Whitethroat (2) back at last. Not much else to enthuse over.

Blackcap 3
Chiffchaff 3
Willow Warbler 2
Swallow 2

Bullfinch 2
Reed Bunting 2
Pheasant 1

Linnet (Male singing. Flock of 23 on spoil heaps on 23rd Apr)
Chiffchaff 2
Willow Warbler 4
Blackcap 6
Reed Bunting 6
Song Thrush 2
Greenfinch 2
Bullfinch 2
Pheasant 1

Cheers, John

18:40 to 19:20

Chiffchaff 3
Willow Warbler 2
Kestrel 1
Reed Bunting 1
Heron 2
Pheasant 1
Lapwing 1
Bullfinch 2

Laurence,

There is no official public access. I enter via a gap in the trees at the top (Bramhall end) of Tenement Lane: SJ887869. You can clearly see the gap from the track here, as it is used by dog walkers. Be warned it is very muddy at this point. There are various other rough access points along Tenement Lane. I recommend that you turn right as you enter the site and follow the track towards the old brickyard, ascending to the upper section in the obvious gap in the fence or along the fenced edge of the brickyard.

There is space to park cars on Tenement Lane.

I did a circuit this evening in the hope of some passage visitors. Only the upper half has any birding value now, so it can be well-covered in just 45 minutes. This may compress all of the more interesting birds into a smaller area, but it will also mean that there is no longer suitable habitat to attract certain species.

Three Chiffchaffs proved to be the only sign of spring, but there was some good variation among the other birds. There were still eleven Snipe in the wet NW corner: way down on my last count of 62, but a good showing for April. A Redwing equals the latest date that I have seen one near home. Five Pheasants (four female) was a highest count for the site. More predictable, but still good urban birds, were a female Kestrel, male Reed Bunting, two Jays and three Bullfinch.

Ted Ralph wrote:

---

Is this the same area?

 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/legal-threat-over-plan-13000-10857654

---

Only just caught up with this thread and I am astounded. Last year, after louts had set fire to the Grasshopper Warbler breeding areas, there were pockets of methane burning from holes in the ground for days after the grass fire had been put out. What depth of soil is deemed a safe filter of noxious gases? It's sheer lunacy.

Cheers, John

Sorry this isn't a sighting post. Agreed that the proposed building on that site is very disappointing, also dubious that it is an ideal site for housing, the biomass plantation will be next door, the traffic is already heavy around there, never mind the noxious substances possibly lurking in the ground. I saw my first ever Woodcock and Jack Snipe on there and I agree completely it is a real oasis. I hope the developers give up and go home to be honest.

-- Edited by Simon Gough on Tuesday 9th of February 2016 05:35:08 PM

Is this the same area?

 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/legal-threat-over-plan-13000-10857654

I don't want to pour cold water on this scheme (not a pun), but doesn't Adswood have trouble with firestarters? It will be interesting to see how they stop the crop from going up in smoke. Could be restrictions on access coming up I'd guess.

---

Well this is what the proposal document promises regarding access and management. Believe as much or as little as you like. You are correct about arsonists. Already a couple of fires this year.

Cheers, John


Health & Wellbeing
The scheme will provide walking routes set within
areas of open space. Information boards will be used throughout the site to
promote the use of the site for open space. In addition, linkages will be
created with the surrounding areas thereby improving local connectivity
and promote health and wellbeing.

Biodiversity Benefits and Enhancements
The proposed landscaping
strategy at the site will deliver biodiversity benefits and enhancements.
Furthermore, the application proposals will include a dedicated area of
wildlife habitat which will be managed and maintained in the long term to
encourage biodiversity and improve species diversity at the site.

At least four Whitethroat were back this afternoon. Other warblers were Chiffchaff (4), Willow Warbler (3) and Blackcap (1), but no sign of Grasshopper Warbler. Two Swallows were drinking from the murky sunken pool.

First Common Whitethroat of the year. (Remarkable consistency of first dates over the past few years 22/04/15, 21/04/14, 23/04/13, 22/04/10)
Willow Warblers 6
Chiffchaffs 5
Bullfinch 6
Reed Bunting 1
Pheasant 2
Grey Heron 2

The cleared lower area, so good for Grasshopper Warblers in recent years, is now being dumped on with large mounds of sub-soil spoil.

Cheers John

9:25. A 90 minute dog walk incorporating a stretch of the Ladybrook valley. First Reed Buntings (two males) and Chiffchaff of the year here.

Buzzard 3
Snipe 6
Woodpigeon 25
Magpie 22
Jackdaw 1
Carrion Crow 36
Goldcrest 4
Blue Tit 3
Great Tit 2
Chiffchaff 1
Wren 8
Blackbird 5
Song Thrush 4
Redwing 1
Robin 4
Dunnock 2
House Sparrow 1
Meadow Pipit 1
Bullfinch 3
Greenfinch
Reed Bunting 2

Plenty of bird song but no early migrants

Dunnock 6
Song Thrush 3
Wren 11
Bullfinch 4
Blue Tit 2
Great Tit 2
Robin - surprisingly only 1
Nuthatch 1
Buzzard 1

Cheers John

A pleasant morning. No glove weather.

The newly-excavated area adjacent to the recycling centre proved popular with thrushes, pipits and wagtails.

Lapwing 40C
Snipe 11
Black-headed Gull 10
Herring Gull 2
Stock Dove 1
Woodpigeon 12
Peregrine 1 - first for me at this site
Magpie 14
Jackdaw 15C
Carrion Crow 25C
Blue Tit 1
Great Tit 3
Wren 1
Starling 7
Blackbird 6
Fieldfare 9
Song Thrush 2
Redwing 14
Robin 3
Dunnock 1
Pied Wagtail 6
Meadow Pipit 12
Bullfinch 4 (3 male)
Greenfinch 3

A quick spin round the old brickworks area. 3 Snipe and 7 Meadow Pipits flushed up. I'd expect more Snipe when it gets wetter, there wasn't any appreciable standing water today. Also 2 Greenfinch over, and nice views of a Song Thrush eating berries.

A Wheatear on the newly-cleared area this morning. I am told that the area is to become a biomass plantation. Anyone who wants to know more should go to:

http://interactive.stockport.gov.uk/edrms/onlinemvm/getimage.asp?DocumentNumber=212026

Two Stock Doves and a Bullfinch present.
Four Meadow Pipits and a Pied Wagtail over.

08.05 - 10.30:

Tried to conduct a warbler census.

Blackcaps 7
Chiffchaff 5
Whitethroat 11 (inc. carrying food for young)
Willow Warbler 8 (inc. carrying food for young)

Also a family party of Great Tits, a healthy population of Blackbirds (12), Wrens (13), Goldfinches (12) and 54 Swifts over before the sun broke through.

Other bits:

Greenfinch 3
Starlings 14
Song Thrush 2
Swallow 1
House Martin 2
Bullfinch 4
Buzzard 1
Heron 3
Pheasant 2
Reed Bunting 1

Cheers John

I had a scout for Warblers a few weeks ago and there was nowt around but it was only first week of April. But I was talking to somebody the other day who said the brickworks bit had had a load of earth dumped on it since then. Maybe this disruption put the Grasshopper Warblers off? If indeed it was disruptive, I've not seen it myself.

Hi John,

I too have been following your comments about Grasshopper Warbler numbers at Adswood with interest. On reading your recent posts, I recalled reading somewhere in the dim and distant past about the Grasshopper Warbler being one of those species that appears to show a low level of faithfulness to both breeding and wintering sites. I finally managed to track those comments down to the 2005 publication "Birds in England" by Brown and Grice. I thought this extract might possibly of some interest and relevance? "Assessing long-term population trends in Grasshopper Warbler populations is difficult because local populations clearly undergo pronounced fluctuations in numbers between years and many apparently suitable sites are used erratically. One possible explanation is the low site-fidelity shown by the species, with fewer birds arriving and breeding in years when unfavourable weather predominates during the spring migration period. Low site-fidelity to both the breeding and wintering areas may be a behavioural trait that has evolved to allow the efficient exploitation of transient wetland habitats (Migration Atlas)." However, the opposite is suggested in the BTO publication "A Field Guide to Monitoring Nests" by Ferguson-Lees, Castell and Leech and possibly highlights how relatively little we understand about this secretive species, when they suggest "high site-fidelity in successive years, if habitat remains suitable." So that's as clear as mud then!!

I can also recall reading somewhere but can't currently find where that was (and indeed I mentioned this idea in the paragraph on Grasshopper Warbler in the 2011 County Report) the suggestion about this species falling silent whilst paired up and incubation duties are shared and the pair feed any young. Is it possible maybe one or two pairs are already on first clutches and silent and almost undetectable?

It was also interesting to note that you didn't think the habitat had changed appreciably from earlier years. I personally have often wondered if a species selection of breeding habitats is much more exacting than we as humans yet understand. We've all been out to locations where we think, wow, this habitat should be great for breeding...say Stonechat, Little Ringed Plover, Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler...take your pick of any number of species...but for some reason, that we can't quantify, they are not there. I suppose what I'm saying is that to the human eye things possibly don't look to be any different but to the birds themselves maybe just one or two of the subtle requirements by the species in nest site selection are missing and they have gone elsewhere for a more desirable summer residence! I can recall you mentioning a major fire on site about a year ago. Maybe this has had a delayed knock-on effect? Just an afterthought really this last paragraph.

Your figure work for earlier years certainly does back up the "volatility" that this species is suggested as showing. Fingers crossed that some do yet turn up on site at Adswood for you and other local birders.

Regards,


Bill.

I've been following this Grasshopper Warbler quest with interest - I used to go down to Adswood - John I met you a couple of times at Woodford before relocating to Lancashire.

Has the habitat deteriorated?

My current patch has some habitat similar to Adswood
http://www.manchesterbirding.activeboard.com/t55145485/roby-mill-and-area/

Grasshopper warblers have increased this year to 5 reeling males - maybe we've got yours :)

Still no Grasshopper Warbler on a thorough circuit at 20:15 yesterday. However, it was pleasing to see my first Swifts of the year: six over the Midland Road entrance. This is the latest arrival date on my records, by six days.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 9th of May 2014 08:38:09 AM

3rd May (17.30-18.30)

Still no Grasshopper Warblers

In song were:
7 Whitethroats
2 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warblers
2 Blackcaps

Also:
c50 Starlings
2 Stock Doves
2 Pheasants
3 Song Thrushes
Singles of Buzzard, Jay, Reed Bunting, Swallow

Cheers John

A lovely calm evening, and I did a thorough circuit. Whitethroats are back in number, but not a peep from a Grasshopper Warbler - quite unusual.

Mallard 2
Pheasant 3
Lesser Black-backed Gull 5
Stock Dove 2
Woodpigeon 5
Magpie 8
Jay 1
Carrion Crow 20 +
Blue Tit 1
Great Tit 3
Swallow 1
Chiffchaff 4
Willow Warbler 3
Blackcap 5
Whitethroat 7
Wren 2
Starling 30 +
Blackbird 5
Song Thrush 1
Dunnock 2
House Sparrow 1
Greenfinch 1
Reed Bunting 2

First Whitethroat this evening. Still no Grasshopper Warblers.

Cheers John