Dove Stone RSPB (including Binn Green and environs)
Charles Farrell said
Sat Jan 10 10:16 PM, 2015
Ooh Great! Glad to be of help! Maybe I'll see a Merlin there one day! :)
Rob Lennox said
Sat Jan 10 9:28 PM, 2015
An incredibly windy day at the reservoir. I was struggling to keep steady at the side of Dove Stone, and when I got up to Chew Reservoir I was leaning at 45 degrees into the wind! The waves up there were immense. Clearly, all sensible birds stayed in their roosts, but I did have some success with raptors and crows + jackdaws (who seem to enjoy playing in strong winds) and other things in the odd sheltered spot.
2 dippers on the overflow alongside Yeoman Hay (exactly where Charles advised!) 1 Buzzard (pretty pale, but from brief glimpse fairly certain is was not rough-legged) 1 Peregrine (towards the top of Yeoman Hey by felled trees) 1 Merlin (West side of Dove Stone) 4 Red Grouse (hunkered down in the undergrowth by Chew Brook) 3 Kestrel (2 hunting in the Chew valley + up by the reservoir, a 3rd in trees opposite the sail club) ~20 Mallard (S side of Dove Stone) 3 Shellduck (S side of Dove Stone)
I parked at the wrong car park, but went to check out the feeders at Binn Green before I left and saw (in the fading light):
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker Blue tits Great tits 2 Coal tits Chaffinches Goldfinches Blackbird
A nice day out - thanks for the tips.
R
Rob Lennox said
Fri Jan 9 3:49 PM, 2015
Many thanks Charles for a most useful guide and Simon for the additional info. That's really helpful and sounds like a good walk.
It looks like it is going to be a bit of a dingy wet and windy Saturday, though. Will report any sightings when I'm back.
R
Simon Gough said
Thu Jan 8 11:00 PM, 2015
This is a great description, I'd be looking and listening out for Ravens and Peregrines too though, often seen above the various reservoirs and the high ground.
Charles Farrell said
Thu Jan 8 8:34 PM, 2015
Topaz wrote:
Hi all, I'm an out of towner looking to spend the day (10.30 til dusk) around Dove Stone. Any advice for a walk that takes in some of the best spots would be gratefully received.
The last two dipper spots mention the overflow; is that the rather impressive knobbled (official architectural term) weir between Yeoman Hey and Dove stone? Is this regularly the best place for dippers or are there others nearby?
And if there's still a rough-legged buzzard around in the area that's got to be worth staking out for.
Cheers!
T
I'd start with a map and the details on the RSPB website. I don't live in Manchester, but visit my folks there and usually visit Dovestones 2 or 3 times a year, so I'm by no means an expert.
if you follow the Blue and Red outlined walks then that will give you some idea. I usually start at the Binn Green carpark as there are usually some birds on the feeders. Tits and finches mainly, in my experience with the odd Great Spotted Woodpecker. From there, you can look out over the valley for raptors, Pheasants etc.
Walk down the hill from Binn Green and then take the road down towards the reservoirs. I usually then take a left and continue up the left-hand side of Yeoman Hay. The Dippers I saw were in the channel that runs alongside the path, but on that occasion the top Reservoir (Greenfield) was full, so water was running down the overflow. When there's no water, then the overflow channel tends to be empty. The Woods oalongsde the path tend to be quiet, save for Siskins, Jays and Tits. When you get past the current wooded section, then there is moorland - usually some Pheasants, Pigeons, Corvids and maybe a Kestrel or two.
The top reservoir (Greenfield) is usually empty of life in my experience though there were a few Mallard there on my last visit and I have seen Common Sandpiper around there in the Spring. beyond the Reservoir there is a steep path with a further stream, but I've never been luck to see any Dippers on it. I didn't see the Rough-Legged Buzzards but I believe that they were up this send of the reserve, when they were seen back in November.
