Lots of chiffchaffs singing this morning between Marple and the A6. A couple even posed nicely!
Phil Panton said
Mon Mar 27 2:19 PM, 2023
David Pierce wrote:
First singing chiffchaff of the year near Marple golf course this morning plus a pair of greenfinches which aren't common round here.
Walk this morning from Marple Rose Hill station through to Buxton Rd...12.30 to 13.00 hrs
Chiffchaff numbers in double figures, 7 seen & another 4 heard,
3 Greenfinches, as per David's comment, scarce in this location,
2 Buzzards
& a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
David Pierce said
Sun Mar 26 12:00 PM, 2023
First singing chiffchaff of the year near Marple golf course this morning plus a pair of greenfinches which aren't common round here.
David Pierce said
Thu Oct 20 12:27 PM, 2022
After the vast numbers of redwings reported all over GM yesterday I finally spotted 3 about a mile from Marple and then, on the way back, there was a small flock (in the 10s) on the Marple RFC field.
David Pierce said
Mon Mar 21 11:48 AM, 2022
4 chiffchaffs seen within a mile south of Marple this morning
David Pierce said
Thu Jan 28 5:08 PM, 2021
In a field at Wood Farm, near the Marple end, there were a large flock of black headed gulls, 20+ redwing and an incredible 47 pied wagtails. The field was really churned up by sheep.
David Pierce said
Thu Jul 2 12:48 PM, 2020
A damp walk this morning saw 25+ swifts and at least 10 mistle thrushes in one mown field.
Terry kelly said
Wed Jul 17 6:44 PM, 2019
Four Ravens over the rugby pitch today at 11 45 then up to Hawk Green
Julian Winstanley said
Tue Jul 16 9:32 AM, 2019
There are hoursemartins nesting in the eaves of the conservative club and numerous birds can be seen around the canal junctions
David Pierce said
Sat Jul 13 12:37 PM, 2019
Having seen very few this year it was good to see about 20 house martins midway between Marple and the A6 about 11.30 and later some over my Marple house
John Rayner said
Tue Apr 18 6:57 PM, 2017
Swallow 5 Chiffchaff 5 Blackcap 3 Jay 2
An interesting Chiffchaff calling by the pylon just south of where the Middlewood Way crosses the railway line to Disley. Called frequently 'see-o' with a downward inflection on the second syllable, so possible Siberian Chiffchaff. When I played the appropriate track from Hannu Jannes's 'Calls of Eastern Vagrants' on my phone it came swooping in directly overhead. However, its song seemed to be a standard chiff-ing and chaff-ing. I had to leave the bird to collect grandchildren from school and didn't get back to the area for another hour. There was now more than one Chiffchaff singing in that area but on playing the call again one bird came sweeping in, singing in response (no calls at that stage). I took some photos and it does appear to have some yellow tones. Eventually it called and I attempted to record it. I will have a play with 'Raven Lite' tonight to see if I have enough for a sonogram. I do have some video of the bird giving the call but it is very faint. It may just be a standard Chiffchaff with an unusual call but it gave me some amusement.
Interestingly there are 4-5 Siberian Chiffchaffs reported in the country in the past few days and one of them was on the Middlewood Way at Bollington on 14th April, about 5 miles further south of today's sighting (per RBA). Presumably these are overwintering birds after last autumn's invasion of eastern rarities.
Raven perched atop pylon (possibly same as Hazel Grove sighting) Bullfinch 2 Chiffchaff 6
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Fri Jan 8 5:39 PM, 2016
Greenfinch (pair with male in song) Song Thrush (singing) Bullfinch 2 Tawny Owl, Goldcrest and 3 Lesser Redpoll (all just in Cheshire)
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Thu Apr 23 7:37 PM, 2015
Lesser Whitethroat 1
plus uncounted Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs
Cheers, John
Chris Knight said
Sun Apr 5 9:33 AM, 2015
The chiffchaffs seem to be turning up at quite a rate cycled past 15 singing going Marple-Macc yesterday, and there were 22 by the time I came back, or perhaps that was just the speed I was going.
John Rayner said
Tue May 20 12:29 PM, 2014
Pair of Garden Warblers near Torkington Road entrance. The male was singing its head off together with wing-shivering display. Female nearby. Blackcap 4 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Robin - family party of 5 Great Tit - family party of 5 Greenfinch 5 Stock Dove singing Starlings c40 - mostly juveniles A Curlew overhead was unusual here
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Fri May 16 5:19 PM, 2014
The Lesser Whitethroat (or another) has relocated to near the track up from Threaphurst Road. At least 4 Blackcaps singing on the stretch from Torkington Road to Middlewood Station and 2 Garden Warblers just over the county boundary at Jackson's Brickworks.
Cheers John
John Rayner said
Mon Apr 21 8:57 PM, 2014
A Lesser Whitethroat singing not far from the Torkington Road entrance.
Cheers John
Lynne Webster said
Mon Apr 15 2:00 AM, 2013
A 4 mile jog from Rosehill station to Poynton at 7.30am. 14 chiffchaff seen and heard, makes a chiffchaff rate of over 3 per mile
John Rayner said
Wed Apr 3 11:14 PM, 2013
Torkington Lane - Middlewood Station
13 Common Gulls following tiller 1-3 Buzzards around 58 Redwings 2 Stock Doves 1 Pheasant No Chiffchaffs
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Sun May 6 6:41 PM, 2012
Between Torkington Road and A6
1 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Whinchat
Cheers, John
Phil Panton said
Thu Jan 19 12:11 AM, 2012
A 2 hour meander along the Middlewood Way this afternoon between Marple & Poynton Coppice produced an encouraging number of Bullfinch. 11 in all (7 Male & 4 Female), split between 3 different locations, including 2 pairs near Marple Golf club. A few years since i've seen this species in the area.
John Rayner said
Wed Apr 20 1:36 PM, 2011
2 Lesser Whitethroats between Torkington Road and A6. Another Lesser Whitethroat round the corner down Torkington Road.
A Whitethroat singing further down Torkington Road just before the 30mph sign.
Cheers, John
John Rayner said
Wed Apr 7 7:14 PM, 2010
Torkington Rd - Middlewood Station
Not a great deal around but 2 Willow Warblers were my first of the year. 2 Pheasants, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow, 2 Jays, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Buzzard, Tits and Finches.
Cheers, John
Lots of chiffchaffs singing this morning between Marple and the A6. A couple even posed nicely!
Walk this morning from Marple Rose Hill station through to Buxton Rd...12.30 to 13.00 hrs
Chiffchaff numbers in double figures, 7 seen & another 4 heard,
3 Greenfinches, as per David's comment, scarce in this location,
2 Buzzards
& a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
First singing chiffchaff of the year near Marple golf course this morning plus a pair of greenfinches which aren't common round here.
After the vast numbers of redwings reported all over GM yesterday I finally spotted 3 about a mile from Marple and then, on the way back, there was a small flock (in the 10s) on the Marple RFC field.
4 chiffchaffs seen within a mile south of Marple this morning
In a field at Wood Farm, near the Marple end, there were a large flock of black headed gulls, 20+ redwing and an incredible 47 pied wagtails. The field was really churned up by sheep.
A damp walk this morning saw 25+ swifts and at least 10 mistle thrushes in one mown field.
Four Ravens over the rugby pitch today at 11 45 then up to Hawk Green
Having seen very few this year it was good to see about 20 house martins midway between Marple and the A6 about 11.30 and later some over my Marple house
Chiffchaff 5
Blackcap 3
Jay 2
An interesting Chiffchaff calling by the pylon just south of where the Middlewood Way crosses the railway line to Disley. Called frequently 'see-o' with a downward inflection on the second syllable, so possible Siberian Chiffchaff. When I played the appropriate track from Hannu Jannes's 'Calls of Eastern Vagrants' on my phone it came swooping in directly overhead. However, its song seemed to be a standard chiff-ing and chaff-ing. I had to leave the bird to collect grandchildren from school and didn't get back to the area for another hour. There was now more than one Chiffchaff singing in that area but on playing the call again one bird came sweeping in, singing in response (no calls at that stage). I took some photos and it does appear to have some yellow tones. Eventually it called and I attempted to record it. I will have a play with 'Raven Lite' tonight to see if I have enough for a sonogram. I do have some video of the bird giving the call but it is very faint. It may just be a standard Chiffchaff with an unusual call but it gave me some amusement.
Interestingly there are 4-5 Siberian Chiffchaffs reported in the country in the past few days and one of them was on the Middlewood Way at Bollington on 14th April, about 5 miles further south of today's sighting (per RBA). Presumably these are overwintering birds after last autumn's invasion of eastern rarities.
Cheers, John
Bullfinch 2
Chiffchaff 6
Cheers, John
Song Thrush (singing)
Bullfinch 2
Tawny Owl, Goldcrest and 3 Lesser Redpoll (all just in Cheshire)
Cheers, John
plus uncounted Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs
Cheers, John
Blackcap 4
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Robin - family party of 5
Great Tit - family party of 5
Greenfinch 5
Stock Dove singing
Starlings c40 - mostly juveniles
A Curlew overhead was unusual here
Cheers, John
Cheers John
Cheers John
13 Common Gulls following tiller
1-3 Buzzards around
58 Redwings
2 Stock Doves
1 Pheasant
No Chiffchaffs
Cheers, John
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Whinchat
Cheers, John
11 in all (7 Male & 4 Female), split between 3 different locations, including 2 pairs near Marple Golf club.
A few years since i've seen this species in the area.
A Whitethroat singing further down Torkington Road just before the 30mph sign.
Cheers, John