LONGDENDALE VALLEY

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

RE: LONGDENDALE VALLEY

Tony Koziol · Status: Offline

06.45/11.00 Walked from Crowden car park to Laddow Rocks and back. Weather was pleasant with a cold breeze on the tops.

Within five minutes target tick completed, a brilliant view of a male Ring Ouzel on the ground pulling worms just behind the toilet block, what a great start.

We continued slowly towards Laddow picking up Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Chaffinch, Wheatear then eventually Red Grouse with red comb clearly visible.

Then came a super male Merlin we could not really have asked for much more.

Blue, Coal, Great and Long Tail Tit all showed around the car park along with odd Goldfinch and a single Siskin.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Just seen this on the Vulture Conservation Foundation site. This is a cut and pasted excerpt from their article on the Lammergeier that graced our shores smile

"Now that the peer-reviewed article in the British Birds journal is published, we are thrilled to share further details about this exceptional individual. It turns out that "Vigo" is actually "Flysch" that fledged on 6 July 2019 from the Bargy BIS territory located in the Bargy Massif in the Haute-Savoie region, north-west Alps. Her father (GT0099) is a wild-hatched bird that fledged from the territory "Bargy". Her mother on the other hand (BG493, "Zufall") was reared in La Garenne Zoo in Switzerland, which is part of the VCF coordinated Bearded Vulture Captive Breeding Network, and released as a fledgling in 2006, in Martell, South Tyrol, Italy."

So 'our' bird had parents that were wild born (father) and free-flying in the wild for 13 (!!!) years (mother) when she was hatched. To all effects the 2 parents then were 'wild'. With this information being released I wonder what the BOURC will make of it all? I know, whatever they decree, that most of us who saw her agree that she is on our lists as a free-flying, wild-born individual who made it across to our shores under her own steam and returned home in the same manner biggrin

Full article (from Dec 31st 2020) is here:

https://www.4vultures.org/bearded-vulture-uk-parentage/

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 1st of January 2021 10:41:22 PM

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

The Bearded Vulture has turned up in Norfolk today!

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Cutthroat Bridge was mentioned too!

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

John Watson wrote:

There's an unconfirmed RBA report that it's back at Black Tor, y'day

I suppose it depends on whether the observer mis-ID'd a buzzard or was more experienced

The report was for BACK Tor John ..... That is Howden Moor original roosting site, not Longdendale.

Roger.

John Watson · Status: Offline

There's an unconfirmed RBA report that it's back at Black Tor, y'day

I suppose it depends on whether the observer mis-ID'd a buzzard or was more experienced

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

It looks like the Bearded Vulture appears to be heading home having been tracked at a few locations south of Crowden in the Peak District and later seen over Leicestershire on the 20th Sept and Oxfordshire on 21st Sept. It was certainly my birding highlight of the year. We wish it well!

-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Thursday 24th of September 2020 08:12:46 PM

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

First summer female Lammergeier still present and correct this morning, viewed from the Pennine Way below Black Tor. I arrived just after 11am to find the bird perched up, preening on crags on the edge of Bareholme Moss, probably a good half mile distant. After a while, it flew across the valley and, over the next couple of hours, gave two or three fly overs across and down the valley before disappearing to the south. In this location, it does not appear to be ranging as far as when it was roosting at its first roost site and then the one behind Cutthroat Bridge. Obviously, this gives folk a better chance of seeing it by just staying put in Crowden Valley. Its tail is coming along nicely now!

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by Ian Yeomans:

17th Sept. At Black Tor 3 p.m. the Bearded Vulture was perched in crevice at Laddow Rocks. Mainly back views until she turned, stretched and flew along Laddow edge, drifting, gaining and losing height, harassed by Ravens. Eventually she landed on a boulder just below top of moor. Few minutes rest and she again lifted off, much as before except now she was harassed by Raven, Red Kite and briefly a Peregrine. Ten mins then gained speed and flew off toward Wessenden Head.
On walk up and back, Stonechat, Meadow Pippit, Mistle Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Crow, Kestrel, Buzzard, Dipper.

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

Crowden Valley 09.19 -12.35

Bearded Vulture still performing, seen within 15 minutes of parking before I'd reached the Pennine Way and on view on and off all morning (mostly on), settling on Rakes Rocks for a preen

Almost as impressive were the Thrushes with

Ring Ouzel 20+ (could easily have been 40)
Mistle Thrush 30+ (could have been 50)

5 raptor species including

Merlin mobbing a Kestrel

Rob Smith · Status: Offline

Bearded Vulture still very active and roosting in usual area near Black Tor and Ladd Rocks. We arrived there ca10am and it appeared at distance within the hour and circled/perched at different locations before heading off SE some 30' later only to return as we came off the moors around midday.

markwoodhead · Status: Offline

Monday. I had almost got back to the car park after a 4 hour vigil when the bearded vulture flew over the quarry again and headed back up the valley before rapidly descending to the vicinity of where I had been standing at Black Tor. I'd had three or four distant views through the morning after it left its roost at Ladd Rocks at about 8.15 but I decided to treck back up to Black Tor just in case...... It was there, sat on a rock preening 100 yds from the Pennine trail giving superb views. After about an hour it took flight and circled about thirty feet over the heads of the assembled 20-30 birders before heading off over the valley again. WOW!! What an experience. My fourth attempt to view the bird really paid off. Also numerous Ring Ouzels in the rowans first thing and a hobby mid afternoon. I'd recommend it to all.

Tony Koziol · Status: Offline

Arriving at Crowden this afternoon at 15.00 a couple of quick enquiries and we are 30 minutes late as she has flown east!!! Nothing new there then our reputation again precedes us.

As we know in birding nothing is written in stone and anything can happen at at anytime and this bird has form and routine so off we went on the short walk, passing several successful individuals who have made their observation.

Fifteen minutes later we arrive at the foot of Black Tor were the bird had sat and preened earlier before flying over to the east. We moved along the Pennine Way a little way past the Larches on the right and then set up stall by a couple of boulders giving good views over the valley towards all ridges.

A couple of Kestrel hunted over Bareholme Moss, House Martin and Swallow feasted overhead no doubt on the millions of midges around us. We were in no rush we only live thirty minutes away.

I glanced at my watch at 16.45 then lifted my bins and there over the ridge of Bareholme Moss was the Bearded Vulture, I automatically got Cath on it then signalled two other birders to its presence.

The Vulture soared over the ridge for a few minutes and then found a ledge to land on almost opposite Rakes Rocks a few minutes later off it goes again over Bareholme Moss. Good observations were had by both of us so we were happy.

Half an hour later the Vulture has landed on Rakes Rocks on one of its favoured roosts, as we made our way back to the car we passed several people who were happy the bird was there and hiked off with a spring in their step.

Sadly no Ring Ouzel for us but several had been seen earlier in the day.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

To keep it bird related Sid maybe Budgie-smuggler Brewster may be more appropriate biggrin biggrin

See it's been seen in the same area today but each report in flight .

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Doc Brewster wrote:
We stripped down to T-shirts and decided just to get wet, no point trying to stay dry in the exposed conditions out on the moors and headed back. Sure enough back at the car everything was soaked, so we changed and headed hope with the plan that if we could get better weather next weekend we would return.

Bet that was a sight for sore eyes Paul. Are you to be known as Speedo Doc from now on? biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Having seen the Lammergeier in South Yorkshire early in its stay it was time to get it on another county list for me!! Only kidding, I keep no county lists at all but my colleague at Focalpoint, Yvonne, hadn't seen it and fancied a trip up to the moors today so I jumped at the opportunity smile

We arrived at 10am and headed up the Pennine Way with the news that it was quite a bit further north than the past 2 days, past Black Tor and past Rakes Rocks up to Laddow Rocks. We headed up and stopped for mid-distance scope views first from near Rakes Rocks and then up to Oaken Clough. Our best views were from the more distant point as the heavens opened as we reached Oaken Clough. The Lammergeier was seen roosting on Laddow Rocks and with a scope the views were great. But soon as the weather closed in we were peering into the murk and decided to call it a day. On the way up we also saw a winter feeding flock of 17 Ring Ouzels which was very spectacular, this being the largest group of this species that I have ever seen and it was a lifer for Yvonne to boot! We stripped down to T-shirts and decided just to get wet, no point trying to stay dry in the exposed conditions out on the moors and headed back. Sure enough back at the car everything was soaked, so we changed and headed hope with the plan that if we could get better weather next weekend we would return. With the two of us running Focalpoint we only have Sundays to bird together so we are really at the mercies of the British climate, fingers crossed for next Sunday biggrin

Nick Hilton · Status: Offline

21/08/20 1300 - 1430 - a second visit (first visit at Howden were only flight views) to see the Bearded Vulture today. The bird was perched up on Black Tor easily viewed from Grid Ref SE 064 002, phonescoped efforts attached. The weather was lousy which seemed to be reflected in the birds usual angry expression!
Other birds in the area included a couple of Kestrel, a family of Stonechat, Willow Warblers and a Ring Ouzel.

-- Edited by Nick Hilton on Friday 21st of August 2020 05:11:09 PM

-- Edited by Nick Hilton on Friday 21st of August 2020 05:12:33 PM

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Thursday 20th August 2020. 10:50 - 17:20 hrs. Dry and Sunny at last. Had to get out of the house to get some fresh air in my lungs.

Linear walk from Crowden Car park - north along Pennine Way footpath - Laddow Rocks - Chew Reservoir - and return.

I was told by a birder on arrival that the Bearded Vulture/Lammergeier had flown in easterly direction above the old disused quarry at about 10:30 hrs. that morning.

We had two good sightings of Bearded Vulture/Lammergeier flying above our heads near Laddow Rocks at 12:30 and 13:30 hrs. Took ok'ish video footage (not posted) - nowhere near the standard of Richard Thew's earlier photos though which are brilliant.

Also spotted a Peregrine near Chew Reservoir.

On our return the Bearded Vulture at 16:20 hrs. was seen roosting in a cliff crevice (think it is called Rakes Rocks according to the OS map). Apparently it is one of it's 3 or 4 favourite roosting spots in this area. See attached distant photo (similar to Isaac's on his last post below). Somebody also told us that the nest it is next to in the photo had belonged to a Raven.

Another birder said he had seen Ring Ouzel (2 groups of 5 each) and Mistle Thrush in Rowan trees near here early this morning (about 07:00 hrs)

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Thursday 20th of August 2020 11:03:09 PM

Isaac Heath · Status: Offline

Long trek yesterday scouring the landscape for the Lammergeier. We arrived at lunch to be told it had just been seen but due to low cloud had vanished from site. We walked up to the old quarry and had a nice spot of some ring ouzels and a mistlethrush having a bit of a squabble.

We walked around this area for a few hours trying to see from various points if it could be seen... but to no avail.

We walked back down quite despondent, and then I happened to chat to a lovely man who said it was at the very far end, through the valley in some cliff rocks (a good 45 mins walk) not to be deterred we set off on another trek.

40 mins or so later we came to the top of a hill with about 6 other people on it, a lovely chap with a scope who let us have a great look at it. It was settling down for the eve and we didn't get to see it in flight. However we were so thrilled to see this bird and despite the low cloud i did manage a picture, even from such a great distance.

A very happy day for us!

Other spots were lots of kestrels and a raven.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

A very tiring bikeride from Bury,

In order to get there sooner than later, I just concentrated on getting there.

The 1st canal from Middleton went well, but going through Ashton proved very challenging, especially when there are no signs directing which way to go. So to make up for lost time, I rode along the hilly A57 and made my way to Hadfield.

I reached the end of Torside reservoir on the old railway route where I rested on a bolder and had my lunch when the first bird alert of the Bearded vulture came in, which was seen from this spot 10 minutes before I arrived!!! (By this time at 12:20pm, the low cloud began to clear the hills)

After chatting to another birder, I decided to make my way down to Crowden and walk up to the last area where it was seen, by the Old quarry. From here I managed to see the Vulture but very high up and distant. He vanished behind the quarry hill.

I made my way up there to the quarry hill and sat down and saw it twice breifly, each giving a better but mosty shiloetted view. Still not satisfied, I continued up to the top and when I peered into the valley below, I couldn't believe my luck when it appeared in front giving fantastic details and filled a brilliant area of the view through my binos. It circled around this spot 3 times before moving out over the valley. I could see on the opposite side where I had my lunch that a few people were looking at it through their binos!

Exhausted, I cheeted by getting the train back from Hadfield to Bolton, which went very smoothly, dispite my fears of Covid19.

Other sightings include:

Buzzard
Kestrel
Meadow pipit

Ta!

Dave Ousey · Status: Offline

Lammergeier/Bearded Vulture. Part Three 9/8/20

Our local vulture has been changing her roosting cliffs recently, having moved from the Howden area to the Woodhead area on the 26^th July. She has been present in the Peak/Longendale area for a month now being first seen around the 8^th July. A comfortable 20 minute walk to see the bird from the Pennine Way north from Crowden car park seemed okay as myself, Steve B and Kev C left Castleton at 6-15am on a fairly nice morning. We found out on the way that the bird had roosted on Dowstone Rocks between Shining & Stable Clough`s south of Woodhead Reservoir a slight change of plan was needed. As we passed through Crowden the car park looked very busy so we parked just off the B6105 after crossing the reservoir dam wall. The area above us was all covered with a thick mist, a strong wind was blowing and it was cold! My choice of shorts was not one of my better decisions, woolly hat, snood, gloves and 2 coats helped though. It was 6-50am and as quite a few other birders had gathered in the area we thought our chances of seeing the vulture would increase.

We waited very patiently and as the hours went by we saw: - 90+ Swift, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, 3 Buzzards (one of which was the palest form bird that any of us have ever seen) Swallows, House Martins, 14 Lapwing and various small finches. In general all battling against the wind in an easterly direction. The arrival of Kevin Hughes and Mike from Macclesfield really helped to pass away our time by the B6105 with lots of stories of past trips etc. Then as the mist left us and the sun started to show itself, at around 12-52pm approximately, news that the bird was sat on Dowstone Rocks 1.25kms to the east of us. The walk along the old railway track bed was soon completed and around 30+ birders were watching the bird through their telescopes. The vulture sat preening, stretching its wings, showing itself at all angles to the admiring crowd, it even left a bit of collectable DNA for any soul brave enough to go and collect it. Kevin and Mike joined us and were soon enjoying the bird. So what was supposed to be a quick walk to see the vulture turned into a bit of a marathon with a 6 hour wait but as ever, was it worth it, but of course it was. That`s my 3^rd visit to see the Bearded Vulture/ Lammergeier and I am still fascinated by it. If you haven`t been yet please go and enjoy it!

David O.

John Rayner · Status: Offline

As Mark said a good, prolonged show this morning flying on both the N and S sides of Woodhead Reservoir. Best for me was when it landed on the ridge and appeared to be tearing and feeding on something. It then rose up and dropped a bone onto the rocks below. Magic. Cheers John.

Mark Walsh · Status: Offline

As I was in the Marple area this morning I figured I would give the Lammergeier a try, a previous attempt had been made at Cutthroat Bridge unsuccessfully. I spied John Rayner turning into Ludworth as I drove up Glossop Road and was therefore completely baffled when I got to the parking area on the B6105 to find John had somehow beat me there, to be fair I did get stuck in some traffic through Glossop so I probably just ended up a bit unlucky with that route. John put me on the bird as soon as I turned up so it was good to get it straight away, plenty of views of the bird in the air and a distant view it on the deck at Ancote Hill, most of it's time though seemed to be spent around Shinning Clough and Stable Clough, this was around 12:30ish.

