1 Cormorant on the reservoir 1 Sparrowhawk over Harridge 2 Pied Wagtails 2 male Blackcaps 1 female Blackcap feeding a very young juvenile Several Willow Warblers, including 3 singing strongly Several Bullfinches calling 2 Lesser Redpoll over Several juvenile Dunnocks and Wrens flitting around
Unable to check on the Redstart at Flaxfield due to the delivery of a consignment of bricks, to the building site, blocking the road!!
David Walsh said
Tue Aug 12 3:07 PM, 2014
Tuesday 12th August 2014, 2.00pm
Flaxfield
Juvenile Redstart Male Kestrel
6.00pm - 11 juvenile Linnets picking through the grass of Walkerwood Dam banking.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 12th of August 2014 07:05:36 PM
David Walsh said
Tue Aug 12 10:35 AM, 2014
Tuesday 12th August 2014, 7.30 - 9.30am
Brushes Valley - cold and blustery, and fairly quiet.
1 Wheatear at Higher Swineshaw 2 Kestrels 10+ Bullfinches, calling all along the valley mainly juvenile Chaffinches Linnet over c6 juvenile Pied Wagtails Mistle Thrushes calling at Higher Swineshaw juvenile Jays Swallows around Walkerwood Moorhen on Walkerwood
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 12th of August 2014 10:58:35 AM
David Walsh said
Sun Aug 10 6:01 PM, 2014
Sunday 10th August 2014, 4.00pm
Walkerwood Dam
6+ Swallows 6+ Linnets in the grass on the dam banking Juvenile Grey Wagtail Several juvenile Jays
A few sightings from a couple of visits today. Intended walking to Higher Swineshaw this morning, but a combination of low cloud and the news that the gamekeeper and sidekicks were up there preparing for Tuesday's tally ho against the Grouse made my mind up to stick to the Wild Bank side of the valley. Judging by the speed of the immature grouse I've been watching of late, a home made catapult should suffice; no need for the big guns.
Buzzard over Harridge immature Kestrel at Flaxfield 12+ Swallows around Walkerwood Dam 1 juvenile Grey Wagtail c20 House Martins fed briefly over the reservoir and Country Park this morning, before heading south-west 12 Linnets picking through the newly mown grass of Walkerwood Dam at 6pm. 2 adult males and the rest mainly juveniles Juvenile Redstart flycatching at Flaxfield on both visits Juvenile Whitethroat at Flaxfield a lot of juvenile Willow Warblers everywhere Several Bullfinch calling No sign of the Lesser Redpoll at Wild Bank today, maybe dispersed?
Steve Suttill said
Thu Aug 7 4:07 PM, 2014
Thursday 7th August 2014, 11.00 - 14.30
Walk from Millbrook up the Brushes valley to Higher Swineshaw, then over Harridge to Carrbrook and along moor edge to Mossley/Greenfield border.
Good to see plenty of juvenile Willow Warblers almost everywhere. Also Jay, Treecreeper, Kestrel and Great Spotted Woodpecker below Walkerwood Dam.
Up by the quarry a Sparrowhawk was being mobbed by Swallows and a Buzzard was heard but not seen.
On Harridge, the moor was almost devoid of birdlife - just one Red Grouse.
Little Owl at the bottom of Shire Clough. 2 Buzzards over Noonsun Hill were being pestered by a female Sparrowhawk.
1 juvenile Redstart 20+ Meadow Pipits, mainly juveniles, flying around the fields c20 Black-headed Gulls, including juveniles, in fields 6 Swallows 20+ juvenile Goldfinches
David Walsh said
Tue Aug 5 9:53 PM, 2014
Tuesday 5th August, 7.30 -9.00pm
Flaxfield
1 juvenile Redstart 1 juvenile Kestrel 12+ Willow Warblers 3 Whitethroats 2 Blackcaps 20+ Goldfinches Greenfinch wheezing 3 Swallows 25+ Blackbirds, mainly juveniles 3 Song Thrushes 1 Mistle Thrush 1 pair of Carrion Crows with 2 young too many Woodpigeons and Jackdaws to count
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 5th of August 2014 09:55:42 PM
Bill Beckwith said
Mon Aug 4 5:17 PM, 2014
Saw juvenile female redstart between 12 30 and 1 00pm at Flaxfield today.
David Walsh said
Mon Aug 4 7:44 AM, 2014
Monday 4th August 2014, 6.30 - 7.15am
Walkerwood Dam
Juvenile Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail Group of several juvenile Willow Warblers Juvenile Song Thrush Bullfinch Some beautifully plumaged Coal Tits Plenty of noisy juvenile Jays
Juvenile Redstart still at Flaxfield, being chased around by an adult Robin, with youngster
David Walsh said
Sun Aug 3 10:29 AM, 2014
Sunday 3rd August 2014, 10.00am
Juvenile Redstart at Flaxfield
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 2 9:44 AM, 2014
Saturday 2nd August 2014, 6.45 - 8.45am
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank, and Flaxfield, a humid morning, with plenty of activity.
Juvenile Redstart still present at Flaxfield 12 Linnets, mainly juveniles 6+ Bullfinch 2 Chaffinch Greenfinch wheezing around Flaxfield Lesser Redpoll at Wild Bank 70+ Goldfinches, including a flock of c50 juveniles around the fields by Brushes Road 1 pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers 10+ Willow Warblers, some very yellow youngsters 6+ Whitethroats, mainly juveniles 1 juvenile Blackcap 1 Moorhen with a well-grown juvenile on the reservoir 4 juvenile Dunnocks in a group 6+ Jays, mainly noisy juveniles 3 juvenile Song Thrushes 1 Mistle Thrush
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 2nd of August 2014 12:09:19 PM
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Aug 1 4:20 PM, 2014
Friday 1st August 2014. 14.00 - 15.30 hrs
Flaxfield. Warm with a couple of heavy showers.
