Little Woolden Moss LWT

Monday 15th June 2015

1 Cuckoo
c100 Lapwing
4 Curlew
2 Oystercatcher
5 Teal
1 Tufted Duck
2 Yellowhammer

-- Edited by James Walsh on Tuesday 16th of June 2015 09:36:06 AM

20.45-22.00 Croxdens

1 Grasshopper Warbler - reeling for long periods out of sight and difficult to pin-point but I finally got some very good views.
3 Tufted Duck - initially on the pools but flew roost somewhere on the PNR
7 Mallard
15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
10 Black-headed Gulls
8 Reed Bunting
12 Meadow Pipit
6 Swift
Lots of commotion from Blackbirds and other birds from within Dixons Wood - perhaps a Tawny Owl was about?

Also: 2 Million mozzies - repellent definately in order!

Day spent around here today. Miserable morning, but a nice afternoon, and some nice wildlife seen.

Irlam Moss (apologies for any field inaccuracies; rough areas should be correct, though):

Goldcrest heard singing around field 40
7 whitethroat
1 linnet (around field 40)
5+ greenfinch (most also around field 40)
4 yellowhammer (around field 25)
1 tree sparrow (around field 22)
Lots of mistle thrush, several song thrush, loads of blackbird, a group of juvenile robin, and a group of juvenile wren.
c60 lapwing (35+ loafing in field 22, the rest dotted around)
250+ lesser black-backed gulls, all roosting in field 66.

Little Woolden Moss nature reserve:

20+ swallow (one of whom joined me in the hide, very briefly!)
2 house martin
2 sand martin
Pied wagtail, reed bunting, meadow pipit and willow warbler all in good numbers
1 jay
3 (at least) curlew
4 (at least) oystercatcher
c15 lapwing
3 tufted duck
10+ teal
3 grey heron over
11 black-headed gull
30+ lesser black-backed gull (presumably some of the ones seen in such large numbers on Irlam Moss)

Walking around the reserve, seen in the farmland from the path on the opposite side of the reserve to the hide:

5 skylark (with at least three singing males)
3 corn bunting (one singing)
Several lapwing, and even more large numbers of lesser black-backed gulls circling around.

First time I've visited the reserve itself, and was extremely impressed with it.


-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Monday 15th of June 2015 09:43:43 AM

Astley road near Larkhill farm this morning had two Hobby flying together heading East.

Sunday June 14th 2015
Chat Moss, Little Woolden Moss and Astley Moss

1 Blackcap
2 Robin
20+ Blackbird in patches in the fields
Flock of about 6 Song thrush on Twelve Yards Rd
4 Mallard
30 + Lessser Black Backed Gull
10 Carrion Crow
20+ Black Headed Gulls
2 Grey Heron
1 Kestrel
1 Reed Bunting
2 Oystercatcher
10+ Goldfinch
4 Chaffinch
4 Pied Wagtail
1 Buzzard
6+ Blue tit
5 Great Tit
6 Whitethroat
6 Long Tailed tits
5 Curlew one in a field corner of Astley Rd/Twelve Yards Rd the rest on Little Woolden Moss.
40+ Sand Martin Little Woolden Moss.
1 Meadow Pipit Little Woolden Moss.
4 Lesser Whitethroat Astley Moss.
1 Treecreeper Astley Moss.
1 Yellowhammer Astley Moss.

-- Edited by John Sleaford on Sunday 14th of June 2015 05:06:42 PM

-- Edited by John Sleaford on Sunday 14th of June 2015 05:08:12 PM

-- Edited by John Sleaford on Sunday 14th of June 2015 05:09:45 PM

-- Edited by John Sleaford on Sunday 14th of June 2015 05:10:16 PM

Croxdens 14.45-15.45

1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling for a minute or so but remained out of view.
1 Redshank
2 Oystercatcher
c.10 Lapwing
1 Grey Heron
30+ Sand Martin
20+ Swift
2 Willow Warbler
2 Blackcap
10+ Reed Bunting
4 Meadow Pipit
c.100 gulls - Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed
4 Mallard (2m, 2f) plus 5 ducklings
Numerous baby Blue Tits heard and some seen

Rindle Wood and SSI: 09.30 - 12.30

Swallow
Swift
Pheasant
Robin
Yellow wagtail
Partridge
Buzzard
Kestrel
Wren
Carrion crow
Blackcap
Song thrush
Blackbird
Whitethroat
Treecreeper

Saturday 23rd May 2015 13:00 - 16:30 hrs.

