16 Mandarin overhead 15 Meadow Pipits near Goyt Hall Farm (+21 minimum at the sewage works) 23 Lapwing GH Farm 1 Little Grebe on the river (unusual here)
Hi John, Just been down and looked through the mess from the car park, and over the wooden fence in the IP but could not see anything. Having said that it was so cold, I did not hang about.
Thanks John. when I was a lad, that and the car park were reservoirs for the print works, and before my time there was one opposite where the CPP Car Park is.
The one you are talking about is more correctly under CCP as Goyt Valley NR starts at the lane by the bridge,
Will have a look this afternoon for the Snipe, but will not ask how you got access!
Otterspool Bridge - Jim Fearnley Bridge - Holiday Lane - Bongs Lane
A pleasant morning despite the fog.
42 species the best of which were: 23 Meadow Pipits in field near kennels; 1 female Goosander and 1 male Mandarin on Goyt; at the sewage works a minimum 43 Pied Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails and 6 Meadow Pipits.
By Otterspool Bridge a pair of Dipper with the male displaying vigorously and extensively with lots of buzzy songs and much wing quivering. Then the pair made short flights and the whole display was repeated. Not witnessed this sort of behaviour before, is it usual in December?
All I had in mind for a finch/bunting feeding station was to scatter seed on the ground in the corner of the horse paddock nearest the river/footpath. This is what Eddie King does at Rindle Road to bring in numbers of Yellowhammers, Tree Sparrows, Reed Buntings etc. So, nothing to vandalise. The problems would be seeking both a sponsor to provide the seed and volunteers to keep the station regularly stocked throughout the winter.
First of all, let me correct myself slightly. I think the area alongside Poise Brook has actually been acredited 'Local Nature Reserve' status. However the area from Otterspool where a sign actually trumpets the facts certainly isn't.
With regards your feeding station scheme. As I understand one of the display boards at Poise Brook was vandalised very soon after it was erected, I don't feel that a feeding station would last five minutes in what is a fairly out of the way place. There is a bit of a feeding station Chadkirk next to the chapel, but I've never seen Yellowhammer there (it's not far away from Goyt Farm, and it's in a place where yellowhammers used to occur). Never mind, lets count our blessings that we still have something fairly worthwhile.
Exactly right. Except it isn't even a LNR. I sit on the committee of Stockport Nature Network and from what I heard at the last meeting the sign was erected without any designation having been made. The whole thing is indicative of Stockport Council who have zero regard for nature.
Hi Andy,
Is there any mileage in setting up a feeding station along the lines of Rindle Road. The corner of the horse paddock near Jim Fearnley Bridge might be an ideal place. There are usually winter Yellowhammers in that area, one of the very few places for them that remain locally. With your Stockport Nature Network hat on, could Stockport Council be considered as possible sponsors? As you say putting a couple of signs up doesn't create a Nature Reserve. (I bet I can guess the answer to this one though )
The RSPB bought a farm about ten years ago and started to run and manage the farm so that it benefits wildlife whilst making sure that the farm is still productive and profitable.
Can the GM birders approach a local farmer with a view to encoraging him (or her) to start to change some of their farming practices which would ultimately assist wildlife. If this is possible, maybe it could be done on a couple of farms in different areas of the county, and possibly with farms which are well known and maybe influential?
Would definitely benefit lots of areas, such as the mosses??
There is a dedicated page to farming on the rspb web site under the heading 'our work'
Broadly speaking, you're right. It is an exciting looking area, but it could be so much better if only the farms were not green deserts. We've lost so much from this general area (tree sparrow, spotted flycatcher, grey partridge to name but a few), and more will follow unless something positive is done instead of just letting the woods and a few other 'wild' bits it fend for themselves.
I was working in Marple today and in the course of our duties noticed this sign whilst out and about. Cracking looking area though, despite not being able to stop!
Fogg (Poise) Brook - Jim Fearnley Bridge - Otterspool Bridge
A designated Local Nature Reserve now but nothing has changed apart from new signage.
John,
Exactly right. Except it isn't even a LNR. I sit on the committee of Stockport Nature Network and from what I heard at the last meeting the sign was erected without any designation having been made. The whole thing is indicative of Stockport Council who have zero regard for nature.
Fogg (Poise) Brook - Jim Fearnley Bridge - Otterspool Bridge
A designated Local Nature Reserve now but nothing has changed apart from new signage.
Corvids - many Finches - few (inc 1f Bullfinch) Thrushes - few (inc 2 Song & 1 Mistle Thrush) A general lack of small birds.
On the river : Heron (3) Goosander (5m, 4f in 3 seperate parties) Mandarin (4m, 3f) Kingfisher (1 head banging a fish a few sizes too big for it. Not sure how big minnows get but this looked dark anyway - a young Trout perhaps?)