Juvenile Redstart still present but now very mobile.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Fri Aug 1 7:48 AM, 2014
Friday 1st August 2014, 6.30 -7.15am
Flaxfield, cool and blustery.
Juvenile Redstart still present, picked up again on call, once a male Kestrel that had been lurking nearby had been seen off by half a dozen Magpies. Good views once located, huddled in hawthorn bush. Juvenile Reed Bunting Willow Warblers singing
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Jul 31 9:01 PM, 2014
Thursday 31st July. 19.15 - 20.30 hrs.
Flaxfield
Juvenile Redstart still present. Lucky for me that it was calling as it was very elusive ..... gave 4 brief but good views when it perched on the fence wire. Fell silent at 20.00 hrs.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 31 3:48 PM, 2014
Thursday 31st July 2014, 3.00pm
Flaxfield
Juvenile Redstart flycatching
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 31 12:06 PM, 2014
Thursday 31st July 2014, 9.00 - 11.15am
Brushes Valley.
2 juvenile Wheatears 1 pair of Linnet Several Lesser Redpoll over Several family groups of Long-tailed Tits 6+ Willow Warblers - a couple of singing males plus juveniles 12 juvenile Swallows on telegraph wires being fed by adults Pied Wagtails
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 29 7:49 AM, 2014
Tuesday 29th July 2014, 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
1 Grey Heron 1 Mistle Thrush attempting to harass an unimpressed looking female Kestrel from a tree Noisy juvenile Jays plenty of Bullfinch calling 2 Willow Warblers singing 2 Pied Wagtails carrying food Several juvenile Wrens
David Walsh said
Mon Jul 28 7:48 AM, 2014
Monday 28th July 2014, 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
25+ Sand Martins up from country park direction, fed for a couple of minutes over the reservoir, then flew back the way they came 1 Moorhen 3 juv Jays noisily harassing a parent 3 juv Bullfinches 1 Song Thrush Juv Coal Tit several juv Willow Warblers A lot of Goldfinch around, mainly juveniles
David Walsh said
Fri Jul 25 7:48 AM, 2014
Friday 25th July 2014, 6.30 - 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
10 Sand Martins feeding briefly over the reservoir, before heading off towards the Tame valley 4 Swift with the Martins 1 Grey Heron 1 juv Chiffchaff Full complement of tits today, for this area, including a healthy number of young Long-tailed Tits.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 25th of July 2014 07:49:51 AM
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 22 10:33 PM, 2014
Tuesday 22nd July 2014, 7.30 - 9.00pm
Brushes Valley
10+ Linnets, 1 male singing, but mainly juveniles 1 female and 4 juv Red Grouse running through the heather A group of 17 juvenile Wagtails, consisting of 14 Pied and 3 Grey 2 adult Pied Wagtails Reed Bunting still singing 1 Grey Heron The Common Sandpiper numbers have been dwindling of late, and none at all seen tonight. Presumably vacated their breeding grounds. Plenty of Swallows with young 2 Kestrels hunting together A lot of Dunnock alarm calling from the bracken as the Kestrels hovered overhead
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 10:46:15 PM
Roger Baker 3 said
Tue Jul 22 2:37 AM, 2014
Monday 21st July.
Walkerwood Res.
200+ Swallow arrived at around 21.00 hrs ....... all vanished after 10 minutes feeding.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Fri Jul 18 11:51 PM, 2014
Friday July 18th 2014, 9.00 - 11.00pm
Brushes Valley
2 Common Sandpiper 2 Kestrels 3 House Martins at Brushes Reservoir Lesser Redpoll over Pied Wagtails, including juveniles Tawny Owl Juvenile Wrens seemed to flying out of every patch of bracken on the way up Several Blackbirds singing from the moor at dusk
David Walsh said
Fri Jul 18 2:13 PM, 2014
It seemed strange territory for a Blackbird, do you get Ouzels up there? .................................................................................................................................
The other thrush which is common in this area, in habitats which may seem unusual, is the Mistle Thrush. I had a party of 4 juveniles way up in the bracken of Swineshaw Moor, in the only tree for hundreds of yards around, a couple of weeks ago.
Nothing to report from a walk all the way to Higher Swineshaw in a near gale earlier, but a lunchtime wander along Walkerwood Dam yielded the usual 12 or so juvenile Swallows on telegraph wires, and also a lone House Martin, only my 4th bird of this species all summer. It seemed to feed for a few minutes, then shot off back over towards Flaxfield and Stalybridge.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 18th of July 2014 02:15:41 PM
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Jul 18 10:39 AM, 2014
It seemed strange territory for a Blackbird, do you get Ouzels up there? .................................................................................................................................
Don't get excited Andy ....... it would 99% have been a Blackbird. They're all over the moor ...... breed in the bracken around the reservoirs.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Friday 18th of July 2014 08:28:59 PM
Andy Voisey said
Fri Jul 18 8:29 AM, 2014
Also had an early morning walk on Thursday over the ranges then up the valley to the top reservoir.
I had the same problem with the redpoll, they are very mobile in the birch saplings. Also saw a family of willow warbler in the trees at the top of the cow field by brushes lane.
Cormorant, Canada Geese, BH Gull and Moorhen on reservoirs.
