6 Skylark around Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill, a couple singing. My first of the year up here, signalling the end of winter. 2 Stonechat, the male way down the clough at Higher Bank - took some finding. The female was moving along the fencing around Lees Hill. 7 Reed Bunting 1 Lesser Redpoll over Boar Flat, from the direction of Chew, down the valley. 1 Raven cronking around Lees Hill and Higher Swineshaw 1 Grey Wagtail in Higher Swineshaw overflow. 10 Mallard on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir
1 Woodcock flew from Millbrook, into the woods above the gamekeeper's cottage, at 6.50 4 Siskin flew down the valley, and into the country park, my first here this winter Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush singing 15 Redwing flew over from Harridge, into the trees by the reservoir 2 Moorhen 13 Canada Geese
Same area, mid-morning, yesterday
1 Willow Tit 6 Chaffinch, in full song, along the reservoir edge 1 Raven 1 Buzzard
1 Woodcock flew back from the fields around Cote Farm, over the reservoir, and into Cock Wood, at 7am 3 Song Thrush singing around the dam 2 Mistle Thrush singing 1 Tawny Owl calling from Cock Wood. There have been a pair hooting and calling from this area, before dawn, for the past couple of weeks. 14 Canada Geese on the reservoir Moorhen calling
From Walkerwood Dam, up past the rifle ranges, then up onto Wild Bank Moor, as far as Shaw Farm, on a beautiful, frosty morning.
Wild Bank Hill - always quiet at this time of year, but an unbeatable view in these conditions.
One pair of Stonechat had moved down from the frozen moor, into the fields below Shaw Farm, accompanied by four Meadow Pipits. 1 Little Owl 5 Red Grouse
Flaxfield
2 Fieldfare picking over the fields at Flaxfield Farm 1 Mistle Thrush 2 Bullfinch
Walkerwood
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the reservoir, being hassled by six Black-headed Gulls 1 Moorhen in the overflow 1 Jay
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill.
2 pairs of Stonechat, one feeding around the Higher Bank side of Lees Hill. The other pair were feeding in the more usual area of Higher Swineshaw dam. 1 Kestrel over Pack Saddle, another on a wire by Walkerwood Reservoir 1 Buzzard over Swallows Wood / Arnfield area 1 Pied Wagtail followed me almost into the newsagents on Brushes Road
From Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, and onto the moor at Turf Pits.
1 Common Snipe on the moor at Turf Pits 2 Ravens over Irontongue Hill 10+ Reed Bunting, including six mobbing the Ravens 1 Pied Wagtail at Walkerwood 1 Grey Wagtail at Walkerwood 1 Willow Tit on the feeder Several Bullfinch Several noisy Jays, both in the woods on Harridge, and around Walkerwood A little singing going on this morning, Great Tits, Mistle Thrush, and Blackbirds, giving the place a lift.
Walkerwood to Lower Swineshaw, before giving up due to heavy snow flurries rendering everything wet
1 Kestrel over the scout hut A few Reed Bunting calling at Lower Swineshaw 1 Willow Tit on the feeder at Walkerwood Several Bullfinch on the feeder, plus the usuals 1 Cormorant fishing at Walkerwood, presumably without a permit. That should please Carrbrook Angling Club, who have just leased angling rights from UU.
1 pair of Stonechat, the second year running that a pair have overwintered at this site. There is also a pair around Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill. 7 Meadow Pipits, moving together around the moor, plus one calling around the rifle ranges 2 Fieldfare feeding in the fields A flock of 6 Bullfinch in the scrub behind Range House
Flaxfield Farm
12 Fieldfare feeding in the fields 2 Mistle Thrush
3 Tawny Owls - a pair calling and hooting at the Walkerwood Dam side of Cock Wood, and another flew from a telegraph pole on my way back along Brushes Road, and into the country park.
An hour spent wandering around the Swineshaws on a beautiful winter's morning.
The main point of interest was a mixed group flying around the heather and dead bracken in the clough to the west of Higher Swineshaw dam, consisting of: One pair of Stonechat 8+ Reed Bunting 6 Dunnock, one doing a bit of singing And a Wren attempting to move them all on! A Raven was cronking at Higher Swineshaw, but not seen Another 8+ Reed Bunting were around the scout hut, and several Dunnock
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, and around Lees Hill, in shifting, freezing fog. Clear one minute, pea soup the next.
1 pair of Stonechat at Lees Hill 1 Buzzard flushed out of the bracken Several Reed Bunting calling - none seen today Plenty of Red Grouse flying around A skein of Pink-footed Geese flew east over Lees Hill at 9.00am, invisible due to the fog. 1 Willow Tit at Walkerwood Several groups of Jays flying around the woods on the way up the valley
A desperately quiet walk, from Walkerwood Dam, the length of Brushes Valley, in good conditions, apart from mist at the top end.
The only thing of any real note was a flock of approximately 30 Fieldfare feeding in the fields and on berries above Walkerwood Dam, the first sizeable number I've seen on the ground this autumn. c 6 Redwing The usual noisy Mistle Thrush Kestrel on a telegraph pole on Brushes Road, flew off towards the ranges
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, in good conditions
Good numbers of Reed Bunting higher up the valley. About 10, in ones and twos around the scout hut, and along the path up to Higher Swineshaw dam. There was also a mobile flock of about 30 flying around the bushes on the far side of Lower Swineshaw Reservoir, with around 10 noisy Bullfinch with them. A single Meadow Pipit calling from the rough grass at the scout hut c 10 Dunnock, most calling from the moor, with 4 moving through the trees at the scout hut together Male Sparrowhawk on a fence post near Higher Swineshaw dam 2 Mistle Thrush at the scout hut, one singing
Around the Walkerwood feeder
The usual Willow Tit, calling loudly as I filled the feeder 6+ Bullfinch, including one singing Several Chaffinch 6+ Jays 10+ Long-tailed Tits
From Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, then up onto the moor at Turf Pits. The weather steadily worsened, then closed in, with driving drizzle forcing me off the moor, as everything was either soaked, or fogged up. Mild for the time of year, though
The highlight was 4 Whooper Swans on Walkerwood Reservoir at first light. Three adults and a first winter bird. They had left by the time I came back down after 10.00am. 2 Moorhen on the reservoir, also 1 Willow Tit on the Walkerwood feeder Several Lesser Redpoll also heard around Walkerwood, my first for a while Pair of Stonechat at Higher Swineshaw Couple of Reed Bunting calling from the moor
1 pair of Stonechat, the first sighting here of a pair together for a month. It also means that I have recorded this species at this site, at an altitude of 300m, in every month of 2016. 1 Dipper in the overflow 2 Ravens 1 Buzzard Several Reed Bunting Dunnock and Wren calling from the bracken Several Jays on the way up the valley
Walkerwood
c 10 Redwing 1 Song Thrush 1 Mistle Thrush 10+ Blackbirds
A pair of Tawny Owls have been calling from Cock Wood this week, before dawn.
I also had very good views of a Woodcock flying back to roost at 7.25. It flew from the direction of the ranges, over Walkerwood Dam, then did a couple of circuits of the treetops, before dropping into the brambley undergrowth in the field in front of me.
2 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 1 Raven A few Reed Bunting calling 20+ Red Grouse
Walkerwood area
30 Redwing 1 Fieldfare 1 Mistle Thrush having a "rattle off" with the Fieldfare 10+ Blackbirds 1 Willow Tit Other usual Tit species Several Bullfinch Several Chaffinch 15 Goldfinch 1 Moorhen in the overflow 41 Canada Geese on the reservoir 1 Nuthatch around Brushes Cottages
Redwing always seem to be the first birds calling overhead before it gets light, but this morning sounded like a steady movement of large numbers down the Valley 2 Tawny Owls calling; one from the area of the gamekeeper's cottage, the other from the Cock Wood side of Walkerwood Reservoir. 1 Woodcock flying over Walkerwood Dam from the direction of the fields below Range House, towards the woods on Harridge. Is it just me, or is this a good autumn for this species locally? Usually I have one or two fleeting glimpses each winter, but I'm seeing them almost every time I'm out at dawn or dusk, with good views of them flying around.
4 Woodcock, my highest count of the Autumn, around Lower Swineshaw scout hut.
One flew out of the small wood at the scout hut, across the moor. The other three came up from the woods lower down, and flew towards the fields on the opposite side of the valley.
1 Woodcock flying back to roost 1 Tawny Owl calling from Brushes Cottages at 7.15. One called at the same time yesterday from Cock Wood, the first I have heard for a while. 38 Canada Geese on the reservoir.
2 Woodcock flew up from the direction of Harridge Woods, over the moor by the scout hut. They appeared to be interacting with each other, flying around and squeaking, before flying off and over Lower Swineshaw Reservoir . I am not an expert on this species, so I have no idea what that signifies?
Earlier today there was a flock of around 50 Redwing moving south through Walkerwood, and another dozen or so in the hawthorns. The only other notable sighting was a solitary Reed Bunting high up in the heather on Irontongue Hill.
3 Stonechat. One pair were on the fencing, in the sunshine, on the Higher Bank side of Lees Hill, an unusual sighting for this area. The other was a now solitary female in the more usual area of Higher Swineshaw. The male seems to have disappeared of late. Overwintering birds of this species seem to do so as a pair. It will be interesting to see whether this female hangs on up here if the male has gone. c 30 Reed Bunting. Ones and twos around Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill, with a flock of c 20 in the trees around the scout hut. 1 Buzzard at Higher Swineshaw
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw. Very windy at the top, keeping everything down.
1 Willow Tit at Walkerwood 1 Nuthatch at Brushes Cottages c 20 Long-tailed Tits 39 Canada Geese on Walkerwood Reservoir c 30 Redwing around the scout hut 35 Black-headed Gulls and c 50 Starlings in the fields at Flaxfield
4.50pm
1 Woodcock flew up from the woods, over the scout hut, and Lower Swineshaw Reservoir, landing in the fields above the reservoir.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Thursday 24th of November 2016 10:03:20 PM
4 Whooper Swans flew in and circled Walkerwood reservoir several times at 16.00 hrs ... I thought they were going to land at the top end but they rose at the last minute and carried on up the valley.
Roger.
__________________
Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.
Walkerwood Dam to Higher Swineshaw, with the areas above Lower Swineshaw covered 'neath a blanket of snow.
Higher Swineshaw
1 Common Snipe in the overflow 16 Reed Bunting. Very visible today, due to the snow cover, perched on fences, and the few trees remaining on the moor 2 Stonechat 15 Red Grouse 2 Goldfinch
Walkerwood area
6+ Jays 2 Redwing 1 Song Thrush 10+ Blackbirds 1 Willow Tit Bullfinch and Chaffinch on the feeder
A quick look at the fields at Flaxfield
14 Redwing 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Song Thrush Several Blackbirds
2 Woodcock flying back from the direction of Cote Farm, into the trees Tawny Owl calling from the area of the gamekeeper's cottage A lot of Redwing calling overhead, with a couple on the dam when it eventually became light
Dipper singing in the overflow of Higher Swineshaw Reservoir Male and female Stonechat, feeding in separate areas today 12+ Reed Bunting 6 Dunnock in the bracken with the Reed Bunting 6+ Wrens, including a couple singing 2 Meadow Pipits 2 Ravens
Walkerwood Dam
38 Canada Geese 16 Mallard 1 drake Mandarin 1 Moorhen 1 Cormorant 1 Willow Tit on the feeder 10+ Jays
All Higher Swineshaw sightings from the eastern side of the reservoir and Lees Hill, due to the areas to the north and west crawling with men with guns and dogs, attempting to flush foxes.
Pair of Stonechat 2 Raven 6 Reed Bunting 3 Dunnock, with the Reed Bunting 2 Meadow Pipits 2 Grey Wagtails 1 Pied Wagtail
Walkerwood area
1 Mandarin drake on the reservoir 46 Canada Geese 6 Mallard 3 Moorhen in the overflow 1 Willow Tit, plus the usuals around the feeder
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, with an hour wandering around the top of the moor, at Turf Pits.
4 Common Snipe in Higher Swineshaw overflow 25+ Meadow Pipits around the top of the moor, flying in small groups 6+ Reed Bunting 3 Ravens over SE 1 Skylark over south 7 Linnet over west 6 Wrens 3 Dunnock together in the heather, with one attempting a song 18 Black-headed Gulls on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir
Walkerwood area
Groups of 25 and 30 Redwing over, plus c 10 feeding near Walkerwood Dam 1 Fieldfare with the Redwing 4 Mistle Thrush 2 Song Thrush 12+ Blackbirds 80 Woodpigeon over the country park south 1 Willow Tit on the feeder Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, and Goldfinch
Woodcock definitely back on their winter feeding grounds. An hour at dusk produced good views of one flying over the moor, in the same area as Saturday.
Tuesday 1st November 2016, 9.00 - 10.00am, very windy at the top of the valley.
1 Dipper flew across Higher Swineshaw Reservoir. My first sighting for almost a month. Couple of Reed Bunting calling Buzzard over Pack Saddle 1 Willow Tit at Walkerwood 1 Cormorant on Walkerwood Reservoir
3 Shelduck were reported to be on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir for much of yesterday, by one of the UU reservoir managers.
1 Kingfisher flying around the northern edge of the reservoir. An unusual sighting for the area. 26 Mallard 2 Moorhen 1 Willow Tit 6+ Jays 35 Redwing Several Mistle Thrush Song Thrush 10+ Blackbirds Bullfinch Chaffinch
Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw and around Lees Hill
Walkerwood area at first light
36 Canada Geese 12 Mallard 3 Moorhen 1 Willow Tit, plus usuals around the feeder, at 11.00am Lesser Redpoll calling
Higher Swineshaw and Lees Hill
At least one Peregrine around Lees Hill. I saw one on the way to a fruitless trudge around to Hollingworth, and again in the same area an hour and a half later, on the way back to Brushes. The second bird looked more ragged, with at least one central tail feather missing, but perhaps I didn't look carefully enough the first time? 1 pair of Stonechat 10+ Reed Bunting 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Grey Wagtail 2 Ravens 1 Buzzard At least one Skylark over south Lesser Redpoll over Meadow Pipit numbers dwindling - no more than 20 today in the entire area, including Middle and Higher Bank.
A bit of action, for a change, around Lower Swineshaw scout hut
c 150 Fieldfare were my first of the Autumn, and made quite a sight, exploding from the larches upon the arrival of a Sparrowhawk, which was promptly mobbed by 3 Carrion Crows. The thrushes resettled, giving good views in the sunshine 2 Kestrels hunting together over Pack Saddle 18 Black-headed Gulls on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir c 25 Lesser Redpoll moving noisily around the trees at the edge of the country park adjacent to Walkerwood Dam, feeding on alders. Had a good look through, but no sign of any Siskin, just a couple of Goldfinch.
30 Canada Geese 5 Mallard 2 Moorhen c 20 Redwing feeding around the hawthorns 2 Mistle Thrush 5 Goldfinch Bullfinch Chaffinch Greenfinch Male Great Spotted Woodpecker Several Jays
Saturday, around Lees Hill and Higher Swineshaw
Pair of Stonechat 2 Ravens, mobbing a Buzzard and a Kestrel 10+ Reed Bunting 1 Chiffchaff
1 Common Snipe flushed from the overflow, flew high up onto the moor 1 Cormorant on the reservoir 10+ Reed Bunting 6+ Dunnock calling from the bracken Several Red Grouse 6 Linnet over north c 25 Redwing flew west over the scout hut
1 Willow Tit 2 Coal Tits 10+ Blackbirds 1 Song Thrush 2 House Martins quickly over southwest at 3.00pm 1 Moorhen Several Jays 6 Goldfinch Several Chaffinch