Rained most of the time, with patchy visibility, although it brightened up as I was leaving.
No sign of Wheatears or any Stonechats throughout.
Georges Lane
3 Bullfinches and 1 Lapwing, otherwise just crows and a few Black Headed Gulls.
Burnt Edge
Lots of Meadow Pipits, showing well, allowing close approach and displaying, but no other passerines
Holdens Farm
3 Ravens and a flock of 19 Fieldfares.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 1 9:36 PM, 2016
A female Marsh Harrier flew NE over Smithills Moor today.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Dan Brown said
Thu Mar 31 10:21 PM, 2016
17:30 - 19:15
George's Lane
2 Stonechat (1m, 1f)
Edge Lane
4 Wheatear (3m , 1f)
Coal Pit Lane
1 Stonechat (m)
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Mar 31 5:33 PM, 2016
Highlights of 8am until midday today; Andy Makin present 7-9am but low cloud didn't really clear until 8am:
A tight flock of 11 Twite flew low north across the moor at around 09:40.
2837 Meadow Pipit (including 472 which Andy Makin had from Georges Lane 8-9am, the rest were spread on a broad front from Two Lads Hill to Deans Ditch 8-11:30) heading low north across the moors; a fantastic sight.
11 Wheatear, included 3 Andy Makin had moving quickly through near Georges Lane pre-9am (one male of which landed on his scope!) and I had 8 in less than five minutes just after 9am which moved briskly through Two Lads Hill, consisting of four males and four females ('phonescoped male attached).
3 Greylag Geese headed over SE (Andy had one from Georges early on and I had two from Two Lads Hill mid morning).
There was a carnival taking place beyond the kennels on Georges Lane, so there were few birds about, and certainly no Wheatears.
Wilderswood/ Georges Lane : 1 singing Skylark, 1 Lapwing and 1 Kestrel.
Burnt Edge
Meadow Pipit displaying was in full swing throughout the moor, with 6 birds parachuting along Burnt Edge alone.
Whilst flying over were 1 Grey Heron, 2 Curlews and 4 Ravens. A Buzzard patrolled high above Walker Fold.
2 Goldcrests were in Sugarloaf Plantation, A male Reed Bunting appeared to be on territory by Holdens Plantation.
1m+1f Stonechats by the kissing gate where the path from Holdens reaches Mast Road.
gary lilley said
Sun Mar 20 1:13 PM, 2016
Heard a red grouse , flushed a woodcock on top of winter hill , 2 heron hunting frogs in a small pool next to mast road , 4 crossbill flew from wilderswood area towards the pike .
jdanson said
Sat Mar 19 6:07 PM, 2016
Pleasant day around Holdens Farm, 2 pair of lapwings behind farm, single snipe on moor field behind farm and the nicest sight a pair of English partridges in front of the farm.
Simon Warford said
Sun Mar 13 7:55 PM, 2016
3 Crossbill in Wilderswood late afternoon near the clearing.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Mar 11 2:10 PM, 2016
A single Golden Plover singing on the moor north of the mast just over in Lancs this afternoon.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 7 6:43 PM, 2016
From Georges Lane, 07:30 to 09:15 today:
Single Crossbill N 15 Skylark NNE
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Mar 5 7:02 PM, 2016
A brief spell 9-11am from Georges Lane this morning included:
15 Whooper Swan NW over HorwicH 9 Siskin N 20 Skylark NE including a group of 13
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 24 10:14 PM, 2016
Amongst visible migration totals from Georges Lane this morning were 32 Chaffinch, 17 Siskin and 3 Crossbill NW over plus another 6 Crossbills (including 5 males) briefly down in trees just on the Lancashire side of the road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Paul Richardson said
Sat Feb 13 10:45 PM, 2016
Cooold up on t'moors this morning! Probably not surprisingly - fairly quiet.
3 Mistle thrush over Walker Fold Woods and 2 more singing high in the trees.
50 Redwing flew over from Walker Fold towards Holdens and were then seen perched along the overhead wires until a single Kestrel swooped across and sent them all up and off to the north.
Fair few Great Tit and Blue Tit around the trees, 2 Coal Tit right on the edge of the woods in the larches and pines but little else seen. Looked hard for Dipper from Barrow Bridge up along the brook, but saw none. Extremely muddy there!
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Saturday 13th of February 2016 10:46:35 PM
Steve Christmas said
Thu Feb 4 5:14 PM, 2016
I have been sent details of a survey on future usage of Smithills Estate conducted by the Woodland Trust who have recently taken over administration of part of Horwich Moors. Regular visitors may be interested in taking the survey:
https://form.jotformeu.com/60034074384349
Tom Morton said
Sun Jan 24 4:35 PM, 2016
Near Two Lads - this afternoon, only three birds seen Carrion Crow, Red Grouse and Barn Owl (15.30)
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 16 11:13 PM, 2016
Morning on moors:
7 Whooper Swan W at 9:30 6 Pink-footed Geese SE at 9:20 3 Siskin N 67 Fieldfare ENE in 6 flocks
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Dan Brown
John Williams said
Fri Jan 1 11:11 AM, 2016
Yesterday (31.12.15) 10.00-13.30
Burnt Edge
1 Kestrel, 1 Goldcrest (with a couple of Robins on the conifers), 82 Fieldfares mixed with lesser numbers of Starlings moving South.
Walker Fold Wood
A charm of 12 Goldfinches, a single Blue Tit, and all gathered together on a small hawthorn bush 5 Magpies.
Coal Pit Lane
24 Fieldfares, again mixed with Starlings, on an adjoining pasture, but very nervous and often flushing and settling on overhead wires.
Christaylor said
Thu Dec 31 5:21 PM, 2015
10:00-12:30 today
Walker Fold to mast road and back above the quarry.
3 Reed Bunting
20 Fieldfare
15 Starling
7 Bullfinch flock
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 22 7:02 AM, 2015
Late news for yesterday when three Snow Buntings were flushed from the moor on the top of Winter Hill within Lancashire and flew towards the rocket shaped mast but could not be relocated.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 21 8:53 AM, 2015
Short-eared Owl hunting over the snow on Two Lads Hill at 08:20 this morning.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 20 11:38 PM, 2015
Other visible migration from Scout Road this morning included:
239 Pink-footed Geese SE in 2 skeins and 200+ NW in 1 skein 15 flocks of Fieldfare south totalling 816 birds 2 Crossbill directly south towards Bolton
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 20 12:06 PM, 2015
Two female/immature Snow Buntings south over Scout Road this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 17 3:49 PM, 2015
This morning's total 07:30-10:30am:
13 skeins of Pink-footed Geese E/SE totalling 2478 birds 2 flocks of Whooper Swans E 636 Woodpigeon 64 Redwing S 106 Fieldfare S 77 Chaffinch S 1 Brambling N 1 Crossbill N 13 redpoll S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 16 10:42 PM, 2015
Today's totals from Scout Road 07:45-10:30:
70 Pink-footed Goose SE at 08:07 Single Green Woodpecker high south, continued without stopping! 88 Woodpigeon 465 Fieldfare S in 7 flocks 56 redpoll S 4 Brambling 13 Crossbill S
Also 3 Stonechat at the top of Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Chris brown said
Sun Nov 15 9:15 PM, 2015
Visited the moors on Saturday from 11.00 until 2.30. The conditions were dreadful! However, I still managed to see:
Stonechat (in 3 seperate areas- Burnt Edge, both on the right end and left end, and up on mast road.
Kestrel (Hovering over Burnt Edge)
Redwing (Start of Walker Fold Wood)
Mistle Thrush (Start of Walker Fold Wood)
But the highlight was a Raven on my way back down just off Mast Road. The cloud had completely descended on me by then so visibility was poor. A raven was on the path around 20m in front of me before I could even see him (or him me for that matter!)
