The Birds And Wildlife Of The Staffordshire Moorlands (3 Viewers)

[Nick Smith]

A friend of mine new to birding wants to see a Dipper. Now I've sent him to Danebridge but he didn't see one there. Are there are other sites where Dippers have been seen in the last few weeks or is Danebridge still the best bet?

 

[Richard Powell]

Oakamoor picnic site area is pretty reliable. Not tried Ecton Bridge in the Manifold Valley for a while, but could be worth a try. :t:

I always think that it's more difficult looking for Dippers when river levels are high, and exposed rocks in rivers are covered.

A friend of mine new to birding wants to see a Dipper. Now I've sent him to Danebridge but he didn't see one there. Are there are other sites where Dippers have been seen in the last few weeks or is Danebridge still the best bet?

 

[Adam M]

Saw them by the Churnet Valley Railway this summer, just down from the Black Lion pub. Not been down there since, so not sure if they are still around.

Other good place is in Matlock, on the stream past the front of the Red Cross building. That is out of the county, but can be tied in with a trip to Carsington and Cromford if the hawfinches return this year.

The place I usually go to see them though is Oakamoor picnic area. Park up, cross the bridge, usually seen on the right hand side behind the houses.

Adam

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Dipper

A friend of mine knew to birding wants to see a Dipper. Now I've sent him to Danebridge but he didn't see one there. Are there are other sites where Dippers have been seen in the last few weeks or is Danebridge still the best bet?

Seems Graham Mant knew a site, details Bob the Birder blog.
I have always found Dovedale and Milldale the best areas to see Dipper in North Staffs area but don't know about winter time, I don't believe they move much not many records in South Staffs, West Midlands and in Warwickshire birds seen have been Scandanavian Black-bellied Race the nominate becoming extinct.

Regards, John

 

[Neil-T]

Dimmingsdale, Cotton Dell, Knypersley and Staffs side of Dovedale are all good bets.

 

[driverpaul]

Lesser Redpolls x6 Apedale country park 1pm today....

 

[Merlin]

Dippers

Try Leekbrook on the Trading Estate from the bridge by the Burger Van.

regards
Merlin

 

[wolfbirder]

Any reports of harriers up at Swallow Moss this winter yet? I am guessing there have been none reported.

 

[Neil-T]

Saw the Ringtail about 3 weeks ago. Will be going up there next Wednesday for a last look before Christmas. Will let you know if I see anything. Neil.

 

[wolfbirder]

Appreciated ta Neil .

 

[Adam M]

Coombes Valley is looking rather magical in the snow. Well worth a visit for some landscape shots in this kind of weather.

Plenty of birds in Clough Meadow, including flocks of winter thrushes and goldfinches feeding on the seed heads of flowers. It is quite good in the snow as you can see where the finches have been feeding due to the dropped seeds sat on top of the snow. In the car park there are some very obvious footprints. One I instantly recognised as belonging to a rabbit. These are the ones that go 2-1-1, you'll know what I mean if you see them. The other prints I wasn't sure about. But one of the residential volunteers confirmed they belonged to a fox, as proven by a photo he had taken of the culprit. He said the fox had been around quite regularly in the car park while the snow has been around. Might be worth me taking the camera and getting there a dawn at some point this week.

Me and another volunteer were treated to a sparrowhawk chasing a blackbird around the top meadow this morning. Seen from the viewing platform, they darted out of the trees lining the main path on our right, and made for the open meadow over the snow. The sparrowhawk slowly gained ground on the blackbird and looked to make its attack as it stretched out its talons. At that moment, the blackbird made a last second dash into the smaller branches of a silver birch tree, and bought himself some more time. He flew out of the tree, on our far left now, did a u-turn and headed back to the trees in the bottom right hand corner of the meadow. Again the sparrowhawk closed the gap in the straight sprint, but the blackbird appeared to make the tree line safely. A truly stunning chase and something I won't be quick to forget. Nature at its rawest, two individuals struggling to survive, and all in front of a stunning backdrop.

Adam

 

[Adam M]

Woodcock flushed today at Coombes Valley. This was off this visitor trails, but our ride, aptly named the woodcock trail, should provide the best chances of seeing one, usually by inadvertently flushing it from the path edge.

