Today's sightings:

Male Merlin south at Georges Lane
Pink-footed Goose: - 10 SW at 10.07; 62 SW at 11.32
12 Wheatear
197 Meadow Pipit heading south and a further 200 lingering on the moors
8 Buzzard
1 Grey Wagtail west and 3 together on Smithills Moor
160 Swallow south and 70 lingering
15 Goldcrest Walker Fold Wood
1 Whinchat Holdens Farm
1 adult Hobby chasing Swallows Holdens Farm

Info thanks to Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes, Karen Foulkes and Dan Brown

I think that I have been misinterpreted here I wasn't ever trying to help Ollie with an identification, nor was I trying to start a debate meadow pipit behaviours. I was just saying, as politely as I could that what was listed in the description didn't sound like enough information to ID this bird as a tree pipit. I though it might be more tactful to suggest it goes down as a maybe, rather than pointing out it may have been a miss-ID. I also think sometimes the complete phylogenetics of a species can seem quite daunting, thus suggesting starting with the call. Strong believer that simplicity is key with complicated jobs!

Discussion is a good thing & I couldn't agree more that good note taking is a dying art in our hobby.

Ollie Wright wrote:

---

What was the Treemipit saga?!

---

A Meadow Pipit which masqueraded as a Tree Pipit on Ramsdale's Ruck in 2009, due to its habit of using trees from which to launch into it's song and a slightly uncharacteristic song. Lasted at least a few days and was seen (and not questioned) by a large number of birders until it was eventually correctly identified.

Sightings from today:

3 Ring Ouzels (all males) with 2 on Burnt Edge and 1 on Georges Lane.
Grasshopper Warbler off Georges Lane.
1 Tree Pipit south over Newfields.
2 Whinchat at Georges Lane, near to the border wall with Lancs.
2 Merlin, a female/immature flew west and another caught a Wheatear along Dean Ditch.
14 Pink-footed Geese NW at 8.30, 22 NE at 9.52 and 10 NE at 10am.
1 Spotted Flycatcher at Newfields.
1 Redshank over south.
458 Meadow Pipits south.
21 Wheatear.
2 juvenile Hobby south together along Dean Ditch.

Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock

Jamie,

the crux of the matter (for me) is that Ollie's description clearly and perhaps unbeknown to Ollie, contained at least two features which related more to Meadow Pipit and none which appeared to indicate Tree Pipit. Fact is, that Ollie obviously noted more than he initially thought anyway with regards his noting of the long hind claw, is highly commendable and very good field craft; an unfortunately dying art. There have been Tree Pipits at the spot on the Horwich Moors near where Ollie saw the pipit almost daily for the past month or so now (and one there today) so it wouldn't be unusual were it one.

Anyway, discussion is a good thing Jamie and that Ollie has now seemingly prepared himself for his next encounter and already learned a few good features for separating the two (the article also discusses perhaps why the two actually quite different species are so often mis-identified) should hopefully lead to a positive resolution of the identification next time

What was the Treemipit saga?!

Ian,
If its possibly a meadow pipit, surely its also possibly a tree pipit!
I wasn't trying to discount anything you had said, I am just trying to make a point that they are easy to get confused, even from Ollies description.
& I am fully aware that they will also display from the ground, but to give someone who is trying to make an ID of a bird they may not have much experience with the full story of the great treemipit saga of 2001 may not be massively relevant. Not trying to stir anything up, just to be helpful.
However, if I'd done it in fewer words Ollie, If I'm honest as other have been, I suspect you saw a meadow pipit, but then this was the same day a Gannet passed over!
Sorry if I have come across like I am trying to discount what you're saying, I'm not, just trying to emphasise that anything can happen!

J

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I have just consulted Sir Ian's excellent article on 'trials and trivialis' and am now clear that it was a Meadow Pipit. The clincher being the long hind claw, which I didn't know was a separating detail between the two species. It was perched on a wire, so this was very obvious.

This is why I love this site... Thanks again all.

Sorry Jamie, a possible Tree Pipit on what basis exactly? What features are indicative of Tree Pipit in Ollie's nice little description?

