Quite warm and dry today, and the wildlife responded well to it. (Too many people though!)
Best of the day =

Grey Partridge 4 The first I've seen for several months. (Same area that I described to you Chris.)
Kestrel Over Rhodes Barns. Hanging almost directly overhead at one point.
Goldfinches 2 Although quite common in the area these were way up in the sparse blackthorn tress beyond Rhodes Barns and towards the slopes over Norman Hill Reservoir
House Sparrows 4 Springmill
Goldcreasts 2 Below Ogden Dam

Dippers 2 Not quite in the valley but they tend to range between Peppermint Bridge and Woodmill

Very quiet on a walk back down the valley from th' Owd Tup to New Hey, with only four cormorants and a couple of goosander on Ogden Reservoir to report.

C. J-B

Jay in Roughbank Plantation
Little Owl confirmed as sitill in residence.
Dipper around infall to Norman Hill Reservoir. (Another at Woodmill on the way to the valley.)
Kestrel (male) above Piethorn Brook (beyond Norman Hill Reservoir.)
Wrens (2) Track upto Roughbank in the last of the daylight.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 18th of November 2012 05:33:44 PM

Stonechat 2 (poss 3 - they were hard to keep track of amongst the walls and rusty braken) Rhodes Barns.
Fieldfare approx 25 - 30 Binns Ruins. My first in the Piethorn Valley this winter. (Mixed flock included 1 Mistle Thrush and a few starlings.)

Mid morning about 20 Redwing between Springholes and the top of Goodfleckers.

First proper visit for a couple of years, but good to get back in the hills.

1 Raven cronking loudly and showing well on the pylon by the track above Ogden (something I certainly don't see down here in Norfolk!)
7 redhead Goosander on Kitcliffe and then presumably the same group on Ogden a bit later on
adult Green Woodpecker (was a major rarity when I used to bird this place in the 90s) at the end of the Piethorne Res embankment
Great Crested Grebe - 1 on Ogden
Cormorant - 3 on Ogden, 1 on Kitcliffe and 2 sat right on top of the pylon by the road
Canada Goose - 42 in sheep fields
Kestrel hovering over the quarry

Had a look around the quarry for Little Owl but couldn't find any, presume they are still here?

Neil

Today I received a report from local birder, P. Sutton, regarding a colossal gathering of siskin near Coldgreave in the upper valley yesterday. Basically he said the number was 'several hundred' strong and feeding on the abundant thistle heads and the ground adjacent. He described how the ground was so thick with them that it appeared that the grass was moving and when they took flight, it was like one of those huge starling flocks on the Somerset Levels.
That must've been something to see.

Chris

Whinchat just above Kitcliffe Farm about an hour ago.

Chris

7th August.

2 Whinchat this morning, plus a total of 6 Stonechat in 3 different locations. A Dipper was singing, perhaps more surprisingly so were 5 Willow Warblers early in the morning. Most song consisted of a truncated bit of the full version, although one was going at it full throttle. Also present a family party of Linnet, with at least 2 incessantly begging young. It was also nice today to see a House Sparrow and also hear others around the farm. This record coupled with a few other sightings this year and in 2011 suggests that a small population may hopefully have re-established itself in the valley after several years' absence?

Yesterday, after hearing of Steve Atkins sensational Common Scoter record at Watergrove I came up to check the valleys reservoirs to see if any had dropped in here. No signs on any on the 4 reservoirs I checked......although it's always possible there may have been hundreds lurking on the two other unchecked ones! Still the visit was very worthwhile as I was able to confirm breeding for a pair of Whitethroats which I have been following and that have been holding territory throughout a large part of the breeding season. The male was seen on several occasions collecting and carrying what looked like crane flies. The nest is at roughly 225 metres above sea level. Not sure if that in itself is unusual? Certainly a first for me here and it may even be a first for the valley? As mentioned, Whitethroat is not a regular species here and breeding was not proven for it during the last 4 years of our local breeding birds' atlas project for the 2 main tetrads that covers most of Piethorne, so all in all quite a pleasing record.

Whilst in waffling mode , a quick update on the SCaMP project here (see earlier posts on this thread dated 24/3/09 & 2/9/10). The slower growing tree species such as Oak are still largely growing inside or just peeking out of their protective sheaths. However, some of the more vigorous trees species have, around three years later, made substantial growth and some of the Rowans already have a small berry crop this year which will help the valleys bird population in the autumn and winter months.

Cheers,

Bill.

Whitethroat singing at the top end of Wickenhall this aft'

Chris

30th April.

Matt from United Utilities reported the sighting of a Cuckoo in the upper valley this morning.

Cheers,

Bill.

Despite my misgivings about the fate of the Little Owl a couple of weeks ago we still have at least one in the usual haunts.

7 tufted ducks on Kitcliffe Reservoir (4m)
3 Goosanders on Piethorn Reservoir (2m)

I tied myself in the usual knots trying to sort out willow warblers and chiffchaffs but I am sure there was at least one of the latter in Knowsley Plantation amongst three or four willow warblers all giving it full voice this morning. (Still it passes the time and in theory builds the knowledge.)

I have been out there most of today but no Ring Ouzels yet this year. I checked all the usual haunts for them and for our resident stonechats but couldn't find them either. Nor have I seen any wheatears yet this year.
Up on the moors above Piethorn Brook (upper stretch) I did find a ringed and somewhat bloody leg though. It did all the stuff you are supposed to do and it turned out to be a all that was left of a racing pigeon from Keigthly.

A single Wheatear was photographed by my daughter at Cold Greave this morning. I couldn't find any this afternoon.

A friend of mine has just told me that she found a dead 'baby owl' a few weeks ago on the track at Springholes. From the description I suspect it was a Little Owl.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 14th of April 2012 10:13:46 AM

On a little stroll up Wickenhall this aft' were two willow warblers singing and a chiffchaff at Lanebottom. Also 5 stock doves here and my first local swallows with two at Spring Mill. There were a couple of coots and a great crested Grebe on Ogden Res' too.

C.B

On a walk up to Doldrum and Ogden, I saw (or heard) the following:

1. A green woodpecker at Peppermint Bridge,
2. A chiffchaff at Lanebottom,
3. 3+ sand martins back at the Longden End colony, plus two wheatears here,
4. Several curlews,
5. A pair of little owls in Springholes Quarry,
6. A tawny owl in Knowsley Plantation and my first willow warbler of the year was singing here also. There was also another willow warbler by Kitcliffe Res
7. Several linnets over.
8. Plenty of skylarks and meadow pipits knocking about too

C.B

On a circular walk up the valley to Norman Hill Res', over the top to Whiteley Dean (not named on modern maps, but the valley that runs east from Longden End towards the watershed), past Doldrum and Springholes I saw the following:

1. Wheatear (male) in Springholes Quarry. Thanks must go to Rob and Alison Willis for pointing this bird out to me. Very nice to meet you both. I'm afraid the little owl didn't show after you'd gone either. I've not seen one here for ages now.
2. Tawny owl in Knowlsey plantation.
3. Pair of oystercatchers by Hanging Lees.
4. Several curlews about the valley.
5. A few pheasants being rather vocal.
6. Pair of Goldeneye on Norman Hill Ressy.
7. Lots of meadow pipits moving through the valley.
8. A few skylarks singing (very nice).
9. Two coot on Ogden Res.

Regards, C.B

The pair of great crested grebes on Ogden Reservoir were displaying again this morning. (On my return trip in the afternoon I noted that an angler had positioned himself very close to the only favourable nesting site which is always going to be a problem at this location.)
A single oystercatcher was at the Kitcliffe end of Ogden Reservoir.
Meadow Pipit at Binns Ruins along with about a dozen fieldfares.
A fleeting glimpse of sparrowhawk(?) darting through the low trees and outbuildings behind Springmill was too fast and too brief for absolute confirmation.

29th February.

Early this morning at a misty Piethorne - an influx of Curlews - the largest single flock of 17 landed on farmland between Rooden Reservoir and Denshaw. Other airborne flocks of 6 and 5 birds and various singletons were seen, which may or may not have been the same birds?

Also 1 Lapwing, 3 singing Song Thrush, 1 singing Reed Bunting. 2 Goldeneye (a pair) were on Rooden Reservoir. The first I have seen at Piethorne for ages. Goldeneye used to be expected, if intermittent visitors throughout the winter months on Foul Water Lodge but since that was stocked with fish, the nature of the water has presumably changed and now appears to be not to their liking?

No Oystercatchers yet.

Cheers,

Bill.

Chris.
Piethorn 'Mad dogs.'

(1) If you are referring to the ones from the last house when appraoching Rooden Res from the south the collie bit my leg the last time I passed that way. The owner, although always cheerful with a greeting, does not seem too concerned so the rule of 'first blood' now applies. (I have not had any trouble with any other dogs on that side of the valley.)
(2) On the otherside of the valley if you are passing Rough Bank cottages the dogs will come over the wall at you now but then if you stand your ground they seem at a loss to know what to do next. More noise than an immediate threat to your welfare - its still disconcerting though. (Its worth it for accessing the meadows behind as they have turned up some interesting but unidentified waders this winter.)

Geoff

Chris you were right about the fieldfares. I was up there on Ogden Edge around midday and saw the largest flock of Fieldfares that I have ever seen in any one place. I gave up trying to count at 200+. Probably about 300 with the same again in starlings. I watched them for about 15mins but didn't spot anything else amongst them. I'm not sure what spooked them but when they did go they went in three groups = 1 of starlings and 2 of fieldfares all heading in seperate direcions.
Grey wagtail in Rooden catchwater drain.

The Green Woodpecker was successfully released back into the wild this morning. To say it was happy to be home is an understatement! As soon as I opened the box, it was out and away. It flew straight back to where I have seen them in the past. no time for photos though

Other birds present

Raven
5 Skylark
2 Goosander
5 Mallard
Reed Bunting
2 Mistle Thrush
Fieldfare
Blue Tit
Goldfinch

Not quite in the Piethorn valley but certainly within the Piethorn Brook watershed I spotted a Golden Plover just over the otherside of Ripponden Road. (About 200 metres inside the GM border)
I've had several recent sightings of waders up on the winter hills around the valley and was quite surprised by this so a few weeks ago I put something on Bits & Bobs, Odds & Sods and others thought they may be golden plover. Today I had an excellent sighting and can call it as such with confidenece.

Both Dippers were at Woodmill today - it is my first sighting of them for several weeks.