I picked up the calls and wingbeats from a low flying flock of Common Scoter heading NE over Ashton last night at approximately 19:00. Impossible to guestimate numbers.
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Oct 10 10:19 PM, 2023
Tuesday 10 October 2023
A Merlin flew south over my garden at 12:29, being harassed by a Pied Wagtail.
Other things on the move - mainly south - over the garden earlier in the morning included: 24 Pink-footed Goose (east) 1 Jay 10 Skylark 419 Redwing 32 Fieldfare 1 Song Thrush 1 Grey Wagtail 10 Pied Wagtail 105 Meadow Pipit 19 Chaffinch 11 Linnet 1 Lesser Redpoll 13 Siskin 2 Yellowhammer 2 Reed Bunting
Other "recent" garden highlights include: 2 Crossbill south on 14 September 1 Spotted Flycatcher on 25 August 20 Black-tailed Godwit south-east on 22 August 1 Little Egret west on 12 June 1 Quail heard overhead at 23:47 on 11 June
David Hughes said
Wed Mar 22 2:05 PM, 2023
1 swallow on wires bryn rd 1 30pm today
Ernest Sherman said
Wed Sep 14 7:51 AM, 2022
Around 40 Pink Footed Geese flew from NW to SE at 07.45 this morning.
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Jun 23 10:44 PM, 2022
Thursday 23 June 2022
Treating myself to a chilled birthday in the garden payed off when a Red Kite flew north at 14:08.
Also, forgot to post that I had an Osprey over my garden on 09 June, possibly same as the 01 June bird?
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Jun 3 10:09 PM, 2022
Friday 03 June 2022
A probable Red Kite flew south, pursued by a Lesser Black-backed Gull, just before 1pm. It was lost to view behind neighbour's house before I could get enough on it to confirm.
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Jun 3 11:52 AM, 2022
Thursday 02 June 2022
A Raven was at Jameson's Farm.
A Hobby was hunting Swifts over my garden.
A Common Tern flew north over my garden.
Rob Thorpe said
Wed Jun 1 5:28 PM, 2022
Wednesday 01 June 2022
An Osprey was being harassed by 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls while circling over my garden at 11:37, before drifting north.
A Reed Warbler sang briefly at Old Cookson's Pig Farm, early afternoon. Also at least 26 House Martin were feeding over George's Pond, and a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtail were along Millingford Brook.
Sunday 15 May 2022
A Yellow Wagtail flew over Jameson's Farm, late morning.
Wednesday 11 May 2022
A Whitethroat was singing alongside Princess Road, and a Kingfisher flew over Peter Street, carrying a fish.
Saturday 07 May 2022
A Whitethroat was singing in my garden briefly, before flying off over the neighbour's garden, and not seen or heard again. Also had my first garden Swifts of the year this day.
Rob Thorpe said
Sat Apr 30 9:32 PM, 2022
Saturday 30 April 2022
A Tree Pipit was in the exact same spot as those in April 2021, along the path between Jameson's Farm and the Harrow Pub, early evening.
Rob Thorpe wrote:
Saturday 24 April 2021
3 Tree Pipit between Jameson's Farm and the Harrow Pub just after midday today, including one bird quietly singing from the top of a tree...
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Saturday 30th of April 2022 09:33:35 PM
Rob Thorpe said
Wed Mar 16 9:12 AM, 2022
Tuesday 15 March 2022
30-something Stock Dove flew east over my garden at 15:40. There was a main flock of 25, closely followed by a smaller flock and a few stragglers.
3 Chiffchaff were singing around the Old Cookson's Pig Farm and Millingford Brook area.
Monday 14 March 2022
1 Chiffchaff singing at Old Cookson's Pig Farm. 1 Goosander (female) and a Coot on George's Pond.
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Mar 11 8:05 AM, 2022
Thursday 10 March 2022
A Chiffchaff was calling near Eavesway Travel, before flying across Bryn Road, towards Nicol Road, at 08:48.
An Oystercatcher was over South Lancs Industrial Estate at 09:15.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Mar 7 11:31 PM, 2022
Monday 07 March 2022
A loose flock of 24 Stock Dove flew east over my garden, mid afternoon.
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Jan 13 8:28 PM, 2022
Thursday 13 January 2022
A female Goosander was on George's Pond, early afternoon, for it's second day.
A flock of 5 Goosander flew north-east over my garden at 16:35.
Yesterday, at dusk, 8 Pink-footed Goose flew south over my garden, and I could hear what sounded like quite a large skein a few minutes later, but didn't manage to see them.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Jan 10 5:28 PM, 2022
Monday 10 January 2022
A Little Egret flew east over my Garden at 16:22. Probably same bird as Wednesday. 69 Pink-footed Goose over my garden: 37 south-west at 11:14, 32 west at 16:45. 2 drake Goosander were on George's Pond with twenty-odd Canada Goose, early afternoon. 1 Redwing flew west.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Jan 10 12:10 AM, 2022
Sunday 09 January 2022
A Goosander flew south over the garden early afternoon, and a Cormorant flew north.
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Jan 7 5:14 PM, 2022
Friday 07 January 2022
A few things noticed over the house / garden today:
1 Peregrine west 2 Goosander north 19 Pink-footed Goose (2 east, 1 east, 16 north-west) 2 Skylark south 1 Grey Heron west 1 Cormorant south
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Jan 6 4:56 PM, 2022
Thursday 06 January 2022
A flock of 7 Goosander flew north-east over my garden at 16:02.
Another Goosander flew east at 16:11.
A flock of 8 Jackdaw flew east at 16:18, possibly heading for the roost at Pennington Flash.
Rob Thorpe said
Wed Jan 5 4:57 PM, 2022
Wednesday 05 January 2022
A Little Egret flew north, low over my garden, at 16:30.
Earlier in the afternoon, a Mistle Thrush was feeding on the pitch at Ashton Town AFC.
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Jan 4 2:27 PM, 2022
Monday 03 January 2022
2 Woodcock flew over Golborne Rd, near junction with Edge Green Rd, at around 07:40.
1 Goosander flew east over my garden at 15:58.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Aug 30 5:22 PM, 2021
Monday 30 August 2021
1 Yellow Wagtail (juv) with 80+ Pied Wagtail and c200 Starling feeding amongst the sheep at Jameson's Farm, mid afternoon.
Rob Thorpe said
Wed Aug 25 1:47 PM, 2021
Wednesday 25 August 2021
A pair of Swift flying to a nest, presumably still feeding young, at Mill Street early this afternoon.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Aug 23 11:32 AM, 2021
Sunday 22 August 2021
I heard a Green Sandpiper call over my garden just before 23:30.
Rob Thorpe said
Sat Aug 21 10:58 AM, 2021
Saturday 21 August 2021
A Golden Plover flew low north-west, between Jameson's Farm and the Harrow Inn, at 10:30ish.
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Aug 17 2:27 PM, 2021
Tuesday 17 August 2021
An Osprey just drifted south-east fairly low past my garden at 14:22.
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Jul 27 1:25 PM, 2021
Tuesday 27 July 2021
A noisy flock of 10 Crossbill flew west at 13:20, just as I was leaving my house.
Rob Thorpe said
Sat May 15 5:39 PM, 2021
Some highlights from my garden nocmig efforts since my last update - nothing quite as exciting as the Bittern on 10 April, but:
All the full nightly counts are now on Trektellen.org (https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3092), including links to sound recordings (xeno-canto) for most of the highlights mentioned above.
Ernest Sherman said
Tue Apr 27 4:22 PM, 2021
9 -12.30. Skitters Wood and accross motorway bridge to Horseshoe Wood and the Long Cover. Highlights were... 2 Nuthatch.. 1 Willow Tit.. 1 Oystercatcher over..Lots of Blackcap... Lots of Chiffchaff... But only a couple of Willow Warblers.
Rob Thorpe said
Sun Apr 25 11:49 AM, 2021
Sunday 25 April 2021
At least 2 Tree Pipit still near the Harrow Pub, late morning.
Rob Thorpe said
Sat Apr 24 1:54 PM, 2021
Saturday 24 April 2021
3 Tree Pipit between Jameson's Farm and the Harrow Pub just after midday today, including one bird quietly singing from the top of a tree (photo). A Whitethroat there also.
Late news:
A male Yellow Wagtail was in the sheep fields at Jameson's Farm last Saturday, 17 April.
A Bittern was recorded on my nocmig recorder at 5:39am on 10 April.
A Swallow sped north over my garden mid-morning, followed by a single Sand Martin heading east.
A Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were singing and a Kingfisher calling from the Mill Street area, early afternoon.
2 Kestrel over the garden mid-afternoon.
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Apr 15 11:42 PM, 2021
Wednesday 14 April 2021
A House Martin was back on territory near George's Pond early afternoon, a little later than last year.
A Chiffchaff singing from Town Green was my second heard from the garden this year.
Also over the garden during the afternoon were a flock of 7 Siskin heading north, and a Jay.
A Willow Warbler was singing from gardens close to St Wilfred's school late afternoon.
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Mar 26 11:12 PM, 2021
Managed to catch up on the nocmig just now, so i'll start off with that:
Nocmig recording stuff:
Tuesday night (23-24 Mar): 5 Wigeon events, totalling 36 calls. 1 Redshank. 22 Redwing. 1 Common Gull.
Wednesday night (24-25 Mar): 1 Pink-footed Goose skein, counted 35 calls, but no idea how many geese. 4 Redwing. 1 Water Rail. 1 Moorhen. 1 Common Gull.
Thursday night (25-26 Mar): 2 Curlew.
Daytime birding stuff:
Thursday 25 March 2021: from the garden, mainly before work: 5 Siskin north. 5 Meadow Pipit north. 3 alba wagtail north. 1 Linnet west. 1 Lapwing west. 1 Kestrel. 3 Cormorant. 1 Grey Heron.
presumably the same Blackcap was singing again, this time from along the footpath between Moxon Way and Ashton Town football ground, early afternoon.
Friday 26 March 2021: not much time spent watching today: 2 Goosander (pair) south. 2 Raven west. 2 Buzzard.
Rob Thorpe said
Wed Mar 24 10:33 PM, 2021
Daytime birding stuff:
Wednesday 24 March 2021: Spent some time out in the garden before work this morning for the first time in ages, and it was a half decent morning, 35 species with some garden year-ticks, highlights: 3 Sand Martin north. 16 Fieldfare east. 42 Redwing east. 29 Meadow Pipit north. 1 Siskin north. 1 Linnet west. 4 Oystercatcher flying around. 2 Cormorant. 2 Grey Heron. Loads of Woodpigeon going in all directions.
Sunday 21 March 2021: What was presumably the same male Blackcap from last week was singing along the path between Cleveland Drive and Flemming Drive just after 6am. Late morning / early afternoon in the garden and a flyover Woodcock was a garden lifer for me. Plus: 30+ Meadow Pipit north. 1 Bullfinch. 7 Buzzard together. 4 Raven together.
The Coot seen on George's Pond last week don't appear to have hung-around.
Nocmig recording stuff: Since my last update, the highlights have been as follows: Friday night (19-20 Mar): 22 Redwing calls. 1 Curlew. 1 Moorhen.
Saturday night (20-21 Mar): 5 Redwing calls. 1 Moorhen.
Sunday night (21-22 Mar): 18 Redwing calls. 1 Song Thrush. 1 Wigeon. 1 Curlew.
Monday night (22-23 Mar): 10 Redwing calls. 1 Fieldfare. 1 Water Rail. 1 Shelduck. 1 Wigeon. 2 Curlew. 1 Moorhen.
I've ended up a day behind processing my nocmig recordings, so I'm yet to process Tuesday night. Excited to see if I managed to get any of Craig's Wigeons!
Craig Higson said
Wed Mar 24 8:27 PM, 2021
Quite a bit of Wigeon movement over last night with several flocks from around 01:00 am
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Mar 19 9:58 PM, 2021
As per Craig's post, started doing some nocmig from the garden this week, and last night had some Common Scoter passage. I recorded 3 flocks; 22:26, 23:01 and 00:14. I've attached a sonogram of the 00:14 flock. 11 Redwing calls recorded, one group of 5 calls, the rest singles. 1 Curlew 1 Moorhen
On Wednesday night I had: 7 Redwing 1 Curlew 1 Moorhen 1 Coot
Tuesday night: 7 Redwing 1 Moorhen 1 Coot
Monday night: 20 Redwing 1 Snipe 1 Coot
Daytime stuff from this week included: 1 Blackcap singing near George's Pond on Tuesday (thought I'd heard one briefly on Monday nearby) A Coot on George's Pond was I think a site first for me, and had been joined by a second on Tuesday 35 Meadow Pipit and 3 alba wagtail flew north over the garden between 7 and 8am today (Friday) Also today, late morning, 5 Buzzard soaring around, briefly joined by a Sparrowhawk.
A pair of Grey Wagtail have been seen daily from the garden since around xmas time (one was feeding on the patio xmas morning) and recently heard singing nearby.
Common Scoters moving over last night along with Redwing, Fieldfare and Curlew - the latter picked up by Rob Thorpe
Rob Thorpe said
Sun Mar 14 12:13 PM, 2021
Sunday 14 March 2021
A Mediterranean Gull was with Black-headed Gulls in the sheep fields at Jamesons Farm at 10:00.
Rob Thorpe said
Sat Feb 6 11:03 AM, 2021
Saturday 06 February 2021
4 Goosander (3m, 1f) on George's Pond, late morning. At least one drake has been present since Thursday.
Also, on Thursday, 2 Woodcock flew over Edge Green Road at dusk.
An Oystercatcher was calling over the South Lancs Industrial Estate after dark on Wednesday evening.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Saturday 6th of February 2021 11:05:47 AM
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Oct 16 9:22 PM, 2020
Friday 16 October 2020
I was out and about before work this morning, so the only garden watching was stuff I noticed whilst not in meetings or on a coffee break, still: 1 Brambling heard twice as it flew overhead unseen. 4 Chaffinch north. 5 Redwing north-east. 3 Pied Wagtail south. 4 Skylark west. 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 south, 1 north. 79 Pink-footed Goose east (17 + 62).
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Oct 15 10:24 PM, 2020
Thursday 15 October 2020
Garden vismig: 125 Fieldfare, some low north, others high south (max flock 35). 262 Redwing, mainly north-east (max flock 60). 53 Starling west in a couple of tight fast groups. 10 Chaffinch north. 7 Siskin south-west. 1 Redpoll south. 8 Skylark, 5 west together, 3 south individually. 1 Meadow Pipit east. 5 Pied Wagtail,4 south-east, 1 north. 1 Grey Wagtail east. 25 Woodpigeon south. 29 Jackdaw west in 3 flocks (too late for roost-dispersal). 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 2 Canada Goose north. 2 Buzzard. 1 Sparrowhawk.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Thursday 15th of October 2020 10:29:42 PM
Vismig from the garden: 37 Fieldfare north-west in one flock. 107 Redwing, mostly north-west (biggest flock 24). 11 Chaffinch west. 6 Skylark south-east. 117 Pink-footed Goose north-west. 12 Woodpigeon south. 2 Stock Dove south. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 1 Redpoll. 1 Siskin. 1 Linnet. 1 Bullfinch. 1 Grey Wagtail. 1 Mistle Thrush. 2 Canada Goose south. 5 Magpie high south together.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Oct 12 11:07 PM, 2020
Monday 12 October 2020
Birds on the move over my garden before the rain this morning: 1 Goosander (f). 2 Fieldfare. 210 Redwing (largest flock 42). 1 Redpoll. 1 Siskin. 1 Grey Wagtail. 7 Pied Wagtail. 4 Skylark. 22 Pink-footed Goose. 31 Jackdaw (single flock). 3 Chaffinch. 1 Meadow Pipit.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Monday 12th of October 2020 11:12:04 PM
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Oct 12 9:14 AM, 2020
Sunday 11 October 2020
Early afternoon around Jamesons Farm / Harrow Inn: 1 Stonechat (m). 13 Pied Wagtail. 2 Yellowhammer. 1 Meadow Pipit.
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Oct 2 11:51 PM, 2020
Friday 02 October 2020
Usual morning watch from the garden, on an overcast morning: 1 Chiffchaff, possibly same as yesterday. 2 Redwing, 1 south, 1 north. 8-15 Pied Wagtail, with 8 north, followed by 7 south. 1 Grey Wagtail south. 12 Meadow Pipit, 11 south, 1 north. 3 Siskin south. 6 Chaffinch south. 1 Skylark south. 1 Snipe south. 1 Raven east. 1 Grey Heron west. 1 Kestrel hunting over the green. 1 Goldcrest.
Forgot to mention that yesterday's sightings were also from the garden.
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Oct 1 7:56 PM, 2020
Thursday 01 October 2020
After yesterday being a total washout, today could only be an improvement, and it turned out to be a pretty productive morning! Still can't believe it's actually October already! 1 Marsh Harrier east at 10:42. Looked like an immature - very dark! 1 Crossbill west at 10:55. 1 Chiffchaff hanging around neighbouring gardens and the green, and singing briefly. 201 Pink-footed Goose: 72 east at 07:36, 7 south at 08:09, 4 west at 08:27, 118 east at 08:28. 25 Meadow Pipit south. 12 Skylark south, including a flock of 7. 6 Swallow south together. 7 Pied Wagtail, 5 south, 2 hanging around. 1 Grey Wagtail south. 1 Reed Bunting south. 1 Dunnock south, flying high and calling continuously. 5 Mistle Thrush west. 1 Jay east.
