-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 5th of November 2019 10:08:39 PM
David Walsh said
Mon Oct 28 1:43 PM, 2019
Monday 28th October 2019, 1.10pm.
Printworks Road Pond.
1 Little Grebe 2 Moorhen
David Walsh said
Thu Oct 24 12:11 AM, 2019
Wednesday 23rd October 2019, 2.15 - 3.30pm.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
The only sighting of interest was 11 Mistle Thrush feeding on the moor edge, above Harridge Hall.
David Walsh said
Sun Oct 20 3:25 PM, 2019
Sunday 20th October 2019, 2.30pm.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
5 Cormorant perched on a pylon 2 Moorhen and a few Mallard on the pond
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Sep 15 4:44 PM, 2019
A late Sand Martin was flying around over the river at Bayley Street in Stalybridge this afternoon.
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Aug 5 2:53 PM, 2019
Sunday 4th Aug. 16.00 - 19.00 hrs.
Stalybridge from Fern Bank to Brushes rifle range.
Numerous Bullfinch and Chaffinch in the hedgerows. Goldfinch feeding on thistle heads. 7 Linnet fly-overs. Up near where the 5 lanes meet, a party of at least 12 Mistle Thrush were feeding on an isolated Rowan that was laden down with berries.
Roger.
Roger Baker 3 said
Tue Jul 9 1:33 AM, 2019
Tues 9th July. 00.20 hrs - 00.40 hrs.
Stalybridge. Seemed to be plenty of Tawny Owl activity just after Monday mid-night.
One calling from around Gorse Hall heard from Tesco car-park.
Another from Stalybridge Celtic FC area at Bower Fold was being answered by two others ... one at Early Bank and the other up Ashes Lane.
I've heard this Ashes Lane bird most nights for the last two weeks but tonights conditions must have been right for a territorial sing off ???
Roger.
David Walsh said
Sun Jul 7 2:43 PM, 2019
Sunday 7th July 2019, 10.00 - 11.30am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
6 Lapwing, all well grown juveniles. Adults have all cleared off for another year 1 female Sparrowhawk over, livened up an otherwise desperate morning 10 Swallows 10+ Meadow Pipits 1 Linnet singing Couple of Dunnock singing
Karen Foulkes said
Fri Jun 28 10:58 PM, 2019
A Herring Gull on the grass by the cenotaph in Ashton was quite unusual for the area this afternoon.
A large group of mainly Swift and Sand Martins was hawking over the river on the Dukinfield/Ashton border
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun Jun 23 6:29 PM, 2019
Bower Fold. Mottram Road. Stalybridge. 18.00 hrs.
2 Greenshank flying high up and calling ...... heading South West.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Thu Jun 13 10:07 PM, 2019
Thursday 13th June 2019, 9.30 - 11.00am.
River Tame, downstream from Grove Road, then back along Printworks Road.
Female Mallard with three well grown ducklings 1 Coot on the pond 1 Dipper on the river 10+ House Martins over the river 2 Swift Several Nuthatch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 4 Blackcap 4 Chiffchaff 3 Willow Warblers 8 Wren, 5 singing, and one feeding young
Huddersfield Narrow Canal, upstream from Grove Road.
6 Canada Geese with a nursery of 22 goslings Female Mallard with 6 very young ducklings
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook, 7.30 - 9.00pm.
22 Lapwing was my highest count, difficult to count as they were constantly flying up at gulls overhead. At least three birds still sitting, and several well grown young. They seem to have had a good year. There are also at least two pairs on the top of the moor at Turf Pits, as well at the Millbrook end of the Bridleway. 12+ Black-headed Gulls, with several juveniles 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 2 pairs of Linnet 4 Meadow Pipits 5 Red-legged Partridge 4 Pheasant 1 Kestrel 1 Jay (on the moor) 2 Mallard on the moor
6 Swift over Park Parade, Ashton, this afternoon, and 4 over Portland Place, Stalybridge.
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Jun 12 1:10 PM, 2019
Weds 12th June.
Lower Wharf Street. Ashton-u-Lyne.
Sand Martins feeding young in the small colony that use the gaps in the wall of the railway arches.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Mon Jun 3 10:18 PM, 2019
Monday 3rd June 2019, 7.00 - 8.30pm.
Cowbury Dale, Carrbrook.
10 Willow Warblers, 5 singing 5 singing Blackcap One pair of Bullfinch Pair of Great Tits taking caterpillars into a nest on the dam
Cowbury Reservoir.
1 Common Sandpiper 1 Pied Wagtail
Slatepit Moor, showing signs of recovery. 10 Meadow Pipits
-- Edited by David Walsh on Monday 3rd of June 2019 11:13:05 PM
Steve Suttill said
Fri May 24 8:29 PM, 2019
David Walsh wrote:
Thursday 23rd May 2019, 10.00 - 11.30am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
21 Lapwing, including six juveniles. Unfortunately, the main nesting field has been ploughed, and several birds are sitting again, but there were at least three broods fledged safely. 4 Linnet, one pair and two singing males 1 Lesser Redpoll 4 Willow Warblers 2 Blackcap 2 Mistle Thrush Only 2 Meadow Pipits. Numbers of this species seem low at all my local sites this year.
Meadow Pipits at all-time low on my Mossley BBS - there were more there during the winter! They were doing OK on my moorland BBS over the Yorkshire border though.
Shame about the Lapwings - same thing happened on my local patch a couple of years back. None there this year though - grass too long I think.
David Walsh said
Thu May 23 11:12 PM, 2019
Thursday 23rd May 2019, 10.00 - 11.30am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
21 Lapwing, including six juveniles. Unfortunately, the main nesting field has been ploughed, and several birds are sitting again, but there were at least three broods fledged safely. 4 Linnet, one pair and two singing males 1 Lesser Redpoll 4 Willow Warblers 2 Blackcap 2 Mistle Thrush Only 2 Meadow Pipits. Numbers of this species seem low at all my local sites this year.
Chris Harper said
Mon May 13 9:36 PM, 2019
Circular walk around Harrop Edge from 18:35-20:10
Best was a Lesser Whitethroat on the North side. Very unsettled moving along slope quickly. Also 7 Common Whitethroat, many displaying.
Best of the rest were 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 3 Swallow, 6 Linnet and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
David Walsh said
Thu May 2 5:51 PM, 2019
Thursday 2nd May 2019, 5.15pm.
Drake Goosander flying downstream, over Portland Place Bridge, Stalybridge.
Chris Harper said
Mon Apr 29 8:49 PM, 2019
Walkerwood Dam up to rifle range and towards Matley Lane 18.45-20.15
Grasshopper Warbler reeling just past rifle range, 2 Common Sandpiper on reservoir under car park, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 15 Meadow Pipit, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 4 Jay were the highlights.
David Walsh said
Sun Apr 28 2:23 PM, 2019
Sunday 28th April 2019, 10.00 - 11.45am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
17 Lapwing, providing the highlight of the morning in the shape of a pair with three very young juveniles. 4 Linnet 6 Meadow Pipits 1 Raven 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel
Otherwise quiet
Chris Harper said
Mon Apr 22 5:57 PM, 2019
Possible Pied Flycatcher seen today by the Tame near Copley at the end of Staly Hall Road. Seen by a relative but can't verify. Might be worth a mooch.
David Walsh said
Mon Apr 22 5:08 PM, 2019
Monday 22nd April 2019, 3.00pm.
A single House Martin over the garden, Huddersfield Road. My first of the year.
David Walsh said
Sun Apr 21 4:31 PM, 2019
Sunday 21s April 2019, 9.30 - 11.45am
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook, then up to Harridge Moor.
A couple of singing Willow Warbler in unusual locations today. One at 6.30am in our garden on Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, and another at 1.00pm, singing from a tree in a town centre car park on Glebe Street, Ashton.
David Walsh said
Sun Apr 14 9:52 PM, 2019
Sunday 14th April 2019, 9.30 - 11.30am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
8 Linnet, with four singing males providing a great backdrop to the morning. A female was taking nest material into a nest site. 3 Ring Ouzel, feeding in the fields above the Bridleway, at the Millbrook end. 12 Lapwing visible, at least six sitting. One pair seen copulating, presumably as a result of a failed breeding attempt. 2 Mistle Thrush 13 Starlings 1 Lesser Redpoll 1 singing Willow Warbler 1 singing Chiffchaff 3 Red-legged Partridge 1 Swallow through north, my first of the year
David Walsh said
Thu Apr 11 10:01 PM, 2019
Thursday 11th April 2019, 4.30pm.
