I'm reliably informed that it's a second winter (third calendar year)
Had a brief look around 10am but not many gulls (only 1 Lesser Black-backed, 4 Common & c100 Black-headed Gulls), the build up of gulls at this site appears to be early-mid afternoon
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 28th of January 2013 05:27:00 PM
Tim Wilcox said
Mon Jan 28 4:07 PM, 2013
Super find and cheers for the heads up James which allowed myself and Tony Darby to divert there on the way back from Marbury CP. I thought it was a second calendar year bird myself but I'm no gull expert ;)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 28th of January 2013 04:28:59 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jan 28 2:09 PM, 2013
James Walsh wrote:
Hi Rob, I've sent you a PM
Is it a secret
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 28th of January 2013 02:12:30 PM
steven burke said
Mon Jan 28 6:51 AM, 2013
James Walsh wrote:
Salford Quays Winter Bird Race
0830-1700 43 species
1 Iceland Gull (found at 1pm, showing to 20 yards, sometimes coming to bread near the Lowry Outlet Mall, still present 4pm) 5 Redshank (MSC @ Weaste, on old dock viewable from Kestrel Court) 9 Lapwing 1 Skylark (over MSC @ Weaste) 1 Common Snipe (Pomona South Marsh) 2 Goldeneye (resident drake on North Wharf, & new female on MSC @ Weaste) 1 Peregrine (superb views around the Centenary Bridge) 1-2 Goldcrest (Weaste Valley) 4 Goosander (including 1 drake, MSC @ Weaste) 1 Kingfisher (MSC @ Weaste) 2 Song Thrush (1 singing Weaste Valley, 1 singing Pomona) 3 Mistle Thrush (Ordsall Park) 8 Meadow Pipit (Weaste area, also 1 Pipit on Pomona South Marsh, almost certainly Meadow but not heard to call) 4 Stock Dove (Weaste ETW) c500 Pied Wagtail (Weaste ETW) 25 Starling (Weaste ETW) c5 Herring Gull c20 Lesser Black-backed Gull c70 Common Gull 500+ Black-headed Gull 7 Moorhen (5 MSC, 2 North Wharf) 5 Coot c25 Cormorant c30 Mute Swan
-- Edited by James Walsh on Sunday 27th of January 2013 09:02:23 PM
A great find James,a shame it slowed us down for the bird race,but well and truly worth it and some good pics also Another great find for the quays Let's hope the drake GoldenEye finds that female
Henry Cook said
Sun Jan 27 10:06 PM, 2013
27/01/2013 - Iceland Gull at Salford Quays this afternoon between Lowry Bridge and Sam Platts Pub.
Info thanks to James Walsh.
James Walsh said
Sun Jan 27 6:58 PM, 2013
Salford Quays Winter Bird Race
0830-1700 43 species
1 Iceland Gull (found at 1pm, showing to 20 yards, sometimes coming to bread near the Lowry Outlet Mall, still present 4pm) 5 Redshank (MSC @ Weaste, on old dock viewable from Kestrel Court) 9 Lapwing 1 Skylark (over MSC @ Weaste) 1 Common Snipe (Pomona South Marsh) 2 Goldeneye (resident drake on North Wharf, & new female on MSC @ Weaste) 1 Peregrine (superb views around the Centenary Bridge) 1-2 Goldcrest (Weaste Valley) 4 Goosander (including 1 drake, MSC @ Weaste) 1 Kingfisher (MSC @ Weaste) 2 Song Thrush (1 singing Weaste Valley, 1 singing Pomona) 3 Mistle Thrush (Ordsall Park) 8 Meadow Pipit (Weaste area, also 1 Pipit on Pomona South Marsh, almost certainly Meadow but not heard to call) 4 Stock Dove (Weaste ETW) c500 Pied Wagtail (Weaste ETW) 25 Starling (Weaste ETW) c5 Herring Gull c20 Lesser Black-backed Gull c70 Common Gull 500+ Black-headed Gull 7 Moorhen (5 MSC, 2 North Wharf) 5 Coot c25 Cormorant c30 Mute Swan
-- Edited by James Walsh on Sunday 27th of January 2013 09:02:23 PM
Robin Tong said
Tue Jan 22 4:11 AM, 2013
Sunday:
Raven circling near the NV Buildings just outside my balcony!
James Walsh said
Tue Jan 22 12:16 AM, 2013
MSC @ Weaste
Pair of Goosander 1 Meadow Pipit
Nick Hilton said
Mon Jan 21 5:26 AM, 2013
20/01/13 1130-1215 Late WeBS count; Mallard = 31 Coot = 10 Moorhen = 1 Cormorant = 19 Mute Swan = 15 Canada Goose = 25 (including the remaining 2 leucistic birds) Black Headed Gull = 445 Lesser Black Backed Gull = 4 Common Gull = 23
Ian Keith said
Sat Jan 19 3:06 AM, 2013
Peregrine over Weaste ETW at 11am this morning
James Walsh said
Fri Jan 18 12:29 AM, 2013
Pomona, 1 Jack Snipe flushed from South Marsh @ 3:30pm
Sighting, Steven Burke
James Walsh said
Thu Jan 17 1:23 AM, 2013
MSC @ Weaste
2 Redshank flew west up the canal towards Eccles 6 Lapwing 2 adult Herring Gull 1 Moorhen 30 Mallard 2 Grey Heron
Ian Keith said
Wed Jan 16 7:48 PM, 2013
Peregine after the pigeons coming into roost at the Cargill site to the west of Centenary Bridge at dusk. (Must be a superb view from the new-ish offices overlooking the canal. Wonder if they do visitor passes?
-- Edited by Ian Keith on Wednesday 16th of January 2013 07:51:25 PM
Colin Wood said
Mon Jan 7 9:20 PM, 2013
Saw a raven being mobbed by carrion crows and black-headed gulls right above the Lowry Shopping Mall today at around 11.00 am. A raven! In the heart of Salford!! Anyone else catch this?
John Doherty said
Tue Jan 1 12:42 AM, 2013
James Walsh wrote:
3 Redshank, roosting in same area of MSC Locks
Not a bad result at all James, well done and keep looking - inspired myself to re-frequent the Quays in '13!
James Walsh said
Mon Dec 31 3:17 PM, 2012
3 Redshank, roosting in same area of MSC Locks 1 Little Grebe (Clippers Quay) 1 Goosander (female, Pomona) 1 Goldeneye (the resident drake on North Wharf, displaying to Canada Geese!) 1 adult Herring Gull (MSC Locks) 8 Coot 4 Moorhen 20 Mute Swan Black-headed Gull in summer plumage 4 Grey Heron (3 Pomona, 1 Clippers) 2 Meadow Pipit (Pomona) 1 Redwing (Pomona) 3 Song Thrush (2 Pomona, 1 singing male Weaste - Kingfisher Court) 5 Mistle Thrush (including 1 singing male Ordsall Park) c30 Starlings Ordsall Park 1 Redpoll (over Pomona) 5 Greenfinch (Trafford Wharf) 20 Goldfinch (Craven Drive, Ordsall) 3 Chaffinch (1 Weaste, 2 Craven Drive)
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 31st of December 2012 04:54:16 PM
James Walsh said
Sun Dec 30 9:11 PM, 2012
4 Redshank, still present in the same area of MSC locks @ 11:25am 30 Pink-footed Geese SE/over Erie Basin @ 9:50am 3 Goosander (2 drakes, 1 female on MSC between Lange car park & Centenary Bridge) 1 goldeneye (resident drake, North Wharf) 2 adult Herring Gulls on MSC Locks 10 Mistle Thrush, Ordsall Park/Craven Drive/Monmouth Park 3 Moorhen (2 MSC & 1 North Wharf) 1 Coot (North Wharf) Also, the Black-headed Gull in summer plumage still on North Wharf
James Walsh said
Thu Dec 27 11:58 PM, 2012
Todays highlights
4 Redshank (just west of Media City at the Manchester Ship Canal locks, view from Kingfisher Court, birds roosting south side of canal on the wired stone "bails" just to right of yellow numbers 1125, still present 1pm) 5+ Song Thrush (including 4 singing males, 3 Pomona, 1 Weaste) 1 Goldeneye (drake, North Wharf) 1 Goosander (female Pomona) 1 Goldcrest (MSC @ Weaste) 1 Bullfinch 2 adult Herring Gull c200 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail & 25 Starlings (Weaste ETW) 2 Moorhen (1 Ordsall Beach, 1 MSC @ Weaste) 1 Coot (North Wharf) 1 Mistle Thrush (Pomona)
Robin Tong said
Sun Dec 23 11:54 PM, 2012
Weaste Sewage Works 200+ Pied Wagtail
Ship Canal nr Weaste 2 Male Goosander flying down stream
16/12/12 1330-1420 WeBS count; Mallard = 26 Cormorant = 10 Moorhen = 1 Coot = 4 Mute Swan = 28 Canada Goose = 31 Black Headed Gull = 451 Lesser Black Backed Gull = 12 Common Gull = 28 Herring Gull = 1 Grey Wagtail = 1 Grey Heron = 2 Little Grebe = 1 (still in St Francis Basin, no record of one at the Quays since March 1996 on BTO records)
no sign of Little Grebe in brief search today
Nick, glad you saw it on WEBS !
Nick Hilton said
Mon Dec 17 6:28 AM, 2012
16/12/12 1330-1420 WeBS count; Mallard = 26 Cormorant = 10 Moorhen = 1 Coot = 4 Mute Swan = 28 Canada Goose = 31 Black Headed Gull = 451 Lesser Black Backed Gull = 12 Common Gull = 28 Herring Gull = 1 Grey Wagtail = 1 Grey Heron = 2 Little Grebe = 1 (still in St Francis Basin, no record of one at the Quays since March 1996 on BTO records)
30 were seen along Craven Road @ 10am, flushed by a Sparrowhawk @ 10:30am
Sighting Phil Kelly
In the afternoon, 10 were in the tall trees next to the Astro Turf Football pitch, still present 2:45pm, sometimes flying towards the St Peters Basin area of The Quays & then returning
Also 4 Redwing & 5 Mistle Thrush
James Walsh said
Sat Nov 17 8:13 PM, 2012
Just some info regarding the Tufted Duck flocks on the Manchester Ship Canal, view from the Lange Car Park (Pacific Way) & the Media City/Eccles slip road, the birds favour the area just west of Pacific Way, these numbers are the largest on The Quays since 52 in December 2010, this area of the Manchester Ship Canal appears to be good for feeding this autmn/winter so far, with birds diving frequently
Hi Henry, couldn't say, just seen with bins at about 150 yards range, I would say it was a second winter bird, mantle colour appeared to be on the Yellow-legged/Lesser Black-backed side of the scale, seen for about 2 mins then flew east, Common Gull identification seems to be a complex issue
Henry Cook wrote:
James Walsh wrote:
Salford Wharf Common Gull (mantle appeared noticeably fuller grey in colour than "average")
Did you notice if it had a shorter bill than is normally expected on Common Gull too James?
Henry Cook said
Thu Nov 15 3:53 AM, 2012
James Walsh wrote:
Salford Wharf Common Gull (mantle appeared noticeably fuller grey in colour than "average")
Did you notice if it had a shorter bill than is normally expected on Common Gull too James?
James Walsh said
Thu Nov 15 2:20 AM, 2012
Todays sightings
North Wharf Drake Goldeneye
Clippers Quay 1 Moorhen 1 Grey Heron
South Bay 1 Moorhen 12 Cormorant
Salford Wharf Common Gull (mantle appeared noticeably fuller grey in colour than "average")
Trafford Wharf c100 Black-headed Gull, 1 in near summer plumage
Ontario Basin 2 Coot 1 Moorhen
Mute Swan info, adult on Trafford Wharf FH6
Rob Smallwood said
Tue Nov 13 9:48 PM, 2012
Ben Kayser wrote:
I saw a drake Goldeneye this afternoon ducking and diving.
Had a brief look around 10am but not many gulls (only 1 Lesser Black-backed, 4 Common & c100 Black-headed Gulls), the build up of gulls at this site appears to be early-mid afternoon
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 28th of January 2013 05:27:00 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 28th of January 2013 04:28:59 PM
Is it a secret
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 28th of January 2013 02:12:30 PM
A great find James,a shame it slowed us down for the bird race,but well and truly worth it and some good pics also
Another great find for the quays
Let's hope the drake GoldenEye finds that female
Info thanks to James Walsh.
0830-1700 43 species
1 Iceland Gull (found at 1pm, showing to 20 yards, sometimes coming to bread near the Lowry Outlet Mall, still present 4pm)
5 Redshank (MSC @ Weaste, on old dock viewable from Kestrel Court)
9 Lapwing
1 Skylark (over MSC @ Weaste)
1 Common Snipe (Pomona South Marsh)
2 Goldeneye (resident drake on North Wharf, & new female on MSC @ Weaste)
1 Peregrine (superb views around the Centenary Bridge)
1-2 Goldcrest (Weaste Valley)
4 Goosander (including 1 drake, MSC @ Weaste)
1 Kingfisher (MSC @ Weaste)
2 Song Thrush (1 singing Weaste Valley, 1 singing Pomona)
3 Mistle Thrush (Ordsall Park)
8 Meadow Pipit (Weaste area, also 1 Pipit on Pomona South Marsh, almost certainly Meadow but not heard to call)
4 Stock Dove (Weaste ETW)
c500 Pied Wagtail (Weaste ETW)
25 Starling (Weaste ETW)
c5 Herring Gull
c20 Lesser Black-backed Gull
c70 Common Gull
500+ Black-headed Gull
7 Moorhen (5 MSC, 2 North Wharf)
5 Coot
c25 Cormorant
c30 Mute Swan
-- Edited by James Walsh on Sunday 27th of January 2013 09:02:23 PM
Raven circling near the NV Buildings just outside my balcony!
Pair of Goosander
1 Meadow Pipit
Late WeBS count;
Mallard = 31
Coot = 10
Moorhen = 1
Cormorant = 19
Mute Swan = 15
Canada Goose = 25 (including the remaining 2 leucistic birds)
Black Headed Gull = 445
Lesser Black Backed Gull = 4
Common Gull = 23
Sighting, Steven Burke
2 Redshank flew west up the canal towards Eccles
6 Lapwing
2 adult Herring Gull
1 Moorhen
30 Mallard
2 Grey Heron
Now thats what I call a bird hide
-- Edited by Ian Keith on Wednesday 16th of January 2013 07:51:25 PM
Not a bad result at all James, well done and keep looking - inspired myself to re-frequent the Quays in '13!
1 Little Grebe (Clippers Quay)
1 Goosander (female, Pomona)
1 Goldeneye (the resident drake on North Wharf, displaying to Canada Geese!)
1 adult Herring Gull (MSC Locks)
8 Coot
4 Moorhen
20 Mute Swan
Black-headed Gull in summer plumage
4 Grey Heron (3 Pomona, 1 Clippers)
2 Meadow Pipit (Pomona)
1 Redwing (Pomona)
3 Song Thrush (2 Pomona, 1 singing male Weaste - Kingfisher Court)
5 Mistle Thrush (including 1 singing male Ordsall Park)
c30 Starlings Ordsall Park
1 Redpoll (over Pomona)
5 Greenfinch (Trafford Wharf)
20 Goldfinch (Craven Drive, Ordsall)
3 Chaffinch (1 Weaste, 2 Craven Drive)
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 31st of December 2012 04:54:16 PM
30 Pink-footed Geese SE/over Erie Basin @ 9:50am
3 Goosander (2 drakes, 1 female on MSC between Lange car park & Centenary Bridge)
1 goldeneye (resident drake, North Wharf)
2 adult Herring Gulls on MSC Locks
10 Mistle Thrush, Ordsall Park/Craven Drive/Monmouth Park
3 Moorhen (2 MSC & 1 North Wharf)
1 Coot (North Wharf)
Also, the Black-headed Gull in summer plumage still on North Wharf
4 Redshank (just west of Media City at the Manchester Ship Canal locks, view from Kingfisher Court, birds roosting south side of canal on the wired stone "bails" just to right of yellow numbers 1125, still present 1pm)
5+ Song Thrush (including 4 singing males, 3 Pomona, 1 Weaste)
1 Goldeneye (drake, North Wharf)
1 Goosander (female Pomona)
1 Goldcrest (MSC @ Weaste)
1 Bullfinch
2 adult Herring Gull
c200 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail & 25 Starlings (Weaste ETW)
2 Moorhen (1 Ordsall Beach, 1 MSC @ Weaste)
1 Coot (North Wharf)
1 Mistle Thrush (Pomona)
200+ Pied Wagtail
Ship Canal nr Weaste
2 Male Goosander flying down stream
Trafford Park nr Ecological Park
8 Greenfinch
Female Tufted Duck
Female Goosander
2 Kestrel
no sign of Little Grebe in brief search today
Nick, glad you saw it on WEBS !
WeBS count;
Mallard = 26
Cormorant = 10
Moorhen = 1
Coot = 4
Mute Swan = 28
Canada Goose = 31
Black Headed Gull = 451
Lesser Black Backed Gull = 12
Common Gull = 28
Herring Gull = 1
Grey Wagtail = 1
Grey Heron = 2
Little Grebe = 1 (still in St Francis Basin, no record of one at the Quays since March 1996 on BTO records)
2 Lapwing
3 Tufted Ducks
1 Little Grebe
1 adult Herring Gull
64 Common Gull
Drake Goldeneye
1 Common Buzzard
c300 Pied Wagtail
4 Grey Wagtail
50 Starling
3 Coot
1 Moorhen
1 s'pl Black-headed Gull
3 Grey Heron
25 Cormorant
20 Mute Swan
(Little Grebe is very photogenic showing down to 10 yards on St Francis Basin)
-- Edited by James Walsh on Thursday 13th of December 2012 06:10:26 PM
2 Woodcock
1 Common Snipe
1 Kingfisher
2 Song Thrush
1 Wren
Also
1 Coot (Trafford Wharf)
1 Moorhen (Clippers Quay)
16 Mute Swan
Adult Black-headed Gull in summer plumage (Salford Wharf)
-- Edited by James Walsh on Tuesday 11th of December 2012 05:36:03 PM
1 Jack Snipe
2 Common Snipe
3 Song Thrush
2 Meadow Pipit
30 Pied Wagtail
1 Kestrel
1 Blackbird
1 Robin
Also, 1 Song Thrush in bushes around the Lange car park
c100 Waxwings over Monmouth Park @ 2:40pm, heading towards Pomona
c400 Starlings Ontario Basin, gathered on the blue cranes @ 3pm
1 Jay (heard) at Kestrel Court
2 adult Herring Gulls - MSC locks
33 Common Gulls
43 Cormorant
1 adult Moorhen - Clippers Quay
8 Redwing - Craven Drive/Monmouth Park
c20 Mistle Thrush - Craven Drive/Monmouth Park
late WeBS count;
Mallard = 30
Cormorant = 9
Moorhen = 2
Coot = 4
Mute Swan = 12
Canada Goose = 38
Kingfisher = 1
Black Headed Gull = 346
Lesser Black Backed Gull = 4
Common Gull = 19
1 Buzzard over , mobbed by 2 Carrion Crow.
topped off with >30 mobile Waxwings in Monmouth Park @ 12.40
Sighting Steve Burke
Yesterday, Sparrowhawk, MSC @ Weaste
160+ Waxwing
3 Redwing
7 Mistle Thrush
Clippers Quay
1 Kingfisher showing well
1 Coot
1 Moorhen
8 Mute Swan
Ontario Basin
c50 Starlings on blue cranes
1 Coot
Monmouth Park, Ordsall
45 Waxwing
c50 Starling
Craven Road, Ordsall
1 Redwing
2 Mistle Thrush
c20 tits (Long-tailed, Blue, Great)
Pomona
21 Lapwing
16 Mute Swan (3 juvs)
Weaste ETW
Common Buzzard
30 were seen along Craven Road @ 10am, flushed by a Sparrowhawk @ 10:30am
Sighting Phil Kelly
In the afternoon, 10 were in the tall trees next to the Astro Turf Football pitch, still present 2:45pm, sometimes flying towards the St Peters Basin area of The Quays & then returning
Also 4 Redwing & 5 Mistle Thrush
36 Tufted Duck
4 Stock Dove
c200 Pied Wagtail
c100 Wood Pigeon
3 Mute Swan
Did you notice if it had a shorter bill than is normally expected on Common Gull too James?
North Wharf
Drake Goldeneye
Clippers Quay
1 Moorhen
1 Grey Heron
South Bay
1 Moorhen
12 Cormorant
Salford Wharf
Common Gull (mantle appeared noticeably fuller grey in colour than "average")
Trafford Wharf
c100 Black-headed Gull, 1 in near summer plumage
Ontario Basin
2 Coot
1 Moorhen
Mute Swan info, adult on Trafford Wharf FH6
Should that not be "draking and diving"? ;)
Middlewood Locks
7 Linnet
13 Meadow Pipit
1 Grey Wagtail
1 adult Moorhen
River Irwell
1 female Goosander
1 adult Moorhen
4 Cormorant
Sightings thanks to Steven Burke
43 Tufted Duck
Weaste Valley
2 Goldcrest (heard)
1 Mistle Thrush
Weaste ETW
1 Common Buzzard
c30 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
c50 Black-headed Gull
1 Kestrel
Centenary Bridge
2 Common Buzzard
c300 Feral Pigeon
Sightings thanks to Phil Kelly
Singing Chiffchaff
1 Goldcrest
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Bullfinch
1 Meadow Pipit
c20 Long-tailed Tit
3 Chaffinch
MSC
1 Moorhen
1 Grey Heron
2 Mute Swan
80 Canada Goose
2 Grey Wagtail
Pacific Way
2 Goldcrest
c25 tits (mostly Long-tailed)
1 Sparrowhawk
Falcon Court
1 Redwing
1 Kestrel
For anyone searching for Waxwings, there are some decent berry trees around South Langworthy Road/Kansas Avenue/Broadway/Falcon Court
-- Edited by James Walsh on Saturday 10th of November 2012 05:09:27 PM
Weaste area
32 Tufted Duck
1 Little Grebe
4 Redwing
1 Bullfinch
1 Common Buzzard
c100 Starling
North Wharf
Drake Goldeneye
Pomona
2 Meadow Pipit
Middlewood Locks
1 Meadow Pipit
-- Edited by James Walsh on Wednesday 7th of November 2012 11:14:54 AM
Sightings from Steven Burke
1 Jay
21 Lapwing
1 Meadow Pipit
5 Redwing
30+ Common Gull
3 Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 Sparrowhawk
2 Grey Wagtail
1 Pied Wagtail
3 Mistle Thrush
1 Kestrel
Ontario Basin
c100 Starlings on the blue cranes at 4pm
male Bullfinch showing well
Flock of c30 tits (Long-tailed, Great & Blue)
Pomona
1 Bullfinch
1 Meadow Pipit
Clippers Quay
15 Mute Swan (incl 2 juvs)
1 Moorhen
1 Grey Heron
South Bay
12 Cormorant
North Wharf
Drake Goldeneye
3 Mute Swan
1 Grey Heron
Weaste area of MSC
12 Tufted Duck
5 Goldcrest
1 Meadow Pipit
10 Long-tailed Tit
1 Common Buzzrd
3 Grey Heron
1 Moorhen
Pomona
1 Skylark
1 female Goosander
3 Meadow Pipit
Siskins (heard)
4 Grey Heron
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
6 Common Gull
7 Mistle Thrush
North Wharf
Drake Goldeneye
1 Grey Heron
Clippers Quay
1 Moorhen
8 Tufted Duck
7 Goldcrest
3 Jay
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 Sparrowhawk
1 Stock Dove
1 Coal Tit
3 Meadow Pipit
27 Long-tailed Tit
1 Bullfinch
1 Herring Gull
1 Moorhen
1 Linnet
1 Song Thrush
1 Grey Wagtail
30 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Heron