Also yesterday, 8th October with Andy Makin, single Ring Ouzel Burnt Edge and 12 Crossbill flew out of Walker Fold Wood with a further group calling from the wood, also 9 Crossbill south from Gale Brook Plantation and 3 Crossbill over Deans Ditch. Also 1 Merlin, 17 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare and 480 Pink-footed Geese SE in 5 skiens.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 8 1:01 PM, 2015
A few sightings from this morning so far:
Black Redstart on the main mast building (just over the border in Lancashire), dropped onto the road at one point but generally very elusive 11 Pink-footed Geese SW at 07:50am Pair of Stonechat at Higher Meadows 2 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill 10 Redwing S over Bryan Hey Reservoir
Dan Brown said
Wed Oct 7 6:53 PM, 2015
18:00 Coal Pit Lane
Merlin
18:01
1 less Meadow Pipit
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 6 11:01 PM, 2015
highlights from this morning:
A Fieldfare briefly down on Georges Lane and one or two Redwings over 9 Crossbill (2+7) south over Georges Lane 11 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 4 1:25 PM, 2015
This morning 07:00 to 11:00 with Andy Makin and Dan Brown, no Vis Mig due to the very hazy conditions, but the Mast Compounds held lots of new migrants, including up to 15 Goldcrests coming to within a few feet of us in the juncus, and up to 18 Chiffchaffs behind the main building. Also a single Redwing was in the main compound as was 3 Robins, 2 Stonechats, 1 Chaffinch and 1 Pied Wagtail. A female Merlin was also seen on a couple of occasions hunting around the main mast building. No sign of the Black Redstart.
Several Chiffchaff still in Brownstones Quarry.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 2 11:25 PM, 2015
Some sightings from this morning by Andy Makin and myself:
Three skeins of Pink-footed Geese heading east of 45 and 64 at 08:30 and 40 at 10:17. 6 Crossbill south over Winter Hill 4 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill 11 Chiffchaff
Dan Brown said
Thu Oct 1 7:56 PM, 2015
18:00 Georges Lane - Big Hedge 7 Stonechat 1 Whinchat 2 Chiffchaff
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 1 7:28 PM, 2015
Todays highlights, 06:45 to 15:00, on another sunny and warm day with Andy Makin;
Visible Migration-
1 Merlin chasing Meadow Pipits, drifted off south 1 Golden Plover SE 456 Swallow south 91 House Martin south 2569 Meadow Pipits south, most prior to 08:30, some in mixed flocks with Wagtails and Swallows, made for a superb spectacle. 79 Pied Wagtails south 31 Siskin south 7 Twite west 22 Crossbills (parties of 6,8 and 8 south until lost to view over Bolton)
Present were -
1 Merlin touring the moor 35 Crossbills (20 Gale Brook Plantation, though typically mobile and 15 Walker Fold Wood) 1 Whinchat and 1 Stonechat Pony field at bottom of Mast Road 17 Wheatear Winter Hill and Mast Road 15 Chiffchaff (6 Brownstones, 4 Wallsuches, 2 Walker Fold & 3 Georges Lane) 35 Goldcrest
Yesterday 30th Sept
Fairly quiet due to mist and low cloud, though at least 76 Crossbills were seen flying south from Gale Brook Plantation.
Operation Yellow-browed isn't going too well..
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 1st of October 2015 07:30:35 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 29 11:21 PM, 2015
Today's highlights:
13 Pink-footed Geese SE at 8.02 am 4 Buzzard SW 527 Meadow Pipit 2 Grey Wagtail S 1 Yellow Wagtail S with a flock of 20 Pied Wagtail 82 Pied Wagtail S 667 Swallow S 168 Chaffinch (158 S and 10 N) 63 Siskin (43 S and 20 N) 29 redpoll S 49 Linnet S 39 Goldfinch S Crossbill- fantastic movement early morning with a total of 105 in small flocks seen flying directly south out over Bolton until they were lost to view; half briefly dropped into Gale Brook Plantation. 2 Wheatear on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 29 11:09 PM, 2015
Craig Higson wrote:
Which one is Gale bk plantation please Simon? Can't see it on the site guides.
It is the conifer plantation at the junction of Scout Road and Belmont Road Craig.
Craig Higson said
Tue Sep 29 10:52 PM, 2015
Which one is Gale bk plantation please Simon? Can't see it on the site guides.
Simon Warford said
Mon Sep 28 8:27 PM, 2015
Todays Vis Mig watch in another fine and sunny day, from 06:45 to 14:30 with Andy Makin, produced;
1 Yellowhammer perched briefly before flying south 5 Twite west 1 Merlin 9 Pink-footed Geese NW 246 Swallow south 118 House Martin south 7 Grey Wagtail south 30 Pied Wagtails south 1 Coal Tit south 1257 Meadow Pipits south 185 Chaffinch south 38 Siskin 23 Crossbill (groups of 6, 7 and 5 south and 5 north which could have come down in Gale Brook Plantation)
Present around the mast were 3 Wheatear and elsewhere 1 Tawny Owl.
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 27 8:48 PM, 2015
Another full days Vis Mig watch in fine sunny weather, was mostly covered by me, Andy Makin and later Phil Rhodes, highlights only;
On the move were;
1 Osprey south at 08:10 (Andy and Gary Lilley) 1 Red Kite east at 14:25 (found by Jill and Ken over Burnt Edge, also seen by Andy) 2 Merlin 1 Hobby 260 Pink-feet NW and 47 SE 1048 Swallow south 239 House Martin south 3339 Meadow Pipits south 33 Siskin south 19 Crossbill south (5,1 and 13)
Present were the Black Redstart, 6 Wheatear and a Robin around the Mast Compounds and at least 16 Crossbills in Gale Brook Plantation.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 28th of September 2015 08:18:31 PM
Bob and Joyce Calder said
Sun Sep 27 3:52 PM, 2015
Not a great deal that we can add to that from a walk round the area 9.00 to 12.15 apart from:-
4 Chiffchaff along Coal Pit Lane, 2 of them amongst a small group of 7 Long Tailed Tits. 2 Ravens sat on the mast with another one over. 1 Kestrel on the mast with at least 2 others seen in the general area.
Bob & Joyce C
Simon Warford said
Sat Sep 26 8:13 PM, 2015
Todays marathon Vis Mig watch, 06:45 to 15:45 was covered by me, Andy Makin and later Phil Rhodes, produced;
274 Pink-footed Geese all north-west (83 at 08:35, 27 at 09:00, c100 at 09:05 and 64 at 11.50). 2 Hobbies, with 1 taking a Meadow Pipit near the mast 2 Golden Plover east 1 Sandwich Tern (heard only) 1521 Swallow South 3616 House Martin, with up to 2,000 landing on mast cable wires before all flying off south 7 Siskin south 11 Crossbills south 749 Meadow Pipit south
Birds present included the Black Redstart still at the Mast, 8 Wheatear, c500 Meadow Pipits and c500 Goldfinch.
Simon Warford said
Fri Sep 25 8:24 PM, 2015
This mornings Vis Mig watch with Andy Makin and Sean Sweeney, produced;
678 Meadow Pipits and 200+ still on the moor 12 Buzzards high south 41 Swallow 21 Crossbills (16 south-west and 5 briefly in Gale Brook Plantation then flew west) 32 Siskin.
Simon Warford said
Thu Sep 24 4:26 PM, 2015
This morning Vis Mig watch produced 2 Redwings, 232 Meadow Pipits and 5 Siskin.
Len Poxon said
Wed Sep 23 11:34 AM, 2015
Birds seen/heard: 2 Stonechat, flock of approx 15 Linnet and small flock of Meadow Pipit 8-10, 1 Wheatear on Lancs/GM boundary wall, occassionally other Meadow Pipit here and there. No sign of Black Redstart, although works were being carried out on the main mast and there were several vehicles in the Rocket mast compound.
A dead common newt was found on Mast Road about 150 yds south of the main mast compound.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 22 10:56 PM, 2015
Moors sightings today:
713 Meadow Pipit south mid morning 2 single Merlin south 8t Twite sw over Dean Ditch 68 Wheatear, including 30 together along Deans Ditch
Yesterday, the current resident Great White Egret on Rivington Reservoirs was seen in flight (within Lancs) from Georges Lane.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 22nd of September 2015 10:58:41 PM
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 20 3:50 PM, 2015
Weekends sightings with Andy Makin;
Today up to 11.30am-
266 Meadow Pipits south and 20 flew north 35 Swallow south 2 Merlins (1 south and another one caught a Meadow Pipit above Deans Ditch) Black Redstart main mast compound and 5 Wheatears and 2 Stonechats, but no Chiffchaffs.
Yesterday 19th Sept-
137 Meadow Pipits south and in the evening 160 flew north. 41 Swallow south 68 Chaffinch 7 Grey Wagtails south
Migrants around the compounds included 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Song Thrush and 14 Wheatears.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 20th of September 2015 04:22:29 PM
gary lilley said
Sun Sep 20 11:49 AM, 2015
Single black redstart in rocket shaped compound (8.45am) also male stonechat , 50 meadow pipit , crow and heard a golden plover .
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 18 10:49 PM, 2015
This morning on the moors produced:
Spotted Flycatcher with 2 Redstarts and 6 Chiffchaff in the Big Hedge at Higher Meadows 11 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 17 11:45 PM, 2015
Five Pink-footed Geese E at 09.15 this morning.
Other birds from today included:
Tree Sparrow and Coal Tit SE 5 flocks of Crossbill SW consisting of 20, 1, 7, 6 and one flock heard only. 9 Wheatears
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 16 9:09 PM, 2015
Today's totals from the moors:
Single Tree Pipit south and two flocks of Crossbills (4 and 2) also south, both over Scout Road. Hirundines moving over the moors tops in huge numbers ssw with 2405 House Martins and 1687 Swallow from late morning to 1pm. Usual Black Redstart around the mast building in Winter Hill but did wander around and popped into GM for a while too. 12 wheatear.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 15 10:38 PM, 2015
Today's totals included:
Single Merlin South over Scout Road Tree Pipit South over Scout Road Whinchats on Edge Lane and Georges Lane 9 Wheatear 539 Swallow South
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 15 10:12 AM, 2015
Osprey SE high over Scout Road at 07:37 this morning, heading over towards Bolton.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 14 11:34 PM, 2015
This morning's highlights:
10 Wheatear 406 Swallow and 195 House Martin south 390 Goldfinch in two flocks of 220 and 170
Info thnaks to Andy Makin and David Sherington
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 13 10:57 PM, 2015
Today's sightings:
Black Redstart and Redstart feeding around the mast building on Winter Hill Hobby soaring South over moor 7 Buzzard South 1 Whinchat at Holders Farm A total of 45 Siskin South
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Michael Davis said
Sun Sep 13 4:41 PM, 2015
13/09/2015 Walker Fold to Winter Hill: 12:00 Red Grouse 1 - very brief encounter with a solitary bird over the moor between Holden's Plantation and Mast Road. 13:27 Wheatear - 1 female on compound fence by Mast Road. One of two birds. 14:38 Siskin - small flock by path along Walker Fold Woods. Other than a few common species area appeared quiet - but it was mid-day!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 11 8:56 PM, 2015
Rather quiet today in windy conditions but the highlights were 7 Whinchat.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 9 10:36 PM, 2015
This morning's totals:
2 Tree Pipit S 789 House Martin 3 Crossbill S 29 Siskin SW 3 Whinchat at Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Len Poxon said
Wed Sep 9 7:10 PM, 2015
No sign of Black Redstart this evening 4 Wheatear on or adjacent to Mast Road,. 2 Raven and a Stoat in Lancs side. Several Meadow Pipits and at least 1 Red Grouse heard, but not seen.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 9 12:00 AM, 2015
Sightings from September 8th:
Black Redstart still just in Lancs on the mast building on Winter Hill 2 Whinchat with a family of Stonechat on Burnt Edge, also 2 more on Matchmoor Lane 7 Spotted Flycatcher Drake Pintail flew NW 1 male Redstart along Georges Lane 1 Wheatear 17 Chiffchaff
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 7 11:25 PM, 2015
Today's moors highlights:
Black Redstart on the mast building on Winter Hill just within Lancs, perching on the roof and picking insects of the side of the mast at about 08.30 2 Redstart 2 Tree Pipit 3 Whinchat 12 Wheatear 1 Spotted Flycatcher
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 6 10:41 PM, 2015
Today's total thanks to Andy Makin, Simon Warford and Dan Brown:
17 Crossbill, many males feeding for 20 minutes around midday at Walker Fold 2 Redstarts along Georges Lane 2 Tree Pipits as singles over Georges Lane and Scout Road 2 Spotted Flycatcher at Walker Fold 31 Siskin S 3 Wheatear
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 5 10:28 PM, 2015
Today's totals:
6 Spotted Flycatcher 5 Redstart 5 Whinchat 1000+ House Martin A flock of 130 Siskin NW over Georges Lane 3 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 5 11:19 AM, 2015
Late news for yesterday morning:
1560 House Martin SSW 241 Swallow South Greenshank SSE at 07:10 over Scout Road 1 Tree Pipit S 3 Spotted Flycatcher at Brownstones 1 Yellow Wagtail S 25 Siskin S 2 Whinchat on Fleet Moor 13 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Len Poxon said
Sat Sep 5 8:55 AM, 2015
05.09.15 - 07:00 to 08:00
Rather cold and windy on the top with 6 Willow Warbler over (after some indecision they flew off eastwards) and 2 Wheatear in the smaller mast compound areas.
On mast lane on my descent there were 2 Carrion Crows in the heather and 3 flocks of birds on the road consisting of one flock of 6 Meadow Pipit a flock of 25-30 mostly Meadow Pipit but with at least 4 Wheatear and a third flock of 40-50 Meadow Pipit in the second to last cattle grid area.
On Georges Lane there were 4 Wheatear on an overhead wire.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 3 11:53 PM, 2015
Highlights from today:
3 Redstarts Georges Lane 1 Spotted Flycatcher 5 Whinchats 2 Yellow Wagtails down Georges lane Hobby through SW 17 Siskin S 14 Chiffchaff 7 Willow Warbler
The whole area was full of wheatear. No black redstart for me, but at almost the highest spot on the hill a grey squirrel was perched on a dry-stone wall. Maybe it was after the Bilberries!
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 1 11:00 PM, 2015
Today's Wheatear total for the entire site was a fantastic 162, all of which had moved through by afternoon!
Also seen today were:
4 Whinchat 8 Spotted Flycatcher Merlin Black Redstart on the county boundary wall on the top of Winter Hill flew off behind the mast buildings 8 Chiffchaff
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Alan Warford said
Tue Sep 1 10:21 PM, 2015
George's Lane 3-30 till 5-15
2 Redstart on fence posts by border 4 Wheatears Raven over Loads of Swallows feeding perhaps 50+
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Tuesday 1st of September 2015 10:21:41 PM
jdanson said
Tue Sep 1 7:38 PM, 2015
Just finished with horses in the arena at Holdens Farm and watched a Hobby darting, swerving and diving through the small trees surrounding the arena. Only 30' from it when first seen. Brilliant.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 31 9:06 PM, 2015
Fantastic day up on the moors today, with a superb fall of migrants right on the very top of Winter Hill around the mast buildings and cable compounds. Full totals from the moors thanks to Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Dan Brown and Barry Worsick are as follows:
A ring-tailed harrier went through low SE with a Merlin also briefly mobbing it. An Osprey went low over Coal Pit Lane heading surprisingly NE in pouring rain at 5:25pm. 2 Tree Pipit 3 Black Redstart 20 Redstart 16 Whinchat 5 Whitethroat 31 Willow Warbler 2 Chiffchaff 1 Garden Warbler 1 Grasshopper Warbler 84 Wheatear 5 Spotted Flycatcher
Craig Higson said
Mon Aug 31 1:28 AM, 2015
I had a really quiet morning along George's Lane. Apart from a couple of calling Chiffchaffs, the highlight was a mixed flock of siskins and redpolls numbering around 70. Impossible to separate the two species in the flock as they came up over the top of Wilderswood, and went down just as quickly, with just the flight calls giving the species away.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Aug 30 9:57 PM, 2015
Sightings from all day today:
A flock of 42 Golden Plover with a partial breeding plumaged Knot flew NW just above Georges Lane. 1 Whinchat and 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Burnt Edge. 2 Crossbill 2 NW. 6 Wheatear. 13 Chiffchaff. 376 House Martin and 175 Swallow south.
Yesterday's sightings included:
4 Green Sandpipers heading west over Scout Road at 08:10. 4 Spotted Flycatchers at Walker Fold and 2 in bracken at Burnt Edge, the latter of which flew off SE. 3 Tree Pipits at Burnt Edge. Single Yellow Wagtail over South.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Aug 30 7:47 PM, 2015
afternoon ramble 1 wheatear, 2 whinchat, 3 kestrel, several pheasant and meadow pipit, 1 raven, 2 spotted flycatcher,
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 27 11:40 PM, 2015
The first Merlin of the autumn chased a pipit South over Georges Lane this morning.
Two Whinchats at Holdens Farm and a juvenile Hobby flew low over Gale Brook Plantation.
Also yesterday, 8th October with Andy Makin, single Ring Ouzel Burnt Edge and 12 Crossbill flew out of Walker Fold Wood with a further group calling from the wood, also 9 Crossbill south from Gale Brook Plantation and 3 Crossbill over Deans Ditch. Also 1 Merlin, 17 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare and 480 Pink-footed Geese SE in 5 skiens.
Black Redstart on the main mast building (just over the border in Lancashire), dropped onto the road at one point but generally very elusive
11 Pink-footed Geese SW at 07:50am
Pair of Stonechat at Higher Meadows
2 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill
10 Redwing S over Bryan Hey Reservoir
A Fieldfare briefly down on Georges Lane and one or two Redwings over
9 Crossbill (2+7) south over Georges Lane
11 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Several Chiffchaff still in Brownstones Quarry.
Three skeins of Pink-footed Geese heading east of 45 and 64 at 08:30 and 40 at 10:17.
6 Crossbill south over Winter Hill
4 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill
11 Chiffchaff
7 Stonechat
1 Whinchat
2 Chiffchaff
Visible Migration-
1 Merlin chasing Meadow Pipits, drifted off south
1 Golden Plover SE
456 Swallow south
91 House Martin south
2569 Meadow Pipits south, most prior to 08:30, some in mixed flocks with Wagtails and Swallows, made for a superb spectacle.
79 Pied Wagtails south
31 Siskin south
7 Twite west
22 Crossbills (parties of 6,8 and 8 south until lost to view over Bolton)
Present were -
1 Merlin touring the moor
35 Crossbills (20 Gale Brook Plantation, though typically mobile and 15 Walker Fold Wood)
1 Whinchat and 1 Stonechat Pony field at bottom of Mast Road
17 Wheatear Winter Hill and Mast Road
15 Chiffchaff (6 Brownstones, 4 Wallsuches, 2 Walker Fold & 3 Georges Lane)
35 Goldcrest
Yesterday 30th Sept
Fairly quiet due to mist and low cloud, though at least 76 Crossbills were seen flying south from Gale Brook Plantation.
Operation Yellow-browed isn't going too well..
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 1st of October 2015 07:30:35 PM
13 Pink-footed Geese SE at 8.02 am
4 Buzzard SW
527 Meadow Pipit
2 Grey Wagtail S
1 Yellow Wagtail S with a flock of 20 Pied Wagtail
82 Pied Wagtail S
667 Swallow S
168 Chaffinch (158 S and 10 N)
63 Siskin (43 S and 20 N)
29 redpoll S
49 Linnet S
39 Goldfinch S
Crossbill- fantastic movement early morning with a total of 105 in small flocks seen flying directly south out over Bolton until they were lost to view; half briefly dropped into Gale Brook Plantation.
2 Wheatear on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
It is the conifer plantation at the junction of Scout Road and Belmont Road Craig.
1 Yellowhammer perched briefly before flying south
5 Twite west
1 Merlin
9 Pink-footed Geese NW
246 Swallow south
118 House Martin south
7 Grey Wagtail south
30 Pied Wagtails south
1 Coal Tit south
1257 Meadow Pipits south
185 Chaffinch south
38 Siskin
23 Crossbill (groups of 6, 7 and 5 south and 5 north which could have come down in Gale Brook Plantation)
Present around the mast were 3 Wheatear and elsewhere 1 Tawny Owl.
On the move were;
1 Osprey south at 08:10 (Andy and Gary Lilley)
1 Red Kite east at 14:25 (found by Jill and Ken over Burnt Edge, also seen by Andy)
2 Merlin
1 Hobby
260 Pink-feet NW and 47 SE
1048 Swallow south
239 House Martin south
3339 Meadow Pipits south
33 Siskin south
19 Crossbill south (5,1 and 13)
Present were the Black Redstart, 6 Wheatear and a Robin around the Mast Compounds and at least 16 Crossbills in Gale Brook Plantation.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 28th of September 2015 08:18:31 PM
4 Chiffchaff along Coal Pit Lane, 2 of them amongst a small group of 7 Long Tailed Tits.
2 Ravens sat on the mast with another one over.
1 Kestrel on the mast with at least 2 others seen in the general area.
Bob & Joyce C
274 Pink-footed Geese all north-west (83 at 08:35, 27 at 09:00, c100 at 09:05 and 64 at 11.50).
2 Hobbies, with 1 taking a Meadow Pipit near the mast
2 Golden Plover east
1 Sandwich Tern (heard only)
1521 Swallow South
3616 House Martin, with up to 2,000 landing on mast cable wires before all flying off south
7 Siskin south
11 Crossbills south
749 Meadow Pipit south
Birds present included the Black Redstart still at the Mast, 8 Wheatear, c500 Meadow Pipits and c500 Goldfinch.
678 Meadow Pipits and 200+ still on the moor
12 Buzzards high south
41 Swallow
21 Crossbills (16 south-west and 5 briefly in Gale Brook Plantation then flew west)
32 Siskin.
No sign of Black Redstart, although works were being carried out on the main mast and there were several vehicles in the Rocket mast compound.
A dead common newt was found on Mast Road about 150 yds south of the main mast compound.
713 Meadow Pipit south mid morning
2 single Merlin south
8t Twite sw over Dean Ditch
68 Wheatear, including 30 together along Deans Ditch
Yesterday, the current resident Great White Egret on Rivington Reservoirs was seen in flight (within Lancs) from Georges Lane.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 22nd of September 2015 10:58:41 PM
Today up to 11.30am-
266 Meadow Pipits south and 20 flew north
35 Swallow south
2 Merlins (1 south and another one caught a Meadow Pipit above Deans Ditch)
Black Redstart main mast compound and 5 Wheatears and 2 Stonechats, but no Chiffchaffs.
Yesterday 19th Sept-
137 Meadow Pipits south and in the evening 160 flew north.
41 Swallow south
68 Chaffinch
7 Grey Wagtails south
Migrants around the compounds included 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Song Thrush and 14 Wheatears.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 20th of September 2015 04:22:29 PM
Spotted Flycatcher with 2 Redstarts and 6 Chiffchaff in the Big Hedge at Higher Meadows
11 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Other birds from today included:
Tree Sparrow and Coal Tit SE
5 flocks of Crossbill SW consisting of 20, 1, 7, 6 and one flock heard only.
9 Wheatears
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Single Tree Pipit south and two flocks of Crossbills (4 and 2) also south, both over Scout Road.
Hirundines moving over the moors tops in huge numbers ssw with 2405 House Martins and 1687 Swallow from late morning to 1pm.
Usual Black Redstart around the mast building in Winter Hill but did wander around and popped into GM for a while too.
12 wheatear.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Single Merlin South over Scout Road
Tree Pipit South over Scout Road
Whinchats on Edge Lane and Georges Lane
9 Wheatear
539 Swallow South
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
10 Wheatear
406 Swallow and 195 House Martin south
390 Goldfinch in two flocks of 220 and 170
Info thnaks to Andy Makin and David Sherington
Black Redstart and Redstart feeding around the mast building on Winter Hill
Hobby soaring South over moor
7 Buzzard South
1 Whinchat at Holders Farm
A total of 45 Siskin South
Info thanks to Andy Makin
12:00 Red Grouse 1 - very brief encounter with a solitary bird over the moor between Holden's Plantation and Mast Road.
13:27 Wheatear - 1 female on compound fence by Mast Road. One of two birds.
14:38 Siskin - small flock by path along Walker Fold Woods.
Other than a few common species area appeared quiet - but it was mid-day!
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 Tree Pipit S
789 House Martin
3 Crossbill S
29 Siskin SW
3 Whinchat at Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
4 Wheatear on or adjacent to Mast Road,.
2 Raven and a Stoat in Lancs side. Several Meadow Pipits and at least 1 Red Grouse heard, but not seen.
Black Redstart still just in Lancs on the mast building on Winter Hill
2 Whinchat with a family of Stonechat on Burnt Edge, also 2 more on Matchmoor Lane
7 Spotted Flycatcher
Drake Pintail flew NW
1 male Redstart along Georges Lane
1 Wheatear
17 Chiffchaff
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Black Redstart on the mast building on Winter Hill just within Lancs, perching on the roof and picking insects of the side of the mast at about 08.30
2 Redstart
2 Tree Pipit
3 Whinchat
12 Wheatear
1 Spotted Flycatcher
Info thanks to Andy Makin
17 Crossbill, many males feeding for 20 minutes around midday at Walker Fold
2 Redstarts along Georges Lane
2 Tree Pipits as singles over Georges Lane and Scout Road
2 Spotted Flycatcher at Walker Fold
31 Siskin S
3 Wheatear
6 Spotted Flycatcher
5 Redstart
5 Whinchat
1000+ House Martin
A flock of 130 Siskin NW over Georges Lane
3 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1560 House Martin SSW
241 Swallow South
Greenshank SSE at 07:10 over Scout Road
1 Tree Pipit S
3 Spotted Flycatcher at Brownstones
1 Yellow Wagtail S
25 Siskin S
2 Whinchat on Fleet Moor
13 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Rather cold and windy on the top with 6 Willow Warbler over (after some indecision they flew off eastwards) and 2 Wheatear in the smaller mast compound areas.
On mast lane on my descent there were 2 Carrion Crows in the heather and 3 flocks of birds on the road consisting of one flock of 6 Meadow Pipit a flock of 25-30 mostly Meadow Pipit but with at least 4 Wheatear and a third flock of 40-50 Meadow Pipit in the second to last cattle grid area.
On Georges Lane there were 4 Wheatear on an overhead wire.
3 Redstarts Georges Lane
1 Spotted Flycatcher
5 Whinchats
2 Yellow Wagtails down Georges lane
Hobby through SW
17 Siskin S
14 Chiffchaff
7 Willow Warbler
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 Redstart
31 Wheatear
1 Tree Pipit
8 Spotted Flycatcher
4 Crossbill 4 NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes
Georges Road
1 spotted flycatcher in the big hedge
5 wheatear
Mast Road and Winter Hill
The whole area was full of wheatear.
No black redstart for me, but at almost the highest spot on the hill a grey squirrel was perched on a dry-stone wall.
Maybe it was after the Bilberries!
Also seen today were:
4 Whinchat
8 Spotted Flycatcher
Merlin
Black Redstart on the county boundary wall on the top of Winter Hill flew off behind the mast buildings
8 Chiffchaff
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 Redstart on fence posts by border
4 Wheatears
Raven over
Loads of Swallows feeding perhaps 50+
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Tuesday 1st of September 2015 10:21:41 PM
A ring-tailed harrier went through low SE with a Merlin also briefly mobbing it.
An Osprey went low over Coal Pit Lane heading surprisingly NE in pouring rain at 5:25pm.
2 Tree Pipit
3 Black Redstart
20 Redstart
16 Whinchat
5 Whitethroat
31 Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaff
1 Garden Warbler
1 Grasshopper Warbler
84 Wheatear
5 Spotted Flycatcher
A flock of 42 Golden Plover with a partial breeding plumaged Knot flew NW just above Georges Lane.
1 Whinchat and 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Burnt Edge.
2 Crossbill 2 NW.
6 Wheatear.
13 Chiffchaff.
376 House Martin and 175 Swallow south.
Yesterday's sightings included:
4 Green Sandpipers heading west over Scout Road at 08:10.
4 Spotted Flycatchers at Walker Fold and 2 in bracken at Burnt Edge, the latter of which flew off SE.
3 Tree Pipits at Burnt Edge.
Single Yellow Wagtail over South.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 wheatear, 2 whinchat, 3 kestrel, several pheasant and meadow pipit, 1 raven, 2 spotted flycatcher,
Two Whinchats at Holdens Farm and a juvenile Hobby flew low over Gale Brook Plantation.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 Whinchat
2 Spotted Flycatchers
17 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin