2 willow warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, pair of nuthatch showing courtship behaviour down to 3 metres away. 9/ 4/20.
Dave Tennant said
Sun Apr 5 1:10 PM, 2020
Flock of 16 whimbrel flying low and eastwards
Lez Fairclough said
Fri Mar 6 7:59 PM, 2020
13-30 to 16-00 in very pleasant conditions for a change!
Someone had very kindly put plenty of bird seed on Alance bridge which was attracting plenty of Blue, Great & Long Tailed Tits and a single Coal Tit, plus 2 Nuthatch, M & F Chaffinch but also Magpies & Carrion Crows!
Green Woodpecker in flight over fields to the east of the pine trees near the War Memorial.
Also seen M & F Bullfinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Redwing, Fieldfare, Raven, Jay, Buzzard,
and a Weasel sneaking along the base of a stone wall
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Friday 6th of March 2020 08:03:00 PM
Dave Tennant said
Wed Oct 2 6:21 PM, 2019
Great views of green Woodpecker feeding and in flight . Pasture field east of the Clough .
Dave Tennant said
Mon Apr 1 8:39 PM, 2019
1700-1830, mooch after work. Highlights, female ring ouzel feeding in sheep pasture along with 6 wheatears. Tawny owl heard.
Dave Tennant said
Thu May 3 8:38 PM, 2018
Enjoyable couple of hours around the Clough and jepsons gate, willow warbler seemed every where, but the highlights were 2 golden plover and a Wheatear.
Paul Risley said
Wed Jun 8 7:23 PM, 2016
couple of hours this morning
Tawny Owl with young
Redstarts feeding young in nest, second pair located but gave up on finding nest, birds preying on craneflies in fields at edge of woods, but every time you stay still for a couple of minutes you attract a cloud of midges that bite any exposed skin
fledged Juveniles of Grey Wagtail, Great Tit and Long tailed Tit
Willow Warbler and Blue Tit feeding young in nest
Paul Risley said
Fri Jun 20 8:02 PM, 2014
3 hours in a small area of the valley today
Spotted Flycatcher carrying food lost it though as a Weasel appeared close by and enjoyed its company for a couple of minutes Fledged young of Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Coal Tit Great Tit and Wren. Cracking area but you need bug spray on or you wont last five minutes
Paul Richardson said
Wed Jun 12 11:26 PM, 2013
Early morning visit en route to Brockholes. 0730-0930
Curlew 6 in field above memorial where I THOUGHT I might get a Ring Ouzel! Willow Warbler 1 seen many heard Grey Wagtail 1 on topmost shooot of a fir tree Coal Tit 3 Chaffinch many Common Buzzard 1 very ragged individual over
All seemed pretty quiet maybe I was too early!
John Williams said
Sun May 5 9:16 PM, 2013
A.M
Lots of Blue, Great & Coal Tits etc, 3+ pairs of Willow Warblers, but alas no sign of Redstart or flycatchers.
1 Roebuck.
John Williams said
Mon Apr 8 10:59 PM, 2013
09.30-12.30
A pair of Oystercatchers by Yarrow Reservoir, with another pair on Anglesarke Reservoir too.
Alance Bridge - Redmonds Edge :-
Another Oystercatcher, 6 Meadow Pipits, 3 Ravens in aerial combat with 4 Carrion Crows, a pair of Greenfinches, a pair of Reed Buntings in the plantation at Redmonds Edge and a single Wren.
Throughout there was a steady stream of Black Headed Gulls struggling against the strong easterly on passage across to Belmont, I did'nt see any fly back though.
No sign of Wheatears or Chats. The only obvious sign of Spring were frogs laying masses of spawn in the high moorland ditches.
Steve Suttill said
Fri Jan 11 9:37 PM, 2013
Hi David
Thanks for your Thrush Survey forms - have sent you a Private Message.
Steve Suttill said
Sun Jan 6 6:32 PM, 2013
David Lumb wrote:
Checked this area so I could do my Winter Thrush Survey at Manor Farm/Hurst Hill. Did not need a nudge Steve, just some decent weather. Did not work anyway as I did not even see a Blackbird (even in adjoining squares). The nearest I got to recording was a distant flock of 5 Starlings flying over Anglezarge Reservoir. A skein of about 170 Pink-footed Geese heading NW at 10.40am made it worthwile though.
Glad you finally got some decent weather for the survey, David. Shame about the lack of Thrushes but a negative count is just as important as a positive one - we know where the birds are not present as well as where they are
... and you seem to have seen some good birds as well!
Cheers!
David Lumb said
Sun Jan 6 5:12 AM, 2013
Checked this area so I could do my Winter Thrush Survey at Manor Farm/Hurst Hill. Did not need a nudge Steve, just some decent weather. Did not work anyway as I did not even see a Blackbird (even in adjoining squares). The nearest I got to recording was a distant flock of 5 Starlings flying over Anglezarge Reservoir. A skein of about 170 Pink-footed Geese heading NW at 10.40am made it worthwile though.
Lead Mines Clough :- Only Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits. 30+ Carrion Crows & 4 Woodpigeons flying over.
Walk from Lead Mines Clough to Belmont :- Perfect conditions but only 3 Carrion Crows, a Reed Bunting at Lower Hempshaw's, and a Stonechat by Rivington Road.
Nick Isherwood said
Mon May 14 3:01 AM, 2012
Had a nice hour or so here this morning and some good birds on view too.
Firstly, a very vocal Garden Warbler gave good views just beyond the bridge then further up two male Redstarts where seen feeding against one of the slopes through the trees. They occasionally popped up onto a branch to let out a burst of song but mostly they were quite mobile and a bit tricky to pin down.
