1 pair of Common Sandpiper, flying back and forth over the reservoir 1 Cuckoo calling from Cock Wood 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 31st of May 2014 10:40:06 PM
David Walsh said
Sat May 31 11:05 AM, 2014
Saturday 31st May 2014, 7.45 - 10.00am
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and WIld Bank
Overcast and damp for the first hour and a half - quiet, bird-wise, with a noticable lack of usual finches, other than: 10+ Lesser Redpolls in the birch of Wild Bank Moor - very vocal and mobile 10+ Chaffinches, singing loudly everywhere 1 Cuckoo calling from Cock Wood 2 Skylarks singing 30+ Meadow Pipits, including young 10+ Song Thrushes, including young 3 Mistle Thrushes 10+ Willow Warblers 1 Chiffchaff only, singing near Walkerwood Dam 6+ Whitethroats Blackcap singing, not seen 1 Pied Wagtail on the dam Family group of Wrens at Flaxfield
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 31st of May 2014 11:09:03 AM
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 31st of May 2014 11:09:34 AM
David Walsh said
Thu May 29 9:35 PM, 2014
Thursday 29th May 2014, 7.30 - 8.30pm
Walkerwood Dam
1 Tawny Owl giving excellent views perched above the overflow, being harangued by several very noisy blackbirds. 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker Jay squabbling with a Magpie. Both went very quiet when the Owl appeared. 1 Pied Wagtail 2 Mallard ducks with at least 14 ducklings between them 1 Moorhen in the overflow, but no sign of last week's youngster. May explain the presence of the Tawny Owl
David Walsh said
Wed May 28 7:33 AM, 2014
Wednesday 28th May 2014, 6.00 -7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper 1 Grey Heron 1 male Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 28th of May 2014 07:34:02 AM
David Walsh said
Tue May 27 7:16 AM, 2014
Tuesday 27th May 2014, 6.00am
Walkerwood Dam
1 Kestrel over the dam 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
David Walsh said
Mon May 26 9:24 AM, 2014
Monday 26th May 2014, 6.00 - 8.30am
What a difference an early start and a bit of good weather makes! Brushes cannot match the excitement of Elton Reservoir, but I've had a cracking morning in the sunshine.
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank, and Flaxfield
1 pair of Cuckoos flying around from Cock Wood, to Range House, and back again, being mobbed by a dozen or so Meadow Pipits. The Cuckoos tried to settle in the trees but weren't allowed to by some very feisty Pipits. 1 other Cuckoo calling, at the Shaw Moor end of Wild Bank Moor 1 Buzzard over Harridge 1 Sparrowhawk from the Country Park and over Walkerwood Reservoir 8+ Lesser Redpolls 1 pair of Linnets, plus 2 singing males 1 male Bullfinch 6+ Chaffinches 6+ Goldfinches, including young 5 Greenfinches 1 Red Grouse on Wild Bank Moor 2 Skylarks singing 2 Pied Wagtails 4 Whitethroats 10+ Willow Warblers 3 Chiffchaffs 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Usual selection of tits around Walkerwood Dam, including 6 Long-tailed Tits with young
David Walsh said
Sat May 24 6:57 PM, 2014
Saturday 24th May 2014, 6.00pm
Walkerwood Dam, after the rain.
1 Common Sandpiper, piping very loudly and excitedly at the Harridge corner of the dam 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker over into Cock Wood 1 Cuckoo calling from Harridge 3 Chaffinches singing against each other
Ashley Edwards said
Sat May 24 12:44 PM, 2014
Many thanks David!
David Walsh said
Fri May 23 11:14 PM, 2014
Friday 23rd May 2014, 9.30pm
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper 1 pair of Canada Geese with 2 goslings 1 injured looking Mallard duck with a rapidly dwindling group of ducklings - down from 8 on Monday to 3 tonight
David Walsh said
Fri May 23 10:19 AM, 2014
Ashley Edwards wrote:
David, which route do you take to go through Cock Wood? Do you to along the path used by the anglers?
Ashley. I tend to drop into Cock Wood from one of the paths that come from the rifle range end, and continue along the side of the moor above Walkerwood Reservoir. The path then drops down into the wood, and eventually goes between the first and second reservoir, and on to the Harridge side. Once I get into the wood, I tend to go off road, and scramble around the wooded hillside. There's often a Tawny Owl hunting around the top edge of the wood at dawn or dusk.
Another option would to be to start at the gate near the cottages just before Brushes Reservoir, and walk down the path, and do the reverse to the above. Often Nuthatches and Treecreepers in those tall trees to the left.
I haven't seen the Cuckoos, but one has been in Cock Wood all week, and was calling loudly in the wind and rain at 6.30 this morning. Plenty of Meadow Pipit nests for them to choose from up on that moor!
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 23rd of May 2014 06:34:22 PM
Ashley Edwards said
Fri May 23 9:54 AM, 2014
David, which route do you take to go through Cock Wood? Do you to along the path used by the anglers?
David Walsh said
Thu May 22 9:07 PM, 2014
Thursday 22nd May 2014, 8.30pm
Walkerwood Dam, cold, wet, and windy.
1 Common Sandpiper 2 Cuckoos calling , from the Country Park, and Cock Wood
David Walsh said
Tue May 20 7:44 AM, 2014
Tuesday 20th May 2014, 6.00 - 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper 1 pair of Moorhen with 1 youngster 2 Cuckoos calling - 1 faintly from Harridge, 1 persistently from Cock Wood
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 20th of May 2014 07:46:23 AM
David Walsh said
Mon May 19 10:23 PM, 2014
Monday 19th May 2014, 9.30pm
Walkerwood Dam
Tawny Owl hooting from Cock Wood Very agitated Moorhen near the dam overflow
David Walsh said
Mon May 19 7:47 PM, 2014
Monday 19th May 2014, 7.00pm
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper 1 Wren being harassed by hungry youngsters 6 Swifts 1 female Mallard with 8 ducklings 1 dead female Mallard in the shallows with 6 drakes in a right old flap
David Walsh said
Sun May 18 11:14 AM, 2014
Sunday 18th May 2014, 8.15 - 10.30am
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank and Flaxfield
Another stunning morning, and much the same sightings as yesterday, plus:
2 Linnets singing in the gorse At least 4 Lesser Redpoll (again, difficult to count) 1 male Reed Bunting drinking from a trough in the field next to Brushes Road 15 singing Whitethroat counted
No sign of the Common Sandpiper today, but the dam was occupied by teenagers for most of yesterday afternoon and evening, cooling their feet.
