Todays highlights between myself, Ian McKerchar, Andy Makin & Dan Brown up to 14:00,
2,434 Redwings mostly SE with some south and also 369 NW. 28 RING OUZELS (17 either through or present along Georges Lane, 5 Holdens Farm, 2 over Scout Road and 4 around the Mast Compounds). 6 Fieldfare through Georges Lane 110 Pink-footed Geese NW 11:50 21 Stonechat. 2 Siskin south 71 Goldfinch south 74 Chaffinch south
Simon Warford said
Tue Oct 14 10:34 PM, 2014
This morning with Andy Makin,
367 Redwings over mostly north with some south, also 92 Pink-feet SE and 15 NW, otherwise quiet in a strong NE wind.
Simon Warford said
Mon Oct 13 2:49 PM, 2014
This morning with Andy Makin,
A male Ring Ouzel was at Higher Meadows, Georges Lane this morning, also on the move were 1,189 Woodpigeon south, 320 Pink-feet SE & 55 NW & 42 Redwing NW.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 7 10:46 PM, 2014
This morning in wet conditions:
During partialy misty conditions, 1783 Meadow Pipits seen moving along with many finches,wagtails and Skylark 3 single Merlins moving south chasing pipits 50+ Pink-footed Geese SE at 07:50 4 Wheatear An amazing sight of 2 Black Redstarts sheltering from rain under the observers car for 5 minutes before the mast; a possible third bird on top of Mast Road just over in Lancashire. 30 Golden Plover
Info thanks to Andy Makin
steven burke said
Sun Oct 5 8:53 PM, 2014
10-3pm
2 black redstarts in the mast compound, later flew into the fenced off area that hold the cables in lancs. 1 wheatear 2 reed bunting along mast rd at least 6 kestrel 2 buzzard 5 mistle thrush 2 stonechat just before the kennels. 2 chiffchaff, 1 singing along georges lane.
wilderswood
2 great spotted woodpecker 2 nuthatch 3 siskin over
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 5th of October 2014 09:01:10 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 5 5:32 PM, 2014
Two Black Redstarts present around the Madt compound at midday today,
Info thanks to Steven Burke
Len Poxon said
Sun Oct 5 10:47 AM, 2014
Very low numbers of grounded birds again, however there was a flock of 70 Pink Footed Geese over heading east.
Birds seen/heard: 2 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, 1 Red Grouse, and the highlight was a female/immature Black Redstart on the main mast compound.
Dan Brown said
Thu Oct 2 6:26 PM, 2014
17:00 to 17:45
1 Black Redstart in the last compound by the boundary wall.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 1 11:34 PM, 2014
This morning's totals:
Whinchat, Coal Tit, Goldcrest and 16 Wheatear all around the summit of Winter Hill 3 Black Redstart around the rocket mast mid morning 23 Pink-footed Geese SE over Scout Road at 7:30 and a flock call in mist at 7:37 13 Cormorant SE at over 2000ft 40 Pied Wagtail S in half hour before the mist descended
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Paul Risley said
Wed Oct 1 11:23 PM, 2014
10.30ish till 1pm A few hours around the quarries, Adams hill and Holdens farm area, no sightings on the migration front but the resident birds werent half kicking off,
Several Kestrels in the area constantly Pair of Buzzards hunting over the old Quarry joined by a pair of Ravens started several minutes of aerial conflict, as that broke off one of the Ravens spotted a crow with white wing feathers and chased that very aggressively for some distance. One of the kestrels then put several stoops in at one of the Buzzards over the quarry with the buzzard rolling over each time trying to grab the Kestrel After that had finished had not walked much further when a male Peregrine appeared and put some more stoops in at the Buzzard. Green Woodpecker heard Holdens wood 2 Snipe Juvenile Buzzard making racket at the back of Holdens wood as were several Jays, as I got to the other side of the valley spotted a fox slinking off 2 sightings of Sparrowhawks hunting rounded off a decent Raptor fest although my targets were the Harrier and the Merlin, nice morning after the initial shock of the bacon butty van not being across from the Jolly Crofters
Alan Warford said
Tue Sep 30 5:32 PM, 2014
Brief visit to Mast compounds and surrounds 3.30
rear of main mast Stonechat 1 Whinchat 1 Chiffchaff 4 Wren
Rocket mast area Wheatear 1 Meadow Pipit 10+ Whinchat
Kestrel Raven 2 over
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 06:46:15 PM
Craig Higson said
Tue Sep 30 3:38 PM, 2014
Much quieter than expected this morning along the path from Walker Fold to Holdens plantation. Nothing unexpected and the highlight was probably the 4 Sparrowhawks circling and 'squabbling'.
