MB

 

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> Cheshire and The Wirral -> Risley Moss
Post Info TOPIC: Risley Moss
John Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 1881
Date:
RE: Risley Moss
Permalink  

10.00-12.00

A Hobby gave a sensational display as it swooped low over the moss, and at one point was only around 20ft from the viewing area.

Meanwhile a Common Whitethroat flitted around on the stems of bracken below the view point, which was probably a very wise

move with "Falco Subbuteo" about. The little bird never once ventured onto the tops of the bracken.

3 Buzzards soared on thermals to a really impressive height over the moss.

Meanwhile, several Black-headed Gulls also soared over the moss and appeared to indicate a hatch of flying insects, which they caught and

consumed in flight "Hobby" style.



__________________
John Williams
pete berry


Status: Offline
Posts: 1272
Date:
Permalink  

Thought I'd pop into to Risley as not been for a few years. Plenty of Hobby action with at least 4 birds hunting, 2 over the reserve and 2 distantly over the grassed over landfill.
Also seen a couple of Kestrel over the reserve,Common Tern,Buzzard,a few House Martins and Swifts as well as fly over Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed Gulls.


__________________
John O'Neill


Status: Offline
Posts: 890
Date:
Permalink  

Site of old Tower Hide
Kestrel. Sparrowhawk and Buzzard all up hunting over the Moss.

__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

7 pink footed Geese SE at 11.30

Sparrowhawk-1

Buzzard - 3



__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
malcolm roach


Status: Offline
Posts: 36
Date:
Permalink  

1 hobby.  1 kestrel.  From the view point  2.15 pm



__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

400 Swift over the landfill SE of the moss currently

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
malcolm roach


Status: Offline
Posts: 36
Date:
Permalink  

2 hobby  pm



__________________
Stephen Wende


Status: Offline
Posts: 26
Date:
Permalink  

Late post for 16/05/23 -

 

2 Hobbies seen between 13:45 - 14:15 from from former Tower Hide vew point.



__________________
Nick Hilton


Status: Offline
Posts: 709
Date:
Permalink  

At least 3 Hobby showing well around 1400 today.

__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

2 Hobby very high above the moss this afternoon, always nice to see them back.



__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  

A New years dusk watch

Woodcock - 4, off mossland

Common Snipe - 12, off mossland

Water Rail - calling nearby

__________________
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  


A dusk watch

Woodcock - 1,

Common Snipe - 15, off mossland

Canada Geese - 10, dropping onto mossland

Water Rail - 2, calling from edge of mossland

Tawny Owl - 1,

Carrion Crow - 150+, with most coming in & uncountable at dusk

__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

 

This morning 

2 Hobby although distant and very high

Female Marsh Harrier 



__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Dave Stewart


Status: Offline
Posts: 124
Date:
Permalink  

Risley Moss short visit 11-20-13-15hrs.

3 Hobby...pair & 1st Summer Male

Singing birds included...

1 Reed Warbler

1 Song Thrush

1 Whitethroat

3 Blackcap

A female Marsh Harrier was reportedly seen earlier

 



__________________
John Watson


Status: Offline
Posts: 459
Date:
Permalink  

I think 1st year birds have less distinct red "trousers", which might be what you interpreted as indicating juveniles. The behaviour doesn't sound like just-fledged, either

(I looked this up make sure)



__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

John O'Neill wrote:

Mid-day
site of old Tower Hide

At least two juv Hobbies putting on a spectacular show over moss, twisting and turning as they slalomed round bushes and small trees catching dragonflies. Occassionally landing to perch up and survey the area. Vocal; I suspect an adult bird was present somewhere. Ridiculously close at times.

A distant soaring Buzzard the only other raptor seen.

 A bit too early for Juv Hobby I would have thought ,yesterday 2 adults were present occasionally and a 1st summer bird has also been around locally ,normally Juv Hobby only appear late July onwards and expecially this year when the adults were still displaying locally 2 weeks ago after arriving very late ..? It would be unusual to Have This years fledged young so early feeding at Risley. 



-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 16th of June 2022 07:18:17 PM

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
John O'Neill


Status: Offline
Posts: 890
Date:
Permalink  

Mid-day
site of old Tower Hide

At least two juv Hobbies putting on a spectacular show over moss, twisting and turning as they slalomed round bushes and small trees catching dragonflies. Occassionally landing to perch up and survey the area. Vocal; I suspect an adult bird was present somewhere. Ridiculously close at times.

