A morning excursion for John Barber and myself today took us from Burnt Edge Lane down through Burnt Edge moor and back up to Holdens Farm before turning back and heading up back to Burnt Edge Lane via Newfields Plantation.
Highlights of the morning were as follows:
A huge flock of Goldfinch feeding on thistle heads just off Burnt Edge Lane - approximately 80 birds. 1 Kestrel on telegraph pole on Burnt Edge. At least 6 Stonechat and 4 Whinchat plus 1 Wheatear fly catching in the centre of Burnt Edge Moor - All appeared to be juvenile birds. A Hobby flew across our path in front of Holdens Farm heading towards Holdens Plantation. Flock of Linnets near to Holdens farm approx 25 birds. Hundreds of Swallows around plus good numbers of Meadow Pipits.
A very enjoyable morning.
Only found out about the Wryneck once I'd got back. Its a pity as we would have gone over to help the search if we'd known about it.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Aug 24 11:34 AM, 2011
No further sign of Georges Lane Wryneck since 9:25 this morning apparently.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Aug 24 11:15 AM, 2011
Wryneck by the big hedge at Higher Meadows, Georges Lane, Horwich Moors 11am. Currently flown up onto the moor 100 or so metres by wall running NE up the side of moor. Currently being looked for.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock and Jill Mills
Karen Foulkes said
Tue Aug 23 7:27 PM, 2011
Additionally mid afternoon
1 Tree Pipit showed well on a conifer on the edge of Wilderswood, initially flew overhead calling and then landed
c80 Meadow Pipits along Georges Road
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 23 1:39 PM, 2011
Moors very quiet and birdless first thing this morning. Best after that...
3 Whinchat (1 by the kennels on Georges Lane, 1 fields at the bottom of Mast Road and 1 on the top of Winter Hill) 34 Wheatear 40 Meadow Pipit 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Newfields
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 23 11:45 AM, 2011
Female Marsh harrier at the back of Holdens Farm at 11:35, low over the heather moor.
Info thanks to Andy Little
Dennis atherton said
Mon Aug 22 10:19 PM, 2011
No too much to add from tonights walk round to already posted sightings,
3 winchats burnt edge, large flock of linnets around the farm and large flock of goldfinches, 2 kestrel mobbing a raven over burnt edge, lots of sightings of wheatears
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 22 7:09 PM, 2011
Other sightings from today from the entire moors area:
106 Wheatear 4 Spotted Flycatcher 1 Pied Flycatcher (all flycatchers ar Newfields) 2 male Redstart at Holdens Farm 'log pile' 1 Tree Pipit heard calling heading east over Burnt Edge Grasshopper Warbler flushed ar Burnt Edge 290 Meadow Pipit 160 Linnet at Holdens Farm 4 Whinchat reported at Burnt Edge.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Little
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 22 8:10 AM, 2011
Adult female Goshawk at Higher Meadows, off Georges Lane, Horwich Moors at 07:52 this morning. Caught a Jay and is still thought to be in the area.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Aug 21 8:49 PM, 2011
Yesterday, Saturday 20th, a Red Kite was seen at a range of 50 feet flying over, just below Holdens Farm at 10:10am by Dave Evans and Tony Beever.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Aug 21 7:57 PM, 2011
10:45 - 1pm today:
Hobby just south of the moors, then headed south over Blackrod at 10:30 and was followed by another bird at 10:45 which flew south over Two Lads Hill.
Redstart around New Fields
6 Wheatear
2 Whinchat reported on the west side of Burnt Edge moor.
7 Whinchat & 4 Stonechat Burnt Edge, all on bracken and wall near bottom. 5 of the whinchats were bathing in the puddles on the path. A Lesser whitethroat appeared on the wall and chased a couple of whinchats.
Highlight was a cracking male Merlin which caught a meadow pipit right in front of us at Burnt edge and flew off towards walker fold.
juvenile Grasshopper warbler.
