Sorry to hear that Ken......but I have found some other spots in the last couple of years. Better return this thread to the birds now, I think
Ken Gartside said
Wed Mar 16 8:33 AM, 2016
Probably 3 weeks to be sure Mike, they are extinct at the first spot we knew it seems. Let me know if you need directions to nearby areas, but I suspect you don't................
Mike Chorley said
Tue Mar 15 10:40 PM, 2016
Thanks, that's saved me a trip for another week or so then.
Ken Gartside said
Mon Mar 14 10:06 PM, 2016
Not far off, I wasn't paying much attention to time - I was searching for Bog Beacon, not out yet up there.......
Mike Chorley said
Mon Mar 14 9:10 PM, 2016
Richard Hart reported them over Royton at 11.15
Ken Gartside said
Sun Mar 13 7:09 PM, 2016
Excellent Mike, I saw them around 11.30 I think.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Mar 13 6:09 PM, 2016
Ken Gartside wrote:
37 Whoopers flying over, this morning over Greenfield, heading from Dovestone area westward, most peculiar, got a poor photo, but still got one to prove it - anyone else hear and spot them?
Presumably the birds seen over Tandle Hills Park, Ken
Ken Gartside said
Sun Mar 13 4:05 PM, 2016
37 Whoopers flying over, this morning over Greenfield, heading from Dovestone area westward, most peculiar, got a poor photo, but still got one to prove it - anyone else hear and spot them?
Ken Gartside said
Thu Mar 10 3:21 PM, 2016
Brun this morning, male Goldeneye in the middle, flew off East and then a Dipper in the outlet stream, good place in these snowy and overloaded river conditions, just below the dam, plus 2 or 3 Lapwing and a flock of Starlings - very misty though. Nearby on Marsden moor 5 Golden Plover and a Snipe.
Ken Gartside said
Thu Feb 25 4:21 PM, 2016
Two Golden Plovers on Featherbed near the Pennine way path at 3pm, calling repeatedly, but at some distance with light getting poorer. Plus lots of Grouse of course.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 25th of February 2016 04:59:32 PM
Despite the early Curlews reported from Castleshaw, Piethorne and Ashworth Moor, there were none on Saddleworth Moor this morning.
The only avian life was 4 Red Grouse - but there was an icy cold gale blowing across the sodden moorland (feet almost thawed out now!)
Steve Suttill said
Tue Feb 9 2:52 PM, 2016
Tempted by Mr. Walsh's Golden Plover sighting, I headed for the moors at noon, arriving at the same time as the horizontal snowstorm...
No Golden Plovers, but a Short-eared Owl hunting in the blizzard was a much more impressive sight than the ones on Ashton Moss.
Only other birds were 4 calling Red Grouse.
Considerably more gully blocking has taken place since last summer and this, combined with the truly awful weather, means the moor is wetter than I've ever seen it. You'll soon be able to swim the Pennine Way!
David Walsh said
Sat Feb 6 1:58 PM, 2016
Saturday 6th February 2016, 10.00am
Saddleworth Moor, at the county boundary, in pouring rain.
1 Golden Plover calling to the south of the road The usual abundance of Red Grouse dotted around the moor
JSPALDING said
Wed Jan 6 2:15 PM, 2016
Lovely view of a kingfisher from the bridge overlooking the Royal George Lodge this morning.
Ken Gartside said
Wed Jan 6 1:53 PM, 2016
Lovely pair of full summer plumage Goldeneye at Brun res, Standedge cutting at 12.30 today - unfortunately a chap walking his dog round the res disturbed them and they headed off eastwards, but not before I got some distant shots of them - and in flight. They don't half make a whistling with wingbeats. Gorgeous birds.
Ken Gartside said
Mon Jan 4 2:23 PM, 2016
Pair of Male Goosander at 2pm on Tame near friezland bridleway route, downstream from bowling club. Levels dropped enough now.
Steve Suttill said
Mon Jan 4 2:14 PM, 2016
Raven this morning over Moorgate Quarry/Wharmton Hill.
Colour-ringed Dipper on river in Uppermill. More Dippers by Royal George Lodge and Wrights Mill in Greenfield.
