Todays Vis Mig highlights (mostly for those that remained at Scout Road for the duration; Phil Rhodes, Simon Johnson, Rick Else, Gary Crowder and Paul Cliff) up to lunchtime-
Hi,
Where is Scout Rd? I spent an almost entirely fruitless 3 and a half hours in the area this morning walking up Mast Rd and then back through the quarries. I couldn't see anything migrating anywhere apart from one small fieldfare flock. I also missed the hawfinches although I parked at Wilderswood about 7.15 a.m. I guess you have to know the area better.
Cheers,
Andy Bissitt
Dennis atherton said
Sun Oct 29 8:26 PM, 2017
Thank you. Could easily be two. Very skulky. I only found one myself at about 3.30 ish just past the Dog Kennels
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 29 6:46 PM, 2017
Todays Vis Mig highlights (mostly for those that remained at Scout Road for the duration; Phil Rhodes, Simon Johnson, Rick Else, Gary Crowder and Paul Cliff) up to lunchtime-
1 Hawfinch, picked up superbly by Phil, flew fast and low right past us heading north giving us 1 brief tick call, seem to drop down in Longworth Clough at 09:04. 19 Crossbills, groups of 10 and then 9 heading north as most finches were today. 2 Greylag Geese NW 1 Peregrine NW 896 Woodpigeon south 218 Fieldfare NW 155 Redwing NW 143 Chaffinch north and 33 south 5 Brambling north 16 Siskin north and 36 south
Nice Ring Ouzel photo's Dennis! I was told that 2 males were present there today (Andy Makin).
Dennis atherton said
Sun Oct 29 5:41 PM, 2017
Very Handsome Ring Ouzel from near Georges lane today
Along georges Lane this morning, 1 male ring ouzel and 4 crossbill over
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 29 9:05 AM, 2017
15 Hawfinch NW over Wilderswood just after 8am this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Fri Oct 27 7:56 PM, 2017
Todays Vis Mig highlights (with Andy Makin and 10 others - its suddenly seems to be becoming popular up here!) -
1 Swallow south 270 Pink-footed Geese SE 1729 Woodpigeon 373 Fieldfare NW 408 Redwings west or NW 15 Brambling 23 Bullfinch 17 Crossbill flew west out of Gale Brook Plantation (Phil) 66 Siskin south 33 Meadow Pipit south
2 Ring Ouzels along George's Lane (Andy). Also a second hand report of 1 Hawfinch over Georges Lane 11.15am and 10 Crossbills in Wilderswood.
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Oct 26 9:40 PM, 2017
Simon Warford wrote:
Andy Bissitt wrote:
Simon Warford wrote:
Todays Vis Mig highlights (with Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Alan Warford, Rick Else and later Dave Broome) up to 12.30pm -
1 Hawfinch - superbly picked up on call by Rick Else as it flew high north right over us and then it veered and flew east towards Holcombe at 09:28.
Hi,
Which call was it please. The single 'tic' or something else? I am interested because of my own experience the other day (under 'Romiley' thread).
Thanks,
Andy Bissitt
Hi Andy, it was the single high pitched Tick call, though I didn't hear it myself, so we would have missed it if it wasn't for Rick's amazing hearing. I have heard other sites have been hearing the "Tzik" call as well which you did..
Cheers, Simon
Thanks Simon. I hope to hear another soon!
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 26 9:25 PM, 2017
Andy Bissitt wrote:
Simon Warford wrote:
Todays Vis Mig highlights (with Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Alan Warford, Rick Else and later Dave Broome) up to 12.30pm -
1 Hawfinch - superbly picked up on call by Rick Else as it flew high north right over us and then it veered and flew east towards Holcombe at 09:28.
Hi,
Which call was it please. The single 'tic' or something else? I am interested because of my own experience the other day (under 'Romiley' thread).
Thanks,
Andy Bissitt
Hi Andy, it was the single high pitched Tick call, though I didn't hear it myself, so we would have missed it if it wasn't for Rick's amazing hearing. I have heard other sites have been hearing the "Tzik" call as well which you did..
Cheers, Simon
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Oct 26 8:02 PM, 2017
Simon Warford wrote:
Todays Vis Mig highlights (with Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Alan Warford, Rick Else and later Dave Broome) up to 12.30pm -
1 Hawfinch - superbly picked up on call by Rick Else as it flew high north right over us and then it veered and flew east towards Holcombe at 09:28.
Hi,
Which call was it please. The single 'tic' or something else? I am interested because of my own experience the other day (under 'Romiley' thread).
