Bad luck Roger. Looks like you are also suffering from Irritable Owl Syndrome
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Jan 20 6:16 PM, 2016
That has cheered me up no end ! I must have just missed you Vic. Pulled off the car park at 14.20 having done a two hour stint without a sniff of the Short-eared Owls and not a lot else.
Stonechat. (M) Mistle Thrush.
A lady dog-walker told me that the owls were right up to the fence around 10.00 hrs yesterday morning.
Roger.
vic chatterton said
Wed Jan 20 5:27 PM, 2016
2 Short-eared Owls still present between 2.30pm and 3.10pm.
A single bird hunting over the mound for much of the time - mostly distant but one excellent close range view. It was joined briefly by a second bird on 2 occasions.
3 Common Snipe overhead.
Rachael Hill said
Tue Jan 19 10:10 PM, 2016
WEBs count from Sunday 17/1/16 10.45am Sheldon pool Pond 90% ice 8 canada geese, 7 mallard, 7 coot, 1 moorhen, 19 black headed gulls
and i would have love to have seen a short eared owl think i need a trip around the mound
Bill Beckwith said
Tue Jan 19 3:27 PM, 2016
19/1/15.Late morning on the mound
Good,long views of a short eared owl and two seen together briefly.Also a male stonechat,a flock of about 30 meadow pipits,a collared dove and two great tits.Also a female reed bunting by the pond near Mockridge nursery ,a wren and the usuals.
simon ghilks said
Tue Jan 19 3:10 PM, 2016
19/1/2016 early afternoon on the mound
Short-eared Owl was flushed by a couple of lost walkers but quickly went to ground, it reappeared about 45mins later and started to hunt. Been half hoping one of these would be seen on here since the influx of autumn. Excellent find Steve, thanks for putting the news out. Also around 1 Stonechat male Skylark 2 Reed Buntings Few Meadow Pipit 1 Goldcrest
Steve Suttill said
Mon Jan 18 7:59 PM, 2016
Full circuit of the mound - 13.15 - 14.30
SHORT-EARED OWL quartering the Moss was a most pleasant surprise
usuals on Sheldon pool and just 4 Lapwing on Car People.
John Taylor said
Sun Jan 3 1:09 PM, 2016
Pond near Mockridge Nursery
Pair mute swan
Several coot
5 mallard
2 tufted duck ( m and f)
Moorhen
c20 Black-headed gull
8 canada geese
Sheldon Pool
Pair mute swan
8 canada geese (these could have moved from the other pool)
Kingfisher
3 mallard (2m 1f)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 3rd of January 2016 02:13:08 PM
A forty minute lunchtime escape from the gathering festive madness of work. From Moss Lane, north across the railway line towards Littlemoss
1 female Kestrel over Moss Lane 1 Grey Heron in the fields towards Jaum Farm At least 2 Skylark calling north of the railway line Several Reed Bunting calling around Moss Side Farm, and another north of the railway Magpies everywhere
It would be good to have more time, and do a full count of the area
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Dec 20 12:36 PM, 2015
A couple of hours on the Moss this morning
Mound area
2 male Stonechat Male Reed Bunting Skylark c30 Meadow Pipit Five flocks of Lapwing flew over, containing over 120 birds (12, 5, 25, c80)
3 Stonechat 3 Skylark 2 Reed Bunting c10 Meadow Pipit spread out over the site, probably more hidden in the long grass. 1 Mute Swan on a pond near Moss Side Farm, no Darvic on the right leg, didn't get to see the left so could be one of the birds from a few weeks ago. 2 Grey Heron in the horse field
I think from the original pair of mute swans that the male has disappeared shortly after cygnet died and the female has moved the remaining 3 cygnets over a week ago. Current 2 swans possibly pair that Simon had seen on farm pond
simon ghilks said
Mon Nov 23 4:28 PM, 2015
Late afternoon 23/11/2015
On or over the Mound 1 Reed Bunting 5 Linnet 3 Lesser Redpoll 5 Meadow Pipit 2 Kestrel 1 Common Snipe flew around.
