22/07/2011

2 Grasshopper Warblers (1 more heard)
1 Lesser Whitethroat
Willow Warblers
2 Buzzards circling and calling to each other - the local woodpigeons soon scattered.
More common finches, tits, crows, ducks
Swallow passing insects to another swallow in mid-air.
Sand and House Martins
1 teal in the pool near Buttery House Lane.

This is a great place, my first time here so thank you manchester birding forum and for the posts from others with handy directions.

cheers

20/07/2011 - Some early signs of passerine migration:

1 Willow Warbler - doesn't breed here any more, probs moving through
1 Sand Martin - over south-west with House Martins + Swallows
7 Grey Herons

14/07/2011 - 1 adult Common Gull flew SW at 6pm

13/07/2011 - Evening wander in the Newall Green fields produced 4 reeling Grasshopper Warblers, hopefully all having had a successful first brood (though proving it takes an obsessive amount of persistence!), now trying for a second. Also a family group of Reed Buntings which for the second year have produced young in grassland habitat rather than typically marshy habitat.

26/06/2011 - 2 Groppers and 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing near dusk, hope they're planning brood number two!
27/06/2011 - 1 Tawny Owl active around the gardens after dark

27/05/2011 - 2 Ravens in the sheep fields at noon. A carcass was drawing in their attention having circled around for a bit.

Great stuff Joe

Hi Ian, actually found the nest the other day, its in a bush near the box. I think the box is empty.
Cheers,
Joe

Joe Wynn wrote:

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

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Chiffchaff nesting in a nest box, do they actually do that?

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don't know, but it was hopping about it with a beak full of nesting material, so probably is in the same tree, though don't know whether it was in the box or not

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They don't nest in boxes Joe and the nests are either on the ground or very close to it in thick bushes/vegetation.

26/05/2011 - 1 Raven in the sheep fields this afternoon

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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Chiffchaff nesting in a nest box, do they actually do that?

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don't know, but it was hopping about it with a beak full of nesting material, so probably is in the same tree, though don't know whether it was in the box or not

Joe Wynn wrote:

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Nice Chiffchaff collecting nesting material from wicker lane, possibly nesting in a nest box near St. Ambrose school.

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Chiffchaff nesting in a nest box, do they actually do that?

Nice Chiffchaff collecting nesting material from wicker lane, possibly nesting in a nest box near St. Ambrose school.

Late report for 11th May - 6 corvid species seen from the garden, consisting of Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jay, Jackdaw (over), Rook (over) and a single Raven (over).

Lesser Whitethroat singing away early afternoon in Newall Green fields

1 buzzard being very viciously chased away by 2 crows over Hale Thursday .....they appeared to be poking it in flight.....the buzzard was very scared

and a buzzard being mobbed over the m56 arund junc by a pair of crows but this buzzard fought back

02/05/2011 - 1 Hobby through westwards at 2pm, also 1 House Martin north

25/04/2011 - 10-11am in the Davenport Green sheep fields:

1 Peregrine Falcon - harrassing the Kestrel pair, the 2nd patch record
2 Kestrels
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Mallard - with 11 ducklings
1 Garden Warbler
1 Blackcap
1 Chiffchaff
1 Whitethroat

23/04/2011 - 7-9am:

1 Teal
2 Wheatears
5 Grasshopper Warblers
1 Lesser Whitethroat

19/04/2011 - Walks at 2pm and 8pm:

2 Oystercatchers - attacked a Buzzard in a territorial fashion
1 Lapwing
4 Swallows
7+ Grasshopper Warblers - still getting used to hearing them in stereo as there were three in one field alone!
1 Tawny Owl

16/04/11 - 07.15 - 09.15 a pleasant sunny morning stroll around Newall Green fields with Henry produced Blackcap, Lesser and Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and cracking views of a reeling Grasshopper warbler as well as at least three others reeling in different sections of the fields. Thanks for the "tour" Henry

15/04/2011 - Much the same as recent days with lots of Groppers still in high density in the Newall Green fields but poor viz-mig for the time of year.

14/04/2011 - 8-9.30am:

2 Oystercatchers - by the large marl pit in the Davenport Green fields
4 Lapwings
4 Swallows
6 Grasshopper Warblers - 5 in the Newall Green fields, and 1 in the Davenport Green fields for the first time
3 Willow Warblers - mostly migrant males

12/04/2011 - 4 Grasshopper Warblers reeling this evening in the Newall Green fields at dusk. Just a couple of Song Thrushes adding to the soundscape also.

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Tuesday 12th of April 2011 10:02:24 PM

11/04/2011 - 6-7am:

1 Whitethroat
5 Grasshopper Warblers

Late evening update - upto 4 male Grasshopper Warblers now on territory in the Newall Green fields, unbelievable having only colonised last year! Singing into the dark. Also 2 Swallows appeared to roost in bushes on site.

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Sunday 10th of April 2011 10:47:47 PM

10/04/2011 - quick afternoon wander around the sheep fields:

1 Wheatear
1 Linnet
4 Swallows

09/04/2011 - 3 Tree Pipits in small area behind Piggy Wood in the Newall Green fields at 8am with Phil and Dave Owen. This area recieves much disturbance over the weekend from scramblers, quadbikers, arsonists, general yobs etc so I guess they won't stay long. Seemed to have arrived overnight again, not much viz-mig on-going. No sign of any Redstarts though over in the Davenport Green fields. Also seen were:

3 Grasshopper Warblers - singing males
5 Willow Warblers
10+ Blackcaps
10+ Chiffchaffs
1 Goldcrest
1 Wheatear - in the sheep fields
1 Sand Martin - over heading north
6 Swallows - 4 back on territory
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Reed Bunting
4 Lapwings
1 Canada Goose


-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 9th of April 2011 12:34:39 PM

2 male Redstarts still present at 6.30pm with Phil Owen

08/04/2011 - 3 Redstarts, all males in the sheep fields north of Davenport Green this afternoon at grid ref - SJ802868. Another very early record this spring. Also about were:

1 Sand Martin
1 Swallow
1 Grey Heron
1 Moorhen
2 Chiffchaff
1 Meadow Pipit
1 owl sp calling

Quick visit this morning with dog:

1 Grasshopper Warbler - Cracking views as it reeled away
1 Willow Warbler amongst the many Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps

07/04/2011 - 7-9am, a fall of warblers overnight:

1 Grasshopper Warbler - the earliest here by over three weeks!
1 Lesser Whitethroat - one week early
2 Willow Warblers
10 Blackcaps
14 Chiffchaffs
2 Canada Geese
2 Lapwings
3 Mipits
4 Reed Buntings

04/04/2011 - A few interesting observations around the garden today included a pair of Nuthatches repeatedly visiting the margins of the garden pond, collecting mud and flying up to an old squirrel drey, reducing the large hole to a more suitable size. They attempted to nest here last year but weren't successful so really hoping this year all goes to plan for them. 2 Magpies were later seen on the front doorstep of the house knicking straw from the doormat presumably for a nest somewhere in the vicinity and finally a Blue Tit took dog fur which i'd put out in the hope that the passerines would line their nests with it. Acitivity is certainly picking up now.


-- Edited by Henry Cook on Monday 4th of April 2011 07:27:15 PM

7.00am until 8.30am with my brother Dave: Lots of Chiffchaffs 2 Blackcaps 3 Bullfinches 1 Meadow Pipit 2 Kestrels 2 Buzzards 1 Sparrowhawk amongst others

02/04/2011 - 4-5pm a productive walk in the sheep fields: 1 Willow Warbler - first of year here 1 Red-legged Partridge 2 Pheasants - 1f 1 Linnet 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Lesser Redpoll 1 Redwing 4 Buzzards 1 Kestrel

An evening walk with the dog 6.10pm-7.10pm on Crowland Hill

1 Sand Martin (not often seen here) flew over the hill from the Newall Green direction and into the fields.

2 Chiffchaffs
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Pheasant
amongst the usuals





-- Edited by Phil Owen on Thursday 31st of March 2011 08:19:33 PM

31/03/2011 - 8-10am: 2 Blackcaps - singing males 7 Chiffchaffs - all singing males 6 Meadow Pipits 1 Reed Bunting

30/03/2011 - 1 female Wheatear in the sheep fields at 7am

A pair of Buzzards circling right above hale road at 1130 this morning, looked to be a pair.

29/03/2011 - 8.30-9.30am with Phil Owen in the Davenport Green sheep fields: 1 Wheatear - male, first of the year, a little later than last year 3 Chiffchaffs 1 Linnet 4 Meadow Pipits

7.30am-9.30am:

Much the same as yesterday with the addition of 3 Lapwings, a Kestrel and Buzzard on the Sheep fields.

Strangely quiet early on, perhaps the clock change had an effect on the birds!!

-- Edited by Phil Owen on Sunday 27th of March 2011 12:18:57 PM

7.00am - 8.30am:

Quite a lot of Chiffchaffs about now
1 Reed Bunting (Male singing away on Crowland Hill)
1 Siskin (over)
1 Moorhen
1 Cormorant
2 Mallards
2 Stock Doves
2 Bullfinches
3 Meadow Pipits




-- Edited by Phil Owen on Saturday 26th of March 2011 12:29:47 PM

25/03/2011 - Wind direction veered around this afternoon and picked up so I headed out with the dog in the hope of some visible migration. Whilst migrants were obviously on the move the long hoped-for Wheatear/hirundine didn't materialise. Viz-mig totals:

c110 Woodpigeons
1 Stock Dove
32 Meadow Pipits - flew through northwards in one loose flock
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Linnet
1 Skylark

7.30am-9.30am in the cold and breeze with my brother:

5 Meadow Pipits
2 Chiffchaffs
7 Mallards
2 Cormorants (heading in Rostherne Mere direction)
1 Kestrel
1 Bullfinch
50+ Redwings moving North

then the rain started

19/03/2011 - Covered most of the area with Phil Owen this morning:

4 Chiffchaffs - returned in numbers overnight, earliest back by 4 days
2 Skylarks
3 Meadow Pipits
1 Reed Bunting
2 Canada Geese
2 Stock Doves
4 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
30+ Redwings

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 19th of March 2011 12:31:16 PM

18/03/2011 - Newall Green Fields and Crowland Hill with Phil Owen this morning:

2 Black-headed Gulls
10+ Meadow Pipits
1 Pied Wagtails
4 Goldcrests
11 Jays - in one flock
1 Reed Bunting

15/03/2011 - 7-9am with Phil Owen covering Crowland Hill, Newall Green grasslands and Davenport Green sheep fields:

1 Grey Wagtail - over northwards, first of spring here
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Reed Bunting
5 Buzzards
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Teal - drake in the marl pits
2 Moorhens
9 Stock Doves
10+ Fieldfares
30+ Redwings

13/03/2011 - 10-12.30pm with Phil Owen in the Newall Green Fields, Crowland Hill and Brooks Drive:

5 Meadow Pipits - first of spring, heading north
1 Kestrel
2 Buzzards
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
4 Siskins
1 Reed Bunting

11/03/2011 - feeding flock in the sheep fields still growing:

190+ Redwings
2 Fieldfares
4 Mistle Thrushes
2 Blackbirds
c120 Starlings
2 Stock Doves
c40 Woodpigeons
6 Goldfinches

10/03/2011 - Even windier this afternoon and a short but sharp shower of rain turned a quiet walk into a pretty miserable one! Still, a few birds were seen and lifted the spirits:

3 Teals
4 Mallards
1 Moorhen - first for ages on the patch, from a high of 3-4 pairs a few years ago i'm lucky to see one after the hard winters and the degradation of habitat here.
1 Grey Heron - working its way through the local Great Crested Newt population
5 Stock Doves
3 Goldcrests