Rixton Clay Pits NR : 6 House Martins (Single Group), 6 Goldfinches and 1 Grey Heron.
Also an adult Coot with a family of 4 full grown youngsters.
Birds seem to be less numerous since large areas of gorse were cleared, although insects appear to be more abundant.
Prospect Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Woodend Lane circular walk : 2 Kestrels, 3 Buzzards, 4 Ravens and 6 Collared Doves.
Around 20 Swallows were flying low above the stubble and occasionally pausing to rest on overhead cables.
The Lapwings and Skylarks seen here in the spring have now moved on.
A small recently formed pool close to Woodend Lane attracted 7 Grey Herons.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 2 8:30 PM, 2018
Rixton Moss today:
5 Yellow Wagtail
61 House Sparrow
56 Linnet
39 Skylark
21 Grey Partridge
7 Yellowhammer
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Steven Nelson said
Sun May 20 6:00 PM, 2018
Rixton Clay Pits LNR 09.45-11.15
1 House Martin - my first of the year!!! 4 Swallow 2 Sedge Warbler 1 Reed Warbler 1 Chiffchaff 3 Willow Warbler 4 Whitethroat 1 Garden Warbler - heard only 1 Nuthatch 1 Bullfinch 1 Buzzard
Steven Nelson said
Sun May 13 1:46 PM, 2018
Rixton Moss this morning: 4 Yellow Wagtail
Rixton Clay Pits LNR: 3 Garden Warbler singing- managed a fleeting glimpse of one! 2 Sedge Warbler singing and in display flight 1 Nuthatch
Ian McKerchar said
Wed May 9 10:07 PM, 2018
Rixton Moss this morning:
2 Hobby
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Corn Bunting
8 Yellow Wagtail
2 Wheatear
3 Reed Warbler.
4 Shelduck
24 Skylark
8 Yellowhammer
3 Tree Sparrow
10 Tufted Duck
28 Blackbird
1 Oystercatcher
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Paul Flackett said
Tue May 1 10:20 PM, 2018
Back again today. Worked out well with 3 Corn Buntings and 2 Yellow Wagtails on the circuit, although the latter now spending most of their time hidden in the crops, probably nesting. Great to see juvenile Lapwings wandering around one of the recently sown crop fields. Quite a few Whitethroats seen and a very vocal Yellowhammer.
Whereabouts did you pick up the Corn Bunting? I think I may have had one on Woodend Lane but it flew before I could get a good view.
Thanks,
Paul.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 25 10:38 PM, 2018
Highlights from this morning:
3 Yellow Wagtail
7 Wheatear
1 Corn Bunting in song
28 Lapwing
78 Linnet
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Paul Flackett said
Mon Apr 23 11:07 PM, 2018
Did the Prospect Lane circuit this morning and finally crossed paths with a Yellow Wagtail, although it was a struggle to locate one. Plenty of Yellowhammers, Linnets, Skylarks, & Lapwings plus the odd Tree Sparrow, Whitethroat & Oystercatcher. Didn't encounter any Partridge or Wheatear on this visit.
Plenty of long-tailed tits and goldfinch, bullfinches and nuthatches heard calling also. Buzzard soaring over the meadow area also small numbers of house martins here. Little grebe and coot on the waterfowl lake with a grey heron flying over. Spotted flycatcher using the bare hawthorns as a feeding post near the main boardwalk area.
Steven Nelson said
Sun Aug 20 5:26 PM, 2017
Late post: Saturday 19th August
A Barn Owl flew N over A57 near Holly Bush Lane at 23.05 as I drove past.
John Williams said
Thu Aug 3 7:00 PM, 2017
15.00-17.00
Prospect Lane
1 Buzzard, 6 Collared Doves and 1 Mistle Thrush. (No sign of any Yellow Wagtails in the area where I had seen them a few days ago).
The Buzzard was sat on a mound seemingly oblivious to the barrage of clay pigeon shooting taking place about 100yds away.
