Today we did our fifth Winter Solstice walk, an arcing route from Milnrow, taking in Blackstone Edge, to Littleborough.

With all the frost of late, we eagerly expected a moorland walk in cold, clear and icy conditions, so imagine our disappointment, when we left Milnrow, in cold, drizzle and swirling mist. Moorgrime as the older end call it around here.

Three of us set off up Kiln Lane (myself, Lee and Bob), with 'Tommo' a notable absentee this year (poorly). In...

ChrisJB

A pair of Bullfinches have returned to my mum's garden in Milnrow (they first came last winter,
though disappeared in the spring). The male is an absolute beauty and is very tolerant of us 'gawping' at him at close range through the kitchen window.

Whilst I have seen them fly over our place in New Hey, they have yet to actually come in the garden. But, just lately, we have had our first Great Spotted Woodpecker in the garden, so one must'nt be greedy.

ChrisJB

As the sun was setting this evening, I drove over to Dean Head moors (near Scammonden Dam) to look for Short Eared Owls.

'T was rather disappointing really, due to a low, bright sun spoiling my scanning of the moor. It was the first time I'd visited this moor and was astonished to find the moorland grave of a local farmer and shepherd who wanted to 'return to his flock, one last time'. Adjacent is a wrought iron seat, a suitably quiet place for remembrance and reflection. I'll...

ChrisJB

Took a windy walk on to the moors behind the White House pub on the A58 this afternoon. Was hoping to see Twite at the feeding station by White Holme Res'. Surprisingly I didn't see any. I was also hoping for possible Snow Buntings on Byron Edge, but was less surprised when I missed out on these too.

In fact birdlife was rather scant, with just a Raven overhead, a 'v' formation of 25 gulls, which was a mix of Greater Black Backed and Herring Gulls.

Across the valley,...

ChrisJB

Rather pleased with myself today as my letter has been published in the local newspaper (Rochdale Observer). I wrote my annoyance at a 'new' local thoroughfare that has been named 'Sir Issac Newton Way'. What has he got to do with Milnrow? My suggestion is 'Tim Bobbin Way', after our great 18th century Lancashire dialect writer.

Whilst out in the garden this evening (I often go into the garden at night to listen for Tawny Owls and the like), I heard the hoarse rasp of a Snipe calling...

ChrisJB