70 Swallow 5 Wheatear 8 Buzzard. Kestrels all over the place.
pager reported a Red Kite over Holdens at 10.10am, so close yet again to a Bolton Red Kite!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 20th of August 2011 05:56:31 PM
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Aug 20 4:35 PM, 2011
pm 2 wheatear- 1 on two lads hill,1 on mast road sparrowhawk-1 redstart-1 in dead bush in field at holdens farm whinchat-1 plenty meadow pipits and linnets lots of goldfinches 2 kestrel
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Aug 20 2:29 PM, 2011
With Simon Ghilks
Initial conditions were heavy fog, so very little seen for the first hour from 7am.
72 Linnet at Holdens Farm 1 Willow Warbler on wood pile 3 Reed Bunting on wood pile Single juvenile Whinchat perched on barbed wire close to footpath at Holdens Farm Family party of Whinchat on walls and in fields along Burnt Edge 1 Tree Pipit calling overhead at Burnt Edge, then landed on tree for a few seconds, before flying off 100 Meadow Pipit along Burn Edge 10 Wheatear on Mast Road 2 Stonechat on Mast Road
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 19 6:36 PM, 2011
Afternoon sightings, 12:30- 5pm:
Whinchat- superb family party of 6 birds by Holdens Farm and another single juvenile just west of Holdens Plantation on the dry stone wall there. Only managed to get a photo of 4 of the family party together though due to the non-stop activity of the birds!
Stonechat- family party of 5 at Holdens Farm, often mixed in with the Whinchat
Single juvenile Curlew (very short billed!) in the field by Holdens Farm
Lesser Redpoll- 2 Higher Meadows pond and 11 drinking from pools in Brownstones Quarry
Still 20 Wheatear around
1 Spotted Flycatcher in Newfields Plantation (presumed same as the earlier bird nearby at Walker Fold)
140 Linnet at Holdens Farm
2 Chiffchaff Brownstones Quarry
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 19th of August 2011 05:38:10 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 19 6:30 PM, 2011
Morning totals from Andy Makin and Karen Foulkes:
2 Tree Pipit flew SW at Holdens Plantation 1 male Redstart on the heather moor near Holdens Plantation, then flew towards Mast Road 38 Wheatear 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Walker Fold 125 Meadow Pipit 4 Siskin 18 Willow Warbler
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 18 4:12 PM, 2011
This morning's totals:
7 Spotted Flycatchers just west of Newfields, along the track to Walkerfold. Adult male Redstart in Newfields Plantation 8 Crossbill NW over Georges Lane 21 Wheatear 21 Willow Warbler 3 Red-legged Partridge still along Groeges Lane
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Aug 17 5:12 PM, 2011
A full days birding up here by Andy Makin produced:
2 Spotted Flycacthers Single male Redstart (morning only in the big hedge off Georges Lane) 34 Wheatear 1 Curlew 165 Meadow Pipit 370 Swallow moving east 21 Buzzard (between 10:15-11:35 over Deans Ditch) Hobby (over Deans Ditch) 19 Raven SW 21 Kestrel (moors total) 5 Stonechat (including 3 juveniles) 80 Linner (Holdens Farm)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 17th of August 2011 04:13:03 PM
Simon Warford said
Sun Aug 14 3:42 PM, 2011
8am - 1pm with Warfy senior & Andy Makin. Dodging the heavy showers.
A Dotterel flew south over Two Lads at 10.07am, picked up on flight call going at some speed, viewed from bend in road just past the road barriers.
3 Tree Pipits Burnt Edge, in the exact same spot as last Autumn, 2 seemed to fly off south with one bird lingering with at least 140 Meadow Pipits.
1 Crossbill over Georges Lane. 235 Swallow, some birds moving through. 7 Wheatear 2 Whitethroat in the rocket shaped mast compound, clearly migrants. 1 Grasshopper Warbler. 60+ Linnet.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Aug 12 12:04 PM, 2011
This morning:
Single Tree Pipit calling over Georges Lane headed east 8 Wheatear Single Crossbill in Wilderswood
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 9 6:54 PM, 2011
Mid to late morning today covered by Andy Makin and late morning to mid afternoon covered by me. All sightings included, specified to observer if only seen by one of us:
Wheatear- 34 (Wildersmoor, Mast Road, Winter Hill and Holdens Farm) Yellow Wagtail- 1 hanging around Georges Lane by the kennels (me) Curlew- one high SW (Andy) Whinchat- 2 (1 Mast Road and 1 Holdens Farm, both me) Swift- 9 SW (Andy) Swallow- approximately 240 (many moving NW but flocks lingering aorund Wildersmoor and flocks of 60 or so each by the Farm opposite New Colliers Row and by a farm on Chorley Old Road) Stonechat- 1 male Mast Road (Andy) Willow Warbler- 29 (25 along Georges Lane and 4 Sugar Loaf Plantation) Red-legged Partridge- 2 along Georges Lane by the kennels (Andy) Kestrel- 7 (hunting over the moors) Sparrowhawk- 3 WNW (Andy) Siskin- 1 W over Georges Lane (me) Bullfinch- 1 male Sugar Loaf Plantation (me)
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 8 1:28 PM, 2011
This morning:
10 Wheatear 1 Yellow Wagtail south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sat Aug 6 4:57 PM, 2011
Late news yesterday morning (5th), single Whinchat on wall at Burnt Edge, also 5 Wheatear and 34 Willow Warbler.
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 1 10:14 PM, 2011
7:30 until 10:15 this morning:
Whimbrel calling low south over Georges Lane 1 Crossbill north 7 Wheatear Female Stonechat on Mast Road
Info thanks to Andy Maki
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jul 30 1:48 PM, 2011
Juveniles look fresh this time of year and show no wing moult. This is an adult Common Buzzard in typical moult. Note also the well defined dark trailing edge to the wing, also indicative of this age.
Rick Hall said
Sat Jul 30 12:10 PM, 2011
Saw this over my house this morning. I think it's a juvenile light common buzzard because of the 'carpels'?? but the poor thing looks so battered and has got so many tail feathers missing I'd like a second opinion common buzzard?
Adam Jones said
Sat Jul 23 3:39 PM, 2011
Saturday 23rd July
Seen this morning:
1 Stonechat just off Georges Lane on a wall. 6 Meadow Pipits 2 Red Grouse 1 Grasshopper Warbler heard 6 Linnets 1 Red Deer on Georges Lane and a hare crossing Mast Road
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jul 20 10:21 PM, 2011
Todays sightings:
Juvenile Redstart still along Georges Lane 5 Wheatear 3 Stonechat on Mast Road
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jul 15 2:53 PM, 2011
9:15 to 12:00 today, mainly around Georges Lane:
Juvenile Redstart 1 Yellow Wagtail 2 Curlew 8 Raven 22 Willow Warbler 1 Siskin 2 Goldcrest 2 Stonechat at the bottom of Mast Road 2 juvenile Wheatear on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jul 14 9:30 AM, 2011
Georges Lane yesterday was generally quiet but a single Oystercatcher flew over as did three Crossbills which headed NE at 10:10am.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jul 11 11:51 AM, 2011
8-10am this morning.
3 Crossbill by Wilderswood on Georges Lane, flew north at 08:10 3 Siskin 19 Willow Warbler in the Dell on Georges Lane 3 juvenile Wheatears and 35 Meadow Pipit on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jul 5 1:41 PM, 2011
A few sightings from this morning:
120 Meadow Pipit 2 Wheatear Garden Warbler singing from by cottages on Georges Lane.
Fledged Linnets, Lesser Redpolls, Meadow Pipits, and Great Tits..
Adam Jones said
Fri Jun 24 9:50 PM, 2011
Friday 24th June 1.30-3.30pm
Georges Lane: Pretty quiet here this afternoon. The usual numbers of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were around. 1 Nuthatch in Wilderswood 1 Jay 1 Chiffchaff 3 Goldfinches 1 Kestrel
I didn't have the energy to climb up Winter Hill, but maybe another day.
Jon Bowen said
Sun Jun 12 11:10 AM, 2011
12/06 Collier Row through to Walkers Fold
Garden Warbler (Brown Stones Quarry) Stonechat Whitethroat Coal Tit Nuthatch Treecreeper Young linnets & Redpoll Crow with large piece of carrion, which looked like a young rabbit lots of swifts ( single group 8 ) Blue, Great Long Tailed Tit families
Recently fledged Lesser Redpolls and Willow Warblers..
Jim Ormerod said
Sun Jun 5 7:08 AM, 2011
Cuckoo calling at dusk on 4th June at Horrocks Wood and probably a second individual seen pursued by Meadow Pipits.
Lapwing with 2 well-grown chicks on field at top of Scout Road, Whitethroat singing nearby and Grasshopper Warbler singing down towards Belmont Road.
Adam Jones said
Sat Jun 4 11:20 AM, 2011
My first visit to Horwich Moors this morning. Highlights were: Georges Lane: Cuckoo, heard at 6am and then again at 6.45. I managed to track it down in and around the Dell. It was then calling and moving for a good ten minutes. Green Woodpecker heard calling near the horse fields. 1 Raven by the kennels 2 Grey Heron over 2 Willow Warblers 2 Lapwings 2 Jays lots of Mistle Thrush and a very large flock of mainly juvenile Starlings
Winter Hill and path to Burnt Edge: 5 Linnets 2 Swallows 3 Reed Buntings 1 Pied Wagtail Many Meadow Pipits and Skylarks
Rick Hall said
Fri Jun 3 11:08 PM, 2011
1 Lesser Spotted Sid Waddell in Tesco.
Seen not heard, for a change.
John Lyon said
Fri Jun 3 6:12 PM, 2011
On the day the Cuckoo was seen by Janice and I, it was begging for food and the mippits were sat next to it, passed things to its beak, and flew along side the bird when it flew. Not in an harrassing manner. i take your point Jim, but I can only post what we saw.
-- Edited by John Lyon on Friday 3rd of June 2011 10:37:55 PM
Jim Ormerod said
Fri Jun 3 2:01 PM, 2011
Re John's juv Cuckoo: My wife and I were near Horrocks Farm late on Thurs 26th and saw a female Cuckoo being harried by a couple of Meadow Pipits. There was a male calling about 500 metres away up the hill.
I shouldn't have thought they'd have had time to get to the fledged stage yet with about 12 days incubation and about 20 to fledging according to the books.
Jim Ormerod
John Carter said
Thu Jun 2 9:35 AM, 2011
I saw the starlings on Tuesday feeding in the fields next to the Mast Lane. There were several hundred of them with a lot of youngsters amongst them.
I also saw a flock of Lesser Redpolls at a small plantation of young conifers on top of Burnt Edge.
Rick Hall said
Thu Jun 2 9:10 AM, 2011
7 - 8.15am From Mast Lane to Holdens Plantation
Heard and then saw my first ever Grasshopper Warbler this morning!
Then 3 Stonechat, Male, Female and Juvenile. My first of the year, after dozens of efforts. So another big grin -
Loads and loads of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks and a big flock of starlings doing what they do best.
Willow Warbler - possibly 2 at top end of Holdens.
Tonnes of stuff over that I couldn't ID, little finchy type jobs.
Top morning!
John Lyon said
Thu Jun 2 8:06 AM, 2011
Cuckoo still showing well in field off Scout Road, looking towards Horrocks Fold Farm yesterday between 8pm and 9.30pm with two meadow pipits in attendance.
Jon Bowen said
Wed Jun 1 9:20 PM, 2011
Circuit around Burnt Edge from Mast Road this evening Stonechat Grasshopper Warbler Coal Tit Pied Wagtail Reed Bunting Kestrel 5 swifts 2 curlew overhead plus usual Meadow Pipits & Skylarks
Ian McKerchar said
Tue May 31 5:23 PM, 2011
Single (at least?) Crossbill in the Burnt Edge end of Walker Fold Wood, 6 Lesser Redpoll in the Holdens area and a female Wheatear at Burnt Edge, all this afternoon.
