Quite a lot of lapwing activity (albeit small numbers) in the fields below the intake on Alphin over the past week. Calling, the odd flight display - that kind of thing. Late courtship ? Or do they continue this throughout the breeding season ?
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Apr 26 8:29 PM, 2015
Can I just remind users of this thread that it is for Greenfield in general and not just for Pots and Pans (and the current ouzels) so please make sure that you add the location of your sightings in the post.
Mike c cooper said
Sun Apr 26 8:12 PM, 2015
Sun 26/4 17:00-18:00 bright clear bitter North wind
Ring ouzel 1 female halfway up white brook lane and 1ad male on hill side just below summit below obelisk at pots and pans
wheatear at least 10 incl 2 females
Jackdaws c. 40
Willow warbler singing at bottom of lane
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Sunday 26th of April 2015 08:17:03 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of April 2015 08:26:42 PM
Rob Creek said
Sat Apr 25 5:13 PM, 2015
Literally just posted and 5 Curlew have just gone over the moor and dropped down.
Rob Creek said
Sat Apr 25 5:09 PM, 2015
At least 20 Ring Ouzel present this afternoon, mainly males but quite a few females too.
Few groups of 3's/4's feeding fairly close and then a group of around 7 flew up and scattered as I didn't even know they were there. They were striking classic poses every few seconds looking up to see where I was. As I reached the derelict building I could see 3 more males further up on one of the sloping fields.
-Few Blackbirds around -Mistle Thrush 2 lower down near Tunstead Lane -Plenty of Meadow Pipit -Dunnock 2 -Wheatear 4 giving exceptional views -Kestrel 2 -Lapwing 2, 1 of which was doing overtime trying to clear off all the Carrion Crow and Jackdaw
steven burke said
Fri Apr 24 8:29 PM, 2015
6 ring ouzel this evening around the ruined house at pots & pans 4 males & 2 females. 5 wheatear Lots of meadow pipits Few skylark 4 willow warbler 1 chiffchaff 2 raven
Steve Suttill said
Fri Apr 24 4:27 PM, 2015
Hiked up from Mossley this morning and there were 6 or 7 very flighty Ring Ouzels by the ruined house at Pots and Pans. My first Wheatear of the year as well.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 24th of April 2015 04:31:28 PM
Dave Colton said
Fri Apr 24 4:22 PM, 2015
At least 6 possibly 8 Ring Ouzel around the derelict building area this afternoon.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Thu Apr 23 9:03 PM, 2015
At least eight at Pots and Pans when I went up this morning. First time I've seen them. :)
Also seen from the same area, c15 wheatear (first of the year), c20 meadow pipit, 2 skylark, one peregrine, and a couple of lapwing displaying off in the distance. Plenty of willow warblers and chaffinch could also be heard in the trees just below, too.
Ollie Wright said
Thu Apr 23 8:21 PM, 2015
At least six Ring Ouzels still present this evening, viewed from near the disused building at the end of White Brook Lane (below Pots & Pans). Minimum 4 males and 2 females.
Very flukily, as soon as I got up to the site, a resplendent male popped up on a stone wall almost directly in front of me. Magic!
-- Edited by Ollie Wright on Thursday 23rd of April 2015 08:36:18 PM
Garry Chesters said
Wed Apr 22 9:31 PM, 2015
My first trip ever to 'Pots and Pans', or just below. On the way up there were many Wheatears to see and some striking male specimens enhanced by the early morning sunshine. Around the 'Old building' were around 7 Ring Ouzels, 4 males, but difficult to keep track because they were moving around between the higher ground above the old building and the field below it, and the moorland terrain also played a factor in losing track of which birds had or hadn't been counted!! Also seen were Curlews, and a Raven.
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Apr 21 9:12 PM, 2015
john tromans wrote:
One single male Ring Ouzel just past the derelict building at 11.15. Was fairly distant perched on a rock then flew some distance over the lower fields with sheep in. Many Wheatear. Single Raven. It was had work finding the Ring Ouzel but worth the slog.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 21st of April 2015 12:58:14 PM
John,
You might have been slightly too late. I counted 12 in one sweep (and I'd say this was an absolute minimum) maybe half an hour before 11.15, but they were beginning to disperse. Whatever, this was amongst the best non-rarity experiences I've ever had in the county.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 21st of April 2015 09:13:33 PM
john tromans said
Tue Apr 21 12:48 PM, 2015
One single male Ring Ouzel just past the derelict building at 11.15. Was fairly distant perched on a rock then flew some distance over the lower fields with sheep in. Many Wheatear. Single Raven. It was had work finding the Ring Ouzel but worth the slog.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 21st of April 2015 12:58:14 PM
Andrew Mitchell said
Mon Apr 20 9:20 PM, 2015
6:45 to 8pm this evening.
Thanks to both Liz and Simon for their help below - it was really useful.
I managed to get onto 3 Ring Ouzels on the slope behind the derelict barn. Looking up towards the obelisk, they were just past the barn to the left, on the rocky area of the slope. 2 males and 1 very vocal female for me. Lifers, and lovely watching them give good views in the setting sun - one male struck a classic pose stood on a rock, looking out over the moor.
Also in the area - several Wheatears giving wonderful views (definitely one of my favourite birds and some absolute beauties on show), 10 or so Meadow Pipits, one Pheasant and a Kestrel hunting.
Steve Suttill said
Mon Apr 20 8:10 PM, 2015
Liz Headon wrote:
Red-legged partridge at Binn Green (I've seen one on an odd occasion before: are they naturally occurring, or introduced ? I didn't think this was in their normal range...)
They're definitely introduced, Liz, though when I don't know. Some have been around for at least 20 years to my knowledge. You never see more than one or two together so I don't think there have been any recent introductions.
Liz Headon said
Mon Apr 20 6:55 PM, 2015
3.30 - 4.00 pm. Ring ouzels !! My first, hence the two exclamation marks (I'll calm down now). 1m, 1f on boulders to the left of the path just before you get to the ruined building (approaching from the Tunstead Lane side) then I turned right where the paths cross after the building and saw another (f) on a broken wall to the left of the path below the burnt patches. There were possibly more higher up, but there was someone else up there and I didn't want to go galumphing up and risk disturbing whatever he was watching.
Also
Chiffchaff(s) singing in the grounds of Hollyville Wheatears (several) in similar area to the ring ouzels Cormorant flying overhead towards Dovestones Skylark and curlew (heard, not seen) Meadow pipits (2 - 3) Red-legged partridge at Binn Green (I've seen one on an odd occasion before: are they naturally occurring, or introduced ? I didn't think this was in their normal range...) Mistle thrush in field near road to Dovestones
Bird of prey flew over the reservoir then across the A635 and headed north. I'd have said buzzard, but don't buzzards have a wedge-shaped tail in flight ? This had a straight, fairly narrow tail...
Liz Headon said
Mon Apr 20 6:04 PM, 2015
Andrew Mitchell wrote:
Hi all,
As someone who doesn't know the area well, how do you get to the area where the Ring Ouzels are currently being seen (and where is the best place to park)?
Cheers
Andrew
I'd drive up the A635 Holmfirth road out of Greenfield, and park at Binn Green (higher up than the turning for Dovestones Reservoir). If you walk out of the car park back to the road and cross the road, there is a gated track onto the hills. Follow that (turning left as you stand with your back to the road) and after a while the ruined building and the stone walled fields will come in sight ahead of you. It's worth keeping your eyes open on the rocky slopes to the right as you get further from the road - the ring ouzels are sometimes lower down than people are generally reporting them.
JSPALDING said
Mon Apr 20 3:37 PM, 2015
I could only find about 6 Ring Ouzels this afternoon at 3pm, they were below the derelict barn and then flew left as you look up to Pots and Pans. There were plenty of Wheatear around.
