Dove Stone - Recent threads

Peak District BAP Report- well done at Dove Stone

AndyD — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:48:09 GMT

http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/332323/BAP-Report-2011-13-lowres.pdf

There's a nice summary here of the work that's been done as part of the Moors for the Future partnership at various sites around the Dark Peak, with specific mention of the work that RSPB's been doing on the catchment around Dove Stone. I've seen evidence of the hard, physically demanding work that's been involved as I've been driving over the A635, much of it in pretty dire weather conditions. There's been a pretty obvious improvement to the quality of the landscape and habitats in the past few years as a result.

So thanks, and well done! And if you've been involved, particularly as a volunteer, why not let us know below? Blow your trumpet, you deserve some recognition!

Oldham (with RSPB Dove Stones in mind)

Tandleye — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:11:21 GMT

Can you please publicise our event at Werneth Park LL Centre, Oldham
21st Nov - Gordon Yates Wildlife Film. Birds a speciality

He will do another 6th Feb (weather permitting).

You can view details at: www.oldham-micro.org.uk and click on Oldham Wildlife Link.

Contact me for posters, details etc and would you be interested in developing OWL with event lists and hints for
people to enjoy Oldham's Countryside and bird life??

Binn Green

Little Mouse — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:25:32 GMT

Hi, great visit to Binn Green. RSPB staff are great. Loads of birds....well worth a trip, I think you will be surprised!

First visit to Dove Stone

Kaz — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:49:16 GMT

I don't know why I've never visited this reserve before, being as it's less than 10 miles from were I live! For some reason I thought it was further afield...

I spent approximately 2 hours this morning wandering along the river and around the main reservoir - more as a break and to get some fresh air than as a specific birding trip. Despite the wind and the weathers best attempts at raining me off I managed a fairly successful species list including: Blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, feral pigeon, gold finch, green finch, robin, dunnock, greater spotted woodpecker, mallard, black-headed gull, jay, carrion crow, magpie and fieldfare. I also heard some goldcrests, but try as I might, I couldn't spot them :(

A great reserve with a good variety of mixed habitats - I'll definately be back and hopefully soon!

Kaz

Mountain Hares

Wangle — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:10:48 GMT

Hey Guys, i've just moved to the North West and am really interested in trying to get some photos of Mountain Hares in their winter coats. I've checked the internet and a lot of places say that Dove Stone is a good place to looking. I've been to Dove Stone once before and only walking around the reservoir. Can anyone advise me where the best place to see and get close to the Hares around the reserve. Thanks a lot for any help.

Walks

Buney — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:49:49 GMT

Hi - are there any guided walks coming up over the next few months?

Bramblings

Johnbernard — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 07:42:41 GMT

Very pleased to see a flock of Bramblings at Binn Green on Sunday 27th March. First time we have seen these charming birds in Saddleworth. They are probably heading north.

Siskins, siskins, siskins...

Johnbernard — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:11:54 GMT

Wonderful sights and sounds at Binn Green this afternoon, as a large flock of siskins, probably on their way north for the summer, stopped over at the feeding station. Hard to estimate the number of birds in the trees, but over 100 birds, possibly 200. Also saw the peregrines soaring, and ravens over the rocks.

binn green feeders

leeg — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:02:52 GMT

Mealy Redpoll on them on friday . also on feeders today were 4 brambling .7 siskin .3 lesser redpoll. coal tits blue tits great tits and long tailed tits to many to count !!. . plus plenty of greenfinch and goldfinch and 1 great spotted woodpecker . ..

dove stone binn green feeders

leeg — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:21:37 GMT

after filling them today at binn green counted no fewer than 26 goldfinchs on them !!!

also a stock dove up at the dove stones feeders :)

Ringed Dippers in River Tame

Johnbernard — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:12:28 GMT

After my last post I contacted Tony Wilkinson of BTO. I thought some of you might be interested in his reply. I have blanked out the nest location just in case...:

"Our Dipper ringing is only carried out in the breeding season starting on 1st Mar since we have to define our 'season'. It ends on 30th Jun. Yes Dippers are elusive in the winter months, and opinion is divided as to where they are. Some birds are known to migrate but sightings off territory are extremely rare, leading some to suspect that birds lurk under bankings more, or if the river is swollen, they are perched up trees.

Thanks for your sightings. There is an inaccessible nest at XXXXX which will possibly account for many of the upper Tame unsinged birds. Because of the high juvenile mortality and shortage of colour combinations, we only put metal rings on pulli before fledging. Finally your colour ringed bird. Our colour scheme is as follows:- on right tarsus- red/orange stripe over metal on birds caught above Diggle Brook/Tame confluence, on right tarsus red/white stripe over metal on birds caught on Diggle Brook, and orange over metal on birds caught down stream of the Diggle Brook/ Tame confluence. Blue left is the female at Linfits/Pingle.
Sightings of unringed, metal only birds are as valuable as colour ringed when the majority of birds are covered."

We are going to undertake our own Saddleworth survey next spring so as to get a better local picture. Email if you are interested, we could dicide up bits of the Tame and tributaries between us.

John H

Waxwings

rachel.downham — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:09:03 GMT

A flock of twenty five Waxwings seen in Mossley today. Any sightings around Greenfield ? Must only be a matter of time before some make their way to Dove Stone...

More Dippers

Johnbernard — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 09:14:35 GMT

I have been studying dippers in Saddleworth, mostly in the River Tame and tributaries like Diggle Brook, for several years. A couple of years ago they were plentiful, now much harder to find. Is this other people's experience? I have no idea why.

By the way, many Saddleworth dippers are ringed, by BTO, I think.

Winter Thrushes

Morph — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:37:33 GMT

Althought I haven't been up there this Autumn I thought I might tell you about this from last Autumn.

I was standing on the damn wall of Yoeman Hey watching great flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare flying down the valley and out over Dovestones and away. As you know as you get over Dovestones the vista of the Manchester conurbation stretches out in front of you. While watching the flights come through one flock of Redwing came down the valley out over Dovestones and promptly turned right round and flew back up the valley ! They just mustn't have liked what they saw.

Toilets

josie freud — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:55:21 GMT

Love Dovestones and have visited for many years. Parked at Binn Green last week to photograph the Fly Agaric, then walked round Dovestones res. Still early afternoon. As I got to the top of the steps I was met with the sight of a 'gentleman' having a pee next to my vehicle. Only a few yards from the toilets. I don't know if he had any idea of the affect he has had on me but I am asking for a little bit of thought for the many women that feel threatened by such situations.

Saddleworth independent ring ouzel sighting

birdy1234 — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:25:26 GMT

Hi all,

Ive just been reading the latest Saddleworth independent which has an article about the dovestone ring ouzels, it states that the ring ouzel has been near extinct around the dovestone area for six years!

i can tell you now the ring ouzel has been in the area forever, ive lived in saddleworth all my life and when out walking on saddleworth moor i usually see ring ouzels. Maybe they are more commonley seen on farmed land than the long meadow grass that is on Ashway gap as the farmed land is burnt to promote re growth of fresh grasses. I also see more Lapwings on farmed land rooting around near cattle and sheep.

Glorious Sun!

Johnbernard — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:39:42 GMT

Out this am to Binn Green. Wonderful sunny day, very little wind, biting creatures aplenty.

No crossbills. I am beginning to doubt their existence here...

Did see a black pheasant, apparently a hybrid. Very smart.

Also 5 hawks over far rocks, presumably peregrines. Having a lovely time in the breeze. Kestrel chased by rooks at Aldermans. And: female bullfinch, chaffinch, coal blue and great tits, and 2 jays.

Collective Nouns ?!

rachel.downham — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:35:12 GMT

One of our volunteers, Paul, came up with the collective noun for a group of Spoonbills, namely a canteen of Spoonbills. Good one ! Other collective nouns I know of are a murder of Crows and a deceit of Lapwings. So what would be the collective noun for a group of Peregrines ? Any suggestions ?

Crossbills

rachel.downham — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:27:41 GMT

For all those still hoping to catch sight of Crossbills at Dove Stone a quick update - there have been reported sightings of two in the Binn Green area on Wednesday. I'm still looking . . .

RSPB Wildlife and local history walk this Sunday

John Parker — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:34:32 GMT

I am taking a guided walk round part of the reserve this Sunday (8th) and would welcome a few more visitors. the walk will start from the main car park at 10.30 and follow the old tramway (Oldham Way) up to the Chew valley. Part of the walk passes through the conifer plantation to the south of the reserve, an area which has been quite productive for birds recently. A goshawk has been sighted in this area a couple of times in the last week or so and you never know we might get lucky! Other regulars are green and great spotted woodpecker, coal, great, blue and long tailed tit, together with nuthatch, tree creeper and a strong possibility of little owl in the Charnel Clough area. there has been a male cuckoo calling in the vicinity though ther's a strong chance he will have flown south by now. You never know!

RSPB vol. John P

Sunny walk!

Johnbernard — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:23:41 GMT

Out yesterday in sunshine to walk round Yeoman Hey. It looks half full, or less. Quite a few people like to walk at the shingly edge, it must remind them of a beach! Not a great walk for birds but saw a tree creeper in pines at Binn Green. Very impressed with his long curving beak, probing into the bark. Also saw a couple of the peregrines soaring above the rocks, and possibly one near the nest though couldn't be sure.

"The Peregrine"

Johnbernard — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 15:19:28 GMT

I wanted to recommend "The Peregrine" by J.A. Baker. First printed in 1967, now reprinted with an intro by Mark Cocker. Fantastic study based on personal observation, I am learning loads about these magnificent birds.

Peregrines

rachel.downham — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:43:14 GMT

Thought I'd just add a posting following on from yesterdays blog with an update that the four Peregrines were seen at Dove Stone on Wednesday night at about 9pm - great views from what I hear. Anyone else seen them in the evenings recently ?

Peregrines

rachel.downham — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:43:14 GMT

Thought I'd just add a posting following on from yesterdays blog with an update that four Peregrines were seen at Dove Stone on Wednesday night at about 9pm - great views from what I hear. Anyone else seen them in the evenings recently ?

Another wet walk...

Johnbernard — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:48:08 GMT

Out to Dovestone with Annie this morning. Sunny enough that we didn't take rain trousers. Lots of people walking round the reservoir, which is now quite low. No signs of the peregrines at the rock face. Blustery wind, so I was sorry not to see them wheeling around against the white sky. Then a rain shower blew in, soaking our legs. The wind was gusty enough to cause problems for the sailing yachts which were racing around a circuit marked by red buoys. As we walked back past the main car park I thought I saw a peregrine over the rocks but it was hard to be certain at that distance. Pleasantly warm, so our wet legs didn't bother us.