WeBS count highlight this morning was 10 Goosanders and a pair of Dippers, Burnage Rugby Club area.
Simon Gough said
Sat Sep 30 1:05 PM, 2023
3 Dippers at the Pyramid at about 10am this morning, then 2 Kingfishers at the motorway bridge 10 minutes later, 1 looked like a juvenile bird from a brief perched view, they were very excitable and flighty
Simon Gough said
Mon Sep 4 8:00 PM, 2023
Fantastic view of a Kingfisher this evening at Burnage Rugby Club, perched up for 30s on the far bank before buzzing away down the river
Pete Hines said
Sat Jul 22 7:30 PM, 2023
Hobby - adult at Cheadle bridge at 14.30 before flying towards Mersey Vale Nature Park
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Saturday 22nd of July 2023 07:31:18 PM
Tony Koziol said
Wed May 3 11:34 AM, 2023
A quick walk down to the River Mersey this morning to try to pick up the Sand Martins has me looking at around twenty birds going about there business over the river on a glorious morning a Song Thrush goes through its melodies high in a Sycamore and a female Grey Wagtail is busy by the edge of the river alas I must get some work done now.
Simon Gough said
Mon May 1 4:59 PM, 2023
A mid-afternoon walk from Vale Farm to the Rugby Club in bright and breezy weather.
1 Whitethroat singing on this side of the river at the Acorns 1 Treecreeper on Patch Island 1 Common Sandpiper on the stony bit of bank opposite Patch Island. A yeartick for me, and apparently the 4th time I have seen one here in the first week of May...one for the stats fans there...
Tony Koziol said
Sun Apr 30 2:12 PM, 2023
No Martins or Whitethroat for us this morning but we can add two Grey Wagtail to Simons tally for yesterday.
Simon Gough said
Sat Apr 29 12:31 PM, 2023
Great birds up on the Mersey Vale embankment - see the other thread
Walking down to the Garlic Bend: Whitethroat across the river opposite the Acorns at the Stockport end of the meadow. None to be seen in previous spots either on the embankments or by the pond 20 plus Sand Martins around the colony. I saw around 30 birds yesterday evening (Fri 28th) so they must have been feeding somewhere else the other night 6 Goosander, 2 males and 4 females 5 Mandarins, all male birds, preening and loafing in a group on the bank. This feels significant in terms of numbers building in the area, I've never seen more than a couple together before
Simon Gough said
Mon Apr 24 7:38 PM, 2023
A quick walk along the river at Burnage Rugby Club to Cheadle Bridge around 6pm
1 Dipper 1 Kingfisher - still ridiculously exciting to see one of these zipping along 1 Mandarin - female
No Sand Martins at all...there were 20 at least buzzing around the bank last weekend, not sure where they were tonight...
Copland Smith said
Fri Mar 3 2:02 PM, 2023
Between Cheadle Bridge and Garlic Island: One pair Mandarin One pair Goosander 4 pairs Pied wagtail loads of noisy courting Canadas etc
Whilst fishing this morning watched an awesome female Sparrowhawk in the trees by the pond off Craig Road. As she flew around the Magpies vanished in a split second.
Several Moorhen on the pond along with a mixed tit flock (after the Sparrowhawk disappeared).
Paul Dewey said
Thu Dec 1 4:43 PM, 2022
Was bit jealous of previous post here, but happier today as had my first little egret on Mersey today near Waterside
Also, singing Dipper, Kingfisher, Cormorant, Goosander (inc 2 males), Redwing, Mistle and Song thrush, BH and common Gull, 2 Buzzard, Grey Heron
First time I have seen a Little Egret on the Mersey near Didsbury.
Tony Darby said
Sun Oct 9 7:53 PM, 2022
My WeBS count today along the river from the Mersey Vale Nature Park area to the A34 Kingsway Bridge. Highlights being 1 Kingfisher flying upstream at the weir, 1 Dipper in the shallows at Patch Island and 1 at Cheadle Bridge. Also 9 Goosanders, Heron, Cormorant, Grey Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk causing a bit of trouble in the area.
Pete Hines said
Mon Sep 26 7:23 AM, 2022
Dipper - pair singing and displaying at Cheadle Bridge, Didsbury, yesterday morning
Simon Gough said
Wed Sep 14 1:55 PM, 2022
Yesterday evening 13/09/22 I had my first walk along the river at Burnage Rugby Club for a while
Some activity around the pond at the Garlic Bend, a Chiffchaff busily feeding along with Goldfinches and Great Tits etc. 2 Goosander on the river and also a Mallard diving frequently which I'm not sure I've seen before, or can't remember probably! 1 Dipper and 1 Grey Wagtail at Cheadle Bridge - my first Dipper sighting since the spring/early summer
Paul Dewey said
Thu Jun 30 6:00 PM, 2022
First for me today seeing 3 Kingfisher flying together under Geoff's bridge. For more sightings of a single bird flying down and upstream in next half hour. Grey Wagtail, woodpigeon, Wren and Chiffchaff seen whilst hanging about looking at the Kingfisher.
Paul Dewey said
Tue Jun 21 3:35 PM, 2022
Wander along the river to waterside hotel.
Kingfisher, two sightings
Pied and grey wagtails, good number including youngsters
Mallard, two broods, one very well grown group of 7
Goosander, female with 3 chicks
6 of so sand martin. Still seemed to be two or three nests being visited further down from where the bulk of nests have been dug out.
Also number of black headed gulls hawking low down over the meadow. Cleary something had in numbers but I couldn't see what.
Simon Gough said
Mon May 23 10:49 PM, 2022
1 adult Dipper feeding a juvenile this evening at Cheadle Bridge. Plenty of Sand Martin burrows in play, with fingers well crossed for some success this year. Kingfisher seen yesterday evening (Sunday 22/05)
David Pierce said
Mon May 16 12:11 PM, 2022
12 sand martins over the river west of the A560 and the viaduct
dave broome said
Sat May 14 2:52 PM, 2022
A Lesser Whitethroat sang several times this afternoon, on the south side of the River Mersey opposite Vale Road Farm horse fields
Tony Coatsworth said
Mon May 9 11:10 AM, 2022
Lesser Whitethroat singing today on the railway embankment above the horse field (Vale Road Farm).
Plenty of Sand Martins checking out nest sites opposite the rugby club
Simon Gough said
Thu May 5 7:16 PM, 2022
Common Sandpiper again this evening on the river at around 630pm, at the foot of the Sand Martin colony. One seen on April 19th, is this the same bird? Also Dipper at the bridge
Paul Dewey said
Sun May 1 2:33 PM, 2022
Had another try for Lesser Whitethroat where Simon has described, but again no joy. I did however see one at the junction of paths near the horrible new path, where some wooden acorns have been put in as seats. It did go across to ETW side but was back a bit later in same place and bushes against industrial estate fence.
Also a Swallow (poss 2) with Sand Martins over the river at Vale farm. Kingfisher, Goosander and Dipper seen flying along river and a pair of Mandarin Ducks near rugby club. Single Drake seen also.
Simon Gough said
Fri Apr 29 7:10 PM, 2022
Lesser Whitethroat singing again this evening, on the embankment overlooking Vale Farm. Brilliant views in the lovely sunshine. Whitethroat singing where Paul described along the back of Craig Road. A highly pleasant hour with lots of other small birds showing well
Paul Dewey said
Fri Apr 29 1:10 PM, 2022
Wander around orchard and old railway line. Highlights
Common Whitethroat on old railway towards houses.
Blackcap (many)
Willow warbler 2 calling on etw side
Bullfinch
Starling 6 and Mistle Thrush on horse field
Kingfisher flew downstream
Pair of Goosander on the river and several grey wagtail
Sparrowhawk over
Simon Gough said
Sun Apr 24 12:46 PM, 2022
A quick walk through Mersey Vale and then along the river this morning. Best was a Lesser Whitethroat singing on the old railway embankment by the bench. Also several Blackcap and Chiffchaff. No Whitethroats and no Willow Warblers heard on this side of the river, although I heard one that would have been around the ETW on the inaccessible side. Also what looked like an Alba Wagtail on the river, but I think it got chased off by the local black-backed ones
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Sunday 24th of April 2022 12:48:26 PM
Chris Harper said
Fri Apr 22 4:24 PM, 2022
Raven over town centre at 15:10
Simon Gough said
Tue Apr 19 7:35 PM, 2022
This evening around 6pm along the river at Burnage Rugby Club
10-12 Sand Martins - first sighting this year, 5th of April in 2020 as a comparison 1 Common Sandpiper 2 Dipper at Cheadle Bridge Blackcaps by the pond and generally lots of singing birds
Simon Gough said
Mon Mar 28 6:57 PM, 2022
Around 18.00 this evening, a quick walk in the lovely sunshine
Mandarin pair at Cheadle Bridge Kingfisher heading towards Didsbury, first one I've seen for months, very nice Sparrowhawk up from the ground by the water's edge opposite the Waterside Active Grey and Pied Wagtails in their now annual battle for territory on the river bank
Mike Crawley said
Mon Mar 21 3:36 PM, 2022
Single Dipper showing well both on the river bank and dabbling/swimming about in the river from the stoney islands in the centre of the river, viewed from Broad Oak Lane
-- Edited by Mike Crawley on Monday 21st of March 2022 03:36:57 PM
Nicholas Turner said
Sun Mar 20 7:23 PM, 2022
The two Dippers at Cheadle Bridge were putting on quite a display today - chasing each other under the bridge - looked like pre-nuptial behaviour. Also several Chiffchaff singing.
Nice to see a Kestrel hunting on the playing fields at Parrs Wood this evening before the sun had fully set.
Simon Gough said
Tue Jan 25 10:57 AM, 2022
2 Dippers this morning at Cheadle Bridge around 8.30am
Simon Gough said
Sun Jan 23 3:22 PM, 2022
1 Dipper at Cheadle Bridge this afternoon
dave broome said
Sat Jan 15 11:27 AM, 2022
No sign of the Glossy Ibis this morning around Longsight Lane. 62 Redwing, 7 Fieldfare and 6 Mistle Thrush feeding at Manchester RUFC, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin and 15 Goldfinch also there
John Rayner said
Fri Jan 14 2:29 PM, 2022
13.30-14.30. No sign of the Glossy Ibis in various fields around Longsight Lane. Also tried the Handforth Dean fishing pools the other side of the A555 without luck
Cheers John.
Steve Collins said
Fri Jan 14 9:02 AM, 2022
No sign at moment of Glossy Ibis at Longsight Lane, off Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jan 13 8:52 PM, 2022
I arrived on site late, due to being out with a mate all morning on a guided tour of his patch and self-finding an Iceland Gull for our efforts (see Sandbach thread). Didn't get there until c.2.15pm.
After parking I went down to the far field where, as Connor says, the Glossy Ibis was pretty distant but showing well from the metal gate. I set up and digiscoped it at distance and then had to move to let a couple of photographers leave. Myself and one other birder there took our eyes off the ibis and when we looked back it had disappeared. I was convinced it was down in a wet 'dip'in the field but after a while I walked down to check for the new arrival birders who hadn't had it yet and it wasn't there!! It must have flown off c.2,45pm and presumably away from us as we would have seen it if it had come towards and over us.
I talked to the wife of the first person who reported it on Insta and they had been watching it for 4 days, and, as has been said before, she said the local who told them about it had seen it in the field for the last 2 weeks
So every chance it will be there tomorrow as it left of its own accord and no-one got too close to it. A very distant slightly cropped digiscoped shot attached.
Nice lunchtime trip to see the Glossy Ibis! Arrived at about 12.20pm to be told it had flown off from the field by the main road some 20 minute earlier. Another 5 minutes passed and a birder came up to me to kindly let me know it was now in the field at the end of Longsight Lane. Followed the lane round to the left and the Glossy Ibis was feeding in the field by the metal gate with a stile, off to the right-hand side. More distant than earlier, but very pleased to see it. Was still present in this field when I left at 12.45.
Just went on the school run nearby and a birder told me the Glossy Ibis had just flown, approx 2.45pm.
Could
it come back tomorrow and I will check in the morning.
My thanks to Paul Heaton for passing the information on this morning.
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Thursday 13th of January 2022 03:56:51 PM
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Thursday 13th of January 2022 03:57:22 PM
markwoodhead said
Thu Jan 13 1:46 PM, 2022
it was still there and showing well when I left at 11.45
Originally posted today by John Sibbald:
Heard a male Black Redstar calling between the new Stockport Interchange and the Railway viaduct yesterday around 6.30pm.
A pair of Dippers at Cheadle Bridge plus Grey Wagtail and Goosander.
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Saturday 22nd of July 2023 07:31:18 PM
A quick walk down to the River Mersey this morning to try to pick up the Sand Martins has me looking at around twenty birds going about there business over the river on a glorious morning a Song Thrush goes through its melodies high in a Sycamore and a female Grey Wagtail is busy by the edge of the river alas I must get some work done now.
1 Whitethroat singing on this side of the river at the Acorns
1 Treecreeper on Patch Island
1 Common Sandpiper on the stony bit of bank opposite Patch Island. A yeartick for me, and apparently the 4th time I have seen one here in the first week of May...one for the stats fans there...
No Martins or Whitethroat for us this morning but we can add two Grey Wagtail to Simons tally for yesterday.
Walking down to the Garlic Bend:
Whitethroat across the river opposite the Acorns at the Stockport end of the meadow. None to be seen in previous spots either on the embankments or by the pond
20 plus Sand Martins around the colony. I saw around 30 birds yesterday evening (Fri 28th) so they must have been feeding somewhere else the other night
6 Goosander, 2 males and 4 females
5 Mandarins, all male birds, preening and loafing in a group on the bank. This feels significant in terms of numbers building in the area, I've never seen more than a couple together before
1 Dipper
1 Kingfisher - still ridiculously exciting to see one of these zipping along
1 Mandarin - female
No Sand Martins at all...there were 20 at least buzzing around the bank last weekend, not sure where they were tonight...
One pair Mandarin
One pair Goosander
4 pairs Pied wagtail
loads of noisy courting Canadas
etc
A male Goldeneye near Cheadle Bridge - only the second one I have seen on the river. Also pair of Dippers, several Grey Wagtail and 4 Goosander.
Whilst fishing this morning watched an awesome female Sparrowhawk in the trees by the pond off Craig Road. As she flew around the Magpies vanished in a split second.
Several Moorhen on the pond along with a mixed tit flock (after the Sparrowhawk disappeared).
Was bit jealous of previous post here, but happier today as had my first little egret on Mersey today near Waterside
Also, singing Dipper, Kingfisher, Cormorant, Goosander (inc 2 males), Redwing, Mistle and Song thrush, BH and common Gull, 2 Buzzard, Grey Heron
Sunday 23rd October
1 Little Egret, 1 Dipper, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 female Goosander, 1 Buzzard.
First time I have seen a Little Egret on the Mersey near Didsbury.
1 Kingfisher flying upstream at the weir, 1 Dipper in the shallows at Patch Island and 1 at Cheadle Bridge. Also 9 Goosanders,
Heron, Cormorant, Grey Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk causing a bit of trouble in the area.
Some activity around the pond at the Garlic Bend, a Chiffchaff busily feeding along with Goldfinches and Great Tits etc.
2 Goosander on the river and also a Mallard diving frequently which I'm not sure I've seen before, or can't remember probably!
1 Dipper and 1 Grey Wagtail at Cheadle Bridge - my first Dipper sighting since the spring/early summer
First for me today seeing 3 Kingfisher flying together under Geoff's bridge. For more sightings of a single bird flying down and upstream in next half hour. Grey Wagtail, woodpigeon, Wren and Chiffchaff seen whilst hanging about looking at the Kingfisher.
Wander along the river to waterside hotel.
Kingfisher, two sightings
Pied and grey wagtails, good number including youngsters
Mallard, two broods, one very well grown group of 7
Goosander, female with 3 chicks
6 of so sand martin. Still seemed to be two or three nests being visited further down from where the bulk of nests have been dug out.
Whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, bullfinch , chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, robin, wren, carrion crow, grey heron (3), herring gull, lesser black backed gull, buzzard, mandarin duck, woodpigeon, swift.
Also number of black headed gulls hawking low down over the meadow. Cleary something had in numbers but I couldn't see what.
12 sand martins over the river west of the A560 and the viaduct
Lesser Whitethroat singing today on the railway embankment above the horse field (Vale Road Farm).
Plenty of Sand Martins checking out nest sites opposite the rugby club
Had another try for Lesser Whitethroat where Simon has described, but again no joy. I did however see one at the junction of paths near the horrible new path, where some wooden acorns have been put in as seats. It did go across to ETW side but was back a bit later in same place and bushes against industrial estate fence.
Also a Swallow (poss 2) with Sand Martins over the river at Vale farm. Kingfisher, Goosander and Dipper seen flying along river and a pair of Mandarin Ducks near rugby club. Single Drake seen also.
Wander around orchard and old railway line. Highlights
Common Whitethroat on old railway towards houses.
Blackcap (many)
Willow warbler 2 calling on etw side
Bullfinch
Starling 6 and Mistle Thrush on horse field
Kingfisher flew downstream
Pair of Goosander on the river and several grey wagtail
Sparrowhawk over
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Sunday 24th of April 2022 12:48:26 PM
Raven over town centre at 15:10
10-12 Sand Martins - first sighting this year, 5th of April in 2020 as a comparison
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Dipper at Cheadle Bridge
Blackcaps by the pond
and generally lots of singing birds
Mandarin pair at Cheadle Bridge
Kingfisher heading towards Didsbury, first one I've seen for months, very nice
Sparrowhawk up from the ground by the water's edge opposite the Waterside
Active Grey and Pied Wagtails in their now annual battle for territory on the river bank
Single Dipper showing well both on the river bank and dabbling/swimming about in the river from the stoney islands in the centre of the river, viewed from Broad Oak Lane
-- Edited by Mike Crawley on Monday 21st of March 2022 03:36:57 PM
The two Dippers at Cheadle Bridge were putting on quite a display today - chasing each other under the bridge - looked like pre-nuptial behaviour. Also several Chiffchaff singing.
Hi John,
Coot JDV was ringed as a juvenile on 20/10/2019 at Pennington and was still there on 7/1/2022.
Many thanks for the useful record.
Steve
Cheers, John
An afternoon walk down the River Mersey today 13.30/15.45.
Twenty one species with the highlights being:
At least two Chiffchaff in song and feasting on flies, there could have been more as we saw them a few hundred yards apart.
Long-tailed Tits gathering nesting material and heading into bramble.
Pair(s) of Grey Wagtail feeding along the river.
At least six Redwing over the river by the sewerage works
Lots of sand deposited along the path after the recent floods
Heading back home a pair of Goldcrest were taking flies along Mersey Road.
Originally posted today by Nicholas Turner:
Two Dippers today at Cheadle Bridge at 12.00 noon
62 Redwing, 7 Fieldfare and 6 Mistle Thrush feeding at Manchester RUFC, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin and 15 Goldfinch also there
Cheers John.
No sign at moment of Glossy Ibis at Longsight Lane, off Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme.
I arrived on site late, due to being out with a mate all morning on a guided tour of his patch and self-finding an Iceland Gull for our efforts (see Sandbach thread). Didn't get there until c.2.15pm.
After parking I went down to the far field where, as Connor says, the Glossy Ibis was pretty distant but showing well from the metal gate. I set up and digiscoped it at distance and then had to move to let a couple of photographers leave. Myself and one other birder there took our eyes off the ibis and when we looked back it had disappeared. I was convinced it was down in a wet 'dip'in the field but after a while I walked down to check for the new arrival birders who hadn't had it yet and it wasn't there!! It must have flown off c.2,45pm and presumably away from us as we would have seen it if it had come towards and over us.
I talked to the wife of the first person who reported it on Insta and they had been watching it for 4 days, and, as has been said before, she said the local who told them about it had seen it in the field for the last 2 weeks
So every chance it will be there tomorrow as it left of its own accord and no-one got too close to it. A very distant slightly cropped digiscoped shot attached.
Nice lunchtime trip to see the Glossy Ibis! Arrived at about 12.20pm to be told it had flown off from the field by the main road some 20 minute earlier. Another 5 minutes passed and a birder came up to me to kindly let me know it was now in the field at the end of Longsight Lane. Followed the lane round to the left and the Glossy Ibis was feeding in the field by the metal gate with a stile, off to the right-hand side. More distant than earlier, but very pleased to see it. Was still present in this field when I left at 12.45.
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Thursday 13th of January 2022 03:56:51 PM
-- Edited by Steve Collins on Thursday 13th of January 2022 03:57:22 PM
it was still there and showing well when I left at 11.45