34 Crossbill at Binn Green at 0730 this morning, to the left of the car park.

maybe this,ll help the crossbills were on the same level of ground over to the left as you reach the first set of steps,but you can go down and back up when you see them from the road below,dave from bury gave us the wood warblers location as follows down the first steps through 1 stone stile, cross the road through a wooden gate follow the path till your overlooking the resi.(spell check)and it was flirting about in the pine trees.also worth noting the crossbills were silent and busy feeding I thought i was watching two or three till they all took to the air,and it was early 7ish 8ish when we saw them.best of luck

wearing clogs is good for your feet Geoff
p.s. if any hillbillys need any help in our flatlands use your mobile before the banjo,s get yer

We were there from 3.30pm on Sunday and couldn't find ANY Crossbills. Managed half a dozen Siskin, but no matter where we looked we couldn't find the Crossbill - or the Wood Warbler. Highlight was watching a group of young Treecreepers, being fed by the adults (first time I've ever seen this happening).

It was VERY busy with people though - maybe the birds disappear a bit when it gets so busy.

-- Edited by Paul Wilson at 22:08, 2008-06-16

Thinking of making the trip there one night this week.

Whereabouts is the Wood Warbler now???

Also are the Crossbills mainly around the Car Park still??

Cheers

Phil

Sunday morning: finally got my first English Crossbills (not that the ones I've seen in Scotland were Scottish Crossbills!). It was easy really - you just find Mr Hargreaves and look where his camera is pointing! Thanks Geoff - good to meet you. Thanks also to the guy from Bury (Dave Wells?) who told us where the Wood Warbler had moved to - much appreciated by Geoff.

I don't think this patch has ever received so much attention - all these pie and black pudding eaters coming over and finding our birds for us!!!

Cheers, Steve

Sunday 09.30 - 13.00

Binn Green car park to eastern end of Greenfield Reservoir.

No sight or sound of Wood Warbler where it had been previously.

flock of Crossbills in trees near car park (too mobile for my limited counting abilities)
Swift
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Canada Goose
Grey Wagtail
Curlew
Pheasant
Willow Warbler
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Pied Wagtail
Mallard
Meadow Pipit
Wren
Stonechat
Dipper
Common Sandpiper

Also got some photos of the Small Heath butterfly that Judith mentioned.

Going to drive up this afternoon - if we can find the place! Wood Warbler would be a lifer for us.

binn green car park ,well 100 yrds down the path 12 crossbills and quite a bit further along 1 very showy wood warbler giving givin it,s all.Very nice spot and 2 more lifers for me ,nice to meet steve sutill .

cheers geoff

At least 34 Crossbills this morning - stonking views around the car park. Wood Warbler still singing and showing off. Also Spotted Flycatcher.

Cheers, Simon

Still at least 20 Crossbills feeding in conifers just to the left of the lower carpark this pm.

Had a flock of 45 Crossbills today, (counted by self and spouse, yes he does exist!) nr the house at the bottom of the road below the Binn Green CP, Also another 5 flying from Bill o' Jacks Plantation to Upperwood House, which is about 500m up the Holmfirth Rd. On their fence between the trees and the sheep pasture were 2 Spotted Flycatchers.
The Crossbills were a mix of males, females, juvs and at least one 1st summer male. A walk along the NW side of Yeoman Hey Resr, under the larches, produced more sightings of Crossbills but these were probably the same as the flock of 45. A male Siskin was with the Crossbills.
Didn't hear/see the Wood Warbler below the CP (all quiet there today!) but did have a couple of Goldcrests and Treecreeper in that area.
Three Small Heath butterflies along the edge of YH reservoir was a new GM tick for me.

10th June 7.30 - 10.45 am.

Can only re-iterate previous comments on this post - a really terrific mornings birdwatching and walking - and for those who don't know the area - even if you had no birds to look at and enjoy, the scenery is really stunning!

The Wood Warbler was still putting on a terrific (if rather desperate!) display - it repeatedly gave its butterfly/bat-like display flight and gave both versions of its songs. The "spinning coin" version was heard most frequently - with the Wren like flourish at the end - that other observers have already noted. The other song - the "piu" sounding note repeated 5 or 6 times was also tried out but less frequently.

A flighty, vocal flock of c25 Crossbills were highly visible/audible in flight but much harder to pin down whilst feeding - although eventually a few of both males and females were seen briefly feeding on larch cones.

Managed to record 33 species in total - not getting that far away from the car park. Siskins and Lesser Redpolls heard/seen. Both the pair of Treecreepers were seen carrying food and a Jay had found its own way of obtaining food - by raiding an overflowing litter bin! Raising it's young on junk food no doubt!

Cheers,

Bill.



-- Edited by Bill Myerscough at 18:34, 2008-06-10

Nice to meet you too Sid and thanks for the superb views through the scope - amazing as they were only yards away to start with! Found the Wood Warbler no problem - again fantastic views.

Just got back from town too where Tony added his second lifer of the day with Black Redstart.

Had a brilliant morning at Binn Green/Yeoman Hey Res - met only nice people no weirdos. Found the Wood Warbler right at the start 0615 and it was still singing at 11.00. Had two separate groups of Crossbills 7 or 8 females and young in the plantation and then what appeared to be one each of male, female both adult and young in the car park area near the bench these 4 birds were spooked by something/someone and a flock of about 10 - 12 birds flew off. There was also a Redpoll in the same larch. Also had Spotted Flycatcher at the bottom of the lane on the left near the end of the dam wall. Further along Grey Wags and Red legged Partridge and a Common Sandpiper that some walkers spooked.

Met Tim Wilcox and his mate Tony - nice to meet you guys - hope that you found the Wood Warbler.

Paul Heaton wrote:

---

3 crossbills

---

ding-dong my friend! back of the net!

28 CROSSBILLS late am,with a very flighty flock of 13 (containing 1 male) around Binn Green,also Lesser Redpoll and Siskin here. Another flock of 15 (containing 7 males) in Bill O' Jack's plantation by Yeoman Hey Resevoir viewed from the road.

Nervous start this morning in the car park, but once the dog walkers had their dogs out,
the hikers had their boots on and birders got their scopes out we all relaxed, sad state of affairs when we live in fear of a gentle morning stroll.

3 crossbills
2 treecreepers one with a beak full of insects suspect going to feed young,
2 common sandpipers
1 redpoll.

Nice to meet Mike( a novice birder,) dont forget mike you can register for this site and its free, all information is useful to someone.

keep Birding.

geoff my atoz is in the car, but the carp park is marked iirc.

all and sundry,thanks for the info on binn green it,s taken me ages to find it on the map
Binn Green car park is actually on the a to z (but not in the index) page 100 1b or 100 2b
so now i can get there seeing crossbills and woodwarbler will be a bonus(both needed for gm list)i,ll be packing spare pies in case i get lost.

cheers geoff

sorry forgot can one of you regulars check this on the a to z for us and confirm this is the fabled car park,please

-- Edited by Geoff Hargreaves at 21:58, 2008-06-06

SE 017 044

there you go tim.

Hi Tim

don't know the grid ref (SE something) but it's on the A635 Greenfield to Holmfirth Road, about a mile up the hill from the mini roundabout at the "Clarence" in Greenfield. If you're on your bike, you can catch the train to Greenfield, cycle through the village and turn left up the hill at the "Clarence".

If you're coming all this way, make a day of it with a tour round all the reservoirs - most can be covered on a mountain bike. There's plenty to see (Declan's list below) but it does get a bit like Blackpool at weekends.

Cheers, Steve

What is the grid ref for Binn Green? I can't seem to find it on my OS maps

4.6.08
Buzzard on wall above Binn Green on way to work at 06.15
later in afternoon approx 10 crossbill in tree next to bench and good numbers of redpoll

-- Edited by Graham Beverley at 08:14, 2008-06-05

Don't think you were out of order Kath, as the bird seems obviously unpaired. I would hesitate before posting sightings of rare (in our area) breeding birds though.

The Wood Warbler certainly brightened my day!

Steve

Kath Butterworth wrote:

---

...
Having seen Riggers account of "a spotted fly in the dovestones area", i have thought whether i put too much directional info on regarding the Wood Warbler.??
...

---

Well it helped me to find it Kath. First one I've seen in quite a while. I went to Coombes Valley two weeks ago to try and see one (amongst other species) without success. Then I learn that there's one fifteen minutes away.

Glad to see the more savoury topic of bird watching has returned(although as a female birder I appreciate the warning).
Having seen Riggers account of "a spotted fly in hte dovestones area", i have thought whether i put too much directional info on regarding the Wood Warbler.??

With that in mind, there is a Pied Fly and Tree Pipit reported in the area on Friday (from a reliable source)

Good to meet you Declan - glad you got to see a few of our local specialities. The Wood Warbler is amazingly confiding - hope he finds a mate.

Still the Crossbills avoid me - not one in twenty years of visiting the area!

Cheers, Steve

Gary Marland wrote:

---

Too wet for any unsavoury characters I suspect.

---

probably at home with their wives and families!

Wood warbler still showing well from private road below Binn Green car park this morning (10:00 - 11.00). Also approx. 8 crossbills in tops of trees on left of path down from car park.

Too wet for any unsavoury characters I suspect.

03.00 - 04.15. Had another attempt for the Crossbills this afternoon and, after a 45 minute wait, found a group feeding quietly in the Larch by the inscibed bench (just off the car park). Through the scope I had a minimum of 2 males (inc. 1 extremely bright individual), 1 female and 2 juveniles.

The Wood Warbler had moved further down the footpath towards the reservoir (just past the 3rd wooden gate).

No unsavoury people or incidents.

Cheers, John

Finally made it up to there early this morning (thankfully no sign of any dodgy goings-on).

The Wood Warbler was putting on a great show at the bottom of the steps below Binn Green car park, singing constantly and flitting back and forth across the road.

Walked up to Chew Res and then back to Binn Green along the high ridge to the south of Dovestones Res. in. En route, saw:

Red Grouse 1
Stonechat 4 (2 pairs)
Wheatear 2
R L Partridge 1
Kestrel 1
Raven 2
Dipper 1
Common Sandpiper 2
Grey Wagtail 7 (2 pairs and 3 juveniles)
G S Woodpecker 1
Curlew 3
Siskin 2
Lesser Redpoll 2 flying over
pair of Coal Tit nesting in a hole in a clay bank, just like Sand Martins
plus usual commoner stuff

a distant raptor, soaring high, could have been a peregrine but too far away to be sure.

Having struggled to find any crossbills, I finally managed to see a group of 6 (2 males) in the pines just by the car park, feeding quietly in the tree tops.

Nice to meet you Steve, by the way, and thanks for your helpful info.

17 Crossbills just below the Binn Green car park this a.m., later several on the opp side of reservoir, but 2 flew back towards Binn Green.
Minimum 6 Redpolls in area
1 Buzzard over

Wary of the reports of dodgy behaviour, as I got my gear out of the back of my car, I heard male voice sayig "I'll be ready for you in a moment pal"!!!!!
Before I had chance to test the strength of my scope against his head I realised, much to my relief that it was an old bloke with his wife, just setting off hill-walking and he was just messing around posing, as he thought my scope was a camera. Thankfully it was busy with normal folk today

Had a great afternoon at Binn Green with Paul (Cliff),FAB' sightings of a flock of Crossbills and a couple of juveniles....can't beleive l've been lucky enough to see 16 +.(L)They stayed around for a while and we had clear views,luvverly beaks,plummage and watching them feed.Great bird!!
The only bad thing about the afternoon was the constant too-ing and fro-ing of 'the undesirables' who were in search of some 'afternoon delight'......this kind of activity is what makes it very difficult for women birders to go out alone in woods or wooded areas (of which l don't).
l also think any of us that see any of this anti-social behaviour should report it to the police and any rangers.

-- Edited by Melanie Beckford at 08:07, 2008-05-31

On a similar note. I googled Entwistle Reservoir a while back and the first site on the list was a "Dogging" site. They use the picnic area at night apparently. Worryingly, the picnic tables at Penny Flash were also mentioned.

There were letters in the Bolton News a couple of months ago about unsavoury gentlemen hanging around the toilets at Barrow Bridge too.

I used to think this sort of thing was a bit of a myth but it seems to be more common than i thought.

Guess we have to be carefull, especially walking around with bins, scopes and cameras

it's all in hand, ian - pun intended.

there were 6 men in and out of the woods this afternoon, whilst we were up on the knoll. not nice.

edit to add C&P links into your browser

http://homepage.mac.com/skiddo/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/cbill03.jpg


http://homepage.mac.com/skiddo/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/cbill04.jpg

have also sent ian a much better image my friend phil took on wednesday



-- Edited by Paul Cliff at 19:46, 2008-05-30

spent the afternoon up there with melanie.

incredible afternoon's birding. a flock of 16 crossbills within minutes of arriving - they circled twice so we both got 3 attempts at the count.

a couple of hours later 2 males and 2 females appeared and then to top it off - 2 adults and two juveniles. fantastic.

have tried some pics on my phone through my scope, will see if i have anything shortly.

we didn't see another bird all afternoon.

all scoped from the rocky knoll above the car park.

Paul,

I would strongly urge you to report this to the police, not only have they a duty to act on what is regarded as a serious offence but they have launched positive steps to cease this type of behaviour at two other county sites (both good for birding, is there a link here ) so will certainly act on any information recieved, of course if they don't receive any they can't act and we have no reason to complain next time it occurs unfortunately.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 19:23, 2008-05-30

Hi Paul, no idea whether they would or not but at least they would be aware of it occuring I guess and could manybe launch a sting operation! Same with the National park Rangers as they have patrols, especially at weekends.

BTW - Wood Warbler present again this morning but no Crossbill or weirdos! Info from my mate!!

hi iain - i haven't as yet.

would the police really do anything to try and put a stop to it?

later there were 2 other men there with a similar agenda.

Paul, have you reported this to the police or national park rangers? Personally I think you should and hopefully put an end to this kind of behaviour. The car park is very popular with runners, walkers and families.

I don't know if Saddleworth is notorious for its sexual exhibitionists, but from past experience I would also apply Paul's warning to the car park at Castleshaw!

went up yesterday late afternoon.

3 stunningly bright lesser redpoll and 5 equally bright siskin - no crossbills.

had an extremely unsavoury experience on the grassy rocky bit behind the toilets whilst scouting for the crossbills.

a man in his mid 30's came and sat on the rocks behind me for 10 minutes or so, i naively assumed he was enjoying the view. he then passed me went under the fence and stood leaning on a tree. next time i glanced over he was masturbating whilst staring over at me. this is the middle of the afternoon, ffs.

it would seem the car park is being used by others who aren't interested in it's natural beauty or wildlife - be aware and be careful.

On Tuesday there were bits of what sounded like a nightingale's warm-up bubble between the 'spinning coin' and the song. I gather Mr. Rigby heard those wren-like calls, as, apparently, did the wren that had taken over from the robin in disputing ownership of the wood

The Wood Warbler was right overhead (photo'd) this afternoon and was song flighting as it desperately sang for a mate. The shivery-trill song seems to me to end with a bit of Wren mimicry. Also a couple of Siskin and Redpoll singing plus Grey Wagtail at the inlet. Sadly no Crossbills.

On Saddleworth Moor 2 Red Grouse, 3 Golden Plover and a Dunlin.

Cheers, John

5pm to 5.40pm

1 elusive WOOD WARBLER singing intermittantly and showing well briefly. Had to wait about 20 mins before it announced its presence and a further 5 mins before it appeared in a tree. Rarely gave the full song only short snippets. Sounds like robins/ chaffinch might be copying it, but only respond when the WW has called/ sung.

At least 8 CROSSBILL over the car park with at least three sitting in a tree at the far end (where the grassy area is).

Not much else other than torrential rain!

Good luck - the crossbills are out there!

No sign of crossbills this morning

Can you keep an eye opened for ringed Dippers in this area (thanks for your interest, Mike)? There's a colour-ringed female at the Tanners end of Chew Brook (young seemed almost ready to fledge on Monday). Quite a few birds that were ringed on the Tame last year have gone AWOL - if they're still alive they may have moved up to this area.

Cheers, Steve

As well as the Wood Warbler at Bin Green,(Oldham Tick)

1 Spotted Flycatcher in the Dove Stones area(another Oldham tick-I sound like Mr"million list" Woosey now)

Wood warbler again today at Binn Green in the same area 1.15pm. Showing well (once you work out which tree it was behind!)

Year tick, manchester tick , and, best of all, (sorry Ian) oldham tick Thanks for that, Kath.

Also today

Binn Green : 8 crossbills, wren, 2 robins (1 responding to wood warbler), goldcrest, 2 blackbirds, mistle thrush, 4 long-tailed tits, 2 coal tits, phesant, 2 wood pigeons.

Dovestones res: nothing on the res. too choppy even for the mallard (40 male, 3 female, 2 birds of uncertain origin) but carrion crow, lesser black-back, 4 jackdaws, 12 swallows, 2 each magpie, goldfinch & meadow pipit on the dam face.

Robin, chaffinch, song thrush,great tit, grey wagtail & dipper on the Chew Brook. The dipper appeared to be unringed

Welcome Kath! 2 good sightings in one weekend - don't forget to add them to your Atlas Roving Records!

Have been looking for Golden Plovers this Spring with no success and my only Wood Warblers have been in Scotland. Maybe I should spend less time searching for Dippers!

Cheers, Steve