Further sightings from today, a mixture from Andy Makin, Ken Haydock and myself:
72 Willow Warbler (over the whole recording area; which is big, but around 40 were estimated in the large roving mixed species flock at Walker Fold) 8 Wheatear 2 Redstart at the bottom of Burnt Edge near the edge of Walker Fold Wood and another (male) at Chadwicks Fold 5 Spotted Flycatchers in the roving flock at Walker Fold and a single at Brownstones Quarry 5 Tree Pipits along the edge of Walker Fold, all very mobile and I wouldn't be surprised if there were actually more. At one point one was even in with the roving bird flock at Walker Fold!!!
The roving bird flock at Walker Fold was highly impressive and annoyingly mobile, probably nearing 100 individuals strong but was practially impossible to count as they moved through so fast, using low bushes and even the tops of the highest conifers. A noisy bunch, it contained four species if tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, two crest species, Chiffhcaff and Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit and Spotted Flycatcher!
John Williams said
Tue Aug 21 12:02 AM, 2012
15.00-18.30
Great to meet everyone at Walker Fold today, I'm afraid I missed the big mixed flock, and the rest of the area seemed to have a shortage of birds. I was glad to see a pair of Magpies at Sugarloaf plantation.
Also a chunky female Sparrowhawk was being mobbed by 15 Swallows at Holdens Farm, she only found peace by roosting in the big Sycamore there.
1 female Wheatear on the wall by Mast Road, just 1 Meadow Pipit above the quarry and a single Raven.
A resplendent male Kestrel hunted near Holdens Plantation, and apart from the local Swallows the only other birds on Burnt Edge were a handful of Goldfinches.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 21st of August 2012 12:10:30 AM
Keith Mills said
Mon Aug 20 5:00 PM, 2012
2 to 4 pm. Walker Fold to Burnt edge path...( overlooking Walker Fold Wood) Sighted opposite the Newfield plantation where the more mature larches and pines change to young mixed trees.... A fair size mixed feeding flock. Mainly Willow Warblers and the common tits including Long Tail Tits, but also several Spotted Flycatchers in with the flock Two or three of the Flycatchers perched long enough to give superb views in the scope. Estimate of up to 5 Flycatchers given by an other birder present. County Life Tick for me. Also Goldcrest seen and Firecrest heard only by Ian Two Tree Pipits seen perched up the hillside on a lone hawthorn. One more over. Song Thrush, c20 Swallows and a Buzzard seen. Nice to Meet John Williams, Ken Haydock, and of course Andy Makin and Ian
-- Edited by keith mills on Monday 20th of August 2012 05:22:04 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 20 11:34 AM, 2012
Firecrest (female) along the path from Walker Fold to Burnt Edge, Horwich Moors at 11am today. Feeding with a small roving party of 3 Spotted Flycatchers and 40 Willow Warblers around the Newfields Plantation area of the path at 11am. By 11:20 the Firecrest was workings it's was along the conifer plantation towards Burnt Edge.
4 Tree Pipits also still present around the small Hawthorns
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 20th of August 2012 04:14:21 PM
Keith Mills said
Sat Aug 18 6:07 PM, 2012
Walker Fold to Burnt Edge Path.. 8.30 this morning.
On the cables near Walker Fold. ...23 Swallows and 4 Tree Pipits.
Karen Foulkes said
Fri Aug 17 3:49 AM, 2012
Burnt Edge only covered
Not too much around today, probably arrived a little late and the sun had just appeared!
8-10 Willow Warbler 10 Meadow Pipit 5 Woodpigeon 2 Linnet near Holdens Farm 2 Coal Tit in Walker Fold Wood 3 Kestrel 2 Buzzard 6+ Raven - giving some great close-up views and mobbing the Buzzards!
and at least there were no horseflies!
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Aug 15 3:33 AM, 2012
Today's sightings included most noticeably an amazing fall of Willow Warblers during a short rain shower. A total of 88 were found but this is likely to have been an underestimate. One wonders how many may have been missed elsewhere in the county, especially when one considers some 700 were present on Hilbre Island alone today!!!
Other sightings included 4 Spotted Flycatchers and a Redstart, 4 Wheatear and 5 Crossbill flew NW at Higher Meadows and a male was in trees at Burnt Edge. Good numbers of Swallows abound with smaller movements eastwards and 5 Buzzard were about.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Keith Mills said
Mon Aug 13 5:49 PM, 2012
Walker Fold to Burnt Edge path:
Nine Mistle Thrushes and a Starling on the power lines at 9.50am
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Aug 12 3:02 PM, 2012
Adult female Marsh Harrier hunting along Burnt Edge and Holdens, lost to view drifting NE behind Holdens Plantation at around 11:45 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 12th of August 2012 05:25:49 PM
Bob and Joyce Calder said
Sun Aug 12 2:37 PM, 2012
A tour of the moors this morning 9.00 am to 12.30 pm taking in the usual sightings areas and around the mast.
Virtually nothing of interest apart from 3 Stonechat and quite good numbers of Swallows until a Juv Marsh Harrier flew over heading generally South just before noon.
Thought it was juv but equally might have been the adult as per other sighting today. (edited 16.45)
-- Edited by Bob and Joyce Calder on Sunday 12th of August 2012 04:44:03 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Aug 12 5:54 AM, 2012
Early morning sightings from Georges Lane at Higher Meadows:
4 Crossbill north at 6:38 Greylag Goose: 2 sw over moor continued high towards Billinge 3 Bar-tailed Godwit seen from Georges Lane heading nw low over Horwich and continued low over Rivington Reservoir but didn't stop, at 7:30. 8 Dunlin low nw just below Two Lads Hill at 8:46. 5 Curlew flew nw over the top of Winter Hill.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Aug 11 8:17 PM, 2012
From 9:30 this morning:
2 Spotted Flycatchers in the small plantations at the very northern edge of Walker Fold Wood, where it meets Burnt Edge. 2 Tree Pipits on wires over the long grass field just up the track alongside Walker Fold Wood (heading for Butnt Edge) from the parking spot off Walker Fold Road. They dropped into the field shortly after Andy Makin arrived just in time to see them. Small passage of Woodpigeons heading west, maybe 80 or so in a couple of hours.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Aug 11 6:13 AM, 2012
Today's sightings: -
Pied Flycatcher along the north end of George's Lane, 300 yards north of the kennels in a small conifer plantation in Lancashire and Spotted Flycatcher also there.
Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher in scattered trees at the junction of Walker Fold Wood, Burnt Edge and Sugar Loaf Plantation.
Typically, these migrants occur at the same time as the annual hatch of flying ants up here!
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 10 7:15 PM, 2012
Late sightings for yesterday:
1 Grasshopper Warbler in the last compound in Lanxs on Winter Hill 4 Wheatear 1 Crossbill flew north, 1 Little Ringed Plover flew over calling (unseen) 1 Golden Plover 1 through south 531 Swift south 1 Willow Tit at Walker Fold 20 Willow Warbler
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 9 4:32 PM, 2012
Female Black Redstart in the first cable compound in GM on Winter Hill, 50 metres east of the mast at 9:25am this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 7 12:26 AM, 2012
A flock of around 15 Common Scoter flew south-west over Georges Lane heading in the direction of Wigan flying above the moors at a height of probably over 3000 feet at 10:40 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 6 12:35 AM, 2012
Mast Road am today; Wheatear, male Stonechat and 50 Meadow Pipits,
Info thanks to Andy Little
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 3 5:56 AM, 2012
First Tree Pipit of the autumn over today, heading east at 08:07am.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
John Williams said
Sun Jul 29 7:30 PM, 2012
Yesterday evening 19.00-20.30
Above the quarry
6 Raven (single flock) and 1 Kestrel
Walker Fold
2 Grey Heron, 1 LBB Gull, 50+ Goldfinches along the hedgerow with 1 female Bullfinch.
Holdens Farm
1 Kestrel and 5 Meadow Pipits
A pleasant evening walk but with quite a strong westerly blowing, few birds and no butterflies/moths about.
gary lilley said
Sun Jul 22 7:17 PM, 2012
no sign of the black redstart this morning only managed 3 kestrel , 1 curlew , several meadow pipit and a small flock of feeding swallow.