Georges Lane wasn't much more thrilling 5 Common Buzzards together over Wilderswood and a single Wheatear in the field opposite the car park were the best birds.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 30 3:13 PM, 2014
Two Wheatear on Burnt Edge this afternoon.
Info thanks to Brian Fogg
John Rayner said
Mon Sep 29 8:44 PM, 2014
3 Black Redstarts on rocket mast around mid-day but couldn't find them anywhere an hour later despite a good search 1 Whinchat behind main compound and a second Whinchat reported up near furthest mast 1 Robin in main compound 2 Kestrels
Cheers John
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 29 8:32 PM, 2014
Other sightings from today:
29 Wheatear along Mast Road and on the tops Whinchat near the mast buildings Also 553 Meadow Pipit south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 29 9:08 AM, 2014
5 immature Black Redstarts together between Dean Ditch and the border tower compound at the top of Mast Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 28 10:05 PM, 2014
Todays main highlights, from an all day Migration Watch up to 16:00 -
2,543 Meadow Pipits 1 Fieldfare low overhead calling 64 Pied Wagtails south 55 Pink-footed Geese NW 9 Stock Dove south 1 Golden Plover 21 Swallow & 35 House Martin south 70 Goldfinch south
Also present were,
1 imm/fem Black Redstart in mast compound 1 Ring Ouzel briefly near Rocket Shaped mast 1 Whinchat still near main mast building 1 Merlin 10 Chiffchaff around the various mast compounds including 3 that flew off very high also 1 Goldcrest in compounds.
(with Andy Makin, Alan Warford, Phil Rhodes, Karen Foulkes & Simon Ghilks)
Simon Warford said
Sat Sep 27 8:56 PM, 2014
Todays main highlights from a wonderful all day Migration Watch with Andy Makin produced;
6,691 Meadow Pipits south 125 Pied Wagtails south 2 Goosander south 1 Redwing west 33 Mistle Thrush south 64 Linnet south 168 Goldfinch south 230 Swallow south 8 Snipe east 14 Golden Plover south 15 Jay south 47 Jackdaw south 117 Pink-footed Geese (46 and 49 SE; 22 NW)
Birds present included ringtail Hen Harrier, Merlin, Whinchat (main mast building), 3 Wheatear & a superb Jack Snipe near the Masts.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 27th of September 2014 09:15:19 PM
Len Poxon said
Sat Sep 27 4:14 PM, 2014
Very low bird count of grounded birds compared to the last 2 weeks. Birds seen/heard: 1 m Sparrowhawk with distinctive large white patch on back of head working its way along the boundary wall between Lancs & Greater Manchester. 2 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, a thrush heard, 1 Kestrel, Red Grouse heard, a further 15 Meadow Pipit & 2 Kestrel seen on GM side.
-- Edited by Len Poxon on Saturday 27th of September 2014 11:02:02 PM
Bob and Joyce Calder said
Thu Sep 25 2:09 PM, 2014
Not a lot to add to the previous list apart from :-
Stonechat. A family party of 8 below Burnt Edge, 3 about 200 yds past The Kennels and 2 half way up mast Road.
Raven, 1 near The Kennels.
Bob & Joyce C
Simon Warford said
Wed Sep 24 8:46 PM, 2014
This mornings highlights between myself, Andy Makin and Dan Brown;
Ringtail Hen Harrier on Smithill's Moor 2 Whinchats still by the main Mast building 1 Chiffchaff Rocket Mast compound 11 Wheatear 17 Snipe all over high west
Also movement of Pink-footed Geese all heading NW, 90 at 11:55, 160 at 12:00, 52 at 12:40 and 35 at 13:45. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker high south over moor and kept going 71 Swallow south 113 Meadow Pipits south
Simon Warford said
Tue Sep 23 8:58 PM, 2014
This mornings highlights (or lack of them!) with Alan Warford & Andy Makin were 2 Whinchats still by the main mast building, along with 3 Stonechat and 1 Robin and elsewhere 3 Green Woodpeckers and a male Merlin. Everything else present in yesterdays fall had departed.
Good to have Dave Bowman and David Spencer join us today.
Simon Warford said
Mon Sep 22 8:39 PM, 2014
Another good fall of migrants in the various Mast Compounds in this mornings misty conditions which were thoroughly checked by myself, Andy Makin, Ken Haydock and Dan Brown produced:
2 Redstart (main mast building) 2 Whinchat behind main mast building with 8 Stonechat 19 Chiffchaff, including 5 which landed half way up one of the smaller towers and then flew off high west into the distance! 2 Goldcrest (one of the smaller enclosures) 3 Robins in the small enclosures 1 Reed Bunting main mast building 4 Linnets and 13 Goldfinch feeding inside the compounds were probably also migrants.
Other birds elsewhere included-
1 Ringtail Hen Harrier over mid afternoon - David Humphreys 3 Redwing 3 Spotted Flycatchers 22 Wheatear 16 Chiffchaff 17 Swallow south 249 Meadow Pipit south.
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Sep 22 12:08 PM, 2014
Tim Wilcox wrote:
10.30-13.30 with Tony Darby. Circular walk from below Walker Fold Wood up Burnt Edge to Mast Road and back via Holden's Farm
Kestrel 7 Buzzard 4 Raven 4 Wheatear 2 + 4 in horsefileld at Holden's Farm where also a flock of Linnets and Goldfinch over 200 Reed Bunting 4 near Holden's plantation Meadow Pipits 100s No Whinchat or Stonechat for us. What time were you there Bernard? Hi Tim i got there approx 14-20 and stayed till 17-30ish, Surprising numbers of buttterflies
And fantastically just before noon the Red Arrows flew over Mast Road and did a red, blue and white smoke trail roughly over the Reebok. It may have been further off as they were due over Southport at noon. By 4 pm they were in France doing displays!
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 21st of September 2014 07:45:17 PM
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 21 9:15 PM, 2014
Todays full list of highlights between myself, Alan Warford and Andy Makin covering 06:45 to 16:00:
1 Red Kite 29 Buzzard 1 Hobby south 1 Merlin 22 Pink-footed Geese SE 3 Golden Plover 44 Skylark NW 2763 Meadow Pipit south also hundreds all over moors still 1 Tree Pipit south 59 Wheatear 3 Spotted Flycatcher 6 Chiffchaff Only migrants around the Mast Compounds today were a single Ring Ouzel and Robin! Yesterdays dead Chiffchaff was actually a juvenile Willow Warbler and was killed by a dog.
Tony Darby said
Sun Sep 21 7:55 PM, 2014
Neil Southworth wrote:
Family party of at least 4 Stonechat on Manchester side of George's Lane just along from the kennels. Also Kestrel being harassed by Magpie, and good numbers of Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit.
No sign of Red Kite from George's Lane, but a tight flock of Big Red Birds flew fast west towards Southport over Wilderswood at midday!
Myself and Tim Wilcox also watched the Big Red Birds and the flock was very tight. We lost sight of them as they headed towards Southport. They'll be going south to France tomorrow.
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Sunday 21st of September 2014 08:05:16 PM
Tim Wilcox said
Sun Sep 21 7:39 PM, 2014
10.30-13.30 with Tony Darby. Circular walk from below Walker Fold Wood up Burnt Edge to Mast Road and back via Holden's Farm
Kestrel 7 Buzzard 4 Raven 4 Wheatear 2 + 4 in horsefileld at Holden's Farm where also a flock of Linnets and Goldfinch over 200 Reed Bunting 4 near Holden's plantation Meadow Pipits 100s No Whinchat or Stonechat for us. What time were you there Bernard? Surprising numbers of buttterflies
And fantastically just before noon the Red Arrows flew over Mast Road and did a red, blue and white smoke trail roughly over the Reebok. It may have been further off as they were due over Southport at noon. By 4 pm they were in France doing displays!
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 21st of September 2014 07:45:17 PM
Bernard McGurrin said
Sun Sep 21 5:58 PM, 2014
Burnt edge 7 whinchat, 2 stonechat plus 2 more stonechat higher up the moor, 1 buzzard,at least 3 kestrel,2 raven,20ish house martin,plenty meadow pipit.
Neil Southworth said
Sun Sep 21 3:48 PM, 2014
Family party of at least 4 Stonechat on Manchester side of George's Lane just along from the kennels. Also Kestrel being harassed by Magpie, and good numbers of Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit.
No sign of Red Kite from George's Lane, but a tight flock of Big Red Birds flew fast west towards Southport over Wilderswood at midday!
Alan Warford said
Sun Sep 21 11:42 AM, 2014
8am till 1040 with Andy Makin
Winter Hill mast area.
Stonechat F Meadow Pipits 10+ in mast area and some migrating over south. Wheatears 20 + Kestrels 10+ Red Kite Buzzard 6 Peregrine 1 Ring Ouzel 1
Ring Ouzel seen in flight near masts then came down on moor. Red Kite circling over Smithills moor with 4 Buzzards then drifted back into Lancs Lost to view flying towards Rivington Pike.
Simon Warford said
Sat Sep 20 2:44 PM, 2014
This morning with Andy Makin, the misty conditions with recent easterlies brought in a good number of migrants in to the Mast Compounds with a few site records broken along the way!
Totals in the Mast area as follows; 2 Ring Ouzels, 18 Chiffchaff incl. one picked up dead, 11 Goldcrest with several feeding in the juncus patches and half way up the Rocket mast!, 42 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat (1 Rocket Mast & 1 main mast building), 2 Stonechat, 3 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 14 Wrens, 4 Chaffinch (Rocket Mast), 5 Goldfinch main mast building, 1 Snipe in main mast compound and a approx.. 100 grounded Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 20th of September 2014 02:46:22 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 19 11:39 PM, 2014
Sightings from today between Andy Makin and myself:
1 Merlin SW over Scout Road 1 Spotted Flycatcher along Georges Road past the kennels 1 Whinchat behind Holden's Farm 36 Wheatear 1 Tree Pipit at Walker Fold
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 18 10:12 PM, 2014
Ringtail Hen Harrier SW over Scout Road at 7:25 this morning and also a Golden Plover in murky conditions. 4 Wheatear along Mast Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Dan Brown
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 17 11:27 PM, 2014
Today's site totals:
1160 Meadow Pipit, which included 807 between 6:55am - 7:55am from Scout Road 670 Swallow 76 House Martin Grasshopper Warbler flushed from brambles along Georges Lane 47 Wheatear 1 Spotted Flycatcher 6 Grey Wagtail south
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
John Williams said
Wed Sep 17 9:16 PM, 2014
15.30-18.00
Burnt Edge
1 Hobby, 5 Kestrels, 1 Buzzard, 8 Stonechats, 2Whinchats, 2 Willow Warblers and a Reed Bunting.
Holdens Farm
1 Raven and 2 Reed Buntings. All the Swallows that were around the farm on my 7th September visit appear to have gone.
Walker Fold
A single charm of 30 Goldfinches.
Holly Page said
Wed Sep 17 4:10 PM, 2014
Black redstart still near the rocket shaped mast this afternoon.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 16 10:20 PM, 2014
Totals from today thanks to Andy Pinches, Dan Brown and Simon Warford:
60 Wheatears 2 Whinchat along Georges Lane, 2 behind Holdens Farm, 1 on Fleet Moor 940 Swallow, 560 House Martin through south 527 Meadow Pipit south 2 Siskin south 1 Tree Pipit south over Georges Lane On the moor tops around the mast, 1 Magpie, 3 Jay, Chaffinch, Wren, 2 Goldcrest Immature Black Redstart around the rocket shaped mast in Lancashire
Keith Mills said
Tue Sep 16 5:14 PM, 2014
Around 1pm today: 2 Buzzards circling lowish, over the fields below Walker Fold Rd.... also a Wheatear flying near the Summit of Sheephouse Lane(lancs). Seen while cycling.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 15 11:21 PM, 2014
Early afternoon today:
28 Wheatear 4 Whinchat 2 Spotted Flycatcher
Info thanks to Andy Pinches, Dan Brown and Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 14 11:29 PM, 2014
Further sightings from today:
Dipper flew high over the moors and Georges Lane by the kennels 11 Wheatear 8 Whinchat
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes
Mark Foster said
Sun Sep 14 5:12 PM, 2014
Fantastic views of a buzzard this morning, circling quite low down and calling for a good 20 minutes. Just at the junction of Scout Rd and Coal Pit Rd. Apart from that, just the usual suspects.
Dennis atherton said
Sun Sep 14 1:52 PM, 2014
Quick few hours round burnt edge
A few Wheatears knocking about. 4 Whinchats below burnt edge. 1 stunning Hobby flew through.
Craig Higson said
Sat Sep 13 11:49 PM, 2014
Hmm, yes, an unfortunate turn of phrase there Jamie. And yes, again Tim. I guess new meanings have hijacked old sayings!
JamieDunning said
Sat Sep 13 10:04 PM, 2014
Craig Higson wrote:
Managed to position myself out of the way of the Red Kite this morning :-/ but still....
