Mainly around Higher Swineshaw, due to late start. What a difference 24 hours, and a biting easterly wind scudding across the moor, makes.
1 Stonechat, heard only!! 3 Reed Bunting only, until a Buzzard appeared from Harridge, hunting over Swineshaw, which put up another 6 1 very pale juvenile Buzzard, with a lot of white plumage, including in the tail. As well as the Reed Bunting, a couple of Ravens also had a go at it. 4 Ravens, two heading north east, the other two back and forth between Lees Hill and Carrbrook 1 Grey Wagtail flying over the moor beyond Higher Swineshaw 1 Dipper, still singing away at Higher Swineshaw 1 drake Tufted Duck still on Higher Swineshaw, joined by a Mallard duck 2 Red Grouse 8 Meadow Pipits 4 Mistle Thrush flying up the valley 3 Jays around the scout hut 2 Kestrel around Walkerwood 1 Willow Tit at Walkerwood
David Walsh said
Sat Oct 10 2:57 PM, 2015
Saturday 10th October 2015, 7.30 - 11.00am
From Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw and beyond. An enjoyable morning with a couple of strange sightings, for the area.
Around the Swineshaws:
1 Dipper, initially singing down in the overflow alongside Lower Swineshaw Reservoir. The song had me flummoxed, not because I hadn't heard it before, but because I never expected it up here. I have never before seen this species in Brushes Valley. A couple of hours later, as I was coming back across Higher Swineshaw dam, it was blinking at me, this time from Higher Swineshaw overflow.
1 drake Tufted Duck on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, another first for me. 1 Wheatear, being harassed by a pair of Stonechat 5 Stonechat 17 Reed Bunting, minimum count, the majority seen, plus a couple calling from high up on Swineshaw Moor. A nice range of plumages arranged around the bracken, for comparison. 10+ Red Grouse 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Kestrel over Swineshaw Moor 2 Buzzard 35+ Meadow Pipits, most not seeming to be going anywhere. One group of 15 were heading north west??
Walkerwood area:
1 Willow Tit Several Bullfinch Kestrel at Brushes Cottages
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 10th of October 2015 07:02:36 PM
David Walsh said
Fri Oct 9 7:55 AM, 2015
Friday 9th October 2015, 6.40 - 7.25am
Walkerwood Dam, with the moon and Venus shining down on me.
1 Tawny Owl calling from down in the country park c20 Siskin rising noisily from the trees around the overflow, flew into the country park A couple of Lesser Redpoll also heard 4 Bullfinch, including a very young looking juvenile camped on the feeder 1 Willow Tit Great, Blue, and Coal Tits 1 Grey Heron over
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 9th of October 2015 07:56:27 AM
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Oct 8 4:42 PM, 2015
Thursday 8th October 2015, 14.30 hrs
Walkerwood Dam
Same as Mr Walsh minus the Siskin but plus Buzzard.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Thu Oct 8 1:52 PM, 2015
Thursday 8th October 2015, 11.00am
Walkerwood Dam
3 Siskin 1 Willow Tit Great, Blue, and Coal Tits 1 Grey Wagtail Several Bullfinch and Chaffinch 3 Jays
Nice to speak to Mo on the dam, and even better to hear that her 8 year old son is a keen birder. Keep him keen, we need all the help we can get up here. If he has any questions, please feel free to send me a message via the forum.
1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 12+ Reed Bunting 10 Stonechat 10 Long-tailed Tits at the scout hut 5 Mistle Thrush in the same tree c10 Meadow Pipits 3 Red Grouse 1 Pied Wagtail on Lower Swineshaw dam Several Wrens singing lustily in the bracken, lovely to see and hear
David Walsh said
Sun Oct 4 1:02 PM, 2015
Sunday 4th October 2015, 9.30 - 11.30am
Flaxfield and Wild Bank Hill
2 Pied Wagtails at Range House 6 Chiffchaff 25+ Meadow Pipits 6 Long-tailed Tits 3 Coal Tits on the moor 2 Skylark over west 2 Bullfinch 2 Little Owls 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Willow Tit at Walkerwood
David Walsh said
Sat Oct 3 1:01 PM, 2015
Saturday 3rd October 2015, 7.00 - 11.30am
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw and beyond, in bright, clear conditions. Very foggy over Chew, and Longdendale, to the east.
At least 12, certainly more, mainly juvenile Reed Bunting around Higher Swineshaw, blending in well with the fading bracken. 4 Stonechat 21 Red Grouse, including 16 together 30+ Meadow Pipits 6+ Wren 6 Black-headed Gulls on Higher Swineshaw 1 Kestrel
David Walsh said
Fri Oct 2 7:56 AM, 2015
Friday 2nd October 2015, 6.30 - 7.15am
Walkerwood Dam, dark, misty, and 3 degrees Celsius.
1 Willow Tit Several Bullfinch, including 2 juveniles on the feeder Great, Blue, and Coal Tits 2 juvenile Dunnock, more calling 12 Long-tailed Tits 1 Grey Heron 6 Mallard Chiffchaff calling Juvenile Jay
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 2nd of October 2015 07:56:52 AM
David Walsh said
Thu Oct 1 1:01 PM, 2015
Thursday 1st October 2015, 10.40 - 11.50am
Walkerwood area, including a brief foray into the country park, for a change
1 Grey Wagtail Juvenile Bullfinch on the feeder Several Siskin around 25+ Goldfinch Lesser Redpoll Seems to have been an influx of Dunnock. They seem to be calling everywhere Buzzard over the Swineshaws Kestrel over Harridge Jays calling
David Walsh said
Wed Sep 30 8:00 AM, 2015
Wednesday 30th September 2015, 6.20 - 7.20am
Walkerwood Dam
Similar fare to yesterday, with a small, very mobile group of Siskin replacing the Goldcrest 1 Willow Tit, again first on the feeder, before it was properly light 4+ Siskin Great, Blue, and Coal Tit 2 Bullfinch Juvenile Dunnock 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail Noisy Jays
David Walsh said
Tue Sep 29 7:59 AM, 2015
Tuesday 29th September 2015, 6.30 - 7.20am
Walkerwood Dam
One of those (rare) days when everything goes to plan. I recorded a Willow Tit over a period of 51 weeks, up to 23rd April this year, mainly on or around feeders erected near Walkerwood Dam. In May, I admitted defeat in the battle with the local squirrel population, and to be honest, I haven't spent as much time watching this area as I should have over the summer, but last night I decided to give the feeder another chance. Unbelievably, the first bird to alight this morning, as dawn broke was...........
