At the back of Giuseppes restaurant, waiting for customer to arrive.
- Nuthatch and Coal Tit plus usuals visiting feeders at the end of adjacent garden
Rob Creek said
Sun Nov 1 12:14 PM, 2020
Friday 30th. Near Giuseppes restaurant early afternoon.
A small flock of birds moving through consisted of... - 11 Long-tailed Tits - 3 Goldcrests - 1 Redwing - 1 Blue Tit - 1 Great Tit
Rob Creek said
Fri Oct 16 1:51 AM, 2020
Delivering to Giuseppes restaurant early afternoon.
- 1 Ring-necked Parakeet calling from tree in car park - 1 Goldcrest - 1 Common Buzzard - 1 Coal Tit - 1 Great Tit that was constantly stripping pieces of bark from a tree and flinging them onto the roof of my van
David Lumb said
Mon Oct 17 8:30 PM, 2016
Late morning mooch.
Plantation Road ponds :- 40 Mallards. Most Mallards around Edgworth and across to Hawkshaw now seem to be released birds. 7 Teal 3 Moorhens 2 Black-headed Gulls 1 Kingfisher
Old Russia :- Only a Moorhen on the lodge. Lots of work been going on with heavy machinery. However, I did get a couple of Dippers & a Grey Wagtail on the stream between Barlow Wood & the lodge.
Heading down the fields to the village I estimated 100+ Black-headed Gulls with a Herring Gull. A Lesser Black-backed Gull flew across with a few Swallows.
3 Swifts were with 20+ House Martins around the houses at Edgworth Vale, by the side of the Rose & Crown.
Only 5 Moorhens at Old Russia. A Grey Heron flew over.
David Lumb said
Sun May 8 10:14 PM, 2016
7.20am to 11.15am.
Brown Trout rising along the brook between Jumbles & Turton Bottoms. No birds along the brook though, and only Mallards & a Grey Heron on the brook around Turton Bottoms. Usual woodland birds included a couple of Blackcaps.
Old Russia lodge :- 3 Canada Geese, pair of Mallards, pair of Tufted Ducks, a few Black-headed Gulls flying through, 2 Swallows, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler.
Dipper & a pair of Nuthatches in Barlow Woods. Pied Wagtail on the cricket field.
2 Swifts, 1 Swallow, 3 House Martins, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, & a pair of Bullfinches around the centre of the village. Rookery very busy.
Plantation Road area :- 1 Little Grebe heard only, 6 Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 12 Black-headed Gulls, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying through, 6 Swallows, a few Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, 3 Reed Buntings.
Redearth Farm & track towards Longshaw Head :- Cuckoo calling from here whilst I was covering Plantation Road. Not long after shooting started on the army range it went quiet. Possibly the one seen/heard by Rob at Redisher Woods. After the Cuckoo left birds here included a Sparrowhawk, a Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Jay, a pair of Linnets, & a Reed Bunting. Near the top of the track a thrush flew off a field into a plantation. Looked good for Ring Ouzel but unfotunately it came straight out of the sun and disappeared into the trees before I could be 100% sure.
Longshaw Head to Crowthorn :- 2 Canada Geese, 2 Lapwings, 2 Curlews, a few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 4 House Martins in the village, 4 Swallows, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 3 Reed Buntings.
Pair of Swallows at the farm on Broadhead Road at the top of School Lane.
David Lumb said
Sun Apr 17 7:30 PM, 2016
8.25am to 12.10pm.
Turton Bottoms :- 5 Mallards, pair of Grey Wagtails, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Nuthatches, numerous Siskins at the two feeding stations.
Scott Wood :- Pair of Stock Doves & a pair of Jackdaws on the top of the chimney. 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Jays.
Old Russia Lodge :- 1 Grey Heron, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Moorhens, 3 Swallows on wires, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warblers, plus a few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Siskins.
Not much around Edgworth village but the rookery was very busy.
Plantation Road area :- No Little Grebes seen or heard, maybe hidden in the reeds. A White Wagtail was on a wire by this pond. 1 Grey Heron, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 4 Moorhens, 1 Coot, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Curlew, 2 Skylarks, 6 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Buntings, + the usual stuff.
Longshaw Head to Crowthorn :- Went up here looking for Wheatears / Ring Ouzels. Checked all walls & fences but found neither species. The best I could do was 2 Curlews, 1 Little Owl, 6 Skylarks, & 8 Meadow Pipits.
Old Russia :- 1 Cormorant 1 Canada Goose 2 Mallards 1f Goosander 1 Moorhen 1 Small Tortoiseshell
David Lumb said
Tue Mar 15 7:12 PM, 2016
9.25am to 12.25pm. Very windy in exposed places.
2 Curlews on fields by School Lane.
Crowthorn to Longshaw Head :- 2 Lapwings, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Little Owl, a few singing Skylarks, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush.
I carried on along the track to the army range (a few more Skylarks singing), and just over the Lancs/GM border at Lark Hill I found another Little Owl.
Not much different to last Saturday's wander along Plantation Road apart from a Meadow Pipit & 3 low flying Herring Gulls at Redearth Farm.
Old Russia lodge :- 2 Canada Geese Pair of Tufted Ducks 3m + 3f Goosanders 1 Moorhen
4 Mallards & a Grey Wagtail on the brook in Turton Bottoms.
2 Grey Wagtails & a Dipper between Turton Bottoms & Jumbles.
David Lumb said
Sat Mar 12 4:00 PM, 2016
10.25am to 12.35pm.
Old Russia :- 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron Pair of Mallards Pair of Tufted Ducks 1m Goldeneye 5m + 5f Goosanders 2 Black-headed Gulls 20+ Siskins
Old Russia lodge :- Pair of Mallards 20 Goosanders (11m + 9f) 1 Moorhen
Only a pair of Mallards on the brook from Turton Bottoms to Jumbles but I did have a Buzzard flying around the tops of the trees
David Lumb said
Sun Feb 7 8:50 PM, 2016
Forgot to mention a Reed Bunting at one of the Plantation Road ponds
David Lumb said
Sun Feb 7 8:12 PM, 2016
9.45am to 11.55am.
Turton Bottoms :- Kingfisher flew under the bridge at Vale Street Pair of Nuthatches & a few Siskins on feeders by the iron footbridge Pair of Bullfinches in Scott Wood
Old Russia :- 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, pair of Mallards, 2m Goldeneyes, 2m + 2f Goosanders, 30+ Rooks, a few Chaffinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches. 10 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Buzzards, & a Raven flying over.
