ASTLEY, CHAT, LITTLE WOOLDEN AND ASSOCIATED MOSSES
Ian Woosey said
Sun Apr 20 11:09 AM, 2008
20/4/08 early am
f Wheatear and 2 Grey Partridge in the Feeding Station paddock. Buzzard over the SSSI, 3 Treecreepers in Rindle Wood.
Iain Johnson said
Sat Apr 19 9:00 PM, 2008
also, white wagtail in the field opposite the anglers pool at about 3.15pm
There was a steady passage of LBBG NE all afternoon
Didn't see the wheatears though
Andy Isherwood said
Sat Apr 19 8:22 PM, 2008
moss lane this afternoon still held at least 3 wheatear. 3 whimbrel also flew east over just before 2pm looking like they were headed to the peat pools. the large ploughed field at the west end between moss lane and bedford moss held at least 250 Lbb gulls and several hundred black heads.
Dave Thacker said
Tue Apr 15 9:29 PM, 2008
Astley Moss this evening
1 Wheatear in the horse paddock next to the feeding area, In Rindle woods 2 Blackcaps both males 3 Tree Sparrows 1 Goldcrest 1 Willow warbler 1 Treecreeper
On the scrapes 2 pair of Mallard 3 pair of Canada geese came to the scrapes while I was watching with 1 pair being chased off which I found later beside the Salford anglers pond next to Rindle road. 7 male Mallard flying over chasing a single female. 2 Willow warblers 1 Chiffchaff
Also a Barn Owl was hunting over the potato fields as I left.
brian fielding said
Sun Apr 13 7:45 PM, 2008
no sign of ring ouzel this morning but male yellow wagtail and 8 wheatears at the end of moss lane
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 12 11:08 PM, 2008
The Ring Ouzel was apparently reported later in the evening on Astley Moss LWT today, anyone's on here?
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 12 7:15 PM, 2008
Ring Ouzel at the end of Moss Lane at 1:55pm today with 60 or so Fieldfare, although it appeared to have moved on quite quickly. Also there, 2 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail and 5 Brambling.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 19:16, 2008-04-12
Andy Isherwood said
Sun Mar 30 7:43 PM, 2008
2 male Wheatear along moss lane this afternoon and a singing chiff also singing chiff along nook lane and 2 near the tyldesley sewage works off morleys lane Where there was also 3 brambling (1 a corking male) and 12+ linnet in with a mixed finch flock in the weedy field just north off the works. 31+ golden plover and another male wheatear in the large field north of the tip access road. Cheers Andy
Rindle woods Tree sparrows 12 some inspecting birdboxes Goldcrest 3 LT Tits 12 , I also found a beautifully made LT Tits nest and watched the birds put the finishing touches to it. GS Woodpeckers 2 both drumming, 1 at either end of the woods.
Due to some shooting further down the moss disturbing the birds I went to Moss lane and found the Wheatear in the Horse paddock. Also 5 Lapwings were chasing off a small hawk in the distance , a possible Merlin. A Beautiful mornings walk .
Rob Smallwood said
Mon Mar 24 9:24 AM, 2008
Cheers.
Dave Thacker said
Sun Mar 23 10:05 PM, 2008
Hi Rob If you go down Rindle road until you get to the metal gate on your right about 75m before the rail crossing.This small track beyond the gate is the feeding area where the seed is put down for the birds.If you walk down the track for 100m Rindle wood is on your right.
Rob Smallwood said
Sun Mar 23 11:02 AM, 2008
Had a scout around the Rindle Road area for about an hour yesterday evening in the hoppe of Barn Owl but no joy and finally beaten off by the hail.
Is Rindle Wood the Silver Birch covert on the right as you go out along Rindle Lane?
Dave Thacker said
Sat Mar 22 2:55 PM, 2008
Early am Rindle road feeding area 16 Tree sparrows 4 Yellowhammers 4 Redwing 1 Buzzard 1 Sparrowhawk I went for a quick look at the roosting Barn owl on Astley moss , its still there and still asleep, I just hope that its not stuffed
Ian Woosey said
Wed Mar 19 3:07 PM, 2008
19/3/08 (12.15-14.15)
4 Buzzards soaring together over Bedford Moss. Raven and Curlew over Astley Moss. 2 Treecreepers, single Goldcrest, and 3 Redwing in Rindle Wood. another Treecreeper and a Willow Tit at Bedford Moss. various Kestrels and Sparrowhawks mooching about. only small numbers of Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers at the feeding station.
