4 Sand Martins on the Irwell this morning going straight into nest holes.
dstrath said
Sun Sep 24 9:09 PM, 2023
Large male otter seen opposite Thumbs up at 8.30am.
Adrian Dancy said
Tue Jul 11 9:56 PM, 2023
I have now had the opportunity of speaking to some locals and a man that works the market. I am satisfied that the blocking up of the holes with carpet bits was not done recently and so no live nests were affected and no laws broken. The area is under a redevelopment plan so I will contact the local council and request that nest boxes be installed by the developers...I am not sure how this will pan out but I will give it my best shot and won't give up easy.
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Tuesday 11th of July 2023 09:57:34 PM
Peter Johnson said
Sun Jul 9 3:23 PM, 2023
Very sorry to hear that about the Sand Martins. I have monitored the site for several years but unfortunately I haven't managed to go this year until this morning when I went to look for myself.
There were 12 nest holes in the market wall which aa yoy said we're blocked up. It looked like mastic or something similar. It's such a shame they can't breed there anymore. Why they were blocked up I have no idea. It was a great site for Sand Martins as the lowest holes were around 12ft higher than the normal water level so they would be ok during flooding and safe from predators. I have no idea how long they have bred there. Man again.
On a brighter note there were young in one nest hole on the retaining wall opposite.
Does anyone have any idea how long the Sand Martins have bred there? Possibly many years.
Adrian Dancy said
Sat Jul 8 11:58 PM, 2023
Yesterday, I visited the bridge over the Irwell to see the Sand Martin Colony located on the flanking wall to the markets and CAB. I noticed the nest holes were blocked up with what looked like tissue paper. I noticed renovation taking place. I do not know when the holes were blocked up. Putting aside if they were blocked up whilst nest building had started, it would be a shame if the renovators/building owner(s) cannot agree to installing some suitable specially constructed nest holes so that the colony size can be maintained.
It may be that some local birders have this matter in hand. If this is the case please let me know ASAPP. I'm surprised that this has seemingly gone unreported!
Two adult Mediterranean gulls on the field by Bridge 18 on the canal, by the road between the farm and Bury Road
Peter Johnson said
Tue Mar 15 2:57 PM, 2022
Close Park this afternoon -
Two Buzzard
Grey Wagtail
Dipper
Kingfisher
Chiffchaff
Reed Bunting
Kestrel
20+ Redwing
Nuthatch
Richard Thew said
Fri Jan 28 10:37 AM, 2022
Yesterday's news:
Raven x3 flew over my workplace, two of which were in an aerial dispute with each other as they passed. They headed towards Whitefield direction from Ainsworth Road.
Ta!
Peter Johnson said
Thu Jan 13 4:07 PM, 2022
Close Park this afternoon -
Two Raven over
Five Little Grebe on the Irwell
Nuthatch
On my return home there was a Sparrowhawk on our fence.
A few photos from Close park in the snow last week and a list of sightings over the past week on top of the usuals!
Kingfisher x1 (seen on most visits either along the stream or on the Irwell) Goosander x1 Nuthatch x1 Pied wagtail x2 Grey wagtail x1 Bullfinch x1 Goldfinch x1 Longtailed tit x6 Meadow pipit x3 Redwing x1 Kestrel x1
I flushed the Woodcock near the confluence as I was walking past it just flew up nearby. Regarding the Tawny's there are two resident pairs in BWTW across the river although I quite often hear them in Radcliffe Parish Churchyard.
Phil Raggett said
Wed Nov 24 2:15 PM, 2021
Peter
Thanks for the updates on sightings in Close Park. Where did you see the Woodcock? Also I see you saw a Tawny Owl earlier in the year - we used to have one outside our house each evening (Riverside Rd) before they removed the trees during the flood defence works. I've not heard it since but good to know they are still around. Great Spotted Woodpecker is another I've not seen since they removed the trees although I thought I heard one in the wooded area along the Irwell.
We've seen a Kingfisher along the stream the last two days during our walk around the park. They were common earlier in the year until they cut back all the vegetation along the stream but good to see them back again.