Very windy around Edgworth village & Plantation Road so not much showing apart from a Buzzard, Starlings, corvids, & birds on the ponds. 1 Little Grebe, 7 Mallards, 1 Teal, pair of Goosanders, 6 Moorhens, 1 Coot.
David Lumb said
Thu Jan 14 9:06 PM, 2016
9.00am to 10.50am.
Turton Bottoms, sheltered from the wind & 2 feeding stations fully stocked :- 1 Grey Heron, pair of Mallards, & 1 Dipper on the brook. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (one of them using a feeder tray), 3 Nuthatches, numerous Chaffinches, Goldfinches, & Siskins using the feeders. Plus the usual common species.
Old Russia Lodge :- 4 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mallards, 4m + 4f Goosanders.
Wickenlow Hill Farm pond :- 9 Mallards, 12 Teal, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coots. The stream on the other side of the track to the pond had a Dipper which flew into a large concrete pipe which the stream runs into.
David Lumb said
Fri Jan 1 9:51 PM, 2016
9am to noon.
Jumbles to Turton Bottoms :- 1 Grey Heron, pair of Mallards, 1 Dipper.
Old Russia Lodge :- 2 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 2m Mallards, 5m Goldeneyes, 1m Goosander, 1 Moorhen, 3 Black-headed Gulls. From the top the hill by the lodge I saw 50+ finches (Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches picked out) flying around the school grounds with a Redwing.
Barlow Institute :- 9 Collared Doves, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, flock of Long-tailed Tits, 1 Nuthatch, and a few more finches which included a couple of Siskins.
Plantation Road area :- 1 Grey Heron, 4 Teal, 10 Moorhens, 1 Coot, 9 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 40+ Redwings. Finches included 3 Bullfinches.
School Lane :- 48 Fieldfares with 15 Starlings.
David Lumb said
Sun Dec 13 7:49 PM, 2015
11.05 to 13.20.
Plantation Road area :- 3 Teal 7 Moorhens 1 Coot 5 Black-headed Gulls 40+ Redwings, 7 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush Not much else around but numerous Siskins heard. Hidden away with the Redwings in bushes. A noisy scrambler bike put up the Redwings but not all the Siskins so unable to count them.
Old Russia :- 2 Mallards 2m Goldeneyes 3 Moorhens In the trees at the top of the field overlooking the reservoir and in the school grounds I was checking finches when something put them all up. 50+ up in the air and some still in the trees. Not easy to pick out anything different to Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Siskins already seen as it was now a grey murky day with rain. Also 2 Redwings in a tree here. Nuthatch calling nearby.
David Lumb said
Thu Nov 12 8:13 PM, 2015
Wickenlow Hill Farm late morning :- 8 Mallards 14 Teal 2 Moorhens 1 Coot 1 Reed Bunting
Old Russia early afternoon :- 3 Cormorants 1 Moorhen 1 Black-headed Gull
Crowthorn/Longshaw Head :- 1 Kestrel 1 Golden Plover heard calling in flight on Quarlton Heights heading towards nearby GM boundary 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 27 Woodpigeons 1 Little Owl 3 Skylarks 6 Meadow Pipits 3 House Martins at their breeding site 17 Swallows 3 Pied Wagtails 2 Wheatears 12 Magpies 12 Carrion Crows 2 Ravens heading to the army range 70+ Goldfinches
Plantation Road birds included :- 2 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 3 Coots, 17 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens also flying over to the army range.
A few House Martins still at their breeding sites in Edgworth & Chapeltown
David Lumb said
Fri Sep 11 7:29 PM, 2015
10.15 to 13.00.
School Lane :- 14 Rooks
Crowthorn :- 1 Little Owl, 8 House Martins, Swallows passing through, mainly single birds, 7 Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, 1 Chiffchaff, 25 Goldfinches.
Old Russia Lodge:- 1 Grey Heron 4 Moorhens Numerous Swallows
David Lumb said
Wed Mar 18 9:25 PM, 2015
9am to 11am. Not much going on until I got to the pond at Wickenlow Hill Farm.
Pair of Grey Wagtails on brook between Jumbles and Turton Bottoms Only 2 Moorhens on Old Russia Lodge. Buzzard soaring around above the lodge About a dozen nests at the Edgworth rookery
Wickenlow Hill Farm :- Pair of Little Grebes 1 Grey Heron 2 Canada Geese Pair of Mallards 4 Moorhens 2 Coots 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Snipe showing well just inside the reeds Curlew calling not far away 1 Skylark
Old Russia :- 2 Canada Geese, 2m + 5f Goosanders, 2 Moorhens.
David Lumb said
Wed Feb 25 5:55 PM, 2015
9.15am to 11.50am
Dipper singing on brook between Jumbles & Turton Bottoms, and pair of Stock Doves on chimney at Turton Bottoms
Old Russia Lodge :- 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Mallards, 3 Moorhens, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Lesser Redpolls with 6 Goldfinches
Barlow Park Woods :- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch
Cricket Field :- 3 Pied Wagtails
Village around cross roads :- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Redwings, 30+ Jackdaws, at least a dozen Rooks in the rookery, 150+ Starlings
Plantation Road area :- 1 Little Grebe, 16 Canada Geese, Pair of Mallards, 1m Teal, 1 Kestrel, 2 Pheasants, 2 Coots, 2 Blackbirds, 10+ Fieldfares, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches
School Lane :- Raven on top of a pylon and another one flying over Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows on the fields
Other species seen today :- Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Jays, Magpies, & House Sparrows.
Still not had any Skylarks or Meadow Pipits up here this year.
After checking the lodge a chap was waiting to ask me if Water Rails were common here. He lives on Sandy Bank Road, which more or less overlooks the lodge, and yesterday his cat took a live one into his house. He managed to release it near the lodge (the Water Rail not the cat), and it seemed to be in pretty good condition. It turns out his cat regularly wanders down to the lodge.
David Lumb said
Mon Feb 9 6:48 PM, 2015
9.20am to 11.30am.
Dipper & Treecreeper along brook from Jumbles.
Just the usual common species in Turton Bottoms.
1 Grey Heron, 4 Mallards, 3m Goosanders, 1 Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Jackdaws & Crows, & 1 Grey Wagtail at Old Russia lodge.
34 Redwings & a Great Spotted Woodpecker in Barlow Park Woods. 4 more Redwings on Broadhead Road in the village.
1 Pied Wagtail on cricket field.
Plantation Road ponds still completely frozen, just the odd Mallard & Moorhen about. Only birds on the fields were corvids & Starlings.
David Lumb said
Tue Feb 3 2:41 PM, 2015
Lunchtime wander through Turton Bottoms :- 2 Redwings & 60+ Jackdaws flying over. Not much else, and nothing of interest along the brook to Jumbles.
David Lumb said
Wed Jan 14 6:24 PM, 2015
9.20am to 10.40am.
Old Russia Lodge :- 1 Little Grebe 1 Cormorant 2 Mallards 1f Goosander 2 Moorhens 50+ Redwings
Just a few of the usual birds along brook from Jumbles & around Turton Bottoms & Edgworth
David Lumb said
Mon Jul 7 6:07 PM, 2014
Mid morning a Water Vole ran across the path in front of me from the brook between Jumbles & Turton Bottoms
Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, & Dipper in Turton Bottoms
David Lumb said
Sat May 17 7:18 PM, 2014
Just the usuals on my WeBs counts around Wayoh, Entwistle, & Old Russia this morning.
More interesting on the pond at Wickenlow Hill Farm :- 1 Little Grebe showed briefly out in the open water. No sign of juveniles yet. 27 Canada Geese + goslings Pair of Coots with young 1 Moorhen 2 House Martins A few Swallows visiting from nearby farms Pair of Reed Buntings 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Whitethroat 1 Curlew flying around nearby
David Lumb said
Sat May 3 8:24 PM, 2014
9.00am to noon.
Turton Bottoms :- 4 Mallards, Woodpigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, an adult Grey Wagtail with a juvenile, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, & Chaffinches.
Old Russia Lodge & Barlow Park Woodland :- 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 2 Black-headed Gulls, Woodpigeons, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Swallows, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches.
Cricket field :- 3 Pied Wagtails & a Mistle Thrush.
Plantation Road area :- 1 Little Grebe showing, presumably it's partner was hidden in the reeds, 19 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, pair of Coots with 2 juveniles, 1 Buzzard, 4 Pheasants, 2 Curlews, 10 Black-headed Gulls on the fields + 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls & a Mediterranean Gull flying over, Woodpigeons, Stock Doves, 1 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Swallows, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches, & Reed Buntings. Green-veined Whites, Orange Tips, Small Tortoiseshells, & Peacocks.
School Lane :- 2 Swallows & a Wheatear.
David Lumb said
Sun Apr 20 5:23 PM, 2014
8.40am to 11.00am. Jumbles to Turton Bottoms - Old Russia - Edgworth - Plantation Road.
No sign of the Little Grebes at Wickenlow Hill Farm pond, but were probably sheltering from the gale that was blowing across, as was one of the Coots. Four Canada Geese on the banking and a Grey Heron nearby at Sandy Bank. Mallards in Turton Bottoms, on Old Russia Lodge, and in Barlow Park Woodland 1 Curlew on fields at Turton Bottoms Pheasants, Woodpigeons, & Stock Doves in Turton Bottoms where I also saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker 4 Swallows in Edgworth Grey Wagtails & Dippers on the brook from Jumbles and in Barlow Park Woodland 2 Meadow Pipits along Plantation Road. Missed out on Skylarks instead of Pipits this week, again a problem finding small birds in very windy conditions Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, & Mistle Thrushes Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, & Goldcrests Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches Rookery in Edgworth Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows Starlings & House Sparrows in Edgworth Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Linnets back around Plantation Road, and Bullfinches at Barons Farm
Buck Roe Deer feeding by the brook from Jumbles
David Lumb said
Sun Apr 13 5:24 PM, 2014
8.45am to 11.40am. Mixture of winter & summer birds, the weather more suitable to the former.
Turton Bottoms :- 1 Curlew, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Nuthatches, a flock of 5 Jays chasing each other around, 3 Bramblings.
Old Russia Lodge :- 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mallard, pair of Tufted Ducks, 1 Sparrowhawk very high up, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coots, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull circling around above, 1 Swallow, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, & a couple of Bramblings with Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches.
Plantation Road (very little showing on the open fields with a cold wind blowing and regular short bursts of drizzle) :- 2 Little Grebes, 13 Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coots, 1 Buzzard, 1 Curlew, 2 Skylarks, 1 Pied Wagtail, a few Goldcrests, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, and a pair of Bullfinches. None of the usual Meadow Pipits or Reed Buntings showing this morning.
David Lumb said
Tue Apr 1 9:17 PM, 2014
9.15am to 12.15pm
Turton Bottoms :- 2 Stock Doves on the chimney, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Nuthatches.
Old Russia Lodge :- 1 Mallard, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting.
Barlow Institute :- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtails, c15 Fieldfares, 2 Nuthatches.
Plantation Road area :- 2 Little Grebes, 7 Canada Geese, 5 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 2 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Buzzards, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Stock Doves, a few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 24 Fieldfares, finches included a Siskin & a Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Buntings. Toads in two of the ponds.
School Lane :- A few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, numerous Rooks from the Rookery in Edgworth. 1 Small Tortoiseshell.
David Lumb said
Wed Mar 19 6:11 PM, 2014
9.35am to 12.25pm
Jumbles to Turton Bottoms :- 4 Grey Wagtails, all single birds some way from each other, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Turton Bottoms :- 1 Dipper, 1 Buzzard overhead, numerous Siskins, and a pair of Bullfinches.
Old Russia :- 1 Little Grebe, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Moorhen, 1 Coot, & a few Lesser Redpolls.
Barlow Institute :- 1 female Sparrowhawk checking the bird feeders in a garden by the bowling green, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, pair of Nuthatches, 4 Redwings, & numerous Siskins.
Plantation Road area :- Pair of Little Grebes, 2 pairs of Canada Geese, 1 Moorhen, pair of Coots, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 3 Buzzards, 2 Curlews, 2 Skylarks, Fieldfares (flocks of 30+, 12, and a couple with a couple of Redwings), lots of Rooks from the rookery in Edgworth, 2 Reed Buntings. 2 Small Tortoiseshells.
David Lumb said
Sun Mar 16 4:33 PM, 2014
11.00am to 12.15pm.
Old Russia Lodge :- 1 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 2 Mallards 2 Moorhens 1 Coot A small flock of Redwings flying over 100+ Starlings A mixed flock of finches contained 6-10 Chaffinches, 2-5 Bramblings, c10 Greenfinches, 10+ Goldfinches, 4 Lesser Redpolls, & a pair of Bullfinches. No Siskins here but a small flock was nearby.
Plantation Road ponds :- 1 Little Grebe 3 Canada Geese 1m + 2f Goosanders 1 Moorhen 1 Buzzard 100+ Black-headed Gulls on the fields 1f Wheatear 2 Reed Buntings A flock 50+ Woodpigeons
David Lumb said
Tue Mar 11 6:05 PM, 2014
9.00am to 12.15pm. A selection of today's birds.
Jumbles to Turton Bottoms :- I followed a Kingfisher from the top end of Jumbles most of the way to Turton Bottoms. A pair of singing Dippers were also on the brook. Other birds included a pair of Treecreepers chasing each other around a tree, a couple of Goldcrests, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and a couple of Buzzards overhead.
Iron footbridge in Turton Bottoms :- I finally sussed out why there always a few Mallards here. Birds (including a Siskin) were on garden feeders at the top of the wall above the brook. One of the feeders was over the brook and the seeds that were being knocked out dropped into the brook and were being eaten by the waiting pair of Mallards below.
Old Russia ;- 1 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorants, pair of Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 3 Moorhens, c75 Redwings.
Corvids around Edgworth included 50+ Rooks & 50+ Jackdaws
David Lumb said
Sun Feb 16 6:41 PM, 2014
Late morning around Edgworth.
Old Russia :- 2 Cormorants, 2 Canada Geese, 3m + 2f Goosanders, + a small mixed flock of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Lesser Redpolls.
Plantation Road ponds :- The only ducks I expected were Mallards, but my timing was just right for a surprising finish to today's WeBS counts.
I found two drake Goosanders on the first pond as I headed up the fields. I kept my distance so I did not disturb them but within minutes a bird flew in and flushed them off. It turned out to be a Tufted Duck with a white face patch, presumably the one which has been on Wayoh a few times. At least now with today's photo I can confirm it is a true Tufted Duck and not a hybrid.
A pair of Mallards and a Moorhen at Sandy Bank.
There seemed nothing at Wickenlow Hill Farm, until 10 Teal flew out of the reeds, and a pair of Coots then swam out. I also saw a Buzzard, a Kestrel, and a Skylark from here.
In the space of about 15 minutes I had gone from 4 species of duck to just the pair of Mallards left behind, but when I got back to the village I had the consolation of a mixed flock of 75-100 birds, consisting of Redwings, Fieldfares, & Starlings which had flown in (mostly Redwings).
David Lumb said
Thu Feb 13 5:19 PM, 2014
Pair of Goosanders on Old Russia Lodge & a Dipper singing on the brook between Turton Bottoms and Jumbles.
David Lumb said
Sun Feb 2 2:45 PM, 2014
9.20am to 12.15pm
1 Cormorant (with a white head) on Old Russia with 5 Mallards and a pair of Goosanders. No sign of the Little Grebe but there were a few people about so it was maybe just hiding. 1 Buzzard passing over Turton Bottoms 1 Pheasant & 3 Mallards at Sandy Bank 1 Coot at Wickenlow Hill Farm 19 Black-headed Gulls on Edgworth fields with lots of Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull passing over Turton Bottoms 4 Stock Doves along Plantation Road Numerous Woodpigeons & Collared Doves 2 Grey Wagtails & 2 Pied Wagtails at Edgworth Cricket Club Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes widespread c75 Redwings in Barlow Park Woodland 6 Fieldfares just outside Edgworth village, with a few more Redwings, a Mistle Thrush, & 80+ Starlings 1 Goldcrest in Turton Bottoms Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches 1 Jay along Plantation Road, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows widespread House Sparrows around Edgworth Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches widespread At least half a dozen Siskins in Turton Bottoms
The Raven seen a few times during the morning flew in from Wayoh and was soon joined by a second one. They soared around over the lodge for a while before flying off together towards Hawkshaw
David Lumb said
Sun Jan 19 7:09 PM, 2014
Lunchtime at Old Russia.
2 Cormorants 10 Goosanders
David Lumb said
Thu Jan 16 6:13 PM, 2014
8.30am to 12.25pm. Turton Bottoms-Old Russia-Edgworth-Plantation Road-Crowthorn-School Lane.
1 Little Grebe + 1f Goosander on Old Russia Lodge 10 Mallards in Turton Bottoms 1 Coot at Wickenlow Hill Farm 2 Kestrels along Plantation Road 1 Pheasant in the same area 70+ Black-headed Gulls on Edgworth fields 1 Feral Pigeon at Old Russia & 2 Stock Doves on pylon wires by Plantation Road Woodpigeons everywhere in good numbers as usual, and just a few Collared Doves scattered around 1 Skylark at Plantation Road (no Meadow Pipits anywhere today) 2 Pied Wagtails on the cricket field & a Grey Wagtail by the bowling green at Barlow Institute Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes 150+ Fieldfares giving distant views on fields above Plantation Road 18 Redwings at The Wellbeing Farm & 12 flying over Crowthorn Road Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches 1 Dipper in Barlow Park Woodland Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows 200+ Starlings with the Fieldfare flock House Sparrows in Edgworth Chaffinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches widespread 6 Greenfinches at Barlow Institute 1 Siskin in Turton Bottoms 1 Reed Bunting at the entrance to Wickenlow Farm
Birds became scarcer the higher up I went and when I got to Crowthorn Delf Quarry the only thing I saw was a Rabbit
David Lumb said
Thu Jan 2 6:56 PM, 2014
Lunchtime spent on the banking overlooking Old Russia Lodge.
1 Little Grebe 3 Cormorants 1 Grey Heron 14 Mallards 3m + 1f Goosanders 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Kestrel 5 Fieldfares A mixed flock of finches made up of :- 50+ Goldfinches, 10+ Lesser Redpolls, 4 Siskins, a couple of Greenfinches, but surprisingly no Chaffinches A flock of c150 Woodpigeons was flying around nearby
Old Russia lodge :- 1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Mallards, 4 Goosanders, 3 Moorhens.
Plantation Road :- A strong cold wind meant there were no birds on the ponds, and not much else on the fields. A Kestrel on a wire and distant Fieldfares heard.
David Lumb said
Mon Dec 2 5:46 PM, 2013
8.50am to 11.00am.
Turton Bottoms :- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Redwings with half a dozen Blackbirds, 2 Nuthatches.
Old Russia lodge :- 1 Grey Heron, 6 Mallards, 1f Tufted Duck, 1f Goosander, 2 Moorhens, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Barlow Institute & Barlow Park Woodland/Cricket Club :- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passing over, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, 25+ Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches.
At the back of Giuseppes restaurant, waiting for customer to arrive.
- Nuthatch and Coal Tit plus usuals visiting feeders at the end of adjacent garden
Near Giuseppes restaurant early afternoon.
A small flock of birds moving through consisted of...
- 11 Long-tailed Tits
- 3 Goldcrests
- 1 Redwing
- 1 Blue Tit
- 1 Great Tit
- 1 Ring-necked Parakeet calling from tree in car park
- 1 Goldcrest
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Coal Tit
- 1 Great Tit that was constantly stripping pieces of bark from a tree and flinging them onto the roof of my van
Plantation Road ponds :-
40 Mallards. Most Mallards around Edgworth and across to Hawkshaw now seem to be released birds.
7 Teal
3 Moorhens
2 Black-headed Gulls
1 Kingfisher
Old Russia :-
Only a Moorhen on the lodge. Lots of work been going on with heavy machinery.
However, I did get a couple of Dippers & a Grey Wagtail on the stream between Barlow Wood & the lodge.
Plantation Road ponds :-
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
4 Mallards
4 Moorhens (3 adults + 1 juvenile)
4 Coots (2 adults + 2 juveniles)
1 Kingfisher
3 Swallows
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Lesser Redpoll
2 Linnets
Heading down the fields to the village I estimated 100+ Black-headed Gulls with a Herring Gull. A Lesser Black-backed Gull flew across with a few Swallows.
3 Swifts were with 20+ House Martins around the houses at Edgworth Vale, by the side of the Rose & Crown.
Only 5 Moorhens at Old Russia. A Grey Heron flew over.
Brown Trout rising along the brook between Jumbles & Turton Bottoms. No birds along the brook though, and only Mallards & a Grey Heron on the brook around Turton Bottoms. Usual woodland birds included a couple of Blackcaps.
Old Russia lodge :-
3 Canada Geese, pair of Mallards, pair of Tufted Ducks, a few Black-headed Gulls flying through, 2 Swallows, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler.
Dipper & a pair of Nuthatches in Barlow Woods. Pied Wagtail on the cricket field.
2 Swifts, 1 Swallow, 3 House Martins, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, & a pair of Bullfinches around the centre of the village. Rookery very busy.
Plantation Road area :-
1 Little Grebe heard only, 6 Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 12 Black-headed Gulls, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying through, 6 Swallows, a few Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, 3 Reed Buntings.
Redearth Farm & track towards Longshaw Head :-
Cuckoo calling from here whilst I was covering Plantation Road. Not long after shooting started on the army range it went quiet. Possibly the one seen/heard by Rob at Redisher Woods.
After the Cuckoo left birds here included a Sparrowhawk, a Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Jay, a pair of Linnets, & a Reed Bunting.
Near the top of the track a thrush flew off a field into a plantation. Looked good for Ring Ouzel but unfotunately it came straight out of the sun and disappeared into the trees before I could be 100% sure.
Longshaw Head to Crowthorn :-
2 Canada Geese, 2 Lapwings, 2 Curlews, a few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 4 House Martins in the village, 4 Swallows, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 3 Reed Buntings.
Pair of Swallows at the farm on Broadhead Road at the top of School Lane.
Turton Bottoms :-
5 Mallards, pair of Grey Wagtails, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Nuthatches, numerous Siskins at the two feeding stations.
Scott Wood :-
Pair of Stock Doves & a pair of Jackdaws on the top of the chimney.
2 Willow Warblers, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Jays.
Old Russia Lodge :-
1 Grey Heron, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Moorhens, 3 Swallows on wires, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warblers, plus a few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Siskins.
Not much around Edgworth village but the rookery was very busy.
Plantation Road area :-
No Little Grebes seen or heard, maybe hidden in the reeds. A White Wagtail was on a wire by this pond.
1 Grey Heron, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 4 Moorhens, 1 Coot, 6 Black-headed Gulls,
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Curlew, 2 Skylarks, 6 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Buntings, + the usual stuff.
Longshaw Head to Crowthorn :-
Went up here looking for Wheatears / Ring Ouzels. Checked all walls & fences but found neither species.
The best I could do was 2 Curlews, 1 Little Owl, 6 Skylarks, & 8 Meadow Pipits.
Plantation Road area :-
1 Little Grebe
1 Grey Heron
4 Canada Geese
1 Mallard
1 Coot
1 Curlew
5 Black-headed Gulls
43 Woodpigeons
2 Skylarks
2 Meadow Pipits
2 Pied Wagtails
4 Willow Warblers
Old Russia :-
1 Cormorant
1 Canada Goose
2 Mallards
1f Goosander
1 Moorhen
1 Small Tortoiseshell
2 Curlews on fields by School Lane.
Crowthorn to Longshaw Head :-
2 Lapwings, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Little Owl, a few singing Skylarks, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush.
I carried on along the track to the army range (a few more Skylarks singing), and just over the Lancs/GM border at Lark Hill I found another Little Owl.
Not much different to last Saturday's wander along Plantation Road apart from a Meadow Pipit & 3 low flying Herring Gulls at Redearth Farm.
Old Russia lodge :-
2 Canada Geese
Pair of Tufted Ducks
3m + 3f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
4 Mallards & a Grey Wagtail on the brook in Turton Bottoms.
2 Grey Wagtails & a Dipper between Turton Bottoms & Jumbles.
Old Russia :-
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
Pair of Mallards
Pair of Tufted Ducks
1m Goldeneye
5m + 5f Goosanders
2 Black-headed Gulls
20+ Siskins
Plantation Road :-
1 Little Grebe
2 Canada Geese
5 Mallards
3m + 1f Teal
2 Moorhens
1 Coot
20+ Black-headed Gulls
1 Lapwing
1 Curlew
5 Pied Wagtails
5 Fieldfares
1 Reed Bunting
Plantation Road ponds :-
2 Canada Geese
20 Mallards
8 Teal
2 Moorhens
3 Coots
2 Lapwings & a Buzzard flying over
Old Russia lodge :-
Pair of Mallards
20 Goosanders (11m + 9f)
1 Moorhen
Only a pair of Mallards on the brook from Turton Bottoms to Jumbles but I did have a Buzzard flying around the tops of the trees
Turton Bottoms :-
Kingfisher flew under the bridge at Vale Street
Pair of Nuthatches & a few Siskins on feeders by the iron footbridge
Pair of Bullfinches in Scott Wood
Old Russia :-
1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, pair of Mallards, 2m Goldeneyes, 2m + 2f Goosanders, 30+ Rooks, a few Chaffinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches.
