A further single Waxwing flew north over Higher Meadows with 5 Crossbill at 09:15.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 30 8:24 AM, 2018
2 Waxwing north over Higher Meadows, Georges Lane at 07:45 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 29 8:12 PM, 2018
Further highlights from this morning in the Higher Meadows area:
1 Woodcock N
515 Woodpigeon S
80 Redwing N
341 Fieldfare NNW
1217 Starling N/NW in 41 flocks
114 Brambling N and 13 S
2 Crossbill N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 29 9:20 AM, 2018
Great Grey Shrike present at 08:35; at Higher Meadows off the north end of Georges Lane, in hedges as bushes in between Wilderswood and the dog kennels.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
John Williams said
Sun Oct 28 10:22 PM, 2018
09.30-13.00
Georges Lane :
A large flock of Fieldfares flew North whilst I was chatting to Andy Makin. 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk were seen near the junction of Matchmoor Lane.
After I left Andy 2 flocks of Crossbills, 28 birds in total, settled in the plantation, just inside the GM border. A very noisy Jay was also here.
Burnt Edge : 1 Grey Heron, a pair of displaying Ravens, 2 Kestrels and a flock of 50+ Starlings.
Walker Fold : 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Crossbill. Holdens Farm : 2 Redwings were feeding on haws.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 28 9:26 PM, 2018
Highlights from this morning's visible migration:
560 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins
2063 Woodpigeon S in 28 flocks and 105 N
260 Fieldfare and 178 Redwing N
1846 Starling NW in 35 flocks
126 Brambling N
8 Crossbill N
41 Reed Bunting N
1 Corn Bunting NW.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 27 4:28 PM, 2018
This morning's visible migration sightings thanks to Andy Makin, Andy pinches, Paul Wilson and Simon Warford:
21 Whooper Swan SE at 9:30
1623 Pink-footed Geese SE in 17 skeins
10788 Woodpigeon S in 98 flocks
160 Redwing N and E
1248 Fieldfare N and E
51 Chaffinch N and 8 S
72 Brambling
18 Siskin S
53 Crossbill, with 10 S and 43 N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 26 8:29 PM, 2018
This morning from Higher Meadows:
14 Whooper Swan over SE (in flocks of 5, 2 and 7)
30 Pink-footed Geese NW
2147 Woodpigeon S
285 Fieldfare
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 20 10:03 PM, 2018
Also today around the main mast building were 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Wheatears, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit and 1 Merlin.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 20 10:23 AM, 2018
4 Snow Buntings headed NE over Higher Meadows at 08:30 this morning, heading towards Smithills Moor.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Fri Oct 19 4:53 PM, 2018
This morning with Andy Makin-
Despite the misty conditions a really good morning for variety and quality! Initially fairly quiet but things really got going around 8am and was very busy for the next hour or so, with lots of small flocks of Woodpigeons and a female type Merlin flew straight through at speed, half-heartedly chasing a couple of passerines along the way. Then, unexpectedly a couple of large flocks of Bramblings right overhead, out of the gloom so past us in a few seconds calling, its not often we get brambling flocks of this size (50+25+30) in quick succession. Then at 08:50 a Hawfinch flew through low south and what was presumably a different bird appeared around 10:50 and perched up briefly with Crossbills and Chaffinches giving good views in Gale Brook Plantation, it flew around a few times and perched up again before flying off south with a finch flock. Yet more Crossbills for us and a single Swallow south was probably the last one this year. Three Ring Ouzels south were notable and also a single bird remains faithful to a rowan tree near Scout Road quarry.