Peter Johnson said
Tue Nov 23 4:15 PM, 2021
River Irwell behind Close Park this afternoon -
2 Kingfishers
3 Goosander
Kestrel
Dipper
Little Egret
Woodcock
Big numbers of Jackdaws coming to roost
Peter Johnson said
Tue Aug 17 4:28 PM, 2021
2 Kingfisher this afternoon on the Irwell next to Close Park. One appeared to be carrying a faecal sac.
Female Goosander with 11 young that I have reported in the past. The young are now as big as the female.
Also a further 5 Goosander down river.
-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Tuesday 17th of August 2021 04:47:30 PM
Peter Johnson said
Tue Jul 13 4:26 PM, 2021
Female Goosander with 12 young this afternoon on the Irwell.
Very large numbers of Jackdaws coming in to roost tonight. A spectacular display.
Peter Johnson said
Wed Jan 20 9:27 AM, 2021
The Eagle Owl was photographed sat on a fence at 08:15 this morning in Close Park. Apparently it had jesses on.
Tom OShea said
Wed Jan 20 12:11 AM, 2021
Cheers for the info Martin! Aye its a shame.. hopefully we get to see them naturally reintroduced someday! Though i dont imagine many wild birds would see the appeal of radcliffe hahahhah
Martin Loftus said
Tue Jan 19 8:55 PM, 2021
Apparently it was on Borough Ave, Radcliffe this afternoon. It's been around since yesterday afternoon, been posted in a few social media sites. No mention of jesses. But it's obvious an escapee.
Tom OShea said
Tue Jan 19 8:00 PM, 2021
Sorry if this is off-topic/inappropriate for this thread but thought it was interesting to say the least.
Friend sent me this screenshot of a fb post... anyone got any idea where it could be from?
An old mate of mine from school spotted an escaped eagle owl near ainsworth way back in 2011... as they live for 20 years could it perhaps be the very same bird?
A flock of around 40 Redpoll plus a Kingfisher and a Nuthatch at Close Park this morning.
Peter Johnson said
Sat Jan 16 1:44 PM, 2021
Close Park this morning -
2 Treecreeper
2 Kingfishers
3 Bullfinch
4 Goosanders on the river
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 16th of January 2021 02:07:06 PM
Peter Johnson said
Sun Jan 10 4:40 PM, 2021
A small flock of 15 Redpoll in Close Park this morning.
Peter Johnson said
Wed Dec 9 11:09 AM, 2020
A Green Sandpiper was on the Irwell at Close Park this morning.
Circa 120 Pink-footed Geese flying west at 10:50
-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Wednesday 9th of December 2020 11:10:33 AM
Peter Johnson said
Tue Oct 27 7:33 AM, 2020
4 Little Egrets in the horse field on Bury Road yesterday afternoon.
Simon Johnson said
Mon Sep 14 6:18 PM, 2020
A Green Sandpiper was heard calling over the MET stop at 12pm
Richard Thew said
Wed Feb 26 12:50 PM, 2020
In Radcliffe today and yesterday:
Today around the outskirts of Elton:
Buzzard being mobbed by a single crow A male sparrowhawk
Yesterday along the Outwood trail:
Jay Grey wagtail Song thrush
Ta!
Ian Campbell said
Tue Nov 5 9:48 AM, 2019
19/21 (I was driving), Whooper Swans above Ainsworth Road this a.m. at 9.25 a.m. Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Sat Oct 5 7:29 PM, 2019
A female teal was seen along the canal fairly close too between bridges 17 and 16 on the border of little lever way.
This was about 10am. Oh, almost forgot, 3 Redwings were seen just outside Radcliffe centre at lunchtime.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 5th of October 2019 08:28:02 PM
Richard Thew said
Wed Sep 4 9:52 AM, 2019
Raven seen flying over near stopes road/ Bolton road area. Ta!
Richard Thew said
Wed Jul 31 6:25 PM, 2019
I have been wrongly viewing that the jackdaws roosted in or around close park during winter. I think this was largely because 1. I heard a false rumour regarding this and 2. With large gatherings in the dark of over 400 whilst working nearby - I thought that was was the actual roost taking place, but apparently it's just a brief stop over to a bigger roost numbering in thousands which suprised me alot. I'm most grateful to Peter for correcting me on this and I really appreciate any correction on anything that I may get wrong. My aim is to be as accurate as possible when it comes to posting sightings etc. Thanks!!
Richard Thew said
Tue Jul 30 12:28 PM, 2019
I was banging my head against the wall yesterday because for over a decade, I've known about the Sand Martins and i used to enjoy watching them as I passed every week but never had the right equipment to enjoy taking pictures whilst watching them.
When my circumstances changed in 2015, I eventually forgot about them until the report from Adrian, so I'm most greatful and im now indebted to the reminder.(thanks)
I went early when it was quieter before my visit to Elton. Things worked out well and I'm now pleased with it!
One thing - I won't forget them again, they are far too valuable to take for granted!!!
Adrian Dancy said
Mon Jul 29 12:27 AM, 2019
I spent several days at Radcliffe doing the Sand Martins.
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Monday 29th of July 2019 12:54:55 AM
2 things noteworthy from around the locality:
1. Kingfisher on river irwel heard calling near Dumers Lane. 2. Pied wagtail adult male had no white on him except on his face in the town centre. Ta!
Peter Johnson said
Sun Jul 7 9:17 AM, 2019
A Little Egret was on the Irwell this morning.
Peter Johnson said
Thu Jun 13 4:41 PM, 2019
Goosander with 9 large young on the Irwell adjacent Close Park this afternoon, possibly the same brood I reported several weeks ago. If so it's great to see them doing well.
4 Sand Martins on the Irwell this morning going straight into nest holes.
I have now had the opportunity of speaking to some locals and a man that works the market. I am satisfied that the blocking up of the holes with carpet bits was not done recently and so no live nests were affected and no laws broken. The area is under a redevelopment plan so I will contact the local council and request that nest boxes be installed by the developers...I am not sure how this will pan out but I will give it my best shot and won't give up easy.
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Tuesday 11th of July 2023 09:57:34 PM
Very sorry to hear that about the Sand Martins. I have monitored the site for several years but unfortunately I haven't managed to go this year until this morning when I went to look for myself.
There were 12 nest holes in the market wall which aa yoy said we're blocked up. It looked like mastic or something similar. It's such a shame they can't breed there anymore. Why they were blocked up I have no idea. It was a great site for Sand Martins as the lowest holes were around 12ft higher than the normal water level so they would be ok during flooding and safe from predators. I have no idea how long they have bred there. Man again.
On a brighter note there were young in one nest hole on the retaining wall opposite.
Does anyone have any idea how long the Sand Martins have bred there? Possibly many years.
Yesterday, I visited the bridge over the Irwell to see the Sand Martin Colony located on the flanking wall to the markets and CAB. I noticed the nest holes were blocked up with what looked like tissue paper. I noticed renovation taking place. I do not know when the holes were blocked up. Putting aside if they were blocked up whilst nest building had started, it would be a shame if the renovators/building owner(s) cannot agree to installing some suitable specially constructed nest holes so that the colony size can be maintained.
It may be that some local birders have this matter in hand. If this is the case please let me know ASAPP. I'm surprised that this has seemingly gone unreported!
Thanks
A Mandarin drake was on the Irwell behind Close Park this afternoon.
A Goosander with 17 well grown young on the Irwell behind Close Park this afternoon.
A Little Egret was alongside the stream this afternoon in Close Park.
Close Park this afternoon -
Two Buzzard
Grey Wagtail
Dipper
Kingfisher
Chiffchaff
Reed Bunting
Kestrel
20+ Redwing
Nuthatch
Raven x3 flew over my workplace, two of which were in an aerial dispute with each other as they passed. They headed towards Whitefield direction from Ainsworth Road.
Ta!
Close Park this afternoon -
Two Raven over
Five Little Grebe on the Irwell
Nuthatch
On my return home there was a Sparrowhawk on our fence.
Kingfisher x1 (seen on most visits either along the stream or on the Irwell)
Goosander x1
Nuthatch x1
Pied wagtail x2
Grey wagtail x1
Bullfinch x1
Goldfinch x1
Longtailed tit x6
Meadow pipit x3
Redwing x1
Kestrel x1
Thanks for the updates on sightings in Close Park. Where did you see the Woodcock? Also I see you saw a Tawny Owl earlier in the year - we used to have one outside our house each evening (Riverside Rd) before they removed the trees during the flood defence works. I've not heard it since but good to know they are still around. Great Spotted Woodpecker is another I've not seen since they removed the trees although I thought I heard one in the wooded area along the Irwell.
We've seen a Kingfisher along the stream the last two days during our walk around the park. They were common earlier in the year until they cut back all the vegetation along the stream but good to see them back again.
River Irwell behind Close Park this afternoon -
2 Kingfishers
3 Goosander
Kestrel
Dipper
Little Egret
Woodcock
Big numbers of Jackdaws coming to roost
2 Kingfisher this afternoon on the Irwell next to Close Park. One appeared to be carrying a faecal sac.
Female Goosander with 11 young that I have reported in the past. The young are now as big as the female.
Also a further 5 Goosander down river.
-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Tuesday 17th of August 2021 04:47:30 PM
Female Goosander with 12 young this afternoon on the Irwell.
This afternoon on the Irwell behind Close Park a female Goosander with 11 young. Photo attached.
At Close Park today -
Song thrush
Mistle thrush
Linnet
Treecreeper
Nuthatch
Reed bunting
Kestrel
Tawny owl
Bullfinch
Blackcap
On the Irwell -
Grey wagtail
Grey heron
Dipper
Kingfisher
Goosander
Little egret
This was just past the Ringly Bridge area.
Ta!
Close Park this morning -
Kingfisher
4 Bullfinch
Nuthatch
On my return home lots of House Sparrow activity on our gable end. Photos attached.
Very large numbers of Jackdaws coming in to roost tonight. A spectacular display.
The Eagle Owl was photographed sat on a fence at 08:15 this morning in Close Park. Apparently it had jesses on.
Cheers for the info Martin! Aye its a shame.. hopefully we get to see them naturally reintroduced someday! Though i dont imagine many wild birds would see the appeal of radcliffe hahahhah
Sorry if this is off-topic/inappropriate for this thread but thought it was interesting to say the least.
Friend sent me this screenshot of a fb post... anyone got any idea where it could be from?
An old mate of mine from school spotted an escaped eagle owl near ainsworth way back in 2011... as they live for 20 years could it perhaps be the very same bird?
A flock of around 40 Redpoll plus a Kingfisher and a Nuthatch at Close Park this morning.
Close Park this morning -
2 Treecreeper
2 Kingfishers
3 Bullfinch
4 Goosanders on the river
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 16th of January 2021 02:07:06 PM
A small flock of 15 Redpoll in Close Park this morning.
A Green Sandpiper was on the Irwell at Close Park this morning.
Circa 120 Pink-footed Geese flying west at 10:50
-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Wednesday 9th of December 2020 11:10:33 AM
4 Little Egrets in the horse field on Bury Road yesterday afternoon.
Today around the outskirts of Elton:
Buzzard being mobbed by a single crow
A male sparrowhawk
Yesterday along the Outwood trail:
Jay
Grey wagtail
Song thrush
Ta!
Cheers Ian
Oh, almost forgot, 3 Redwings were seen just outside Radcliffe centre at lunchtime.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 5th of October 2019 08:28:02 PM
When my circumstances changed in 2015, I eventually forgot about them until the report from Adrian, so I'm most greatful and im now indebted to the reminder.(thanks)
I went early when it was quieter before my visit to Elton. Things worked out well and I'm now pleased with it!
One thing - I won't forget them again, they are far too valuable to take for granted!!!
I spent several days at Radcliffe doing the Sand Martins.
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Monday 29th of July 2019 12:54:55 AM
Goosander with 9 large young on the Irwell adjacent Close Park this afternoon, possibly the same brood I reported several weeks ago. If so it's great to see them doing well.
Goosander for the second day running with two very small young. Also Kingfisher and Dipper.
Another brood of Goosander. This time with 10 young. Seen at the same location as the last female with 9 young.
Two photos of the Goosanders taken this afternoon by my son Mike.
A Goosander on the Irwell with 9 young this morning.
There could have been a further 100 odd deeper into the park as through the noise of the 401, I could hear some further in somewhere (not an echo).
Ta!
New Church St, Radcliffe, Manchester M26 2UD