10 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Buzzards, & a Raven flying over.
Very windy around Edgworth village & Plantation Road so not much showing apart from a Buzzard, Starlings, corvids, & birds on the ponds.
1 Little Grebe, 7 Mallards, 1 Teal, pair of Goosanders, 6 Moorhens, 1 Coot.
Turton Bottoms, sheltered from the wind & 2 feeding stations fully stocked :-
1 Grey Heron, pair of Mallards, & 1 Dipper on the brook.
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (one of them using a feeder tray), 3 Nuthatches, numerous Chaffinches, Goldfinches, & Siskins using the feeders. Plus the usual common species.
Old Russia Lodge :-
4 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mallards, 4m + 4f Goosanders.
Wickenlow Hill Farm pond :-
9 Mallards, 12 Teal, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coots.
The stream on the other side of the track to the pond had a Dipper which flew into a large concrete pipe which the stream runs into.
Jumbles to Turton Bottoms :-
1 Grey Heron, pair of Mallards, 1 Dipper.
Turton Bottoms :-
2 Grey Herons, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Bullfinches.
Old Russia Lodge :-
2 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 2m Mallards, 5m Goldeneyes, 1m Goosander, 1 Moorhen, 3 Black-headed Gulls.
From the top the hill by the lodge I saw 50+ finches (Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches picked out) flying around the school grounds with a Redwing.
Barlow Institute :-
9 Collared Doves, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, flock of Long-tailed Tits, 1 Nuthatch, and a few more finches which included a couple of Siskins.
Plantation Road area :-
1 Grey Heron, 4 Teal, 10 Moorhens, 1 Coot, 9 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 40+ Redwings. Finches included 3 Bullfinches.
School Lane :-
48 Fieldfares with 15 Starlings.
Plantation Road area :-
3 Teal
7 Moorhens
1 Coot
5 Black-headed Gulls
40+ Redwings, 7 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush
Not much else around but numerous Siskins heard. Hidden away with the Redwings in bushes. A noisy scrambler bike put up the Redwings but not all the Siskins so unable to count them.
Old Russia :-
2 Mallards
2m Goldeneyes
3 Moorhens
In the trees at the top of the field overlooking the reservoir and in the school grounds I was checking finches when something put them all up. 50+ up in the air and some still in the trees. Not easy to pick out anything different to Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Siskins already seen as it was now a grey murky day with rain.
Also 2 Redwings in a tree here. Nuthatch calling nearby.
8 Mallards
14 Teal
2 Moorhens
1 Coot
1 Reed Bunting
Old Russia early afternoon :-
3 Cormorants
1 Moorhen
1 Black-headed Gull
3 Mallards
5 Moorhens
2 Coots
5 Black-headed Gulls
1 Pied Wagtails
1 Buzzard
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Redwings
Crowthorn :-
12 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Little Owl, 6 Meadow Pipits, 3 Pied Wagtails.
Fields above Redearth Farm :-
10 Meadow Pipits, 100+ Goldfinches.
Plantation Road :-
4 Mallards, 2f Teal, 7 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 8 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches.
Old Russia :-
3 Moorhens
Turton Bottoms :-
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Kestrel
8 Woodpigeons
2 Skylarks
68 Meadow Pipits
3 Pied Wagtails
1 Wheatear
5 Mistle Thrushes flying over
13 Goldfinches
2 Linnets
Crowthorn/Longshaw Head :-
1 Kestrel
1 Golden Plover heard calling in flight on Quarlton Heights heading towards nearby GM boundary
1 Black-headed Gull
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
27 Woodpigeons
1 Little Owl
3 Skylarks
6 Meadow Pipits
3 House Martins at their breeding site
17 Swallows
3 Pied Wagtails
2 Wheatears
12 Magpies
12 Carrion Crows
2 Ravens heading to the army range
70+ Goldfinches
Plantation Road birds included :-
2 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 3 Coots, 17 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens also flying over to the army range.
A few House Martins still at their breeding sites in Edgworth & Chapeltown
School Lane :-
14 Rooks
Crowthorn :-
1 Little Owl, 8 House Martins, Swallows passing through, mainly single birds, 7 Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, 1 Chiffchaff, 25 Goldfinches.
Wickenlow Hill Farm :-
1 Grey Heron, 9 Mallards, 1 Wigeon, 4 Moorhens, 3 Coots.
Old Russia :-
1 Cormorant, 1 Mallard, 6 Moorhens.
Turton Bottoms :-
1 Sparrowhawk, a few House Martins & Swallows flying over, 3 Nuthatches, 1 Dipper.
Old Russia :-
1 Grey Heron, 6 Moorhens, c60 Swallows on wires + 1 House Martin, 2 Nuthatches.
Edgworth village :-
c25 House Martins flying over, 2 Swallows at the farm, 1 Nuthatch.
Plantation Road :-
1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Swallows, a flock of 11 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Raven.
Wickenlow Hill Farm pond :-
9 Mallards, 1f Wigeon was a big surprise, 5 Moorhens, 2 Coots.
Crowthorn :-
1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on a field, 5 House Martins, 15 Swallows, 12 Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 2 Siskins.
School Lane :-
1 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff.
Turton Bottoms brook :-
1 Grey Heron
3 Mallards
1 Kingfisher
Old Russia Lodge:-
1 Grey Heron
4 Moorhens
Numerous Swallows
Pair of Grey Wagtails on brook between Jumbles and Turton Bottoms
Only 2 Moorhens on Old Russia Lodge. Buzzard soaring around above the lodge
About a dozen nests at the Edgworth rookery
Wickenlow Hill Farm :-
Pair of Little Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Canada Geese
Pair of Mallards
4 Moorhens
2 Coots
1 Black-headed Gull
1 Snipe showing well just inside the reeds
Curlew calling not far away
1 Skylark
Skylark & corvids along School Lane.
Plantation Road area :-
2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 4 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Buzzard, 2 Curlews, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Skylarks, + the usual species.
Old Russia :-
2 Canada Geese, 2m + 5f Goosanders, 2 Moorhens.
Dipper singing on brook between Jumbles & Turton Bottoms, and pair of Stock Doves on chimney at Turton Bottoms
Old Russia Lodge :- 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Mallards, 3 Moorhens, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Lesser Redpolls with 6 Goldfinches
Barlow Park Woods :- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch
Cricket Field :- 3 Pied Wagtails
Village around cross roads :- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Redwings, 30+ Jackdaws, at least a dozen Rooks in the rookery, 150+ Starlings
Plantation Road area :- 1 Little Grebe, 16 Canada Geese, Pair of Mallards, 1m Teal, 1 Kestrel, 2 Pheasants, 2 Coots, 2 Blackbirds, 10+ Fieldfares, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches
School Lane :-
Raven on top of a pylon and another one flying over
Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows on the fields
Other species seen today :- Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Jays, Magpies, & House Sparrows.
Still not had any Skylarks or Meadow Pipits up here this year.
1 Grey Heron flying over
8 Mallards
2m + 5f Goosanders
5 Moorhens
Mixed flock of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches
After checking the lodge a chap was waiting to ask me if Water Rails were common here. He lives on Sandy Bank Road, which more or less overlooks the lodge, and yesterday his cat took a live one into his house. He managed to release it near the lodge (the Water Rail not the cat), and it seemed to be in pretty good condition. It turns out his cat regularly wanders down to the lodge.
Dipper & Treecreeper along brook from Jumbles.
Just the usual common species in Turton Bottoms.
1 Grey Heron, 4 Mallards, 3m Goosanders, 1 Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Jackdaws & Crows, & 1 Grey Wagtail at Old Russia lodge.
34 Redwings & a Great Spotted Woodpecker in Barlow Park Woods. 4 more Redwings on Broadhead Road in the village.
1 Pied Wagtail on cricket field.
Plantation Road ponds still completely frozen, just the odd Mallard & Moorhen about. Only birds on the fields were corvids & Starlings.
2 Redwings & 60+ Jackdaws flying over.
Not much else, and nothing of interest along the brook to Jumbles.
Old Russia Lodge :-
1 Little Grebe
1 Cormorant
2 Mallards
1f Goosander
2 Moorhens
50+ Redwings
Just a few of the usual birds along brook from Jumbles & around Turton Bottoms & Edgworth
Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, & Dipper in Turton Bottoms
More interesting on the pond at Wickenlow Hill Farm :-
1 Little Grebe showed briefly out in the open water. No sign of juveniles yet.
27 Canada Geese + goslings
Pair of Coots with young
1 Moorhen
2 House Martins
A few Swallows visiting from nearby farms
Pair of Reed Buntings
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Whitethroat
1 Curlew flying around nearby
Turton Bottoms :-
4 Mallards, Woodpigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, an adult Grey Wagtail with a juvenile, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, & Chaffinches.
Old Russia Lodge & Barlow Park Woodland :-
2 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 2 Black-headed Gulls, Woodpigeons, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Swallows, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches.
Cricket field :-
3 Pied Wagtails & a Mistle Thrush.
Plantation Road area :-
1 Little Grebe showing, presumably it's partner was hidden in the reeds, 19 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, pair of Coots with 2 juveniles, 1 Buzzard, 4 Pheasants, 2 Curlews, 10 Black-headed Gulls on the fields + 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls & a Mediterranean Gull flying over, Woodpigeons, Stock Doves, 1 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Swallows, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches, & Reed Buntings.
Green-veined Whites, Orange Tips, Small Tortoiseshells, & Peacocks.
School Lane :-
2 Swallows & a Wheatear.
No sign of the Little Grebes at Wickenlow Hill Farm pond, but were probably sheltering from the gale that was blowing across, as was one of the Coots. Four Canada Geese on the banking and a Grey Heron nearby at Sandy Bank.
Mallards in Turton Bottoms, on Old Russia Lodge, and in Barlow Park Woodland
1 Curlew on fields at Turton Bottoms
Pheasants, Woodpigeons, & Stock Doves in Turton Bottoms where I also saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker
4 Swallows in Edgworth
Grey Wagtails & Dippers on the brook from Jumbles and in Barlow Park Woodland
2 Meadow Pipits along Plantation Road. Missed out on Skylarks instead of Pipits this week, again a problem finding small birds in very windy conditions
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, & Mistle Thrushes
Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, & Goldcrests
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
Rookery in Edgworth
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows
Starlings & House Sparrows in Edgworth
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Linnets back around Plantation Road, and Bullfinches at Barons Farm
Buck Roe Deer feeding by the brook from Jumbles
Turton Bottoms :-
1 Curlew, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Nuthatches, a flock of 5 Jays chasing each other around, 3 Bramblings.
Old Russia Lodge :-
1 Grey Heron, 1 Mallard, pair of Tufted Ducks, 1 Sparrowhawk very high up, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coots, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull circling around above, 1 Swallow, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, & a couple of Bramblings with Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches.
Plantation Road (very little showing on the open fields with a cold wind blowing and regular short bursts of drizzle) :-
2 Little Grebes, 13 Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coots, 1 Buzzard, 1 Curlew, 2 Skylarks, 1 Pied Wagtail, a few Goldcrests, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, and a pair of Bullfinches.
None of the usual Meadow Pipits or Reed Buntings showing this morning.
Turton Bottoms :-
2 Stock Doves on the chimney, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Nuthatches.
Old Russia Lodge :-
1 Mallard, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting.
Barlow Institute :-
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtails, c15 Fieldfares, 2 Nuthatches.
Plantation Road area :-
2 Little Grebes, 7 Canada Geese, 5 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 2 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Buzzards, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Stock Doves, a few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 24 Fieldfares, finches included a Siskin & a Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Buntings. Toads in two of the ponds.
School Lane :-
A few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, numerous Rooks from the Rookery in Edgworth. 1 Small Tortoiseshell.
Jumbles to Turton Bottoms :-
4 Grey Wagtails, all single birds some way from each other, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Turton Bottoms :-
1 Dipper, 1 Buzzard overhead, numerous Siskins, and a pair of Bullfinches.
Old Russia :-
1 Little Grebe, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Moorhen, 1 Coot, & a few Lesser Redpolls.
Barlow Institute :-
1 female Sparrowhawk checking the bird feeders in a garden by the bowling green, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, pair of Nuthatches, 4 Redwings, & numerous Siskins.
Plantation Road area :-
Pair of Little Grebes, 2 pairs of Canada Geese, 1 Moorhen, pair of Coots, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 3 Buzzards, 2 Curlews, 2 Skylarks, Fieldfares (flocks of 30+, 12, and a couple with a couple of Redwings), lots of Rooks from the rookery in Edgworth, 2 Reed Buntings.
2 Small Tortoiseshells.
Old Russia Lodge :-
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
2 Mallards
2 Moorhens
1 Coot
A small flock of Redwings flying over
100+ Starlings
A mixed flock of finches contained 6-10 Chaffinches, 2-5 Bramblings, c10 Greenfinches, 10+ Goldfinches, 4 Lesser Redpolls, & a pair of Bullfinches.
No Siskins here but a small flock was nearby.
Plantation Road ponds :-
1 Little Grebe
3 Canada Geese
1m + 2f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
1 Buzzard
100+ Black-headed Gulls on the fields
1f Wheatear
2 Reed Buntings
A flock 50+ Woodpigeons
Jumbles to Turton Bottoms :-
I followed a Kingfisher from the top end of Jumbles most of the way to Turton Bottoms. A pair of singing Dippers were also on the brook. Other birds included a pair of Treecreepers chasing each other around a tree, a couple of Goldcrests, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and a couple of Buzzards overhead.
Iron footbridge in Turton Bottoms :-
I finally sussed out why there always a few Mallards here. Birds (including a Siskin) were on garden feeders at the top of the wall above the brook. One of the feeders was over the brook and the seeds that were being knocked out dropped into the brook and were being eaten by the waiting pair of Mallards below.
Old Russia ;-
1 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorants, pair of Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 3 Moorhens, c75 Redwings.
Plantation Road area :-
1 Little Grebe, 7 Canada Geese, 2 Coots, 1 Moorhen, 34 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew, & 3 Roe Deer.
Corvids around Edgworth included 50+ Rooks & 50+ Jackdaws
Old Russia :-
2 Cormorants, 2 Canada Geese, 3m + 2f Goosanders, + a small mixed flock of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Lesser Redpolls.
Plantation Road ponds :-
The only ducks I expected were Mallards, but my timing was just right for a surprising finish to today's WeBS counts.
I found two drake Goosanders on the first pond as I headed up the fields. I kept my distance so I did not disturb them but within minutes a bird flew in and flushed them off. It turned out to be a Tufted Duck with a white face patch, presumably the one which has been on Wayoh a few times. At least now with today's photo I can confirm it is a true Tufted Duck and not a hybrid.
A pair of Mallards and a Moorhen at Sandy Bank.
There seemed nothing at Wickenlow Hill Farm, until 10 Teal flew out of the reeds, and a pair of Coots then swam out. I also saw a Buzzard, a Kestrel, and a Skylark from here.
In the space of about 15 minutes I had gone from 4 species of duck to just the pair of Mallards left behind, but when I got back to the village I had the consolation of a mixed flock of 75-100 birds, consisting of Redwings, Fieldfares, & Starlings which had flown in (mostly Redwings).
1 Cormorant (with a white head) on Old Russia with 5 Mallards and a pair of Goosanders. No sign of the Little Grebe but there were a few people about so it was maybe just hiding.
1 Buzzard passing over Turton Bottoms
1 Pheasant & 3 Mallards at Sandy Bank
1 Coot at Wickenlow Hill Farm
19 Black-headed Gulls on Edgworth fields with lots of Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull passing over Turton Bottoms
4 Stock Doves along Plantation Road
Numerous Woodpigeons & Collared Doves
2 Grey Wagtails & 2 Pied Wagtails at Edgworth Cricket Club
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes widespread
c75 Redwings in Barlow Park Woodland
6 Fieldfares just outside Edgworth village, with a few more Redwings, a Mistle Thrush, & 80+ Starlings
1 Goldcrest in Turton Bottoms
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
1 Jay along Plantation Road, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows widespread
House Sparrows around Edgworth
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches widespread
At least half a dozen Siskins in Turton Bottoms
1 Fox between Jumbles & Turton Bottoms
1 Little Grebe
2 Cormorants
4 Mallards
3m + 3f Goosanders
1 Black-headed Gull
The Raven seen a few times during the morning flew in from Wayoh and was soon joined by a second one. They soared around over the lodge for a while before flying off together towards Hawkshaw
2 Cormorants
10 Goosanders
1 Little Grebe + 1f Goosander on Old Russia Lodge
10 Mallards in Turton Bottoms
1 Coot at Wickenlow Hill Farm
2 Kestrels along Plantation Road
1 Pheasant in the same area
70+ Black-headed Gulls on Edgworth fields
1 Feral Pigeon at Old Russia & 2 Stock Doves on pylon wires by Plantation Road
Woodpigeons everywhere in good numbers as usual, and just a few Collared Doves scattered around
1 Skylark at Plantation Road (no Meadow Pipits anywhere today)
2 Pied Wagtails on the cricket field & a Grey Wagtail by the bowling green at Barlow Institute
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, & Mistle Thrushes
150+ Fieldfares giving distant views on fields above Plantation Road
18 Redwings at The Wellbeing Farm & 12 flying over Crowthorn Road
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
1 Dipper in Barlow Park Woodland
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, & Carrion Crows
200+ Starlings with the Fieldfare flock
House Sparrows in Edgworth
Chaffinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches widespread
6 Greenfinches at Barlow Institute
1 Siskin in Turton Bottoms
1 Reed Bunting at the entrance to Wickenlow Farm
Birds became scarcer the higher up I went and when I got to Crowthorn Delf Quarry the only thing I saw was a Rabbit
1 Little Grebe
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
14 Mallards
3m + 1f Goosanders
1 Black-headed Gull
1 Kestrel
5 Fieldfares
A mixed flock of finches made up of :- 50+ Goldfinches, 10+ Lesser Redpolls, 4 Siskins, a couple of Greenfinches, but surprisingly no Chaffinches
A flock of c150 Woodpigeons was flying around nearby
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
9 Mallards
1f Tufted Duck
8m + 10f Goosanders
6 Black-headed Gulls
Turton Bottoms :-
Mallards, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Siskins.
Old Russia lodge :-
1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Mallards, 4 Goosanders, 3 Moorhens.
Plantation Road :-
A strong cold wind meant there were no birds on the ponds, and not much else on the fields. A Kestrel on a wire and distant Fieldfares heard.
Turton Bottoms :-
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Redwings with half a dozen Blackbirds, 2 Nuthatches.
Old Russia lodge :-
1 Grey Heron, 6 Mallards, 1f Tufted Duck, 1f Goosander, 2 Moorhens, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Barlow Institute & Barlow Park Woodland/Cricket Club :-
5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passing over, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, 25+ Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches.
Plantation Road area :-
1 Moorhen, 1 Coot, Black-headed Gulls, Kestrel, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, 1 Skylark, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, 1 Fieldfare passing over, 20+ Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches.