Hawfinch seen heading east over Deans Ditch at 9:25 this morning heading in the direction of Wilderswood. No further sign though.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 18 8:24 AM, 2011
Female/immature Ring Ouzel at Newfields Farm this morning.
Info thanks to Ian Woosey
Steve Christmas said
Sat Sep 17 10:37 AM, 2011
6 crossbill south over Coal Pit Lane near Holden's Farm at 0830 this morning
John Carter said
Sat Sep 17 10:32 AM, 2011
Paul Risley wrote:
Single Wheatear, also a dead one pointed out to me by another birder on path at end of Holdens plantation.
I was that birder! Heartbreaking really. I came across the wheatear on my way to Twa Lads. It was still alive but couldn't fly or even walk, it just rolled about to get out of my way. There was nothing visibly wrong with it apart from that. On my way back it looked as if a dog had found it and killed it.
Steven Nelson said
Fri Sep 16 3:06 PM, 2011
Sounds like a cracking day! Re: Meadow Pipits - the east coast has recorded large arrivals. 20,000 at Spurn recorded the other day so obviously many filtering over to us.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 15 9:16 PM, 2011
The weather promised to deliver on the moors today and boy did it! The following counts were made between myself and Andy Makin (although I missed the vast majority of the pipit movement), with a brief but welcomed appearance by Ian Woosey and Paul Risley.
2 Ring Ouzel at Higher Meadows 1 Tree Pipit 1 Crossbill 1 Reed Warbler Higher Meadows 7100 Meadow Pipit west and north-west 4500 Swallow east and south east 70 Pink-footed Geese north-west at 08:40 80 House Martin Single female Marsh Harrier east from 11:15-11:30 2 Hobby, one SE and one SW 10 Sparrowhawk 15 Buzzard 4 Peregrine west 1 Golden Plover 40 Chaffinch 216 Siskin (including a flock of 100 at Brownstones Quarry) 14 Spotted Flycatchers (6 at the bottom of Burnt Edge Moor and 2 along the edge of Walker Fold- thanks for the info Paul), (4 in Brownstones Quarry), (1 at Wilderswood courtesy of Ian Woosey) Single Pied Flycatcher in the 'big hedge' at Higher Moors 28 Skylark 29 Wheatear (cheers for the extras Ian) 13 Chiffchaff Single male Blackcap 4 Stonechat 2 Whinchat (we only managed one but Paul fortunately managed two!) 23 Goldecrest 2 Whitethroat (one at Holdens Farm and one at Higher Meadows)
Paul Risley said
Thu Sep 15 8:32 PM, 2011
managed to get out of work for the afternoon and spent a glorious few hours in the sun on the moors, had to spare a thought for my mate Dave Wilson still stuck in work and who would have loved to have been here,
12.45-4.00pm
Sparrowhawk soaring as I got out of car, then put a stoop in from high in the direction of barrow bridge A couple more also on the soar later on at Holdens farm Buzzard over burnt edge 8 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 on the edge of Holdens wood, 5 in the willows at the end of Holdens wood going towards the farm Holdens farm area
2 whinchats 4 Stonechats 25 linnets Single Wheatear, also a dead one pointed out to me by another birder on path at end of Holdens plantation. Kestrel showing well several locations Also a couple of young "Lads" birding who had managed to see Hobbies near the mast to add to my I Spy manky birders list
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 11 10:56 PM, 2011
7.30am-11am with Andy Makin, not much in the way of vis mig.
21 Wheatear 1 Whinchat 1 Stonechat 75 Swallow south, 100+ hanging around 1 House Martin south 4 Skylark south 5 Buzzard 2 Siskin south 5 Redpoll south 9 Woodpigeon south 5 Chaffinch nw 1 imm Peregrine.
Fairly quiet.
