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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> HORWICH MOORS
Post Info TOPIC: HORWICH MOORS
Ian McKerchar


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Totals from Scout Road today, 10am to 1pm:

17 flocks of Fieldfare totalling 1473 birds
53 Redwing south
Amongst the flocks of Fieldfare were 4 Brambling, 2 Siskin and a Merlin.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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munsworth


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1st winter Whinchat on Edge Lane at 12.30 pm today

 

Mike



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning's visible migration from the top of Winter Hill:

808 Fieldfare in 13 flocks S/SW
63 Redwing SE
6 Brambling S
22 Siskin S
Black Redstart around mast building

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Today's highlights from Scout Rd 06:55-10:15:

Male Hen Harrier W at 08:45 and presumed different male W at 09:55, with a single female 200 metres behind.

4 Crossbill SW

15 Brambling S

131 Chaffinch

108 Fieldfare S

1 Swallow S

Yesterday:

1848 Pink-footed Geese SE and 70 NE in 14 skeins

18 Crossbill 

Ingo thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Yesterday morning an adult Black Redstart on the mast building on Winter Hill along with 2 Goldcrests and 2 Stonechat.

From Scout Road this morning, 29 Brambling S, 39 Siskin and four small flocks Crossbill numbering 16 S, 118 Chaffinch and 3 Swallow.

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Chris brown


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Had a walk along walker fold wood, burnt edge and then up to the mast and back again with the family today. We saw the following: 3-4 x kestrels, 2 x Ravens, 4 x Stonechat, 2 x Herons, 21 x Fieldfare(first of Autumn for me) Several Goldcrest, Large flock of Goldfinch. Many Meadow Pipits. Highlight was an Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar near Holdens Farm.

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Dan Brown


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Just to clarify Craig's post. George's Lane 9:00 - 11:00. 1 Ring Ouzel over South and 3 others in the Big Hedge area. A probable 5th bird calling but not seen. 3 Crossbill over Northeast. 16:30 - 17:00 no sign of Ring Ouzel in Big Hedge but 2 Brambling present.

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Craig Higson


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07:00 to 11:00 am. Started at Georges Lane which was deadly quiet, followed by quick trips to Burnt Edge/Newfields and then Brownstones Quarry before returning to Georges Lane where I met Dan Brown and another birder who's name I didn't get (sorry).

Highlights to 11:00 were: Fieldfare - 54 and Redwing 191 over, Red Grouse 1 along Georges Lane, At least 4 Ring Ouzel seen by Dan in Big Hedge, Chiffchaff - one calling at back of New Colliers Row. I believe Dan also had a party of Crossbills over.

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Steve Judge


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Saturday, 17th October 2015 11:45 - 15:00 hrs.

Wilderswood Car Park - Georges Lane (as far as kennels) - up by side of Mast Road - Winter Hill Summit - back via Gilligants Farm and Holden Plantation

Male Ring Ouzel x 1 (first one seen here after years of walking this area!!! Well chuffed. On path to right from top of Mast Road)
Stonechat x 2
Redwing x 15 (Big Hedge - before Kennels)
Red Grouse x 1 (on wall to left of Mast Road)
Kestrel x 4 separate sightings
Meadow Pipit x 5
Goldfinch x 20
House Sparrow x 3
Carrion Crow x 7
Robin x 1
Blackbird x 3
Woodpigeon x 20
Magpie x 3
Rook x 5

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 17th of October 2015 05:26:45 PM

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 17th of October 2015 05:29:43 PM

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Andy Voisey


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1100 to 1330 Winter Hill and Georges Lane

Visit today looking for Ouzels and Black Redstarts, but failed to see either.

Workmen were up on two of the masts which may not have helped.

A mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfares were in the big hedge however which was a compensation, as I have somehow managed to avoid Fieldfares for the past 4 seasons.



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Ian McKerchar


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Highlights from this morning:

Short-eared Owl quartering Wildersmoor at first light
3 Ring Ouzel flew out over Wildersmoor heading east. Most likely the same birds were then seen along Mast Road close to the mast and dispersed onto the moor.
2 Twite alighted briefly along telephone wires south of the Kennels along Georges Lane and flew off NW
Single Chiffchaff in The Dell at Higher Meadows
735 Redwing in flocks not exceeding 100 strong over heading SE
11 Red Grouse on the top of Winter Hill, very vocal and many showing really well
11 Raven in two flocks
2 Brambling NW over Higher Meadows
Male Black Redstart showed well along the perimeter fence of the rocket shaped mast on Winter Hill, over the border in Lancashire

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Paul Richardson


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09.15 - 13.00 today bright, easterly breeze, cool. Walker Fold, Burnt Edge, Mast Road and Winter Hill.

