Red kite flying over Belmont Brook Valley and Dunscar Golf Course - spotted on 19/03/2024.

A circuit from Cox Green Road, past Horridges Farm included the following:
3 Buzzard
78 Swift
juvenile Wheatear
Nuthatch adult with juvs
3 Stonechat
4 Goldcrest
2 Whitethroat
6 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
7 Redpoll
4 Siskin
2 Bullfinch

This morning, a circuit from Cox Green Rd to Horridges Farm produced birds which included:
13 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Warbler
1 juv Whitethroat
2 Goldcrest
20 Goldfinch
3 Stonechat
3 Reed Bunting
1 Treecreeper

Pink-Footed Geese were also heard only, sounded like a small party, possibly only one calling. I couldnt see them, the cloud was quite low at the time

A walk this morning from Cox Green Road, via Dimple Hall, up towards Turton Heights and back along the top towards Cheetham Close stone circle/Whittle Hill.

1 juvenile Whinchat just below Horridges Farm

Other birds included:
1 Snipe
5 Stonechat
21 Chiffchaff
1 juvenile Willow Warbler
1 Blackcap
2 Nuthatch
a flock of 19 Siskin
1 Redpoll
3 Raven
1 Stock Dove
6 Reed Bunting



-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 3rd of September 2022 09:43:50 PM

Thurs 2nd June
Delivering to Ciao Baby this afternoon on the Darwen Rd.

- 2 then 2 more Lesser Redpoll over calling
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 1 Jay

In the area delivering so stopped for 5 minutes on Stones Bank Rd at the Conifer Plantation.

A flock of birds moving around consisted of...
- 5 Goldcrest
- 1 male Bullfinch
- 2 Coal Tit
- 2 Blue Tit
- 1 Great Tit
- 1 Robin

Also
- 2 Lesser Redpoll over, calling
- 3 Raven
- 1 Fieldfare through

Thurs 15th Oct

Delivering to Ciao Baby restaurant, Egerton, near Stones Bank Rd at the start of the moors.

Whilst waiting for customer to turn up...
- 14 Redwings over (8,4,1,1,)
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 1 Chiffchaff, the calling got me on to it
- 1 Coal Tit

Weds 6th May.

Same area as below, lunchtime break in between Darwen and Bolton deliveries.

- min 4 singing Willow Warbler, 2 seen
- 2 singing Chiffchaff, 1 seen
- 1 singing Blackcap
- 1 calling Redstart
- 1 Lesser Redpoll over
- plenty of Goldfinch
- 2 Kestrel (1m 1f)
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 2 Raven flying up towards the moor
- 1 Curlew over, heading same way

Wednesday 22nd April

Wasnt sure which thread to post this but it seems to be the closest location.

Stones Bank Road between Egerton and Darwen.
Its the road that juts off to the left on Blackburn Rd and meets it again as you head towards Darwen, theres a coniferous plantation some of which has been felled and it just seemed a good place to take a break.

- 4 Willow Warbler singing, 2 showed really close in a sing-off
- 2 Chiffchaff singing, 1 showed briefly
- 1 Blackcap singing
- 4 Lesser Redpoll flying round in a group then a single
- 1 pr Bullfinch
- Redstart heard only (a loud constant hoowit hoowit in the plantation)
- Tree Pipit heard singing then as I was scouring round the tops of the conifers for it... the bird came parachuting down a little way away and I never saw or heard it again
- 2 Common Buzzard circling

A small flock of Redwings & a Meadow Pipit on Cox Green Meadow this morning. Redwings consisted of 6 seen in a tree in front of me & a few I was unable to count in other nearby trees.
A Raven flew low across the meadow up to the golf course.

8am to 11.30am. Cloudy for first couple of hours then a few light sleet showers as I checked around the farmland.

Walmsley Church & woodland to Deakins :-
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, + the more common species
An Oystercatcher was seen flying around the Dunscar area.

Dimple/Dimple Hall :-
Birds included 1 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Meadow Pipits, Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warblers, 5 Goldcrests, c25 Starlings, a few House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, & 2 Reed Buntings.
My highlight of the morning was by the chapel when only a few feet away a male Goldcrest chased a female. It's stunning patch of orange fluffed up feathers showed brilliantly.