Tim Wilcox said
Sun Sep 11 3:38 PM, 2011
Walker Fold Wood to the Mast and back with Tony Darby 10.00 - 13.30 Breezy but warm threatening rain but only a light shower
In area from path up to Walker Fold: Pied Wags 2 House Martins 30+ Swallows 10 on return there mixed tit flock: LT Tits 4 G Tit 3 B tit 2 Coal Tit 2 Willow Tit 1 also Chaffinch 5 Willow Warbler juv. Kestrel (3rd of the day)
Holdens Farm Linnets 21 over Pheasant m plus one heard then f with 7 poults in field south of farm
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 8 5:03 PM, 2011
Yesterday, early afternoon:
12 Wheatear in the pony fields at the bottom of Mast Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Rob Bell said
Mon Sep 5 5:55 PM, 2011
My first trip up here. With Chris Chandler (Sun 4th): 3 Ravens 2 Kestrels 2 Linnets 7 Wheatears 5 Goldfinches 1 Stonechat 1 Whinchat in the last grassy field on the left as you walk up the tarmac road to Winter Hill mast. The wheatears and goldfinches were all in this field at the same time. No wryneck
Rob
Phil Cunliffe said
Sun Sep 4 6:25 PM, 2011
A quick tour either side of lunch time of Wilderswood and up the hill on to Wilder's Moor.
Plenty of calls in the the wood but only caught a fleeting glance of a couple of birds so couldn't id anything other than by sound. Heard blue and great tit and a stone chat near the road. There seemed to be more activity in the conifers than the deciduous trees so if anyone's got time there might be something good there. Missed the spotted flycatcher .
Up the hill were a number of meadow pipits and skylarks and on top of one of the stone cairns (at Two Lads I think the OS map calls it) was a lovely whinchat (a first for me ). From the top I could see a kestrel over towards Holdens farm.
Cheers, Phil
Rick Hall said
Sun Sep 4 11:43 AM, 2011
Spotted Flycatcher in Wilderswood at about 9 this morning.
Short Eared Owl in heather opposite Fir trees near path that goes between quarries, about 1-200 yards from path. I lay in the heather just off the path for ages watching it watch me. It did not fly so may still be there this afternoon. Seen at 10 til about 10.30. Saw Ken Haydock on the way down and let him know where it was, so hopefully he'll get on it as well. Lifetime first for me!
Paul Risley said
Sat Sep 3 6:22 PM, 2011
A couple hours mooching this afternoon, light drizzle turning into steady downpour Fields between mast road carpark and wilderswood 3 Wheatear 15+ meadow pipits Kestrel several pheasants with 4 half grown poults also of interest was a single Hare sqautting about 15 feet in front of me, pics on manc wildlife later
gary lilley said
Sat Sep 3 10:18 AM, 2011
Had my first visit this morning hoping to find the wryneck but had no luck , managed to spot the following , mixed tit flock with treecreeper , goldcrest and several siskin wilderswood , 3 wheatear , several meadow pipit , possible merlin near the mast , kestrel hunting and 3 snipe flew over while having a chat with ken haydock .
Dennis atherton said
Fri Sep 2 10:50 PM, 2011
Thank you for putting up more info on wryneck sighting. Good to hear the bird is still around. Welcome to the forum
Bob and Joyce Calder said
Fri Sep 2 4:14 PM, 2011
Birds of interest on a walk starting Coal Pit Lane and taking in Holden Farm and Plantation, Georges Lane, The Dell, Big Hedge, Mast Road, Burnt Edge and Walker Fold. time 9.00 am to 1.45 pm.
Firstly the Wryneck, trust Bird Guides to not listen properly when we described where it was.
We found the bird around 10.30 am on the broken down wall that runs alongside Mast road. More precisely where the road bends left and the crash barriers are along with the gate and footpath that goes to the top end of Holdens Plantation. From the gate the bird was perched about 100 yds along the wall in the direction of the mast. It then flew from the wall, across Mast Road and dropped down the other side of the road (looking towards the cairn on the distant hill). Unfortunately not seen again.