2031 Woodpigeon south 1 female type Merlin south 593 Starling west 1071 Fieldfares 485 Redwings 3 Ring Ouzel south and 1 still frequenting a Rowan Tree near Scout Road 27 Song Thrush 3 Tree Sparrow 185 Chaffinch 214 Bramblings south 2 Hawfinch south, with one perched up in Gale Brook Plantation for a while 75 Crossbills 61 Siskin
1239 Pink-footed Geese SE in 10 skeins and 484 NW in 6 skeins
1275 Woodpigeon S
470 Redwing W/SW
3113 Fieldfare W/SW in 51 flocks (largest flock of 280)
815 Starling W/SW
2 Brambling NW
16 Bullfinch N
17 Crossbill S
21 Reed Bunting S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 16 6:00 PM, 2018
Today's highlights in poor visibility and conditions:
Water Rail around Bryan Hey Reservoir
61 Redwing in 7 small flocks
3 Brambling
16 Siskin
7 Crossbill
Immature type Ring Ouzel still in a Rowan on the slope by Scout Road quarry for its seventh day
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 15 4:40 PM, 2018
Today's moors highlights 07:40-11:15am:
142 Pink-footed Geese in 3 skeins SE and 70 NW
1 male Merlin SW
1 Golden Plover SE
1734 Woodpigeon S
52 Fieldfare N and 170 S
201 Redwing N and 232 S
1 immature Ring Ouzel down
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker together N
22 Brambling S and 5 N
6 Crossbill S
1 Yellowhammer
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 11 8:30 PM, 2018
Visible migration highlights (heading south) from the opposite side of the moors this morning by Scout Road/Gale Brook Plantation included:
263 Woodpigeon
448 Redwing
576 Fieldfare
1 Ring Ouzel (down on the ground)
6 Swallow
210 Chaffinch
71 Greenfinch
113 Linnet
510 Goldfinch
364 Siskin
45 Crossbill in four flocks
8 Brambling
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 11 12:52 PM, 2018
Visible migration from Higher Meadows along Georges Lane (all heading pretty much south) this morning produced highlights of:
5 Ring Ouzel in one flock flew out of the big hedge at just after 07:20, circled the area twice then made off east across the moor
1959 Redwing
159 Fieldfare
34 Song Thrush
1082 Woodpigeon
203 Chaffinch
2 Swallow
43 Greenfinch
32 Linnet
2 Stonechat were also present on Wildersmoor
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 10 2:03 PM, 2018
This morning's sightings included:
475 Woodpigeon S
1 Ring-necked Parakeet S with Woodpigeon flock
89 Redwing and 45 Fieldfare S
2 Ring Ouzel with 1 over S and one flushed off the moor
115 Chaffinch, 49 Siskin, 37 Greenfinch 37, 140 Goldfinch and 132 Linnet S
14 Crossbill S
19 Reed Bunting S
3 Twite fed briefly on the burnt slope above Gale Brook with flock of Goldfinch before flying off S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 9 10:03 PM, 2018
This morning's highlights:
2 Greylag Geese NW
2 Ring Ouzel S
69 Fieldfare S
139 Redwing S
6 Swallow S
95 Siskin S
16 Crossbill S
69 Linnet S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 8 8:15 PM, 2018
This morning:
1 Sand Martin south
172 Redwing S in 11 flocks
49 Siskin S
64 Linnet S
24 Crossbill in three flocks dropped in to Gale Brook Planation, with another 10 direct over south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 7 7:51 PM, 2018
This morning's moors visible migration totals from the Scout Road watchpoint included:
19 Pink-footed Geese in 2 skeins NW and two of 73 SE
1 Goosander E
1 immature Hen Harrier south at 7:55 am
400 Woodpigeon N and 822 S
166 Meadow Pipit S
121 Redwing S in 7 groups, largest flock of 30
3 Fieldfare S and 29 NW
3 Swallow and 3 House Martin S
218 Chaffinch S
213 Goldfinch S
88 Siskin S
63 Greenfinch S
112 Linnet S
1 Crossbill S
2 Tree Sparrow S
18 Reed Bunting S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
John Williams said
Sun Oct 7 12:32 AM, 2018
Late Post 06.10.2018 15.00-19.00
Georges Lane : 7 Stonechats between Wilderswood and the kennels, plus 8 more on the Lancs border around the ruins of the old building and on the fence posts.
4 Meadow Pipits were with the Stonechats on the Lancs border.
The only birds (Apart from corvids) around Burnt Edge were a couple of Kestrels and a single Meadow Pipit.
A Kestrel was still hovering here at 19.00 in the twilight. Another Kestrel was over Walker Fold.
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 6 1:09 PM, 2018
This morning around Scout Road area with Andy Makin produced a single Ring Ouzel behind the quarries, Black Redstart in the quarry and 15 Crossbills in Gale Brook Plantation.
70 Pink-footed Geese flew NW.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 5 12:28 PM, 2018
Some visible migration highlights for yesterday included the first Redwing of the autumn:
139 Meadow Pipit S
26 Redwing S
177 Chaffinch S
145 Siskin S
103 Linnet S
64 Greenfinch S
22 Crossbill S in flocks of 12,1,4,2,3
Info thank to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 30 7:35 PM, 2018
This morning, minimum of 44 Crossbills seen with flocks of 10, 16, 1 and 11 over Gale Brook Plantation then heading SW over Scout Road, 10 of which later returned and perched in the top of Gale Brook Plantation. Six Crossbills also at Walker Fold Wood.
