Colliers Wood, Gin Pit and environs, Astley/Tyldesley
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Mar 3 8:10 PM, 2024
Early afternoon today:
4 Bullfinches, a pair and two single males both of which were singing
3 singing Goldcrests
A pair of Willow Tits
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 5 4:45 PM, 2023
90+ Redwings in two flocks and 20+ Fieldfares feeding on Hawthorns along the southern edge of the area (just NW of St. Mary's RC High School) this mid-afternoon, also at least one Ring-necked Parakeet heard flying overhead while I was in tree cover.
Also 6 Goldcrests and two Bullfinches along a section of the southern edge of the site
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 2 7:07 PM, 2022
Originally posted today by Alison Gordon:
2 May 2022 Two grasshopper warblers heard this afternoon
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Feb 8 11:00 PM, 2022
Mid afternoon visit 3pm to 4:30pm - Queensway, Higher Folds entrance to rear of Leigh Cemetery & back.
2 Jay; Kestrel hunting; Chaffinch; 2 small flocks of Goldfinch; 4 Long-Tailed Tits; 4 flushed Meadow Pipits;
30 Jackdaws heading to roost; a few singing Song Thrush & gangs of up to a dozen Magpies everywhere on the grassy areas - at
A brief walk through the south-eastern section this morning produced a single Willow Tit, 7 Redwings, 26 Blackbirds and 11 Song Thrush.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jun 30 9:44 PM, 2021
This early afternoon:
Singing Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting in the southern marsh
Calling Willow Tit
Circling Sparrowhawk
Several Bullfinches heard but not seen
A few singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap
Ian McKerchar said
Mon May 31 5:18 PM, 2021
Two Reed Bunting territories, still with singing males, in the southern marsh today.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Apr 30 5:17 PM, 2021
Early afternoon today, a Grasshopper Warbler was singing from the southern marsh as was a Sedge Warbler too.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Mar 25 2:39 PM, 2021
8 singing Chiffchaff this afternoon, Willow Tit and Treecreeper both on territory and 4+ Bullfinch were the highlights.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Mar 20 8:03 PM, 2021
Willow Tit singing again today, also a single Reed Bunting back on territory and a flock of 34 Goldfinch feeding high in what were probably hybrid Black Poplars on their very attractive red catkins (and I have very little idea about trees though).
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 17 1:22 PM, 2021
Early afternoon walk produced highlights of:
18 Fieldfare over NE
15 Redwing in a flock in sub-song within the woods
2 Mediterranean Gulls circling over drifting very slowly off south
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Chiffchaff
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Mar 2 3:17 PM, 2021
Totally unexpected Kingfisher today, along a ditch in the centre of the site and allowing fairly close views!
Also around the site:
1 Lesser Redpoll over low north
8 Bullfinch around the area just north of Hadbutt Lane
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jan 31 2:38 PM, 2021
40+ Redwing in a flock not far from Leigh Cemetery this morning, feeding in horse paddocks.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 23 9:05 PM, 2021
Early afternoon today:
1 Snipe
11 Redwing
61 Magpie in a single field
2 Bullfinch
3 Buzzard
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jan 5 4:10 PM, 2021
A pair of very vocal Willow Tits along the Northern edge were this early afternoon's highlight.
Also, still two Moorhens on the southern marsh, 26 Redwing in the woods and 18 Magpie in one field on the eastern edge of the site.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Dec 28 7:14 PM, 2020
Flock of 7 Bullfinch feeding on weeds protruding through the snow along the south side of the site close to St. Mary’s High School just after midday.
A skein of Pink-footed Geese heard over west but no seen due to cloud cover.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Dec 24 1:56 PM, 2020
Full circuit this early afternoon produced 2 Raven which flew over then were later feeding on a rough field on the site and 10 Bullfinch, including a flock of 4.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Dec 22 9:12 PM, 2020
4 Bullfinch and 16 Long-tailed Tit (in a single flock) on a very short walk this early afternoon.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 27 6:26 PM, 2020
This early afternoon, 9 Bullfinch including a flock of 7 and 6 Goldcrest including a flock of 4.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 19 5:57 PM, 2020
This early afternoon around the site, fairly quiet but 6 Bullfinch, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Coal Tit were highlights.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Nov 6 6:46 PM, 2020
Brief walk through late morning today included:
7+ Buzzards in the area, including five in the air and two sat in hedges/feeding in fields
2+ Willow Tit
2 Bullfinch
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 28 12:48 PM, 2020
A walk through Collier's Wood this late morning/early afternoon was alive with birds, the highlights being:
An adult Mediterranean Gull flew low north over the western end of the area by Leigh Cemetery, beautifully backlit against the clear blue sky. It circled briefly over the Higher Folds area, then drifted off towards Atherton. Very unexpected!!
Now 2 singing Reed and Sedge Warbler in the marsh along the southern edge.
Three pairs of Bullfinch
Willow Tit calling
Still several Blackcap and a few Chiffchaff but no Willow Warblers.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed May 20 2:52 PM, 2020
Sedge Warbler still singing from the marsh and as were a few Chiffchaff this late morning. The pair of Bullfinch were still not far away too, with the male sunning himself as I walked by (very dodgy just iPhone shot attached)
The Moorhen now have at least two young on the small marsh along the southern edge.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 14 2:25 PM, 2020
Sedge Warbler still singing from the marsh today.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu May 14 9:52 AM, 2020
Unfortunately I always seem to neglect to post for this site, despite taking in even a 20 minute walk through it each day.
Still plenty of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap singing away but a Sedge Warbler there yesterday was fresh in and quite approachable too.
At least one Willow Tit seems to be on territory and there's always good numbers of Long-tailed Tits about too.
At least one pair of Bullfinch about and two male Reed Buntings proclaiming territory.
Also heard singing Treecreeper and Goldcrest from a couple of locations each.
I'm definitely missing lots due to not extending the walk to a wider area of the site, though that may change now so we'll see what comes of it.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 25 12:45 PM, 2020
Lured out for a 30 minute walk by my son around midday (no bins though) proved productive enough.
A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in the rough field at the top of Clegg Lane
A single Willow Tit was in woodland at the top of South Lane (road)
A pair of Whitethroat were in the marsh and there were plenty of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing too.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Mar 26 10:11 AM, 2020
Just under an hour's walk this very early morning over this area which is only a three minute walk from my house. Highlights on such a beautiful morning were:
16 Chiffchaff
3 Blackcap
2 singing Reed Bunting
2 Meadow Pipits in habitat
A pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker
Several Redwing
A single Sparrowhawk
2 singing Goldcrest
The total species seen was 32 but many commoner species I'd usually expect to see over there we avoiding me today.
Lez Fairclough said
Wed Jan 15 7:22 PM, 2020
13:00 to 15:15 - Colliers Wood from Higher Folds to Astley & back highlights
c.30 Redwing
c.20 Fieldfare
Approx. dozen Long Tailed Tit
3 Mistle Thrush
2 Lesser Redpoll feeding with a charm of Goldfinch
& 1 Jay, Goldcrest & Buzzard.
dave broome said
Sat Oct 5 1:49 PM, 2019
3 Siskin south over Higher Folds late morning, 2 Goldcrest and 3 Grey Wagtail in gardens there
Andy Isherwood said
Sun Apr 22 1:59 PM, 2018
Grasshopper warbler reeling west of football pitches this am. Also small number of swallows and meadow pipit north just after heavy rain.
Andy Isherwood said
Sun Sep 10 3:52 PM, 2017
Single Swift lingering over cricket pitch with c. 30 House Martin's this am. Also 4 Grey Wagtail and several Meadow Pipit.
Andy Isherwood said
Sun Sep 3 4:50 PM, 2017
Single yellow Wagtail South over football pitches this am also c.50 swallow South between 9am and 12pm.
David Gornall said
Sat Mar 18 9:49 AM, 2017
this morning:
2 Jay 1 Goldcrest 5 Skylark 2 Great Tit 3 Blue Tit Several Robins & Wrens around 2 Magpie 2 Singing Chiffchaff
Otherwise pretty quiet.
Also the paths are virtually impassable in places ( really hard work to get through without loosing your wellies!) due to the massive quagmires created by off road bikes!! They certainly know how to ruin a peaceful site.
-- Edited by David Gornall on Saturday 18th of March 2017 09:50:39 AM
Scott robinson said
Sat Jan 14 10:34 AM, 2017
Hour out running this morning,
18 Meadow Pipit 1 Skylark 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Jay 1 Snipe, flushed 19 Long Tailed tits, two separate flocks 1 Goldcrest
More then likely my last visit to this site as i'm moving from Higher Fold back to Wigan road.
Andy Isherwood said
Mon Jan 9 9:00 AM, 2017
Late post from yesterday, 2 Raven low north over football pitches in thick fog, 14 Meadow pipit also north and Chiffchaff calling in trees along western side.
Andy Isherwood said
Sun Dec 18 8:26 PM, 2016
Single Redpoll over football fields this am, also 2 Sparrowhawk 2 Kestrel, 3 Jay and 8 meadow pipit.
Andy Isherwood said
Sun Dec 4 9:22 PM, 2016
2 flocks of Redwing north over football pitches late morning 28 and c. 90. Also 2 single fieldfare north.
Scott robinson said
Sun Dec 4 8:54 AM, 2016
A 45 minute run this morning, very cold!
5 Redwing, feeding on berries at Colliers Wood. 15+ Meadow Pipit 10+ Long Tailed Tit 1 Goldcrest 1 Buzzard 2 Jay
Also had a Snipe Thursday teatime while out running which I forgot about flew over busway at Cooling Lane junction over to Colliers Wood.
Scott robinson said
Sat Nov 26 12:02 AM, 2016
Late post for last night,
1 Woodcock, seen while running after work.
1 Willow Tit, seen on Tuesday by my friend Billy Armstrong.
Cheers Ian.
Scott robinson said
Fri Nov 18 6:15 PM, 2016
Late post for Wednesday night, 1 Woodcock seen while sprint training in dimming light.
Scott robinson said
Thu Nov 10 7:25 PM, 2016
Singles of Kestrel and Buzzard while out Sprint Training around teatime, the only birds of note. Been out a couple of times after work since Sunday but no luck with the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Scott robinson said
Sun Nov 6 11:23 AM, 2016
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard and seen around 11:15 in woods at Gin Pit, no further sighting.
-- Edited by Scott robinson on Sunday 6th of November 2016 11:26:08 AM
Scott robinson said
Sun Oct 16 6:32 PM, 2016
17:00-17:45. 15 minutes running then 30 minutes sprint training.
1 Sparrowhawk, unsure of sex, went through too quick to tell. 2 Kestrel, both hovering and hunting, 1 chased off by two Magpies. Meadow Pipits quite active especially when I was sprint training quite a few singles flying about then I seen a flock of about 20 when running home. Small numbers of Redwing over in twos and threes, some calling. 7 Jay, possibly duplicates though. 2 Bullfinch 3 Redpoll, over.
Plenty usuals seen and heard.
Andy Isherwood said
Sun Oct 2 12:23 PM, 2016
5 Redwing and small numbers of meadow pipit south over Gin pit football patches this morning
Nothing much going over other then a group of about 20 Thrush type birds, to high to identify.
Scott robinson said
Sat Sep 24 1:29 PM, 2016
Couple of hours this morning,
25 Meadow Pipit, most over heading South. 2 Skylark 1 Willow Tit 8 Jay 1 Reed Bunting 3 Mistle Thrush 1 Song Thrush c30 Goldfinch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Treecreeper 2 Bullfinch
Scott robinson said
Wed Sep 21 4:59 PM, 2016
Half an hour running and half an hour sprint training.
7 Jay, that time of year again, see plenty of Jays the next few weeks. 19 Meadow Pipit, 11 heading South 3 Skylark, heading South 1 Kestrel 1 Reed Bunting 2 Song Thrush c50 Goldfinch in Three flocks 3 Redpoll 1 Chiffchaff
Andy Isherwood said
Sun Sep 18 10:34 AM, 2016
2 ring necked parakeet flew west over Gin pit football pitches c. 9.20 this am, could have been more but in fog.
Scott robinson said
Sun Sep 11 3:38 PM, 2016
Mooch this afternoon, Very quiet around here at the minute.
1 Raven 1 Willow Tit Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers 2 Jay c30 Goldfinch Female Sparrowhawk
Early afternoon today:
4 Bullfinches, a pair and two single males both of which were singing
3 singing Goldcrests
A pair of Willow Tits
90+ Redwings in two flocks and 20+ Fieldfares feeding on Hawthorns along the southern edge of the area (just NW of St. Mary's RC High School) this mid-afternoon, also at least one Ring-necked Parakeet heard flying overhead while I was in tree cover.
Also 6 Goldcrests and two Bullfinches along a section of the southern edge of the site
Originally posted today by Alison Gordon:
2 May 2022 Two grasshopper warblers heard this afternoon
Mid afternoon visit 3pm to 4:30pm - Queensway, Higher Folds entrance to rear of Leigh Cemetery & back.
2 Jay; Kestrel hunting; Chaffinch; 2 small flocks of Goldfinch; 4 Long-Tailed Tits; 4 flushed Meadow Pipits;
30 Jackdaws heading to roost; a few singing Song Thrush & gangs of up to a dozen Magpies everywhere on the grassy areas - at
least 50 in total.
A brief walk through the south-eastern section this morning produced a single Willow Tit, 7 Redwings, 26 Blackbirds and 11 Song Thrush.
This early afternoon:
Singing Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting in the southern marsh
Calling Willow Tit
Circling Sparrowhawk
Several Bullfinches heard but not seen
A few singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap
Two Reed Bunting territories, still with singing males, in the southern marsh today.
Early afternoon today, a Grasshopper Warbler was singing from the southern marsh as was a Sedge Warbler too.
8 singing Chiffchaff this afternoon, Willow Tit and Treecreeper both on territory and 4+ Bullfinch were the highlights.
Willow Tit singing again today, also a single Reed Bunting back on territory and a flock of 34 Goldfinch feeding high in what were probably hybrid Black Poplars on their very attractive red catkins (and I have very little idea about trees though).
Early afternoon walk produced highlights of:
18 Fieldfare over NE
15 Redwing in a flock in sub-song within the woods
2 Mediterranean Gulls circling over drifting very slowly off south
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Chiffchaff
Totally unexpected Kingfisher today, along a ditch in the centre of the site and allowing fairly close views!
Also around the site:
1 Lesser Redpoll over low north
8 Bullfinch around the area just north of Hadbutt Lane
40+ Redwing in a flock not far from Leigh Cemetery this morning, feeding in horse paddocks.
Early afternoon today:
1 Snipe
11 Redwing
61 Magpie in a single field
2 Bullfinch
3 Buzzard
A pair of very vocal Willow Tits along the Northern edge were this early afternoon's highlight.
Also, still two Moorhens on the southern marsh, 26 Redwing in the woods and 18 Magpie in one field on the eastern edge of the site.
Flock of 7 Bullfinch feeding on weeds protruding through the snow along the south side of the site close to St. Mary’s High School just after midday.
A skein of Pink-footed Geese heard over west but no seen due to cloud cover.
Full circuit this early afternoon produced 2 Raven which flew over then were later feeding on a rough field on the site and 10 Bullfinch, including a flock of 4.
4 Bullfinch and 16 Long-tailed Tit (in a single flock) on a very short walk this early afternoon.
This early afternoon, 9 Bullfinch including a flock of 7 and 6 Goldcrest including a flock of 4.
This early afternoon around the site, fairly quiet but 6 Bullfinch, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Coal Tit were highlights.
Brief walk through late morning today included:
7+ Buzzards in the area, including five in the air and two sat in hedges/feeding in fields
2+ Willow Tit
2 Bullfinch
A walk through Collier's Wood this late morning/early afternoon was alive with birds, the highlights being:
An adult Mediterranean Gull flew low north over the western end of the area by Leigh Cemetery, beautifully backlit against the clear blue sky. It circled briefly over the Higher Folds area, then drifted off towards Atherton. Very unexpected!!
Now 2 singing Reed and Sedge Warbler in the marsh along the southern edge.
Three pairs of Bullfinch
Willow Tit calling
Still several Blackcap and a few Chiffchaff but no Willow Warblers.
Sedge Warbler still singing from the marsh and as were a few Chiffchaff this late morning. The pair of Bullfinch were still not far away too, with the male sunning himself as I walked by (very dodgy just iPhone shot attached)
The Moorhen now have at least two young on the small marsh along the southern edge.
Sedge Warbler still singing from the marsh today.
Unfortunately I always seem to neglect to post for this site, despite taking in even a 20 minute walk through it each day.
Still plenty of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap singing away but a Sedge Warbler there yesterday was fresh in and quite approachable too.
At least one Willow Tit seems to be on territory and there's always good numbers of Long-tailed Tits about too.
At least one pair of Bullfinch about and two male Reed Buntings proclaiming territory.
Also heard singing Treecreeper and Goldcrest from a couple of locations each.
I'm definitely missing lots due to not extending the walk to a wider area of the site, though that may change now so we'll see what comes of it.
Lured out for a 30 minute walk by my son around midday (no bins though) proved productive enough.
A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in the rough field at the top of Clegg Lane
A single Willow Tit was in woodland at the top of South Lane (road)
A pair of Whitethroat were in the marsh and there were plenty of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing too.
Just under an hour's walk this very early morning over this area which is only a three minute walk from my house. Highlights on such a beautiful morning were:
16 Chiffchaff
3 Blackcap
2 singing Reed Bunting
2 Meadow Pipits in habitat
A pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker
Several Redwing
A single Sparrowhawk
2 singing Goldcrest
The total species seen was 32 but many commoner species I'd usually expect to see over there we avoiding me today.
13:00 to 15:15 - Colliers Wood from Higher Folds to Astley & back highlights
c.30 Redwing
c.20 Fieldfare
Approx. dozen Long Tailed Tit
3 Mistle Thrush
2 Lesser Redpoll feeding with a charm of Goldfinch
& 1 Jay, Goldcrest & Buzzard.
3 Siskin south over Higher Folds late morning, 2 Goldcrest and 3 Grey Wagtail in gardens there
2 Jay
1 Goldcrest
5 Skylark
2 Great Tit
3 Blue Tit
Several Robins & Wrens around
2 Magpie
2 Singing Chiffchaff
Otherwise pretty quiet.
Also the paths are virtually impassable in places ( really hard work to get through without loosing your wellies!) due to the massive quagmires created by off road bikes!! They certainly know how to ruin a peaceful site.
-- Edited by David Gornall on Saturday 18th of March 2017 09:50:39 AM
18 Meadow Pipit
1 Skylark
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Jay
1 Snipe, flushed
19 Long Tailed tits, two separate flocks
1 Goldcrest
More then likely my last visit to this site as i'm moving from Higher Fold back to Wigan road.
5 Redwing, feeding on berries at Colliers Wood.
15+ Meadow Pipit
10+ Long Tailed Tit
1 Goldcrest
1 Buzzard
2 Jay
Also had a Snipe Thursday teatime while out running which I forgot about flew over busway at Cooling Lane junction over to Colliers Wood.
1 Woodcock, seen while running after work.
1 Willow Tit, seen on Tuesday by my friend Billy Armstrong.
Cheers Ian.
Been out a couple of times after work since Sunday but no luck with the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
-- Edited by Scott robinson on Sunday 6th of November 2016 11:26:08 AM
1 Sparrowhawk, unsure of sex, went through too quick to tell.
2 Kestrel, both hovering and hunting, 1 chased off by two Magpies.
Meadow Pipits quite active especially when I was sprint training quite a few singles flying about then I seen a flock of about 20 when running home.
Small numbers of Redwing over in twos and threes, some calling.
7 Jay, possibly duplicates though.
2 Bullfinch
3 Redpoll, over.
Plenty usuals seen and heard.
4 possibly 5 Jay
10+ Meadow Pipit
1 Skylark
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
1 Raven
c20 Goldfinch
Nothing much going over other then a group of about 20 Thrush type birds, to high to identify.
25 Meadow Pipit, most over heading South.
2 Skylark
1 Willow Tit
8 Jay
1 Reed Bunting
3 Mistle Thrush
1 Song Thrush
c30 Goldfinch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Treecreeper
2 Bullfinch
7 Jay, that time of year again, see plenty of Jays the next few weeks.
19 Meadow Pipit, 11 heading South
3 Skylark, heading South
1 Kestrel
1 Reed Bunting
2 Song Thrush
c50 Goldfinch in Three flocks
3 Redpoll
1 Chiffchaff
1 Raven
1 Willow Tit
Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers
2 Jay
c30 Goldfinch
Female Sparrowhawk