Trip reports

ANGLEZARKE AND RIVINGTON

Wednesday, 14 November 2007

The enthusiasm of our midweek events' leader, Tom Morton, for finding and identifying birds has rubbed off on the newer members of our group who joined in the search for redpolls, bramblings and siskins. Starting from Anglezarke and walking towards White Coppice, through the woodland and reclaimed quarries, our efforts resulted in the sighting of a great spotted woodpecker, a good mix of tits and finches, tree creepers (pictured) and nuthatches. The nuthatches were remarkably noisy for the time of year - perhaps they thought the unseasonably warm weather was heralding spring.

As it approached lunchtime none of our target birds had been sighted, although two of our more knowledgeable members had heard redpoll calling in the tops of the trees. Not to be put off, Tom led us though a long established beech wood which was alive with chaffinches, many feeding amongst the leaf litter. Eventually a single brambling was spotted by one member at the front of the group. Moving forward cautiously we were able to identify that the feeding flock was indeed a mixed one of chaffinches and bramblings. The experience clearly demonstrated how well-camouflaged chaffinches and bramblings are in their winter feeding habitat.

Satisfied with the morning's work we returned to enjoy lunch at picnic tables in the sunshine, a rare treat for November.

Moving on to the ravine between the Rivington Great Barn and the Chinese Garden, siskins were sighted in the tree tops. These brilliant yellow birds were feeding on the seeds of silver birch with a flock greenfinches and gave us an excellent opportunity to study them closely through telescopes.

This proved to be a first class day's birding for beginners and experts alike.

Photograph by Ian King