Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, and surrounding area, for the first time in three weeks.
Swineshaw Moor, to the north and north east of the reservoir is blackened and lifeless, but the reservoir itself produced more than I would usually expect, particularly given the amount of plant and personnel still arraigned around the area of the dam.
3 Common Sandpiper 3 Lapwing 1 Snipe flushed from the overflow 3 Mallard 2 Pied Wagtails, and adult and juvenile 61 Black-headed Gulls, many juvenile 1 Willow Warbler 1 male Stonechat at an existing territory within 100 yards of the dam.
Concentrating on the north side of Brushes Valley this morning, taking in the moorland around Harridge Pike, and the oak woodland above the gamekeeper's cottage. To a constant sound of helicopters almost overhead. One of the stranger ambles I've had around the moor.
5 Stonechat, a pair and three juveniles 20 Red Grouse 50+ Meadow Pipits, some emerging from the heather, but most had the appearance of winter feeding flocks, gathering in the areas of short, or cleared heather. I wondered whether they may have been birds displaced from the destroyed moor, which in some places was only a hundred or so yards away? 2 Dunnock singing Pair of Linnet, the male singing 2 Buzzard, calling over the keeper's cottage 4 Jay in the woods 1 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker Several Nuthatch
Combined sightings from this morning, and Wednesday evening. Dry, bright, but cold and windy on both visits.
Higher Swineshaw
7 Common Sandpiper, including one juvenile, parents very agitated at the presence of 16 Black-headed Gulls 5 Stonechat, a female and 4 juveniles 3 Curlew, one swimming in the reservoir 1 pair of Pied Wagtail 1 pair of Linnet 1 Buzzard
Elsewhere
2 juvenile Stonechat at a traditional territory on Harridge moor. First breeding evidence at this site of the year. 2 family groups of Nuthatch, at Brushes Cottages, and Brushes Valley. One of our nest boxes, in the Walkerwood area, fledged 7 juveniles (after a recount). Family of Goldcrest higher up Brushes Valley Meadow Pipits carrying food Willow Warblers carrying food
Around Higher Swineshaw Reservoir and Lees Hill. A few breeding records.
5 Stonechat across three territories. Two males, and a female with two newly fledged birds. My first confirmed breeding record of the year, in complete contrast to the bumper breeding season of 2017. A pair of Pied Wagtails feeding a juvenile 1 Grey Wagtail feeding a juvenile 4 singing Reed Bunting One pair of Common Sandpiper 1 Curlew over Boar Flat Two pairs of Canada Geese, with 8 goslings between them 8 Linnet Lesser Redpoll Blackcap singing at the foot of Higher Swineshaw dam
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 9th of June 2018 12:22:54 PM
2 Oystercatchers on Lower Swineshaw Reservoir. Both flew off northeast at 9.00am. Pied Wagtail carrying food at Higher Swineshaw Reservoir Cuckoo singing in Brushes Valley 5 singing Blackcap Otherwise quiet
1 Reed Bunting singing in the rough fields above Brushes Road, for over a month now, was pleasing. A pair used to breed regularly, but seemed to disappear for the past three years, with only sporadic sightings. 1 singing Whitethroat, on Brushes Road. The main reason for the trip around the rifle ranges, where there have been at least four singing males in previous years. A disappointing year for me, so far, with this species, and Warblers in general, in fact. A male Grey Wagtail was feeding insects to two well grown juveniles at Walkerwood Reservoir Several noisy Jays
Only two Swallows visible at Cote Farm 35+ Swift feeding over Harridge. Another few around Millbrook Dam. 1 Cormorant over 2 Jays on the road, squabbling 4 singing Blackcaps Several Greenfinch singing Female Great Spotted Woodpecker picking insects from the telegraph poles Six Nuthatch young, in one of our boxes, was a nice result last night. Food being shovelled in by both parents. Cuckoo singing 2 Common Sandpiper 2 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail
2 Oystercatchers flew over, down the valley, calling. 1 pair of Tufted Duck 1 Pair of Common Sandpiper 1 Moorhen Cuckoo singing from above the gamekeeper's cottage 1 Whitethroat singing
On Saturday morning, a female Wheatear was at Higher Swineshaw Reservoir. My first sighting of the year in the valley, in what for me, has been a poor year for this species.
From Walkerwood Dam, up past the rifle ranges, and on to Wild Bank Hill.
