Another early morning outing today. Loads of activity going on in the nice and bright conditions.
19 Linnets 10 Whitethroats 7 Yellowhammers 4 Goldfinches 13 Reed Buntings 6 Meadow Pipits 1 Corn Bunting - still singing from the same spot. 2 Skylarks 1 Treecreeper - juvenile - year tick. 10 Willow Warblers 1 Pheasant 2 Blackcaps - singing males. 2 Song Thrushes 1 Pied Wagtail 2 Grey Partridges 1 Greenfinch 1 Moorhen
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Jul 14 12:27 AM, 2012
No problem Mick. I'm glad you enjoyed the place.
MickRyan said
Fri Jul 13 5:31 PM, 2012
Hi Nick, What a find!! I'm new to the area and stumbled on your posts after coming on here to read about Pennington Flash! Went to the Moss last evening and what a great place! I'm a pro photographer but do nature stuff as a hobby so will be hopefully getting a few pics when I can. Thanks for putting me on to such a great place! Mick
Nick Isherwood said
Fri Jul 13 3:02 AM, 2012
Early mooch this morning in very nice conditions for once.
2 Corn Bunting - one singing it's little heart out near Highfield farm and another just out of county to the south. 5 Meadow Pipit 2 Skylark 23 Linnet 9 Whitethroat - at least three fledglings. 5 Yellowhammer 2 Blackcap 1 Chiffchaff 2 Song Thrush 9 Willow Warbler 1 Pheasant 4 Greenfinch - 3 juveniles. 2 Chaffinch 10 Reed Bunting 4 Goldfinch - 2 juveniles. 2 Grey Partridge - both poults. 1 Kestrel 1 Mallard 2 Moorhen
Plenty of juvenile birds of the more common species too - Blackbirds, Wrens, Robins, etc. Also, Woodpigeon numbers seem to have increased with a good movement of birds passing through during my outing.
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Jul 12 1:24 AM, 2012
A Hobby flew over the moss late this afternoon carrying what appeared to be a Swift.
All the other usual birds present too.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jul 10 4:06 AM, 2012
A pleasant evening mooch tonight until a rain shower soaked me through.
All the usual species present but of note were:
5 Yellow Wagtail over north. Probable family party. 4 Grey Partridge including 2 young. c40 Swallows including many young catching flies low over the moss.
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Jul 5 12:29 AM, 2012
Afternoon mooch and fairly quiet really.
Good to note though that Moorhens have successfully bred on the small pool and they've managed three chicks.
Kestrels have also successfully bred in the area too with one youngster noted on this visit being taught to fly and hunt by its parents.
Still at least twenty Mistle Thrushes in the crop field just south of the moss.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jul 3 11:18 PM, 2012
Loads of activity down the moss this morning. Plenty of young birds around along with a few surprises too.
3 Mallard 4 Reed Bunting 7 Yellowhammer 4 Corn Bunting - two singing from the corn field north of the moss and two singing from the field to the side of the airstrip. 8 Skylark 3 Blackcap 7 Lapwing 1 Lesser Redpoll - over north. Another year tick. 9 Linnet 4 Pheasant - m,f plus two poults. 9 Willow Warbler 5 Meadow Pipits 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 20 Mistle Thrush - I actually counted 20 though I suspect there were more. Probably several family groups. 1 Yellow Wagtail - female. 1 Whitethroat 2 Song Thrush 4 Chaffinch 5 Goldfinch 1 Moorhen
The biggest surprise of the morning was discovering the wreckage of a single propeller light aircraft nose down in the ditch on the moss by the side of the airstrip. The aircrafts nose was well bent and the windscreen cracked, but hopefully no one was too badly hurt.
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Jun 28 11:54 PM, 2012
A pleasant early morning wander down on the moss.
11 Meadow Pipit 1 Goldfinch 7 Skylark 9 Reed Bunting 7 Yellowhammer 5 Mallard 2 Blackcap 4 Whitethroat 14 Linnet 10 Willow Warbler 1 Pheasant 11 Lapwing 2 Grey Partridge 2 Corn Bunting - heard singing just out of county to the south. 1 Song Thrush 8 Mistle Thrush 1 Chaffinch 1 Buzzard
Also two Stoats playing in the short grass on the airstrip.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jun 26 4:27 AM, 2012
First outing down here for a week or so, mainly due to work and bad weather.
A lovely evening down on the moss and loads of bird activity. All the usual species present and good numbers of young birds around too. Birds of note were:
A singing Corn Bunting near to Highfield farm. A Willow Tit foraging for food. 13 Mistle Thrush on scrub field just south of the moss. Good numbers of Swifts and Swallows hunting insects very low over the moss.
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Jun 16 10:11 PM, 2012
Mid morning mooch today in windy but surprisingly dry conditions.
1 Swift 2 Chaffinch 9 Skylark 3 Whitethroat 3 Linnet 9 Yellowhammer 6 Swallow 1 Blackcap 10 Willow Warbler - including 4 young 7 Reed Bunting 1 Kestrel 5 Meadow Pipit 3 Lapwing 1 Grey Partridge 2 Tree Sparrow 1 Pheasant 2 Mallard 5 Mistle Thrush - including 3 young.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jun 12 4:08 AM, 2012
Evening visit.
Female Sparrowhawk with young Blackbird. Parent bird going mental. Kestrel with prey. 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Plus all the usuals.
Nick Isherwood said
Sun Jun 10 5:00 PM, 2012
My first chance to get down here in nearly a week mostly due to the rubbish weather we've had all week. Plenty activity this morning anyway as the birds took advantage of the better conditions.
Also very nice views of a Roe Deer. The first I've ever seen down here.
DavidBowman said
Wed Jun 6 11:21 PM, 2012
Walked down Barrow Lane and then round Highfield Moss and back. Two Yellow Wagtails, near the bollards on Barrow Lane plus four Corn Buntings. Totals of 8 singing Skylarks, 4 singing Reed Buntings, 11 Yellowhammers, 7 Grey Partridges, 5 Willow Warblers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrushes andc.40 Swifts.
Cheers David
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jun 5 8:52 PM, 2012
I had a cracking new tick for here this morning. I watched a Common Tern cross Newton Road and fly directly over the moss in the distance.
Nick Isherwood said
Mon Jun 4 9:29 PM, 2012
A bit boggy under foot this morning on the moss after yesterday's deluge. Still, I had the place to myself for two and half hours from 6.00 to 8.30.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Monday 4th of June 2012 10:36:08 PM
Nick Isherwood said
Fri Jun 1 11:30 PM, 2012
Early morning stroll 6.00 to 7.45.
8 Meadow Pipit 16 Linnet 4 Goldfinch 9 Chaffinch 12 Skylark - mostly feeding on the ploughed field just west of the moss. 1 Corn Bunting - singing from same place as yesterday evening. 9 Yellowhammer 2 Buzzard 4 Whitethroat 5 Lapwing 2 Blackcap 7 Reed Bunting 8 Willow Warbler 3 Song Thrush 12 Stock Dove - ploughed field. 1 Tree Sparrow 5 Mallard 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Jay
Good numbers of fledged birds around too.
Nick Isherwood said
Fri Jun 1 4:18 AM, 2012
Corn Bunting singing near to Highfield farm this evening.
All the other usual stuff around too.
Nick Isherwood said
Mon May 28 9:09 PM, 2012
Further to the posts on the Pennington flash thread. The only reason I'm having a 'bumper year' as Martyn puts it is because of all the hours I'm putting in down there. I'm down there pretty much every day at the moment much to my wife's disdain. As they say, if you put the hours in then you'll get the results.
I agree with John too. When the weathers like this it gets full of idiots drinking and swimming and making fires. The area around the pond is historically known as Lowton beach and it was a hang out for people in hot weather going back over a hundred years ( I found a photo on the Internet). The best time to visit when it's hot is literally first light or last light. As he also said too, Barrow Lane and Winwick are good sites too and only a few hundred yards away.
Nick Isherwood said
Fri May 25 5:01 AM, 2012
Pete Astles wrote:
Nick I picked up three of those helium ballons earlier these week and took them home. (Not to play with for the bin)
It said baby girl on it they are all over the moss.
What a mystery
Very odd!!
Pete Astles said
Fri May 25 4:14 AM, 2012
Nick I picked up three of those helium ballons earlier these week and took them home. (Not to play with for the bin)
It said baby girl on it they are all over the moss.
What a mystery
Nick Isherwood said
Thu May 24 11:46 PM, 2012
Early morning mooch and great to be out on such a lovely day.
7 Meadow Pipit 9 Chaffinch 13 Yellowhammer 8 Whitethroat 6 Skylark 16 Willow Warbler 11 Linnet 4 Song Thrush 8 Lapwing - amusing to watch them seeing off a predator. In this case the 'predator' was a small helium filled balloon floating through their territory. 1 Blackcap 1 Goldfinch 1 Mistle Thrush 9 Swallow 5 Reed Bunting 5 Grey Partridge 1 Greenfinch 4 Tree Sparrow 1 Buzzard 2 Long Tailed Tit 1 Kestrel 2 Jay 2 Mallard 1 House Martin 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Plus the usuals.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue May 22 3:57 AM, 2012
Cracking views this evening of a fly past Hobby with a small bird in it's talons. The amazing thing was how it was plucking it as it flew along. Every few seconds there was a puff of feathers as it plucked away on the wing. Must have been a female as only they can multi task like this.
Besides all the other usual culprits there was also four Greenland race Wheatears on the ploughed field just west of the moss.
Nick Isherwood said
Mon May 21 4:24 AM, 2012
Evening mooch in nice pleasant and still conditions.
1 Shelduck 2 Tree Sparrow 1 Yellow Wagtail - female. New year tick. 2 Goldfinch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Lesser Whitethroat - this birds been around for a few days now singing from the same cluster of bushes. The call was a little different than is usual of a Lesser though. I got good close up views of it tonight though so that clinched the bird. Another tick.
