This mornings Vis Mig watch with my dad and Andy Makin was brightened up by a rather nice female Merlin that landed 100 feet from our viewpoint.
Also, 1,715 Fieldfare NW (following a fresh arrival from the east first thing this morning) 717 Woodpigeon south 2 Brambling amongst other finches moving south west 39 Redwing west
No sign of Black Redstart in brief search.
Still 80+ Crossbills around the moors, either at Walker fold wood or Wilderswood. Highest single flock was 40 today.
Quietest day of the week so far.
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 20 6:15 PM, 2011
Also this this morning Vis Mig watch from Burnt Edge then around the mast, with Andy Makin produced;
Fem/Imm Black Redstart around the mast and eventually seen just inside GM. First of the year after a record breaking year last year.
3,323 Woodpigeon south 90 Fieldfare 3 Swallow south 7 Skylark south 2 Brambling 112 Chaffinch 2 Wheatear by the mast, also Crossbill and Chaffinch in compound at the top. 80+ Crossbill Walker fold wood (separate flocks of 35 & 45 plus many small groups about)
159 Pink Footed Geese west in 3 small skiens
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 20th of October 2011 09:23:23 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 20 12:25 PM, 2011
10am to midday, when the rain set in!
Crossbill- 32 in the very north end of Wilderswood at 10:30 eventually flew due north in one large flock, followed by afew dribs and drabs. At 11:25, 16 flew out of Wilderswood (or possibly just flew over?) heading south then they veered east and headed over the quarry, probably towards Walker Fold.
16 Fieldfare and 8 Blackbird were in the Big Hedge at Higher Moors.
Keith Mills said
Thu Oct 20 11:09 AM, 2011
The morning dog walk along the Edge:
Red Grouse.... 2 good sitings - sat up on the stonewalls at top end of the edge-also heard calling. Wren ...a very close view on the barbed wire. Other sitings Raven ...1 Carrion Crow... c25 A few Wood Pigeons.
Nice to meet Peter Smith.
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 19 6:25 PM, 2011
This mornings Vis Mig watch highlights from Burnt Edge with Andy Makin and Simon Johnson(good to have him with us!) produced;
4 Whooper Swan south 2,172 Woodpigeon south including a single massive flock of 1,000. 8 Golden Plover west 3 Ring Ouzel south west 122 Fieldfare 13 Skylark 12 Linnet 1 Brambling in trees at Newfields farm
Crossbills as follows, 25 in Walker fold wood, and a total of 23 over north west in 6 parties. Also at least 6 Crossbill feeding in larches at Wilderswood this afternoon (Andy)
Pink footed geese as follows,
47 NW 12.35 50 NW 12.45 55 NW 13.20
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 19th of October 2011 06:51:27 PM
Simon Warford said
Mon Oct 17 7:22 PM, 2011
This mornings Vis Mig watch from Burnt Edge with Andy Makin produced,
12 Tree Sparrow south in 2 small groups of 6 at 8.15am & 8.30am. Identified from calls of course. 1997 Woodpigeon NW 173 Fieldfare 50 Redwing 10 Crossbill NW
Also 6+ Brambling in the Beech trees around Newfields farm during the morning and the usual 26 or so Crossbills in Walker fold wood, coming and going probably at Wilderswood when not at wfw.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 17th of October 2011 07:28:53 PM
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 16 8:01 PM, 2011
This afternoon after the rain with Andy Makin.
Female Merlin Burnt Edge 2 Golden Plover flew north 16 Crossbill Walker fold wood & 2 Crossbill NW over Georges lane
Pink footed Geese as follows,
23 west 1.10pm 140 west 1.40pm 130 west 1.45pm 14 west 1.50pm.
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 15 9:22 PM, 2011
Vis Mig Watch from Burnt Edge 7am-12pm with my dad, Andy Makin and Chris Marston, with myself only until 2.20pm.
A really special day of visible migration with great variety and almost unbelievable sightings (glad I had others there to witness them!) but passage ceased completely at 11.30am then the skies were birdless! Days like today is the reason we Keep birding.
From the onset thrushes and starlings moving with purpose all NW, getting higher and higher as the morning went on and by mid morning they were passing the very top of the mast which was quite a sight indeed. Starlings totalled 1,702, Fieldfares 2,943 & Redwings 625. Male Ring Ouzel flew NW right over the watchpoint at 7.40am shortly followed by another male through Burnt Edge valley, then a third male landed in a tree right next to us, called a few times and flew off west, then 2 more birds flew south a little later on. At 8.20am a call from Simon at Holcombe told us of an approaching Hen Harrier on its way from Holcombe moor heading for winter hill, it wasnt long until we picked it up flying west pursued by 10 corvids. It dissapeared off to the west being mobbed by a female Merlin! With constant Woodpigeons heading south from the Belmont Res. valley, counting everything was really difficult even with four of us. Woodpigeon total for the whole morning was a very decent 3,147 all south. At 9.40am I picked up a raptor coming over the top of Smithills moor, and it didnt take long to ID it as a male Hen Harrier! A simply wonderful moment as the bird approached us high over Walker fold wood, mobbed by 5 corvids, it only flew right over our heads even allowing me to get a record shot from my hand held panasonic lumix!! 2 Canada Geese were picked up coming in from the east which flew up Burnt Edge valley and u turned at the mast itself and then headed due south which was odd!
Another call from Simon Johnson from Holcombe at precisely 10.30am, he had briefly seen a flock of birds, possibly geese heading our way in the haze in a V formation. I hung up and we were scanning, Andy picked them up distant to the south east of our position. Geese we thought about 80 birds, yeah must be there in a V formation. We kept watching and it soon sunk in that they were flying abit fast for geese, as they got nearer we looked at each other and shouted" there ducks!". Now to south of us getting slightly nearer we managed to identify them as Pintail! Tails and long necks visible. A really remarkable record indeed.
Our third Hen Harrier of the morning, another ring tail, appeared over Smithills moor at 11.40am which then hunted the area above Holdens farm for about 25 mins, and was seen again around 12.30pm by me when I managed to photograph it, which it then flew off over Two-lads.
Other notable sightings included,
7 Brambling including 4 in trees near our watchpoint 101 Lapwing south 6 Sparrowhawk south 6 Buzzard south 100 Pink footed geese NW at 11.30am 1 Swallow south 10 Skylark 129 Meadow Pipit south 2 Blackbird south 188 Chaffinch sw 15 Siskin sw 8 Jay south with birds coming right over the tops 8 Bullfinch south 133 Jackdaw sw
Also, almost continuous Crossbills present in Walker fold wood, with upto 15 birds seen, along with a parties of 13, 6 & 8 over NW.
A total of 9,590 birds of 36 species on the move today. All in all a great mornings birding, one of the very best on Winter hill to date.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 15th of October 2011 09:29:18 PM
Alan Warford said
Sat Oct 15 2:08 PM, 2011
Burnt Edge/Walker Fold, Andy, Simon, Chris Marston and myself The best of this mornings VISMIG sightings 0700-1200
3 Hen Harrier, 2 Ring tail + 1 cracking Adult Male 5 Ring Ouzel 1 Merlin 80 Pintail as per Simon Johnsons post 100+ Pink Footed Goose Few Brambling Crossbills in WF Wood Lots of Redwing and Fieldfare etc over.
Simon will update full totals later, hes still up there !!
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Saturday 15th of October 2011 06:08:37 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 14 9:19 PM, 2011
Today's sightings, from practically all day from the moors:
2930 Redwing, mainly SSE 5460 Fieldfare, SE then SE then more easterly 15 Brambling mixed in with the thrush flocks 893 Woodpigeon SE Crossbills; 2 E, 5 SE, 11 NE, 1 S 1 Twite heard over Georges Lane Single unidentified ringtial harrier at 3:15pm and a different ringtail Hen Harrier at at 3:55pm
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 13 10:40 PM, 2011
Further sightings from today:
Single Wheatear (seen by Ken Haydock) 8 Buzzard Single male Merlin 3516 Fieldfare WSW and then SW later in the afternoon 173 Redwing Crossbills: 2 N at 07:23, 14 NE at 07:30, 10 W at 07:57, 1 N at 09.30 and 3 down in trees
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 13 5:29 PM, 2011
Today (no time), a ringtail Hen Harrier flew SW over Smithills Moor and an adult Hobby was sat in trees at Walker Fold.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Bob and Joyce Calder said
Thu Oct 13 4:13 PM, 2011
Thursday morning 9.00 am to 12.30.
A walk covering most of the reporting areas.
Very misty especially on the higher ground. Very little seen but a few small parties of Fieldfares noted in a couple of places. No Redwings though.
A probable Short Eared Owl (only seen for a fraction of a second when horses were released into the field below Holdens Farm and it flew up and immediately back down out of sight). Stonechat heard in same area.
Sparrowhawk nr the quarry and at least 3 Kestrels in the area.
2 Jays Walker Fold
Few M Pips on the moors and a couple of Skylarks and not a lot else.
Bob & Joyce C
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 9 3:54 PM, 2011
Also this morning. In addition still around 8 Crossbills in walker fold wood, and several single birds flying north west.
25 Redwings flew west, not alot else due to very poor visibility.
gary lilley said
Sun Oct 9 11:13 AM, 2011
8.00/10.00am, 16 crossbills , coal tit, goldcrest , gspecker , 5 mistle thrush , 3 redwing , 2 snipe all seen around wilderswood . winter hill area, 10 redwing went over at head hight in the mist, plenty of meadow pipit , 2 kestrel , 1 sparrowhawk , 5 carrion crow ,.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 8 11:15 PM, 2011
Late news for yesterday (7th), sightings from Andy Makin and also some from Ken Haydock:
1 redhead Goosander flew low west along Burnt Edge Crossbill sightings as follows:
2 north at Georges Lane 09:25 16 in Wilderswood at 10:05 30 west from Walker Fold 10:10 4 north at Walker Fold 10:15 Two flocks numbering 43 flew in distantly from the east at Walker Fold at 10:50 and 10:53, joined up in the wood and then flew south 1 north Walker Fold 11:30 7 north Walker Fold 12:20 20 came in from the east and flew north over Lomax Plantation at 12:30
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 4 6:32 PM, 2011
Morning's sightings from Burnt Edge:
1323 Meadow Pipit 81 Chaffinch 22 Greenfinch 143 Goldfinch 24 Lesser Redpoll 2 Brambling south Crossbills included 5 north, 3 down in trees, and one north Single House Martin SE 10 single Redwings 2 male Ring Ouzels over Burnt Edge moor from the NE, landed briefly at Walker Fold before moving off high south. Single female/immature Merlin over
Info thanks to Andy Makin
John Carter said
Tue Oct 4 3:38 PM, 2011
I have just walked from Walker Fold to the Mast Road and was saddened to see that someone has made a bonfire of the large pile of wood in the field across the track from Holden's Farm. It was always a focus for the small birds of the area, including Common Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher, and will be sadly missed. RIP.
No wheatear or swallows today-have they all gone now? However, there were lots of Goldfinch feeding on the conifers in Walker Fold Wood and plenty of Meadow Pipit on the moor. Also a pair of Raven on the cairns at Twa Lads.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 3 9:42 PM, 2011
Midday to late afternoon today:
9 Bullfinch feeding in the dell. Female/immature Ring Ouzel in the Big Hedge. 3 Lesser Redpoll and 3 Siskin south towards Wilderswood. 4 Crossbill north out of Wilderswood. A single Yellowhammer flew north-west across Wildersmoor.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of October 2011 09:58:31 PM
Ollie Wright said
Mon Oct 3 3:14 PM, 2011
I've just seen that there are 666 replies to this thread, so thought had best make it 667 as quickly as possible!