22 singing Willow Warblers, all but 4 in Wild Bank SBI 2 singing Chiffchaff, one each at Flaxfield, and Brushes Road 6 Linnet, including 2 singing males, and a female at a nest site 7 Lesser Redpoll 30+ Meadow Pipits 1 Reed Bunting singing in the juncus between Brushes Road and Range House Only one Whitethroat in the entire area, a male that has been singing along the Brushes Road edge of the country park since Monday. Some years I'd expect to have half a dozen males singing. 3 Swallows over Walkerwood Reservoir 2 Cormorant on the reservoir
A Cuckoo was singing from Cock Wood around dusk this evening.
Wild Bank Hill, taking in Hollingworthall Moor, and Hobson Moor. Most sightings in Wild Bank SBI, hence this thread.
Wild Bank.
1 male Cuckoo giving great views, singing initially from a pylon, on the moor, before flying towards Brushes, landing several times on various walls and posts. Harangued the whole time by Meadow Pipits. 1 pair of Linnet 2 Snipe 2 Buzzard over the area of the trig point 3 Red Grouse 1 Grey Heron Reed Bunting singing in the juncus behind Shaw Farm
Elsewhere.
2 Wheatear 1 Lapwing 2 Curlew Many Meadow Pipits and Skylark, over the entire area
10 Lesser Redpoll, including 8 flying together over Brushes Road A couple of Song Thrush carrying food Willow Tit on feeders 1 Nuthatch Male Grey Wagtail at Brushes Reservoir
1 pair of Stonechat, the male singing 1 pair of Pied Wagtail 2 Common Sandpiper, flying together Skylark singing 2 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 3 Reed Bunting
Lower down.
2 Common Sandpiper on Lower Swineshaw Dam 1 pair of Pied Wagtail in the same area 2 Curlew above Lower Swineshaw 1 Treecreeper, doing a spot of wallcreeping Nuthatch calling Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing around Brushes Cottages
A Blue Tit seemed to be competing with bumble bees for residency of one our nest boxes
From Brushes Cottages, to the far end of Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.
31 singing Willow Warblers; 8 around Higher Swineshaw, 4 around Lower Swineshaw, the rest along the valley. 1 Blackcap singing at Brushes Cottages Weirdly, not one Chiffchaff heard singing in the entire length of the valley. Plenty around Walkerwood and the Country Park. 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling between Brushes and Lower Swineshaw Reservoir 1 Treecreeper 2 Buzzards over Swineshaw Moor Pair of Pied Wagtails at Higher Swineshaw Reservoir 2 male Reed Bunting at Higher Swineshaw 1 Linnet 1 Curlew on the shoreline of Lower Swineshaw Reservoir, more calling beyond Pack Saddle
A circuit of the Country Park, then across Walkerwood Dam, to Brushes Cottages.
2 Common Sandpiper, my first of the year here. 13 Willow Warblers 5 Chiffchaff 2 Blackcap 9 Chaffinch 1 Lesser Redpoll 7 Song Thrush, including one carrying food 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, drumming 1 Treecreeper 1 Willow Tit on the feeders
2 Ring Ouzels skulking in the heather above Shaw Farm 3 Buzzards in the air over Hollingworthall Moor 2 Curlew in the fields above Moorside Farm 4 singing Skylark 10+ Meadow Pipits 1 Willow Warbler singing
A quick walk from Walkerwood Dam, through the top half of the Country Park, and back along Brushes Road.
All Warblers are singing males.
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the field next to Brushes Road 8 Willow Warblers 4 Chiffchaff 2 Blackcap 5 singing Chaffinch 3 singing Song Thrush Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
Brushes Valley, to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir and Lees Hill.
Brushes Valley.
11 singing Willow Warblers 2 singing Chiffchaff 2 Cormorant over, down the valley 1 Curlew calling from Cock Knarr
Higher up.
6 Lesser Redpoll around the scout hut 3 singing Willow Warblers 1 Linnet singing by Lower Swineshaw Reservoir 5 Reed Bunting at Higher Swineshaw One pair of Stonechat, the male singing 4 Skylark singing around Lees Hill and Boar Flat 20+ Meadow Pipits 1 Raven over
We had a couple of additional sightings of the Willow Tit last weekend. If these were at the feeders, and are submitted to GMBRG, please record the site as "Brushes Road", rather than Walkerwood Reservoir, or Stalybridge Country Park, to avoid duplicity of records. If anyone wants any information about any of the recording sites (not sightings, please) for this thread, feel free to PM me.
