Unfortunately for me the fleeting corner of the eye glance of a (very close in) dark-backed bird flashing low and fast past me couldn't be confirmed as the merlin it probably was. Never mind, a good haul nonetheless.
Redstart heard calling a couple of times and singing briefly. In trees between aerodrome and field 55 on Barton Moss around 12.00 this afternoon with Steve Atkins
Chat & Irlam Moss, Croxden and Dixons Wood: 2 Oystercatcher 1 Willow Tit 2 Chiffchaff singing 1 Willow Warbler singing in the distance 1 Goldcrest 2 Long-tailed Tit 12 Stock Dove 1 Skylark 1 Cormorant seen to land on the fisheries Lapwing in most fields - many displaying
A surprisingly chilly trudge around Astley Moss (Rindle Road and then the Croxden's Old Peat Workings) revealed several Chaffinch and Yellowhammer at Rindle Hedge, several Lapwings now claiming territory on the fields, 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, the sound of a Curlew, a singing Chiffchaff, and on the peat workings, 17 Teal, several Mallard pairs, a treeful of Goldfinch (probably about 70), 4 Reed Bunting and 15 Meadow Pipit. No Wheatear seen on the Rindle fields today though had a good look.
8 (possibly more) Shoveler flew in and settled on one of the pools in the faded light. 2-3 Curlew 3 Oystercatcher 2 Snipe plus 2 more heard 1 Kestrel 1 Sparrowhawk 5 Linnet 12 Fieldfare over heading N 1 Meadow Pipit 6 Canada Geese plus others heard coming in after dark
Astley moss 17.45- 20.00 As I parked up a Marsh harrier flew over field 69 heading for Chat moss. Rindle wood 2 Treecreepers Chiffchaff 3 Tree sparrows 3 Linnets In the fields behind the woods, 8 Redwing 12 Lapwing 5 Mistle thrush 3 Chaffinch 4 Carrion crows and plenty of pheasant. The SSSI was very quiet with 4 Buzzards and a Chiffchaff seen.
Red Kite over the western edge of the reserve drifted off just west and dropped lower until falling into a steep and very tight circular decent onto the ground somewhere just west of Holcroft Lane and in between the moss and Silver Lane Pools. The bird didn't appear to come up in the half and hour or so I waited for it. Missing feathers on its left wing bade it look decidedly tatty.
Marsh Harrier flew west over Astley Moss viewed from Little Woolden Moss
Nice mixed flock on the paths linking Astley Road to Cutnook Lane; modest in size (c30 birds), but comprising of chaffinch (primarily), linnet, brambling, reed bunting and yellowhammer.
Little Woolden Moss:
9 linnet 1 or 2 meadow pipit 4+ pied wagtail 2 skylark 4 fieldfare 1 jay 5 mallard 17+ lapwing (more in surrounding fields) 1 snipe 1 or 2 redshank 2 curlew 2 kestrel 2 buzzard (one distant)