Male reed bunting singing on bramble below Range House 2 blue tits on tree over brook 10 plus meadow pipit singing and parachuting over grass and heather 2 robin 10 plus skylarks singing and flying higher up over moor Jay flying over Walkerwood reservoir Male stonechat on gorse bushes 6 dunnock 1 jay hopping around field by Brushes Road 1 male chaffinch singing in hawthorn 3 long tailed tits in blackthorn on Brushes Road 1 kestrel hovering over grass. Flew off toward Walkerwood reservoir. 1 heron flying up the Tame Valley towards Carrbrook Numerous woodpigeon, jackdaw, and carrion crows
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Mar 26 11:33 AM, 2012
Monday 26th March. 06.45 hrs- 10.30 hrs.
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw.
At least 4 Song Thrushes seen ....... having a sing off. Male Kestrel. Cormorant on Brushes Res. 3 Jays. 2 Mistle Thrush. 3 Nuthatch + more calling. 9 Bullfinch. 4 Greenfinch. Chaffinch. Many. 6 Curlew. Getting towards the top of the climb.
Had a sit down on the bench up at Higher Swineshaw and was treated to some cracking views on some open ground of two Red Grouse cocks flexing their muscles at each other. The hen was about 5 yards away, holding their jackets. I watched them for about 15 mins ....... still there when I left. No spilt blood.
Roger
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 26th of March 2012 05:43:59 PM
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 26th of March 2012 05:51:35 PM
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Mar 25 4:45 PM, 2012
Higher Swineshaw to Walkerwood - am
1 male Stonechat at Swineshaw, watched for 20 mins whilst he sang and displayed Tufted Duck (pair) 1 Buzzard 1 Peregrine Red Grouse - plentiful 1 Chiffchaff singing from the far side of Walkerwood Green Woodpecker heard yaffling from side of footpath
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 25th of March 2012 04:49:23 PM
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Mar 12 2:58 AM, 2012
1000 - 1300
Circular walk around Walkerwood area
Highlights
4 Buzzard and 2 Raven in air simultaneously 1 Raven then flew overhead calling and began circling, rising on the thermals
A Green Woodpecker was yaffling some distance away, although it was hard to pinpoint where from. Conditions were very still. 1 Fieldfare 2 Lapwing displaying 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Redpoll singing (heard only) 2 Skylark (one singing)
No Meadow Pipits back yet and only two Lapwings in the area, hopefully more will be present in the next few weeks
Mark Rigby said
Mon Oct 31 4:44 PM, 2011
I was only mentioning to young Mr Warford on Saturday that ohar 10 Jays over my house in Lees, flying high north
vic chatterton said
Mon Oct 31 4:21 PM, 2011
Interesting comment on Jays. It would also be interesting to know if anyone else has noticed a build up in numbers. Our bird rufitergum and the Irish race hibernicus are mostly sedentary but mainland European birds glandarius can be eruptive migrants in large numbers to this country at very infrequent intervals. The last time being in 1983 when I recall Jays everywhere in Autumn in the Hyde area. Telling them apart in the field is nigh on impossible but I do remember being told that several birds shot in the area were "continental birds". It is thought that the eruptions are caused by the failure of the acorn crop on the continent.
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Oct 31 10:36 AM, 2011
Mon 31st Oct. 07.00 hrs - 09.00 hrs.
From Walkerwood Reservoir up to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
67 Canadas on Walkerwood when I parked up, left after about 10 minutes. 8 Mallard 2 Fieldfares feeding on the Hollies. Male Sparrowhawk having a dig at 3 Redwing flying up Walkerwood .... no success. Plenty of Grouse calling from both sides of valley ...... one seen up near Swineshaw ..... flew across the road. 1 Brambling over (calling), very high up. Plenty of Wren, Bullfinch and Long Tails in the scrub all along the route.
c 23 Jays plus more calling all over the place, either a good breeding season or a migratory influx ??
Roger
Karen Foulkes said
Tue May 3 11:23 PM, 2011
Heard about a woman out jogging being stabbed yesterda y at Walkerwood. Just a reminder to watch your backs in this area. I normally carry my bins in my rucksack and also carry a personal alarm. This isn't just addressed to women either!
Jenny de Boer said
Mon May 2 4:30 PM, 2011
Walk this afternoon along Brushes Road to Upper Swineshaw along to Wild Bank Hill and back to Walkerwood Reservoir:
At least 3 Common Sandpiper at Upper Swineshaw, plus 2 Ringed Plover and 1 Canada Goose.
Also seen were male whinchat, grey partridge, curlew, wheatear, meadow pipits and swallows.
Karen Foulkes said
Thu Apr 28 8:14 PM, 2011
Late afternoon/early evening
2 possibly 3 Garden Warblers 1 Common Whitethroat 3+ Chiffchaffs c10 Willow Warbler 2 Blackcap Pr Bullfinch Blackbird with young calling out of sight
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Apr 6 7:40 PM, 2011
Walking down from Swineshaw and along Brushes Road
Early evening
Red Grouse 4 Chiffchaff singing 10 Willow Warbler singing Tawny Owl hooting, out of sight! 1 Coot on Walkerwood, never seen one on here before!
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Mar 28 9:36 AM, 2011
Monday 28th March. 07.00 - 08.30 hrs.
Cowbury Dale.
Two pair of Bullfinch. 1 Jay. 1 Curlew............ couple more bubbling away. Pair Kestrel doing a bit of aerial courting. Meadow Pipits displaying. Plenty of Grouse heard but not seen, mostly on back of Brushes.
Plenty of Blue & Great Tits, Dunnock, Robin and Wrens in the scrub oaks.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 28th of March 2011 05:24:55 PM
Iain Johnson said
Sun Mar 27 8:57 PM, 2011
Swineshaw site mega this afternoon - a pair of Tufted Duck on Upper Swineshaw!
Plus 2 canada geese, 6 mallard, kestrel hunting, meadow pipit, plenty of chaffinch and robin singing, chiffchaff in the CP and both red grouse and curlew heard over the moors.
Dean Thom said
Sat Mar 26 2:55 PM, 2011
wheatear at upper swineshaw res yesterday being harassed by a meadow pipit...
redpolls showing nicely on feeders in a garden near to the duckpond in carrbrook village
regards. dean
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Mar 23 2:08 PM, 2011
23/03/11 - am
2 Chiffchaff singing along Brushes Road new arrivals since Sunday G S Woodpecker drumming 15 Fieldfare over Cormorant on Walkerwood with fish Buzzard 2 Lesser Redpoll flew over moor Many Meadow Pipits including several displaying Several Curlew displaying 2 Brambling - 1 male almost in complete s/pl - near Lower Swineshaw Tawny Owl - hooted twice, habitat too dense to try and locate Several Linnet Reed Bunting singing near Higher Swineshaw - another new arrival 2 Red Grouse - low across valley and others calling
Plus lots of the usual stuff
Nick_Patel said
Sat Mar 19 4:05 PM, 2011
Yesterday: Sand martin north over moors, c7 Red grouse, presumed dead woodcock remains.
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Mar 19 12:48 PM, 2011
Habitat surveillance visit
Highlights
Little Owl sat on wall (why is it never there when I do my visit?) Peregrine over moor
Good to see plenty of birds back in the area including
Mipits Linnets Lapwings Curlew calling on opposite side of valley
Long Tailed Tits, Robins and Dunnocks all look like they want to use the same bit of gorse
Karen Foulkes said
Tue Mar 8 7:53 PM, 2011
8/3/11 pm
Higher Swineshaw
There was some planting going on so not very much visible.
2 Teal (pr) - my first record of this species here Red Grouse calling 4 Lapwing
Brushes
Buzzard Kestrel Long Tailed Tits - seemed to be making an attempt to do a bit of nest building 4 Pheasant
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Feb 16 8:05 PM, 2011
Swineshaw Res
At least 4 male Red Grouse displaying sometimes low over Res. Also two birds which seemed to be paired already.