Simon Warford said
Sun Jul 22 12:45 AM, 2012
This morning with Andy Makin,
The female Black Redstart flew off high south at 9am and was lost to view flying into GM somewhere.
Common Tern over presumably flying between Rivington & Belmont.
7 Crossbills in Walker Fold Wood, included one male and some juveniles+5 Siskin.
2 Grasshopper Warblers still singing.
25 Swift heading south.
20+ Linnet Holdens Farm.
Otherwise v quiet.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jul 21 3:52 PM, 2012
Black Redstart on Winter Hill this morning, mainly around the rocket shaped mast (furthest east) in Lancashire but has visited the county boundary wall by the small mast compound at the start of Dean Ditch.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jul 20 12:57 AM, 2012
Today's sightings:
5 Crossbill north along Georges Lane at Higher Meadows at 9:22am 14 Black-tailed Godwit flew north over Dean Ditch at 11:05am, at an altitude of approximately 1000 ft, heading NW 2 Golden Plover S at 11:06 and another 2 (at least) SE over Higher Meadows at c12:45 2 Wheatear and 2 Snipe on Winter Hill 1 Siskin Wilderswood
Info thanks to Andy Makin (and a couple from myself!)
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jul 18 1:55 AM, 2012
Two Whimbrels flew south today; one at 2:25pm and the other at 2:50pm.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Mon Jul 16 2:04 AM, 2012
Weekend sightings, partly with Andy Makin & Simon Johnson this morning,
307 Swift & 35 Swallow moved south-west in 3 hours this morning which was a noticable movement.
Juvenile Stonechat Holdens Farm.
4 singing Grasshopper Warblers at various spots.
8 Raven.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jul 13 5:40 AM, 2012
Hobby low SW over Dean Ditch today.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jul 5 4:56 PM, 2012
30+ Black-tailed Godwits flew SSE over George's Lane at 9:40 this morning, having been seen coming in distantly from the direction of the Ribble.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Holly Page said
Mon Jun 4 3:32 PM, 2012
Cuckoo seen 10.15 this morning. I was down near Holden's farm, heard it first calling from somewhere near Walker Fold Wood then saw it as it flew out and into the trees further up near Roscow's Tenement
-- Edited by Holly Page on Monday 4th of June 2012 03:45:07 PM
A fairly quick circuit ,by Bolton RSPB members, of Burnt Edge. Montcliffe, Mast Rd., and Holden's Farm.
Sightings( generally a bit thin): Raven...1 Buzzard...1 Kestrel ...sightings in double figures but probably 6 plus birds. Jay...1 Curlew....1 Whimbrel ...heard only by Dennis Willow Warbler...3 Lesser Redpoll...2 Pied Wagtail...1 Canada Goose...3 Mallards...1 Meadow Pipits....12 plus.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 20th of May 2012 12:26:01 PM
Dan Brown said
Sun May 20 1:34 AM, 2012
2 male Cuckoos in the big deciduous trees, on the bank of the stream below the kennels on George's Lane at 3:30pm. One flew off in the direction of Wilderswood, briefly mobbed by the Lapwings which are nesting in the sheep field. Heard a distant Cuckoo calling again at 4:45 from the area below Wilderswood.
