Late news for yesterday, another three tree pipits including two on wires near the beacon. Also a singing willow warbler, juvenile bullfinch, family party of whitethroats and a male blackcap.
colin davies said
Tue Aug 13 7:22 PM, 2024
Two tree pipits this morning, one heard only as it flew over, the other showing well on wires near the beacon.
26th March: 4 Crossbill north, 5 Raven east, 1 Chiffchaff Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 27th of March 2019 07:43:39 AM
dave broome said
Wed Oct 17 9:12 PM, 2018
228 Fieldfare logged going very high between south and south-west this morning before rain set in, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
Ken Dunning said
Wed Apr 11 11:47 AM, 2018
Quick walk this morning.
1 brief song from Willow Warbler.
1 Chiffchaff
1m 1f Yellowhammer.
1m 1f Linnet.
2 Skylark.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 11th of April 2018 12:38:06 PM
dave broome said
Fri Apr 6 9:16 AM, 2018
Ring Ouzel flew north from field edge just below the beacon at 0853 this morning, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
dave broome said
Tue Apr 3 8:20 AM, 2018
Male Ring Ouzel and a singing Chiffchaff this morning. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
dave broome said
Wed Nov 8 10:31 AM, 2017
2 Crossbill south this morning and a Woodcock on slopes near to the beacon, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
dave broome said
Sat Nov 4 8:57 AM, 2017
Hawfinch NNE at 07:47 this morning, info thanks to Peter Alker
dave broome said
Thu Oct 19 11:11 AM, 2017
Hawfinch south this morning, with 4 Brambling, 1500+ Redwing south, Firecrest and an unseen Yellow-Browed Warbler calling on the hill, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire and Peter Alker
-- Edited by dave broome on Thursday 19th of October 2017 05:38:32 PM
dave broome said
Thu Aug 31 12:59 PM, 2017
Wed 30th Aug in the vicinity of the Beacon 8+ Tree Pipit, 2 Redstart, 3 Wheatear, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
Mike Cooper said
Wed Aug 23 5:59 PM, 2017
Yesterday morning 22/8
At least 10 tree pipits over
4 swift 2 sand martins
dave broome said
Sat Apr 8 6:20 PM, 2017
2 Tree Pipit today, info thanks to Peter Alker
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 8th of April 2017 06:20:42 PM
Ken Dunning said
Mon Apr 3 11:25 AM, 2017
No sign of Crossbills this morning.
7 Yellowhammer
4 Linnet
2 Male Blackcap
6 Chiffchaff
12 Skylark
2 Jays.
And 5 Lesser Redpoll on the larch when returning to the car.
-- Edited by Ken Dunning on Monday 3rd of April 2017 11:47:17 AM
-- Edited by Ken Dunning on Monday 3rd of April 2017 06:00:27 PM
dave broome said
Sun Apr 2 9:26 AM, 2017
3 Crossbill and a Sand Martin N this morning, info thanks to Peter Alker
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 3 9:52 AM, 2016
Woodlark seen twice in flight around Billinge Hill beacon, but not relocated though a search is being undertaken.
Info thanks to Peter Alker
dave broome said
Sun Oct 30 1:28 PM, 2016
6 Crossbill SE this morning and 5 Brambling over, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
dave broome said
Thu Oct 20 1:22 PM, 2016
Birds logged this morning included 7 Whooper Swan S at 08:46, 2 Crossbill SW, with others heard only later, 10 Brambling, 260+ Fieldfare, 200 Redwing
info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
dave broome said
Wed Oct 12 8:16 PM, 2016
Birds logged moving over in 2hr 15min this morning included 1325 Redwing, 17 Fieldfare, 3 Brambling, 3 Crossbill (NE) and a Peregrine. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 12th of October 2016 08:16:43 PM
dave broome said
Sat Oct 8 11:06 AM, 2016
1 Brambling down this morning, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 8th of October 2016 11:07:30 AM
dave broome said
Fri Oct 7 10:14 AM, 2016
Male Ring Ouzel this morning, which then flew E, 2 Fieldfare and 5 Snipe over, at least 10 Goldcrest and 2-3 Chiffchaff present. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire/Peter Alker
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 7th of October 2016 10:19:34 AM
dave broome said
Thu Oct 6 8:07 PM, 2016
visible migration this morning included 1 Brambling SW and 3 Crossbill NE, 2 Chiffchaff also present, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
dave broome said
Wed Oct 5 9:35 AM, 2016
Ring Ouzel present on SW slope of closed landfill below summit of hill, in scrub by kissing gate 09:25, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 5th of October 2016 07:00:16 PM
dave broome said
Tue Oct 4 2:35 PM, 2016
Male Ring Ouzel this morning, flew high NE, joining a 2nd bird, 300+ Redwing mainly S, 25+ Siskin, 2 Chiffchaff
info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
dave broome said
Tue Oct 4 7:53 AM, 2016
Mon 3rd Oct 400 Redwing early morning in various directions, 3 House Martin sout. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
dave broome said
Fri Sep 23 5:51 PM, 2016
2 Hobby south today, info per Chris Darbyshire and Peter Alker
paul brady said
Mon Jan 11 11:23 AM, 2016
paul brady wrote:
Mistle thrush singing today and chasing each other around .... i know they breed early but is it that mild!
And song thrush singing yesterday too!
paul brady said
Tue Jan 5 4:57 PM, 2016
Mistle thrush singing today and chasing each other around .... i know they breed early but is it that mild!
paul brady said
Fri Dec 18 2:08 PM, 2015
Just at the bottom of the hill my garden, pleased to see the return of 2 tree sparrows to the feeders after a few weeks absence, though a sparrowhawk had them but mustve been a house sparrow which i suppose given their demise aint too much better ....
also had 3 of Peter Alker's ringed starlings which is part of a BTO project .... seems his birds wander over a fairly lare "home range"
paul brady said
Fri Oct 9 1:12 PM, 2015
Female merlin this morn, green woodpecker heard couple of times, single swallow, couple chiffchaff, 40+ siskin, handleful of redpoll, redwing, mistle thrush, single sparrowhawk, yellowhammers, goldcrests, coal tit, willow tit - quite lively!
-- Edited by paul brady on Friday 9th of October 2015 01:15:27 PM
dave broome said
Tue Oct 6 2:45 PM, 2015
26 Crossbill SW this morning, also totals of 10 Fieldfare and 12 Siskin flew S. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
paul brady said
Tue Oct 6 11:56 AM, 2015
And a Yellow-browed Warbler http://two-in-a-bush.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/1st-to-4th-october-highlights-include.html on Sunday
M Gannon said
Sun Oct 4 8:04 PM, 2015
Had good views of a female Stonechat at the hill summit on and off for over an hour around lunchtime today. There were plenty of Meadow pipits and finches overhead, including a few Siskin (3). Other birds included 6 Yellowhammer, 2 Kestrel, Raven, Bullfinch, 3 Corn bunting, 5 House martin and 4 Jay
dave broome said
Thu Sep 24 9:08 PM, 2015
Hi Craig, I've also just seen that tonight, via a link to it on the St Helens Birds Twitter feed. It was photographed on Sunday and is on a Billinge Blog Facebook page
Craig Higson said
Thu Sep 24 8:06 PM, 2015
I've seen a picture of a Red Kite that was shown to my Mrs apparently seen over Billinge Hill earlier this week. Cant remember which day I'm afraid, and other detail are sketchy. Might be worth keeping an eye out though.
paul brady said
Thu Sep 10 1:08 PM, 2015
Signs of a little drift our way as yesterday we had a redstart and spotted flycatcher on and around the hill .... fingers crossed for a few more before the weekend
John Watson said
Tue Sep 1 8:56 AM, 2015
On the GM thread, Ian points out that the copse is actually in GM, with the footpath forming the boundary
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Aug 31 6:06 PM, 2015
Originally posted today by Damian Pendlebury:
I found a Bonellis warbler sp. this morning on Billinge Hill on the public footpath between Crank Road and Smethurst Road that leads to Mountains Farm. It was in the pine copse that's on the right.
sd519021
Cheers,
Damian
M Gannon said
Thu Aug 13 2:50 PM, 2015
An hour up on the summit between 12:45- 1:45 today
8 yellowhammer (all males, some giving very close views up at the top of the hill) 5 corn bunting (on the way up) 3 chiffchaff 70+ linnet Kestrel Buzzard
paul brady said
Mon Jul 13 11:08 AM, 2015
A single curlew over yesterday (Larch Close), offering a few mournful cries!
The gathering of local(?) swifts this evening were lower than normal - young ones out of the nest?
paul brady said
Wed Jul 8 11:01 AM, 2015
Single redpoll over yesterday morning.
Plenty of linnets and goldfinch feeding on the ripening oil seed rape in surrounding fields
paul brady said
Fri Jul 3 2:46 PM, 2015
paul brady wrote:
Gonna be keeping my ears open today from the garden as I awoke in the early hours to the sound of a singing quail .... though it couldve all been a very vivid dream!
Maybe I was dreaming, no further singing yet .....
paul brady said
Fri Jul 3 9:36 AM, 2015
Gonna be keeping my ears open today from the garden as I awoke in the early hours to the sound of a singing quail .... though it couldve all been a very vivid dream!
paul brady said
Thu Jul 2 6:48 PM, 2015
Couple more crossbills this morning too around the beacon
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jun 25 10:00 PM, 2015
11 Crossbills west over Billinge Hill at 08:40 this morning. Came out of Greater Manchester from the direction of Windy Arbour.
Info thanks to Peter Alker
paul brady said
Mon Jun 22 12:28 PM, 2015
John Watson wrote:
RBA reports it still singing. Must have got better.
I guess a stoat or fox must have found the body
When I was there yesterday, I thought I caught a brief hint of a 2nd quail lower down the slope, but couldn't be sure
Strange how they prefer wheat to barley, when most of those fields are barley which is the usual choice
One did move to the barley and thats were it was found dead, rat a possible suspect too
John Watson said
Wed Jun 17 1:14 PM, 2015
RBA reports it still singing. Must have got better.
I guess a stoat or fox must have found the body
When I was there yesterday, I thought I caught a brief hint of a 2nd quail lower down the slope, but couldn't be sure
Strange how they prefer wheat to barley, when most of those fields are barley which is the usual choice
paul brady said
Wed Jun 17 12:41 PM, 2015
Mind you when I went back the body was gone. Question - can a headless quail still walk and sing!?!
paul brady said
Wed Jun 17 12:36 PM, 2015
John Watson wrote:
RBA reports the quail as dead, though it sounded healthy when I was there. Cause of death would be of interest - fox, gun, or merely pining for the fjords ?
Yesterday RBA mentioned 1+ quail, so there could be another around.
Well I think the two bird theory has proven correct this time!
John Watson said
Wed Jun 17 10:12 AM, 2015
RBA reports the quail as dead, though it sounded healthy when I was there. Cause of death would be of interest - fox, gun, or merely pining for the fjords ?
Yesterday RBA mentioned 1+ quail, so there could be another around.
Late news for yesterday, another three tree pipits including two on wires near the beacon. Also a singing willow warbler, juvenile bullfinch, family party of whitethroats and a male blackcap.
Two tree pipits this morning, one heard only as it flew over, the other showing well on wires near the beacon.
Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 27th of March 2019 07:43:39 AM
Quick walk this morning.
1 brief song from Willow Warbler.
1 Chiffchaff
1m 1f Yellowhammer.
1m 1f Linnet.
2 Skylark.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 11th of April 2018 12:38:06 PM
-- Edited by dave broome on Thursday 19th of October 2017 05:38:32 PM
Wed 30th Aug in the vicinity of the Beacon 8+ Tree Pipit, 2 Redstart, 3 Wheatear, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
At least 10 tree pipits over
4 swift
2 sand martins
2 Tree Pipit today, info thanks to Peter Alker
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 8th of April 2017 06:20:42 PM
No sign of Crossbills this morning.
7 Yellowhammer
4 Linnet
2 Male Blackcap
6 Chiffchaff
12 Skylark
2 Jays.
And 5 Lesser Redpoll on the larch when returning to the car.
-- Edited by Ken Dunning on Monday 3rd of April 2017 11:47:17 AM
-- Edited by Ken Dunning on Monday 3rd of April 2017 06:00:27 PM
3 Crossbill and a Sand Martin N this morning, info thanks to Peter Alker
Info thanks to Peter Alker
6 Crossbill SE this morning and 5 Brambling over, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
Birds logged this morning included 7 Whooper Swan S at 08:46, 2 Crossbill SW, with others heard only later, 10 Brambling, 260+ Fieldfare, 200 Redwing
info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
Birds logged moving over in 2hr 15min this morning included 1325 Redwing, 17 Fieldfare, 3 Brambling, 3 Crossbill (NE) and a Peregrine. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 12th of October 2016 08:16:43 PM
1 Brambling down this morning, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 8th of October 2016 11:07:30 AM
Male Ring Ouzel this morning, which then flew E, 2 Fieldfare and 5 Snipe over, at least 10 Goldcrest and 2-3 Chiffchaff present. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire/Peter Alker
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 7th of October 2016 10:19:34 AM
visible migration this morning included 1 Brambling SW and 3 Crossbill NE, 2 Chiffchaff also present, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
Ring Ouzel present on SW slope of closed landfill below summit of hill, in scrub by kissing gate 09:25, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 5th of October 2016 07:00:16 PM
Male Ring Ouzel this morning, flew high NE, joining a 2nd bird, 300+ Redwing mainly S, 25+ Siskin, 2 Chiffchaff
info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
Mon 3rd Oct 400 Redwing early morning in various directions, 3 House Martin sout. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire
2 Hobby south today, info per Chris Darbyshire and Peter Alker
And song thrush singing yesterday too!
Mistle thrush singing today and chasing each other around .... i know they breed early but is it that mild!
Just at the bottom of the hill my garden, pleased to see the return of 2 tree sparrows to the feeders after a few weeks absence, though a sparrowhawk had them but mustve been a house sparrow which i suppose given their demise aint too much better ....
also had 3 of Peter Alker's ringed starlings which is part of a BTO project .... seems his birds wander over a fairly lare "home range"
Female merlin this morn, green woodpecker heard couple of times, single swallow, couple chiffchaff, 40+ siskin, handleful of redpoll, redwing, mistle thrush, single sparrowhawk, yellowhammers, goldcrests, coal tit, willow tit - quite lively!
-- Edited by paul brady on Friday 9th of October 2015 01:15:27 PM
I found a Bonellis warbler sp. this morning on Billinge Hill on the
public footpath between Crank Road and Smethurst Road that leads to Mountains
Farm. It was in the pine copse that's on the right.
sd519021
Cheers,
Damian
8 yellowhammer (all males, some giving very close views up at the top of the hill)
5 corn bunting (on the way up)
3 chiffchaff
70+ linnet
Kestrel
Buzzard
The gathering of local(?) swifts this evening were lower than normal - young ones out of the nest?
Plenty of linnets and goldfinch feeding on the ripening oil seed rape in surrounding fields
Maybe I was dreaming, no further singing yet .....
Info thanks to Peter Alker
One did move to the barley and thats were it was found dead, rat a possible suspect too
I guess a stoat or fox must have found the body
When I was there yesterday, I thought I caught a brief hint of a 2nd quail lower down the slope, but couldn't be sure
Strange how they prefer wheat to barley, when most of those fields are barley which is the usual choice
Well I think the two bird theory has proven correct this time!
Yesterday RBA mentioned 1+ quail, so there could be another around.