29th April.

Did the first of the summer/breeding visits to this area this morning for a Timed Tetrad Visit for the 4 year BTO Atlas project.

40 species recorded in the 2 hours. Confirmed breeding for 8 species and probable breeding for several more - including some unexpected species - it's amazing what you can see - when you look at birds just that little bit longer!

Warblers quite prominent - 7 singing Willow Warblers, 4 singing Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 2 singing Chiffchaffs and although I missed out on Lesser Whitethroat (which has been recorded in this area in previous summers) this disappointment was offset by a singing Sedge Warbler .

Oddest record for here? - a calling Pheasant!

Cheers,


Bill.

Did a 2 hour survey of this 2 x 2 km square this a.m. It's hardly classic bird territory (mostly suburban Rochdale but some areas also in Oldham). It covers the southern end of Stake Hill industrial estate, Higher Boarshaw, Middleton cemetery and some of the posher, more rural areas of Chadderton (unfortunately not where I live!). That said there are some good birding areas along the canal and at Stake Hill. It felt like a good morning and when I totalled up all the species recorded in this 2 hour period even I was surprised to find that 41 species had been seen! Highlights were a flock of 13 Siskin with 1 Lesser Redpoll, a Kingfisher, a Sparrowhawk hurtling towards a mixed flock of Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare and Starling. A flock of 6 Bullfinch, 2 Mute Swan, 17 Rook and at least 14 Snipe. Got my scope out hoping for Jack Snipe (just being a little greedy there!) but no luck - but where the Snipe were seen must be a potential site for the smaller snipe? A Willow Tit was found in scrub at Higher Boarshaw last winter but no luck today. I watched 3 Magpies as they set about trashing a Grey Squirrel drey! Cheers, Bill.