No sign or sound of Lesser Whitethroat this morning 06.30 - 0800, plenty of C Crows, a Swallow, Chaffinches and Chiffchaff. I suspect that our visitors didn't think too much to the cool grey morning.
Also found half a dead lamb and prevented the likely culprit from having another that had become separated from its mother - a dog fox. Henry was right about the wellies!!
Rob Smallwood said
Tue Apr 29 12:05 PM, 2008
Great news - I looked out this morning and very nearly called in on way to work - glad I didn't now I know its wet!
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 29 8:55 AM, 2008
A year on, and 4 Lesser Whitethroats were singing in a rare sunny morning. Take wellies cos it ain't 'alf muddy! 3 singing males dotted around in the fields north of Shay Lane and one female. 2 in areas seen last year so directions mentioned below somewhere. They all seem to favour Blackthorn patches of hedgerow where the understory of hedge hasn't been eaten away. Mornings are best, I rarely hear them in the evenings for some reason. Also around included 4 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 24 Carrion Crows, 1 Moorhen, and 2 Mallard. Thanks. Henry.
Mark Evans said
Wed Apr 25 11:16 PM, 2007
lesser whitethroat taking what looked like nesting material into a large bramble patch near the dried-up pond past the end of butteryhouse lane
Henry Cook said
Sun Apr 22 4:56 PM, 2007
Well, where I had the redstarts was taking the right hand turn over the style just before the style and gate. Go through this field, over the bridge+style at the bottom of a small valley and the redstarts were in the hedgerow surrounding this field. Hope this helps.
Henerz
Phil Owen said
Sun Apr 22 4:36 PM, 2007
I parked up at the end of Buttery House Lane with the one house on the lane lane to the left of me, then went straight ahead to the styal with the public footpath signs.
Where from here????
Cheers
Phil
Henry Cook said
Sun Apr 22 3:30 PM, 2007
Hi Phil, the best area for Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat i've found is from going along Buttery House Lane off the east end of Shay Lane opposite Davenport Hall, and then turning right at a signposted public footpath beyond the bungalow along this lane. Cross this field, with possible Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Tit in the hedgerows+woodland and over a small 'bridge+style combo thing' into another field. The border of this field with its mature hedgerows have been the best spots for Redstart (2 so far) and Lesser Whitethroats (3 singing from the one field). Please post your sightings from the area as i'd be very interested while i'm away at uni.
Cheers Henerz
Phil Owen said
Sun Apr 22 3:09 PM, 2007
Quick walk round this afternoon at 1pm.
1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Swallow.
Caught a glimpse of a possible Red Legged Partridge.
Certainly a very good site for Warblers and will post any further information as and when.
Where have the Redstarts been seen????
Phil
Phil Owen said
Sun Apr 22 11:46 AM, 2007
Whereabouts is this area from Whitecarr Lane????
How far down Shay Lane for the Lesser Whitethroats???
Henry Cook said
Fri Apr 20 9:33 AM, 2007
20/04/2007 - No further sign of the Ring Ouzel on Shay Lane in Horse Paddock, can't believe I dipped the only rarity the area has ever had, lol 4Lesser Whitethroats (Singing) still north of Shay Lane in Blackthorn+Bramble thickets. Also 1 Skylark (patch tick), 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 (male) Reed Buntings, Moorhen, Mallard +Bullfinch family (with nestlings already!)etc.
-- Edited by henerz1 at 09:43, 2007-04-20
Judith Smith said
Thu Apr 19 11:04 PM, 2007
Crankwood, near the Abram Flashes - just to the east - can certainly manage 3 singing birds but haven't had time to check it out yet.
Rob Smallwood said
Thu Apr 19 12:50 PM, 2007
I'd be interested to know if there is a better site than this for Lesser Whitethroat in the county - 4 singing males within a very small area - outstanding!
Henry Cook said
Thu Apr 19 9:26 AM, 2007
Thanks Judith for the info. I will ring soon. The farmer only keeps sheep and I believe they were shooting game so it needs to be sorted.
No shooting this morning and lots of birds on show. Its strange when Lesser whitethroats outnumber the commoner Whitethroats which has been the case all week! Nice therefore to see my first Whitethroat of the year with 4+ Lesser Whitethroats competing for the airwaves. Best of the rest was a pair of Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Stock Doves, Grey Heron, 2 Mallard, 2 Moorhen and a Kestrel.
Henerz
P.s. Just found a report of a Ring Ouzel along Shay Lane last night. Just been for a long search but there was no sign...
-- Edited by henerz1 at 12:49, 2007-04-19
Judith Smith said
Wed Apr 18 10:23 PM, 2007
It's the close season now until mid August (for Pheasants and Partridge) and September for everything else. The only birds that can be shot are corvids and Woodpigeons, and I think there has to be a reason for that (eg crop damage) Contact your local Police Wildlife Liaison Officer PC Glyn Walsh (Trafford WLO) on 0161 856 0250 who is good and should be able to advise you - try to have the details of the farm or land where the shooting was taking place.
Rob Smallwood said
Wed Apr 18 5:44 PM, 2007
Shooting laws depend on the land as well as time of year.
I think that Judith Smith might be able to give you some guidance.
Much of that area is public footpath so I'd have thought that there were some restrictions just based on safety.
Henry Cook said
Wed Apr 18 5:36 PM, 2007
Ah yeah, think it was me. Guess what... I was photographing another lesser! Nearly ran back to tell you two but glad you'd seen so many anyway. Did you make the max total 4 then?
Female Redstart still around but shooting was going on and the bird was flighty so didn't get great views. Hopefully see you around soon. Henerz
p.s. are they allowed to shoot pheasants + partridges at this time of year??? Very annoying as even the bird which aren't shot all vanish till the next day
Rob Smallwood said
Wed Apr 18 4:36 PM, 2007
Finally caught up with the Lesser's this afternoon - 1 pair beyond pond, and two other singing males - even managed acouple of record shots - great to have these little beautys so close to home - so cheers Henerz!
Also the Redstart still around but very flighty, again beyond the pond, and 3 Buzzard, 2 Red-legs and 3 Swallow amongst the commoner birds.
Suspect I'll be back soon so hopefully might bump in to you one morning - in fact I hope that wasn't you arriving as we left this evening if so apologies for not letting on - we were late and you looked like you were trying to photograph something?!
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 16:40, 2007-04-18
Henry Cook said
Wed Apr 18 12:35 PM, 2007
18/04/2007 - 10.00am - North of Shay Lane, off Buttery House Lane.
1 Redstart (Female - on the right hand track, in the right hand hedgerow by the small bridge+style.)
2 Lesser Whitethroats (in similar areas as previous days) 1 Raven (flew over) 2 Red-legged Partridge 2 Reed Bunting (m+f) 2 Stock Dove 1 Swallow 1 Willow Warbler 2 Chiffchaff 1 Blackcap (m) 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Nuthatch 1 Goldfinch 1 Bullfinch (m) 2 Mistle Thrush 3 Song Thrush 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard
Possibly heard the Willow Tit in similar area to the Redstart but couldnt find it this morning.
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 17 9:02 PM, 2007
After crossing the 'bridge+style combo thing' carry on walking along the left hand side hedge row to a small lake with oak trees behind. Left of the oak trees is an open gate - 1 of the lesser whitethroats was in the hedge here this morning. The other was by the right hand turn towards that 'bridge+style combo thing'! They like the blackthorn which is in flower atm (i think it's blackthorn anyway).
Hope this helps. I will try and get a map drawn of the area soon. Henerz
-- Edited by henerz1 at 21:20, 2007-04-17
Rob Smallwood said
Tue Apr 17 6:23 PM, 2007
No problem - but still unsure of location of Lesser White's - can you confirm - will try and get there again tomorrow.
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 17 4:46 PM, 2007
Definate Willow Tit calling this afternoon (17/04/2007) turning right at the end of butterhouse lane and turning right straight after the bridge+style combo thing! Cheers Rob for the tip off.
Also a Comorant flew over (from the rostherne direction towards the mersey) and a Swallow but no sign of the Redstart.
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 17 3:35 PM, 2007
Yeah Rob thats about exactly where one of the lesser whitethroats was singing from. The other was just by the right hand turn from butterhouse lane but flighty. Cheers about the info on the willow tit I will go out for another search soon. Not seen one of those in the area before! Any info on where the probable willow tit was? Henerz
-- Edited by henerz1 at 15:38, 2007-04-17
Rob Smallwood said
Tue Apr 17 2:26 PM, 2007
A later walk (about 9:00) revealed the Redstart still present in the far corner of the field over the footbridge and stile taking the first right hand public footpath from Buttery House Lane.
Couldn't trackdown anyLesser Whitethroat though, althoughI didn't have long to search.
Was I in the right rough area for te Lessers? I tried this path nearly to the end, and the followed the lane tojust beyond where the public footpathsplits into three.
Also seen, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and a probable Willow Tit.
What a lovely spot too - much more scenic than the Moss!
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 17 9:34 AM, 2007
17/04/2007 - Early morning walk produced some great birds for the area. A Tawny Owl flushed from its roost along Shay Lane, whilst in the fields north of Shay Lane were 2 Lesser Whitehthroats (both showed well and were singing), 1 Stock Dove, 1 (male) Reed Bunting, 3 Linnet, 1 Lapwing (which attempted to nest last year), and highlight was a female Northern Wheatear in a field leading to Timperly Brook.
3 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaff were singing away but no sign of Blackcaps/Garden Warblers around here so far.
Just ouzels to find now! Henerz
Henry Cook said
Mon Apr 16 5:39 PM, 2007
Another walk this afternoon (16/04/2007) was brilliant with a male Redstart showing in the fields off Shay Lane again. It was flighty but eventually put on a decent show in hedgerows at SJ801868.
The Lesser Whitethroat was still around and gave better views in the sun whilst singing. Other birds included 3 Stock Dove, 4 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Goldfinch.
-- Edited by henerz1 at 17:44, 2007-04-16
Henry Cook said
Mon Apr 16 1:15 PM, 2007
A very pleasant walk around the fields just north of Shay Lane, easily accessed off Butterhouse Lane on sunday afternoon produced a Lesser Whitehthroat in full song in the hedgrerows with 4 swallows overhead and 2 Chiffchaffs in song. There were also some winter birds around still, with good number of Fieldfare (25+) feeding in the field margins with 4 Mistle Thrush, 8 Starling and 1 Song Thrush. A Stock Dove flew by and there were Buzzards and Kestrels Hunting. A quick check of one of the boggy ponds with bullrushes flushed up a Common Snipe, 8 Mallard, Grey Heron, Linnet, Goldfinch and a male Reed Bunting. The area isnt probably as productive as Carrington only a few miles away but gets some decent stuff none the less. Bring on the Wheatears and Ouzels!
Also found half a dead lamb and prevented the likely culprit from having another that had become separated from its mother - a dog fox. Henry was right about the wellies!!
Also around included 4 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 24 Carrion Crows, 1 Moorhen, and 2 Mallard.
Thanks. Henry.
Henerz
I parked up at the end of Buttery House Lane with the one house on the lane
lane to the left of me, then went straight ahead to the styal with the public
footpath signs.
Where from here????
Cheers
Phil
Please post your sightings from the area as i'd be very interested while i'm away at uni.
Cheers
Henerz
Quick walk round this afternoon at 1pm.
1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Swallow.
Caught a glimpse of a possible Red Legged Partridge.
Certainly a very good site for Warblers and will post any further information
as and when.
Where have the Redstarts been seen????
Phil
Whereabouts is this area from Whitecarr Lane????
How far down Shay Lane for the Lesser Whitethroats???
4 Lesser Whitethroats (Singing) still north of Shay Lane in Blackthorn+Bramble thickets. Also 1 Skylark (patch tick), 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 (male) Reed Buntings, Moorhen, Mallard + Bullfinch family (with nestlings already!) etc.
