Combined sightings this afternoon between myself, Simon Johnson, Dave Broome and Dan Brown up to 4pm around Walker Fold Wood, Newfields and Burnt Edge;
1 Pied Flycatcher (photo taken by Dan Brown). 6+ Spotted Flycatcher 7 Tree Pipit perching up in small plantation near Burnt Edge Lane 3 Whinchat 5+ Stonechat 152+ House Martin 35 Swift
94 Swift south between 09:30-11:30 over Horrocks Fold this morning and 19 Mediterranean Gulls including 7 juveniles on the roof together with 2 first summers and 10 adults.
Good numbers of Lesser Redpolls busily around Gale Brook Plantation and further up towards Springs Reservoir (in Lancashire) early this morning, also a single Siskin over south, Kestrel hunting over the burnt moor and small flocks of Woodpigeon low south too.
A nice showing of Mediterranean Gulls this morning once again at Horrocks Fold Farm cow sheds with 18 birds, 15 adults, 2 2nd summer and 1 juvenile (photos on the website). It seems to be a stop off point for birds moving between GM and Belmont.
Also 27 Swift and 1 Yellow Wagtail over calling south.
21 Mediterranean Gulls (12 adults, 5 second year and 4 juveniles) around Horrocks Fold Farm cow sheds yesterday, including 11 together on the roof at one time. Birds either feeding amongst cattle or roosting on the roof.
This morning a Wheatear was in the field by Scout Road quarry, and 5 Crossbills over Gale Brook Plantation (whole area now on lockdown due to the devastating fires).
Osprey circling slowly over Smithills Moor, drifting gradually west 11:55-12:00.
Other birds included an adult Mediterranean Gull circling low over Scout Rd quarries among Black-Headed Gulls, 5 Raven over Smithills and 30 Swift feeding Walker Fold
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 9th of June 2018 02:31:04 PM
2 Ring Ouzels (male and female), still present though elusive above Montcliffe and also getting in fields behind Heather Hall, also 28+ Wheatear around the area, 3 singing Grasshopper Warblers.
2 Ring Ouzels (female Scout Road, male Mast Road cattle grid, then flew towards Adams Hill / Montcliffe area) 13 Wheatear scattered around (Dave Sherrington also had 2 at Slack Hall) 1 male Stonechat 4 Greylag Geese landed on Fleet Moor before flying NE. 3 singing Grasshopper Warblers (Dave Sherrington also had 1 at Burnt Edge) 3 Oystercatcher
Thanks for the tip Simon.
1 Wheatear at Heather Hall 0830 today but no sign of Ring Ouzel.
Lovely to meet Phil Rhodes yesterday. Very helpful and friendly.
3 Ring Ouzels mobile between Heather Hall, Montcliffe and Slack Hall. 11 Wheatears including 4 around Heather Hall, 3 Adams Hill and 2 Scout Road quarry field 2 Oystercatcher 1 singing Grasshopper Warbler 6+ singing Willow Warbler
4 male Ring Ouzel just inside Lancashire along Georges Lane, north past the kennels in hawthorns and fields just to the right of track which runs down the slope just past the conifer plantation.
Lovely warm day yesterday 8/4/2018 at Holdens Farm. 2 swallows on wire in front of farm 2pm till 4 pm ish then disappeared. One this afternoon flying around farm buildings.
Winter Hill Mast compound area - 3 Wheatear on dividing wall between GM and Lancs (then flew north) and 1 with GM area.
Georges Lane - I bumped into a fellow birdwatcher there at around 8.20, he (like I ) was hoping for Ring Ouzel, but he had only seen 1 Lesser Redpoll. 2 minutes after talking to him a Ring Ouzel flew over and landed in a tree on top of the bank in front of me. I also saw 8 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Green Woodpecker.
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Len Poxon https://www.flickr.com/photos/69575632@N02/with/20879853990/