One on a Glossop garden feeder too!

My guess is that there will be one at a feeding statin/garden feeder before this cold snap is out.

For the meantime I'll stop trying to photograph one, that should improve everyone elses chances!

One of the Disley birds went to roost in its usual spot at 15:25 last night, offering great views for five minutes or so as it moved gradually towards its favoured ivy-clad niche.

I saw four in Llanbedr churchyard on Saturday morning. With one now established at Marbury CP, they're becoming positively common. There's hope for all you GM listers yet. I wonder where it will turn up?

I'm not upset at all.

x

-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 18:24, 2009-01-04

Me neither (not trying to upset anyone) but I've just published a very nice image of the bird at Marbury on the galleries, taken the other day by Paul Hackett

Marbury Park
Saturday 1300 to 1630
Not trying to upset any one but i called in at Marbury Park to try and see the Bittern (no luck) but was put onto the Hawfinch which was moving around the wardens cabin. Apparently it turned up on New Years day and has remained in roughly the same area. It is visiting the feeders in the compound so may stay.

Whereas I spent a few hours at Marbury not seeing Hawfinch there!!

Two Hawfinches showed well in the 'usual' hawthorns for about five minutes at 12.30 yesterday.

Two Hawfinch at 09:45 today flew across the canal into an ash before dropping into the carr. Ten minutes later as I was walking along the canal to Disley one flew past and landed in an ivy covered oak by the canal before dropping down onto Lower Greenshall Lane. No further sighting this morning.

Started 2009 at the Hawfinch site and one duly obliged 09.15- 10.15 (and again for other birders around 11.00 after I had left).

Tried for the Sponds Hill Snow Bunting but no sign. If anyone does see this I'd appreciate a posting.

Finally jaw-dropping, close, eye-level views of the Woodley Waxwings. A total of 48 species locally - not a bad way to start the year.

Cheers, John

spent most of today looking for hawfinch, no show between 9am and 1230 when we left to check out a snow bunting nearby which was showing when we arrived. returned at 215 and finaly had good scope views of the female in the ivy covered tree on the other side of the canal facing the bench from 310 to 325 until it went to roost in the ivy, thanks to trevor lane and paul hacket for top company whilst waiting.

Mutter, grumble etc

Hawfinch showed well but briefly around 10.00am this morning, past the bench towards where the canal widens.

It was perched on top of a hawthorn tree and then flew over the canal towards the houses, where it gave some good views in a tree on the far bank of the canal before dropping down out of site.

A great local bird!!!

Got there at 10:00 today, greeted by Paul H who had arrived at 9:15.

Paul retired hurt after a marathon session at about 3:00, a lone female flew in at 3:20, perched in the ivy covered tree across the canal for about 2 seconds before dropping in to the ivy. Not much to show for a near full day session.

Thankfully the supporting cast of everyday but good birds, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Goosander, Raven, Gt Spot and Redpoll kept us amused if a trifle cold.

Met a few friendly locals and a lady whose name I forget (apologies - I'm hopeless with names!) but who I know browses this site - so hello there to you all.

-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 23:34, 2008-12-28

it was fun sid for sure. i like that patient standing around in one place, kinda birding if you have people to chat with whilst nothings happen. i got some excellent views around 11.30 - damn shame no one was there to share it with - i almost stopped 3 innocent walkers and said here, take a look at this little beauty!

then rob and sonia turned up and we past time chatting and watching some siskin, until we were eventually reward with cracking, close and prolonged views of one of the birds feeding perhaps 50 feet away!

manky birders are a special breed i think!

-- Edited by Paul Cliff at 20:23, 2008-12-27

As a spur of the minute thing I set off this morning in the dark Hawfinch Hunting arrived at the spot at 0900 in the company of Mr Hackett and within 10 minutes we had the female - we then had a two hour wait for the male to appear as well but by then we had Mr Cliff for company and good company it was too. Thanks to John R for the info.

Sid A

-- Edited by sid ashton at 12:52, 2008-12-27

Both male and female just shown well. Down here with messers Ashton and hackett.

had a mooch there today, nice to meet paul hackett.

got 3 brief but reasonable views of the hawfinch. also seen 2 sparrowhawk, 4 jay, 1 buzzard, chaff and goldfinch, blue, great, coal and lt tits, 3 gsw and a treecreeper.


gonna try again tomorrow in the hope of better views...

John,

do you think an organised flush would be a good idea. We might not see the bird again but it would surely go down in history as the worlds longest attempt!

Hi Ian,

As these birds are less than 4 miles from home I've been giving them quite a bit of attention. Superb, prolonged views of an adult male from 20 yards today as it fed on haws. I tried digiscoping today but indifferent light and a hand-held camera didn't do it justice. Someone with a DSLR and a decent lens could do tons better. I'll send in my efforts for the 'out of county' photo gallery anyway.

Cheers, John

Cheers John,

I was just curious which county they were in.................I shan`t be dashing off to see them, because according to thePunkbirders, doing that is a load of rubbish !

-- Edited by Ian Woosey at 17:14, 2008-12-19

Ian Woosey wrote:

---

John`s,

Coming from `The West`, and therefore not familiar with the area, and also too lazy to dig out the maps, are these birds in Cheshire or Derbyshire ? What is the nearest village/town ?

Thanks in advance.

---

Hi Ian,

They are in Cheshire (just) on the Peak Forest Canal between Disley and Newtown. Out of Disley on A6 turn left immediately after a Garage/Chinese restaurant into Lower Greenhall Lane. Just beyond the railway bridge there is limited parking. Walk east along the canal towpath for approx 400m to an obvious wooden bench. This is the area.

Cheers, John

John`s,

Coming from `The West`, and therefore not familiar with the area, and also too lazy to dig out the maps, are these birds in Cheshire or Derbyshire ? What is the nearest village/town ?

Thanks in advance.

19/12/08 (09.15-11.30)

A single Hawfinch showed well at 09.35 and again at 11.20 - but they can be mighty elusive. (The tree fellers are still working nearby but have moved away from the immediate area)

Cheers, John

Two seen at 1400hrs by Patrick Anderson.

John Turner

No sign this morning between 9.00 and 10.50. Unfortunately tree felling has begun in the area with much noise and disturbance.

An adult found yesterday at 10.00 by John Turner. It showed well today in bright sunlight from 70m at 10.06 and again at 10.33. Perfect conditions for photography but, of course, the camera was at home. I thought about putting this in the 'Over the Border' thread as it's only 1 mile SW of the county boundary at SJ990848. Watch the hawthorns downhill (towards the railway) from the Peak Forest canal towpath near Gnathole Wood. Cheers, John