08:00-16:00

Windy, wintry showers, between 2 - 4 degrees.

Overnight snow and rain left tricky conditions especially underfoot however 7 people turned out for the 25th winter bird race and split into 3 teams of 2x2 and 1x3.

The result was a grand total of 66 species which under the circumstances was a very admirable tally. We had one new species in Short Eared Owl and omissions included Brambling & Reed Bunting.

The individual teams scored:

Team A (KL, PB & DN)    = 65 species (Teal & S.E.O missed off earlier total!)

Team B (IB & PF)           = 49 species

Team C (RI & BK)           = 47 species

Highlights of the day were:

G.C.Grebe, 1 on Cowm Res,

Teal, 9 on Holden Wood,

Goldeneye, 3 in Jamestone Quarry,

Sparrowhawk, 3 sightings,

Peregrine, 1 over,

Buzzard, at least 6 birds seen,

Snipe, 1 at Holden Wood,

G.B.B.Gull, 2 down The Irwell Valley & c12 near A.M.R,

Little Owl, 1 at Spring Mill,

Short Eared Owl, 1 near Cheesden Bar Lodge,

Kingfisher, 2 on The Irwell, 

Green Woodpecker, 1 at Cowm Res,

Stonechat, 1 at Cheesden Bar Lodge,

Raven, 2 pairs,

Siskin, c12 near RGC & 1 down Irwell Valley,

Redpoll, c6 near RGC,

Bullfinch, c6 at Lumb Vale.

Regards,

ROC Winter Birders.