Pair of sparrowhawks circling over Uppermill on Wednesday lunchtime and a dipper flew up the Huddersfield canal on Wednesday night.
Steve Suttill said
Tue Jun 1 10:01 AM, 2010
Gropper absent all this past weekend - maybe he's headed up to Castleshaw?
Another Spotted Flycatcher found whilst searching the neighbourhood
Steve
Steve Suttill said
Fri May 28 4:28 PM, 2010
Just checking that there wasn't actually a Tameside bird to keep Karen and Rachael (and any other Tameside Tickers) happy. Thankfully, they are honorable womenfolk who won't be tempted into luring it over the border
Never have so many people wanted to see a bird that I've found - but still no tournament points I'm not sure you are only human Ian!
Steve
Ian McKerchar said
Fri May 28 12:36 PM, 2010
Iain Johnson wrote:
Rest assured Steve, I have emailed Ian
Yes, my mistake. It seems I am only human afterall, allegedly...
Iain Johnson said
Fri May 28 10:13 AM, 2010
Rest assured Steve, I have emailed Ian
I've also applied for a change in borough boundaries to the north and east of tamside in order to claim several more county/ borough ticks!!!
Steve Suttill said
Fri May 28 10:06 AM, 2010
I hope that's not the Gropper which has appeared on Iain's Tameside list - 'cos it's definitely in Oldham!
Cheers, Steve
Iain Johnson said
Wed May 26 9:25 PM, 2010
Grasshopper Warbler still present in the fields adjacent to the river tame/ huddersfield canal, reeling away and showing down to 20 feet.
Reed bunting and grey heron also.
Steve Suttill said
Mon May 24 9:50 AM, 2010
Grasshopper Warbler found in Greenfield near Mossley border on Saturday morning. Still reeling away on Sunday. A first for Oldham (and GM) for me
Steve
Iain Johnson said
Thu May 20 10:35 AM, 2010
blackcap singing at Greenfield station this morning. Other recent sightings from the river tame in Uppermill include a single dipper, a pair of grey wagtails, one pied wagtail and three recent fledged ducklings sat on a rock in the middle of the river with mum guarding them - very photogenic and cute!
stuartherring said
Mon Apr 12 6:33 PM, 2010
i had an early walk on sat (6am)heard 9 different chiff chaffs and 6 different willow warblers from greenfield to the mossley border also 2 different green woodpeckers yaffling lovely morning
Steve Suttill said
Mon Apr 12 2:28 PM, 2010
At least 3 Willow Warblers singing in Greenfield near the Mossley border on Sat a.m.
8 Swallows over Royal George lodge on Sun a.m.
Spring most definitely here - had to mow the lawn for the first time this year
stuartherring said
Mon Apr 5 7:08 PM, 2010
walk round greenfield and royal george -2 long tail tits,5 swallow (first of year) 1 dipper ,1 chiff chaff (heard) plus usual suspects.
-- Edited by stuartherring on Monday 5th of April 2010 07:09:23 PM
stuartherring said
Fri Apr 2 8:24 AM, 2010
short walk round greenfield am 1 song thrush.2 chaffinch(mating).1 dipper.2 g s woodpeckers and 1 green woodpecker (very vocal)
Steve Suttill said
Mon Mar 29 9:52 AM, 2010
Finally glimpsed the Greenfield Water Rail that everyone except me has been watching for weeks. Let's hope it stays until next weekend so we can put a spot on the map for the new breeding birds atlas
Steve
stuartherring said
Sun Mar 28 10:21 AM, 2010
2 dipper on chew brook ( 1 leg rung white and 1 leg red and white) also a pair of grey wagtails near kingfisher pub
Steve Suttill said
Tue Mar 23 9:54 AM, 2010
Have sent you a PM, Stuart.
stuartherring said
Mon Mar 22 6:11 PM, 2010
hi steve i was walking a loopy springer spaniel so i was lucky to see any thing really good news on the chiff chaff ,i saw 4-5 cormarants in the far trees (forgot about them sorry) would it be possible that they are nesting as well ????
Steve Suttill said
Mon Mar 22 10:54 AM, 2010
Must have just missed you, Stuart. Went to check Dipper nests & Heronry myself on Sunday morning.
Heronry bigger than ever as new trees are being colonised, though some of the older nest trees are being abandoned - possibly due to Cormorant droppings rotting the branches?
Your possible Chiffchaff confirmed - 1 heard, 2 seen. Heard the green Woodpecker as well - impossible not to really!
Steve
stuartherring said
Sun Mar 21 10:58 AM, 2010
quick walk up freizland bridlepath revealed herons busy building,2 long tail tits,2 song thrush and poss chiff chaff at tame /chew brook confluence but not sure ,green woodpecker yaffling near to greenfield station and stunning grey wagtail near kingfisher pub along with dipper also 1 male siskin on feeder when i arrived home (first for a long time)
-- Edited by stuartherring on Sunday 21st of March 2010 10:59:34 AM
James Minchin said
Wed Mar 10 8:34 PM, 2010
Travelling down Oldham road near the farm at Lydgate, I saw a Little Owl on a fence post. This is the second time I've seen one there (looked as if it was the same fence post too) so I wonder if it's a favourite spot.
-- Edited by stuartherring on Sunday 14th of February 2010 11:37:49 AM
stuartherring said
Sun Feb 7 6:42 PM, 2010
FREIZLAND 4 LONG TAIL TITS,2 BULLFINCH M&F,4 CORMORANT NEAR HERONRY EARLY AM ,,ROYAL GEORGE 1 (M) 5 (F) GOOSANDER 1 LITTLE GREBE,,HOME 3 GOLDFINCH,2 DUNNOCK ,1 TREECREEPER 1ST FOR A WHILE
stuartherring said
Sat Feb 6 5:19 PM, 2010
royal george 8 goosander 2 m 6 fm this afternoon
stuartherring said
Sun Jan 31 9:52 AM, 2010
goosander 3 pairs,1 bullfinch male,2 heron ,various gulls on royal george partialy frozen
Pete Welch said
Sun Jan 24 2:34 PM, 2010
And further to Paul's post if its a Sandisc card they have their own software to recover files - probably free download from their website [guess it won't do anything different to the free ones but as least you'll know its legit?]
stuartherring wrote:
nice male redpoll with the goldfinches on the nyjer this morning got some good photo,s then accidently wiped my memory card clean not happy
Paul Cliff said
Sun Jan 24 10:05 AM, 2010
stuartherring wrote:
nice male redpoll with the goldfinches on the nyjer this morning got some good photo,s then accidently wiped my memory card clean not happy
you can download free salvage software which will gather any files which haven't been written over - when you format a memory card it just gives the hardware permission to overwrite what's on there, it doesn't actually delete anything until you take more pictures...
-- Edited by Paul Cliff on Sunday 24th of January 2010 10:06:22 AM
stuartherring said
Sat Jan 23 7:35 PM, 2010
nice male redpoll with the goldfinches on the nyjer this morning got some good photo,s then accidently wiped my memory card clean not happy
Steve Suttill said
Thu Jan 14 11:22 AM, 2010
Snowy stroll around Greenfield yesterday:
rather distressing sight of a Sparrowhawk trying to kill a Lapwing which must have been injured already. I'd already found a dead Greenfinch in my garden!
Plenty of other birds in the vicinity of the sewage works: Snipe, Grey Wagtail, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Dipper, 3 Goosander. Also a Cormorant perched on a tree in the heronry.
Little Grebe with a small fish at the Manns. 4 Redwing and a Nuthatch by Royal George Lodge.
Steve
Kath Butterworth said
Sun Jan 10 5:25 PM, 2010
Kingfisher catching fish in small stream at side of Eagle Pond Delph. Seen here on 27th December also.
Continued up valley (3 reed bunting) to Castlehaw and feeding station - station well used by dunnock, robin, great tit, blue tit
stuartherring said
Sun Jan 10 4:56 PM, 2010
cracking greater spotted woodpecker on suet balls this morning 1st time in garden
stuartherring said
Sun Nov 15 9:30 AM, 2009
drake widgeon back on royal george+6 mallard,1 kingfisher and lone little grebe
James Minchin said
Sat Nov 14 5:37 PM, 2009
edit: sorry wrong topic
-- Edited by James Minchin on Saturday 14th of November 2009 05:40:53 PM
kerry skelhorn said
Fri Nov 13 4:35 PM, 2009
A single chiffchaff foraging in my garden at Diggle today at 15:30. Continental race migrating through?
stuartherring said
Thu Nov 12 3:44 PM, 2009
male goosander on royal george 1.45 pm
kerry skelhorn said
Thu Nov 12 12:47 PM, 2009
Three dippers singing this morning: one under Uppermill viaduct & 2 either side of wooden bridge adjacent to Dobcross garden centre. Didn't have bins so couldn't see if they were ringed!
stuartherring said
Wed Nov 11 10:34 AM, 2009
greenfield 3 bullfinches, loads of long tail tits, 1 goldcrest . onto royal george 1 little grebe and loads more long tail tits plus kingfisher heard also female sparrrowhawk flyover
-- Edited by stuartherring on Wednesday 11th of November 2009 10:40:06 AM
Judith Smith said
Tue Nov 10 5:31 PM, 2009
Global warming, Steve. Why fly from the Baltic to Greenfield when it remains unfrozen at home?
Steve Suttill said
Tue Nov 10 9:56 AM, 2009
Thanks Tony,
but it's not the river where the ducks have disappeared - it's the mill lodge which used to have the variety of species (never in big numbers). It does seem to be the diving ducks which have gone (not that we've ever had many dabblers round here). The lodge is not fished (by humans, that is) as often as it used to be. I have seen Mink here in the past and wonder if that's the problem? I'm not aware of anything that could have affected the water quality - for better or worse.
Cheers, Steve
tonywilkinson said
Mon Nov 9 4:44 PM, 2009
Hi Steve,
Don't know much about water birds, but clean rivers don't have the mud loving worms that diving ducks chase, so you win with Dippers and Kingfishers and lose with Tufted Duck and Pochard? Didn't the same happen at Pomona Docks a few years ago? Judith will know.
Don't knock the Thermos flask brigade; most of them can't walk further than a hide anyway. Manchester is crying out for an RSPB reserve, so it will reduce the green footprints, and increase the chance of Crossbill, Chat and Ouzel reports.
Steve Suttill said
Mon Nov 9 9:59 AM, 2009
Sunday morning 8.11.09
back at The Manns, Well-i-Hole Farm and Royal George lodge:
Male Wigeon still present with Mallards. Little Grebe skulking (often with just the top of its head above water), Kingfisher. Cormorant. Dipper singing on river.
2 Canada Goose bodies suggest that the local Fox population isn't going hungry!
Steve
Matt Potter said
Thu Nov 5 10:37 AM, 2009
They probably cant afford to live in Saddleworth!
I will get me coat!
Steve Suttill said
Thu Nov 5 9:53 AM, 2009
Following the days of incessant precipitation, I thought it worth checking out the flooded fields at Well-i-hole Farm, Greenfield. Rewarded with a cracking drake WIGEON (pretty scarce round here) in the Mallard flock by the pond at The Manns.
This area (which I count for WeBS) has declined in the diversity of its wildfowl over the past few years. Tufted and Coot used to be regular (occasionally breeding), one or two Pochard used to overwinter, Teal and Goldeneye used to drop in now and then and I even had a male Ruddy Duck once. The canal nearby once produced a pair of Garganey! These days there is nothing but Mallard, Canada Geese, Moorhen and, if your'e lucky, Goosander. Can any locals explain this?
Steve
stuartherring said
Sun Oct 4 10:42 AM, 2009
2 dippers displaying and fighting on the river near the kingfisher pub in greenfield this morning
-- Edited by stuartherring on Sunday 4th of October 2009 10:42:56 AM
Henry Cook said
Thu Oct 1 5:23 PM, 2009
01/10/2009 - A good walk around the area south of Dovestones Res. and part way up the Chew Valley from 10.30am-3pm revealed:
1 Crossbill (found by Dave Winnard, flew over the plantation SW of the res.) 3 Red Grouse (up the Chew Valley) 1 Dipper (up the Chew Valley) 2 Ravens 4+ Siskins 1 Kestrel 1 Sparrowhawk 7 Jays 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Nuthatch 3+ Goldcrests 1 Pheasant 2 Mistle Thrushes 5 Pied Wagtails 10+ Meadow Pipits 2 Stonechats (up the Chew Valley) c30 Mallards 13 Black-headed Gulls
no sign of any Crossbills at the Binn Green plantation
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 1st of October 2009 09:33:11 AM
Steve Suttill said
Thu Sep 24 5:58 PM, 2009
The online survey, which Mr Potter has mentioned elsewhere on this forum, asks if you would like a cafe. Get logged on Mark and order your breakfast bap !
Mark Rigby said
Thu Sep 24 1:22 PM, 2009
Apart from a small visitors centre at the main car park which as I understand will be more akin to a rangers office (not a shop, cafe etc).
Most of the residents of Sadleworth will not see any difference as the majority of the work will be on the surrounding moorland to resore it to its former glory
The people who are kicking up a fuss do not even venture in these areas, and as Steve points out, the only people you meet on the moors are walkers and not local residents of Sadleworth.
As I know several people who are against the RSPB "taking over" (as they see it)- it is definatley a case of "wanting your cake and eating it!"
They like their "local shops and services", but without tourism and day visitors, many of these would be unable to survive.
Mike Chorley said
Wed Sep 23 10:16 PM, 2009
No need to "import" Ospreys.
Just get Riggers to transfer his allegiance from Castleshaw and they'll just turn up!
Apparently the 'Osprey-finder General' bagged another one while at work today.
Jammy sod
Mind you, no Red Kites will come within a mile of the place
Steve Suttill said
Wed Sep 23 9:51 AM, 2009
I'm afraid I was otherwise engaged last night and couldn't make the meeting.
Riggers is right about there being some strange people in Saddleworth (and plenty of other places!). A lot of local people make their money from the tourists and then moan about them! If you've ever been to Dovestone on a sunny weekend you will realise you couldn't fit more people in if you tried - unless you drain the main reservoir and turn it into a car park!
I don't think it can be turned into another Minsmere and that is certainly not the RSPB's intention. It's never been a great place for birds unless you are willing to do a great deal of foot-slogging and have patience - not qualities I normally associate with a "typical" RSPB reserve visitor who wants to open a hide window and see it all there in front of you. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy doing that from time to time, and I also enjoy a nice caff like at Minsmere or Old Moor.
I just hope that the RSPB don't feel that they have to have "flagship" birds for the site and start importing Red Kites and Ospreys!
Steve
Henry Cook said
Wed Sep 23 9:03 AM, 2009
I can understand in a way Mark. If you have thousands more visitors going up there that will surely lead to development over time and slow, encroaching loss of the area in question?
Mark Rigby said
Wed Sep 23 12:38 AM, 2009
There are some strange people in Saddleworth who "dont like change" and dont want tourism, day trippers etc.
Some even complained when brown "Saddlewoth tourist attractions" road signs were errected in Oldham.
There is an anti "anything " thinking. New houses,New supermarket,New pub etc.
Another Spotted Flycatcher found whilst searching the neighbourhood
Steve
Never have so many people wanted to see a bird that I've found - but still no tournament points I'm not sure you are only human Ian!
Steve
Yes, my mistake. It seems I am only human afterall, allegedly...
I've also applied for a change in borough boundaries to the north and east of tamside in order to claim several more county/ borough ticks!!!
Cheers, Steve
Reed bunting and grey heron also.
Steve
8 Swallows over Royal George lodge on Sun a.m.
Spring most definitely here - had to mow the lawn for the first time this year
-- Edited by stuartherring on Monday 5th of April 2010 07:09:23 PM
Steve
Heronry bigger than ever as new trees are being colonised, though some of the older nest trees are being abandoned - possibly due to Cormorant droppings rotting the branches?
Your possible Chiffchaff confirmed - 1 heard, 2 seen. Heard the green Woodpecker as well - impossible not to really!
Steve
-- Edited by stuartherring on Sunday 21st of March 2010 10:59:34 AM
-- Edited by stuartherring on Sunday 14th of February 2010 11:37:49 AM
you can download free salvage software which will gather any files which haven't been written over - when you format a memory card it just gives the hardware permission to overwrite what's on there, it doesn't actually delete anything until you take more pictures...
-- Edited by Paul Cliff on Sunday 24th of January 2010 10:06:22 AM
rather distressing sight of a Sparrowhawk trying to kill a Lapwing which must have been injured already. I'd already found a dead Greenfinch in my garden!
Plenty of other birds in the vicinity of the sewage works: Snipe, Grey Wagtail, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Dipper, 3 Goosander. Also a Cormorant perched on a tree in the heronry.
Little Grebe with a small fish at the Manns. 4 Redwing and a Nuthatch by Royal George Lodge.
Steve
Continued up valley (3 reed bunting) to Castlehaw and feeding station - station well used by dunnock, robin, great tit, blue tit
-- Edited by James Minchin on Saturday 14th of November 2009 05:40:53 PM
-- Edited by stuartherring on Wednesday 11th of November 2009 10:40:06 AM
but it's not the river where the ducks have disappeared - it's the mill lodge which used to have the variety of species (never in big numbers). It does seem to be the diving ducks which have gone (not that we've ever had many dabblers round here). The lodge is not fished (by humans, that is) as often as it used to be. I have seen Mink here in the past and wonder if that's the problem? I'm not aware of anything that could have affected the water quality - for better or worse.
Cheers, Steve
Don't know much about water birds, but clean rivers don't have the mud loving worms that diving ducks chase, so you win with Dippers and Kingfishers and lose with Tufted Duck and Pochard? Didn't the same happen at Pomona Docks a few years ago? Judith will know.
Don't knock the Thermos flask brigade; most of them can't walk further than a hide anyway. Manchester is crying out for an RSPB reserve, so it will reduce the green footprints, and increase the chance of Crossbill, Chat and Ouzel reports.
back at The Manns, Well-i-Hole Farm and Royal George lodge:
Male Wigeon still present with Mallards. Little Grebe skulking (often with just the top of its head above water), Kingfisher. Cormorant. Dipper singing on river.
2 Canada Goose bodies suggest that the local Fox population isn't going hungry!
Steve
I will get me coat!
This area (which I count for WeBS) has declined in the diversity of its wildfowl over the past few years. Tufted and Coot used to be regular (occasionally breeding), one or two Pochard used to overwinter, Teal and Goldeneye used to drop in now and then and I even had a male Ruddy Duck once. The canal nearby once produced a pair of Garganey! These days there is nothing but Mallard, Canada Geese, Moorhen and, if your'e lucky, Goosander. Can any locals explain this?
Steve
-- Edited by stuartherring on Sunday 4th of October 2009 10:42:56 AM
1 Crossbill (found by Dave Winnard, flew over the plantation SW of the res.)
3 Red Grouse (up the Chew Valley)
1 Dipper (up the Chew Valley)
2 Ravens
4+ Siskins
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
7 Jays
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Nuthatch
3+ Goldcrests
1 Pheasant
2 Mistle Thrushes
5 Pied Wagtails
10+ Meadow Pipits
2 Stonechats (up the Chew Valley)
c30 Mallards
13 Black-headed Gulls
no sign of any Crossbills at the Binn Green plantation
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Thursday 1st of October 2009 09:33:11 AM
Most of the residents of Sadleworth will not see any difference as the majority of the work will be on the surrounding moorland to resore it to its former glory
The people who are kicking up a fuss do not even venture in these areas, and as Steve points out, the only people you meet on the moors are walkers and not local residents of Sadleworth.
As I know several people who are against the RSPB "taking over" (as they see it)- it is definatley a case of "wanting your cake and eating it!"
They like their "local shops and services", but without tourism and day visitors, many of these would be unable to survive.
Just get Riggers to transfer his allegiance from Castleshaw and they'll just turn up!
Apparently the 'Osprey-finder General' bagged another one while at work today.
Jammy sod
Mind you, no Red Kites will come within a mile of the place
Riggers is right about there being some strange people in Saddleworth (and plenty of other places!). A lot of local people make their money from the tourists and then moan about them! If you've ever been to Dovestone on a sunny weekend you will realise you couldn't fit more people in if you tried - unless you drain the main reservoir and turn it into a car park!
I don't think it can be turned into another Minsmere and that is certainly not the RSPB's intention. It's never been a great place for birds unless you are willing to do a great deal of foot-slogging and have patience - not qualities I normally associate with a "typical" RSPB reserve visitor who wants to open a hide window and see it all there in front of you. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy doing that from time to time, and I also enjoy a nice caff like at Minsmere or Old Moor.
I just hope that the RSPB don't feel that they have to have "flagship" birds for the site and start importing Red Kites and Ospreys!
Steve
Some even complained when brown "Saddlewoth tourist attractions" road signs were errected in Oldham.
There is an anti "anything " thinking. New houses,New supermarket,New pub etc.