-- Edited by henerz1 at 09:43, 2007-04-20
No shooting this morning and lots of birds on show. Its strange when Lesser whitethroats outnumber the commoner Whitethroats which has been the case all week! Nice therefore to see my first Whitethroat of the year with 4+ Lesser Whitethroats competing for the airwaves. Best of the rest was a pair of Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Stock Doves, Grey Heron, 2 Mallard, 2 Moorhen and a Kestrel.
Henerz
P.s. Just found a report of a Ring Ouzel along Shay Lane last night. Just been for a long search but there was no sign...
-- Edited by henerz1 at 12:49, 2007-04-19
I think that Judith Smith might be able to give you some guidance.
Much of that area is public footpath so I'd have thought that there were some restrictions just based on safety.
Female Redstart still around but shooting was going on and the bird was flighty so didn't get great views. Hopefully see you around soon.
Henerz
p.s. are they allowed to shoot pheasants + partridges at this time of year??? Very annoying as even the bird which aren't shot all vanish till the next day
Also the Redstart still around but very flighty, again beyond the pond, and 3 Buzzard, 2 Red-legs and 3 Swallow amongst the commoner birds.
Suspect I'll be back soon so hopefully might bump in to you one morning - in fact I hope that wasn't you arriving as we left this evening if so apologies for not letting on - we were late and you looked like you were trying to photograph something?!
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 16:40, 2007-04-18
1 Redstart (Female - on the right hand track, in the right hand hedgerow by the small bridge+style.)
2 Lesser Whitethroats (in similar areas as previous days)
1 Raven (flew over)
2 Red-legged Partridge
2 Reed Bunting (m+f)
2 Stock Dove
1 Swallow
1 Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaff
1 Blackcap (m)
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Nuthatch
1 Goldfinch
1 Bullfinch (m)
2 Mistle Thrush
3 Song Thrush
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
Possibly heard the Willow Tit in similar area to the Redstart but couldnt find it this morning.
After crossing the 'bridge+style combo thing' carry on walking along the left hand side hedge row to a small lake with oak trees behind. Left of the oak trees is an open gate - 1 of the lesser whitethroats was in the hedge here this morning. The other was by the right hand turn towards that 'bridge+style combo thing'! They like the blackthorn which is in flower atm (i think it's blackthorn anyway).
Hope this helps. I will try and get a map drawn of the area soon.
Henerz
-- Edited by henerz1 at 21:20, 2007-04-17
Cheers Rob for the tip off.
Also a Comorant flew over (from the rostherne direction towards the mersey) and a Swallow but no sign of the Redstart.
Cheers about the info on the willow tit I will go out for another search soon. Not seen one of those in the area before!
Any info on where the probable willow tit was?
Henerz
-- Edited by henerz1 at 15:38, 2007-04-17
A later walk (about 9:00) revealed the Redstart still present in the far corner of the field over the footbridge and stile taking the first right hand public footpath from Buttery House Lane.
Couldn't trackdown anyLesser Whitethroat though, althoughI didn't have long to search.
Was I in the right rough area for te Lessers? I tried this path nearly to the end, and the followed the lane tojust beyond where the public footpathsplits into three.
Also seen, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and a probable Willow Tit.
What a lovely spot too - much more scenic than the Moss!
3 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaff were singing away but no sign of Blackcaps/Garden Warblers around here so far.
Just ouzels to find now!
Henerz
The Lesser Whitethroat was still around and gave better views in the sun whilst singing. Other birds included 3 Stock Dove, 4 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Goldfinch.
-- Edited by henerz1 at 17:44, 2007-04-16
There were also some winter birds around still, with good number of Fieldfare (25+) feeding in the field margins with 4 Mistle Thrush, 8 Starling and 1 Song Thrush. A Stock Dove flew by and there were Buzzards and Kestrels Hunting. A quick check of one of the boggy ponds with bullrushes flushed up a Common Snipe, 8 Mallard, Grey Heron, Linnet, Goldfinch and a male Reed Bunting.
The area isnt probably as productive as Carrington only a few miles away but gets some decent stuff none the less.
Bring on the Wheatears and Ouzels!
Henerz
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 15:12, 2008-04-29