I usually take the path between Greenfield and Yeoman Hay reservoirs and then walk back towards Dovestones over the moorland (boggy). Not much around here usually save for some Meadow Pipits and Pheasants. When you get back to the top end of Dovestones, there are usually some Wagtails around - Generally Pied Wagtails, but also possibly some Grey too.
When you arrive at Ashway Gap there is a picnic area and during the summer the Rspb usually have a presence here. The stepped channel which comes down the hil at this point may also have Wagtails and Dippers on it and the RSPB has a sign here suggesting that you look out for Dippers here. I then usually follow the path around Dovestones towards Chew Brook and the 'Life for a Life' Woods. You could follow the path of Chew brook up to the reservoir on the top. There are Red Grouse up there and possibly also Dippers on Chew Brook. The Life for a Life wood is quiet in my experience though I've seen Siskin in there and Reed Bunting. I think that Brambling were also seem there last winter.
I usually then follow the path back around the reservoir and then head up the hill back to the Binn Green carpark.
Its probably also worth your while checking out the (infrequently updated) blog at the RSPB site. http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/dovestone/default.aspx
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Thursday 8th of January 2015 08:37:31 PM
Rob Lennox said
Thu Jan 8 2:51 PM, 2015
Hi all, I'm an out of towner looking to spend the day (10.30 til dusk) around Dove Stone. Any advice for a walk that takes in some of the best spots would be gratefully received.
The last two dipper spots mention the overflow; is that the rather impressive knobbled (official architectural term) weir between Yeoman Hey and Dove stone? Is this regularly the best place for dippers or are there others nearby?
And if there's still a rough-legged buzzard around in the area that's got to be worth staking out for.
Cheers!
T
Dave Agnew said
Tue Jan 6 8:54 PM, 2015
Sunday 4.1.15. Beautiful sunny day. Walked up to Pots and Pans through Dick Clough. Hawthorns and holly still have a good crop of berries attracting mistle thrush, fieldfare and redwing in flocks. Small flock of bullfinch with a lovely male prominent. Small flock of little brown jobs with forked tails, brown streaked, black bibs, on closer inspection turned out to be redpoll. Juveniles with no red cap a bit difficult to identify. Overhead a raven was mobbing a female sparrowhawk, then a buzzard near the ruined farm. A great site, shelter and food for lots of species.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 8th of January 2015 08:13:21 PM
Ian Boote said
Tue Jan 6 4:51 PM, 2015
Feeders Binn Green Pair of Bramling, Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker. also Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 2 Jay, Coal tit, Long Tailed Tit Goldfinch and Goldcrest
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 8th of January 2015 08:12:45 PM
Richard Hart said
Sun Jan 4 7:11 PM, 2015
Two and half hours late morning /early afternoon on the moors above Dove Stone optimistic raptor watching produced only Kestrel 4 Stonechat 1 Raven 3+ Red Grouse 30+ Meadow Pipit 4
Charles Farrell said
Fri Dec 26 5:07 PM, 2014
After several years and many visits with my sister, i finally saw a Dipper up here - not just 1 but 2!!! Both in the overflow channel alongside Yeoman Hay. Elsewhere
Grey Wagtail - 1 in overflow channel near Greenfield Reservoir. Another over calling.
Reed Bunting - 1 heard near Yeoman Hay, 3 in trees near sailing club.
Nuthatch - 1 at Binn Green feeders
Coal Tit - 6+ at Binn Green feeders
Chaffinch - c20 at Binn Green feeders
Goldfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit - plenty at Binn Green feeders.
Elsewhere c30 Black-headed Gull, c50 Malkard, c8 Pheasants, Magpie, c30 Jackdaw, a few Crows and c6 Woodpigeon. Several Thrushes high in trees in field opposite the Lifeforalife wood. I suspect that they were Fieldfares but my view was rather obstructed.
