Rob Smallwood
Well-known member
Carrington Moss is a large area, flanked by the huge chemical works known as Shell (haunt of the infamous "Shell Birders"), cut into by the training grounds of Manchesters United and City and merging into the farming areas of Dunham and suburban Partington.
As a boy I used to cycle the area, excited by the prospect of Snipe in the winter and Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover on the then more accessible site of Altrincham Sewage Farm. (Read any old "where to watch" type book to see how impressive this site used to be, well regarded on a national as well as local scale.)
Later in the summer brought Turtle Dove to the riverside copses and Whitethroats were common.
Then as now the Moss would throw up interesting birds, always a good site for returning Wheatear, odd migrants such as Redstart and in the winter, Merlin and Sparrowhawk. Now Buzzards have moved in reflecting the expansion of their range across Cheshire.
There have also been a number of rarity records from the area - but it is the "bread & butter" birds that now catch my interest.
I have taken to walking a small portion of the Moss on a regular basis. I share this patch with the odd horse & rider, the odd motorbike scrambler from nearby Partington and the local farmer.
I first re-discovered this area last year when out looking for Bramblings. Last year around 50 hitched up with the local Chaffinch flock but this year I have hade to wait until February for the first birds - at least 4 are present with one male beginning to moult into its striking summer plumage.
Other birds in the area are a flock of wintering Corn Bunting, a widespread but not numerous breeder in the area, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Skylark. Yesterday I flushed 2 Grey Partridge, another bird whose numbers have dwindled over the years. A large flock of Fieldfare has adopted the area, accompanied by smaller numbers of Redwing.
Raptors have included Merlin, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel and the odd Little Owl.
The main pleasure of watching this small area regularly is to see the ever-changing birds. A flock of 40 Teal flushed off the brook by a Buzzard have never returned - perhaps they found safer refuge at Shell Pond or within the fenced off area of the Sewage Farm? In January I only saw 1 Reed Bunting, now there are at least 5 (and there is an unconfirmed report of over 15) - but they have replaced the Yellowhammers whose numbers have dwindled from over 20 to a handful. Have they moved on to better feeding areas or are they dispersing to set up territory?
I still like to get out further a field, but these days the lure of a new tick is being balanced by an appreciation of what is on my doorstep. You will probably see me lined up when this years equivalent of the Black Lark turns up. (I admit it - I went to Hoylake to look for and miss the Little Auk. It remains the last "tick" on my list that I am uncomfortable with - a ropey fly-by record from Cley many years ago) , but for the time being at least you are more likely to find me searching out that illusive Tree Sparrow or wondering if I might find this year's Dark-throated Thrush with the Fieldfares - we can all dream!
As a boy I used to cycle the area, excited by the prospect of Snipe in the winter and Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover on the then more accessible site of Altrincham Sewage Farm. (Read any old "where to watch" type book to see how impressive this site used to be, well regarded on a national as well as local scale.)
Later in the summer brought Turtle Dove to the riverside copses and Whitethroats were common.
Then as now the Moss would throw up interesting birds, always a good site for returning Wheatear, odd migrants such as Redstart and in the winter, Merlin and Sparrowhawk. Now Buzzards have moved in reflecting the expansion of their range across Cheshire.
There have also been a number of rarity records from the area - but it is the "bread & butter" birds that now catch my interest.
I have taken to walking a small portion of the Moss on a regular basis. I share this patch with the odd horse & rider, the odd motorbike scrambler from nearby Partington and the local farmer.
I first re-discovered this area last year when out looking for Bramblings. Last year around 50 hitched up with the local Chaffinch flock but this year I have hade to wait until February for the first birds - at least 4 are present with one male beginning to moult into its striking summer plumage.
Other birds in the area are a flock of wintering Corn Bunting, a widespread but not numerous breeder in the area, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Skylark. Yesterday I flushed 2 Grey Partridge, another bird whose numbers have dwindled over the years. A large flock of Fieldfare has adopted the area, accompanied by smaller numbers of Redwing.
Raptors have included Merlin, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel and the odd Little Owl.
The main pleasure of watching this small area regularly is to see the ever-changing birds. A flock of 40 Teal flushed off the brook by a Buzzard have never returned - perhaps they found safer refuge at Shell Pond or within the fenced off area of the Sewage Farm? In January I only saw 1 Reed Bunting, now there are at least 5 (and there is an unconfirmed report of over 15) - but they have replaced the Yellowhammers whose numbers have dwindled from over 20 to a handful. Have they moved on to better feeding areas or are they dispersing to set up territory?
I still like to get out further a field, but these days the lure of a new tick is being balanced by an appreciation of what is on my doorstep. You will probably see me lined up when this years equivalent of the Black Lark turns up. (I admit it - I went to Hoylake to look for and miss the Little Auk. It remains the last "tick" on my list that I am uncomfortable with - a ropey fly-by record from Cley many years ago) , but for the time being at least you are more likely to find me searching out that illusive Tree Sparrow or wondering if I might find this year's Dark-throated Thrush with the Fieldfares - we can all dream!
