ASTLEY, CHAT, LITTLE WOOLDEN AND ASSOCIATED MOSSES
Steve Collins said
Thu Feb 16 5:32 PM, 2017
Thanks to David Steel for taking myself and John Hancock on a brilliant walk round part of his patch starting, and finishing with lunch at the café at Moss Farm, taking in Croxden's Peat Pools and fields area. Highlights include
Woodcock Raven 3 Willow Tit 2 Oystercatcher 3 Goldcrest Grey Partridge 2 Kestrel 2 Buzzard Several mixed flocks of Redwing, Fieldfare and Starling Lapwing 100+ Snipe several flushed Song Thrush 2 Skylark several Stock Dove 6+ Reed Bunting 4+ Finches, Coots, Moorhens, Mallards, Teal and Grey Heron.
Great morning, company, lunch and birding!
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Thursday 16th of February 2017 05:33:42 PM
Corn Bunting and 130 Fieldfare this morning on Irlam Moss seen from Astley Road
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 11th of February 2017 12:47:28 PM
John Williams said
Sat Feb 4 4:10 PM, 2017
Rindle Road area ( N. of level crossing):
A flock of 28 Skylarks, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and 3 Grey Partridges.
Rindle Road area ( S. of level crossing):
160 Fieldfares,60 Redwings and 4 Mistle Thrushes in adjoining fields, plus 1 Goldcrest alongside the road.
Little Woolden Moss area:
5 Teal and 1 Kestrel at the NR. 110 Fieldfares, 45 Redwings, 172 Lapwings, 3 Mistle Thrush, 3 Buzzards plus a flock of 28 Linnets in neighbouring fields.
-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 4th of February 2017 08:36:43 PM
Paul Richardson said
Tue Jan 31 10:20 PM, 2017
Rindle Road through to Croxden's Peat Pools via the railway footpath and the old peat cutting area. The modern area of scraped peat beyond the railway is extensively flooded at the moment - not seen it quite so inundated before. No water birds on it though.
25 Common Snipe flushed as I walked along the old peat cuttings track towards where the Grey Barn used to be (it is no more!). No Jack Snipe flushed. 2 Reed Buntings and 3 Wren also in this area.
Croxden's Pools were apparently lifeless.
20 Redwings in fields east of Rindle Road and several small flocks of Chaffinch but no Brambling found with them.
Mixed Corvid flock on wires (Jackdaw/Carrion Crow) and circa 20 Starlings.
1 male Kestrel 2 Common Buzzard.
Ian Boote said
Sun Jan 29 2:05 PM, 2017
Little Woolden Moss
Large flock 50+ Lapwing west of reserve, Large flock 100 Wood Pigeon and several mixed Redwing Fieldfare, Raven, Goldcrest,
Chat Moss Peat pool area (Restoration rewetting work being undertaken)i
2 Buzzard 2 Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Lapwings, 2 Reed Bunting, flock of Long Tailed Tits, Heron, Meadow Pipit, singing skylark.
Mark Burgess said
Sun Jan 29 10:55 AM, 2017
Astley Moss, Rindle Rd, track and surrounding fields, apologies can't be more specific, I've lost my map, 8.15 - 10.15am Highlights
683 Pink-footed Geese in field 19 leading up to Little Woolden Moss this early afternoon. Feeding and resting in the field, despite 90 minutes sifting through them nothing rarer could be found amongst them.
Kingfisher flew into our window today,rindle house.never seen one down here beforeð
Steven Nelson said
Sun Nov 13 12:11 PM, 2016
Little Woolden Moss NR 09.10-11.40
1 Peregrine (adult) 5 Teal 1 Raven over N c200 Pink-footed Geese over 3 Snipe 6 Reed Bunting 8 Skylark 2 Siskin over 1 Kestrel c.70 Lapwing (south of reserve)
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Nov 13 11:10 AM, 2016
Pair of Raven over.
