Three outings between 0730 and 1730 temp from 3 to 12 degrees light westerly breeze, bright sunshine becoming cloudy.
Several loose Tit flocks including good numbers of Long-tailed and Coal Tit.
Odd Song Thrush feeding in leaf litter, one in weak song this evening, two flocks of Redwing, approx 20, one behind Porritt lodge feeding on hawthorn, the other along the Irwell in Irwell Vale feeding on rowan, no Fieldfare or Mistle Thrush seen.
Blackbird numbers average around the route.
Again average numbers of Robin, Wren and Dunnock all round.
Goldfinch flock of 20+ with 3 Siskin feeding on thistle at Alderbottom, good numbers of Chaffinch all round, two male Bullfinch feeding on guilder rose berries along with one Song Thrush and two very dark beaked Blackbirds near the Cliffe.
Nuthatch numbers excellent, at least 9 individuals seen, only one Treecreeper seen, in Lumb vale.
Two Chiffchff feeding in a very thick hawthorn bush near the picture frame, also one Goldcrest with Tits in same bush.
3/4 Jays in tree tops along the route, also at least 7 Magpies, acouple of Carrion Crows and plenty of Jackdaw.
Woodpigeon as usual in large numbers especially around the Beech trees, two Collered Dove in Irwell Vale.
Only one Great Spotted Woodpecker seen all day, poor count for here since breeding season appeared to be good.
Work has started on repairing the banks on the Irwell between Chatterton and Strongstry and consequently the river down stream of the villages is like chocolate sauce, upstream were three Dipper, two Grey Wagtails, one Kingfisher, two first winter Goosanders, one juvinile Moorhen and several Mallard.
One male and two female Pheasant were stealing chicken food at Alderbottom farm.
A male Sparrowhawk has been hanging around the last two days, seen twice today on the cycle track.
Two Tawny Owls last light both perched in the
The winter feeding station in Strongstry is now up and running, no great numbers or anything unusual yet, 10 Goldfinch, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Blackbirds, 4 Nuthatch, 1 Dunnock, 7 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, 4 Coal Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Jay, 3 Magpie.
