ASTLEY, CHAT, LITTLE WOOLDEN AND ASSOCIATED MOSSES
Dave Steel said
Fri Jan 15 4:23 PM, 2021
Late Record for Yesterday 140121
Barton Moss
1 Grey Wagtail
90 Linnet
190 Redwing
10 Meadow Pipit
18 Reed Bunting
10 Yellowhammer
26 Stock Dove
23 Chaffinch
1 Sparrowhawk...female
5 Common Gull
240 Black-Headed Gull
3 Snipe
Dave Steel said
Wed Jan 13 11:52 PM, 2021
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Dave Steel wrote:
Carbon Landscape Farmland Winter Bird Count am...ok it rained...perpetually...it was misty...constantly...it was cold...expectedly...yet regardless of these annoying midges it was excellent!
Chat Moss
45 Fieldfare
20 Redwing
12 Blackbird
2 Song Thrush
35 Chaffinch
220 Starling
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
34 Reed Bunting
1 Merlin...male
10 Herring Gull Flying over
3 Snipe
Little Woolden Moss Farmed area
2 Grey Partridge
32 Meadow Pipit
1 Stonechat...male
18 Skylark
350 Skylark....(Photo of the flock....dots counted!) these dropped in from on high @ noon...swirled about the area and settled on a stubble field....a magnificent moment in nature when hard weather movements of birds ignite the imagination....every bit of this morns unwelcoming weather buried under this magic carpet of delight!
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Wednesday 13th of January 2021 08:04:58 PM
200- 400 Skylark have been rising from the fields around 11-12 am each day from the fields to the SW of Holcroft Lane towards Holcroft moss rising very high and heading towards you at Little Wooldon , so it probably was just a local movement as these fields have held those numbers for the most of the winter , they have been in amazing numbers around the area.
cheers John
Ahh a prosaic explanation to such an event...were they really about every day when the ground was covered in ice and snow????...but whatever...the poetic imagery lives on in my in my soul at least! time perhaps to simply list what I see...its good to note that Holcroft moss has stubble and not just Winter Wheat...
JOHN TYMON said
Wed Jan 13 9:36 PM, 2021
Dave Steel wrote:
Carbon Landscape Farmland Winter Bird Count am...ok it rained...perpetually...it was misty...constantly...it was cold...expectedly...yet regardless of these annoying midges it was excellent!
Chat Moss
45 Fieldfare
20 Redwing
12 Blackbird
2 Song Thrush
35 Chaffinch
220 Starling
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
34 Reed Bunting
1 Merlin...male
10 Herring Gull Flying over
3 Snipe
Little Woolden Moss Farmed area
2 Grey Partridge
32 Meadow Pipit
1 Stonechat...male
18 Skylark
350 Skylark....(Photo of the flock....dots counted!) these dropped in from on high @ noon...swirled about the area and settled on a stubble field....a magnificent moment in nature when hard weather movements of birds ignite the imagination....every bit of this morns unwelcoming weather buried under this magic carpet of delight!
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Wednesday 13th of January 2021 08:04:58 PM
200- 400 Skylark have been rising from the fields around 11-12 am each day from the fields to the SW of Holcroft Lane towards Holcroft moss rising very high and heading towards you at Little Wooldon , so it probably was just a local movement as these fields have held those numbers for the most of the winter , they have been in amazing numbers around the area.
cheers John
Dave Steel said
Wed Jan 13 8:02 PM, 2021
Carbon Landscape Farmland Winter Bird Count am...ok it rained...perpetually...it was misty...constantly...it was cold...expectedly...yet regardless of these annoying midges it was excellent!
Chat Moss
45 Fieldfare
20 Redwing
12 Blackbird
2 Song Thrush
35 Chaffinch
220 Starling
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
34 Reed Bunting
1 Merlin...male
10 Herring Gull Flying over
3 Snipe
Little Woolden Moss Farmed area
2 Grey Partridge
32 Meadow Pipit
1 Stonechat...male
18 Skylark
350 Skylark....(Photo of the flock....dots counted!) these dropped in from on high @ noon...swirled about the area and settled on a stubble field....a magnificent moment in nature when hard weather movements of birds ignite the imagination....every bit of this morns unwelcoming weather buried under this magic carpet of delight!
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Wednesday 13th of January 2021 08:04:58 PM
Little Woolden Moss PM...Home Tutoring Duties over
3 Snipe
1 Woodcock
46 Chaffinch
4 Reed Bunting.
300 Jackdaw.
Dave Steel said
Mon Jan 11 8:18 PM, 2021
Late 'record' such as it is for 100121
Irlam Moss
17 House Sparrow
450 Jackdaw
3 Skylark
3 Reed Bunting
32 Collared Dove
2 Redwing.
Chat Moss
7 Stock Dove
700 Woodpigeon
11 Herring Gull...overflying
Dave Steel said
Sat Jan 9 8:28 PM, 2021
am...a Fog Bound Ice-Ridden Moss in which even the 'soundscape' was suppressed by this landscape of struggling wildlife...give me RAIN any day!
Irlam Moss
31 House Sparrow
4 Snipe...a surprise considering these seemingly endless days of ice...
7 Chaffinch
Cadishead Moss
21 House Sparrow
2 Yellowhammer
Chat Moss
4 Redwing
Dave Steel said
Fri Jan 8 3:54 PM, 2021
...another Home Tutoring morn over...early afternoon visit...much quieter on Moss today 'only' 2 Off-Road Bikers...Dog Walkers nil...must have returned to the local park...
Irlam Moss
150 Chaffinch
9 Tree Sparrow
7 Yellowhammer
34 Starling
16 Stock Dove
35 Jackdaw
Chat Moss
104 Meadow Pipit
2 Snipe
5 Grey Partridge
57 Stock Dove
2 Redwing
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard.
Dave Steel said
Thu Jan 7 7:36 PM, 2021
Late Record for 060121...brief afternoon visit
Home Tutoring Duties Over....don't ask...a brief visit to Chat Moss which was being 'enjoyed' by Off Road Bikers and Dog Walkers...perhaps unaware of how much energy is drained from wildlife already struggling in this harsh weather...
Chat Moss
950 Jackdaw
250 Woodpigeon
4 Yellowhammer
6 Reed Bunting
16 Collared Dove.
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 7th of January 2021 07:47:42 PM
First an area that the Farmer who claims to 'like' wildlife...has this year left no stubble...he used to leave one field not sown with the dreaded Winter Wheat...Irlam Moss
3 Wren
2 Dunnock
3 Robin
12 House Sparrow...something positive I suppose
FN25...this retired Farmer insists on his cereal crop is left in winter stubble...only but a few years ago it hosted such numbers of Tree Sparrow/Corn Bunting/Yellowhammer
13 Blackbird
2 Meadow Pipit
16 House Sparrow
1 Buzzard
2 Song Thrush
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
2 Reed Bunting
3 Wren...
AND...oh the JOY of noting that the Five Bar Gates have been stolen at the eastern entrance to this WILDLIFE RESERVE...the same gates that have been previously damaged in order that...well lets say in their previous damaged state Off Road Bikers and Quad Bikes were able to whizz along the FOOTPATH, Cyclists deprived of the ability to read the NO CYCLING signs could freely re-enact the Tour-De France....but at greater speeds...(lest we forget the people who seem to believe that a dollop of Dog-Poo is well within their rights in allowing their pets to perfectly place these gifts, which seemingly contain the disdain that their owners show for wildlife, right in the middle of the footpaths....)...yes I am OLD...yes I care and sadly YES I DESPAIR).....
Steven Nelson said
Wed Dec 30 1:42 PM, 2020
Irlam Moss - late am. Thick fog and lying snow and ice.
Not much seen due to fog 1 Willow Tit heard only 1 Snipe 4 Reed Bunting 1 Song Thrush 26 Jackdaw- but many more heard
Dave Steel said
Tue Dec 29 7:54 PM, 2020
am
Irlam Moss
1500 Jackdaw
250 Chaffinch...thank goodness for stubble
240 Pink-Footed Geese Flying High and West @1110
7 Yellowhammer
Chat Moss
26 Tree Sparrow
32 Chaffinch
Steven Nelson said
Mon Dec 28 3:26 PM, 2020
Irlam & Chat Mosses - late am to early pm - lying snow
F62 held large numbers of birds with a good variety of species including: 1 Stonechat - male 7 Skylark 800+ Starling c200 Woodpigeon 2 Stock Dove 6 Meadow Pipit 300+ Jackdaw A mixed feeding flock of mainly finches, buntings and thrushes contained c80 Chaffinch, c30 Reed Bunting, c15 Yellowhammer, 2 Corn Bunting, 11 Goldfinch, a few Redwings & Blackbirds
Elsewhere: 88 Pink-footed Geese over west in 2 skiens 33+55 4 Great Black-backed Gulls - together low heading NE 1 Willow Tit 2 Buzzard 400+ Jackdaw 1 Kestrel 13 Snipe- a flock of 10 over heading NE, 2 singles and 1 bird sat out on the snow. 7 Pied Wagtail 2 Lesser Redpoll 8 Fieldfare 6 Mistle Thrush 3 Song Thrush
Highlights: The sound of a whoosh of wings barely 50ft above my head alerted me to a Peregrine attacking a Woodpigeon. The Woodpigeon somehow made a miraculous escape and flurry of feathers slowly fell to the ground as the Peregrine headed off.
Also: 2 Raven over E cronking 700+ Jackdaw 32 Goldfinch 100+ Chaffinch 8 Linnet 30+ Tree Sparrow 2 Goldcrest 12 Fieldfare 6 Redwing
Dave Steel said
Sat Dec 26 8:10 PM, 2020
AM
New Moss Wood
2 Willow Tit
6 Bullfinch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Cadishead Moss
3 Buzzard
280 Fieldfare
26 Redwing
5 Common Gull
4 Great Black-Backed Gull
9 Lapwing
44 Lapwing Overflying and Heading West
39 House Sparrow
1 Little Grebe
13 Teal
14 Meadow Pipit
1 Nuthatch
31 Chaffinch.
Dave Steel said
Fri Dec 25 10:34 PM, 2020
Little Woolden Moss am
6 Great Black-Backed Gulls...skating on the Ice
160 Fieldfare
10 Redwing
73 Lapwing
1 Stonechat
2 Buzzard...searching for worms
170 Black-Headed Gull.
Steven Nelson said
Fri Dec 25 3:25 PM, 2020
Irlam & Chat Mosses - midday
Highlights: 2 Woodcock 2 Snipe 1 Buzzard 7 Yellowhammer Two feeding flocks of Chaffinch with a few Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Redwings mixed in.
