Hi there.i'm new on the site and sometimes spend a bit of time on the moors. Seen postings of Merlin up there but never seen any myself. What sort of area are the general sightings?
Simon Warford said
Fri Oct 15 3:48 PM, 2010
Upto 10.30am only today due to some very wet drizzle and terrible visibility, with Andy Makin.
Vis mig very poor even prior to weather setting in-
Single Golden Plover west 35 Woodpigeons west 3 Siskin south 10+ Chaffinch high west
Wheatear - 4 around tops Stonechat - 2
2 fem/imm Black Redstarts still showing on & off around the Rocket shaped mast.
Simon Warford said
Thu Oct 14 5:39 PM, 2010
8.00am - 12.15pm Vis mig v poor due to heavy cloud & mist, so ended up checking all possible raptor spots!
Merlin Fieldfare 130 south east Redwing 32 Woodpigeon 28 west Meadow Pipit 15 south & 70+ Burnt Edge.
Stonechat - 2 Holdens Wheatear - 3 Redpoll - 4
Andy wasnt his normal self today, abit down in the mouth, he couldnt even be bothered to count anything & couldnt even bare to look at anything white! Anybody would think we missed an absolute mega! Nice to meet Mr Little up near the mast.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 14 7:43 AM, 2010
Yesterdays totals:
9 Wheatear 81 Meadow Pipit 2 Golden Plover 61 Chaffinch 74 Woodpigeon 4 Skylark 11 Reed Bunting 4 Buzzard Male Merlin 6 Redwing 2 female/immature Black Redstarts by the rocket shaped mast (in Lancs)
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 13 4:42 PM, 2010
No further sightings thus far I'm afraid.
Rob Smallwood said
Wed Oct 13 2:39 PM, 2010
Regardless of any thoughts on the wild origins of this bird what a great bird to find.
Hope it stays around...
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 13 1:47 PM, 2010
Gyr Falcon reported on the rocket ship mast on Winter Hill (just within Lancashire) at c11:40 today. The bird was a white phase and a photo with a mobile phone through a telescope was taken, which hopefully I'll be taking a look at it later today or tomorrow.
No further sign since the original sighting but the bird is currently being looked for.
Info thanks to Andy Little
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 12 5:09 PM, 2010
Today's sightings between Andy Makin and myself:
Lapland Bunting SW at 12:13 (Andy only) Single Twite SW (Andy only) 500 Meadow Pipits 12 Wheatear 1 Golden Plover 5 Stonechat (1 Wildersmoor, 4 Holdens Farm) Green Woodpecker Georges Lane 1 Merlin 4 Ring Ouzel- Andy had a female by the mast around 10am whilst I had 3 female/imm on berry bushes at Higher Meadows at 11am which took off low and seemed to drop onto Wildersmoor. At 4:15 Andy then had a female (type) in the same bushes which may probably be one of the same group? So 4 but possibly 5 birds involved.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 11 8:32 PM, 2010
Today's moorland visible migration totals:
408 Redwing 16 Fieldfare Single male Ring Ouzel (dropped out of the sky and landed on Deans Ditch 50ft from the observer!) 960 Meadow Pipit moving SE 405 Woodpigeon west 9 Skylark 2 Buzzard 2 Brambling 2 Snipe 9 Siskin 10 Chaffinch and Greenfinch 57 Goldfinch 8 Pied Wagtail 1 Redpoll 5 Linnet 3 Bullfinch 28 Crow 50 Starling 2 Sparrowhawks One Merlin (chasing Wheatears!)
Also present around the tops were 6 Wheatear, a single Stonechat and an adult male (new bird?) along Dean's Ditch all afernoon.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 9 3:19 PM, 2010
Vis mig watch 8.30am-12pm with senior & Andy Makin, could hardly stand up it was that windy!
Redwing 36 all south east in small parties Starling 14 north west Golden Plover 2 south mid am Chaffinch 10+ south east Greenfinch 15+ south east Meadow Pipit 35 south Woodpigeon 12 west Pink Feet 2 west
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 8 7:59 PM, 2010
Very windy up there today so probably only a couple of hours or so each, Andy Makin am and me pm.
Am:
120 Meadow Pipit SW
Pm:
130 Meadow Pipit SW 4 Wheatear Winter Hill 2 Black Redstart around the base of the mast itself
Paul Risley said
Thu Oct 7 7:49 PM, 2010
5.15pm - 7.00pm Clear blue skies
no sign of the Black Redstarts this evening, Single Raven very vocal and fairly close. male Kestrel hunting near mast, another poss same bird was still hovering fairly high in semi darkness over two lads as I came off the moor 2 Wheatears also up near mast. 3 Red Grouse in flight plus further 3 singles calling in different locations. highlight of evening was as I was returning to my car on mast lane car park a Barn Owl came from direction of wilderswood and crossed mast road near second cattle grid
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 7 7:38 PM, 2010
Today, first light to 2pm (ish) with Andy Makin:
Odd weather with the tops being shrouded in cloud for most of the day, a two hour or so period around mid morning to midday clear enough for some sightings but walking back past the mast birds could be heard overhead just above the cloud but unseen due to us being within it!
Snow Bunting straight over Deans Ditch west calling at 11am 70 Pink-feet SW 254 Meadow Pipit 10 Greenfinch 10 Chaffinch 47 Woodpigeon 29 Skylark 8 Goldfinch 2 Swallow (heading north) All heading SW/W unless otherwise stated.
Male Stonechat off Mast Road Green Woodpecker at Wilderswood 6 Song Thrush Higher Meadows 5 Reed Bunting fairly high over Higher Meadows south at early am 11 Bullfinch Higher Meadows 5 Siskin south over Higher Meadows
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 6 10:04 PM, 2010
Also today as well as the Lapland Bunting, some good visible migration of birds south, as follows:
Georges Lane 8am-11am with rain front to west
Chaffinch 29 south Greenfinch 36 south Siskin 8 south Crossbill south Woodpigeon 35 south Stock Dove 2 south Jay 4 south Jackdaw 25 south Single Redwing south 31 Long tailed, 5 Great tit high south west
Deans Ditch 11am-12.30
Meadow Pipit 598 through south Sparrowhawk south Pied Wag 3 south
Info Andy Makin.
Anne Wilkinson said
Wed Oct 6 5:22 PM, 2010
Great read John!
John Barber said
Wed Oct 6 2:53 PM, 2010
A mission to locate a bird which has spent it's whole life avoiding this birder found me in the good company of Nick & Phil on Mast Road early this morning.
Judging by the weather, staying in bed would have made more sense. Nick was confident we were on the road to the transmitter; such was the density of the low dark cloud, I wasn't confident there was even a hill ! Fortunately the cloud lifted slightly and slowly the transmitter dimly came into view as we moved higher up the road. A few MP's ( no, not politicians ) could be seen close to the road but little else apart from a very bedraggled looking Kestrel
Eventually we pitched up near the side of the mast buildings just in time to meet the rain - great. Thankfully, the shower only lasted a few minutes as the clouds gradually lifted and glimpses of sunshine could be seen over the Cheshire plains. We moved around a little, avoiding a few more showers, until finally the sun began to shine in earnest and suddenly we had a glorious day on our hands.
As our spirits lifted, so did the birds, and small groups of pipits could be seen here and there. A few minutes later, looking back to mast buildings, a movement caught our eye - the first Black Redstart Phil and I had ever seen - brilliant. Sitting on the perimeter fence wire it posed for maybe 10 seconds and then disappeared into grass further a long the fence line. Knowing that these birds were living around the buildings we knew it wouldn't be long before we spotted them again and sure enough Phil noticed a slight movement on the wall by the path that goes past the mast site. Two feeding BR's !
Annoyingly, just as we were starting to get good views of the birds, two walkers came along the path and managed to plonk themselves right on the wall were the birds had been active. Dam ! Needless to say we didn't see them again but we were all relieved just to have seen them at all as we gradually made our way back to the cars.
On the way down a flock of Goldfinch swirled around our heads and odd Wheatear appeared and disappeared amongst the walls. One final surprise was a Little Owl expertly spotted by Nick on a fence post near to a wall and a couple of ponies. A nice way to end our trip.
-- Edited by John Barber on Wednesday 6th of October 2010 03:54:04 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 6 1:40 PM, 2010
Single Lapland Bunting high over Deans Ditch heading south at 12:20 ish.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
graeme robertson said
Tue Oct 5 2:05 PM, 2010
1130-130 black redstarts still at base of main mast kestal hunting mipipets by rocket mast wheatear just 10 feet in front of you as you walk back down the path back to the car amasing sparrowhawk low over ground then over quarry nice brisk afternoon graeme
Suzanne Tattersall said
Mon Oct 4 9:03 PM, 2010
Had a walk up to the mast this evening hoping to see the redstart but no such luck! 2 kestrals around though.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 4 7:47 PM, 2010
Todays moorland totals (peak passage between 10-11:30am):
63 Skylark of which 43 were mooching around the tops 440 Meadow Pipit 9 Twite south Male Merlin (new bird) 3 Buzzard 19 Siskin Male Ring Ouzel in Green Nook Plantation Yellow Wagtail south 7 Crossbill down briefly in Wilderswood and then flew NW 2 Wheatear 2 Stonechat
All info thanks to Andy Makin
Also three Black Redstarts around the mast early am apparently (info thanks to Birdnet Information)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 4th of October 2010 08:29:23 PM
Neil Southworth said
Mon Oct 4 2:52 PM, 2010
One Black Redstart flycatching from the base of the main mast at lunchtime. One, possibly two Kestrels - one sighting was down near the cattle grid, the other was up by the mast, but could have been the same bird - both were fem / juv.
100+ Mippits, most of which had gone by the time I came down, so presumably passing through. Three Goldfinch with them.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 3 9:33 PM, 2010
A Ring Ouzel was found dead today by the rocketship shaped mast on Winter Hill (by Ken Haydock), of course in Lancashire. The corpse was apparently left in situ.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 3 7:20 PM, 2010
Two Black Redstarts still present and showing very well indeed around the building with the mast on (still in Lancs then!) late afternoon today.
Steve Collins said
Sun Oct 3 12:56 AM, 2010
Yes Gary saw 2 of them viewed around the back beyond those cable drums both sitting on a green container type unit only about 10 yards past where you saw them! It was out of view from where we stood but more sheltered there. Also had 2 red grouse, kestrel, raven and a stonechat of note. Also bumped into Andy as he was watching a merlin but I couldn't pick it up. Don't know how I missed the Warford duo! Cheers Steve
Gary Gorner said
Sat Oct 2 7:09 PM, 2010
3 black redstarts just before the gate, past the mast, on the left of path playing around old cable drums and stone wall in car park which is closed to public a lifer for me and vernon.these birds were very ellusive but we persevered and reeped the rewards.Nice to meet fellow birders and steve collins hope you got them. We struggled with other stuff no where near simons list well done that manbut we did see 1 red grouse a few goldfinch, great spotted woodpecker,meadow pipits and one kestrel.
Simon Warford said
Sat Oct 2 4:19 PM, 2010
Bit too misty up top for much in the way of vis mig.
Sightings up to 3pm between me, Senior & Andy Makin.
Crossbill - 18 (13 nw & 5 over Wilderswood)
Black Redstart - 2 still by the masts but very elusive, second weekend running ive not seen them!
Yellow Wagtail - 1 east ish Chaffinch - 25 south Siskin - 2 south Reed Bunting - 9 south Meadow Pipit - 226, some hanging around Starling - 24 north Skylark - 3 south Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 south over moor Merlin - 1 Sparrowhawk - 4 south Buzzard -1 south Carrion Crow - 84 Grasshopper Warbler - 1 Wheatear - 2 Stonechat - 9(1 Georges Lane & 8 Burnt Edge/Holdens)
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 2nd of October 2010 04:21:48 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 2 2:16 PM, 2010
So far today:
Yellow Wagtail east along Georges Lane along with 5 Crossbill SE and 13 NNW. 2 Wheatear 2 Chiffchaff 1 Buzzard 1 Grasshopper Warbler flushed from juncus at Lomax Wife's Plantation
All info thanks to Andy Makin
Terry Sykes said
Sat Oct 2 1:10 PM, 2010
no sign of Black Redstarts at mast 9.30/11.30 a.m. not many birds at all. Mpipts 2 goldfinch 1 crow 1 Kestrel
Anne Wilkinson said
Thu Sep 30 5:51 PM, 2010
No signs of the Lapland bunting early afternoon unfortunately. But I did see a Merlin locked onto a Meadow pipit from the top car park at 12 noon. It disappeared over the brow towards Rivington Pike. Also on the moors were 2 flocks of Goldfinch each about 20 strong, a Wheatear, a Kestrel and at least 16 Meadow pipits.
We later had great views of the two 2 Black redstarts from the Winter Hill site entrance gate. We were scoping the base of the main mast and there they were, flitting around the concrete plinth and the 3 rows of small buttresses. They were also going on to the ground in that area and flying back up onto the sloping metal roof to the left. One of the birds was a definite mouse grey 1st winter but the other seemed to have a reddish brown tinge to the breast and belly. Would that have been an adult female?
Nice to meet so many M/C birders up there!
John Barber said
Thu Sep 30 3:07 PM, 2010
Nick Isherwood wrote:
I set off towards the buildings and made my way round the fence as instructed and I only got part way round when a Black Redstart showed itself on top of one of the metal cylinders on the roof of one building. A really good view and a lifer for me.
Congratulations Nick, I know that you've wanted to see those Black Redstarts for quite a while.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 30 3:02 PM, 2010
From mid-morning until 2pm today:
Crossbill again along the northern edge if Wilderswood, same location (and probably bird) as yesterday. 11 Chaffinch (Georges Lane) 19 Skylark (south east over Georges Lane/Wildersmoor) 8 Swallow south 1 Buzzard south 2 Reed Bunting north 3 Siskin north-west over Holdens Farm 3 adult male Stonechats together just east of Holdens Farm 1 Nuthatch Holdens Farm 1 Redpoll south over Winter Hill 380 Goldfinch on Two Lads Hill 332 Meadow Pipit (moors total)
Further sightings from Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes
7 or 8 Wheatear 2 Crossbill south over Winter Hill Little Owl bottom of Mast Road Yellow Wagtail heard over bottom of Mast Road 5 Sparrowhawks through Ringtail Hen Harrier over Georges Lane early am, circled to atleast 1000feet and headed off SW
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Sep 30 1:57 PM, 2010
Up on the moors this morning 10.00am to 12.00pm looking for the Lapland Bunting. Story of my life again as it seems to have departed before I could get a look at it. I'm sure I'll catch up with one sooner or later.
