22/04/2012 - No further sign of Ring Ouzel. Very quiet otherwise:
9 Black-headed Gulls - all sub-adults of various plumages, attracted in by the flash-floods across the fields 4 Swallows - two pairs back on territory 2 Willow Warblers - downed migrants
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Apr 21 9:17 PM, 2012
Too mobile for me & Phil Owen. No sign 11 - 12:00.
male Sparrowhawk Buzzard Mistle Thrush Long-tailed Tit
and plenty of Blackbirds :(
Henry Cook said
Sat Apr 21 6:38 PM, 2012
21/04/2012 - 1 male Ring Ouzel still, but mobile
Henry Cook said
Fri Apr 20 11:46 PM, 2012
Ring Ouzel still present at 4.30pm although elusive at times whilst hidden in the nearby hedgerow. Also about were:
3 Canada Geese 5+ Buzzards 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Kestrel 4 Stock Doves 6 Swallows 1 Skylark - over E 1 Siskin - over E
Henry Cook said
Fri Apr 20 4:03 PM, 2012
20/04/2012 - 6-8.30am, sunny spells:
1 Ring Ouzel - still present in the area described previously. This was the 6th species of thrush in the field this morning as 3 Blackbirds, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing and 1 Fieldfare also hopped around on the ground!
2 Canada Geese 1 Herring Gull - 2nd summer, landed briefly before flying off West 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 1 Grasshopper Warbler 1 Linnet
Henry Cook said
Thu Apr 19 8:52 PM, 2012
Unlucky Adam. Neither me or Phil saw it this evening either. With the rain I can't imagine it had left but it seems to go to roost early as it wasn't seen the previous evening. Also about:
1 Grasshopper Warbler - reeling in field to the east of Thorley Lane at dusk. 2 Redwings - late migrants
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 19th of April 2012 08:54:13 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Apr 19 8:49 PM, 2012
Ring Ouzel still present at 1.05pm.
Access via stile opposite Tyleyard Cottage off Roaring Gate Lane. Go into field, bear right to the opening to the next field with the long pond on the left and gorse bushes on right (Fallen tree at long pond ).
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Adam Jones said
Thu Apr 19 7:31 PM, 2012
No sign of the Ring Ouzel for me this evening. Spent half an hour looking, but it was not playing ball for me. I left at 6.45pm. Maybe next time.
-- Edited by Adam Jones on Thursday 19th of April 2012 07:48:27 PM
Henry Cook said
Thu Apr 19 4:38 PM, 2012
Ring Ouzel still present at 4.30pm in same area. Feeding up well but could stay put for a bit with the bad weather. Also 2 Teals on Long Pond.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 19th of April 2012 04:42:19 PM
Henry Cook said
Thu Apr 19 4:18 PM, 2012
19/04/2012 - 6-9am, wet and cold:
1 Ring Ouzel - male still present in sheep field off Roaring Gate Lane by the long pond. Access fields through stile, west of Roaring Gate Lane and view fields to the north through gaps in hedge. At one point it came into the field accessed immediately off the road however.
3 Canada Geese 1 Moorhen 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 1 Swallow - back on territory 2 Meadow Pipits - over N 2 Grasshopper Warblers - first of the year here, reeling in the Newall Green fields 16 Blackcaps - 11 males, 5 females 7 Chiffchaffs 1 Willow Warbler 2 Reed Buntings - male and female
Phil Owen said
Thu Apr 19 3:34 AM, 2012
No sign of the Ring Ouzel at 5.45pm this evening during a check of the area with Henry Cook.
Did manage good views of the bird at around 12.30pm during my lunch hour and thanks to Henry for kindly picking me up from work as my Mrs was using the car.
A great local bird!
Stuart Smith said
Wed Apr 18 10:45 PM, 2012
I've just been up and sadly didn't see it.
sid ashton said
Wed Apr 18 10:08 PM, 2012
Nice to meet you as well Patrick and yes well done Henry, good to get a Ring Ouzel so close to home .
The bird was still present and feeding on the ground again at 14.00 shortly after Henry and Jason left.
Patrick Earith said
Wed Apr 18 9:12 PM, 2012
Gorgeous male Ring Ouzel still present at 13:15. A lunchtime lifer for me ! (Only been birding 'proper' for 2 years...)
Many, many thanks to Henry Cook (the original finder) who helped point me in the right direction. Also, great to finally meet Sid Ashton. I'm sure all our paths will cross again soon!
Also present were 5 Mistle Thrush and a single Swallow.
If you are thinking of trying for this, your best bet is to park in the layby on Roaring Gate Lane, then walk back up the road (towards Thornley Lane) to where there is a farm and a small cottage. On your right there will be a stile. Go over the stile and then walk up the right hand perimeter side of the field to just beyond where there is a gap into the next field on your right. There is a hedge that runs between the two fields on your right hand side and the bird has been flying to and from each of the fields either side of this hedge (one of which is the one that borders Roaring Gate Lane). One has sheep in, the other doesn't. Hopefully, this will make more sense when you get there!
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 18 6:28 PM, 2012
Male Ring Ouzel in the sheep field west of Roaring Gate Lane at 10:25 at least today.
Info thanks to Henry Cook
Henry Cook said
Wed Apr 18 11:29 AM, 2012
18/04/2012 - 1 Ring Ouzel, male, in sheep field to the West of Roaring Gate Lane this morning. Also a steady passage of Swallows through N+NE with 10+ seen. 4 Lapwings still.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Wednesday 18th of April 2012 11:29:39 AM
Henry Cook said
Mon Apr 16 10:14 PM, 2012
2 Swallows over this afternoon
Henry Cook said
Mon Apr 16 3:21 PM, 2012
16/04/2012 - 6-8am:
1 Golden Plover - flew E 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 6 ads and 2 subads 6 Meadow Pipits - over N 1 Skylark - over N 8 Fieldfares - flew E 5 Blackcaps 8 Chiffchaffs 2 Willow Warblers 1 Reed Bunting
Henry Cook said
Wed Apr 11 5:51 AM, 2012
10/04/2012 - 10am, still drizzling...:
2 Canada Geese 3 Mallards 1 Lapwing - flew SW 1 Willow Warbler - probably yesterday's bird still grounded 1 Blackcap 6 Chiffchaffs - just from the Davenport Green fields 1 Linnet - flew NW
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 10 4:29 PM, 2012
Mike Duckham wrote:
Nice one one the LRP - is that a first for the patch? Mike.
Thanks Mike. First confirmed record. Water levels just right at the moment.
I had a flyover on call in the middle of the night a few years back but wasn't 100% on the id.
Mike Duckham said
Tue Apr 10 4:25 PM, 2012
Nice one one the LRP - is that a first for the patch? Mike.
Henry Cook said
Tue Apr 10 12:39 AM, 2012
09/04/2012 - 5pm:
1 Willow Warbler - first of year here 2 Blackcaps 4 Chiffchaffs 2 Reed Buntings - pair around a marl pit
-- Edited by Phil Owen on Thursday 29th of March 2012 07:50:40 PM
Henry Cook said
Thu Mar 29 7:32 PM, 2012
29/03/2012 - 8am:
1 Grey Heron 2 Canada Geese 4 Lapwings - territory has changed fields, hopefully more successful in this new area 3 Blackcaps - singing males 8 Chiffchaffs - c40 Carrion Crows - gathering in the sheep fields...
Henry Cook said
Tue Mar 27 5:58 PM, 2012
27/03/2012 -
1 Blackcap - singing male 6 Chiffchaffs 2 Canada Geese 2 Kestrels - mating c20 Meadow Pipits - slight increase in viz-mig this morning but conditions still too clear and settled for better numbers 2 Redpolls sp - over E
Henry Cook said
Sat Mar 24 8:12 PM, 2012
Nice one Phil. Good numbers back. I popped out onto the Davenport Green fields briefly and had a couple more out there plus 2 Skylarks, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 abla Wagtail overhead. 2 Lapwings were amongst the sheep.
Phil Owen said
Sat Mar 24 4:58 PM, 2012
At least 7 Chiffchaffs this morning, 2 on Crowland Hill and a further 5 out in the Newall Green fields.
Henry Cook said
Wed Mar 21 11:38 PM, 2012
21/03/2012 - sightings from the garden and Davenport Green sheep fields:
1 Brambling - female in the garden 1 alba Wagtail - over NE 1 Grey Wagtail - over S 1 Meadow Pipit - over N 1 Lapwing 1 Teal 1 Raven 1 Chiffchaff 7+ Buzzards - numbers reducing slightly now as territories get claimed and defended. Lots of stooping, mewing and kettling observed.
Henry Cook said
Wed Mar 21 3:08 AM, 2012
20/03/2012 - sightings of note this morning:
1 Teal 5 Lapwings 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull - flew east 5 Meadow Pipits - over heading North 4 alba Wagtails 1 Chiffchaff - still just the one, and unusually not singing constantly 2 Lesser Redpolls
Wren and Blackbirds nest building already
Henry Cook said
Mon Mar 19 12:30 AM, 2012
18/03/2012 - 4-5pm:
1 Grey Heron 4 Teals 4 Buzzards 2 Kestrels 3 Lapwings - 2 males, 1 female 1 Curlew - over NE 1 Wheatear - first of the year here 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Raven
Stuart Smith said
Sun Mar 18 4:13 AM, 2012
well, the buzzards were far enough away to be in Gtr Manc airspace. The Curlew is definitely a Cheshire rogue, although I suspect the same bird. I was very pleased to have seen it none the less!
I am off to find the Cheshire forum and make them aware in the thread entitled 'Ashley'
Stuart Smith said
Sun Mar 18 4:04 AM, 2012
Crcikey. I've never thought about that. I was 200 yards from my house and my phone number starts 0161. I'm not sure if Ashley is Gtr Manc or not, now you mention it. I'm in between Ashley and Hale Barns, nr the airport tunnels on the Altrincham Rd.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Mar 18 3:56 AM, 2012
Hi Stuart, are these sightings within Greater Manchester or Cheshire?
Stuart Smith said
Sun Mar 18 3:48 AM, 2012
and you'll think I'm just making this up but I saw a single curlew being chased by crows today in a field just off Back Lane in Ashley. Never seen one of those round here. It was also very vocally active - must have been the same one!
Henry Cook said
Sun Mar 18 3:37 AM, 2012
Also a vocally active Curlew flew NE late afternoon.
Stuart Smith said
Sun Mar 18 12:34 AM, 2012
Hi Henry, I was out on a walk today just on Mill Lane, Ashley and spotted about 7 or 8 circling buzzards all together far in the distance but over in your direction I did wonder what was going on!
Henry Cook said
Sat Mar 17 11:50 PM, 2012
17/03/2012 -
1 Chiffchaff - beats the patch record by a day 11 Meadow Pipits - heading north in ones and twos 9 Buzzards - many courtship and territorial battles going on, never seen this many involved in previous years 2 Kestrels 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Lapwing
Henry Cook said
Sat Mar 17 9:09 PM, 2012
The River Bollin forms the county boundary for all of the stretch between Hale Barns and Dunham Massey. Near Sunbank Wood Mill Lane crosses the Bollin and therefore is partly in GM. It's a close call but that means Ashley and the back road to the airport tunnels lies in Cheshire.
Maybe there's a direct flight line between Ashley and Hale Barns Stuart! Thanks.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 17th of March 2012 09:10:26 PM
Henry Cook said
Fri Mar 16 7:43 PM, 2012
16/03/2012 - 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Kestrels, c20 Redwings and 2 Teals in the Newall Green fields this morning.
Henry Cook said
Fri Mar 16 1:28 AM, 2012
15/03/2012 -
10 Canada Geese - flew NW 3 Lapwings - all males, territorial battles being waged 2 Teals
Henry Cook said
Sun Mar 11 5:52 PM, 2012
11/03/2012 - 1 Red-legged Partridge and 2 Canada Geese this morning. Most birds were lying low with the clay pigeon shooters out in force.
Henry Cook said
Sat Mar 10 2:56 AM, 2012
09/03/2012 - 1 male Lapwing back on territory today off Ash Lane. Also 1 Canada Goose in the fields. 2 Lesser Redpolls and 7+ Siskins were in birches along Shay Lane.
Henry Cook said
Thu Mar 8 7:40 PM, 2012
08/03/2012 - 1 Raven over and 3 Teals on Long Pond.
Henry Cook said
Fri Mar 2 6:24 PM, 2012
02/03/2012 - 5-6pm around the sheep fields, with Phil Owen:
also a Grey Wagtail over earlier in the day, first of the spring.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Friday 2nd of March 2012 06:25:57 PM
Joe Wynn said
Fri Mar 2 3:36 AM, 2012
Don't know what it is Henry, 8 over St. Ambrose/Hale Road today. I've never seen one there and then there's 8, must be like buses!
Henry Cook said
Fri Mar 2 3:10 AM, 2012
01/03/2012 - The soaring temperatures today sent a mighty 10 Buzzards into the airspace over my garden together in a thermalling kettle. Much displaying, calling and near-vertical stoops seen, presumably all local birds therefore. Can't beat big numbers of BoP, fantastic.
Henry Cook said
Sun Feb 26 10:44 AM, 2012
26/02/2012 - Things felt decidedly spring-like this morning due to wader passage, returning wildfowl and most songbirds living up their collective name. The following were noted:
2 Canada Geese - back on territory 1 Curlew - landed in the D.G. sheep fields briefly 1 Common Snipe - flew over 2 Kestrels - on last years nest tree 5 Stock Doves - a pair at last years nest tree c230 Redwings - some singing in the hedgerows 1 Skylark - over, heading NE 2 Lesser Redpolls - been few and far between this winter
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Sunday 26th of February 2012 10:48:01 AM
9 Black-headed Gulls - all sub-adults of various plumages, attracted in by the flash-floods across the fields
4 Swallows - two pairs back on territory
2 Willow Warblers - downed migrants
male Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Mistle Thrush
Long-tailed Tit
and plenty of Blackbirds :(
3 Canada Geese
5+ Buzzards
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
4 Stock Doves
6 Swallows
1 Skylark - over E
1 Siskin - over E
1 Ring Ouzel - still present in the area described previously. This was the 6th species of thrush in the field this morning as 3 Blackbirds, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing and 1 Fieldfare also hopped around on the ground!
2 Canada Geese
1 Herring Gull - 2nd summer, landed briefly before flying off West
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Linnet
With the rain I can't imagine it had left but it seems to go to roost early as it wasn't seen the previous evening. Also about:
1 Grasshopper Warbler - reeling in field to the east of Thorley Lane at dusk.
2 Redwings - late migrants
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 19th of April 2012 08:54:13 PM
Access via stile opposite Tyleyard Cottage off Roaring Gate Lane. Go into field, bear right to the opening to the next field with the long pond on the left and gorse bushes on right (Fallen tree at long pond ).
Info thanks to Phil Kelly
Maybe next time.
Others seen:
1 Swallow
2 Mistle Thrush
3 Lapwings
1 Blackcap
-- Edited by Adam Jones on Thursday 19th of April 2012 07:48:27 PM
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 19th of April 2012 04:42:19 PM
1 Ring Ouzel - male still present in sheep field off Roaring Gate Lane by the long pond. Access fields through stile, west of Roaring Gate Lane and view fields to the north through gaps in hedge. At one point it came into the field accessed immediately off the road however.
3 Canada Geese
1 Moorhen
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Swallow - back on territory
2 Meadow Pipits - over N
2 Grasshopper Warblers - first of the year here, reeling in the Newall Green fields
16 Blackcaps - 11 males, 5 females
7 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
2 Reed Buntings - male and female
Did manage good views of the bird at around 12.30pm during my lunch hour and thanks to Henry for kindly picking me up from work as my Mrs was using the car.
A great local bird!
The bird was still present and feeding on the ground again at 14.00 shortly after Henry and Jason left.
Many, many thanks to Henry Cook (the original finder) who helped point me in the right direction. Also, great to finally meet Sid Ashton. I'm sure all our paths will cross again soon!
Also present were 5 Mistle Thrush and a single Swallow.
If you are thinking of trying for this, your best bet is to park in the layby on Roaring Gate Lane, then walk back up the road (towards Thornley Lane) to where there is a farm and a small cottage. On your right there will be a stile. Go over the stile and then walk up the right hand perimeter side of the field to just beyond where there is a gap into the next field on your right. There is a hedge that runs between the two fields on your right hand side and the bird has been flying to and from each of the fields either side of this hedge (one of which is the one that borders Roaring Gate Lane). One has sheep in, the other doesn't. Hopefully, this will make more sense when you get there!
Info thanks to Henry Cook
Also a steady passage of Swallows through N+NE with 10+ seen. 4 Lapwings still.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Wednesday 18th of April 2012 11:29:39 AM
1 Golden Plover - flew E
8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 6 ads and 2 subads
6 Meadow Pipits - over N
1 Skylark - over N
8 Fieldfares - flew E
5 Blackcaps
8 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
1 Reed Bunting
2 Canada Geese
3 Mallards
1 Lapwing - flew SW
1 Willow Warbler - probably yesterday's bird still grounded
1 Blackcap
6 Chiffchaffs - just from the Davenport Green fields
1 Linnet - flew NW
Thanks Mike. First confirmed record. Water levels just right at the moment.
I had a flyover on call in the middle of the night a few years back but wasn't 100% on the id.
Mike.
1 Willow Warbler - first of year here
2 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
2 Reed Buntings - pair around a marl pit
1 Little Ringed Plover - flew up from a marl pit in the sheep fields
2 Canada Geese
2 Lapwings
3 Meadow Pipits - flew NW
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
27 Starlings
c20 Fieldfares
1 Linnet - flew N
1 Grey Heron
c20 Fieldfares - including several singing birds
8 Redwings
c50 Carrion Crows
2 Linnets - flew W
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Monday 2nd of April 2012 04:41:13 PM
2 Canada Geese
2 Buzzards
2 Lapwings
2 Meadow Pipits
2 Fieldfares
1 Mistle Thrush
2 Chiffchaffs
1 Blackcap
2 Linnets - flew NW
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Pheasant
1 Reed Bunting
1 Great-Spotted Woodpecker
2 Song Thrushes
2 Bullfinches
3 Chiffchaffs
amongst others
-- Edited by Phil Owen on Thursday 29th of March 2012 07:50:40 PM
1 Grey Heron
2 Canada Geese
4 Lapwings - territory has changed fields, hopefully more successful in this new area
3 Blackcaps - singing males
8 Chiffchaffs -
c40 Carrion Crows - gathering in the sheep fields...
1 Blackcap - singing male
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Canada Geese
2 Kestrels - mating
c20 Meadow Pipits - slight increase in viz-mig this morning but conditions still too clear and settled for better numbers
2 Redpolls sp - over E
I popped out onto the Davenport Green fields briefly and had a couple more out there plus 2 Skylarks, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 abla Wagtail overhead. 2 Lapwings were amongst the sheep.
1 Brambling - female in the garden
1 alba Wagtail - over NE
1 Grey Wagtail - over S
1 Meadow Pipit - over N
1 Lapwing
1 Teal
1 Raven
1 Chiffchaff
7+ Buzzards - numbers reducing slightly now as territories get claimed and defended. Lots of stooping, mewing and kettling observed.
1 Teal
5 Lapwings
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull - flew east
5 Meadow Pipits - over heading North
4 alba Wagtails
1 Chiffchaff - still just the one, and unusually not singing constantly
2 Lesser Redpolls
Wren and Blackbirds nest building already
1 Grey Heron
4 Teals
4 Buzzards
2 Kestrels
3 Lapwings - 2 males, 1 female
1 Curlew - over NE
1 Wheatear - first of the year here
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Raven
I am off to find the Cheshire forum and make them aware in the thread entitled 'Ashley'
1 Chiffchaff - beats the patch record by a day
11 Meadow Pipits - heading north in ones and twos
9 Buzzards - many courtship and territorial battles going on, never seen this many involved in previous years
2 Kestrels
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Lapwing
Maybe there's a direct flight line between Ashley and Hale Barns Stuart!
Thanks.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 17th of March 2012 09:10:26 PM
10 Canada Geese - flew NW
3 Lapwings - all males, territorial battles being waged
2 Teals
2 Ravens
c220 Redwings
2 Fieldfares
142 Jackdaws
1 Pied Wagtail
5 Mallards
12 Black-headed Gulls
also a Grey Wagtail over earlier in the day, first of the spring.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Friday 2nd of March 2012 06:25:57 PM
2 Canada Geese - back on territory
1 Curlew - landed in the D.G. sheep fields briefly
1 Common Snipe - flew over
2 Kestrels - on last years nest tree
5 Stock Doves - a pair at last years nest tree
c230 Redwings - some singing in the hedgerows
1 Skylark - over, heading NE
2 Lesser Redpolls - been few and far between this winter
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Sunday 26th of February 2012 10:48:01 AM