Low Moor and Oakenshaw Wildlife

It’s been a busy few days so here is some sightings updates:

On the 2/11 there was an excellent passage of Wood Pigeon through our area and beyond mainly over Birkenshaw and Bierley.  I recorded 13,569 in 4 hours also of interest were Pink-footed Geese that were coming in from the S/W. And I have to confess I tried to turn two single grey geese that were flying N into Bean geese…but unfortunately they were Pinks…Please see my full report at http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/779/20161102

A single Red Admiral was also at the watchpoint.

13 Long tailed tits were also at Caldene Fields + 2 Goldcrest on 5/11

Wow what a morning at the watch point..There was an excellent movement of Wood Pigeon to the south and south west with 7,527 recorded many flying directly over Low Moor village.

Skies thick with Wood Pigeons

Also today was a record count of Herring Gulls 339 which came in from the east and moved S/W

Just a few of today’s Herring Gulls

Also of interest today were Jays who were collecting acorns and flying some distance to bury their bounty.

Three local Swan Swans were on the move today over the watchpoint.  I’m pretty sure these birds are from nearby Harold Park as both have yellow rings.

Two of the tree birds just showing their yellow rings

There was an excellent movement of thrushes this morning but the majority were east of the watchpoint. Please see my notes:http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/779/20161017.

Song Thrush moving north

Fieldfares arriving from the N/E

What was interesting was 4 low flying Alba Wagtails that came in from the N all the birds were calling but 2 calls were slightly ‘ softer ‘ than the other 2 and these birds were cleaner and greyer backed..yes White Wagtails…great..

4 Kestrel passed through as well which was a welcome sight and very unusual

Despite the fog it was a good morning at the watchpoint. Please see my sightings at http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/779/20161015.  There has been excellent numbers of Goldfinches passing through the sight and this morning at least 50+ were ‘ tree hopping ‘ because of the fog.

Mid afternoon and Goldfinches still about at Caldene Fields.

I witnessed something today that I have never witnessed whilst birding before…A Magpie was been harassed by some other Magpies…nothing unusual in that..But the Magpie then laid down on the floor and opened it’s wings and let the other Magpies attack it.  It never tried to defend it’s self.  The attacking Magpies eventually killed the other Magpie.  I thought it was possible for food but no.  Once it was dead they flew.  I felt as though the bird wanted to die..I wondered if the bird was poorly and the other bird knew and it was natures way that they put it out of it’s misery.

It was a good morning at the watch point this morning with Redwings 981, Song Thrushes 19, Blackbirds 15 and 3 Fieldfare all basically moving S/W although a few Songs and Blackbirds ventured north.

And this Rowan at the watchpoint must be a welcome sight..

There was however, frustration in that 5 Swans Sp came in from the S/E but extremely high making a confirmed ID impossible.  Also during the last couple of days Jackdaws have been moving also to the S/W with a 166 recorded this morning.  With all this avian activity it’s feast time for the predators at least 2 Sparrow Hawks were patrolling the skies.

Last night was the last night of moth trapping for 2016 with a single Large yellow underwing caught.