2 Red Kites drifted over Standing Stone towards the Cat and Fiddle. Below Standing Stone were singles of Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher. Dipper and Grey Wagtail in the area too. Curlews were constantly calling from the hills.
4f+1m Goosanders, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes.
Ridgegate Reservoir :
2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe and 6 Cormorants.
Trentabank Reservoir area :
2f Goosanders, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Buzzard and 1 Raven.
A noticeable abundance of Coal Tits amongst the common garden birds visiting the feeding station.
Samglennie said
Sat Apr 30 8:15 PM, 2022
7 mile walk today around Teggs nose and Macclesfield forest:
lots of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcap, 2x Redstart (m&f), 10x Swallow, 1x Tree pipit and a Hobby over the top of Teggs Nose.
John Williams said
Mon Apr 11 7:44 PM, 2022
Midday visit
Bottoms Reservoir : 4 Tufted Ducks and 2 Great Crested Grebes.
Ridgegate Reservoir : 3 Great Crested Grebes (Including displaying pair), 4 Cormorants and 5 Tufted Ducks.
Trentabank Reservoir : 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Tufted Ducks and 5 Cormorants.
Sheep pasture near Standing Stones : 1m Kestrel and a flock of 7 Meadow Pipits.
Paul Flackett said
Sun Apr 3 7:26 PM, 2022
Driving back from Buxton yesterday I noticed a gathering of 30+ Golden Plover in the high fields adjacent to the north edge of Macclesfield Forest.
Paul Flackett said
Sun Apr 3 7:25 PM, 2022
Driving back from Buxton yesterday I noticed a gathering of 30+ Golden Plover in the high fields adjacent to the north edge of Macclesfield Forest.
Paul Flackett said
Sun Apr 3 7:20 PM, 2022
Driving back from Buxton yesterday I noticed a gathering of 30+ Golden Plover in the high fields adjacent to the north edge of Macclesfield Forest.
John Williams said
Mon Mar 28 7:36 PM, 2022
Midday visit
Bottoms Reservoir area : 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Tufted Ducks and 1 Buzzard.
Ridgegate Reservoir area : 2 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 singing Greenfinch.
Trentabank Reservoir area : 1m+2f Goosanders, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Cormorants, 1 Buzzard, 5 Tufted Ducks
and 2 Grey Herons (1 seen carrying sticks into heronry).
Standing Stones area : 3 Ravens, 2 each of Song and Mistle Thrushes noted on nearby sheep pasture and 2 Buzzards.
A flock of 100+ Fieldfares were seen flying in a Westerly direction.
Andy Slee said
Sun Feb 27 5:24 PM, 2022
Wasn't out birding yesterday (26/02) per se as I was leading a walk (including a blind person so 90% of my time was looking at the floor - credit to them, they heard the crossbills first!) from Standing Stone to Langley to Trentabank then Shutlingsloe and back to Standing Stone but was one of those places "right place, right time" for interesting local birds.
Two Crossbills were calling and displayed well as we passed through the clearing West of Forest Chapel. A Mandarin showed on Trentabank. My first Red Grouse of the year flew in front of me on the re path North of Shutlingsloe.
For a none birding day that isn't a bad score I reckon!
-- Edited by Andy Slee on Sunday 27th of February 2022 05:25:45 PM
Natalie Clarke said
Sat Apr 24 2:56 PM, 2021
Out for a walk with my friend this morning so mainly for socialising!
But did spot my first willow warbler and pied flycatcher.
Paul Flackett said
Mon Apr 12 11:37 PM, 2021
Hiking today with the good lady between Walker Barn & Macclesfield Forest when we suddenly came across a male Ring Ouzel on a wall. It flew down the field and joined up with a further four Ouzels, at least four of the five were males, possibly all. A very welcome distraction. Also a female Wheatear in an adjacent field.
John Williams said
Tue Dec 15 6:49 PM, 2020
12.00-15.00
Bottoms Reservoir : 2 Little Grebes, 1m+3f Goosanders, 1 Cormorant and 5 Tufted Ducks.
Ridgegate Reservoir : 2 Little Grebes, 3 Common Gulls (With 20+ Black Headed), 7 Tufted Ducks and 2 Cormorants.
118 Canada Geese settled on the reservoir at 3pm as the light began to fade.
Trentabank Reservoir : 2m+6f Goosanders and 2 Little Grebes.
Forest Area : 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens and 2 Goldcrests (With a group of Long Tailed and Coal Tits).
John Williams said
Mon Oct 19 3:25 PM, 2020
10.30-13.30
Bottoms Reervoir : 2 Mandarin drakes in pursuit of a single female, and 2 Great Crested Grebes.
Ridgegate Reservoir : 11 Cormorants and 1 Little Grebe. 9 Fieldfares on a tree by the Leathers Smithy pub.
Trentabank Reservoir : 6 Little Grebes. A Great Spotted Woodpecker rested on top of a nearby spruce.
Standing Stones : 4 highly vocal Ravens, whilst a single Cormorant flew over heading SE, plus 1 Kestrel.
Clough Brook : 1 Dipper.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 20th of October 2020 10:24:49 AM
dave broome said
Sun Aug 23 8:57 PM, 2020
1 Tree Pipit today at Teggs Nose Country Park
Jim Caulfield said
Sat Mar 14 12:24 PM, 2020
Late report of our visit, Tom Jones and I, to the Standing Stone car park, Fri 13th Mar, 11:15 to 13:00. Shortly after arrival met local patcher Chris who decided to take the south west path, we headed along the path north. Our loop back to the car park was 2 -3 Km through the forest, mostly looking upward, at Chaffinch. On arrival back at the car park, a couple we had met on our walk, had returned earlier to see a pair of Crossbills close to the car park, and back towards the entrance. However, they quickly alerted us to a male on the tree above the car park west fenceline ( perhaps 10-15 yards) closely inspecting the lichen on the branches. Chris returned shortly after to catch it's departure, having had distant views on his route.
Thoroughly enjoyable trip, both folk and bird wise
-- Edited by Jim Caulfield on Saturday 14th of March 2020 12:26:36 PM
-- Edited by Jim Caulfield on Saturday 14th of March 2020 01:25:54 PM
Paul Flackett said
Wed Mar 11 10:51 PM, 2020
Perseverance definitely pays off. After failing to connect with any Crossbills on previous visits this year, today I ended up face-to-face with a stonking male just 15 yards away. He later flew off with a female. Also several large flocks of Siskins on the many pine cones & the previously reported mixed Brambling & Chaffinch flock were still feeding under the same conifers.
Paul Flackett said
Tue Mar 10 12:02 AM, 2020
200+ mixed flock of Chaffinches & Bramblings flying in in successive waves and onto the floor beneath the conifers in the Standing Stone area on Sunday afternoon. There were many fallen pine cones so I'm guessing that's what they were after. Didn't seem too bothered by my presence as I was sheltering from a sudden downpour.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Tuesday 10th of March 2020 12:03:55 AM
John Williams said
Sun Jan 6 6:09 PM, 2019
11.00-15.00
Standing Stone Area : 32 Fieldfares and 40+ Redwings with Starlings on the sheep pasture opposite the car park.
Trentabank Reservoir : 6f + 2m Goosanders and 3 Tufted Ducks. 3 Treecreepers and a Nuthatch were with a mixed tit flock near the visitor centre.
Ridgegate Reservoir : 3 Tufted Ducks and 9 Cormorants.
Bottoms Reservoir : 1f Goosander and 2 Little Grebes.
John Williams said
Wed Oct 17 3:22 PM, 2018
09.30-13.00
Standing Stones area : 1 male Merlin flying low across the hillside sheep pasture. Also here, 1 male Kestrel, 4 Goldcrests and 2 Coal Tits.
Trentabank Reservoir : 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrests in a flock of Long Tailed and Blue Tits. 2 Buzzards.
Ridgegate Reservoir area : 1 Kingfisher (By the sluice), 4 Little Grebes and 4 Tufted Ducks.
Bottoms Reservoir : 2 Great Crested Grebes.
The water level on Trentabank Reservoir is extremely low with several stone walls revealed, 12 Mallard and a single Tufted Duck were the only waterfowl there.
By contrast Ridgegate Reservoir appears full. As nearly always in autumn Jays were seen in profusion.
Peter Dawson said
Fri Mar 16 1:54 PM, 2018
Walked up Shutlingsloe this morning from Clough House car park via Standing Stones. Two dippers along the river. One seen from the bridge by the car park, the other about 1/2 mile upstream. Also a couple of grey wags. Weather pretty bad so didn't see much on the walk other than the usual mipits, curlew, skylarks etc. Highlight was when almost back to the car when I got a hawfinch in the top of the big tree by the river as it bends 90 deg along the road. I thought it was a Grest Spotted Woodpecker at first by the way it was flying but didn't look quite right so I got the bins on it. Glad I did!
Btw, some of the tracks/paths in the forest are closed due to trees having fallen in the storm. Quite a bit of damage.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 16th of March 2018 01:57:56 PM
John Williams said
Sat May 6 7:53 PM, 2017
09.00-15.00
Teggs Nose CP
Searched the woodland for a couple of hours but no sign of either Redstart or Pied Flycatcher.
On the plus side, a Tawny Owl gave great views as it was chased around the woods by a couple of Mistle Thrushes and a pair of Blackbirds.
A pair Mandarin Ducks (M+F), sat in a large oak tree. Also seen around the woodland were 3 Goldcrests, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Bullfinches,
1 Treecreeper, whilst a couple of Swifts flew over.
Willow Warblers were plentiful, some in small groups, numerous birds were in song, whilst one individual which was carrying nesting material was not happy
about the interlopers and tried to chase them away, even though it's beak was packed with dried grass.
Teggs Nose Reservoir :
1m Goosander and around a dozen Swallows.
Bottoms Reservoir :
1m Goosander, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Common Sandpiper, a pair of Great crested Grebes and a feral Snow Goose that has paired with a Canada Goose.
Ridgegate Reservoir :
At last I found a single male Pied Flycatcher in woodland near the reservoir, together with 3 more Bullfinches.
Only a few Mallard were on the water whilst passing Cormorants hesitated and did'nt land, perhaps the dozen anglers there put them off.
Trentabank Reservoir :
A displaying pair of Great Crested Grebes.
Standing Stones :
7 Mistle Thrushes and a single Song Thrush were on a nearby sheep pasture, whilst 1 Swift hurried North.
Peter Dawson said
Fri Apr 28 3:37 PM, 2017
6m mandarin and 2m 1f goosander on teggs nose reservoir this afternoon. Redstart and garden warbler in the woods as well as the usual blackcaps, chiffchaffs and willow warblers.
A blue morph snow goose type was on bottom reservoir. I know there was one at Tittesworth during the winter so maybe the same one?
Peter Dawson said
Thu Apr 13 2:54 PM, 2017
Male mandarin on Teggs Nose Reservoir this afternoon. First time I've ever seen anything of interest on it! A few chiffchaffs and willow warblers in the wood plus a blackcap. ~6 swallows over Bottom Reservoir.
Adam Jones said
Mon Apr 10 11:11 AM, 2017
Late post for Saturday 8th April 2017 6:30-9.00am
Teggs Nose Wood: 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming) 2 Bullfinch (pair) 1 Blackcap (male singing) 2 Nuthatch 8 Chiffchaff 2 Grey Wagtails on the banks of the reservoir
Standing Stone: 4 Willow Warblers - My first of the year 2 Siskins Several calling Curlews
John Williams said
Tue Dec 20 4:28 PM, 2016
10.00-14.00
Bottoms Reservoir
1f Goosander, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Gull, 4 Ravens and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Ridgegate Reservoir
1m Pochard, 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little Grebes, 3 Cormorants, 2 Ravens and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Trentabank Reservoir
2m+3f Goosanders, 3 Little Grebes, 6 Tufted Ducks and 1 Buzzard.
Standing Stones
No birds were to be seen around this part of the forest, not even in the cleared areas, with just a few crows on adjacent pastures.
Although a group of around 60 large gulls were amongst the sheep on pasture near Clough Brook.
They appeared to be mainly adult Herring, although a few Lesser Black Back and Common Gulls were with them.
Also near Clough Brook, 2 Buzzards were sat on fence posts, and there was an obvious size difference between them, probably male and female.
John Williams said
Sat Sep 24 9:24 PM, 2016
13.00-16.00
Bottoms Reservoir
1 Great Crested Grebe
Ridgegate Reservoir
2 Little Grebes, 14 Tufted Ducks and 3 Cormorants. 2 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Ravens soaring high above.
The only bird I could find in the scrub area along the south bank was a single Wren.
Trentabank Reservoir
2 Little Grebes, 1 Tufted Duck and 2 Cormorants.
Standing Stones area
The forest here was silent and birdless, as was the area of young conifers and scrub. A Barn Owl had been reported here just before I arrived.
1 Lesser Black Back and 1 Common Gull flew over. 1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel at Yarnshaw Hill.
Phil Barnett said
Sun May 15 4:36 PM, 2016
12.00 near visitor center
Wood warbler 1 singing
Redstart 1 singing
Pied flycatcher 2 singing
Great to find this trio here - used to be very regular, not so much recently
Adam Jones said
Thu Apr 28 12:53 PM, 2016
Wednesday 27th April 7pm
Teggs Nose woods: Very cold and very quiet. No sign of the Pied Flycatcher. 2 Chiffchaff 1 Nuthatch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming 10 Swallows low over the reservoir
Adam Jones said
Wed Apr 20 9:56 PM, 2016
Teggs Nose woods: 1 Male Pied Flycatcher early this morning. 1 Raven over 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers Many Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs Madarin duck on Bottoms reservoir.
Danebower: Male Ring Ouzel singing from the top of the chimney. Lots of Wheatear and Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by Adam Jones on Wednesday 20th of April 2016 10:43:45 PM
My first visit up here today, with my brother-in-law and his kids for a walk, in bracing wind. We parked at Standing Stone and walked down the hill. Having just mentioned that Crossbills were a possible sighting if we were lucky, I heard some 'chip' calls and saw 6 or 7 of them flying off. One remained perched high in a tree and in silhouette showed its head-heavy shape clearly. A nice year-tick with no real effort! A few minutes later I saw a single bird fly over our heads calling and then briefly saw the flock again.
Despite hearing Nuthatch, Blue and Coal Tits and Redpoll, the Crossbills were the only birds I actually saw in the woods...we scared a few off I expect, the kids need to work on their fieldcraft really...
Adam Jones said
Sat Mar 19 9:31 PM, 2016
Below Standing Stone car park: 1 Dipper 1 Pheasant 1 Curlew heard
Danebower: Lots of Lapwings in the fields before Danebower Red Grouse constantly bubbling away 1 Skylark 1 Raven Curlews calling
Cat & Fiddle: 9 Ravens over high towards Derbyshire 1 Stonechat (male) fence post hopping near to Derbyshire Bridge car park.
Just over the border in Derbyshire on Axe Edge moor, Golden Plover heard calling but not seen.
John Williams said
Sat Feb 27 3:09 PM, 2016
09.00-12.00
Bottoms Reservoir
1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Goosanders and 3 Tufted Ducks.
Ridgegate Reservoir
4 Cormorants.
Trentabank Reservoir
6 Tufted Ducks, 10 Cormorants and 8 Grey Herons.
Standing Stones Area
1 Buzzard, 6 Siskins, 2 Ravens, plus a sign of spring in the form of 2 male Chaffinches singing and setting up their territories.
Higher Nabbs
5 Ravens engaged in an aerial display, whilst a flock of 68 Lapwings flew eastwards.
Adam Jones said
Sun Sep 27 10:09 PM, 2015
Sunday 27th September 8.30-10.30 Teggs Nose Reservoir: 1 Goosander female 2 Grey Wagtails 1 Pied Wagtail
Trentabank Reservoir: 7 Little Grebes 1 Mandarin 1 Cormorant Nuthatch
Standing Stones: 2 Bullfinch 12 Goldcrest 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 2 Swallows heading South 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Kestrel Lots of Meadow Pipits
John Williams said
Sun Aug 23 2:52 PM, 2015
10.00-13.00
Bottoms Reservoir
1 Great Crested Grebe & 6 Tufted Duck.
Ridgegate Reservoir
20 Tufted Ducks & 2 Cormorants
Trentabank Reservoir
1ad +1 juv Grey Heron, 16 Cormorants, 5 adult+1 juv Little Grebe (Youngster being fed a Stickleback by a parent), 6 Tufted Ducks & 1 Buzzard.
Standing Stones
1 Willow Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 6 House Martins & 1 Buzzard. Lots of Meadow Grasshoppers.
Chris Harper said
Thu Aug 20 9:26 AM, 2015
10.30-1 yesterday around the Crag Inn pub near Wildboarclough, up Shutlingsloe and back: 10+ Spotted Flycatcher, including 4 juveniles 3 Common Redstart 6 Willow Warbler Peregrine Falcon 4 Kestrel 2 Raven 3 Goldcrest Pheasant 3 Nuthatch Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Stock Dove Meadow Pipit Dipper 10 Mistle Thrush 30+ Rook
Also a rather stunning Giant Tachinid Fly
Adam Jones said
Sat Jul 18 7:23 PM, 2015
Not much around on Bottoms or Teggs Nose reservoirs, with only a single Grey Wagtail and Great Crested Grebe of any note. 6 Cormorants on Trentabank reservoir.
Clough House: 1 Dipper 3 Grey Wagtails (1 Juv) c60 House Martins (More than I've seen all year) 1 Kestrel 1 Common Buzzard
John Williams said
Tue Jun 2 3:45 PM, 2015
10.30-13.00
Bottoms Reservoir
6 Tufted Ducks. Lots of House Martins and Swifts, with just a few Swallows, and no Sand Martins, flying low over the water. There used to be a large patch of Amphibious Bistort and Water Lillies at the Eastern end of the reservoir, since this has now gone, so too have the Little Grebes, which were once guaranteed here.
Ridgegate Reservoir
5 Great Crested Grebes plus 1m & 1f Mandarin Ducks.
In the dell behind the reservoir were 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a singing Chiffchaff.
Trentabank Reservoir
17 Canada Geese, 20 Cormorants and a Nuthatch that was doing an odd display flight between the overhanging trees.
I could'nt count the birds in the heronry, as most of the colony is hidden, but a newly fledged heron emerged and flew over the reservoir.
The young bird tried several times to land in a large tree, before giving up, looking very clumsy, it eventually disappeared back into the heronry.
A large flock of Swallows fed off the surface of the reservoir.
Standing Stones
2 singing male Blackcaps and 1 Grey Heron.
John Williams said
Sun Apr 26 2:37 PM, 2015
08.30-12.30
Teggs Nose Woodland.
1m Redstart by the car park, 3m+2f Pied Flycatchers around the woodland.
Also 2prs Tree Creepers, 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 pr of Goldfinches.
Green Woodpecker heard only, Lots of Willow Warblers in song, Chiffchaff and Nuthatch plentiful too.
Bottoms Reservoir
12 Tufted Ducks
Ridgegate Reservoir
1pr Great Crested Grebes
Trentabank Reservoir
1 Great Crested Grebe & 1 Little Grebe.
2 Buzzards soaring high over the forest.
Standing Stones area produced numerous singing Willow Warblers and Chaffinches.
The sheep pasture opposite held. 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Pied Watails and 4 Swallows.
Orange Tip butterflies were abundant on the edge of the forest.
Patrick Earith said
Sun Apr 19 10:21 AM, 2015
With Phil Oddy. Male Pied Flycatcher showing well in the wood next to the car park between Bottom and Teggs Nose reservoirs. Great-spotted Woodpecker, nest-building nearby. Further into the wood along the path, Redstart singing but stayed elusive. Plenty of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs. A walk up the path next to the Waterworks looking for further Redstart proved fruitless, but, we had the unusual sight of a male Mandarin flying through the trees.
A quick look at Trentabank reservoir where there were 2 drake Mandarins, a pair of Tufted Ducks, a single Great Crested Grebe. The Cormorant colony had 22 nests occupied, while the Heronry had 7. A couple of Barn Swallows flew through.
A drive up to Standing Stones car park gave more Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs and Crossbills (heard only). I stopped at 3 different places through Wildboarclough, hoping for Dipper, which is usually nailed on here, but, was unlucky this time.
richard howells 2 said
Wed Apr 15 6:49 AM, 2015
14th April. Male Pied Flycatcher seen well in small woodland alongside res across the road from the Trentabank car park at around 1030 with a SECOS visit. Another reported at Tegg's Nose. Good numbers of Chiffchaff and Willow warblers heard and seen. Two Swallows over Ridgebank Reservoir. Jays were extremely active with approx 20 seen, one of which was imitating a Buzzard's call.
Adam Jones said
Tue Apr 14 8:13 AM, 2015
A quick scoot round the area. No Redstarts or Pied Flys seen yet.
Teggs Nose woods: 2 Treecreepers 2 Nuthatch 4 Chiffchaff 2 Willow Warblers 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Standing Stone area: 3 Siskins 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Willow Warbler 2 Chiffchaff
Adam Jones said
Sat Dec 6 2:22 PM, 2014
Saturday 6th December
Standing Stone area: 2 Ravens 4 Treecreepers 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 23 Fieldfare 18 Blackbirds 6 Goldcrests
Adam Jones said
Sat Aug 23 7:15 PM, 2014
Saturday 23rd August 2pm
Standing Stone: 1 Common Buzzard 2 Raven over
Clough House: 1 Dipper Dozens of Swallows 1 Kestrel
Wildboarclough: 1 Dipper
Trentabank Reservoir: 18 Cormorants 3 Grey Heron 2 Little Grebes Coots, Tufteds and Mallards
Bottoms Reservoir: 1 Grey Heron 2 Grey Wagtail 1 Common Sandpiper 1 Great Crested Grebe 8 Mallards 1 Green Woodpecker (heard only)
Nick Hilton said
Fri Aug 22 7:05 PM, 2014
A walk around Macc forest with a detour up Shutlingsloe today produced; Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen and Cormorant on Trentabank Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Tree Creeper, Blackcap, Jay, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Willow Warbler, Wren, Goldcrest, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Tree Pipit in and around the forest. Kestrel, Raven, Meadow Pipit and Red Grouse on Shutlingsloe. Quite a lot of Swallow movement over (with many heading due north !!)
-- Edited by Nick Hilton on Friday 22nd of August 2014 07:08:09 PM
Bottoms Reservoir 2 Great Crested Grebes (1 brooding), 1 Little Grebe, 7 Tufted Duck, 23 Black Headed Gulls & a family of Canada Geese with 4 almost full grown goslings.
Ridgegate Reservoir
28 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron and a pair of Great Crested Grebes with 3 half grown youngsters.
Trentabank Reservoir
1 drake Common Scoter, a pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 near full grown youngsters, 14 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Gadwall.
Standing Stones
6 Willow Warblers (2 very lemon coloured) fly catching flycatcher style from the top of the big conifers, until a male Kestrel appeared.
There was a steady passage of West bound Swallows at Standing Stones and Trentabank, where 4 Sand Martins moved through too.
The forest itself was largely devoid of birds except for the Robin, Magpie etc.
A large patch of Knapweed on the South side of Ridgegate was teaming with butterflies, Peacocks, Gatekeepers And Meadow Browns in profusion.
Lots of Peacock, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper butterflies in scrub North of Standing Stones car park, here too was a single Comma.
Nick Hilton said
Mon May 5 7:26 PM, 2014
Teggs Nose Country Park 1200-1500 Excellent view of Green Woodpecker and Redstart. Others present; Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Robin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Wren, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Skylark, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Swallow, Magpie, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Coot.
paul shaw said
Sat Apr 26 4:09 PM, 2014
This morning 9.30-12.00
Teggs lower wood, 1 male pied Fletcher and 1 male restart, plenty of the more common species seen.
2 Red Kites drifted over Standing Stone towards the Cat and Fiddle.
Below Standing Stone were singles of Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.
Dipper and Grey Wagtail in the area too.
Curlews were constantly calling from the hills.
Bottoms Reservoir :
4f+1m Goosanders, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes.
Ridgegate Reservoir :
2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe and 6 Cormorants.
Trentabank Reservoir area :
2f Goosanders, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Buzzard and 1 Raven.
A noticeable abundance of Coal Tits amongst the common garden birds visiting the feeding station.
7 mile walk today around Teggs nose and Macclesfield forest:
lots of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcap, 2x Redstart (m&f), 10x Swallow, 1x Tree pipit and a Hobby over the top of Teggs Nose.
Bottoms Reservoir : 4 Tufted Ducks and 2 Great Crested Grebes.
Ridgegate Reservoir : 3 Great Crested Grebes (Including displaying pair), 4 Cormorants and 5 Tufted Ducks.
Trentabank Reservoir : 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Tufted Ducks and 5 Cormorants.
Sheep pasture near Standing Stones : 1m Kestrel and a flock of 7 Meadow Pipits.
Driving back from Buxton yesterday I noticed a gathering of 30+ Golden Plover in the high fields adjacent to the north edge of Macclesfield Forest.
Driving back from Buxton yesterday I noticed a gathering of 30+ Golden Plover in the high fields adjacent to the north edge of Macclesfield Forest.
Driving back from Buxton yesterday I noticed a gathering of 30+ Golden Plover in the high fields adjacent to the north edge of Macclesfield Forest.
Bottoms Reservoir area : 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Tufted Ducks and 1 Buzzard.
Ridgegate Reservoir area : 2 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 singing Greenfinch.
Trentabank Reservoir area : 1m+2f Goosanders, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Cormorants, 1 Buzzard, 5 Tufted Ducks
and 2 Grey Herons (1 seen carrying sticks into heronry).
Standing Stones area : 3 Ravens, 2 each of Song and Mistle Thrushes noted on nearby sheep pasture and 2 Buzzards.
A flock of 100+ Fieldfares were seen flying in a Westerly direction.
Wasn't out birding yesterday (26/02) per se as I was leading a walk (including a blind person so 90% of my time was looking at the floor - credit to them, they heard the crossbills first!) from Standing Stone to Langley to Trentabank then Shutlingsloe and back to Standing Stone but was one of those places "right place, right time" for interesting local birds.
Two Crossbills were calling and displayed well as we passed through the clearing West of Forest Chapel. A Mandarin showed on Trentabank. My first Red Grouse of the year flew in front of me on the re path North of Shutlingsloe.
For a none birding day that isn't a bad score I reckon!
-- Edited by Andy Slee on Sunday 27th of February 2022 05:25:45 PM
Out for a walk with my friend this morning so mainly for socialising!
But did spot my first willow warbler and pied flycatcher.
Hiking today with the good lady between Walker Barn & Macclesfield Forest when we suddenly came across a male Ring Ouzel on a wall. It flew down the field and joined up with a further four Ouzels, at least four of the five were males, possibly all. A very welcome distraction. Also a female Wheatear in an adjacent field.
Bottoms Reservoir : 2 Little Grebes, 1m+3f Goosanders, 1 Cormorant and 5 Tufted Ducks.
Ridgegate Reservoir : 2 Little Grebes, 3 Common Gulls (With 20+ Black Headed), 7 Tufted Ducks and 2 Cormorants.
118 Canada Geese settled on the reservoir at 3pm as the light began to fade.
Trentabank Reservoir : 2m+6f Goosanders and 2 Little Grebes.
Forest Area : 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens and 2 Goldcrests (With a group of Long Tailed and Coal Tits).
Bottoms Reervoir : 2 Mandarin drakes in pursuit of a single female, and 2 Great Crested Grebes.
Ridgegate Reservoir : 11 Cormorants and 1 Little Grebe. 9 Fieldfares on a tree by the Leathers Smithy pub.
Trentabank Reservoir : 6 Little Grebes. A Great Spotted Woodpecker rested on top of a nearby spruce.
Standing Stones : 4 highly vocal Ravens, whilst a single Cormorant flew over heading SE, plus 1 Kestrel.
Clough Brook : 1 Dipper.
-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 20th of October 2020 10:24:49 AM
Our loop back to the car park was 2 -3 Km through the forest, mostly looking upward, at Chaffinch. On arrival back at the car park, a couple we had met on our walk, had returned earlier to see a pair of Crossbills close to
the car park, and back towards the entrance. However, they quickly alerted us to a male on the tree above the car park west fenceline ( perhaps 10-15 yards) closely inspecting the lichen on the branches. Chris returned shortly
after to catch it's departure, having had distant views on his route.
Thoroughly enjoyable trip, both folk and bird wise
-- Edited by Jim Caulfield on Saturday 14th of March 2020 12:26:36 PM
-- Edited by Jim Caulfield on Saturday 14th of March 2020 01:25:54 PM
Perseverance definitely pays off. After failing to connect with any Crossbills on previous visits this year, today I ended up face-to-face with a stonking male just 15 yards away. He later flew off with a female. Also several large flocks of Siskins on the many pine cones & the previously reported mixed Brambling & Chaffinch flock were still feeding under the same conifers.
200+ mixed flock of Chaffinches & Bramblings flying in in successive waves and onto the floor beneath the conifers in the Standing Stone area on Sunday afternoon. There were many fallen pine cones so I'm guessing that's what they were after. Didn't seem too bothered by my presence as I was sheltering from a sudden downpour.
-- Edited by Paul Flackett on Tuesday 10th of March 2020 12:03:55 AM
Standing Stone Area : 32 Fieldfares and 40+ Redwings with Starlings on the sheep pasture opposite the car park.
Trentabank Reservoir : 6f + 2m Goosanders and 3 Tufted Ducks. 3 Treecreepers and a Nuthatch were with a mixed tit flock near the visitor centre.
Ridgegate Reservoir : 3 Tufted Ducks and 9 Cormorants.
Bottoms Reservoir : 1f Goosander and 2 Little Grebes.
Standing Stones area : 1 male Merlin flying low across the hillside sheep pasture. Also here, 1 male Kestrel, 4 Goldcrests and 2 Coal Tits.
Trentabank Reservoir : 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrests in a flock of Long Tailed and Blue Tits. 2 Buzzards.
Ridgegate Reservoir area : 1 Kingfisher (By the sluice), 4 Little Grebes and 4 Tufted Ducks.
Bottoms Reservoir : 2 Great Crested Grebes.
The water level on Trentabank Reservoir is extremely low with several stone walls revealed, 12 Mallard and a single Tufted Duck were the only waterfowl there.
By contrast Ridgegate Reservoir appears full. As nearly always in autumn Jays were seen in profusion.
Walked up Shutlingsloe this morning from Clough House car park via Standing Stones. Two dippers along the river. One seen from the bridge by the car park, the other about 1/2 mile upstream. Also a couple of grey wags. Weather pretty bad so didn't see much on the walk other than the usual mipits, curlew, skylarks etc. Highlight was when almost back to the car when I got a hawfinch in the top of the big tree by the river as it bends 90 deg along the road. I thought it was a Grest Spotted Woodpecker at first by the way it was flying but didn't look quite right so I got the bins on it. Glad I did!
Btw, some of the tracks/paths in the forest are closed due to trees having fallen in the storm. Quite a bit of damage.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 16th of March 2018 01:57:56 PM
Teggs Nose CP
Searched the woodland for a couple of hours but no sign of either Redstart or Pied Flycatcher.
On the plus side, a Tawny Owl gave great views as it was chased around the woods by a couple of Mistle Thrushes and a pair of Blackbirds.
A pair Mandarin Ducks (M+F), sat in a large oak tree. Also seen around the woodland were 3 Goldcrests, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Bullfinches,
1 Treecreeper, whilst a couple of Swifts flew over.
Willow Warblers were plentiful, some in small groups, numerous birds were in song, whilst one individual which was carrying nesting material was not happy
about the interlopers and tried to chase them away, even though it's beak was packed with dried grass.
Teggs Nose Reservoir :
1m Goosander and around a dozen Swallows.
Bottoms Reservoir :
1m Goosander, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Common Sandpiper, a pair of Great crested Grebes and a feral Snow Goose that has paired with a Canada Goose.
Ridgegate Reservoir :
At last I found a single male Pied Flycatcher in woodland near the reservoir, together with 3 more Bullfinches.
Only a few Mallard were on the water whilst passing Cormorants hesitated and did'nt land, perhaps the dozen anglers there put them off.
Trentabank Reservoir :
A displaying pair of Great Crested Grebes.
Standing Stones :
7 Mistle Thrushes and a single Song Thrush were on a nearby sheep pasture, whilst 1 Swift hurried North.
A blue morph snow goose type was on bottom reservoir. I know there was one at Tittesworth during the winter so maybe the same one?
Teggs Nose Wood:
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming)
2 Bullfinch (pair)
1 Blackcap (male singing)
2 Nuthatch
8 Chiffchaff
2 Grey Wagtails on the banks of the reservoir
Bottoms Reservoir:
2 Goosander (pair)
2 Grey Herons
1 Great Crested Grebe
2 Pied Wagtails
Standing Stone:
4 Willow Warblers - My first of the year
2 Siskins
Several calling Curlews
Bottoms Reservoir
1f Goosander, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Gull, 4 Ravens and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Ridgegate Reservoir
1m Pochard, 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little Grebes, 3 Cormorants, 2 Ravens and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Trentabank Reservoir
2m+3f Goosanders, 3 Little Grebes, 6 Tufted Ducks and 1 Buzzard.
Standing Stones
No birds were to be seen around this part of the forest, not even in the cleared areas, with just a few crows on adjacent pastures.
Although a group of around 60 large gulls were amongst the sheep on pasture near Clough Brook.
They appeared to be mainly adult Herring, although a few Lesser Black Back and Common Gulls were with them.
Also near Clough Brook, 2 Buzzards were sat on fence posts, and there was an obvious size difference between them, probably male and female.
Bottoms Reservoir
1 Great Crested Grebe
Ridgegate Reservoir
2 Little Grebes, 14 Tufted Ducks and 3 Cormorants. 2 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Ravens soaring high above.
The only bird I could find in the scrub area along the south bank was a single Wren.
Trentabank Reservoir
2 Little Grebes, 1 Tufted Duck and 2 Cormorants.
Standing Stones area
The forest here was silent and birdless, as was the area of young conifers and scrub. A Barn Owl had been reported here just before I arrived.
1 Lesser Black Back and 1 Common Gull flew over. 1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel at Yarnshaw Hill.
12.00 near visitor center
Wood warbler 1 singing
Redstart 1 singing
Pied flycatcher 2 singing
Great to find this trio here - used to be very regular, not so much recently
Teggs Nose woods:
Very cold and very quiet. No sign of the Pied Flycatcher.
2 Chiffchaff
1 Nuthatch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
10 Swallows low over the reservoir
1 Male Pied Flycatcher early this morning.
1 Raven over
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Many Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs
Madarin duck on Bottoms reservoir.
Danebower:
Male Ring Ouzel singing from the top of the chimney.
Lots of Wheatear and Meadow Pipits.
-- Edited by Adam Jones on Wednesday 20th of April 2016 10:43:45 PM
Lots of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff.
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming.
Standing Stone:
Again lots of Willow Warblers
4 Song Thrush
5 Siskins
Wildboarclough:
1 Dipper
Danebower:
2 Ring Ouzels
6 Wheatear
-- Edited by Adam Jones on Wednesday 13th of April 2016 09:57:06 PM
Despite hearing Nuthatch, Blue and Coal Tits and Redpoll, the Crossbills were the only birds I actually saw in the woods...we scared a few off I expect, the kids need to work on their fieldcraft really...
1 Dipper
1 Pheasant
1 Curlew heard
Danebower:
Lots of Lapwings in the fields before Danebower
Red Grouse constantly bubbling away
1 Skylark
1 Raven
Curlews calling
Cat & Fiddle:
9 Ravens over high towards Derbyshire
1 Stonechat (male) fence post hopping near to Derbyshire Bridge car park.
Just over the border in Derbyshire on Axe Edge moor, Golden Plover heard calling but not seen.
09.00-12.00
Bottoms Reservoir
1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Goosanders and 3 Tufted Ducks.
Ridgegate Reservoir
4 Cormorants.
Trentabank Reservoir
6 Tufted Ducks, 10 Cormorants and 8 Grey Herons.
Standing Stones Area
1 Buzzard, 6 Siskins, 2 Ravens, plus a sign of spring in the form of 2 male Chaffinches singing and setting up their territories.
Higher Nabbs
5 Ravens engaged in an aerial display, whilst a flock of 68 Lapwings flew eastwards.
Teggs Nose Reservoir:
1 Goosander female
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Pied Wagtail
Trentabank Reservoir:
7 Little Grebes
1 Mandarin
1 Cormorant
Nuthatch
Standing Stones:
2 Bullfinch
12 Goldcrest
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
2 Swallows heading South
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Kestrel
Lots of Meadow Pipits
Bottoms Reservoir
1 Great Crested Grebe & 6 Tufted Duck.
Ridgegate Reservoir
20 Tufted Ducks & 2 Cormorants
Trentabank Reservoir
1ad +1 juv Grey Heron, 16 Cormorants, 5 adult+1 juv Little Grebe (Youngster being fed a Stickleback by a parent), 6 Tufted Ducks & 1 Buzzard.
Standing Stones
1 Willow Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 6 House Martins & 1 Buzzard. Lots of Meadow Grasshoppers.
10+ Spotted Flycatcher, including 4 juveniles
3 Common Redstart
6 Willow Warbler
Peregrine Falcon
4 Kestrel
2 Raven
3 Goldcrest
Pheasant
3 Nuthatch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Stock Dove
Meadow Pipit
Dipper
10 Mistle Thrush
30+ Rook
Also a rather stunning Giant Tachinid Fly
6 Cormorants on Trentabank reservoir.
Clough House:
1 Dipper
3 Grey Wagtails (1 Juv)
c60 House Martins (More than I've seen all year)
1 Kestrel
1 Common Buzzard
Bottoms Reservoir
6 Tufted Ducks. Lots of House Martins and Swifts, with just a few Swallows, and no Sand Martins, flying low over the water.
There used to be a large patch of Amphibious Bistort and Water Lillies at the Eastern end of the reservoir, since this has now gone, so too have the Little Grebes,
which were once guaranteed here.
Ridgegate Reservoir
5 Great Crested Grebes plus 1m & 1f Mandarin Ducks.
In the dell behind the reservoir were 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a singing Chiffchaff.
Trentabank Reservoir
17 Canada Geese, 20 Cormorants and a Nuthatch that was doing an odd display flight between the overhanging trees.
I could'nt count the birds in the heronry, as most of the colony is hidden, but a newly fledged heron emerged and flew over the reservoir.
The young bird tried several times to land in a large tree, before giving up, looking very clumsy, it eventually disappeared back into the heronry.
A large flock of Swallows fed off the surface of the reservoir.
Standing Stones
2 singing male Blackcaps and 1 Grey Heron.
Teggs Nose Woodland.
1m Redstart by the car park, 3m+2f Pied Flycatchers around the woodland.
Also 2prs Tree Creepers, 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 pr of Goldfinches.
Green Woodpecker heard only, Lots of Willow Warblers in song, Chiffchaff and Nuthatch plentiful too.
Bottoms Reservoir
12 Tufted Ducks
Ridgegate Reservoir
1pr Great Crested Grebes
Trentabank Reservoir
1 Great Crested Grebe & 1 Little Grebe.
2 Buzzards soaring high over the forest.
Standing Stones area produced numerous singing Willow Warblers and Chaffinches.
The sheep pasture opposite held. 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Pied Watails and 4 Swallows.
Orange Tip butterflies were abundant on the edge of the forest.
A quick look at Trentabank reservoir where there were 2 drake Mandarins, a pair of Tufted Ducks, a single Great Crested Grebe. The Cormorant colony had 22 nests occupied, while the Heronry had 7. A couple of Barn Swallows flew through.
A drive up to Standing Stones car park gave more Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs and Crossbills (heard only). I stopped at 3 different places through Wildboarclough, hoping for Dipper, which is usually nailed on here, but, was unlucky this time.
No Redstarts or Pied Flys seen yet.
Teggs Nose woods:
2 Treecreepers
2 Nuthatch
4 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Warblers
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Standing Stone area:
3 Siskins
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaff
Standing Stone area:
2 Ravens
4 Treecreepers
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
23 Fieldfare
18 Blackbirds
6 Goldcrests
Standing Stone:
1 Common Buzzard
2 Raven over
Clough House:
1 Dipper
Dozens of Swallows
1 Kestrel
Wildboarclough:
1 Dipper
Trentabank Reservoir:
18 Cormorants
3 Grey Heron
2 Little Grebes
Coots, Tufteds and Mallards
Bottoms Reservoir:
1 Grey Heron
2 Grey Wagtail
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Great Crested Grebe
8 Mallards
1 Green Woodpecker (heard only)
Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen and Cormorant on Trentabank
Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Tree Creeper, Blackcap, Jay, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Willow Warbler, Wren, Goldcrest, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Tree Pipit in and around the forest.
Kestrel, Raven, Meadow Pipit and Red Grouse on Shutlingsloe.
Quite a lot of Swallow movement over (with many heading due north !!)
-- Edited by Nick Hilton on Friday 22nd of August 2014 07:08:09 PM
Teggs Nose reservoir:
4 Grey Wagtails
2 Redstarts
Standing Stone area:
5 Spotted Flycatchers (3 Juveniles)
3 Kestrels
2 Meadow Pipits
Bottoms Reservoir
2 Great Crested Grebes (1 brooding), 1 Little Grebe, 7 Tufted Duck, 23 Black Headed Gulls & a family of Canada Geese with 4 almost full grown goslings.
Ridgegate Reservoir
28 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron and a pair of Great Crested Grebes with 3 half grown youngsters.
Trentabank Reservoir
1 drake Common Scoter, a pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 near full grown youngsters, 14 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Gadwall.
Standing Stones
6 Willow Warblers (2 very lemon coloured) fly catching flycatcher style from the top of the big conifers, until a male Kestrel appeared.
There was a steady passage of West bound Swallows at Standing Stones and Trentabank, where 4 Sand Martins moved through too.
The forest itself was largely devoid of birds except for the Robin, Magpie etc.
A large patch of Knapweed on the South side of Ridgegate was teaming with butterflies, Peacocks, Gatekeepers And Meadow Browns in profusion.
Lots of Peacock, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper butterflies in scrub North of Standing Stones car park, here too was a single Comma.
Excellent view of Green Woodpecker and Redstart.
Others present; Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Robin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Wren, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Skylark, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Swallow, Magpie, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Coot.
Teggs lower wood, 1 male pied Fletcher and 1 male restart, plenty of the more common species seen.