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The Birds And Wildlife Of The Staffordshire Moorlands (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Upland Birder
- Start date
Neil-T
Moorlands Macro: Close up and personal....with bug
Good variation of birds in today. I took a picture a few weeks back of a strange Redpoll on the feeders, notice the very Grey uniform primaries. I also thought there a couple of Redpolls still visiting yesterday and today, but on close inspection they were a pair of Linnets, a first for me in the garden, and Iv'e never seen them feeding on Nyger before. The Stonechat was on one my walks the other day.
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Mick Sway
Well-known member
Mon 23 April Biddulph Valley
A walk around Biddulph/Biddulph Moor in terrible conditions am, didn't glean much at all.
Top Road Near Lask Edge , two Curlew in flight + six meadow pipits.
I was not very pleased to see extensive Hawthorne hedging being undertaken near "the Dam" at Biddulph Moor.
At Biddulph Grange Country Park chiff-chaffs were calling during the hail storm, a G.S Woodpecker was drumming, two jays and a singleblack-cap was out in the open singing.
Although it's my local patch I've never found the Grange very productive, possibly on account of the tremendous number of dog walkers with dogs off lead there.
Also at the country park, where many toads and frogs had spawned last month at the feeders north of the "lake", the rangers had by the looks, cleaned out the feeder pond
probably taking the spawn with it.
Oh and I counted 12 grey squirrels there, not good news for woodland birds..
A walk around Biddulph/Biddulph Moor in terrible conditions am, didn't glean much at all.
Top Road Near Lask Edge , two Curlew in flight + six meadow pipits.
I was not very pleased to see extensive Hawthorne hedging being undertaken near "the Dam" at Biddulph Moor.
At Biddulph Grange Country Park chiff-chaffs were calling during the hail storm, a G.S Woodpecker was drumming, two jays and a singleblack-cap was out in the open singing.
Although it's my local patch I've never found the Grange very productive, possibly on account of the tremendous number of dog walkers with dogs off lead there.
Also at the country park, where many toads and frogs had spawned last month at the feeders north of the "lake", the rangers had by the looks, cleaned out the feeder pond
probably taking the spawn with it.
Oh and I counted 12 grey squirrels there, not good news for woodland birds..
Point count survey in the RSPB land in the Churnet yesterday produced several pied flycatchers singing, plenty of blackcaps, chiffchaffs and willow warblers. But the best sighting of all had to be 15 buzzards all up in the air at the same time!! This was just to the north of the RSPB land holding, viewed from Chase wood. Incredible sight and had me open mouthed for quite a while. From the same place, looking north towards the Boat Inn, there are plenty of flooded fields which look good for waterfowl and waders. Saw 7 herons along/in these fields too.
Yellow archangel also in flower in Booth's wood in the Churnet.
I saw my first swift of the year over Leek last night at 6:18. Followed by another at about 7 over the A523, just before the turn off to Coombes.
Today's Coombes point count was cancelled due to the wind, but there have been redstarts reported on site, with pied flycatchers still showing by the main bridge.
Adam
Yellow archangel also in flower in Booth's wood in the Churnet.
I saw my first swift of the year over Leek last night at 6:18. Followed by another at about 7 over the A523, just before the turn off to Coombes.
Today's Coombes point count was cancelled due to the wind, but there have been redstarts reported on site, with pied flycatchers still showing by the main bridge.
Adam
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Tittesworth Tues 12 June 2012
Thought that we'd take advantage of a break in the rain, so
Tina and I had a treat this afternoon watching a pair of feeding Pied Flycatchers at Tittesworth.
Evidently their young had not fledged as they kept making passes over the Churnet for Mayflies and other insects, then returning to the nest box.
We thought that their were at least two pairs?
Must have watched them for over an hour, whilst they occasional landed just a few feet from where we were standing. In the mean time a redstart with a fledge joined in the feeding action.
As T wandered off then returned, excitedly reporting that a tree-creeper had flown over her shoulder onto a tree trunk inches away from her face, flying off before she could ready her camera.
The bridge area was hopping with willow warblers, chiff chaff and black cap, whilst a common thrush sung from a perch nearby.
A pair of grey wagtails were on the river and I could have sworn that I glimpsed a dipper, though I've not seen one there before.
Surprisingly we couldn't turn up a spot fly?
The banks of the River Churnet had been devastated by the recent deluge.
The reservoir conservation area held six oyster catcher plus two fledges a common sand and the usual Canada's ( at least 50 I would have said),ducks, heron,coot, grebe and moorhen. The feeders were busy being ravaged by two rooks,jackdaw and a squirrel (s.g. will not be pleased to hear).
Surprised not hear or see a sedgey.
A GS wood flew over followed by a peregrine and a kestrel.
Swallows and martins made passes over the water.
I note that a red kite had recently been reported in the book.
The only draw back to a very pleasant afternoon was the waste of great photo opportunities through very poor light (the low temperatures not withstanding). A nice fellow from Mac discussed the local birding with us, perhaps we ought to have asked his name.
Ohh we also saw a stoat on the road before we got to the lazy trout.
Mickl
B
Thought that we'd take advantage of a break in the rain, so
Tina and I had a treat this afternoon watching a pair of feeding Pied Flycatchers at Tittesworth.
Evidently their young had not fledged as they kept making passes over the Churnet for Mayflies and other insects, then returning to the nest box.
We thought that their were at least two pairs?
Must have watched them for over an hour, whilst they occasional landed just a few feet from where we were standing. In the mean time a redstart with a fledge joined in the feeding action.
As T wandered off then returned, excitedly reporting that a tree-creeper had flown over her shoulder onto a tree trunk inches away from her face, flying off before she could ready her camera.
The bridge area was hopping with willow warblers, chiff chaff and black cap, whilst a common thrush sung from a perch nearby.
A pair of grey wagtails were on the river and I could have sworn that I glimpsed a dipper, though I've not seen one there before.
Surprisingly we couldn't turn up a spot fly?
The banks of the River Churnet had been devastated by the recent deluge.
The reservoir conservation area held six oyster catcher plus two fledges a common sand and the usual Canada's ( at least 50 I would have said),ducks, heron,coot, grebe and moorhen. The feeders were busy being ravaged by two rooks,jackdaw and a squirrel (s.g. will not be pleased to hear).
Surprised not hear or see a sedgey.
A GS wood flew over followed by a peregrine and a kestrel.
Swallows and martins made passes over the water.
I note that a red kite had recently been reported in the book.
The only draw back to a very pleasant afternoon was the waste of great photo opportunities through very poor light (the low temperatures not withstanding). A nice fellow from Mac discussed the local birding with us, perhaps we ought to have asked his name.
Ohh we also saw a stoat on the road before we got to the lazy trout.
Mickl
B
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JHDraytonbassettpits
Well-known member
JHDraytonbassettpits
Well-known member
Martyn Yapp
Well-known member
Saw over thrity Common Terns in Tad Bay on Sunday, I am thinking this number is a little high for the time of year. I presume they have had a shocker of a breeding season locally due to high water levels.
Neil-T
Moorlands Macro: Close up and personal....with bug
Thought that we'd take advantage of a break in the rain, so
Tina and I had a treat this afternoon watching a pair of feeding Pied Flycatchers at Tittesworth.
Evidently their young had not fledged as they kept making passes over the Churnet for Mayflies and other insects, then returning to the nest box.
We thought that their were at least two pairs?
Must have watched them for over an hour, whilst they occasional landed just a few feet from where we were standing. In the mean time a redstart with a fledge joined in the feeding action.
As T wandered off then returned, excitedly reporting that a tree-creeper had flown over her shoulder onto a tree trunk inches away from her face, flying off before she could ready her camera.
The bridge area was hopping with willow warblers, chiff chaff and black cap, whilst a common thrush sung from a perch nearby.
A pair of grey wagtails were on the river and I could have sworn that I glimpsed a dipper, though I've not seen one there before.
Surprisingly we couldn't turn up a spot fly?
The banks of the River Churnet had been devastated by the recent deluge.
The reservoir conservation area held six oyster catcher plus two fledges a common sand and the usual Canada's ( at least 50 I would have said),ducks, heron,coot, grebe and moorhen. The feeders were busy being ravaged by two rooks,jackdaw and a squirrel (s.g. will not be pleased to hear).
Surprised not hear or see a sedgey.
A GS wood flew over followed by a peregrine and a kestrel.
Swallows and martins made passes over the water.
I note that a red kite had recently been reported in the book.
The only draw back to a very pleasant afternoon was the waste of great photo opportunities through very poor light (the low temperatures not withstanding). A nice fellow from Mac discussed the local birding with us, perhaps we ought to have asked his name.
Ohh we also saw a stoat on the road before we got to the lazy trout.
Mickl
B
You are very lucky Mick and Tina, when I get good close up pictures of Pied Flycatchers I am accused of getting too close to breeding pairs and causing them to desert their nests. Anyway, a pair of Redstarts still feeding young on the farm, they have nested in the gable end of one of the outbuildings, the Barn Owls have had 6 young which was a bit surprising, is this an unusual ammount? The eldest young is looking almost like an adult, while the youngest still has some fluffy down on it.
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Mick Sway
Well-known member
Tittesworth 28/08/12
Seemed like half the potteries turned out at Tittesworth Tues afternoon.
Didn't see anything out of the ordinary bird wise and only common butterflies.
However we did find the sad elephant hawk moth caterpillar below which had just been run over on the path, by a couple with a buggy.
Seemed like half the potteries turned out at Tittesworth Tues afternoon.
Didn't see anything out of the ordinary bird wise and only common butterflies.
However we did find the sad elephant hawk moth caterpillar below which had just been run over on the path, by a couple with a buggy.
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Hen Harrier-Swallow Moss
A Hen Harrier (ringtail) in flight and hunting at Swallow Moss late afternoon at 6.10pm. Snipe took to the air as it hunted low over the Moss. It was seen here earlier by others along with sightings of Merlin.
Its been interesting watching this Harrier over the last three weekends. My first sighting with Terry Eyre was three Saturdays ago on 22/09/2012 along with a male Harrier near Middle Hills and on the firing range. I rose ultra early the next morning to watch the male in flight (in good light) at the same location then make its way across Boarsgrove where it was later seen that morning by Richard Powell at Swallow Moss before heading off in the direction of the Mermaid.
Last Saturday it was again in flight and hunting on the firing range area near Middle Hills later afternoon.
I've had the opportunity to look for it on a number of occasions over the last week but had not seen it again until today on the Moss. No sign of male harrier since 22/09/2012.
Also seen today a single Stonechat on Stoneyfold Lane.
12 Long tailed tits on the edge of the Moss late yesterday afternoon.
Dean :t:
A Hen Harrier (ringtail) in flight and hunting at Swallow Moss late afternoon at 6.10pm. Snipe took to the air as it hunted low over the Moss. It was seen here earlier by others along with sightings of Merlin.
Its been interesting watching this Harrier over the last three weekends. My first sighting with Terry Eyre was three Saturdays ago on 22/09/2012 along with a male Harrier near Middle Hills and on the firing range. I rose ultra early the next morning to watch the male in flight (in good light) at the same location then make its way across Boarsgrove where it was later seen that morning by Richard Powell at Swallow Moss before heading off in the direction of the Mermaid.
Last Saturday it was again in flight and hunting on the firing range area near Middle Hills later afternoon.
I've had the opportunity to look for it on a number of occasions over the last week but had not seen it again until today on the Moss. No sign of male harrier since 22/09/2012.
Also seen today a single Stonechat on Stoneyfold Lane.
12 Long tailed tits on the edge of the Moss late yesterday afternoon.
Dean :t:
