Dove Stone RSPB (including Binn Green and environs)
John Doherty said
Mon Jan 23 2:49 PM, 2012
My first visit here:Cold and wet and windy in parts. It was like the weather couldn't make its mind up!
Had a pair of Red Grouse feeding in a field near Bank Lane, several Woodpigeon in there too. 3 Jay on way in
Nothing of note on Dove Stone, didn't fancy Yeoman Hay or Greenfield res due to conditions - Ashway Gap was quiet save for a few foraging Blackbirds. Nearer to boat yard were usual Mallards and Blackheaded Gulls.
9 Canada Geese feeding in field, Binn Green
The feeders produced: Lots of Blue, Long Tailed Tit and Great Tit and Robins, fewer Greenfinch, Goldfinch and a couple of Chaffinch, singles of Nuthatch, Siskin and Coal Tit. A crow enjoyed a feeding session too! Cheers
No raptors or Dippers to report
-- Edited by John Doherty on Monday 23rd of January 2012 02:51:20 PM
Mark Rigby said
Mon Jan 16 9:58 AM, 2012
Binn Green feeders
Brambling 100+ Siskin 6 Redpoll
Greenfield Res
Dipper Meadow Pipit 10 Goldcrest
steven burke said
Sun Jan 15 8:22 PM, 2012
11.30-4.15pm around the res.. 1 pair stonechat 2 ravens 1 peregrine falcon (eventually, around 3 pm) 7 bullfinches 1 song thrush
deffinately 4 dippers in the drainage canal alongside yeoman hay res, 2 near to the container and another 2 where the path actually runs right next to the drainage canal (unless they did a fly past me in stealth mode)
binn green feeders good numbers off birds here mostly chaffinches & goldfinches, but also lots off siskins at least 6 redpolls, 1 great spotted woodpecker 2 mistle thrushes also greenfinches, blackbirds, blue/great/coal & long tailed tits. 1 treecreeper
flock off 50+ mostly redwings & fieldfares on sloping field between bank lane & holmfirth rd on way out.
also good to meet martyn jones
Mark Rigby said
Sat Jan 14 7:19 PM, 2012
Crossbill early afternoon,also
5 Lesser Redpoll 5 Siskin 4 Long-tailed Tit
Jon Bowen said
Sat Jan 14 2:08 PM, 2012
First visit to Dovestones this morning
walk around the res 2 stonechat Reed Bunting Raven mixed flock of thrushes
At feeding station 6 siskin Lesser Redpoll Treecreeper Bullfinch Gold, Green, Chaffinch Great Spotted woodpecker Coal, Blue, Great Tit 11 Long Tailed Tit
Giselle Hayers said
Sat Jan 14 1:35 PM, 2012
Binn Green feeders:- 4 Siskin 10 Goldfinch plenty of Great, Blue and Coal Tits male Bullfinch 6 Greenfinch
2 Dipper in drainage canal alongside yeoman hey res.
JamieDunning said
Fri Jan 13 9:40 PM, 2012
a late one for yesterday.
around quarry. 1 Peregrine falcon a pair of stone chat a pair of Raven
Binn green
2 Brambing, both female. 1 Mistle thrush on woodpecker feeder. 1 GS woodpecker all the usuals.
J
JasonAtkinson said
Fri Jan 13 6:16 PM, 2012
Rob Smallwood wrote:
Lesser Redpoll have local accents. Common Redpoll have stranger more northern accents. Arctic Redpolls are Common Redpolls found at Titchwell. Simples!
Very well put Rob, much better than my convoluted explanation!
Cheers Jason
Rob Smallwood said
Fri Jan 13 6:02 PM, 2012
Lesser Redpoll have local accents. Common Redpoll have stranger more northern accents. Arctic Redpolls are Common Redpolls found at Titchwell. Simples!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 13 6:02 PM, 2012
In reference to Steve's comments below, I should point out (along with the fact that it will be a very long time until I have any spare ) that Mealy and Common Redpoll are one and the same. Mealy Redpoll is now the adopted British vernacular name, that which is in common usage, whereas its name as Common Redpoll has rightly been dropped as it just confuses things more because it isn't (common) !
Steve Suttill said
Fri Jan 13 5:34 PM, 2012
Louise Aspden wrote:
With it being a glorious day today I took a trip to Dovestone for the first time.
redpoll (whats the different between redpoll and lesser redpool?)
Very good question, Louise. This is something that Ian should cover on the ID pages of this website - when he's got some spare time
The "common" Redpolls that are resident locally are Lesser Redpolls (Carduelis cabaret) and not Common Redpolls (Carduelis flammea) which breed further North. Lessers are smaller, browner and streakier, but there is quite a bit of individual variation, so take care! Take care also when checking them in older field guides as until quite recently they were regarded as races of the same species.
And then there's Arctic Redpoll...
... I'll leave it to Ian!
Glad you had a good day at Dove Stone. I went on Tuesday and it was murky to say the least.
Steve
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 13 5:33 PM, 2012
Louise Aspden wrote:
redpoll (whats the different between redpoll and lesser redpoll?)
Redpoll is really just the general name for the genus (family), made up of Lesser Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll and Arctic Redpoll.
The overwhelming majority of county 'redpolls' are Lesser Redpoll which is resident in the county. Mealy Redpolls are rarer, a passage and winter visitor and are in fact a county rarity, plus their seperation from Lesser and Arctic is frankly so blurred and often ambiguous that it's a nightmare at times! Arctic Redpoll is also a county rarity but is nationally rare, though prone to very occasional years where large numbers are recorded.
Any more than that and it can get seriously complicated
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 13th of January 2012 05:35:02 PM
Louise Aspden said
Fri Jan 13 5:00 PM, 2012
With it being a glorious day today I took a trip to Dovestone for the first time.
Went to the main carpark first but didnt linger, far too many dogs and kids, so drove up to Binn Green, far better.
Lots of activity around the feeding station.
redpoll (whats the different between redpoll and lesser redpool?) Blue, Great and Coal tits also a lot of long tailed tits. Loads of Goldfinches plus greenfinches. Also siskin.
got a 2 or 3 decent photos.
may have been others that I didnt recognise too.
JamieDunning said
Sun Jan 8 5:23 PM, 2012
Misty & wet.
Binn Green feeding station. Lesser redpoll Treecreeper Great, Blue & Coal Tit Green, Gold & Bullfinch (Goldfinch singing already!) 1 Female Brambling Siskin (two males, neither being the ringed bird)
Main carpark, all usual birds, Canadas feeding in fields. Cormorant and Great spotted woodpecker.
Cheers
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 8th of January 2012 09:52:44 PM
Geoff de Boer said
Wed Jan 4 4:12 PM, 2012
Jan 3rd 08:30 to 09:30
A wild and windy morning after a night of very heavy rain - waterfalls streaming off Dove Stone edge getting blown up into the air!
Around the feeders Pheasant Robin Blackbird Great, Blue and Coal Tits Goldfinch (20+) enjoying the larch cones Greenfinch Siskin (5+) Chaffinch Treecreeper (1) Great spotted woodpecker (1)
-- Edited by Geoff de Boer on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 04:18:07 PM
tom willis said
Wed Jan 4 9:55 AM, 2012
Bit late with this but we had a walk on Boxing Day up from Binn Green car park up past Yeoman Hay reservoir as far as Greenfield reservoir. Not many birds around, but we did get excellent views of a dipper on the narrow run-off canal on the left hand side of the path heading up. First time I've seen one on there.
Ian Keith said
Wed Dec 28 6:18 PM, 2011
Up there yesterday (27th) again mainly looking for Mountain Hare. 1 spotted approx 1/2mile up the track to Chew Reservoir on the eastern side of the brook - Stable Stones Brow (could have done with the scope it was that far away). Birdwise surprisingly little up Chew Valley. 7 Red Grouse feeding on the heather just before Chew Reservoir being the highlight, also 1 Grey wagtail, 1 female Stonechat, 2 Raven, 1 male Kestrel and a single Meadow Pipit.
Graham Beverley said
Wed Dec 28 2:54 PM, 2011
13.30-14.30 Greater spotted woodpecker 2 Bullfinch f Goldfinch Coal tit Blue tit Great tit Greenfinch Chaffinch Siskin Treecreeper 2 Blackbird Woodpigeon Redpoll
JamieDunning said
Mon Dec 5 12:20 AM, 2011
Even though they are in there winter coats now, there hasn't been to many seen around the reserve in recent weeks.
the mountain hare guided walk didnt see a single one!
Anthony Dixon said
Sun Dec 4 11:16 AM, 2011
Mountain Hares are in their winter coats now Rob.
Rob McEwen said
Sat Dec 3 7:04 PM, 2011
Hi all,
have there been many Mountain Hare sightings lately? Are they in their winter coat yet? I went a weekend or two ago and didn't see any.
07.30 - 08.30 Binn Green car park Goldfinch Coal tit Greater spotted woodpecker Chaffinch Great tit Blue tit Pheasant Jackdaw Blackbird Robin Siskin Greenfinch Brambling Carrion crow Woodpigeon Bullfinch m Jay Crossbill m
JamieDunning said
Sun Oct 23 8:06 PM, 2011
Field behind main car-park 2:00-4:00 Sparrowhawk and two groups of Feildfare, first being 5 strong and second 16, 3 Jay 2 Ravens around the main quarry. also as Rachel said 22 Crossbill, and all usuals.
Cheers J
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Sunday 23rd of October 2011 08:06:56 PM
Rachel Downham said
Sun Oct 23 4:38 PM, 2011
Binn Green this morning: Treecreeper Siskins Sparrowhawk Wren Goldfinches Greenfinches Great, Blue & Coal tit Great spotted woodpecker
Ashway Gap: 2 male Bullfinches on the feeders plus more Coal tits
Just on from Ashway Gap on the left hand side ( with Ashway Gap behind ) at least 22 Crossbills feeding on a Larch in the plantation that's just above the fields. Reckon there were about 8 males in the group. Brilliant ! Never seen them on that side of Dove Stone before...
JamieDunning said
Sat Oct 22 6:51 PM, 2011
(yesterday) 21/10
From the Clarence up to Binn green Quiet along road, Sparrow hawk crossed from the reserve to the fields below Alderman's. All usual corvids and the odd black head.
Greenfield brook Watched a Dipper (after following it up the brook!) And watched for well over an hour at the falls. Another was heard behind up whilst at the top. Heard it singing, fantastic.
Over Dovestone moss 40+ Red grouse 2 Kestrel, both female. 2 Raven around Ravens rocks (would you believe?!)
all usual birds around both feeding stations including a female GS woodpecker and a nuthatch on the main car park stations.
Cheers J
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Saturday 22nd of October 2011 07:00:59 PM
Adam Jones said
Sat Oct 22 12:36 PM, 2011
This morning at Binn Green car park.
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Goldcrest 1 Siskin 14 Lesser Redpolls 1 Bullfinch 1 Treecreeper 3 Ravens over 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Grey Heron 5 Pheasants (in many different guises) Plus the ususal Tits and finches among others.
Rachel Downham said
Fri Oct 21 4:03 PM, 2011
This morning on a walk up from the main carpark up to Binn Green:
Jay x 2 Long-tailed tit Coal tit Greenfinch Goldfinches - a few down at the main carpark and on the feeders at Binn Green Wren Great & blue tit Sparrowhawk ( thanks for confirming Jamie ! ) Raven over Aldermans No Crossbills !
steven burke said
Sun Oct 16 9:04 PM, 2011
here all day today,having a mooch around. walked from greenfield train station & on the river inbetween the kingfisher & tesco i was watching a dipper doing what it does best & heard a singing that i never heard before just below me,then out popped another dipper(which was doing the singing) and joined the other then both flew up stream. i have seen a lot off dippers before but never heard one singing(loud & melodious) & beautiful to hear also managed to see another dipper on the river that leads from dovestones. around dovestones... 13 crossbills at binn green 2.00pm, 7 over towards binn green as i was leaving the area & 5 over main car park west at 4.30pm. 21 pink footed goose north/west 11.38am. several redwings over and around. good numbers off siskins & goldfinches (binn green) 2 treecreepers, 1 nuthatch, 6 goldcrests, 1 great spotted woodpecker 3 ravens, 2 sparrowhawks, 2 kestrels also lots off jays around + all usual birds around,good day
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 16th of October 2011 09:07:14 PM
JamieDunning said
Sat Oct 15 7:54 PM, 2011
30-40 Fieldfare in their usual Hawthorne just beyond the main car-park. 200+ (extra!) Black headed Gulls inc Juvs. all usuals
Cheers
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Saturday 15th of October 2011 08:00:13 PM
Lee Griffiths said
Fri Oct 14 7:11 PM, 2011
2.30-4.00 binngrenn on and around the feeders magpies coal tits blue tits great tits robins wren carrion crow sisken goldfinch grennfinch great spotted woodpecker jays chaffinches treecreeper pheasents mistle thrush blackbirds goldcrests sparrow hawk cheers
Rob Bell said
Wed Sep 14 11:13 AM, 2011
Yesterday 10 - 12.30 Binn Green car park feeders: 3 Blue Tits 2 Coal Tits Great Tit Robin 3 Chaffinches 2 Pheasants (one very dark phase pheasant)
Road down to the reservoir from the car park: Sparrowhawk Carrion Crow Swallow Great Spotted Woodpecker Magpie 2 Jackdaws
Up on the moors (opposite side of the reservoir from Binn Green): Buzzard Peregrine Kestrel 2 Wheatears 4 Meadow Pipits 1 Skylark
On reservoir: 20+ Mallards c10 House Martins and Swallows
Rob
steven burke said
Mon Sep 12 11:22 AM, 2011
JamieDunning wrote:
Worth a try, It's not often I see it!
Nice seeing you today Steve, cheers for letting us know your sightings!
It was worth a try,maybe next time. Good to see you too,and no p robs about the sightings & remember to keep your eyes in the sky
Steve.
JamieDunning said
Mon Sep 12 1:29 AM, 2011
Worth a try, It's not often I see it!
Nice seeing you today Steve, cheers for letting us know your sightings!
steven burke said
Sun Sep 11 7:51 PM, 2011
12.00-5.00pm 34 species seen,highlights being...
1 dipper (on brook alongside the chew trail) 2 ravens (ashway gap) 1 kestrel 1 sparrowhawk 1 great spotted woodpecker plenty off meadow pipits
had a little wonder into the memorial woods,close to sailing club and had... 3 goldcrests 2 treecreepers nuthatch song thrush blue/great & coal tits, siskins over.
swallows & house martins over plus usual birds all around.
jammie,had a look where you said the green woodpecker was but no signs off it !
tom willis said
Thu Aug 25 4:40 PM, 2011
No sign of them yesterday (Wed 24th) 3.30-4.30ish, which means I'm still waiting to see them after several visits. Little sign of much at all up there actually.
John Drake said
Sun Aug 21 9:45 AM, 2011
Hi does anyone know if the Crossbills are still in the area of the Binns Green Car park
Charles Farrell said
Sun Aug 7 2:56 PM, 2011
12:15 - 13:20 during very heavy showers Treecreeper c3 Coal Tits 4 Blue Tits 4+ Chaffinch pr Mistle Thrush all near or on the Feeders
Pheasant c8 Linnet 3 Meadow Pipit 2 Swallow close to the main reservoir.
JSPALDING said
Mon Aug 1 3:44 PM, 2011
A flock of about 10 crossbills at Binn Green car park at 2.00pm today. Otherwise not much about.
John Rayner said
Thu Jul 28 12:40 PM, 2011
2 juvenile Crossbills by path from car park to reservoir at 12.10 then unseen Crossbill party heard calling over car park at 12.35.
(Info per. Mike Passant)
Cheers, John
Dennis atherton said
Thu Jul 28 11:16 AM, 2011
bad luck Joe, they are very flighty birds, it took me 8 goes before i connected, better luck next time
Joe Wynn said
Wed Jul 27 9:03 PM, 2011
Well, I tried. No sign of any crossbills in a tour from Binn Green down to Yeoman Hey, around Dove stone and back to Binn Green. Quite quiet, but a little bit about:
12 Siskin (2 males in a group and 10 juv./fem.) 20+ Meadow Pipits (in a huge group between Dovestone and Yeoman Hey) Stonechat (1fem. moulting in same place) 3 Coal Tit 4 Great Tit 2 Greenfinch 1 Blackcap (male) c.10 Willow Warbler (couple of family groups) 4 Goldfinch
Joe Wynn said
Tue Jul 26 7:39 PM, 2011
Hi Dennis, Wasn't able to go afterall today, so thet's really useful and i'll bear it in mind when I do eventually get to go! Cheers, Jo1
Ollie Wright said
Tue Jul 26 11:57 AM, 2011
Thank you Dennis, your post is very helpful for me too.
