Redwing, HGF
Fieldfare, HGF
Buzzard, HGF
Kingfisher, Moat Lane pool, Rixton
Mute Swan JP4, Moat Lane pool, Rixton
Goldeneye (female), HGF
First winter drake Scaup, HGF
Part of the Linnet flock in Waterworks Lane
Peregrine, Waterworks Lanexxxxxx
October 25th – November 1st.
Xxxxx
Monday morning at HGF and the only birds of interest were a Redshank patrolling the muddy edge and a slight increase in Tufted Duck numbers. Oh and a few Meadow Pipits in the south field.
Xxxxx
At the feeding station the Tree Sparrow flock numbered around 50 birds. Of concern is the fact the a over a hundred mixed corvids are hammering the seed – this feeding place is too open. I nenver got much interest from corvids and woodies at the old spot because I think it was so close to the hedge and lots of undergrowth – nice spot for an ambush. Consequently tonight I have started putting seed down at the old spot.
Xxxx
A wander round Rixton after work produced a Green Sandpiper on Moat Lane pool 1, a covey of 4 Grey Partridges on Holly Bush Lane and another covey of 9 birds in the field off Dam Head Lane in Glazebrook. A single Teal was on the tip pool.
xxxxx
Tuesday at the feeding station around 50 Tree Sparrows were present. I didn’t have time to stay though. A single Grey Partridge was running up and down the hedge constantly calling. Nothing of interest to report from HGF today. A cock Pheasant was in the garden today.
xxxxx
Wednesday was an interesting birding day. I started with the usual morning wander around HGF. As I scanned the pool I caught sight of an interesting diving duck from the corner of my eye. When it resurfaced I realised it was a first winter drake Scaup. This species is far from regular here. In the winter of 2007/08 I found 3 of these ducks here, one of which stayed all winter until April. In the winter of 2008/09 I found two Scaup one afternoon in mid January. These are the only Scaup I have found here prior to this one so it was very welcome.
Xxxxxx
A female Goldeneye was also present on the pool – the first of the autumn. I returned to the pool at dusk – a juvenile Whooper Swan dropped in and was immediately hassled by a couple of the resident Mutes. No surprise when it was gone the next day. Four Fieldfares flew out of the south hedge this morning, presumably having roosted there.
Xxxxx
The other bit of interesting news was at the feeding station. Having on Monday decided to go back to the old feeding area, I turned up this evening to see a decent sized flock of Tree Sparrows in the hedge. I counted them as they flew out to roost – 73 birds! Also of interest was the flock splitting – approximately two thirds flew into the roost site I know about while the rest flew off in the general direction of Arbury Lane. I think I will need to do some more lurking around that area to try and trace them. Also present were 3 Yellowhammers and a covey of 7 Grey Partridges. Earlier in the day four Corn Buntings were on the wires on Holcroft Lane, Culcheth.
Xxxxxx
Thursday morning was clear and surprisingly warm. The Scaup was still present on HGF and 13 Fieldfares flew over – not much lese to report. The cock Pheasant was in the garden today.
Xxxxx
I managed to get to the feeding station at lunch. The Tree Sparrow flock had split with 65+ birds at the old feeding area (which I have just returned to) and 40+ cleaning up the remaining seed from the area I have just vacated. I could see both flocks at the same time and 105 birds is a record for the feeding station. Wow! Also in the field opposite were the Linnet flock (86 birds counted from a photo of the flock in flight) and also a small flock of 24 Greenfinches. 3 Yellowhammers also visited the feeding station as did a covey of 7 Grey Partridges. Scanning the various pylons also produced a distant Peregrine.
Xxxxx
The cock Pheasant was in the garden again today. After work I had a quick mooch down Moat Lane. Some kids were fishing the pools again so I didn’t bother with them. 30+ Redwings flew over the lane with a single Fieldfare a little later. I had a quick walk down the path by the area put aside for goat grazing – this path is bordered on both sides by tall hedges. A Sparrowhawk suddenly flashed through a gap in the left hand hedge and nearly scared the life out of me. I stopped to look through the gap and saw a second Sparrowhawk hunting over the grazing land.
xxxxx
Saturday started with the usual trip to HGF. The Scaup was still present but surprisingly elusive. It spends a lot of its time diving in the middle of the pool which is around 50 feet deep. No other ducks except scoters (rare visitors) are seen diving this deep at HGF. Around 190 Lapwings wheeled around the pool for a while before heading off. This is interesting behaviour – generally only seen in autumn and winter and they don’t usual stay so I wonder why these birds circle the pool like this? In the south field were 11 Skylarks and 5 Meadow Pipits.
Xxxxx
At the feeding station today the peak count was around 95 Tree Sparrows but nothing else with them, not even a House Sparrow. A couple of Buzzards were loitering around the area and I found a Peregrine again perched on the pylon where I had spotted it earlier in the week. Three coveys of Grey Partridges were seen in different fields comprising 12, 8 and 5. The Linnet flock of 80-90 birds was again present plus large numbers of corvids – 80 odd each of Rooks and Jackdaws.
Xxxxx
Late morning I wandered up to Barrow to see if I could catch up with some Waxwings. I eventually counted 92 birds (from a photo of the flock in flight) with birds regularly coming close onto Rowan berries. Stunning birds and always enjoyable to watch – I spent 3 hours just watching these birds. A Brambling joined them briefly at one point and fly over Kestrel and Buzzard also seen.
Xxxxx
Late on Saturday evening an errand in Culcheth allowed me to drive down Lady Lane in Croft. One of the Little Owls was present, perched on a bale. It flew off over the field shortly after – 3 hares were in the field behind the roost site.
Xxxxx
Sunday was a corking birding day. Nothing special in terms of species and I didn’t even have all day. In between errands and gardening I just had odd hours through the day but for some reason every time I turned round I saw something different and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Xxxxxx
I started off by opening the bedroom curtains and watching 75+ Pink-footed Geese fly over Waterworks Lane heading SE. Next I took Bill over to HGF. The Scaup was still present and a pair of Pochards were new in. Around 110 Lapwings wheeled around over the pool before departing. In the south field were at least 38 Skylarks and 7 Meadow Pipits – possibly a record count for me of Skylarks at HGF. The Buzzard was perched on one of the posts bordering the lawn in the south field and plenty of gulls were on the water.
Xxxx
Mainly I just stood and watched the south and east hedge – every time I looked there was something else to see. In the hour I was there I saw 13 Fieldfares, 5 Redwings, 15 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes, 1 Mistle Thrush, 8 Robins, 3 Pied Wagtails,1 Reed Bunting, 4 Yellowhammers (only my second record of this species here), 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Jay! More Fieldfares and Redwings flew over – I think the total for both species was in the 50’s. Plus various tits and finches with at least 12 Goldfinches present. This was one busy hedge!
Xxxxx
I next wandered over to Rixton. Holly Bush Lane produced 8 Mistle Thrushes and a flock of 60+ Linnets. Moat Lane pool 1 had just two Mute Swans on, one of them being blue JP4. A male Kingfisher was fishing around the pool – several times I watched him catch a fish and then get immediately chased by Black-headed Gulls. This was interesting to watch – I have seen Kingfishers fly far faster than this bird and each time a gull got near he seemed to do a side slip or something and completely bamboozle the gull. I got the impression he was taking the mick! Also present on the pool was a Green Sandpiper and a couple of Coots – half a dozen Mallard on pool 2. Again lots of overflying Fieldfares and Redwings with 40 odd of each species over by the time I left.
Xxxx
I paid four different visits to my feeding station today. The first time I rolled up there was nothing. Not a bird showing and no noise at all. Perhaps I have been watching the Tree Sparrows often enough now to understand their behaviour – despite the lack of any sign I knew they were in the hedge. I sat and waited and after 20 minutes or so the first bird peeped out – shortly after 60 or so were chattering away. The largest count today was at lunch when at least 90 were present and also 18 House Sparrows, a now not inconsiderable number. Who would have thought ten years ago that the Tree Sparrow population here would significantly outnumber House Sparrows.
Xxxx
A single male Reed Bunting also appeared at the feeding station – the first this autumn. The lunch time visit also produced the Peregrine perched on the same pylon. At dusk I stood up near the farm and watched the fields opposite. A flock of 33 Skylarks drifted over from the fields on the other side of Golborne Rd – the Linnet flock was also there earlier in the day. Two coveys of Grey Partridges (10 and 8) also appeared and had the usual Mexican stand-off with plenty of verbals! In the garden today were 3 Mistle Thrushes and a Coal Tit.
Xxxxx
Monday morning and an overcast visit to HGF this morning. Even sound seemed to be muffled. The Scaup is still present, however sadly the drake Pochard was floating dead in the middle of the pool. The Wigeon flock has increased to 20 birds this morning while a covey of 15 Grey Partridges was flying around the south field. On arrival at the pool I had spotted a Sparrowhawk flying low over the field. A short time afterwards the alarm calls of Long-tailed Tits put me on to a second spar which flew at speed down the south hedge. It flushed a single Redwing and 15 Goldfinches. Four more Redwings (3 +1) and 10 Fieldfares flew over. 11 Skylarks and 7 Meadow Pipits were also in the south field while a Buzzard was walking around the field behind Midhops Farm.
Xxxxx
Monday morning at HGF and the only birds of interest were a Redshank patrolling the muddy edge and a slight increase in Tufted Duck numbers. Oh and a few Meadow Pipits in the south field.
Xxxxx
At the feeding station the Tree Sparrow flock numbered around 50 birds. Of concern is the fact the a over a hundred mixed corvids are hammering the seed – this feeding place is too open. I nenver got much interest from corvids and woodies at the old spot because I think it was so close to the hedge and lots of undergrowth – nice spot for an ambush. Consequently tonight I have started putting seed down at the old spot.
Xxxx
A wander round Rixton after work produced a Green Sandpiper on Moat Lane pool 1, a covey of 4 Grey Partridges on Holly Bush Lane and another covey of 9 birds in the field off Dam Head Lane in Glazebrook. A single Teal was on the tip pool.
xxxxx
Tuesday at the feeding station around 50 Tree Sparrows were present. I didn’t have time to stay though. A single Grey Partridge was running up and down the hedge constantly calling. Nothing of interest to report from HGF today. A cock Pheasant was in the garden today.
xxxxx
Wednesday was an interesting birding day. I started with the usual morning wander around HGF. As I scanned the pool I caught sight of an interesting diving duck from the corner of my eye. When it resurfaced I realised it was a first winter drake Scaup. This species is far from regular here. In the winter of 2007/08 I found 3 of these ducks here, one of which stayed all winter until April. In the winter of 2008/09 I found two Scaup one afternoon in mid January. These are the only Scaup I have found here prior to this one so it was very welcome.
Xxxxxx
A female Goldeneye was also present on the pool – the first of the autumn. I returned to the pool at dusk – a juvenile Whooper Swan dropped in and was immediately hassled by a couple of the resident Mutes. No surprise when it was gone the next day. Four Fieldfares flew out of the south hedge this morning, presumably having roosted there.
Xxxxx
The other bit of interesting news was at the feeding station. Having on Monday decided to go back to the old feeding area, I turned up this evening to see a decent sized flock of Tree Sparrows in the hedge. I counted them as they flew out to roost – 73 birds! Also of interest was the flock splitting – approximately two thirds flew into the roost site I know about while the rest flew off in the general direction of Arbury Lane. I think I will need to do some more lurking around that area to try and trace them. Also present were 3 Yellowhammers and a covey of 7 Grey Partridges. Earlier in the day four Corn Buntings were on the wires on Holcroft Lane, Culcheth.
Xxxxxx
Thursday morning was clear and surprisingly warm. The Scaup was still present on HGF and 13 Fieldfares flew over – not much lese to report. The cock Pheasant was in the garden today.
Xxxxx
I managed to get to the feeding station at lunch. The Tree Sparrow flock had split with 65+ birds at the old feeding area (which I have just returned to) and 40+ cleaning up the remaining seed from the area I have just vacated. I could see both flocks at the same time and 105 birds is a record for the feeding station. Wow! Also in the field opposite were the Linnet flock (86 birds counted from a photo of the flock in flight) and also a small flock of 24 Greenfinches. 3 Yellowhammers also visited the feeding station as did a covey of 7 Grey Partridges. Scanning the various pylons also produced a distant Peregrine.
Xxxxx
The cock Pheasant was in the garden again today. After work I had a quick mooch down Moat Lane. Some kids were fishing the pools again so I didn’t bother with them. 30+ Redwings flew over the lane with a single Fieldfare a little later. I had a quick walk down the path by the area put aside for goat grazing – this path is bordered on both sides by tall hedges. A Sparrowhawk suddenly flashed through a gap in the left hand hedge and nearly scared the life out of me. I stopped to look through the gap and saw a second Sparrowhawk hunting over the grazing land.
xxxxx
Saturday started with the usual trip to HGF. The Scaup was still present but surprisingly elusive. It spends a lot of its time diving in the middle of the pool which is around 50 feet deep. No other ducks except scoters (rare visitors) are seen diving this deep at HGF. Around 190 Lapwings wheeled around the pool for a while before heading off. This is interesting behaviour – generally only seen in autumn and winter and they don’t usual stay so I wonder why these birds circle the pool like this? In the south field were 11 Skylarks and 5 Meadow Pipits.
Xxxxx
At the feeding station today the peak count was around 95 Tree Sparrows but nothing else with them, not even a House Sparrow. A couple of Buzzards were loitering around the area and I found a Peregrine again perched on the pylon where I had spotted it earlier in the week. Three coveys of Grey Partridges were seen in different fields comprising 12, 8 and 5. The Linnet flock of 80-90 birds was again present plus large numbers of corvids – 80 odd each of Rooks and Jackdaws.
Xxxxx
Late morning I wandered up to Barrow to see if I could catch up with some Waxwings. I eventually counted 92 birds (from a photo of the flock in flight) with birds regularly coming close onto Rowan berries. Stunning birds and always enjoyable to watch – I spent 3 hours just watching these birds. A Brambling joined them briefly at one point and fly over Kestrel and Buzzard also seen.
Xxxxx
Late on Saturday evening an errand in Culcheth allowed me to drive down Lady Lane in Croft. One of the Little Owls was present, perched on a bale. It flew off over the field shortly after – 3 hares were in the field behind the roost site.
Xxxxx
Sunday was a corking birding day. Nothing special in terms of species and I didn’t even have all day. In between errands and gardening I just had odd hours through the day but for some reason every time I turned round I saw something different and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Xxxxxx
I started off by opening the bedroom curtains and watching 75+ Pink-footed Geese fly over Waterworks Lane heading SE. Next I took Bill over to HGF. The Scaup was still present and a pair of Pochards were new in. Around 110 Lapwings wheeled around over the pool before departing. In the south field were at least 38 Skylarks and 7 Meadow Pipits – possibly a record count for me of Skylarks at HGF. The Buzzard was perched on one of the posts bordering the lawn in the south field and plenty of gulls were on the water.
Xxxx
Mainly I just stood and watched the south and east hedge – every time I looked there was something else to see. In the hour I was there I saw 13 Fieldfares, 5 Redwings, 15 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes, 1 Mistle Thrush, 8 Robins, 3 Pied Wagtails,1 Reed Bunting, 4 Yellowhammers (only my second record of this species here), 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Jay! More Fieldfares and Redwings flew over – I think the total for both species was in the 50’s. Plus various tits and finches with at least 12 Goldfinches present. This was one busy hedge!
Xxxxx
I next wandered over to Rixton. Holly Bush Lane produced 8 Mistle Thrushes and a flock of 60+ Linnets. Moat Lane pool 1 had just two Mute Swans on, one of them being blue JP4. A male Kingfisher was fishing around the pool – several times I watched him catch a fish and then get immediately chased by Black-headed Gulls. This was interesting to watch – I have seen Kingfishers fly far faster than this bird and each time a gull got near he seemed to do a side slip or something and completely bamboozle the gull. I got the impression he was taking the mick! Also present on the pool was a Green Sandpiper and a couple of Coots – half a dozen Mallard on pool 2. Again lots of overflying Fieldfares and Redwings with 40 odd of each species over by the time I left.
Xxxx
I paid four different visits to my feeding station today. The first time I rolled up there was nothing. Not a bird showing and no noise at all. Perhaps I have been watching the Tree Sparrows often enough now to understand their behaviour – despite the lack of any sign I knew they were in the hedge. I sat and waited and after 20 minutes or so the first bird peeped out – shortly after 60 or so were chattering away. The largest count today was at lunch when at least 90 were present and also 18 House Sparrows, a now not inconsiderable number. Who would have thought ten years ago that the Tree Sparrow population here would significantly outnumber House Sparrows.
Xxxx
A single male Reed Bunting also appeared at the feeding station – the first this autumn. The lunch time visit also produced the Peregrine perched on the same pylon. At dusk I stood up near the farm and watched the fields opposite. A flock of 33 Skylarks drifted over from the fields on the other side of Golborne Rd – the Linnet flock was also there earlier in the day. Two coveys of Grey Partridges (10 and 8) also appeared and had the usual Mexican stand-off with plenty of verbals! In the garden today were 3 Mistle Thrushes and a Coal Tit.
Xxxxx
Monday morning and an overcast visit to HGF this morning. Even sound seemed to be muffled. The Scaup is still present, however sadly the drake Pochard was floating dead in the middle of the pool. The Wigeon flock has increased to 20 birds this morning while a covey of 15 Grey Partridges was flying around the south field. On arrival at the pool I had spotted a Sparrowhawk flying low over the field. A short time afterwards the alarm calls of Long-tailed Tits put me on to a second spar which flew at speed down the south hedge. It flushed a single Redwing and 15 Goldfinches. Four more Redwings (3 +1) and 10 Fieldfares flew over. 11 Skylarks and 7 Meadow Pipits were also in the south field while a Buzzard was walking around the field behind Midhops Farm.
xxxx
This evening I managed to visit the feeding station just before dusk. The Tree Sparrows had gone - I later picked them up chattering away in their roost site. Twelve Grey Partridges were present at the feeding station so I just sat and watched these birds - one of my favourite species. A Buzzard was perched on the usual fence line and another covey of 7 Grey Partridges were in the field opposite. A couple of Redwings flew over as darkness fell.
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