large flock of mixed finches at Binn Green car park. Approximately 70 birds, mainly Redpoll and Siskin including at least one mealy redpoll. Also contained greenfinch, goldfinch and coal tit. Blue and Great tit also around as well as a treecreeper and GSW which dived straight into the middle of the flock at one stage.

Some of the male siskins looked superb and at least one redpoll had a cracking red breast!

gsw
mistle trush
coal, great, blue and lt tits
siskin
goldfinch
6 or so goldcrests some with wonderfully orange strips
4 stonchat
2 curlew on the wing
peregrine
9+ redpoll at the car park, certain they were mealy and not lesser, as they were very pale.
1 dead canada goose
sparrowhawk
lots of meadow pipits

Dave Thacker wrote:

---

Don`t worry Ian . As you said to me after I spent 16 visits to the moss looking for the Hobby,

Patience and Perseverance always pay off or gets you a bed nearest to the nurse.

Eyes to the skys.

---

Dave, I`ve already connected with Crossbills up ont moors and as I already share a bed with a nurse, that wouldn`t have been much consolation if I had not !

-- Edited by Ian Woosey at 21:47, 2007-11-26

Ian Woosey wrote:

---

Admit me to Leigh Infirmary............I`ve heard there`s good birding to be had close by !

---

Parula Warbler from your bedside window? Not as daft as it sounds...

Don`t worry Ian . As you said to me after I spent 16 visits to the moss looking for the Hobby,

Patience and Perseverance always pay off or gets you a bed nearest to the nurse.

Eyes to the skys.

Admit me to Leigh Infirmary............I`ve heard there`s good birding to be had close by !

Andrew Newall wrote:

---

bloody hell 31 visits you must be commited or is that need commiting !!!

Andrew

---

Most definately the latter and I'd sign the papers for him too

Sunday 25TH 09.20
ONE female Crossbill seen to left of car park above houses.
heard more but could not find them.

bloody hell 31 visits you must be commited or is that need commiting !!!

Andrew

Andrew Newall wrote:

---

tried for crossbills for 1st time today but no luck was hoping to get them on my first visit but i will keep trying

cheers

Andrew

---

FIRST VISIT ? ? ? ? Try 31st visit !

tried for crossbills for 1st time today but no luck was hoping to get them on my first visit but i will keep trying

cheers

Andrew

good stuff mr Rigby - welcome to the Crossbill ticking club

They do exist after all.4 Crossbills from Binn Green car park.male/female and 2 juv. Could be seen from the car (if I was sat in it !!!) watched for 45 mins feeding on larch.

In my exitement,I failed to mention the other birds present today:- 2 peregrine,3/4 flocks of brambling (upwards of 100 birds in total), large flock of mixed tits/goldcrests/siskins, G.S. woodpecker......did I mention the crossbills

-- Edited by riggers at 20:20, 2007-11-20

15/11/07

No sign of any Crossbill's today but the flocks of Brambling are building up. 2 flocks in excess of 30 birds there feeding on the larch. Also good numbers of Siskin and large Tit flock.

14/11/07

4 poss Crossbill flew across the res towards Binn Green plantation the flew east up the valley towards Yeoman Hey res. Birds did not call but 90% sure they were Crossbill.

Also 4 Brambling,Mallard over, Kestel,Jay,80+ Siskin,Redpoll,Goldcrest and Coal,Blue and Great Tits.

Will try again Today late PM.

went with paul hammond this afternoon but no luck in relocating the crossbills he saw this morning, will probably try again tomorrow. managed to get good views of the firecrests at wigan around 130pm nr feeding station on main path, also there whooper swan on horrocks flash which i didnt see myself.

Paul Hamomnd had atleast 8 Crossbills at Binn Green this am, possibly as many as 12 in larch along the path from the stepsfrom the car park towards the house there.



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 14:02, 2007-11-11

I was up there too Paul about 12-1.30. Had the same rain and mountain rescue people. No crossbills or brambling either! Otherwise saw the same as you with great spot, siskin,tit flock with goldcrests and a treecreeper. There was a group of 8 birds overhead that were "in the frame"for crossbill but no calls and didn't land so my hopes faded (or to be more accurate -drowned!)
Steve.

Couple of brambling lots of siskins GS woodpecker and lots of mountain rescue people with there dogs, then lots of rain

Fact! I spoke to a warden last time I was up there (a few weeks ago) and he told me the same tale. Apparently near enough the whole wood will come down over time and native deciduous woodland will be planted in it's place which is their whole intention. The time scale involved will be spread over a long time probably, perhaps I'll even get to see the fully mature native woodland that will stand in it's place, either way the 'Crossbill dippers' will have one less site in which to fail miserably to connect with the species

Again no sign of Crossbills but good views of Brambling and the usual suspects.

A bloke aproached us on the road below Binn Green and said that they were felling all the trees on that side of the res starting early next yearAparently nobody knows about it yet, not even the farmer who leases the land, but he was going to tell his mate who works for the RSPB. Fact or vicious rumour????????

Must have passed you on the way out Simon as I left about 09.30

upto 3 Brambling
50+ Siskin
7 Fieldfare
2 GSW
male Green Woodpecker

but like you no Crossbill, to add insult to injury Rob had a Grey Plover on Audi

-- Edited by hammy at 16:53, 2007-11-04

4/11/2007 9.30-1.00

Crossbills nowhere to be seen (again)

Present was Peregrine, 3 Raven, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Brambling, 40+Siskin, 30+ Goldfinch, 9 R L Partridge and loads of Coal Tits and a few Goldcrest.

-- Edited by warfy at 16:13, 2007-11-04

bloody hell bugger! i stayed for 30 minutes after paul, simon and alan left and saw a GSW, that and a couple up there ready for making nooky, lol.

great to meet you guys and a very enjoyable morning regardless. looking forward to seeing you all again for future birding...