JSPALDING said
Fri Dec 26 12:10 PM, 2014
At least 1 Brambling at Binn Green at 10am this morning also a Common Buzzard being mobbed by a Merlin on the otherside of the valley. It was hovering but was definitely a Common Buzzard.
Chris Greene said
Sat Nov 29 4:29 PM, 2014
Amble round Dove Stone Res. 13:00-14:30 .
Highlights:
Peregrine and Raven over towards Chew Res.
Dipper and Grey Wagtail ,overflow.
Plenty of Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tits around Memorial Forest,alas no sign of any Brambling.
Five Mistle Thrush and two Jays squabbling in conifers behind sailing club.
Cheers Chris.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 25 12:33 PM, 2014
Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard once again in Saddleworth Moor above Greenfield Reservoir, at 12:20 today.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby
gillian notheis said
Sat Nov 22 11:03 PM, 2014
circular walk around Dove Stone Reservoir today. highlights were: single brambling with chaffinches great spotted woodpecker and roughly 100 fieldfare
sid ashton said
Sat Nov 15 5:06 PM, 2014
Mark Rigby wrote:
No sign of any Rough-legged Buzzard this morning. Not seen in Greater Manchester since last Sunday as far as I aware.
Just my very brief sighting on Monday Mark
Mark Rigby said
Sat Nov 15 1:51 PM, 2014
No sign of any Rough-legged Buzzard this morning. Not seen in Greater Manchester since last Sunday as far as I aware.
JamieDunning said
Thu Nov 13 2:09 PM, 2014
at least 5 Brambling at Binn Green - more around.
Graham Beverley said
Tue Nov 11 8:31 PM, 2014
Rough-legged buzzard on A635 to holmfirth on left just after Wessenden head road turning Yorkshire
-- Edited by Graham Beverley on Tuesday 11th of November 2014 08:32:06 PM
Mike c cooper said
Mon Nov 10 3:35 PM, 2014
Meanwhile just down the road at Bonn green and before traffic works in greater manchester
4 common buzzards hovering and dropping on to moor got me excited for a while
Several pairs of raven
Pair of peregrines
Fem kestrel
sid ashton said
Mon Nov 10 3:23 PM, 2014
Having only ever seen one Rough-legged Buzzard a while ago I headed to the hills this morning for a mooch. Arriving at 08.30 visibility wasn't of the best and the area near the white sacks of heather was busy anyway so I carried on to the Pennine Way parking area until the mist cleared. Lots of Red Grouse up there and hundreds of overflying Starlings.
Had a stop at the Marsden Moor Heritage trail car park then managed to park off road just down from the white sacks, which by now were being moved out by helicopter. After an hour or so there I had the briefest of into-the-sun glimpses of one of the Rough-legged Buzzards on the hillside above Greenfield reservoir and that, apart from lots of Pheasants, a couple of Ravens and a Kestrel, was that.
Steve Suttill said
Mon Nov 10 2:36 PM, 2014
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Three Rough-legged Buzzard by the Holmfirth Road above Digley Reservoir near to the Holm Moss transmitter, the way to Holmfirth this afternoon but probably fairly well into Yorkshire.
Info thanks to Judith Smith
for "probably" read "definitely"
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 10 2:23 PM, 2014
Three Rough-legged Buzzard by the Holmfirth Road above Digley Reservoir near to the Holm Moss transmitter, the way to Holmfirth this afternoon but probably fairly well into Yorkshire.
Info thanks to Judith Smith
Mark Rigby said
Sun Nov 9 2:27 PM, 2014
Ad Rough-legged Buzzard on Saddleeorth Moor above Greenfield reservoir at 1230hrs. It was joined by a juv Rough-legged Buzzard at 1300
Also
Merlin 4 Kestrel 2 Common Buzzard Sparrowhawk 50 Starling over 50+ Red Grouse Meadow Pipit
Mark Rigby said
Thu Nov 6 2:41 PM, 2014
No sign of Rough-legged Buzzard(s) between 11-1200hrs or 1330-1415
JSPALDING said
Wed Nov 5 4:24 PM, 2014
2 buzzards over Intake Lane, Greenfield this afternoon at 3pm. Distant views through a scope from my back garden. One hung in the wind for a long time and showed occasional glimpses of white and black in the tail before disappearing over the ridge. It was presumably a juvenile Rough Legged. The other was a very pale individual that landed on a distant rock. I got in the car and drove across the valley managing to locate it on Intake Lane. It was very pale looking black and white but eventually it flew revealing it to be a common buzzard.
Mark Rigby said
Wed Nov 5 8:59 AM, 2014
4/11/14
Rough-legged Buzzard seen briefly at 0815 sat on fence post above Yeoman Hey reservoir. Common Buzzard 6 Raven 3 Kestrel 95 Pink-footed Goose 1490 Woodpigeon 7 Meadow Pipit Pied Wagtail 4 Rook Red-legged Partridge
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 4 3:37 PM, 2014
Sarfraz Hayat wrote:
Rough Legged Buzzards Absent from 12 to 2.15. Had to stop at Binn Green to use the public toilet, opened the door to find two men buttoning up their trousers. Door was not locked. It was a bit of a shock. One of them literally flew out like a released pheasant. Does this happen a lot? Where can it be reported?
Its a well known site I'm afraid and should be reported to the Police.
Sarfraz Hayat said
Tue Nov 4 3:23 PM, 2014
Rough Legged Buzzards Absent from 12 to 2.15. Had to stop at Binn Green to use the public toilet, opened the door to find two men buttoning up their trousers. Door was not locked. It was a bit of a shock. One of them literally flew out like a released pheasant. Does this happen a lot? Where can it be reported?
dave broome said
Tue Nov 4 12:55 PM, 2014
1 juv Rough-Legged Buzzard off the plateaux of the moor (Featherbed Moss? Apologies, unsure if that's the area) and N over Holmfirth Road between 11:40-11:50 Min 26 Red Grouse along the road there to the car park on the W Yorks boundary 1 Redpoll W over the moor
Simon Gough said
Mon Nov 3 6:28 PM, 2014
Rick Hall wrote:
Nice to meet Simon Gough, fingers crossed they re-appear and stick around till Friday for you Simon.
Meeting Rick was a highlight today in a Buzzard-free afternoon. One of the few guys in Manchester to have tripped over a Quail...thanks for the lift back to Ashton mate
John Doherty said
Mon Nov 3 5:02 PM, 2014
Three for myself and others today (lifer) - but all had vacated and by 2.30pm no further sign, inclusive of a drive towards Holmfirth. Good day out with great company.
Gary Edwards said
Mon Nov 3 4:43 PM, 2014
Three Rough Legged Buzzards today but they all seemed to have disappeared by about 1.30-2.00. A couple of very attractive green pheasants trying to get themselves run over too. Loads of Kestrels about as well as Red Grouse.
Rick Hall said
Mon Nov 3 4:25 PM, 2014
90% sure I saw one of the Rough Legged Buzzards at about 1.30, but i was by myself and can't be certain. it had the light/white tail patch, but I'm not confident enough to say for definite. Later quite a few birders turned up, but no Rough legged Buzzards showed up to give 100% positive ID. Gutted. Nice to meet Simon Gough, fingers crossed they re-appear and stick around till Friday for you Simon.
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Nov 3 3:25 PM, 2014
3rd Oct.
Now three Rough-legged Buzzards present at their usual location by the white sacks.
All three were in the air together at 11.30 hrs plus a Common Buzzard. One of the Rough-legged appeared to be a little larger (female ?) than the other two which seem to be the same two that I saw on Saturday.
Also Peregrine. Raven.
Viewed from the Pennine Way lay-by.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 3rd of November 2014 03:28:43 PM
Steve Suttill said
Mon Nov 3 2:08 PM, 2014
Steve Suttill wrote:
I've had a look at John Tymon's photos on Flickr (usual excellent shots from him) but the upper tail pattern doesn't match that of the bird I first reported from Intake Lane. I've checked with John and he hasn't got any other pictures which show a differing tail pattern between the two birds seen above Yeoman Hey.
Has anyone got good photos showing the upper tail pattern of either or both birds? It might help sort out just how many Rough-legged Buzzards we've had in the area!
Cheers.
Has anyone got good photos showing the upper tail pattern of ANY of these birds? It might help sort out just how many Rough-legged Buzzards we've had in the area!
Thanks to all who have sent me photos already.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 3 12:30 PM, 2014
Now three Rough-legged Buzzards present at their usual location by the white sacks.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
JamieDunning said
Mon Nov 3 10:52 AM, 2014
The dead pheasant are around because they're released prior to the game season. They release so many that they inevitably end up as road kill. Most of the shooting up there is organised drives run by upperwood farm. It's not unusual to see red-legged partridge at DS to for the same reason. In the past I've seen (both plans and occasionally the birds) all kinds of exotic galliformes on the moor up there.
Andrew Mitchell said
Mon Nov 3 10:04 AM, 2014
A late post from yesterday but just to echo what others have said - sensational views of one of the Rough-legged Buzzards from the roadside, what a great find.
Also in the area: Kestrel, Raven and plenty of Pheasant and Red Grouse.
At Binn Green feeders for half an hour afterwards - highlights were Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Nuthatch and huge numbers of Coal Tit. Nice also to chat with Brian and Helen.
Steve Suttill said
Mon Nov 3 9:27 AM, 2014
I've had a look at John Tymon's photos on Flickr (usual excellent shots from him) but the upper tail pattern doesn't match that of the bird I first reported from Intake Lane. I've checked with John and he hasn't got any other pictures which show a differing tail pattern between the two birds seen above Yeoman Hey.
Has anyone got good photos showing the upper tail pattern of either or both birds? It might help sort out just how many Rough-legged Buzzards we've had in the area!
Cheers.
rob archer said
Mon Nov 3 8:53 AM, 2014
Both Rough-legged Buzzard still present over the moors first thing this morning.. Great birds and a great find..
Rob
John Watson said
Mon Nov 3 8:51 AM, 2014
An alternative explanation is that they're shot out of season, and dumped in the road. I've heard that's done with badgers.
Steve Suttill said
Sun Nov 2 9:32 PM, 2014
The road up from Binn Green past the farm is a trail of dead Pheasants all year round. I think they deliberately get themselves run over to avoid getting shot.
Not the brightest of birds
Ollie Wright said
Sun Nov 2 9:27 PM, 2014
On the drive up, I saw a dead female Pheasant in the middle of the road. Assumed initially it was roadkill, but obviously it could equally likely have been shot. Which makes me fear for the future of the RLBuzzards we've all been so pleased to see.
Fingers crossed they avoid the guns.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 2nd of November 2014 09:36:50 PM
Rob Creek said
Sun Nov 2 8:25 PM, 2014
Thanks for that Roger, that explains the good number of Pheasant there.
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun Nov 2 8:14 PM, 2014
Also of note at the Conifers below the red tarmac was an unusual group of pheasants including the usual plumage, 2 Black, 1 Albino, and a stunning dark Emerald male. ...................................................................................................................................................................
That is where the rearing pens are located Rob and the birds are still fed there regular.
If you had rattled a bucket of corn they would probably have run to you ...... could have sorted your Christmas dinner out !
Roger.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun Nov 2 7:37 PM, 2014
Nev Wright wrote:
For those of us who missed out on the excitement, does anyone know if they tend to be long-stayers (at least until next weekend)?