The difference in the bill shape of Meadow and Tree Pipit is very distinctive and is in fact highly reliable Jamie, it is a constant structural feature. I admit though, that some experience may be necessary to pick it out but Ollie's description of it certainly fits Meadow better to my mind rather than Tree, so in my book it's a possible Meadow Pipit

Ollie, Ian's right, but then we didn't see it & the upturned bill, unless you're specifically looking for it isnt an easy or perticularly reliable ID feature. I'd put this one down as a possible for now. I've had two tree pipit this year so far, both (before I'd even heard the call or had a good look) were displaying from treetops, rather than the moorland which Meadow pips will nearly always use. You can get the calls from xeon canto (a free website) then you'll be ready next time! Cheers.

Decided to delete my post as this thread could go on forever

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 13th of September 2012 08:42:33 PM

Late news for yesterday:

Other than the juvenile Gannet, just 7 Wheatear, 70 Swallow were of note.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Thanks Jamie, I didn't manage to record the call, so I'll put it down as a possible - was just the bold facial features that had me wondering.

Learning all the time.

Ollie Wright wrote:

---

The bird had a bold, bright facial appearance, with white eye stripe. The streaking went further down the sides than down the belly and there was a yellowish wash to the top of the flanks. There were black triangular markings below the cheeks (sub-moustachial?) The bill seemed slightly upturned.

---

See the Tree Pipit articles on the website if you haven't already Ollie but the bill seeming to be slightly upturned sounds pretty good for Meadow Pipit in my opinion.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 12th of September 2012 09:23:36 PM

Ollie Wright wrote:

---

Undeterred by having a dubious Curlew Sandpiper taken off me yesterday, today's doubtless spurious claim is a Tree Pipit on a wire at Burnt Edge.

The bird had a bold, bright facial appearance, with white eye stripe. The streaking went further down the sides than down the belly and there was a yellowish wash to the top of the flanks. There were black triangular markings below the cheeks (sub-moustachial?) The bill seemed slightly upturned.

A tribe of Meadow Pipits were around, on track and stone walls and popping down into the fields. A male Kestrel was on manoeuvres and seen several times, putting the wind up a Goldfinch flock at one point, while a Buzzard also surveyed the scene for a while, before zooming off low into the trees.

Wasn't too much else around - a couple of Wheatears down past the kennels on Georges Lane. But I didn't get saturated / lost in the fog / injure an ankle, so definitely one up on previous trips to't moors.

---

They are difficult to ID in the field Ollie, did you hear it call?
Thats the best way to convince folk that you've seen a tree pipit!
anythings possible, as illustrated by our lost gannet.

An immature Gannet flew SW over at 12.57pm today.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Undeterred by having a dubious Curlew Sandpiper taken off me yesterday, today's doubtless spurious claim is a Tree Pipit on a wire at Burnt Edge.

The bird had a bold, bright facial appearance, with white eye stripe. The streaking went further down the sides than down the belly and there was a yellowish wash to the top of the flanks. There were black triangular markings below the cheeks (sub-moustachial?) The bill seemed slightly upturned.

A tribe of Meadow Pipits were around, on track and stone walls and popping down into the fields. A male Kestrel was on manoeuvres and seen several times, putting the wind up a Goldfinch flock at one point, while a Buzzard also surveyed the scene for a while, before zooming off low into the trees.

Wasn't too much else around - a couple of Wheatears down past the kennels on Georges Lane. But I didn't get saturated / lost in the fog / injure an ankle, so definitely one up on previous trips to't moors.

Fairly uneventful afternoon with Dan Brown highlighted by a Hobby from Gilligants down and over Walker Fold making an occasional foray into Hirundines.

9.10am to 13.10. Made the most of the good weather, but not as many birds as normal.
Scout Road, Coal Pit Lane, Burnt Edge, Horrocks Moor.

1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
3 Nuthatch
3 Pheasants
5 Woodpigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Bryan Hey Reservoir)
75+ House Martins (feeding along the hillside behind the plantation at the bottom of Scout Road. Probably from the earlier mixed flock at Fernhill Farm)
60 Swallows (Bryan Hey, Gilligant's, and Holden's Farms)
33 Meadow Pipits
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Wrens
4 Dunnocks
3 Robins
3 Stonechats (male on wires at Holden's Farm, + a pair along path from bottom of Scout Road to Wilton Arms, where I gave myself a rest with a couple of pints of real ale)
8 Blackbirds
5 Chiffchaffs
3 Goldcrests (Bryan Hey Reservoir)
Blue Tits & Great Tits widespread
Long-tailed Tits with other tits at Bryan Hey Reservoir
Coal Tits in a mixed flock at the other end of the reservoir
1 Nuthatch (Gilligant's Farm feeders)
1 Jay
10 Magpies
9 Carrion Crows
3 Starlings
3 Chaffinches
3 Greenfinches
35 Goldfinches
3 Linnets (Gilligant's Farm)
2 Bullfinches (Bottom of Scout Road)

The only birds at Burnt Edge were 3 Meadow Pipits, the quietest I have ever known there, although two off road motorbikes did not help.
Seven Red Arrows were an improvement on my two yesterday.





