3 hour Mtbike ride around the moors this afternoon. With no bins, just my eyes
Moorbottom rd:
X2 kestrel
X2 jay
X1 juvenile female wheatear
Red brook
X2 stonechat (male)
X3 Willow Warbler
Roger Halsey said
Thu Sep 10 3:53 PM, 2020
Another interesting morning on the east side of the moor. Spent a couple of hours there after the school run and, although there was nothing scarce, there was plenty of evidence of southward movement.
65+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail.
2 Skylark.
8 Swallow.
18 Mistle and 3 Song Thrush.
At least 8 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff.
6 Stonechat.
40+ Goldfinch, 8 Chaffinch.
Roger Halsey said
Wed Sep 9 12:16 PM, 2020
I was going to report a quiet morning circuit, but found a lot more activity on the sunny south/ east side of the moor than on the west. Probable migrants:
c20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, 40+ House Martin, 20+ Swallow, 40+ Goldfinch, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat and (surprisingly) my first site record of Whinchat. The Hirundines did me a favour when their alarm calls drew my attention to a passing Hobby, and then a Sparrowhawk that put on a good display.
Also 1 Stock Dove and 4 Grey Wagtail.
Roger Halsey said
Wed Sep 2 11:34 AM, 2020
Highlights from a morning circuit:
1 Little Grebe.
1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 1 Little Owl.
Probable migrants in the form of c30 Swallow, c30 House Martin, flocks of 15 and 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 Skylark, c20 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Linnet, 2 Chaffinch, and 1 Reed Bunting. Still 2 family parties of Stonechat with 8 birds present.
1 Treecreeper and 8 Nuthatch.
Roger Halsey said
Thu Aug 27 11:13 AM, 2020
Highlights from a morning circuit through Redisher Wood and along Moorbottom Road:
1 Stock Dove.
At least 4 Kestrel and 2 Raven.
1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Big mixed flock at the top of Redisher Wood that included the 4 common tits, Nuthatch, Goldcrest and Willow Warbler, but I didnt identify at least half of the birds!
Presumed migrants in the form of c20 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 10+ Meadow Pipit and 3 Wheatear.
9 Stonechat which looked like 3 family parties.
2 Dipper.
Roger Halsey said
Wed Aug 5 11:54 AM, 2020
Best from a generally quiet shorter morning circuit:
3 Sparrowhawk in the air together playing on the updraught at the top of Redisher Wood. They then moved up to the end of the Moor where a Kestrel made the mistake of flying by the group. A period of aerial combat ensued before the Kestrel moved off north.
1 Green Woodpecker.
2 Stonechat and 1 Wheatear.
1 Dipper.
Roger Halsey said
Mon Aug 3 12:38 PM, 2020
Plenty of interest during a longer morning circuit:
1 or 2 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk sat on an open sunny branch in an unusual pose. It had its tail fanned and wings partly spread, presumably to dry off? 1 Little Owl.
1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1 Stock Dove and 3 Mistle Thrush, including one carrying food.
3 Wheatear, but no Stonechat.
Some visible migration on the east side of the moor, with the undoubted highlight 5 Crossbill that flew south at eye level. Also 2 Swift, c30 House Martin and a few Swallow. Small fall of what seemed to be entirely Willow Warbler, with maybe 10 birds present.
rob archer said
Sun Aug 2 3:34 PM, 2020
Another great year for Kestrels in the valley with at least 8 juveniles in the air above Moorbottom Rd this afternoon . A Sparrowhawk was also amongst them briefly, as was a Hobby which flew directly up Red Brook .
Roger Halsey said
Tue Jul 28 9:27 PM, 2020
Modest highlights of a shortish morning circuit:
1 Buzzard and at least 4 Kestrel, possibly up to 7.
1 Swift.
2 Stonechat.
Dipper and Grey Wagtail in Redisher Wood.
Roger Halsey said
Tue Jul 21 2:14 PM, 2020
Highlights from a longer morning circuit:
Patch tick in the form of a Little Grebe! It was on the pond by Hollingrove Farm.
3 Kestrel an 1 Little Owl, my first sighting for a while.
4 Stock Dove in 3 locations, with 2 birds singing.
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Kingfisher and Dipper in Redisher Wood.
2 Stonechat and 7 Wheatear.
Excellent views of male Lesser Redpoll at the top of the assault course, 2 Linnet and 4 Bullfinch.
Roger Halsey said
Mon Jul 13 1:32 PM, 2020
Dipper and Treecreeper best from a morning circuit truncated due to the rain!
Roger Halsey said
Fri Jul 10 1:12 PM, 2020
Highlights from a longer morning circuit:
1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Stock Dove.
7 Stonechat, with 1 pair looking like they were rearing a second brood, and 1 Wheatear.
1 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 3 Bullfinch.
Roger Halsey said
Thu Jul 2 9:04 PM, 2020
Highlights from a short afternoon circuit after the murk had cleared:
At least 3 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and 5 Raven playing on the updraught to the west of the moor.
5 Stonechat and 3 Wheatear with juveniles of both species.
Good number of Meadow Pipit on the high ground, but all of the Skylark seem to have gone.
Roger Halsey said
Mon Jun 22 1:57 PM, 2020
Highlights from a morning circuit after the school run:
2 Buzzard and 2 Kestrel.
1 Green Woodpecker.
1 Kingfisher and 1 Dipper In Redisher Wood.
Family party of Whitethroat in an area where I have not seen them this year.
Adult and juvenile Wheatear.
1 Lesser Redpoll just up the valley from Simons Lodge.
Roger Halsey said
Fri Jun 19 5:31 PM, 2020
Did a short circuit over the higher ground this afternoon, with the highlight being a Hobby which zoomed north over the stables. However, potentially more interesting was 4 birds that flew north west when I was just north of Peel Tower. I am pretty sure they were Crossbill based on their flight calls but I couldnt be absolutely sure.
Roger Halsey said
Tue Jun 16 11:06 AM, 2020
Best from a short morning circuit after the school run:
1 Kestrel.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
My first fledged Wheatear of the year with 4 young birds present.
Flock of c90 Starling which perched up long enough to establish no pink ones were present!
Roger Halsey said
Mon Jun 15 3:22 PM, 2020
51 species during a longer morning circuit from home, with the highlights being:
Green and 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Only 1 Curlew calling.
1 Grasshopper Warbler still reeling.
Party of 8 Mistle Thrush.
Dipper and 3 Grey Wagtail.
10+ Stonechat and 8 Wheatear.
3 Raven.
Mike Horwood said
Mon Jun 8 5:29 PM, 2020
Cuckoo around 1500, Saplan wood below Moorbottom Road
Martin Loftus said
Mon Jun 1 7:58 PM, 2020
4,30pm till 6pm
Cuckoo present around Paddy's pond area. Very mobile & vocal. Its been around since yesterday morning, so Ive been informed.
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Monday 1st of June 2020 08:41:22 PM
...... Continued from Elton post, totalling 61 species and 3 or 4 additional ones heard (65)
By this time I realised since I twisted my knee last year I'm going to need to keep a support on everytime I ride my bike in future...
Highlights include:
Nuthatch Jay Kestrel Buzzard Meadow pipit Skylarks Linnet Stonechat Lesser redpoll Garden warbler Green woodpecker flew past Stock doves x3 Song thrush Mistle thrush
Ta!
Roger Halsey said
Mon May 18 12:01 PM, 2020
Highlights from a longer morning circuit:
1 Red Kite on the west side of Holcombe Moor. It seemed to head over the moor towards Ramsbottom. Also 2 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.
4 Lapwing and 1 Curlew.
6 Stock Dove, possibly 4 pairs in different locations.
5 pairs of Stonechat, and at least 3 pairs had newly fledged young. 5 Wheatear.
1 Lesser Redpoll.
Richard Thew said
Thu May 14 3:02 PM, 2020
I wanted to ride up here 3 weeks ago but had to postpone until lockdown was eased!
Highlights include:
Garden warbler Stonechat Wheatear Skylark Meadow pipit Linnet Dipper Raven Jay Buzzard (and was being mobbed by a kestrel)
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Thursday 14th of May 2020 03:03:40 PM
Roger Halsey said
Thu May 7 11:37 AM, 2020
Cuckoo seen this morning. It did a circuit of the firing range and then disappeared. Also Buzzard, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, 6+ Stock Dove, 2 Grasshopper Warbler 3 Grey Wagtail and a Dipper . 1 Swift over the high ground.
Roger Halsey said
Thu Apr 30 2:29 PM, 2020
Excellent views of singing Garden Warbler at the top of Redisher Wood this morning. Also my first record of Swift here this year, with 3 birds flying around, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Lesser Redpoll.
Roger Halsey said
Sun Apr 26 1:51 PM, 2020
Highlights from a morning circuit though Redisher Wood and along Moorbottom Road:
Cuckoo calling incessantly from the north side of Redisher Wood.
2 Buzzard and a Kestrel.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
First patch record of House Martin this year.
1 Dipper.
2 Lesser Redpoll. For Malcolms information, they were in the same locations I described yesterday!
Roger Halsey said
Fri Apr 24 1:34 PM, 2020
Best from a morning circuit:
2 Oystercatcher- a patch tick! 8+ Lapwing and a singing Snipe.
1 Stock Dove.
2 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the valley floor and another from Moorbottom Road.
6 Wheatear.
2 Lesser Redpoll.
Roger Halsey said
Thu Apr 16 1:35 PM, 2020
13 Wheatear at the head of the Red Brook Valley this morning. Also Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and Lesser Redpoll in the same general area.
rob archer said
Tue Apr 14 6:28 PM, 2020
3 Ring Ouzel ( 2 male) in the regular sheep fields this evening .
Info V Irving
rob archer said
Tue Apr 14 4:48 PM, 2020
Early walk over ..
Ring Ouzel calling somewhere in the valley but didn't find it .
Mediterranean Gull in with feeding Black-headed Gulls below Lark Hill flew off towards Red Earth Farm and 2 Grasshopper Warblers below the old Maggot Farm ( Lancs)
Roger Halsey said
Mon Apr 13 10:34 AM, 2020
5 Lesser Redpoll around Redisher Wood this morning, 2 below Bank Top Farm an 3 together by Simons Farm. Also Green Woodpecker.
rob archer said
Sun Apr 12 8:11 AM, 2020
4 Ring Ouzel in the sheep fields and a Grasshopper Warbler near Lark Hill on this morning's early yomp
-- Edited by rob archer on Sunday 12th of April 2020 08:43:11 AM
rob archer said
Fri Apr 10 6:15 PM, 2020
6 Ring Ouzel amongst the sheep below Moorbotto Rd this evening .
Info from V. Irving
rob archer said
Fri Apr 10 7:58 AM, 2020
Tabbed over first light to avoid the crowds ..
Plenty of Wheatear arrived overnight with c20 birds around the valley and another new pair of Stonechat found to make it 9 pairs in GM ..
Single male Ring Ouzel in the valley floor near The Glen and c30 Fieldfare flew over east ..
rob archer said
Thu Apr 9 6:43 PM, 2020
Walked over this morning to continue the Stonechat search . Found and photographed another 2 pairs making it at least 8 in total within GM.
Green Woodpecker also seen high on Lark Hill.
rob archer said
Wed Apr 8 11:48 AM, 2020
Completed my 2 Holcombe BBS squares this morning as I normally do them on foot from home anyway..
6 pairs of Stonechat within GM this year . Taken photos of all the males and probably more still within GM on The Ranges.
2 Fieldfare, 8 Wheatear and 3 Ring Ouzel ( 2 males) also present this morning
Roger Halsey said
Tue Apr 7 5:13 PM, 2020
6 Wheatear this morning, 2 on the east side of Red Brook and 4 together on the west side. 3 Curlew, and 1 Snipe singing below Lark Hill. Also 1 Raven, 4 Stock Dove together and Lesser Redpoll.
Roger Halsey said
Mon Apr 6 11:55 AM, 2020
2 female Ring Ouzel the undoubted highlight of my morning walk. They were hunkered down behind the stone wall next to Moorbottom Road west of Harcles Hill, but flew off north. Also 2 Wheatear in the same area, my first 2 Swallow around Hollingrove Farm and my first Willow Warbler near Simons Farm.
Roger Halsey said
Fri Apr 3 12:30 PM, 2020
15 Fieldfare flew south(!) over Redisher Wood this morning. 2 Lesser Redpoll at the top of the woods.
Roger Halsey said
Wed Apr 1 2:16 PM, 2020
Best from fitness walks over the last 2 days:
2 Curlew in different locations and 4 Lapwing.
2 Green Woodpecker in different locations.
15 Fieldfare (yesterday) and 28 Redwing today.
3 Wheatear and 7+ Stonechat.
2 Dipper in different locations, 2 Grey Wagtail.
1 Lesser Redpoll yesterday.
rob archer said
Tue Mar 31 5:57 PM, 2020
Walked over this morning ..
6 Golden Plover above Red Brook and towards Black Moss ..
2 Red-legged Partridge high on the tops behind Lark Hill ( in Lancs)
2 Wheatear on eastern flank above Moorbottom Rd
Roger Halsey said
Mon Mar 30 7:33 PM, 2020
I did a similar keep fit circuit from Ramsbottom this morning with largely similar birds. Missed the Wheatear again, but also saw a flock of 10 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Raven, 2 Kestrel and 2 Little Owl.
Keith Holland said
Mon Mar 30 2:47 PM, 2020
Walk from Hawkshaw near Red Lion and over fields to barracks through to Moorbottom road past red brook to last flag-post above Hawkshaw Lane
Red Lion to barracks - Nuthatch, 2 Jay, Pheasant, 2 Curlew,
Barracks to Moorbottom Road - 2 Chiffchaff, Moorhen, Pheasant, Green Woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker
2 Grey Partridge flushed off the eastern slopes above Moorbottom Rd was a surprise. Flew down onto the valley floor south of Paddys Pond .Not seen any here for many years.
Single Wheatear high amongst the boulders west side of Red Brook
rob archer said
Sat Mar 28 11:45 AM, 2020
Walked over at 1st light .
2 Greylag Geese flew over high west at 0715 and a single Golden Plover seen at the top of Red Brook ..a few Linnet have returned to the gorse above Moorbottom Rd ..
Roger Halsey said
Sat Mar 28 11:02 AM, 2020
I am fortunate to have access to this area when walking from home, and highlights from a morning circuit were:
1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.
2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Flock of 23 Fieldfare.
1 Stonechat, but couldnt find a Wheatear.
2 Goldcrest.
rob archer said
Wed Mar 25 3:06 PM, 2020
Walked over from home 1st light . Another fine cold morning
Wheatear up near Red Brook and the same 2 pairs of Stonechat in the GM area .. A further 4 pairs found though on continuing round into Lancs towards Crowthorne.
2 Snipe singing this morning . One as per yesterday and another east of White Hill in the same area as last year.
A Golden Plover was calling over onto Wet Moss and then sitting on Lark Hill looking east to Walmersley and West towards Great Hill in Lancs counted 8 Buzzard in the air in a single sweep ..
-- Edited by rob archer on Wednesday 25th of March 2020 03:07:23 PM
rob archer said
Tue Mar 24 10:35 AM, 2020
Walked over 1st light .
4 pairs of Stonechat ( 2 in Lancs) along Moorbottom Rd and a pair of Stock Doves in Harcles Quarry .
A Snipe was singing on a wall by the rough ground near the conifers below Lark Hill and a pair of Oystercatchers here also .
2 Mediterranean Gulls flew over calling and joined a group of Black-headed Gulls feeding in fields below the old maggot farm before all departing towards Crowthorne
.
-- Edited by rob archer on Tuesday 24th of March 2020 01:33:34 PM
3 hour Mtbike ride around the moors this afternoon. With no bins, just my eyes
Moorbottom rd:
X2 kestrel
X2 jay
X1 juvenile female wheatear
Red brook
X2 stonechat (male)
X3 Willow Warbler
Another interesting morning on the east side of the moor. Spent a couple of hours there after the school run and, although there was nothing scarce, there was plenty of evidence of southward movement.
65+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail.
2 Skylark.
8 Swallow.
18 Mistle and 3 Song Thrush.
At least 8 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff.
6 Stonechat.
40+ Goldfinch, 8 Chaffinch.
I was going to report a quiet morning circuit, but found a lot more activity on the sunny south/ east side of the moor than on the west. Probable migrants:
c20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, 40+ House Martin, 20+ Swallow, 40+ Goldfinch, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat and (surprisingly) my first site record of Whinchat. The Hirundines did me a favour when their alarm calls drew my attention to a passing Hobby, and then a Sparrowhawk that put on a good display.
Also 1 Stock Dove and 4 Grey Wagtail.
Highlights from a morning circuit:
1 Little Grebe.
1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 1 Little Owl.
Probable migrants in the form of c30 Swallow, c30 House Martin, flocks of 15 and 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 Skylark, c20 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Linnet, 2 Chaffinch, and 1 Reed Bunting.
Still 2 family parties of Stonechat with 8 birds present.
1 Treecreeper and 8 Nuthatch.
Highlights from a morning circuit through Redisher Wood and along Moorbottom Road:
1 Stock Dove.
At least 4 Kestrel and 2 Raven.
1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Big mixed flock at the top of Redisher Wood that included the 4 common tits, Nuthatch, Goldcrest and Willow Warbler, but I didnt identify at least half of the birds!
Presumed migrants in the form of c20 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 10+ Meadow Pipit and 3 Wheatear.
9 Stonechat which looked like 3 family parties.
2 Dipper.
Best from a generally quiet shorter morning circuit:
3 Sparrowhawk in the air together playing on the updraught at the top of Redisher Wood. They then moved up to the end of the Moor where a Kestrel made the mistake of flying by the group. A period of aerial combat ensued before the Kestrel moved off north.
1 Green Woodpecker.
2 Stonechat and 1 Wheatear.
1 Dipper.
Plenty of interest during a longer morning circuit:
1 or 2 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk sat on an open sunny branch in an unusual pose. It had its tail fanned and wings partly spread, presumably to dry off? 1 Little Owl.
1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1 Stock Dove and 3 Mistle Thrush, including one carrying food.
3 Wheatear, but no Stonechat.
Some visible migration on the east side of the moor, with the undoubted highlight 5 Crossbill that flew south at eye level. Also 2 Swift, c30 House Martin and a few Swallow. Small fall of what seemed to be entirely Willow Warbler, with maybe 10 birds present.
Another great year for Kestrels in the valley with at least 8 juveniles in the air above Moorbottom Rd this afternoon . A Sparrowhawk was also amongst them briefly, as was a Hobby which flew directly up Red Brook .
Modest highlights of a shortish morning circuit:
1 Buzzard and at least 4 Kestrel, possibly up to 7.
1 Swift.
2 Stonechat.
Dipper and Grey Wagtail in Redisher Wood.
Highlights from a longer morning circuit:
Patch tick in the form of a Little Grebe! It was on the pond by Hollingrove Farm.
3 Kestrel an 1 Little Owl, my first sighting for a while.
4 Stock Dove in 3 locations, with 2 birds singing.
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Kingfisher and Dipper in Redisher Wood.
2 Stonechat and 7 Wheatear.
Excellent views of male Lesser Redpoll at the top of the assault course, 2 Linnet and 4 Bullfinch.
Dipper and Treecreeper best from a morning circuit truncated due to the rain!
Highlights from a longer morning circuit:
1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Stock Dove.
7 Stonechat, with 1 pair looking like they were rearing a second brood, and 1 Wheatear.
1 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 3 Bullfinch.
Highlights from a short afternoon circuit after the murk had cleared:
At least 3 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and 5 Raven playing on the updraught to the west of the moor.
5 Stonechat and 3 Wheatear with juveniles of both species.
Good number of Meadow Pipit on the high ground, but all of the Skylark seem to have gone.
Highlights from a morning circuit after the school run:
2 Buzzard and 2 Kestrel.
1 Green Woodpecker.
1 Kingfisher and 1 Dipper In Redisher Wood.
Family party of Whitethroat in an area where I have not seen them this year.
Adult and juvenile Wheatear.
1 Lesser Redpoll just up the valley from Simons Lodge.
Did a short circuit over the higher ground this afternoon, with the highlight being a Hobby which zoomed north over the stables. However, potentially more interesting was 4 birds that flew north west when I was just north of Peel Tower. I am pretty sure they were Crossbill based on their flight calls but I couldnt be absolutely sure.
Best from a short morning circuit after the school run:
1 Kestrel.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
My first fledged Wheatear of the year with 4 young birds present.
Flock of c90 Starling which perched up long enough to establish no pink ones were present!
51 species during a longer morning circuit from home, with the highlights being:
Green and 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Only 1 Curlew calling.
1 Grasshopper Warbler still reeling.
Party of 8 Mistle Thrush.
Dipper and 3 Grey Wagtail.
10+ Stonechat and 8 Wheatear.
3 Raven.
Cuckoo around 1500, Saplan wood below Moorbottom Road
4,30pm till 6pm
Cuckoo present around Paddy's pond area. Very mobile & vocal. Its been around since yesterday morning, so Ive been informed.
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Monday 1st of June 2020 08:41:22 PM
By this time I realised since I twisted my knee last year I'm going to need to keep a support on everytime I ride my bike in future...
Highlights include:
Nuthatch
Jay
Kestrel
Buzzard
Meadow pipit
Skylarks
Linnet
Stonechat
Lesser redpoll
Garden warbler
Green woodpecker flew past
Stock doves x3
Song thrush
Mistle thrush
Ta!
Highlights from a longer morning circuit:
1 Red Kite on the west side of Holcombe Moor. It seemed to head over the moor towards Ramsbottom. Also 2 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.
4 Lapwing and 1 Curlew.
6 Stock Dove, possibly 4 pairs in different locations.
5 pairs of Stonechat, and at least 3 pairs had newly fledged young. 5 Wheatear.
1 Lesser Redpoll.
Highlights include:
Garden warbler
Stonechat
Wheatear
Skylark
Meadow pipit
Linnet
Dipper
Raven
Jay
Buzzard (and was being mobbed by a kestrel)
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Thursday 14th of May 2020 03:03:40 PM
Cuckoo seen this morning. It did a circuit of the firing range and then disappeared. Also Buzzard, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, 6+ Stock Dove, 2 Grasshopper Warbler 3 Grey Wagtail and a Dipper . 1 Swift over the high ground.
Excellent views of singing Garden Warbler at the top of Redisher Wood this morning. Also my first record of Swift here this year, with 3 birds flying around, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Lesser Redpoll.
Highlights from a morning circuit though Redisher Wood and along Moorbottom Road:
Cuckoo calling incessantly from the north side of Redisher Wood.
2 Buzzard and a Kestrel.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
First patch record of House Martin this year.
1 Dipper.
2 Lesser Redpoll. For Malcolms information, they were in the same locations I described yesterday!
Best from a morning circuit:
2 Oystercatcher- a patch tick! 8+ Lapwing and a singing Snipe.
1 Stock Dove.
2 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the valley floor and another from Moorbottom Road.
6 Wheatear.
2 Lesser Redpoll.
13 Wheatear at the head of the Red Brook Valley this morning. Also Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and Lesser Redpoll in the same general area.
3 Ring Ouzel ( 2 male) in the regular sheep fields this evening .
Info V Irving
Early walk over ..
Ring Ouzel calling somewhere in the valley but didn't find it .
Mediterranean Gull in with feeding Black-headed Gulls below Lark Hill flew off towards Red Earth Farm and 2 Grasshopper Warblers below the old Maggot Farm ( Lancs)
5 Lesser Redpoll around Redisher Wood this morning, 2 below Bank Top Farm an 3 together by Simons Farm. Also Green Woodpecker.
4 Ring Ouzel in the sheep fields and a Grasshopper Warbler near Lark Hill on this morning's early yomp
-- Edited by rob archer on Sunday 12th of April 2020 08:43:11 AM
6 Ring Ouzel amongst the sheep below Moorbotto Rd this evening .
Info from V. Irving
Tabbed over first light to avoid the crowds ..
Plenty of Wheatear arrived overnight with c20 birds around the valley and another new pair of Stonechat found to make it 9 pairs in GM ..
Single male Ring Ouzel in the valley floor near The Glen and c30 Fieldfare flew over east ..
Walked over this morning to continue the Stonechat search . Found and photographed another 2 pairs making it at least 8 in total within GM.
Green Woodpecker also seen high on Lark Hill.
Completed my 2 Holcombe BBS squares this morning as I normally do them on foot from home anyway..
6 pairs of Stonechat within GM this year . Taken photos of all the males and probably more still within GM on The Ranges.
2 Fieldfare, 8 Wheatear and 3 Ring Ouzel ( 2 males) also present this morning
6 Wheatear this morning, 2 on the east side of Red Brook and 4 together on the west side. 3 Curlew, and 1 Snipe singing below Lark Hill. Also 1 Raven, 4 Stock Dove together and Lesser Redpoll.
2 female Ring Ouzel the undoubted highlight of my morning walk. They were hunkered down behind the stone wall next to Moorbottom Road west of Harcles Hill, but flew off north. Also 2 Wheatear in the same area, my first 2 Swallow around Hollingrove Farm and my first Willow Warbler near Simons Farm.
15 Fieldfare flew south(!) over Redisher Wood this morning. 2 Lesser Redpoll at the top of the woods.
Best from fitness walks over the last 2 days:
2 Curlew in different locations and 4 Lapwing.
2 Green Woodpecker in different locations.
15 Fieldfare (yesterday) and 28 Redwing today.
3 Wheatear and 7+ Stonechat.
2 Dipper in different locations, 2 Grey Wagtail.
1 Lesser Redpoll yesterday.
Walked over this morning ..
6 Golden Plover above Red Brook and towards Black Moss ..
2 Red-legged Partridge high on the tops behind Lark Hill ( in Lancs)
2 Wheatear on eastern flank above Moorbottom Rd
I did a similar keep fit circuit from Ramsbottom this morning with largely similar birds. Missed the Wheatear again, but also saw a flock of 10 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Raven, 2 Kestrel and 2 Little Owl.
Walk from Hawkshaw near Red Lion and over fields to barracks through to Moorbottom road past red brook to last flag-post above Hawkshaw Lane
Red Lion to barracks - Nuthatch, 2 Jay, Pheasant, 2 Curlew,
Barracks to Moorbottom Road - 2 Chiffchaff, Moorhen, Pheasant, Green Woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker
Moorbottom Road - 12+ Carrion crow, 7 Stonechat, 2 Pied wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 2 Stock Dove, loads of wren, meadow pipit and skylark
Walked over 1st light ..
2 Grey Partridge flushed off the eastern slopes above Moorbottom Rd was a surprise. Flew down onto the valley floor south of Paddys Pond .Not seen any here for many years.
Single Wheatear high amongst the boulders west side of Red Brook
Walked over at 1st light .
2 Greylag Geese flew over high west at 0715 and a single Golden Plover seen at the top of Red Brook ..a few Linnet have returned to the gorse above Moorbottom Rd ..
I am fortunate to have access to this area when walking from home, and highlights from a morning circuit were:
1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.
2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Flock of 23 Fieldfare.
1 Stonechat, but couldnt find a Wheatear.
2 Goldcrest.
Walked over from home 1st light . Another fine cold morning
Wheatear up near Red Brook and the same 2 pairs of Stonechat in the GM area .. A further 4 pairs found though on continuing round into Lancs towards Crowthorne.
2 Snipe singing this morning . One as per yesterday and another east of White Hill in the same area as last year.
A Golden Plover was calling over onto Wet Moss and then sitting on Lark Hill looking east to Walmersley and West towards Great Hill in Lancs counted 8 Buzzard in the air in a single sweep ..
-- Edited by rob archer on Wednesday 25th of March 2020 03:07:23 PM
Walked over 1st light .
4 pairs of Stonechat ( 2 in Lancs) along Moorbottom Rd and a pair of Stock Doves in Harcles Quarry .
A Snipe was singing on a wall by the rough ground near the conifers below Lark Hill and a pair of Oystercatchers here also .
2 Mediterranean Gulls flew over calling and joined a group of Black-headed Gulls feeding in fields below the old maggot farm before all departing towards Crowthorne
.
-- Edited by rob archer on Tuesday 24th of March 2020 01:33:34 PM
40 species noted during a morning circuit of Redisher Wood, making a total of 45 over the last 2 days. Highlights this morning:
1 Curlew and 4 Lapwing.
1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
2 singing Chiffchaff, my first record here this year.
2 Dipper and 3 Grey Wagtail.
Treecreeper and 2 Goldcrest.
Singing Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting.
42 species during a longer morning circuit with the highlights being:
Probably 2 pairs of Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 2 Little Owl.
1 Green Woodpecker.
Pair of Stock Dove.
A lone Redwing.
Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper and Goldcrest.
3 Bullfinch.
31 species during a short circuit of Redisher Wood only with the highlights being:
1 bubbling Curlew and 5+ Lapwing.
1 Green Woodpecker.
2 Stock Dove.
Decent flock of winter thrushes with 70+ Fieldfare and 5+ Redwing.
2 Goldcrest and 1 Lesser Redpoll.