this weekend.
Marsh Harrier mobbed by Curlew and Lapwing. The photos are at the bottom of the post.
P.S. Six eggs now and counting in my Blue Tit nestbox - live NestCam at my blog link below. I'll never look at a chocolate mini-egg the same again!
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 29th of April 2011 10:21:39 PM
The Marsh harrier that was mobbed by the Curlew and the Lapwing and was watched by myself and Martyn Jones did have a couple of inner primaries missing from its right wing. I didn't think at the time that it was a 2cy male but having just looked at as many photo's on the Internet that I could find to compare the birds I have to agree with you on it being a 2cy male. Maybe Martyn's photo's may confirm this.
Interestingly earlier as I drove to the moss I stopped at the corner of Moss lane to watch a Cuckoo fly over the fields and saw what I thought was a definate Marsh harrier just dip behind the trees. While waiting for it to come back into view a couple of Buzzards flew up over the trees and I watched them instead. I mentioned this to Martyn when we met later.
Other birds seen this evening;
2 Whimbrel in f69
The field behind Rindle woods was being ploughed again but this didn't stop the birds feeding including;
Oystercatcher
3 Lapwings
5 Mpipits
4 Skylarks
Plenty of Blackbirds and Mistle thrushes
2 Pied wagtails
and best of all a single Yellow wagtail which unfortunately only stayed for about 10 minutes.
8 Swallows and a couple of Sand martins
Numerous Willow warblers alongside the SSSI
2 Grey partridge and a Curlew in f67
2 Pair of Grey partridge along Moss lane
One is a full adult female (fully winged) which I only saw fly past a close range before not being seen again and the other is a second calendar year male. The male has a couple of inner primaries missing from the right wing and has already replaced the inner tail feathers which appear grey though are surprisingly difficult to see at range.
Also two Ravens in the area.
Was the Garden Warbler in the scrub on the railway enbankment at the Southernmost tip of the SSSI? I had one singing there at 11AM this morning.
Also there: 2 male Cuckoos / 1 pair of Tufted Duck and Teal (latter heard only) on the scrapes.
Did the loop round the moss 2nd visit
2 yellowhammer
1 Linnet
Sparrowhawk
Heron
Song thrush
2 Jay
Swallows
Magpies
Heard woodpecker
Whimbrel
Garden Warbler
Whitethroat
Lapwings
There was something else in the field with the Whimbrel, looked like an oystercatcher??? Could,nt make it out. Deffo not a lapwing
hi melanie,yes i had to stick around as i had never been here before. but yes glad i did as i said in my post did not spot it till 6pm but it did start calling soon after you left,when i did spot it it was in the dead birch near the notice board. the bike ride was worth it, not only the cuckoo (chubby)
l felt a bit bad that you'd cycled all the way there and not got a glimpse, so l'm happy to read your post
other birds off note..
1 whimbrel
1 oystercatcher
2 red legged partridge
2 willow tits
redpolls
yellowhammers
buzzards
plenty off mistle thrush about
whitethroat all over
also had yellow wagtail at larkhill farm in between f17+f23 irlam moss.
it was nice to meet you melanie
Then l decided to walk around to see if l could see owt else.
Yellowhammers
Pied Wagtail
Reed Bunting
Whimbrels
Buzzard
Oystercatcher
Got brilliant views later of another Cuckoo. The sun had gone down, so the light was perfect and this bird was in pristine condition, wonderful
Plenty of birders passing through, nice to meet the ones who l chatted too
-- Edited by Melanie Beckford on Monday 25th of April 2011 09:16:36 PM