Dave Steel said
Wed Dec 23 8:18 PM, 2020
Little Woolden Moss...am...blessed with a cutting Easterly 'breeze'
5 Snipe
1 Merlin
3 Buzzard
17 Reed Bunting
5 Skylark
Steven Nelson said
Wed Dec 23 7:27 PM, 2020
Irlam &. Chat Mosses - late morning
1 Peregrine - a small male chased a Woodpigeon unsuccessfully. It then changed direction and pursued another Woodpigeon, again without success, but causing the rest of the small flock to scatter. 1 Chiffchaff 7 Shoveler - 4m, 3f - with some displaying 46 Fieldfare 1 Snipe 1 Bullfinch- female 1 Meadow Pipit
Dave Steel said
Tue Dec 22 10:47 PM, 2020
Irlam Moss...am
12 Lapwing
18 Stock Dove
15 Linnet
160 Fieldfare
9 Mistle Thrush
450 Starling
2 Yellowhammer
40 Redwing.
Chat Moss
2 Willow Tit
40 Chaffinch
700 Starling
Dave Steel said
Mon Dec 21 8:01 PM, 2020
AM Carbon Landscape Winter Farmland Survey on Barton Moss....'you know' that area that the 'powers that be' insist will be a heaven on earth for mankind (just like the Trafford Centre was purported to be)...once its full of 'Port' (now-now don't make me laugh) 'Salford' Warehouses and Trucks...(or is it in my opinion...Truck/Warehouse Barton???)....
3 Yellowhammer
7 Linnet
1 Buzzard
35 Jackdaw
2 Snipe
23 Meadow Pipit
10 Stock Dove
14 Long-Tailed Tit
52 Chaffinch
90 Redwing
80 Starling
2 Mistle Thrush
50 Fieldfare
10 Blackbird
5 Bullfinch
9 Herring Gull
6 Common Gull
9 Reed Bunting.
Steven Nelson said
Mon Dec 21 2:32 PM, 2020
Little Woolden Moss - midday.
23 Pink-footed Geese over 4 Grey Partridge 4 Snipe 1 Skylark - in song flight 2 Meadow Pipit 24 Reed Bunting 1 Buzzard
Dave Steel said
Sun Dec 20 8:38 PM, 2020
AM
Irlam Moss
38 Redwing
86 Fieldfare
260 Starling
21 Collared Dove
19 Stock Dove
1 Chiffchaff
1 Great Black-Backed Gull Flying North
8 Lapwing
Chat Moss
45 Meadow Pipit
88 Skylark
5 Grey Partridge
2 Great Black-Backed Gull Flying North
7 Lapwing
6 Bullfinch
2 Shoveler...Male.
650 Jackdaw
400 Starling.
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Sunday 20th of December 2020 08:39:33 PM
Steven Nelson said
Sun Dec 20 7:28 PM, 2020
Irlam & Chat Mosses- late afternoon
1 Merlin 2 Willow Tit c90 Pink-footed Geese - seen in the distance circling over Little Woolden Moss 15 Meadow Pipit 1 Yellowhammer 35 Fieldfare 300+ Starling 400+ Jackdaw
Dave Steel said
Sat Dec 19 7:43 PM, 2020
Brief Midday Visit after a Visible-migration watch Morn at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve
Irlam Moss
1600 Starling
1150 Jackdaw
19 Linnet
4 Yellowhammer
52 Fieldfare
14 Redwing
18 Lapwing
450 Woodpigeon
...and noted from our Eastern Vantage Point at Woolston....Flying west-East over the Moss
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 19th of December 2020 04:22:58 PM
John Watson said
Sat Dec 19 12:04 PM, 2020
Just a quick reality check here - the Govt that's pulled us out of CAP is also the Govt that kills badgers, doesn't stop illegal fox hunting, permits grouse shooting while everyone else is in lockdown, destroys ancient woodland for a vastly expensive white elephant project of little benefit, locates a new nuclear power station next to the UK's finest nature reserve, etc, etc, etc
It's not well known for putting wildlife before production
It's a very steep uphill battle
(sorry, Ian, for the politics)
Oh, and thanks also Dave for the daily reports
Dave Steel said
Fri Dec 18 8:00 PM, 2020
Chat Moss am
32 Mallard
2 Shoveler...male
2 Snipe
1 Peregrine...Male
1 Peregrine...Female
1300 Woodpigeon
2 Stonechat...Pair
55 Reed Bunting
1 Raven
11 Meadow Pipit
16 Skylark
21 Tree Sparrow
85 Chaffinch
52 Goldfinch
5 Yellowhammer
1200 Jackdaw
180 Linnet
1 Grey Wagtail
Many Thanks for your positivity and positive comments Jon Stevenson...thanks for acknowledging that the Lancashire Wildlife Trust have done and hopefully will be able to continue supporting Chat Moss (the collective name for our Salford/Wigan Mosslands) provided they as a charity are supported....for even with todays wander about the Chat Moss central area which gave such positives as the flock of 180 Linnet (photo taken and counted at home on my PC) such numbers are but a small reflection upon what was once seen in my lifetime...and these surviving only because the farmer was perhaps prevented due to the wet autumn from planting the dreaded Winter Wheat...although I must admit he does leave his land less 'manicured' than nearby farmers and as such offers a much need lifeline to our almost moribund Farmland Bird Species Population...my concern is that 1 WHY can't he receive payment for his less severe landscape management and 2 will he survive if he doesn't pursue the CHEAP at any cost food production that dominates our modern world....Dave.
Jon Stevenson said
Fri Dec 18 11:51 AM, 2020
Dave, I just want to say that your daily reports are a joy and don't be downhearted. Coming out of the CAP gives the UK an opportunity to put wildlife before production and it is up to people like us to make a fuss and make sure future Governments do that. As you say, LWT make a big difference on Chat Moss (compare with Carrington Moss, now to be lost to housing, where CWT have been a complete waste of space).
Dave Steel said
Thu Dec 17 8:05 PM, 2020
Little Woolden Moss Including a Carbon Landscape Winter Farmland Bird Survey...the advantage for future recorders being based on how things are going on Farmland areas for Farmland Birds (in truth This area being quite Farmland Bird Friendly...unlike other Desert Areas I could point out on Chat Moss)they will have such an easy BIRD FREE stroll...the Heart Aches...OK this year the Moss is playing Host to a great Deal of Starling...I personally believe that the Crane fly Population had an hiatus last year and soared as the land was too wet to spray at the 'right' time...thus more food...plus the soggy moss in recent years has brought in a great many Corvid...especially Jackdaw...but in truth the declines of the rest of the birds is disheartening....BUT at least we have (and no means Least) the LWT and their such positive input and commitment...
6000 Starling
6 Snipe
1 Peregrine...female
1 Wigeon...female
2 Shoveler...male
2 Grey Wagtail
2 Sparrowhawk...male
650 Jackdaw
850 Woodpigeon
36 Tree Sparrow
38 Chaffinch
2 Stonechat...Pair
16 Meadow Pipit
42 House Sparrow
26 Skylark.
36 Fieldfare.
16 Reed Bunting.
Dave Steel said
Wed Dec 16 8:18 PM, 2020
Little Woolden Moss
1 Woodcock
3500 Starling
3 Snipe
1 Stonechat
7 Grey Partridge
12 Skylark
24 Stock Dove
13 Reed Bunting
200 Jackdaw
Chat Moss
17 Stock Dove
Irlam Moss
1500 Starling
700 Jackdaw
Irlam Moss
1 Blackbird....issuing a quiet sub-song...where there is life there is hope....the first time this restrained version of the uttering of this birds song of delight was pointed out to me I was in Astley Higher Green village when the mine was still I'm sure still active, was by Frank R Horrocks and Les Baird...I will never escape that moment in time as today this all but audible song...connected my 'brief' passage of time...known as a human lifespan...nature will surely outlive our 'brief candle' of life!
Dave Steel said
Tue Dec 15 9:41 PM, 2020
Chat Moss am
1 Peregrine
14 Long-Tailed Tit
8 Shoveler
48 Mallard
6 Yellowhammer
74 Collared Dove
60 Skylark
4 Snipe
8 Fieldfare
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Dec 15 2:19 PM, 2020
Astley Moss SSSI late morning today included highlights of 2 Willow Tit, 18 Teal, 24 Redwing and a Treecreeper and 3 Goldcrest in Rindle Wood.
Dave Steel said
Mon Dec 14 10:49 PM, 2020
am
Cadishead Moss
32 Redwing
3 Coal Tit
4 Bullfinch
5 Great Black-Backed Gull
125 Black-Headed Gull
11 Herring Gull
112 Pink-Footed Geese flying south @ 1014
28 Fieldfare
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
70 Lapwing Flying West
8 Pink-Footed Geese
Chat Moss
4500 Starling
15 Fieldfare
Irlam Moss
350 Starling
3 Snipe
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Dec 14 9:23 PM, 2020
This early afternoon on Little Woolden Moss LWT reserve:
2 Stonechat together (western end)
c5000 Starling in one large flock on fields along the northern edge, with flocks flying mainly north across the moss over the couple of hour period I was there to reach this figure and small groups soon leaving low back south again.
44 Pink-footed Geese flew up off the reserve and over west dropping onto the Holcroft Moss areas. Another 22 flew in low from the west, circled low over the reserve and then back west seemingly dropping down onto Silver Lane Pools area. A little later, some 200+ flew up briefly and then back down in the pools area viewed from Little Woolden Moss.
Dave Steel said
Sun Dec 13 7:34 PM, 2020
am
Irlam Moss
1200 Jackdaw
1100 Starling
9 Pink-Footed Geese Milling About
34 Stock Dove
15 Chaffinch
Chat Moss
2500 Starling
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve...Oh the 'Joy' to see a couple allowing their Dog (Pointer I guess) have SO MUCH FUN disturbing the birds as it gleefully ran amok over the NATURE RESERVE...I pity these people and the Tour-de-France Cyclists who speed along the FOOTPATH of this reserve for they are obviously illiterate....for they are both incapable of not being able to read that 'Dogs should be on a Lead' and the 'Dismount your Bike' information on the Notice Boards BUT CANNOT EVEN UNDERSTAND the pictorial signs which CLEARLY depict the ethos of this (and no doubt many other Nature Reserves) which have been created to 'try' and give the nature that mankind seemingly gleefully aims to destroy a place to be at peace...
797 Pink-Footed Geese....observed from Chat Moss @ 1040...rose into the air and distant photo taken then quickly counted on my PC at home...there were most likely a few more....
Late Record for Yesterday 140121
Barton Moss
1 Grey Wagtail
90 Linnet
190 Redwing
10 Meadow Pipit
18 Reed Bunting
10 Yellowhammer
26 Stock Dove
23 Chaffinch
1 Sparrowhawk...female
5 Common Gull
240 Black-Headed Gull
3 Snipe
Ahh a prosaic explanation to such an event...were they really about every day when the ground was covered in ice and snow????...but whatever...the poetic imagery lives on in my in my soul at least! time perhaps to simply list what I see...its good to note that Holcroft moss has stubble and not just Winter Wheat...
Carbon Landscape Farmland Winter Bird Count am...ok it rained...perpetually...it was misty...constantly...it was cold...expectedly...yet regardless of these annoying midges it was excellent!
Chat Moss
45 Fieldfare
20 Redwing
12 Blackbird
2 Song Thrush
35 Chaffinch
220 Starling
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
34 Reed Bunting
1 Merlin...male
10 Herring Gull Flying over
3 Snipe
Little Woolden Moss Farmed area
2 Grey Partridge
32 Meadow Pipit
1 Stonechat...male
18 Skylark
350 Skylark....(Photo of the flock....dots counted!) these dropped in from on high @ noon...swirled about the area and settled on a stubble field....a magnificent moment in nature when hard weather movements of birds ignite the imagination....every bit of this morns unwelcoming weather buried under this magic carpet of delight!
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Wednesday 13th of January 2021 08:04:58 PM
Carbon Landscape Farmland Winter Bird Count am
Irlam Moss
26 Redwing
55 Fieldfare
80 Starling
1100 Jackdaw
31 Skylark
2 Buzzard
3 Grey Partridge
Barton Moss
26 House Sparrow
2 Nuthatch
2 Moorhen
1 Stonechat
Chat Moss
22 Tree Sparrow
21 Stock Dove
25 Chaffinch
3 Yellowhammer
8 Skylark
450 Jackdaw.
2pm to dusk - Rindle Rd, Astley Moss & Croxden areas.
Rindle hedge very busy with mainly Chaffinch but a few Linnet, Redwing & a Grey Wagtail on nearby stubble fields.
Woodcock flushed from Rindle Wood with many Pheasant on neighbouring field.
Plenty of Chaffinch & Goldfinch around Croxdens hedges with Male Bullfinch, Pied & Grey Wagtails, & a few Meadow Pipit's.
Once again I flushed another Woodcock - if only I could see them first, they're so well camouflaged!
Also seen 6 Kestrel, 2 Buzzards & a Cormorant over Croxdens.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 12th of January 2021 08:22:54 PM
Little Woolden Moss PM...Home Tutoring Duties over
3 Snipe
1 Woodcock
46 Chaffinch
4 Reed Bunting.
300 Jackdaw.
Late 'record' such as it is for 100121
Irlam Moss
17 House Sparrow
450 Jackdaw
3 Skylark
3 Reed Bunting
32 Collared Dove
2 Redwing.
Chat Moss
7 Stock Dove
700 Woodpigeon
11 Herring Gull...overflying
am...a Fog Bound Ice-Ridden Moss in which even the 'soundscape' was suppressed by this landscape of struggling wildlife...give me RAIN any day!
Irlam Moss
31 House Sparrow
4 Snipe...a surprise considering these seemingly endless days of ice...
7 Chaffinch
Cadishead Moss
21 House Sparrow
2 Yellowhammer
Chat Moss
4 Redwing
...another Home Tutoring morn over...early afternoon visit...much quieter on Moss today 'only' 2 Off-Road Bikers...Dog Walkers nil...must have returned to the local park...
Irlam Moss
150 Chaffinch
9 Tree Sparrow
7 Yellowhammer
34 Starling
16 Stock Dove
35 Jackdaw
Chat Moss
104 Meadow Pipit
2 Snipe
5 Grey Partridge
57 Stock Dove
2 Redwing
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard.
Late Record for 060121...brief afternoon visit
Home Tutoring Duties Over....don't ask...a brief visit to Chat Moss which was being 'enjoyed' by Off Road Bikers and Dog Walkers...perhaps unaware of how much energy is drained from wildlife already struggling in this harsh weather...
Chat Moss
950 Jackdaw
250 Woodpigeon
4 Yellowhammer
6 Reed Bunting
16 Collared Dove.
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Thursday 7th of January 2021 07:47:42 PM
