glorious sunshine looking out over a blanket of fog
Good passage of meadow pipits with approx 900 north 3 Wheatear and male Stonechat on moor bottom road 60+ Skylark on moor with at least 30 singing birds Red Grouse displaying 4 Curlew 2 Buzzard Sparrowhawk 2 Raven 5 Greylag Geese sw Green Woodpecker 15 Golden Plover
walk through Redisher woods and across rifile range gave Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfares, Meadow Pipits and 4 Reed Bunting.
2 Raven Merlin west 67 Golden Plover in several flocks either sw or east 1100+ Meadow pipit south with several hundred still on the moor 3 juv Stonechat 2 Green Woodpecker 3 Sparrowhawk 2 Greylag Geese north
A pair of Raven had set up in Harcles Quarry for the first time this year. . 5 young hatched c10days ago. On checking this morning the nest has been destroyed and all 5 young killed. . .Photos taken and police to be informed. . I doubt anybody will know anything but if they do can info me and will liase with Police.
A short walk along Moorbottom Road up to red flag post on 25th November in glorious sunshine - 100+ fieldfares with a solitary redwing feeding on berry bushes between Moorbottom Road and northern edge of Saplin Wood; two ravens circling over Holcombe Moor edge; kestrel hunting; and 5 stonechats (3 male/2 female) showing well on walls and heather/gorse on hillside above Moorbottom Road.
no sign of any snow buntings on the moor this morning
watching from fields just below peel tower
12 Twite came over from the north east when the hit the other valley (which runs to to red brook) they turned back on themselves and headed back and up over the moor towards peel tower 8 Greylag Geese also came over here South 600+ Pinkfeet headed east across south Manchester 393 Starling NW
Chiffchaff, several Goldcrest Nuthatch and Great spotted woodpecker in the garden of the house near by
The coordinates given for yesterday's Snow Bunting sighting place it by some hundreds of metres in Lancashire.
Interestingly, some 13 years ago, Barbara and I watched two birds at close range for a couple of minutes on the broad summit of Harcles Hill; these were about one and a half kilometres south south east of the latest sighting (and so were comfortably in Greater Manchester). This was a purely chance encounter (we weren't even there birding and were without binoculars) in an area we hadn't walked over for some 20 years, and we assumed at the time that the birds were a regular winter feature (indeed this may well be the case) and so thought little of it.
I suspect that Snow Buntings would generally not be difficult to find here along the summit ridge paths during the winter months (especially after spells of windy/stormy weather), should birders put in the time searching on a regular basis, and after all, the area is relatively easy to access.
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Challenges are inevitable, but failure is optional.
A single Snow Bunting was on the moor behind Peel Tower today and was fortuitously photographed by the observer. The bird was on the path between the trig point at the top of Bull Hill and the standing stone on the way to Peel Tower. Approx bearing 768184.
Info thanks to David Whitney
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 4th of November 2013 04:44:54 PM
few hours this afternoon - ended up getting caught in the thunderstorm
lots of migration this afternoon mainly thrushes starlings and woodpigeons
2,719 Fieldfare sw in several large flocks 245 Starling west 23 Redwing sw 206 Woodpigeon south 35 Golden Plover circling the moor above red brook before departing sw 54 Lapwing south 21 Snipe sw Merlin south 2 Buzzard south
Stonechat, Peregrine, 2 Raven, Green Woodpecker & 3 Kestrel present on the moor
Nuthatch bottom of Moor Bottom Rd, quite a few Meadow Pipits, 1 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat 2 Whinchat around wall below Red Brook Kestrel, at least three Green Woodpeckers 2 flying onto Holcombe Hill and lots of Wrens.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 23rd of September 2013 10:20:54 PM
4 Whinchat still in the bracken in Red Brook 6 Stonechat with another 6 or 7 in bracken below Lark Hill just in Lancs 2 Wheatear 2 Raven 3 Kestrel Peregrine Buzzard A few Skylark still on the Moors 2 Little Owl
Moor bottom road - bushes around the miniature ponies
female/imm Redstart Garden Warbler 10+ Willow Warbler 15 Goldfinch 5 Chaffinch Goldcrest 50 Swallow on wires 5 House Martins 2 Tree pipit flew over whilst counting the swallows and landed in the bushes Green Woodpecker
On the moor 3 Raven Kestrel Sparrowhawk 105 House martin flew SW Grey Wagtail south Skylark
Yesterday...12 Linnets, female Sparrowhawk hung in the wind almost like a kestrel and then stooped in to Reddisher Wood. Later possibly the same bird was fighting with corvids near Peel Tower. Several Kestrels one with its wing and tail feathers damaged probably as a result of disputes with corvids. Carrion Crows fighting with a Raven. Several Wheatear and Meadow Pipit, 2 Little Owls, Green woodpecker. I was not able to get onto Red Brook since the army were shooting on the range but after 5.00pm I was able to get onto Redbrook where there at least two juvenile Stonechats and two juvenile Whinchats but not offereing close views . It was nice to meet Rob Archer.
Great spotted Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, lots of Nuthatch, and Dipper
A lot of work has gone on with a new path up the side of the top lodge to the stepping stones. still under construction but much easier than the previous muddy goat track
Moor and Moor Bottom Rd Skylark, Meadow Pipit Swallow, Green Woodpecker, Curlew, Wheatears, one female Stonechat, large flock of starlings and two Herring Gulls
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 2nd of June 2013 07:21:55 PM
loads of Wheatears stopped counting at 15. several Curlrew, Green Woodpecker, Blackcap Pheasant, several Linnet Skylarks Meadow, Pipit and Cuckoo calling.
Long walk up to the valley head of Red Brook on Saturday 20th April. No sign of ring ouzels, stonechats or little owls. A dozen or so wheatears with males displaying and chasing each other. Green woodpecker heard and solitary linnet singing in gorse above Moor Bottom road.
Tree Pipit - north up valley 4 Ring Ouzel - red brook (at the valley Head) 2 male 2 female 11 Wheatear (9 at red brook) 50 Fieldfare NE and 2 in valley 2 Siskin 3 Lesser Redpoll Swallow NE 7 Sand Martin North 3+ Linnet 6 Buzzard Sparrowhawk 2 Kestrel several Curlew heard and at least 2 Green Woodpecker
2 Goldcrest in trees out on moor
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Saturday 13th of April 2013 09:54:51 PM
This afternoon around the Moors. 5 Ring Ouzel 3 Fieldfare 2 Wheatear 3 Siskin 2 Sparrowhawk 2 Green Woodpecker Many Meadow Pipit There was a pair of Stonechat in a regular spot on 14th March and also 18th March but not seen them since then. Presume the grim weather has had something to do with it..
The moor was very quiet - only one singing skylark not many meadow pipits back and no wheatear or stonechats
However birds where moving and the best was a ringtail Hen Harrier which circled fields over Tottington gaining height and then drifting north up the valley
other sightings - 4 Buzzard north 4 Curlew North 89 Meadow Pipit north 5 Siskin North
in the valley 3 Green Woodpeckers 4 Fieldfare 70 Starling 2 Raven 2 Kestrel 1 skylark
Coal Tit, Treecreeper, several Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatches, Bullfinch Long Tailed Tits and Jay Moor Bottom Rd 1 Red Grouse above red brook, Siskin, 2 Meadow Pipit 2 Skylark singing, Kestrel. 12 Carrion Crow in one flock
Yesterday afternoon: Very hot, and thousands of ants on Moorbottom Road,including many flying ( Queen) ants which adhered to my skin! Very quiet bird wise:
Linnets ...3 on the gorse Carrion Crows....12 Kestrel...2 Juv. Wheatear....1 Wren...1 Magpies and Woodpigeon
Some noisy mechanised sheep herding going on, could have explained the lack of bird activity.
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 11th of August 2012 12:22:10 PM
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
Plenty of juv birds around the Ranges yesterday afternoon. 28/6/2012 Green Woodpecker 1 juv 2 pairs of Wheatear both with fledged young Stonechats with 2 juv ( 2nd brood) Min of 10 juv Kestrel fledged. Whitethroat feeding young by the Barracks 2 Grey Partridge by the Cairn on Harcles Hill was unusual
( Also a Common Scotor and a single Common Tern on Wayoh Res Lancs) Rob Archer
quite a few willow warbler and an odd blackcap at the bottom of holcombe hill Quite a few Wheatear, Skylark, Meadow Pipit with live food. Swift Swallow House Martin one Green Woodpecker two Curlew one on the tops Heard one Stonechat
2 Red Grouse flew over red brook 3 Wheatear all females and all on the top - none along moor bottom Road Rook several Skylark and Meadow pipit 5 Willow Warbler Whitethroat
Along Moor Bottom Road, with my class tonight, 7-9pm.
Many Linnet,Skylark and Meadow Pipits. One pair of Wheatear,Stockdove, Swallows, some feeding some going North. Wonderful ,prolonged, close views of a male Green Woodpecker feeding Second Green Woodpecker, seen lower down in the valley being 'seen off' by a Crow.
A Cracking male Merlin flew NW up the valley and off over the tops 2 Raven 26 Wheatear 2 Stonechat 6 Redpoll including display flight 14 Fieldfare 11 Swift House Martin 30+ Willow Warbler 6 Blackcap 5 Chiffchaff 2 Green Woodpecker Stock Dove
trip to see the ring ouzels but sadly at red brook was a group of trial motorbikes on which one heavy headed character tried to repeatedly drive the thing vertically up the hill until he dropped off much to the mirth of his pals.
Some other bits along moor bottom rd holcombbe hill 2f 3/4M Stonechats 10 wheatear lots of meadow pipit skylark fly over buzzard 3 green woodpecker pheasant. Good views of Mottram Church Joderal Bank, Bickerton Hill, Fidlers ferry Liverpool Cathederals, and Welsh Mountains
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 15th of April 2012 07:24:51 PM
Reddisher Woods Two Chiffchaff, One Blackcap, Sparrowhawk, Several Great Spotted Woodpecker Nuthatch Moor Bottom Road Two Green Woodpecker, Pheasant, Wheatear, Skylarks - loads, Meadow Pipits, Curlew, Raven, Bull Hill to Trig Point Down Red Brook then over to Lark View Two Red Grouse, Skylarks - loads Curlew Low Flying Mallard
2 Wheatear Skylarks - lots Meadow Pipits - lots Kestrel Buzzard - 1st one up here in a long time that I have seen Green Woodpecker - first sighting this year despite so many calls!! 2 Stonechat The mythical White pheasant made an appearance on Moor Bottom Road too!!
-- Edited by Simon Ladds on Thursday 29th of March 2012 05:00:18 PM
Noon today, until 2.30pm, with John Parkinson. Moorbottom Road
Little OWL.....1...... Superb view. Stonechat... a pair.... close views. Chiffchaff....1 Male Wheatear ...1 Kestrel...pair Skylark...2 Meadow Pipits....4
John had arrived earlier than me, when there had been more activity. In addition to the above he had:
10 Wheatear 6 Stonechat Green Woodpecker/Linnets
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
Moor Bottom Rd round Bull Hill back along Moor Bottom Rd. 2 Male Wheatear, lots and lots of skylarks and scores of meadow pipits displaying, curlew, stonechat male, Peregrine falcon, Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, pheasant, nuthatch, raven, kestrel, and pied wagtail.
and a burnt land cruiser dumped in the middle of the moor
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 25th of March 2012 08:56:59 PM
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 25th of March 2012 08:59:10 PM
Moor Bottom Rd- Pilgrims Cross north across the moor and back to the tower Green Woodpecker 2 male stonechat curlew kestrel lots of skylarks and meadow pipits flushed 2 Red Grouse
-- Edited by Ian Boote on Monday 19th of March 2012 04:12:53 PM