ASTLEY, CHAT, LITTLE WOOLDEN AND ASSOCIATED MOSSES
gary mills said
Sun Jan 4 6:26 PM, 2009
Had the best ever view of a wild Buzzard at 2pm today on Rindle rd. The bird flew onto a telegraph pole opposite the farmhouse just prior to the barn development. It perched there and watched me as i ran directly underneath. It didn't even flinch
Dave Thacker said
Sun Jan 4 11:41 AM, 2009
3 Snipe flushed from the ditch just before the new farmhouse development at Rindle Also 6 Bullfinch and 2 GS Woodpeckers at the feeding area plus the usual birds
Dave Thacker said
Fri Jan 2 4:37 PM, 2009
Large flock of Starlings 300+ perched on the wires along Moss lane with many more in the field at 4pm this afternoon
Also Song thrush at the feeding area which flew in with a snail and spent 5 minutes trying to break the shell against a stone on the track
Dave Thacker said
Fri Jan 2 2:14 PM, 2009
Roll on Cuckoo time indeed Alan and have a great New year
Also just a little reminder for people visiting the feeding area at Rindle road.
If, as I sometimes do and park up at the top of the track while watching the birds on the seed please stay with your car. Do not leave your car there and go walkabout as access is required 24 hours through the large metal gate by farm vehicles and by the owners of the horses. Its much better to park further back along Rindle road or better still park near the wood mouldings factory and walk along Rindle road
Mark Rigby said
Thu Jan 1 7:25 PM, 2009
Bugger all on Moss Lane early afternoon except large flock of Starling, Woodpigeon and Stock Dove.
Feeding Station 1330-1430
5 Tree Sparrow 6 Yellowhammer 250+ Chaffinch (poss at least 1 Brambling-ratty kept putting them up!)
Rindle Rd
2 Kestrel Buzzard 2 Stonechat
Alan Rowley said
Thu Jan 1 4:59 PM, 2009
Moss lane was better than Rindle this AM but not for the lazy birder as there's nowhere to park. Large tit flock containing all 5 regular tits; Treecreepers and Goldcrests . 30+ Redwings feeding in the woods + Stock Doves, Skylarks and the odd Lapwing in the fields.
Dave,Paul. Forgot to wish you both a happy new year. Cold must have frozen my brain. Roll on Cuckoo time.
The gamekeeper's son approached me after you'd both left. They are getting distressed about people walking in the woods with dogs on the loose. One person in particular is a regular problem for them and claims to be a member of the LWT and allegedly refuses all polite pursuasion to put his dog on a lead. If enough of us attempt to politely persuade people not to let dogs loose or take then down there, perhaps we'll eventually wear them down. Its in all our interest to prevent this area becoming the local dog walk.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jan 1 2:48 PM, 2009
Dave Thacker wrote:
Rindle feeding area 9.30-1200
Very quiet this morning only small numbers of Tree sparrows and Yellowhammers about.
The large Brown Rat feeding on the grain on the track this afternoon might of had something to do with that
Dave Thacker said
Thu Jan 1 1:30 PM, 2009
Rindle feeding area 9.30-1200
Very quiet this morning only small numbers of Tree sparrows and Yellowhammers about. Also ;
2 GS Woodpeckers Kingfisher 1 possibly 2 flying around the ditches from Nook lane down towards the railtrack end of Rindle road. 3 Grey Partridge 1 Stonechat 1 Heron 2 Kestrels 1 Weasel within 8'
It was good to meet up with Paul Hammond and Alan Rowley again
Dave Thacker said
Wed Dec 31 4:01 PM, 2008
Rindle feeding area 10.45-11.25am
The usual including 30+ Yellowhammers 10 Robins 12 Tree sparrows 1 GS Woodpecker and 5 Siskins in the tall Birch 1 Very large Brown rat eating the seed.
Dave Thacker said
Mon Dec 29 8:04 PM, 2008
Alan I've just had to get my list for today out of the bin.
My full lazy birders list has been pm to you
Alan Rowley said
Mon Dec 29 7:17 PM, 2008
Impressed with Dave Thacker's 43. I walked for 2 hours around Rindle area and only clocked up 32. Seems being a lazy birder pays off sometimes
Highlight was the near loss of the male Stonechat. A Sparrowhawk was about to take it out, spotted me and called off the attack. The chat was blissfully unaware of what nearly happened to it.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Dec 29 3:44 PM, 2008
1:15-3:40pm today
85 Reed Bunting 40+ Yellowhammer 20+ Chaffinch
All the above in 1 flock flying in and out of the stubble field (field 57) from the trees along it's edge.
A highly impressive 256 Skylark in 1 flock in field 57, once they got up from the stubble their arial display whizzing around the field was a joy to watch.