-- Edited by Mark Walsh on Monday 10th of August 2020 02:50:09 PM

vic chatterton · Status: Offline

Late posting from yesterday.

Always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and was giving up hope on a second attempt, having failed at Cutthroat Bridge and Derwent Edge previously (other than a large "speck" at considerable distance). We decided to try around Holme Moss

as the last information received was that it had headed off NE from Crowden Valley. Nothing doing, but on the way back decided to take the minor road between Woodhead and Torside Res on the spur of the moment,(about 2pm) when we drove back down the

A628. On crossing the dam I looked up and there it was soaring above the ridge over Dowstone Rocks on the S side of Longdendale Valley. It gradually worked west along the ridge before obligingly turning sharply north dropping in height before passing low

overhead giving superb views. Unfortunately my camera was in the car boot in its bag and I was only able to fire off a few pretty average shots before it was too far away. It flew over Brockholes Wood and disappeared over the quarry.

We went up to the Black Tor area up Crowden Valley but no further sightings were recorded by about 7pm. It was surprising that many had not seen the bird that day despite a large number of birders present.

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

re Lammergeier. When I arrived at Crowden car park at 10.25 yesterday the birders arriving back told me it had flown off. Not to be put off by negative news I walked up anyway and there she was sat on the rocks, by 10.45 I was photographing and filming her, she took flight at 11.50 soaring around overhead before lost to view over Bareholme Moss to the east at 12.00.

Lee Gregory arrived as I return to the car and I gave him directions. Although the bird had flown I advised him to go anyway and it flew in just as he was arriving. These are the directions he's posted on twitter.

1 Park at Crowden car park. Take path out of NW corner of car park along east side of campsite. At crossroads go straight ahead through wooden gate, keep walking along tarmac track over River to outside the activity centre.

2 Take the small track straight ahead through bracken and take a right fork, follow this track upwards until it meets the Pennine Way. Head north (right) until you reach a group of Larch trees on right hand side of Pennine Way. Walk another 200 metres and the bird is on crags to the left

3 There is an obvious Rowan tree with lots of berries and it can be obscured behind this so move up and down so you can view behind. if not keep scanning ridges. When on crag the bird is approximately 150 metres away affording excellent scope views and completely relaxed.

4 Walk is approximately 20 minutes and mostly on incline but not strenuous.

I might add that a Rowan higher up breaking the skyline held 6 Ring Ouzel.

pete berry · Status: Offline

Thought it was about time I popped up to see the Lammergeier as it's been around for a while. Took the wrong path from Crowden car park and ended up on the wrong side of the valley good job it's a big bird,it showed well on it's rock face perch even from a few hundred yards away.

-- Edited by pete berry on Wednesday 5th of August 2020 01:17:03 PMthe bird is getting very close to the county border,only needs to fly a few miles north and it'll be in Gt.M/c.

-- Edited by pete berry on Wednesday 5th of August 2020 01:21:08 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

I took a video of the Lammergeier as it flew over the lay-by on Holme Moss Rd, nowhere near as close as Super Sunday but close enough.
A few video grabs below, once again my apologies for the poor light causing the silhouette.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Mon Aug 3rd. With Ian Lyth.

Bearded Vulture into roost at approx 18.15 hrs.

We didn't bother with the lay-by but had a walk up the side of Woodhead Reservoir on the Longdendale Trail ... this is a nice easy flat walk on a good surface.

Viewed the roost from between the first two telegraph poles just past the gamekeepers cottage (about a 20 min steady walk from car park} ... the bird actually takes a bit of picking out when it is on the shaded millstone grit.

Surprisingly Ian and myself had the place to ourselves ... far better views than the lay-by.

Phonescoped pic as per Ian L.

Roger.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Monday 3rd August

Dropped Lucas at nursery, did a short spell at Redgate, then made the short journey to Woodhead.
Parked up in the 1st lay-by on the left, along the A6024 off Woodhead A628 directly opposite Woodhead Reservoir.
Not many present, 5-6, stood with 2 guys from Scotland doing few days tour of England, heading to Welbeck after here, then Norfolk. They left after distant views but missed the big show!

- Lammergeier
Appeared approx 10.30am distantly looking N up Holme Moss Rd from the lay-by, being mobbed by a few Ravens. We watched for a few minutes and it eventually drifted out of view.

Appeared again few minutes later, suddenly a report came on the services - landed in an old quarry SE of Woodhead Reservoir towards Glossop. Impossible!!! It was up in the air and we were all in agreement we were watching it.
Hmmm??? Intriguing!

Appeared again N of the lay-by being mobbed by no less than 8 Ravens and headed out of sight towards Holme mast. We drove up to the large pull-in further up but after about 15 mins a car pulled up, the people in it said its just flown back down from up here towards the A628.
I drove back down to the lay-by and bang on 12.07pm the Lammergeier came flying over the hill being followed by a Common Buzzard (image below) Another fantastic fly-by as it carried on over us, over the lay-by, over the pines on the A628 and out of view. Belting!

Report came in immediately stating - still on rocks at old quarry towards Glossop, but we were watching it in flight again, we just couldnt fathom the reports at all. Approx 12.35pm a guy got a report its flying over the A628 but then within seconds a large Buzzard came flying over and one of the guys shouted Vulture. But it was a Buzzard in moult, having long primary fingers, a tatty trailing edge to the wings and tail feathers missing (image below)... so was this bird being mistaken at the quarry, possibly, who knows??

Apologies for picture quality, dark clouds setting in and poor light just at the time of it flying over rendered it mostly a silhouette

Also...
- 3 Crossbill flitting around above lay-by
- 1 Nuthatch
- 1 Red Grouse chancing it with 9 days left!
- lots of Buzzard / Kestrel / Raven

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 3rd of August 2020 09:50:35 PM

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 3rd of August 2020 09:55:37 PM

John Watson · Status: Offline

Ahh, getting much clearer - I know the layby. At least 2 favoured sites then - N of Crowden & your layby

RBA just reported it flying N over Crowden towards Black Tor view from Pennine Way

Many thanks

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Hi John,
You can't go wrong.
The lay-by is on the A6024 .... just drive past Crowden and there is only one left turning ..... the lay-by is less than a mile on your L/hand side.
No walking involved .... just cross the road ..... only problem is parking, only room for about 6 cars.

Roger.

John Watson · Status: Offline

Roger (or anyone else !), I'm getting very confused about where this layby is; a grid ref or OS ref & specific directions would be jolly nice

Does it roost in rocks by the Pennine Trail, near Crowden Great Brook ?

Do I park at Crowden CP, just 100 yds past Crowden Camping & Caravanning ?

Is there much walking ? How far & how difficult ?

Is the layby along the A6024 towards the Holme Moss transmitting station; how far along ?

"Round Hill" has been mentioned: this is 3km farther East than the A6024; how does this fit in ?

Obviously, it moves around a lot - this is still only about 12 km NW from the original (disturbed) Abbey Brook roost - just 10 mins as the Vulture flies

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

BEARDED VULTURE,

Didn't want to start yet another obscure Derbyshire thread so this is just off the A628 Woodhead Pass.

A mad dash at 20.15 hrs to meet up with Ian Lyth on the first lay-by on the Holme Moss Road .. this is the turn off just past Crowden camp site.
I think it was only reported around 19.00 hrs and I did not get home 'til 20.00 hrs .... typical !!

Just made it in time to see the juv Bearded Vulture settling down to roost on the distant rock face.

My thanks to Bolton birder Dave Sherington for putting me onto the bird in the failing light.

The rocks are straight facing the lay-by but very distant .... a cranked up scope job.

Roger.

Dave Ousey · Status: Offline

A Damp Day in Derbyshire

We all knew that the weather was going to be very wet on Sunday but, most of our crew still headed out to see what we could find on a damp, dull day. Leaving Rochdale at 8am we headed over the M60/M67 and through the worst bottle neck known to man, Mottram in Longendale. Later in the day due to a closure of the M62 even this area seemed like a cakewalk! We had a fun time getting around Glossop and Old Glossop trying to find Swineshaw Reservoir that on Saturday had hosted a Grey Phalarope. Upon arrival one of the locals said, Has the rare bird returned then? He was politely telling us that the bird had gone I think? A damp walk up to a well-hidden reservoir was soon put into a nutshell by Chris B who said Its no wonder the bird has gone there are a few people swimming and lots of people with dogs walking around We headed back to the car after a little search for the phalarope.

Our next plan was to get onto the Wirral for the high tide (9+ metres) at Parkgate. Lots of people were already there as we watched the spectacle unfold as the tide rushed in. Well apart from two Marsh Harriers hunting out on the marsh the whole hour or so we spent there left us all rather disappointed. Now news that a Grey Phalarope had been found at Torside Reservoir, Derbyshire had us heading to the car as the heavens opened again. This must be the same bird that was at Swineshaw Reservoir the day before as it is only 4 or so miles away as the phalarope fly`s. We all agreed that as it was sort of on the way home we would try to connect with it. As we passed along the A57 near to the Glossop turn off, traffic that had been diverted off the M62 was jammed along Manchester bound for about 5 miles. We found the B6105 road and parked so that we could walk down to view the reservoir from the dam wall. Now this part was fun, the road was under water and due to the traffic heading off the A57 it became like Russian Roulette getting out of the car and managing to cross the road without getting soaked through, guess who lost? We met a couple of birders returning from the reservoir not having seen the bird. Surely we could not be heading for missing two phalaropes in Derbyshire on the same day. At the dam wall it began raining again, so during a scan of the water I picked up a small white bird in flight that looked good, then Chris B said that he had found the Grey Phalarope. It was distant but performing very well for us. It had rescued our day with its little feeding motion, nice bird. Chris navigated us home via the A6024 known as The Isle of Skye road called that due to the fact that there was a pub on that road at one time. Cracking scenery on the way home and a really memorable day for us all.

Dave O.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

28th Oct. 14.30 hrs.

Torside Reservoir. Woodhead.

Osprey sat in tree at side of res ... bedraggled in the rain.

About 1/2 mile past car-park coming FROM Glossop.

Info from Ian Lyth.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Friday 23rd October 2015, 12.30 - 15.30am

Woodhead Reservoir.

Great Grey Shrike. Elusive.

Never had it on the wires ..... was using the fence posts between the two tracks.

also

22 Teal.

Cormorant.

Kestrel. M & F

7 Mistle Thrush.

2 Siskin.

Few Redpoll buzzing around.

Plenty of Goldfinch feeding on the thistles.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Friday 23rd of October 2015 04:39:15 PM

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Tim Wilcox wrote:

Great to know it was still there David as it wasn't up on Birdguides today. Remarkably few people interested in this nearby bird.

Nearby indeed, Tim. Twenty minutes from a soggy Woodhead Dam, to sunshine in Stalybridge, avoiding the roadworks on the A628 by cutting through Padfield and Hadfield. Such a pleasant and easy walk, and a great little bird to watch.

The only other walkers I saw were seven youngsters from Yorkshire doing their Duke of Edinburgh. I also chatted to some of the dumper truck drivers who actually recognised me and the dogs from our early morning jaunts around Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill. I'd be interested to know what they make of me! wink

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

David Walsh wrote:

Thursday 22nd October 2015, 10.00 - 11.00am

Alongside Woodhead Reservoir

Following Tim Wilcox's excellent directions (thanks for that, Tim), the Great Grey Shrike showed very well for me this morning.

I walked from the car park at Woodhead Dam, eastwards, the full length of the reservoir, in fine, blustery conditions. There was no sign of the bird on the way up, and as I began the walk back the heavens opened. I was about to give it up as a bad job when the Shrike appeared on telephone wires to my left, in the fields adjacent to The Lodge, with the green outbuildings. It put on a good show, dropping into the fields regularly, then fluttering back up to the wires. I watched for about twenty minutes, then gave in to the driving rain.

All in all, a rewarding hour

-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 22nd of October 2015 02:38:26 PM

Great to know it was still there David as it wasn't up on Birdguides today. Remarkably few people interested in this nearby bird.

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Thursday 22nd October 2015, 10.00 - 11.00am

Alongside Woodhead Reservoir

Following Tim Wilcox's excellent directions (thanks for that, Tim), the Great Grey Shrike showed very well for me this morning.

I walked from the car park at Woodhead Dam, eastwards, the full length of the reservoir, in fine, blustery conditions. There was no sign of the bird on the way up, and as I began the walk back the heavens opened. I was about to give it up as a bad job when the Shrike appeared on telephone wires to my left, in the fields adjacent to The Lodge, with the green outbuildings. It put on a good show, dropping into the fields regularly, then fluttering back up to the wires. I watched for about twenty minutes, then gave in to the driving rain.

All in all, a rewarding hour smile

-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 22nd of October 2015 02:38:26 PM

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Anyone going for the Great Grey Shrike should take the B6105 off the A628, cross the weir and park immediately left on the bend (ignore the site access sign but don't block access to the dumper trucks acccessing the cobbled road to do essential work on pylons). Walk down the cobbled track and follow the Longdendale trail east making sure you take the pedestrian route to the right and not the left-hand track used every few minutes by dumper trucks. Walk for a mile until the vegetation lowers and the game-keepers cottage with green-clad outbuildings are visible to the right. The shrike was appearing on wires from here eastwards.

Julian Barnes · Status: Offline

4 Buzzards above Swallow Wood rear of Arnfield Res this morning , 1 Sparrowhawk mobbing Buzzards as they soared , and a couple of Siskins .

-- Edited by Julian Barnes on Thursday 27th of February 2014 10:46:28 AM

FayeRedfearn · Status: Offline

I took a peaceful stroll up to Torside (Longdendale Valley) with my granddad and we saw:

Lots of Tits e.g. Blue, Great, Coal, Willow and Long-tailed-Tits
2 Bullfinches and 3 Siskins

Many thanks
Faye

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

William Binns wrote:

Make blackcap showing interesting my feeders in my garden this morning . Should they be in Africa now

Not necessarily, quite a few thousand Blackcaps winter in the UK these days. Mainly in Gardens
smile

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 15th of December 2013 08:21:31 AM

William Binns · Status: Offline

Make blackcap showing interesting my feeders in my garden this morning . Should they be in Africa now

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

4 Whooper Swans (2ads,2juvs) on Torside Reservoir this morning, and still at least 30 Bramblings in the Beechwood by Arnfield Farm.

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

c80 Bramblings this morning in the Beechwood below Arnfield Farm, by Arnfield Lane.

FayeRedfearn · Status: Offline

Woodhead to Holmfirth.

jason fisher · Status: Offline

RE: LONGDENDALE VALLEY

jason fisher · Status: Offline

stroll round swallows wood yesterday

dipper showed well at the entrance to the path behind arnfield.

other highlights were a heard only green woodpecker while watching the dipper.

lots of siskin and a few redpoll in with the finches in the alders behind arnfield. great spotted woodpecker in usual tree
nice mixed species tit flock containing all the usuals and tree creeper

swallows wood pond had a male mandarin on it , also probably a female, but only saw a couple of tail feathers as it disappeared behind the island.
plus a flock of around 40 long tailed tits and one gold crest on the island