Cuckoo still calling from Harridge Woods
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 18th of May 2014 01:59:22 PM
David Walsh said
Sat May 17 12:57 PM, 2014
Saturday 17th May 2014, 6.45 - 9.30am
From Walkerwood Dam, up to Wild Bank Moor and Flaxfield
Walkerwood Dam
Common Sandpiper 2 Whitethroats 4 Willow Warblers 1 Chiffchaff 1 female Blackcap 3 Song Thrushes, carrying food 3 Chaffinches Cuckoo calling from Harridge Woods Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
Wild Bank and Flaxfield
6+ Lesser Redpolls, almost certainly more - very difficult to count flying back and forth through the birch trees 8+ Whitethroats, singing everywhere 3 pairs of Greenfinch, including one with two youngsters 3 Chaffinches 10+ Willow Warblers 2 Chiffchaffs 6+ Song Thrushes carrying food Skylarks singing over the moor Flock of a dozen or so Starlings, including youngsters, picking around the fields of the farm. Unusual sighting away from the housing
David Walsh said
Thu May 8 8:58 PM, 2014
Thursday 8th May 2014, 8.30pm, last dogwalk.
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Common Sandpiper
David Walsh said
Thu May 8 10:42 AM, 2014
Thursday 8th May 2014, 9.00am
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Common Sandpiper 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 1 m Bullfinch 1 Lesser Redpoll 2 Goldfinch 2 Chaffinch 1 Pair of Blackcap 6+ Willow Warblers 1 Whitethroat singing 2 Chiffchaffs 2 Song Thrushes Coal, Blue, and Great Tits 2 Wrens 1 Moorhen on reservoir
David Walsh said
Wed May 7 2:37 PM, 2014
Wednesday 7th May 2014, 2.00pm
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Common Sandpiper at mouth of dam overflow. Flew off together to the Harridge shore.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 7th of May 2014 04:00:57 PM
David Walsh said
Tue May 6 7:45 AM, 2014
Tuesday 6th May 2014, 7.00 am
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper feeding at the mouth of the overflow
Stuart Pike said
Sun May 4 9:01 AM, 2014
Walked down from Swineshaw via Cock Wood and Wildbank yesterday about 5 until 6 pm - part of a longer yomp - see Hobsons Moor post. Highlights were Common Sandpiper on top reservoir, and a male and female Wheatear on the dam there. Could also hear a few Red Grouse from the same spot. Redpoll in wood at Scout Hut, and again at Wildbank.
David Walsh said
Sat May 3 10:34 AM, 2014
Saturday 3rd May 2014, 5.45 - 9.30am
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield - a frosty start, but a beautiful morning.
1 pair of Skylarks 1 Red Grouse 10+ Lesser Redpoll 2 Linnets singing 10+ Song Thrushes 2 Mistle Thrushes 3 Chiffchaffs 1 Green Woodpecker over the Country Park Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming at Flaxfield 1 Whitethroat 2 male, 1 female Blackcaps at Walkerwood Dam 1 Male Grey Wagtail in overflow 1 Moorhen in overflow Greenfinch Chaffinch Grasshopper Warbler 6+ Jays 1 Swallow Willow Warblers, Meadow Pipits, Dunnock, Blackbirds everywhere
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 3rd of May 2014 11:37:37 AM
David Walsh said
Mon Apr 28 9:48 PM, 2014
Monday 28th April 2014, 7.15 - 9.00pm
From Walkerwood Dam to Lower Swineshaw Scout Hut
6+ Lesser Redpoll at the Scout Hut 2 Chaffinch 1 male Bullfinch 2 Mistle Thrushes, singing loudly 1 Tawny Owl hooting from the woods by Brushes Reservoir 2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling, one at the top end of Brushes Reservoir, one near Walkerwood Dam 4 Curlew calling and displaying over the valley towards Lower Swineshaw
Stuart Pike said
Mon Apr 28 1:49 PM, 2014
A walk from Stocks Lane upto the Rifle Ranges and the area of young birch growth, at dusk yesterday, and again from 06:15 - 7:00 this morning.
Good few Redpoll, but missed the Whitethroats so far in the young birches. Also linnet here.
Blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff representing summer warblers ... but no Grasshopper Warblers (despite the overhead electricity cables buzzing nicely to get the excitement levels up for a second or two)
Meadow pipits and skylark on the moor. Bullfinch, jay and song thrushes highlights lower down.
Buzzard over this morning
David Walsh said
Sun Apr 27 11:33 AM, 2014
Sunday 27th April 2014, 8.00 - 10.30am
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield
Wild Bank
Skylark singing Meadow Pipits carrying food 4+ Linnets, males singing 12+ Lesser Redpoll, males singing 3 male Whitethroats singing - my first of the year 1 Swallow over the moor 2 Dunnock singing 2 female Yellow Wagtails, landed briefly on the moor, then headed off towards Brushes Valley 1 Red Grouse
Elsewhere:
1 pair of Greenfinch at Flaxfield 3 Swallows around Flaxfield Farm 1 male Grey Wagtail in Dam overflow Willow Warblers singing everywhere
David Walsh said
Sat Apr 26 8:42 PM, 2014
Saturday 26th April 2014, 8.00pm
Walkerwood Dam, last dogwalk
1 pair of Goosander fishing on the reservoir, illuminated by the setting sun. Female's head an amazing colour
David Walsh said
Sat Apr 26 11:39 AM, 2014
Saturday 26th April 2014, 7.45 - 10.30am, cold and damp for the first two hours.
