2010 BIG BOROUGH BIRDING BASH

by Karen Foulkes in Tameside Borough

Birding by Bus – Borough Listing the Tameside Way

What on earth would possess me, someone who doesn't even drive, to enter a semi competitive Borough Birding Bash?  I don't know the answer myself, but hopefully things will become clearer as I progress.

I'd read of some of the Pie-eaters taking on each other in a challenge and inviting birder in other boroughs to join in.  I decided it could be quite interesting to see how many species I could accumulate in Tameside, but I didn't want to be official.  Things are never that simple though as the represented areas were put on the forum.  At first there was nobody representing Tameside.  Rachael Hill then decided to throw her hat in adding 'Karen usually sees more than I do'.  I saw this as a challenge and said I would take part. 

Most of my journeys were undertaken by bus except those with Rachael Hill and wherever I mention my dad.  Birding on Sunday can be a positive pain!

JANUARY

I spent 1st January Out of County, and much to my frustration it snowed overnight and I couldn't leave the house the next day without risking life and limb.  I still managed 16 species, the highlights of which were Fieldfare which flew across the back of the garden.  I saw several small flocks of this species fly through the garden during the course of the day, showing how hard conditions must have been elsewhere.  I also saw my first raptor, being a male Sparrowhawk, which watched me from across the road before he decided to drop off the chimney he was sat on.

The next bird I was able to add, I also saw from the house, a Cormorant showing how hard conditions were.  Quite unusual on the river.  This was on 4th Jan.

I finally escaped from the house on 5th January with a walk across to my sister's house in Audenshaw, I managed to add another 10 species, including a Peregrine, which flew towards Ashton and a small flock of Redwing feeding on berries.  After walking back from Audenshaw, I went down to the River Tame, which borders Dukinfield and Ashton.  I managed to see a Kingfisher, I was pleased to see this bird had survived the harsh weather. 

We were off on our annual pilgrimage to East Anglia that weekend, so this was another three days spent out of county, although it did give my year list a boost, not many Cranes or Bean Geese appear in Tameside!

Picking up most of the common species during the month, I did my first TTV on 30th January.  I managed to add Rook to my list, and then in the afternoon I walked down towards the river again and amongst the Gulls at Tulip Foods, I found a Great Black Back, an infrequent visitor to this area.

I finished January on 43 species, but considering how little birding I had done in the Borough and the conditions at the start of the year, I thought this wasn't too bad.  I began temp work in the Council Offices before the end of the month, so was restricted in my birding.

FEBRUARY

Mainly weekend birding then until the lighter nights arrived.  I had to get my second TTV done, this time in Stalybridge and the conditions under foot were certainly different to the ones on my previous visit.

I saw my first Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Siskin on this visit and was particularly pleased to catch up with the latter species as these have been rather thin on the ground this year, though a bird I have never found particularly easy in Tameside.

On 13th February a good walk along the canal in the forlorn hope that I might find a Mute Swan near Portland Basin, saw me add Pink Footed Goose to the list as a skein flew over my head.  I heard them first as is usually the case and my head moved in several directions before I actually saw them.  I stood on the bridge grinning from ear to ear.

On the 14th February, I persuaded my dad to come and have a look at Ashton Moss with me, I had a feeling we might find Reed Buntings in the area.  We found three birds and then moved on to Stamford Park Boating Lake.  Rachael Hill (RH) had seen Great Crested Grebe on there, a bird I still needed for the year.  4 year ticks here with the Grebe, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Coot.

Me and my dad sat down that evening and drew up a list of probables and possibles, 76 probables and 36 possibles was the outcome, a total of 112.  Not bad for Tameside, I thought.  My dad is something of an optimist though!

Some more very local birding the following weekend saw me draw a very disappointing blank.  News though of more species in Stamford Park saw me there again on 27th February adding another 5 species to my list, some of which I wasn't convinced about and I wanted to see again out of this “plastic” environment.

A walk around the sheltered area of the Dingle paid dividends with a pair of Goldcrest, the male singing, also Nuthatch and plenty of Tits in the area.  It had been a slow month with only 14 species added, bringing me up to a total of 57.

