Afternoon cycle, hoping to find winter thrush flocks, but only things flocking were long-tailed tits (several parties), a few pied wagtails going to roost and some linnets (c10 landing in isolated rougher field near model aeroplane fliers). Nonetheless, both song and mistle thrushes, cormorant, grey heron, sparrowhawk and buzzard.
Further raptor noise was however down to (at least) two large falcons (Gyr? crosses?, not peregrines, though not obvious through the wire) shut in a dilapidated-looking shed at the back of Middle farm. Is this likely to be above board?
Hi Chris, It's certainly not illegal to keep Birds of Prey but there are rules and regs and the appropriate licence to keep them, BUT if you have any concerns then you must report it to the RSPCA who will follow it up.
Something to bear in mind though... The housing can be misleading, although it may not look good it could be sufficient, as long as they are fed, watered, and flown. There are 9 British species at least, that need to be DEFRA Registered if kept (Peregrine being 1 of them). You think it's possibly a Gyr, that isn't on that list to be DEFRA registered, and the fact they are a sub-Arctic bird means they are not best suited to warmer conditions. Their immune system is also succeptible to a range of avian conditions as in their natural range they are not exposed to much disease. Hope this helps.
Afternoon cycle, hoping to find winter thrush flocks, but only things flocking were long-tailed tits (several parties), a few pied wagtails going to roost and some linnets (c10 landing in isolated rougher field near model aeroplane fliers). Nonetheless, both song and mistle thrushes, cormorant, grey heron, sparrowhawk and buzzard.
Further raptor noise was however down to (at least) two large falcons (Gyr? crosses?, not peregrines, though not obvious through the wire) shut in a dilapidated-looking shed at the back of Middle farm. Is this likely to be above board?
Best bird today was a male Stonechat - quite a rarity hereabouts (in field just before the footpath down to Jim Fearney bridge) Supporting cast included 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 5 Meadow Pipits 3 Jays 9 Long-tailed Tits 1 Treecreeper 1 Goldcrest
Clapgate-Goyt Hall Farm-Jim Fernley bridge 7-8.15pm. Highlights:
Undoubted highlight was a lovely Whinchat around the horse paddock at the rear of the farm. Sat on the fence and resplendent in the evening sun. Also 20 Mandarin Duck, 6 Grey Heron, 2 Common Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Jay and 20 Swallow.
Great sighting Chris, that's a Mega for this area !!
Clapgate-Goyt Hall Farm-Jim Fernley bridge 7-8.15pm. Highlights:
Undoubted highlight was a lovely Whinchat around the horse paddock at the rear of the farm. Sat on the fence and resplendent in the evening sun. Also 20 Mandarin Duck, 6 Grey Heron, 2 Common Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Jay and 20 Swallow.
I thought I would have a look at the new Alan Newton cycleway. It runs from Marple Old Hall to Bredbury Hall using existing paths, so no new investment except for signage at either end. (Alan Newton was the first Stockport bred Olympian to win a medal - in Helsinki 1952, when cyclists had to buy their own bikes and had 'loan-only' silk tyres from Dunlop. How times change.)
This is probably the best thread to put sightings although a good part of the cycleway is in Chadkirk Country Estate.
Best bits of birding included: 2 Ravens 2 Buzzards Family of Blackcaps Good numbers of House Sparrows around the farms. Probably in excess of 60. 4 Swifts 3 Juv Greenfinches c25 House Martins
23 Linnet is the best I've seen down here for ages. Also female Goosander, 8 Stock Dove, 5 Swallow, 3 House Martin, Common Buzzard, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 3 Mistle Thrush, Jay,Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Highlight was a pair of Raven over displaying aerial acrobatics against the wind, single Swallow around the farm, 4 Mistle Thrush, Mandarin pair and a record count for me here of 21 Stock Dove.
Clapgate - Holiday Lane-Bongs Lane yesterday 7-9.15pm : 20 + Mandarin 4 Goosander Grey Wagtail 5 Blackcap 6 Chiffchaff Sparrowhawk Common Buzzard Stock Dove 20 House Martin 9 Swallow 10 Swift Nuthatch Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding young Goldcrest
Clapgate to fish ponds 5.45-7: Common Whitethroat Willow Warbler Chiffchaff 30+ Mandarin 24 House Martin 7 Swallow 10 Swift 2 Lapwing 2 Buzzard Female Goosander Great Spotted Woodpecker 5 Stock Dove Goldcrest 2 Mistle Thrush Grey Heron
Clapgate to fish ponds 6.30-7.30 15+ Swift 15+ Swallow 5 House Martin 4 Mandarin Duck Willow Warbler Blackcap 2 Chiffchaff Sparrowhawk 2+ Buzzard Goldcrest Great Spotted Woodpecker Mistle Thrush
Lapwing pair by Stockport Hydo 2 Linnet also Past kennels: Dipper 3 Goosander Treecreeper Stock Dove 2 Mandarin Duck 2+ Grey Wagtail 3 Swallow 2 Blackcap 2 Chiffchaff 200+ Jackdaw in a pre roost around sewage works
There is a separate thread for Chadkirk if you're interested Anthony. Today 10.30-11.45 Clapgate to Middle Farm: 3 Snipe flushed near fishing ponds 150+ Redwing 4 Fieldfare Meadow Pipit Pied Wagtail Grey Wagtail Grey Heron Common Buzzard Mixed gull flock of mainly Black Headed with 5 Common and a single Lesser Black Backed Nuthatch 5 Moorhen
All the action was in the first field opposite the hydro-electric plant: Pied Wagtail 17 Meadow Pipit 20 Buzzard 1 grounded Black-headed Gull 51 Common Gull 1 Cormorant 2 over
350+ jackdaw, 80 Carrion crow, 72 Rook 130 Woodpidgeon + 15 Stockdove 75 Gull: mainly black headed with a few common gull Peregrine over Buzzard being mobbed by 6 magpie
In addition:7
1+ Great-spotted woodpecker near the iron bridge 1 Nuthatch calling in same area 1 Goosander (red head) 32 Mandarin flew out in a group heading south 2 Grey Heron
There appears to be an influx of rook in this area at the moment. Is anyone aware of any rookeries around the bredbury, stockport and surrounding areas.
-- Edited by Vicky Sumner on Sunday 21st of September 2014 05:44:57 PM