S Rothery said
Mon Apr 20 1:58 PM, 2015
Over 20 Ring Ouzels between 6.30 and 7am, mostly males with 4 definite females seen C10 Wheatear Raven
Andrew Mitchell said
Mon Apr 20 1:56 PM, 2015
Simon,
That's great - thanks very much for the info
Cheers
Andrew
Simon Gough said
Mon Apr 20 1:11 PM, 2015
If you look on Google Maps for White Brook Lane, you'll see the ruined building if you zoom in, and a grid of fields which are separated by dry stone walls. They have been in the furthest two fields east and on the slopes behind. I walked up the hill from Tunstead Lane up a footpath. 20 or so mins from the roundabout at the bottom of Holmfirth Road to looking at the birds.
Parking I don't know, don't drive, sorry...somewhere in the village maybe.
Andrew Mitchell said
Mon Apr 20 12:20 PM, 2015
Hi all,
As someone who doesn't know the area well, how do you get to the area where the Ring Ouzels are currently being seen (and where is the best place to park)?
Cheers
Andrew
Chris Chandler said
Sun Apr 19 11:54 PM, 2015
5-7pm 23 Ring Ouzel seen in fields around the derelict barn just below Pots & Pans. There were probably more, but they were moving about quite a bit and kept disappearing behind walls. They were flushed on a couple of occasions and moved off en-masse. 3 more birds (2m, 1f) seen from the top of the hill in the burnt section. Also - 20+ Wheatear (very vocal) 2 Buzzard 2 Dipper on the stream below the reservoir
Barry Brett said
Sun Apr 19 2:07 PM, 2015
Is Know Top Lane below Pots and Pans a good place to view the Ring Ouzels. Thankyou
Tim Wilcox said
Sun Apr 19 11:44 AM, 2015
12.30 28 Ring Ouzel still present spread out in fields beyond the ruined barn and counted right past us as they were flushed by two walkers coming straight up the fields where they were all feeding. They flew round and up the hill towards the war memorial
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 19th of April 2015 11:53:15 AM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 19th of April 2015 03:24:47 PM
Mark Rigby said
Sun Apr 19 9:24 AM, 2015
18+ Ring Ouzel at 'Pots and Pans' this morning flushed onto burnt area by a Peregrine (per M Chorley)
Simon Gough said
Sat Apr 18 8:28 PM, 2015
I was trying to be clever this morning, and I headed for Dove Stones via Intake Lane imagining a Ring Ouzel or two might have crossed the valley overnight. Looking across at the slope below Pots and Pans at about 9am I was clearly wrong, as I saw a birder watching something in the fields where Mark Rigby had reported the birds yesterday.
I did see some Lesser Redpoll in the conifers, at least 3, which were displaying I think. Lots of circuits of the trees and calling. Great to watch and listen to anyway.
Nothing much in the environs of the reservoirs.
Walking back into Greenfield I saw a Dipper at the weir at the roundabout, and then I decided to try for the Ouzels up where I'd seen the birder before. This was a great decision if I say so myself. I soon picked up birds in the fields which they had presumably occupied all day; it was about 2pm by now.
Anyway I think there were 10 or so birds about, males and females. The most I had pinned down simultaneously was 8 but there were probably more. Showing well feeding, also lots of nice views as they flew about, perched on rocks and generally busied about. Brilliant stuff, it was really nice up there, some great views back down the valley too. John Spalding turned up too, nice to chat to him.
Liz Headon said
Sat Apr 18 7:16 PM, 2015
A grey and a pied wagtail at Ladhill Lane bridge at lunchtime today - from a distance I expected it to be a pair of greys as they were close together in the same tree.
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 18th of April 2015 03:05:30 PM
Mark Rigby said
Fri Apr 17 5:27 PM, 2015
'Pots and Pans' area
12 Ring Ouzel (6 male/6 fem) in fields below Pots and Pans near ruined barn (13 present earlier per B.Stanley) 30+ Wheatear Meadow Pipits 2 Mistle Thrush 2 Swallow
JSPALDING said
Mon Apr 13 12:48 PM, 2015
A walk around the sewage works, about 20 swallows, chiffchaff, a few willow warbler, blackcap, 2 dipper, grey wagtail, treecreeper, nuthatch, bullfinch plus the usual.
