Dove Stone RSPB (including Binn Green and environs)
dave broome said
Sun Apr 6 11:20 AM, 2014
Male Two-Barred Crossbill showed well below the viewing platform with 3 Common Crossbill, for two or three minutes at approx 10 a.m.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Apr 6 7:54 AM, 2014
Male Two-barred Crossbill showing at Binn Green this morning.
Info thanks to Ian Campbell/Brian Fielding
Rob Creek said
Sat Apr 5 11:05 PM, 2014
Got here about 5.10pm after dipping on the G.G.Shrike, Goshawk and Ring Ouzel's at Watergrove!
Another no show for the Two-barred Crossbill I'm afraid.
Plenty of birds though... Lots of usuals (Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Tit's etc) Umpteen Siskin 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 6 Brambling (putting on a show chasing each other around the feeders) 1 Lesser Redpoll but more heard 1 Chiffchaff heard A few Raven gliding down from the rocks to the res. Quite a few Meadow Pipits over Curlew (heard only) 2 Peregrine circling over the feeders then zooming down towards the res. 4 Kestrel (2 were together mobbing a Buzzard)
Nice to meet Steve up there, and the nice couple who were out birding too. I'm glad I beeped to you coz you would've missed the 2 kestrel seeing off the Buzzard. A good hour or so for Raptors!
steven burke said
Sat Apr 5 10:03 PM, 2014
nice view of the two-barred crossbill (lifer) from the viewing area just before 4pm, also 4 common crossbills with it. thanks to rob & Sonia adderely for putting me onto it.
other birds around the feeders & res...
lots of siskins several lesser redpolls at least 6 bramblings blue, great & coal tits chaffinches, goldfinches & greenfinches 1 chiffchaff 2 ravens 1 kestrel 2 oystercatchers 2 curlew, over lots of meadow pipits around the res.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 5 3:55 PM, 2014
Two-barred Crossbill showing again from the viewing area beyond the car park at Binn Green at 3:45pm.
Info thanks to Rob and Sonia Adderely
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 5 12:01 PM, 2014
Two-barred Crossbill showing again at 11:50 today.
Info thanks to Iain Johnson
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 5 9:50 AM, 2014
Two-barred Crossbill showing from the viewing platform at 09:50 this morning.
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Simon Warford
dave broome said
Fri Apr 4 2:07 PM, 2014
Male Common Crossbill at Binn Green at about 1:15pm, I only heard it in Pines along road below viewpoint, then it was seen by another birder in Larch nr feeding station. 1 Brambling
Mike Passant said
Fri Apr 4 8:51 AM, 2014
Dear Mr. Heaton,
Be not faint hearted, the weekend looms large and hopefully with it, clear settled skies and the sure prospect of success. Be on site early, close to the feeding station. I believe like you that your quarry is still around and is very much a morning bird. Although it doesn't frequent the feeders itself, the happy sound of assorted feeding finches draws it into the surrounding larches where its own breakfast awaits, and where it exchanges tittle tattle with some of the numerous siskins.
As for what no. 200 might be, (should it ever happen for me), the way things are in Greater Manchester, it could well be a flyover Frigatebird over Rumworth.
Regards, Mike P.
Paul Heaton said
Thu Apr 3 10:03 PM, 2014
Mr Passant, you are without doubt a dedicated birder, who deserves his membership to The GM 200 Club. I look forward to seeing what your 200th bird is going to be?
I myself,braved a very cold miserable 2nd April, with no sign of any crossbills ;-(. however I do believe the little blighter is still there hiding in the pines and larches, and a brake in the weather, a warm patch, and perhaps we may find it again.
May the birding Gods grant us mere mortals another chance.
Keep Birding
Mike Passant said
Thu Apr 3 1:10 PM, 2014
April 1st - belated update:
Barb and I considered ourselves extremely fortunate to have connected with the Two-barred Crossbill only some 20 mins after our arrival on site, (thanks to finders Mark Rigby and John Rayner especially, as I had at that time gone a short walk about, admiring the"finch fest" at the feeders, which included our first Oldham Borough Bramblings).
As the weather rapidly cleared, we took the opportunity afterwards to explore more widely and descended to the reservoirs below and crossed over the dam. On the opposite side of the valley (just west of the picnic tables) we encountered our first Willow Warblers of 2014 in the deciduous scrubby area; - there were at least 4/5 different singing individuals.
dave broome said
Wed Apr 2 1:11 PM, 2014
No sign of any Crossbills at Binn Green up to 11:55 this morning, in very windy and intermittently misty conditions
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 2 8:49 AM, 2014
All good stuff too Jamie.
No sign of the Two-barred Crossbill so far this morning.
JamieDunning said
Wed Apr 2 12:46 AM, 2014
I wasn't trying to discredit our bird at Binn Green - simply add some context to what you're looking at.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 1 8:59 PM, 2014
JamieDunning wrote:
I'd read in the HBW that leucoptera (Two-barred) will feed on Pine and Birch as well as Larch and Pine. Anyone that watched the Broomhead flock will have that they're more obviously larch inclined in their notebooks.
& you laugh at the mandible crossing, there are some good and (very specific!) papers on just this. It's something I'd looked up a whilst back after taking some notes on specimen skins. luckily, I don't have to copy my notes here or cite any papers, someone else has helpfully done it for me! http://www.bootstrap-analysis.com/2005/12/crossbills_whic.html
Whilst I'm writing, another interesting article was one that appeared on Birding frontiers after the beginning of the Loxia invasion last autumn. Something I did briefly mention to John after reading his Email. again, this is something which is obvious in large skin collections. as martin shows with his photo at the end. http://birdingfrontiers.com/2013/12/03/the-lynford-arboretum-crossbill-with-white-wing-bars/
Cheers all,
J
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Tuesday 1st of April 2014 06:00:33 PM
Interesting stuff Jamie but I'm afraid I can't help but continue to have a chuckle at this one
As for the recent well marked Norfolk bird, a forum member saw this individual and we discussed it the other day. I also saw the well marked Common Crossbill at Lyndford Arboretum, Norfolk in the early 90's (I think it was) whilst watching the first really unblocked Two-barred there but neither this, or the more recent bird there can hold a candle to the current Binn Green bird.
Rob Creek said
Tue Apr 1 8:52 PM, 2014
No sign of any Crossbills at all up to 7.35 pm.
However plenty of activity including... Lots of Chaffinch Plenty of Siskin 3 Lesser Redpoll 2 Goldfinch a Bullfinch a few Great Spotted Woodpecker a Curlew overhead dropping down to the lake a Skylark singing (and eventually dropped down into the grass on the mountainous side of the road) Plus Blue, Great, and Coal Tit.
...and of note a black Pheasant!
Paul Wilson said
Tue Apr 1 8:43 PM, 2014
Steve Christmas wrote:
Has anyone noticed if the two-barred crossbill is right- or left-billed? Right-billed birds have the upper mandible twisted to the right. This may indicate whether it is a larch or a pine feeder.
It is left-billed.
C Brown said
Tue Apr 1 7:55 PM, 2014
No sign of any crossbills of any sort between 15:45 and 17:45. However, nice to bump into John Cooper, Bob Kenworthy and Andy Platt.
Regards, Chris Jepson-Brown
Roger Baker 3 said
Tue Apr 1 6:39 PM, 2014
Some interesting information there Jamie (makes a change for you). HaHaHa !
I like the survival theory that in poor cone years the birds maximise the cone crop by extracting the seed from both sides according to whichever way the bill twists. Makes sense.
We live and learn.
Roger
Keith Mills said
Tue Apr 1 5:05 PM, 2014
11.45 to 3.15 today: No sign of the Two-barred Crossbill for me or, I believe, for the other 3 Forum Members present. Last sighting said to be 10.35am. Good views of some cracking Brambling, and plenty Siskin and Chaffinch present. Good views of several Lesser Redpoll and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and also Raven and distant Peregrine.
JamieDunning said
Tue Apr 1 5:04 PM, 2014
I'd read in the HBW that leucoptera (Two-barred) will feed on Pine and Birch as well as Larch and Pine. Anyone that watched the Broomhead flock will have that they're more obviously larch inclined in their notebooks.
& you laugh at the mandible crossing, there are some good and (very specific!) papers on just this. It's something I'd looked up a whilst back after taking some notes on specimen skins. luckily, I don't have to copy my notes here or cite any papers, someone else has helpfully done it for me! http://www.bootstrap-analysis.com/2005/12/crossbills_whic.html
Whilst I'm writing, another interesting article was one that appeared on Birding frontiers after the beginning of the Loxia invasion last autumn. Something I did briefly mention to John after reading his Email. again, this is something which is obvious in large skin collections. as martin shows with his photo at the end. http://birdingfrontiers.com/2013/12/03/the-lynford-arboretum-crossbill-with-white-wing-bars/
Cheers all,
J
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Tuesday 1st of April 2014 06:00:33 PM
Rob Creek said
Tue Apr 1 2:19 PM, 2014
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Steve Christmas wrote:
Has anyone noticed if the two-barred crossbill is right- or left-billed? Right-billed birds have the upper mandible twisted to the right. This may indicate whether it is a larch or a pine feeder.
There's always one...
Right billed birds tend to go for cones on the right hand side of the tree!
John Rayner said
Tue Apr 1 10:00 AM, 2014
Two-barred Crossbill still at 10.05.
Cheers John
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 1 8:26 AM, 2014
Two-barred Crossbill currently showing with Common Crossbills from the viewing platform at 08:25 this morning.
Info thanks to John Rayner
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 1 8:03 AM, 2014
Steve Christmas wrote:
Has anyone noticed if the two-barred crossbill is right- or left-billed? Right-billed birds have the upper mandible twisted to the right. This may indicate whether it is a larch or a pine feeder.
There's always one...
Steve Christmas said
Tue Apr 1 7:10 AM, 2014
Has anyone noticed if the two-barred crossbill is right- or left-billed? Right-billed birds have the upper mandible twisted to the right. This may indicate whether it is a larch or a pine feeder.
Tim Wilcox said
Mon Mar 31 8:23 PM, 2014
6.05 - 7.00pm No Crossbill sps. but Brambling at least 5, Siskin 2, at least 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and at about 6.20pm the strange sight of 2 Red Grouse flying up the valley fighting on the wing and calling. They kept flying up too gaining height to maybe 80' or more. Is this unusual behaviour? My experience of Red Grouse has only involved them on the ground or low-flying birds
brian fielding said
Mon Mar 31 7:25 PM, 2014
just reported has still present at 1700 again in larches nr the veiwing platform.
brian fielding said
Mon Mar 31 6:52 PM, 2014
i believe the original finder from yesterday is submitting a form, i have offered to do so if he doesnt.the bird was well photographed today by the other birder present at lunchtime, sorry i didnt get your name but if you could forward some photos to ian mckerchar i would appreciate it.has mike says i really hope this bird is refound so others get to see it, the bird showed well for about 15 mins on the larches to the left of the viewing platform next to binn green car park.
Mike Passant said
Mon Mar 31 6:37 PM, 2014
I suggest that nothing is "official" yet Phil until any record submission is accepted, and yes indeed, it would be a G M first.
Having said that, it would seem very likely to be a good record in the context of the national influx of recent months; - here's hoping it sticks around.
Regards, Mike P.
Phil Owen said
Mon Mar 31 6:14 PM, 2014
I take it that this is the first official record of the species for GM?
Mark Rigby said
Mon Mar 31 6:10 PM, 2014
No further sign of Two-barred Crossbill by 1610hrs.
Ian Campbell said
Mon Mar 31 4:43 PM, 2014
Lots of people looking at 2.45 p.m. but no sign, Siskin, Brambling, Lesser Redpoll amongst commoner Finches, also lots of Great spotted Woodpecker activity and a Peregrine circling. Cheers Ian ps just my look for it to have returned just after I left
Paul Wilson said
Mon Mar 31 3:44 PM, 2014
Paul Wilson wrote:
A reference for the car park would be useful. It is years since i've been here, and searching for "Binn Green" returns nothing on the map sites.
OK - found it now
Paul Wilson said
Mon Mar 31 3:23 PM, 2014
A reference for the car park would be useful. It is years since i've been here, and searching for "Binn Green" returns nothing on the map sites.
brian fielding said
Mon Mar 31 1:32 PM, 2014
just back from dovestones, thanks to the other birder present for noticing the crossbills flying in to the larches by the viewing platform, the two-barred crossbill was easy to pick up with the white wing bars obvious, with 5 crossbills, 2 other males and 3 female type.also siskins on the close by feeders.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 31 12:17 PM, 2014
Male Two-barred Crossbill still present in the larches by the car park at Binn Green at midday today.
Info thanks to Brian Fielding
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 31 11:08 AM, 2014
No sign of the male Two-barred Crossbill so far today, but a small flock of Crossbills is still in the area.
Info thanks to Dave O'Hara
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 31 9:47 AM, 2014
Late news for yesterday: male Two-barred Crossbill at Binn Green, at 10am with a small flock of Crossbills in larches by the viewing platform briefly. The flock then flew down towards the conifers by the service road.
Please respect the privacy of residents of the cottages below the viewing platform.
Info thanks to John Parker
Estelle Kensdale said
Sun Mar 30 7:40 PM, 2014
Highlight today, late afternoon at Binn Green, at the top of a tree near the feeders - my first Crossbill!
Also a stunning Wheatear near the footpath on the Eastern side of Dove Stones reservoir.
Andrew Mitchell said
Sat Mar 29 6:20 PM, 2014
Late post for yesterday - an hour or so around Binn Green feeders, late morning. Highlights were a flock of 20 or so Siskin, large numbers of Coal Tit, 2 Brambling (one very good looking male) and a few Lesser Redpoll battling for space with the larger finches.
JSPALDING said
Fri Mar 28 12:23 PM, 2014
Very quiet this morning, there were still a couple of brambling around the feeders at Binn Green.
Ivan Ellison said
Mon Mar 24 8:41 PM, 2014
Visit today after yomping over the moors looking for mountain hares. Around the car park, loads of chaffinches.; 3 x Great spotted woodpeckers, at least 6 siskins, 2 x repoll, and at least 2 x brambling, also treecreepers and a very black cock pheasant- the darkest I have seen.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 24th of March 2014 09:54:44 PM
S Rothery said
Sun Mar 23 2:36 PM, 2014
Intake Lane area - 12 Lapwings 60 Fieldfare 4 Mistle Thrush Circa 50 Starling 1 Curlew Pheasants Meadow Pipits
Very little around Chew Plantations other than Coal, Blue and Great Tits
Grey Wagtail and Dipper on Chew Brook downstream from Fletchers plus Nuthatch
Ian Boote said
Sat Mar 22 1:40 PM, 2014
From Car park up to Chew Res 2 Oystercatcher on the Rafts, at least three Stonechats male and female, Dipper, lots of Meadow Pipit, few Skylarks, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Heron, lots of Red Grouse.
Adam Jones said
Sat Mar 15 3:43 PM, 2014
Walk around Dove Stone reservoir this morning. Too many people around the feeders in the car park, so very few birds here other than pigeons, a few Carrion Crow and some Chaffinch. One Peregrine over heading towards Chew Valley. Several Goldcrests in the pine trees heading towards the Dam wall. 2 Mistle Thrush 1 Grey Heron 2 Dippers 6 Meadow Pipits 7 Pied Wagtail around the reservoir shore line 5 Pheasants 1 Coal Tit Lots of Wrens, Robins and Tits very active.
JamieDunning said
Fri Mar 14 5:23 PM, 2014
Didn't see them personally, but there were 2 pairs of Pintail in the main res on the 12th March. Noticed nobody has posted these, a good record for these upland sites. J
Pete Welch said
Sun Mar 9 1:47 PM, 2014
Very early morning walk up to Chew from Dove Stone this morning in pleasant spring like conditions!
Red Grouse [many pairs and calling all the way up the road and over the tops] one perched on the reservoir wall :) Ravens - at least one pair Golden Plover - one pair seemingly on territory so we walked round them Stonechats - a few pairs Only two Mountain Hares - I expected more [saw more rabbits than hares!] Siskin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Coal Tit, Blue Tits round the car park feeders Great Spotted Woodpecker - heard from the car park
On the reservoir Mallard, Muscovy Ducks, 6 Canadas and lots of Black Headed Gulls.
RachelD said
Wed Mar 5 7:53 PM, 2014
Hi Charles, Just wanted to add to the points raised so far on this that over the last few years at Dovestones I've seen myself a lot of incidences of dogs off leads chasing sheep with their owners having no control over their dogs at all. I've also known of plenty of other dog-chasing-sheep incidences taking place at Dovestones that I've not seen personally - I think it was the year before last that two sheep drowned in one of the reservoirs through being chased in by dogs and then being unable to get out. Also to acknowledge that, yes, there are many responsible dogs owners out there too who do keep their dogs on a short lead around livestock. Jamie's right - there is signage around Dovestones politely requesting that dogs stay on the lead, however, it obv.doesn't work. This issue needs to be addressed by one or all of the organisations involved at Dovestones - United Utilities, RSPB and the Peak Park. The matter has been raised over and over with these organisations but incidences like still happen. It's a scary thought that there's an incident waiting to happen involving a child with one of these dogs. All the best, Rachel.
Charles Farrell said
Mon Mar 3 1:13 PM, 2014
David - I agree. It is perfectly possible to watch birds while walking a dog and I often borrow my brothers dog while walking around Dovestones.
Having made people aware of the attack that had taken place, the other dog walkers did seemed concerned for their own animals and did keep them tightly on a leash in that area (where the stream passes the memorial forest).
I have had no follow up today from the Police and have dropped an email to the Environmental Health dept at Oldham Council with the details of the attack. They have at least assigned the incident for someone to look at.
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Monday 3rd of March 2014 05:35:22 PM
Info thanks to Ian Campbell/Brian Fielding
Another no show for the Two-barred Crossbill I'm afraid.
Plenty of birds though...
Lots of usuals (Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Tit's etc)
Umpteen Siskin
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker
6 Brambling (putting on a show chasing each other around the feeders)
1 Lesser Redpoll but more heard
1 Chiffchaff heard
A few Raven gliding down from the rocks to the res.
Quite a few Meadow Pipits over
Curlew (heard only)
2 Peregrine circling over the feeders then zooming down towards the res.
4 Kestrel (2 were together mobbing a Buzzard)
Nice to meet Steve up there, and the nice couple who were out birding too. I'm glad I beeped to you coz you would've missed the 2 kestrel seeing off the Buzzard. A good hour or so for Raptors!
other birds around the feeders & res...
lots of siskins
several lesser redpolls
at least 6 bramblings
blue, great & coal tits
chaffinches, goldfinches & greenfinches
1 chiffchaff
2 ravens
1 kestrel
2 oystercatchers
2 curlew, over
lots of meadow pipits around the res.
Info thanks to Rob and Sonia Adderely
Info thanks to Iain Johnson
Info thanks to Andy Makin and Simon Warford
Dear Mr. Heaton,
Be not faint hearted, the weekend looms large and hopefully with it, clear settled skies and the sure prospect of success.
Be on site early, close to the feeding station.
I believe like you that your quarry is still around and is very much a morning bird. Although it doesn't frequent the feeders itself, the happy sound of assorted feeding finches draws it into the surrounding larches where its own breakfast awaits, and where it exchanges tittle tattle with some of the numerous siskins.
As for what no. 200 might be, (should it ever happen for me), the way things are in Greater Manchester, it could well be a flyover Frigatebird over Rumworth.
Regards,
Mike P.
I myself,braved a very cold miserable 2nd April, with no sign of any crossbills ;-(. however I do believe the little blighter is still there hiding in the pines and larches, and a brake in the weather, a warm patch, and perhaps we may find it again.
May the birding Gods grant us mere mortals another chance.
Keep Birding
April 1st - belated update:
Barb and I considered ourselves extremely fortunate to have connected with the Two-barred Crossbill only some 20 mins after our arrival on site, (thanks to finders Mark Rigby and John Rayner especially, as I had at that time gone a short walk about, admiring the"finch fest" at the feeders, which included our first Oldham Borough Bramblings).
As the weather rapidly cleared, we took the opportunity afterwards to explore more widely and descended to the reservoirs below and crossed over the dam.
On the opposite side of the valley (just west of the picnic tables) we encountered our first Willow Warblers of 2014 in the deciduous scrubby area; - there were at least 4/5 different singing individuals.
No sign of the Two-barred Crossbill so far this morning.
Interesting stuff Jamie but I'm afraid I can't help but continue to have a chuckle at this one
As for the recent well marked Norfolk bird, a forum member saw this individual and we discussed it the other day. I also saw the well marked Common Crossbill at Lyndford Arboretum, Norfolk in the early 90's (I think it was) whilst watching the first really unblocked Two-barred there but neither this, or the more recent bird there can hold a candle to the current Binn Green bird.
However plenty of activity including...
Lots of Chaffinch
Plenty of Siskin
3 Lesser Redpoll
2 Goldfinch
a Bullfinch
a few Great Spotted Woodpecker
a Curlew overhead dropping down to the lake
a Skylark singing
(and eventually dropped down into the grass on the mountainous side of the road)
Plus Blue, Great, and Coal Tit.
...and of note a black Pheasant!
It is left-billed.
Regards, Chris Jepson-Brown
I like the survival theory that in poor cone years the birds maximise the cone crop by extracting the seed from both sides according to whichever way the bill twists. Makes sense.
We live and learn.
Roger
No sign of the Two-barred Crossbill for me or, I believe, for the other 3 Forum Members present.
Last sighting said to be 10.35am.
Good views of some cracking Brambling, and plenty Siskin and Chaffinch present.
Good views of several Lesser Redpoll and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and also Raven and distant Peregrine.
& you laugh at the mandible crossing, there are some good and (very specific!) papers on just this. It's something I'd looked up a whilst back after taking some notes on specimen skins. luckily, I don't have to copy my notes here or cite any papers, someone else has helpfully done it for me!
http://www.bootstrap-analysis.com/2005/12/crossbills_whic.html
Whilst I'm writing, another interesting article was one that appeared on Birding frontiers after the beginning of the Loxia invasion last autumn. Something I did briefly mention to John after reading his Email. again, this is something which is obvious in large skin collections. as martin shows with his photo at the end.
http://birdingfrontiers.com/2013/12/03/the-lynford-arboretum-crossbill-with-white-wing-bars/
Cheers all,
J
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Tuesday 1st of April 2014 06:00:33 PM
Right billed birds tend to go for cones on the right hand side of the tree!
Cheers John
Info thanks to John Rayner
There's always one...
I suggest that nothing is "official" yet Phil until any record submission is accepted, and yes indeed, it would be a G M first.
Having said that, it would seem very likely to be a good record in the context of the national influx of recent months; - here's hoping it sticks around.
Regards,
Mike P.
Cheers Ian
ps just my look for it to have returned just after I left
OK - found it now
Info thanks to Brian Fielding
Info thanks to Dave O'Hara
Please respect the privacy of residents of the cottages below the viewing platform.
Info thanks to John Parker
Also a stunning Wheatear near the footpath on the Eastern side of Dove Stones reservoir.
Around the car park, loads of chaffinches.; 3 x Great spotted woodpeckers, at least 6 siskins, 2 x repoll, and at least 2 x brambling, also treecreepers and a very black cock pheasant- the darkest I have seen.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 24th of March 2014 09:54:44 PM
12 Lapwings
60 Fieldfare
4 Mistle Thrush
Circa 50 Starling
1 Curlew
Pheasants
Meadow Pipits
Very little around Chew Plantations other than Coal, Blue and Great Tits
Grey Wagtail and Dipper on Chew Brook downstream from Fletchers plus Nuthatch
One Peregrine over heading towards Chew Valley.
Several Goldcrests in the pine trees heading towards the Dam wall.
2 Mistle Thrush
1 Grey Heron
2 Dippers
6 Meadow Pipits
7 Pied Wagtail around the reservoir shore line
5 Pheasants
1 Coal Tit
Lots of Wrens, Robins and Tits very active.
Noticed nobody has posted these, a good record for these upland sites.
J
Red Grouse [many pairs and calling all the way up the road and over the tops] one perched on the reservoir wall :)
Ravens - at least one pair
Golden Plover - one pair seemingly on territory so we walked round them
Stonechats - a few pairs
Only two Mountain Hares - I expected more [saw more rabbits than hares!]
Siskin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Coal Tit, Blue Tits round the car park feeders
Great Spotted Woodpecker - heard from the car park
On the reservoir Mallard, Muscovy Ducks, 6 Canadas and lots of Black Headed Gulls.
Just wanted to add to the points raised so far on this that over the last few years at Dovestones I've seen myself a lot of incidences of dogs off leads chasing sheep with their owners having no control over their dogs at all. I've also known of plenty of other dog-chasing-sheep incidences taking place at Dovestones that I've not seen personally - I think it was the year before last that two sheep drowned in one of the reservoirs through being chased in by dogs and then being unable to get out. Also to acknowledge that, yes, there are many responsible dogs owners out there too who do keep their dogs on a short lead around livestock. Jamie's right - there is signage around Dovestones politely requesting that dogs stay on the lead, however, it obv.doesn't work. This issue needs to be addressed by one or all of the organisations involved at Dovestones - United Utilities, RSPB and the Peak Park. The matter has been raised over and over with these organisations but incidences like still happen. It's a scary thought that there's an incident waiting to happen involving a child with one of these dogs.
All the best,
Rachel.
Having made people aware of the attack that had taken place, the other dog walkers did seemed concerned for their own animals and did keep them tightly on a leash in that area (where the stream passes the memorial forest).
I have had no follow up today from the Police and have dropped an email to the Environmental Health dept at Oldham Council with the details of the attack. They have at least assigned the incident for someone to look at.
-- Edited by Charles Farrell on Monday 3rd of March 2014 05:35:22 PM