MARCH

March should be better, it had to be.  It started off with a dip of huge proportions in every way!  I had heard about the presence of a Mute Swan on Ashton Moss and decided to go there in my lunch break.  Not knowing which pool was which, I walked around blindly, failing to see one of the biggest birds in Tameside, my colleagues howled with laughter when I told them the story.

I did go back on Wednesday, this time on the bus and found the Mute Swan, and also had my first Skylark of the year.  That morning, on my way to work, I had my first Grey Wagtail of the year flying over calling.  I was again at Ashton Moss on 6th where I had my first Ringed Plover of the year, sadly the area where I saw two birds is now in the process of being prepared for building.  With Ashton Moss almost looking like my local patch for a short while, I saw Linnet there on 16th. 

On 21st March I went to my BBS square at Brushes.  I picked up Lesser Redpoll, Pheasant and Meadow Pipit in the area, but the highlight for me was my first Little Owl on the square sat on a wall glaring at me, I tried to ignore it, so as not to disturb it but it decided to fly off down to a stand of trees.  My first in Tameside for several years.

Steve Suttill had visited Ashton Moss during the week and had seen one of the regular Little Grebes, and now the nights were lighter I was able to go after work.  As I arrived, it was getting darker and I realised I was going to get a soaking, not really dressed for birding, it was tough, I decided and I took my chance.  I couldn't find it immediately and walked around looking for places to view the pool, I went and had a look to see if I could find the Ringed Plover, but sadly it wasn't showing, although there were several Lapwings which looked like they may have been nesting.  On walking back to the pool the Grebe decided to show itself, right in a clear patch of water in the middle.  I was happy despite my soaking!

It was getting harder now to find anything new, so I decided that I had to go to Audenshaw.  I had seen numerous dog walkers on the reservoirs and frustration was getting the better of me.  If I got thrown off, I got thrown off!  I decided to get up at “silly o'clock” and get the early bus.  The bus from Dukinfield into Ashton doesn't start running until a more sensible hour, so I had to walk, with my scope and tripod.  I got there and found a way in.  It had been a long time since I had birded Audenshaw, but it felt like nothing much had changed.

My first bird was Redshank, a flock of 4 which disappeared, never to be seen again.  Then there were Goldeneye in good numbers, nowhere else in Tameside holds these birds normally, three Teal, another bird hard to find elsewhere in Tameside, I also had Wheatear, Sand Martin and LRP, spring bankers and more Ringed Plover.  One of my highlights though was the Oystercatcher, which decided to move on while I was there.  The only other birder on was Paul Hammond (PH) a lifer and we were later joined by Robert Adderley (RA) (a year tick).

I persuaded Rachael Hill to join me on Sunday, amazingly I hadn't met Rachael, but I didn't really want to put her off birding completely by asking her to pick me up at a silly time, although some birders say going to Audenshaw would put anybody off birding forever!  The same species were still there barring Redshank and Teal, but we had the added bonus of Curlew and a couple of Greylag popped in, I felt more comfortable with these than the “plastic” ones at Stamford Park!  On leaving Audenshaw, my birding didn't end, and I decided to walk along the canal, just past Portland Basin, I could hear a Chiffchaff, I eventually found this bird in a leafless poplar.  After lunch I decided to visit Eastwood.  Rachael had already seen Treecreeper there, a bird which I still needed.  Eastwood was where the YOC Group, which I joined when I was younger was based.  It had been many years since I had been in the old reserve.  I got my Treecreeper along with numerous Nuthatches and Tit species.  I missed Grey Wagtail though, which apparently had been very close to one of the hides. 

Unfortunately, because of my work commitments, I was unable to go for a Kittiwake at Audenshaw on 29th.  Records of this species have been few and far between so far this year, with apparently only two records on Audenshaw, apparently one birder watching a bird on number one and another two birders watching number two failed to see it even though they were told of the bird immediately.

APRIL

April was a busy month with the last records of Rock Pipit of the winter period, unfortunately I managed not to see one.

On Good Friday I again visited Audenshaw where I had my first Swallow of the year.  Then on Easter Saturday, I visited Brushes again, to look for Red Grouse, but on my way up there, I heard a singing male Blackcap,  I decided I had to find this bird.  This was my earliest Spring record of this species and the smart male carried on singing, totally oblivious of me.  I carried on walking round to where I hoped I would find Red Grouse.  I started to climb the hill above Carrbrook and it started raining, quite hard, but I wasn't going to give up and after several teasing calls, I finally saw a male flying against the hillside.

