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The Birds And Wildlife Of The Staffordshire Moorlands (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Upland Birder
- Start date
3 curlew seen at Coombes Valley yesterday Dean, so they are about. Had one calling this morning from the car park, but never caught sight of it.
We also had a small flock of pink feeted geese fly over woodcock bench yesterday. A flock of 20 redpolls flew into the top of a birch just down the bank from the buzzard bench as well. So plenty of treats for the influx of visitors we've been getting.
Today, I got truly gripped. Some other volunteers have seen a reed bunting on the feeders by the visitor center! First I've known be seen at the site. So, if you'll excuse me, I've got some feeders to go and watch :t:
Adam
We also had a small flock of pink feeted geese fly over woodcock bench yesterday. A flock of 20 redpolls flew into the top of a birch just down the bank from the buzzard bench as well. So plenty of treats for the influx of visitors we've been getting.
Today, I got truly gripped. Some other volunteers have seen a reed bunting on the feeders by the visitor center! First I've known be seen at the site. So, if you'll excuse me, I've got some feeders to go and watch :t:
Adam
5 buzzards all up at the same time over the car park at RSPB Coombes Valley today.
Tawny owls heard calling for the last couple of days along the woodcock trail. We also found a pellet along the trail today, and took it apart to find some vole bones inside, which never loses its intrigue.
Forgot to mention last night we had 2 woodcock over the car park as we checked the moth trap. They weren't making their croaky roding noise, but were circling and calling.
Adam
Tawny owls heard calling for the last couple of days along the woodcock trail. We also found a pellet along the trail today, and took it apart to find some vole bones inside, which never loses its intrigue.
Forgot to mention last night we had 2 woodcock over the car park as we checked the moth trap. They weren't making their croaky roding noise, but were circling and calling.
Adam
Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Moorland Happenings
It feels more like spring than winter in the higher moorlands at the moment and today was no exception. Yesterday was misty with visibility poor particularly on higher ground and at times on Swallow Moss. Today was a completely different story both warm and sunny with the moorlands landscape looking great in good light.
I watched a Peregrine falcon flying low over fields flushing a single Snipe who high tailed it out of there with the Peregrine in hot pursuit. I never did see if the Snipe managed to avoid capture!
It was good to see Blue tit and other common smaller bird species in good numbers and thriving along the hedgerows near Lower Elkstone.
On Stoneyfold Lane I came across a single Brown Hare making its way to drystone wall nearby. It leapt on to the wall and stood there for a while before disappearing from view. Its features including its eyes stood out in the bright afternoon sun. The Brown Hare is one of my favourite mammals alongside the fox.
Later on Swallow Moss I watched two Short eared owls sometimes perched, sometimes in flight and hunting over a wide area. A single curlew called some way off but was loud enough for me to be alerted to its presence.
I heard one of the owls call as the pair came close together and within 30 feet of where I was stood. I watched these birds for a good hour before seeing the sun set in the west producing a red sky beyond Hen Cloud, the Roaches and above the Cheshire Plain.
Dean .:t:
It feels more like spring than winter in the higher moorlands at the moment and today was no exception. Yesterday was misty with visibility poor particularly on higher ground and at times on Swallow Moss. Today was a completely different story both warm and sunny with the moorlands landscape looking great in good light.
I watched a Peregrine falcon flying low over fields flushing a single Snipe who high tailed it out of there with the Peregrine in hot pursuit. I never did see if the Snipe managed to avoid capture!
It was good to see Blue tit and other common smaller bird species in good numbers and thriving along the hedgerows near Lower Elkstone.
On Stoneyfold Lane I came across a single Brown Hare making its way to drystone wall nearby. It leapt on to the wall and stood there for a while before disappearing from view. Its features including its eyes stood out in the bright afternoon sun. The Brown Hare is one of my favourite mammals alongside the fox.
Later on Swallow Moss I watched two Short eared owls sometimes perched, sometimes in flight and hunting over a wide area. A single curlew called some way off but was loud enough for me to be alerted to its presence.
I heard one of the owls call as the pair came close together and within 30 feet of where I was stood. I watched these birds for a good hour before seeing the sun set in the west producing a red sky beyond Hen Cloud, the Roaches and above the Cheshire Plain.
Dean .:t:
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Skylarks Ascending
The Peregrine was perched at the very top of a tree next to the lane and both I and Terry Eyre sat and oberved it with keen eyes and interest. Its not often that I see Peregrine falcons perched in a tree but I have seen two perched in a tree this week. Perhaps this bird was searching for prey thus we will never know. In any event for us it was a delight to see and made for a good start to the day before it took to the air from its lofty perch.
I won't reveal the Peregrine's location for obvious reasons but later on our travels a single kestral was seen to be hunting on the heath at Ipstones Edge.
Today was a day for Skylarks and all along Morridge these wonderful birds were seen and heard. We saw many arriving on what seemed to be a broad front. There was a sense that the moors were awakening again and singing Skylarks always please my soul. For me the moors are never bleak even in the depths of the winter months but the return of the Skylark is always inspiring. My favourite piece of classical music is 'The Lark Ascending' by Vaughan Williams and he knew what he was talking about when he composed this.
We saw two Kestral hunting on Morridge and in the past I have seen up to five hunting simultaneously here. Whilst on Morridge I could not help looking forward to the arrival of Meadow pippits, Wheatears and Swallows in the coming weeks.
Over at Goldsitch Moss we counted 13 Lapwing in flight, on the ground and calling. Nearby 150 Fieldfare were roaming and feeding alongside a number of Starlings. We saw two large flocks of this species this day. A Great Spotted Woodpecker in typical flight pattern made its way towards the woodland of Blackbrook soon to be felled! A Heron flew quietly across the Moss in a westerly direction whilst four Siskins were in flight going in the opposite direction.
There was hint that the sun was trying to show itself and to the west there was blue sky but it never quite reached us all day. A chilly breeze came from the north east and still on Goldsitch Moss a Brown Hare passed us by minding its own business. Skylarks were heard just about everywhere here but we also heard singing Dunnock, Robin and Chaffinch.
Two Curlew were seen and we knew that the Spring in these parts was fast approaching. The Spring Equinox is in less than three weeks. The distinct call of a third Curlew was heard from elsewhere on the Moss and I must confess that the call of this wader never fails to move me emotionally when I first hear it early on in the season.
Between Goldsitch Moss and the village of Flash we noted 30 Lapwing, a single Raven, Kestral, Buzzard, three Mallard and two Curlew.
In the afternoon a walk to Wolf Edge and its prominent crag overlooking Knotbury was a joy with 30 Stock dove seen along with another Raven, Kestral, Buzzard and a further two Curlew. The Stock dove were sometimes on the ground feeding, sometimes in flight and from time to time perched on craggy outcrops along the edge.
On the Staffordshire Derbyshire border 100 Pink footed geese were seen in flight being buffeted by strong wind.
The day ended on Morridge then Ipstones Edge and on the former a further 7 Lapwings were seen in flight. On Ipstones Edge two kestrals were mobbed by crows, three Ravens made a fly by, two Buzzards hunted over the heath and a Green Woodpecker was heard. There was no sign of Short eared Owl on this occassion and it is possible that this species seen earlier in the week has moved on. My last sighting was late yesterday afternoon in good sunlight and a memory I shall hold for a lifetime.
There was a chill in the air as the sun began to set and I thought about all that I and Terry had seen and heard during the day. I reflected on how lucky we were to have witnessed such beauty in what is the natural world of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Dean
The Peregrine was perched at the very top of a tree next to the lane and both I and Terry Eyre sat and oberved it with keen eyes and interest. Its not often that I see Peregrine falcons perched in a tree but I have seen two perched in a tree this week. Perhaps this bird was searching for prey thus we will never know. In any event for us it was a delight to see and made for a good start to the day before it took to the air from its lofty perch.
I won't reveal the Peregrine's location for obvious reasons but later on our travels a single kestral was seen to be hunting on the heath at Ipstones Edge.
Today was a day for Skylarks and all along Morridge these wonderful birds were seen and heard. We saw many arriving on what seemed to be a broad front. There was a sense that the moors were awakening again and singing Skylarks always please my soul. For me the moors are never bleak even in the depths of the winter months but the return of the Skylark is always inspiring. My favourite piece of classical music is 'The Lark Ascending' by Vaughan Williams and he knew what he was talking about when he composed this.
We saw two Kestral hunting on Morridge and in the past I have seen up to five hunting simultaneously here. Whilst on Morridge I could not help looking forward to the arrival of Meadow pippits, Wheatears and Swallows in the coming weeks.
Over at Goldsitch Moss we counted 13 Lapwing in flight, on the ground and calling. Nearby 150 Fieldfare were roaming and feeding alongside a number of Starlings. We saw two large flocks of this species this day. A Great Spotted Woodpecker in typical flight pattern made its way towards the woodland of Blackbrook soon to be felled! A Heron flew quietly across the Moss in a westerly direction whilst four Siskins were in flight going in the opposite direction.
There was hint that the sun was trying to show itself and to the west there was blue sky but it never quite reached us all day. A chilly breeze came from the north east and still on Goldsitch Moss a Brown Hare passed us by minding its own business. Skylarks were heard just about everywhere here but we also heard singing Dunnock, Robin and Chaffinch.
Two Curlew were seen and we knew that the Spring in these parts was fast approaching. The Spring Equinox is in less than three weeks. The distinct call of a third Curlew was heard from elsewhere on the Moss and I must confess that the call of this wader never fails to move me emotionally when I first hear it early on in the season.
Between Goldsitch Moss and the village of Flash we noted 30 Lapwing, a single Raven, Kestral, Buzzard, three Mallard and two Curlew.
In the afternoon a walk to Wolf Edge and its prominent crag overlooking Knotbury was a joy with 30 Stock dove seen along with another Raven, Kestral, Buzzard and a further two Curlew. The Stock dove were sometimes on the ground feeding, sometimes in flight and from time to time perched on craggy outcrops along the edge.
On the Staffordshire Derbyshire border 100 Pink footed geese were seen in flight being buffeted by strong wind.
The day ended on Morridge then Ipstones Edge and on the former a further 7 Lapwings were seen in flight. On Ipstones Edge two kestrals were mobbed by crows, three Ravens made a fly by, two Buzzards hunted over the heath and a Green Woodpecker was heard. There was no sign of Short eared Owl on this occassion and it is possible that this species seen earlier in the week has moved on. My last sighting was late yesterday afternoon in good sunlight and a memory I shall hold for a lifetime.
There was a chill in the air as the sun began to set and I thought about all that I and Terry had seen and heard during the day. I reflected on how lucky we were to have witnessed such beauty in what is the natural world of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Dean
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
In Flight and Hunting
Why is it that I am drawn to birds, to hills and uplands, to nature? From time to time I ask myself this question.
This evening in the final hour before sunset it was cold and chilly on Swallow Moss, the sun was behind Morridge and a full moon was present in all its glory. There was no wind not even a breeze. A perfect early evening for owls I thought.
I scanned the moss and as is often the case one can be fooled into thinking that there is no wildlife on there, but I refused to be fooled and knew that this was not the case; that secret nature would reveal itself in due course. I just had to sit, watch, listen and wait.
Perched on a post nearby a single moorland loving Short-eared owl was actively searching for prey, sitting, watching, listening and waiting. Sooner or later it would find a vole or other small rodent also residents of this upland habitat.
Then with little warning it left its post to quarter a large area of the Moss. I had wonderful and prolonged views of this owl low over the moss, Its flight slow, methodical with deep flaps of its wings and short glides. On several occasions it dropped to the ground quickly with a talons first. This owl reminded me of the Hen harrier with its similar hunting style.
In time it disappeared from view and daylight was rapidly becoming twilight and darkness would soon prevail. The distinct call of Red grouse emanated from Revidge a hill adjacent to Swallow moss and I had the joy of seeing two Brown Hares amble by and like all such Hares were minding there own business but were on an early evening mission.
For me watching Short-eared owls on an upland moor along with other bird species and mammal is a moving experience. It provides me with a sense of wonder and brings peace and solitude to my life, allows me time for reflection in the natural world. These are the reasons I am drawn to birds, to hills and uplands, to the Staffordshire Moorlands and finally to nature.
Dean
Why is it that I am drawn to birds, to hills and uplands, to nature? From time to time I ask myself this question.
This evening in the final hour before sunset it was cold and chilly on Swallow Moss, the sun was behind Morridge and a full moon was present in all its glory. There was no wind not even a breeze. A perfect early evening for owls I thought.
I scanned the moss and as is often the case one can be fooled into thinking that there is no wildlife on there, but I refused to be fooled and knew that this was not the case; that secret nature would reveal itself in due course. I just had to sit, watch, listen and wait.
Perched on a post nearby a single moorland loving Short-eared owl was actively searching for prey, sitting, watching, listening and waiting. Sooner or later it would find a vole or other small rodent also residents of this upland habitat.
Then with little warning it left its post to quarter a large area of the Moss. I had wonderful and prolonged views of this owl low over the moss, Its flight slow, methodical with deep flaps of its wings and short glides. On several occasions it dropped to the ground quickly with a talons first. This owl reminded me of the Hen harrier with its similar hunting style.
In time it disappeared from view and daylight was rapidly becoming twilight and darkness would soon prevail. The distinct call of Red grouse emanated from Revidge a hill adjacent to Swallow moss and I had the joy of seeing two Brown Hares amble by and like all such Hares were minding there own business but were on an early evening mission.
For me watching Short-eared owls on an upland moor along with other bird species and mammal is a moving experience. It provides me with a sense of wonder and brings peace and solitude to my life, allows me time for reflection in the natural world. These are the reasons I am drawn to birds, to hills and uplands, to the Staffordshire Moorlands and finally to nature.
Dean
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Moorland Birds of Yesterday
Morridge was draped in good sunlight, singing Skylarks filled the air whilst to the north and west broken cloud lingered but the tops of the higher hills were free from mist. A curlew called from afar while a solitary Kestral hunted low over a nearby field before perching briefly. A flock of Fieldfare 70 strong made their way north across the ridge homeward bound.
A pair of Lapwing were on the ground a short distance apart from each other. Both were stationary, no movement, no familiar peewit call. 24 such birds were seen in flight here the day previously. Three Golden Plover in fine plumage were resting in the same field but one was peaking and on the look out for airborne danger, another was preening. The plover are early arrivals to this traditional site, were there the day before and more will arrive in the coming weeks before dispersing to the higher moors.
Further along Morridge three Buzzards glide on the thermals calling whist my second Kestral of the day hovered and hunted over fields nearby. Rooks, Crows and Jackdaws are about.
Goldsitch Moss adjacent to Morridge was alive and well with the call of Curlew. 13 Lapwing made their presence known. I heard and saw three Common Snipe while a pair of Raven crossed the moss with there sistinct gronking call.
In the fields close to Flash a further 11 Lapwing were noted along with a Little Owl, a Sparrowhawk, a pair of Curlew, and two Raven in flight. Red deer, nine individuals in all were out in the open behind a drystone wall but were wary.
As the sun set this gave way to cloud from the west drifting in across the moors. It was time to go home.
Dean
Morridge was draped in good sunlight, singing Skylarks filled the air whilst to the north and west broken cloud lingered but the tops of the higher hills were free from mist. A curlew called from afar while a solitary Kestral hunted low over a nearby field before perching briefly. A flock of Fieldfare 70 strong made their way north across the ridge homeward bound.
A pair of Lapwing were on the ground a short distance apart from each other. Both were stationary, no movement, no familiar peewit call. 24 such birds were seen in flight here the day previously. Three Golden Plover in fine plumage were resting in the same field but one was peaking and on the look out for airborne danger, another was preening. The plover are early arrivals to this traditional site, were there the day before and more will arrive in the coming weeks before dispersing to the higher moors.
Further along Morridge three Buzzards glide on the thermals calling whist my second Kestral of the day hovered and hunted over fields nearby. Rooks, Crows and Jackdaws are about.
Goldsitch Moss adjacent to Morridge was alive and well with the call of Curlew. 13 Lapwing made their presence known. I heard and saw three Common Snipe while a pair of Raven crossed the moss with there sistinct gronking call.
In the fields close to Flash a further 11 Lapwing were noted along with a Little Owl, a Sparrowhawk, a pair of Curlew, and two Raven in flight. Red deer, nine individuals in all were out in the open behind a drystone wall but were wary.
As the sun set this gave way to cloud from the west drifting in across the moors. It was time to go home.
Dean
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Wader Recovery Project
The Peak District National Park and Natural England are jointly managing what is called the 'Wader Recovery Project' within the Peak district National Park area. The purpose of the project is to reverse the long term decline in the populations of key wader species such as Lapwing, curlew and Snipe etc
I've recently requested to become a volunteer and the project is looking for volunteers to assist with surveys. I'm particularly interested in the South West Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands. The person to contact if you want to become involved is Tara Challoner. Who is the Project Manager. She can be contacted via her email address:-
[email protected]
In 2010 there were 58 Lapwing pairs, 73 Snipe pairs and 104 curlew pairs in the south west peak where trends have been studied.. Populations of key wader species are still in decline in the region and it has reached a critical stage.
So if you are interested in becoming involved let Tara know by email.
Regards
Dean
The Peak District National Park and Natural England are jointly managing what is called the 'Wader Recovery Project' within the Peak district National Park area. The purpose of the project is to reverse the long term decline in the populations of key wader species such as Lapwing, curlew and Snipe etc
I've recently requested to become a volunteer and the project is looking for volunteers to assist with surveys. I'm particularly interested in the South West Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands. The person to contact if you want to become involved is Tara Challoner. Who is the Project Manager. She can be contacted via her email address:-
[email protected]
In 2010 there were 58 Lapwing pairs, 73 Snipe pairs and 104 curlew pairs in the south west peak where trends have been studied.. Populations of key wader species are still in decline in the region and it has reached a critical stage.
So if you are interested in becoming involved let Tara know by email.
Regards
Dean
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
The Lapwing (Poyser Monograph)
For anyone who is interested I recommend the above titled book written by author Michael Shrubb. The book was published in 2007, is a fascinating read and provides a great deal of insight into the Lapwings biology, population dynamics, feeding ecology, habitat use, migration and conservation.
Dean
For anyone who is interested I recommend the above titled book written by author Michael Shrubb. The book was published in 2007, is a fascinating read and provides a great deal of insight into the Lapwings biology, population dynamics, feeding ecology, habitat use, migration and conservation.
Dean
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Yesterday I observed two Short eared Owls hunting in two different locations up on the moors under the cover of low lying mist. One particular field I keep an eye on every year had 8 Lapwing present along with 3 Golden Plover. It will be interesting to see if the numbers increase over the coming days and weeks.
On Ipstones Edge a large flock of Fieldfare were present in a field as darkness approached. Some were perched on a drystone wall then took to the air before descending to lower fields.
I saw a solitary Brown Hare in a field near Back Lane.
Dean
On Ipstones Edge a large flock of Fieldfare were present in a field as darkness approached. Some were perched on a drystone wall then took to the air before descending to lower fields.
I saw a solitary Brown Hare in a field near Back Lane.
Dean
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Lapwing, Golden Plover and .....
I had a couple of hours to spare before sun down today so I made my way to a site (I wish not to reveal) to check on Lapwing and Golden Plover numbers. The mist began to clear, there was a chill in the air and the sun was a ball of red as nightfall approached. There was no wind or breeze at this lofty location.
I scanned the site with my scope and had a count of 10 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover and to my utter surprise 8 Common Snipe feeding on the ground. I've not seen Snipe here before so that's three species of wader now recorded for the site in just a few days.
Later on Ipstones Edge I spent time observing the night sky while corvids made their way to roost at nearby Swineholes Wood. This is a daily occurrence and the numbers appear to be increasing. The silhouette of an owl was noted perched at the top of a small dead tree, its body outline clear against the skyline to the south. I marvelled at the proximity to each other of Jupiter and Venus above me.
I smiled to myself with the knowledge I'd found Snipe next to Lapwing and Golden Plover a little earlier on higher ground. For me it was a good feeling finding a new species here and is a site I watch on a regular basis during the spring passage and into summer.
Dean
I had a couple of hours to spare before sun down today so I made my way to a site (I wish not to reveal) to check on Lapwing and Golden Plover numbers. The mist began to clear, there was a chill in the air and the sun was a ball of red as nightfall approached. There was no wind or breeze at this lofty location.
I scanned the site with my scope and had a count of 10 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover and to my utter surprise 8 Common Snipe feeding on the ground. I've not seen Snipe here before so that's three species of wader now recorded for the site in just a few days.
Later on Ipstones Edge I spent time observing the night sky while corvids made their way to roost at nearby Swineholes Wood. This is a daily occurrence and the numbers appear to be increasing. The silhouette of an owl was noted perched at the top of a small dead tree, its body outline clear against the skyline to the south. I marvelled at the proximity to each other of Jupiter and Venus above me.
I smiled to myself with the knowledge I'd found Snipe next to Lapwing and Golden Plover a little earlier on higher ground. For me it was a good feeling finding a new species here and is a site I watch on a regular basis during the spring passage and into summer.
Dean
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Myself and Terry Eyre saw 2 x Stonechat yesterday afternoon in area of heather moorland between Morridge and Middlehills. I've seen Whinchat on the heather moors of Morridge in the past but not clapped eyes on Stonechat up here so it was a pleasant surprise.
The Snipe had gone from the field I watch on a regular basis, Lapwing numbers remained the same but Golden Plover number had gone up to 11 here.
10 Lapwing seen in fields near Hollinsclough along with large flock of Fieldfare, wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker and a Buzzard.
All was lively in Knotbury with 24 Lapwing present and several Curlew. Skylarks were about and a number of Meadow Pipits were seen. By now the sun was out and the mist was clearing from the hills and moors about us.
Lapwing numbers remained the same on Goldsitch Moss
Four Kestral seen through the day at various locations.
Dean
The Snipe had gone from the field I watch on a regular basis, Lapwing numbers remained the same but Golden Plover number had gone up to 11 here.
10 Lapwing seen in fields near Hollinsclough along with large flock of Fieldfare, wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker and a Buzzard.
All was lively in Knotbury with 24 Lapwing present and several Curlew. Skylarks were about and a number of Meadow Pipits were seen. By now the sun was out and the mist was clearing from the hills and moors about us.
Lapwing numbers remained the same on Goldsitch Moss
Four Kestral seen through the day at various locations.
Dean
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Upland Birder
Birding On The Edge
Solitary Short eared owl seen hunting over a wide area on a part of Ipstones Edge late afternoon. At one point it was perched on a post affording good views through the scope. Its very foggy in the moorlands at present and visibility is poor on higher ground.
Dean
Dean
