ASTLEY, CHAT, LITTLE WOOLDEN AND ASSOCIATED MOSSES
Craig Higson said
Fri May 9 9:47 PM, 2008
Ian McKerchar wrote:
The feeding station isn't really in use this time of year Craig as I'm sure you can imagine and Yellow Wags and Corn Bunts are pretty uncommon north of the railway but Yellowhammers are nearly always about and Cuckoos continue a high profile (they were around today), you must have picked a quite day No whimbrels the past couple of days though
Cheers Ian. Must admit it was more hope than expectation when I called and it was quite windy when I arrived. Most stuff was keeping its head down it seemed, and as I had just finsihed work I still had my dancing shoes on so didnt venture off the nice tarmac too much
Ian Campbell said
Fri May 9 9:41 PM, 2008
Just curious, but who puts th food out and why is it not done at this time of the year?. cheers Ian
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 9 5:10 PM, 2008
The feeding station isn't really in use this time of year Craig as I'm sure you can imagine and Yellow Wags and Corn Bunts are pretty uncommon north of the railway but Yellowhammers are nearly always about and Cuckoos continue a high profile (they were around today), you must have picked a quite day No whimbrels the past couple of days though
Craig Higson said
Fri May 9 2:50 PM, 2008
Cheers Iain
Iain Johnson said
Fri May 9 9:11 AM, 2008
Craig,
Its on Rindle Road, on the RH side about 100 metres before the railway lines/ level crossing. There is a (blue) bar gate across a track. You are allowed to walk down the track and this leads to Rindle Wood.
cheers e
Craig Higson said
Thu May 8 10:50 PM, 2008
Quick walk round N of the railway this afternoon - very dissapointing.
3 Wheatears and about 150 Woodpigeon in Field 68 3 Pied Wags in Field 67 2 Oystercatchers in the field behind field 69. 1 Tree Sparrow along Rindle Road just N of the 'building site'. 1 kestrel blogging about. Flock of c15-20 Goldfinch along Rindle road near Shooters Grove. Crows and Lapwings here and there.
No Yellow Wags, No yellowhammers, No Corn Bunts
Can someone please tell me where this fabled feeding station is? Someone I spoke to suggested Olive Mount Farm South of the Railway but wasnt sure.
F69 Cuckoo - 1 Mistle Thrush - 5 Stock Dove - 4 Curlew - 2 Yellowhammer - 2 Tree Sparrow - 6 Lesser Whitethroat singing by roadside
Blackcap (4), Chiffchaff (3), Garden Warbler (1) Willow Warbler (2), Whitethroat (7) all singing 3 Swifts over total of 26 Lapwing
Moss Lane Whinchat - male on fence of large horse paddock Little Owl - in large oak at end of Moss Lane Lapwing - c20 incl 4 chicks in large ploughed field adjacent to Astley Moss Cuckoo calling Buzzard over Skylark - 4 Red-legged Partridge - 1 (also Brown Hare on the horse paddock)
Paul Heaton said
Wed May 7 9:00 AM, 2008
late message for yesterday ( got locked out again.)
Whinchat male at olive mount farm astley road, keep birding
declan savage said
Tue May 6 11:33 PM, 2008
Rindle Rd area - 4.30 - 5.15pm
A Hobby flew over F68 at 5pm , disappeared over the trees in direction of the peat works.
Also present on F68: Yellow Wagtail - 1 male Wheatear - 6, all males Kestrel Stock Dove - 6 Woodpigeon - c30 Mistle Thrush - 2 Pied Wagtail - 3 Tree Sparrow - 3 Lapwing - 7
F69/ Horse Paddock Buzzard - feeding on the ground Cuckoo - flew over Whimbrel -2 Curlew - 1 flew over, calling Oystercatcher -1 Sparrowhawk over Lapwing - 9 Mallard - pair Yellowhammer -4 Tree Sparrow - 3 Whitethroat 1 Swallow - 4 Sand Martin - 2
Iain Johnson said
Mon May 5 10:29 PM, 2008
early afternoon
up to 10 wheatear along moss lane plus 3 grey partridge and the usual supporting cast. No wagtail or whinchat!
two buzzard, 1 grey partridge and loads of whitethroat on rindle road and astley moss.
Paul Wilson said
Mon May 5 6:26 PM, 2008
Popped in for a quick look round after visiting Pennington this morning. Found it a bit difficult as this was our first visit to the area.
