CARRINGTON MOSS

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

RE: CARRINGTON MOSS

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Very wet!

A female Bullfinch near Birchmoss Covert and the usual Little Owl near Brookheys were the highlights.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

I have had a report from the Mersey Valley visitor centre of a Quail with 4 juveniles on Carrington Moss, 7th.
This is a species on the Rare Breeding Birds Panel of UK list, so if anyone knows anything about this (eg observer, field number) I'd be grateful if they could PM me. I have to report them.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Sat pm Buzzard 1 field 1
Woodies 250+ field 16 and 200 field 30

Sun pm Buzzard 2 over Sinderland Green

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

After a quiet morning's WeBS at Loonts Lake a bike round the Moss was also quiet until field 25 where late harvest was in full swing:

Swallows 12+
Goldfinch 11
Yellowhammer 1
Kestrel male 1
Jay 1
and best of all Buzzard 5 all in the same field: 3 in the field and 2 in a bush - surely a family involved here

Geoff Hargreaves · Status: Offline

brookheys covert and field 32 3pm ish

175 jackdaws feeding in the stubble(never seen as many in one spot)
1 buzzard
1 kestrel
2 blackbirds
1 greenfinch
2 goldfinch
1 wren
2 yellowhammer
pick your own number of wood pidgeons 50+
definatley no storks?? and despite a lot of scanning no 'holy quail'(the quest is on)

field 62, mixed corvids 40 crows 20 rooks 80 wood pidgeon ,very popular this field

cheers geoff

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

had a good look around this morning Brookheys covert and along dark lane no sign of storks, yellowhammers etc,

no sound of any Quail in the area for the last few days, hoping the crops are going to be cut soon

Keep birding

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Seen by a reliable birder from the bus on the way to work, low and appearing to seek to land beyond (north) of Brookheys.

I tried the area around the MUFC training ground, I think Paul Heaton was also looking, but with no luck.

Could still be there - the light drizzle won't have encouraged them to move far IMHO.

(Did you get my text?)

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

RBA reports 2 Stork sp on Carrington Moss, appeard to land behind Brookheys Covert, any more info on this out there?
Thanks. Henerz.

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

I also tried last night - no joy- lots of Corn Bunting & Grey Partridge activity though and a few Tree Sparrow.

Little Owl back in its usual spot near Brookheys.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Visited for the first time this a.m. around 10.30 after post by John yesterday I thought I'd try for a Quail at field 43 ,no luck but it was good to meet Paul Heaton for the first time, also looking for said Quail.
Good views of Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Linnet and 8 Grey Partridge however in what I think is field 43.
Cheers Ian

John Rayner · Status: Offline

Had a look for Corn Bunting today and found at least 4, mostly singing from the hedges surrounding Field 43 but occasionally from the peat spoil heap on the opposite side of the road in Field 42.

I was surprised to hear Quail, although I know it was repored earlier in the year, two bursts of calling between 10.00 - 10.30. It seemed to be coming from the western end of Field 43, although difficult to assess range and direction in quite a stiff breeze. I waited a futher 30 mins but nothing more.

Also, 2 Grey Partridge, a Whitethroat and a Yellowhammer in Field 43.

Cheers, John

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Binless on my bike passing through to Cheshire for a perfect afternoon's cycling:

Buzzard 2 n over Shell chemical works then 4 wheeling together over field 24 - couldn't be shure it was 6 altogether but if so a great count. Much calling. Could 1 or 2 be juveniles?

Also a Grey Partridge heard in field 25

Nice they're still to be found here and a Reed Bunting. Yellowhammers dotted about singing and at least 3 Corn Buntings field 43 Black Moss Road.

Geoff Hargreaves · Status: Offline

brookheys covert 10/07/08 afternoon

2 wren 6 blackbirds
1 gs pecker ,wood pigeon and crows in abundance
10 long tailed tits
1 sore neck from trying to hard to find stuff in the dense foliage,this area must have lots more species present ,i,ll have to try harder next visit

cheers geoff

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Last Sunday I had a quick scoot around all the fields from where Quail have been reported so far this year - and struck out at each site - although in fairness I didn't stay that long at any.

More encouragingly both Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting were audible from each spot.

No sign of the usual Little Ow, but a low flying Curlew was welcome.

-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 12:16, 2008-07-03

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Heard quail this morning f 29 f29 area poss two birds or one moving around alot, still not seen them yet.

keep birding.

Paul Dewey · Status: Offline

Had a drive and walk around part of the moss with a couple of friends today after going to see stilts.

Had a quail calling but not entirely sure which field it was in. We were listening from edge of field 42 from road but it could have been further across in field 39. Wind and traffic noise did not make things easy. Also corn bunting and yellow hammer in field 42 and 2 grey partridge in paddock next to black moss farm.

