Midday Visit West Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve after Woolston Eyes
3 Redshank
3 Oystercatcher
7 White Wagtail
15 Meadow Pipit
2 Shelduck...pair
2 Swallow
140 Sand Martin
8 Teal
16 Linnet
7 Buzzard.
Dave Steel said
Wed Apr 14 10:12 PM, 2021
Carbon Landscape Breeding Bird Survey on Little Woolden Moss am
59 Meadow Pipit
18 Reed Bunting
14 Willow Warbler
1 Whitethroat
1 Curlew in display
1 Yellowhammer
2 Yellow Wagtail
4 White Wagtail
2 Little Ringed Plover
2 Oystercatcher
28 Sand Martin
2 Grey Partridge
19 Lapwing
3 Wheatear
1 Swallow
4 Snipe
2 Redshank
pete berry said
Wed Apr 14 4:25 PM, 2021
A check on Astley Moss/Bedford Moss for an early Cuckoo was unsuccesful. However 24 Fieldfare,a few Mistle Thrush and 8 Stock Doves made up for the lack of Cuckoo. Plenty of singing Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers in the hedgerows and at least 4 Lapwing displaying in the newly ploughed fields.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 14 3:02 PM, 2021
Some highlights from today on Little Woolden Moss:
1 Whimbrel over north
1 Common Sandpiper
5 Yellow Wagtail
1 White Wagtail
1 male Wheatear
5 Redshank
c600 Sand Martin feeding over the western side of the LWT reserve
4 Little Ringed Plover
2 Siskin over north
31 Meadow Pipit feeding in a single flock on rape fields
Mallard with one very small young
Dave Steel said
Tue Apr 13 7:36 PM, 2021
am...
Chat Moss
5 Chiffchaff in song
25 Willow Warbler in song
8 Teal
2 Wigeon...pair
2 Greylag Geese...pair
2 Yellowhammer
1 Snipe
18 Lapwing....some in display over a field which has just been scarified hence all nests lost and now in display ready for next try...
Dave Steel said
Mon Apr 12 8:08 PM, 2021
Chat Moss...the doomed newly converted 'Turf' Fields of FN19/20
Holding...
12 Skylark
6 Lapwing (in display)...believing that their nest loss will be resolved once the new crop is sown....not so...it will be the wildlife obliterating Turf that will destroy such hopes..
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve Breeding Bird Survey 1 of 3 for the LWT included
3 Oystercatcher
4 Snipe
1 Yellow Wagtail...male
8 White Wagtail
1 Curlew in display
2 Redshank...in display
4 Swallow
260 Sand Martin
39 Linnet
43 Meadow Pipit
2 Teal...pair
1 Sparrowhawk...male
John Williams said
Mon Apr 12 6:00 PM, 2021
Little Woolden Moss NR 12.04.2021
Morning walk around the moss.
...wrt Peat Extraction...leading to Sand Extraction.....'there's money in them thar places it seems'
It was approximately 1962 that I first wandered this site(ta to FRH and Les Baird for showing me the site)...Astley Road East it seems to be referred to (within 'Salford' in 'recent' times)...
Now here 'memory' (mine alone) tells me this is how it was...
A 'pristine' and unbeknownst to me at the time a VERY special Habitat ...inland raised peat bog area...it now seems that 97% of such habitat has been DESTROYED by such as peat extraction since the end of the second world war (1945) ...which I believe serves, in its destruction, to give a 'wondrous' life to plants for gardens which attempt (in my opinion) to emulate that which nature can freely give if we but look rather than 'contrive'...
Now it appears to sit bare and mostly without any (for the most parts) vegetation...yes it has a 'lake'...there in my opinion seem to be quite a few lakes within the UK...but VERY FEW INLAND RAISED PEAT BOGS...which admittedly might not offer a 'massive' spread of birds which we can 'list' on a visit...but those similar areas left and being restored that I visit...if we sit and watch and let nature crawl over us hold a myriad number of the baseline species that serve to feed the birds we watch....
...for me the use of Peat is an anathema...but I am sure that our household has purchased goods grown in this medium for I imagine it is freely used as a 'cheap' medium in which to propagate all sorts of herbs etc...BUT I feel that we must all as birdwatcher and lovers of wildlife as a whole must not knowingly purchase peat...as in Prospero's closing speech...'let your indulgence set me free'...
pete berry said
Sun Apr 11 1:05 PM, 2021
As they're still taking wagons loads of peat from there that was extracted before they lost their licence ,I don't think a carrier bag of peat to plant azalea is going to make a lot of difference in the grand scheme of things. Actually the area is far more interesting ornithologically with a massive lake there, still plenty of peaty pools similar to Little Woolden Moss,up to a 1000 pairs of Sand Martins nesting in the past few years etc etc etc
fredford said
Sun Apr 11 12:26 PM, 2021
Was it not the extraction of peat which devastated that area ?
pete berry said
Sun Apr 11 11:12 AM, 2021
Quick walk down the old mineral line to get a bag of peat for my daughter's garden and 21 Whooper Swans flew over in a n.w. direction,almost certainly the birds that were at Sale Water Park earlier. Plenty of singing Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
-- Edited by pete berry on Sunday 11th of April 2021 11:17:43 AM
Dave Steel said
Sat Apr 10 5:08 PM, 2021
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve West after Wildfowl Count at Woolston Eyes
1 Redshank
3 Wheatear
3 Oystercatcher
1 Red Kite...in from North...moved over reserve and headed Southwest @ 1220
Highlights across Little Woolden Moss LWT this early afternoon:
3 male Yellow Wagtail
7 White Wagtail (including one on field 56)
1 Dunlin
3 Little Ringed Plover
5 Oystercatcher
3 Redshank
4 Curlew
28 Lapwing
Feeding flock of 400+ Sand Martin
9 singing Willow Warbler
c150 Black-headed Gull
Also, a drake Goosander on the Glaze
Dave Steel said
Thu Apr 8 10:09 PM, 2021
Grey Partridge Count on Irlam Moss...for one of the farmers
4 Grey Partridge...2 pair (11 pairs in 2006!)
82 Meadow Pipit
3 Snipe
3 Yellowhammer
6 Linnet
Chat Moss...sad to see FN19/20 being lost to Turf Production...the winter wheat ploughed up and field prepared for turf...at a loss of Lapwing/Skylark/Yellow Wagtail breeding sites...and so much more lost to this 'desert' making 'crop'
8 Lapwing...just lost their nests
11 Skylark
3 Swallow
1 Wheatear.
Little Woolden Moss East
1 Peregrine
1 Little Ringed Plover
1 Curlew in display
2 Oystercatcher
18 Linnet
5 Willow Warbler in song.
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 8th of April 2021 11:50:54 PM
Dave Steel said
Wed Apr 7 7:33 PM, 2021
Brief Visit am
Chat Moss
2 Swallow
20 Lapwing
6 Willow Warbler in song
2 Tufted Duck...pair
10 Teal
8 Gadwall
Dave Steel said
Tue Apr 6 8:11 PM, 2021
Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit Survey am...and once more sadly not one noted where once there were a few territories...
Chat Moss
4 Grey Partridge...2 Pairs
2 Yellowhammer
60 Linnet
5 Chiffchaff in song
3 Swallow
5 Blackcap in song
Little Woolden Moss Nature reserve...brief visit east end
2 Oystercatcher
4 Buzzard
2 Chiffchaff in song
3 Willow Warbler in Song
1 Swallow.
Dave Steel said
Mon Apr 5 7:51 PM, 2021
Another Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit Survey am...and once more sadly not one noted where once there were a few territories...
Little Woolden Moss
1 Marsh Harrier...female
3 Swallow
3 Sand Martin
2 Curlew...pair
1 Snipe
26 Lapwing
24 Meadow Pipit
1 Yellowhammer
2 Siskin
5 Willow Warbler in song
Dave Steel said
Sun Apr 4 8:42 PM, 2021
Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit Survey am...sadly not one noted where once there were a few territories...
Chat Moss
1 Swallow
2 Oystercatcher
14 Teal
5 Willow Warbler in song
3 Blackcap in song
4 Gadwall
2 Greylag Geese
2 Tufted Duck
7 Linnet.
Dave Steel said
Sat Apr 3 11:08 PM, 2021
Little Woolden Moss West PM
2 Wheatear
1 Swallow
6 Tree Sparrow
2 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaff
2 Stock Dove
2 Teal
3 Yellowhammer
1 Grey Wagtail.
Dave Steel said
Fri Apr 2 7:12 PM, 2021
Afternoon Wander
Chat Moss
36 Stock Dove
1 Chiffchaff in song
4 Tufted Duck...2 pairs
3 Oystercatcher
16 Teal
16 Gadwall
45 Lapwing
2 Yellowhammer
Dave Steel said
Thu Apr 1 11:50 PM, 2021
Midday Visit Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
1 Curlew in display
2 Oystercatcher
1 Raven
4 Wheatear...males.
1 Corn Bunting.
Dave Steel said
Wed Mar 31 8:59 PM, 2021
am...Irlam Moss Grey Partridge Count
6 Grey Partridge...3 pair
1 Blackcap in Song
30 House Sparrow
26 Meadow Pipit
3 Oystercatcher
1 Red-Legged Partridge
33 Linnet
Little Woolden Moss midday east end
3 Curlew
2 Redshank
2 Sand Martin
4 Willow Warbler in song
160 Black-Headed Gull
2 Oystercatcher.
Dave Steel said
Tue Mar 30 8:34 PM, 2021
Am Visit Chat Moss
1 Willow Warbler gave three snatches of song @ 10am...once more life feels complete!
7 Chiffchaff in song
2 Jay constantly 'mewing' (Buzzard like) to one another
2 Yellowhammer
15 Teal
16 Gadwall
2 Oystercatcher
4 Buzzard
2 Siskin...oddly moving south?
1 Curlew displaying over Croxden...these birds did breed here but now not a cat in hells chance as the site is now 'owned' by Dog wanderers......
2 Tufted Duck...pair
Paul A Brown said
Tue Mar 30 3:32 PM, 2021
Willow Warbler singing off Astley road this afternoon
Dave Steel said
Mon Mar 29 8:38 PM, 2021
AM Visit to Little Woolden Moss LWT Nature Reserve
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve East end a brief midday visit after Woolston
2 Oystercatcher
2 Redshank
9 Lapwing
140 Black-Headed Gull
1 Common Gull
1 Curlew
1 Chiffchaff in song.
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 25th of March 2021 09:54:45 PM
pete berry said
Thu Mar 25 10:19 AM, 2021
Dave,there are plans to restore the remainder of Astley Moss East to peat moss ,a lot of work has already been done on the eastern/northern end of the site which is out of sight and private (I have permission from Marshall's to visit it). The rest of the area will be restored once the sand extraction has been completed . There will also be a massive water body there as well,which providing it's not too disturbed will be a massive benefit to wildlife. Of course there is a potential problem with this as the site is owned by the Peel Holdings who only see land they own as a never ending source of income to be pillaged as many times as possible. We can only hope that all the planning conditions are met at the end of the sand extraction ,but I'm under no illusion that the land owner will try and make even more money out of the land.If it's managed as a nature reserve(which was mooted at a meeting I attended) it will be a massive asset to the county ,however it's certainly not set in stone that this will happen. We can only hope and keep our eye on it so that we're not ignored when the extraction ends.