Thanks Paul

I live in Carrbrook, only a couple of miles from Binn Green so often go there just for a walk.

It is only reading here that Crossbill may be present had me and my son looking in earnest for them.

It had been a little lean a time today with a Stonechat being the highlight until we got back to the car!!!

Cheers

Steve

welcome to the forum stevef.... but try not to kick us when were down, great find on crossbills, are you a local birder in that area, if so keep us posted on any more sightings, something of a sore point today not certain where to go tomorrow now,
andy more than welcome to meet up anytime though not certain now if we are experienced been gripped off twice today

Unlucky Paul,

next time you are all going up post here if im in the country i would love to come along and meet some experienced birders. Im sat in a Hotel lobby in Brussels at the minuite botred out of my head. !!

Cheers

Andrew

Hi All

My first post here!

8 Crossbill in the conifers as you start to descend the steps from the car park this PM.

Saves travelling to haslingden!!!!!!

Cheers

Steve

not so blooming good morning had by the crossbill lads,vast flocks of the black dovestone pheasent at least 50+
seen this am in fog and rain red legged partridge in coveys,
long-tailed tits flitting from tree to tree in the rain coal tits seeking shelter from the wet conditions.
4 crossbirders.
great to met you Skiddo ( nice car) warford crew well done
keep birding and crossbill hunting.
ps rochdale lads seem to know there birds, buggger!

sound, i'll be there. cheers!

i popped over for a couple of hours on wednesday morning - i parked at binn green, is that the car park to meet at?

didn't see any crossbills, but saw loads of coldcrest, lots of tits and 3 GSW.

looking forward to meeting you guys.

paul.

Ian - thats next year for the "Cabin" on Agnes 100 yards from the Turks Head, awesome spot.

Skiddo - Pauls guided walk for guarenteed Crossbills (he said it) will commence sometime around the silly time of 6.45-7.30 sat. I might just make it for 7.30 if i can get up!


-- Edited by warfy at 13:40, 2007-11-01

Paulh wrote:

---

Well warfy as you seem to have told every tom dick and Ian about are crossbill twitch lets invite everyone,
meeting in the carpark at 6.45am Holmfirth road A635 just passed dovestone res, if no joy there move on elsewhere.
also planning to locate Red Breasted Merganser at Hollingworth, so if anyone watching there this weekend lets us know.
Gm Birders keep birding

---

What`s all this then ?............Covert birding by the `Scilly Boys` ? Have you two made some kind of a pact whilst down there snuggled up in your secluded cabin ????...............snoring indeed ! ! ! !

i'd love to tag along if you don't mind a trailing novice...

are you talking saturday morning?

i have to work at 12.30 so will prolly only stay will 10ish if it's ok to come along with you guys.

Well warfy as you seem to have told every tom dick and Ian about are crossbill twitch lets invite everyone,
meeting in the carpark at 6.45am Holmfirth road A635 just passed dovestone res, if no joy there move on elsewhere.
also planning to locate Red Breasted Merganser at Hollingworth, so if anyone watching there this weekend lets us know.
Gm Birders keep birding

Yes I was on a walk at Haslingden Grane last saturday and there were 14 crossbills feeding mainly on larches and calling making them easy to find. I believe quite a few have been noted by a local vismig watcher there in the last 2 weeks so perhaps it could be an influx year. Looking back in the bird reports Binn Green/Yeoman Hey (noted on larches!) was the hot spot in 2002 mid to late November so well worth visiting Warfy- think I'll be up there myself sometime! In my A-Z Binn Green appears to be the spot where the car park is.
Cheers
Steve

-- Edited by Steve Collins at 00:43, 2007-10-30

Thats spooky you two posting that quick and at the same time, thanks for the assistance .. will check it out sat am I see theres been a few sightings of Crossbills at Haslingdon and other areas just north of ours.

Actually last time I saw Crossbills at Binn Green carpark I don't remember getting out of the car, I know it was raining I think I just scoped them from the comfort of the car,heating blowing, coffee from the flask etc etc.....er I believe they're not always that easy though!

oh finding crossbills is easy, just look at the pi........

Hello Mr Warford.

I am no expert on the area, but it is advisable to park in the car park, which is signed from the A635 AFTER the signs for Dovestones. (It is a lot clearer in the A-Z). Mr Adderley and Mr McKerchar have seen Crossbills in the car-park area, however, mere mortals like us must venture down the hill and scan the pines which line Yeoman Hey Reservoir. Good luck to you sir, and text me pronto should any occur.

-- Edited by Ian Woosey at 20:53, 2007-10-29

Help please Mr Woosey/McKerchar..

Might visit this place soon, I found Yeoman Hey Res on OS map. where is Binn Green and whats the best way to view/walk to look for Crossbills? and please dont say look at the pines ta

Binn Green / Yeoman hey 26-10 13.30 - 16.25

siskin 20+
brambling10+
goldfinch60+
chaffinch20+
coal tit 20+
long tail tit 10+
very conservative numbers due to the amount of birds flying up and down the plantation

Mr.Woosey and myself got up in them there hills today 10:45am-2pm, covering Binn Green and Yeoman Hey Resr area and saw the following:

Siskin- 70+
Stonechat- 3
Coal Tit- 25
Red-legged Partridge- 7 on the hillside just north of Yeoman Hey Plantation (in some real looking habitat)
Dipper- 1 on the stream between Greenfield Resr and Yeoman Hey Resr, then flew up and along the edge of Greenfield Resr

But absolutely NO Crossbills

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 22:25, 2007-11-06

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 23rd of July 2010 07:39:50 PM