52 Siskin also through Scout Road and 208 Pink-footed Geese in four skiens heading east.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 29 8:50 PM, 2018
This mornings totals over the Scout Road area with Phil Rhodes, Dan Brown, Simon Warford, Karen Foulkes and Simon Ghilks:
5 skeins of Pink-footed Goose with 261 SE, 2 NW and 50 SE
3 Merlin
4 Golden Plover
846 Woodpigeon north and 783 south, in small flocks
126 Swallow and 16 House Martin through
371 Meadow Pipit
84 Pied Wagtail
181 Chaffinch
177 Linnet
204 Siskin
30 Crossbill in six flocks
Birds down included a Black Redstart in Scout Road quarry
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 28 4:41 PM, 2018
Highlights from today's visible migration from Scout Road included:
Juvenile Marsh Harrier over NW
1 ringtail Hen Harrier south
1 Red Kite drifting south and fighting with Buzzards
24 Buzzard over S/SW
6 Sparrowhawk SW
37 Raven over south in several flocks, including 17 in a single spiral
437 Pink-footed Geese over (90 SE, 267 W/NW, 80 SW)
176 Woodpigeon south
1121 Meadow Pipit south
7 Swallow and 55 House Martin south
5 Crossbill down briefly then flew off south
6 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff and 7 Wheatear were 'down' around the moors and a further 2 Wheatear flew south
Info thanks to Andy Makin (joined by Simon Warford and Phil Rhodes)
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 27 9:06 PM, 2018
Late news for yesterday with highlights of:
90 Siskin south
2 Tree Sparrow south
1 Crossbill south
375 Meadow Pipit south
17 Pink-footed Geese SE
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 27 9:04 PM, 2018
Today's moors highlights included:
1 Greylag Goose SW
280 Pink-footed Geese east, 21 NW and 1 south
885 Woodpigeon south in 28 flocks
797 Meadow Pipit south
91 Pied Wagtail south
42 Swallow and 1House Martin south
114 Chaffinch south
27 Lesser Redpoll south
126 Linnet south
6 Crossbill south
2 Black Redstart on Winter Hill along the GM boundary wall
1 Wheatear
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes and Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 25 7:37 PM, 2018
Today's moors highlights:
1 Jack Snipe accidentally flushed off a path walking up to watchpoint
75 Pink-footed Geese WSW
1 Greylag Goose SW
865 Woodpigeon S/SE in 53 flocks
327 Meadow Pipit south
22 Lesser Redpoll south
145 Siskin south
61 Linnet south
15 Crossbill south
2 Wheatear
1 female type Black Redstart around the rocket shaped mast in Winter Hill also made a brief visit into Greater Manchester.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 24 11:18 PM, 2018
Some other birds for today in or over the area included:
423 Pink-footed Geese over in 8 skeins in various directions
14 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin and 7 House Martin south
226 Meadow Pipit south
6 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 24 4:36 PM, 2018
This morning’s highlights included:
Red Kite low south over Heather Hall and Horwich Moor at 12:10
1 Merlin SW
The two Black Redstart still around the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 23 7:08 PM, 2018
This morning with Andy Makin and partly Phil Rhodes produced the following highlights,
Male and female Black Redstart around the Rocket shaped mast in Lancs. Also 16 Wheatear around the mast area and 5 Wheatear Edge Lane. Chiffchaff and Goldcrest in the main mast compound. 2 Wheatears dropped out of the sky at Scout Road briefly feeding in field before flying off south. A juvenile Whinchat was also present briefly in the same field. 5 Crossbills flew over Burnt Edge 1 Hobby south 1 Merlin south 128 Pink-footed Geese west and 90 east 308 Meadow Pipit south 125 House Martin south 140 Swallow south
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 22 7:54 PM, 2018
Highlights of today's sightings from the moors included:
10,414 Meadow Pipit moving over south
2 Hen Harriers through
2 single Merlins following pipits south
5 skeins of Pink-footed Geese over NW totalling 192 and a further skein of 64 east
70 House Martin and 941 Swallow south
17 Siskin and 126 Linnet south
8 Wheatear
Young male Black Redstart around the rocket mast on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Dan Brown and Dave Sherington
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 20 2:23 PM, 2018
This morning's visible migration highlights from Scout Road included:
