MB

 

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> Holcombe Moor and environs
Post Info TOPIC: Holcombe Moor and environs
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
RE: Holcombe Moor and environs
Permalink  

Another day of contrast between the east and west sides of the moor. The west was very quiet and wet, with only singles of Raven and Kestrel of note.

The east was sunny and alive with birds! Finches predominated again with lots of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch, with at least 3 Bullfinch and 3 Siskin mixed in. About 12 Swallow and a lone House Martin flew south.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

The main finch flock appeared to have moved through this morning, but still 6 Mistle Thrush and 1 Song Thrush in the same tree. Also large mixed tit flock that included 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper and 1 Goldcrest.

42 Pink-footed Geese flew south.

Also 1 Kestrel sheltered from the rain in Harcles Quarry, 1 Stonechat, and 10 Jay .



-- Edited by Roger Halsey on Friday 24th of September 2021 01:55:58 PM

__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

An interesting contrast this morning between the exposed western side of the moor and the sheltered eastern side. The western side was very quiet, with only 4 Kestrel and 1 Stonechat of note.

The eastern side was alive with birds in a loose large mixed species flock. Most numerous were the finches, with 50+ Goldfinch, 10+ Greenfinch and 5+ Chaffinch. Also 7  Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 1 Coal Tit and 1 Chiffchaff , with a few Blackbird, Starling and Blue Tit mixed in.

Also 1 Green Woodpecker on the east side.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a short afternoon circuit:

6 Kestrel hover hunting in a line along the western side of the moor. 2 Sparrowhawk passed through and indulged in a period of aerial combat with the Kestrel.

1 Green Woodpecker called 3 times, but remained unseen.

c10 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 2 Skylark and c25 Meadow Pipit moving through.

4 Stonechat.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit:

1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.

1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 Kingfisher.

1 Raven.

1 singing Chiffchaff.



__________________
Kevin Forde


Status: Offline
Posts: 70
Date:
Permalink  

Kevin Forde
Magpie
Jay
Meadow Pipit
Green Woodpecker
Little owl
Sparrowhawk
Kestrels
Stonechat
Raven
Many swallow over flying.

 

 



-- Edited by Kevin Forde on Thursday 16th of September 2021 04:57:45 AM

__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

An interesting mixture of migrants on the west side of the moor this morning included 20+ Swallow, 20+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 2 Skylark and 2 Greenfinch.

On the east side of the moor a loose mixed flock included Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 4+ Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest and 5 Siskin.

Only 1 kestrel over the end of the moor.

 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit:

Marsh Harrier flew south without stopping, 2 Sparrowhawk and 3 Kestrel.

2 Raven flew in from the south and had a long period of aerial combat with the 2 Sparrowhawk at the south end of the moor.

Another patch tick in the form of a Redstart at the bottom of Saplin Wood, 2 Wheatear.

1 Skylark flew south, my first here for a while.

c 40 Swallow and 1 House Martin.

2 Willow Warbler, including 1 singing, 3 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap.

2 Siskin over.



__________________
Ian Latham


Status: Offline
Posts: 26
Date:
Permalink  

2 x Little Owl

1 x Merlin

2 x Raven

Several Kestrel's



-- Edited by Ian Latham on Wednesday 8th of September 2021 12:14:33 PM

Attachments
__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a short morning circuit:

Patch tick in the form of a Marsh Harrier that flew south around 9.45, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel.

1 Green Woodpecker.

c30 Swallow and 10 House Martin.

1 Willow Warbler in sub song.

2 Wheatear.



__________________
Martin Loftus


Status: Offline
Posts: 374
Date:
Permalink  

Short evening loop:

X 4 juvenile wheatear all sat together on one of the stone walls of Harcles farm. 

X 4 kestrels 

Snipe heard calling from the heather on the top near the tower 

Moor bottom rd was very quiet apart from millions of swarming flying ants! 

X 3 green Woodpecker. Including one from the side of Lumbcarr rd near the Shoulder of Mutton pub.

 



__________________

One by one the penguins steal my sanity

https://www.flickr.com/photos/salfordmartin/
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a short circuit this morning:

Only 6 Kestrel and 2 Juvenile Peregrine together.

4 Swift and 60+ Swallow.

Grasshopper Warbler still reeling loudly.

2 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit, not including the highest ground:

At least 8 Kestrel, including one hunting insects like a Hobby, 1 juv Peregrine and 1 Buzzard.

1 Raven, 1 Jay.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

2 Swift and c50 Swallow south with a few House Martin mixed in.

1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling loudly and continuously for 2 hours! And seen well. 1 Whitethroat.

5 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear.

1 Bullfinch.

Having checked, the Grasshopper Warbler record is my latest ever!



-- Edited by Roger Halsey on Monday 9th of August 2021 03:09:36 PM

__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Best from a short high level circuit this morning:

6 Kestrel, probably 2 family parties, and 1 Sparrowhawk.

c30 Swift, c20 Swallow and 2 House Martin appeared to be moving through.

4 Mistle Thrush.

Single Stonechat and Wheatear.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

48 species on a longer morning circuit was good for the time of year. Highlights:

1 Hobby flew vigorously over Redisher Wood, then headed off SE. At least 6 Kestrel including a family party, 1 Sparrowhawk.

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

5 Stock Dove.

Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest  still singing.

7 Stonechat including a pair with 4 fledged juveniles, 4 Wheatear.

2 Siskin over, 2 Linnet. 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Modest highlights from a short morning circuit through Redisher Wood:

At least 4 Lapwing still present, but in a different field to 22 June.

Good numbers of fledged Swallow around the farms.

First mixed flock of the autumn(!) with 3 species of tit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and a single Treecreeper.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Generally quiet, but some interest on an afternoon circuit with the family over the higher ground:

1 Green Woodpecker inadvertently flushed from well above the tree line.

5+ Wheatear, with my first fledged juvenile, 1 Stonechat.

2 Mistle Thrush.

Still reasonable numbers of Skylark and Meadow Pipit on the highest ground.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Best from a morning circuit:

3 Kestrel.

6 Lapwing plus at least 1 half grown young. I was particularly pleased to see these birds as the usual field was cut about 6 weeks ago and the birds all abandoned that area shortly after. Today they were in a field that I had not been to before, but it looks likely the birds all relocated.

5 Stock Dove.

At least 7 Mistle Thrush.

Still 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling intermittently.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit:

1 Buzzard.

1, possibly 2 Curlew.

2 Stock Dove.

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Pair Mistle Thrush feeding a recently fledged juvenile.

2 Grey Wagtail.

Pair Bullfinch.

 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from this morning:

At least 4 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

1 Stock Dove.

1 Curlew.

10+ Swift zooming around at the higher elevations.

3 Great Spotted Woodpecker including a pair that flew right over my head.

1 Raven.

1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler.

3 Wheatear.

Dipper, Grey Wagtail and 2 Treecreeper in Redisher Wood.

 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit, mainly at the higher elevations:

1 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk, the latter with 2 central tail feathers missing that made it look like it had a forked tail.

1 Green Woodpecker.

3 Stock Dove.

1 Curlew.

3 pairs Mistle Thrush, with 1 pair feeding young.

Single Grasshopper Warbler and Whitethroat singing.

Pair of Stonechat and 10 Wheatear, probably 5 pairs.

1 Bullfinch. 

 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit:

1 Kestrel.

3 Lapwing and 3 Curlew.

3 Stock Dove.

2 reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 1 in a new location, and my first here for the year.

3 Stonechat plus my first fledged juvenile of the year. 4 Wheatear. 

 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

A quiet morning circuit, but still some interest:

Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

3 Stock Dove.

Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper and Goldcrest in Redisher Wood.

3 Wheatear.

3 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Bullfinch.



