5 Ring Ouzels and 10 Wheatears in the usual stony field this morning east of Clough End near the Cattery/ kennels.
-- Edited by Robert Adderley on Friday 16th of April 2021 01:57:09 PM
Stephen Fuentes said
Fri Apr 16 8:27 AM, 2021
We had a walk up to Coombes Edge yesterday evening.
As we approached the Picking Rods on our return, we were treated to the splendid site of 200 Golden Plovers, almost 'murmurating' like Starlings in a sunset sky.
They eventually landed in the field on the Derbyshire side of the Picking Rods path, but had spent some time displaying in GM airspace.
Cheers,
Steve.
Phil Panton said
Tue Apr 13 11:05 PM, 2021
Julian Winstanley wrote:
Popped up on the tandem at lunch and stopped for a picnic (cold) to see the Ouzels - spotted two females and one male, bumped into Phil who said he'd seen three males and one female at the same time. Also a few wheatears around.
Raven overhead as we cycled from the kennels to picking rods track. Two curlew in the field next to Pistol farm
Good to meet you both this afternoon
Walk over from Moor End Rd to Glossop Rd produced
3M & 1F Ring Ouzel
6 Wheatear
1 Stonechat
1 Buzzard
2 Curlew seen with others calling
2 Pheasant
6 Pied & 2 White Wagtails
Plenty of Lapwing & Skylarks dotted about but no obvious sign of Golden Plover
Willow Warbler calling
& spent half an hour watching a sheep give birth to 2 lambs in the field near the Picking Rods - one thing to see it on TV but to see it at close quarters was an amazing experience.
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Tuesday 13th of April 2021 11:19:18 PM
Julian Winstanley said
Tue Apr 13 5:44 PM, 2021
Popped up on the tandem at lunch and stopped for a picnic (cold) to see the Ouzels - spotted two females and one male, bumped into Phil who said he'd seen three males and one female at the same time. Also a few wheatears around.
Raven overhead as we cycled from the kennels to picking rods track. Two curlew in the field next to Pistol farm
John Rayner said
Mon Apr 12 3:01 PM, 2021
Ludworth this morning:
I had 6 Ouzels (4m, 2f. Others had more). 10 Wheatears and a Fieldfare with Ouzels. Willow Warbler and Chiffchaffs singing. 2 Ravens. c200 Golden Plover. 2 Tree Sparrows April Cottage. Skylarks soaring and 2 Curlews bubbling. Loads of Lapwings, 2 Buzzards, 2 Reed Buntings and a female Bullfinch.
Cheers, John.
David Wilkinson said
Sun Apr 11 10:52 PM, 2021
Good day today:
-3 ring ouzels (2 male, 1 female) where others have spotted them. Thanks to the couple who pointed out the exact spot.
-1 wheatear near the ring ouzels
-2 chiffchaffs around Hillside farm
-1 willow warbler, same location
-3 buzzards over Ludworth intake
-2 collared doves in a tree near Cloughend farm
John Rayner said
Sun Apr 11 5:33 PM, 2021
Thats what I was trying to say Pete. A picture paints a thousand words etc.
Cheers, John
Pete Hines said
Sun Apr 11 4:23 PM, 2021
John Rayner wrote:
Paul Whiting wrote:
11.00 am
6 Ring Ouzel in valley north of layby just past Kennels 2 females 4 males, also 2 Northern Wheatear.
Golden Plover in field at rear of kennels
Just checked boundary of field with Ring Ouzels and Wheatear is on the GM boundary, Golden Plover just outside
-- Edited by Paul Whiting on Sunday 11th of April 2021 02:00:06 PM
All these birds are in Derbyshire. The county boundary follows the drystone wall that runs past Hillside Farm, crosses Sandhill Lane, follows the drystone wall that skirts the end of the scrubby area in the small valley and then runs up (zig-zag fashion) towards Brownlow.