6 Wheatear in the vicinity of the kennels (all female).
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 17 6:17 AM, 2012
82 Wheatear in the area this morning plus a breeding plumaged Mediterranean Gull NW over the kennels on Georges Lane at 7:45am.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Neil Collier said
Wed May 16 12:13 AM, 2012
Not sure if this has been posted earlier - sorry if it has- my wife and I went up Mast Road this afternoon and noticed that the "car parking " spaces at the cattle grid are now greatly reduced as the farmer has extended his fence through the old area. On a birding note, nothing signifiacant probably due to high winds and horrible weather that was around.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue May 15 10:17 PM, 2012
This morning, pre9am:
16 Wheatear, 2 male Yellow Wagtail and c30 Meadow Pipit in the pony fields at the bottom of Mast Road, plus a Ringed Plover flew over south.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
Simon Warford said
Sat May 12 1:52 PM, 2012
This morning's sightings between myself, Melanie B, Andy Makin & Dan Brown-
Single Tree Pipit north over Georges Lane. Female Whinchat Georges Lane border stream area. 40 Wheatear widely scattered 1 Cuckoo Singing Garden Warbler 19 Swallow north 4 House Martin north 1 Swift north
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 12th of May 2012 05:37:36 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 10 5:26 AM, 2012
Today's sightings between 9:45am and 2:30pm:
2 male Ring Ouzels along Georges Lane just over the border in Lancs. Singing male Whinchat between the kennels and GM border and a Tree Pipit in the same area. 16 Wheatear. Green Woodpecker.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed May 9 4:36 AM, 2012
Other than the Ring Ouzels today, a single Hobby over Green Nook Plantation early afternoon, 73 Wheatear and a female Stonechat along Mast Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
John Williams said
Tue May 8 10:42 PM, 2012
Georges Lane 09.00-11.00
Area from Wilderswood to approx 250yds past the kennels.
2m Ring Ouzels, very shy & spending lots of time hidden behind rocks.
9 Wheatear, 1 ad. Med Gull with B.Heads & a single imm LBB on sheep
pasture. 1 L.Redpoll & a pair of Mistle Thrush in copse. 1 Fieldfare
2 Kestrel m&f & 4 Pied Wagtails.
chrisdorney said
Mon May 7 11:48 PM, 2012
Early start this morning around 7 and with a little help from Dennis Atherton pointing me in the right direction managed to locate male ring ouzel within seconds!as Dennis said if only it was always that easy...(thanks for that by the way Dennis;hope you got your wheatear shots).lost then relocated singing in a tree along the first gully after the kennels.also about were 50+ wheatear linnet meadow pipit skylark curlew(disp. fl.) Mistle + song thrush pied wagtail red grouse and a lone fieldfare near holden's farm.no stonechat or tawny owls this visit.
Dennis atherton said
Mon May 7 7:19 PM, 2012
Cheers Chris
this morning, just to add to already posted sightings today around kennels area, 1 Sparrowhawk over, 1 Whimbrel below kennels, 2 Ravens flying together, flock of about 10 Lesser Redpolls, only 2 Ring Ouzels for me today 1m 1f,
Cheers Den
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 7th of May 2012 07:32:03 PM
steven burke said
Mon May 7 6:18 AM, 2012
Dennis atherton wrote:
(sorry forgot your name) chap with the large lens camera & tripod
Hi Steven, i think that was me, i was on the side grass bank up from the kennels, 3 of us watching the ouzels and then the Sparrowhawk shot right by almost underneath us, Nice to meet you pal,
dennis i knew that was you in the morning,sorry i forgot to introduce myself,but nice to meet you also but there was another chap later in the afternoon that i actually forgot his name,stupid me(i blame the excitement from the ouzels)
JOHN TYMON said
Mon May 7 2:30 AM, 2012
4.30 pm Ring Ouzel- 1 male & 1 female Wheatear -20+ in same field as the ouzel
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 7 1:23 AM, 2012
Female Marsh Harrier flew NW over Winter Hill at 11:05 today. Also a Yellow Wagtail present on the moors and a total of 72 Wheatear.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Keith Mills said
Sun May 6 10:32 AM, 2012
9.30 Sunday:
Ring Ouzels....2 male ,1 female. In the third gully along from the Kennels , into Lancs. Showing really well, feeding on worms, but must be viewed from the right spot.( Past the Gully, through the gate and down the steps) Also.... Wheatear...15 Willow Warblers ...3 Kestrel....1 With thanks to Andy Makin, who got me on the Ouzels and who also had a Whinchat.
-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 6th of May 2012 10:33:52 AM
Dennis atherton said
Sun May 6 5:06 AM, 2012
(sorry forgot your name) chap with the large lens camera & tripod
Hi Steven, i think that was me, i was on the side grass bank up from the kennels, 3 of us watching the ouzels and then the Sparrowhawk shot right by almost underneath us, Nice to meet you pal,
Dennis atherton said
Sun May 6 1:23 AM, 2012
Nice to chat to you Pat,
7-12 today, around kennels area on Georges lane,
2m 1f Ring Ouzel below the kennels early doors then moved off over the border and stayed in the lancs area around the second stream a bit further up from the gm border stream, only five mins walk from the kennels though into lancs,
1 male ring Ouzel did come over into manchester very nicely timed for Phil Owen doing a bird race today and also a late staying Feildfare,
Also around was high numbers of Wheatears, most of them in the lancs but great numbers all morning all over, also a few vocal flocks of Lesser Redpolls flying around, a couple of Linnets, A single Siskin, 2 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawk, one zooming right in front of me, 1 Grey Heron,
Cheers Dennis
steven burke said
Sat May 5 7:50 PM, 2012
8.30-4.45pm.
watched the 3 ring ouzels,2m &1f till around 11.15am in the area dennis describes,started to get cold so went for a walk.returned at 1pm to find 3 males & 1 female but moved a little further down hill,but still showed well & eventually moved back to the original spot around 3.20pm. pat,you said i would see them. a truely marvelous bird & one i have been waiting to see for a very long time,lifer
dennis the sparrowhawk made 4 passes whilst i was there & did the same route each time,at one point when i moved down the steps it almost had me
other birds..
at least 25 wheatears within the nearby fields. 1 sparrowhawk 1 kestrel 8 lapwings 5 whitethroats,along georges lane. 4 willow warblers 4 linnets 2 stock doves 2 pied wagtails several swallows over the fields plus 1 swift. siskins & redpolls over.
nice to meet forum members, john lyon,danny spencer & (sorry forgot your name) chap with the large lens camera & tripod
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 5th of May 2012 07:52:14 PM
Pat Griffin said
Sat May 5 6:31 PM, 2012
2 male Ring Ouzels still present until 10.30am at least on Georges Lane. They are just over the border in Lancs near the small plantation beyond the dog kennels. One female also seen in the same area at approximately 9.15am
Many thanks to Dennis Atherton for his help in finding the male birds.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat May 5 3:02 PM, 2012
2 possibly 3 Ring Ouzels in fields below the kennels on Georges Lane this morning.
Info thanks to Dennis Atherton
Yesterday:
4 Ring Ouzels below the kennels (am only), 41 Wheatear and 2W Mediterranean Gull still in the area.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 4 4:33 PM, 2012
This morning:
4 Ring Ouzels on the fields below the kennels along Georges Lane (the stream running through the wood is basically the county boundary!). 2W Mediterranean Gull still present.
Late news for yesterday includes 2 Whinchat (male along Georges Lane and female at Holdens Farm) and 41 Wheatear.
72 Willow Warbler (over the whole recording area; which is big, but around 40 were estimated in the large roving mixed species flock at Walker Fold)
8 Wheatear
2 Redstart at the bottom of Burnt Edge near the edge of Walker Fold Wood and another (male) at Chadwicks Fold
5 Spotted Flycatchers in the roving flock at Walker Fold and a single at Brownstones Quarry
5 Tree Pipits along the edge of Walker Fold, all very mobile and I wouldn't be surprised if there were actually more. At one point one was even in with the roving bird flock at Walker Fold!!!
The roving bird flock at Walker Fold was highly impressive and annoyingly mobile, probably nearing 100 individuals strong but was practially impossible to count as they moved through so fast, using low bushes and even the tops of the highest conifers. A noisy bunch, it contained four species if tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, two crest species, Chiffhcaff and Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit and Spotted Flycatcher!
Great to meet everyone at Walker Fold today, I'm afraid I missed the big mixed flock, and the rest of the area seemed to have a shortage of birds. I was glad to see a pair of Magpies at Sugarloaf plantation.
Also a chunky female Sparrowhawk was being mobbed by 15 Swallows at Holdens Farm, she only found peace by roosting in the big Sycamore there.
1 female Wheatear on the wall by Mast Road, just 1 Meadow Pipit above the quarry and a single Raven.
A resplendent male Kestrel hunted near Holdens Plantation, and apart from the local Swallows the only other birds on Burnt Edge were a handful of Goldfinches.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 21st of August 2012 12:10:30 AM
Walker Fold to Burnt edge path...( overlooking Walker Fold Wood)
Sighted opposite the Newfield plantation where the more mature larches and pines change to young mixed trees....
A fair size mixed feeding flock. Mainly Willow Warblers and the common tits including Long Tail Tits,
but also several Spotted Flycatchers in with the flock
Two or three of the Flycatchers perched long enough to give superb views in the scope. Estimate of up to 5
Flycatchers given by an other birder present. County Life Tick for me.
Also Goldcrest seen and Firecrest heard only by Ian
Two Tree Pipits seen perched up the hillside on a lone hawthorn. One more over.
Song Thrush, c20 Swallows and a Buzzard seen.
Nice to Meet John Williams, Ken Haydock, and of course Andy Makin and Ian
-- Edited by keith mills on Monday 20th of August 2012 05:22:04 PM
4 Tree Pipits also still present around the small Hawthorns
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 20th of August 2012 04:14:21 PM
On the cables near Walker Fold. ...23 Swallows and 4 Tree Pipits.
Not too much around today, probably arrived a little late and the sun had just appeared!
8-10 Willow Warbler
10 Meadow Pipit
5 Woodpigeon
2 Linnet near Holdens Farm
2 Coal Tit in Walker Fold Wood
3 Kestrel
2 Buzzard
6+ Raven - giving some great close-up views and mobbing the Buzzards!
and at least there were no horseflies!
Other sightings included 4 Spotted Flycatchers and a Redstart, 4 Wheatear and 5 Crossbill flew NW at Higher Meadows and a male was in trees at Burnt Edge. Good numbers of Swallows abound with smaller movements eastwards and 5 Buzzard were about.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Nine Mistle Thrushes and a Starling on the power lines at 9.50am
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 12th of August 2012 05:25:49 PM
Virtually nothing of interest apart from 3 Stonechat and quite good numbers of Swallows until a Juv Marsh Harrier flew over heading generally South just before noon.
Thought it was juv but equally might have been the adult as per other sighting today. (edited 16.45)
-- Edited by Bob and Joyce Calder on Sunday 12th of August 2012 04:44:03 PM
4 Crossbill north at 6:38
Greylag Goose: 2 sw over moor continued high towards Billinge
3 Bar-tailed Godwit seen from Georges Lane heading nw low over Horwich and continued low over Rivington Reservoir but didn't stop, at 7:30.
8 Dunlin low nw just below Two Lads Hill at 8:46.
5 Curlew flew nw over the top of Winter Hill.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 Spotted Flycatchers in the small plantations at the very northern edge of Walker Fold Wood, where it meets Burnt Edge.
2 Tree Pipits on wires over the long grass field just up the track alongside Walker Fold Wood (heading for Butnt Edge) from the parking spot off Walker Fold Road. They dropped into the field shortly after Andy Makin arrived just in time to see them.
Small passage of Woodpigeons heading west, maybe 80 or so in a couple of hours.