On Easter Sunday, I went back to Audenshaw after hearing about a Yellow Wagtail.  Fortunately the bird was still around, as was my first Dunlin.  A return trip on Monday, when I saw my first House Martin.  Also 4 Greylag Geese landed briefly before moving on.  You could tell which birders still needed House Martin for their year lists that day!

Wednesday 7th April started off quite ordinarily but turned into a most extraordinary day, whilst on my lunch break I found a male Black Redstart, I found myself spending most of my spare birding time in Ashton instead of going to other places, which certainly hasn't helped my year list.  I managed to miss the only reported Shelduck that I know of on this day also, some you win........

I found my first Willow Warbler of the year on 9th April when I heard one singing along Coopers Ride, as I didn't have much time, I was rather fortunate to find it singing close to the road, shame I was on my way to work.

I managed to tear myself away from Audenshaw when I heard about Ring Ouzels along Hobson Moor Road, this was unfamiliar territory for me and me and my dad were unsure where to look and gave it up as a bad job in the end.  My dad wanted to see the Black Redstart, so we did this.  I got my dad to drop me off at Audenshaw in the hope that I might bump into PH or RA.  PH was on the verge of leaving when I bumped into him and told him about the Black Redstart.  We walked off Audenshaw chatting about birds and ended up swapping mobile numbers.  As PH was packing his car, he got a phone call from RA about the Ring Ouzels, PH turned to me and told me RA had been watching Ring Ouzels up Hobson Moor Road.  It turned out they were a lot further on than were me and my dad had looked.  It was at this point Borough Listing was about to take on a whole new dimension.

I had no idea where Lees Hill was, I didn't have RA's mobile number, so a quick call to PH sorted all this out, with directions from RA I was watching four Ring Ouzels at Lees Hill in the middle of the afternoon.  As I wasn't really too sure how far to walk I was ultra wary, Riggers sent me a text message though which said they were near the quarry, I was almost there as it turned out and the birds were easy to find.  The Ouzels were a GM tick too, so I was extra happy with them.  RA had mentioned Brambling up there, but unfortunately there was no sign of them.

I told RH about the Ouzels later in the day as we were going to go out on Sunday morning, I suggested we go to see them.  I totally forgot about the Brambling as we walked towards the Ouzels and as another walker disturbed a small flock of birds I realised that they were probably all Brambling.  One of them landed briefly on a branch, I managed to see it but unfortunately RH didn't.  We made our way towards the  Ouzels and when we got there a raptor which was probably a Peregrine flew low and ten Ouzels landed right out in the open, perching on the walls and in the trees of the small woodland.  We also had Common Buzzard along the path.

I missed Greenshank on 13th, this species was one which continued to evade me throughout the Spring period.

On 17th April I made another trip to Audenshaw as Common Sandpiper had been reported earlier in the week and this was another bird added to my list.

On 18th I was out with RH again, this time we went to Swineshaw where we had a handsome male Stonechat, which did nearly as good a jig as I did when I saw it, we also had Curlew and Red Grouse including a pair of Grouse mating up there.  We also heard a Cuckoo call a couple of times, presumably this bird passed through the valley.

In the afternoon I went to Audenshaw, I watched in amazement as a Grey Plover flew over my head and seemed to come down on No 3.  In spite of a good search, there was no sign of it, but a few minutes later I saw two Grey Plovers leaving the area, unfortunately there was nobody else to share this sighting with.

Tuesday morning my phone came alive just around getting up time, I had to go to work, but I would have preferred to see a Red rumped Swallow, it was tough luck.  PH and R A had a Red Rumped Swallow on Audenshaw, and unfortunately work comes before birding.  I decided to go to Audenshaw after work, I knew there wasn't much chance and when I arrived Paul Wren was the only other birder there.  Of course there were thousands of hirundines, but none of them was the Red Rumped Swallow, that we could see.  Still Swift and Black Tailed Godwit were a small consolation.  I normally get quite excited with my first Swifts of the year, but I felt a little flat on this occasion.  I also missed the only Little Gull of the year that has been on Audenshaw to date.

