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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


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Some interesting thrush movement this morning. Initially 30 Fieldfare flew NE over the southern end of the moor ( my first autumn record), then a second larger flock was located in a Hawthorn in the middle of Red Brook valley. There was a lot of coming and going, but at least 60 Fieldfare with 5+ Redwing and 2 Mistle Thrush.

Jackdaw and Woodpigeons also appeared to be moving south with flocks of 40 and 30/40 respectively.

Also 1 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat and 2 Skylark. 



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Doc Brewster


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Closest thread I could find.

A report on a grapevine group I'm on has a picture from a non-birder of a Red-breasted Goose near Holcombe Tennis Club, which I assume is the one off Hazel Hall Lane. Does anyone local know of an escaped bird that is frequenting the area?



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Roger Halsey


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A quiet morning circuit after the school run, but still a bit of interest:

1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel.

2 Raven.

5 Swallow that looked like a family party.

5 Skylark and at least 1 Lesser Redpoll over. 3 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from longer circuit this morning:
2 Grey Heron.

1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Kestrel.

3 Mistle and 2 Song Thrush.

26 Swallow South in 2 flocks.

1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaff including 1 singing bird.

2 Stonechat.



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Martin Loftus


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3 hour Mtbike ride around the moors this afternoon. With no bins, just my eyes evileye

Moorbottom rd:

X2 kestrel 

X2 jay 

X1 juvenile female wheatear

Red brook

X2 stonechat (male) 

X3 Willow Warbler



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Roger Halsey


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Another interesting morning on the east side of the moor.  Spent a couple of hours there after the school run and, although there was nothing scarce, there was plenty of evidence of southward movement.

65+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail.

2 Skylark.

8 Swallow.

18 Mistle and 3 Song Thrush.

At least 8 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler and 2  Chiffchaff.

6 Stonechat.

40+ Goldfinch, 8 Chaffinch.

 



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Roger Halsey


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I was going to report a quiet morning circuit, but found a lot more activity on the sunny south/ east side of the moor than on the west. Probable migrants:

c20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, 40+ House Martin, 20+ Swallow, 40+ Goldfinch, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat and (surprisingly) my first site record of Whinchat. The Hirundines did me a favour when their alarm calls drew my attention to a passing Hobby, and then a Sparrowhawk that put on a good display.

Also 1 Stock Dove and 4 Grey Wagtail.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a morning circuit:

1 Little Grebe.

1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 1 Little Owl.

Probable migrants in the form of c30 Swallow, c30 House Martin, flocks of 15 and 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 Skylark, c20 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Linnet, 2 Chaffinch, and 1 Reed Bunting.
Still 2 family parties of Stonechat with 8 birds present.

1 Treecreeper and 8 Nuthatch.

 

 



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a morning circuit through Redisher Wood and along Moorbottom Road:

1 Stock Dove.

At least 4 Kestrel and 2 Raven.

1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Big mixed flock at the top of Redisher Wood that included the 4 common tits, Nuthatch, Goldcrest and Willow Warbler, but I didnt identify at least half of the birds!

Presumed migrants in the form of c20 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 10+ Meadow Pipit and 3 Wheatear.

9 Stonechat which looked like 3 family parties.

2 Dipper.

 

 



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Roger Halsey


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Best from a generally quiet shorter morning circuit:

3 Sparrowhawk in the air together playing on the updraught at the top of Redisher Wood. They then moved up to the end of the Moor where a Kestrel made the mistake of flying by the group. A period of aerial combat ensued before the Kestrel moved off north.

1 Green Woodpecker.

2 Stonechat and 1 Wheatear.

1 Dipper.



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Roger Halsey


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Plenty of interest during a longer morning circuit:

1 or 2 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk sat on an open sunny branch in an unusual pose. It had its tail fanned and wings partly spread, presumably to dry off? 1 Little Owl.

1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 Stock Dove and 3 Mistle Thrush, including one carrying food.

3 Wheatear, but no Stonechat.

Some visible migration on the east side of the moor, with the undoubted highlight 5 Crossbill that flew south at eye level. Also 2 Swift, c30 House Martin and a few Swallow. Small fall of what seemed to be entirely Willow Warbler, with maybe 10 birds present.



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rob archer


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Another great year for Kestrels in the valley with at least 8 juveniles in the air above Moorbottom Rd this afternoon  . A Sparrowhawk was also amongst them briefly, as was a Hobby which flew directly up Red Brook    . 



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Roger Halsey


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Modest highlights of a shortish morning circuit:

1 Buzzard and at least 4 Kestrel, possibly up to 7.

1 Swift.

2 Stonechat.

Dipper and Grey Wagtail in Redisher Wood.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a longer morning circuit:

Patch tick in the form of a Little Grebe! It was on the pond by Hollingrove Farm.

3 Kestrel an 1 Little Owl, my first sighting for a while.

4 Stock Dove in 3 locations, with 2 birds singing.

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Kingfisher and Dipper in Redisher Wood.

2 Stonechat and 7 Wheatear.

Excellent views of male Lesser Redpoll at the top of the assault course, 2 Linnet and 4 Bullfinch.

 

 



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Roger Halsey


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Dipper and Treecreeper best from a morning circuit truncated due to the rain!



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a longer morning circuit:

1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Stock Dove.

7 Stonechat, with 1 pair looking like they were rearing a second brood, and 1 Wheatear.

1 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 3 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a short afternoon circuit after the murk had cleared:

At least 3 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and 5 Raven playing on the updraught to the west of the moor.

5 Stonechat and 3 Wheatear with juveniles of both species.

Good number of Meadow Pipit on the high ground, but all of the Skylark seem to have gone.

 



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a morning circuit after the school run:

2 Buzzard and 2 Kestrel.

1 Green Woodpecker.

1 Kingfisher and 1 Dipper In Redisher Wood.

Family party of Whitethroat in an area where I have not seen them this year.

Adult and juvenile Wheatear.

1 Lesser Redpoll just up the valley from Simons Lodge. 



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Roger Halsey


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Did a short circuit over the higher ground this afternoon, with the highlight being a Hobby which zoomed north over the stables. However, potentially more interesting was 4 birds that flew north west when I was just north of Peel Tower. I am pretty sure they were Crossbill based on their flight calls but I couldnt be absolutely sure. 



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Roger Halsey


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Best from a short morning circuit after the school run:

1 Kestrel.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

My first fledged Wheatear of the year with 4 young birds present.

Flock of c90 Starling which perched up long enough to establish no pink ones were present!



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Roger Halsey


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51 species during a longer morning circuit from home, with the highlights being:

Green and 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Only 1 Curlew calling.

1 Grasshopper Warbler still reeling.

Party of 8 Mistle Thrush.

Dipper and 3 Grey Wagtail.

10+ Stonechat and 8 Wheatear.

3 Raven.



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Mike Horwood


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Cuckoo around 1500, Saplan wood below Moorbottom Road



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Martin Loftus


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4,30pm till 6pm 

Cuckoo present around Paddy's pond area. Very mobile & vocal. Its been around since yesterday morning, so Ive been informed. 



-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Monday 1st of June 2020 08:41:22 PM

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Richard Thew


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...... Continued from Elton post, totalling 61 species and 3 or 4 additional ones heard (65)

By this time I realised since I twisted my knee last year I'm going to need to keep a support on everytime I ride my bike in future...

Highlights include:

Nuthatch
Jay
Kestrel
Buzzard
Meadow pipit
Skylarks
Linnet
Stonechat
Lesser redpoll
Garden warbler
Green woodpecker flew past
Stock doves x3
Song thrush
Mistle thrush

Ta!


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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a longer morning circuit:

1 Red Kite on the west side of Holcombe Moor. It seemed to head over the moor towards Ramsbottom. Also 2 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

4 Lapwing and 1 Curlew.

6 Stock Dove, possibly 4 pairs in different locations.

5 pairs of Stonechat, and at least 3 pairs had newly fledged young. 5 Wheatear.

1 Lesser Redpoll.



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Richard Thew


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I wanted to ride up here 3 weeks ago but had to postpone until lockdown was eased!

Highlights include:

Garden warbler
Stonechat
Wheatear
Skylark
Meadow pipit
Linnet
Dipper
Raven
Jay
Buzzard (and was being mobbed by a kestrel)

Ta!

-- Edited by Richard Thew on Thursday 14th of May 2020 03:03:40 PM

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Roger Halsey


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Cuckoo seen this morning. It did a circuit of the firing range and then disappeared. Also Buzzard, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, 6+ Stock Dove, 2 Grasshopper Warbler 3 Grey Wagtail and a Dipper . 1 Swift over the high ground.



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Roger Halsey


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Excellent views of singing Garden Warbler at the top of Redisher Wood this morning. Also my first record of Swift here this year, with 3 birds flying around, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Lesser Redpoll.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a morning circuit though Redisher Wood and along Moorbottom Road:

Cuckoo calling incessantly from the north side of Redisher Wood.

2 Buzzard and a Kestrel.

Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

First patch record of House Martin this year.

1 Dipper.

2 Lesser Redpoll. For Malcolms information, they were in the same locations I described yesterday!



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Roger Halsey


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Best from a morning circuit:

2 Oystercatcher- a patch tick! 8+ Lapwing and a singing Snipe.

1 Stock Dove.

2 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the valley floor and another from Moorbottom Road.

6 Wheatear.

2 Lesser Redpoll.



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Roger Halsey


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13 Wheatear at the head of the Red Brook Valley this morning. Also Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and Lesser Redpoll in the same general area.



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rob archer


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3 Ring Ouzel ( 2 male) in the regular sheep fields this evening .

Info V Irving 



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rob archer


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Early walk over ..

Ring Ouzel calling somewhere in the valley but didn't find it .

Mediterranean Gull in with feeding Black-headed Gulls below Lark Hill flew off towards Red Earth Farm and 2 Grasshopper Warblers below the old Maggot Farm ( Lancs)



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Roger Halsey


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5 Lesser Redpoll around Redisher Wood this morning, 2 below Bank Top Farm an 3 together by Simons Farm. Also Green Woodpecker. 



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rob archer


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4 Ring Ouzel in the sheep fields and a Grasshopper Warbler near Lark Hill on this morning's early yomp



-- Edited by rob archer on Sunday 12th of April 2020 08:43:11 AM

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rob archer


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6 Ring Ouzel amongst the sheep below Moorbotto Rd this evening .

Info from V. Irving 



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rob archer


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Tabbed over first light to avoid the crowds ..

Plenty of Wheatear arrived overnight with  c20 birds around the valley and another new pair of Stonechat found  to make it 9 pairs in GM ..

Single male Ring Ouzel in the valley floor near The Glen and c30 Fieldfare flew over east ..



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rob archer


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Walked over this morning to continue the Stonechat search . Found and photographed another 2 pairs making it at least 8 in total within GM. 

Green Woodpecker also seen high on Lark Hill. 



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rob archer


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Completed my 2 Holcombe BBS squares this morning as I normally do them on foot from home anyway..

6 pairs of Stonechat within GM this year . Taken photos of all the males and probably more still within GM on The Ranges.

2 Fieldfare, 8 Wheatear and 3 Ring Ouzel ( 2 males) also present this morning  

 



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Roger Halsey


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6 Wheatear this morning, 2 on the east side of Red Brook and 4 together on the west side. 3 Curlew, and 1 Snipe singing below Lark Hill. Also 1 Raven, 4 Stock Dove together and Lesser Redpoll. 



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Roger Halsey


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2 female Ring Ouzel the undoubted highlight of my morning walk. They were hunkered down behind the stone wall next to Moorbottom Road west of Harcles Hill, but flew off north. Also 2 Wheatear in the same area, my first 2 Swallow around Hollingrove Farm and my first Willow Warbler near Simons Farm.



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Roger Halsey


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15 Fieldfare flew south(!) over Redisher Wood this morning. 2 Lesser Redpoll at the top of the woods.



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Roger Halsey


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Best from fitness walks over the last 2 days:

2 Curlew in different locations and 4 Lapwing.

2 Green Woodpecker in different locations.

15 Fieldfare (yesterday) and 28 Redwing today.

3 Wheatear and 7+ Stonechat.

2 Dipper in different locations, 2 Grey Wagtail.

1 Lesser Redpoll yesterday.



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rob archer


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Walked over this morning .. 

6 Golden Plover above Red Brook and towards Black Moss .. 

2 Red-legged Partridge high on the tops behind Lark Hill ( in Lancs)

2 Wheatear on eastern flank above Moorbottom Rd 



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Roger Halsey


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I did a similar keep fit circuit from Ramsbottom this morning with largely similar birds. Missed the Wheatear again, but also saw a flock of 10 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Raven, 2 Kestrel and 2 Little Owl.



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Keith Holland


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Walk from Hawkshaw near Red Lion and over fields to barracks through to Moorbottom road past red brook to last flag-post above Hawkshaw Lane

Red Lion to barracks - Nuthatch, 2 Jay, Pheasant, 2 Curlew,

Barracks to Moorbottom Road - 2 Chiffchaff, Moorhen, Pheasant, Green Woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker

Moorbottom Road - 12+ Carrion crow, 7 Stonechat, 2 Pied wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 2 Stock Dove, loads of wren, meadow pipit and skylark

 



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rob archer


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Walked over 1st light .. 

2 Grey Partridge flushed off the eastern slopes above Moorbottom Rd was a surprise.  Flew down onto the valley floor south of Paddys Pond .Not seen any here for many years.

Single Wheatear high amongst the boulders west side of Red Brook  



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rob archer


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Walked over at 1st light .

2 Greylag Geese flew over high west at 0715 and a single Golden Plover seen at the top of Red Brook ..a few Linnet have returned to the gorse above Moorbottom Rd ..



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Roger Halsey


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I am fortunate to have access to this area when walking from home, and highlights from a morning circuit were:

1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Flock of 23 Fieldfare.

1 Stonechat, but couldnt find a Wheatear.

2 Goldcrest.



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rob archer


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Walked over from home 1st light . Another fine cold morning 

Wheatear up near Red Brook and the same 2 pairs of Stonechat in the GM area .. A further 4 pairs found though on continuing round into Lancs towards Crowthorne. 

2 Snipe singing this morning . One as per yesterday and another east of White Hill in the same area as last year. 

A Golden Plover was calling over onto Wet Moss and then sitting on Lark Hill looking east to Walmersley and West towards Great Hill in Lancs counted 8 Buzzard in the air in a single sweep .. 

 

 

 



-- Edited by rob archer on Wednesday 25th of March 2020 03:07:23 PM

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