I was hoping to see some Brambling in Holdens Plantation as I have seen them there for the last 2 years but no such luck!!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 13 2:28 PM, 2015
Late news for yesterday morning:
165 Pink-footed Geese NW in 3 skeins and 140 SE in 2 skeins 243 Woodpigeon SSW 416 Fieldfare S in 12 flocks 93 Chaffinch 33 Brambling 26 Greenfinch 1210 Starling W
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 10 10:37 PM, 2015
This morning's visible migration highlights from Georges Lane and Matchmoor Lane 07:15-10:15:
65 Pink-footed Geese NW in two skeins and 2323 E/SE in 17 210 Fieldfare 1 Brambling S 3 Crossbill NE
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sun Nov 8 6:38 PM, 2015
This morning with Andy Makin in deteriorating conditions, 13 Crossbills flew out of Gale Brook Plantation also 3 Brambling and 731 Woodpigeon south.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 8th of November 2015 06:38:22 PM
John Williams said
Sat Nov 7 8:25 PM, 2015
PM (Initially misty, which then cleared but soon afterwards came the rain)
Burnt Edge
1 Woodcock, 2 Kestrels, 1 Mistle Thrush, a flock of 8 Fieldfares, 3 Meadow Pipits and 1 Reed Bunting.
Walker Fold
1 Raven and 1m Bullfinch.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 7 10:50 AM, 2015
Visible migration watch from Scout Road yesterday morning 7-9:30:
5 skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 724 birds 22 Whooper Swan E over Bolton heading towards Holcombe at 9am, one a immature 168 Woodpigeon SW 2 Stock Dove S 101 Fieldfare S 19 Redwing 19 59 Chaffinch S 75 Brambling 75 130 Goldfinch 130 S 16 Crossbill S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 2 11:21 PM, 2015
Today's sightings 06:50-3pm:
18 skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 2536 birds 1 Red Kite circling above Belmont yacht club at 08:30am; flew low west down the valley still in Lancashire 1325 Woodpigeon S/SW 136 Redwing S 4286 Fieldfare S shifting to SW and then W later on 1 Tree Sparrow S 168 chaffinch over 152 Brambling over 43 Greenfinch and 119 Goldfinch over 7 Crossbill Short-eared Owl still around Adams Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sun Nov 1 8:14 PM, 2015
Upto 14:30 with Andy Makin (partly joined by Phil Rhodes and Dan Brown), fog to begin with then clearing to leave a very warm and sunny day.
On the move were;
1 Swallow through south 2,641 Fieldfare south and west 28 Brambling 1,372 Pink-footed Geese SE and 189 NW 9 Crossbill flew NW
Present was a single Short-eared Owl, in the Adam Hill / Two Lads area, 8 Crossbill Wilderswood, 1 Stonechat and 3 Goldcrest around the Mast Compounds.
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 31 5:41 PM, 2015
Vis Mig Watch, Scout Road, 06:35 to 12:15, with Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes and Dan Brown.
Best day of the season for us, which was overwhelming for the first hour. Fieldfares moving south right from the onset, consisted of many small flocks up to 09:00 then going quiet, then a burst of several much larger flocks between 10:30 and midday. Very few pure Redwing flocks; most were mixed in with Fieldfares. Significant broad movement of all finches south, including a site record count of 154 Bramblings (previous highest count was 96 in December 2014), some were mixed in with thrush flocks and several pure large flocks. A number of unidentified finches were also possibly Bramblings and some strange calls from some finch types couldnt be ID'd either. A Ring-necked Parakeet came over high and flew east, could have been a wonderer from one of the local populations. Largest count of Woodpigeons so far this autumn and a site record count of 32 Stock Doves, beating the previous best of 25 on 27th September 2014. Good Meadow Pipit count for end of October. All south unless stated.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 31st of October 2015 06:07:26 PM
Bob and Joyce Calder said
Sat Oct 31 2:24 PM, 2015
Saturday 9.00 to 12.15, Coal Pit Lane > Mast >Mast Road > Holdens> Coal Pit Lane
Generally very quiet with highlights:-
Black Redstart around main mast compound but proving elusive and only a very brief view.
