...also, an Ermine (Stoat in winter fur) mooching along a stone wall off Mast Lane
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Feb 24 9:33 PM, 2011
Also 100 Fieldfare along Coal Pit Lane today.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Thu Feb 24 7:03 PM, 2011
24/2/11 pm
Andy Makin is out of his winter hibernation.
Singles of Curlew, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher heading NE over tops between 2.30 & 3.15.
2 Mealy Redpoll, 10 Lesser Redpoll & single Chiffchaff at rear of Lomax plantation.
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
Keith Mills said
Sun Feb 20 3:46 PM, 2011
This PM
3 Red Grouse seen flying twice. (Same?) 1 Red Grouse out in open! 1 Pheasant 1 Heron 5 Starlings 9 Carrion Crows Pair Mallard c 70 Rooks in a field near Bob Smithy
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jan 31 3:03 PM, 2011
Thick cloud on Winter Hill early afternoon but 7 Red Grouse showed beautifully by the very top.
Rick Hall said
Sat Jan 22 4:55 PM, 2011
There's an interesting goose in the massive garden of the Mill and Granary at the top of Brownlow Road. At first I thought Hybrid, then I thought White Fronted, but now I'm thinking hybrid again because of the size.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Cheers
Simon Warford said
Sun Dec 12 3:40 PM, 2010
2 Brambling this morning on feeders in back garden of the last bungalow on right along Georges lane before Wilderswood with 15 or so Chaffinch. viewed from track at side of house.
single Brambling along Coal pit road at Roscoes tenament.
80 Pink feet nw from Georges lane.
Couple of small groups of Siskin about & 50+ Fieldfare around Holdens.
Still a handful of Meadow pipits on the moor.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Dec 3 4:00 PM, 2010
Pretty much everything tends to move off when the weathers cold. Even the Makin himself!
Rick Hall said
Fri Dec 3 2:04 PM, 2010
Haven't seen a single bird of prey up there for a week. Last one was a Kestrel near the quarries. Do they move on if the weather is really cold? Or am I just not being very observant?
Keith Mills said
Sun Nov 28 9:05 PM, 2010
Rob Thorpe wrote:
keith mills wrote:
Ian McKerchar wrote:
keith mills wrote:
5 tree pipits feeding at Holdens Farm
Keith, may I be bold enough to assume that's a typo and you in fact mean Meadow Pipits?
IAN, The five were feeding on one stalk of Rape. they were not very close . I could be mistaken but I thought that the colouring was more in line with tree pipits. I will take my scope up asap.
Tree Pipits should be in Africa by now Keith... I'm no expert, but I'd say it would be very unusual for any to be recorded round these parts after September (or at latest very early October). Portland Bird Observatory recorded what they called "a late Tree Pipit" on 25 October this year, so any in Greater Manchester in late November would be exceedingly late indeed!
Rob , Thanks for that. Believe it or not, I was about to edit my post having consulted Peterson,s Winter range maps. You can rest assured that I will not report November Tree Pipits again.
Rob Thorpe said
Sun Nov 28 8:52 PM, 2010
keith mills wrote:
Ian McKerchar wrote:
keith mills wrote:
5 tree pipits feeding at Holdens Farm
Keith, may I be bold enough to assume that's a typo and you in fact mean Meadow Pipits?
IAN, The five were feeding on one stalk of Rape. they were not very close . I could be mistaken but I thought that the colouring was more in line with tree pipits. I will take my scope up asap.
Tree Pipits should be in Africa by now Keith... I'm no expert, but I'd say it would be very unusual for any to be recorded round these parts after September (or at latest very early October). Portland Bird Observatory recorded what they called "a late Tree Pipit" on 25 October this year, so any in Greater Manchester in late November would be exceedingly late indeed!
Keith Mills said
Sun Nov 28 8:36 PM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
keith mills wrote:
5 tree pipits feeding at Holdens Farm
Keith, may I be bold enough to assume that's a typo and you in fact mean Meadow Pipits?
IAN, The five were feeding on one stalk of Rape. they were not very close . I could be mistaken but I thought that the colouring was more in line with tree pipits. I will take my scope up asap.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 28 8:09 PM, 2010
keith mills wrote:
5 tree pipits feeding at Holdens Farm
Keith, may I be bold enough to assume that's a typo and you in fact mean Meadow Pipits?
Keith Mills said
Sun Nov 28 6:06 PM, 2010
At least 2 pairs of Bullfinches feeding in Holdens Plantation at 1.0pm today. Heron overhead three times. 5 tree pipits feeding at Holdens farm. Two Mistle thrushes in New Field Plantation and a Fieldfare in adjacent tree. Otherwise very quiet
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 26 5:33 PM, 2010
Morning moors totals from Georges Lane:
Whooper Swan 32 ssw (5 at 9.55, 12 at 9.57, and 15 at 9.58) Snipe 1 high nw Woodpigeon 39 flocks nw 721 Fieldfare 4 flocks w totalling 148 Brambling 1 sw Siskin 12 nw Chaffinch 41 wnw finch sp 26 Reed Bunting 4 nw
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Mike Passant said
Fri Nov 26 5:24 PM, 2010
A long time ago when I were a wee bairn (i.e. bloody ages ago), the viking raiders used to follow the early winter eyrars coming out of what is now modern Estonia, and they followed them in their ships to the English coast. Such was the frequency, reliability, and navigational skills of those eyrars that the Norsemen trusted to follow them always and never got lost...(though they did end up sometimes in Newfoundland).
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 26 4:59 PM, 2010
Or alternatively just a bloody flock like everything else
Paul Heaton said
Fri Nov 26 3:54 PM, 2010
If you want to be a pain the collective noun for swans that are FLYING then its a
Wedge of swans ( flying only)
others are a bank of swans a bevy of swans a whiteness of swans , then herd, eyrar or even a Gargle of swans.
Keep Birding
David Craven said
Fri Nov 26 11:59 AM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
3 groups (herds, flocks, whatever) of Whooper Swans (5,12 and 15) flew south from Georges Lane, Horwich at around 10am.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Herd is right, although the OED also provides "eyrar" which is great.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 26 11:06 AM, 2010
3 groups (herds, flocks, whatever) of Whooper Swans (5,12 and 15) flew south from Georges Lane, Horwich at around 10am.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 26 8:52 AM, 2010
Atleast 280 Waxwings landed briefly in conifers at Wilderswood, Horwich before heading east at 8am this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 24 11:18 AM, 2010
This morning a Lapland Bunting flew low west calling over Georges Lane at 09:30am, also a Waxwing flew east here.
A female Merlin was on the wall at Deans Ditch, 70 Pink-footed Geese flew west and a Black Redstart was still by the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill (in Lancs of course).
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 22 4:19 PM, 2010
Sightings for today:
11 Waxwings east at Georges Lane 07:50. Female Merlin 77 Woodpigeon S 25 Fieldfare W 61 Starling NW 1 Black Redstart on Winter Hill in Lancs
Into thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 19 3:12 PM, 2010
Today's totals from Georges Lane:
Waxwings- 4 NW at 07:30 and 5 E at 07:30 126 Fieldfare SW in two flocks 2 Brambling W 8 Crossbill (including 2 males) in Wilderswood which flew east at 07:55 and a single flew E at 08:10 1 Skylark E 31 Woodpigeon NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
fred fouracre said
Wed Nov 17 3:24 PM, 2010
at the end of dicconson lane in the field opposite the royal oak carvery this morning was a flock of 200 plus lapwings.not really horwich moors but close
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 16 2:22 PM, 2010
Some of the mornings totals courtesy of Andy Makin and Ken Haydock;
7 Cormorant E 42 Woodpigeon WNW 668 Fieldfare S/SW in 5 flocks 38 Redwing Waxwings- 4 S at 08:10 and 3 E at 11am over Georges Lane 1005 Starling NW, including a flock of 900 4 Brambling S (with Fieldfares) 1 male Crossbill Walker Fold Wood 2 Black Redstarts still by rocket shaped mast just in Lancashire
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 15 7:14 PM, 2010
Other than this mornings Waxwings, additional sightings 08:30-14:30 were as follows:
67 Fieldfare in two flocks 1 Brambling SW 6 Chaffinch 1 Bullfinch NW 7 Starling W 2 Greenfinch NW 1 Siskin 1 Goldfinch SW 2 immature Peregrines both flew through heading SW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 15 1:18 PM, 2010
Five flocks of Waxwings over the Horwich Moors this morning, of 12, 8, 4, 10 and 3.
Into thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 14 6:42 PM, 2010
In addition to the Makin/Warford totals today, Ken Haydock also had a further 83 Fieldfare and 10 Redwing.
Simon Warford said
Sun Nov 14 5:15 PM, 2010
This morning with Andy Makin & my dad.
3 Waxwing circled Georges Lane at 7.33am and then flew east.
168 Pink Feet SE at 8.05am.
41 Fieldfare SW 79 Starling NW 9 Siskin W
2 Black Redstarts still on fence by Rocket shaped mast.
2 Grey Partridge Georges lane.
Single Brambling along Coal pit road (Ken Haydock).
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 14th of November 2010 05:17:29 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 13 2:38 PM, 2010
Today's totals:
3 Whooper swan NW at 9.15 Pink-footed Geese- 35 E 08:15, 200 E 08:40, 18 W 09:15, 16 SW 09:30 236 Woodpigeon NW in small flocks over Georges Lane 1 Stock Dove NW 240 Fieldfare SSW in small flocks 1 Redwing 2 Blackbird 1 male Ring Ouzel S at 07:36 1 Waxwing S Burnt Edge 07:46 and 1 NW Georges Lane 08.15 68 Starling NW 7 Jackdaw NW 1 Reed Bunting NW Good finch movement all NW mainly over Georges Lane with 95 Chaffinch, 9 Siskin, 5 Redpoll, 6 Greenfinch, 6 Bullfinch, 18 finch sp. 2 singles Crossbill N 08:05 and 10:10
All info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 10 2:54 PM, 2010
Today's sightings by Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes and Ken Haydock:
11 Lapwing SE 1544 Woodpigeon al mid- morning mainly in 3 large flocks. Heading over Georges Lane and probably over towards Haigh (S/SW). 26 Fieldfare 7 Redwing Single Blackbird S Waxwing SW 07:25 4 Meadow Pipit 34 Chaffinch Single Brambling 15 finch sp. 12 Bullfinch NW 2 Twite NW over the tops at 11:05 and 3 over Holdens Farm at 08:30 Single Golden Plover 36 Starling W Single Reed Bunting Black Redstart briefly on the GM side of the tops
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 10 10:56 AM, 2010
Single Waxwing over Burnt Edge this morning.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Rick Hall said
Mon Nov 8 2:31 PM, 2010
MINGING!!!
2 Red Grouse 2 Red Hands 2 Ravens 2 Wet Feet and 1 frozen face.
Simon Warford said
Sun Nov 7 6:23 PM, 2010
Vis mig watch with Andy Makin, joined by Ken & Jill for abit. Burnt Edge Me 6.40am-11.30am Andy 6.40am - 1pm
2 Waxwings through west with small Redwing flock 7.05am 16 Waxwings through west at 7.20am
1 Lapland Bunting - flight call heard only 7.50am, fortunately we all heard it, but couldnt see it!
Also,
596 Woodpigeon all SW 208 Fieldfare mostly NW 53 Redwing 7 Skylark E 240 Starling NW 24 Chaffinch 1 Brambling W Crossbill 2 N (Andy) 330 Pink Feet NW in 3 skiens. 4 Wigeon W
2 Black Redstarts continue to show well near the rocket shaped mast, now feeding on seed put down near gate,
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 7 8:08 AM, 2010
18 Waxwing and a single Lapland Bunting all heading over SW so far this morning (Andy Makin and Simon Warford)
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 6 8:48 PM, 2010
Today's vismig totals. Very slow today apparently, observers present Andy Makin, Phil Rhodes and Alan Warford.
2 skeins of Pink-footed Geese with 22 SE at 8am and 80 at 8:05 274 Woodpigeon SE 127 Fieldfare S/SW 5 Redwing S/SW 54 Starling W 3 Skylark SE 3 Meadow Pipit 1 Pied Wagtail SW 52 Chaffinch NW 2 Brambling 5 Redpoll 8 finch sp. 3 Reed Bunting Greenland Wheatear still present 2 Black Redstarts around the mast buildings in Lancashire.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Hi pal vis , 2 brambling ,5 redpoll , 8 finch sp , r bunt 3. Wheatear n 2 b reds tops.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 5 12:55 PM, 2010
This morning's vismig totals:
21 Woodpigeon SW 1 Stock Dove W 51 Fieldfare, mainly small flocks SW 1 Waxwing (with a flock of 25 Fieldfare) 17 Redwing SW 22Starling W 2 Grey Wagtail SW 1 Goldfinch 5 Redpoll SE 26 Siskin NE 1 Brambling 5 finch sp. 51 Chaffinch, most NW 19 Greenfinch, most NE 1 Reed Bunting
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 5 8:56 AM, 2010
Single Waxwing SE with a flock of Fieldfare at Burnt Edge at 7.20am this morning.
The 'Greenland' Wheatear still present on the top of Winter Hill this morning also.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 5th of November 2010 09:08:47 AM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 3 3:28 PM, 2010
Further sightings from this morning from Burnt Edge 06:45 to 10:15 with the first 45 minutes of daylight seeing almost everything passing through:
675 Fieldfare in 22 flocks, heading S/SE at first light, changing to SW and later 2 large flocks W. 5 Redwing 7 Woodpigeon SW Immature Peregrine W 27 Siskin S 22 Chaffinch 2 Brambling 6 finch sp. 1 Crossbill NW 105 Starling W
Above info thanks to Andy Makin
From midday until 2pm, with very poor weather settling in from 1pm onwards:
Georges Lane/Higher Meadows:
170 Fieldfare in one flock NW 16 Siskin in one flock NW 13 Bullfinch (in the dell) 6 Goldcrest (dell) 4 Blackbird (dell) 8 Long-tailed Tit (dell)
Bryan Hey Reservoir:
1 Nuthatch 4 Song Thrush 1 Bullfinch
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 3rd of November 2010 03:32:02 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 3 9:34 AM, 2010
Early am sightings this morning:
Greenland Wheatear (same individual), 3 Stonechat and single Black Redstart (probably immature) all together at the west end of Deans Ditch (inside Greater Manchester).
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 2 12:46 PM, 2010
Vismig from Burnt Edge this morning, all birds seen within the first half hour of daylight then went quiet!
2 Cormorant NE 8 Woodpigeon 2 Stock Dove S 582 Fieldfare in 29 small groups mainly S or SW 205 Redwing in 12 flocks mainly S 1 Blackbird 61 Starling W 1 Bullfinch 3 Siskin 1 Brambling 19 Chaffinch 7 finch sp. 1 Reed Bunting 100's of Crow
All info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Mon Nov 1 8:06 PM, 2010
Vis mig watch with Andy Makin from Burnt Edge. 6.30 - 11.00 me, 6.30 - 3pm Andy
Quite good given the patchy mist.
Highlight was a group of 8 Whooper Swans that appeared at 8.15am over Smithills moor, heading SE, they must have been at a height of around 1100 feet as Burnt Edge is 1000 feet above sea level. We watched these birds for a full 15 mins as they flew towards Elton air space and then probably flew between Manchester & Oldham, easily staying about 800 feet high! Brilliant vis mig in action! Almost makes the hours worthwhile
Also,
2 Golden Plover W 993 Fieldfare (most NW & some south) 23 Redwing NW 15 Skylark west 78 Chaffinch W or NW 3 Siskin all NW 5 Brambling NW 39 Finch sp 670 Woodpigeon SW 518 Starling NW 7 Cormorant E
Plus Andy's latest ever Wheatear at the mast.
Rick Hall said
Mon Nov 1 3:29 PM, 2010
I had a question mark over the Wheatear sighting of this morning as it was much rustier in colour than the ones I'm used to seeing and didn't look the same shape somehow. I have looked into it further and can safely say it was a Greenland Wheatear. I don't know if that's uncommon or rare, but it's definitely another lifetime first for me!!
What an awesome day!
Rick Hall said
Mon Nov 1 1:25 PM, 2010
WOOHOO!!!
Black Redstarts at last! At first I thought there were three, but one turned out to be a Wheatear. Then they were joined by a robin, a stonechat was there as well and then I thought I saw a yellowhammer, looked away to keep tabs on the Redstarts, looked back and it was gone. grr
All of them were on the perimeter fence around the mast main building. Had a great view of them for at least half an hour - approximately 11.30am-12noon.
Absolutely made up! I'm almost as excited as when I saw my first Kingfisher.
On the way down saw a male Red Grouse on the wall. Perfect pose and could see the red wattle and white legs perfectly.
Brilliant morning!
-- Edited by Rick Hall on Monday 1st of November 2010 01:27:37 PM
Simon Warford said
Mon Nov 1 12:31 PM, 2010
Some good Vis mig again this morning for me and Andy, 8 Whooper Swans south east 8.20am over Burnt Edge was highlight. Full list to follow.
A late Wheatear(probable Greenland race) just south of the mast on fence with Stonechat and Black Redstart for company.
Paul Risley said
Sun Oct 31 8:46 PM, 2010
12 - 3pm
walked from mast road car park to past the mast without seeing a thing, way back down 2 Carrion Crows, 2 Kestrels and a single meadow pipit was all I got. Also of interest though, along the broken down wall running parallel to mast road , 2 Owl pellets containing fur. remains of pigeon and Fieldfare (both prob Peregrine kills) and wall near walker fold woods remains of pipit (numerous suspects)
Dennis atherton said
Sun Oct 31 7:43 PM, 2010
i did not get up there till late and stayed till it went dark hoping for a possible short eared owl at dusk but no joy, i did walk all the way round the rocket shaped mast about 2 ish with also no joy, all part of the fun, the peregrine carrying the full adult sized pigeon was a sight to be seen though
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 31 7:34 PM, 2010
Suprised I didnt see you Dennis. Both immature Black Redstarts showed well late morning along fence of the Rocket shaped mast compound(lancs) in what was welcome calm conditions. No sign of Judith's Black Redstart along Coal Pit road.
Other than that 575 Fieldfare all heading south & 63 Pink feet NW around 11.30am.
Dennis atherton said
Sun Oct 31 6:03 PM, 2010
Very quiet for me today, had a 6 hour hunt from george lane to the mast then to high rid reserviow and back, one flock of about 20 mistle thrush, 1 kestrel, two sightings of perigrine, one carrying a wood pigeon, no luck with the redstarts at the mast, a few meadow pipits around, 3 skylark, a few sightings of redwing and feildfare
nothing too exciting, way it goes up there some days
Burnt Edge & Adam Hill area:
6 Red Grouse
2 Raven
1 Curlew
2 Kestrel
5 Skylark
3 Coal Tit
1 Meadow Pipit
c60 Fieldfare
...also, an Ermine (Stoat in winter fur) mooching along a stone wall off Mast Lane
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Andy Makin is out of his winter hibernation.
Singles of Curlew, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher heading NE over tops between 2.30 & 3.15.
2 Mealy Redpoll, 10 Lesser Redpoll & single Chiffchaff at rear of Lomax plantation.
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
3 Red Grouse seen flying twice. (Same?)
1 Red Grouse out in open!
1 Pheasant
1 Heron
5 Starlings
9 Carrion Crows
Pair Mallard
c 70 Rooks in a field near Bob Smithy
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Cheers
single Brambling along Coal pit road at Roscoes tenament.
80 Pink feet nw from Georges lane.
Couple of small groups of Siskin about & 50+ Fieldfare around Holdens.
Still a handful of Meadow pipits on the moor.
Rob ,
Thanks for that. Believe it or not, I was about to edit my post having consulted Peterson,s Winter range maps. You can rest assured that I will not report
November Tree Pipits again.
Tree Pipits should be in Africa by now Keith...
I'm no expert, but I'd say it would be very unusual for any to be recorded round these parts after September (or at latest very early October). Portland Bird Observatory recorded what they called "a late Tree Pipit" on 25 October this year, so any in Greater Manchester in late November would be exceedingly late indeed!
IAN,
The five were feeding on one stalk of Rape. they were not very close .
I could be mistaken but I thought that the colouring was more in line with tree pipits.
I will take my scope up asap.
Keith, may I be bold enough to assume that's a typo and you in fact mean Meadow Pipits?
Heron overhead three times.
5 tree pipits feeding at Holdens farm.
Two Mistle thrushes in New Field Plantation and a Fieldfare in adjacent tree.
Otherwise very quiet
Whooper Swan 32 ssw (5 at 9.55, 12 at 9.57, and 15 at 9.58)
Snipe 1 high nw
Woodpigeon 39 flocks nw 721
Fieldfare 4 flocks w totalling 148
Brambling 1 sw
Siskin 12 nw
Chaffinch 41 wnw
finch sp 26
Reed Bunting 4 nw
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Wedge of swans ( flying only)
others are a bank of swans a bevy of swans a whiteness of swans , then herd, eyrar or even a Gargle of swans.
Keep Birding
Herd is right, although the OED also provides "eyrar" which is great.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Andy Makin
A female Merlin was on the wall at Deans Ditch, 70 Pink-footed Geese flew west and a Black Redstart was still by the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill (in Lancs of course).
Info thanks to Andy Makin
11 Waxwings east at Georges Lane 07:50.
Female Merlin
77 Woodpigeon S
25 Fieldfare W
61 Starling NW
1 Black Redstart on Winter Hill in Lancs
Into thanks to Andy Makin
Waxwings- 4 NW at 07:30 and 5 E at 07:30
126 Fieldfare SW in two flocks
2 Brambling W
8 Crossbill (including 2 males) in Wilderswood which flew east at 07:55 and a single flew E at 08:10
1 Skylark E
31 Woodpigeon NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
7 Cormorant E
42 Woodpigeon WNW
668 Fieldfare S/SW in 5 flocks
38 Redwing
Waxwings- 4 S at 08:10 and 3 E at 11am over Georges Lane
1005 Starling NW, including a flock of 900
4 Brambling S (with Fieldfares)
1 male Crossbill Walker Fold Wood
2 Black Redstarts still by rocket shaped mast just in Lancashire
Info thanks to Andy Makin
67 Fieldfare in two flocks
1 Brambling SW
6 Chaffinch
1 Bullfinch NW
7 Starling W
2 Greenfinch NW
1 Siskin
1 Goldfinch SW
2 immature Peregrines both flew through heading SW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Into thanks to Andy Makin
3 Waxwing circled Georges Lane at 7.33am and then flew east.
168 Pink Feet SE at 8.05am.
41 Fieldfare SW
79 Starling NW
9 Siskin W
2 Black Redstarts still on fence by Rocket shaped mast.
2 Grey Partridge Georges lane.
Single Brambling along Coal pit road (Ken Haydock).
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 14th of November 2010 05:17:29 PM
3 Whooper swan NW at 9.15
Pink-footed Geese- 35 E 08:15, 200 E 08:40, 18 W 09:15, 16 SW 09:30
236 Woodpigeon NW in small flocks over Georges Lane
1 Stock Dove NW
240 Fieldfare SSW in small flocks
1 Redwing
2 Blackbird
1 male Ring Ouzel S at 07:36
1 Waxwing S Burnt Edge 07:46 and 1 NW Georges Lane 08.15
68 Starling NW
7 Jackdaw NW
1 Reed Bunting NW
Good finch movement all NW mainly over Georges Lane with 95 Chaffinch, 9 Siskin, 5 Redpoll, 6 Greenfinch, 6 Bullfinch, 18 finch sp.
2 singles Crossbill N 08:05 and 10:10
All info thanks to Andy Makin
11 Lapwing SE
1544 Woodpigeon al mid- morning mainly in 3 large flocks. Heading over Georges Lane and probably over towards Haigh (S/SW).
26 Fieldfare
7 Redwing
Single Blackbird S
Waxwing SW 07:25
4 Meadow Pipit
34 Chaffinch
Single Brambling
15 finch sp.
12 Bullfinch NW
2 Twite NW over the tops at 11:05 and 3 over Holdens Farm at 08:30
Single Golden Plover
36 Starling W
Single Reed Bunting
Black Redstart briefly on the GM side of the tops
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
2 Red Grouse
2 Red Hands
2 Ravens
2 Wet Feet
and 1 frozen face.
Burnt Edge
Me 6.40am-11.30am
Andy 6.40am - 1pm
2 Waxwings through west with small Redwing flock 7.05am
16 Waxwings through west at 7.20am
1 Lapland Bunting - flight call heard only 7.50am, fortunately we all heard it, but couldnt see it!
Also,
596 Woodpigeon all SW
208 Fieldfare mostly NW
53 Redwing
7 Skylark E
240 Starling NW
24 Chaffinch
1 Brambling W
Crossbill 2 N (Andy)
330 Pink Feet NW in 3 skiens.
4 Wigeon W
2 Black Redstarts continue to show well near the rocket shaped mast, now feeding on seed put down near gate,
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 skeins of Pink-footed Geese with 22 SE at 8am and 80 at 8:05
274 Woodpigeon SE
127 Fieldfare S/SW
5 Redwing S/SW
54 Starling W
3 Skylark SE
3 Meadow Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail SW
52 Chaffinch NW
2 Brambling
5 Redpoll
8 finch sp.
3 Reed Bunting
Greenland Wheatear still present
2 Black Redstarts around the mast buildings in Lancashire.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Hi pal vis , 2 brambling ,5 redpoll , 8 finch sp , r bunt 3. Wheatear n 2 b reds tops.
21 Woodpigeon SW
1 Stock Dove W
51 Fieldfare, mainly small flocks SW
1 Waxwing (with a flock of 25 Fieldfare)
17 Redwing SW
22Starling W
2 Grey Wagtail SW
1 Goldfinch
5 Redpoll SE
26 Siskin NE
1 Brambling
5 finch sp.
51 Chaffinch, most NW
19 Greenfinch, most NE
1 Reed Bunting
Info thanks to Andy Makin
The 'Greenland' Wheatear still present on the top of Winter Hill this morning also.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 5th of November 2010 09:08:47 AM
675 Fieldfare in 22 flocks, heading S/SE at first light, changing to SW and later 2 large flocks W.
5 Redwing
7 Woodpigeon SW
Immature Peregrine W
27 Siskin S
22 Chaffinch
2 Brambling
6 finch sp.
1 Crossbill NW
105 Starling W
Above info thanks to Andy Makin
From midday until 2pm, with very poor weather settling in from 1pm onwards:
Georges Lane/Higher Meadows:
170 Fieldfare in one flock NW
16 Siskin in one flock NW
13 Bullfinch (in the dell)
6 Goldcrest (dell)
4 Blackbird (dell)
8 Long-tailed Tit (dell)
Bryan Hey Reservoir:
1 Nuthatch
4 Song Thrush
1 Bullfinch
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 3rd of November 2010 03:32:02 PM
Greenland Wheatear (same individual), 3 Stonechat and single Black Redstart (probably immature) all together at the west end of Deans Ditch (inside Greater Manchester).
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2 Cormorant NE
8 Woodpigeon
2 Stock Dove S
582 Fieldfare in 29 small groups mainly S or SW
205 Redwing in 12 flocks mainly S
1 Blackbird
61 Starling W
1 Bullfinch
3 Siskin
1 Brambling
19 Chaffinch
7 finch sp.
1 Reed Bunting
100's of Crow
All info thanks to Andy Makin
6.30 - 11.00 me, 6.30 - 3pm Andy
Quite good given the patchy mist.
Highlight was a group of 8 Whooper Swans that appeared at 8.15am over Smithills moor, heading SE, they must have been at a height of around 1100 feet as Burnt Edge is 1000 feet above sea level. We watched these birds for a full 15 mins as they flew towards Elton air space and then probably flew between Manchester & Oldham, easily staying about 800 feet high! Brilliant vis mig in action! Almost makes the hours worthwhile
Also,
2 Golden Plover W
993 Fieldfare (most NW & some south)
23 Redwing NW
15 Skylark west
78 Chaffinch W or NW
3 Siskin all NW
5 Brambling NW
39 Finch sp
670 Woodpigeon SW
518 Starling NW
7 Cormorant E
Plus Andy's latest ever Wheatear at the mast.
What an awesome day!
Black Redstarts at last! At first I thought there were three, but one turned out to be a Wheatear. Then they were joined by a robin, a stonechat was there as well and then I thought I saw a yellowhammer, looked away to keep tabs on the Redstarts, looked back and it was gone. grr
All of them were on the perimeter fence around the mast main building. Had a great view of them for at least half an hour - approximately 11.30am-12noon.
Absolutely made up! I'm almost as excited as when I saw my first Kingfisher.
On the way down saw a male Red Grouse on the wall. Perfect pose and could see the red wattle and white legs perfectly.
Brilliant morning!
-- Edited by Rick Hall on Monday 1st of November 2010 01:27:37 PM
A late Wheatear(probable Greenland race) just south of the mast on fence with Stonechat and Black Redstart for company.
walked from mast road car park to past the mast without seeing a thing, way back down 2 Carrion Crows, 2 Kestrels and a single meadow pipit was all I got. Also of interest though, along the broken down wall running parallel to mast road , 2 Owl pellets containing fur. remains of pigeon and Fieldfare (both prob Peregrine kills) and wall near walker fold woods remains of pipit (numerous suspects)
Other than that 575 Fieldfare all heading south & 63 Pink feet NW around 11.30am.
nothing too exciting, way it goes up there some days