I think it's fair to say that these Curlews are as likely to be passage birds heading for more upland areas as they pass though the area around this time. There were several Yellowhammers at the Rindle feeding area when we passed it a couple of hours before seeing you and it seems to have been typically successful again this year, particularly for Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers as I get to check it out atleast afew times a week, so thanks for keeping it topped up

 hi Ian, thought I recognised you yesterday 14th coming out of Moss Lane at Astley, yes I use my bike a lot, just been to the feeding station when I saw the 8 Curlew in the field, thought it was unusual so many. I know they breed there on the SSSI. Eddie

Were you birding by bicycle Eddie, just wondered if that was you that Pete and I passed at the junction of Rindle Rd and Moss Lane?

We too saw the Curlews in the field at the top of Rindle (but not the Stonechats!) and one of the Ravens we saw was watched flying low west along Moss Lane, then gaining some hight and over the sand quarry at Morleys, which would have meant it was visible from my garden, had I been at home of course

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 22:32, 2007-03-14

12noon, 14th. Rindle road Astley Moss.
 8 Curlew feeding in field
5 Buzzard over
pair stonschat
10+ Yellow Hammer.

1 Merlin Astley Moss SSSI
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Rindle Woods
4+ Lapwings seen from Rindle Road
4 Kestrels (2 Rindle Road, 2 Nook Lane)
3+ Treesparrows (Rindle Road)
Yellowhammer (Rindle Road)