Distant (far NW corner of field) large flock of ~150 mixed finches, mostly Chaffinch, but could just about pick out a couple of male Brambling. Also a few Greenfinch. Nearby a flock of what were likely ~100 Linnet. There could have been Redpoll in there but I couldn't see any at that distance. Also a couple of Buzzard, a few Stock Dove, and a flock of ~20 Fieldfare
Nice to chat to a birder from Urmston there
NB, for access, Reddish Lane is split into 2 parts, so use "Reddish Crescent" opposite Sainsbury's and view from where the road crosses the former railway line
Went to look at the finch flock that nick mentions in his post this afternoon despite the gusty winds. Parked on reddish lane & immediately picked up a finch flock in the field opposite the houses, at least 80 chaffinch with at least 3 brambling, always flighty due to the wind. Over in the arable field at the eternal paws pet crematorium an impressive finch flock there must of been easily 400+ they included majority linnets & chaffinches, goldfinch, greenfinch, at least 2 Reed buntings, minimum seen at once of redpolls were 8, minimum seen at once of bramblings were 13. Always flighty due to the wind. Much further down reddish lane a large flock of redwings & fieldfare feeding in field.
Saturday 15th Feb. At least 2 Brambling were in the large finch flock (>100 Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting) that are feeding in the arable field adjacent to the Trans Pennine Trail by the Eternal Paws Pet Crematorium, Lymm.
Walked from Lymmhay Lane along Sow Brook to the ship canal and back.
Birds seen, 1 Buzzard and 3 Jays. Whilst on the MSC were 1 Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Mute Swans.
The wheat was being harvested whilst I was there, so the fields of stubble may well be worth checking out for finches in the autumn.
Otherwise I can't see me doing this walk again for a while at least, Sow Brook is choked with balsam, and there is a very limited view of the MSC at the end of the path.
Post for yesterday .My wife and I walked from Lymm to Dunham Massey along the Bridgewater Canal. Twenty different species seen. jackdaw 20 house sparrow 11 magpie 6 wood pigeon 9 mallard 8 with 14 ducklings of varying sizes carrion crow 5 whitethroat 2 chiffchaff 3 blackbird 9 mute swan 1 tree sparrow 2 swallow 14 robin 4 lesser whitethroat 1 goose swift 6 Canada goose 2 raven over 1 blackcap 2 great tit 3 willow warbler 3
Had excellent views of a Red Kite over the Trans Pennine Trail at Statham at 11.30 this morning, after a few minutes it drifted off towards Woolston Eyes No.1 bed.
