122 Wheatear Whimbrel again just over the border in Lancs and another flew over north 2 Grasshopper Warbler 2 Hobby
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Rick Hall said
Thu Apr 24 2:49 PM, 2014
Possible common redpoll at George's lane near big hedge. Very pale with almost pure white/cream chest and only any red on top of it's head. Flew off towards wilder sword and could not relocate.
Rick Hall said
Thu Apr 24 1:35 PM, 2014
1 cuckoo calling at burnt edge now.
Also up to 3 grasshoppers warblers reeling
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Apr 24 11:47 AM, 2014
Late news for yesterday:
Single Whimbrel feeding in fields below Georges Lane just in Lancashire 30 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Apr 21 9:32 PM, 2014
5 Wheatear this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Jon Bowen said
Mon Apr 21 11:38 AM, 2014
A couple of hours this morning between 8.30 - 10.30 firstly along Georges Land then a loop from Burnt Edge to Holden's Farm. Overall fairly quiet
Georges Lane 1 Wheater below kennels 3 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Lesser Redpoll in the conifers Kestrel
Burnt Edge / Holden's Farm 6 Willow Warbler 14 Linnet 2 Swallows 2 Curlew 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Goldfinches in conifers at Burnt Edge 1 Red Grouse on raised edge of quarry as you walk down from Burnt Edge - then flew towards Burnt Edge
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 19 9:17 PM, 2014
36 Wheatear present this morning and also a single Fieldfare at Holdens Farm.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 18 9:48 PM, 2014
This morning:
Single Twite through NE Ringed Plover over the tops 3 Curlew over N 16 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 16 12:20 PM, 2014
Eight Twite flew low east through Higher Meadows at 07:30 this morning.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Apr 14 4:09 PM, 2014
Originally posted today by Jack Danson:
Holdens Farm. What a start to the day !! 8.30 a.m 2 swallows swooping over the farm and darting in and out of the buildings. Then at lunch time sat watching 2 Pied wagtails exploring stone wall and carrying in nesting material. Super day.
Jon Bowen said
Sat Apr 12 3:47 PM, 2014
Andy - thanks for your company this morning good to get to know a bit more about places of interest around the moors by the way forgot Swallow over stables on George's Lane
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Sightings from this morning:
Crossbill 5 over NNW and 11 briefly down in Wilderswood before flying N Siskin 15 W Redpoll 20 N Linnet 3 N Chaffinch 14 S Wheatear 2 females at Holdens
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 12 12:38 PM, 2014
Sightings from this morning:
Crossbill 5 over NNW and 11 briefly down in Wilderswood before flying N Siskin 15 W Redpoll 20 N Linnet 3 N Chaffinch 14 S Wheatear 2 females at Holdens
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 11 11:00 PM, 2014
Other sightings from today:
9 Wheatear 7 Buzzard Merlin over high east
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 11 11:33 AM, 2014
Glossy Ibis circling high in thermals south over Howich at 11:25am.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Thu Apr 10 5:28 PM, 2014
A male Ring Ouzel was along Georges Lane this morning.
Jon Bowen said
Sun Apr 6 10:20 AM, 2014
2 Swallows battling through the gloom nr Coal Pit Lane entrance this morning
Jon Bowen said
Sat Apr 5 7:21 PM, 2014
Quiet along George's Lane around the kennels this morning
3 Mallards on Bryan Hey Reservoir & a pair of Canada Geese on the fields behind the reservoir.
My first Swallows of the year (two), as I headed down Smithills Dean Road, presumably the birds that nest at Bryan Hey Farm.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Mar 29 7:52 PM, 2014
Two Wheatears at Higher Meadows this morning quickly flew north over the moor.
A total of 732 Meadow Pipits flew north at 08:45 in a brief window of blue skies and much reduced wind, viewed from Scout Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Dan Brown said
Wed Mar 26 3:12 PM, 2014
George's Lane 10:00am
3 Wheatear (all male and the first I've seen this year) in the field below the kennels. 2 Lapwing 1 Red-legged Partridge in the same field
4 Goldcrest & 10 Lesser Redpoll in the small conifer plantation on the GM/Lancs border
Elsewhere: 1 pair of Stonechat
John Williams said
Sat Mar 15 3:22 PM, 2014
10.00-13.00
Burnt Edge
4 Meadow Pipits & 2 Black Headed Gulls
Mast Road
1 Reed Bunting, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Raven, 6 Meadow Pipits and a pair of Mistle Thrushes.
Georges Lane
On the rough pasture below the kennels.
26 Fieldfares mixed with 50+ Starlings in a single flock, 1 Kestrel, 1 male Stonechat, 1 Raven and 2 Lapwings.
Holdens Farm
Another mixed flock of Fieldfares & Starlings, on pasture behind the farm, a highly mobile group, impossible to count, but numbers seem similar to those near the kennels.
1 Pied Wagtail
-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 15th of March 2014 03:40:06 PM
Alan Warford said
Thu Mar 13 7:20 PM, 2014
Afternoon walk from Burnt Edge to Smithills Moor via Holdens Farm and return.
Stonechat pair on Smithills Moor Curlew 2 over displaying Sparrowhawk Kestrel F Meadow Pipit 6 Skylark 3 Pheasant 2
5 Canada Geese & 3 Mallards at Bryan Hey Reservoir Pheasants Lapwings off Scout Road & Coal Pit Road Numerous Black-headed Gulls & a flock of 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over Woodpigeons 1 Green Woodpecker calling from Lomax Wives Farm. Another one heard near Holden's Farm. Pied Wagtails, Skylarks , & Meadow Pipits Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins 2 Blackbirds, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush Blue Tits & Great Tits Magpies, Carrion Crows, & a pair of Ravens over Burnt Edge Starlings Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches 1 Lesser Redpoll at Bryan Hey Reservoir 1 Linnet at Holden's Farm Reed Buntings off Coal Pit Road & at Burnt Edge
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 5 3:35 PM, 2014
Originally posted today by Jack Danson:
Spent a wonderful 15 mins watching from the car, 2 Green Woodpeckers feeding in short heather at the side of Coal Pit rd near Holdens Farm. Before flying into trees at other side of road.
David Lumb said
Tue Jan 14 4:37 PM, 2014
9.30am to 11.50am. Scout Road- Coal Pit Road- Burnt Edge- Walker Fold. Not too much about, the best sightings being :-
1f Goosander with 12 Mallards on Bryan Hey Reservoir. A Redwing with 8 Blackbirds at Green Nook 10 Meadow Pipits & 100+ Fieldfares on field between Gilligant's & Roscow's Tenement Farms A Kestrel at Holden's Farm A Reed Bunting was the only bird at Burnt Edge
Jon Bowen said
Sun Jan 5 11:21 AM, 2014
2 Ravens on posts at quarry edge on the road to Burnt Edge this morning
John Blundell said
Sat Jan 4 10:23 AM, 2014
5 male, 3 female Goosanders on Bryan Hey Reservoir. Stonechat on mast road adjacent to quarry.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 4th of January 2014 11:48:08 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 3 8:16 PM, 2014
Late news for yesterday, when 30+ Brambling were in Roscows Tenament Clough, off Coal Pit Lane.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Dec 20 10:13 PM, 2013
Around 8.45 this morning, 4235 Woodpigeons flew over Scout Road, then a flock of at least 300 Skylark headed directly NW over the watch point. Other birds included 310 Starlings, 40 Reed Bunting and 6 Goosander south and 7 on Bryan Hey Reservoir.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
gary lilley said
Sun Dec 1 10:56 AM, 2013
Single snow bunting 8.00 am this morning bird took up off mast road and landed next to the second to last compound no sign of black redstart , heard several red grouse and had a great view of one bird next to the road ( all in lancashire ) 2 carrion crow were eating the bird seed left for the snow buntings , 1 female stonechat on manchester side several redwing flew over at head hight .
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 30 2:12 PM, 2013
A Black Redstart was on the rocket shaped mast just over the border in Lancashire on Winter Hill this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Chris brown said
Tue Nov 26 6:13 AM, 2013
Had a walk round Burnt edge area 3-4.00. Didn't see much just 2 Buzzards and a fantastic Green Woodpecker. Had great views of them all though. I have never seen a Green Woodpecker up there before!
Jon Bowen said
Sat Nov 16 8:46 PM, 2013
circuit from Walkers Fold to Holden Farm.
A few mixed flocks around Walkers comprising Coal Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Treecreeper Goldcrest
also
Chaffinch and Blackbirds in the woods
Around Holden's
4 Starlings 6 Redpoll
a few Corvids knocking about
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 16 5:05 PM, 2013
Sightings from yesterday:
929 Fieldfare over SW with 40 Bramblings mixed in the flocks Bramblings throughout the Beech woodlands from Holden's Farm to Walker Fold with at least 200+ birds! A flock of 30 Lesser Redpoll and 25 Greenfinch at Holden's Farm 4 Red Grouse on Sugar Loaf Hill was very unusual A very vocal Water Rail was in juncas at Green Nook and was the first record for the moors recording area
All info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 14 7:35 AM, 2013
Sightings from this morning:
99 Brambling, including one flock of 80+ 1160 Woodpigeon NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Chris brown said
Thu Nov 14 7:17 AM, 2013
Had a walk round Burnt Edge area today as part of my week off work 10.00 till 12.00. Species seen:
3 Stonechat Meadow Pipit Female Reed Bunting Buzzard being mobbed by a crow Greenfinch Pheasant
But the highlight was a massive flock of Brambling in Holdens Plantation. This had at least 100-150 birds may be more. They were constantly moving around the trees feeding on the beech mast but every now and then a smaller flock would fly up from the ground into the trees above. Brilliant to see! Thanks to Pete for the information.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 12 5:30 PM, 2013
2 female/immature Snow Buntings over Scout Road watch at this morning and also 16 Brambling, 14 Siskin, 330 Fieldfare.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Dennis atherton said
Mon Nov 11 1:23 AM, 2013
Yep, Cracking Snow Bunting Almost straight over our heads, superb
Simon Warford said
Mon Nov 11 1:07 AM, 2013
The only highlight of this mornings Vis Mig. watch was a calling Snow Bunting that flew over us at Scout Road at 7.27am, also 156 Pink-footed Geese flew SE and 55 flew NW, 1,988 Woodpigeon SW and 590 Starling NW, otherwise fairly quiet. Good to have a few GM birders with us this morning including Karen Foulkes, Simon Ghilks, Holly Page and Dennis Atherton
Craig Higson said
Sun Nov 10 4:08 AM, 2013
Another visit this morning in search of Snow Buntings and Twite, but unfortunately no such luck. The whole area was very quiet. 23 Greenfinches in the alder plantation near Walker Fold Farm plus 6 Linnets. 1 Kestrel, 1Goldfinch, 20 Fieldfare, 4 Pheasant, plus the usual Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons etc was pretty much the sum total of 2 very wet hours.
Simon Warford said
Tue Nov 5 6:14 AM, 2013
This morning with Andy Makin, from above Scout Road;
Approx. 20 Twite just above Scout Road quarry feeding in rough area with patchy juncus till 9.30am at least. 6 Snow Bunting flew south just below a flock of Woodpigeons. 27,800 Woodpigeons between 07.00 & 08.40 then abruptly ceased. 5 Whooper Swan SE 1,485 Pink-footed Geese SE & 272 NW. 15 Golden Plover south 10 Brambling SW & several males around Newfields plantation still. 4 Crossbill west & 271 Fieldfare SW.
2 Stonechat.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 4 4:52 PM, 2013
15+ Twite feeding on the grassy slope 400 metres west of the shooting quarries on Scout Road at 08:50 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 4 5:05 AM, 2013
Male Crossbill flew around Walker Fold Wood at 2:50pm today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Simon Warford said
Fri Nov 1 4:33 AM, 2013
Yesterday 30/10/2013 :
30 Whooper Swan SE 1565 Pink-footed Geese SE 7643 Woodpigeon south 1230 Fieldfare south 150 Redwing south 11 Brambling & 105 Chaffinch south 16 Siskin south 2 Yellowhammer south
Today:
330 Pink-footed Geese SE 152 Woodpigeon south 583 Fieldfare south 5 Brambling & 25 Crossbill SW
2 Stonechat present.
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
Chris brown said
Mon Oct 28 12:42 AM, 2013
Had a walk round walker fold and burnt edge area this morning with annette cutts, 9.30-12.00. It was probably the best 2 hours of weather for today!!
Pretty quiet really but saw the following:
Goldcrest,
Kestrel,
Meadow pipit,
Jay,
Robin,
Wren,
Linnet,
The highlight was a single fieldfare on the way back to the van.
Was hoping to catch the crossbills seen yesterday but no joy.
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 27 12:39 PM, 2013
This morning with Andy Makin,
2 Glossy Ibis circled Edge Lane at 8.10am before flying south towards Rumworth, they were then back in the field behind Bob Smithy around 9.10am 18 Whooper Swans east at 8.05am 1,756 Pink-footed Geese SE in 8 skiens, including a super flock of 1,000+ 1,118 Woodpigeon west
1 Wheatear present in field at top of Edge Lane.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 27th of October 2013 12:40:15 PM
Martyn Jones said
Sun Oct 27 3:47 AM, 2013
Yes Karl, I normally use a 300mm with a 1.4 teleconverter, but I had to take the TC off for some of my Ibis photos because they were that close!
Karl Blundell said
Sun Oct 27 12:47 AM, 2013
Saw the Ibis for the first time today
Late to the party I know and I didn't have a camera with me.
Would I be able to get pictures with just a 300mm lens if I hung around long enough? I've seen some post where people have said they have ventured near to the fence.
Craig Higson said
Sat Oct 26 6:01 PM, 2013
C16 Common Crossbills at Walker Fold plantation this am. Also a large flock co approx 300 wood pigeons. 6 Goldcrests, 5 Fieldfare, 22 Long-tailed tits, plus usuals.
Frank Whitney said
Sat Oct 26 3:03 AM, 2013
Glossy Ibises still in same field today and flew to other side of farm building around 3 pm
122 Wheatear
Whimbrel again just over the border in Lancs and another flew over north
2 Grasshopper Warbler
2 Hobby
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Single Whimbrel feeding in fields below Georges Lane just in Lancashire
30 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Georges Lane
1 Wheater below kennels
3 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Lesser Redpoll in the conifers
Kestrel
Burnt Edge / Holden's Farm
6 Willow Warbler
14 Linnet
2 Swallows
2 Curlew
5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Goldfinches in conifers at Burnt Edge
1 Red Grouse on raised edge of quarry as you walk down from Burnt Edge - then flew towards Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Single Twite through NE
Ringed Plover over the tops
3 Curlew over N
16 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Holdens Farm.
What a start to the day !! 8.30 a.m 2 swallows swooping over the farm and darting in and out of the buildings. Then at lunch time sat watching 2 Pied wagtails exploring stone wall and carrying in nesting material. Super day.
by the way forgot Swallow over stables on George's Lane
Crossbill 5 over NNW and 11 briefly down in Wilderswood before flying N
Siskin 15 W
Redpoll 20 N
Linnet 3 N
Chaffinch 14 S
Wheatear 2 females at Holdens
Info thanks to Andy Makin
9 Wheatear
7 Buzzard
Merlin over high east
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
3 Siskins over
5 Lesser Redpoll
4 Mallard
Curlew
Kestrel
Meadow Pipits
4 Lapwings
1 Curlew
Numerous Pheasants
30+ Woodpigeons
Skylarks
Meadow Pipits
1 Reed Bunting
Others included Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches.
3 Mallards on Bryan Hey Reservoir & a pair of Canada Geese on the fields behind the reservoir.
My first Swallows of the year (two), as I headed down Smithills Dean Road, presumably the birds that nest at Bryan Hey Farm.
A total of 732 Meadow Pipits flew north at 08:45 in a brief window of blue skies and much reduced wind, viewed from Scout Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
3 Wheatear (all male and the first I've seen this year) in the field below the kennels.
2 Lapwing
1 Red-legged Partridge in the same field
4 Goldcrest &
10 Lesser Redpoll in the small conifer plantation on the GM/Lancs border
Elsewhere:
1 pair of Stonechat
Burnt Edge
4 Meadow Pipits & 2 Black Headed Gulls
Mast Road
1 Reed Bunting, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Raven, 6 Meadow Pipits and a pair of Mistle Thrushes.
Georges Lane
On the rough pasture below the kennels.
26 Fieldfares mixed with 50+ Starlings in a single flock, 1 Kestrel, 1 male Stonechat, 1 Raven and 2 Lapwings.
Holdens Farm
Another mixed flock of Fieldfares & Starlings, on pasture behind the farm, a highly mobile group, impossible to count, but numbers seem similar to those near the kennels.
1 Pied Wagtail
-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 15th of March 2014 03:40:06 PM
Stonechat pair on Smithills Moor
Curlew 2 over displaying
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel F
Meadow Pipit 6
Skylark 3
Pheasant 2
Dean Mills Reservoir (atop Smithills Moor)
Mandarin M
Shoveler 2M
Mallard 3
5 Canada Geese & 3 Mallards at Bryan Hey Reservoir
Pheasants
Lapwings off Scout Road & Coal Pit Road
Numerous Black-headed Gulls & a flock of 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over
Woodpigeons
1 Green Woodpecker calling from Lomax Wives Farm. Another one heard near Holden's Farm.
Pied Wagtails, Skylarks , & Meadow Pipits
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
2 Blackbirds, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush
Blue Tits & Great Tits
Magpies, Carrion Crows, & a pair of Ravens over Burnt Edge
Starlings
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches
1 Lesser Redpoll at Bryan Hey Reservoir
1 Linnet at Holden's Farm
Reed Buntings off Coal Pit Road & at Burnt Edge
Spent a wonderful 15 mins watching from the car, 2 Green Woodpeckers feeding in short heather at the side of Coal Pit rd near Holdens Farm. Before flying into trees at other side of road.
Not too much about, the best sightings being :-
1f Goosander with 12 Mallards on Bryan Hey Reservoir.
A Redwing with 8 Blackbirds at Green Nook
10 Meadow Pipits & 100+ Fieldfares on field between Gilligant's & Roscow's Tenement Farms
A Kestrel at Holden's Farm
A Reed Bunting was the only bird at Burnt Edge
2 Ravens on posts at quarry edge on the road to Burnt Edge this morning
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 4th of January 2014 11:48:08 AM
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Didn't see much just 2 Buzzards and a fantastic Green Woodpecker.
Had great views of them all though.
I have never seen a Green Woodpecker up there before!
A few mixed flocks around Walkers comprising
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Treecreeper
Goldcrest
also
Chaffinch and Blackbirds in the woods
Around Holden's
4 Starlings
6 Redpoll
a few Corvids knocking about
929 Fieldfare over SW with 40 Bramblings mixed in the flocks
Bramblings throughout the Beech woodlands from Holden's Farm to Walker Fold with at least 200+ birds!
A flock of 30 Lesser Redpoll and 25 Greenfinch at Holden's Farm
4 Red Grouse on Sugar Loaf Hill was very unusual
A very vocal Water Rail was in juncas at Green Nook and was the first record for the moors recording area
All info thanks to Andy Makin
99 Brambling, including one flock of 80+
1160 Woodpigeon NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Species seen:
3 Stonechat
Meadow Pipit
Female Reed Bunting
Buzzard being mobbed by a crow
Greenfinch
Pheasant
But the highlight was a massive flock of Brambling in Holdens Plantation. This had at least 100-150 birds may be more. They were constantly moving around the trees feeding on the beech mast but every now and then a smaller flock would fly up from the ground into the trees above. Brilliant to see!
Thanks to Pete for the information.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Approx. 20 Twite just above Scout Road quarry feeding in rough area with patchy juncus till 9.30am at least.
6 Snow Bunting flew south just below a flock of Woodpigeons.
27,800 Woodpigeons between 07.00 & 08.40 then abruptly ceased.
5 Whooper Swan SE
1,485 Pink-footed Geese SE & 272 NW.
15 Golden Plover south
10 Brambling SW & several males around Newfields plantation still.
4 Crossbill west & 271 Fieldfare SW.
2 Stonechat.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
30 Whooper Swan SE
1565 Pink-footed Geese SE
7643 Woodpigeon south
1230 Fieldfare south
150 Redwing south
11 Brambling & 105 Chaffinch south
16 Siskin south
2 Yellowhammer south
Today:
330 Pink-footed Geese SE
152 Woodpigeon south
583 Fieldfare south
5 Brambling & 25 Crossbill SW
2 Stonechat present.
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
2 Glossy Ibis circled Edge Lane at 8.10am before flying south towards Rumworth, they were then back in the field behind Bob Smithy around 9.10am
18 Whooper Swans east at 8.05am
1,756 Pink-footed Geese SE in 8 skiens, including a super flock of 1,000+
1,118 Woodpigeon west
1 Wheatear present in field at top of Edge Lane.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 27th of October 2013 12:40:15 PM
Late to the party I know and I didn't have a camera with me.
Would I be able to get pictures with just a 300mm lens if I hung around long enough? I've seen some post where people have said they have ventured near to the fence.