Sat in the shade of the quarry just below the penultimate reservoir to catch my breath and photograph a Blackcap.
A juvenile Kestrel landed on a ledge above me about ten feet away and immediately took off again. It all happened too fast for a photo.
Red Grouse (2), and numerous Stonechat up at the top reservoir including fledglings. Goldfinches also at top on the thistles.
Kestrel hunting in the heather.
I scared a 'black' bird above the last reservoir, but it was up and back down in the undergrowth too soon to get a good look at.
It seemed strange territory for a Blackbird, do you get Ouzels up there?
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 17 1:03 PM, 2014
Thursday 17th July 2014, 9.45 - 11.15am
Flaxfield and Wild Bank, on a glorious Summer's morning.
A lot of recent fledging in evidence this morning
2 families of Whitethroat 1 very young Linnet, apparently dragging its wing when on the ground, but flying perfectly well once airborne? 6+ other Linnets, with singing males 12+ Lesser Redpoll, with a couple of youngsters following a male around the hedges at Flaxfield. These birds are so difficult to count, as they are so mobile and fly way up the moor into the birch growth. young Goldfinch starting to appear on thistles Greenfinch wheezing at Flaxfield Lots of young Dunnock, Wren and Robins Juvenile Mistle Thrush feeding in field at Flaxfield Pair of Bullfinch in the gorse 50+ Meadow Pipits, juveniles everywhere 12+ Swifts, high up 1 Grey Heron at Walkerwood Reservoir
David Walsh said
Wed Jul 16 12:07 PM, 2014
Wednesday 16th July 2014, 8.30 - 10.30am
Brushes Valley
Similar sightings to last night, plus
In Harridge Woods:
Several Nuthatches 1 Treecreeper 1 juv Great Spotted Woodpecker Several very yellow juv Willow Warblers Chiffchaff singing juv Blackcap
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Jul 16 12:09 AM, 2014
Tues 15th July. 19.45 - 21.30 hrs.
Flaxfield & Rifle Range. Slow walk round as I had forgotten my walking boots.
20+ Swallow, perched on the wires .... mostly juveniles being fed. 6 Mistle Thrush inc 4 juveniles. Plenty of Linnet (40+) inc juveniles with more flighting in to roost in the birch scrub as I left. 4 Lesser Redpoll seen but heard more "buzzing" higher up the hill. 7 Meadow Pipit ..... one carrying food. Kestrel (M) perched up on wires towards Gallows Clough.
Been a good breeding season up here.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Wednesday 16th of July 2014 01:05:52 AM
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Wednesday 16th of July 2014 03:04:14 PM
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 15 10:44 PM, 2014
Tuesday 15th July 2014, 7.30 - 9.30pm
Brushes Valley
2 pairs of Linnet 2 Common Sandpiper 3 Singing Reed Bunting + 1 female 2 Red Grouse 2 Nuthatch Lots of juvenile Willow Warblers ... and Wrens - buzzing around like Bumblebees! 1 Kestrel 20+ Swifts 10+ Swallows
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 15 11:54 AM, 2014
Tuesday 15th July 2014, 9.00 - 11.00am
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank
First time up by the Ranges for a couple of weeks, due to other distractions. Was hoping for evidence of Lesser Redpoll breeding, but they were all either airborne, or way off, up in the dense birch growth.
12+ Lesser Redpoll 4 Linnet plus 1 juvenile 4+ Bullfinch including 1 juv. More calling from higher up in the gorse Greenfinch wheezing everywhere Goldfinch over 6+ Swift 6+ Swallows, with young Willow Warblers calling - the only warbler in evidence this morning 1 ragged looking Kestrel over Brushes Road
David Walsh said
Sat Jul 12 11:07 AM, 2014
Saturday 12th July 2014, 7.30 - 10.00am
Brushes Valley
5 Common Sandpipers 3 singing male Reed Buntings, 1 female, and several juveniles 6+ Linnets, including 1 pair, and juveniles Lesser Redpoll over at the usual spots 1 male Bullfinch 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 female Blackcap 1 Red Grouse 4 Pied Wagtails
David Walsh said
Fri Jul 11 12:30 AM, 2014
Thursday 10th July 2014, 7.30 - 9.30pm
Along Brushes Valley
4 Common Sandpiper, including 2 juveniles 2 male Reed Buntings 1 Tawny Owl 1 pair of Linnet 2 Kestrels 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler 1 Snipe Family of 6 Pied Wagtails 1 Grey Wagtail
David Walsh said
Fri Jul 4 10:54 AM, 2014
Friday 4th July 2014, 8.30 - 10.00am
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank
1 Skylark on the moor 1 Bullfinch 4+ Lesser Redpolls 4 Lapwings feeding in the fields at Flaxfield - flew off south-west 1 male Grey Wagtail 1 fem/juv Blackcap juvenile Chaffinches
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 1 10:40 PM, 2014
Tuesday 1st July 2014, 7.45 - 9.15pm
Brushes Valley
2 Common Sandpiper 6+ Reed Buntings 1 Common Snipe 4 Mistle Thrushes, including fledglings 10+ Willow Warblers, including fledglings 1 pair of Bullfinch, plus 1 male 2 Kestrels 10+ Lesser Redpoll
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 1 7:45 AM, 2014
Tuesday 1st July 2014, 6.30 -7.10am
Walkerwood Dam
c10 Jays, including juveniles following parents for food 1 pair of Grey Wagtails plus 1 juvenile 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Common Sandpiper 12+ Swallows, drinking from reservoir Lesser Redpoll over male Blackcap singing male Sparrowhawk out of the Country Park and into the trees on Harridge Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler singing Dozens of Woodpigeons dotted around the heath picking off bilberries
Roger Baker 3 said
Tue Jul 1 1:10 AM, 2014
Monday 30th June. 18.30 - 22.15 hrs.
