08/04/2009 - 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull was a notable flyover today and a local increase in Chiffchaff numbers with 5+ present in a smallish area.
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 7 7:59 PM, 2009
07/04/2009 - Nice to see 4 Wheatears which is a patch record, hiding in the biting wind this afternoon on the short cropped sheep fields.
Henry Cook said
Sun Apr 5 10:20 AM, 2009
05/04/2009 - No sign of the Little Egret this morning but it could easily be hidden still in one of the ditches or Timperley Brook. Other stuff included:
Sorry you didn't see it Rob. I was around at 5.30pm when it parachuted in to grid ref - SJ 796 871. This was a touch further east of this mornings location, just east of the big white farm house. It settled in a ditch and could well have been hidden from a scan. Photo from this morning here - https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w41/henerz1/SH106263.jpg 2 Lapwings displaying and another Swallow over north-eastwards. Cheers. Henry.
Rob Smallwood said
Sat Apr 4 6:10 PM, 2009
Another good local patch find for Henerz, showing the rewards of patch birding.
Had a very brief look from the roads this evening but couln't see it, disappointingly did find a well decomposed raptor which I took to be a Buzzard.
Henry Cook said
Sat Apr 4 2:09 PM, 2009
04/04/2009 - LITTLE EGRET present at 12pm still, in fields nearest Clay Lane. Don't have a clue how Birdguides assumed it was a Cattle, their news collecting methods need to be questioned... Also around:
+ 3 Reed Buntings in garden on feeders (a local record nevermind garden record!)
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Friday 3rd of April 2009 03:12:43 PM
Henry Cook said
Mon Mar 30 4:57 PM, 2009
30/03/2009 - Small migrant increase but still waiting for some hirundine action locally. Great views of a pair of Kestrels in the area, actively hunting and displaying.
2 Chiffchaffs 1 Linnet 5 Siskins 2 Lesser Redpolls 7 Bullfinches 2 Mistle Thrushes 1 Fieldfare 3 Song Thrushes 2 Kestrels (pair displaying in fields N of Shay Lane, a rare sight here these days) 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Grey Heron 1 Moorhen 1 Mallard 4 Mipits (over) 1 Pied/White Wagtail (over)
Henry Cook said
Sun Mar 29 5:31 PM, 2009
29/03/2009 - Change of weather overnight to glorious conditions and some good local birds to match:
1 Chiffchaff (first of year locally, singing along Shay Lane) 2 Reed Buntings (both males, one on garden feeders!) 2 Lesser Redpolls 3 Siskins 6 Bullfinches 3 Stock Doves 3 Meadow Pipits
Henry Cook said
Sat Mar 28 9:22 PM, 2009
28/03/2009 - winter is not willing to exit yet, quiet generally in the biting wind but a few notable sightings in the Davenport Green area: c40 Redwings (flying NW this morning) 4 Stock Doves 1 Treecreeper 2 Lesser Redpolls (females) 7 Bullfinces (4m, 3f)
Henry Cook said
Wed Mar 25 10:55 AM, 2009
24/03/2009 - in fields north of Shay Lane and Brooks Drive. 3 Lapwings (displaying) 5 Mallards 1 Moorhen 4 Stock Doves 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 1 Sparrowhawk 3 Mipits 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Mistle Thrush 2 Song Thrushes 1 Treecreeper 3 Nuthatches 4 Coal Tits 4 Bullfinches 1 Lesser Redpolls
Henry Cook said
Sun Feb 1 10:44 AM, 2009
31/01/2009 - A farewell visit to my local patch for a while and the birds came out to say goodbye! Sightings included: 5 Teal 5 Grey Herons 14 Mallards 1 Moorhen 23 Black-headed Gulls 10 Common Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Mistle Thrushes 7 Siskins 25 Lesser Redpolls 12 Goldfinches 12 Chaffinches 10 Greenfinches 6 Bullfinches
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 10:45, 2009-02-01
Henry Cook said
Mon Jan 19 4:49 PM, 2009
19/01/2009 - 1 Woodcock (flushed up this morning from section of Brooks Drive between Roaring Gate Lane and Hale Barns.)
Henry Cook said
Sat Jan 17 2:17 PM, 2009
17/01/2009 - A brief walk in a small window of sunlight in the fields north of Shay Lane this morning revealed: 2 Ravens 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 1 Sparrowhawk 2 Stock Doves 4 Jays c50 Redwings 1 Song Thrush 13 Starlings 6 Bullfinches 7 Lesser Redpolls c20 Goldfinches c20 Pied Wagtails (on the 15th heading south towards the Manchester Airport roost)
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 14:18, 2009-01-17
Henry Cook said
Thu Jan 8 3:34 PM, 2009
08/01/2009 - An afternoon walk saw the start of the thawing of the recent ice which has brought a sudden increase of bird activity. A Linnet was the highlight calling from the top of bushes near buttery house lane in the fields north of Shay Lane. A Common Snipe was also seen at one of the reedmace filled marl pits! Other stuff around included: 1 Grey Heron 84 Redwings 13 Fieldfares 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Song Thrush 6 Greenfinches 2 Siskins 4 Lesser Redpolls
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 15:34, 2009-01-08
Henry Cook said
Sun Jan 4 5:52 PM, 2009
Thanks Ian, will head down for a scan soon.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jan 4 5:40 PM, 2009
There is or atleast was a recent roost at the airport, in Laurels by one of the car parks, I posted it in the 'wagtail roosts' thread early last year I think it was.
Henry Cook said
Sun Jan 4 3:49 PM, 2009
04/01/2009 - Little around recently but a rise in action today as the temp rose a touch (still cold enough for snow and ice thick enough to walk out on though!) 1 Common Gull 5 Herring Gulls c60 Black-headed Gulls 2 Buzzards 2 Kestrels 2+ Sparrowhawks 2 Tawny Owls 1 Stock Dove 1 Snipe 4 Mallards 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Raven 1 Mistle Thrush c20 Redwings 4 Treecreepers 6 Nuthatches 9 Bullfinches 8 Goldfinches 3 Lesser Redpolls c20 Pied Wagtails (flying due south straight towards Manchester airport before dusk. Does anyone know of a particular roost site at the airport?)
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 16:14, 2009-01-04
Henry Cook said
Wed Dec 24 4:05 PM, 2008
24/12/2008 - Sightings from Brooks Drive and the fields North of Shay Lane. A good walk for deepest winter with 46 species recorded in this area of farmland. 9 Grey Herons (bit of a feeding frenzy in one of the small ponds) 16 Mallards 1 Teal 1 Buzzard 1 Pheasant 1 Tawny Owl 3 Stock Doves 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Grey Wagtail c150 Redwings 1 Mistle Thrush 2 Fieldfare 1 Treecreeper 6 Nuthatches 2 Ravens 7 Jays 6 Coal Tits c40 Greenfinches 6 Bullfinches
21/12/2008 - Lots about this morning made a nice change but most birds were seen flying over and out of the county into the building head wind. 18 Common Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 12 Herring Gulls c100 Black-headed Gulls 2 Ravens c30 Magpies 11 Carrion Crows 4 Jays 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 100+ Redwings 3 Mistle Thrushes 30+ Starlings 4 Mallards 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 2 Buzzards 1 Kestrel 1 Sparrowhawk
Henry Cook said
Tue Dec 16 12:54 PM, 2008
15/12/2008 - More activity now the frost has gone but the highlight and a new patch tick for me was a flyover Great Black-backed Gull. Other birds included: 1 Grey Heron 2 Mallards 1 Moorhen 5 Siskins 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Fieldfare
Henry Cook said
Mon Dec 15 7:41 PM, 2008
They were fly-overs Mike but alighted just down the road, so expecting visitors to the garden any day now. Henry.
Mike Duckham said
Mon Dec 15 7:26 PM, 2008
Nice count of Redpolls, are they in your garden? Coz you've had Mealy in the past i seem to remember.
Henry Cook said
Mon Dec 15 9:52 AM, 2008
15/12/2008 - Back to the usual fog and frost this morning making birding difficult but the birds had vanished anyway long before today so it's very quiet at the moment! 9 Bullfinches (a garden record I think!) 17 Lesser Redpolls 2 Siskins 2 Black-headed Gulls 1 Mistle Thrush c20 Redwings 2 Song Thrush
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 10:48, 2008-12-15
Henry Cook said
Fri Dec 12 11:53 AM, 2008
12/12/2008 - Less frosty in the fields north of Shay Lane and the fields towards Newall Green this morning which revealed 2 Ravens, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Teal and 2 Kestrels.