Steve Suttill said
Sat Apr 11 12:35 PM, 2015
Just over the border from Mossley, the area opposite Wrights Mill had singing Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Also a Jay making all sorts of strange sounds and a Kingfisher fly past.
Then a lifer as I spotted the mythical John Spalding! I've heard about this rare beast for years and exchanged messages via this forum but never, until this morning, clapped eyes on him. ID was easy as he was in typical helmeted plumage and perched upon two wheels! Good to meet up at last.
Steve Suttill said
Fri Mar 20 2:14 PM, 2015
Morning (post eclipse) walk around the moorland edge.
Woodcock flew off from bracken at Warlow Clough, heading towards Dove Stone. Plenty of Red Grouse much lower down the moor than usual - maybe the result of a fire (apparently under control) on the slopes of Alphin Pike. A fair number of Lapwing displaying in the fields - but not half as many as there used to be round here.
Steve Suttill said
Fri Mar 13 6:34 PM, 2015
Ventured out after the rain, sleet and snow had abated.
Not a good day for Dippers - all their favourite perching stones under water due to high river levels. Two Grey Wagtails. Now at least 9 occupied nests in the heronry and 3 Rook nests being built/renovated near the King Bill PH. 3 pairs Tufted Duck the only new additions at Royal George lodge. Pink-footed Goose now back in Greenfield.
pair Oystercatcher (site first - probably the same pair as at Tanner's) Mallard: 15 Canada Geese: 43 Moorhen: 8 Coot: 1 Little Grebe: 1 Black-headed Gulls: 19 Common Gull: 1
+ the introduced birds: Mute Swan: 2, Wood Ducks: 4
Pair of Dipper gathering moss on riverbank.
Steve Suttill said
Tue Feb 24 2:21 PM, 2015
Another tour round the valley with more sleet and hail showers:
ETW: 5 male & 1 redhead Goosanders on river. Heronry not yet in full swing but at least 3 nests definitely occupied.
Confluence of Tame and Chew Brook: Cormorant, pair Grey Wagtails (one with metal ring), Dipper (unringed)
Royal George Lodge: Little Grebe, pair Tufted Duck. 15 Moorhen and 202 Canada Geese in Well-i-hole Farm fields (Pinkfoot has decamped to Mossley).
Steve Suttill said
Sat Feb 21 1:08 PM, 2015
Pleasant stroll between the sleet and hail showers:
Pink-footed Goose with Canadas in field where John Spalding noted it a month ago. Not limping as badly as when I first saw it. Reports from Elton that their Pinkfoot was present this morning mean that it's not the same bird (I had wondered...). 9 Moorhen in the same field but the Water Rail hasn't returned this winter.
Singing Dipper with metal ring at Wrights Mill on the Tame.
Steve Suttill said
Sun Feb 8 10:32 AM, 2015
February's WeBS counts (minus 4C and foggy!)
Royal George Lodge (c60% frozen)
Mallard: 40 Canada Geese: 23 Moorhen: 7 Little Grebe: 1 Black-headed Gulls: 62 Common Gull: 1 Heron: 1
+ the introduced birds: Mute Swan: 2, Wood Ducks: 4
No water birds. One drumming Gt. Spotted Woodpecker had his territory invaded by two others and a noisy scrap ensued. If visiting, beware the very aggressive rams in the field by the lodge!
Steve Suttill said
Sat Jan 24 10:09 AM, 2015
Late afternoon walk yesterday to see if Herons had started building nests - they hadn't.
However I did discover a magpie roost in trees between the old railway bridleway and Well-i-hole Farm fields. When I left there were at least 49 birds in two adjacent trees, many perched in pairs like Jackdaws.
JSPALDING said
Sun Jan 18 1:31 PM, 2015
A walk between 11 and 12. There was a Pink Footed Goose amongst the Canadas in the field behind the Royal George Lodge. Also a couple of Dippers on the river by the sewage works.
Steve Suttill said
Sun Jan 18 10:38 AM, 2015
January's snowy WeBS counts
Royal George Lodge (c10% frozen)
Mallard: 26 Canada Geese: 70 Moorhen: 8 Little Grebe: 1 Black-headed Gulls: 142 (a WeBS count record for this site) Common Gull: 1
+ the introduced birds: Mute Swan: 2, Wood Ducks: 4
also one Dipper (unringed) on the river
Steve Suttill said
Fri Jan 9 12:22 PM, 2015
Couple of puzzling goose sightings this morning:
First, in the fields by the Manns, there was a grey goose amongst the flock of 150+ Canadas. Almost certainly a Pink-foot (though I couldn't get a really decent view) it was walking with a limp. I had seen a grey goose flying with two Canadas on Dec 27th nearby but in very poor light. I presume this would have been the same bird. Has anyone else noticed this bird?
Second, as I walked back to Mossley along the towpath there was one Canada Goose by itself (which is unusual anyway) on the canal just inside the Greenfield border. It was definitely smaller than your average Canada (though there were no others to compare with it) and something about it didn't seem right. Its neck feathers were permanently raised and it swam back and forth as though it was frightened by something, though it never made any attempt to fly. Only managed one rubbish photo before my memory card was full
Mark Rigby said
Mon Dec 8 5:40 PM, 2014
2 Rough-legged Buzzard relocated at 'Pots and Pans' viewable from Tunstead Lane on moorland East of the Obelisk at 1330hrs (info A.Platt)
Steve Suttill said
Sun Dec 7 10:19 AM, 2014
December WeBS counts
Tanner's Lodge: absolutely no waterbirds (but no anglers to blame this time) though c40 Fieldfare over.
Royal George Lodge: 4 WOOD DUCKS - 2 females by Manns cottages, 2 males on the main lodge. (can only presume these have introduced by the same person who brought the swans - what next? Flamingos
Almost annual Jamie? 2011 was first record since the Uppermill bird in 1990.
We'd had reports at Dove Stone from 2010 (2-3 independent on the Isle of skye road from Holmefirth) and (If I remember correctly) from 2009, on the Crowden side. Didn't see either myself and can't vouch for their authenticity. I guess they need to have been seen by someone using a website like this one and reporting their birds somewhere. It's the problem with an area as under watched as the saddleworth moors - I'm only speaking anecdotally.
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Saturday 1st of November 2014 06:04:28 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 1 7:23 AM, 2014
Further sightings/updates of the Rough-legged Buzzards are now on the Dove Stone thread.
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Oct 31 9:29 PM, 2014
Hope you get this one without getting hypothermia mate like we did sat all day on the moor without success for the Lees Hill bird. I'm working tomorrow so will hope for Sunday... .................................................................................................................
Wouldn't worry to much about hypothermia Tim ........... there will be plenty of cardiovascular body warmth from the exhilarating walk up from Binn Green.
Roger.
Gary Crowder said
Fri Oct 31 9:25 PM, 2014
Brian, they covered quite a distance over a huge area and probably could have been viewable from binn green but to get a better vantage point your better walking up the hill to over look more of the moorland
Tim Wilcox said
Fri Oct 31 9:09 PM, 2014
brian fielding wrote:
cheers mark, how far is it aprox from binn green car park, did you view the birds from the tarmac pull in, thanks, brian.
Hope you get this one without getting hypothermia mate like we did sat all day on the moor without success for the Lees Hill bird. I'm working tomorrow so will hope for Sunday...
Ring ouzel 1 female halfway up white brook lane and 1ad male on hill side just below summit below obelisk at pots and pans
wheatear at least 10 incl 2 females
Jackdaws c. 40
Willow warbler singing at bottom of lane
-- Edited by Mike c cooper on Sunday 26th of April 2015 08:17:03 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 26th of April 2015 08:26:42 PM
Few groups of 3's/4's feeding fairly close and then a group of around 7 flew up and scattered as I didn't even know they were there. They were striking classic poses every few seconds looking up to see where I was.
As I reached the derelict building I could see 3 more males further up on one of the sloping fields.
-Few Blackbirds around
-Mistle Thrush 2 lower down near Tunstead Lane
-Plenty of Meadow Pipit
-Dunnock 2
-Wheatear 4 giving exceptional views
-Kestrel 2
-Lapwing 2, 1 of which was doing overtime trying to clear off all the Carrion Crow and Jackdaw
5 wheatear
Lots of meadow pipits
Few skylark
4 willow warbler
1 chiffchaff
2 raven
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 24th of April 2015 04:31:28 PM
Also seen from the same area, c15 wheatear (first of the year), c20 meadow pipit, 2 skylark, one peregrine, and a couple of lapwing displaying off in the distance. Plenty of willow warblers and chaffinch could also be heard in the trees just below, too.
Very flukily, as soon as I got up to the site, a resplendent male popped up on a stone wall almost directly in front of me. Magic!
-- Edited by Ollie Wright on Thursday 23rd of April 2015 08:36:18 PM
On the way up there were many Wheatears to see and some striking male specimens enhanced by the early morning sunshine.
Around the 'Old building' were around 7 Ring Ouzels, 4 males, but difficult to keep track because they were moving around between
the higher ground above the old building and the field below it, and the moorland terrain also played a factor in losing track of which birds had or hadn't been counted!!
Also seen were Curlews, and a Raven.
John,
You might have been slightly too late. I counted 12 in one sweep (and I'd say this was an absolute minimum) maybe half an hour before 11.15, but they were beginning to disperse. Whatever, this was amongst the best non-rarity experiences I've ever had in the county.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 21st of April 2015 09:13:33 PM
It was had work finding the Ring Ouzel but worth the slog.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 21st of April 2015 12:58:14 PM
Thanks to both Liz and Simon for their help below - it was really useful.
I managed to get onto 3 Ring Ouzels on the slope behind the derelict barn. Looking up towards the obelisk, they were just past the barn to the left, on the rocky area of the slope. 2 males and 1 very vocal female for me. Lifers, and lovely watching them give good views in the setting sun - one male struck a classic pose stood on a rock, looking out over the moor.
Also in the area - several Wheatears giving wonderful views (definitely one of my favourite birds and some absolute beauties on show), 10 or so Meadow Pipits, one Pheasant and a Kestrel hunting.
They're definitely introduced, Liz, though when I don't know. Some have been around for at least 20 years to my knowledge. You never see more than one or two together so I don't think there have been any recent introductions.
Ring ouzels !! My first, hence the two exclamation marks (I'll calm down now). 1m, 1f on boulders to the left of the path just before you get to the ruined building (approaching from the Tunstead Lane side) then I turned right where the paths cross after the building and saw another (f) on a broken wall to the left of the path below the burnt patches. There were possibly more higher up, but there was someone else up there and I didn't want to go galumphing up and risk disturbing whatever he was watching.
Also
Chiffchaff(s) singing in the grounds of Hollyville
Wheatears (several) in similar area to the ring ouzels
Cormorant flying overhead towards Dovestones
Skylark and curlew (heard, not seen)
Meadow pipits (2 - 3)
Red-legged partridge at Binn Green (I've seen one on an odd occasion before: are they naturally occurring, or introduced ? I didn't think this was in their normal range...)
Mistle thrush in field near road to Dovestones
Bird of prey flew over the reservoir then across the A635 and headed north. I'd have said buzzard, but don't buzzards have a wedge-shaped tail in flight ? This had a straight, fairly narrow tail...
I'd drive up the A635 Holmfirth road out of Greenfield, and park at Binn Green (higher up than the turning for Dovestones Reservoir). If you walk out of the car park back to the road and cross the road, there is a gated track onto the hills. Follow that (turning left as you stand with your back to the road) and after a while the ruined building and the stone walled fields will come in sight ahead of you. It's worth keeping your eyes open on the rocky slopes to the right as you get further from the road - the ring ouzels are sometimes lower down than people are generally reporting them.
There were plenty of Wheatear around.
C10 Wheatear
Raven
That's great - thanks very much for the info
Cheers
Andrew
Parking I don't know, don't drive, sorry...somewhere in the village maybe.
As someone who doesn't know the area well, how do you get to the area where the Ring Ouzels are currently being seen (and where is the best place to park)?
Cheers
Andrew
23 Ring Ouzel seen in fields around the derelict barn just below Pots & Pans. There were probably more, but they were moving about quite a bit and kept disappearing behind walls.
They were flushed on a couple of occasions and moved off en-masse. 3 more birds (2m, 1f) seen from the top of the hill in the burnt section.
Also -
20+ Wheatear (very vocal)
2 Buzzard
2 Dipper on the stream below the reservoir
the Ring Ouzels.
Thankyou
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 19th of April 2015 11:53:15 AM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Sunday 19th of April 2015 03:24:47 PM
I did see some Lesser Redpoll in the conifers, at least 3, which were displaying I think. Lots of circuits of the trees and calling. Great to watch and listen to anyway.
Nothing much in the environs of the reservoirs.
Walking back into Greenfield I saw a Dipper at the weir at the roundabout, and then I decided to try for the Ouzels up where I'd seen the birder before. This was a great decision if I say so myself. I soon picked up birds in the fields which they had presumably occupied all day; it was about 2pm by now.
Anyway I think there were 10 or so birds about, males and females. The most I had pinned down simultaneously was 8 but there were probably more. Showing well feeding, also lots of nice views as they flew about, perched on rocks and generally busied about. Brilliant stuff, it was really nice up there, some great views back down the valley too. John Spalding turned up too, nice to chat to him.
Ring Ouzels 15 (Possibly more).
Wheatears 5-6.
Raven 1.
Rook 1.
+ Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Pied Wagtails.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 18th of April 2015 03:05:30 PM
12 Ring Ouzel (6 male/6 fem) in fields below Pots and Pans near ruined barn (13 present earlier per B.Stanley)
30+ Wheatear
Meadow Pipits
2 Mistle Thrush
2 Swallow
bullfinch plus the usual.
Then a lifer as I spotted the mythical John Spalding! I've heard about this rare beast for years and exchanged messages via this forum but never, until this morning, clapped eyes on him. ID was easy as he was in typical helmeted plumage and perched upon two wheels! Good to meet up at last.
Woodcock flew off from bracken at Warlow Clough, heading towards Dove Stone.
Plenty of Red Grouse much lower down the moor than usual - maybe the result of a fire (apparently under control) on the slopes of Alphin Pike.
A fair number of Lapwing displaying in the fields - but not half as many as there used to be round here.
Not a good day for Dippers - all their favourite perching stones under water due to high river levels. Two Grey Wagtails.
Now at least 9 occupied nests in the heronry and 3 Rook nests being built/renovated near the King Bill PH.
3 pairs Tufted Duck the only new additions at Royal George lodge.
Pink-footed Goose now back in Greenfield.
Waterside Mill (Tanner's) Lodge: pair Oystercatcher (site first)
Royal George Lodge:
pair Oystercatcher (site first - probably the same pair as at Tanner's)
Mallard: 15
Canada Geese: 43
Moorhen: 8
Coot: 1
Little Grebe: 1
Black-headed Gulls: 19
Common Gull: 1
+ the introduced birds: Mute Swan: 2, Wood Ducks: 4
Pair of Dipper gathering moss on riverbank.
ETW: 5 male & 1 redhead Goosanders on river. Heronry not yet in full swing but at least 3 nests definitely occupied.
Confluence of Tame and Chew Brook: Cormorant, pair Grey Wagtails (one with metal ring), Dipper (unringed)
Royal George Lodge: Little Grebe, pair Tufted Duck. 15 Moorhen and 202 Canada Geese in Well-i-hole Farm fields (Pinkfoot has decamped to Mossley).
Pink-footed Goose with Canadas in field where John Spalding noted it a month ago. Not limping as badly as when I first saw it. Reports from Elton that their Pinkfoot was present this morning mean that it's not the same bird (I had wondered...). 9 Moorhen in the same field but the Water Rail hasn't returned this winter.
Singing Dipper with metal ring at Wrights Mill on the Tame.
Royal George Lodge (c60% frozen)
Mallard: 40
Canada Geese: 23
Moorhen: 7
Little Grebe: 1
Black-headed Gulls: 62
Common Gull: 1
Heron: 1
+ the introduced birds: Mute Swan: 2, Wood Ducks: 4
Waterside Mill (Tanner's) Lodge (completely frozen)
No water birds. One drumming Gt. Spotted Woodpecker had his territory invaded by two others and a noisy scrap ensued.
If visiting, beware the very aggressive rams in the field by the lodge!
However I did discover a magpie roost in trees between the old railway bridleway and Well-i-hole Farm fields. When I left there were at least 49 birds in two adjacent trees, many perched in pairs like Jackdaws.
Also a couple of Dippers on the river by the sewage works.
Royal George Lodge (c10% frozen)
Mallard: 26
Canada Geese: 70
Moorhen: 8
Little Grebe: 1
Black-headed Gulls: 142 (a WeBS count record for this site)
Common Gull: 1
+ the introduced birds: Mute Swan: 2, Wood Ducks: 4
also one Dipper (unringed) on the river
First, in the fields by the Manns, there was a grey goose amongst the flock of 150+ Canadas. Almost certainly a Pink-foot (though I couldn't get a really decent view) it was walking with a limp. I had seen a grey goose flying with two Canadas on Dec 27th nearby but in very poor light. I presume this would have been the same bird. Has anyone else noticed this bird?
Second, as I walked back to Mossley along the towpath there was one Canada Goose by itself (which is unusual anyway) on the canal just inside the Greenfield border. It was definitely smaller than your average Canada (though there were no others to compare with it) and something about it didn't seem right. Its neck feathers were permanently raised and it swam back and forth as though it was frightened by something, though it never made any attempt to fly. Only managed one rubbish photo before my memory card was full
Tanner's Lodge: absolutely no waterbirds (but no anglers to blame this time) though c40 Fieldfare over.
Royal George Lodge:
4 WOOD DUCKS - 2 females by Manns cottages, 2 males on the main lodge.
(can only presume these have introduced by the same person who brought the swans - what next? Flamingos
Mute Swan: 2
Mallard: 17
Canada Geese: 60
Moorhen: 11
Coot: 1
Little Grebe: 2
Black-headed Gulls: 54
Tanner's Lodge: only one waterbird - a Moorhen, but Red Grouse very vocal on the nearby moor and a male Gt. Spotted Woodpecker in a pondside willow.
Royal George Lodge:
Coots have now all gone but the wintering Little Grebes are back.
65 Canada Geese
26 Mallard
10 Moorhen
2 Little Grebe
2 Tufted Duck
2 Mute Swan (usual "Polish" introduced birds)
41 Black-headed Gulls
1 Heron
We'd had reports at Dove Stone from 2010 (2-3 independent on the Isle of skye road from Holmefirth) and (If I remember correctly) from 2009, on the Crowden side.
Didn't see either myself and can't vouch for their authenticity. I guess they need to have been seen by someone using a website like this one and reporting their birds somewhere. It's the problem with an area as under watched as the saddleworth moors - I'm only speaking anecdotally.
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Saturday 1st of November 2014 06:04:28 PM
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Wouldn't worry to much about hypothermia Tim ........... there will be plenty of cardiovascular body warmth from the exhilarating walk up from Binn Green.
Roger.
Hope you get this one without getting hypothermia mate like we did sat all day on the moor without success for the Lees Hill bird. I'm working tomorrow so will hope for Sunday...