Other sightings included :-
Mistle Thrush (5 nr Holdens Farm) Mixed flock of about 50 Linnets and Goldfinch, mainly Linnets (Holden Farm) Willow Warbler ( 1 Holdens Farm, 1 Walker Fold Wood) Reed Bunting (1 Holden Farm plus 1 heard along Burnt Hedge) Goldcrest (1 Far end Holden Plantation) Whinchat (min 2 between Holdens Plantation and Mast Road) Stonechat ( min 2 between Holdens Plantation and Mast Road) Wheatear (min 7 birds throughout the walk) Hobby ( First seen over The Dell around 12.30, flew over Widerswood, Mast Road and over the quarries) Sparrowhawk (pair over the quarries and 1 Walker Fold Woods) Kestrel (min 4 birds throughout the walk) Jay ( pair The Dell) Bullfinch (heard The Dell) Mixed flock of 25/30 Siskin and Redpoll Walker Fold Woods trying to see off the above Sparrowhawk. Not counted but good numbers of Swallows throughout.
Bob and Joyce C
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 2 12:29 PM, 2011
The report comes from somewhere along the track from the barrier on Mast Road to Holdens Plantation. The only 'cairn' along there I can think of is actually quite close to the plantaion.
Rob Smallwood said
Fri Sep 2 10:54 AM, 2011
Wryneck seen in flight near cairn per BG's.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 1 8:38 PM, 2011
further sightings from this afternoon:
2 female Merlin through 7 Sparrowhawk, 17+ Kestrel 5 Buzzard
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 1 4:11 PM, 2011
Midday to mid-afternoon today:
41 Wheatear 1 Tree Pipit over Georges Lane, heading north (!) Single adult Whinchat on Wildersmoor Adult Hobby hunting over Smithills Moor just north of Holdens Farm at 2:15
Also Ken Haydock had a single Spotted Flycatcher at Wilderswood late am but no sign whilst I was there.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 1 8:30 AM, 2011
Late news for yesterday (31st):
Juvenile Cuckoo in one of the mast cable compounds on Winter Hill with singles of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, 37 Wheatear 2 Whinchat along Mast Road 11 Siskin over NW 13 Red Grouse in one flock on Mast Road
Info thanks to Andy Makin/Ken Haydock
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Aug 31 8:45 AM, 2011
Late news for yesterday morning (30th):
1 first winter Yellow Wagtail with 40+ Pieds 13 Wheatear 2 Whitethroat 2 Chiffchaff
Info thanks to Andy Makin (with Ken Haydock)
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 30 5:18 PM, 2011
Mid to late afternoon today:
Single juvenile Whinchat at Holdens Farm 3+ Stonechat at Holdens Farm 6 Red Grouse at very close range on the top of Burnt Edge Moor
Dave Thacker said
Mon Aug 29 3:36 PM, 2011
10 - 2.30pm
My first visit around this area for many years was made easier by reading Ian's site guide on the main website
Georges lane, Spotted flycatcher perched in the open just passed Wilderswood was a nice start. 2 Whitethroat 2 Siskin 3 Goldfinch
I walked over the moors up to Mast road then to the actual mast. Birds seen; 2 Whinchat 5 Skylarks 12 Meadow pipits 37 Wheatear, mainly close to the mast around the small enclosures containing the cable anchors 4 Kestrels Pied wagtail 60+ Swallows over 3 House martins over 2 Ravens
A great walkabout
Paul Risley said
Mon Aug 29 1:48 PM, 2011
pretty bleak on the moors this morning, the family group of Stonechats were showing well at the log pile near Holdens farm, Walkers fold wood held a large flock of tits with Goldcrests and a tree creeper in with them, a few meadow pipits and a single Wheatear were on Smithills moor and a nice view of a Kestrel on the wires at coal pit road.
Dennis atherton said
Sun Aug 28 7:04 PM, 2011
gillibrants farm, 35 linnets in field with 6 wheatears, 1 f reed bunting, 1 buzzard over, i dont see many buzzards ont moors, mainly kestrels and sparrowhawks, i stonechat also near same farm, not much else today 10-12
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Aug 28 4:29 PM, 2011
With Simon Ghilks this am. Very windy conditions with very little perching out in the open
Georges Lane
Peregrine mobbed by Raven Sparrowhawk
Red Grouse family party - 5 birds in total - Mast Road
Skylark - 1 over Burnt Edge 1 Stonechat - Burnt Edge 3 Siskin - Walker Fold Wood Mixed flock with at least 5 Treecreeper, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Coal Tit, Blue Tit and Great Tit - Walker Fold Wood
40 Wheatear 6 Kestrel c60 Meadow Pipits
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 28th of August 2011 06:32:03 PM
Dennis atherton said
Sat Aug 27 9:26 PM, 2011
nice to see so many smiling manchester birders despite the wryneck being a no show this morning, nothing much to add to what has been listed, three kestrels flying together on mast road and also a female sparrowhawk near bottom end of mast road coming in low and fast going for the wheatears, raven near the mast being harrassed by 2 kestrels,
Mark Rigby said
Sat Aug 27 6:01 PM, 2011
And a single Golden Plover flew s/e at 0730hrs.