-- Edited by pete berry on Thursday 25th of March 2021 10:22:55 AM
Dave Steel said
Wed Mar 24 10:22 PM, 2021
am Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit Survey morn which included
Irlam Moss
110 Linnet
8 Lapwing
Chat Moss
80 Meadow Pipit
2 Sparrowhawk...Pair
1 Snipe
1 Merlin
24 Teal
1 Shoveler...male
16 Gadwall
34 Lapwing
120 Linnet
Astley Moss...the disgracefully neglected Astley Moss East area within Salford...now its peat extraction days are over it has just been left as a bare desert...one of the UK's rarest habitats just left ....I assume now it cannot earn money for its owner's they feel they can simply ignore the years of disabuse wrought upon this areas habitat by peat milling and ignore it...oh and I do realise that there is still pots of money to be made by the sand extraction...why isn't some of the profit made from this being put into restoration of the rest of the site?...an opinion...mine...
C.20 very mobile Fieldfare in Rindle Wood, a Mistle Thrush & a dozen Stock Dove in nearby stubble field.
Rindle hedge was birdless - very unusual! However I did see a Brambling amongst 10 Chaffinch near the railway, a Female Yellowhammer, a single Chiffchaff & the usual gangs of Long-Tailed Tits.
Croxdens held a couple of both Pied Wagtails & Meadow Pipits.
Also seen in various places 5 Buzzards, 3 Kestrel & 2 Collared Doves.
Willow Tit Carbon Landscape/RSPB survey for the dedicated and hard working Steve Atkins....he DESERVES YOUR records for the GMEU/GMBRG...its what just about 'might' save that which we treasure...our local wildlife...go on get down to inputting real records that can be stood up and counted for conservation.....
The Square of SJ 7296 encompasses Irlam/Barton/Chat Moss...of fairly recent times it would have happily accommodated at least 5 Willow Tit territories (garnered from records I have gathered over the years) now in these days it LUCKILY held one....the habitat in truth is relatively unchanged...what is happening to to iconic and delightful bird?
Other sightings grabbed included
67 Meadow Pipit
67 Fieldfare
12 Yellowhammer
1 Nuthatch
8 Stock Dove
4 Snipe.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 22 9:32 AM, 2021
Little Woolden Moss this morning (west side only):
2 Redshank
1 White Wagtail
137 Meadow Pipit over N/NE in 90 minutes or so, with several others displaying on there moss itself
Dave Steel said
Sun Mar 21 12:48 PM, 2021
Late Record for a brief midday visit yesterday
Chat Moss
2 Curlew...pair
22 Stock Dove
Little Woolden Moss
2 Curlew...pair
2 Oystercatcher...pair.
Rob Creek said
Sat Mar 20 11:21 PM, 2021
Hi Mike, there looks to be a 2nd Brambling immediately behind the main subject. Cheers mate
Mike Jepson said
Sat Mar 20 2:34 PM, 2021
Brambling still with Chaffinch and Yellowhammer on wires over rindle road, Astley moss
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 20th of March 2021 02:39:16 PM
am including a Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit survey....
Chat Moss
2 Oystercatcher
1 Curlew
1 Peregrine...male
13 Yellowhammer
4 Tree Sparrow
11 Reed Bunting
26 Lapwing
38 Stock Dove
150 Linnet
2 Tufted Duck
28 Gadwall
8 Teal
2 Shelduck (pair)
1 Willow Tit...their decline over past year seems to have accelerated from a small but steady number...doesn't help with the Port Barton devastation of late in readiness for Warehouse 'Heaven' has now lost the life sustaining habitat of 1 to 2 pairs.....but as someone said of late 'they are only' birds!
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 18th of March 2021 07:29:04 PM
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 18th of March 2021 07:30:05 PM
Mike Jepson said
Thu Mar 18 1:16 PM, 2021
1 brambling in with about 60 Chaffinch at Astley moss
Steven Heywood said
Wed Mar 17 8:59 PM, 2021
Mid-afternoon, 42 lapwings not happy with the two buzzards soaring overhead. Also a kestrel and a calling curlew.
Yellow Wagtail showing well at Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve.
Midday Visit West Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve after Woolston Eyes
3 Redshank
3 Oystercatcher
7 White Wagtail
15 Meadow Pipit
2 Shelduck...pair
2 Swallow
140 Sand Martin
8 Teal
16 Linnet
7 Buzzard.
Carbon Landscape Breeding Bird Survey on Little Woolden Moss am
59 Meadow Pipit
18 Reed Bunting
14 Willow Warbler
1 Whitethroat
1 Curlew in display
1 Yellowhammer
2 Yellow Wagtail
4 White Wagtail
2 Little Ringed Plover
2 Oystercatcher
28 Sand Martin
2 Grey Partridge
19 Lapwing
3 Wheatear
1 Swallow
4 Snipe
2 Redshank
Plenty of singing Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers in the hedgerows and at least 4 Lapwing displaying in the newly ploughed fields.
Some highlights from today on Little Woolden Moss:
1 Whimbrel over north
1 Common Sandpiper
5 Yellow Wagtail
1 White Wagtail
1 male Wheatear
5 Redshank
c600 Sand Martin feeding over the western side of the LWT reserve
4 Little Ringed Plover
2 Siskin over north
31 Meadow Pipit feeding in a single flock on rape fields
Mallard with one very small young
am...
Chat Moss
5 Chiffchaff in song
25 Willow Warbler in song
8 Teal
2 Wigeon...pair
2 Greylag Geese...pair
2 Yellowhammer
1 Snipe
18 Lapwing....some in display over a field which has just been scarified hence all nests lost and now in display ready for next try...
Chat Moss...the doomed newly converted 'Turf' Fields of FN19/20
Holding...
12 Skylark
6 Lapwing (in display)...believing that their nest loss will be resolved once the new crop is sown....not so...it will be the wildlife obliterating Turf that will destroy such hopes..
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve Breeding Bird Survey 1 of 3 for the LWT included
3 Oystercatcher
4 Snipe
1 Yellow Wagtail...male
8 White Wagtail
1 Curlew in display
2 Redshank...in display
4 Swallow
260 Sand Martin
39 Linnet
43 Meadow Pipit
2 Teal...pair
1 Sparrowhawk...male
2 Oystercatchers, 1m Yellow Wagtail, 3 White Wagtails, 1 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 kestrel, 6 Buzzards,
5 singing Willow Warblers, 117 Black headed Gulls, 3 Linnets, 10 Meadow Pipits and 10 Sand Martins.
2m+1f Wheatears (Possible Greenland race judging by size) and 10 Stock Doves on adjoining newly ploughed field.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 13th of April 2021 10:52:51 AM
am Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve...after a BBS for the LWT
19 Meadow Pipit
2 Curlew
1 Redshank
1 Black-Tailed Godwit
1 Oystercatcher
27 Sand Martin
...wrt Peat Extraction...leading to Sand Extraction.....'there's money in them thar places it seems'
It was approximately 1962 that I first wandered this site(ta to FRH and Les Baird for showing me the site)...Astley Road East it seems to be referred to (within 'Salford' in 'recent' times)...
Now here 'memory' (mine alone) tells me this is how it was...
A 'pristine' and unbeknownst to me at the time a VERY special Habitat ...inland raised peat bog area...it now seems that 97% of such habitat has been DESTROYED by such as peat extraction since the end of the second world war (1945) ...which I believe serves, in its destruction, to give a 'wondrous' life to plants for gardens which attempt (in my opinion) to emulate that which nature can freely give if we but look rather than 'contrive'...
Now it appears to sit bare and mostly without any (for the most parts) vegetation...yes it has a 'lake'...there in my opinion seem to be quite a few lakes within the UK...but VERY FEW INLAND RAISED PEAT BOGS...which admittedly might not offer a 'massive' spread of birds which we can 'list' on a visit...but those similar areas left and being restored that I visit...if we sit and watch and let nature crawl over us hold a myriad number of the baseline species that serve to feed the birds we watch....
...for me the use of Peat is an anathema...but I am sure that our household has purchased goods grown in this medium for I imagine it is freely used as a 'cheap' medium in which to propagate all sorts of herbs etc...BUT I feel that we must all as birdwatcher and lovers of wildlife as a whole must not knowingly purchase peat...as in Prospero's closing speech...'let your indulgence set me free'...
-- Edited by pete berry on Sunday 11th of April 2021 11:17:43 AM
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve West after Wildfowl Count at Woolston Eyes
1 Redshank
3 Wheatear
3 Oystercatcher
1 Red Kite...in from North...moved over reserve and headed Southwest @ 1220
450 Sand Martin
16 Lapwing
Last of the four Willow Tit Squares today for the Carbon Landscape/RSPB...with a complete blank where once Willow were...
Chat Moss
2 Greylag Geese
12 Willow Warbler in song
1 Marsh Harrier...female moved north @ 0851
8 Teal
4 Gadwall
12 Linnet
2 Snipe
1 Greenshank...flying North @ 0922
2 Sand Martin
6 Raven jousting about the sky heading south @ 1205
Astley Moss
2 Oystercatcher
2 Siskin
1 Raven
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve east
226 Black-Headed Gull
8 Buzzard
1 Little Ringed Plover
3 Yellow Wagtail...male
2 Oystercatcher
2 Redshank
1 Curlew in display
1 Swallow
3 Willow Warbler in song.
Highlights across Little Woolden Moss LWT this early afternoon:
3 male Yellow Wagtail
7 White Wagtail (including one on field 56)
1 Dunlin
3 Little Ringed Plover
5 Oystercatcher
3 Redshank
4 Curlew
28 Lapwing
Feeding flock of 400+ Sand Martin
9 singing Willow Warbler
c150 Black-headed Gull
Also, a drake Goosander on the Glaze
Grey Partridge Count on Irlam Moss...for one of the farmers
4 Grey Partridge...2 pair (11 pairs in 2006!)
82 Meadow Pipit
3 Snipe
3 Yellowhammer
6 Linnet
Chat Moss...sad to see FN19/20 being lost to Turf Production...the winter wheat ploughed up and field prepared for turf...at a loss of Lapwing/Skylark/Yellow Wagtail breeding sites...and so much more lost to this 'desert' making 'crop'
8 Lapwing...just lost their nests
11 Skylark
3 Swallow
1 Wheatear.
Little Woolden Moss East
1 Peregrine
1 Little Ringed Plover
1 Curlew in display
2 Oystercatcher
18 Linnet
5 Willow Warbler in song.
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 8th of April 2021 11:50:54 PM
Brief Visit am
Chat Moss
2 Swallow
20 Lapwing
6 Willow Warbler in song
2 Tufted Duck...pair
10 Teal
8 Gadwall
Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit Survey am...and once more sadly not one noted where once there were a few territories...
Chat Moss
4 Grey Partridge...2 Pairs
2 Yellowhammer
60 Linnet
5 Chiffchaff in song
3 Swallow
5 Blackcap in song
Little Woolden Moss Nature reserve...brief visit east end
2 Oystercatcher
4 Buzzard
2 Chiffchaff in song
3 Willow Warbler in Song
1 Swallow.
Another Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit Survey am...and once more sadly not one noted where once there were a few territories...
Little Woolden Moss
1 Marsh Harrier...female
3 Swallow
3 Sand Martin
2 Curlew...pair
1 Snipe
26 Lapwing
24 Meadow Pipit
1 Yellowhammer
2 Siskin
5 Willow Warbler in song
Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit Survey am...sadly not one noted where once there were a few territories...
Chat Moss
1 Swallow
2 Oystercatcher
14 Teal
5 Willow Warbler in song
3 Blackcap in song
4 Gadwall
2 Greylag Geese
2 Tufted Duck
7 Linnet.
Little Woolden Moss West PM
2 Wheatear
1 Swallow
6 Tree Sparrow
2 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaff
2 Stock Dove
2 Teal
3 Yellowhammer
1 Grey Wagtail.
Afternoon Wander
Chat Moss
36 Stock Dove
1 Chiffchaff in song
4 Tufted Duck...2 pairs
3 Oystercatcher
16 Teal
16 Gadwall
45 Lapwing
2 Yellowhammer
Midday Visit Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
1 Curlew in display
2 Oystercatcher
1 Raven
4 Wheatear...males.
1 Corn Bunting.
am...Irlam Moss Grey Partridge Count
6 Grey Partridge...3 pair
1 Blackcap in Song
30 House Sparrow
26 Meadow Pipit
3 Oystercatcher
1 Red-Legged Partridge
33 Linnet
Little Woolden Moss midday east end
3 Curlew
2 Redshank
2 Sand Martin
4 Willow Warbler in song
160 Black-Headed Gull
2 Oystercatcher.
Am Visit Chat Moss
1 Willow Warbler gave three snatches of song @ 10am...once more life feels complete!
7 Chiffchaff in song
2 Jay constantly 'mewing' (Buzzard like) to one another
2 Yellowhammer
15 Teal
16 Gadwall
2 Oystercatcher
4 Buzzard
2 Siskin...oddly moving south?
1 Curlew displaying over Croxden...these birds did breed here but now not a cat in hells chance as the site is now 'owned' by Dog wanderers......
2 Tufted Duck...pair
Willow Warbler singing off Astley road this afternoon
AM Visit to Little Woolden Moss LWT Nature Reserve
6 Redshank...pausing on passage
1 Water Rail...on call
4 Snipe
4 Oystercatcher
2 Wheatear...Males
2 Yellowhammer
26 Meadow Pipit...8 Displaying
1 Curlew in Display
1 Peregrine...male
Chat Moss
2 Fieldfare
2 Song Thrush
2 Grey Partridge
Highlights on Little Woolden Moss this morning:
Male Wheatear
2 Shelduck
Redshank
2 Curlew
Singing Yellowhammer
Brief Midday Visit after Woolston Eyes
Irlam and Cadishead Moss
53 Meadow Pipit
3 Snipe
3 Buzzard
2 Oystercatcher
18 Skylark
12 Lapwing
Little Woolden Moss am
3 Curlew...a pair and a male in display
4 Snipe
1 Little Ringed Plover...overflying @ 1047
3 Sand Martin Flying west @ 1145
2 Oystercatcher
2 Grey Partridge
16 Reed Bunting
34 Meadow Pipit with 5 in Display.
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve East end a brief midday visit after Woolston
2 Oystercatcher
2 Redshank
9 Lapwing
140 Black-Headed Gull
1 Common Gull
1 Curlew
1 Chiffchaff in song.
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 25th of March 2021 09:54:45 PM
-- Edited by pete berry on Thursday 25th of March 2021 10:22:55 AM
am Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit Survey morn which included
Irlam Moss
110 Linnet
8 Lapwing
Chat Moss
80 Meadow Pipit
2 Sparrowhawk...Pair
1 Snipe
1 Merlin
24 Teal
1 Shoveler...male
16 Gadwall
34 Lapwing
120 Linnet
Astley Moss...the disgracefully neglected Astley Moss East area within Salford...now its peat extraction days are over it has just been left as a bare desert...one of the UK's rarest habitats just left ....I assume now it cannot earn money for its owner's they feel they can simply ignore the years of disabuse wrought upon this areas habitat by peat milling and ignore it...oh and I do realise that there is still pots of money to be made by the sand extraction...why isn't some of the profit made from this being put into restoration of the rest of the site?...an opinion...mine...
8 Lesser-Black Backed Gull
3 Herring Gull
2 Oystercatcher
4 Lapwing
1 Raven.
Little Woolden Moss Nature reserve wander am
13 Reed Bunting
4 Buzzard
25 Meadow Pipit....12 in display
3 Oystercatcher
4 Snipe
2 Grey Partridge
1 Marsh Harrier...female...as ever distant images grabbed...
Astley Moss & Croxdens 2pm to 4:30pm.
C.20 very mobile Fieldfare in Rindle Wood, a Mistle Thrush & a dozen Stock Dove in nearby stubble field.
Rindle hedge was birdless - very unusual! However I did see a Brambling amongst 10 Chaffinch near the railway, a Female Yellowhammer, a single Chiffchaff & the usual gangs of Long-Tailed Tits.
Croxdens held a couple of both Pied Wagtails & Meadow Pipits.
Also seen in various places 5 Buzzards, 3 Kestrel & 2 Collared Doves.
Willow Tit Carbon Landscape/RSPB survey for the dedicated and hard working Steve Atkins....he DESERVES YOUR records for the GMEU/GMBRG...its what just about 'might' save that which we treasure...our local wildlife...go on get down to inputting real records that can be stood up and counted for conservation.....
The Square of SJ 7296 encompasses Irlam/Barton/Chat Moss...of fairly recent times it would have happily accommodated at least 5 Willow Tit territories (garnered from records I have gathered over the years) now in these days it LUCKILY held one....the habitat in truth is relatively unchanged...what is happening to to iconic and delightful bird?
Other sightings grabbed included
67 Meadow Pipit
67 Fieldfare
12 Yellowhammer
1 Nuthatch
8 Stock Dove
4 Snipe.
Little Woolden Moss this morning (west side only):
2 Redshank
1 White Wagtail
137 Meadow Pipit over N/NE in 90 minutes or so, with several others displaying on there moss itself
Late Record for a brief midday visit yesterday
Chat Moss
2 Curlew...pair
22 Stock Dove
Little Woolden Moss
2 Curlew...pair
2 Oystercatcher...pair.
Hi Mike,
there looks to be a 2nd Brambling immediately behind the main subject.
Cheers mate
Brambling still with Chaffinch and Yellowhammer on wires over rindle road, Astley moss
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 20th of March 2021 02:39:16 PM
Irlam Moss
2 Snipe
2 Yellowhammer
12 Stock Dove
Chat Moss
2 Shelduck...pair
2 Pintail...pair
1 Curlew
2 Oystercatcher
12 Gadwall
8 Teal
5 Shoveler
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve East
1 Curlew in display
2 Shelduck
2 Oystercatcher
am including a Carbon Landscape/RSPB Willow Tit survey....
Chat Moss
2 Oystercatcher
1 Curlew
1 Peregrine...male
13 Yellowhammer
4 Tree Sparrow
11 Reed Bunting
26 Lapwing
38 Stock Dove
150 Linnet
2 Tufted Duck
28 Gadwall
8 Teal
2 Shelduck (pair)
1 Willow Tit...their decline over past year seems to have accelerated from a small but steady number...doesn't help with the Port Barton devastation of late in readiness for Warehouse 'Heaven' has now lost the life sustaining habitat of 1 to 2 pairs.....but as someone said of late 'they are only' birds!
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 18th of March 2021 07:29:04 PM
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 18th of March 2021 07:30:05 PM
Little Woolden Moss am
4 Oystercatcher
1 Redshank
1 Marsh Harrier...female
1 Water Rail
1 Snipe
2 Grey Partridge
am
Irlam Moss
18 Fieldfare
Astley Moss
2 Snipe
1 Woodcock
28 Redwing
1 Curlew
80 Chaffinch
12 Linnet
Chat Moss
1 Curlew
22 Stock Dove
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve East
32 Lapwing
2 Oystercatcher
Chat Moss
2 Curlew...pair
18 Lapwing
32 Gadwall
8 Teal
3 Snipe
7 Yellowhammer
10 Meadow Pipit
Astley Moss
1 Oystercatcher
15 Stock Dove
Irlam Moss after Wildfowl Count @ Woolston Eyes
76 Starling
3 Snipe
2 Grey Partridge
2 Stock Dove
18 Lapwing
3 Buzzard
14 Skylark
51 Meadow Pipit.
Little Woolden Moss am
2 Oystercatcher
6 Buzzard
26 Skylark
1 Greylag Goose
4 Tree Sparrow
48 Stock Dove
38 Fieldfare
90 Starling
2 Yellowhammer.