1 Willow Tit, calling repeatedly, back and forth for half an hour Also Great, Blue, and Coal Tits 4 (at least) Goldcrest 1 juvenile Dunnock, more calling Several Bullfinch 3 Greenfinch Several Chaffinch 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Moorhen 1 Kestrel Several Red Grouse on Wild Bank Juvenile Cormorant dropped onto the reservoir at 7.15
David Walsh said
Sun Sep 27 9:16 PM, 2015
Sunday 27th September 2015, 6.00pm
Walkerwood Dam
1 juvenile Cormorant 8 Mistle Thrush on the pylons c20 Starlings trying to move on the Mistle Thrush. Second time today I've seen this behaviour. 6 Chaffinch Bullfinch calling Grey Wagtail in the overflow Kestrel over Harridge
David Walsh said
Sun Sep 27 11:52 AM, 2015
Sunday 27th September 2015, 10.00am
Around Range House, Flaxfield
6+ Meadow Pipits in the grass 2 Buzzard being harassed by a Carrion Crow c20 House Martins over south 4 Swallows moved through, flycatching Linnet heard, but not seen Grey Heron at Walkerwood Mistle Thrush being chased by Starlings
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 27th of September 2015 11:57:08 AM
David Walsh said
Sat Sep 26 11:40 AM, 2015
Saturday 26th September 2015, 7.45 - 10.30am
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, quiet. Probably not helped by the late start, for a Saturday.
1 Kestrel 12 Red Grouse 11 Stonechat 12+ Reed Bunting, mostly juveniles, but a couple of fresh (dull) plumaged males 70+ Meadow Pipits. Mostly flying up from the grass and heather. Not many over 4 Linnet over 1 Lesser Redpoll over 2 Bullfinch calling at the scout hut 20+ Goldfinch, mostly juveniles around Higher Swineshaw 6 very handsome Dunnock together around the bracken at Higher Swineshaw 1 Pied Wagtail at Higher Swineshaw 1 Grey Wagtail in Higher Swineshaw overflow Several Willow Warblers calling 4 Chiffchaff singing along the valley 6 Mistle Thrush, including one group of 5 flying down the valley from Higher Swineshaw
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 26th of September 2015 11:41:05 AM
David Walsh said
Sun Sep 20 12:56 PM, 2015
Sunday 20th September 2015, 9.00 - 11.30am
Flaxfield and Wild Bank Hill
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying from Range House, towards the Tame Valley c50 Goldfinch, 12 around Range House, the rest on the moor c70 Meadow Pipits 4 Mistle Thrush at Shaw Moor Farm Several Willow Warblers calling 2 Lesser Redpoll over I didn't count them, but a large number of Robins calling Otherwise quiet, on a lovely Autumn morning
David Walsh said
Sat Sep 19 11:49 AM, 2015
Saturday 19th September 2015, 6.30 - 10.30am
Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood Dam to Swineshaw Moor
17 Greenfinch, flying over Walkerwood to Harridge, at first light 24 Canada Geese on Walkerwood 1 Moorhen
Further up:
10+ Willow Warblers calling the length of the valley 2 Chiffchaff singing, at Lower Swineshaw 3+ Goldcrest at Lower Swineshaw scout hut 10+ Long-tailed Tits around Lower Swineshaw 10+ juvenile Reed Bunting chasing around the bracken 4 Pied Wagtails at Lower Swineshaw 2 Grey Wagtails, at Lower and Higher Swineshaw Several Linnet 40+ Goldfinch on the thistles at Higher Swineshaw 3 Lesser Redpoll over 9 Stonechat 2 Whinchat 2 Kestrel, one over Lower Swineshaw, and one high up on Swineshaw Moor 50+ Meadow Pipits, particularly around Swineshaw Moor 2 Red Grouse 6 Pheasant A single Swallow over Higher Swineshaw Reservoir
David Walsh said
Fri Sep 18 9:45 AM, 2015
David Walsh wrote:
Greenfinch numbers seem to be low at present. Usually they are in mixed flocks with Chaffinch and Goldfinch at this time of year
7 Greenfinch, with Chaffinch - wouldn't you just know it? 74 Canada Geese 3 Mallard 1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Jays 1 Song Thrush
David Walsh said
Thu Sep 17 12:34 PM, 2015
Thursday 17th September 2015, 7.30 - 11.00am
Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw and beyond. Nothing of note around Higher Swineshaw dam, due to a lot of pylon-related activity in the area of Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill.
14 Mistle Thrush at Walkerwood 1 Moorhen on Walkerwood The most surprising sighting of the morning was a Kingfisher at Lower Swineshaw Reservoir. The only other sightings I've had of this species in the valley were of one on two occasions at Walkerwood Reservoir at the same time last year. 5 Siskin at the scout hut At least 2 Goldcrest with several Coal Tits at the scout hut 2 Kestrel, at Lower Swineshaw, and high up Swineshaw Moor The very pale juvenile Buzzard at Lower Swineshaw Juvenile Reed Bunting Several Linnet 30+ Meadow Pipits, plus a group of c30 over south Chiffchaff singing at the scout hut Several Willow Warblers calling along the valley, with one singing at Higher Swineshaw 2 Pied Wagtails at Higher Swineshaw 5 Stonechat, including a third brood. This species seems to have had a good year locally, whereas others seem to have struggled due to the late start to the growing season. 6+ Red Grouse, flying around the moor
David Walsh said
Wed Sep 16 7:58 AM, 2015
Wednesday 16th September 2015, 6.30 - 7.15am
Walkerwood Dam
18 Mistle Thrush leaving pylon roost 17 Canada Geese 1 Moorhen Several Goldfinch moving around Several Bullfinch calling Chaffinch Greenfinch numbers seem to be low at present. Usually they are in mixed flocks with Chaffinch and Goldfinch at this time of year
Last night, 8.00 - 9.00pm
At least 5 Tawny Owls calling from both sides of the valley between Lower Swineshaw and Brushes Reservoirs
David Walsh said
Mon Sep 14 7:39 AM, 2015
Monday 14th September 2015, 6.30am
Walkerwood Dam
12 Mistle Thrush over south Couple of Willow Warblers calling
David Walsh said
Sun Sep 13 1:41 PM, 2015
Sunday 13th September 2015, 10.00 - 11.30am
Range House, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank
6+ Willow Warblers calling 3 Chiffchaff singing weakly 6 Goldfinch 9 Linnet over, towards the moor 1 Lesser Redpoll over c10 Meadow Pipits out of the long grass 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Flaxfield c6 Swallows hawking around Flaxfield Farm, plus 30+ over Walkerwood, moving through south west Juvenile Jay on Walkerwood Dam Buzzard over Harridge 25 Black-headed Gulls in front of Range House
David Walsh said
Sat Sep 12 11:44 AM, 2015
Saturday 12th September 2015, 7.30 - 10.00am
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw, in poor conditions at the top; cold, wet, and very windy.
Higher Swineshaw, very quiet, unsurprisingly, given the weather.
6 Red Grouse 2 Pied Wagtails Couple of Reed Bunting calling, not seen 3 Meadow Pipits Wrens calling, Robins singing, and that was it.
Lower Swineshaw, a little more sheltered.