1 Goldfinch, 1 Kestrel, 2 Raven and 1 Pied Wagtail the only other birds in the mast area.
Appx 50 Fieldfare along Coal Pit Lane with a further appx 20 nr Holdens
Small flock appx 20 Goldfinch nr Holdens with 4 Reed Bunting in same area.
Min 6 Kestrels throughout the walk.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 30 7:35 PM, 2015
Totals from Scout Road today, 10am to 1pm:
17 flocks of Fieldfare totalling 1473 birds 53 Redwing south Amongst the flocks of Fieldfare were 4 Brambling, 2 Siskin and a Merlin.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
munsworth said
Wed Oct 28 1:54 PM, 2015
1st winter Whinchat on Edge Lane at 12.30 pm today
Mike
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 27 11:47 PM, 2015
This morning's visible migration from the top of Winter Hill:
808 Fieldfare in 13 flocks S/SW 63 Redwing SE 6 Brambling S 22 Siskin S Black Redstart around mast building
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 26 9:41 PM, 2015
Today's highlights from Scout Rd 06:55-10:15:
Male Hen Harrier W at 08:45 and presumed different male W at 09:55, with a single female 200 metres behind.
4 Crossbill SW
15 Brambling S
131 Chaffinch
108 Fieldfare S
1 Swallow S
Yesterday:
1848 Pink-footed Geese SE and 70 NE in 14 skeins
18 Crossbill
Ingo thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 24 8:55 PM, 2015
Yesterday morning an adult Black Redstart on the mast building on Winter Hill along with 2 Goldcrests and 2 Stonechat.
From Scout Road this morning, 29 Brambling S, 39 Siskin and four small flocks Crossbill numbering 16 S, 118 Chaffinch and 3 Swallow.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Chris brown said
Sun Oct 18 7:48 PM, 2015
Had a walk along walker fold wood, burnt edge and then up to the mast and back again with the family today. We saw the following:
3-4 x kestrels,
2 x Ravens,
4 x Stonechat,
2 x Herons,
21 x Fieldfare(first of Autumn for me)
Several Goldcrest,
Large flock of Goldfinch.
Many Meadow Pipits.
Highlight was an Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar near Holdens Farm.
Dan Brown said
Sat Oct 17 7:58 PM, 2015
Just to clarify Craig's post.
George's Lane 9:00 - 11:00. 1 Ring Ouzel over South and 3 others in the Big Hedge area. A probable 5th bird calling but not seen. 3 Crossbill over Northeast.
16:30 - 17:00 no sign of Ring Ouzel in Big Hedge but 2 Brambling present.
Craig Higson said
Sat Oct 17 7:35 PM, 2015
07:00 to 11:00 am. Started at Georges Lane which was deadly quiet, followed by quick trips to Burnt Edge/Newfields and then Brownstones Quarry before returning to Georges Lane where I met Dan Brown and another birder who's name I didn't get (sorry).
Highlights to 11:00 were: Fieldfare - 54 and Redwing 191 over, Red Grouse 1 along Georges Lane, At least 4 Ring Ouzel seen by Dan in Big Hedge, Chiffchaff - one calling at back of New Colliers Row. I believe Dan also had a party of Crossbills over.
Steve Judge said
Sat Oct 17 5:26 PM, 2015
Saturday, 17th October 2015 11:45 - 15:00 hrs.
Wilderswood Car Park - Georges Lane (as far as kennels) - up by side of Mast Road - Winter Hill Summit - back via Gilligants Farm and Holden Plantation
Male Ring Ouzel x 1 (first one seen here after years of walking this area!!! Well chuffed. On path to right from top of Mast Road) Stonechat x 2 Redwing x 15 (Big Hedge - before Kennels) Red Grouse x 1 (on wall to left of Mast Road) Kestrel x 4 separate sightings Meadow Pipit x 5 Goldfinch x 20 House Sparrow x 3 Carrion Crow x 7 Robin x 1 Blackbird x 3 Woodpigeon x 20 Magpie x 3 Rook x 5
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 17th of October 2015 05:26:45 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 17th of October 2015 05:29:43 PM
Andy Voisey said
Fri Oct 16 7:48 PM, 2015
1100 to 1330 Winter Hill and Georges Lane
Visit today looking for Ouzels and Black Redstarts, but failed to see either.
Workmen were up on two of the masts which may not have helped.
A mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfares were in the big hedge however which was a compensation, as I have somehow managed to avoid Fieldfares for the past 4 seasons.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 15 4:54 PM, 2015
Highlights from this morning:
Short-eared Owl quartering Wildersmoor at first light 3 Ring Ouzel flew out over Wildersmoor heading east. Most likely the same birds were then seen along Mast Road close to the mast and dispersed onto the moor. 2 Twite alighted briefly along telephone wires south of the Kennels along Georges Lane and flew off NW Single Chiffchaff in The Dell at Higher Meadows 735 Redwing in flocks not exceeding 100 strong over heading SE 11 Red Grouse on the top of Winter Hill, very vocal and many showing really well 11 Raven in two flocks 2 Brambling NW over Higher Meadows Male Black Redstart showed well along the perimeter fence of the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill, over the border in Lancashire
Merlin 1f - flying fast and close to the ground west to east on the GM side of the mast
Common Buzzard 1 over Walker Fold
Black Redstart 1 - in Lancashire - made a brief appearance (with bright green caterpillar in beak!) on the fence of the large compound on the right as you walk towards the trig point. Flew back down into the scrub, and then 3 technicians started working on the mast after which it didn't appear again.
Rewarding morning!
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Tuesday 13th of October 2015 02:41:19 PM
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Oct 11 2:03 PM, 2015
1 Ring ouzel this morning, otherwise dreadfully quiet. I wonder what the right conditions are for visible migration up there, because it wasn't what today brought?
steven burke said
Sat Oct 10 7:53 PM, 2015
morn/aft visit, pretty quiet, highlights being...
3 flocks of crossbill around wilderswood, 8, 10, 17 & a single one past the kennels heading towards rivington pike. no sign of the black redstart at the mast. several siskin around 1 redpoll 6 jay 2 great spotted woodpecker 2 treecreeper 5 stonechat at holdens farm 4 raven 1 sparrowhawk 4 kestrel 67 lapwing 1 grey heron 37 mistle thrush, one larger flock held 22.
10.00-15.00
Rained most of the time, with patchy visibility, although it brightened up as I was leaving.
No sign of Wheatears or any Stonechats throughout.
Georges Lane
3 Bullfinches and 1 Lapwing, otherwise just crows and a few Black Headed Gulls.
Burnt Edge
Lots of Meadow Pipits, showing well, allowing close approach and displaying, but no other passerines
Holdens Farm
3 Ravens and a flock of 19 Fieldfares.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
A tight flock of 11 Twite flew low north across the moor at around 09:40.
2837 Meadow Pipit (including 472 which Andy Makin had from Georges Lane 8-9am, the rest were spread on a broad front from Two Lads Hill to Deans Ditch 8-11:30) heading low north across the moors; a fantastic sight.
11 Wheatear, included 3 Andy Makin had moving quickly through near Georges Lane pre-9am (one male of which landed on his scope!) and I had 8 in less than five minutes just after 9am which moved briskly through Two Lads Hill, consisting of four males and four females ('phonescoped male attached).
3 Greylag Geese headed over SE (Andy had one from Georges early on and I had two from Two Lads Hill mid morning).
There was a carnival taking place beyond the kennels on Georges Lane, so there were few birds about, and certainly no Wheatears.
Wilderswood/ Georges Lane : 1 singing Skylark, 1 Lapwing and 1 Kestrel.
Burnt Edge
Meadow Pipit displaying was in full swing throughout the moor, with 6 birds parachuting along Burnt Edge alone.
Whilst flying over were 1 Grey Heron, 2 Curlews and 4 Ravens. A Buzzard patrolled high above Walker Fold.
2 Goldcrests were in Sugarloaf Plantation, A male Reed Bunting appeared to be on territory by Holdens Plantation.
1m+1f Stonechats by the kissing gate where the path from Holdens reaches Mast Road.
Heard a red grouse , flushed a woodcock on top of winter hill , 2 heron hunting frogs in a small pool next to mast road , 4 crossbill flew from wilderswood area towards the pike .
Single Crossbill N
15 Skylark NNE
Info thanks to Andy Makin
15 Whooper Swan NW over HorwicH
9 Siskin N
20 Skylark NE including a group of 13
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Amongst visible migration totals from Georges Lane this morning were 32 Chaffinch, 17 Siskin and 3 Crossbill NW over plus another 6 Crossbills (including 5 males) briefly down in trees just on the Lancashire side of the road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
3 Mistle thrush over Walker Fold Woods and 2 more singing high in the trees.
50 Redwing flew over from Walker Fold towards Holdens and were then seen perched along the overhead wires until a single Kestrel swooped across and sent them all up and off to the north.
Fair few Great Tit and Blue Tit around the trees, 2 Coal Tit right on the edge of the woods in the larches and pines but little else seen. Looked hard for Dipper from Barrow Bridge up along the brook, but saw none. Extremely muddy there!
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Saturday 13th of February 2016 10:46:35 PM
I have been sent details of a survey on future usage of Smithills Estate conducted by the Woodland Trust who have recently taken over administration of part of Horwich Moors. Regular visitors may be interested in taking the survey:
https://form.jotformeu.com/60034074384349
Near Two Lads - this afternoon, only three birds seen Carrion Crow, Red Grouse and Barn Owl (15.30)
7 Whooper Swan W at 9:30
6 Pink-footed Geese SE at 9:20
3 Siskin N
67 Fieldfare ENE in 6 flocks
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Dan Brown
Yesterday (31.12.15) 10.00-13.30
Burnt Edge
1 Kestrel, 1 Goldcrest (with a couple of Robins on the conifers), 82 Fieldfares mixed with lesser numbers of Starlings moving South.
Walker Fold Wood
A charm of 12 Goldfinches, a single Blue Tit, and all gathered together on a small hawthorn bush 5 Magpies.
Coal Pit Lane
24 Fieldfares, again mixed with Starlings, on an adjoining pasture, but very nervous and often flushing and settling on overhead wires.
Late news for yesterday when three Snow Buntings were flushed from the moor on the top of Winter Hill within Lancashire and flew towards the rocket shaped mast but could not be relocated.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
239 Pink-footed Geese SE in 2 skeins and 200+ NW in 1 skein
15 flocks of Fieldfare south totalling 816 birds
2 Crossbill directly south towards Bolton
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Two female/immature Snow Buntings south over Scout Road this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
13 skeins of Pink-footed Geese E/SE totalling 2478 birds
2 flocks of Whooper Swans E
636 Woodpigeon
64 Redwing S
106 Fieldfare S
77 Chaffinch S
1 Brambling N
1 Crossbill N
13 redpoll S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
70 Pink-footed Goose SE at 08:07
Single Green Woodpecker high south, continued without stopping!
88 Woodpigeon
465 Fieldfare S in 7 flocks
56 redpoll S
4 Brambling
13 Crossbill S
Also 3 Stonechat at the top of Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Visited the moors on Saturday from 11.00 until 2.30. The conditions were dreadful! However, I still managed to see:
Stonechat (in 3 seperate areas- Burnt Edge, both on the right end and left end, and up on mast road.
Kestrel (Hovering over Burnt Edge)
Redwing (Start of Walker Fold Wood)
Mistle Thrush (Start of Walker Fold Wood)
But the highlight was a Raven on my way back down just off Mast Road. The cloud had completely descended on me by then so visibility was poor. A raven was on the path around 20m in front of me before I could even see him (or him me for that matter!)
I was hoping to see some Brambling in Holdens Plantation as I have seen them there for the last 2 years but no such luck!!
165 Pink-footed Geese NW in 3 skeins and 140 SE in 2 skeins
243 Woodpigeon SSW
416 Fieldfare S in 12 flocks
93 Chaffinch
33 Brambling
26 Greenfinch
1210 Starling W
Info thanks to Andy Makin
65 Pink-footed Geese NW in two skeins and 2323 E/SE in 17
210 Fieldfare
1 Brambling S
3 Crossbill NE
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 8th of November 2015 06:38:22 PM
PM (Initially misty, which then cleared but soon afterwards came the rain)
Burnt Edge
1 Woodcock, 2 Kestrels, 1 Mistle Thrush, a flock of 8 Fieldfares, 3 Meadow Pipits and 1 Reed Bunting.
Walker Fold
1 Raven and 1m Bullfinch.
5 skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 724 birds
22 Whooper Swan E over Bolton heading towards Holcombe at 9am, one a immature
168 Woodpigeon SW
2 Stock Dove S
101 Fieldfare S
19 Redwing 19
59 Chaffinch S
75 Brambling 75
130 Goldfinch 130 S
16 Crossbill S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
18 skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 2536 birds
1 Red Kite circling above Belmont yacht club at 08:30am; flew low west down the valley still in Lancashire
1325 Woodpigeon S/SW
136 Redwing S
4286 Fieldfare S shifting to SW and then W later on
1 Tree Sparrow S
168 chaffinch over
152 Brambling over
43 Greenfinch and 119 Goldfinch over
7 Crossbill
Short-eared Owl still around Adams Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
On the move were;
1 Swallow through south
2,641 Fieldfare south and west
28 Brambling
1,372 Pink-footed Geese SE and 189 NW
9 Crossbill flew NW
Present was a single Short-eared Owl, in the Adam Hill / Two Lads area, 8 Crossbill Wilderswood, 1 Stonechat and 3 Goldcrest around the Mast Compounds.
Best day of the season for us, which was overwhelming for the first hour. Fieldfares moving south right from the onset, consisted of many small flocks up to 09:00 then going quiet, then a burst of several much larger flocks between 10:30 and midday. Very few pure Redwing flocks; most were mixed in with Fieldfares. Significant broad movement of all finches south, including a site record count of 154 Bramblings (previous highest count was 96 in December 2014), some were mixed in with thrush flocks and several pure large flocks. A number of unidentified finches were also possibly Bramblings and some strange calls from some finch types couldnt be ID'd either. A Ring-necked Parakeet came over high and flew east, could have been a wonderer from one of the local populations. Largest count of Woodpigeons so far this autumn and a site record count of 32 Stock Doves, beating the previous best of 25 on 27th September 2014. Good Meadow Pipit count for end of October. All south unless stated.
1 Ring-necked Parakeet east
4,363 Fieldfare (76 flocks)
364 Redwings
14 Mistle Thrush
4 Song Thrush
154 Bramblings
307 Chaffinch
25 Greenfinch
16 Siskin
84 Goldfinch
13 Redpoll
5 Bullfinch
2 Crossbill
2 Raven
32 Stock Dove
1,336 Woodpigeons
509 Starling NW
117 Meadow Pipit
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 31st of October 2015 06:07:26 PM
Saturday 9.00 to 12.15, Coal Pit Lane > Mast >Mast Road > Holdens> Coal Pit Lane
Generally very quiet with highlights:-
Black Redstart around main mast compound but proving elusive and only a very brief view.
1 Goldfinch, 1 Kestrel, 2 Raven and 1 Pied Wagtail the only other birds in the mast area.
Appx 50 Fieldfare along Coal Pit Lane with a further appx 20 nr Holdens
Small flock appx 20 Goldfinch nr Holdens with 4 Reed Bunting in same area.
Min 6 Kestrels throughout the walk.
17 flocks of Fieldfare totalling 1473 birds
53 Redwing south
Amongst the flocks of Fieldfare were 4 Brambling, 2 Siskin and a Merlin.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1st winter Whinchat on Edge Lane at 12.30 pm today
Mike
808 Fieldfare in 13 flocks S/SW
63 Redwing SE
6 Brambling S
22 Siskin S
Black Redstart around mast building
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today's highlights from Scout Rd 06:55-10:15:
Male Hen Harrier W at 08:45 and presumed different male W at 09:55, with a single female 200 metres behind.