Ken Gartside said
Tue Oct 13 4:41 PM, 2015
I lived in Dobcross for a year or two and met Mike a lot in the pub - and with his blues band, who are terrific, at Diggle Blues event last year - lovely man, its nice to hear some wildlife broadcast, even on a talk show. I thought GM LRC were doing some sort of survey too of these Parakeets, run by Steve A I suspect.........? Ken
-- Edited by Ken Gartside on Tuesday 13th of October 2015 04:42:18 PM
David Walsh said
Tue Oct 13 3:56 PM, 2015
Ken Gartside wrote:
Blimey, I've only seen these in Chorlton (and London of course) how dare they invade Saddleworth - interestingly Mike Sweeney was talking about these today on Radio Manchester as well. Cheers Ken
He lives not far from Diggle, and if you've ever been in The Swan at Dobcross, when he's been holding court in the bar, the sounds aren't far removed from the Parakeets
Was it seen, or heard only, Mark?
Ken Gartside said
Tue Oct 13 2:11 PM, 2015
Mark Rigby wrote:
Ring-necked Parakeet this morning in trees at Harrop Green, Diggle.
Blimey, I've only seen these in Chorlton (and London of course) how dare they invade Saddleworth - interestingly Mike Sweeney was talking about these today on Radio Manchester as well. Cheers Ken
Mark Rigby said
Tue Oct 13 10:27 AM, 2015
Ring-necked Parakeet this morning in trees at Harrop Green, Diggle.
Steve Suttill said
Sun Jun 21 9:56 PM, 2015
Colour-ringed Dipper (without binoculars, so couldn't make out precise colour combination) and family group of Grey Wagtails on the river by the park in Uppermill this afternoon.
David Walsh said
Fri May 22 8:52 PM, 2015
Steve Suttill wrote:
Vicky Sumner wrote:
Must be strong dippers
... and they rarely use binoculars
Seriously though, it's good to hear from Kerry that the ringing project is still running. Are you still ringing Dippers in Mossley and Greenfield?
I know, I know. I was going to edit it, but didn't think anyone would be as pedantic as me. You wouldn't think I was paid to write, would you? Can't even blame predictive text. I'll have to buy wine more often, to increase the number of records
Thanks for the information
Steve Suttill said
Fri May 22 7:54 PM, 2015
Vicky Sumner wrote:
Must be strong dippers
... and they rarely use binoculars
Seriously though, it's good to hear from Kerry that the ringing project is still running. Are you still ringing Dippers in Mossley and Greenfield?
kerry skelhorn said
Fri May 22 7:49 PM, 2015
Hi David
I monitor & ring the dippers along the Tame (as part of the South Manchester Ringing Group dipper project). This year I've monitored ten territories. The Uppermill pair had a brood of five & they fledged sometime when I was on holiday between 7 May & 17th May. On 17th I was able to locate one juvenile being fed by one parent but the colour ringed male was flying further up the river so there could well be other fledged birds around. It would be useful for me to receive any information on fledged chicks seen (& info on whether ringed or not ringed) & sightings of colour ringed adults (photo's are always better as I've found that the colour I think I see in the field isn't always correct when I look at the photo)!
The pair people usually see near the garden centre had a nest I couldn't get to (to ring the chicks) & again, they should have fledged while I was on holiday....sadly it seems it may have been predated as the pair were hanging around together, not really doing much & there is no sign of fledged young (I watched the pair & searched along the territory on two consecutive days).
Thanks
Kerry
Vicky Harper said
Fri May 22 7:12 PM, 2015
Must be strong dippers
David Walsh said
Thu May 21 9:50 PM, 2015
Thursday 21st May 2015, 4.00pm
High Street, Uppermill
Grey Wagtail carrying food 2 Dippers, viewed carrying a bag of shopping, and without binoculars. One was possibly a juvenile, as I couldn't see any white plumage, as they flashed past under the bridge. Someone possibly monitors this area already, but if not it could be worthwhile for someone local to keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for a breeding code. I only ever visit when shopping for wine. Pair of Goldfinch visiting a nest site by the river
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 21st of May 2015 09:51:14 PM
David Walsh said
Thu May 14 9:20 PM, 2015
Thursday 14th May 2015, 4.15pm
Uppermill High Street, River Tame
Pair of Grey Wagtails feeding a very noisy, newly fledged bird on the riverbank by the bridge
Ken Gartside said
Wed May 13 6:45 PM, 2015
today, lapwing pair and 3 Wheatear, plus 1 Kestrel and numerous usual suspects on a nice warm day, but still with a very cold wind up on the bog top - the temp drops by around 2 to 3 degrees from Greenfield up to Wesssenden, need to still wear warm clothing.
Rob Creek said
Wed May 13 6:26 PM, 2015
This afternoon over Saddleworth Moors (from Binn Green over to Holmfirth)
3 Red Grouse (1 with just head sticking up above the Heather) 1 Wheatear 1 Skylark 2 Meadow Pipit 1 Kestrel A handful of Jackdaws
David Walsh said
Sat May 9 8:40 PM, 2015
Saturday 9th May 2015, afternoon
High Street, Uppermill - River Tame
Dipper flew under the bridge downstream Grey Wagtail
Newbank Garden Centre, Dobcross - River Tame
Dipper, looking like a male on sentry duty
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 9th of May 2015 08:43:33 PM
Ken Gartside said
Wed May 6 11:36 AM, 2015
1st Cuckoo of the year for me calling lots on the slopes below Alphin, near Moor Edge road this morning before the rains came.
Mark Rigby said
Wed Apr 29 8:15 PM, 2015
Red Kite over Diggle heading towards Dovestone at 1930hrs (info thanks to Tony Mather)
Rob Creek said
Wed Apr 8 8:57 PM, 2015
After my Osprey sighting in Lees at lunchtime (and subsequent loss of data signal) I had a delivery in Holmfirth
Sightings over the tops of Saddleworth Moors... 2 Common Buzzard circling about a mile north of Binn Green 7 Red Grouse (most showing well, couple just heads above the Heather) 5 Curlew Few Meadow Pipits Carrion Crows ...and a Sparrowhawk zoomed over the road as I dropped down down into Holmfirth
Steve Suttill said
Mon Apr 6 9:48 AM, 2015
Cold with dense fog in the valley - very warm and sunny up on the moor. Fantastic views over the sheet of cloud with nothing visible across the county apart from Scout Moor and Winter Hill!
Witnessed the "butterfly" display flight of the Golden Plover for the first time in a few years. Skylarks singing everywhere. This is what it's all about
Liz Headon said
Mon Mar 23 1:56 PM, 2015
Pair of grey wagtails on the River Tame at Delph yesterday afternoon.
C Brown said
Sun Mar 22 5:03 PM, 2015
Nine goosander on Readycon Dean Res' this morning, with numerous skylarks, meadow pipits and a single reed bunting on the adjacent moors.
Regards, Chris Jepson-Brown
Keith Williams said
Sun Mar 22 4:39 PM, 2015
First time up on the moors this afternoon for a couple of hours.
Finally got a picture of the numerous red grouse as one sat and obliged rather than took flight as I was heading back to the car.
Pair of Golden Plover, Meadow Pipits and Skylark.
No sign of any raptors, just the air ambulance landed by the car park.
Steve Suttill said
Sun Mar 22 9:49 AM, 2015
RED KITE
Up on the moor this morning doing my usual wander, checking out the new arrivals. At 8.30 I looked back towards the A635 Holmfirth Road and could see what I took to be a Buzzard south of the road in the direction of Holme Clough. With the chance of it being Rough-legged, I gave it more attention than usual. A crow flew at the raptor and as it twisted to avoid the intruder, the forked tail and wing shape gave it away. It soon dropped down towards Holme Clough heading towards Dove Stone. On my way home I stopped at Rimmon Clough and had a look down into the valley but couldn't see anything there. Earlier, whilst I was further out on the moor, someone in a silver-grey estate car arrived at the car park and was looking around with binoculars - maybe they got a better view.
Other (more expected) sightings: lots Red Grouse, Golden Plover (unusually quiet today), 2 pairs Curlew, 1 Snipe, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits singing.
Garry Chesters said
Wed Mar 18 4:54 PM, 2015
Went up to Saddleworth moor this pm specifically to see Red Grouse, being not so familiar with higher altitude birds, and this area also. I wasn't disappointed, quite a few birds were present with a very obliging bird flying around and feeding just behind the welcome to Saddleworth sign, if anyone knows where I mean.
Steve Suttill said
Mon Mar 16 2:42 PM, 2015
Hi Bill
the moor is very wet right now. It would be foolish to stray off the Pennine Way. Any birds that are present can be seen from the footpath - unless the cloud is so low that you can't see anything!
Bill Beckwith said
Mon Mar 16 10:41 AM, 2015
Hi Steve S
Is it fairly easy walking on Saddleworth Moor from the Holmfirth Road or is it best keeping on the Pennine Way or other paths?Are the golden plovers fairly near the road?
Thanks for help
Bill
Steve Thomson said
Sun Mar 15 10:05 PM, 2015
Rob Creek wrote:
Steve Thomson wrote:
Steve Suttill wrote:
Early morning - low cloud, poor visibility, only just above zero:
Several Golden Plover (some singing), 2 Curlew calling, one skulking Skylark, plenty of Red Grouse.
Sorry for asking but where do you go to see the red Grouse never seen one
Hi Steve, Like Steve S. says, the Red Grouse are plentiful in that area, just drive passed Binn Green on the A635, or a little South on the A628 Hollingworth road over the Saddleworth Moors and you should bag yourself a hat load of Red Grouse. They sometimes 'perch' on the roadside wooden posts, I've had loads in the last few weeks whilst en-route to deliveries from Hollingworth to Barnsley. Hope this helps.
Hi Rob, Thanks very much for the reply and yes helps immensely quite excited to get up there now
Rob Creek said
Sun Mar 15 7:55 PM, 2015
Steve Thomson wrote:
Steve Suttill wrote:
Early morning - low cloud, poor visibility, only just above zero:
Several Golden Plover (some singing), 2 Curlew calling, one skulking Skylark, plenty of Red Grouse.
Sorry for asking but where do you go to see the red Grouse never seen one
Hi Steve, Like Steve S. says, the Red Grouse are plentiful in that area, just drive passed Binn Green on the A635, or a little South on the A628 Hollingworth road over the Saddleworth Moors and you should bag yourself a hat load of Red Grouse. They sometimes 'perch' on the roadside wooden posts, I've had loads in the last few weeks whilst en-route to deliveries from Hollingworth to Barnsley. Hope this helps.
Steve Thomson said
Sun Mar 15 4:13 PM, 2015
Steve Suttill wrote:
Early morning - low cloud, poor visibility, only just above zero:
Several Golden Plover (some singing), 2 Curlew calling, one skulking Skylark, plenty of Red Grouse.
Sorry for asking but where do you go to see the red Grouse never seen one
Steve Suttill said
Sun Mar 15 9:36 AM, 2015
Early morning - low cloud, poor visibility, only just above zero:
Several Golden Plover (some singing), 2 Curlew calling, one skulking Skylark, plenty of Red Grouse.
C Brown said
Sat Mar 14 3:50 PM, 2015
Six goosander on Readycon Dean Res' (Denshaw moors), this morning.
Chris J-B
Mark Rigby said
Sat Mar 7 7:03 PM, 2015
Late afternoon
18 Red Grouse 5 Golden Plover Kestrel 3 Raven
Steve Suttill said
Sat Mar 7 9:42 AM, 2015
Moor for an hour this morning in very strong winds:
c15 Red Grouse, Golden Plovers, Raven & first Meadow Pipit of the year up here.
Mark Rigby said
Sun Mar 1 1:42 PM, 2015
Just 8 Red Grouse on Featherbed Moss late morning with plenty of displaying going on! Spring is on its was but you wouldn't think so given the weather
Presumably the birds seen over Tandle Hills Park, Ken
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 25th of February 2016 04:59:32 PM
The only avian life was 4 Red Grouse - but there was an icy cold gale blowing across the sodden moorland (feet almost thawed out now!)
No Golden Plovers, but a Short-eared Owl hunting in the blizzard was a much more impressive sight than the ones on Ashton Moss.
Only other birds were 4 calling Red Grouse.
Considerably more gully blocking has taken place since last summer and this, combined with the truly awful weather, means the moor is wetter than I've ever seen it. You'll soon be able to swim the Pennine Way!
Saddleworth Moor, at the county boundary, in pouring rain.
1 Golden Plover calling to the south of the road
The usual abundance of Red Grouse dotted around the moor
Lovely view of a kingfisher from the bridge overlooking the Royal George Lodge this morning.
Colour-ringed Dipper on river in Uppermill. More Dippers by Royal George Lodge and Wrights Mill in Greenfield.
Ken
-- Edited by Ken Gartside on Tuesday 13th of October 2015 04:42:18 PM
He lives not far from Diggle, and if you've ever been in The Swan at Dobcross, when he's been holding court in the bar, the sounds aren't far removed from the Parakeets
Was it seen, or heard only, Mark?
Blimey, I've only seen these in Chorlton (and London of course) how dare they invade Saddleworth - interestingly Mike Sweeney was talking about these today on Radio Manchester as well.
Cheers
Ken
I know, I know. I was going to edit it, but didn't think anyone would be as pedantic as me. You wouldn't think I was paid to write, would you? Can't even blame predictive text. I'll have to buy wine more often, to increase the number of records
Thanks for the information
... and they rarely use binoculars
Seriously though, it's good to hear from Kerry that the ringing project is still running. Are you still ringing Dippers in Mossley and Greenfield?
I monitor & ring the dippers along the Tame (as part of the South Manchester Ringing Group dipper project). This year I've monitored ten territories. The Uppermill pair had a brood of five & they fledged sometime when I was on holiday between 7 May & 17th May. On 17th I was able to locate one juvenile being fed by one parent but the colour ringed male was flying further up the river so there could well be other fledged birds around. It would be useful for me to receive any information on fledged chicks seen (& info on whether ringed or not ringed) & sightings of colour ringed adults (photo's are always better as I've found that the colour I think I see in the field isn't always correct when I look at the photo)!
The pair people usually see near the garden centre had a nest I couldn't get to (to ring the chicks) & again, they should have fledged while I was on holiday....sadly it seems it may have been predated as the pair were hanging around together, not really doing much & there is no sign of fledged young (I watched the pair & searched along the territory on two consecutive days).
Thanks
Kerry
High Street, Uppermill
Grey Wagtail carrying food
2 Dippers, viewed carrying a bag of shopping, and without binoculars. One was possibly a juvenile, as I couldn't see any white plumage, as they flashed past under the bridge. Someone possibly monitors this area already, but if not it could be worthwhile for someone local to keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for a breeding code. I only ever visit when shopping for wine.
Pair of Goldfinch visiting a nest site by the river
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 21st of May 2015 09:51:14 PM
Uppermill High Street, River Tame
Pair of Grey Wagtails feeding a very noisy, newly fledged bird on the riverbank by the bridge
3 Red Grouse (1 with just head sticking up above the Heather)
1 Wheatear
1 Skylark
2 Meadow Pipit
1 Kestrel
A handful of Jackdaws
High Street, Uppermill - River Tame
Dipper flew under the bridge downstream
Grey Wagtail
Newbank Garden Centre, Dobcross - River Tame
Dipper, looking like a male on sentry duty
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 9th of May 2015 08:43:33 PM
Sightings over the tops of Saddleworth Moors...
2 Common Buzzard circling about a mile north of Binn Green
7 Red Grouse (most showing well, couple just heads above the Heather)
5 Curlew
Few Meadow Pipits
Carrion Crows
...and a Sparrowhawk zoomed over the road as I dropped down down into Holmfirth
Witnessed the "butterfly" display flight of the Golden Plover for the first time in a few years. Skylarks singing everywhere. This is what it's all about
Regards, Chris Jepson-Brown
Finally got a picture of the numerous red grouse as one sat and obliged rather than took flight as I was heading back to the car.
Pair of Golden Plover, Meadow Pipits and Skylark.
No sign of any raptors, just the air ambulance landed by the car park.
Up on the moor this morning doing my usual wander, checking out the new arrivals. At 8.30 I looked back towards the A635 Holmfirth Road and could see what I took to be a Buzzard south of the road in the direction of Holme Clough. With the chance of it being Rough-legged, I gave it more attention than usual. A crow flew at the raptor and as it twisted to avoid the intruder, the forked tail and wing shape gave it away. It soon dropped down towards Holme Clough heading towards Dove Stone. On my way home I stopped at Rimmon Clough and had a look down into the valley but couldn't see anything there. Earlier, whilst I was further out on the moor, someone in a silver-grey estate car arrived at the car park and was looking around with binoculars - maybe they got a better view.
Other (more expected) sightings: lots Red Grouse, Golden Plover (unusually quiet today), 2 pairs Curlew, 1 Snipe, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits singing.
I wasn't disappointed, quite a few birds were present with a very obliging bird flying around and feeding just behind
the welcome to Saddleworth sign, if anyone knows where I mean.
the moor is very wet right now. It would be foolish to stray off the Pennine Way. Any birds that are present can be seen from the footpath - unless the cloud is so low that you can't see anything!
Hi Steve S
Is it fairly easy walking on Saddleworth Moor from the Holmfirth Road or is it best keeping on the Pennine Way or other paths?Are the golden plovers fairly near the road?
Thanks for help
Bill
Hi Rob,
Thanks very much for the reply and yes helps immensely quite excited to get up there now
Hi Steve,
Like Steve S. says, the Red Grouse are plentiful in that area, just drive passed Binn Green on the A635, or a little South on the A628 Hollingworth road over the Saddleworth Moors and you should bag yourself a hat load of Red Grouse. They sometimes 'perch' on the roadside wooden posts, I've had loads in the last few weeks whilst en-route to deliveries from Hollingworth to Barnsley.
Hope this helps.
Sorry for asking but where do you go to see the red Grouse never seen one
Several Golden Plover (some singing), 2 Curlew calling, one skulking Skylark, plenty of Red Grouse.
Chris J-B
18 Red Grouse
5 Golden Plover
Kestrel
3 Raven
c15 Red Grouse, Golden Plovers, Raven & first Meadow Pipit of the year up here.