-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 23rd of March 2012 04:44:21 PM
Keith Mills said
Thu Mar 22 10:37 AM, 2012
9.0 to 9.45 this morning (dog Walk)
Burnt Edge:
At the Christmas Tree Plantation there were a few Lesser Redpoll . Two of which were singing from the treetops right at the side of the Bridleway, giving great views.
Further up the path a Skylark sang overhead with another close by.
A Kestrel was hunting a ravine, near the top of the Edge. It hung almost motionless in the breeze, a few yards in front of me, and at my eye level. Taking a vole it also disturbed a few Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 22nd of March 2012 10:51:46 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 21 10:17 PM, 2012
Sightings from this morning:
3 Wheatear Crossbills at Georges Lane: - 2 NW at 6:40; 10 W at 7:45; 8 W at 7:48 13 Siskin 35 Redpoll 122 Meadow Pipit 30 Fieldfare
All above (unless otherwise stated) heading NNW.
8 Buzzards
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 21 3:46 PM, 2012
Yesterday:
Male Wheatear on the path between Pilkington and Montclife quarry and a Blackcap at Foxholes Road.
Also on Georges Lane this morning with Andy Makin and Rick Hall, two Woodcocks were seen in flight, one near the county boundary and one near Higher Meadows, also 60 Meadow Pipits trickled through in ones and two's heading north and a Dipper on the stream which is the county boundary was unexpected.
22 Chaffinch NNW 11 Lesser Redpoll N 31 Siskin N 10 Crossbill W and 14 showing down to 50 feet drinking from puddles in the track 100 metres west of Wilderswood car park.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 7 6:53 AM, 2012
Today early morning:
6 Siskin in Walker Wood 2+ Crossbills in the small seperate wood on the west side of Walker Fold (along the track down from Newfields Farm). Never actually saw them but there was at least two of them in the trees there. 2 Lesser Redpoll in Wilderswood.
Also, a female Snow Bunting was feeding on seed next to the last compound in Lancs in the afternoon (latter info thanks to Andy Makin).
Frank Whitney said
Sun Mar 4 7:03 AM, 2012
Simon Warford wrote:
Hi Frank, its either the number 125 or 126 from Bolton to Georges Lane and then abit of a walk.
No sign of any Snow Buntings in a search today by Andy.
Singles of Crossbill, Curlew over and the male Stonechat remains south of the mast.
Simon
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Friday 2nd of March 2012 08:42:26 PM
Cheers simon, managed to get up today in spite of the changeable weather but no Snow Buntings around , waited over an hour to no avail , did manage a couple of Red Grouse flushed by a dog and plenty of Pipits and Skylarks full of the joys of spring
Frank
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/
Paul Risley said
Sat Mar 3 7:39 AM, 2012
8.30am-2.30pm Georges Lane to Horrocks Moor
2 pairs of Kestrels, one pair on georges lane another pair near Bryan Hey Reservoir 2 pairs of Lapwings near Bryan Hey 5 Crossbills on the edge of the United Utilities plantation on Scout road pair of Goldcrests same wood 3 Grey Herons over small groups of both Meadow pipits and Skylarks, nice to see them returning to the moors remains of a recent Redwing kill on Hampsons pasture, 10 yards further on a small clump of Owl feathers, (back or breast feathers) possibly Short Eared but not positive, good search of area but nothing else found, plenty fox scat in vicinity though
Frank Whitney said
Sat Mar 3 3:17 AM, 2012
Thinking of going again tomorrow for the Snow Buntings any info on buses from Bolton to Georges Lane would be helpful and gratefully recieved ie times and frequency wish me luck , third time
Frank http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/
john spurgeon said
Sat Mar 3 3:08 AM, 2012
1800-1830
1 X Short eared owl 1 x Barn Owl
very brief views at dusk.
1 x Peregrine over Red Grouse
Simon Warford said
Fri Mar 2 8:38 PM, 2012
Hi Frank, its either the number 125 or 126 from Bolton to Georges Lane and then abit of a walk.
No sign of any Snow Buntings in a search today by Andy.
Singles of Crossbill, Curlew over and the male Stonechat remains south of the mast.
Simon
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Friday 2nd of March 2012 08:42:26 PM
john spurgeon said
Fri Mar 2 2:54 AM, 2012
Adam Hill 1700-1815
3 x Short eared owls mobbing 1 x Barn Owl
also Stonechat, Red Grouse.
john spurgeon said
Thu Mar 1 3:29 AM, 2012
Adam Hill 1700-1800 today
2 Short eared owls Red Grouse calling and flushed Skylark calling
..also (in atrocious light) at 1815, possible Barn Owl seen briefly in fields above Wilderswood from Mast Rd.
Simon Warford said
Wed Feb 29 10:07 PM, 2012
Andy Makin observed some rather interesting Snow Bunting behaviour today.
A male Snow Bunting(Sunday's bird) was singing from the fence of one of the compounds for an hour or so this morning. While he was watching it he heard another snow bunting calling overhead as it was heading north, the singing bird then flew up high towards the bird moving over but then dropped down again to the same fence. Amazingly 20 minutes later the exact same thing happened again as another calling snow bunting was heard overhead and the singing bird not only started to sing louder, it again flew up high towards the birding heading north-east. The bird flying over continued on and was lost to view while the singing bird dropped back down to its fence and was still present at midday at least today.
Also today he had a remarkable 21 Great Tits, Nuthatch, Robin, Blackbird and Siskin all present in the mast compound !! The Great Tits then all flying off north!
Also today,
34 Skylarks over today. 15 Pink-footed Geese south east 1 Curlew north 2 Peregrine over north
2 Short-eared Owls at Burnt Edge this evening.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 29th of February 2012 10:11:04 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Feb 26 4:09 PM, 2012
Late news for yesterday;
Single probably new Snow Bunting in the next to last compound in Lancs. Male Stonechat near the main mast buildings but inside GM. 1 Short-eared Owl at Adams Hill at 5:30pm.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock and Jill Mills.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Feb 26 5:25 AM, 2012
No sign of the Snow Buntings today.
Other sightings of some movement NW over Georges Lane though:
Mast Road is not a public highway though the number of dog walkers who ignore this would lead you to believe otherwise. You should park before the first cattle grid and walk from there. Anyway you just never know what you might find on the way...
Phil Cunliffe said
Sun Feb 26 3:50 AM, 2012
I was up there at about 3:30 with my dog and unfortunately didn't get to see them. I didn't want to get too close to the compound with having a dog in case I scared them. Third attempt and third failure
However, on the way back I met a really nice couple called (I think) Ken and Jill (or Gill) and we had a good chat about birding. It was really nice to meet you. Anyway, thanks to them I was delayed returning to the car and got to see one of the short eared owls really close up, maybe 20 feet away. What a beauty. I watched it quartering the fields and doing a lapwing-style flop that signaled it about to drop down to try and catch prey. Mesmerizing
I may try a drive up tomorrow but I'm not really sure if the road is a public highway as signs say otherwise.
Alan Larsen said
Wed Feb 22 6:34 AM, 2012
Between 3:10pm and 3:40pm today 4 Snow buntings at the rear of the second from the end compound by a rusty oil drum.
Dennis atherton said
Mon Feb 20 3:15 AM, 2012
still 5 snow bunting today at 12.00 ish
Rick Hall said
Sun Feb 19 2:12 PM, 2012
c15 Crossbills at Wilderswood this afternoon at about 13.00.
4 females split from rest and landed in conifers. One of them was extremely yellow. Maybe a trick of the glorious sunlight, but it was stunning compared to the others. It was yellowhammer yellow, but wasn't a yellowhammer.
Also, the wife had a Green Woodpecker over Horwich Parish Church this morning. Rather annoying as I'm still to see one in this neck of the woods.
-- Edited by Rick Hall on Sunday 19th of February 2012 02:14:01 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Feb 16 6:24 AM, 2012
Five Snow Buntings still present in the compound in Lancs.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 15 6:05 AM, 2012
Five Snow Buntings in the last compound in Lancs this afternoon.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock (via Andy Makin)
Phil Cunliffe said
Tue Feb 14 6:25 AM, 2012
Late report for Sunday 12 Feb:
I made the trek up to the last compounds on the road in the very poor weather accompanied by what looked like an orienteering competition and quite a few vehicles including a couple of vans that appeared to be "casing" the last compound for metal to "borrow". Needless to say I saw nowt, not a dickie bird as you might say. I waited for as long as I could before icicles formed on my nose and nothing made a peep apart from the runners, walkers, cyclists and vehicles. I saw more birding activity on Saturday at the Reebok Stadium. Hey ho, maybe next weekend.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Feb 12 2:45 AM, 2012
5 Snow Buntings in the usual area just in Lancs this afternoon.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock (via Andy Makin)
Joey Eccles said
Thu Feb 9 7:50 PM, 2012
This morning 9.30-11.30
The 4 snow buntings showing well in the penultimate compound, including a stunning presumed male who had puffed up all of his chest feathers. Just as we arrived at the compound another guy was leaving in a Toyota van/people carrier - I don't know if he's on this forum? Also: Kestrel Heron Magpie
Paul Richardson said
Thu Feb 9 4:16 PM, 2012
11.30 - 2.30 yesterday Wed 8th Feb. The 4 snow buntings were showing really well - as I arrived they were actually outside the compound and/or perched on the top of the wire netting, which gave some good photo-opps: Snow Buntings looking as if they were escaping from Colditz!
45 min or so around Burnt Edge area produced no SEO's, but one raven flying along the edge of the big quarry directly at me, looked like a low flying jet!
David Wilson said
Thu Feb 9 4:07 PM, 2012
4 Snow buntings showing really well despite awful weather this afternoon. They were bathing + drinking from the snow before perching on barbed wire. A first for me and what little crackers they are.! Made the walk down almost enjoyable despite icicles hanging from my hat and my coat being like a sheet of ice.!
-- Edited by David Wilson on Thursday 9th of February 2012 09:25:38 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Feb 9 12:45 AM, 2012
4 Snow Buntings remain in the second to last compound still just over the border in Lancs.
A single Golden Plover flew over today too.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Kevin Forde said
Wed Feb 8 11:34 PM, 2012
Couple of ravens over Wilderswood. Just after lunch, one of them being mobbed by a peregrine.
Chris and Jo Bradshaw said
Wed Feb 8 1:02 AM, 2012
Just back from Burnt edge. Watched a fabulous couple of SEOwls. Came really close and dive bombing each other. Yesterday watched them mobbing a male Kestrel with some fantastic aerial displays. Chris.
Simon Warford said
Sun Feb 5 3:31 AM, 2012
The 5 Snow Buntings still present in the usual compound this morning, including the long staying first winter male and the new adult male. Still eating the seed.
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
Pete Lane said
Sat Feb 4 4:45 AM, 2012
1.45-4.30pm
Fabulous sighting of two peregrine, two raven and a kestrel giving the ultimate flying disply moving from several hundred feet to ground level in seconds with the peregrine diving at the ravens at incredible speed and the kestrel joining in the fun. this went on for a good five minutes before they all went their seperate ways.
A flock of eight bullfinch, two red grouse, seven lapwings and two other kestrels were the only other sightings. No sign of the snow buntings at 3.30ish.
Simon Warford said
Sat Feb 4 2:18 AM, 2012
The 5 Snow Buntings still present this morning in the second to last compound showing very well for myself, Andy Makin and Tim Mitchell. We have put loads more seed down both at the compound and by the main mast building which should keep them going a while.
Not a breath of wind on Winter Hill this morning, glorious.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Feb 3 6:29 AM, 2012
On the moors this afternoon, 5 Snow Buntings on Winter Hill (in Lancs!) plus 2 Short-eared Owls and 2 Woodcock at the usual locations.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Ladds said
Thu Feb 2 2:32 AM, 2012
Just got back from Winter Hill and the coldest birding I have ever done. Eventually after failed three attempts this year caught up with the Snow Buntings. Good views just before the light went. All six on the ground in the 2nd last compound. Thanks all for the info.
Holly Page said
Thu Feb 2 2:11 AM, 2012
Parked up at the end of the lane heading to burnt edge for about 15 mins at 5.30, had 4 woodcock and 1 short eared owl
fred fouracre said
Wed Feb 1 11:21 PM, 2012
i could only see 4 snow buntings but excellent views as they were all sat on the compound fence.no s.e.o,s today but a lovely pair of freezing cold ears.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Feb 1 8:32 PM, 2012
All 6 Snow Buntings still in the usual compound just in Lancs today.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Neil Southworth said
Mon Jan 30 10:24 PM, 2012
Still 6 Snow Buntings by the side of the next to last compound this morning.
Thanks to Andy Makin for pointing them out to me.
Adam Jones said
Mon Jan 30 5:41 AM, 2012
Thanks very much Mark. I've got something extra to go on now. Much appreciated.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Jan 30 5:34 AM, 2012
Adam - Carry on past the mast itself on the road. The road continues straight on for another 100 metres or so then bears left. Keep on the road and follow it to the end, perhaps another 300-400 metres. You will pass a few compounds which are the fenced off areas where the cables go into the ground and where there are smaller towers/masts. The Snow Buntings today were in the next to the last compound on the left hand side, right by the road.
Adam Jones said
Mon Jan 30 4:48 AM, 2012
Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question but, can someone explain where the second to last compound is in relation to the mast and mast road please? Do the fenced sections holding the cables to the mast count as compounds? These go in three separate directions. I've only ever ventured up mast road once, and that was in thick cloud. I didn't even see the top of the mast it was that foggy, so my memory of what is where is not great, so I am working of the map on here. Thanks for any tips. Adam
kevin kelly said
Mon Jan 30 4:46 AM, 2012
Thanks guys I've been up there before but my brother drove, didn't know any buses went that way thanks that's handy to know! Cheers
Dan Brown said
Mon Jan 30 3:03 AM, 2012
It's easier to get the train to Bolton and then take the 125 or 126 bus to George's Lane.
kevin kelly said
Mon Jan 30 2:23 AM, 2012
Hello i'm thinking of heading to Horwich Moors for the day tomorrow, as i don't drive am i right in thinking train to Horwich parkway and then walk the rest to get there?? thanks in advance!
Jon Bowen said
Mon Jan 30 1:53 AM, 2012
Barn Owl briefly on Scout Road btw 17.24 - 17.28 initially flew up from below the road before recrossing and drifting down towards woods Horrocks Woods
Single Ringed Plover N
2 Crossbill N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 23rd of March 2012 04:44:21 PM
Burnt Edge:
At the Christmas Tree Plantation there were a few Lesser Redpoll . Two of which were singing from the treetops right at the side of the Bridleway,
giving great views.
Further up the path a Skylark sang overhead with another close by.
A Kestrel was hunting a ravine, near the top of the Edge. It hung almost motionless in the breeze, a few yards in front of me, and at my eye level.
Taking a vole it also disturbed a few Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 22nd of March 2012 10:51:46 AM
3 Wheatear
Crossbills at Georges Lane: - 2 NW at 6:40; 10 W at 7:45; 8 W at 7:48
13 Siskin
35 Redpoll
122 Meadow Pipit
30 Fieldfare
All above (unless otherwise stated) heading NNW.
8 Buzzards
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Male Wheatear on the path between Pilkington and Montclife quarry and a Blackcap at Foxholes Road.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock
All from George's Lane, all heading NNW
328 Woodpigeon
1 Stock Dove
3 Buzzard
3 Fieldfare
212 Meadow Pipit
78 Redpoll
79 Chaffinch
51 Siskin
3 Curlew
3 Crossbill heading W
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Georges Lane (quarries) to Holdens Plantation:
2 Ravens
1 Buzzard
2 Stonechats (pr)
2 Kestrels
2 Bullfinches
1 Goldcrest
4 Mallards
22 Chaffinch NNW
11 Lesser Redpoll N
31 Siskin N
10 Crossbill W and 14 showing down to 50 feet drinking from puddles in the track 100 metres west of Wilderswood car park.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
6 Siskin in Walker Wood
2+ Crossbills in the small seperate wood on the west side of Walker Fold (along the track down from Newfields Farm). Never actually saw them but there was at least two of them in the trees there.
2 Lesser Redpoll in Wilderswood.
Also, a female Snow Bunting was feeding on seed next to the last compound in Lancs in the afternoon (latter info thanks to Andy Makin).
Cheers simon, managed to get up today in spite of the changeable weather but no Snow Buntings around , waited over an hour to no avail , did manage a couple of Red Grouse flushed by a dog and plenty of Pipits and Skylarks full of the joys of spring
Frank
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/
2 pairs of Kestrels, one pair on georges lane another pair near Bryan Hey Reservoir
2 pairs of Lapwings near Bryan Hey
5 Crossbills on the edge of the United Utilities plantation on Scout road
pair of Goldcrests same wood
3 Grey Herons over
small groups of both Meadow pipits and Skylarks, nice to see them returning to the moors
remains of a recent Redwing kill on Hampsons pasture, 10 yards further on a small clump of Owl feathers, (back or breast feathers) possibly Short Eared but not positive, good search of area but nothing else found, plenty fox scat in vicinity though
Frank
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleipnerofasgard/
1 X Short eared owl
1 x Barn Owl
very brief views at dusk.
1 x Peregrine over
Red Grouse
No sign of any Snow Buntings in a search today by Andy.
Singles of Crossbill, Curlew over and the male Stonechat remains south of the mast.
Simon
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Friday 2nd of March 2012 08:42:26 PM
3 x Short eared owls
mobbing
1 x Barn Owl
also Stonechat, Red Grouse.
2 Short eared owls
Red Grouse calling and flushed
Skylark calling
..also (in atrocious light) at 1815, possible Barn Owl seen briefly in fields above Wilderswood from Mast Rd.
A male Snow Bunting(Sunday's bird) was singing from the fence of one of the compounds for an hour or so this morning. While he was watching it he heard another snow bunting calling overhead as it was heading north, the singing bird then flew up high towards the bird moving over but then dropped down again to the same fence. Amazingly 20 minutes later the exact same thing happened again as another calling snow bunting was heard overhead and the singing bird not only started to sing louder, it again flew up high towards the birding heading north-east. The bird flying over continued on and was lost to view while the singing bird dropped back down to its fence and was still present at midday at least today.
Also today he had a remarkable 21 Great Tits, Nuthatch, Robin, Blackbird and Siskin all present in the mast compound !! The Great Tits then all flying off north!
Also today,
34 Skylarks over today.
15 Pink-footed Geese south east
1 Curlew north
2 Peregrine over north
2 Short-eared Owls at Burnt Edge this evening.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 29th of February 2012 10:11:04 PM
Single probably new Snow Bunting in the next to last compound in Lancs.
Male Stonechat near the main mast buildings but inside GM.
1 Short-eared Owl at Adams Hill at 5:30pm.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock and Jill Mills.
Other sightings of some movement NW over Georges Lane though:
59 Chaffinch
2 Bullfinch
16 Siskin
3 Greenfinch
8 Lesser Redpoll
2 Crossbill
23 Skylark
27 Meadow Pipit
11 Lapwing
1 Stock Dove
Also 95 Woodpigeon south.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
However, on the way back I met a really nice couple called (I think) Ken and Jill (or Gill) and we had a good chat about birding. It was really nice to meet you. Anyway, thanks to them I was delayed returning to the car and got to see one of the short eared owls really close up, maybe 20 feet away. What a beauty. I watched it quartering the fields and doing a lapwing-style flop that signaled it about to drop down to try and catch prey. Mesmerizing
I may try a drive up tomorrow but I'm not really sure if the road is a public highway as signs say otherwise.
4 females split from rest and landed in conifers. One of them was extremely yellow. Maybe a trick of the glorious sunlight, but it was stunning compared to the others. It was yellowhammer yellow, but wasn't a yellowhammer.
Also, the wife had a Green Woodpecker over Horwich Parish Church this morning. Rather annoying as I'm still to see one in this neck of the woods.
-- Edited by Rick Hall on Sunday 19th of February 2012 02:14:01 PM
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Ken Haydock (via Andy Makin)
I made the trek up to the last compounds on the road in the very poor weather accompanied by what looked like an orienteering competition and quite a few vehicles including a couple of vans that appeared to be "casing" the last compound for metal to "borrow". Needless to say I saw nowt, not a dickie bird as you might say. I waited for as long as I could before icicles formed on my nose and nothing made a peep apart from the runners, walkers, cyclists and vehicles. I saw more birding activity on Saturday at the Reebok Stadium. Hey ho, maybe next weekend.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock (via Andy Makin)
The 4 snow buntings showing well in the penultimate compound, including a stunning presumed male who had puffed up all of his chest feathers. Just as we arrived at the compound another guy was leaving in a Toyota van/people carrier - I don't know if he's on this forum?
Also:
Kestrel
Heron
Magpie
45 min or so around Burnt Edge area produced no SEO's,
but one raven flying along the edge of the big quarry directly at me, looked like a low flying jet!
-- Edited by David Wilson on Thursday 9th of February 2012 09:25:38 PM
A single Golden Plover flew over today too.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
Fabulous sighting of two peregrine, two raven and a kestrel giving the ultimate flying disply moving from several hundred feet to ground level in seconds with the peregrine diving at the ravens at incredible speed and the kestrel joining in the fun. this went on for a good five minutes before they all went their seperate ways.
A flock of eight bullfinch, two red grouse, seven lapwings and two other kestrels were the only other sightings. No sign of the snow buntings at 3.30ish.
Not a breath of wind on Winter Hill this morning, glorious.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Thanks to Andy Makin for pointing them out to me.
Much appreciated.
I've only ever ventured up mast road once, and that was in thick cloud. I didn't even see the top of the mast it was that foggy, so my memory of what is where is not great, so I am working of the map on here.
Thanks for any tips.
Adam
Cheers