Quick walk this morning.

1 brief song from Willow Warbler.

1 Chiffchaff

1m 1f Yellowhammer.

1m 1f Linnet.

2 Skylark.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 11th of April 2018 12:38:06 PM

Male Ring Ouzel and a singing Chiffchaff this morning. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

Hawfinch NNE at 07:47 this morning, info thanks to Peter Alker

Wed 30th Aug in the vicinity of the Beacon 8+ Tree Pipit, 2 Redstart, 3 Wheatear, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

2 Tree Pipit today, info thanks to Peter Alker

-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 8th of April 2017 06:20:42 PM

3 Crossbill and a Sand Martin N this morning, info thanks to Peter Alker

6 Crossbill SE this morning and 5 Brambling over, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

Birds logged moving over in 2hr 15min this morning included 1325 Redwing, 17 Fieldfare, 3 Brambling, 3 Crossbill (NE) and a Peregrine. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 12th of October 2016 08:16:43 PM

Male Ring Ouzel this morning, which then flew E, 2 Fieldfare and 5 Snipe over, at least 10 Goldcrest and 2-3 Chiffchaff present. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire/Peter Alker

-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 7th of October 2016 10:19:34 AM

Ring Ouzel present on SW slope of closed landfill below summit of hill, in scrub by kissing gate 09:25, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 5th of October 2016 07:00:16 PM

Mon 3rd Oct 400 Redwing early morning in various directions, 3 House Martin sout. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire 

paul brady wrote:

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Mistle thrush singing today and chasing each other around .... i know they breed early but is it that mild!

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 And song thrush singing yesterday too!

Just at the bottom of the hill my garden, pleased to see the return of 2 tree sparrows to the feeders after a few weeks absence, though a sparrowhawk had them but mustve been a house sparrow which i suppose given their demise aint too much better ....

also had 3 of Peter Alker's ringed starlings which is part of a BTO project .... seems his birds wander over a fairly lare "home range"

26 Crossbill SW this morning, also totals of 10 Fieldfare and 12 Siskin flew S. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

Had good views of a female Stonechat at the hill summit on and off for over an hour around lunchtime today. There were plenty of Meadow pipits and finches overhead, including a few Siskin (3). Other birds included 6 Yellowhammer, 2 Kestrel, Raven, Bullfinch, 3 Corn bunting, 5 House martin and 4 Jay

I've seen a picture of a Red Kite that was shown to my Mrs apparently seen over Billinge Hill earlier this week. Cant remember which day I'm afraid, and other detail are sketchy. Might be worth keeping an eye out though.

On the GM thread, Ian points out that the copse is actually in GM, with the footpath forming the boundary

An hour up on the summit between 12:45- 1:45 today

8 yellowhammer (all males, some giving very close views up at the top of the hill)
5 corn bunting (on the way up)
3 chiffchaff
70+ linnet
Kestrel
Buzzard

Single redpoll over yesterday morning.

Plenty of linnets and goldfinch feeding on the ripening oil seed rape in surrounding fields

Gonna be keeping my ears open today from the garden as I awoke in the early hours to the sound of a singing quail .... though it couldve all been a very vivid dream!

11 Crossbills west over Billinge Hill at 08:40 this morning. Came out of Greater Manchester from the direction of Windy Arbour.

Info thanks to Peter Alker

RBA reports it still singing. Must have got better.

I guess a stoat or fox must have found the body

When I was there yesterday, I thought I caught a brief hint of a 2nd quail lower down the slope, but couldn't be sure

Strange how they prefer wheat to barley, when most of those fields are barley which is the usual choice

John Watson wrote:

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RBA reports the quail as dead, though it sounded healthy when I was there. Cause of death would be of interest - fox, gun, or merely pining for the fjords ?

Yesterday RBA mentioned 1+ quail, so there could be another around.

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Well I think the two bird theory has proven correct this time!

Quail singing at 11:15 in wheat field just North of horse paddocks at Crookhurst Farm - SD 525 005

Park on farm approach road close to B5205, walk NE to farm then N. Pass horse paddocks which are on your Right, and at their end turn Right. After passing the paddocks, stop & listen. The bird is on the higher part of the field close to the paddocks, some 50 yards away from you.

Obviously, do not enter the field !