Cox Green farms :-
1 Grey Heron flying over, 1 Mallard, a few Pheasants, 8 Lapwings, 2 Curlews, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull on a field + a few Black-headed Gulls flying over, numerous Woodpigeons,
7 Skylarks, 8 Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Grasshopper Warblers reeling in two areas. 5 Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, Carrion Crows, 14 Starlings, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, Linnets, Bullfinches, & 5 Reed Buntings.
I was surprised not to find any Swallows around the farm buildings.

Birds on Cox Green Meadow included 3 Jays, a Chiffchaff, & a Willow Warbler.

Cox Green Quarry/Clough/Meadow this morning.

1 Buzzard flying over,
11 Woodpigeons, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Collared Doves, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker,
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds,
8 Chiffchaffs, 9 Willow Warblers,
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Nuthatches,
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws (40+), Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows,
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls (10+), Bullfinches (10).

7.45am to 11.00am.
60+ Jackdaws flew down to my house from the Cox Green roost as I was leaving home. I followed them as far as Smith Lane on my way up to Egerton.

Still not fully light when I got to Walmsley Church but numerous Song Thrushes were calling around the church & along the path to Deakins. 6 counted.
The same area had a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 Blackbirds, a flock of Long-tailed Tits, 3 Nuthatches, a flock of 10 Siskins, & the usual stuff.

Dimple :-
1 Cormorant flying over onto Delph Reservoir, 1 Kestrel, 1 Moorhen, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Redwings with 2 Mistle Thrushes, a flock of 12 Chaffinches, & a few Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & House Sparrows.

2 Pheasants & a pair of Bullfinches at Dimple Hall.

Only Carrion Crows on farmland & Whittle Hill, although I did have 2 Ravens flying across.

New Butterworth's Farm :-
A few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches was the best I could do until a Grey Wagtail flew in & a Meadow Pipit flew up from the horse field.

Lunchtime wander around Cox Green Meadow, mainly to check the finches.

Mixed finch flocks made up of a total of 10-20 of each species :-
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Lesser Redpolls.
Also 8 Bullfinches, spread over the meadow.
Amongst the finches I also found 4 Reed Buntings (3m + 1f).

Flying around were 42 Jackdaws.

10.30am to 12.15. Cox Green Meadow, Clough, & Quarry.
It felt more like spring birding with a beautiful male Redpoll & a Chiffchaff out in the sunshine.

Cox Green Meadow :-
As usual a good mixture of Chaffinches, Goldfinches, & Lesser Redpolls (10+ of each). One of the male Redpolls had a full red breast.
The odd Greenfinch flew over.
1f Reed Bunting.
Lots of Magpies including 9 in one tree.

Cox Green Quarry :-
1 (common) Chiffchaff. Heard before seen so no need to suspect Siberian Chiffchaff.
Numerous Bullfinches.

Cox Green Clough :-
A few more Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches.
The usual residents including Nuthatches & a Jay.

Little Stanrose Farm :-
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & a Siskin.

Late report for a visit to Walmsley Church graveyard yesterday morning. Not a birding trip but a few birds of interest hard to miss.

A Buzzard spent quite a bit of time between graveyard & Dunscar Lodges.
Jay & Mistle Thrush in church area.
Pair of Bullfinches & a couple of Nuthatches in woodland between church & Deakins Industrial Estate.
A flock of Siskins in a tree by Delph Brook Way .

10 Bramblings with 2 Siskins on Cox Green Meadow at lunchtime

9.15am to 11.05am. Not much around Cox Green farms & nothing on the moorland.

1 Kestrel
2 Lapwings at New Butterworth's Farm
7 Meadow Pipits
1 Stonechat

8.15am to 11.05am. Cox Green farmland & moorland. Became misty after a clear start.

1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Oystercatcher flying over, heading towards Delph Reservoir
6 Snipe
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Swallows flying through
43 Meadow Pipits counted until I came across a flock of 80+ as I was finishing off at Little Stanrose. A flock of 20 here when I started could have been amongst them, so will have to estimate 100+ over the morning.
2 Pied Wagtails
4 Stonechats (f/immature) on the ferns near Horridges Farm
1 Chiffchaff
1 Goldcrest
60+ Goldfinches

7.35am to 12.05pm. Cox Green farmland & moorland.

1 Buzzard on a field by Buffs Farm
2 Pheasants
2 Snipe
9 Woodpigeons
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
10 Skylarks
109 Meadow Pipits
1 House Martin flying over with 20+ Swallows. Also had a flock of 7 Swallows a little later.
2 Pied Wagtails
5 Wrens
6 Robins
1 Stonechat
1 Wheatear
6 Blackbirds
2 Chiffchaffs
2 Great Tits
3 Blue Tits
2 Jays
21 Magpies
9 Jackdaws
51 Carrion Crows
1 Raven
6 Chaffinches
2 Greenfinches
3 flocks of Goldfinches, c30 flying over Turton Heights, c40 at Horridges, & 25+ at Little Stanrose.
3 Siskins
1 Reed Bunting.

Other areas :-
Siskins and Bullfinches calling from Cox Green Quarry as I passed on the footpath above.
Most of the bushes on the Last Drop side of Cox Green Meadow had Bullfinches calling. At least 10 birds heard. Also a small flock of Goldfinches on thistles.
Distant Pink-footed Geese heard from Smithills area at 8.55am. Unable to see them from the top of Turton Heights as it was hazy over that area and a long way off, but presumably the ones reported from Horwich Moors about 9am.

8.05am to 10.55am around Cox Green Farms and on the tops of Whittle Hill & Turton Heights.

1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Snipe
26 Woodpigeons
8 Skylarks
112 Meadow Pipits
13 Swallows
2 Pied Wagtails
3 Wrens
2 Dunnocks
3 Robins
1f Stonechat
2 Blackbirds
2 Chiffchaffs
6 Blue Tits
2 Jays
10 Magpies
2 Jackdaws
14 Carrion Crows
1 Raven
6 Chaffinches
2 Greenfinches
2 flocks of Goldfinches, c120 & c50.
8 Siskins
2 Bullfinches
3 Reed Buntings

7.45am to 11.55 around Cox Green farmland and moors.

1 Kestrel
2 Skylarks
c40 Meadow Pipits near Little Stanrose + 24 spread around the rest of the area
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
A couple of flocks of House Martins passing over. Only 3 spotted in the first one, 40+ in the second one
Two Swallows seen at New Butterworth's on my way up to the moors, one of them going in and out of a stable. A family of 5 on the wires there on my way back through.
40+ Swallows around Dimple/Dimple Hall, most of them feeding around the woodland at the hall.
13 Pied Wagtails on the 13th green of the golf course, just above the quarry.
3 Chiffchaffs
100+ Goldfinches at New Butterworth's
15 Siskins near Lynwood

I am thinking that Egerton Golf Course is more likely to be Dunscar Golf Course rather than Turton Golf Course as that is nearer Andy's viewport.

2 immature Arctic Skuas flew low SE over Egerton golf course at 07:53 this morning; viewed from the eastern Horwich Moors.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

8.10am to 11.30am in perfect birding conditions around Cox Green farmland and moorland.

1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk which increased my count by putting up lots of Meadow Pipits. It also caused a lot of upset with the Swallows.
1 Kestrel
6 Pheasants
1 Snipe on the top of Whittle Hill
15 Woodpigeons
11 Skylarks
30+ House Martins
50+ Swallows
130+ Meadow Pipits
2 Pied Wagtails
5 Wrens
1 Dunnock
2 Robins
1 Blackbird
2 Mistle Thrushes
2 Chiffchaffs
2 Great Tits
4 Blue Tits
3 Jays
5 Magpies
4 Jackdaws
7 Carrion Crows
10 Chaffinches
4 Greenfinches
100+ Goldfinches
7 Siskins
2 Bullfinches
4 Reed Buntings

8.55am to 11.25am. Top of Whittle Hill & Turton Heights + Cox Green farmland.

2 Buzzards
2 Kestrels
3 Pheasants
8 Woodpigeons
1 Skylark
6 House Martins
40+ Swallows
27 Meadow Pipits
3 Wrens
2 Robins
1 Wheatear
1 Blackbird
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
2 Great Tits
4 Blue Tits
10 Magpies
38 Carrion Crows which included a flock of 33 birds on the top of Whittle Hill
2 Ravens
6 Chaffinches
8 Greenfinches
70+ Goldfinches made up of birds at all 3 farms
1 Siskin which flew in and joined a flock of Goldfinches
9 Linnets in the farmyard at Horridge's Farm
2 Reed Buntings

During my Turton mooch I went up on the tops about 9.30am this morning.
After seeing only 3 Meadow Pipits with 4 Skylarks on Whittle Hill I continued onto Turton Heights and soon spotted a very fast raptor chasing a Meadow Pipit. My closest and best ever views of a Hobby. I would estimate it was about 20 yards away at one point, more concerned with the pipit than me. It then followed the pipit over the edge of the moor and down towards Horridge's Farm. The pipit must have got away as it was soon up on the moor again and soon picked up on another pipit, this time chasing it down the other side of the hill towards Clough House Farm.

After finishing my Turton counts I covered Cox Green farmland from 11.10am to 12.40pm.

Little Stanrose Farm :-
3 Meadow Pipits, 50+ Goldfinches.

New Butterworth's Farm :-
2 Swallows.

Horridge's Farm :-
2 Buzzards, one on the ground and one soaring
8 Swallows
6 Meadow Pipits
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Stonechat
30+ Goldfinches
A flock of 6 Linnets in flight + a few others flitting in and out of the ferns on the hillside
3 Reed Buntings

9.45am to 11.40am.

A walk along the top of Whittle Hill :-
1 Wheatear, 3 Skylarks, 20+ Meadow Pipits, + Swallows

Horridge's Farm and fields above Dimple :-
1 Buzzard on a fence post, 30+ Woodpigeons, 30+ House Martins, 20+ Swallows, 1m Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 5 Siskins, 7 Linnets.

New Butterworth's Farm & fields :-
1 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Buntings + Swallows

Little Stanrose Farm :-
60+ Goldfinches + Swallows

9.15am to 12.45pm. Very quiet in most areas.

A couple of Nuthatches but not much else at Walmsley Church.

Family of 4 Moorhens on the pond at Howarth's Fold Farm.

Dimple birds included a Buzzard overhead, 3 House Martins, 7 Swallows on wires including juveniles being fed, 1 Chiffchaff, & a few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, and Bullfinches.

A Nuthatch & a Jay at Dimple Hall.

Lots going on in Horridge's Farm area including 4 Buzzards in the air together, a Kestrel hovering, 5 Swallows, 1 male Stonechat with a juvenile, 6 Linnets counted in the ferns on the hillside but there could have been more hidden in there, & a juvenile Reed Bunting.

Another 2 Kestrels were hunting along the side of Whittle Hill.

Other farms had the usual Swallows but apart from a small flock of Goldfinches at Little Stanrose not much else.

Two Chiffchaffs & a flock of Long-tailed Tits on Cox Green Meadow.

Nuthatch in Cox Green Clough, and the only interest in the quarry was a couple of Jays upset at something which could well have been a Tawny Owl.

10.20am to 12.10pm. Cox Green farmland.

3 Buzzards
1 Pheasant
2 Woodpigeons
40+ Swallows
25+ Meadow Pipits
Family of Stonechats
2 Grasshopper Warblers
5 Willow Warblers
5 Magpies
4 Carrion Crows
30+ Goldfinches
10+ Linnets, including a family group
1 Reed Bunting

Cox Green farmland this morning.

2 Buzzards soaring around together
1 Kestrel
3 Meadow Pipits
20+ Swallows
1 Grasshopper Warbler. First seen as it landed in long grass not far in front of me. It then flew into the bottom of a bush, and for the first time in many years I was able to get of a good view of this species, although not long enough to get the camera out.
1 Whitethroat
1 Reed Bunting

As usual a good mix of finches. Flocks of 4 Linnets & 25+ Goldfinches.
Also seen a few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Siskins.

Checked Cox Green Meadow for Reed Buntings this morning. Found 4, 3 of them females.

As usual a good mix of finches also here. Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, and Bullfinches.
Also a Goldcrest.

8.45am to 11.00am

Cox Green Clough/Quarry :-
Female Sparrowhawk, 2 Stock Doves, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, 2 Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Nuthatch, Magpies, Jackdaws (50+ around the quarry), Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, 10+ Bullfinches.

New Butterworth's Farm :-
8 Lapwings, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 60+ Starlings, Chaffinches, Lesser Redpolls.

Skylarks singing on Whittle Hill.

Buzzard in a tree near Dimple.

Green Woodpecker & a Treecreeper at Dimple Hall this morning.

9.35am to 12.20pm. Walmsley Church/Cox Green Clough & Quarry.

Woodpigeons, Stock Doves (3 in quarry), Great Spotted Woodpecker (church), Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Redwings (2 near church), Song Thrushes (2 on Cox Green Meadow), Mistle Thrushes, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Nuthatches, Treecreeper (clough), Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches (decent flocks at the church & in the clough but no sign of any Bramblings) , Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls (2 on Cox Green Meadow), Bullfinches (a few in the clough).

Late morning between Walmsley Church and Deakins Business Park :-
3 Bramblings, 2 Redwings, and a Fieldfare.

A couple of hours around Cox Green farmland this morning

A flock of 5 Oystercatchers flying low across towards Delph Reservoir
Two Buzzards very high up
A Kestrel being followed by numerous Meadow Pipits
A few Linnets

8.30am to 11.0am. Walmsley Church - Dimple - Cox Green.

1 Mallard, 2 Canada Geese flying over, Pheasants, 3 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, Black-headed Gulls, Feral Pigeons, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Skylarks, House Martins, Swallows, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, 1m Stonechat, Blackbirds, Garden Warbler on Cox Green Meadow and for once giving good close up views, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, Linnets, Bullfinches, & Reed Buntings.

9.30am to 11.15am around Cox Green farmland & Dimple.

1 Kestrel, Pheasants, 1 Lapwing, 1 Curlew, Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passing through, Woodpigeons, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Swifts (just over the border on Turton GC), Skylarks, House Martins, Swallows, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, pair of Stonechats, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, Linnets, Bullfinches, Reed Buntings.

Cuckoo calling from Cox Green Quarry area just after 7am as I was passing Last Drop.

Even more surprising was a Small Tortoiseshell out at that time of the day.

9.45am to 11.15am across Cox Green Farmland and then down Cox Green Road.

2 Canada Geese and 2 Mallards flying over
2 Lapwings
Numerous Pheasants
A few Black-headed Gulls on the fields and numerous others flying over with Lesser Black-backed Gulls (at least a dozen of the latter)
Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, & a Stock Dove
A few Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, & Swallows
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins Blackbirds, & a Mistle Thrush
Pair of Stonechats & a female Wheatear
Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, & Willow Warblers
Blue Tits & Great Tits
Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, & House Sparrows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, & 8 Linnets
9 Reed Buntings

My first Common Heath moth this year

9.40am to 12.20pm. Cox Green Clough/Quarry & farmland.

Quarry full of nesting Jackdaws, + plenty of Willow Warblers and a few Chiffchaffs. A flyover Kestrel was mobbed by the Jackdaws. Also a couple of Moorhens & Blackbirds far from happy with a Tawny Owl.

Most of the time spent around the farmland :-
2 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, Pheasants, Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying over, Swallows at all the farms, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, 1m Stonechat, 2 Wheatears, Blackbirds, Mistle Thrushes, Grasshopper Warbler at New Butterworth's, Willow Warblers, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, Linnets, Bullfinches, & Reed Buntings (including four in the same bush).

A couple of hours around the Cox Green farmland this morning. Not my intended area when I left home but a call from a non birding mate for a wander around made for a superb morning.

A female Wheatear was on a fence post near Little Stanrose.

A pair of Swallows were back in the stables at New Butterworth with a couple of Bramblings in the copse there.

Lots of Skylarks singing on the top of Whittle Hill, with a few Meadow Pipits and a Lapwing.

A pair of Stonechats on the way to Horridge's Farm, and a Mistle Thrush on the other side of the farm.

All the fun started when we spotted a couple of Buzzards on these fields. They were soon joined by a Raven which landed at the top of the hillside.
It was not long before the Buzzards flew up and they were soon joined by a second Raven and a third Buzzard. My mate then spotted another Buzzard over Turton Heights.
For over 20 minutes we watched some superb aerial battles as they mobbed each other, mainly the aggressors being the Ravens, but the Buzzards seemingly getting fed up and having a go back. Eventually a third Raven joined in and they then flew off leaving the Buzzards in peace.
A couple of Swallows were also whizzing around us as we watched all this going on.

Another of those being in the right place at the right time moments.

After seeing the Bramblings again in Tong Clough I went in search of summer migrants around Egerton and was not disappointed.

A Chiffchaff in the woods by Walmsley Church.

A Blackcap at Dimple Chapel.

A Swallow on wires at the junction of Blackburn Road and Cox Green Road flew down to a small wooden stable on Cox Green Road. As we watched this bird my mate saw two more flying around and then I spotted a House Martin flying past.

A pair of Linnets back on territory near Horridge's Farm, as were Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.

Between the barriers above Cox Green Quarry/ Clough we heard Willow Warblers singing either side of us. It was not long before they started chasing each other around right in front of us. Chiffchaffs were calling from the clough and another Willow Warbler was on Cox Green Meadow.

Late morning over Whittle Hill & through the Cox Green Farms.

Went from no raptors to six in no time at all. A couple of Peregrines appeared overhead and were soon joined by 3 Buzzards which must have come up from nearby trees when they saw these intruders. I had all 5 birds in my bins when I spotted a Kestrel higher up looking down on them. The Peregrines disappeared after a few minutes, as did the Kestrel, but the Buzzards continued to soar around together.

Lots of Skylarks on the top of Whittle Hill with 3 Lapwings & a Curlew

Farm birds :-
3 Pheasants, 2 Woodpigeons, a few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Wrens, 2 Dunnocks, 9 Robins, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Fieldfare, 8 Redwings, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 12 Magpies, 2 Jackdaws, 7 Carrion Crows, 12 Bramblings (in the usual copse at New Butterworth's), 4 Chaffinches, 2 Greenfinches, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Reed Buntings.

9.10am to 12.15pm. Walmsley Church - Dimple - Cox Green.

1 Grey Heron & 2 Greylag Geese flying over Dimple to Delph Reservoir
Pair of Mallards in Cox Green Quarry
A Buzzard using the wind to hover over Turton Heights
1 Pheasant at Dimple Hall
1 Moorhen at Dimple Chapel
1 Snipe on the top of Whittle Hill, with numerous Skylarks
1 Feral Pigeon at Walmsley Church & lots of Woodpigeons around the whole area
Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Walmsley Church & Dimple
4 Meadow Pipits at Dimple & 10 at Little Stanrose
Pied Wagtails at Dimple & New Butterworth's
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
1m Stonechat near Dimple Hall
A few Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, & Mistle Thrushes
c60 Fieldfares seen flying over Dimple. I later caught up with them at Little Stanrose
5 Redwings at Walmsley Church & 18 at Dimple Hall
Goldcrests on Cox Green Meadow
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows
120+ Starlings at Little Stanrose
Numerous House Sparrows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches

8.40am to 11.30am. Walmsley Church -Dimple - Cox Green.

1 Cormorant flying over
1 Buzzard over Turton Heights
Pair of Peregrines flew in quite low over the farmland, one of them very vocal, before soaring around for a while, and then disappearing into the distance. About an hour late what I presumed to be the same pair were soaring around over Smith Lane.
1 Pheasant at Dimple Hall
3 Moorhens at Dimple Chapel
Pair of Stock Doves in Cox Green Quarry, pair of Collared Doves at the top of Smith Lane, and plenty of Woodpigeons elsewhere.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Walmsley Church (3), Dimple (1), & Cox Green Clough (3)
4 Meadow Pipits & a Skylark at Little Stanrose, other Skylarks heard singing from Whittle Hill
1 Pied Wagtail at Walmsley Church
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, & Mistle Thrushes
8 Redwings at Dimple Chapel & 12 at New Butterworth's Farm
Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, & House Sparrows
Chafffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, & Siskins in various places
20+ Bramblings at New Butterworth's Farm. As last year a flock has appeared in this small copse in late winter, and are moving around between here and Cox Green Road.
6 Bullfinches around Cox Green Clough/Smith Lane

Cox Green & Dimple from 7.50am to 11.10am. Hardly any wind to start with but it gradually got stronger.

1 Kestrel at Dimple Hall
1 Snipe & 5 Skylarks on top of a very windy Whittle Hill. All birds had to be flushed and immediately dropped back to the ground.
1 Stock Dove in Cox Green Quarry, numerous Woodpigeons elsewhere.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Dimple
1 Meadow Pipit at Little Stanrose
Numerous Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes
1 Redwing at Dimple Chapel
1 Song Thrush at Dimple Hall
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits
Nuthatches at Dimple Hall & Dimple Chapel
Magpies, Jackdaws (80+), & Carrion Crows
House Sparrows at Dimple & along Cox Green Road
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins (Cox Green Road), Lesser Redpolls (New Butterworth's), & Bullfinches

9.10am to 11.20am. Walmseley Church - Dimple - Cox Green.

The first bird of the day was before I got my binoculars out. As I was passing the entrance to Walmesley Vicarage I heard a Dipper on the stream which runs under the road to the vicarage. This would explain why I saw none on a very high & fast running Eagley Brook a few days ago. In these conditions I have seen them in unusual places around the village on small streams on numerous occasions over the years.

A Cormorant flew over Dimple heading to Delph Reservoir
1 Sparrowhawk flying over farmland
1 Buzzard over Delph reservoir
1 Kestrel at Dimple Chapel
4 Moorhens at Dimple Chapel
Numerous Black-headed Gulls passing over
5 Snipe flushed from the muddy horse fields at New Butterworth's Farm
Dozens of Woodpigeons
1 Stock Dove in Cox Green Quarry
A dozen Meadow Pipits
1 Grey Wagtail again in the muddy horse paddock at Dimple
1 Pied Wagtail at Walmesley Church
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
Numerous Blackbirds & a few Mistle Thrushes
120+ Fieldfares with 150+ Starlings at Little Stanrose Farm
Goldcrests at Walmesley Church & Dimple Hall
5 Nuthatches at Walmesley Church
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows
A few House Sparrows around Dimple
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches
At least half a dozen Lesser Redpolls on Cox Green Meadow

8.40am to 12.30pm. Walmsley Church - Dimple - Cox Green. Murky morning with low cloud & some light drizzle.

1 Buzzard flying over Dimple
1 Kestrel at Horridge's Farm
I did not see any Sparrowhawks but there was evidence of a fresh kill at Walmsley Church
2 Pheasants around Dimple area
4 Moorhens at Dimple Chapel
Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Walmsley Church & one at Cox Green Meadow
2 Meadow Pipits at Little Stanrose Farm. Nothing showing on the higher fields in the low cloud & drizzle
1 Grey Wagtail in the very muddy horse paddock at Dimple
1 Pied Wagtail flying over Dimple towards Delph Reservoir
1 Dipper on Eagley Brook behind Walmsley Church
Numerous Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, & Blackbirds
3 Fieldfares at Dimple & c120 at Little Stanrose Farm
2 Redwings in a copse along Cox Green Road
1 Song Thrush by the entrance to Deakins Works
A few Mistle Thrushes spread around
Goldcrests at Dimple Chapel & Dimple Hall
Numerous Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows
200+ Starlings with the Fieldfares at Little Stanrose Farm
House Sparrows along Cox Green Road
Numerous Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches
1 Lesser Redpoll at New Butterworth's Farm
Pair of Reed Buntings on Cox Green Meadow