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Nov 22 10:24 PM, 2015
Late morning
Sheldon Pool
2 adult Mute Swan. No sign of any juveniles 6 Moorhen 6 Coot 3 Mallard (2 drake)
Rachael Hill said
Sun Nov 15 7:30 PM, 2015
Webs count 12.20-12.30pm, very little bird life after the torrential weather. 6 coots 1 tufted duck 4 moorhen
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Nov 7 7:35 PM, 2015
Early afternoon
Sheldon Pool 2 Coot 3 Moorhen
35 Pink-footed Geese flew over
simon ghilks said
Fri Oct 30 2:33 PM, 2015
30/10/2015 from noon for an hour or so.
Ponds adjacent to Moss Side Farm 23 Mallard (17 drake) 5 Moorhen 1 Little Grebe 2 Mute Swan Horse Field 19 Collared Dove feeding as a flock. On the Mound 1 Reed Bunting 3 Skylark c15 Meadow Pipit flock of c25 mixed Fieldfare and Redwing flew over going south 1 Kestrel
Rachael Hill said
Sun Oct 25 9:41 PM, 2015
4pm
only 1 adult mute swan present, plus 3 cygnets, no sign of other adult- will keep an eye out.
1 kestrel hoovering over mound by mini roundabout, then landed on lamp post next to me
overhead not using pond: 76 pink footed geese- very low, though was going to land on Moss but kept changing direction, disappeared over mound, may have landed. approx 15 thrushes flew over
Karen Foulkes said
Fri Oct 16 10:43 PM, 2015
2 Common Gull on the Leisure Park roundabout late afternoon along with c20 Starling.
simon ghilks said
Wed Oct 14 6:01 PM, 2015
14/10/2015 an hour or so this afternoon
30+ Meadow Pipit
1 Kestrel
On the pond to the north west of the mound
1 drake Wigeon, coming out of eclipse
3 Mallard
1 Canada Goose
2 Mute Swan, appeared to be adults, both were metal ringed but had no darvic rings
3 Moorhen
Double spacing problem persists.
Rachael Hill said
Tue Oct 13 9:45 PM, 2015
Sadly one of the cygnets found dead today by road, possibly flew into tram wires, no obvious injuries
3 still on lake though plus adults.
David Walsh said
Mon Oct 12 7:03 PM, 2015
Monday 12th October 2015, 6.20pm
6 Mute Swans 13 Mallard 1 female Tufted Duck 7 Coot 7 Moorhen 5 Pied Wagtails flying over Car People, towards Ashton
Rachael Hill said
Sat Oct 10 2:02 PM, 2015
12.30pm
down to 3 cygnets & 2 adults (1 presumably flown on)
8 coots
1 moorhen
David Walsh said
Thu Oct 1 12:44 PM, 2015
Thursday 1st October 2015, 9.15 - 9.50am
A half hour wander on the way home from the vet
6 Mute Swans 7 Coot 6 Moorhen 4 Tufted ducks 13 Mallard 5 Pied Wagtail over towards Ashton 1 Kestrel At least 6 Skylarks around the mound 12+ Meadow Pipits
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Sep 28 4:32 PM, 2015
On the main pool today
2 Tufted Duck, both female 7 Moorhen, one of which moved rather quickly when a large fish (carp?) jumped out of the water a couple of times! 7 Coot 2 Mallard 6 Mute Swan, all in moult
David Walsh said
Fri Sep 25 3:10 PM, 2015
Friday 25th September 2015, 1.10 - 1.45pm
The "Mound"
1 Skylark flushed 6+ Meadow Pipits 1 Jay 2 Collared Dove Goldfinch heard, but not seen Kestrel hunting towards Moss Lane
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 25th of September 2015 08:22:56 PM
Nine Pied Wagtail and 18 Starling on the leisure park roundabout this afternoon
simon ghilks said
Sat Aug 29 2:14 PM, 2015
29/8/15 from 10 till 12 Fairly quiet on the mound with only 2 Kestrel, House Martins, Swallows and a few Magpies around. However along the north east edge there were perhaps 40+ each of Swallow and House Martin, a large loose feeding flock of predominantly young Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 or 5 Chiffchaff, a family group of Whitethroat, 1 moulting male Blackcap and great scoped views of a Tree Pipit perched in the open that was followed by another bird when it flew into cover. 1 Little Grebe and a few adult and young Moorhen and Coot where on the pools.
John Taylor said
Sat Aug 8 6:41 PM, 2015
Thanks Simon will have to investigate.
simon ghilks said
Sat Aug 8 3:14 PM, 2015
The mound is along the north west of Rayner Lane, you can see it from the metro stop next to the pool. It looks like a hill but is in fact man made and covers a large part of what used to be Ashton Moss.
John Taylor said
Sat Aug 8 2:16 PM, 2015
What / where is the mound?
simon ghilks said
Sat Aug 8 10:42 AM, 2015
8/8/2015 08:00-09:15
A few sightings from the mound and surrounds
2 Little Grebe. 2 Kestrel. Skylark, heard only. c20 House Martin few Swallow. Willow Warbler a bit of singing, lots of contact calling. Whitethroat 1 carrying food another alarm calling. 1 Bullfinch. 1 Sedge Warbler. 1 fem/imm Redstart.
simon ghilks said
Thu Aug 6 9:22 PM, 2015
Hello Bill
Check your private messages.
Bill Beckwith said
Thu Aug 6 7:53 PM, 2015
Where do you get on 'the mound'?Is it from the path behind the pool near the metro station?
Rachael Hill said
Mon Aug 3 3:37 PM, 2015
10.50am both Mute swans and 4 cygnets present
simon ghilks said
Sun Jul 12 2:14 PM, 2015
12/7/2015 11:00-13:00
Sightings from the mound and surrounds. 1 Little Ringed Plover 3 Grey Heron 15 Coot (9 juvs of various ages) 5 singing Whitethroat 2 Willow Warbler 2 singing Blackcap 1 Skylark 30-40 House Martin 2 Swift 2 Swallow 1 Kestrel 1 Little Grebe 2 Reed Bunting 1 Linnet
David Walsh said
Sat Jul 11 8:33 PM, 2015
Saturday 11th July 2015, 4.30pm
Moss Lane. 20 minutes early for a staff member's do at the nearby "leisure" park, so rather than hang around a plastic bar, I decided to wander around an area I haven't visited since before the motorway was built. Still some good habitat here, despite the "progress" all around.
2 Blackcap singing 1 Whitethroat singing, plus 2 begging juveniles 1 Reed Bunting singing 20+ Swallows 2 House Martins 12+ Linnet, including begging juveniles - didn't expect to return home with a breeding code when I left the house
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 11th of July 2015 11:58:51 PM
Rachael Hill said
Mon Jun 22 1:36 PM, 2015
Beat me to it! Yes all cygnets are back
simon ghilks said
Mon Jun 22 1:16 PM, 2015
22/6/2015
4 cygnets were back with the adults, sitting on the grass next to the hard standing by the usual pond at noon today.
I must have just missed you Vic.
Pulled off the car park at 14.20 having done a two hour stint without a sniff of the Short-eared Owls and not a lot else.
Stonechat. (M)
Mistle Thrush.
A lady dog-walker told me that the owls were right up to the fence around 10.00 hrs yesterday morning.
Roger.
2 Short-eared Owls still present between 2.30pm and 3.10pm.
A single bird hunting over the mound for much of the time - mostly distant but one excellent close range view. It was joined briefly by a second bird on 2 occasions.
3 Common Snipe overhead.
Sheldon pool
Pond 90% ice
8 canada geese,
7 mallard,
7 coot,
1 moorhen,
19 black headed gulls
and i would have love to have seen a short eared owl
19/1/15.Late morning on the mound
Good,long views of a short eared owl and two seen together briefly.Also a male stonechat,a flock of about 30 meadow pipits,a collared
dove and two great tits.Also a female reed bunting by the pond near Mockridge nursery ,a wren and the usuals.
Short-eared Owl was flushed by a couple of lost walkers but quickly went to ground, it reappeared about 45mins later and started to hunt. Been half hoping one of these would be seen on here since the influx of autumn. Excellent find Steve, thanks for putting the news out.
Also around
1 Stonechat male
Skylark
2 Reed Buntings
Few Meadow Pipit
1 Goldcrest
SHORT-EARED OWL quartering the Moss was a most pleasant surprise
also: Kestrel hunting, 3 Skylarks, flock of 25 Meadow Pipits, 1 Snipe flushed...
usuals on Sheldon pool and just 4 Lapwing on Car People.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 3rd of January 2016 02:13:08 PM
Sheldon Pool
2 Tufted Duck (pair)
2 Mute Swan
8 Coot
3 Moorhen
5 Mallard
2 male Stonechat on the mound
Meadow Pipit
Kestrel hunting
Sheldon Pool
Female Tufted Duck
6 Coot
Moorhen
Two adult Mute Swans flew in while I was there
15 Canada Geese
6 Mallard
24 Black-headed Gulls
Mound
Kestrel
Male Stonechat
2 Grey Heron
4 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Fieldfare
2 Mistle Thrush
3 Lesser Redpoll
c25 Goldfinch
c40 Starlings
2 Reed Bunting
On the pool
1 drake Tufted Duck
2 Mute Swans
7 Coot
Sheldon Pool
2 Mute Swan
Drake Tufted Duck
8 Coot
3 Moorhen
5 Mallard
A forty minute lunchtime escape from the gathering festive madness of work.
From Moss Lane, north across the railway line towards Littlemoss
1 female Kestrel over Moss Lane
1 Grey Heron in the fields towards Jaum Farm
At least 2 Skylark calling north of the railway line
Several Reed Bunting calling around Moss Side Farm, and another north of the railway
Magpies everywhere
It would be good to have more time, and do a full count of the area
Mound area
2 male Stonechat
Male Reed Bunting
Skylark
c30 Meadow Pipit
Five flocks of Lapwing flew over, containing over 120 birds (12, 5, 25, c80)
Sheldon pool
Female Tufted Duck
2 Mallard
7 Coot
5 Canada Geese
2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 near Mockridge Garden Centre and one from tram stop
Song Thrush singing
2 mute swans (must have flown back, unringed pair not the original pair)
15 canada geese
2 moorhen
6 mallard
6 coot
1 tufted duck
11 black headed gulls
2 mute swans- flew off on arrival
1 grey heron
3 moorhen
5 mallard
7 coot
18 black headed gulls
c30 Meadow Pipit
1 Reed Bunting
3 Stonechat
1 Skylark
3 Bullfinch
4 Lesser Redpoll
c15 Long-tailed Tit
1 Coal Tit
1 Kestrel
2 Grey Heron
13 Mallard
9 Redwing flew over
On the mound 11 15 am to 12 00 am on Fri 11th Dec.
2 skylarks.several meadow pipits and wood pigeons,magpies and two crows.
2 mute swans on pond and one heron flying,Female stonechat and wren nearby.
12 canada geese,
9 coots
4 mallard
1 tufted duck
2 mute swans (both unringed)
20 black headed gulls
3 Stonechat
3 Skylark
2 Reed Bunting
c10 Meadow Pipit spread out over the site, probably more hidden in the long grass.
1 Mute Swan on a pond near Moss Side Farm, no Darvic on the right leg, didn't get to see the left so could be one of the birds from a few weeks ago.
2 Grey Heron in the horse field
2 mute swans- unringed,
18 canada geese
8 mallard
41 black headed gulls
9 mallard
5 coot
2 moorhen
I think from the original pair of mute swans that the male has disappeared shortly after cygnet died and the female has moved the remaining 3 cygnets over a week ago. Current 2 swans possibly pair that Simon had seen on farm pond
On or over the Mound
1 Reed Bunting
5 Linnet
3 Lesser Redpoll
5 Meadow Pipit
2 Kestrel
1 Common Snipe flew around.
Sheldon Pool
2 adult Mute Swan. No sign of any juveniles
6 Moorhen
6 Coot
3 Mallard (2 drake)
6 coots
1 tufted duck
4 moorhen
Sheldon Pool
2 Coot
3 Moorhen
35 Pink-footed Geese flew over
Ponds adjacent to Moss Side Farm
23 Mallard (17 drake)
5 Moorhen
1 Little Grebe
2 Mute Swan
Horse Field
19 Collared Dove feeding as a flock.
On the Mound
1 Reed Bunting
3 Skylark
c15 Meadow Pipit
flock of c25 mixed Fieldfare and Redwing flew over going south
1 Kestrel
4pm
only 1 adult mute swan present, plus 3 cygnets, no sign of other adult- will keep an eye out.