I took my first ever trip to Georges Lane yesterday afternoon, arriving 2pm - a gamble, given the weather forecast and of course, it tipped it down from just after I reached Wilderswood.
Therefore, I saw very few birds. For what it's worth: -
Pheasant (f) x 2 Rook Stock Dove Charm of Goldfinches / Chaffinch / 2 Coal Tits c. 10 Meadow Pipits overhead Wren Jay Raven x 2
Will definitely make the trek up from Northenden another time - but will certainly respect the weather forecast in future...
Steve Bostock said
Mon Oct 3 2:13 PM, 2011
aha so there is !
thank you
steve
Adrian Drummond-Hill said
Mon Oct 3 2:04 PM, 2011
Steve Bostock wrote:
please could anybody put a post code for Wilderswood car park or the nearest point with a postcode. i would like to go and see a crossbill.
thanks steve
There's a map on this site at this link. http://www.manchesterbirding.com/georgeslanemap.jpg
Steve Bostock said
Mon Oct 3 1:40 PM, 2011
please could anybody put a post code for Wilderswood car park or the nearest point with a postcode. i would like to go and see a crossbill.
thanks steve
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 2 7:15 PM, 2011
Simon Warford wrote:
Mammal sightings, 2 Weasel, 2 Roe deer & 1 mole!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 2nd of October 2011 06:00:17 PM
And just for you Warfy there's a nice new 'other wildlife' section for these
Keith Mills said
Sun Oct 2 6:28 PM, 2011
The cottages where Rick saw the 2 Hawfinch last week are called Brink's Row, and are very picturesque. I spent a good time there on Friday and was joined for sometime by Ken Haydock but ''no show'' by the Hawfinch. Sat. evening good views of a Barn Owl hunting below Scout Rd.
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 2 5:57 PM, 2011
Today, 7am-2pm With Andy Makin and partly Ken Haydock. Right on the leading edge of a tracking front slowly moving east at dawn with intermittent rain.
A brilliant morning again on Winter Hill starting off with a cracking sunrise. Although nothing rare or scarce there was a great variety of migrant birds with the highlight being the Crossbills which were seemingly everywhere this morning. Difficult to be accurate on total number of birds with obviously some commuting of birds between Walker fold and Wilderswood, probably in excess of 50 birds around currently though.
Full sightings, Tawny Owl by car at 6.30am Burnt Edge 750 Meadow Pipit all sw. steady passage all morning 184 Siskin sw & 40+ wilderswood 76 Finch species sw 195 Chaffinch sw 60 Goldfinch sw 9 Greenfinch 12 Redpoll 2 Song Thrush se 3 Mistle Thrush south 13 Redwing sw in ones and two's. 8 Wheatear 3 Stonechat 21 Lapwing se 1 Snipe high south
50+ Crossbill (8 north over Burnt Edge 7.30am, 10 in wfw then flew north 7.50am, 20 in wfw at 8.25am then flew south, 26 in from the east at 10.33am still feeding in wfw at 11.50am when we left to go to Georges lane. Finally a flock of 35 at Wilderswood 12.40pm giving some great views by the track showing to 20feet).
8+ Ring Ouzels (2 male and 1 female high south over Burnt Edge, 1 male high north west, followed by 2 more picked up coming high south, all prior to 8am. Female by Wilderswood car park and a male feeding in fields near mast road). Ian Wooseys were quite possibly different to all of these!
307 Pink feet - thanks to a call from Simon Johnson who had picked them up from Heaton park flying west over Holcombe heading our way, we duly connected with them at Georges lane, 231 followed by 76 heading nw at 11.50am.
Mammal sightings, 2 Weasel, 2 Roe deer & 1 mole!
If anyones interested Ricky Hoyle had 2 Hawfinch "a couple of days ago" perched up by some cottages along road below Wilderswood, there still about, but no sign of them despite searching today!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 2nd of October 2011 06:00:17 PM
Ian Woosey said
Sun Oct 2 2:47 PM, 2011
2/10/11 (up till 10:30)
"The Burnt Edge/Holdens/Newfields circular":
2 Ring Ouzels (in trees behind Slack Hall Farm) 10 Crossbills (over Burnt Edge, from Walker Fold heading for Wilderswood) 1 Peregrine 2 Stonechats (Holdens) 1 Wheatear (Adam Hill) 4 Reed Buntings 2 Goldcrest 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
"Blogging" () Meadow Pipits & Siskins aplenty...
colin moran said
Sun Oct 2 12:38 PM, 2011
10.30 AM 24 crossbills in wilderswood feeding on larch 100 yds up from the car park then flew towards mast road county tick for me
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Oct 1 6:54 PM, 2011
c9.15am 1 Male Ring Ouzel flew from the direction of Lancashire down Georges Lane pursued by 7 Mistle Thrushes. Ian Woosey also saw the same bird further down Georges Lane.
Still Georges Lane either another Ring Ouzel or the same bird returned after 10am (not sure of exact time) and landed in hawthorn.
After initial sighting of 9 Crossbills I saw a group of 3 and then Ian and I saw another two groups containing 5 birds.
