Mixed Weekend

So, a bit of a mixed bag this weekend. Spent Saturday morning up on the moors above Horwich. The more time I spend up on these moors the more I enjoy them. Although this visit was not exactly fruitful from a bird perspective.

View from Georges Lane looking south

I was parked up by 06.30 and out of the car and walking along Georges Lane within 5 minutes. There was plenty of activity from the common birds, Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinches, Willow Warblers etc. Corvids were very noticeable as well. But, the passage I had hoped for was non existent . I didn't see a single bird flying over for the best part of an hour, and there was no sign of any Wheatears, Whinchats or the other passage migrants I was hoping for, so I decided to call it a day and move to a different part of the area. Just as I was walking back to the car I did have a single Redshank fly over north which was probably a tick for this site, and two Curlew back near the car was a nice sight. They're common enough birds but I love seeing them in their breeding habitat.

Burnt Edge and Holdens Farm with the mast in the distance

Burnt Edge, Walker Fold and Holdens Farm and Plantation together form one of my favourite areas of the moors. There is some great habitat, its relatively quiet and best of all there is a convenient bench above the valley that allows you to sit in comfort and scope the entire area, whilst still being well placed to spot any passage happening. Unfortunately not this time, and a single Wheatear at the back of Slack Hall farm was the only one in the area. After half an hour I decided to move on again and managed to find another Wheatear along the road back to the car park. Just after seeing this bird, the rain started and I decided to call it a day.

Sunday morning and just as I was getting ready to take No1 son to his football I got a text telling me about a Hoopoe in Royton near Oldham. Now, Ive seen Hoopoes before in this country and abroad. Last October I had one down to six feet. But this one was in Greater Manchester and would take me to 200 species in the county. I couldn't not do the football, but at 1pm I was Royton bound. On arrival there were maybe 15 birders in what can only be described at the most un-birdy place Ive ever been birding. Basically a street on a housing estate, albeit with very nice houses. The bird was feeding on a back lawn and was out of sight, but after about 2 hours on site it eventually showed and species 200 for GM was in the bag. I have to say the residents were extremely understanding and even came out with regular updates on what the bird was doing in the gardens. One guy let people in, but as soon as they looked over the fence the bird flushed. But, I don't care I saw it. Bad news - I forgot my camera.