The trip up there was by no means a waste of time though as I bumped into Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes (nice to meet you both) who kindly put me onto the Black Redstarts on the mast buildings and also where to get the best views.
I set off towards the buildings and made my way round the fence as instructed and I only got part way round when a Black Redstart showed itself on top of one of the metal cylinders on the roof of one building. A really good view and a lifer for me. I hung around for a bit and got another view of it a short time later.
Got back to the car (on Mast Road) and got talking to Anne Wilkinson from the forum (nice to meet you Anne) who informed me she'd just had a Merlin chasing Mipits and she'd heard reports of a Little Owl nearby too. I had a look but couldn't locate it.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 30 1:12 PM, 2010
No sign of the Lapland Bunting today despite an extensive search.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 29 5:04 PM, 2010
Lapland Bunting back present on the path at 5pm.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 29 3:20 PM, 2010
Georges Lane north of Wilderswood midday today (clearish but drizzle):
1 Crossbill (just hanging around the northern edge of Wilderswood) 1 Yellowhammer south 28 Pied Wagtail south 2 Stonechat 15 Goldcrest
Against my better judgement I decided to go onto Winter Hill and into the cloud (passing a thoroughly soaked photographer on his way down, whose camera was dripping wet!). In 80 foot visibility and drizzle there was unsurprisingly no sign of the Lapland Bunting (though that in no way means it wasn't there!). On the way back down though, approximately 100 metres from the mast along the road (and now in driving heavy rain but slightly better visibility) I flushed a Ring Ouzel from beside the road! It took off south, low over the heather into the gloomy murk.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 29th of September 2010 03:22:40 PM
Paul Risley said
Tue Sep 28 11:25 PM, 2010
5.20pm - 6 .20pm
Lapland Bunting flew from Gully and landed on path in front of me about 25 feet away, got a couple of poor record shots before it disapeared into heather to right of path (where path veers to left just before peebled arrow). thanks for posting directions guys. nice to meet Mike Baron up there, there was also another 3 birders turning up as I left, weather was much better tonight thankfully. also 5 Red Grouse, male Kestrel, Raven near mast and single Wheatear
Simon Warford said
Tue Sep 28 9:56 PM, 2010
Lapland Bunting still present at 6.45pm & showing well(before a rapid exit to Crompton Lodges!). Ive put some more seed down on the path(about a months supply). Having heard the bird call tonight it is undoubtedly the bird I heard on Sunday afternoon, in exactly the same location, that I mistakingly thought was the call of a Snow Bunting(I am human!). Despite searching by me and Andy Makin we couldnt locate it, given the extremely confiding nature of this bird, we could have easily have walked right past it!
This birds call is the hardish rattle "pr'r'r'rt" as John said. I couldnt see any red nape so I assumed it was possibly an adult male bird, although the light was fading.
In my opinion, which probably wont count for much, this is the third individual of the autumn so far, its clearly a different bird to the 17th and the individual we had on the 21st appeared to fly straight through quite high giving a "chup" type call as it carried on south east with a Meadow Pipit movement. I think we will get more yet!
Well done to John & Riggers for pinning it down today & im glad my detailed directions to the exact location helped!
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Sep 28 8:55 PM, 2010
Tuesday 28 September 2010 morning
A walk along George's Lane between the Dog Hotel and Mast Road, with Thorpe senior: 1 Sparrowhawk 3 Raven 1 Nuthatch 11 Goldcrest 9 Robin 13 Redwing (9 west, 4 east) 2 Stonechat 4 Coal Tit 9 Chaffinch 4 Siskin 2 Lesser Redpoll
then a walk up Mast Road for excellent views of the Lapland Bunting. The only other thing of note we saw up there was a lone Wheatear.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 28th of September 2010 09:47:07 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 28 8:31 PM, 2010
With photos of today's bird now on the computer it's age and indeed perhaps sex is less certain. Whilst one image portrays a reddish nape others certainly do not! Therefore it looks likely to be a female and possibly an adult but either way, having had good flight views (especially of the flanks) I still feel sure it is a different bird to that of the 17th and probably thereafter. Perhaps others noted how strong the breast anf flanks were streaked on the 'original' bird?
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Sep 28 6:58 PM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
The fact that this is certainly a new individual aside, I think Alan hit the nail on the head when he deduced that the weather conditions are likely to have something to do with it's apparent approachable behaviour. Hopefully, clearer weather and the bird's continued presence may prove otherwise
Just noticed our pal Paul Browne,on north ron had 272 Laplands yesterday-lets hope they are one thier way here
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 28th of September 2010 06:59:30 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 28 4:21 PM, 2010
The fact that this is certainly a new individual aside, I think Alan hit the nail on the head when he deduced that the weather conditions are likely to have something to do with it's apparent approachable behaviour. Hopefully, clearer weather and the bird's continued presence may prove otherwise
John Rayner said
Tue Sep 28 2:49 PM, 2010
Riggers and I re-found the Lapland Bunting this morning at 8.30 in thick mist as it fed on a track, then watched it almost continuously in the same general area for more than 3.5 hours. It was still present till at least 12.10. Although the weather was murky to say the least I managed excellent scope views, but scopes weren't really necessary as the bird was very confiding and on occasions walked towards us to as close as 15 feet. It only called twice (a fairly hard rolling 'prrrrt').
The confiding nature of this bird is very different to the flightiness of earlier encounters and may also suggest a 2nd individual.
We have put a bag of seed down both on the path and on a peat bank to the left of the path so hopefully it will stick around.
Directions: Take the stone flagged path on the RHS immediately before the gated entrance to the mast compound for 2-300m (over a boardwalk) then turn right for approx 300m. This is the track it was on and we have made an arrowhead out of pebbles to mark the seeded area.
Cheers, John
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 28 2:16 PM, 2010
Having been sent some images of today's (atleast) bird it is certainly a different bird to the original bird on the 17th as this individual appears to certainly be a male and possibly an adult!
Alan Warford said
Tue Sep 28 11:33 AM, 2010
Good views of Lapland Bunting down to 10 yards til 1010 at least on path as metioned below. Thanks to Riggers and John Rayner for pinning it down. Visability is quite poor on top, perhaps reason its reluctant to fly ?
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 28 10:26 AM, 2010
Lapland Bunting still showing well and consistently at 10:20 although visibility still poor.
The path and peat embankment nearby (directions as in post below) has now been seeded plus a stone arrow has been enterprisingly designed along the path to illustrate the area the bird is feeding in.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Sep 28 8:35 AM, 2010
Lapland Bunting showing again this morning. Once again take the path off to the right of Mast Road just before the mast itself and continue until you come to the path dropping down south towards Coal Pit Lane. The bird was feeding along the path here at reasonably close range though in misty conditions.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby
Paul Risley said
Mon Sep 27 8:31 PM, 2010
5pm - 7pm
mist was coming down visibility down to 100 yards at times. very little movement.
Merlin over 2 Kestrels single Wheatear 2 Red Grouse flushed by fell runner single Raven at a Sheep carcass in valley just after very end of mast road few meadow pipits
sat afternoon had a single Black Redstart at the unusual mast were Ian had seen them, as soon as I got the camera out it disappeared and couldnt relocate. no signs this evening and no sign of the lapland bunting
Paul Heaton said
Mon Sep 27 4:48 PM, 2010
Lapland Bunting still present 15.30 flying around mast area, heading back towards location first seen last week.
Huge bird came through the low cloud cover, thought I had something good, till I confirmed it was a Heron! why do they look bigger on the moors.
Thanks for the text Ian.
Keep Birding
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 27 12:47 PM, 2010
Lapland Bunting once again (or possibly a different bird) on Winter Hill but inside GM boundary. Take path off to the right (heading south east) off Mast Road just before the mast itself for c400 yards to a fenced off area. The bird (fem/imm) was in this area around midday.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 26 4:54 PM, 2010
Big mooch 7.45am till 3pm, mostly with Andy Makin who carried on after I left!
Very quiet on the vis mig front today other than-
Possible Snow Bunting heard not far from where we saw it yesterday but not located. Tree Sparrow - 1 south calling late morning Yellowhammer - 1 heard over Meadow Pipit - 370 mostly south, some hanging around Skylark - 4 south Swallow - 6 south LBB Gull - 61 nw Siskin - 5 south Starling - 3 nw Buzzard - 1 Jay - 2 south Twite - 6 near Holdens farm(Andy only).
Also 5 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 2 Snipe & 22 Red Grouse consisting of groups of 14,6 & 2.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 26th of September 2010 04:59:02 PM
Vis mig very poor even prior to weather setting in-
Single Golden Plover west
35 Woodpigeons west
3 Siskin south
10+ Chaffinch high west
Wheatear - 4 around tops
Stonechat - 2
2 fem/imm Black Redstarts still showing on & off around the Rocket shaped mast.
Merlin
Fieldfare 130 south east
Redwing 32
Woodpigeon 28 west
Meadow Pipit 15 south & 70+ Burnt Edge.
Stonechat - 2 Holdens
Wheatear - 3
Redpoll - 4
Andy wasnt his normal self today, abit down in the mouth, he couldnt even be bothered to count anything & couldnt even bare to look at anything white! Anybody would think we missed an absolute mega! Nice to meet Mr Little up near the mast.
9 Wheatear
81 Meadow Pipit
2 Golden Plover
61 Chaffinch
74 Woodpigeon
4 Skylark
11 Reed Bunting
4 Buzzard
Male Merlin
6 Redwing
2 female/immature Black Redstarts by the rocket shaped mast (in Lancs)
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Hope it stays around...
No further sign since the original sighting but the bird is currently being looked for.
Info thanks to Andy Little
Lapland Bunting SW at 12:13 (Andy only)
Single Twite SW (Andy only)
500 Meadow Pipits
12 Wheatear
1 Golden Plover
5 Stonechat (1 Wildersmoor, 4 Holdens Farm)
Green Woodpecker Georges Lane
1 Merlin
4 Ring Ouzel- Andy had a female by the mast around 10am whilst I had 3 female/imm on berry bushes at Higher Meadows at 11am which took off low and seemed to drop onto Wildersmoor. At 4:15 Andy then had a female (type) in the same bushes which may probably be one of the same group? So 4 but possibly 5 birds involved.
408 Redwing
16 Fieldfare
Single male Ring Ouzel (dropped out of the sky and landed on Deans Ditch 50ft from the observer!)
960 Meadow Pipit moving SE
405 Woodpigeon west
9 Skylark
2 Buzzard
2 Brambling
2 Snipe
9 Siskin
10 Chaffinch and Greenfinch
57 Goldfinch
8 Pied Wagtail
1 Redpoll
5 Linnet
3 Bullfinch
28 Crow
50 Starling
2 Sparrowhawks
One Merlin (chasing Wheatears!)
Also present around the tops were 6 Wheatear, a single Stonechat and an adult male (new bird?) along Dean's Ditch all afernoon.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Redwing 36 all south east in small parties
Starling 14 north west
Golden Plover 2 south mid am
Chaffinch 10+ south east
Greenfinch 15+ south east
Meadow Pipit 35 south
Woodpigeon 12 west
Pink Feet 2 west
Am:
120 Meadow Pipit SW
Pm:
130 Meadow Pipit SW
4 Wheatear Winter Hill
2 Black Redstart around the base of the mast itself
no sign of the Black Redstarts this evening, Single Raven very vocal and fairly close. male Kestrel hunting near mast, another poss same bird was still hovering fairly high in semi darkness over two lads as I came off the moor 2 Wheatears also up near mast. 3 Red Grouse in flight plus further 3 singles calling in different locations. highlight of evening was as I was returning to my car on mast lane car park a Barn Owl came from direction of wilderswood and crossed mast road near second cattle grid
Odd weather with the tops being shrouded in cloud for most of the day, a two hour or so period around mid morning to midday clear enough for some sightings but walking back past the mast birds could be heard overhead just above the cloud but unseen due to us being within it!
Snow Bunting straight over Deans Ditch west calling at 11am
70 Pink-feet SW
254 Meadow Pipit
10 Greenfinch
10 Chaffinch
47 Woodpigeon
29 Skylark
8 Goldfinch
2 Swallow (heading north)
All heading SW/W unless otherwise stated.
Male Stonechat off Mast Road
Green Woodpecker at Wilderswood
6 Song Thrush Higher Meadows
5 Reed Bunting fairly high over Higher Meadows south at early am
11 Bullfinch Higher Meadows
5 Siskin south over Higher Meadows
Georges Lane 8am-11am with rain front to west
Chaffinch 29 south
Greenfinch 36 south
Siskin 8 south
Crossbill south
Woodpigeon 35 south
Stock Dove 2 south
Jay 4 south
Jackdaw 25 south
Single Redwing south
31 Long tailed, 5 Great tit high south west
Deans Ditch 11am-12.30
Meadow Pipit 598 through south
Sparrowhawk south
Pied Wag 3 south
Info Andy Makin.
Judging by the weather, staying in bed would have made more sense. Nick was confident we were on the road to the transmitter; such was the density of the low dark cloud, I wasn't confident there was even a hill ! Fortunately the cloud lifted slightly and slowly the transmitter dimly came into view as we moved higher up the road. A few MP's ( no, not politicians ) could be seen close to the road but little else apart from a very bedraggled looking Kestrel
Eventually we pitched up near the side of the mast buildings just in time to meet the rain - great. Thankfully, the shower only lasted a few minutes as the clouds gradually lifted and glimpses of sunshine could be seen over the Cheshire plains. We moved around a little, avoiding a few more showers, until finally the sun began to shine in earnest and suddenly we had a glorious day on our hands.
As our spirits lifted, so did the birds, and small groups of pipits could be seen here and there. A few minutes later, looking back to mast buildings, a movement caught our eye - the first Black Redstart Phil and I had ever seen - brilliant. Sitting on the perimeter fence wire it posed for maybe 10 seconds and then disappeared into grass further a long the fence line. Knowing that these birds were living around the buildings we knew it wouldn't be long before we spotted them again and sure enough Phil noticed a slight movement on the wall by the path that goes past the mast site. Two feeding BR's !
Annoyingly, just as we were starting to get good views of the birds, two walkers came along the path and managed to plonk themselves right on the wall were the birds had been active. Dam ! Needless to say we didn't see them again but we were all relieved just to have seen them at all as we gradually made our way back to the cars.
On the way down a flock of Goldfinch swirled around our heads and odd Wheatear appeared and disappeared amongst the walls. One final surprise was a Little Owl expertly spotted by Nick on a fence post near to a wall and a couple of ponies. A nice way to end our trip.
-- Edited by John Barber on Wednesday 6th of October 2010 03:54:04 PM
Info thanks to Andy Makin
kestal hunting mipipets by rocket mast
wheatear just 10 feet in front of you as you walk back down the path back to the car amasing sparrowhawk low over ground then over quarry
nice brisk afternoon
graeme
63 Skylark of which 43 were mooching around the tops
440 Meadow Pipit
9 Twite south
Male Merlin (new bird)
3 Buzzard
19 Siskin
Male Ring Ouzel in Green Nook Plantation
Yellow Wagtail south
7 Crossbill down briefly in Wilderswood and then flew NW
2 Wheatear
2 Stonechat
All info thanks to Andy Makin
Also three Black Redstarts around the mast early am apparently (info thanks to Birdnet Information)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 4th of October 2010 08:29:23 PM
100+ Mippits, most of which had gone by the time I came down, so presumably passing through. Three Goldfinch with them.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Also had 2 red grouse, kestrel, raven and a stonechat of note. Also bumped into Andy as he was watching a merlin but I couldn't pick it up. Don't know how I missed the Warford duo!
Cheers
Steve
We struggled with other stuff no where near simons list well done that manbut we did see 1 red grouse a few goldfinch, great spotted woodpecker,meadow pipits and one kestrel.
Sightings up to 3pm between me, Senior & Andy Makin.
Crossbill - 18 (13 nw & 5 over Wilderswood)
Black Redstart - 2 still by the masts but very elusive, second weekend running ive not seen them!
Yellow Wagtail - 1 east ish
Chaffinch - 25 south
Siskin - 2 south
Reed Bunting - 9 south
Meadow Pipit - 226, some hanging around
Starling - 24 north
Skylark - 3 south
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 south over moor
Merlin - 1
Sparrowhawk - 4 south
Buzzard -1 south
Carrion Crow - 84
Grasshopper Warbler - 1
Wheatear - 2
Stonechat - 9(1 Georges Lane & 8 Burnt Edge/Holdens)
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 2nd of October 2010 04:21:48 PM
Yellow Wagtail east along Georges Lane along with 5 Crossbill SE and 13 NNW.
2 Wheatear
2 Chiffchaff
1 Buzzard
1 Grasshopper Warbler flushed from juncus at Lomax Wife's Plantation
All info thanks to Andy Makin
Mpipts
2 goldfinch
1 crow
1 Kestrel
We later had great views of the two 2 Black redstarts from the Winter Hill site entrance gate. We were scoping the base of the main mast and there they were, flitting around the concrete plinth and the 3 rows of small buttresses. They were also going on to the ground in that area and flying back up onto the sloping metal roof to the left. One of the birds was a definite mouse grey 1st winter but the other seemed to have a reddish brown tinge to the breast and belly. Would that have been an adult female?
Nice to meet so many M/C birders up there!
Congratulations Nick, I know that you've wanted to see those Black Redstarts for quite a while.
Crossbill again along the northern edge if Wilderswood, same location (and probably bird) as yesterday.
11 Chaffinch (Georges Lane)
19 Skylark (south east over Georges Lane/Wildersmoor)
8 Swallow south
1 Buzzard south
2 Reed Bunting north
3 Siskin north-west over Holdens Farm
3 adult male Stonechats together just east of Holdens Farm
1 Nuthatch Holdens Farm
1 Redpoll south over Winter Hill
380 Goldfinch on Two Lads Hill
332 Meadow Pipit (moors total)
Further sightings from Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes
7 or 8 Wheatear
2 Crossbill south over Winter Hill
Little Owl bottom of Mast Road
Yellow Wagtail heard over bottom of Mast Road
5 Sparrowhawks through
Ringtail Hen Harrier over Georges Lane early am, circled to atleast 1000feet and headed off SW
The trip up there was by no means a waste of time though as I bumped into Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes (nice to meet you both) who kindly put me onto the Black Redstarts on the mast buildings and also where to get the best views.
I set off towards the buildings and made my way round the fence as instructed and I only got part way round when a Black Redstart showed itself on top of one of the metal cylinders on the roof of one building. A really good view and a lifer for me. I hung around for a bit and got another view of it a short time later.
Other birds seen up there were:
Mipits - loads
4 Wheatear
1 Crossbill (over eastwards)
20+ Goldfinch
1 Kestrel
Got back to the car (on Mast Road) and got talking to Anne Wilkinson from the forum (nice to meet you Anne) who informed me she'd just had a Merlin chasing Mipits and she'd heard reports of a Little Owl nearby too. I had a look but couldn't locate it.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
1 Crossbill (just hanging around the northern edge of Wilderswood)
1 Yellowhammer south
28 Pied Wagtail south
2 Stonechat
15 Goldcrest
Against my better judgement I decided to go onto Winter Hill and into the cloud (passing a thoroughly soaked photographer on his way down, whose camera was dripping wet!). In 80 foot visibility and drizzle there was unsurprisingly no sign of the Lapland Bunting (though that in no way means it wasn't there!). On the way back down though, approximately 100 metres from the mast along the road (and now in driving heavy rain but slightly better visibility) I flushed a Ring Ouzel from beside the road! It took off south, low over the heather into the gloomy murk.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 29th of September 2010 03:22:40 PM
Lapland Bunting flew from Gully and landed on path in front of me about 25 feet away, got a couple of poor record shots before it disapeared into heather to right of path (where path veers to left just before peebled arrow). thanks for posting directions guys. nice to meet Mike Baron up there, there was also another 3 birders turning up as I left, weather was much better tonight thankfully.
also 5 Red Grouse, male Kestrel, Raven near mast and single Wheatear
This birds call is the hardish rattle "pr'r'r'rt" as John said. I couldnt see any red nape so I assumed it was possibly an adult male bird, although the light was fading.
In my opinion, which probably wont count for much, this is the third individual of the autumn so far, its clearly a different bird to the 17th and the individual we had on the 21st appeared to fly straight through quite high giving a "chup" type call as it carried on south east with a Meadow Pipit movement. I think we will get more yet!
Well done to John & Riggers for pinning it down today & im glad my detailed directions to the exact location helped!
morning
A walk along George's Lane between the Dog Hotel and Mast Road, with Thorpe senior:
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Raven
1 Nuthatch
11 Goldcrest
9 Robin
13 Redwing (9 west, 4 east)
2 Stonechat
4 Coal Tit
9 Chaffinch
4 Siskin
2 Lesser Redpoll
then a walk up Mast Road for excellent views of the Lapland Bunting. The only other thing of note we saw up there was a lone Wheatear.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 28th of September 2010 09:47:07 PM
Just noticed our pal Paul Browne,on north ron had 272 Laplands yesterday-lets hope they are one thier way here
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 28th of September 2010 06:59:30 PM
The confiding nature of this bird is very different to the flightiness of earlier encounters and may also suggest a 2nd individual.
We have put a bag of seed down both on the path and on a peat bank to the left of the path so hopefully it will stick around.
Directions: Take the stone flagged path on the RHS immediately before the gated entrance to the mast compound for 2-300m (over a boardwalk) then turn right for approx 300m. This is the track it was on and we have made an arrowhead out of pebbles to mark the seeded area.
Cheers, John
Thanks to Riggers and John Rayner for pinning it down.
Visability is quite poor on top, perhaps reason its reluctant to fly ?
The path and peat embankment nearby (directions as in post below) has now been seeded plus a stone arrow has been enterprisingly designed along the path to illustrate the area the bird is feeding in.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby
Info thanks to Mark Rigby
mist was coming down visibility down to 100 yards at times. very little movement.
Merlin over
2 Kestrels
single Wheatear
2 Red Grouse flushed by fell runner
single Raven at a Sheep carcass in valley just after very end of mast road
few meadow pipits
sat afternoon had a single Black Redstart at the unusual mast were Ian had seen them, as soon as I got the camera out it disappeared and couldnt relocate. no signs this evening and no sign of the lapland bunting
3 Grouse
1 swallow
35 meadow pipits
1 kestrel
2 Stonechat.
Huge bird came through the low cloud cover, thought I had something good, till I confirmed it was a Heron! why do they look bigger on the moors.
Thanks for the text Ian.
Keep Birding
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Very quiet on the vis mig front today other than-
Possible Snow Bunting heard not far from where we saw it yesterday but not located.
Tree Sparrow - 1 south calling late morning
Yellowhammer - 1 heard over
Meadow Pipit - 370 mostly south, some hanging around
Skylark - 4 south
Swallow - 6 south
LBB Gull - 61 nw
Siskin - 5 south
Starling - 3 nw
Buzzard - 1
Jay - 2 south
Twite - 6 near Holdens farm(Andy only).
Also 5 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 2 Snipe & 22 Red Grouse consisting of groups of 14,6 & 2.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 26th of September 2010 04:59:02 PM