Also Wilderswood
20 Siskin 12 Redpoll (these birds also moved out)
1 Chiffchaff singing near quarry
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 1st of October 2011 10:11:57 PM
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 1 6:23 PM, 2011
This morning 7am-12.30pm with my Dad, Melanie B & Andy Makin for the big vis mig weekend. Mostly from Burnt Edge:
32 Crossbill (2 pairs feeding on tree tops in wfw for a while, also 19 north and 9 south west prior to 8.45am. With Karen and Ian having quite a few along Georges Lane the total could be over 40). 122 Chaffinch sw 41 Siskin se 9 Linnet sw 414 Mipit south and still moving through up to midday at least 8 Jay south 11 Alba wagtails south 4 Swallow south 7 Skylark south
4(3 male 1 female) Stonechat Burnt Edge moor. 1 rather late adult Whinchat Burnt Edge. 1 Chiffchaff 12 Wheatear.
2 Weasel showing well along Burnt Edge.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 1st of October 2011 07:59:20 PM
Jon Bowen said
Sat Oct 1 9:01 AM, 2011
9 crossbill wilderswood in larch 150 yds from car park @ 8.30 Also 5 coal tit 20 goldfinch
Good to meet Karen F
1 Ring Ouzel over quarry at 10.15 2 Wheatear great views of two kestrels flying for fun and taunting magpies and ravens in the quarry
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Saturday 1st of October 2011 11:58:07 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 1 7:45 AM, 2011
Late news for yesterday (30th):
3 Ring Ouzel SE over Burnt Edge 2 Crossbill Walker Fold
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Adam Jones said
Fri Sep 30 5:05 PM, 2011
7.45-11.00am
Highlight was finding three Stonechats over by Holdens Farm. I was hoping for Winchats but these will more than suffice. Others seen today included: 3 Kestrels 1 Sparrowhawk 3 Reed Bunting 12 Greenfinch 1 Grey Heron
Paul Risley said
Fri Sep 30 4:55 PM, 2011
3.00-4.00pm
A quick mooch around the quarry, Buzzard came low over moor and over quarry were it was joined by another, pair of Ravens started to mob them, as they gained height a male Peregrine came from quarry and started to head towards them before having second thoughts and disappearing over towards burnt edge, the four birds drifted over towards horwich and a couple of minutes later a female Kestrel took to the skys , this all happened within the first five minutes of me getting there, little else for the remainder of my walk, some finches in trees near public footpath around quarry but the cover was that dense I could only see them when they moved
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 29 10:07 PM, 2011
This mornings extra sightings:
Male Whinchat by Wilderswood car park Female/immature Merlin along Mast Road and a male along Georges Lane Single Wheatear Crossbill 4 SW Burnt Edge 07:55am, 9 mostly adults and at least five males Wilderswood then flew N at 09:50am, also here 1 N then 3 W at 10:30am, 4 S 11:30 and 7 at 11:50 in trees here.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Heywood
Keith Mills said
Thu Sep 29 3:01 PM, 2011
Wilderswood/Georges lane:
Around 12.30 pm. At least 5 Crossbills (3m, 2f) feeding in Larch. Viewed from Georges Lane, across first small clearing,100 yards up from car park. First spotted by Ken Haydock. 3 birders from Stockport Bird Club had seen 9 flying just further along.
Also 4 Stonechats on walls, posts, and heather on opposite side of Georges lane. Plenty Kestrel activity.
-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 29th of September 2011 03:02:00 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 29 8:53 AM, 2011
3 Hawfinch perched up in top tall trees along Georges Lane by the Mast Rd turning, then flew down low towards Wallsuches fisheries at 08.10 this morning. With no migrant birds anywhere in the UK currently these recent birds may well be the same one hanging around and perhaps from a reasonably local (and previously unknown??) population.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ring Ouzel also along Georges Lane this morning.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 28 10:21 PM, 2011
Today's rather incredible sightings:
10 Hawfinch (in one flock mind!!!!!!!!) south over Deans Ditch at 10:25 Crossbills as follows- Burnt Edge- 6 SW 08:15, 5 N 08:35, 3 N 08:45, 1 N 09:05, 13 N 09:28, 6 SW, 1 over Deans Ditch 11:00. Ring Ouzel east at Burnt Edge and 1 male in trees by the pool at the entrance track to Newfields Farm. Single Yellow Wagtail south over Burnt Edge. 1 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Keith Mills said
Wed Sep 28 12:56 PM, 2011
Edge Lane to Holdens and back. Glorious weather for a morning walk with my newish Dog, but a fairly mundane crop of birds:
54 Meadow Pipits 3 Kestrel 6 Carrion Crows 1 Pied Wagtail Back at the car I met Ken Haydock and friend and listened to tales of Crossbills and Hawfinch seen yesterday.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 28 7:49 AM, 2011
Some sightings for yesterday (27th), mainly from Andy Makin but with cameo appearances from myself, Ian Woosey and Ken Haydock:
41 Pink-footed Geese west c11am 1 Wheatear Single Crossbill Georges Lane 07:20 11 in Wilderswood at 08:30, then flew north 6 Crossbill north over Mast Road at 10:30 12 Crossbill high NE over Deans Ditch plus another 6 north 24 Crossbill feeding on Larches in Wilderswood from 12:45-1pm (info thanks to Ken Haydock) Juvenile Stonechat Mast Road
steven burke said
Mon Sep 26 10:19 PM, 2011
12-6pm good wander around getting to know the area. not many species around,but still plenty to see.
2 peregrine falcons (on mast just after 5pm) 13 buzzards (did get 6 up in air at once,near mast) at least 8 kestrels around 2 sparrowhawks 4 ravens (near mast) meadow pipits every where you went,i have never seen so many before. at least 12 wheatear around 7 stonechats (3 near wilderswood 2 ad 1 juv, 4 at holdens farm 1m 3f) 3 reed buntings (holdens farm) 5 pied wagtails (holdens farm) goldcrest & chiffchaff in with flock off blue,great,coal & long tailed tits, (wilderswood) few swallows about.
good weather,great views & good birds.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 26 10:17 PM, 2011
Sightings from 8am to 2pm today, thanks to Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes:
25 Buzzard (mainly early afternoon, largest kettle of 8) Adult Grey Plover (still with remnants of breeding plumage SW at 10:15, Andy only) Ring Ouzel SW at Deans Ditch at 9:25 (Andy only) 2059 Meadow Pipit SW 19 Skylark W 6 Wheatear 7 Crossbill SW at Georges Lane
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 23 10:01 PM, 2011
Other sightings from today:
1 Crossbill north along Georges Lane 230 Meadow Pipit SW 2 Wheatear 1 Nuthatch 22 Buzzard
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 23 12:20 PM, 2011
Honey Buzzard headed SW over Winter Hill at 11:50, heading towards Holdens Farm.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Bob and Joyce Calder said
Thu Sep 22 4:04 PM, 2011
Thursday 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
A walk from the car park at Rivington end of Georges Lane taking in Georges Lane, The Dell, Quarry area, Burnt Edge, Holdens Farm and Plantation, Mast Road and return via Georges Lane.
Generally very quiet but birds seen include :-
Kestrel (min 6 birds) Sparrowhawk (pair over the old quarry) C Buzzard (over Georges Lane) Hobby (a probable bird at Rivington end of Georges Lane [sorry in Lancs!!], only briefly seen coming out of the woods, having a look at two Kestrels and back over woods hence "probable") Raven (from direction of Mast Road, over Wilderswood and then returning in same direction) Stonechat ( family of 4, 2 ad and 2 juv nr Wilderswood car park) Chiffchaff (singing nr Wilderswood car park with a Nuthatch clling in same area) Grey Heron (1 on small pond to the right (from Rivington) of Georges Lane before reaching Pike Cottage) Whinchat (1 in field adjoining Holdens Farm opp the log pile) Wheatear (1 same area as Whinchat) Only a few Swallows, single figure count Meadow Pipits ( probably up to 100 but not counted)
Very quiet this morning 8-10:30am, highlight being 1 Crossbill north along Georges Lane.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock
Ian Woosey said
Tue Sep 20 6:08 PM, 2011
20/9/11
An immature Whinchat off Coal Pit Road, and a pair of Stonechats at Holdens Farm this afternoon..
Of interest were three Fallow Deer (Buck, Doe, & Fawn) near Lomax Wifes Plantation. I cannot remember seeing Fallow Deer anywhere in the North West (let alone GM) apart from Dunham Massey..
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 19 11:22 PM, 2011
Sightings from first thing in the morning with Ian Woosey and then mid morning to midday including Andy Makin aswell:
1995 Meadow Pipit heading SW from 7:30ish to midday 7 Twite together SW (Andy only) 6 Snipe 23 Skylark 68 House Martin 26 Swallow 2 Wheatear 14 Chaffinch Female/immature Merlin around Two Lads Hill (Ian and myself only) Single Sparrowhawk hunting along Deans Ditch
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 18 11:01 PM, 2011
Further sightings from today:
6 Buzzard 16 Golden Plover SW 9 Snipe 735 Swallow S 1860 Meadow Pipit SW 19 Skylark W 3 Wheatear
Also,
1,715 Fieldfare NW (following a fresh arrival from the east first thing this morning)
717 Woodpigeon south
2 Brambling amongst other finches moving south west
39 Redwing west
No sign of Black Redstart in brief search.
Still 80+ Crossbills around the moors, either at Walker fold wood or Wilderswood. Highest single flock was 40 today.
Quietest day of the week so far.
Fem/Imm Black Redstart around the mast and eventually seen just inside GM. First of the year after a record breaking year last year.
3,323 Woodpigeon south
90 Fieldfare
3 Swallow south
7 Skylark south
2 Brambling
112 Chaffinch
2 Wheatear by the mast, also Crossbill and Chaffinch in compound at the top.
80+ Crossbill Walker fold wood (separate flocks of 35 & 45 plus many small groups about)
159 Pink Footed Geese west in 3 small skiens
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 20th of October 2011 09:23:23 PM
Crossbill- 32 in the very north end of Wilderswood at 10:30 eventually flew due north in one large flock, followed by afew dribs and drabs. At 11:25, 16 flew out of Wilderswood (or possibly just flew over?) heading south then they veered east and headed over the quarry, probably towards Walker Fold.
16 Fieldfare and 8 Blackbird were in the Big Hedge at Higher Moors.
Red Grouse.... 2 good sitings - sat up on the stonewalls at top end of the edge-also heard calling.
Wren ...a very close view on the barbed wire.
Other sitings
Raven ...1
Carrion Crow... c25
A few Wood Pigeons.
Nice to meet Peter Smith.
4 Whooper Swan south
2,172 Woodpigeon south including a single massive flock of 1,000.
8 Golden Plover west
3 Ring Ouzel south west
122 Fieldfare
13 Skylark
12 Linnet
1 Brambling in trees at Newfields farm
Crossbills as follows, 25 in Walker fold wood, and a total of 23 over north west in 6 parties.
Also at least 6 Crossbill feeding in larches at Wilderswood this afternoon (Andy)
Pink footed geese as follows,
47 NW 12.35
50 NW 12.45
55 NW 13.20
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 19th of October 2011 06:51:27 PM
12 Tree Sparrow south in 2 small groups of 6 at 8.15am & 8.30am. Identified from calls of course.
1997 Woodpigeon NW
173 Fieldfare
50 Redwing
10 Crossbill NW
Also 6+ Brambling in the Beech trees around Newfields farm during the morning and the usual 26 or so Crossbills in Walker fold wood, coming and going probably at Wilderswood when not at wfw.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 17th of October 2011 07:28:53 PM
Female Merlin Burnt Edge
2 Golden Plover flew north
16 Crossbill Walker fold wood & 2 Crossbill NW over Georges lane
Pink footed Geese as follows,
23 west 1.10pm
140 west 1.40pm
130 west 1.45pm
14 west 1.50pm.