Walk from Barton Moss Farm along Twelve Yards Road to Little Woolden Moss (part circuit) and back via Croxden Peat fields/pools.

Fantastic local patch for me - wish I knew about this place earlier in my life!

Whimbrel (Little Woolden Moss). Lifer for me and Paula! Crack open the Cava!
Female Blackcap
Goldcrest
Common Whitethroat
Yellow Wagtail (at puddle catching flies at crossroads of Twelve Yards Road and Astley Road)
Ringed Plover
Chiffchaff
Pied Wagtail
Reed Bunting
Buzzard x 4
Kestrel
Yellowhammer
Lapwing 40 plus
Swallow
Swift x 2 (where were the 100 plus from last week?)
Gadwall x 2 (on pond to left of entrance at Little Woolden Moss)
Oystercatcher x 4
Skylark
Jay
Meadow Pipit
House Sparrow
Lesser Blacked Back Gulls
Black Headed Gulls
Blackbirds
Wren
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch
Magpies
Carrion Crows
Starlings
Robin
Goldfinch x 10
Mallards
Woodpigeon x 10



-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 23rd of May 2015 06:46:26 PM

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 23rd of May 2015 06:56:10 PM

No sound of the Quail, though it was a little breezy. Not entirely sure which field it was heard in - the field E of Moss Side Farm seems to be just dense grass, and the field W of the farm looks a more suitable crop (wheat ?)

Very humid, plenty of insects: 100+ Swifts, 20 House Martins, 5 Swallows
2 Yellowhammers (h)

Astley Moss Wednesday evening 7.15pm - 8.15pm 2 Wigeon flushed from one of the ponds on the edge of the SSSI. 1 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Oystercatcher 2 Yellowhammer 2 Willow Warbler 1 Jay

RBA message yesterday: "Gtr Man Quail male singing Chat Moss near Moss Side Farm this a'noon SD 705 970"

This is just S of the level crossing

I just might take a look

Little Woolden Moss
Cuckoo, Goldcrest, Oystercatcher, Reed Bunting, Grey Partridge, Yellowhammer, Buzzard Swallow Swift and common Warblers.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 17th of May 2015 05:57:18 PM

Saturday, 16th May 2015 11:30 - 16:00 hrs. Dry, sunny spells and very windy.

Mainly Irlam Moss area (Lot quieter today after midweek birding excitement!!!).

Cutnook Lane - Hephzibah Farm - Astley Road - Junction with Twelve Yards Road - Circuit of Little Woolden Moss - back via Twelve Yards Road and Birch View Farm

Kestrel x 3 (Fields 39 and 17)
Goldcrest (silver birch tree along path leading to Little Woolden Moss next to Field 19)
Common Whitethroat (Field 52)
Yellowhammer (Field 3 - on telephone wire)
Skylarks x 3 (Field 56)
Pied Wagtails x 3
Swift 100 plus (mainly over Little Woolden Moss)
Swallows x 20
Lapwings x 25
Goldfinch x 5 (Field 15)
Chaffinch
Great Tit
Lesser Black Backed Gulls
Herring Gulls
Black Headed Gulls
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbirds
Magpies
Carrion Crows
Woodpigeon x 50
Feral Pigeons

Also spotted following butterflies:
Peacock (on path between fields 1 and 3)
Painted Lady (on path between fields 44 and 51)






-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 16th of May 2015 06:03:29 PM

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 16th of May 2015 06:04:21 PM

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Sunday 17th of May 2015 02:24:37 PM

Astley Moss today

12.55pm Hobby perched in a dead tree on the edge of the SSSI before flying off over the SSSI and despite a 45 minute wait, it didn't re-appear.
Cuckoo heard from the SSSI
Other notable sightings were :-Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Oystercatcher and Grey Partridge.

Mike

13/05/2015 - Hobby 1 at 12:08 over the southern edge of Little Woolden Moss followed by a more prolonged, excellent, view of one at 13:42 over the fields between Little Woolden Moss and the railway.

My first wander around Rindle and Astley today after Cuckoo as a year tick...highlights

Cuckoo (m) heard for c. 2 hours finally caught up with it to South of the moss but it was mobile
Yellowhammer
Oystercatcher x 4
Whitethroat (Common and Lesser)
Song Thrush plus fledglings
Buzzard
Sparrowhawk x 2

Possible Hobby not a great view in flight but sickle wings and size mean I'm c. 95% sure

Plus lots of usuals

Thanks Elspeth,

Yes, that is quite clear and be assured I will always keep to public rights of way as will, I am sure, all other readers of this thread.

Cheers John

John Rayner wrote:

---

Elspeth Ingleby wrote:

---

Hi Brian (and others), can I please request that after passing through our entrance gate, you walk past the polytunnel keeping to the surfaced path and follow this round to the public footpath. Its only an extra few hundred metres round and will avoid causing erosion or disturbance in the wee woodland area.

thanks very much,

Elspeth (LWT Chat Moss Project Officer)

---

Hi Elspeth,

That small grassy path through the strip of woodland seems to be marked out with tape and gives the impression it is going to be a permanent path in the future. Is this part of the plan?

Cheers John

---

Hi John,

The strip going in to the woodland is being modified slightly to allow better access for small groups of school children - particularly those with mobility difficulties - without becoming a permanent path. As part of our engagement with the local community we hope to use this space as an occasional education area to introduce young folk to outdoors and wild areas, and we are working with youth groups and local schools to carry this work out.

As with other areas on site that may have small tracks running through them off the footpath, these will get used occasionally for accompanied groups (with a representative of the Trust) and to allow the Trust to carry out essential maintenance and monitoring, but are not part of the public access to the site.

With Little Woolden Moss we have to tread a delicate line between engaging and enthusing people about our site and mossland habitats and protecting the sensitive and shy wildlife that is thrilling us all as they begin to take over the site. To this end, we are trying to ensure that all unsupervised access solely uses the public footpath route around the site edge, and the short surfaced linkeage connecting this to the Cadishead Moss entrance. We are working on bringing improved site infrastructure and signage in the near future to make this more clear to visitors as we progress with our management of the site.

Does that clarify our position for you?

kind regards,

Elspeth (Lwt Chat Moss Project Officer)

Little Woolden Moss

1 White Wagtail
1 Curlew


Chat Moss

2 Wheatear in field just north of Moss Farm
1 Curlew on Croxdens

Went back this morning to try for better views of the stone curlew than the hunkered down view i had yesterday,I was there from 6.00 till 9.00 but no further sign.

Elspeth Ingleby wrote:

---

Hi Brian (and others), can I please request that after passing through our entrance gate, you walk past the polytunnel keeping to the surfaced path and follow this round to the public footpath. Its only an extra few hundred metres round and will avoid causing erosion or disturbance in the wee woodland area.

thanks very much,

Elspeth (LWT Chat Moss Project Officer)

---

Hi Elspeth,

That small grassy path through the strip of woodland seems to be marked out with tape and gives the impression it is going to be a permanent path in the future. Is this part of the plan?

Cheers John

brian fielding wrote:

---

I parked this morning at the end of twelve yards Rd, there is room for a few cars if you park sensibly and not block any access, if it's full there is a space just further down towards the motorway on the right, walk down the track facing the end of twelve yards rd, bear right after the wooden gate along a small peat path and then right on the main path to view from the opposite side to the hide, approx half a mile walk.

---

Hi Brian (and others), can I please request that after passing through our entrance gate, you walk past the polytunnel keeping to the surfaced path and follow this round to the public footpath. Its only an extra few hundred metres round and will avoid causing erosion or disturbance in the wee woodland area.

thanks very much,

Elspeth (LWT Chat Moss Project Officer)

The Stone Curlew flew up from the field behind the trees south of the hide to the right of the footpath as you're heading south at about 8pm and flew south over the cottage ( I think called Gable End or similar) - my view was then obscured by trees so I can't be sure whether it came back down again but it was flying relatively low so I think there is a good chance it may have come down in fields to south of here

Female Cuckoo flew directly over me this evening from Astley Moss SSSI. She could clearly be seen carrying an egg in her beak.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 11th of May 2015 10:23:35 PM

Was planning a trip out to the moss today as it happened, saw the Stone curlew around 4.
Also, My first Garden warbler of the year on Caddishead moss,
A flock of 17+ Dunlin on Little Woolden Moss, didn't seem to stop anywhere obvious but circled twice.
Yellow wagtail and Grey partridge highlights from the path beyond the 'garden centre'.

-- Edited by JamieDunning on Tuesday 12th of May 2015 12:31:17 PM

A Lesser Whitethroat was singing along Astley Road, but my mind was more concerned with seeing the Stone Curlew, so I can't remember where I actually heard it!

JOHN TYMON wrote:

---

Stone Curlew last see about 19.45 flying over the hide south and seemed to come down a few 100 yards south west of the hide beyond the trees but could have carried on flying.



-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 11th of May 2015 08:56:58 PM

---

When the Stone Curlew initially took off at 7.35pm due to the Carrion Crows, it actually landed still within the nature reserve as 2 of us could see it on one of the peat banks, it must've taken off again John at 7.45pm whilst we were walking round. As I was on way back to the car, another birder said it flew up again from a field behind the cottages which is on way back to the A57 Cadishead. I gave the fields a good scour but I couldn't see it.

John,
Nice to meet you earlier I had our Josh with me, so a lifer for both me and him not bad for a 10yr old...
Cracking views...

Big thanks to the gentleman who put me on to it, who ever you are...

Now resting up as that trek is no good for the ankle....

Stone Curlew last see about 19.45 flying over the hide south and seemed to come down a few 100 yards south west of the hide beyond the trees but could have carried on flying.



-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 11th of May 2015 08:56:58 PM

Couldn't relocate Stone Curlew so may have gone into hiding somewhere.
It put on a defensive show against the 2 Carrion Crow, wings spread out and tail fanned out too to look bigger against the Corvid menaces!

Birds on way back to car...
2 Linnet
Small charm of Goldfinch

Good to see Andy Bissitt, and nice to meet Steve Judge and the Mrs.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 11th of May 2015 08:46:13 PM

Could we put timings on sightings in posts please, in order to avoid confusion.

Stone Curlew giving distant and eventually clear views out in the open after an hour or so wait for it to reveal itself, initially hunkered down tightly behind a tussock of tall marsh grass.

Also
Peregrine flying throught
Curlew
Skylark
Grey Partridge 2

Nice to meet Alan Warford and thanks for initially getting me onto the bird, Much appriciated.

Just a quick note to anyone going from the Glazebury end, there is no parking on Moss Lane, you need to park just past the Raven pub and walk up. Pretty much the whole of Moss Lane is a private road with passing places. One of the local residents I spoke to was unhappy that people had parked in the passing places thinking they were laybys.

The Stone Curlew has been giving better views but unfortunately has just been harassed by 2 Carrion Crows and as a result has flown over towards the prefab

STONE CURLEW - a Lifer for me.

Still present at 6.30pm but is currently partially camouflaged in the tall grass. It did give a good view a little earlier though when it stood up and walked about 3 or 4 feet then returned to where it was. It does move slightly to show its outline then hunkers down again.

1 Peregrine
2 Curlew
2 Skylark
Few Lapwing
1 Swift
2 Sand Martin
Few Swallows and 1 Common Buzzard seen from the path from the car.

Good to see Gary Crowder and Ian Igglesden out here

Stone Curlew still showing on Little Woolden Moss at 6pm.

Info thanks to Gary Crowder

** Please note that parking in this area is extremely limited and consideration should always be given for farm vehicles at all times. Park very carefully along Moss Road and walk north to the end of road and continue north to follow the footpath to the reserve or park equally carefully along Astley Road to access the reserve via the track west from the junction with Twelve Yards Road. Any inconsiderate parking will cause serious problems with locals in the area so please park a distance away and walk as necessary **

Ian, will all be worth it if I connect and our Josh sees it too...lol

Steve Scrimgeour wrote:

---

Think I will head for Moss Farm and walk ( hobble it)......Cheers James.

---

It's just under a mile and a half walk from there Steve; just in case you can't hobble that far

Think I will head for Moss Farm and walk ( hobble it)......Cheers James.

Stone Curlew present but skulking in grass and quite distant. It did stand up and walk about 2 paces, but just together further hunkered down into the grass!

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 11th of May 2015 05:31:00 PM

Hi folks,

Great to hear of a Stone Curlew on Little Woolden Moss! The site is really coming into its own this year, every time we head down it seems there's new sightings.

A few notes on behalf of Lancashire Widlife Trust....
Can I please remind all visitors that you MUST keep to the surfaced footpath around the moss - the peat is unstable in many areas, and we also have a good number of ground nesting birds (particularly in the area where the Stone Curlew as been reported). While I am sure none of you would deliberately cause disturbance, a lot of folk heading to one area will cause distress to these birds so please be mindful while you're in the area.

We would also really appreciate visitors considering the local road users if bringing a car up to the moss - if you have time to park in the village and walk up to the site, you would not only get lots of fresh air, but also enjoy all the other species that call the moss area home - Yellowhammer, Hedge Sparrow, Kestrel, Lapwing.... to name but a few. If you must drive up, please park considerately and remember some fairly large vehicles need to go up that road! Please also try to limit noise and disturbance to local residents - we'd really like to keep them on board and feeling lucky to have a fabulous nature reserve on their doorstep!

Finally, a quick reminder that for Astley Moss SSSI nature reserve you MUST have a permit to access. You can get one from me (Elspeth) by emailing eingleby@lancswt.org.uk and providing your postal address, telephone number and email address (if different to the one you are sending with!). Cadishead and Little Woolden Mosses are accessible without a permit by sticking to the surfaced footpath.

If you wish to get more info about the reserves, the work we are doing, or any general queries, please get in touch with me (email above) or check out our website; www.lancswt.org.uk/mosslands

Thanks everyone,

Elspeth, Chat Moss Project Officer for LWT

The Stone Curlew was still present just before 2pm, by which time it had settled down behind a clump of grass following a wander around, as viewed from near the end of the new stone perimeter footpath on the opposite side of the moss from the hide.

Any news anyone before I kill myself needlessly trying to get there after a crap day at work? How has parking been along Moss Lane 'cos I would find walking too far a bit much at this time of day?

Hi Craig,

The owners of Moss Farm on Cutnook Lane are actively encouraging birders to park at Moss Farm to go birding up on the Mosses, but generally request that people use the cafe/the farm shop at some stage during their visit

Good birding



-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 11th of May 2015 05:10:26 PM

Do the owners not bother about people parking then disappearing James?

There is also parking at Moss Farm (plenty parking and a cafe open until 3pm) on Cutnook Lane then walk north for 200 yards then turn left along Twelve Yards Road and then carry walking along the road for about a mile until you reach the Little Woolden Moss LWT Reserve

10.20- 13.00
For most of the morning the Stone Curlew was hunkered down at the base of a grass clump sheltering from a quite brisk breeze - only occasionally standing up, then quickly sat down again. However, it stretched its neck and paid close attention when a Hobby flew over. Later it stood to preen and then, some time after 12.30, walked quite quickly left. It then gave excellent, if distant, views. When I left it was still on site but (temporarily) out of sight behind thicker clumps of rushes and grass.

Cheers John

-- Edited by John Rayner on Monday 11th of May 2015 06:16:49 PM

GM just keeps on giving! Who would've bet on a Stone Curlew! The bird was distant when I got there at 11.10 (after a 2.5 mile walk from the Rindle Road feeding station so be warned) Put your zoom on the scope. Occasionally the bird stood up but mostly it was sat down facing away.

Stone Curlew still present till 11.25 at least and apart from standing up once did not really move in about an hour!.

If accessing from Astley Road, park as far on to verges as possible and may have to park further north of junction with twelve yards road and walk back depending on how many cars already there. Follow track to nature reserve and when getting to T junction in path take right hand path for about 1 mile. This takes you round the North side of the bare peat and bird is best viewed from near wooden fencing and was sat behind black post numbered with white 9 when looking in direction of Bird hide on far side of peat.

Also Raven flew south c.11.40 and 2 Wheatear and single Corn Bunting also in area.

Stone Curlew still present at 10:50.

** Please note that parking in this area is extremely limited and consideration should always be given for farm vehicles at all times. Park very carefully along Moss Road and walk north to the end of road and continue north to follow the footpath to the reserve or park equally carefully along Astley Road to access the reserve via the track west from the junction with Twelve Yards Road. Any inconsiderate parking will cause serious problems with locals in the area so please park a distance away and walk as necessary **