After the vast numbers of redwings reported all over GM yesterday I finally spotted 3 about a mile from Marple and then, on the way back, there was a small flock (in the 10s) on the Marple RFC field.
In a field at Wood Farm, near the Marple end, there were a large flock of black headed gulls, 20+ redwing and an incredible 47 pied wagtails. The field was really churned up by sheep.
Having seen very few this year it was good to see about 20 house martins midway between Marple and the A6 about 11.30 and later some over my Marple house
An interesting Chiffchaff calling by the pylon just south of where the Middlewood Way crosses the railway line to Disley. Called frequently 'see-o' with a downward inflection on the second syllable, so possible Siberian Chiffchaff. When I played the appropriate track from Hannu Jannes's 'Calls of Eastern Vagrants' on my phone it came swooping in directly overhead. However, its song seemed to be a standard chiff-ing and chaff-ing. I had to leave the bird to collect grandchildren from school and didn't get back to the area for another hour. There was now more than one Chiffchaff singing in that area but on playing the call again one bird came sweeping in, singing in response (no calls at that stage). I took some photos and it does appear to have some yellow tones. Eventually it called and I attempted to record it. I will have a play with 'Raven Lite' tonight to see if I have enough for a sonogram. I do have some video of the bird giving the call but it is very faint. It may just be a standard Chiffchaff with an unusual call but it gave me some amusement.
Interestingly there are 4-5 Siberian Chiffchaffs reported in the country in the past few days and one of them was on the Middlewood Way at Bollington on 14th April, about 5 miles further south of today's sighting (per RBA). Presumably these are overwintering birds after last autumn's invasion of eastern rarities.
The chiffchaffs seem to be turning up at quite a rate cycled past 15 singing going Marple-Macc yesterday, and there were 22 by the time I came back, or perhaps that was just the speed I was going.
Pair of Garden Warblers near Torkington Road entrance. The male was singing its head off together with wing-shivering display. Female nearby. Blackcap 4 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Robin - family party of 5 Great Tit - family party of 5 Greenfinch 5 Stock Dove singing Starlings c40 - mostly juveniles A Curlew overhead was unusual here
The Lesser Whitethroat (or another) has relocated to near the track up from Threaphurst Road. At least 4 Blackcaps singing on the stretch from Torkington Road to Middlewood Station and 2 Garden Warblers just over the county boundary at Jackson's Brickworks.
A 2 hour meander along the Middlewood Way this afternoon between Marple & Poynton Coppice produced an encouraging number of Bullfinch. 11 in all (7 Male & 4 Female), split between 3 different locations, including 2 pairs near Marple Golf club. A few years since i've seen this species in the area.
Not a great deal around but 2 Willow Warblers were my first of the year. 2 Pheasants, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow, 2 Jays, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Buzzard, Tits and Finches.