John Rayner said
Sat Aug 27 5:51 PM, 2011
Simon Warford wrote:
This morning sightings from a few of the 20 or so birders on site in awful weather -
No sign of the Wryneck. 4 Redstart (with at least 3 along Georges Lane/Higher meadows area) 6 Whinchat including 1 at the Big hedge and 4 along the mast road. Lesser whitethroat Big hedge Single Spotted flycatcher Big hedge 36 Wheatear including 20 around the mast area, and 12 mast road. 3 Stonechat 70+ Linnet Holdens 11 House martin over heading east 40+ swallow over.
Good to meet so many county faces again, anybody anything to add to this ?
Plus 2 Grey Wagtails and a Whitethroat (George's Lane)
Cheers, John
Simon Warford said
Sat Aug 27 5:11 PM, 2011
This morning sightings from a few of the 20 or so birders on site in awful weather -
No sign of the Wryneck. 4 Redstart (with at least 3 along Georges Lane/Higher meadows area) 6 Whinchat including 1 at the Big hedge and 4 along the mast road. Lesser whitethroat Big hedge Single Spotted flycatcher Big hedge 36 Wheatear including 20 around the mast area, and 12 mast road. 3 Stonechat 70+ Linnet Holdens 11 House martin over heading east 40+ swallow over.
Good to meet so many county faces again, anybody anything to add to this ?
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Aug 27 10:30 AM, 2011
No sign of the Wryneck along Georges Lane so far this morning.
Info thanks to Simon Warford
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Aug 26 8:32 PM, 2011
Adrian Dancy wrote:
Thanks John.
I have seen Ian's maps and have need to buy some tracing paper since I have no printer (yet).
AD
photograph em ont computer screen ,then you can zoom in if you get lost on the back of the camera-better than tracing paper
Adrian Dancy said
Fri Aug 26 8:30 PM, 2011
Thanks John.
I have seen Ian's maps and have need to buy some tracing paper since I have no printer (yet).
AD
JOHN TYMON said
Fri Aug 26 8:26 PM, 2011
Adrian Dancy wrote:
Can anyone please let me know which bus goes to Georges Lane from either Bolton or Horwich....name of operating company would be of help. Otherwise it's a bloody long walk!
Many thanks.
Adrian
both 125 and 126 from bolton to preston area run to the bottom of the lane,but you could do a circle and head back to barrow bridge area,and get a shorter bus back to bolton.check Ians maps of the area on this site they are quite detailed. both buses frequent on sat,not as frequent sunday
Adrian Dancy said
Fri Aug 26 8:26 PM, 2011
Many thanks Ian and Karen who just rang me.
I may buy a tent
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Friday 26th of August 2011 07:26:57 PM
Adrian Dancy said
Fri Aug 26 8:00 PM, 2011
Can anyone please let me know which bus goes to Georges Lane from either Bolton or Horwich....name of operating company would be of help. Otherwise it's a bloody long walk!
Many thanks.
