Thanks, that's saved me a trip for another week or so then.

Richard Hart reported them over Royton at 11.15

Ken Gartside wrote:

---

37 Whoopers flying over, this morning over Greenfield, heading from Dovestone area westward, most peculiar, got a poor photo, but still got one to prove it - anyone else hear and spot them?

---

Presumably the birds seen over Tandle Hills Park, Ken

Brun this morning, male Goldeneye in the middle, flew off East and then a Dipper in the outlet stream, good place in these snowy and overloaded river conditions, just below the dam, plus 2 or 3 Lapwing and a flock of Starlings - very misty though. Nearby on Marsden moor 5 Golden Plover and a Snipe.

Despite the early Curlews reported from Castleshaw, Piethorne and Ashworth Moor, there were none on Saddleworth Moor this morning.

The only avian life was 4 Red Grouse - but there was an icy cold gale blowing across the sodden moorland (feet almost thawed out now!)

Saturday 6th February 2016, 10.00am

Saddleworth Moor, at the county boundary, in pouring rain.

1 Golden Plover calling to the south of the road
The usual abundance of Red Grouse dotted around the moor

Lovely pair of full summer plumage Goldeneye at Brun res, Standedge cutting at 12.30 today - unfortunately a chap walking his dog round the res disturbed them and they headed off eastwards, but not before I got some distant shots of them - and in flight. They don't half make a whistling with wingbeats. Gorgeous birds.

Raven this morning over Moorgate Quarry/Wharmton Hill.

Colour-ringed Dipper on river in Uppermill. More Dippers by Royal George Lodge and Wrights Mill in Greenfield.

Ken Gartside wrote:

---

Blimey, I've only seen these in Chorlton (and London of course) how dare they invade Saddleworth - interestingly Mike Sweeney was talking about these today on Radio Manchester as well.
Cheers
Ken

---

He lives not far from Diggle, and if you've ever been in The Swan at Dobcross, when he's been holding court in the bar, the sounds aren't far removed from the Parakeets

Was it seen, or heard only, Mark?

Ring-necked Parakeet this morning in trees at Harrop Green, Diggle.

Steve Suttill wrote:

---

Vicky Sumner wrote:

---

Must be strong dippers

---

... and they rarely use binoculars

Seriously though, it's good to hear from Kerry that the ringing project is still running. Are you still ringing Dippers in Mossley and Greenfield?

---

I know, I know. I was going to edit it, but didn't think anyone would be as pedantic as me. You wouldn't think I was paid to write, would you? Can't even blame predictive text. I'll have to buy wine more often, to increase the number of records

Thanks for the information

Hi David

I monitor & ring the dippers along the Tame (as part of the South Manchester Ringing Group dipper project). This year I've monitored ten territories. The Uppermill pair had a brood of five & they fledged sometime when I was on holiday between 7 May & 17th May. On 17th I was able to locate one juvenile being fed by one parent but the colour ringed male was flying further up the river so there could well be other fledged birds around. It would be useful for me to receive any information on fledged chicks seen (& info on whether ringed or not ringed) & sightings of colour ringed adults (photo's are always better as I've found that the colour I think I see in the field isn't always correct when I look at the photo)!

The pair people usually see near the garden centre had a nest I couldn't get to (to ring the chicks) & again, they should have fledged while I was on holiday....sadly it seems it may have been predated as the pair were hanging around together, not really doing much & there is no sign of fledged young (I watched the pair & searched along the territory on two consecutive days).

Thanks

Kerry

Thursday 21st May 2015, 4.00pm

High Street, Uppermill

Grey Wagtail carrying food
2 Dippers, viewed carrying a bag of shopping, and without binoculars. One was possibly a juvenile, as I couldn't see any white plumage, as they flashed past under the bridge. Someone possibly monitors this area already, but if not it could be worthwhile for someone local to keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for a breeding code. I only ever visit when shopping for wine.
Pair of Goldfinch visiting a nest site by the river

-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 21st of May 2015 09:51:14 PM

today, lapwing pair and 3 Wheatear, plus 1 Kestrel and numerous usual suspects on a nice warm day, but still with a very cold wind up on the bog top - the temp drops by around 2 to 3 degrees from Greenfield up to Wesssenden, need to still wear warm clothing.

Saturday 9th May 2015, afternoon

High Street, Uppermill - River Tame

Dipper flew under the bridge downstream
Grey Wagtail

Newbank Garden Centre, Dobcross - River Tame

Dipper, looking like a male on sentry duty

-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 9th of May 2015 08:43:33 PM

Red Kite over Diggle heading towards Dovestone at 1930hrs (info thanks to Tony Mather)

Cold with dense fog in the valley - very warm and sunny up on the moor. Fantastic views over the sheet of cloud with nothing visible across the county apart from Scout Moor and Winter Hill!

Witnessed the "butterfly" display flight of the Golden Plover for the first time in a few years. Skylarks singing everywhere. This is what it's all about

Nine goosander on Readycon Dean Res' this morning, with numerous skylarks, meadow pipits and a single reed bunting on the adjacent moors.

Regards, Chris Jepson-Brown

RED KITE

Up on the moor this morning doing my usual wander, checking out the new arrivals. At 8.30 I looked back towards the A635 Holmfirth Road and could see what I took to be a Buzzard south of the road in the direction of Holme Clough. With the chance of it being Rough-legged, I gave it more attention than usual. A crow flew at the raptor and as it twisted to avoid the intruder, the forked tail and wing shape gave it away. It soon dropped down towards Holme Clough heading towards Dove Stone. On my way home I stopped at Rimmon Clough and had a look down into the valley but couldn't see anything there. Earlier, whilst I was further out on the moor, someone in a silver-grey estate car arrived at the car park and was looking around with binoculars - maybe they got a better view.

Other (more expected) sightings: lots Red Grouse, Golden Plover (unusually quiet today), 2 pairs Curlew, 1 Snipe, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits singing.

Hi Bill

the moor is very wet right now. It would be foolish to stray off the Pennine Way. Any birds that are present can be seen from the footpath - unless the cloud is so low that you can't see anything!

Rob Creek wrote:

---

Steve Thomson wrote:

---

Steve Suttill wrote:

---

Early morning - low cloud, poor visibility, only just above zero:

Several Golden Plover (some singing), 2 Curlew calling, one skulking Skylark, plenty of Red Grouse.

---

Sorry for asking but where do you go to see the red Grouse never seen one

---

Hi Steve,
Like Steve S. says, the Red Grouse are plentiful in that area, just drive passed Binn Green on the A635, or a little South on the A628 Hollingworth road over the Saddleworth Moors and you should bag yourself a hat load of Red Grouse. They sometimes 'perch' on the roadside wooden posts, I've had loads in the last few weeks whilst en-route to deliveries from Hollingworth to Barnsley.
Hope this helps.

---

Hi Rob,
Thanks very much for the reply and yes helps immensely quite excited to get up there now

Steve Suttill wrote:

---

Early morning - low cloud, poor visibility, only just above zero:

Several Golden Plover (some singing), 2 Curlew calling, one skulking Skylark, plenty of Red Grouse.

---

Sorry for asking but where do you go to see the red Grouse never seen one

Six goosander on Readycon Dean Res' (Denshaw moors), this morning.

Chris J-B

Moor for an hour this morning in very strong winds:

c15 Red Grouse, Golden Plovers, Raven & first Meadow Pipit of the year up here.