Ian Campbell said
Mon May 30 10:53 AM, 2011
7.00-8.30 on a wet morning, don't really know this area but parked on Matchmoor Rd and walked in direction of Winter Hill, came to small conifer plantation containing Meadow Pipits with Wheatear also. Then along a bridle path towards Holdens Plantation, heard reeling Grasshopper Warbler and calling Red Grouse. After passing Holdens down then up some steps fabulous views of a family party of Stonechats. Then found road upto the mast, lots more Pipits and Skylark. Then returned along same route to car soaking wet, but enjoyed the walk. Cheers Ian
John Lyon said
Sun May 29 9:55 AM, 2011
Parked up on Scout Road above Horrocks Fold and was pleasantly surprised to see a juvenile Cuckoo begging for food from its surregate parent. The cuckoo was sat on a fence post right next to the road. unable to get a good view of the parent (unidentified LBJ) Cuckoo flew off towards the farm house with its parent following close behind
John and Jan Saturday 28/05/11 18:00hrs
Simon Warford said
Thu May 26 11:08 PM, 2011
Cuckoo still present along Georges Lane today (present 2+ weeks).
Rick Hall said
Sat May 7 9:58 PM, 2011
Cuckoo over tonight, standing on Mast Lane with my back towards the quarry it flew over towards the far corner of Wilderswood and then called twice. Not relocated. I was looking for stonechats, but no luck there.
Highlights of the morning were as follows:
A huge flock of Goldfinch feeding on thistle heads just off Burnt Edge Lane - approximately 80 birds.
1 Kestrel on telegraph pole on Burnt Edge.
At least 6 Stonechat and 4 Whinchat plus 1 Wheatear fly catching in the centre of Burnt Edge Moor - All appeared to be juvenile birds.
A Hobby flew across our path in front of Holdens Farm heading towards Holdens Plantation.
Flock of Linnets near to Holdens farm approx 25 birds.
Hundreds of Swallows around plus good numbers of Meadow Pipits.
A very enjoyable morning.
Only found out about the Wryneck once I'd got back. Its a pity as we would have gone over to help the search if we'd known about it.
Info thanks to Ken Haydock
Info thanks to Ken Haydock and Jill Mills
1 Tree Pipit showed well on a conifer on the edge of Wilderswood, initially flew overhead calling and then landed
c80 Meadow Pipits along Georges Road
3 Whinchat (1 by the kennels on Georges Lane, 1 fields at the bottom of Mast Road and 1 on the top of Winter Hill)
34 Wheatear
40 Meadow Pipit
1 Spotted Flycatcher at Newfields
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Little
3 winchats burnt edge, large flock of linnets around the farm and large flock of goldfinches, 2 kestrel mobbing a raven over burnt edge, lots of sightings of wheatears
106 Wheatear
4 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Pied Flycatcher (all flycatchers ar Newfields)
2 male Redstart at Holdens Farm 'log pile'
1 Tree Pipit heard calling heading east over Burnt Edge
Grasshopper Warbler flushed ar Burnt Edge
290 Meadow Pipit
160 Linnet at Holdens Farm
4 Whinchat reported at Burnt Edge.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Little
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Hobby just south of the moors, then headed south over Blackrod at 10:30 and was followed by another bird at 10:45 which flew south over Two Lads Hill.
Redstart around New Fields
6 Wheatear
2 Whinchat reported on the west side of Burnt Edge moor.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 male Redstart (1 Holdens & 1 Big hedge)
5 Spotted Flycatcher (1 Bownstone/Colliers row, 2 Big Hedge & 2 Newfield pltn)
7 Whinchat & 4 Stonechat Burnt Edge, all on bracken and wall near bottom. 5 of the whinchats were bathing in the puddles on the path. A Lesser whitethroat appeared on the wall and chased a couple of whinchats.
Highlight was a cracking male Merlin which caught a meadow pipit right in front of us at Burnt edge and flew off towards walker fold.
juvenile Grasshopper warbler.
70 Swallow
5 Wheatear
8 Buzzard.
Kestrels all over the place.
pager reported a Red Kite over Holdens at 10.10am, so close yet again to a Bolton Red Kite!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 20th of August 2011 05:56:31 PM
2 wheatear- 1 on two lads hill,1 on mast road
sparrowhawk-1
redstart-1 in dead bush in field at holdens farm
whinchat-1
plenty meadow pipits and linnets
lots of goldfinches
2 kestrel
Initial conditions were heavy fog, so very little seen for the first hour from 7am.
72 Linnet at Holdens Farm
1 Willow Warbler on wood pile
3 Reed Bunting on wood pile
Single juvenile Whinchat perched on barbed wire close to footpath at Holdens Farm
Family party of Whinchat on walls and in fields along Burnt Edge
1 Tree Pipit calling overhead at Burnt Edge, then landed on tree for a few seconds, before flying off
100 Meadow Pipit along Burn Edge
10 Wheatear on Mast Road
2 Stonechat on Mast Road
Whinchat- superb family party of 6 birds by Holdens Farm and another single juvenile just west of Holdens Plantation on the dry stone wall there. Only managed to get a photo of 4 of the family party together though due to the non-stop activity of the birds!
Stonechat- family party of 5 at Holdens Farm, often mixed in with the Whinchat
Single juvenile Curlew (very short billed!) in the field by Holdens Farm
Lesser Redpoll- 2 Higher Meadows pond and 11 drinking from pools in Brownstones Quarry
Still 20 Wheatear around
1 Spotted Flycatcher in Newfields Plantation (presumed same as the earlier bird nearby at Walker Fold)
140 Linnet at Holdens Farm
2 Chiffchaff Brownstones Quarry
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 19th of August 2011 05:38:10 PM
2 Tree Pipit flew SW at Holdens Plantation
1 male Redstart on the heather moor near Holdens Plantation, then flew towards Mast Road
38 Wheatear
1 Spotted Flycatcher at Walker Fold
125 Meadow Pipit
4 Siskin
18 Willow Warbler
7 Spotted Flycatchers just west of Newfields, along the track to Walkerfold.
Adult male Redstart in Newfields Plantation
8 Crossbill NW over Georges Lane
21 Wheatear
21 Willow Warbler
3 Red-legged Partridge still along Groeges Lane
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 Spotted Flycacthers
Single male Redstart (morning only in the big hedge off Georges Lane)
34 Wheatear
1 Curlew
165 Meadow Pipit
370 Swallow moving east
21 Buzzard (between 10:15-11:35 over Deans Ditch)
Hobby (over Deans Ditch)
19 Raven SW
21 Kestrel (moors total)
5 Stonechat (including 3 juveniles)
80 Linner (Holdens Farm)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 17th of August 2011 04:13:03 PM
Dodging the heavy showers.
A Dotterel flew south over Two Lads at 10.07am, picked up on flight call going at some speed, viewed from bend in road just past the road barriers.
3 Tree Pipits Burnt Edge, in the exact same spot as last Autumn, 2 seemed to fly off south with one bird lingering with at least 140 Meadow Pipits.
1 Crossbill over Georges Lane.
235 Swallow, some birds moving through.
7 Wheatear
2 Whitethroat in the rocket shaped mast compound, clearly migrants.
1 Grasshopper Warbler.
60+ Linnet.
Single Tree Pipit calling over Georges Lane headed east
8 Wheatear
Single Crossbill in Wilderswood
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Wheatear- 34 (Wildersmoor, Mast Road, Winter Hill and Holdens Farm)
Yellow Wagtail- 1 hanging around Georges Lane by the kennels (me)
Curlew- one high SW (Andy)
Whinchat- 2 (1 Mast Road and 1 Holdens Farm, both me)
Swift- 9 SW (Andy)
Swallow- approximately 240 (many moving NW but flocks lingering aorund Wildersmoor and flocks of 60 or so each by the Farm opposite New Colliers Row and by a farm on Chorley Old Road)
Stonechat- 1 male Mast Road (Andy)
Willow Warbler- 29 (25 along Georges Lane and 4 Sugar Loaf Plantation)
Red-legged Partridge- 2 along Georges Lane by the kennels (Andy)
Kestrel- 7 (hunting over the moors)
Sparrowhawk- 3 WNW (Andy)
Siskin- 1 W over Georges Lane (me)
Bullfinch- 1 male Sugar Loaf Plantation (me)
10 Wheatear
1 Yellow Wagtail south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
Whimbrel calling low south over Georges Lane
1 Crossbill north
7 Wheatear
Female Stonechat on Mast Road
Info thanks to Andy Maki
Seen this morning:
1 Stonechat just off Georges Lane on a wall.
6 Meadow Pipits
2 Red Grouse
1 Grasshopper Warbler heard
6 Linnets
1 Red Deer on Georges Lane and a hare crossing Mast Road
Juvenile Redstart still along Georges Lane
5 Wheatear
3 Stonechat on Mast Road
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Juvenile Redstart
1 Yellow Wagtail
2 Curlew
8 Raven
22 Willow Warbler
1 Siskin
2 Goldcrest
2 Stonechat at the bottom of Mast Road
2 juvenile Wheatear on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
3 Crossbill by Wilderswood on Georges Lane, flew north at 08:10
3 Siskin
19 Willow Warbler in the Dell on Georges Lane
3 juvenile Wheatears and 35 Meadow Pipit on Winter Hill
Info thanks to Andy Makin
120 Meadow Pipit
2 Wheatear
Garden Warbler singing from by cottages on Georges Lane.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Burnt Edge/Mast Rd/Holdens Farm area:
5 Ravens (Two Lads Hill)
2 Stonechats (Mast Road)
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling (Holdens Clough)
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
1 Curlew
4 Mistle Thrushes
5 Swifts
1 Jay
Fledged Linnets, Lesser Redpolls, Meadow Pipits, and Great Tits..
Georges Lane:
Pretty quiet here this afternoon. The usual numbers of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were around.
1 Nuthatch in Wilderswood
1 Jay
1 Chiffchaff
3 Goldfinches
1 Kestrel
I didn't have the energy to climb up Winter Hill, but maybe another day.
Garden Warbler (Brown Stones Quarry)
Stonechat
Whitethroat
Coal Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Young linnets & Redpoll
Crow with large piece of carrion, which looked like a young rabbit
lots of swifts ( single group 8 )
Blue, Great Long Tailed Tit families
Colliers Row to Roscows Tenement Clough:
1 Peregrine
5 Ravens
3 Buzzards
1 Garden Warbler (Brown Stones Quarry)
3 Curlews
1 Kestrel
1 Little Grebe
Recently fledged Lesser Redpolls and Willow Warblers..
Lapwing with 2 well-grown chicks on field at top of Scout Road, Whitethroat singing nearby and Grasshopper Warbler singing down towards Belmont Road.
Highlights were:
Georges Lane:
Cuckoo, heard at 6am and then again at 6.45. I managed to track it down in and around the Dell. It was then calling and moving for a good ten minutes.
Green Woodpecker heard calling near the horse fields.
1 Raven by the kennels
2 Grey Heron over
2 Willow Warblers
2 Lapwings
2 Jays
lots of Mistle Thrush and a very large flock of mainly juvenile Starlings
Winter Hill and path to Burnt Edge:
5 Linnets
2 Swallows
3 Reed Buntings
1 Pied Wagtail
Many Meadow Pipits and Skylarks
Seen not heard, for a change.
-- Edited by John Lyon on Friday 3rd of June 2011 10:37:55 PM
I shouldn't have thought they'd have had time to get to the fledged stage yet with about 12 days incubation and about 20 to fledging according to the books.
Jim Ormerod
I also saw a flock of Lesser Redpolls at a small plantation of young conifers on top of Burnt Edge.
Heard and then saw my first ever Grasshopper Warbler this morning!
Then 3 Stonechat, Male, Female and Juvenile. My first of the year, after dozens of efforts. So another big grin -
Loads and loads of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks and a big flock of starlings doing what they do best.
Willow Warbler - possibly 2 at top end of Holdens.
Tonnes of stuff over that I couldn't ID, little finchy type jobs.
Top morning!
Stonechat
Grasshopper Warbler
Coal Tit
Pied Wagtail
Reed Bunting
Kestrel
5 swifts
2 curlew overhead
plus usual Meadow Pipits & Skylarks
Cheers Ian
Cuckoo flew off towards the farm house with its parent following close behind
John and Jan Saturday 28/05/11 18:00hrs