Thursday 3rd October 2013, 8.30 - 10.00am

To Flaxfield and back past the Rifle Ranges, a bright, warm morning.

1 female kestrel patrolling around Flaxfield from telegraph pole
22 meadow pipits, flying up from rough grass and heather
8 meadow pipits flying south
1 green woodpecker at southern end of Flaxfield, hopping around field towards Gallowsclough
2 blue tits
3 long-tailed tits
2 willow warblers
1 chiffchaff singing in country park
2 linnet over
6 robins
mix of jackdaws, woodpigeon, carrion crows, magpies, and black-headed gulls in ploughed field

I was going to suggest that maybe the corpses had been left there baited with poison and maybe the predators had clocked that fact. But coming across that youngster dispels that theory. Unless theres poison put down for them I really dont know what it could be. Seems an unusual way to die for a wild animal unless they had eaten something poisonous. I dont even know if ragwort once eaten would be harmful. Maybe a more enlightened forum member could shed some light onto this subject.

Do the rabbits look like they have had myxomatosis? When I lived across the valley in Heyrod we had an outbreak (more likely an introduction) and lost most the rabbits locally. Hell of alot of gamekeeper activity goes on around here undetected that I hear about through certain sources but noone willing to speak up.

Thursday 26th September 2013, 6.15 - 7.30pm

Up past rifle ranges to Flaxfield. In darkness on way back down.

Another quiet evening with not a lot about. Been a quiet fortnight, in fact.

1 little owl in a hawthorn tree at Flaxfield. First sighting for over 2 weeks, but always perches in hawthorn trees, and within a 100 yard radius. Never seen it in any other tree, only the odd time on a fence post or on top of a drystone wall. Started moving around from tree to tree as dusk fell, preening itself.

Also:

6 meadow pipits
2 jays
4 robins
2 great tits
2 blue tits
1 blackbird
1 willow warbler

Saturday 14th September 2013, 8.00 - 9.30am

Brushes Road, Flaxfield, and Wild Bank area

2 buzzards high up on Wild Bank Moor
1 peregrine flying from the south, skirting Wild Bank and continued up towards the Swineshaws
1 female kestrel hunting from a hawthorn next to Brushes Road
12+ robins - stopped counting - they seemed to be everywhere! I never tire of watching and listening to them, though.
2 wrens
1 pair of stonechat at Flaxfield. No sign of young today, but they were a long way off, almost at the farm itself.
7 goldfinch
1 male whitethroat at Flaxfield
2 willow warblers singing
16 meadow pipit
3 juv house sparrows
4 juv pheasants at Flaxfield Farm

No swallows today

Sunday 8th September, 8.45 - 11.00am

Up past the Rifle Ranges, to Wild Bank and Flaxfield

Plenty of meadow pipits on the move in the sunshine:
30+ on Wild Bank Moor
15 around the fields at Flaxfield Farm

3 swallows hawking around the moor, another 10 flying south over Flaxfield
4 house martins over south
6 willow warblers
1 chiffchaff singing
1 male whitethroat singing on top of bramble
6 greenfinch, including juveniles
6 robins
1 dunnock
1 little owl in usual spot
2 jays
2 ravens, over from the south, across valley, and over Carrbrook
2 buzzards hunting together, low over Harridge Pike
2 black-headed gull in field at Flaxfield Farm

Saturday 7th September 2013, 7.15 - 9.15am.

Around Wild Bank and Flaxfield.

A cold, grey morning, but thankfully dry following yesterday's deluge.

1 pair of stonechat with one young juvenile seen, at the Ranges end of Flaxfield Farm, on the way home, around 8.45.

1 male whinchat in autumn plumage, on the fence posts at Flaxfield Farm, receiving a lot of attention from the male stonechat, but not budging far from perch, other than down to the grass and back up.

1 other very young stonechat seen crouched in the gorse on the outward journey, around 8.00am. Could hear a faint adult call from higher up the gorse, so this could have been the same family group as above, making their way down the hill.

30+ meadow pipits, some moving through in small groups
3 adult swallows, plus 3 very young looking juveniles perched on fence awaiting food
5 willow warblers
bullfinch heard, not seen
3 great tits
3 blue tits
1 dunnock
5 robin

Oddly enough, no birds of prey this morning, but a lot of the time was spent following the chats.

Tuesday 3rd September 2013, 7.15 - 8.15pm

To Flaxfield and back past Rifle Ranges

A little late setting out, and light fading fast at far end of Flaxfield, so not much about

1 female kestrel over fields by Brushes Road
1 little owl overlooking Sidebottom Fold direction, hopping around hawthorn at dusk
6+ robins
2 willow warbler
6+ meadow pipits
2 swallows only

Interesting to read Karen's earlier Mistle Thrush posts. At dusk, around 20 birds flew from a distant pylon with thrush-like flight, but they were too far off and silhouetted against the western sky, so couldn't positively identify them.

-- Edited by David Walsh on Tuesday 3rd of September 2013 11:53:07 PM

Sunday 1st September 2013, 8.00am - 10.00am

Onto Wild Bank Moor then down, past Flaxfield and the Rifle Ranges.

A cold, blustery morning, getting colder and windier as the walk went on. Other than the odd bumble bee, few insects flying. Not much noise coming from the country park either, so I decided, armed with a springer spaniel and a stout pair of walking shoes, to do a tour of the moor counting meadow pipits, seeing as there was very little else to see!!

6 in the grassy field next to Brushes Road
50+ in an area of rocky outcrop with a mix of heather and rough grass, overlooking Walkerwood reservoir
20+ on the moor in an area of regrowth, with short heather (6-9 inches tall) following the fires of 2006
3 at the same altitude in a much greater area of older and taller heather interspersed with thick sphagnum cover
There were none in any of fields of Flaxfield Farm, where they have gathered of late

Believe it or not, that was the highlight of the morning, other than the following kestrel activity:
1 female kestrel over Flaxfield and Brushes Road
1 single bird over from Hobson Moor then back again
2 birds low over Wild Bank "practice hunting" in similar fashion to yesterday's buzzards, landing frequently in the heather. Quite distant so couldn't age or sex, but would guess at either one adult and juvenile, or two juveniles, from the behaviour.

Only 1 swallow flying briefly around Flaxfield Farm buildings
2 goldfinch
1 willow warbler
2 robin
1 wren
2 great tit

Quite a refreshing walk, though, and kestrels are always good to watch. Look on the bright side!

Monday 26th August 2013, 8.00 - 9.00am

Quick dogwalk this morning through country park to Walkerwood Dam, then back along Brushes Road

Very quiet, only items of note being:

8 sand martins feeding over the reservoir. Headed off south after 20 minutes

30+ swallows feeding throughout route. A lot of juveniles mixed in, including 7 perched on telephone wires opposite houses, waiting patiently (but noisily) for the regular return with food of adults. Seemed very young, and were very dependent. A lot of food being brought back.

Thursday 22nd August 2013, 7.15 - 10am

Around Flaxfield and Wild Bank

Thankfully, a change of wind direction has diverted the Stockport stink of yesterday, to leave a stunning morning over Tameside. A lot of species seem to be preparing to be on the move today.

40+ meadow pipits, including over 30 flying around fields and hedges of the farm. Not an area they are usually seen.
30+ swallows, including 23 perched on telegraph wire at the farm
2 wheatear, again in low fields, not seen this far down the hill since May
1 whitethroat
1 pair of stonechat
7 great tit
6 blue tit
1 little owl, roosting in hawthorn - great views. Didn't budge all morning
1 tawny owl calling from country park at 7.15
3 dunnock
3 robin plus 2 juvenile
1 wren
1 song thrush
3 willow warbler
No sign of the redstart since Tuesday - presumably moved through.

Back along Brushes Road, edge of country park

1 long-tailed tit plus 3 juveniles
3 willow warbler
2 blue tit plus 5 juvenile
4 great tit
2 juv chaffinch
15 goldfinch
3 robin plus 1 juvenile
3 blackbirds

Last night there was a lot of gull activity all over Stalybridge, from Brushes Valley to the town, and over Ashton too. Over 150, mainly lesser black-backed. I wondered whether it was linked to the fire at Bredbury??? Quiet again this morning.

-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 22nd of August 2013 11:26:27 AM

-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 22nd of August 2013 01:56:24 PM

You've come up with a good 'un here David.

I've been wracking my brains (??), checking my diaries and previous posts.

Think I can honestly say the only hirundine I have ever seen in the area have been Swallows.

I could also make the same statement for Greenfield except for my post Aug 18/8/2011 (as Karen mentions passing through) when I counted over 120 House Martins going over Tanners Mill yard in 30 minutes, still going strong when I had to leave.

I've never seen another up there since !

Roger.

PS. My last sighting of Sand Martin round Stalybridge was 11th Aug and I have been looking (a pleasant alternative to doing any work ).

Roger,

I had a regular couple of pairs of house martins along Brushes Road earlier this year, but the last time I saw them was the morning before the trees were cleared for the new housing at the top of Brushes Road last month. Strange that??

As you will have noticed from the posts from the last couple of days, the action has shifted 100 yards down from the gorse into the field at Flaxfield Farm.

The redstart tonight were a big bonus. Like you said to Ashley, these are the days you remember, and make the miserable mornings like Saturday worthwhile. Are you due a visit to Flaxfield soon?

David

-- Edited by David Walsh on Monday 19th of August 2013 10:34:35 PM

Monday 19th August 2013, 6.45 - 7.15am, early morning dogwalk

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker picking insects off a telegraph pole on Huddersfield Road

On the walk up Brushes Road, there were about a dozen or so birds flying around the trees over Harridge Avenue in the Copley direction. My first instinct was Sand Martin, but unfortunately, it being a work day, and this being an "on the lead all the way" dogwalk, I didn't have my binoculars with me to confirm. The nearest I've seen sand martin to here is at Stalybridge railway station, from the Bayley Street colony, a mile away.

Has anyone else (Roger) seen any around this area?

The reason the woodpecker sighting isn't sexed or aged is also due my failing eyesight. In the garden at the time sorting out poultry, and only had silhouette view about 30 yards away, again without binoculars.

Saturday 17th August 2013, 7.15 - 8.45am

Around Brushes Rifle Ranges and Wild Bank Hill

Weather breezy, overcast, with a few light rain showers, keeping everything quiet.

Unusually low numbers of meadow pipit and willow warbler, and not much else!

The highlights, such as they were:

1 male kestrel flew from Walkerwood Reservoir, through the country park, over to Flaxfield Farm, then along the Wild Bank side of the valley as far as Cock Knarr, when it was joined by a second bird. Both circled a couple of times before heading over the hill in the direction of Tintwistle.

1 well grown juvenile stonechat, flying around hedge between Flaxfield Farm and the gorse
another stonechat heard higher up the hill in the gorse
1 skylark on Wild Bank Moor
4 swallows

I said it was a quiet morning! Nice to see the young stonechat again, though.

-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 17th of August 2013 10:53:25 AM

Thursday 8th August 2013, 8.00 - 9.45am

This morning was notable more for species that were absent than those present. The skies have been devoid of swift for a couple of days, of house martins for a fortnight, and the pair of stonechat that have raised two broods since the end of May haven't been heard of since Sunday, presumably moved on.

Field above Brushes Road, and fringes of Stalybridge Country Park.

7 willow warbler
2 chiffchaff
1 juv long-tailed tit
1 robin + 1 juvenile
1 wren
1 great tit
9 swallow
3 goldfinch
9 meadow pipit

Rifle ranges/ Flaxfield area

8 willow warbler
3 robin + 1 juvenile
3 juv blue tit
5 meadow pipit
3 great tit
1 whitethroat
1 juv blackbird



-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 8th of August 2013 10:06:11 PM

Saturday 3rd August 2013, 7.30 - 9.15am.

Field above Brushes Road

1 pair of reed bunting
3 willow warbler
1 robin + 1 juv
1 juv dunnock
2 whitethroat
30+ goldfinch in one flock flying around the area, including many juveniles
6 swallows
20+ meadow pipit including juveniles

Around the rifle ranges/ Flaxfield area

stonechat only heard today, further up Wild Bank Hill in gorse
1 lesser redpoll
6 whitethroat, including juveniles
1 robin + 1 juv
5 willow warbler
2 swallows
1 f blackbird + 3 other juveniles
30+ meadow pipit
1 dunnock

1 buzzard soaring higher up the valley towards the Swineshaws

Sunday 28th July 2013, 7.45 - 8.30am

Walk up to the Rifle Ranges and back, shortened due to torrential rain just as we got to the gorse. Moor above 800ft enshrouded in cloud, visibility poor.

6 swallow
1 m stonechat
flock of at least 40 goldfinch, mainly juveniles, feeding on thistles
4 linnet
4 greenfinch
2 robin
1 sparrowhawk, from the country park, flying slowly over to Harridge Woods, up the valley and over the top
2 whitethroat
3 willow warbler
3 blue tit
10+ meadow pipits

Monday 22nd July 2013, 7.00am

Not exactly a bird sighting, but sad to report that the builders seem to have finally arrived on the land at the top of Brushes Road, opposite the last of the houses. Men in white shirts and smart shoes spilling out of over-sized cars and plodding through the long grass this morning. All the trees up to Brushes Rangers football pitch are to be levelled, trees that this year have produced fledged willow warbler and whitethroat, among others, and provide regular sightings of great spotted woodpeckers. Also one of the largest colonies of six-spot burnet moths I have ever seen.

Apparently the large field to the east of the rough track is next on the list, currently home to a pair of reed bunting.

Thank God for progress!

Thursday 18th July, 7.30 - 8.45am

Around Brushes Rifle Ranges

Grey heron flew over Huddersfield Road towards Brushes
1 pair stonechat
1 juv stonechat, independent
1 m reed bunting
10+ linnet, including young, very active
15+ goldfinch, including young, many feeding on thistles in marsh grass
8 whitethroat, including young
2 greenfinch
2 robin
6 dunnock
10 swallows
2 house martin
10+ swift
4 willow warbler
chiffchaff singing in country park
1 lapwing over from Hobson Moor towards Heyrod
30+ meadow pipit

plus usual common species

Monday 15th July 2013, 8.45 - 9.30pm

Around Brushes Rifle Ranges - a very quick walk up to the gorse and back.

The pair of incredibly noisy stonechat
Group of 4 young whitethroat
4 song thrush
Lots of blackbird flying
4 linnet over
6 swift
4 swallow

<blockquote><b>Bill Beckwith wrote:</b><hr>
<p style="font-style: italics">Sorry for my ignorance but where are the Brushes rifle ranges?Are they near the top path you get on after a scramble from the woods the other side of Walkerwood reservoir,leading to Mottram Old Road?</p>
<hr></blockquote><p></p>

I think you've got it Bill...

If you go up Brushes Road towards the reservoir, take any of the footpaths on your right heading towards Mottram Old Road. The rifle ranges are at the back of Copley leading up to the moor edge. Always an interesting area - except when you have been asked to survey the area for Nightjars and you know that they were last seen there over 50 years ago!

Cheers, Steve

Sorry for my ignorance but where are the Brushes rifle ranges?Are they near the top path you get on after a scramble from the woods the other side of Walkerwood reservoir,leading to Mottram Old Road?

Some sightings from today

Brushes Road area


Garden Warbler singing and showing briefly on several occasions

3 Blackcap singing

4 Chiffchaff singing

Song Thrush singing

2 juvenile Robin on footpath honing their flycatching skills


Walkerwood Res


Grey Heron

Mallard with five ducklings

Pied Wagtail collecting food - probably for a second brood

A still dependent Robin was being fed by both parents at the far end of the dam, along with a family of Blackbirds and a family of Willow Warblers. I watched one adult Willow Warbler attempt to catch a small moth four times before it gave up!



-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 13th of July 2013 07:32:12 PM