Dukinfield, Ashton, Stalybridge

Lee Griffiths · Status: Offline

Dukinfield, Ashton, Stalybridge

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tame St Stalybridge.

Two Tawnies ke-wicking to each other on Park Rd (Stalybrige end) for 30 mins around 01.00 hrs.

Again plenty of Redwings going over from around 01.00 hrs 'til 03.00 hrs.

....................................................

Harrop Edge 08-40 hrs - 09.30 hrs.

Just called to check the berry trees............ very quiet.

c 7 Blackbirds feeding on the Hawthorns.
1 Fieldfare over.

Roger

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Sunday 31st of October 2010 09:54:53 AM

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tame St Stalybridge.

A lot of Redwing passing over between 01.00 hrs & 03.30 hrs judging by the calls.

What was unusual was that the night was rather warm..........it always seems there is more movement on the frostier nights normally.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Mon 27th Oct. 15.30-17.15 hrs

Dukinfield to Stalybridge

Top of Yew Tree Lane.......Early Bank Rd.......back over Range Rd.

36 Fieldfares feeding on a Hawthorn top of Y T Lane.
Small groups of Goldfinches.
Odd Greenfinches.......counted 9
Plenty of L/Tail & Blue tits in the Holly bushes.

Early Bank Rd. Quiet.

c 3 Meadow Pipits.
c 9 Blackbirds in a group foraging under the Blackberry bushes.

Range Rd.

7 Goldfinches over.
3 Linnets over.
27 Fieldfares in Rifle Range field........alternating feeding on ground or on the Hawthorns. These were joined by about 20 Starlings on the ground.

Roger

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Thursday 28th of October 2010 04:22:49 PM

jason fisher · Status: Offline

friday 22nd

single tree opposite tesco carpark stalybridge by river, held 40 longtailed tits.

2 dippers and grey heron on river.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Monday 25th Oct 16.30 hrs

Stalybridge Between Tescos and Mottram Rd.

Mandarin drake on canal with the Mallards.

Roger

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Sunday 24th Oct 17.00hrs-18.30hrs

Harrop Edge

53 Fieldfare over (32+21)
1 Redwing over.
2 Grey Wagtails over seperately.
1 Jay over..........pretty high up....... dropped down into Longlands.

Roger

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

17th Oct 16.40 hrs-18.25 hrs

Harrop Edge

9 Chaffinch ( 2m+7f ).
1 lonely Meadow Pipit.
Pair Mallard in first scrape in big quarry.
Male Kestrel hovering and soaring for about 20 minutes.
1 Grey Wagtail over
25+ Redwing over........seemed to drop into Longlands.
8 Fieldfare over......never stopped, watched them vanish over Werneth Low.
200+ Jackdaws following a haybaling machine.
28 Magpies ripping up cow-pats together in a corner of field.

Don't really want to start counting Maggies and Carrion Crows in Tameside as I'd soon start racking up snooker scores.

Roger

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Fri 15th Oct. 15.45hrs-16.30 hrs.

Harrop Edge.

7 Chaffinch
2 bedraggled Linnets.........looked more fed up than I was.

Not one of my best days. Think I must have unknowingly made love to a Witch in my younger days.

Roger

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Am River Tame in Dukinfield

Dipper on boulder disturbed by Grey Heron which had been hiding in the side.

Pm

Numbers of Pied Wagtails in Ashton town centre are gradually increasing now, 20+ today, c30 birds yesterday

Pm River Tame in Dukinfield

2 Grey Herons, 1 adult bird and 1 juv, a lady walking past disturbed the juvenile bird which in turn disturbed a Kingfisher, which I certainly wouldn't have see otherwise

Nuthatch being seen almost daily in garden now

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Sun 19th Sept 0700 hrs 0810 hrs

Cheethams Park. Labour Club Entrance.

Chanced an hour in the rain.

38 B Headed Gulls on entrance lawn.
1 singing Blackcap.
3 Stock Doves.
Plenty of tits......Great & Blue.
I played "Hide & Seek" with 2 or 3 very vocal Nuthatches..........had to concede defeat....Nuthatches won hands down.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

A p;easure to meet you as well Karen....it's nice to put a face to a name.

I saw the pair of Scrotes......don't worry about them.....only juvenile males, not a breeding pair.

At least you walked in the right direction, I walked from swing-bridge to Asda via Portland Basin. Only saw 18 Canadas and 7 Mallard.

There was also another jolly little gathering of our local Young Offenders on the benches at the Basin......they were enjoying themselves by passing round a couple of Jamaican Woodbines. You can't miss the whiff of Skunk-Weed on on a still autumn afternoon. Bless their little cotton-socks.

Roger.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

A trip from Plantation Farm down the canal towards Hyde this afternoon. A bit quiet really.

1 GS Woodpecker calling, couldn't find it.
2-3 Jay
Magpies everywhere
Flock of Tits including 13 Long Tailed, 2 Blue and 2 Great
1 Moorhen
Unknown warbler calling in Japanese Knotweed, not sure what species and couldn't see it well enough to identify

2 Scroats on off-road scrambler bike churning towpath up

Nice to meet Roger Baker down there also.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

A rather wet trip up to Harrop Edge this morning

Plenty of migration mainly in the form of Swallows and House Martins going through in their hundreds
Also Meadow Pipits
1 juv Chiffchaff with a small flock of Blue Tits near the covered reservoir
Scruffy Buzzard being mobbed by Kestrel, Crow and Magpie
A large flock of Woodpigeon flew across the fields in a heavy shower and I was unable to ascertain whether there were any other birds with them.

While I was up there the rain never stopped properly.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Today's sightings

am

1 Dipper from County Bridge
1 juv Moorhen

7 Swallows flying south

Yesterdays sightings 9/9/10

pm

1 juv Moorhen
1 Grey Heron
1 juv Grey Wagtail
4 Mallard

no fishermen

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

River Tame from County Bridge along Park Road

Kingfisher flying down river good time to see them now
Confiding Jay gave excellent views down to a few feet eating leftover pasty!
Adult and young Moorhen
Bullfinch calling across river
2 Great Tit
3 Mallard

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Fri 3rd Sept 07-30
Cheethams Park. Labour Club entrance.

Flying visit. Hadn't got long.

Very quiet.

7 Stock Doves on the lawns......slumming it with the Woodies and Maggies.

Roger.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Two Buzzards riding the thermals in Ashton while we watched the Black Redstarts, also Sparrowhawk.

Grey Wagtail
House Martins
Starlings
Jackdaws

I also had a look along the river on the way home.

Kingfisher flew down river
2 Dipper flew up river
Goosander banked round and seemed to land out of view
Grey Heron
4 Mallard
juv Moorhen
Robin

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Plenty of Pied Wags around in Ashton this evening, I'm sure two pairs have bred.

Dipper on river just by County Bridge on my way back from Ashton and Grey Heron flew up river.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Sunday 29th Aug. 17-45 hrs 18-30 hrs.

Just two quick visits.

Riverside between Sandy Lane and Tame St.

Female Bullfinch.
7 L/Tail Tits.
No sign of any Sandmartins (been 3 days now), think they have all gone.

Cheethams Park. Entrance at back of Labour Club.

30 + Goldfinches in the big Ash trees at the gates.
2 Swallows.

Lot of people knocking about enjoying the sunshine.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Sunday 29th Aug. 06-20 08-00

Ashton in search of Black Redstarts. Thank you for the post Karen.
Weather terrible...........heavy showers and overcast. Bad light.
No sign of Starts.........probably sheltering......more sense than me.

Did 50 slow laps of Caledonia Hotel, Molly Malones and surrounding district.

7 Pied Wagtails
1 Kestrel......was hovering over bus station area then flew across and landed on St Michaels Church.

Highlight of morning was a scalding coffee on Flea Market to thaw me out. Weather bucked up as soon as I got home.

Will have another go as soon as I get chance.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Fri 27th Aug 06-30 07-30

Stalybridge Knowl Street. Short walk on canal.

Kingfisher...........first one I have ever seen on this length.
Heron.
At least 6 singing Blackcaps.
Few Goldfinches.
Couple of Jays screeching in trees across in Kappa.

Roger

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

River Tame this evening

2 Goosander probably juv from County Bridge, earlier than last year!
Dipper
Grey Wagtail

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

HARROP EDGE Thurs 26 Aug 06-45 08-15

Bit windy and cowd up there.......even rabbits were running about trying to keep warm.

Stables 4 Swallows

Quarries Meadow Pipit 40+ ( inc flock of 23 )
Linnet 13 ( 9 + 4 )

2 singing Chiffchaff in some scrub at the back of big quarry.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Mon 23 Aug 06-30 08-15 Nice sunny morning.

Bank Top.

Jay ripping a paper bag to bits in a dead tree.
Singing Blackcaps (4)
Greenfinches
Goldfinches

River from County Bridge to Park Rd foot-bridge.

Heron
Moorhen
Kingfisher (facing Amphoria Packaging) shot off downstream towards County Bridge.
Jays flying to and fro across river. Think two.
Singing Blackcaps.
Singing Chiffchaff (not far off touching distance).
Tits, Great and L/Tails.

River from Sandy Lane to Tame St.
More singing Blackcaps.
Another Chiffchaff (doing a bit of flycatching then started singing).
Grey Wagtail (female) feeding on weir.
Sand Martins. (4)

River running very low and gin-clear.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 23rd of August 2010 02:50:27 PM

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 23rd of August 2010 05:03:22 PM

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

After an absence of around 18 months, a Nuthatch returned to the garden today, hopefully breeding locally

Good to know they are still in the area.

On way out of house Nuthatch calling.

On way into Ashton Dipper from County Bridge singing

.

In Ashton centre 1 Swift over
hundreds of Starlings
Pied Wagtail
4+ House Martin around.

On way home Kingfisher flew away down river from me from near County Bridge

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 22nd of August 2010 01:24:17 PM

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 22nd of August 2010 01:25:25 PM

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Ashton town centre

First ever sighting of Long Tailed Tits in the town centre today, a mixed flock of approximately 15 Tits, Long Tailed and Great.

House Martins appear to be in for their second brood

Goldfinches going mad at Grey Squirrel in poplar, not sure if they were breeding in there

The Jackdaws appear to have been successful with family groups around Ashton

Juvenile Starlings are moulting into adult plumage now

Greenfinch also calling in town centre today

Plenty of Sparrows around, young birds on view indicating successful breeding

One possibly two broods of Pied Wagtails, one with three young

Dukinfield

Probably family group of 3 Jays flew across the road near home

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Wed 18th Aug 06-30 hrs 'til 08-00 hrs

Walked from Gorse Hall to Hunters Tower to Rifle Range and back through woods.

Highlight as I entered off Quarry Rise...... 4 Stock Doves....same place as Mon morning.

Rest of walk very quiet until back in woods.

3 Meadow Pipits up near Rifle Range....2 Linnets over heading for Early Bank.

Woods..... 1 Blackcap singing. Saw 3 female Blackcaps feeding with a mixed tit flock, predominantly Coal again.

Jay screeching away in valley.

No sign of S/Doves on my way back to car. A few dog walkers by then.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Wednesday 18th of August 2010 09:06:09 AM

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Wednesday 18th of August 2010 09:07:13 AM

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Monday 16th Aug. 06-30 hrs 08-00hrs

Gorse Hall S/bridge.

Had a slow walk round the coach road.
Plenty of tits on the Poplars, back of the bungalows.......unusually the Coal seemed to outnumber the Great & Blue.
Plenty of Wrens.
3 Willow Warblers.
Counted 5 singing Blackcaps.
Bullfinches piping in the Hollies but the foliage was too dense for me to spot.
Goldfinches.

All in all.....plenty of bird-life.

Was just going to exit onto Quarry Rise when I noticed two pigeons gritting on the road near the pens (in front of a green container), put my bins on them, turned out to be a pair of Stock Doves. Let me approach quite close before flying into trees at side of car-park. Never seen them round here before and I've been pawming round here for over 50 years. ( You wouldn't believe that bit if you saw me as I only look in my early 40's and am often mistaken for Brad Pitt ).

Was quite pleased with this as Iains sighting on Harrop Edge is only a couple of miles away and could mean a few more pairs in the area.

Roger.

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

Sparrowhawk over Stamford Street, by Tameside College at 10.30am

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

6th Aug 11-30 hrs.

Top of Yew Tree Lane & Range Rd.

Walked down to Rising Moon (was going to Godley but turned back.....rain stopped play).

Glimpsed a female Bullfinch in the hollies facing R.Moon.......near the pylon....heard another piping nearby. Plenty of Goldfinch flying overhead.
Female Blackbird carrying a worm.

At least 12 Linnets keeping in front of me in hawthorns walking back up Y T Lane. Willow warbler (1) looking for food on the hawthorn bark.

Walked down Early Bank Rd, no sign of life (used to be good). Think this new golf course extension has killed it stone dead.

Climbed Early Bank......couple of Linnets flew out of the gorse.

Top field and down to Range Rd alive with low flying Swallows.

Stopped for a chat with famer at Broadbent Fold Farm (now all riding stables), he told me at least 10 pairs of Swallows had nested in the stables and all had raised 2 broods.

Junction of Range Rd & Y T Lane.....counted 9 greenfinch in the trees above the golf course stile.......they're always here to feed on the rose-hips underneath.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Mon 2nd Aug.

Printworks Rd. S/bridge. 06-30 hrs.

Bit pushed for time.

Singing warblers.... Willow, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Chiffchaff feeding in hanging basket hung on cottage wall.

Not much more sign of life until I reached a big ivy clad oak.......... never seen as many tits on one tree, L/Ts Blue and Great.....all feeding silently on both the Oak and the Ivy.

A few Jays making a racket in trees near river.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Sat 31 July 20-30 hrs

Just before heavy shower. 15 - 20 sand martins flying low over Tame St bridge and council yard, always a few round here.

Sun 1 Aug

06-15 hrs. 3 immature gulls (Herring or L/B Back) on S/Bridge Tescos car park. Enjoying last nights throwaway kebabs. Vital vitamin supplement to their diet.

06-30 hrs. Walked H/field canal. Knowl St to Grove Rd and back.
A few Greenfinches near foot bridge. Plenty of L/tail tits all along length plus a few Great and Blue.
Female Blackbird carrying food.
3 singing Chiffchaff towards Grove Rd end.
Female Sparrow Hawk just before power-station. Shot of across canal and river into trees.
Walk back.....gone quiet. 2 herons flew over together and dropped down on river.
1 young heron on canal, trying to fish off tow-path, allowed me to approach quite close.
2 singing Blackcaps.....one on canal, the other on Grove Rd.
4 Jays near Kappa entrance feeding under a Beech.

Roger

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

No sign of the Grey Partridge on Harrop Edge but two Stock Doves were a nice surprise.

other birds included:

Wood Pigeon
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Blackbird
Greenfinch
Goldfinch inc a charm of approx 30
Swallow 6+
Linnet approx 4
Meadow Pipit 3
willow warbler 2
blue tit
great tit

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

HARROP EDGE. 07-00 hrs

Stable Block. 5 Goldfinch and 3 female Chaffinches feeding on ground. Will get better later in year.

Old Quarry. 1 Grey Partridge picking up grit at side of road, soon scuttled of into long grass on verge.
Walked into quarry and a pair of Kestrels lofted before I had spotted them. Kept circling then male vanished from view. Female began hovering over fields on Matley side of road,got some great close up views. Lasted about 15 minutes then she took off towards motor-way. When I emerged back onto road male was hovering over grass verge until seen off by 3 Meadow Pipits.

Covered Reservoir. 1 Jay on grass....flew into bush at side....gave good views for a change.

Kennels. 1 Willow Warbler. Charm of Goldfinch (50+) passed overhead, dropped down near Jacksons Farm (might have nosey round there soon).

Counted 9 Meadow Pipits altogether, including the 3 "mobsters".
Plenty of Dunnocks at side of road.

3 Linnets landed on heather near Old Quarry on walk back.

Roger B.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Posted today by Roger Baker

This is my first ever post so please bear with me.

I work in a yard at side of river in Stalybridge so see it's many moods. Have watched the Dippers for last 6 years. Breeding success every year but raising chicks another story.Starts off with 2 or 3 chicks but soon whittled down to one. I always suspected mink (seen regular) but actually witnessed a chick picked up by a heron so wondered if this was the regular culprit ?

