Highfield Moss, Lowton

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

RE: Highfield Moss, Lowton

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Thanks for the support. Patching definitely throws up the odd good bird occasionally.

Went back today with the camera looking for the odd looking Pipit but no sign.

James Walsh · Status: Offline

Here here Dennis, patch workers deserve massive recognition, I share Nick's enthusiasm, I had the good fortune to find the first record of Coal Tit for Salford Docklands last autumn

That Pipit sounds quite interesting, I wonder what else is out there on the Mosses

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Its hard work that patch work. I bet youve never been so excited to see a Coal Tit. Keep at it. I have big respect for patch workers. It a tough game. Best wishes. Den smile

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Late afternoon mooch in the dull conditions.

22 Meadow Pipits - mostly over south in ones and twos.
9 Linnets - flying over
5 Chaffinches
2 Reed Buntings
2 Buzzards
4 Yellowhammers
3 Goldfinches
1 Coal Tit - New patch tick. It's taken me a long time to get this one down here and it was part of a sizeable mixed tit flock moving up and down the eastern side.
2 Willow Tits - also part of the tit flock.
16 Long Tailed Tits - the bulk of the tit flock.
3 Pheasants - all poults.
3 Pied Wagtails - over north.
1 Snipe
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Grey Heron

Also, a Pipit species that flew up from the boggy area and perched in a bare tree. Bad light and distance prevented a good look at it but I'm fairly sure it wasn't a Meadow Pipit due the obvious supercilium it had plus the slightly larger size.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A quick hour this morning from 7.00 to 8.00am.

17 Meadow Pipits - most over southwards but several coming out of roost on the moss.
3 Grey Herons - one over east and two over west.
2 Grey Wagtails - two over east and one over west.
1 Kestrel
33 Lapwings - over north.
4 Chaffinches
5 Yellowhammers
3 Reed Buntings
2 Grey Partridges
c30 Linnets feeding in recently ploughed field to the north.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A bit of visible migration this morning from 8 - 10am. Small groups of Swallows heading south plus ones and twos of Meadow Pipits. Also six Snipe going north and the first Skylarks for a while moving through.

12 Grey Partridges - 10, 2
33 Meadow Pipits - mostly southwards.
6 Snipe - two separate groups of three going north.
6 Linnets
2 Pied Wagtails - south.
10 Pheasants - 1 male and 9 poults
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Kestrels
16 Reed Buntings
3 Jays
18 Goldfinches
16 Yellowhammers - numbers seem to have increased with the fields being ploughed.
3 Buzzards
11 Chaffinches
3 Skylarks
4 Canada Geese - through east.
1 Whitethroat - female.
4 Tree Sparrows - with Yellowhammers and Chaffinches on ploughed field on eastern side.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

6.30 till 8.00 this morning. Quite a few birds about and a little bit of overhead passage too.

2 Jays
11 Meadow Pipits - mostly over southwards.
9 Goldfinches - over southwards.
14 Yellowhammers - mostly juvs.
2 Kestrels
4 Chiffchaffs - all with a tit flock. Largest count I've ever had here.
1 Corn Bunting - juv.
12 Reed Buntings
3 Whitethroats
1 Pheasant - poult.
7 Chaffinches
1 Moorhen - juv
15 Linnets - over in small flocks.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

First visit for a while due to being on holiday last week.

Very quiet late afternoon but still a few birds to be seen.

c120 Lapwings - over west.
4 Corn Buntings - all juvs.
2 Buzzards
3 Chaffinches
c20 Long Tailed Tits - in a mixed flock with Blue and Great Tits.
2 Kestrels
2 Pheasants
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Moorhen
3 Linnets

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Early outing on the moss today. Still quite a few migrants knocking around, most of which managed to evade me as all I saw was a fleeting movement in a bush or the back end of it as it flew off.

1 Buzzard
3 Jays
21 Linnets - mostly moving through.
5 Reed Buntings
7 Meadow Pipits - five of east, 2 south.
1 Moorhen - juvenile.
6 Pheasants - m,f and four juvs.
2 Chaffinches
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Sparrowhawk - female.
3 Kestrels
1 Whitethroat - male.
1 Yellowhammer
1 Goldfinch
1 Blackcap - female.
10 Grey Partridges - one adult and rest juvs.

Paul Richardson · Status: Offline

Quiet morning in gloom 10 - 12noon.

Very few small birds about at the time.

1 swallow
1 swift
2 yellowhammer
3 great tits
1 reed bunting heard

Also

2 Jays

5 Kestrels (2 flew out of tree belt S of moss as I walked along the airstrip, and another 3 were duelling with corvids over the field SE)

1 Common Buzzard flew out of trees edging the old quarry as I walked past, leading to the swift scrambling of a squadron of corvids to escort it away S out of their airspace!

2 Grey Partridge on edge of field W, and 6 more flushed on the main moss near the pond, as usual scaring the livingdaylights out of me! Good view though, as they fanned out in various directions.

-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 03:44:37 PM

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

One, possibly two Garden Warblers present thîs evening feeding on berries on the northern part of the moss. Also eight Grey Partridge flushed from the long grass.

Also present.

1 Chiffchaff
4 Kestrels - plus another two over towards Barrow Lane.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A few migrants still trickling through with the tit flocks this morning. Again, most activity was on the eastern side.

1 Chiffchaff
2 Sparrowhawks - m,f
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Snipe
3 Kestrels - family group.
1 Jay
3 Whitethroats
2 Willow Warblers
8 Meadow Pipits
1 Tree Pipit - over south, heard only.
1 Blackcap - male.
Possible Garden Warbler - fleeting glimpse unfortunately.
Plus a few Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers. A few Swallows over southwards also and around 50 mixed Corvids by Highfield Farm.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Very quiet on much of the moss this morning but the saving grace was a roving tit flock in the trees by the airstrip. A stunning male Lesser Whitethroat was in amongst the flock and showed itself well several times. Also in this flock were at least three Willow Warblers and a Common Whitethroat. Further down the airstrip as I was still attempting to watch the tit flock a Tree Pipit flushed from a tree to the rear and 'buzzed' several times as it flew off east.

3 Kestrels - family party and constantly calling each other.
5 Meadow Pipits
1 Sparrowhawk - female.
4 Reed Buntings
1 Jay
1 Chiffchaff
4 Willow Warblers
1 Song Thrush
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
1 Tree Pipit
1 Common Whitethroat
3 Chaffinches
2 Yellowhammers
10 Goldfinches
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Pheasant - male.

-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Monday 26th of August 2013 08:29:58 AM

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Another dawn raid on the moss and still fairly quiet at the moment. One or two migrants in the bushes and a bit of movement overhead too so not too bad really.

3 Kestrels - two together probably parent and juv.
1 Grey Partridge
7 Yellowhammers
8 Meadow Pipits - 6 over plus two grounded birds.
15 Reed Buntings
1 Chiffchaff
5 Chaffinches
5 Canada Geese over south.
5 Linnets
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Pheasant - male.
1 Willow Warbler
74 Lapwings over north in one big flock.
1 Mallard through west.
14 Goldfinches
1 Whitethroat
1 Mistle Thrush

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Still rather quiet down on the moss at the moment but signs of migration are beginning grow. Plenty of Woodpigeons moving about this morning plus several Swallows through south. Best bird by far though was a Tree Pipit that buzzed through. It was one of those moments were you hear a bird but your brain doesn't quite register it straight away. Fortunately the Pipit buzzed three times as it passed overhead.

10 Linnets
1 Jay
2 Willow Warblers
1 Sparrowhawk - female.
2 Meadow Pipits
14 Goldfinches
2 Kestrels - one female and possibly one juv. Very vocal.
1 Moorhen - juv.
1 Tree Pipit - over south
2 Pheasants - males.
8 Reed Buntings
3 Yellowhammers
1 Buzzard
1 Chiffchaff
3 Chaffinches
1 Whitethroat - male.
1 Greenfinch

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Very quiet this morning with the only notable birds being six juvenile Grey Partridges, two Blackcaps passing through and a good steady movement of Woodpigeons.