Cheers, John
Screenshot from Google Earth, the green line depicting the County boundary
6 Ring Ouzel in valley north of layby just past Kennels 2 females 4 males, also 2 Northern Wheatear.
Golden Plover in field at rear of kennels
Just checked boundary of field with Ring Ouzels and Wheatear is on the GM boundary, Golden Plover just outside
-- Edited by Paul Whiting on Sunday 11th of April 2021 02:00:06 PM
All these birds are in Derbyshire. The county boundary follows the drystone wall that runs past Hillside Farm, crosses Sandhill Lane, follows the drystone wall that skirts the end of the scrubby area in the small valley and then runs up (zig-zag fashion) towards Brownlow.
Cheers, John
Paul Whiting said
Sun Apr 11 1:53 PM, 2021
11.00 am
6 Ring Ouzel in valley north of layby just past Kennels 2 females 4 males, also 2 Northern Wheatear.
Golden Plover in field at rear of kennels
Just checked boundary of field with Ring Ouzels and Wheatear is on the GM boundary, Golden Plover just outside
-- Edited by Paul Whiting on Sunday 11th of April 2021 02:00:06 PM
Chris Harper said
Sat Apr 10 8:18 PM, 2021
A lot of snow on the ground this evening but still saw:
250+Golden Plover, 30 Lapwing, 2 Raven
Mark Walsh said
Sat Apr 10 1:00 PM, 2021
It was nice to meet yourself Steve, only thing I can add was a large flock of Golden Plover up in the right hand fields just past the Picking Rods.
Stephen Fuentes said
Sat Apr 10 11:58 AM, 2021
A very cold couple of hours this am (7.45 - 9.45). The predicted sunshine turned into snow showers.
1 male Ring Ouzel present in the field opposite the kennels.
Nice to meet Mark Walsh up there who put me onto the Ring Ouzel.
Cheers,
Steve.
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Apr 9 8:49 PM, 2021
At least the 3 male ring ouzels still present this p.m., although I'm not entirely sure they are inside the county boundary. Also, not inside Greater Manchester, I saw my first 'local' swallow of '21, and four buzzards. 2 tree sparrows were in April cottage garden, and c125 golden plover were up where others have seen them recently (but cannot be seen unless they get airborn). 2 x curlew flew from 'our' side and landed by the 'Derbyshire pond' where they remained until I left.
Bill Beckwith said
Fri Apr 9 6:33 PM, 2021
Forgot to say I saw 2 pheasants and 2 pied wagtails too.
Bill Beckwith said
Fri Apr 9 4:24 PM, 2021
Walk from 11.40 to 1 30.Dry and bright.
3 wheatears,2 near upper layby. Number of lapwing,skylarks and meadow pipits. Moorhen on pond. 3 kestrels near Picking Rods footpath. About 25 golden plover.a distance on field right of picking rods,walking uphill. Curlew flying parallel to Gun Road,further down from footpath. Also chaffinches,goldfinches,chiffchaffs and rook near Clough End.
Robert Adderley said
Thu Apr 8 3:12 PM, 2021
3 Ring Ouzels this morning still in the same area as yesterday. Also 1 Wheatear and nearby Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Lesser Redpoll.
David Wilkinson said
Wed Apr 7 7:10 PM, 2021
Oh and a goldcrest on Gird Lane, the first Ive ever seen!
Plus a bullfinch pair along Sandhill Lane and as usual plenty of goldfinches.
David Wilkinson said
Wed Apr 7 7:05 PM, 2021
2.30-3.30:
1 wheatear on the edge of the quarry pond
1 stonechat in the quarry
30+ golden plover and a few lapwings near the pond in the field above the quarry
2 buzzards circling Brownlow, one carrying either nesting material or prey
Stephen Fuentes said
Wed Apr 7 5:41 PM, 2021
At least 3 Ring Ouzel still present at 5pm (2m,1f)
They were in the area of the field directly opposite the parking layby between Cloughend and the kennels.
Also 1 Wheatear.
Cheers,
Steve.
Ray Scally said
Wed Apr 7 11:39 AM, 2021
4 Ring Ouzel in rocky field adjacent Mount View Farm
Ray Scally said
Mon Apr 5 6:44 PM, 2021
Highlights from tonight Golden Plover at least 250-300 up past picking rods something put them all up otherwise I wouldn't have seen them, 2 Stonechat in quarry. Raven 2 Fieldfare 175 Northern Wheatear 2 Chiffchaff 1
Stephen Fuentes said
Sun Apr 4 4:03 PM, 2021
A couple of visits over the weekend, early doors Friday and this afternoon 1:30pm - 3:30pm (first of the year !).
Lapwings and Sylarks in good numbers on the fields along Gun Road and the Picking Rods. 2 Oystercatchers by the upper quarry pool. First Swallow of the year flew close by me and skimmed the water as I sat by the lower quarry pool. 2 Common Gull amongst a flock of Black-Headded Gulls around Cloughend valley. Curlew (heard only). Reed Bunting.
Cheers,
Steve.
Mark Walsh said
Tue Mar 30 10:16 AM, 2021
Nice wander round this morning in the sun;
1st Wheatear of the year up the PR path 1 Merlin right to left over the same path as I walked up, dissapeared behind the large barn
Walk through from Glossop Rd to Moor End Rd via Sandhill Lane, Gun Rd & Shiloh Rd
Highlight was definitely 6 Curlew
A pair mobbing a Buzzard along with 3 Jackdaw & 2 Carrion Crow at Upper Bradshaw Farm/Pistol Farm
A pair followed by a single over the Moorfield Mews heading along Chatterton Lane
1 at the far end of the field containing the horses opposite Shiloh Hall Farm.
Plenty of calling all afternoon - have only ever seen 1 Curlew previously at this site
Elsewhere - 3 Buzzard riding the thermals over Brown Low
Approx 40-50 Lapwing & 12 Golden Plover in fields behind the Kennels on Gun Rd
First Skylarks of the year
2 Redwing
1 Raven
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Monday 8th of March 2021 03:55:51 PM
Chris Harper said
Sun Mar 7 1:34 PM, 2021
10.30-11.20am
18 Golden Plover, Little Owl, 70+Lapwing, 15 Skylark, Raven, Sparrowhawk
Ray Scally said
Sat Mar 6 3:02 PM, 2021
Identical day to Andy's yesterday, except for Golden Plover 50 up near picking rods with 2 in the field with the pool, Lapwing 125 from Ernocroft Road across to picking rods. Ray
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Mar 5 8:49 PM, 2021
Quite birdy really, especially compared to my previous (unrecorded) visit. Best were; Pair of stonechat in sheep field SE of quarry, 30 golden plover (may not have entered County, were in field next to the kennels, but flew off whilst someone was talking to me), 65 lapwing (at least), 3 raven (2+1), curlew heard only, many small flocks of starling, but one group of c150 seen mixed with 20+ fieldfare and a few redwing. Given the number of prey items on view, it was surprising that not a single raptor was seen (except for the fact that we are on the edge of the Peak District NP, of course)!
Chris Harper said
Sun Feb 21 11:42 AM, 2021
9.15-11
60+ Lapwing, 15 Skylark with many in full song flight, 5 Meadow Pipit, Redwing, Reed Bunting
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Jan 12 9:15 PM, 2021
Not the true 'moor' area (if anything actually qualifies as that these days), I did what I call the 'Ernocroft Circuit', which is the area bounded by the Glossop Rd and Ernocroft Lane (but including Larkhill feeders). Highlights were c80 redwings nr Sunhill Farm, at least 4 teal (3 m) on small pond in same area, 1 snipe overhead called as I watched these, c20 meadow pipits nr Larkhill, 2 tree sparrows & 1 reed bunting amongst feeder mob, 2 kestrels, the odd fieldfare and sundry other usuals.
Ray Scally said
Thu Jan 7 8:28 PM, 2021
A stop off on the way home from work today, 32 species, highlights:
Stock Dove 6 Lapwing 47 Common Gull 53 Cormorant 1 Fieldfare 15 Redwing 3 Tree Sparrow 2 Greenfinch 22 - the most I have seen in years Goldfinch 15 Reed Bunting 3
Ray Scally said
Wed Dec 30 1:28 PM, 2020
Very misty late morning made viewing impossible, managed 20 species: Highlights being
10.30-12.15. Crisp snow underfoot. In no particular order notable birds were:
Tawny Owl Reed Bunting 8 (single flock) Stonechat 3 (pair below quarry and single in SBI field to the SE) Snipe 8 (2 above quarry and flock of 6 flying around Brownlow) Tree Sparrow 2 (on Brownlow feeders) Greenfinch 10 (on Brownlow feeders) Fieldfare 14 Bullfinch 4 Nuthatch 1 Goldfinch 15 Buzzard 1
Cheers, John
Ray Scally said
Sun Dec 27 5:27 PM, 2020
John Rayner wrote:
Very few birds around today but Golden Plover was heard 2x (not seen) Starling flock of c80 Snipe 1
Low numbers may be, in part, due to the Manchester 17 trail bike event aptly called Boxing Day Madness. This takes place annually in the quarry area and with participants (over 70 this year), marshals, spectators etc it attracts over 100 people. I am amazed that this is allowed in Stockport Borough (Tier 3) but it appears that as long as an ACU permit is obtained it can go ahead.
The results of the event are displayed on the internet but apart from the Covid implications the habitat destruction is brutal. This year a new area of scrub above the pool has been cleared prior to the event. Hundreds of marker flags were put out and before/after photos attached.
Cheers, John
I was wondering what had happened on my arrival this afternoon John! wasn't sure if it was the farmer doing some environmental clearance until I saw some tyre marks! Ray
John Rayner said
Sun Dec 27 5:09 PM, 2020
Very few birds around today but Golden Plover was heard 2x (not seen) Starling flock of c80 Snipe 1
Low numbers may be, in part, due to the Manchester 17 trail bike event aptly called Boxing Day Madness. This takes place annually in the quarry area and with participants (over 70 this year), marshals, spectators etc it attracts over 100 people. I am amazed that this is allowed in Stockport Borough (Tier 3) but it appears that as long as an ACU permit is obtained it can go ahead.
The results of the event are displayed on the internet but apart from the Covid implications the habitat destruction is brutal. This year a new area of scrub above the pool has been cleared prior to the event. Hundreds of marker flags were put out and before/after photos attached.
Pink footed Goose 260 E. in a single skein
Stonechat 3 (m, f above quarry. 1st w. below quarry)
Meadow Pipit 7
Greenfinch flock of 15 (Brownlow)
Snipe 1
Kestrel 1
Long-tailed Tit 12
Starling c120
Mixed flock of Common and Black-headed Gulls c100
On the last few hawthorn berries:
Fieldfare 4, Redwing 4, Mistle Thrush 2, Blackbird 2
Cheers, John.
Chris Sutton said
Mon Nov 16 9:59 AM, 2020
Afternoon walk in the cold wind and rain showers yesterday (Sunday).
Few birds on show but a sudden spell of bright sunshine illuminated a (female?) Peregrine which flew towards us and no more than 30-40 feet above our head. A great moment.
Chris
Chris Knight said
Sat Nov 7 7:31 PM, 2020
Tromped through below the quarry, en route elsewhere, but encountered (I think only one each of):
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 30th of October 2020 01:53:27 PM
Stephen Fuentes said
Sat Oct 17 11:34 AM, 2020
9am - 10:30am this morning, chilly but calm with low cloud.
Quite a bit of activity compared to my last few visits.
The highlight being a large flock of Fieldfares around the quarry, estimated at 50-60 minimum with the odd Redwing and Mistle Thrush thrown in. They were in the boulder field when I arrived but then re-located to some hawthorns in the field just south of the quarry, and still around when the rain started and I left around 10:30am. A group of Starlings had also joined the flock.
Up at the kennels the Thrush activity continued, with numbers of Redwing and Miustle Thrush in the area. Also a Finch flock containing around 30-40 birds contained Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Also:
1 Grey Heron (Quarry pool Gun Road) 1 Kestrel 2 Jay Long-tailed Tit flock (lower quarry pool)
3 skeins of Pink-footed Geese around 10 minutes apart heading NNE.
Cheers, Steve.
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Saturday 17th of October 2020 11:35:39 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 17th of October 2020 11:49:33 AM
John Rayner said
Fri Oct 9 6:01 PM, 2020
Large and noisy mixed flock mobbing a Tawny Owl included : 6 Greenfinches 5 Blackbirds 2 Goldfinches 2 Jays 1 Mistle Thrush
Also 2 Ravens 3 Tree Sparrows 1 Kestrel
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Tue Oct 6 5:08 PM, 2020
Brief visit:
7 Swallows south 3 Stonechat
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Sun Oct 4 1:12 PM, 2020
Redwing 2 (feeding with Blackbirds near the fishing pools) Wheatear 2 (couldnt find the 3rd Stephen) Swallow 4 (sped through south) Chiffchaff Stonechat (5 - possibly 7) Blackbirds (uncounted but a clear increase) Mistle Thrush 4 Meadow Pipit 36 Jay 5 Kestrel
Cheers John
Stephen Fuentes said
Sun Oct 4 12:09 PM, 2020
9am - 11am this morning in sunny but blustery conditions.
The main highlight was 3 Wheatear in the quarry pool field along Gun Road.
Bumped into John Rayner near the kennels, I hope you caught up with the Wheatears John.
Cheers,
Steve.
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Sep 27 8:53 PM, 2020
This p.m. further sightings:
a flock of 9 ravens, which was pretty good for up here in recent times. The majority of them could be seen later over Cown Edge buzzing a buzzard. One of the original 9 appeared to fly back South almost as soon as it arrived.
I counted 6 stonechat. 3 snipe, jay, great spotted woodpecker (which flew over the quarry), lots of lapwings but no count as they were either down in the distance, or scattered all over the place when they flushed a couple of times, sparrowhawk, kestrel and a single swallow flew strongly South as I got back to the car. Not too exciting, but who cared on such a fine afternoon?
Stephen Fuentes said
Sun Sep 27 4:59 PM, 2020
A couple of hours this morning 8am - 10am in bright sunshine.
As I arrived at Brown Low, a skein of around 80-100 Pink-footed Geese were over, heading east.
Up Dirtylane, a finch flock containing Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch. Also several Mistle Thrush.
5 Stonechats were still around the quarry, also 1 Rook.
85 Canada Geese were on the pond field above the quarry.
A Treecreeper was at Cloughend farm. Also a Tit flock (Blue, Great, Long-tailed) also containing a Willow warbler.
-- Edited by Robert Adderley on Friday 16th of April 2021 01:57:09 PM
We had a walk up to Coombes Edge yesterday evening.
As we approached the Picking Rods on our return, we were treated to the splendid site of 200 Golden Plovers, almost 'murmurating' like Starlings in a sunset sky.
They eventually landed in the field on the Derbyshire side of the Picking Rods path, but had spent some time displaying in GM airspace.
Cheers,
Steve.
Good to meet you both this afternoon
Walk over from Moor End Rd to Glossop Rd produced
3M & 1F Ring Ouzel
6 Wheatear
1 Stonechat
1 Buzzard
2 Curlew seen with others calling
2 Pheasant
6 Pied & 2 White Wagtails
Plenty of Lapwing & Skylarks dotted about but no obvious sign of Golden Plover
Willow Warbler calling
& spent half an hour watching a sheep give birth to 2 lambs in the field near the Picking Rods - one thing to see it on TV but to see it at close quarters was an amazing experience.
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Tuesday 13th of April 2021 11:19:18 PM
Raven overhead as we cycled from the kennels to picking rods track. Two curlew in the field next to Pistol farm
I had 6 Ouzels (4m, 2f. Others had more).
10 Wheatears and a Fieldfare with Ouzels.
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaffs singing.
2 Ravens.
c200 Golden Plover.
2 Tree Sparrows April Cottage.
Skylarks soaring and 2 Curlews bubbling.
Loads of Lapwings, 2 Buzzards, 2 Reed Buntings and a female Bullfinch.
Cheers, John.
Good day today:
-3 ring ouzels (2 male, 1 female) where others have spotted them. Thanks to the couple who pointed out the exact spot.
-1 wheatear near the ring ouzels
-2 chiffchaffs around Hillside farm
-1 willow warbler, same location
-3 buzzards over Ludworth intake
-2 collared doves in a tree near Cloughend farm
Cheers, John
Screenshot from Google Earth, the green line depicting the County boundary
All these birds are in Derbyshire. The county boundary follows the drystone wall that runs past Hillside Farm, crosses Sandhill Lane, follows the drystone wall that skirts the end of the scrubby area in the small valley and then runs up (zig-zag fashion) towards Brownlow.
