Stalybridge country park- Brushes

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

RE: Stalybridge country park- Brushes

Thomas and Bill Jones · Status: Offline

Did anyone see an unusual (non-Buzzard) raptor over Brushes at about 7pm yesterday (monday 3rd)?
It flew off in the direction of Mottram. Looked osprey-like to me, but i hadn't got the bins, so it has to go down as one that got away, unless anyone else saw it too??

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Sunday 22nd July, 8.00 - 9.15am.

Around Brushes Rifle Ranges

50+ jackdaw together
4 adult and 12 juvenile goldfinch feeding on thistles
1 greenfinch
1 kestrel
12 meadow pipit
1 chiffchaff
2 willow warbler
1 blackcap heard, not seen
plus magpies and woodpigeon

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Plenty of birds around late morning today

Garden Warbler - 1 bird singing, seen briefly
Blackcap - 3+ males, 2 females seen
Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs feeding young
Male Whitethroat singing - appears not to have found a mate
2 Grey Wagtail
12+ Redpoll
Lots of young birds
plus the usuals

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

Dafid,

The cuckoo was calls from harridge woods.

Cheers IAIN

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Ian,

which part of the valley did you hear the cuckoo?

There has been one calling in the woods on Harridge on the north side of Brushes Reservoir for over a week now. On Friday evening I walked up to the top reservoir, heard it calling in its usual place, but on the way back down the valley, heard one calling from the woods by the scout hut, in the valley between Brushes and Lower Swineshaw reservoir.

When I got back down towards the gate by the cottages at Brushes reservoir I could hear one calling again from Harridge woods. I wondered if there were two of them, or just one moving around, as I didn't hear two calling simultaneously.

David

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

Cuckoo heard calling circa 17:45 pm as I was running to upper swineshaw

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Monday 29th May 2012, 9.00 - 10.30am

From rifle ranges, down into oak woods on Southern side of Walkerwood reservoir, and back to Brushes Road through country park.

1 male reed bunting
12 meadow pipit
1 great tit
1 male whitethroat
1 pair chaffinch
1 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk
7 goldfinch
3 willow warbler
2 jay
2 blue tit
1 great tit
2 robin

In the woods

1 blue tit
1 coal tit
4 willow warbler
1 male chaffinch
3 blackbird
1 male blackcap heard (not seen)
2 robin
Also heard a male cuckoo calling. It sounded as if it was calling from the woods on the northern side of Brushes reservoir, by Brushes Road

In country park, back along Brushes Road

1 pair bullfinch
2 male blackcap, more calling
2 male whitethroat, more calling
6 willow warbler
chiffchaff calling, not seen
2 robin
6 blackbird

plus magpies, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodpigeon

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Friday 25th May 2012, 7.45 - 9.30pm

Rifle Ranges and WIld Bank Moor

Strong breeze blowing, but otherwise a beautiful evening.

Around the ranges

1 sparrowhawk
1 wren
2 dunnock
6 blackbirds
3 robin
10 meadow pipit
3 willow warbler
whitethroat heard, not seen

On the moor, around 1000 feet

very quiet,

20 plus meadow pipit
4 swallow
12 skylark plus more singing

On way down at the ranges, around 9.10pm
Family of blackbirds making commotion in a small hawthorn tree, then a tawny owl flew from tree towards Flaxfield Farm, pursued by one of the male blackbirds

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Saturday 19th May 2012, afternoon in the garden

2 buzzard being mobbed by a single carrion crow, over Huddersfield Road, moving down from the moors towards the river Tame, then back again.

Sparrowhawk swooped over from Huddersfield Road, through the gardens and off in the direction of the country park.

2 goldfinch
a lot of greenfinch flying between the gardens recently, making a lot of noise. Not sure whether they are family groups or just mating couples.
2 robin
female blackbird following her fledglings around the hedges
male blackbird singing in hawthorn hedge
woodpigeon in hawthorn tree trying to keep fledglings in nest
2 blue tit
coal tit
2 dunnock
pair of house sparrows with young

eventually got the lawn cut

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Fri 18th May. 07.00 hrs.

30 minute walk round Carrbrook Village.

3 Lesser Redpoll feeding on grass verge.
2 Greenfinch males.
Bullfinch.
Willow Warbler.
Blackcap.
Grey Wagtail.
Song Thrush.

Roger.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Thurs 17th May. 07.00 hrs - 08.30 hrs

Country Park from Millbrook to Walkerwood.

Heavy drizzle keeping everything down.