My dad had an operation on his back in March and the first day he decided he wanted to go birding again was 25th April, I wanted to go to Audenshaw, but in the end I agreed to go with him to the Wirral.  With hindsight I should have gone on Audenshaw as I missed both Little Tern and Whimbrel, it was not much comfort either that we missed a Red Rumped Swallow at Leasowe Lighthouse, but as a certain Tameside birder told me “you can't see everything”.  I never caught up with either bird, though Whimbrel was sighted at least one more time at Audenshaw.  Seeing 44 Whimbrel at Thurstaston was of little consolation.

The next day I was watching Common Redstart though, at an undisclosed location, which made me smile again.  After first hearing it, I finally got great views of a smart male.  Another Tameside first for me. 

I was increasingly being drawn back to Audenshaw, it's so easy to become blasé about a place, but Audenshaw seemed to be attracting more birds than everywhere else put together, so on 26th April I went again after work.  I managed two more species, Arctic Tern and Wigeon, well worth the visit.  I was on 96 species by the end of April.

MAY

On 1st May I went for a walk down Coopers Ride before going to Audenshaw, I walked across Asda's car park and found a Garden Warbler singing, yet another bird seen in a supermarket car park, following in the footsteps of Waxwings and one or two memorable rarities I have seen.  I was almost at Audenshaw when I spoke to PH, he and Paul Wren were watching a Lesser Whitethroat, a dash to the railway, I could hear him singing and there he was at the top of a hawthorn, a great bird.  I laughed and said all I needed now was a Common Whitethroat, I was aware this would be my 99th species.  I was told to go down Kings Road, I duly did this and had two singing Common Whitethroat showy as usual and my 99th species.

On 2nd May, I again set off for Audenshaw, expectations were not high, I'd just got off the bus and my phone buzzed.  I looked in disbelief, Avocets at Audenshaw!  I phoned PH, it was on No 3, so I put on a spurt.  I could see other birders arriving as I walked by the wall.  RA and Riggers were arriving.  This was my 100th species in Tameside this year and what a bird and two of them at that!  They found their way onto No 3, a bit of a panic as none of us saw them move. 

After this Bank Holiday Monday was a positive damp squib and to cap it all I missed a Hobby which PH had seen just before I arrived. 

I seemed to be at Audenshaw more often than not over May.  I was also keeping my eyes on what was happening with the Black Redstart.  My next species was Common Tern at Audenshaw on 6th May.  Another trip to Audenshaw on 12th and I saw Shoveler, then on the 13^th Turnstone.  I told RA about this bird, not realising that Riggers still needed it.  Riggers called confirming where the bird was, unfortunately too far to be able to see from the end of no 3, he saw the bird, but I missed my bus!

I had volunteered to spend time in Manchester showing Peregrines to members of the public and on 14th May I was off work.  I got a text from PH, Sanderling on Audy.  I was up and out in record time, but unfortunately the shower I took probably stopped me from seeing this bird.

More news and I was off to see Pied Flycatcher, I also had Spotted Flycatcher at the same location.

I wanted to try and see Woodcock, so me and my dad went to a couple of possible sites, unfortunately we didn't find any, but I did see a Tawny Owl, so one of us went home happy!

I saw on the forum that Vic Chatterton had Whinchat up at Swineshaw, I contacted him and he told me where to find it, so on 23^rd I walked up and found the Whinchat, a smart male.  I walked all the way round the hill and dropped down towards Mottram.  A  Cuckoo was calling, but sadly I couldn't locate this bird although it did give me the run around for quite some time and it had to go uncounted, it was potentially out of county though.  On my way back I spotted two birds on the edge of the wood near Hollingworth Hall Farm and a quick view through the scope saw they were Red Legged Partridge, a bird I wasn't expecting to see.  Unfortunately, they disappeared into the woodland

A tip off from Iain Johnson meant I was able to go and see Sedge Warbler.  Unfortunately this land is up for sale, so may not hold Sedge Warblers for much longer.

I made up for missing Sanderling earlier in the month when I went on Audenshaw on 30th May and found a superb summer plumaged bird.  I went back to Swineshaw on 31st and saw Raven and heard one possibly two singing Whinchat.  I finished the month on 111.

I was unable to find anything new in June, traditionally quite a bad month for me anyway although I'm sure I probably missed a couple of species, I did at least keep looking for new species, but much of my time in the period was taken up watching the Black Redstart.

JULY

After no additions to my list in June, I was desperate to get going again in July, but my need to see more of the Black Redstarts was holding me back, especially after finding what I suspected was probably a female on the 1st.  Unfortunately I was unable to relocate this bird and after spending more time on it on the 2nd, a Friday, I went home.  The now familiar buzz of my phone, it was 7.15. I read the message from RA, Roy Travis had had two male Common Scoters on Audenshaw that afternoon.  I had to go even though it would be nearly 8pm when I got there.  I couldn't go on Saturday as I was volunteering again in Manchester and they may not be there on Sunday.  I made a couple of quick phone calls, one to Roy Travis to try and find out which reservoir they were on to save me time.  Roy wasn't in, so I would have to find them myself.  It was a beautiful evening and the light was really kind to me.  I quickly located the birds on No 1 bed and the thought struck me that this was no 112, a target me and my dad said it was just possible to reach.  I was amazed and in my opinion anything after this was a bonus.  I spent the rest of the month mainly in Ashton hoping to prove the Black Redstarts had bred.  I did tear myself away and went to Audenshaw on 13th, where I managed to find another Sanderling along with a Dunlin.  Unknown to me though was I had missed Black Necked Grebe in July.  I only found out about this in the middle of August, still as I kept telling myself, you can't see everything!

AUGUST

I spent the first two weeks of August in Wales watching Red Kites and whatever else was thrown my way.  I received a bombardment of messages from Ian about Little Egrets at Elton, and several other sites in the county, thankfully though none were recorded in Tameside and this elegant Heron still remains close to the top of my Tameside wish list.  I managed a trip to Audenshaw the day after my return from Wales, but the rest of my birding month was spent watching a pair of Black Redstarts raise a family of three, without a shadow of a doubt the highlight of my year!  Even though there were still birds to see I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself for a while after they had gone.  I again added no new species to my list, not a surprise really under the circumstances.

SEPTEMBER

I studied the list of species I still needed, this contained Grey Partridge (surely there were some in Tameside, they used to be a banker on Audenshaw before they messed the area up with the motorway), Stock Dove and Green Woodpecker.  I studied postings on the forum, I tossed the metaphorical coin in my head and on the 11th I headed up to Harrop Edge, the forecast wasn't good and it was already starting to rain.  I grimly made my way along the road, noting large numbers of hirundines on migration, good numbers of Pipits and a Buzzard being mobbed by a Kestrel.  Then a heavier shower, I had only put my outer coat on and I was now rather wet.  Time to quit, I turned and walked back to the bus stop, it had stopped raining when I got there and I wanted to explore even though I was soaked!  I took my mobile out and saw I had a message, Black Tern at Audenshaw, no exploration, a borough twitch.  I had no scope and I called Paul Wren, firstly to see if the bird was still there, I cheekily asked if he would be there if I made my way over.  Yes he said, I felt quite guilty though.  It was two buses to Audenshaw and thankfully the first arriving quickly, trundling into Stalybridge and then through to Ashton.  The 219 wasn't there though, I didn't dare call Paul again.  Eventually the bus arrived and I was willing it not to stop, it did of course stop at nearly every one en route.  At last I got there, I'm sure it didn't take as long as it seemed.  Even though I was starting to feel cold with my coat, I was determined to see the Black Tern, a quick look through my bins, I couldn't see it.  I made my way over to Paul Wren, and looked through his scope, yes the bird was there.  I couldn't thank Paul enough and while we watched a Common Tern also dropped in.  Another text message on 13th, RA had Scaup on Audenshaw, normally ducks stay around most of the day, but it was a nervous wait.  Happily it stayed and I was able to add another duck to my year list.  On the 18th, the coin landed on Brushes, I added no new species and having walked a good  distance that morning spent the second half of the afternoon sorting a few bits and pieces out.  I was watching the football results coming through on the tv and my phone went again.  Sonia Adderley was on the other end.  Little Stint at Audenshaw, no car at home.  I didn't change my shoes, just went in my trainers, grabbing my outer coat only.  I almost ran to the bus stop and when I got there, I found I had missed the last bus and would have to go into Ashton, another two buses again.  The bird was still there even though I had taken the longest route to get to where it was.  After RA had stopped laughing at the out of breathless wreck that I was, he let me look through his scope so I had at least seen it if it decided to fly.  I did see it through my own scope, though and as I knew all the other birders present, did a kind of jig, something I don't think I will ever live down!  Robert then said let's look for a Yellow-legged Gull.  There was one in the roost, another addition to my year list, in fact a long awaited tick, the first Yellow-legged I had seen since they were split!  I had seen a couple prior to that.  I did get better views of Yellow Legged Gulls in the following weeks.  I found myself missing a few birds, so I started to take my scope to work with me.  On Monday 27th I decided to go to Audenshaw anyway.  I got a message mid morning that there was a Bar-tailed Godwit at Audenshaw, it would probably have gone by the time I got there, but still, I had my scope.  When I got there I started looking for the godwit unaware that it hadn't been seen for most of the day.  I scanned along the far bank of no 3 just in case and I looked along the waters edge, no sign.  I glanced down next to me and it was there on the bank.  I backed up away from the bird and phoned Ian McKerchar to let him know the bird was still present, I was surprised that I was the only birder there.  He sounded a little surprised, but the story that unfolded explained everything.  The godwit had been seen earlier in the day, but then had been disturbed by United Utilities mowing the grass.  John Rayner had been and seen the mowers and assumed the bird had moved elsewhere.  It was fortuitous that I hadn't heard the story otherwise I wouldn't have gone on Audenshaw.  Iain Johnson arrived and kept the dogwalkers at bay until Riggers and John Rayner had seen the bird, we weren't to know at the time that this bird would stay for a while and let most listers who wanted it, tick it off.  I did play a trick on John Rayner by telling him I had misidentified the godwit, I think he believed me until I burst into laughter, I don't think he had seen the godwit which was right next to him at the time!  By the end of September, I had added 5 new birds to my list, which was now on 117.

OCTOBER

The 1st of October turned into a damp evening, after I finished work.  I again went on Audenshaw and found a Rock Pipit, but not before I had got a good old Audenshaw soaking.  There had been one or two of these birds about when I first started going on Audenshaw at the end of March but they had evaded me.  I went to Audenshaw on Sunday 10th October.  On reading the log, I found that I had missed Pintail which had been present that morning.  I later discovered that some moron had set a firework off in the middle of the morning and the Pintail, along with several other duck which were there at the time, had departed.  On the 14th I was looking along the bank in the area where I had last seen the Bar-tailed Godwit and I saw another wader, a Golden Plover, I felt I was finally starting to catch up on a few I had managed to miss earlier in the year.  The next day I had news of a Twite from Paul Wren.  I was stuck in work until 4, and he said the bird was being flushed by dogwalkers.  I went to Audenshaw after work, but to my frustration couldn't locate the bird.  I checked the causeway and the long grass, no sign.  I waited until it was practically dark before I left.  A bird flew over my head calling, I knew it was the Twite, but in the poor light I didn't want to tick it off without seeing it properly.  As I wanted to see the bird better I was hopeful that it would still be around the next day.  I slept later than I wanted to, but dragged myself to the bus station,  I got a text message from PH saying that RA had seen the Twite.  I was still on my way, but at least it was still there.  I called back to find out where it had been seen.  There was no sign of any birds, then several Pipits flew up and then the Twite.  We looked around for the bird and couldn't immediately find it and PH and RA left.  Paul Wren and myself managed to relocate the bird on the wall with several Meadow Pipits.  A flock of Linnets arrived and we think the bird probably left with them, leaving another Tameside birder quite frustrated, when he was actually at Audenshaw when the bird flew!  The afternoon saw me trying for my bogey bird again up along Hobson Moor Road.  I didn't find my bogey bird, but I did find a pair of Grey Partridge.  I was later told that Grey Partridge hadn't been seen along here for a couple of years, and the number of times I have walked along that road and not seen them far outnumbers the one sighting I had.  I vaguely recall that I went up to the same area the next day, unaware that there was a Whooper Swan at Walkerwood Reservoir on the other side of the hill.  I found out in the evening when it was dark and too late to go and have a look.  I persuaded my dad to pick me up from work the next day and I managed to finish work early.  The swan was still there swimming close to the reservoir wall.  On Wednesday 20th I got a text, there was a Slavonian Grebe at Audenshaw.  I didn't have my scope with me.  To get to Audenshaw in time to look on the bus was becoming too much now.  By the time I would have got there it would almost be dark, so I called my dad again and asked him could he bring my gear.  He did this and dropped me off.  I started to look for the grebe where it had been seen earlier in the day.  I couldn't see it, but the cavalry arrived in the form of the Adderleys, more eyes looking and we soon located it.  We were losing the light, but of course the bird though stayed into November, enabling many county listers to see all six grebes in the county in one year, alas I wasn't one of them!  I finished the month on 123, a remarkable six species added to my list.

