Area between Walkerwood and Oakgates, this morning
Highlights
3+ Blackcap 10+ Willow Warbler 6+ Chiffchaff 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 4+ Lesser Redpoll 2 Buzzard Raven 2 Swallow 2 Red Grouse on hill above Walkerwood Res
Lots of common species about also
Rob Creek said
Mon Apr 29 1:28 AM, 2013
Roger Baker 3 wrote:
Well done Rob ....... makes all the hours I've spent freezing on that dam-head scanning for one on migration seem well worthwhile.
Sorry Roger, as I said I was quite shocked myself and I got in touch with Ian last night as I was doubting myself but that's what it was. In all the excitement I forgot to post that I heard a male Tawny Owl too-woo-ing from Cock Wood about 4pm. Obviously on the scout for a too-wit. :)
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Apr 29 12:16 AM, 2013
Well done Rob ....... makes all the hours I've spent freezing on that dam-head scanning for one on migration seem well worthwhile.
Roger.
Rob Creek said
Sun Apr 28 10:37 PM, 2013
Saturday 3.15 - 4.30pm mainly around the Cock Wood Reservoir.
2 Willow Warblers. 1 male Blackcap. 1 Cormorant on the reservoir edge. 1 Curlew overhead.
I was watching 3 Buzzards circling quite high overhead, another bird of prey flew over but at a lower height than the Buzzards, in the direction of the 2 Swineshaw reservoirs. An Osprey passing through would you believe, I had to pinch myself, I really didn't expect to see one of these here.
Stuart Pike said
Sun Apr 28 5:19 AM, 2013
Short walk upto ranges about 6 pm - 2 female wheatear, 2 or 3 willow warbler, 1 skylark and a fox of note
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Apr 26 4:34 PM, 2013
Fri 26th April. 07.00hrs - 09.00 hrs.
Rifle Ranges & Wild Bank.
Swallow. 4 around Range House stable block. Willow Warbler. 3. Meadow Pipits. 40+ Wheatear. 2 male. Possibly same bird but I doubt it. Skylark. 3 singing. Cormorant swimming on Walkerwood Reservoir.
Roger.
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Apr 14 1:41 AM, 2013
Swineshaw Moor area 2 Red Grouse 1 Linnet 4 Meadow Pipit 1 Kestrel
otherwise very quiet
Roger Baker 3 said
Tue Apr 9 2:42 AM, 2013
Monday 8th April. 12.30 - 13.30 hrs.
Walk from Walkerwood Res to Higher Swineshaw Res. Very quiet.
2 Siskin. 1 Red Grouse. Buzzard heard but not seen around top of Brushes Res.
Roger.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 2 12:47 AM, 2013
An Osprey was at Arnfield Reservoir (in Derbyshire) for about 20 minutes this pm and was seen to fly N over Hobson Moor towards Brushes at 5pm.
Info thanks to Rob Adderley/Bill Underwood
David Walsh said
Tue Feb 26 4:48 AM, 2013
Sunday 24th February 2013, 7.15 - 8.45am.
Around the Rifle Ranges.
Green Woodpecker in tree behind Flaxfield Farm 2 Dunnock 1m, 1f Blackbird 2 Jay 1 m Bullfinch 2 Great Tit 2 Blue Tit 2 Red Grouse, up on the moor
In the country park, Brushes Road edge.
1 m Great Spotted Woodpecker 12 Long Tailed Tit 5 Blue Tit 6 Great Tit 1 Coal Tit 3 Robin 4m, 3f Chaffinch 1f Brambling, being chased by Chaffinches 6 Goldfinch 2 Greenfinch 6 Blackbird 1 Song Thrush
In a tree on Brushes Road, opposite houses
1 f Great Spotted Woodpecker, which after a few minutes flew back into country park.
Ashley Edwards said
Fri Jan 25 8:28 PM, 2013
Quick walk this AM.
Plenty of: Goldfinch Blue tit Great tit Wren Chaffinch Long tailed tit
Also male Bullfinch calling from tree just into the park, another two up near the dam.
One female goosander on dam with two black headed gulls.
Karen Foulkes said
Thu Jan 24 7:44 PM, 2013
Ashley Edwards wrote:
Is there a page for the Swineshaw reservoirs and the nearby moors or does it fall under this thread?
4goosander (2m 2f) on Brushes Dam with 2 Common Gulls and several black headed gulls
Ashley, I normally use this thread for my sightings in the Swineshaw area.
Ashley Edwards said
Thu Jan 24 6:22 PM, 2013
Is there a page for the Swineshaw reservoirs and the nearby moors or does it fall under this thread?
4goosander (2m 2f) on Brushes Dam with 2 Common Gulls and several black headed gulls
Ashley Edwards said
Thu Jan 24 1:02 PM, 2013
Walked up through brushes country park past all Swineshaw reservoirs and up to the top of Wild Bank Moor.
Brushes Greenfinch x8 Goldfinch x3 Jay x2 Long tailed tit x3 Coal tit x2 Plus numerous usual odds and sods (Bullfinch calling just as I was leaving towards the road after completing the loop back down through the park)
Swineshaw and tops Raven x1 Peregrine x1 (heading down the valley at speed) Buzzard x1 Bullfinch heard but not seen in last of woods before moorland.
-- Edited by Ashley Edwards on Thursday 24th of January 2013 01:08:55 PM
Stuart Pike said
Sun Jan 20 7:29 PM, 2013
Walk this morning for hour and a half before snow - started 09:30 - skirted round bottom edge of the moor, past rifle ranges then around Walkerwood Resevoir and through Stalybridge Country Park.
Highlights:-
Green Woodpecker in woods at far end Walkerwood Great Spotted Woodpecker near Rifle Ranges Pair of Bullfinches Nuthatch
David Walsh said
Sat Nov 24 11:32 AM, 2012
Saturday 24th November , 9am, around Brushes Rifle Ranges,
1 green woodpecker flew from gorse bushes next to ranges, across to hedgerow at Flaxfield Farm
also
1 kestrel 3 jays 6 magpies 1 great tit 3 meadow pipit 2 robin (1 juvenile) 1 dunnock 3 house sparrows 2 blackbird 2 goldfinch 10 jackdaw 1 red grouse heard a great spotted woodpecker drumming in country park
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 24th of November 2012 11:35:39 AM
David Walsh said
Sat Nov 24 3:36 AM, 2012
Thursday 22nd November 2012, 9.30am.
Walking the dogs yesterday morning I saw a large bird, smaller than a buzzard, but a lot bigger than a sparrowhawk, flying with regular wingbeats low across the rough grass in the field between Brushes Road and Range House, in the direction of Huddersfield Road.
A couple of minutes later it flew back across the field below me and across Brushes Road and over the country park. All this time meadow pipits were making a lot of noise but didn't fly up.
Unfortunately the light wasn't too good and I didn't have my binoculars, and all I made out were grey upper wings with distinctive black tips.
The bird that comes to mind is a male hen harrier, but I haven't seen one before, and haven't heard of any reports anywhere in this area .
I wondered whether anyone else has seen anything fitting this description around the Stalybridge/Hollingworth/Tintwistle areas?
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Oct 15 4:43 AM, 2012
Sunday 14th Oct. 16.45 - 17.30 hrs.
Walkerwood.
Plenty of Jays active in the Oaks but also counted 16 singles high up flying determinedly South.
Roger
Thomas and Bill Jones said
Wed Sep 5 3:24 AM, 2012
I was parked on huddersfield rd near the junction with brushes road at the time. The raptor was flying away from the country park in the direction of mottram, and definitely wasn't a buzzard.
i think i'll have to file it under 'ones that got away' - the moral - ALWAYS keep bins the car...!
thanks for the info anyway cheers, T
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Sep 5 1:54 AM, 2012
Hiya Billy .... When you say "over Brushes" do you mean Walkerwood (the bottom Reservoir) or over the valley itself.
The reason I ask is with it being such a large area.
I've called up half a dozen times in the last 10 days and just sat on the dam-head scanning the valley but not seen much of anything, been really quiet, only to be expected this time of year.
There was an Osprey knocking about Walkerwood for a few days about 4 years ago according to a couple of the worm-drowners that I know so I thought there was a fair chance of the Arnfield bird paying a visit.
Roger.
Thomas and Bill Jones said
Tue Sep 4 7:01 PM, 2012
Did anyone see an unusual (non-Buzzard) raptor over Brushes at about 7pm yesterday (monday 3rd)? It flew off in the direction of Mottram. Looked osprey-like to me, but i hadn't got the bins, so it has to go down as one that got away, unless anyone else saw it too??
David Walsh said
Sun Jul 22 6:00 PM, 2012
Sunday 22nd July, 8.00 - 9.15am.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
50+ jackdaw together 4 adult and 12 juvenile goldfinch feeding on thistles 1 greenfinch 1 kestrel 12 meadow pipit 1 chiffchaff 2 willow warbler 1 blackcap heard, not seen plus magpies and woodpigeon
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Jun 18 4:37 AM, 2012
Plenty of birds around late morning today
Garden Warbler - 1 bird singing, seen briefly Blackcap - 3+ males, 2 females seen Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs feeding young Male Whitethroat singing - appears not to have found a mate 2 Grey Wagtail 12+ Redpoll Lots of young birds plus the usuals
Iain Johnson said
Wed Jun 6 12:09 AM, 2012
Dafid,
The cuckoo was calls from harridge woods.
Cheers IAIN
David Walsh said
Tue Jun 5 7:58 PM, 2012
Ian,
which part of the valley did you hear the cuckoo?
There has been one calling in the woods on Harridge on the north side of Brushes Reservoir for over a week now. On Friday evening I walked up to the top reservoir, heard it calling in its usual place, but on the way back down the valley, heard one calling from the woods by the scout hut, in the valley between Brushes and Lower Swineshaw reservoir.
When I got back down towards the gate by the cottages at Brushes reservoir I could hear one calling again from Harridge woods. I wondered if there were two of them, or just one moving around, as I didn't hear two calling simultaneously.
David
Iain Johnson said
Tue Jun 5 2:22 AM, 2012
Cuckoo heard calling circa 17:45 pm as I was running to upper swineshaw
David Walsh said
Mon May 28 7:08 PM, 2012
Monday 29th May 2012, 9.00 - 10.30am
From rifle ranges, down into oak woods on Southern side of Walkerwood reservoir, and back to Brushes Road through country park.
1 male reed bunting 12 meadow pipit 1 great tit 1 male whitethroat 1 pair chaffinch 1 kestrel 1 sparrowhawk 7 goldfinch 3 willow warbler 2 jay 2 blue tit 1 great tit 2 robin
In the woods
1 blue tit 1 coal tit 4 willow warbler 1 male chaffinch 3 blackbird 1 male blackcap heard (not seen) 2 robin Also heard a male cuckoo calling. It sounded as if it was calling from the woods on the northern side of Brushes reservoir, by Brushes Road
In country park, back along Brushes Road
1 pair bullfinch 2 male blackcap, more calling 2 male whitethroat, more calling 6 willow warbler chiffchaff calling, not seen 2 robin 6 blackbird
plus magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon
David Walsh said
Sat May 26 6:22 AM, 2012
Friday 25th May 2012, 7.45 - 9.30pm
Rifle Ranges and WIld Bank Moor
Strong breeze blowing, but otherwise a beautiful evening.
Around the ranges
1 sparrowhawk 1 wren 2 dunnock 6 blackbirds 3 robin 10 meadow pipit 3 willow warbler whitethroat heard, not seen
On the moor, around 1000 feet
very quiet,
20 plus meadow pipit 4 swallow 12 skylark plus more singing
On way down at the ranges, around 9.10pm Family of blackbirds making commotion in a small hawthorn tree, then a tawny owl flew from tree towards Flaxfield Farm, pursued by one of the male blackbirds
David Walsh said
Sun May 20 7:24 AM, 2012
Saturday 19th May 2012, afternoon in the garden
2 buzzard being mobbed by a single carrion crow, over Huddersfield Road, moving down from the moors towards the river Tame, then back again.
Sparrowhawk swooped over from Huddersfield Road, through the gardens and off in the direction of the country park.
2 goldfinch a lot of greenfinch flying between the gardens recently, making a lot of noise. Not sure whether they are family groups or just mating couples. 2 robin female blackbird following her fledglings around the hedges male blackbird singing in hawthorn hedge woodpigeon in hawthorn tree trying to keep fledglings in nest 2 blue tit coal tit 2 dunnock pair of house sparrows with young
eventually got the lawn cut
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri May 18 3:18 PM, 2012
Fri 18th May. 07.00 hrs.
30 minute walk round Carrbrook Village.
3 Lesser Redpoll feeding on grass verge. 2 Greenfinch males. Bullfinch. Willow Warbler. Blackcap. Grey Wagtail. Song Thrush.
Roger.
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu May 17 9:26 AM, 2012
Thurs 17th May. 07.00 hrs - 08.30 hrs
Country Park from Millbrook to Walkerwood.
Heavy drizzle keeping everything down.
3 Willow Warbler plus plenty more singing. 1 singing Chiffchaff. 1 Blackcap (m) 2 Garden warbler.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Thursday 17th of May 2012 09:28:58 AM
David Walsh said
Wed May 16 3:50 AM, 2012
Tuesday 15th May 2012, 6.45 - 7.15pm
Quick walk along lane, the length of Brushes Reservoir.
1 nuthatch 2 male bullfinch 4 male, 2 female chaffinch 3 robin 1 wren 5 long-tailed tits 3 blue tits 2 great tits 3 willow warbler 6 blackbird
Karen Foulkes said
Sat May 12 11:19 PM, 2012
Late morning in the country park
Garden Warbler Common Whitethroat
Chiffchaff - 2-3 singing Willow Warbler - numerous Blackcap - at least 4 males Lesser Redpoll - present in good numbers in the country park this year Song Thrush impersonating a Wood Warbler
David Walsh said
Sat May 12 8:01 PM, 2012
Saturday 12th May 2012, 8.45 - 10.15am
Brushes Rifle Ranges
2m whitethroat in the scrub behind Range House, plus one other calling. grasshopper warbler reeled for about 30 seconds, not seen 4 willow warbler 2 blue tits 2 dunnock 15 meadow pipit linnet singing in gorse 5 blackbird plus carrion crow, jackdaw, magpies, and woodpigeon overhead
Back along Brushes Road,
2m chaffinch having a sing-off 3 long-tailed tit 2 blue tit 3 willow warblers
Calling from country park
chiffchaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, and blackcap
David Walsh said
Fri May 11 11:27 PM, 2012
Friday 11th May 2012, 6.45 - 8.45pm
On Wild Bank Moor, at around 1000 feet.
Only thing of note on the way up past the rifle ranges onto the moor was a sparrowhawk which landed in the field next to Brushes Road. Willow warblers and meadow pipits making themselves heard. After an uneventful walk up the hill, we were treated to a ten minute display of two male stonechats flying into and around each other while a female sat in the heather awatching.
Also nearby was a male red grouse sitting in the heather, illuminated by the end-of-day sunshine, his head bobbing up and down depending upon our movements, like a burnished periscope. He was in the same spot for at least half an hour, before we left.
The full list is as follows:
Up on the moor, at 1000 feet
2m, 1f stonechat 6 wheatear 1m red grouse 20 plus meadow pipit 1 pair blackbirds struggling in the wind linnet calling from down in gorse
Lower down
1 sparrowhawk 13 blackbird 6 meadow pipit 2 great tit several willow warblers calling 12 magpies heard a tawny owl in the country park woodpigeon, jackdaw, and carrion crows aplenty
At 11.50pm, last dog walk of day
Tawny owl heard from Huddersfield Road, "Kewicking" over Stayley Hall, moving off in the direction of the River Tame and Heyrod
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of May 2012 12:05:13 AM
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of May 2012 12:42:47 PM
David Walsh said
Fri May 11 4:46 AM, 2012
Thursday 10th May 2012, 6.45 - 7.30pm
A very quick walk from the country park to the cottages by Brushes reservoir with the dogs
By the cottages:
1 nuthatch, perched on telephone wire 3 goldfinch 1 chaffinch 3 blue tit 2 great tit 1 willow warbler, plus more singing and calling 2 robin 1 swallow overhead 10 blackbird 20 plus woodpigeon
In the country park:
1 male blackcap, plus at least 2 more calling whitethroat calling, not seen 1 m chaffinch 2 robin 6 blackbirds 1 magpie woodpigeon galore willow warbler and chiffchaff singing 2 swift overhead 2 blue tit 1 great tit
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed May 9 4:12 PM, 2012
Weds 9th May. 06.45 hrs - 08.15 hrs.
Rifle Range.
Grasshopper Warbler ...... good view for about 10 mins, reeling off a bramble. Only this one bird reeling now ....... there were definately two on Friday (possibly three).
6 Swallow around the stables. 4 Meadow Pipit. 1 Skylark. 3 Linnet.
Red Grouse calling from off the moor.
Heard a Green Woodpecker yaffling other side of Walkerwood Reservoir.
Roger
David Walsh said
Mon May 7 4:17 AM, 2012
Sunday 6th May 2012, 8.15 - 10.45am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
Finally spotted the Grasshopper Warbler that I have heard every day for the past four days, in the marsh grass between Range House stables and the ranges. Watched it reeling away from a bramble in the grass for a good 15 minutes before the dogs got bored and we had to head off.
Also this morning:
1 sparrowhawk over country park, headed off towards Harridge 1 kestrel over rifle ranges then moved over to Walkerwood. 20 plus meadow pipit 1 wren 6 robin 10 blackbird 20 plus starlings rising from marsh grass above Brushes Road 30 jackdaw together in same field 10 plus carrion crows flying over 10 magpies 2 linnet in gorse 3 dunnock 4 blue tits 4 great tits 2 greenfinch 10 willow warblers, plus dozens singing, including in the new birch growth high on the moor, following the fires a few years ago. Not seen them this high up before. Chiffchaff singing in the country park curlew and skylark calling higher up on Wild Bank moor plus woodpigeon aplenty strangely no wheatear today?
7.30 -8.00pm, quick walk with dogs up Brushes Road from gate, along length of Brushes reservoir.
6 blackbirds 1 wren 2 lesser redpoll 3 goldfinch 1 greenfinch 6 blue tits 3 willow warblers, plus others singing 3 canada geese on reservoir, plus 2 flying over 2 mallard on reservoir 10 woodpigeon 2 robin
Iain Johnson said
Fri May 4 10:20 PM, 2012
I would but currently dodging bullets in Iraq
David Walsh said
Fri May 4 4:29 AM, 2012
Thursday 3rd May 2012, 7.15 - 8.00pm
Behind Range House, down path from Rifle Ranges.
Thanks to Lee, Roger, and Iain for their information requested earlier.
Definitely 2 grasshopper warblers reeling in the marsh grass behind the stables at Range House, over the wooden bridge. Got within ten feet of one, but couldn't see it. It was still calling even though I was so close.
Also disturbed a tawny owl, which swooped down over my head and through the bushes. It flew back ten minutes later being noisily pursued by a pair of blackbirds.
All in all, I have had a good day in this (thankfully) much neglected corner of Stalybridge.
Thanks again to those that have replied. Get yourselves up here, but not all at once!
David Walsh said
Fri May 4 1:00 AM, 2012
Thanks Iain,
I have had another message with a report of a sighting last year at Lower Swineshaw, which is adjacent to the scout hut.
The ones this morning were near the rifle ranges, but only about half to three quarters of a mile from The Swineshaws as the warbler flies. Habitat is about right for them, but I can't say I've heard them there before, hence the request for help. I am off out again in an hour to see if I can get any further with them. Will post report if I have any success.
Thanks again,
David
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri May 4 12:54 AM, 2012
Hello David, You have had two good finds there mate.
I heard one reeling in the reeds between the canal and river about 500 yds upstream of Grove Rd but that was quite a few years ago.
As for what would sound similar ? Errrrrrrr ..... A Grasshopper !
Roger.
Iain Johnson said
Fri May 4 12:23 AM, 2012
Hi dave,
There was one grasshopper warbler reeling near the scout camp at upper swineshaw last year and I believe one other record but not sure where. Cheers Iain
David Walsh said
Thu May 3 12:01 PM, 2012
Thursday 3rd May 2012
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges, 8.30 - 10.00am.
Highlight of the morning for me was my first male whinchat of the year, singing for a good five minutes in a tree next to the ranges, before being chased away by a meadow pipit. Absolutely stunning in spring plumage.
Also, I would like advice from anyone with birding knowledge of the area around the rifle ranges. I heard what I was sure was a grasshopper warbler in two separate locations this morning, once near the reeds below Range House, near Brushes Road, and later in the marshy scrub between the rifle ranges and the the rear of the stables at Range House. Has anyone any experience of grasshopper warblers in this area? Or any ideas as to what may sound similar?
The rest of the sightings were as follows: 6 blue tits 3 great tits 1 reed bunting 1 wren 20 plus meadow pipits 6 robin 1 goldfinch 1 greenfinch 1 m wheatear 20 plus blackbirds plenty of willow warbler and chiffchaff singing 20 plus carrion crows 20 plus woodpigeon 20 plus jackdaws, including six sat on a cow sitting in a field! skylarks singing higher up Wild Bank, not sighted
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 11:29:51 PM
David Walsh said
Tue May 1 3:35 PM, 2012
Tuesday 1st May 2012, 10.00 to 11.00am
Stalybridge Country Park, off Brushes Road
4 greenfinch 4 lesser redpoll (2m and 2f), together in birch trees 2 separate pairs of chaffinch 1 m blackcap, plus 2 others calling, not seen 6 long tailed tits, moving through trees 10 great tits 6 blue tits 2 robin 3 m blackbird 5 dunnock 20 plus willow warblers, plus others singing 2 chiffchaff, plus more singing 2 magpies several carrion crow and jackdaw flying plus a lot of woodpigeon
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 08:58:33 PM
David Walsh said
Tue May 1 5:43 AM, 2012
Monday 30th April 7.00 to 8.00pm
Stalybridge Country Park, off Brushes Road
3 male Blackcap 6 Great tit 1 male Chaffinch 1 Black-headed gull flying over Walkerwood reservoir 10 plus Willow warbler 2 Chiffchaff plus several more calling 2 Robin 6 Blackbirds Woodpigeon aplenty
David Walsh said
Sat Apr 28 7:52 PM, 2012
Saturday 28th April 2012, 8.30 to 9.45am
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
First time up the hill for a few weeks due to injured spaniel. Very windy, not much flying higher up, a few carrion crows being blown around, but no birds of prey this morning.
10 plus meadow pipit, flying up in pairs from long grass 2 jays clattering around bushes on Brushes Road Heard linnet singing in gorse above ranges, but no sighting 1 greenfinch 2 blue tits 6 wheatear on higher path 200 metres up hill overlooking Walkerwood reservoir. First I have seen here this year, but have been grounded for a few weeks due to aforementioned spaniel. Typically tame, flying up in front of dog then landing a few yards ahead. 3 willow warblers and 1 chiffchaff sighted on way back from dam along Brushes Road, heard many more of each singing on both sides of lane back down to houses at Brushes.
David Walsh said
Fri Mar 30 11:01 PM, 2012
Friday 30th March 2012, 6.45 - 7.45pm.
Around Brushes rifle ranges.
15 meadow pipit rising from grass below Range House 1 Sparrowhawk soaring over Wild Bank for 15 minutes, before moving off over towards Hobson Moor. Robin and blackbird calling before roost, otherwise quiet. Poor visibility compared to rest of week.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 30th of March 2012 11:05:16 PM
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Mar 30 5:28 PM, 2012
Friday 30th March. 06.45hrs - 10.00 hrs.
From Carrbrook to Walkerwood across T'Harridge.
Pair Lapwing. 14 Meadow Pipit ......... more calling. Green Woodpecker. Little Owl. 2 Chiffchaff. Plenty of Nuthatch calling from trees down below.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Fri Mar 30 5:37 AM, 2012
Thursday 29th March 2012, 6.45-8pm
Around Brushes Ranges and Wild Bank
1 jay in field above Brushes Road. Watched 1 common buzzard hunting over Wild Bank being mobbed by 2 carrion crows for 20 minutes just before dusk. Quite a duel, with buzzard apparently unphased by the attention. Several meadow pipits calling and flying over rough grassland above Walkerwood reservoir. 1 kestrel intermittingly hovering and moving from Walkerwood over rifle ranges and out of sight just after dusk. 1 mistle thrush singing in tall tree next to Walkerwood Dam after dusk
Highlights
3+ Blackcap
10+ Willow Warbler
6+ Chiffchaff
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker
4+ Lesser Redpoll
2 Buzzard
Raven
2 Swallow
2 Red Grouse on hill above Walkerwood Res
Lots of common species about also
Roger.
2 Willow Warblers.
1 male Blackcap.
1 Cormorant on the reservoir edge.
1 Curlew overhead.
I was watching 3 Buzzards circling quite high overhead, another bird of prey flew over but at a lower height than the Buzzards, in the direction of the 2 Swineshaw reservoirs. An Osprey passing through would you believe, I had to pinch myself, I really didn't expect to see one of these here.
Rifle Ranges & Wild Bank.
Swallow. 4 around Range House stable block.
Willow Warbler. 3.
Meadow Pipits. 40+
Wheatear. 2 male. Possibly same bird but I doubt it.
Skylark. 3 singing.
Cormorant swimming on Walkerwood Reservoir.
Roger.
2 Red Grouse
1 Linnet
4 Meadow Pipit
1 Kestrel
otherwise very quiet
Walk from Walkerwood Res to Higher Swineshaw Res. Very quiet.
2 Siskin.
1 Red Grouse.
Buzzard heard but not seen around top of Brushes Res.
Roger.
Info thanks to Rob Adderley/Bill Underwood
Around the Rifle Ranges.
Green Woodpecker in tree behind Flaxfield Farm
2 Dunnock
1m, 1f Blackbird
2 Jay
1 m Bullfinch
2 Great Tit
2 Blue Tit
2 Red Grouse, up on the moor
In the country park, Brushes Road edge.
1 m Great Spotted Woodpecker
12 Long Tailed Tit
5 Blue Tit
6 Great Tit
1 Coal Tit
3 Robin
4m, 3f Chaffinch
1f Brambling, being chased by Chaffinches
6 Goldfinch
2 Greenfinch
6 Blackbird
1 Song Thrush
In a tree on Brushes Road, opposite houses
1 f Great Spotted Woodpecker, which after a few minutes flew back into country park.
Plenty of:
Goldfinch
Blue tit
Great tit
Wren
Chaffinch
Long tailed tit
Also male Bullfinch calling from tree just into the park, another two up near the dam.
One female goosander on dam with two black headed gulls.
Ashley, I normally use this thread for my sightings in the Swineshaw area.
4goosander (2m 2f) on Brushes Dam with 2 Common Gulls and several black headed gulls
Brushes
Greenfinch x8
Goldfinch x3
Jay x2
Long tailed tit x3
Coal tit x2
Plus numerous usual odds and sods
(Bullfinch calling just as I was leaving towards the road after completing the loop back down through the park)
Swineshaw and tops
Raven x1
Peregrine x1 (heading down the valley at speed)
Buzzard x1
Bullfinch heard but not seen in last of woods before moorland.
-- Edited by Ashley Edwards on Thursday 24th of January 2013 01:08:55 PM
Highlights:-
Green Woodpecker in woods at far end Walkerwood
Great Spotted Woodpecker near Rifle Ranges
Pair of Bullfinches
Nuthatch
1 green woodpecker flew from gorse bushes next to ranges, across to hedgerow at Flaxfield Farm
also
1 kestrel
3 jays
6 magpies
1 great tit
3 meadow pipit
2 robin (1 juvenile)
1 dunnock
3 house sparrows
2 blackbird
2 goldfinch
10 jackdaw
1 red grouse
heard a great spotted woodpecker drumming in country park
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 24th of November 2012 11:35:39 AM
Walking the dogs yesterday morning I saw a large bird, smaller than a buzzard, but a lot bigger than a sparrowhawk, flying with regular wingbeats low across the rough grass in the field between Brushes Road and Range House, in the direction of Huddersfield Road.
A couple of minutes later it flew back across the field below me and across Brushes Road and over the country park. All this time meadow pipits were making a lot of noise but didn't fly up.
Unfortunately the light wasn't too good and I didn't have my binoculars, and all I made out were grey upper wings with distinctive black tips.
The bird that comes to mind is a male hen harrier, but I haven't seen one before, and haven't heard of any reports anywhere in this area .
I wondered whether anyone else has seen anything fitting this description around the Stalybridge/Hollingworth/Tintwistle areas?
Walkerwood.
Plenty of Jays active in the Oaks but also counted 16 singles high up flying determinedly South.
Roger
The raptor was flying away from the country park in the direction of mottram, and definitely wasn't a buzzard.
i think i'll have to file it under 'ones that got away' - the moral - ALWAYS keep bins the car...!
thanks for the info anyway
cheers, T
The reason I ask is with it being such a large area.
I've called up half a dozen times in the last 10 days and just sat on the dam-head scanning the valley but not seen much of anything, been really quiet, only to be expected this time of year.
There was an Osprey knocking about Walkerwood for a few days about 4 years ago according to a couple of the worm-drowners that I know so I thought there was a fair chance of the Arnfield bird paying a visit.
Roger.
It flew off in the direction of Mottram. Looked osprey-like to me, but i hadn't got the bins, so it has to go down as one that got away, unless anyone else saw it too??
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges
50+ jackdaw together
4 adult and 12 juvenile goldfinch feeding on thistles
1 greenfinch
1 kestrel
12 meadow pipit
1 chiffchaff
2 willow warbler
1 blackcap heard, not seen
plus magpies and woodpigeon
Garden Warbler - 1 bird singing, seen briefly
Blackcap - 3+ males, 2 females seen
Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs feeding young
Male Whitethroat singing - appears not to have found a mate
2 Grey Wagtail
12+ Redpoll
Lots of young birds
plus the usuals
The cuckoo was calls from harridge woods.
Cheers IAIN
which part of the valley did you hear the cuckoo?
There has been one calling in the woods on Harridge on the north side of Brushes Reservoir for over a week now. On Friday evening I walked up to the top reservoir, heard it calling in its usual place, but on the way back down the valley, heard one calling from the woods by the scout hut, in the valley between Brushes and Lower Swineshaw reservoir.
When I got back down towards the gate by the cottages at Brushes reservoir I could hear one calling again from Harridge woods. I wondered if there were two of them, or just one moving around, as I didn't hear two calling simultaneously.
David
From rifle ranges, down into oak woods on Southern side of Walkerwood reservoir, and back to Brushes Road through country park.
1 male reed bunting
12 meadow pipit
1 great tit
1 male whitethroat
1 pair chaffinch
1 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk
7 goldfinch
3 willow warbler
2 jay
2 blue tit
1 great tit
2 robin
In the woods
1 blue tit
1 coal tit
4 willow warbler
1 male chaffinch
3 blackbird
1 male blackcap heard (not seen)
2 robin
Also heard a male cuckoo calling. It sounded as if it was calling from the woods on the northern side of Brushes reservoir, by Brushes Road
In country park, back along Brushes Road
1 pair bullfinch
2 male blackcap, more calling
2 male whitethroat, more calling
6 willow warbler
chiffchaff calling, not seen
2 robin
6 blackbird
plus magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon
Rifle Ranges and WIld Bank Moor
Strong breeze blowing, but otherwise a beautiful evening.
Around the ranges
1 sparrowhawk
1 wren
2 dunnock
6 blackbirds
3 robin
10 meadow pipit
3 willow warbler
whitethroat heard, not seen
On the moor, around 1000 feet
very quiet,
20 plus meadow pipit
4 swallow
12 skylark plus more singing
On way down at the ranges, around 9.10pm
Family of blackbirds making commotion in a small hawthorn tree, then a tawny owl flew from tree towards Flaxfield Farm, pursued by one of the male blackbirds
2 buzzard being mobbed by a single carrion crow, over Huddersfield Road, moving down from the moors towards the river Tame, then back again.
Sparrowhawk swooped over from Huddersfield Road, through the gardens and off in the direction of the country park.
2 goldfinch
a lot of greenfinch flying between the gardens recently, making a lot of noise. Not sure whether they are family groups or just mating couples.
2 robin
female blackbird following her fledglings around the hedges
male blackbird singing in hawthorn hedge
woodpigeon in hawthorn tree trying to keep fledglings in nest
2 blue tit
coal tit
2 dunnock
pair of house sparrows with young
eventually got the lawn cut
30 minute walk round Carrbrook Village.
3 Lesser Redpoll feeding on grass verge.
2 Greenfinch males.
Bullfinch.
Willow Warbler.
Blackcap.
Grey Wagtail.
Song Thrush.
Roger.
Country Park from Millbrook to Walkerwood.
Heavy drizzle keeping everything down.
3 Willow Warbler plus plenty more singing.
1 singing Chiffchaff.
1 Blackcap (m)
2 Garden warbler.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Thursday 17th of May 2012 09:28:58 AM
Quick walk along lane, the length of Brushes Reservoir.
1 nuthatch
2 male bullfinch
4 male, 2 female chaffinch
3 robin
1 wren
5 long-tailed tits
3 blue tits
2 great tits
3 willow warbler
6 blackbird
Garden Warbler
Common Whitethroat
Chiffchaff - 2-3 singing
Willow Warbler - numerous
Blackcap - at least 4 males
Lesser Redpoll - present in good numbers in the country park this year
Song Thrush impersonating a Wood Warbler
Brushes Rifle Ranges
2m whitethroat in the scrub behind Range House, plus one other calling.
grasshopper warbler reeled for about 30 seconds, not seen
4 willow warbler
2 blue tits
2 dunnock
15 meadow pipit
linnet singing in gorse
5 blackbird
plus carrion crow, jackdaw, magpies, and woodpigeon overhead
Back along Brushes Road,
2m chaffinch having a sing-off
3 long-tailed tit
2 blue tit
3 willow warblers
Calling from country park
chiffchaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, and blackcap
On Wild Bank Moor, at around 1000 feet.
Only thing of note on the way up past the rifle ranges onto the moor was a sparrowhawk which landed in the field next to Brushes Road. Willow warblers and meadow pipits making themselves heard. After an uneventful walk up the hill, we were treated to a ten minute display of two male stonechats flying into and around each other while a female sat in the heather awatching.
Also nearby was a male red grouse sitting in the heather, illuminated by the end-of-day sunshine, his head bobbing up and down depending upon our movements, like a burnished periscope. He was in the same spot for at least half an hour, before we left.
The full list is as follows:
Up on the moor, at 1000 feet
2m, 1f stonechat
6 wheatear
1m red grouse
20 plus meadow pipit
1 pair blackbirds struggling in the wind
linnet calling from down in gorse
Lower down
1 sparrowhawk
13 blackbird
6 meadow pipit
2 great tit
several willow warblers calling
12 magpies
heard a tawny owl in the country park
woodpigeon, jackdaw, and carrion crows aplenty
At 11.50pm, last dog walk of day
Tawny owl heard from Huddersfield Road, "Kewicking" over Stayley Hall, moving off in the direction of the River Tame and Heyrod
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of May 2012 12:05:13 AM
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of May 2012 12:42:47 PM
A very quick walk from the country park to the cottages by Brushes reservoir with the dogs
By the cottages:
1 nuthatch, perched on telephone wire
3 goldfinch
1 chaffinch
3 blue tit
2 great tit
1 willow warbler, plus more singing and calling
2 robin
1 swallow overhead
10 blackbird
20 plus woodpigeon
In the country park:
1 male blackcap, plus at least 2 more calling
whitethroat calling, not seen
1 m chaffinch
2 robin
6 blackbirds
1 magpie
woodpigeon galore
willow warbler and chiffchaff singing
2 swift overhead
2 blue tit
1 great tit
Rifle Range.
Grasshopper Warbler ...... good view for about 10 mins, reeling off a bramble. Only this one bird reeling now ....... there were definately two on Friday (possibly three).
6 Swallow around the stables.
4 Meadow Pipit.
1 Skylark.
3 Linnet.
Red Grouse calling from off the moor.
Heard a Green Woodpecker yaffling other side of Walkerwood Reservoir.
Roger
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
Finally spotted the Grasshopper Warbler that I have heard every day for the past four days, in the marsh grass between Range House stables and the ranges. Watched it reeling away from a bramble in the grass for a good 15 minutes before the dogs got bored and we had to head off.
Also this morning:
1 sparrowhawk over country park, headed off towards Harridge
1 kestrel over rifle ranges then moved over to Walkerwood.
20 plus meadow pipit
1 wren
6 robin
10 blackbird
20 plus starlings rising from marsh grass above Brushes Road
30 jackdaw together in same field
10 plus carrion crows flying over
10 magpies
2 linnet in gorse
3 dunnock
4 blue tits
4 great tits
2 greenfinch
10 willow warblers, plus dozens singing, including in the new birch growth high on the moor, following the fires a few years ago. Not seen them this high up before.
Chiffchaff singing in the country park
curlew and skylark calling higher up on Wild Bank moor
plus woodpigeon aplenty
strangely no wheatear today?
7.30 -8.00pm, quick walk with dogs up Brushes Road from gate, along length of Brushes reservoir.
6 blackbirds
1 wren
2 lesser redpoll
3 goldfinch
1 greenfinch
6 blue tits
3 willow warblers, plus others singing
3 canada geese on reservoir, plus 2 flying over
2 mallard on reservoir
10 woodpigeon
2 robin
Behind Range House, down path from Rifle Ranges.
Thanks to Lee, Roger, and Iain for their information requested earlier.
Definitely 2 grasshopper warblers reeling in the marsh grass behind the stables at Range House, over the wooden bridge. Got within ten feet of one, but couldn't see it. It was still calling even though I was so close.
Also disturbed a tawny owl, which swooped down over my head and through the bushes. It flew back ten minutes later being noisily pursued by a pair of blackbirds.
All in all, I have had a good day in this (thankfully) much neglected corner of Stalybridge.
Thanks again to those that have replied. Get yourselves up here, but not all at once!
I have had another message with a report of a sighting last year at Lower Swineshaw, which is adjacent to the scout hut.
The ones this morning were near the rifle ranges, but only about half to three quarters of a mile from The Swineshaws as the warbler flies. Habitat is about right for them, but I can't say I've heard them there before, hence the request for help. I am off out again in an hour to see if I can get any further with them. Will post report if I have any success.
Thanks again,
David
You have had two good finds there mate.
I heard one reeling in the reeds between the canal and river about 500 yds upstream of Grove Rd but that was quite a few years ago.
As for what would sound similar ? Errrrrrrr ..... A Grasshopper !
Roger.
There was one grasshopper warbler reeling near the scout camp at upper swineshaw last year and I believe one other record but not sure where. Cheers Iain
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges, 8.30 - 10.00am.
Highlight of the morning for me was my first male whinchat of the year, singing for a good five minutes in a tree next to the ranges, before being chased away by a meadow pipit. Absolutely stunning in spring plumage.
Also, I would like advice from anyone with birding knowledge of the area around the rifle ranges. I heard what I was sure was a grasshopper warbler in two separate locations this morning, once near the reeds below Range House, near Brushes Road, and later in the marshy scrub between the rifle ranges and the the rear of the stables at Range House. Has anyone any experience of grasshopper warblers in this area? Or any ideas as to what may sound similar?
The rest of the sightings were as follows:
6 blue tits
3 great tits
1 reed bunting
1 wren
20 plus meadow pipits
6 robin
1 goldfinch
1 greenfinch
1 m wheatear
20 plus blackbirds
plenty of willow warbler and chiffchaff singing
20 plus carrion crows
20 plus woodpigeon
20 plus jackdaws, including six sat on a cow sitting in a field!
skylarks singing higher up Wild Bank, not sighted
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 11:29:51 PM
Stalybridge Country Park, off Brushes Road
4 greenfinch
4 lesser redpoll (2m and 2f), together in birch trees
2 separate pairs of chaffinch
1 m blackcap, plus 2 others calling, not seen
6 long tailed tits, moving through trees
10 great tits
6 blue tits
2 robin
3 m blackbird
5 dunnock
20 plus willow warblers, plus others singing
2 chiffchaff, plus more singing
2 magpies
several carrion crow and jackdaw flying
plus a lot of woodpigeon
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 08:58:33 PM
Stalybridge Country Park, off Brushes Road
3 male Blackcap
6 Great tit
1 male Chaffinch
1 Black-headed gull flying over Walkerwood reservoir
10 plus Willow warbler
2 Chiffchaff plus several more calling
2 Robin
6 Blackbirds
Woodpigeon aplenty
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.
First time up the hill for a few weeks due to injured spaniel.
Very windy, not much flying higher up, a few carrion crows being blown around, but no birds of prey this morning.
10 plus meadow pipit, flying up in pairs from long grass
2 jays clattering around bushes on Brushes Road
Heard linnet singing in gorse above ranges, but no sighting
1 greenfinch
2 blue tits
6 wheatear on higher path 200 metres up hill overlooking Walkerwood reservoir. First I have seen here this year, but have been grounded for a few weeks due to aforementioned spaniel. Typically tame, flying up in front of dog then landing a few yards ahead.
3 willow warblers and 1 chiffchaff sighted on way back from dam along Brushes Road, heard many more of each singing on both sides of lane back down to houses at Brushes.
Around Brushes rifle ranges.
15 meadow pipit rising from grass below Range House
1 Sparrowhawk soaring over Wild Bank for 15 minutes, before moving off over towards Hobson Moor.
Robin and blackbird calling before roost, otherwise quiet.
Poor visibility compared to rest of week.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 30th of March 2012 11:05:16 PM
From Carrbrook to Walkerwood across T'Harridge.
Pair Lapwing.
14 Meadow Pipit ......... more calling.
Green Woodpecker.
Little Owl.
2 Chiffchaff.
Plenty of Nuthatch calling from trees down below.
Roger.
Around Brushes Ranges and Wild Bank
1 jay in field above Brushes Road.
Watched 1 common buzzard hunting over Wild Bank being mobbed by 2 carrion crows for 20 minutes just before dusk. Quite a duel, with buzzard apparently unphased by the attention.
Several meadow pipits calling and flying over rough grassland above Walkerwood reservoir.
1 kestrel intermittingly hovering and moving from Walkerwood over rifle ranges and out of sight just after dusk.
1 mistle thrush singing in tall tree next to Walkerwood Dam after dusk