Brushes
Male Kestrel 7 Pheasant
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Jan 29 6:18 PM, 2011
A long day out around the mountains of Stalybridge, unfortunately not many birds about as lots of little men with big guns were out in their droves throughout the day
I did manage a few species from Brushes to Swineshaw though, the highlights being
1 Goldcrest 2 Coal Tit just above my head 3 Bullfinch (all female) 2 Red Grouse, 1 calling and 1 distant out in the open 1 Kestrel (male)
Lee Griffiths said
Tue Dec 28 1:38 PM, 2010
8 -12 from brushes road around country park and up to 1st quarry 3 collared doves 4 jackdaws 7 backbirds 5 bullfinch 3 m 2 f 3 house sparrow 6 jays 14 crows 7 magpies 5 great tits 8 robin 1 dunnock 3 coal tit 2 long tailed tits 5 magpies 17 chaffinch 10 m 7 f 24 woodpigeons 7 blue tits 2 nuthatch 5 goldfinch 2 sisken 3 greenfinch 7 redwins 4 feildfare 8 mistle thrush 1 buzzard 1 sparrow hawk m c40 pheasants m/ f seem to be everywhere !! 35 black headed gulls 1 juvenile lesser blackbacked gull (thanks god for the concise bird guide)
-- Edited by Lee Griffiths on Tuesday 28th of December 2010 01:53:40 PM
Lee Griffiths said
Sun Dec 19 7:16 PM, 2010
8-12.30 stated at brushes road up to higher swinshaw back through the pine woods and finished in country park .. in no order c15 house sparrows 6 magpies 4 collared doves 9 starlings c 40 long tailed tits in 3 flocks 15 blue tits 7 great tits 5 coal tits 14 goldfinch 4 greenfinch 6 jackdaws 9 crows 1 male sparrowhawk 4 robins c20 pheasants 7 sisken 14 mistle thrush 7 bullfinch 2 m 5 f 2 dunnock 1 grey wagtail 7 nuthatch 3 tree creepers c25 wood pigeons 7 crows 5 jays 11 blackbirds 9 chaffinch 5m 4f 1 grey heron 2 goldcrest a 1st for me ! and also a 1st for me i know its not a bird but 2 roe deer !!!! also a couple of other possibles but couldnt get a proper id on need some better bins !!
Lee Griffiths said
Sun Nov 28 5:49 PM, 2010
top of besom lane to 1st quarry and back along the track to carrbrrok 9-12 6 redwings 14 mistle thrush 8 house sparrows 12 blackbirds 8 collared doves 11 robins 9 black headed gulls 20+ canda goose 30 + crows 40 +jackdaws 5 magpies 2 jays 12 blue tit 5 great tit 7 coal tit 8 chaffinch (5m 3f) 4 nuthatch 2 tree creeper 3 dunnock 2 wren 50 + wood woodpigeons 2 goldfinch 1 bullfinch (m) not one long tailed tit seen or heard
-- Edited by Lee Griffiths on Sunday 28th of November 2010 05:55:59 PM
-- Edited by Lee Griffiths on Sunday 28th of November 2010 06:00:48 PM
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Nov 15 10:14 AM, 2010
Monday 15th Oct 07.00 - 09.30
Heyheads to Carrbrook Village...........Heyheads New Rd/ Swallow Lane
1 Nuthatch 9 Redwing 3 Bullfinch (2m 1f ) 17 Chaffinch 3 Brambling 1 Jay 16 Collared Doves Big influx of Blackbirds.
Carrbrook up Cowbury Dale as far as Dis-used Quarry.
Very Quiet except for Tits. 8 Mallard on first reservoir. 8 Bullfinch (6f 2m) feeding on path up near quarry.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 15th of November 2010 05:30:26 PM
Lee Griffiths said
Sun Oct 24 5:16 PM, 2010
7.45-1145 from fishing hut to 1st quarry and back the pine wood way . . 1 whooper swan 58 canada goose (19 in the field at the end ) 17 blackheaded gulls 3 mistle thrush 1 buzzard 3 pheasant 6 chaffinch 21 blue tits 17 long tailed tits 8 great tits 2 coal tits 5 nuthatchs 2 bullfinch 9 robins 2 wrens 3 dunnocks 4 wood pigeon plus magpies crows rooks
Linds and Geoff Smith said
Sun Oct 24 1:09 PM, 2010
Sunday 24th Oct 1130 am whooper still there
Lee Griffiths said
Sat Oct 23 5:29 PM, 2010
had a quick drive up due to not be able to go and see the waxwings whooper swan and one cormorant still on walkerwood itself
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Oct 21 5:46 PM, 2010
I was in Stalybridge at 17.00 hrs. Chatting to an angler I know. He had come off Walkerwood at 16.30 hrs. Whooper still present.
Roger
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Oct 20 5:45 PM, 2010
20/10/10 15.30 hrs
Walkerwood Reservoir.
Whooper still present. Seemed very lively and had a very vocal 15 minutes.
Was in centre of reservoir when I arrived but then came close to bank on dam-head, eventually climbed out and began preening for 30 minutes+.
Nice sunny autumn afternoon, if it settles in any more it'll be wearing shades and rubbing in the Factor 2.
Plenty of Jay activity in the Oaks.
Roger
Lee Griffiths said
Tue Oct 19 5:10 PM, 2010
whooper swan still here a lot closer to road now to . .
Steve Christmas said
Tue Oct 19 6:45 AM, 2010
Could this just be a peat stain? Sometimes they show this on head and neck.
'Whooper Swan still present 1700 on Walkerwood. Looks like it may be a little oiled on the neck near the chin, but otherwise seems fine'
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Oct 18 5:21 PM, 2010
Whooper Swan still present 1700 on Walkerwood
Looks like it may be a little oiled on the neck near the chin, but otherwise seems fine.
Iain Johnson said
Mon Oct 18 12:13 PM, 2010
thanks Ian
Whooper swan still present at 8.45 am when I left site plus one cormorant. Plenty of Jays around as well as wood pigeon, jackdaw, carrion crow, two ravens, six BH gulls and magpie.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 18 8:42 AM, 2010
Whooper Swan still present at 08:23 this morning.
Info thanks to Iain Johnson
Lee Griffiths said
Sun Oct 17 6:45 PM, 2010
1.45 -6.00 from fishing hut up to higher swineshaw only counted on way up . 1 whooper swan on walkerwood 1 cormorant on lower swineshaw plenty of blue great long tailed tits everywhere 2 coal tits 3 mallards 12 jays 1 wren 4 dunnock 3 nuthatch 1 sparrow hawk 1 kestral 2 buzzard 2 mistle thrush 3 robins 6 goldfinch 1 chaffinch plenty of other corvids about to
Lee Griffiths said
Wed Oct 13 8:20 PM, 2010
3.30 -6.40 from fishing hut to scout hut 15 blue tit 20+ long tailed tits 3 coal tits 7 great tits 3 dunnocks 1 nuthatch 14 jay 4 chaffinch 5 Collared doves 9 Fieldfare 6 red wing 4 mistle thrush. 4 robins plenty of crows rooks and wood pigeons 30 + canada geese on bottom ressie
Lee Griffiths said
Mon Oct 11 7:50 PM, 2010
4.00 till 6.30 parked at the fishing shed and walked up to the 1st quarry 20+ long tailed tits 30+blue tits 15 great tits 1 chiffchaff 5 robins 7 jays 3 nuthatch 1 dunnock 2 tree creepers 4 gold finch and around 50 pheasants mostly young in the field at side of 1st gate just before the house !!!! glad i rushed hone from work now !! forgot about the 2 buzzards to
-- Edited by Lee Griffiths on Monday 11th of October 2010 07:54:02 PM
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Sep 18 3:16 PM, 2010
This am
Duck Island Carrbrook
Moorhen with two young, probably same Bill saw last week
Walk from Carrbrook to Swineshaw
Highlights
4 Raven at Carrbrook with another one (likely a different bird) near Walkerwood 40 Pink Feet over Red Grouse seen, plus another 3 heard 4 Nuthatch all calling very difficult to see with the leaves still on the trees
Also around Chiffchaff (singing) at least 4 Kestrel Blue Tit Great Tit Long Tailed Tit pr Bullfinch 47 Black Headed Gull in field 3 Tufted Duck on Higher Swineshaw (very low) a few Meadow Pipits around, judging by the height some of them were at probably passage birds Swallows and House Martins likewise Including the Ravens I had six species of corvid, plenty of Jays around
Steve Suttill said
Mon Sep 13 5:53 PM, 2010
Bill Myerscough wrote:
12th September.
What sounded like a family party of Pheasants were calling from the heather moorland above Carrbrook.
Pheasant are regularly released at the top of Brushes valley, and I'm sure there are a few breeding wild as well. Glad to see you looking after "my" patch while I was away
Steve
Bill Myerscough said
Sun Sep 12 1:15 PM, 2010
12th September.
Carrbrook area am.
1 Dipper, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Red Grouse calling and a pair of Moorhens with 2 small, dependent young on Duck Island in Carrbrook. What sounded like a family party of Pheasants were calling from the heather moorland above Carrbrook.
Cheers,
Bill.
Roger Baker 3 said
Sat Sep 4 9:39 AM, 2010
Sat 4th Sept 07-00 09-00
Heyheads to Carrbrook Village (Heyheads New Rd...... Swallow Lane)
Overall nice walk with plenty of activity in the hedges.
4 Swallows 1 Willow Warbler Plenty of Tits, Blue & Great 4 maybe 5 Song Thrushes......long time since I have seen this many on one walk. Lots of Greenfinches. Green Woodpecker on walk back. Yaffling on a dead tree. Only about 50 yds from Huddersfield Rd, on L/hand side.
