Two Wheatears and three Golden Plovers off Holly Bush Lane this morning - all different birds to yesterday.

Wheatear and five Golden Plovers in fields off Holly Bush Lane this morning

3 Singing Chiffchaff in and around LNR + another near the tip at Prospect Lane; a Jay on the reserve.
Prospect Lane - 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel 1 Lapwing
3 Pied Wagtails were on a ploughed field.

Moat Lane pools were very quiet save Gadwall pair, Tufted Duck pair and a Mute Swan.

A two hour walk this afternoon, 12-2pm

The best passerine in the LNR was singing Coal Tit; the drake Shoveler couldn't be relocated.

Over the main heath near Manchester Road, soared four Buzzards at once, then later two Kestrels.
2-3 Jays were near Moat Lane

A walk down to Prospect Lane produced the best bird of the day - Corn Bunting which bolted out of conifers near the farm and ducked to feed in a furrow. Also, a single Geenfinch and several Goldlfinch, plus six Collared Doves and two Lapwings.

Moat Lane pool had the usuals - 15 Tufted, 1 Mute Swan.

All in all a lovely day.

Good couple of hours down at Rixton for my second visit (as a birder; knew the site beforehand) - good highlights

Passerines:

Nuthatch (heard) once; Coal Tits, but also two Willow Tits and a single Siskin ETC

A drake Shoveler was the best in the pools, plus 30+ Tufted Ducks, Three or four Mute Swans and numerous Gadwalls

Raptors was a good day -

4 Buzzards minimum, one of which had a duel with what, on flight habit, been a Sparrowhawk (it also had a big chunk in its wing) but it moved on quickly to be postively IDd.

Also, Female Merlin sat in a tree, scoped.

1 Kestrel.

Very good day, will be really scouting this place soon :)

Short-eared Owl this evening. Also 7 Buzzards and 6 Grey Partridges

A.M

Pools alongside Moat Lane

6 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Buzzards and 3 Grey Herons (2 roosting in a large oak).

Rixton Clay Pits

2 Bullfinches, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Kestrel, 4 Shoveler, 2 Fieldfares, 6 Redwings (feeding on the few remaining haws.) plus Chaffinches etc.

A flock of 35 Fieldfares flew over heading South, as did 3 Cormorants. Another Kestrel was by J21 of the M6.

Most pools were frozen over, but in the sunshine it was mild enough for a few small swarms of midges above the marshy fringes.

Approximately 1500 Pink-footed Geese flew over south at 08:50 this morning in three skeins

Barn Owl this afternoon flushed from a ditch along Holly Bush Lane. Also in the past few days 2 Stonechats , 2 Ravens and 1 Merlin.

Male Merlin perched on telegraph pole off Prospect Lane until it was chased off by one of the five Kestrels in the area.

Also around the mosses:

5 Buzzards
80+ Linnets
55+ Goldfinches
9 Mistle Thrushes
220+ Herring Gulls
160 Black-headed Gulls
15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

This morning, 2 Stonechats off Wood End lane, the first I have seen on the mosses for several years. Other birds included 5 Yellowhammer, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Tree Sparrow 41 Skylark and 7 Grey Partridge. There were large flocks of Starlings feeding in the fields and on the tip; I estimated 850 birds. Also on the tip were a large number of gulls but unfortunately mostly out of view from Prospect Lane and only showing in flight. There were however c100 Herring Gulls bathing and roosting in the new pool at the base of the tip. In comparison there were relatively few Lesser Black-backed Gulls observed (only 5 bathing with the Herrings). 2 Greater Black-backed Gulls and 1 Common Gull were also present.

1 Wheatear off Wood End Lane this morning (quite late for here). Also 2 Kestrel, 3 Yellowhammer, 10 Skylarks, 16 Fieldfare, c50 Linnet and c30 Goldfinch in a short walk around the mosses.

A pleasant walk around the moss this morning. At least 5 Wheatears off Holly Bush Lane with c 15 Pied Wagtails. Numerous Meadow Pipits were passing south and feeding in the fields. Mixed in with the pipits were small flocks of Skylarks. Other birds included 3 Kestrel, 17 Grey Partridge and 4 Buzzard. On whats is left of Moat Lane pool there was a pair of Wigeon and a family part of Mute Swan (2 adults and 3 juveniles).

Cheers

David

A mooch around Rixton moss and Moat Lane pools yesterday afternoon.

The two highlights were a Hobby which flew no more than twenty feet over my head and the eruption of small brown jobs from a rape field when a Kestrel flew over. This flock consisted of 150+ Linnets plus Goldfinches, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and even the odd Whitethroat. I had previously spotted only a dozen or so birds in this field before the falcon arrived.

Also:

Lesser Whitethroat
Garden Warbler
2 Kestrels
4 Buzzards
32 Tufted Ducks including broods of 7, 6 and 5
Reed Warbler
20 Whitethroats
6 Blackcaps
8 Chiffchaffs
10 Willow Warblers
15 Yellowhammers
16 Reed Buntings
5 Yellow Wagtails
Nuthatch
6 Mute Swans inc 3 cygnets
59 Lapwings
70+ Swifts
160+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Green Sandpiper on Moat Lane pool this afternoon. Also large corvid flock from path at end of Moss Side Lane, around 300 birds, mainly Rooks and Jackdaws

Moat Lane 11.30-12.00pm
2 Common Terns
Cuckoo - heard in distance

Long-tailed Duck on the pool on the west side of Moat Lane. Presumably the same bird that has been on the Mersey.

.

27 Wheatears this evening plus 8 Yellow Wagtails and 4 White Wagtails

Mike

You had 8 more Wheatears than I did this morning! I also missed the White Wagtail but did have a Cuckoo by Woodend Farm.

David

28 Wheatears on the mosses this afternoon plus 7 Yellow Wagtails and a White Wagtail.

A mixed flock of 500+ Redwing & Fieldfare in field south of A57 next to entrance road to Rixton Old Hall. They occassionally flew up to nearby beech trees and began singing creating a fantastic sound.

Also in woods:

2 GS Woodpecker
1 Nuthatch
1 Buzzard

On River:

2 Greylag Geese
3 GC Grebe
1 Little Grebe
pair Tufted Duck

(no sign of LT Duck!)

14.00-16.30

Not a single gull on the pool just West of Moat Lane that on my last visit contained hundreds.

Apart from Coot, Mallard etc, the pool contained 4 Gadwall and a pair of Tufted Ducks.

A hundred or so Woodpigeon were on a newly tilled field by Moss Side Farm, and with them 12 Lapwings.

As I was walking around the clay pits, I heard the shotguns open up, presumably on the pigeons, I hope these guys know a Woody from a Peewit?.

Rixton Clay Pits NR

Very few birds around, the large cleared area held a group of 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 bird seen collecting the silky down from last years dead Rosebay Willowherb heads.

1 Song Thrush also here plus a small group of Chaffinches. 2 Buzzards flying over, and a single drake Shoveler on one of the pools, otherwise just the usual Coot and Moorhens.

A Long Tailed Tit was seen putting the finishes touches of moss to what I assume will be it's new family home.

No sign of Toads or Frogs yet either, just a single diving beetle in one pool, not 100% sure of the exact species, but "fenestratus" bore the nearest resemblance in the field guide.


-- Edited by John Williams on Thursday 14th of March 2013 11:26:48 AM

At least 11 Bramblings with 160+ Chaffinches in trees around Wood Farm on Holly Bush Lane this afternoon

14.30-16.30

The pool on the West side of Moat Lane held a sizeable gull roost.

300+ Black Heads, 40+ Herring, 6 Common, 2 Great Black Backs, 2 (Huge) Argentatus Herring and just 1 Lesser Black Back.

By 16.30 only a few Black Heads remained, all the other gulls had moved off westwards.

The same pool held a pair of Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Gadwall plus Coot, Mallard etc.

A single Woodcock flew into the nearby copse, and a group of 3 Buzzards flew over.

There was a single Grey Heron at the pool, it quite often flew up and landed amongst the Black Headed gulls scattering them, I got the impression it was trying to find a weakness in one.

Clay Pits Nature Reserve

All the pools were frozen, the heathland held 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 male Bullfinch and a very determined Sparrowhawk that dashed around at low level and really spooked the Woodpigeons.







-- Edited by John Williams on Friday 18th of January 2013 09:13:51 PM

male Hen Harrier flying south along Holly Bush Lane this afternoon at c13:30

10.30-1.00 on and around the moss
Generally quiet but highlights were:

2-3 corn bunting
Reed bunting
c20 lesser Redpoll
2 siskin
2 grey partridge
3 kestrel(1 male with small rodent)
Buzzard
2 great black backed gull
And on moat lane pools were:

3 pintail(1 drake)
5 gadwall

And 20+ meadow pipit also

-- Edited by chrisdorney on Wednesday 26th of December 2012 06:14:17 PM

Two Short-eared Owls were hunting the field approx 150m west of the junction of Holly Bush and Prospect Lanes at 16:30

Pink-footed Goose on Moat Lane pool this afternoon

One adult Whooper Swan still present at 16:00.

Thanks Mike, not seen one at Rixton before

regards

David

3 Whooper Swans currently on Moat Lane pool - 2 ads plus juv

Hi David -
It was the two-tone head with more clearly demarcated boundary that got my attention...rather scoter-like
The bill was rather dark, couldn't see a hint of orange with bins.
No white wing flashes seen....didn't look like a Gadwall...
..maybe I'll get another look this next weekend !!
Cheers
Nev

Nev - I have not seen a Red-crested Pochard on the pits but anything can happen. A few years ago one was present on the small lake at Birchwood Conference Centre for about a week (presumably an escape)

Could it have been a female Gadwall they have pale heads and brown bodies; they do frequent the pits at Rixton.

Regards

David

15:00
Stroll around Rixton produced the usuals until I scaled the bank to overlook pool on the west side of Moat Lane (opposite the entrance where the cars go to park for fishing).
Could any of the regular visitors to the area confirm or otherwise whether a female duck with the mixed Tufted Duck flock is a female red-crested pochard?
It's got a definite two tone dark upper/pale lower brown head and general brown body? Size of a mallard. My only other idea was a female scoter, but it seemed to have the steep forehead of a pochard.
Also seemed too big for 'the-duck-who-shall-not-be-named' with no stiff-tail!

Cheers

A quick but productive hour's birding, with Les Jones and Brian Baird. Most impressive were the c.8,000 Starlings on wires and feeding in the fields to the west of Hollybush Lane as I was leaving. Other stuff included:26 Fieldfares, 6 Moorhens, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Raven, 1 Bullfinch, 5 Grey Partridges, 1 Pied Wagtail, 9 Skylarks, 2 Kestrels, 3 Common Buzzards, 8 Goldfinches and 7 Linnets.

Cheers David

Couple of hours after work late afternoon

30 skylark
25-50 meadow pipits
4 mistle thrush
3 grey partridge
Buzzards kestrels etc
Plus a leucistic wood pigeon

First day back and fairly quiet.bright spot was a peregrine coming in low over the moss putting all the wood pigeons up then plucking one out of the air around 6 feet up as it took off.it flew on and up with feathers going everywhere then just dropped,finished the job off and tucked in.
Other birds present:
30 skylark
20 linnet
3-7 buzzards
2 kestrel
A few meadow pipits in ones and twos mainly(7 the biggest group)
And two cock pheasants having a fight in front of the car and didnt want to move!even when i pulled alongside them they just carried on.
Also a few swallows hanging about with c10 house martins.