Adrian
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 26 6:53 PM, 2011
More Stuff from today:
Whinchat, Tree Pipit and 2 Spotted Flycatcher, HIgher Meadows up to 2:40 (info thanks to Phil Rhodes)
3 Tree Pipit over east (in singles over Georges Lane), male and female Redstart (Georges Lane by the kennels), 21 Wheatear (info thanks to Andy Makin)
Female/immature Redstart at Holdens Farm (on the log pile) at 11am (info thanks to David Rogers)
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 26 6:46 PM, 2011
Other sightings from today over the entire moors recording area, mainly with Ian Woosey:
35 Willow Warbler 3 Chiffchaff 11 Goldcrest 5 Blackcap 4 Whitethroat (Georges Lane, Holdens Farm, Brownstones Quarry, Burnt Edge Moor) 2 Tree Pipit (1 by Georges Lane cottages around 8:50am and one over Bryan Hey Reservoir) 1 Spotted Flycatcher (Brownstones Quarry) 24 Lesser Redpoll (5 Higher Meadows and 19 in Brownstones Quarry)
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 26 6:07 PM, 2011
originally posted by Bob and Joyce C today:
Highlights of a walk Friday morning 8.45 to 13.00 include :-
Holden Plantation (end nearest to Mast road) about 10.00 am
Spot Fly (1), Stonechat (3), Whinchat (1), Willow Warbler (2), Reed Bunting (1), Common Whitehroat (1), Wheatear (1 plus 1 seen on moors nr Mast Road), plus small party of mixed Tits (Blue and Great plus 1 Coal later on), Wren and numerous Swallows in the area.
Bob & Joyce C
Nick Isherwood said
Fri Aug 26 2:52 PM, 2011
It was interesting to see the melanistic Pied Wagtail there this morning too.
Rob Smallwood said
Fri Aug 26 1:59 PM, 2011
Looks like you need to get there before the early morning flush!
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood on Friday 26th of August 2011 12:59:23 PM
Mark Rigby said
Fri Aug 26 1:55 PM, 2011
2 Tree Pipit over between 0930-1130 but no Wryneck.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 26 1:52 PM, 2011
No further sign of the Wryneck since this morning.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 26 9:22 AM, 2011
Wryneck still off Georges Lane, Higher Meadows, Horwich Moors this morning at 7:30. Showing well just north of the dell in bushes in-between the first green field and road. At around 08:45, it then flew across the road and over the moor back towards the kennels.
Nice refind by Woosey who was 30 foot in front of me
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 25 5:08 PM, 2011
Further sightings from this morning:
Lesser Whitethroat and Tree Pipit Big Hedge on Georges Lane. Redstart at the kennels on Georges Lane 77 Wheatear (53 on the top of Winter Hill)
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Aug 25 4:11 PM, 2011
A big mooch today starting at Burnt Edge Lane, down by Newfields plantation to Burnt Edge Moor then up through Holdens Farm up to Mast Road then onto Two Lads Hill, back down to Georges Lane then back up Mast Road and back through Holdens Farm again on my way back - PHEW!!
Here's the best bits.
6 Juvenile Stonechat on ferns at the corner of Burnt Edge moor and Walker fold wood. 1 Tree Pipit over Walker fold wood c40 Linnets feeding on seeds at Holdens farm. 2 Redstart (1m, 1f) on logpile at Holdens farm - New county tick. Female Sparrowhawk soaring over Holdens farm 3 Kestrel in various places over the moors. 6 Stonechat (1 adult and 5 juv) near the barrier at Mast Road. 1 Buzzard over the moors near Mast Road. 1 Juvenile Yellow Wagtail in Higher Meadows. 1 Wheatear up Mast Road. 1 Stoat on Matchmoor Lane.
A really enjoyable few hours in very nice conditions.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Thursday 25th of August 2011 04:14:42 PM
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Aug 24 6:21 PM, 2011
An initially quiet morning with Simon Ghilks turned into an eventful few hours as we joined in a fruitless search for the Wryneck.
1 male Redstart Burnt Edge, probably same bird seen later briefly on Holdens Farm 'log pile'
Also on 'log pile' 2 juv Whitethroats 4 Reed Buntings Willow Warbler
10 Siskin flew into Walker Fold Wood
1 Tree Pipit flew over unseen calling when we returned to the car
Georges Lane Big Hedge area 2 Spotted Flycatcher 1 Willow Warbler 1 Whitethroat
Mast Road 1 Whinchat
Other general sightings 30 Wheatear 10 Kestrel 150+ Meadow Pipit
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Ian Woosey
I was that birder! Heartbreaking really. I came across the wheatear on my way to Twa Lads. It was still alive but couldn't fly or even walk, it just rolled about to get out of my way. There was nothing visibly wrong with it apart from that. On my way back it looked as if a dog had found it and killed it.
Re: Meadow Pipits - the east coast has recorded large arrivals. 20,000 at Spurn recorded the other day so obviously many filtering over to us.
2 Ring Ouzel at Higher Meadows
1 Tree Pipit
1 Crossbill
1 Reed Warbler Higher Meadows
7100 Meadow Pipit west and north-west
4500 Swallow east and south east
70 Pink-footed Geese north-west at 08:40
80 House Martin
Single female Marsh Harrier east from 11:15-11:30
2 Hobby, one SE and one SW
10 Sparrowhawk
15 Buzzard
4 Peregrine west
1 Golden Plover
40 Chaffinch
216 Siskin (including a flock of 100 at Brownstones Quarry)
14 Spotted Flycatchers (6 at the bottom of Burnt Edge Moor and 2 along the edge of Walker Fold- thanks for the info Paul), (4 in Brownstones Quarry), (1 at Wilderswood courtesy of Ian Woosey)
Single Pied Flycatcher in the 'big hedge' at Higher Moors
28 Skylark
29 Wheatear (cheers for the extras Ian)
13 Chiffchaff
Single male Blackcap
4 Stonechat
2 Whinchat (we only managed one but Paul fortunately managed two!)
23 Goldecrest
2 Whitethroat (one at Holdens Farm and one at Higher Meadows)
12.45-4.00pm
Sparrowhawk soaring as I got out of car, then put a stoop in from high in the direction of barrow bridge
A couple more also on the soar later on at Holdens farm
Buzzard over burnt edge
8 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 on the edge of Holdens wood, 5 in the willows at the end of Holdens wood going towards the farm
Holdens farm area
2 whinchats
4 Stonechats
25 linnets
Single Wheatear, also a dead one pointed out to me by another birder on path at end of Holdens plantation.
Kestrel showing well several locations
Also a couple of young "Lads" birding who had managed to see Hobbies near the mast to add to my I Spy manky birders list
21 Wheatear
1 Whinchat
1 Stonechat
75 Swallow south, 100+ hanging around
1 House Martin south
4 Skylark south
5 Buzzard
2 Siskin south
5 Redpoll south
9 Woodpigeon south
5 Chaffinch nw
1 imm Peregrine.
Fairly quiet.
Breezy but warm threatening rain but only a light shower
In area from path up to Walker Fold:
Pied Wags 2
House Martins 30+
Swallows 10
on return there mixed tit flock:
LT Tits 4
G Tit 3
B tit 2
Coal Tit 2
Willow Tit 1
also Chaffinch 5
Willow Warbler juv.
Kestrel (3rd of the day)
Burnt Edge:
Mipits 26
Reed Bunting 3
Goldfinch 6
Kestrel 1
From Burnt Edge to mast:
Mipits 10+
Kestrel 1
Holdens Farm
Linnets 21 over
Pheasant m plus one heard then f with 7 poults in field south of farm
12 Wheatear in the pony fields at the bottom of Mast Road.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
3 Ravens
2 Kestrels
2 Linnets
7 Wheatears
5 Goldfinches
1 Stonechat
1 Whinchat in the last grassy field on the left as you walk up the tarmac road to Winter Hill mast. The wheatears and goldfinches were all in this field at the same time.
No wryneck
Rob
Plenty of calls in the the wood but only caught a fleeting glance of a couple of birds so couldn't id anything other than by sound. Heard blue and great tit and a stone chat near the road. There seemed to be more activity in the conifers than the deciduous trees so if anyone's got time there might be something good there. Missed the spotted flycatcher .
Up the hill were a number of meadow pipits and skylarks and on top of one of the stone cairns (at Two Lads I think the OS map calls it) was a lovely whinchat (a first for me ). From the top I could see a kestrel over towards Holdens farm.
Cheers, Phil
Short Eared Owl in heather opposite Fir trees near path that goes between quarries, about 1-200 yards from path. I lay in the heather just off the path for ages watching it watch me. It did not fly so may still be there this afternoon. Seen at 10 til about 10.30. Saw Ken Haydock on the way down and let him know where it was, so hopefully he'll get on it as well. Lifetime first for me!
Fields between mast road carpark and wilderswood
3 Wheatear
15+ meadow pipits
Kestrel
several pheasants with 4 half grown poults
also of interest was a single Hare sqautting about 15 feet in front of me, pics on manc wildlife later
Firstly the Wryneck, trust Bird Guides to not listen properly when we described where it was.
We found the bird around 10.30 am on the broken down wall that runs alongside Mast road. More precisely where the road bends left and the crash barriers are along with the gate and footpath that goes to the top end of Holdens Plantation. From the gate the bird was perched about 100 yds along the wall in the direction of the mast. It then flew from the wall, across Mast Road and dropped down the other side of the road (looking towards the cairn on the distant hill). Unfortunately not seen again.
Other sightings included :-
Mistle Thrush (5 nr Holdens Farm)
Mixed flock of about 50 Linnets and Goldfinch, mainly Linnets (Holden Farm)
Willow Warbler ( 1 Holdens Farm, 1 Walker Fold Wood)
Reed Bunting (1 Holden Farm plus 1 heard along Burnt Hedge)
Goldcrest (1 Far end Holden Plantation)
Whinchat (min 2 between Holdens Plantation and Mast Road)
Stonechat ( min 2 between Holdens Plantation and Mast Road)
Wheatear (min 7 birds throughout the walk)
Hobby ( First seen over The Dell around 12.30, flew over Widerswood, Mast Road and over the quarries)
Sparrowhawk (pair over the quarries and 1 Walker Fold Woods)
Kestrel (min 4 birds throughout the walk)
Jay ( pair The Dell)
Bullfinch (heard The Dell)
Mixed flock of 25/30 Siskin and Redpoll Walker Fold Woods trying to see off the above Sparrowhawk.
Not counted but good numbers of Swallows throughout.
Bob and Joyce C
2 female Merlin through
7 Sparrowhawk,
17+ Kestrel
5 Buzzard
Info thanks to Andy Makin
41 Wheatear
1 Tree Pipit over Georges Lane, heading north (!)
Single adult Whinchat on Wildersmoor
Adult Hobby hunting over Smithills Moor just north of Holdens Farm at 2:15
Also Ken Haydock had a single Spotted Flycatcher at Wilderswood late am but no sign whilst I was there.
Juvenile Cuckoo in one of the mast cable compounds on Winter Hill with singles of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler,
37 Wheatear
2 Whinchat along Mast Road
11 Siskin over NW
13 Red Grouse in one flock on Mast Road
Info thanks to Andy Makin/Ken Haydock
1 first winter Yellow Wagtail with 40+ Pieds
13 Wheatear
2 Whitethroat
2 Chiffchaff
Info thanks to Andy Makin (with Ken Haydock)
Single juvenile Whinchat at Holdens Farm
3+ Stonechat at Holdens Farm
6 Red Grouse at very close range on the top of Burnt Edge Moor
My first visit around this area for many years was made easier by reading Ian's site guide on the main website
Georges lane,
Spotted flycatcher perched in the open just passed Wilderswood was a nice start.
2 Whitethroat
2 Siskin
3 Goldfinch
I walked over the moors up to Mast road then to the actual mast. Birds seen;
2 Whinchat
5 Skylarks
12 Meadow pipits
37 Wheatear, mainly close to the mast around the small enclosures containing the cable anchors
4 Kestrels
Pied wagtail
60+ Swallows over
3 House martins over
2 Ravens
A great walkabout
Georges Lane
Peregrine mobbed by Raven
Sparrowhawk
Red Grouse family party - 5 birds in total - Mast Road
Skylark - 1 over Burnt Edge
1 Stonechat - Burnt Edge
3 Siskin - Walker Fold Wood
Mixed flock with at least 5 Treecreeper, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Coal Tit, Blue Tit and Great Tit - Walker Fold Wood
40 Wheatear
6 Kestrel
c60 Meadow Pipits
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 28th of August 2011 06:32:03 PM
Plus 2 Grey Wagtails and a Whitethroat (George's Lane)
Cheers, John
No sign of the Wryneck.
4 Redstart (with at least 3 along Georges Lane/Higher meadows area)
6 Whinchat including 1 at the Big hedge and 4 along the mast road.
Lesser whitethroat Big hedge
Single Spotted flycatcher Big hedge
36 Wheatear including 20 around the mast area, and 12 mast road.
3 Stonechat
70+ Linnet Holdens
11 House martin over heading east
40+ swallow over.
Good to meet so many county faces again, anybody anything to add to this ?
Info thanks to Simon Warford
photograph em ont computer screen ,then you can zoom in if you get lost on the back of the camera-better than tracing paper
I have seen Ian's maps and have need to buy some tracing paper since I have no printer (yet).
AD
both 125 and 126 from bolton to preston area run to the bottom of the lane,but you could do a circle and head back to barrow bridge area,and get a shorter bus back to bolton.check Ians maps of the area on this site they are quite detailed.
both buses frequent on sat,not as frequent sunday
I may buy a tent
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Friday 26th of August 2011 07:26:57 PM
Many thanks.
Adrian
Whinchat, Tree Pipit and 2 Spotted Flycatcher, HIgher Meadows up to 2:40 (info thanks to Phil Rhodes)
3 Tree Pipit over east (in singles over Georges Lane), male and female Redstart (Georges Lane by the kennels), 21 Wheatear (info thanks to Andy Makin)
Female/immature Redstart at Holdens Farm (on the log pile) at 11am (info thanks to David Rogers)
35 Willow Warbler
3 Chiffchaff
11 Goldcrest
5 Blackcap
4 Whitethroat (Georges Lane, Holdens Farm, Brownstones Quarry, Burnt Edge Moor)
2 Tree Pipit (1 by Georges Lane cottages around 8:50am and one over Bryan Hey Reservoir)
1 Spotted Flycatcher (Brownstones Quarry)
24 Lesser Redpoll (5 Higher Meadows and 19 in Brownstones Quarry)
Highlights of a walk Friday morning 8.45 to 13.00 include :-
Holden Plantation (end nearest to Mast road) about 10.00 am
Spot Fly (1), Stonechat (3), Whinchat (1), Willow Warbler (2), Reed Bunting (1), Common Whitehroat (1), Wheatear (1 plus 1 seen on moors nr Mast Road), plus small party of mixed Tits (Blue and Great plus 1 Coal later on), Wren and numerous Swallows in the area.
Bob & Joyce C
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood on Friday 26th of August 2011 12:59:23 PM
Nice refind by Woosey who was 30 foot in front of me
Lesser Whitethroat and Tree Pipit Big Hedge on Georges Lane.
Redstart at the kennels on Georges Lane
77 Wheatear (53 on the top of Winter Hill)
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Here's the best bits.
6 Juvenile Stonechat on ferns at the corner of Burnt Edge moor and Walker fold wood.
1 Tree Pipit over Walker fold wood
c40 Linnets feeding on seeds at Holdens farm.
2 Redstart (1m, 1f) on logpile at Holdens farm - New county tick.
Female Sparrowhawk soaring over Holdens farm
3 Kestrel in various places over the moors.
6 Stonechat (1 adult and 5 juv) near the barrier at Mast Road.
1 Buzzard over the moors near Mast Road.
1 Juvenile Yellow Wagtail in Higher Meadows.
1 Wheatear up Mast Road.
1 Stoat on Matchmoor Lane.
A really enjoyable few hours in very nice conditions.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Thursday 25th of August 2011 04:14:42 PM
1 male Redstart Burnt Edge, probably same bird seen later briefly on Holdens Farm 'log pile'
Also on 'log pile'
2 juv Whitethroats
4 Reed Buntings
Willow Warbler
10 Siskin flew into Walker Fold Wood
1 Tree Pipit flew over unseen calling when we returned to the car
Georges Lane Big Hedge area
2 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Willow Warbler
1 Whitethroat
Mast Road
1 Whinchat
Other general sightings
30 Wheatear
10 Kestrel
150+ Meadow Pipit