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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> Higher End and Bispham Hall, near Billinge Hill
Post Info TOPIC: Higher End and Bispham Hall, near Billinge Hill
dave broome


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RE: Higher End and Bispham Hall, near Billinge Hill
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Approx 40 Chaffinch and 35 Skylark on stubble along Smethurst Road between the former brickworks mound and Mountains Farm today, 3 Teal flew over in to W Lancs



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dave broome


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Merlin this morning, stooped in the locality of Billinge Plants-Cob Moor 

info thanks to Chris Darbyshire



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dave broome


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Red Kite low NNW over Tennyson Drive/Coppice Wood at around 15:15, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire



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dave broome


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Yellow-Browed Warbler calling in a large Willow on Brownlow Lane at 10:46, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire



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dave broome


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Hobby high south over Billinge Plants this afternoon, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire



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dave broome


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4 Crossbill circled the Billinge Plants/Coppice Wood area 14:58-14:59, then probably left to the SE. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire



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dave broome


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Mon 3rd Oct: Crossbill SW over Coppice Wood/Billinge Plants, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire 



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dave broome


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This morning Smethurst Rd-Mountains Fm area 1 Hobby, 4 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 40 Linnet feeding in St Helens nr Mountains Fm

Birds moving S/SW 72 Meadow Pipit, 16 Swallow, 4 Skylark, 26 Linnet, 3 Siskin

 



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dave broome


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This morning, Smethurst Road to near the masts:

Kingfisher at Bispham Brickworks, 1 Stock Dove, 39 Mistle Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 52 Jackdaw, 5 Skylark, 1 Treecreeper, 46 Starling, 14 Tree Sparrow, 24 Linnet, 6 Yellowhammer

little in the way of visible migration, birds logged moving S were 38 Meadow Pipit, 21 Swallow, 3 Siskin, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch, also 1 Snipe flew west



-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 21st of September 2016 12:07:18 PM

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dave broome


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30 Tree Sparrow just N of Mountains Farm this morning

6 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat



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paul brady


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dave broome wrote:

Birds seen by Chris Darbyshire along the GM boundary between the Bonelli's plantation and Mountains Farm this morning included 2 Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler and 10 Buzzard




Loving the name of the pine copse :) Had a redstart there yesterday plus whinchat and 3 wheatear in the horse paddocks at Crookhurst Farm

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dave broome


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Birds seen by Chris Darbyshire along the GM boundary between the Bonelli's plantation and Mountains Farm this morning included 2 Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler and 10 Buzzard



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dave broome


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Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Willow Warbler in the Bonelli's plantation above Brownlow late morning, one of the latter singing occasionally. 6 Chiffchaff from there down to Smethurst Rd. 1 Raven



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dave broome


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Tree Pipit calling but not seen nr conifers W of Brownlow Fm this morning



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dave broome


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Ring Ouzel this morning, presumably same bird as found by Paul yesterday. If walking from Smethurst Road, past Mountains Farm, just past the steps, feeding in sheep field on Bispham Hall side of path. It goes missing for periods before appearing to feed in the field. 

Green Woodpecker yaffling in Bispham Wood, then on top of a tree in woodland west of Brownlow Fm (world's worst record shot below, taken from distance)

2 Siskin flew N, 1 Swallow, 1 Raven, 2 Willow Warblers singing on mound at former Bispham Brickworks, 4 Yellowhammer 

 

 



-- Edited by dave broome on Thursday 14th of April 2016 11:15:55 AM

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paul brady


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In The Greater Manchester part of Billinge Hill behind Bispham Hall this morning was a ring ouzel, 2 wheatears, 5 swallows, pied wagtail, great spotted woodpecker, willow warbler, chiffchaff plus a few siskins over. At the beacon 2 fieldfare flew over, blackcap heard singing too



-- Edited by paul brady on Wednesday 13th of April 2016 03:43:56 PM

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dave broome


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A minimum 2100 Redwing, 120 Fieldfare and 1 Swallow S-SW this morning, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire



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dave broome


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A juvenile Osprey circled over the general vicinity of Billinge Plants between 1555-1610, gaining height before drifting off SW. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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paul brady


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Amen to that!

I try to get up a couple of times a week, if work, weather & family permits but often have the dilemma of choosing which bit to spend my precious time on. Saying that I do like this little patch (even if it is in Gtr Manc!) and often venture over there though only a handful of times have I bumped into a fellow birder (and most of those are Chris D). The fields are good for ring ouzel in the spring whilst redstart, spotted flycatcher, wheatear and various warblers in the autumn, though as I was saying I was gutted to miss this one by about 2 hours.

I spent a good amount of time up there this morning and redstart, spotted flycatcher and 3 wheatear were present but warblers were notably v. quiet/absent as were birders ..... aside from me and Chris.

Its amazing how yesterdays flurry of birders quickly subsided but also how many positive comments the site got and many people connected with at least a redstart, spotted flycatcher, whinchat or pied flycatcher (does anybody know who this was as I've not had one up there and Chris hasn't for quite some time), a lesser whitethroat was even reported on the other side.

So anyone up for covering this patch a little more regularly? Now is THE time

Oh and I put all my sightings out via @sthelensbirds on twitter fairly quickly and for anybody who wants to contribute to a combined blog we have (see link on signature below) where Damian, myself and a few others post pictures and sightings fairly regular.

Cheers

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John Watson


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I don't mean to take anything away from the regulars, but there's a lot to check !

The 1-2 quail earlier this year were very welcome

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Ian McKerchar


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Ian McKerchar wrote:

Originally posted today by John Watson:

The site somehow appeals as a mini migration hotspot, with a few isolated patches of deciduous woodland, willow, conifer, a pool a few hedges & relatively easy access; all at the top of a hill standing out from the mosslands to the NW, W and S. Given how busy Horwich moors can get, this site is surely underwatched.




Billinge Hill in particular does receive some excellent attention from birders and visible migration watchers John (Chris Darbyshire in particular has covered the site for many years), although like most places it still classes as under-watched! The site's migration totals are not usually posted on this forum but do make their way into the annual county bird report and often give an excellent comparison (though more often to a lesser degree) with those on the Horwich Moors.


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Ian McKerchar


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No further sign of the Bonelli's Warbler this morning.

Birds present though included Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear.

Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted today by John Watson:

Missed it, sadly. Last seen at 11:10 by Damian though several others looking for the rest of the day.

Also, 30+ swallows drifting South ahead of a shower

Also, others had seen Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Whinchat; I think someone mentioned Spotted Flycatcher too.

The site somehow appeals as a mini migration hotspot, with a few isolated patches of deciduous woodland, willow, conifer, a pool a few hedges & relatively easy access; all at the top of a hill standing out from the mosslands to the NW, W and S. Given how busy Horwich moors can get, this site is surely underwatched.


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Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted yesterday by Rob Creek:

Delivering in Southport today so when the text came through, it was an opportunity not to be missed to try for the Bonelli's Warbler, seeing as though it was actually on the way back to work in Reddish.

Late afternoon in none stop heavy drizzle...
Parked on Smethurst Road, walked 0.72 miles to the suggested location, a few other birders present but the bird hadn't been seen since earlier on, judging by the post below that was you showing me your photos Damian, nice to meet you, couldn't stop any longer had to get back to work.

Birds of note however...(in the Pine trees and surrounding area)
Goldcrest - 1, moving through the trees calling
Coal Tit - 1, also moving through
Blue Tit - 1, also moving through
Chiffchaff - 3, also in the same trees, 1 of which was a dull olive colour with a greyish hue to it just to confuse matters.
Grey Wagtail - sat on side of pool in middle of the copse then flew off calling

In the hedges surrounding the copse...
Robin - 1
Chiffchaff - 1, with another 1 calling in next patch of woods.
Also 2 Wheatear and numerous Meadow Pipit around the stone walls on way back down to the car near the cattle field.

If this hangs around then I may try again at weekend.

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Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted yesterday by Craig Higson:

I went for this bird this afternoon, shortly after news was put out. Sadly I (along with everyone else there) failed to make contact. Speaking to a couple of St Helens birders the opinion was that it had probably left the pine copse and moved along the hedges into more suitable deciduous woodland. One hedge in particular seemed to be a favourite bet, as it had a number of birds in it, and this was leading away north, deeper into GM. Great find.

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Ian McKerchar


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Originally posted yesterday by Damian Pendlebury; note the copse referred to is actually within Greater Manchester:

I found a Bonellis warbler sp. this morning on Billinge Hill on the
public footpath between Crank Road and Smethurst Road that leads to Mountains
Farm. It was in the pine copse that's on the right.

sd519021

Cheers,

Damian

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dave broome


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A flock of 20+ Whooper Swan high west over Billinge Plants at 09:02 this morning. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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dave broome


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Min 500 Redwing this morning over the Smethurst Road-Mountains Farm area. Some flocks dropping in briefly before moving on. Various directions involved mostly S, though some SE and one flock N. (1500+ logged from Billinge Hill, per Chris Darbyshire)
Other birds in the Smethurst Rd area inc min 124 Skylark, which included a low-flying flock of approx 85 E, 2 Corn Bunting by Mountains Farm, 6 Tree Sparrow, 7 Goldcrest, 28 Robin and 14 Dunnock. Other birds moving S inc 14 Meadow Pipit, 3 Siskin, 4 Song Thrush and 13 Chaffinch

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dave broome


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juvenile Redstart this morning north of Smethurst Road, in hedgerow north of Bispham Brickworks lake (actually the Greater Manchester/West Lancs boundary)
256 Meadow Pipit S to SSW in 2 hours, just 2 Swallow S, 5 Chaffinch S
In the Smethurst Rd/Bispham Brickworks vicinity 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 19 Robin, min 7 Yellowhammer and 10 Chaffinch

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Ian McKerchar


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Yesterday morning, an Osprey flew SW over Billinge Plantations.

Info thanks to Peter Alker

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dave broome


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A Wheatear this morning, just in St Helens, west of Billinge Plants, then flew (in to GM airspace!) over Bispham Hall. Pair of Ravens flew N. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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dave broome


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Redstart today, moved through gardens by Coppice Wood at the north end of Billinge Plants today. Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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Colin Baines


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New to forum. My house (upholland road) backs onto the fields in this area and we get lots of good sightings. 9am this morning (9th Dec) we had a Merlin sat on the shed.
Previous sittings of interest include grey partridge, fieldfare, sparrowhawk, tree sparrows, great spotted woodpecker, marsh or willow tits, willow warblers, various tits and finches - all in garden. Plus lapwings, buzzards, red legged partridge and yellowhammer in field.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 9th of December 2012 02:21:03 PM

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dave broome


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Sunday 21st: min 1 Crossbill NE 1402hrs and Merlin high W at 1625hrs, over Billinge Plants/Coppice Wood area, info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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dave broome


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a Pink-Footed Goose flock, 28 birds, was on a a stubble field off Smethurst Rd this morning
birds moving between S/SW: 241 Meadow Pipit, 44 Alba Wagtail, 19 Chaffinch, 14 Greenfinch, 13 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 24 Jackdaw
9 Snipe circled above the farmland and moved off in to West Lancs
around Bispham Brickworks birds included 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and 4 Yellowhammer

-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 5th of October 2012 09:09:03 PM

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dave broome


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Grasshopper Warbler today, flew out of vegetation at the side of the public footpath between Billinge Plants and Plane Tree Farm, which is the GM boundary - it flew a short distance in to the field on the GM side of the path! 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Swift south

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dave broome


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Hobby over N end of Billinge Plants this evening before flying south - info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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Damian Pendlebury


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2 yellow wagtail (1m, 1f), 1 blackcap, 4 common whitethroat, 7 yellowhammer, 2 willow warbler all near to Mountains Farm this morning.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7856753@N02/7447632796/in/photostream

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Ian McKerchar


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A Red Kite flew low NE over the plantations at 11:05 this morning.

Info thanks to Chris Derbyshire (via Dave Broome)

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dave broome


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1 Lapwing, 10 Yellowhammer, 200 Starling and c30 Fieldfare in stubble off Smethurst Road today; fem Peregrine just in West Lancs on the updraft west of Mountains Farm

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dave broome


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15 Crossbill WSW over N end of Billinge Plants 08:32 this morning
Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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Ian McKerchar


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14 Crossbills SW over the north end of Billinge Plantations at 08:42 this morning.

Info thanks to Chris Darbyshire

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dave broome


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238 Meadow Pipit S/SW this morning
also moving through were 21 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 10 Skylark, 3 Siskin, 7 Chaffinch and 4 Pied/White Wagtail

Blackbird, Blackcap and Wren mobbing a Tawny Owl in the copse at the Brickworks Pool mound

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dave broome


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140 Tree Sparrow feeding west of Brownlow Farm early a.m today
45 Meadow Pipit, 1 Siskin and 10 Chaffinch south/south-west in 1 hour

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dave broome


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111 Meadow Pipit S/SW in one hour this morning, 5 Siskin SW
Golden Plover circling fields north of the brickworks

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dave broome


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Along Smethurst Road and the area around the brickworks today - Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Yellowhammer

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dave broome


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The infamous 'Billinge Rain' failed to produce hordes of grounded migrants today
1 Siskin was in the Pines west of Brownlow Farm
5 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler were around the Brickworks
1 Willow Tit at Tontine

one cow in a grazing herd had it's hind legs shackled together, never seen that before

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dave broome


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Early morning today: Wheatear by Mountains Farm, Willow Tit and 2 Goldcrest in Pines along footpath south of there on brow of hill
Early evening: 3 Wheatear on fence west of Brownlow Farm, 2 Spotted Flycatcher in Sycamore plantation and Pines south of Mountains Fm, approx 35 Tree Sparrow in hedge north of masts

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Ian McKerchar


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Tree Pipit at Smethurst Road, Higher End this morning. Flighty around the fields near brickworks pool.

Info thanks to Dave Broome

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Ian McKerchar


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Spotted Flycatcher this am along Smethurst Road, opposite the derelict brickworks.

Info thanks to Dave Broome

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