4 Crossbill SW
15 Brambling S
131 Chaffinch
108 Fieldfare S
1 Swallow S
Yesterday:
1848 Pink-footed Geese SE and 70 NE in 14 skeins
18 Crossbill
Ingo thanks to Andy Makin
Yesterday morning an adult Black Redstart on the mast building on Winter Hill along with 2 Goldcrests and 2 Stonechat.
From Scout Road this morning, 29 Brambling S, 39 Siskin and four small flocks Crossbill numbering 16 S, 118 Chaffinch and 3 Swallow.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Highlights to 11:00 were: Fieldfare - 54 and Redwing 191 over, Red Grouse 1 along Georges Lane, At least 4 Ring Ouzel seen by Dan in Big Hedge, Chiffchaff - one calling at back of New Colliers Row. I believe Dan also had a party of Crossbills over.
Wilderswood Car Park - Georges Lane (as far as kennels) - up by side of Mast Road - Winter Hill Summit - back via Gilligants Farm and Holden Plantation
Male Ring Ouzel x 1 (first one seen here after years of walking this area!!! Well chuffed. On path to right from top of Mast Road)
Stonechat x 2
Redwing x 15 (Big Hedge - before Kennels)
Red Grouse x 1 (on wall to left of Mast Road)
Kestrel x 4 separate sightings
Meadow Pipit x 5
Goldfinch x 20
House Sparrow x 3
Carrion Crow x 7
Robin x 1
Blackbird x 3
Woodpigeon x 20
Magpie x 3
Rook x 5
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 17th of October 2015 05:26:45 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 17th of October 2015 05:29:43 PM
Visit today looking for Ouzels and Black Redstarts, but failed to see either.
Workmen were up on two of the masts which may not have helped.
A mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfares were in the big hedge however which was a compensation, as I have somehow managed to avoid Fieldfares for the past 4 seasons.
Short-eared Owl quartering Wildersmoor at first light
3 Ring Ouzel flew out over Wildersmoor heading east. Most likely the same birds were then seen along Mast Road close to the mast and dispersed onto the moor.
2 Twite alighted briefly along telephone wires south of the Kennels along Georges Lane and flew off NW
Single Chiffchaff in The Dell at Higher Meadows
735 Redwing in flocks not exceeding 100 strong over heading SE
11 Red Grouse on the top of Winter Hill, very vocal and many showing really well
11 Raven in two flocks
2 Brambling NW over Higher Meadows
Male Black Redstart showed well along the perimeter fence of the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill, over the border in Lancashire
09.15 - 13.00 today bright, easterly breeze, cool. Walker Fold, Burnt Edge, Mast Road and Winter Hill.
Goldfinch 25
Goldcrest - 1
Robin 3
Jay 3
Meadow Pipit 26
Reed Bunting 2 (Burnt Edge)
Carrion Crow 8
Raven - very mobile, hard to be sure perhaps 4
Mistle Thrush 1
Kestrel 4 (again quite mobile over the area)
Merlin 1f - flying fast and close to the ground west to east on the GM side of the mast
Common Buzzard 1 over Walker Fold
Black Redstart 1 - in Lancashire - made a brief appearance (with bright green caterpillar in beak!) on the fence of the large compound on the right as you walk towards the trig point. Flew back down into the scrub, and then 3 technicians started working on the mast after which it didn't appear again.
Rewarding morning!
-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Tuesday 13th of October 2015 02:41:19 PM
1 Ring ouzel this morning, otherwise dreadfully quiet. I wonder what the right conditions are for visible migration up there, because it wasn't what today brought?
3 flocks of crossbill around wilderswood, 8, 10, 17 & a single one past the kennels heading towards rivington pike.
no sign of the black redstart at the mast.
several siskin around
1 redpoll
6 jay
2 great spotted woodpecker
2 treecreeper
5 stonechat at holdens farm
4 raven
1 sparrowhawk
4 kestrel
67 lapwing
1 grey heron
37 mistle thrush, one larger flock held 22.