Thanks,
Andy Bissitt
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 26 7:50 PM, 2017
Todays Vis Mig highlights (with Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Alan Warford, Rick Else and later Dave Broome) up to 12.30pm -
1 Hawfinch - superbly picked up on call by Rick Else as it flew high north right over us and then it veered and flew east towards Holcombe at 09:28. 1 male Yellowhammer flew over calling and landed briefly (record shot from Phil) 212 Pink-footed Geese NW and 385 ESE 2901 Woodpigeon south 132 Fieldfare south 285 Redwing south 131 Meadow Pipit south 305 Chaffinch south 12 Brambling south 19 Siskin south
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 26th of October 2017 09:22:48 PM
Hawfinch SE over Scout Road heading towards Egerton at 09:38 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 25 7:11 PM, 2017
Todays Vis Mig highlights (with Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Rick Else and later joined by Gary Crowder and Dave Broome) up to 1pm -
4 Hawfinch, within 30 feet past us heading north at 08:50. Failed miserably in attempt to photograph them. 24 Whooper Swans (20 ESE and later 4 that flew low and were picked up by Simon Johnson at Elton) 984 Pink-footed Geese NW and 285 ESE 3614 Woodpigeon south 859 Black-headed Gull south 1 Swallow south 68 Fieldfare south 184 Redwing south 43 Mistle Thrush south - record count 178 Meadow Pipit south 272 Chaffinch south 29 Brambling south 21 Bullfinch south 260 Goldfinch south 51 Siskin south
1 Chiffchaff on Scout Road quarry.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 25th of October 2017 07:17:51 PM
4 multi-observed Hawfinch flew North over Scout Road quarry at 08:50 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 23 11:20 AM, 2017
2 Hawfinch south over Scout Road, Horwich Moors at 11:10
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 21 3:18 PM, 2017
This mornings Vis Mig highlights, with Andy Makin, up to 11:15am-
Blustery and deteriorating conditions as the morning progressed, but birds on the move today. Redwings and finches especially, hugging the valley side and often coming within a few feet of us giving great close fly-bys though some would just appear right in front of us which made counting sometimes difficult as birds were behind us within seconds!
1 Hawfinch south, picked up over Gale Brook Plantation at 09:28, it ended up flying right past us within 50 feet, local birding just doen't get any better than this! 1 Merlin south 1024 Redwings south 7 Fieldfare south 1 male Ring Ouzel south 8 Brambling south 69 Goldfinch south 41 Siskin south 294 Starlings SW or NW
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 21st of October 2017 03:18:55 PM
Steve Judge said
Fri Oct 20 6:04 PM, 2017
Friday, 20th October 2017
Big Hedge: Fieldfare x 20 (first of year for me) Redwing x 2 Mistle Thrush x 1 Kestrel x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Blackbird x 3
Horrock's Wood (off Scout Road) full circuit - new area for me and thoroughly enjoyable with fantastic view over Bolton from car park: Redwing x 30 Kestrel x 3 sightings Buzzard x 1 Collared Dove x 50 Bullfinch x 1 Reed Bunting x 7 Greenfinch x 3 Linnet x 1 Mistle Thrush x 2 Goldfinch x 7 Chaffinch x 5 Blue Tit x 1 Great Tit x 1 Long-Tailed Tit x 3 Wren x 1 Blackbird x 3 Carrion Crow x 40 Jackdaw x 3 Magpie x 10 Jay x 4 Moorhen x 1 Mallard x 2
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 19 7:50 PM, 2017
This mornings Vis Mig highlights, just myself, up to 12:30-
A classic arrival of Redwings here, all indicative of birds fresh in and coming in from Scotland. A total of 48 parties (largest party 250) coming down the Belmont valley out of the gloom and mist and then veering to the SW after Winter Hill. That magic time of year when we get hirrundines and winter thrushes together
2090 Redwings south or SW 5 Fieldfare SW 1 chacking Ring Ouzel SW with a Redwing flock 8 Swallow south 29 Pied Wagtails south 101 Meadow Pipit south 1082 Woodpigeon 78 Chaffinch south 9 Brambling south 123 Goldfinch south 69 Siskin south
Also 3 Ring Ouzels along Georges Lane at 11.45am.
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 18 6:01 PM, 2017
This mornings Vis Mig highlights, with Andy Makin, up to 11:30-
367 Pink-footed Geese NW 1 Hawfinch strongly SW at 08:00, allowing good views 1 Diver species, very high SW about 500 feet above the mast at 10:35, going in and out of clouds, couldn't ID to species unfortunately, but first for the moors. 4 Gadwall south 3 Goosander south 4,034 Woodpigeons south 68 Jackdaws south 145 Redwings SW or NW 4 Mistle Thrush south 205 Meadow Pipit south 21 Brambling south 30 Linnet south 40 Redpoll south 94 Goldfinch south 34 Siskin south
This mornings Vis Mig highlights, in surreal conditions with the approach of Storm Ophelia with Saharan dust leading to a red sun. With Andy Makin and Chris Marston up to11.30-
10 Greylag Goose NW (highest site count) 1 Hawfinch low NE at 09:15 at fairly close range 123 Redwing south 49 Meadow Pipit south 1 Brambling south 13 Siskin south
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 15 4:27 PM, 2017
This mornings Vis Mig highlights in misty conditions, with Andy Makin, up to 11.00-
121 Redwing south 2 Fieldfare south 64 Siskin 1 Brambling south
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 14 10:16 PM, 2017
6 Stonechat at Heather Hall this afternoon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 12 11:11 PM, 2017
This mornings Vis Mig highlights, with Andy Makin, up to 11.00-
395 Pink-footed Geese SE and 153 NW 4 Goosander NW 3 Common Gull south 34 Pied Wagtail 201 Meadow Pipit 1 Swallow south 7 Redwing west 1 Brambling south 41 Siskin south 39 Linnet south
46 Barnacle Geese NW at 12.15pm - thanks to Simon Johnson for the phonecall and tip off, fantastic to see a high flying flock in v formation in the same airspace as several skiens of Pink-feet, given the large movement of Svalbard birds across the east coast, they were probably birds redirecting to the Solway. 190 Pink-footed Geese NW and 35 SE. 6 Bramblings in Gale Brook plantation before flying west. 56 Redwings NW 9 Snipe NW 6 Swallow south 190 Meadow Pipit south
Present were 2 male Ring Ouzels in the Big Hedge at Georges Lane, where Dan Brown later had 3 there. 6 Goldcrests Brownstones Quarry.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 8th of October 2017 06:30:03 PM
Simon Warford said
Fri Oct 6 6:16 PM, 2017
This mornings Vis Mig highlights with Andy Makin up to 11am were-
8 Crossbills NW right over our heads (first of Autumn) 401 Pink-footed Geese east and 15 NW 2 Golden Plover N (with 1 down in the field by Scout Road early morning) 445 Woodpigeon south 823 Meadow Pipits south 58 Swallow south 77 Linnet south 73 Siskin south
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 4 6:26 PM, 2017
Visible migration totals from yesterday morning, 3rd October:
6 skins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 319
2 male Merlin squabbling with a female
1 Swallow S
18 Skylark S
471 Meadow Pipit S
54 Pied Wagtail S
68 Linnet
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Thu Sep 28 8:01 PM, 2017
Full days Vis Mig with Andy Makin and Simon Johnson produced the following highlights-
1 Redwing north 1 Swift NW 1 Marsh Harrier NW 1 Merlin south 8 Raven high south 199 Pink-footed Geese (160 east & 39 NW) 435 Swallow south 111 House Martin south 1801 Meadow Pipits south 155 Siskin south
Present were 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Wheatear and 200+ Meadow Pipits across the moor.
Simon Warford said
Wed Sep 27 8:49 PM, 2017
This morning with Andy Makin and Simon Johnson produced highlights-
1 Redwing west 1,000 Meadow Pipits south 118 Swallow south 10 Grey Wagtails south 40 Pied Wagtails south 41 Siskin south
2 Wheatear near the mast and 2 Song Thrush inside the main mast compound. An exciting encounter by Brownstones, when a female Sparrowhawk was seen chasing a Mistle Thrush which it very nearly caught, the poor Mistle Thrush was then immediately chased by a Peregrine and somehow escaped again!
Simon Warford said
Tue Sep 26 7:55 PM, 2017
Full day on Winter Hill with Andy Makin up to 4pm. A superb day, with an all day pipit movement, from the off and on a broad front, some very high and difficult to see especially in the early murk. We re-positioned after lunch, from our normal watchpoint to the mast compounds and Meadow Pipits steady all afternoon through here as well. Highlights -
3 Redwings over south and west (5 days earlier than last year) 1 Peregrine 13 Buzzard south 1 female Marsh Harrier through south at 13.10 right past us 3 Raven south 5493 Meadow Pipits south 63 Pied Wagtails south 8 Song Thrush south 150 Swallow south 93 Siskin south 96 Linnet south 70 Goldfinch south
Birds present included 4 Wheatear, 6 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart border wall by main mast compound, 5 Chiffchaff, and a very late Spotted Flycatcher in the southern most cable compound. One dead Grasshopper Warbler by main mast building. Record shots by Andy Makin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Tuesday 26th of September 2017 08:32:16 PM
This mornings Vis Mig watch with Andy Makin and Rick Else -
1257 Meadow Pipit south 5 Jay (4 south, 1 NW) 94 House Martin south 7 Mistle Thrush south 24 Pied Wagtails south 39 Linnet south 75 Goldfinch south 33 Siskin south
Also 3 Wheatear (Phil Rhodes) and 7 Stonechat across the moors.
dave broome said
Mon Sep 18 12:44 PM, 2017
Just over 2hrs this morning around Mast Road to Holden's Farm produced virtually no noticeable movement, 5 Siskin and 1 Redpoll NW being the highlight. At least 120 Meadow Pipit were down, but only single figures noted moving overhead. Other birds included a flock of 11 Jay moving through Holden's Plantation, 2 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, 90 Goldfinch and a Nuthatch at Holden's Farm
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 17 11:06 PM, 2017
Whinchat on Edge Lane and 4 Wheatear at Heather Hall this afternoon.
This mornings Vis Mig watch with Andy Makin was fairly unproductive, other than continued early movement of Pink-Footed Geese-
1037 Pink-footed Geese SE in 19 skiens and 373 NW in 4 skiens. Smallest group just 7 birds. 257 Swallow south 133 House Martin south 20 Meadow Pipit south
Also 1 Whinchat and 3 Wheatear Georges Lane and 1 Wheatear Fleet Moor (Andy Pinches & Phil Rhodes).
Simon Warford said
Fri Sep 15 8:39 PM, 2017
Another good mornings Vis Mig watch with Andy Makin, highlights only-
163 Pink-footed Geese SE and 155 NW, a total of 9 skiens 2 Golden Plover NW ringtail Hen Harrier through west 277 Meadow Pipit south 1 Swift south (latest ever over Horwich Moors I think) 1 Sand Martin south 2615 Swallows south 3516 House Martins south
2 Tree Pipit by Gale Brook Plantation.
Simon Warford said
Thu Sep 14 8:51 PM, 2017
Good Vis Mig watch this morning, before departing to White Holme Reservoir with Andy Makin, produced-
16 Golden Plover (1 north and 15 SW) 30 Pink-footed Geese NW 1 male Merlin south 2 Tree Pipit south 1 cracking male Ring Ouzel which flew in from the north and landed by Scout Road quarry briefly. 319 Meadow Pipit south 3 Raven south 961 Swallow south 700 House Martin south Siskin 5 south
Simon Warford said
Tue Sep 12 9:54 PM, 2017
This mornings Vis Mig highlights with Andy Makin were-
1 female Merlin south 2 Golden Plover north 3 Swift south 107 House Martin south 11 Grey Wagtails south 1272 Meadow Pipits south 27 Siskin south
6 Wheatear present, mostly Matchmoor Lane and Mast Road.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 9 5:10 PM, 2017
Originally posted today by Jack Danson:
Everyday this week on pheasant feeder in the garden at Holden Farm, a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Brilliant.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 4 11:56 PM, 2017
Two Spotted Flycatcher and a Whinchat in Burnt Edge this afternoon.
Info thanks to Brian Fogg
Simon Warford said
Sat Sep 2 7:34 PM, 2017
This mornings sightings between Andy Makin, myself, Simon Johnson and Phil Rhodes;
Decent morning, with first Meadow Pipits moving, but highlight was a notable movement of Buzzards, a fine kettle of 16 birds spirraling high and then further birds very high over heading south east (wonder whether this annual movement consists of dispersing juveniles?), some were only picked up due to us watching our first Merlin of the autumn having an aerial disagreement with a Kestrel.
George's Lane - juv Sedge Warbler, 4 Whinchat and 9 Wheatear.
Holden's Farm - 3 Whinchat still present, a Sand Martin on overhead wires with Swallows and a Merlin high up over Smithill's Moor, later seen hunting.
Burnt Edge - 2 Wheatear.
Fleet Moor - 2 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear and fantastic spiral of 16+ Buzzards.
Mast Road - 27 Wheatear.
Other birds moving through included 27 Buzzards, 30 Meadow Pipits, 10 Sand Martin and 8 Siskin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 2nd of September 2017 08:15:37 PM
58 Wheatear on moors and a further 3 Whinchat on Fleet Moor
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 1 1:04 PM, 2017
This morning's highlights, accompanied by Andy Makin:
Higher Meadows:
1 Spotted Flycatcher
4 Whinchat
1 Tree Pipit
2 Wheatear
Holden's Farm:
3 Whinchat
2 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Tree Pipit
1 Redstart
Simon Warford said
Thu Aug 31 2:26 PM, 2017
Brief late morning visit after rain shower-
Gale Brook Plantation - 1 Whinchat and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.
Mast Road Pony Fields - 10 Wheatear and an Oystercatcher.
Mast Compounds on Winter Hill - 10+ Wheatear around the walls and 2 Robin's inside the main compound. Also slightly further down the mast road 2 juvenile Whinchat on square fenced area.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Aug 30 11:02 PM, 2017
Other sightings from the moors today included:
Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and 21 Willow Warbler in the most compounds on Winter Hill with 24 Wheatear and a Whinchat along Mast Road.
Around the Mast Road pony fields today, 3 Wheatear, c50 Goldfinch, 40 Meadow Pipit
3 Wheatear Matchmoor Lane
Tree Pipit heard over Walker Fold Road just south of Walker Fold Wood
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 28 10:38 PM, 2017
Juvenile Yellow Wagtail in the sheep field below the northern end of Georges Lane at 11:25 for 5 minutes today, also a Hobby south at 11:45.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Paul Richardson said
Mon Aug 28 12:12 PM, 2017
07.45 to 11.00
George's Lane: 3 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Raven, one apparently with an egg (?hen's) in its mouth, 2 Kestrel, 40 Goldfinch, a few Meadow Pipit.
Burnt Edge: 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 juvenile male Redstart in the large willow at the Walker Fold end. Also 2 Willow Warbler and a juv Chiffchaff in same tree. Single (or possibly 2?) Wheatear in adjacent tree (thanks to another birder). Flock of 40 or so Swallows. 30 Goldfinch around Holden's Farm, along with a few Linnet and a Kestrel.
Simon Warford said
Sun Aug 27 3:56 PM, 2017
This morning 8am to 1pm, highlights between Andy Makin and myself;
Scout Road Area- 1 juv Whinchat by Gale Brook Plantation with 1 Stonechat, also 3 Spotted Flycatcher along fence here. 2 Tree Pipit over south.
Walker Fold to Burnt Edge- 2 Spotted Flycatcher Newfields, also Whitethroat and 6 Willow Warbler. 4 Wheatear Burnt Edge, 2 Wheatear Montcliffe and 40 Swallows on wires.
Brownstones- 2 Spotted Flycatcher
Georges Lane- 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 White Wagtail.
John Williams said
Fri Aug 25 9:13 PM, 2017
11.00-17.00
Georges Lane : 6 Stonechats, 3 Kestrels, 1 Raven and a flock of 60+ Goldfinches.
Burnt Edge : 2 Tree Pipits, 30+ Meadow Pipits, 3 Kestrels, 1 Stonechat and 2 Ravens.
Walker Fold : 3 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and 4 Goldcrests.
1 Hawfinch, picked up superbly by Phil, flew fast and low right past us heading north giving us 1 brief tick call, seem to drop down in Longworth Clough at 09:04.
19 Crossbills, groups of 10 and then 9 heading north as most finches were today.
2 Greylag Geese NW
1 Peregrine NW
896 Woodpigeon south
218 Fieldfare NW
155 Redwing NW
143 Chaffinch north and 33 south
5 Brambling north
16 Siskin north and 36 south
Nice Ring Ouzel photo's Dennis! I was told that 2 males were present there today (Andy Makin).
Very Handsome Ring Ouzel from near Georges lane today
Along georges Lane this morning, 1 male ring ouzel and 4 crossbill over
15 Hawfinch NW over Wilderswood just after 8am this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 Swallow south
270 Pink-footed Geese SE
1729 Woodpigeon
373 Fieldfare NW
408 Redwings west or NW
15 Brambling
23 Bullfinch
17 Crossbill flew west out of Gale Brook Plantation (Phil)
66 Siskin south
33 Meadow Pipit south
2 Ring Ouzels along George's Lane (Andy). Also a second hand report of 1 Hawfinch over Georges Lane 11.15am and 10 Crossbills in Wilderswood.
Thanks Simon. I hope to hear another soon!
Hi Andy, it was the single high pitched Tick call, though I didn't hear it myself, so we would have missed it if it wasn't for Rick's amazing hearing. I have heard other sites have been hearing the "Tzik" call as well which you did..
Cheers, Simon
1 Hawfinch - superbly picked up on call by Rick Else as it flew high north right over us and then it veered and flew east towards Holcombe at 09:28.
1 male Yellowhammer flew over calling and landed briefly (record shot from Phil)
212 Pink-footed Geese NW and 385 ESE
2901 Woodpigeon south
132 Fieldfare south
285 Redwing south
131 Meadow Pipit south
305 Chaffinch south
12 Brambling south
19 Siskin south
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 26th of October 2017 09:22:48 PM
Hawfinch SE over Scout Road heading towards Egerton at 09:38 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
4 Hawfinch, within 30 feet past us heading north at 08:50. Failed miserably in attempt to photograph them.
24 Whooper Swans (20 ESE and later 4 that flew low and were picked up by Simon Johnson at Elton)
984 Pink-footed Geese NW and 285 ESE
3614 Woodpigeon south
859 Black-headed Gull south
1 Swallow south
68 Fieldfare south
184 Redwing south
43 Mistle Thrush south - record count
178 Meadow Pipit south
272 Chaffinch south
29 Brambling south
21 Bullfinch south
260 Goldfinch south
51 Siskin south
1 Chiffchaff on Scout Road quarry.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 25th of October 2017 07:17:51 PM
4 multi-observed Hawfinch flew North over Scout Road quarry at 08:50 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 Hawfinch south over Scout Road, Horwich Moors at 11:10
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Blustery and deteriorating conditions as the morning progressed, but birds on the move today. Redwings and finches especially, hugging the valley side and often coming within a few feet of us giving great close fly-bys though some would just appear right in front of us which made counting sometimes difficult as birds were behind us within seconds!
1 Hawfinch south, picked up over Gale Brook Plantation at 09:28, it ended up flying right past us within 50 feet, local birding just doen't get any better than this!
1 Merlin south
1024 Redwings south
7 Fieldfare south
1 male Ring Ouzel south
8 Brambling south
69 Goldfinch south
41 Siskin south
294 Starlings SW or NW
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 21st of October 2017 03:18:55 PM
Big Hedge:
Fieldfare x 20 (first of year for me)
Redwing x 2
Mistle Thrush x 1
Kestrel x 1
Goldfinch x 4
Blackbird x 3
Horrock's Wood (off Scout Road) full circuit - new area for me and thoroughly enjoyable with fantastic view over Bolton from car park:
Redwing x 30
Kestrel x 3 sightings
Buzzard x 1
Collared Dove x 50
Bullfinch x 1
Reed Bunting x 7
Greenfinch x 3
Linnet x 1
Mistle Thrush x 2
Goldfinch x 7
Chaffinch x 5
Blue Tit x 1
Great Tit x 1
Long-Tailed Tit x 3
Wren x 1
Blackbird x 3
Carrion Crow x 40
Jackdaw x 3
Magpie x 10
Jay x 4
Moorhen x 1
Mallard x 2
A classic arrival of Redwings here, all indicative of birds fresh in and coming in from Scotland. A total of 48 parties (largest party 250) coming down the Belmont valley out of the gloom and mist and then veering to the SW after Winter Hill. That magic time of year when we get hirrundines and winter thrushes together
2090 Redwings south or SW
5 Fieldfare SW
1 chacking Ring Ouzel SW with a Redwing flock
8 Swallow south
29 Pied Wagtails south
101 Meadow Pipit south
1082 Woodpigeon
78 Chaffinch south
9 Brambling south
123 Goldfinch south
69 Siskin south
Also 3 Ring Ouzels along Georges Lane at 11.45am.
367 Pink-footed Geese NW
1 Hawfinch strongly SW at 08:00, allowing good views
1 Diver species, very high SW about 500 feet above the mast at 10:35, going in and out of clouds, couldn't ID to species unfortunately, but first for the moors.
4 Gadwall south
3 Goosander south
4,034 Woodpigeons south
68 Jackdaws south
145 Redwings SW or NW
4 Mistle Thrush south
205 Meadow Pipit south
21 Brambling south
30 Linnet south
40 Redpoll south
94 Goldfinch south
34 Siskin south
Single Hawfinch south over Scout Road at 8am.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Simon Warford
10 Greylag Goose NW (highest site count)
1 Hawfinch low NE at 09:15 at fairly close range
123 Redwing south
49 Meadow Pipit south
1 Brambling south
13 Siskin south
121 Redwing south
2 Fieldfare south
64 Siskin
1 Brambling south
6 Stonechat at Heather Hall this afternoon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
395 Pink-footed Geese SE and 153 NW
4 Goosander NW
3 Common Gull south
34 Pied Wagtail
201 Meadow Pipit
1 Swallow south
7 Redwing west
1 Brambling south
41 Siskin south
39 Linnet south
Also 6 Stonechat along George's Lane.
Female Marsh Harrier
10 Wigeon NW
398 Redwings
32 Siskin south
2 Crossbill Walker Fold Wood
46 Barnacle Geese NW at 12.15pm - thanks to Simon Johnson for the phonecall and tip off, fantastic to see a high flying flock in v formation in the same airspace as several skiens of Pink-feet, given the large movement of Svalbard birds across the east coast, they were probably birds redirecting to the Solway.
190 Pink-footed Geese NW and 35 SE.
6 Bramblings in Gale Brook plantation before flying west.
56 Redwings NW
9 Snipe NW
6 Swallow south
190 Meadow Pipit south
Present were 2 male Ring Ouzels in the Big Hedge at Georges Lane, where Dan Brown later had 3 there. 6 Goldcrests Brownstones Quarry.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 8th of October 2017 06:30:03 PM
8 Crossbills NW right over our heads (first of Autumn)
401 Pink-footed Geese east and 15 NW
2 Golden Plover N (with 1 down in the field by Scout Road early morning)
445 Woodpigeon south
823 Meadow Pipits south
58 Swallow south
77 Linnet south
73 Siskin south
Visible migration totals from yesterday morning, 3rd October:
6 skins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 319
2 male Merlin squabbling with a female
1 Swallow S
18 Skylark S
471 Meadow Pipit S
54 Pied Wagtail S
68 Linnet
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 Redwing north
1 Swift NW
1 Marsh Harrier NW
1 Merlin south
8 Raven high south
199 Pink-footed Geese (160 east & 39 NW)
435 Swallow south
111 House Martin south
1801 Meadow Pipits south
155 Siskin south
Present were 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Wheatear and 200+ Meadow Pipits across the moor.
1 Redwing west
1,000 Meadow Pipits south
118 Swallow south
10 Grey Wagtails south
40 Pied Wagtails south
41 Siskin south
2 Wheatear near the mast and 2 Song Thrush inside the main mast compound.
An exciting encounter by Brownstones, when a female Sparrowhawk was seen chasing a Mistle Thrush which it very nearly caught, the poor Mistle Thrush was then immediately chased by a Peregrine and somehow escaped again!
3 Redwings over south and west (5 days earlier than last year)
1 Peregrine
13 Buzzard south
1 female Marsh Harrier through south at 13.10 right past us
3 Raven south
5493 Meadow Pipits south
63 Pied Wagtails south
8 Song Thrush south
150 Swallow south
93 Siskin south
96 Linnet south
70 Goldfinch south
Birds present included 4 Wheatear, 6 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart border wall by main mast compound, 5 Chiffchaff, and a very late Spotted Flycatcher in the southern most cable compound. One dead Grasshopper Warbler by main mast building. Record shots by Andy Makin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Tuesday 26th of September 2017 08:32:16 PM
1257 Meadow Pipit south
5 Jay (4 south, 1 NW)
94 House Martin south
7 Mistle Thrush south
24 Pied Wagtails south
39 Linnet south
75 Goldfinch south
33 Siskin south
Also 3 Wheatear (Phil Rhodes) and 7 Stonechat across the moors.
Just over 2hrs this morning around Mast Road to Holden's Farm produced virtually no noticeable movement, 5 Siskin and 1 Redpoll NW being the highlight. At least 120 Meadow Pipit were down, but only single figures noted moving overhead. Other birds included a flock of 11 Jay moving through Holden's Plantation, 2 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, 90 Goldfinch and a Nuthatch at Holden's Farm
Whinchat on Edge Lane and 4 Wheatear at Heather Hall this afternoon.
Info and image thanks to Phil Rhodes
1037 Pink-footed Geese SE in 19 skiens and 373 NW in 4 skiens. Smallest group just 7 birds.
257 Swallow south
133 House Martin south
20 Meadow Pipit south
Also 1 Whinchat and 3 Wheatear Georges Lane and 1 Wheatear Fleet Moor (Andy Pinches & Phil Rhodes).
163 Pink-footed Geese SE and 155 NW, a total of 9 skiens
2 Golden Plover NW
ringtail Hen Harrier through west
277 Meadow Pipit south
1 Swift south (latest ever over Horwich Moors I think)
1 Sand Martin south
2615 Swallows south
3516 House Martins south
2 Tree Pipit by Gale Brook Plantation.
16 Golden Plover (1 north and 15 SW)
30 Pink-footed Geese NW
1 male Merlin south
2 Tree Pipit south
1 cracking male Ring Ouzel which flew in from the north and landed by Scout Road quarry briefly.
319 Meadow Pipit south
3 Raven south
961 Swallow south
700 House Martin south
Siskin 5 south
1 female Merlin south
2 Golden Plover north
3 Swift south
107 House Martin south
11 Grey Wagtails south
1272 Meadow Pipits south
27 Siskin south
6 Wheatear present, mostly Matchmoor Lane and Mast Road.
Originally posted today by Jack Danson:
Everyday this week on pheasant feeder in the garden at Holden Farm, a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Brilliant.
Two Spotted Flycatcher and a Whinchat in Burnt Edge this afternoon.
Info thanks to Brian Fogg
Decent morning, with first Meadow Pipits moving, but highlight was a notable movement of Buzzards, a fine kettle of 16 birds spirraling high and then further birds very high over heading south east (wonder whether this annual movement consists of dispersing juveniles?), some were only picked up due to us watching our first Merlin of the autumn having an aerial disagreement with a Kestrel.
George's Lane - juv Sedge Warbler, 4 Whinchat and 9 Wheatear.
Holden's Farm - 3 Whinchat still present, a Sand Martin on overhead wires with Swallows and a Merlin high up over Smithill's Moor, later seen hunting.
Burnt Edge - 2 Wheatear.
Fleet Moor - 2 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear and fantastic spiral of 16+ Buzzards.
Mast Road - 27 Wheatear.
Other birds moving through included 27 Buzzards, 30 Meadow Pipits, 10 Sand Martin and 8 Siskin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 2nd of September 2017 08:15:37 PM
Further sightings from today:
58 Wheatear on moors and a further 3 Whinchat on Fleet Moor
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's highlights, accompanied by Andy Makin:
Higher Meadows:
1 Spotted Flycatcher
4 Whinchat
1 Tree Pipit
2 Wheatear
Holden's Farm:
3 Whinchat
2 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Tree Pipit
1 Redstart
Gale Brook Plantation - 1 Whinchat and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.
Mast Road Pony Fields - 10 Wheatear and an Oystercatcher.
Mast Compounds on Winter Hill - 10+ Wheatear around the walls and 2 Robin's inside the main compound. Also slightly further down the mast road 2 juvenile Whinchat on square fenced area.
Other sightings from the moors today included:
Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and 21 Willow Warbler in the most compounds on Winter Hill with 24 Wheatear and a Whinchat along Mast Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Around the Mast Road pony fields today, 3 Wheatear, c50 Goldfinch, 40 Meadow Pipit
3 Wheatear Matchmoor Lane
Tree Pipit heard over Walker Fold Road just south of Walker Fold Wood
Juvenile Yellow Wagtail in the sheep field below the northern end of Georges Lane at 11:25 for 5 minutes today, also a Hobby south at 11:45.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
George's Lane: 3 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Raven, one apparently with an egg (?hen's) in its mouth, 2 Kestrel, 40 Goldfinch, a few Meadow Pipit.
Burnt Edge: 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 juvenile male Redstart in the large willow at the Walker Fold end. Also 2 Willow Warbler and a juv Chiffchaff in same tree. Single (or possibly 2?) Wheatear in adjacent tree (thanks to another birder).
Flock of 40 or so Swallows.
30 Goldfinch around Holden's Farm, along with a few Linnet and a Kestrel.
Scout Road Area- 1 juv Whinchat by Gale Brook Plantation with 1 Stonechat, also 3 Spotted Flycatcher along fence here. 2 Tree Pipit over south.
Walker Fold to Burnt Edge- 2 Spotted Flycatcher Newfields, also Whitethroat and 6 Willow Warbler. 4 Wheatear Burnt Edge, 2 Wheatear Montcliffe and 40 Swallows on wires.
Brownstones- 2 Spotted Flycatcher
Georges Lane- 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 White Wagtail.
Georges Lane : 6 Stonechats, 3 Kestrels, 1 Raven and a flock of 60+ Goldfinches.
Burnt Edge : 2 Tree Pipits, 30+ Meadow Pipits, 3 Kestrels, 1 Stonechat and 2 Ravens.
Walker Fold : 3 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and 4 Goldcrests.
Sugar Loaf Plantation : 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
Holdens Farm : 18 Linnets.