4 Goosander (2 male 2 female) on the Irwell viewed from the Bridge on Bridge st

9.30am 02/01/2010

Cheers Dave

As I type I am watching from the kitchen window a mixed flock of Redwings and Fieldfares with one large Mistle Thrush are feeding on fallen berries in Store Street behind Piccadilly Station. A very welcome extra Xmas pressie.

Almost constant movement of winter thrushes from my 10th floor viewpoint near Bridge Street - including a number of birds flying past the Town Hall watched but not pursued by the Peregrine.

2 Fieldfare past our office window heading towards Bloom St

Plenty of thrushes being forced into the city centre, 20+ Redwings in our work car park on Chapel Street all morning having a constant battle with a single Fieldfare, several Mistle Thrushes and Blackbirds.

10+ Fieldfare flying around Bridge street near the Markaddy.

2 groups of Redwings moving through Spinningfields this morning - 2 when it was only just getting light and a further group of 3 at lunch

c200 Fieldfare in trees on Princess Parkway central reservation, Hulme @ 3pm yesterday - tues.

c80 Fieldfare low NE over New Cross in the city centre early this morning.

12v redwing flew over Albert Sq at 2.00pm

I trust you'll do a Nest Record Card, Kath - it's certainly some kind of record!

Cheers, Steve

Canada Goose is sat on 5 eggs on canal behind Aytoun - Manchester Met. A result of global warming until this cold snap.

Small bat sp over the Irwell at the Lowry footbridge tonight - over water - could it have been Daubenton's perhaps? Not well up on bats...

Bill Myerscough wrote:

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30th September.

Small party of Long-tailed Tits working their way along the solitary row of trees that run right up the centre of the pedestrianised bit of Market Street. I didn't have my bins with me but I am sure that I saw one nipping into HMV and coming out with "Strangeways, Here We Come" by the Smiths - in fact now I think about it they definitely seemed to be heading in that direction!

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Wednesday 30th of September 2009 04:45:43 PM

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Probably the same group I saw on Store Street working their way through some Rowan trees a week or so ago.

30th September.

Small party of Long-tailed Tits working their way along the solitary row of trees that run right up the centre of the pedestrianised bit of Market Street. I didn't have my bins with me but I am sure that I saw one nipping into HMV and coming out with "Strangeways, Here We Come" by the Smiths - in fact now I think about it they definitely seemed to be heading in that direction!

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Wednesday 30th of September 2009 04:45:43 PM

c. 20 jackdaws on top of the Arndale at the moment - a pretty unusual sight. (Corvids anyway, think they're jackdaws but can't QUITE tell without me bins!)

Paul

I've seen foxes nearby when I've been called out in the middle of the night to attend to the burglar alarm at work. I don't know about Owls but I'm sure you can hear plenty of "howls" in that area at night!

Steve

Had a quick look at "New Islington" (Judith's post 21 June) at lunch time - too hot to stay long - observed 10 Canadas, 3 Mallard, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Blackheaded gull, 3 Dunnock, 1 House sparrow, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Swallow and 1 Sand martin.

We were reliably informed by one of the local gentry that there are foxes on the site and that "owls" can be heard at night

which species? Sweet and Sour or Lemon?

Sorry

Steve

Called to China town today for a strange bird....................

chicken? guess that was a lucky escape for it.


keep birding

That's at least a T, then, Bill. They would probably re-lay.

Hi Judith,

Myself and Declan Savage spent some time on the morning of 13th April '09 watching this site through my scope from the vantage point of the bridge that passses over the canal. We watched a single Ringed Plover for a while and Declan then located the second bird of the pair - which then flew noisily and obviously agitated towards where the first bird was, just as a Magpie landed on the ground very close to where the first bird was. I can still recall Declan saying that he wondered if we were watching the nest being predated - and even though we were some distance away I think that was probably a very good "educated guess" as to what was actually happening.

I haven't made any further visits to this site since.


Best wishes,



Bill.

As well as excellent views of one of the Black Redstarts this morning, Adrian and I had a look at the cleared area behind the Central Retail Park on Great Ancoats St. There is a notice board saying it's called New Islington. Although this large area is fenced off, with security on site, it can be overlooked from Redhill St just past where the canal goes under that street which then becomes New Union St. The solid fencing has wire mesh panels at this point and there is space for 1 car to park opposite.
The are is especially attractive to birds as, pending development, an ornamental T-shaped canal has been built within the area.
There were at least 2 pairs of Lapwings with young, Ringed Plover, and many Sand Martins (though no obvious nesting habitat - maybe flying to the R Irk? and even a Swallow. Lots of standing water and sparse vegetation - if not developed due to the recession, could be good in winter. The usual Canada Geese, Moorhens, Pied Wag juvs etc.
If any city centre birders have chance to vist this area, I'd be interested in hearing of any breeding evidence for the Ringed Plover.

In addition to Adrian's post re. our Black Redstart watch on Back Piccadilly, China St and Dale St. yesterday, we also had Grey Wagtail, Magpie, 3 Swifts over Piccadilly Basin, a flock of c.8 Goldfinch over, the usual pigeons and a Crow nesting half way up a very tall crane over the Basin.

My twice-daily walk along a short stretch of the River Irk on Dantzic Street is particularly pleasant at the moment. There's a small colony of sand martins nesting in holes/pipes in the brickwork on the street side of the river - pretty hard to get a good look but I reckon there are 3 or 4 pairs. A pair of blue tits nested this year in a similar brickwork gap across the river at the bottom of the firework factory (the building with the tall chimney) - feeding stopped about 10 days ago, I hope the fledglings' first flight didn't end up in the water!

A pair of moorhens have raised two young - they're pretty much adult-sized now. Herons often fly over and sometimes stop off to feed on the river. Grey wags are always around in the summer but seem to move elsewhere for the winter. There are always a few mallards but I haven't seen any evidence of breeding. Canada geese are only occasional visitors.

Today at 5pm I was delighted to see a gorgeous male bullfinch, joined shortly later by a female. First time I've seen them so close to Manchester city centre - actually, first time I've seen the species ANYWHERE in Manchester for years!

When I get to work there are still plenty of birds around. I work in the Triangle building, so peregines are a daily sight. There's a narrow gap, a sort of a courtyard, in the centre of the triangle, which a pair of grey wags have made their home. They're constantly coming and going with beaks full of insects at the moment - you can't actually see the nest or hear young, but I'm sure we'll have some fledglings soon.

Still at least 2 Goosander on the Irwell in the Lowry Hotel area along with a pair of Canada's with only one chick remaining and frustrating occasional views of what looks to be a small Cormorant, hopefully a runt and not something more exotic!

They breed near to Piccadilly and stay around all winter.

Quite a late report, but on the 3rd April I saw a Kestrel, whilst playing football in Piccadilly Gardens, being mobbed by two Carrion Crows. What drew my attention was the Kestrels call. First BOP I've seen in town.

I'm not sure whether it classes as 'city centre', but there was a Willow Warbler singing in Whitworth Park at 09:30. Another was singing in Birchfields Park about an hour later. Both passage birds, no doubt.

This morning, again from train window just outside Victoria, 3 terns (sorry, no specific ID) heading in Oldham direction.

Steve

I was on the 17th floor of Tempus Tower (near the MEN) and had magnificent birds eye view of 6 goosander flying somewhere around the 10th floor :D They splashed down in the Irwell eventually!

Noted 4 Sand Martins from the train window whilst waiting to pull into Victoria station this morning (my first as well).

Steve

Single sand martin on the River Irk at Dantzic St 7.50am today - first I've seen there this year.

Grey Wags have been in and around our car park all winter.
( Dickinson St - Bloom St )

I've also seen them down Canal St

Pair of grey wags back on the River Irk at Dantzic St 7.50am today. Wonder where they spent the winter? (And if they're the same ones that bred off Federation St last year near the black redstarts?)

Also cormorant over Vic Station.

Paul

-- Edited by Paul Hopkins at 08:45, 2009-03-06

2 Goosander on river below Lowry footbridge, 1m 1f.

I decided to donate the crusts from my rather dry sandwich with the Black-headed Gulls, only to find the Goosanders joining the melee.

So much for only escape sawbills coming to bread. I'm off to Dorset for the Hooded Merganser!

100-150 Pink-footed Goose North-west over city centre on 13th around 1:30 pm.

3 Goosander on river by Lowry, 2 drake, 1 redhead.

there used to be a very small Sand Martin colony (1 or 2 pairs!) on the ship canal just before the Regent Road bridge. They were nesting in old pipes!

There are now 3 Cormorants in the area - seem to be flying up and down the canal from Oxford Rd to Piccadilly and back again. Been around for a few days now.

Cormorant perched on top of the NCP car park on Whitworth St (canal side)

Theres been up to 6 Goosanders and 2 little grebes on the river near the Mark Addy recently, think its on Bridge st west, with a pair of Goosanders present today, also 2 Goldcrest calling from riverside trees, if any city centre listers are interested.

6 Goldfinches in St Peters Square

Today marked the first day of my second year based in Peter House, Oxford Street. I celebrated in style watching 8 meadow pipits flying south over the back of the building. I am now on a mighty 31 species from the office windows, including:

Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Mallard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, LBB Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Ferel Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Swift, House Martin, Black Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Chaffinch. Oddly no Sparrows?!

I am still awaiting a Moorhen to swim along a small part of canal near the back of the Bridgewater Hall, which is in view, but no luck so far.
Maybe a Buzzard will spread its wings over the city centre some day and hopefully something unexpected through the autumn migration period!?

I know it doesn't compare well to real bird watching, but those of us that work spend most of our lives doing it, so you might as well keep your eyes open heh!?!

Visible migration from my office window yesterday with 10-12 House Martins passing in a southerly direction low over buildings opposite the back of Peter House. Second time in a few weeks.

5 Mute Swan weaving through the City centre high-rises was an incongruous but pleasant sight today.

Distant views of large bird of prey from platform at Victoria Station yesterday at 18.20. I was willing it to fly overhead and be an Osprey but it drifted off to the north so I hope it was just a Buzzard!

Steve

After another (unsuccessful) search for the BX (sorry, Black Redstarts) this morning, I heard Adrian's Whitethroat in the distance and checked out the car park on the other side of Miller St. Didn't realise there were so many brambly, overgrown areas in there - a site worth watching. Also a fine show of Orchids - don't ask me what species, have we got any city centre botanists out there?

Steve

There's a big colony of House Sparrows around Manchester Craft Centre and the nearby housing. The area has loads of excellent nest sites and plenty of food scraps. Blue Tits and Blackbirds also breeding (as well as the usual winged rats!). Once had a singing male Black Redstart on the Craft centre roof and a flock of Waxwings further up Tib St.

Steve

I have a list of 23 species from my office window in Peter House, St Peter's Square, including Black Redstart, Pink-footed Goose, Lapwing and Peregrine. Obviously around the City Centre you can get all sorts from Teal and Grey Herons to Sand Martins and Chiffchaffs. I was told that Waxwings used to visit Rowan trees near Piccadilly Station years ago, until they were felled, but not sure if they were ever properly recorded. Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover and Linnets breed further out towards Sport City, while I had a Lesser Whitethroat in rough ground on Bury New Road (Salford I think!?) about 3-4 weeks ago. Keep you eyes peeled, as you never know when the next confused "Reed Warbler" might turn up in China Town again!?!?!

mr broome,having spent a lot of time 'urban birding' in salford you,,d be surprised at the
range and quantity of birds that inhabit the parks, gardens and mean streets that go unoted but a little time spent watching the area (and your back)will yield some surprises.but don,t do it unless you have too.

cheers geoff

whitethroats so close to the city centre is a nice record but for the lists falls outside the limits of the city centre being on the wrong side of miller street!