Juvenile Wheatear feeding from the dam wall 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Chiffchaff singing weakly Several Meadow Pipits 1 very pale, juvenile Buzzard which, when distantly perched, had me going for a moment.
c6 Siskin feeding on birch seeds half way up the valley 100+ Hirundines feeding over Wild Bank, mainly Swallows, with a few House Martins mixed in A couple more Chiffchaff at Brushes Cottages Another Buzzard over Harridge
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of September 2015 11:45:19 AM
David Walsh said
Thu Sep 3 10:58 AM, 2015
Thursday 3rd September 2015, 9.00 - 10.00am
Walkerwood Dam
1 juvenile Cormorant 1 Moorhen 1 juvenile Pied Wagtail Swallows through in groups of 7, 9, and 10 4 House Martins 30+ Black-headed Gulls in the fields Greenfinch, Goldfinch, and Bullfinch calling
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 29 12:50 PM, 2015
Saturday 29th August 2015, 7.00 - 11.00am
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, in variable conditions.
Walkerwood
47 Canada Geese 1 juvenile Cormorant c10 Blackbirds moving around in a group 1 Willow Warbler calling
Higher up
Mixed group of c70 House Martins and c30 Swallows moving down the valley 2 Grey Wagtails 2 Pied Wagtails 2 Mistle Thrush 1 Buzzard Several Willow Warblers calling 1 male Whitethroat feeding around the bracken at Higher Swineshaw. This bird has been present for over a month now, and is acting like a breeding bird, but firstly, it seems late for a second brood (I've not even seen a first), and secondly, according to BTO birdfacts, the species doesn't breed on moorland. I wondered if anyone had any comment? 1 female/ juvenile Blackcap - another one seen over a period of weeks at Higher Swineshaw that has me puzzled? 5 Stonechat 3 Meadow Pipits 6 Linnet 15 Goldfinch
David Walsh said
Fri Aug 28 9:12 PM, 2015
Friday 28th August 2015, 8.15 - 9.00pm
Brushes Dam
1 Grey Heron roosting 2 Tawny Owls calling, one in Cock Wood, one at the Harridge side of Walkerwood c50 Canada Geese down onto Walkerwood at 9.00pm
David Walsh said
Thu Aug 27 10:10 PM, 2015
Thursday 27th August 2015
10.00 - 11.45am, Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw
100+ Swallows, feeding over all four reservoirs A few Sand and House Martins in with the above 2 juvenile Grey Wagtails in Walkerwood overflow 1 Pied Wagtail at Higher Swineshaw 4 Linnet 4 Stonechat 2 male Kestrels 8 Goldfinch feeding on thistles at Higher Swineshaw Mallard with 9 ducklings on Higher Swineshaw Group of mixed Tits and Finches around Brushes Cottages
7.45 - 9.00pm, to Lower Swineshaw
Several juvenile Wrens buzzing around 1 male, and 2 juvenile Tawny Owls calling
David Walsh said
Tue Aug 25 7:51 AM, 2015
Tuesday 25th August 2015, 6.30am
Walkerwood Dam
36 Canada Geese 1 Moorhen 1 Pied Wagtail A few small groups of young finches around the Harridge side, mainly Chaffinch and Greenfinch. One Chaffinch even attempted a song Bullfinch calling on all sides 2 male Blackcap, one singing weakly, the other feeding on blackberries. My first sighting for weeks.
David Walsh said
Sun Aug 23 2:01 PM, 2015
Sunday 23rd August 2015, 10.15 - 11.45am
Brushes Rifle Ranges and Flaxfield
Very quiet, bird-wise. A lot of breeding species have dispersed, most noticeably the Lesser Redpoll. It seems very quiet without them.
4 Swallows around Flaxfield, and a group of c10 moving through south 1 Willow Warbler behind Range House 10 Goldfinch 13 Black-headed Gulls in the fields, including 2 juveniles
Apart from the other very common stuff, that was it!
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 22 11:39 AM, 2015
Saturday 22nd August 2015, 7.30 - 10.00am
Brushes Valley, and beyond Higher Swineshaw, in better than forecast conditions.
2 Grey Wagtails in Walkerwood overflow 2 Moorhen on Walkerwood 6+ Willow Warblers, including one singing strongly on Swineshaw Moor 1 Buzzard 2 Bullfinch at the scout hut 1 Linnet Flock of c70, mainly juvenile Goldfinch moving around the thistles at Higher Swineshaw 2 Red Grouse 4 Pied Wagtails at Higher Swineshaw 4 Dunnock in the bracken around the Swineshaws A flock of c40 House Martins over from Chew direction, fed for about fifteen minutes over the moor, before heading off south 4 juvenile Stonechat 5 Meadow Pipits 1 Swallow over Walkerwood No sign of any Reed Bunting, but the area in which the post-breeding birds tend to gather is currently subject to heavy pylon traffic, and has been for some time.
David Walsh said
Fri Aug 21 10:37 PM, 2015
Friday 21st August 2015, 7.15 - 8.15pm
A quick jaunt from Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw
c50 House Martins, 12 over Walkerwood, and a larger group moving through over Wild Bank 2 Kestrel Pair of Linnet 2 juvenile Stonechat 2 juvenile Red Grouse on Higher Swineshaw dam banking 1 juvenile Pied Wagtail
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 21st of August 2015 11:21:55 PM
David Walsh said
Wed Aug 19 7:53 AM, 2015
Wednesday 19th August 2015, 6.30 - 7.30am
Walkerwood and Brushes Reservoirs
2 Moorhen, on opposite sides of Walkerwood 1 Grey Heron 1 Lesser Redpoll over, the first I've heard for a week and a half Bullfinch calling Several Goldfinch moving around the bushes Jays calling from the woods 1 Peregrine over 2 juvenile Kestrels, one feeding on Brushes Dam banking
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 19th of August 2015 07:55:49 AM
David Walsh said
Tue Aug 18 10:38 PM, 2015
Tuesday 18th August, 7.30 - 9.00pm
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw
10 juvenile Linnet on Higher Swineshaw dam 3 juvenile Stonechat 1 Red Grouse 1 Pheasant 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard Bullfinch calling Several Tawny Owls calling, mainly juveniles
David Walsh said
Tue Aug 18 7:52 AM, 2015
Tuesday 18th August 2015, 6.30am
Walkerwood Dam, misty and midge-ridden.
46 Canada Geese 1 Moorhen 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Jay 1 Willow Warbler Bullfinch calling Several Greenfinch
David Walsh said
Mon Aug 17 10:43 AM, 2015
Monday 17th August 2015, 6.30am
Walkerwood Dam
A mixed group of 30+ Swifts and House Martins feeding high over the reservoir, with Swifts in the majority.
David Walsh said
Sun Aug 16 2:23 PM, 2015
Sunday 16th August 2015, 10.00 - 11.45am
Wild Bank Hill
2 juvenile Stonechat Flock of 8 juvenile Linnet c6 Meadow Pipits 1 Red Grouse Willow Warblers calling
Flaxfield
Flock of c10 Linnet of mixed ages, with a couple of young Chaffinch, at Range House Several Goldfinch 4 Long-tailed Tits 2 Willow Warblers calling Bullfinch calling
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 15 6:20 PM, 2015
Saturday 15th August 2015, 5.00 - 6.00pm
Range House and Flaxfield
20+ Swallows, the majority juveniles 6 House Martins 30 Starlings in the fields 6 Goldfinch 2 Linnet Couple of Meadow Pipits calling Willow Warblers calling
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 15 12:08 PM, 2015
Saturday 15th August 2015, 8.00 - 11.00am
Brushes Valley, up to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, with most of the action around Higher Swineshaw dam
1 male, 1 juvenile Whitethroat, in different areas of bracken, both chasing around after Willow Warblers? 6 Linnet, including a pair, the male singing 10+ Willow Warblers, several singing males 6 Meadow Pipits 2 Kestrel 1 Peregrine 1 Buzzard 2 Red Grouse 10 Goldfinch Juvenile Pied Wagtail Couple of juvenile Stonechat feeding I also saw a reasonably well grown Mallard duckling frantically and noisily swimming across Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, before disappearing beneath the surface, and not returning. I assume there must be a pike in there? Never had reason to suspect that before, though.
David Walsh said
Thu Aug 13 4:42 PM, 2015
Thursday 13th August 2015, 3.30pm
Around Brushes Rangers football pitch
A good number of Willow Warblers. 6 calling, and plenty of juveniles around the bushes Several Goldfinch 7 Meadow Pipits 4 Swallows
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 8 12:25 PM, 2015
Saturday 8th August 2015, 7.00 - 11.00am
Brushes Valley, and beyond Higher Swineshaw, to Swineshaw Moor and Irontongue Hill
Around the moor
5 Whitethroat, 1 male at Higher Swineshaw dam, and a family party in the bracken by the overflow Several Linnet, including a pair visiting a nest site Male Redstart at Higher Swineshaw dam 10+ Reed Bunting, a couple of males singing weakly, mainly juveniles 10+ Willow Warblers, some singing strongly, plenty of juveniles around too, mainly at Higher Swineshaw 40+ Meadow Pipits, mainly in groups of 6 - 8 birds 15+ Wrens, many juveniles 3 Buzzard together over Lees Hill 1 Kestrel A couple of juvenile Stonechat practicing flycatching
Brushes Valley
Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Willow Warblers singing Lesser Redpoll 4 Bullfinch Wrens everywhere, mainly youngsters buzzing through the undergrowth
David Walsh said
Fri Aug 7 7:50 AM, 2015
Friday 7th August 2015, 6.45 - 7.30am
Flaxfield, Range House
A group of 25 birds on the wires at Range House, comprising : 3 Goldfinch 6 Linnet 6 Starlings 6 Swallows 4 Meadow Pipits
Elsewhere:
1 Willow Warbler singing 1 Chiffchaff singing from the country park 3 Mistle Thrush on the pylon 2 Robins 1 Black-headed Gull in the field
David Walsh said
Wed Aug 5 7:34 AM, 2015
Wednesday 5th August 2015, 6.30 - 7.10am
Flaxfield - Range House
Greenfinch singing Several Goldfinch moving around 3 juvenile Mistle Thrush picking through the fields Starlings in the hawthorn c6 Meadow Pipits 2 Swallows seeing off a Kestrel - all the way over to Harridge Couple of Black-headed Gulls in the fields Good numbers of Magpies, 20+ - several apparently family groups
David Walsh said
Sun Aug 2 1:34 PM, 2015
Sunday 2nd August 2015, 9.30 - 11.30am
Walkerwood Dam to Lower Swineshaw
Nothing at all seen alongside Lower Swineshaw Reservoir which, given the cacophony of shouting and banging from the workmen erecting the pylons nearby, is hardly surprising. 4 Linnet over was the only sighting, other than 50+ Woodpigeon eating bilberries.
Lesser Redpoll around the scout hut Couple of Jay calling from the woods 10 House Martins and 6 Swallows feeding around Walkerwood, a couple of the Martins passing food Otherwise quiet
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 1 2:25 PM, 2015
Saturday 1st August 2015, 9.00 - 11.00am
Flaxfield and a full circuit of Wild Bank Hill, a change in the Saturday routine due to limited access at Higher Swineshaw. Very quiet, in good conditions. There seems to have been a clear out over the past week and a half, notably of Linnet and Meadow Pipits. The remaining Pipits were displaying again. The Skylarks left almost a month ago, a reminder of how short the season is up here.
10+ Meadow Pipits c6 Linnet, one male singing 10+ Lesser Redpoll in the usual areas; at the foot of the moor, and above Cock Wood 1 Mistle Thrush 6 Willow Warblers, a couple singing c6 Swallows, around Flaxfield Farm and the moor 2 Swift Several Black-headed Gulls in the fields Pheasant
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 30 2:26 PM, 2015
Thursday 30th July 2015, 10.00 - 11.30am
Brushes Rifle Ranges and Flaxfield, cool and breezy, but thankfully dry.
10+ Lesser Redpoll, including juveniles 2 Linnet 1 pair of Bullfinch, plus others calling 6 Swallows 6+ Willow Warblers calling, no singing today Mistle Thrush on the moor 1 Jay 1 Meadow Pipit only
David Walsh said
Wed Jul 29 8:05 AM, 2015
Tuesday 28th July 2015, 7.30 - 9.00pm
Around the Swineshaws, damp and cold
Nothing much reportable: Reed Bunting calling Several Linnet, including juveniles Lesser Redpoll over the scout hut The main point of interest was several small groups of juvenile Pied Wagtails, flycatching on the moor, exhibiting a range of plumage, and tail-lengths. A couple of very un-wagtail like individuals, pale and shorter-tailed.
As mentioned previously, pylon rebuilding is being carried out at Higher Swineshaw dam. The footpath up to Higher Swineshaw dam is nominally closed for the last 30 yards, up to the dam wall, and another half-hearted attempt was made to prevent access. During daytime, when work is being carried out, there is obviously a safety issue, and it would be foolish to pass. The "Alternative Route" signs would entail a three mile detour, either via Carrbrook, or around Lees Hill and Wild Bank Hill. For a thirty yard stretch of footpath. It doesn't get much more alternative than that. One would think, with the amount of engineering work that has been carried out over the past year, that a fifty yard line of gravel wouldn't have bust the budget.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 29th of July 2015 08:52:39 AM
David Walsh said
Sat Jul 25 1:23 PM, 2015
Saturday 25th July 2015, 7.00 - 11.00am
Brushes Valley, mostly mooching on the moorland around Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, on a fantastic sunny morning.
40+ Meadow Pipits, including a group of a dozen picking through the dam banking 1 adult, 1 juvenile Pied Wagtail 10+ Linnet, including several handsome singing males, and a pair nesting 1 Reed Bunting Small flock of Goldfinch Several Lesser Redpoll over the scout hut area 8+ Willow Warblers on the moor, mainly juveniles 40+ Woodpigeons feasting on bilberries 14 Canada Geese on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir Plenty of Wrens singing and calling around the moor 1 juvenile Pheasant 2 Red Grouse
A couple of unusual sightings for the moor were:
1 very young Whitethroat with a juvenile Willow Warbler, very high up the moor. I don't recall ever seeing this species at this site before? 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in the same area, landing in the bracken? Not a tree worthy of the name for over half a mile.
A word of caution for anyone thinking of coming up here tomorrow. The pylons near to Higher Swineshaw dam and Lees Hill are being dismantled and replaced, so some of the footpaths may be closed at either end of the dam. There was a half-hearted attempt to stop a couple of walkers this morning, and a lot of very heavy plant was arriving, including two huge cranes. With this and the forecast bad weather, the pub might be a better option. A chance to get my records in order
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 23 10:03 PM, 2015
Thursday 23rd July 2015, 4.30pm
Around Brushes Rangers football pitch
6 Swallows 4 House Martins 20 Starlings on the pylon 25+ Goldfinch moving around the hawthorn Kestrel over, towards Wild Bank Linnet singing
9.00pm
c20 Swift over Lower Swineshaw Reservoir
David Walsh said
Sat Jul 18 11:53 PM, 2015
Saturday 18th July 2015, 6.00pm
Range House and Flaxfield area
10 Swallows 1 House Martin 1 Swift 2 Greenfinch singing Several Goldfinch chattering c20 Starlings on a pylon Several Meadow Pipits
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 16 1:54 PM, 2015
Thursday 16th July 2015, 9.00 - 11.30am
Flaxfield, and Wild Bank Hill, on a lovely summer's morning.
40+ Linnet. Some males singing lower down, but the majority were juveniles higher up Wild Bank 8+ Lesser Redpoll Family of 3 Greenfinch Small groups of chattering Goldfinch 10 Swallows, including 5 juveniles being fed on the telegraph wires at Flaxfield Farm 20+ Meadow Pipits 8+ Willow Warblers, including 2 fledglings harassing an adult at Flaxfield 1 Chiffchaff singing in the birch trees 4 Mistle Thrush feeding in the fields towards Shaw Moor 10+ Starlings with the thrushes Neither Skylark nor Whitethroat singing today
Mainly around Higher Swineshaw, due to late start. What a difference 24 hours, and a biting easterly wind scudding across the moor, makes.
1 Stonechat, heard only!!
3 Reed Bunting only, until a Buzzard appeared from Harridge, hunting over Swineshaw, which put up another 6
1 very pale juvenile Buzzard, with a lot of white plumage, including in the tail. As well as the Reed Bunting, a couple of Ravens also had a go at it.
4 Ravens, two heading north east, the other two back and forth between Lees Hill and Carrbrook
1 Grey Wagtail flying over the moor beyond Higher Swineshaw
1 Dipper, still singing away at Higher Swineshaw
1 drake Tufted Duck still on Higher Swineshaw, joined by a Mallard duck
2 Red Grouse
8 Meadow Pipits
4 Mistle Thrush flying up the valley
3 Jays around the scout hut
2 Kestrel around Walkerwood
1 Willow Tit at Walkerwood
From Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw and beyond. An enjoyable morning with a couple of strange sightings, for the area.
Around the Swineshaws:
1 Dipper, initially singing down in the overflow alongside Lower Swineshaw Reservoir. The song had me flummoxed, not because I hadn't heard it before, but because I never expected it up here. I have never before seen this species in Brushes Valley. A couple of hours later, as I was coming back across Higher Swineshaw dam, it was blinking at me, this time from Higher Swineshaw overflow.
1 drake Tufted Duck on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, another first for me.
1 Wheatear, being harassed by a pair of Stonechat
5 Stonechat
17 Reed Bunting, minimum count, the majority seen, plus a couple calling from high up on Swineshaw Moor. A nice range of plumages arranged around the bracken, for comparison.
10+ Red Grouse
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Kestrel over Swineshaw Moor
2 Buzzard
35+ Meadow Pipits, most not seeming to be going anywhere. One group of 15 were heading north west??
Walkerwood area:
1 Willow Tit
Several Bullfinch
Kestrel at Brushes Cottages
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 10th of October 2015 07:02:36 PM
Walkerwood Dam, with the moon and Venus shining down on me.
1 Tawny Owl calling from down in the country park
c20 Siskin rising noisily from the trees around the overflow, flew into the country park
A couple of Lesser Redpoll also heard
4 Bullfinch, including a very young looking juvenile camped on the feeder
1 Willow Tit
Great, Blue, and Coal Tits
1 Grey Heron over
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 9th of October 2015 07:56:27 AM
Walkerwood Dam
Same as Mr Walsh minus the Siskin but plus Buzzard.
Roger.
Walkerwood Dam
3 Siskin
1 Willow Tit
Great, Blue, and Coal Tits
1 Grey Wagtail
Several Bullfinch and Chaffinch
3 Jays
Nice to speak to Mo on the dam, and even better to hear that her 8 year old son is a keen birder. Keep him keen, we need all the help we can get up here. If he has any questions, please feel free to send me a message via the forum.
From Walkerwood, to Higher Swineshaw and beyond
Walkerwood:
1 Willow Tit
Blue, Great, and Coal Tits
Juvenile Chaffinch
Bullfinch calling
Further up:
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
12+ Reed Bunting
10 Stonechat
10 Long-tailed Tits at the scout hut
5 Mistle Thrush in the same tree
c10 Meadow Pipits
3 Red Grouse
1 Pied Wagtail on Lower Swineshaw dam
Several Wrens singing lustily in the bracken, lovely to see and hear
Flaxfield and Wild Bank Hill
2 Pied Wagtails at Range House
6 Chiffchaff
25+ Meadow Pipits
6 Long-tailed Tits
3 Coal Tits on the moor
2 Skylark over west
2 Bullfinch
2 Little Owls
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Willow Tit at Walkerwood
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw and beyond, in bright, clear conditions. Very foggy over Chew, and Longdendale, to the east.
Walkerwood:
1 Willow Tit
Great, Blue, and Coal Tits
6 Long-tailed Tits
Juvenile Bullfinch
Grey Wagtail
Further up:
At least 12, certainly more, mainly juvenile Reed Bunting around Higher Swineshaw, blending in well with the fading bracken.
4 Stonechat
21 Red Grouse, including 16 together
30+ Meadow Pipits
6+ Wren
6 Black-headed Gulls on Higher Swineshaw
1 Kestrel
Walkerwood Dam, dark, misty, and 3 degrees Celsius.
1 Willow Tit
Several Bullfinch, including 2 juveniles on the feeder
Great, Blue, and Coal Tits
2 juvenile Dunnock, more calling
12 Long-tailed Tits
1 Grey Heron
6 Mallard
Chiffchaff calling
Juvenile Jay
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 2nd of October 2015 07:56:52 AM
Walkerwood area, including a brief foray into the country park, for a change
1 Grey Wagtail
Juvenile Bullfinch on the feeder
Several Siskin around
25+ Goldfinch
Lesser Redpoll
Seems to have been an influx of Dunnock. They seem to be calling everywhere
Buzzard over the Swineshaws
Kestrel over Harridge
Jays calling
Walkerwood Dam
Similar fare to yesterday, with a small, very mobile group of Siskin replacing the Goldcrest
1 Willow Tit, again first on the feeder, before it was properly light
4+ Siskin
Great, Blue, and Coal Tit
2 Bullfinch
Juvenile Dunnock
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
Noisy Jays
Walkerwood Dam
One of those (rare) days when everything goes to plan. I recorded a Willow Tit over a period of 51 weeks, up to 23rd April this year, mainly on or around feeders erected near Walkerwood Dam. In May, I admitted defeat in the battle with the local squirrel population, and to be honest, I haven't spent as much time watching this area as I should have over the summer, but last night I decided to give the feeder another chance. Unbelievably, the first bird to alight this morning, as dawn broke was...........
1 Willow Tit, calling repeatedly, back and forth for half an hour
Also Great, Blue, and Coal Tits
4 (at least) Goldcrest
1 juvenile Dunnock, more calling
Several Bullfinch
3 Greenfinch
Several Chaffinch
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Moorhen
1 Kestrel
Several Red Grouse on Wild Bank
Juvenile Cormorant dropped onto the reservoir at 7.15
Walkerwood Dam
1 juvenile Cormorant
8 Mistle Thrush on the pylons
c20 Starlings trying to move on the Mistle Thrush. Second time today I've seen this behaviour.
6 Chaffinch
Bullfinch calling
Grey Wagtail in the overflow
Kestrel over Harridge
Around Range House, Flaxfield
6+ Meadow Pipits in the grass
2 Buzzard being harassed by a Carrion Crow
c20 House Martins over south
4 Swallows moved through, flycatching
Linnet heard, but not seen
Grey Heron at Walkerwood
Mistle Thrush being chased by Starlings
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 27th of September 2015 11:57:08 AM
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, quiet. Probably not helped by the late start, for a Saturday.
1 Kestrel
12 Red Grouse
11 Stonechat
12+ Reed Bunting, mostly juveniles, but a couple of fresh (dull) plumaged males
70+ Meadow Pipits. Mostly flying up from the grass and heather. Not many over
4 Linnet over
1 Lesser Redpoll over
2 Bullfinch calling at the scout hut
20+ Goldfinch, mostly juveniles around Higher Swineshaw
6 very handsome Dunnock together around the bracken at Higher Swineshaw
1 Pied Wagtail at Higher Swineshaw
1 Grey Wagtail in Higher Swineshaw overflow
Several Willow Warblers calling
4 Chiffchaff singing along the valley
6 Mistle Thrush, including one group of 5 flying down the valley from Higher Swineshaw
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 26th of September 2015 11:41:05 AM
Flaxfield and Wild Bank Hill
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying from Range House, towards the Tame Valley
c50 Goldfinch, 12 around Range House, the rest on the moor
c70 Meadow Pipits
4 Mistle Thrush at Shaw Moor Farm
Several Willow Warblers calling
2 Lesser Redpoll over
I didn't count them, but a large number of Robins calling
Otherwise quiet, on a lovely Autumn morning
Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood Dam to Swineshaw Moor
17 Greenfinch, flying over Walkerwood to Harridge, at first light
24 Canada Geese on Walkerwood
1 Moorhen
Further up:
10+ Willow Warblers calling the length of the valley
2 Chiffchaff singing, at Lower Swineshaw
3+ Goldcrest at Lower Swineshaw scout hut
10+ Long-tailed Tits around Lower Swineshaw
10+ juvenile Reed Bunting chasing around the bracken
4 Pied Wagtails at Lower Swineshaw
2 Grey Wagtails, at Lower and Higher Swineshaw
Several Linnet
40+ Goldfinch on the thistles at Higher Swineshaw
3 Lesser Redpoll over
9 Stonechat
2 Whinchat
2 Kestrel, one over Lower Swineshaw, and one high up on Swineshaw Moor
50+ Meadow Pipits, particularly around Swineshaw Moor
2 Red Grouse
6 Pheasant
A single Swallow over Higher Swineshaw Reservoir
Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw and beyond. Nothing of note around Higher Swineshaw dam, due to a lot of pylon-related activity in the area of Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill.
14 Mistle Thrush at Walkerwood
1 Moorhen on Walkerwood
The most surprising sighting of the morning was a Kingfisher at Lower Swineshaw Reservoir. The only other sightings I've had of this species in the valley were of one on two occasions at Walkerwood Reservoir at the same time last year.
5 Siskin at the scout hut
At least 2 Goldcrest with several Coal Tits at the scout hut
2 Kestrel, at Lower Swineshaw, and high up Swineshaw Moor
The very pale juvenile Buzzard at Lower Swineshaw
Juvenile Reed Bunting
Several Linnet
30+ Meadow Pipits, plus a group of c30 over south
Chiffchaff singing at the scout hut
Several Willow Warblers calling along the valley, with one singing at Higher Swineshaw
2 Pied Wagtails at Higher Swineshaw
5 Stonechat, including a third brood. This species seems to have had a good year locally, whereas others seem to have struggled due to the late start to the growing season.
6+ Red Grouse, flying around the moor
Walkerwood Dam
18 Mistle Thrush leaving pylon roost
17 Canada Geese
1 Moorhen
Several Goldfinch moving around
Several Bullfinch calling
Chaffinch
Greenfinch numbers seem to be low at present. Usually they are in mixed flocks with Chaffinch and Goldfinch at this time of year
Last night, 8.00 - 9.00pm
At least 5 Tawny Owls calling from both sides of the valley between Lower Swineshaw and Brushes Reservoirs
Walkerwood Dam
12 Mistle Thrush over south
Couple of Willow Warblers calling
Range House, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank
6+ Willow Warblers calling
3 Chiffchaff singing weakly
6 Goldfinch
9 Linnet over, towards the moor
1 Lesser Redpoll over
c10 Meadow Pipits out of the long grass
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Flaxfield
c6 Swallows hawking around Flaxfield Farm, plus 30+ over Walkerwood, moving through south west
Juvenile Jay on Walkerwood Dam
Buzzard over Harridge
25 Black-headed Gulls in front of Range House
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw, in poor conditions at the top; cold, wet, and very windy.
Higher Swineshaw, very quiet, unsurprisingly, given the weather.
6 Red Grouse
2 Pied Wagtails
Couple of Reed Bunting calling, not seen
3 Meadow Pipits
Wrens calling, Robins singing, and that was it.
Lower Swineshaw, a little more sheltered.
Juvenile Wheatear feeding from the dam wall
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Chiffchaff singing weakly
Several Meadow Pipits
1 very pale, juvenile Buzzard which, when distantly perched, had me going for a moment.
c6 Siskin feeding on birch seeds half way up the valley
100+ Hirundines feeding over Wild Bank, mainly Swallows, with a few House Martins mixed in
A couple more Chiffchaff at Brushes Cottages
Another Buzzard over Harridge
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of September 2015 11:45:19 AM
Walkerwood Dam
1 juvenile Cormorant
1 Moorhen
1 juvenile Pied Wagtail
Swallows through in groups of 7, 9, and 10
4 House Martins
30+ Black-headed Gulls in the fields
Greenfinch, Goldfinch, and Bullfinch calling
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, in variable conditions.
Walkerwood
47 Canada Geese
1 juvenile Cormorant
c10 Blackbirds moving around in a group
1 Willow Warbler calling
Higher up
Mixed group of c70 House Martins and c30 Swallows moving down the valley
2 Grey Wagtails
2 Pied Wagtails
2 Mistle Thrush
1 Buzzard
Several Willow Warblers calling
1 male Whitethroat feeding around the bracken at Higher Swineshaw. This bird has been present for over a month now, and is acting like a breeding bird, but firstly, it seems late for a second brood (I've not even seen a first), and secondly, according to BTO birdfacts, the species doesn't breed on moorland. I wondered if anyone had any comment?
1 female/ juvenile Blackcap - another one seen over a period of weeks at Higher Swineshaw that has me puzzled?
5 Stonechat
3 Meadow Pipits
6 Linnet
15 Goldfinch
Brushes Dam
1 Grey Heron roosting
2 Tawny Owls calling, one in Cock Wood, one at the Harridge side of Walkerwood
c50 Canada Geese down onto Walkerwood at 9.00pm
10.00 - 11.45am, Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw
100+ Swallows, feeding over all four reservoirs
A few Sand and House Martins in with the above
2 juvenile Grey Wagtails in Walkerwood overflow
1 Pied Wagtail at Higher Swineshaw
4 Linnet
4 Stonechat
2 male Kestrels
8 Goldfinch feeding on thistles at Higher Swineshaw
Mallard with 9 ducklings on Higher Swineshaw
Group of mixed Tits and Finches around Brushes Cottages
7.45 - 9.00pm, to Lower Swineshaw
Several juvenile Wrens buzzing around
1 male, and 2 juvenile Tawny Owls calling
Walkerwood Dam
36 Canada Geese
1 Moorhen
1 Pied Wagtail
A few small groups of young finches around the Harridge side, mainly Chaffinch and Greenfinch. One Chaffinch even attempted a song
Bullfinch calling on all sides
2 male Blackcap, one singing weakly, the other feeding on blackberries. My first sighting for weeks.
Brushes Rifle Ranges and Flaxfield
Very quiet, bird-wise. A lot of breeding species have dispersed, most noticeably the Lesser Redpoll. It seems very quiet without them.
4 Swallows around Flaxfield, and a group of c10 moving through south
1 Willow Warbler behind Range House
10 Goldfinch
13 Black-headed Gulls in the fields, including 2 juveniles
Apart from the other very common stuff, that was it!
Brushes Valley, and beyond Higher Swineshaw, in better than forecast conditions.
2 Grey Wagtails in Walkerwood overflow
2 Moorhen on Walkerwood
6+ Willow Warblers, including one singing strongly on Swineshaw Moor
1 Buzzard
2 Bullfinch at the scout hut
1 Linnet
Flock of c70, mainly juvenile Goldfinch moving around the thistles at Higher Swineshaw
2 Red Grouse
4 Pied Wagtails at Higher Swineshaw
4 Dunnock in the bracken around the Swineshaws
A flock of c40 House Martins over from Chew direction, fed for about fifteen minutes over the moor, before heading off south
4 juvenile Stonechat
5 Meadow Pipits
1 Swallow over Walkerwood
No sign of any Reed Bunting, but the area in which the post-breeding birds tend to gather is currently subject to heavy pylon traffic, and has been for some time.
A quick jaunt from Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw
c50 House Martins, 12 over Walkerwood, and a larger group moving through over Wild Bank
2 Kestrel
Pair of Linnet
2 juvenile Stonechat
2 juvenile Red Grouse on Higher Swineshaw dam banking
1 juvenile Pied Wagtail
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 21st of August 2015 11:21:55 PM
Walkerwood and Brushes Reservoirs
2 Moorhen, on opposite sides of Walkerwood
1 Grey Heron
1 Lesser Redpoll over, the first I've heard for a week and a half
Bullfinch calling
Several Goldfinch moving around the bushes
Jays calling from the woods
1 Peregrine over
2 juvenile Kestrels, one feeding on Brushes Dam banking
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 19th of August 2015 07:55:49 AM
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw
10 juvenile Linnet on Higher Swineshaw dam
3 juvenile Stonechat
1 Red Grouse
1 Pheasant
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
Bullfinch calling
Several Tawny Owls calling, mainly juveniles
Walkerwood Dam, misty and midge-ridden.
46 Canada Geese
1 Moorhen
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Jay
1 Willow Warbler
Bullfinch calling
Several Greenfinch
Walkerwood Dam
A mixed group of 30+ Swifts and House Martins feeding high over the reservoir, with Swifts in the majority.
Wild Bank Hill
2 juvenile Stonechat
Flock of 8 juvenile Linnet
c6 Meadow Pipits
1 Red Grouse
Willow Warblers calling
Flaxfield
Flock of c10 Linnet of mixed ages, with a couple of young Chaffinch, at Range House
Several Goldfinch
4 Long-tailed Tits
2 Willow Warblers calling
Bullfinch calling
Range House and Flaxfield
20+ Swallows, the majority juveniles
6 House Martins
30 Starlings in the fields
6 Goldfinch
2 Linnet
Couple of Meadow Pipits calling
Willow Warblers calling
Brushes Valley, up to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, with most of the action around Higher Swineshaw dam
1 male, 1 juvenile Whitethroat, in different areas of bracken, both chasing around after Willow Warblers?
6 Linnet, including a pair, the male singing
10+ Willow Warblers, several singing males
6 Meadow Pipits
2 Kestrel
1 Peregrine
1 Buzzard
2 Red Grouse
10 Goldfinch
Juvenile Pied Wagtail
Couple of juvenile Stonechat feeding
I also saw a reasonably well grown Mallard duckling frantically and noisily swimming across Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, before disappearing beneath the surface, and not returning. I assume there must be a pike in there? Never had reason to suspect that before, though.
Around Brushes Rangers football pitch
A good number of Willow Warblers. 6 calling, and plenty of juveniles around the bushes
Several Goldfinch
7 Meadow Pipits
4 Swallows
Brushes Valley, and beyond Higher Swineshaw, to Swineshaw Moor and Irontongue Hill
Around the moor
5 Whitethroat, 1 male at Higher Swineshaw dam, and a family party in the bracken by the overflow
Several Linnet, including a pair visiting a nest site
Male Redstart at Higher Swineshaw dam
10+ Reed Bunting, a couple of males singing weakly, mainly juveniles
10+ Willow Warblers, some singing strongly, plenty of juveniles around too, mainly at Higher Swineshaw
40+ Meadow Pipits, mainly in groups of 6 - 8 birds
15+ Wrens, many juveniles
3 Buzzard together over Lees Hill
1 Kestrel
A couple of juvenile Stonechat practicing flycatching
Brushes Valley
Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Willow Warblers singing
Lesser Redpoll
4 Bullfinch
Wrens everywhere, mainly youngsters buzzing through the undergrowth
Flaxfield, Range House
A group of 25 birds on the wires at Range House, comprising :
3 Goldfinch
6 Linnet
6 Starlings
6 Swallows
4 Meadow Pipits
Elsewhere:
1 Willow Warbler singing
1 Chiffchaff singing from the country park
3 Mistle Thrush on the pylon
2 Robins
1 Black-headed Gull in the field
Flaxfield - Range House
Greenfinch singing
Several Goldfinch moving around
3 juvenile Mistle Thrush picking through the fields
Starlings in the hawthorn
c6 Meadow Pipits
2 Swallows seeing off a Kestrel - all the way over to Harridge
Couple of Black-headed Gulls in the fields
Good numbers of Magpies, 20+ - several apparently family groups
Walkerwood Dam to Lower Swineshaw
Nothing at all seen alongside Lower Swineshaw Reservoir which, given the cacophony of shouting and banging from the workmen erecting the pylons nearby, is hardly surprising. 4 Linnet over was the only sighting, other than 50+ Woodpigeon eating bilberries.
Lesser Redpoll around the scout hut
Couple of Jay calling from the woods
10 House Martins and 6 Swallows feeding around Walkerwood, a couple of the Martins passing food
Otherwise quiet
Flaxfield and a full circuit of Wild Bank Hill, a change in the Saturday routine due to limited access at Higher Swineshaw.
Very quiet, in good conditions. There seems to have been a clear out over the past week and a half, notably of Linnet and Meadow Pipits. The remaining Pipits were displaying again. The Skylarks left almost a month ago, a reminder of how short the season is up here.
10+ Meadow Pipits
c6 Linnet, one male singing
10+ Lesser Redpoll in the usual areas; at the foot of the moor, and above Cock Wood
1 Mistle Thrush
6 Willow Warblers, a couple singing
c6 Swallows, around Flaxfield Farm and the moor
2 Swift
Several Black-headed Gulls in the fields
Pheasant
Brushes Rifle Ranges and Flaxfield, cool and breezy, but thankfully dry.
10+ Lesser Redpoll, including juveniles
2 Linnet
1 pair of Bullfinch, plus others calling
6 Swallows
6+ Willow Warblers calling, no singing today
Mistle Thrush on the moor
1 Jay
1 Meadow Pipit only
Around the Swineshaws, damp and cold
Nothing much reportable:
Reed Bunting calling
Several Linnet, including juveniles
Lesser Redpoll over the scout hut
The main point of interest was several small groups of juvenile Pied Wagtails, flycatching on the moor, exhibiting a range of plumage, and tail-lengths. A couple of very un-wagtail like individuals, pale and shorter-tailed.
As mentioned previously, pylon rebuilding is being carried out at Higher Swineshaw dam. The footpath up to Higher Swineshaw dam is nominally closed for the last 30 yards, up to the dam wall, and another half-hearted attempt was made to prevent access. During daytime, when work is being carried out, there is obviously a safety issue, and it would be foolish to pass. The "Alternative Route" signs would entail a three mile detour, either via Carrbrook, or around Lees Hill and Wild Bank Hill. For a thirty yard stretch of footpath. It doesn't get much more alternative than that. One would think, with the amount of engineering work that has been carried out over the past year, that a fifty yard line of gravel wouldn't have bust the budget.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 29th of July 2015 08:52:39 AM
Brushes Valley, mostly mooching on the moorland around Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, on a fantastic sunny morning.
40+ Meadow Pipits, including a group of a dozen picking through the dam banking
1 adult, 1 juvenile Pied Wagtail
10+ Linnet, including several handsome singing males, and a pair nesting
1 Reed Bunting
Small flock of Goldfinch
Several Lesser Redpoll over the scout hut area
8+ Willow Warblers on the moor, mainly juveniles
40+ Woodpigeons feasting on bilberries
14 Canada Geese on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir
Plenty of Wrens singing and calling around the moor
1 juvenile Pheasant
2 Red Grouse
A couple of unusual sightings for the moor were:
1 very young Whitethroat with a juvenile Willow Warbler, very high up the moor. I don't recall ever seeing this species at this site before?
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in the same area, landing in the bracken? Not a tree worthy of the name for over half a mile.
A word of caution for anyone thinking of coming up here tomorrow. The pylons near to Higher Swineshaw dam and Lees Hill are being dismantled and replaced, so some of the footpaths may be closed at either end of the dam. There was a half-hearted attempt to stop a couple of walkers this morning, and a lot of very heavy plant was arriving, including two huge cranes. With this and the forecast bad weather, the pub might be a better option. A chance to get my records in order
Around Brushes Rangers football pitch
6 Swallows
4 House Martins
20 Starlings on the pylon
25+ Goldfinch moving around the hawthorn
Kestrel over, towards Wild Bank
Linnet singing
9.00pm
c20 Swift over Lower Swineshaw Reservoir
Range House and Flaxfield area
10 Swallows
1 House Martin
1 Swift
2 Greenfinch singing
Several Goldfinch chattering
c20 Starlings on a pylon
Several Meadow Pipits
Flaxfield, and Wild Bank Hill, on a lovely summer's morning.
40+ Linnet. Some males singing lower down, but the majority were juveniles higher up Wild Bank
8+ Lesser Redpoll
Family of 3 Greenfinch
Small groups of chattering Goldfinch
10 Swallows, including 5 juveniles being fed on the telegraph wires at Flaxfield Farm
20+ Meadow Pipits
8+ Willow Warblers, including 2 fledglings harassing an adult at Flaxfield
1 Chiffchaff singing in the birch trees
4 Mistle Thrush feeding in the fields towards Shaw Moor
10+ Starlings with the thrushes
Neither Skylark nor Whitethroat singing today