Lesser Redpoll- 40 (minimum) in trees by Birch Farm and field 58.
Dave Thacker said
Mon Dec 29 1:14 PM, 2008
Ian, I've already put the Stoat sightings on Dave Winnards excellent Manchester wildlife site with also todays sightings.
9.30-12.00 Rindle road feeding area Never got out of my car this morning [ -2`c]. I just parked up at the top of the track and saw 43 species including;
Kingfisher flying along the ditch. RL partridge 8 Grey partridge 4 Redpoll 5 Stonechat 1 Greenfinch 2 Bullfinch 5 Goldfinch 20+ Redwing 30+ Fieldfare 15 Mistle thrushes 12 Tree sparrows 12+ Chaffinches 15 Yellowhammers 10+ Reedbuntings GS Woodpeckers , with one on the seed and at least 2 more drumming in the woods. Kestrels 2 Sparrowhawks 1 Buzzards 2 Jays 4 Willow tits 2 Coal tit 1 Lt tits 15 Great tits 6
Also 6 sightings of the Stoats, one of which was carrying a field vole and a Hare in f68.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Dec 27 6:03 PM, 2008
I'm sure Dave Winnard's Manchester Wildlife forum would be happy of those Stoat sightings too Dave
Dave Thacker said
Sat Dec 27 4:46 PM, 2008
12.15 - 15.50pm
Bedford moss 1 Buzzard 2 Teal over
Rindle woods 4 Goldcrests 7 LT Tits
Along Cutnook path 60+ Redwing 250+ Starlings in f68 1 Sparrowhawk
Croxdens peat works Small flock of 2 Goldcrests, LT tits and 1 Willow tit in the birch trees alongside the peat works.
Also great views of 2 different Stoats hunting along the track.
1 Little owl along Moss lane in trees just before the sharp left hand corner at the top end of the lane.
Mike hirst said
Fri Dec 26 3:45 PM, 2008
9-45am - 11-30am chilly and bright Irlam moss, cutnook end.
There are winter thrushes all over at the moment. the fieldfares and redwings have been joined by an influx of mistle thrushes over the last couple of days. Nearly all are ground feeding in ploughed fields, a big flock (c200/300) in N.E. corner of field 6.other smaller flocks in fields1,2 and 10. There were 4 lapwings in S.W. corner of field 6, first for a couple of months in this area. Elsewhere things were a bit quiet with the exceptions being corvids and chaffinch.
Mike
Steven Nelson said
Wed Dec 24 7:44 PM, 2008
Hi again Mike
Nice to see you tried somewhere new. It can be quite productive in that part of the moss as it is usually very quiet and relatively undisturbed. I too was on the moss from 12 - 1.15pm today. Main things of note other than the usual were:
- male Merlin hunting over f62 causing panic amongst lots of small birds - large mixed flock of 100+ Fieldfare and 200+ Starling all feeding and bathing in the flooded tractor ruts of f17 - hunting female Sparrowhawk in f51 - 2 Kestrel along Twelve Yards - small Chaffinch flock in f14 but no Brambling today - mixed corvid flock in f5 - mainly Rooks + Jackdaws - 6 Pheasant (3 f14, 3 f62)
Mike hirst said
Wed Dec 24 2:47 PM, 2008
9-30am - 12am warm and bright Irlam moss, cutnook end.
Higher management let me out again this morning so I thought I would deviate off my usual route and investigate a track mentioned by Steve Nelson, what a good decision that was. In field 9 a mixed flock of fieldfare and redwing c200, chaffinch,greenfinch and reed bunting c60.Field 8, again chaffinch, greenfinch,reed bunting and meadow pipit, could't count these as Iwas viewing thro' a hedgerow.
Elsewhere, 3 decent flocks chaffinch (no bramblings spotted) 3 flocks L.T. tits 1 goldcrest 70 fieldfare (middle of field 2, may have joined up with field 8, flew off in that direction) crows - lots magpies - lots backbirds - many robins -many 5 dunnock 1 wren feral pigeon flock 200+ wood pigeon 1000's in a roost in black wood (observed from the west) 1 pied wagtail. 3 mistle thrush blue and great tits - many 1 kestrel 2 flocks PFG over (see thread)
Mike hirst said
Tue Dec 23 6:10 PM, 2008
Hi Steve, It was me you saw, when you mentioned the dog it registered and i didn't realise parkstone run all the way round the top of the estate. Bye the way, I think its cheating to ride the bike whilst `walking' the dog. See you. Mike
Steven Nelson said
Tue Dec 23 5:10 PM, 2008
I wonder who he was then ! - He had a scope and bins. I'll look out for you. I tend to walk the dog around cutnook and twelve yards roads but do wander around when I'm on my bike.
