The biggest surprise was a smart male Stonechat in full breeding plumage, moving around the hillside overlooking Walkerwood Reservoir. 3 Meadow Pipits 1 pair of Mistle Thrush, another singing at Flaxfield 1 Dunnock singing in the gorse, which has now been overgrown with birch trees 1 Song Thrush in the same area 1 Lesser Redpoll
David Walsh said
Sat Feb 16 9:33 PM, 2019
Saturday 16th February 2019, 9.15 - 11.30am.
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, then back across Harridge Moor.
3 Goosander on Walkerwood Reservoir, a drake and two redheads, one of which looked like an immature male. 1 Lesser Redpoll at the scout hut
Higher Swineshaw
1 Buzzard 1 Grey Wagtail A Dipper and a Peregrine were also reported earlier, but not seen by me Plenty of Red Grouse, many paired off
Nothing at all on Harridge Moor
Brushes Valley, 8.00pm
Pair of Tawny Owls calling from the woods in the valley bottom, below Lower Swineshaw Reservoir Also a Moorhen flying around Walkerwood Reservoir calling, at 8.45pm
David Walsh said
Sun Feb 10 9:37 PM, 2019
Sunday 10th February 2019, 9.30 - 11.30am.
Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood Dam, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
3 Raven; 2 mobbing a Buzzard over Wild Bank, the other at Higher Swineshaw 1 Buzzard 4 Red Grouse 1 Goosander over south Several Nuthatch calling along the valley Plenty of Great, Blue, and Coal Tits calling Several Long-tailed Tits
Otherwise, still very quiet
David Walsh said
Sat Feb 9 10:46 PM, 2019
Saturday 9th February, 3.30pm
Walkerwood Reservoir.
1 pair of Goosander
David Walsh said
Wed Feb 6 7:50 AM, 2019
Wednesday 6th February 2019, 6.30 - 7.30am
Brushes Valley
1 Woodcock over the old quarry at 7.01am
Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, and Dunnock singing by 7.15.
David Walsh said
Wed Jan 23 7:51 AM, 2019
Wednesday 23rd January 2019, 6.45 - 7.30am.
Walkerwood area, on a pleasant, if freezing, moonlit morning.
3 Tawny Owls, all in the Cock Wood area. One pair hooting and calling near to Walkerwood Dam, another male hooting tentatively further towards Brushes Reservoir. Yesterday morning, a croaky male was hooting from the country park.
1 Woodcock over from Millbrook direction, towards Brushes Cottages, at 7.17am.
Chris Harper said
Thu Jan 3 6:44 PM, 2019
Lower car park to Walkerwood dam from 10-11 this morning
3 Red Legged Partridge, 2 Red Grouse, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 3 Bullfinch, Common Buzzard, 3 Greenfinch were the highlights.
David Walsh said
Sat Dec 29 8:12 PM, 2018
Saturday 29th December 2018, after dark.
A pair of Tawny Owls were hooting and calling in the trees in the valley bottom, between Lower Swineshaw and Brushes Reservoir, at 7.00pm
The only thing of any note this morning, from Walkerwood Dam, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, was two Cormorant on Walkerwood.
David Walsh said
Thu Dec 27 5:56 PM, 2018
Thursday 27th December 2018.
1 Woodcock over Walkerwood Reservoir, from Harridge to Wild Bank, at 4.33pm
An hours wander around the country park this morning yielded little of note, other than 4 Goldcrest in with a mixed Tit flock.
David Walsh said
Thu Dec 20 10:51 PM, 2018
Thursday 20th December 2018, 9.00 - 11.30am.
First visit for the English Winter Bird Survey, from Brushes Cottages, along the Bridleway to the Carrbrook border, then back along Besom Lane, into the valley bottom.
1 Buzzard, being harassed by Jackdaw for most of the time, calling loudly. 1 Sparrowhawk 2 Kestrel 1 Raven 81 Jackdaw 2 Carrion Crows 26 Magpies 7 Jays 23 Fieldfare 16 Redwing 12 Blackbirds 4 Mistle Thrush 1 Song Thrush 29 Woodpigeon 2 Collared Doves 2 Great Tit (?!?!) 15 Blue Tits 8 Long-tailed Tits 28 House Sparrows 4 Dunnock 4 Meadow Pipits 13 Starlings 2 Wren 8 Goldfinch 2 Chaffinch 1 Greenfinch 3 Bullfinch 10 Robins 5 Mallard 1 Farm Duck 2 Moorhen 11 Pheasants 6 Red-legged Partridge 37 Black-headed Gulls
David Walsh said
Sat Dec 15 2:12 PM, 2018
Saturday 15th December 2018, 8.30 - 11.00am.
From Walkerwood Dam, up Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw, then back across Harridge Moor, in brisk, chilly conditions (to say the least )
1 Willow Tit on the feeders at Walkerwood. On Thursday morning, I heard one calling, with a mixed finch and tit flock, deeper into the country park, around half a mile away from the area of the feeders, where I usually see it. I have still only ever seen a single bird, four and a half years since my initial sighting.
Higher Swineshaw and Harridge Moor
1 Woodcock was flushed (unfortunately, given the subzero conditions), from beneath a pylon on the very top of the moor, at 10.00am. 1 Raven over, towards Carrbrook 1 Kestrel over Swineshaw Moor 4 Red Grouse flushed from Harridge Moor, flew dramatically, high over Brushes Reservoir, onto Cock Knarr, Wild Bank
1 Buzzard calling from Cock Knarr 2 Jays A flock of 8 Redwing flew over Lower Swineshaw, towards Harridge 1 Goldcrest 2 Nuthatch
And very little else.
