An Oystercatcher at Watergrove this a.m. on pool by the hide is the earliest ever recorded here, and appears to be the first so far this year in the Rochdale area. There have only been two previous Feb records here in the past 10 years. This species does not normally arrive at Watergrove until 1st week of March.
Also a Skylark was singing yesterday and two singing this morning. The earliest dates this species has been heard in song here. There are only two previous records from here of birds singing in February, 20/02/95  and 26/02/97.
Yesterday there was a minimum of 3 Skylarks singing whilst flying north over Chelburn Resrs.