This evening, single Wheatear, Little Grebe (a site first for me), 10 Teal, 100+ Meadow Pipits, 2 Little Owl, 25 Linnet, 85 Lapwings and only 65 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Simon Warford said
Fri Aug 23 5:45 AM, 2013
This evening, 5 Crossbill flew south-west and a single Green Sandpiper and Snipe were on the largest pool along with 6 Teal. Also 37 Linnets, 15 Skylark, 118 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 100+ Swallows & House Martins dropped in during tonights thunderstorm.
Simon Warford said
Thu Aug 8 1:31 PM, 2013
Yesterday evening 7th Aug, a Peregrine was hunting over the site, harassing the usual gathering of gulls which totalled over 250 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Also 26 Skylarks, 135 Lapwing, 25 Swifts, 2 Little Owls & 2 Mandarin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 8th of August 2013 01:31:23 PM
Simon Warford said
Sun Aug 4 11:07 PM, 2013
This morning, fairly quiet, though two site firsts for me were a female Tufted Duck and 5 Common Terns (2 adults & 3 Juvs) heading south at some speed, also 3 Curlews, 148 Lapwings, 273 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 5 Stock Doves, 13 Skylarks, 15 Swifts, 17 Whitethroats, 12 Willow Warblers, 2 blackcaps, 2 Willow Tits, 35 House Sparrows, 90 Goldfinches, 24 Linnets and 6 Bullfinches.
Butterflies included 5 Small Skippers, 6 Peacocks, 2 Red Admirals, 7 Small Coppers, 20+ Meadow Brown, 10 Large Whites and 15+ Gatekeepers.
Simon Warford said
Sun Jul 7 7:06 PM, 2013
Early morning 4.30am - 10.30am, it's turning out to be a very good breeding season indeed. I have never seen so many juvenile Greenfinches, in excess of 35 around the site this morning, also no shortage of Goldfinches, well over 95 of which most we're also juveniles. Also last week at least 600 juvenile Starlings feeding in the fields by the A6. Also today 27 House Sparrows including fledged juvs, 22 Skylark, 235 Woodpigeons including many juveniles, 27 Whitethroat, 1 singing Grasshopper Warbler, 1 singing Sedge Warbler, still 14 Chiffchaff singing, some also feeding young, also Willow Warblers feeding young, several juvenile Pied Wagtails. 119 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, they seem to be an increasingly common sight around Cutacre. 3 Herring Gulls and and a fairly early returning Snipe on one of the pools. Also plenty of fledged Blue and Great Tits around compared to none seen last year.
Also 3 Southern Hawkers, but not many butterflies, just a few Meadow Browns.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 7th of July 2013 07:15:51 PM
Simon Warford said
Sun Jun 9 7:51 PM, 2013
Yesterday early morning,
1 Grasshopper Warbler singing 1 Garden Warbler singing 1 Sedge Warbler singing 26 Whitethroat 21 Reed Bunting including a nest with 5 chicks in 4 Willow Warbler 4 Chiffchaff 1 Willow Tit 14 Skylark singing 7 Bullfinch 15 Linnet Little Owl (first sighting since 1st April 2012 when all the old barns got demolished) female Mandarin with 6 ducklings
Some news regarding the development of the site following a Public Consultation last week, Aldi hope to start construction of their 50,000 square metre regional distribution centre in early 2014 followed by the construction (subject to planning application) of a 5,000 square metre office complex, car park for 500 spaces, access roads, loading bays and several massive warehouses on the old Cutacre tip. Interesting that Bolton Council initially indicated 15,000 jobs would be created but now thats been revised to c2,000 despite the size of the industrial estate actually increasing since the initial proposals. On the plus side (if indeed there is one!?) work will commence shortly on the brand new Cutacre Country Park which will surround the development and provide 558 acres of landscapes which will include nature reserves, as well as nature trails, viewpoints etc. How all this will shape up is anybodys guess at the moment and whether this will improve the biodiversity of the area remains to be seen. Anybody interested can see the emerging master plan here:-
http://www.logisticsnorth.co.uk/country-park/
There is a form to make your views known, it was good to see quite a large turnout at the Public Consultation and many locals actually voted in favour of more birdwatching areas. One thing a few suggested was larger pools and reedbeds which I understand will be considered with some kind of reedbed looking likely. One thing is for sure sacred sites never seem to last forever.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 9th of June 2013 10:00:30 PM
Alan Warford said
Fri Jun 7 5:16 PM, 2013
Late post for yesterday pm, not exactly Cutacre, but walk along edges of Hulton Park.
Lesser Whitethroat 2 Common Whitethroat 2 Sparrowhawk (f) Mistle thrush Blackcap 3 Willow Warbler 4 Carrion Crow 30+ Goldfinch 2 Greenfinch 2 Swallow 1 Swift 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Simon Warford said
Sat Jun 1 3:13 AM, 2013
2 Wheatear still present! Also 65 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Simon Warford said
Mon May 13 2:02 AM, 2013
Early morning today, 7 Wheatear (incl. 2 males) still in the southern section of the site also 16 Whitethroat, 3 Shelduck and a single Dunlin on one of the pools.
Simon Warford said
Sun Apr 28 11:22 PM, 2013
Whilst walking over Shorelark Summit this morning at approx. 6.20am I accidently flushed a male Hen Harrier, it slowly flew off north-west chased by several Lapwings until it was lost to view heading towards Winter Hill. An amazing record for this site which is mostly a barren landscape now. Also of note today single Whinchat, 2 female Wheatear and 2 singing Grasshopper Warblers.
Six Wheatear (all females) this evening on fields between Cutacre and the A6, also 2 Dunlin & 2 Shelduck present.
Simon Warford said
Sun Apr 14 9:58 PM, 2013
Yesterday 13 April 2013, fine sunny conditions, highlights,
3 male Wheatear 3 male Mandarin 5 Shelduck 2 Snipe 2 Oystercatcher 1 Redshank 1 Curlew 6 Golden Plover 26 Lapwing 26 Reed Bunting 16 Skylark 39 Meadow Pipit 1 Swallow 1 Willow Warbler 13 Chiffchaff 1 male Blackcap singing 1 Willow Tit 120 Redwing, many in full song 214 Woodpigeon 9 Stock Dove 3 Buzzard 6 Linnet 14 Fieldfare all flying east
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 14th of April 2013 09:59:33 PM
Simon Warford said
Sat Apr 6 1:41 AM, 2013
2 male Wheatears present today and 60 Redwing. Also unfortunately, some nice people have set fire to a large area of grassland on the site and loads of willow scrub, the fire brigade arrived quite quick to put it out though, nice one Ian.
Steve Christmas said
Thu Feb 7 10:15 PM, 2013
Brief visit this morning: 60 Fieldfare over NW 10 meadow pipit 4 skylark reed bunting 5 snipe 3 common gull willow tit
Nick Hilton said
Thu Jan 10 3:43 AM, 2013
09/01/13 - A flock of 60 Redwing were in the Cutacre area this pm
Nick Hilton said
Sat Nov 17 4:02 AM, 2012
A Woodcock flew over me as I left the old Exide Batteries site today at 5pm
Nick Hilton said
Tue Oct 23 10:05 PM, 2012
1300 in Cutacre area today; 1 Buzzard 12 Long Tailed Tit 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 55 Lapwing 3 Jay 9 Skylark
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 23rd of October 2012 10:15:35 PM
Nick Hilton said
Tue Oct 9 5:23 AM, 2012
A pair of Raven over the old Exide Batteries plant at midday today.
Simon Warford said
Sun Jul 8 12:08 AM, 2012
Surprised to see a Whinchat early this morning, only seems like five minutes ago when I saw two on spring migration on the 6th May and todays bird was more or less in the same spot as one was in spring. Further evidence that autumn migration is well under way was a fresh juvenile Wheatear hopping around the edges of the main UK Coal car park.
Its not all been doom and gloom for breeding birds, lots of juvenile Starlings feeding on the site along with freshly fledged Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and Reed Buntings being fed by adults. There are more Whitethroats this year compared to 2011 and Reed Buntings are also up on last year with 14 singing males this summer. On the downside hardly any Grasshopper Warblers(unless my hearings going!) and Willow Warblers are also down on last year with only 3 singing birds this summer. Linnets are definitely up with 23 seen today including young birds. Also today 62 Lapwing, 70 (20+ juvs) Goldfinch, 7 Grey Partridge, 16 Skylark, 250 Woodpigeon, 4 Stock Dove and the Swift migration is in full flow with 150+ moving south in 3 hours.
One evening in the middle of last week at least 450 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present with them all flying off north-west just before dusk.
Ian Campbell said
Sun Jun 24 3:40 PM, 2012
Look around this a.m., heard Grasshopper Warbler, lots of Linnet, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, had a really enjoyable walk. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 24th of June 2012 04:24:54 PM
Simon Warford said
Mon May 7 3:46 AM, 2012
Great weather for my second Breeding Birding Survey this morning and the place was alive with birds. As soon as I parked up by the main buildings at 6.45am the first of two Whinchats was perched up on tall grasses. Numbers of Lapwings and Skylarks are down though as a result of large areas of bare earth which has replaced last years grassland. No sign of any Little Owls on the site now with no birds present where they were last year. On the plus side a Cuckoo was singing in the same area where one was seen last year. Whitethroats widely scattered with 17 singing males along with six Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, four Blackcaps and a single Garden Warbler but no Grasshopper Warblers on site yet. Other birds included 15 Reed Buntings, four Grey Partridge, three Stock Dove, three Oystercatchers, single male Wheatear, 120 Woodpigeon, six Sand Martin, two Swift, 25 Swallow, single Buzzard, Bullfinch, five Linnets and a Shelduck was a surprise on a small bit of floodwater on the old tip.
49 species recorded in total.
Simon Warford said
Mon Apr 2 5:14 AM, 2012
Full mornings survey in great weather this morning produced the following-
6 Snipe, 2 Mandarin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 21 Skylark, 4 Grey Partridge, 15 House Sparrow, 9 Reed Bunting, 2 Jay, 2 Little Owl, 5 Stock Dove, 4 Buzzard, 11 Linnet, 4 Kestrel, 4 Bullfinch, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 17 Lapwing, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush and 15 Golden Plover with a further 23 Golden Plover on nearby Plodder Lane fields.
Also a Stoat was busy running up and down a ditch near one of the farms, it didnt see me as I watched from behind a mound. It certainly attracted the attention of a Pied Wagtail, Wren and Reed Bunting which were all taking it in turns mobbing it!
As part of the ongoing restoration of the whole site a large lake has been created which might prove interesting in the coming months.
Nick Hilton said
Fri Feb 24 2:16 AM, 2012
Female Merlin (south) this morning and Raven (north) this afternoon over the old Exide Batteries factory.
Keith Mills said
Thu Nov 3 10:21 AM, 2011
Apparently I have spent 8.30 to 9.30 this am on the South side of Cutacre. My error however the following seen:
Several small flocks of Redwing /Fieldfare in the Hawthorn. Song Thrush : 1 superb view. Kestrel 1 Grey Heron: 1 on Earth mound. Carrion Crow 10 Pheasant 1 Goldfinch 5 on seed. A large bird on a distant pylon ... Buzzard I think. I will try for the Owl again!
-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 3rd of November 2011 10:39:19 AM
Simon Warford said
Tue Nov 1 7:09 PM, 2011
At 8.00am this morning a Short-eared Owl was hunting over the spoil heap on the west side of Cutacre. Viewed from the public footpath that runs round that side. Also a Brambling and 5 Partridge.
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
Steve Christmas said
Mon Jul 25 12:22 AM, 2011
Moulting adult male peregrine landed on pylon at S of Cutacre site at 1900hrs Sunday 24th July.
Jason Dulhanty said
Sat May 28 11:33 AM, 2011
Cheers Simon
Simon Warford said
Fri May 27 11:06 PM, 2011
Jason, the only option really is to walk the public footpaths around the west and south side, you can park at the A6 and take Rosemary Lane and walk south or Breeze Hill Road, near Hulton park entrance and walk either north or south from there. Alot of Cutacre is just bare land now, with the coal excavation nearly finished the landscape changes every week.
Jason Dulhanty said
Fri May 27 4:52 PM, 2011
Simon..... Could you tell me how to get to the site and where is best for parking, is the main entrance just off the A6 near the old Norweb Depot?
Simon Warford said
Thu May 26 11:01 PM, 2011
Cuckoo still present today(also seen yesterday), viewable on and off from the public footpath that runs around the south western perimeter of Cutacre, just as noteworthy were 7 Dunlin feeding on a small pool again on the western side.
Simon Warford said
Sun Apr 24 9:16 PM, 2011
First survey of the summer today produced 6 singing Grasshopper Warblers, 17 singing Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 6 Grey Partridge, 2 Raven, 2 Buzzard, Little Owl and 70 Sand Martin.
The pools where I had a Little Egret last year have now been replaced by a 100 foot deep quarry!
Still 9 Golden Plover on Plodder Lane.
Unfortunately a dead Barn Owl was picked up on the A6 this week.
Steve Suttill said
Wed Apr 13 12:54 PM, 2011
Thanks Ian,
I knew if anyone was aware of latest ID developments it would be you
Steve
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 13 8:56 AM, 2011
Steve Suttill wrote:
Thanks guys
I know the site well as my late father-in-law lived nearby and I used to go to see the GP and Lapwing flocks there whenever I dropped him at the hospital.
I'm sure Ian McK will correct me, but I believe the strength of the white line from the head down to the flank is a better indication of race than the blackness of the "face" and breast. Will look carefully at Dennis' photos.
Cheers, Steve
I haven't studied these for a few years now, not since the nice annual early spring flocks disappeared from the Moss Lane area in Astley. It is thought that birds attaining such full and distinct breeding plumage (i.e. extensive black on the underparts) are from the northern race 'altifrons' and perhaps their annual early gathering also hint at a more northerly breeding destination anyway. Trouble is that there is much variation between the two races (northern and our UK breeding race) plus again between the sexes which clouds the situation somewhat and has lead to some believing there are no distinct races within Golden Plover. I'm not sure what if any, work has been done on this (and if so I've missed it!) but I did hear a couple of years ago murmurings that such plumage variation was dependant on breeding habitat selection and that apparent 'northerns' often attain a much drabber plumage depending on where they are nesting . Frankly I've lost track of it all
Steve Suttill said
Tue Apr 12 10:04 AM, 2011
Thanks guys
I know the site well as my late father-in-law lived nearby and I used to go to see the GP and Lapwing flocks there whenever I dropped him at the hospital.
I'm sure Ian McK will correct me, but I believe the strength of the white line from the head down to the flank is a better indication of race than the blackness of the "face" and breast. Will look carefully at Dennis' photos.
Cheers, Steve
Keith Mills said
Tue Apr 12 7:05 AM, 2011
The 5 Golden Plover that I saw were viewed feeding among short green shoots. They were all 'side on' and disappeared sometimes in the furrow. However I noted that no black marking could be seen, just the whitish line on the head and neck. Although lower parts of the bird were hidden, the birds that I saw were not in striking plumage. It may well be that Dennis Atherton, who first found these birds, has Photographs. I had considered the anomaly with the site name thread. As Plodder Lane is over 2.5 miles long ,I thought Watergate Lane ,which passes through the fields to be a better guide. The OS map shows the name ''Edge Fold'' at the Lane's Junction. By the way I learnt that an underground canal runs under these fields.
Hope this helps ,Steve.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 12th of April 2011 07:10:43 AM
Simon Warford said
Mon Apr 11 9:02 PM, 2011
Yes there a few smart northern birds amongst them Steve, also many still in winter plumage. Viewing can be awkward as many of the birds are down below a ridge in the field.
Also I should point out that these birds are not actually at Cutacre, but in the large ploughed field on the other side of the motorway along Plodder Lane.
There are also 15+ Linnets in the field.
Steve Suttill said
Mon Apr 11 8:49 PM, 2011
As the Golden Plovers already seem to be paired up and settled into their breeding territories on our local moorlands, are these ones at Cutacre migrants heading for proper arctic tundra? Are they showing plumage characteristics of the northern race? I'd be interested in local observers' opinions.
Cheers, Steve
Simon Warford said
Mon Apr 11 8:44 PM, 2011
45 Golden Plover present in the ploughed field off Plodder Lane 6.30pm.
Simon Warford said
Sat Apr 9 8:56 PM, 2011
At least 39 Golden Plover still in ploughed field off Plodder Lane 6pm, some in lovely breeding plumage, seen on way back from the Reebok.
graeme robertson said
Sat Apr 9 3:30 PM, 2011
still 8 golden plovers on plowed field if any one still wants them for there bolton/manchester lists graeme
Dennis atherton said
Fri Apr 8 11:38 PM, 2011
There is nowt worse than posting a sighting on the infomation super highway that is Gmbirding only to read that birders turned up on your tip off and the birds were not there anymore, Gutted, i now feel redeemed
i had a very nice 50 ish on tuesday, but only 7 tonight, so i am very happy to see Alan also got a large flock too, briilliant
Great to see Keith also got them after a few attempts, sorry i dragged you away from your Ouzel search, hopefully you will get that one tommorow,
Alan Warford said
Fri Apr 8 8:54 PM, 2011
7-45 pm
Quick visit tonight to Plodder Lane fields as I need Golden Plover for my Bolton list.
I had 54+ Golden Plover Adjacent to Water Gate Lane and Plodder Lane, in ploughed field.
They seemed settled as though they were going to roost. Most were lying down.
Quite difficult to see and count as they are camaflaged in ploughed field.
Keith Mills said
Fri Apr 8 7:34 PM, 2011
Watergate the truth! Thanks to Dennis the Golden Plover located tonight at 6.45 pm: In ''green shoot'' field next to the ploughed Watergate Lane fields(nearer to Farnworth) When I arrived 5 Showing quite close to the road down from Plodder Lane to the Cattery. Dennis just leaving had seen 7. Thanks again Dennis for your perserverance here and the phone call.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 8th of April 2011 09:26:11 PM
Keith Mills said
Wed Apr 6 8:49 PM, 2011
No Problem Dennis. I spoke to a local lady who calls them the Lapwing fields. There was about 20 Lapwing present at Luchtime when I went back. But thats all. Had a ride on my bike aroud Cutacre on the Tracks . Found a nice Graveyard with a Chiffchaff for company.
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 6th of April 2011 10:00:45 PM
Dennis atherton said
Wed Apr 6 8:29 PM, 2011
Sorry Keith, me neither, two hours hunt tonight from 6-8pm this time with camera, covered all the adjacent fields, both sides of motorway and also all the hills around cutacre,
no sign at all, gutted never seen one locally
Keith Mills said
Wed Apr 6 7:51 AM, 2011
No sign of Golden Plover here, at 7am today.
Dennis atherton said
Tue Apr 5 11:00 PM, 2011
on the otherside of the motorway junction tonight from cutacre in between plodder lane and the junction, 7pm 50 ish golden plover in ploughed fields to the left as driving down from plodder lane
Simon Warford said
Sun Jan 23 5:58 PM, 2011
Green Sandpiper present today, 13 Skylark, Buzzard & several Redpoll.
Alan Warford said
Sun Jan 2 7:56 PM, 2011
Brief stop today on A6 enroute from Daisy Hill (Lapland Bunting) to River Irwell. 3 Buzzards and 2 Raven all on same Electricity Pylon having a spat.
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 08:03:48 PM
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 8th of August 2013 01:31:23 PM
Butterflies included 5 Small Skippers, 6 Peacocks, 2 Red Admirals, 7 Small Coppers, 20+ Meadow Brown, 10 Large Whites and 15+ Gatekeepers.
Also 3 Southern Hawkers, but not many butterflies, just a few Meadow Browns.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 7th of July 2013 07:15:51 PM
1 Grasshopper Warbler singing
1 Garden Warbler singing
1 Sedge Warbler singing
26 Whitethroat
21 Reed Bunting including a nest with 5 chicks in
4 Willow Warbler
4 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Tit
14 Skylark singing
7 Bullfinch
15 Linnet
Little Owl (first sighting since 1st April 2012 when all the old barns got demolished)
female Mandarin with 6 ducklings
Some news regarding the development of the site following a Public Consultation last week, Aldi hope to start construction of their 50,000 square metre regional distribution centre in early 2014 followed by the construction (subject to planning application) of a 5,000 square metre office complex, car park for 500 spaces, access roads, loading bays and several massive warehouses on the old Cutacre tip. Interesting that Bolton Council initially indicated 15,000 jobs would be created but now thats been revised to c2,000 despite the size of the industrial estate actually increasing since the initial proposals. On the plus side (if indeed there is one!?) work will commence shortly on the brand new Cutacre Country Park which will surround the development and provide 558 acres of landscapes which will include nature reserves, as well as nature trails, viewpoints etc. How all this will shape up is anybodys guess at the moment and whether this will improve the biodiversity of the area remains to be seen. Anybody interested can see the emerging master plan here:-
http://www.logisticsnorth.co.uk/country-park/
There is a form to make your views known, it was good to see quite a large turnout at the Public Consultation and many locals actually voted in favour of more birdwatching areas. One thing a few suggested was larger pools and reedbeds which I understand will be considered with some kind of reedbed looking likely. One thing is for sure sacred sites never seem to last forever.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 9th of June 2013 10:00:30 PM
Lesser Whitethroat 2
Common Whitethroat 2
Sparrowhawk (f)
Mistle thrush
Blackcap 3
Willow Warbler 4
Carrion Crow 30+
Goldfinch 2
Greenfinch 2
Swallow 1
Swift 4
Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 male Wheatear
3 male Mandarin
5 Shelduck
2 Snipe
2 Oystercatcher
1 Redshank
1 Curlew
6 Golden Plover
26 Lapwing
26 Reed Bunting
16 Skylark
39 Meadow Pipit
1 Swallow
1 Willow Warbler
13 Chiffchaff
1 male Blackcap singing
1 Willow Tit
120 Redwing, many in full song
214 Woodpigeon
9 Stock Dove
3 Buzzard
6 Linnet
14 Fieldfare all flying east
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 14th of April 2013 09:59:33 PM
60 Fieldfare over NW
10 meadow pipit
4 skylark
reed bunting
5 snipe
3 common gull
willow tit
1 Buzzard
12 Long Tailed Tit
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
55 Lapwing
3 Jay
9 Skylark
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 23rd of October 2012 10:15:35 PM
Its not all been doom and gloom for breeding birds, lots of juvenile Starlings feeding on the site along with freshly fledged Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and Reed Buntings being fed by adults. There are more Whitethroats this year compared to 2011 and Reed Buntings are also up on last year with 14 singing males this summer. On the downside hardly any Grasshopper Warblers(unless my hearings going!) and Willow Warblers are also down on last year with only 3 singing birds this summer. Linnets are definitely up with 23 seen today including young birds. Also today 62 Lapwing, 70 (20+ juvs) Goldfinch, 7 Grey Partridge, 16 Skylark, 250 Woodpigeon, 4 Stock Dove and the Swift migration is in full flow with 150+ moving south in 3 hours.
One evening in the middle of last week at least 450 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present with them all flying off north-west just before dusk.
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 24th of June 2012 04:24:54 PM
49 species recorded in total.
6 Snipe, 2 Mandarin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 21 Skylark, 4 Grey Partridge, 15 House Sparrow, 9 Reed Bunting, 2 Jay, 2 Little Owl, 5 Stock Dove, 4 Buzzard, 11 Linnet, 4 Kestrel, 4 Bullfinch, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 17 Lapwing, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush and 15 Golden Plover with a further 23 Golden Plover on nearby Plodder Lane fields.
Also a Stoat was busy running up and down a ditch near one of the farms, it didnt see me as I watched from behind a mound. It certainly attracted the attention of a Pied Wagtail, Wren and Reed Bunting which were all taking it in turns mobbing it!
As part of the ongoing restoration of the whole site a large lake has been created which might prove interesting in the coming months.
My error however the following seen:
Several small flocks of Redwing /Fieldfare in the Hawthorn.
Song Thrush : 1 superb view.
Kestrel 1
Grey Heron: 1 on Earth mound.
Carrion Crow 10
Pheasant 1
Goldfinch 5 on seed.
A large bird on a distant pylon ... Buzzard I think.
I will try for the Owl again!
-- Edited by keith mills on Thursday 3rd of November 2011 10:39:19 AM
Info thanks to Andy Makin.
The pools where I had a Little Egret last year have now been replaced by a 100 foot deep quarry!
Still 9 Golden Plover on Plodder Lane.
Unfortunately a dead Barn Owl was picked up on the A6 this week.
I knew if anyone was aware of latest ID developments it would be you
Steve
I haven't studied these for a few years now, not since the nice annual early spring flocks disappeared from the Moss Lane area in Astley. It is thought that birds attaining such full and distinct breeding plumage (i.e. extensive black on the underparts) are from the northern race 'altifrons' and perhaps their annual early gathering also hint at a more northerly breeding destination anyway. Trouble is that there is much variation between the two races (northern and our UK breeding race) plus again between the sexes which clouds the situation somewhat and has lead to some believing there are no distinct races within Golden Plover. I'm not sure what if any, work has been done on this (and if so I've missed it!) but I did hear a couple of years ago murmurings that such plumage variation was dependant on breeding habitat selection and that apparent 'northerns' often attain a much drabber plumage depending on where they are nesting . Frankly I've lost track of it all
I know the site well as my late father-in-law lived nearby and I used to go to see the GP and Lapwing flocks there whenever I dropped him at the hospital.
I'm sure Ian McK will correct me, but I believe the strength of the white line from the head down to the flank is a better indication of race than the blackness of the "face" and breast. Will look carefully at Dennis' photos.
Cheers, Steve
They were all 'side on' and disappeared sometimes in the furrow.
However I noted that no black marking could be seen, just the whitish line on the head and neck. Although lower parts of the bird were hidden, the birds that I saw were not in striking plumage.
It may well be that Dennis Atherton, who first found these birds, has Photographs.
I had considered the anomaly with the site name thread. As Plodder Lane is over 2.5 miles long ,I thought Watergate Lane ,which passes through the fields to be a better guide. The OS map shows the name ''Edge Fold'' at the Lane's Junction.
By the way I learnt that an underground canal runs under these fields.
Hope this helps ,Steve.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 12th of April 2011 07:10:43 AM
Also I should point out that these birds are not actually at Cutacre, but in the large ploughed field on the other side of the motorway along Plodder Lane.
There are also 15+ Linnets in the field.
I'd be interested in local observers' opinions.
Cheers, Steve
graeme
i had a very nice 50 ish on tuesday, but only 7 tonight, so i am very happy to see Alan also got a large flock too, briilliant
Great to see Keith also got them after a few attempts, sorry i dragged you away from your Ouzel search, hopefully you will get that one tommorow,
Quick visit tonight to Plodder Lane fields as I need Golden Plover for my Bolton list.
I had 54+ Golden Plover Adjacent to Water Gate Lane and Plodder Lane, in ploughed field.
They seemed settled as though they were going to roost. Most were lying down.
Quite difficult to see and count as they are camaflaged in ploughed field.
Thanks to Dennis the Golden Plover located tonight at 6.45 pm:
In ''green shoot'' field next to the ploughed Watergate Lane fields(nearer to Farnworth)
When I arrived 5 Showing quite close to the road down from Plodder Lane to the Cattery.
Dennis just leaving had seen 7.
Thanks again Dennis for your perserverance here and the phone call.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 8th of April 2011 09:26:11 PM
Had a ride on my bike aroud Cutacre on the Tracks . Found a nice Graveyard with a Chiffchaff for company.
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 6th of April 2011 10:00:45 PM
no sign at all, gutted never seen one locally
3 Buzzards and 2 Raven all on same Electricity Pylon having a spat.
-- Edited by Alan Warford on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 08:03:48 PM