3 Willow Warbler plus plenty more singing.
1 singing Chiffchaff.
1 Blackcap (m)
2 Garden warbler.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Thursday 17th of May 2012 09:28:58 AM

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Tuesday 15th May 2012, 6.45 - 7.15pm

Quick walk along lane, the length of Brushes Reservoir.

1 nuthatch
2 male bullfinch
4 male, 2 female chaffinch
3 robin
1 wren
5 long-tailed tits
3 blue tits
2 great tits
3 willow warbler
6 blackbird

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Late morning in the country park

Garden Warbler
Common Whitethroat

Chiffchaff - 2-3 singing
Willow Warbler - numerous
Blackcap - at least 4 males
Lesser Redpoll - present in good numbers in the country park this year
Song Thrush impersonating a Wood Warbler

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Saturday 12th May 2012, 8.45 - 10.15am

Brushes Rifle Ranges

2m whitethroat in the scrub behind Range House, plus one other calling.
grasshopper warbler reeled for about 30 seconds, not seen
4 willow warbler
2 blue tits
2 dunnock
15 meadow pipit
linnet singing in gorse
5 blackbird
plus carrion crow, jackdaw, magpies, and woodpigeon overhead

Back along Brushes Road,

2m chaffinch having a sing-off
3 long-tailed tit
2 blue tit
3 willow warblers

Calling from country park

chiffchaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, and blackcap

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Friday 11th May 2012, 6.45 - 8.45pm

On Wild Bank Moor, at around 1000 feet.

Only thing of note on the way up past the rifle ranges onto the moor was a sparrowhawk which landed in the field next to Brushes Road. Willow warblers and meadow pipits making themselves heard. After an uneventful walk up the hill, we were treated to a ten minute display of two male stonechats flying into and around each other while a female sat in the heather awatching.

Also nearby was a male red grouse sitting in the heather, illuminated by the end-of-day sunshine, his head bobbing up and down depending upon our movements, like a burnished periscope. He was in the same spot for at least half an hour, before we left.

The full list is as follows:

Up on the moor, at 1000 feet

2m, 1f stonechat
6 wheatear
1m red grouse
20 plus meadow pipit
1 pair blackbirds struggling in the wind
linnet calling from down in gorse

Lower down

1 sparrowhawk
13 blackbird
6 meadow pipit
2 great tit
several willow warblers calling
12 magpies
heard a tawny owl in the country park
woodpigeon, jackdaw, and carrion crows aplenty

At 11.50pm, last dog walk of day

Tawny owl heard from Huddersfield Road, "Kewicking" over Stayley Hall, moving off in the direction of the River Tame and Heyrod

-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of May 2012 12:05:13 AM

-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 12th of May 2012 12:42:47 PM

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Thursday 10th May 2012, 6.45 - 7.30pm

A very quick walk from the country park to the cottages by Brushes reservoir with the dogs

By the cottages:

1 nuthatch, perched on telephone wire
3 goldfinch
1 chaffinch
3 blue tit
2 great tit
1 willow warbler, plus more singing and calling
2 robin
1 swallow overhead
10 blackbird
20 plus woodpigeon

In the country park:

1 male blackcap, plus at least 2 more calling
whitethroat calling, not seen
1 m chaffinch
2 robin
6 blackbirds
1 magpie
woodpigeon galore
willow warbler and chiffchaff singing
2 swift overhead
2 blue tit
1 great tit

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Weds 9th May. 06.45 hrs - 08.15 hrs.

Rifle Range.

Grasshopper Warbler ...... good view for about 10 mins, reeling off a bramble. Only this one bird reeling now ....... there were definately two on Friday (possibly three).

6 Swallow around the stables.
4 Meadow Pipit.
1 Skylark.
3 Linnet.

Red Grouse calling from off the moor.

Heard a Green Woodpecker yaffling other side of Walkerwood Reservoir.

Roger

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Sunday 6th May 2012, 8.15 - 10.45am

Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.

Finally spotted the Grasshopper Warbler that I have heard every day for the past four days, in the marsh grass between Range House stables and the ranges. Watched it reeling away from a bramble in the grass for a good 15 minutes before the dogs got bored and we had to head off.

Also this morning:

1 sparrowhawk over country park, headed off towards Harridge
1 kestrel over rifle ranges then moved over to Walkerwood.
20 plus meadow pipit
1 wren
6 robin
10 blackbird
20 plus starlings rising from marsh grass above Brushes Road
30 jackdaw together in same field
10 plus carrion crows flying over
10 magpies
2 linnet in gorse
3 dunnock
4 blue tits
4 great tits
2 greenfinch
10 willow warblers, plus dozens singing, including in the new birch growth high on the moor, following the fires a few years ago. Not seen them this high up before.
Chiffchaff singing in the country park
curlew and skylark calling higher up on Wild Bank moor
plus woodpigeon aplenty
strangely no wheatear today?

7.30 -8.00pm, quick walk with dogs up Brushes Road from gate, along length of Brushes reservoir.

6 blackbirds
1 wren
2 lesser redpoll
3 goldfinch
1 greenfinch
6 blue tits
3 willow warblers, plus others singing
3 canada geese on reservoir, plus 2 flying over
2 mallard on reservoir
10 woodpigeon
2 robin

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

I would but currently dodging bullets in Iraq

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Thursday 3rd May 2012, 7.15 - 8.00pm

Behind Range House, down path from Rifle Ranges.

Thanks to Lee, Roger, and Iain for their information requested earlier.

Definitely 2 grasshopper warblers reeling in the marsh grass behind the stables at Range House, over the wooden bridge. Got within ten feet of one, but couldn't see it. It was still calling even though I was so close.

Also disturbed a tawny owl, which swooped down over my head and through the bushes. It flew back ten minutes later being noisily pursued by a pair of blackbirds.

All in all, I have had a good day in this (thankfully) much neglected corner of Stalybridge.

Thanks again to those that have replied. Get yourselves up here, but not all at once!

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Thanks Iain,

I have had another message with a report of a sighting last year at Lower Swineshaw, which is adjacent to the scout hut.

The ones this morning were near the rifle ranges, but only about half to three quarters of a mile from The Swineshaws as the warbler flies. Habitat is about right for them, but I can't say I've heard them there before, hence the request for help. I am off out again in an hour to see if I can get any further with them. Will post report if I have any success.

Thanks again,

David

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Hello David,
You have had two good finds there mate.

I heard one reeling in the reeds between the canal and river about 500 yds upstream of Grove Rd but that was quite a few years ago.

As for what would sound similar ? Errrrrrrr ..... A Grasshopper !

Roger.

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

Hi dave,

There was one grasshopper warbler reeling near the scout camp at upper swineshaw last year and I believe one other record but not sure where. Cheers Iain

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Thursday 3rd May 2012

Around Brushes Rifle Ranges, 8.30 - 10.00am.

Highlight of the morning for me was my first male whinchat of the year, singing for a good five minutes in a tree next to the ranges, before being chased away by a meadow pipit. Absolutely stunning in spring plumage.

Also, I would like advice from anyone with birding knowledge of the area around the rifle ranges. I heard what I was sure was a grasshopper warbler in two separate locations this morning, once near the reeds below Range House, near Brushes Road, and later in the marshy scrub between the rifle ranges and the the rear of the stables at Range House. Has anyone any experience of grasshopper warblers in this area? Or any ideas as to what may sound similar?

The rest of the sightings were as follows:
6 blue tits
3 great tits
1 reed bunting
1 wren
20 plus meadow pipits
6 robin
1 goldfinch
1 greenfinch
1 m wheatear
20 plus blackbirds
plenty of willow warbler and chiffchaff singing
20 plus carrion crows
20 plus woodpigeon
20 plus jackdaws, including six sat on a cow sitting in a field!
skylarks singing higher up Wild Bank, not sighted

-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 11:29:51 PM

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Tuesday 1st May 2012, 10.00 to 11.00am

Stalybridge Country Park, off Brushes Road

4 greenfinch
4 lesser redpoll (2m and 2f), together in birch trees
2 separate pairs of chaffinch
1 m blackcap, plus 2 others calling, not seen
6 long tailed tits, moving through trees
10 great tits
6 blue tits
2 robin
3 m blackbird
5 dunnock
20 plus willow warblers, plus others singing
2 chiffchaff, plus more singing
2 magpies
several carrion crow and jackdaw flying
plus a lot of woodpigeon

-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 08:58:33 PM

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Monday 30th April 7.00 to 8.00pm

Stalybridge Country Park, off Brushes Road

3 male Blackcap
6 Great tit
1 male Chaffinch
1 Black-headed gull flying over Walkerwood reservoir
10 plus Willow warbler
2 Chiffchaff plus several more calling
2 Robin
6 Blackbirds
Woodpigeon aplenty

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Saturday 28th April 2012, 8.30 to 9.45am

Around Brushes Rifle Ranges.

First time up the hill for a few weeks due to injured spaniel.
Very windy, not much flying higher up, a few carrion crows being blown around, but no birds of prey this morning.

10 plus meadow pipit, flying up in pairs from long grass
2 jays clattering around bushes on Brushes Road
Heard linnet singing in gorse above ranges, but no sighting
1 greenfinch
2 blue tits
6 wheatear on higher path 200 metres up hill overlooking Walkerwood reservoir. First I have seen here this year, but have been grounded for a few weeks due to aforementioned spaniel. Typically tame, flying up in front of dog then landing a few yards ahead.
3 willow warblers and 1 chiffchaff sighted on way back from dam along Brushes Road, heard many more of each singing on both sides of lane back down to houses at Brushes.

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Friday 30th March 2012, 6.45 - 7.45pm.

Around Brushes rifle ranges.

15 meadow pipit rising from grass below Range House
1 Sparrowhawk soaring over Wild Bank for 15 minutes, before moving off over towards Hobson Moor.
Robin and blackbird calling before roost, otherwise quiet.
Poor visibility compared to rest of week.

-- Edited by David Walsh on Friday 30th of March 2012 11:05:16 PM

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Friday 30th March. 06.45hrs - 10.00 hrs.

From Carrbrook to Walkerwood across T'Harridge.

Pair Lapwing.
14 Meadow Pipit ......... more calling.
Green Woodpecker.
Little Owl.
2 Chiffchaff.
Plenty of Nuthatch calling from trees down below.

Roger.

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Thursday 29th March 2012, 6.45-8pm

Around Brushes Ranges and Wild Bank

1 jay in field above Brushes Road.
Watched 1 common buzzard hunting over Wild Bank being mobbed by 2 carrion crows for 20 minutes just before dusk. Quite a duel, with buzzard apparently unphased by the attention.
Several meadow pipits calling and flying over rough grassland above Walkerwood reservoir.
1 kestrel intermittingly hovering and moving from Walkerwood over rifle ranges and out of sight just after dusk.
1 mistle thrush singing in tall tree next to Walkerwood Dam after dusk

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted by David Walsh today:

Saturday 24th March 2012, 8.40-11am

Brushes rifle ranges.

Male reed bunting singing on bramble below Range House
2 blue tits on tree over brook
10 plus meadow pipit singing and parachuting over grass and heather
2 robin
10 plus skylarks singing and flying higher up over moor
Jay flying over Walkerwood reservoir
Male stonechat on gorse bushes
6 dunnock
1 jay hopping around field by Brushes Road
1 male chaffinch singing in hawthorn
3 long tailed tits in blackthorn on Brushes Road
1 kestrel hovering over grass. Flew off toward Walkerwood reservoir.
1 heron flying up the Tame Valley towards Carrbrook
Numerous woodpigeon, jackdaw, and carrion crows

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Monday 26th March. 06.45 hrs- 10.30 hrs.

Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw.

At least 4 Song Thrushes seen ....... having a sing off.
Male Kestrel.
Cormorant on Brushes Res.
3 Jays.
2 Mistle Thrush.
3 Nuthatch + more calling.
9 Bullfinch.
4 Greenfinch.
Chaffinch. Many.
6 Curlew. Getting towards the top of the climb.

Had a sit down on the bench up at Higher Swineshaw and was treated to some cracking views on some open ground of two Red Grouse cocks flexing their muscles at each other. The hen was about 5 yards away, holding their jackets.
I watched them for about 15 mins ....... still there when I left. No spilt blood.

Roger

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 26th of March 2012 05:43:59 PM

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 26th of March 2012 05:51:35 PM

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Higher Swineshaw to Walkerwood - am

1 male Stonechat at Swineshaw, watched for 20 mins whilst he sang and displayed
Tufted Duck (pair)
1 Buzzard
1 Peregrine
Red Grouse - plentiful
1 Chiffchaff singing from the far side of Walkerwood
Green Woodpecker heard yaffling from side of footpath

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 25th of March 2012 04:49:23 PM

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

1000 - 1300

Circular walk around Walkerwood area

Highlights

4 Buzzard and 2 Raven in air simultaneously
1 Raven then flew overhead calling and began circling, rising on the thermals

A Green Woodpecker was yaffling some distance away, although it was hard to pinpoint where from. Conditions were very still.
1 Fieldfare
2 Lapwing displaying
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Redpoll singing (heard only)
2 Skylark (one singing)

No Meadow Pipits back yet and only two Lapwings in the area, hopefully more will be present in the next few weeks

Mark Rigby · Status: Offline

I was only mentioning to young Mr Warford on Saturday that ohar 10 Jays over my house in Lees, flying high north

vic chatterton · Status: Offline

Interesting comment on Jays. It would also be interesting to know if anyone else has noticed a build up in numbers. Our bird rufitergum and the Irish race hibernicus are mostly sedentary but mainland European birds glandarius can be eruptive migrants in large numbers to this country at very infrequent intervals. The last time being in 1983 when I recall Jays everywhere in Autumn in the Hyde area. Telling them apart in the field is nigh on impossible but I do remember being told that several birds shot in the area were "continental birds".
It is thought that the eruptions are caused by the failure of the acorn crop on the continent.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Mon 31st Oct. 07.00 hrs - 09.00 hrs.

From Walkerwood Reservoir up to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.

67 Canadas on Walkerwood when I parked up, left after about 10 minutes.
8 Mallard
2 Fieldfares feeding on the Hollies.
Male Sparrowhawk having a dig at 3 Redwing flying up Walkerwood .... no success.
Plenty of Grouse calling from both sides of valley ...... one seen up near Swineshaw ..... flew across the road.
1 Brambling over (calling), very high up.
Plenty of Wren, Bullfinch and Long Tails in the scrub all along the route.

c 23 Jays plus more calling all over the place, either a good breeding season or a migratory influx ??

Roger

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Heard about a woman out jogging being stabbed yesterda
y at Walkerwood. Just a reminder to watch your backs in this area. I normally carry my bins in my rucksack and also carry a personal alarm. This isn't just addressed to women either!

Jenny de Boer · Status: Offline

Walk this afternoon along Brushes Road to Upper Swineshaw along to Wild Bank Hill and back to Walkerwood Reservoir:

At least 3 Common Sandpiper at Upper Swineshaw, plus 2 Ringed Plover and 1 Canada Goose.

Also seen were male whinchat, grey partridge, curlew, wheatear, meadow pipits and swallows.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Late afternoon/early evening

2 possibly 3 Garden Warblers
1 Common Whitethroat
3+ Chiffchaffs
c10 Willow Warbler
2 Blackcap
Pr Bullfinch
Blackbird with young calling out of sight

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Walking down from Swineshaw and along Brushes Road

Early evening

Red Grouse
4 Chiffchaff singing
10 Willow Warbler singing
Tawny Owl hooting, out of sight!
1 Coot on Walkerwood, never seen one on here before!

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Monday 28th March. 07.00 - 08.30 hrs.

Cowbury Dale.

Two pair of Bullfinch.
1 Jay.
1 Curlew............ couple more bubbling away.
Pair Kestrel doing a bit of aerial courting.
Meadow Pipits displaying.
Plenty of Grouse heard but not seen, mostly on back of Brushes.

Plenty of Blue & Great Tits, Dunnock, Robin and Wrens in the scrub oaks.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Monday 28th of March 2011 05:24:55 PM

Iain Johnson · Status: Offline

Swineshaw site mega this afternoon - a pair of Tufted Duck on Upper Swineshaw! Plus 2 canada geese, 6 mallard, kestrel hunting, meadow pipit, plenty of chaffinch and robin singing, chiffchaff in the CP and both red grouse and curlew heard over the moors.

Dean Thom · Status: Offline

wheatear at upper swineshaw res yesterday being harassed by a meadow pipit... redpolls showing nicely on feeders in a garden near to the duckpond in carrbrook village regards. dean

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

23/03/11 - am

2 Chiffchaff singing along Brushes Road new arrivals since Sunday
G S Woodpecker drumming
15 Fieldfare over
Cormorant on Walkerwood with fish
Buzzard
2 Lesser Redpoll flew over moor
Many Meadow Pipits including several displaying
Several Curlew displaying
2 Brambling - 1 male almost in complete s/pl - near Lower Swineshaw
Tawny Owl - hooted twice, habitat too dense to try and locate
Several Linnet
Reed Bunting singing near Higher Swineshaw - another new arrival
2 Red Grouse - low across valley and others calling

Plus lots of the usual stuff

Nick_Patel · Status: Offline

Yesterday: Sand martin north over moors, c7 Red grouse, presumed dead woodcock remains.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Habitat surveillance visit

Highlights

Little Owl sat on wall (why is it never there when I do my visit?)
Peregrine over moor

Good to see plenty of birds back in the area including

Mipits
Linnets
Lapwings
Curlew calling on opposite side of valley

Long Tailed Tits, Robins and Dunnocks all look like they want to use the same bit of gorse

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

8/3/11 pm

Higher Swineshaw

There was some planting going on so not very much visible.

2 Teal (pr) - my first record of this species here
Red Grouse calling
4 Lapwing

Brushes

Buzzard
Kestrel
Long Tailed Tits - seemed to be making an attempt to do a bit of nest building

4 Pheasant

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Swineshaw Res

At least 4 male Red Grouse displaying sometimes low over Res. Also two birds which seemed to be paired already.

Brushes

Male Kestrel
7 Pheasant