Cheers, John
11.00 am
6 Ring Ouzel in valley north of layby just past Kennels 2 females 4 males, also 2 Northern Wheatear.
Golden Plover in field at rear of kennels
Just checked boundary of field with Ring Ouzels and Wheatear is on the GM boundary, Golden Plover just outside
-- Edited by Paul Whiting on Sunday 11th of April 2021 02:00:06 PM
A lot of snow on the ground this evening but still saw:
250+Golden Plover, 30 Lapwing, 2 Raven
A very cold couple of hours this am (7.45 - 9.45). The predicted sunshine turned into snow showers.
1 male Ring Ouzel present in the field opposite the kennels.
The best of the rest:
2 Willow Warbler
3 Chiffchaff
1 Wheatear
2 Redpoll
1 Bullfinch (f)
2 Raven
1 Reed Bunting (m)
2 Stonechat (1m, 1f)
2 Stock Dove (by the upper quarry pool)
1 Kestrel
Lapwings
Meadow Pipits
Skylarks
Nice to meet Mark Walsh up there who put me onto the Ring Ouzel.
Cheers,
Steve.
At least the 3 male ring ouzels still present this p.m., although I'm not entirely sure they are inside the county boundary. Also, not inside Greater Manchester, I saw my first 'local' swallow of '21, and four buzzards. 2 tree sparrows were in April cottage garden, and c125 golden plover were up where others have seen them recently (but cannot be seen unless they get airborn). 2 x curlew flew from 'our' side and landed by the 'Derbyshire pond' where they remained until I left.
Forgot to say I saw 2 pheasants and 2 pied wagtails too.
Walk from 11.40 to 1 30.Dry and bright.
3 wheatears,2 near upper layby.
Number of lapwing,skylarks and meadow pipits.
Moorhen on pond.
3 kestrels near Picking Rods footpath.
About 25 golden plover.a distance on field right of picking rods,walking uphill.
Curlew flying parallel to Gun Road,further down from footpath.
Also chaffinches,goldfinches,chiffchaffs and rook near Clough End.
Oh and a goldcrest on Gird Lane, the first Ive ever seen!
Plus a bullfinch pair along Sandhill Lane and as usual plenty of goldfinches.
2.30-3.30:
1 wheatear on the edge of the quarry pond
1 stonechat in the quarry
30+ golden plover and a few lapwings near the pond in the field above the quarry
2 buzzards circling Brownlow, one carrying either nesting material or prey
At least 3 Ring Ouzel still present at 5pm (2m,1f)
They were in the area of the field directly opposite the parking layby between Cloughend and the kennels.
Also 1 Wheatear.
Cheers,
Steve.
Golden Plover at least 250-300 up past picking rods something put them all up otherwise I wouldn't have seen them, 2 Stonechat in quarry.
Raven 2
Fieldfare 175
Northern Wheatear 2
Chiffchaff 1
A couple of visits over the weekend, early doors Friday and this afternoon 1:30pm - 3:30pm (first of the year !).
Lapwings and Sylarks in good numbers on the fields along Gun Road and the Picking Rods.
2 Oystercatchers by the upper quarry pool.
First Swallow of the year flew close by me and skimmed the water as I sat by the lower quarry pool.
2 Common Gull amongst a flock of Black-Headded Gulls around Cloughend valley.
Curlew (heard only).
Reed Bunting.
Cheers,
Steve.
1st Wheatear of the year up the PR path
1 Merlin right to left over the same path as I walked up, dissapeared behind the large barn
43 Lapwing
23 Golden Plover
14 Skylark
12 Meadow Pipit
8 Goldfinch
6 Chiffchaff
6 Chaffinch
2 Curlew
2 Redpoll
1 Snipe
1 Stonechat
Cheers
Mark
13.00 - 15.30
Walk through from Glossop Rd to Moor End Rd via Sandhill Lane, Gun Rd & Shiloh Rd
Highlight was definitely 6 Curlew
A pair mobbing a Buzzard along with 3 Jackdaw & 2 Carrion Crow at Upper Bradshaw Farm/Pistol Farm
A pair followed by a single over the Moorfield Mews heading along Chatterton Lane
1 at the far end of the field containing the horses opposite Shiloh Hall Farm.
Plenty of calling all afternoon - have only ever seen 1 Curlew previously at this site
Elsewhere - 3 Buzzard riding the thermals over Brown Low
Approx 40-50 Lapwing & 12 Golden Plover in fields behind the Kennels on Gun Rd
First Skylarks of the year
2 Redwing
1 Raven
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Monday 8th of March 2021 03:55:51 PM
10.30-11.20am
18 Golden Plover, Little Owl, 70+Lapwing, 15 Skylark, Raven, Sparrowhawk
Ray
Quite birdy really, especially compared to my previous (unrecorded) visit. Best were; Pair of stonechat in sheep field SE of quarry, 30 golden plover (may not have entered County, were in field next to the kennels, but flew off whilst someone was talking to me), 65 lapwing (at least), 3 raven (2+1), curlew heard only, many small flocks of starling, but one group of c150 seen mixed with 20+ fieldfare and a few redwing. Given the number of prey items on view, it was surprising that not a single raptor was seen (except for the fact that we are on the edge of the Peak District NP, of course)!
9.15-11
60+ Lapwing, 15 Skylark with many in full song flight, 5 Meadow Pipit, Redwing, Reed Bunting
Not the true 'moor' area (if anything actually qualifies as that these days), I did what I call the 'Ernocroft Circuit', which is the area bounded by the Glossop Rd and Ernocroft Lane (but including Larkhill feeders). Highlights were c80 redwings nr Sunhill Farm, at least 4 teal (3 m) on small pond in same area, 1 snipe overhead called as I watched these, c20 meadow pipits nr Larkhill, 2 tree sparrows & 1 reed bunting amongst feeder mob, 2 kestrels, the odd fieldfare and sundry other usuals.
Stock Dove 6
Lapwing 47
Common Gull 53
Cormorant 1
Fieldfare 15
Redwing 3
Tree Sparrow 2
Greenfinch 22 - the most I have seen in years
Goldfinch 15
Reed Bunting 3
Highlights being
Stonechat 2 in quarry
Snipe 2
Greenfinch 6
Bullfinch 2
Goldcrest 2
Raven 1
10.30-12.15. Crisp snow underfoot. In no particular order notable birds were:
Tawny Owl
Reed Bunting 8 (single flock)
Stonechat 3 (pair below quarry and single in SBI field to the SE)
Snipe 8 (2 above quarry and flock of 6 flying around Brownlow)
Tree Sparrow 2 (on Brownlow feeders)
Greenfinch 10 (on Brownlow feeders)
Fieldfare 14
Bullfinch 4
Nuthatch 1
Goldfinch 15
Buzzard 1
Cheers, John
I was wondering what had happened on my arrival this afternoon John! wasn't sure if it was the farmer doing some environmental clearance until I saw some tyre marks!
Ray
Starling flock of c80
Snipe 1
Low numbers may be, in part, due to the Manchester 17 trail bike event aptly called Boxing Day Madness. This takes place annually in the quarry area and with participants (over 70 this year), marshals, spectators etc it attracts over 100 people. I am amazed that this is allowed in Stockport Borough (Tier 3) but it appears that as long as an ACU permit is obtained it can go ahead.
The results of the event are displayed on the internet but apart from the Covid implications the habitat destruction is brutal. This year a new area of scrub above the pool has been cleared prior to the event. Hundreds of marker flags were put out and before/after photos attached.
Cheers, John
Woodpigeon 15
Common Gull 23 over NW
Sparrowhawk 1
Buzzard 1
Jay 1
Magpie 9
Jackdaw 250 over at dusk
Rook 8
Carrion Crow 15
Raven 1
Blue tit 1
Wren 2
Starling 250 at least going NW
Mistle Thrush 1
Fieldfare 2
Robin 3
Stonechat 2 in quarry
Dunnock 2
Chaffinch 1
Goldfinch 5
Buzzard 1
Kestrel 1
Lapwing c70
Raven 3
Redwing c40
Treecreeper 1
Bullfinch 2
Tree Sparrow 2
Decent numbers of finches at Brownlow - mostly Greenfinches and Goldfinches
Tawny Owl
Woodcock
c20 Common Gulls
Kestrel
Bullfinch male
Cheers John
08:15 - 10:45 today. Brownlow - Picking rods path via the quarry, then back along Cloughend valley. Calm with patchy skies.