Roger
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Aug 21 6:04 PM, 2010
A first brief visit here this afternoon still on the hunt for Whinchat. None seen up at Higher Swineshaw Res but up Brushes Road:
Mixed party of tits approx 4 B.Tit, 3 G.Tit, 15 LT Tit Blackbirds 2 Jay Pheasant WillowWarbler
and that was it but looks very promising terrain for migrants and will visit again
jason fisher said
Sat Jul 3 5:55 PM, 2010
if anyone happens accross a pair of specs with reactolite lenses between brushes carpark and lees hill could they let me know, my mother has lost hers up there on a walk today.
they have a browny marroon coloured arms with flecks in is her description, thanks.
will up date with sightings later.
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Jun 27 7:38 PM, 2010
Swineshaw down to Walkerwood this am
1 Common Sand on Upper Swineshaw and 1 on the Lower Res Chiffchaff singing Willow Warbler singing Nuthatch calling Pheasant 2 Kestrels Linnet Bullfinch Swallows looked like they were feeding young on the wing, never seen this behaviour before
jason fisher said
Mon Jun 21 5:04 PM, 2010
went up and got thoroughly barbecued today. walked from brushes capark to the end of rouzel hill.
blackcap greywagtail housemartins willow warblers still singing in droves even up as far as higher swineshaw. lots of blckbirds woodpigeons songthrush with new fledglings in woodland 4 calling chifchaf family of 5 robins (4young ) grey heron 23 total canada goose jay longtailed tit kestrel buzzard meadow pipits 3 common sandpiper pheasnant curlew 6 swallows (5juvenile)
loads of grasshoppers chirruping and marsh orchids.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 21st of June 2010 06:36:03 PM
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Jun 13 1:50 PM, 2010
I managed to squeeze my late BBS visit in this morning.
Lots of fledglings around and birds feeding young.
My highlight was a Garden Warbler, showing well and singing. Could only find the one bird though I also found a couple of Willow Warbler nests, thanks for the tips on the Atlas section I also a nice close encounter with a Willow Warbler
The one downside was a lady who engaged me in conversation blaming birds of prey for the demise of songbirds
Iain Johnson said
Thu Jun 10 2:55 PM, 2010
several blackcaps plus song thrush, robin, willow warbler, jay, 1 kestrel and 1 buzzard and chaffinch between walkerwood and lower swineshaw.
There were also three curlew flying around lower swineshaw dam wall.
7 BH gull, mallard, canada goose, reed bunting, linnet, meadow pipit, curlew, common sand and willow warbler on the two swineshaw reservoirs.
Karen Foulkes said
Mon May 31 5:33 PM, 2010
A trip up to Walkerwood and Swineshaw this morning, plenty of birdsong still.
Brushes Road and Walkerwood Blackcap - the commonest warbler today with several singing and seen, all males Willow Warbler - 6 singing Chiffchaff - 2 singing Bullfinch calling and a pair seen at a different location Grey Wagtail - male collecting food pair of Canada Goose with 1 gosling at corner of resr 2 drake Mallard pr Pheasant
Swineshaw
2 Common Sandpiper Stonechat calling out of sight Curlew Whinchat - one in same place as last week plus a probable second bird in a different area
Karen Foulkes said
Tue May 25 1:29 PM, 2010
Ravens
don't worry about it guys, I'm not worried yet, it would be a Tameside tick for me, but such is the way of life, I'm sure I'll find one eventually before I've walked too far!
Cheers
Karen
Iain Johnson said
Mon May 24 10:00 PM, 2010
steve - the only tameside tick i have over karen (at the moment)
Jason - it was just off the main access road thanks mate
Saturday 24th March 2012, 8.40-11am
Brushes rifle ranges.
Male reed bunting singing on bramble below Range House
2 blue tits on tree over brook
10 plus meadow pipit singing and parachuting over grass and heather
2 robin
10 plus skylarks singing and flying higher up over moor
Jay flying over Walkerwood reservoir
Male stonechat on gorse bushes
6 dunnock
1 jay hopping around field by Brushes Road
1 male chaffinch singing in hawthorn
3 long tailed tits in blackthorn on Brushes Road
1 kestrel hovering over grass. Flew off toward Walkerwood reservoir.
1 heron flying up the Tame Valley towards Carrbrook
Numerous woodpigeon, jackdaw, and carrion crows
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw.
At least 4 Song Thrushes seen ....... having a sing off.
Male Kestrel.
Cormorant on Brushes Res.
3 Jays.
2 Mistle Thrush.
3 Nuthatch + more calling.
9 Bullfinch.
4 Greenfinch.
Chaffinch. Many.
6 Curlew. Getting towards the top of the climb.
Had a sit down on the bench up at Higher Swineshaw and was treated to some cracking views on some open ground of two Red Grouse cocks flexing their muscles at each other. The hen was about 5 yards away, holding their jackets.
I watched them for about 15 mins ....... still there when I left. No spilt blood.
Roger
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 26th of March 2012 05:43:59 PM
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 26th of March 2012 05:51:35 PM
1 male Stonechat at Swineshaw, watched for 20 mins whilst he sang and displayed
Tufted Duck (pair)
1 Buzzard
1 Peregrine
Red Grouse - plentiful
1 Chiffchaff singing from the far side of Walkerwood
Green Woodpecker heard yaffling from side of footpath
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 25th of March 2012 04:49:23 PM
Circular walk around Walkerwood area
Highlights
4 Buzzard and 2 Raven in air simultaneously
1 Raven then flew overhead calling and began circling, rising on the thermals
A Green Woodpecker was yaffling some distance away, although it was hard to pinpoint where from. Conditions were very still.
1 Fieldfare
2 Lapwing displaying
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Redpoll singing (heard only)
2 Skylark (one singing)
No Meadow Pipits back yet and only two Lapwings in the area, hopefully more will be present in the next few weeks
It is thought that the eruptions are caused by the failure of the acorn crop on the continent.
From Walkerwood Reservoir up to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
67 Canadas on Walkerwood when I parked up, left after about 10 minutes.
8 Mallard
2 Fieldfares feeding on the Hollies.
Male Sparrowhawk having a dig at 3 Redwing flying up Walkerwood .... no success.
Plenty of Grouse calling from both sides of valley ...... one seen up near Swineshaw ..... flew across the road.
1 Brambling over (calling), very high up.
Plenty of Wren, Bullfinch and Long Tails in the scrub all along the route.
c 23 Jays plus more calling all over the place, either a good breeding season or a migratory influx ??
Roger
y at Walkerwood. Just a reminder to watch your backs in this area. I normally carry my bins in my rucksack and also carry a personal alarm. This isn't just addressed to women either!
At least 3 Common Sandpiper at Upper Swineshaw, plus 2 Ringed Plover and 1 Canada Goose.
Also seen were male whinchat, grey partridge, curlew, wheatear, meadow pipits and swallows.
2 possibly 3 Garden Warblers
1 Common Whitethroat
3+ Chiffchaffs
c10 Willow Warbler
2 Blackcap
Pr Bullfinch
Blackbird with young calling out of sight
Early evening
Red Grouse
4 Chiffchaff singing
10 Willow Warbler singing
Tawny Owl hooting, out of sight!
1 Coot on Walkerwood, never seen one on here before!
Cowbury Dale.
Two pair of Bullfinch.
1 Jay.
1 Curlew............ couple more bubbling away.
Pair Kestrel doing a bit of aerial courting.
Meadow Pipits displaying.
Plenty of Grouse heard but not seen, mostly on back of Brushes.
Plenty of Blue & Great Tits, Dunnock, Robin and Wrens in the scrub oaks.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 28th of March 2011 05:24:55 PM
2 Chiffchaff singing along Brushes Road new arrivals since Sunday
G S Woodpecker drumming
15 Fieldfare over
Cormorant on Walkerwood with fish
Buzzard
2 Lesser Redpoll flew over moor
Many Meadow Pipits including several displaying
Several Curlew displaying
2 Brambling - 1 male almost in complete s/pl - near Lower Swineshaw
Tawny Owl - hooted twice, habitat too dense to try and locate
Several Linnet
Reed Bunting singing near Higher Swineshaw - another new arrival
2 Red Grouse - low across valley and others calling
Plus lots of the usual stuff
Highlights
Little Owl sat on wall (why is it never there when I do my visit?)
Peregrine over moor
Good to see plenty of birds back in the area including
Mipits
Linnets
Lapwings
Curlew calling on opposite side of valley
Long Tailed Tits, Robins and Dunnocks all look like they want to use the same bit of gorse
Higher Swineshaw
There was some planting going on so not very much visible.
2 Teal (pr) - my first record of this species here
Red Grouse calling
4 Lapwing
Brushes
Buzzard
Kestrel
Long Tailed Tits - seemed to be making an attempt to do a bit of nest building
4 Pheasant
At least 4 male Red Grouse displaying sometimes low over Res. Also two birds which seemed to be paired already.
Brushes
Male Kestrel
7 Pheasant
I did manage a few species from Brushes to Swineshaw though, the highlights being
1 Goldcrest
2 Coal Tit just above my head
3 Bullfinch (all female)
2 Red Grouse, 1 calling and 1 distant out in the open
1 Kestrel (male)
3 collared doves
4 jackdaws
7 backbirds
5 bullfinch 3 m 2 f
3 house sparrow
6 jays
14 crows
7 magpies
5 great tits
8 robin
1 dunnock
3 coal tit
2 long tailed tits
5 magpies
17 chaffinch 10 m 7 f
24 woodpigeons
7 blue tits
2 nuthatch
5 goldfinch
2 sisken
3 greenfinch
7 redwins
4 feildfare
8 mistle thrush
1 buzzard
1 sparrow hawk m
c40 pheasants m/ f seem to be everywhere !!
35 black headed gulls
1 juvenile lesser blackbacked gull (thanks god for the concise bird guide)
-- Edited by Lee Griffiths on Tuesday 28th of December 2010 01:53:40 PM
in no order
c15 house sparrows
6 magpies
4 collared doves
9 starlings
c 40 long tailed tits in 3 flocks
15 blue tits
7 great tits
5 coal tits
14 goldfinch
4 greenfinch
6 jackdaws
9 crows
1 male sparrowhawk
4 robins
c20 pheasants
7 sisken
14 mistle thrush
7 bullfinch 2 m 5 f
2 dunnock
1 grey wagtail
7 nuthatch
3 tree creepers
c25 wood pigeons
7 crows
5 jays
11 blackbirds
9 chaffinch 5m 4f
1 grey heron
2 goldcrest a 1st for me !
and also a 1st for me i know its not a bird but 2 roe deer !!!!
also a couple of other possibles but couldnt get a proper id on need some better bins !!
6 redwings
14 mistle thrush
8 house sparrows
12 blackbirds
8 collared doves
11 robins
9 black headed gulls
20+ canda goose
30 + crows
40 +jackdaws
5 magpies
2 jays
12 blue tit
5 great tit
7 coal tit
8 chaffinch (5m 3f)
4 nuthatch
2 tree creeper
3 dunnock
2 wren
50 + wood woodpigeons
2 goldfinch
1 bullfinch (m)
not one long tailed tit seen or heard
-- Edited by Lee Griffiths on Sunday 28th of November 2010 05:55:59 PM
-- Edited by Lee Griffiths on Sunday 28th of November 2010 06:00:48 PM
Heyheads to Carrbrook Village...........Heyheads New Rd/ Swallow Lane
1 Nuthatch
9 Redwing
3 Bullfinch (2m 1f )
17 Chaffinch
3 Brambling
1 Jay
16 Collared Doves
Big influx of Blackbirds.
Carrbrook up Cowbury Dale as far as Dis-used Quarry.
Very Quiet except for Tits.
8 Mallard on first reservoir.
8 Bullfinch (6f 2m) feeding on path up near quarry.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 15th of November 2010 05:30:26 PM
1 whooper swan
58 canada goose (19 in the field at the end )
17 blackheaded gulls
3 mistle thrush
1 buzzard
3 pheasant
6 chaffinch
21 blue tits
17 long tailed tits
8 great tits
2 coal tits
5 nuthatchs
2 bullfinch
9 robins
2 wrens
3 dunnocks
4 wood pigeon
plus magpies crows rooks
whooper swan and one cormorant still on walkerwood itself
Roger
Walkerwood Reservoir.
Whooper still present. Seemed very lively and had a very vocal 15 minutes.
Was in centre of reservoir when I arrived but then came close to bank on dam-head, eventually climbed out and began preening for 30 minutes+.
Nice sunny autumn afternoon, if it settles in any more it'll be wearing shades and rubbing in the Factor 2.
Plenty of Jay activity in the Oaks.
Roger
'Whooper Swan still present 1700 on Walkerwood.
Looks like it may be a little oiled on the neck near the chin, but otherwise seems fine'
Looks like it may be a little oiled on the neck near the chin, but otherwise seems fine.
Whooper swan still present at 8.45 am when I left site plus one cormorant. Plenty of Jays around as well as wood pigeon, jackdaw, carrion crow, two ravens, six BH gulls and magpie.
Info thanks to Iain Johnson
1 whooper swan on walkerwood
1 cormorant on lower swineshaw
plenty of blue great long tailed tits everywhere
2 coal tits
3 mallards
12 jays
1 wren
4 dunnock
3 nuthatch
1 sparrow hawk
1 kestral
2 buzzard
2 mistle thrush
3 robins
6 goldfinch
1 chaffinch
plenty of other corvids about to
15 blue tit
20+ long tailed tits
3 coal tits
7 great tits
3 dunnocks
1 nuthatch
14 jay
4 chaffinch
5 Collared doves
9 Fieldfare
6 red wing
4 mistle thrush.
4 robins
plenty of crows rooks and wood pigeons
30 + canada geese on bottom ressie
parked at the fishing shed and walked up to the 1st quarry
20+ long tailed tits
30+blue tits
15 great tits
1 chiffchaff
5 robins
7 jays
3 nuthatch
1 dunnock
2 tree creepers
4 gold finch
and around 50 pheasants mostly young in the field at side of 1st gate just before the house !!!!
glad i rushed hone from work now !!
forgot about the 2 buzzards to
-- Edited by Lee Griffiths on Monday 11th of October 2010 07:54:02 PM
Duck Island Carrbrook
Moorhen with two young, probably same Bill saw last week
Walk from Carrbrook to Swineshaw
Highlights
4 Raven at Carrbrook with another one (likely a different bird) near Walkerwood
40 Pink Feet over
Red Grouse seen, plus another 3 heard
4 Nuthatch all calling very difficult to see with the leaves still on the trees
Also around
Chiffchaff (singing)
at least 4 Kestrel
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long Tailed Tit
pr Bullfinch
47 Black Headed Gull in field
3 Tufted Duck on Higher Swineshaw (very low)
a few Meadow Pipits around, judging by the height some of them were at probably passage birds
Swallows and House Martins likewise
Including the Ravens I had six species of corvid, plenty of Jays around
Pheasant are regularly released at the top of Brushes valley, and I'm sure there are a few breeding wild as well. Glad to see you looking after "my" patch while I was away
Steve
Carrbrook area am.
1 Dipper, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Red Grouse calling and a pair of Moorhens with 2 small, dependent young on Duck Island in Carrbrook. What sounded like a family party of Pheasants were calling from the heather moorland above Carrbrook.
Cheers,
Bill.
Heyheads to Carrbrook Village (Heyheads New Rd...... Swallow Lane)
Overall nice walk with plenty of activity in the hedges.
4 Swallows
1 Willow Warbler
Plenty of Tits, Blue & Great
4 maybe 5 Song Thrushes......long time since I have seen this many on one walk.
Lots of Greenfinches.
Green Woodpecker on walk back. Yaffling on a dead tree. Only about 50 yds from Huddersfield Rd, on L/hand side.
Roger
Mixed party of tits approx 4 B.Tit, 3 G.Tit, 15 LT Tit
Blackbirds 2
Jay
Pheasant
WillowWarbler
and that was it but looks very promising terrain for migrants and will visit again
they have a browny marroon coloured arms with flecks in is her description, thanks.
will up date with sightings later.
1 Common Sand on Upper Swineshaw and 1 on the Lower Res
Chiffchaff singing
Willow Warbler singing
Nuthatch calling
Pheasant
2 Kestrels
Linnet
Bullfinch
Swallows looked like they were feeding young on the wing, never seen this behaviour before
blackcap
greywagtail
housemartins
willow warblers still singing in droves even up as far as higher swineshaw.
lots of blckbirds
woodpigeons
songthrush with new fledglings in woodland
4 calling chifchaf
family of 5 robins (4young )
grey heron
23 total canada goose
jay
longtailed tit
kestrel
buzzard
meadow pipits
3 common sandpiper
pheasnant
curlew
6 swallows (5juvenile)
loads of grasshoppers chirruping
and marsh orchids.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 21st of June 2010 06:36:03 PM
Lots of fledglings around and birds feeding young.
My highlight was a Garden Warbler, showing well and singing. Could only find the one bird though
I also found a couple of Willow Warbler nests, thanks for the tips on the Atlas section I also a nice close encounter with a Willow Warbler
The one downside was a lady who engaged me in conversation blaming birds of prey for the demise of songbirds
There were also three curlew flying around lower swineshaw dam wall.
7 BH gull, mallard, canada goose, reed bunting, linnet, meadow pipit, curlew, common sand and willow warbler on the two swineshaw reservoirs.
Brushes Road and Walkerwood
Blackcap - the commonest warbler today with several singing and seen, all males
Willow Warbler - 6 singing
Chiffchaff - 2 singing
Bullfinch calling and a pair seen at a different location
Grey Wagtail - male collecting food
pair of Canada Goose with 1 gosling at corner of resr
2 drake Mallard
pr Pheasant
Swineshaw
2 Common Sandpiper
Stonechat calling out of sight
Curlew
Whinchat - one in same place as last week plus a probable second bird in a different area
don't worry about it guys, I'm not worried yet, it would be a Tameside tick for me, but such is the way of life, I'm sure I'll find one eventually before I've walked too far!
Cheers
Karen
Jason - it was just off the main access road thanks mate