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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> Holcombe Moor and environs
Post Info TOPIC: Holcombe Moor and environs
Roger Halsey


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RE: Holcombe Moor and environs
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Best from a morning circuit:

2 Oystercatcher- a patch tick! 8+ Lapwing and a singing Snipe.

1 Stock Dove.

2 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the valley floor and another from Moorbottom Road.

6 Wheatear.

2 Lesser Redpoll.



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Roger Halsey


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13 Wheatear at the head of the Red Brook Valley this morning. Also Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and Lesser Redpoll in the same general area.



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rob archer


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3 Ring Ouzel ( 2 male) in the regular sheep fields this evening .

Info V Irving 



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rob archer


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Early walk over ..

Ring Ouzel calling somewhere in the valley but didn't find it .

Mediterranean Gull in with feeding Black-headed Gulls below Lark Hill flew off towards Red Earth Farm and 2 Grasshopper Warblers below the old Maggot Farm ( Lancs)



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Roger Halsey


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5 Lesser Redpoll around Redisher Wood this morning, 2 below Bank Top Farm an 3 together by Simons Farm. Also Green Woodpecker. 



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rob archer


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4 Ring Ouzel in the sheep fields and a Grasshopper Warbler near Lark Hill on this morning's early yomp



-- Edited by rob archer on Sunday 12th of April 2020 08:43:11 AM

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rob archer


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6 Ring Ouzel amongst the sheep below Moorbotto Rd this evening .

Info from V. Irving 



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rob archer


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Tabbed over first light to avoid the crowds ..

Plenty of Wheatear arrived overnight with  c20 birds around the valley and another new pair of Stonechat found  to make it 9 pairs in GM ..

Single male Ring Ouzel in the valley floor near The Glen and c30 Fieldfare flew over east ..



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rob archer


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Walked over this morning to continue the Stonechat search . Found and photographed another 2 pairs making it at least 8 in total within GM. 

Green Woodpecker also seen high on Lark Hill. 



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rob archer


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Completed my 2 Holcombe BBS squares this morning as I normally do them on foot from home anyway..

6 pairs of Stonechat within GM this year . Taken photos of all the males and probably more still within GM on The Ranges.

2 Fieldfare, 8 Wheatear and 3 Ring Ouzel ( 2 males) also present this morning  

 



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Roger Halsey


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6 Wheatear this morning, 2 on the east side of Red Brook and 4 together on the west side. 3 Curlew, and 1 Snipe singing below Lark Hill. Also 1 Raven, 4 Stock Dove together and Lesser Redpoll. 



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Roger Halsey


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2 female Ring Ouzel the undoubted highlight of my morning walk. They were hunkered down behind the stone wall next to Moorbottom Road west of Harcles Hill, but flew off north. Also 2 Wheatear in the same area, my first 2 Swallow around Hollingrove Farm and my first Willow Warbler near Simons Farm.



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Roger Halsey


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15 Fieldfare flew south(!) over Redisher Wood this morning. 2 Lesser Redpoll at the top of the woods.



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Roger Halsey


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Best from fitness walks over the last 2 days:

2 Curlew in different locations and 4 Lapwing.

2 Green Woodpecker in different locations.

15 Fieldfare (yesterday) and 28 Redwing today.

3 Wheatear and 7+ Stonechat.

2 Dipper in different locations, 2 Grey Wagtail.

1 Lesser Redpoll yesterday.



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rob archer


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Walked over this morning .. 

6 Golden Plover above Red Brook and towards Black Moss .. 

2 Red-legged Partridge high on the tops behind Lark Hill ( in Lancs)

2 Wheatear on eastern flank above Moorbottom Rd 



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Roger Halsey


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I did a similar keep fit circuit from Ramsbottom this morning with largely similar birds. Missed the Wheatear again, but also saw a flock of 10 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Raven, 2 Kestrel and 2 Little Owl.



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Keith Holland


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Walk from Hawkshaw near Red Lion and over fields to barracks through to Moorbottom road past red brook to last flag-post above Hawkshaw Lane

Red Lion to barracks - Nuthatch, 2 Jay, Pheasant, 2 Curlew,

Barracks to Moorbottom Road - 2 Chiffchaff, Moorhen, Pheasant, Green Woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker

Moorbottom Road - 12+ Carrion crow, 7 Stonechat, 2 Pied wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 2 Stock Dove, loads of wren, meadow pipit and skylark

 



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rob archer


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Walked over 1st light .. 

2 Grey Partridge flushed off the eastern slopes above Moorbottom Rd was a surprise.  Flew down onto the valley floor south of Paddys Pond .Not seen any here for many years.

Single Wheatear high amongst the boulders west side of Red Brook  



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rob archer


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Walked over at 1st light .

2 Greylag Geese flew over high west at 0715 and a single Golden Plover seen at the top of Red Brook ..a few Linnet have returned to the gorse above Moorbottom Rd ..



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Roger Halsey


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I am fortunate to have access to this area when walking from home, and highlights from a morning circuit were:

1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Flock of 23 Fieldfare.

1 Stonechat, but couldnt find a Wheatear.

2 Goldcrest.



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rob archer


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Walked over from home 1st light . Another fine cold morning 

Wheatear up near Red Brook and the same 2 pairs of Stonechat in the GM area .. A further 4 pairs found though on continuing round into Lancs towards Crowthorne. 

2 Snipe singing this morning . One as per yesterday and another east of White Hill in the same area as last year. 

A Golden Plover was calling over onto Wet Moss and then sitting on Lark Hill looking east to Walmersley and West towards Great Hill in Lancs counted 8 Buzzard in the air in a single sweep .. 

 

 

 



-- Edited by rob archer on Wednesday 25th of March 2020 03:07:23 PM

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rob archer


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Walked over 1st light .

4 pairs of Stonechat ( 2 in Lancs) along Moorbottom Rd and a pair of Stock Doves in Harcles Quarry .

A Snipe was singing on a wall by the rough ground near the conifers below Lark Hill and a pair of Oystercatchers here also .

2 Mediterranean Gulls flew over calling and joined a group of Black-headed Gulls feeding in fields below the old maggot farm before all departing towards Crowthorne 

.



-- Edited by rob archer on Tuesday 24th of March 2020 01:33:34 PM

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Roger Halsey


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40 species noted during a morning circuit of Redisher Wood, making a total of 45 over the last 2 days. Highlights this morning:

1 Curlew and 4 Lapwing.

1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

2 singing Chiffchaff, my first record here this year.

2 Dipper and 3 Grey Wagtail.

Treecreeper and 2 Goldcrest.

Singing Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting.



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Roger Halsey


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42 species during a longer morning circuit with the highlights being:

Probably 2 pairs of Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 2 Little Owl.

1 Green Woodpecker.

Pair of Stock Dove.

A lone Redwing.

Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper and Goldcrest. 

3 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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31 species during a short circuit of Redisher Wood only with the highlights being:

1 bubbling Curlew and 5+ Lapwing.

1 Green Woodpecker.

2 Stock Dove.

Decent flock of winter thrushes with 70+ Fieldfare and 5+ Redwing.

2 Goldcrest and 1 Lesser Redpoll.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a longer morning circuit through Redisher Wood and over the Moor:

Single Curlew and 8 Lapwing.

1 Buzzard, 1 Little Owl and 1 Raven.

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker including a drumming bird.

4 Stock Dove.

1 Dipper.

2 Goldcrest and 1 Treecreeper.

Flock of c 40 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a longer morning circuit:

1 Curlew, my first returning bird of the spring, and 6 Lapwing.

2 Little Owl.

1 Green Woodpecker.

1 Stock Dove.

Small numbers of all 5 common Turdus species again.

10 singing Skylark on the highest ground.

Flighty flock of c20 Lesser Redpoll at the top of Redisher Wood.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a morning circuit today and a short one yesterday afternoon:

5 Lapwing braving the weather!

2 Kestrel.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 Stock Dove.

1 Dipper and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Good mixed finch flock at the top of Redisher Wood that included at least 30 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Siskin.

1 Treecreeper.

 

 

 



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Roger Halsey


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Late report on 2 short visits yesterday:

4 Lapwing, being the first returning birds of the spring.

1 Little Owl.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a morning circuit through Redisher Wood and along Moorbottom Road:

Pair of Goosander.

1 Sparrowhawk.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 Dipper and 3 Grey Wagtail together, with one of the Wagtails starting to get its summer plumage.

Flock of 10 Siskin.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a pleasant and calm(!) morning circuit including Moorbottom Road and the highest ground over the moor:

2 Little Owl and 1 Kestrel.

1 Green Woodpecker.

1 Stonechat and, best of all,

2 Skylark in full song on the highest ground!



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a morning circuit:

1 Sparrowhawk.

1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming.

3 Stock Dove.

Flock of 7 Raven together soaring and playing in the updraught on the side of the moor. I wonder what the age composition of such a flock is at this time of year?



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Roger Halsey


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Morning highlights from the same circuit as Monday:

2 Kestrel.

2 Green Woodpecker and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, with the first drumming of the year noted.

All 5 Turdus, with 45+ Redwing.

1 Dipper, my first of the year here.

1 Reed Bunting.



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Roger Halsey


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A bit more activity this morning with 31 species noted in a 2 hour circuit through Redisher Wood and along Moorbottom Road, with the best being:

1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

1 Green Woodpecker and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker displaying.

All 5 Turdus species again.

1 Treecreeper.

2 Stonechat.

11 Bullfinch including a compact flock of at least 8 birds together.



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Roger Halsey


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Rather quiet on a longer morning circuit through Redisher Wood and over the Moor, with the best being:

1 Little Owl, 1 Buzzard, and 2 Kestrel.

Small numbers of all 5 common Turdus species.

1 Grey Wagtail

2 Stonechat and 2 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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A good morning for raptors with Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel and Little Owl all being noted. Also 1 Raven and 25 Fieldfare.

 



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Roger Halsey


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1 Green Woodpecker, c30 Redwing  and 1 Lesser Redpoll in Redisher Wood this morning.



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Roger Halsey


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Best from a short circuit through Redisher Wood only:

1 Goosander.

1 Green Woodpecker.

1 Dipper and 1 Grey Wagtail.

2 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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Best from a brisk late afternoon circuit:

Poor views of 2 Partridge, presumably the Red-legged from earlier in the year.

1 Little Owl and 1 Kestrel.

Single flock of 32 Fieldfare heading SW.

1 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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1 Kestrel and 1 Little Owl this morning and 2 flocks of Fieldfare headed south, totalling 30 birds.



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Roger Halsey


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Best from a murky morning in Redisher Wood:

1 Teal and 1 Goosander- but no Mallard!

1 Kestrel.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

25+ Redwing.

1 Treecreeper and 1 Lesser Redpoll.



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Roger Halsey


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A good sized mixed flock was in Redisher Wood this morning. Mainly Redwing and Blackbird, but also Goldcrest and Treecreeper among the Tits. There was an explosion of birds when a male Sparrowhawk  came in and perched among them, but I think he went away empty handed ( or should it be taloned?) Also Dipper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Bullfinch and 4 Lesser Redpoll.



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Roger Halsey


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Best from a morning circuit through Redisher Wood and over the Moor:

2 male Goosander- my first of the season here.

1 Kestrel.

Dipper, 2 Goldcrest and a Treecreeper in Redisher Wood.

c 70 Redwing and 5 Fieldfare.

2 Lesser Redpoll and 5 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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Highlights from a murky morning circuit round Redisher Wood:

Single Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

1 Dipper.

Mixed flock of c30 Redwing and Fieldfare.

2 Siskin in with a flock of 15 Goldfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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Best from a morning circuit through Redisher Wood and over the Moor.

2 Green Woodpecker.

2 Raven, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel.

Dipper and 2 Grey Wagtail in Redisher Wood.

2 flocks of Fieldfare totalling 140+ birds with a few Redwing.

2 Stonechat.

Still c25 Meadow Pipit on the higher ground.



-- Edited by Roger Halsey on Monday 28th of October 2019 02:03:26 PM

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Roger Halsey


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Best from a morning circuit through Redisher Wood, Saplin Wood and along Moorbottom Road:

1 Green Woodpecker.

1 Raven.

Dipper, Grey Wagtail and 3 Goldcrest in Redisher Wood.

Flock of c30 Fieldfare with a few Redwing and Blackbird.

Notable flock of 50-60 Lesser Redpoll at the top of Redisher Wood, with c20 Chaffinch and 3 Reed Bunting.



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Roger Halsey


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Still plenty of activity during a  morning circuit, but mainly common birds. Of interest:

1 Sparrowhawk.

1 Green Woodpecker.

2 Raven.

1 Kingfisher, 2 Dipper, 1 Grey Wagtail in Redisher Wood.

12+ Redwing , 3 Song and 3 Mistle Thrush all appeared to be on the move.

2 Stonechat.

8 Bullfinch and 2 Lesser Redpoll.



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Roger Halsey


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An interesting morning circuit after the school run, with the highlights being:

2 Ring Ouzel in the area north of Saplin Wood and west of Moorbottom Road. Initially a female type was seen briefly in flight, but after a bit of searching a male was found in a hawthorn tree - and it was joined by the first bird. The 2 birds were associating with a group of Blackbirds, Mistle Thrush and a single Song Thrush.

Also 2 Red-legged Partridge, presumably the same birds from earlier in the year, in the same area.

2 Green Woodpecker.

What looked like a small influx of Goldcrest, with at least 5 birds noted, 1 Treecreeper.

1 Lesser Redpoll and 5 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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A surprisingly productive short afternoon circuit through Redisher Wood, with the highlights being:

1 Buzzard.

Single Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

3 Raven over.

1 Dipper.

My first Redwing of the season, with 5 at the top of the Wood. 2 Mistle Thrush.

Flock of 22 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Bullfinch.



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Roger Halsey


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A quiet long morning circuit through Redisher Wood, Red Brook Valley, Holcombe Moor and Peel Tower, but still some interest:

1 Little Owl.

2 Raven.

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

3 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper and 2 Nuthatch.

Still 4 Meadow Pipit and 1 Skylark on the higher ground.

2 Bullfinch and 1 Lesser Redpoll.



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