An impressive flock of Tree Sparrows (26) in the hedge between Maize/Potato fields on LHS of approach to Green Bridge. (Many were juveniles but not accurately counted)
2 Adult + 2 full grown juvenile Oystercatchers on bare ground opposite Old Hall Farm.
Flock of mainly juvenile Starlings (33)
Curlew heard from airfield
Usual numbers of Swallows and Sand Martins

[Banded Demoiselles by Green Bridge and Brown Trout in River Dean]

Cheers, John

Wednesday 29 June 6.30-7.15

Highlight, was a Hobby that flew a circuit of Old Hall Farm. This made the Tree Sparrows go very quiet for once. (They really are their own worst enemy)
Others seen tonight included:
4 Oystercatchers
1 Skylark
2 Pied Wagtails
7 Lapwings
25 Tree Sparrows
1 Common Buzzard
4 Linnets
Lots of Sand Martins and two good size flocks of Starlings. I'd say at least 30-50 in each.



-- Edited by Adam Jones on Wednesday 29th of June 2011 08:21:48 PM

Sunday 26th June 2.00-3.15pm

A Sparrowhawk flew in across Old Hall Farm and took a Tree Sparrow that I was watching, and then proceeded to devour it in a tree close to the green bridge, giving good views. It eventually flew off with it still in it's tallons.
Other birds of note

3 Lapwings
8 Tree Sparrows
1 Skylark
1 Curlew
3 Linnets
Good numbers of Sand Martins.
Several demoiselle and dragon flys around the river too.


-- Edited by Adam Jones on Sunday 26th of June 2011 04:28:37 PM

Chris Harper wrote:

---

Hi-lights of my final timed tetrad visit 5.15-8am:

It's been a great 4 years, I think I will now suffer from atlas withdrawal syndrome.

---

It's not over yet Chris!

Still a month or so to enter Roving Records of confirmed breeders that you've only got as possibles or probables, etc...

That'll give you the chance to wean yourself off the evil TTV

Thanks for all your recording efforts,

Steve

Hi-lights of my final timed tetrad visit 5.15-8am:
Hobby hunting,early got a Sand Martin, did get a few dragonflies,
Garden warbler just east of Dairyhouse Wood
3 Snipe on runway.
2 Curlew mobbing me around golf course.
4 Oystercatcher, 2 were well grown juvenilles(on golf course)
3 Skylarks, 2 singing.
5 Lapwings
24 Tree Sparrows, mainly Willot Hall and Old Hall Farm.
2 Common Buzzards
Jay feeding young
4 Stock Doves
12 Linnets
2 Reed Buntings
28 Sand Martins
43 Swallows
6 Whitethroat
5 Blackcaps
Single Willow Warbler
Many of the more common species, especially Wrens, which seemed to be in every thicket.

It's been a great 4 years, I think I will now suffer from atlas withdrawal syndrome.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of June 2011 06:05:24 PM

Friday 24th June 8.00-9.30am

A fantastic mornings birding with lots of activity. Highlight of the day though, was definitely a female Redstart. (kindly confirmed by Ian) Located on the fence to the right of the main track heading towards the bridge. A County first for me.
2 Curlews
5 Skylarks (I think some were juveniles)
4 Oystercatchers
7 Linnets
10 Tree Sparrows
4 Stock Doves
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Common Buzzard
8 Lapwings
1 Grey Heron
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Chiffchaff
3 Long Tailed Tits
2 Reed Buntings (with grubs in mouths)
Pheasant (heard)
Many Sand Martins, Swifts and several Swallows

5.45am - 6.30am footpath over the Dean
2 Lapwings + chick - the parents were so protective they chased off a party off starlings and even a couple of sand martins that had landed on 'their' field
2 Curlews on airfield - very vocal and flighty
c 30 Sand Martins
Skylark singing
Blackcap singing
4 Stock Doves
Tree Sparrow Heard


-- Edited by Phil Barnett on Tuesday 21st of June 2011 07:21:54 AM

11:30 to 12:45 highlights:-

2 Oystercatchers.
6 Lapwings.
2 Linnets.
1 Skylark - singing high over airfield with 1 or 2 others 'twittering' in the grass below.
1 Tree Sparrow - first for the year
1 Grey Heron landing airside.
2 Curlews flying from airfield in SW direction.
Plenty of Swifts, Swallows and Sand Martins and a couple of House Martins.
4 Pied Wagtails on golf course.
1 Buzzard over bottom end of Old Hall Lane.
2 Juvenile Woodpigeons with 12 adults.
2 Jackdaws.
8 Carrion Crows.

Rick.

A quick foray this evening.

6 Curlew on the runway.
5 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
2 Oystercatcher (chasing/displaying with each other)
1 Skylark (heard)
1 Tree Sparrow
1 Linnet
5 Pied Wagtails
5 Lapwing
plus lots of the usual Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows

Another visit from 14:00 to 17:30 this afternoon up Old Hall Lane and twice round the perimeter footpath of the Golf Course.

The scrape on the right now has 5 piles of soil/rubble deposited in the middle and seems to have pushed most of the Lapwing and the Oystercatchers onto the field behind it.

Altogether seen:-
4 Oystercatchers
15+ Lapwings
1 Skylark feeding/collecting food on golf course
2 Buzzards
4 Curlew - 3 in airfield and 1 on golf course
100+ Woodpigeons
4 or 5 Stock Doves
2 Kingfishers in small brook (that joins the River Dean) along side of the 4th fairway just before the 4th green.
6 House Sparrows near large house on the right leading up to the club house.
Many Pied Wagtails - probably well over 12 seen throughout the golf course.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker but no sign of Lesser.
8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls overhead.
Plus many Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins and a few Swifts.
Also Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows , Wrens, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, and Starlings.
Rick.

I was a member of the golf club for about 10 years. Used to see the kingfisher quite regularly at the back of the 3rd green. Was a big rabbit problem and they used to bring the birds of prey in to control the numbers. Ahh the memories ;)

It helps a lot - many thanks Adam

Hi Phil, if you follow Old Hall Lane all the way down past the farm buildings on your right and the "Gascoigne" tank, you will go up a small rise in the road. Continue on and you should be able to see the runway on your left. Just past here on the right is a small inset just before the golf course. This is quite safe to park here. Alternatively you can park close to the church at the beginning of the road and walk down.
Hope that helps.

whereabouts on Old Hall Lane do you regulars park? I've been down there a few time without finding an obvious place

Sunday 12th June 7.30-9.00am

I tried in vain to find the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I did however see 7 Curlew this morning being very vocal on and around the runway. Sometimes flying over to the golf course. No sign of the Oystercatchers though. Others seen:
4 Tree Sparrows
6 Pied Wagtails
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
1 Skylark
5 Lapwings
2 Linnets
1 Common Buzzard
12 Canada Geese

A great find Ken. I will have to keep an eye out for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Any finds will be posted here.

Parked on old hall lane this morning to try to see the Oyster Catchers.
Unfortunately I failed to find the juveniles but saw the adults copulating in the field of sweetcorn, a second brood maybe?
2 Buzzards
2 Skylark
A family of pied wagtails
4 Pairs of Lapwings and six chicks.
1 Jay
But the find of the day was in a large apple tree behind the 7th Green on the Avro Golf course, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
My first one and he put on a great show, I even managed a couple of decent photos.

Thanks for the Post Adam, had a great walk.

Friday 10th June 7.30-8.30

2 juvenile Oystercatchers on the rough scrape. Parents were around, in the next field.
Lots of noise from the Lapwings, and I could see why, as a small ball of fluff (a juvenile) ran around the scrape looking for cover.
4 Curlew in total, across the airfield. Two were close to the road by the newly mowed grass at the top of the runway.
2 Skylarks. One seen carrying food to a possible nest site.
3 Pied Wagtails
3 Linnets
1 Tree Sparrow
Lots of Sand Martins and many juveniles sat along the barbed wire fence.
6 Swallows
4 Swifts

Hi Adam. Great news on the Oystercatchers.
That square is my atlas tetrad, and I'm going to 'do' it end of June.
Don't know if you put on roving records, but I do feel this is an important one, so if you get an opportunity can you submit it?
Yours
Chris H

Thanks Adam.
Rick.

Rick,

I was watching these Wagtails yesterday. They are juvenile Pied Wagtails. I think there are 3 or 4 of them. I watched through my scope as the parents came to feed them. They still have very wide yellow beaks, but seem to be doing well.

My first visit for nearly 50 years (when I used to cycle up to watch the planes as a kid), but this time used my bus pass from home right to the end of Old Hall Lane

Pleasant hour before the rain came produced:-

4 Buzzards - 1 pair circling overhead together at the bottom of Old Hall Lane, 1 further up over the airfield and 1 over the golf course.
1 Curlew over the airfield.
2 Pied Wagtails with food in their beaks on top of farm building.
3 further very light coloured Pied Wagtails - Juveniles or White Wagtails (?) chasing about in the rough scrape. They didn't stay still long enough to get a good look so not too sure what they really were.
2 Oystercatchers in the rough scrape and what looked like young huddled together.
8 Lapwing.
1 Skylark.
6 Linnet.
Mallard with chicks near green bridge.
Many Sand Martins with several Swifts, Swallows and House Martins.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in small wood beyond green bridge.
3 Stock Doves.
Many Starlings, Woodpigeons, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Rick.

Monday 6th June 7.30-8.30

Late post for yesterday.
Family of 5 Oystercatchers feeding on the rough scrape on the right hand side of Old Hall Lane. 3 juveniles with pale legs.
2 Curlew on and around the runway.
1 Skylark
2 Reed Buntings
Lots of Sand Martins

Tuesday 31st May 7.10-8.30pm

A Kingfisher flew towards and then round me as I stood on the green bridge. It headed across the field to rejoin the river. Only the second time I have seen one on this site and the first for over a year. Lets hope it sticks around.
1 Curlew (heard, in the direction of the airfield)
1 Skylark
3 Mistle Thrush
2 Tree Sparrows
12 Lapwings
11 Canada Geese (over head)
Many Sand Martins and Swifts
Also saw the large group of Starlings that John mentioned yesterday.
Lots and lots of young rabbits too.

30 May 14.45 - 15.30

1 Oystercatcher
4 Lapwings making a lot of noise (protecting young?)
3 Tree Sparrows
1 Curlew on the golf course
Many Sand Martins
2 House Martins
4 Swifts

Most notable was a flock of c120 Starlings, with juveniles outnumbering adults by 8 to 1.

Cheers, John

Sunday 29th May 7.15-8.30

A pair of very busy Oystercatchers tonight, between the rough scrape off Old Hall Lane and over towards the airfield.
A Hobby towards Wilmslow.
Also seen tonight:
2 Curlews (on runway)
2 Skylarks (over runway)
3 Tree Sparrows
c20 Swift
c60 Sand Martin
2 Swallows
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Heron
4 Mallard
1 Mistle Thrush

Tuesday 24th May 7.15-8.15

First time here for a number of weeks and there was plenty of activity tonight.
A good amount of Swifts (24) I don't remeber this many last year.
4 Swallows
30+ Sand Martins
16 Lapwings
1 Wheatear
1 Skylark
1 Mistle Thrush
4 Tree Sparrow on the right hand side after the farm buildings.
1 Grey Heron
12 Canada Geese (overhead)
lots of finches and the usual stuff.
1 Red Legged Partridge in field on Old Hall Lane

I arrived just as the heavens opened and the lightning began. So I remained in the car for a short while. As I did, 18 Greater Black Backed Gulls came in to land on the runway. As soon as the rain eased they were off again, heading North towards Hazel Grove.
Skylark 2
Lapwings 7
Sand Martins 20
Lots of the usual bits and bobs too.

The Sacred Ibis found me again this morning but on the Cheshire side of the airfield. 2 male Yellow Wagtails also very close to Stockport Borough (but not close enough)

Cheers, John

John Rayner had a Sacred Ibis fly north east over Woodford at c09:42 this morning. Almost certainly the bird from Carsington Water, Derbyshire yesterday.

Monday 25th April 9.00-9.30am

Pretty quite morning, but the following were seen:
2 Curlew on the runway
2 Skylark over the runway
1 Buzzard
1 Song Thrush
lots and lots of Sand Martins and Lapwings. (at least 30 of each)
Plus all the usual stuff too.

After a very foggy start, highlights of my tetrad visit today:
1 Wheatear
2 Reed Bunting
Bullfinch
2 Buzzard
3 Grey Heron
5 Stock Doves
Goldcrest
2 GS Woodpecker
30 Sand Martins
19 Swallows
2 Whitethroat
14 Blackcaps
9 Chiff Chaffs
2 Willow Warbler
4 Lapwings
Curlew
Skylark
4 Tree Sparrow

Single Starling and no Wagtails!

Old Hall Lane and Woodford Aerodrome 23 April 09.00 - 10.00

Green Woodpecker (flew across 1st ploughed field on RHS after church)
4 Skylarks (airfield)
3 Wheatear (fields down to green bridge)
2 Oystercatchers (fields down to green bridge)
4 Swallows (Old Hall Farm)
c10 Sand Martins (R Dean)

Cheers, John

Saturday 23rd April 6.00-6.30pm

Plenty of activity in this half an hour. The main fields have been ploughed and it seemed to bring quite a few birds out.
A pair of Skylarks were on the path having a dust bath. A Wheatear was scurrying around the fields. A buzzard was being mobbed by two ravens and then Lapwings as it made it's escape.
Lots of Sand Martins, which seemed to be pairing up and then taking a rest on the path.
To finish off the evening, 2 Oystercathers came and landed in the first field.

Thursday 14th April 5.45-6.30

Pretty quiet this evening, but did managed to see a male Goosander which was circling over Old Hall farm before carrying on his journey towards Wilmslow.
1 Skylark (singing over the runway)
3 Pied Wagtail
1 Buzzard
1 Chiffchaff (heard)
12 Lapwing
Lots and lots of Sand Martins

Thursday 7th April 7.00-7.30pm

Church Lane:
3 Canada Geese
1 Lapwing

Old Hall Lane:
2 Chiffchaff
1 Greenfinch
4 Goldfinch
6 Chaffinch
4 Curlew on the runway, calling and generally in flight a lot
5 Lapwings
1 Wheatear

Wednesday 6th April 6.45-7.30

Following John's advice, I went in search of Wheatear, and wasn't dissapointed.
6 in total (all together at one point which convinced me my eyes weren't deceiving me)
Others around this evening were:

12 Sand Martin
2 Pheasant (m & f)
c150 Fieldfare in flight along Old Hall Lane towards runway
Skylark heard
Curlew heard
1 Greenfinch
1 Song thrush
plus many of the usuals. (many in good song)

Old Hall Lane:

Sand Martin (24 around the R. Dean)
Swallow (1)
Wheatear (2)
Chiffchaff (1)
Oystercatcher (1)
Curlew (1)
Meadow Pipit (5)
Buzzard (5)
Skylark (2 heard)
Tree Sparrow (heard)

Cheers, John

Saturday 2nd March 1.45-2.30

A large flock of 50+ Fieldfare in flight on Old Hall Lane.
1 Skylark singing over the airfield.
1 Jay
1 Raven
1 Chiffchaff heard on Old Hall Lane
Lots of Chaffinch and the usual bits and bobs

Thursday 31st March 5.00-5.30 A quick scoot round to finish off the afternoon. 2 Red Legged Partridge (Old Hall Lane just past grave yard) 2 Buzzard 3 Curlew (on the airfield) 30 Fieldfare (spooked by something) 7 Lapwings 1 Raven (being hounded by Lapwing) 2 Chiff Chaff heard from (Old Hall Lane) 2 Mallards No sign of the Oystercatchers on Church Lane.

Sunday 27th March 10.30- 12.00

Church Lane:
2 Lapwing
3 Canada Geese

Old Hall Farm:
2 GSW
3 Nuthatch
8 Lapwing
6 Sand Martin
2 Skylark (over the airfield)
4 Canada Geese (over)
3 Buzzard
1 Pheasant (deceased in road)
Lots of the usual stuff and lots of bees too.

Old Hall Lane:
1 male Wheatear on airfield
6 Curlew
2 Skylarks singing
c90 Fieldfares feeding in freshly manured field (Old Hall Farm)
2 Tree Sparrows (OHF)

Vicarage Pool:
2 Oystercatchers

Church Lane Flood:
2 Oystercatchers

Cheers, John

A quick look around this evening on my way back from work. Hoping for some migrants, but nothing to report.
Birds in good voice though were two Song Thrush.
2 Chaffinch
2 Raven
1 Pied Wagtail

Church Lane:

2 Oystercatchers still next to Bramhall Cricket club.

So much for my prediction about passing waders. Despite last night's heavy rain, all that remained of the flood water on Church Lane this evening was a small muddy puddle. One suspects agricultural intervention. Nonetheless, the Oystercatcher pair and four Lapwing were still present.

I had a quick look over the fence at the flooded fields as I cycled past yesterday evening, at about 17:00.

The pair of Oystercatcher seem settled, and five Lapwing were by the water's edge, with two Common Gull and a Black-headed Gull. Three Pied Wagtail were on the drier areas.

There is still plenty of water on the field, which offers the hope of a passing Redshank or early Little Ringed Plover, both of which I have seen here in recent years.

Church Lane pool today , @ 13:30 hrs
60 bh gulls
2 oystercatchers
3 lapwings

Cheers Chris

Sunday 27th February 7.45-8.45

Church Lane pool:
8 Canada Geese
20 Black Headed Gulls
2 Oystercatchers

Avro Golf Club
1 Treecreeper
1 Goldfinch
2 Mallard
5 Chaffinch
3 Goldfinch

4 Skylark over the runway. Several up singing at the same time in competition

Vicarage pool
3 Mallard
2 Canada Geese

Saturday 26th February 10.30-12.00

2 Oystercatchers on the pool on Church Lane.
Many Black Headed Gulls and 1 Common plus one Mallard.
Old Hall Lane farm and environs:

2 Greater Spotteds
4 Common Buzzards
2 Lapwings over
1 Pheasant
2 Nuthatches
2 Canadian Geese over
lots and lots of Blue and Great Tits plus Chaffinch.

A pair of Oystercatchers was back on the flooded field on Church Lane, Woodford (adjacent to Bramhall Cricket Club); also a fair gathering of gulls, all BHG, other than two Common. A Cormorant on the far edge of the flood was a surprise.

Friday 18th February 9.15-10.30

A pretty raw morning in the fields of Old Hall Farm.
A pair of Buzzards seemed to be ready to pair up,chasing each other along the fence posts, while another was seen separately in the opposite direction.
Others showing themselves this morning were:

1 Nuthatch
1 Pheasant
35 Lapwings
2 Redwings
8 Mallard
2 Goosander (over)
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker (drumming)
Lots and lots of Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinches and Blackbirds.