A distant soaring Buzzard the only other raptor seen.

__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

1 Hobby BRIEFLY this morning 



__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
John Watson


Status: Offline
Posts: 459
Date:
Permalink  

Late news for Tues 11th Jan

4 Woodcock, one seen well
6 Snipe, heard only
2 Water Rail, heard only

All the action was at 17:05, exactly 50 mins after sunset

__________________
John O'Neill


Status: Offline
Posts: 890
Date:
Permalink  

5pm site of Tower Hide
Clear evening with a gibbous moon illuminating the moss. A low heavy fog lay on the open space making the area look eerie and arcane, like Avalon (but with the sound of the M62 still audible.)
At least 2 Woodcock, possibly as many as 5, seen over low and v close .

__________________
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  


A short wander around & then a dusk watch from OT area

Woodcock - 6

Common Snipe - 6

Water Rail - 2 calling in front of OT area

Canada Geese - 15 flew north along west side - 8 flew low east across moss

Teal - no numbers but quite a few calling out on the moss

Corvid flock - 350+ (crows/jackdaws/Rook)

Song Thrush - surprised to hear singing nearby, (cf Mistle Thrush singing for a couple of weeks now)

Treecreeper - 2 singing near front gate

Nuthatch - 3 active around woods



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 29th of December 2021 10:21:22 PM

__________________
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  


Late records from Saturday.

Water Rail - 1, calling in front of where tower was!

Sparrowhawk - 1, female across front of area


Carrion Crows -200+, inc 1 with white wings



__________________
Lez Fairclough


Status: Offline
Posts: 323
Date:
Permalink  

Late post for Thursday 16th September - brief afternoon visit

Definitely 1 possibly 2 Hobby over over the moss - could have been the same bird

Buzzard, Kestrel, Nuthatch, 2 Bullfinch & Jay heard.

The woodland hide was deserted never seen it so quiet.

  



__________________
Lez Fairclough


Status: Offline
Posts: 323
Date:
Permalink  

2-30pm to 4-30pm.

Although the Woodland Hide is closed due to Covid & vandalism the feeders & tables are still clearly visible from the left of the hide & well stocked - of note :-

M & F Chaffinch;  F Greenfinch;  Nuthatch  ;  Willow, Coal & Long-Tailed Tits  &  the highlight both male (with red nape) & female Great Spotted Woodpeckers drilling out what I think is a silver birch tree.

Near Mossland Hide another G S Woodpecker was seen with 2 Buzzards circling at tree top height.

The moss was strangely devoid of any birds.



-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Thursday 4th of March 2021 08:39:00 PM



-- Edited by Lez Fairclough on Thursday 4th of March 2021 08:40:26 PM



__________________
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  


Dusk vigil proved interesting (apart from great views of new Moon & Jupiter & Saturn conjunction)

Canada Geese - 80 flew low to the west

Woodcock - 4, usual route overhead & out NE

Common Snipe - 20, up off mossland

Lapwing - 200, circling over southern boundary

Short eared Owl - 1, hunting over mossland after dusk

Water Rail - 2 calling from reeds in front of observation point

Magpies - 20+, into usual roost area

Corvid flock - 400+ into roost

__________________
John O'Neill


Status: Offline
Posts: 890
Date:
Permalink  

Ex site of Tower Hide
4.40 pm
1 Woodcock over Moss in gathering dark
A late flying Buzzard was mobbed by Carrion Crows

__________________
John Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 1881
Date:
Permalink  

11.00-13.00

Woodland : 2 Nuthatches and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Mossland : 1 Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Raven and 4 Jays.

2 skeins of Pink footed Geese (1 x 180 +1 x 25) heading South.

1 skein of 6 Greylag Geese heading towards Rixton tip.

Large numbers of Starlings flocking over the former landfill, then settling on the adjacent crane.

__________________
John Williams
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  


Dropped in briefly this morning.

Starling - 2000+ circling frantically in tight formation over the east side of the mossland but couldn't see what or where the raptor - presumably, was among all those birds!

Returned again at dusk.

Common Snipe - 17 coming off the mossland

Woodcock - 2

Canada Geese - 30 dropping onto mossland

Carrion Crows - 200+, into roost unfortunately?



__________________
John Watson


Status: Offline
Posts: 459
Date:
Permalink  

Chiffchaff singing. If this is the 1st for the site this year, it's a typical date

Great Spotted Woodpecker
Nuthatch 2+
Buzzard 6+, seems to be great weather for them today

Surprisingly few visitors, maybe they're all in Wales & Norfolk

__________________
Dave Steel


Status: Offline
Posts: 2074
Date:
Permalink  

A Wander with My old Team Tuesday WEA Class 0945-1245

 

1 Grey Heron

 

3 Buzzard

 

2 Sparrowhawk 1 Female 1 Male

1 Kestrel

10 Lapwing

1 Snipe

1 Song Thrush in song

2 Goldcrest in song

 

1 Willow Tit in song

3 Nuthatch.



__________________
John Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 1881
Date:
Permalink  

12.00-13.30

No sign of any Willow Tits around the feeders, just 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and

common garden birds plus half a dozen squirrels.

1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 1 Raven were over the mossland, plus a steady procession of

gulls visiting nearby Rixton Landfill.

__________________
John Williams
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  


Dropped in at dusk to see what's moving through on a cold evening.

S E Owl - came off mossland & flew north

Woodcock - 2 off mossland & flew NE

Common Snipe - 14 off mossland

Fieldfare - 30+ dropped into the Central Coppice

Corvids - 300+ mostly Carrion but a few jackdaws

Canade Geese - 35 flew low to the west

__________________
John Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 1881
Date:
Permalink  

Brief visit to the reserve this morning 10.00-11.30, in sunshine for a change.

5 Buzzards were soaring across the moss, One Buzzard was being mobbed by a couple of crows,

then 8 more joined in the fun, and finally around 20 corvids attacked the raptor which was struggling

to gain height. The Buzzard finally gave up and dashed into the safety of some bushes on the edge of the moss.

A Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were also in flight over the moss, and for a while the hawk also opted to have a go

mobbing a Buzzard, but it appeared only to be a token gesture.

I spent a few minutes at the feeding station, which was well stocked with nuts etc, but the area appeared devoid

of life, not even the usual squirrels were there, I had seen a Sparrowhawk zooming through the woodland moments before

though.


__________________
John Williams
John Watson


Status: Offline
Posts: 459
Date:
Permalink  

1 Hobby (prob juv) at about 16:30
1 Sparrowhawk (ad m)

2-3 Bullfinch (h)
1 Chiffchaff (h)
1+ Willow Warbler (h)
1 Whitethroat (h)

v distantly, over Rixton fields
5+ Swift
150+ House Martin
1+ Swallow
1 Buzzard displaying


__________________
Nick Hilton


Status: Offline
Posts: 709
Date:
Permalink  

18/08/19
Good views of an adult Hobby hunting over the moss, around 1430 today.

__________________
Keith Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 190
Date:
Permalink  

2 x Hobby's this afternoon

__________________
John Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 1881
Date:
Permalink  

10.30-13.00

A single Hobby gave a tremendous aerial display over the moss, and quite close to the viewing area.

It was seen catching and eating what appeared to be large flying insects, although the nearest thing to a dragonfly seen

from the viewing area was a single Large Red Damselfly. There were numerous large bumblebees around, so perhaps some

of those were taken?. Also above the moss and riding the thermals were 2 Buzzards and a single Sparrowhawk.



__________________
John Williams
John Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 1881
Date:
Permalink  

10.00-13.30

Mossland : 4 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens and 1 Reed Bunting.

Woodland Feeding Station: 2m Yellowhammers, 1m+1f Bullfinches and 2 Jays. 1 Goldcrest was seen elsewhere in the woods.

Plenty of Chaffinches were below the feeders but no sign of Brambling, no sign of any Willow Tits either.

__________________
John Williams
John O'Neill


Status: Offline
Posts: 890
Date:
Permalink  

5.30pm
1 Woodcock , flying from the Moss

__________________
Charlotte Harrison


Status: Offline
Posts: 9
Date:
Permalink  

Sorry for the late posting, but some highlights from my trip to Risley Moss on 8th Jan 2019:

2 Short-eared Owls hunting across the moss at exactly 16:53. I was only able to see them in flight once, as the light was quickly fading. I could hear them calling across the moss though so knew they were still there. 

1 (male) Tawny Owl calling in the woods behind the moss.

Thanks,

Charlotte



__________________
John Watson


Status: Offline
Posts: 459
Date:
Permalink  

Late pm, 40 mins after sunset (note, reserve closes at 5pm, but pedestrians can escape via turnstile at any time)

2 Woodcock off the moss, flew over trees
1-2 Short-Eared Owls
1 Tawny Owl (h)

And a really annoying drone being flown around illegally & dangerously (see separate thread)

__________________
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  


A cold dusk bird watch between 4 - 5pm, was well worth it.

Short-eared Owl - 1 definitely, 2 possibly. The first came off the mossland & flew north, returning 5' later high overhead & heading out west and then turned north. 20' later the same/or another was jinking over the mossland as it was being harassed by crows in the failing light before dropping back onto the mossland!

Tawny Owl - 1 calling from woods

Woodcock - 5 off mossland & heading NE

Common Snipe - 24 off mossland

Crows - ca300+ into roost






__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

This morning

1 Juvenile Hobby

4 Kestrel

1 Sparrowhawk

2 Yellow Wagtail flying south

2 Tree Pipit flying south

House Martin and Swallow fairly constant trickle south

Chiffchaff-2



__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  


Hobby - 2 immatures hawking spasmodically over the mossland

Kestrel - 1

Sparrowhawk - male

Common Buzzard - 3 around area

Swallows - 30+ over bottom coppice area, occasionally harassing the hobby as did some crows

House Martin - 20 in same area

Nuthatch - 3 very noisey individuals near woodland hide

Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler also noted


__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

A surprise today was 2 Woodcock that flew towards me and over my head while I was leaning on the new boarded walkway across the small moss by the car park, also regular Hobby on Moss.



__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
Craig Higson


Status: Offline
Posts: 1274
Date:
Permalink  

Single Hobby over the moss. Distant but putting on a great performance

__________________
No one on their death bed ever said they wished they'd spent more time at work. http://bitsnbirds.blogspot.co.uk
John Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 1881
Date:
Permalink  

13.30-16.00

1 Red Kite

(Thanks to the photographer who spotted what we thought at first was just another Buzzard soaring high over the moss,

until when viewed through bins when a very apparent fork tailed and wing patches were noticed.)

The bird drifted off northwards and did not re-appear.

1 Hobby putting on a tremendous aerial display and seen to catch and eat a few dragonflies in flight.

4 Buzzards were over the moss, one was seen to flush and chase a Lapwing.

The Lapwing circled and landed back onto the moss giving the impression they might be breeding here.

A dozen Swifts drifted across the moss heading NE.

__________________
John Williams
John Williams


Status: Offline
Posts: 1881
Date:
Permalink  

10.00-13.00

Feeding Station :

1 Willow Tit, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Jays and 1 Buzzard.

Below the feeders 12 Grey Squirrels dominated the ground level, although as I left a small group of Chaffinches were

brave enough to feed amongst the rodents.

The woodpeckers and Jays were territorial and chasing each other around the wood.

The buzzard shot through the dense woodland with great agility, and with 2 crows in close pursuit.

The Mossland :

The sad remains of the burnt down tower still remain, and are fenced off, although the area in front is still accessible.

4 Buzzards were over the moss, whilst a single Grey Wagtail flew along the edge of the wood.

Carrion Crows dominated the moss, with larger numbers on the nearby Rixton tip.




-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 9th of May 2018 10:05:23 PM

__________________
John Williams
Rob Smith


Status: Offline
Posts: 423
Date:
Permalink  

Checking out local activity at dusk.

Common Snipe - 25 coming off mossland
Woodcock - 1 off mossland
Magpie - 12 into centre coppice roost
Jackdaws - ca100 into woodland roost
Crows - ca150 into same roost area
Blackbirds- 12 into rhodis in front of viewpoint
Reed Bunting - 6 into similar area


__________________
JOHN TYMON


Status: Offline
Posts: 3578
Date:
Permalink  

2nd Aug

2 Hobby and Adult and a Juvenile .The Adult seen passing a swallow to the youngster in flight



__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntymon/
1 2 3 … 7  >  Last»  | Page of 7  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> Cheshire and The Wirral -> Risley Moss

RODIS

 

This forum is dedicated to the memory of Eva Janice McKerchar.