__________________
Martin Loftus


Status: Offline
Posts: 374
Date:
Permalink  

Belated sighting from Friday evening when Gary Taylor photographed a female cuckoo from near Paddy's pond (photo attached) 

This morning 9am - 12pm

Me an Gary did an extensive search of the Holcombe valley including Reddisher woods . 

No sign of any Cuckoos apart from a very distant spot of what was a either a male sparrowhawk or a cuckoo..(Im leaning towards sparrowhawk now no) 

Other birds of note.

Kestrel

Buzzard

Tawny owl

Wheatear 

Stonechat

Grasshopper warbler

Chiffchaff

Willow warbler

Little Owl

Green Woodpecker (after at least a thousand visits, one finally landed close enough for a photo!biggrin)



-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Sunday 9th of May 2021 04:04:58 PM

Attachments
__________________

One by one the penguins steal my sanity

https://www.flickr.com/photos/salfordmartin/
dave broome


Status: Offline
Posts: 2895
Date:
Permalink  

5 Ring Ouzel in sheep field among rushes, on east side of Red Brook just downstream of white flag pole 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling
1 Green Woodpecker
2 Whitethroat
2 Stonechat
1 Buzzard

-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 24th of April 2021 11:07:51 AM

__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

44 species on a morning circuit with the following highlights:

Green Woodpecker calling from 2 locations and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 Buzzard.

1 Stock Dove.

Small flock of 5 Wheatear, with at least 3 other birds. 

Dipper and pair Grey Wagtail.

2 Treecreeper and 1 Goldcrest.

Displaying Lesser Redpoll, my first for a while.



__________________
Ian Campbell


Status: Offline
Posts: 2663
Date:
Permalink  

This a.m. female Ring Ouzel amongst sheep pens after last house on Moorbottam Rd and Green Woodpecker in field with Alpcacs.
Cheers Ian

__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Couldnt find any Ring Ouzel on a quick morning visit, but:

1 Curlew.

1 vocal Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 displaying Stock Dove.

6 Wheatear.



__________________
Craig Bell


Status: Offline
Posts: 64
Date:
Permalink  

Stroll along Moorbottom rd on Sunday produced 5 R Ouzels (3M), our first Common Whitethroat singing, 3 Fieldfare high towards Red Brook.



__________________

https://www.flickr.com/photos/137003530@N05/
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

4 Ring Ouzel (3m, 1f) still present this evening at 19.15. Also 1 Curlew, 1 Kestrel, 2 Raven and 5 Wheatear.



__________________
Martin Loftus


Status: Offline
Posts: 374
Date:
Permalink  

X4 Ring Ouzels at Red brook, Moorbottom Rd 

Info courtesy of Gary Taylor. 

 

 

 



__________________

One by one the penguins steal my sanity

https://www.flickr.com/photos/salfordmartin/
Martin Loftus


Status: Offline
Posts: 374
Date:
Permalink  

4pm 

X2 male ring Ouzels half way up Moorbottom rd. Foraging in the fields adjacent to the trees.

Info courtesy of Gary Taylor 



__________________

One by one the penguins steal my sanity

https://www.flickr.com/photos/salfordmartin/
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

41 species on a longer morning circuit, with the highlights being:

2 pairs Curlew including the bubbling display, and probably 4 pairs Lapwing.

2 Buzzard and 1 Tawny Owl calling from a holly bush, but not seen.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker ( getting harder to see now)

2 pairs Stock Dove.

1 Swallow.

1 Willow Warbler and 6 Chiffchaff.

5 Wheatear.

1 Dipper and 3 Grey Wagtail.

1 Treecreeper.

 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

A respectable 40 species on a morning circuit, with the highlights being:

1 Curlew and 4 Lapwing.

1 Green and at least 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

3 singing Stock Dove.

Displaying Skylark and Meadow Pipit giving a spring like feel.

3 Stonechat.

1 Dipper and pair of Grey Wagtail.

My first returning Lesser Redpoll.



__________________
Ian Whittaker


Status: Offline
Posts: 11
Date:
Permalink  

Monday 15 March

Red Kite - drifting over Turton Rd Tottington heading northwards towards Hollymount and Holcombe mobbed by local jackdaws

 



Attachments
__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit:

1 Curlew and 7 Lapwing again.

My first Green Woodpecker for a while, but only 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

First pairs of Stonechat and Pied Wagtail back on territory.

1 Treecreeper and 2 Goldcrest.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a short morning circuit:

My first returning Curlew of the year and at least 7 Lapwing.

Plenty of Great Spotted Woodpecker activity again with 5 birds seen, including 1 in a different area.

2 Pairs Stock Dove.

1 Treecreeper.

1 Dipper and 1 Grey Wagtail.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from the familiar morning circuit:

Lapwing up to 8.

Amazing sight of 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker together with much commotion- presumably a territorial dispute between 2 pairs. Also Green Woodpecker calling in 2 different places, but possibly the same bird.

3 Stock Dove including 2 singing birds in new locations.

2 Raven, and an excitable flock of 70+ Jackdaw.

1 Dipper.

 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from another morning circuit:

6 Lapwing again.

Another flock of Black-headed Gull heading north, this time about 70 birds.

2 Raven.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, rather loudly I thought. On closer inspection I found the bird on a timber power pole but, rather than drumming on the timber, it craned its neck off to one side and drummed on a plastic junction box! The sound was quite unusual!


My first record of the year of Skylark on the highest ground. 2 birds were singing while the third was hunkered down in the wind.

1 Treecreeper singing

 



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit:

1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

6 Lapwing.

Compact flock of 50+ Black-headed Gull heading north.

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

15 Redwing.

1 Dipper.

3 Goldcrest, including a singing bird.



__________________
Mike Horwood


Status: Offline
Posts: 67
Date:
Permalink  

Moor Road again ! 1430.Sparrowhawk and  Buzzard giving some great sparring views.

Foolhardy single meadow pipit on a very frozen moor 



__________________
G.M.Horwood
Mike Horwood


Status: Offline
Posts: 67
Date:
Permalink  

Moor Road near Higher Tops, 1300  Buzzard and in the field 12 Rooks



__________________
G.M.Horwood
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Best from another morning circuit:

1 Kestrel.

Pair of Stock Dove in different location from last visit.

Pair of Goosander, my first record this year.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 Raven over.

At least 9 Bullfinch including a flock of 5.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit, with the main interest being in Redisher Wood:

The first returning Lapwing of the year.

Drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.

3 Stock Dove, including 1 singing bird.

3 Fieldfare.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Limited highlights from a morning circuit:

Record count of 46 Mallard on Simons Lodge!

1 Dipper, 1 Treecreeper and 2 Bullfinch.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from morning circuits over the last 2 Days:

1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 Kestrel.

1 Raven,

Dipper, Goldcrest and Treecreeper in Redisher Wood.

15 Redwing and 2 Mistle Thrush.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a longer morning circuit:

1 Kestrel- the only raptor.

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker .

5 Mistle Thrush.

Dipper, Grey Wagtail and 2 Goldcrest in Redisher Wood.

2 Greenfinch and 1 Reed Bunting, both first site records for the year.



__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Limited highlights during an afternoon circuit, after the rain/snow had cleared:

1 Green Woodpecker, my first of the year.

1 Kestrel.

Group of 7 Bullfinch together.



__________________
Simon Johnson


Status: Offline
Posts: 1073
Date:
Permalink  

Woodcock flushed off the slopes of Holcombe Hill this afternoon

__________________
Roger Halsey


Status: Offline
Posts: 574
Date:
Permalink  

Highlights from a morning circuit:

1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 1 Little Owl.

1 Green Woodpecker.

30+ Redwing, 4 Mistle Thrush.

1 Treecreeper, 4 Bullfinch.



__________________
«First  <  1 2 3 4 5 … 12  >  Last»  | Page of 12  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> Holcombe Moor and environs

RODIS

 

This forum is dedicated to the memory of Eva Janice McKerchar.