A fine male Black Redstart on fence posts parallel with the wall at Coal Pit Lane, at Gilligant's Farm, today, flycatching. Much better than those dull browny-grey birds at the TV mast in Lancs...
Rick Hall said
Sat Oct 30 3:38 PM, 2010
Clear skies this morning... literally. More puffy clouds than birds.
Highlight of the morning was retrieving a massive balloon that was caught on the barbed wire by it's ribbon. Thought it was a weather balloon at first, but when I got to it, it was a big heart shaped thing, presumably from someones wedding last night. Took it back for the missus.
Other than that: 1 Goldfinch 1 Greenfinch 12 Fieldfare
About 100 Pink Footed Geese.
Yesterday we saw a Raven (massive) land on sheeps back, pick at it for a second, then jump off. the sheep didn't seem to mind. Would this have been for wool, eating parasites or something else??? It looked weird.
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 30 2:51 PM, 2010
Very quiet on the vis mig front today with Andy Makin & Ken Haydock, single female Crossbill NW & 4 Brambling the highlight along Georges lane, so headed for a walk over to Coal Pit road & then the mast area with Judith.
Judith soon found us a smart adult male Black Redstart on the wall by Gilligant's farm, probably a new bird passing through.
A Peregrine flew west over Holdens, with left leg dangling down all the time in view(same bird as seen at Haigh). Our sighting was around 10.30am.
178 Pink Feet SE at 8.55am. 180 Fieldfare south early am.
Simon Warford said
Fri Oct 29 7:12 PM, 2010
Andy Makin had exactly 10 Waxwings west over Burnt Edge at 8.40am this morning during his vis mig watch.
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Oct 29 6:34 PM, 2010
Bill Myerscough wrote:
Following on the earlier posts on this thread on counts. Yes, birdwatching is about enjoyment but if we consider counting birds important then when giving out figures then surely the reporting of the most accurate figure available seems to me to be the most sensible option and hence in the example discussed a count of 1048 is a truer reflection of actual numbers than a rounded figure of say 1,000. Given that most "circa or c" figures quoted by birders are generally accepted to have a margin of error of plus/minus 10% then to further approximate the already approximate count of 1048 to 1000 will increase the lowest possible count to 900, a margin of variability from the original reported estimated figure which is then of 14% - hence getting even further away from the real objective of counting birds...which surely is the reporting the best estimate possible?
And let's not even get started on those "counts" of species which consists of "lots of....." etc!!!!
Cheers,
Thank you Pythagorus Myerscough for clearing that one up.
Roger B.
Bill.
David Wilson said
Fri Oct 29 8:46 AM, 2010
First time on moor for me, joined by local expert.!? Paul Risley. 28 th october 1pm_4pm. 50 fieldfare heading w pair ravens nr 2 lads 5 red grouse_ lifer 4 me! kestrel coal tit g.s.wood holdens wood 4 pheasant meadow pipit reed bunting wren robin dunnock chaffinch +finally Black redstart round mast.! anotha lifer for me.!
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Oct 29 8:44 AM, 2010
Following on the earlier posts on this thread on counts. Yes, birdwatching is about enjoyment but if we consider counting birds important then when giving out figures then surely the reporting of the most accurate figure available seems to me to be the most sensible option and hence in the example discussed a count of 1048 is a truer reflection of actual numbers than a rounded figure of say 1,000. Given that most "circa or c" figures quoted by birders are generally accepted to have a margin of error of plus/minus 10% then to further approximate the already approximate count of 1048 to 1000 will increase the lowest possible count to 900, a margin of variability from the original reported estimated figure which is then of 14% - hence getting even further away from the real objective of counting birds...which surely is the reporting the best estimate possible?
And let's not even get started on those "counts" of species which consists of "lots of....." etc!!!!
Cheers,
Bill.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 29 8:03 AM, 2010
Before the thread gets 'hijacked' by a long winded 'counting debate' (general discussion thread anyone?), I feel the point explaining how and why these count totals are produced in relation to Chris' original query has been well pointed out in particular by Simon Johnson/Mark Rigby's original posts.
Mike Passant said
Fri Oct 29 7:41 AM, 2010
October 20th produced a record count of 10,263 Fieldfares heading NW and was derived from the dedicated effort put in by experienced counters on the basis of "best endeavours".
Within the total were 15 "guestimates" of rounded 100's (e.g. 500, 400, 650, etc). No one pretends that these birds were really passing the observers in regimented multiples of exact 50's or 100's, and of course the final number was as accurate a yardstick for recording a remarkable phenomenon as could be obtained; - accordingly available for comparison with other movements, past or future.
It is generally taken as read by experienced counters and birders that any final figure is subject to a plus/minus factor, (which would tend to increase with the size of the ultimate total), and 10,263 is the final figure for that day, (not 10,000 plus, which could be anything up to infinity, or 10,000 max).
Being a lazy bugger myself, I have nothing but admiration for those who do counts of wildfowl and viz. mig. like this; so let's appreciate the honesty and dedication that goes into this.
Chris Dunn said
Fri Oct 29 12:34 AM, 2010
Rob, I think you understand where I'm coming from.
Cheers,
Chris.
Chris Dunn said
Fri Oct 29 12:32 AM, 2010
Mark, don't patronise me, i'm not having a dig at anyone, just giving my opinion.
In your example, how can you have a "grand total" of 763 when there are estimates in it? That figure should be 700+
As stated in my last post, I'm fully aware of how bird numbers are counted/estimated.
Cheers,
Chris. love and peace
Rob Smallwood said
Fri Oct 29 12:18 AM, 2010
The answer is that you are both right.
The guesstimate total plus any actual counts are the best guess figures, but within that there will be an error rate of say plus or minus 10% depending on the skill of the estimater.
The figure could just as easily be represented as 1000+.
Mark Rigby said
Thu Oct 28 11:54 PM, 2010
Chris,
It really isnt rocket science!
Its pretty easy for most people to count the number of birds in a small flock ie 13
Then as a larger flocks fly over, you have to guestimate somewhat, so you count a number of birds in the flock(say 10) and then estimate how many times that number is repeated within that flock. You might end up with 200 (20x10).
As each flock flys over you will end up with a lot of totals in your notepad.
So if you have 3 flocks of 200, a flock of 150 (that is 750 in total) but you still have the original small flock of 13 to add. Your grand total is 763. It really is that easy.
If you still dont get it.........
Chris Dunn said
Thu Oct 28 11:26 PM, 2010
Simon,
I still don't buy it. I'm fully aware of how they are counted but I still find it amazing as how you can get to such a large precise number like 1048.
Cheers,
Chris
Simon Johnson said
Thu Oct 28 10:27 PM, 2010
Chris
The 1048 Fieldfare wont all have been seen at the same time, they will have been flying over in samller flocks wich makes them easier to count..you make note of all the flocks add them up at the end and hey presto - a more accurate number.
A few of us are into migration watching and tend to keep a more accurate count of birds on migration rather than just saying "about a 1000" flew over. Some flocks can be too large to count so you do have to guesstimate but these still add up to the overall total.
If you have a look under the discussion thread Big Vis Mig weekend there is a link to an article about migration watching.
Chris Dunn said
Thu Oct 28 9:26 PM, 2010
I don't want to sound crass here but how the heck can you count 1048 Fieldfare? Why not just say "about a 1000" or something like that. I couldn't count 20 sparrows in my back garden on the feeding station without counting the same ones twice.
Cheers,
Chris.
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 28 7:27 PM, 2010
Todays Vis mig watch from Burnt Edge. Andy Makin(who else?), Judith & Ken H. Early am - early pm.
Highlights,
5 Waxwings seen today, 4 west at 12.48pm over Burnt Edge for Andy & Judith and Ken had a single bird with a Fieldfare flock around 10am.
Single Juv. Whooper Swan west 8.05am
1,048 Fieldfare - some parties south then all mostly NW after 9.30am
Also,
A remarkable 44 Bramblings over Burnt Edge.
24 Redwing NW 2 Song Thrush high west 16 Blackbird high west 7 Skylark west 94 Chaffinch W or NW 13 Siskin all NW 9 Greenfinch 5 Redpoll 17 Bullfinch W or NW 23 Woodpigeon SW 11 Reed Bunting 274 Starling NW 2 Cormorant E
Pink feet - 370 SE in 3 Skiens between 8.30am & 9.55am.
All info Andy Makin.
(Of interest Andy has logged over 30,000 individual birds through so far this month).
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 27 8:45 PM, 2010
Vis mig watch with Andy Makin, Simon Johnson & partly with Ken Haydock. 7.30 - 9.00 Burnt Edge 9.00 - 12.00, Georges Lane with Ken 12.00-16.30 mast area & coal pit road
Highlights,
Ring Ouzel NW up Burnt Edge valley 8.20am
5 Waxwings flew west late am along Georges lane (sorry Ken was just after you left).
Party of 6 Crossbill flew NW over Georges lane 9.30am & off into Lancs
1,066 Fieldfare mostly NW with small numbers hanging around for a while, many small parties through today incl. 1 bird with no tail.
Female Merlin still knocking about (Ken)
Also,
76 Redwing NW 16 Skylark west 110 Chaffinch W or NW 22 Siskin all NW 1 Brambling NW 5 Greenfinch 8 Redpoll 5 Woodpigeon SW 5 Reed Bunting 363 Starling NW 5 Cormorant E
Pair of Stonechat still near Holdens fm.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 27 2:53 PM, 2010
Ian Campbell wrote:
11ish today, 2 Peregrines had a little tustle over the mast, Kestrel hovering over cattle grid/car park and a Raven annoying a Buzzard. Only small birds seen were 7 Starling, I expected more than this. Cheers Ian
One of the beauties of the moors Ian. One extreme to the other. Don't know where to look one minute there's so much to see and the next completely and utterly birdless. It is perhaps also one of the reasons it often remains practically 'birderless' but for it's small and dedicated band, with many put off by one of it's poorer days. Magic stuff
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 27th of October 2010 02:54:05 PM
Rick Hall said
Wed Oct 27 1:38 PM, 2010
2 Twite 2 Peregrines - like greased lightning, even against a stiff wind. Same Buzzard as Ian (I think), as a car passed me bearing lots of Man City stickers and an RSPB one just before it flew over (I had the Collie as you were turning out of Mast Lane onto Georges Lane). It was a really pale one. Palest I've ever seen. Really looked to be struggling against the wind with a Raven really bugging it.
How big would a Black Redstarts range be? Almost definitely saw the in the Christmas trees above the Quarries. I'm not counting it though, as they were flying and silhouetted. Tantilisingly close!
Ian Campbell said
Wed Oct 27 12:43 PM, 2010
11ish today, 2 Peregrines had a little tustle over the mast, Kestrel hovering over cattle grid/car park and a Raven annoying a Buzzard. Only small birds seen were 7 Starling, I expected more than this. Cheers Ian
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Oct 26 6:15 PM, 2010
Rick Hall wrote:
Would I be laughed off the forum for suggesting I may have spotted a Purple Sandpiper up near the mast? At first I thought it was a snipe but then I noticed it's beak was shorter a curved slightly and definitely had yellow on it. Also the plumage on it's belly was white. I saw it for about three seconds, it flushed, flew erratically for about 20 yards then settled back into the thick grass. No noise and no other markings that I can remember. If this is daft, I apologise, but hopefully someone else saw it and can put me right. The wall in question is the Dean Ditch wall, just past Counting Hill going away from the mast.
I was looking for the Black Redstarts, but they eluded me once again.
Vast numbers of Fieldfare down near Gingham Fisheries and the Memorial Garden must have been 400-500ish! Quite an awesome sight.
Sounds like a jack snipe to me,very few waders get up and jump back down 20 yards away,Jack snipe do,you said you thought it was a snipe,but the beak was shorter-Jack snipe would be my guess.
John Rayner said
Tue Oct 26 3:39 PM, 2010
Hi Rick,
It is almost 2 years to the day (01/11/08) when a Purple Sandpiper was found at Audenshaw Reservoirs.
It's not daft to suggest that individual might have pitched down somewhere en route to/from the coast and Winter Hill might be just as good a place as any for a tired migrant.
Birds are never quite as predictable as we would like to think.
Cheers, John
Rick Hall said
Tue Oct 26 3:17 PM, 2010
Would I be laughed off the forum for suggesting I may have spotted a Purple Sandpiper up near the mast? At first I thought it was a snipe but then I noticed it's beak was shorter a curved slightly and definitely had yellow on it. Also the plumage on it's belly was white. I saw it for about three seconds, it flushed, flew erratically for about 20 yards then settled back into the thick grass. No noise and no other markings that I can remember. If this is daft, I apologise, but hopefully someone else saw it and can put me right. The wall in question is the Dean Ditch wall, just past Counting Hill going away from the mast.
I was looking for the Black Redstarts, but they eluded me once again.
Vast numbers of Fieldfare down near Gingham Fisheries and the Memorial Garden must have been 400-500ish! Quite an awesome sight.
Simon Warford said
Mon Oct 25 9:29 PM, 2010
In addition to the Waxwings & Ring Ouzels, Andy Makin also noted the following during his migration watch up to 10am from Burnt Edge,
No further sign of the Rough leg yet, still being looked for, both Black Redstarts along Deans Ditch 1.30pm on wall.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby.
Simon Warford said
Mon Oct 25 1:07 PM, 2010
I have just spoken to Andy Makin, who informs me that he has had excellent views of a Rough Legged Buzzard just after 12pm, the bird was seen flying in from the Belmont area and flew towards Andy who was on the Lancs/GM border at Deans ditch east of the mast. The bird got as close as 200 yards from the county boundary and then appeared to drop down below him on one of the steeper slopes and even hovered first! He is currently still searching for it. Although not in the county(yet) still a wonderful bird to see locally & still could be in the area.
Also this morning,
single Short Eared Owl over towards Two Lads 4 Waxwings initially on fence along Georges Lane, just past Wilderswood then feeding on hawthorns at Higher Meadows mid morning at least.
4 Ring Ouzel flew NW over Burnt Edge prior to 8.30am.
All sightings thanks to Andy Makin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 25th of October 2010 09:15:41 PM
Rick Hall said
Mon Oct 25 9:31 AM, 2010
Barn Owl and 4 Peregrines in a single view yesterday!
Saw my first Merlin on Saturday (Female). It flew and perched on one of the stanchion wires for the mast, right next to the main building and then flew off to the rocket shaped mast. Very fast and very low to the ground. I chased it and got some great views as it went from perch to perch.
Thanks to Crossbill ID help from Mike Passant I identified a good 25-30 birds on Friday. Lucky I could hear them... I could hardly see a thing, it was a pea-souper. Also 3 Grouse on Friday up the Mast Lane.
4 times and no luck with the blasted Black Redstarts!
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 24 7:53 PM, 2010
An extraordinary day up on the moors today for the big vis mig day, perfect conditions with clear sunny weather all day,
Migration watch with Andy Makin, my dad & and really pleased Judith & Paul Wilson managed to get a good session in with us too as did a few other birders too! 8 of us at one point gave us good coverage.
7.30 - 9.00, Burnt Edge - myself 7.30 - 2.00, Georges Lane - at some point all of the above named 2.00 - 4.30 tops, Andy & myself
Highlights,
10 Waxwings - singles over Burnt Edge 7.55 & 8.30am, singles over Georges Lane 8.40am & 10.45am, party of 5 resting in conifers at Roscoe's Tenemant before flying north over moor at 2.45pm & single flew NW over the top at Deans ditch 3.35pm).
12 Twite - singles over Georges Lane at 8.20am & 11.20am, 7 NW over Deans Ditch 2.40pm & 3 over Adams Hill 3.30pm.
27 Crossbill - 6 parties, consisting of 3,2,3,4,14 & 1 all NW over Georges Lane mid morning.
Male Ring Ouzel NW over Burnt Edge 8am
2,195 Fieldfare - all NW mostly over Georges Lane in about 30 parties.
Pink Feet - 3 skiens, 450 in total.
Female Merlin seen again over the tops, also -
90 Skylark - really good movement today over Georges Lane 7 Redwing NW 135 Chaffinch NW 61 Siskin all NW 7 Brambling NW 31 Greenfinch 4 Buzzard 875 Woodpigeon 63 Jackdaw SW 17 Reed Bunting single Yellowhammer over Georges Lane 8.30am 176 Starling NW
4 duck species possible Wigeon south 8.30am
County birding at its very best!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 24th of October 2010 07:57:18 PM
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 23 8:30 PM, 2010
Brief visit today in between the mist & rain 10.30am-12.30pm with dad & Andy Makin,
Another good day for visible migration for Andy Makin from Georges Lane, with still impressive numbers of both Crossbill & Chaffinch moving through. Most birds through prior to 10am, totals as follows-
Fieldfare - 910 all NW Redwing - 37 all NW Chaffinch - 153 all west between 9 & 10am Brambling - 4 NW Siskin - 19 NW Crossbill - 17 through in 2 groups heading NW into Lancs. Single Golden Plover
834 Pink Feet, 4 skiens all SE as follows, 54 at 9.06am 200 at 9.13am 400 at 9.40am 180 at 9.45am
Whooper Swan - 5 NW at 9.30am
The Big vis mig weekend is here, Sunday could be good we will be up early, see you up there
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 21 9:11 PM, 2010
Combined total of Fieldfare through today is roughly 1,100 including Ken Haydocks birds this morning.
Also the female Merlin seen again today & the Ring Ouzel still present at Holdens Farm (per Andy) where over 850 Fieldfare were in the fields there.
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Oct 21 7:03 PM, 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can someone help me on identifying crossbills in flight? Saw a small flock (15ish) green finch like birds flying quite high over me towards the pike, probably greenfinches but couldn't be sure as I've seen there are a few crossbills knocking about this --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your best bet with Crossbills is to familiarise yourself with their calls. Try this website, its got most of the calls for European birds.
http://www.xeno-canto.org/europe/
Rick Hall said
Thu Oct 21 6:07 PM, 2010
New to this site, I had no idea all these different species were right on my doorstep. Went up looking for the black redstarts today, no joy, but good view of a Snipe as my dog nearly trod on it. Saw a load of goldfinches going one way, then a load fieldfares going the other. Think I may have seen 2 or 3 twite on the flying from the bank up mast lane as I drove past, but not sure (probably sparrows). peregrines were spectacular just off Georges Lane. Can someone help me on identifying crossbills in flight? Saw a small flock (15ish) green finch like birds flying quite high over me towards the pike, probably greenfinches but couldn't be sure as I've seen there are a few crossbills knocking about this area. Has anyone seen a wryneck in or around Rivington?
Missed the Red Kite by about 1/2 an hour! grrr
Alan Warford said
Thu Oct 21 4:59 PM, 2010
Georges Lane 1-15 till 3-30 pm. with Andy Makin
Red Kite slowly North at 2-50 295 Fieldfare NW {flock of 150} 6 Crossbill landed briefly in Wilderswood then went north. 18 Siskin N 5+ Raven 3 Kestrel Peregrine 4 Carrion Crow NW
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Thursday 21st of October 2010 06:37:29 PM
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 21 3:03 PM, 2010
A RED KITE drifted over mast road at 2.50pm, right over the heads of my Dad & Andy Makin, it slowly flew over two lads towards Rivington Pike.
Also the Fieldfare movement is still happening, with parties still going North west.
Mark Rigby said
Wed Oct 20 9:36 PM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Also, Ken Haydock discovered two (a male and female type) in the field just north of Holdens Farm at 11:55, both still present at mid-afternoon (per Andy Makin)
You would have thought it was a bit chilly today for that sort of thing to be going on up there!
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 20 9:19 PM, 2010
Migration watch with my Dad & Andy Makin 7.30 - 10.15, Burnt Edge 10.15 - 13.15, Georges Lane 13.15 - 15.45 tops Cold light NW wind, clear skies, great visibility.
After a slow start, today was one of those days you wait ages for, a truly incredible experience of visible migration, even for vis mig old timer Andy Makin who was in awe of what was unfolding in front of us. The following counts have been checked by all three of us & are accurate, Fieldfare probably smashing the previous county record, if there is one!
Fieldfare - 10,263 all NW
Breakdown as follows(68 parties):
7.30-10.15..289 birds(biggest party 110). 10.15-11.15..3135 birds(biggest parties of 650, 500,500,350,300). 11.15-12.15.. 3713 birds(biggest parties of 500,400,400,300 & 300). 12.15-13.15.. 2631 birds(biggest parties of 600,550,450,300 & 300). 13.15-15.45.. 495 birds.
We had to estimate some of them as there was somethimes 3 or 4 parties at once!
Also,
83 Redwing NW 100 Chaffinch NW 21 Crossbill all NW (groups of 4,4,4,1,2 & 6) 83 Siskin all NW (largest group 23) 31 Brambling (largest groups 12 & 14) 3 Greenfinch 7 Buzzard south 30 Skylark 190 Woodpigeon 99 Meadow Pipit
2 Ring Ouzel Holdens.
2 Black Redstarts mast & Merlin along Georges Lane.
Fantastic day
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 20th of October 2010 09:32:29 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 20 9:12 PM, 2010
Today's brilliant totals from the moors features the most remarkable Fieldafe passage Greater Manchester has ever witnessed.
An epic eight hour vigil by messers Andy Makin, Simon and Alan Warford from Georges Lane counted no less than 10,263 Fieldfares within that time (with only cameo roles by myself, Ken Haydock and Jill Mills).
83 Redwing 100 Chaffinch 21 Crossbills (in small groups heading the usual N/NW) 83 Siskin 31 Brambling 7 Buzzard 1 Merlin 30 Skylark 190 Woodpigeon 99 Meadow Pipit
Also, Ken Haydock discovered two Ring Ouzel (a male and female type) in the field just north of Holdens Farm at 11:55, both still present at mid-afternoon (per Andy Makin)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 20th of October 2010 09:44:57 PM
Mark Rigby said
Wed Oct 20 2:31 PM, 2010
Brief visit late morning.
50 Fieldfare flew west @ 1135
Black Redstart on masts (Lancs)
Rick Hall said
Wed Oct 20 1:25 PM, 2010
-- Edited by recall79 on Wednesday 20th of October 2010 01:35:14 PM
Simon Warford said
Mon Oct 18 1:57 PM, 2010
Migration watch 7.30am - 9.50am, Burnt Edge with Andy Makin Complete cloud cover NW wind increasing as the morning went on.
Finches still moving this morning from first light with plenty of Siskins involved & a female Merlin sat on the wall on top of Burnt Edge briefly.
Chaffinch - 74 west Brambling - 3 west Siskin - 46 all west
Crossbill - 13 NW over Georges Lane & off into Lancs just after 10.am (they always seem to take exactly the same route here!)
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 18th of October 2010 02:00:05 PM
Tim Wilcox said
Mon Oct 18 12:38 AM, 2010
Nothing much to add to Simon's sightings 9.45 - 1.00
Red Grouse 1 on way to mast via path to E of Mast Rd Mipits 90+ Linnet 2 juv Holdens Farm Jay 1 Walker Fold GS Woodpecker 1 Walker Fold
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 17 8:31 PM, 2010
Vis mig watch 7.30am - 11am from Burnt Edge Clear sky then partly cloudy. Very calm then v light westerly wind
Significant finch movement this morning & the first noticable movement of starlings. Half way through the watch realised that large numbers of woodpigeons were going east to west and not up the valley so had to move positions to see them, probably missed hundreds prior to 10am.
Pink Footed Goose - 125 (75 SE at 8am right over Burnt Edge & 50 SE over smithills moor 8.11am).
Chaffinch - 83 mostly west, also at least 100 finch species which were probably this species. Brambling - 10 (4 singles heard only then a group of 6 came out of wfw & flew off west). Siskin - 3 south Meadow Pipit - 31 SW
Starling - 422 all NW (best party 150) Redwing - 340 all NW (best parties 75, 39, 25 & 21) Fieldfare - 66 NW (best party 31) Woodpigeon - 361 all SW Jackdaw - 31 all high south in small groups Lapwing - 2 east
Mast area 11am-12.15pm with Tim Wilcox
Migrant Robin on fence by rocket shaped mast & 2 Wheatears. 2 Mistle Thrush high south over moor
Paul Risley said
Sat Oct 16 5:37 PM, 2010
2.15 pm - 4.40pm
2 Black Redstarts showing well near main mast, 3 wheatear's on stone walls nearby. 2 Red Grouse flushed near to falling ice warning sign female Merlin appeared from nowhere and made a half heated attempt at some mipits nearby before carrying on up towards the mast and finally disapearing in the general area of were the lapland bunting was a couple of weeks ago
Vis mig watch up to 12pm, sightings between me, my dad & Andy Makin. Clear sky then partly cloudy. North wind
An excellent morning.
Lapland Bunting - single high south west (heard flight call only) at 9.05am
Hen Harrier - 1(probable imm ringtail) flew west at a pace low over the moor from the reservoir to Holdens, then dissapeared over two lads at 9.30am.
Brambling - 1 high west (heard only) Chaffinch - approx 75 high west(most heard only 20 seen!) Siskin - 10 south Skylark - 15+ south (all heard only they were that high)
Redwing - 237+ all NW (largest flock 90), still coming through when we left Fieldfare - 189 all NW (largest flock 60) Woodpigeon - 25 high south west
2 imm. Black Redstarts still by Rocket shaped mast 4 Wheatear still around tops.
Should be a big thrush movement any day.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 16th of October 2010 01:03:55 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 16 11:43 AM, 2010
No problem. Please check your private messages.
Paul Coupe said
Sat Oct 16 11:28 AM, 2010
Thanks for that Ian.I'll keep my eyes peeled!
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 16 9:36 AM, 2010
These passage Merlins have generally been anywhere over the moors with no specific area to be fair although the area up around the mast has had birds most recently, probably due to the coverage it receives.
Highlight of the morning was retrieving a massive balloon that was caught on the barbed wire by it's ribbon. Thought it was a weather balloon at first, but when I got to it, it was a big heart shaped thing, presumably from someones wedding last night. Took it back for the missus.
Other than that:
1 Goldfinch
1 Greenfinch
12 Fieldfare
About 100 Pink Footed Geese.
Yesterday we saw a Raven (massive) land on sheeps back, pick at it for a second, then jump off. the sheep didn't seem to mind. Would this have been for wool, eating parasites or something else??? It looked weird.
Judith soon found us a smart adult male Black Redstart on the wall by Gilligant's farm, probably a new bird passing through.
A Peregrine flew west over Holdens, with left leg dangling down all the time in view(same bird as seen at Haigh). Our sighting was around 10.30am.
178 Pink Feet SE at 8.55am.
180 Fieldfare south early am.
28 th october 1pm_4pm.
50 fieldfare heading w
pair ravens nr 2 lads
5 red grouse_ lifer 4 me!
kestrel
coal tit
g.s.wood holdens wood
4 pheasant
meadow pipit
reed bunting
wren
robin
dunnock
chaffinch
+finally Black redstart round mast.! anotha lifer for me.!
And let's not even get started on those "counts" of species which consists of "lots of....." etc!!!!
Cheers,
Bill.
Within the total were 15 "guestimates" of rounded 100's (e.g. 500, 400, 650, etc). No one pretends that these birds were really passing the observers in regimented multiples of exact 50's or 100's, and of course the final number was as accurate a yardstick for recording a remarkable phenomenon as could be obtained; - accordingly available for comparison with other movements, past or future.
It is generally taken as read by experienced counters and birders that any final figure is subject to a plus/minus factor, (which would tend to increase with the size of the ultimate total), and 10,263 is the final figure for that day, (not 10,000 plus, which could be anything up to infinity, or 10,000 max).
Being a lazy bugger myself, I have nothing but admiration for those who do counts of wildfowl and viz. mig. like this; so let's appreciate the honesty and dedication that goes into this.
Cheers,
Chris.
In your example, how can you have a "grand total" of 763 when there are estimates in it?
That figure should be 700+
As stated in my last post, I'm fully aware of how bird numbers are counted/estimated.
Cheers,
Chris. love and peace
The guesstimate total plus any actual counts are the best guess figures, but within that there will be an error rate of say plus or minus 10% depending on the skill of the estimater.
The figure could just as easily be represented as 1000+.
It really isnt rocket science!
Its pretty easy for most people to count the number of birds in a small flock ie 13
Then as a larger flocks fly over, you have to guestimate somewhat, so you count a number of birds in the flock(say 10) and then estimate how many times that number is repeated within that flock. You might end up with 200 (20x10).
As each flock flys over you will end up with a lot of totals in your notepad.
So if you have 3 flocks of 200, a flock of 150 (that is 750 in total) but you still have the original small flock of 13 to add. Your grand total is 763. It really is that easy.
If you still dont get it.........
I still don't buy it.
I'm fully aware of how they are counted but I still find it amazing as how you can get to such a large precise number like 1048.
Cheers,
Chris
The 1048 Fieldfare wont all have been seen at the same time, they will have been flying over in samller flocks wich makes them easier to count..you make note of all the flocks add them up at the end and hey presto - a more accurate number.
A few of us are into migration watching and tend to keep a more accurate count of birds on migration rather than just saying "about a 1000" flew over.
Some flocks can be too large to count so you do have to guesstimate but these still add up to the overall total.
If you have a look under the discussion thread Big Vis Mig weekend there is a link to an article about migration watching.
Why not just say "about a 1000" or something like that.
I couldn't count 20 sparrows in my back garden on the feeding station without counting the same ones twice.
Cheers,
Chris.
Early am - early pm.
Highlights,
5 Waxwings seen today, 4 west at 12.48pm over Burnt Edge for Andy & Judith and Ken had a single bird with a Fieldfare flock around 10am.
Single Juv. Whooper Swan west 8.05am
1,048 Fieldfare - some parties south then all mostly NW after 9.30am
Also,
A remarkable 44 Bramblings over Burnt Edge.
24 Redwing NW
2 Song Thrush high west
16 Blackbird high west
7 Skylark west
94 Chaffinch W or NW
13 Siskin all NW
9 Greenfinch
5 Redpoll
17 Bullfinch W or NW
23 Woodpigeon SW
11 Reed Bunting
274 Starling NW
2 Cormorant E
Pink feet - 370 SE in 3 Skiens between 8.30am & 9.55am.
All info Andy Makin.
(Of interest Andy has logged over 30,000 individual birds through so far this month).
7.30 - 9.00 Burnt Edge
9.00 - 12.00, Georges Lane with Ken
12.00-16.30 mast area & coal pit road
Highlights,
Ring Ouzel NW up Burnt Edge valley 8.20am
5 Waxwings flew west late am along Georges lane (sorry Ken was just after you left).
Party of 6 Crossbill flew NW over Georges lane 9.30am & off into Lancs
1,066 Fieldfare mostly NW with small numbers hanging around for a while, many small parties through today incl. 1 bird with no tail.
Female Merlin still knocking about (Ken)
Also,
76 Redwing NW
16 Skylark west
110 Chaffinch W or NW
22 Siskin all NW
1 Brambling NW
5 Greenfinch
8 Redpoll
5 Woodpigeon SW
5 Reed Bunting
363 Starling NW
5 Cormorant E
Pair of Stonechat still near Holdens fm.
One of the beauties of the moors Ian. One extreme to the other. Don't know where to look one minute there's so much to see and the next completely and utterly birdless. It is perhaps also one of the reasons it often remains practically 'birderless' but for it's small and dedicated band, with many put off by one of it's poorer days. Magic stuff
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 27th of October 2010 02:54:05 PM
2 Peregrines - like greased lightning, even against a stiff wind.
Same Buzzard as Ian (I think), as a car passed me bearing lots of Man City stickers and an RSPB one just before it flew over (I had the Collie as you were turning out of Mast Lane onto Georges Lane). It was a really pale one. Palest I've ever seen. Really looked to be struggling against the wind with a Raven really bugging it.
How big would a Black Redstarts range be? Almost definitely saw the in the Christmas trees above the Quarries. I'm not counting it though, as they were flying and silhouetted. Tantilisingly close!
Cheers Ian
Sounds like a jack snipe to me,very few waders get up and jump back down 20 yards away,Jack snipe do,you said you thought it was a snipe,but the beak was shorter-Jack snipe would be my guess.
It is almost 2 years to the day (01/11/08) when a Purple Sandpiper was found at Audenshaw Reservoirs.
It's not daft to suggest that individual might have pitched down somewhere en route to/from the coast and Winter Hill might be just as good a place as any for a tired migrant.
Birds are never quite as predictable as we would like to think.
Cheers, John
I was looking for the Black Redstarts, but they eluded me once again.
Vast numbers of Fieldfare down near Gingham Fisheries and the Memorial Garden must have been 400-500ish! Quite an awesome sight.
175 Chaffinch NW
6 Brambling NW
119 Redwing NW
183 Fieldfare NW
4 Skylark
425 Woodpigeon south
790 pink feet all SE in 5 skiens.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby.
Also this morning,
single Short Eared Owl over towards Two Lads
4 Waxwings initially on fence along Georges Lane, just past Wilderswood then feeding on hawthorns at Higher Meadows mid morning at least.
4 Ring Ouzel flew NW over Burnt Edge prior to 8.30am.
All sightings thanks to Andy Makin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 25th of October 2010 09:15:41 PM
Saw my first Merlin on Saturday (Female). It flew and perched on one of the stanchion wires for the mast, right next to the main building and then flew off to the rocket shaped mast. Very fast and very low to the ground. I chased it and got some great views as it went from perch to perch.
Thanks to Crossbill ID help from Mike Passant I identified a good 25-30 birds on Friday. Lucky I could hear them... I could hardly see a thing, it was a pea-souper. Also 3 Grouse on Friday up the Mast Lane.
4 times and no luck with the blasted Black Redstarts!
Migration watch with Andy Makin, my dad & and really pleased Judith & Paul Wilson managed to get a good session in with us too as did a few other birders too! 8 of us at one point gave us good coverage.
7.30 - 9.00, Burnt Edge - myself
7.30 - 2.00, Georges Lane - at some point all of the above named
2.00 - 4.30 tops, Andy & myself
Highlights,
10 Waxwings - singles over Burnt Edge 7.55 & 8.30am, singles over Georges Lane 8.40am & 10.45am, party of 5 resting in conifers at Roscoe's Tenemant before flying north over moor at 2.45pm & single flew NW over the top at Deans ditch 3.35pm).
12 Twite - singles over Georges Lane at 8.20am & 11.20am, 7 NW over Deans Ditch 2.40pm & 3 over Adams Hill 3.30pm.
27 Crossbill - 6 parties, consisting of 3,2,3,4,14 & 1 all NW over Georges Lane mid morning.
Male Ring Ouzel NW over Burnt Edge 8am
2,195 Fieldfare - all NW mostly over Georges Lane in about 30 parties.
Pink Feet - 3 skiens, 450 in total.
Female Merlin seen again over the tops, also -
90 Skylark - really good movement today over Georges Lane
7 Redwing NW
135 Chaffinch NW
61 Siskin all NW
7 Brambling NW
31 Greenfinch
4 Buzzard
875 Woodpigeon
63 Jackdaw SW
17 Reed Bunting
single Yellowhammer over Georges Lane 8.30am
176 Starling NW
4 duck species possible Wigeon south 8.30am
County birding at its very best!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 24th of October 2010 07:57:18 PM
Fieldfare - 996 NW
Brambling - 4 NW
Crossbill - 1 female NW
Siskin - 9 NW
Skylark - 2 NW
Fieldfare - 910 all NW
Redwing - 37 all NW
Chaffinch - 153 all west between 9 & 10am
Brambling - 4 NW
Siskin - 19 NW
Crossbill - 17 through in 2 groups heading NW into Lancs.
Single Golden Plover
834 Pink Feet, 4 skiens all SE as follows,
54 at 9.06am
200 at 9.13am
400 at 9.40am
180 at 9.45am
Whooper Swan - 5 NW at 9.30am
The Big vis mig weekend is here, Sunday could be good we will be up early, see you up there
Also the female Merlin seen again today & the Ring Ouzel still present at Holdens Farm (per Andy) where over 850 Fieldfare were in the fields there.
Can someone help me on identifying crossbills in flight? Saw a small flock (15ish) green finch like birds flying quite high over me towards the pike, probably greenfinches but couldn't be sure as I've seen there are a few crossbills knocking about this
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your best bet with Crossbills is to familiarise yourself with their calls. Try this website, its got most of the calls for European birds.
http://www.xeno-canto.org/europe/
Missed the Red Kite by about 1/2 an hour! grrr
Red Kite slowly North at 2-50
295 Fieldfare NW {flock of 150}
6 Crossbill landed briefly in Wilderswood then went north.
18 Siskin N
5+ Raven
3 Kestrel
Peregrine
4 Carrion Crow NW
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Thursday 21st of October 2010 06:37:29 PM
Also the Fieldfare movement is still happening, with parties still going North west.
You would have thought it was a bit chilly today for that sort of thing to be going on up there!
7.30 - 10.15, Burnt Edge
10.15 - 13.15, Georges Lane
13.15 - 15.45 tops
Cold light NW wind, clear skies, great visibility.
After a slow start, today was one of those days you wait ages for, a truly incredible experience of visible migration, even for vis mig old timer Andy Makin who was in awe of what was unfolding in front of us. The following counts have been checked by all three of us & are accurate, Fieldfare probably smashing the previous county record, if there is one!
Fieldfare - 10,263 all NW
Breakdown as follows(68 parties):
7.30-10.15..289 birds(biggest party 110).
10.15-11.15..3135 birds(biggest parties of 650, 500,500,350,300).
11.15-12.15.. 3713 birds(biggest parties of 500,400,400,300 & 300).
12.15-13.15.. 2631 birds(biggest parties of 600,550,450,300 & 300).
13.15-15.45.. 495 birds.
We had to estimate some of them as there was somethimes 3 or 4 parties at once!
Also,
83 Redwing NW
100 Chaffinch NW
21 Crossbill all NW (groups of 4,4,4,1,2 & 6)
83 Siskin all NW (largest group 23)
31 Brambling (largest groups 12 & 14)
3 Greenfinch
7 Buzzard south
30 Skylark
190 Woodpigeon
99 Meadow Pipit
2 Ring Ouzel Holdens.
2 Black Redstarts mast & Merlin along Georges Lane.
Fantastic day
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 20th of October 2010 09:32:29 PM
An epic eight hour vigil by messers Andy Makin, Simon and Alan Warford from Georges Lane counted no less than 10,263 Fieldfares within that time (with only cameo roles by myself, Ken Haydock and Jill Mills).
Hourly totals as follows, all heading NW(ish):
07:45-10:15, 289 birds
10:15-11:15, 3135 birds
11:15-12:15, 3713 birds
12:15-13:15, 2631 birds
13:15-14:15, 161 birds
14:30-15:45 334 birds
Other totals include:
83 Redwing
100 Chaffinch
21 Crossbills (in small groups heading the usual N/NW)
83 Siskin
31 Brambling
7 Buzzard
1 Merlin
30 Skylark
190 Woodpigeon
99 Meadow Pipit
Also, Ken Haydock discovered two Ring Ouzel (a male and female type) in the field just north of Holdens Farm at 11:55, both still present at mid-afternoon (per Andy Makin)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 20th of October 2010 09:44:57 PM
50 Fieldfare flew west @ 1135
Black Redstart on masts (Lancs)
-- Edited by recall79 on Wednesday 20th of October 2010 01:35:14 PM
Complete cloud cover
NW wind increasing as the morning went on.
Finches still moving this morning from first light with plenty of Siskins involved & a female Merlin sat on the wall on top of Burnt Edge briefly.
Chaffinch - 74 west
Brambling - 3 west
Siskin - 46 all west
Starling - 37 NW
Redwing - 73NW
Fieldfare - 75NW
Woodpigeon - 16
Skylark - 2 South
Crossbill - 13 NW over Georges Lane & off into Lancs just after 10.am (they always seem to take exactly the same route here!)
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 18th of October 2010 02:00:05 PM
Red Grouse 1 on way to mast via path to E of Mast Rd
Mipits 90+
Linnet 2 juv Holdens Farm
Jay 1 Walker Fold
GS Woodpecker 1 Walker Fold
Clear sky then partly cloudy.
Very calm then v light westerly wind
Significant finch movement this morning & the first noticable movement of starlings. Half way through the watch realised that large numbers of woodpigeons were going east to west and not up the valley so had to move positions to see them, probably missed hundreds prior to 10am.
Pink Footed Goose - 125 (75 SE at 8am right over Burnt Edge & 50 SE over smithills moor 8.11am).
Chaffinch - 83 mostly west, also at least 100 finch species which were probably this species.
Brambling - 10 (4 singles heard only then a group of 6 came out of wfw & flew off west).
Siskin - 3 south
Meadow Pipit - 31 SW
Starling - 422 all NW (best party 150)
Redwing - 340 all NW (best parties 75, 39, 25 & 21)
Fieldfare - 66 NW (best party 31)
Woodpigeon - 361 all SW
Jackdaw - 31 all high south in small groups
Lapwing - 2 east
Mast area 11am-12.15pm with Tim Wilcox
Migrant Robin on fence by rocket shaped mast & 2 Wheatears.
2 Mistle Thrush high south over moor
2 Black Redstarts showing well near main mast, 3 wheatear's on stone walls nearby.
2 Red Grouse flushed near to falling ice warning sign
female Merlin appeared from nowhere and made a half heated attempt at some mipits nearby before carrying on up towards the mast and finally disapearing in the general area of were the lapland bunting was a couple of weeks ago
423 Redwing
346 Fieldfare
5 Wheatear
29 Woodpigeon
99 Crow
4 Redpoll
5 Reed Bunting
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Clear sky then partly cloudy.
North wind
An excellent morning.
Lapland Bunting - single high south west (heard flight call only) at 9.05am
Hen Harrier - 1(probable imm ringtail) flew west at a pace low over the moor from the reservoir to Holdens, then dissapeared over two lads at 9.30am.
Brambling - 1 high west (heard only)
Chaffinch - approx 75 high west(most heard only 20 seen!)
Siskin - 10 south
Skylark - 15+ south (all heard only they were that high)
Redwing - 237+ all NW (largest flock 90), still coming through when we left
Fieldfare - 189 all NW (largest flock 60)
Woodpigeon - 25 high south west
2 imm. Black Redstarts still by Rocket shaped mast
4 Wheatear still around tops.
Should be a big thrush movement any day.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 16th of October 2010 01:03:55 PM