MB

 

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Stalybridge country park- Brushes


Status: Offline
Posts: 773
Date:
RE: Stalybridge country park- Brushes


Tuesday 27th February 12.00 - 12.20 hrs.

Just nipped up after my errands ..... seed feeder virtually empty but there was a big fat grey squirrel joining in the fun !

Dunnock.
Great, Blue and Willow Tit.
Nuthatch on the Peanut feeder.
Cock and hen Pheasant under the feeders.

Grey Wagtail (F) feeding in the overflow channel.

I arrived in sunshine ... left in a blizzard 20 mins later !!

Roger.

__________________
Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Tuesday 27th February 2018, 6.30 - 7.15am

A quick stop off at Walkerwood Dam, mainly to fill the feeders. The snow cover meant there was a queue forming as I refilled.

A lot of birds straight onto them, including up to ten Long-tailed Tits, a species that doesn't often use the feeders. Also plenty of Bullfinch, and the single Willow Tit.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Friday 23rd February 2018, 9.00 - 11.45am

From Walkerwood Dam, up on to Wild Bank Hill, past the trig point, to Hollingworthall Moor. A fine, icy morning, but the bitter easterly wind, once out the shelter of Wild Bank, made it almost impossible to stand still. Consequently, nothing at all seen or heard past the 1,000ft contour.

Wild Bank Hill.

Pair of Little Owl at a regular site
2 Red Grouse
1 Dunnock singing at Shaw Farm
6 Starlings
4 Wren
1 Kestrel struggling in the wind over Hollingworthall Moor
Other than a handful of Woodpigeon and Magpies, that really was it for Wild Bank.

Lower down.

3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the country park. One male was drumming, with a female close by, then another male flew in and noisily mobbed the first. All three could be seen (and heard!) flying around the area over the following fifteen minutes, as I was making my way up towards the rifle ranges.
1 female Grey Wagtail in Walkerwood overflow
The usual suspects around the feeders, including the Willow Tit
Yesterday, a drake Mandarin was on Walkerwood Reservoir

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Tuesday 20th February 2018, 5.30 - 6.30pm.

A slow wander up Brushes Valley in the hour around dusk produced three Woodcock.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Sunday 18th February 2018, 8.00 - 11.00am

The length of Brushes Valley, with an hour spent on the moor around Turf Pits.

Top of the valley.

4 Skylark calling from the moor around Turf Pits, my first of the year locally
1 Kestrel
24 Red Grouse - but it is a grouse moor.
11 Reed Bunting around the scout hut

1 Willow Tit on the Walkerwood feeder

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Thursday 15th February 2018, 8.30 - 10.00am.

Around Walkerwood, with a feel of springtime in the air.

15+ Chaffinch, mainly males, with a lot of posturing going on. Many in sub-song, including five perched in a hawthorn within feet of each other.
6 Raven over south, in three pairs.
1 Willow Tit
3 Coal Tits
1 Jay on the feeder
Nuthatch calling
1 Treecreeper in the Country Park

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Wednesday 14th February 2018, 6.15 - 7.15am

1 Woodcock back into the woods at 6.54am, much lower down the valley from those of yesterday, in the area of Brushes SBI (alongside Brushes Reservoir).
12 Canada Geese on Walkerwood Reservoir.



__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Tuesday 13th February 2018, 6.15 - 7.30am

Brushes Valley, as far as Lower Swineshaw scout hut.

2 Woodcock, one flushed from the moor before first light, below Lower Swineshaw. The second was flying back into the woods at 7.00am.
3 Tawny Owls calling, from the scout hut, and the woods on both sides of Brushes Reservoir. Last night, a pair were calling from the woods between Brushes and Lower Swineshaw Reservoir, at 8.00pm.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Friday 9th February 2018, the length of Brushes Reservoir.

At least one Woodcock flew over Brushes Reservoir, then circled above the woods several times, before plummeting down into the trees on the Harridge side, at 7.05am.

Tawny Owls calling further down the valley, around Walkerwood, but none any higher up this morning.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1605
Date:

David Walsh wrote:



I usually count the valley and the country park in sections, and there is also at least one pair in the woods at Grove Road. You can do the light duties around Roe Cross, Roger. All we need now is someone to do Cowbury Dale - doesn't Steve Suttill like wandering around up there after dark?

I can see it now. "Owls of Stalybridge". Do you think anyone would want to read it? wink



Nothing I like better, David hmm but, as you know, my hearing isn't half as good as yours!

I well remember covering quite a few local sites for a BTO Tawny Owl survey a few years ago. Didn't hear a single hoot whilst in the right place at the specified times, but then I'd drive home, get out of the car, and they'd be calling everywhere furious

I would buy the book though. I'd even print it for you!

__________________
Steve "Make your birdwatching count!"


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Roger Baker 3 wrote:

I had 3 male Tawny Owls calling within hearing distance, all at the same time, late on Sunday night David.

Good to hear them as I didn't have a single hoot during October or November when I expected to hear them calling and answering from Cheethams Park and Bower Fold.

Roger.





It was unusually quiet last Autumn in the valley, but they have made up for it in the past month. I quite regularly see them flying around before dawn.

I usually count the valley and the country park in sections, and there is also at least one pair in the woods at Grove Road. You can do the light duties around Roe Cross, Roger. All we need now is someone to do Cowbury Dale - doesn't Steve Suttill like wandering around up there after dark?

I can see it now. "Owls of Stalybridge". Do you think anyone would want to read it? wink

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 773
Date:

I had 3 male Tawny Owls calling within hearing distance, all at the same time, late on Sunday night David.

Good to hear them as I didn't have a single hoot during October or November when I expected to hear them calling and answering from Cheethams Park and Bower Fold.

Roger.

__________________
Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Tuesday 6th February 2018, 6.30 - 7.20am

At least 4, probably 5 Tawny Owls around Walkerwood this morning.

Two males hooting at either end of the reservoir, on the Wild Bank side, plus a female calling.
Also very good views of a bird flying around the trees on the Harridge side, which then started a very squeaky hoot. Another bird was seen higher up, towards the gamekeeper's cottage, which started a more confident, mature sounding hoot. Didn't sound like the same bird to me.

These males seem very close together, possibly youngsters involved in trying to lay down territories. I have it in my head that Tawny Owls can have territories as small as 12 hectares, which, using a piece of rudimentary arithmetic, gives a circle of radius approximately 200 metres.

-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 6th of February 2018 01:40:52 PM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 3rd February 2018, 8.30 - 11.00am.

Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, in moderately heavy snow around the Swineshaws.

Walkerwood area.

3 Goosander (2 males), on the reservoir
1 Grey Wagtail around the dam
1 Willow Tit
3 Bullfinch
Chaffinch in sub-song
Song and Mistle Thrush singing this week at dawn

The only signs of life further up were five Reed Bunting, calling from the vegetation, including one in the valley below Lower Swineshaw, and a handful of Red Grouse.




__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 13th January 2018, 9.30am - 12.00pm.

Brushes Valley, and around Higher Swineshaw.

Another quiet morning, with a strong, cold wind from Lower Swineshaw up. I've lost track of the last time I was up here and the weather wasn't either snowing, foggy, or blowing a gale.

A pair of Stonechat feeding at Lees Hill
3 Ravens at Higher Swineshaw
1 Buzzard over Swineshaw Moor
Male Kestrel struggling with the wind over Lees Hill

Lower down.

2 Treecreeper
Male Great Spotted Woodpecker

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1605
Date:

To be honest, I didn't really expect to see Woodcock at that time of day, or Stonechat given the foggy conditions. If I'd remembered to bring some seed, I might have attracted the Willow Tit. The latter must be getting on a bit - BTO Birdfacts gives 3 years as typical lifespan.

As for texting you before 6am... Roger was right about dealing with madmen smile

__________________
Steve "Make your birdwatching count!"


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Steve Suttill wrote:

Walkerwood Dam to Higher Swineshaw and back, mainly in thick fog (chance to test low-light capabilities of new binoculars confuse)

No sign of any of Mr Walsh's Stonechats, Woodcock or Willow Tit!




Steve

The image burned indelibly in your memory is partly my fault; I forgot to forewarn you of that suit on the evening in question.

With regards the three species you didn't see yesterday:

Willow Tit - hardy ever seen away from the feeders. Either text me before 6.00am next time you're visiting, and I will make sure the feeders are filled, or bring a handful of black sunflower seeds with you.

Stonechat - hit and miss. They feed over a wide area at this time of year, on both sides of the valley, and can lie low for long periods.

Woodcock - winter sightings are very fleeting, and crepuscular. Dawn is still breaking a little late for my routine, but I have had several excellent views of Tawny Owls flying around the trees at 7.00am recently, to compensate. Alternatively, you could engage the services of my Springer Spaniel - she may improve your chances of seeing a Woodcock later in the day.

This morning's visit started inauspiciously, at 10.00am, when I realised I had forgotten my binoculars, so had to use my emergency pair from the car boot, with only one functioning lens. So all sightings are courtesy of my left eye only.

Most of the action at this time of year is around the woods, particularly at Brushes Cottages.

8 Coal Tits, very vocal, and a little singing going on.
2 Lesser Redpoll over.
The usuals around the feeder, including the Willow Tit smile

Almost four years after the first sighting, the Willow Tit has only ever been seen singly. There is a prize on offer for anyone recording two birds, in the shape of a bespoke anti mosquito suit (slightly worn). biggrinbiggrin

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1605
Date:

Roger Baker 3 wrote:

I thought that you would have realised that you were dealing with madmen when we had you up there at midnight ... although it was noted how quickly you produced a sick-note when you received your next invite. biggrinbiggrinbiggrin

Roger.



The memory of your good self emerging from the heather, clad from head to foot in your anti-mosquito suit will live with me forever - worthy of any Hammer horror film biggrin

__________________
Steve "Make your birdwatching count!"


Status: Offline
Posts: 773
Date:

No sign of any of Mr Walsh's Stonechats, Woodcock or Willow Tit!
.................................................................................................................

Be careful what you wish for Steve otherwise you may find yourself being dragged round the circuit at 05.00 hrs.
I thought that you would have realised that you were dealing with madmen when we had you up there at midnight ... although it was noted how quickly you produced a sick-note when you received your next invite. biggrinbiggrinbiggrin

Roger.

__________________
Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.


Status: Offline
Posts: 1605
Date:

Walkerwood Dam to Higher Swineshaw and back, mainly in thick fog (chance to test low-light capabilities of new binoculars confuse)

No sign of any of Mr Walsh's Stonechats, Woodcock or Willow Tit!

Walkerwood: Lesser Black-backed Gull and redhead Goosander. Tits: Long-tailed, Blue, Great and Coal. Goldcrest. Bullfinch (3).
Lower Swineshaw and scout hut: Reed Bunting (3), Chaffinch, Mallard (3), Pheasant. Red Grouse (heard only).
Higher Swineshaw: one Black-headed Gull.

__________________
Steve "Make your birdwatching count!"


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Thursday 4th January 2018, 10.00 - 11.30am

Walkerwood area

1 Cormorant fishing on the reservoir
A female Peregrine drifted over Harridge, from the north, and had a couple of half-hearted attempts at Woodpigeons around the gamekeeper's cottage. Its left wing was very ragged, missing several flight feathers.
1 Kestrel, having a go at the Peregrine.
1 Buzzard calling from Wild Bank Hill.

A lot of life around Brushes Cottages.

At least 4 Treecreepers
2 Nuthatch
Several Goldcrest

The usuals around the feeder, including the Willow Tit

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Thursday 28th December 2017, 9.30 - 11.00am

A slow amble around the Rifle Ranges, accompanied by my 83 year old father, eldest son, and daughter, in intermittent snow showers. Unsurprisingly, not much seen.

A Woodcock was flushed from the birch growth low down on Wild Bank, and flew further up the hill.
One Meadow Pipit flew up, calling above the frozen moor.
6 Blackbirds feeding together in the fields
One Pied Wagtail around Flaxfield Farm

And that was about it.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 49
Date:

From Walkerwood Dam to Higher Swineshaw in bright frosty conditions on the way up, and a snow shower on the way back down. 09:00 - 10:30 am.

Raven and a pair of Stonechat near the top.

Treecreeper, Nuthatch highlights lower down.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 49
Date:

Wild Bank

From Stocks Lane, up to Wild Bank and then the Trig Point and back down. 10:30 to 12

A few of Blue, Great and Coal Tits lower down with some Chaffinch and only one Bullfinch

One Little Owl in usual area and a flock of 30 Fieldfare over while I was watching the Owl.

Two Red Grouse just below the Trig Point


__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 16th December 2017, 8.00 - 11.00am, clear, with intermittent snow showers.

From Walkerwood Dam, up onto Wild Bank Hill, including a wander around the trig point. Wild Bank still blanketed beneath several inches of snow.

Wild Bank Hill

2 Little Owls
3 Reed Bunting around the trig point
10+ Red Grouse
5 Meadow Pipits
10 Long-tailed Tits feeding in the birch trees above Cock Wood
3 Bullfinch

2 Rooks feeding in the fields around Flaxfield Farm, with several Carrion Crows and Jackdaw
Plenty of Bullfinch around Brushes Road and Walkerwood
2 Jays
The usuals around the feeders, including the Willow Tit

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Friday 1st December 2017

Two Tawny Owls seen this morning, at 6.50am, both on Brushes Road, between the end of the housing and Walkerwood dam. The first was on a telegraph pole half way along the lane, and the second flew over from the Wild Bank side, into the country park, almost at the bend onto the dam.

Quite a number of Redwing over, down the valley, in the dark.

-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 1st of December 2017 08:17:53 PM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Thursday 30th November 2017, around dusk.

1 Woodcock over Lower Swineshaw scout hut, towards Lees Hill, at 4.35pm
Tawny Owl singing in the trees around the gamekeeper's cottage

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Thursday 30th November 2017, 9.00 - 11.45am

From Walkerwood dam, up onto Wild Bank Hill, and around the trig point.

Wild Bank Hill

1 pair of Stonechat feeding in the fields around Shaw Farm
1 Raven over east was the only sign of life at the trig point, with an icy wind howling through.
10 Redwing, 6 over and 4 feeding around Shaw Farm
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Kestrel on a fence post over towards Moorside Farm

6 Redwing around Flaxfield
Usual around the Walkerwood feeder, including the Willow Tit

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 25th November 2017, 8.30 - 11.00am

Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, and Irontongue Hill.

A refreshing morning wandering around the "warmer climes", as described by Steve Suttill. A liberal covering of snow greeted us at Walkerwood, and conditions gradually worsened on the climb up the valley, with deep snow, fog and blizzard conditions from Lower Swineshaw to Irontongue Hill. Surprisingly, though, not a complete wash out.

I have reached the stage of Autumn where dawn comes too late, and dusk too soon for my daily routine. I had therefore given up on seeing many crepuscular Woodcock until the new year, so I was pleased that two were flushed this morning, both unusually high up the valley, in the area of Lower Swineshaw.

Other sightings from the top end of the valley:

1 pair of Stonechat (sorry Steve) were flitting around the moor above Lower Swineshaw Reservoir in a blizzard, seemingly oblivious to the conditions. That makes 12 separate individuals recorded in Stalybridge this month, a November record for me personally. I don't know whether the GMBRG database may have more?
5 Reed Bunting, including three males in almost full breeding plumage, in Higher Swineshaw overflow

The other notable species was Long-tailed Tit, with a flock of 19 at Walkerwood, and 12 in Brushes Valley
1 Nuthatch calling from Brushes Cottages
All the usuals around the feeders, including the Willow Tit

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Sunday 19th November 2017, 7.45 - 11.30am.

From Walkerwood Dam, up onto Wild Bank Hill, and an hour watching the area around the trig point, as far as Hollingworthall Moor.

The most remarkable thing about this morning was the number of Stonechat seen. Not so much the total of six individuals, but the number of different locations around the site, as follows:

1 pair at Brushes Rifle Ranges
1 pair on Wild Bank Moor
1 in the fields below Shaw Farm
1 on the Hollingworthall Moor side of the trig point.

In addition to this, there is currently a pair around Paddock Farm, Harrop Edge, and yesterday I watched a pair at Lees Hill, Higher Swineshaw. In recent years, there have been only two overwintering pairs, one at Wild Bank, and one around Higher Swineshaw.
The recent run of mild winters have had a beneficial effect for this species nationally, and there seems to have been an increase in breeding range within Greater Manchester. This year I had thirteen confirmed broods from seven sites in Stalybridge alone (almost certainly an under count, due to a combination of convalescence and laziness on my part). Normally, by this time of year, most of the breeding stock have moved on, leaving just the odd pair, as outlined above.

Other sightings.

6 Reed Bunting
3 Meadow Pipits
4 Mistle Thrush
6 Bullfinch
The bizarre sight of four Pheasant, including a handsome male, perched high up a holly tree, feeding on berries.
The usuals around the Walkerwood feeder, including the Willow Tit.

Saturday morning, Brushes Valley, as far as Lees Hill.

6 Goldcrest
16 Long-tailed Tits
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
1 Treecreeper
3 Buzzard
3 Kestrel
2 Ravens
8 Reed Bunting


__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Friday 17th November 2017

Brushes Road.

One Woodcock flew down from the direction of the rifle ranges, into the country park, just 150 yards further along the lane than the last of the houses, at 6.51am.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Wednesday 15th November 2017, 6.30 - 7.20am

Brushes Valley.

3 Woodcock flew into the woods on Harridge, in better light than yesterday (i.e. no mist and drizzle). Two, at 6.59am, down the valley from the direction of Lower Swineshaw, with a third, at 7.01, over from the direction of Walkerwood

A Mistle Thrush attempted a very brief song, as dawn was breaking.

-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 15th of November 2017 07:59:40 AM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Tuesday 14th November 2017, 6.30 - 7.15am.

Brushes Valley, the length of Brushes Reservoir.

Woodcock flying back to roost, down the valley, over the woods on the Harridge side, towards the area of the gamekeeper's cottage, at 7.02am.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Monday 13th November 2017, 6.30 - 7.20am

Walkerwood area

c 20 Fieldfare noisily out of the bushes on Harridge, flew off over the country park.
26 Chaffinch over
4 Bullfinch

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 11th November 2017, around dusk.

1 Woodcock over Lower Swineshaw quarry at 4.58pm (precisely)
1 Tawny Owl calling from Cock Wood on the way back down

This morning, from Walkerwood, to Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill, 8.00 - 11.00am.

1 Grey Wagtail in Walkerwood overflow
Usuals around the feeder, including the Willow Tit
Several groups of Long-tailed Tits along the valley

Around the Swineshaws

7 Fieldfare dropped into the trees at the scout hut, staying for around ten minutes
2 Siskin
4 Chaffinch
5 Reed Bunting
A Peregrine did a couple of circuits of Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill, giving a Magpie an almighty fright


__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Wednesday 8th November 2017, 6.15 - 7.15am

From Walkerwood to Lower Swineshaw, around dawn.

No Woodcock this morning, but a bit of movement of birds moving from roost, down the valley in the direction of the country park, after 7.00am.

36 Chaffinch (8,13,8,4,3)
7 Lesser Redpoll (5,1,1)
1 Jay

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 4th November 2017

1 Woodcock out of the woods, over Lower Swineshaw, at 5.05pm. My first sighting since July (and I have been looking, at dawn and dusk, over the past month), presumably evidence of newly arrived migrants, half expected following this week's full moon.
Male and female Tawny Owl calling from the valley bottom.

This morning, around Walkerwood and the area of the gamekeeper's cottage, 8.00 - 10.15am

10 Redwing feeding in the fields
2 Mistle Thrush
1 Song Thrush
6 Long-tailed Tits
Usuals around the feeders, including the Willow Tit
15 Pheasants
1 Red-legged Partridge
1 Grey Wagtail

-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 5th of November 2017 12:03:01 AM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Monday 30th October 2017, 6.00 - 6.45am

2 Tawny Owls at the Harridge side of Walkerwood. Good views of one, at 6.10am, gliding down over the fields from the gamekeeper's cottage, towards the country park, and another calling from the trees lining the reservoir, ten minutes later.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Sunday 29th October 2017, 8.30 - 10.30am

Around the Swineshaws

1 pair of Stonechat
8 Reed Bunting, a couple of males still in almost full breeding plumage
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Kestrel
2 Goldfinch at Higher Swineshaw dam
15 Fieldfare flying northwest over the moor


__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 28th October 2017, 8.30 - 11.00am

Brushes Valley, which was shrouded in drizzly low cloud from Brushes Reservoir up.

The only thing visible further up was 4 Goldcrest at Lower Swineshaw scout hut

Fortunately, Walkerwood was particularly lively:

3 Goldcrest
Siskin flew over in dribs and drabs, then a flock of around 40 flew noisily back, from the country park, towards Cock Wood.
1 Lesser Redpoll over
1 Goldfinch
2 Bullfinch
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Willow Tit
4 Long-tailed Tits
Coal, Blue, and Great Tits
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over the reservoir

Flaxfield

Initially, 20 Fieldfare flew from Wild Bank, west over Stalybridge, then a further 60 landed in the fields and bushes around Flaxfield Farm
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Greenfinch over
1 Goosander flying west, down the Tame Valley


__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 21st October 2017, 9.00 - 11.00am

Brushes Valley, to the top of the moor at Turf Pits, in very blustery conditions.

15 Redwing south over Pack Saddle at 9.30
Just the odd Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting up from the moor
Plenty of Red Grouse seem to have survived this week's shoot

Willow Tit on the Walkerwood feeder, along with the usuals.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 14th October 2017, 9.30 - 11.00am

Around the Swineshaws. Quiet, except for species that, for the next six months, will be known as "the usuals". I would expect to see them most times I'm up here in winter.

1 male Stonechat, flycatching so high up that it resembled a display flight.
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
Several each, around the moor, of:
Meadow Pipits
Reed Bunting
Robin
Wren
Dunnock
Blackbirds

The drake Mandarin was back on Walkerwood, swimming with two Mallard. These were the only birds on all four reservoirs.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Thursday 12th October 2017, 10.30am - noon.

Harridge.

4 Buzzards, 3 interacting, the fourth higher up on its own.
2 Kestrels, having a dig at the Buzzards
1 Raven

20 Meadow Pipits quickly through, over the moor above Lower Swineshaw, with a few others calling from the ground
2 Lesser Redpoll over the scout hut
1 Grey Wagtail at Walkerwood

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Monday 9th October 2017, 6.10am

Good views of a Tawny Owl flying along Brushes Road, on the edge of the country park.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Sunday 8th October 2017, 9.30 - 11.30am

Higher Swineshaw, and around Lees Hill. Quiet.

3 Stonechat, 2 males and a female, moving around the fences and bracken between Lees Hill and Boar Flat.
1 Raven over from Ogden Clough to Harridge
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
A couple of Lesser Redpoll over
15+ Meadow Pipits
Several Red Grouse
Several Reed Bunting calling

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Thursday 5th October 2017, 10.00 - 11.30am

Around Higher Swineshaw, and the moor at Turf Pits.

2 Raven
3 Buzzard, one over Harridge, and two high up to the east, towards Chew Reservoir
1 Kestrel
1 male Stonechat
3 Reed Bunting
2 Linnet over south
3 Red Grouse
10 Meadow Pipit

-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 5th of October 2017 12:54:21 PM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Wednesday 5th October 2017, 9.30 - 11.30am.

Walkerwood Dam, up past the rifle ranges, and onto Wild Bank Hill. Cold, windy, with intermittent drizzle. Deathly quiet.

Walkerwood

1 drake Mandarin, swimming with four Mallard
1 Willow Tit, plus the usuals around the feeder, including a Jay.
2 Lesser Redpoll
4 Bullfinch

Wild Bank Hill

1 Little Owl
10 Meadow Pipits
2 Greenfinch
Mixed group of Great, Blue, and Long-tailed Tits
1 Jay

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Sunday 1st October 2017, 9.15 - 10.00am

Walkerwood area

1 Dipper in the overflow
2 Grey Wagtails
2 Lesser Redpoll
Several Jays collecting acorns
4 Swallows over south

Yesterday, all the usual Tits and Finches were around the feeder, including the Willow Tit.

Flaxfield

1 Kestrel
A very mobile flock of around 40 Goldfinch
5 Mistle Thrush
9 Meadow Pipits

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 23rd September, 7.00 - 10.30am

Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood to Lees Hill.

Around the Swineshaws.

6 Stonechat, in three different areas
1 Dipper, flying across Higher Swineshaw Reservoir
3 Pied Wagtails
20+ Meadow Pipits
1 Lesser Redpoll over
Several Reed Bunting
Bullfinch in the trees at the scout hut

Walkerwood Dam, more lively than in a long time, particularly around the feeder.

1 Nuthatch was a very unusual sight on the feeder. They are common in the trees around Brushes Cottages, but not Walkerwood Dam.
1 Willow Tit
6 Lesser Redpoll
6 Jays, carrying acorns across the reservoir, towards Wild Bank.
4 Chiffchaff
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Grey Heron
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel over Harridge

Several each of:
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Bullfinch
Chaffinch
Goldfinch

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1713
Date:

Saturday 16th September 2017, 8.30 - 11.00am

Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood to Lees Hill.

Around the Swineshaws.

1 juvenile Whinchat at Lees Hill
9 Stonechat, 2 males around Higher Swineshaw dam, and a family group of seven
Meadow Pipit numbers on the increase - around 25 feeding on Higher Swineshaw dam, and a similar number around Lees Hill
3 Reed Bunting
A flock of approximately 50 House Martins and 30 Swallows over southwest. Last night at dusk, around 100 Swallows were feeding over Lower Swineshaw Reservoir
1 Grey Wagtail in Higher Swineshaw overflow
20 Starlings around the fences at Lees Hill

Walkerwood

Greenfinch
Bullfinch
Chaffinch
Lesser Redpoll over
Kestrel over Harridge
Buzzard over Wild Bank

-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 16th of September 2017 03:11:17 PM

__________________
« First  <  Page 2  >   Last »  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

RODIS

 

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