The long walk from Mill Brow to the moor was not really worth it apart from a Hobby, which flew in from Derbyshire and was lost to sight between Pistol Farm and Far Bradshaw. Especially worrying was the total lack of blackcaps. Usually see a few on this walk at this time of year. There was 8-10 chiffchaffs though as something to lift the spirits.
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Jul 19 8:23 PM, 2024
4:10 p.m. Not quite guaranteed, but expected these days, a Red Kite flew overhead at the junction of Sandhill Ln. and Smithy Ln. It was eyeing the freshly cut fields, and hung around for some time. 4 ravens was the only other notable sighting. It was, however, a sign of the times that the most numerous bird down in the silage cut was lesser black-backed gull (60+). So much for farmland birds!!!
Andy Bissitt said
Thu May 9 8:20 PM, 2024
p.m. Quarry area. A Cuckoo flew across the quarry at eye level, with irate birds in hot pursuit. Watched until it went over a rise opposite April Cottage. First I've actually seen here for donkey's. Other species inc: 3 linnet, raven, redpoll, whitethroat(s), stonechat et al. A circling (non-raptor) dot in the sky looked interesting, but it was just that - a dot - even through bins. Oh well.
paul shaw said
Wed May 1 8:19 PM, 2024
30.04.24 7.00pm-8.30pm
Picking rods track area.
5 Wheatear, 13 Curlew including a flock of 9, Minimum of 5 Skylark, a single Golden Plover and numerous Lapwing.
Quarry area.
1 Stonechat, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat around the pond.
Steven Nelson said
Fri Apr 26 8:38 PM, 2024
Whoops - accidentally posted in wrong thread!
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Friday 26th of April 2024 08:49:06 PM
Stephen Fuentes said
Fri Apr 26 6:02 PM, 2024
A single male Whinchat was along the fence by the quarry pool this afternoon. Plenty of Wheaters in the area, I counted at least 8 individuals. Grasshopper Warbler reeling briefly in the field above the quarry. Whitethroat below the quarry.
Cheers,
Steve.
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Apr 11 9:43 PM, 2024
Had hoped that the sun would continue to shine, mostly because I knew the birds would disappoint, and they didn't let me down! Apart from the first willow warblers of the year (probably 3), and a group of 9 ravens, it was totally forgettable.
andrew chapman said
Sat Apr 6 5:29 PM, 2024
06.04.23 7.30 - 9.00am
1 Raven
3 Skylark near the roadside
2 Curlew
1 male Stonechat - very mobile around the quarry area,
31.03.24 2 Male Wheatears in the sheep field next to the muddy path which leads to the quarry area. 1 male Stonechat showing well ,with a female and another pair putting in a brief appearance.
A red kite was seen from the quarry area in the semi-distance just beyond Gun Farm, probably right on the border. Other than that, it was very low-key stuff, with chiffchaffs the only migrants recorded. Still, when a curlew does a fly-by songflight just 30m in front of you, it's still uplifting.
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Mar 17 9:56 PM, 2024
p.m. for a couple of hours. The highlights:-
24 golden plover, close to the county boundary, but what I think was a part of this flock was seen in our airspace later. c12 fieldfare, 6 ravens together, at least 2 chiffchaff, pr stonechat. Nice to hear skylark in song for the first time this year (outside county - just), 3 seen in total (2 inside county).
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Feb 10 8:29 PM, 2024
A fair few birds, but low on variety: 200+ Starlings, c120 lapwings, 100+ Fieldfare, the main body of numbers. Also, 3 buzzards, 1-2 kestrels and the first skylark I've seen up there since Winter began.
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Jan 4 11:50 AM, 2024
A single waxwing was in hawthorns opposite April cottage at 9:50 am., a site first for me. Also seen: 1 raven, 1 buzzard, close to 100 common gulls, a distant peregrine, and a smattering of redwings. Still lots of berries in the area.
John Rayner said
Mon Oct 16 1:42 PM, 2023
16 Oct. No Crossbills in Hillside conifers. Flock of c350 Fieldfare landed briefly then moved SW. Also c25 Redwinng. c60 Goldfinches + at least 3 Siskin and 2 Redpoll in conifers. 2 Ravens. Uncounted flocks of Wood Pigeons moving SW all the time.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Monday 16th of October 2023 01:47:05 PM
John Rayner said
Mon Oct 16 10:05 AM, 2023
15 Oct. 4 CROSSBILLS feeding in conifers adjacent to Hillside Farm along with c20 Goldfinches and a few Siskins. Otherwise quiet. A pair of Stonechats remain around quarry. Singles of Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Flock of 175 Lapwings. 2 Snipe.
Cheers John.
Andy Bissitt said
Wed Sep 6 8:19 PM, 2023
A showy and vocal 1st winter sedge warbler was by the small pond above the quarry this afternoon. A really clean, smart bird as I hope the photos show. 4 swallows were the only other migrants that I actually saw (a few chiffchaffs still audible). Otherwise, 2 sparrowhawks, 2 buzzards and a kestrel were all else that caught the eye.
Along Gun Road this lunchtime, flock of around 30 - 40 starlings and a flock of 20-25 lapwing flushed by a Red Kite in the field to the east of the road, south of the Picking Rods track. The Kite flew off northwards, dropping over the hill towards Higher Chisworth
Andy Bissitt said
Wed Aug 23 8:39 PM, 2023
Quarry area this p.m. Family of stonechats inc 2-3 juveniles, 2 whitethroat, 3 ravens over. Numerous chiffchaffs around and a juvenile blackcap was near Clough End. Still seemed rather subdued.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 7 7:40 PM, 2023
In reference to some older posts on this site thread, could I just ask that only sighings within, or perhaps those genuinely skirting the border, of Greater Manchester are posted on here.
Sightings well out of the county and within Derbyshire but perhaps still within the 'Ludworth Moor' area should be posted on a desperate thread in the Derbyshire 'out-of-county' forum please.
David Wilkinson said
Sun May 7 3:55 PM, 2023
Mid morning trip. Saw 2 male linnets on the lines near top of Smithy Lane. Another 2 linnets, a pair this time, were in the quarry. Also in quarry were 4 whitethroats, 5-7 redpoll, 1 whinchat and 2 stonechats (a pair). 3 skylarks above quarry. 1 whitethroat on Sandhill Lane and 2 buzzards seen in distance.
Andy Bissitt said
Fri May 5 8:08 PM, 2023
This p.m., between the storms! Around Larkhill/Brown Low. Common whitethroat by parking area, 3 linnet with goldfinches down Ernocroft Ln; a pair of Redstarts in the wood, with the female twice seen collecting feathers, at least 4 Tree Sparrows around 'The Homestead'/Greengate Farm buildings, a curlew was in a field west of Brown Low, and a raven called nearby. 1 buzzard seen from car whilst sheltering from rain.
Mark Dean said
Mon May 1 4:53 PM, 2023
Parked on Gun Road this morning ( BH monday),and at first walked on the path which goes towards the small pond on the other side of road from the path to the Picking Rods.I did not hear Grasshopper Warbler,but saw 2 Common Whitethroats and several Linnets,and then was surprised to see a Great White Egret take off from the small pond on the right before flying in the New Mills direction!. I then crossed the Rd and walked towards the P.R and saw 3 + Skylarks and Lapwings displaying,5+Golden Plover in the field over the fence from the PR's ,a Wheater and a Common Buzzard and Raven fly over.
Robert Adderley said
Sat Apr 29 11:57 AM, 2023
This morning the 5 Whimbrel are still present in the field by the track up to the Picking Rods. Also a Whinchat below the quarry, 8 Wheatears, 2 Grasshopper Warblers and Whitethroat.
Mark Walsh said
Fri Apr 28 5:24 PM, 2023
A really good afternoons birding, first by myself and later with John R.
Highlights were a male Ring Ouzel in the quarry vicinity initially before finding it again in the stoney field below Hillside Farm, 3 Whimbrel in the Debyshire field on the other side of Gun Road from the Kennels. A later search with John turned up 5 Whimbrel in the same field.
Other birds included the first Whitethroat of the year below the quarry 2 Grasshopper Warblers 6 Wheatear 13 Golden Plover and good numbers of Skylark along the PR path
cheers
Mark
Robert Adderley said
Tue Apr 25 6:39 PM, 2023
This morning 2 Whimbrel seen early morning by MW were in the field behind the Kennels late morning, before flying towards the Picking Rods. Other birds included a male Redstart between Clough End and Far Bradshaw, 7 Wheatears and c30 Fieldfares.
Mark Walsh said
Sat Apr 22 5:54 PM, 2023
A few hours from 10 proved to be quite fruitful.
A male Yellow Wagtail was the best, heard it call as it flew over towards Gun Farm following the line of the road, got the bins on for a nice view A single female Wheatear up near Derbyshire Pool and then a second by the layby at Hillside farm later on 2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling 1 Oystercatcher just in the fields after the Kennels A decent sized flock of Fieldfare with some Redwing around the Kennels again A good number of singing Willow Warblers and a few Chiffchaff Plus the usual suspects
Cheers
Mark
David Wilkinson said
Thu Apr 20 4:05 PM, 2023
I went up on Tues 18th am. Felt like spring was in full flow. Lots of activity - but of particular note, I saw 3x male stonechats and 2x female stonechats in the quarry; a reed bunting in the marshy field above the quarry; 2x golden plovers in flight; and a small flock of what I think were redstarts rapidly passing between the trees near Hillside Farm.
Andy Bissitt said
Wed Apr 19 8:13 PM, 2023
p.m. An ever-superb male redstart was in the hawthorn dotted field opposite, and just past April Cottage. Not much else was worth the trip: 2 male wheatears were in the big field to the SE of the quarry, and a further 3 (2 f, 1m) were up the hill past Hillside Farm, but outside the County. 1 pair of swallows and a further single were seen at either end my walk.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Wednesday 19th of April 2023 08:20:49 PM
Robert Adderley said
Mon Apr 17 4:00 PM, 2023
A cream crown Marsh Harrier flew through N at 11.50am. Also a fall of Wheatears with 16 counted. A reeling Grasshopper Warbler was also new in.
Mark Walsh said
Fri Apr 14 12:50 PM, 2023
A brief hour before the rain started this morning, 4 Wheatear opposite Hillside farm along the far bank , 2 Reed Bunting in the field above the quarry with 2 Oystercatcher near the Derbyshire Pool. Curlew and Skylark singing up towards the Picking Rods and a Willow Warbler heard back down the road towards Cloughend.
No Ring Ouzel yet.
Cheers
Mark
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Friday 14th of April 2023 12:51:01 PM
Chris Knight said
Sun Apr 9 3:19 PM, 2023
Late post from Friday:
Sadly didn't see the Bramblings, but did encounter the Wheatear and Willow warbler Mark mentioned (which were what I was really there for). Other things not mentioned by Mark included one tree sparrow from the Eastern path up to Brown Low, a Reed bunting in the quarry and a Redpoll in trees below the quarry.
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Apr 8 8:53 PM, 2023
A couple of hours watching this p.m. brought the following highlights:- A Red Kite appeared distantly to the SE of the Picking Rods bridleway, but drifted towards me (aided by a buzzard!) until it was almost above the path, before making off to the East, south of Cown Edge. A pair of stonechats was in the quarry area. At least 5 ravens were together, 2-3 in severe moult. 1 each of sand martin and swallow. Everything else was pretty much as expected.
Tony Koziol said
Sat Apr 8 2:47 PM, 2023
07.30/12.30 today, cool first thing but it soon warmed up. We did a good circuit passing the Picking Rods walking through to Coombes Edges and back around by Cown Edge Rocks, 6.9 miles covered.
Sadly some low life has decided to dump some conifer cuttings in a lay-by but apart from this fly tipping we had a good morning:
"Plenty" of Lapwings, Skylark and at least two Curlew plus:
Highlights being two Red Grouse and at least 15 Golden Plover with, one in summer plumage.
No sign of Wheatear or Ring Ouzel for us today.
Mark Walsh said
Fri Apr 7 3:24 PM, 2023
Up early for a quick visit this morning.
3 Brambling at the Kennels area was a surprise, they flew up from the large manure pile into the nearby tree as I approached. Only one female type obliged with a clear view before they flew over the Kennels to the tree's behind. Also new for me this year was a female Wheatear and a Willow Warbler in song.
Just about worth the trip for the flock of lapwings, which was close to 300. Other than those, only 2 ravens, a kestrel, and redwings and fieldfares just about scraping into double figures caught the eye. Our birds need a Christmas miracle.
John Rayner said
Sun Nov 20 2:24 PM, 2022
Ludworth 10-12. Grey Wagtail and 2-3 Nuthatch and lots of House Sparrows but no Tree, single Redwing and zero Fieldfares. (Lakeside Farm area) Very vocal Raven joined 8 (eight) more on pylon, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel. 14 Meadow Pipits, 1 male and 2 female type Stonechats below quarry despite trail bikers. Didn't venture further cos of the disturbance.
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Nov 4 9:12 PM, 2022
More Ernocroft than Ludworth, but this is the walk I do more often in 'Winter' when insects have gone out of season. Start at Glossop Rd lay-by - up Sand Hill Ln - turn left at Ernocroft Ln - turn right at Glossop Rd - turn right towards Charlesworth - take footpath uphill South across fields (in Derbyshire) towards Brown Low - pass Brown Low and carry on to rejoin Sand Hill Ln - right turn back towards Glossop Rd lay-by.
I set a target of 30 species, but didn't achieve that! Let down by zero winter thrushes (a pitiful flock of 6 mistle thrushes only), and few finches (gold and bull only). Best sighting was perhaps of 22 golden plover which were mixing with 30-odd lapwings and 20-odd starlings, giving at least an impression of some 'action'. Others included stock dove (11), buzzards (3-4), kestrels (2), lots of 3 species of gull, and a few rooks.
It was a bit deflating to see that at 5 properties where birds used to be fed in the past, nothing but the odd suet fat ball was on offer (at a couple). Consequently, there were no birds. Another nail in the coffin for the 'moor' complex.
andrew chapman said
Tue Sep 20 10:15 PM, 2022
Late post for 19.09.22 (4-5pm)
At least 6 Stonechat, 5 Reed Buntings and a Whinchat below the quarry, (which hosted some noisy motorbikes alas).
Went up there this afternoon,did not see Whinchat,but a flock of around 150 Lapwings over,a couple of Kestrels,flock of around 20 Linnet,and the highlight for me a stunning male Wheatear.
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Sep 3 8:30 PM, 2022
Not a lot going on this afternoon, but at least you get away from it all up there. There was this whinchat though, which I wonder is the same one as seen on 25th August (similar area)? Other than the chiffchaffs and a few hirundines, only 2 ravens and c40 lapwings broke the gloom.
A good day for migrants with a Hobby, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Garden Warbler, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, and easily c30+ Phyloscs (appeared to be a higher percentage of Chiffchaffs than Willow Warblers).
Robert Adderley said
Thu Aug 25 6:38 PM, 2022
Juvenile Whinchat by Derbyshire Pool this afternoon.
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Jul 10 9:56 PM, 2022
I nearly threw a party when I saw a group of 22 swallows lining the wires down Smithy Ln. (a mix of adults and birds of the year). You take what you can get at present. 1-2 tree sparrows were also around the cottages, with more of their house cousins.
Ray Scally said
Tue Jun 7 6:40 PM, 2022
2 RED KITE drifted through in the direction of Longdendale this afternoon, also 1 WIGEON, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Buzzard, 3 Oystercatcher.
Anthony Dixon said
Sun May 15 5:38 PM, 2022
In addition to the Warbler's and Stonechats, a male Wheatear in the quarry this morning.
David Wilkinson said
Sun May 15 5:02 PM, 2022
Sedge warbler still in situ today and grasshopper warbler heard nearby, though kept out of view. Stonechats in the quarry and a garden warbler in the vicinity of Clough End.
dave broome said
Sat May 14 7:43 PM, 2022
In addition to the Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler and Whitethroat at Gun Lane still this afternoon, 1 Raven flew over
Stephen Fuentes said
Sat May 14 4:09 PM, 2022
After successfully 'twitching' the Spotted Sandpiper at Elton reservoir this morning I decided to go to Ludworth and check on the Sedge Warbler, which was still in the usual spot from Gun Road. As I watched it I heard a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away an spotted it on a bramble in the same field. Both birds were calling at the same time, and were soon joined by a Whitethroat. What a medley !!
The Grashopper Warbler was so obliging I had to take a few snaps.
The long walk from Mill Brow to the moor was not really worth it apart from a Hobby, which flew in from Derbyshire and was lost to sight between Pistol Farm and Far Bradshaw. Especially worrying was the total lack of blackcaps. Usually see a few on this walk at this time of year. There was 8-10 chiffchaffs though as something to lift the spirits.
4:10 p.m. Not quite guaranteed, but expected these days, a Red Kite flew overhead at the junction of Sandhill Ln. and Smithy Ln. It was eyeing the freshly cut fields, and hung around for some time. 4 ravens was the only other notable sighting. It was, however, a sign of the times that the most numerous bird down in the silage cut was lesser black-backed gull (60+). So much for farmland birds!!!
p.m. Quarry area. A Cuckoo flew across the quarry at eye level, with irate birds in hot pursuit. Watched until it went over a rise opposite April Cottage. First I've actually seen here for donkey's. Other species inc: 3 linnet, raven, redpoll, whitethroat(s), stonechat et al. A circling (non-raptor) dot in the sky looked interesting, but it was just that - a dot - even through bins. Oh well.
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Friday 26th of April 2024 08:49:06 PM
A single male Whinchat was along the fence by the quarry pool this afternoon.
Plenty of Wheaters in the area, I counted at least 8 individuals.
Grasshopper Warbler reeling briefly in the field above the quarry.
Whitethroat below the quarry.
Cheers,
Steve.
Had hoped that the sun would continue to shine, mostly because I knew the birds would disappoint, and they didn't let me down! Apart from the first willow warblers of the year (probably 3), and a group of 9 ravens, it was totally forgettable.
06.04.23 7.30 - 9.00am
1 Raven
3 Skylark near the roadside
2 Curlew
1 male Stonechat - very mobile around the quarry area,
No sign of any Wheatear or hirundines etc.
Andy
31.03.24 2 Male Wheatears in the sheep field next to the muddy path which leads to the quarry area. 1 male Stonechat showing well ,with a female and another pair putting in a brief appearance.
Andy
p.m.
A red kite was seen from the quarry area in the semi-distance just beyond Gun Farm, probably right on the border. Other than that, it was very low-key stuff, with chiffchaffs the only migrants recorded. Still, when a curlew does a fly-by songflight just 30m in front of you, it's still uplifting.
p.m. for a couple of hours. The highlights:-
24 golden plover, close to the county boundary, but what I think was a part of this flock was seen in our airspace later. c12 fieldfare, 6 ravens together, at least 2 chiffchaff, pr stonechat. Nice to hear skylark in song for the first time this year (outside county - just), 3 seen in total (2 inside county).
A fair few birds, but low on variety: 200+ Starlings, c120 lapwings, 100+ Fieldfare, the main body of numbers. Also, 3 buzzards, 1-2 kestrels and the first skylark I've seen up there since Winter began.
No Crossbills in Hillside conifers. Flock of c350 Fieldfare landed briefly then moved SW. Also c25 Redwinng.
c60 Goldfinches + at least 3 Siskin and 2 Redpoll in conifers. 2 Ravens.
Uncounted flocks of Wood Pigeons moving SW all the time.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Monday 16th of October 2023 01:47:05 PM
Cheers John.
A showy and vocal 1st winter sedge warbler was by the small pond above the quarry this afternoon. A really clean, smart bird as I hope the photos show. 4 swallows were the only other migrants that I actually saw (a few chiffchaffs still audible). Otherwise, 2 sparrowhawks, 2 buzzards and a kestrel were all else that caught the eye.
Quarry area this p.m. Family of stonechats inc 2-3 juveniles, 2 whitethroat, 3 ravens over. Numerous chiffchaffs around and a juvenile blackcap was near Clough End. Still seemed rather subdued.
In reference to some older posts on this site thread, could I just ask that only sighings within, or perhaps those genuinely skirting the border, of Greater Manchester are posted on here.
Sightings well out of the county and within Derbyshire but perhaps still within the 'Ludworth Moor' area should be posted on a desperate thread in the Derbyshire 'out-of-county' forum please.
This p.m., between the storms! Around Larkhill/Brown Low. Common whitethroat by parking area, 3 linnet with goldfinches down Ernocroft Ln; a pair of Redstarts in the wood, with the female twice seen collecting feathers, at least 4 Tree Sparrows around 'The Homestead'/Greengate Farm buildings, a curlew was in a field west of Brown Low, and a raven called nearby. 1 buzzard seen from car whilst sheltering from rain.
I then crossed the Rd and walked towards the P.R and saw 3 + Skylarks and Lapwings displaying,5+Golden Plover in the field over the fence from the PR's ,a Wheater and a Common Buzzard and Raven fly over.
Highlights were a male Ring Ouzel in the quarry vicinity initially before finding it again in the stoney field below Hillside Farm, 3 Whimbrel in the Debyshire field on the other side of Gun Road from the Kennels. A later search with John turned up 5 Whimbrel in the same field.
Other birds included the first Whitethroat of the year below the quarry
2 Grasshopper Warblers
6 Wheatear
13 Golden Plover
and good numbers of Skylark along the PR path
cheers
Mark
A male Yellow Wagtail was the best, heard it call as it flew over towards Gun Farm following the line of the road, got the bins on for a nice view
A single female Wheatear up near Derbyshire Pool and then a second by the layby at Hillside farm later on
2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling
1 Oystercatcher just in the fields after the Kennels
A decent sized flock of Fieldfare with some Redwing around the Kennels again
A good number of singing Willow Warblers and a few Chiffchaff
Plus the usual suspects
Cheers
Mark
p.m. An ever-superb male redstart was in the hawthorn dotted field opposite, and just past April Cottage. Not much else was worth the trip: 2 male wheatears were in the big field to the SE of the quarry, and a further 3 (2 f, 1m) were up the hill past Hillside Farm, but outside the County. 1 pair of swallows and a further single were seen at either end my walk.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Wednesday 19th of April 2023 08:20:49 PM
No Ring Ouzel yet.
Cheers
Mark
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Friday 14th of April 2023 12:51:01 PM
Late post from Friday:
Sadly didn't see the Bramblings, but did encounter the Wheatear and Willow warbler Mark mentioned (which were what I was really there for). Other things not mentioned by Mark included one tree sparrow from the Eastern path up to Brown Low, a Reed bunting in the quarry and a Redpoll in trees below the quarry.
A couple of hours watching this p.m. brought the following highlights:- A Red Kite appeared distantly to the SE of the Picking Rods bridleway, but drifted towards me (aided by a buzzard!) until it was almost above the path, before making off to the East, south of Cown Edge. A pair of stonechats was in the quarry area. At least 5 ravens were together, 2-3 in severe moult. 1 each of sand martin and swallow. Everything else was pretty much as expected.
07.30/12.30 today, cool first thing but it soon warmed up. We did a good circuit passing the Picking Rods walking through to Coombes Edges and back around by Cown Edge Rocks, 6.9 miles covered.
Sadly some low life has decided to dump some conifer cuttings in a lay-by but apart from this fly tipping we had a good morning:
"Plenty" of Lapwings, Skylark and at least two Curlew plus:
Meadow Pipit, Raven, Crow, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Magpie, Stock Dove, Buzzard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Goldfinch, Wren, Pied Wagtail and Robin.
Highlights being two Red Grouse and at least 15 Golden Plover with, one in summer plumage.
No sign of Wheatear or Ring Ouzel for us today.
3 Brambling at the Kennels area was a surprise, they flew up from the large manure pile into the nearby tree as I approached. Only one female type obliged with a clear view before they flew over the Kennels to the tree's behind.
Also new for me this year was a female Wheatear and a Willow Warbler in song.
In addition;
2 Curlew
1 Oystercatcher
3 Raven
2 Buzzard
5 Chiffchaff
9 Skylarks
6 Meadow Pipit
Cheers
Mark
Sunday 08.45/11.45
Highlights :
Lapwing c80
Starling c250
Curlew 1
Greenfinch 1
Stonechat 3
Meadow Pipit 6
Buzzard 1
Common Gull 2
Raven 1
Just about worth the trip for the flock of lapwings, which was close to 300. Other than those, only 2 ravens, a kestrel, and redwings and fieldfares just about scraping into double figures caught the eye. Our birds need a Christmas miracle.
Ludworth 10-12.
Grey Wagtail and 2-3 Nuthatch and lots of House Sparrows but no Tree, single Redwing and zero Fieldfares. (Lakeside Farm area)
Very vocal Raven joined 8 (eight) more on pylon, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel.
14 Meadow Pipits, 1 male and 2 female type Stonechats below quarry despite trail bikers. Didn't venture further cos of the disturbance.
More Ernocroft than Ludworth, but this is the walk I do more often in 'Winter' when insects have gone out of season. Start at Glossop Rd lay-by - up Sand Hill Ln - turn left at Ernocroft Ln - turn right at Glossop Rd - turn right towards Charlesworth - take footpath uphill South across fields (in Derbyshire) towards Brown Low - pass Brown Low and carry on to rejoin Sand Hill Ln - right turn back towards Glossop Rd lay-by.
I set a target of 30 species, but didn't achieve that! Let down by zero winter thrushes (a pitiful flock of 6 mistle thrushes only), and few finches (gold and bull only). Best sighting was perhaps of 22 golden plover which were mixing with 30-odd lapwings and 20-odd starlings, giving at least an impression of some 'action'. Others included stock dove (11), buzzards (3-4), kestrels (2), lots of 3 species of gull, and a few rooks.
It was a bit deflating to see that at 5 properties where birds used to be fed in the past, nothing but the odd suet fat ball was on offer (at a couple). Consequently, there were no birds. Another nail in the coffin for the 'moor' complex.
Late post for 19.09.22 (4-5pm)
At least 6 Stonechat, 5 Reed Buntings and a Whinchat below the quarry, (which hosted some noisy motorbikes alas).
Swallows trickling through, and a lone Kestrel.
Andy
C30 Swallows
C70 Meadow Pipits
1 Wheatear
2 Whitethroats
2 Blackcaps
17 Chiffchaffs
1 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Siskin
3 Bullfinches
4 Reed Buntings
Not a lot going on this afternoon, but at least you get away from it all up there. There was this whinchat though, which I wonder is the same one as seen on 25th August (similar area)? Other than the chiffchaffs and a few hirundines, only 2 ravens and c40 lapwings broke the gloom.
I nearly threw a party when I saw a group of 22 swallows lining the wires down Smithy Ln. (a mix of adults and birds of the year). You take what you can get at present. 1-2 tree sparrows were also around the cottages, with more of their house cousins.
In addition to the Warbler's and Stonechats, a male Wheatear in the quarry this morning.
Sedge warbler still in situ today and grasshopper warbler heard nearby, though kept out of view. Stonechats in the quarry and a garden warbler in the vicinity of Clough End.
After successfully 'twitching' the Spotted Sandpiper at Elton reservoir this morning I decided to go to Ludworth and check on the Sedge Warbler, which was still in the usual spot from Gun Road. As I watched it I heard a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away an spotted it on a bramble in the same field. Both birds were calling at the same time, and were soon joined by a Whitethroat. What a medley !!
The Grashopper Warbler was so obliging I had to take a few snaps.
Cheers,
Steve.