Further up the path I had a cracking Redpoll species perched up on the tip of a tree. Its size and general paler colouring made me think a possible Mealy. I've sent the shots to Ian for his opinion.
Other than this there were a few Willow Warblers knocking around as well as Chaffinches, etc. A disitant Curlew was heard plus good numbers of Swallow blazing through.
A nice morning in very pleasant conditions.
Ian Woosey said
Sat Apr 30 11:26 AM, 2011
30/4/11
A walk from Alance Bridge up to the Wellington Bomber memorial, over to Jepsons Gate and back round:
1m Pied Flycatcher calling and showing just after the entrance gate from Alance Bridge.
Pied Flycatcher's raised 2 broods and Spotted Flycatchers a single brood unfortunately no Redstarts located after a good season last year
The only migrants found were 3 singing Willow Warblers, 1 showing really well as he sang from the top of a large oak.
Also seen were 4 Jays, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Curlew.
There was a noticeable abundance of Blue Tits, and along the edge of the large conifers, numerous Goldfinches.
3 hour walk mid to late afternoon but not a lot seen.
Bird seed left on Alance bridge attracted Coal Tits & a Nuthatch.
Other notables :- Buzzard; Kestrel; Raven; Willow Tit; Siskin; Goldcrest; Goldfinch; Pheasant & Meadow Pipit
13-30 to 16-00 in very pleasant conditions for a change!
Someone had very kindly put plenty of bird seed on Alance bridge which was attracting plenty of Blue, Great & Long Tailed Tits and a single Coal Tit, plus 2 Nuthatch, M & F Chaffinch but also Magpies & Carrion Crows!
Green Woodpecker in flight over fields to the east of the pine trees near the War Memorial.
Also seen M & F Bullfinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Redwing, Fieldfare, Raven, Jay, Buzzard,
and a Weasel sneaking along the base of a stone wall
-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Friday 6th of March 2020 08:03:00 PM
couple of hours this morning
Tawny Owl with young
Redstarts feeding young in nest, second pair located but gave up on finding nest, birds preying on craneflies in fields at edge of woods, but every time you stay still for a couple of minutes you attract a cloud of midges that bite any exposed skin
fledged Juveniles of Grey Wagtail, Great Tit and Long tailed Tit
Willow Warbler and Blue Tit feeding young in nest
Spotted Flycatcher carrying food lost it though as a Weasel appeared close by and enjoyed its company for a couple of minutes
Fledged young of Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Coal Tit Great Tit and Wren.
Cracking area but you need bug spray on or you wont last five minutes
Curlew 6 in field above memorial where I THOUGHT I might get a Ring Ouzel!
Willow Warbler 1 seen many heard
Grey Wagtail 1 on topmost shooot of a fir tree
Coal Tit 3
Chaffinch many
Common Buzzard 1 very ragged individual over
All seemed pretty quiet maybe I was too early!
Lots of Blue, Great & Coal Tits etc, 3+ pairs of Willow Warblers, but alas no sign of Redstart or flycatchers.
1 Roebuck.
A pair of Oystercatchers by Yarrow Reservoir, with another pair on Anglesarke Reservoir too.
Alance Bridge - Redmonds Edge :-
Another Oystercatcher, 6 Meadow Pipits, 3 Ravens in aerial combat with 4 Carrion Crows, a pair of Greenfinches, a pair of Reed Buntings in the plantation at Redmonds Edge and a single Wren.
Throughout there was a steady stream of Black Headed Gulls struggling against the strong easterly on passage across to Belmont, I did'nt see any fly back though.
No sign of Wheatears or Chats. The only obvious sign of Spring were frogs laying masses of spawn in the high moorland ditches.
Thanks for your Thrush Survey forms - have sent you a Private Message.
Glad you finally got some decent weather for the survey, David. Shame about the lack of Thrushes but a negative count is just as important as a positive one - we know where the birds are not present as well as where they are
... and you seem to have seen some good birds as well!
Cheers!
A skein of about 170 Pink-footed Geese heading NW at 10.40am made it worthwile though.
Lead Mines Clough :-
Only Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, & Great Tits. 30+ Carrion Crows & 4 Woodpigeons flying over.
Jepson's Gate :-
1 Meadow Pipit.
Yarrow Reservoir :-
26 Mallards, 1 male Goosander, 1 Black-headed Gull.
Walk from Lead Mines Clough to Belmont :-
Perfect conditions but only 3 Carrion Crows, a Reed Bunting at Lower Hempshaw's, and a Stonechat by Rivington Road.
Firstly, a very vocal Garden Warbler gave good views just beyond the bridge then further up two male Redstarts where seen feeding against one of the slopes through the trees. They occasionally popped up onto a branch to let out a burst of song but mostly they were quite mobile and a bit tricky to pin down.
Further up the path I had a cracking Redpoll species perched up on the tip of a tree. Its size and general paler colouring made me think a possible Mealy. I've sent the shots to Ian for his opinion.
Other than this there were a few Willow Warblers knocking around as well as Chaffinches, etc. A disitant Curlew was heard plus good numbers of Swallow blazing through.
A nice morning in very pleasant conditions.
A walk from Alance Bridge up to the Wellington Bomber memorial, over to Jepsons Gate and back round:
1 Pied Flycatcher (m)
1 Redstart (f) + 2 males heard singing
3 Oystercatcher
2 Grey Wagtail
1 Treecreeper
Lesser Redpoll, Coal Tit, Jay, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Canada Goose, Mallard, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Swallow.
1 Roe Deer (buck).
Sightings with J. Meadows.