First Chiffchaff of the year, at the lower part of the mettled footpath from the bottom of Mottram Old Road up to Wildbank - about 50m up - always a reliable spot for this spices being first migrant of the summer.
David Walsh said
Sat Mar 24 6:51 PM, 2018
Saturday 24th March 2018, 4.00pm
Driving from Top Mossley to Ashton, two Lapwing in the air, seen from the car, in fields on the eastern side of Mossley Road, opposite Ashton Golf Course.
House Sparrows actively collecting nest material around Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, today.
David Walsh said
Thu Mar 22 9:46 PM, 2018
Thursday 22nd March 2018, 9.00pm
Tawny Owl hooting from the woods between Grove Road and Crowswood Drive, Millbrook.
David Walsh said
Sun Mar 18 2:21 PM, 2018
Sunday 18th March 2018, 9.30 - 10.30am.
An hour spent struggling along the Pennine Bridleway from Carrbrook to Brushes, and back, being constantly battered by snow drifting from the moor, driven by a ferocious, gusty wind. The only birds seen were 2 Carrion Crows and 2 Red Grouse. A few of the "garden species" were around, in the shelter of the clough next to the houses at Carrbrook. No Lapwing heard today.
Then on to Printworks Road Pond.
1 pair of Goosander 1 Little Grebe, coming into breeding plumage. 4 Coot 2 Moorhen 6 Canada Geese
David Walsh said
Thu Mar 15 11:09 PM, 2018
Thursday 15th March 2018
Harrop Edge, 9.30 - 11.15am. Blustery and very quiet.
2 Skylark 1 Lesser Redpoll 2 Meadow Pipits 1 Kestrel 1 Curlew flew over east, carrying on up Longdendale Valley, until it was a speck.
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 11.30am.
Similar sightings to Roger's, minus the Geese. Also, a pair of Greenfinch in the surrounding Bush 1 Grey Wagtail in the horse paddock Several Nuthatch calling
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook, 4.30 - 5.30pm.
11 Lapwing seen, all on the ground. c 20 Redwing. There seems to have been a clear out of Fieldfare since the weekend. Not one seen this evening. 15 Starlings 26 Pheasant 2 Pied Wagtail
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Mar 15 4:19 PM, 2018
Thurs 15th March. 15.00 hrs.
Printworks Rd. Heyrod. Stalybridge.
Canada Goose. 6 Coot. 4 Moorhen. 1 Little Grebe. 1
Roger.
David Walsh said
Sat Mar 10 6:58 PM, 2018
Saturday 10th March 2018, 8.00 - 10.15am
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
Similar fare to Thursday, with an accurate Lapwing count again proving difficult. On the way up, 12 birds were in the air together, doing a wide circuit of the moor, but it was at a point before I could view the fields where the birds are on the ground, so I have no idea whether this is the total population or not. One bird seems to be sitting tight in the middle of the beet field. At least six birds were displaying.
Fieldfare and Redwing numbers were slightly down, and around 10 Chaffinch were mixed in with the Goldfinch and Starlings. Again, most of the action was in and around the beet field.
3 Meadow Pipits back on territory were new for the site this year.
David Walsh said
Thu Mar 8 2:05 PM, 2018
Thursday 8th March 2018, 9.30 - 10.30am
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
13 Lapwing, minimum, but difficult to count when on the ground, due to a combination of the field contours below the Bridleway, and the heavy snow, which restricted visibility. At least five birds displaying.
The old beet field at Shireclough held the following:
c 70 Fieldfare c 40 Redwing, both difficult to count accurately 20 Goldfinch 12 Pheasant 3 Song Thrush 2 Mistle Thrush 1 Lapwing
In a field further towards Millbrook, a smaller flock feeding on the ground contained approximately:
80 Starlings 30 Fieldfare 30 Redwing
Dunnock singing all along the route.
Vicky Harper said
Thu Mar 8 10:07 AM, 2018
Thursday 7th March
Two lesser redpoll on our garden feeders which backs on to Gorse Hall, Dukinfield area. They were present for most of the afternoon.
David Walsh said
Thu Mar 1 11:19 PM, 2018
Thursday 1st March 2018, 3.30pm
Ashton Town Centre.
I received a couple of strange looks whilst stalking through swirling snow, putting fat balls in the hedges of Cotton Street East car park, behind Boots.
Around 25 House Sparrows, a Dunnock, and a Robin didn't seem to mind, though.
simon ghilks said
Wed Feb 28 3:34 PM, 2018
An unusual sighting for the area early this afternoon, 2 Lapwing flew low across Dukinfield Park and then over our house.
A few Redwing have been frequenting the park over the last few days also just across Pickford Lane on our garden feeders in the last week or so, couple of Siskin and Redpoll, male Blackcap, male and female Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest, daily mid teens of Goldfinch and Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, c10 House Sparrow. Also around the garden 4 Blackbird, 3 Robin, 3 Dunnock, all 4 of the commoner Tits, a few Starlings and probably the best for me a Song Thrush that has been around since late autumn although it has been seen less frequently lately.
Roger Baker 3 said
Tue Feb 27 2:06 PM, 2018
Tuesday 27th February 12.30 hrs.
Printworks Rd. Heyrod. Stalybridge.
80% frozen ........ seemed to be just 5 pair of Canada Geese in the open water but visibility was bad in a snow storm.
Roger.
Stuart Pike said
Fri Feb 23 6:00 PM, 2018
Good weather today made walking to/from Stalybridge Station more enjoyable than recent times
A pair of Goosander were on the canal by Tesco this morning.
This evening two Dippers on the Tame downstream from Melbourne St bridge. Whilst upstream near Corporation St were two Grey Wagtail and some Long Tailed Tits
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 23rd of February 2018 06:45:09 PM
David Walsh said
Thu Feb 22 12:30 PM, 2018
Thursday 22nd February 2018, 10.00 - 11.30am
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
Still exactly 26 Lapwing in the fields below the Bridleway 1 Skylark 20 Fieldfare - no Redwing seen today. 9 Dunnock, 7 singing males 3 Song Thrush 2 Mistle Thrush 2 Lesser Redpoll 1 Chaffinch singing 1 Greenfinch singing 4 Goldfinch 7 Red Grouse 10 Pheasant 20+ Starlings
On a pleasant spring morning
David Walsh said
Wed Feb 21 6:57 PM, 2018
Wednesday 21st February 2018, 5.30 - 6.30pm
Shireclough, Carrbrook.
Kestrel perched on a telegraph pole, just before dusk 3 male Tawny Owls hooting, one at Shireclough Farm, the other two from Cowbury Dale. Lapwing calling from the fields below the Bridleway.
David Walsh said
Tue Feb 20 11:35 PM, 2018
Tuesday 20th February 2018, 9.00 - 11.00am
Harrop Edge, Stalybridge.
2 Buzzards, in the same tree. 4 Skylark, calling from the rough grass around Paddock Farm 12 Fieldfare 6 Chaffinch (4 singing) 1 Greenfinch singing 1 Lesser Redpoll over 4 Goldfinch Several Dunnock singing 100+ Black-headed Gulls in the fields 2 Raven being mobbed by Carrion Crows
David Walsh said
Mon Feb 19 9:44 PM, 2018
Monday 19th February 2018.
Bayley Street, Stalybridge, 2.30pm.
Pair of Dipper on the River Tame between Bayley Street and Tame Street bridges.
Gas Street, Ashton (back of Boots), 4.00pm.
A flock of c 20 House Sparrows around the hedging of the car park 1 Dunnock singing 1 Pied Wagtail
nigel charlesworth said
Mon Feb 19 3:59 PM, 2018
15:00
Buzzard circling over River Tame at junction of Sandy Lane / Park Rd
David Walsh said
Mon Feb 19 1:57 PM, 2018
Steve Suttill wrote:
Always good to see challenging vocabulary on the forum .... ...and always good to see Peewits!
Thanks Steve. Use it or lose it, as they say
Any literary expression from this morning would relate to fog, mist, drizzle, and grime, so I won't bore you with it.
Printworks Road Pond, just visible, held the following:
4 Coot, again moving around as two pairs 1 Little Grebe, moving around the pond today. Normally it skulks around in one area. 6 Mallard 10 Canada Geese Couple of Mistle Thrush singing around the area
Also, a pair of Goosander on the canal at Grove Road
Steve Suttill said
Sun Feb 18 10:50 PM, 2018
David Walsh wrote:
A Vanelline deceit ushered in springtime in Stalybridge this morning, despite the icy rain blowing up the hill, with 26 Lapwing moving around the fields below the Bridleway.
Always good to see challenging vocabulary on the forum .... ...and always good to see Peewits!
David Walsh said
Sat Feb 17 1:29 PM, 2018
Saturday 17th February 2018, 9.30 - 11.00am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
A Vanelline deceit ushered in springtime in Stalybridge this morning, despite the icy rain blowing up the hill, with 26 Lapwing moving around the fields below the Bridleway. The target species for the morning, and four days earlier than my first record of 2017, although I don't visit this area every day. Despite the weather, a fantastic sight and sound
Again, the old beet fields held good numbers of winter thrushes, as well as other species as follows:
6 Mistle Thrush (2 singing) 1 Song Thrush singing 8 Blackbirds 7 Dunnock (4 singing) 2 singing Greenfinch 2 Ravens 1 Buzzard 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Jay 2 Red Grouse
David Walsh said
Thu Feb 15 1:01 PM, 2018
Thursday 15th February 2018, mid-morning.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
1 Cormorant over, downriver. 4 Coot, looking like two pairs 10 Canada, as five pairs 6 Mallard 1 Moorhen Nuthatch in the trees Coal Tit and Great Tits singing
Pair of Dipper (unringed), on the River Tame, downstream from Grove Road.
David Walsh said
Sun Feb 11 3:16 PM, 2018
Sunday 11th February 2018, 9.30 - 11.00am.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
Much the same mix of species as last week.
A mixed flock of winter thrushes in the old beet field, almost impossible to count accurately on the bare earth littered with beet fragments. My best estimate would be 70 Redwing and 15 Fieldfare. 5 Mistle Thrush 4 Chaffinch 4 Goldfinch 2 singing Greenfinch 2 singing Dunnock 13 Starling 13 Pheasant 1 Buzzard
Printworks Road Pond, 2.00pm
4 Goosander swimming as two pairs 1 Little Grebe 3 Coot 4 Canada Geese 6 Mallard 1 Cormorant on the pylon Nuthatches calling in the surrounding trees
Chris Harper said
Wed Feb 7 11:14 AM, 2018
Dipper on the Tame in Stalybridge centre .
David Walsh said
Sun Feb 4 1:36 PM, 2018
Sunday 4th February 2018, 10.30am - noon.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Brushes.
Two flocks of winter thrushes. Approximately 20 Redwing and 5 Fieldfare in the beet field at Shireclough, and approximately 70 Fieldfare with around 25 Redwing in the fields towards Millbrook. 5 Mistle Thrush (one singing) 1 Buzzard feeding amongst molehills 4 Chaffinch 10 Goldfinch 1 singing Greenfinch 2 singing Dunnock 4 Long-tailed Tits 1 Coal Tit 5 House Sparrows 8 Pheasant 2 Red Grouse
1 redhead Goosander on Carrbrook Pond
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Feb 1 2:16 PM, 2018
Thursday 1st February, 2018. 13.00 hrs.
Female Sparrowhawk flew over/across Matley Lane .. at back of Waggon & Horses, Mottram Road, Stalybridge.
Quite lively in the surrounding vegetation, including at least two Nuthatch
An hour an a half earlier around Harrop Edge yielded very little. The fields were still covered with last night's snow:
1 very vocal Buzzard 6 Fieldfares moving around 2 Raven
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Jan 29 1:49 PM, 2018
Monday 29th January 2018, 11.00 hrs.
Printworks Road, Heyrod. Stalybridge.
Goosander. 2M 1F. Coot. 1.
Roger.
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Jan 28 10:03 PM, 2018
Dunnock, Wren, Robin and Song Thrush all singing around Crescent Road in Dukinfield before first light this morning.
Four Rook present around Ashton bus station this morning
David Walsh said
Sun Jan 28 4:02 PM, 2018
Sunday 28th January 2018, 11.00am - noon.
Pennine Bridleway, Shireclough, Carrbrook
This area is often a good bet for winter thrushes at this time of year.
c 40 Redwing around the old beet field 10 Fieldfare 3 Mistle Thrush; 2 harassing the Redwing, a third doing a little singing. 10 Goldfinch 1 Chaffinch 4 Starling 12 Pheasants 1 Red Grouse A flock of approximately 80 Woodpigeon over towards Brushes 12 Long-tailed Tits
Carrbrook Pond
1 redhead Goosander 1 Moorhen 25 Mallard 13 Canada Geese Plus several hybrid "farm" ducks
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Jan 27 10:32 PM, 2018
On grass near Ashton town centre tram stop this morning
c20 House Sparrow, the most I have seen here at once c38 Starling
David Walsh said
Thu Jan 25 12:55 PM, 2018
Thursday 25th January 2018, 11.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
1 Little Grebe 1 drake Mandarin 3 Coot 2 Moorhen 6 Canada Geese 12 Mallard 2 Mistle Thrush, singing 3 Nuthatch 1 Bullfinch 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Cormorant on the pylon
On Tuesday, 3 Goosander were present (2 males)
Chris Harper said
Thu Jan 25 8:26 AM, 2018
Flock of about 150 Jackdaw roosting in a single tree in Armentieres square in Stalybridge at 07.30 this morning.
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon Jan 22 3:31 PM, 2018
Monday 22nd Jan. 14.00 hrs.
Printworks Rd. Heyrod. Stalybridge.
Goosander. M+F then another M+F flew in. Cormorant. 4 up on the pylon. Canada Goose. 7. Mallard. 4. Coot. 1.
Roger.
David Walsh said
Sun Jan 21 10:17 PM, 2018
Sunday 21st January 2018
Pair of Tawny Owls hooting and calling from Grove Road woods, Millbrook, at 8.15pm. Also heard last evening at 7.00pm.
4 Goosander on the pond (2 redheads) 12 Mallard 5 Cormorant on the pylons 2 Nuthatch
David Walsh said
Mon Jan 1 3:11 PM, 2018
Monday 1st January 2018, 9.30 - 11.30am.
Pennine Bridleway, from Carrbrook to Brushes, in dry, bright conditions.
1 Buzzard 1 female Sparrowhawk, having a dig at a flock of Redwing, feeding in a recently turned field of fodder beet 60+ Redwing in the one field, with a few Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, and Blackbirds mixed in 10 Starlings in the same field, which also contained 25 Pheasants. 16 Fieldfare were feeding together at Millbrook 8 Mistle Thrush 2 Jay at Shireclough 2 Red Grouse 2 Pied Wagtails 10 Goldfinch 10 House Sparrows at Shireclough 5 Great Tits
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Jan 1 2:49 PM, 2018
Around the Dukinfield/Ashton border this morning
Dipper on Tame along Coopers Ride 4 Grey Heron on roof of Tulip Foods building, 1 on Tame and a further 2 flew over towards the canal 3 Common Gulls among the Black-headed Gulls Goldcrest among a small mixed tit flock Cormorant over
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Dec 27 2:20 PM, 2017
Weds 27th Dec. Stalybridge.
Male Sparrowhawk spiralling over Bower Fold at 14.00 hrs in the sunshine.
Roger.
Karen Foulkes said
Sat Dec 23 8:45 PM, 2017
Dipper on the Tame just on the Dukinfield/Ashton border late morning today.
David Walsh said
Sat Dec 23 12:10 PM, 2017
Saturday 23rd December 2017, 11.00am
Printworks Road, Heyrod
6 Goosander (4 males, 2 females), on the pond 5 Cormorant on the pylons 1 Mistle Thrush in full song 1 Kestrel hunting from a pylon Nuthatch calling
A male Bullfinch was an unusual visitor to the garden, at Huddersfield Road, earlier. First time for three years.
David Walsh said
Sun Dec 17 3:51 PM, 2017
Sunday 17th December 2017, 8.30 - 10.30am
Harrop Edge, Stalybridge. A dry start, then rain and driving sleet, as the morning progressed.
In the fields between Harrop Edge Road and Matley.
1 Buzzard 1 Mistle Thrush 6 Redwing over 7 Chaffinch over 6 Bullfinch 45 Black-headed Gulls in the fields towards Mottram No Canada Geese today
David Walsh said
Sat Dec 16 6:46 PM, 2017
Saturday 16th December 2017, 2.30pm
Printworks Road, Heyrod, the pond still frozen over.
3 Cormorant on one pylon
David Walsh said
Thu Dec 7 2:06 PM, 2017
Thursday 7th December 2017, 1.30pm
Printworks Road Pond, Heyrod.
9 Goosander (5 male) 1 Little Grebe, feeding continuously 1 Coot 3 Cormorant on a pylon
David Walsh said
Tue Dec 5 1:42 PM, 2017
Tuesday 5th December 2017, 1.15pm
Printworks Road Pond, Heyrod.
An influx of Canada Geese seemed to deter the Goosander, with a zero count for the first time in weeks. 25 Canada Geese 2 Mallard 1 Moorhen
9 Cormorant on one pylon
David Walsh said
Sun Dec 3 2:11 PM, 2017
Sunday 3rd December 2017, 9.45 - 11.15am
Harrop Edge, mainly around Paddock Farm
1 female Stonechat 1 Buzzard, feeding in the fields 9 Fieldfare; 8 over together, and a single having a dispute with a Mistle Thrush over holly berries 1 solitary Redwing in a berry-less Hawthorn 2 Mistle Thrush 10+ Blackbirds 1 Jay 2 Rook at the Harrop Edge Road side 3 Pied Wagtails 70 Canada Geese feeding in the fields towards the A57 45 Black-headed Gulls in the same fields
Printworks Road Pond, Heyrod, 11.30am.
6 Goosander (2 males) 2 Moorhen 2 Mallard 6 Cormorant on the pylons
6 Goosander on the pond (3 males) 5 Cormorant on the pylons Mistle Thrush Nuthatch Flock of Bullfinch
David Walsh said
Sun Nov 26 2:10 PM, 2017
Sunday 26th November 2017, 9.30 - 11.30am.
Harrop Edge, Stalybridge
1 female Stonechat. I did see another bird around fifteen minutes later, about 150 yards further on, but I could see no plumage, as the sun was directly behind it, and it was at a distance, so I couldn't discount it being the same bird relocated. 4 Mistle Thrush c12 Redwing A flock of c50 Starlings were moving around the fields 8 Bullfinch together 4 Goldfinch At least one Raven 1 Sparrowhawk, being harassed by the Raven 1 Kestrel 1 Grey Heron 1 Pied Wagtail 2 Jay
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 11.45am
7 Goosander (2 males), on the pond 2 Cormorant on the pylon (yesterday, 6 were present)
Driving from Top Mossley to Ashton, two Lapwing in the air, seen from the car, in fields on the eastern side of Mossley Road, opposite Ashton Golf Course.
House Sparrows actively collecting nest material around Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, today.
Tawny Owl hooting from the woods between Grove Road and Crowswood Drive, Millbrook.
An hour spent struggling along the Pennine Bridleway from Carrbrook to Brushes, and back, being constantly battered by snow drifting from the moor, driven by a ferocious, gusty wind. The only birds seen were 2 Carrion Crows and 2 Red Grouse. A few of the "garden species" were around, in the shelter of the clough next to the houses at Carrbrook. No Lapwing heard today.
Then on to Printworks Road Pond.
1 pair of Goosander
1 Little Grebe, coming into breeding plumage.
4 Coot
2 Moorhen
6 Canada Geese
Harrop Edge, 9.30 - 11.15am. Blustery and very quiet.
2 Skylark
1 Lesser Redpoll
2 Meadow Pipits
1 Kestrel
1 Curlew flew over east, carrying on up Longdendale Valley, until it was a speck.
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 11.30am.
Similar sightings to Roger's, minus the Geese.
Also, a pair of Greenfinch in the surrounding Bush
1 Grey Wagtail in the horse paddock
Several Nuthatch calling
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook, 4.30 - 5.30pm.
11 Lapwing seen, all on the ground.
c 20 Redwing. There seems to have been a clear out of Fieldfare since the weekend. Not one seen this evening.
15 Starlings
26 Pheasant
2 Pied Wagtail
Printworks Rd. Heyrod. Stalybridge.
Canada Goose. 6
Coot. 4
Moorhen. 1
Little Grebe. 1
Roger.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
Similar fare to Thursday, with an accurate Lapwing count again proving difficult. On the way up, 12 birds were in the air together, doing a wide circuit of the moor, but it was at a point before I could view the fields where the birds are on the ground, so I have no idea whether this is the total population or not. One bird seems to be sitting tight in the middle of the beet field. At least six birds were displaying.
Fieldfare and Redwing numbers were slightly down, and around 10 Chaffinch were mixed in with the Goldfinch and Starlings. Again, most of the action was in and around the beet field.
3 Meadow Pipits back on territory were new for the site this year.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
13 Lapwing, minimum, but difficult to count when on the ground, due to a combination of the field contours below the Bridleway, and the heavy snow, which restricted visibility. At least five birds displaying.
The old beet field at Shireclough held the following:
c 70 Fieldfare
c 40 Redwing, both difficult to count accurately
20 Goldfinch
12 Pheasant
3 Song Thrush
2 Mistle Thrush
1 Lapwing
In a field further towards Millbrook, a smaller flock feeding on the ground contained approximately:
80 Starlings
30 Fieldfare
30 Redwing
Dunnock singing all along the route.
Two lesser redpoll on our garden feeders which backs on to Gorse Hall, Dukinfield area. They were present for most of the afternoon.
Ashton Town Centre.
I received a couple of strange looks whilst stalking through swirling snow, putting fat balls in the hedges of Cotton Street East car park, behind Boots.
Around 25 House Sparrows, a Dunnock, and a Robin didn't seem to mind, though.
A few Redwing have been frequenting the park over the last few days also just across Pickford Lane on our garden feeders in the last week or so, couple of Siskin and Redpoll, male Blackcap, male and female Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest, daily mid teens of Goldfinch and Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, c10 House Sparrow. Also around the garden 4 Blackbird, 3 Robin, 3 Dunnock, all 4 of the commoner Tits, a few Starlings and probably the best for me a Song Thrush that has been around since late autumn although it has been seen less frequently lately.
Printworks Rd. Heyrod. Stalybridge.
80% frozen ........ seemed to be just 5 pair of Canada Geese in the open water but visibility was bad in a snow storm.
Roger.
Good weather today made walking to/from Stalybridge Station more enjoyable than recent times
A pair of Goosander were on the canal by Tesco this morning.
This evening two Dippers on the Tame downstream from Melbourne St bridge. Whilst upstream near Corporation St were two Grey Wagtail and some Long Tailed Tits
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 23rd of February 2018 06:45:09 PM
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
Still exactly 26 Lapwing in the fields below the Bridleway
1 Skylark
20 Fieldfare - no Redwing seen today.
9 Dunnock, 7 singing males
3 Song Thrush
2 Mistle Thrush
2 Lesser Redpoll
1 Chaffinch singing
1 Greenfinch singing
4 Goldfinch
7 Red Grouse
10 Pheasant
20+ Starlings
On a pleasant spring morning
Shireclough, Carrbrook.
Kestrel perched on a telegraph pole, just before dusk
3 male Tawny Owls hooting, one at Shireclough Farm, the other two from Cowbury Dale.
Lapwing calling from the fields below the Bridleway.
Harrop Edge, Stalybridge.
2 Buzzards, in the same tree.
4 Skylark, calling from the rough grass around Paddock Farm
12 Fieldfare
6 Chaffinch (4 singing)
1 Greenfinch singing
1 Lesser Redpoll over
4 Goldfinch
Several Dunnock singing
100+ Black-headed Gulls in the fields
2 Raven being mobbed by Carrion Crows
Bayley Street, Stalybridge, 2.30pm.
Pair of Dipper on the River Tame between Bayley Street and Tame Street bridges.
Gas Street, Ashton (back of Boots), 4.00pm.
A flock of c 20 House Sparrows around the hedging of the car park
1 Dunnock singing
1 Pied Wagtail
Always good to see challenging vocabulary on the forum
...and always good to see Peewits!
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Millbrook.
A Vanelline deceit ushered in springtime in Stalybridge this morning, despite the icy rain blowing up the hill, with 26 Lapwing moving around the fields below the Bridleway. The target species for the morning, and four days earlier than my first record of 2017, although I don't visit this area every day. Despite the weather, a fantastic sight and sound
Again, the old beet fields held good numbers of winter thrushes, as well as other species as follows:
70 Fieldfare
40 Redwing
30 Goldfinch
11 Starlings
44 Pheasants
10 Chaffinch (2 singing)
Elsewhere:
6 Mistle Thrush (2 singing)
1 Song Thrush singing
8 Blackbirds
7 Dunnock (4 singing)
2 singing Greenfinch
2 Ravens
1 Buzzard
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Jay
2 Red Grouse
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
1 Cormorant over, downriver.
4 Coot, looking like two pairs
10 Canada, as five pairs
6 Mallard
1 Moorhen
Nuthatch in the trees
Coal Tit and Great Tits singing
Pair of Dipper (unringed), on the River Tame, downstream from Grove Road.
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook.
Much the same mix of species as last week.
A mixed flock of winter thrushes in the old beet field, almost impossible to count accurately on the bare earth littered with beet fragments. My best estimate would be 70 Redwing and 15 Fieldfare.
5 Mistle Thrush
4 Chaffinch
4 Goldfinch
2 singing Greenfinch
2 singing Dunnock
13 Starling
13 Pheasant
1 Buzzard
Printworks Road Pond, 2.00pm
4 Goosander swimming as two pairs
1 Little Grebe
3 Coot
4 Canada Geese
6 Mallard
1 Cormorant on the pylon
Nuthatches calling in the surrounding trees
Dipper on the Tame in Stalybridge centre .
Pennine Bridleway, Carrbrook to Brushes.
Two flocks of winter thrushes. Approximately 20 Redwing and 5 Fieldfare in the beet field at Shireclough, and approximately 70 Fieldfare with around 25 Redwing in the fields towards Millbrook.
5 Mistle Thrush (one singing)
1 Buzzard feeding amongst molehills
4 Chaffinch
10 Goldfinch
1 singing Greenfinch
2 singing Dunnock
4 Long-tailed Tits
1 Coal Tit
5 House Sparrows
8 Pheasant
2 Red Grouse
1 redhead Goosander on Carrbrook Pond
Female Sparrowhawk flew over/across Matley Lane .. at back of Waggon & Horses, Mottram Road, Stalybridge.
Roger.
Printworks Road Pond, Heyrod.
1 Little Grebe
4 Moorhen
2 Coot
2 Canada Geese
8 Mallard
Quite lively in the surrounding vegetation, including at least two Nuthatch
An hour an a half earlier around Harrop Edge yielded very little. The fields were still covered with last night's snow:
1 very vocal Buzzard
6 Fieldfares moving around
2 Raven
Printworks Road, Heyrod. Stalybridge.
Goosander. 2M 1F.
Coot. 1.
Roger.
Four Rook present around Ashton bus station this morning
Pennine Bridleway, Shireclough, Carrbrook
This area is often a good bet for winter thrushes at this time of year.
c 40 Redwing around the old beet field
10 Fieldfare
3 Mistle Thrush; 2 harassing the Redwing, a third doing a little singing.
10 Goldfinch
1 Chaffinch
4 Starling
12 Pheasants
1 Red Grouse
A flock of approximately 80 Woodpigeon over towards Brushes
12 Long-tailed Tits
Carrbrook Pond
1 redhead Goosander
1 Moorhen
25 Mallard
13 Canada Geese
Plus several hybrid "farm" ducks
c20 House Sparrow, the most I have seen here at once
c38 Starling
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
1 Little Grebe
1 drake Mandarin
3 Coot
2 Moorhen
6 Canada Geese
12 Mallard
2 Mistle Thrush, singing
3 Nuthatch
1 Bullfinch
1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Cormorant on the pylon
On Tuesday, 3 Goosander were present (2 males)
Flock of about 150 Jackdaw roosting in a single tree in Armentieres square in Stalybridge at 07.30 this morning.
Printworks Rd. Heyrod. Stalybridge.
Goosander. M+F then another M+F flew in.
Cormorant. 4 up on the pylon.
Canada Goose. 7.
Mallard. 4.
Coot. 1.
Roger.
Pair of Tawny Owls hooting and calling from Grove Road woods, Millbrook, at 8.15pm. Also heard last evening at 7.00pm.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
4 Goosander (2M 2F seemed paired up).
7 Mallard all drakes.
Heron.
Roger.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
4 Goosander on the pond (2 redheads)
12 Mallard
5 Cormorant on the pylons
2 Nuthatch
Pennine Bridleway, from Carrbrook to Brushes, in dry, bright conditions.
1 Buzzard
1 female Sparrowhawk, having a dig at a flock of Redwing, feeding in a recently turned field of fodder beet
60+ Redwing in the one field, with a few Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, and Blackbirds mixed in
10 Starlings in the same field, which also contained 25 Pheasants.
16 Fieldfare were feeding together at Millbrook
8 Mistle Thrush
2 Jay at Shireclough
2 Red Grouse
2 Pied Wagtails
10 Goldfinch
10 House Sparrows at Shireclough
5 Great Tits
Dipper on Tame along Coopers Ride
4 Grey Heron on roof of Tulip Foods building, 1 on Tame and a further 2 flew over towards the canal
3 Common Gulls among the Black-headed Gulls
Goldcrest among a small mixed tit flock
Cormorant over
Male Sparrowhawk spiralling over Bower Fold at 14.00 hrs in the sunshine.
Roger.
Printworks Road, Heyrod
6 Goosander (4 males, 2 females), on the pond
5 Cormorant on the pylons
1 Mistle Thrush in full song
1 Kestrel hunting from a pylon
Nuthatch calling
A male Bullfinch was an unusual visitor to the garden, at Huddersfield Road, earlier. First time for three years.
Harrop Edge, Stalybridge. A dry start, then rain and driving sleet, as the morning progressed.
In the fields between Harrop Edge Road and Matley.
c35 Fieldfare
c10 Redwing
11 Rook
10 Carrion Crows
c60 Jackdaw
4 Red-legged Partridge
At the Paddock Farm side.
1 Buzzard
1 Mistle Thrush
6 Redwing over
7 Chaffinch over
6 Bullfinch
45 Black-headed Gulls in the fields towards Mottram
No Canada Geese today
Printworks Road, Heyrod, the pond still frozen over.
3 Cormorant on one pylon
Printworks Road Pond, Heyrod.
9 Goosander (5 male)
1 Little Grebe, feeding continuously
1 Coot
3 Cormorant on a pylon
Printworks Road Pond, Heyrod.
An influx of Canada Geese seemed to deter the Goosander, with a zero count for the first time in weeks.
25 Canada Geese
2 Mallard
1 Moorhen
9 Cormorant on one pylon
Harrop Edge, mainly around Paddock Farm
1 female Stonechat
1 Buzzard, feeding in the fields
9 Fieldfare; 8 over together, and a single having a dispute with a Mistle Thrush over holly berries
1 solitary Redwing in a berry-less Hawthorn
2 Mistle Thrush
10+ Blackbirds
1 Jay
2 Rook at the Harrop Edge Road side
3 Pied Wagtails
70 Canada Geese feeding in the fields towards the A57
45 Black-headed Gulls in the same fields
Printworks Road Pond, Heyrod, 11.30am.
6 Goosander (2 males)
2 Moorhen
2 Mallard
6 Cormorant on the pylons
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
7 Goosander (3 males 4 redheads)
4 Mallard.
1 Heron.
Roger.
Printworks Road, Heyrod.
6 Goosander on the pond (3 males)
5 Cormorant on the pylons
Mistle Thrush
Nuthatch
Flock of Bullfinch
Harrop Edge, Stalybridge
1 female Stonechat. I did see another bird around fifteen minutes later, about 150 yards further on, but I could see no plumage, as the sun was directly behind it, and it was at a distance, so I couldn't discount it being the same bird relocated.
4 Mistle Thrush
c12 Redwing
A flock of c50 Starlings were moving around the fields
8 Bullfinch together
4 Goldfinch
At least one Raven
1 Sparrowhawk, being harassed by the Raven
1 Kestrel
1 Grey Heron
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Jay
Printworks Road, Heyrod, 11.45am
7 Goosander (2 males), on the pond
2 Cormorant on the pylon (yesterday, 6 were present)