Had an odd visitor last Friday night (23rd) around 8-30.......always gulls circling over the piggeries and Bailey St tip, B/heads, Herring and odd Lesser B/backed but this night a Greater Blackback turned up, I saw it coming from piggeries then it circled over yard a couple of times before it vanished over the horizon. Probably only around for about for 5 minutes but would have been a surprise in winter let alone July.

Made up a good day for me as I had nipped up to Binn Green near Greenfield in the morning and seen a small flock of Crossbills (14). Completely unexpected.

Roger.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

04/07/10

Dukinfield

Female Grey Wag pottering around river bank, looked like she may have been collecting food.
2 Blackcaps still singing locally (both Dukinfield), will they ever stop?

5 Goldfinch between railway and bypass (family party) (Ashton)

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

large raptor sp seen circling very high over Ashton town centre circa 4.45pm and eventually drifted SE but lost to view.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

On way home tonight

Kingfisher flying up river, first time I've seen one for a while
Blackcap singing
Great Tit family

Ashton

Two House Martin nests in the centre of Ashton, look like they are feeding young

jason fisher · Status: Offline

river tame
stalybridge near corporation street

grey wagtail
bluetit with fledglings (3)
robin
blackbird
grey heron
dipper
malard
black headed gull
fledgling goldfinch(2)

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Portland Basin to Plantation Farm late am

Portland Basin
Pr Grey Wagtail feeding young
Long Tailed Tit family c12 birds in total

Pr Mistle Thrushes
Chiffchaff

Just outside Marina area there was another Chiffchaff singing
Unfortunately I found a Canada Goose creche (two pairs) with 21 goslings all quite well grown

Looks like even more to add to the local population

Plantation Farm and canal

Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler (at least two singing)
Whitethroat
Bullfinch calling
Pr Mistle Thrushes

Plenty of other birds in the area also including at least 6 singing Wrens along one short stretch

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

TTV visit to Stalybridge today, between showers, gave great views of a family of 5 Grey Wagtails on the river in the centre of town. Also had Blackcaps galore, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Dipper flew up river also.

jason fisher · Status: Offline

6 willow warblers heard on a walk down the side of the canal behind the house last night.

15 canada geese plus 4 goslings

about 30 blackbirds

1 wren
6 robins
2 chifchaf heard calling
5 black headed gulls
1 dipper
1 jay
3 magpies

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

Single House Martin over the indoor market late morning. No sign of any BX.

jason fisher · Status: Offline

portland basin area within about a mile radius.
yesterday pm

3 chifchaf
10 blackbirds
blackcap f
2 mistle thrush
blue tits nesting
robin pair with 4 newly fledged young
c 20 canada geese +7 goslings total
5 gold finch bathing in river
1 dipper
possibly 1 pair reed warbler
1 unidetified probable warbler singing what appeared to be something like the theme from the magic roundabout in song structure can't find anything like it.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Tawny Owl even closer to the house last night/this morning making a right noise, still couldn't see it though, and I wasn't going outside at that time. I think some birds must know how much you want to see them!

Maybe third time lucky!

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

A Tawny Owl hooting at 11pm last night sounded at least a mile away and meant that not even I was going to look for it for my Borough list!

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Canal Portland Basin to Ashton ETW pm

2 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff
3 Willow Warbler
GS Woodpecker calling
Jay flew over calling
Tawny Owl hooting mid afternoon

10 Woodpigeon (including young bird)

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Cutting through Asda car park to get into Ashton this morning, I heard a warbler singing low down in the bushes and my initial thought was Blackcap, the bird came up higher in the bush and it was a Garden Warbler singing in open view! A local cracker!

The only downside was the litter picker who startled it by coming to have a nosey

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

I watched a pair of House Martins visit an old nesting site in the centre of Ashton this morning. Quite clearly House Martins have bred previously at this site, but there is only one nest, and this is the first time I have noticed it!

Showy male Blackcap between railway and bypass this morning, there are now 3 Blackcaps singing in a small area
Chiffchaff along Coopers Ride (back of Asda) and behind Whitelands Garden Centre
4+ Sand Martins near canal
1 Swift high and distant
Sparrowhawk (mobbed by Sand Martins)