Plenty of Tits all round the route, especially good numbers of Coal Tit, seven flocks of Long-tailed tits varying from 6 to 14.
Struggled with Finches, the only ones in good numbers were Chaffinch especially where there was fallen Beechmast.
Goldfinch were reasonable, four charms best 23 around Snig hole, others of 9, 11, and 6.
There were four Greenfinch high in some conifers at Helmshore they were the only ones seen, Bullfinch were worse, none seen anywhere.
Lesser Redpoll were seen in small groups of 3/4 in Buckden, Ravenshore, and Helmshore and three singles in Lumb vale.
I thought after a couple of cold nights and the first ground frost there would be more finches in the valleys, I hope they are still higher up and finding food.
Nuthatch 7 in total mainly around Strongstry and Irwell Vale, the same can be said for Treecreeper 4 seen, one in a garden in Helmshore.
Robin, Wren, and Blckbird everywhere around the route all in good numbers, there was two Goldcrest in conifers along the old railway in Helmshore.
Dunnock are always under recorded as they sculk in the undergrowth only actually saw 3 but am sure lots were missed.
The thrushes were dominated by Redwing and Fieldfare, the former were everywhere, total count was 236, best numbers were along the old railway line between Irwell vale and Helmshore, Fieldfare were in the fields all round, about 150 in total.
Only saw 5 Song Thrush and 3 Mistle Thrush.
Huge amount of Jackdaw and Rook around Ravenshore where they roost at night, very difficult to count but certainly in the hundreds, Carrion Crow in reasonable numbers but not as many as the other Corvids.
Jays were plentiful in all the woodland, best group was 5 in Strongstry, total was 17, seven Magpies were also seen.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers have had a good year, total seen was 18, still mostly in small groups of 3/4 and equally split in male and female.
What do you say about Woodpigeon, flocks of 40/50 common all round the route, there were 48 in one Holly tree in Lumb vale and they were eating berries at a rate of about 20 a minute, simple maths show that is 5000 berries in 5 minutes and that's just one flock, I hope there are some left if the Waxwings ever turn up.
Three Sparrowhawks were recorded, a male and female were chasing Redwing in Ravenshore, one was perched in Irwell vale, a single Buzzard flew from roost in Chatterton woods, this bird has been here for several days now.
There has been a Tawny Owl roosting in a nest box in Strongstry, I did not see it today but it has been there this week.
Three male Pheasant around Alderbottom, eight Collard Doves all in pairs were also seen In various places.
We have not had any serious flooding this year so the waterside birds have done well, I have counted 14 Dipper 5 Kingfisher and 6 Grey Wagtail this morning. Also 4 adult and 2 juvinile Moorhen, 3 Grey Heron, one flying over Helmshore two on the Irwell. Mallard everywhere but no sign of the Wood Duck.
Did not record Gulls today but there was a constant stream of Black-headed and Herring flying over around the sewage works, only saw 2 Pied Wagtail but did not stop at EBSW.
-- Edited by brian on Friday 5th of December 2014 01:54:19 PM
