Now 51 Golden Plovers 4 Wheatears 2 Swift 2 Goldcrests Garden Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Lesser Redpoll.
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Sun May 10 1:51 PM, 2015
0900 - 1200. A decent morning with plenty going on:
Picking Rods Track / Quarry area: Golden Plovers 32 Wheatears 12 Meadow Pipits 12 Skylarks 6 (singing) Curlew 2 Reed Bunting 3 males (singing) Pied Wagtails 2 Common Whitethroat 1 Linnets 2 Swifts 37 (steady passage west) House Martin 1
Around Cloughend Farm: Garden Warbler 1 Lesser Redpolls 3 Willow Warblers 5 (singing) Tree Sparrow 1
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 10th of May 2015 01:53:04 PM
sid ashton said
Fri May 8 12:06 PM, 2015
John Rayner wrote:
On BirdForum and our own Manchester Forum I have also been dubbed 'Raynor' despite the proximity of a prompt above my avatar. Perhaps Ian could add a sticky about correct spelling of birder's names, as well as of birds
Cheers John
My apologies John, guilty as charged - but still a great find that R-t pipette
John Rayner said
Thu May 7 10:37 PM, 2015
Andy Bissitt wrote:
John,
I see you have made several names for yourself: on UK400 Club website (ssshhhh, don't mention I was on it), you are variously caled John Rainer, and John Raines, as well as 'the man of the moment'. Only one of these is correct of course!!
On BirdForum and our own Manchester Forum I have also been dubbed 'Raynor' despite the proximity of a prompt above my avatar. Perhaps Ian could add a sticky about correct spelling of birder's names, as well as of birds
Cheers John
Andy Bissitt said
Thu May 7 9:44 PM, 2015
John,
I see you have made several names for yourself: on UK400 Club website (ssshhhh, don't mention I was on it), you are variously caled John Rainer, and John Raines, as well as 'the man of the moment'. Only one of these is correct of course!!
Stephen Fuentes said
Thu May 7 11:50 AM, 2015
Never mind John, there's always that Harlequin duck which might be waiting for you at Roman Lakes !!
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Thursday 7th of May 2015 11:51:37 AM
John Rayner said
Wed May 6 9:42 AM, 2015
Well, the twitching circus moves on
Back to normal up here: No cars, no birders, cutting wind, driven rain, no birds.
I couldn't even find a single Meadow Pipit. However, my first Lapwing chicks and a Whimbrel heard
Cheers John
Rob Creek said
Tue May 5 3:30 PM, 2015
Arrived up at Ludworth last evening around 7pm after a visit to RSPB Blacktoft.
I thought it was only fair to come back in that direction and give Steve B and Simon G the chance to get a Lifer, and it proved to be just that. It was showing not far from the path in the same field. After approx 5 mins it was disturbed by some frolicking lambs and it flew over towards the middle of the field near the thicker Juncus tufts.
Other birds whilst there... Plenty of Lapwing Meadow Pipit Skylark 3 Whestear 1 Snipe over, it landed in cover and started drumming After a while it took to the air and was joined by another 3 in flight
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 5th of May 2015 03:30:41 PM
John Rayner said
Tue May 5 11:47 AM, 2015
Patrick Earith wrote:
I'm guessing, no sign this morning? ð
No sign up to 11.00 in horrendous conditions - driving squally rain.
But many birds in similar numbers to yesterday were still in the field i.e. c15 Meadow Pipits, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 White and 2 Pied Wagtails.
Whimbrel and c25 Golden Plover were also reported.
Cheers, John
Doc Brewster said
Tue May 5 10:46 AM, 2015
John Rayner wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
by the way is the Road the border? as I cannot find the border between the counties on any map. Once again well done a brilliant bird and a new one for me :)
I have always taken the border to be the drystone wall on the right hand side walking away from Gun Road. This is how it appears on www.streetmap.co.uk. But looking again at the 'Street Map Bible' that is "Geographia - Street Map of Greater Manchester", it is arguably down the middle of the track at that point.
