Yesterday‘s morning highlights from the Higher Meadows area around Georges Lane and Scout Road:
2456 Pink-footed Geese, with 1529 SE in 20 skeins and 927 W/NW in 15 skeins
2328 Woodpigeon S/SE and 859 NW
147 Fieldfare W/NE
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 19 8:17 PM, 2020
This morning from the Higher Meadows area (in GM as always):
1447 Pink-footed Geese with 1327 in 10 skeins SE and 120 in one skein NW
9 Whooper Swan SE (in flocks of 2, 2 and 5)
5174 Woodpigeon S/SE in 63 flocks
1 Snow bunting flew over NE at 10:08 am
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 17 6:32 PM, 2020
This morning from Georges Lane:
1191 Pink-footed Geese, with 2 skein of 87 birds W and 13 skeins of 1104 S/SE
2 possible Bewick’s Swan low SE over Horwich/Red Moss
3 Mute Swan NW
1 Crossbill N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 13 8:03 PM, 2020
This morning's highlights from Higher Meadows area of Georges Lane:
13 Whooper Swan SE
385 Pink-footed Geese SE in 9 small skeins
5 Twite over low NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 12 11:16 PM, 2020
Highlights this morning from Higher Meadows area:
5861 Pink-footed Geese, with 5388 E/SE in 47 skeins, 473 W/NW in 7 skeins
110 Whooper Swan in 6 flocks east and 1 NW
Merlin through north
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 10 9:38 AM, 2020
Highlights from yesterday morning, mainly from Scout Road:
4 Whooper Swan low north
1 Shelduck NW
4 Goosander S
1 Golden Plover over
50 Redwing S
34 Fieldfare S
77 Chaffinch S
1 Brambling S
260 Starling NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Thu Nov 5 5:37 PM, 2020
Another good days vis mig on the moors after whats been a poor October, today's combined counts with Andy Makin produced -
17,500 Woodpigeon south c3000 Pink-footed Geese east and 419 NW 45 Whooper Swans east, with groups of 21 and 24. Also 8 flew NW. 8 Greylag Geese west 290 Fieldfare NW 530 Starling NW 1 Brambling SW 30 Chaffinch south and 85 NW
8306 Pink-footed Geese over, with 374 NW in 7 skeins and 7932 SE in 35 skeins
6 Crossbills N
646 Chaffinches mainly S
6400 Woodpigeons mainly S/SE
14 Snipe N
A flock of 35 Skylark E
10 Brambling N
80 Fieldfare S
Female/immature Wheatear for its second day in the pony fields at the bottom of Mast Road
Today’s highlights (4th) included:
2596 Pink-footed Geese, with 111 in 3 skeins NW and 2485 in 16 skeins SE
12,796 Woodpigeon SE
896 Starling NW
93 Chaffinch mainly S
257 Fieldfare S
3 crossbill N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 30 10:06 PM, 2020
fairly brief watch from Higher Meadoes early this morning produced highlights of:
4 male type Ring Ouzel south together
186 Woodpigeon NW
390 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins over south Manchester
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 28 10:02 PM, 2020
Vis Mig watch from Scout Road, 06.45 to 09.15 -
Big movement of Pink-footed Geese, with c3,950 in 16 skiens all east, many right over the moor itself. 334 Chaffinch south 58 Linnet south 60 Brambling south 72 Fieldfare SW 12 Siskin south 1 Goosander 1 Lesser Redpoll south
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 28 4:53 PM, 2020
A Great Northern Diver was watched fly south over Lancashire from Higher Meadows this morning at 08:22 and apparently continued on over Blackrod before being lost to view.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Oct 15 1:38 PM, 2020
This mornings moors highlights from the usual three watch points with Greater Manchester as always:
1595 Pink-footed Geese with 7 skein SE and 1 skein of 27 NW
370 Woodpigeon S/SW
10 Stock Doves S
356 Fieldfares in 24 small flocks N/NW
1278 Redwings in 50 flocks seemingly all directions!
163 Chaffinch N
49 Brambling N
20 Linnet N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 14 5:33 PM, 2020
This morning's visible migration highlights from across the entire moors (Edge Lane, Scout Road and Georges Lane) included:
1 Whooper Swan low south along Walker Fold Road
309 Woodpigeon S
5 Ring Ouzel SE through Georges Lane
1153 Redwing in total, with 264 S/SW in 17 small flocks and 889 W/NW in 61 small flocks
8 Swallow with 4 south and 4 still hanging around feeding
1 Sand Martin S
9 Brambling N
2 Collared Dove S
2 Tree Sparrow down off Edge Lane
4 Stonechat
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Oct 12 10:31 PM, 2020
Visible migration highlights from the moors today included:
1 female Pintail NE
1 Golden Plover S
1 Ring Ouzel dropped in along Edge Lane briefly then flew off south
2204 Redwings in total, with 1577 birds in 58 flocks N/NW and 627 birds in 18 flocks S/SE
35 Fieldfare
3 Crossbill N
11 Siskin S
4 Brambling S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Sun Oct 11 7:27 PM, 2020
Vis Mig watch from Scout Road this morning with Andy Makin and Dennis Atherton produced the following -
2256 Pink-feet east or SE in 14 skiens and 58 NW 3 Goose sp, probably pink-feet north up the Belmont valley 1 immature Swan species west 9 Goosander south 1 Golden Plover NW 139 Jackdaw south 15 Skylark west 9 Swallow south and 5 still hanging around Colliers Row 125 Fieldfare NW 1179 Redwings NW or north Crossbill 3 heard only over
1 Wheatear in field behind quarry.
Also Andy Pinches reported 175 Redwings, 1 Ring Ouzel, 28 Skylark and 2 Brambling from George's Lane.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Oct 6 9:59 PM, 2020
Late news for yesterday morning;
4836 Pink-footed Geese, with 1407 in 9 skeins SE and 3429 in 28 skeins NW
A flock of 70 Teal SE
3 Swallows S
1 House Martin S
21 Redwings S
2 Grey Wagtail SW
5 Jay W
74 Chaffinch S
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Dennis atherton said
Mon Sep 28 5:53 PM, 2020
Today pics in bad light sorry. Fly by Redwings. Crossbills. Fieldfare. Pink footed Goose. And male and female Hen Harriers
Sightings from Scout Road with Andy Makin, Dennis Atherton and Dan Brown-
1 Fieldfare through SW with 2 Redwings (equalled our earliest ever date with our only previous September record being on the 28th Sept 2014!) 296 Redwings through either SW, NW or north in c24 flocks, largest flock 37. 7 Song Thrush SW Male and ringtail Hen Harrier seen in both GM and Lancs! 276 Pink-footed Geese east and 48 NW 11 Crossbills south at head height. 3 Goosander south 11 Swallow south 166 Meadow Pipit south 131 Chaffinch south, 31 north 18 Lesser Redpoll SW
Mast Compounds / Dean's Ditch
4 Wheatear 3 Stonechat 1 Merlin 2 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Wheatear and 1 Redwing inside main mast compound
Goerge's Lane - Sightings from Andy Pinches
20 Fieldfare through in one flock. 138 Redwings west 3 Ring Ouzel 2 Wheatear 96 Meadow Pipits south 7 Swallows south
Dennis atherton said
Mon Sep 28 2:55 PM, 2020
Scout rd
7 hrs from 7am- 2pm First good day for Redwing movements. Totals will get posted later. Highlight Male Hen Harrier showed again for those that missed it yesterday. First sighting 9.40 then seen again 11.40 ish. Also a female Hen Harrier flew through at 10.10am. I'll post pics later
Dennis atherton said
Sun Sep 27 9:45 PM, 2020
7am till 12pm Scout rd
1 Wheatear down
100 Linnet n
5 Crossbill n
1 Swallow n
3 Lesser redpol n
Pink footed geese moving 7-7.30 only but nothing later 150, 60, 30
A few small flocks of Siskin too
Wind direction wrong today so not good movement in general but the 5 hour watch covered did produce a stunning male Hen Harrier at 9.44. Shot straight through at long distance but just about got some record shots
-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Sunday 27th of September 2020 09:46:24 PM
1 male Ring ouzel S at Scout Road and a further 2 S at Higher Meadows
11 Crossbill
86 Pink-footed Geese, with 70 N and 16 E
8 Wheatear
15 redpoll S
17 Siskin S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Simon Warford said
Mon Sep 21 9:23 PM, 2020
Vis mig watch from Scout Road with Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes produced a huge early rush of Meadow Pipits where between us we counted roughly 3700 all south, the onslaught started at 06:40 and went quiet at 08:00. Other highlights up to 9.30am included a single Ring Ouzel which dropped in behind the quarry, 7 Goosander high south, 60 Siskin south and smaller numbers of Swallow and House Martin. Andy Pinches also had 40 Pink-footed Geese from Georges Lane also 8 Ring Ouzels, 4 Redwing, 8 Crossbills and 2 Whinchat.
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 20 5:01 PM, 2020
Vis Mig watch this morning from Scout Road with Andy Makin and others, 6.45am to midday produced over 3000 Meadow Pipits south, though the highlight was a flock of 10 Ring Ouzels that came high over Smithill's moor from Lancs and landed out of sight behind Yoman Hey Reservoir. A short while later 9 of them flew right past us and off SE. Followed by a single bird flew down the valley high south, followed by 3 more over Smithill's Moor and then a lovely pair that flew right past Scout Road quarry, perching in a Hawthorn briefly before flying off south, taking our tally to 16 for the morning, which is probably our highest ever daily total in autumn. Andy Pinches also had 6 Ring Ouzels along Georges Lane early morning. A juvenile Hen Harrier was quartering Smithill's Moor for an hour on and off. Other birds south included 170 Siskin, 11 Crossbills, 617 House Martin, 60 Swallow and 126 Linnet. 2 Wheatear, 1 Redstart and 2 Chiffchaff were also seen around the quarry area.
Martin Loftus said
Sun Sep 20 4:28 PM, 2020
3 mile hike around the moors this afternoon.
All I could manage of note, was this female whinchat near the kennels on St George's Lane (see photo)
And a pair of Raven over Smithhills
Also heard a drumming snipe near the top plantation in Smithhills..thought it was odd for the time of day
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Sunday 20th of September 2020 04:58:28 PM
Further sightings from the Higher Meadows are off Georges Lane this afternoon:
352 House Martin, 190 Swallow, 150 Meadow Pipit and 4 Grey Wagtail south and and 4 more Wheatear.
Info thanks to Andy pinches and Dan brown
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 19 4:01 PM, 2020
Today's highlights (as always inside Greater Manchester; thanks to Birdguides for at least getting it right 😉):
4 Ring Ouzel in the 'big hedge' at 13:30 at Higher Meadows off Georges Lane (info Ken Haydock)
3 Buzzard
7 Snipe N
769 Meadow Pipit over
45 Swallow and 130 House Martin S
22 Siskin S
2 Wheatear, with 1 down and 1 which stopped only briefly before heading off south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Craig Higson said
Sat Sep 19 9:05 AM, 2020
3 Ring Ouzels the best from a very windy couple of hours along Georges Lane. Plenty Meadow Pipits moving bit over a broad front so not able to count. A Water Rail was squealing around Georges Pond. All the other usual suspects.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 18 9:47 PM, 2020
Today’s all day combined six observer moors totals courtesy of Andy Makin (national bird info services note, that all sightings on this county thread are always with Greater Manchester unless otherwise stated):
11 Greylag Geese SE
1 Osprey SE at 7:09am, drifting out over Egerton
38 Buzzard S
1 Merlin S
2 Hobby S
7 Sparrowhawk S
2477 Meadow Pipit S/SE
797 Swallow S
677 House Martin S
10 Ring Ouzel, with 2 males S, 4 briefly down off Scout Road but then S and 4 W at Higher Meadows
4 Crossbill S
283 Siskin S
Birds down included 9 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaff and a Redstart at Adams Hill Plantation
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Sep 17 8:23 PM, 2020
Today’s combined moors combined totals included:
5 Pink-footed Geese W and 41 SW in the morning
1 redhead Goosander S
2 Merlin with a female type over Scout Road and an immature male type chasing pipits over Dean Ditch
1 Osprey flew over south c1500 ft above Deans Ditch at 2:35pm
2493 Meadow Pipit S
397 Swallow S
15 Sand Martin S
1716 House Martin S
7 Raven S
12 Lesser Redpoll, 87 Linnet, 81 Siskin and 7 Crossbill all south with a further 3 Crossbill north
1 male Ring Ouzel S
An adult Hobby hunting dragonflies over Dean Ditch
Birds down included 29 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 16 9:41 PM, 2020
Today’s combined moors highlights:
7 Grey Wagtail S
74 Meadow Pipit S
6 Swallow and 29 House Martin S
3 Siskin
Birds down by the mast compounds on Winter Hill included 2 Ring Ouzel (within Lancashire, thanks to Dace Sherrington), 1 Whinchat, 11 Stonechat, 10 Wren, 9 Robin and 15 Wheatear
Also a Black Redstart which spent time in both Lancashire and Greater Manchester!
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 16 3:15 PM, 2020
Late news for visible migration yesterday, mainly from Scout Road:
5467 House Martin
6832 Swallow
3 Sand Martin
2846 Meadow Pipit
1 Hobby S
13 Buzzard
5 Sparrowhawk
8 Crossbill
151 Siskin
154 Goldfinch
103 Linnet
72 Chaffinch
4 Lesser Redpoll
Birds down included 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Redstart
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 14 9:48 PM, 2020
Today’s combined moors total, mainly from Scout Road included:
1877 Swallow
1939 House Martin
6 Sand Martin S
1349 Meadow Pipit S
1 juvenile Hobby
1 Merlin
8 Sparrowhawk
24 Buzzard S
6 Crossbill S
4 Grey Wagtail S
33 Siskin S
51 Chaffinch S
2 Whinchat south
3 Wheatear
3 Spotted Flycatcher in Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 14 9:43 AM, 2020
Yesterday's combined moors totals included:
Birds flying over all heading south:
19 Buzzard
6 Snipe
1571 Meadow Pipit
97 Swallow
190 House Martin
58 Linnet 58
5 Siskin 5
Birds down included:
12 Chiffchaff
10 Wheatear
2 Whinchat
18 Stonechat
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Steve Christmas said
Mon Sep 14 8:49 AM, 2020
While ringing meadow pipits on the Moors on Friday, we also caught a juvenile female merlin that was already ringed. Details have come back from the BTO showing that it was originally ringed as one of a brood of 5 in June in the Scottish Highlands.
James Richardson said
Mon Sep 7 9:05 AM, 2020
Walk through the woodland trust plantations to Rivington Pike and back yesterday.
Highlights were a hobby chasing the numerous swallows over Walker Fold woods, also swift was nice to see at Hole Bottom.
Simon Warford said
Sun Sep 6 4:45 PM, 2020
This morning 6.45am to midday with Andy Makin, very quiet around the moors.
5 Tree Pipit, 63 House Martin over Scout Road male Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Chiffchaff and 2 Wheatear around the pony field at Scout Road 1 Wheatear Mast Road 1 Robin Mast compunds ay Winter Hill, 39 Meadow Pipits around there 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, several Stonechats George's Lane
Craig Higson said
Sat Sep 5 11:20 PM, 2020
Not much along Georges Lane this morning from around 07:30-08:30ish. Walker fold was much better, especially the area around Holdens Farm which, due to the slightly more sheltered nature of some areas held quite a few birds including 8 Stonechat, Single Whinchat, 12 Mistle Thrushes on the wires, 10's of Meadow Pipits, many moving through but plenty stopping off to feed in the fields, 23 Goldfinches and 2 kestrels. The walk up from Walker Fold Car Park was pretty quiet apart from a very large and noisy tit flock that was sadly just too active in the still heavily vegetated trees for any accurate counting, but contained a number of Chiffchaffs, 'crests, Coal, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits.
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Sep 5 10:52 AM, 2020
No sign of Wryneck today so far. Wrap up warm as its a cold wind!
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 4 10:10 PM, 2020
Other birds today as visible migration included:
50 Meadow Pipit S
3 Tree Pipit S
26 Swallow S
10 Siskin S
7 Swift fast NW
Migrants down included:
1 CY male Redstart
5 Wheatear
Whinchat briefly
150 Meadow Pipit down across on the moors
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Andrew Mitchell said
Fri Sep 4 8:55 PM, 2020
The Wryneck showed well at around 7pm in the field opposite the conifers referred to by Ian below, before flying into one of them and seemingly settling down to roost.
Several Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and some Stonechats also along Georges Lane.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 4 3:26 PM, 2020
At 3pm the Wryneck was back in its original spot below the hawthorn c200ft north of the kennels/cafe at Higher Meadows along Georges Lane, within Greater Manchester.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 4 12:54 PM, 2020
Wryneck still present around the conifers just within Lancashire, at the northern end of Georges Lane and just immediately north of the kennels/cafe.
Yesterday‘s morning highlights from the Higher Meadows area around Georges Lane and Scout Road:
2456 Pink-footed Geese, with 1529 SE in 20 skeins and 927 W/NW in 15 skeins
2328 Woodpigeon S/SE and 859 NW
147 Fieldfare W/NE
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning from the Higher Meadows area (in GM as always):
1447 Pink-footed Geese with 1327 in 10 skeins SE and 120 in one skein NW
9 Whooper Swan SE (in flocks of 2, 2 and 5)
5174 Woodpigeon S/SE in 63 flocks
1 Snow bunting flew over NE at 10:08 am
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning from Georges Lane:
1191 Pink-footed Geese, with 2 skein of 87 birds W and 13 skeins of 1104 S/SE
2 possible Bewick’s Swan low SE over Horwich/Red Moss
3 Mute Swan NW
1 Crossbill N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's highlights from Higher Meadows area of Georges Lane:
13 Whooper Swan SE
385 Pink-footed Geese SE in 9 small skeins
5 Twite over low NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Highlights this morning from Higher Meadows area:
5861 Pink-footed Geese, with 5388 E/SE in 47 skeins, 473 W/NW in 7 skeins
110 Whooper Swan in 6 flocks east and 1 NW
Merlin through north
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Highlights from yesterday morning, mainly from Scout Road:
4 Whooper Swan low north
1 Shelduck NW
4 Goosander S
1 Golden Plover over
50 Redwing S
34 Fieldfare S
77 Chaffinch S
1 Brambling S
260 Starling NW
Info thanks to Andy Makin
17,500 Woodpigeon south
c3000 Pink-footed Geese east and 419 NW
45 Whooper Swans east, with groups of 21 and 24. Also 8 flew NW.
8 Greylag Geese west
290 Fieldfare NW
530 Starling NW
1 Brambling SW
30 Chaffinch south and 85 NW
2 Golden Plover on Smithill's Moor.
Yesterday's highlights (3rd) included:
8306 Pink-footed Geese over, with 374 NW in 7 skeins and 7932 SE in 35 skeins
6 Crossbills N
646 Chaffinches mainly S
6400 Woodpigeons mainly S/SE
14 Snipe N
A flock of 35 Skylark E
10 Brambling N
80 Fieldfare S
Female/immature Wheatear for its second day in the pony fields at the bottom of Mast Road
Today’s highlights (4th) included:
2596 Pink-footed Geese, with 111 in 3 skeins NW and 2485 in 16 skeins SE
12,796 Woodpigeon SE
896 Starling NW
93 Chaffinch mainly S
257 Fieldfare S
3 crossbill N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
fairly brief watch from Higher Meadoes early this morning produced highlights of:
4 male type Ring Ouzel south together
186 Woodpigeon NW
390 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins over south Manchester
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Big movement of Pink-footed Geese, with c3,950 in 16 skiens all east, many right over the moor itself.
334 Chaffinch south
58 Linnet south
60 Brambling south
72 Fieldfare SW
12 Siskin south
1 Goosander
1 Lesser Redpoll south
A Great Northern Diver was watched fly south over Lancashire from Higher Meadows this morning at 08:22 and apparently continued on over Blackrod before being lost to view.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This mornings moors highlights from the usual three watch points with Greater Manchester as always:
1595 Pink-footed Geese with 7 skein SE and 1 skein of 27 NW
370 Woodpigeon S/SW
10 Stock Doves S
356 Fieldfares in 24 small flocks N/NW
1278 Redwings in 50 flocks seemingly all directions!
163 Chaffinch N
49 Brambling N
20 Linnet N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning's visible migration highlights from across the entire moors (Edge Lane, Scout Road and Georges Lane) included:
1 Whooper Swan low south along Walker Fold Road
309 Woodpigeon S
5 Ring Ouzel SE through Georges Lane
1153 Redwing in total, with 264 S/SW in 17 small flocks and 889 W/NW in 61 small flocks
436 Fieldfare N/NW in 24 small flocks
4 Raven high S
13 Brambling N
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Yesterday morning’s visible migration totals included:
1 Goosander S
335 Woodpigeon S
100 Redwings S in 11 flocks and 97 NW in 5 flocks
330 Fieldfare NW 12 flockS nw 330 birdS
8 Swallow with 4 south and 4 still hanging around feeding
1 Sand Martin S
9 Brambling N
2 Collared Dove S
2 Tree Sparrow down off Edge Lane
4 Stonechat
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Visible migration highlights from the moors today included:
1 female Pintail NE
1 Golden Plover S
1 Ring Ouzel dropped in along Edge Lane briefly then flew off south
2204 Redwings in total, with 1577 birds in 58 flocks N/NW and 627 birds in 18 flocks S/SE
35 Fieldfare
3 Crossbill N
11 Siskin S
4 Brambling S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
2256 Pink-feet east or SE in 14 skiens and 58 NW
3 Goose sp, probably pink-feet north up the Belmont valley
1 immature Swan species west
9 Goosander south
1 Golden Plover NW
139 Jackdaw south
15 Skylark west
9 Swallow south and 5 still hanging around Colliers Row
125 Fieldfare NW
1179 Redwings NW or north
Crossbill 3 heard only over
1 Wheatear in field behind quarry.
Also Andy Pinches reported 175 Redwings, 1 Ring Ouzel, 28 Skylark and 2 Brambling from George's Lane.
Late news for yesterday morning;
4836 Pink-footed Geese, with 1407 in 9 skeins SE and 3429 in 28 skeins NW
A flock of 70 Teal SE
3 Swallows S
1 House Martin S
21 Redwings S
2 Grey Wagtail SW
5 Jay W
74 Chaffinch S
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Andy Pinches
Today pics in bad light sorry. Fly by Redwings. Crossbills. Fieldfare. Pink footed Goose. And male and female Hen Harriers
Sightings from Scout Road with Andy Makin, Dennis Atherton and Dan Brown-
1 Fieldfare through SW with 2 Redwings (equalled our earliest ever date with our only previous September record being on the 28th Sept 2014!)
296 Redwings through either SW, NW or north in c24 flocks, largest flock 37.
7 Song Thrush SW
Male and ringtail Hen Harrier seen in both GM and Lancs!
276 Pink-footed Geese east and 48 NW
11 Crossbills south at head height.
3 Goosander south
11 Swallow south
166 Meadow Pipit south
131 Chaffinch south, 31 north
18 Lesser Redpoll SW
Mast Compounds / Dean's Ditch
4 Wheatear
3 Stonechat
1 Merlin
2 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Wheatear and 1 Redwing inside main mast compound
Goerge's Lane - Sightings from Andy Pinches
20 Fieldfare through in one flock.
138 Redwings west
3 Ring Ouzel
2 Wheatear
96 Meadow Pipits south
7 Swallows south
Scout rd
7 hrs from 7am- 2pm First good day for Redwing movements. Totals will get posted later. Highlight Male Hen Harrier showed again for those that missed it yesterday. First sighting 9.40 then seen again 11.40 ish. Also a female Hen Harrier flew through at 10.10am. I'll post pics later
7am till 12pm Scout rd
1 Wheatear down
100 Linnet n
5 Crossbill n
1 Swallow n
3 Lesser redpol n
Pink footed geese moving 7-7.30 only but nothing later 150, 60, 30
A few small flocks of Siskin too
Wind direction wrong today so not good movement in general but the 5 hour watch covered did produce a stunning male Hen Harrier at 9.44. Shot straight through at long distance but just about got some record shots
-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Sunday 27th of September 2020 09:46:24 PM
This morning’s highlights:
34 skeins of Pink-footed Geese over totalling 1905+ birds
1 Hobby S
4 Golden Plover NW
19 House Martin in two flocks NW
51 Siskin
1 Wheatear down
Info thanks to Andy Makin
This morning with Andy Makin
Lots of skiens of Pink Footed goose moving through and 2 super fast zoomed by distant Golden Plover
Highlights from this morning on Scout Road (not in Lancs!):
1627 Meadow Pipit S
7 Ring Ouzel S
1 Redwing S
4 Crossbill S
49 Chaffinch, 17 Siskin and 37 Linnet S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Lovely images Dennis. I think the boundary stone is just West of the old kennels so if you weren't that far you were still in Greater Manchester.
Great views of Crossbill on George's lane today in dull light. Just slightly over the border into Lancashire I think
Today's combined highlights from a few observers:
329 Meadow Pipit S
2 Merlin S
1 male Ring ouzel S at Scout Road and a further 2 S at Higher Meadows
11 Crossbill
86 Pink-footed Geese, with 70 N and 16 E
8 Wheatear
15 redpoll S
17 Siskin S
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Vis mig watch from Scout Road with Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes produced a huge early rush of Meadow Pipits where between us we counted roughly 3700 all south, the onslaught started at 06:40 and went quiet at 08:00. Other highlights up to 9.30am included a single Ring Ouzel which dropped in behind the quarry, 7 Goosander high south, 60 Siskin south and smaller numbers of Swallow and House Martin. Andy Pinches also had 40 Pink-footed Geese from Georges Lane also 8 Ring Ouzels, 4 Redwing, 8 Crossbills and 2 Whinchat.
3 mile hike around the moors this afternoon.
All I could manage of note, was this female whinchat near the kennels on St George's Lane (see photo)
And a pair of Raven over Smithhills
Also heard a drumming snipe near the top plantation in Smithhills..thought it was odd for the time of day
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Sunday 20th of September 2020 04:58:28 PM
Further sightings from the Higher Meadows are off Georges Lane this afternoon:
352 House Martin, 190 Swallow, 150 Meadow Pipit and 4 Grey Wagtail south and and 4 more Wheatear.
Info thanks to Andy pinches and Dan brown
Today's highlights (as always inside Greater Manchester; thanks to Birdguides for at least getting it right 😉):
4 Ring Ouzel in the 'big hedge' at 13:30 at Higher Meadows off Georges Lane (info Ken Haydock)
3 Buzzard
7 Snipe N
769 Meadow Pipit over
45 Swallow and 130 House Martin S
22 Siskin S
2 Wheatear, with 1 down and 1 which stopped only briefly before heading off south
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today’s all day combined six observer moors totals courtesy of Andy Makin (national bird info services note, that all sightings on this county thread are always with Greater Manchester unless otherwise stated):
11 Greylag Geese SE
1 Osprey SE at 7:09am, drifting out over Egerton
38 Buzzard S
1 Merlin S
2 Hobby S
7 Sparrowhawk S
2477 Meadow Pipit S/SE
797 Swallow S
677 House Martin S
10 Ring Ouzel, with 2 males S, 4 briefly down off Scout Road but then S and 4 W at Higher Meadows
4 Crossbill S
283 Siskin S
Birds down included 9 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaff and a Redstart at Adams Hill Plantation
Today’s combined moors combined totals included:
5 Pink-footed Geese W and 41 SW in the morning
1 redhead Goosander S
2 Merlin with a female type over Scout Road and an immature male type chasing pipits over Dean Ditch
1 Osprey flew over south c1500 ft above Deans Ditch at 2:35pm
2493 Meadow Pipit S
397 Swallow S
15 Sand Martin S
1716 House Martin S
7 Raven S
12 Lesser Redpoll, 87 Linnet, 81 Siskin and 7 Crossbill all south with a further 3 Crossbill north
1 male Ring Ouzel S
An adult Hobby hunting dragonflies over Dean Ditch
Birds down included 29 Wheatear
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today’s combined moors highlights:
7 Grey Wagtail S
74 Meadow Pipit S
6 Swallow and 29 House Martin S
3 Siskin
Birds down by the mast compounds on Winter Hill included 2 Ring Ouzel (within Lancashire, thanks to Dace Sherrington), 1 Whinchat, 11 Stonechat, 10 Wren, 9 Robin and 15 Wheatear
Also a Black Redstart which spent time in both Lancashire and Greater Manchester!
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Late news for visible migration yesterday, mainly from Scout Road:
5467 House Martin
6832 Swallow
3 Sand Martin
2846 Meadow Pipit
1 Hobby S
13 Buzzard
5 Sparrowhawk
8 Crossbill
151 Siskin
154 Goldfinch
103 Linnet
72 Chaffinch
4 Lesser Redpoll
Birds down included 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Redstart
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Today’s combined moors total, mainly from Scout Road included:
1877 Swallow
1939 House Martin
6 Sand Martin S
1349 Meadow Pipit S
1 juvenile Hobby
1 Merlin
8 Sparrowhawk
24 Buzzard S
6 Crossbill S
4 Grey Wagtail S
33 Siskin S
51 Chaffinch S
2 Whinchat south
3 Wheatear
3 Spotted Flycatcher in Burnt Edge
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Yesterday's combined moors totals included:
Birds flying over all heading south:
19 Buzzard
6 Snipe
1571 Meadow Pipit
97 Swallow
190 House Martin
58 Linnet 58
5 Siskin 5
Birds down included:
12 Chiffchaff
10 Wheatear
2 Whinchat
18 Stonechat
Info thanks to Andy Makin
While ringing meadow pipits on the Moors on Friday, we also caught a juvenile female merlin that was already ringed. Details have come back from the BTO showing that it was originally ringed as one of a brood of 5 in June in the Scottish Highlands.
Highlights were a hobby chasing the numerous swallows over Walker Fold woods, also swift was nice to see at Hole Bottom.
5 Tree Pipit, 63 House Martin over Scout Road
male Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Chiffchaff and 2 Wheatear around the pony field at Scout Road
1 Wheatear Mast Road
1 Robin Mast compunds ay Winter Hill, 39 Meadow Pipits around there
2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, several Stonechats George's Lane
Other birds today as visible migration included:
50 Meadow Pipit S
3 Tree Pipit S
26 Swallow S
10 Siskin S
7 Swift fast NW
Migrants down included:
1 CY male Redstart
5 Wheatear
Whinchat briefly
150 Meadow Pipit down across on the moors
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Several Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and some Stonechats also along Georges Lane.
At 3pm the Wryneck was back in its original spot below the hawthorn c200ft north of the kennels/cafe at Higher Meadows along Georges Lane, within Greater Manchester.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Wryneck still present around the conifers just within Lancashire, at the northern end of Georges Lane and just immediately north of the kennels/cafe.