River Tame, Bayley Street, Stalybridge.
12+ Sand Martins Pair of Pied Wagtail Pair of Grey Wagtail
David Walsh said
Sun Apr 7 2:03 PM, 2019
Sunday 7th April 2019, 10.00 - 11.30am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
5 Linnet, with 2 males singing, high up on the moor 12 Lapwing visible, at least five sitting 15+ Meadow Pipits Skylark heard faintly singing, very high up on Harridge Red-legged Partridge, naturally
David Walsh said
Sun Mar 31 2:56 PM, 2019
Sunday 31st March 2019, 9.30 - 11.45am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook, further to the post below.
3 Ring Ouzels. At 11.10, a second male appeared, and all three were feeding in the rough fields above the Bridleway. They were very mobile, perching in trees and on wires, then moved into the sheep fields below the Bridleway. I could still hear them when I reached the houses in Carrbrook. 3 Wheatear (2m, 1f) also feeding in the fields above the Bridleway 6 Linnet on the moor, with a couple of males singing 17 Lapwing visible today, being harassed by Black-headed Gulls c 10 Meadow Pipits
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun Mar 31 11:01 AM, 2019
Sunday 31st March.
Stalybridge. Carrbrook.
Male & Female Ring Ouzel in field just above the bridleway @ 10.50 hrs. Info per Dave Walsh.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Sat Mar 30 11:43 PM, 2019
Saturday 30th March 2019, 11.00pm.
Millbrook, Stalybridge.
Tawny Owl calling from Grove Road Woods.
Vicky Harper said
Thu Mar 28 5:08 PM, 2019
Thursday 28th March. 4.50pm River Tame. Bayley St
2 sand martin 1 grey wagtail
-- Edited by Vicky Harper on Thursday 28th of March 2019 05:09:01 PM
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Mar 28 1:39 PM, 2019
Thurs 28th March. 12.30 hrs.
Stalybridge. R. Tame. Grove Road.
Dipper. Kingfisher.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Sat Mar 16 11:44 AM, 2019
Saturday 16th March 2019, 8.30 - 10.00am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook, in torrential rain.
17 Lapwing visible, now spread over three fields 63 Jackdaw feeding in the fields c 60 Starlings 2 Canada Geese 2 Meadow Pipits
David Walsh said
Sun Mar 10 10:00 PM, 2019
Sunday 10th March 2019, 9.00pm
Male Tawny Owl hooting from the woods at Grove Road, Millbrook, through heavy snow showers.
David Walsh said
Sun Mar 10 2:56 PM, 2019
Sunday 10th March 2019, 8.30 - 10.00am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook, in changeable conditions (sleet, snow, then sleet again )
The object of the morning was to try and get an estimate of the number of Lapwing on territory. The undulating nature of the fields can make it tricky.
16 Lapwing was the most I saw at once. Some display flights, and territorial defence going on. 1 Kestrel 6 Pheasant 9 Red-legged Partridge, including four being comically driven around the field by defensive Lapwing. It was all a little Keystone Coppish. 1 Pied Wagtail
David Walsh said
Sat Mar 9 8:51 PM, 2019
Saturday 9th March 2019, 5.30pm.
Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge.
A female Sparrowhawk took a House Sparrow from the feeders, situated in a hedge lining the main road. Ive seen this bird on several occasions over the past few weeks, particularly at dawn and dusk. There is a colony of 30+ House Sparrows on an ivy clad house on our row, which also holds a roost of 70+ Starlings, and the Sparrowhawk has been using this to her advantage, perching on nearby roofs and waiting.
A flock of 25+ Goldfinch was flying around pre-roost.
John Taylor said
Thu Mar 7 6:20 PM, 2019
Kingfisher on the river at Tame St at 11:45 today
David Walsh said
Thu Feb 28 2:41 PM, 2019
Thursday 28th February 2019, 9.30am.
Viewed from the Pennine Bridleway, Brushes.
5 Lapwing were flying around above the fields to the rear of St. James Church, Millbrook. This area has been used by the odd breeding pair in the past, but not for a couple of years. A search, an hour later, of the area, turned up no birds in the fields themselves.
David Walsh said
Tue Feb 26 6:28 PM, 2019
Tuesday 26th February 2019, 5.30pm.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
13 Lapwing in a tight flock 1 Buzzard watching on 2 Red-legged Partridge
David Walsh said
Sun Feb 24 10:21 PM, 2019
Sunday 24th February 2019, 10.15am - 12.00pm.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
9 Lapwing were a relief, given the sightings elsewhere locally over the past couple of days 5 Linnet were a surprise, this early in the season. Four were flying around the moor; another sang briefly before disappearing over Harridge 3 Lesser Redpoll 4 Chaffinch, 3 singing 2 singing Greenfinch 9 Goldfinch 15 Dunnock; 12 singing, and three pairs 1 singing Song Thrush 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 singing 1 Buzzard 2 Coal Tits 10 House Sparrows 9 Red-legged Partridge 4 Red Grouse 6 Pheasant 1 Skylark, calling from the grass
Steve Suttill said
Sun Feb 17 9:49 AM, 2019
David Walsh wrote:
Saturday 16th February 2019, 7.45 - 9.00am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
Following Steves Lapwing sighting yesterday, I checked out another local site, but no luck, so I was deceived by Steves deceit. (I love a good Lapwing pun).
David Walsh said
Sat Feb 16 9:19 PM, 2019
Saturday 16th February 2019, 7.45 - 9.00am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
Following Steves Lapwing sighting yesterday, I checked out another local site, but no luck, so I was deceived by Steves deceit. (I love a good Lapwing pun). Last year they arrived on 17th February, so Ill try again tomorrow.
A little singing going on, in a bitterly cold wind.
5 Cormorant on the pylons 2 Coot 5 Canada Geese 5 Mallard
David Walsh said
Sat Feb 9 10:43 PM, 2019
Saturday 9th February 2019, midday.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
6 Goosander (4 male, 2 female) 1 Coot 7 Mallard 3 Cormorant on the pylons Nuthatch and Goldfinch singing
An hour and a half earlier, along the Bridleway between Carrbrook and Brushes produced just one Buzzard of any note.
John Taylor said
Fri Feb 8 5:35 PM, 2019
1 pair goosander on the canal at Caroline St (behind Wharf Tavern) at 12:30 today
David Walsh said
Sun Jan 20 2:51 PM, 2019
Sunday 20th January 2019, 10.00 - 11.45am.
Pennine Bridleway, Brushes to Carrbrook.
11 Fieldfare (5 at Cote Farm; 6 in the fodder beet field at Carrbrook) 4 Redwing at Cote Farm 3 Mistle Thrush 1 (possibly 2) male Kestrel 14 Red-legged Partridge (6 at Cote Farm; 8 towards Carrbrook) 13 Pheasant 76 Woodpigeon, feeding in the fields 10 House Sparrows 3 Dunnock (one singing)
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 12.00pm.
4 Goosander (2 redheads). The maximum this week was seven. 3 Coot 1 Little Grebe 6 Cormorant 1 Buzzard in the trees overlooking the pond
1 pair of Dipper on the River Tame at Grove Road
David Walsh said
Sun Jan 13 11:14 PM, 2019
Sunday 13th January 2019, 10.00 - 11.00am.
After an hour and a half seeing nothing around Brushes Rifle Ranges, being buffeted by wind and rain. I decided to take refuge in the Tame Valley.
Male Tawny Owl hooting repeatedly in the trees of Parkhill Nursing Home, Huddersfield Road, Millbrook, Stalybridge.
No sign of a female responding, over the half hour spent lingering.
David Walsh said
Tue Jan 8 11:20 PM, 2019
Tuesday 8th January 2019, 1.30pm.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
8 Cormorant, including one on the pond 3 Coot 1 Moorhen 1 Little Grebe
A lively feel to the trees surrounding the pond, with Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and Great, Blue, Coal, and Long-tailed Tits much in evidence. Several Nuthatch also calling.
David Walsh said
Sun Jan 6 2:10 PM, 2019
Sunday 6th January 2019, 10.15 - 11.30am.
Around Harrop Edge.
Another desperately quiet morning was rescued by the sight of at least three Brambling, feeding in a hawthorn hedge with a small mixed finch and tit flock.
3 Brambling 10+ Chaffinch 6+ Goldfinch 1 Greenfinch c 10 each of Blue and Great Tits.
4 Red-legged Partridge over towards Edge Lane
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 11.45am.
4 Cormorant (maximum this week was 6 on Wednesday) 4 Goosander (2 redhead) 1 Coot 1 Moorhen
Karen Foulkes said
Tue Jan 1 5:01 PM, 2019
A good start to the year this morning down by the river in Dukinfield.
Pair of Goosander showing well 2 Dipper on the same rock Kingfisher flew upstream Female Grey Wagtail 2 Grey Heron Pair of Mallard
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
6 Cormorant on the pylons
13 Mallard on the pond
-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 5th of November 2019 10:08:39 PM
Printworks Road Pond.
1 Little Grebe
2 Moorhen
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
The only sighting of interest was 11 Mistle Thrush feeding on the moor edge, above Harridge Hall.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
5 Cormorant perched on a pylon
2 Moorhen and a few Mallard on the pond
Stalybridge from Fern Bank to Brushes rifle range.
Numerous Bullfinch and Chaffinch in the hedgerows.
Goldfinch feeding on thistle heads.
7 Linnet fly-overs.
Up near where the 5 lanes meet, a party of at least 12 Mistle Thrush were feeding on an isolated Rowan that was laden down with berries.
Roger.
Stalybridge. Seemed to be plenty of Tawny Owl activity just after Monday mid-night.
One calling from around Gorse Hall heard from Tesco car-park.
Another from Stalybridge Celtic FC area at Bower Fold was being answered by two others ... one at Early Bank and the other up Ashes Lane.
I've heard this Ashes Lane bird most nights for the last two weeks but tonights conditions must have been right for a territorial sing off ???
Roger.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
6 Lapwing, all well grown juveniles. Adults have all cleared off for another year
1 female Sparrowhawk over, livened up an otherwise desperate morning
10 Swallows
10+ Meadow Pipits
1 Linnet singing
Couple of Dunnock singing
A large group of mainly Swift and Sand Martins was hawking over the river on the Dukinfield/Ashton border
2 Greenshank flying high up and calling ...... heading South West.
Roger.
River Tame, downstream from Grove Road, then back along Printworks Road.
Female Mallard with three well grown ducklings
1 Coot on the pond
1 Dipper on the river
10+ House Martins over the river
2 Swift
Several Nuthatch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
4 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaff
3 Willow Warblers
8 Wren, 5 singing, and one feeding young
Huddersfield Narrow Canal, upstream from Grove Road.
6 Canada Geese with a nursery of 22 goslings
Female Mallard with 6 very young ducklings
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook, 7.30 - 9.00pm.
22 Lapwing was my highest count, difficult to count as they were constantly flying up at gulls overhead. At least three birds still sitting, and several well grown young. They seem to have had a good year. There are also at least two pairs on the top of the moor at Turf Pits, as well at the Millbrook end of the Bridleway.
12+ Black-headed Gulls, with several juveniles
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 pairs of Linnet
4 Meadow Pipits
5 Red-legged Partridge
4 Pheasant
1 Kestrel
1 Jay (on the moor)
2 Mallard on the moor
6 Swift over Park Parade, Ashton, this afternoon, and 4 over Portland Place, Stalybridge.
Lower Wharf Street. Ashton-u-Lyne.
Sand Martins feeding young in the small colony that use the gaps in the wall of the railway arches.
Roger.
Cowbury Dale, Carrbrook.
10 Willow Warblers, 5 singing
5 singing Blackcap
One pair of Bullfinch
Pair of Great Tits taking caterpillars into a nest on the dam
Cowbury Reservoir.
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Pied Wagtail
Slatepit Moor, showing signs of recovery.
10 Meadow Pipits
-- Edited by David Walsh on Monday 3rd of June 2019 11:13:05 PM
Meadow Pipits at all-time low on my Mossley BBS - there were more there during the winter! They were doing OK on my moorland BBS over the Yorkshire border though.
Shame about the Lapwings - same thing happened on my local patch a couple of years back. None there this year though - grass too long I think.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
21 Lapwing, including six juveniles. Unfortunately, the main nesting field has been ploughed, and several birds are sitting again, but there were at least three broods fledged safely.
4 Linnet, one pair and two singing males
1 Lesser Redpoll
4 Willow Warblers
2 Blackcap
2 Mistle Thrush
Only 2 Meadow Pipits. Numbers of this species seem low at all my local sites this year.
Circular walk around Harrop Edge from 18:35-20:10
Best was a Lesser Whitethroat on the North side. Very unsettled moving along slope quickly. Also 7 Common Whitethroat, many displaying.
Best of the rest were 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 3 Swallow, 6 Linnet and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Drake Goosander flying downstream, over Portland Place Bridge, Stalybridge.
Walkerwood Dam up to rifle range and towards Matley Lane 18.45-20.15
Grasshopper Warbler reeling just past rifle range, 2 Common Sandpiper on reservoir under car park, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 15 Meadow Pipit, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 4 Jay were the highlights.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
17 Lapwing, providing the highlight of the morning in the shape of a pair with three very young juveniles.
4 Linnet
6 Meadow Pipits
1 Raven
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
Otherwise quiet
Possible Pied Flycatcher seen today by the Tame near Copley at the end of Staly Hall Road. Seen by a relative but can't verify. Might be worth a mooch.
A single House Martin over the garden, Huddersfield Road. My first of the year.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook, then up to Harridge Moor.
2 Wheatear
12+ Lapwing
6 Linnet
1 Swallow
6 singing Willow Warblers
5 Red-legged Partridge
1 Kestrel
A couple of singing Willow Warbler in unusual locations today. One at 6.30am in our garden on Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, and another at 1.00pm, singing from a tree in a town centre car park on Glebe Street, Ashton.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
8 Linnet, with four singing males providing a great backdrop to the morning. A female was taking nest material into a nest site.
3 Ring Ouzel, feeding in the fields above the Bridleway, at the Millbrook end.
12 Lapwing visible, at least six sitting. One pair seen copulating, presumably as a result of a failed breeding attempt.
2 Mistle Thrush
13 Starlings
1 Lesser Redpoll
1 singing Willow Warbler
1 singing Chiffchaff
3 Red-legged Partridge
1 Swallow through north, my first of the year
River Tame, Bayley Street, Stalybridge.
12+ Sand Martins
Pair of Pied Wagtail
Pair of Grey Wagtail
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
5 Linnet, with 2 males singing, high up on the moor
12 Lapwing visible, at least five sitting
15+ Meadow Pipits
Skylark heard faintly singing, very high up on Harridge
Red-legged Partridge, naturally
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook, further to the post below.
3 Ring Ouzels. At 11.10, a second male appeared, and all three were feeding in the rough fields above the Bridleway. They were very mobile, perching in trees and on wires, then moved into the sheep fields below the Bridleway. I could still hear them when I reached the houses in Carrbrook.
3 Wheatear (2m, 1f) also feeding in the fields above the Bridleway
6 Linnet on the moor, with a couple of males singing
17 Lapwing visible today, being harassed by Black-headed Gulls
c 10 Meadow Pipits
Stalybridge. Carrbrook.
Male & Female Ring Ouzel in field just above the bridleway @ 10.50 hrs. Info per Dave Walsh.
Roger.
Millbrook, Stalybridge.
Tawny Owl calling from Grove Road Woods.
River Tame. Bayley St
2 sand martin
1 grey wagtail
-- Edited by Vicky Harper on Thursday 28th of March 2019 05:09:01 PM
Stalybridge. R. Tame. Grove Road.
Dipper.
Kingfisher.
Roger.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook, in torrential rain.
17 Lapwing visible, now spread over three fields
63 Jackdaw feeding in the fields
c 60 Starlings
2 Canada Geese
2 Meadow Pipits
Male Tawny Owl hooting from the woods at Grove Road, Millbrook, through heavy snow showers.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook, in changeable conditions (sleet, snow, then sleet again
The object of the morning was to try and get an estimate of the number of Lapwing on territory. The undulating nature of the fields can make it tricky.
16 Lapwing was the most I saw at once. Some display flights, and territorial defence going on.
1 Kestrel
6 Pheasant
9 Red-legged Partridge, including four being comically driven around the field by defensive Lapwing. It was all a little Keystone Coppish.
1 Pied Wagtail
Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge.
A female Sparrowhawk took a House Sparrow from the feeders, situated in a hedge lining the main road. Ive seen this bird on several occasions over the past few weeks, particularly at dawn and dusk. There is a colony of 30+ House Sparrows on an ivy clad house on our row, which also holds a roost of 70+ Starlings, and the Sparrowhawk has been using this to her advantage, perching on nearby roofs and waiting.
A flock of 25+ Goldfinch was flying around pre-roost.
Viewed from the Pennine Bridleway, Brushes.
5 Lapwing were flying around above the fields to the rear of St. James Church, Millbrook. This area has been used by the odd breeding pair in the past, but not for a couple of years. A search, an hour later, of the area, turned up no birds in the fields themselves.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
13 Lapwing in a tight flock
1 Buzzard watching on
2 Red-legged Partridge
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
9 Lapwing were a relief, given the sightings elsewhere locally over the past couple of days
5 Linnet were a surprise, this early in the season. Four were flying around the moor; another sang briefly before disappearing over Harridge
3 Lesser Redpoll
4 Chaffinch, 3 singing
2 singing Greenfinch
9 Goldfinch
15 Dunnock; 12 singing, and three pairs
1 singing Song Thrush
3 Mistle Thrush, 2 singing
1 Buzzard
2 Coal Tits
10 House Sparrows
9 Red-legged Partridge
4 Red Grouse
6 Pheasant
1 Skylark, calling from the grass
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
Following Steves Lapwing sighting yesterday, I checked out another local site, but no luck, so I was deceived by Steves deceit. (I love a good Lapwing pun). Last year they arrived on 17th February, so Ill try again tomorrow.
A little singing going on, in a bitterly cold wind.
2 Mistle Thrush singing
1 Song Thrush singing
7 Dunnock, 5 singing
1 Greenfinch singing
2 Chaffinch singing
3 Goldfinch
3 Red Grouse
3 Pheasant
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 female Sparrowhawk
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 1.30pm
5 Cormorant on the pylons
2 Coot
5 Canada Geese
5 Mallard
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
6 Goosander (4 male, 2 female)
1 Coot
7 Mallard
3 Cormorant on the pylons
Nuthatch and Goldfinch singing
An hour and a half earlier, along the Bridleway between Carrbrook and Brushes produced just one Buzzard of any note.
Pennine Bridleway, Brushes to Carrbrook.
11 Fieldfare (5 at Cote Farm; 6 in the fodder beet field at Carrbrook)
4 Redwing at Cote Farm
3 Mistle Thrush
1 (possibly 2) male Kestrel
14 Red-legged Partridge (6 at Cote Farm; 8 towards Carrbrook)
13 Pheasant
76 Woodpigeon, feeding in the fields
10 House Sparrows
3 Dunnock (one singing)
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 12.00pm.
4 Goosander (2 redheads). The maximum this week was seven.
3 Coot
1 Little Grebe
6 Cormorant
1 Buzzard in the trees overlooking the pond
1 pair of Dipper on the River Tame at Grove Road
After an hour and a half seeing nothing around Brushes Rifle Ranges, being buffeted by wind and rain. I decided to take refuge in the Tame Valley.
Printworks Road.
7 Goosander (4 drakes)
1 Little Grebe
6 Cormorant
2 Coot
3+ Nuthatch
15 Goldfinch
River Tame.
1 pair of Dipper
Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
1 pair of Goosander
Staley Hall Marshes SBI.
Small flock of House Sparrows feeding with Blue and Great Tits
Millbrook Dam.
1 redhead Goosander
1 Cormorant
2 Moorhen
8 Mallard
Male Tawny Owl hooting repeatedly in the trees of Parkhill Nursing Home, Huddersfield Road, Millbrook, Stalybridge.
No sign of a female responding, over the half hour spent lingering.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
8 Cormorant, including one on the pond
3 Coot
1 Moorhen
1 Little Grebe
A lively feel to the trees surrounding the pond, with Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and Great, Blue, Coal, and Long-tailed Tits much in evidence. Several Nuthatch also calling.
Around Harrop Edge.
Another desperately quiet morning was rescued by the sight of at least three Brambling, feeding in a hawthorn hedge with a small mixed finch and tit flock.
3 Brambling
10+ Chaffinch
6+ Goldfinch
1 Greenfinch
c 10 each of Blue and Great Tits.
4 Red-legged Partridge over towards Edge Lane
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 11.45am.
4 Cormorant (maximum this week was 6 on Wednesday)
4 Goosander (2 redhead)
1 Coot
1 Moorhen
Pair of Goosander showing well
2 Dipper on the same rock
Kingfisher flew upstream
Female Grey Wagtail
2 Grey Heron
Pair of Mallard
Also seen during the day
c30 Redwing
c180 Jackdaw going to roost