13 Pink-footed Geese SE
2 Goosander SW
1 adult Hobby south
58 Swallow 58 and 8 House Martin south
7376 Meadow Pipit moving through south between 7am and 12:15pm
1 Yellowhammer south
45 Siskin, 66 Linnet, 88 Goldfinch south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 19 9:49 PM, 2018
Today's highlights included 726 Meadow Pipit over south, 86 Swallow and 6 House Martin south.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 18 9:16 PM, 2018
Highlights of late morning to early afternoon today:
139 Swallow, 26 House and 2 Sand Martin through
3 Hobby though in singles (2 immature and 1 adult)
Late news for yesterday morning when a single Whinchat was in the pony fields off Mast Road
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 16 5:35 PM, 2018
Osprey SW over Two Lads Hill at 5:15pm today
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 14 11:38 PM, 2018
Highlights from today included just 340 Meadow Pipit through but also a male Merlin though south and 5 Wheatear.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 13 7:25 PM, 2018
This morning's totals over the moors:
Osprey WSW at 11:33
2 single Golden Plover over
7 Snipe south
Little Owl flying 300 ft above the moor which continued direct SW being mobbed by pipits
1 Green Woodpecker high NE over Horrocks Moor
1135 Meadow Pipit passing through from 7am to midday
2 wheatear down by Scout Road
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 12 10:43 PM, 2018
Today’s visible migration sightings:
A total of 1073 Meadow Pipit over from 7am to 12:30pm
2 single Merlin
An adult Hobby which caught a Meadow Pipit over Horrocks Moor and ate it on the ground
2 Tree pipit east
1 Little Ringed Plover over east calling
Info thanks to Andy Makin
John Williams said
Sun Sep 9 9:47 PM, 2018
09.30-15.00
Georges Lane : 1 Peregrine, 2 Ravens, 1 Stonechat, 2 Kestrels and 7 Swallows.
A Raven was flying alongside the Peregine and both appeared to tolerate the other, until a Magpie joined them.
The Magpie mobbed the Raven relentlessly, forcing it to flee towards Wilderswood, where it was joined by one of it's own kind.
The Magpie then gave up the chase, but it seemed to just ignore the Peregrine, which circled then drifted off towards Rivington.
4 Coal Tits were in the plantation by the Lancs border, but no small migrants were found there.
Burnt Edge : 2 Stonechats and 1 Whinchat were on the Western side of the powerlines.
However, at the Walker Fold end of the bank a roaming mixed flock contained 4 Stonechats, 2 Whinchats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers,
1 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff. Amongst them there was also a Meadow Pipit, one of 16 seen along the bank.
Walker Fold : 4 Goldcrests (Amongst a large flock of small birds, mainly Coal Tits, moving through the conifers), 1 Bullfinch
and 1 Kestrel. Holden's Farm : 2 Linnets and 2 Meadow Pipits. A flock of 9 Swallows flew over heading West.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 5 9:59 PM, 2018
Highlights today:
3 Spotted Flycatcher in willows below Burnt Edge and another 4 at Roscoes Tenement Clough
1 Whinchat Burnt Edge
1 Tree pipit Green Nook
1 Merlin SW
1 Whitethroat
3 Chiffchaff
296 Swallow south
8 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 4 9:47 PM, 2018
Around the top if Winter Hlll late morning today:
31 Wheatear
3 Whinchat
3 Merlin, two male and female/immature type south
260 grounded Meadow Pipit in the rain
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Karl Liptrot said
Tue Sep 4 12:11 PM, 2018
Walk around Burnt Edge this morning in light rain, sightings included
2 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
1 Whinchat
1 Spotted flycatcher
Several Stonechat
1 Whitethroat
2 Reed Bunting
1 Sparrowhawk flushing a flock of mixed finches
Lots of Meadow Pipits
-- Edited by Karl Liptrot on Tuesday 4th of September 2018 12:23:43 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 3 8:56 PM, 2018
Sightings from this morning:
1st year male type Black Redstart around the mast buildings in Lancs; also still present early evening
16 Wheatear
2 Pied Flycatcher on the fence in the sheep field below the pike in Lancs first thing this morning
Late news for yesterday included:
3 Tree Pipits south
25 Wheatear
1 Whinchat
4 Spotted Flycatcher
11 Swift
277 Swallow
130 House Martin
Info thanks to Andy Makin, Dan Brown and Andy Pinches
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 1 9:21 PM, 2018
This morning's highlights:
4 Shelduck west (two adults and two immature type)
1 Sand Martin, 182 House Martin, 255 Swallow over
1 Grey Wagtail, 48 Meadow Pipit, 19 Linnet, 3 Siskin and 34 Goldfinch over
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 31 10:04 PM, 2018
Sightings from today included:
2 Wheatear
3 Tree Pipit over
A Spotted Flycatcher
1 female/immature Merlin
1 Whinchat at Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 31 9:02 AM, 2018
Additional late sightings for yesterday morning at Burnt Edge:
7 Spotted Flycatcher
6 Stonechats
3 Whinchats
1 Whitethroat
4 Willow Warbler and 1 Chiffchaff
Info thanks to Ken Haydock and Jill Mills
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 30 8:45 PM, 2018
This evening's sightings included:
6 Spotted Flycatcher at Higher Meadows
21 Wheatear
1 Black Redstart at the top of Mast Road on top of Winter Hill
1 Grasshopper Warbler flushed from the satellite compound behind main building (in Lancashire)
A further single Waxwing flew north over Higher Meadows with 5 Crossbill at 09:15.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 Waxwing north over Higher Meadows, Georges Lane at 07:45 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Further highlights from this morning in the Higher Meadows area:
1 Woodcock N
515 Woodpigeon S
80 Redwing N
341 Fieldfare NNW
1217 Starling N/NW in 41 flocks
114 Brambling N and 13 S
2 Crossbill N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Great Grey Shrike present at 08:35; at Higher Meadows off the north end of Georges Lane, in hedges as bushes in between Wilderswood and the dog kennels.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Georges Lane :
A large flock of Fieldfares flew North whilst I was chatting to Andy Makin. 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk were seen near the junction of Matchmoor Lane.
After I left Andy 2 flocks of Crossbills, 28 birds in total, settled in the plantation, just inside the GM border. A very noisy Jay was also here.
Burnt Edge : 1 Grey Heron, a pair of displaying Ravens, 2 Kestrels and a flock of 50+ Starlings.
Walker Fold : 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Crossbill. Holdens Farm : 2 Redwings were feeding on haws.
Highlights from this morning's visible migration:
560 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins
2063 Woodpigeon S in 28 flocks and 105 N
260 Fieldfare and 178 Redwing N
1846 Starling NW in 35 flocks
126 Brambling N
8 Crossbill N
41 Reed Bunting N
1 Corn Bunting NW.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's visible migration sightings thanks to Andy Makin, Andy pinches, Paul Wilson and Simon Warford:
21 Whooper Swan SE at 9:30
1623 Pink-footed Geese SE in 17 skeins
10788 Woodpigeon S in 98 flocks
160 Redwing N and E
1248 Fieldfare N and E
51 Chaffinch N and 8 S
72 Brambling
18 Siskin S
53 Crossbill, with 10 S and 43 N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning from Higher Meadows:
14 Whooper Swan over SE (in flocks of 5, 2 and 7)
30 Pink-footed Geese NW
2147 Woodpigeon S
285 Fieldfare
Info thanks to Andy Makin
4 Snow Buntings headed NE over Higher Meadows at 08:30 this morning, heading towards Smithills Moor.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Despite the misty conditions a really good morning for variety and quality! Initially fairly quiet but things really got going around 8am and was very busy for the next hour or so, with lots of small flocks of Woodpigeons and a female type Merlin flew straight through at speed, half-heartedly chasing a couple of passerines along the way. Then, unexpectedly a couple of large flocks of Bramblings right overhead, out of the gloom so past us in a few seconds calling, its not often we get brambling flocks of this size (50+25+30) in quick succession. Then at 08:50 a Hawfinch flew through low south and what was presumably a different bird appeared around 10:50 and perched up briefly with Crossbills and Chaffinches giving good views in Gale Brook Plantation, it flew around a few times and perched up again before flying off south with a finch flock. Yet more Crossbills for us and a single Swallow south was probably the last one this year. Three Ring Ouzels south were notable and also a single bird remains faithful to a rowan tree near Scout Road quarry.
2031 Woodpigeon south
1 female type Merlin south
593 Starling west
1071 Fieldfares
485 Redwings
3 Ring Ouzel south and 1 still frequenting a Rowan Tree near Scout Road
27 Song Thrush
3 Tree Sparrow
185 Chaffinch
214 Bramblings south
2 Hawfinch south, with one perched up in Gale Brook Plantation for a while
75 Crossbills
61 Siskin
Today's moors morning highlights:
7 Whooper Swan SE
320 Pink-footed Geese SE and 289 NW
8671 Woodpigeon S/SW
450 Starling N
235 Redwing N
2759 Fieldfare, with 574 N and 2185 W/SW
26 Brambling N
12 Crossbill S and 8 NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today's moors visible migration highlights included;
1239 Pink-footed Geese SE in 10 skeins and 484 NW in 6 skeins
1275 Woodpigeon S
470 Redwing W/SW
3113 Fieldfare W/SW in 51 flocks (largest flock of 280)
815 Starling W/SW
2 Brambling NW
16 Bullfinch N
17 Crossbill S
21 Reed Bunting S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today's highlights in poor visibility and conditions:
Water Rail around Bryan Hey Reservoir
61 Redwing in 7 small flocks
3 Brambling
16 Siskin
7 Crossbill
Immature type Ring Ouzel still in a Rowan on the slope by Scout Road quarry for its seventh day
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today's moors highlights 07:40-11:15am:
142 Pink-footed Geese in 3 skeins SE and 70 NW
1 male Merlin SW
1 Golden Plover SE
1734 Woodpigeon S
52 Fieldfare N and 170 S
201 Redwing N and 232 S
1 immature Ring Ouzel down
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker together N
22 Brambling S and 5 N
6 Crossbill S
1 Yellowhammer
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Visible migration highlights (heading south) from the opposite side of the moors this morning by Scout Road/Gale Brook Plantation included:
263 Woodpigeon
448 Redwing
576 Fieldfare
1 Ring Ouzel (down on the ground)
6 Swallow
210 Chaffinch
71 Greenfinch
113 Linnet
510 Goldfinch
364 Siskin
45 Crossbill in four flocks
8 Brambling
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Visible migration from Higher Meadows along Georges Lane (all heading pretty much south) this morning produced highlights of:
5 Ring Ouzel in one flock flew out of the big hedge at just after 07:20, circled the area twice then made off east across the moor
1959 Redwing
159 Fieldfare
34 Song Thrush
1082 Woodpigeon
203 Chaffinch
2 Swallow
43 Greenfinch
32 Linnet
2 Stonechat were also present on Wildersmoor
This morning's sightings included:
475 Woodpigeon S
1 Ring-necked Parakeet S with Woodpigeon flock
89 Redwing and 45 Fieldfare S
2 Ring Ouzel with 1 over S and one flushed off the moor
115 Chaffinch, 49 Siskin, 37 Greenfinch 37, 140 Goldfinch and 132 Linnet S
14 Crossbill S
19 Reed Bunting S
3 Twite fed briefly on the burnt slope above Gale Brook with flock of Goldfinch before flying off S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's highlights:
2 Greylag Geese NW
2 Ring Ouzel S
69 Fieldfare S
139 Redwing S
6 Swallow S
95 Siskin S
16 Crossbill S
69 Linnet S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning:
1 Sand Martin south
172 Redwing S in 11 flocks
49 Siskin S
64 Linnet S
24 Crossbill in three flocks dropped in to Gale Brook Planation, with another 10 direct over south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's moors visible migration totals from the Scout Road watchpoint included:
19 Pink-footed Geese in 2 skeins NW and two of 73 SE
1 Goosander E
1 immature Hen Harrier south at 7:55 am
400 Woodpigeon N and 822 S
166 Meadow Pipit S
121 Redwing S in 7 groups, largest flock of 30
3 Fieldfare S and 29 NW
3 Swallow and 3 House Martin S
218 Chaffinch S
213 Goldfinch S
88 Siskin S
63 Greenfinch S
112 Linnet S
1 Crossbill S
2 Tree Sparrow S
18 Reed Bunting S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Georges Lane : 7 Stonechats between Wilderswood and the kennels, plus 8 more on the Lancs border around the ruins of the old building and on the fence posts.
4 Meadow Pipits were with the Stonechats on the Lancs border.
The only birds (Apart from corvids) around Burnt Edge were a couple of Kestrels and a single Meadow Pipit.
A Kestrel was still hovering here at 19.00 in the twilight. Another Kestrel was over Walker Fold.
70 Pink-footed Geese flew NW.
Some visible migration highlights for yesterday included the first Redwing of the autumn:
139 Meadow Pipit S
26 Redwing S
177 Chaffinch S
145 Siskin S
103 Linnet S
64 Greenfinch S
22 Crossbill S in flocks of 12,1,4,2,3
Info thank to Andy Makin
52 Siskin also through Scout Road and 208 Pink-footed Geese in four skiens heading east.
This mornings totals over the Scout Road area with Phil Rhodes, Dan Brown, Simon Warford, Karen Foulkes and Simon Ghilks:
5 skeins of Pink-footed Goose with 261 SE, 2 NW and 50 SE
3 Merlin
4 Golden Plover
846 Woodpigeon north and 783 south, in small flocks
126 Swallow and 16 House Martin through
371 Meadow Pipit
84 Pied Wagtail
181 Chaffinch
177 Linnet
204 Siskin
30 Crossbill in six flocks
Birds down included a Black Redstart in Scout Road quarry
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Highlights from today's visible migration from Scout Road included:
Juvenile Marsh Harrier over NW
1 ringtail Hen Harrier south
1 Red Kite drifting south and fighting with Buzzards
24 Buzzard over S/SW
6 Sparrowhawk SW
37 Raven over south in several flocks, including 17 in a single spiral
437 Pink-footed Geese over (90 SE, 267 W/NW, 80 SW)
176 Woodpigeon south
1121 Meadow Pipit south
7 Swallow and 55 House Martin south
5 Crossbill down briefly then flew off south
6 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff and 7 Wheatear were 'down' around the moors and a further 2 Wheatear flew south
Info thanks to Andy Makin (joined by Simon Warford and Phil Rhodes)
Late news for yesterday with highlights of:
90 Siskin south
2 Tree Sparrow south
1 Crossbill south
375 Meadow Pipit south
17 Pink-footed Geese SE
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today's moors highlights included:
1 Greylag Goose SW
280 Pink-footed Geese east, 21 NW and 1 south
885 Woodpigeon south in 28 flocks
797 Meadow Pipit south
91 Pied Wagtail south
42 Swallow and 1House Martin south
114 Chaffinch south
27 Lesser Redpoll south
126 Linnet south
6 Crossbill south
2 Black Redstart on Winter Hill along the GM boundary wall
1 Wheatear
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes and Andy Makin
Today's moors highlights:
1 Jack Snipe accidentally flushed off a path walking up to watchpoint
75 Pink-footed Geese WSW
1 Greylag Goose SW
865 Woodpigeon S/SE in 53 flocks
327 Meadow Pipit south
22 Lesser Redpoll south
145 Siskin south
61 Linnet south
15 Crossbill south
2 Wheatear
1 female type Black Redstart around the rocket shaped mast in Winter Hill also made a brief visit into Greater Manchester.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Some other birds for today in or over the area included:
423 Pink-footed Geese over in 8 skeins in various directions
14 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin and 7 House Martin south
226 Meadow Pipit south
6 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning’s highlights included:
Red Kite low south over Heather Hall and Horwich Moor at 12:10
1 Merlin SW
The two Black Redstart still around the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Male and female Black Redstart around the Rocket shaped mast in Lancs. Also 16 Wheatear around the mast area and 5 Wheatear Edge Lane.
Chiffchaff and Goldcrest in the main mast compound.
2 Wheatears dropped out of the sky at Scout Road briefly feeding in field before flying off south. A juvenile Whinchat was also present briefly in the same field.