Could be there all winter or gone tomorrow ,almost impossible to predict :)
Nev Wright said
Sun Nov 2 7:29 PM, 2014
For those of us who missed out on the excitement, does anyone know if they tend to be long-stayers (at least until next weekend)?
steven burke said
Sun Nov 2 7:16 PM, 2014
just like many others this morning fantastic views of one of the rough-legged buzzards, brief views of the second one. lifer
nice to meet you again Ollie & many other familiar faces, thanks again dennis for you're help always appreciated
at binn green feeders...
1 brambling 1 nuthatch 2 great spotted woodpecker siskin, chaffinch, greenfinch, blue, great & coal tits.
also on the way up this morning 2 flocks of fieldfares flying down towards binn green car park, 60+ & 15+ 70-80 pink footed goose, east.
thanks again phil & rob for the lift.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 2 7:15 PM, 2014
Male type Ring Ouzel briefly on heather on the moor above the current Rough-legged Buzzard site this afternoon.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Rob Creek said
Sun Nov 2 5:45 PM, 2014
Nice to meet you Brian and Helen, also good to meet Dennis Atherton, and the familiar faces of Steven Burke, Phil Kelly, John Raynor, John Thymon, and everyone else who was there today!
One Rough-legged Buzzard showing spectacularly well around the Heather bags, giving not just good photo opportunities but an excellent chance to admire both the unusual plumage and distinguishing features, but also its mastery in flight and hanging in the wind whilst looking for prey. The bird landed a few times but didn't appear to catch anything from what I could see, it then took off again and glided right over us and towards the valley.
The 2nd bird appeared briefly and almost immediately, a Peregrine joined them and started to harass one of them. The 2nd bird then disappeared down towards Yeoman's Hey and it looked like a Common Buzzard was drifting behind it which is pretty much a similar case to yesterday. The 1st bird continued to show off its aerial prowess within close proximity, and all that despite being a juveniles!
What an absolutely fantastic species to watch, I have taken in a lot of visual info about a County Rarity Raptor, a Lifer for me, and it has been a weekend that will live long in my memory....Steve Suttill....hats off mate!
Other birds of note... 5 Kestrel (could be duplicates) 3 Raven Plenty of Carrion Crow and Jackdaw 1 Jay At least 10-15 Red Grouse including a flying party of 6
Also of note at the Conifers below the red tarmac was an unusual group of pheasants including the usual plumage, 2 Black, 1 Albino, and a stunning dark Emerald male.
...oh and Dennis thanks for the ID help on the overhead passerine, "LBJ Rob", can't really be 100% sure on matching the flight call but the high pitched "peessp" seems familiar.
2 dippers on the overflow alongside Yeoman Hay (exactly where Charles advised!)
1 Buzzard (pretty pale, but from brief glimpse fairly certain is was not rough-legged)
1 Peregrine (towards the top of Yeoman Hey by felled trees)
1 Merlin (West side of Dove Stone)
4 Red Grouse (hunkered down in the undergrowth by Chew Brook)
3 Kestrel (2 hunting in the Chew valley + up by the reservoir, a 3rd in trees opposite the sail club)
~20 Mallard (S side of Dove Stone)
3 Shellduck (S side of Dove Stone)
I parked at the wrong car park, but went to check out the feeders at Binn Green before I left and saw (in the fading light):
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Blue tits
Great tits
2 Coal tits
Chaffinches
Goldfinches
Blackbird
A nice day out - thanks for the tips.
R
It looks like it is going to be a bit of a dingy wet and windy Saturday, though. Will report any sightings when I'm back.
R
I'd start with a map and the details on the RSPB website. I don't live in Manchester, but visit my folks there and usually visit Dovestones 2 or 3 times a year, so I'm by no means an expert.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/dovestone_tcm9-317350.pdf
if you follow the Blue and Red outlined walks then that will give you some idea. I usually start at the Binn Green carpark as there are usually some birds on the feeders. Tits and finches mainly, in my experience with the odd Great Spotted Woodpecker. From there, you can look out over the valley for raptors, Pheasants etc.
Walk down the hill from Binn Green and then take the road down towards the reservoirs. I usually then take a left and continue up the left-hand side of Yeoman Hay. The Dippers I saw were in the channel that runs alongside the path, but on that occasion the top Reservoir (Greenfield) was full, so water was running down the overflow. When there's no water, then the overflow channel tends to be empty. The Woods oalongsde the path tend to be quiet, save for Siskins, Jays and Tits. When you get past the current wooded section, then there is moorland - usually some Pheasants, Pigeons, Corvids and maybe a Kestrel or two.
The top reservoir (Greenfield) is usually empty of life in my experience though there were a few Mallard there on my last visit and I have seen Common Sandpiper around there in the Spring. beyond the Reservoir there is a steep path with a further stream, but I've never been luck to see any Dippers on it. I didn't see the Rough-Legged Buzzards but I believe that they were up this send of the reserve, when they were seen back in November.
I usually take the path between Greenfield and Yeoman Hay reservoirs and then walk back towards Dovestones over the moorland (boggy). Not much around here usually save for some Meadow Pipits and Pheasants. When you get back to the top end of Dovestones, there are usually some Wagtails around - Generally Pied Wagtails, but also possibly some Grey too.
When you arrive at Ashway Gap there is a picnic area and during the summer the Rspb usually have a presence here. The stepped channel which comes down the hil at this point may also have Wagtails and Dippers on it and the RSPB has a sign here suggesting that you look out for Dippers here. I then usually follow the path around Dovestones towards Chew Brook and the 'Life for a Life' Woods. You could follow the path of Chew brook up to the reservoir on the top. There are Red Grouse up there and possibly also Dippers on Chew Brook. The Life for a Life wood is quiet in my experience though I've seen Siskin in there and Reed Bunting. I think that Brambling were also seem there last winter.
I usually then follow the path back around the reservoir and then head up the hill back to the Binn Green carpark.
Its probably also worth your while checking out the (infrequently updated) blog at the RSPB site.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/dovestone/default.aspx
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Thursday 8th of January 2015 08:37:31 PM
The last two dipper spots mention the overflow; is that the rather impressive knobbled (official architectural term) weir between Yeoman Hey and Dove stone? Is this regularly the best place for dippers or are there others nearby?
And if there's still a rough-legged buzzard around in the area that's got to be worth staking out for.
Cheers!
T
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 8th of January 2015 08:13:21 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 8th of January 2015 08:12:45 PM
Kestrel 4
Stonechat 1
Raven 3+
Red Grouse 30+
Meadow Pipit 4
It was hovering but was definitely a Common Buzzard.
Info thanks to Mark Rigby
highlights were:
single brambling with chaffinches
great spotted woodpecker and
roughly 100 fieldfare
Yorkshire
-- Edited by Graham Beverley on Tuesday 11th of November 2014 08:32:06 PM
4 common buzzards hovering and dropping on to moor got me excited for a while
Several pairs of raven
Pair of peregrines
Fem kestrel
Had a stop at the Marsden Moor Heritage trail car park then managed to park off road just down from the white sacks, which by now were being moved out by helicopter. After an hour or so there I had the briefest of into-the-sun glimpses of one of the Rough-legged Buzzards on the hillside above Greenfield reservoir and that, apart from lots of Pheasants, a couple of Ravens and a Kestrel, was that.
for "probably" read "definitely"
Info thanks to Judith Smith
Also
Merlin
4 Kestrel
2 Common Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
50 Starling over
50+ Red Grouse
Meadow Pipit
Rough-legged Buzzard seen briefly at 0815 sat on fence post above Yeoman Hey reservoir.
Common Buzzard
6 Raven
3 Kestrel
95 Pink-footed Goose
1490 Woodpigeon
7 Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
4 Rook
Red-legged Partridge
Its a well known site I'm afraid and should be reported to the Police.
Min 26 Red Grouse along the road there to the car park on the W Yorks boundary
1 Redpoll W over the moor
Meeting Rick was a highlight today in a Buzzard-free afternoon. One of the few guys in Manchester to have tripped over a Quail...thanks for the lift back to Ashton mate
Nice to meet Simon Gough, fingers crossed they re-appear and stick around till Friday for you Simon.
Now three Rough-legged Buzzards present at their usual location by the white sacks.
All three were in the air together at 11.30 hrs plus a Common Buzzard.
One of the Rough-legged appeared to be a little larger (female ?) than the other two which seem to be the same two that I saw on Saturday.
Also
Peregrine.
Raven.
Viewed from the Pennine Way lay-by.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 3rd of November 2014 03:28:43 PM
Has anyone got good photos showing the upper tail pattern of ANY of these birds? It might help sort out just how many Rough-legged Buzzards we've had in the area!
Thanks to all who have sent me photos already.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
They release so many that they inevitably end up as road kill. Most of the shooting up there is organised drives run by upperwood farm.
It's not unusual to see red-legged partridge at DS to for the same reason.
In the past I've seen (both plans and occasionally the birds) all kinds of exotic galliformes on the moor up there.
Also in the area: Kestrel, Raven and plenty of Pheasant and Red Grouse.
At Binn Green feeders for half an hour afterwards - highlights were Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Nuthatch and huge numbers of Coal Tit. Nice also to chat with Brian and Helen.
Has anyone got good photos showing the upper tail pattern of either or both birds? It might help sort out just how many Rough-legged Buzzards we've had in the area!
Cheers.
Not the brightest of birds
Fingers crossed they avoid the guns.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 2nd of November 2014 09:36:50 PM
...................................................................................................................................................................
That is where the rearing pens are located Rob and the birds are still fed there regular.
If you had rattled a bucket of corn they would probably have run to you ...... could have sorted your Christmas dinner out !
Roger.
Could be there all winter or gone tomorrow ,almost impossible to predict :)
nice to meet you again Ollie & many other familiar faces, thanks again dennis for you're help always appreciated
at binn green feeders...
1 brambling
1 nuthatch
2 great spotted woodpecker
siskin, chaffinch, greenfinch, blue, great & coal tits.
also on the way up this morning 2 flocks of fieldfares flying down towards binn green car park, 60+ & 15+
70-80 pink footed goose, east.
thanks again phil & rob for the lift.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
One Rough-legged Buzzard showing spectacularly well around the Heather bags, giving not just good photo opportunities but an excellent chance to admire both the unusual plumage and distinguishing features, but also its mastery in flight and hanging in the wind whilst looking for prey.
The bird landed a few times but didn't appear to catch anything from what I could see, it then took off again and glided right over us and towards the valley.
The 2nd bird appeared briefly and almost immediately, a Peregrine joined them and started to harass one of them. The 2nd bird then disappeared down towards Yeoman's Hey and it looked like a Common Buzzard was drifting behind it which is pretty much a similar case to yesterday. The 1st bird continued to show off its aerial prowess within close proximity, and all that despite being a juveniles!
What an absolutely fantastic species to watch, I have taken in a lot of visual info about a County Rarity Raptor, a Lifer for me, and it has been a weekend that will live long in my memory....Steve Suttill....hats off mate!
Other birds of note...
5 Kestrel (could be duplicates)
3 Raven
Plenty of Carrion Crow and Jackdaw
1 Jay
At least 10-15 Red Grouse including a flying party of 6
Also of note at the Conifers below the red tarmac was an unusual group of pheasants including the usual plumage, 2 Black, 1 Albino, and a stunning dark Emerald male.
...oh and Dennis thanks for the ID help on the overhead passerine, "LBJ Rob", can't really be 100% sure on matching the flight call but the high pitched "peessp" seems familiar.