Five Wheatears in ploughed field at bottom end of Hollybush Lane this morning

Afternoon mooch round the claypits looking for spotted flycatchers(which have been present here around this time for the last two years)ended in failure.few bits and bobs which included:
5 siskin
Redpoll
Willow tit
Bullfinch
Yellow wagtail
Jay(with full crop)
Lots of dragonflies about mostly common darter plus black darter and common hawker

On the moss:

Yellow wagtail
White wagtail
2 buzzard
2 kestrel
c60 meadow pipit in (ex) potato field off prospect lane

Holly bush and prospect lane

9 yellow wagtail
3 kestrel
12 grey partridge
26+ meadow pipits
The meadow pipits employed a number of tactics to deter a kestrel by mobbing shadowing underflying(perhaps to disrupt line of sight)and a couple of brave/stupid birds decided to stay still.it didn't work.the kestrel dropped down on one then spent twenty minutes enjoying its supper.

Brook lane

3 yellow wagtail
Peregrine
Meadow pipit

Really quiet.had a quick look on the moss but the farmers were out in force so I left it.

Lots of migration noted this morning. 19 Yellow Wagtails were on the wires to the west of Hollybush Lane. Two Wheatears were on the ploughed field at the top end of the lane and two Spotted Flycatchers were on the roof and in the garden of Woodend Farm.

Other counts included: 100 Goldfinches, 208 Swallows, 8 Common Buzzards, 70 House Sparrows, 91 House Martins, 49 Meadow Pipits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Pied Wagtail, 21 Lapwings, 6 Linnets, 4 Kestrels, 8 Reed Buntings, 29 Skylarks, 4 Stock Doves, 2 Yellowhammers, 6 Grey Partridges, 2 Goldcrests, 23 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Sand Martins.

Cheers David

This afternoon:
2 Wheatears at the end of Holly Bush Lane.
Great Spotted Woodpecker and Willow Tit off Prospect Lane in small copse at the foot of the tip.
100+ hirundines over the potato field mainly House Martin but also Swallow and Sand Martin
Numerous Yellow Wagtails mainly in the potato field, not as many as Chris's c80 evening count but they seemed everywhere in the field
c50 Goldfinch and c40 Linnet


David

John Williams wrote:

---

plus a green darter that I'm struggling to I.D.

---

Possibly a female Common Darter?

Clay Pits

11.00-14.00

1 Willow Tit, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Buzzards, 1f. Bullfinch, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel and 2 Herons.

1 Great Crested Newt lazing in one of the ponds. 3 Common Frogs almost trodden on along the paths.

Lots of resplendent Peacock butterflies, plenty of Gatekeeper and Meadow Browns too, plus a single Common Blue on the meadow.

Southern Hawker, Four Spotted Chaser, and Common Darter dragonflies abundant, plus a green darter that I'm struggling to I.D.

Lots of Swallows and House Martins swooping over the site.

7.00-9.15pm tonight:

Generally quiet but between 7.30 and 7.45 an incredible count of c80 yellow wagtail coming up out of the field north of prospect lane and heading south west.also seen:
7 reed bunting
Corn bunting
3 grey partridge
4 pied wagtail
Willow warbler
2 grey heron
Skylark
4 linnet
2 kestrel
2 buzzard
1 Brown rat
Mixed flock of c200 swallow + house martin
One of the farmers was telling me last week that there are muntjac around the firs which I have never seen round here before.interesting...

Green Sandpiper off Moat Lane this afternoon. Good numbers of butterflies and dragonflies on the clay pits including a male Common Hawker

Hi mike.there were around 50 hirundines perched on the wires along holly bush lane last night.mostly swallows with a few house martins and one sand martin.also seen:
c150 juv starlings(also on wires)
c15 yellow wagtails(mostly juvs and one worn looking male)
4 juv grey partridge(more heard)
Yellowhammer singing near caravan
Kestrel

Family party of 5 yellow wagtail along prospect lane plus one juv skylark.
No corn buntings seen or heard.
Quail not heard for a couple of weeks either.

110+ House Martins were feeding over one of the Moat Lane pools yesterday before heading off east - superb to see so many over a small patch of water!

Last night on holly bush lane/prospect lane:
1 juv cuckoo(2 present last week)
5 corn bunting
10+ yellow wagtail
3 reed bunting
2 juv kestrel(one having a dust bath in front of the car)
5 grey partridge

Quail calling in potato field off Prospect Lane this morning