1 kestrel hoovering over mound by mini roundabout, then landed on lamp post next to me
5 mute swans
9 coot
3 tufted duck
8 mallard
3 moorhen
5 black headed gulls
overhead not using pond:
76 pink footed geese- very low, though was going to land on Moss but kept changing direction, disappeared over mound, may have landed.
approx 15 thrushes flew over
14/10/2015 an hour or so this afternoon
30+ Meadow Pipit
1 Kestrel
On the pond to the north west of the mound
1 drake Wigeon, coming out of eclipse
3 Mallard
1 Canada Goose
2 Mute Swan, appeared to be adults, both were metal ringed but had no darvic rings
3 Moorhen
Double spacing problem persists.
Sadly one of the cygnets found dead today by road, possibly flew into tram wires, no obvious injuries
3 still on lake though plus adults.
6 Mute Swans
13 Mallard
1 female Tufted Duck
7 Coot
7 Moorhen
5 Pied Wagtails flying over Car People, towards Ashton
12.30pm
down to 3 cygnets & 2 adults (1 presumably flown on)
8 coots
1 moorhen
A half hour wander on the way home from the vet
6 Mute Swans
7 Coot
6 Moorhen
4 Tufted ducks
13 Mallard
5 Pied Wagtail over towards Ashton
1 Kestrel
At least 6 Skylarks around the mound
12+ Meadow Pipits
2 Tufted Duck, both female
7 Moorhen, one of which moved rather quickly when a large fish (carp?) jumped out of the water a couple of times!
7 Coot
2 Mallard
6 Mute Swan, all in moult
The "Mound"
1 Skylark flushed
6+ Meadow Pipits
1 Jay
2 Collared Dove
Goldfinch heard, but not seen
Kestrel hunting towards Moss Lane
-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 25th of September 2015 08:22:56 PM
6 mute swans
7 moorhens
11 coots
1 black headed gull
(swans have now been ringed)
Fairly quiet on the mound with only 2 Kestrel, House Martins, Swallows and a few Magpies around.
However along the north east edge there were perhaps 40+ each of Swallow and House Martin, a large loose feeding flock of predominantly young Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 or 5 Chiffchaff, a family group of Whitethroat, 1 moulting male Blackcap and great scoped views of a Tree Pipit perched in the open that was followed by another bird when it flew into cover. 1 Little Grebe and a few adult and young Moorhen and Coot where on the pools.
A few sightings from the mound and surrounds
2 Little Grebe.
2 Kestrel.
Skylark, heard only.
c20 House Martin
few Swallow.
Willow Warbler a bit of singing, lots of contact calling.
Whitethroat 1 carrying food another alarm calling.
1 Bullfinch.
1 Sedge Warbler.
1 fem/imm Redstart.
Check your private messages.
Where do you get on 'the mound'?Is it from the path behind the pool near the metro station?
both Mute swans and 4 cygnets present
Sightings from the mound and surrounds.
1 Little Ringed Plover
3 Grey Heron
15 Coot (9 juvs of various ages)
5 singing Whitethroat
2 Willow Warbler
2 singing Blackcap
1 Skylark
30-40 House Martin
2 Swift
2 Swallow
1 Kestrel
1 Little Grebe
2 Reed Bunting
1 Linnet
Moss Lane. 20 minutes early for a staff member's do at the nearby "leisure" park, so rather than hang around a plastic bar, I decided to wander around an area I haven't visited since before the motorway was built. Still some good habitat here, despite the "progress" all around.
2 Blackcap singing
1 Whitethroat singing, plus 2 begging juveniles
1 Reed Bunting singing
20+ Swallows
2 House Martins
12+ Linnet, including begging juveniles - didn't expect to return home with a breeding code when I left the house
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 11th of July 2015 11:58:51 PM
4 cygnets were back with the adults, sitting on the grass next to the hard standing by the usual pond at noon today.