Noon until 3.30pm.
Cuckoo 1, calling regularly for 2 hours before giving good views.
Wimbrel 2
Red Leg Partridge 2
Yellowhammer 2
Whitethroat 1 (good view)
Buzzard 2
Pied Wagtail 2
Pheasant 2
G S Woodpecker (f) 1
Mistle Thrush 4
Chiffchaff 1
Willow Warbler 1
Lapwing.. a few.

Everywhere here looks a lot more neat and tidy than last year.
Quite a few birders coming and going.

Excellent hour 9.00am - 10.00 on a perfect morning. Close views of 2 Cuckoo. Best of rest seen:-

GSW
Wimbrel
Stunning Yellowhammers
Whitethroat everywhere
Song and Mistle Thrush

No Birds of Prey.

Mike

l visited there today and as l got out of my car, Riggers and Mr Chorley were waving me over as they had a vocal Cuckoo calling from a tree over by the notice board. We saw two birds during the morning, both flying and perched and a third calling

Also seen were...
Willow Warbler
Willowtit
Whitethroat
Whimbrel (2)
Blackcap (heard only)
Buzzards (2)
Sparrowhawks displaying

Good views of Water Vole (see Wildlife Forum)

Great morning loving nature

-- Edited by Melanie Beckford on Monday 25th of April 2011 12:11:15 AM

5.30 - 7.00 pm

Found two Cuckoos on the SSSI giving good views. They were both "cuckooing" and like Dave we could hear a third bird in the distance. Also nice to meet Paul Wilson and Sue - hope you got your breakfast OK Paul

7.45- 9.15pm

A quick look around the mosses this evening after leaving Pennington

3 Cuckoo's calling, one from the SSSI, one from Chat moss and another seen perched in the Rindle hedges with a female Blackcap

Whimbrel and 2 Oystercatchers still in f69
2 Grey partridge in f67

A drive through Chat moss towards Irlam along Astley road turned up a single Little Owl and a calling Curlew over.

Male and female Cuckoos present on Astley Moss at 3pm.

Info thanks to Phil Kelly

Single male Yellow Wagtail and a pair of Ravens on Astley Moss East this late afternoon and a Cuckoo was calling continually and showing very well from alongside the SSSI on Astley Moss ataround 6pm.

Wonderful but distant calls of a Cuckoo today coming from SSSI at 1pm.

Whimbrel in the usual field, nothing else of note.

8-9.45am this morning

Peregrine flying low over Rindle road and the fields
2 Curlew in f67

Field 69
3 Lapwings
2 Oystercatchers
4 Yellowhammers
Whimbrel flew in at 9.25am
2 Mistle thrush

Treecreeper and GS Woodpecker in Rindle wood
Grasshopper warbler near the scrapes
4 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk over

2 Cuckoo's seen flying around the far side of the SSSI

An evening stroll from Rindle Road over to Twelve Yards Road produced the following highlights:

1 Wheatear in f67
1 Oystercatcher in field behind f69
1 Whimbrel in same as above
1 Peregrine over f62
Cuckoo heard over on SSSI.

9.30-10.30am Irlam & Barton Mosses

2 Peregrines on separate pylons in f8 - 1 bird circled over Botany Bay for a few mins
Pair Sparrowhawks displaying
3 Buzzard
1 Heron
No sign of Corn Bunting
Lots of Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff
Many Lapwing territories
Pair LT Tit carrying feathers for nest material
4 Sand Martin
4 Swallow
Plus usuals

Also 1 Hare - f9

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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There were at least a few pairs of Meadow Pipits evident on the SSSI last week Alan.

---

So it's me then! I did get a Gropper reeling at the southern end of the SSSI and there's still 1 Whimbrel in f69.

There were at least a few pairs of Meadow Pipits evident on the SSSI last week Alan.

1 hour yesterday on Croxden and only 8 Meadow Pipits. Today 2 hours this PM on Astley Moss SSSI and NO Meadow Pipits. Is it me that's no longer tuned into them or have they virtually been wiped out by the last couple of Winters?

The Cuckoos are going to find it tough finding foster parents this year.

Astley moss this evening 5 - 8.15pm

No sign of any Cuckoo's or Wheatears tonight,
Birds seen;

Field 67
2 Curlew and another over
3 Lapwings
1 Grey partridge
2 Oystercatchers
2 Yellowhammer
Whitethroat
4 Stock dove
6 Wood Pigeon

Field 69
Whimbrel
2 Oystercatchers
4 Fieldfare which then flew into the fields behind Rindle woods
5 Lapwings
3 Yellowhammers
2 Pied wagtails
7 Mistle thrush
Jay
4 Tree sparrows

Not much else about the fields behind the woods and the SSSI except for another Whitethroat, lots of Willow warblers, 2 Linnets and 3 Buzzards over the SSSI.

-- Edited by Dave Thacker on Monday 18th of April 2011 09:38:42 PM

Irlam and Barton Mosses 9.30-10.30am

1 Corn Bunting singing on telegraph wires on the road to Barton Moss Farm next to f10

2 Redwing and 1 Fieldfare in f9

Lots of Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap singing
4 Sand Martin over f9
2 Oystercatcher
many pairs of Lapwings
good numbers of Tree Sparrows in various locations - near f9/10, Woodbarn Farm and Four Lane Ends
3 Skylarks singing
1 Reed Bunting
6 Yellowhammer
male Kestrel
1 Heron over
2 Jay
1 Stock Dove
2 Greenfinch
4 Goldfinch

No sign of any Wheatear

-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 18th of April 2011 12:39:17 PM

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 18th of April 2011 02:35:32 PM

JOHN TYMON wrote:

---

Melanie Beckford wrote:

---

JOHN TYMON wrote:

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Was it Charlie Owen?

---

Dunno John, did anyone meet up with you this morning at Pennington ?

Strong Leigh accent and a camouflaged jacket ?

---

nope
never mind most people at penny prob know me-glad you got the cuckoo

---

Yep the Cuckoo sighting was good, sorry l can't solve your mystery friend...

Melanie Beckford wrote:

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JOHN TYMON wrote:

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Was it Charlie Owen?

---

Dunno John, did anyone meet up with you this morning at Pennington ?

Strong Leigh accent and a camouflaged jacket ?

---

nope
never mind most people at penny prob know me-glad you got the cuckoo

JOHN TYMON wrote:

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Was it Charlie Owen?

---

Dunno John, did anyone meet up with you this morning at Pennington ?

Strong Leigh accent and a camouflaged jacket ?

Single Whimbrel this evening in field by Rindle Hedge.

Melanie Beckford wrote:

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Yes John, it was worth the sacrifice, but l would give up lots for a sighting of a Cuckoo

Corrie really had no chance ...nice to have met you and John Tymon's friend.

Good to see Dave Thacker and t'other Dave

-- Edited by Melanie Beckford on Sunday 17th of April 2011 02:21:39 PM

---

Didn't know i had any friendsWas it Charlie Owen?

Hi Dave, I saw the wings on the barbed wire fence this afternoon. the wings looked very short and the few feathers looked very cryptically marked with dark centres and paler edges. my impression from a none to close look (plenty of flies around) was that it was possibly a female pheasant.
The Whimbrel was skulking in the field between the hedge and railway looking South from the track.

l guess it must be pretty recent, l walked along there yesterday and on Friday evening and never saw anything.

Hi Melani

Walk along the lane where teh Stoats are seen, keep going until you see the notice board in the distance, the corpse is hanging on the wire fence on the left hand side. It looks pretty fresh so I presume a recent kill.

Dave O wrote:

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Does anyone know what the corpse is hanging off the wire fence - pair of wings and breast bone only. Is it an owl or an hawk?

---

Where is this ??

Yes John, it was worth the sacrifice, but l would give up lots for a sighting of a Cuckoo

Corrie really had no chance ...nice to have met you and John Tymon's friend.

Good to see Dave Thacker and t'other Dave

-- Edited by Melanie Beckford on Sunday 17th of April 2011 02:21:39 PM

Does anyone know what the corpse is hanging off the wire fence - pair of wings and breast bone only. Is it an owl or an hawk?

Good morning at Rindle and the adjacent fields.
6 Weatear
Goldfinch
Woodpigeon
Great tit
Blue tit
Beautiful Yellowhammer male
Wimbrel
Lapwing
Cormorant flying over
Cuckoo - seen with Melani and others
Mistle Thrush
Chaffinch male
Tree Sparrow
White Throat
Swallow
Crow
1 male Pheasant and his harem of 5 females
Oystercatcher
Heard the woodpecker but not seen
Blackbird male
Willow Warbler
Reedbunting male
Jay
Buzzard and Sparrowhawk
Pied Wagtail
Peacock butterfly just to add a little extra to the morning.


-- Edited by Dave O on Sunday 17th of April 2011 02:31:24 PM

Cuckoo seen at Rindle this morning by Melanie Beckford and others

Also around Rindle this morning,
2 Curlew and 2 over
1 Whimbrel in f69 and 2 more over heading towards Pennington
6 Wheatear
9 Yellowhammers
2 Grey partridge
2 Whitethroat
2 Oystercatchers
4 Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk over

and I have still not seen a Cuckoo this year yet

Nice to meet John and the other birders there this morning

-- Edited by Dave Thacker on Sunday 17th of April 2011 12:41:04 PM

Being a birdwatcher who hadn't yet seen a Cuckoo, I thought it about time I took the advice of my birding buddy Nick Isherwood and get myself down to Astley Moss for an early morning stake out.

A cold clear misty dawn soon gave way to welcome rays of warm sunshine with plenty of birds around the notice board area mentioned in Nick's report.

Yellow Hammer, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Mistle Thrush, Canada Geese, amongst many others, were soon added to that mental list we all keep as we ' do the rounds'

It wasn't until 07.30 that I heard the first Cuckoo call, way off in the distance. I headed back closer to the notice board, and much to my surprise - there he was, in the very tree Nick had seen Cuckoo's previously. I watched him for a couple of minutes at close range before he decided to fly off a couple of hundred yards to a large old Birch Tree which stood alone out on the moss. I then continued to watch the bird through my scope for a further 40 minutes, surprised to see him frequently mobbed by a single Meadow Pipit who had obviously taken exception to him being in it's tree.

The Cuckoo then flew back towards the road where people park there cars. I soon followed and gained further views, including the Whimbrel, from the road with other birders including Melanie Beckford - nice to meet you Melanie. ( It transpired Melanie had made the considerable sacrifice of missing the Coronation Street Omnibus to be there early morning ! )

I don't think any of us were in any doubt it was well worth it.

Cuckoo was calling as l got out of my car just before 7.30 am.
It flew over the fields from Rindle and towards the train track where it settled on the telegraph lines for a while, giving us views through the trees.

Also seen was the Whimbrel, Whitethroat and several Wheatear.

Best was the Cuckoo though

Cuckoo at Rindle this morning plus single Whimbrel still in the fields behind Rindle Wood.

Info thanks to Melanie Beckford

Melanie Beckford wrote:

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Hi Nick, what time did you get to the mosses today to see the Cuckoo ?

Thanks...Melanie

---

Jeez l never meant to put this here, l meant to pm you

Hi Melanie. I was there at 6.15am and saw the cuckoo at 7.00 but to be honest i've seen them down there before at all times of the day.

Hi Nick, what time did you get to the mosses today to see the Cuckoo ?

Thanks...Melanie

Quite a few Wheatear, Yellowhammer and Whitethroat and one Fieldfare in the fields nearest the road.

I ventured over the level crossing and was rewarded by a pair of Stock Dove next to a pair of Grey Partridge in the first field on the right.

A crack of dawn mooch this morning. No sign of the Ring Ouzel but did get good views of a Whimbrel in the second field behind the woods and also a male cuckoo near the notice board.

3.50- 8.30pm

The Ring Ouzel stayed mainly hidden in the small ditch between the first and second field behind Rindle woods. It did keep close to the edge of the fields when it did come out.

The Whimbrel dropped into the second field at 4.30pm and departed at 7.10pm heading East.

Nice to meet the other birders who turned up this evening

Just a little reminder for everyone who visits this area in the coming weeks for the Cuckoo's, Whimbrels etc. The fields behind Rindle woods are private property and must not be walked over. Stick to the edge of the fields or view from the path alongside the SSSI. Thanks.

Ouzel, Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear, 6 Fieldfare all present at the moment

-- Edited by Dave Thacker on Friday 15th of April 2011 09:55:18 PM

To add to Ian's list, as well as the elusive Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare and Wheatear I also noted a Lapwing that appeared to be setting up home on the field as well as several Mistle Thrushes, Yellowhamers and my first of the year, Whitethroat singing at the top of the feeding station track and of course one Mr McKerchar - nice to finally catch up with you Ian

Male Ring Ouzel still present at 2:30pm, quite elusive in the furrows of the first field behind Rindle Wood but the end by the SSSI. Best viewed from along Rindle Hedge to avoid disturbance as the birds are flushed very easily.

Also present 4 Fieldfare and single Wheatear plus 4 Wheatear in f67 in front of Rindle Cottages.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 15th of April 2011 03:06:09 PM

Single Whimbrel in the second field behind Rindle Wood this morning, also a single Fieldfare.

Info thanks to Andy Isherwood

Ring Ouzel still present in the field behind Rindle Wood at 6:30am, also 2 Cuckoos.

Info thanks to Andy Little

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 15th of April 2011 08:39:30 AM

Ring Ouzel still present at 6:30 now with 7 Fieldfare.

Info thanks to Andy Isherwood

T'was I Mr McKerchar. Went to get the Cuckoo, dipped on that and picked up the Ouzels instead so I'm not complaining.

Two Grasshopper Warblers reeling just south of Vicars Hall lane bridge over tha canal nr Boothstown this PM.

Male Ring Ouzel still showing well on and off at 3:15pm in the deeply ploughed first field. Spends quite a bit of time in trees along the edge of Rindle Wood about half way along or in bushes half way along Rindle Hedge. Flies noisily across the field and on one occasion gave a few minutes of subdued song from the hedge whilst I was almost underneath it

2 Fieldfare also dropped into the same field at 3:10 and earlier on in the afternoon 9 noisy Lesser Redpolls dropped into Rindle Hedge.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 14th of April 2011 03:51:17 PM

Brilliant male Ring Ouzel in the first field behind Rindle Wood just after midday. Showing really well in the hedge end if the field, often perching within the hedge and flying brazenly across the field too and from it and Rindle Wood.

Even more incredibly, at one point whilst it was flying over the field I picked up 6 thrushes circling higher. They circled for around 5 minutes across all 3 fields and the railway at one point, finally appearing to drop north towards Moss Lane. Fortunately I had my scope and they were all Ring Ouzels! One had a few inner primaries missing (giving a big gap in the wing) and even more fortuitously another birder appeared at the right time (sorry, couldn't remember your name but I know you're on here ) and managed to see the flock too. The male remains in the fields at 14:20 currently.

A good percentage of the crows round the Mersey Valley 25/30 years ago exhibited simialar plumage.Don't know if this is still the case as its years since I've been down there.

I think i'll stick to calling it leucism. Its easier to type!!

Leucism or Hypopigmentation as it is known in Tameside.

Googled it and had a read at Wikipedia.......... interesting !

Roger.











-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Thursday 14th of April 2011 08:06:06 AM