Goldfinch 25

Goldcrest - 1

Robin 3

Jay 3

Meadow Pipit 26

Reed Bunting 2 (Burnt Edge)

Carrion Crow 8

Raven - very mobile, hard to be sure perhaps 4

Mistle Thrush 1

Kestrel 4 (again quite mobile over the area)

Merlin 1f - flying fast and close to the ground west to east on the GM side of the mast

Common Buzzard 1 over Walker Fold

Black Redstart 1 -   in Lancashire - made a brief appearance  (with bright green caterpillar in beak!) on the fence of the large compound on the right as you walk towards the trig point. Flew back down into the scrub, and then 3 technicians started working on the mast after which it didn't appear again.

Rewarding morning! smile

 

 



-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Tuesday 13th of October 2015 02:41:19 PM

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Andy Bissitt


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1 Ring ouzel this morning, otherwise dreadfully quiet. I wonder what the right conditions are for visible migration up there, because it wasn't what today brought?



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steven burke


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morn/aft visit, pretty quiet, highlights being...

3 flocks of crossbill around wilderswood, 8, 10, 17 & a single one past the kennels heading towards rivington pike.
no sign of the black redstart at the mast.
several siskin around
1 redpoll
6 jay
2 great spotted woodpecker
2 treecreeper
5 stonechat at holdens farm
4 raven
1 sparrowhawk
4 kestrel
67 lapwing
1 grey heron
37 mistle thrush, one larger flock held 22.

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Simon Warford


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Also yesterday, 8th October with Andy Makin, single Ring Ouzel Burnt Edge and 12 Crossbill flew out of Walker Fold Wood with a further group calling from the wood, also 9 Crossbill south from Gale Brook Plantation and 3 Crossbill over Deans Ditch. Also 1 Merlin, 17 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare and 480 Pink-footed Geese SE in 5 skiens.



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Ian McKerchar


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A few sightings from this morning so far:

Black Redstart on the main mast building (just over the border in Lancashire), dropped onto the road at one point but generally very elusive
11 Pink-footed Geese SW at 07:50am
Pair of Stonechat at Higher Meadows
2 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill
10 Redwing S over Bryan Hey Reservoir

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Dan Brown


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18:00 Coal Pit Lane Merlin 18:01 1 less Meadow Pipit

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Ian McKerchar


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highlights from this morning:

A Fieldfare briefly down on Georges Lane and one or two Redwings over
9 Crossbill (2+7) south over Georges Lane
11 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Simon Warford


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This morning 07:00 to 11:00 with Andy Makin and Dan Brown, no Vis Mig due to the very hazy conditions, but the Mast Compounds held lots of new migrants, including up to 15 Goldcrests coming to within a few feet of us in the juncus, and up to 18 Chiffchaffs behind the main building. Also a single Redwing was in the main compound as was 3 Robins, 2 Stonechats, 1 Chaffinch and 1 Pied Wagtail. A female Merlin was also seen on a couple of occasions hunting around the main mast building. No sign of the Black Redstart.

Several Chiffchaff still in Brownstones Quarry.

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Ian McKerchar


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Some sightings from this morning by Andy Makin and myself:

Three skeins of Pink-footed Geese heading east of 45 and 64 at 08:30 and 40 at 10:17.
6 Crossbill south over Winter Hill
4 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill
11 Chiffchaff


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Dan Brown


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18:00 Georges Lane - Big Hedge
7 Stonechat
1 Whinchat
2 Chiffchaff

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Simon Warford


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Todays highlights, 06:45 to 15:00, on another sunny and warm day with Andy Makin;

Visible Migration-

1 Merlin chasing Meadow Pipits, drifted off south
1 Golden Plover SE
456 Swallow south
91 House Martin south
2569 Meadow Pipits south, most prior to 08:30, some in mixed flocks with Wagtails and Swallows, made for a superb spectacle.
79 Pied Wagtails south
31 Siskin south
7 Twite west
22 Crossbills (parties of 6,8 and 8 south until lost to view over Bolton)

Present were -

1 Merlin touring the moor
35 Crossbills (20 Gale Brook Plantation, though typically mobile and 15 Walker Fold Wood)
1 Whinchat and 1 Stonechat Pony field at bottom of Mast Road
17 Wheatear Winter Hill and Mast Road
15 Chiffchaff (6 Brownstones, 4 Wallsuches, 2 Walker Fold & 3 Georges Lane)
35 Goldcrest

Yesterday 30th Sept

Fairly quiet due to mist and low cloud, though at least 76 Crossbills were seen flying south from Gale Brook Plantation.

Operation Yellow-browed isn't going too well..


-- Edited by Simon Warford on Thursday 1st of October 2015 07:30:35 PM

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Ian McKerchar


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Today's highlights:

13 Pink-footed Geese SE at 8.02 am
4 Buzzard SW
527 Meadow Pipit
2 Grey Wagtail S
1 Yellow Wagtail S with a flock of 20 Pied Wagtail
82 Pied Wagtail S
667 Swallow S
168 Chaffinch (158 S and 10 N)
63 Siskin (43 S and 20 N)
29 redpoll S
49 Linnet S
39 Goldfinch S
Crossbill- fantastic movement early morning with a total of 105 in small flocks seen flying directly south out over Bolton until they were lost to view; half briefly dropped into Gale Brook Plantation.
2 Wheatear on Winter Hill

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Craig Higson wrote:

Which one is Gale bk plantation please Simon? Can't see it on the site guides.




It is the conifer plantation at the junction of Scout Road and Belmont Road Craig.

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Craig Higson


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Which one is Gale bk plantation please Simon? Can't see it on the site guides.

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Simon Warford


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Todays Vis Mig watch in another fine and sunny day, from 06:45 to 14:30 with Andy Makin, produced;

1 Yellowhammer perched briefly before flying south
5 Twite west
1 Merlin
9 Pink-footed Geese NW
246 Swallow south
118 House Martin south
7 Grey Wagtail south
30 Pied Wagtails south
1 Coal Tit south
1257 Meadow Pipits south
185 Chaffinch south
38 Siskin
23 Crossbill (groups of 6, 7 and 5 south and 5 north which could have come down in Gale Brook Plantation)

Present around the mast were 3 Wheatear and elsewhere 1 Tawny Owl.


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Simon Warford


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Another full days Vis Mig watch in fine sunny weather, was mostly covered by me, Andy Makin and later Phil Rhodes, highlights only;

On the move were;

1 Osprey south at 08:10 (Andy and Gary Lilley)
1 Red Kite east at 14:25 (found by Jill and Ken over Burnt Edge, also seen by Andy)
2 Merlin
1 Hobby
260 Pink-feet NW and 47 SE
1048 Swallow south
239 House Martin south
3339 Meadow Pipits south
33 Siskin south
19 Crossbill south (5,1 and 13)

Present were the Black Redstart, 6 Wheatear and a Robin around the Mast Compounds and at least 16 Crossbills in Gale Brook Plantation.


-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 28th of September 2015 08:18:31 PM

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Bob and Joyce Calder


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Not a great deal that we can add to that from a walk round the area 9.00 to 12.15 apart from:-

4 Chiffchaff along Coal Pit Lane, 2 of them amongst a small group of 7 Long Tailed Tits.
2 Ravens sat on the mast with another one over.
1 Kestrel on the mast with at least 2 others seen in the general area.

Bob & Joyce C

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Simon Warford


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Todays marathon Vis Mig watch, 06:45 to 15:45 was covered by me, Andy Makin and later Phil Rhodes, produced;

274 Pink-footed Geese all north-west (83 at 08:35, 27 at 09:00, c100 at 09:05 and 64 at 11.50).
2 Hobbies, with 1 taking a Meadow Pipit near the mast
2 Golden Plover east
1 Sandwich Tern (heard only)
1521 Swallow South
3616 House Martin, with up to 2,000 landing on mast cable wires before all flying off south
7 Siskin south
11 Crossbills south
749 Meadow Pipit south

Birds present included the Black Redstart still at the Mast, 8 Wheatear, c500 Meadow Pipits and c500 Goldfinch.

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Simon Warford


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This mornings Vis Mig watch with Andy Makin and Sean Sweeney, produced;

678 Meadow Pipits and 200+ still on the moor
12 Buzzards high south
41 Swallow
21 Crossbills (16 south-west and 5 briefly in Gale Brook Plantation then flew west)
32 Siskin.

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Simon Warford


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This morning Vis Mig watch produced 2 Redwings, 232 Meadow Pipits and 5 Siskin.

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Len Poxon


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Birds seen/heard: 2 Stonechat, flock of approx 15 Linnet and small flock of Meadow Pipit 8-10, 1 Wheatear on Lancs/GM boundary wall, occassionally other Meadow Pipit here and there.
No sign of Black Redstart, although works were being carried out on the main mast and there were several vehicles in the Rocket mast compound.

A dead common newt was found on Mast Road about 150 yds south of the main mast compound.

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Ian McKerchar


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Moors sightings today:

713 Meadow Pipit south mid morning
2 single Merlin south
8t Twite sw over Dean Ditch
68 Wheatear, including 30 together along Deans Ditch

Yesterday, the current resident Great White Egret on Rivington Reservoirs was seen in flight (within Lancs) from Georges Lane.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 22nd of September 2015 10:58:41 PM

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Simon Warford


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Weekends sightings with Andy Makin;

Today up to 11.30am-

266 Meadow Pipits south and 20 flew north
35 Swallow south
2 Merlins (1 south and another one caught a Meadow Pipit above Deans Ditch)
Black Redstart main mast compound and 5 Wheatears and 2 Stonechats, but no Chiffchaffs.


Yesterday 19th Sept-

137 Meadow Pipits south and in the evening 160 flew north.
41 Swallow south
68 Chaffinch
7 Grey Wagtails south

Migrants around the compounds included 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Song Thrush and 14 Wheatears.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 20th of September 2015 04:22:29 PM

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gary lilley


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Single black redstart in rocket shaped compound (8.45am) also male stonechat , 50 meadow pipit , crow and heard a golden plover .

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Ian McKerchar


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This morning on the moors produced:

Spotted Flycatcher with 2 Redstarts and 6 Chiffchaff in the Big Hedge at Higher Meadows
11 Wheatear on the top of Winter Hill

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Five Pink-footed Geese E at 09.15 this morning.

Other birds from today included:

Tree Sparrow and Coal Tit SE
5 flocks of Crossbill SW consisting of 20, 1, 7, 6 and one flock heard only.
9 Wheatears

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Today's totals from the moors:

Single Tree Pipit south and two flocks of Crossbills (4 and 2) also south, both over Scout Road.
Hirundines moving over the moors tops in huge numbers ssw with 2405 House Martins and 1687 Swallow from late morning to 1pm.
Usual Black Redstart around the mast building in Winter Hill but did wander around and popped into GM for a while too.
12 wheatear.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Today's totals included:

Single Merlin South over Scout Road
Tree Pipit South over Scout Road
Whinchats on Edge Lane and Georges Lane
9 Wheatear
539 Swallow South

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Osprey SE high over Scout Road at 07:37 this morning, heading over towards Bolton.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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This morning's highlights:

10 Wheatear
406 Swallow and 195 House Martin south
390 Goldfinch in two flocks of 220 and 170

Info thnaks to Andy Makin and David Sherington

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Ian McKerchar


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Today's sightings:

Black Redstart and Redstart feeding around the mast building on Winter Hill
Hobby soaring South over moor
7 Buzzard South
1 Whinchat at Holders Farm
A total of 45 Siskin South

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Michael Davis


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13/09/2015 Walker Fold to Winter Hill:
12:00 Red Grouse 1 - very brief encounter with a solitary bird over the moor between Holden's Plantation and Mast Road.
13:27 Wheatear - 1 female on compound fence by Mast Road. One of two birds.
14:38 Siskin - small flock by path along Walker Fold Woods.
Other than a few common species area appeared quiet - but it was mid-day!


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Ian McKerchar


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Rather quiet today in windy conditions but the highlights were 7 Whinchat.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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This morning's totals:

2 Tree Pipit S
789 House Martin
3 Crossbill S
29 Siskin SW
3 Whinchat at Burnt Edge

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Len Poxon


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No sign of Black Redstart this eveningblankstare
4 Wheatear on or adjacent to Mast Road,.
2 Raven and a Stoat in Lancs side. Several Meadow Pipits and at least 1 Red Grouse heard, but not seen.

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Ian McKerchar


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Sightings from September 8th:

Black Redstart still just in Lancs on the mast building on Winter Hill
2 Whinchat with a family of Stonechat on Burnt Edge, also 2 more on Matchmoor Lane
7 Spotted Flycatcher
Drake Pintail flew NW
1 male Redstart along Georges Lane
1 Wheatear
17 Chiffchaff

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Today's moors highlights:

Black Redstart on the mast building on Winter Hill just within Lancs, perching on the roof and picking insects of the side of the mast at about 08.30
2 Redstart
2 Tree Pipit
3 Whinchat
12 Wheatear
1 Spotted Flycatcher

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Today's total thanks to Andy Makin, Simon Warford and Dan Brown:

17 Crossbill, many males feeding for 20 minutes around midday at Walker Fold
2 Redstarts along Georges Lane
2 Tree Pipits as singles over Georges Lane and Scout Road
2 Spotted Flycatcher at Walker Fold
31 Siskin S
3 Wheatear

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Ian McKerchar


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Today's totals:

6 Spotted Flycatcher
5 Redstart
5 Whinchat
1000+ House Martin
A flock of 130 Siskin NW over Georges Lane
3 Wheatear

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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