Late Record 050121
Irlam Moss
48 Redwing
16 House Sparrow
4 Great Black-Backed Gull flying NE
300 Chaffinch
1 Brambling
4 Bullfinch
850 Jackdaw
Chat Moss
900 Woodpigeon
6 Redwing
4 Fieldfare
18 Tree Sparrow
40 Linnet
3 Yellowhammer
55 Chaffinch
1000 Jackdaw.
am
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
1 Buzzard attacked by 2 Carrion Crow
7 Reed Bunting
2 Great Black-Backed Gull overflying
Little Woolden Moss
47 House Sparrow
26 Collared Dove
5 Yellowhammer
22 Chaffinch
9 Greenfinch
33 Tree Sparrow
4 Lapwing
250 Starling
4 Great Black-Backed Gull Overflying
25 Yellowhammer
40 Chaffinch
2 Reed Bunting
24 Stock Dove
Sparrowhawk
am
Chat Moss
900 Starling
1800 Woodpigeon
15 Yellowhammer
30 Reed Bunting
150 Chaffinch
4 Bullfinch
34 Stock Dove
18 Linnet
8 Tree Sparrow
1 Stonechat...Male
25 Skylark
32 Meadow Pipit
7 Redwing.
am
Irlam Moss
2 Goldcrest
3 Song Thrush
7 Yellowhammer
4 Redwing
3 Bullfinch
2 Grey Partridge
11 Meadow Pipit
320 Pink-Footed Geese Flying West @ 1320.
Chat Moss
50 Chaffinch
30 Goldfinch
9 Yellowhammer
12 Reed Bunting
2000 Woodpigeon
900 Starling
32 Skylark
1 Willow Tit
1 Peregrine...male
8 Stock Dove
Highlights:
30+ Tree Sparrow
9 Meadow Pipit
2 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
16 Reed Bunting
60+ Chaffinch
am
Irlam Moss
4 Grey Partridge
175 Jackdaw
1 Goldcrest
24 Starling
4 Yellowhammer
8 Reed Bunting
2 Bullfinch
Chat Moss
5 Meadow Pipit
1 Raven
4 Skylark
2 Grey Partridge
130 Jackdaw
2 Willow Tit
16 House Sparrow.
1 Nuthatch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
4 Bullfinch
25+ Goldfinch
30+ Tree Sparrow
4 Greenfinch
60+ Chaffinch
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Buzzard
400+ Starling
600+ Jackdaw
200+ Woodpigeon
6 Song Thrush
9 Fieldfare
6 Redwing
8 Long-tailed Tit
A Fog-Bound Wander am
First an area that the Farmer who claims to 'like' wildlife...has this year left no stubble...he used to leave one field not sown with the dreaded Winter Wheat...Irlam Moss
3 Wren
2 Dunnock
3 Robin
12 House Sparrow...something positive I suppose
FN25...this retired Farmer insists on his cereal crop is left in winter stubble...only but a few years ago it hosted such numbers of Tree Sparrow/Corn Bunting/Yellowhammer
13 Blackbird
2 Meadow Pipit
16 House Sparrow
1 Buzzard
2 Song Thrush
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
2 Reed Bunting
3 Wren...
AND...oh the JOY of noting that the Five Bar Gates have been stolen at the eastern entrance to this WILDLIFE RESERVE...the same gates that have been previously damaged in order that...well lets say in their previous damaged state Off Road Bikers and Quad Bikes were able to whizz along the FOOTPATH, Cyclists deprived of the ability to read the NO CYCLING signs could freely re-enact the Tour-De France....but at greater speeds...(lest we forget the people who seem to believe that a dollop of Dog-Poo is well within their rights in allowing their pets to perfectly place these gifts, which seemingly contain the disdain that their owners show for wildlife, right in the middle of the footpaths....)...yes I am OLD...yes I care and sadly YES I DESPAIR).....
Not much seen due to fog
1 Willow Tit heard only
1 Snipe
4 Reed Bunting
1 Song Thrush
26 Jackdaw- but many more heard
am
Irlam Moss
1500 Jackdaw
250 Chaffinch...thank goodness for stubble
240 Pink-Footed Geese Flying High and West @1110
7 Yellowhammer
Chat Moss
26 Tree Sparrow
32 Chaffinch
F62 held large numbers of birds with a good variety of species including:
1 Stonechat - male
7 Skylark
800+ Starling
c200 Woodpigeon
2 Stock Dove
6 Meadow Pipit
300+ Jackdaw
A mixed feeding flock of mainly finches, buntings and thrushes contained c80 Chaffinch, c30 Reed Bunting, c15 Yellowhammer, 2 Corn Bunting, 11 Goldfinch, a few Redwings & Blackbirds
Elsewhere:
88 Pink-footed Geese over west in 2 skiens 33+55
4 Great Black-backed Gulls - together low heading NE
1 Willow Tit
2 Buzzard
400+ Jackdaw
1 Kestrel
13 Snipe- a flock of 10 over heading NE, 2 singles and 1 bird sat out on the snow.
7 Pied Wagtail
2 Lesser Redpoll
8 Fieldfare
6 Mistle Thrush
3 Song Thrush
AM
Irlam Moss
160 Starling
82 Fieldfare
9 Redwing
156 Chaffinch
1 Goldcrest
14 Long-Tailed Tit
22 Goldfinch
9 Yellowhammer
400 Jackdaw
19 Stock Dove
7 Skylark
12 Meadow Pipit
Barton Moss
7 Yellowhammer
125 Chaffinch
32 Tree Sparrow
34 Linnet
105 Lapwing...overflying
12 Redwing
Chat Moss
15 Fieldfare
130 Linnet
17 Tree Sparrow
14 Chaffinch
900 Jackdaw
1000 Woodpigeon
Highlights:
The sound of a whoosh of wings barely 50ft above my head alerted me to a Peregrine attacking a Woodpigeon. The Woodpigeon somehow made a miraculous escape and flurry of feathers slowly fell to the ground as the Peregrine headed off.
Also:
2 Raven over E cronking
700+ Jackdaw
32 Goldfinch
100+ Chaffinch
8 Linnet
30+ Tree Sparrow
2 Goldcrest
12 Fieldfare
6 Redwing
AM
New Moss Wood
2 Willow Tit
6 Bullfinch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Cadishead Moss
3 Buzzard
280 Fieldfare
26 Redwing
5 Common Gull
4 Great Black-Backed Gull
9 Lapwing
44 Lapwing Overflying and Heading West
39 House Sparrow
1 Little Grebe
13 Teal
14 Meadow Pipit
1 Nuthatch
31 Chaffinch.
Little Woolden Moss am
6 Great Black-Backed Gulls...skating on the Ice
160 Fieldfare
10 Redwing
73 Lapwing
1 Stonechat
2 Buzzard...searching for worms
170 Black-Headed Gull.
Highlights:
2 Woodcock
2 Snipe
1 Buzzard
7 Yellowhammer
Two feeding flocks of Chaffinch with a few Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Redwings mixed in.
Little Woolden Moss...am...blessed with a cutting Easterly 'breeze'
5 Snipe
1 Merlin
3 Buzzard
17 Reed Bunting
5 Skylark
1 Peregrine - a small male chased a Woodpigeon unsuccessfully. It then changed direction and pursued another Woodpigeon, again without success, but causing the rest of the small flock to scatter.
1 Chiffchaff
7 Shoveler - 4m, 3f - with some displaying
46 Fieldfare
1 Snipe
1 Bullfinch- female
1 Meadow Pipit
Irlam Moss...am
12 Lapwing
18 Stock Dove
15 Linnet
160 Fieldfare
9 Mistle Thrush
450 Starling
2 Yellowhammer
40 Redwing.
Chat Moss
2 Willow Tit
40 Chaffinch
700 Starling
AM Carbon Landscape Winter Farmland Survey on Barton Moss....'you know' that area that the 'powers that be' insist will be a heaven on earth for mankind (just like the Trafford Centre was purported to be)...once its full of 'Port' (now-now don't make me laugh) 'Salford' Warehouses and Trucks...(or is it in my opinion...Truck/Warehouse Barton???)....
3 Yellowhammer
7 Linnet
1 Buzzard
35 Jackdaw
2 Snipe
23 Meadow Pipit
10 Stock Dove
14 Long-Tailed Tit
52 Chaffinch
90 Redwing
80 Starling
2 Mistle Thrush
50 Fieldfare
10 Blackbird
5 Bullfinch
9 Herring Gull
6 Common Gull
9 Reed Bunting.
23 Pink-footed Geese over
4 Grey Partridge
4 Snipe
1 Skylark - in song flight
2 Meadow Pipit
24 Reed Bunting
1 Buzzard
AM
Irlam Moss
38 Redwing
86 Fieldfare
260 Starling
21 Collared Dove
19 Stock Dove
1 Chiffchaff
1 Great Black-Backed Gull Flying North
8 Lapwing
Chat Moss
45 Meadow Pipit
88 Skylark
5 Grey Partridge
2 Great Black-Backed Gull Flying North
7 Lapwing
6 Bullfinch
2 Shoveler...Male.
650 Jackdaw
400 Starling.
-- Edited by Dave Steel on Sunday 20th of December 2020 08:39:33 PM
1 Merlin
2 Willow Tit
c90 Pink-footed Geese - seen in the distance circling over Little Woolden Moss
15 Meadow Pipit
1 Yellowhammer
35 Fieldfare
300+ Starling
400+ Jackdaw
Brief Midday Visit after a Visible-migration watch Morn at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve
Irlam Moss
1600 Starling
1150 Jackdaw
19 Linnet
4 Yellowhammer
52 Fieldfare
14 Redwing
18 Lapwing
450 Woodpigeon
...and noted from our Eastern Vantage Point at Woolston....Flying west-East over the Moss
7000 Pink-Footed Geese noted between 0930-1100.
Irlam, Chat & Barton Mosses - this am
7 Shoveler
c40 Mallard
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
c90 Fieldfare
c20 Redwing
c250 Starling
c500 Jackdaw
c100 Chaffinch- 2 feeding flocks
26 Goldfinch
36 Tree Sparrow
1 Greenfinch
2 Yellowhammer
c800 Woodpigeon
2 Stock Dove
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 19th of December 2020 04:22:58 PM
It's not well known for putting wildlife before production
It's a very steep uphill battle
(sorry, Ian, for the politics)
Oh, and thanks also Dave for the daily reports
Chat Moss am
32 Mallard
2 Shoveler...male
2 Snipe
1 Peregrine...Male
1 Peregrine...Female
1300 Woodpigeon
2 Stonechat...Pair
55 Reed Bunting
1 Raven
11 Meadow Pipit
16 Skylark
21 Tree Sparrow
85 Chaffinch
52 Goldfinch
5 Yellowhammer
1200 Jackdaw
180 Linnet
1 Grey Wagtail
Many Thanks for your positivity and positive comments Jon Stevenson...thanks for acknowledging that the Lancashire Wildlife Trust have done and hopefully will be able to continue supporting Chat Moss (the collective name for our Salford/Wigan Mosslands) provided they as a charity are supported....for even with todays wander about the Chat Moss central area which gave such positives as the flock of 180 Linnet (photo taken and counted at home on my PC) such numbers are but a small reflection upon what was once seen in my lifetime...and these surviving only because the farmer was perhaps prevented due to the wet autumn from planting the dreaded Winter Wheat...although I must admit he does leave his land less 'manicured' than nearby farmers and as such offers a much need lifeline to our almost moribund Farmland Bird Species Population...my concern is that 1 WHY can't he receive payment for his less severe landscape management and 2 will he survive if he doesn't pursue the CHEAP at any cost food production that dominates our modern world....Dave.
Dave, I just want to say that your daily reports are a joy and don't be downhearted. Coming out of the CAP gives the UK an opportunity to put wildlife before production and it is up to people like us to make a fuss and make sure future Governments do that. As you say, LWT make a big difference on Chat Moss (compare with Carrington Moss, now to be lost to housing, where CWT have been a complete waste of space).
Little Woolden Moss Including a Carbon Landscape Winter Farmland Bird Survey...the advantage for future recorders being based on how things are going on Farmland areas for Farmland Birds (in truth This area being quite Farmland Bird Friendly...unlike other Desert Areas I could point out on Chat Moss)they will have such an easy BIRD FREE stroll...the Heart Aches...OK this year the Moss is playing Host to a great Deal of Starling...I personally believe that the Crane fly Population had an hiatus last year and soared as the land was too wet to spray at the 'right' time...thus more food...plus the soggy moss in recent years has brought in a great many Corvid...especially Jackdaw...but in truth the declines of the rest of the birds is disheartening....BUT at least we have (and no means Least) the LWT and their such positive input and commitment...
6000 Starling
6 Snipe
1 Peregrine...female
1 Wigeon...female
2 Shoveler...male
2 Grey Wagtail
2 Sparrowhawk...male
650 Jackdaw
850 Woodpigeon
36 Tree Sparrow
38 Chaffinch
2 Stonechat...Pair
16 Meadow Pipit
42 House Sparrow
26 Skylark.
36 Fieldfare.
16 Reed Bunting.
Little Woolden Moss
1 Woodcock
3500 Starling
3 Snipe
1 Stonechat
7 Grey Partridge
12 Skylark
24 Stock Dove
13 Reed Bunting
200 Jackdaw
Chat Moss
17 Stock Dove
Irlam Moss
1500 Starling
700 Jackdaw
Irlam Moss
1 Blackbird....issuing a quiet sub-song...where there is life there is hope....the first time this restrained version of the uttering of this birds song of delight was pointed out to me I was in Astley Higher Green village when the mine was still I'm sure still active, was by Frank R Horrocks and Les Baird...I will never escape that moment in time as today this all but audible song...connected my 'brief' passage of time...known as a human lifespan...nature will surely outlive our 'brief candle' of life!
Chat Moss am
1 Peregrine
14 Long-Tailed Tit
8 Shoveler
48 Mallard
6 Yellowhammer
74 Collared Dove
60 Skylark
4 Snipe
8 Fieldfare
Astley Moss SSSI late morning today included highlights of 2 Willow Tit, 18 Teal, 24 Redwing and a Treecreeper and 3 Goldcrest in Rindle Wood.
am
Cadishead Moss
32 Redwing
3 Coal Tit
4 Bullfinch
5 Great Black-Backed Gull
125 Black-Headed Gull
11 Herring Gull
112 Pink-Footed Geese flying south @ 1014
28 Fieldfare
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve
70 Lapwing Flying West
8 Pink-Footed Geese
Chat Moss
4500 Starling
15 Fieldfare
Irlam Moss
350 Starling
3 Snipe
This early afternoon on Little Woolden Moss LWT reserve:
2 Stonechat together (western end)
c5000 Starling in one large flock on fields along the northern edge, with flocks flying mainly north across the moss over the couple of hour period I was there to reach this figure and small groups soon leaving low back south again.
44 Pink-footed Geese flew up off the reserve and over west dropping onto the Holcroft Moss areas. Another 22 flew in low from the west, circled low over the reserve and then back west seemingly dropping down onto Silver Lane Pools area. A little later, some 200+ flew up briefly and then back down in the pools area viewed from Little Woolden Moss.
am
Irlam Moss
1200 Jackdaw
1100 Starling
9 Pink-Footed Geese Milling About
34 Stock Dove
15 Chaffinch
Chat Moss
2500 Starling
Little Woolden Moss Nature Reserve...Oh the 'Joy' to see a couple allowing their Dog (Pointer I guess) have SO MUCH FUN disturbing the birds as it gleefully ran amok over the NATURE RESERVE...I pity these people and the Tour-de-France Cyclists who speed along the FOOTPATH of this reserve for they are obviously illiterate....for they are both incapable of not being able to read that 'Dogs should be on a Lead' and the 'Dismount your Bike' information on the Notice Boards BUT CANNOT EVEN UNDERSTAND the pictorial signs which CLEARLY depict the ethos of this (and no doubt many other Nature Reserves) which have been created to 'try' and give the nature that mankind seemingly gleefully aims to destroy a place to be at peace...
4 Snipe
4 Herring Gull...Overflying
2 Great Black-Backed Gull...Overflying
7 Pink-Footed Geese
Chat Moss - 40 Pink-footed Geese, Snipe, Redwing 2, Fieldfare 1, Blackbird 17, Stonechat 2, Skylark 3.
Little Woolden - Same Pink-footed Geese, Merlin 1, Skylark 1, Fieldfare 7, Reed Bunting 3.
Ray
1 Woodcock
4 Shoveler- 2 pairs
3 Teal
45+ Mallard- many displaying
1 Grey Heron
26 Tree Sparrow
2 Greenfinch
23 Goldfinch
41 Chaffinch
1 Redwing
1 Buzzard
400 Jackdaw
300 Starling
am
Chat Moss
8 Shoveler
2 Pink-Footed Geese...flew north
1 Sparrowhawk...male
1 Chiffchaff
33 Redwing
2 Snipe
1 Peregrine
15 Pink-Footed Geese Flying North
52 Reed Bunting
800 Starling
900 Jackdaw
850 Woodpigeon
2 Raven
191 Pink-Footed Geese flying east @ 1245
2 Yellowhammer
1 Woodcock
117 Chaffinch
Little Woolden Moss...
797 Pink-Footed Geese....observed from Chat Moss @ 1040...rose into the air and distant photo taken then quickly counted on my PC at home...there were most likely a few more....