JOHN TYMON said
Thu Nov 10 4:06 PM, 2016
A nice female Merlin ,seen 3 times in different locations along Moss Lane Glazebury between 11.30 - 14.00
JOHN TYMON said
Wed Nov 9 6:42 PM, 2016
20 pintail flew ne over the north side of Little Woolden Moss this afternoon ,also 1 Raven ,2 Sparrowhawk , 700+ Redwing and 400+ Fieldfare along Moss Lane Glazebury
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Wednesday 9th of November 2016 07:38:50 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 9 4:37 PM, 2016
Irlam moss and Croxdens 09:10-13:30 today:
2 Dunlin with a further single flying over calling to which the two birds called back! 1 fly over Green Sandpiper 100 Teal 106 Pink-footed Geese milling about the area
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 9 12:58 PM, 2016
Unfortunately, due to a seemingly increasing number of 'birders' ignoring pleas to not drive down the private Moss Lane to access the Great Grey Shrike at Platt House Farm any further news should not be released onto this thread or forum.
Any such posts will have to be regrettably deleted to preserve the good relations between local residents and local birders and we will have to hope that any further rarities in that area will not have to be suppressed due to the pure selfishness of some.
Craig Bell said
Tue Nov 8 5:43 PM, 2016
As stated bird showed well, briefly at c11.30 in Moss Lodge Farm garden.
13 00 to 15 15 No sign of great grey shrike. But farm yard activity may have made it scarce around platt house farm at that time. C
John Rayner said
Tue Nov 8 2:39 PM, 2016
The majority of red triangles on Colin's excellent map are on the footpath that passes Platt House Farm. After a long period of no show earlier this morning the bird was eventually viewed from the parallel road to the west (bottom red triangle on LHS). It is worth mentioning that is a private road and, although the owner was OK with birders on the part of the road that approaches his farm, he was clear he didn't want anyone past the metal gate. Apparently someone with binoculars was rude and abusive last week and cars have driven straight through his property. All this prior to the Shrike being found by the way. Best views, with patience, will be from Platt House Farm road.
Cheers John
colin davies said
Tue Nov 8 2:02 PM, 2016
Anybody who is thinking of going to see the great grey shrike might find the attached map useful, especially if you arrive on site and find that you are alone. It can roam quite a distance, and I've personally seen in all of the place marked with a red triangle. The best views and the best chance of a photograph though are around Platt House farm and Moss Lodge Farm. A few of us had a chat with the farmer and a couple of other locals today, and they were very friendly and interested, which is important given that we were in such close proximity to the houses. However, one guy complained that a car was parked too close to the entrance of Moss Lane making it impossible for a large wagon to turn. There's no saying that the car belonged to birders, there were other people walking down there as well, but in order to keep things friendly it would be worth making sure that all cars are well clear of Moss Lane. Moss Lane is a private road, so please dont drive down it.
-- Edited by colin davies on Tuesday 8th of November 2016 02:30:01 PM
Great Grey Shrike viewed atop of tall leylandii at back of Moss Lodge Farm at noon. County tick and Lifer for me.
With Thanks to Dan Brown and Andy Makin for signalling me back, as I was just leaving.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 8th of November 2016 01:40:57 PM
colin davies said
Tue Nov 8 12:58 PM, 2016
Great grey shrike showed well for 10 minutes around Platt House Farm in one of the gardens at about 11:30. It can be elusive though, I was there for 2 hours before I saw it for the first time and that was a very distant view. It took another hour or so for it to get to Platt House farm and show well.
steven burke said
Tue Nov 8 12:34 PM, 2016
Great grey shrike was a bit elusive whilst I was there this morning but eventually got a distant view of it at 10.40am as it flew from the greenhouses at the back of platt house farm & landed on top of a tall ariel before disappearing again.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Nov 8 7:49 AM, 2016
Great Grey Shrike still present around Platt House Farm, Glazebury this morning; hunting the local sparrow population.
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 7 4:50 PM, 2016
Mike Passant wrote:
Any clarification as to location of Platt House Farm would be appreciated please, (all I can find down Moss Lane is something called "Housby John" possibly a garden centre); is that the right location for the Shrike please?
Regards,
Mike P
It's the next building past 'Housby John' Mike, they're near enough side by side
Austin Morley said
Mon Nov 7 4:39 PM, 2016
Hi Mike, I hope this helps, Platt House Farm, Moss Lane, Glazebury, WARRINGTON, WA3 5PT. Go down Moss Lane past the Raven Inn pub and its the last farm building you come to.
The bird showed well around the farm buildings and cottages.
-- Edited by Austin Morley on Monday 7th of November 2016 08:26:27 PM
Mike Passant said
Mon Nov 7 4:27 PM, 2016
Any clarification as to location of Platt House Farm would be appreciated please, (all I can find down Moss Lane is something called "Housby John" possibly a garden centre); is that the right location for the Shrike please?
Regards,
Mike P
Ian Campbell said
Mon Nov 7 2:33 PM, 2016
Excellent views of the Great Grey Shrike around Platt House Farm around 1.30 p.m. congratulations to the finder (GM Year list now 169). Cheers Ian
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Nov 7 1:46 PM, 2016
Great Grey Shrike still showing very well around the immediate area of Platt House Farm, often perching on chimney pots, TV ariels and bushes within the gardens.
Follow Moss Lane (Glazebury) as far as you can go and Platt House Farm is amongst the very last buildings before it all becomes mossland fields.
Highlights include
Woodcock
Raven 3
Willow Tit 2
Oystercatcher 3
Goldcrest
Grey Partridge 2
Kestrel 2
Buzzard
Several mixed flocks of Redwing, Fieldfare and Starling
Lapwing 100+
Snipe several flushed
Song Thrush 2
Skylark several
Stock Dove 6+
Reed Bunting 4+
Finches, Coots, Moorhens, Mallards, Teal and Grey Heron.
Great morning, company, lunch and birding!
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Thursday 16th of February 2017 05:33:42 PM
412 Lapwing
13 Snipe
15 Redwing
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Goldcrest
Info thanks to David Steel
Corn Bunting and 130 Fieldfare this morning on Irlam Moss seen from Astley Road
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 11th of February 2017 12:47:28 PM
A flock of 28 Skylarks, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and 3 Grey Partridges.
Rindle Road area ( S. of level crossing):
160 Fieldfares,60 Redwings and 4 Mistle Thrushes in adjoining fields, plus 1 Goldcrest alongside the road.
Little Woolden Moss area:
5 Teal and 1 Kestrel at the NR. 110 Fieldfares, 45 Redwings, 172 Lapwings, 3 Mistle Thrush, 3 Buzzards plus a flock of 28 Linnets in neighbouring fields.
-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 4th of February 2017 08:36:43 PM
25 Common Snipe flushed as I walked along the old peat cuttings track towards where the Grey Barn used to be (it is no more!). No Jack Snipe flushed.
2 Reed Buntings and 3 Wren also in this area.
Croxden's Pools were apparently lifeless.
20 Redwings in fields east of Rindle Road and several small flocks of Chaffinch but no Brambling found with them.
Mixed Corvid flock on wires (Jackdaw/Carrion Crow) and circa 20 Starlings.
1 male Kestrel
2 Common Buzzard.
Yellowhammer 12
Skylark c40
Chaffinch c30
Meadow Pipit
Grey Partridge 6
Fieldfare
Redwing c30
Mistle Thrush 2
Song Thrush
Tree Sparrow
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Nuthatch
Willow Tit 2
Reed Bunting 14
-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Sunday 29th of January 2017 10:56:51 AM
45 Lapwing
18 Grey Partridge
140 Fieldfare
26 Redwing
16 Yellowhammer
14 Reed Bunting
300 Starlings
65 Linnet
2 Corn Bunting
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Also in field 19 were 60 Fieldfare and 80 Redwing
475 Pink-footed geese
28 Stock Dove
20 Snipe
20 Fieldfare
14 Redwing
150 Lapwing
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Little Woolden Moss and adjacent fields:
Enjoyable walk around with no rain fortunately around lunchtime. Windy and quiet for birds.
110 Pink-footed Geese in field on right as you walk towards gate.
Kestrel (male)
Buzzard
Mistle Thrush
Irlam Moss:
5 goldcrest
1 coal tit
Goldfinch and chaffinch, no greenfinch
3 bullfinch
7 reed bunting
3 yellowhammer
c25 meadow pipit
4 pied wagtail
1 grey wagtail
A few skylark heard
60+ redwing
4 song thrush
100+ fieldfare
12 mistle thrush
3 jay
15+ stock dove
2 grey partridge
30+ lapwing over
1 cormorant (flying off from the fishing place; no doubt given its marching orders)
1 sparrowhawk
2 - 4+ kestrel (multiple sightings)
1 buzzard
Little Woolden Moss:
1 reed bunting
1 pied wagtail
1 song thrush
20 fieldfare (adjacent fields)
1 jay
41 pink-footed geese (adjacent fields)
70+ lapwing circling distantly
1 cormorant over
1 peregrine
44 Reed Bunting
5 Yellowhammer
2 Grey Partridge
2 Grey Wagtail
47 Skylark
15 Snipe
36 Chaffinch
15 Linnet
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Short eared owl seen flying over the M62 motorway heading on to Irlam moss at 4.30pm today.
Chaffinch c30
Yellowhammer 14
Reed Bunting c20
Skylark c20
Grey Partridge 2
Buzzard 2
Kestrel
Redwing 9
Fieldfare 3
Mistle thrush
And Pheasant everywhere 50+
c20 Fieldfare
1 Jay
1 Buzzard
2 Reed Bunting
3 Wren
Pretty quiet as everything frozen but a stunning sunset.
90 Linnet
110 Starling
15 Fieldfare
10 Redwing
5 Yellowhammer
14 Stock Dove
On Little Woolden Moss:
19 Teal
21 Snipe
11 Pink-Footed Goode
Overflying Golden Plover
Info thanks to Dave Steel
6 Grey Partridge
120 Stock Dove
122 Chaffinch
18 Skylark
11 Pink-footed Geese
15 Tree Sparrow
1 Golden Plover over
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Walked from Rindle Road to Little Woolden Moss and back.
Fields by Moss Side Farm : 16 Fieldfares and 4 Mistle Thrushes, whilst 8 Siskins fed on birch seeds.
Fields along Astley Road : 10 Pink Footed Geese, 2 Fieldfares and 2 Redwings.
Little Woolden Moss : 3 Ravens, plus on an adjoining field 13 Mistle Thrushes were amongst a flock of Starlings.
2 Ravens
Peregrine
Birds on Barton Moss (f55) included:
c150 mixed flock of Chaffinches, Reed Buntings, Linnets and Yellowhammers
5 Snipe
Info thanks to Dave Stewart
Two adult Peregrines and a Merlin currently sat on Croxden peat works.
Little Woolden Moss
Peregrine
Barton Moss
67 Reed Bunting
7 Yellowhammer
31 Fieldfare
Tawny Owl
13 Grey Partridge
Peregrine
4 Buzzard
2000 Woodpigeon
120 Linnet
25 Skylark
Info thanks to Dave Steel
500 Linnet
350 Skylark
6 Yellowhammer
8 Grey Partridge
3500 Woodpigeons
Info thanks to Dave Steel
200 Fieldfare and Redwing in field 19
Peregrine
10 Lesser Redpoll
Info thanks to Dave Steel
1 Peregrine
2 Golden Plover
1 Dunlin
60 Lapwing
On Chat Moss:
500 Lapwing on field 41
7 Tree Sparrow and 6 Yellowhammer on field 25
Info thanks to Dave Steel
1 Peregrine
7 redpolls
1 Raven
100+ Fieldfares in field 19
4 Tree Sparrows with House Sparrows in hawthorn at Red House Farm
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Rindle road area 12.30-14.30
Pheasant city once again
Fieldfarex6
Pied wagtail
Good views of a Buzzard on the telephone lines
Small flock Long tailed tits
Jaysx2
Yellowhammerx2
Lots of Wrens
Cheers Jay
Dont twitch and drive
90 Redwing
25 Fieldfare
5 Yellowhammer
8 Grey Partridge
168 Skylark
39 Linnet
1 Peregrine
2 Stonechat
Info thanks to Dave Steel
1 Peregrine (adult)
5 Teal
1 Raven over N
c200 Pink-footed Geese over
3 Snipe
6 Reed Bunting
8 Skylark
2 Siskin over
1 Kestrel
c.70 Lapwing (south of reserve)
A nice female Merlin ,seen 3 times in different locations along Moss Lane Glazebury between 11.30 - 14.00
20 pintail flew ne over the north side of Little Woolden Moss this afternoon ,also 1 Raven ,2 Sparrowhawk , 700+ Redwing and 400+ Fieldfare along Moss Lane Glazebury
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Wednesday 9th of November 2016 07:38:50 PM
2 Dunlin with a further single flying over calling to which the two birds called back!
1 fly over Green Sandpiper
100 Teal
106 Pink-footed Geese milling about the area
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Any such posts will have to be regrettably deleted to preserve the good relations between local residents and local birders and we will have to hope that any further rarities in that area will not have to be suppressed due to the pure selfishness of some.
As stated bird showed well, briefly at c11.30 in Moss Lodge Farm garden.
No sign of great grey shrike. But farm yard activity may have made it scarce around platt house farm at that time.
C
Cheers John
Anybody who is thinking of going to see the great grey shrike might find the attached map useful, especially if you arrive on site and find that you are alone. It can roam quite a distance, and I've personally seen in all of the place marked with a red triangle. The best views and the best chance of a photograph though are around Platt House farm and Moss Lodge Farm. A few of us had a chat with the farmer and a couple of other locals today, and they were very friendly and interested, which is important given that we were in such close proximity to the houses. However, one guy complained that a car was parked too close to the entrance of Moss Lane making it impossible for a large wagon to turn. There's no saying that the car belonged to birders, there were other people walking down there as well, but in order to keep things friendly it would be worth making sure that all cars are well clear of Moss Lane. Moss Lane is a private road, so please dont drive down it.
-- Edited by colin davies on Tuesday 8th of November 2016 02:30:01 PM
County tick and Lifer for me. With Thanks to Dan Brown and Andy Makin for signalling me back, as I was just leaving.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 8th of November 2016 01:40:57 PM
Great grey shrike showed well for 10 minutes around Platt House Farm in one of the gardens at about 11:30. It can be elusive though, I was there for 2 hours before I saw it for the first time and that was a very distant view. It took another hour or so for it to get to Platt House farm and show well.
Info thanks to Dave Steel
It's the next building past 'Housby John' Mike, they're near enough side by side
The bird showed well around the farm buildings and cottages.
-- Edited by Austin Morley on Monday 7th of November 2016 08:26:27 PM
Any clarification as to location of Platt House Farm would be appreciated please, (all I can find down Moss Lane is something called "Housby John" possibly a garden centre); is that the right location for the Shrike please?
Regards,
Mike P
Cheers Ian
Follow Moss Lane (Glazebury) as far as you can go and Platt House Farm is amongst the very last buildings before it all becomes mossland fields.
Park only around the Raven Inn, Glazebury and continue on foot (do not drive!) along Hey Shoot Lane and them Moss Lane until you reach the farm.
Info and images thanks to Dave Steel
22 Reed Bunting
10 Lesser Redpoll
1 Short-eared Owl
Info thanks to Dave Steel