28 Linnet around Paddock Farm, mainly juveniles. c 30 Goldfinch feeding in the fields towards Hattersley roundabout. c 20 Meadow Pipits moving through south in threes and fours. 8 Swallows 2 House Martins 1 Pied Wagtail over 2 Ravens, constantly hassled by Jackdaws 1 Willow Warbler 1 Chiffchaff singing 1 Coal Tit c 70 Black-headed Gulls feeding in the fields towards the A57 c 160 Canada Geese in the same fields 6 House Sparrows
1 Buzzard 1 Little Owl 1 female Kestrel 1 female Sparrowhawk. 1 Raven, being harassed by Jackdaws. 2 Pied Wagtails c 50 Swallows feeding over towards Roe Cross 200+ Canada Geese feeding in the fields between Harrop Edge and the A57 Jackdaws and Woodpigeon in abundance.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 7th of September 2017 04:29:09 PM
A female Sparrowhawk was patrolling the fences around Shireclough so, other than noisy corvids, not a lot showing. No sign of the Stonechat, the last sighting of which was of a male carrying food on 6th August (my last visit). 1 Kestrel 1 Little Owl 6 Mistle Thrush, including five together 40 Goldfinch 2 Coal Tit 12+ Swallows, including fledglings being fed on wires
Kestrel. 3. M + F + Juvenile. Goldfinch. 7. Meadow Pipit. 40+. Beginning to flock together. Two main groups counted 17 & 13. Song Thrush. House Sparrow .... small colony down near the stables.
Roger.
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Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.
Pennne Bridleway, between Shireclough and Higher Hyde Green
The highlight was the discovery of a pair of Stonechat, with at least one juvenile, in what, for me, is a new territory. I have only ever seen a single male of this species in this area, on 5th March this year. That makes seven pairs, that I know of, in my recording area in Stalybridge, which comprises The Pennine Bridleway, Brushes Valley, and Wild Bank Hill.
Other sightings:
1 Little Owl 4 Buzzards, 3 over Harridge, and one calling over Buckton Quarry 2 Kestrel, one over Harridge, one over Buckton Moor 1 Peregrine, seen off by the Kestrel over Harridge 10+ Swallows 1 Swift 2 Lapwing Goldfinch Greenfinch Lesser Redpoll over
The route follows the Pennine Bridleway, from Brushes Cottages to Harridge Hall, and from Lower Hyde Green, down Besom Lane, past Millbrook Dam, and into the valley bottom. The post could just as easily be in the "Brushes" thread, being split between the two.
Highlights.
2 Buzzard 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Cormorant 1 Common Sandpiper, amazingly, the first time recorded in this BBS square. Fortunately they have been alarm calling for the past couple of weeks, and can be heard at some distance. 1 Lapwing 1 Cuckoo 20 Swift 23 Swallows 39 House Martins 3 Chiffchaff 12 Willow Warblers 4 Blackcap 2 Whitethroat 6 Song Thrush 6 Mistle Thrush 27 House Sparrows 20 Collared Dove 17 Linnet 5 Lesser Redpoll 15 Greenfinch, recorded in nine out of the ten transect sections; more than any other species. 12 Goldfinch 8 Chaffinch
Pennine Bridleway, between Carrbrook and Millbrook.
6 Lapwing, including one well grown juvenile, which seems a poor return from at least four nests at the end of March. The adults were permanently alarm calling, harassed by gulls and corvids. There has been some control of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls , Crows, and Magpies, but not much can be done with the Black-headed Gulls. To add to the Lapwings' woes, the field has been ploughed and tilled in the past month, so that the youngster is wandering around on bare earth.
Pennine Bridleway, from Carrbrook to Brushes, and back.
2 Linnet, a male singing, and a female feeding in the fields. My first of the year at any of the area's upland breeding sites. 2 Willow Warblers singing at Shireclough. Also my first of the year. 4 Lapwing visible in the fields at the Carrbrook end, and one in Millbrook, below Higher Hyde Green. Both sites being harassed by gulls and crows. 2 Greenfinch singing 3 Chaffinch singing 1 pair of Mistle Thrush 5 Meadow Pipits 1 Skylark singing 1 drake Mandarin following a pair of Mallard around a field at Millbrook 1 Raven over, towards Buckton Moor
At least 6 Lapwing, a couple of birds sitting, with a lot of harassment from Carrion Crows 1 pair of Greenfinch, collecting nest material 1 pair of Mistle Thrush 2 Chaffinch singing 1 Pied Wagtail 3 Meadow Pipit
A calling Lesser Redpoll flew over Crescent Road in Dukinfield this morning. It seemed to fly from the direction of the cemetery and continued towards Dukinfield Park.
1 male Stonechat, along the fence wires at the moor edge, was a surprise, the first I have ever seen here. I am no expert on Stonechat, but this site always appears to offer suitable habitat, and looks similar to the adjacent Wild Bank Hill, which has at least one pair of breeding Stonechat each year. At the moment, that part of the population which migrated will be returning to their breeding grounds, and this bird may simply be moving through. It will be interesting to see if it does stay and find a mate.
6 Lapwing in the fields below the Bridleway, some displaying 1 Skylark 3 Red Grouse 1 Greenfinch singing 3 Chaffinch singing 1 pair of Goldfinch
c 66 Woodpigeon feeding in field. Kestrel (m) ..... watched it hunting on and off for an hour .. dropped a few times .. eventually successful and flew to dine on top of an old telegraph pole next to motorway. Small flock of House Sparrow .. nice to see and hear these chirping away round the farm. Goldfinch.
Roger.
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Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.
Has been virtually devoid of life up here for past 8 weeks.
Rook. c 28 feeding in field. Goldfinch. Three small charms. 7 + 11 + 15 Song Thrush. 1 Redwing. 5 Buzzard. Lapwing. Flock of 60+ were flying about .... finally settled in a field round the back of the "Rising Moon" public house.
Roger.
-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Friday 10th of February 2017 03:34:15 PM
__________________
Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.
Canada Goose. 19 .... With a Barnacle Goose in tow .. this was a major shock to my system when it steamed into view .. Stalybridge Mega, even in plastic form ! Goosander. 2 M&F. Mallard. 4. Coot. 2 Moorhen. 1
Roger.
__________________
Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.
Dipper on concrete plinth on the Tame, on the downstream side of Stamford Street Bridge at 7:40 am. Seems to be a favourite roost site at this time of day this winter.