NOVEMBER

I headed up Hobson Moor Road again on 7th November and found my own Bramblings.  I watched them feeding on the road on beech mast, but was unsure as to the exact number of birds present.  I knew that there were at least 10.  On the 9th November I was off work,  I decided to go to Audenshaw but got caught in a squally shower and couldn't locate the Slav.  I got fed up and decided to go home.  I hadn't been in long and my phone went, the news of course was the year's biggie, the Pied Billed Grebe, shame it didn't come to Audenshaw!  On 12th November, a Friday, I had a feeling that I was going to see something good.  I walked home from work as usual and caught a Woodcock flying through the light of the streetlights towards the canal area.  Both myself and my dad have recorded this species in the area in the past.  My good feeling was justified.  I couldn't be bothered getting up early on the 14th of November, so I decided to go and check the canal.  I crossed the road to walk down.  I could hear a trilling in the trees next to me.  I looked up and saw 4 Waxwings, my first record of this species in Dukinfield.  It was early in the influx and I called my dad and told him to leave his breakfast!  I then called Ian just in case the birds stayed around and any other locals wanted to come and see them.  I was surprised when they stayed long enough for my dad to see them, but soon after he arrived they flew off towards the park.  Me and my dad went out to Hobson Moor Road in the afternoon in the vain hope that I might find a Stock Dove.  This wasn't to be, but the 15 Brambling that were up there were again worth seeing.  I only had to wait until the next weekend to see my long overdue first Stock Dove of the year in the Borough.  I went up to Hobson Moor Road and started walking down, at last luck was on my side with this bird.  The day after on the 21st I managed to catch up with Common Snipe along Kings Road, Audenshaw.  Some of these birds were long overdue, but I was just happy to catch up with them.  I went out with Iain Johnson on the 28th up to Werneth Low.  After we had walked around and not seen very much, we bumped into another birder who said he had seen a Marsh Tit on the Friday, he walked down with us and showed us the area where he had seen it.  We found a few Redwings and Bullfinch but alas no sign of any Marsh Tit.  On the way back I saw another Stock Dove, as IJ said, a bit like buses!  I finished the month on 127.

DECEMBER

I got a phone call from Iain Johnson on December 4th, he had found a Jack Snipe at a small nature reserve.  The bird was showing well, so on Sunday 5th after a trip to Elton Reservoir, we visited the reserve.  There were several Snipe showing and we watched more arriving.  There was a smaller looking bird there, but without a scope it was hard to be certain what the bird was.  While the other Snipe fed, this one stayed still.  After a few minutes it got up and we were able to confirm at first with assistance from the scope, it was a Jack Snipe.  We could even see the difference with the naked eye!  We also had Raven and Treecreeper in the area.  In spite of my best efforts, though I was unable to connect with a Green Woodpecker. 

I finished the year with a total of 128, not too bad for a novice borough lister, who previously thought the main sites in Tameside were Audenshaw and Coopers Ride!  I am certainly indebted to a fair number of birders both in and outside of the borough.

I am having another go in 2011, because I feel that there are more birds out there, whether the same luck will be on my side again, I'm not sure.  I also want to try a few other sites which I didn't even cover in 2010.

Karen Foulkes, January 2011

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