Robert Adderley said
Mon Mar 17 9:38 PM, 2008
Mon 17/3/08 pm
male Merlin by Moss Lane early pm.
Dave Thacker said
Sun Mar 16 7:41 PM, 2008
This afternoon Rindle road feeding area Reedbunting 6 Yellowhammer 4 Great tit 3 Tree Sparrow 3 About a third of the hedge has been removed during the cleaning out of the drainage ditch along the side of the track.
Curlew 2 in f68, very vocal Pied wagtail 4 in f67 Ringed plover flying north Buzzard over f67 trying to hover like a Kestrel.
Astley moss At least 20 Redwing in the bushes along the track going towards the potato field Kestrels 2 Hares 2
A pair of Mallard and a Snipe in the scapes beside the woodchip path
Bedford moss only contained a Wildlife trust volunteer clearing the trees.
I found a Barn Owl asleep in a tree which I managed to photo and leave without waking it and then found another within 75m of the first Owl ,at the beginning of Rindle wood.
Along Moss lane were 40+ Lapwings and 2 Buzzards soaring high up Also a Little Owl was sat on the hopper at the rear of the wood moulding factory
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:52, 2008-03-16
Mike Baron said
Fri Mar 7 8:54 AM, 2008
Hi Dave
Unfortunately I didn't get a good look. As soon as I rolled up it nailed a small furry critter on the bank of the dyke and swiftly retreated into the wood with its dinner.
Will keep an eye out for the tail next time.
Cheers
Mike
Dave Thacker said
Thu Mar 6 9:28 PM, 2008
Hi Mike Did the Barn Owl have a couple of tail feathers missing as I am wondering if it is the same Owl that I saw last week hunting around Bedford Moss.
Mike Baron said
Thu Mar 6 9:03 PM, 2008
Barn Owl hunting by Rindle Wood this evening.
Mike Baron said
Tue Mar 4 1:24 PM, 2008
At least 14 Brambling with a mixed finch flock (approx 200) of mainly Linnet and Chaffinch at SJ718962 this lunchtime.
Flock is mobile and viewing conditions were difficult (directly into sun) so Brambling numbers could have been higher.
-- Edited by Mike Baron at 13:25, 2008-03-04
Rob Thorpe said
Sat Mar 1 5:32 PM, 2008
Astley Moss
11:00
at least 3 Brambling (2m 1f) with 200+ chaffinch and a few Yellowhammer and Reed Buntings at the end of Moss Lane.
about 20 Tree Sparrow at Rindle Road.
also, forgot to post last week (Sunday 24 Feb): 30 Golden Plover with 200+ Lapwing in field south of Moss Lane, near Allwood Farm.
mark3_alias said
Mon Feb 25 9:54 AM, 2008
Thanks, nice to see your a City fan too.
Alan Rowley said
Sun Feb 24 7:53 PM, 2008
1 Brambling at Millennium Green Astley (also 1 Woodcock) and 4 Brambling opposite Birchwood farm this morning. Also counted 200+ Chaffinches feeding in the fields either side of Rindle Road.
Paul Heaton said
Fri Feb 22 6:48 PM, 2008
25 bramblings reported on the pager at 11.30 this morning SJ 718.962
Ian Campbell said
Fri Feb 22 4:46 PM, 2008
Mark, If you go back on this thread to Sun Dec 30th you will find instructions. Cheers Ian
mark3_alias said
Fri Feb 22 3:29 PM, 2008
Hi
Been to Astley Moss before but never to Rindle Road or the feeding staion. Can anyone give me directions and tell me where the feeding station is. Thanks
Dave Thacker said
Sat Feb 16 3:14 PM, 2008
12.30-14.30 today Rindle road feeding area 20+ Tree sparrows 14 Yellowhammers 8 Blackbirds 4 Chaffinches Also 4 Bullfinches 3f,1m came to the seed while I was watching.
slightly fewer yellowhammer and only 2 tree sparrow at the feeding station with 2 reed bunting, greenfinch and chaffinch etc
plenty of stock dove on moss lane with a couple of kestrels knocking about.
had a stonechat by the fishing pond the other week plus sparrowhawk and grey partridge on moss lane
Mark Rigby said
Sat Feb 9 7:34 PM, 2008
Moss Lane 2-430pm
143+ Stock Dove south of lane then flushed by a Peregrine. Buzzard,kestrel and Little Owl.
Rindle Road
10 Tree Sparrow, 20 Yellowhammer and few Reed Bunting
Paul Cliff said
Wed Jan 30 5:46 PM, 2008
female stonechat by where the barn owl was hunting before xmas off whitehead road.
usual yellowhammers, plus reed buntings, blackbird and a pheasant at the rindle road feeding station
2 sparrowhawks over the A580 turn to higher green
Judith Smith said
Sat Jan 26 8:49 PM, 2008
The have planning permission at Rindle to build 6 houses where the barns are. I am liaising with GMEU and the owner (who is an aviculturalist) to safeguard protected species there. Everything should be OK and perhaps better in the end as there will be security in place to stop intrusions, but they may be some temporary disruption, just bear with it. It's been on the cards for several years.
Dave Thacker said
Sat Jan 26 8:43 PM, 2008
Hi Alan A large area has been cleared in front of the farm, the hedges and brambles to the edge of the field are now all gone.A large steel hopper storage tank has been placed at the rear of the farm with lots of steel fence sections on the ground waiting to be put up. Looks like building work is going to start. Lots of shooters/beaters about on Astley moss, while on the other side of Rindle road in the field at the corner of Nook lane 13 Male Pheasant showing their feathers off to a couple of females. Clifton will probably be better than the mosses tomorrow as there is likely to be more shooting going on and everything will be keeping their heads down.
Hedge sparrow, Dunnock or in some cases when I`m wearing my varifocals a LBB .Looks like I am showing my age.
Alan Rowley said
Sat Jan 26 6:07 PM, 2008
Have the developers moved in Dave, or is it somebody's idea of maintenance? I was going to do the late Winter atlas survey down there tomorrow but if the shooters are at it, I may have to do the Clifton and/or Blackleach CP tetrads. From the postings on here it sounds like duck numbers are getting interesting at Clifton so that may be favourite.
By the way, your're showing your age..."Hedge Sparrow"....not heard em called that for a long time.
Dave Thacker said
Sat Jan 26 2:35 PM, 2008
Due to there being more shooters than birds today on Astley moss I only spent 45 minutes in the area. Rindle road feeding area Tree sparrows 6 Yellowhammers 4 Blackbirds 9 Chaffinch 3 Buzzards 3, all perched in the same tree next to the railtrack beside the horse paddock.
Its a shame that the large hedge with the bird table in front of the farm door has been cut down. I`m sure that the hedge sparrows nested in it over the last couple of years and it was always a good spot to get close with the many finches that visited the table.
Dave Thacker said
Sat Jan 12 10:01 PM, 2008
12.30-15.30pm
Along Moss lane, 150 + Mixed finches in the stubble Sparrowhawk [f] sat in tree watching the finches
Rindle road feeding area pretty quiet just Tree sparrow 4 Yellowhammers 5
Rindle wood Large flock of at least 30 LT Tits GS Woodpeckers 3 Treecreeper 1
Astley moss Buzzard over
Bedford moss Redwing 20 over
As I walked back to Rindle wood beside the horse paddock a large mixed flock of Redwings,LT Tits, Yellowhammers and Tree sparrows , 50+ birds, all flew into the large tree at the edge of the woods. I also had a nice chat with a Wildlife trust volunteer who was clearing the paths and who told me that the main work ongoing at the moment is to flood Bedford moss in the near future. I might have to invest in some wellies.
Paul Cliff said
Sat Jan 12 1:50 PM, 2008
did the feed station this morning. decided to leave the moss after reading of the farm dogs until a day when i can go with someone who is familiar with the area.
redwing - lots 2 pied wagtails GSW goldfinchs tree sparrows blackbirds robins m & f sparrowhawk yellowhammers - yah! lots. woodpigeon pheasant collared dove kestrel mistle thrush
Paul Cliff said
Fri Jan 11 5:55 PM, 2008
i'd like to spend tomorrow morning there... anyone planning on going who is familiar with the area and doesn't mind me tagging along i'd appreciate it, drop me a line. looks huge on the map!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 11 4:54 PM, 2008
Best bit was that it was so intricately marked on the breast with the full barring and the lot, a few white feathers on the scapulars, grey upperparts and a more warmish brown head. Unfortunately it was facing away so I didn't get anything of it's face...it doesn't look like I was taking notes now does it
Craig Higson said
Fri Jan 11 4:08 PM, 2008
Ah ha (as Alan Partridge would say ) Welcome to the Plastic Owl stalking/spotting club . Can we have our own page on the website please. My personal total of plastic owls twitched/stalked/spotted is three so you've got some catching up to do.
Nice to know that even superhuman birders can slip up every now and then
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 11 4:02 PM, 2008
36 Tree Sparrow and 50 or so Yellowhammers at the Rindle Road feeding station today and in the ploughed field behind Rindle Wood (Yellowhammers).
On Chat Moss 6 Lesser Redpolls gave nice views feeding in trackside weeds, oh how I wished I'd bother to charge any of the 3 camera batteries I had with me at the time
Best of all, as I made my way west along a track off Astley Road to view the fields beyond I spied a large bird on a low post a long way off, an owl and a flippin' big one too, complete with Magpies 'having a go'. Scope up, increase magnification! Hmm, a big owl indeed, facing away, very well and intricately marked but not one I was familiar with Of course there was only one answer, especially after it hadn't bothered to move it's head to follow the Magpies...PLASTIC In the middle of absolute nowhere, now who'd expect that!
Mark Rigby said
Wed Jan 9 5:53 PM, 2008
Moss Lane 1400
71 Stock Dove 12 Starling large mixed flock of Skylark and Chaffinch 6+ Grey Partridge
Merlin flying along the fields south of Moss Lane briefly at 1540Then lost to view to the North.
Rindle Road Feeding Station
Usual suspects as previous post and Barn Owl late pm.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jan 9 3:56 PM, 2008
Wednesday 9th January, 1:30-3pm
Pretty quiet out there on Bedford Moss but 20 or Yellowhammers and several Tree Sparrows as usual at the feeding station with a small group of Redwing, plus still a nice flock of Chaffinch on the corner of Rindle Road and Nook Lane and 20 or so Stock Doves off Moss Lane but...
2 Kinfishers were along the ditch further up the track past the feeding station, true Chat Moss mega's (although there have been previous sightings). I first flushed one with Pete Berry which whizzed down towards the feeding station then must have doubled back on us over the field as we were obscured by the bushes, I quickly 'phoned Ian Woosey who was still pottering around Bedford Moss to let him know to keep an eye open on his way back up, then a little later on he informed me that 2 of them had whizzed past him along the track (!) within 20ft, heading back towards Bedford Moss. Great stuff
Alan Warford said
Tue Jan 8 6:11 PM, 2008
Cheers for the tip off Paul, caught up with Merlin, (my bogey bird in GM) on Moss Lane at 4pm. It was sat on fence post by farm near bend. Nice to meet Pete Turner there also.
Paul Heaton said
Tue Jan 8 5:40 PM, 2008
caught up with tree sparrow today at rindle road. 38 fieldfare 24 redwings lots of starling chaffinch plus skylark and merlin on moss lane but no points believe Mr warford senior twitched it to improve his county list, well done that man. buzzard and kestrel as well, where were they all on NYD
No sign of barn owl behind colliery but lots of gulls on landfill site.
Alan Rowley said
Tue Jan 8 10:18 AM, 2008
A far cry from the 70's when I used to count 20+ Corn Buntings in the breeding season on Nook Lane alone. My records in the last 7 years on the Astley side are equally scant.
December 2004 - 4 January 2005 - 3 20th March 2005 - 1 male singing top end of Little Moss Lane 2006 and 2007 none
My peak count (on record anyway) was 103 on the 29th December 1983.
-- Edited by Alan Rowley at 10:30, 2008-01-08
Dave Thacker said
Mon Jan 7 8:50 PM, 2008
Ian is quite correct in that Corn buntings are a rare sight on the Astley side of the rail track. I have only had 2 sightings in the last couple of months , 11 buntings in the trees beside the potato field which then flew off over the railtrack on the 22/12/07 and a single bird in a mixed flock of finches and Reedbuntings at the feeding area earlier in December which also flew over the rail tracks. Chat and Irlam mosses are the best places to see them especially along 12 Yards road.
Tim Wilcox said
Mon Jan 7 4:18 PM, 2008
Thanks for directions to Rindle Road feeding station Alan we got our Tree Sparrows there and later a covey of 10 Grey Partridge in stubble off Moss Lane and the Merlin finished off the day by appearing near the farm north of the road feeding on something on the newly ploughed field and then flying up to show well on a telegraph post. Tony wasn't persuadable to hang around for long enough to get a Barn Owl and a tramp round Bedford Moss failed to put up a Woodcock but all in all a good pm finish after my first full visit to Wigan Flashes.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jan 6 7:27 PM, 2008
No Corn Buntings at the feeding station Alan, I think it's not their scene and they're pretty uncommon (nay, rare?) on the northern side of the railway anyway (Astley Moss side). I had a dozen birds on telephone wires in the middle of the fields along Moss Lane late last year (2007) and was extremely surprised to see them as they were my first around this side for some time!
Alan Rowley said
Sun Jan 6 5:41 PM, 2008
6/1/08 1:30PM 4PM 1 Merlin showed at 3PM in fields to south of L Moss Lane, along with: 3 Grey Partridge. 80+ Skylark by Alwood farm 1 Buzzard. 1 Kestrel. 60 Starling. 70 Lapwing 2 Linnet 16 Fielfare et al
Rindle Road 1 Stonechat 12 Mistle Thrush 1 Redwing et al
Feeding station 1:50PM - 2PM Yellowhammer 15 Jay 2 Chaffinch 1 Blackbird 2 Great Tit 2 Reed Bunting 1 Collared Dove 2 Tree Sparrow 4 Goldfinch 1 Blue Tit 2 KINGFISHER 1 (along ditch)
Has anybody seen Corn Buntings at the feeding station?
Simon Warford said
Sun Jan 6 2:44 PM, 2008
6/1/2008 - Me and my Dad. Morning walk from Little Woolden Hall to 12 Yards Rd area, had the following -
f Wheatear and 2 Grey Partridge in the Feeding Station paddock.
Buzzard over the SSSI,
3 Treecreepers in Rindle Wood.
There was a steady passage of LBBG NE all afternoon
Didn't see the wheatears though
1 Wheatear in the horse paddock next to the feeding area,
In Rindle woods
2 Blackcaps both males
3 Tree Sparrows
1 Goldcrest
1 Willow warbler
1 Treecreeper
On the scrapes
2 pair of Mallard
3 pair of Canada geese came to the scrapes while I was watching with 1 pair being chased off which I found later beside the Salford anglers pond next to Rindle road.
7 male Mallard flying over chasing a single female.
2 Willow warblers
1 Chiffchaff
Also a Barn Owl was hunting over the potato fields as I left.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 19:16, 2008-04-12
also singing chiff along nook lane and 2 near the tyldesley sewage works off morleys lane Where there was also 3 brambling (1 a corking male) and 12+ linnet in with a mixed finch flock in the weedy field just north off the works.
31+ golden plover and another male wheatear in the large field north of the tip access road.
Cheers
Andy
Astley moss
Buzzards 3
Kestrels 2
Sparrowhawks 2
Singing Skylarks 2
Mpipits 10
Reedbuntings 5
Pied wagtails 5
Redwing 20+
Yellowhammers 6
Curlews heard
Rindle woods
Tree sparrows 12 some inspecting birdboxes
Goldcrest 3
LT Tits 12 , I also found a beautifully made LT Tits nest and watched the birds put the finishing touches to it.
GS Woodpeckers 2 both drumming, 1 at either end of the woods.
Due to some shooting further down the moss disturbing the birds I went to Moss lane and found the Wheatear in the Horse paddock. Also 5 Lapwings were chasing off a small hawk in the distance , a possible Merlin.
A Beautiful mornings walk .
If you go down Rindle road until you get to the metal gate on your right about 75m before the rail crossing.This small track beyond the gate is the feeding area where the seed is put down for the birds.If you walk down the track for 100m Rindle wood is on your right.
Is Rindle Wood the Silver Birch covert on the right as you go out along Rindle Lane?
Rindle road feeding area
16 Tree sparrows
4 Yellowhammers
4 Redwing
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
I went for a quick look at the roosting Barn owl on Astley moss , its still there and still asleep, I just hope that its not stuffed
4 Buzzards soaring together over Bedford Moss.
Raven and Curlew over Astley Moss.
2 Treecreepers, single Goldcrest, and 3 Redwing in Rindle Wood.
another Treecreeper and a Willow Tit at Bedford Moss.
various Kestrels and Sparrowhawks mooching about.
only small numbers of Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers at the feeding station.
male Merlin by Moss Lane early pm.
