9.15 to 13.05.

Nothing along Eagley Brook on my way to Dunscar Bridge but then I found a Grey Wagtail singing from a chimney pot at Blackburn Road before it headed down to the brook.

Wales Lodges & Longworth Lane :-
4 Canada Geese, 6 Mallards, 3 Moorhens, 4 Coots, pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Nuthatches, 3 Treecreepers, 5 Chaffinches, 2 Siskins, 2 Bullfinches.

2 Pied Wagtails on the practice area at the golf club.

Gleaves Lodge :-
1 Cormorant, 2 Canada Geese, 5 Mallards, 1 Coot, 1 Pied Wagtail on the roof of Cubbins Farm, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Buntings.

Fernhill Farm :-
12 Lapwings, 9 Curlews, 29 Woodpigeons, 2 Swallows have been back using the stables since the weekend, 3 Pied Wagtails, 20+ Starlings, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet.

4 Meadow Pipits on the scrubland between Belmont Road & Wilton Quarries.

Scout Road/Horrocks Hill Farm :-
4 Mallards, 5 Lapwings, 1 Snipe calling from long grass, 2 Skylarks, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Reed Bunting.

Horrocks Fold Farm to Oldhams Estate :-
1 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 5 Lapwings, 25 Feral Pigeons, 45+ Woodpigeons, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Linnets.

7.30am to 10.50am. Some interesting pairs of birds this morning.

A pair of Dippers on Eagley Brook by Dunscar Timber.
Also 2 pairs of Grey Wagtails which did not go down well with the resident pair which chased the invasive pair off over the works roof, before dropping back down to the brook at Dunscar Bridge.

Wales Lodges/Longworth Lane :-
1 Grey Heron, 2 pairs of Canada Geese, 9 Mallards, 3 Moorhens, 2 Coots, 35+ Woodpigeons, 2 pairs of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Pied Wagtail at the golf clubhouse, 1 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Nuthatches, 2 Jays, + the usual species.

Going up the track to Gleaves Lodge myself & a passing friend watched a pair of Treecreepers going up adjacent trees.
Going back down this track later in the morning I saw a Grey Wagtail on the brook which runs underneath the track.

Gleaves Lodge :-
1 Cormorant, pair of Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 2 Black-headed Gulls, pair of Oystercatchers, 1 Meadow Pipit, & a pair of Ravens flying over heading towartds Bromley Cross.

Fernhill Farm :-
31 Lapwings, 21 Curlews on the usual field, 30+ Woodpigeons, 2 Pied Wagtails, & a Buzzard soaring around.

A pair of Stonechats were between Belmont Road and Wilton Quarries. A Stock Dove was at the quarries.

Not too much on the fields by Horrocks Fold Farm.
6 Lapwings, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, + a few Woodpigeons, Magpies, Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows.

8.00am to 11.50am. Set off from home in a snowstorm but it soon cleared to leave a fine morning.

No Dippers again on my early visit but found one by Dunscar Timber on my way home late morning.

3 Canada Geese & a pair of Mallards on Shore Lodge.

Wales Lodges & Longworth Lane :-
10 Canada Geese, 12 Mallards, 4m + 1f Goosanders, 2 Moorhens, 6 Coots, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30+ Redwings, + the usual species.

Gleaves Lodge :-
2 Canada Geese, 13 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 1 Pied Wagtail, 29 Jackdaws on the field by the lodge.

The fields on the way to Fernhill Farm are normally good for Curlews gathering in Spring & I got 24 of them feeding together this morning.
Spread around a few fields were 17 Lapwings.

Horrocks Fold Farm to Oldhams Estate :-
3 Lapwings, 35 Woodpigeons, 17 Skylarks, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Redwings, 13 Magpies, 36 Jackdaws, 5 Carrion Crows.

8.05am to 11.15am.

Eagley Brook from sports complex to Dunscar Bridge :-
1 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen, flock of 12 Magpies.

Wales Lodges :-
1 Canada Goose, 7 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 6 Coots, 28 Woodpigeons, 2 Mistle Thrushes.

Longworth Lane :-
2 Goldcrests, 4 Nuthatches, numerous Siskins calling.

