CARRINGTON MOSS

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

RE: CARRINGTON MOSS

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Rob Smallwood wrote:

Ian Campbell wrote:

Actual result:
Last time met: Man City 1 Stretford utd 0
Sorry about this childish post but at least I've got birds on my avitar!!
If not on the training ground.

After my last post the Forum re-directed me to this post, and sorry, but I couldn't resist...

-- Edited by Rob Smallwood on Friday 29th of January 2010 11:24:10 PM

..................................
Thanks for that Rob

, and here was me thinking I'd got away without anyone bringing up the sore point of last Weds travesty of a result as any neutral will surely confirm

Cheers Ian
ps How long ago was my original post?, I don't even recall doing it!!!

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Ian Campbell wrote:

Actual result:
Last time met: Man City 1 Stretford utd 0
Sorry about this childish post but at least I've got birds on my avitar!!
If not on the training ground.

After my last post the Forum re-directed me to this post, and sorry, but I couldn't resist...

-- Edited by Rob Smallwood on Friday 29th of January 2010 11:24:10 PM

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

I do hope they aren't positioned so that anyone could climb up and see over the fence..

Andy Bissitt · Status: Offline

That's good to hear. Thanks Paul. I'm guessing the fence was knocked down by whatever was parking up the long line of containers that have suddenly appeared right by said fence? If they are left where they are I think they will make getting over the fence a bit easier for anyone determined enough (and we know some sad sorts are).

Andy

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Andy, repairs are in hand, Shell have been informed. As for the Falconer and shooters they are a perennial problem again in hand, doing our best to keep them at bay.

Keep Birding.

Andy Bissitt · Status: Offline

I too am hoping that all the 'regular' birds will be back. I was there a week ago and was unfortunate enough to spot two state sponsored layabouts, one with a large bird of prey on his arm, as well as the obligatory retriever/spaniel type thing. At the distance I was viewing them it looked like a buzzard. One thing is for sure, they were definitely trying to avoid me and so were doubtless up to no good.

Has anyone else observed this going on in the area? I even bet that the buzzard is one that has been taken from the wild.

On another point, I noticed that the fence surrounding the Shell reserve had been flattened by something. Does anyone know whether repairs are in hand as this is obviously a sensitive site?

Cheers,

Andy

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

The lack of Yellowhammers there would help explain why one turned up a few miles to the east near Hale Barns the other day, where they haven't been recorded before.
I hope they return along with the other farmland passerines.

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Walk around the northern moss, this afternoon.

LT Tits 12+
GtSWoodpecker 1
BH Gulls 50+
C Gull 1
Rooks/Jackdaws/Crows 500+
Stock Doves 10+
Willow Tit 1
Bullfinches 4
Buzzard 1
Reed Buntings 2
Woodpigeons 50+

No Yellowhammers or Chaffinches. Perhaps moved on after recent snow and not returned.

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

You did well just to get out!

Jeff Clarke · Status: Offline

Thought that with the exceptional weather there was a chance of exceptional birds, but no dice! Mostly same birds as yesterday, but a minimum of 20 teal counted along Sinderland brook, and a Water Rail on the Brook near to the recycling centre.

Jeff Clarke · Status: Offline

Slow walk around the south side of Altrincham sewage works 4th jan
Teal - at least 12 but mainly in small groups, so difficult to count
Grey wagtail on the Brook, at least 10 Pied wagtail and 4 Meadow Pipits within sewage works.
Snipe - singles at several locations along sinderland brook - could all be the same bird
Sparrowhawk - many sightings including three of birds with prey (presumably not all the same bird)
Buzzard - 3 together
Lapwing - 3 (field 23)
Great spot woodpecker - Birchmoss covert, also pheasant and redpoll at same location
Stock Dove - only 1 in field 22

Also nearby at Woodheys Clough (next to Washway Road), Sparrowhawk, Nuthatch, Kingfisher and Snipe.

Jeff Clarke · Status: Offline

to add to Tin Wilcox's notes for 1st January (sorry for the delay)
Great Spot Woodpecker and Nuthatch Firs Plantation (next to Ash Farm and field 7)
Willow tit Firs Plantation, and another in field 19 along old railway line
Snipe, Grey Wagtail and at least 12 Teal Sinderland Brook field 23 (where the brook exits the sewage works and goes under the old railway line)

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

2 Little Owls showing well out in the leaning tree in field 32 this afternoon. Also here were 2 Fieldfares, c80 Lapwings, 1 Stock Dove, 100+ Jackdaws and 800+ Woodpigeons.
The latter were being harrased (well, killed) by shooters at the entrance to Brookheys Covert CWT. I'm quite surprised this is allowed to go on so close to a supposed nature reserve.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Yesterday 1 Jan 10.00am - 2.00pm
With Tony Darby and no less than 6 other birders we encountered on our way around. Nice to meet you all and chat.

f4
Buzzard
Pheasant
Reed Bunting 5
Yellowhammer 20
Chaffinch 2
Song Thrush 1
Blackbird 5

path between f2 and f4
Bullfinch 2m
LT Tits 3
B Tit 2
Blackbird 3
Jay

f11
LT Tit flock 18 w B Tit 1
Jackdaws 52
Buzzard over (probably same as seen earlier)
Yellowhammer 1

f32
Lapwings 30+
Fieldfare 26
Mistle Thrush 2
Starlings 50

f61 Kestrel f
f20 2nd Kestrel
f5 3rd Kestrel

Brookheys Covert
GS Woodpecker

f19 Yellowhammers 9, Fieldfare 15

f28 Jackdaws 200+ Rooks 3 on pylons

f5 Heron over
Corn Buntings c.27 mobile flock (another birder we met had counted 37 earlier)

Sub Stn. Isherwood Rd
Redwings 40

No sign Merlin or Brambling but a nice day out

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Merlin Buzzard Sparrow and kestrel raptor galore,
Yellowhammer Corn-bunting, Reed bunting field 3,

underfoot progress better.

keep birding.

p.s. does that merlin count for the last dwindling points of the year Ian?

Dave Cropper · Status: Offline

Good walk around moss before rain came.

Superb male Merlin on hedgerow dividing fields 25/70. Unusually for this site there was quite a large group of Meadow Pipits in this area and there must be a chance the bird had followed this flock.

Large numbers of small birds now building with lots of Chaffinches/Yellowhammers/Reed Buntings and at least 15 Corn Buntings feeding on western edge of fields16/17. In the nearby trees there were also good numbers of finches, including about 10 Lesser Redpoll, with others such as Willow Tit and Treecreeper mixed in.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

If anyone can chase that report of a Swallow up, I'd be grateful.

Chris Roberts · Status: Offline

Peregrine perched on pylon in F4 this morning several stoops but didnt see it catch any thing.
Large flocks of Jackdaws and Wood pigeon with Carrion crows and the odd Rook.
Solitary pink footed goose flew low over the moss at 10.36 heading south.
Reliable report of a Swallow seen close to the stables on Carrington Lane just before Isherwood Road

Nev Wright · Status: Offline

Wet and windy pm..
Large flocks of mixed finches (linnet, yellowhammer, goldfinch, chaffinch) southern hedge of f16 with loads of magpie.
2 redpoll in the conifers with long-tailed tits north-east corner f18

.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

11/11/2009 - Checked out a few spots on the moss this morning and racked up some of the mossland birds which make this area so special. Highlight was finding some Tree Sparrows at last in the area, after several years of looking! Sightings included:

Alty Sewage Works -
2 Willow Tits
1 Raven (over)
1 Gadwall
6 Teals
23 Pied Wagtails
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Skylark (over)
2 Linnets (over)

Whitehouse Farm area -
3 Tree Sparrows
2 Kestrels
20 Siskins (over)
4 Mistle Thrushes

Fields 2+4 -
c60 Yellowhammers (flock building up at the far west end of field 2)
1 Linnet
2 Red-legged Partridges
7 Grey Partridges
1 Mistle Thrush
12 Skylarks
10 Bullfinches (loads in the Old Orchard)
2 Fieldfares
40+ Meadow Pipits
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Buzzard
2 Stock Doves
c100 Woodpigeons
c90 Jackdaws
c140 Starlings
some ducks...

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Late morning - field 57 flock of approximately 20 Golden Plover - they had moved on before I could get a precise count. Some still in summer plumage.

Geoff Hargreaves · Status: Offline

Field 59,driving past this afternoon

1 herd of cow,s
4 swallows
and amusingly a family of partridge 2 adult 6 well grown chicks being harrased by the cows
then giving some 'attitude' back before before slipping into the next field out of view

cheers geoff

Andy Bissitt · Status: Offline

PHIL GREENWOOD wrote:

Afternoon walk around Northern Moss, Monday, 20th July.

Buzzard 1
Oystercatcher 1
Yellowhammer 6 singing plus 3
Whitethroat 3 singing plus 8
Blackcap 2 singing plus 2
Goldfinch 10+
Song Thrush 2 singing
Chiffchaff 2 singing
Linnet 3
Grey Heron 1
Sand Martin 2
House Martin 20+
Swift 10+
Swallow 20+
Woodpigeon 50+
Stock Dove 2
Reed Bunting 1 singing
BH Gull 4
LBB Gull 1

etc.etc.etc. No Yellow Wagtail or Corn Bunting.

Only 2 insect bites, which is pretty good, considering the number around.

Do you think the insects bite the Man United players? Hope so.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Field 57 this evening 19.00 - 3 Yellow Wagtail (juvs)

sid ashton · Status: Offline

This morning, 08.15 - 0900, Field 57 and surrounding hedgrows:-

3 Corn Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3/4 Skylark, 5/6 Linnet, 2 Grey Partridge and lots of Woodpigeons.

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Afternoon walk around Northern Moss, Monday, 20th July.

Buzzard 1
Oystercatcher 1
Yellowhammer 6 singing plus 3
Whitethroat 3 singing plus 8
Blackcap 2 singing plus 2
Goldfinch 10+
Song Thrush 2 singing
Chiffchaff 2 singing
Linnet 3
Grey Heron 1
Sand Martin 2
House Martin 20+
Swift 10+
Swallow 20+
Woodpigeon 50+
Stock Dove 2
Reed Bunting 1 singing
BH Gull 4
LBB Gull 1

etc.etc.etc. No Yellow Wagtail or Corn Bunting.

Only 2 insect bites, which is pretty good, considering the number around.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Just to clarify my statement this morning re the Yellow Wagtails that "the male was looking good" in no way was referring to camping, sailors or other male birdwatchers lurking nearby.

In my limited experience male birds, having helped raised chicks, are at this time of the year looking a bit worn out - this male Yellow Wagtail was "looking good" - nothing tatty about him.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Tuesday 14th of July 2009 06:30:30 PM

-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 15th of July 2009 11:13:06 AM

Rob Thorpe · Status: Offline

post removed as to prevent any further confusion

-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 14th of July 2009 06:03:46 PM

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

ROB-spell-checker THORPE.

Now that is a funny post, best yet this year, laughed me socks off.

keep birding

Rob Thorpe · Status: Offline

sid ashton wrote:

the male was looking good.

Hello sailor

-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 14th of July 2009 06:01:54 PM

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Field 57 this morning - Yellow Wagtail family with 4 young - the male was looking good.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

09/07/2009 - Sightings from a wander along Dark Lane:

Stonechat - 1 (male)
Yellowhammer - 1
Stock Dove - 4
Buzzard - 2
Starling - 20+
Chiffchaff - 1
Blackcap - 2
Pied Wagtail - 1 (taking food to young)
Pheasant - 1
Swallow - 7

Thanks. Henry.

Chris Roberts · Status: Offline

Three Raven seen flying towards Sale at 11-25 on Sunday morning.

Vaughan Evans · Status: Offline

Walk along the pennine way with a singing corn bunting by field 107 and 2 or 3 others on wires to north of fthe field

Nev Wright · Status: Offline

1400-1500
Bike journey around the moss with highlights before the rain...
Corn Bunting singing from wire in f5

Linnet singing from wire in f22
...otherwise the usuals, and no yellow wagtails

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Usual Northern Moss walk, Tuesday, 16th June.

Highlights only:

Yellow Wagtails. 1 into potato field 11.
1 into potato field 23.
2 in field 5 near Swiss Cottage Farm, 1 of which was perching on telephone wire.

Yellowhammers. 5 singing.
Skylarks. 3 singing.
Buzzards. 2
Willow Tit. 1 near orchard.
Reed Bunting. 1 singing in Man Utd grounds.

Basell Site:
Lapwings. 4 ad.
Oystercatchers. 2 ad and 1 large immature.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Late post for Friday 3pm+

Yellow Wagtail at Swiss Cottage Farm flew from path to MUFC grounds. Later another lucky birder on my way back reported there were 2 on telegraph wires and then seen chasing off a Buzzard! He also had a Hobby through.
Also here 1 Grey Wag and 1 Pied Wag

4 singing male Yellowhammers at fields 4, 1, 26, 70
3 singing Skylarks at fields 5, 10, 26
Buzzard field 71
4 Lapwings field 4 and 11 and pair at field 1
numerous Whitethroats
Great Tits with 3 fledged young path between field 11 and 2
juvenile Crow field 11

A fox hunting through field 12

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Walk from Isherwood Road, behind Basell, to old railway line, along easterly to extension of Isherwood Road and back pass Birchmoss Covert.

Cormorant 1 overhead
Lapwing 12 in field 4
Swallow 5
Swift 2
GtSWoodpecker 1
Missel Thrush 5
Buzzard 3+
Stock Dove 2
Linnet 4
Whitethroat 10 singing
Chiffchaff 3 singing
Skylark 2 singing
Blackcap 8 singing
Song Thrush 2 singing
Gadwall 3 overhead
Willow W 2 singing
Reed Bunting 2 singing
etc.

Star Birds:

Yellow Wagtail 1 heard field 22/23
Spotted Flycatcher 1 seen "singing" in Old Orchard
Yellowhammer 1m 1f in Old Orchard

The invasion has certainly hit Trafford, with 3 Painted Ladies seen.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Field 57 three Corn buntings and two Grey Partridge around the pile of whatever it is just inside the gate and Yellowhamer in the hedgerow.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Tuesday 2nd of June 2009 09:45:30 AM

Justin Garner · Status: Offline

The aim of my visit was to see 2 target birds Corn bunting and Yellow Wagtail. I managed 1 of the 2.

Swiss cottage farm

Wood pigeon
Black headed gull
Lapwing
Oystercatcher field 4
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Whitethroat
Pheasent
Carron Crow
Magpie
Mistle thrush
Chaffinch
Blackbird
Yellowhammer

Brookhays Farm

Black cap
Willow warbler
Greenfinch
Gray Partridge
Robin
Wren
Dunnock
Swallow

Woodcote Farm/Alt Sewage

Pied Wagtail
Mallard
Coot
Moorhen
Reed Bunting
Sedge Warbler in song no sighting
Swift
House Martin
House sparrow
Rook
Chiffchaff
Starling
Gray Heron

Black moss Farm

Goldfinch
Linnet
Corn Bunting
Skylark

Brookhays Covert

Long Tailed Tit
Buzzard was in flight

Did not manage to see Yellow Wagtail will keep trying. The map of the fields is a big help.

martin whittam · Status: Offline

Hi Justin,
You can get the field numbers and map from the "county birding sites" page on the Manchester Birding website

Justin Garner · Status: Offline

Can anyone help?

Where I can get a map with the field numbers on. I know the area but don't know the field ref people are using.

Just found map on the site

-- Edited by Justin Garner on Monday 11th of May 2009 08:19:55 AM

Julian Robinson · Status: Offline

5/05/09 midday. Brief walk along perimeter of Shell works and around Ashton Road and Dunham Road.

On wasteground within Shell, 1 Wheatear, numerous Lapwings and handful of Oystercatchers.

Field boundaries buzzing with Whitethroats. 4 Sky Larks seen in field.

Also, nice to see a Weasel bound across footpath!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Yea Vaughan probably when I was at the back pool - nowt there though

-- Edited by sid ashton on Sunday 3rd of May 2009 10:12:20 PM

Vaughan Evans · Status: Offline

Woodcote farm/Sewage works to the flare stack and back along the railway.
06.45 - 09.15 (must have just missed you Sid!)

No garganey and no sign of the Whinchat, but lots of warblers and a couple of Wheaters.

Greylag Goose - Sewage farm
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Pheasant
Little Grebe - 3 Sewage farm
Cormorant
Buzzard
Kestrel
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher - 1 Sewage Farm
Lapwing
Black Headed Gull
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Swift - several over sewage farm 09.00
Skylark
Swallow
House Martin
Yellow Wagtail - 1 Field 22
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Wheatear - 1m and 1f - Field 5 either side of Swiss Cottage Farm
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush
Sedge Warbler - several Danewell wood/Sewage farm
Reed Warbler - at least 2 - sewage farm
Blackcap
Garden Warbler - 1 singing - Danewell wood/Sewage farm
Whitethroat - many
Chiffchaff - many
Willow Warbler - many
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 3rd of May 2009 11:13:07 AM

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

A walk from Isherwood Road, along south fence of Basell, just past flare, left to over railway line, left along path to road, left and return past Man U.

A cracking male Whinchat in the rough field just south of the Basell flare.

Wheatear 1m in the Basell site and 1 in field 5.
Also seen through the Basell fence were 13 Lapwings, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Ringed Plover. Another 3 Lapwings in fields.

Garden W 1 singing north edge of field 27

Sedge W 1 singing and flying across the road at the entrance to Man U

Buzzard 4
Kestrel 1m
Blackcap 5 singing
Chiffchaff 4 singing
Willow W 4 singing
Yellowhammer 3 singing
Skylark 2 singing
Stock Dove 14
Missel Thrush 5
Pied Wagtail 1
Jay 1
Grey Partridge 2 in field 8
Swallow 2
Lesser Redpoll 2 south edge of field 22
Bullfinch 4
Whitethroat no less than 12 singing
Song Thrush 2
Crows/Rooks/BH Gulls etc, etc, etc.

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

2 Red-legged Partridges in field 156 next to Dunham Road on my way to work this morning.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Blackmoss Road field 43 late morning 3 male Wheatear, 2 Corn Bunting on the hedge between fields 43 and 55, several Skylarks, the usual Corvids and Lapwings. 5-6 House Martins over Black Moss Farm. Field 52 - 2 Grey Partridge. On the trans Penine Trail - Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.

Steve Johnson · Status: Offline

The bikes are getting on to the moss by the path next to the old railway at Partington. I have noticed that Sunday mid morning / mid day seems to be a prime time for them. If any body wants to note number plates or photograph them.