All the other usual stuff around too.
Nick Isherwood said
Sat May 19 5:21 PM, 2012
Early morning outing 6.00 to 8.15. Light rain and slight northerly breeze. Feeling a little on the cool side for this time of year.
1 Kestrel 4 Skylark 8 Yellowhammer 6 Whitethroat 8 Tree Sparrow - including two parents feeding a fledgling. 1 Pied Wagtail 11 Willow Warbler - including two fledglings. 4 Grey Partridge - two pairs. 7 Chaffinch 2 Blackcap - 1m,1f - the male had a very strange call. Sounded like a mix between a Blackcap and Blackbird at times. 1 Garden Warbler - very vocal bird. Gave brief views several times before disappearing. A new year tick. 8 Lapwing - including 3 fledglings. 1 Song Thrush 6 Reed Buntings 4 Meadow Pipits 1 Buzzard 1 Pheasant - male. 3 Wheatear - 2f,1m in ploughed field just out of county. 1 Linnet 1 Swallow 2 Goldfinch
Nick Isherwood said
Sat May 19 5:10 PM, 2012
Dennis atherton wrote:
Well done Nick, your working hard there this year and getting up a great list, im enjoying reading your updates seeing what you find, keep at it, i see you got another nice tick today, Good stuff pal,
Cheers Dennis. Thought I'd set myself a little challenge at the start of the year by doing a year list here. It's been hard going at times but occasionally getting a good bird or two.
Dennis atherton said
Thu May 17 4:53 AM, 2012
Well done Nick, your working hard there this year and getting up a great list, im enjoying reading your updates seeing what you find, keep at it, i see you got another nice tick today, Good stuff pal,
Nick Isherwood said
Thu May 17 12:01 AM, 2012
Early morning mooch 6.00 to 7.45.
6 Skylark 6 Whitethroat - numbers of singing males seems to have dropped a little now. 9 Yellowhammer 7 Grey Partridge 17 Willow Warbler 3 Chaffinch 2 Blackcap 5 Lapwing - including 3 fledglings. 2 Shelduck - seem to be roosting on the moss. 6 Linnet 8 Reed Bunting 1 Mallard 4 Meadow Pipit 8 Wheatear - six in ploughed field to the south just out of county. 5 Tree Sparrow 1 Song Thrush
Probably the biggest surprise this morning was a Nuthatch feeding in the mature trees at the top of Heath Lane. First time I've ever seen one here.
Nick Isherwood said
Wed May 16 11:53 PM, 2012
TweetyPatersons wrote:
Hi - our first visit today - thanks to GeekTeacher and Nick Isherwood. We have only been birding for a couple of years, but have used this website manytimes to look for places to go.
Finally took the step to join the forum!
We were the only people there, and had some great views of the reed buntings, a few swallows drinking, willow warblers, meadow pipits (a first for us), and tree sparrows. On the way back up to the travellers rest entrance a couple of buzzards. We heard many more birds including the skylarks - but are not experienced enough to identify all (any!) of them by song alone.
Really nice place to get extremely close to the birds, and generally quite beautiful, with a below average count of 'special brew' and 'carlsberg' cans!
I'm glad you enjoyed the place. Welcome to the forum.
TweetyPatersons said
Wed May 16 11:17 PM, 2012
Hi - our first visit today - thanks to GeekTeacher and Nick Isherwood. We have only been birding for a couple of years, but have used this website manytimes to look for places to go.
Finally took the step to join the forum!
We were the only people there, and had some great views of the reed buntings, a few swallows drinking, willow warblers, meadow pipits (a first for us), and tree sparrows. On the way back up to the travellers rest entrance a couple of buzzards. We heard many more birds including the skylarks - but are not experienced enough to identify all (any!) of them by song alone.
Really nice place to get extremely close to the birds, and generally quite beautiful, with a below average count of 'special brew' and 'carlsberg' cans!
Pete Astles said
Tue May 15 10:53 PM, 2012
Nice morning on the Moss, lovely day.
8 Yellowhammer 1 Reed Bunting 1 Willow Warbler seen but dozens heard 2 whitethroat seen loads heard Possibly blackcap heard 5 Wheatear 3 males and 2 females on ploughed field.
JOHN TYMON said
Mon May 14 12:53 AM, 2012
pretty quiet early pm 1 wheatear 1 common Buzzard 6 yellowhammer 6 whitethroat 1 yellow wagtail
Nick Isherwood said
Sun May 13 3:18 AM, 2012
I thought the two I saw this morning looked rather chunky too. I thought they might be Greenland types but I couldn't be certain as the light was a bit against me and I couldn't make out any rufous tones underneath.
JOHN TYMON said
Sun May 13 3:03 AM, 2012
Nick Isherwood wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Nick Isherwood wrote:
Good bit of birding this morning on the moss from 6.00 to 9.00am. Finally got a Whinchat down here (possibly two) after much waiting despite birds being present in other locations nearby. Also got the surprise sighting of two Shelduck flushed from the moss itself.
23 Swallow 13 Meadow Pipit 7 Skylark 7 Lapwing 10 Yellowhammer 10 Willow Warbler 3 Grey Partridge 10 Chaffinch 11 Reed Bunting 1 Fieldfare - same bird, same place as per previous posts. 2 Blackcap 14 Whitethroat 10 Linnet 7 Mallard 1 Whinchat - maybe two. First bird seen near the wind sock, the second? on the embankment. Both females. 2 Wheatear - m,f 1 Song Thrush 10 Tree Sparrow 2 Shelduck 2 Sand Martin - through north. 2 Oystercatcher
Plus a cheeky stoat that ran past me then decided to turn round and do a meerkat impression to have a look at me.
I'll post a few photos pn my flickr page later.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 12th of May 2012 10:53:16 AM
John Tymon Wrote No sign of whinchat pm,but 10+ wheatear in the field to the west of the main moss.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 12th of May 2012 06:39:47 PM
Those Whinchat were quite flighty this morning and the dog walkers don't help matters. A good count of Wheatears though John, nice one. It always pays to check the furrows in that field.
There were 7f and 3m wheatear and a couple of the males looked like what we used to call greenland race birds,very big,and very rufus underneath,and the females looked bulky as well possibly Greenland race.Strangely after a tour of the moss ,on the way back I could only find one normal looking Male,so where the others went ,i haven't a clue
Nick Isherwood said
Sun May 13 2:47 AM, 2012
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Nick Isherwood wrote:
Good bit of birding this morning on the moss from 6.00 to 9.00am. Finally got a Whinchat down here (possibly two) after much waiting despite birds being present in other locations nearby. Also got the surprise sighting of two Shelduck flushed from the moss itself.
23 Swallow 13 Meadow Pipit 7 Skylark 7 Lapwing 10 Yellowhammer 10 Willow Warbler 3 Grey Partridge 10 Chaffinch 11 Reed Bunting 1 Fieldfare - same bird, same place as per previous posts. 2 Blackcap 14 Whitethroat 10 Linnet 7 Mallard 1 Whinchat - maybe two. First bird seen near the wind sock, the second? on the embankment. Both females. 2 Wheatear - m,f 1 Song Thrush 10 Tree Sparrow 2 Shelduck 2 Sand Martin - through north. 2 Oystercatcher
Plus a cheeky stoat that ran past me then decided to turn round and do a meerkat impression to have a look at me.
I'll post a few photos pn my flickr page later.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 12th of May 2012 10:53:16 AM
John Tymon Wrote No sign of whinchat pm,but 10+ wheatear in the field to the west of the main moss.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 12th of May 2012 06:39:47 PM
Those Whinchat were quite flighty this morning and the dog walkers don't help matters. A good count of Wheatears though John, nice one. It always pays to check the furrows in that field.
Nick Isherwood said
Sun May 13 2:44 AM, 2012
Just uploaded the photo's from this morning and it was two Whinchat. One male and one female. Must remember to check my shots more closely in the field next time.
Four shots from this morning now posted to my Flickr page.
JOHN TYMON said
Sat May 12 6:39 PM, 2012
Nick Isherwood wrote:
Good bit of birding this morning on the moss from 6.00 to 9.00am. Finally got a Whinchat down here (possibly two) after much waiting despite birds being present in other locations nearby. Also got the surprise sighting of two Shelduck flushed from the moss itself.
23 Swallow 13 Meadow Pipit 7 Skylark 7 Lapwing 10 Yellowhammer 10 Willow Warbler 3 Grey Partridge 10 Chaffinch 11 Reed Bunting 1 Fieldfare - same bird, same place as per previous posts. 2 Blackcap 14 Whitethroat 10 Linnet 7 Mallard 1 Whinchat - maybe two. First bird seen near the wind sock, the second? on the embankment. Both females. 2 Wheatear - m,f 1 Song Thrush 10 Tree Sparrow 2 Shelduck 2 Sand Martin - through north. 2 Oystercatcher
Plus a cheeky stoat that ran past me then decided to turn round and do a meerkat impression to have a look at me.
I'll post a few photos pn my flickr page later.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 12th of May 2012 10:53:16 AM
John Tymon Wrote No sign of whinchat pm,but 10+ wheatear in the field to the west of the main moss.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 12th of May 2012 06:39:47 PM
Nick Isherwood said
Sat May 12 10:12 AM, 2012
Good bit of birding this morning on the moss from 6.00 to 9.00am. Finally got a Whinchat down here (possibly two) after much waiting despite birds being present in other locations nearby. Also got the surprise sighting of two Shelduck flushed from the moss itself.
23 Swallow 13 Meadow Pipit 7 Skylark 7 Lapwing 10 Yellowhammer 10 Willow Warbler 3 Grey Partridge 10 Chaffinch 11 Reed Bunting 1 Fieldfare - same bird, same place as per previous posts. 2 Blackcap 14 Whitethroat 10 Linnet 7 Mallard 1 Whinchat - maybe two. First bird seen near the wind sock, the second? on the embankment. Both females. 2 Wheatear - m,f 1 Song Thrush 10 Tree Sparrow 2 Shelduck 2 Sand Martin - through north. 2 Oystercatcher
Plus a cheeky stoat that ran past me then decided to turn round and do a meerkat impression to have a look at me.
I'll post a few photos pn my flickr page later.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 12th of May 2012 10:53:16 AM
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 12th of May 2012 07:45:08 PM
Nick Isherwood said
Mon May 7 3:59 PM, 2012
Another early morning foray in bright conditions with a slight easterly wind.
1 Pied Wagtail 1 Corn Bunting 8 Skylark 6 Grey Partridge 14 Yellowhammer 2 Oystercatcher 11 Willow Warbler 6 Linnet 10 Whitethroat 8 Lapwing 3 Chaffinch 7 Mallard 10 Meadow Pipit 1 Sedge Warbler - new patch tick. . No sign of it an hour later though. 10 Reed Bunting 7 Swallow 2 Long Tailed Tit 1 Wheatear 4 Tree Sparrow 2 Jay 1 Kestrel 1 Fieldfare - looking very lost and lonely.
Nick Isherwood said
Sat May 5 9:49 AM, 2012
Early morning mooch today. Quite cold after an overnight ground frost.
3 Mallard - all males. 2 Fieldfare - looking very sad and lost stood in the field. 14 Willow Warbler - several pairs and singing males. 5 Skylark 5 Lapwing 11 Linnet 6 Chaffinch 4 Grey Partridge - 2 pairs. 8 Reed Buntings 7 Whitethroat - these birds must have turned up on masse over the last day or so. 4 Yellowhammer 1 Cormorant - over north. 3 Wheatear - two just over the border. 2 Song Thrush 1 Tree Sparrow 2 Moorhen 11 Meadow Pipit 13 Swallow - eight birds near the copse of trees in a feeding frenzy. Great to watch them whizzing past your head and supersonic speed.
Still no Whinchat yet though.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 5th of May 2012 09:50:44 AM
Nick Isherwood said
Fri May 4 3:59 AM, 2012
Short Eared Owl present this evening from 8.30. Flew across from Barrow Lane (see Winwick thread).
Early morning visit 6.00 to 7.45 in dull and breezy conditions. A decent movement of hirundines through while I was there too.
1 Peregrine - flew straight at me across the field before veering off at the last minute. 6 Grey Partridge - 3 pairs. 4 Skylark 17 Willow Warbler - 3 pairs plus several singing males. 17 Swallow - through north in two's and three's. 7 House Martin - through north. 8 Yellowhammer 8 Chaffinch 5 Lapwing - including two fledglings. 6 Linnet 6 Meadow Pipit 4 Mallard 1 Wheatear - female. 2 Song Thrush 5 Reed Bunting 6 Swift - through north. 1 Whitethroat - at long last. So glad you could make it. 1 Kestrel
Nick Isherwood said
Tue May 1 4:04 AM, 2012
A good evening on the moss today in breezy but very spring like conditions.
1 Hobby - through west. 1 Merlin - female through north. 6 Meadow Pipit 8 Swallow - in ones and twos all heading north. 3 Skylark 4 Lapwing 13 Willow Warbler 4 Chaffinch 1 Swift - through north. 2 Grey Partridge 2 Mallard 4 Reed Warbler 12 Yellowhammer 2 Wheatear - m,f 1 Pheasant 1 Song Thrush 1 Kestrel 1 Pied Wagtail
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Apr 28 4:33 AM, 2012
Early morning trapse in the miserable rain and drizzle.
And the general one for Manchester is 0161 872 5050
Pete Astles said
Fri Apr 27 1:51 AM, 2012
Went on a walk Hermitage, Barrow Lane, Highfield this morning. Thought it was brightening up and the worst that could happen was a shower or two. Never seen so much rain in all my life! would not have been surprised to see Noahs ark floating past. Not surprising the birds was sheltering away. But nice views of a low flying Buzzard on Hermitage and two Yellowhammers on the hedge. Two grey partridge at Hermitage and 2 at Highfield. Two early swallows near barrow lane on the telegraph wires looking very bedraggled but nice to see them, early summer is coming soon it just did not feel like it today.
Nick Isherwood said
Thu Apr 26 2:30 AM, 2012
Early morning outing again in very cold conditions - forgot my hat too!!
Highlight of the morning was a superb male Merlin that crossed in front of me from the moss and lazily flapped across the field being harrassed by a couple of Lapwings.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mpryanphotography/sets/72157630601580166/
Yellowhammer
Wood Pigeon
Swallow
Carrion Crow
Goldfinch
Swift
Greenfinch
Partridge
Pheasant
Meadow Pipit
Reed Bunting
Linnet
19 Linnets
10 Whitethroats
7 Yellowhammers
4 Goldfinches
13 Reed Buntings
6 Meadow Pipits
1 Corn Bunting - still singing from the same spot.
2 Skylarks
1 Treecreeper - juvenile - year tick.
10 Willow Warblers
1 Pheasant
2 Blackcaps - singing males.
2 Song Thrushes
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Grey Partridges
1 Greenfinch
1 Moorhen
What a find!! I'm new to the area and stumbled on your posts after coming on here to read about Pennington Flash! Went to the Moss last evening and what a great place! I'm a pro photographer but do nature stuff as a hobby so will be hopefully getting a few pics when I can. Thanks for putting me on to such a great place!
Mick
2 Corn Bunting - one singing it's little heart out near Highfield farm and another just out of county to the south.
5 Meadow Pipit
2 Skylark
23 Linnet
9 Whitethroat - at least three fledglings.
5 Yellowhammer
2 Blackcap
1 Chiffchaff
2 Song Thrush
9 Willow Warbler
1 Pheasant
4 Greenfinch - 3 juveniles.
2 Chaffinch
10 Reed Bunting
4 Goldfinch - 2 juveniles.
2 Grey Partridge - both poults.
1 Kestrel
1 Mallard
2 Moorhen
Plenty of juvenile birds of the more common species too - Blackbirds, Wrens, Robins, etc. Also, Woodpigeon numbers seem to have increased with a good movement of birds passing through during my outing.
All the other usual birds present too.
All the usual species present but of note were:
5 Yellow Wagtail over north. Probable family party.
4 Grey Partridge including 2 young.
c40 Swallows including many young catching flies low over the moss.
Good to note though that Moorhens have successfully bred on the small pool and they've managed three chicks.
Kestrels have also successfully bred in the area too with one youngster noted on this visit being taught to fly and hunt by its parents.
Still at least twenty Mistle Thrushes in the crop field just south of the moss.
3 Mallard
4 Reed Bunting
7 Yellowhammer
4 Corn Bunting - two singing from the corn field north of the moss and two singing from the field to the side of the airstrip.
8 Skylark
3 Blackcap
7 Lapwing
1 Lesser Redpoll - over north. Another year tick.
9 Linnet
4 Pheasant - m,f plus two poults.
9 Willow Warbler
5 Meadow Pipits
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
20 Mistle Thrush - I actually counted 20 though I suspect there were more. Probably several family groups.
1 Yellow Wagtail - female.
1 Whitethroat
2 Song Thrush
4 Chaffinch
5 Goldfinch
1 Moorhen
The biggest surprise of the morning was discovering the wreckage of a single propeller light aircraft nose down in the ditch on the moss by the side of the airstrip. The aircrafts nose was well bent and the windscreen cracked, but hopefully no one was too badly hurt.
11 Meadow Pipit
1 Goldfinch
7 Skylark
9 Reed Bunting
7 Yellowhammer
5 Mallard
2 Blackcap
4 Whitethroat
14 Linnet
10 Willow Warbler
1 Pheasant
11 Lapwing
2 Grey Partridge
2 Corn Bunting - heard singing just out of county to the south.
1 Song Thrush
8 Mistle Thrush
1 Chaffinch
1 Buzzard
Also two Stoats playing in the short grass on the airstrip.
A lovely evening down on the moss and loads of bird activity. All the usual species present and good numbers of young birds around too. Birds of note were:
A singing Corn Bunting near to Highfield farm.
A Willow Tit foraging for food.
13 Mistle Thrush on scrub field just south of the moss.
Good numbers of Swifts and Swallows hunting insects very low over the moss.
1 Swift
2 Chaffinch
9 Skylark
3 Whitethroat
3 Linnet
9 Yellowhammer
6 Swallow
1 Blackcap
10 Willow Warbler - including 4 young
7 Reed Bunting
1 Kestrel
5 Meadow Pipit
3 Lapwing
1 Grey Partridge
2 Tree Sparrow
1 Pheasant
2 Mallard
5 Mistle Thrush - including 3 young.
Female Sparrowhawk with young Blackbird. Parent bird going mental.
Kestrel with prey.
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Plus all the usuals.
2 Grey Partridge
2 Goldfinch
8 Skylark
10 Chaffinch
4 Lapwing
2 Corn Bunting
1 Buzzard
7 Whitethroat
2 Blackcap
2 Pheasant
10 Reed Bunting
9 Linnet
15 Yellowhammer
12 Willow Warbler
10 Meadow Pipit
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
6 Mistle Thrush
2 Grey Heron
2 Oystercatcher
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Kestrel
1 Mallard
1 Tree Sparrow
Also very nice views of a Roe Deer. The first I've ever seen down here.
Cheers David
3 Song Thrush
13 Yellowhammer
5 Chaffinch
1 Corn Bunting
9 Skylark
8 Linnet
2 Blackcap
5 Whitethroat
1 Buzzard
10 Meadow Pipit
9 Reed Bunting
12 Willow Warbler
6 Lapwing
5 Grey Partridge
3 Tree Sparrow
1 Jay
1 Greenfinch
2 Swallow
1 Pheasant
1 Mallard
Plus the usuals.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Monday 4th of June 2012 10:36:08 PM
8 Meadow Pipit
16 Linnet
4 Goldfinch
9 Chaffinch
12 Skylark - mostly feeding on the ploughed field just west of the moss.
1 Corn Bunting - singing from same place as yesterday evening.
9 Yellowhammer
2 Buzzard
4 Whitethroat
5 Lapwing
2 Blackcap
7 Reed Bunting
8 Willow Warbler
3 Song Thrush
12 Stock Dove - ploughed field.
1 Tree Sparrow
5 Mallard
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Jay
Good numbers of fledged birds around too.
All the other usual stuff around too.
I agree with John too. When the weathers like this it gets full of idiots drinking and swimming and making fires. The area around the pond is historically known as Lowton beach and it was a hang out for people in hot weather going back over a hundred years ( I found a photo on the Internet). The best time to visit when it's hot is literally first light or last light. As he also said too, Barrow Lane and Winwick are good sites too and only a few hundred yards away.
Very odd!!
It said baby girl on it they are all over the moss.
What a mystery
7 Meadow Pipit
9 Chaffinch
13 Yellowhammer
8 Whitethroat
6 Skylark
16 Willow Warbler
11 Linnet
4 Song Thrush
8 Lapwing - amusing to watch them seeing off a predator. In this case the 'predator' was a small helium filled balloon floating through their territory.
1 Blackcap
1 Goldfinch
1 Mistle Thrush
9 Swallow
5 Reed Bunting
5 Grey Partridge
1 Greenfinch
4 Tree Sparrow
1 Buzzard
2 Long Tailed Tit
1 Kestrel
2 Jay
2 Mallard
1 House Martin
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Plus the usuals.
Besides all the other usual culprits there was also four Greenland race Wheatears on the ploughed field just west of the moss.
1 Shelduck
2 Tree Sparrow
1 Yellow Wagtail - female. New year tick.
2 Goldfinch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Lesser Whitethroat - this birds been around for a few days now singing from the same cluster of bushes. The call was a little different than is usual of a Lesser though. I got good close up views of it tonight though so that clinched the bird. Another tick.
All the other usual stuff around too.
1 Kestrel
4 Skylark
8 Yellowhammer
6 Whitethroat
8 Tree Sparrow - including two parents feeding a fledgling.
1 Pied Wagtail
11 Willow Warbler - including two fledglings.
4 Grey Partridge - two pairs.
7 Chaffinch
2 Blackcap - 1m,1f - the male had a very strange call. Sounded like a mix between a Blackcap and Blackbird at times.
1 Garden Warbler - very vocal bird. Gave brief views several times before disappearing. A new year tick.
8 Lapwing - including 3 fledglings.
1 Song Thrush
6 Reed Buntings
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Buzzard
1 Pheasant - male.
3 Wheatear - 2f,1m in ploughed field just out of county.
1 Linnet
1 Swallow
2 Goldfinch
Cheers Dennis. Thought I'd set myself a little challenge at the start of the year by doing a year list here. It's been hard going at times but occasionally getting a good bird or two.
6 Skylark
6 Whitethroat - numbers of singing males seems to have dropped a little now.
9 Yellowhammer
7 Grey Partridge
17 Willow Warbler
3 Chaffinch
2 Blackcap
5 Lapwing - including 3 fledglings.
2 Shelduck - seem to be roosting on the moss.
6 Linnet
8 Reed Bunting
1 Mallard
4 Meadow Pipit
8 Wheatear - six in ploughed field to the south just out of county.
5 Tree Sparrow
1 Song Thrush
Probably the biggest surprise this morning was a Nuthatch feeding in the mature trees at the top of Heath Lane. First time I've ever seen one here.
I'm glad you enjoyed the place. Welcome to the forum.
Finally took the step to join the forum!
We were the only people there, and had some great views of the reed buntings, a few swallows drinking, willow warblers, meadow pipits (a first for us), and tree sparrows. On the way back up to the travellers rest entrance a couple of buzzards. We heard many more birds including the skylarks - but are not experienced enough to identify all (any!) of them by song alone.
Really nice place to get extremely close to the birds, and generally quite beautiful, with a below average count of 'special brew' and 'carlsberg' cans!
8 Yellowhammer
1 Reed Bunting
1 Willow Warbler seen but dozens heard
2 whitethroat seen loads heard
Possibly blackcap heard
5 Wheatear 3 males and 2 females on ploughed field.
1 wheatear
1 common Buzzard
6 yellowhammer
6 whitethroat
1 yellow wagtail
There were 7f and 3m wheatear and a couple of the males looked like what we used to call greenland race birds,very big,and very rufus underneath,and the females looked bulky as well possibly Greenland race.Strangely after a tour of the moss ,on the way back I could only find one normal looking Male,so where the others went ,i haven't a clue
Those Whinchat were quite flighty this morning and the dog walkers don't help matters. A good count of Wheatears though John, nice one. It always pays to check the furrows in that field.
Four shots from this morning now posted to my Flickr page.
John Tymon Wrote
No sign of whinchat pm,but 10+ wheatear in the field to the west of the main moss.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 12th of May 2012 06:39:47 PM
23 Swallow
13 Meadow Pipit
7 Skylark
7 Lapwing
10 Yellowhammer
10 Willow Warbler
3 Grey Partridge
10 Chaffinch
11 Reed Bunting
1 Fieldfare - same bird, same place as per previous posts.
2 Blackcap
14 Whitethroat
10 Linnet
7 Mallard
1 Whinchat - maybe two. First bird seen near the wind sock, the second? on
the embankment. Both females.
2 Wheatear - m,f
1 Song Thrush
10 Tree Sparrow
2 Shelduck
2 Sand Martin - through north.
2 Oystercatcher
Plus a cheeky stoat that ran past me then decided to turn round and do a meerkat impression to have a look at me.
I'll post a few photos pn my flickr page later.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 12th of May 2012 10:53:16 AM
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 12th of May 2012 07:45:08 PM
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Corn Bunting
8 Skylark
6 Grey Partridge
14 Yellowhammer
2 Oystercatcher
11 Willow Warbler
6 Linnet
10 Whitethroat
8 Lapwing
3 Chaffinch
7 Mallard
10 Meadow Pipit
1 Sedge Warbler - new patch tick. . No sign of it an hour later though.
10 Reed Bunting
7 Swallow
2 Long Tailed Tit
1 Wheatear
4 Tree Sparrow
2 Jay
1 Kestrel
1 Fieldfare - looking very lost and lonely.
3 Mallard - all males.
2 Fieldfare - looking very sad and lost stood in the field.
14 Willow Warbler - several pairs and singing males.
5 Skylark
5 Lapwing
11 Linnet
6 Chaffinch
4 Grey Partridge - 2 pairs.
8 Reed Buntings
7 Whitethroat - these birds must have turned up on masse over the last day or so.
4 Yellowhammer
1 Cormorant - over north.
3 Wheatear - two just over the border.
2 Song Thrush
1 Tree Sparrow
2 Moorhen
11 Meadow Pipit
13 Swallow - eight birds near the copse of trees in a feeding frenzy. Great to watch them whizzing past your head and supersonic speed.
Still no Whinchat yet though.
-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Saturday 5th of May 2012 09:50:44 AM
8 Grey Partridge
1 Buzzard
7 Skylark
9 Lapwing
10 Meadow Pipit
14 Willow Warbler
2 Pied Wagtail
14 Yellowhammer
6 Chaffinch
2 Song Thrush
9 Linnet
1 Blackcap
1 Pheasant
3 Mallard
11 Reed Bunting
3 Tree Sparrows
1 Whitethroat
1 Wheatear
1 Peregrine - flew straight at me across the field before veering off at the last minute.
6 Grey Partridge - 3 pairs.
4 Skylark
17 Willow Warbler - 3 pairs plus several singing males.
17 Swallow - through north in two's and three's.
7 House Martin - through north.
8 Yellowhammer
8 Chaffinch
5 Lapwing - including two fledglings.
6 Linnet
6 Meadow Pipit
4 Mallard
1 Wheatear - female.
2 Song Thrush
5 Reed Bunting
6 Swift - through north.
1 Whitethroat - at long last. So glad you could make it.
1 Kestrel
1 Hobby - through west.
1 Merlin - female through north.
6 Meadow Pipit
8 Swallow - in ones and twos all heading north.
3 Skylark
4 Lapwing
13 Willow Warbler
4 Chaffinch
1 Swift - through north.
2 Grey Partridge
2 Mallard
4 Reed Warbler
12 Yellowhammer
2 Wheatear - m,f
1 Pheasant
1 Song Thrush
1 Kestrel
1 Pied Wagtail
4 Skylark
8 Grey Partridge - 4 pairs.
6 Lapwing
20 Meadow Pipit
1 Cormorant - over south.
1 Wheatear - female.
5 Yellowhammer
7 Chaffinch
8 Linnet
1 Fieldfare
11 Willow Warbler
2 Pheasant - m/f
4 Song Thrush
1 Corn Bunting
7 Reed Bunting
1 Swallow - over north.
2 Stock Dove
Still no Whitethroats yet.
Lowton Neighbourhood police team is 0161 856 7225
And the general one for Manchester is 0161 872 5050
Highlight of the morning was a superb male Merlin that crossed in front of me from the moss and lazily flapped across the field being harrassed by a couple of Lapwings.
Other birds were:
2 Skylark
7 Yellowhammer
14 Willow Warbler
9 Linnet
3 Lapwing
3 Chaffinch
10 Meadow Pipit
1 Song Thrush
10 Stock Dove
4 Mallard
1 Pheasant
7 Reed Bunting
1 Moorhen
2 Grey Partridge
1 Buzzard
Cheers David