I have no doubt these won't be the only ones to pass through Watergrove Steve (s)! The last 4, which allowed very close views, were well above a sign that said 'Grey Pasture' on the western side and were above the upper most stone wall, much of which had fallen down. When I had a closer look there was what looked like a little track on the upper side of the stone wall, but I didn't push the birds and left them where they were, grubbing around the short grass and patches of juncus- marvellous
Well done Ian for getting Watergrove on the Ouzel spring influx map! These would have probably passed through unnoticed if you had not been up there today. I was on holiday for the first two weeks of April and visited Watergrove virtually every day, often twice a day. I expected that birds would come in once I was back at work! There was no sign of them this afternoon, despite being there from 16:30 to 18:30 and walking as far north as the Hades farm ruin by Middle Hill. My dog flushed a pair of Grey Partridge by Grey Pasture and there were 2 male Stonechat seen. Prior to today recorded spring passage of Ring Ouzel through the Watergrove valley was limited to one record of a male on 17th April 2006!
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
Had the same idea last saturday Ian, and was up there about 7 am but no ouzels then! Had the same plan for tomorrow but now i'm going for a curry tonight and stay in bed instead! Iwas able to get up to chelburn at lunchtime for an hour and saw 5 ring ouzel (4m 1F) in area above the res where I think Simon Hitchin had them yesterday. (I think it's called leach hill on the OS map). A lot of wheataer about, certainly more in the hour than i see in a day's walk about! Also 2 stonechat, 2 curlew, 1 grey wagtail, 2 teal, singing willow warblers & the usual meadow pipits and canada geese etc Steve PS just noticed a report of 5 dotterel on the great orme this afternoon so lets hope they are the next "invasion" so keep your eyes open!
Ever get envious of reading about Ouzels someone else has found? Well today (after a 15 hour night shift ) I got myself up to Watergrove Reservoir, one of the few locations I hadn't heard of any Ouzels from for a while and a likely spot to cash in on my own 'Ouzel fest'.
Now when you look at the valley and hills behind Watergrove it looks like a big area, and it ruddy well is but I still spent 4 hours wandering (methodically I like to think) around the area. It did pay off big style with 8 Ring Ouzels found in 2 flocks of 4, totalling 3 males and 5 females and very well appreciated they were too and worth the aching legs
Also there, besides loads of commoner birds were 9 Wheatear, including a very handsome Greenland male (and 2 of the northern males in song), 2 Raven over and a singing male Stonechat very similar to the Burnt Edge bird with huge white 'scapular patches' and an obvious small white rump (perhaps slightly larger than the Burnt Edge bird), which on close inspection was just very slightly off white and had afew dark streaks through it.
All in all a great day and pretty much proof that at the moment you just need to pick a likely patch of upland, get out to it, and then find yer own Ouzels
) I got myself up to Watergrove Reservoir, one of the few locations I hadn't heard of any Ouzels from for a while and a likely spot to cash in on my own 'Ouzel fest'.