Gleaves Lodge :-
2 Greylags, 14 Mallards.

Fernhill Farm :-
24 Lapwings, 1 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtails, mixed flock of Jackdaws/Carrion Crows/Rooks.

Wilton Quarries :-
1 Skylark, 1 Stonechat, 2 Ravens.

Horrocks Fold to Oldhams Estate :-
1 Grey Heron, 1 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush.

I Had a text from a mate this afternoon to say there were 4 Goldeneyes on Wales Lodges

Morning mooch, lodges mostly frozen.

Eagley Brook, sports complex to Dunscar Bridge :-
1 Grey Heron, 3 Moorhens, & a pair of Dippers which were never more than a couple of feet apart whilst I was watching them, even when feeding in the brook.

Wales Lodges, only a small patch of open water :-
The injured Canada Goose, 4 Mallards, 1 Coot.

Hardly anything along Longworth Lane, a Redwing, a Treecreeper, & a Siskin the best I could find.

Gleaves Lodge, only the top end ice free :-
1 Grey Heron, 39 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

10.25am to 12.30pm. Patience needed this morning as there did not seem much about when I got there, but I eventually picked up on a few things flying through.

Wales Lodges :-
2 Cormorants flew in as I was heading up to Gleaves Lodge
1 Grey Heron on field between lodge & Blackburn Road
1 Canada Goose with an injured looking wing
47 Mallards
1 Goosander flying over
2 Moorhens, 3 Coots,
Flock of 28 Woodpigeons
1 Nuthatch

Longworth Lane :-
1 Redwing in a tree by 1st tee at glof club with a Mistle Thrush. A few minutes later 60+ Redwings flew across from Walmsley Church.
A Siskin the only finch along here

Gleaves Lodge and nearby fields :-
3 Cormorants flew up here from Wales Lodges. The earlier 2 + 1 other
4 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 1 Black-headed Gull
2 flocks of Woodpigeons (45+ & 20+)
A few Fieldfares heard but hidden from view
1 Raven flying over

Dunscar Bridge to Eagley Sports Complex :-
2 Moorhens, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Dipper

9.20 to 13.15. Eagley - Dunscar Lodges - Fernhill Farm- Dunscar Golf Course.
Lodges frozen as expected and very quiet around all the woodland.

Eagley Brook :-
2 Grey Herons, 1 Canada Goose by sports complex, numerous Mallards. 1 Grey Wagtail at Eagley Mills. No sign of any Dippers.

Near Wales Lodges :-
12 Redwings.

Fernhill Farm :-
2 Lapwings, 1 Buzzard, 1 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrushes, c25 Carrion Crows.

Dunscar Golf Course :-
1 Pied Wagtail.

Grey Heron & Dipper on Eagley Brook by Dunscar Bridge this morning.

Wales Lodges :-
3 juvenile Coots born a couple of weeks now almost fully grown
Also present a Grey Heron, 6 Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 4 Moorhens, & a dozen Black-headed Gulls

Just a couple of Mallards on Gleaves Lodge

Fernhill Farm :-
2 Oystercatchers which flew off the fields and headed down the Eagley Valley. Are they nesting on rooftops down Tonge Moor again ? I will be checking that out again.
4 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, nesting Swallows & House Saprrows, and a couple of Linnets

Scrubland between Belmont Road & Scout Road :-
A male Stonechat and a buck Roe Deer bounding across

DIPPER, KINGFISHER, MUSCAVOY DUCK, "FREAKY" BLUE TIT

Viewable from the road bridge on Folds Road (with the River Tonge going underneath), dipper and kingfisher are a daily occurance at the moment.

On the feeders hung on the river railings on the right hand side (as you stand on the bridge looking south) a blue tit visits many times a day with its "freaky" very long upper beak. It looks ever so strange but has been around since last year and survives quite happily.

Since Monday a female muscavoy duck lazily sits on the river bank on the left hand side.

A short trip around the lodges late morning.

Wales Lodges :-
1 Grey Heron, pair of Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 1 Coot.

Gleaves Lodge :-
1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mallard, 1m Tufted Duck, 1 Moorhen, 2 Reed Buntings, a couple of Siskins, 1 Treecreeper, & a Raven soaring around upsetting the local Carrion Crows.

A wander through Eagley & Dunscar between 8am & 9am.

Eagley Lodges :-
Pair of Canada Geese, 15 Mallards, 1m + 2f Goosanders, 2 Moorhens.

1 Dipper on the brook at Dunscar Bridge with a pair of Mallards.

Wales Lodges :-
1 Mallard, 2 Moorhens, 2 Coots.

Gleaves Lodge :-
1 Grey Heron flying over, 7 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 1 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtails, 10+ Redwings.

Fernhill Farm :-
12 Lapwings, 2 Pied Wagtails.

9.25am to 11.50am. Eagley - Dunscar - Fernhill Farm - Belmont Road - Horrcoks Fold.

2 Grey Herons, 15 Mallards, Pair of Goosanders, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coots, & a Black-headed Gull on Wales Lodges

Others seen this morning :-
A female Sparrowhawk in the woodland between Wales Lodges & Gleaves Lodge
1 Kestrel in the Wilton Quarries area
1 Pheasant near Gleaves Lodge
Numerous Woodpigeons
1 Grey Wagtail feeding on muck heaps at Horrocks Fold
1 Pied Wagtail at Gleaves Lodge
1 Dipper on Eagley Brook by Wales Lodges
Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, & Blackbirds
2 Mistle Thrushes around Eagley
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies (including 21 on the fields between Horrocks Fold & Oldhams Estate), Jackdaws, & Carrion Crows
A few House Sparrows at Horrocks Fold
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches

8am to 9am around Dunscar Lodges & Longworth Lane.

1 Grey Heron
16 Mallards
2m + 3f Goosanders
1 Moorhen
1 Pheasant
1 Buzzard
30+ Woodpigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Dipper
Numerous Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, & a Mistle Thrush
Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, & a couple of Nuthatches
Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, & a Raven flying over
Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, & Bullfinches.

9.30am to 12.30pm. Eagley-Dunscar Lodges-Fernhill Farm-Belmont Road (including Wilton Quarries).

Not much through Eagley, along Belmont Road, or on farmland, apart from 300+ Woodpigeons on the latter.

Much better around Dunscar Lodges/Longworth Lane where it was more sheltered :-
3 Grey Herons, 32 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 1 Coot, 1 Black-headed Gull.
Dippers on Eagley Brook (flying under the bridge at Blackburn Road), and on the small stream by the road to Wales Lodges (at lunchtime a pair of Roe Deer wandered through this stream and into the stables area).
A Buzzard flew up from the field just before Dunscar Golf Course and flew into the wooded area at Walmsley Church.
c25 Woodpigeons, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, 1 Redwing, a couple of Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, a Greenfinch, Goldfinches, a Siskin, and Bullfinches.

5 Goosander (2 male) on Wales Lodge at midday. Later seen flying downstream over Eagley Brook. It was very nice to see them on a lodge that has largely been abandoned by the local Mallards in favour of Gleaves Reservoir.

Also 2 Moorhen, 2 Mallard and 2 Grey Heron.

Mid morning to lunchtime around Wales Lodges

Usual Mallards & Coots on the lodges. A few Black-headed Gulls and I heard a Common Tern on the way over, probably at Gleaves Lodge.
Swifts, House Martins & a Swallow visited.
Highlight was a Buzzard which flew in and landed in a tree for a few minutes.
Grey Wagtails & Dippers on the brook.
Other species around :- Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw (a flock of 60+ flew over), Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch.

A check of the breeding birds this morning.

Moorhen with juveniles on Eagley Lodges
Juvenile Woodpigeon on clubhouse at Sports Complex, and a Woodpigeon nest building at Dunscar Timber
A pair of Swallows flying around Dunscar Timber may be nesting, but I still need to confirm that.
Lots of young tits along Eagley Brook
8 new ducklings at Wales Lodges
The latest brood of Coots now down to just one
A young Grey Heron with an adult at Wales Lodges. They will be from the Entwistle Reservoir heronry.

8.30am to 9.30am.

Moorhen with a juvenile on bottom lodge at Eagley Mills, by the path to the Sports Complex.

2 Mistle Thrushes on the cricket field and an Oystercatcher flying over heading towards Bromley Cross.

A family of Grey Wagtails split between Eagley Brook and the roof of Dunscar Timber.

2 pairs of Coots on Wales Lodges. It has been a poor year for surviving juveniles. Two left from the first lot, only one from the second, and now down to two from the latest ones.
4 House Martins flying around high above the lodges.

1 Grey Heron and a few Mallards & Black-headed Gulls at Gleaves Lodge. A couple of Reed Buntings were on the field going up to Belmont Road, with a Roe Deer running past them and the cattle.

Lapwings at Fernhill Farm, Reed Buntings by Belmont Road, and Whitethroats outside the Wilton Arms.

8.15am to 11.15am.

Eagley Brook :-
1 Grey Heron, a few Mallards, 1 Dipper.

Dunscar Lodges :-
Canada Geese with goslings on the other side of the brook
Mallards with ducklings
Coots with young
1 Moorhen
1 Swift
2 Swallows
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Garden Warbler. I do not remember seeing one here before.
Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, and Willow Warblers.
1 Treecreeper

Fernhill Farm & Belmont Road :-
1 Sparrowhawk
12 Lapwings
1 Curlew
1 Snipe
1 male Cuckoo, just over the border in Lancashire
Swallows nesting
Meadow Pipits
Whitethroats
Reed Buntings

8.10am to 12.40pm.

Eagley Lodges :-
1 Grey Heron, Pair of Canada Geese with 4 goslings, 1 Moorhen.

Eagley Brook :-
2 Dippers & 1 Pied Wagtail near Eagley Sports Complex.

Wales Lodges :-
Pair of Coots with two now fully grown juveniles, another pair with 5 very young juveniles, and a single Coot on Wales no 2 lodge.
1 Grey Heron, 4 Mallards, 10 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Buzzard high above, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers.

Dunscar Golf Course :-
1 Sparrowhawk high up, and not much else apart from the regulars.

Gleaves Lodge :-
1 Grey Heron, pair of Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 4 House Martins, 2 Swallows, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting.

Fernhill Farm :-
2 Buzzards, 12 Lapwings, 2 Curlews, Swallows & House Sparrows nesting.

Late afternoon wander up to the lodges during tea at the cricket (Chiffchaffs & Willow Warblers there, no sign of the Redstart from earlier in the week)

I suspected that one of the two pairs of Coots at Wales Lodges may have had young in the nest amongst the bulrushes earlier in the week. Three youngsters today confirmed that.
A couple of Moorhens, a few Swallows, and a Grey Wagtail on the brook also present.

Up at Gleaves Lodge a pair of Greylags were with the pair of Canada Geese on the water. An unusual species around here I suspect they were probably the pair being chased around Delph Reservoir yesterday. Pair of Oystercatchers also there.

Walking back down the track a female Sparrowhawk flew across in front of me, landing nearby on a branch, giving cracking views.

A mooch around this morning, and a brief check on my way back through this afternoon.

Wales Lodges and fields :-
1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallards, 1 female Goosander, 6 Coots, 1 Buzzard rising from the trees, pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Nuthatches, 2 Willow Warblers.
(2 Swallows this afternoon)

Gleaves Lodge :-
Pair of Canada Geese, 9 Mallards, 1 Coot, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Willow Warblers.
(Female Goosander this afternoon, possibly the one from Wales this morning)

Fernhill Farm :-
16 Lapwings, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Swallows.

8.00am to 10.00am

Eagley Lodges :-
1 Canada Goose, 8 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 1 Black-headed Gull.

Eagley Brook :-
Pair of Canada Geese on the field between the brook and Shorefield Mount with 2 Grey Herons, 1 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 2 Dippers.

Wales Lodges :-
1 Grey Heron, 4 Mallards, 2m + 1f Teal, 1 Moorhen, 5 Coots, 3 Black-headed Gulls.

Gleaves Lodge :-
Pair of Canada Geese, 6 Mallards, 1 Coot, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Pied Wagtail.

Fernhill Farm :-
16 Lapwings, 14 Curlews, 10+ Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 40+ Redwings.

Other species seen this morning :-
Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw (including some collecting wool for their nests), Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch.