1:30pm to 3:30pm in decent weather for a change!

Mistle Thrush

Heron

Coal Tits

Long-Tailed Tits

Goldcrest

Treecreeper

Nuthatches

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Bullfinches

Goldfinch

Pheasant

& about 50 Redwings

 

 

Following on from Lez's report earlier this week - two male cuckoos on the moor edge this morning

Late Post for yesterday 20th May.

After checking out Lead Mines Clough and the Northern end of Angelzarke Reservoir I arrived at White Coppice around 10.00am.

A Cuckoo was seen flying above the Goit towards Heatherlea woods, with a couple of Meadow Pipits in pursuit.

A Garden Warbler was noticed collecting insects off a tree by the Goit.

A single Tree Pipit called from an isolated rowan on the edge of the moor, where a couple of pairs of Stonechats held territories.

4 Ravens, 1 Buzzard and a single Mistle Thrush were also seen above the moor.

07.30-13.00

White Coppice to Heatherlea Woods along the edge of the moor : 1 Cuckoo, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Buzzards and 2 Ravens.

A Hobby appeared above Heatherlea Woods then headed South across the moor, flushing several crows as it passed.

Another Cuckoo was calling along the Northern edge of Wheelton Plantation.

I spent a couple of hours searching for Wood Warbler in the Heatherlea/Wheelton woodland, but to no avail.

4 Willow Warblers and 2 Blackcaps were in full song in the woods, as were Wrens, Blackbirds and a couple of Song Thrushes.

Also here were 2 Treecreepers and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (1 was seen collecting large green caterpillars from an oak).

Several Nuthatches were also in the wood, and a very scruffy newly fledged Robin emerged from a tree hole.

A highly vocal Raven flew over the wood.

Blackbirds seemed unusually plentiful along the moorland edge, and Willow Warblers appeared to be numerous here too.

Barn Owl frequenting the lower moors

Had a walk up from white coppice to drink waters at the base of great hill. I was hoping to see a cuckoo. I have seen them up here many times over previous years. Sadly no sign. It was quite windy up there today though. I did see the following; Dipper, Grey wagtail, Lots of wrens, Meadow pipit, Willow warbler, Curlew, Kestrel, The highlight was a stoat seen as I was going back to the van. The best prolonged views I have ever had.

Wood warbler - Wheelton plantation, midday - singing persisently

Osprey over @ 18.20
Also Peregrine
Kestrel x2
Common Buzzard x4
Sparrowhawk

-- Edited by Karl Bishop on Tuesday 7th of April 2015 09:42:02 PM

Walk to anglezarke
Fri 16th 17.30 - 20.00

Dipper
Grey Wagtail x 2
Cuckoo
Lesser Redpoll
Spotted Flycatcher x 2 (watermans cottage)
Peregrine

Cheers
Karl

Lunchtime

Walked from White Coppice to Trigg Lane along the moorland edge & back.

1 Tree Pipit (favouring the same bush as last year), 1 Linnet (singing male), 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron & a pair of Ravens.

Originally posted by Paul Risley today: -

Anglezarke to white coppice via Lead mines clough.

2 Cuckoos, 1 seen the other heard from different locations
2 separate pairs of Curlews
Male Grey Wagtail with food
Pair of Treecreepers feeding young in nest
2 Goldcrests singing in different locations
Single Tawny Owl.

Roe Buck, nice view of him rubbing his Antlers.
Hare ran past me as I was sat down against a tree seemingly completely oblivious to me, 6 feet away at the closest point.
Stoat scat on a rock, I was hoping to find a den but drew a blank this time

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 10:52:40 PM

09.30-13.30

Walk from Yarrow Reservoir to White Coppice and Heatherlea Woods.

A strong westerly meant most birds were staying hidden.

A resplendant male Pied Flycatcher was showing really well near one of their former hotspots, but I will not give precise details as there are still those who wish them harm.

At White Coppice 2 Dippers were on Black Brook, 1 Kestrel hovered over the moors, but the wind kept most small birds out of site, only a few Meadow Pipits showed.

Even the Tree Pipit was hiding, and no sign of Redstarts or Cuckoo anywhere either.

Yarrow Reservoir held a pair of Oystercatchers, Anglesarke a single Grey Heron.

A.M

Watermans Cottage Area

1 Nuthatch and 1 Treecreeper amongst the usual woodland birds.

The only noticeable summer migrants were a few Willow Warblers.

Wood Sorrel showing well though.

Close to an area used in previous years by Pied Flycatchers somone as set up a swing, this does not bode well for the 2013 season.

White Coppice

The small copse below the old quarry, held a pair of Willow Warblers, but little else.

White Coppice-Trigg Lane

1 Tree Pipit singing in their usual spot. It simply carried on singing even when a Peregrine flew low over.

3+ pairs of Willow Warblers, they seemed to be almost everywhere, often on the ground or dead bracken.

3 pairs of Linnets. Lots of Meadow Pipits chasing each other about on the moor.

10.00-13.00

Circular walk from Watermans Cottage, along the edge of Anglezarke Moor to White Coppice, then back along the Goit.

Just 5 Meadow Pipits and 1 Snipe on the moor above Joan Meadow Wood.

White Coppice

5 Jays, 1 male Kestrel plus lots of crows, including some carrying acorns.

10.00-14.30

7 Wheatears above the old quarry.

Wheelton Moor

2 Kestrels, 1 Raven, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 m Reed Bunting,1 high flying Cormorant and a male Pheasant.

On the bracken covered slopes Gatekeeper butterflies are numerous. Peacock butterflies abound on the heather which is in full flower at the moment.

The bracken/sedge covered slopes of the valley that runs eastwards towards Great Hill are teeming with grasshoppers, not sure which species though.

Looking towards Rivington over Angelsarke Moor it's very apparent the damage done by the huge fire that engulfed the area last year, in the breeding season too.

The heather on Wheelton looks fine, no sign of any grouse though.

A pair of Black Darter dragonflies were mating on a small moorland pool, with a second male trying to get in on the action.

2 Emperor Dragonflies were zooming up and down the path. At one point an Emperor seemed to attack the mating darters over the pool, but veered away almost at the point of contact.

Had a stroll here for a couple of hours this afternoon with the family. Considering the amount of dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists around it didn't turn out too bad. A singing Garden Warbler was a nice find as well as a singing Tree Pipit heard somewhere beyond the trees on the edge of the moor. The star bird though was undoubtedly the Spotted Flycatcher that called and then perched up 20 yards behind me as I was enjoying an ice cream at the Cricket club cafe.

As well as this there were also several over flying Redpolls, quite a few Willow Warblers, Whitethroats and Chiffchaff and a Nuthatch.

Thanks to Jimmy's directions turned up at the right spot at 9.35, and at 9.40 the show began with first sight of a Woodcock flying the length of the escarpment and back, initially in the company of a swift. Over the next 25 minutes saw 10 separate flights but couldn't say how many birds involved. Great views and sounds. First time I ever seen thier display flight having only ever come across them by day

On the way back toward Anglezarke came across a deer in the road, a tawny owl sitting on a telegraph pole within 6 foot of he road and a brown hare and 7 curlew in the fields just as you cross the res.


-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Friday 10th of June 2011 07:44:21 AM

Jimmy,

I know white coppice and was hoping to get up there to see the woodcock, so would be grateful if you could let me know whereabouts to go to get the best sightings.

thanks

Jon

Late report from yesterday morning from 9.30 to 12.00pm with John Barber. Walked from the cricket pitch up into Wheelton plantation and back. Highlights were:

4 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Tree Pipit
1 Cuckoo heard
3 Treecreeper

Great views of a male GSW bringing food to the female on the nest. Also loads of other activity with Willow warblers, Chaffinch and Great tits, etc.

After our excursion up Pendle Hill earlier some less strenuous walking was called for so we dropped in here for a couple of hours and walked from the Cricket club down to Anglezarke and back.

Loads of Willow warbler seen along with good numbers of Linnets too and we did hear a Redstart singing in the trees too but unfortunately couldn't locate it. We was hoping for a Pied Flycatcher or even a Spotted but it may still be a bit early yet.

A lovely spot though and will definately come here again.

23/4/11

Watermans Cottage to Wheelton Plantations. Sightings with J. Meadows & T. Morton:

1 Tree Pipit (singing)
3 Redstart (1 seen, 2 more heard)
1 Peregrine (over Stronstrey Bank)
1 Grasshopper Warbler (heard only)
1 Wheatear
3 Curlew
1 Dipper
1 Treecreeper
3 Greylag Geese (over)

17/6/10 (18:40-21:10)

A beautiful peaceful walk this evening - there was even a cricket match in progress

1 Peregrine (over Stronstrey Bank)
1 Spotted Flycatcher (cricket pavilion)
1 Cuckoo (sluice)
1 Buzzard
1 Dipper
1 Kestrel
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Green Woodpecker (heard only)

7/5/10 (am)

A five-hour mooch, from the Watermans Cottage to Wheelton Plantations, and back round over the tops:

1 Wood Warbler
2 Tree Pipit
1 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Peregrine
1 Raven
1 Buzzard
3 Wheatear
1 Curlew
2 Dipper
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Kestrel
1 Treecreeper
4+ Linnet
2 Lesser Redpoll
7+ Willow Warbler
1 Coal Tit
1 Nuthatch
12+ Meadow Pipit
4+ Skylark
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Hen Harrier m hunting over Black Coppice yesterday afternoon


Cheers Jimmy