A mandarin duck on a canal (sorry don't know which one). It is a bird which has confused me for ages because it has the body structure and orange feathers on the wings (which point up) of a male but has the patterning of a female. It has stayed this way for 2 years. I have photos of the bird. Any advice on how to gender this bird would help. Cheers.
-- Edited by Joel Tragen on Thursday 16th of April 2015 09:56:53 PM
Chris Harper said
Thu Apr 16 4:41 PM, 2015
2 House Martin over Harrytown, Romiley this afternoon.
steven burke said
Tue Apr 14 12:06 PM, 2015
willow warbler in the grounds of st john vianney school on rye bank rd, firswood at 7.40am. also male sparrowhawk flew low over the road.
Gordon Newman said
Sun Apr 12 2:29 PM, 2015
Male Pheasant on street pavement on housing estate between Pennington Flash and Bickershaw Rucks as I left for work this morning was a bit of a suprise
phillipskelly said
Wed Apr 8 1:13 PM, 2015
Great spotted Woodpecker . . - seen drumming on the tin roof of the bowls hut in Hullard park Old Trafford yesterday by my neighbour at 9.10am yesterday .
He was told that it does it the same time everyday .
Jon Bowen said
Tue Apr 7 8:26 PM, 2015
Single Swallow on the canal at Red Rock Lane Haigh at 7.35 this evening
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Apr 6 9:10 PM, 2015
early am in flooded horse field off Bickershaw Lane 1 little egret ( probably same bird i saw later at Lightshaw) and 3 oystercatcher + 2 lapwing and black headed gulls, info from my mate Andy who whilst not a birder knows his wildlife.
phillipskelly said
Mon Apr 6 7:06 PM, 2015
Drake Mandarin duck still on the Bridgewater canal at Marsland rd bridge Sale .
Also . . Firs wood Sale . . .
Lots of blue/ great tits about . Great spotted woodpecker x1.
Chiffchaff x2 at the edge of the
wood . And a Common Buzzard heard outside the wood.
Ps. Did find a very small , newly excavated hole in an oak tree but the occupant turned out not to be a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker . . . but a great tit with a dead leaf in its beak .
Firs wood Sale is a small mature oak wood with some dead oaks dotted about. It also has some youngish birch trees present together with a row of large Scots pine and a couple of decent sized Yew trees. It has potential but it is small .
Got to finish - the squirrel is on my bird feeders.
phillipskelly said
Sun Apr 5 7:40 PM, 2015
Re: my last post . I was for Stretford Tip -
(I put this in the subject box but it did'nt register) .
phillipskelly said
Sun Apr 5 7:31 PM, 2015
Grey Partridge x1.
Reed bunting x2. Meadow pipit x2.
Chiffchaff x2 around perimeter .
Greenfinch x2.
House sparrow x 2 .
Common buzzard x2 (one over Carrington Moss, the other over Banky ln ) . Kestrel x 2.
Bernard McGurrin said
Wed Apr 1 2:35 PM, 2015
5 lapwing and several black headed gulls on flooded fields just before blakeleys off bickershaw lane, kestrel hunting,
Bernard McGurrin said
Sat Mar 28 9:31 PM, 2015
Tawny owl calling from church yard on bickershaw lane from 21-00 till 21-20 when it started raining again not heard it since and couldn't see it,
Rob Creek said
Wed Mar 25 3:37 PM, 2015
Passed Redgate Recycling approx 9.10am
Only birds I could see were... Black-headed Gulls - approx 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 ...all sat on top of 384 building
Rob Creek said
Mon Mar 23 8:28 PM, 2015
Tacho break this afternoon at Redgate Recycling.
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Carrion Crows 2 Magpies That was it!
A quick look at Gorton Park... 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 2 Herring Gulls A handful of Black-headed Gulls Plenty of Woodpigeon
Simon Gough said
Fri Mar 20 7:19 PM, 2015
A quick look in at the Redgate Lane Iceland Gull location after a not-very productive trip to Pennington Flash. No luck on the Iceland Gull either, it felt too late in the day at about 4pm. Great to meet Nigel Troup and Dave Evans there also having a quick look. Stockport birders on tour! I always like meeting fellow forum members. Dave even gave me a lift home, what a gentleman.
In respect of the gulls present, there were around 20 Black-headed Gulls of a variety of ages and plumages and a handful of Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull adults, one juvenile of each of those bigger ones and a Common Gull adult. But, and this rescued my day, I saw a Woodcock fly over the Longsight Rail Depot, over Hyde Road and away towards Gorton. No idea where it was heading, but what a great bird to see in plain view in broad daylight. I'm well happy now! The other nice bird was a singing Greenfinch on a tree in the Redgate yard, valiantly trying to rise above the noise of HGVs and trains. It flew off with another one close behind so maybe that was love's young dream anyway...
Shannon Llewellyn said
Thu Mar 19 8:58 PM, 2015
Two grey wagtail flitting around the main bus stop / Co-Op area in Chorlton this morning.
I've seen one around here quite a lot, but this is the first time I've seen two together.
Rob Creek said
Thu Mar 19 3:24 PM, 2015
Stopped briefly at 1.20pm near Redgate Recycling whilst en route to a Hollingworth delivery. No sign of juvenile Iceland Gull or the main group of Gulls. Not on Gorton Park either.
Only birds I saw... 3 Herring Gulls drifting high over Carrion Crows, Magpies and a Woodpigeon on recycling yard fence.
Rob Creek said
Thu Mar 19 10:45 AM, 2015
Just left depot and driven down Hyde Rd towards the City Centre, juvenile Iceland Gull is in its favourite spot on the apex of the '384 Hyde Road' building (opposite Redgate Recycling yard) amongst around 10 Black-headed Gulls. Cheers
Tim Wilcox said
Wed Mar 18 5:31 PM, 2015
Iceland Gull circled around above Redgate Recycling, Redgate Lane West Gorton for about 10 minutes at 2.30pm but did not land. It drifted off East and didn't come back with the mixed flock that came in as new rubbish arrived.
phillipskelly said
Tue Mar 17 3:51 PM, 2015
Raven on boundary of Stretford Tip ( stretford meadows ) 11.30am today .
Rob Creek said
Tue Mar 17 3:36 PM, 2015
Juvenile Iceland Gull was giving excellent views up until 15 minutes ago and has disappeared again.
Good to meet Mark Rigby again.
Other birds present... 2 Pied Wagtails 2 Dunnock both very active flying low across the road Carrion Crows Magpies Woodpigeons 1 Collared Dove there too Few Starlings about
Gulls- Difficult to put a number on today as they were very active, we hit it right on time for the yard being busy. There were more Gulls very high up above the yard circling too, not readily in view, and also more Gulls over the railway overhead power lines towards Kirkmanshulme Lane Rail transport depot Black-headed Gulls - by far most numerous ??? nearing 80+ ??? Lesser Black-backed Gulls - around 10 including a few juveniles, usually less Herring Gulls - again very difficult as a lot were high up, birds of various ages around
Thanks for the bit of info on Gull ageing Riggers, I know it's a minefield but it all helps.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 17th of March 2015 07:27:29 PM
Rob Creek said
Tue Mar 17 2:53 PM, 2015
Juvenile Iceland Gull still here at Redgate Recycling.
Currently on tacho break and it's already circled over a few times, nice to meet the other birder here. Glad you saw it!
Rob Creek said
Mon Mar 16 7:34 PM, 2015
Up to the end of break 3.30pm...
Approx 50-60 Black-headed Gulls 3 Herring Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls A few juveniles around including the ICELAND GULL. It circled the yard a few times, landed on the rubbish mound, did a couple more flyovers then came in to land on one of the roofs opposite but it must've been on part of the roof that is hidden from view due to the design. I lost sight of it but will look out for it tomorrow, route permitting.
Juvenile Iceland Gull is currently here at Redgate Recycling
Rob Creek said
Mon Mar 16 12:23 PM, 2015
Juvenile Iceland Gull still present. It was flying over Redgate Recycling yard just off Hyde Rd a little earlier
Andy Isherwood said
Mon Mar 16 12:16 PM, 2015
Male Blackcap singing this morning c.8am in Urmston, heard only from Atkinson road coming from Gardens to the East of here.
Jon Bowen said
Sun Mar 15 1:10 PM, 2015
Great views of Sparrowhawk stooping onto a group of thrusts at Nook Hill this morning. Awesome speed and devastating impact
Rob Creek said
Sat Mar 14 2:52 PM, 2015
No sign of Juvenile Iceland Gull or any Gulls for that matter at Redgate Recycling.
There are some Gulls on Gorton Park field but seem to be mostly Black-headed around 30, 2 Lesser Black-backed and around 6 Herring Gulls.
Rob Creek said
Sat Mar 14 10:48 AM, 2015
Juvenile Iceland Gull still present although distant in the field of Gorton Park just off Hyde Rd not far from Redgate Recycling. Possibility of it visiting there later.
Rob Creek said
Fri Mar 13 6:54 PM, 2015
Juvenile Iceland Gull was observed again over the refuse yard just before the end of my tacho break. It flew off with the main group of Gulls, and I didn't see it again.
I will check here again tomorrow whilst working in the area to see if it is still present. The Gulls tend to time it just right for when refuse wagons come in with rubbish loads, then fly off for lengthy periods, so my tacho break coincided just right today for the sighting, but maybe not for the refuse wagons coming in so they fed elsewhere after here. Will post any updates if seen tomorrow
Rob Creek said
Fri Mar 13 2:09 PM, 2015
Juvenile Iceland Gull present at Redgate Recycling just off Hyde Rd, Gorton.
Pulled up on tacho break and the bird swooped down to land on the 384 building next to the Stoodley Car Auctions right infront of my wagon. It has done a few fly rounds with the other Gulls and has been feeding in the refuse yard too. Just lost sight of it but is probably still around.
Usual good numbers of Black-headed Gulls - approx 80-100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 4 Herring Gull - approx 10 (adults) Common Gull - 1 Few large juvenile commoner Gulls present can't tell if Herring or Lesser Black-backed, sorry!
Cheers
Bernard McGurrin said
Wed Mar 11 3:23 PM, 2015
tawny owl calling from behind my house at 23-40 last night for about 15 mins seemed quite close but i couldn't spot it.
Steven Nelson said
Thu Mar 5 10:21 PM, 2015
A female Grey Wagtail feeding amongst the accumulated pigeon droppings under the M60 bridge at the A57 Peel Green roundabout this morning at 8.00am inches from the traffic. Presumably the droppings must attract some insects.
Rob Creek said
Thu Mar 5 1:20 PM, 2015
Just passed Redgate Recycling just off Hyde Road, Gorton.
They've put up a flappy 'Red Kite' in the refuse yard to act as a deterrent to all the birds (mainly Gulls) that congregate there. Guess what...its as you were as regards birds numbers.
Approx 100-150 Gulls (mainly Black-headed from what I could see) Few larger Gulls flying round too Carrion Crows Magpies Woodpigeon Feral Pigeon Starling ...all seemingly enjoying themselves feeding on the rubbish titbits!
JamieDunning said
Tue Mar 3 12:34 AM, 2015
with the steady stream of Little Egret sightings recently, I though tI'd share one of mine from Sept 2014 - Observer from my car whilst driving up the M62, it was in flight over the motorway moving towards Clifton marina. Not reported on here originally because I'd assumed it was just out of county. I'm only sorry I can't be more specific.
Bernard McGurrin said
Fri Feb 27 9:00 PM, 2015
2 raven and 2 buzzard over red rock nr wigan golf club whilst driving back from worthington lakes
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Feb 23 5:44 PM, 2015
A cracking office tick today as a Buzzard drifted over Abraham Moss mid morning.
Also a Jay present in the trees beside the tram track this morning and plenty of display activity by the Greenfinches this afternoon.
Gary Crowder said
Fri Feb 20 4:27 PM, 2015
Reddish Vale - ish
A Woodcock flew over the M60 along the River Tame Valley between j25 - j24 at 14:25 this pm
Scott robinson said
Fri Feb 20 11:18 AM, 2015
Late post for yesterday teatime a Grey wagtail was on the brook at Westleigh park near the small waterfall.
Colin Nicholls said
Sun Feb 15 9:45 PM, 2015
2 Rooks feeding on the ground at Lostock Circle, Stretford.
Paul Heaton said
Thu Feb 12 9:49 PM, 2015
sorry late report but Little Egret flew over Ashton on Mersey sale cheshire Yesterday heading towards Carrington Moss.
C100 Plus lapwing today flying over top of Barton Bridge Eccles, at mid day.
Keep Birding
Kristian Wade said
Wed Feb 11 4:13 PM, 2015
A bit late but I thought it was worth a mention. On the 9th of February 800 plus gulls circling over astley village, in particular st Mary's high school. They were mainly black headed by lesser black backed, common and herring all present. I don't know where they were going as it was only 12:15pm so not to any roost.
Rob Creek said
Thu Feb 5 2:07 PM, 2015
Just a heads up for anyone at a loose end and fancied a bit of Gull watching. 3 sites I've passed en route to a delivery and there's plenty of Gulls present, mainly Black-headed but maybe worth a look.
1. Redgate Recycling in Gorton - plenty of activity as I passed.
2. Broomstairs Farm fields - could see from M67 looking down, around 50-60 Gulls
3. Matley Lane, Hyde - left hand field over the top rammed with Gulls.
Just thought it may be worth a scan for the Gullers! Cheers Rob
Steve Judge said
Wed Feb 4 6:30 PM, 2015
Tuesday 3rd February at 17:00 hrs:
Buzzard on top of overhead motorway light on M60 JCT 13 off anti-clockwise exit road (Worsley/Swinton). It is next to Worsley Woods.
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 4th of February 2015 06:30:55 PM
Rob Creek said
Wed Feb 4 5:41 PM, 2015
Grey Heron stalking something near the clockwise hard shoulder of M60 J20 for Blackley at 5.22pm and then... Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the motorway infront of my wagon at the Oldham junction at 5.25pm It's getting lighter!
Scott robinson said
Wed Feb 4 1:19 PM, 2015
Late post for around 7:45 last night a Tawny owl flew across Bickershaw lane near to the allotments.
Rob Creek said
Tue Feb 3 7:02 PM, 2015
Another local delivery day so another chance to scan the Gulls at Redgate Recycling in Gorton.
Slightly differing numbers to yesterday but a high number of birds still means that I can only approximate!
Black-headed Gulls - by far the most numerous here, approx 150+ Common Gulls - approx 20 (mixed adults and juvs) Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 5 (1 appeared to be at a younger stage than the other 4) Herring Gulls - a couple of adults Plenty of large juveniles around but difficult to ascertain what they are in the chaos that erupts when the yard is active! Magpies - must've been around 50 Carrion Crows - around 10 again Starling - roughly about 20 (less than usual) Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon - plenty around the yard perimeter 1 - Pied Wagtail 1 - Dunnock 1 - Blackbird
A bird circling high in the distance towards Ardwick gradually drifted closer and turned out to be a Great Black-backed Gull but it didn't show much interest in the rubbish heap like the other Gulls did. It just carried on circling round and eventually drifted on further up Hyde Road towards Denton (and quite possibly Audenshaw Res)
Rob Creek said
Mon Feb 2 6:04 PM, 2015
Afternoon tacho break near Redgate Recycling, Gorton.
Very active today, birds of note...
Black-headed Gulls - estimate only approx 120 Common Gulls - between 5-10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 2 adults Herring Gulls - 2 adults Quite a few juveniles of the large Gulls knocking around, not sure if Herring or LBb's) 1 GREY Wagtail - usually see a PIED here but none today Starling - approx 40-50 (feeding on rubbish mound and flying around the site) Carrion Crow - about 10 Magpies - at least 20 Woodpigeon - a lot, approx 30 mainly lining the yard fencing Feral Pigeons - quite a lot around
Scott robinson said
Mon Feb 2 1:24 PM, 2015
Grey wagtail on Westleigh brook just before Westleigh high school.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sat Jan 31 8:29 PM, 2015
Knott Lane, just off the A627 heading out of Ashton (where I horseride), a mixed flock of redwing, fieldfare and starling (comprising of roughly 15 birds of each) feeding in a horse paddock. Also a small flock of 10-15 common gull circling overhead and a coal tit in fine voice.
Seen large numbers of redwing here before, but never fieldfare. Was quite chuffed.
-- Edited by Joel Tragen on Thursday 16th of April 2015 09:56:53 PM
also male sparrowhawk flew low over the road.
Only birds I could see were...
Black-headed Gulls - approx 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
...all sat on top of 384 building
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Carrion Crows
2 Magpies
That was it!
A quick look at Gorton Park...
5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 Herring Gulls
A handful of Black-headed Gulls
Plenty of Woodpigeon
In respect of the gulls present, there were around 20 Black-headed Gulls of a variety of ages and plumages and a handful of Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull adults, one juvenile of each of those bigger ones and a Common Gull adult. But, and this rescued my day, I saw a Woodcock fly over the Longsight Rail Depot, over Hyde Road and away towards Gorton. No idea where it was heading, but what a great bird to see in plain view in broad daylight. I'm well happy now! The other nice bird was a singing Greenfinch on a tree in the Redgate yard, valiantly trying to rise above the noise of HGVs and trains. It flew off with another one close behind so maybe that was love's young dream anyway...
I've seen one around here quite a lot, but this is the first time I've seen two together.
No sign of juvenile Iceland Gull or the main group of Gulls. Not on Gorton Park either.
Only birds I saw...
3 Herring Gulls drifting high over
Carrion Crows, Magpies and a Woodpigeon on recycling yard fence.
Cheers
Good to meet Mark Rigby again.
Other birds present...
2 Pied Wagtails
2 Dunnock both very active flying low across the road
Carrion Crows
Magpies
Woodpigeons
1 Collared Dove there too
Few Starlings about
Gulls-
Difficult to put a number on today as they were very active, we hit it right on time for the yard being busy. There were more Gulls very high up above the yard circling too, not readily in view, and also more Gulls over the railway overhead power lines towards Kirkmanshulme Lane Rail transport depot
Black-headed Gulls - by far most numerous ??? nearing 80+ ???
Lesser Black-backed Gulls - around 10 including a few juveniles, usually less
Herring Gulls - again very difficult as a lot were high up, birds of various ages around
Thanks for the bit of info on Gull ageing Riggers, I know it's a minefield but it all helps.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 17th of March 2015 07:27:29 PM
Currently on tacho break and it's already circled over a few times, nice to meet the other birder here. Glad you saw it!
Approx 50-60 Black-headed Gulls
3 Herring Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
A few juveniles around including the ICELAND GULL.
It circled the yard a few times, landed on the rubbish mound, did a couple more flyovers then came in to land on one of the roofs opposite but it must've been on part of the roof that is hidden from view due to the design. I lost sight of it but will look out for it tomorrow, route permitting.
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Dunnock
Approx 30 Starling
Carrion Crows
Jackdaws
Magpies
Woodpigeons
Feral Pigeons
It was flying over Redgate Recycling yard just off Hyde Rd a little earlier
There are some Gulls on Gorton Park field but seem to be mostly Black-headed around 30, 2 Lesser Black-backed and around 6 Herring Gulls.
Possibility of it visiting there later.
I will check here again tomorrow whilst working in the area to see if it is still present. The Gulls tend to time it just right for when refuse wagons come in with rubbish loads, then fly off for lengthy periods, so my tacho break coincided just right today for the sighting, but maybe not for the refuse wagons coming in so they fed elsewhere after here.
Will post any updates if seen tomorrow
Pulled up on tacho break and the bird swooped down to land on the 384 building next to the Stoodley Car Auctions right infront of my wagon. It has done a few fly rounds with the other Gulls and has been feeding in the refuse yard too. Just lost sight of it but is probably still around.
Usual good numbers of Black-headed Gulls - approx 80-100
Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 4
Herring Gull - approx 10 (adults)
Common Gull - 1
Few large juvenile commoner Gulls present can't tell if Herring or Lesser Black-backed, sorry!
Cheers
They've put up a flappy 'Red Kite' in the refuse yard to act as a deterrent to all the birds (mainly Gulls) that congregate there.
Guess what...its as you were as regards birds numbers.
Approx 100-150 Gulls (mainly Black-headed from what I could see)
Few larger Gulls flying round too
Carrion Crows
Magpies
Woodpigeon
Feral Pigeon
Starling
...all seemingly enjoying themselves feeding on the rubbish titbits!
Observer from my car whilst driving up the M62, it was in flight over the motorway moving towards Clifton marina.
Not reported on here originally because I'd assumed it was just out of county. I'm only sorry I can't be more specific.
Also a Jay present in the trees beside the tram track this morning and plenty of display activity by the Greenfinches this afternoon.
C100 Plus lapwing today flying over top of Barton Bridge Eccles, at mid day.
Keep Birding
1. Redgate Recycling in Gorton - plenty of activity as I passed.
2. Broomstairs Farm fields - could see from M67 looking down, around 50-60 Gulls
3. Matley Lane, Hyde - left hand field over the top rammed with Gulls.
Just thought it may be worth a scan for the Gullers!
Cheers
Rob
Buzzard on top of overhead motorway light on M60 JCT 13 off anti-clockwise exit road (Worsley/Swinton). It is next to Worsley Woods.
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 4th of February 2015 06:30:55 PM
Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the motorway infront of my wagon at the Oldham junction at 5.25pm
It's getting lighter!
Slightly differing numbers to yesterday but a high number of birds still means that I can only approximate!
Black-headed Gulls - by far the most numerous here, approx 150+
Common Gulls - approx 20 (mixed adults and juvs)
Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 5 (1 appeared to be at a younger stage than the other 4)
Herring Gulls - a couple of adults
Plenty of large juveniles around but difficult to ascertain what they are in the chaos that erupts when the yard is active!
Magpies - must've been around 50
Carrion Crows - around 10 again
Starling - roughly about 20 (less than usual)
Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon - plenty around the yard perimeter
1 - Pied Wagtail
1 - Dunnock
1 - Blackbird
A bird circling high in the distance towards Ardwick gradually drifted closer and turned out to be a Great Black-backed Gull but it didn't show much interest in the rubbish heap like the other Gulls did. It just carried on circling round and eventually drifted on further up Hyde Road towards Denton (and quite possibly Audenshaw Res)
Very active today, birds of note...
Black-headed Gulls - estimate only approx 120
Common Gulls - between 5-10
Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 2 adults
Herring Gulls - 2 adults
Quite a few juveniles of the large Gulls knocking around, not sure if Herring or LBb's)
1 GREY Wagtail - usually see a PIED here but none today
Starling - approx 40-50 (feeding on rubbish mound and flying around the site)
Carrion Crow - about 10
Magpies - at least 20
Woodpigeon - a lot, approx 30 mainly lining the yard fencing
Feral Pigeons - quite a lot around
Seen large numbers of redwing here before, but never fieldfare. Was quite chuffed.