A really special day of visible migration with great variety and almost unbelievable sightings (glad I had others there to witness them!) but passage ceased completely at 11.30am then the skies were birdless! Days like today is the reason we Keep birding.
From the onset thrushes and starlings moving with purpose all NW, getting higher and higher as the morning went on and by mid morning they were passing the very top of the mast which was quite a sight indeed. Starlings totalled 1,702, Fieldfares 2,943 & Redwings 625. Male Ring Ouzel flew NW right over the watchpoint at 7.40am shortly followed by another male through Burnt Edge valley, then a third male landed in a tree right next to us, called a few times and flew off west, then 2 more birds flew south a little later on. At 8.20am a call from Simon at Holcombe told us of an approaching Hen Harrier on its way from Holcombe moor heading for winter hill, it wasnt long until we picked it up flying west pursued by 10 corvids. It dissapeared off to the west being mobbed by a female Merlin!
With constant Woodpigeons heading south from the Belmont Res. valley, counting everything was really difficult even with four of us. Woodpigeon total for the whole morning was a very decent 3,147 all south. At 9.40am I picked up a raptor coming over the top of Smithills moor, and it didnt take long to ID it as a male Hen Harrier! A simply wonderful moment as the bird approached us high over Walker fold wood, mobbed by 5 corvids, it only flew right over our heads even allowing me to get a record shot from my hand held panasonic lumix!!
2 Canada Geese were picked up coming in from the east which flew up Burnt Edge valley and u turned at the mast itself and then headed due south which was odd!
Another call from Simon Johnson from Holcombe at precisely 10.30am, he had briefly seen a flock of birds, possibly geese heading our way in the haze in a V formation. I hung up and we were scanning, Andy picked them up distant to the south east of our position. Geese we thought about 80 birds, yeah must be there in a V formation. We kept watching and it soon sunk in that they were flying abit fast for geese, as they got nearer we looked at each other and shouted" there ducks!". Now to south of us getting slightly nearer we managed to identify them as Pintail! Tails and long necks visible. A really remarkable record indeed.
Our third Hen Harrier of the morning, another ring tail, appeared over Smithills moor at 11.40am which then hunted the area above Holdens farm for about 25 mins, and was seen again around 12.30pm by me when I managed to photograph it, which it then flew off over Two-lads.
Other notable sightings included,
7 Brambling including 4 in trees near our watchpoint
101 Lapwing south
6 Sparrowhawk south
6 Buzzard south
100 Pink footed geese NW at 11.30am
1 Swallow south
10 Skylark
129 Meadow Pipit south
2 Blackbird south
188 Chaffinch sw
15 Siskin sw
8 Jay south with birds coming right over the tops
8 Bullfinch south
133 Jackdaw sw
Also, almost continuous Crossbills present in Walker fold wood, with upto 15 birds seen, along with a parties of 13, 6 & 8 over NW.
A total of 9,590 birds of 36 species on the move today. All in all a great mornings birding, one of the very best on Winter hill to date.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 15th of October 2011 09:29:18 PM
The best of this mornings VISMIG sightings 0700-1200
3 Hen Harrier, 2 Ring tail + 1 cracking Adult Male
5 Ring Ouzel
1 Merlin
80 Pintail as per Simon Johnsons post
100+ Pink Footed Goose
Few Brambling
Crossbills in WF Wood
Lots of Redwing and Fieldfare etc over.
Simon will update full totals later, hes still up there !!
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Saturday 15th of October 2011 06:08:37 PM
2930 Redwing, mainly SSE
5460 Fieldfare, SE then SE then more easterly
15 Brambling mixed in with the thrush flocks
893 Woodpigeon SE
Crossbills; 2 E, 5 SE, 11 NE, 1 S
1 Twite heard over Georges Lane
Single unidentified ringtial harrier at 3:15pm and a different ringtail Hen Harrier at at 3:55pm
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Single Wheatear (seen by Ken Haydock)
8 Buzzard
Single male Merlin
3516 Fieldfare WSW and then SW later in the afternoon
173 Redwing
Crossbills: 2 N at 07:23, 14 NE at 07:30, 10 W at 07:57, 1 N at 09.30 and 3 down in trees
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
A walk covering most of the reporting areas.
Very misty especially on the higher ground. Very little seen but a few small parties of Fieldfares noted in a couple of places. No Redwings though.
A probable Short Eared Owl (only seen for a fraction of a second when horses were released into the field below Holdens Farm and it flew up and immediately back down out of sight). Stonechat heard in same area.
Sparrowhawk nr the quarry and at least 3 Kestrels in the area.
2 Jays Walker Fold
Few M Pips on the moors and a couple of Skylarks and not a lot else.
Bob & Joyce C
25 Redwings flew west, not alot else due to very poor visibility.
winter hill area, 10 redwing went over at head hight in the mist, plenty of meadow pipit , 2 kestrel , 1 sparrowhawk , 5 carrion crow ,.
1 redhead Goosander flew low west along Burnt Edge
Crossbill sightings as follows:
2 north at Georges Lane 09:25
16 in Wilderswood at 10:05
30 west from Walker Fold 10:10
4 north at Walker Fold 10:15
Two flocks numbering 43 flew in distantly from the east at Walker Fold at 10:50 and 10:53, joined up in the wood and then flew south
1 north Walker Fold 11:30
7 north Walker Fold 12:20
20 came in from the east and flew north over Lomax Plantation at 12:30
1323 Meadow Pipit
81 Chaffinch
22 Greenfinch
143 Goldfinch
24 Lesser Redpoll
2 Brambling south
Crossbills included 5 north, 3 down in trees, and one north
Single House Martin SE
10 single Redwings
2 male Ring Ouzels over Burnt Edge moor from the NE, landed briefly at Walker Fold before moving off high south.
