Brian Harding wrote:

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green parrot on the football field opposite armoury bank. not a ring-neck parakeet.

managed to get a rubbish picture of it. see below.

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This looks like an Orange-Winged Amazon. Don't knock your photo, it's good practise for Ian's mystery photo comp (and I need it!!). I'd be interested to hear if it is still around (I'll twitch anything in the Wigan area, escapee or not! You have to get your kicks somehow in this town that drags you down!!)

-- Edited by dave broome at 22:30, 2009-03-09

60 Redwing roosted at Skitters Wood tonight

I had a report of a parrot there approx 12 months ago but didn't see it when I had a few brief looks - the main problem was that, as you mention, the trees are in gardens so it's not a good place to search

green parrot on the football field opposite armoury bank. not a ring-neck parakeet.

it was in the trees surrounding the field, which is actually someones back garden. maybe it belongs to one of the nearby houses?

managed to get a rubbish picture of it. see below.

http://www.charding.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Parrot.jpg

seen at 5pm today.

2 Shelduck flew NW over Skitters Wood 1005hrs

on stubble at Brocstedes Farm, North Ashton: 220 Starling, 5 Yellowhammer, 2 Meadow Pipit

male Blackcap in our garden again this morning

Crompton's Lodge, if it's the one just before the M6 junction, Dave. You can't get to it because of the housing estate. It's one of 3 with that name in the county!

Goosander over Skitters Wood this morning, seemed to come from a reservoir off Liverpool Road, the name of which I don't know

Peregrine over Bryn, towards Three Sisters, early afternoon today

Blackcap still in our garden this morning.
Also there was a Buzzard at the old sewage works, and i could hear 2 Nuthatch in the small wood behind Blenheim Road, but as i got closer they went silent and i never found them...

nice male Blackcap in our garden today

A Woodcock flew low over Bryn Road early afternoon today, it seemed to come off an area of open space at the junction with Bryn Rd South, then flew around the farm opposite

Approx 3000 Woodpigeon moved NW at about 08:30 today

Yesterday (3rd December)

6 Golden Plover in sheep field north of Golborne Road (near the stables) mid morning. Info thanks to Terry Thorpe

37 Grey Partridge along Riding Lane today, in 2 covies of 16 and 21 either side of the road (one covey close to the edge of the Stubshaw Cross housing estate.
Also 8 Pheasant and 13 Skylark

I'll have you know that Muscovy featured on my national Atlas TTV last year!

One of the local nutt....I mean residents, actually calls the Muscovy 'George', in case you have difficulty locating it

dave broome wrote:

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Muscovy Duck still present at George's Pond this morning, in case you were thinking of going for it over the weekend Mr Higson

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(un)fortunately the said Muscovy seems to disappear when I walk past there with the dog. I'll just have to keep trying.

2 Woodcock at the old sewage works yesterday (Tues), info from Terry Thorpe

Muscovy Duck still present at George's Pond this morning, in case you were thinking of going for it over the weekend Mr Higson

I was there on official duties you understand, checking the fishing pegs, footpaths, etc, it only seemed right to count the puddleducks while I was there
....whether it was then right to put them on to the forum is open to question.....I'll get my coat

dave broome wrote:

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the resident Muscovy Duck still on Old George's Pond, Wotton Drive with 80 Mallard

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You forgot to mention the two white Aylesbury things as well.

Now I'm all for local birding Dave, but counting Mallard and Muscovies on Georges pond....oh how the mighty have fallen

-- Edited by Craig Higson at 23:21, 2008-11-19

Buzzard low west over Skitters Wood early a.m. today
25 Redwing and Bullfinch there

the resident Muscovy Duck still on Old George's Pond, Wotton Drive with 80 Mallard

Peregrine heading east, low over our house yesterday morning (according to my dad) and a Buzzard drifting NW early afternoon.

a Woodcock and a Buzzard at the old sewage works yesterday afternoon (2nd Nov)

Buzzard circling fairly low over the town centre early afternoon

1 Siskin Skitters Wood this morning

Brambling calling over Skitters Wood this morning, several Meadow Pipits flying south

There appeared to be a Pied Wagtail roost gathering at Byrchall High school this evening - 20 or so birds I'd guess. I know there used to be one at the Thistle Hotel which is out of county, but I think Byrchall is just in.







Edited 'cause I cant spell



-- Edited by Craig Higson at 20:32, 2008-10-13

4 Buzzards soaring and interacting over Skitters Wood yesterday morning. Early afternoon 3 gliding south-east over Downall Green at some speed, as though they had probably dropped from a height on a thermal over the Windy Arbour/Sandyforth area.

Kingfisher ranging along Millingford Brook between the town centre and Skitters Wood y/day and today

Over the weekend:
Sat 20th Buzzard through the town centre, barely above roof height, causing mayhem among the Feral Pigeons
Sun 21st 2 Ravens west over the town centre then Skitters Wood

32 Swallows rapidly south over Skitters Wood in 30 minutes this morning, plus 6 or so Meadow Pipits

1st House Martin of the year over the house this morning, while watching for Judith's marsh harrier.

Will do Geoff

craig.if it pops in again try to flush it towards platt bridge,ive tethered some damsel fly for it

cheers geoff

Not the most inspiring topic header, but I had a Hobby over my garden in A in M today about 4.45pm. Looked like it came from the Three Sisters direction. I thought I saw one yesterday out towards the Three Sisters but it was flying away from me so couldnt say for sure. Cracking garden tick

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of October 2009 12:31:35 PM