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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> HORWICH MOORS
Post Info TOPIC: HORWICH MOORS
John Williams


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Walked along George's Lane from Wilderswood to the Lancs border & back :- Flock of 20 Fieldfares on the pasture below the kennels. 4 Goldcrests and 2 Bullfinches in the border conifer plantation. 1 vocal Raven seen flying towards the masts.

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John Williams
Ian McKerchar


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This morning’s highlights included:

 

2 Whooper Swans SE over Bolton along with 50+ Pink-footed Geese

2 Goosander S

50 Teal in a tight flock SE

Single Twite low S

150+ Mallard S half dropping onto Delph Reservoir

Female type Long-tailed Duck seen come up off Delph Reservoir in Lancashire

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning from Scout Road:

 

male Hen Harrier low SW

565 Fieldfares S

1 male Goosander S

 

Late news for the 17th:

 

9100 s SW and SE

7 Whooper Swans NW

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

 

34,030 Woodpigeons S/SE

650 Fieldfares S

780 Redwings S

9 Stock Doves N

1 Crossbill S

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning’s highlights included:

 

A Great White Egret was seen in flight from watchpoint and appeared to drop down near Doffcocker at 07:55

 

13,380 Woodpigeons mainly S

6 Stock Doves S

94 Fieldfares S



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning’s highlights included:

 

10 Pintail SW

2 Snipe E

3120 Woodpigeons S

4545 Fieldfares SSW in 37 flocks

467 Redwings S, usually mixed in with the Fieldfares

2950 Starlings W/SW

1 Goosander SE

118 Chaffinches S

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday, mainly from Edge Lane with highlights of:

 

1690 Pink-footed Geese in 21 skeins

3676 Woodpigeons SW

879 Fieldfares S

396 Redwings S

1 male type Ring Ouzel S

15 Crossbills S in 4 flocks

15 redpolls N

210 Chaffinches S

4192 Starlings mainly NW in 69 flocks

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Yesterday:

280 Pink-footed Geese NW in 2 skeins

Little Egret SW

47 Lapwings N

14 Fieldfares S

23 Crossbills S in flocks of 7 and 16

39 Chaffinches S

12 Bullfinches S 

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

 

1300 Pink-footed Geese mainly SE in 17 skeins

15 Whooper Swans SE

1600 W/SW

163 Fieldfares

Red Kite soaring up in a SE direction

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Yesterday:

 

9088 Woodpigeons over Scout Road

372 Pink-footed Geese in 5 skeins SE and 180 in 1 skein SW

2 male type Ring Ouzels S

35 Fieldfares SE

83 Redwings N

64 Chaffinches S

26 Crossbills S

 

Today:

 

5572 Woodpigeons mainly W/SW

200 Pink-footed Geese SE in 3 skeins

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday from Scout Road:

 

540 Pink-footed Geese in 5 skeins W/NW

500 Woodpigeons 500 mainly SW

123 Fieldfares SW and 37 N

23 Redwing S and 17 N

27 Song Thrushes S including a flock of 9

1 Swallow S 

9 Crossbills N

56 Siskin S

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Dennis atherton


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1 of the 3 flyby Merlins we had today up Scout rd



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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Ian McKerchar


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Other highlights for yesterday include:

 

433 Pink-footed Geese WNW/SW

5 Greylag Geese N

50 Fieldfares E

151 Redwings S/SW and 101 E

6 Blackbirds high S

10 Song Thrushes N and 1 NE

17 Crossbills S

21 Siskins S

14 Bullfinches S

338 Lapwings W/SW

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Dennis atherton


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Today's passage migrant male Hen Harrier from Scout rd 



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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Ian McKerchar


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From Scout Road this morning:

 

Two skeins 250 Pink-footed Geese SE in 2 skeins

3 Greylag Geese S and 2 N

5 redhead Goosanders N

207 Woodpigeons S and 340 NW

123 Fieldfares N

131 Redwings S in 10 flocks and 376 N in 15 flocks

9 Song Thrushes N

3 Swallows S

44 Siskins S

3 Crossbills S

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Today’s moors totals included:

 

760 Woodpigeon SWW

Ring-necked Parakeet E

497 Fieldfares S/SW and 291 NNE 3 flocks

883 Redwings SSW and 1005 NNE 13 flocks

90 Linnets, 20 Siskins,15 redpolls, 19 Bullfinches S 

20 Crossbills S

Single Ring Ouzel SE

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin

 



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Ian McKerchar


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Today’s highlights mainly from Scout Road included:

 

18 Whooper Swans SE

11 Pink-footed Geese W

773 Woodpigeons NW

6 Snipe

865 Redwings in 26 flocks WNW and WSW

117 Fieldfares

11 Coal Tits S

1 Goldcrest S

21 redpolls S

38 Linnets S

26 Siskins S

3 Bramblings S

21 Crossbills in 2 flocks S/SW

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Dennis atherton


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Tough morning in the mist with Andy and Phil. Difficult birding conditions.  We probably mist loads, Andy has totals later.  

Highlights was 18 Whooper Swans, Lots of Redwings plus Flyby Goldcrest and a pair of Brambling and our first Fieldfares. 



-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Monday 13th of October 2025 02:30:40 PM

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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Ian McKerchar


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This morning from Scout Road:

360 Pink-footed Geese in 5 skeins

5 Whooper Swans low W/NW

11 Golden Plover NW

15 Swallows S

1 Redwing S

40 Chaffinches S

12 Bullfinches with 10 NW and 2 S

39 Siskins S

37 Linnets S

Info thanks to Andy Makin

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning from Scout Road:

 

750 Pink-footed Geese  with 450 SE in 4 skeins and 300 W/SW in 5 skeins

3G high S

Merlin fast S

360 Woodpigeons S

445 Meadow Pipits S

20 Swallows S

22 Redwings with 10 SW, 10 N and 2 E

2 Fieldfares low SW

211 Chaffinches high S including large flocks of 50 and 35

168 Linnets S

9 redpolls S

17 Siskins S

24 Greenfinches S

22 Crossbills S

19 Reed Buntings S

13 Coal Tits in 2 flocks of 7 and 6, the latter also with a Goldcrest mixed in

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Highlights from the east side of Winter Hill this morning:

 

800 Pink-footed Geese in 9 skeins

8 Swallows S

165 Meadow Pipits S

406 Chaffinches S

181 Linnets S

34 redpolls S

57 Siskins S

30 Greenfinches S

A flock of 6 Coal Tits which flew straight through

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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From Scout Road this morning:

22 Pink-footed Geese low SW

481 Meadow Pipits S

146 Chaffinches S

75 Siskins S

32 Linnets S

8 Crossbills S

2 single Redwings S

2 Tree Sparrows low S

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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From Scout Road this morning:

 

196 Meadow Pipits

38 Pink-footed Geese SW

47 Lapwings SW

59 Chaffinch, 74 Linnet, 244 Siskin, 13 Redpoll, 14 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Crossbill all S

3 Swallows S

Female Blackcap, 2 Goldcrests and 9 Stonechats moving through the hedges

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin

 

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning from the east slope of Winter Hill, 1093 Meadow Pipits S, 10 Skylarks S, 71 Chaffinches S, 52 Goldfinches S, 246 Linnets S, 61 Siskins S, 33 Crossbills S in 4 flocks, 9 Swallows S and 1 calling Dunlin S. Also a flock of Goldfinches at the start of Coal Pit Lane around 400 strong.

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning from Scout Roads in murky conditions:

 

74 Meadow Pipits S

4 Crossbills S

 

Along Mast Road towards the top of Winter Hill mid-morning:

 

25 Stonechats

28 Wheatears

300+ Meadow Pipits down

46 Skylarks getting up off the moor heading low S

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning’s highlights included:

 

90+ Pink-footed Geese W in one skein and 165 SE in two skeins

55 Swallows S

77 Meadow Pipits S

8 Redwings S

467 Linnets S

34 Siskins S

22 redpolls S

18 Crossbills over in a few directions

3 Yellowhammers S

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin

 



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Ian McKerchar


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Yesterday morning’s highlights included:

 

1160 Pink-footed Geese SE in 13 skeins and another skein of 40 SW

10 Golden Plover S

134 Meadow Pipits S

17 Redwings over

29 Swallows S

17 House Martins S

50 Linnets S

18 Siskins S

3 Crossbills N

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday morning with highlights of:

1480 Pink-footed Geese in 18 skeins

205 Woodpigeons through

5 Stock Doves SE

3 Redwings circled the watchpoint

15 Golden Plover NW

18 Buzzards S

154 House Martins S

107 Swallows S

134 Meadow Pipits S

97 Linnets S

92 Siskins S

22 Crossbills S

36 Chaffinches S

 

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning’s highlights:

 

2600 Pink-footed Geese over SE in 36 skeins and one skein of 80 SW

1 Merlin SW

1 Marsh Harrier SW

15 Buzzards S

1 Red kite S

940 Swallows S

1100 House Martins S

62 Meadow Pipits S

70 Linnets S

26 Siskins S

10 Crossbills 

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

2270 Pink-footed Geese, with 2170 in 28 skeins SE and 100 SW in a single skein.

28 Buzzards through S

1 juvenile Hen Harrier S

2+ Merlins

257 Meadow Pipits 

3 Collared Doves S

3337 Swallows S

2407 House Martins S

1 Sand Martin S

31 Skylarks S/SE

77 Linnets SSW

10 Siskins S

1 Wheatear

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday morning from Scout Road:

490 Pink-footed Geese SE in 8 skeins

Marsh Harrier SW

43 Buzzards S

Ringtail Hen Harrier SE

9 Raven N 

221 Swallows S

20 House Martins S

2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers high over

5 Siskin S

57 Meadow Pipits S

2 Wheatears on Horrocks Moor

Info thanks to Andy Makin

 



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Ian McKerchar


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Other highlights today from Scout Road include:

A Grey Plover flying over calling and heading north

Common Sandpiper in the quarry

911 Swallows S

192 Meadow Pipits S

17 Siskins S

44 Linnets S

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Another Osprey this morning at 11:20, very high circling and drifting SSW towards Horrocks Moor.

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Scout Road, 7am to 12:15pm:


Osprey SSW 8:45 am

Merlin briefly down on Horrock’s Moor before following pipits south

Female/immature Marsh Harrier S

16 Buzzards S

24 Greylag Geese SE

1140 Swallows S

33 House Martins and 2 Sand Martins

1064 Meadow Pipits S

39 Skylarks mainly SE

67 Linnets S

13 Crossbills S

5 redpolls S

281 SiskinS

209 Goldfinches S

141 Chaffinches S

1 Wheatear dropped in very early morning

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Dennis atherton


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Raptorfest this morning Scout Rd. Osprey,  Merlin and Marsh Harrier,  good numbers of stuff moving, Andy kept notes today, update totals later 



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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Ian McKerchar


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Highlights from Scout Road 1:45 to 3:30pm today:

1st-winter Kittiwake flew over NE towards Delph at 1:55pm

1 ringtail Hen Harrier SE

57 Swallows S

188 Meadow Pipits S

26 Siskins S

2 Crossbills SE

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Dennis atherton


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Hard to tell from that distance. Not sure 100%



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fredford


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Was that prey she was carrying ? 



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Dennis atherton


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Saturday morning Scout Rd

 

A lovely female Hen Harrier flew straight past the mast



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Colin Broadhurst


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Scout Rd this am

2 x Crossbill SW @ 10.00am

2 x Whinchat @ Horrocks Wood Car Park



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Dennis atherton


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Scout Rd this morning 7-11, Highlights, Strong SW

Siskin 38

Rook 1

Chaffinch 6

Meadow pipits 19

Pied Wagtail 2

Linnet 4

Swallows 47

Skylark 3

Stock dove 9

Raven 1

Stonechat 1

House Martin 16

Hobby 1 very close flyby

 

Pics of Hobby and Skylark 



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Dennis atherton


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Today's sightings. 7pm-11.45 Scout Rd. Strong SE not ideal. 

 

1 Wheatear

3 Stonechat 

3 Pied Wagtail 

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 

39 Meadow pipits 

46 Siskin 

3 Stock doves

15 Lesser Redpol 

7 Crossbills 

16 Chaffinch 

10 Goldfinch 

4 Coal tit

4 Skylark

1 Ring necked Parakeet 

37 House Martin 

9 Sand Martin 

147 Swallow



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Dennis atherton


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16 Cattle Egrets from last night flying around Belmont. Disappeared towards Bolton at 7.30pm

 

 



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Dennis atherton


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Pics of today's highlights Simon has listed below, Osprey and a flock of 7 Crossbills 



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Simon Warford


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Vis Mig sightings from Scout Road this morning with Dennis, Dan, Keith and Phil, 6.20am till lunchtime-

1 Osprey south 11.05
1 Red Kite NE at 11:00
700 Swallow south
8 Swift
24 Sand Martin
75 House Martin
1 Wheatear
7 Grey Wagtail
157 Meadow Pipit
8 Crossbills
134 Siskin.


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Simon Warford


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Scout Road this morning up to 9am -

2 first winter Ring Ouzels feeding on rowan trees by the quarry for a while before flying off high south west.
1 Whimbrel south
7 Grey Wagtails south
60 Siskin
1 Grasshopper Warbler on quarry fence.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Friday 5th of September 2025 03:00:45 PM



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Dennis atherton


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Scout Rd 6.45 till 12.30

 Later joined by Simon W and Phil 

 

Reed Bunting 4.

Whitethroat 2

Meadow pipits, lots hanging around. 15 going S

Chaffinch 6

Swallows 71

Raven 20

Stock dove 8

Lesser Redpoll 9

Crossbills 9

Siskin 22

11 Buzzard

House Martin 42

Sand Martin 18

Kestrel 5

Mistle Thrush 1

Lesser Black Backed Gull 4

Stonechat 3

Linnet 4

Grey Wagtail 2

Greenfinch 4

Osprey 1 floated over Belmont going South past the mast

 

Pics added of Flybys Siskin, Lesser Redpol,  male Crossbill and Long distance Osprey. 



-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Saturday 30th of August 2025 04:12:09 PM

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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Ian McKerchar


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From the Scout Road watchpoint this morning the female/immature Marsh Harrier was briefly quartering the moor above Deans Ditch, a Merlin flew through NNW, Hobby low SE, 250 Swallows S, 45 Siskins S and 2 Tree Pipits E.  A further 2 Tree Pipits were in Burnt Edge along with 4 Spotted Flycatchers.

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Around the Walker Fold/Burnt Edge Loop this morning:

3 singles of Snipe over W/SW

5 Tree Pipits down, including a flock of four together

7 Whitethroats

10 Willow Warblers

5 Chiffchaffs

4 Spotted Flycatchers with three together at the top of Walker Fold and one at Holdens Farm

1 Pied Flycatcher at the top of Walker Fold

15 Stonechats, including a group of 11+ at Holdens Farm

2 single Ravens

 

 



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Simon Warford


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Sightings from Scout Road this morning up to 1pm (Partly with Phil Rhodes)-

1 Hobby south 7.30am
6 Swift south
1 Snipe west
153 Swallow south and 500+ feeding over the moor around 1pm
76 House Martin south
1 Sand Martin south
4 Grey Wagtail south
11 Tree Pipit south
4 Crossbill south 9.18am
29 Siskin south

Immature female Marsh Harrier still on the moor.

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