4 teams took part in the winter bird race, as what started as pleasant day in the morning, turned into a rather grim afternoon. A total of 62 species were recorded. As is the norm when the weather turns at this time of the year, there were some notable omissions such as sparrowhawk, raven and reed bunting. Details shown below
team A, Ian, Moh & Kevin - 51 species
team B, Dave, Bob & Brian - 44 species
team C, Peter & John - 40 species
team D, Phil & Sarfraz - 43 species
1.Great crested grebe 2 at Clowbridge 2.Cormorant 3.Grey heron 4.Graylag goose 3 flying east over Grane 5.Pink-footed goose 3 flying west over Grane 6.Canada goose 7.Mallard 8.Teal 5 on Ogden 9.Tufted duck male on Wallbank Lodge 10.Goldeneye female on Ogden 11.Goosander 5 on Ogden & 3 on Jack Lodge 12.Buzzard birds at Grane, Cheesden & Lumb 13.Kestrel 14.Peregrine 1 on Hardmans Chimney at New Hall Hey 15.Pheasant 16.Moorhen 6 on New Line Res 17.Snipe at Cheesden 18.Black-headed gull 19.Common gull 20.Lesser black-backed gull singles at Cowm & Clough Bottom 21.Herring gull 22.Great black-backed gull 2 on Ogden 23.Feral pigeon 24.Stock dove 6 in Jamestone Quarry 25.Collared dove 26.Tawny owl birds at Strongstry, Peers Clough & Mill End 27.Green woodpecker birds yaffling in Waterfoot & Calf Hey 28.Great spotted woodpecker birds at Calf Hey, Camms & Strongstry 29.Meadow pipit 1 at Holden Wood 30.Pied wagtail 31.Grey wagtail 32.Dipper 33.Wren 34.Dunnock 35.Robin 36.Stonechat birds at Cheesden & Swallow Shore 37.Blackbird 38.Fieldfare c30 at Calf Hey 39.Song thrush 40.Redwing c30 at Heap Clough & 6 at Calf Hey 41.Mistle thrush 1pr at Holden Wood, seems scarce this year 42.Goldcrest c8 at Calf Hey 7 1 at Clough Head 43.Great tit 44.Blue tit 45.Coal tit 46.Long-tailed tit 47.Nuthatch 48.Treecreeper 1 at Calf Hey & 1 on the cycle track near Strongstry 49.Carrion crow 50.Rook 51.Jackdaw 52.Magpie 53.Jay 2 at Healey Dell 54.Starling 55.House sparrow 56.Chaffinch 57.Redpoll min 6 over Holden Wood 58.Goldfinch 59.Greenfinch c6 heard between Camms & Calf Hey & 3 in the car park at Clowbridge 60.Siskin numerous between Camms & Calf Hey, with c30 at Calf Hey, 3 at Clough Head, c50 over Holden Wood & c70 at Camms. 61.Bullfinch 62.Crossbill calling bird at Troy, with possibly 5 birds seen