Pied Flycatcher along the north end of George's Lane, 300 yards north of the kennels in a small conifer plantation in Lancashire and Spotted Flycatcher also there.
Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher in scattered trees at the junction of Walker Fold Wood, Burnt Edge and Sugar Loaf Plantation.
Typically, these migrants occur at the same time as the annual hatch of flying ants up here!
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 Grasshopper Warbler in the last compound in Lanxs on Winter Hill
4 Wheatear
1 Crossbill flew north,
1 Little Ringed Plover flew over calling (unseen)
1 Golden Plover 1 through south
531 Swift south
1 Willow Tit at Walker Fold
20 Willow Warbler
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Little
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Above the quarry
6 Raven (single flock) and 1 Kestrel
Walker Fold
2 Grey Heron, 1 LBB Gull, 50+ Goldfinches along the hedgerow with 1 female Bullfinch.
Holdens Farm
1 Kestrel and 5 Meadow Pipits
A pleasant evening walk but with quite a strong westerly blowing, few birds and no butterflies/moths about.
The female Black Redstart flew off high south at 9am and was lost to view flying into GM somewhere.
Common Tern over presumably flying between Rivington & Belmont.
7 Crossbills in Walker Fold Wood, included one male and some juveniles+5 Siskin.
2 Grasshopper Warblers still singing.
25 Swift heading south.
20+ Linnet Holdens Farm.
Otherwise v quiet.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
5 Crossbill north along Georges Lane at Higher Meadows at 9:22am
14 Black-tailed Godwit flew north over Dean Ditch at 11:05am, at an altitude of approximately 1000 ft, heading NW
2 Golden Plover S at 11:06 and another 2 (at least) SE over Higher Meadows at c12:45
2 Wheatear and 2 Snipe on Winter Hill
1 Siskin Wilderswood
Info thanks to Andy Makin (and a couple from myself!)
Info thanks to Andy Makin
307 Swift & 35 Swallow moved south-west in 3 hours this morning which was a noticable movement.
Juvenile Stonechat Holdens Farm.
4 singing Grasshopper Warblers at various spots.
8 Raven.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Holly Page on Monday 4th of June 2012 03:45:07 PM
Coal Pit Road Area / Lomax Wife's Plantation
Curlew 3
Wheatear 2 males
Kestrel 1
Lapwing 2
Common Buzzard 4
Starling 70 (lots of fledglings)
Sky Lark 2
Meadow Pipit 5
Blackcap 3
Willow Warbler 4
Common Whitethroat 3
Chiffchaff 5
Pied Wagtail 1
Goldfinch 2
Greenfinch 2
Chaffinch 3
Linnet 2
Blackbird 3
Carrion Crow 3
Magpie 2
Pheasant 5
A fairly quick circuit ,by Bolton RSPB members, of Burnt Edge. Montcliffe,
Mast Rd., and Holden's Farm.
Sightings( generally a bit thin):
Raven...1
Buzzard...1
Kestrel ...sightings in double figures but probably 6 plus birds.
Jay...1
Curlew....1
Whimbrel ...heard only by Dennis
Willow Warbler...3
Lesser Redpoll...2
Pied Wagtail...1
Canada Goose...3
Mallards...1
Meadow Pipits....12 plus.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 20th of May 2012 12:26:01 PM
6 Wheatear in the vicinity of the kennels (all female).
Info thanks to Andy Makin
On a birding note, nothing signifiacant probably due to high winds and horrible weather that was around.
16 Wheatear, 2 male Yellow Wagtail and c30 Meadow Pipit in the pony fields at the bottom of Mast Road, plus a Ringed Plover flew over south.
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
Single Tree Pipit north over Georges Lane.
Female Whinchat Georges Lane border stream area.
40 Wheatear widely scattered
1 Cuckoo
Singing Garden Warbler
19 Swallow north
4 House Martin north
1 Swift north
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 12th of May 2012 05:37:36 PM
2 male Ring Ouzels along Georges Lane just over the border in Lancs.
Singing male Whinchat between the kennels and GM border and a Tree Pipit in the same area.
16 Wheatear.
Green Woodpecker.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Area from Wilderswood to approx 250yds past the kennels.
2m Ring Ouzels, very shy & spending lots of time hidden behind rocks.
9 Wheatear, 1 ad. Med Gull with B.Heads & a single imm LBB on sheep
pasture. 1 L.Redpoll & a pair of Mistle Thrush in copse. 1 Fieldfare
2 Kestrel m&f & 4 Pied Wagtails.
this morning, just to add to already posted sightings today around kennels area, 1 Sparrowhawk over, 1 Whimbrel below kennels, 2 Ravens flying together, flock of about 10 Lesser Redpolls, only 2 Ring Ouzels for me today 1m 1f,
Cheers Den
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 7th of May 2012 07:32:03 PM
dennis i knew that was you in the morning,sorry i forgot to introduce myself,but nice to meet you also
but there was another chap later in the afternoon that i actually forgot his name,stupid me(i blame the excitement from the ouzels)
Ring Ouzel- 1 male & 1 female
Wheatear -20+ in same field as the ouzel
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ring Ouzels....2 male ,1 female.
In the third gully along from the Kennels , into Lancs.
Showing really well, feeding on worms, but must be viewed from the right spot.( Past the Gully, through the gate and down the steps)
Also.... Wheatear...15
Willow Warblers ...3
Kestrel....1
With thanks to Andy Makin, who got me on the Ouzels and who also had a Whinchat.
-- Edited by keith mills on Sunday 6th of May 2012 10:33:52 AM
Hi Steven, i think that was me, i was on the side grass bank up from the kennels, 3 of us watching the ouzels and then the Sparrowhawk shot right by almost underneath us, Nice to meet you pal,
7-12 today, around kennels area on Georges lane,
2m 1f Ring Ouzel below the kennels early doors then moved off over the border and stayed in the lancs area around the second stream a bit further up from the gm border stream, only five mins walk from the kennels though into lancs,
1 male ring Ouzel did come over into manchester very nicely timed for Phil Owen doing a bird race today and also a late staying Feildfare,
Also around was high numbers of Wheatears, most of them in the lancs but great numbers all morning all over, also a few vocal flocks of Lesser Redpolls flying around, a couple of Linnets, A single Siskin, 2 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawk, one zooming right in front of me, 1 Grey Heron,
Cheers Dennis
watched the 3 ring ouzels,2m &1f till around 11.15am in the area dennis describes,started to get cold so went for a walk.returned at 1pm to find 3 males & 1 female but moved a little further down hill,but still showed well & eventually moved back to the original spot around 3.20pm.
pat,you said i would see them. a truely marvelous bird & one i have been waiting to see for a very long time,lifer
dennis the sparrowhawk made 4 passes whilst i was there & did the same route each time,at one point when i moved down the steps it almost had me
other birds..
at least 25 wheatears within the nearby fields.
1 sparrowhawk
1 kestrel
8 lapwings
5 whitethroats,along georges lane.
4 willow warblers
4 linnets
2 stock doves
2 pied wagtails
several swallows over the fields plus 1 swift.
siskins & redpolls over.
nice to meet forum members, john lyon,danny spencer & (sorry forgot your name) chap with the large lens camera & tripod
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 5th of May 2012 07:52:14 PM
Many thanks to Dennis Atherton for his help in finding the male birds.
Info thanks to Dennis Atherton
Yesterday:
4 Ring Ouzels below the kennels (am only), 41 Wheatear and 2W Mediterranean Gull still in the area.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
4 Ring Ouzels on the fields below the kennels along Georges Lane (the stream running through the wood is basically the county boundary!).
2W Mediterranean Gull still present.
Late news for yesterday includes 2 Whinchat (male along Georges Lane and female at Holdens Farm) and 41 Wheatear.
Info thanks to Andy Makin