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Sep 29 7:40 PM, 2020
Tuesday 29 September 2020
A quiet morning in the garden, misty at times and not much on the move: c250 Pink-footed Goose east at 10:35. Another skein heard-only at 11:00. 9 Skylark south in one flock. 14 Meadow Pipit south. 2 Chaffinch south. 3 Linnet south. 1 Grey Wagtail west. 2 Pied Wagtail - 1 north, 1 east. 2 Goldcrest.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Sep 28 10:11 PM, 2020
Monday 28 September 2020
Sightings from the garden before work: 2 Tree Sparrow south - unexpected garden tick! 20 Redwing south. 33 Meadow Pipit south. 17 Chaffinch south. 3 Siskin south. 1 Redpoll south. 2 Linnet south. 2 Skylark south. 7 Pied Wagtail south. 1 Grey Wagtail south. Pink-footed Geese heard. 1 Common Gull south. 1 Cormorant south. 3 or 4 House Martin still around. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 2 Mistle Thrush. 1 Goldcrest. A flock of 7 Wasps east.
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Sep 25 9:12 PM, 2020
Friday 25 September 2020
Cold and windy in the garden!! Summer has definitely gone . The NNW direction of the gusty wind today meant I couldn't leave the patio door open whilst working, so couldn't listen-out for stuff. But, from my usual pre-work vigil, it was obvious that not much was on the move today. The few things I did note: 80 Pink-footed Goose - 34 north at 07:49, 46 south at 09:34. 1 Meadow Pipit south. 3 Skylark - 2 south, 1 north. 2 Chaffinch south. 2 Canada Goose south. 1 Kestrel hunting gardens again! 1 or 2 Sparrowhawk. 1 Buzzard.
A Merlin flew south over my garden at 12:29, being harassed by a Pied Wagtail.
Other things on the move - mainly south - over the garden earlier in the morning included:
24 Pink-footed Goose (east)
1 Jay
10 Skylark
419 Redwing
32 Fieldfare
1 Song Thrush
1 Grey Wagtail
10 Pied Wagtail
105 Meadow Pipit
19 Chaffinch
11 Linnet
1 Lesser Redpoll
13 Siskin
2 Yellowhammer
2 Reed Bunting
Other "recent" garden highlights include:
2 Crossbill south on 14 September
1 Spotted Flycatcher on 25 August
20 Black-tailed Godwit south-east on 22 August
1 Little Egret west on 12 June
1 Quail heard overhead at 23:47 on 11 June
1 swallow on wires bryn rd 1 30pm today
Treating myself to a chilled birthday in the garden payed off when a Red Kite flew north at 14:08.
Also, forgot to post that I had an Osprey over my garden on 09 June, possibly same as the 01 June bird?
A probable Red Kite flew south, pursued by a Lesser Black-backed Gull, just before 1pm. It was lost to view behind neighbour's house before I could get enough on it to confirm.
A Raven was at Jameson's Farm.
A Hobby was hunting Swifts over my garden.
A Common Tern flew north over my garden.
An Osprey was being harassed by 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls while circling over my garden at 11:37, before drifting north.
A Reed Warbler sang briefly at Old Cookson's Pig Farm, early afternoon. Also at least 26 House Martin were feeding over George's Pond, and a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtail were along Millingford Brook.
Sunday 15 May 2022
A Yellow Wagtail flew over Jameson's Farm, late morning.
Wednesday 11 May 2022
A Whitethroat was singing alongside Princess Road, and a Kingfisher flew over Peter Street, carrying a fish.
Saturday 07 May 2022
A Whitethroat was singing in my garden briefly, before flying off over the neighbour's garden, and not seen or heard again. Also had my first garden Swifts of the year this day.
A Tree Pipit was in the exact same spot as those in April 2021, along the path between Jameson's Farm and the Harrow Pub, early evening.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Saturday 30th of April 2022 09:33:35 PM
30-something Stock Dove flew east over my garden at 15:40. There was a main flock of 25, closely followed by a smaller flock and a few stragglers.
3 Chiffchaff were singing around the Old Cookson's Pig Farm and Millingford Brook area.
Monday 14 March 2022
1 Chiffchaff singing at Old Cookson's Pig Farm.
1 Goosander (female) and a Coot on George's Pond.
A Chiffchaff was calling near Eavesway Travel, before flying across Bryn Road, towards Nicol Road, at 08:48.
An Oystercatcher was over South Lancs Industrial Estate at 09:15.
A loose flock of 24 Stock Dove flew east over my garden, mid afternoon.
A female Goosander was on George's Pond, early afternoon, for it's second day.
A flock of 5 Goosander flew north-east over my garden at 16:35.
Yesterday, at dusk, 8 Pink-footed Goose flew south over my garden, and I could hear what sounded like quite a large skein a few minutes later, but didn't manage to see them.
A Little Egret flew east over my Garden at 16:22. Probably same bird as Wednesday.
69 Pink-footed Goose over my garden: 37 south-west at 11:14, 32 west at 16:45.
2 drake Goosander were on George's Pond with twenty-odd Canada Goose, early afternoon.
1 Redwing flew west.
A Goosander flew south over the garden early afternoon, and a Cormorant flew north.
A few things noticed over the house / garden today:
1 Peregrine west
2 Goosander north
19 Pink-footed Goose (2 east, 1 east, 16 north-west)
2 Skylark south
1 Grey Heron west
1 Cormorant south
A flock of 7 Goosander flew north-east over my garden at 16:02.
Another Goosander flew east at 16:11.
A flock of 8 Jackdaw flew east at 16:18, possibly heading for the roost at Pennington Flash.
A Little Egret flew north, low over my garden, at 16:30.
Earlier in the afternoon, a Mistle Thrush was feeding on the pitch at Ashton Town AFC.
2 Woodcock flew over Golborne Rd, near junction with Edge Green Rd, at around 07:40.
1 Goosander flew east over my garden at 15:58.
1 Yellow Wagtail (juv) with 80+ Pied Wagtail and c200 Starling feeding amongst the sheep at Jameson's Farm, mid afternoon.
A pair of Swift flying to a nest, presumably still feeding young, at Mill Street early this afternoon.
I heard a Green Sandpiper call over my garden just before 23:30.
A Golden Plover flew low north-west, between Jameson's Farm and the Harrow Inn, at 10:30ish.
An Osprey just drifted south-east fairly low past my garden at 14:22.
A noisy flock of 10 Crossbill flew west at 13:20, just as I was leaving my house.
9-10 April:
Bittern
Blackcap
11-12 April:
Shelduck
12-13 April:
my last Redwing
15-16 April:
Little Grebe
Water Rail
19-20 April:
Teal
Water Rail
Curlew
Barn Owl
21-22 April:
Common Sandpiper
Blackcap
23-24 April:
Barn Owl
24-25 April:
Green Sandpiper
Common Tern
Blackcap
28-29 April:
Golden Plover
02-03 May:
Common Sandpiper
05-06 May:
Whimbrel
07-08 May:
Golden Plover
08-09 May:
Dunlin
09-10 May:
Ringed Plover
Greenshank
Spotted Flycatcher
Blackcap
10-11 May:
Spotted Flycatcher
Blackcap
11-12 May
Dunlin
12-13 May
Little Ringed Plover
All the full nightly counts are now on Trektellen.org (https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3092), including links to sound recordings (xeno-canto) for most of the highlights mentioned above.
At least 2 Tree Pipit still near the Harrow Pub, late morning.
3 Tree Pipit between Jameson's Farm and the Harrow Pub just after midday today, including one bird quietly singing from the top of a tree (photo). A Whitethroat there also.
Late news:
A male Yellow Wagtail was in the sheep fields at Jameson's Farm last Saturday, 17 April.
A Bittern was recorded on my nocmig recorder at 5:39am on 10 April.
A Swallow sped north over my garden mid-morning, followed by a single Sand Martin heading east.
A Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were singing and a Kingfisher calling from the Mill Street area, early afternoon.
2 Kestrel over the garden mid-afternoon.
A House Martin was back on territory near George's Pond early afternoon, a little later than last year.
A Chiffchaff singing from Town Green was my second heard from the garden this year.
Also over the garden during the afternoon were a flock of 7 Siskin heading north, and a Jay.
A Willow Warbler was singing from gardens close to St Wilfred's school late afternoon.
Nocmig recording stuff:
Tuesday night (23-24 Mar):
5 Wigeon events, totalling 36 calls.
1 Redshank.
22 Redwing.
1 Common Gull.
Wednesday night (24-25 Mar):
1 Pink-footed Goose skein, counted 35 calls, but no idea how many geese.
4 Redwing.
1 Water Rail.
1 Moorhen.
1 Common Gull.
Thursday night (25-26 Mar):
2 Curlew.
Daytime birding stuff:
Thursday 25 March 2021:
from the garden, mainly before work:
5 Siskin north.
5 Meadow Pipit north.
3 alba wagtail north.
1 Linnet west.
1 Lapwing west.
1 Kestrel.
3 Cormorant.
1 Grey Heron.
presumably the same Blackcap was singing again, this time from along the footpath between Moxon Way and Ashton Town football ground, early afternoon.
Friday 26 March 2021:
not much time spent watching today:
2 Goosander (pair) south.
2 Raven west.
2 Buzzard.
Wednesday 24 March 2021:
Spent some time out in the garden before work this morning for the first time in ages, and it was a half decent morning, 35 species with some garden year-ticks, highlights:
3 Sand Martin north.
16 Fieldfare east.
42 Redwing east.
29 Meadow Pipit north.
1 Siskin north.
1 Linnet west.
4 Oystercatcher flying around.
2 Cormorant.
2 Grey Heron.
Loads of Woodpigeon going in all directions.
Sunday 21 March 2021:
What was presumably the same male Blackcap from last week was singing along the path between Cleveland Drive and Flemming Drive just after 6am.
Late morning / early afternoon in the garden and a flyover Woodcock was a garden lifer for me. Plus:
30+ Meadow Pipit north.
1 Bullfinch.
7 Buzzard together.
4 Raven together.
The Coot seen on George's Pond last week don't appear to have hung-around.
Nocmig recording stuff:
Since my last update, the highlights have been as follows:
Friday night (19-20 Mar):
22 Redwing calls.
1 Curlew.
1 Moorhen.
Saturday night (20-21 Mar):
5 Redwing calls.
1 Moorhen.
Sunday night (21-22 Mar):
18 Redwing calls.
1 Song Thrush.
1 Wigeon.
1 Curlew.
Monday night (22-23 Mar):
10 Redwing calls.
1 Fieldfare.
1 Water Rail.
1 Shelduck.
1 Wigeon.
2 Curlew.
1 Moorhen.
I've ended up a day behind processing my nocmig recordings, so I'm yet to process Tuesday night. Excited to see if I managed to get any of Craig's Wigeons!
11 Redwing calls recorded, one group of 5 calls, the rest singles.
1 Curlew
1 Moorhen
On Wednesday night I had:
7 Redwing
1 Curlew
1 Moorhen
1 Coot
Tuesday night:
7 Redwing
1 Moorhen
1 Coot
Monday night:
20 Redwing
1 Snipe
1 Coot
Daytime stuff from this week included:
1 Blackcap singing near George's Pond on Tuesday (thought I'd heard one briefly on Monday nearby)
A Coot on George's Pond was I think a site first for me, and had been joined by a second on Tuesday
35 Meadow Pipit and 3 alba wagtail flew north over the garden between 7 and 8am today (Friday)
Also today, late morning, 5 Buzzard soaring around, briefly joined by a Sparrowhawk.
A pair of Grey Wagtail have been seen daily from the garden since around xmas time (one was feeding on the patio xmas morning) and recently heard singing nearby.
A Mediterranean Gull was with Black-headed Gulls in the sheep fields at Jamesons Farm at 10:00.
4 Goosander (3m, 1f) on George's Pond, late morning. At least one drake has been present since Thursday.
Also, on Thursday, 2 Woodcock flew over Edge Green Road at dusk.
An Oystercatcher was calling over the South Lancs Industrial Estate after dark on Wednesday evening.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Saturday 6th of February 2021 11:05:47 AM
I was out and about before work this morning, so the only garden watching was stuff I noticed whilst not in meetings or on a coffee break, still:
1 Brambling heard twice as it flew overhead unseen.
4 Chaffinch north.
5 Redwing north-east.
3 Pied Wagtail south.
4 Skylark west.
2 Meadow Pipit, 1 south, 1 north.
79 Pink-footed Goose east (17 + 62).
Garden vismig:
125 Fieldfare, some low north, others high south (max flock 35).
262 Redwing, mainly north-east (max flock 60).
53 Starling west in a couple of tight fast groups.
10 Chaffinch north.
7 Siskin south-west.
1 Redpoll south.
8 Skylark, 5 west together, 3 south individually.
1 Meadow Pipit east.
5 Pied Wagtail,4 south-east, 1 north.
1 Grey Wagtail east.
25 Woodpigeon south.
29 Jackdaw west in 3 flocks (too late for roost-dispersal).
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
2 Canada Goose north.
2 Buzzard.
1 Sparrowhawk.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Thursday 15th of October 2020 10:29:42 PM
Wednesday 14 October 2020
Migration watch from the garden:
224 Fieldfare north/north-west (largest flock 40).
373 Redwing mainly north-west (largest flock 57).
11 Skylark south-east.
9 Chaffinch south.
5 Meadow Pipit south.
12 Jackdaw south together.
1 Raven west.
166 Pink-footed Goose west together.
4 Pied Wagtail south.
1 Grey Wagtail heard.
2 Mistle Thrush west.
1 Song Thrush west.
1 Cormorant south.
1 Siskin.
1 Linnet.
2 Buzzard.
2 Sparrowhawk.
Vismig from the garden:
37 Fieldfare north-west in one flock.
107 Redwing, mostly north-west (biggest flock 24).
11 Chaffinch west.
6 Skylark south-east.
117 Pink-footed Goose north-west.
12 Woodpigeon south.
2 Stock Dove south.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1 Redpoll.
1 Siskin.
1 Linnet.
1 Bullfinch.
1 Grey Wagtail.
1 Mistle Thrush.
2 Canada Goose south.
5 Magpie high south together.
Birds on the move over my garden before the rain this morning:
1 Goosander (f).
2 Fieldfare.
210 Redwing (largest flock 42).
1 Redpoll.
1 Siskin.
1 Grey Wagtail.
7 Pied Wagtail.
4 Skylark.
22 Pink-footed Goose.
31 Jackdaw (single flock).
3 Chaffinch.
1 Meadow Pipit.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Monday 12th of October 2020 11:12:04 PM
Early afternoon around Jamesons Farm / Harrow Inn:
1 Stonechat (m).
13 Pied Wagtail.
2 Yellowhammer.
1 Meadow Pipit.
Usual morning watch from the garden, on an overcast morning:
1 Chiffchaff, possibly same as yesterday.
2 Redwing, 1 south, 1 north.
8-15 Pied Wagtail, with 8 north, followed by 7 south.
1 Grey Wagtail south.
12 Meadow Pipit, 11 south, 1 north.
3 Siskin south.
6 Chaffinch south.
1 Skylark south.
1 Snipe south.
1 Raven east.
1 Grey Heron west.
1 Kestrel hunting over the green.
1 Goldcrest.
Forgot to mention that yesterday's sightings were also from the garden.
After yesterday being a total washout, today could only be an improvement, and it turned out to be a pretty productive morning! Still can't believe it's actually October already!
1 Marsh Harrier east at 10:42. Looked like an immature - very dark!
1 Crossbill west at 10:55.
1 Chiffchaff hanging around neighbouring gardens and the green, and singing briefly.
201 Pink-footed Goose: 72 east at 07:36, 7 south at 08:09, 4 west at 08:27, 118 east at 08:28.
25 Meadow Pipit south.
12 Skylark south, including a flock of 7.
6 Swallow south together.
7 Pied Wagtail, 5 south, 2 hanging around.
1 Grey Wagtail south.
1 Reed Bunting south.
1 Dunnock south, flying high and calling continuously.
5 Mistle Thrush west.
1 Jay east.
A quiet morning in the garden, misty at times and not much on the move:
c250 Pink-footed Goose east at 10:35. Another skein heard-only at 11:00.
9 Skylark south in one flock.
14 Meadow Pipit south.
2 Chaffinch south.
3 Linnet south.
1 Grey Wagtail west.
2 Pied Wagtail - 1 north, 1 east.
2 Goldcrest.
Sightings from the garden before work:
2 Tree Sparrow south - unexpected garden tick!
20 Redwing south.
33 Meadow Pipit south.
17 Chaffinch south.
3 Siskin south.
1 Redpoll south.
2 Linnet south.
2 Skylark south.
7 Pied Wagtail south.
1 Grey Wagtail south.
Pink-footed Geese heard.
1 Common Gull south.
1 Cormorant south.
3 or 4 House Martin still around.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
2 Mistle Thrush.
1 Goldcrest.
A flock of 7 Wasps east.
Cold and windy in the garden!! Summer has definitely gone . The NNW direction of the gusty wind today meant I couldn't leave the patio door open whilst working, so couldn't listen-out for stuff. But, from my usual pre-work vigil, it was obvious that not much was on the move today. The few things I did note:
80 Pink-footed Goose - 34 north at 07:49, 46 south at 09:34.
1 Meadow Pipit south.
3 Skylark - 2 south, 1 north.
2 Chaffinch south.
2 Canada Goose south.
1 Kestrel hunting gardens again!
1 or 2 Sparrowhawk.
1 Buzzard.