Several large flocks of Fieldfare, Redwing, and Starling around the route, estimated total numbers below.
Fieldfare 340
Redwing 160
Starling 400
Also seen,
Green woodpecker
Mistle Thrush 12
Song Thrush 6
Pheasant 13
Rook 50+
Jackdaw 70 +
Carrion Crow 20+
Kestrel 4
Little Owl
Chaffinch along Alden road feeding on Beech mast were difficult to count but must have been around 60
Small flock (around 15) House Sparrows in a farm yard
A lady on Alden road showed me a very poor phone picture of a bird she did not know, taken 10 days ago, it was most probably a Great Grey Shirke, I showed her some pictures of that species and she confirmed, it was in a tree at the top of Alden road.
The Great Grey Shrike was first seen by John Lyon on the 28th September, I have been in the area two or three times, as have Rob, Dave and Sarfraz all with no luck.
The bird was seen again around the 21st October, there is a possibility that it is still in the general area. The area it was seen in originally is within a mile of this location.
I had a good look round today but could find no sign, the area is perfect habitat and with the weather as it is I will have another look over the weekend.
Now there is a surprise! A Great Grey Shrike was around Burnley on the 26th but not reported on ELOC website since. This was also in a tree. I have tended to see them more on bushes, scrub, telegraph poles, wires, pylons although this does not mean they do not use trees. There has been a Great Grey Shrike influx this week - could this be another bird?. Back on the 28th the Shrike was reported from Holcombe Moor in neighbouring Greater Manchester on Birdguides. Now was this because when whoever entered it made a mistake or because a Shrike was actually seen there. Could the bird be spreading itself over Musbury, Alden and onwards to Holcombe Moor? It goes to show one thing - how much of the area can be uncovered.
