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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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 ..
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
4 pairs of Stonechat ( 2 in Lancs) along Moorbottom Rd and a pair of Stock Doves in Harcles Quarry .
A Snipe was singing on a wall by the rough ground near the conifers below Lark Hill and a pair of Oystercatchers here also .
2 Mediterranean Gulls flew over calling and joined a group of Black-headed Gulls feeding in fields below the old maggot farm before all departing towards Crowthorne
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-- Edited by rob archer on Tuesday 24th of March 2020 01:33:34 PM
Flock of 7 Raven together soaring and playing in the updraught on the side of the moor. I wonder what the age composition of such a flock is at this time of year?