A lot of this morning's action was around Flaxfield Farm
1 female kestrel flying around the walls and hedges swooping down at rabbits, before alighting on a telegraph pole next to the farm, being unsuccessfully mobbed by magpies
1 little owl in tall hawthorn hedge - didn't move in over an hour 1 pair of stonechat with 3 juveniles (3 and a half weeks old), again in hedges of farm. 1 juv robin following adult stonechats around?? 26 lesser black-backed gulls over south (one group) 2 black-headed gulls around fields 6 swallow 1 robin 10 meadow pipit 5 willow warbler
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 18th of August 2013 01:30:26 PM
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 17 10:52 AM, 2013
Saturday 17th August 2013, 7.15 - 8.45am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges and Wild Bank Hill
Weather breezy, overcast, with a few light rain showers, keeping everything quiet.
Unusually low numbers of meadow pipit and willow warbler, and not much else!
The highlights, such as they were:
1 male kestrel flew from Walkerwood Reservoir, through the country park, over to Flaxfield Farm, then along the Wild Bank side of the valley as far as Cock Knarr, when it was joined by a second bird. Both circled a couple of times before heading over the hill in the direction of Tintwistle.
1 well grown juvenile stonechat, flying around hedge between Flaxfield Farm and the gorse another stonechat heard higher up the hill in the gorse 1 skylark on Wild Bank Moor 4 swallows
I said it was a quiet morning! Nice to see the young stonechat again, though.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 17th of August 2013 10:53:25 AM
David Walsh said
Sun Aug 11 11:25 AM, 2013
Sunday 11th August 2013, 7.45 - 9.00am
Another quiet day in a week of quiet days. Still evidence of nesting and fledging, though.
1 female kestrel over from Hobson Moor and back again 16 meadow pipit robins - 1 with faecal sac, 1 adult with fledgling, 2 adults, 2 juveniles together 2 whitethroat, plus 2 separate males with 1 juv each 5 willow warbler 1 swallow 1 grey wagtail at Flaxfield Farm 1 male pheasant 1 bullfinch over in Cock Wood
6 lesser black-backed gulls flying south. Small groups have been flying south all week
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 11th of August 2013 11:27:38 AM
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 11th of August 2013 11:35:34 AM
David Walsh said
Thu Aug 8 7:20 PM, 2013
Thursday 8th August 2013, 8.00 - 9.45am
This morning was notable more for species that were absent than those present. The skies have been devoid of swift for a couple of days, of house martins for a fortnight, and the pair of stonechat that have raised two broods since the end of May haven't been heard of since Sunday, presumably moved on.
Field above Brushes Road, and fringes of Stalybridge Country Park.
8 willow warbler 3 robin + 1 juvenile 3 juv blue tit 5 meadow pipit 3 great tit 1 whitethroat 1 juv blackbird
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 8th of August 2013 10:06:11 PM
David Walsh said
Sun Aug 4 6:37 PM, 2013
Sunday 4th August 2013, 8.00 - 10.15am
Field above Brushes Road
1 female reed bunting with 1 juvenile 20+ meadow pipit 2 swallow 4 willow warbler, including one very yellow specimen 2 robin + 2 juvenile 4 whitethroat, including juveniles flock of more than 20 goldfinch, mainly juveniles
Rifle ranges/ Flaxfield area
5 willow warbler, including another very yellow individual 15 meadow pipit 2 robin 2 juv blue tit 2 juv great tit 2 swallow stonechat heard only, not seen (again) 4 juv whitethroat also counted more than 30 lesser black-backed gull moving steadily southwards, with a few black-headed gull mixed in
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 3 6:21 PM, 2013
Saturday 3rd August 2013, 7.30 - 9.15am.
Field above Brushes Road
1 pair of reed bunting 3 willow warbler 1 robin + 1 juv 1 juv dunnock 2 whitethroat 30+ goldfinch in one flock flying around the area, including many juveniles 6 swallows 20+ meadow pipit including juveniles
Around the rifle ranges/ Flaxfield area
stonechat only heard today, further up Wild Bank Hill in gorse 1 lesser redpoll 6 whitethroat, including juveniles 1 robin + 1 juv 5 willow warbler 2 swallows 1 f blackbird + 3 other juveniles 30+ meadow pipit 1 dunnock
1 buzzard soaring higher up the valley towards the Swineshaws
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 30 6:36 AM, 2013
Monday 29th July, 8.00 - 9.15pm
Around the Rifle Ranges.
1 pair of stonechat 1 whitethroat 2 willow warbler 6 swallow 40+ goldfinch 2 greenfinch 2 juv blue tit 15+ meadow pipit 6 swift 2 robin 6 blackbird 1 song thrush 2 linnet over 1 very ragged male kestrel with a "forked" tail hunting from Wild Bank to Hobson Moor
David Walsh said
Sun Jul 28 5:52 PM, 2013
Sunday 28th July 2013, 7.45 - 8.30am
Walk up to the Rifle Ranges and back, shortened due to torrential rain just as we got to the gorse. Moor above 800ft enshrouded in cloud, visibility poor.
6 swallow 1 m stonechat flock of at least 40 goldfinch, mainly juveniles, feeding on thistles 4 linnet 4 greenfinch 2 robin 1 sparrowhawk, from the country park, flying slowly over to Harridge Woods, up the valley and over the top 2 whitethroat 3 willow warbler 3 blue tit 10+ meadow pipits
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 25 12:48 PM, 2013
Thursday 25th July 2013, 8.30 - 9.45am
Walking quickly past the scene of increasing devastation at the top of Brushes Road. Trees flattened already in an area of approx 100m square, and continuing apace. When the builders finish there is an eerie silence where last week the air was filled with the sounds of warblers, finches, and thrush. On Monday evening, one bewildered robin calling was the only sound.
In the lone hawthorn tree opposite the building site - 2 very agitated pairs of jay, flying from the tree, towards the site, and back, presumably flushed from their roosts. Not seen jay out in the open since spring - in the summer they seem to confine themselves to the shelter of the trees.
But moving quickly onto the sightings in the walk up to and around the Ranges:
1 pair of stonechat 1 male reed bunting 7 linnet, including young family of 4 whitethroat 10+ willow warblers, including young 10+ blackbird, including young 20+ goldfinch, including young 20+ swallow, including young 7 black-headed gulls at Flaxfield Farm 1 greenfinch 1 mistle thrush 3 dunnock 20+ meadow pipit 1 grey heron flying from country park to the canal at Micklehurst 2 blue tit
plus the usual magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 25th of July 2013 12:49:21 PM
David Walsh said
Mon Jul 22 2:50 PM, 2013
Monday 22nd July 2013, 7.00am
Not exactly a bird sighting, but sad to report that the builders seem to have finally arrived on the land at the top of Brushes Road, opposite the last of the houses. Men in white shirts and smart shoes spilling out of over-sized cars and plodding through the long grass this morning. All the trees up to Brushes Rangers football pitch are to be levelled, trees that this year have produced fledged willow warbler and whitethroat, among others, and provide regular sightings of great spotted woodpeckers. Also one of the largest colonies of six-spot burnet moths I have ever seen.