Parked up bhind a blue Punto - with RSPB sticker in the back, but didn't see any birders around. Looked down the track from the metal gate (assumed to be the feeding station area). Not much about but the field on the other side of the road held several tree sparrows and 4 wheatears and a couple of yellowhammers and pied wagtails.
Not knowing exactly where to go, we went up the side road next to where there is some building work going on. Got passed the buildings and checked the fields. Had 4 whimbrel in the recently turned field (field 68?). Also had a couple of grey partridge. Could hear a cuckoo, but couldn't see it anywhere. Even more wheatears in this area. Decided to go back to the car and got a couple of whitethroats in the bushes.
Then drove around to what we think is Moss Lane (?). Managed to find cuckoo sitting on the telegraph wires. Unfortunately, each time I stopped the car and got out to try to take some photos, it flew furthur away and we eventually lost it. Scanned the roadside trees looking for the whinchats, but had no luck there. Did see a few red-legged partridges in the fields and a single skylark.
All-in-all a good 45 minutes of birdwatching. Just wish we knew the area a bit better. Perhaps someone will give us a guided tour sometime of the best areas to check out.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 4 3:41 PM, 2008
4 whimbrel in field 68 and 8 wheatear (i post this as i'm watching them) this early afternoon, cuckoo still calling and around half a dozen tree sparrows around the top of rindle area. Also, no rain!
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 4 9:56 AM, 2008
3rd May, late evening
2 Whimbrel (again moved to f68 to feed), probably same birds as yesterday 1 Whinchat, male along Moss Lane 6 Wheatear, f68
4th May, early morning
2 Whinchat, both bright males along Moss Lane Yellow Wagtail, Moss Lane 9 Wheatear, Moss Lane 4 Wheatear, Rindle Road
Info for 4th thanks to Andy Isherwood
Dave Thacker said
Sat May 3 3:49 PM, 2008
12.30-2.30 this afternoon Field 68 2 Wheatear 2 Grey Partridge Whitethroat
No Whimbrel seen today but 6 reported at Pennington this morning
Also had my best ever view of a Astley lizard on the moss today
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:28, 2008-05-03
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 2 8:31 PM, 2008
2nd May, 7pm
Whimbrel- 2 on f68 (having been flushed there from Astley Moss East) Wheatear- 10 in field 68 Cuckoo- 3 off Rindle Road Yellowhammer- 4 off Rindle Road, 6 off Moss Lane Mallard- 10 chicks on the fishinf pond off Rindle Road
Ian Woosey said
Thu May 1 5:02 PM, 2008
1/5/08 (12:00-16:00)
2 Cuckoos still present opp. feeding station, Wheatear over the road, Redshank in floods off Nook Ln, 2 Grey Partridge, Buzzard over SSSI, Treecreeper & 6 Tufted Duck on Bedford Moss, 7 Yellowhammer & 6 Tree Sparrow off Rindle Rd.
declan savage said
Wed Apr 30 2:37 PM, 2008
Rindle Road area - 9.30 - 11.30
Field 68 WHINCHAT - 1 male on fence and feeding on the ground to 10.30 at least Whimbrel - 3 Wheatear - 11 Yellow Wagtail - 1 male White Wagtail - 3 males at least Lapwing - 6
Peregrine over Railway Line mobbing 4 Buzzards together. 3 more Buzzards over Astley Moss SSSI male Kestrel, Rindle Wood
Cuckoo - 1 on tel. wire across the railway, near Moss Side Farm; another heard calling from peatworks direction.
F 69/ feeeding area Wheatear - 2 Stock Dove - 2 Lapwing - 9 Yellowhammer - 11 Tree Sparrow - 14 Linnet - 2 (pair) Reed Bunting - 1 male
total of 6 singing Whitethroats, 8 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap
4 Swift over, plus lots of Swallows and Sand martins around.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 29 9:48 PM, 2008
2 male Whinchats on the wire fence of f69 at 11:00 today. (must have moved through quickly though as they weren't seen later on there)
Info thanks to Dave Evans
Mark Rigby said
Tue Apr 29 7:07 PM, 2008
Ian,
The 5 Whimbrel were flushed by ploughing activity.
Also present on field 69 was the Cuckoo and Buzzard perched on posts near to the railway lines.
Moss lane was prety quiet.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 29 3:11 PM, 2008
6 Whimbrel still present off Rindle Road this morning, 1 in f69 and 5 in f68
Info thanks to Mark Rigby.
Could only find 2 myself at 2:45pm although they often sit amongst the furrows and are difficlut to see. Plenty Wheatears still present, atleast half a dozen.
Dave Thacker said
Mon Apr 28 9:52 PM, 2008
This evening 18.30 to 21.00 All viewed in or over Field 69 4 possibly 5 Cuckoos in total tonight including 2 which flew in from Chat moss over the railtrack and started feeding on worms in the ploughed area.Great views. 3 Whimbrel, which flew off towards the peat pools at 20.55 2 Grey Partridge 4 Buzzards 2 Skylarks Kestrel Whitethroat Redpoll 5 Yellowhammers 6 Tree Sparrows Blackcap 4 Herons LBB Gull 2 Pied Wagtails Plenty of woodies feeding Jay 2 Canada geese 2 Mallard 2 Teal
Nice to meet Melanie ,Peter Baron and friends this evening
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:58, 2008-04-28
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 22:25, 2008-04-28
Dave Thacker said
Mon Apr 28 5:34 PM, 2008
Phil The Cuckoos were displaying in the same way on Saturday evening. It was the first time that I had seen Cuckoos doing this.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Apr 28 3:44 PM, 2008
Monday, 28th 3pm-ish
Still 5 Whimbrel and 2 Cuckoo in field 69. Atleast 6 Wheatear around Astley Moss area.
A frankly awsome 15 Buzzards in the air at once from Moss Lane.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
Mike Baron said
Mon Apr 28 1:11 PM, 2008
Cadishead Moss at lunch
5 Wheatears in field 33 plus Grey Wagtail by the stream 2 Grey Partridges in field 32 2 Oystercatchers in field 53
Alan Rowley said
Sun Apr 27 11:04 PM, 2008
There were 4 Grey partridge in that field at 3PM today
Phil Owen said
Sun Apr 27 10:43 PM, 2008
Late afternoon visit - my first to this site resulted in the following:-
Whimbrel Cuckoo Willow Warbler Wheatear Tree Sparrow Yellowhammer Buzzard Kestrel Swift Swallow + others
My dog Max also flushed a pair of Partridges in the field with long grass just before the wood after field 69.
Couldn't get a decent view of them, but is it likely they were Grey Partridge just out of interest??
Met Tim Wilcox and we saw a pair of Cuckoos displaying very high in the sky and calling in flight. It was great to see and wondered if anyone else has seen Cuckoos doing this???
Later we walked across the railway line and found yet another Cuckoo perched on a telephone pole giving us great views through the scope.
Thanks to those who helped me with directions etc.
It's a great place.
Phil
Alan Rowley said
Sun Apr 27 3:50 PM, 2008
3PM today, 5 Whimbrel field 69 in ploughed part
Dave Thacker said
Sat Apr 26 9:59 PM, 2008
A qiuck look at field 69 tonight had 3 Whimbrel 3 Cuckoo 6 Grey Partridge Buzzard 2 Mallard 2 Pied Wagtail
Rindle wood 2 Blackcap Willow warbler Treecreeper Tree Sparrow
Astley moss 2 Buzzard 3 Reed buntings Barn owl Cuckoo pair of Teal, Mallard and 1 Sedge warbler on the scrapes joined by 3 Snipe from Bedford moss. On the return walk a total of 6 Whimbrels and 1 Wheatear in f69.
It was nice to meet and chat with Ian Moffat tonight while watching the Cuckoos
Robert Adderley said
Sat Apr 26 7:32 PM, 2008
26.4.08
7 Whimbrel mid/late pm.
Paul Cliff said
Sat Apr 26 3:00 PM, 2008
caught a fleeting glimpse of a heaton in full working plummage near the feeding station also 1 steve collins 1 ian woosey 1 paul hammond 1 melanie
pleasure to meet and see you all out in your natural habit!
3 cuckoo 1 whimbrel chiffchaff willow warbler 5 yellowhammer tree sparrow 4 kestrel 1 buzzard 1 sparrowhawk lt tit great tit chaffinch 1 red legged partridge lots of woodpigeon reed bunting blackcap heard but not seen
Alan Rowley said
Sat Apr 26 2:03 PM, 2008
Tetrad SJ79E 8AM to 10AM today (Boathouse down to Birchwood farm)
Paul, I had the same problem on Thursday night, thought it was a male merlin at first till it took off!
cheers e
Paul Heaton said
Fri Apr 25 5:46 PM, 2008
7 whimbrels and 2 cuckoos in ploughed field this afternoon, one cuckoo sat in middle of field had me going for a while never seen one in a ploughed filed before.
one poss two calling on the moss, keep birding
eddie king said
Fri Apr 25 11:30 AM, 2008
Friday 25th. Astley SSSI. 9.15am. 3 cuckoos and 2 wheatear adjacent to Astley SSSI.
Iain Johnson said
Thu Apr 24 9:04 PM, 2008
5.45 pm onwards
started at Moss Lane:
12 + lapwinds 3 wheatear (2M + 1F) in first ploughed field by Allwood Farm (originally only saw two but bagged the 3rd on the way back up) plus two yellowhammer and pair collarded dove.
few stock dove and wood pigeon
reed bunting, chaffinch and mistle thrush at the end of moss field in stubble, whilst there was around 20 BG Gull, a few lapwing, yellowhammer, 2 oystercatcher, 3 male and possibly 1 female wheater and a pair of ringed plover by the manure!
two grey partridge on the way back about 15 mts from the road feeding in the ploughed field. Another two grey partridge were feding on the grassy field with horses where Moss Lane turns off.
Whitethroat, 4 whimbrel, cuckoo, 2 grey partridge, loads of lapwing and several yellowhammer at the bottom of rindle road.
Had 2 Whimbrels this evening (approx 6pm) in the field behind the Rindle Rd feeding station - they flew round a bit and then headed off towards the peat pools. Also 2 Tree Sparrow and 1 Yellowhammer plus pr of RLP in field next to Moss Bank Farm.
Dave Thacker said
Wed Apr 23 8:56 PM, 2008
Astley moss 16.30- 20.00
Excellent views of a male Cuckoo perched on the fence posts in f69 this evening at 19.15. This time with my scope and witnessed by forum member Melanie Beckford. The Cuckoo was moving along the posts and flying down to the ground ,then flying back up to the posts until it was disturbed by a train going past.With the scope we could quite clearly see the white underparts with the black barring on.
Also in f69 good views of 3 Whimbrels feeding. Another 2 Whimbrels flew over Astley SSSI which also had 4 soaring Buzzards over
Ian, that Blue-headed wagtail was a cracking find.
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:01, 2008-04-23
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 18:23, 2008-04-24
Judith Smith said
Wed Apr 23 7:40 PM, 2008
A Cuckoo was calling yesterday 22nd in a private part of Chat Moss, not far from where Dave saw it. (Info from Tim Booth, knowledgeable local farmer)
Paul Heaton said
Wed Apr 23 5:36 PM, 2008
Rapid response to wagtail today but cannot compete with Ian McKerchar on his bike both the bird and Ian had flown by the time I got there, and yes Ian may be right the only way to do the mosses is on the bike. The white van suffered a couple of underneath blows on Twelve yards road, this really is 4x4 country.
nice to met the other Iain at rindle road. keep birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton at 17:36, 2008-04-23
-- Edited by Paul Heaton at 17:37, 2008-04-23
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 23 3:56 PM, 2008
Four Whimbrel in the field just north of Moss Bank Farm off Rindle Road around 3 o'clock.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby
Iain Johnson said
Wed Apr 23 3:46 PM, 2008
13.00 to 14.30
two whimbrel, one sat down in field 69 with another in the field adjacent to the moss.
Sparrowhawk, 2 buzzard, 2 bullfinch, loads of willow warbler kestrel, linnet, yellowhammer and single RL PARTRIDGE
NO Cuckoo seen or calling
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 23 3:12 PM, 2008
Dave Thacker wrote:
Astley moss this evening 7-9pm
Possible Cuckoo sat on a fence post at the rear of the horse paddock near the rail track next to the Rindle road feeding area, correct size,shape and colour except for it had mainly all white underparts without any barring seen, I didnt take my scope this evening and it was just a little too far off to be seen positively.
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I recon you were dead right Dave as a Cuckoo was calling loudly and constantly from behind Rindle Wood around dinner time today.
A very thorough mooch around the mosses on my bike (THE way to cover these large areas) produced a great day...
Whitethroat- F67 Willow Warbler- 19 on Chat Moss and 8 on Irlam Moss BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL- male on the potatoe piles on F3 at 13:00 with 3 male Yellow Wagtails, all flew towards Twelve Yards Road at 13:05 and weren't relocated. Yellow Wagtail- 6 in total. The 3 mentioned above, a pair in the horse paddock in between Olive Mount Farm and Red Chalis and a very approachable male in the field north of Red Chalis in between Astley Road and the pig paddock. Merlin- female sat in F17 (obtained the world worst record shot of it using my bins and mobile phone!), then flew into trees along the western edge and stayed there. Linnet- 16 in F17 (no doubt being eyed up by the Merlin) and 12 in the pig paddock north of Red Chalis Whinchat- male on the wire fencing around F17
Paul Cliff said
Wed Apr 23 12:37 AM, 2008
phil - A580 east lancs and turn off left for higher green follow the road all the way along until you see the big white house before the level crossing - it about 200 yards before that down a dirt track on the right behind a gate .
watched a massive rat chasing off the feeding birds (tree sparrows, yellowhammers and chaffinch) this afternoon!
Phil Owen said
Tue Apr 22 11:24 PM, 2008
What's the best way to get here off the M60 please??
Cheers
Phil
David Benson said
Tue Apr 22 9:05 PM, 2008
Rindle Road feeding station area this evening - 3 Whimbrel in ploughed field and 2 Whinchat in field with ponies.
Alan Rowley said
Tue Apr 22 7:47 PM, 2008
I'm down there this weekend (weather permitting) doing my ttv's so hopefully I will bump into your Cuckoo.
Alan
Dave Thacker said
Tue Apr 22 7:09 PM, 2008
Alan, luckily enough I`m picking up my new glasses on Friday
The bird was the right size,shape and colour of a male Cuckoo, it even held its wings drooped down beside its body which I have seen before in a Cuckoo, and even from the distance that I was looking at the bird ,it just seemed too white underneath which put some doubt in my mind.
Every time I go on the mosses without my scope I see something which I need a scope for
Good birding Alan
Alan Rowley said
Tue Apr 22 6:16 PM, 2008
Sounds like a woodpigeon to me. Want my old specs?
Dave Thacker said
Mon Apr 21 10:02 PM, 2008
Astley moss this evening 7-9pm
Possible Cuckoo sat on a fence post at the rear of the horse paddock near the rail track next to the Rindle road feeding area, correct size,shape and colour except for it had mainly all white underparts without any barring seen, I didnt take my scope this evening and it was just a little too far off to be seen positively.
Small numbers of Tree sparrows and Yellowhammers and 1 large Rat at the feeding area. 2 Herons + 1 Whimbrel over f69 Barn Owl hunting over Astley moss LT Tits nest now with chicks Pair of Canada geese on the scrapes A quick view of another owl as it flew behind the new Barn conversions on Rindle road, it was too dark to see clearly Plenty of Lapwings and Swallows about
It was also nice to meet fellow birders Melanie and friends on my walkabout tonight
Cheers Ian. Must admit it was more hope than expectation when I called and it was quite windy when I arrived. Most stuff was keeping its head down it seemed, and as I had just finsihed work I still had my dancing shoes on so didnt venture off the nice tarmac too much
cheers Ian
Its on Rindle Road, on the RH side about 100 metres before the railway lines/ level crossing. There is a (blue) bar gate across a track. You are allowed to walk down the track and this leads to Rindle Wood.
cheers e
3 Wheatears and about 150 Woodpigeon in Field 68
3 Pied Wags in Field 67
2 Oystercatchers in the field behind field 69.
1 Tree Sparrow along Rindle Road just N of the 'building site'.
1 kestrel blogging about.
Flock of c15-20 Goldfinch along Rindle road near Shooters Grove.
Crows and Lapwings here and there.
No Yellow Wags, No yellowhammers, No Corn Bunts
Can someone please tell me where this fabled feeding station is? Someone I spoke to suggested Olive Mount Farm South of the Railway but wasnt sure.
Rindle Rd
F68
Wheatear- 3
Oystercatcher - 1
Curlew - 1
Stock Dove - 18
Woodpigeon - c70
Skylark - 2
Yellowhammer - 4
Grey Partridge - 2
Pied Wagtail - 2
Sand Martin - 10
Kestrel -1
F69
Cuckoo - 1
Mistle Thrush - 5
Stock Dove - 4
Curlew - 2
Yellowhammer - 2
Tree Sparrow - 6
Lesser Whitethroat singing by roadside
Blackcap (4), Chiffchaff (3), Garden Warbler (1) Willow Warbler (2), Whitethroat (7) all singing
3 Swifts over
total of 26 Lapwing
Moss Lane
Whinchat - male on fence of large horse paddock
Little Owl - in large oak at end of Moss Lane
Lapwing - c20 incl 4 chicks in large ploughed field adjacent to Astley Moss
Cuckoo calling
Buzzard over
Skylark - 4
Red-legged Partridge - 1
(also Brown Hare on the horse paddock)
Whinchat male at olive mount farm astley road,
keep birding
A Hobby flew over F68 at 5pm
Also present on F68:
Yellow Wagtail - 1 male
Wheatear - 6, all males
Kestrel
Stock Dove - 6
Woodpigeon - c30
Mistle Thrush - 2
Pied Wagtail - 3
Tree Sparrow - 3
Lapwing - 7
F69/ Horse Paddock
Buzzard - feeding on the ground
Cuckoo - flew over
Whimbrel -2
Curlew - 1 flew over, calling
Oystercatcher -1
Sparrowhawk over
Lapwing - 9
Mallard - pair
Yellowhammer -4
Tree Sparrow - 3
Whitethroat 1
Swallow - 4
Sand Martin - 2
up to 10 wheatear along moss lane plus 3 grey partridge and the usual supporting cast. No wagtail or whinchat!
two buzzard, 1 grey partridge and loads of whitethroat on rindle road and astley moss.
Parked up bhind a blue Punto - with RSPB sticker in the back, but didn't see any birders around. Looked down the track from the metal gate (assumed to be the feeding station area). Not much about but the field on the other side of the road held several tree sparrows and 4 wheatears and a couple of yellowhammers and pied wagtails.
Not knowing exactly where to go, we went up the side road next to where there is some building work going on. Got passed the buildings and checked the fields. Had 4 whimbrel in the recently turned field (field 68?). Also had a couple of grey partridge. Could hear a cuckoo, but couldn't see it anywhere. Even more wheatears in this area. Decided to go back to the car and got a couple of whitethroats in the bushes.
Then drove around to what we think is Moss Lane (?). Managed to find cuckoo sitting on the telegraph wires. Unfortunately, each time I stopped the car and got out to try to take some photos, it flew furthur away and we eventually lost it. Scanned the roadside trees looking for the whinchats, but had no luck there. Did see a few red-legged partridges in the fields and a single skylark.
All-in-all a good 45 minutes of birdwatching. Just wish we knew the area a bit better. Perhaps someone will give us a guided tour sometime of the best areas to check out.
2 Whimbrel (again moved to f68 to feed), probably same birds as yesterday
1 Whinchat, male along Moss Lane
6 Wheatear, f68
4th May, early morning
2 Whinchat, both bright males along Moss Lane
Yellow Wagtail, Moss Lane
9 Wheatear, Moss Lane
4 Wheatear, Rindle Road
Info for 4th thanks to Andy Isherwood
Field 68
2 Wheatear
2 Grey Partridge
Whitethroat
Field 69
2 Cuckoo
2 Buzzards
7 Yellowhammers
Wheatear
2 Yellow wagtails
3 Pied wagtails
Rindle woods
3 Tree sparrows
Lt tit
GS Woodpecker
Astley moss
7 Whitethroat
2 Willow warblers
2 Blackcaps
8 Buzzards
Kestrel
4 Skylarks
Plenty of pipits
5 Reed buntings
4 Tufted duck
2 Mallard
2 Canada geese
Moorhen
No Whimbrel seen today but 6 reported at Pennington this morning
Also had my best ever view of a Astley lizard on the moss today
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:28, 2008-05-03
Whimbrel- 2 on f68 (having been flushed there from Astley Moss East)
Wheatear- 10 in field 68
Cuckoo- 3 off Rindle Road
Yellowhammer- 4 off Rindle Road, 6 off Moss Lane
Mallard- 10 chicks on the fishinf pond off Rindle Road
2 Cuckoos still present opp. feeding station,
Wheatear over the road,
Redshank in floods off Nook Ln,
2 Grey Partridge,
Buzzard over SSSI,
Treecreeper & 6 Tufted Duck on Bedford Moss,
7 Yellowhammer & 6 Tree Sparrow off Rindle Rd.
Field 68
WHINCHAT - 1 male on fence and feeding on the ground to 10.30 at least
Whimbrel - 3
Wheatear - 11
Yellow Wagtail - 1 male
White Wagtail - 3 males at least
Lapwing - 6
Peregrine over Railway Line mobbing 4 Buzzards together.
3 more Buzzards over Astley Moss SSSI
male Kestrel, Rindle Wood
Cuckoo - 1 on tel. wire across the railway, near Moss Side Farm; another heard calling from peatworks direction.
F 69/ feeeding area
Wheatear - 2
Stock Dove - 2
Lapwing - 9
Yellowhammer - 11
Tree Sparrow - 14
Linnet - 2 (pair)
Reed Bunting - 1 male
total of 6 singing Whitethroats, 8 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap
4 Swift over, plus lots of Swallows and Sand martins around.
Info thanks to Dave Evans
The 5 Whimbrel were flushed by ploughing activity.
Also present on field 69 was the Cuckoo and Buzzard perched on posts near to the railway lines.
Moss lane was prety quiet.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby.
Could only find 2 myself at 2:45pm although they often sit amongst the furrows and are difficlut to see. Plenty Wheatears still present, atleast half a dozen.
All viewed in or over Field 69
4 possibly 5 Cuckoos in total tonight including 2 which flew in from Chat moss over the railtrack and started feeding on worms in the ploughed area.Great views.
3 Whimbrel, which flew off towards the peat pools at 20.55
2 Grey Partridge
4 Buzzards
2 Skylarks
Kestrel
Whitethroat
Redpoll
5 Yellowhammers
6 Tree Sparrows
Blackcap
4 Herons
LBB Gull
2 Pied Wagtails
Plenty of woodies feeding
Jay
2 Canada geese
2 Mallard
2 Teal
Nice to meet Melanie ,Peter Baron and friends this evening
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:58, 2008-04-28
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 22:25, 2008-04-28
The Cuckoos were displaying in the same way on Saturday evening. It was the first time that I had seen Cuckoos doing this.
Still 5 Whimbrel and 2 Cuckoo in field 69.
Atleast 6 Wheatear around Astley Moss area.
A frankly awsome 15 Buzzards in the air at once from Moss Lane.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
5 Wheatears in field 33 plus Grey Wagtail by the stream
2 Grey Partridges in field 32
2 Oystercatchers in field 53
Whimbrel
Cuckoo
Willow Warbler
Wheatear
Tree Sparrow
Yellowhammer
Buzzard
Kestrel
Swift
Swallow
+ others
My dog Max also flushed a pair of Partridges in the field with long grass just before the wood after field 69.
Couldn't get a decent view of them, but is it likely they were Grey Partridge just out of interest??
Met Tim Wilcox and we saw a pair of Cuckoos displaying very high in the sky and calling in flight. It was great to see and wondered if anyone else has seen Cuckoos doing this???
Later we walked across the railway line and found yet another Cuckoo perched on a telephone pole giving us great views through the scope.
Thanks to those who helped me with directions etc.
It's a great place.
Phil
3 Whimbrel
3 Cuckoo
6 Grey Partridge
Buzzard
2 Mallard
2 Pied Wagtail
Rindle wood
2 Blackcap
Willow warbler
Treecreeper
Tree Sparrow
Astley moss
2 Buzzard
3 Reed buntings
Barn owl
Cuckoo
pair of Teal, Mallard and 1 Sedge warbler on the scrapes joined by 3 Snipe from Bedford moss.
On the return walk a total of 6 Whimbrels and 1 Wheatear in f69.
It was nice to meet and chat with Ian Moffat tonight while watching the Cuckoos
7 Whimbrel mid/late pm.
also
1 steve collins
1 ian woosey
1 paul hammond
1 melanie
pleasure to meet and see you all out in your natural habit!
3 cuckoo
1 whimbrel
chiffchaff
willow warbler
5 yellowhammer
tree sparrow
4 kestrel
1 buzzard
1 sparrowhawk
lt tit
great tit
chaffinch
1 red legged partridge
lots of woodpigeon
reed bunting
blackcap heard but not seen
Highlights
Willow Warbler 34 males
Chiffchaff 4 males
Kestrel 1
Grey Wagtail 2
Lesser Whitethroat 1 male on Millen; Green
Yellowhammer 7
Skylark 6 males
LBB Gull 4
Whitethroat 8 males
Reed Bunting 2
Coot 4
Blackcap 2 males
Swallow 5
Lapwing 12
Sand Martin 5
Linnet 6
C Buzzard 1
Tufted Duck 2
46 species in all
cheers e
one poss two calling on the moss,
keep birding
started at Moss Lane:
12 + lapwinds
3 wheatear (2M + 1F) in first ploughed field by Allwood Farm (originally only saw two but bagged the 3rd on the way back up) plus two yellowhammer and pair collarded dove.
few stock dove and wood pigeon
reed bunting, chaffinch and mistle thrush at the end of moss field in stubble, whilst there was around 20 BG Gull, a few lapwing, yellowhammer, 2 oystercatcher, 3 male and possibly 1 female wheater and a pair of ringed plover by the manure!
two grey partridge on the way back about 15 mts from the road feeding in the ploughed field. Another two grey partridge were feding on the grassy field with horses where Moss Lane turns off.
Whitethroat, 4 whimbrel, cuckoo, 2 grey partridge, loads of lapwing and several yellowhammer at the bottom of rindle road.
Linnets everywere!!
30+ in field13/14
7 in field 22
12 in field 42
also in field 13/14
2 grey partridge
5 yellowhammer
3 chaffinch
kestrel
5 song thrush
Excellent views of a male Cuckoo perched on the fence posts in f69 this evening at 19.15. This time with my scope and witnessed by forum member Melanie Beckford.
The Cuckoo was moving along the posts and flying down to the ground ,then flying back up to the posts until it was disturbed by a train going past.With the scope we could quite clearly see the white underparts with the black barring on.
Also in f69 good views of 3 Whimbrels feeding.
Another 2 Whimbrels flew over Astley SSSI which also had 4 soaring Buzzards over
Ian, that Blue-headed wagtail was a cracking find.
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:01, 2008-04-23
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 18:23, 2008-04-24
nice to met the other Iain at rindle road.
keep birding
-- Edited by Paul Heaton at 17:36, 2008-04-23
-- Edited by Paul Heaton at 17:37, 2008-04-23
Info thanks to Mark Rigby
two whimbrel, one sat down in field 69 with another in the field adjacent to the moss.
Sparrowhawk, 2 buzzard, 2 bullfinch, loads of willow warbler kestrel, linnet, yellowhammer and single RL PARTRIDGE
NO Cuckoo seen or calling
I recon you were dead right Dave as a Cuckoo was calling loudly and constantly from behind Rindle Wood around dinner time today.
A very thorough mooch around the mosses on my bike (THE way to cover these large areas) produced a great day...
Whitethroat- F67
Willow Warbler- 19 on Chat Moss and 8 on Irlam Moss
BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL- male on the potatoe piles on F3 at 13:00 with 3 male Yellow Wagtails, all flew towards Twelve Yards Road at 13:05 and weren't relocated.
Yellow Wagtail- 6 in total. The 3 mentioned above, a pair in the horse paddock in between Olive Mount Farm and Red Chalis and a very approachable male in the field north of Red Chalis in between Astley Road and the pig paddock.
Merlin- female sat in F17 (obtained the world worst record shot of it using my bins and mobile phone!), then flew into trees along the western edge and stayed there.
Linnet- 16 in F17 (no doubt being eyed up by the Merlin) and 12 in the pig paddock north of Red Chalis
Whinchat- male on the wire fencing around F17
watched a massive rat chasing off the feeding birds (tree sparrows, yellowhammers and chaffinch) this afternoon!
Cheers
Phil
Alan
The bird was the right size,shape and colour of a male Cuckoo, it even held its wings drooped down beside its body which I have seen before in a Cuckoo, and even from the distance that I was looking at the bird ,it just seemed too white underneath which put some doubt in my mind.
Every time I go on the mosses without my scope I see something which I need a scope for
Good birding Alan
Possible Cuckoo sat on a fence post at the rear of the horse paddock near the rail track next to the Rindle road feeding area, correct size,shape and colour except for it had mainly all white underparts without any barring seen, I didnt take my scope this evening and it was just a little too far off to be seen positively.
Small numbers of Tree sparrows and Yellowhammers and 1 large Rat at the feeding area.
2 Herons + 1 Whimbrel over f69
Barn Owl hunting over Astley moss
LT Tits nest now with chicks
Pair of Canada geese on the scrapes
A quick view of another owl as it flew behind the new Barn conversions on Rindle road, it was too dark to see clearly
Plenty of Lapwings and Swallows about
It was also nice to meet fellow birders Melanie and friends on my walkabout tonight