Ashton Moss

Rachael Hill · Status: Offline

RE: Ashton Moss

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

5/9/16 mid afternoon on the mound

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Double figures Collared Dove around the horse field
c10 Swallow
1 Whitethroat
c20 Goldfinch
1 Willow Warbler with a small mixed tit flock
Reed Bunting heard
on the back ponds
Female Mallard and 1 almost full grown juvenile, these 2 have been on the same pond since the chick was newly hatched
4 Moorhen incl 3 juveniles
4 Coot incl 2 juveniles
The 2 Little Grebes did breed and managed to hatch 3 young that appear to be doing very well.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

This afternoon

A flock of at least 50 Goldfinch
40+ Swallow present and at least 10 towards Littlemoss
4+ House Martin

No sign of any rooftop Lapwing on site yet

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

6/8/16

Sheldon Pool

2 juv Grey Heron
4 Swallow, possibly a family party
Juv Moorhen
4 Coot
Eclipse drake Mallard

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

22/7/16

5 Kestrels along Moss Lane this morning, at least 3 of which were juveniles dust bathing and chasing insects on the track.
Still Reed Buntings, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats around but keeping quiet and generally in cover. Not seen or heard any Skylarks on the last 3 visits, perhaps breeding affected by the poor weather and they have moved off. Usually a few Swift, Swallow and House Martins hawking over the mound. 2 Little Grebe have been seen on one of the back ponds but unfortunately no sign of successful breeding. The Swans on Sheldon Pool failed to hatch any young, the eggs disappeared sometime in April, the swans moved off shortly afterwards.

Steve Suttill · Status: Offline

This afternoon: Cuckoo silently touring the mound presumably looking for a nest to deposit an egg. Most numerous nests would appear to be Skylark.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

This morning a Swallow flew over Sheldon Pool, battling against the blizzard.

Also present today was a pair of Tufted Duck.

Bill Beckwith · Status: Offline

Does anyone know if the short eared owls are still on the mound?

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

Some sightings from yesterday:

Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were both singing on the lane near Mockridge Garden Centre. Lots of common species present in this area.

Also a Swallow was flying around near the Sheldon Arms.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Not strictly on the moss itself...a male Sparrowhawk flew directly down the tramlines this afternoon at a height of just 4 feet

-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Tuesday 5th of April 2016 05:25:40 PM

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

22/3/2016, 20 minutes from 16:00

Extremely truncated visit due to locking son out of house, Doh! Literally walk on walk off.
1 Short-eared Owl attracted the attention of a passing Herring Gull.
3 male Reed Bunting
1 Meadow Pipit
a few Skylark singing
and a Stock Dove did a couple of circuits around the centre of the mound, looking to land but eventually flew off high towards the horse field.

Andy Bissitt · Status: Offline

One short-eared owl viewable in brilliant light at ridiculously close range this morning. Doubt I'll ever get a closer look at a hunting owl.

Andrea Wilson · Status: Offline

Friday 18th 14:20-16:00

Arrived on the mound in time to see the last few seconds of an aerial 'interaction' between the owls, not sure whether it was friendly or not. Then spent time walking round and enjoying the skylarks singing, even in the wind and cold. The darker owl re-appeared when the wind dropped a little and spent sometime hunting, usually in an area I had just left!

It was lovely to meet Simon Gough on Sunday and it was perfect and definitely not like that on Friday - I was very cold by the time I walked back to Daisy Nook to pick my car up - but did manage to get photos of a reed bunting on a reed on the way home!

Dave Phillips · Status: Offline

Thursday 17th. 11am-12.30pm.

On to a Short-eared Owl soon as I got off the tram. Walked down the lane on a lovely sunny morning with Skylarks singing all the way. On the way back disturbed the Owl perching on the fence I then had great views of it hunting along the mound. Good views of a Buzzard over the mound constantly mobbed by the local crows.

Cheers Dave Phillips.

Rachael Hill · Status: Offline

WEBs count 12/3/16 11.20am
7 coots
1 moorhen
5 mallard
2 mute swans
8 black headed gulls

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

A quick visit this morning on my way to work from 7.15-7.25. 1 short-eared owl perched on a post near the tram stop car park. It was mobbed by 2 meadow pipit. Also 4 skylark

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

14/3/2016 an hour and a half from 3:45pm

Didn't see any Short-eared Owls until I was leaving and nearing Rayner Lane when one flew from around Mockridge Pond directly overhead onto the main area of the mound.
Also seen
2 Snipe flew around for a few seconds, last seen heading high in the direction of Ashton town centre.
1 Kingfisher on one of the ponds near Moss Side Farm
plus the usual Skylarks, Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits and Wrens.

On many visits here it has been heartening to hear the enthusiasm for these owls from the local people, either dog walkers or people passing by. Today a guy was telling me he has an office overlooking the mound and has seen them regularly from there, hunting the bank along side Rayner Lane, nice way to get distracted from your work.

-- Edited by simon ghilks on Monday 14th of March 2016 09:58:41 PM

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

Late post for this morning 9.00 - 10.20 Similar to Simon's sightings but in addition: Kestrel 1 Snipe flushed by dog walker. Great to see so many Skylark singing âº After 2 circuits of the mound looking for the short-eared owls 1 appeared as I got back to my car at the side of the tram stop.

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

13.00 - 15.00

A joyous visit today in beautiful sunshine, with a constant soundtrack of singing Skylarks and a full hour from about 13.30 of both Short-eared Owls showing well. The smaller bird spent the most time in the air, with its bigger friend content to sit tight initially, but then both were up together and the bigger one spent a while gliding around. It also perched up 3 or 4 times allowing lovely views as it glared around. Interesting on this visit was the behaviour of the numerous Magpies, which were agitated by the owls at times, unlike on my previous trips. Also one great moment when the smaller bird buzzed the bigger one on the ground and then sped away as if fearing the consequences!

Also seen, male Reed Bunting, a couple of Meadow Pipit and as noted, 10+ Skylark, including at least 4 singers. Also one brief view of a female Stonechat. Finally, it was great to meet Andrea, who was delighted with her first ever Shortie. It really was a great way to see the species for the first time, hunting in perfect light at pretty close range for 10 minutes. They won't all be like that, trust me...

vic chatterton · Status: Offline

Between 3pm and 4.15pm 2 Short-eared Owls on the mound. At least 1 bird in view most of the time. Called to each other on one occasion.

Couldn't get any decent photos but probably due to my lack of photographic skill as I always seemed to have the wrong setting when they were near.

Just to rub it in, as I put my camera away 1 bird perched on the ground near by and regurgitated 3 pellets!

2 male Reed Buntings and 10+ Skylarks with several of the larks singing.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Sunday 6th March. 16.30 - 17.45 hrs.

12 Golden Plover.

Flew in at 17.00 hrs and landed in a field at the back of Moss Farm (Littlemoss) ..... still there when I left.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Sunday 6th of March 2016 07:14:37 PM

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

8.40_8.45 2 short eared owls hunting from tram stop car park. 5 Skylark 3 Meadow pipit

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

A Short-eared Owl was quartering the mound just behind the tram stop car park at 0725 am.

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

23/2/16

1 Short-eared Owl was hunting on the mound from about 16:45 until 17:30, made several attempts to catch prey and appeared to be successful twice, staying down for a few minutes before proceeding to hunt again.
Also
3 Reed Bunting, 1 singing.
Perhaps 10 Skylark zipping about with a bit of singing.
2 Stonechat
2 Grey Heron
4 Mute Swan, 2 on Sheldon pond, 2 on one of the back ponds.

Rachael Hill · Status: Offline

21/02/16 11.00-11.10am
WEBS count
2 mute swans
5 mallard
6 coot
1 moorhen
10 black headed gulls

not counted on WEBS: 22 lapwings flew over to carphone warehouse disturbed from the Moss (technically over pond but not using it grrr)

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

18/2/16

2 Short-eared Owls were over the mound between 16:30 and 17:00 this afternoon, they were mainly keeping to the Moss Lane end of the site.

Simon Johnson · Status: Offline

First visit getting the team out which was very easy

Short-eared Owl showed twice over the mound about 4pm
3-4 Stonechat (2 male 1 possibly 2 female)
10+ Skylark
7 Meadow Pipit
3 Reed Bunting

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

8-9.45 a.m. 5th visit to finally get a brief view of a Short-eared Owl, also at least 13 Skylark (I don't think I've ever seen so many in one place in Manchester before), 1 Kestrel, 4 Meadow Pipit and 1 Stonechat.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 12th of February 2016 03:42:27 PM

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

11/2/2016

2 Short-eared Owls were hunting on the mound at around 4pm today.
Also seen
1 Stonechat, male
1 Reed Bunting
5 Skylark

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

Yes it was me! Nice to meet you âº In addition at 3:55 today: 1 Stonechat

Steve Suttill · Status: Offline

Return visit 15.50 - 16.30

Short-eared Owl still present (thanks to the lady who asked if I had seen it - was that you, Vicky?)

Pair of Mute Swans back, along with a pair of Tufted Duck. Smart-looking male Lesser Redpoll in the reedbed.

Steve Suttill · Status: Offline

10.00 - 10.30

at least one Short-eared Owl (maybe two?) seen from Moss Lane (much easier than squelching across the mound) and at least 4 singing Skylarks.

As I turned off the A635 at the Snipe I was greeting by the rather disturbing site of two Mute Swans heading directly for me at little more than car roof height (certainly lower than tram cable or double-decker bus!)

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Mid-afternoon visit after work today.

Short-eared Owl 1,
Wasn't raining when I arrived but got well and truly soaked through whilst up on the mound, and for only 2 brief sightings of the Owl for approx 45 seconds, and then again for less than 30 seconds.

Other birds...
Kestrel 1
Jackdaw 16
Skylark 5
Robin 1
Grey Heron 1

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

4.40 today

Short eared owl seen from the tram stop car park.

Also:

Kestrel and Heron flyovers.

S Rothery · Status: Offline

1130 - 1300
Single Short-eared Owl seen eventually at the Moss Lane end - it was presumably settled in the long grass on the mound, when 2 Carrion Crows gave it some grief and it flew off out of view in deteriorating weather.
1 Kestrel
4/5 Skylarks
2 Jays
4 (2m, 2f) Bullfinch - v close until a Weasel fancied one for its lunch. The birds prevailed....
6 Greenfinch
4 Goldfinch
Plus 2prs Tufted Duck, Coots, Moorhens, 3 Mute Swans and Black-headed Gulls on the pond.

Alan Turner · Status: Offline

Good views of male & female Short-eared Owls between 14:30 & 16:00. Nice to meet Gordon Yates - hope he was pleased with his shots.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tues 2nd Feb. 15.00 - 16.30 hrs.

Third time lucky, thought I would give it another crack for the owls as the wind seemed to have dropped a little.

15 minute wait then was treated some great close up views of a female Short-eared Owl for best part of an hour ... occasionally joined by a male at around 16.00 hrs.

Some brilliant interaction .. he only seemed to be about 2/3rds her size, also had a more streaked breast giving him an overall darker appearance.

Roger.

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

2/2/2016

1 Short-eared Owl was visible briefly from the tram stop car park at 1355.
5 Goosander flew over probably heading for the Audenshaw Reservoir roost.

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

Glad you managed to spot them both Chris. smile

Chris Knight · Status: Offline

Thanks Vicky (?) for pointing me SW from the tram stop carpark to the path up to the top.

Stunning views down on the short eared owl quartering up and down Moss Lane ~3.15-3.45, initially in beautiful light.

That went on until a second owl came in hard from ~Ikea and tussled briefly with the first, which headed off towards Littlemoss. The new owl took up quartering a bit further NE of Moss Lane, seeming more nervous than the first and disappeared entirely when someone popped up near the dilapidated garage where it had just been hunting (the first bird had seemed largely oblivious to two dogs off the lead and their owner on the lane).

Other birds as others have reported (albeit with a higher skylark:meadow pipit ratio)

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

A break in the blizzard conditions at 2:50 produced:

Short eared owl seen flying in the distance looking out towards the pylons to the left of Ikea. It flew into the long grass to the right of the main path.
Also:
1 Stonechat
7 Meadow Pipit
1 Kestrel
1 Skylark

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

0845-1005

At least one Short-eared Owl on the mound this morning. First seen just before 9am against the backdrop of IKEA, it dropped in the grass. About ten minutes later, the same or another bird put on a short display giving overhead views before disappearing towards Littlemoss.

Also on the mound at least one male Stonechat, female Reed Bunting, c12 Skylark and a small number of Meadow Pipit.

Sheldon Pool

3 Tufted Duck
2 Mute Swan

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

29/1/2016 from 2:15 till 3:15 on the mound

Dropped extremely lucky this afternoon. 2 Short-eared Owls were hunting the whole area whilst I was there. Sometimes probably even visible from Sheldon Way, ranging across the main traverse path towards the horse field and also getting across Moss Lane and on to Littlemoss farm land at the other end of the site. Would have provided a great garden tick for the houses that back onto the area if anybody had been looking. At one point a mobbing Carrion Crow caused one of the birds to go very high over towards the town centre but it eventually returned. Both birds were still visible as I left at 3:15. Occasionally giving some stunning close views.

Also seen
2 Male Stonechat
6 or 7 Skylark, some singing up high briefly.
1 Reed Bunting
a few Meadow Pipit

John Taylor · Status: Offline

Some great, if distant, sightings of the short eared owl quatering the mound between 2 and 2:30 this afternoon. Also skylarks and magpies in attendance. 3 herons on the riding stables land and a further heron stood in the middle of a field on Littlemosss. Nothing on the pools at the "back"of the mound. Good to meet David (surname unknown) with whom I shared the owl sights.

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Sunday 24th January 2016, 8.30 - 10.00am

Following yesterday's brief sighting in the company of Simon Gough, plus the fact that I have three dogs to walk, I decided to walk along Moss Lane, rather than trudge across the bog that is "the mound", as it was towards this direction that the Short-eared Owl appeared yesterday. The only birds flying over the mound were Skylarks, but I managed to pick up the owl roosting between tussocks of rough grass, less than 100 yards away, on the other side of the perimeter fence. It sat blinking at me for half an hour, not even flinching when some numpty on a motorbike tore across the mound, within 50 yards of the bird. It began preening itself, and finally took to the air at 9.30, being instantly mobbed by three Carrion Crows, after which it started quartering the area. It disappeared when a dogwalker appeared at the top of the mound at 9.45. Fantastic views of a stunning bird - well done Mr Suttill.

Also seen:

c 20 Skylarks, many singing and displaying this morning. Simon and I weren't sure whether or not it was our presence causing them to sing briefly yesterday, but the males seemed to be singing against one another, and for longer, today.
c 20 Meadow Pipits, moving around as a group
1 Lesser Redpoll over
Plenty of Great and Blue Tits, Robins, and singing Wrens in the brambles

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

I managed to catch up with a Short-eared Owl this afternoon, seen over 10 minutes or so at about 14.30. Good views initially but then a couple of dogs being walked seemed to keep it on the ground after that, or maybe it was full up, the place must be crawling with rodents. What a great winter it has been for them, this is the 2nd within the M60 that I've seen. I met David Walsh a bit later and we had one very brief view of the bird at about 4pm as it came up off the ground and then disappeared again. Nice to meet you mate!

It was noticeable that this bird wasn't being mobbed at all, unlike the one at Chorlton. Maybe the bigger area means the owl and the Magpies can co-exist more happily.

Also seen were a male Stonechat, hunting Kestrel, around 5 or 6 Skylarks and a dozen or so Meadow Pipits. There were also a lot of gulls passing over, I did notice a few Common Gulls amongst the Black-headeds. A couple of the Skylarks started singing as they flew up, but soon stopped again. I had some nice close views of them flying around. Finally, there were indeed some Lapwings on the roof of Car People, just like Steve said! I could see double figures when I arrived.

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

9.15-10.00 this morning

No sign of any short-eared owls

Kestrel f
3 Skylark
5 Meadow Pipit

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

Thanks Steven. I will try and get down again next week. I'll certainly be looking out for lapwing too.

Thanks again

Vicky

Rachael Hill · Status: Offline

11.00am 2 mute swans (unringed) back on Sheldon pond now the ice has gone. They were using the old pair's nest site so fingers crossed for Spring. No owls in sight.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

2 hours this afternoon leaving at 3.30. No sign of Short-eared Owl, did see male Stonechat, female Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet and good to meet one Roger Baker smile

.
Cheers Ian