Thanks to whoever numbered fields and put map up, extremely useful.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

A bike around around the Moss after my morning's Atlassing and checking on the status of breeding at a private location. Did not hear any Quail but did find 3 singing Corn Buntings - one of which probably the same bird as Sid's - in field 57 singing from a smalll dead tree then birds in field 42 and field 43. Watched the last in a Hawthorn hedge from about 15 feet. Otherwise usual Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat etc. and a fox charging across field 12.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Between 0630 and 0930 had a good look around fields 16 & 17 and then all fields to field 2 - no sounds of Quail calling. Did find Yellowhammer, Sedgewarbler, Whitethroat etc on the way. Before that had Corn Bunting and Yellow wag in Field 57 and Grey Partridge in Field43 both on Black Moss lane Dunham. Also Little Ringed Plover on the very wet horse paddock just up from the sewage works towards the moss.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

All quite again this morning it appears to have moved on so next checking area will be dark lane.

keep birding.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

All quiet on the Quail front tonight no sound around f16/17, couldn,t even find another birder to talk too, where were you hiding?

keep birding

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Friday 13th June.

Quail calling from Field 16 (finder John Butterworth).

Please keep only to footpaths and do not enter the field, although I don't anticipate any of you would of course! Also please don't attempt to tape lure the bird as Judith has rightly pointed out to me that Quail are a schedule 1 species and are protected from such disturbance by law, given the time of year it is not inconceiveable that the bird could be nesting or atleast attempting to find/court a mate.

Expect periods of it calling and little else other than horse fly bites (ask Rob Adderley about his 'Quailing scars'), but they are not impossible to see, just nearly

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Afternoon walk, May 20th, from Isherwood Road , along Basell fence line to field 25, then along railway line to field 22, then back to car past Birchmoss Covert.

Grey Partridge 2 in field 2
Yellow Wagtail 1 over field 5
Buzzards 4 over fields 25-28
Rooks/Crows 200+
LBB/BH Gulls
Reed Bunting 1 singing
Whitethroat 8 singing
WW 4 singing
Blackcap 4 singing
Chiffchaff 2 singing
Willow Tit 1 singing
Linnets 4
Lapwings 21 plus 2 ads sitting and 2 juvs on Basell site.
Goldfinch 4
Skylark 5 singing
Swallows/Hs Martins/Swifts
Yellowhammer 4 singing plus 4
Missel Thrush 4
Cormorant 1 over
Kestrel 1 m
Bullfinch 1 pair
Stock Doves/Woodpigeons
Oystercatcher 2
Chaffinch 8 singing
Greenfinches
etc,etc.

Nev Wright · Status: Offline

Late evening jaunt...
Little Owl field 32 near Brookheys Covert,
Calls of Tawny Owl and Grey Partridge...
... and a getting darker Dark Lane.

Nev Wright · Status: Offline

2 cuckoos this pm;
one seen at Altrincham Sewage Works calling to second (not seen but heard) across Sinderland Brook towards fields near Sinderland Road/ Recycling area

Nev Wright · Status: Offline

Mainly wet afternoon, walking from Alty retail park, past the sewage works and the utd training ground, with detours!
Grey Partridge field 42 doing a runner!
Loads of swift, sand & house martin and swallows over the sewage work pools (alas no red-tailed swallow or yellow wagtail).
Sedge warbler and grey wagtail.
Fields 5, and especially 4, containing masses of corvids tackling the pickings following ploughing.
Lots of chiffchaff, whitethroat and willow warblers, especially along the old railway line bordering 20 & 22.
Eventually got to a reasonable 47 species, but nothing that would be considered as exciting as an alpine swift.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

just a reminder, that no sightings from shell nature reserve should be posted on this forum. There is an explaination earlier in this thread but anyone who requires clarification should contact me personally

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Quick walk round the effluent treatment plant Sinderland Road this evening - 10's of Swallows, House and Sand Martins and Swifts too fast and low to count but my first Swifts of summer. The only wag I saw was the security guard's dog's tail!!

Nev Wright · Status: Offline

8.5 mile, 3 hour walk this morning around the moss including Dark Lane, Alty Sewage works and the fringes of the Shell NR....

At least 15 Whitethroat, pair of yellow wagtail at the sewage works and a pair of wheatear in field 11 plus all the usual characters... burnt out car, piles of rubbish and a weasel. No redstart or ring ouzel.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 21:54, 2008-04-27

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Tried a walk from Isherwood Road to Brookheys Covert and back, Wednesday, 23rd April, late morning. Typical, no sign of Ring Ouzels or Wheatears. They must have moved with change of wind direction from east to westerly, Tuesday/Wednesday.
However, did record:
Kestrel 2
Buzzard 3
Linnet 1
Whitethroat 5 singing
Willow Warbler 9 singing
Blackcap 3 singing
Song Thrush 3 singing
Missel Thrush 1 singing
Yellowhammer 6 singing plus flock of 10+
Chiffchaff 3 singing
Swallow 1
Skylark 3 singing
Meadow Pipit 2
Yellow Wagtail 1
Rooks/Jacks/Crows
Stock Doves
Lapwing 10 on fields Chaffinch 9+ singing
etc, etc, etc

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 16:38, 2008-04-27

Mike Baron · Status: Offline

Ring Ouzels at 18:30 ysterday plus Whitethroat at corner of field 4 and 23 Fieldfare in paddock of riding school

Phil Owen · Status: Offline

Ring Ouzel still in field 1 at 7.15pm on ground next to railway carriage.

Also pair of Willow Tit in trees close to old orchard.

Thanks

Phil

sid ashton · Status: Offline

2 male Ring Ouzel still in field 1 this moring 07.30 on - exactly where Nick said close to the orange railway carriage in and out of the bushes onto the ground. No sign of the Redstart though.

Before that at the effluent treatment plant one of each Pied, Grey,Yellow Wags

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

miffed to discover the Redstart was strutting it's stuff in field 63 yesterday. Must've been hiding from the rain on Sun

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

2 Yellow Wagtail at ETW this morning, both flew off high, one to north and one to south - main flock may have left overnight.

2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 4+ House Martin, 2 Grey Wag & 2 Pied Wag.

Flyover redhead Goosander was unexpected.

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Same site - once an inland hot spot, now a local patch warm area!

Phil Owen · Status: Offline

Thanks for that!

What about Altrincham Sewage Works??

Also wouldn't mind trying there.

Could anyone give directions/access please?

Thanks

Phil

Nick Green · Status: Offline

Phil - There is a map showing the field no.s at the bottom of the county birding sites page .

(accessed off the home page)

sid ashton · Status: Offline

In no particular order Vaughan/Tim/Declan

Will one of you guys please confirm that the ETW is the sewage works just down the lane from the tip off Sinderland Road.

Ta

Paul Cliff · Status: Offline

hi nick
nice to meet you briefly.

didn't try for the med gull - too short on time in between jobs, with a poor work experience kid in tow - i doubt he had any idea he'd be dragged around carrington moss on his photography placement!

going to try and spend a day there sometime soon, cracking site.

even got a wave and a nod off sir alex on our way back to the car.

Phil Owen · Status: Offline

Whereabouts is field 1 for the Redstart and Ring Ouzel please???

Might take a trip there one evening.

Thanks

Phil

Nick Green · Status: Offline

The male Redstart was showing ridiculously well at 10.30 in field No. 63. Also the 3 Ring Ouzels, In field No. 1 . By the orange railway carriage. (still there at 3.30)
Nice to meet the couple from the, Shell Reserve and Thanks for the info.
Paul, did you get the Med. Gull? (spaniel man) Also called at the treatment plant, but it was busy with construction workers, so I dident stop. Thanks to Declan , Vaughns & others posts, which inspired me to go (on a rare day of work) When I read them last night. Great day.
Cheers Nick

Vaughan Evans · Status: Offline

Blue-headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava flava) at the ETW, along with another 8 yellow wagtails and 1 grey wagtail at 17.00
2 Oystercatchers

Bird was on bank 10 yards from the gate accessed through the new stoned car park area.

-- Edited by Vaughan Evans at 17:55, 2008-04-21

-- Edited by Vaughan Evans at 19:17, 2008-04-21

Paul Cliff · Status: Offline

can confirm the 3 ouzels, two cracking males and a female at lunchtime today. many thanks to the birder with 2 spaniels for directions.

also 5 yellowhammer and 3 linnets on the way back - fields 4 and 13

-- Edited by Paul Cliff at 20:16, 2008-04-21

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Three Ring Ouzel still being reported from field 1.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Nice to meet you Ann. I too caught up with the Ouzel - just one male for me but quite enough. Had a bit of a wait as a Buzzard was perched on the ploughed area scaring stuff off. The Nine Yellow Wags at Altrinchem ETW were a splendid site thansk to the gate being open to the back of the plant

An extensive search around filed 63 din't yield the Redstart or possilbe Whinchat at field 33 so these two species remain off my county list.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 20:25, 2008-04-21

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

I'm glad the Ouzel stuck around for other local patchers to catch up with it

Just goes to show how important this forum is

Now who's other patch shall I try next

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

3 Ring Ouzel mid evening, 2m , 1f in the far corner of Field 1.

Thanks to all for the heads up - family commitments meant leaving it late.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

I have to be honest and say sometimes you have to double check things.
After spending far to much time looking at field 2, I now like field 1 better.
keep birding

Ann Ribbands · Status: Offline

What a great mornings birding! Inspired by your reports Mike and I braved the rain and got good views of the pair of ring ouzels, and later at the ETW saw 9 yellow wagtails together. There was, unusually, no disturbance other than a tractor, the only other person we met was Tim Wilcox.