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield
Skylark singing over the moor 6+ Linnets, some stunning males singing 10+ Lesser Redpolls, including a couple of pairs and singing males 1 pair of Bullfinch + 1 male Greenfinch singing 2 Song Thrushes 20 Willow Warblers singing 3 Chiffchaffs singing Grasshopper Warbler 1 Coal Tit carrying food 1 Wren carrying food No Whitethroats yet?
Tim Wilcox said
Thu Apr 24 6:13 PM, 2014
Start and end of a 6.5 mile circular walk onto the Hobson Moor thread and back! Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming Chiffchaff 3 Willow Warbler 23 counted but probably many more Red Grouse 2 at Higher Swineshaw Reservoir Curlew 3 heard none seen
Anyone going here be aware that the huge-scale National Grid work replacing pylons means you can't park beyond the western edge of Walkerwood Res
David Walsh said
Thu Apr 24 12:24 PM, 2014
Thursday 24th April 2014, 9.00 - 11.15am
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield, sunny and warm
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling from brambles in the same place as yesterday, visible the whole time 1 male Reed Bunting singing behind Range House 3 Skylarks singing 6+ Linnets, some singing and displaying At least 6 Lesser Redpolls, again very active - difficult to count in the dense gorse and birch 1 Mistle Thrush 2 Song Thrushes Willow Warblers singing everywhere 3 Chiffchaff singing Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the country park
David Walsh said
Wed Apr 23 7:54 AM, 2014
Wednesday 23rd April 2014, 6.15 - 7.15am
A quick dog walk before work in glorious sunshine
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the marsh grass off Brushes Road 12+ Lesser Redpoll very active in the gorse and birch - some handsomely marked males singing At least 2 Linnet singing, could hardly hear them for the Redpoll 1 male Stonechat 1 Buzzard
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 23rd of April 2014 09:57:26 AM
David Walsh said
Mon Apr 21 11:56 AM, 2014
Monday 21st April 2014, 8.45 - 10.30am
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield, on a sunny, mild, morning, with a light breeze, after yesterday's hooly!
Wild Bank Moor
6+ Linnets, including one pair and a couple of singing males 4 Lesser Redpolls 2 Swallows, my first of the year here 1 Red Grouse 1 Kestrel, mobbed by Carrion Crows 30+ Meadow Pipits Skylark, Willow Warbler, and Dunnock singing
Elsewhere
3 Wheatears dropped in to a field at Flaxfield to feed for half an hour 4 Linnets in the same field 1 male Stonechat 2 Song Thrushes
David Walsh said
Sat Apr 19 11:43 AM, 2014
Saturday 19th April 2014, 8.30 - 10.45am
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield
Wild Bank
1 pair of Stonechat 2 Linnet singing At least 12 Lesser Redpolls, almost certainly more, again in the young birch. More difficult to count today. Yesterday they flew up in two groups of 6 and 8. Today they were flying around the birch and gorse noisily in groups of twos and threes. 3+ Skylarks singing 7 Willow Warblers singing 1 Red Grouse Meadow Pipits!
Elsewhere
1 male Greenfinch Singing 1 pair of Chaffinch 2 Song Thrushes 5 Willow Warblers singing 3 Chiffchaff singing 1 Jay 1 Moorhen in the overflow
David Walsh said
Fri Apr 18 12:23 PM, 2014
Friday 18th April 2014, 8.00 - 9.30am
Walkerwood Dam, to Wild Bank Moor and Flaxfield, on a stunning spring morning
Wild Bank
1 Wheatear on the moor 4 Linnets, including some singing 14+ Lesser Redpoll in two groups, in the young birch trees at the foot of the moor. An unusual species for this area, but the new birch growth in the gorse seems to be attracting more species, and in greater numbers. Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Wren and Linnet numbers are already up this year in this particular area Skylark singing 1 Red Grouse Meadow Pipits everywhere
Elsewhere
1 male Stonechat at Flaxfield 1 male Greenfinch singing at Flaxfield 1 pair of Long-tailed tits near Dam 1 singing Blackcap on the fringe of the Country Park An abundance of singing Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs 1 Moorhen in dam overflow
David Walsh said
Wed Apr 16 8:04 AM, 2014
Wednesday 16th April 2014, 6.15 - 7.15am
A quick dog walk around the Rifle Ranges before work
12+ Linnets flying around the gorse, including several singing males At least 3 Skylarks displaying over the moor Pair of Bullfinch
David Walsh said
Tue Apr 15 7:59 AM, 2014
Tuesday 15th April 2014, 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper pulling worms from the stones on Walkerwood Dam 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Moorhen 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail
Plus a sorry looking Gadwall amongst a small group of Mallards?
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 15th of April 2014 08:01:12 AM
David Walsh said
Sun Apr 13 11:08 AM, 2014
Sunday 13th April 2014, 7.00 - 9.15am, a beautiful sunny, spring morning.
Walkerwood Dam, to Flaxfield, and Wild Bank Moor
Wild Bank Moor
40+ Meadow Pipits 4+ Skylarks 2 Red Grouse 1 Curlew over the moor 1 Buzzard 1 Linnet
plus
1 pair of Stonechat at Flaxfield 1 male Reed Bunting singing at the Sidebottom Fold side of Flaxfield Farm. Not seen them this side before
plus the usuals
David Walsh said
Sat Apr 12 11:27 AM, 2014
Saturday 12th April 2014, 8.00 -10.00am
From Walkerwood Dam, on to Wild Bank Moor, Flaxfield, back past the ranges. Overcast and cold.
Wild Bank, scanning for Wheatears, without joy:
2 Curlews circling and calling over the top of the moor 2 Red Grouse 40+ Meadow Pipits 6+ Skylarks, singing 4 Linnets in the young birch growth 5 Willow Warblers 2 Chiffchaffs 6+ Dunnocks singing 4 Wrens 1 Buzzard over from Wild Bank to Harridge 6+Blackbirds 1 Song Thrush
Elsewhere
1 male Stonechat at Flaxfield 1 Coal Tit at Dam 5 WIllow Warblers 3 Chiffchaffs 1 Jay
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of April 2014 11:29:23 AM
David Walsh said
Fri Apr 11 9:10 AM, 2014
Friday 11th April 2014, 7.00am
Common Sandpiper flew from shoreline of Walkerwood Dam, across the reservoir. Would have thought it slightly early for this species to be making its way up here? Pied Wagtail on dam
David Walsh said
Wed Apr 9 7:43 AM, 2014
Wednesday 9th April 2014, 6.30 - 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, one in the Country Park, one repeatedly returning to a telegraph pole next to the dam 1 Sparrowhawk over the Country Park 4 Blackbirds 1 Song Thrush, had the worms to itself this morning 3 Chiffchaffs 3 Willow Warblers 1 Bullfinch
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 9th of April 2014 07:45:15 AM
David Walsh said
Tue Apr 8 7:50 AM, 2014
Tuesday 8th April 2014, 6.30 - 7.00am
Along Walkerwood Dam, dry after heavy rain.
A lot of Blackbirds flying to and fro making the usual early morning commotion, but my attention was drawn to one male harrassing another bird which was eating a worm on the road of the dam itself. On closer inspection the other bird turned out, to my great surprise, to be a male Ring Ouzel. A Song Thrush joined the tug-of-war for the worm, and so I had the unusual sight of one of each bird in my vision at the same time. Sadly I am not a photographer, so the image will remain a memory for me alone. It is the first time I have seen a Ring Ouzel since my teenage years in the wilderness of the West Durham Dales, and did not expect to encounter one on Walkerwood Dam!
1 male Ring Ouzel 1 Song Thrush 6+ Blackbirds 4+ Wrens 1 pair of Grey Wagtail in dam overflow 1 pair of Moorhen, also in dam overflow 1 Pied Wagtail on dam wall 3 Chiffchaffs 2 Willow Warblers
David Walsh said
Sun Apr 6 11:33 AM, 2014
Sunday 6th April 2014, 8.30 - 10.00am
From Walkerwood Dam, up past the rifle ranges to Flaxfield and bottom of Wild Bank Moor
Dry and very mild
1 pair of Stonechat at Flaxfield - both birds very brightly plumaged - stunning male 7 Linnets in two groups, in the birch growth low down the moor 3 Willow Warblers singing, also in the birch 6+ Chiffchaffs singing, both at Walkerwood area and Flaxfield/Wild Bank 1 Red Grouse 4+ Skylarks singing 1 pair of Jays 10+ Dunnock, singing loudly, including at least 3 pairs in the gorse 6+ Wrens, including one pair 1 Buzzard circled Wild Bank, then flew down over Flaxfield and landed in the field behind Mottram Old Road 1 Song Thrush singing at the foot of Wild Bank Moor 1 Grey Heron over from Wild Bank towards Harridge 30+ Meadow Pipits, displaying everywhere 10+ very animated Carrion Crows plus Blackbirds, Robins, etc
David Walsh said
Sat Apr 5 10:51 AM, 2014
Saturday April 5th 2014, 7.00 - 8.45am
From Walkerwood Dam, up on to Wild Bank Moor, down to Flaxfield, back past the ranges.
An early start to avoid the rain, which we managed - just!
Walkerwood Dam
1 Cormorant on reservoir 3 Chiffchaffs singing 1 female Grey Wagtail in dam overflow 1 pair of Dunnock - more singing 6+ Meadow Pipits 6+ Blackbirds 1 Song Thrush singing in Cock Wood
Wild Bank
25+ Meadow Pipits At least 4 Skylarks singing 3 Red Grouse, including one pair 4 Linnets in the young birch growth low down on Wild Bank Moor - the first of the year 1 Willow Warbler singing in the same area - also the first of the year 6+ Dunnock, mainly in the gorse 3 Wren 1 Song Thrush 6+ Blackbirds
Flaxfield
2 Chiffchaff singing Another Willow Warbler singing
5 Cormorant flew over SW, down Brushes Valley from Chew direction, towards the airport 1 Skylark still singing very low down next to Brushes Road in the marsh grass, an area which I would have thought too busy to suit Skylarks?
David Walsh said
Thu Apr 3 12:38 PM, 2014
Thursday 3rd April 2014, 8.30 - 10.00am
From Walkerwood Dam to Flaxfield, and back. A very strong, cold wind blowing.
1 Buzzard hunting low over Harridge, another over Wild Bank later, possibly the same bird 40+ Meadow Pipits, displaying everywhere 4+ Skylarks singing, including one low down in the marsh grass next to Brushes Road 6+ Chiffchaffs singing, with at least 3 pairs in close proximity, flying around Walkerwood Dam area 6+ Dunnocks 10+ Blackbirds 1 Song Thrush 4 House Sparrows 6 Starlings 1 Pied Wagtail 6+ Blue Tits 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading east up Brushes Valley
David Walsh said
Mon Mar 31 7:46 AM, 2014
Monday 31st March 2014, 6.30 - 7.10am
A very quick dogwalk from Walkerwood Dam up to the bottom of Wild Bank Moor at first light
Skylark Song Thrush Blackbird Dunnock Chiffchaff, all singing
Red Grouse calling from the moor 10+ meadow pipits Male Sparrowhawk flew along dam overflow and into Cock Wood
-- Edited by David Walsh on Monday 31st of March 2014 07:47:23 AM
David Walsh said
Sun Mar 30 11:47 AM, 2014
Sunday 30th March 2014, 7.45 - 10.00am
From Walkerwood Dam, up on to Wild Bank Moor, down to Flaxfield, back past the ranges
Wild Bank Moor
1 male Wheatear, landed briefly in the fields at Flaxfield, before flying onto the moor 2 Red Grouse At least 4 Skylarks, 2 singing 50+ Meadow Pipits - everywhere at present 1 Song Thrush singing 3 Blackbirds 2 Wren 4+ Dunnocks singing 1 Chaffinch
Elsewhere
1 Green Woodpecker at Flaxfield 2 Chiffchaffs singing at Flaxfield, 2 in the country park
David Walsh said
Sat Mar 29 11:15 AM, 2014
Saturday 29th March 2014, 6.45 - 9.45am
From Walkerwood Dam, up on to Wild Bank Moor, down to Flaxfield, back past the ranges
Once the low cloud had cleared by 7am, a lovely morning, if a little breezy.
For once, I went out hoping to see something, and actually saw it! After the Wheatear sightings from lower down in the county over the past couple of weeks, I have been scanning the hills locally, but it is a little early, and the weather's not been brilliant this week. After spending over an hour this morning at the 1000ft contour of Wild Bank, counting meadow pipits, I decided to call it a day. Then, at 9.30, as I was looking for the recently elusive Stonechats lower down, before heading home for breakfast, three birds flew from Flaxfield and briefly landed in the young birch growth in the gorse, before flying onto the moor, flashing their white rumps and tail feathers.
2 male and 1 female Wheatears At least 4 singing Skylarks 2 pairs of Red Grouse, both males displaying 40+ Meadow Pipits, displaying everywhere 3 singing Chiffchaffs, 1 at Flaxfield, 2 in the country park 2 Chaffinch 2 Song Thrushes singing 15+ Blackbirds 10+ Robins 6+ Wrens 6+ Dunnocks 1 pair of Grey Wagtails in dam overflow 1 Sparrowhawk over dam 1 Cormorant on Walkerwood Reservoir 4 Black-headed Gulls on reservoir
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 29th of March 2014 11:16:59 AM
David Walsh said
Tue Mar 25 7:58 AM, 2014
Tuesday 25th March 2014 , 7.00am
Walkerwood Dam
Despite the awful weather, 4 Skylarks displaying over Harridge
Stuart Pike said
Mon Mar 24 10:59 PM, 2014
Good to meet David on Saturday at Walkerwood Dam - only thing to add was a Sparrowhawk over the Dam itself about 10 mins after we met. Missed the chats, and again this morning. Will keep trying.
David Walsh said
Sun Mar 23 3:11 PM, 2014
Sunday 23rd March 2014, 8.45 - 10.15am
From Walkerwood Dam to Wild Bank Moor, over to Flaxfield, and back past the Ranges
Dry and blustery, but cold out of the sun
1 pair of Grey Wagtails in dam overflow 1 male Stonechat at Flaxfield c15 Meadow Pipits, many displaying, and a few pairs 2 Grey Herons over together, south-east 2 Chiffchaff singing strongly in country park 2 Song Thrush singing 6+ Blackbirds 6+ Robins 6+ Wrens 6+ Dunnocks, singing in the gorse, after a quiet week No sign of the Skylarks today, but it was cold and windy up on the moor
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Common Sandpiper, flying back and forth over the reservoir
1 Cuckoo calling from Cock Wood
1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 31st of May 2014 10:40:06 PM
Walkerwood Dam, Flaxfield, and WIld Bank
Overcast and damp for the first hour and a half - quiet, bird-wise, with a noticable lack of usual finches, other than:
10+ Lesser Redpolls in the birch of Wild Bank Moor - very vocal and mobile
10+ Chaffinches, singing loudly everywhere
1 Cuckoo calling from Cock Wood
2 Skylarks singing
30+ Meadow Pipits, including young
10+ Song Thrushes, including young
3 Mistle Thrushes
10+ Willow Warblers
1 Chiffchaff only, singing near Walkerwood Dam
6+ Whitethroats
Blackcap singing, not seen
1 Pied Wagtail on the dam
Family group of Wrens at Flaxfield
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 31st of May 2014 11:09:03 AM
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 31st of May 2014 11:09:34 AM
Walkerwood Dam
1 Tawny Owl giving excellent views perched above the overflow, being harangued by several very noisy blackbirds.
1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker
Jay squabbling with a Magpie. Both went very quiet when the Owl appeared.
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Mallard ducks with at least 14 ducklings between them
1 Moorhen in the overflow, but no sign of last week's youngster. May explain the presence of the Tawny Owl
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Grey Heron
1 male Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 28th of May 2014 07:34:02 AM
Walkerwood Dam
1 Kestrel over the dam
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
What a difference an early start and a bit of good weather makes! Brushes cannot match the excitement of Elton Reservoir, but I've had a cracking morning in the sunshine.
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank, and Flaxfield
1 pair of Cuckoos flying around from Cock Wood, to Range House, and back again, being mobbed by a dozen or so Meadow Pipits. The Cuckoos tried to settle in the trees but weren't allowed to by some very feisty Pipits.
1 other Cuckoo calling, at the Shaw Moor end of Wild Bank Moor
1 Buzzard over Harridge
1 Sparrowhawk from the Country Park and over Walkerwood Reservoir
8+ Lesser Redpolls
1 pair of Linnets, plus 2 singing males
1 male Bullfinch
6+ Chaffinches
6+ Goldfinches, including young
5 Greenfinches
1 Red Grouse on Wild Bank Moor
2 Skylarks singing
2 Pied Wagtails
4 Whitethroats
10+ Willow Warblers
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Usual selection of tits around Walkerwood Dam, including 6 Long-tailed Tits with young
Walkerwood Dam, after the rain.
1 Common Sandpiper, piping very loudly and excitedly at the Harridge corner of the dam
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker over into Cock Wood
1 Cuckoo calling from Harridge
3 Chaffinches singing against each other
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper
1 pair of Canada Geese with 2 goslings
1 injured looking Mallard duck with a rapidly dwindling group of ducklings - down from 8 on Monday to 3 tonight
Ashley. I tend to drop into Cock Wood from one of the paths that come from the rifle range end, and continue along the side of the moor above Walkerwood Reservoir. The path then drops down into the wood, and eventually goes between the first and second reservoir, and on to the Harridge side. Once I get into the wood, I tend to go off road, and scramble around the wooded hillside. There's often a Tawny Owl hunting around the top edge of the wood at dawn or dusk.
Another option would to be to start at the gate near the cottages just before Brushes Reservoir, and walk down the path, and do the reverse to the above. Often Nuthatches and Treecreepers in those tall trees to the left.
I haven't seen the Cuckoos, but one has been in Cock Wood all week, and was calling loudly in the wind and rain at 6.30 this morning. Plenty of Meadow Pipit nests for them to choose from up on that moor!
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 23rd of May 2014 06:34:22 PM
Walkerwood Dam, cold, wet, and windy.
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Cuckoos calling , from the Country Park, and Cock Wood
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper
1 pair of Moorhen with 1 youngster
2 Cuckoos calling - 1 faintly from Harridge, 1 persistently from Cock Wood
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 20th of May 2014 07:46:23 AM
Walkerwood Dam
Tawny Owl hooting from Cock Wood
Very agitated Moorhen near the dam overflow
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Wren being harassed by hungry youngsters
6 Swifts
1 female Mallard with 8 ducklings
1 dead female Mallard in the shallows with 6 drakes in a right old flap
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank and Flaxfield
Another stunning morning, and much the same sightings as yesterday, plus:
2 Linnets singing in the gorse
At least 4 Lesser Redpoll (again, difficult to count)
1 male Reed Bunting drinking from a trough in the field next to Brushes Road
15 singing Whitethroat counted
No sign of the Common Sandpiper today, but the dam was occupied by teenagers for most of yesterday afternoon and evening, cooling their feet.
Cuckoo still calling from Harridge Woods
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 18th of May 2014 01:59:22 PM
From Walkerwood Dam, up to Wild Bank Moor and Flaxfield
Walkerwood Dam
Common Sandpiper
2 Whitethroats
4 Willow Warblers
1 Chiffchaff
1 female Blackcap
3 Song Thrushes, carrying food
3 Chaffinches
Cuckoo calling from Harridge Woods
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
Wild Bank and Flaxfield
6+ Lesser Redpolls, almost certainly more - very difficult to count flying back and forth through the birch trees
8+ Whitethroats, singing everywhere
3 pairs of Greenfinch, including one with two youngsters
3 Chaffinches
10+ Willow Warblers
2 Chiffchaffs
6+ Song Thrushes carrying food
Skylarks singing over the moor
Flock of a dozen or so Starlings, including youngsters, picking around the fields of the farm. Unusual sighting away from the housing
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Common Sandpiper
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Common Sandpiper
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
1 m Bullfinch
1 Lesser Redpoll
2 Goldfinch
2 Chaffinch
1 Pair of Blackcap
6+ Willow Warblers
1 Whitethroat singing
2 Chiffchaffs
2 Song Thrushes
Coal, Blue, and Great Tits
2 Wrens
1 Moorhen on reservoir
Walkerwood Dam
1 pair of Common Sandpiper at mouth of dam overflow. Flew off together to the Harridge shore.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 7th of May 2014 04:00:57 PM
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper feeding at the mouth of the overflow
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield - a frosty start, but a beautiful morning.
1 pair of Skylarks
1 Red Grouse
10+ Lesser Redpoll
2 Linnets singing
10+ Song Thrushes
2 Mistle Thrushes
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Green Woodpecker over the Country Park
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming at Flaxfield
1 Whitethroat
2 male, 1 female Blackcaps at Walkerwood Dam
1 Male Grey Wagtail in overflow
1 Moorhen in overflow
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Grasshopper Warbler
6+ Jays
1 Swallow
Willow Warblers, Meadow Pipits, Dunnock, Blackbirds everywhere
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 3rd of May 2014 11:37:37 AM
From Walkerwood Dam to Lower Swineshaw Scout Hut
6+ Lesser Redpoll at the Scout Hut
2 Chaffinch
1 male Bullfinch
2 Mistle Thrushes, singing loudly
1 Tawny Owl hooting from the woods by Brushes Reservoir
2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling, one at the top end of Brushes Reservoir, one near Walkerwood Dam
4 Curlew calling and displaying over the valley towards Lower Swineshaw
Good few Redpoll, but missed the Whitethroats so far in the young birches. Also linnet here.
Blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff representing summer warblers ... but no Grasshopper Warblers (despite the overhead electricity cables buzzing nicely to get the excitement levels up for a second or two)
Meadow pipits and skylark on the moor. Bullfinch, jay and song thrushes highlights lower down.
Buzzard over this morning
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield
Wild Bank
Skylark singing
Meadow Pipits carrying food
4+ Linnets, males singing
12+ Lesser Redpoll, males singing
3 male Whitethroats singing - my first of the year
1 Swallow over the moor
2 Dunnock singing
2 female Yellow Wagtails, landed briefly on the moor, then headed off towards Brushes Valley
1 Red Grouse
Elsewhere:
1 pair of Greenfinch at Flaxfield
3 Swallows around Flaxfield Farm
1 male Grey Wagtail in Dam overflow
Willow Warblers singing everywhere
Walkerwood Dam, last dogwalk
1 pair of Goosander fishing on the reservoir, illuminated by the setting sun. Female's head an amazing colour
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield
Skylark singing over the moor
6+ Linnets, some stunning males singing
10+ Lesser Redpolls, including a couple of pairs and singing males
1 pair of Bullfinch + 1 male
Greenfinch singing
2 Song Thrushes
20 Willow Warblers singing
3 Chiffchaffs singing
Grasshopper Warbler
1 Coal Tit carrying food
1 Wren carrying food
No Whitethroats yet?
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
Chiffchaff 3
Willow Warbler 23 counted but probably many more
Red Grouse 2 at Higher Swineshaw Reservoir
Curlew 3 heard none seen
Anyone going here be aware that the huge-scale National Grid work replacing pylons means you can't park beyond the western edge of Walkerwood Res
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield, sunny and warm
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling from brambles in the same place as yesterday, visible the whole time
1 male Reed Bunting singing behind Range House
3 Skylarks singing
6+ Linnets, some singing and displaying
At least 6 Lesser Redpolls, again very active - difficult to count in the dense gorse and birch
1 Mistle Thrush
2 Song Thrushes
Willow Warblers singing everywhere
3 Chiffchaff singing
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the country park
A quick dog walk before work in glorious sunshine
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the marsh grass off Brushes Road
12+ Lesser Redpoll very active in the gorse and birch - some handsomely marked males singing
At least 2 Linnet singing, could hardly hear them for the Redpoll
1 male Stonechat
1 Buzzard
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 23rd of April 2014 09:57:26 AM
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield, on a sunny, mild, morning, with a light breeze, after yesterday's hooly!
Wild Bank Moor
6+ Linnets, including one pair and a couple of singing males
4 Lesser Redpolls
2 Swallows, my first of the year here
1 Red Grouse
1 Kestrel, mobbed by Carrion Crows
30+ Meadow Pipits
Skylark, Willow Warbler, and Dunnock singing
Elsewhere
3 Wheatears dropped in to a field at Flaxfield to feed for half an hour
4 Linnets in the same field
1 male Stonechat
2 Song Thrushes
Walkerwood Dam, Wild Bank Moor, and Flaxfield
Wild Bank
1 pair of Stonechat
2 Linnet singing
At least 12 Lesser Redpolls, almost certainly more, again in the young birch. More difficult to count today. Yesterday they flew up in two groups of 6 and 8. Today they were flying around the birch and gorse noisily in groups of twos and threes.
3+ Skylarks singing
7 Willow Warblers singing
1 Red Grouse
Meadow Pipits!
Elsewhere
1 male Greenfinch Singing
1 pair of Chaffinch
2 Song Thrushes
5 Willow Warblers singing
3 Chiffchaff singing
1 Jay
1 Moorhen in the overflow
Walkerwood Dam, to Wild Bank Moor and Flaxfield, on a stunning spring morning
Wild Bank
1 Wheatear on the moor
4 Linnets, including some singing
14+ Lesser Redpoll in two groups, in the young birch trees at the foot of the moor. An unusual species for this area, but the new birch growth in the gorse seems to be attracting more species, and in greater numbers. Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Wren and Linnet numbers are already up this year in this particular area
Skylark singing
1 Red Grouse
Meadow Pipits everywhere
Elsewhere
1 male Stonechat at Flaxfield
1 male Greenfinch singing at Flaxfield
1 pair of Long-tailed tits near Dam
1 singing Blackcap on the fringe of the Country Park
An abundance of singing Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs
1 Moorhen in dam overflow
A quick dog walk around the Rifle Ranges before work
12+ Linnets flying around the gorse, including several singing males
At least 3 Skylarks displaying over the moor
Pair of Bullfinch
Walkerwood Dam
1 Common Sandpiper pulling worms from the stones on Walkerwood Dam
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Moorhen
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
Plus a sorry looking Gadwall amongst a small group of Mallards?
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 15th of April 2014 08:01:12 AM
Walkerwood Dam, to Flaxfield, and Wild Bank Moor
Wild Bank Moor
40+ Meadow Pipits
4+ Skylarks
2 Red Grouse
1 Curlew over the moor
1 Buzzard
1 Linnet
plus
1 pair of Stonechat at Flaxfield
1 male Reed Bunting singing at the Sidebottom Fold side of Flaxfield Farm. Not seen them this side before
plus the usuals
From Walkerwood Dam, on to Wild Bank Moor, Flaxfield, back past the ranges. Overcast and cold.
Wild Bank, scanning for Wheatears, without joy:
2 Curlews circling and calling over the top of the moor
2 Red Grouse
40+ Meadow Pipits
6+ Skylarks, singing
4 Linnets in the young birch growth
5 Willow Warblers
2 Chiffchaffs
6+ Dunnocks singing
4 Wrens
1 Buzzard over from Wild Bank to Harridge
6+Blackbirds
1 Song Thrush
Elsewhere
1 male Stonechat at Flaxfield
1 Coal Tit at Dam
5 WIllow Warblers
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Jay
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of April 2014 11:29:23 AM
Common Sandpiper flew from shoreline of Walkerwood Dam, across the reservoir. Would have thought it slightly early for this species to be making its way up here?
Pied Wagtail on dam
Walkerwood Dam
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, one in the Country Park, one repeatedly returning to a telegraph pole next to the dam
1 Sparrowhawk over the Country Park
4 Blackbirds
1 Song Thrush, had the worms to itself this morning
3 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warblers
1 Bullfinch
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 9th of April 2014 07:45:15 AM
Along Walkerwood Dam, dry after heavy rain.
A lot of Blackbirds flying to and fro making the usual early morning commotion, but my attention was drawn to one male harrassing another bird which was eating a worm on the road of the dam itself. On closer inspection the other bird turned out, to my great surprise, to be a male Ring Ouzel. A Song Thrush joined the tug-of-war for the worm, and so I had the unusual sight of one of each bird in my vision at the same time. Sadly I am not a photographer, so the image will remain a memory for me alone. It is the first time I have seen a Ring Ouzel since my teenage years in the wilderness of the West Durham Dales, and did not expect to encounter one on Walkerwood Dam!
1 male Ring Ouzel
1 Song Thrush
6+ Blackbirds
4+ Wrens
1 pair of Grey Wagtail in dam overflow
1 pair of Moorhen, also in dam overflow
1 Pied Wagtail on dam wall
3 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
From Walkerwood Dam, up past the rifle ranges to Flaxfield and bottom of Wild Bank Moor
Dry and very mild
1 pair of Stonechat at Flaxfield - both birds very brightly plumaged - stunning male
7 Linnets in two groups, in the birch growth low down the moor
3 Willow Warblers singing, also in the birch
6+ Chiffchaffs singing, both at Walkerwood area and Flaxfield/Wild Bank
1 Red Grouse
4+ Skylarks singing
1 pair of Jays
10+ Dunnock, singing loudly, including at least 3 pairs in the gorse
6+ Wrens, including one pair
1 Buzzard circled Wild Bank, then flew down over Flaxfield and landed in the field behind Mottram Old Road
1 Song Thrush singing at the foot of Wild Bank Moor
1 Grey Heron over from Wild Bank towards Harridge
30+ Meadow Pipits, displaying everywhere
10+ very animated Carrion Crows
plus Blackbirds, Robins, etc
From Walkerwood Dam, up on to Wild Bank Moor, down to Flaxfield, back past the ranges.
An early start to avoid the rain, which we managed - just!
Walkerwood Dam
1 Cormorant on reservoir
3 Chiffchaffs singing
1 female Grey Wagtail in dam overflow
1 pair of Dunnock - more singing
6+ Meadow Pipits
6+ Blackbirds
1 Song Thrush singing in Cock Wood
Wild Bank
25+ Meadow Pipits
At least 4 Skylarks singing
3 Red Grouse, including one pair
4 Linnets in the young birch growth low down on Wild Bank Moor - the first of the year
1 Willow Warbler singing in the same area - also the first of the year
6+ Dunnock, mainly in the gorse
3 Wren
1 Song Thrush
6+ Blackbirds
Flaxfield
2 Chiffchaff singing
Another Willow Warbler singing
5 Cormorant flew over SW, down Brushes Valley from Chew direction, towards the airport
1 Skylark still singing very low down next to Brushes Road in the marsh grass, an area which I would have thought too busy to suit Skylarks?
From Walkerwood Dam to Flaxfield, and back. A very strong, cold wind blowing.
1 Buzzard hunting low over Harridge, another over Wild Bank later, possibly the same bird
40+ Meadow Pipits, displaying everywhere
4+ Skylarks singing, including one low down in the marsh grass next to Brushes Road
6+ Chiffchaffs singing, with at least 3 pairs in close proximity, flying around Walkerwood Dam area
6+ Dunnocks
10+ Blackbirds
1 Song Thrush
4 House Sparrows
6 Starlings
1 Pied Wagtail
6+ Blue Tits
15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading east up Brushes Valley
A very quick dogwalk from Walkerwood Dam up to the bottom of Wild Bank Moor at first light
Skylark
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Dunnock
Chiffchaff, all singing
Red Grouse calling from the moor
10+ meadow pipits
Male Sparrowhawk flew along dam overflow and into Cock Wood
-- Edited by David Walsh on Monday 31st of March 2014 07:47:23 AM
From Walkerwood Dam, up on to Wild Bank Moor, down to Flaxfield, back past the ranges
Wild Bank Moor
1 male Wheatear, landed briefly in the fields at Flaxfield, before flying onto the moor
2 Red Grouse
At least 4 Skylarks, 2 singing
50+ Meadow Pipits - everywhere at present
1 Song Thrush singing
3 Blackbirds
2 Wren
4+ Dunnocks singing
1 Chaffinch
Elsewhere
1 Green Woodpecker at Flaxfield
2 Chiffchaffs singing at Flaxfield, 2 in the country park
From Walkerwood Dam, up on to Wild Bank Moor, down to Flaxfield, back past the ranges
Once the low cloud had cleared by 7am, a lovely morning, if a little breezy.
For once, I went out hoping to see something, and actually saw it! After the Wheatear sightings from lower down in the county over the past couple of weeks, I have been scanning the hills locally, but it is a little early, and the weather's not been brilliant this week. After spending over an hour this morning at the 1000ft contour of Wild Bank, counting meadow pipits, I decided to call it a day. Then, at 9.30, as I was looking for the recently elusive Stonechats lower down, before heading home for breakfast, three birds flew from Flaxfield and briefly landed in the young birch growth in the gorse, before flying onto the moor, flashing their white rumps and tail feathers.
2 male and 1 female Wheatears
At least 4 singing Skylarks
2 pairs of Red Grouse, both males displaying
40+ Meadow Pipits, displaying everywhere
3 singing Chiffchaffs, 1 at Flaxfield, 2 in the country park
2 Chaffinch
2 Song Thrushes singing
15+ Blackbirds
10+ Robins
6+ Wrens
6+ Dunnocks
1 pair of Grey Wagtails in dam overflow
1 Sparrowhawk over dam
1 Cormorant on Walkerwood Reservoir
4 Black-headed Gulls on reservoir
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 29th of March 2014 11:16:59 AM
Walkerwood Dam
Despite the awful weather, 4 Skylarks displaying over Harridge
From Walkerwood Dam to Wild Bank Moor, over to Flaxfield, and back past the Ranges
Dry and blustery, but cold out of the sun
1 pair of Grey Wagtails in dam overflow
1 male Stonechat at Flaxfield
c15 Meadow Pipits, many displaying, and a few pairs
2 Grey Herons over together, south-east
2 Chiffchaff singing strongly in country park
2 Song Thrush singing
6+ Blackbirds
6+ Robins
6+ Wrens
6+ Dunnocks, singing in the gorse, after a quiet week
No sign of the Skylarks today, but it was cold and windy up on the moor
Otherwise a quiet morning