This morning, a circuit from Cox Green Rd to Horridges Farm produced birds which included:
13 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Warbler
1 juv Whitethroat
2 Goldcrest
20 Goldfinch
3 Stonechat
3 Reed Bunting
1 Treecreeper

Pink-Footed Geese were also heard only, sounded like a small party, possibly only one calling. I couldnt see them, the cloud was quite low at the time

Thurs 2nd June
Delivering to Ciao Baby this afternoon on the Darwen Rd.

- 2 then 2 more Lesser Redpoll over calling
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 1 Jay

Thurs 15th Oct

Delivering to Ciao Baby restaurant, Egerton, near Stones Bank Rd at the start of the moors.

Whilst waiting for customer to turn up...
- 14 Redwings over (8,4,1,1,)
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 1 Chiffchaff, the calling got me on to it
- 1 Coal Tit

Wednesday 22nd April

Wasnt sure which thread to post this but it seems to be the closest location.

Stones Bank Road between Egerton and Darwen.
Its the road that juts off to the left on Blackburn Rd and meets it again as you head towards Darwen, theres a coniferous plantation some of which has been felled and it just seemed a good place to take a break.

- 4 Willow Warbler singing, 2 showed really close in a sing-off
- 2 Chiffchaff singing, 1 showed briefly
- 1 Blackcap singing
- 4 Lesser Redpoll flying round in a group then a single
- 1 pr Bullfinch
- Redstart heard only (a loud constant hoowit hoowit in the plantation)
- Tree Pipit heard singing then as I was scouring round the tops of the conifers for it... the bird came parachuting down a little way away and I never saw or heard it again
- 2 Common Buzzard circling

8am to 11.30am. Cloudy for first couple of hours then a few light sleet showers as I checked around the farmland.

Walmsley Church & woodland to Deakins :-
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, + the more common species
An Oystercatcher was seen flying around the Dunscar area.

Dimple/Dimple Hall :-
Birds included 1 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Meadow Pipits, Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warblers, 5 Goldcrests, c25 Starlings, a few House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, & 2 Reed Buntings.
My highlight of the morning was by the chapel when only a few feet away a male Goldcrest chased a female. It's stunning patch of orange fluffed up feathers showed brilliantly.

Cox Green farms :-
1 Grey Heron flying over, 1 Mallard, a few Pheasants, 8 Lapwings, 2 Curlews, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull on a field + a few Black-headed Gulls flying over, numerous Woodpigeons,
7 Skylarks, 8 Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Grasshopper Warblers reeling in two areas. 5 Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, Carrion Crows, 14 Starlings, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, Linnets, Bullfinches, & 5 Reed Buntings.
I was surprised not to find any Swallows around the farm buildings.

Birds on Cox Green Meadow included 3 Jays, a Chiffchaff, & a Willow Warbler.

7.45am to 11.00am.
60+ Jackdaws flew down to my house from the Cox Green roost as I was leaving home. I followed them as far as Smith Lane on my way up to Egerton.

Still not fully light when I got to Walmsley Church but numerous Song Thrushes were calling around the church & along the path to Deakins. 6 counted.
The same area had a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 Blackbirds, a flock of Long-tailed Tits, 3 Nuthatches, a flock of 10 Siskins, & the usual stuff.

Dimple :-
1 Cormorant flying over onto Delph Reservoir, 1 Kestrel, 1 Moorhen, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Redwings with 2 Mistle Thrushes, a flock of 12 Chaffinches, & a few Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & House Sparrows.

2 Pheasants & a pair of Bullfinches at Dimple Hall.

Only Carrion Crows on farmland & Whittle Hill, although I did have 2 Ravens flying across.

New Butterworth's Farm :-
A few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Goldfinches was the best I could do until a Grey Wagtail flew in & a Meadow Pipit flew up from the horse field.

10.30am to 12.15. Cox Green Meadow, Clough, & Quarry.
It felt more like spring birding with a beautiful male Redpoll & a Chiffchaff out in the sunshine.

Cox Green Meadow :-
As usual a good mixture of Chaffinches, Goldfinches, & Lesser Redpolls (10+ of each). One of the male Redpolls had a full red breast.
The odd Greenfinch flew over.
1f Reed Bunting.
Lots of Magpies including 9 in one tree.

Cox Green Quarry :-
1 (common) Chiffchaff. Heard before seen so no need to suspect Siberian Chiffchaff.
Numerous Bullfinches.

Cox Green Clough :-
A few more Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, & Bullfinches.
The usual residents including Nuthatches & a Jay.

Little Stanrose Farm :-
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & a Siskin.

10 Bramblings with 2 Siskins on Cox Green Meadow at lunchtime

8.15am to 11.05am. Cox Green farmland & moorland. Became misty after a clear start.

1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Oystercatcher flying over, heading towards Delph Reservoir
6 Snipe
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Swallows flying through
43 Meadow Pipits counted until I came across a flock of 80+ as I was finishing off at Little Stanrose. A flock of 20 here when I started could have been amongst them, so will have to estimate 100+ over the morning.
2 Pied Wagtails
4 Stonechats (f/immature) on the ferns near Horridges Farm
1 Chiffchaff
1 Goldcrest
60+ Goldfinches

8.05am to 10.55am around Cox Green Farms and on the tops of Whittle Hill & Turton Heights.

1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Snipe
26 Woodpigeons
8 Skylarks
112 Meadow Pipits
13 Swallows
2 Pied Wagtails
3 Wrens
2 Dunnocks
3 Robins
1f Stonechat
2 Blackbirds
2 Chiffchaffs
6 Blue Tits
2 Jays
10 Magpies
2 Jackdaws
14 Carrion Crows
1 Raven
6 Chaffinches
2 Greenfinches
2 flocks of Goldfinches, c120 & c50.
8 Siskins
2 Bullfinches
3 Reed Buntings

I am thinking that Egerton Golf Course is more likely to be Dunscar Golf Course rather than Turton Golf Course as that is nearer Andy's viewport.

8.10am to 11.30am in perfect birding conditions around Cox Green farmland and moorland.

1 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk which increased my count by putting up lots of Meadow Pipits. It also caused a lot of upset with the Swallows.
1 Kestrel
6 Pheasants
1 Snipe on the top of Whittle Hill
15 Woodpigeons
11 Skylarks
30+ House Martins
50+ Swallows
130+ Meadow Pipits
2 Pied Wagtails
5 Wrens
1 Dunnock
2 Robins
1 Blackbird
2 Mistle Thrushes
2 Chiffchaffs
2 Great Tits
4 Blue Tits
3 Jays
5 Magpies
4 Jackdaws
7 Carrion Crows
10 Chaffinches
4 Greenfinches
100+ Goldfinches
7 Siskins
2 Bullfinches
4 Reed Buntings

During my Turton mooch I went up on the tops about 9.30am this morning.
After seeing only 3 Meadow Pipits with 4 Skylarks on Whittle Hill I continued onto Turton Heights and soon spotted a very fast raptor chasing a Meadow Pipit. My closest and best ever views of a Hobby. I would estimate it was about 20 yards away at one point, more concerned with the pipit than me. It then followed the pipit over the edge of the moor and down towards Horridge's Farm. The pipit must have got away as it was soon up on the moor again and soon picked up on another pipit, this time chasing it down the other side of the hill towards Clough House Farm.

After finishing my Turton counts I covered Cox Green farmland from 11.10am to 12.40pm.

Little Stanrose Farm :-
3 Meadow Pipits, 50+ Goldfinches.

New Butterworth's Farm :-
2 Swallows.

Horridge's Farm :-
2 Buzzards, one on the ground and one soaring
8 Swallows
6 Meadow Pipits
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Stonechat
30+ Goldfinches
A flock of 6 Linnets in flight + a few others flitting in and out of the ferns on the hillside
3 Reed Buntings

9.15am to 12.45pm. Very quiet in most areas.

A couple of Nuthatches but not much else at Walmsley Church.

Family of 4 Moorhens on the pond at Howarth's Fold Farm.

Dimple birds included a Buzzard overhead, 3 House Martins, 7 Swallows on wires including juveniles being fed, 1 Chiffchaff, & a few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, and Bullfinches.

A Nuthatch & a Jay at Dimple Hall.

Lots going on in Horridge's Farm area including 4 Buzzards in the air together, a Kestrel hovering, 5 Swallows, 1 male Stonechat with a juvenile, 6 Linnets counted in the ferns on the hillside but there could have been more hidden in there, & a juvenile Reed Bunting.

Another 2 Kestrels were hunting along the side of Whittle Hill.

Other farms had the usual Swallows but apart from a small flock of Goldfinches at Little Stanrose not much else.

Two Chiffchaffs & a flock of Long-tailed Tits on Cox Green Meadow.

Nuthatch in Cox Green Clough, and the only interest in the quarry was a couple of Jays upset at something which could well have been a Tawny Owl.

Cox Green farmland this morning.

2 Buzzards soaring around together
1 Kestrel
3 Meadow Pipits
20+ Swallows
1 Grasshopper Warbler. First seen as it landed in long grass not far in front of me. It then flew into the bottom of a bush, and for the first time in many years I was able to get of a good view of this species, although not long enough to get the camera out.
1 Whitethroat
1 Reed Bunting

As usual a good mix of finches. Flocks of 4 Linnets & 25+ Goldfinches.
Also seen a few Chaffinches, Greenfinches, & Siskins.

8.45am to 11.00am

Cox Green Clough/Quarry :-
Female Sparrowhawk, 2 Stock Doves, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, 2 Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Nuthatch, Magpies, Jackdaws (50+ around the quarry), Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, 10+ Bullfinches.

New Butterworth's Farm :-
8 Lapwings, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 60+ Starlings, Chaffinches, Lesser Redpolls.

Skylarks singing on Whittle Hill.

Buzzard in a tree near Dimple.

9.35am to 12.20pm. Walmsley Church/Cox Green Clough & Quarry.

Woodpigeons, Stock Doves (3 in quarry), Great Spotted Woodpecker (church), Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Redwings (2 near church), Song Thrushes (2 on Cox Green Meadow), Mistle Thrushes, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Nuthatches, Treecreeper (clough), Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches (decent flocks at the church & in the clough but no sign of any Bramblings) , Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls (2 on Cox Green Meadow), Bullfinches (a few in the clough).

A couple of hours around Cox Green farmland this morning

A flock of 5 Oystercatchers flying low across towards Delph Reservoir
Two Buzzards very high up
A Kestrel being followed by numerous Meadow Pipits
A few Linnets

9.30am to 11.15am around Cox Green farmland & Dimple.

1 Kestrel, Pheasants, 1 Lapwing, 1 Curlew, Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passing through, Woodpigeons, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Swifts (just over the border on Turton GC), Skylarks, House Martins, Swallows, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, pair of Stonechats, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, Linnets, Bullfinches, Reed Buntings.

9.45am to 11.15am across Cox Green Farmland and then down Cox Green Road.

2 Canada Geese and 2 Mallards flying over
2 Lapwings
Numerous Pheasants
A few Black-headed Gulls on the fields and numerous others flying over with Lesser Black-backed Gulls (at least a dozen of the latter)
Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, & a Stock Dove
A few Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, & Swallows
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins Blackbirds, & a Mistle Thrush
Pair of Stonechats & a female Wheatear
Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, & Willow Warblers
Blue Tits & Great Tits
Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, & House Sparrows
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, & 8 Linnets
9 Reed Buntings

My first Common Heath moth this year

A couple of hours around the Cox Green farmland this morning. Not my intended area when I left home but a call from a non birding mate for a wander around made for a superb morning.

A female Wheatear was on a fence post near Little Stanrose.

A pair of Swallows were back in the stables at New Butterworth with a couple of Bramblings in the copse there.

Lots of Skylarks singing on the top of Whittle Hill, with a few Meadow Pipits and a Lapwing.

A pair of Stonechats on the way to Horridge's Farm, and a Mistle Thrush on the other side of the farm.

All the fun started when we spotted a couple of Buzzards on these fields. They were soon joined by a Raven which landed at the top of the hillside.
It was not long before the Buzzards flew up and they were soon joined by a second Raven and a third Buzzard. My mate then spotted another Buzzard over Turton Heights.
For over 20 minutes we watched some superb aerial battles as they mobbed each other, mainly the aggressors being the Ravens, but the Buzzards seemingly getting fed up and having a go back. Eventually a third Raven joined in and they then flew off leaving the Buzzards in peace.
A couple of Swallows were also whizzing around us as we watched all this going on.

Another of those being in the right place at the right time moments.

Late morning over Whittle Hill & through the Cox Green Farms.

Went from no raptors to six in no time at all. A couple of Peregrines appeared overhead and were soon joined by 3 Buzzards which must have come up from nearby trees when they saw these intruders. I had all 5 birds in my bins when I spotted a Kestrel higher up looking down on them. The Peregrines disappeared after a few minutes, as did the Kestrel, but the Buzzards continued to soar around together.

Lots of Skylarks on the top of Whittle Hill with 3 Lapwings & a Curlew

Farm birds :-
3 Pheasants, 2 Woodpigeons, a few Skylarks & Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Wrens, 2 Dunnocks, 9 Robins, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Fieldfare, 8 Redwings, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 12 Magpies, 2 Jackdaws, 7 Carrion Crows, 12 Bramblings (in the usual copse at New Butterworth's), 4 Chaffinches, 2 Greenfinches, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Reed Buntings.

8.40am to 11.30am. Walmsley Church -Dimple - Cox Green.

1 Cormorant flying over
1 Buzzard over Turton Heights
Pair of Peregrines flew in quite low over the farmland, one of them very vocal, before soaring around for a while, and then disappearing into the distance. About an hour late what I presumed to be the same pair were soaring around over Smith Lane.
1 Pheasant at Dimple Hall
3 Moorhens at Dimple Chapel
Pair of Stock Doves in Cox Green Quarry, pair of Collared Doves at the top of Smith Lane, and plenty of Woodpigeons elsewhere.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Walmsley Church (3), Dimple (1), & Cox Green Clough (3)
4 Meadow Pipits & a Skylark at Little Stanrose, other Skylarks heard singing from Whittle Hill
1 Pied Wagtail at Walmsley Church
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, & Mistle Thrushes
8 Redwings at Dimple Chapel & 12 at New Butterworth's Farm
Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starlings, & House Sparrows
Chafffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpolls, & Siskins in various places
20+ Bramblings at New Butterworth's Farm. As last year a flock has appeared in this small copse in late winter, and are moving around between here and Cox Green Road.
6 Bullfinches around Cox Green Clough/Smith Lane

9.10am to 11.20am. Walmseley Church - Dimple - Cox Green.

The first bird of the day was before I got my binoculars out. As I was passing the entrance to Walmesley Vicarage I heard a Dipper on the stream which runs under the road to the vicarage. This would explain why I saw none on a very high & fast running Eagley Brook a few days ago. In these conditions I have seen them in unusual places around the village on small streams on numerous occasions over the years.

A Cormorant flew over Dimple heading to Delph Reservoir
1 Sparrowhawk flying over farmland
1 Buzzard over Delph reservoir
1 Kestrel at Dimple Chapel
4 Moorhens at Dimple Chapel
Numerous Black-headed Gulls passing over
5 Snipe flushed from the muddy horse fields at New Butterworth's Farm
Dozens of Woodpigeons
1 Stock Dove in Cox Green Quarry
A dozen Meadow Pipits
1 Grey Wagtail again in the muddy horse paddock at Dimple
1 Pied Wagtail at Walmesley Church
Wrens, Dunnocks, & Robins
Numerous Blackbirds & a few Mistle Thrushes
120+ Fieldfares with 150+ Starlings at Little Stanrose Farm
Goldcrests at Walmesley Church & Dimple Hall
5 Nuthatches at Walmesley Church
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows
A few House Sparrows around Dimple
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches
At least half a dozen Lesser Redpolls on Cox Green Meadow