Henry Cook said
Wed Dec 10 11:51 AM, 2008
10/12/2008 - Clutching at straws for decent sightings recently as the clear-out of most birds continues but on another nice sunny, frosted morning I couldn't say no to a walk. 2 Siskins 10 Bullfinches 1 Skylark 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Pied Wagtail 2 Goldcrests 8 Long-tailed Tits 1 Fieldfare 13 Redwings 1 Song Thrush 4 Jays 1 Pheasant 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard (over SW towards Rostherne) 2 Herring Gulls (over SW towards Rostherne) c50 Black-headed Gulls (over SW towards Rostherne) 2 Cormorants (over SW towards Rostherne)
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 16:13, 2008-12-10
Henry Cook said
Sun Dec 7 10:27 AM, 2008
07/12/2008 - A simply beautiful morning, allsorts of contrasting frost-tinged hues you only see once in a blue moon! The birds had done a big clear-out though leaving me with: 7 Bullfinches 1 Moorhen 2 Black-headed Gulls c20 Redwings 23 Mallards (flew over north)
Henry Cook said
Sat Dec 6 12:20 PM, 2008
06/12/2008 - in the fields North of Shay Lane: 1 Common Gull (flew in and out quickly) 1 Cormorant 1 Skylark 2 Siskins 1 Goldcrest c30 Redwings 1 Kestrel 3 Bullfinches 1 Pheasant
Henry Cook said
Fri Dec 5 10:09 PM, 2008
05/12/2008 - Out with the dog on a blustery but at times sunny winters morning I was greeted by a distinct lack of birds in the fields north of Shay Lane. A Kingfisher cheered me up even though in a rather alien territory, that of a short-cropped sheep field! It whizzed through in-between sheep and over hedgerows! Other birds of note included: 1 Raven 5 Pied Wagtails 2 Bullfinches 1 Herring Gull c200 Black-headed Gulls c20 Meadow Pipits 1 Mistle Thrush
Thanks. Henry.
Henry Cook said
Fri Nov 14 12:44 PM, 2008
14/11/2008 - Back on the patch after a great day rarity chasing on the east coast yesterday. Bit knackered and recovering still I headed out in the slight drizzle but there were still plenty of birds to be seen. A Teal was the highlight and pretty unexpected, flushed off one of the small ponds in the fields north of Shay Lane. Other sightings included: 2 Ravens (chasing the following species) 2 Buzzards 5 Mallards 4 Grey Herons 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Herring Gulls c20 Black-headed Gulls 3 Pied Wagtails 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Skylark 6 Fieldfares c100 Redwings
Cheers. Henry.
Henry Cook said
Wed Nov 12 5:48 PM, 2008
12/11/2008 - After a good 5 hours in the field today it was apparent there weren't masses of birds around! Still it was a wonderful day for the weather and the autumnal colours are really coming out now. Winter thrushes were plentiful and there were more Fieldfares in the area. Sighting of the day though was a probable Jack Snipe around the larger reedmace filled pond N of Shay Lane. After being seen it peeled away into the reeds and couldn't be seen afterwards.
11/11/2008 - My minutes silence was scuppered by the intense winds a bit but it was great to get out on the local patch around Davenport Green for the first time in ages and see how things have changed. Sightings included: 1 Common Gull (1st winter feeding on worms) 1 Fieldfare 20+ Redwings 2 Bullfinches 1 Meadow Pipit 3 Mallards 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel + a Fox in some great looking habitat, across the road from the shay lane end of Brooks Drive. Perfect for an SEO or something good! Thanks. Henry.
Geoff Hargreaves said
Mon Sep 29 9:05 PM, 2008
on a farm off shay lane,the swallows haved fledged over the weekend 3 juv on telegraph wires ,they,ll need some intensive flight practice for the journey.
cheers geoff
Henry Cook said
Sun Sep 28 9:16 AM, 2008
28/09/2008 - I said my last walk was my last walk but it wasn't my last walk it seems as I had my last walk this morning by taking a nice walk into the fields north of Shay Lane. 1 Wheatear was the best migrant by far, 2 usually seen in a year, 1 in spring and 1 in autumn! 2 Common Snipes had now taken over the Jack Snipe reedmace filled bog showing contrasting characteristics compared to yesterday's interesting bird. Only light viz-mig otherwise with 15 Mipits. Thanks. Henry.
Henry Cook said
Sat Sep 27 6:59 PM, 2008
27/09/2008 - On my last visit for a fair while my puppy dog flushed up a probable Jack Snipe out of the edge of some juncus in the fields north of Shay Lane. Having flushed up 20+ Common Snipes over the last few years from the same area, the small size of this bird was instantly obvious but too quick for me to see the bill as it flew silenty up and away without zig-zagging. It must have been skulking as i'd scanned the edge of the small juncus filled pond without any sightings. Sadly the habitat was too small for the bird to return. Quiet otherwise with just the Common Buzzard pair for company overhead. Thanks. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 19:00, 2008-09-27
Henry Cook said
Thu Sep 25 6:11 PM, 2008
Flam is on hold for me for now but I headed out this morning to search for the Honey Buzzard with Sid A. No luck on the HBuzz but a couple of enjoyable hours viz-migging on one of the best days of the autumn so far locally.
Highlights were: 3 Ravens, 14 Redwings (my first of the autumn) 2 Canada Geese, 3 Grey Wags, 5 Pied Wags, 50+ Mipits, 1 Reed Bunting. 2 Stock Doves, 11 Mistle Thrushes 1 Kingfisher 1 Kestrel c20 Greenfinches 10+ Goldfinches 20+ Long-tailed Tits 1 Willow Warbler 1 Chiffchaff 2 Goldcrest (all warblers in with the one tit flock)
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 18:11, 2008-09-25
Rob Smallwood said
Wed Sep 24 10:59 PM, 2008
Almost certainly a different bird as you say, but I'll have to downgrade my Kite from probable to possible just in case.
So frustrating, as I always have my optics in the car...well almost always!
Hoping to get to Flam tomorrow before Dan!
Henry Cook said
Wed Sep 24 10:45 PM, 2008
(watch out you might get banned!) It's fine, I didn't think you were suggesting that. Just trying to add as much info to the occurence as poss. Dan P yeah (of great snipe flushing fame) insert winking smiley Henry.
Mike Duckham said
Wed Sep 24 10:33 PM, 2008
Could well be the same bird - and i wasn't at all suggesting your bird wasn't a HB, flipping hate forums! Cheers, M. PS Dan P isn't the Dan from Morocco BTW.
-- Edited by Mike Duckham at 11:22, 2008-09-25
Henry Cook said
Wed Sep 24 10:18 PM, 2008
Cheers Mike. Will get in touch with Dan. This was no kite even though Ian C found a Red Kite nearby the other day which i've been on the search for. I had the Honey at 7ish Rob, like a dream! Cheers for the info Mike. Nice to know you've had similar stuff to me in the area. Lapwings tried to nest last year but too many sheep for comfort I think. An Osprey would evoke quite a reaction but the Honey was alone which makes me wonder if there has been more than one large raptor going over.
Mike Duckham said
Wed Sep 24 10:10 PM, 2008
Top end near Fairywell Wood. Had Lesser Whiteys, winter Reed bunt and Redstart too. Lapwings tried to nest in a wheat field down Clay Lane one year. Sent a few records to Judith Smith. Ah what fond memories!
PS Not sure about which morph Pete Browns HB was - guessing pale. Think it was before the influx? Dan Pointon's offering a lift to the coast.
Edit - interesting coincidence with Rob. Wonder if his brief view of a kite-like bird was your HB? Always strike me as v v kite-esque!
-- Edited by Mike Duckham at 22:13, 2008-09-24
Rob Smallwood said
Wed Sep 24 10:04 PM, 2008
What time was that?
I ask because at 17.55 I had a large raptor sp low over Sale town centre heading roughly in your direction.
My first thought was Osprey on size, but it was distant and I was in the car. I managed to park up but wasted valuable seconds checking my boot for optics - but with the naked eye and at distance I thought that my raptor was a Red Kite based on my gut feeling that it was larger than a Buzzard and the jizz suggested long tail and wings.
It certainly caused a stir in Sale whatever it was, Pigeons and Starlings were up everywhere, as was a late House Martin, some Mallard were up, I can only think that they were off the canal, and the usual passing Cormorants all went in to a mini panic before continuing on their way.
I was hoping that someone else had had a Kite nearby when I saw your report.
There's no reason to think that they were the same bird other than the possible time similarities.
Henry Cook said
Wed Sep 24 10:01 PM, 2008
Pretty much the only thing that wasn't kite like about the flight was that it didn't twist the tail independantly of the wings which i've seen kites and honey buzzards do in flight but mostly when turning. This bird though was flying in a direct line and fast probably to a roosting spot (brooks drive?!) so didn't bother turning. Kite-like would be a fair way to put it yeah but a lot more powerful. Interesting that it was a dark phase, most of the birds from the recent influx (originating from scandanavia for further east?) had been dark as far as I know. Do you know if Cidermasters at Gronant was also dark Mike? Ha, didn't you say the little owls are on Brooks Drive, which bit? Not nailed them yet...
Mike Duckham said
Wed Sep 24 9:50 PM, 2008
Stonking find! Nice one Hezza. Did it remind you of a kite at all? Musta been looking for a roost site - perhaps it had been disturbed. Anyway congrats, Mike. PS When you gonna nail those Little Owls i told you about??
Henry Cook said
Wed Sep 24 8:34 PM, 2008
24/09/2008 - a short walk at dusk around the fields north of Shay Lane was pretty quiet until the last drops of daylight! Still, a large flock of silhouetted Long-tailed Tits flew from bush to bush, bounding through the sky with tails outstreched, a Kestrel hovered and a Meadow Pipit worked its way due south on a clear but cool evening as the light started to fall. Then another raptor caught my attention...
Long-winged; my immediate impression was Osprey but i've never seen one well in flight, so better views were needed. I watched it whilst trying to stop the dog pulling on his lead and nearly even pulling me over whilst the nerves were on edge. What was it. Steady for a minute with the dog behaving, the bird flew past. Immediately the proportions became more Buzzard like. It flapped as though it was struggling to fly whilst heading slightly towards me at fairly close approach and glided a couple of times with wings held a little bit below the horizontal. Neck and tail quite long and a Light bulb went off, osprey it was not. Light levels poor, I tried to get something on the feathering. Dark underwing coverts contrasted with whitish primaries and secondaries with a dark trailing-edge which thinned out around the end primaries. Belly also dark and concolourous with the uppersides. Tail, not easy to descern but I knew this was important to fully ID this nearly night-flying bird! Not clearly seen in the end it didn't flick or flex it during glides as it powered past so not seen.
As I mulled events over a Tawny Owl called to remind me just how dark it was. Forgetting plumage, this bird looked pretty perfect for dark phase HONEY BUZZARD! My only quibble is whether these birds fly so late in the day? I thought not as they are happier using thermals to glide but it wasn't at high altitude and possibly looking to roost nearby. Having seen a bird well, down in Cornwall earlier this year, the jizz reminded me of this species very quickly and removed the thought of Osprey almost immediately. Happy with that! What a bird for the patch. Ta. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 21:40, 2008-09-24
Henry Cook said
Mon Sep 8 10:19 AM, 2008
My first decent walk around the area for what seems like weeks and migration was in full swing this morning. A YELLOW WAGTAIL flew over SE calling. My first in the area ever! Such a brief sighting sadly but exhilaratingly brief all the same. Early morning really is the only decent time to go birding around here, they just don't seem afraid in the early hours of light. Other sightings included:
Kingfisher - 1 (still on the same little lake) Raven - 1 (feeding on carrion in the sheep fields north of Shay Lane, showing excellently and calling) Siskin - 1 (overhead) Bullfinch - 2 Greenfinch - 30+ Goldfinch - 20+ Starling - 200+ Mistle Thrush - 13 Swallow - 50+ (some local breeders but most powering on southwards) Meadow Pipit - 20+ (all overhead going south) Garden Warbler - 1 Blackcap - 3 Willow Warbler - 2 Chiffchaff - 4 Stock Dove - 3 G.S.Woodpecker - 2 (1 juvenile still with red cap) Kestrel - 1 Buzzard - 1 Pheasant - 2 Grey Heron - 2 Moorhen - 2 Mallard - 2
Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 13:44, 2008-09-08
Henry Cook said
Sat Aug 30 5:20 PM, 2008
Just had a KINGFISHER feeding on a little lake out in the fields north of Shay Lane, very local mega. The tiny lake can be reached by taking the first right over the style at the bottom of Buttery House Lane and walking to the new gate. Carry on straight and the lake appears after only c100 yards. I've got a perch i've been meaning to erect over the garden pond, think now's the time to do it!
Re: still showing until late but can disappear for a fair while. This puny black lake somehow has managed to attract Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant and nesting Mallard and Moorhen over the years, strange what can turn up when patching. Thanks. Henerz.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 20:18, 2008-08-30
Henry Cook said
Tue Aug 5 8:38 AM, 2008
Out mothing in the garden last night with the resident Tawny Owl family making a racket and showing fantastically, a Skylark flew over and minutes later a Dunlin both garden newbies. Night birding is where all the action is around here! Things got better whilst unloading the moth trap this morning when a Raven appeared and fed on a dead sheep before being chased off by a mixed gathering of Crows and Magpies. Thanks. Henry. P.S. anyone had a Manchester Moth recently? If my local birding luck switches to moths who knows!
4 Lapwings (2 pairs fighting)
1 Chiffchaff
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Siskin
1 Stock Dove
c100 Woodpigeons (increase in recent days)
Photo from this morning here - https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w41/henerz1/SH106263.jpg
2 Lapwings displaying and another Swallow over north-eastwards.
Cheers. Henry.
Had a very brief look from the roads this evening but couln't see it, disappointingly did find a well decomposed raptor which I took to be a Buzzard.
2 Swallows (flew eastwards)
1 Cormorant (over towards Rostherne)
1 Grey Heron
8 Mallards
2 Lapwings
2 Pheasants (males sparring)
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Lesser Redpolls
5 Siskins
6 Bullfinches
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 4th of April 2009 01:09:31 PM
Also viewable from Clay Lane, looking south in the sheep field nearest the farm buildings.
All info thanks to Henry Cook
1 probs Tree Pipit over
2 Ravens
1 Lapwing
1 Common Snipe
1 Chiffchaff
2 Meadow Pipits
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Buzzards
3 Kestrels
3 Siskins
2 Lesser Redpolls
5 Mistle Thrushes
+ 3 Reed Buntings in garden on feeders (a local record nevermind garden record!)
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Friday 3rd of April 2009 03:12:43 PM
2 Chiffchaffs
1 Linnet
5 Siskins
2 Lesser Redpolls
7 Bullfinches
2 Mistle Thrushes
1 Fieldfare
3 Song Thrushes
2 Kestrels (pair displaying in fields N of Shay Lane, a rare sight here these days)
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Grey Heron
1 Moorhen
1 Mallard
4 Mipits (over)
1 Pied/White Wagtail (over)
1 Chiffchaff (first of year locally, singing along Shay Lane)
2 Reed Buntings (both males, one on garden feeders!)
2 Lesser Redpolls
3 Siskins
6 Bullfinches
3 Stock Doves
3 Meadow Pipits
c40 Redwings (flying NW this morning)
4 Stock Doves
1 Treecreeper
2 Lesser Redpolls (females)
7 Bullfinces (4m, 3f)
3 Lapwings (displaying)
5 Mallards
1 Moorhen
4 Stock Doves
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Mipits
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Mistle Thrush
2 Song Thrushes
1 Treecreeper
3 Nuthatches
4 Coal Tits
4 Bullfinches
1 Lesser Redpolls
5 Teal
5 Grey Herons
14 Mallards
1 Moorhen
23 Black-headed Gulls
10 Common Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Mistle Thrushes
7 Siskins
25 Lesser Redpolls
12 Goldfinches
12 Chaffinches
10 Greenfinches
6 Bullfinches
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 10:45, 2009-02-01
1 Woodcock (flushed up this morning from section of Brooks Drive between Roaring Gate Lane and Hale Barns.)
2 Ravens
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Stock Doves
4 Jays
c50 Redwings
1 Song Thrush
13 Starlings
6 Bullfinches
7 Lesser Redpolls
c20 Goldfinches
c20 Pied Wagtails (on the 15th heading south towards the Manchester Airport roost)
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 14:18, 2009-01-17
Other stuff around included:
1 Grey Heron
84 Redwings
13 Fieldfares
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Song Thrush
6 Greenfinches
2 Siskins
4 Lesser Redpolls
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 15:34, 2009-01-08
1 Common Gull
5 Herring Gulls
c60 Black-headed Gulls
2 Buzzards
2 Kestrels
2+ Sparrowhawks
2 Tawny Owls
1 Stock Dove
1 Snipe
4 Mallards
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Raven
1 Mistle Thrush
c20 Redwings
4 Treecreepers
6 Nuthatches
9 Bullfinches
8 Goldfinches
3 Lesser Redpolls
c20 Pied Wagtails (flying due south straight towards Manchester airport before dusk. Does anyone know of a particular roost site at the airport?)
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 16:14, 2009-01-04
9 Grey Herons (bit of a feeding frenzy in one of the small ponds)
16 Mallards
1 Teal
1 Buzzard
1 Pheasant
1 Tawny Owl
3 Stock Doves
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
c150 Redwings
1 Mistle Thrush
2 Fieldfare
1 Treecreeper
6 Nuthatches
2 Ravens
7 Jays
6 Coal Tits
c40 Greenfinches
6 Bullfinches
2 Ravens
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Fieldfare
1 Kestrel
2 Stock Doves
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 11:35, 2008-12-23
18 Common Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
12 Herring Gulls
c100 Black-headed Gulls
2 Ravens
c30 Magpies
11 Carrion Crows
4 Jays
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
100+ Redwings
3 Mistle Thrushes
30+ Starlings
4 Mallards
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
2 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Grey Heron
2 Mallards
1 Moorhen
5 Siskins
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Fieldfare
Henry.
9 Bullfinches (a garden record I think!)
17 Lesser Redpolls
2 Siskins
2 Black-headed Gulls
1 Mistle Thrush
c20 Redwings
2 Song Thrush
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 10:48, 2008-12-15
2 Siskins
10 Bullfinches
1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Goldcrests
8 Long-tailed Tits
1 Fieldfare
13 Redwings
1 Song Thrush
4 Jays
1 Pheasant
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard (over SW towards Rostherne)
2 Herring Gulls (over SW towards Rostherne)
c50 Black-headed Gulls (over SW towards Rostherne)
2 Cormorants (over SW towards Rostherne)
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 16:13, 2008-12-10
7 Bullfinches
1 Moorhen
2 Black-headed Gulls
c20 Redwings
23 Mallards (flew over north)
1 Common Gull (flew in and out quickly)
1 Cormorant
1 Skylark
2 Siskins
1 Goldcrest
c30 Redwings
1 Kestrel
3 Bullfinches
1 Pheasant
1 Raven
5 Pied Wagtails
2 Bullfinches
1 Herring Gull
c200 Black-headed Gulls
c20 Meadow Pipits
1 Mistle Thrush
Thanks. Henry.
Other sightings included:
2 Ravens (chasing the following species)
2 Buzzards
5 Mallards
4 Grey Herons
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Herring Gulls
c20 Black-headed Gulls
3 Pied Wagtails
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Skylark
6 Fieldfares
c100 Redwings
Cheers. Henry.
Other sightings included:
1 Raven
1 Treecreeper
2 Nuthatch
4 Goldcrests
5 Jays
2 Skylarks
2 Mipits
1 Herring Gull
c150 Black-headed Gulls
1 Coot (a local scarcity)
3 Collared Dove
1 Feral Pigeon
2 Stock Doves
5 Grey Herons
7 Fieldfares
c50 Redwings
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Buzzard
2 Sparrowhawks
Thanks. Henry.
My minutes silence was scuppered by the intense winds a bit but it was great to get out on the local patch around Davenport Green for the first time in ages and see how things have changed. Sightings included:
1 Common Gull (1st winter feeding on worms)
1 Fieldfare
20+ Redwings
2 Bullfinches
1 Meadow Pipit
3 Mallards
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
+ a Fox in some great looking habitat, across the road from the shay lane end of Brooks Drive. Perfect for an SEO or something good!
Thanks. Henry.
cheers geoff
1 Wheatear was the best migrant by far, 2 usually seen in a year, 1 in spring and 1 in autumn! 2 Common Snipes had now taken over the Jack Snipe reedmace filled bog showing contrasting characteristics compared to yesterday's interesting bird.
Only light viz-mig otherwise with 15 Mipits.
Thanks. Henry.
Quiet otherwise with just the Common Buzzard pair for company overhead.
Thanks. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 19:00, 2008-09-27
Highlights were:
3 Ravens,
14 Redwings (my first of the autumn)
2 Canada Geese,
3 Grey Wags,
5 Pied Wags,
50+ Mipits,
1 Reed Bunting.
2 Stock Doves,
11 Mistle Thrushes
1 Kingfisher
1 Kestrel
c20 Greenfinches
10+ Goldfinches
20+ Long-tailed Tits
1 Willow Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
2 Goldcrest (all warblers in with the one tit flock)
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 18:11, 2008-09-25
So frustrating, as I always have my optics in the car...well almost always!
Hoping to get to Flam tomorrow before Dan!
It's fine, I didn't think you were suggesting that. Just trying to add as much info to the occurence as poss.
Dan P yeah (of great snipe flushing fame) insert winking smiley
Henry.
Cheers,
M.
PS Dan P isn't the Dan from Morocco BTW.
-- Edited by Mike Duckham at 11:22, 2008-09-25
This was no kite even though Ian C found a Red Kite nearby the other day which i've been on the search for. I had the Honey at 7ish Rob, like a dream!
Cheers for the info Mike. Nice to know you've had similar stuff to me in the area. Lapwings tried to nest last year but too many sheep for comfort I think.
An Osprey would evoke quite a reaction but the Honey was alone which makes me wonder if there has been more than one large raptor going over.
PS Not sure about which morph Pete Browns HB was - guessing pale. Think it was before the influx? Dan Pointon's offering a lift to the coast.
Edit - interesting coincidence with Rob. Wonder if his brief view of a kite-like bird was your HB? Always strike me as v v kite-esque!
-- Edited by Mike Duckham at 22:13, 2008-09-24
I ask because at 17.55 I had a large raptor sp low over Sale town centre heading roughly in your direction.
My first thought was Osprey on size, but it was distant and I was in the car. I managed to park up but wasted valuable seconds checking my boot for optics - but with the naked eye and at distance I thought that my raptor was a Red Kite based on my gut feeling that it was larger than a Buzzard and the jizz suggested long tail and wings.
It certainly caused a stir in Sale whatever it was, Pigeons and Starlings were up everywhere, as was a late House Martin, some Mallard were up, I can only think that they were off the canal, and the usual passing Cormorants all went in to a mini panic before continuing on their way.
I was hoping that someone else had had a Kite nearby when I saw your report.
There's no reason to think that they were the same bird other than the possible time similarities.
Interesting that it was a dark phase, most of the birds from the recent influx (originating from scandanavia for further east?) had been dark as far as I know. Do you know if Cidermasters at Gronant was also dark Mike?
Ha, didn't you say the little owls are on Brooks Drive, which bit? Not nailed them yet...
Anyway congrats, Mike.
PS When you gonna nail those Little Owls i told you about??
Long-winged; my immediate impression was Osprey but i've never seen one well in flight, so better views were needed. I watched it whilst trying to stop the dog pulling on his lead and nearly even pulling me over whilst the nerves were on edge. What was it. Steady for a minute with the dog behaving, the bird flew past. Immediately the proportions became more Buzzard like. It flapped as though it was struggling to fly whilst heading slightly towards me at fairly close approach and glided a couple of times with wings held a little bit below the horizontal. Neck and tail quite long and a Light bulb went off, osprey it was not.
Light levels poor, I tried to get something on the feathering. Dark underwing coverts contrasted with whitish primaries and secondaries with a dark trailing-edge which thinned out around the end primaries. Belly also dark and concolourous with the uppersides. Tail, not easy to descern but I knew this was important to fully ID this nearly night-flying bird! Not clearly seen in the end it didn't flick or flex it during glides as it powered past so not seen.
As I mulled events over a Tawny Owl called to remind me just how dark it was. Forgetting plumage, this bird looked pretty perfect for dark phase HONEY BUZZARD!
My only quibble is whether these birds fly so late in the day? I thought not as they are happier using thermals to glide but it wasn't at high altitude and possibly looking to roost nearby. Having seen a bird well, down in Cornwall earlier this year, the jizz reminded me of this species very quickly and removed the thought of Osprey almost immediately.
Happy with that! What a bird for the patch.
Ta. Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 21:40, 2008-09-24
Other sightings included:
Kingfisher - 1 (still on the same little lake)
Raven - 1 (feeding on carrion in the sheep fields north of Shay Lane, showing excellently and calling)
Siskin - 1 (overhead)
Bullfinch - 2
Greenfinch - 30+
Goldfinch - 20+
Starling - 200+
Mistle Thrush - 13
Swallow - 50+ (some local breeders but most powering on southwards)
Meadow Pipit - 20+ (all overhead going south)
Garden Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 3
Willow Warbler - 2
Chiffchaff - 4
Stock Dove - 3
G.S.Woodpecker - 2 (1 juvenile still with red cap)
Kestrel - 1
Buzzard - 1
Pheasant - 2
Grey Heron - 2
Moorhen - 2
Mallard - 2
Henry.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 13:44, 2008-09-08
I've got a perch i've been meaning to erect over the garden pond, think now's the time to do it!
Re: still showing until late but can disappear for a fair while. This puny black lake somehow has managed to attract Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant and nesting Mallard and Moorhen over the years, strange what can turn up when patching.
Thanks. Henerz.
-- Edited by Henry Cook at 20:18, 2008-08-30
Things got better whilst unloading the moth trap this morning when a Raven appeared and fed on a dead sheep before being chased off by a mixed gathering of Crows and Magpies.
Thanks. Henry.
P.S. anyone had a Manchester Moth recently? If my local birding luck switches to moths who knows!