Apparently the large field to the east of the rough track is next on the list, currently home to a pair of reed bunting.
Thank God for progress!
David Walsh said
Sat Jul 20 6:57 PM, 2013
Saturday 20th July, 7.45 - 9.15am.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
1 female reed bunting 1 pair stonechat 8 linnet, including young 15+ goldfinch, including young 1 greenfinch 4 dunnock 20+ swallow - a lot of juveniles seem to have taken to the air this week 2 house martin 1 blue tit 3 great tit 30+ meadow pipit
Most striking feature this morning was the absence of whitethroat
Plus the usual common species
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 18 5:43 PM, 2013
Thursday 18th July, 7.30 - 8.45am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
Grey heron flew over Huddersfield Road towards Brushes 1 pair stonechat 1 juv stonechat, independent 1 m reed bunting 10+ linnet, including young, very active 15+ goldfinch, including young, many feeding on thistles in marsh grass 8 whitethroat, including young 2 greenfinch 2 robin 6 dunnock 10 swallows 2 house martin 10+ swift 4 willow warbler chiffchaff singing in country park 1 lapwing over from Hobson Moor towards Heyrod 30+ meadow pipit
plus usual common species
David Walsh said
Wed Jul 17 5:41 AM, 2013
Tuesday 16th July 2013, 8.30 - 9.45pm
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 kestrel hunting over Harridge 1 m whitethroat chaffinch singing in country park 3 willow warbler 6 song thrush 4 swallow 6 swift 1 greenfinch 2 dunnock 20+ meadow pipit
In the gorse
1 pair stonechat 1 f lesser redpoll, plus at least 2 others heard. Never seen them here before - but plenty of birch trees now in the gorse, following the moorland fires of 2006. 2 dunnock 1 whitethroat 6 meadow pipit linnet over 2 swallow
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 16 5:51 AM, 2013
Monday 15th July 2013, 8.45 - 9.30pm
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges - a very quick walk up to the gorse and back.
The pair of incredibly noisy stonechat
Group of 4 young whitethroat
4 song thrush
Lots of blackbird flying
4 linnet over
6 swift
4 swallow
Bill Beckwith said
Mon Jul 15 5:34 AM, 2013
Thanks Steve
Steve Suttill said
Mon Jul 15 1:31 AM, 2013
<blockquote><b>Bill Beckwith wrote:</b><hr>
<p style="font-style: italics">Sorry for my ignorance but where are the Brushes rifle ranges?Are they near the top path you get on after a scramble from the woods the other side of Walkerwood reservoir,leading to Mottram Old Road?</p>
<hr></blockquote><p></p>
I think you've got it Bill...
If you go up Brushes Road towards the reservoir, take any of the footpaths on your right heading towards Mottram Old Road. The rifle ranges are at the back of Copley leading up to the moor edge. Always an interesting area - except when you have been asked to survey the area for Nightjars and you know that they were last seen there over 50 years ago!
Cheers, Steve
David Walsh said
Sun Jul 14 6:57 PM, 2013
Sunday 14th July 2013, 8.00 - 9.30am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 female reed bunting - male heard but not seen
1 pair stonechat - they seemed to be watching me rather than other way round, following me along path. Very vocal.
male linnet in gorse, only 3 youngsters spotted today, but vegetation dense
2 other m linnet
4 whitethroat
6 willow warbler, including fledglings in bushes on land about to be built upon, opposite houses at top of Brushes Road
15+ goldfinch, flocking around thistle heads, a lot of youngsters
2 greenfinch
2 robin
30+ meadow pipit
10+ swallow
10+ swift
4 house martins
young blue tit and great tit
4 dunnock
10+ blackbirds
chiffchaff singing in country park
plus usual common sightings
Didn't linger long today, so less numbers spotted than usual. Too hot for the dogs.
Bill Beckwith said
Sun Jul 14 5:26 AM, 2013
Sorry for my ignorance but where are the Brushes rifle ranges?Are they near the top path you get on after a scramble from the woods the other side of Walkerwood reservoir,leading to Mottram Old Road?
David Walsh said
Sun Jul 14 1:42 AM, 2013
Saturday 13th July 2013, 6pm
Grey heron perched on roof of house, Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge.
Flew off in direction of country park.
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Jul 13 7:31 PM, 2013
Some sightings from today
Brushes Road area
Garden Warbler singing and showing briefly on several occasions
3 Blackcap singing
4 Chiffchaff singing
Song Thrush singing
2 juvenile Robin on footpath honing their flycatching skills
Walkerwood Res
Grey Heron
Mallard with five ducklings
Pied Wagtail collecting food - probably for a second brood
A still dependent Robin was being fed by both parents at the far end of the dam, along with a family of Blackbirds and a family of Willow Warblers. I watched one adult Willow Warbler attempt to catch a small moth four times before it gave up!
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 13th of July 2013 07:32:12 PM
David Walsh said
Sat Jul 13 6:05 PM, 2013
Saturday 13th July 2013, 7.45 - 9.15am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 pair of stonechat
3 m linnet, including one feeding 5 youngsters
30+ goldfinch, including young (including one flock of 20)
15+ whitethroat, including young
6 dunnock, including young
3 blue tit fledglings
3 willow warblers
2 greenfinch
10+ swallows
6 swift
2 house martin
1 robin
1 song thrush
15+ blackbird, including young
6 house sparrows, including young
40+ meadow pipit
1 buzzard, hunting over Harridge Pike
chiffchaff singing in country park
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 9 5:27 AM, 2013
Monday 8th July 2013, 8.30 - 9.45pm
Quick evening walk around Brushes Rifle Ranges
Male linnet being followed around by, and feeding, 5 well grown youngsters. All flew off towards country park.
1 other male linnet in gorse
1 pair stonechat
6 swallow hawking around gorse and heather
3 goldfinch
2 greenfinch
6+ dunnock
20+ meadow pipit
Plus other usual common species
No sign of grasshopper warbler since Saturday morning
David Walsh said
Sat Jul 6 5:26 PM, 2013
Saturday 6th July 2013, 7.00 - 9.15am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
Highlight of the morning was a grasshopper warbler reeling in the marsh grass in the field next to Brushes Road. First I have seen (or heard) in this area for 14 months. It was perched obligingly (and unusually for this species) on the top of the tallest thistle in the bog. I watched it for a good half hour, the thought being, I don't know how long it may be until I see the next one. So much for the early start!!
Also:
1 m reed bunting, very vocal
3 whitethroat
4 willow warbler
1 chiffchaff
10+ goldfinch
10+ dunnock
30+ meadow pipit
1 m chaffinch
10+ blackbird
1 song thrush
2 robin
15+ swallows
3 swift
plus jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon, magpie, starling
Grasshopper warbler still reeling away, audible on the way back down Brushes Road, at 9.30am
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 4 9:17 PM, 2013
Thursday 4th July 2013, 7.00 - 8.00pm
Around the Rifle Ranges
Quick walk around tonight, with the following notable:
Male reed bunting singing away in same tree by the stream as this morning - a full 20 mins before we left Male stonechat only flying around gorse Pair of bullfinch flew out of gorse over towards Flaxfield Farm Kestrel drifted over horizon from Hobson Moor side, then back again
Plus the usual common species
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 4th of July 2013 09:18:15 PM
David Walsh said
Thu Jul 4 12:49 PM, 2013
Thursday 4th July 2013, 8.00 - 9.15am.
In the field next to Brushes Road.
1 m reed bunting 4 whitethroat, including 2 juvenile 4 goldfinch 10 dunnock including juveniles 2 willow warbler 1 chiffchaff in country park 6+ blackbirds 20+ meadow pipit 2 swallow
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 pair of stonechat 1 m whitethroat plus 1 juvenile 6 swallow 5 swift 1 m linnet 2 willow warbler 6 dunnock 3 goldfinch 1 robin
plus woodpigeon, magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 4th of July 2013 12:50:28 PM
David Walsh said
Tue Jul 2 4:30 AM, 2013
Monday 1st July 2013, 7.15 - 8.45pm
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
100+ jackdaw up from trees at rear of Range House over to country park 20+ meadow pipit 10+ blackbird 2 dunnock 5 willow warbler 1 chiffchaff 1 robin 1 great tit 3 goldfinch 6 swift 3 swallow
In the gorse
1 pair stonechat 2 dunnock 2 willow warbler 10 meadow pipit 1 f pheasant 10 swift 6 swallow
plus carrion crow, magpies, woodpigeon, starlings
David Walsh said
Sat Jun 29 10:11 PM, 2013
Saturday 29th June 2013, 7.45 - 9.00am.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges, breezy, cool, and quiet.
30+ meadow pipit 2 m whitethroat, including one with juvenile 1 juv stonechat 6 blackbirds 6 willow warbler 3 goldfinch 1 m bullfinch 3 dunnock 1 wren 3 swift 3 swallow 1 robin 4 black-headed gulls over, towards reservoir
plus magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon, starlings
David Walsh said
Fri Jun 28 5:21 AM, 2013
Thursday 27th June, 8.15 - 9.30am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 family group of 6 whitethroat, including 4 well developed youngsters, plus 3 other males. This species seems to have had a good season this year in this area. 40+ meadow pipit - another species having a bumper year. There seem to be 4 or 5 birds flying up every 20 yards or so. 1 f stonechat 2 robin 12 great tits, including 2 groups of 3 and 4 fledglings 1 m bullfinch 11 goldfinch, including young 1 buzzard 1 m kestrel 4 willow warbler 4 dunnock 1 song thrush 1 jay 6 swallows 4 swift 6 blackbird
plus jackdaw, starling, carrion crow, woodpigeon, magpies
David Walsh said
Wed Jun 19 5:15 AM, 2013
Tuesday 18th June, 7.30 - 9.00pm
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
30+ meadow pipit 1 m reed bunting in boggy scrub behind Range House 2 m whitethroat 15+ willow warbler 2 robin 10+ blackbird 1 song thrush 2 dunnock
willow warbler, chiffchaff, whitethroat, blackcap singing 2 song thrush 3 blackbird 1 dunnock 1 robin
David Walsh said
Sat Jun 15 7:53 PM, 2013
Saturday 15th June, 8.15 - 9.45am.
A cold, wet, blustery morning, keeping things quiet. Annoyingly, you could see the sun shining on Manchester and the airport to the west.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
6 swift 3 swallow 20+ meadow pipit 10 goldfinch, including one family group of 6 feeding on thistles 1 greenfinch 1 robin 2 m chaffinch 5 blackbirds 15+ starlings together in field 2 willow warbler 1 buzzard over, from Flaxfield Farm towards Hobson Moor, prompting curlew alarm calls as it disappeared over the horizon 1 curlew over, towards Brushes Valley 1 kestrel hunting in field next to Brushes Road
In the gorse.
1 pair of stonechat 1 m linnet 1 m bullfinch 2 dunnock 2 willow warbler 1 blackbird
plus usual magpies, carrion crow, jackdaw, woodpigeon
David Walsh said
Tue Jun 11 4:35 AM, 2013
Monday 10th June 2013, 7.15 - 8.45pm
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
20+ meadow pipit, including young 10+ starlings 8 swift 2 swallow 3 willow warbler 4 blackbirds 1 song thrush magpies, woodpigeon, jackdaw
In the gorse
1 pair of stonechat 2 pairs of linnet 1 pair of whitethroat, plus young 2 dunnock 1 willow warbler plus meadow pipit bullfinch heard, not seen
Chris Harper said
Sun Jun 9 10:23 PM, 2013
9-12.30 around Walkerwood Reservoir-rifle ranges-a little 'beyond'.
Stonechat-pair 4+ Lesser Redpoll 2 Linnet Reed Bunting 12+ Willow Warbler 5 Chiffchaff 5 Bullfinch Common Whitethroat 20+ Meadow Pipit Cormorant Plus many 'commoner' species
Roe Deer Unidentified 'buzzing' bird far side of Walkerwood Dam, little like a Grasshopper Warbler, but not continuous. Didn't show.
David Walsh said
Sun Jun 9 6:16 PM, 2013
Sunday 9th June 2013, 8.30 - 10.00am.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
pair of stonechat pair of bullfinch 1 m linnet 1 wren 20+ meadow pipit 2 dunnock 3 willow warbler 6 blackbird 20+ jackdaw 3 carrion crow 10 swift 2 swallow plus magpies, woodpigeon
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Jun 9 12:50 AM, 2013
Late morning visit to Walkerwood area
Willow Warbler - still several birds singing Chiffchaff - 2 singing Blackcap - 1 singing Whitethroat - 1 singing Garden Warbler - late arrival this year Lesser Redpoll - plentiful in the area 2+ Jay Grey Wagtail collecting food Plenty of birds generally collecting food
David Walsh said
Sat Jun 8 6:26 PM, 2013
Saturday 8th June 2013, 7.30 - 10.00am.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
2 great tit 8 willow warbler, including one pair 4 dunnock 1 wren 2 robin 10+ male blackbirds, 6 female, 10+ juvenile 30 + jackdaw, tearing moss from field, presumably for nesting? + more overhead 10 + carrion crow 10+ magpies 30 + meadow pipit 6 swift 3 swallows 2m chaffinch 6 starling 1 black-headed gull following tractor at Flaxfield Farm
In the gorse
1 pair of stonechat 1 pair of bullfinch 1 pair of linnet, the female with a beakful of feathers and down, plus one other male 4 dunnock, including 2 juvenile 4 willow warblers 6 meadow pipit
Back along Brushes Road, edge of country park 2 chiffchaff 2 willow warbler 1 wren 1 great tit with 2 fledglings 1 chaffinch 2 m, 1f blackbird
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Jun 7 4:06 PM, 2013
Fri June 7th. 08.00 hrs.