Mike hirst said
Tue Dec 23 3:45 PM, 2008
Hi Steve, no it wasn't me you saw, I don't go on parkstone, I stay on school lane. The woodcock on field 9 was a good spot, I don't normally go down there but I will have to give it a go sometime. We'll bump into each other sometime no doubt. cheers,
Mike
Steven Nelson said
Tue Dec 23 10:12 AM, 2008
Hi Mike
Was that you I said 'hello' to on Parkstone Road yesterday at about midday as I went past on my bike?
A good couple of hours spent on Irlam Moss - c.12.00 - 2.00pm
Woodcock flushed from far NW corner of f9 + Stonechat near here 2 Bramblings in Chaffinch flock in f14 5 Grey Partridge in f2 8 Fieldfare in f7 1 Willow Tit and a few Tree Sparrows at Woodbarn Farm 2 Buzzard - 1 f2, 1 f10 2 Goldcrests
I missed the Fieldfares, Redwings and Bramblings in f1 though !!
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 11:12, 2008-12-23
Judith Smith said
Mon Dec 22 5:18 PM, 2008
A pair of Stonechats on the Glazebury side of Chat Moss today, but in GM!
Mike hirst said
Mon Dec 22 3:23 PM, 2008
9-45am to 11-45am. Bright, warm and damp. Irlam moss - cutnook end
In field no. 1 by the motorway bridge, a wonderful scene of c150 fieldfares, c20 redwings c100 chaffinches and c10 bramblings. Some fieldfares were bathing in the patches of water between the furrows.
Elsewhere
crows (many) feral pidgeon many wood pidgeon (lots, mostly roosting in black wood) robin (many) magpie (many) 3 goldcrest 6 mistle thrush 1 wren 3 dunnock 4 flocks long tailed tits Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there 2 pheasant
Dave Thacker said
Sun Dec 21 11:36 AM, 2008
Tawny Owl being mobbed by 2 Jays as it perched in Rindle wood. All the usual birds in small numbers at the feeding area including 1 Willow tit. 2 Kestrels and 1 Sparrowhawk over f69
Mike Chorley said
Wed Dec 17 8:44 PM, 2008
Late post for yesterday, sorry
Pair of Stonechats in the small field between the house & the horse paddocks around 3 p.m. plus small numbers of all the usual
Mike hirst said
Tue Dec 16 4:38 PM, 2008
9-45am to 11-45am. Bright, cold and frosty. Irlam moss - cutnook end crows (many) feral pidgeon (lots, 2 very large flocks) 8 wood pidgeon robin (many) magpie (many) 12 chaffinch 1 goldcrest 5 mistle thrush 1 wren 3 dunnock 2 flocks long tailed tits Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there goldfinch in several small flocks blackbirds - many 1 pheasant 1 kestrel 1 buzzard 6 redpolls 1 G.s.woodpecker - fem.
The pheasant ( a fine male) was in a ploughed field on the edge of a wood, we saw each other at the same time but, instead of flying off noisily as usual this lay flat in a furrow and watched me walk past. When I disappeared behind some bushes it took off, but Idid not see how. I have not come across this before, is it a tactic or could it have been injured?.
Mike
Nev Wright said
Sun Dec 14 5:27 PM, 2008
Feeding Station 1420-1435
Treesparrow 6 Yellowhammer 4 Blue tit 4 Great tit 4 Chaffinch 3 Robin 2 Pheasant Blackbird 3 Kestrel
Judith Smith said
Sat Dec 13 10:52 PM, 2008
This is a case where the RSPCA in the form of our own Paul Heaton, need to check the welfare of the Tree Sparrow I think!
Nev Wright said
Sat Dec 13 9:35 PM, 2008
or maybe even Mrs Tree Sparrow had put out a contract on Mr Tree Sparrow 'cos he was a lazy good-for-nothing who spent all his days at the feeding station, but Mr Kestrel had intercepted the message, being able to see from an elevated position? Did you consider that eh?
Nev Wright said
Sat Dec 13 9:28 PM, 2008
Maybe Mr Stoat was into extreme sports and fancied a bit of sky-diving?
Mark Rigby said
Sat Dec 13 9:15 PM, 2008
Feeding station 1230-1330
12 Tree Sparrow (soon to be 11) 5 Yellowhammer 7 Chaffinch Jay 3 Collared Dove Sparrowhawk Kestrel
Mr Stoat slid up to the seed in the long grass in the middle of the track and siezed a Mr Tree Sparrow and started to run off with the sparrow in its gob. Then, Mr Kestrel dropped from its perch and dropped onto Mr Stoat and flew off with him. Mr Stoat dropped the sparrow in suprise and Mr Stoat was dropped by Mr Kestrel because he was too heavy?!
Mike hirst said
Thu Dec 11 6:00 PM, 2008
9-45am to 11-30am. Bright, cold and frosty. Irlam moss - cutnook end
crows (many, less than usual) feral pidgeon (lots) 8 wood pidgeon robin (many) magpie (many) 2 flocks chaffinch + singles here and there 1 goldcrest 1 meadow pipit 1 song thrush 2 mistle thrush 3 wren 4 dunnock 2 flocks long tailed tits Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there goldfinch in several small flocks blackbirds - many 1 pheasant 1 kestrel
Mike
Mike hirst said
Mon Dec 8 4:26 PM, 2008
9-45am to 11-30am. Drizzle, cold and damp. Irlam moss - cutnook end
crows (lots) feral pidgeon (lots) 11 wood pidgeon robin (many) magpie (many) 3 flocks chaffinch + singles here and there 1 treecreeper (breast bright white on a dull day) 4 goldcrests -2 with large fock of L.T. tits 1 kestrel 1 wren 2 dunnock 4 flocks long tailed tits (1 quite large, c30 birds) Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there 4 mistle thrush goldfinch in several small flocks blackbirds - many
Astley moss 130 PF Geese over at 1pm heading west Kestrel 4 LT tits 1 Goldcrest 25+ Redpolls with 6 Bullfinches and 5 Reedbuntings 4 Yellowhammers 7 Tree sparrows
Looking in the fields from the Cutnook path
5 Fieldfare 8 Mistle thrushes 2 Moorhens 1 Buzzard being chased by 3 Crows
Mike hirst said
Fri Dec 5 12:37 PM, 2008
9-45am to 11-30am. cloudy, cold and damp. Irlam moss - cutnook end
Quite a big reduction in numbers today, the exceptions being robin, magpie and feral pidgeon. Good view of the resident buzzard in low level flight, not seen it for a couple of weeks so I was quite pleased.
crows (many) 11 wood pidgeon 15 chaffinch (flock) + singles here and there 5 yellowhammer 1 wren 2 dunnock 6 long tailed tits 2 pied wagtail (m&f) Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there 2 mistle thrush goldfinch in several small flocks blackbirds - many
Mike
Dave Tennant said
Thu Dec 4 3:40 PM, 2008
Real influx of redwing this afternoon between 40-50 in fields on left hand side behind the colliery, 2 stonechat one of which was a superb male bird sat on fence, 2 fieldfare.4 goldfinch,2 greenfinch,1 chaffinch and 2 raven calling as they flew towards the tip.
Mike hirst said
Wed Dec 3 6:17 PM, 2008
9-45am to 11-30am. cloudy and cold. Irlam moss - cutnook end
crows (many, less than usual) magpies (lots) feral pidgeon (lots) chaffinches (lots) blackbirds (many) robins (many) blue and great tits (many) 1 small flock L.T. tits 1 kestrel 1 goldcrests 2 jays 3 yellowhammer 2 wrens 1 dunnock 7 mistle thrush
Mike hirst said
Mon Dec 1 4:53 PM, 2008
9-45am to 11-30am. cloudy and cold. Irlam moss - cutnook end
The L.T. tits, goldcrests and treecreeper had only one thing on their minds this morning - food. They just ignored me, and in some cases I could have practically reached out and touched them - fantastic views.
Mike
Dave Thacker said
Sun Nov 30 2:54 PM, 2008
Hi Henry I am going to ask the bloke who organises the shoot to put a warning sign up on the gate at the feeding area at Rindle road the day before the shoot takes place.Hopefully this will mean that no one else gets caught between the beaters and the guns like I was.
I certainly know how a Pheasant feels
Henry Cook said
Sun Nov 30 12:07 PM, 2008
Hi Dave. I've been caught up in Pheasant shooting in the past. Even spoke to the police who weren't bothered!
Dave Thacker said
Sat Nov 29 10:54 AM, 2008
7.40-10.00am
First Saturday morning for months that I have not been working and its foggy
Up to 60+ mixed flock of Yellowhammers, Tree Sparrows, Reed buntings, Green/Gold and Chaffinches at the feeding area.
8 Brambling, 2 Willow tits, 2 Siskins, 7 LT tits and 5 Jays in the trees beside the path leading to the potato fields.
GS Woodpecker and 1 Treecreeper in Rindle woods.
Flushed 2 Woodcock and 2 Snipe on Bedford moss.
On my return to Rindle road ,beaters with dogs were working Rindle woods and sending the pheasant and Partridge towards the guns standing in field 69 and also in the field opposite the new farm development. It would probably be a good idea to put warning signs up before a shoot takes place then people are not caught up in it like I was this morning.
Mike hirst said
Thu Nov 27 2:29 PM, 2008
9-30am to 11-30am Irlam moss, cloudy, cool, Cutnook end.
crows - lots magpies - lots blackbirds - lots chaffinches - lots (some greenfinch in with one flock) goldfinch (lots) robins (lots) 1 dunnock 1 wren 2 yellowhammer wood pidgeon - lots feral pidgeon - large flock c200 blue and great tits - lots L.T. tits 2 flocks (10 & 12) 1 willow tit 1 goldcrest 7 mistle thrush 2 song thrush (first for ages on this patch) 2 redwing 8 fieldfare (over) 2 pheasant
Mike
Mike hirst said
Tue Nov 25 2:53 PM, 2008
9-30am to 11am Irlam moss, sunny, very cool, Cutnook end.
A smashing day for walking and birding.
crows - lots magpies - lots blackbirds - lots chaffinches - lots wood pidgeon - lots blue and great tits - lots 4 small flocks of L.T. tits 4 goldcrests 1 brambling - f 2 pied wagtail - m&f 10 meadow pipits 1 great spotted woodpecker 3 mistle thrushes 2 wrens 1 pheasant
Mike
Paul Cliff said
Mon Nov 24 2:48 PM, 2008
a willow tit in with the yellowhammer, tree sparrow, green and chaffinch at the feeding station today. massive flock of starlings on the wires behind the barn conversion, hundreds of fieldfare and redwing in the potato fiels and on the berries.
1 kestrel 1 sparrowhawk over. the feeding station is a great place to eat lunch, i think!
Mike Chorley said
Mon Nov 24 1:18 AM, 2008
Mike hirst wrote:
Windfarm on the moors dosn't do much for the scenery
-- Edited by Mike hirst at 12:26, 2008-11-21
I prefer that view (looking north from my flat) to the one of Fiddlers Ferry belching away to the west
Mike hirst said
Fri Nov 21 12:12 PM, 2008
9-30am to 11am Irlam moss, sunny, cool, breezy. 12 yds, between Cutnook & Astley rd.
quiet start, but a lot of farm traffic along the lanes 1 crow over (none in fields) 2 magpie 1 jay chaffinch (lots) blue & great tits (lots) 2 groups L.T. tits 4 goldcrests alone, (L.T. tits nearby) robins, blackbirds. (lots) 1 dunnock 1 wren 1 grey wagtai 1 kestrel
Windfarm on the moors dosn't do much for the scenery
-- Edited by Mike hirst at 12:26, 2008-11-21
Mike hirst said
Thu Nov 20 5:41 PM, 2008
9-30am to 11am Irlam moss sunny, very cool, very breezy. Cutnook end.
some good views of the Buzzard, once quartering on the thermals, later it landed in a ploughed field and was searching for grubs etc. before being mobbed by a couple of crows, and later still quartering the fields and again being mobbed by a whole bunch of crows.
the fields were full of crows today, and scores of magpies to. A large flock (c200) chaffinch, very skittish in the breeze, feeding on the field margins on stubble and weed seeds. I think I saw 2 brambling but I was looking in to the sun and can't be positive. Otherwise quieter than usual. 4 bullfinch 2 mistle thrush 12 fieldfare over tits, wrens, robins, dunnocks and blackbirds in less numbers than usual.
Mike
Judith Smith said
Thu Nov 20 4:40 PM, 2008
No sign of the egret today at either Rindle or the private site, but it was rather windy so maybe it was keeping its head down in a ditch somewhere. Two Ravens at the private site.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 19 11:43 AM, 2008
Definately isn't the Manc bird , present along Rindle Road once again upto atleast 10:40 this morning.
Info thanks to Peter Hilton/Pete Berry/Judith Smith
Also 6 Bullfinch and 2 GS Woodpeckers at the feeding area plus the usual birds
Also Song thrush at the feeding area which flew in with a snail and spent 5 minutes trying to break the shell against a stone on the track
Also just a little reminder for people visiting the feeding area at Rindle road.
If, as I sometimes do and park up at the top of the track while watching the birds on the seed please stay with your car. Do not leave your car there and go walkabout as access is required 24 hours through the large metal gate by farm vehicles and by the owners of the horses.
Its much better to park further back along Rindle road or better still park near the wood mouldings factory and walk along Rindle road
Feeding Station 1330-1430
5 Tree Sparrow
6 Yellowhammer
250+ Chaffinch (poss at least 1 Brambling-ratty kept putting them up!)
Rindle Rd
2 Kestrel
Buzzard
2 Stonechat
Dave,Paul. Forgot to wish you both a happy new year. Cold must have frozen my brain. Roll on Cuckoo time.
The gamekeeper's son approached me after you'd both left. They are getting distressed about people walking in the woods with dogs on the loose. One person in particular is a regular problem for them and claims to be a member of the LWT and allegedly refuses all polite pursuasion to put his dog on a lead. If enough of us attempt to politely persuade people not to let dogs loose or take then down there, perhaps we'll eventually wear them down. Its in all our interest to prevent this area becoming the local dog walk.
The large Brown Rat feeding on the grain on the track this afternoon might of had something to do with that
Very quiet this morning only small numbers of Tree sparrows and Yellowhammers about. Also ;
2 GS Woodpeckers
Kingfisher 1 possibly 2 flying around the ditches from Nook lane down towards the railtrack end of Rindle road.
3 Grey Partridge
1 Stonechat
1 Heron
2 Kestrels
1 Weasel within 8'
It was good to meet up with Paul Hammond and Alan Rowley again
The usual including
30+ Yellowhammers
10 Robins
12 Tree sparrows
1 GS Woodpecker and 5 Siskins in the tall Birch
1 Very large Brown rat eating the seed.
I've just had to get my list for today out of the bin.
My full lazy birders list has been pm to you
Highlight was the near loss of the male Stonechat. A Sparrowhawk was about to take it out, spotted me and called off the attack. The chat was blissfully unaware of what nearly happened to it.
85 Reed Bunting
40+ Yellowhammer
20+ Chaffinch
All the above in 1 flock flying in and out of the stubble field (field 57) from the trees along it's edge.
A highly impressive 256 Skylark in 1 flock in field 57, once they got up from the stubble their arial display whizzing around the field was a joy to watch.
Lesser Redpoll- 40 (minimum) in trees by Birch Farm and field 58.
9.30-12.00
Rindle road feeding area
Never got out of my car this morning [ -2`c]. I just parked up at the top of the track and saw 43 species including;
Kingfisher flying along the ditch.
RL partridge 8
Grey partridge 4
Redpoll 5
Stonechat 1
Greenfinch 2
Bullfinch 5
Goldfinch 20+
Redwing 30+
Fieldfare 15
Mistle thrushes 12
Tree sparrows 12+
Chaffinches 15
Yellowhammers 10+
Reedbuntings
GS Woodpeckers , with one on the seed and at least 2 more drumming in the woods.
Kestrels 2
Sparrowhawks 1
Buzzards 2
Jays 4
Willow tits 2
Coal tit 1
Lt tits 15
Great tits 6
Also 6 sightings of the Stoats, one of which was carrying a field vole and a Hare in f68.
Bedford moss
1 Buzzard
2 Teal over
Rindle woods
4 Goldcrests
7 LT Tits
Along Cutnook path
60+ Redwing
250+ Starlings in f68
1 Sparrowhawk
Croxdens peat works
Small flock of 2 Goldcrests, LT tits and 1 Willow tit in the birch trees alongside the peat works.
Rindle feeding area
7 Yellowhammers
5 Treesparrows
6 Chaffinches
1 Kestrel
Also great views of 2 different Stoats hunting along the track.
1 Little owl along Moss lane in trees just before the sharp left hand corner at the top end of the lane.
There are winter thrushes all over at the moment. the fieldfares and redwings have been joined by an influx of mistle thrushes over the last couple of days. Nearly all are ground feeding in ploughed fields, a big flock (c200/300) in N.E. corner of field 6.other smaller flocks in fields1,2 and 10. There were 4 lapwings in S.W. corner of field 6, first for a couple of months in this area. Elsewhere things were a bit quiet with the exceptions being corvids and chaffinch.
Mike
Nice to see you tried somewhere new. It can be quite productive in that part of the moss as it is usually very quiet and relatively undisturbed. I too was on the moss from 12 - 1.15pm today. Main things of note other than the usual were:
- male Merlin hunting over f62 causing panic amongst lots of small birds
- large mixed flock of 100+ Fieldfare and 200+ Starling all feeding and bathing in the flooded tractor ruts of f17
- hunting female Sparrowhawk in f51
- 2 Kestrel along Twelve Yards
- small Chaffinch flock in f14 but no Brambling today
- mixed corvid flock in f5 - mainly Rooks + Jackdaws
- 6 Pheasant (3 f14, 3 f62)
Higher management let me out again this morning so I thought I would deviate off my usual route and investigate a track mentioned by Steve Nelson, what a good decision that was. In field 9 a mixed flock of fieldfare and redwing c200, chaffinch,greenfinch and reed bunting c60.Field 8, again chaffinch, greenfinch,reed bunting and meadow pipit, could't count these as Iwas viewing thro' a hedgerow.
Elsewhere,
3 decent flocks chaffinch (no bramblings spotted)
3 flocks L.T. tits
1 goldcrest
70 fieldfare (middle of field 2, may have joined up with field 8, flew off in that direction)
crows - lots
magpies - lots
backbirds - many
robins -many
5 dunnock
1 wren
feral pigeon flock 200+
wood pigeon 1000's in a roost in black wood (observed from the west)
1 pied wagtail.
3 mistle thrush
blue and great tits - many
1 kestrel
2 flocks PFG over (see thread)
It was me you saw, when you mentioned the dog it registered and i didn't realise parkstone run all the way round the top of the estate. Bye the way, I think its cheating to ride the bike whilst `walking' the dog.
See you.
Mike
no it wasn't me you saw, I don't go on parkstone, I stay on school lane. The woodcock on field 9 was a good spot, I don't normally go down there but I will have to give it a go sometime. We'll bump into each other sometime no doubt.
cheers,
Mike
Was that you I said 'hello' to on Parkstone Road yesterday at about midday as I went past on my bike?
A good couple of hours spent on Irlam Moss - c.12.00 - 2.00pm
Woodcock flushed from far NW corner of f9 + Stonechat near here
2 Bramblings in Chaffinch flock in f14
5 Grey Partridge in f2
8 Fieldfare in f7
1 Willow Tit and a few Tree Sparrows at Woodbarn Farm
2 Buzzard - 1 f2, 1 f10
2 Goldcrests
I missed the Fieldfares, Redwings and Bramblings in f1 though !!
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 11:12, 2008-12-23
In field no. 1 by the motorway bridge, a wonderful scene of c150 fieldfares, c20
redwings c100 chaffinches and c10 bramblings. Some fieldfares were bathing in the patches of water between the furrows.
Elsewhere
crows (many)
feral pidgeon many
wood pidgeon (lots, mostly roosting in black wood)
robin (many)
magpie (many)
3 goldcrest
6 mistle thrush
1 wren
3 dunnock
4 flocks long tailed tits
Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there
2 pheasant
All the usual birds in small numbers at the feeding area including 1 Willow tit.
2 Kestrels and 1 Sparrowhawk over f69
Pair of Stonechats in the small field between the house & the horse paddocks around 3 p.m. plus small numbers of all the usual
crows (many)
feral pidgeon (lots, 2 very large flocks)
8 wood pidgeon
robin (many)
magpie (many)
12 chaffinch
1 goldcrest
5 mistle thrush
1 wren
3 dunnock
2 flocks long tailed tits
Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there
goldfinch in several small flocks
blackbirds - many
1 pheasant
1 kestrel
1 buzzard
6 redpolls
1 G.s.woodpecker - fem.
The pheasant ( a fine male) was in a ploughed field on the edge of a wood, we saw each other at the same time but, instead of flying off noisily as usual this lay flat in a furrow and watched me walk past. When I disappeared behind some bushes it took off, but Idid not see how. I have not come across this before, is it a tactic or could it have been injured?.
Mike
Treesparrow 6
Yellowhammer 4
Blue tit 4
Great tit 4
Chaffinch 3
Robin 2
Pheasant
Blackbird 3
Kestrel
12 Tree Sparrow (soon to be 11)
5 Yellowhammer
7 Chaffinch
Jay
3 Collared Dove
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Mr Stoat slid up to the seed in the long grass in the middle of the track and siezed a Mr Tree Sparrow and started to run off with the sparrow in its gob. Then, Mr Kestrel dropped from its perch and dropped onto Mr Stoat and flew off with him. Mr Stoat dropped the sparrow in suprise and Mr Stoat was dropped by Mr Kestrel because he was too heavy?!
crows (many, less than usual)
feral pidgeon (lots)
8 wood pidgeon
robin (many)
magpie (many)
2 flocks chaffinch + singles here and there
1 goldcrest
1 meadow pipit
1 song thrush
2 mistle thrush
3 wren
4 dunnock
2 flocks long tailed tits
Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there
goldfinch in several small flocks
blackbirds - many
1 pheasant
1 kestrel
Mike
crows (lots)
feral pidgeon (lots)
11 wood pidgeon
robin (many)
magpie (many)
3 flocks chaffinch + singles here and there
1 treecreeper (breast bright white on a dull day)
4 goldcrests -2 with large fock of L.T. tits
1 kestrel
1 wren
2 dunnock
4 flocks long tailed tits (1 quite large, c30 birds)
Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there
4 mistle thrush
goldfinch in several small flocks
blackbirds - many
Mike
Rindle woods
2 GS Woodpeckers
3 Bullfinch [m]
1 Willow tit
3 Reed buntings
2 Redpoll
5 Stonechat in f69
Astley moss
130 PF Geese over at 1pm heading west
Kestrel
4 LT tits
1 Goldcrest
25+ Redpolls with 6 Bullfinches and 5 Reedbuntings
4 Yellowhammers
7 Tree sparrows
Looking in the fields from the Cutnook path
5 Fieldfare
8 Mistle thrushes
2 Moorhens
1 Buzzard being chased by 3 Crows
Quite a big reduction in numbers today, the exceptions being robin, magpie and feral pidgeon. Good view of the resident buzzard in low level flight, not seen it for a couple of weeks so I was quite pleased.
crows (many)
11 wood pidgeon
15 chaffinch (flock) + singles here and there
5 yellowhammer
1 wren
2 dunnock
6 long tailed tits
2 pied wagtail (m&f)
Blue & great tits, low nos. here and there
2 mistle thrush
goldfinch in several small flocks
blackbirds - many
Mike
crows (many, less than usual)
magpies (lots)
feral pidgeon (lots)
chaffinches (lots)
blackbirds (many)
robins (many)
blue and great tits (many)
1 small flock L.T. tits
1 kestrel
1 goldcrests
2 jays
3 yellowhammer
2 wrens
1 dunnock
7 mistle thrush
crows (lots)
magpies (lots)
feral pidgeon (lots)
chaffinches (lots)
blackbirds (many)
robins (many)
blue, great and L.T. tits (many)
1 kestrel
1 treecreeper
3 goldcrests
1 G.S. woodpecker (m)
1 jay
6 brambling (4 & 2 with chaff. flocks)
5 greenfinch( ditto )
2 reed bunting ( ditto )
2 yellowhammer ( ditto )
1 wren
1 dunnock
6 housesparrows
3 mistle thrush
The L.T. tits, goldcrests and treecreeper had only one thing on their minds this morning - food. They just ignored me, and in some cases I could have practically reached out and touched them - fantastic views.
Mike
I am going to ask the bloke who organises the shoot to put a warning sign up on the gate at the feeding area at Rindle road the day before the shoot takes place.Hopefully this will mean that no one else gets caught between the beaters and the guns like I was.
I certainly know how a Pheasant feels
First Saturday morning for months that I have not been working and its foggy
Up to 60+ mixed flock of Yellowhammers, Tree Sparrows, Reed buntings, Green/Gold and Chaffinches at the feeding area.
8 Brambling, 2 Willow tits, 2 Siskins, 7 LT tits and 5 Jays in the trees beside the path leading to the potato fields.
GS Woodpecker and 1 Treecreeper in Rindle woods.
Flushed 2 Woodcock and 2 Snipe on Bedford moss.
On my return to Rindle road ,beaters with dogs were working Rindle woods and sending the pheasant and Partridge towards the guns standing in field 69 and also in the field opposite the new farm development.
It would probably be a good idea to put warning signs up before a shoot takes place then people are not caught up in it like I was this morning.
crows - lots
magpies - lots
blackbirds - lots
chaffinches - lots (some greenfinch in with one flock)
goldfinch (lots)
robins (lots)
1 dunnock
1 wren
2 yellowhammer
wood pidgeon - lots
feral pidgeon - large flock c200
blue and great tits - lots
L.T. tits 2 flocks (10 & 12)
1 willow tit
1 goldcrest
7 mistle thrush
2 song thrush (first for ages on this patch)
2 redwing
8 fieldfare (over)
2 pheasant
Mike
A smashing day for walking and birding.
crows - lots
magpies - lots
blackbirds - lots
chaffinches - lots
wood pidgeon - lots
blue and great tits - lots
4 small flocks of L.T. tits
4 goldcrests
1 brambling - f
2 pied wagtail - m&f
10 meadow pipits
1 great spotted woodpecker
3 mistle thrushes
2 wrens
1 pheasant
Mike
massive flock of starlings on the wires behind the barn conversion, hundreds of fieldfare and redwing in the potato fiels and on the berries.
1 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk over.
the feeding station is a great place to eat lunch, i think!
I prefer that view (looking north from my flat) to the one of Fiddlers Ferry belching away to the west
quiet start, but a lot of farm traffic along the lanes
1 crow over (none in fields)
2 magpie
1 jay
chaffinch (lots)
blue & great tits (lots)
2 groups L.T. tits
4 goldcrests alone, (L.T. tits nearby)
robins, blackbirds. (lots)
1 dunnock
1 wren
1 grey wagtai
1 kestrel
Windfarm on the moors dosn't do much for the scenery
-- Edited by Mike hirst at 12:26, 2008-11-21
some good views of the Buzzard, once quartering on the thermals, later it landed in a ploughed field and was searching for grubs etc. before being mobbed by a couple of crows, and later still quartering the fields and again being mobbed by a whole bunch of crows.
the fields were full of crows today, and scores of magpies to. A large flock (c200) chaffinch, very skittish in the breeze, feeding on the field margins on stubble and weed seeds. I think I saw 2 brambling but I was looking in to the sun and can't be positive.
Otherwise quieter than usual.
4 bullfinch
2 mistle thrush
12 fieldfare over
tits, wrens, robins, dunnocks and blackbirds in less numbers than usual.
Mike
Info thanks to Peter Hilton/Pete Berry/Judith Smith