Burnt edge 2 x stints 06.30 - 08.00 and 10.20 - 12.00
Not a huge amount moving through. Large number of Meadow Pipits including 104 perched on the wires at Slack Hall Farm at one point but generally they were just blogging about. 2 Buzzards, 4 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch and a flock of approx 73 Goldfinches
George's Lane 08.20 - 10.00
Nothing at all unusual or noteworthy really. Another tidy flock of 30+ Goldfinches, 5+ Goldcrests in Wilderswood, 1 Chiffchaff. Again plenty Meadow Pipits but difficult to separate out any birds passing through from those blogging around.
I was very excited by your Stints for a few seconds Craig..
Simon Warford said
Sat Sep 13 9:01 PM, 2014
Migration Watch, with Andy Makin up to 14:00,
1 juvenile RED KITE, drifted slowly south at 10:15, then lost to view, then later seen eating a dead pheasant in Lancs between 11.30 - 13:30 before drifting off east. 2 Tree Pipits south together, 397 Meadow Pipit SW 545 Swallow South 239 House Martin 11 Sand Martin south Present were 9 Wheatear, 6 Buzzards, several Red Admirals and 1 Wall Brown.
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Sep 13 8:24 PM, 2014
Craig Higson wrote:
Managed to position myself out of the way of the Red Kite this morning :-/ but still....
Burnt edge 2 x stints 06.30 - 08.00 and 10.20 - 12.00
Not a huge amount moving through. Large number of Meadow Pipits including 104 perched on the wires at Slack Hall Farm at one point but generally they were just blogging about. 2 Buzzards, 4 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch and a flock of approx 73 Goldfinches
George's Lane 08.20 - 10.00
Nothing at all unusual or noteworthy really. Another tidy flock of 30+ Goldfinches, 5+ Goldcrests in Wilderswood, 1 Chiffchaff. Again plenty Meadow Pipits but difficult to separate out any birds passing through from those blogging around.
Where on the internet can one find all these blogging birds Craig?
Craig Higson said
Sat Sep 13 3:29 PM, 2014
Managed to position myself out of the way of the Red Kite this morning :-/ but still....
Burnt edge 2 x stints 06.30 - 08.00 and 10.20 - 12.00
Not a huge amount moving through. Large number of Meadow Pipits including 104 perched on the wires at Slack Hall Farm at one point but generally they were just blogging about. 2 Buzzards, 4 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch and a flock of approx 73 Goldfinches
George's Lane 08.20 - 10.00
Nothing at all unusual or noteworthy really. Another tidy flock of 30+ Goldfinches, 5+ Goldcrests in Wilderswood, 1 Chiffchaff. Again plenty Meadow Pipits but difficult to separate out any birds passing through from those blogging around.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 11 10:36 PM, 2014
Birds of note this morning:
1 Merlin SE at Georges Lane 1 Golden plover NE 1 Snipe SE 9 Grey Wagtail S
Heading south from Scout Road watch point:
223 Swallow 220 House Martin 198 Meadow Pipit 78 Chaffinch
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Bob and Joyce Calder said
Thu Sep 11 3:23 PM, 2014
Thursday 11th September 9.15 to 2.00 pm
A walk starting at the car park at the far end of Georges Lane - Rivington Pike - Across the moors to the mast area - around the mast compounds - round the back of the mast down to Coal Pit Lane - Holdens - Mast Road - Georges Lane back to the car. Inevitably some sightings relating to birds out of the Gtr Manchester area into Lancashire.
Kestrel, min 6 birds C Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Whinchat, 2 from Georges Lane but opp the Pike so into Lancs. Raven, 2 (same area as Whinchat) Wheatear 5, 1 in the vicinity of the mast and 4 in the horse field bottom of Mast Road Meadow Pipit, estimated min of 300 birds throughout the walk Swallows several parties of 30 - 40 birds so estimated min of 200 birds Reed Bunting, 2, Holdens Goldcrest, 1 Georges Lane in Lancashire Blue Tit, min 10 in one party (as above) Skylark, less than 20 over the moor tops Low numbers (less than 5) of Great Tit, Goldfinch, Robins, Wren, Long Tail Tit, Linnet, Black Headed Gull, Magpie etc.
Bob & Joyce C
JamieDunning said
Thu Sep 11 12:23 PM, 2014
Myself and Steve Christmas heard what we thought was a Greenshank shortly after this towards Coal pit lane.
2,434 Redwings mostly SE with some south and also 369 NW.
28 RING OUZELS (17 either through or present along Georges Lane, 5 Holdens Farm, 2 over Scout Road and 4 around the Mast Compounds).
6 Fieldfare through Georges Lane
110 Pink-footed Geese NW 11:50
21 Stonechat.
2 Siskin south
71 Goldfinch south
74 Chaffinch south
367 Redwings over mostly north with some south, also 92 Pink-feet SE and 15 NW, otherwise quiet in a strong NE wind.
A male Ring Ouzel was at Higher Meadows, Georges Lane this morning, also on the move were 1,189 Woodpigeon south, 320 Pink-feet SE & 55 NW & 42 Redwing NW.
During partialy misty conditions, 1783 Meadow Pipits seen moving along with many finches,wagtails and Skylark
3 single Merlins moving south chasing pipits
50+ Pink-footed Geese SE at 07:50
4 Wheatear
An amazing sight of 2 Black Redstarts sheltering from rain under the observers car for 5 minutes before the mast; a possible third bird on top of Mast Road just over in Lancashire.
30 Golden Plover
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 black redstarts in the mast compound, later flew into the fenced off area that hold the cables in lancs.
1 wheatear
2 reed bunting along mast rd
at least 6 kestrel
2 buzzard
5 mistle thrush
2 stonechat just before the kennels.
2 chiffchaff, 1 singing along georges lane.
wilderswood
2 great spotted woodpecker
2 nuthatch
3 siskin over
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 5th of October 2014 09:01:10 PM
Info thanks to Steven Burke
Birds seen/heard: 2 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, 1 Red Grouse, and the highlight was a female/immature Black Redstart on the main mast compound.
Whinchat, Coal Tit, Goldcrest and 16 Wheatear all around the summit of Winter Hill
3 Black Redstart around the rocket mast mid morning
23 Pink-footed Geese SE over Scout Road at 7:30 and a flock call in mist at 7:37
13 Cormorant SE at over 2000ft
40 Pied Wagtail S in half hour before the mist descended
Info thanks to Andy Makin
A few hours around the quarries, Adams hill and Holdens farm area, no sightings on the migration front but the resident birds werent half kicking off,
Several Kestrels in the area constantly
Pair of Buzzards hunting over the old Quarry joined by a pair of Ravens started several minutes of aerial conflict, as that broke off one of the Ravens spotted a crow with white wing feathers and chased that very aggressively for some distance.
One of the kestrels then put several stoops in at one of the Buzzards over the quarry with the buzzard rolling over each time trying to grab the Kestrel
After that had finished had not walked much further when a male Peregrine appeared and put some more stoops in at the Buzzard.
Green Woodpecker heard Holdens wood
2 Snipe
Juvenile Buzzard making racket at the back of Holdens wood as were several Jays, as I got to the other side of the valley spotted a fox slinking off
2 sightings of Sparrowhawks hunting rounded off a decent Raptor fest although my targets were the Harrier and the Merlin, nice morning after the initial shock of the bacon butty van not being across from the Jolly Crofters
rear of main mast
Stonechat 1
Whinchat 1
Chiffchaff 4
Wren
Rocket mast area
Wheatear 1
Meadow Pipit 10+
Whinchat
Kestrel
Raven 2 over
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 06:46:15 PM
Georges Lane wasn't much more thrilling 5 Common Buzzards together over Wilderswood and a single Wheatear in the field opposite the car park were the best birds.
Info thanks to Brian Fogg
3 Black Redstarts on rocket mast around mid-day but couldn't find them anywhere an hour later despite a good search
1 Whinchat behind main compound and a second Whinchat reported up near furthest mast
1 Robin in main compound
2 Kestrels
Cheers John
29 Wheatear along Mast Road and on the tops
Whinchat near the mast buildings
Also 553 Meadow Pipit south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2,543 Meadow Pipits
1 Fieldfare low overhead calling
64 Pied Wagtails south
55 Pink-footed Geese NW
9 Stock Dove south
1 Golden Plover
21 Swallow & 35 House Martin south
70 Goldfinch south
Also present were,
1 imm/fem Black Redstart in mast compound
1 Ring Ouzel briefly near Rocket Shaped mast
1 Whinchat still near main mast building
1 Merlin
10 Chiffchaff around the various mast compounds including 3 that flew off very high also 1 Goldcrest in compounds.
(with Andy Makin, Alan Warford, Phil Rhodes, Karen Foulkes & Simon Ghilks)
6,691 Meadow Pipits south
125 Pied Wagtails south
2 Goosander south
1 Redwing west
33 Mistle Thrush south
64 Linnet south
168 Goldfinch south
230 Swallow south
8 Snipe east
14 Golden Plover south
15 Jay south
47 Jackdaw south
117 Pink-footed Geese (46 and 49 SE; 22 NW)
Birds present included ringtail Hen Harrier, Merlin, Whinchat (main mast building), 3 Wheatear & a superb Jack Snipe near the Masts.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 27th of September 2014 09:15:19 PM
Birds seen/heard: 1 m Sparrowhawk with distinctive large white patch on back of head working its way along the boundary wall between Lancs & Greater Manchester. 2 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, a thrush heard, 1 Kestrel, Red Grouse heard, a further 15 Meadow Pipit & 2 Kestrel seen on GM side.
-- Edited by Len Poxon on Saturday 27th of September 2014 11:02:02 PM
Stonechat. A family party of 8 below Burnt Edge, 3 about 200 yds past The Kennels and 2 half way up mast Road.
Raven, 1 near The Kennels.
Bob & Joyce C
Ringtail Hen Harrier on Smithill's Moor
2 Whinchats still by the main Mast building
1 Chiffchaff Rocket Mast compound
11 Wheatear
17 Snipe all over high west
Also movement of Pink-footed Geese all heading NW, 90 at 11:55, 160 at 12:00, 52 at 12:40 and 35 at 13:45.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker high south over moor and kept going
71 Swallow south
113 Meadow Pipits south
Good to have Dave Bowman and David Spencer join us today.
2 Redstart (main mast building)
2 Whinchat behind main mast building with 8 Stonechat
19 Chiffchaff, including 5 which landed half way up one of the smaller towers and then flew off high west into the distance!
2 Goldcrest (one of the smaller enclosures)
3 Robins in the small enclosures
1 Reed Bunting main mast building
4 Linnets and 13 Goldfinch feeding inside the compounds were probably also migrants.
Other birds elsewhere included-
1 Ringtail Hen Harrier over mid afternoon - David Humphreys
3 Redwing
3 Spotted Flycatchers
22 Wheatear
16 Chiffchaff
17 Swallow south
249 Meadow Pipit south.
1 Red Kite
29 Buzzard
1 Hobby south
1 Merlin
22 Pink-footed Geese SE
3 Golden Plover
44 Skylark NW
2763 Meadow Pipit south also hundreds all over moors still
1 Tree Pipit south
59 Wheatear
3 Spotted Flycatcher
6 Chiffchaff
Only migrants around the Mast Compounds today were a single Ring Ouzel and Robin!
Yesterdays dead Chiffchaff was actually a juvenile Willow Warbler and was killed by a dog.
Myself and Tim Wilcox also watched the Big Red Birds and the flock was very tight. We lost sight of them as they headed towards Southport.
They'll be going south to France tomorrow.
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Sunday 21st of September 2014 08:05:16 PM
Kestrel 7
Buzzard 4
Raven 4
Wheatear 2 + 4 in horsefileld at Holden's Farm where also a flock of
Linnets and Goldfinch over 200
Reed Bunting 4 near Holden's plantation
Meadow Pipits 100s
No Whinchat or Stonechat for us. What time were you there Bernard?
Surprising numbers of buttterflies
And fantastically just before noon the Red Arrows flew over Mast Road and did a red, blue and white smoke trail roughly over the Reebok. It may have been further off as they were due over Southport at noon. By 4 pm they were in France doing displays!
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 21st of September 2014 07:45:17 PM
No sign of Red Kite from George's Lane, but a tight flock of Big Red Birds flew fast west towards Southport over Wilderswood at midday!
Winter Hill mast area.
Stonechat F
Meadow Pipits 10+ in mast area and some migrating over south.
Wheatears 20 +
Kestrels 10+
Red Kite
Buzzard 6
Peregrine 1
Ring Ouzel 1
Ring Ouzel seen in flight near masts then came down on moor.
Red Kite circling over Smithills moor with 4 Buzzards then drifted back into Lancs Lost to view flying towards Rivington Pike.
Totals in the Mast area as follows; 2 Ring Ouzels, 18 Chiffchaff incl. one picked up dead, 11 Goldcrest with several feeding in the juncus patches and half way up the Rocket mast!, 42 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat (1 Rocket Mast & 1 main mast building), 2 Stonechat, 3 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 14 Wrens, 4 Chaffinch (Rocket Mast), 5 Goldfinch main mast building, 1 Snipe in main mast compound and a approx.. 100 grounded Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 20th of September 2014 02:46:22 PM
1 Merlin SW over Scout Road
1 Spotted Flycatcher along Georges Road past the kennels
1 Whinchat behind Holden's Farm
36 Wheatear
1 Tree Pipit at Walker Fold
4 Wheatear along Mast Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Dan Brown
1160 Meadow Pipit, which included 807 between 6:55am - 7:55am from Scout Road
670 Swallow
76 House Martin
Grasshopper Warbler flushed from brambles along Georges Lane
47 Wheatear
1 Spotted Flycatcher
6 Grey Wagtail south
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Burnt Edge
1 Hobby, 5 Kestrels, 1 Buzzard, 8 Stonechats, 2Whinchats, 2 Willow Warblers and a Reed Bunting.
Holdens Farm
1 Raven and 2 Reed Buntings. All the Swallows that were around the farm on my 7th September visit appear to have gone.
Walker Fold
A single charm of 30 Goldfinches.
60 Wheatears
2 Whinchat along Georges Lane, 2 behind Holdens Farm, 1 on Fleet Moor
940 Swallow, 560 House Martin through south
527 Meadow Pipit south
2 Siskin south
1 Tree Pipit south over Georges Lane
On the moor tops around the mast, 1 Magpie, 3 Jay, Chaffinch, Wren, 2 Goldcrest
Immature Black Redstart around the rocket shaped mast in Lancashire
2 Buzzards circling lowish, over the fields below
Walker Fold Rd.... also a Wheatear flying near the
Summit of Sheephouse Lane(lancs).
Seen while cycling.
28 Wheatear
4 Whinchat
2 Spotted Flycatcher
Info thanks to Andy Pinches, Dan Brown and Andy Makin
Dipper flew high over the moors and Georges Lane by the kennels
11 Wheatear
8 Whinchat
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes
A few Wheatears knocking about. 4 Whinchats below burnt edge. 1 stunning Hobby flew through.
I was very excited by your Stints for a few seconds Craig..
1 juvenile RED KITE, drifted slowly south at 10:15, then lost to view, then later seen eating a dead pheasant in Lancs between 11.30 - 13:30 before drifting off east.
2 Tree Pipits south together,
397 Meadow Pipit SW
545 Swallow South
239 House Martin
11 Sand Martin south
Present were 9 Wheatear, 6 Buzzards, several Red Admirals and 1 Wall Brown.
Where on the internet can one find all these blogging birds Craig?
Burnt edge 2 x stints 06.30 - 08.00 and 10.20 - 12.00
Not a huge amount moving through. Large number of Meadow Pipits including 104 perched on the wires at Slack Hall Farm at one point but generally they were just blogging about. 2 Buzzards, 4 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch and a flock of approx 73 Goldfinches
George's Lane 08.20 - 10.00
Nothing at all unusual or noteworthy really. Another tidy flock of 30+ Goldfinches, 5+ Goldcrests in Wilderswood, 1 Chiffchaff. Again plenty Meadow Pipits but difficult to separate out any birds passing through from those blogging around.
1 Merlin SE at Georges Lane
1 Golden plover NE
1 Snipe SE
9 Grey Wagtail S
Heading south from Scout Road watch point:
223 Swallow
220 House Martin
198 Meadow Pipit
78 Chaffinch
Info thanks to Andy Makin
A walk starting at the car park at the far end of Georges Lane - Rivington Pike - Across the moors to the mast area - around the mast compounds - round the back of the mast down to Coal Pit Lane - Holdens - Mast Road - Georges Lane back to the car. Inevitably some sightings relating to birds out of the Gtr Manchester area into Lancashire.
Kestrel, min 6 birds
C Buzzard, 2
Sparrowhawk, 1
Whinchat, 2 from Georges Lane but opp the Pike so into Lancs.
Raven, 2 (same area as Whinchat)
Wheatear 5, 1 in the vicinity of the mast and 4 in the horse field bottom of Mast Road
Meadow Pipit, estimated min of 300 birds throughout the walk
Swallows several parties of 30 - 40 birds so estimated min of 200 birds
Reed Bunting, 2, Holdens
Goldcrest, 1 Georges Lane in Lancashire
Blue Tit, min 10 in one party (as above)
Skylark, less than 20 over the moor tops
Low numbers (less than 5) of Great Tit, Goldfinch, Robins, Wren, Long Tail Tit, Linnet, Black Headed Gull, Magpie etc.
Bob & Joyce C