A large flock of Carrion Crows and a few Jackdaws (Oddly I could'nt spot any Rooks amongst them), were settled on the tip and adjoining field, which again was very close to the shooting.
These birds seem to have a death wish, as they would often fly over the area where the shooting was taking place, I thought corvids were clever?.
One bird that appeared to be affected by the shooting was a Swallow, it flew out from a farm outbuilding, but with the first shot the bird bolted back into the building very quickly.
Woodend Lane
1 Kestrel, plus 1 Garden Warbler that was showing well whilst sat on top of a hawthorne hedge.
As in my previous visits recently, there was a steady passage of Swifts throughout, all heading West.
John Williams said
Thu Aug 3 6:29 PM, 2017
16.00-18.00
Walked from along Prospect Lane to Holly Bush Lane and back via Woodend Lane.
1 adult Yellow Legged Gull was amongst the numerous Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls, together with 1 Great Black Backed Gull, around the former tip.
Woodend Lane :
1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Grey Heron and 5 Collared Doves.
There was a constant stream of Swifts heading West throughout.
John Williams said
Mon Jul 31 8:13 PM, 2017
16.00-18.00
Walked from along Prospect Lane to Holly Bush Lane and back via Woodend Lane.
1 adult Yellow Legged Herring Gull was amongst the numerous Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls, together with 1 Great Black Backed Gull, around the former tip.
Woodend Lane :
1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Grey Heron and 5 Collared Doves.
There was a constant stream of Swifts heading West throughout.
John Williams said
Thu Jul 27 8:24 PM, 2017
14.00-17.00
Rixton Clay Pits NR
1 Buzzard, 1 Bullfinch and a family party of Reed Buntings.
Walked from along Prospect Lane to Holly Bush Lane and back via Woodend Lane.
1 Kestrel hovered over the old tip.
There appears to be 2 pairs of Yellow Wagtails still feeding young along Prospect Lane, 1 pair in a field of potatoes, the other in a crop of wheat.
Adult birds were seen to be carrying beaks full of insects to both, whilst their mates tried to distract me as I walked down the lane.
100+ Lapwings circled the moss.
1 Hobby was seen amongst a large flock of Lapwings, it then circled and climbed above a procession of Swifts, House Martins and Swallows that were flying West across the moss.
I did'nt see the falcon attack the birds, a group of Swifts appeared to try and climb above the Hobby, both eventually disappeared at a great altitude above the moss.
An adult Skylark was seen with a newly fledged youngster along Woodend Lane.
Jeff Gorse said
Sun Jul 16 6:08 PM, 2017
Early afternoon walk in glorious sunshine. Whitethroat brood, female blackcap, willow warbler, green woodpecker and nuthatch heard in the woodland area near the visitor centre.
Mike Baron said
Thu Mar 30 1:44 PM, 2017
Two Wheatears in ploughed field off Woodend Lane today
John Williams said
Wed Aug 17 11:48 PM, 2016
5.30-8.15pm
Rixton Clay Pits NR
1 Grey Heron and 2 Gadwall on pools.
On the heath most small birds were staying hidden, with only a single Wren really showing.
The main feature here though is the insects, see separate thread.
Prospect Lane
Although the nearby landfill now appears to be capped and covered with plastic sheeting, it still attracts large numbers of Lesser Black Backed Gulls, and with them a single Herring Gull.
The bushes bordering the tip and fishing pools held lots of passerines, mainly finches and buntings. The fence along the Western edge of tip appears to attract small birds too, 3 Yellowhammers, 6 Reed Buntings,
1 Willow Warbler and a Pied wagtail posed here. The bushes by the fishing pools produced 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Tree Sparrow, 3 Greenfinches, 1 Dunnock plus numerous Goldfinches and Reed Buntings.
Surprisingly no Linnets were seen. Collared Doves are seemingly everywhere, and even outnumber Woodpigeons, but everyone is worth a second look as Rixton was the last local stronghold of Turtle Dove.
1 Grey Heron was on the fishing pools, and Black Headed Gulls constantly patrolled overhead.
Woodend Lane
2 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels scanned the fields of newly cut hay.
Steven Nelson said
Sun Jun 12 5:52 PM, 2016
Rixton Clay Pits
1 Grasshopper Warbler - heard reeling from private land of Moat Lane this afternoon. Unfortunately new fencing means this excellent area (plus the pools) is now no longer accessible.
On the nature reserve:
3 Reed Warbler singing
Jay
Buzzard
Willow Warbler
Chiiffchaff
Whitethroat
Swift
Nuthatch
2 Tufted Duck - pair
4 broods of Coot - all with well grown youngsters
plus the usuals
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Sunday 12th of June 2016 05:56:36 PM
John Williams said
Sun May 22 2:14 PM, 2016
09.00-11.30
Prospect & Woodend Lane area
3 Yellowhammers, 6 Skylarks, 24 Lapwings, 1 Common Whitethroat, 5 Reed Buntings, 2 Tree Sparrows plus a Chiffchaff that was carrying food near the fishing pools.
1 Lesser Whitethroat singing along Prospect Lane.
Rixton Clay Pits NR
1 Hobby flying over, 1 Kestrel, a pair of Buzzards doing an aerial display, 1 Bullfinch, plus a pair of Coots with 4 young, including 1 young from a previous brood that was almost full grown.
Zoe Barrett said
Tue Apr 12 7:47 AM, 2016
Visit to Rixton Claypits on Sunday:
Female marsh harrier 1 Kestrel 2 Buzzards 2 Nuthatch 3 Treecreepers 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Linnet singing 10 Tufted ducks 5 Willow Warblers 6 Blackcaps also plenty of Chiffchaffs, Robins, Wrens and Great Tits singimg
David Spencer said
Sun Mar 27 10:01 PM, 2016
5 Wheatears and a male Stonechat along Woodend Lane this morning. Two Little Ringed Plovers on Moat Lane pools. Also 5 Tree Sparrow, 2 Yellowhammers and 2 Grey Partridge.
Whitethroats were common throughout. There was also lots of adult Lesser Black Backed & Herring Gulls, plus 30 Rooks around the old tip.
Lots of Swifts high above the farmland, and numerous Swallows skimming the tops of the furrows.
Mike Baron said
Tue Apr 28 1:07 PM, 2015
Yesterday I watched the slightly odd sight of two Little Ringed Plovers wandering around on a large area of grass that I call the lawn on Rixton moss - some distance from any potential breeding site. Presumably disturbed from somewhere or stopping for a siesta in the sun!
Also Hobby, nine Wheatears and three Yellow Wagtails.
James Walsh said
Mon Apr 27 1:07 AM, 2015
Rixton Moss
1 Yellow Wagtail 1 Wheatear 2 Oystercatcher
Mike Baron said
Fri Apr 24 9:32 PM, 2015
Male Whinchat in newly ploughed field off Prospect Lane this evening along with 12 Wheatears. Reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Moat Lane pool. 180 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Colliers Landfill site
John Doherty said
Thu Apr 23 4:15 PM, 2015
Four Yellow Wagtails down Holly Bush Lane (3M 1F) were the highlights today, as well as a Whitethroat down Prospect Lane, 2 Kestrels on farmland. The pools had two Whitethroats in the surrounding shrubbery, four buzzards were up as well. inc three at once.
Mike Baron said
Fri Apr 17 3:45 PM, 2015
Eight Wheatears on the mosses today. Also 55+ Linnets, 11 Goldfinches, 3 Kestrels and 2 Grey Partridges.
John Williams said
Mon Apr 13 9:44 PM, 2015
17.00-19.30
Pleasant stroll from Moat Lane, along Prospect Lane and back along Woodend Lane.
A single Goldcrest was on a mature oak along Moat Lane.
The local keeper stopped for a chat, and said he had released dozens of Grey Partridges in the area about 3yrs ago. He blames their demise on Buzzards and the lack of "Set Aside".
I stated a lack of hedgerows does'nt help, not wishing to get into an heated debate regarding Buzzards. He also expressed his dismay at the disappearence of Little Owls locally,
but stated Barn Owls are still seen regularly. Moorhens seem to be doing well on the fishing lakes, with 6 on one small pool.
Steven Nelson said
Fri Oct 31 5:23 PM, 2014
A noisy flock of c.50 Fieldfare heading west over Rixton Clay Pits LNR at 15.10 this afternoon.
John Williams said
Sat Oct 25 1:59 PM, 2014
09.30-12.00
Prospect Lane
A single flock of 50+ Linnets, 6 Reed Buntings in a mixed flock of tits and finches, 12 Meadow Pipits with 3 Pied Wagtails, an
overflying group of 6 Whooper Swans heading West, 4 Mistle Thrushes and a single Kestrel. 2 flocks of Redwings (24 birds in total).
At the Western end of the lane 30+ Skylarks were chasing each other around the furrows.
Woodend Lane
A massive gathering of Starlings on the overhead wires, I counted 600+ here, but many more were on the newly ploughed field to the South,
plus there appeared to be another 600+ on wires along Holly Bush Lane. A single Buzzard flew low over the furrows flushing lots of Starlings
and Skylarks. 1 Grey Heron.
Sadly, I could'nt find a single Grey Partridge anywhere.
Holly bush lane 5 yellow wagtail 3 yellowhammer 2 grey partridge
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 5th of May 2014 11:43:27 AM
John Doherty said
Wed Apr 23 8:14 PM, 2014
First Whitethroat of the year for me beside Moat Lane pools today. Usuals around, including two Kestrels, 6 Tufted ducks and a Gadwall pair on pools, three Linnets, Lapwings on nearby farmland etc, more Swallows around the barns seem to have arrived, plus 1 Yellowhammer seen and 1 just heard.
-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 23rd of April 2014 08:47:44 PM
Steven Nelson said
Mon Apr 21 6:24 PM, 2014
12.15-1.45pm - Rixton Clay Pits, Moat Lane Pools, Prospect Lane and Rixton Moss
Moat Lane Pools: 1 Common Tern - arrived 12.40pm stayed for a couple of mins then flew off NE 2 Gadwall - pair 6 Tufted Duck - 3 pairs 2 Mallard - both m 1 Coot 1 Bullfinch 1 Blackcap 2 Chiffchaff 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Common Gull on pool 1 Kestrel 1 Sparrowhawk high up 4 Canada Geese
Rixton Clay Pits: Lots of Orange Tip butterflies 3 Blackcap - 2m 1f 2 Willow Warbler 3 Chiffchaff 1 Great spotted Woodpecker
Prospect Lane & Rixton Moss: 1 Whitethroat 2 Swallow on wires 4 Skylark 1 Buzzard 4 Lapwing 1 Reed Bunting - m 2 Yellowhammer
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 21st of April 2014 06:27:09 PM
John Doherty said
Sun Apr 20 7:01 PM, 2014
Quick Easter Sunday raid, whilst nothing special seen, it gave a proper feel of Spring with
Nuthatch and Yellowhammers heard Ten Swallow were on the farmland on School Lane and around the barns near the private tip A Buzzard was seen
I was knee deep in migrant warblers round the LNR, plenty of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers.
Disappointing was Moat Lane pools as the Tufted had all gone, leaving just two Mallard and a lone Coot massive space for themselves
John Doherty said
Wed Apr 2 7:48 PM, 2014
After meeting Jason Dulhanty at Risley (nice to meet you, Jason :)) and enjoying two Sparrowhawks at once there, I ventured to Rixton for a late do.
Nuthatches x 2 Kestrel - M on Manchester Road, hunted nearby farmland Over a dozen Chiffchaff Bullfinch seen near tip. No Blackcap at all for me today
Moat Lane pool held at least 12 Tufted Ducks with a few Gadwall and Coots for good measure.
Rixton Clay Pits NR : 6 House Martins (Single Group), 6 Goldfinches and 1 Grey Heron.
Also an adult Coot with a family of 4 full grown youngsters.
Birds seem to be less numerous since large areas of gorse were cleared, although insects appear to be more abundant.
Prospect Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Woodend Lane circular walk : 2 Kestrels, 3 Buzzards, 4 Ravens and 6 Collared Doves.
Around 20 Swallows were flying low above the stubble and occasionally pausing to rest on overhead cables.
The Lapwings and Skylarks seen here in the spring have now moved on.
A small recently formed pool close to Woodend Lane attracted 7 Grey Herons.
Rixton Moss today:
5 Yellow Wagtail
61 House Sparrow
56 Linnet
39 Skylark
21 Grey Partridge
7 Yellowhammer
Info thanks to Dave Steel
1 House Martin - my first of the year!!!
4 Swallow
2 Sedge Warbler
1 Reed Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
3 Willow Warbler
4 Whitethroat
1 Garden Warbler - heard only
1 Nuthatch
1 Bullfinch
1 Buzzard
4 Yellow Wagtail
Rixton Clay Pits LNR:
3 Garden Warbler singing- managed a fleeting glimpse of one!
2 Sedge Warbler singing and in display flight
1 Nuthatch
Rixton Moss this morning:
2 Hobby
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Corn Bunting
8 Yellow Wagtail
2 Wheatear
3 Reed Warbler.
4 Shelduck
24 Skylark
8 Yellowhammer
3 Tree Sparrow
10 Tufted Duck
28 Blackbird
1 Oystercatcher
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Back again today. Worked out well with 3 Corn Buntings and 2 Yellow Wagtails on the circuit, although the latter now spending most of their time hidden in the crops, probably nesting. Great to see juvenile Lapwings wandering around one of the recently sown crop fields. Quite a few Whitethroats seen and a very vocal Yellowhammer.
Hi Ian,
Whereabouts did you pick up the Corn Bunting? I think I may have had one on Woodend Lane but it flew before I could get a good view.
Thanks,
Paul.
Highlights from this morning:
3 Yellow Wagtail
7 Wheatear
1 Corn Bunting in song
28 Lapwing
78 Linnet
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Did the Prospect Lane circuit this morning and finally crossed paths with a Yellow Wagtail, although it was a struggle to locate one. Plenty of Yellowhammers, Linnets, Skylarks, & Lapwings plus the odd Tree Sparrow, Whitethroat & Oystercatcher. Didn't encounter any Partridge or Wheatear on this visit.
Rixton Clay Pits NR :
3 Grey Herons, 1(m)Goosander (Flew over heading SE), 2 Kestrels, a flock of 6 Bullfinches, 1 Song Thrush (Singing) and 2 Shovelers.
Prospect Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Woodend Lane circular walk :
A flock of 10 Linnets, A charm of 30 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Buzzards and 1 Kestrel.
15 Lapwings were scattered around the fields. Lots of Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls around the landfill.
On Rixton Moss this morning:
107 Lapwing
72 Skylark
9 Grey Partridge
5 Tree Sparrow
40 Linnet
1 Oystercatcher
32 Fieldfare
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Rixton Moss today:
4 Grey Partridge
394 Lapwing
15 Linnet
37 Teal
2 Shoveler
11 Fieldfare
290 Starling
100 Skylark
Info thanks to Dave Steel
2 Willow Tits, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 2 Shovelers and 3 Teal.
Prospect Lane, Holly Bush Lane and Wooden Lane 12.00-14.30
3 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 2 Ravens, 1 Grey Heron and a flock of 5 Skylarks.
-- Edited by John Williams on Thursday 28th of September 2017 11:50:11 PM
Rixton Clay Pits NR : 2 Swifts with a single House Martin flew over the meadow and drifted off to the North. 1 Kestrel.
Circular walk along Woodend Lane to Holly Bush lane and back via Prospect Lane : 1 Hobby seen catching and eating dragonflies over the old tip.
2 Wheatears resting on straw bales, 1 Yellowhammer, a flock of 8 House Sparrows, 5 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 Grey Heron.
Gulls in field by A57 turning to Biffa Waste
Lesser Black-backed Gull 132
Herring Gull 33
Black-headed Gull 12
31st August
over the Clay Pits
Buzzard 11+
Kestrel 1
Late afternoon visit.
Plenty of long-tailed tits and goldfinch, bullfinches and nuthatches heard calling also. Buzzard soaring over the meadow area also small numbers of house martins here. Little grebe and coot on the waterfowl lake with a grey heron flying over. Spotted flycatcher using the bare hawthorns as a feeding post near the main boardwalk area.
A Barn Owl flew N over A57 near Holly Bush Lane at 23.05 as I drove past.
Prospect Lane
1 Buzzard, 6 Collared Doves and 1 Mistle Thrush. (No sign of any Yellow Wagtails in the area where I had seen them a few days ago).
The Buzzard was sat on a mound seemingly oblivious to the barrage of clay pigeon shooting taking place about 100yds away.
A large flock of Carrion Crows and a few Jackdaws (Oddly I could'nt spot any Rooks amongst them), were settled on the tip and adjoining field, which again was very close to the shooting.
These birds seem to have a death wish, as they would often fly over the area where the shooting was taking place, I thought corvids were clever?.
One bird that appeared to be affected by the shooting was a Swallow, it flew out from a farm outbuilding, but with the first shot the bird bolted back into the building very quickly.
Woodend Lane
1 Kestrel, plus 1 Garden Warbler that was showing well whilst sat on top of a hawthorne hedge.
As in my previous visits recently, there was a steady passage of Swifts throughout, all heading West.
Walked from along Prospect Lane to Holly Bush Lane and back via Woodend Lane.
Prospect Lane :
1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 2 Buzzards and 3 Reed Buntings.
1 adult Yellow Legged Gull was amongst the numerous Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls, together with 1 Great Black Backed Gull, around the former tip.
Woodend Lane :
1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Grey Heron and 5 Collared Doves.
There was a constant stream of Swifts heading West throughout.
Walked from along Prospect Lane to Holly Bush Lane and back via Woodend Lane.
Prospect Lane :
1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 2 Buzzards and 3 Reed Buntings.
1 adult Yellow Legged Herring Gull was amongst the numerous Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls, together with 1 Great Black Backed Gull, around the former tip.
Woodend Lane :
1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Grey Heron and 5 Collared Doves.
There was a constant stream of Swifts heading West throughout.
Rixton Clay Pits NR
1 Buzzard, 1 Bullfinch and a family party of Reed Buntings.
Walked from along Prospect Lane to Holly Bush Lane and back via Woodend Lane.
1 Kestrel hovered over the old tip.
There appears to be 2 pairs of Yellow Wagtails still feeding young along Prospect Lane, 1 pair in a field of potatoes, the other in a crop of wheat.
Adult birds were seen to be carrying beaks full of insects to both, whilst their mates tried to distract me as I walked down the lane.
100+ Lapwings circled the moss.
1 Hobby was seen amongst a large flock of Lapwings, it then circled and climbed above a procession of Swifts, House Martins and Swallows that were flying West across the moss.
I did'nt see the falcon attack the birds, a group of Swifts appeared to try and climb above the Hobby, both eventually disappeared at a great altitude above the moss.
An adult Skylark was seen with a newly fledged youngster along Woodend Lane.
Early afternoon walk in glorious sunshine. Whitethroat brood, female blackcap, willow warbler, green woodpecker and nuthatch heard in the woodland area near the visitor centre.
Rixton Clay Pits NR
1 Grey Heron and 2 Gadwall on pools.
On the heath most small birds were staying hidden, with only a single Wren really showing.
The main feature here though is the insects, see separate thread.
Prospect Lane
Although the nearby landfill now appears to be capped and covered with plastic sheeting, it still attracts large numbers of Lesser Black Backed Gulls, and with them a single Herring Gull.
The bushes bordering the tip and fishing pools held lots of passerines, mainly finches and buntings. The fence along the Western edge of tip appears to attract small birds too, 3 Yellowhammers, 6 Reed Buntings,
1 Willow Warbler and a Pied wagtail posed here. The bushes by the fishing pools produced 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Tree Sparrow, 3 Greenfinches, 1 Dunnock plus numerous Goldfinches and Reed Buntings.
Surprisingly no Linnets were seen. Collared Doves are seemingly everywhere, and even outnumber Woodpigeons, but everyone is worth a second look as Rixton was the last local stronghold of Turtle Dove.
1 Grey Heron was on the fishing pools, and Black Headed Gulls constantly patrolled overhead.
Woodend Lane
2 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels scanned the fields of newly cut hay.
1 Grasshopper Warbler - heard reeling from private land of Moat Lane this afternoon. Unfortunately new fencing means this excellent area (plus the pools) is now no longer accessible. On the nature reserve: 3 Reed Warbler singing Jay Buzzard Willow Warbler Chiiffchaff Whitethroat Swift Nuthatch 2 Tufted Duck - pair 4 broods of Coot - all with well grown youngsters plus the usuals
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Sunday 12th of June 2016 05:56:36 PM
Prospect & Woodend Lane area
3 Yellowhammers, 6 Skylarks, 24 Lapwings, 1 Common Whitethroat, 5 Reed Buntings, 2 Tree Sparrows plus a Chiffchaff that was carrying food near the fishing pools.
1 Lesser Whitethroat singing along Prospect Lane.
Rixton Clay Pits NR
1 Hobby flying over, 1 Kestrel, a pair of Buzzards doing an aerial display, 1 Bullfinch, plus a pair of Coots with 4 young, including 1 young from a previous brood that was almost full grown.
Female marsh harrier
1 Kestrel
2 Buzzards
2 Nuthatch
3 Treecreepers
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Linnet singing
10 Tufted ducks
5 Willow Warblers
6 Blackcaps
also plenty of Chiffchaffs, Robins, Wrens and Great Tits singimg
5 Wheatears and a male Stonechat along Woodend Lane this morning. Two Little Ringed Plovers on Moat Lane pools. Also 5 Tree Sparrow, 2 Yellowhammers and 2 Grey Partridge.
Holly Bush & Prospect Lanes
6 Buzzards
Kestrel
17 Skylarks
34+ Stock Doves
Reed Bunting
Sparrowhawk (female)
70+ Linnets
8 Goldfinches
800+ Starlings
60+ Rooks
80+ Jackdaws
3 Fieldfares
Moat Lane Pool
27 Coot
5 Tufted Duck
Kingfisher
Cormorant
Gadwall
Farmland : 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Yellowhammers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Skylarks, 1 Raven(Carrying Food), 4 Buzzards & 30 Lapwings (Some brooding).
Fishing Pools & nearby scrub : 6 Tree Sparrows, 3m Blackcaps, 1m+1f Greenfinch, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk & 1 Grey Heron.
Whitethroats were common throughout. There was also lots of adult Lesser Black Backed & Herring Gulls, plus 30 Rooks around the old tip.
Lots of Swifts high above the farmland, and numerous Swallows skimming the tops of the furrows.
Also Hobby, nine Wheatears and three Yellow Wagtails.
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Wheatear
2 Oystercatcher
Pleasant stroll from Moat Lane, along Prospect Lane and back along Woodend Lane.
Moat Lane Pool
4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwings and 10 Sand Martins.
Moss Side Farm area
1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Starlings, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Farmland
1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatears, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Buzzards, 1 Skylark, 3 Linnets, 2 Grey Herons, 28 Lapwings, 12 Greenfinches and 4 Collared Doves.
2 Swallows were heading North.
A single Goldcrest was on a mature oak along Moat Lane.
The local keeper stopped for a chat, and said he had released dozens of Grey Partridges in the area about 3yrs ago. He blames their demise on Buzzards and the lack of "Set Aside".
I stated a lack of hedgerows does'nt help, not wishing to get into an heated debate regarding Buzzards. He also expressed his dismay at the disappearence of Little Owls locally,
but stated Barn Owls are still seen regularly. Moorhens seem to be doing well on the fishing lakes, with 6 on one small pool.
Prospect Lane
A single flock of 50+ Linnets, 6 Reed Buntings in a mixed flock of tits and finches, 12 Meadow Pipits with 3 Pied Wagtails, an
overflying group of 6 Whooper Swans heading West, 4 Mistle Thrushes and a single Kestrel. 2 flocks of Redwings (24 birds in total).
At the Western end of the lane 30+ Skylarks were chasing each other around the furrows.
Woodend Lane
A massive gathering of Starlings on the overhead wires, I counted 600+ here, but many more were on the newly ploughed field to the South,
plus there appeared to be another 600+ on wires along Holly Bush Lane. A single Buzzard flew low over the furrows flushing lots of Starlings
and Skylarks. 1 Grey Heron.
Sadly, I could'nt find a single Grey Partridge anywhere.
5th June
5 Corn Bunting
5 Yellow Wagtail
1 Grey Partridge
3 Yellowhammer
-- Edited by James Walsh on Friday 6th of June 2014 10:30:39 AM
2 singing Corn Bunting
1 Yellow Wagtail
4 Grey Partridge
c50 Lapwing
c30 Skylark
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 5th of May 2014 11:43:27 AM
-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 23rd of April 2014 08:47:44 PM
Moat Lane Pools:
1 Common Tern - arrived 12.40pm stayed for a couple of mins then flew off NE
2 Gadwall - pair
6 Tufted Duck - 3 pairs
2 Mallard - both m
1 Coot
1 Bullfinch
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Common Gull on pool
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk high up
4 Canada Geese
Rixton Clay Pits:
Lots of Orange Tip butterflies
3 Blackcap - 2m 1f
2 Willow Warbler
3 Chiffchaff
1 Great spotted Woodpecker
Prospect Lane & Rixton Moss:
1 Whitethroat
2 Swallow on wires
4 Skylark
1 Buzzard
4 Lapwing
1 Reed Bunting - m
2 Yellowhammer
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 21st of April 2014 06:27:09 PM
Nuthatch and Yellowhammers heard
Ten Swallow were on the farmland on School Lane and around the barns near the private tip
A Buzzard was seen
I was knee deep in migrant warblers round the LNR, plenty of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers.
Disappointing was Moat Lane pools as the Tufted had all gone, leaving just two Mallard and a lone Coot massive space for themselves
Nuthatches x 2
Kestrel - M on Manchester Road, hunted nearby farmland
Over a dozen Chiffchaff
Bullfinch seen near tip.
No Blackcap at all for me today
Moat Lane pool held at least 12 Tufted Ducks with a few Gadwall and Coots for good measure.
Holly Bush Lane
5 Corn Bunting
c20 Yellowhammer
1 Grey Partridge
3 Buzzard
c20 Linnet
15 Skylark
c30 Lapwing
Circular walk Prospect Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Woodend Lane.
1 Wheatear, 9 Grey Partidges, 2 Shelducks, 8 Skylarks, 1 large female Sparrowhawk, 1 male Kestrel, 7 Linnets & 3 Buzzards.
Also 2 flocks of Fieldfares, 30 + 24, and seemingly a Lapwing in every furrow.
Clay Pits NR
1 female Goldcrest seen carrying a faecal sack & also food. 1 Treecreeper, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Buzzard & a pair of Gadwall.
A Coot was brooding by one of the pools.
Moat Lane Pool (viewed from the bank)
1 Sand Martin, 6 Tufted Ducks & 1 Little Grebe.
A pool on the NR contained 7 Great Crested Newts (5 males), also on the NR, a single Brimstone & 6 Peacock butterflies.