Cloughend area: Lapwing 2 Jay 2 Bullfinch 3 Common Gull 60 Buzzard Kestrel
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Sun Nov 19 1:14 PM, 2017
19th Nov. 09.00 - 10.30
2 skiens of Pink-footed Geese SE (c140 and the other unseen) Redwing c60 Fieldfare c10 Tree Sparrow 3 Bullfinch 6 Pheasant 3 under feeders at Larkhill Grey Heron 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 1
Cheers John
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of November 2017 05:30:39 PM
John Rayner said
Fri Nov 17 8:49 AM, 2017
Thurs 16th November. 14.00 - 15.45
Apart from some uncounted Gulls/Magpies/Rooks/Crows and a few Woodpigeons these were just about the only birds seen on a slow afternoon.
What is causing that flood at the Picking Rods Path? Is it ok to drive through?
I stopped on the Mellor side yesterday, and began walking, but turned back as the two flooded sections seemed a "no go" for walking.
Thanks
Geoff
Hi Geoff,
I have driven through it a few times, just keep going and don't stop . It's not as deep as it looks. Main problem is that the off road parking is also under water so I can't park up there.
Cheers John
Thanks John
Mark Walsh said
Mon Nov 6 11:27 PM, 2017
Andy Bissitt wrote:
1 hawfinch at just before 13.55, flew in with flock of redwings. In the bright conditions, it was very obvious in flight even without using binoculars, and helped further when it landed with the flock in the tall tree to the left of the unnamed house opposite Clough End for about 20 seconds. They then all departed back towards the old trout lake (down Smithy Lane), but despite following them I could not relocate any redwings or hawfinches. I had seen Mark Walsh leaving (sorry you missed it) who had seen redwings, but I think this must have been a different flock.
Best of rest:-
33 fieldfare (which flew in just before the redwings), 29 lapwings, 2 ravens, 20+ goldfinch, and green woodpecker seen up path to the quarry.
Glad they are still around, I think Wednesday looks good weather wise so I should hopefully get another chance for a look.
John Rayner said
Mon Nov 6 7:52 PM, 2017
Geoff Walton wrote:
Hi Andy and John,
What is causing that flood at the Picking Rods Path? Is it ok to drive through?
I stopped on the Mellor side yesterday, and began walking, but turned back as the two flooded sections seemed a "no go" for walking.
Thanks
Geoff
Hi Geoff,
I have driven through it a few times, just keep going and don't stop . It's not as deep as it looks. Main problem is that the off road parking is also under water so I can't park up there.
Cheers John
Geoff Walton said
Mon Nov 6 5:17 PM, 2017
Hi Andy and John,
What is causing that flood at the Picking Rods Path? Is it ok to drive through?
I stopped on the Mellor side yesterday, and began walking, but turned back as the two flooded sections seemed a "no go" for walking.
Thanks
Geoff
Andy Bissitt said
Mon Nov 6 4:16 PM, 2017
1 hawfinch at just before 13.55, flew in with flock of redwings. In the bright conditions, it was very obvious in flight even without using binoculars, and helped further when it landed with the flock in the tall tree to the left of the unnamed house opposite Clough End for about 20 seconds. They then all departed back towards the old trout lake (down Smithy Lane), but despite following them I could not relocate any redwings or hawfinches. I had seen Mark Walsh leaving (sorry you missed it) who had seen redwings, but I think this must have been a different flock.
Best of rest:-
33 fieldfare (which flew in just before the redwings), 29 lapwings, 2 ravens, 20+ goldfinch, and green woodpecker seen up path to the quarry.
Chris Knight said
Sun Nov 5 8:57 PM, 2017
There are still hawfinches in the area!
~3pm went up v wet path North from junction involving Gird lane and Ernocroft lane. Plenty of finches in trees around nearest house (the one West of Larkhill), though only Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch that I saw. Having got past the house, my wife spotted a lone unfamiliar bird answering to the description flying in from the North (Brown low), which I then failed to relocate, where it had gone down near the other finches. However, a couple of minutes later it flew out (again alone, NW towards Ernocroft farm), revealing itself indeed to be a hawfinch.
We then saw rather few birds for the next hour or so, until coming back through Cloughend, where there seemed good numbers of both redwing and fieldfare going to roost. Walking back past April Cottage towards Larkhill in the gathering gloom a little after 4.30 I then heard a hawfinch flying over and calling, heading East along Sandhill Lane, back towards Cloughend, but never managed to pick it up in binoculars. Even more frustratingly, a second followed it, going the same way, a little further down the hill, and similarly not spotted, about a minute later.
Suffice to say that, while I didn't get great views, they might still be possible.
John Rayner said
Sun Nov 5 4:31 PM, 2017
09.30 - 11.00 same area (and birds) as yesterday, with one notable exception. There was a huge passage of Woodpigeons underway today all heading SE.
Woodpigeons 2,211 in 90 mins (SE) Quite spectacular! Redwings 12 only (S) Starlings c50 (S) No finches to talk about
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Sat Nov 4 12:46 PM, 2017
10.00-11.30. Only covering the Cloughend/April Cottage area. Reduced numbers of Fieldfare. Increase of Goldcrests.
Skein of Pink-footed Geese north - overhead but unseen in low cloud Redwing c60 Fieldfare 10 Chaffinch 12 Bullfinch 7 Greenfinch 5 Goldcrest 6 Lesser Redpoll 2 Long-tailed Tit 9
Cheers John
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 4th of November 2017 01:58:24 PM
John Rayner said
Fri Nov 3 3:44 PM, 2017
No Hawfinches for me this morning - looks like I left an hour too early. Still large flock of Fieldfares and Redwings in the Cloughend Farm/April Cottage area
Pink-footed Goose - single skein of 154 SE (photo) Fieldfare 315 Redwing 57 Chaffinch 36 (N) Bullfinch 6 Raven 2-4 Buzzard 2
Cheers, John
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 3 11:47 AM, 2017
Single Hawfinch in the same area as yesterday at 11:30 this morning with Redwing but only remained fairly briefly.
Info thanks to Roger Baker
john tromans said
Thu Nov 2 8:59 PM, 2017
Got a fine view of a single Hawfinch at around 14.45 together with Pete Hines, Mark Rigby and Andy Bissett. The Fieldfare flock was also very impressive. Many thanks to John Rayner for getting the info out. A great find and a worthy reward for his regular patch work. Good one John.
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Nov 2 8:36 PM, 2017
Echoing Mark's remark, thanks John. I would not have known about them until about now actually! They were still around at 3 o'clockish in the scrubby area opposite Clough End seen by myself and three others. Other than that the fieldfare flock was pretty impressive in the open area between the quarry and the plantation, certainly 200+. Also one raven flew over.
Forgot to add that the hawfinches were with a party of 6 or 7 bullfinches when refound.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Thursday 2nd of November 2017 08:38:22 PM
Mark Walsh said
Thu Nov 2 3:36 PM, 2017
Many thanks to John for the alert. Been hoping for a fly over one morning, but to get them feeding.....
John Rayner said
Thu Nov 2 3:13 PM, 2017
After a half-hearted attempt at Vis-migging (very slow) decided to check out the thrush flocks around Cloughend Farm. This paid off big time when at 10.28 I found 2 HAWFINCHES loosely associated with a small flock of Redwing and feeding on hawthorn berries. watched for a few minutes then back to the car for my scope but just as I returned they flew. Re-found one, this time with Fieldfares, at 12.15 and managed to get Mark Walsh onto it but again it flew before I could get photos. Worked out where might be the next place they might appear and set up. Up popped 2 in roughly the same area as originally found. This time I managed a few poor, long-range, phone-scoped record shots as they were on view from 12.25 - 13.04.
7:30 - 9:30 spent in the same spot as last time, wrapped up well but still forgot to pack gloves and a hat
Anyway;
885 Woodpigeon - South West 260 Pink-footed Geese - East (in 4 Skeins) 66 Fieldfare - 36 North and 30 South West 34 Starling - West 14 Redwing - South (only one group seen through the two hours) 13 Meadow Pipit - South West 11 Chaffinch - South West 8 Goldfinch - South 4 Siskin - South 3 Green Finch - South West
plus;
45 Fieldfare and 16 Redwing in the trees around Cloughend 21 Meadow Pipits in the fields next to the PR path 8 Chaffinch at Larkhill 3 Bullfinch at Cloughend 2 Green Finch at Brownlow 2 Raven 1 Golden Plover 1 Kestrel
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Wed Oct 25 12:42 PM, 2017
07.30 - 10.45 Vis Mig from Picking Rods/Gunn Road junction (with Mark Walsh)
Hampered by low cloud and poor visibility till 08.00 but poor counts compared with an average Horwich Moor day (and, of course, no Hawfinches). Most birds moving through in the south to west quadrant.
Not much to add on to John's post other than 3 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Goldcrest and 5 Meadow Pipits.
John Rayner said
Mon Oct 23 3:51 PM, 2017
A p.m. potter, in part with Mark Walsh:
Brambling 2 (1 at Larkhill feeders and another in hawthorns opp. Cloughend) Tree Sparrow 4 minimum Raven 2 Redwing 47 Woodpigeon 91 (flocks of 70 & 13 south plus stragglers) Canada Goose 69 Lapwing 3 Linnet 1
Today saw 7 Canada geese as well as only one Stonechat, differences from Friday were;
22 Goldfinch 7 Lesser Black Backed Gull over the quarry 4 Reed Bunting 3 Meadow Pipit and 1 Snipe
Cheers
Mark
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Sunday 15th of October 2017 04:33:28 PM
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Oct 10 8:29 PM, 2017
2 stonechats still in top field above the quarry. Seen distantly as I forgot my boots so had to stay on 'dry' ground! Also noted about half a dozen redwings, a chiffchaff, a small party of golden plover (less than 10), buzzards, kestrel, sparrowhawk, common gulls etc...
Mark Walsh said
Mon Oct 9 6:05 PM, 2017
After a message from Mr Rayner (thanks very much)I journeyed up for a quick look for the Stonechat which turned out to be very obliging. It's a shame were limited to birds passing through and not breeding.
Other birds of note were;
7 Snipe 5 Reed Bunting 20 Canada Geese
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Mon Oct 9 4:56 PM, 2017
An hour or so around the Quarry and Picking Rods fields:
Highlight were 2 Stonechats (both males). I have been searching for these all year but drawn a blank until today. Also:
And a Great Spotted Woodpecker high over Picking Rods track and migrating W.
Cheers, John
Mark Walsh said
Fri Oct 6 6:58 PM, 2017
Up for a brief couple of hours this afternoon, Larkhill to the PR and back via the quarry.
16 Meadow Pipit in the area with a couple of single figure groups over South. 14 Swallow South 7 Reed Bunting in the field above the quarry 4 Mistle Thrush 3 Bullfinch 2 Jay 2 Goldcrest Singletons of Snipe, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Kestrel. 1 Largish flock of Tits at April Cottage mostly consisting of Long Tailed Tits with a few Blue and Coal thrown in for good measure.
Cheers
Mark
Mark Walsh said
Tue Oct 3 3:56 PM, 2017
A quick visit this afternoon for a couple of hours.
Around 200 Jackdaw 18 Meadow Pipits in the area with a few small groups of stragglers moving South. 15 Linnet 11 Starling 10 Snipe 5 Swallow over South 3 Goldcrest 2 Bullfinch 2 Raven Then singles of Golden Plover, Kestrel, Buzzard, Chiffchaff and one lone Wheatear.
Cheers
Mark
Mark Walsh said
Thu Sep 28 1:40 PM, 2017
Could only get up for a short while this morning (half an hour) so concentrated around the PR path and Quarry;
A few small groups of Swallow moving south, 27 in total. 5 Meadow Pipits south 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 1 Snipe
cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Wed Sep 27 12:35 PM, 2017
A fairly quiet walk from Gird Lane to Picking Rods and back.
A steady stream of Meadow Pipits moving south but largely in single figure groups.
Meadow Pipit 117 south Skylark 2 south Pied Wagtail 5 south Swallow 3 south Snipe 6 Wheatear 2 Golden Plover 1 Lapwing 1 Long-tailed Tit 11 Chiffchaff 3
Called up again for a couple of hours around midday.
Sizable number of Meadow Pipits for the area with a single flock of around 120 and subsequent smaller groups of between 10-20, in total around 180. 10 Swallow over in a single group SW 4 Skylark 3 Kestrel 2 Snipe 2 Jay 1 Buzzard 1 Sparrowhawk 1 House Martin
Cheers
Mark
Julian Winstanley said
Sat Sep 23 10:08 AM, 2017
3 white wagtail on the field to the left of the track up to picking rods. Pic later
EDIT - update now we're back. Lots of corvids and pipits as expected. 2 swallows, which were unexpected. 2 Kestrel. Goldcrest heard in the trees above the quarry. Flock of circa 20 thrush and a single wheatear around Rocks Farm on the eastern side of Cown Edge rocks
-- Edited by Julian Winstanley on Saturday 23rd of September 2017 02:25:17 PM
-- Edited by Julian Winstanley on Saturday 23rd of September 2017 02:26:33 PM
The tracks through the quarry and above field are a recent addition as they weren't there last Friday when I was up, so most likely from the weekend's session.
Managed a couple of hours this afternoon before the rain came.
Small numbers of Swallow moving through South West with a few House Martins. 38 Meadow Pipit, one small flock of 17 and the rest in smaller groups. 21 Black Headed Gull 4 Mistle Thrush 3 Buzzard 2 Raven 1 Jay 1 Kestrel 1 Chiffchaff 1 Reed Bunting 1 Bullfinch
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Wed Sep 20 9:05 PM, 2017
Much damage to the areas above and below the quarry since my last visit. Wide tracks created through the rushes by trail bikers.
Birding was quiet: Ravens 2 Buzzards 3 Kestrel 2 Meadow Pipits 81 (in 2 large flocks of 23 and 58) Black-headed Gull 72 Greenfinch 9 (single flock) Chiffchaff 2
Cheers John
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Sep 17 8:42 PM, 2017
Hardly worth mentioning really, but my personal recording area for the 'moor' has always been from Glossop Rd eastwards, so I have to mention a new bird for the area (as far as I am concerned). A kingfisher was on one of the Fishponds near to the lay-by. Rest of walk up to and along Ernocroft Lane, round back to Glossop Rd had nothing special, apart from 8 or 9 linnets near to Ernocroft farm which are always a bonus these days. Also recorded chiffchaff, grey wagtail, treecreeper, goldcrest, rook and buzzard amongst others.
John Rayner said
Sat Sep 2 7:10 PM, 2017
A.M. As there seem to be so many Tree Pipits being reported recently I thought I would try the quarry area again this morning. Bad idea as it was crawling with kids with huge backpacks doing Duke of Edinburgh or orienteering or something. So I resorted to a bit of insect photography and saw few birds.
P.M. A text from Mark Walsh (ta!) reported that the Barn Owl was still in the quarry so it must have withstood quite a load of disturbance this morning. I nipped down to photograph it.
Otherwise quiet with a flock of Lapwing (67) this morning and Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk this afternoon.
A superb Barn Owl roosting in the quarry until I accidentally flushed it. Goldfinch flock of 71 (flushed from thistle heads by a Kestrel they then perched on wires for an accurate count) Lapwing 44 (flocks of 25 and 18) Black-headed Gull 32 Meadow Pipit 9 only Whitethroat 1 Kestrel 3
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Wed Aug 30 9:31 PM, 2017
Best today was a distant female/juvenile Merlin that flew over Gun Farm scattering the Meadow Pipit flock. Meadow Pipit flock size down to c30 Skylark 3 Large Pied Wagtail flock (24) contained a couple of White Wagtails Swallow flock near kennels c55 Snipe 4 Curlew 2 Blackcap 1
Cheers John
Mark Walsh said
Sun Aug 27 6:48 PM, 2017
Nice to bump into Andy Bisset while I was up.
I had originally planned to walk from Larkhill down Girdlane and then cutting over to the quarry due to some success in that area on Friday. Unfortunately I had to change my plans to parking up near the PR path and heading around the quarry. That changed as well when I noticed the trail bikers around the area. In the end I decided that heading over Cown Edge would be best.
There was a reasonable amount just along the Picking Rods path with;
17 Goldfinch 6 Meadow Pipit 7 Linnet 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Wheatear stopping off on the way south
All seen in GM.
Other Wildlife in the relevant thread and Cown Edge stuff in the Derbyshire sightings.
Friday turned out to be a decent day;
1 Female Redstart 1 Spotted Flycatcher 230 Lapwing 160 Starling Around 60 Swallows moving SE in small groups. One larger group of 80 at the Kennels. 72 Goldfinch along the PR path with a further 100 at the Kennels again. 20 Meadow Pipits 6 Chiffchaff 1 Wheatear
Cheers
Mark
John Rayner said
Sun Aug 27 5:54 PM, 2017
Either side of mid-day there was not a lot happening but I was photographing insects so looking down rather than up. Then the trail bikers arrived and put an end to proceedings:
A big flock of Meadow Pipits is gathering. Best counts were:
Meadow Pipits c76 (inc. single flock of c70) Rook 21 Swallow 28 Curlew 2 Raven 2
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Sun Aug 20 3:41 PM, 2017
Also:
If anyone finds a SONY lens cap I lost mine today, probably in the quarry area.
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Sun Aug 20 2:40 PM, 2017
Gird Lane - Picking Rods. Best bits were:
A large Lapwing flock of c230 c100 Starlings feeding with Lapwing One Sand Martin straight through south Small passage of 21 Swallows Fly-over Cormorant Chiffchaffs 11 Willow Warbler 2 Redpolls 6 Goldfinch c30 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Only 7 Meadow Pipits
107 Canada Geese in the fields opposite Larkhill
8 Tree Sparrow (probably more)
10 Greenfinch
2 Chaffinch
5 Redwing
2 Bullfinch
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
Cheers
Mark
Canada Goose 176
Tree Sparrow 7
Chaffinch 9
Redwing 6
Sparrowhawk
Cloughend area:
Lapwing 2
Jay 2
Bullfinch 3
Common Gull 60
Buzzard
Kestrel
Cheers John
19th Nov. 09.00 - 10.30
2 skiens of Pink-footed Geese SE (c140 and the other unseen)
Redwing c60
Fieldfare c10
Tree Sparrow 3
Bullfinch 6
Pheasant 3 under feeders at Larkhill
Grey Heron 1
Buzzard 1
Kestrel 1
Cheers John
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 19th of November 2017 05:30:39 PM
Apart from some uncounted Gulls/Magpies/Rooks/Crows and a few Woodpigeons these were just about the only birds seen on a slow afternoon.
Fieldfare 27
Redwing 15
Blackbird 9
Mistle Thrush 7
Starling 15
Siskin 15
Goldfinch 16
Bullfinch 2
Chaffinch 5
Goldcrest 1
Jay 2
Buzzard 1
Canada Goose 71
Jackdaw c350
The trail bike damage continues unabated.
Cheers John
2 stonechats in quarry area too, and a further flock of 30 fieldfare.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Wednesday 8th of November 2017 08:51:43 PM
Holliwood End - Smithy Farm - Cloughend - Sandhill Lane - Gird Lane
Redwing c25
Goldcrest 4
Bullfinch 5
Greenfinch 4
Blackbird 6
Mistle Thrush 4
Song Thrush 2
Jackdaws c550 in pre-roost
The most unusual sighting was Mr Berry.
Cheers John
Chaffinch 18
Greenfinch 6
Goldfinch 22
Bullfinch 8
Redwing 149 (scattered feeding flocks seemed to be drifting south)
Fieldfare 16
Blackbird 14
Mistle Thrush 5
Song Thrush 4
Meadow Pipit 13
Buzzard 3
Kestrel 2
Sparrowhawk 1
Raven 2
Cheers John
Thanks John
Glad they are still around, I think Wednesday looks good weather wise so I should hopefully get another chance for a look.
Hi Geoff,
I have driven through it a few times, just keep going and don't stop . It's not as deep as it looks. Main problem is that the off road parking is also under water so I can't park up there.
Cheers John
Hi Andy and John,
What is causing that flood at the Picking Rods Path? Is it ok to drive through?
I stopped on the Mellor side yesterday, and began walking, but turned back as the two flooded sections seemed a "no go" for walking.
Thanks
Geoff
1 hawfinch at just before 13.55, flew in with flock of redwings. In the bright conditions, it was very obvious in flight even without using binoculars, and helped further when it landed with the flock in the tall tree to the left of the unnamed house opposite Clough End for about 20 seconds. They then all departed back towards the old trout lake (down Smithy Lane), but despite following them I could not relocate any redwings or hawfinches. I had seen Mark Walsh leaving (sorry you missed it) who had seen redwings, but I think this must have been a different flock.
Best of rest:-
33 fieldfare (which flew in just before the redwings), 29 lapwings, 2 ravens, 20+ goldfinch, and green woodpecker seen up path to the quarry.
There are still hawfinches in the area!
~3pm went up v wet path North from junction involving Gird lane and Ernocroft lane. Plenty of finches in trees around nearest house (the one West of Larkhill), though only Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch that I saw. Having got past the house, my wife spotted a lone unfamiliar bird answering to the description flying in from the North (Brown low), which I then failed to relocate, where it had gone down near the other finches. However, a couple of minutes later it flew out (again alone, NW towards Ernocroft farm), revealing itself indeed to be a hawfinch.
We then saw rather few birds for the next hour or so, until coming back through Cloughend, where there seemed good numbers of both redwing and fieldfare going to roost. Walking back past April Cottage towards Larkhill in the gathering gloom a little after 4.30 I then heard a hawfinch flying over and calling, heading East along Sandhill Lane, back towards Cloughend, but never managed to pick it up in binoculars. Even more frustratingly, a second followed it, going the same way, a little further down the hill, and similarly not spotted, about a minute later.
Suffice to say that, while I didn't get great views, they might still be possible.
Woodpigeons 2,211 in 90 mins (SE) Quite spectacular!
Redwings 12 only (S)
Starlings c50 (S)
No finches to talk about
Cheers, John
10.00-11.30. Only covering the Cloughend/April Cottage area. Reduced numbers of Fieldfare. Increase of Goldcrests.
Skein of Pink-footed Geese north - overhead but unseen in low cloud
Redwing c60
Fieldfare 10
Chaffinch 12
Bullfinch 7
Greenfinch 5
Goldcrest 6
Lesser Redpoll 2
Long-tailed Tit 9
Cheers John
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 4th of November 2017 01:58:24 PM
Pink-footed Goose - single skein of 154 SE (photo)
Fieldfare 315
Redwing 57
Chaffinch 36 (N)
Bullfinch 6
Raven 2-4
Buzzard 2
Cheers, John
Single Hawfinch in the same area as yesterday at 11:30 this morning with Redwing but only remained fairly briefly.
Info thanks to Roger Baker
Got a fine view of a single Hawfinch at around 14.45 together with Pete Hines, Mark Rigby and Andy Bissett. The Fieldfare flock was also very impressive. Many thanks to John Rayner for getting the info out. A great find and a worthy reward for his regular patch work. Good one John.
Echoing Mark's remark, thanks John. I would not have known about them until about now actually! They were still around at 3 o'clockish in the scrubby area opposite Clough End seen by myself and three others. Other than that the fieldfare flock was pretty impressive in the open area between the quarry and the plantation, certainly 200+. Also one raven flew over.
Forgot to add that the hawfinches were with a party of 6 or 7 bullfinches when refound.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Thursday 2nd of November 2017 08:38:22 PM
Best of the rest:
Snipe 10
Stock Dove 9
Siskin 2
Fieldfare c120
Redwing c30
Lapwing 8
Goldfinch c30
So, what next? Find one in the garden I suppose
Cheers, John
Tree Sparrow 3
Fieldfare 212
Redwing 95
Lesser Redpoll 2
Buzzard 3
Cheers John
Anyway;
885 Woodpigeon - South West
260 Pink-footed Geese - East (in 4 Skeins)
66 Fieldfare - 36 North and 30 South West
34 Starling - West
14 Redwing - South (only one group seen through the two hours)
13 Meadow Pipit - South West
11 Chaffinch - South West
8 Goldfinch - South
4 Siskin - South
3 Green Finch - South West
plus;
45 Fieldfare and 16 Redwing in the trees around Cloughend
21 Meadow Pipits in the fields next to the PR path
8 Chaffinch at Larkhill
3 Bullfinch at Cloughend
2 Green Finch at Brownlow
2 Raven
1 Golden Plover
1 Kestrel
Cheers
Mark
07.30 - 10.45 Vis Mig from Picking Rods/Gunn Road junction (with Mark Walsh)
Hampered by low cloud and poor visibility till 08.00 but poor counts compared with an average Horwich Moor day (and, of course, no Hawfinches). Most birds moving through in the south to west quadrant.
Stonechat 3 (moved through W)
Pink-footed Geese 782 (skeins moving in many directions. 60E, 110NW, 230E, 40S, 250NW, 28W, 64S)
Redwing 84 (only double figure flocks 20,18,11)
Blackbird 2
Fieldfare 10 (3,2,5)
Meadow Pipit 77 (disappointing, no flock in double figures)
Starling 53 (plus feeding flock of c100)
Lapwing 24
Golden Plover 2
Snipe 2
Goldfinch 59
Siskin 25 (single flock)
Chaffinch 8
Woodpigeon 148
Raven 2
Skylark 2
Pied Wagtail 3
Sparrowhawk 1
Resident birds not included.
Cheers John
Brambling 2 (1 at Larkhill feeders and another in hawthorns opp. Cloughend)
Tree Sparrow 4 minimum
Raven 2
Redwing 47
Woodpigeon 91 (flocks of 70 & 13 south plus stragglers)
Canada Goose 69
Lapwing 3
Linnet 1
Cheers John
Pink-footed Goose 180 west
Redwing 11
Lapwing 12
Lesser Black-backed Gull 8
Bullfinch 2
Buzzard 1
Kestrel 2
Cheers John
1 Raven
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
1 Redwing opp Cloughend
Cheers John
Friday;
25 Canada Geese
20 Greenfinch
6 Snipe
4 Redwing
2 Raven
2 Stonechat
Single's of Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Bullfinch, Mallard, Skylark and 1 Swallow south.
Today saw 7 Canada geese as well as only one Stonechat, differences from Friday were;
22 Goldfinch
7 Lesser Black Backed Gull over the quarry
4 Reed Bunting
3 Meadow Pipit
and 1 Snipe
Cheers
Mark
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Sunday 15th of October 2017 04:33:28 PM
2 stonechats still in top field above the quarry. Seen distantly as I forgot my boots so had to stay on 'dry' ground! Also noted about half a dozen redwings, a chiffchaff, a small party of golden plover (less than 10), buzzards, kestrel, sparrowhawk, common gulls etc...
Other birds of note were;
7 Snipe
5 Reed Bunting
20 Canada Geese
Cheers
Mark
Highlight were 2 Stonechats (both males). I have been searching for these all year but drawn a blank until today. Also:
Raven 2
Snipe 13
Meadow Pipits 56 (mostly moving SSE)
Lapwing 48
Canada Goose 20
Kestrel 2
And a Great Spotted Woodpecker high over Picking Rods track and migrating W.
Cheers, John
16 Meadow Pipit in the area with a couple of single figure groups over South.
14 Swallow South
7 Reed Bunting in the field above the quarry
4 Mistle Thrush
3 Bullfinch
2 Jay
2 Goldcrest
Singletons of Snipe, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Kestrel.
1 Largish flock of Tits at April Cottage mostly consisting of Long Tailed Tits with a few Blue and Coal thrown in for good measure.
Cheers
Mark
Around 200 Jackdaw
18 Meadow Pipits in the area with a few small groups of stragglers moving South.
15 Linnet
11 Starling
10 Snipe
5 Swallow over South
3 Goldcrest
2 Bullfinch
2 Raven
Then singles of Golden Plover, Kestrel, Buzzard, Chiffchaff and one lone Wheatear.
Cheers
Mark
A few small groups of Swallow moving south, 27 in total.
5 Meadow Pipits south
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Snipe
cheers
Mark
A steady stream of Meadow Pipits moving south but largely in single figure groups.
Meadow Pipit 117 south
Skylark 2 south
Pied Wagtail 5 south
Swallow 3 south
Snipe 6
Wheatear 2
Golden Plover 1
Lapwing 1
Long-tailed Tit 11
Chiffchaff 3
Cheers John
Teal 2
Starling 170
Lapwing 2
Greenfinch 12
Mistle Thrush 4
Jay 2
Sparrowhawk 1
Cheers John
Sizable number of Meadow Pipits for the area with a single flock of around 120 and subsequent smaller groups of between 10-20, in total around 180.
10 Swallow over in a single group SW
4 Skylark
3 Kestrel
2 Snipe
2 Jay
1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
1 House Martin
Cheers
Mark
EDIT - update now we're back. Lots of corvids and pipits as expected. 2 swallows, which were unexpected. 2 Kestrel. Goldcrest heard in the trees above the quarry. Flock of circa 20 thrush and a single wheatear around Rocks Farm on the eastern side of Cown Edge rocks
-- Edited by Julian Winstanley on Saturday 23rd of September 2017 02:25:17 PM
-- Edited by Julian Winstanley on Saturday 23rd of September 2017 02:26:33 PM
Managed a couple of hours this afternoon before the rain came.
Small numbers of Swallow moving through South West with a few House Martins.
38 Meadow Pipit, one small flock of 17 and the rest in smaller groups.
21 Black Headed Gull
4 Mistle Thrush
3 Buzzard
2 Raven
1 Jay
1 Kestrel
1 Chiffchaff
1 Reed Bunting
1 Bullfinch
Cheers
Mark
Birding was quiet:
Ravens 2
Buzzards 3
Kestrel 2
Meadow Pipits 81 (in 2 large flocks of 23 and 58)
Black-headed Gull 72
Greenfinch 9 (single flock)
Chiffchaff 2
Cheers John
Hardly worth mentioning really, but my personal recording area for the 'moor' has always been from Glossop Rd eastwards, so I have to mention a new bird for the area (as far as I am concerned). A kingfisher was on one of the Fishponds near to the lay-by. Rest of walk up to and along Ernocroft Lane, round back to Glossop Rd had nothing special, apart from 8 or 9 linnets near to Ernocroft farm which are always a bonus these days. Also recorded chiffchaff, grey wagtail, treecreeper, goldcrest, rook and buzzard amongst others.
P.M. A text from Mark Walsh (ta!) reported that the Barn Owl was still in the quarry so it must have withstood quite a load of disturbance this morning. I nipped down to photograph it.
Otherwise quiet with a flock of Lapwing (67) this morning and Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk this afternoon.
Cheers, John
A superb Barn Owl roosting in the quarry until I accidentally flushed it.
Goldfinch flock of 71 (flushed from thistle heads by a Kestrel they then perched on wires for an accurate count)
Lapwing 44 (flocks of 25 and 18)
Black-headed Gull 32
Meadow Pipit 9 only
Whitethroat 1
Kestrel 3
Cheers John
Meadow Pipit flock size down to c30
Skylark 3
Large Pied Wagtail flock (24) contained a couple of White Wagtails
Swallow flock near kennels c55
Snipe 4
Curlew 2
Blackcap 1
Cheers John
I had originally planned to walk from Larkhill down Girdlane and then cutting over to the quarry due to some success in that area on Friday. Unfortunately I had to change my plans to parking up near the PR path and heading around the quarry. That changed as well when I noticed the trail bikers around the area. In the end I decided that heading over Cown Edge would be best.
There was a reasonable amount just along the Picking Rods path with;
17 Goldfinch
6 Meadow Pipit
7 Linnet
1 Pied Wagtail
and 2 Wheatear stopping off on the way south
All seen in GM.
Other Wildlife in the relevant thread and Cown Edge stuff in the Derbyshire sightings.
Friday turned out to be a decent day;
1 Female Redstart
1 Spotted Flycatcher
230 Lapwing
160 Starling
Around 60 Swallows moving SE in small groups. One larger group of 80 at the Kennels.
72 Goldfinch along the PR path with a further 100 at the Kennels again.
20 Meadow Pipits
6 Chiffchaff
1 Wheatear
Cheers
Mark
Bullfinch 2 (Juveniles)
Sparrowhawk 1
Snipe 2
Meadow Pipits c50
Blackcap 1
Cheers, John
Meadow Pipits c76 (inc. single flock of c70)
Rook 21
Swallow 28
Curlew 2
Raven 2
Cheers John
If anyone finds a SONY lens cap I lost mine today, probably in the quarry area.
Cheers John
A large Lapwing flock of c230
c100 Starlings feeding with Lapwing
One Sand Martin straight through south
Small passage of 21 Swallows
Fly-over Cormorant
Chiffchaffs 11
Willow Warbler 2
Redpolls 6
Goldfinch c30
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2
Only 7 Meadow Pipits
A couple of bits on other wildlife.
Cheers John