Down the valley from Higher Swinshaw Res. back into Stalybridge
2 Red Grouse above Lower Swineshaw Res. 4 Redpoll in the trees by the Scout Hut 2 singing Willow Warblers, first of the year for us 1 Willow Tit, Bullfinch pair and Nuthatch pair on the feeders at Walkerwood Res. Numerous singing Chiffchaffs down there too
That hillside at Brushes still looks juicy for Nightjars, fingers crossed!
Also of note, we saw a pair of Dippers gathering nesting material on the river in the middle of Stalybridge earlier on in the morning
From Walkerwood Dam, up past the rifle ranges, then a full circuit of Wild Bank Hill, returning via Cock Wood.
Wild Bank Hill.
1 male Wheatear, my first locally of the year. 1 Ring Ouzel flew over east, calling, at 9.30. 7 singing Willow Warblers 2 singing Linnet 4 Lesser Redpoll 1 singing Skylark 2 Long-tailed Tits 50+ Meadow Pipits, displaying 2 Pied Wagtails around Shaw Farm 1 Chiffchaff singing at Flaxfield 1 female Sparrowhawk at Flaxfield
Brushes Road
20+ Meadow Pipits, many displaying 6 singing Willow Warblers 2 singing Chiffchaff 1 Nuthatch 2 Pied Wagtails at Walkerwood Dam Pair of Bullfinch around the feeders A Buzzard drifted down the valley, before veering off towards Millbrook.
The full length of Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood Dam, and both sides of Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, before the rain.
9 Curlew provided the highlight of the morning, particularly 5 birds, including two pairs displaying, around Swineshaw Moor, an area to which they returned last year, following moorland restoration by the estate. Three birds also around Pack Saddle, and one on Boar Flat.
The most surprising sighting was of a Woodcock, providing great views as it flew along Higher Swineshaw Dam, before veering off across Boar Flat. Willow Warblers seem to have arrived overnight, with birds singing from the Country Park, and along the valley, as far as Lower Swineshaw 10 Reed Bunting, including a couple of pairs, and one male singing, around Higher Swineshaw 3 Stonechat, at three separate sites, with one male singing 6 Lesser Redpoll, 4 around the scout hut, 2 at Walkerwood Pair of Pied Wagtails at Higher Swineshaw 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. A pair at Walkerwood, and two around Brushes Cottages Usuals around the feeder, including the Willow Tit
A quick walk from Walkerwood, to Higher Swineshaw dam, before work. Hoping for my first Wheatear this year, to no avail.
4 Curlew, 3 around Pack Saddle, with one displaying. The other at Higher Swineshaw Reservoir. 5 Lesser Redpoll around the scout hut 1 Stonechat 4 Song Thrush singing in the valley 1 Nuthatch at Brushes Cottages 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming around Brushes Cottages Greenfinch singing Coal Tit singing Several Mistle Thrush 1 Chiffchaff singing at Brushes Cottages
As part of a Willow Tit Survey, on behalf of GMEU.
From Walkerwood Dam, and around the wet woodland of the valley bottom.
1 Willow Tit 1 Woodcock, flushed from the valley bottom 4 singing Chiffchaffs, my first of the year at this site 4 Chaffinch 2 Goldfinch 2 Lesser Redpoll 12 Great Tits 12 Blue Tits 2 Long-tailed Tits 4 Coal Tits 2 Song Thrush 1 Nuthatch 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeder
From Walkerwood to Higher Swineshaw, in awful conditions, ranging from driving rain, sleet, then snow, as I climbed the valley. Unsurprisingly, not a lot to report.
3 Goosander on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir (2 males, 1 female) 4 Mistle Thrush feeding on the dam banking at Lower Swineshaw 1 pair of Kestrel 1 Jay destroying the peanut feeder.
A drake Tufted Duck was on Walkerwood Reservoir at dusk on Friday. Not often seen in this area.
From Walkerwood Dam, up past the rifle ranges, and onto Wild Bank Hill.
Wild Bank Hill.
4 Linnet, with two males singing lustily, were a welcome sight and sound. Plumage still fresh, and the males looked particularly drab, but still good to see. 9 Lesser Redpoll, was my best count, in and out of the birch trees - like counting dust! 1 Curlew 1 Buzzard 1 Raven 20+ Meadow Pipits 1 Skylark singing
Walkerwood
A pair of Goosander flew off the reservoir at 9.30 1 pair of Grey Wagtails
From Walkerwood Dam, up Brushes Valley, as far as Lees Hill.
3 Cormorant circled over Higher Swineshaw, then headed west 2 Curlew at Higher Swineshaw; more calling from Pack Saddle and Cock Knarr 2 pairs of Stonechat, at Higher Swineshaw, and Lower Swineshaw. The male at Lower Swineshaw was singing, another sound of springtime. 3 Kestrel - a pair at Lower Swineshaw, and a male at Brushes Road Pair of Goosander on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir 4+ Lesser Redpoll along Brushes Valley 2 Nuthatch on the feeders at Walkerwood, along with the usual Willow Tit, and a couple of Jays. Pair of Grey Wagtail at Walkerwood 20+ Meadow Pipit around the top of the valley, with some displaying 2 Treecreepers 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Brushes Cottages A pair of Great and Blue Tits seemed to be disputing ownership of one of our nest boxes!
From Walkerwood Dam, up to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, then back along the opposite side of the valley, as far as Pack Saddle.
The first sighting of the morning was the most unexpected, in the form of a Woodcock flying, in broad daylight, over the country park, along Wild Bank, and into Cock Wood. Possibly flushed out of the country park, but they don't usually fly so far or high as a rule?
Walkerwood area:
1 Willow Tit 1 Nuthatch 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, in an identical situation to one I witnessed the other week. One male was drumming, with a female close by, then another male arrived, causing a commotion which resulted in all three birds flying noisily away. 1 Lesser Redpoll over 1 Grey Wagtail Pair of Pied Wagtails
Brushes Valley:
A Tawny Owl hooting at 10.45am, on my way back down, was a surprise. 2 Curlew between Cock Knarr and Lower Swineshaw 6 Lesser Redpoll 2 Goldfinch Raven over Cock Knarr
Around the Swineshaws:
Pair of Stonechat 6 Reed Bunting, all except one being female. 2 Raven over, towards Boar Flat 1 Buzzard 1 Linnet 3 Goosander (1m, 2f), on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir 6 pairs of Canada Geese on Higher Swineshaw 15+ Meadow Pipits 1 Skylark
Around Pack Saddle:
5 Curlew 4 Grey Partridge 2 Pied Wagtails 20+ Meadow Pipits 4 Skylark Lapwing visible in the fields past Ogden Brook, in Derbyshire. A flock of Golden Plover were in the area midweek, but no sign for me today.
1 drake Mandarin swimming with Mallard 1 Lesser Redpoll around Brushes Cottages 1 Pied Wagtail on Walkerwood Dam 1 Grey Wagtail in the overflow 1 Willow Tit Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the country park Plenty of singing this morning, notably Song Thrush.
Brushes Valley, from Walkerwood to the far end of Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, on a beautiful spring morning.
1 Curlew, the target species for the morning, dropped onto Lower Swineshaw dam at 11.00am, delivering one of the sounds of springtime. My first of the year. 5 Stonechat. 2 males and a female chasing each other around the rough grass above Lower Swineshaw Reservoir, and a pair around Higher Swineshaw Reservoir. One of the Lower Swineshaw males was singing on my way back down. 5 Reed Bunting, including a pair at Higher Swineshaw. 4 Skylark, with one singing over Boar Flat. 1 pair of Goosander on Higher Swineshaw Reservoir. 3 Meadow Pipit. Buzzard seen in the valley below Lower Swineshaw, and also over moor at Higher Swineshaw, but could have been the same bird. 3 Ravens around Higher Swineshaw. Nuthatch at Brushes Cottages.
An hour spent cleaning out nest boxes in Brushes Valley. Every box, including those not used last year, showed signs of being used for shelter over the winter, in the form of droppings on the floor.
8 Coal Tits were calling over a distance of just 400 yards on the way down. A lot of agitated sounding Great and Blue Tits suggested that perhaps a little prospecting had already taken place.
1 Cormorant 1 Mandarin drake, swimming with Mallard 1 Grey Wagtail on the dam shoreline 1 female Sparrowhawk patrolling Harridge 4 Song Thrush singing 4 Mistle Thrush 8+ Chaffinch Several Bullfinch 1 Willow Tit on the feeder, calling loudly this morning The other four expected Tit species were present 2 Jay, one after the peanuts 1 Moorhen
Note to self, Roger. "Next time, add buying a packet of seed to errand list". ............................................................................................................................. Typical callous remark of youth ........ picking on an old age pensioner ... If I could afford seed I would be able to use it to make some gruel !!
Roger.
__________________
Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.
Just nipped up after my errands ..... seed feeder virtually empty
Note to self, Roger. "Next time, add buying a packet of seed to errand list". That squirrel will starve!
I had a wander up to Walkerwood Dam this evening, after the snow had subsided, between 7.00 and 8.00pm. A pair of Tawny Owls were hooting and calling from just inside the country park, upsetting a couple of Magpies.
A quick stop off at Walkerwood Dam, mainly to fill the feeders. The snow cover meant there was a queue forming as I refilled.
A lot of birds straight onto them, including up to ten Long-tailed Tits, a species that doesn't often use the feeders. Also plenty of Bullfinch, and the single Willow Tit.
From Walkerwood Dam, up on to Wild Bank Hill, past the trig point, to Hollingworthall Moor. A fine, icy morning, but the bitter easterly wind, once out the shelter of Wild Bank, made it almost impossible to stand still. Consequently, nothing at all seen or heard past the 1,000ft contour.
Wild Bank Hill.
Pair of Little Owl at a regular site 2 Red Grouse 1 Dunnock singing at Shaw Farm 6 Starlings 4 Wren 1 Kestrel struggling in the wind over Hollingworthall Moor Other than a handful of Woodpigeon and Magpies, that really was it for Wild Bank.
Lower down.
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the country park. One male was drumming, with a female close by, then another male flew in and noisily mobbed the first. All three could be seen (and heard!) flying around the area over the following fifteen minutes, as I was making my way up towards the rifle ranges. 1 female Grey Wagtail in Walkerwood overflow The usual suspects around the feeders, including the Willow Tit Yesterday, a drake Mandarin was on Walkerwood Reservoir
The length of Brushes Valley, with an hour spent on the moor around Turf Pits.
Top of the valley.
4 Skylark calling from the moor around Turf Pits, my first of the year locally 1 Kestrel 24 Red Grouse - but it is a grouse moor. 11 Reed Bunting around the scout hut
Around Walkerwood, with a feel of springtime in the air.
15+ Chaffinch, mainly males, with a lot of posturing going on. Many in sub-song, including five perched in a hawthorn within feet of each other. 6 Raven over south, in three pairs. 1 Willow Tit 3 Coal Tits 1 Jay on the feeder Nuthatch calling 1 Treecreeper in the Country Park
1 Woodcock back into the woods at 6.54am, much lower down the valley from those of yesterday, in the area of Brushes SBI (alongside Brushes Reservoir). 12 Canada Geese on Walkerwood Reservoir.
Brushes Valley, as far as Lower Swineshaw scout hut.
2 Woodcock, one flushed from the moor before first light, below Lower Swineshaw. The second was flying back into the woods at 7.00am. 3 Tawny Owls calling, from the scout hut, and the woods on both sides of Brushes Reservoir. Last night, a pair were calling from the woods between Brushes and Lower Swineshaw Reservoir, at 8.00pm.
Friday 9th February 2018, the length of Brushes Reservoir.
At least one Woodcock flew over Brushes Reservoir, then circled above the woods several times, before plummeting down into the trees on the Harridge side, at 7.05am.
Tawny Owls calling further down the valley, around Walkerwood, but none any higher up this morning.
I usually count the valley and the country park in sections, and there is also at least one pair in the woods at Grove Road. You can do the light duties around Roe Cross, Roger. All we need now is someone to do Cowbury Dale - doesn't Steve Suttill like wandering around up there after dark?
I can see it now. "Owls of Stalybridge". Do you think anyone would want to read it?
Nothing I like better, David but, as you know, my hearing isn't half as good as yours!
I well remember covering quite a few local sites for a BTO Tawny Owl survey a few years ago. Didn't hear a single hoot whilst in the right place at the specified times, but then I'd drive home, get out of the car, and they'd be calling everywhere
I would buy the book though. I'd even print it for you!