Buzzard. Jay. Grey Wagtail. Pied Wagtail. Linnet. Curlew. Common Sandpiper. Tawny Owl. (M) Swallow. Swift. 30+ for about an hour.
Peregrine flying down the valley.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Tuesday 1st of July 2014 01:13:37 AM
David Walsh said
Mon Jun 23 11:35 PM, 2014
Monday 23rd June 2014, 7.30 - 8.30pm
Around Flaxfield and the bottom of Wild Bank Moor
12+ Swallows around Flaxfield and the base of the moor, including juveniles 3 House Martins over Brushes Rangers football pitch and the adjacent building site - my first of the year here 6+ Swifts 1 Buzzard over Wild Bank 1 adult and 2 juvenile Pied Wagtails at Flaxfield Farmyard 10+ Lesser Redpoll Plenty of Whitethroat and Willow Warbler singing around the area
David Walsh said
Mon Jun 23 7:50 AM, 2014
Monday 23rd June 2014, 6.15 - 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
The usual early morning Grey Heron was accompanied today by a well grown juvenile, perched in a tree overlooking the reservoir A full complement of all the usual Tits for this area, for a change - the past week and a half had seen a saturation of noisy family groups of Great Tits dominating proceedings, with very few sightings of any other species
David Walsh said
Sun Jun 22 9:35 PM, 2014
Sunday 22nd June 2014. 8.30pm
Evening dogwalk around the area of Brushes Rangers football pitch, mainly on the lookout for six-spot burnet moths
1 Buzzard over Wild Bank Moor 1 female Kestrel hunting from a telegraph pole next to Range House 3 Chaffinches singing 4 Swallows 6+ Swifts
David Walsh said
Sun Jun 22 7:02 PM, 2014
Sunday 22nd June, 8.00 - 10.00am
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank
Grey Heron at Walkerwood Female Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding juvenile
In the gorse at Wild Bank:
10+ Lesser Redpolls, including a couple of juveniles apparently begging food from a female Chaffinch, without luck! 2 Linnets singing 1 pair of Bullfinch Greenfinch wheezing 6 Whitethroats 6+ Willow Warblers several Dunnock, including juveniles 4 Swift
3 Mistle Thrushes in the stubble at Flaxfield 2 Swallows 20+ Great Tits, mainly juveniles chasing parents Skylarks singing on the moor
David Walsh said
Sat Jun 14 10:18 AM, 2014
Saturday 14th June 2014, 7.00 - 10.00am
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank Moor
Warm and humid morning, surprisingly quiet bird wise
Plenty of noisy Lesser Redpoll 2 Linnets Increasing numbers of Goldfinch with juveniles Pair of Whitethroat nesting Most notably a male Garden Warbler singing from Country Park
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 14th of June 2014 11:08:47 AM
David Walsh said
Fri Jun 13 7:40 AM, 2014
Friday 13th June 2014, 6.20 - 7.15am
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Grey Wagtails plus one juvenile 1 Pied Wagtail 2 male Bullfinch Several Lesser Redpoll 1 male Blackcap 2 Chiffchaffs 1 male Whitethroat 1 pair of Chaffinch 4 Jays
David Walsh said
Thu Jun 12 10:44 PM, 2014
Thursday 12th June 2014, 7.30 - 9.45pm
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Grey Wagtails 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Common Sandpiper 1 pair of Bullfinch 2 Coal Tits 12+ Great Tits, mainly juveniles Lesser Redpoll over Several Goldfinch, with juveniles
Brushes Reservoir
6+ Lesser Redpoll 1 Tawny Owl on fence post 1 juvenile Mistle Thrush
Lower Swineshaw Reservoir
5 Common Sandpiper 2 Curlews 1 juvenile Mistle Thrush 4 Pied Wagtails, including juveniles 4 Black-headed Gulls patrolling the reservoir I had over two dozen Swallows and Swifts here on Tuesday. Not one tonight.
Over 20 Willow Warblers singing on the walk up
David Walsh said
Tue Jun 10 11:26 PM, 2014
Tuesday 10th June 2014, 7.15 - 8.45pm
Lower Swineshaw Dam, Brushes Valley
1 pair Common Sandpiper 2 adult Pied Wagtails plus 4 juveniles 2 juvenile Mistle Thrushes 1 Buzzard perched on wall 20+ Swifts 12+ Swallows, plus newly fledged just leaving nest site 1 male Bullfinch 2 Canada Geese with 5 goslings 1 Curlew in fields, very vocal
David Walsh said
Tue Jun 10 7:43 AM, 2014
Tuesday 10th June 2014, 6.15 - 7.15am
Walkerwood Dam
An uplifting hour of sunshine and birdsong
Male Blackcap singing strongly and showing well Pair of Grey Wagtails plus 1 juvenile 1 Pied Wagtail plus 1 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile begging food from female 1 Common Sandpiper 1 pair of Bullfinch plus 1 male 12+ Great Tits, mainly young 1 Grey Heron 4 Jays
David Walsh said
Sun Jun 8 2:01 PM, 2014
Sunday 8th June 2014, 7.30 - 10.00am
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank Moor
2 Skylarks singing higher up the moor 1 Red Grouse calling 1 Cuckoo calling, from the moor above Cock Wood direction 1 Sparrowhawk flew up the overflow channel, and into the trees 6+ Lesser Redpoll 2 Linnets, one singing and displaying 1 Greenfinch 3 Chaffinch Family groups of Starlings around Flaxfield 2 Swifts over the moor 10+ Willow Warbler 10+ Whitethroat, a good number singing in the gorse on the moor. Seemed everywhere this morning. 2 Chiffchaffs 1 male Bullfinch 1 pair of Grey Wagtails in the overflow Usual Tits around the dam, including 3 or 4 very vocal Coal Tits
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 8th of June 2014 02:02:09 PM
David Walsh said
Sat Jun 7 9:54 AM, 2014
Saturday 7th June 2014, 5.45 - 8.30am
An early start to beat the forecast rain, spent in glorious sunshine, with a stiff breeze, especially on the moor.
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield
1 Common Sandpiper feeding in the dam overflow channel 1 male Grey Wagtail plus 1 juvenile 1 Pied Wagtail 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (2 juveniles) 1 male Bullfinch 3 Jays 10+ Great Tits, mainly juveniles chasing after parents 4 Long-tailed tits 1 Skylark carrying food Meadow Pipits everywhere 8+ Lesser Redpolls, including around the hedges of Flaxfield 4 Whitethroats 7 Willow Warblers 1 Chiffchaff 6 Swallows - the highest count of a very poor year, Not seen any House Martins at all!! For the first time in what seems like weeks, no sound of any Cuckoos
Just got home, then the heavens opened.
David Walsh said
Tue Jun 3 9:37 PM, 2014
Tuesday 3rd June 2014, 7.00 - 8.30pm
Walkerwood Dam overflow and the edge of the Country Park
1 Cuckoo calling from Cock Wood 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (1 pair) 1 pair Great Tits plus at least 5 young 1 pair Blackcap plus at least 3 young 2 Chiffchaffs singing 4 Willow Warblers 2 Chaffinches 1 Lesser Redpoll over 1 pair of Pied Wagtails 3 Jays 1 Wren carrying food into nest hole 1 male Grey Wagtail 1 female Pheasant with 4 young stuck in overflow channel, being attacked by Magpies
David Walsh said
Mon Jun 2 7:47 AM, 2014
Monday 2nd June 2014, 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper 1 Cuckoo calling from the Country Park 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Pied Wagtails 1 Grey Wagtail 1 male Blackcap Family of 4 Long-tailed Tits
Walkerwood Dam
1 Cormorant on the reservoir
1 Sparrowhawk over Harridge
2 Pied Wagtails
2 male Blackcaps
1 female Blackcap feeding a very young juvenile
Several Willow Warblers, including 3 singing strongly
Several Bullfinches calling
2 Lesser Redpoll over
Several juvenile Dunnocks and Wrens flitting around
Unable to check on the Redstart at Flaxfield due to the delivery of a consignment of bricks, to the building site, blocking the road!!
Flaxfield
Juvenile Redstart
Male Kestrel
6.00pm - 11 juvenile Linnets picking through the grass of Walkerwood Dam banking.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 12th of August 2014 07:05:36 PM
Brushes Valley - cold and blustery, and fairly quiet.
1 Wheatear at Higher Swineshaw
2 Kestrels
10+ Bullfinches, calling all along the valley
mainly juvenile Chaffinches
Linnet over
c6 juvenile Pied Wagtails
Mistle Thrushes calling at Higher Swineshaw
juvenile Jays
Swallows around Walkerwood
Moorhen on Walkerwood
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 12th of August 2014 10:58:35 AM
Walkerwood Dam
6+ Swallows
6+ Linnets in the grass on the dam banking
Juvenile Grey Wagtail
Several juvenile Jays
Flaxfield
Juvenile Redstart
c35 Lesser Black-backed Gulls drifting slowly south-west
10+ juvenile Goldfinches
12+ Black-headed Gulls picking through fields
100+ Woodpigeons - everywhere!
A few sightings from a couple of visits today. Intended walking to Higher Swineshaw this morning, but a combination of low cloud and the news that the gamekeeper and sidekicks were up there preparing for Tuesday's tally ho against the Grouse made my mind up to stick to the Wild Bank side of the valley. Judging by the speed of the immature grouse I've been watching of late, a home made catapult should suffice; no need for the big guns.
Buzzard over Harridge
immature Kestrel at Flaxfield
12+ Swallows around Walkerwood Dam
1 juvenile Grey Wagtail
c20 House Martins fed briefly over the reservoir and Country Park this morning, before heading south-west
12 Linnets picking through the newly mown grass of Walkerwood Dam at 6pm. 2 adult males and the rest mainly juveniles
Juvenile Redstart flycatching at Flaxfield on both visits
Juvenile Whitethroat at Flaxfield
a lot of juvenile Willow Warblers everywhere
Several Bullfinch calling
No sign of the Lesser Redpoll at Wild Bank today, maybe dispersed?
Walk from Millbrook up the Brushes valley to Higher Swineshaw, then over Harridge to Carrbrook and along moor edge to Mossley/Greenfield border.
Good to see plenty of juvenile Willow Warblers almost everywhere. Also Jay, Treecreeper, Kestrel and Great Spotted Woodpecker below Walkerwood Dam.
Up by the quarry a Sparrowhawk was being mobbed by Swallows and a Buzzard was heard but not seen.
On Harridge, the moor was almost devoid of birdlife - just one Red Grouse.
Little Owl at the bottom of Shire Clough. 2 Buzzards over Noonsun Hill were being pestered by a female Sparrowhawk.
Walkerwood Dam
1 juvenile Cormorant fishing, flew off south-west
1 Moorhen
1 Grey Heron
1 juvenile Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
Several Bullfinches calling
Flaxfield
1 juvenile Redstart
20+ Meadow Pipits, mainly juveniles, flying around the fields
c20 Black-headed Gulls, including juveniles, in fields
6 Swallows
20+ juvenile Goldfinches
Flaxfield
1 juvenile Redstart
1 juvenile Kestrel
12+ Willow Warblers
3 Whitethroats
2 Blackcaps
20+ Goldfinches
Greenfinch wheezing
3 Swallows
25+ Blackbirds, mainly juveniles
3 Song Thrushes
1 Mistle Thrush
1 pair of Carrion Crows with 2 young
too many Woodpigeons and Jackdaws to count
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 5th of August 2014 09:55:42 PM
Saw juvenile female redstart between 12 30 and 1 00pm at Flaxfield today.
Walkerwood Dam
Juvenile Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Group of several juvenile Willow Warblers
Juvenile Song Thrush
Bullfinch
Some beautifully plumaged Coal Tits
Plenty of noisy juvenile Jays
Juvenile Redstart still at Flaxfield, being chased around by an adult Robin, with youngster
Juvenile Redstart at Flaxfield
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank, and Flaxfield, a humid morning, with plenty of activity.
Juvenile Redstart still present at Flaxfield
12 Linnets, mainly juveniles
6+ Bullfinch
2 Chaffinch
Greenfinch wheezing around Flaxfield
Lesser Redpoll at Wild Bank
70+ Goldfinches, including a flock of c50 juveniles around the fields by Brushes Road
1 pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers
10+ Willow Warblers, some very yellow youngsters
6+ Whitethroats, mainly juveniles
1 juvenile Blackcap
1 Moorhen with a well-grown juvenile on the reservoir
4 juvenile Dunnocks in a group
6+ Jays, mainly noisy juveniles
3 juvenile Song Thrushes
1 Mistle Thrush
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 2nd of August 2014 12:09:19 PM
Flaxfield. Warm with a couple of heavy showers.
Juvenile Redstart still present but now very mobile.
Roger.
Flaxfield, cool and blustery.
Juvenile Redstart still present, picked up again on call, once a male Kestrel that had been lurking nearby had been seen off by half a dozen Magpies. Good views once located, huddled in hawthorn bush.
Juvenile Reed Bunting
Willow Warblers singing
Flaxfield
Juvenile Redstart still present.
Lucky for me that it was calling as it was very elusive ..... gave 4 brief but good views when it perched on the fence wire.
Fell silent at 20.00 hrs.
Roger.
Flaxfield
Juvenile Redstart flycatching
Brushes Valley.
2 juvenile Wheatears
1 pair of Linnet
Several Lesser Redpoll over
Several family groups of Long-tailed Tits
6+ Willow Warblers - a couple of singing males plus juveniles
12 juvenile Swallows on telegraph wires being fed by adults
Pied Wagtails
Walkerwood Dam
1 Grey Heron
1 Mistle Thrush attempting to harass an unimpressed looking female Kestrel from a tree
Noisy juvenile Jays
plenty of Bullfinch calling
2 Willow Warblers singing
2 Pied Wagtails carrying food
Several juvenile Wrens
Walkerwood Dam
25+ Sand Martins up from country park direction, fed for a couple of minutes over the reservoir, then flew back the way they came
1 Moorhen
3 juv Jays noisily harassing a parent
3 juv Bullfinches
1 Song Thrush
Juv Coal Tit
several juv Willow Warblers
A lot of Goldfinch around, mainly juveniles
Walkerwood Dam
10 Sand Martins feeding briefly over the reservoir, before heading off towards the Tame valley
4 Swift with the Martins
1 Grey Heron
1 juv Chiffchaff
Full complement of tits today, for this area, including a healthy number of young Long-tailed Tits.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 25th of July 2014 07:49:51 AM
Brushes Valley
10+ Linnets, 1 male singing, but mainly juveniles
1 female and 4 juv Red Grouse running through the heather
A group of 17 juvenile Wagtails, consisting of 14 Pied and 3 Grey
2 adult Pied Wagtails
Reed Bunting still singing
1 Grey Heron
The Common Sandpiper numbers have been dwindling of late, and none at all seen tonight. Presumably vacated their breeding grounds.
Plenty of Swallows with young
2 Kestrels hunting together
A lot of Dunnock alarm calling from the bracken as the Kestrels hovered overhead
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 10:46:15 PM
Walkerwood Res.
200+ Swallow arrived at around 21.00 hrs ....... all vanished after 10 minutes feeding.
Roger.
Brushes Valley
2 Common Sandpiper
2 Kestrels
3 House Martins at Brushes Reservoir
Lesser Redpoll over
Pied Wagtails, including juveniles
Tawny Owl
Juvenile Wrens seemed to flying out of every patch of bracken on the way up
Several Blackbirds singing from the moor at dusk
.................................................................................................................................
The other thrush which is common in this area, in habitats which may seem unusual, is the Mistle Thrush. I had a party of 4 juveniles way up in the bracken of Swineshaw Moor, in the only tree for hundreds of yards around, a couple of weeks ago.
Nothing to report from a walk all the way to Higher Swineshaw in a near gale earlier, but a lunchtime wander along Walkerwood Dam yielded the usual 12 or so juvenile Swallows on telegraph wires, and also a lone House Martin, only my 4th bird of this species all summer. It seemed to feed for a few minutes, then shot off back over towards Flaxfield and Stalybridge.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 18th of July 2014 02:15:41 PM
.................................................................................................................................
