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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
Colin Broadhurst


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RE: HORWICH MOORS
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Scout Rd this am

2 x Crossbill SW @ 10.00am

2 x Whinchat @ Horrocks Wood Car Park



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Dennis atherton


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Scout Rd this morning 7-11, Highlights, Strong SW

Siskin 38

Rook 1

Chaffinch 6

Meadow pipits 19

Pied Wagtail 2

Linnet 4

Swallows 47

Skylark 3

Stock dove 9

Raven 1

Stonechat 1

House Martin 16

Hobby 1 very close flyby

 

Pics of Hobby and Skylark 



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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Dennis atherton


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Today's sightings. 7pm-11.45 Scout Rd. Strong SE not ideal. 

 

1 Wheatear

3 Stonechat 

3 Pied Wagtail 

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 

39 Meadow pipits 

46 Siskin 

3 Stock doves

15 Lesser Redpol 

7 Crossbills 

16 Chaffinch 

10 Goldfinch 

4 Coal tit

4 Skylark

1 Ring necked Parakeet 

37 House Martin 

9 Sand Martin 

147 Swallow



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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Dennis atherton


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16 Cattle Egrets from last night flying around Belmont. Disappeared towards Bolton at 7.30pm

 

 



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Dennis atherton


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Pics of today's highlights Simon has listed below, Osprey and a flock of 7 Crossbills 



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Simon Warford


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Vis Mig sightings from Scout Road this morning with Dennis, Dan, Keith and Phil, 6.20am till lunchtime-

1 Osprey south 11.05
1 Red Kite NE at 11:00
700 Swallow south
8 Swift
24 Sand Martin
75 House Martin
1 Wheatear
7 Grey Wagtail
157 Meadow Pipit
8 Crossbills
134 Siskin.


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Simon Warford


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Scout Road this morning up to 9am -

2 first winter Ring Ouzels feeding on rowan trees by the quarry for a while before flying off high south west.
1 Whimbrel south
7 Grey Wagtails south
60 Siskin
1 Grasshopper Warbler on quarry fence.

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Friday 5th of September 2025 03:00:45 PM



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Dennis atherton


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Scout Rd 6.45 till 12.30

 Later joined by Simon W and Phil 

 

Reed Bunting 4.

Whitethroat 2

Meadow pipits, lots hanging around. 15 going S

Chaffinch 6

Swallows 71

Raven 20

Stock dove 8

Lesser Redpoll 9

Crossbills 9

Siskin 22

11 Buzzard

House Martin 42

Sand Martin 18

Kestrel 5

Mistle Thrush 1

Lesser Black Backed Gull 4

Stonechat 3

Linnet 4

Grey Wagtail 2

Greenfinch 4

Osprey 1 floated over Belmont going South past the mast

 

Pics added of Flybys Siskin, Lesser Redpol,  male Crossbill and Long distance Osprey. 



-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Saturday 30th of August 2025 04:12:09 PM

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Ian McKerchar


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From the Scout Road watchpoint this morning the female/immature Marsh Harrier was briefly quartering the moor above Deans Ditch, a Merlin flew through NNW, Hobby low SE, 250 Swallows S, 45 Siskins S and 2 Tree Pipits E.  A further 2 Tree Pipits were in Burnt Edge along with 4 Spotted Flycatchers.

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Around the Walker Fold/Burnt Edge Loop this morning:

3 singles of Snipe over W/SW

5 Tree Pipits down, including a flock of four together

7 Whitethroats

10 Willow Warblers

5 Chiffchaffs

4 Spotted Flycatchers with three together at the top of Walker Fold and one at Holdens Farm

1 Pied Flycatcher at the top of Walker Fold

15 Stonechats, including a group of 11+ at Holdens Farm

2 single Ravens

 

 



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Simon Warford


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Sightings from Scout Road this morning up to 1pm (Partly with Phil Rhodes)-

1 Hobby south 7.30am
6 Swift south
1 Snipe west
153 Swallow south and 500+ feeding over the moor around 1pm
76 House Martin south
1 Sand Martin south
4 Grey Wagtail south
11 Tree Pipit south
4 Crossbill south 9.18am
29 Siskin south

Immature female Marsh Harrier still on the moor.

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John Williams


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Walk along Georges Lane from Wilderswood car park to Lancs border and back 14.00-17.00

The largely heather covered field on the opposite side of the lane to Wilderswood was alive with small birds at
one point. Willow Warblers appeared to be in all the small bushes in the heather field, and on the tops
of the larger trees in Wilderswood. Lots of aerial flycatching sorties took place, and when some of Willow Warblers
began doing their flycatching sorties from the tops of the heather, some Stonechats also joined in. For a few minutes
the scene was almost magical, but then as quickly as they first came the Willow Warblers moved on and the
Stonechats carried on just chasing each other about.

Further along Georges Lane, just beyond the car parking spot and where the lane overlooks some mature woodland,
I found another flock of small birds frantically snatching insects off the leaves and in mid-air. Again these appeared to
to be largely Willow Warblers, but I also found a couple of Spotted Flycatchers amongst them.

Beyond that point, the Lancs border, and the point where the track to the tower breaks away appeared almost devoid
of birds, except for a few crows. A charm of 8 Goldfinches were near the cafe, as was a juvenile Robin.

On sifting through my Burnt Edge photos from last Wednesday 13th August, most of which were sadly duff, I found
a couple of snaps which appear to show a Tree Pipit. I think at time there was a small flock which took refuge
in a large sallow at the base of Burnt Edge, near where the path to what used to be Holdens Farm breaks away.

Please find one such photo below, plus a snap of one of the flycatchers.




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John Williams
Bob and Joyce Calder


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Besides previously mentioned Sunday morning, 2 Grey Partridge along Burnt Edge, 4 Common Buzzard and 4 Kestrel over car park, Goldcrest, plantation far end of Burnt Edge, 5 Linnet, Burnt Edge.

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Ian McKerchar


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First thing this morning to 10:30am:

Red-legged Partridge on the path through Walker Fold

3 Red Grouse in Burnt Edge

3 Tree Pipits with 1 in grass at the northern end of Walker Fold which flew off north and dropped into Burnt Edge and two west over Holden's Farm which landed on telephone wires

17 Stonechats

9 Wheatears, with 5 together by Adam Hill, 3 together in Burnt Edge and 1 on Wildersmoor, all moving through pretty rapidly

12 Whitethroats, with 10 along the Walker Fold/Burnt Edge loop and 2 in BrownstonesQuarry

39 Willow Warblers, with 29 along the Walker Fold/Burnt Edge loop, 6 in Brown Stones Quarry and 4 at Higher Meadows

14 Chiffchaffs along Walker Fold/Burnt Edge loop

10 Spotted Flycatchers, with 4 in the old pines at the northern end of Walker Fold and 6 in trees at the bottom of Burnt Edge

2 Raven

1 Nuthatch at Holden's Farm

30+ Goldfinches in Brownstones Quarry



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Ian McKerchar


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From the Scout Road watch point a Marsh Harrier was battling with a Sparrowhawk over the moor and gaining height eventually above the mast, then drifted off SE at 12:45pm. Also 33 Buzzard from 9:40am, 355 Swallows, 34 House Martins and a single Swift through. A juvenile Whinchat was above the quarry then chased off by Meadow Pipits.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes



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Pete Hines


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5 Spotted Flycatcher at Burnt Edge (4+1 between two plantations)

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John Williams


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Walk around Burnt Edge 14.00-17.30 approx.

2 Kestrels, 1 seen hovering near the quarry, and another perched on a pine tree in Walker Fold.

1 Hobby, circled over Walker Fold, then flew off Easterly.

4 Stonechats at the Western end of Burnt Edge, plus another 4 at the Eastern End.

Meadow Pipits seem to flush every few yards along Burnt Edge, East of the single Rowan tree.

1 Raven flew through heading West.

1 Whitethroat seen on the Sycamore at Western end of Burnt Edge.


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John Williams
Ian McKerchar


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Early this morning...

 

Walker Fold/Burnt Edge Loop:

3 Tree Pipits, with one SE over Holdens at 08:05, one heard around the top of Burnt Edge/Adam Hill area at 08:40 and one fairly high NW over the northern end of Walker Fold at 09:03

176 Meadow Pipits in Burnt Edge, fortuitously all perching on telephone wires any one point, another large uncounted flock was on the moor by Adam Hill

24 Stonechats, all in/around Burnt Edge in three flocks/family parties

2 Blackcaps

12 Whitethroats

1 juvenile Reed Warbler, initially chased onto a dry stone wall in Burnt Edge by a Wren before disappearing off into thick juncus

29 Willow Warblers

2 Chiffchaffs

4 Bullfinches

2 Ravens

 

Higher Meadows at George's Lane:

5 Stonechats

2 Blackcaps

2 Willow Warblers

1 Chiffchaff

2 Ravens

6 Bullfinches

140+ Goldfinches feeding opposite the cafe in one flock

 

 



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Simon Warford


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Scout Road this morning-

1 Crossbill south
6 Snipe west
500+ House Martins gathering around the quarries/moor feeding along the edge of the early morning mist below
100+Swallow
20 Swift
10 Siskin
Stonechat


Burnt Edge circuit -
2 Crossbill north
3 Spotted Flycatchers
40+ Willow Warblers
5+ Chiffchaff
100+ Meadow Pipit
10+ Stonechat
15+ Whitethroat
1 Nuthatch Holden's
2 Red Grouse
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
6 Buzzard


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Dennis atherton


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Spotted Flycatchers at Charters Moss today feeding young 



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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Simon Warford


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Late news yesterday evening from Scout Road -

approx 102 Common Scoter NW at 8.40pm tracked from Holcombe Hill they seemed to want to drop into Wayoh or Delph but carried on west right past the Winter Hill mast.

1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling

-- Edited by Simon Warford on Friday 1st of August 2025 12:46:56 PM

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Simon Warford


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Early morning from Scout Road-

5 Crossbills south 6am
Tree Pipit heard only south
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Curlew

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Simon Warford


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This evening with Andy Makin and Phil Rhodes from Scout Road-

16 Crossbill south at 8.20pm
60+ Common Scoter west at 8.45pm



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Simon Warford


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Late news yesterday evening from Scout Road

270 Common Scoter west in 3 flocks from 9.10pm to 9.40pm. Viewed looking to the north so the birds would have been in Lancs.

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Simon Warford


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Vis mig watch from Scout Road early this morning;

7 Crossbill south at 6.30am
5 Siskin south
23 Swift


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Dennis atherton


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Gale Brook Plantation last night with Chris doing Woodcock survey.  11 Woodcock seen between 10.03 and 10.37.

 



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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Simon Warford


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Vis mig watch from Scout Road early this morning;

45 Crossbills south in 5 flocks.

Also 1 singing Garden Warbler nearby.

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Dennis atherton


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3 Tree Sparrows seen today off George's Lane 



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Dennis atherton


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First Hobby of the year over George's Lane today plus Red Legged Partridge from last week same area below cafe.



-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Thursday 15th of May 2025 09:03:02 PM



-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Thursday 15th of May 2025 09:04:12 PM

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David Geary


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Red Grouse spotted today near Mast Road.



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Steve Smith


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Walker fold to the mast then over to Rivington Pike and then back to the car park via Two Lads. Grasshopper Warbler heard from car park. Whitethroats, Willow Warblers, Stonechat, Wheatears, lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Highlight was male Ring Ouzel seen from the path up from the Snack Shack

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Carl Abbott


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A brief but noisy circuit yesterday morning from Walker Fold car park up to Burnt Edge, returning via Holden's Farm. Grasshopper Warblers by the side of the car park, a pair of reed buntings on the way up accompanied by skylarks in the distance and willow warblers nearby. A pair of linnets crossed the road at Burnt Edge, while a raven looked down on the moors towards meadow pipits which were accompanied by a single stonechat and a wheatear. Returning towards the car park a couple of whitethroats were noisily flitting from tree to tree.



-- Edited by Carl Abbott on Wednesday 23rd of April 2025 08:21:52 AM

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Dennis atherton


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A pair of Whinchat Holdens farm near Burnt Edge and  Grasshopper Warblers singing below Burnt Edge.

 Edit. Pic added



-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Monday 21st of April 2025 09:36:00 AM

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David Geary


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Recent sighting

Crossbills seen along Burnt Edge & Red-legged Partridge by Wilderswood.

 



-- Edited by David Geary on Monday 14th of April 2025 04:01:21 PM

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Ian McKerchar


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From Scout Road 22 Whooper Swans,  including two juveniles, flew north at 12:11pm and 11 Curlews were in fields below the watchpoint at the eastern end of the road.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes 



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John Williams


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Burnt Edge

Midday amble around the area.

I just managed to find a single Goldcrest moving through the conifers in the plantation.

4 Ravens were calling loudly, and appeared to be confirming their territories in the area.

2 flocks of Fieldfares were noted around the site, 1 flock of 18 were seen flying West towards

Mast Road. The other, a group of 54 were resting in the taller trees near the parking area on Burnt Edge,

this group had a dozen Starlings for company.

I had a good scan through the flora on and around Burnt Edge but no other passerines could be found, not

even a single stonechat, pipit or lark.



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John Williams
paulderrig


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Thanks for the advice on counting birds. Very interesting.

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Ian McKerchar


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Today’s moors highlights included:

5 Whooper Swans N

1272 Pink-footed Geese SE in 9 skeins and 90 NW in a single skein

13 Greylag Geese SW and 4 S

89 Fieldfares NW

175 Redwings with 100 SW and 75 NW

268 Woodpigeons NW

8 Siskins NW

1 male Crossbill dropped into Gale Brook Plantation

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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A quieter morning saw highlights of 380 Pink-footed Geese SE in two skeins, 471 Fieldfares NW, 47 SW and 20 SE, 351 Redwings NW and 210 SW, 3 Blackbirds WSW, 37 Lesser Redpolls S and 9 Crossbills S.

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning’s highlights during only a couple of hours included 3 male Ring Ouzels feeding on a muck heap along Matchmoor Lane before flying off low calling . From Scout Road, 30 Redwings N,112 SE and 24 SW; 172 Fieldfare with half S and half N in 10 flocks; 380 Pink-footed Geese SE; 12 Lesser Redpolls SE.

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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paulderrig wrote:

Hi, whats the best way/ formula for counting birds. Many thanks

Hi Paul, try putting ‘counting birds’ into the search facility on here and it will bring up the previous threads and answers to this often asked question but feel free to add any further question and queries on there and I’ll certainly answer as I can mate.

 



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paulderrig


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Hi, whats the best way/ formula for counting birds. Many thanks

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Ian McKerchar


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Yesterday morning from Scout Road:

627 Redwing S

517 Fieldfares S

12 Song Thrushes S, including a flock of 11

11 Crossbills S in flocks of 7 and 4

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Late highlights from yesterday morning:

1380 Redwings and 1564 Fieldfares mainly SSE, with one flock containing 2 Snipe

1 male Ring Ouzel S

512 Woodpigeons S

5 Bramblings SE

30 Siskin S

61 Chaffinches S

10 Bullfinches S

80 Pink-footed Geese SE

Info thanks to Andy Makin

 



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

1798 Fieldfares S/SE and 12 NW

2923 Redwings, with 12 NW and 2911 S/SE

14 Blackbirds S

Imm male type Ring Ouzel SSE

Redhead Red-breasted Merganser SW

34 Siskins S

279 Woodpigeons SW

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Today’s highlights included:

9297 Redwings, with 97 NNW and 9200 S

5345 Fieldfares, with 18 NW and 5327 S

3 Bramblings S

28 Siskins S

1 Golden Plover over

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning’s highlights from Scout Road included:

9763 Redwings mainly S/SE/SW

7756 Fieldfares mainly S/SW

184 Chaffinches, with 161 S and 23 N

16 Lesser Redpolls S

6 Crossbills S

3 Bramblings S among Redwing flocks

859  SW

1 Merlin S

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Moors highlights and totals from this morning include:

1410 Pink-footed Geese SW in 6 and 250 NW in 2 skeins

1288 Redwings ESE

688 Fieldfares mainly NNW 688

Ring-tailed Hen Harrier on the moor above Gale Brook 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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This morning’s highlights included:

1748 Redwings, with 1030 NW and 718 S/SW

1220 Fieldfares, included 735 W/NW and 485 S

17 Cormorants S/SE

67 Collared Doves S, with two followed by an unprecedented flock of 65! 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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Ian McKerchar


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Yesterday morning from Scout Road:

 

10 Goosanders S

23 Pink-footed Geese SE

1335 Woodpigeons SW

284 Redwings S

1 female type Ring Ouzel S

1 Fieldfare in Gale Brook

67 Chaffinches S

26 Siskins S

3 Crossbills in Gale Brook

18 Lesser Redpolls S 

 

Info thanks to Andy Makin



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