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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
Andy Voisey


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10.00 to 1330
Georges Lane
1 stonechat
goldfinch
Linnet
1 repoll
1 jay
buzzard
Pied wagtails
Many willow warblers

Burnt Edge (Matchmoor Lane along top then descent down to path that leads to Holden's Farm)
1 Wheatear on top
7 stonechat inc 2 adults in bracken
Numerous linnet in bracken
1 Whinchat in bracken
2 Wren in bracken
1 warbler in bracken I'm struggling to identify, but seeing the previous post it could be the wood warbler. (I have a photo)
1 spotted flycatcher at bottom of descent in a dead fallen tree.
3 spotted flycatchers in the tall pines about 100 yards further on at the bottom of the rise up to Matchmoor Lane

Holdens Farm
Just the usual willow warblers, swallows and seed eaters, but the highlight was a hobby.
It zipped out from behind the barn presumably after one of the swallows, but within a couple of seconds every swallow from Holden's Farm was mobbing it.
I reckon there must have been 30-40 swallows attacking it. It was driven away empty handed.
I banged off a few photos of the fight, but it was into the sun, so they're not great.

The whole episode rounded off a pleasant day out in the sun.

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munsworth


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12-2 pm today

Female Pied Flycatcher on George's Lane half a mile beyond the kennels.
2 juvenile Spotted Flycatcher George's Lane just beyond the kennels.

Mike

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Ian McKerchar


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Stunning Wood Warbler at 12:30 today with a feeding party of Willow Warbler and tits on the path down to Walker Fold Wood by the stream.

A very rare autumn passage record for the county!

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Main sightings from today between Andy Makin, Andy Pinches and myself:

Hobby low East over Wilderswood
Green Woodpecker by the kennels on Georges Lane
2 Redstart, with one in ferns in Burnt Edge and one in the 'Big Hedge' along Georges Lane
Single Spotted Flycatcher along Wilderswood
2 Tree Pipit with singles showing well on telephone wires and trees at Walker Fold and one by Holdens Farm

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Ian McKerchar


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Today, only 113 Swallows heading south and a juvenile Peregrine flew through NW

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday:

3 Redstart (2 still present from the day before and a single was along Georges Lane by the kennels
9 Wheatear
6 Crossbill spread across various points around the moors

info thanks to Andy Makin and Dan Brown

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Ian McKerchar


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Ian McKerchar wrote:

In isolated willows by the bottom of Burnt Edge today:

3 Pied Flycatcher still present
5 Spotted Flycatcher
2 Redstart
Tree Pipit (with no tail!)

Info thanks to Andy Makin




10 Spotted Flycatcher present at the same location by midday.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Paul Richardson


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Gorgeous morning at Burnt Edge and round to Walker Fold via Holden's and Roccoe's Tenement Clough.

Really nice to meet the expert Andy Makin again and thanks Andy for your help - we never DID spot the Tree Pipit though!

In addition to the Spotted and Pied Flycatchers and the Redstarts (the latter two being site firsts for me).....

9 Mistle Thrush
Approx 30 Linnet
10 Goldfinch
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Kestrel juv male

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Ian McKerchar


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In isolated willows by the bottom of Burnt Edge today:

3 Pied Flycatcher still present
5 Spotted Flycatcher
2 Redstart
Tree Pipit (with no tail!)

Info thanks to Andy Makin


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Ian McKerchar


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Totals from today:

27 Wheatear
2 Spotted Flycatcher; 1 bottom of mast road and 1 southern end of burnt edge
3 Pied Flycatcher (family party on migration!) at the southern end of burnt edge
Tree Pipit and immature male Redstart southern end of burnt edge
6 Stonechat burnt edge
33 Willow Warbler

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Martin Loftus


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4pm, Juvenile Cuckoo In the fields adjacent to the Pike and the Barn.

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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday, when a juvenile Wheatear was by the main mast on Winter Hill at 6:30pm.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes

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John Williams


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09.00-12.30

Georges Lane

A large mixed flock of passerines, including Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, 1 Whitethroat and a juvenile Bullfinch, moved through the bushes below the lane, and attracted

the attention of a female Sparrowhawk. She in turn attracted a couple of brave Swallows who mobbed her vigorously, she almost managed to grab one, but then she just

disappeared towards Wilderswood. The reason for the Swallows courage was there to see, 3 newly fledged juveniles sat on the fence below the drama.

Another Swallow family were resting up just North of the kennels. Also here were 8 Lapwings, 30+ Starlings, and in the young conifers, a single male Lesser Redpoll.

Burnt Edge

As along Georges Lane, Swallows were here in profusion, with 4 juveniles sat on a stone wall, and many more gathered in the nearby willows.

5 Linnets and 3 Reed Buntings were below Burnt Edge, whilst the horse paddock above held a Kestrel, 3 Ravens and a charm of 30 Goldfinches.

Below Burnt Edge I met Andy Makin, who kindly pointed out a juvenile Stonechat, and expressed concern that Stonechats have been scarce on the moor this year.

I did'nt manage to glimpse the juvenile Redstart Andy had seen, Walker Fold though held a huge flock of Coal Tits, and mixed in with them the odd Chaffinch etc.

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John Williams
Paul Richardson


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Sat 25th 0800-1200

Wilderswood:

Treecreeper - 1
Goldcrest - 1
Willow Warbler - several family groups
Common Whitethroat - 3 adullt, 3 juv
Goldfinch - several groups
Kestrel - 1


Burnt Edge:

Mistle Thrush 2 flocks one of 10 and one of about 8
Reed Bunting - 2
Meadow Pipit - 4
No Stonechat seen or heard
Kestrel - 1


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Paul
Ian McKerchar


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Birds from yesterday morning from Scout Road included 9 Crossbill South (in two flocks of 6 and 3) and a third flock calling but not seen.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Andy Voisey


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1000 to1500 Saturday
George's Lane and Wilderswood, then Matchmoor Lane along Burnt Edge, down the valley and up to Holden's Farm.

Very quiet all over on a very windy day.

No crossbills, no wheatear, no stonechat, no buzzard.

Kestrels, goldfinches, linnets and greenfinches etc, and a group of 5 mistle thrush in the valley.

Only excitement was in the wood with a group of goldcrests which had one very shy member with a fiery orange crest.
I only glimpsed it twice briefly in dense pine.
I did not get a look at its face, but I'm pretty sure it was a goldcrest.

Guess I'll have to wait until September and Spurn to see the real deal again.

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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday morning; 3 Crossbill and 3 Siskin NW over Georges Lane.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Christaylor


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Heard a Grasshopper Warbler Saw 2 Meadow Pipits 5 Goldfinch 1 Reed Bunting Several Willow Warblers Tonight around 1900 by Sugar Loaf Plantation

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Ian McKerchar


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25 Crossbills over yesterday, including 20 down together in one plantation alone.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Five Crossbills SW over Scout Road this morning. Also 3 Siskin and 88 Swift directly over SE in small groups.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted today by Jack Danson:

Nice to see a hen pheasant with 9 chicks a couple of days old, in the conservation area directly in front of Holdens Farm.

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Kristian Wade


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I could see the smoke from that fire all the way from Atherton at about 7:00pm , I hope it got under control all right.

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Holly Page


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Large grass/heather fire this afternoon above Holdens Farm. Decided to drive the scenic route home from work up Matchmoor Lane and down to Scout Road. Ended up driving down Burnt Edge Lane to take a look with my bins. At least one fire engine seen driving up Mast Road but I could only see one firefighter. He was using one of the fire beaters but not getting very far. Hopefully they'll have it under control soon.

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Simon Warford


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Two Cuckoos singing across the moors yesterday evening.

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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

Hobby and Common Tern both North over Higher Meadows at 07:35 and six Crossbill NNW at 07:40.
Two Cuckoo by the kennels.

Info thanks to Andy Makin


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Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted today by Jack Danson:

Pleasant walk around Holdens Farm, numerous hen pheasants with cocks in attendance, pair of mallard in wood in front of farm and the high light 2 pair of English partridge one in front of farm in the rough ground and the other pair just behind the house.

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Rick Hall


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Jon Bowen wrote:

Craig Higson wrote:

Forgot to add - 99% certain I heard Grasshopper Warbler singing down in the valley from the top of Burnt Edge.




Usually one knocking around there Craig, so probably right



Was there yesterday for about an hour and there were at least 3 possibly as many as 6 Grasshopper Warblers reeling away in that area. Also a whimbrel over followed by 2 more possibles but they may have been curlews. didn't get a good look.

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Dan Brown


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Sunday 15:00. Cuckoo calling at Walker Fold.

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Jon Bowen


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Craig Higson wrote:

Forgot to add - 99% certain I heard Grasshopper Warbler singing down in the valley from the top of Burnt Edge.




Usually one knocking around there Craig, so probably right

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Craig Higson


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Forgot to add - 99% certain I heard Grasshopper Warbler singing down in the valley from the top of Burnt Edge.

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Craig Higson


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Seemed quiet this morning. A redshank over George's Lane and two curlew were the best birds between 06.30 and 07.30. A single female wheatear was in the horse paddock at slack hall along with a female Sparrowhawk and another curlew over south. A single wheatear was on the spoil heaps near the quarry on Matchmoor Lane and a singing Blackcap was in the sallows/willows opposite the stables.

