8 Ring Ouzels flew very low along Georges Lane and out easterly across Wilderswood towards Montcliffe at 08:05 this morning (just after heavy rain had ceased)
2 Willow Warblers in the dell off Georges Lane
2 Fieldfare at Holdens Farm

No Ring Ouzel for me here today from 8.30 till 10am but single adult Mediterranean Gull flew NE with a party of c20 Black headed Gull over kennels area - probably to Belmont Reservoir. Also 1 Raven chased by Carrion Crow here.

Male Ring Ouzel (still?) in the field below the kennels on Georges Lane and then flew and appeared to land in the garden of the kennels at 1:50pm today.

Info thanks to Andy Isherwood

Male Ring Ouzel along Georges Lane nr kennels @ 7.50 this morning
5 Goldcrest in plantation beyond kennels
1 Wheatear in field just after turn off to Burnt Edge
20 lesser redpoll in plantation on Burnt Edge
3 Goldcrest in plantation on Burnt Edge
1 swallow bravely heading north over Burnt Edge

Single House Martin east over Burnt Edge this morning
2 Red Grouse fighting on the steep sides of Burnt Edge Moor
4 Wheatear at Holdens Farm and 1 by Newfields Farm

This mornings highlights, 7.30-11.30,

6 male Wheatear (3 by the Mast Road & 3 along Deans Ditch avoiding the 5 feet snow drifts still up there)
214 Meadow Pipit heading north fairly constant throughout
165 Redwing in field by Big Hedge, Georges Lane, also 8 flew south
1 Fieldfare east
1 Woodcock
1 Greylag flew west
9 Siskin north
2 Curlew north
3 Red Grouse
4 Buzzard
4 Linnet.

Otherwise pretty quiet.

George's Lane 14:30 - 15:30

1 Wheatear (m) (first one I've seen on the moors this year!)
2 Buzzard
2 Lapwing
c10 Meadow Pipit with a slow trickle of others moving North
4 Skylark
1 Raven
2 Siskin

Burnt Edge 15:30 - 16:30

1 Wheatear (m)
2 Buzzard
4 Meadow Pipit with a steady movement of c20 moving North
1 Heron
1 Curlew (Gilligant's Farm)

-- Edited by Dan Brown on Saturday 6th of April 2013 08:49:46 PM

Georges Lane 7.15-9.15 this morning: -

Curlew 13 N and E in ones and twos
Little Ringed Plover 1 calling N
Common Gull 1
Stock Dove 2
Fieldfare 21
Blackbird 2 males
Skylark 5
Meadow Pipit 39
Pied Wagtail 2
Chaffinch 22
Redpoll 3
Siskin 8
Goldfinch 4
Greenfinch 1 all N and NE

Info thanks to Andy Makin

This evening, seen from Walker Fold Road, between Chorley Old Road and Edge Lane:
Curlew x 2
Fieldfare x 2
Waxwing x 11
Raven
Grey Heron

9.15 to 10.30am on 18th March from Georges Lane: -

Curlew 1 n
Sparrowhawk 1n
Linnet 1 n
Pied Wagtail 2 n
Skylark 23 n
Meadow Pipit 46 n
Common Gull 10 n
Chaffinch 7 n
Redpoll 2 n
Greenfinch 3 n
Reed Bunting 1n

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Barn Owl hunting between Montcliffe Quarry and Mast Road at 3.45

2pm to 5pm - Burnt Edge to the mast

Stonechat - Mast Road
Golden Plover (pair) - Dean Ditch

From first light until 10am today:

87 Chaffinch NW
10 Redpoll
12 Siskin
5 Skylark
Treecreeper, a single landed briefly before flying off north over the moor!

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Late news for February 28th from Georges Lane 07:15-10:15 on what was a good day up there:

Pink-footed Goose 80 w at 2000 ft above watchpoint 7.03
Cormorant 22 nw
Woodpigeon 100+ nw
Lapwing 13 ne
Skylark 8 n
Meadow Pipit 1 n
Crossbill 1 tailless fem ,4 (one male, three female) and 1 female all n
Twite 4 calling n
Siskin 33 n
Redpoll 13 n
A record moorland count ofChaffinch with 461 n in groups of 15 to 30 with 267 in first hour of daylight
Reed Bunting 9 n
Curlew 1 n probably 1000 ft over watchpoint

Info thanks to Andy Makin

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 2nd of March 2013 01:56:12 PM

This morning 7:45 to 10:45 from on Winter Hill:

9 Waxwing 8:05 heading NW
50 Skylark north in an hour mid-morning
5 Pink-footed Geese WNW at 9:05
14 Chaffinch north
2 Redpoll north
1 Reed Bunting north
1 Curlew north
40 Lapwing NE
8 Meadow Pipit north
172 Woodpigeon NNW
8 Common Gull north

Info thanks to Andy Makin


-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 16th of February 2013 10:44:41 PM

11.00am-2.00pm in the snow and ice No Snow Buntings on Two Lads in two visits (the first interrupted by a large group of Scouse lads clambering all over the stones and throwing them off :( The second with Steve Almond - a pleasure to meet you Steve. We had checked the compounds at the top too. I put some seed down at the mast, at the top wooden bridge and on Two Lads - just incase....

Grey Heron 2 at Holdens Farm
No other birds

Walked over from Ramsbottom seeing very little in the snowy, claggy conditions apart from 3 Snow Buntings on top of Two Lads which brightened the day up..

Rob Archer

8.30am to 11.00am along Scout Road & Coal Pit Road.

Bryan Hey Reservoir :-
1 Grey Heron
3 Canada Geese
7 Mallards
2 pairs of Goosanders

Others, widespread unless stated otherwise:-
22 Lapwings - Scout Road
2 Woodpigeons - Scout Road
1 Skylark - Scout Road by Wilton Quarries
3 Wrens
2 Dunnocks
6 Robins
2 Blackbirds
2 Coal Tits - Green Nook
7 Blue Tits - mostly at Gilligant's Farm
2 Great Tits - Gilligant's Farm
1 Nuthatch - Roscow's Tenement
7 Magpies
25+ Jackdaws
13 Carrion Crows
18 Chaffinches - including a flock of 15 at Horrocks Wood
3 Greenfinches
3 Goldfinches
1 male Bullfinch singing away from the top of a tree at Horrocks Wood. No sign of it attracting a partner though
4 Reed Buntings - 3 together along Scout Road & 1 at Gilligant's Farm

10.30am to 11am. Brief visit to Scout Road.

Pair of Stonechats
1 Reed Bunting

Heard red grouse along mast road , 1 male stonechat , 2 raven .

9.55am to 11.40am. Very windy along Scout Road and Coal Pit Lane with low cloud increasing as I got higher up.

Only a Kestrel and a Reed Bunting of note until I got to Holden's Farm. A large flock of birds was in the fields below the farm. Observations of the flock on the floor and in flight gave me an estimate of 150+ Fieldfares, 30+ Starlings, & a few Redwings. The Fieldfares flew off towards Matchmoor Lane, returning about 10 minutes later.

13 Crossbills Wilderswood Georges lane this afternoon 13.30.

Keep Birding.

This morning from Georges Lane 10.10-1130:

Pink-footed Goose 170+ W at 10.26; 700+ WNW at 10.35; 270+ W at 10.55; 100+ W at 11.
49 Fieldfare W

Info thanks to Andy Makin

This morning's moors totals 8.10 -10.30am:

1970 Woodpigeon, of which 1764 moved through in the first hour with a largest flock of 700, all heading NW
6 Crossbill NW
8 Bullfinch in Wilderswood
1 Feldfare feeding on worms in mast compounds.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Georges Lane

( Wilderswood - 800 yds beyond the kennels.)

1400-15.30

2 flocks of Bullfinches ( 1@8m+3f, 1@2m+4f) plus 1 single male. 1 Wren, 1 Buzzard plus 2 Redwings with a group of 6 Blackbirds.

3f+1m Pheasant. 31 Common Gulls with Black Headed Gulls feeding in the pastures. 4 Ravens including a very vocal bird sat on top of a conifer.

Lots of common corvids, but otherwise very quiet. Plenty of dancing Winter Gnats though.

This morning's totals 7.40am-12-40pm:

51 Pink-footed Geese SE at 7.15; 55 SE at 7.55; 3 NW at 8.25.
5304 Woodpigeon NW in 93 flocks, including a largest flock of 800+ and 4395 seen in the first hour.
3 Waxwing W over Wilderswood at 9.10.
2 Crossbill NW

Info thanks to Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes.

This morning, 07.45-11.15, from Georges Lane:

3 Waxwing east at 08.13 and 10 west at 10.30.
3200 Woodpigeon NW involving 52 flocks.
100+ Pink-footed Geese SE over Horwich.
17 Chaffinch NW.
4 Bullfinch SW.
3 Siskin NW.
2 Skylark W.
64 Fieldfare NW.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Late news for yesterday, 13th November:

6 Waxwing flew SW from Scout Road at 9.47am flying over Smithills Moor.
19 Chaffinch NW
1 Grey Wagtail S
75 Fieldfare NW
3 Bullfinch SW

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Todays highlights between me, Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes and Paul Heaton

9 Whooper Swan south-east 8.23am
1,006 Pink-footed Geese in 10 skeins (691 south-east & 315 north-west)
3,399 Woodpigeon most north-west
229 Fieldfare north-west
314 Chaffinch north-west
36 Siskin
1 Brambling
121 Waxwing north-west
1 Crossbill

Also single Green Woodpecker and Stonechat along Georges Lane.

This morning's totals:

250 Pink-footed Goose SE at 7.55
10 Redwing W
63 Fieldfare NW
1 Blackbird SW
1085 Woodpigeon NW
3 Brambling S
48 Chaffinch NW
24 Siskin NW
8 Redpoll SE
2 Bullfinch S
12 Reed Bunting S
Waxwings over as follows: - 2 at 7.50; 6 at 9.22; 1 at 9.27; all WNW at Georges Lane and 4 W over Smithills Moor at 11.40. 76 Starling 76 NW
20 Common Gull S

Info thanks to Andy Makin

10.00-14.00

Burnt Edge

10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel,1 male Stonechat and 2 Ravens

Holdens Plantation

A pair of Carrion Crows guarding a recently deceased sheep.

Holdens Farm

1m+1f Stonechat sharing a stone wall with 1 Robin.

Walker Fold

1 Jay

Despite it being a clear bright day most of the area seemed to devoid of life, except for the usual corvids.

This morning's totals: -

286 Fieldfare SW
69 Redwing SW
280 Starling W
12 Brambling S
57 Chaffinch S
10 Greenfinch
4 Bullfinch SW
108 Woodpigeon SW
9 Stock Dove SW

Info thanks to Andy Makin

This morning's VisMig totals watching from Scout Road.

1 male Ring Ouzel S
1 Twite SW
2 Brambling S
81 Chaffinch S
138 Fieldfare SW
48 Redwing SW
2 Blackbird SW

Also, 2 Stonechat along Scout Road.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Today's sightings:

morning visibility down only 600 metres but a number of Starlings flew NW, also small groups of Chaffinch NW often amongst Starling flocks.

10 Whooper Swan W at 2.45
154 Chaffinch NW
23 Siskin 23
8 Crossbill (5+3) NW
93 Fieldfare NW
9 Blackbird S
24 Mistle thrush NW
1083 Starling NW
91 Jackdaw W
8 Jay SE

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Highlights from todays Vis Mig watch up to 2pm;

4,706 Pink Footed Geese between 8.00am & 11.30am all south-east apart from 206 north-west.
11 Whooper Swans all south-east in groups of 3 & 8. The 3 dropping onto Lower Rivington Resr briefly.
1 Ring Ouzel
612 Fieldfare all north or north-west
27 Redwing west
24 Siskin north
8 Bullfinch north
31 Jackdaw south-west
male Stonechat Georges Lane and 3 Stonechat Coal Pit Road.

Good to see Mr Heaton join us for abit today.

Another decent showing of visible migrants today:

Pink-footed Goose: - 150+ SE 8.40; 110 W 9.15 in 2 skiens
Merlin 1 male S
Sparrowhawk 1 S
Lapwing 33
Fieldfare 2856 NW in 59 flocks, the largest consisting of 300
Redwing 920 NW in 36 flocks, the largest flock of 100+
Song Thrush 3
Mistle Thrush 8
Blackbird 3
Starling 400 NW
Crossbill 3 S
Brambling 32, many mixed in with thrush flocks
Siskin 16
Chaffinch 49
Redpoll 11
Greenfinch 8
Raven 8 together
Jackdaw 94 SW

Info thanks to Andy Makin

A much better VisMig show today from early morning to afternoon from a new watch point off Scout Road:

Fieldfare- 2508 mostly SW but changing to NW in the afternoon, in 87 flocks the largest consisting of 130.
Redwing- 932 SW in 42 flocks.
Pink-footed Goose- 42 NW at 12.19.
4 Goosander S
4 Teal N
Tree sparrow- 1 S
Crossbill- 28 S in six flocks
9 Brambling SE
Chaffinch 118 NW
39 Siskin N
28 Skylark SW
38 Mistle Thrush SW
539 Starling NW
3 Buzzard S
Sparrowhawk- 2 S
Lapwing- 144 N

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Single Chiffchaff with a Long-tailed Tit flock at Sugar Loaf Plantation this early afternoon.

Also today, 28 Crossbills around Burnt Edge, Walker Fold Wood & Gale Brook plantation, highest single flock was 17.

Pink-footed Geese on the move again today, six skeins totaling 821 all north-west between 11.05am & 2.13pm, one skein of 41 right over the mast itself contained a much smaller goose but it was rear end on and couldn't be identified.

Other birds on the move, all south-west, included 415 Woodpigeon, 172 Meadow Pipit, 105 Chaffinch, 15 Mistle Thrush, 3 Fieldfare, 72 Goldfinch, 27 Siskin & 142 Jackdaw. Numbers still well down on last year.

2 late Swallows flew south late morning.

13:00 to 15:00 Burnt Edge

Female Hen Harrier dropped below the trees near Gilligant's Farm. Didn't manage to see it again and was eventually forced from the New Fields watchpoint by marauding bullocks!

16 Meadow Pipits (S)

Very little else.

2 Crossbill (1 male) along Georges Lane this morning and 401 Pink-footed Geese all south-east in three skeins (50 at 8.30, 220 at 8.30 and 131 at 10.05, the latter skein confirmed by Riggers photo he took of them). We would have seen much more if it wasn't for the fog!

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 20th of October 2012 08:23:27 PM

14.00-16.30 (19th October)


Burnt Edge

A single flock of 18 Meadow Pipits ( The only pipits seen throughout were this group coming in to roost at 4.30pm)

2 Kestrels

2 Roe Deer

Mast Road

1 male Stonechat

Holdens Farm

2 Linnets, 2 Reed Buntings, 3 Pheasants.

Walker Fold

A single flock of 12 Long Tailed Tits







-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 20th of October 2012 12:06:26 PM

Generally poor Visible Migration this week, compared to this time last year, todays highlights between me, Simon Johnson and later joined by Andy Makin;

180 Pink-footed Geese NW mid afternoon
1 Golden Plover
6 Crossbill north
182 Woodpigeon south
167 Meadow Pipits SW
5 Fieldfare NW
31 Mistle Thrush NW
125 Chaffinch west
1 Brambling west
45 Redwing NW
220 Starling
7 Jay south
9 Reed Bunting NW

Green Woodpecker Walker Fold Wood and 2 Wheatear Dean's Ditch also noted.

Sightings from this morning watch from Edge Lane:

Crossbill 2 nw
Short-eared Owl 1 at 9.55 circling high above Newfields being mobed by crows then drifting west and lost in cloud cover
116 Meadow Pipit sw
67 Chaffinch ssw
19 Greenfinch s
1 Brambling s
40 Redwing s
2 Fieldfare
13 Jay se

Info thanks to Andy Makin

I've got the opportunity to visit this area early tomorrow morning. I don't know the area well at all, but I was thinking of parking in Georges lane and then just heading up towards Winter Hill. It seems to me that the forecast looks reasonable for migration, 100% cloud cover and light SE wind. Does this seem a reasonable plan, or should I be going to other areas? I'll be able to spend all morning there from about 7:30am onwards.

Thanks for any advice.

Colin

Colin,
Your plan for tomorrow morning is perfectly sound.
I have found the three site maps that cover Horwich Moors (as shown the Manchester Birding website) to be a big help.
However, I spoke to Andy Makin today, who covers this area on a nearly full time basis, he told me that
at present, he prefers the Vis Mig watchpoints( Newfield and Edge Lane) rather than Georges Lane.
The wind today was SW and things were a little quiet. I think winds from the North or East are preferred.

-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 18th of October 2012 07:56:33 PM

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 18th of October 2012 08:58:57 PM

Up to 11.30 this am, along the top of Burnt Edge, and then an hour with Andy Makin at the Newfield VIS MIG point:

Carrion Crow ...flock of c35 at side of Matchmoor Lane.
Carrion Crow ...7 more around Holdens Plantation.
Stonechat...4... a pair, plus 2 first winter birds.... on the walls and the barbed wire at the top end of the Edge.

Arriving at the Watchpoint, most of the trees around contained Long- tailed Tits c25 with a few Blue Tits among them.
Jays ...3... moved down Walker Fold valley and 2 more seen in the woods.
A Sparrowhawk seen over Lomax's
Redwing...c25 West
Starlings..c60 West

Much earlier, Andy had a Short -eared Owl moving through.

Had a last minute dash round Burnt Edge area this afternoon 4.00 till 5.30.

Walker Fold Wood:

Meadow Pipit
Kestrel
Wren
Robin
Goldcrest
Blue Tit
Redwing

Burnt Edge:

Meadow Pipit
Magpie


Holdens Farm:

Great views again of the 2 Stonechat (Male and Female) I saw the other day.
4 Greenfinch
Crow
Wren
Pheasant

Highlight for today was watching a Kestrel on a telephone wire trying to balance whilst looking at what was moving down below it. It was obviously really concentrating as I managed to get good close views to less than 10 metres. I watched her tightrope balancing act for around 15 minutes at which point she dropped to the floor and then flew away without any prey.

8.30am - 1.15pm

hard going on the moors this morning hoping that the mist would clear, only a few breaks in it

5 Red Grouse near mast road with a further covey heard on Smithills moor
11 Redpolls in Roscoe's Tenement Clough along with single Reed bunting, chaffinch and small tit flock
Ring Ouzel heard but not seen
Tit flock at Holdens farm included a Tree Creeper, 2 Goldcrests aswell as Great, Blue, Coal and Long tailed Tits
small numbers of Meadow Pipits.
nice to meet up with Andy Makin
walking back to car afterwards between the two quarries when they started blasting

http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulrisley/

8:30 to 10:45

2 Merlin (1 in Lancs, looking from the the top of Winter Hill towards Belmont; 1 above the kennels on George's Lane)
1 Crossbill (North over George's Lane)
4 Bullfinch
8 Goldcrest
2 Coal Tit
c25 Lapwing
c35 Linnet (NW)
c50 Meadow Pipit (mostly SW)
1 Fieldfare
2 Mistle Thrush