Don't get excited Andy ....... it would 99% have been a Blackbird.
They're all over the moor ...... breed in the bracken around the reservoirs.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Friday 18th of July 2014 08:28:59 PM
I had the same problem with the redpoll, they are very mobile in the birch saplings.
Also saw a family of willow warbler in the trees at the top of the cow field by brushes lane.
Cormorant, Canada Geese, BH Gull and Moorhen on reservoirs.
Sat in the shade of the quarry just below the penultimate reservoir to catch my breath and photograph a Blackcap.
A juvenile Kestrel landed on a ledge above me about ten feet away and immediately took off again.
It all happened too fast for a photo.
Red Grouse (2), and numerous Stonechat up at the top reservoir including fledglings. Goldfinches also at top on the thistles.
Kestrel hunting in the heather.
I scared a 'black' bird above the last reservoir, but it was up and back down in the undergrowth too soon to get a good look at.
It seemed strange territory for a Blackbird, do you get Ouzels up there?
Flaxfield and Wild Bank, on a glorious Summer's morning.
A lot of recent fledging in evidence this morning
2 families of Whitethroat
1 very young Linnet, apparently dragging its wing when on the ground, but flying perfectly well once airborne?
6+ other Linnets, with singing males
12+ Lesser Redpoll, with a couple of youngsters following a male around the hedges at Flaxfield. These birds are so difficult to count, as they are so mobile and fly way up the moor into the birch growth.
young Goldfinch starting to appear on thistles
Greenfinch wheezing at Flaxfield
Lots of young Dunnock, Wren and Robins
Juvenile Mistle Thrush feeding in field at Flaxfield
Pair of Bullfinch in the gorse
50+ Meadow Pipits, juveniles everywhere
12+ Swifts, high up
1 Grey Heron at Walkerwood Reservoir
Brushes Valley
Similar sightings to last night, plus
In Harridge Woods:
Several Nuthatches
1 Treecreeper
1 juv Great Spotted Woodpecker
Several very yellow juv Willow Warblers
Chiffchaff singing
juv Blackcap
Flaxfield & Rifle Range. Slow walk round as I had forgotten my walking boots.
20+ Swallow, perched on the wires .... mostly juveniles being fed.
6 Mistle Thrush inc 4 juveniles.
Plenty of Linnet (40+) inc juveniles with more flighting in to roost in the birch scrub as I left.
4 Lesser Redpoll seen but heard more "buzzing" higher up the hill.
7 Meadow Pipit ..... one carrying food.
Kestrel (M) perched up on wires towards Gallows Clough.
Been a good breeding season up here.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Wednesday 16th of July 2014 01:05:52 AM
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Wednesday 16th of July 2014 03:04:14 PM
Brushes Valley
2 pairs of Linnet
2 Common Sandpiper
3 Singing Reed Bunting + 1 female
2 Red Grouse
2 Nuthatch
Lots of juvenile Willow Warblers
... and Wrens - buzzing around like Bumblebees!
1 Kestrel
20+ Swifts
10+ Swallows
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank
First time up by the Ranges for a couple of weeks, due to other distractions. Was hoping for evidence of Lesser Redpoll breeding, but they were all either airborne, or way off, up in the dense birch growth.
12+ Lesser Redpoll
4 Linnet plus 1 juvenile
4+ Bullfinch including 1 juv. More calling from higher up in the gorse
Greenfinch wheezing everywhere
Goldfinch over
6+ Swift
6+ Swallows, with young
Willow Warblers calling - the only warbler in evidence this morning
1 ragged looking Kestrel over Brushes Road
Brushes Valley
5 Common Sandpipers
3 singing male Reed Buntings, 1 female, and several juveniles
6+ Linnets, including 1 pair, and juveniles
Lesser Redpoll over at the usual spots
1 male Bullfinch
1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 female Blackcap
1 Red Grouse
4 Pied Wagtails
Along Brushes Valley
4 Common Sandpiper, including 2 juveniles
2 male Reed Buntings
1 Tawny Owl
1 pair of Linnet
2 Kestrels
1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler
1 Snipe
Family of 6 Pied Wagtails
1 Grey Wagtail
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank
1 Skylark on the moor
1 Bullfinch
4+ Lesser Redpolls
4 Lapwings feeding in the fields at Flaxfield - flew off south-west
1 male Grey Wagtail
1 fem/juv Blackcap
juvenile Chaffinches
Brushes Valley
2 Common Sandpiper
6+ Reed Buntings
1 Common Snipe
4 Mistle Thrushes, including fledglings
10+ Willow Warblers, including fledglings
1 pair of Bullfinch, plus 1 male
2 Kestrels
10+ Lesser Redpoll
Walkerwood Dam
c10 Jays, including juveniles following parents for food
1 pair of Grey Wagtails plus 1 juvenile
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Common Sandpiper
12+ Swallows, drinking from reservoir
Lesser Redpoll over
male Blackcap singing
male Sparrowhawk out of the Country Park and into the trees on Harridge
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler singing
Dozens of Woodpigeons dotted around the heath picking off bilberries
Buzzard.
Jay.
Grey Wagtail.
Pied Wagtail.
Linnet.
Curlew.
Common Sandpiper.
Tawny Owl. (M)
Swallow.
Swift. 30+ for about an hour.
Peregrine flying down the valley.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Tuesday 1st of July 2014 01:13:37 AM
Around Flaxfield and the bottom of Wild Bank Moor
12+ Swallows around Flaxfield and the base of the moor, including juveniles
3 House Martins over Brushes Rangers football pitch and the adjacent building site - my first of the year here
6+ Swifts
1 Buzzard over Wild Bank
1 adult and 2 juvenile Pied Wagtails at Flaxfield Farmyard
10+ Lesser Redpoll
Plenty of Whitethroat and Willow Warbler singing around the area
Walkerwood Dam
The usual early morning Grey Heron was accompanied today by a well grown juvenile, perched in a tree overlooking the reservoir
A full complement of all the usual Tits for this area, for a change - the past week and a half had seen a saturation of noisy family groups of Great Tits dominating proceedings, with very few sightings of any other species
Evening dogwalk around the area of Brushes Rangers football pitch, mainly on the lookout for six-spot burnet moths
1 Buzzard over Wild Bank Moor
1 female Kestrel hunting from a telegraph pole next to Range House
3 Chaffinches singing
4 Swallows
6+ Swifts
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank
Grey Heron at Walkerwood
Female Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding juvenile
In the gorse at Wild Bank:
10+ Lesser Redpolls, including a couple of juveniles apparently begging food from a female Chaffinch, without luck!
2 Linnets singing
1 pair of Bullfinch
Greenfinch wheezing
6 Whitethroats
6+ Willow Warblers
several Dunnock, including juveniles
4 Swift
3 Mistle Thrushes in the stubble at Flaxfield
2 Swallows
20+ Great Tits, mainly juveniles chasing parents
Skylarks singing on the moor
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank Moor
Warm and humid morning, surprisingly quiet bird wise
Plenty of noisy Lesser Redpoll
2 Linnets
Increasing numbers of Goldfinch with juveniles
Pair of Whitethroat nesting
Most notably a male Garden Warbler singing from Country Park
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 14th of June 2014 11:08:47 AM
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Grey Wagtails plus one juvenile
1 Pied Wagtail
2 male Bullfinch
Several Lesser Redpoll
1 male Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
1 male Whitethroat
1 pair of Chaffinch
4 Jays
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Grey Wagtails
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Common Sandpiper
1 pair of Bullfinch
2 Coal Tits
12+ Great Tits, mainly juveniles
Lesser Redpoll over
Several Goldfinch, with juveniles
Brushes Reservoir
6+ Lesser Redpoll
1 Tawny Owl on fence post
1 juvenile Mistle Thrush
Lower Swineshaw Reservoir
5 Common Sandpiper
2 Curlews
1 juvenile Mistle Thrush
4 Pied Wagtails, including juveniles
4 Black-headed Gulls patrolling the reservoir
I had over two dozen Swallows and Swifts here on Tuesday. Not one tonight.
Over 20 Willow Warblers singing on the walk up
Lower Swineshaw Dam, Brushes Valley
1 pair Common Sandpiper
2 adult Pied Wagtails plus 4 juveniles
2 juvenile Mistle Thrushes
1 Buzzard perched on wall
20+ Swifts
12+ Swallows, plus newly fledged just leaving nest site
1 male Bullfinch
2 Canada Geese with 5 goslings
1 Curlew in fields, very vocal
Walkerwood Dam
An uplifting hour of sunshine and birdsong
Male Blackcap singing strongly and showing well
Pair of Grey Wagtails plus 1 juvenile
1 Pied Wagtail plus 1 juvenile
Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile begging food from female
1 Common Sandpiper
1 pair of Bullfinch plus 1 male
12+ Great Tits, mainly young
1 Grey Heron
4 Jays
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank Moor
2 Skylarks singing higher up the moor
1 Red Grouse calling
1 Cuckoo calling, from the moor above Cock Wood direction
1 Sparrowhawk flew up the overflow channel, and into the trees
6+ Lesser Redpoll
2 Linnets, one singing and displaying
1 Greenfinch
3 Chaffinch
Family groups of Starlings around Flaxfield
2 Swifts over the moor
10+ Willow Warbler
10+ Whitethroat, a good number singing in the gorse on the moor. Seemed everywhere this morning.
2 Chiffchaffs
1 male Bullfinch
1 pair of Grey Wagtails in the overflow
Usual Tits around the dam, including 3 or 4 very vocal Coal Tits
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 8th of June 2014 02:02:09 PM
An early start to beat the forecast rain, spent in glorious sunshine, with a stiff breeze, especially on the moor.
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield
1 Common Sandpiper feeding in the dam overflow channel
1 male Grey Wagtail plus 1 juvenile
1 Pied Wagtail
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (2 juveniles)
1 male Bullfinch
3 Jays
10+ Great Tits, mainly juveniles chasing after parents
4 Long-tailed tits
1 Skylark carrying food
Meadow Pipits everywhere
8+ Lesser Redpolls, including around the hedges of Flaxfield
4 Whitethroats
7 Willow Warblers
1 Chiffchaff
6 Swallows - the highest count of a very poor year, Not seen any House Martins at all!!
For the first time in what seems like weeks, no sound of any Cuckoos
Just got home, then the heavens opened.
Walkerwood Dam overflow and the edge of the Country Park
1 Cuckoo calling from Cock Wood
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (1 pair)
1 pair Great Tits plus at least 5 young
1 pair Blackcap plus at least 3 young
2 Chiffchaffs singing
4 Willow Warblers
2 Chaffinches
1 Lesser Redpoll over
1 pair of Pied Wagtails
3 Jays
1 Wren carrying food into nest hole
1 male Grey Wagtail
1 female Pheasant with 4 young stuck in overflow channel, being attacked by Magpies
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Cuckoo calling from the Country Park
1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Pied Wagtails
1 Grey Wagtail
1 male Blackcap
Family of 4 Long-tailed Tits