A full species list (in order of appearance) produced the following:
Carrion Crow
Starling
Pheasant
Meadow Pipit
Canada Goose
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Wood Pigeon
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
Blackbird
Robin
Wren
Bullfinch (2m)
Kestrel
Lapwing
Jackdaw
Magpie
Grey Heron
Moorhen
Buzzard
Fieldfare
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Dunnock
Pink-footed Goose (1 skein east)
Long-tailed Tit
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black Headded Gull
Steve.
Few birds on show but a sudden spell of bright sunshine illuminated a (female?) Peregrine which flew towards us and no more than 30-40 feet above our head. A great moment.
Chris
Tromped through below the quarry, en route elsewhere, but encountered (I think only one each of):
Stonechat
Reed bunting
kestrel
Raven
redwing
fieldfare
Jay
Coal tit
Recent sightings:
22nd Oct.
Meadow Pipit 30
Lapwing 160
Starling c200
Merlin
Stonechat 2 (m&f)
25th Oct.
Stonechat 3 (3x 1st w.)
Mixed winter thrush flock Fieldfare 105, Redwing 25, Mistle Thrush 2
Treecreeper
Tree Sparrow
Cheers, John
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 30th of October 2020 01:53:27 PM
9am - 10:30am this morning, chilly but calm with low cloud.
Quite a bit of activity compared to my last few visits.
The highlight being a large flock of Fieldfares around the quarry, estimated at 50-60 minimum with the odd Redwing and Mistle Thrush thrown in.
They were in the boulder field when I arrived but then re-located to some hawthorns in the field just south of the quarry, and still around when the rain started and I left around 10:30am.
A group of Starlings had also joined the flock.
Up at the kennels the Thrush activity continued, with numbers of Redwing and Miustle Thrush in the area. Also a Finch flock containing around 30-40 birds contained Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Also:
1 Grey Heron (Quarry pool Gun Road)
1 Kestrel
2 Jay
Long-tailed Tit flock (lower quarry pool)
3 skeins of Pink-footed Geese around 10 minutes apart heading NNE.
Cheers,
Steve.
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Saturday 17th of October 2020 11:35:39 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 17th of October 2020 11:49:33 AM
6 Greenfinches
5 Blackbirds
2 Goldfinches
2 Jays
1 Mistle Thrush
Also 2 Ravens
3 Tree Sparrows
1 Kestrel
Cheers, John
7 Swallows south
3 Stonechat
Cheers, John
Wheatear 2 (couldnt find the 3rd Stephen)
Swallow 4 (sped through south)
Chiffchaff
Stonechat (5 - possibly 7)
Blackbirds (uncounted but a clear increase)
Mistle Thrush 4
Meadow Pipit 36
Jay 5
Kestrel
Cheers John
9am - 11am this morning in sunny but blustery conditions.
The main highlight was 3 Wheatear in the quarry pool field along Gun Road.
Bumped into John Rayner near the kennels, I hope you caught up with the Wheatears John.
Cheers,
Steve.
This p.m. further sightings:
a flock of 9 ravens, which was pretty good for up here in recent times. The majority of them could be seen later over Cown Edge buzzing a buzzard. One of the original 9 appeared to fly back South almost as soon as it arrived.
I counted 6 stonechat. 3 snipe, jay, great spotted woodpecker (which flew over the quarry), lots of lapwings but no count as they were either down in the distance, or scattered all over the place when they flushed a couple of times, sparrowhawk, kestrel and a single swallow flew strongly South as I got back to the car. Not too exciting, but who cared on such a fine afternoon?
A couple of hours this morning 8am - 10am in bright sunshine.
As I arrived at Brown Low, a skein of around 80-100 Pink-footed Geese were over, heading east.
Up Dirtylane, a finch flock containing Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch. Also several Mistle Thrush.
5 Stonechats were still around the quarry, also 1 Rook.
85 Canada Geese were on the pond field above the quarry.
A Treecreeper was at Cloughend farm. Also a Tit flock (Blue, Great, Long-tailed) also containing a Willow warbler.
Cheers,
Steve.