David Walsh said
Wed Dec 12 7:56 AM, 2018
Wednesday 12th December 2018, 6.40 - 7.30am.
Walkerwood area.
1 Woodcock over the feeders, from the direction of the country park, into Cock Wood, at 7.22am Tawny Owls hooting and calling from Cock Wood, the Country Park, and the trees lining the northern side of Walkerwood Reservoir. Difficult to put a number on them, as they are mobile. I would estimate one male in the Country Park, and up to four around Walkerwood, two males with different songs, and two females heard more or less simultaneously. A lot of Redwing overhead most mornings, well before it is light.
David Walsh said
Tue Dec 4 7:53 AM, 2018
Tuesday 4th December 2018, 6.40 - 7.30am.
Walkerwood Area.
1 Woodcock over the southern end of Walkerwood Dam, from the direction of the country park, towards Cock Wood, at 7.15. 3 Tawny Owls. Two birds hooting - in the country park, and at Cock Wood; the third calling from the trees on the northern side of the reservoir. 26 Canada Geese on the reservoir.
David Walsh said
Tue Nov 27 7:51 AM, 2018
Tuesday 27th November 2018, 6.40 - 7.30am.
Along Walkerwood Reservoir.
2 Woodcock, at 7.06 and 7.10am. Both flew from the direction of Millbrook, one over the reservoir to Cock Wood, the second into the trees on the north side of Walkerwood Reservoir. 1 Tawny Owl hooting from Cock Wood
David Walsh said
Sat Nov 24 2:21 PM, 2018
Saturday 24th November 2018, 6.30 - 9.30am.
From Walkerwood Dam, up Brushes Valley, and to the far end of Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
3 Woodcock. Birds have been returning to roost at 7.00am this week, so I timed this morning to be in Brushes SBI at this hour, because on a working day, I havent enough time to get back from this far up the valley. I was rewarded with two birds flying from Walkerwood direction at 7.00, into the woods, and another at 7.05, from Lower Swineshaw, into Brushes quarry. Since the autumn influx, I have recorded them all along the valley, from the country park, as far as Lower Swineshaw.
I should have called it a day there and then. The rest of the morning was deathly, with an icy, buffeting wind from Lower Swineshaw upwards cancelling the planned return across Harridge Moor.
Higher Swineshaw.
1 Grey Wagtail 10 Red Grouse (it is a Grouse moor!) 4 Meadow Pipits 1 Blackbird
Back at Walkerwood in daylight.
A flock of c150 Fieldfare and c30 Redwing moving around, at one point chasing a pair of Kestrels, accompanied by several noisy Mistle Thrush 1 Song Thrush singing Several Nuthatch 1 Willow Tit on the feeders, calling loudly this week
David Walsh said
Wed Nov 21 7:56 AM, 2018
Wednesday 21st November 2018, 6.40 - 7.30am.
From Walkerwood Dam, as far as Brushes Cottages.
2 Woodcock, both from the direction of Cote Farm, flew along the northern side of Walkerwood Reservoir, then over towards Cock Wood, within a minute of each other, at 7.02. 12+ Blackbirds Several Robins flying around in the dark
David Walsh said
Mon Nov 19 7:50 AM, 2018
Monday 19th November 2018, 6.30 - 7.30am.
Walkerwood area.
2 Woodcock; one down the side of the reservoir, into the country park, at 7.01, the second over Harridge from the direction of Millbrook, across the reservoir, towards Cock Wood, two minutes later. 1 Buzzard over Harridge 1 Kestrel in its usual roost spot.
David Walsh said
Sat Nov 17 11:21 AM, 2018
Saturday 17th November 2018, 6.30 - 10.30am.
From Walkerwood Reservoir, up Brushes Valley, to Lees Hill, then back across Harridge Moor.
The first sighting was before first light, when a Buzzard soared over the woods, then across the valley, to Wild Bank 1 Woodcock, at 6.55am, into the woods on Harridge, from Walkerwood direction. 1 Jack Snipe was flushed from the edge of Boar Flat, opposite Lees Hill 1 Mandarin drake swimming with 3 Mallard, on Lower Swineshaw Reservoir 1 Kestrel at Higher Swineshaw, as well as 2 Ravens c 25 Red Grouse, on Swineshaw and Harridge Moors A similar number of Meadow Pipits, in the same areas One pair of Stonechat, high up on Harridge Moor, a regular breeding site. Presumably staying the winter. A few Redwing were in the hawthorn bushes near Walkerwood Dam, as well as a Buzzard, which had half a dozen Magpies for company.
Steve Suttill said
Fri Nov 9 9:16 AM, 2018
David Walsh wrote:
The weeks most unusual sighting was of a Red-legged Partridge perched on the roof of Brushes Cottages at 7.00am on Monday!
There seem to have been quite a few Red-legged Partidges released in the Tame Valley this year. Maybe they've eaten all the apostrophes?
John Rayner said
Thu Nov 8 11:34 PM, 2018
David Walsh wrote:
There are more apostrophes missing in the follow up!!
Not sure whether it is my iPad, or the Activeboard?
I will move on
Dave, sounds like a job for Beachcomber's Apostropher Royal.
There are more apostrophes missing in the follow up!!
Not sure whether it is my iPad, or the Activeboard?
I will move on
David Walsh said
Thu Nov 8 9:34 PM, 2018
I realise that, due to my ipads Predictive text, there is an apostrophe missing between the k and s in the word weeks.
I have edited the post twice, but it still reverts to the original, grammatically incorrect version.
Which is really irritating.
So my apologies to all concerned
David Walsh said
Thu Nov 8 9:26 PM, 2018
Thursday 8th November 2018, 4.30 - 5.30pm.
Brushes Valley, as far as Lower Swineshaw.
1 Woodcock out of the woods on Harridge, over Lower Swineshaw scout hut, at 4.55 1 Tawny Owl calling from the trees around the scout hut 1 Kestrel on a telephone wire near Brushes Cottages
Stalybridge Country Park, 10.00am - 11.45am.
Ash keys seem to be the favoured food source this week.
10 Redwing 5 Fieldfare over 10+ Blackbirds 6 Bullfinch 11 Goldfinch Several Lesser Redpoll heard 10+ Chaffinch 1 Greenfinch 4 Coal Tits Several Long-tailed Tits 2 Nuthatch 3 Jays 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 juvenile Kestrel at Walkerwood Dam 1 Grey Wagtail in Walkerwood overflow
Other sightings from this weeks dawn shifts.
A lot of Fieldfare and Redwing movement at first light, with flocks of up to 150 Fieldfare, and 30 Redwing overhead. There seems to be a static population of around 100 Fieldfare and 30 Redwing feeding in the general area, particularly on the Harridge side. A Peregrine putting in a couple of appearances over Harridge Up to 3 Kestrel over Harridge Several Nuthatch around Brushes Valley 30+ Chaffinch down the valley shortly after dawn each morning 12 Lesser Redpoll down the valley on Monday morning A couple of Siskin heard only around Brushes Cottages The weeks most unusual sighting was of a Red-legged Partridge perched on the roof of Brushes Cottages at 7.00am on Monday!
--
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 8th of November 2018 09:29:12 PM
David Walsh said
Sat Nov 3 2:34 PM, 2018
Saturday 3rd November 2018, 7.30 - 9.30am.
Walkerwood area, along as far as Cote Farm.
1 Peregrine over Harridge 2 Kestrels over Harridge A pair of tumbling Ravens c 30 Redwing feeding on berries between Walkerwood Dam and Cote Farm c 120 Fieldfare: c 30 feeding with the Redwing, plus flocks of 70 and 30 over south 15+ Blackbirds 4 Mistle Thrush Single flock of 70 Starlings moving around the area 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 1 Cormorant on the reservoir
Yesterday, 50+ Chaffinch made their way down the valley in dribs and drabs, between 7.00 and 7.30am. Largest flock I could make out was 13.
David Walsh said
Mon Oct 29 7:48 AM, 2018
Monday 29th October 2018, 6.30 - 7.20am.
Walkerwood area.
c 230 Fieldfare, as follows: 150 west, 70 east, and 10 in hawthorn bushes near Walkerwood Dam c 20 Redwing mixed in with the Fieldfare flocks c 25 Chaffinch flew down the valley at first light Lesser Redpoll heard 1 drake Mandarin 13 Mallard 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Kestrel 1 Grey Heron
David Walsh said
Sat Oct 27 2:05 PM, 2018
Saturday 27th October 2018, 9.30 - 11.00am.
From Walkerwood Dam, up to Wild Bank, via the rifle ranges.
1 Raven tumbling over Wild Bank 1 Peregrine briefly over Wild Bank, before heading west towards Ashton 3 Kestrels Wild Bank
The usuals around the feeders, including one Willow Tit, and several Bullfinch
Plenty of berries around, but the only thrushes seen were several Blackbirds, and one Mistle Thrush at Flaxfield.
David Walsh said
Wed Oct 24 7:55 AM, 2018
Wednesday 24th October 2018, 6.30 - 7.30am.
2 Woodcock flew over Walkerwood Dam and into the Country Park at 7.18 and 7.20am, my first sighting since midsummer. Given the location, I would guess at recently arrived migrants, rather than resident birds, although it is obviously impossible to say for sure.
6 Red-legged Partridge were in the fields on Harridge, overlooking Walkerwood, on Sunday.
David Walsh said
Wed Oct 17 7:51 AM, 2018
Wednesday 17th October 2018, 6.30 - 7.20am.
Walkerwood area.
Several Mistle Thrush attempting a bit of singing well before it was light; at both sides of the reservoir, and in the country park.
Last night, 2 Tawny Owls were calling, from Cock Wood and the country park, around dusk. On Monday evening, one was in the trees above the Gamekeeper's cottage.
David Walsh said
Sun Oct 14 11:13 AM, 2018
Sunday 14th October 2018, 8.30 - 10.15am
Around the Walkerwood area, in heavy rain throughout.
1 Mandarin drake swimming with 12 Mallard 1 Cormorant 4 Mistle Thrush over 1 Chiffchaff A very noisy group of 20+ Long-tailed Tits. I never tire of watching this species - such beautiful, delicate little birds. 6+ Goldcrest. Seems to have been an influx. 1 Lesser Redpoll Bullfinch Chaffinch Good numbers of Robin and Wren
Usuals on the feeders, including Willow Tit and Nuthatch.
A small flock of Redwing passed west over Walkerwood Dam at 7.20pm 2 Tawny Owls calling, from Cock Wood, and the woods above the Gamekeeper's cottage, at dusk. Female Kestrel hunting from a telephone wire next to Walkerwood Dam just before dark.
David Walsh said
Sat Oct 6 11:15 PM, 2018
Saturday 6th October 2018, 9.00 - 11.45am.
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
A solitary Redwing dropped into the treetops around Lower Swineshaw scout hut. Seen off immediately by two Mistle Thrush. 6 Reed Bunting 15+ Meadow Pipits 1 Kestrel Several Goldcrest calling from the woods Nuthatch calling along the valley
Several Pied Wagtails heard around the Cock Knarr side of Brushes Reservoir at 6.30pm. This area has held a winter roost in the past. 14 Mallard on the reservoir.
David Walsh said
Tue Oct 2 7:45 AM, 2018
Tuesday 2nd October 2018, 6.30 - 7.15am.
Walkerwood Dam.
1 Mandarin drake 1 Grey Heron Mallards, Canada Geese, and little else, on a gloomy morning.
David Walsh said
Mon Oct 1 7:44 AM, 2018
Monday 1st October 2018, 6.30 - 7.15am.
Walkerwood Dam.
1 drake Mandarin 4 Mallard 20 Canada Geese 2 singing Chiffchaff 8 Chaffinch over west
Stuart Pike said
Sat Sep 29 7:15 PM, 2018
From Stocks Lane up to the Trig Point via Wildbank
Lower down 2 Swallows, 3 Jay, 1 Mistle Thrush and 3 Red-legged Partridge
Higher up 1 Kestrel, 1 Red Grouse and what I would expect must be the same two Raven in Davids post from earlier today
-- Edited by Stuart Pike on Saturday 29th of September 2018 07:18:46 PM
David Walsh said
Sat Sep 29 2:36 PM, 2018
Saturday 29th September 2018, 9.00 - 11.00am.
Wild Bank SBI, taking in Hobson Moor.
2 Stonechat, my first of 2018 in the area, following the disappearance this year of the regular breeding pair. These appeared to be a first year male and female. 100+ Meadow Pipits c 25 Skylark, the majority of which dropped in from the north around 10 o'clock 1 Linnet over south 1 Buzzard 1 Red Grouse
2 Ravens were on the pylons at Walkerwood earlier.
David Walsh said
Thu Sep 13 10:49 PM, 2018
Thursday 13th September 2018, 8.00 - 10.30am.
Around Wild Bank Hill, and Hobson Moor. Majority of sightings in Wild Bank SBI, hence this thread.
1 female / juvenile Merlin low over the moor from the direction of the Trig Point, down Gallows Clough, having a go at flushed Meadow Pipits 150+ Meadow Pipits, everywhere this morning 10+ Skylarks 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker perched up on a pylon, on top of the moor, called, then flew off southwest. 1 Rook 1 Little Owl
Also stumbled across a Lesser Spotted Roger Baker, loitering on Hobson Moor Road.
David Walsh said
Wed Sep 12 7:48 AM, 2018
Wednesday 12th September 2018, 6.30 - 7.15am.
Walkerwood Dam.
1 drake Mandarin on the reservoir 3 Grey Herons Chiffchaff singing Several Nuthatch calling
Otherwise quiet
David Walsh said
Mon Sep 10 7:47 AM, 2018
Monday 10th September 2018, 6.30 - 7.20am
Walkerwood Dam.
1 Kingfisher, again on the depth marker posts 2 Cormorant 3 Grey Herons 38 Canada Geese 7 Mallard 1 Willow Tit, in a small mixed flock 6 Bullfinch 6+ noisy Jays 1 Kestrel over Harridge
Roger Baker 3 said
Fri Sep 7 2:15 PM, 2018
David Walsh wrote:
Friday 7th September 2018, 6.30 - 7.15am.
Walkerwood Dam.
1 Kingfisher on the exposed depth gauge posts near the dam. Only ever an occasional record here - almost always in September. ........................................................................................................ Just thinking about that one Dave ....... in the past Walkerwood has always been a fly only Trout fishery on a "put and take" basis with the fish being to big for a Kingfisher. Now that an angling club has stocked it with coarse fish things might improve especially if they breed with plenty of fry in the margins ??
Roger.
David Walsh said
Fri Sep 7 7:53 AM, 2018
Friday 7th September 2018, 6.30 - 7.15am.
Walkerwood Dam.
1 Kingfisher on the exposed depth gauge posts near the dam. Only ever an occasional record here - almost always in September. 4 Grey Herons 3 Grey Wagtails 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Willow Tit 2 Nuthatch 1 Chiffchaff singing Lesser Redpoll over
David Walsh said
Wed Sep 5 7:56 AM, 2018
Wednesday 5th September 2018, 6.30 - 7.30am.
Walkerwood area.
House Martins started moving over Walkerwood Reservoir at 6.55, pausing , then heading roughly south west. A rough estimate would be 150, with about 10 Swallows mixed in. Still birds passing through as I left. 3 Grey Herons 1 Cormorant A flock of c 20 Goldfinch 1 Grey Wagtail
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 5th of September 2018 07:57:03 AM
David Walsh said
Mon Sep 3 9:35 PM, 2018
Monday 3rd September 2018, 6.30 - 7.30am.
Walkerwood area.
A mixed flock of Hirundines moved through south west, and consisted of roughly: 60 Swallows 40 House Martins 1 Swift
5 Lesser Redpoll were moving around the dam area
David Walsh said
Sat Sep 1 2:06 PM, 2018
Saturday 1st September 2018, 8.30 - 11.30am.
From Walkerwood, to Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill.
Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
1 Tufted Duck, c 20 Linnet feeding around the dam 2 Pied Wagtail 1 Grey Wagtail c 30 Meadow Pipits 1 juvenile Stonechat feeding on the dam banking. Pair of adults at Lees Hill. 2 Buzzards over the moor 1 Kestrel Chiffchaff singing between Higher and Lower Swineshaw Reservoirs
Walkerwood area.
1 Cormorant 2 Grey Herons 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail Nuthatch are very much in evidence around the feeders 1 Willow Tit also on the feeders A lot of very noisy Jays around at present
David Walsh said
Thu Aug 23 12:21 PM, 2018
Thursday 23rd August 2018, 9.00 - 11.30am
From Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, then back across Harridge Moor, in intermittent drizzly rain.
Harridge Moor.
1 Wheatear 1 Whinchat 2 juvenile Stonechat 2 Ravens on the pylons
1 male Reed Bunting at Higher Swineshaw 1 male Stonechat plus juvenile at Lees Hill Nuthatch at Brushes Cottages, and Walkerwood Great Spotted Woodpecker at Walkerwood A Buzzard over Wild Bank, and one at Brushes Valley 1 Cormorant on Walkerwood Reservoir
David Walsh said
Sun Aug 19 12:17 PM, 2018
Sunday 19th August 2018, 9.45 - 11.15am, in heavy rain.
1 Spotted Flycatcher, feeding amongst Willowherb and Himalayan Balsam, next to Walkerwood Dam 2 juvenile Grey Wagtails in Walkerwood overflow c 15 Swallows around Walkerwood Dam, some feeding juveniles in flight 1 Cormorant on Brushes Reservoir 5 Kestrels noisily together over Harridge
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 18 7:22 PM, 2018
Saturday 18th August 2018, 7.00pm.
8 redhead Goosander on Brushes Reservoir 1 juvenile Grey Heron on Brushes shoreline 1 Cormorant flew off Walkerwood Reservoir at 6.45 1 Kestrel on the wires by Walkerwood
David Walsh said
Sat Aug 18 12:42 PM, 2018
Saturday 18th August 2018, 9.30 - 11.30am
Around Wild Bank, and Hollingworthhall Moor, in a gusty wind.
1 Wheatear moving along the moor edge, on the Hobson Moor side of the hill, was the highlight of a desperately quiet morning. 10 Swallows feeding over the moor 15+ Meadow Pipits
David Walsh said
Fri Aug 17 7:51 AM, 2018
Friday 17th August 2018, 6.30 - 7.30am
8 redhead Goosander still present at 7.30am, tucked into the far eastern corner of Walkerwood Reservoir. Couple of Chiffchaff singing
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Aug 16 11:01 PM, 2018
Thursday 16th August. Evening.
Goosander. 8 redheads landed on Walkerwood Res at 20.30 hrs. Sparrowhawk. 2. Buzzard being harassed by a pair of Ravens over Brushes Res.
Around Brushes Rifle Ranges and Wiild Bank.
Highlights were:
The biggest surprise was a smart male Stonechat in full breeding plumage, moving around the hillside overlooking Walkerwood Reservoir.
3 Meadow Pipits
1 pair of Mistle Thrush, another singing at Flaxfield
1 Dunnock singing in the gorse, which has now been overgrown with birch trees
1 Song Thrush in the same area
1 Lesser Redpoll
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, then back across Harridge Moor.
3 Goosander on Walkerwood Reservoir, a drake and two redheads, one of which looked like an immature male.
1 Lesser Redpoll at the scout hut
Higher Swineshaw
1 Buzzard
1 Grey Wagtail
A Dipper and a Peregrine were also reported earlier, but not seen by me
Plenty of Red Grouse, many paired off
Nothing at all on Harridge Moor
Brushes Valley, 8.00pm
Pair of Tawny Owls calling from the woods in the valley bottom, below Lower Swineshaw Reservoir
Also a Moorhen flying around Walkerwood Reservoir calling, at 8.45pm
Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood Dam, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
3 Raven; 2 mobbing a Buzzard over Wild Bank, the other at Higher Swineshaw
1 Buzzard
4 Red Grouse
1 Goosander over south
Several Nuthatch calling along the valley
Plenty of Great, Blue, and Coal Tits calling
Several Long-tailed Tits
Otherwise, still very quiet
Walkerwood Reservoir.
1 pair of Goosander
Brushes Valley
1 Woodcock over the old quarry at 7.01am
Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, and Dunnock singing by 7.15.
Walkerwood area, on a pleasant, if freezing, moonlit morning.
3 Tawny Owls, all in the Cock Wood area. One pair hooting and calling near to Walkerwood Dam, another male hooting tentatively further towards Brushes Reservoir. Yesterday morning, a croaky male was hooting from the country park.
1 Woodcock over from Millbrook direction, towards Brushes Cottages, at 7.17am.
Lower car park to Walkerwood dam from 10-11 this morning
3 Red Legged Partridge, 2 Red Grouse, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 3 Bullfinch, Common Buzzard, 3 Greenfinch were the highlights.
A pair of Tawny Owls were hooting and calling in the trees in the valley bottom, between Lower Swineshaw and Brushes Reservoir, at 7.00pm
The only thing of any note this morning, from Walkerwood Dam, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, was two Cormorant on Walkerwood.
1 Woodcock over Walkerwood Reservoir, from Harridge to Wild Bank, at 4.33pm
An hours wander around the country park this morning yielded little of note, other than 4 Goldcrest in with a mixed Tit flock.
First visit for the English Winter Bird Survey, from Brushes Cottages, along the Bridleway to the Carrbrook border, then back along Besom Lane, into the valley bottom.
1 Buzzard, being harassed by Jackdaw for most of the time, calling loudly.
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Kestrel
1 Raven
81 Jackdaw
2 Carrion Crows
26 Magpies
7 Jays
23 Fieldfare
16 Redwing
12 Blackbirds
4 Mistle Thrush
1 Song Thrush
29 Woodpigeon
2 Collared Doves
2 Great Tit (?!?!)
15 Blue Tits
8 Long-tailed Tits
28 House Sparrows
4 Dunnock
4 Meadow Pipits
13 Starlings
2 Wren
8 Goldfinch
2 Chaffinch
1 Greenfinch
3 Bullfinch
10 Robins
5 Mallard
1 Farm Duck
2 Moorhen
11 Pheasants
6 Red-legged Partridge
37 Black-headed Gulls
From Walkerwood Dam, up Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw, then back across Harridge Moor, in brisk, chilly conditions (to say the least )
1 Willow Tit on the feeders at Walkerwood. On Thursday morning, I heard one calling, with a mixed finch and tit flock, deeper into the country park, around half a mile away from the area of the feeders, where I usually see it. I have still only ever seen a single bird, four and a half years since my initial sighting.
Higher Swineshaw and Harridge Moor
1 Woodcock was flushed (unfortunately, given the subzero conditions), from beneath a pylon on the very top of the moor, at 10.00am.
1 Raven over, towards Carrbrook
1 Kestrel over Swineshaw Moor
4 Red Grouse flushed from Harridge Moor, flew dramatically, high over Brushes Reservoir, onto Cock Knarr, Wild Bank
1 Buzzard calling from Cock Knarr
2 Jays
A flock of 8 Redwing flew over Lower Swineshaw, towards Harridge
1 Goldcrest
2 Nuthatch
And very little else.
Walkerwood area.
1 Woodcock over the feeders, from the direction of the country park, into Cock Wood, at 7.22am
Tawny Owls hooting and calling from Cock Wood, the Country Park, and the trees lining the northern side of Walkerwood Reservoir. Difficult to put a number on them, as they are mobile. I would estimate one male in the Country Park, and up to four around Walkerwood, two males with different songs, and two females heard more or less simultaneously.
A lot of Redwing overhead most mornings, well before it is light.
Walkerwood Area.
1 Woodcock over the southern end of Walkerwood Dam, from the direction of the country park, towards Cock Wood, at 7.15.
3 Tawny Owls. Two birds hooting - in the country park, and at Cock Wood; the third calling from the trees on the northern side of the reservoir.
26 Canada Geese on the reservoir.
Along Walkerwood Reservoir.
2 Woodcock, at 7.06 and 7.10am. Both flew from the direction of Millbrook, one over the reservoir to Cock Wood, the second into the trees on the north side of Walkerwood Reservoir.
1 Tawny Owl hooting from Cock Wood
From Walkerwood Dam, up Brushes Valley, and to the far end of Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
3 Woodcock. Birds have been returning to roost at 7.00am this week, so I timed this morning to be in Brushes SBI at this hour, because on a working day, I havent enough time to get back from this far up the valley. I was rewarded with two birds flying from Walkerwood direction at 7.00, into the woods, and another at 7.05, from Lower Swineshaw, into Brushes quarry. Since the autumn influx, I have recorded them all along the valley, from the country park, as far as Lower Swineshaw.
I should have called it a day there and then. The rest of the morning was deathly, with an icy, buffeting wind from Lower Swineshaw upwards cancelling the planned return across Harridge Moor.
Higher Swineshaw.
1 Grey Wagtail
10 Red Grouse (it is a Grouse moor!)
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Blackbird
Back at Walkerwood in daylight.
A flock of c150 Fieldfare and c30 Redwing moving around, at one point chasing a pair of Kestrels, accompanied by several noisy Mistle Thrush
1 Song Thrush singing
Several Nuthatch
1 Willow Tit on the feeders, calling loudly this week
From Walkerwood Dam, as far as Brushes Cottages.
2 Woodcock, both from the direction of Cote Farm, flew along the northern side of Walkerwood Reservoir, then over towards Cock Wood, within a minute of each other, at 7.02.
12+ Blackbirds
Several Robins flying around in the dark
Walkerwood area.
2 Woodcock; one down the side of the reservoir, into the country park, at 7.01, the second over Harridge from the direction of Millbrook, across the reservoir, towards Cock Wood, two minutes later.
1 Buzzard over Harridge
1 Kestrel in its usual roost spot.
From Walkerwood Reservoir, up Brushes Valley, to Lees Hill, then back across Harridge Moor.
The first sighting was before first light, when a Buzzard soared over the woods, then across the valley, to Wild Bank
1 Woodcock, at 6.55am, into the woods on Harridge, from Walkerwood direction.
1 Jack Snipe was flushed from the edge of Boar Flat, opposite Lees Hill
1 Mandarin drake swimming with 3 Mallard, on Lower Swineshaw Reservoir
1 Kestrel at Higher Swineshaw, as well as 2 Ravens
c 25 Red Grouse, on Swineshaw and Harridge Moors
A similar number of Meadow Pipits, in the same areas
One pair of Stonechat, high up on Harridge Moor, a regular breeding site. Presumably staying the winter.
A few Redwing were in the hawthorn bushes near Walkerwood Dam, as well as a Buzzard, which had half a dozen Magpies for company.
Dave, sounds like a job for Beachcomber's Apostropher Royal.
https://www.express.co.uk/comment/beachcomber/451248/96-years-old-and-STILL-counting-apostrophes
Cheers John
Not sure whether it is my iPad, or the Activeboard?
I will move on
I have edited the post twice, but it still reverts to the original, grammatically incorrect version.
Which is really irritating.
So my apologies to all concerned
Brushes Valley, as far as Lower Swineshaw.
1 Woodcock out of the woods on Harridge, over Lower Swineshaw scout hut, at 4.55
1 Tawny Owl calling from the trees around the scout hut
1 Kestrel on a telephone wire near Brushes Cottages
Stalybridge Country Park, 10.00am - 11.45am.
Ash keys seem to be the favoured food source this week.
10 Redwing
5 Fieldfare over
10+ Blackbirds
6 Bullfinch
11 Goldfinch
Several Lesser Redpoll heard
10+ Chaffinch
1 Greenfinch
4 Coal Tits
Several Long-tailed Tits
2 Nuthatch
3 Jays
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 juvenile Kestrel at Walkerwood Dam
1 Grey Wagtail in Walkerwood overflow
Other sightings from this weeks dawn shifts.
A lot of Fieldfare and Redwing movement at first light, with flocks of up to 150 Fieldfare, and 30 Redwing overhead. There seems to be a static population of around 100 Fieldfare and 30 Redwing feeding in the general area, particularly on the Harridge side.
A Peregrine putting in a couple of appearances over Harridge
Up to 3 Kestrel over Harridge
Several Nuthatch around Brushes Valley
30+ Chaffinch down the valley shortly after dawn each morning
12 Lesser Redpoll down the valley on Monday morning
A couple of Siskin heard only around Brushes Cottages
The weeks most unusual sighting was of a Red-legged Partridge perched on the roof of Brushes Cottages at 7.00am on Monday!
--
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 8th of November 2018 09:29:12 PM
Walkerwood area, along as far as Cote Farm.
1 Peregrine over Harridge
2 Kestrels over Harridge
A pair of tumbling Ravens
c 30 Redwing feeding on berries between Walkerwood Dam and Cote Farm
c 120 Fieldfare: c 30 feeding with the Redwing, plus flocks of 70 and 30 over south
15+ Blackbirds
4 Mistle Thrush
Single flock of 70 Starlings moving around the area
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
1 Cormorant on the reservoir
Yesterday, 50+ Chaffinch made their way down the valley in dribs and drabs, between 7.00 and 7.30am. Largest flock I could make out was 13.
Walkerwood area.
c 230 Fieldfare, as follows: 150 west, 70 east, and 10 in hawthorn bushes near Walkerwood Dam
c 20 Redwing mixed in with the Fieldfare flocks
c 25 Chaffinch flew down the valley at first light
Lesser Redpoll heard
1 drake Mandarin
13 Mallard
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Kestrel
1 Grey Heron
From Walkerwood Dam, up to Wild Bank, via the rifle ranges.
1 Raven tumbling over Wild Bank
1 Peregrine briefly over Wild Bank, before heading west towards Ashton
3 Kestrels Wild Bank
The usuals around the feeders, including one Willow Tit, and several Bullfinch
Plenty of berries around, but the only thrushes seen were several Blackbirds, and one Mistle Thrush at Flaxfield.
2 Woodcock flew over Walkerwood Dam and into the Country Park at 7.18 and 7.20am, my first sighting since midsummer. Given the location, I would guess at recently arrived migrants, rather than resident birds, although it is obviously impossible to say for sure.
6 Red-legged Partridge were in the fields on Harridge, overlooking Walkerwood, on Sunday.
Walkerwood area.
Several Mistle Thrush attempting a bit of singing well before it was light; at both sides of the reservoir, and in the country park.
Last night, 2 Tawny Owls were calling, from Cock Wood and the country park, around dusk. On Monday evening, one was in the trees above the Gamekeeper's cottage.
Around the Walkerwood area, in heavy rain throughout.
1 Mandarin drake swimming with 12 Mallard
1 Cormorant
4 Mistle Thrush over
1 Chiffchaff
A very noisy group of 20+ Long-tailed Tits. I never tire of watching this species - such beautiful, delicate little birds.
6+ Goldcrest. Seems to have been an influx.
1 Lesser Redpoll
Bullfinch
Chaffinch
Good numbers of Robin and Wren
Usuals on the feeders, including Willow Tit and Nuthatch.
Around Walkerwood and Cote Farm.
1 Grey Heron
1 Buzzard over Harridge
1 Kestrel
2 Chiffchaff
5 Meadow Pipits
4 Greenfinch
4 Goldfinch
1 Lesser Redpoll
6 Mistle Thrush
On the feeders.
1 Willow Tit
Nuthatch
Great, Blue, and Coal Tits
A small flock of Redwing passed west over Walkerwood Dam at 7.20pm
2 Tawny Owls calling, from Cock Wood, and the woods above the Gamekeeper's cottage, at dusk.
Female Kestrel hunting from a telephone wire next to Walkerwood Dam just before dark.
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
A solitary Redwing dropped into the treetops around Lower Swineshaw scout hut. Seen off immediately by two Mistle Thrush.
6 Reed Bunting
15+ Meadow Pipits
1 Kestrel
Several Goldcrest calling from the woods
Nuthatch calling along the valley
Several Pied Wagtails heard around the Cock Knarr side of Brushes Reservoir at 6.30pm. This area has held a winter roost in the past.
14 Mallard on the reservoir.
Walkerwood Dam.
1 Mandarin drake
1 Grey Heron
Mallards, Canada Geese, and little else, on a gloomy morning.
Walkerwood Dam.
1 drake Mandarin
4 Mallard
20 Canada Geese
2 singing Chiffchaff
8 Chaffinch over west
-- Edited by Stuart Pike on Saturday 29th of September 2018 07:18:46 PM
Wild Bank SBI, taking in Hobson Moor.
2 Stonechat, my first of 2018 in the area, following the disappearance this year of the regular breeding pair. These appeared to be a first year male and female.
100+ Meadow Pipits
c 25 Skylark, the majority of which dropped in from the north around 10 o'clock
1 Linnet over south
1 Buzzard
1 Red Grouse
2 Ravens were on the pylons at Walkerwood earlier.
Around Wild Bank Hill, and Hobson Moor. Majority of sightings in Wild Bank SBI, hence this thread.
1 female / juvenile Merlin low over the moor from the direction of the Trig Point, down Gallows Clough, having a go at flushed Meadow Pipits
150+ Meadow Pipits, everywhere this morning
10+ Skylarks
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker perched up on a pylon, on top of the moor, called, then flew off southwest.
1 Rook
1 Little Owl
Also stumbled across a Lesser Spotted Roger Baker, loitering on Hobson Moor Road.
Walkerwood Dam.
1 drake Mandarin on the reservoir
3 Grey Herons
Chiffchaff singing
Several Nuthatch calling
Otherwise quiet
Walkerwood Dam.
1 Kingfisher, again on the depth marker posts
2 Cormorant
3 Grey Herons
38 Canada Geese
7 Mallard
1 Willow Tit, in a small mixed flock
6 Bullfinch
6+ noisy Jays
1 Kestrel over Harridge
Walkerwood Dam.
1 Kingfisher on the exposed depth gauge posts near the dam. Only ever an occasional record here - almost always in September.
4 Grey Herons
3 Grey Wagtails
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Willow Tit
2 Nuthatch
1 Chiffchaff singing
Lesser Redpoll over
Walkerwood area.
House Martins started moving over Walkerwood Reservoir at 6.55, pausing , then heading roughly south west. A rough estimate would be 150, with about 10 Swallows mixed in. Still birds passing through as I left.
3 Grey Herons
1 Cormorant
A flock of c 20 Goldfinch
1 Grey Wagtail
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 5th of September 2018 07:57:03 AM
Walkerwood area.
A mixed flock of Hirundines moved through south west, and consisted of roughly:
60 Swallows
40 House Martins
1 Swift
5 Lesser Redpoll were moving around the dam area
From Walkerwood, to Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill.
Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
1 Tufted Duck,
c 20 Linnet feeding around the dam
2 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
c 30 Meadow Pipits
1 juvenile Stonechat feeding on the dam banking. Pair of adults at Lees Hill.
2 Buzzards over the moor
1 Kestrel
Chiffchaff singing between Higher and Lower Swineshaw Reservoirs
Walkerwood area.
1 Cormorant
2 Grey Herons
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
Nuthatch are very much in evidence around the feeders
1 Willow Tit also on the feeders
A lot of very noisy Jays around at present
From Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, then back across Harridge Moor, in intermittent drizzly rain.
Harridge Moor.
1 Wheatear
1 Whinchat
2 juvenile Stonechat
2 Ravens on the pylons
1 male Reed Bunting at Higher Swineshaw
1 male Stonechat plus juvenile at Lees Hill
Nuthatch at Brushes Cottages, and Walkerwood
Great Spotted Woodpecker at Walkerwood
A Buzzard over Wild Bank, and one at Brushes Valley
1 Cormorant on Walkerwood Reservoir
1 Spotted Flycatcher, feeding amongst Willowherb and Himalayan Balsam, next to Walkerwood Dam
2 juvenile Grey Wagtails in Walkerwood overflow
c 15 Swallows around Walkerwood Dam, some feeding juveniles in flight
1 Cormorant on Brushes Reservoir
5 Kestrels noisily together over Harridge
8 redhead Goosander on Brushes Reservoir
1 juvenile Grey Heron on Brushes shoreline
1 Cormorant flew off Walkerwood Reservoir at 6.45
1 Kestrel on the wires by Walkerwood
Around Wild Bank, and Hollingworthhall Moor, in a gusty wind.
1 Wheatear moving along the moor edge, on the Hobson Moor side of the hill, was the highlight of a desperately quiet morning.
10 Swallows feeding over the moor
15+ Meadow Pipits
8 redhead Goosander still present at 7.30am, tucked into the far eastern corner of Walkerwood Reservoir.
Couple of Chiffchaff singing
Goosander. 8 redheads landed on Walkerwood Res at 20.30 hrs.
Sparrowhawk. 2.
Buzzard being harassed by a pair of Ravens over Brushes Res.
Roger.