Common Sandpiper and four Canada Geese, two pairs of Tufted Duck this morn on the sandpit pond off Moat Lane.
Along th BBS survey line for Prospect Lane there were the following
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blackcap
Blue Tit
Buzzard
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chiffchaff
Collared Dove
Coot
Corn Bunting
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Grey Partridge
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Linnet
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Pheasant
Raven
Reed Bunting
Reed Warbler
Robin
Sand Martin
Skylark
Song Thrush
Starling
Stock Dove
Swallow
Tree Sparrow
Tufted Duck
Wheatear
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
Woodpigeon
Wren
Yellow Wagtail
Yellowhammer
and returning along Woodend Lane more Yellow Wagtails, Linnets, another or same Corn Bunting, Sparrowhawk, three Buzzards now in view and more Stock Doves near the house the Hoopoe was at last year.
Rob Smith said
Sun Feb 18 6:14 PM, 2024
15th February 2024, for the site record & belatedly
Lesser Scaup - imm. female on pond off Moat lane, viewed through wire fenced gate, late pm
Goosander - pair
Tufted Duck - 22
Andy Slee said
Fri May 26 9:18 PM, 2023
38 species this morn on the lower half transect along Prospect Lane for a BBS survey (upper transect now seems to be in Network Rail "trespass=fine" territory.
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blackcap
Blue Tit
Bullfinch
Buzzard
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chiffchaff
Collared Dove
Coot
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Linnet
Mallard
Pheasant
Raven
Red-legged Partridge
Robin
Sedge Warbler
Skylark
Song Thrush
Starling
Stock Dove
Swallow
Tufted Duck
Whitethroat
Woodpigeon
Wren
Yellow Wagtail
Yellowhammer
-- Edited by Andy Slee on Friday 26th of May 2023 09:20:16 PM
Andy Slee said
Tue May 2 4:14 PM, 2023
Much the same as the visit last week but no Yellowhammer today. However, I did think "that Black-headed Gull out the corner of my eye on the telephone wire sounds a bit like a Common Tern". I look up and there was a pair sat there bold as brass record shot of the second one flying off South after the first. I can't for the life of me think I have ever seen a Tern on a telephone line ever, either in flesh or in a photo...wanders off to Google to prove self wrong.
Walk from 6am-9am around Prospect Lane, Hollybush Lane, Claypits and environs. Main purpose was to survey habitats for upcoming BBS Survey as Prospect Lane is one of my transects but I did have in the back of my mind reports of Hoopoe in that area.
Highlights, two Northern Wheatear (m,f) one Male Fieldfare in Summer Plumage, four Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, three Linnet, three Yellow Wagtail (2m,f) (all Prospect Lane or North of in fields or by railway), Pink-footed Goose with Greylag and Canada south of Woodend Lane, and on the return from Hollybush Lane three Yellowhammer (2m,f), two Tree Sparrow on Prospect Lane.
Absolute highlight, as the morning mist cleared and the frost lifted at 6:30am at the end of Prospect Lane there were visible to the naked eye at least 11 Skylarks, six or seven singing at once a gorgeous cacophony of sound in clear crisp air.
No Hoopoe on the morning visit...... .....can't twitch 'em all.
Paul Flackett said
Sat Apr 8 9:33 PM, 2023
My first visit of the year to the Moss and I was greeted with the song of a Blackcap as soon as I got out of the car on Moss Side Lane. Soon added a singing Yellowhammer and several Linnet. As usual at this time of year the most abundant birds were Lapwing and Skylarks but it was great to see my first Swallow.
Met another chap who put me onto some Grey Partridge as he was leaving and told me he'd just been watching a Marsh Harrier (which I missed).
Flooded former sand quarry alongside Moat Lane(Viewed through the metal gate): 90+ Lapwings and 1 Grey Heron.
The heron flushed the Lapwings which circled the site several times before settling again.
Woodend Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Prospect Lane circular walk: 1 Buzzard, 1m Kestrel, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Song Thrush
and 1 Mistle Thrush.
A trail of spilt grain by the fishing pools along Prospect Lane attracted a flock of 9 House Sparrows, 2 Collared Doves and
at least 10 Chaffinches.
John Williams said
Wed Feb 8 4:55 PM, 2023
10.30-14.30
Rixton Clay Pits NR: 1 Peregrine (Chased a group of Woodpigeons but not seen to catch one), 1 Sparrowhawk,
1 Kestrel, 1 Treecreeper (Amongst a flock of Long-tailed Tits), 14 Shovelers (Total for NR and adjoining larger pool),
4 Tufted Ducks, 1m+1f Bullfinches, 1 Kingfisher and a single Teal.
Small groups of Redwings and Blackbirds were seen feasting on berries on many of the tall ivy covered trees.
Flooded former sand quarry alongside Moat Lane (Viewed through the metal gate): 1 Little Grebe, 7 Tufted Ducks and
a group of 6 very noisy Grey Herons that aggressively chased each other around the pool.
Woodend Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Prospect Lane circular walk: 1 Kestrel (Over former tip), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Song Thrushes,
2 Grey Partridges, 2 Collared Doves, 3 Grey Herons, a flock of 7 Skylarks and a group of 12 Greenfinches.
A flock of 250+ Lapwings were on the arable fields, no sign yet of any trying to set-up a territory.
Oddly no buzzards were to be found anywhere, apart from a single bird seen by the nearby A57/M6 interchange.
Andy Slee said
Sun Jan 1 7:01 PM, 2023
17 Yellowhammer on the wires on Holly Bank Lane North end.
Otherwise, one Kestrel, 42 Lapwing over South at 14:52 pm, loads of Moorhens on the fishing pools 20-25ish, 8 Fieldfare and 42 Black-headed Gulls with one Common Gull in the fields.
Dave Steel said
Sun Sep 25 8:00 PM, 2022
230922...a wander with Team Friday...a circuit from Moat Lane 1000-1215
180 Linnet
9 Grey Partridge
85 Lapwing
2 Stonechat....Pair
30 Goldfinch
2 Wheatear
32 Skylark
12 Reed Bunting
4 Tree Sparrow
6 Swallow
1 Grey wagtail
10 Chiffchaff.
Ian Coote said
Mon Aug 29 10:30 AM, 2022
Wheatear on Prospect Lane this morning
Andy Slee said
Tue May 24 6:56 PM, 2022
Visit early am (+ previous visit three weeks ago) for BB survey along Prospect Lane Transect, species list observed as follows:
Blue Tit
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Kestrel
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mistle Thrush
Pheasant
Reed Bunting
Reed Warbler
Robin
Buzzard
Dunnock
Long-tailed Tit
Stock Dove
Wren
Yellowhammer
Canada Goose
House Sparrow
Magpie
Collared Dove
Moorhen
Starling
Mallard
Tree Sparrow
Whitethroat
Blackbird
Black-headed Gull
Goldfinch
Linnet
Yellow Wagtail
Carrion Crow
Skylark
Wheatear
Lapwing
Swift
Swallow
Woodpigeon
Paul Flackett said
Wed Apr 20 9:14 PM, 2022
Great to be back there today. As soon as I set foot on the Moss I was hearing my first Whitethroats of the year. Walking up the lanes I saw Wheatear and Tree Sparrows. Great to see Swallows back at the farms. But the bird I was really looking for eluded me for as long as possible. Eventually they appeared and I saw four Yellow Wagtails. But of course Rixton Moss wouldn't be so special without it's many Lapwings, Skylarks & Linnets.
Lez Fairclough said
Mon Mar 21 9:19 PM, 2022
Rixton Clay Pits 14:00 to 16:00. First visit here - Visitor Centre open but car park shut!
Of note :- Coal Tit; Long-Tailed Tit; Pied Wagtail; 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker; Reed Bunting; Goldcrest;
4 Gadwall and 1 Sparrowhawk (Flying very fast along Moat Lane just a couple of feet from the ground).
Woodend Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Prospect Lane circular walk : 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redwing, 5 Fieldfares, 1 Stonechat,
a flock of 60+ Chaffinches (On what appears to be a specially seeded area at the junction of Holly Bush and Woodend Lanes),
a flock of 52 Lapwings and a single Mistle Thrush.
Also a group of 10 Song Thrushes which appeared to be migrants as they were close to the Fieldfares and a small flock of Starlings.
24 Moorhens were seen around the fishing pools, 17 of them in a single group.
Steven Nelson said
Wed Nov 17 9:08 AM, 2021
Approx 300 Pink-footed Geese over Rixton heading SW this morning 8.00am
Steven Nelson said
Sat Oct 9 9:29 PM, 2021
Rixton Moss 3 Grey Partridge in field alongside A57 this morning.
Paul Flackett said
Fri Apr 16 11:55 PM, 2021
The Green Sandpiper by Colliers tip is still there but even at distance is very easily spooked. Just managed to get a distant shot, although it's heavily cropped. Nothing new bird-wise on the Moss today.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Saturday 17th of April 2021 10:38:52 AM
Had high hopes of finding a Yellow Wagtail today but it was not to be. A distant pair of Yellowhammer feeding on the ground on a freshly tilled field had me going for a second but still a pleasing find nevertheless. There were at least 3 Wheatear enjoying the productive new ground and still a few Linnet in the patch of last years crop that has presumably been left for them. As usual the main feature was the Lapwings and Skylarks. The odd Tree Sparrow was in the bushes near the farm buildings and Chiffchaffs near the fishing pools. The Green Sandpiper was still on the pool up near the greenhouses behind the tip along with a couple of Shelduck.
Paul Flackett said
Thu Mar 25 11:45 PM, 2021
Bit of a raptor-fest at Rixton Moss today. Picked up a Merlin sitting atop a mound of soil. Whilst in the process of phone-scoping it (images attached) I noticed a Red Kite drifting over, much to the annoyance of the many Lapwings. When I walked off along the lane I noticed a Sparrowhawk trying it on with a large group of Linnets. In the field opposite I then picked up a pair of Kestrels. And I didn't have long to wait for a couple of Buzzards to appear overhead.
Over the back of the refuse site I saw the Green Sandpiper again, 3 Shelduck, many Teal, several Chiffchaffs, and a pair of cronking Ravens. On the way back along Moss Side Lane I picked up the odd Tree Sparrow.
Lovely day wandering around the Moss' lanes today. As well as the many Lapwings & singing Skylarks, my highlights were 2 Grey Partridge skulking on the far fringe of one of the fields, a sizeable flock of busy Linnets, my first Chiffchaff of the year and an unexpected Green Sandpiper I discovered whilst exploring off the footpath beyond the refuse site.
John Williams said
Mon Feb 22 3:53 PM, 2021
Restricted to Warrington borough for a ramble at the moment, so opted for a morning mooch around Rixton.
Rixton Clay Pits NR : 10 Goldcrests (9 in a single roving flock), 2 Buzzards, 10 Gadwall and 3 Shovelers.
Also a Jay was seen doing what appeared to be a display flight, something I have not witnessed before.
75 Lapwings and 8 Tufted Ducks were on the flooded former sand quarry alongside Moat Lane, which can be partially
viewed through the entrance gate.
Prospect Lane area : 2 Stonechats, 2 Ravens and 1 Buzzard.
The still closed fishing pools appear to be a magnet for Moorhens, 10 were seen, and the Buzzard seemed to have noticed them too.
Steven Nelson said
Thu Dec 24 3:15 PM, 2020
Closest thread for this:
Walk along Manchester Ship Canal - Hollins Green to Rixton as far as R.Mersey
My first visit of the spring to the Moss lanes. Great to see a pair of Wheatear on a newly ploughed field amongst the many unharvested carrots lying all over the surface. Flushed a couple of Grey Partridge from one of the drain banks. Skylarks constantly singing and marking territory, and of course Lapwings on territory in every field. Other than that, a couple of Linnet & several Tree Sparrows in trees near one of the farms.
Dave Steel said
Fri Feb 21 3:54 PM, 2020
A Rain-swept wander Moat Lane---Woodend Farm---and up to Collier's Tip with Team Friday 0945-1205.
Prospect Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Woodend Lane circular walk 12.15-14.00
1 Buzzard, 1 Fieldfare with a flock of 100 Redwings (Foraging on the field to the South of Woodend Lane opposite the fishing pools),
another 40 Redwings were in the horse paddock at the top of Moat Lane, and 1 Kestrel.
Matt Bannon said
Sat Aug 10 3:49 PM, 2019
Hobby flew by twice towards firing range at the top end of holly hedge lane at 12:30 ish today.
Matt Bannon said
Fri Jun 7 9:18 PM, 2019
Channel Wagtail photographed yesterday on Rixton Moss by Mike Owen
Matt Bannon said
Thu May 23 2:00 PM, 2019
At least 2 pairs of yellow wagtail, swallow, pied wagtail, skylark, lapwing, yellowhammer, tree sparrow, buzzard x3, kestrel, linnet, song thrush, pheasent.
4 yellow wagtail including a pair with a young bird.
Yellowhammer
Skylark
Linnet
Whitethroat
Grey Partridge x5
Reed Bunting
Grey wagtail
Buzzard
Kestrel
Lapwing
Brilliant highlight was a Garden Warbler in full song in the scrub area up by where the railway line splits rixton moss from Risley Moss. Park on the dirt track that runs up to the shooting range and walk along the edges of the field into the far back corner. Where the wooded area is split by an area of scrub from the farmland. The joys of exploring on a beautiful day!
Steven Nelson said
Sun May 12 12:45 PM, 2019
09.30- 11.30
Rixton Clay Pits LNR 2 Sedge Warbler 1 Reed Warbler 3 Blackcap 3 Whitethroat 2 Willow 3 Bullfinch 3 House Martin 2 Buzzard Hoped for Garden Warbler but no luck. The area where I had 3 last year has had lots of bushes cleared as part of the management of the reserve. Hmmm
Rixton Moss 9 Yellow Wagtail. At least 3 definite pairs 18 Linnet
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 16 4:11 PM, 2019
Sightings from today Included:
1 Little Ringed Plover
1 Snipe
1 Green Sandpiper
2 Yellow wagtail
2 Wheatear
1 Reed Warbler
3 Chiffchaff
8 Willow Warbler
42 Linnet
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Steven Nelson said
Sun Apr 7 10:40 PM, 2019
Late post for yesterday (Sat 6th April):
Pair of Sparrowhawks displaying and calling to each other over Rixton Clay Pits LNR yesterday afternoon.
Paul Flackett said
Thu Mar 28 8:58 PM, 2019
Great to connect with 4 Wheatears today on the newly ploughed fields. Lapwings & Skylarks on territories everywhere on the Moss farmland. Tree Sparrows in the bushes near the farmhouses. 2 Oystercatchers and a Shelduck by the pond/flood in one of the fields and a few Stock Doves in the same area. Buzzards and Kestrels were the only raptors on offer today. Disappointed not to connect with any Yellowhammers or Grey Partridges today. However really good to find 50+ Fieldfare descending from the windbreak conifers onto the stubble field. I love it when the incoming and outgoing migrants overlap at the same location.
That shooting range over by the railway line has really taken the shine off the place for me though. Even midweek there is one car after another, arriving or leaving, all throwing great clouds of dust up as they pass. It used to be such a quiet, peaceful place.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Thursday 28th of March 2019 10:49:05 PM
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Thursday 28th of March 2019 10:54:03 PM
Matt Bannon said
Mon Jan 21 11:34 AM, 2019
Sub adult male Hen Harrier sun 20th jan at 11:30am near colliers tip
Matt Bannon said
Sat Jan 19 2:05 PM, 2019
Rixton moss
2 x Raven
3 x Bullfinch
1 x stonechat (on woodpile on Hollybush lane)
Huge winter feeding flock in freshly ploughed carrot field -
131 x Fieldfare, 45 x Redwing, 42 x Chaffinch, 3 x Brambling, 8 x yellowhammer, 5 x Pied Wagtail, 22 x blackbird, 3 x song thrush, 155 x starling
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jan 15 9:16 PM, 2019
On Rixton Moss today:
26 Blackbird
1 Peregrine
12 Stock Dove
44 House Sparrow
240 Skylark
274 Starling
242 Lapwing
17 Grey Partridge
26 Teal
73 Fieldfare
8 Shoveler
24 Linnet
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Dec 12 9:55 PM, 2018
Rixton Moss today:
410 Starling
440 Skylark
10 Stock Dove
180 Pink-footed Geese flying SE at 12:22
2 Willow Tit
Info thanks to Dave Steel
John Williams said
Sat Nov 24 1:19 PM, 2018
09.15-12.00
Rixton Clay Pits NR : 1 Buzzard, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Shoveler (Flying South), 1 Teal and 2 Wrens.
Prospect & Woodend Lanes : 110 Skylarks flushed of a field of stubble, and seemed reluctant to settle again, but eventually did so near the target club despite the continuous gunfire.
A skein of 125 Pink Footed Geese flew over heading South, 3 Grey Herons (Including 1 sat on overhead wires alongside Black Headed Gulls, which is something you don't see often),
a group of 32 Moorhens all gathered in the corner of a small field (No idea what the attraction was for them), 1 Buzzard, 1m Kestrel, 1 Goldcrest and 1m Bullfinch.
A flock of 16 House Sparrows in a hawthorn hedge along Woodend Lane.
Excellent morning birding the rixton moss area.
8 x buzzard sat in the field with the 750 strong lapwing flock at Rixton Old Hall off the A57.
Hollyhedge/ prospect lane/ woodend area:
Jay
Bullfinch
Tree sparrow x7
Linnet
Yellowhammer winter flock x9
Kestrel
Huge finch flocks (gold, green, chaffinch)
Reed bunting
Skylark
Stonechat
Pied wagtail
Grey wagtail
Fieldfare x7
Redwing x30
Mistle Thrush
Grey Heron
This place is literally packed with birds.
Still looking for a regular partner in crime to do this patch or anyone who already does to get in touch.
Matt Bannon said
Tue Nov 6 11:29 PM, 2018
Ive started regulary birdwatching the mosses at Rixton.
Holly Hedge, woodend and prospect lane. Teaming with birds. 2 stonechats sunday on hollyhedge lane near the wood pile. 9 buzzards sat in the fields with 650 lapwing.
Kestrel, sparrowhawk.
Im particulary interested how i get on to colliers tip as the tip edges are full of birds.
Any advice from anyone who does this as their local patch?
Common Sandpiper and four Canada Geese, two pairs of Tufted Duck this morn on the sandpit pond off Moat Lane.
Along th BBS survey line for Prospect Lane there were the following
and returning along Woodend Lane more Yellow Wagtails, Linnets, another or same Corn Bunting, Sparrowhawk, three Buzzards now in view and more Stock Doves near the house the Hoopoe was at last year.
15th February 2024, for the site record & belatedly
Lesser Scaup - imm. female on pond off Moat lane, viewed through wire fenced gate, late pm
Goosander - pair
Tufted Duck - 22
38 species this morn on the lower half transect along Prospect Lane for a BBS survey (upper transect now seems to be in Network Rail "trespass=fine" territory.
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blackcap
Blue Tit
Bullfinch
Buzzard
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chiffchaff
Collared Dove
Coot
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Linnet
Mallard
Pheasant
Raven
Red-legged Partridge
Robin
Sedge Warbler
Skylark
Song Thrush
Starling
Stock Dove
Swallow
Tufted Duck
Whitethroat
Woodpigeon
Wren
Yellow Wagtail
Yellowhammer
-- Edited by Andy Slee on Friday 26th of May 2023 09:20:16 PM
Much the same as the visit last week but no Yellowhammer today. However, I did think "that Black-headed Gull out the corner of my eye on the telephone wire sounds a bit like a Common Tern". I look up and there was a pair sat there bold as brass record shot of the second one flying off South after the first. I can't for the life of me think I have ever seen a Tern on a telephone line ever, either in flesh or in a photo...wanders off to Google to prove self wrong.
Walk from 6am-9am around Prospect Lane, Hollybush Lane, Claypits and environs. Main purpose was to survey habitats for upcoming BBS Survey as Prospect Lane is one of my transects but I did have in the back of my mind reports of Hoopoe in that area.
Highlights, two Northern Wheatear (m,f) one Male Fieldfare in Summer Plumage, four Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, three Linnet, three Yellow Wagtail (2m,f) (all Prospect Lane or North of in fields or by railway), Pink-footed Goose with Greylag and Canada south of Woodend Lane, and on the return from Hollybush Lane three Yellowhammer (2m,f), two Tree Sparrow on Prospect Lane.
Absolute highlight, as the morning mist cleared and the frost lifted at 6:30am at the end of Prospect Lane there were visible to the naked eye at least 11 Skylarks, six or seven singing at once a gorgeous cacophony of sound in clear crisp air.
No Hoopoe on the morning visit......
.....can't twitch 'em all.
My first visit of the year to the Moss and I was greeted with the song of a Blackcap as soon as I got out of the car on Moss Side Lane. Soon added a singing Yellowhammer and several Linnet. As usual at this time of year the most abundant birds were Lapwing and Skylarks but it was great to see my first Swallow.
Met another chap who put me onto some Grey Partridge as he was leaving and told me he'd just been watching a Marsh Harrier (which I missed).
Rixton Clay Pits NR/Moat Lane Fishing Pools:
1 Kestrel, 2 Teal (M+F), 8 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Treecreeper, 3 Nuthatches (1 carrying food),
3 singing Chiffchaffs, 2 singing Greenfinches and several sizeable bachelor groups of drake Mallards.
Flooded former sand quarry alongside Moat Lane(Viewed through the metal gate):
2 Little Grebes, 2 adult Lesser Black Backed Gulls and 1 Buzzard.
Woodend Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Prospect Lane circular walk:
2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Grey Partridges, 10 Skylarks, 24 Lapwings, 4 Stock Doves,
1 Collared Dove, 2 singing Greenfinches and 3 singing Chiffchaffs. A Willow Warbler was heard singing
briefly near the fishing pools alongside Woodend Lane.
A flock of 26 Linnets rested on overhead wires by the specially seeded area at the junction of Woodend and Holly Bush Lanes.
Rixton Clay Pits NR: 8 Goldcrests(Around ivy covered trees along North side of reserve), 5 Gadwall,
8 Teal, 7 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kestrel, 2 Shovelers (M+F), 2 Nuthatches, and 2 Redwings.
Flooded former sand quarry alongside Moat Lane(Viewed through the metal gate): 90+ Lapwings and 1 Grey Heron.
The heron flushed the Lapwings which circled the site several times before settling again.
Woodend Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Prospect Lane circular walk: 1 Buzzard, 1m Kestrel, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Song Thrush
and 1 Mistle Thrush.
A trail of spilt grain by the fishing pools along Prospect Lane attracted a flock of 9 House Sparrows, 2 Collared Doves and
at least 10 Chaffinches.
Rixton Clay Pits NR: 1 Peregrine (Chased a group of Woodpigeons but not seen to catch one), 1 Sparrowhawk,
1 Kestrel, 1 Treecreeper (Amongst a flock of Long-tailed Tits), 14 Shovelers (Total for NR and adjoining larger pool),
4 Tufted Ducks, 1m+1f Bullfinches, 1 Kingfisher and a single Teal.
Small groups of Redwings and Blackbirds were seen feasting on berries on many of the tall ivy covered trees.
Flooded former sand quarry alongside Moat Lane (Viewed through the metal gate): 1 Little Grebe, 7 Tufted Ducks and
a group of 6 very noisy Grey Herons that aggressively chased each other around the pool.
Woodend Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Prospect Lane circular walk: 1 Kestrel (Over former tip), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Song Thrushes,
2 Grey Partridges, 2 Collared Doves, 3 Grey Herons, a flock of 7 Skylarks and a group of 12 Greenfinches.
A flock of 250+ Lapwings were on the arable fields, no sign yet of any trying to set-up a territory.
Oddly no buzzards were to be found anywhere, apart from a single bird seen by the nearby A57/M6 interchange.
17 Yellowhammer on the wires on Holly Bank Lane North end.
Otherwise, one Kestrel, 42 Lapwing over South at 14:52 pm, loads of Moorhens on the fishing pools 20-25ish, 8 Fieldfare and 42 Black-headed Gulls with one Common Gull in the fields.
230922...a wander with Team Friday...a circuit from Moat Lane 1000-1215
180 Linnet
9 Grey Partridge
85 Lapwing
2 Stonechat....Pair
30 Goldfinch
2 Wheatear
32 Skylark
12 Reed Bunting
4 Tree Sparrow
6 Swallow
1 Grey wagtail
10 Chiffchaff.
Wheatear on Prospect Lane this morning
Visit early am (+ previous visit three weeks ago) for BB survey along Prospect Lane Transect, species list observed as follows:
Great to be back there today. As soon as I set foot on the Moss I was hearing my first Whitethroats of the year. Walking up the lanes I saw Wheatear and Tree Sparrows. Great to see Swallows back at the farms. But the bird I was really looking for eluded me for as long as possible. Eventually they appeared and I saw four Yellow Wagtails. But of course Rixton Moss wouldn't be so special without it's many Lapwings, Skylarks & Linnets.
Rixton Clay Pits 14:00 to 16:00. First visit here - Visitor Centre open but car park shut!
Of note :- Coal Tit; Long-Tailed Tit; Pied Wagtail; 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker; Reed Bunting; Goldcrest;
Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Chiffchaff; Nuthatch; Treecreeper; Redwing;
Cormorant; Greylag Goose; Sparrowhawk & Buzzard.
Rixton Clay Pits NR : 8 Shovelers, 7 Tufted Ducks, 10 Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Cormorants.
At least 3 pairs of Canada Geese appeared to be brooding already.
Woodend Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Prospect Lane circular walk : A flock of 27 Pied Wagtails together with 8 Redwings, 7 Blackbirds
7 Moorhens and 2 Black Headed Gulls all feeding close together in a small very soggy field.
1f Stonechat, 6 Collared Doves, 2 Buzzards, 3 Grey Herons, 180 Lapwings (Mainly in a single flock but quite a few now forming much smaller
groups and indulging in flight displays), a flock of 40 Greenfinches and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
21 Moorhens were gathered around the fishing pools.
Also seen was a mixed flock of around 100 Starlings, 50 Fieldfares and 40 Redwings.
Rixton Clay Pits NR : 2 Buzzards, 2m+1f Shovelers, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 6 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel,
4 Gadwall and 1 Sparrowhawk (Flying very fast along Moat Lane just a couple of feet from the ground).
Woodend Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Prospect Lane circular walk : 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redwing, 5 Fieldfares, 1 Stonechat,
a flock of 60+ Chaffinches (On what appears to be a specially seeded area at the junction of Holly Bush and Woodend Lanes),
a flock of 52 Lapwings and a single Mistle Thrush.
Also a group of 10 Song Thrushes which appeared to be migrants as they were close to the Fieldfares and a small flock of Starlings.
24 Moorhens were seen around the fishing pools, 17 of them in a single group.
3 Grey Partridge in field alongside A57 this morning.
The Green Sandpiper by Colliers tip is still there but even at distance is very easily spooked. Just managed to get a distant shot, although it's heavily cropped. Nothing new bird-wise on the Moss today.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Saturday 17th of April 2021 10:38:52 AM
Had high hopes of finding a Yellow Wagtail today but it was not to be. A distant pair of Yellowhammer feeding on the ground on a freshly tilled field had me going for a second but still a pleasing find nevertheless. There were at least 3 Wheatear enjoying the productive new ground and still a few Linnet in the patch of last years crop that has presumably been left for them. As usual the main feature was the Lapwings and Skylarks. The odd Tree Sparrow was in the bushes near the farm buildings and Chiffchaffs near the fishing pools. The Green Sandpiper was still on the pool up near the greenhouses behind the tip along with a couple of Shelduck.
Bit of a raptor-fest at Rixton Moss today. Picked up a Merlin sitting atop a mound of soil. Whilst in the process of phone-scoping it (images attached) I noticed a Red Kite drifting over, much to the annoyance of the many Lapwings. When I walked off along the lane I noticed a Sparrowhawk trying it on with a large group of Linnets. In the field opposite I then picked up a pair of Kestrels. And I didn't have long to wait for a couple of Buzzards to appear overhead.
Over the back of the refuse site I saw the Green Sandpiper again, 3 Shelduck, many Teal, several Chiffchaffs, and a pair of cronking Ravens. On the way back along Moss Side Lane I picked up the odd Tree Sparrow.
Lovely day wandering around the Moss' lanes today. As well as the many Lapwings & singing Skylarks, my highlights were 2 Grey Partridge skulking on the far fringe of one of the fields, a sizeable flock of busy Linnets, my first Chiffchaff of the year and an unexpected Green Sandpiper I discovered whilst exploring off the footpath beyond the refuse site.
Rixton Clay Pits NR : 10 Goldcrests (9 in a single roving flock), 2 Buzzards, 10 Gadwall and 3 Shovelers.
Also a Jay was seen doing what appeared to be a display flight, something I have not witnessed before.
75 Lapwings and 8 Tufted Ducks were on the flooded former sand quarry alongside Moat Lane, which can be partially
viewed through the entrance gate.
Prospect Lane area : 2 Stonechats, 2 Ravens and 1 Buzzard.
The still closed fishing pools appear to be a magnet for Moorhens, 10 were seen, and the Buzzard seemed to have noticed them too.
Walk along Manchester Ship Canal - Hollins Green to Rixton as far as R.Mersey
1 Raven
182 Tufted Duck
2 Goosander- pair
7 Pochard
12 Gadwall
21 Mallard
3 Great Crested Grebe
6 Cormorant
24 Greylag Geese
70 Canada Geese
12 Mute Swan
25 Coot
2 Moorhen
Feeding flock of 100+ Chaffinch and 20+ Linnet
3 Bullfinch
1 Goldcrest
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
Wellies essential!
11.15-14.15
Rixton Clay Pits NR
3 Buzzards, 10 Gadwall and 3 Shoveler.
Prospect Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Woodend Lane circular walk
4 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk (Flushed Starlings from the landfill site, but then chased off by 2 crows), 17 Collared Doves,
1 Grey Heron, 15 Skylarks, 1 Yellowhammer and a flock of 45 Linnets.
Rixton Moss today, with Les Jones and Derek Britch
Barn Owl, Merlin, 4 Kestrel, 5 Buzzard, Common Snipe, 4 Tree Sparrow,
75 Skylark, 40 Linnet, 30 Lapwing, 6 Yellowhammer, 2 Raven, 2 Reed Bunting,
11 Meadow Pipits, 30+ Rooks, 17 Pinkfooted Geese NW.
My first visit of the spring to the Moss lanes. Great to see a pair of Wheatear on a newly ploughed field amongst the many unharvested carrots lying all over the surface. Flushed a couple of Grey Partridge from one of the drain banks. Skylarks constantly singing and marking territory, and of course Lapwings on territory in every field. Other than that, a couple of Linnet & several Tree Sparrows in trees near one of the farms.
A Rain-swept wander Moat Lane---Woodend Farm---and up to Collier's Tip with Team Friday 0945-1205.
1 Green Sandpiper.
16 Magpie
70 Redwing
16 Stock Dove.
2 Kestrel.
2 Nuthatch.
1 Snipe, 14 Shovelers, 4 Gadwall, 2 Bullfinches, 4 Cormorants, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Treecreepers and 1 Goldcrest.
Prospect Lane/Holly Bush Lane/Woodend Lane circular walk 12.15-14.00
1 Buzzard, 1 Fieldfare with a flock of 100 Redwings (Foraging on the field to the South of Woodend Lane opposite the fishing pools),
another 40 Redwings were in the horse paddock at the top of Moat Lane, and 1 Kestrel.
Rixton Clay Pits LNR
2 Sedge Warbler
1 Reed Warbler
3 Blackcap
3 Whitethroat
2 Willow
3 Bullfinch
3 House Martin
2 Buzzard
Hoped for Garden Warbler but no luck. The area where I had 3 last year has had lots of bushes cleared as part of the management of the reserve. Hmmm
Rixton Moss
9 Yellow Wagtail. At least 3 definite pairs
18 Linnet
Sightings from today Included:
1 Little Ringed Plover
1 Snipe
1 Green Sandpiper
2 Yellow wagtail
2 Wheatear
1 Reed Warbler
3 Chiffchaff
8 Willow Warbler
42 Linnet
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Pair of Sparrowhawks displaying and calling to each other over Rixton Clay Pits LNR yesterday afternoon.
Great to connect with 4 Wheatears today on the newly ploughed fields. Lapwings & Skylarks on territories everywhere on the Moss farmland. Tree Sparrows in the bushes near the farmhouses. 2 Oystercatchers and a Shelduck by the pond/flood in one of the fields and a few Stock Doves in the same area. Buzzards and Kestrels were the only raptors on offer today. Disappointed not to connect with any Yellowhammers or Grey Partridges today. However really good to find 50+ Fieldfare descending from the windbreak conifers onto the stubble field. I love it when the incoming and outgoing migrants overlap at the same location.
That shooting range over by the railway line has really taken the shine off the place for me though. Even midweek there is one car after another, arriving or leaving, all throwing great clouds of dust up as they pass. It used to be such a quiet, peaceful place.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Thursday 28th of March 2019 10:49:05 PM
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Thursday 28th of March 2019 10:54:03 PM
Sub adult male Hen Harrier sun 20th jan at 11:30am near colliers tip
On Rixton Moss today:
26 Blackbird
1 Peregrine
12 Stock Dove
44 House Sparrow
240 Skylark
274 Starling
242 Lapwing
17 Grey Partridge
26 Teal
73 Fieldfare
8 Shoveler
24 Linnet
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Rixton Moss today:
410 Starling
440 Skylark
10 Stock Dove
180 Pink-footed Geese flying SE at 12:22
2 Willow Tit
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Rixton Clay Pits NR : 1 Buzzard, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Shoveler (Flying South), 1 Teal and 2 Wrens.
Prospect & Woodend Lanes : 110 Skylarks flushed of a field of stubble, and seemed reluctant to settle again, but eventually did so near the target club despite the continuous gunfire.
A skein of 125 Pink Footed Geese flew over heading South, 3 Grey Herons (Including 1 sat on overhead wires alongside Black Headed Gulls, which is something you don't see often),
a group of 32 Moorhens all gathered in the corner of a small field (No idea what the attraction was for them), 1 Buzzard, 1m Kestrel, 1 Goldcrest and 1m Bullfinch.
A flock of 16 House Sparrows in a hawthorn hedge along Woodend Lane.
On Rixton Moss today:
16 Grey Partridge
201 Skylark
3000 Starling
86 Fieldfare
2 Raven
3 Lesser Redpoll
27 Stock Dove
300 Lapwing
3 Stonechat
66 Pink-footed Geese flying SE at 10:35
1 Black-tailed Godwit
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Rixton Moss today:
9 Fieldfare
261 Lapwing
236 Skylark
3 Stonechat
283 Linnet
2 Grey Partridge
2 Grey Wagtail
131 Starling
1 Siskin
1 Cetti's Warbler
Info thanks to Dave Steel
Rixton Moss today
3 Wheatear
1 Whinchat
1 overflying Tree Pipit
1 Yellow Wagtail
27 Swallow
1 Green Sandpiper
25 Linnet
4 Grey Partridge
85 Lapwing