Single female/immature Merlin over
Info thanks to Andy Makin
No wheatear or swallows today-have they all gone now? However, there were lots of Goldfinch feeding on the conifers in Walker Fold Wood and plenty of Meadow Pipit on the moor. Also a pair of Raven on the cairns at Twa Lads.
9 Bullfinch feeding in the dell.
Female/immature Ring Ouzel in the Big Hedge.
3 Lesser Redpoll and 3 Siskin south towards Wilderswood.
4 Crossbill north out of Wilderswood.
A single Yellowhammer flew north-west across Wildersmoor.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of October 2011 09:58:31 PM
I took my first ever trip to Georges Lane yesterday afternoon, arriving 2pm - a gamble, given the weather forecast and of course, it tipped it down from just after I reached Wilderswood.
Therefore, I saw very few birds. For what it's worth: -
Pheasant (f) x 2
Rook
Stock Dove
Charm of Goldfinches / Chaffinch / 2 Coal Tits
c. 10 Meadow Pipits overhead
Wren
Jay
Raven x 2
Will definitely make the trek up from Northenden another time - but will certainly respect the weather forecast in future...
thank you
steve
There's a map on this site at this link. http://www.manchesterbirding.com/georgeslanemap.jpg
or the nearest point with a postcode.
i would like to go and see a crossbill.
thanks
steve
And just for you Warfy there's a nice new 'other wildlife' section for these
and are very picturesque.
I spent a good time there on Friday and was joined for sometime by Ken Haydock but ''no show'' by the Hawfinch.
Sat. evening good views of a Barn Owl hunting below Scout Rd.
Right on the leading edge of a tracking front slowly moving east at dawn with intermittent rain.
A brilliant morning again on Winter Hill starting off with a cracking sunrise. Although nothing rare or scarce there was a great variety of migrant birds with the highlight being the Crossbills which were seemingly everywhere this morning. Difficult to be accurate on total number of birds with obviously some commuting of birds between Walker fold and Wilderswood, probably in excess of 50 birds around currently though.
Full sightings,
Tawny Owl by car at 6.30am Burnt Edge
750 Meadow Pipit all sw. steady passage all morning
184 Siskin sw & 40+ wilderswood
76 Finch species sw
195 Chaffinch sw
60 Goldfinch sw
9 Greenfinch
12 Redpoll
2 Song Thrush se
3 Mistle Thrush south
13 Redwing sw in ones and two's.
8 Wheatear
3 Stonechat
21 Lapwing se
1 Snipe high south
50+ Crossbill (8 north over Burnt Edge 7.30am, 10 in wfw then flew north 7.50am, 20 in wfw at 8.25am then flew south, 26 in from the east at 10.33am still feeding in wfw at 11.50am when we left to go to Georges lane. Finally a flock of 35 at Wilderswood 12.40pm giving some great views by the track showing to 20feet).
8+ Ring Ouzels (2 male and 1 female high south over Burnt Edge, 1 male high north west, followed by 2 more picked up coming high south, all prior to 8am. Female by Wilderswood car park and a male feeding in fields near mast road). Ian Wooseys were quite possibly different to all of these!
307 Pink feet - thanks to a call from Simon Johnson who had picked them up from Heaton park flying west over Holcombe heading our way, we duly connected with them at Georges lane, 231 followed by 76 heading nw at 11.50am.
Mammal sightings, 2 Weasel, 2 Roe deer & 1 mole!
If anyones interested Ricky Hoyle had 2 Hawfinch "a couple of days ago" perched up by some cottages along road below Wilderswood, there still about, but no sign of them despite searching today!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 2nd of October 2011 06:00:17 PM
"The Burnt Edge/Holdens/Newfields circular":
2 Ring Ouzels (in trees behind Slack Hall Farm)
10 Crossbills (over Burnt Edge, from Walker Fold heading for Wilderswood)
1 Peregrine
2 Stonechats (Holdens)
1 Wheatear (Adam Hill)
4 Reed Buntings
2 Goldcrest
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
"Blogging" () Meadow Pipits & Siskins aplenty...
24 crossbills in wilderswood feeding on larch 100 yds up from the car park then flew
towards mast road county tick for me
Still Georges Lane either another Ring Ouzel or the same bird returned after 10am (not sure of exact time) and landed in hawthorn.
After initial sighting of 9 Crossbills I saw a group of 3 and then Ian and I saw another two groups containing 5 birds.
Also Wilderswood
20 Siskin
12 Redpoll (these birds also moved out)
1 Chiffchaff singing near quarry
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 1st of October 2011 10:11:57 PM
32 Crossbill (2 pairs feeding on tree tops in wfw for a while, also 19 north and 9 south west prior to 8.45am. With Karen and Ian having quite a few along Georges Lane the total could be over 40).
122 Chaffinch sw
41 Siskin se
9 Linnet sw
414 Mipit south and still moving through up to midday at least
8 Jay south
11 Alba wagtails south
4 Swallow south
7 Skylark south
4(3 male 1 female) Stonechat Burnt Edge moor.
1 rather late adult Whinchat Burnt Edge.
1 Chiffchaff
12 Wheatear.
2 Weasel showing well along Burnt Edge.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 1st of October 2011 07:59:20 PM
Also 5 coal tit
20 goldfinch
Good to meet Karen F
1 Ring Ouzel over quarry at 10.15
2 Wheatear
great views of two kestrels flying for fun and taunting magpies and ravens in the quarry
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Saturday 1st of October 2011 11:58:07 AM
3 Ring Ouzel SE over Burnt Edge
2 Crossbill Walker Fold
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Highlight was finding three Stonechats over by Holdens Farm. I was hoping for Winchats but these will more than suffice.
Others seen today included:
3 Kestrels
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Reed Bunting
12 Greenfinch
1 Grey Heron
A quick mooch around the quarry, Buzzard came low over moor and over quarry were it was joined by another, pair of Ravens started to mob them, as they gained height a male Peregrine came from quarry and started to head towards them before having second thoughts and disappearing over towards burnt edge, the four birds drifted over towards horwich and a couple of minutes later a female Kestrel took to the skys , this all happened within the first five minutes of me getting there, little else for the remainder of my walk, some finches in trees near public footpath around quarry but the cover was that dense I could only see them when they moved
Male Whinchat by Wilderswood car park
Female/immature Merlin along Mast Road and a male along Georges Lane
Single Wheatear
Crossbill 4 SW Burnt Edge 07:55am, 9 mostly adults and at least five males Wilderswood then flew N at 09:50am, also here 1 N then 3 W at 10:30am, 4 S 11:30 and 7 at 11:50 in trees here.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Heywood
Around 12.30 pm.
At least 5 Crossbills (3m, 2f) feeding in Larch. Viewed from Georges Lane,
across first small clearing,100 yards up from car park.
First spotted by Ken Haydock.
3 birders from Stockport Bird Club had seen 9 flying just further along.
Also 4 Stonechats on walls, posts, and heather on opposite side of Georges lane.
Plenty Kestrel activity.
-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 29th of September 2011 03:02:00 PM
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ring Ouzel also along Georges Lane this morning.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock
10 Hawfinch (in one flock mind!!!!!!!!) south over Deans Ditch at 10:25
Crossbills as follows- Burnt Edge- 6 SW 08:15, 5 N 08:35, 3 N 08:45, 1 N 09:05, 13 N 09:28, 6 SW, 1 over Deans Ditch 11:00.
Ring Ouzel east at Burnt Edge and 1 male in trees by the pool at the entrance track to Newfields Farm.
Single Yellow Wagtail south over Burnt Edge.
1 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Glorious weather for a morning walk with my newish Dog,
but a fairly mundane crop of birds:
54 Meadow Pipits
3 Kestrel
6 Carrion Crows
1 Pied Wagtail
Back at the car I met Ken Haydock and friend and listened to tales of Crossbills and Hawfinch seen yesterday.
41 Pink-footed Geese west c11am
1 Wheatear
Single Crossbill Georges Lane 07:20
11 in Wilderswood at 08:30, then flew north
6 Crossbill north over Mast Road at 10:30
12 Crossbill high NE over Deans Ditch plus another 6 north
24 Crossbill feeding on Larches in Wilderswood from 12:45-1pm (info thanks to Ken Haydock)
Juvenile Stonechat Mast Road
not many species around,but still plenty to see.
2 peregrine falcons (on mast just after 5pm)
13 buzzards (did get 6 up in air at once,near mast)
at least 8 kestrels around
2 sparrowhawks
4 ravens (near mast)
meadow pipits every where you went,i have never seen so many before.
at least 12 wheatear around
7 stonechats (3 near wilderswood 2 ad 1 juv, 4 at holdens farm 1m 3f)
3 reed buntings (holdens farm)
5 pied wagtails (holdens farm)
goldcrest & chiffchaff in with flock off blue,great,coal & long tailed tits, (wilderswood)
few swallows about.
good weather,great views & good birds.
25 Buzzard (mainly early afternoon, largest kettle of 8)
Adult Grey Plover (still with remnants of breeding plumage SW at 10:15, Andy only)
Ring Ouzel SW at Deans Ditch at 9:25 (Andy only)
2059 Meadow Pipit SW
19 Skylark W
6 Wheatear
7 Crossbill SW at Georges Lane
1 Crossbill north along Georges Lane
230 Meadow Pipit SW
2 Wheatear
1 Nuthatch
22 Buzzard
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
A walk from the car park at Rivington end of Georges Lane taking in Georges Lane, The Dell, Quarry area, Burnt Edge, Holdens Farm and Plantation, Mast Road and return via Georges Lane.
Generally very quiet but birds seen include :-
Kestrel (min 6 birds)
Sparrowhawk (pair over the old quarry)
C Buzzard (over Georges Lane)
Hobby (a probable bird at Rivington end of Georges Lane [sorry in Lancs!!], only briefly seen coming out of the woods, having a look at two Kestrels and back over woods hence "probable")
Raven (from direction of Mast Road, over Wilderswood and then returning in same direction)
Stonechat ( family of 4, 2 ad and 2 juv nr Wilderswood car park)
Chiffchaff (singing nr Wilderswood car park with a Nuthatch clling in same area)
Grey Heron (1 on small pond to the right (from Rivington) of Georges Lane before reaching Pike Cottage)
Whinchat (1 in field adjoining Holdens Farm opp the log pile)
Wheatear (1 same area as Whinchat)
Only a few Swallows, single figure count
Meadow Pipits ( probably up to 100 but not counted)
Merlin along Mast Road
1 Wheatear
300 Meadow Pipit SW
14 Chaffinch NNW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock
An immature Whinchat off Coal Pit Road, and a pair of Stonechats at Holdens Farm this afternoon..
Of interest were three Fallow Deer (Buck, Doe, & Fawn) near Lomax Wifes Plantation. I cannot remember seeing Fallow Deer anywhere in the North West (let alone GM) apart from Dunham Massey..
1995 Meadow Pipit heading SW from 7:30ish to midday
7 Twite together SW (Andy only)
6 Snipe
23 Skylark
68 House Martin
26 Swallow
2 Wheatear
14 Chaffinch
Female/immature Merlin around Two Lads Hill (Ian and myself only)
Single Sparrowhawk hunting along Deans Ditch
6 Buzzard
16 Golden Plover SW
9 Snipe
735 Swallow S
1860 Meadow Pipit SW
19 Skylark W
3 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin