8.35am to 11.05am. Cox Green Farmland/Moorland-Dimple-Cox Green Road.

1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over
One Lapwing on the top of Whittle Hill (the only bird up there) + a flock of 52 birds on a field by Dimple Chapel
A Snipe flew up from the side of Dimple Hall. None on the boggy areas this morning on the top of the moor
3 Pheasants
65 Woodpigeons
Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Dimple Chapel
6 Meadow Pipits
3 Pied Wagtails
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
Numerous Blackbirds
c75 Fieldfares at New Butterworth
3 Redwings (single birds)
1 Mistle Thrush at Dimple Hall
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
Nuthatches at Dimple Hall & Dimple Chapel
3 Jays at Dimple Hall
Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows
20+ Chaffinches at New Butterworth & 50+ along Cox Green Road
30+ Greenfinches at New Butterworth & a few more along Cox Green Road & at Dimple Chapel
2 Lesser Redpolls at New Butterworth
2 Siskins at Dimple
Numerous Goldfinches & Bullfinches spread around the area

A wander up to Walmsley Church this morning revealed :-

A mixture of tit species and a couple of Goldcrests in Darwen Road gardens near Dunscar War Memorial

Churchyard :-
Woodpigeons, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Redwings (only a couple), Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, a Treecreeper, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, & Goldfinches.

Just outside the Egerton boundary on my way home I passed a couple of amorous Woodpigeons mating in a tree near Bromley Cross & Dunscar Health Centre.

Merry Christmas everybody.

10.05am to 11.00am.

Passing through Little Stanrose Farm I only found one Fieldfare amongst a mixed flock of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches.

As I walked up the muddy path to New Butterworth I was surprised to see 4 Snipe fly up from the nearest horse field to Cox Green Road. I was too far away to have flushed them myself and after a few minutes I saw the culprit. A male Merlin was flying very low and fast across the field with a Snipe in it's talons, presumably having caught it on the ground causing the others to fly.

In the copse by the stables I saw more Chaffinches, Greenfinches & Goldfinches, amongst Meadow Pipits and a couple of Reed Buntings.

No sign of the mystery Bunting on Whittle Hill this morning. I did not see a single bird of any sort around the footpaths on the top of the moor. I did not try to flush Snipe after yesterday as I did not want to disturb them again.

Not much to report apart from :-
Lots of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches around New Butterworth Farm.

Flocks of 20+ Meadow Pipits near Little Stanrose Farm and Dimple Hall.

One Buzzard flying across fields towards Dimple/Delph Reservoir.

3 Moorhens on ponds at Dimple Chapel.

25+ Fieldfares at Little Stanrose Farm this morning. Made up for hardly anything on Turton Golf Course earlier.

As usual plenty of birds around Turton Golf Course but not much on the Egerton farmland this morning.

About 90 Redwings & 15 Fieldfares flew from the golf course over the boundary into Egerton area. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers also crossed the boundary.

No Jack Snipe yet on the moor, but I did find 4 Snipe on Whittle Hill and another in the more usual boggy area between Whittle Hill & Turton Heights. As usual they were just inside Lancashire but the latter one flew into GM. Three Meadow Pipits and a Carrion Crow were the only other birds on the tops.

18 Meadow Pipits at Whittle Hill Farm and a Pied Wagtail at Little Stanrose Farm were the only other birds of note.

9.50am to 12.30pm. Cox Green & Dimple.

19 Pink-footed Geese flying over heading west
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrels
2 Pheasants, 1 at Dimple and at at the top of the quarry
1 Moorhen at Dimple
A few Black-headed Gulls flying over
55 Woodpigeons
6 Meadow Pipits
2 Pied Wagtails
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
15 Blackbirds
60+ Redwings flying over Little Stanrose Farm, landing in Cox Green Clough
4 Mistle Thrushes At Horridge's Farm
3 flocks of Long-tailed Tits + numerous Blue Tits & Great Tits
Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws (100+), Starlings, House Sparrows,
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches

a Raven over The Cotton Buildings, deakin park area sunday gone 2 ish

11am to 12.30pm around Cox Green farmland & moorland.

As with Turton Golf Course all Meadow Pipits were feeding and none were passing over. 40+
6 Skylarks
2 Wheatears on the top of Whittle Hill
Green Woodpecker at Dimple Hall
Buzzard & Kestrel, the same ones seen at Turton GC

9.20am to 11.15am.

Cox Green Quarry :-
1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Cox Green farmland :-
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Kestrels
Plenty of House Martins & Swallows still around (a few stable blocks, kennels & cattery, & a cattle farm keeping them interested)
A few Meadow Pipits, Chiffchaffs, & Willow Warblers.

Juvenile Stonechat on the fence posts along the narrow muddy footpath between New Butterworth & Whittle Hill farms. No sign of any adults and I do not know of any that bred around here.
A Kestrel nearby was being constantly mobbed by Magpies and a Carrion Crow.

4 hours this morning around the Cox Green side of the village up to Dimple including a mooch around Turton Golf Course, nothing of note at the latter apart from a Kestrel & a flock of 20+ Goldfinches. A couple of light showers and the wind got stronger as the morning went on.

1 Kestrel
4 Moorhens at Dimple Chapel including 2 juveniles
1 Oystercatcher flying over
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
1 Stock Dove in Cox Green Quarry
Collared Doves
Woodpigeons
Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Swallows
House Martins
Meadow Pipits. 20+ around Little Stanrose & a few others scattered around the farmland
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds
A couple of Willow Warblers heard singing
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Linnets, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches.

I covered the whole area, including the Turton Golf Course & the Last Drop area as I was pretty sure I heard a Bee-eater calling late evening from my garden as I filled the birdfeeders last night. It was calling in flight from towards the top of Hospital Road, unfortunately not heading my way for a sighting, before heading off towards Cox Green. I have not heard one since a Lesbos trip a few years ago when I saw/heard hundreds on migration but the far carrying call seemed distinctive.
Another not altogether sure bird, but I am hoping someone else might have picked up on it. I bump into a few people on my travels who come up with something unusual without reporting it. I need backup on this one.
One was reported from Fleetwood, heading SE a few days ago, so that one may be working it's way through the area.

3 hours this morning/lunchtime checking butterflies around Cox Green farmland. Bird highlights :-

2 Buzzards passing over together, followed a few minutes later by a couple of Kestrels
Lots of House Martins, suggesting a good breeding season for the Dimple birds
Meadow Pipits carrying food to their young

9.30am to 10.50am around Cox Green Meadow. I was here for an insect survey but had a nice selection of birds around the meadow & overhead.

Black-headed Gulls
Swifts
Woodpigeons
Wrens
Dunnocks
Robins
Blackbirds
Mistle Thrushes
Whitethroats
Blackcaps
Willow Warblers
Nuthatch
Magpies
Jackdaws
Carrion Crows
Chaffinches
Greenfinches
Goldfinches
Lesser Redpolls
Bullfinches

7.55am to 11.30am. Cox Green Clough/Quarry, Cox Green Road to Dimple, back across the farmland to Cox Green Meadow. A local wander to see how the local wildlife is going on.
Nothing unusual moving through but good to check how the the residents are doing anyway.

3 Pheasants
Pair of Moorhens with 3 juveniles at Howarth's Fold Farm
1 Curlew
A few Black-headed Gulls on fields with lots more passing over
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over
2 Stock Doves in the quarry
40+ Woodpigeons including juveniles
3 Collared Doves
4 Swifts
10+ House Martins & 8 Swallows busy around nesting areas
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Skylarks & Meadow Pipits
1 Pied Wagtail
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins. Juveniles of the latter at Little Stanrose.
Blackbirds
1 Mistle Thrush
7 Whitethroats
4 Blackcaps
1 Chiffchaff
9 Willow Warblers
A few Goldcrests in a few different spots
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits. Hard to count tits at the moment in the foliage, but lots moving around with juveniles.
2 Nuthatches in the clough
1 Jay
9 Magpies
Dozens of Jackdaws in the quarry
90+ Starlings, mostly juveniles
House Sparrows nesting along Cox Green Road & at Dimple
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Linnets, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches, & Reed Buntings.

8.45am to 11.30am around Cox Green farmland and Dimple, after the Greenish Warbler on my out. Back to serious birding and updating of records.

Little Stanrose Farm :-
A Peregrine high up at first before dropping lower and heading into the distance and out of sight over Bromley Cross.
6 Swallows, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Meadow Pipit.

New Butterworth Farm :-
2 Swallows, numerous Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Linnet.

Horridges Farm :-
3 Curlews were up in the air over Turton Heights, and the reason soon became evident when a Hobby sped through them heading towards the golf course at great speed.
1 Lapwing, 4 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldfinch, Skylarks & Meadow Pipits.

Field & pond near Lynwood :-
1 Oystercatcher flying over, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Linnets, 3 Reed Buntings.

Dimple :-
2 Oystercatchers (in Lancs) on the embankment of Delph Reservoir behind the chapel, 3 Swifts, numerous Swallows & House Martins, Whitethroats, Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Bullfinches.
A male Cuckoo calling, which had been seen at the golf course early morning. Well done Anthony with another golf course lifer for you !
After not seeing a raptor around here for months a Kestrel hovering over Cox Green Road made it three falcon species in one morning.

8.40am to 12.30pm around Cox Green & Dimple.

2 Grey Herons flying over heading for Entwistle, and one on farm fields
2 Mallards in the quarry
3 Pheasants
2 families of Moorhens. Family on pond at Howarth's Fold Farm (annual breeders here), and another family nearby on the newly created ponds at Dimple Chapel.
Numerous Black-headed Gulls & a Lesser Black-backed Gull flying over.
3 Stock Doves in the quarry
2 Collared Doves
32 Woodpigeons
1 Tawny Owl upsetting Blackbirds in the quarry
1 male Cuckoo
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Dimple Chapel
Numerous Skylarks & Meadow Pipits
1 Swift
House Martins nesting at The Squirrels atDimple
Numerous Swallows around the farms
1 Pied Wagtail at Whittle Hill Farm
19 Blackbirds
1 Mistle Thrush at Dimple Chapel
Whitethroats at Cox Green Meadow, Dimple Hall, and in bushes on Blackburn Road near Dimple Chapel
6 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs around Cox Green Clough/Quarry
12 Willow Warblers
2 Goldcrests at Dimple
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
1 Nuthatch in Cox Green Clough
1 Jay in Cox Green Clough
16 Magpies
50+ Jackdaws
5 Carrion Crows
20+ Starlings at Little Stanrose Farm
House Sparrows along Cox Green Road & at Dimple
13 Chaffinches
5 Greenfinches
9 Goldfinches
No Siskins seen or heard which is very unusual
4 Linnets around the farms
Pairs of Lesser Redpolls flying over the quarry from Turton Golf Course to Smith Lane area, and around Dimple
5 Bullfinches
4 Reed Buntings around the farms

9.30 to 13.00 around Cox Green & Dimple.

Pair of Mallards
Pheasants
Pair of Moorhens on the new ponds at Dimple Chapel
1 Lapwing at New Butterworth
Black-headed Gulls
Woodpigeons
3 Swifts
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Dimple
Skylarks
Meadow Pipits
Swallows
House Martins, a few pairs nesting at Dimple
1 Pied Wagtail
Wrens
Dunnocks
Robins
No Wheatears today. It looks like they have all moved on.
Blackbirds
Song Thrushes
Whitethroats
Blackcaps
1 Chiffchaff at Quarry
Willow Warblers
1 Goldcrest at Dimple Hall
Long-tailed Tits
Coal Tits
Blue Tits
Great Tits
Magpies
100+ Jackdaws, including juveniles calling from the nests in the quarry.
Carrion Crows
Starlings
House Sparrows
Chaffinches
Greenfinches
Goldfinches
Siskins
Linnets
Lesser Redpolls
Bullfinches
Reed Buntings

8.30am to 10.45am.

Very windy on the top of the moor. Could not hear much because of the wind so missed out on Snipe. Managed to see 2 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, and the usual Skylarks & Meadow Pipits.

Because it was an easterly wind the farms had some shelter from the wind. Mostly the same birds as last time.

New Butterworth :-
1 Lapwing, 2 Swallows, Meadow Pipits, Willow Warblers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, a Goldfinch, a Lesser Redpoll, and a Reed Bunting.

Horridges :-
1 male Wheatear, 2 Swallows, 1 Swift, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, a Whitethroat, and a pair of Linnets.

Garden Warblers on Cox Green Meadow.

8.00am to 11.20am. Breezy morning but nowhere near as windy as my last visit. Clear blue sky.

Whittle Hill Farm :-
My first challenge of the day was sussing out what was upsetting the Magpies, then Carion Crows & Jackdaws. Something in the trees by the farmhouse was upsetting everything, but I was looking straight into the low sun. By the time I had got a better vantage point a couple of Woodpigeons & a Collared Dove had joined in.
It took some time but I eventually picked out a Cuckoo.

New Butterworth :-
1 Lapwing in the horse field, 50+ Starlings (including juveniles), Swallows at the stables, Meadow Pipits, 1 Mistle Thrush, a couple of Willow Warblers, 1 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting.

Top of Whittle Hill/Turton Heights :-
Lots of Skylarks, a few Meadow Pipits, 2 Lapwings, Snipe calling, & half a dozen Swifts skimming across the moor.
Small Tortoiseshell as I headed back down.

Buffs Farm :-
House Martins & Swallows. Black-headed Gulls & Jackdaws on the fields.

Horridges Farm :-
2 female Wheatears, 3 Pied Wagtails, & a pair of Linnets.

Pond behind Lynwood :-
Still no damselflies, but plenty of Green-veined Whites & a few Orange Tips. A pair of Reed Buntings with the usual Whitethroats & Willow Warblers.

Cox Green Quarry :-
Pair of Stock Doves which have been missing on my last couple of visits. Seen on my way out but missing on the way back. The nesting Jackdaws have moved a few things out of the quarry the last couple of years. Kestrels used to be regular but I have not seen any raptors on my last few visits here or on the farmland.

8.20am to 11.30am. Light drizzle as I checked Cox Green Quarry/Clough first waiting for it to blow over, then very windy but fine to Dimple and back through the farms.

Quarry/Clough :-
Woodpigeons, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, pair of Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 8 Willow Warblers, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches.

Dimple Hall :-
1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers.

Dimple :-
1 Moorhen at Howarth's Fold Farm & another at the chapel, 2 Swifts, 2 Swallows, Mistle Thrush, pair of Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Bullfinches. 1 Rabbit.

Horridges Farm, some shelter from the hillside :-
1 Lapwing, a few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, pair of Wheatears, pair of Linnets.

Other farms & Cox Green Meadow, very windy with no shelter :-
Hardly any birds moving about in the wind, not even the usual Swallows and House Martins. One male Reed Bunting at New Butterworth the highlight around the farms.
A pair of Garden Warblers have finally arrived at Cox Green Meadow, presumably the pair that normally breeds here.

No cuckoos seen or heard this morning. The couple at Horridges Farm said they have not heard any since yesterday.

8.15am to 11.40am. I decided to have a morning checking the Cuckoos, and was not disappointed.

Started off at Cox Green Meadow with a couple of Whitehtroats, and the sound of a male Cuckoo coming from the quarry.
50+ Jackdaws in the quarry but the Cuckoo could be heard heading through the farms, to Dimple Hall.

Swallows nesting in the barn at Little Stanrose Farm.

More Swallows at New Butterworth, nesting in the stable block. Also around here numerous Willow Warblers, a Linnet, a Curlew, Meadow Pipits, and a pair of Reed Buntings.

Walked up to the top of Whittle Hill, where it was full of song with Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, 3 Lapwings, and Snipe calling from the ground and drumming in the air.
Swallows flew by as did a Wheatear.
More Skylarks and Meadow Pipits across Turton Heights plus a Curlew.

As last time I heard a Cuckoo calling from Buffs Farm as I came back down off the hill ( a treacherous footpath now as the cattle have been up it to the top of the moor).
The other male was also calling from Dimple Hall. No sign of the female today, but definitely two males as they were both calling at the same time.
2 House Martins, a Mistle Thrush, and 30+ Black-headed Gulls also around Buffs.

The farmland to Horridge's Farm was also good again. 2 males & a female Wheatear, a Pied Wagtail, & 30+ Jackdaws with a few Starlings mixed in.
Swallows nesting at the farm.

Dimple Hall area had a couple of Whitehtroats, a Blackcap, a few Willow Warblers, a Song Thrush, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, and Goldcrests.

9.10am to 12.30pm. Bright weather and light winds whilst on Turton GC earlier made me change my planned route and check the moorland & farmland on the Cox Green side of Egerton. For once I made the right decision.

Started across Whittle Hill and Turton Heights.
3 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, lots of Skylarks, and a few Meadow Pipits. No sign of any Snipe this time but I am not leaving the footpaths in breeding season just to check on them.

Today's fun started as I dropped down the hill from Turton Heights. A calling male Cuckoo, at Buffs Farm, was my first local one this year. As I crossed the farmland at the bottom of the hill I saw the Cuckoo being chased towards me by a Meadow Pipit. It landed in a nearby tree giving cracking views. House Martins also back around here.
The Cuckoo eventually flew down to the Dimple Hall area after being harassed by more Meadow Pipits.
At Horridges Farm, after passing a male Wheatear perched on a wall, I had a chat with the lady mucking out at the farm. She thought she had heard Cuckoos calling from two different places, but I suggested it could have been the same one I had seen moving along the fields. She was right, there were two males calling. A few minutes after leaving her I saw three in flight together. Two males were chasing each other around, and a female landed on top of a bush. She left the bush after the nesting Swallows gave her a lot of stick.
Not long after one of the males returned to a tree at Horridges Farm, but I did not see the other male again, obviously having been chased off.
At this point I had a Tree Pipit land on top of the bush recently vacated by the female, another first local bird for the year.

It got a bit boring after this !
Whitethroats, Willow Warblers, and Reed Buntings the best of the rest.

9.15am to 12.10pm around the Cox Green side of Egerton, including along the top of the moor.

5 Pheasants
1 Lapwing
2 Snipe drumming along the top of the moor
1 Curlew
Black-headed Gulls & Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
12 Woodpigeons
30+ Skylarks & 25+ Meadow Pipits. Spread across the farmland and moorland.
10+ Swallows. Birds at all of the farms.
1 Pied Wagtail
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
5 Wheatears in the Horridges Farm fields
Numerous Blackbirds and a Mistle Thrush
2 Whitethroats on Cox Green Meadow
1 male Blackcap gathering nesting material on Cox Green Meadow
1 Chiffchaff
15 Willow Warblers
1 Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
2 Jays in Cox Green Quarry
Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows
16 Starlings
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Linnets, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches.
1 Reed Bunting on Cox Green Meadow

A great sighting Anthony and nice to know that they are arriving again. Usually count several pairs around here so will keep my ears open. It is wonderful when you get one that is so accomodating and gives a good view. There used to be one at Doffcocker that often came out in the open to reel but it is sadly more a rarity.

A reeling Grasshopper on Cheetham Close today in rush immediately adjacent to Turton Golf Course where I work and just inside the GM county. This individual (at least I think so) has returned to this spot from 21st to 23rd April since 2007 arriving this year on 22nd April. What is special about today though is as I was cutting the tee this morning I saw it reeling from a low perch. I then lowered the revs on my machine and had a look through my bins when it flew toward me landing 15 or so yards away. It then flew again landing on a dry stone wall only a few feet away. Then it flew right at me, and into Lancashire, before landing on the tee I was cutting within inches of my foot a proceeded to look up at me allowing me to view the finer details of its plumage. It stayed there for at least 2 minutes before I had to move on and do some work. I think that it was attracted by the sound of the machine when I lowered the revs. What an experience made even better due to the fact that I was at work.

5 Whimbrel flew north over Cox Green Quarry, Egerton at 7.45am this morning and out of the county.

Info thanks to Anthony Wainwright

8.00am to 10.15am arounf Cox Green farms and the top of Whittle Hill/Turton Heights.

1 Oystercatcher
2 Curlews
1 Snipe drumming
20 Skylarks
5 Swallows
26 Meadow Pipits
1 Wheatear on top of Whittle Hill + 2 in Horridge's Farm fields
5 Willow Warblers
4 Linnets

7.50am to 10.15am.

Cox Green Clough :-
1 Nuthatch.

Cox Green Quarry :-
2 Stock Doves, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warblers, c75 Jackdaws, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches.

New Butterworth :-
1 Lapwing, 1 Swallow, 1 Pied Wagtail, mixture of finches including a Lesser Redpoll.

Between Dimple Hall & Horridge's Farm :-
Pair of Wheatears, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Linnets, 1 Reed Bunting.

Other birds seen around Cox Green/Dimple :-
Mallards, Pheasants, Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeons, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins.

2 Willow Warbler singing in Cox Green Quarry this morning.

Also c80 Fieldfare in small groups heading north very early & 9 Redwing

14.40 to 16.00

Good mixture of finches around Dimple. Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, & Bullfinches.

New Butterworth :-
No Bramblings but still found winter migrants with 3 Fieldfares. A Song Thrush & a Blackbird in the small copse with a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Dunnock, and a Lesser Redpoll.

A Pied Wagtail at Whittle Hill Farm with a few Meadow Pipits.

Pair of Stock Doves in Cox Green Quarry with a few Redwings.

3.30-5.30pm Brambling 17 at New Butterworths Farm. Lesser Redpoll 1, Meadow Pipit 32, Skylark 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Jack Snipe 1 at summit of Cheetham Close on GM boundary. Woodcock 1 only yards outside GM at Turton Golf Course. Curlew 2

9 Brambling at usual spot at dawn. Some males even singing despite some enormous snow drifts up here. Also here Curlew 3, Lesser Redpoll, 15, Redwing 1.

Noon to 12.45pm. A short visit to check the Bramblings and anything else of interest.

No sign of any Bramblings when I got to New Butterworth, but after a few minutes one appeared from inside the copse. It flew off towards Cox Green Road, quickly followed by four more. There could have been a couple more in the copse, as due to the strong icy wind birds were reluctant to sit out in the open.
Also in the copse I saw the usual pair of Dunnocks, a Blackbird, just the one Redwing, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, and Lesser Redpolls.

In the field with the horses I saw a couple of Lapwings and a Meadow Pipit.

Reports of around 50 waxwings on Smith Lane this morning at 8.30 am

6am - 8am New Butterworth Farm to Dimple Hall before work. Got to the muddy bit Dave, nearly tripped in it when i found it, looked up and they were there, 5-8 Brambling, thank you. This forum is a great resource Also here and surrounding area 27 species inc: Redwing 1 Reed Bunting 3 Lesser Redpoll c30 Curlew 1 Bullfinch 2 pair Siskin 35-40 Skylark 1 singing Great S Spotted Woodpecker 1

Lunchtime mooch around farmland after my good morning around Dunscar. Nothing like the birds here though.

Higher Critchley Fold :-
2 Meadow Pipits
1 Reed Bunting

New Butterworth :-
5 Redwings and the usual Chaffinches and Lesser Redpolls. I did not see any Bramblings for a while but then a couple flew in from Cox Green Road. Again the only place to see them was from the path down to Whittle Hill Farm (Siss Hey on the A-Z map). I picked out 4 birds when I finally found them, again in the copse behind the stable block. You know you are stood in the right place when you are ankle deep in water from the melting snow which came down last night.

Cox Green Meadow :-
2 Reed Buntings

Covered 6.30-8.00am & 3.30-5.00pm. Didn't see the Bramblings but still plenty to see here. Highlights as follows Stonechat 1 f in young plantation Cormorant 1 FNW Lesser black backed Gull 25 FNW Siskin 25 minimum Lesser Redpoll 10 Also 15 other species Thanks David for the info, I'll catch up with them tomorrow, hopefully

I checked the Bramblings again at 7.50am. Difficult to get an exact number as they were commuting between the copse at New Butterworth Farm and Cox Green Road, but there were at least a dozen. as usual they were mixed with at least 10 Lesser Redpolls and Chaffinches. 3 Redwings also present.

The hedge behind the farm had a pair of Reed Buntings, and in the field with the horses I saw a small flock of Meadow Pipits.

As usual Siskins were widespread along Cox Green Road from the quarry to Dimple. Estimate of 20+.

A quick look late morning to check on the the Bramblings in the small copse by the stables at New Butterworth. Only a couple this time, with a few Chaffinches and Lesser Redpolls, a Bullfinch, a couple of Dunnocks, and 6 Redwings.

An Oystercatcher was feeding on the churned up horse field, being closely watched by a Carrion Crow which seemed to be dancing around it. When some of the 60+ Jackdaws also to exception to it's presence it flew off over Turton Golf Course, heading towards Jumbles.

10.50 to 13.35. Cox Green Clough/Quarry, Cox Green Road & farms, Dimple area.

1 Grey Heron. Flying towards Whittle Hill Farm where I had seen frogs & frogspawn in a ditch earlier
1 Pheasant
3 Moorhens. Pair at Howarth's Fold Farm and one at new ponds at Dimple Chapel
A few Black-headed Gulls passing over
1 Herring Gull flying over, very low for a change
22 Woodpigeons
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. One in the clough & one at Dimple
1 Skylark on the lower fields, lots more heard from higher up on Whittle Hill
2 Meadow Pipits
17 Wrens
7 Dunnocks
30+ Robins
7 Blackbirds
30+ Fieldfares at Little Stanrose
4 Redwings at New Butterworth with a Fieldfare
1 Song Thrush
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Chiffchaff at Whittle Hill Farm
4 Long-tailed Tits
3 Coal Tits
30+ Blue Tits
10+ Great Tits
2 Nuthatches in the clough
3 Jays
19 Magpies
60+ Jackdaws
9 Carrion Crows
1 Raven, being chased by Crows as usual
20+ Starlings
10+ House Sparrows
12 Bramblings at New Butterworth. A week ago I was happy to see one here. Numbers have built up nicely since.
26 Chaffinches
7 Greenfinches
13 Goldfinches
15+ Lesser Redpolls. Very difficult to count as they are moving about all over the area
30+ Siskins, spread throughout the area
6 Bullfinches
4 Reed Buntings. 3 at New Butterworth + one between Dimple Hall & Horridge's Farm

Much the same as last week on a walk along Cox Green Road in the morning and through the farms in the afternoon. Different birds included :-

1 Green Woodpecker around Dimple at 8.30am and again at 12.50pm.

3 Bramblings at New Butterworth. Only one last week.

1 Meadow Pipit between New Butterworth & Whittle Hill Farm. The only one I saw during 6 hours birding today. Where are they all ? I normally get wintering ones and I expected summering ones back.

Spent most of the morning (7.25am to 11.45am) around the whole of Cox Green & Dimple. Cracking sunny morning with no wind, being serenaded by lots of Skylarks, and even came across a Small Tortoiseshell.
Surprisingly no Meadow Pipits, and still waiting for Curlews and Linnets.

1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
2 Pheasants
1 Jack Snipe on Whittle Hill. Flushed from the Lancs side of the path further into Lancs. Sorry Ian! At least when I flushed three last winter I got one to change counties.
A dozen or so Black-headed Gulls flying over
3 Stock Doves back in Cox Green Quarry
23 Woodpigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
29 Skylarks seen, must have been more across Turton Heights. I only counted the ones seen from footpaths.
1 Pied Wagtail
5 Wrens
17 Dunnocks
24 Robins
18 Blackbirds
21 Fieldfares at Little Stanrose
1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, & 1 Mistle Thrush with the Fieldfares
Numerous Blue Tits & Great Tits
1 Nuthatch
19 Magpies, nest building well advanced
50+ Jackdaws in the quarry
7 Carrion Crows
15 Starlings
c10 House Sparrows
24 Chaffinches
1 Brambling with most of the Redpolls at New Butterworth
4 Greenfinches
10+ Goldfinches
20+ Siskins
12 Lesser Redpolls
4 Bullfinches
3 Reed Buntings (2m + 1f)

10 Fieldfares flying over Cox Green Quarry and Turton Golf Course at 10.45am

12.50 to 14.30

Dimple area :-
Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Mistle Thrushes, 30+ Starlings, 2 Greenfinches, 20+ Goldfinches, 15 Siskins.

Dimple Hall :-
1 Kestrel, 1 Raven being chased over by Carrion Crows.

Little Stanrose Farm :-
9 Fieldfares with a flock of 100+ Starlings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Lesser Redpolls.

Cox Green Meadow :-
4 Reed Buntings with a few Goldfinches, Siskins, and Bullfinches.

10+ Redwings in Cox Green Clough this morning, with a Mistle Thrush and a couple of Nuthatches.

Only common garden birds along Cox Green Road.

Nothing around the farms except a biting cold wind and sleet.

10.15am to 12.25am. Cox Green area.

Hardly anything through the farms until I got to Dimple Hall, when a ghostly figure appeared out of the fog. A BARN OWL landed on a fence post not far away for a few minutes
giving great views. Flew off again when it saw me.

Other birds :-
4 Woodpigeons
3 Wrens
2 Robins
10 Blackbirds
1 Fieldfare at Dimple Hall
12 Redwings in Cox Green Clough
1 Song Thrush in Cox Green Clough
1 Mistle Thrush at Little Stanrose Farm
A few Blue Tits and Great Tits
1 Jay
9 Magpies
6 Carrion Crows
1 Jackdaw
17 Chaffinches, split between Little Stanrose and Cox Green Meadow
4 Greenfinches
22 Goldfinces at Cox Green Meadow
c35 Lesser Redpolls at Cox Green Meadow. A couple had red breasts rather surprisingly. Certainly not spring weather.
7 Bullfinches spread between Clough/Quarry/Meadow.

9.45am to 12.15pm. Cox Green & Dimple. Most sightings around the farmland. Hardly anything in Cox Green Quarry/Clough

1 Pheasant
2 Moorhens at Dimple Chapel on newly made ponds. I had a chat about them and they are trying to attract birds and dragonflies. There also plans to create a wildflower garden.
Looks good already with the Moorhens moving over from the pond at Howarth's Fold Farm.
9 Woodpigeons
1 Green Woodpecker at Dimple Hall
5 Meadow Pipits
1 Pied Wagtail
3 Wrens
2 Dunnocks
5 Robins
16 Blackbirds
1 Fieldfare at Little Stanrose
1 Redwing at Dimple Hall
1 Mistle Thrush at New Butterworth
2 Goldcrests at Dimple Park
Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits
1 Nuthatch at Dimple Hall
3 Jays
19 Magpies
60+ Jackdaws
10 Carrion Crows
13 Starlings
14 Chaffinches
7 Greenfinches
32 Goldfinches
1 Siskin
5 Lesser Redpolls at New Butterworth
Bullfinches heard in the quarry
1 Reed Bunting at Little Stanrose

9.40am to 12.25pm. Not much about during a thorough search.

Cox Green Quarry. The paths are now so wet a couple of times the water went over the top of my boots. Not surprisingly a Grey Heron and a pair of Mallards were present.
A Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll were amongst the few birds there.

Cox Green Farms :-
1 Snipe on the footpath near New Butterworth. Flew up to Turton Heights when flushed where they are regular in winter on the bogs. The footpaths are also bogs at the moment.
12 Meadow Pipits
1 Fieldfare at Little Stanrose feeding on hawthorn berries
3 Redwings at New Butterworth

Dimple :-
1 Moorhen on pond at Howarth's Fold Farm
1 Fieldfare feeding on hawthorn berries

9.30am a Sparrowhawk over Delph Brook Way was being mobbed by 4 Goldfinches. Nuthatches were calling nearby.

A Dipper on Delph Brook below Longworth Road

What sounded like a Brambling flew from Egerton to Delph Reservoir