Quail still singing western edge of field 25 at 12:00.
Jeff Clarke said
Tue Jun 25 6:31 PM, 2019
Quail singing briefly NW Corner of field 25 at 18:30
Pete Hines said
Sun Jun 23 1:44 PM, 2019
Kingfisher 1 flew across F32
Roger Halsey said
Sun Jun 23 9:28 AM, 2019
I likewise failed on the quest to see/hear the Quail yesterday, but did manage a very creditable 11 Yellowhammer in a circuit around Dark Lane and Sinderland Road.
phillipskelly said
Sat Jun 22 7:17 PM, 2019
This afternoon :-
Blackcap - 3 ( one seen + two heard). Whitethroat - 9. Willow tit - 1. Chiffchaff - 1 heard. Skylark - 1 only. Yellowhammer - 3 + 2 heard. Buzzard - 2. Lapwing - 5. Swallow - 1. Unfortunately didn't hear Quail in F10. And 4 young Great tit on feeders just past and right of the gate cabin , bottom of Isherwood rd. Placed there by security guard,and apparently another somewhere near Mutd entrance.
Jeff Clarke said
Fri Jun 21 8:19 AM, 2019
Quail singing SE corner of field 10 near bridge.
Jeff Clarke said
Tue Jun 18 7:59 AM, 2019
Quail singing north west corner of field 25 (near pylon), also willow tit.
-- Edited by Jeff Clarke on Tuesday 18th of June 2019 08:27:06 AM
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu May 9 5:35 PM, 2019
Forgot 3 singing Yellowhammers.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu May 9 1:39 PM, 2019
Am walk around the North of Moss.
Wheatear 2 females...F4. Ringed Plover 3,also on F4. Yellow Wagtail 1 heard only. Rook 50+ Linnet 2 Chaffinch 5 singing. Blackcap 2 singing. Whitethroat 7 singing. Swallow 1 Skylark 5 singing. Buzzard 1 Lapwing 2 in fields and 6+ on industrial site. Bullfinch 1 male in orchard. Stock Dove 2 etc.
Nick Hilton said
Sun May 5 8:59 AM, 2019
Highlights of my BTO Breeding Bird Survey on Carrington Moss this morning were a pair of Grey Partridge and a handful of Tree Sparrow in the Sinderland Road area. Blackcap, Skylark and Whitethroat numbers seemed good. Only one pair of Willow Warbler found (and they were off survey).
Off survey, F4 held two Wheatear and a Linnet feeding amongst the new crop shoots.
Matt Potter said
Thu May 2 2:32 PM, 2019
I thought I saw a possible Nightjar being chased by a Magpie along Dark Lane this afternoon, viewed from the bus stop layby. It was a very quick glimpse but definately flying low to the ground with wings 'up' and a flash of a white patch. It was only a very quick sighting but my initial thought was Nightjar. I'll try and get down there again to look, and go in the evening when churring could be possible.
Steven Nelson said
Tue Apr 16 9:06 PM, 2019
17.00-17.30
Field 4 and adjacent paths- Just 1 Ringed Plover 2 Wheatear - both male 2 Blackcap 1 Willow Warbler 1 Chiffchaff 1 Buzzard 2 Yellowhammer 2 Skylark 4 Lapwing 3 Stock Dove Also thought I heard a Yellow Wagtail overhead briefly but couldnt locate it.
Lots of Sand Martins, Swallows and 2 House Martins viewable over ETW
Pair of Teal on Sinderland Brook
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Mon Apr 15 6:14 PM, 2019
A morning walk from Isherwood Road around the north of the Moss.
Ringed Plover 15 on F4...never seen that before! Lapwing 18 on F4. Wheatear 1 female F4. Sparrowhawk 1 female. Buzzard 1 Yellowhammer 2 singing plus 14. Skylark 5 singing plus 8. Mistle Thrush 1 Swallow 1 Willow Warbler 2 singing. Blackcap 7 singing. Chiffchaff 4 singing. Chaffinch 1 singing plus 3.
Industrial Site:
Linnet 20+ Lapwing 10 Skylark 1 singing.
Steve Collins said
Tue Mar 19 3:31 PM, 2019
A walk down Townsend Farm Lane produced my first Swallow of the year on the wires by the farm and the beginning of the road. Also 2 Chiffchaffs seen & heard singing. A Yellowhammer was on some seed along the side of the road. 2 Little Egrets were on the Brook to the left when stood on the bridge. A flock of around 20 Redwing still around and plenty of Skylarks singing in the fields. One of those good feeling walks on a sunny day!
phillipskelly said
Sun Mar 17 8:11 PM, 2019
Little Egret - 4 in fld 67adjacent Sinderland brook. Common Buzzard - 3 . Chiffchaff - 2 heard only. Lots of Long-tail Long-tail tit about. I couldn't get all 4 Little Egret in a Phone-scope shot so please excuse the the white blobs in the mobile phone pic. Birds seen from Dark lane.
Four Little Egrets today, Brookheys Lane, in the fields between the farm/cattery and Sinderland Brook.
They got up from one side of the lane and flew over to the other side and settled again.
Steve Collins said
Tue Feb 26 1:47 PM, 2019
Little Egret on farmland next to Sinderland Brook by Brookheys Covert.
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Tuesday 26th of February 2019 01:48:16 PM
Richard Would said
Thu Jan 24 4:55 PM, 2019
Couple of Bramblings among finch flocks yesterday.
There was one (maybe two) with a small flock of 30/40 Chaffinches in trees around field 9
Also one (maybe two) with larger flock of about 200 Linnets and Chaffinches in trees and hedges around field 63
Plus female Bullfinch and the usual.
phillipskelly said
Sun Jan 20 8:50 PM, 2019
This afternoon ,short walk from F4 to Flare stack,dull but quiet :- Stonechat - 1. Stock Dove - 45. Chaffinch - c20. Goldfinch - 10. Treecreeper - 2 (a short distance apart). Goldcrest - 1 . Robin - 2. Long -tail tit - c20. Grey Partridge - 8.. Buzzard - 1. Tawny Owl - 1 (seen at 4pm ish) .
Meadow pipit - 15.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Sunday 20th of January 2019 08:51:55 PM
Jeff Clarke said
Fri Jan 4 12:48 PM, 2019
Sinderland green woods 2 little egrets, there was also one here on new years eve.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Dec 30 2:58 PM, 2018
A flock of 220 Fieldfare were feeding on the pitches at Sale Sharks training ground this morning. Singing Goldcrest and Willow Tit were also around the public footpath on the western side of the pitches.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Dec 17 12:48 PM, 2018
Yesterday at Sale Sharks training ground at Carrington, singles of both Goldcrest and Willow Tit were singing, plus several Fieldfare moving about the small copses around the pitches.
phillipskelly said
Tue Nov 13 4:12 PM, 2018
First thing I saw today was the mature Hawthorn hedge - ridding stables/F5 has been severely flailed to 15ft leaving only a few berries near the top. Also the Hawthorn hedge along F4 to Orchard ,has also been flailed (side and top)as well ...... No birds at either hedge. Very quiet elsewhere
F10 - Rook c200. F21/22 - Meadow Pipit c50.
Sub-station opp. Shell pool gates on two Sobus trees were :- Redwing..... c50. Feildfare....... 2. Bullfinch........ 1f. Chaffinch........ 2.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Fri Oct 19 6:00 PM, 2018
PM walk from Isherwood Road to ETW, then return to walk behind the Shell Pool.
Linnet 10+ Yellowhammer 10+ Stonechat 1m 1f along path between F4 and F12. Grey Wagtail 2 Chaffinch 10+ Skylark 5 Goldcrest 1 Greenfinch 3 Rooks/Jackdaws/Crows/Woodpigeons. etc.
phillipskelly said
Tue Oct 9 2:07 PM, 2018
From 10.30 - 12.30pm. (Sunny but Very Windy). F5 Chaffinch - 5 . F4 Skylark - c40 (flushed by kestrel ). Kestrel - 1 f. F2 Pied Wagtail - 19. Skylark - 27. Carrion Crow - 37. Rook - 5. Buzzard - 2 over. Hedge between F12/13. Stonechat - 1f. F25 Buzzard - 1 over .
phillipskelly said
Sun Oct 7 9:11 PM, 2018
This afternoon :- Rear of Birch Moss covert F22 horse paddock - 29 Pied Wagtail. -1 Buzzard heard calling. After the opening ( thinning) up of BM covert a few years ago the area is now inaccessible due to growth of fern and bramble around the perimeter and a distant view of the interior shows aggressive colonisation by Birch , Willow and Alder trees. Rear Brookheyes farm :- Goldfinch flock - c20. Collard Dove - 23. Buzzard - 1. Kestrel - 1. On my way back passing F2 (@ 3:30 pm ) ploughed field :- Starling - 2 Meadow Pipit - 3. Linnet - 4. Chaffinch - 2. Yellowhammer - 1 plus 1 other near MUTD training ground. Pied Wagtail - 36 . Skylark - 63.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Oct 7 8:45 PM, 2018
A single Redwing SW over Sale Sharks training ground at 09:45 this morning.
Three little egrets flying south-west over sinderland green at 08:20. Also 3 hobbies (1 ad, 2 juv) north side of field 26.
Paul Heaton said
Thu Sep 13 10:36 PM, 2018
WOW, thats a cool find in a garden , I was just talking to a welsh inspector about shearwaters yesterday, lets hope it managed to get back up into the air
Pete Hines said
Thu Sep 13 10:03 PM, 2018
Pete Hines wrote:
I have only just seen this posted on the Friends of Carrington Moss Facebook page. A Manx Shearwater was in a Partington garden last night (12-09-18) but not today. There are 3 photographs. These are the links to best two for Facebook users.
Reading into the thread it seems the bird had a damaged wing and was placed on a pond somewhere. Still awaiting permission to share photo's for the benefit of those not on social media.
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Thursday 13th of September 2018 09:38:41 PM
I now have permission to share photographs. The bird was released at a large pond in a large field in Warburton last night (I don't know anymore than that and don't wish to pursue the lady for more information)
I have only just seen this posted on the Friends of Carrington Moss Facebook page. A Manx Shearwater was in a Partington garden last night (12-09-18) but not today. There are 3 photographs. These are the links to best two for Facebook users.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=693819424319258&set=pcb.235940133933074&type=3&theater&ifg
Reading into the thread it seems the bird had a damaged wing and was placed on a pond somewhere. Still awaiting permission to share photo's for the benefit of those not on social media.
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Thursday 13th of September 2018 09:38:41 PM
Nick Hilton said
Sat Aug 25 10:53 AM, 2018
Late pm yesterday, 3 Buzzard and a Kestrel were the highlights around F2.
Genuinely surprised the peat is actually burning in a couple of locations around F2/the old Orchard. The ground has collapsed in a couple of places. I don't recall seeing this before on Carrington Moss. The farmer was out with a water bowser damping everything down. I assume it commenced in the dry spell but just goes to show you the length of time it will burn even with the abundant rain we have had in the last couple of weeks.
phillipskelly said
Fri Aug 17 3:10 PM, 2018
very late post for Sunday 12.08.18
As I arrived via Isherwood rd.at 1pm ,I could hear shotguns being used nearby . I found the shooters hide, the spinning Woodpigeon decoys and their vehicle in field 12/14 with the pylon in it. Nothing was about, everywhere quiet as the grave . I headed towards Swiss cottage farm and the trans pennine trail . This was futile only 2 Common Buzzard, 30 Starling and 4 juvenile Chiffchaff about. On my return home I mentioned the shooters on Facebook - Friends of Carrington moss. The reply was quite a surprise !!! They contacted HIMOR who will be speaking to the farm concerned and will have a talk with the company doing the shooting. The Police are also involved as public footpaths were close to the shoot. Any further occurrences should be reported to police on 101. I hope this episode hasn't done to much damage to this part of the moss as there is shooting elsewhere on it.
Jeff Clarke said
Mon Jul 2 12:25 PM, 2018
Yellow wagtails successfully fledged field 25 with at least 5 juveniles on manure heap near to pylon in NW corner of f25.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Fri Jun 8 6:06 PM, 2018
Isherwood Rd. to ETW, then old railway, right to training ground, left at crossroads to F1, then return at rear of Basell site and Shell Pool.
Whitethroat 9 singing plus 1f. Chiffchaff 5 singing. Chaffinch 7 singing. Mistle Thrush 2 Song Thrush 6 singing. Buzzard 3 Skylark 5 singing. Lapwing 6 Blackcap 7 singing plus 1f. Yellowhammer 4 singing. Linnet 1 singing plus 5. Willow Warbler 1 singing. Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Pied Wagtail 2adults 1 juv. Reed Bunting 1 singing. Greenfinch 2 singing. Bullfinch 4 Swallow 6+ and finally in F11, 1 Yellow Wagtail heard. etc.
As is usual at this time of year, returned with about 6 bites/lumps and 1 Cleg or whatever actually got some blood, so my next visit will be September!
Jeff Clarke said
Sat May 12 10:42 AM, 2018
Possible hybrid Tree x House Sparrow this morning 10 am. Generally looked like a male House Sparrow but with a complete chestnut crown. White cheeks but without Tree Sparrow muttonchops. Call as House Sparrow. Seen near Sinderland Green at a location where Tree Sparrows sometimes occur, but it is some distance from the nearest farm and I do not recall ever having recorded House Sparrow there.
Sean Greatbanks said
Sat May 5 6:11 PM, 2018
Beautiful day out on the Moss today - virtually had the place to myself too.
Highlights:
5 wheatear in F4
yellowhammer at seemingly ever corner with 22 counted at least
possible corn bunting but didn't get close enough to definitively rule out y/hammer (are corn bunting still possible at this site out of interest?)
20+ linnet
pair whitethroat and two others heard
singing chiffchaff in almost all suitable areas
1 willow warbler singing near narrow track path between F1 and F10 (I think.. still getting to grips with the numbered fields!)
pair blackcap
2 pheasant
16 stock dove
3 buzzard
1 sparrowhawk
1 kestrel
No whinchat for me...
BUT the three yellow wagtail 1f and 2m more than made up for it! The two males put on a spectacular aerial fight display lasting around 15 minutes. Brilliant birding moment! Coming from the bridge over Sinderland brook heading north and taking the narrow track first on the right. They were about 10 minutes along in the narrow dry field on the left hand side. The much larger field to the right is already cultivated. Not sure of the numbered location but certainly quite close to Brookheys Farm and just before the field with horses/sheep.
phillipskelly said
Fri May 4 5:01 PM, 2018
Today from 12.15 - 3.30 pm F5 (workmen still doing drainage work) . Buzzard - 1 (on distant pylon). Wheatear - 3. Grey Partridge - 2. Whitethroat - 1.
F4 (now mostly ploughed with wet areas ). Wheatear - 8. Skylark - 3. Buzzard - 3. Stock Dove - 2. Mallard - 2.
No Whinchat seen , but nice to meet Cedric (Green Jag Man) on the way back .
Andy Bissitt said
Thu May 3 9:17 PM, 2018
With the Stockport area seemingly within a migrant force-wall, this was like a blast of fresh air. Best were 2 whinchat males in all their finery, with 2 wheatears, and a pair of whitethroats as well as 2/3 other songsters. Other than these I had forgotten how good yellowhammers look as I haven't been to an area that holds them for ages. I saw 10+, and also linnets were well represented with at least 15 seen. 18 stock doves were counted. All these were within the area bounded by the MUFC approach road to the east and the old rail line to the west (adjacent to the nature reserve compound), but didn't do the whole area. As the butterflies were also on show, I will return when the sun really shines (not like today). One other thing. Is it just me, or are chiffchaffs much reduced this year? Nowhere near as many everywhere I've been so far in 2018.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Thursday 3rd of May 2018 09:37:04 PM
Nick Hilton said
Sun Apr 29 8:33 AM, 2018
Highlights of yesterday mornings early visit for the BTO's Breeding Bird Survey included 6 Tree Sparrow and a pair of Linnet.
Highlights not on the survey route included 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat and 2 Grey Partridge in F4. And 2 Grey Partridge in F11.
Field 12 3 Wheatear. Field 4 6 Skylarks Crossroads of 11/10 Yellow Wagtail briefly on telephone wires, then disappeared never to return. Almost every field I passed held Skylarks. End of ditch that runs parallel to footpath adjacent to Shell NR, pair of Blackcap.
Yellowhammers were in big numbers to compared to last time I was on the Moss.....
Nick Hilton said
Tue Apr 3 9:13 PM, 2018
There are no Rook nests in Hogswood Covert this year, I don't recall the last year this occurred (has there been disturbance I wonder??).
There are circa 6 in Brookheys Covert but the majority, circa 40, are in the small wood adjacent to Brookheys Farm
steven burke said
Mon Apr 2 12:55 PM, 2018
Green sandpiper feeding on small pool of water in f32.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Apr 1 8:28 PM, 2018
Green Sandpiper on field 32 today
Info thanks to Tony O'Mahony
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Sat Mar 31 9:31 PM, 2018
Walk from Shell Pool around northern fields to Altrincham ETW.
Peregrine 1 over industrial site adjoining Shell Pool. Also... Buzzard 1 Grey Heron 1 Lapwing 12 Pied Wagtail 1m. Couldn't see any Ringed Plover through the fence.
Moss:
Brambling 1 on it's own. Linnet 5 Skylark 1 singing plus 9. Yellowhammer 3 Kestrel 1f. Stock Dove 10+ Lapwing 4 etc.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 26 4:36 PM, 2018
2 Wheatear by the flare north of field 2.
Info thanks to Tony O’Mahony
Simon Gough said
Sat Mar 24 7:43 PM, 2018
Chris Chandler and I had a walk around the Brookheys Covert sort of area this lunchtime having walked up from Dunham Massey. We got to Sinderland Lane about 1130 and walked up the path opposite Whitehouse Lane, up to the point where F25, F27, F10 and F11 meet and then back around the back of Brookheys Farm and back down to the main road.
Some great little vignettes; 40+ Yellowhammers in the hedge at the top of F25 was really great, 60+ Fieldfares in F32 and also as suggested by Jeff below, a Little Egret was pottering around the farm paddocks. There were at least 4 Buzzards up in the air including one doing display stoops and dives and I also liked the Rookery. Nothing spectacular but really nice birding.
Pete Hines said
Fri Mar 16 2:10 PM, 2018
There is a finch flock of 250+birds moving between F4 and F13 Chaffinch 230+, Brambling 6+, Reed Bunting 6+ Yellowhammer 8+ Fieldfare c300 mobile F12 Skylark 3 (1 in song F4) Chiffchaff 1 singing from the Shell pond Oystercatcher 1 at the Shell pond
Quail still singing western edge of field 25 at 12:00.
Quail singing briefly NW Corner of field 25 at 18:30
I likewise failed on the quest to see/hear the Quail yesterday, but did manage a very creditable 11 Yellowhammer in a circuit around Dark Lane and Sinderland Road.
Blackcap - 3 ( one seen + two heard).
Whitethroat - 9.
Willow tit - 1.
Chiffchaff - 1 heard.
Skylark - 1 only.
Yellowhammer - 3 + 2 heard.
Buzzard - 2.
Lapwing - 5.
Swallow - 1.
Unfortunately didn't hear Quail in F10.
And 4 young Great tit on feeders just past and right of the gate cabin , bottom of Isherwood rd.
Placed there by security guard,and apparently another somewhere near Mutd entrance.
Quail singing SE corner of field 10 near bridge.
Quail singing north west corner of field 25 (near pylon), also willow tit.
-- Edited by Jeff Clarke on Tuesday 18th of June 2019 08:27:06 AM
Wheatear 2 females...F4.
Ringed Plover 3,also on F4.
Yellow Wagtail 1 heard only.
Rook 50+
Linnet 2
Chaffinch 5 singing.
Blackcap 2 singing.
Whitethroat 7 singing.
Swallow 1
Skylark 5 singing.
Buzzard 1
Lapwing 2 in fields and 6+ on industrial site.
Bullfinch 1 male in orchard.
Stock Dove 2
etc.
Highlights of my BTO Breeding Bird Survey on Carrington Moss this morning were a pair of Grey Partridge and a handful of Tree Sparrow in the Sinderland Road area. Blackcap, Skylark and Whitethroat numbers seemed good. Only one pair of Willow Warbler found (and they were off survey).
Off survey, F4 held two Wheatear and a Linnet feeding amongst the new crop shoots.
I thought I saw a possible Nightjar being chased by a Magpie along Dark Lane this afternoon, viewed from the bus stop layby. It was a very quick glimpse but definately flying low to the ground with wings 'up' and a flash of a white patch. It was only a very quick sighting but my initial thought was Nightjar. I'll try and get down there again to look, and go in the evening when churring could be possible.
Field 4 and adjacent paths-
Just 1 Ringed Plover
2 Wheatear - both male
2 Blackcap
1 Willow Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
1 Buzzard
2 Yellowhammer
2 Skylark
4 Lapwing
3 Stock Dove
Also thought I heard a Yellow Wagtail overhead briefly but couldnt locate it.
Lots of Sand Martins, Swallows and 2 House Martins viewable over ETW
Pair of Teal on Sinderland Brook
Ringed Plover 15 on F4...never seen that before!
Lapwing 18 on F4.
Wheatear 1 female F4.
Sparrowhawk 1 female.
Buzzard 1
Yellowhammer 2 singing plus 14.
Skylark 5 singing plus 8.
Mistle Thrush 1
Swallow 1
Willow Warbler 2 singing.
Blackcap 7 singing.
Chiffchaff 4 singing.
Chaffinch 1 singing plus 3.
Industrial Site:
Linnet 20+
Lapwing 10
Skylark 1 singing.
A Yellowhammer was on some seed along the side of the road.
2 Little Egrets were on the Brook to the left when stood on the bridge.
A flock of around 20 Redwing still around and plenty of Skylarks singing in the fields.
One of those good feeling walks on a sunny day!
Common Buzzard - 3 .
Chiffchaff - 2 heard only.
Lots of Long-tail Long-tail tit about.
I couldn't get all 4 Little Egret in a Phone-scope shot so please excuse the the white blobs in the mobile phone pic.
Birds seen from Dark lane.
Four Little Egrets today, Brookheys Lane, in the fields between the farm/cattery and Sinderland Brook.
They got up from one side of the lane and flew over to the other side and settled again.
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Tuesday 26th of February 2019 01:48:16 PM
Couple of Bramblings among finch flocks yesterday.
There was one (maybe two) with a small flock of 30/40 Chaffinches in trees around field 9
Also one (maybe two) with larger flock of about 200 Linnets and Chaffinches in trees and hedges around field 63
Plus female Bullfinch and the usual.
Stonechat - 1.
Stock Dove - 45.
Chaffinch - c20.
Goldfinch - 10.
Treecreeper - 2 (a short distance apart).
Goldcrest - 1 .
Robin - 2.
Long -tail tit - c20.
Grey Partridge - 8..
Buzzard - 1.
Tawny Owl - 1 (seen at 4pm ish) . Meadow pipit - 15.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Sunday 20th of January 2019 08:51:55 PM
A flock of 220 Fieldfare were feeding on the pitches at Sale Sharks training ground this morning. Singing Goldcrest and Willow Tit were also around the public footpath on the western side of the pitches.
Yesterday at Sale Sharks training ground at Carrington, singles of both Goldcrest and Willow Tit were singing, plus several Fieldfare moving about the small copses around the pitches.
Also the Hawthorn hedge along F4 to Orchard ,has also been flailed (side and top)as well ...... No birds at either hedge.
Very quiet elsewhere
F10 - Rook c200.
F21/22 - Meadow Pipit c50.
Sub-station opp. Shell pool gates on two Sobus trees were :-
Redwing..... c50.
Feildfare....... 2.
Bullfinch........ 1f.
Chaffinch........ 2.
Linnet 10+
Yellowhammer 10+
Stonechat 1m 1f along path between F4 and F12.
Grey Wagtail 2
Chaffinch 10+
Skylark 5
Goldcrest 1
Greenfinch 3
Rooks/Jackdaws/Crows/Woodpigeons.
etc.
F5 Chaffinch - 5 .
F4 Skylark - c40 (flushed by kestrel ).
Kestrel - 1 f.
F2 Pied Wagtail - 19.
Skylark - 27.
Carrion Crow - 37.
Rook - 5.
Buzzard - 2 over.
Hedge between F12/13.
Stonechat - 1f.
F25 Buzzard - 1 over .
Rear of Birch Moss covert F22 horse paddock - 29 Pied Wagtail.
-1 Buzzard heard calling.
After the opening ( thinning) up of BM covert a few years ago the area is now inaccessible due to growth of fern and bramble around the perimeter and a distant view of the interior shows aggressive colonisation by Birch , Willow and Alder trees.
Rear Brookheyes farm :-
Goldfinch flock - c20.
Collard Dove - 23.
Buzzard - 1.
Kestrel - 1.
On my way back passing F2 (@ 3:30 pm ) ploughed field :-
Starling - 2
Meadow Pipit - 3.
Linnet - 4.
Chaffinch - 2.
Yellowhammer - 1 plus 1 other near MUTD training ground.
Pied Wagtail - 36 .
Skylark - 63.
A single Redwing SW over Sale Sharks training ground at 09:45 this morning.
F2 - circa 30 Skylark, 50 Pied Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipit, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldfinch
F4 - 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel
Three little egrets flying south-west over sinderland green at 08:20. Also 3 hobbies (1 ad, 2 juv) north side of field 26.
WOW, thats a cool find in a garden , I was just talking to a welsh inspector about shearwaters yesterday, lets hope it managed to get back up into the air
I now have permission to share photographs. The bird was released at a large pond in a large field in Warburton last night (I don't know anymore than that and don't wish to pursue the lady for more information)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=693819350985932&set=pcb.235940133933074&type=3&theater&ifg=1
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=693819424319258&set=pcb.235940133933074&type=3&theater&ifg Reading into the thread it seems the bird had a damaged wing and was placed on a pond somewhere. Still awaiting permission to share photo's for the benefit of those not on social media.
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Thursday 13th of September 2018 09:38:41 PM
Genuinely surprised the peat is actually burning in a couple of locations around F2/the old Orchard. The ground has collapsed in a couple of places. I don't recall seeing this before on Carrington Moss. The farmer was out with a water bowser damping everything down. I assume it commenced in the dry spell but just goes to show you the length of time it will burn even with the abundant rain we have had in the last couple of weeks.
As I arrived via Isherwood rd.at 1pm ,I could hear shotguns being used nearby . I found the shooters hide, the spinning Woodpigeon decoys and their vehicle in field 12/14 with the pylon in it.
Nothing was about, everywhere quiet as the grave .
I headed towards Swiss cottage farm and the trans pennine trail . This was futile only 2 Common Buzzard, 30 Starling and 4 juvenile Chiffchaff about.
On my return home I mentioned the shooters on Facebook - Friends of Carrington moss.
The reply was quite a surprise !!!
They contacted HIMOR who will be speaking to the farm concerned and will have a talk with the company doing the shooting. The Police are also involved as public footpaths were close to the shoot.
Any further occurrences should be reported to police on 101.
I hope this episode hasn't done to much damage to this part of the moss as there is shooting elsewhere on it.
Yellow wagtails successfully fledged field 25 with at least 5 juveniles on manure heap near to pylon in NW corner of f25.
Whitethroat 9 singing plus 1f.
Chiffchaff 5 singing.
Chaffinch 7 singing.
Mistle Thrush 2
Song Thrush 6 singing.
Buzzard 3
Skylark 5 singing.
Lapwing 6
Blackcap 7 singing plus 1f.
Yellowhammer 4 singing.
Linnet 1 singing plus 5.
Willow Warbler 1 singing.
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Pied Wagtail 2adults 1 juv.
Reed Bunting 1 singing.
Greenfinch 2 singing.
Bullfinch 4
Swallow 6+
and finally in F11, 1 Yellow Wagtail heard.
etc.
As is usual at this time of year, returned with about 6 bites/lumps and 1 Cleg or whatever actually got some blood, so my next visit will be September!
Possible hybrid Tree x House Sparrow this morning 10 am. Generally looked like a male House Sparrow but with a complete chestnut crown. White cheeks but without Tree Sparrow muttonchops. Call as House Sparrow. Seen near Sinderland Green at a location where Tree Sparrows sometimes occur, but it is some distance from the nearest farm and I do not recall ever having recorded House Sparrow there.
Beautiful day out on the Moss today - virtually had the place to myself too.
Highlights:
5 wheatear in F4
yellowhammer at seemingly ever corner with 22 counted at least
possible corn bunting but didn't get close enough to definitively rule out y/hammer (are corn bunting still possible at this site out of interest?)
20+ linnet
pair whitethroat and two others heard
singing chiffchaff in almost all suitable areas
1 willow warbler singing near narrow track path between F1 and F10 (I think.. still getting to grips with the numbered fields!)
pair blackcap
2 pheasant
16 stock dove
3 buzzard
1 sparrowhawk
1 kestrel
No whinchat for me...
BUT the three yellow wagtail 1f and 2m more than made up for it! The two males put on a spectacular aerial fight display lasting around 15 minutes. Brilliant birding moment! Coming from the bridge over Sinderland brook heading north and taking the narrow track first on the right. They were about 10 minutes along in the narrow dry field on the left hand side. The much larger field to the right is already cultivated. Not sure of the numbered location but certainly quite close to Brookheys Farm and just before the field with horses/sheep.
F5 (workmen still doing drainage work) .
Buzzard - 1 (on distant pylon).
Wheatear - 3.
Grey Partridge - 2.
Whitethroat - 1.
F4 (now mostly ploughed with wet areas ).
Wheatear - 8.
Skylark - 3.
Buzzard - 3.
Stock Dove - 2.
Mallard - 2.
Shell pool .
Chiffchaff - 1 heard only.
F1 (being ploughed).
Wheatear - 1.
Linnet - 2.
Whitethroat - 1.
Elsewhere .
Yellowhammer - 11.
Whitethroat - 5.
No Whinchat seen , but nice to meet Cedric (Green Jag Man) on the way back .
With the Stockport area seemingly within a migrant force-wall, this was like a blast of fresh air. Best were 2 whinchat males in all their finery, with 2 wheatears, and a pair of whitethroats as well as 2/3 other songsters. Other than these I had forgotten how good yellowhammers look as I haven't been to an area that holds them for ages. I saw 10+, and also linnets were well represented with at least 15 seen. 18 stock doves were counted. All these were within the area bounded by the MUFC approach road to the east and the old rail line to the west (adjacent to the nature reserve compound), but didn't do the whole area. As the butterflies were also on show, I will return when the sun really shines (not like today). One other thing. Is it just me, or are chiffchaffs much reduced this year? Nowhere near as many everywhere I've been so far in 2018.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Thursday 3rd of May 2018 09:37:04 PM
Highlights not on the survey route included 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat and 2 Grey Partridge in F4. And 2 Grey Partridge in F11.
Buzzard - 1.
Wheatear - 8 (at least).
Grey Partridge - 2.
Stock Dove - 2.
Pied Wagtail - 4.
Pheasant - 4.
Elsewhere ......
Yellowhammer - 15.
Linnet - 21.
Skylark - 2.
Stock Dove - 5.
Chiffchaff - 1.
Whitethroat - 1.
Chaffinch - 2.
Robin - 1.
Field 12 3 Wheatear.
Field 4 6 Skylarks
Crossroads of 11/10 Yellow Wagtail briefly on telephone wires, then disappeared never to return.
Almost every field I passed held Skylarks.
End of ditch that runs parallel to footpath adjacent to Shell NR, pair of Blackcap.
Yellowhammers were in big numbers to compared to last time I was on the Moss.....
There are circa 6 in Brookheys Covert but the majority, circa 40, are in the small wood adjacent to Brookheys Farm
Green Sandpiper on field 32 today
Info thanks to Tony O'Mahony
Peregrine 1 over industrial site adjoining Shell Pool. Also...
Buzzard 1
Grey Heron 1
Lapwing 12
Pied Wagtail 1m.
Couldn't see any Ringed Plover through the fence.
Moss:
Brambling 1 on it's own.
Linnet 5
Skylark 1 singing plus 9.
Yellowhammer 3
Kestrel 1f.
Stock Dove 10+
Lapwing 4
etc.
2 Wheatear by the flare north of field 2.
Info thanks to Tony O’Mahony
Some great little vignettes; 40+ Yellowhammers in the hedge at the top of F25 was really great, 60+ Fieldfares in F32 and also as suggested by Jeff below, a Little Egret was pottering around the farm paddocks. There were at least 4 Buzzards up in the air including one doing display stoops and dives and I also liked the Rookery. Nothing spectacular but really nice birding.
Chaffinch 230+,
Brambling 6+,
Reed Bunting 6+
Yellowhammer 8+
Fieldfare c300 mobile F12
Skylark 3 (1 in song F4)
Chiffchaff 1 singing from the Shell pond
Oystercatcher 1 at the Shell pond