I went on my first trip to Dovestones last week to look for the Crossbills, without success - I was so miffed that I didn't even post all the birds I did see in this wonderful place (off the top of my head - Meadow Pipits, hunting male Kestrel, Goldcrest, Siskin, Stonechat, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Goldfinch). I got as far as the Binn Green car park, but then walked back along the reservoir bank, rather than along the main road.
I think I did have a flyover of at least two Crossbills near the Boat Club end of Dovestones reservoir - the birds emitted a very distinctive zapping call that sounded like nothing else I'd ever heard. From what I remember, it was akin to the audio clip I later listened to on the RSPB website. Can't quite be sure and anyway, I want to see the blighters!
Dennis atherton said
Tue Jul 26 11:29 AM, 2011
sorry, just to be clearer, walking away from the carpark along the main road towards dovestones main area, best of luck
Dennis atherton said
Tue Jul 26 11:26 AM, 2011
hi Joe, sorry this may be a too late reply though you may be online via a smart phone so i think it is still worth posting, the crossbills i had great views of recently were walking away from binn green back towards dovesstones direction and in the trees on the left about 3 mins walk from the carpark, just aong the road and just past the large stone wheel monument, good luck, best Dennis
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jul 25 11:07 PM, 2011
Joe Wynn wrote:
Hi, I was planning a trip tomorrow morning, and Crossbill would be my target species and was wondering do they call at all or give off other sign of where they are, or is it all pot luck trying to find one (you can tell this'd be a lifer for me!) Cheers, Joe
Around the car park at Binn Green has always been the favoured and most productive spot for many years. Otherwise follow the path down to the reservoirs and check the conifers along the edges of both Dovestones and Yeoman Hey Reservoirs.
Personally I have always located Crossbill flocks here by call first, even if they're feeding birds are usually calling at some point.
Good luck.
steven burke said
Mon Jul 25 10:45 PM, 2011
Joe Wynn wrote:
Hi, I was planning a trip tomorrow morning, and Crossbill would be my target species and was wondering do they call at all or give off other sign of where they are, or is it all pot luck trying to find one (you can tell this'd be a lifer for me!) Cheers, Joe
hi joe,as it was my first time here i did look in the areas other birders have located them the obvious area being around binn green car park & i happened to find them as i was walking away from the car park on my way back to the train station along holmfirth rd. they are quiet while they are feeding so you do have to look,hope this helps and good luck.
Joe Wynn said
Mon Jul 25 10:26 PM, 2011
Hi, I was planning a trip tomorrow morning, and Crossbill would be my target species and was wondering do they call at all or give off other sign of where they are, or is it all pot luck trying to find one (you can tell this'd be a lifer for me!) Cheers, Joe
steven burke said
Sun Jul 24 11:04 PM, 2011
first time here for me. good weather,good birds 1 peregrine falcon (f) 1 stonechat (f) next to greenfield res 2 raven redstart ( heard only) near picnic area where rspb are set up. 6 crossbills all juveniles about 200yds south from binn green car park along holmfirth rd,giving really good views just above head height when they eventually flew off there was more than 6 the others must have been in the larch behind, well in to double figures. 1 dipper on river next to tesco, on my way back to greenfield rail station. other birds.. blackcaps, willow warblers, siskins, redpolls, goldcrests, meadow pipits great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, goldfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches coal tits, great tits, blackbirds, robins, wrens, song thrushes, mistle thrushes jay, magpies, crows, jackdaws, wood pigeons, collard doves pied wagtails, grey wagtails, b-h-gulls, mallards, canada goose, pheasants swifts,swallows & house martins.
eventually went home around 7pm,glad i was as some people decided to let off a load of fireworks near the dam wall on dovestones every bird in the area must have took flight
Had a pair of Red Grouse feeding in a field near Bank Lane, several Woodpigeon in there too.
3 Jay on way in
Nothing of note on Dove Stone, didn't fancy Yeoman Hay or Greenfield res due to conditions - Ashway Gap was quiet save for a few foraging Blackbirds.
Nearer to boat yard were usual Mallards and Blackheaded Gulls.
9 Canada Geese feeding in field, Binn Green
The feeders produced: Lots of Blue, Long Tailed Tit and Great Tit and Robins, fewer Greenfinch, Goldfinch and a couple of Chaffinch, singles of Nuthatch, Siskin and Coal Tit. A crow enjoyed a feeding session too!
Cheers
No raptors or Dippers to report
-- Edited by John Doherty on Monday 23rd of January 2012 02:51:20 PM
Brambling
100+ Siskin
6 Redpoll
Greenfield Res
Dipper
Meadow Pipit
10 Goldcrest
around the res..
1 pair stonechat
2 ravens
1 peregrine falcon (eventually, around 3 pm)
7 bullfinches
1 song thrush
deffinately 4 dippers in the drainage canal alongside yeoman hay res, 2 near to the container and another 2 where the path actually runs right next to the drainage canal (unless they did a fly past me in stealth mode)
binn green feeders
good numbers off birds here mostly chaffinches & goldfinches,
but also lots off siskins at least 6 redpolls,
1 great spotted woodpecker
2 mistle thrushes
also greenfinches, blackbirds, blue/great/coal & long tailed tits.
1 treecreeper
flock off 50+ mostly redwings & fieldfares on sloping field between bank lane & holmfirth rd on way out.
also good to meet martyn jones
5 Lesser Redpoll
5 Siskin
4 Long-tailed Tit
walk around the res
2 stonechat
Reed Bunting
Raven
mixed flock of thrushes
At feeding station
6 siskin
Lesser Redpoll
Treecreeper
Bullfinch
Gold, Green, Chaffinch
Great Spotted woodpecker
Coal, Blue, Great Tit
11 Long Tailed Tit
4 Siskin
10 Goldfinch
plenty of Great, Blue and Coal Tits
male Bullfinch
6 Greenfinch
2 Dipper in drainage canal alongside yeoman hey res.
around quarry.
1 Peregrine falcon
a pair of stone chat
a pair of Raven
Binn green
2 Brambing, both female.
1 Mistle thrush on woodpecker feeder.
1 GS woodpecker
all the usuals.
J
Very well put Rob, much better than my convoluted explanation!
Cheers
Jason
Common Redpoll have stranger more northern accents.
Arctic Redpolls are Common Redpolls found at Titchwell.
Simples!
Very good question, Louise. This is something that Ian should cover on the ID pages of this website - when he's got some spare time
The "common" Redpolls that are resident locally are Lesser Redpolls (Carduelis cabaret) and not Common Redpolls (Carduelis flammea) which breed further North. Lessers are smaller, browner and streakier, but there is quite a bit of individual variation, so take care! Take care also when checking them in older field guides as until quite recently they were regarded as races of the same species.
And then there's Arctic Redpoll...
... I'll leave it to Ian!
Glad you had a good day at Dove Stone. I went on Tuesday and it was murky to say the least.
Steve
Redpoll is really just the general name for the genus (family), made up of Lesser Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll and Arctic Redpoll.
The overwhelming majority of county 'redpolls' are Lesser Redpoll which is resident in the county. Mealy Redpolls are rarer, a passage and winter visitor and are in fact a county rarity, plus their seperation from Lesser and Arctic is frankly so blurred and often ambiguous that it's a nightmare at times! Arctic Redpoll is also a county rarity but is nationally rare, though prone to very occasional years where large numbers are recorded.
Any more than that and it can get seriously complicated
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 13th of January 2012 05:35:02 PM
Went to the main carpark first but didnt linger, far too many dogs and kids, so drove up to Binn Green, far better.
Lots of activity around the feeding station.
redpoll (whats the different between redpoll and lesser redpool?)
Blue, Great and Coal tits also a lot of long tailed tits.
Loads of Goldfinches plus greenfinches.
Also siskin.
got a 2 or 3 decent photos.
may have been others that I didnt recognise too.
Binn Green feeding station.
Lesser redpoll
Treecreeper
Great, Blue & Coal Tit
Green, Gold & Bullfinch (Goldfinch singing already!)
1 Female Brambling
Siskin (two males, neither being the ringed bird)
Main carpark, all usual birds, Canadas feeding in fields.
Cormorant and Great spotted woodpecker.
Cheers
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 8th of January 2012 09:52:44 PM
A wild and windy morning after a night of very heavy rain - waterfalls streaming off Dove Stone edge getting blown up into the air!
Around the feeders
Pheasant
Robin
Blackbird
Great, Blue and Coal Tits
Goldfinch (20+) enjoying the larch cones
Greenfinch
Siskin (5+)
Chaffinch
Treecreeper (1)
Great spotted woodpecker (1)
-- Edited by Geoff de Boer on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 04:18:07 PM
Birdwise surprisingly little up Chew Valley. 7 Red Grouse feeding on the heather just before Chew Reservoir being the highlight, also 1 Grey wagtail, 1 female Stonechat, 2 Raven, 1 male Kestrel and a single Meadow Pipit.