Rindle road feeding area
Reedbunting 6
Yellowhammer 4
Great tit 3
Tree Sparrow 3
About a third of the hedge has been removed during the cleaning out of the drainage ditch along the side of the track.
Curlew 2 in f68, very vocal
Pied wagtail 4 in f67
Ringed plover flying north
Buzzard over f67 trying to hover like a Kestrel.
Astley moss
At least 20 Redwing in the bushes along the track going towards the potato field
Kestrels 2
Hares 2
A pair of Mallard and a Snipe in the scapes beside the woodchip path
Bedford moss only contained a Wildlife trust volunteer clearing the trees.
I found a Barn Owl asleep in a tree which I managed to photo and leave without waking it and then found another within 75m of the first Owl ,at the beginning of Rindle wood.
Rindle wood
GS Woodpecker 2
Treecreeper 3
LT Tit 4 , one carrying nesting material
Goldcrest 1
Coal tit 1
Redwing 60+
Along Moss lane were 40+ Lapwings and 2 Buzzards soaring high up
Also a Little Owl was sat on the hopper at the rear of the wood moulding factory
-- Edited by Dave Thacker at 21:52, 2008-03-16
Unfortunately I didn't get a good look. As soon as I rolled up it nailed a small furry critter on the bank of the dyke and swiftly retreated into the wood with its dinner.
Will keep an eye out for the tail next time.
Cheers
Mike
Did the Barn Owl have a couple of tail feathers missing as I am wondering if it is the same Owl that I saw last week hunting around Bedford Moss.
Flock is mobile and viewing conditions were difficult (directly into sun) so Brambling numbers could have been higher.
-- Edited by Mike Baron at 13:25, 2008-03-04
11:00
at least 3 Brambling (2m 1f) with 200+ chaffinch and a few Yellowhammer and Reed Buntings at the end of Moss Lane.
about 20 Tree Sparrow at Rindle Road.
also, forgot to post last week (Sunday 24 Feb): 30 Golden Plover with 200+ Lapwing in field south of Moss Lane, near Allwood Farm.
Cheers Ian
Been to Astley Moss before but never to Rindle Road or the feeding staion. Can anyone give me directions and tell me where the feeding station is. Thanks
Rindle road feeding area
20+ Tree sparrows
14 Yellowhammers
8 Blackbirds
4 Chaffinches
Also 4 Bullfinches 3f,1m came to the seed while I was watching.
Bedford moss
2 Buzzards
2 Kestrels
Rindle wood
1 GS Woodpecker
6 Jays
24 Redwings
1 Willow tit
plenty of stock dove on moss lane with a couple of kestrels knocking about.
had a stonechat by the fishing pond the other week plus sparrowhawk and grey partridge on moss lane
143+ Stock Dove south of lane then flushed by a Peregrine.
Buzzard,kestrel and Little Owl.
Rindle Road
10 Tree Sparrow, 20 Yellowhammer and few Reed Bunting
usual yellowhammers, plus reed buntings, blackbird and a pheasant at the rindle road feeding station
2 sparrowhawks over the A580 turn to higher green
A large area has been cleared in front of the farm, the hedges and brambles to the edge of the field are now all gone.A large steel hopper storage tank has been placed at the rear of the farm with lots of steel fence sections on the ground waiting to be put up. Looks like building work is going to start.
Lots of shooters/beaters about on Astley moss, while on the other side of Rindle road in the field at the corner of Nook lane 13 Male Pheasant showing their feathers off to a couple of females.
Clifton will probably be better than the mosses tomorrow as there is likely to be more shooting going on and everything will be keeping their heads down.
Hedge sparrow, Dunnock or in some cases when I`m wearing my varifocals a LBB .Looks like I am showing my age.
By the way, your're showing your age..."Hedge Sparrow"....not heard em called that for a long time.
Rindle road feeding area
Tree sparrows 6
Yellowhammers 4
Blackbirds 9
Chaffinch 3
Buzzards 3, all perched in the same tree next to the railtrack beside the horse paddock.
Its a shame that the large hedge with the bird table in front of the farm door has been cut down. I`m sure that the hedge sparrows nested in it over the last couple of years and it was always a good spot to get close with the many finches that visited the table.
Along Moss lane,
150 + Mixed finches in the stubble
Sparrowhawk [f] sat in tree watching the finches
Rindle road feeding area pretty quiet just
Tree sparrow 4
Yellowhammers 5
Rindle wood
Large flock of at least 30 LT Tits
GS Woodpeckers 3
Treecreeper 1
Astley moss
Buzzard over
Bedford moss
Redwing 20 over
As I walked back to Rindle wood beside the horse paddock a large mixed flock of Redwings,LT Tits, Yellowhammers and Tree sparrows , 50+ birds, all flew into the large tree at the edge of the woods.
I also had a nice chat with a Wildlife trust volunteer who was clearing the paths and who told me that the main work ongoing at the moment is to flood Bedford moss in the near future.
I might have to invest in some wellies.
redwing - lots
2 pied wagtails
GSW
goldfinchs
tree sparrows
blackbirds
robins
m & f sparrowhawk
yellowhammers - yah! lots.
woodpigeon
pheasant
collared dove
kestrel
mistle thrush
Nice to know that even superhuman birders can slip up every now and then
On Chat Moss 6 Lesser Redpolls gave nice views feeding in trackside weeds, oh how I wished I'd bother to charge any of the 3 camera batteries I had with me at the time
Best of all, as I made my way west along a track off Astley Road to view the fields beyond I spied a large bird on a low post a long way off, an owl and a flippin' big one too, complete with Magpies 'having a go'. Scope up, increase magnification! Hmm, a big owl indeed, facing away, very well and intricately marked but not one I was familiar with Of course there was only one answer, especially after it hadn't bothered to move it's head to follow the Magpies...PLASTIC In the middle of absolute nowhere, now who'd expect that!
71 Stock Dove
12 Starling
large mixed flock of Skylark and Chaffinch
6+ Grey Partridge
Merlin flying along the fields south of Moss Lane briefly at 1540Then lost to view to the North.
Rindle Road Feeding Station
Usual suspects as previous post and Barn Owl late pm.
Pretty quiet out there on Bedford Moss but 20 or Yellowhammers and several Tree Sparrows as usual at the feeding station with a small group of Redwing, plus still a nice flock of Chaffinch on the corner of Rindle Road and Nook Lane and 20 or so Stock Doves off Moss Lane but...
2 Kinfishers were along the ditch further up the track past the feeding station, true Chat Moss mega's (although there have been previous sightings). I first flushed one with Pete Berry which whizzed down towards the feeding station then must have doubled back on us over the field as we were obscured by the bushes, I quickly 'phoned Ian Woosey who was still pottering around Bedford Moss to let him know to keep an eye open on his way back up, then a little later on he informed me that 2 of them had whizzed past him along the track (!) within 20ft, heading back towards Bedford Moss. Great stuff
It was sat on fence post by farm near bend. Nice to meet Pete Turner there also.
38 fieldfare
24 redwings
lots of starling
chaffinch
plus skylark
and merlin on moss lane but no points believe Mr warford senior twitched it to improve his county list, well done that man.
buzzard and kestrel as well, where were they all on NYD
No sign of barn owl behind colliery but lots of gulls on landfill site.
December 2004 - 4
January 2005 - 3
20th March 2005 - 1 male singing top end of Little Moss Lane
2006 and 2007 none
My peak count (on record anyway) was 103 on the 29th December 1983.
-- Edited by Alan Rowley at 10:30, 2008-01-08
Chat and Irlam mosses are the best places to see them especially along 12 Yards road.
1 Merlin showed at 3PM in fields to south of L Moss Lane, along with:
3 Grey Partridge.
80+ Skylark by Alwood farm
1 Buzzard.
1 Kestrel.
60 Starling.
70 Lapwing
2 Linnet
16 Fielfare
et al
Rindle Road
1 Stonechat
12 Mistle Thrush
1 Redwing
et al
Feeding station 1:50PM - 2PM
Yellowhammer 15
Jay 2
Chaffinch 1
Blackbird 2
Great Tit 2
Reed Bunting 1
Collared Dove 2
Tree Sparrow 4
Goldfinch 1
Blue Tit 2
KINGFISHER 1 (along ditch)
Has anybody seen Corn Buntings at the feeding station?
Skylark 60+
Yellowhammer 30+
Chaffinch 30+
Brambling 3
Corn Bunting 20+
Grey Partridge 9
Peregrine - female sat on Peat area.
Buzzard 4+
Teal 80+
Fieldfare 100+
Willow Tit 1
Redpoll 2
Linnet 7/8
Tree Sparrow - rindle rd.
Moss Lane - 30+ Skylarks, no Merlin.
-- Edited by warfy at 14:53, 2008-01-06