(Despite the strong SE wind and occasional shower numerous Swallows were flycatching, swooping low along and below Georges Lane, as well as around Holdens Farm, often flying almost close enough to touch.)
The Kestrels too put on a great show today, with the pair above Burnt Edge in display flight.
Late post for Saturday 3rd June 2017 12:00 - 16:00 hrs.
Burnt Edge - Holden Farm - Gilligant Farm - Winter Hill - Mast Road - via Holden Plantation and return
Linnet x 2 Stonechat x 2 Whitethroat x 1 Curlew x 1 Kestrel x 7 sightings Meadow Pipit x 20 Skylark x 5 Grey Heron x 1 Swallow x 15 Swift x 7 House Martin x 1 Carrion Crow x 8 Magpie x 3 Goldfinch x 5 Great Tit x 3 Chaffinch x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Pheasant x 1
A female Black redstart was perched on the sign by the pull in near the bend on Mast Road at 9am this morning. It seemed to be moving along wall which eventually runs to the bottom of the pony field.
Also around today were a Yellow Wagtail over north and the 6 Fieldfare were still at Higher Meadows along with a male and female Cuckoo and six Wheatear around the moors.
Summer plumage golden plover on the ground on top of winter hill , 2 wheatear , 1 swallow , 1 male reed bunting , several meadow pipits , 1 dislpaying curlew along georges lane great views of a male ring ouzel feeding near to the big hedge , 10+ willow warblers in song , great views of a cuckoo on the lancs side last seen flying towards the boundry with greater manchester , 4 stonechat , 2 whearear .
12 Wheatears across the moor, also 30 Redpoll, several Swallows and Sand Martin north. Unfortunately couldn't connect with Phil's Osprey despite it heading for Winter Hill.
This morning from Scout Road with Andy Makin and Simon Johnson;
1 female Ring Ouzel flew north east over Smithill's Moor 1 Brambling over south 1 female Wheatear 2 Mediterranean Gulls over 173 Meadow Pipits north 11 Redpoll south 2 Sand Martin north 5 singing Willow Warblers.
Adult Mediterranean Gull over Scout Road this morning. Later, just off the moors, 3 were among Black-Headed Gulls in fields below Bob's Smithy Inn along Old Kiln Lane
-- Edited by dave broome on Tuesday 28th of March 2017 11:21:01 AM
Layby off Matchmoor Lane - Burnt Edge - Holdens Farm - Gilligant Farm - Hampsons Farm - Colliers Row - side of Walker Fold wood - Sugar Loaf Plantation - and return via Burnt Edge back to Matchmoor Lane.
Quiet birdwise - too cold for me to go to top of Winter Hill - so stayed in foot hills!
Kestrel x 6 separate sightings Stonechat x 1 Fieldfare x 7 Dunnock x 2 Magpie x 10 Great Tit x 1 Robin x 3 Carrion Crow x 5 Grey Heron x 1 Buzzard x 1 (seen on M61 on way home)
Visible migration from Scout Road today, 07:50-11:50 included:
40 Pink-footed Geese over NW 3 Snipe 3 NW 1 Golden Plover 280 Lapwing N in 12 flocks 377 Woodpigeon N/NE 3464 Redwing N/NE in 81 flocks 901 Fieldfare in 34 flocks 1 Waxwing low NE with Redwing and a further 3 birds low E 1 Ring Ouzel 1 NE tagging on to Redwing flock 1 Brambling N 1 Crossbill S