It's never been important before
Cheers, John
On my large scale A to Z StreetAtlas of Greater Manchester it shows the border exactly as John describes above, straight down the centre of the track off Gun Road for a fair distance & then goes off at a tangent (far enough down not to bother pipit watchers). So on Sunday When the pipit flew over our heads calling as soon as it went over the track we were on, it was in GM. It was seen to land in a field in GM and then later fly out of the GM field back into Derbyshire! Hope that isn't gobbledegook!!
Patrick Earith said
Tue May 5 10:41 AM, 2015
I'm guessing, no sign this morning? ð
Chris Chandler said
Mon May 4 11:13 PM, 2015
Red-Throated Pipit showed well until I left at around 7.30pm Stunning bird that showed down to about 15m - well done and thanks to John for a great find!
Also in the area - 20+ Golden Plover 8 Wheatear 2 Curlew 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard Numerous Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Pied Wagtail
colin davies said
Mon May 4 9:15 PM, 2015
Saw it again this afternoon in much better weather than yesterday. What a bird! Thankfully it flew into GM airspace while I was there (at about 3pm) A whimbrel flew over calling as well.
Adam Jones said
Mon May 4 6:55 PM, 2015
Chuffed to bits to have been able to see this bird. Sadly it didn't fly into GM airspace for me, but thanks to John for a great find.
John Rayner said
Mon May 4 5:17 PM, 2015
JOHN TYMON wrote:
by the way is the Road the border? as I cannot find the border between the counties on any map. Once again well done a brilliant bird and a new one for me :)
I have always taken the border to be the drystone wall on the right hand side walking away from Gun Road. This is how it appears on www.streetmap.co.uk. But looking again at the 'Street Map Bible' that is "Geographia - Street Map of Greater Manchester", it is arguably down the middle of the track at that point.
It's never been important before
Cheers, John
JOHN TYMON said
Mon May 4 4:48 PM, 2015
John Rayner wrote:
Red-throated Pipit still in same field at 11.00.
Also:
11 Wheatears 1 Grasshopper Warbler 2 Golden Plovers
A fly-through Hobby (info from Karen Foulkes and Simon Ghilks)
Cheers John
Well done John a great find ,and a fantastic bird still showing distantly when I left at 2.30. by the way is the Road the border? as I cannot find the border between the counties on any map. Once again well done a brilliant bird and a new one for me :)
colin moran said
Mon May 4 4:27 PM, 2015
Red throated pipit showing well on the Derbyshire side of the track 2.30 until 3.30 at 2.55 it flew calling into Greater Manchester and then returned straight back into Derbyshire.
Nice to meet Andy Bissit.
Cheers, Colin.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 4 3:59 PM, 2015
Red-throated pipit still showing well on the Derbyshire side of the track up to Robin Hood's Picking Rods at 3:50pm.
Info thanks to Gary Crowder
JOHN TYMON said
Mon May 4 1:04 PM, 2015
Red throated pipit still showing same spot about 100 m away
Steven Nelson said
Mon May 4 12:58 PM, 2015
Red throated Pipit showing superbly when I got there at 11.00am up until approx. 11.30am when it flew further back in the field and into a dip and out of view.
Also 1 White Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Swift 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 5-6 Wheatear - probably more
John Rayner said
Mon May 4 11:33 AM, 2015
Red-throated Pipit still in same field at 11.00.
Also:
11 Wheatears 1 Grasshopper Warbler 2 Golden Plovers
A fly-through Hobby (info from Karen Foulkes and Simon Ghilks)
Cheers John
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 4 10:53 AM, 2015
Red-throated Pipit showed well close to the road (usual directions) at 10:10 this morning though still within Derbyshire.
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
Craig Higson said
Mon May 4 9:31 AM, 2015
The bird was actually down by the road itself when it was re-found. It was very mobile, walking around in the Juncus, but when it did show it was stunning. A great bird and it was good to meet John Rayner up there as well - plenty people congratulating him on the find. The bird flew off east, towards the picking rods at about 08:00. I didn't see it land, but thats purely because it was lost in the sun. Didn't see it on the GM side, but a great bird whatever side of the line.
On the GM side of the border, 1 Grasshopper Warbler showing well on the wall, minimum of 8 Wheatears, 5 Golden Plover over.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Monday 4th of May 2015 09:33:00 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 4 7:48 AM, 2015
Red-throated Pipit still present this morning.
Same directions as yesterday.
Info thanks to Craig Higson
Doc Brewster said
Sun May 3 9:41 PM, 2015
Headed up before lunch as soon as the news got out (well done John on the find & putting the news out so quickly). Found the spot very easily & the bird was showing as soon as I arrived, what a stunner. Having only ever seen a winter-plumaged bird in the UK this was a fantastic bird to see in all its finery. Soon after I arrived it flew over us calling and landed in the field behind us, in Greater Manchester! We searched for a short while but the tussocks hid it well until it flew up & back to it's original field back in Derbyshire! The bird showed really well to all-comers and eventually ended up only a few metres into the field by the road, allowing great photo opportunities. Two Whimbrel also flew past, behind us, calling, so yep definitely Whimbrel, Rob.
Nice to see so many familiar faces & say hello. I left just before the rain, it started as I was 2 minutes down the road, so good timing! Hope that it sticks around for anyone who couldn't make it today
colin davies said
Sun May 3 8:48 PM, 2015
I had great views of the red-throated pipit this afternoon, albeit in terrible weather. Well done John, and nice to meet you. A UK tick for me.
brian fielding said
Sun May 3 7:01 PM, 2015
Red-throated Pipit back at the same place!
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 08:03:16 PM
brian fielding said
Sun May 3 6:23 PM, 2015
Flown off West at 17.15 according to birdguides.
Craig Higson said
Sun May 3 5:06 PM, 2015
Hoping to be there first thing tomorrow so any late (or very early) updates appreciated
Chris Harper said
Sun May 3 4:25 PM, 2015
Red Throated Pipit still present at 3.35 after the storm. Showing well in field next to Gun road although in Juncus a fair while. Great to see a big crowd there and can only echo the sentiments of others in giving BIG congratulations to Mr R on a great find.
john tromans said
Sun May 3 4:07 PM, 2015
Well done John. What a superb bird and no one deserves to find one like this more than you. Your patch dedication has had its rewards. I had great views of the bird in both counties so another GM tick for me. It was still showing when I left at around 14.20 and luckily before the thunder and lightening arrived.
Tim Wilcox said
Sun May 3 3:57 PM, 2015
What a great find by John! Superb views before, like Rob, I ran for the car as the skies opened. It didn't fly into GM for me as I watched it from the border path but it didn't matter it was a lifer anyway having missed out in Finland
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 03:57:54 PM
Rob Creek said
Sun May 3 3:46 PM, 2015
RED-THROATED PIPIT - a Lifer for me
What a fantastic find by John and a cracking bird to see. Good to see all the familiar faces far too many to name. Was on the bird within minutes of arriving and it stood out showing it's splendid rust-red frontal plumage down from the throat to the chest area, and also when it turned to the rear it exhibited heavy contrasting streaking right down it's back. It was feeding with a few Meadow Pipits and was in and out of the Juncus tufts and the grazing sheep. It did a few poses for everyone to get excellent views of this striking bird.
It relocated a few times into the next field which I now believe was Greater Manchester, good for a lot of birders. Then it plonked itself really close to the roadside at the bottom end giving exceptional views before flying right over the hill and out of view. The lightning struck and then the thunder boom came, birders made a run for it, it frightened the life out of the sheep, and a whole load of Meadow Pipits probably with the Red-throated Pipit took to the air.
Other birds of note... Lots of Meadow Pipit Quite a few Skylark about 2 Wheatear 1 White Wagtail giving good views 2 Whimbrel - wasn't sure at first but decidedly darker underwings when they turned in the air, and appeared slightly smaller on the whole, and all those present in the group where I was were all leaning to Whimbrel too 1 female Bullfinch in roadside bush at end of Gun Rd on leaving.
Great afternoon! Cheers
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 09:13:42 PM
sid ashton said
Sun May 3 3:44 PM, 2015
Red-throated Pipit still present when we left at 2.30 - a smashing bird well done Mr Raynor
John Rayner said
Sun May 3 2:42 PM, 2015
Quite a surprise this morning!
I was quietly hoping for something good, but then I always do - and it never happens. A Tree Pipit would have done
I was scanning and counting Wheatears and Meadow Pipits when my bins alighted on a rufous-headed beauty. A summer plumaged Red-throated Pipit - couldn't believe my eyes. No scope to hand, no camera. I keep a battered 40+ year-old Bushnell Discoverer in the boot so rushed back for that and passed 3 joggers going the other way who must have flushed it. A big relief when it was refound.
All this is happening very close to the GM/Derbyshire border and on a couple of occasions it has flown round and landed out of sight in GM. Then flew back into Derbyshire calling (recent info - John Tromans).
Also of note:
15 Golden Plovers 11 Wheatears 1 White Wagtail 2 Whimbrels
Cheers John
brian fielding said
Sun May 3 2:42 PM, 2015
Congrats to John raynor on a superb find , red throated pipit flew into gm at least twice whilst I was there, the second time calling, British lifer for me!
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 3 11:06 AM, 2015
Red-throated Pipit still present off Gun Road in the field to the left of the track up to Robin Hood's Picking Rods (after being lost for a short while) and has overflown into Greater Manchester airspace on a couple of occasions.
Info thanks to John Rayner
Rob Creek said
Sun May 3 10:44 AM, 2015
Is this the Gun Rd Charlesworth area? Not overly familiar with it round there. Cheers
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 3 10:32 AM, 2015
Red-throated Pipit on Ludworth Moor, only just over the border in Derbyshire (not in Greater Manchester). In the field on the left of the track up to Robin Hood's Picking Rods at 10:25 this morning.
Info thanks to John Rayner
John Rayner said
Mon Apr 27 12:25 PM, 2015
07.15 - 09.30 (-1 degrees)
Lapwings 14 Meadow Pipits 15 Reed Buntings 7 Green Woodpeckers 2 Willow Warblers 8 Lesser Redpoll 1 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Common Whitethroats 2 Swallows 8 Tree Sparrows heard at April Cottage
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Sun Apr 26 12:57 PM, 2015
A flock of 15 Meadow Pipits was accompanied by 4 Pied Wagtails and a superbly bright male Yellow Wagtail. 6 Wheatears in general area. Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing near Cloughend Farm.
Cheers John
Nigel Troup said
Fri Apr 24 3:30 PM, 2015
John,
I'm doing neighbouring squares SJ 9888 and SJ 9887 on Mellor Moor tomorrow morning. I'll be happy if I do as well as you did!
John Rayner said
Fri Apr 24 11:17 AM, 2015
Completed a BTO Breeding Birds Survey this morning with Mark Walsh.
9 Willow Warbler heard
3 Chiffchaff
3 Redpoll
16 Swallow
3 Swift
1 Garden Warbler
1 Whitethroat
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Wheatear
3 Treesparrow
Cheers
Mark
Now 51 Golden Plovers
4 Wheatears
2 Swift
2 Goldcrests
Garden Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Lesser Redpoll.
Cheers John
Picking Rods Track / Quarry area:
Golden Plovers 32
Wheatears 12
Meadow Pipits 12
Skylarks 6 (singing)
Curlew 2
Reed Bunting 3 males (singing)
Pied Wagtails 2
Common Whitethroat 1
Linnets 2
Swifts 37 (steady passage west)
House Martin 1
Around Cloughend Farm:
Garden Warbler 1
Lesser Redpolls 3
Willow Warblers 5 (singing)
Tree Sparrow 1
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 10th of May 2015 01:53:04 PM
On BirdForum and our own Manchester Forum I have also been dubbed 'Raynor' despite the proximity of a prompt above my avatar. Perhaps Ian could add a sticky about correct spelling of birder's names, as well as of birds
Cheers John
I see you have made several names for yourself: on UK400 Club website (ssshhhh, don't mention I was on it), you are variously caled John Rainer, and John Raines, as well as 'the man of the moment'. Only one of these is correct of course!!
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Thursday 7th of May 2015 11:51:37 AM
Back to normal up here: No cars, no birders, cutting wind, driven rain, no birds.
I couldn't even find a single Meadow Pipit. However, my first Lapwing chicks and a Whimbrel heard
Cheers John
I thought it was only fair to come back in that direction and give Steve B and Simon G the chance to get a Lifer, and it proved to be just that. It was showing not far from the path in the same field. After approx 5 mins it was disturbed by some frolicking lambs and it flew over towards the middle of the field near the thicker Juncus tufts.
Other birds whilst there...
Plenty of Lapwing
Meadow Pipit
Skylark
3 Whestear
1 Snipe over, it landed in cover and started drumming
After a while it took to the air and was joined by another 3 in flight
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 5th of May 2015 03:30:41 PM
No sign up to 11.00 in horrendous conditions - driving squally rain.
But many birds in similar numbers to yesterday were still in the field i.e. c15 Meadow Pipits, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 White and 2 Pied Wagtails.
Whimbrel and c25 Golden Plover were also reported.
Cheers, John
On my large scale A to Z StreetAtlas of Greater Manchester it shows the border exactly as John describes above, straight down the centre of the track off Gun Road for a fair distance & then goes off at a tangent (far enough down not to bother pipit watchers). So on Sunday When the pipit flew over our heads calling as soon as it went over the track we were on, it was in GM. It was seen to land in a field in GM and then later fly out of the GM field back into Derbyshire! Hope that isn't gobbledegook!!
Stunning bird that showed down to about 15m - well done and thanks to John for a great find!
Also in the area -
20+ Golden Plover
8 Wheatear
2 Curlew
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
Numerous Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Pied Wagtail
Well done John a great find ,and a fantastic bird still showing distantly when I left at 2.30. by the way is the Road the border? as I cannot find the border between the counties on any map. Once again well done a brilliant bird and a new one for me :)
Nice to meet Andy Bissit.
Cheers, Colin.
Info thanks to Gary Crowder
Also
1 White Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Swift
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
5-6 Wheatear - probably more
Also:
11 Wheatears
1 Grasshopper Warbler
2 Golden Plovers
A fly-through Hobby (info from Karen Foulkes and Simon Ghilks)
Cheers John
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
On the GM side of the border, 1 Grasshopper Warbler showing well on the wall, minimum of 8 Wheatears, 5 Golden Plover over.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Monday 4th of May 2015 09:33:00 AM
Same directions as yesterday.
Info thanks to Craig Higson
Nice to see so many familiar faces & say hello. I left just before the rain, it started as I was 2 minutes down the road, so good timing! Hope that it sticks around for anyone who couldn't make it today
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 08:03:16 PM
Great to see a big crowd there and can only echo the sentiments of others in giving BIG congratulations to Mr R on a great find.
Your patch dedication has had its rewards.
I had great views of the bird in both counties so another GM tick for me.
It was still showing when I left at around 14.20 and luckily before the thunder and lightening arrived.
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 03:57:54 PM
What a fantastic find by John and a cracking bird to see. Good to see all the familiar faces far too many to name.
Was on the bird within minutes of arriving and it stood out showing it's splendid rust-red frontal plumage down from the throat to the chest area, and also when it turned to the rear it exhibited heavy contrasting streaking right down it's back. It was feeding with a few Meadow Pipits and was in and out of the Juncus tufts and the grazing sheep.
It did a few poses for everyone to get excellent views of this striking bird.
It relocated a few times into the next field which I now believe was Greater Manchester, good for a lot of birders. Then it plonked itself really close to the roadside at the bottom end giving exceptional views before flying right over the hill and out of view.
The lightning struck and then the thunder boom came, birders made a run for it, it frightened the life out of the sheep, and a whole load of Meadow Pipits probably with the Red-throated Pipit took to the air.
Other birds of note...
Lots of Meadow Pipit
Quite a few Skylark about
2 Wheatear
1 White Wagtail giving good views
2 Whimbrel - wasn't sure at first but decidedly darker underwings when they turned in the air, and appeared slightly smaller on the whole, and all those present in the group where I was were all leaning to Whimbrel too
1 female Bullfinch in roadside bush at end of Gun Rd on leaving.
Great afternoon!
Cheers
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 09:13:42 PM
I was quietly hoping for something good, but then I always do - and it never happens. A Tree Pipit would have done
I was scanning and counting Wheatears and Meadow Pipits when my bins alighted on a rufous-headed beauty. A summer plumaged Red-throated Pipit - couldn't believe my eyes. No scope to hand, no camera. I keep a battered 40+ year-old Bushnell Discoverer in the boot so rushed back for that and passed 3 joggers going the other way who must have flushed it. A big relief when it was refound.
All this is happening very close to the GM/Derbyshire border and on a couple of occasions it has flown round and landed out of sight in GM. Then flew back into Derbyshire calling (recent info - John Tromans).
Also of note:
15 Golden Plovers
11 Wheatears
1 White Wagtail
2 Whimbrels
Cheers John
Info thanks to John Rayner
Cheers
Info thanks to John Rayner
Lapwings 14
Meadow Pipits 15
Reed Buntings 7
Green Woodpeckers 2
Willow Warblers 8
Lesser Redpoll 1
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Common Whitethroats 2
Swallows 8
Tree Sparrows heard at April Cottage
Cheers John
6 Wheatears in general area.
Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing near Cloughend Farm.
Cheers John
I'm doing neighbouring squares SJ 9888 and SJ 9887 on Mellor Moor tomorrow morning. I'll be happy if I do as well as you did!
35 Species recorded with highlights:
Whinchat 1 (a stonkingly bright male)
Wheatear 3
Willow Warbler 11
Chiffchaff 4
Blackcap 1
Common Whitethroat 1
Curlew 2
Green Woodpecker 2
Grasshopper Warbler 1
Lesser Redpoll 5
Tufted Duck 2
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Friday 24th of April 2015 01:59:46 PM
Linnet 5
Golden Plover 36
Buzzard 1
Swallow 5
Cheers John
Wheatear 4
Green Woodpecker 2 (both ground feeding)
Snipe 1
Chiffchaff 1
+ usual residents
Cheers John
Green Woodpecker 2 (female giving very close views in quarry)
Fieldfare 36
Teal 2
Chiffchaff 1
+ usual residents singing/displaying
Cheers John
Redshank (heard and subsequently seen on corner pond just over the border in Derbyshire)
Golden Plover (heard)
Snipe 12
Cheers John
1 Chiffchaff singing
1 Green Woodpecker
(3 Lesser Redpolls and a possible Brambling per Mark Walsh)
Cheers John
Green Woodpecker 2 (very vocal)
Curlew 2 (display)
Snipe 2
Pheasant 5
Chiffchaff 1 (singing)
Skylark 8 (singing)
Meadow Pipit 7 (parachute display)
Lesser Redpoll 7
Goldfinch 21
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Friday 27th of March 2015 09:00:01 AM