Repolls over head are pretty much a constant today. Also had great spotted woodpecker calling, as well as a few tawny owls being vocal as well.

Saw a barn owl on the way home, on an undisclosed stretch of the Leek new road. Always a nice sight, even in the car headlights :t:

Adam

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Woodcock

Woodcock flushed today at Coombes Valley. This was off this visitor trails, but our ride, aptly named the woodcock trail, should provide the best chances of seeing one, usually by inadvertently flushing it from the path edge.

Repolls over head are pretty much a constant today. Also had great spotted woodpecker calling, as well as a few tawny owls being vocal as well.

Saw a barn owl on the way home, on an undisclosed stretch of the Leek new road. Always a nice sight, even in the car headlights :t:

Adam

Hi Adam,
Do Woodcock breed at Coombes Valley I have been told it's pretty good for breeding Woodcock in that general area.

Regards, John

 

[Adam M]

Hi Adam,
Do Woodcock breed at Coombes Valley I have been told it's pretty good for breeding Woodcock in that general area.

Regards, John

Obviously counting breeding pairs is difficult. So we can never really confirm they breed or in what numbers. However, given the number of roding male woodcock we get in the spring and summer, it is a safe guess that they do breed on site.

I recommend standing in Clough Meadow one evening from May onwards. If it is still and dry, I can (almost) guarantee you will see roding woodcock flying overhead just prior to sunset. If I am still around at that time of year, I might perch myself on the bench at the top of Buzzard bank instead, just to see if the views are any better.

It is also quite likely we will do another bat and woodcock walk in the summer. I'll keep my eye on the upcoming events and post about it if/when it comes around.

Adam

 

[Adam M]

Went for a walk down the canal from Consall to Froghall. No sign of any LSW, but did see some nice tit and finch flocks. Also heard some pink feet flying over, but couldn't see them for the trees, so no idea of how many there were. Saw a kingfisher on the way back too. It flew along the canal before perching up, then diving into the water, successfully catching a fish. The first time i have ever seen this. Such a treat. 3 buzzards were seen over head, along with a kestrel.

Some clearing work has been done along the canal in the area. Hoping it gets a nice flush of flowers come spring, should look lovely.

Adam

 

[Upland Birder]

Swineholes Wood

Went for a walk at Swineholes Wood today with Terry Eyre. Very foggy up there and amazingly there were insects about up there. Still snow and ice on the ground which was good for checking out mammal footprints that included Fox, Rabbit, Brown Hare amongst an assortment of other interesting mammals.

The woodland and heath is always full of surprises if you have patience, know where to look, have an enquiring mind and visit regularly across the seasons. Also about were 4 Bullfinch, 2 Nuthatch and a mixed flock of Great tit, Coal tit and Chaffinch were calling.

On the higher moors managed to see 4 Short eared owl in flight, perched and sometimes on the ground. I love watching these birds on the moors.

Soon the winter will subside and spring will take its place. Role on the return of the warblers, curlew and Golden plover and other moorland and upland species.

Dean

 

[Adam M]

There was some amazing ice structures at RSPB Coombes Valley over the weekend. The freezing fog had left a layer of crystal clear ice on anything it came into contact with. Turning the trees into breath taking frozen pieces of art and giving a wintery sparkle to all other structures it touched. Rather sad I was sat in the office busy, I so wish I could have explored the reserve that day.

Some stunning views of a fox were had by a very lucky visitor to RSPB Coombes Valley on Saturday. He produced some amazing photos and even a short video of it appearing to hunt a small mammal!! It was truly a beautiful animal and made everyone in the office jealous of the indulgent views the visitors must have had.

Not only this, but despite the snowy weather, the gentleman in question had made a full family day out of it, bring his wife, his young son and his mum who was over 100 years old!!

Just goes to show, the RSPB is not just about birds, and their reserves are certainly for all of the family to enjoy! :t:

I am sure the pictures of the fox, maybe even the video and some wintery pics of the ice will be appearing on the Coombes Valley facebook page or blog in the near future.

Talking of foxes, nice to see the Urban Fox roaming these pages again Hope you are well Dean and will grace this thread with your presence on a more frequent basis with some of your wonderfully descriptive posts :t:

Adam M

 

[Adam M]

The annual Wildlife Explorers group (WEX from Macclesfield) were at Coombes Valley on Saturday helping us clear some scrub. Looked like everyone was enjoying themselves, especially at the BBQ afterwards. If anyone is interested in joining the Macclesfied WEX group, their details are on their website http://www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk/index.htm They are one of the more active WEX groups, so they are a great way to get your kids involved and interested in wildlife. It's not all practical work, there are some indoor events, as well as trips further afield. Check out their programme of events

The reserve is now alive with bird song, and on sunny days like the last couple it is amazing to just sit and listen. Yesterday saw more visitors than expected for this time of year, which is always great. Nice to see people enjoying the reserve and the hard work we have put in to create a reserve perfect for many aspects of wildlife. Can't wait for Spring and Summer to get into full swing, this year should be a little bit special up at Coombes Valley :t:

Adam

 

[Neil-T]

Had some good birds in the garden over the past few weeks.
Reed bunting which was a nice surprise considering where I am.
2 Songthrushes.
35/40 lesser redpolls including the mealy on occasion. Surprisingly no ringed this year yet.
Goldcrests.
Lots of Bullies still.
Siskins and Goldfinches in double figures.
Marsh tit
LT Tits and other common tits.
GSW.
3 Brambling.

 

[Upland Birder]

In search of Curlew

It is the case that since Tudor times there has been a degradation of habitat and loss of wildlife in this country through unacceptable human acitivity and persecution. This is made no more clear than in the book 'Silent Fields' by Roger Lovegrove. However when I get out there looking for birds and mammals I sometimes reflect when I see them and feel a sense of hope that things are gradually changing or improving for our local moorland wildlife.

I learned recently that an early arriving Curlew was heard but not seen in the Fawfieldhead area of this region on 19th February so I decided along with Terry Eyre to go in search of early arrivals of this species. Many of our Curlew are said to congregate in good numbers in this area early on in the season before dispersing to their breeding grounds.

It was very misty on Morridge and over at Goldsitch Moss today but there were periods when it cleared briefly on lower pastures. There were moments when we thought that the sun might make an appearance but it managed to elude us all day.

So it was that we descended to Fawfieldhead and listened quietly to the sounds around us. Surprisingly we heard the calls of Lapwing and peering out of the mist we observed 14 of these wonderful waders in flight while 2 Mistle thrushes were perched on a wire across the way. In a field nearby we counted a mixed flock of thrushes that included 40 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing and 2 Song thrush.

For much of the day it was misty, damp and mild with a temperature of 9.5 degrees so unusual for this time of the year in these parts. The mist cleared occasionally thus affording us views across rushy fields and pastures towards mist shrouded hill tops.

In fields close to Hollinsclough a village at the very northern tip of the Staffordshire Moorlands another 22 Lapwing were seen in flight and on the ground whilst 120 Fieldfare were present in a tree in another field nearby. This flock at one point seperated in to two smaller flocks. Not to far away a Kestral perched on a wire 'still hunting' and was one of five seen during the day between here and Ipstones Edge further south.

On the approach to Hollinsclough we heard Greenfinch, Nuthatch and saw a further 2 Mistle thrush. Blue tits and Great tits were about.

Later in the Swallow Moss area we watched 2 Short eared owls perched and preening, then in flight and hunting. Short eared Owls are always a delight to watch and these birds did not disappoint. From here we made our way to Lower and upper Elkstone where a number of woodland birds, a kestral and a small flock of Fieldfare were noted. We have the need to explore this area of the moorlands on foot in the spring to find out more about the bird life here and it should be interesting.

Back up on Morridge visibility was poor but conditions improved somewhat on ipstones Edge where we got to see two more Short eared Owls perched, preening and in flight hunting. Finally we were witness to a Kestral being chased by one of the owls and at one point there was a mid air collision between the two.

It was a misty mirky day up in the moorlands but this was more than compensated for by the birds that we saw through the day. Despite our best efforts we did not see or hear the call of early arriving Curlew but at least the fields, moorland and woodlands were not silent.

Dean