Cuckoo calling on T'harridge ..... nearer to Carrbrook end.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Wed Jun 5 6:18 AM, 2013
Tuesday 4th June 2013, 7.30 - 9.15pm.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
Pair of stonechat still in the gorse, but much quieter and less visible than on previous days 2 male linnet putting on a display, singing in the evening sunshine 1 male bullfinch very active flying amongst gorse and young birch. There was another bird in the bushes with him, which may have been a female, but didn't get a positive view. 1 male chaffinch 3 willow warblers 1 dunnock 40+ jackdaw, including over 30 together in field 20+ meadow pipit 2 blackbird 6 starling
Back along Brushes Road.
2 chiffchaff 3 willow warbler 1 long-tailed tit 4 blackbird 1 song thrush 1 male chaffinch
Karen Foulkes said
Tue Jun 4 5:06 AM, 2013
Evening visit with Simon Ghilks
A distant Cuckoo was perched on trees and fence posts high on the moor above Walkerwood Reservoir being mobbed relentlessly by Meadow Pipits Also Whitethroat and Linnet present and both singing Simon was also fairly sure he had a juvenile Stonechat, which annoyingly dropped from a fence and didn't reappear
David Walsh said
Mon Jun 3 10:42 PM, 2013
Monday 3rd June 2013, 7.30 - 8.30pm
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
Pair of stonechat still "clinking" away in the gorse, very visible flitting around 20+ meadow pipit 6 swallows 6 blackbird 2 willow warbler 1 chaffinch 2 swift Heard a very distant cuckoo, but couldn't pinpoint direction. However, Karen's earlier post may shed some light.
Plus the usual common species heard
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 4th of June 2013 07:35:14 AM
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun Jun 2 7:33 PM, 2013
Sunday 2nd June. 04.45 - 06.30 hrs.
What a difference a bit of decent weather makes.
Hobby over. Buzzard over. Stonechat pair.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Sunday 2nd of June 2013 07:36:09 PM
David Walsh said
Sun Jun 2 6:48 PM, 2013
Sunday 2nd June 2013, 8.45 - 10am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
Not much dawdling this morning, due to being accompanied by 2 impatient adult offspring on walk. Therefore more species heard than seen.
But: The pair of stonechat are still present in the gorse and heather along from the ranges - very active and vocal, and the male again seemed to be disappearing into the gorse with food. The female was busy flitting from tree to fence post.
Plus 1 song thrush 1 goldfinch 1 greenfinch 10+ meadow pipit 4 blackbird 2 dunnock 1 chiffchaff 2 willow warbler 2 swallow plus plenty of jackdaw, carrion crow, magpies, woodpigeon
Also, a newly fledged blue tit fluttered out of a bush and was running around the grass verge near Huddersfield Road
A lot of the the usual species calling and singing from the country park, but no time to explore!
David Walsh said
Sat Jun 1 7:45 PM, 2013
Saturday 1st June 2013, 8.30 - 9.15am.
Around Brushes rifle ranges.
Pair of stonechat feeding in the heather, about 100 yards down the slope from the gorse, where they were on the previous 2 nights. 2 m whitethroat 6 willow warbler 10+ blackbird 2 dunnock 20+ meadow pipit 10+ starling 1 robin 4 swallows around Flaxfield Farm
Back along Brushes Road, edge of country park.
2 greenfinch 3 chiffchaff 4 willow warbler 4 blackbird 2 song thrush 4 house sparrows, including young 2 swift 10+ starling
plus carrion crow, jackdaw, magpies and woodpigeon
David Walsh said
Sat Jun 1 6:28 AM, 2013
Friday 31st May 2013, 8.15 - 9.30pm.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
The pair of stonechat were still present tonight, flitting between the gorse, heather, and fence posts, and calling constantly. Towards the end of my stay, at around 9.15, the male seemed to be flying low into the gorse with food, before reappearing and calling with the female from the bush tops. A fine half hour's entertainment.
Plenty (20+) of meadow pipit about, both flying and singing, as well as at some young birds scurrying through the heather.
also,
10+ jackdaw 6 blackbirds, many carrying food into bushes 3 carrion crow 4 magpies pair of pheasant 3 dunnock 6 woodpigeon 2 willow warbler
plus willow warbler, chiffchaff, blackbird, robin, and song thrush calling from the country park.
David Walsh said
Thu May 30 11:00 PM, 2013
Thursday 30th May 2013, 7.45 - 8.45pm.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges:
Tonight's highlight was a pair of stonechat calling to each other, the male on top of a gorse bush, the female flitting around the heather. Sat and watched them for 20 minutes in the evening sunshine.
Fairly quiet otherwise
30+ jackdaw in the field next to Brushes Road 3 meadow pipit 6 magpies 10+ carrion crow 10+ woodpigeon 2 collared doves skylark calling from the moor 2 willow warbler 1 chiffchaff 2 blackbird
Plus:
willow warbler chiffchaff whitethroat song thrush blackbird robin, all calling from the country park
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 31st of May 2013 01:53:45 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 31st of May 2013 11:46:01 PM
David Walsh said
Mon May 27 9:12 PM, 2013
Monday 27th May 2013, 8.45 - 9.15am
Around Brushes rifle ranges:
Blustery conditions seemed to be keeping things quiet this morning, compared to the activity of the past couple of mornings.
2 male whitethroat in field adjacent to Brushes Road 3 willow warbler 2 chiffchaff calling 6 meadow pipit 2 blue tits 10 jackdaw 2 magpies 6 woodpigeon 6 carrion crow 2 blackbird 1 buzzard, chased over towards Hobson Moor by a carrion crow 1 f mallard with at least 8 ducklings on Walkerwood dam (a distant view from the moor) 4 Canada geese on reservoir 1 male chaffinch singing in country park
David Walsh said
Mon May 27 6:50 AM, 2013
Sunday 26th May 2013, 7.30 - 9.15am
Main feature this morning was the number of male whitethroat singing and displaying, often in places not usually populated by them. 2 in separate areas of the field adjacent to Brushes Road, 2 in the scrub behind Range House, and 3 in the country park next to Brushes Road. They seem to be here in good numbers this year.
Also:
Around the rifle ranges:
6 blackbird 20 plus jackdaw 20 plus starling 20 plus meadow pipit 4 dunnock 2 blue tit 6 willow warbler, including the new birch growth on the moor skylark singing on the moor 6 swallow 6 carrion crow 1 jay
Along Brushes Road:
4 blackbird 4 willow warbler 2 chiffchaff calling 1 robin 2 song thrush 1 blue tit 1 dunnock 4 goldfinch
plus magpies and woodpigeon aplenty
David Walsh said
Sun May 26 7:03 PM, 2013
Saturday 25th May, 7.45 - 9.30am
Around the rifle ranges:
6 swallows 4 swifts 2 goldfinch plus 4 fledglings 20 plus meadow pipits - including fledglings 3 dunnock 6 plus willow warblers, both behind ranges and in new birch growth on moor 1 male whitethroat displaying behind Range House 2 blue tit 1 great tit 2 robin 10 plus blackbirds, including young 1 kestrel 1 male wheatear in field next to Brushes Road 10 plus carrion crow 20 plus jackdaw 30 plus starling including young 1 cormorant drying its wings atop electricity pylon at Cote Farm
Along Brushes Road/ Country Park
3 Chiffchaff calling, one seen 5 willow warbler calling 1 male whitethroat blackcap calling from park 2 blue tit 6 magpies 1 robin 5 blackbird 2 song thrush, plus more singing one pair chaffinch
Karen Foulkes said
Sun May 26 6:18 AM, 2013
Plenty of action today with lots of birds collecting food
Brushes Road/Walkerwood area
At least 3 Whitethroat singing Willow Warbler - well into double figures with birds singing and also a couple of pairs Chiffchaff - plenty Blackcap - plenty 3 Jay including one "anting" At least 2 Raven 3 Buzzard 2 Kestrel, one of which engaged in aerial combat with a Raven 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker including one drumming
Lee Griffiths said
Tue May 7 4:57 AM, 2013
from brushes to brushes reservoir 1 till 3.15
raven 2 common buzzard 2 common sandpiper 1 willow warbler 15+ chiffchaff 4 lesser redpoll 2 grey wagtail 2 treecreeper 1 goldcrest 1 coal tit 2 blue tit 10+ great tit 3 long tailed tit 2 goldfinch 4 bullfinch 2 chaffinch 5 greenfinch 1 wren 10+ song thrush 1 mistle thrush 3 great spotted woodpecker 1 robin 10 + blackbird 10+ dunnock 2 jay 1 nuthatch 1
Karen Foulkes said
Sun May 5 9:18 PM, 2013
Late report for 4/5/13
Brushes to Higher Swineshaw
Common Sandpiper - at least 2 pairs Red Grouse - 4 birds seen and another 2 heard Lesser Redpoll - Good numbers of this species ranging from the country park to Higher Swineshaw, birds seen displaying in the country park area Willow Warbler - at least a dozen birds singing Chiffchaff - 3 in the country park Raven
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 5th of May 2013 09:19:00 PM
Around the Rifle Ranges and Wild Bank Moor
A lot of this morning's action was around Flaxfield Farm
1 female kestrel flying around the walls and hedges swooping down at rabbits, before alighting on a telegraph pole next to the farm, being unsuccessfully mobbed by magpies
1 little owl in tall hawthorn hedge - didn't move in over an hour
1 pair of stonechat with 3 juveniles (3 and a half weeks old), again in hedges of farm.
1 juv robin following adult stonechats around??
26 lesser black-backed gulls over south (one group)
2 black-headed gulls around fields
6 swallow
1 robin
10 meadow pipit
5 willow warbler
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 18th of August 2013 01:30:26 PM
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges and Wild Bank Hill
Weather breezy, overcast, with a few light rain showers, keeping everything quiet.
Unusually low numbers of meadow pipit and willow warbler, and not much else!
The highlights, such as they were:
1 male kestrel flew from Walkerwood Reservoir, through the country park, over to Flaxfield Farm, then along the Wild Bank side of the valley as far as Cock Knarr, when it was joined by a second bird. Both circled a couple of times before heading over the hill in the direction of Tintwistle.
1 well grown juvenile stonechat, flying around hedge between Flaxfield Farm and the gorse
another stonechat heard higher up the hill in the gorse
1 skylark on Wild Bank Moor
4 swallows
I said it was a quiet morning! Nice to see the young stonechat again, though.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 17th of August 2013 10:53:25 AM
Another quiet day in a week of quiet days. Still evidence of nesting and fledging, though.
Along Brushes Road
15 goldfinch together, mainly juveniles
4 willow warbler
1 chiffchaff
3 swallow
9 meadow pipit
Rifle Ranges and Flaxfield
1 female kestrel over from Hobson Moor and back again
16 meadow pipit
robins - 1 with faecal sac, 1 adult with fledgling, 2 adults, 2 juveniles together
2 whitethroat, plus 2 separate males with 1 juv each
5 willow warbler
1 swallow
1 grey wagtail at Flaxfield Farm
1 male pheasant
1 bullfinch over in Cock Wood
6 lesser black-backed gulls flying south. Small groups have been flying south all week
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 11th of August 2013 11:27:38 AM
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 11th of August 2013 11:35:34 AM
This morning was notable more for species that were absent than those present. The skies have been devoid of swift for a couple of days, of house martins for a fortnight, and the pair of stonechat that have raised two broods since the end of May haven't been heard of since Sunday, presumably moved on.
Field above Brushes Road, and fringes of Stalybridge Country Park.
7 willow warbler
2 chiffchaff
1 juv long-tailed tit
1 robin + 1 juvenile
1 wren
1 great tit
9 swallow
3 goldfinch
9 meadow pipit
Rifle ranges/ Flaxfield area
8 willow warbler
3 robin + 1 juvenile
3 juv blue tit
5 meadow pipit
3 great tit
1 whitethroat
1 juv blackbird
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 8th of August 2013 10:06:11 PM
Field above Brushes Road
1 female reed bunting with 1 juvenile
20+ meadow pipit
2 swallow
4 willow warbler, including one very yellow specimen
2 robin + 2 juvenile
4 whitethroat, including juveniles
flock of more than 20 goldfinch, mainly juveniles
Rifle ranges/ Flaxfield area
5 willow warbler, including another very yellow individual
15 meadow pipit
2 robin
2 juv blue tit
2 juv great tit
2 swallow
stonechat heard only, not seen (again)
4 juv whitethroat
also counted more than 30 lesser black-backed gull moving steadily southwards, with a few black-headed gull mixed in
Field above Brushes Road
1 pair of reed bunting
3 willow warbler
1 robin + 1 juv
1 juv dunnock
2 whitethroat
30+ goldfinch in one flock flying around the area, including many juveniles
6 swallows
20+ meadow pipit including juveniles
Around the rifle ranges/ Flaxfield area
stonechat only heard today, further up Wild Bank Hill in gorse
1 lesser redpoll
6 whitethroat, including juveniles
1 robin + 1 juv
5 willow warbler
2 swallows
1 f blackbird + 3 other juveniles
30+ meadow pipit
1 dunnock
1 buzzard soaring higher up the valley towards the Swineshaws
Around the Rifle Ranges.
1 pair of stonechat
1 whitethroat
2 willow warbler
6 swallow
40+ goldfinch
2 greenfinch
2 juv blue tit
15+ meadow pipit
6 swift
2 robin
6 blackbird
1 song thrush
2 linnet over
1 very ragged male kestrel with a "forked" tail hunting from Wild Bank to Hobson Moor
Walk up to the Rifle Ranges and back, shortened due to torrential rain just as we got to the gorse. Moor above 800ft enshrouded in cloud, visibility poor.
6 swallow
1 m stonechat
flock of at least 40 goldfinch, mainly juveniles, feeding on thistles
4 linnet
4 greenfinch
2 robin
1 sparrowhawk, from the country park, flying slowly over to Harridge Woods, up the valley and over the top
2 whitethroat
3 willow warbler
3 blue tit
10+ meadow pipits
Walking quickly past the scene of increasing devastation at the top of Brushes Road. Trees flattened already in an area of approx 100m square, and continuing apace. When the builders finish there is an eerie silence where last week the air was filled with the sounds of warblers, finches, and thrush. On Monday evening, one bewildered robin calling was the only sound.
In the lone hawthorn tree opposite the building site - 2 very agitated pairs of jay, flying from the tree, towards the site, and back, presumably flushed from their roosts. Not seen jay out in the open since spring - in the summer they seem to confine themselves to the shelter of the trees.
But moving quickly onto the sightings in the walk up to and around the Ranges:
1 pair of stonechat
1 male reed bunting
7 linnet, including young
family of 4 whitethroat
10+ willow warblers, including young
10+ blackbird, including young
20+ goldfinch, including young
20+ swallow, including young
7 black-headed gulls at Flaxfield Farm
1 greenfinch
1 mistle thrush
3 dunnock
20+ meadow pipit
1 grey heron flying from country park to the canal at Micklehurst
2 blue tit
plus the usual magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 25th of July 2013 12:49:21 PM
Not exactly a bird sighting, but sad to report that the builders seem to have finally arrived on the land at the top of Brushes Road, opposite the last of the houses. Men in white shirts and smart shoes spilling out of over-sized cars and plodding through the long grass this morning. All the trees up to Brushes Rangers football pitch are to be levelled, trees that this year have produced fledged willow warbler and whitethroat, among others, and provide regular sightings of great spotted woodpeckers. Also one of the largest colonies of six-spot burnet moths I have ever seen.
Apparently the large field to the east of the rough track is next on the list, currently home to a pair of reed bunting.
Thank God for progress!
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
1 female reed bunting
1 pair stonechat
8 linnet, including young
15+ goldfinch, including young
1 greenfinch
4 dunnock
20+ swallow - a lot of juveniles seem to have taken to the air this week
2 house martin
1 blue tit
3 great tit
30+ meadow pipit
Most striking feature this morning was the absence of whitethroat
Plus the usual common species
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
Grey heron flew over Huddersfield Road towards Brushes
1 pair stonechat
1 juv stonechat, independent
1 m reed bunting
10+ linnet, including young, very active
15+ goldfinch, including young, many feeding on thistles in marsh grass
8 whitethroat, including young
2 greenfinch
2 robin
6 dunnock
10 swallows
2 house martin
10+ swift
4 willow warbler
chiffchaff singing in country park
1 lapwing over from Hobson Moor towards Heyrod
30+ meadow pipit
plus usual common species
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 kestrel hunting over Harridge
1 m whitethroat
chaffinch singing in country park
3 willow warbler
6 song thrush
4 swallow
6 swift
1 greenfinch
2 dunnock
20+ meadow pipit
In the gorse
1 pair stonechat
1 f lesser redpoll, plus at least 2 others heard. Never seen them here before - but plenty of birch trees now in the gorse, following the moorland fires of 2006.
2 dunnock
1 whitethroat
6 meadow pipit
linnet over
2 swallow
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges - a very quick walk up to the gorse and back.
The pair of incredibly noisy stonechat
Group of 4 young whitethroat
4 song thrush
Lots of blackbird flying
4 linnet over
6 swift
4 swallow
<p style="font-style: italics">Sorry for my ignorance but where are the Brushes rifle ranges?Are they near the top path you get on after a scramble from the woods the other side of Walkerwood reservoir,leading to Mottram Old Road?</p>
<hr></blockquote><p></p>
I think you've got it Bill...
If you go up Brushes Road towards the reservoir, take any of the footpaths on your right heading towards Mottram Old Road. The rifle ranges are at the back of Copley leading up to the moor edge. Always an interesting area - except when you have been asked to survey the area for Nightjars and you know that they were last seen there over 50 years ago!
Cheers, Steve
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 female reed bunting - male heard but not seen
1 pair stonechat - they seemed to be watching me rather than other way round, following me along path. Very vocal.
male linnet in gorse, only 3 youngsters spotted today, but vegetation dense
2 other m linnet
4 whitethroat
6 willow warbler, including fledglings in bushes on land about to be built upon, opposite houses at top of Brushes Road
15+ goldfinch, flocking around thistle heads, a lot of youngsters
2 greenfinch
2 robin
30+ meadow pipit
10+ swallow
10+ swift
4 house martins
young blue tit and great tit
4 dunnock
10+ blackbirds
chiffchaff singing in country park
plus usual common sightings
Didn't linger long today, so less numbers spotted than usual. Too hot for the dogs.
Grey heron perched on roof of house, Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge.
Flew off in direction of country park.
Brushes Road area
Garden Warbler singing and showing briefly on several occasions
3 Blackcap singing
4 Chiffchaff singing
Song Thrush singing
2 juvenile Robin on footpath honing their flycatching skills
Walkerwood Res
Grey Heron
Mallard with five ducklings
Pied Wagtail collecting food - probably for a second brood
A still dependent Robin was being fed by both parents at the far end of the dam, along with a family of Blackbirds and a family of Willow Warblers. I watched one adult Willow Warbler attempt to catch a small moth four times before it gave up!
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 13th of July 2013 07:32:12 PM
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 pair of stonechat
3 m linnet, including one feeding 5 youngsters
30+ goldfinch, including young (including one flock of 20)
15+ whitethroat, including young
6 dunnock, including young
3 blue tit fledglings
3 willow warblers
2 greenfinch
10+ swallows
6 swift
2 house martin
1 robin
1 song thrush
15+ blackbird, including young
6 house sparrows, including young
40+ meadow pipit
1 buzzard, hunting over Harridge Pike
chiffchaff singing in country park
Quick evening walk around Brushes Rifle Ranges
Male linnet being followed around by, and feeding, 5 well grown youngsters. All flew off towards country park.
1 other male linnet in gorse
1 pair stonechat
6 swallow hawking around gorse and heather
3 goldfinch
2 greenfinch
6+ dunnock
20+ meadow pipit
Plus other usual common species
No sign of grasshopper warbler since Saturday morning
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
Highlight of the morning was a grasshopper warbler reeling in the marsh grass in the field next to Brushes Road. First I have seen (or heard) in this area for 14 months. It was perched obligingly (and unusually for this species) on the top of the tallest thistle in the bog. I watched it for a good half hour, the thought being, I don't know how long it may be until I see the next one. So much for the early start!!
Also:
1 m reed bunting, very vocal
3 whitethroat
4 willow warbler
1 chiffchaff
10+ goldfinch
10+ dunnock
30+ meadow pipit
1 m chaffinch
10+ blackbird
1 song thrush
2 robin
15+ swallows
3 swift
In the gorse
1 pair stonechat
1 m linnet
3 willow warbler
6 dunnock
10+ meadow pipit
plus jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon, magpie, starling
Grasshopper warbler still reeling away, audible on the way back down Brushes Road, at 9.30am
Around the Rifle Ranges
Quick walk around tonight, with the following notable:
Male reed bunting singing away in same tree by the stream as this morning - a full 20 mins before we left
Male stonechat only flying around gorse
Pair of bullfinch flew out of gorse over towards Flaxfield Farm
Kestrel drifted over horizon from Hobson Moor side, then back again
Plus the usual common species
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 4th of July 2013 09:18:15 PM
In the field next to Brushes Road.
1 m reed bunting
4 whitethroat, including 2 juvenile
4 goldfinch
10 dunnock including juveniles
2 willow warbler
1 chiffchaff in country park
6+ blackbirds
20+ meadow pipit
2 swallow
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 pair of stonechat
1 m whitethroat plus 1 juvenile
6 swallow
5 swift
1 m linnet
2 willow warbler
6 dunnock
3 goldfinch
1 robin
plus woodpigeon, magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 4th of July 2013 12:50:28 PM
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
100+ jackdaw up from trees at rear of Range House over to country park
20+ meadow pipit
10+ blackbird
2 dunnock
5 willow warbler
1 chiffchaff
1 robin
1 great tit
3 goldfinch
6 swift
3 swallow
In the gorse
1 pair stonechat
2 dunnock
2 willow warbler
10 meadow pipit
1 f pheasant
10 swift
6 swallow
plus carrion crow, magpies, woodpigeon, starlings
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges, breezy, cool, and quiet.
30+ meadow pipit
2 m whitethroat, including one with juvenile
1 juv stonechat
6 blackbirds
6 willow warbler
3 goldfinch
1 m bullfinch
3 dunnock
1 wren
3 swift
3 swallow
1 robin
4 black-headed gulls over, towards reservoir
plus magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon, starlings
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 family group of 6 whitethroat, including 4 well developed youngsters, plus 3 other males. This species seems to have had a good season this year in this area.
40+ meadow pipit - another species having a bumper year. There seem to be 4 or 5 birds flying up every 20 yards or so.
1 f stonechat
2 robin
12 great tits, including 2 groups of 3 and 4 fledglings
1 m bullfinch
11 goldfinch, including young
1 buzzard
1 m kestrel
4 willow warbler
4 dunnock
1 song thrush
1 jay
6 swallows
4 swift
6 blackbird
plus jackdaw, starling, carrion crow, woodpigeon, magpies
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
30+ meadow pipit
1 m reed bunting in boggy scrub behind Range House
2 m whitethroat
15+ willow warbler
2 robin
10+ blackbird
1 song thrush
2 dunnock
In the gorse
1 pair of bullfinch
3 willow warbler
1 dunnock
10+ meadow pipit
Along Brushes Road, side of country park
willow warbler, chiffchaff, whitethroat, blackcap singing
2 song thrush
3 blackbird
1 dunnock
1 robin
A cold, wet, blustery morning, keeping things quiet. Annoyingly, you could see the sun shining on Manchester and the airport to the west.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
6 swift
3 swallow
20+ meadow pipit
10 goldfinch, including one family group of 6 feeding on thistles
1 greenfinch
1 robin
2 m chaffinch
5 blackbirds
15+ starlings together in field
2 willow warbler
1 buzzard over, from Flaxfield Farm towards Hobson Moor, prompting curlew alarm calls as it disappeared over the horizon
1 curlew over, towards Brushes Valley
1 kestrel hunting in field next to Brushes Road
In the gorse.
1 pair of stonechat
1 m linnet
1 m bullfinch
2 dunnock
2 willow warbler
1 blackbird
plus usual magpies, carrion crow, jackdaw, woodpigeon
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
20+ meadow pipit, including young
10+ starlings
8 swift
2 swallow
3 willow warbler
4 blackbirds
1 song thrush
magpies, woodpigeon, jackdaw
In the gorse
1 pair of stonechat
2 pairs of linnet
1 pair of whitethroat, plus young
2 dunnock
1 willow warbler
plus meadow pipit
bullfinch heard, not seen
Stonechat-pair
4+ Lesser Redpoll
2 Linnet
Reed Bunting
12+ Willow Warbler
5 Chiffchaff
5 Bullfinch
Common Whitethroat
20+ Meadow Pipit
Cormorant
Plus many 'commoner' species
Roe Deer
Unidentified 'buzzing' bird far side of Walkerwood Dam, little like a Grasshopper Warbler, but not continuous. Didn't show.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
pair of stonechat
pair of bullfinch
1 m linnet
1 wren
20+ meadow pipit
2 dunnock
3 willow warbler
6 blackbird
20+ jackdaw
3 carrion crow
10 swift
2 swallow
plus magpies, woodpigeon
Willow Warbler - still several birds singing
Chiffchaff - 2 singing
Blackcap - 1 singing
Whitethroat - 1 singing
Garden Warbler - late arrival this year
Lesser Redpoll - plentiful in the area
2+ Jay
Grey Wagtail collecting food
Plenty of birds generally collecting food
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
2 great tit
8 willow warbler, including one pair
4 dunnock
1 wren
2 robin
10+ male blackbirds, 6 female, 10+ juvenile
30 + jackdaw, tearing moss from field, presumably for nesting? + more overhead
10 + carrion crow
10+ magpies
30 + meadow pipit
6 swift
3 swallows
2m chaffinch
6 starling
1 black-headed gull following tractor at Flaxfield Farm
In the gorse
1 pair of stonechat
1 pair of bullfinch
1 pair of linnet, the female with a beakful of feathers and down, plus one other male
4 dunnock, including 2 juvenile
4 willow warblers
6 meadow pipit
Back along Brushes Road, edge of country park
2 chiffchaff
2 willow warbler
1 wren
1 great tit with 2 fledglings
1 chaffinch
2 m, 1f blackbird
Cuckoo calling on T'harridge ..... nearer to Carrbrook end.
Roger.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
Pair of stonechat still in the gorse, but much quieter and less visible than on previous days
2 male linnet putting on a display, singing in the evening sunshine
1 male bullfinch very active flying amongst gorse and young birch. There was another bird in the bushes with him, which may have been a female, but didn't get a positive view.
1 male chaffinch
3 willow warblers
1 dunnock
40+ jackdaw, including over 30 together in field
20+ meadow pipit
2 blackbird
6 starling
Back along Brushes Road.
2 chiffchaff
3 willow warbler
1 long-tailed tit
4 blackbird
1 song thrush
1 male chaffinch
A distant Cuckoo was perched on trees and fence posts high on the moor above Walkerwood Reservoir being mobbed relentlessly by Meadow Pipits
Also Whitethroat and Linnet present and both singing
Simon was also fairly sure he had a juvenile Stonechat, which annoyingly dropped from a fence and didn't reappear
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
Pair of stonechat still "clinking" away in the gorse, very visible flitting around
20+ meadow pipit
6 swallows
6 blackbird
2 willow warbler
1 chaffinch
2 swift
Heard a very distant cuckoo, but couldn't pinpoint direction. However, Karen's earlier post may shed some light.
Plus the usual common species heard
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 4th of June 2013 07:35:14 AM
What a difference a bit of decent weather makes.
Hobby over.
Buzzard over.
Stonechat pair.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Sunday 2nd of June 2013 07:36:09 PM
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
Not much dawdling this morning, due to being accompanied by 2 impatient adult offspring on walk. Therefore more species heard than seen.
But: The pair of stonechat are still present in the gorse and heather along from the ranges - very active and vocal, and the male again seemed to be disappearing into the gorse with food. The female was busy flitting from tree to fence post.
Plus 1 song thrush
1 goldfinch
1 greenfinch
10+ meadow pipit
4 blackbird
2 dunnock
1 chiffchaff
2 willow warbler
2 swallow
plus plenty of jackdaw, carrion crow, magpies, woodpigeon
Also, a newly fledged blue tit fluttered out of a bush and was running around the grass verge near Huddersfield Road
A lot of the the usual species calling and singing from the country park, but no time to explore!
Around Brushes rifle ranges.
Pair of stonechat feeding in the heather, about 100 yards down the slope from the gorse, where they were on the previous 2 nights.
2 m whitethroat
6 willow warbler
10+ blackbird
2 dunnock
20+ meadow pipit
10+ starling
1 robin
4 swallows around Flaxfield Farm
Back along Brushes Road, edge of country park.
2 greenfinch
3 chiffchaff
4 willow warbler
4 blackbird
2 song thrush
4 house sparrows, including young
2 swift
10+ starling
plus carrion crow, jackdaw, magpies and woodpigeon
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
The pair of stonechat were still present tonight, flitting between the gorse, heather, and fence posts, and calling constantly. Towards the end of my stay, at around 9.15, the male seemed to be flying low into the gorse with food, before reappearing and calling with the female from the bush tops. A fine half hour's entertainment.
Plenty (20+) of meadow pipit about, both flying and singing, as well as at some young birds scurrying through the heather.
also,
10+ jackdaw
6 blackbirds, many carrying food into bushes
3 carrion crow
4 magpies
pair of pheasant
3 dunnock
6 woodpigeon
2 willow warbler
plus willow warbler, chiffchaff, blackbird, robin, and song thrush calling from the country park.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges:
Tonight's highlight was a pair of stonechat calling to each other, the male on top of a gorse bush, the female flitting around the heather. Sat and watched them for 20 minutes in the evening sunshine.
Fairly quiet otherwise
30+ jackdaw in the field next to Brushes Road
3 meadow pipit
6 magpies
10+ carrion crow
10+ woodpigeon
2 collared doves
skylark calling from the moor
2 willow warbler
1 chiffchaff
2 blackbird
Plus:
willow warbler
chiffchaff
whitethroat
song thrush
blackbird
robin, all calling from the country park
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 31st of May 2013 01:53:45 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 31st of May 2013 11:46:01 PM
Around Brushes rifle ranges:
Blustery conditions seemed to be keeping things quiet this morning, compared to the activity of the past couple of mornings.
2 male whitethroat in field adjacent to Brushes Road
3 willow warbler
2 chiffchaff calling
6 meadow pipit
2 blue tits
10 jackdaw
2 magpies
6 woodpigeon
6 carrion crow
2 blackbird
1 buzzard, chased over towards Hobson Moor by a carrion crow
1 f mallard with at least 8 ducklings on Walkerwood dam (a distant view from the moor)
4 Canada geese on reservoir
1 male chaffinch singing in country park
Main feature this morning was the number of male whitethroat singing and displaying, often in places not usually populated by them. 2 in separate areas of the field adjacent to Brushes Road, 2 in the scrub behind Range House, and 3 in the country park next to Brushes Road. They seem to be here in good numbers this year.
Also:
Around the rifle ranges:
6 blackbird
20 plus jackdaw
20 plus starling
20 plus meadow pipit
4 dunnock
2 blue tit
6 willow warbler, including the new birch growth on the moor
skylark singing on the moor
6 swallow
6 carrion crow
1 jay
Along Brushes Road:
4 blackbird
4 willow warbler
2 chiffchaff calling
1 robin
2 song thrush
1 blue tit
1 dunnock
4 goldfinch
plus magpies and woodpigeon aplenty
Around the rifle ranges:
6 swallows
4 swifts
2 goldfinch plus 4 fledglings
20 plus meadow pipits - including fledglings
3 dunnock
6 plus willow warblers, both behind ranges and in new birch growth on moor
1 male whitethroat displaying behind Range House
2 blue tit
1 great tit
2 robin
10 plus blackbirds, including young
1 kestrel
1 male wheatear in field next to Brushes Road
10 plus carrion crow
20 plus jackdaw
30 plus starling including young
1 cormorant drying its wings atop electricity pylon at Cote Farm
Along Brushes Road/ Country Park
3 Chiffchaff calling, one seen
5 willow warbler calling
1 male whitethroat
blackcap calling from park
2 blue tit
6 magpies
1 robin
5 blackbird
2 song thrush, plus more singing
one pair chaffinch
Brushes Road/Walkerwood area
At least 3 Whitethroat singing
Willow Warbler - well into double figures with birds singing and also a couple of pairs
Chiffchaff - plenty
Blackcap - plenty
3 Jay including one "anting"
At least 2 Raven
3 Buzzard
2 Kestrel, one of which engaged in aerial combat with a Raven
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker including one drumming
raven 2
common buzzard 2
common sandpiper 1
willow warbler 15+
chiffchaff 4
lesser redpoll 2
grey wagtail 2
treecreeper 1
goldcrest 1
coal tit 2
blue tit 10+
great tit 3
long tailed tit 2
goldfinch 4
bullfinch 2
chaffinch 5
greenfinch 1
wren 10+
song thrush 1
mistle thrush 3
great spotted woodpecker 1
robin 10 +
blackbird 10+
dunnock 2
jay 1
nuthatch 1
Brushes to Higher Swineshaw
Common Sandpiper - at least 2 pairs
Red Grouse - 4 birds seen and another 2 heard
Lesser Redpoll - Good numbers of this species ranging from the country park to Higher Swineshaw, birds seen displaying in the country park area
Willow Warbler - at least a dozen birds singing
Chiffchaff - 3 in the country park
Raven
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 5th of May 2013 09:19:00 PM