William Wroe Golf Course (no longer in use) - Urmston
Five separate sightings of the Hawfinch during the morning and into the afternoon. Nice to meet up with number of birders including Brian Hilton, Tim Wilcox, Chris Sutton and Martin Jones. Massive thanks to Steve Scrimgeour for first sighting and location details.
Great to see Hawfinch in Greater Manchester for the first time - after trekking to see to a number of sites across the country including Lynford Arboretum (Norfolk), Sotterley Estate (Suffolk), Nagshead (Gloucestershire) and Llanbedir- y- cennin (Conway).
Long distance shot attached.
Good to see you Steve. Thanks to Steve Scrimgeour for a brilliant find and to Pete Hines for posting it first today
Steve Judge said
Mon Dec 4 5:48 PM, 2017
Monday 4th December 2017
William Wroe Golf Course (no longer in use) - Urmston
Five separate sightings of the Hawfinch during the morning and into the afternoon. Nice to meet up with number of birders including Brian Hilton, Tim Wilcox, Chris Sutton and Martin Jones. Massive thanks to Steve Scrimgeour for first sighting and location details.
Great to see Hawfinch in Greater Manchester for the first time - after trekking to see to a number of sites across the country including Lynford Arboretum (Norfolk), Sotterley Estate (Suffolk), Nagshead (Gloucestershire) and Llanbedir- y- cennin (Conway).
William Wroe former golf course
Hawfinch again at 12.25pm then didnt reappear until 2.30pm
Also present
Bullfinch pair
Goldfinch 6 +
Greenfinch 3 +
Chaffinch a few so 5 finch species at this site
Redwings 30+
Fieldfare 6
Buzzard 2
Kestrel 1
Sparrowhawk 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Nuthatch 1
Jays 4 +
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Monday 4th of December 2017 04:06:06 PM
Pete Hines said
Mon Dec 4 11:07 AM, 2017
Hawfinch still present and showing well
steven burke said
Sun Dec 3 6:15 PM, 2017
old William wroe golf course.
hawfinch, showed on numerous occasions this afternoon, very elusive in the morning, still present at around 3.40pm mainly around the 15th tee area. 110 pink-footed geese heading east at 10.28am 30+ redwing several fieldfare few mistle thrush & song thrush few siskin over c30 goldfinch 2 great spotted woodpecker 1 nuthatch 2 treecreeper 5 bullfinch 3 goldcrest 1 ring-necked parakeet 2 buzzard 1 kestrel 1 sparrowhawk 1 pied wagtail
Hawfinch showed again at approx 1420 for 30 mins or so, to the dozen birders who had turned up.
Perched on several of the trees giving decent views to all.
Nice to meet you all.
Lets hope it sticks for a while
Steve
Steve Scrimgeour said
Sun Dec 3 11:19 AM, 2017
Steve Burke has just text to say he has re found the Hawfinch...
I am stuck in the house for at least an hour as the wife has gone to football aarrrgghhhhh
Steve Scrimgeour said
Sat Dec 2 8:34 PM, 2017
Cheers Steve,
Its not actually a golf course anymore, it was closed in March and the front 9, not the Church Rd side is earmarked for building on as part of the GMSF..
If your planning on a mooch, head for The Grove M41 6JH off Church Rd, I live at 34 corner house no number on the front door, park outside and climb fence opposite this brings you onto the golf course at what was the 17th tee, walk straight and there are 3 huge poplars, head a little to your left and this would have been the 15th fairway, it makes sense if you picture a golf course.
It was foraging on the floor amongst the trees with the Redwings, they actually roost on the course so hopeful that the Hawfinch is also roosting there.
I am out from 0800hrs tomorrow as Sun is up from 0805hrs, till aprox 1000hrs then football takes over till 1200hrs, although I am in watching young ones, whilst wife takes one of elder ones to football..
Have sent you a pm with my mobile number on it just in case..
Cheers Steve
steven burke said
Sat Dec 2 7:47 PM, 2017
Great find Steve, out of interest was it viewed from church Road or from the footpath in between the golf course ?
Steve Scrimgeour said
Sat Dec 2 3:06 PM, 2017
Think this just fits within the title of this post..
Old William Wroe Golf course, Church Rd side..
1 Hawfinch feeding on ground with Redwings..
2 dog walkers then put them up lost to sight, but could be heard calling.
Weather has now closed in so retreated to the house, but the Redwings do roost on the GC, so hopeful of it sticking about till tomorrow morning, when I will resume the search...
At least 1 Ring-necked Parakeet heard flying over Stott Drive.
Steve Scrimgeour said
Thu Nov 16 9:42 AM, 2017
Mile Rd,
Every morning this week there has been an extremely large number of Starlings on the Pylon in the right hand field ( driving towards Carrington), this morning the group has almost quadrupled in size the pylon was full of them and the field had a large flock in it too, not going to estimate as i will probably be way out...lol.
Not sure, but it looks like it could be an emergence from a roost, as they all seemed to fly over the car as I was driving past BTS having sat on Mile Road for about 15 mins in the normal traffic at 0815.
Do any of the local birders know if the Lagoons or Jack Lane have roosts at the minute, as thats the area they seemed to be coming from, would imagine there is a mini murmuration of sorts if either did.
Cheers Steve
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Sun Nov 12 7:57 PM, 2017
Dutton's Pond:
Moorhen 10 Teal 1 male on "island". Kingfisher 1 Mallard 6
Three buzzards were flying about Parker's Garden Centre, much to the dismay of the wood pigeons, yesterday about 3:30pm
Steve Scrimgeour said
Thu Sep 21 10:40 AM, 2017
Phil,
They are Ring necked Parakeets, seen locally at Duttons Pond, over what was William Wroe GC, in and around Parkers Garden Centre also seen over Flixton GC
There were 5 all together when I first saw them, but have seen 2 on more than once,
Friends have seen them around Woodsend near the Sainsburys and the Co-op opposite St Monicas..
Copland Smith said
Thu Sep 21 9:46 AM, 2017
Phil. The parakeet is Ring-necked on the BTO lists and this is its "British" name, whereas it is Rose-ringed on the IOC list of international bird names.
Steven Nelson said
Wed Sep 20 9:53 PM, 2017
Late post: 1 Little Grebe on Ship Canal just upstream of Irlam locks yesterday at 07.45. Don't recall seeing one on the canal before.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Sep 20 3:57 PM, 2017
Wellacre College field only...afternoon:
Rose-ringed/Ring-necked Parakeet(which is it?) 2 in small wood on south perimeter of field. Herring Gull 2 adults. Common Gull 5 adults. Jackdaw 15 Rook 14 Black-headed Gull 50+
1 Water Rail seen by the small pool next to the path. It called as it disappeared into the reeds. 2 Reed Warbler 1 Reed Bunting 2 Oystercatcher flew noisily over
Martin Whittam said
Fri Jul 14 10:44 AM, 2017
Probable Cetti's Warbler at Jack Lane NR
Steven Nelson said
Wed Jul 5 6:41 PM, 2017
18.00 Irlam Locks
1 Kingfisher 1 Buzzard circling
Steve Scrimgeour said
Sun Jun 11 11:09 AM, 2017
Had 3 a few months back on Willie Wroe, but since then only seen 1 at a time, down at Duttons Pond , at St Monica's and by the Sainsbury's at Woodsend.
Nick Hilton said
Sat Jun 10 9:57 PM, 2017
Five entertaining Ring-necked Parakeet were very active and vocal around Wellacre school during the Flixton Football Club tournament this afternoon.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Sat May 13 5:55 PM, 2017
Willow Tit- 1 singing in trees behind Stott Drive.
Blackcap 2 singing. Water Rail 1 heard. Moorhen 2 Chiffchaff 1 singing. Another 3 singing in the general area.
Willow Tit A pair south of Dutton's Pond and a single seen along path near Jack Lane.
etc.etc.etc.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Mar 30 5:28 PM, 2017
Sand Martin 1 heading west over field south of Dutton's Pond. Treecreeper 1 in trees just north of railway line. Grey Wagtail 1 near Irlam locks. Chiffchaff 7 singing. Stock Doves 3 Jay 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Oystercatcher 2 at Irlam Locks.
etc.etc.etc.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Mon Mar 27 7:28 PM, 2017
Oops. Suddenly realised I did mean east of Stott Drive.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Sat Mar 25 6:00 PM, 2017
Willow Tit 1 singing in field west of Stott Drive.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Mon Mar 20 6:38 PM, 2017
Chiffchaff 1 seen at Dutton's Pond and 1 singing near Jack Lane NR. Bullfinch 3 near Dutton's Pond. Pied Wagtail 20+ field east of ETW. Meadow Pipit 15+ field east of ETW. Buzzard 2 Goldcrest 1 singing. Jackdaw 3 Crow 6 Rook 11 nests on Irlam Road. Magpie 50+ Mistle Thrush 2 Coot 1 Dutton's Pond. Moorhen 4 Dutton's Pond. Mallard 7 Dutton's Pond. etc.etc.etc.
Martin Whittam said
Sat Mar 18 9:13 AM, 2017
3 Sandmartin over Jack Lane at 08:55.
Martin Whittam said
Tue Mar 14 3:52 PM, 2017
2 Chiffchaff on the patch today. One on Fly Ash Hill and one at Jack Lane NR. Greenfinch and Linnet also present on the hill.
Steven Heywood said
Mon Mar 13 7:12 PM, 2017
My first sand martin of the year flew overhead as I was walking over Flixton Bridge at midday.
Good to see you Steve. Thanks to Steve Scrimgeour for a brilliant find and to Pete Hines for posting it first today
William Wroe Golf Course (no longer in use) - Urmston
Five separate sightings of the Hawfinch during the morning and into the afternoon. Nice to meet up with number of birders including Brian Hilton, Tim Wilcox, Chris Sutton and Martin Jones.
Massive thanks to Steve Scrimgeour for first sighting and location details.
Great to see Hawfinch in Greater Manchester for the first time - after trekking to see to a number of sites across the country including Lynford Arboretum (Norfolk), Sotterley Estate (Suffolk), Nagshead (Gloucestershire) and Llanbedir- y- cennin (Conway).
Long distance shot attached.
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Monday 4th of December 2017 04:06:06 PM
hawfinch, showed on numerous occasions this afternoon, very elusive in the morning, still present at around 3.40pm mainly around the 15th tee area.
110 pink-footed geese heading east at 10.28am
30+ redwing
several fieldfare
few mistle thrush & song thrush
few siskin over
c30 goldfinch
2 great spotted woodpecker
1 nuthatch
2 treecreeper
5 bullfinch
3 goldcrest
1 ring-necked parakeet
2 buzzard
1 kestrel
1 sparrowhawk
1 pied wagtail
nice to meet several forum members
Video screenshot Hawfinch collage below
Perched on several of the trees giving decent views to all.
Nice to meet you all.
Lets hope it sticks for a while
Steve
I am stuck in the house for at least an hour as the wife has gone to football aarrrgghhhhh
Its not actually a golf course anymore, it was closed in March and the front 9, not the Church Rd side is earmarked for building on as part of the GMSF..
If your planning on a mooch, head for The Grove M41 6JH off Church Rd, I live at 34 corner house no number on the front door, park outside and climb fence opposite this brings you onto the golf course at what was the 17th tee, walk straight and there are 3 huge poplars, head a little to your left and this would have been the 15th fairway, it makes sense if you picture a golf course.
It was foraging on the floor amongst the trees with the Redwings, they actually roost on the course so hopeful that the Hawfinch is also roosting there.
I am out from 0800hrs tomorrow as Sun is up from 0805hrs, till aprox 1000hrs then football takes over till 1200hrs, although I am in watching young ones, whilst wife takes one of elder ones to football..
Have sent you a pm with my mobile number on it just in case..
Cheers Steve
Old William Wroe Golf course, Church Rd side..
1 Hawfinch feeding on ground with Redwings..
2 dog walkers then put them up lost to sight, but could be heard calling.
Weather has now closed in so retreated to the house, but the Redwings do roost on the GC, so hopeful of it sticking about till tomorrow morning, when I will resume the search...
Little Grebe 1
Grey Wagtail 3
Mute Swan 4
Coot 1
Moorhen 6
Grey Heron 3
Cormorant 8
Tufted Duck 9
Mallard 10
Pied Wagtail 20+
Starling 50+
Black-headed Gull 200+
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Song Thrush 1
Redwing 2
etc.
At least 1 Ring-necked Parakeet heard flying over Stott Drive.
Every morning this week there has been an extremely large number of Starlings on the Pylon in the right hand field ( driving towards Carrington), this morning the group has almost quadrupled in size the pylon was full of them and the field had a large flock in it too, not going to estimate as i will probably be way out...lol.
Not sure, but it looks like it could be an emergence from a roost, as they all seemed to fly over the car as I was driving past BTS having sat on Mile Road for about 15 mins in the normal traffic at 0815.
Do any of the local birders know if the Lagoons or Jack Lane have roosts at the minute, as thats the area they seemed to be coming from, would imagine there is a mini murmuration of sorts if either did.
Cheers
Steve
Moorhen 10
Teal 1 male on "island".
Kingfisher 1
Mallard 6
Jack Lane:
Teal 1 female.
Wellacre College field:
Herring Gull 2 adults.
General:
Kestrel 1
Buzzard 1
etc.etc.etc.
Dutton's Pond:
Moorhen 10
FlyAsh Hill/Lagoons:
Kingfisher 1
Gadwall 1m.
Peregrine 1
Lapwing 1
Redwing 10+
Willow Tit 1
Jack Lane:
Water Rail 1
Meadow Pipit 1
Goldcrest 1
ETW/Canal:
Grey Wagtail 2
Pied Wagtail 20+
Great Crested Grebe 1
Moorhen 1
Mallard 30+
Black-headed Gull 70+
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Cormorant 2
Grey Heron 2
etc.etc.etc.
FlyAsh Hill:
Redwing 1
Mistle Thrush 7
Song Thrush 2
Meadow Pipit 2
Willow Tit 1
Goldcrest 1
Jack Lane NR:
Chiffchaff 1 singing.
ETW/Canal:
Grey Heron 9
Cormorant 5
Starling 100+
Mallard 25+
Magpie 50+
Black-headed Gull 50+
Common Gull 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Pied Wagtail 20+
Dutton's Pond:
Goldcrest 2
Nuthatch 1
Moorhen 6
etc.
Three buzzards were flying about Parker's Garden Centre, much to the dismay of the wood pigeons, yesterday about 3:30pm
They are Ring necked Parakeets, seen locally at Duttons Pond, over what was William Wroe GC, in and around Parkers Garden Centre also seen over Flixton GC
There were 5 all together when I first saw them, but have seen 2 on more than once,
Friends have seen them around Woodsend near the Sainsburys and the Co-op opposite St Monicas..
1 Little Grebe on Ship Canal just upstream of Irlam locks yesterday at 07.45. Don't recall seeing one on the canal before.
Rose-ringed/Ring-necked Parakeet(which is it?) 2 in small wood on south perimeter of field.
Herring Gull 2 adults.
Common Gull 5 adults.
Jackdaw 15
Rook 14
Black-headed Gull 50+
Grey Heron 8
Grey Wagtail 2
Pied Wagtail 20+
Swallow/House Martin 20+
Black-headed Gull 60+
Mallard 8
Moorhen 3
Cormorant 2
Buzzard 1
Chiffchaff 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Common Gull 1
etc.
Goosander 1f
Coot 2ad 3juv.
Cormorant 1
Mallard 20+
Grey Wagtail 1
Pied Wagtail 20+
Grey Heron 3
Canada Goose 1
Sparrowhawk 1
Swallow 20+
Lesser Black-backed Gull 20+
Black-headed Gull 100+
1 Nuthatch heard near Wellacre College, Irlam Road.
5 Mistle Thrush in field south of Stott Drive.
Cormorant 3
Grey Wagtail 3 juvs.
Pied Wagtail 10+
Oystercatcher 1
Mallard 10+
Mute Swan 2
Swallows
Swift 30+
1 Water Rail seen by the small pool next to the path. It called as it disappeared into the reeds.
2 Reed Warbler
1 Reed Bunting
2 Oystercatcher flew noisily over
Irlam Locks
1 Kingfisher
1 Buzzard circling
Reed Warbler - 6
Reed Bunting - 2 singing.
Whitethroat - 1 singing.
Fly Ash Hill:
Lesser Whitethroat - 1 singing on southern edge of hill, at highest point.
Willow Warbler - 2 singing.
Chiffchaff - 3 singing.
Whitethroat - 6 singing.
Sedge Warbler - 1 singing below western edge of hill.
Kestrel - 1 male.
Sparrowhawk - 1 female.
Buzzard - 1
Blackcap - 4 singing.
etc.
Sand Martin 100+
Swallow 5+
House Martin 1
Black-headed Gull 70+
Starling 50+
Grey Heron 1
Jack Lane:
Water Rail 1 heard.
General:
Blackcap 4 singing.
Chiffchaff 6 singing.
Willow Warbler 1 singing.
Stock Dove 10+ field adjacent to ETW.
Woodpigeon 130+ ditto.
Pied Wagtail 10+ ditto.
etc.etc.etc.
Fly Ash Hill:
Willow Warbler 1 singing.
Blackcap 1 singing.
Chiffchaff 6 singing.
Linnet 2
Kestrel 1m.
Buzzard 2
Song Thrush 1 singing.
Jack Lane:
Blackcap 2 singing.
Water Rail 1 heard.
Moorhen 2
Chiffchaff 1 singing. Another 3 singing in the general area.
Willow Tit A pair south of Dutton's Pond and a single seen along path near Jack Lane.
etc.etc.etc.
Treecreeper 1 in trees just north of railway line.
Grey Wagtail 1 near Irlam locks.
Chiffchaff 7 singing.
Stock Doves 3
Jay 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Oystercatcher 2 at Irlam Locks.
etc.etc.etc.
Bullfinch 3 near Dutton's Pond.
Pied Wagtail 20+ field east of ETW.
Meadow Pipit 15+ field east of ETW.
Buzzard 2
Goldcrest 1 singing.
Jackdaw 3
Crow 6
Rook 11 nests on Irlam Road.
Magpie 50+
Mistle Thrush 2
Coot 1 Dutton's Pond.
Moorhen 4 Dutton's Pond.
Mallard 7 Dutton's Pond.
etc.etc.etc.
My first sand martin of the year flew overhead as I was walking over Flixton Bridge at midday.