Greater spotted woodpecker 2
Bullfinch f
Goldfinch
Coal tit
Blue tit
Great tit
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Siskin
Treecreeper 2
Blackbird
Woodpigeon
Redpoll
Even though they are in there winter coats now, there hasn't been to many seen around the reserve in recent weeks.
the mountain hare guided walk didnt see a single one!
Mountain Hares are in their winter coats now Rob.
Hi all,
have there been many Mountain Hare sightings lately? Are they in their winter coat yet? I went a weekend or two ago and didn't see any.
Cheers,
Rob
Redpoll
GS Woodpecker
Siskin
2 Crossbill
100+ Chaffinch
50+ Goldfinch
Jay
Binn Green car park
Goldfinch
Coal tit
Greater spotted woodpecker
Chaffinch
Great tit
Blue tit
Pheasant
Jackdaw
Blackbird
Robin
Siskin
Greenfinch
Brambling
Carrion crow
Woodpigeon
Bullfinch m
Jay
Crossbill m
Sparrowhawk and two groups of Feildfare, first being 5 strong and second 16, 3 Jay
2 Ravens around the main quarry.
also
as Rachel said 22 Crossbill, and all usuals.
Cheers
J
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Sunday 23rd of October 2011 08:06:56 PM
Treecreeper
Siskins
Sparrowhawk
Wren
Goldfinches
Greenfinches
Great, Blue & Coal tit
Great spotted woodpecker
Ashway Gap:
2 male Bullfinches on the feeders
plus more Coal tits
Just on from Ashway Gap on the left hand side ( with Ashway Gap behind ) at least 22 Crossbills feeding on a Larch in the plantation that's just above the fields. Reckon there were about 8 males in the group. Brilliant ! Never seen them on that side of Dove Stone before...
From the Clarence up to Binn green
Quiet along road, Sparrow hawk crossed from the reserve to the fields below Alderman's.
All usual corvids and the odd black head.
Greenfield brook
Watched a Dipper (after following it up the brook!) And watched for well over an hour at the falls. Another was heard behind up whilst at the top.
Heard it singing, fantastic.
Over Dovestone moss
40+ Red grouse
2 Kestrel, both female.
2 Raven around Ravens rocks (would you believe?!)
all usual birds around both feeding stations including a female GS woodpecker and a nuthatch on the main car park stations.
Cheers
J
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Saturday 22nd of October 2011 07:00:59 PM
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Goldcrest
1 Siskin
14 Lesser Redpolls
1 Bullfinch
1 Treecreeper
3 Ravens over
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Grey Heron
5 Pheasants (in many different guises)
Plus the ususal Tits and finches among others.
Jay x 2
Long-tailed tit
Coal tit
Greenfinch
Goldfinches - a few down at the main carpark and on the feeders at Binn Green
Wren
Great & blue tit
Sparrowhawk ( thanks for confirming Jamie ! )
Raven over Aldermans
No Crossbills !
walked from greenfield train station & on the river inbetween the kingfisher & tesco i was watching a dipper doing what it does best & heard a singing that i never heard before just below me,then out popped another dipper(which was doing the singing) and joined the other then both flew up stream. i have seen a lot off dippers before but never heard one singing(loud & melodious) & beautiful to hear
also managed to see another dipper on the river that leads from dovestones.
around dovestones...
13 crossbills at binn green 2.00pm, 7 over towards binn green as i was leaving the area & 5 over main car park west at 4.30pm.
21 pink footed goose north/west 11.38am.
several redwings over and around.
good numbers off siskins & goldfinches (binn green)
2 treecreepers, 1 nuthatch, 6 goldcrests, 1 great spotted woodpecker
3 ravens, 2 sparrowhawks, 2 kestrels
also lots off jays around
+ all usual birds around,good day
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 16th of October 2011 09:07:14 PM
200+ (extra!) Black headed Gulls inc Juvs.
all usuals
Cheers
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Saturday 15th of October 2011 08:00:13 PM
magpies
coal tits
blue tits
great tits
robins
wren
carrion crow
sisken
goldfinch
grennfinch
great spotted woodpecker
jays
chaffinches
treecreeper
pheasents
mistle thrush
blackbirds
goldcrests
sparrow hawk
cheers
Binn Green car park feeders:
3 Blue Tits
2 Coal Tits
Great Tit
Robin
3 Chaffinches
2 Pheasants (one very dark phase pheasant)
Road down to the reservoir from the car park:
Sparrowhawk
Carrion Crow
Swallow
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Magpie
2 Jackdaws
Up on the moors (opposite side of the reservoir from Binn Green):
Buzzard
Peregrine
Kestrel
2 Wheatears
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Skylark
On reservoir:
20+ Mallards
c10 House Martins and Swallows
Rob
It was worth a try,maybe next time.
Good to see you too,and no p
robs about the sightings & remember to keep your eyes in the sky
Steve.
Worth a try, It's not often I see it!
Nice seeing you today Steve, cheers for letting us know your sightings!
1 dipper (on brook alongside the chew trail)
2 ravens (ashway gap)
1 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk
1 great spotted woodpecker
plenty off meadow pipits
had a little wonder into the memorial woods,close to sailing club and had...
3 goldcrests
2 treecreepers
nuthatch
song thrush
blue/great & coal tits, siskins over.
swallows & house martins over
plus usual birds all around.
jammie,had a look where you said the green woodpecker was but no signs off it !
Treecreeper
c3 Coal Tits
4 Blue Tits
4+ Chaffinch
pr Mistle Thrush
all near or on the Feeders
Pheasant
c8 Linnet
3 Meadow Pipit
2 Swallow close to the main reservoir.
(Info per. Mike Passant)
Cheers, John
12 Siskin (2 males in a group and 10 juv./fem.)
20+ Meadow Pipits (in a huge group between Dovestone and Yeoman Hey)
Stonechat (1fem. moulting in same place)
3 Coal Tit
4 Great Tit
2 Greenfinch
1 Blackcap (male)
c.10 Willow Warbler (couple of family groups)
4 Goldfinch
Wasn't able to go afterall today, so thet's really useful and i'll bear it in mind when I do eventually get to go!
Cheers,
Jo1
I went on my first trip to Dovestones last week to look for the Crossbills, without success - I was so miffed that I didn't even post all the birds I did see in this wonderful place (off the top of my head - Meadow Pipits, hunting male Kestrel, Goldcrest, Siskin, Stonechat, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Goldfinch). I got as far as the Binn Green car park, but then walked back along the reservoir bank, rather than along the main road.
I think I did have a flyover of at least two Crossbills near the Boat Club end of Dovestones reservoir - the birds emitted a very distinctive zapping call that sounded like nothing else I'd ever heard. From what I remember, it was akin to the audio clip I later listened to on the RSPB website. Can't quite be sure and anyway, I want to see the blighters!
Around the car park at Binn Green has always been the favoured and most productive spot for many years. Otherwise follow the path down to the reservoirs and check the conifers along the edges of both Dovestones and Yeoman Hey Reservoirs.
Personally I have always located Crossbill flocks here by call first, even if they're feeding birds are usually calling at some point.
Good luck.
hi joe,as it was my first time here i did look in the areas other birders have located them the obvious area being around binn green car park & i happened to find them as i was walking away from the car park on my way back to the train station along holmfirth rd. they are quiet while they are feeding so you do have to look,hope this helps and good luck.
Cheers,
Joe
1 peregrine falcon (f)
1 stonechat (f) next to greenfield res
2 raven
redstart ( heard only) near picnic area where rspb are set up.
6 crossbills all juveniles about 200yds south from binn green car park along holmfirth rd,giving really good views just above head height when they eventually flew off there was more than 6 the others must have been in the larch behind, well in to double figures.
1 dipper on river next to tesco, on my way back to greenfield rail station.
other birds..
blackcaps, willow warblers, siskins, redpolls, goldcrests, meadow pipits
great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, goldfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches
coal tits, great tits, blackbirds, robins, wrens, song thrushes, mistle thrushes
jay, magpies, crows, jackdaws, wood pigeons, collard doves
pied wagtails, grey wagtails, b-h-gulls, mallards, canada goose, pheasants
swifts,swallows & house martins.
eventually went home around 7pm,glad i was as some people decided to let off a load of fireworks near the dam wall on dovestones every bird in the area must have took flight