-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 9th of September 2012 07:52:41 PM

An excellent stroll round this morning taking in all of the main birding spots and migrant watchpoints, weather was misty early, then cleared up,

The only downside was the species count tad bit on the low side, still better luck next time

Best birds, Whinchat, Merlin, Wheatears, Reed bunting, Stonechats, Ravens,

Oh The Red Arrows flew passed that was nice.

Keep birding ,and getting the right info for mapmate

Walker Fold Woods seen from pack horse trail

14.30 Mixed flock (20 or so) of Treecreeper and Goldcrest

15.00 Mixed flock (40 plus) Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler

After leaving Andy shortly after 8 a.m. I walked from Mast Rd through Holden's Farm to Walker Fold Wood and returned via Burnt Edge.

Additional species to Andy's posting, en route were ;

2 Spotted Flycatchers: 1 Holden's Farm; 1 edge of Walker Fold Wood.
1 juv. Whinchat - Burnt Edge (with 2 Wheatears).
Female Stonechat - Holden's Farm.
1 Buzzard - over Mast Rd drifting east at 10.55.

Regards,
Mike P.

This morning:

5 Twite flew low NW calling over Georges Lane just before the border near to the kennels at 8am.

3 Redstart (male and 2 juveniles) in the small conifer plantation just over in Lancashire along Georges Lane.

19 Wheatear.

1 Tree Pipit SE over Burnt Edge.

1 Golden Plover and 1 Ringed Plover flew over tops of Smithills Moor

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew high south over Smithills Moor

42 House Martin and 90 Swallow moving over with a further 70 Swallow lingering around the usual areas.

42 Meadow Pipit over WNW and a further 90 hanging around on the moors and fields.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Today:

3 Tree Pipit still below Newfields Plantation
1 Redstart along Georges Lane
1 Woodcock Georges Lane
8 Wheatear
Tree Sparrow over south
16 Buzzards SSW
290 Swallow south
244 Meadow Pipit NW and 210 down on the moors themselves
3 Grey Wagtail west
120 Woodpigeon west

Info thanks to Andy Makin

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 5th of September 2012 10:32:23 PM

Sightings from earlier today, a combination from Andy Makin, Ken Haydock and myself:

1 Spotted Flycatcher at Walker Fold (opposite Newfields Plantation)
1 fem/imm Redstart in Walker Fold 'dip'
1 Whinchat Holden's Farm and 1 Walker Fold Road
2 Stonechat Holden's Farm (the usual female and juvenile)
5 Wheatear
7 Tree Pipit with 4 at Newfields Plantation (actually within the plantation but flying into the conifers opposite when disturbed and later on also with 40 Meadow Pipit on the newly cut grass field at the top of the slope by Newfields Farm; 2 at Burnt Edge; 1 flew east over Brownstones Quarry)
7 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler at Burnt Edge

A splendid day today, well up to par for this time of year with sightings from Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes:

5 Linnet SW
28 Goldfinch NW
13 Chaffinch S
3 Siskin S
Fem/imm Merlin along Dean Ditch, Smithills Moor, before heading south
60 Meadow Pipit NW
19 Spotted Flycatcher (1 the Dell and 3 the Big Hedge along Georges Lane; 6 Lomax Wife's Plantation; 4 Brownstones Quarry; 5 Walker Fold)
4 Redstart (female and juv Georges Lane just past the kennels; 1 male Lomax Wife's Plantation; 1 Chadwicks Gully)
Tree Pipit briefly in the Big Hedge off Georges Lane
42 Chiffchaff
1 Garden Warbler
9 Blackcap
14 Wheatear

3pm-7pm, thanks to Steve Burke for the tour

Georges Lane
3 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Tree Pipit
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Kestrel

Mast Compound Area
1 Black Redstart (in Lancs)
3 Wheatear
1 Kestrel

09.30-14.00

Georges Lane ( From Wilderswood to 200 yds past the kennels).

2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 male Kestrel, 1 Coal Tit plus lots of Meadow Pipits.

3 flocks of Goldfinches ( 32+ 18 +8)

Met up with Andy Makin who was viewing a bush containing at least 4 Chiffchaffs, with the flycatchers nearby too, as I moved over to Burnt Edge I could'nt help feeling Andy may find something special as the bushes near

the kennels where teeming with small migrants.

Burnt Edge

4 Spotted Flycatchers plus 1 Tree Pipit carrying out midge catching sorties from a birch in the copse by Burnt Edge Lane, by 14.00 though they'd gone.

2 more Tree Pipits chasing each other around the bushes in Newfields plantation. 2 Buzzards and a male Kestrel.

Walker Fold Woods

3 Mistle Thrush and a pair of Bullfinches (m&f)

Yesterday (2nd) with Simon Johnson 12-4pm sightings of interest-

Fem/imm Black Redstart still present by main mast compound, just in Lancs.
2 Tree Pipits, 1 south over Burnt Edge calling and another again present around Newfields.
8 Spotted Flycatchers still present along edge of Wilderswood.
16 Lapwing NW
25 Swallows SW, but what seems to be a clear out of local birds with just a handful hanging around Holdens.
18 Wheatear, mostly around Winter Hill itself and along Mast Road.

Georges Lane to Burnt Edge

4 Redstarts. 1 on Georges Lane just past Kennels, 3 in small Plantation near raptor watch point at Burnt Edge, A female Sparrowhawk was hunting the plantation and left as I approached, this had the effect of making the Redstarts much more approachable, 1 Adult Male, 2 Fem/Imm
2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 on Georges Lane, 1 near Quarries
2 Ravens
2 Goldcrests
1 Coal Tit
1 Kestrel

Staff Bull cross chasing sheep in fields off Georges lane as its owners laughed while trying to call it back

7-10am with Andy and Dan Brown, Georges Lane, Brownstones Quarry then Pennington!

10 Spotted Flycatchers Wilderswood by Georges Lane, all together!
2 Tree Pipit south over Georges Lane both within 5 mins of each other
2 Spotted Flycatchers Brownstones.
10+ Wheatear

With all the fun and games going on at Pennington I thought I'd have a few hours on the Moors before making my way across

All told a really good morning around Walkers Fold, Holden Farm and Burnt Edge, sightings including

3 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Female Blackcap
5 Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaff
30 plus Swallows
Hobby over (Nr Holden Farm)
2 Treecreeper
5 Goldcrest
Coal Tit
Stonechat
Whinchat

Midday to 4:15 this afternoon:

79 Wheatear (4 Georges Lane/Higher Meadows, 42 Mast Road, 8 on the top of Winter Hill, 16 along Dean Ditch, 7 Burnt Edge, 2 Holdens Farm)

6 Spotted Flycatchers (3 Walker Fold with 2 along the isolated conifers by path from Newfields Farm to Burnt Edge and 1 on telephone wires in the field by the car parking at Walker Fold; 3 more were in Brownstones Quarry)

2 Chiffchaff Walker Fold

2 Willow Warblers

The usual Stonechat family at Holden's Farm

Single Whinchat on telephone wires in field by Walker Fold car parking

Fem/imm Black Redstart around the mast building just over in Lancs, near a 5mph sign near the rear yard area

60 Meadow Pipit feeding on the moors on the top of Winter Hill

Also, Ken Haydock had a further 4 Spotted Flycatchers in the dell off Georges Lane in the morning but there was no further sign of them by midday.

Today:

16 Pink-footed Geese west at 11:35
8 Wheatear
1 Redstart still along Georges Lane
130 House Martin and 200 Swallow east
89 Meadow Pipit NNW

Info thanks to Andy Makin

A quick hour in the burnt edge area before a humdinger of a thunder storm drenched me, I heard it coming and should have left sooner

2 Stonechats
1 Redstart fem/Imm
Charm of Goldfinches, 40+
2 Ravens
large flock of Warblers and Tits flew across path on way back to car but too wet to check them out

Some more sightings from today courtesy of myself and Andy Makin:

14 Wheatear
1 Yellow Wagtail over south
1 juvenile Redstart by the county border along Georges Lane
3 Curlew over (a single and 2 together)
3 juvenile Stonechat at Holden's Farm
Single juvenile Whinchat at Holden's Farm
2 Whitethroat
Single Chiffchaff and a dozen or so Willow Warbler at Burnt Edge/Walker Fold

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 29th of August 2012 04:59:45 PM

My third visit and very quiet today. Nice weather though which makes a change from previous visits.!

Plenty Meadow pipit, swallow and Goldfinch along Georges lane in the morning. Headed upto Burnt edge and managed a Wheatear on the wall at the top. Pair of Kestrel in same area. Bullfinch, Pied wagtail and Raven on the way to Holdens farm. And thats about it on the bird front. Nice views of 2 pairs of Southern hawker dragonflies on the little pond on the Mast Road next to the bend with crash barrier . One pair successfully mated. Oh well, at least something was having fun up there. Good six hour workout for me, at least. Nearly forgot to mention the pleasant meeting with Pat Griffin and her minder. Enjoyed a good chat and walk, even though it was quiet on the bird front . Hope you had more luck than me.

-- Edited by David Wilson on Tuesday 28th of August 2012 09:47:08 PM

Monday 27th August 3.30pm

I always pick the wrong time to come up here. Got absolutely soaked this afternoon, with not a great deal of bird activity to cheer me up either.
I came in search of Whinchat, but will have to try again another time, well probably in the next week or so before they're all gone.
Highlight was a Tree Pipit on my way back along Burnt Edge. A County first for me.
2 Goldcrest in Walker Fold Wood
1 Sparrowhawk over near here too.
1 Kestrel sat on wire at Holden's Farm
8 Goldfinches
15 Swallows around Burnt Edge
1 Dunnock (yes I'm counting it, as I didn't see much else)

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 27th of August 2012 06:30:43 PM

Further overall site totals from today, a combination from Andy Makin, Ken Haydock and the Simons of Warford and Johnson:

115 Wheatear
1 Tree Pipit at Holdens Farm
8 Whinchat, with 5 at Holdens Farm, 1 on Fleet Moor, 1 on Burnt Edge and 1 at Mast Road
108 Pied Wagtail down along Georges Lane
89 House Martin south
375 Swallow east

12.15pm - 4.45pm Burnt Edge to Georges Lane

2 Redstarts, A stunning adult male plus the Fem/Imm from friday, both birds extremely shy and moving away on sight from some distance
8 Wheatears, one feeding just 15ft away from me in stark contrast to the Redstarts behaviour
single Raven
2 Kestrels
female Sparrowhawk
Plenty of Butterflies and Dragonflies

Further sightings from today:

Hobby
19 Wheatear
1 Tree Pipit east at Georges Lane
194 Swallow east

Info thanks to Andy Makin

Chris brown wrote:

---

On my way back down to the car past Walker Fold I saw briefly a very pale fronted Pipit in a TREE!! Possibly Tree Pipit but not 100%.

---

Unfortunately Chris, Meadow Pipits also commonly perch in trees and 'pale fronted' may very well suit that species better too. Check out the identification articles on the website for next time you bump into one. Tree Pipits have become one of our more commonly misidentified species so some caution is advised

My first visits to the Burnt Edge area, (23rd and 24th Aug).

After a fullish day yesterday with John Rayner, I just called in this morning, (8.45 a.m.) and walked the circuit via Holden's Farm back past the quarry to Matchmoor Lane.

Just beyond the western edge of Walker Fold Wood the plantation of young mixed deciduous trees held a nice little mixed flock which I watched from the little path for some 20 minutes; nothing unusual, but really nice to see a burst of frenetic action:

Willow Warblers 15/20, Long-tailed Tits 12/15, several Great Tits, Blue Tits, 1 Coal Tit, with an excitable support cast of ticking Robins and scolding Wrens. The only "crests" were 2 Goldcrests which I squeaked out from the conifer wood (south side) on the nearby approach walk. Later (by Holden's) 2 Linnets and just beyond, a party of Goldfinches. Above the quarry, 2 Ravens.

All in all still quiet, but a great valley, no doubt very "birdy" on a good day.

I dipped the Cranes last night, (they didn't fly) but that's all part of the game. Many thanks to all those who sent me PM's in support and encouragement!
I'll hope to get back in a few weeks time.

Thanks to all,
Cheers,
Mike

9am - 1pm

Georges Lane to burnt edge, pleasant morning

Female Sparrowhawk
2 family parties of Jays, one in Wilderswood the other in the wooded valley across the fields from big hedge. both parties very vocal
quite a few Willow Warblers and good numbers of Swallows
single Peregrine over
pair of Ravens
pair of Kestrels
fem/Imm Redstart, Camera just focusing on it when the only jogger I saw all morning ran past and spooked it, couldnt relocate it
Goldfinches feeding recently fledged young at Holdens

I SPY Mancy birders book got a few ticks, nice to chat with Ken Haydock and Chris Brown while Andy Makin was spotted scanning the Conifer plantation just past the Kennels, also another couple birding around burnt edge

Decided to have another outing along walker fold wood and along burnt edge today. Time was 9.00 till 11.30.
Sightings:
Walker Fold
Blue tit
Great tit
Meadow Pipit
Wren
Bunch of Willow Warblers including several young

Burnt Edge
Goldfinch
Meadow Pipit
Stonechat
Kestrel
magpie

On my way back down to the car past Walker Fold I saw briefly a very pale fronted Pipit in a TREE!! Possibly Tree Pipit but not 100%.

Also nice chat with Paul Risley.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 24th of August 2012 10:24:55 PM

Friday 24th August 09.00 to 14.00

Walk from Rivington end of George's Lane - Mast Road - Burnt Edge - Walker Fold - Holdens - over top back to The Kennels - back along George's Lane

Majority of birds along George's Lane on the way to the moors and included:-
Sparrowhawk, Bullfinch (H) both nr Rivington end of lane.
Wheatear (2) C Redstart (1), Willow Warbler (2/3) all in area of ruined building at end of conifer plantation prior to reaching the kennels along with about 6 Meadow Pipits, similar number of Pied Wagtails and numerous Swallows. Possibly a Whinchat there also but only a brief sighting so can't be confirmed.
Kestrel (1), Flock of around 20/30 Goldfinch feeding nr the kennels.
1 distant C Buzzard over the reservoirs.

3 Wheatears in field to left going up Mast Road.

Late morning area around Burnt Edge and Walker Fold appeared almost devoid of birds.

Around Holdens Farm was flock of around 20/25 Goldfinch which also contained 3/4 W Warblers and 1 with possibly a second C Whitethroat.

2 Kestrels on moors to right of mast.

Otherwise only bird of note on the way back was 1 Goldcrest.



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 24th of August 2012 04:27:56 PM

Late sightings for yesterday (23rd):

Passerine flock in Walker Fold Woods, despite being well short of numbers compared to a few days ago, contained a Tree Pipit, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 10 Willow Warblers and several Goldcrest.

3 more Tree Pipits were in the usual fields along Walker Fold near Newfields Plantation along with another Spotted Flycatcher.

Single Crossbill flew NW at George's Lane and 3 Wheatear were around and about the area.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

A full day on Horwich Moors with Mike Passant today: 06.30 (Mike), 07.30 (John) - 16.05.

There seemed to be very few birds around.

Burnt Edge/Holdens area (3 visits)

Tree Pipit 2
Redstart 1 (imm male)
Goldcrest 2
Willow Warbler 1
Treecreeper 1
Meadow Pipit c20
Raven (H)
Swallow c15
Goldfinch c18
Chaffinch 5
Kestrel 2-3
Grey Heron 1

Georges Lane (even harder work, 1 visit)

Hobby 1
Blackcap 1 (female)
Bullfinch 3
Redpoll 1
Raven (H)

Cheers, John

Had my first walk up Horwich Moors in ages. I was well rewarded!!!
sightings included:
Meadow pipit
Mistle Thrush
Mixed flock of birds at walkers fold wood included Willow warbler, Gold crest, Blue tit, Coal tit, Long tailed tit, great tit and Reed warbler I think. Fantastic to see.
I then walked round Holdens farm and saw only a wren!!
On the low path in front of Burnt edge I saw the following:
Wheatear
Stonechat
Whinchat (First time I have ever seen one!)
Redstart (First time I have ever seen one!)
Flock of Goldfinch
Meadow pipit
Swallow
Kesteral
Sparrowhawk

Also had great views of 2 female deer.


Nice to meet several people including Dave Lumb and Andy Makin. Had a good to chat both and their information was greatly appreciated. I visited the quarry advised by Andy but the heavens absolutely opened so saw nothing. I couldnt stop laughing as I have rarely seen it rain that hard!!! Will try again this week.

Originally posted by David Lumb today:



11am to 12.30
Coal Pit Lane :- 40 Lapwings, 2 Siskins at Green Nook, and a Yellowhammer called twice asking for a little bit of bread and no cheese. By the time a tractor had passed it had gone.
Burnt Edge :- Stonechat, Whinchat, Wheatear, and Redstart.