5 Crossbills flew over Burnt Edge
1 Hobby south
1 Merlin south
128 Pink-footed Geese west and 90 east
308 Meadow Pipit south
125 House Martin south
140 Swallow south
Highlights of today's sightings from the moors included:
10,414 Meadow Pipit moving over south
2 Hen Harriers through
2 single Merlins following pipits south
5 skeins of Pink-footed Geese over NW totalling 192 and a further skein of 64 east
70 House Martin and 941 Swallow south
17 Siskin and 126 Linnet south
8 Wheatear
Young male Black Redstart around the rocket mast on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Dan Brown and Dave Sherington
This morning's visible migration highlights from Scout Road included:
13 Pink-footed Geese SE
2 Goosander SW
1 adult Hobby south
58 Swallow 58 and 8 House Martin south
7376 Meadow Pipit moving through south between 7am and 12:15pm
1 Yellowhammer south
45 Siskin, 66 Linnet, 88 Goldfinch south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today's highlights included 726 Meadow Pipit over south, 86 Swallow and 6 House Martin south.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Highlights of late morning to early afternoon today:
139 Swallow, 26 House and 2 Sand Martin through
3 Hobby though in singles (2 immature and 1 adult)
Late news for yesterday morning when a single Whinchat was in the pony fields off Mast Road
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Osprey SW over Two Lads Hill at 5:15pm today
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Highlights from today included just 340 Meadow Pipit through but also a male Merlin though south and 5 Wheatear.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's totals over the moors:
Osprey WSW at 11:33
2 single Golden Plover over
7 Snipe south
Little Owl flying 300 ft above the moor which continued direct SW being mobbed by pipits
1 Green Woodpecker high NE over Horrocks Moor
1135 Meadow Pipit passing through from 7am to midday
2 wheatear down by Scout Road
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today’s visible migration sightings:
A total of 1073 Meadow Pipit over from 7am to 12:30pm
2 single Merlin
An adult Hobby which caught a Meadow Pipit over Horrocks Moor and ate it on the ground
2 Tree pipit east
1 Little Ringed Plover over east calling
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Georges Lane : 1 Peregrine, 2 Ravens, 1 Stonechat, 2 Kestrels and 7 Swallows.
A Raven was flying alongside the Peregine and both appeared to tolerate the other, until a Magpie joined them.
The Magpie mobbed the Raven relentlessly, forcing it to flee towards Wilderswood, where it was joined by one of it's own kind.
The Magpie then gave up the chase, but it seemed to just ignore the Peregrine, which circled then drifted off towards Rivington.
4 Coal Tits were in the plantation by the Lancs border, but no small migrants were found there.
Burnt Edge : 2 Stonechats and 1 Whinchat were on the Western side of the powerlines.
However, at the Walker Fold end of the bank a roaming mixed flock contained 4 Stonechats, 2 Whinchats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers,
1 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff. Amongst them there was also a Meadow Pipit, one of 16 seen along the bank.
Walker Fold : 4 Goldcrests (Amongst a large flock of small birds, mainly Coal Tits, moving through the conifers), 1 Bullfinch
and 1 Kestrel. Holden's Farm : 2 Linnets and 2 Meadow Pipits. A flock of 9 Swallows flew over heading West.
Highlights today:
3 Spotted Flycatcher in willows below Burnt Edge and another 4 at Roscoes Tenement Clough
1 Whinchat Burnt Edge
1 Tree pipit Green Nook
1 Merlin SW
1 Whitethroat
3 Chiffchaff
296 Swallow south
8 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock
Around the top if Winter Hlll late morning today:
31 Wheatear
3 Whinchat
3 Merlin, two male and female/immature type south
260 grounded Meadow Pipit in the rain
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Walk around Burnt Edge this morning in light rain, sightings included
2 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
1 Whinchat
1 Spotted flycatcher
Several Stonechat
1 Whitethroat
2 Reed Bunting
1 Sparrowhawk flushing a flock of mixed finches
Lots of Meadow Pipits
-- Edited by Karl Liptrot on Tuesday 4th of September 2018 12:23:43 PM
Sightings from this morning:
1st year male type Black Redstart around the mast buildings in Lancs; also still present early evening
16 Wheatear
2 Pied Flycatcher on the fence in the sheep field below the pike in Lancs first thing this morning
Late news for yesterday included:
3 Tree Pipits south
25 Wheatear
1 Whinchat
4 Spotted Flycatcher
11 Swift
277 Swallow
130 House Martin
Info thanks to Andy Makin, Dan Brown and Andy Pinches
This morning's highlights:
4 Shelduck west (two adults and two immature type)
1 Sand Martin, 182 House Martin, 255 Swallow over
1 Grey Wagtail, 48 Meadow Pipit, 19 Linnet, 3 Siskin and 34 Goldfinch over
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Sightings from today included:
2 Wheatear
3 Tree Pipit over
A Spotted Flycatcher
1 female/immature Merlin
1 Whinchat at Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Additional late sightings for yesterday morning at Burnt Edge:
7 Spotted Flycatcher
6 Stonechats
3 Whinchats
1 Whitethroat
4 Willow Warbler and 1 Chiffchaff
Info thanks to Ken Haydock and Jill Mills
This evening's sightings included:
6 Spotted Flycatcher at Higher Meadows
21 Wheatear
1 Black Redstart at the top of Mast Road on top of Winter Hill
1 Grasshopper Warbler flushed from the satellite compound behind main building (in Lancashire)
Info thanks to Dan Brown