Oh yes. A "Moors" tick in the form of a Canada goose feeding in the field opposite Wilderswood car park!

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Ian McKerchar


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Still a single Ring Ouzel in the field between Matchmoor Lane and Montcliffe Quarry today, plus 51 Wheatear across the whole moor.

Info thanks to Ken Haydock and Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Sightings from today thanks to Andy Makin, Brian Fogg, Ken Haydock and myself:

Whinchat alongGeorges Lane
42 Wheatear
9 Ring Ouzel including 6 in the field between Matchmoor Lane and Montcliffe Quarry, at least one by New Fields Plantation with a further 2 along Coal Pit Road.
Grasshopper Warbler at Burnt Edge
Male Whitethroats at Brownstones and Walker Fold
Cuckoo ranging from Burnt Edge to Walker Fold
2 Tree Pipit at Holden's Farm (in the field below the farm and then trees in the plantation)

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Ian McKerchar


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Other birds from today:

4+ Ring Ouzel near Pilkington Quarry and 19 Wheatear this morning.
Whimbrel calling NW over Burnt Edge this afternoon.

Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock

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Ian McKerchar


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Female Black Redstart around the cable compounds in GM, moving towards the mast buildings, then onto the moor north of the mast with 2 Wheatear, possibly moving towards the rocket mast at 7:30 this morning.

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Sightings from all day today:

3 Ring Ouzel in Pilkington Quarry
Male Whinchat along Dean Ditch
29 Wheatear

Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock

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Ian McKerchar


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A Ring Ouzel flew north along Mast Road this morning and 25 Wheatear were by Heather Hall.

Info thanks to Andy Makin and Ken Haydock

Male Whinchat along Coal Pit Road at 11:25 today and an adult Mediterranean Gull flew over North.

Info thanks to Phil Rhodes

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David Sulway


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If you walk through the quarry works along concrete path from georges lane and then join the public footpath up the hill, the path passes between two quarries. The right hand one is not worked. There is a service road along the bottom. As the road ends Two ring ouzels seen on the slope to the left of the road and in bush on the slope. 6.45pm sunday 19.4.15. Dave Sulway

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Karl Bishop


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3 Ring Ouzel - 2 Male and 1 Female .....Matchmoor Lane near quarry about 8.45am flew off over quarry couldn't relocate
Cheers
Karl

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Ian McKerchar


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Early this morning in very windy conditions:


8 Wheatear
Single male Ring Ouzel by Newfields Farm

Info thanks to Andy Makin


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John Doherty


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No Ring Ouzel for me despite a scout, but did get a male Merlin up near the mast, 3 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk.

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Ian McKerchar


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Late news for yesterday (17th):

1 male Ring Ouzel E over Georges Lane about 07:30, then 3 down in field opposite Heather Hall and Matchmoor Lane.

16 wheatear.

Info thanks to Andy Makin


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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

9 Ring Ouzel down below Belmont Road in areaa of sheep fields and plantation in Lancashire; present until at least 9am

Also a flock of 6 Ouzels flew NE at 07:15 and a further 8 flew N at 07:30 over Georges Lane in GM.

At 07:20 2 Whooper Swans flew over E, very high (700ft+) tracked for 15min coming from Lancashire then over Blackrod then seen to divert to the NE.

Also spread all over the entire site were 29 Wheatear.

Info thanks to Andy Makin


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Nigel Richards


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3 Ring Ouzel showing close up early pm - one was in a bush a metre above my head and I only knew when it flew off

-- Edited by Nigel Richards on Thursday 16th of April 2015 06:40:23 PM

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Ian McKerchar


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This morning:

4 male Ring Ouzels below the conifer plantation off Belmont Road, just over the border in Lancashire and showing well
6 Ring Ouzels flew directly over Georges Lane heading NW
2 Whimbrel flew N over Higher Meadows
7 Wheatear in the pony field at the bottom of Mast Road

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Late afternoon today:

19 Wheatear
6 Curlews together

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Dan Brown


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7 pm George's Lane. Ring Ouzel (m) just in Lancs below the conifer plantation.

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Ian McKerchar


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The only birds of note this morning were:

27 Wheatear
1 Golden Plover over north

Info thanks to Andy Makin

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Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted today by Jack Danson:

Can't believe no one has mentioned the swallows that have arrived at Holdens Farm !!


2 early on Thur 9/4/15 then yesterday a great show of at least 6 circling the farm and buildings great sight after the wet, wet winter. Then today they were busy feeding and resting on the wires in front of the farm. Also easy to see from track a busy male wren building a very posh nest in the main farm building, looks very impressive.

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Craig Higson


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Willow warbler and Chiffchaff in 'the dell' off Georges Lane plus 1 Raven over.

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