9am - 10:30am this morning, chilly but calm with low cloud.
Quite a bit of activity compared to my last few visits.
The highlight being a large flock of Fieldfares around the quarry, estimated at 50-60 minimum with the odd Redwing and Mistle Thrush thrown in. They were in the boulder field when I arrived but then re-located to some hawthorns in the field just south of the quarry, and still around when the rain started and I left around 10:30am. A group of Starlings had also joined the flock.
Up at the kennels the Thrush activity continued, with numbers of Redwing and Miustle Thrush in the area. Also a Finch flock containing around 30-40 birds contained Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Also:
1 Grey Heron (Quarry pool Gun Road) 1 Kestrel 2 Jay Long-tailed Tit flock (lower quarry pool)
3 skeins of Pink-footed Geese around 10 minutes apart heading NNE.
Cheers, Steve.
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Saturday 17th of October 2020 11:35:39 AM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 17th of October 2020 11:49:33 AM
a flock of 9 ravens, which was pretty good for up here in recent times. The majority of them could be seen later over Cown Edge buzzing a buzzard. One of the original 9 appeared to fly back South almost as soon as it arrived.
I counted 6 stonechat. 3 snipe, jay, great spotted woodpecker (which flew over the quarry), lots of lapwings but no count as they were either down in the distance, or scattered all over the place when they flushed a couple of times, sparrowhawk, kestrel and a single swallow flew strongly South as I got back to the car. Not too exciting, but who cared on such a fine afternoon?
Late post for Monday 21st, just in case people think we miss out on all the action. A hobby was over the quarry at c2.40 p.m. First noticed when 125 lapwing rose above the ridge in panic, an odd starling was within the flock and then the hobby was spotted in the midst of all this. It appeared to pick off a couple of insects, but then turned West and saw the flock of swallows I'd passed earlier (c30), and zoomed off towards them like an arrow. I agree with John that there could have been 3 whinchats, but I could never see them all at the same time.
Saw whinchats and wheatears at new place and pair of stonechats and one young at quarry.Also saw two kestrels,a buzzard,jey,heron,chaffinch and meadow pipits and a heron.
It may be August but distinctly autumnal today at Ludworth.
7 Ravens were notable (A pair followed by flock of 5)
The chat flock is still near the quarry. Whinchat (ad +juv), Stonechat (m, f, 3 juvs) plus the attendant Whitethroat.
Another Stonechat along Picking Rods path.
Blackcap and Willow Warblers calling.
Reed Buntings (2)
Kestrels (fem + juv)
c50 Meadow Pipits
c200 Starlings
Cheers John
Couple of hours before the rain came (then got soaked)
Whinchat family of at least 4 below quarry (1 adult and 3 f/imm types) Stonechat family of 6 (m, f, 4 juvs) Whitethroat family (adult and at least 1 juv. Probably more)
All the above difficult to count as mixed together at times.
Redstart male opp. April Cottage A few Mipits Buzzard Willow Warbler in full song Reed Bunting 65 Rooks flock.
73 Rook in one foraging flock 13 Goldfinch 11 Meadow Pipit 7 Swallow 6 Willow Warbler 6 Stonechat in the braken (1m, 1f and then 4 Juvenile in the same view, I'm quite certain there are more than 4 though) 3 Chiffchaff 2 Whitethorat Singles of Kestrel, Goldcrest and Restart.
Early morning visit from 6:30 - 9am concentrating around Cloughend, the quarry and Picking Rods path.
Lots of Willow Warbler in song with more moving through the Cloughend - Hillside valley in small feeding parties, the odd Chiffchaff as well. A small flock of about 25 Meadow Pipit in the Derbyshire Pool field alongside Gun Road. 23 Rook in teh same field. 6 Curlew again in the same vicinity. 5 Redpoll, best number I've seen for a while normally it's just 1 overhead. 2 Raven 2 Buzzard A few small finch flocks around Cloughend Bungalow and April Cottage.
Not a bad morning really. Plenty of family parties or juveniles around. Highlights were a 2nd brood of Stonechats and a fem/imm Redstart. Hard to count the Stonechats as they were mixed up with a family of Whitethroats, all hiding in bracken. I think male, female and 2-3 juvs.
Linnet family party of 4.
Lots of Willow Warblers some still singing.
Swallow flock of c20.
Redpolls calling overhead.
F/imm Redstart in April Cottage garden.
Young Buzzard begging food.
Meadow Pipit 24.
Rook single flock of 54.
Cheers John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 1st of August 2020 05:01:01 PM
A bit of a different walk than usual today, parked up near Larkhill and headed down Gird Lane - Lakeside - Chatterton lane - Moorfield Arms (or what used to be) - Pistol Farm - over the fields behind Gun farm - PR Path - Quarry and back.
Very glad I did as I had a rather memorable encounter with a Marsh Harrier. Crossed the Stile into the boggy rushy field behind Gun Farm, walked up a slight raise and came almost eye level with the Harrier about 10-15 meters away as it flew away, eventually it turned so I got the cream crown. It flew just beyond the PR path in derbyshire eventually heading towards Cown edge, however it returned about 10 minutes later again hunting over the same field before heading over to Far Slack Farm.
The rest of the walk produced;
21 Meadow Pipit 9 Swallow 8 Swift 5 Whitethroat 2 Chiffchaff, Kestrel and Skylark and singles of Blackcap, Buzzard, Snipe and Linnet.
Cheers
Mark
Met Mark on his way off-site. Didn't see the harrier, but did find a RED KITE in virtually the same spot (over Cown Edge). It circled on the thermals, gained height, and flew almost overhead on the Picking Rods path - not quite in Greater Manchester, but it was heading in the right direction!
Best of rest:- a flock of 9 curlew was the most I remember seeing up here for 25+ years. The pair of stonechats was back at the quarry, 2 lesser redpoll, and raven heard (prob 3 seen). Better than for some time up here.
A bit of a different walk than usual today, parked up near Larkhill and headed down Gird Lane - Lakeside - Chatterton lane - Moorfield Arms (or what used to be) - Pistol Farm - over the fields behind Gun farm - PR Path - Quarry and back.
Very glad I did as I had a rather memorable encounter with a Marsh Harrier. Crossed the Stile into the boggy rushy field behind Gun Farm, walked up a slight raise and came almost eye level with the Harrier about 10-15 meters away as it flew away, eventually it turned so I got the cream crown. It flew just beyond the PR path in derbyshire eventually heading towards Cown edge, however it returned about 10 minutes later again hunting over the same field before heading over to Far Slack Farm.
The rest of the walk produced;
21 Meadow Pipit 9 Swallow 8 Swift 5 Whitethroat 2 Chiffchaff, Kestrel and Skylark and singles of Blackcap, Buzzard, Snipe and Linnet.
Mid-morning walk from Larkhill - Cloughend - Kennels - Quarry and back.
54 Lapwing with 17 Starling mixed in 11 Swallow 8 Swift 5 Willow Warbler 3 Chiffchaff 3 Whitethroat 2 Grey Wagtail 2 Pied Wagtail 2 Buzzard 2 Stonechat 1 Male Redstart just past April Cottage 1 Garden Warler Just past Cloughend
First time visit today (6.45 to 10.15 am). Weather conditions very blustery S.W. wind with odd showers, occasionally heavy.
Very interesting area with various habitats. After reading lots of previous reviews we were really looking forward to visiting the area and we certainly were not disappointed.
We parked up on Gun Road and the first walk we did was towards Robin Hood's Picking Rods. We headed up towards Coombes Tor then back via Pistol Farm, up Gun Road, down to Cloughend, up Sandhill Lane and then back along Gun Road.
A total of 29 species sighted with the most notable being a Whimbrel with 3 Curlew and a single Snipe.
All in all a very productive morning in a great location.
I visited Ludworth again early this morning but this time with a camera.
A Garden Warbler was singing and the Grasshopper Warbler put on a show, no playback necessary. There are now a pair of Stonechats and they have not bred here for a few years now. Amazing what wildlife moves in when people move out.
A call in to Ludworth from about 10am yesterday gave most of the same species John had, however I chanced upon a Garden Warbler (opposite Hillside farm) as well as 2 Ravens up along the PR path. I could also hear Golden Plover locally but didn't actually locate them.
Worth mentioning that after messages to John R it appears I had a different Grasshopper Warbler, so there are most likely 2 about at the moment.
Hi Dave, I often park on Gun Rd at the start of the track to the Picking Rods. As well as the bridle path towards the Picking Rods cross the road and try the footpath opposite which leads down by a small disused quarry and a brackish pool (both good areas). You eventually come out on Sandhill Lane at Cloughend Farm. Walk right uphill here along a productive area we have called Cloughend Valley. This leads up to Hillside Farm and beyond, to some kennels. This is the start of Gun Rd. Turn right at the kennels and you are back to your car. There are many footpaths you will see on an OS map but the area designated as the SBI (site of biological interest) is shown on the attached map.
Is it on the west side of Gun Road towards Mill Brow that you see these things, John. I walked on the Picking Rods side a little later and a single wheatear was the only hoped for sighting though the large numbers of lapwings, skylarks and meadow pipits was nice.
First car journey for 7 weeks and it had to be Ludworth Moor. Went early and only saw 1 runner so easily distanced.
Found a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, lots of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, a stonking male Stonechat, 2 Linnets, 2 Swifts, 1 Curlew, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk plus all the usual breeding species (Lapwings, Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings etc)
Ludworth Moor area is my local patch stomping ground but I can't get up there at the moment due to current driving restrictions.
Both Red-legged and Grey Partridges were recorded last year. Did you get enough on them to identify yours? I presume the Ring Ouzel was up near Coombes Rocks.
New to the forum - hope you're all ok and look forward to contributing more. Ludworth Moor is very local to me so I've been lucky enough to be able to go up there for my permitted exercise.
On Saturday I spent a couple of hours or so along Sandhill Lane, round the quarry and up to Coombes Tor via the Picking Rods path. I was lucky enough to encounter the following of note:
our daily exercise cycle ride takes us over Ludworth Moor and we always keep an eye out for anything worth spotting. no sign of Ring Ouzel as yet, but the highlight of todays ride was a white (leucistic?) pheasant on Sandhill Lane
A decent couple of hours tramping round on my own and shunning company (sorry Mark). Best bits were:
c40 Meadow Pipits including a flock of 25 3 Stonechats. A lone male in the quarry and a pair near Far Bradshaw. The male here was in full song so hopefully they may stay to breed. 1 Wheatear male up Picking Rods track. 6 Skylarks 5 Curlews (minimum) 2 Little Owls. A scarce breeder round here so I would prefer not to disclose the location. 1 Chiffchaff calling near Cloughend. 28 Lapwings
Cheers John.
Afternoon edition: New birds or higher numbers seen than those above:-
1 raven, 30 fieldfare, 1 reed bunting male, c4 buzzards, 1 snipe. 72 lapwings when the two separate flocks came together. The most notable thing was the incredible silence, what with there being no wind at first. Unfortunately that also applied to birdsong, but it was the middle of p.m.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Thursday 19th of March 2020 08:59:56 PM
A decent couple of hours tramping round on my own and shunning company (sorry Mark). Best bits were:
c40 Meadow Pipits including a flock of 25 3 Stonechats. A lone male in the quarry and a pair near Far Bradshaw. The male here was in full song so hopefully they may stay to breed. 1 Wheatear male up Picking Rods track. 6 Skylarks 5 Curlews (minimum) 2 Little Owls. A scarce breeder round here so I would prefer not to disclose the location. 1 Chiffchaff calling near Cloughend. 28 Lapwings
A wander round the Picking Rod, Quarry and Cloughend area with John Rayner, decent numbers about;
80+ Lapwings 150 Starling in several flocks 3 Golden plover in amongst the main Lapwing/Starling flock 3 Snipe over along the PR path 15+ Skylark with a good number in song Several Meadow Pipit with one 'parachuting' 7 Reed Bunting At least 4 Buzzard in 2 pairs 2 Stonechat (1 male and 1 female) in the area below the quarry Singles of Raven, Curlew and Kestrel
Cheers
Mark
-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Saturday 14th of March 2020 03:32:42 PM
I know other site regulars visited today and saw more than I did this afternoon, which was not that much really. Did manage one tree sparrow at Larkhill, my first of the year. There was a smattering of winter thrushes in a mixed flock, c40 lapwings + 5 or 6 pairs in possible breeding habitat; 1 skylark sang. The most striking sighting was of 7-8 buzzards in close proximity over Picking Rods path, with max of 6 in Grt. M/c at one time. Hoping for plenty more action soon.
Blowing the cobwebs away, and avoiding being squashed by falling trees led to me being up here! Plenty of birds to see, the 'drawback' being they were nearly all corvids. c500 birds were mostly jackdaws, but included 40 rooks, the most I've seen for some time. Some small sign of Spring in the sighting of 4 golden plover in breeding plumage, and c50 meadow pipits. Also - male bullfinch, 2 buzzards, fem. kestrel, sparrowhawk best of the rest.