4 Chaffinches
2 Pheasants - both male and one a juvenile.
2 Willow Warblers
2 Reed Buntings
1 Kestrel
3 Goldfinches
4 Yellowhammers - two juveniles.
5 Linnets
6 Grey Partridges - all juvs.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker - female.
2 Blackcaps - m,f.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Early morning ramble. Not quite as much about as of late though a steady movement of Woodpigeons overhead.

9 Yellowhammers
2 Pheasants
3 Whitethroats
13 Meadow Pipits
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
15 Linnets
16 Goldfinches
8 Reed Buntings
4 Willow Warblers
1 Jay
1 Corn Bunting

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Mid morning mooch with the new pooch and a quadruple of raptors seen.

A Hobby flew through north just ahead of a short shower plus a female Sparrowhawk still knocking around. A Kestrel was hunting over the moss while a Buzzard glided through on the southern boundary. Very little noted of passerines but it was quite windy.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Another cracking morning on the moss with not one but two year ticks and one of those was a new patch tick too. A Hobby flying through southward at 6.10am was a great start to the day and my first one down there this year. The best bird was a Green Sandpiper that flew in from the east while I was stood by the pond. It did a quick circle before heading away south, calling away as it departed. A very good bird down there!

Other notable birds this morning were:

1 Sparrowhawk - a female that's probably the same bird from yesterday and seems to be just loading around as I saw it several times.
3 Mallard over west.
1 Moorhen on the pond.
1 Corn Bunting
2 Grey Partridges
1 Grey Heron over south.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker - male.
1 Jay
1 Kestrel

Plus all the usuals.
Also good numbers of Woodpigeons on the move too.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A new patch tick was very welcome this morning in the form of a flyover Goosander. Other than this the moss seemed a little quieter and definitely felt as though there'd been a bit of a 'clear out' of juveniles.

1 Corn Bunting
9 Yellowhammers
10 Goldfinches - five juvs.
3 Mistle Thrushes
3 Chaffinches
2 Pheasants - both males.
8 Willow Warblers
19 Linnets
9 Reed Buntings
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
4 Common Whitethroats
2 Greenfinches
1 Goosander over west.
1 Sparrowhawk - female getting loads of grief from a Jay.
1 Jay
1 Pied Wagtail

Also a good movement of Woodpigeons. Surely a sign that autumn migration in now underway.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A quick mooch late afternoon today just to the edge of the moss.

A male Corn Bunting singing briefly by the footpath. Good numbers of Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Linnets moving around plus two Yellow Wagtails over and two Grey Partridges flushed in the wheat field. A good number of Woodpigeons moving over north too but the real highlight was a mass gathering of Swifts over the airstrip. Although not massive numbers there still must have been at least 300 birds present. It won't be long now before they leave!! cry

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Early morning mooch again. Loads of birds around as is usual of late.

2 Corn Buntings together near Highfield Farm.
2 Grey Partridge
10 Goldfinches - 6 juvs.
9 Yellowhammers - 4 juvs.
1 Skylark
8 Willow Warblers - 2 juvs.
8 Common Whitethroats - 6 juvs.
3 Pheasants - one adult male plus two poults.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Nuthatch - juv.
3 Chaffinches
13 Meadow Pipits - at least 9 juvs plus two adults with food.
19 Reed Buntings - at least 9 juvs.
1 Moorhen
c28 Linnets - mostly juvs.
1 Song Thrush
1 Tree Sparrow
4 Greenfinches - all juvs.
3 Sand Martins - over south.
1 Yellow Wagtail - over north.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Walked down Barrow Lane, round Highfield Moss and back late this afternoon. A Hobby, hunting through 300 Swifts and 25 Swallows was a good sighting, along with 9 Yellow Wagtails , 3 Corn Buntings, 5 Tree Sparrows, 45 House Sparrows, 5 Grey Partridges, 7 Yellowhammers, 10 Reed Buntings and 40 Meadow Pipits. Butterflies and Dragonflies were plentiful, with 4 Emperor Dragonflies and 3 Black-tailed Skimmers among the scores of Black Darters, Emerald Damselflies, Azure Damselflies, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Gatekeepers, Small Whites, Large Whites, Green-veined Whites and Small Heaths.

Cheers David

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Shed loads of juvenile birds around this morning with the highlight being a Sedge Warbler by the path down to the moss. Sedge Warblers always seem to be passage birds down here and this was my first for this year. A juvenile Chiffchaff was also a pleasant surprise too. Other than that there were several mixed flocks of juveniles that all needed to be scrutinised.

8 Lapwings - one group of seven plus a flyover west.
2 Corn Buntings
12 Yellowhammers - 4 juvs.
1 Sedge Warbler - juv.
27 Linnets - 90% were juvs.
14 Reed Buntings - 8 juvs.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Jay - a very odd looking juvenile with very sparse feathering to its head.
10 Chaffinches - all juvs.
9 Meadow Pipits - 8 juvs.
1 Chiffchaff - juv.
7 Common Whitethroats - 5 juvs.
10 Willow Warblers - 4 juvs.
2 Moorhens - after a couple of months of seeing just one adult bird I finally confirmed breeding this morning with the sight of a fledgling.
1 Pheasant - male.
1 Blackcap - female juv.
12 Goldfinches - 10 juvs - all feeding on thistle heads near the airstrip.
3 Greenfinches - all juvs.
13 Skylarks

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Lovely and bright this morning with just a light mist hovering over the moss. Lots of activity, particularly from mixed flocks of juvenile birds.

3 Lapwings
6 Goldfinches - 4 juvs.
28 Linnets - at least 20 juvs.
9 Meadow Pipits - 2 juvs.
6 Common Whitethroats - 3 juvs.
3 Corn Buntings - one giving very close views.
5 Skylarks
8 Yellowhammers - one juv.
2 Mistle Thrushes
1 Yellow Wagtail - over north.
2 Chaffinches
1 Pheasant - male.
13 Reed Buntings - 6 juvs.
7 Willow Warblers - 3 juvs.
1 Moorhen
8 Greenfinches - all juvs.
1 Song Thrush

Ian Boote · Status: Offline

Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Meadow Pipits all with live food, family of Kestrels Skylarks, Linnets, Blackcap

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Another early one today from 5.45. Really warm even at that time of morning.

11 Goldfinches - at least five juvs.
1 Corn Bunting
1 Sparrowhawk - female
6 Reed Buntings
8 Yellowhammers
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker - female.
1 Mistle Thrush
6 Chaffinches - at least three juvs.
8 Common Whitethroats - four juvs.
5 Willow Warblers
14 Meadow Pipits
26 Linnets - at least 15 juvs.
3 Pheasants
4 Grey Herons - two over north then another two over west later.
2 Moorhens - one on the pond and another on the airstrip.
1 Jay
1 Blackcap - male.
4 Greenfinches - all juvs with the Linnets.
2 Kestrels
1 Yellow Wagtail - juv.
7 Skylarks

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Another early one today and a nice low mist covering the moss for the early part of my walk. Loads of juveniles around again as before with the star attraction being the large numbers of juvenile Swallows hanging around the pond. They repeatedly perched on the wires over the line and were repeatedly scattered by each passing train. I watched this happen quite a few times, it was quite comical really. Incidentally, Network Rail have installed new fencing along the line next to the eastern crossing. It looks as though they are going to put a gate on to it which may not be a bad thing as it may deter the kids who currently use this end to ride their motorbikes.

1 Grey Heron over west
1 Pied Wagtail juvenile
1 Kestrel
6 Chaffinches - 3 juvs.
19 Skylarks - five singing.
6 Yellowhammers
16 Reed Buntings - three juvs
3 Lapwings over north
3 Willow Warblers
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
c50 Swallows - mostly juvs
14 Meadow Pipits - at least ten juvs
4 Linnets
1 Moorhen - first sighting for a while.
1 Tree Sparrow
5 Goldfinches
1 Blackcap
11 Common Whitethroats - including one family of seven.
1 Song Thrush
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Greenfinch - juv
c15 Common Swifts
1 Corn Bunting
1 Treecreeper - year patch tick.

Plus the usual Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Robins, Wrens, Crows and Magpies.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Another mooch from 5.45 today.

2 Corn Buntings singing
8 Skylarks
12 Meadow Pipits - including 7 juvs.
3 Goldfinches
8 Yellowhammers
4 Common Whitethroats - including 2 juvs.
11 Reed Buntings
2 Mistle Thrushes
7 Chaffinches - including 2 juvs
4 Linnets
4 Willow Warblers
2 Sand Martins - these we're feeding over the pond with the juvenile Swallows. I've had fly overs before on here but these two birds were quite settled and often perched on the cables.
1 Cormorant over south.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Blackcap - singing male.
1 Grey Partridge
1 Song Thrush
2 Oystercatchers over west
1 Greenfinch juv
6 House Sparrows
2 Tree Sparrows
c40 Swallows - many juvs
c20 Swifts

Also a Stoat on the airstrip and Pete Astles too.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Early morning wander today before the heat of the day took hold. Great to see loads of juveniles around.

10 Skylarks
1 Greenfinch
8 Goldfinches
4 Chaffinches - 2 juvs
9 Reed Buntings - 5 juvs
7 Common Whitethroats - 3 juvs
1 Grey Partridge
c40 Lapwings
5 Yellowhammers
1 Corn Bunting
2 Blackcaps
7 Meadow Pipits - 1 juv
8 Willow Warblers - 3 juvs
10 Linnets
1 Grey Heron over south.
2 Song Thrushes
2 Mistle Thrushes

Good numbers of young Robins and Blue Tits and quite a few Swallows and Swifts moving through.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Out at six this morning for another mooch. Sadly, a Reed Bunting nest I stumbled across a couple of days ago has failed. I re-found the nest this morning and discovered four dead chicks in and around the nest. They were barely days old. To be honest when I found the nest I thought it was way too exposed to be successful as it was clearly visible at the bottom of a small clump of dead bracken next to the path. I reckon that yesterdays rainfall may have been the main factor in the nests failure and my suspicion is that this may be a first year breeder and relatively inexperienced but I'd be very grateful on any thoughts on this.

3 Skylarks
2 Corn Buntings
3 Kestrels
9 Yellowhammers including two fledglings
9 Lapwings
7 Linnets
3 Chaffinches - family group
2 Oystercatchers
13 Willow Warblers
16 Reed Buntings including one fledgling
5 Meadow Pipits
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Blackcap
3 Whitethroats
7 Goldfinches
1 Cormorant over north.
1 Mistle Thrush

Plus the usual Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Blue Tits, etc.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Another early visit today from 5.45am. Lovely to be out and not a soul around for once.

9 Skylarks - higher numbers than of late and presumably some juvenile birds.
2 Mute Swans over north. Year tick. biggrin

6 Meadow Pipits
2 Corn Buntings - one by the wooden bridge, one at the end of the airstrip.
21 Lapwings - feeding by the line. Several family groups.
2 Chaffinches
9 Reed Buntings
4 Linnets
8 Yellowhammers
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
6 Willow Warblers
1 Kestrel
10 Goldfinches including one group of six
1 Blackcap - singing male.
1 Yellow Wagtail - flew in from the south and landed on the southern boundary.
3 Whitethroats - two singing males.
1 Cormorant over south east.

Paul Richardson · Status: Offline

Very pleasant and productive 0745-10am today, place deserted!

Reed Bunting - lost count of adults, 3 juveniles.
Willow Warbler - numerous heard, 2 seen plus 2 juveniles sussing me out with much whistling.
Yellowhammer - 8 or more - remarkably easy to see in the fire damaged saplings!
Lapwing 2
Corn Bunting 1 in bush at NW corner of airstrip, singing as I sat and drank my hot ribena! A great year-tick for me: only ever seen one before in the Hebrides in 2008.
3 Skylarks
1 Greenfinch
6 Goldfinch
2 Linnet
Chaffinches incl juveniles
2 Common Whitethroat and some well hidden young
2 Grey Partridge noisily over airstrip (during ribena stop!)
Swallows - numerous over pools and over airstrip
Grey Heron in fllight at some distance west
Several Carrion Crow

No raptors and missed out on Nick's Yellow Wagtail, but very pleased with the Corn Bunting. smile

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Early morning mooch today and plenty of fledglings about.

2 Skylarks
1 Greenfinch
1 Goldfinch
1 Corn Bunting singing by the bridge over the ditch.
9 Yellowhammers
1 Grey Heron over south
10 Chaffinches including two fledglings
5 Meadow Pipits including two fledglings
13 Willow Warblers including four fledglings being fed by a parent.
9 Reed Buntings including one fledgling.
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers - female and juvenile.
4 Linnets
2 Whitethroats
1 Lapwing
2 Song Thrushes
1 Yellow Wagtail
2 Willow Tits

Upto 20 Swallows feeding on flies over the airstrip too plus plenty of the more commoner birds.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

First visit down here in just over a week. The ferns are now well grown and the whole place looks much greener than last time I visited. Quite a few broods of young birds around but the best birds were undoubtly a male Yellow Wagtail feeding on the airstrip and a Willow Tit in the woods. Other birds noted were two singing Whitethroats and another with two fledglings, several Willow Warblers, Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings plus two Buzzards and a Kestrel.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A Corn Bunting singing from the moss on Sunday evening plus all the usual suspects down there.

I also got attacked by a very angry Blue Tit when I must have walked past its young without realising. I had to duck twice as it swooped at my head.

Also a very small deceased mole on the path by the line.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

5.30 start this morning for a nice two and half hour mooch round all parts of the moss. Plenty activity with lots of calling from unseen chicks too.

6 Skylarks
3 Linnets
2 Whitethroats
5 Lapwings
1 Corn Bunting - found it feeding in the field by the line early on and later singing from nearby.
14 Yellowhammers
7 Chaffinches
8 Mistle Thrushes
5 Song Thrushes - including three fledglings.
1 Oystercatcher
8 Willow Warblers
15 Reed Buntings
8 Meadow Pipits
1 Moorhen
31 Canada Geese over NE.
1 Blackcap
2 Grey Partridges
4 Tree Sparrows
1 Kestrel
1 Buzzard
6 Common Swifts through north in ones and twos.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Early morning visit today from 5.30 and no dog walkers about for once. All the usual stuff around including the following.

13 Canada Geese over west
4 Grey Partridges
5 Yellowhammers including one fledgling being fed by an adult.
8 Chaffinches
4 Skylarks
7 Lapwings including one well grown fledgling with two adults.
2 Mistle Thrushes
1 Goldfinch
5 Song Thrushes
11 Willow Warblers
1 Buzzard - a very pale bird and not one I've noted down here before.
5 Meadow Pipits
8 Reed Buntings
1 Moorhen
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker - female.
2 Whitethroats
1 Oystercatcher
2 Pheasants
6 Linnets

Pete Astles · Status: Offline

Went to the moss this morning saw a sedge warbler on the gorse and a hobby over the airfield being mobbed.

However the shocker was the top end which now resembles a motorcross track like hawkstone park. I heard them Saturday but I had not brought my mobile out otherwise I would have called 101. I would urge people to contact LENDF (via google) and maybe they can get this curtailed because this cannot go on.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Another early one on the moss in bright and warm conditions. Several species of birds now with fledglings which is nice to see.

5 Skylarks
4 Goldfinches
1 Buzzard
10 Chaffinches
11 Yellowhammers
2 Mistle Thrushes
4 Oystercatchers
7 Lapwings
5 Linnets
5 Meadow Pipits
8 Reed Buntings
10 Willow Warblers
1 Moorhen
2 Jays
1 Whitethroat
4 Song Thrushes
1 White Wagtail
1 Blackcap
5 Long Tailed Tits

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A large bank of fog moving through the moss this morning at 6.00am lifted my spirits in the hope of something good dropping in. As it turned out I wasn't to be disappointed. Three low flying House Martins brought me a new year tick but the highlight was undoubtably the Spotted Flycatcher I found down in the southern corner. As I approached the area I could see and hear a lot of activity from several Starlings and a couple of Chaffinches so I hung back for a while to see what else was knocking around and up popped the Flycatcher. I lost it after about five minutes but not before I managed a record shot for prosperity. This is a bird I've often looked for down here but never been lucky until now so I was understandably well chuffed.

6 Skylarks
5 Lapwings
1 Blackcap
3 House Martins
2 Oystercatchers
11 Chaffinches
4 Linnets
2 Song Thrushes
4 Mistle Thrushes
6 Long Tailed Tits - one family group with three fledglings.
10 Willow Warblers
6 Meadow Pipits
5 Reed Buntings
1 Grey Heron
6 Yellowhammers
5 Goldfinches
2 Whitethroats
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Buzzard

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A beautiful morning today saw me down on the moss at 6.00am. Plenty of activity around from the usual suspects plus it appears that most of the Wheatears have finally cleared off.

8 Chaffinches
5 Skylarks
11 Willow Warblers
10 Yellowhammers
7 Lapwings
1 Oystercatcher
1 Blackcap
1 Mistle Thrush
13 Reed Buntings
5 Meadow Pipits
1 Long Tailed Tit
5 Whitethroats
2 Jays
1 Song Thrush
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Wheatear - female.
2 Linnets
1 Grey Heron

Pete Astles · Status: Offline

This weather nick is doing my head in.

I was on the moss yesterday afternoon in a gale and it was like the middle of February. Plenty of wheatears on the moss but otherwise nothing about.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Cold and windy this afternoon down on the moss. Is it going to get warmer any time soon? Needless to say there wasn't a great deal of activity around. 7 Wheatears still in the area with 4 females and a male on the rejuvenated moss. A Garden Warbler was a good find though with only one previous record down here so I was happy with that.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A quick hour or so this morning from 6.00am. All the usual species present plus my first Blackcap down here this year. Also of note were 4 Wheatears - two on the scorched moss (now looking very green) and two on the field to the east. All birds looked to be Greenland race. Four Oystercatchers were seen as well which is a patch record.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

After all the thrills and excitement of the Norfolk trip over the weekend (see Norfolk thread) it was back down to earth with a bump this morning. Plenty activity around but slightly dis-heartened to see all the earth has been churned up through the woods by motor bikers. This is becoming more and more of a problem down here.

4 Grey Partridges
6 Skylarks
8 Chaffinches
1 Grey Heron over south.
5 Linnets
5 Yellowhammers
1 Pied Wagtail
7 Lapwings
4 Whitethroats
10 Reed Buntings
5 Meadow Pipits
1 Tree Sparrow over east.
2 Moorhens
10 Willow Warblers
5 Long Tailed Tits
7 Wheatears - all females and Greenland types. 4 on the burnt moss and three on the field to the east.
1 Song Thrush
1 Oystercatcher
1 Corn Bunting
1 Greenfinch

Plus all the usuals.

Damian Pendlebury · Status: Offline

Had a trip out to the Moss this morning....

1 Short eared owl - last seen flying north west beyond the railway line
4 wheatear down the south west side - 1 large looking female possibly Greenland race
3-4 whitethroat
lots of reed bunting and yellowhammer
2 meadow pipits
5 stock dove
2 pied wagtail
also skylark, linnets and lapwing

Damian

Sightings with Paul Brady

-- Edited by Damian Pendlebury on Sunday 19th of May 2013 08:07:04 PM

Pete Astles · Status: Offline

Thought I would get out before the rain hit and I am glad I did. Walked barrow lane and back over the moss.

Skylarks plenty
2 yellow wagtails barrow lane.
Then by the airstrip field disturbed a peregrine in the field and got really close views of it fantastic.
1 wheatear moss
1 buzzard moss
2 reed buntings moss.

On a postive note the vegetation on the moss is recovering well and this rain will help things along.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

A bit of a wander late afternoon. Slightly rainy but not too bad.

1 Chiffchaff calling in the quarry.
4 Tree Sparrows
3 Swifts through when the rain started. New year tick.
3 Stock Doves
2 Whitethroats
6 Willow Warblers
2 Wheatears - female Greenland types on the scorched moss.
5 Meadow Pipits
1 Kestrel
1 Pheasant
4 Goldfinches
6 Chaffinches
1 Song Thrush
6 Lapwings
5 Skylarks
1 Oystercatcher
5 Long Tailed Tits
3 Linnets
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker